"I'm pretty sure I can dress myself, Cupcake" Vi said over the phone, trying her hardest not to sound irritated. "Yes, I washed my hair...Cupcake...Cu-...Cupcake! I'll be fine, really. I'll see you in an hour." the phone hit the receiver with a clack as Vi hung up. "Gods woman" she muttered to herself as she continued styling her hair. "I'm not four years old." She looked herself up and down in the mirror, grinning like a school girl. "Man, she's gonna flip when she see's this" she muttered.
Vi did her best not to mess up her new outfit in the hour span she had to wait. There really wasn't much to do in her apartment she realized, looking around sullenly. She had already gotten all dressed up, so working on her Gauntlets was out of the question. Her sofa was a grimy mess, and would surely mark her pristine pants, so there went that idea. She ended up pacing back and forth between the bathroom and the kitchen, checking her appearance in the bathroom mirror, then checking her fridge for something to eat or drink before remembering that she was already dressed up, then going back to the bathroom to check herself.
She ended up leaving fifteen minutes early, knowing Caitlyn probably wouldn't be ready. The night was cool, with an easy breeze making its way down the streets of Piltover. Memories of all those lonely nights hunting criminals filled Vi's mind as she drove. What a different time those were. Something about having to search for scraps of food, not knowing weather or not you would be free tomorrow or in a cell, really made Vi appreciate the smaller things; having her own car, a steady paycheck, a place to sleep, regardless of how shitty it was. Even her phone was a blessing.
And then there was Caitlyn. She was more than just a little thing to Vi; she was everything. Everything Vi had could be attributed to Caitlyn; her car, her job, her apartment. The sheriff had done it all. It's why Vi tried so hard to be a better officer, to follow the book more, why she even considered going to this stupid fucking party with her; Caitlyn had Vi's heart on a string, and Vi wasn't complaining.
Vi rapped three times on Caitlyn's door. "Yo, Cupcake" she called. "Hope you don't mind I'm early. I had nothing better to do at my place."
"One moment please!" came the muffled reply through the door. Vi waited. And waited. She knocked again.
"You alright in there Cupcake?" she called.
"I'm fine dear" she said "just...oh fine, come in!"
Vi opened the door, but Caitlyn was nowhere to be seen. "Cait?" Vi called, walking inside and closing the door behind her. The apartment was a bit messier than usual. Makeup was scattered across the kitchen counter, dresses and outfits strewn about the floor, there were even a few discarded pieces of trash.
Caitlyn came around the corner into Vi's view, pinning an eloquent looking butterfly in her hair as she did. She had on a fairly simple purple dress that hung down to her ankles. It shone and rippled like a river as she moved, flowing this way and that as the silk waved. While Cait didn't need makeup, it certainly didn't hurt as Vi saw; every line in her face was smoothed, making her look almost like a porcelain doll. "I told you to come at six Vi" she said exasperatedly. "You're lucky I'm ready now you would be waiting in the..." she froze, looking up at Vi.
While Caitlyn was the epitome of beauty, Vi had style. She wore a sleek white vest with gleaming gold buttons over a navy blue dress shirt and yellow tie. Her hands were covered in white and yellow leather gloves, studded with strips of shining metal that glinted in the electric light of Catilyns apartment. Her hair was styled back in a greaser-esq get up in the front, and a neat ponytail in the back. Tight black slats covered her legs, met by black leather dress shoes accentuated with white string. A rose was pinned to her lapel for good measure. Caitlyn stood, mouth open, staring Vi up and down.
"Nice huh?" she asked, grinning stupidly. Caitlyn nodded slowly, still speechless. "Nice enough to fuck?"
That snapped the sheriff out of her trance. She scoffed, shaking her head. "You're incorrigible" she replied, retrieving her purse from the kitchen counter. "Maybe if you're good tonight you'll get a little reward" she winked as she passed Vi, running her finger across the pinkets neck, which caused her to shiver.
Vi made a mock cat growl as she followed the sheriff down the hall to the elevator. "Since when have you been so fiestey Cupcake?" she asked, leaning against the wall as they waited.
"Since you started corrupting my innocence" she retorted, chuckling to herself.
"Glad to be of assistance" Vi said, bowing dramatically. "You'll get my bill in the mail in two too four business days."
Caitlyn giggled at the show. "Incorrigible" she said again.
The gala was being held at the biggest hotel in Piltover, The Sheradin. The massive ballroom the hotel had made it the ideal place for a snooty gathering of rich businessmen and women. A long table ran through the middle of the room covered in every type of food and drink imaginable; champagne, steaks, cakes and pies, a huge assortment of wines, cider, fruits and vegetables, and even a handful of things Vi didn't recognize. She pulled at the tight collar of her shirt, gulping as a bead of sweat ran down her forehead. Caitlyn squeezed her arm comfortingly. "You'll be fine" she whispered. "Just relax."
"Now presenting the sheriff of Piltover" the announcer said "Miss Caitlyn Chapman and her partner, Officer Vi Enforcer." Many of the attendants turned their heads to watch the two of them descend the stairs into the ballroom. Vi gulped again, seeing the raised eyebrows from several of the older ladies and gentlemen.
"They've probably never seen a lady dressed as handsomely as you are" Caitlyn muttered, smiling at a few of the attendants.
"You're the only one allowed to call me handsome, Cupcake" Vi said in return, trying and failing to fake a smile.
"And you're the only one allowed to call me Cupcake." she retorted without missing a beat.
The two of them made their way through the crowd, making small talk with a few people as they went. Well, Caitlyn made small talk. Vi just looked awkward. "Gods how do you do it Cupcake" Vi asked after a particularly boring interchange between her and a rather portly looking woman. Caitlyn retrieved two flutes of Champagne from a waiter that passed them by and handed one to the pinket.
"Growing up in a wealthy household certainly didn't hurt" she said, taking a sip "that and LOTS of practice. This is my job, you know. I don't just catch criminals, I have to make sure the cities leadership knows it."
Vi shook her head in amazement and downed the champagne in one gulp. She gritted her teeth and sighed. "Dam that's good." she said.
"Well if it isn't Piltover's Finest!" a voice rang out behind them. The two of them turned to see a burly looking man wearing a simple black tuxedo. His hair was slicked back neatly, not a single strand out of place, a golden hammer pin shining from his collar. He grinned, pearly white teeth shining from his mouth. "Nice to see you again Caitlyn. You must be Vi" he said, turning to the pinket. "I've heard a lot about you."
Caitlyn smiled. "Nice to see you as well Jayce. Vi, this is Jayce, one of Piltovers leading scientists. He's worked alongside minds such as Heimerdinger for several years."
Vi nodded sharply. "Pleasure" she said simply. He chuckled.
"Well aren't you just a peach." he said. "Where'd you find this one, 'eh Cait?"
Before Vi could retort, Caitlyn said quickly "Vi's been on the force for months now. She's been instrumental to the recent sharp decrease in crime. Isn't that right Vi?" She turned to face her partner, a pleading expression on her face.
"I don't like to brag" Vi said through gritted teeth, cracking her neck to relieve some of the pressure building from her anger. "I just do my part."
Caitlyn squeezed her arm in reassurance. "She just recently received the Piltover Police Force's award of heroism. Quite a feat for only being with us for a short time." the sheriff continued. "Why don't the two of you talk for a little while I go find the mayor?"
Vi locked eyes with her partner, silently pleading her not to leave. The sheriffs lips twitched in a quick, tiny smile. 'You'll be fine' her eyes seemed to say as she gave Vi one last quick squeeze and disappeared into the crowd. "So" Jayce said. "You two a thing or what?"
Vi stared at Jayce silently for a few seconds, willing him to burst into flames. When that didn't happen, she said "I can already tell you're a grade A douche-bag, and I'm not here to put up with douche-bags. I'm here because Caitlyn wanted me to come. So the way I see it you have two options. You can drop the cool guy demeanor right now and we'll be peachy. Or, you can keep it up, and I can shove this glass so far up your ass that you'll be vomiting shards of it for a week. Seeing as that would probably bloody, loud, violent, and probably make a scene, I really would rather not do that for the sheriffs sake." she paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes. "but oh will I enjoy every second of it."
Jayces eyes widened slightly, taken aback for a moment at what Vi had said. "Alright, alright" he retorted, shaking his head ever so slightly. "You win. no cool guy, just Jayce."
Vi smiled pleasantly. "Good" she said simply. "So what do snooty rich pricks like you normally talk about at snooty rich prick party's like this?"
Jayce chuckled to himself. "The economy" he said "Crime. How much money we're making. The weather...you're not a snooty rich prick though" he said after a pause. "So why don't we talk about something we have a...common understanding of. I've just got to know what you use to power those fists of yours."
Vi laughed. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Seriously?" Jayce laughed, leaning back in his chair. "How do you get away with hitting things that hard with just a quarter inch of padding for your hands?"
"I don't really" Vi responded with a chuckle. "I mean I act all tough after it's over, but FUCK do my hands hurt afterwards. Gotta soak 'em in hot water every night to get the muscles to loosen up."
"And you can't add more? No room can be made inside them?" he asked.
"Not really" she responded. "everything is so essential inside them. I'm working with existing hardware here, I can't just pull shit out."
The two of them had found a nice corner of the room by a fireplace, complete with a few armchairs and a coffee table, and had proceeded to while away the last hour discussing the intricacies of both Vi's gauntlets and Jayces legendary Mercury Hammer. Vi had even thought of a better way to power her gloves with Jayces help, and she was eager to return home and tinker with the design.
Jayce downed his flute of champagne and looked at his watch. "Well would you look at that" he muttered. "I'm all out of time. It's been a pleasure, truly it has" he said, standing and reaching out a hand to shake Vi's. "but I'm late for a very important meeting with the Donger. Really need to be heading out."
Vi grasped his hand tightly and shook it. "Nice meeting you, Captain Ass Face" she said with a sly grin. "Maybe we can go a few rounds some time. No hammer, no gloves, just a good 'ole fashioned fight."
Jayce returned her smile. "I would call it a date but you're already taken"
Vi's grip tightened. "Watch it buddy" she said coolly.
Jayce pulled away, gave a quick salute, a coy wink, and jetted away. Vi sighed heavily and leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes for a moment. Before too long, she felt a pair of soft hands massaging her shoulders, making her smile. "Have a nice talk with Captain Ass Face?" Caitlyn whispered in her ear, sending shivers down the pinkets spine.
"He's an ok guy when he's not trying to prove anything" Vi said, squeezing Caitlyns hand gently. "Time to go yet?" she asked.
"Almost" Caitlyn said, tugging on her shoulders to signal her to stand. "You just need to meet the mayor, and I need to thank Theodore Macnick for the new equipment for the police department. It would be nice if you were there with me to make an appearance, don't you agree?"
Vi sighed, standing slowly. "If you say so" she muttered. The sheriff took her arm as they moved through the crowd. As the party had gone on, many of the attendants had retired early, making the room far easier to navigate. Vi tracked the faces of everyone she saw like she did on the streets, noting nervous expressions, uneasiness, and making sure to remember the people that shot her a dirty look.
"At least try to look like you're having a good time" Caitlyn muttered. "You're so tense. Come now, forget them" she pulled Vi's face gently so she was looking at her. "We're the only ones that matter."
Vi blushed, smiling shyly at the sheriff. "Dam Cait" she muttered. "When did you get so sentimental."
"You bring out the best in me" she whispered, turning away to face an approaching man. "Mayor Marcot!" she exclaimed, letting to of Vi's arm to shake the mayors hand. "This is Vi, my partner. Vi this is the mayor. He's been anxious to meet you."
Vi reached out and shook the mayors hand lightly. "How do you do sir?" she said with a half smile, still bubbling from Caitlyns words. "I've heard great things about you. Piltover is lucky to have your leadership."
The mayor chortled. He was an elderly man, shorter than Vi by more than a head. The crown of his bald head shone with a thin layer of sweat, his massive handlebar mustache obscuring most of his face. "I say" he said "quite the respectable young lady you are, miss enforcer. I had heard you were a bit bristly."
Vi bristled slightly, but let it slide quickly enough. "I can't imagine why" she said innocently. "Just ask the sheriff; I'm the pinnacle of sophistication." She shot Caitlyn a quick wink as the mayor laughed again.
"Quite right!" he said "Although I am a bit confused. Perhaps you can help me; are the sheriff and you involved? Intimately that is?"
Vi saw the sheriff go pale white over the mans shoulder, terrified that Vi was about to punch the mayor of Piltover in the face. Vi waited a moment, trying her best to stay calm. "Yes we are" she said confidently.
"But" he said, digging his hole deeper. "you are both women, or am I mistaken on your gender?"
Vi let out a long breath, her hands shaking from anger. "You are not mistaken" she said simply. "and you are a man. Your point?"
"Well" he said "It just seems to me that women should be with men, not with other women."
"How does our gender have anything to do with love?" Vi asked simply. "If we love each other, don't we have as much a right to be with each other as you do with your wife?"
The mayor paused for a moment, stroking his beard in thought. "Quite right" he muttered, looking Vi in the eyes "Well said, well said." he turned to face the sheriff. "Have a pleasant evening, miss Chapman, and you as well, miss Enforcer."
As the mayor moved slowly away, Vi let out a loud breath, relaxing her shaking muscles. "Holy shit he was asking for it" Vi said, turning to face Caitlyn who was staring at her. "What?" she asked "Did I do something wrong?"
"No" Caitlyn said simply, a huge smile splitting her lips. "You were perfect."
HELLO AGAIN ALL! Thanks again for reading. I have a bit of a head cannon that Vi and Jayce kind of hate each other, but such technical geniuses just can't help but discuss the intricacies of Hextech machinery every chance they get. Hope that last part wasn't too preachy, I just wanted to put something in there like that. I'm 99% sure that the upper class of Piltover would be a bunch of stuck up traditionalists, so something like that was a bit needed in my eyes.
If you haven't already, go on over to my profile and vote in the poll at the top. Your votes may or may not directly influence the next story ark of Love and Crime!
Just a heads up, the next chapter will contain lemon. I'll put markings so those of you that want to skip it can do so. Remember, while Cait and Vi have been intimate, they haven't expressly gone all the way yet, so it's going to be a first time all around. I hope to get that chapter up by Monday at the latest. Again, thank you all so much for reading, and if you want to show further support, vote int he poll and write a review!
Abe