So this chapter took ages to write but, in other news, I'm finished with my first year of uni. Got all summer to work on this fic, and maybe a couple other things, so I'm pretty stoked. Anyways, I tried something new this chapter so I hope you all enjoy.

Caitlyn stood in the foyer of her home and, for the first time in her life, she didn't feel safe.

She looked around the house she'd grown up in, once a place that made her feel safe and at ease, but those feelings had changed. She had changed, when she woke up tied to a chair with Jinx standing over her, because she'd realized that her sanctuary was little more than the memory of a child who'd yet to learn the dangers of the world.

But she had learned.

She'd learned the safety she took for granted was an illusion she'd been too weak to see through, and Vi's deranged sister had punished her for it. Caitlyn had been in the shower, the fucking shower, and the last thing she'd seen before Jinx grabbed her was the drawing of the monkey that started all of this, sketched onto her bathroom mirror.

And then she'd woken up, dressed all prim and proper in her Enforcer gear, at the mercy of a woman who hated her for things she didn't do. She'd spent hours waiting there, watching Jinx come and go while wondering what she'd do to her, what had already been done to her, until she'd wheeled her to the table where Violet and Silco were.

Then Jinx asked Vi to make a choice.

Powder or Caitlyn.

Jinx had asked her to choose between Powder or the woman she'd met days ago, and Caitlyn had truly believed she was going to die, surrounded by enemies who didn't even know her. She'd have been left there to rot, all while her family wondered what happened to her, because no one would care to tell them.

All she'd ever done was try to help people, it's why she became an Enforcer, and that was her end? Her reward? That wasn't fair!

But as Caitlyn turned towards Vi, sitting on the sofa on the left just before the grand staircase with the sack of mementos she'd taken from Jinx's little tea party, she understood she had no idea what fair even meant.

You don't get to look at me like that! Not with your fancy house and your full stomach, not with your family that loves you!

This woman had lost everything: her family, her friends, her freedom, yet she was still staying strong! And little over an hour ago, Vi had joined up with the organization that had damn near ruined her life, just so they'd have a chance to help her home…

Compared to that, what did Caitlyn's pain and fear matter?

There was something to be said about comparing suffering, about how everyone experienced pain no matter their life experiences, but wasn't there a limit to that? There'd been two times in her life that Caitlyn could say she'd truly suffered: that night as Jinx's hostage, and eight years ago when she'd been forced to leave Jayce outside in the rain, begging for a second chance.

He was her brother and the only one who'd looked at her like she was a person, not the daughter of one of the most powerful women in the city. Caitlyn wouldn't describe her childhood as lonely, per she, but because of her family name and her own aspirations, people, they… they didn't really see her. She wasn't like her parents; she wasn't made for ballroom galas and back room politics, nor was she like Jayce, with his genius and his bright smile that could win people's hearts.

She didn't belong in Piltover's high society, nor in its prestigious academy. That left her very few options for making friends, and that was why leaving Jayce behind that night had torn her heart to shreds. She remembered all too well how she fell apart in her bed after that, sobbing her little heart out because she believed she'd never see him again.

Then Jayce broke into Professor Heimerdinger's office that night and proved that his Hextech idea could work, and suddenly he was back in her life with a new friend in Viktor. And in less than a day everything was back to normal, with them being as thick as thieves, though Jayce had many more responsibilities than either of them ever thought. He never did quite forgive her mother, though, for turning him away after he'd been expelled from the Academy, but he never made an issue of it. If Caitlyn was being honest, neither did she.

Cassandra Kiramman was a pragmatic woman. She didn't concern herself with ideas that could work, or with people who might be a risk to her investments. So when Jayce was put on trial for the crime of trying to help people, she'd voted for his expulsion and barred him from their home. But when Hextech became the most profitable venture in Piltover, Caitlyn's mother had bent over backwards trying to get him back on their side, because that's the kind of woman she was.

Caitlyn loved her mother dearly, she truly did, but she wasn't blind to her faults. Sometimes it felt like she viewed people as assets and nothing more, though she believed in her heart that wasn't true.

Regardless, those were the two moments in her life where she'd known true pain and terror, but those experiences were minutes and hours compared to the years of torment Vi had suffered.

So what if her home didn't feel safe anymore? At least she had a home! Maybe her family was a bit cold and maybe she'd grown up a bit isolated, but she'd never been alone! Not like she had!

Caitlyn glanced over at Vi just to check that she was still there, that she hadn't run away again, but she found the brawler staring right back. Their eyes met for a scant moment before they both looked away.

Then there's that… Caitlyn thought to herself, glancing at the portrait of her parents on the wall under the grand staircase.

Truth be told, she wasn't sure where she stood with the woman from the Undercity. They'd met not even a week ago and they'd gone from being wary of one another, and rightfully so, to quite literally trusting each other with their lives. Caitlyn wasn't sure how or when that happened, but by the time they'd made it back to her home yesterday, they'd formed a bond that felt as new as it was unbreakable.

Then the council meeting happened, and…

What about us?

She hadn't been able to convince the Council, she'd let Vi down, so she'd gone and found Jayce. Together they had taken the fight to Silco, leading a raid with the Enforcers against one of his factories, and hadn't that been a real kick in the teeth? Caitlyn was an Enforcer and Vi hadn't trusted her enough to bring her along with them, and while they'd come out of it uninjured, what if they hadn't? If Vi and Jayce had died there, if she'd woken up the next morning to the deaths of her closest friends, she… she didn't know what she'd do.

No. That wasn't correct.

Caitlyn knew exactly what she'd have done. She'd have found Silco and cut his fucking head off, but not before tearing down his entire operation, along with the other Chembarons down in the Lanes.

She wouldn't have gotten very far, but that wasn't the point. If Jayce and Vi had seen fit to give their lives for this cause then she'd honor their final act as best she could, and try to finish what they started.

But Vi and Jayce had come back, though not without a whole host of complications, but they were back, and yet everything seemed worse off than when it started. Jayce had accidentally killed a child, Jinx killed Silco, and Vi was dangerously close to having an emotional breakdown.

Caitlyn took another glance at Vi and, seeing that the redhead was currently looking to the floor, leaning forward with her arms resting on her thighs, she took a moment to stare.

Violet was one of the most incredible people she had ever met. Everything about her; her strength, her kindness and charm, the loyalty she showed to those she cared for - no matter how hard she tried to hide it, Caitlyn could see right through her. The way she saw it, Vi was a warrior in a garden, using her scarred and battered hands to raise life from the dirt, and she'd destroy anyone who threatened that. Caitlyn knew that would remain true, no matter how badly the world hurt her.

It was like she was made of cast iron, and she'd been forged into a weapon by the broken world she lived in. That's the problem with cast iron, though. If you hit it just right, it'll shatter like cheap glass.

Vi was going to shatter.

She'd seen it back in the alley across the bridge, when Vi suffered a panic attack as she tried to explain what went on between her and Jayce. Or when Jayce and Viktor had asked her to become Deputy Enforcer, or whatever they'd call the position, and she'd lost her temper and started shouting. But for all her anger in that moment, Caitlyn saw she'd been moments away from falling apart. Hell, Jayce saw it, and he wasn't exactly the most observant person around. It was probably why he'd been so willing to move past the fact that Jinx was Vi's sister. He hadn't wanted to push Vi too far and risk alienating her, especially in the face of her own clear trauma.

So he'd acquiesced to her own pretty reasonable demands before arranging them a ride back to her home, letting Vi have control of the situation so as to not overwhelm her. For all Jayce was an unobservant doofus, he could be surprisingly insightful at times, and Caitlyn was glad for it.

It meant she had time to help her.

"How long are we gonna wait down here?" Vi spoke up, causing Caitlyn to turn to her. She hadn't moved from the sofa and, even though she looked relaxed, her leg bouncing anxiously was all the proof she needed. That, and the way her eyes darted around the room showed just how uncomfortable she was in Caitlyn's home. She didn't blame her, even though she wasn't exactly sure why. The decor might've been the problem, or it could've been the knowledge that Jinx had broken in so easily.

There wasn't much Caitlyn could do about the former, and she wasn't really worried about the latter. She'd been knocked out the last minute or so of Jinx's twisted family reunion, but going by how she killed Silco and let Vi and her live, she wasn't going to be coming after them any time soon. Why would she spare them only to kill them the same night? There was no logic to it.

Of course, Jinx had proven to be irrational in the past, but Caitlyn was confident they were fine, at least for the night.

"I was waiting for my parents to come down so I could talk to them, since they always seem to know whenever I enter the house", Caitlyn answered, earning a snort and a shake of the head from Vi, probably recalling just how quick her mother had been to bust down her door, gun in hand. "But they must still be at the Council building, so we may as well head up." She explained, walking towards Vi and offering her a gentle smile. As she approached, however, Vi glanced down to her injured leg with a grimace, probably recalling how badly she'd struggled on the trek back Topside.

"Are you sure we shouldn't take you to a doctor?" Vi asked with a meek voice. "You've been pacing for ages and I don't want your cut opening up again."

Caitlyn shook her head as she bent down and closed up the sack by Vi's feet, picking it up with one hand even as her eyes widened at the weight. The sack had been heavy before but that was because of the Hextech gauntlets, and those were back with Jayce. What was so heavy in there? Still, she tried to sling the pack over her shoulder but Vi shot to her feet and quickly took it from her. "Hey, hey! Don't go grabbing shit when you're hurt", she chided, and Caitlyn rolled her eyes, though she wasn't annoyed by her concern.

"Would you please stop coddling me?" She pleaded, trying to hold back a smile. "I appreciate your worry but I'm fine." Vi was normally brash and hotheaded, so seeing her steely eyes so full of worry and care warmed Caitlyn's heart. Still, Vi was the one in need of help, considering everything she'd gone through in the last twenty-four hours, and that wasn't even counting whatever terrible things she must've seen over the course of her life.

Vi was her friend, so a little cut on her leg wasn't going to stop Caitlyn from helping her.

The redhead didn't listen, though, taking her sack in one hand and Caitlyn in the other just like before. Caitlyn thought about asking her to let go but decided against it. Vi was the type to help others over helping herself, and she probably felt more comfortable propping up Caitlyn than not, so who was she to stop her? Plus her leg was hurting, if only a little.

Caitlyn would accept the help, but only so Vi could feel better.

They climbed the main staircase to the second floor, with Caitlyn directing her friend to where her room was. One door away from hers, however, she motioned for Vi to stop. "This is the guest room." She began, placing a hand against the door of the guest bedroom. Vi turned her head to her with a look she didn't understand, and her hand squeezed tighter on Caitlyn's shoulder. "It's smaller than my room but the bed is the same, so you'll be staying here tonight." She elaborated, shooting Vi a small smile as to help her feel more relaxed.

Vi just stared at her, her face caught in the dim lighting of the hallway, and Caitlyn felt her breath catch in her throat, like it had when she'd been pinned against the wall of the brothel, all the way down in the Undercity.

You're hot, Cupcake.

She met the redhead's eyes, sky blue on cold steel, searching for any meaning in that look, but for all of Vi's usual expressiveness her eyes were a closed book. All she could see was her exhaustion and her pain, and Caitlyn was surprised at the fierce surge of protectiveness that grew in her chest. There were so many things she wanted to do at that moment, gazing into her brave and lonely eyes. But those things had names too heavy for how short of a time they'd known each other, so she settled with wrapping her arms around the shorter woman.

Caitlyn felt the way Vi tensed in her arms, shying away from her embrace ever so slightly, and she thought she might weep with the guilt of things she didn't do. Her people had hurt this kind, beautiful woman, and all Caitlyn could think to do was press her head between the crook of her neck, desperately trying to convey everything she felt through her touch alone.

It may have taken a moment, but Vi returned the hug with trembling arms, dropping her sack at her feet, and Caitlyn let out a breath of muted relief, like she'd just found dry land after weeks at sea. "Thank you", she whispered, and for a brief moment she feared Vi hadn't heard her, before she responded in a hushed tone.

"For what?" She asked, her hands coming to rest on Caitlyn's waist. Vi's thumbs traced gentle patterns into the fabric of her coat, and she could hear the tension in her words, or was that anticipation?

"For coming back." Caitlyn answered, and Vi shuddered, her arms tightening around her just a little.

"Caitlyn… I left you", Vi said in a choked voice, Caitlyn's heart clenching as she heard the words. "I tried to keep you safe and it, and it didn't even matter. You should hate me, and-"

"I don't hate you, Violet. Believe me, I don't." She interrupted, putting a stop to the words before they left Vi's mouth. The redhead had a habit of carrying the world on her shoulders, like everything bad around her was her fault, and Caitlyn wasn't sure why. All she knew was she hated how Vi took the blame for everything. She leaned back so that she could see her friend, meeting Vi's eyes once again. "I won't lie to you; I was angry and… hurt by what you said", she began, measuring her words carefully because the last thing she wanted was to drive her away."But you're here with me now, okay?"

Vi shook her head and turned away, mumbling under her breath. "Only because Powder kidnapped the two of us."

Caitlyn removed her right arm from Vi's shoulder and cupped her chin in her palm, gently turning her head so she could meet her eyes once more. "You could've run after her once I freed you. You could've left me behind, but you didn't."

Her eyes began to glisten even as she tilted her head absently, resting her cheek in her hand, and Caitlyn's mind went back to the time they'd spent together in her room. Vi had exposed her heart, then, telling her about her childhood, about her relationship with Powder, and Caitlyn could tell that was the first time she'd opened up to anyone for years. And the way she'd held her hand, sinking into the comfort that came from just having someone there, had scandalous thoughts and ideas running through Caitlyn's mind.

Those same ideas plagued her thoughts as she held Vi outside the guest bedroom's door, and for a desperate moment Caitlyn imagined closing the scant distance between them, pressing her lips against Vi's and proving that oil and water could mix…

But Caitlyn wasn't going to try anything like that, not when Vi was in clear distress over everything that happened the past week. Leaving Stillwater, all that happened with Jinx, and now becoming an Enforcer? Vi needed a friend to help her work through this, nothing more, even if Caitlyn was pretty sure she felt the same way as her.

"You're all I have left…" Vi admitted, her voice low. "I mean, Ekko's still my friend, but he's changed so much and I'm the same hotheaded fuck-up I was before Stillwater-"

"You're not a fuck-up…" Caitlyn tried to tell her, but she only shook her head and pushed on.

"And now with Powder…" She trailed off. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to fix that. I spent years wondering if she was even alive, and now that I'm out… things with her are so much worse than I could've imagined." Her eyes trailed downward, landing on Caitlyn's nose, or maybe her lips. "I'm tired of the world falling out under my feet, and you…" She let out in a soft whisper, before her eyes narrowed and she leaned back, pulling away from Caitlyn, and she let her hands fall back to her side. "Sorry, I'm just tired. Don't listen to me."

Caitlyn wanted to reach out, wanted to take Vi's hands in her own because she was there, she'd listen, but she wasn't going to push her - not tonight.

Vi looked to the door behind Caitlyn before reaching up and cupping her cheek, just like she'd done on the bridge back when they were with Ekko. As she did, there was a quiet and hopefully baseless resignation that shone in her eyes, before Vi's hand shifted, coming to rest on the back of her head. Then she gently pulled her head down, stepping forward to lay a chaste kiss on her cheek just above the edge of her lips, and Caitlyn felt like she'd been burned in the best way possible.

Caitlyn closed her eyes and tried to savor the warmth, but Vi stepped back, and it took all she had not to chase her, turning a sweet goodnight kiss into something heady and dangerous.

"Goodnight Cupcake…" Violet breathed, brushing past Caitlyn's frozen form with steps as quiet as the night, opening the guestroom's door and stepping inside.

She stood stock still for a few moments after that, barely registering the near-silent click of the door closing behind her, before lifting her hand to her cheek. Placing her fingers right where Vi had kissed her, Caitlyn felt a giddy smile worm its way onto her face.

Caitlyn wasn't imagining it; there was something there. The way Vi looked at her, how quickly they'd gotten comfortable around each other, it was like something out of the stories she used to read. Not something as silly as love at first sight, because their meeting in Stillwater had been ice-cold to say the least, but something much more tangible and strong. Two people could only spend so much time together before a bond started to form, after all. Caitlyn's mother had once told her that you couldn't truly know someone until you'd fought them, but she disagreed.

Maybe it wasn't about fighting against someone. Maybe what mattered was fighting alongside them, instead.

They'd known each other for barely a week, but in that time they'd fought and run together, tending each other's wounds as they showed each other parts of the world they never thought they'd see. Of course they'd become fast friends, and maybe something more.

It was terrifying and exhilarating in a way nothing else had ever quite matched, and it was something she really wanted to pursue.

But not tonight.

Caitlyn turned away from the door and headed to her room, intent on getting a good night's sleep.

…

She was awoken by an earth-shattering boom, her eyes shooting open as she threw herself to the right and out her bed, the pain rocking through her back as she landed bodily on the marble floor. Caitlyn scrambled to reach the wooden box she kept hidden under her bed, dragging it towards her with panicked breath.

Jinx is here, she planted bombs and she's coming for my family, for me, for Vi!

She tore open the lid of the box and snatched up the loaded pistol inside, standard issue for all Enforcers, as another explosion rocked Piltover, her home.

Caitlyn pushed herself to her feet, gun in hand as she nearly slipped in her haste, before rushing to her bedroom window to see the destruction Vi's sister had brought upon the innocents she'd sworn to protect!

Throwing the curtain aside, Caitlyn peered out the window she and Vi had snuck in through before, preparing herself for the same fire and death she'd seen on Progress Day, because she'd been too weak to stop Jinx when she had the chance, and-

The darkened streets of Piltover greeted her, rain hammering the glass in front of her face in what would otherwise have been a normal night.

What?

Caitlyn lowered the pistol she'd been holding tightly, noting absently how her knuckles had turned white from the force of her grip, before stepping away from the window.

What was happening? She could swear she'd heard bombs going off, yet everything was fine? That didn't make any sense.

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, falling from the cloudy sky to the ground below in the far distance; the fist of an angry god. Seconds later a low rumble of thunder reached Caitlyn's ears and she flinched despite herself, embarrassed heat rising to her cheeks.

There was a storm outside and she'd woken in a panic, mistaking the thunder for Jinx's bombs.

What a joke.

Caitlyn checked that safety on her pistol was on before gently tossing it on her bed, sitting down on its edge shortly after, holding her head in her hands. She took the time to breathe, quelling her frantically beating heart.

Jinx was in the Undercity, not here. She was safe. Her family was safe. Vi was safe…

She turned her head to the door, her thoughts turning to her friend in the next room over. Was she doing alright? Was she comfortable? Caitlyn had basically thrown Vi into the guest room to fend for herself; maybe she should've done more to help her relax. Maybe she should've offered to stay with her, just for the night…

Caitlyn shook her head, quickly dispelling those thoughts, because what could she possibly do to help Vi in that situation? If she had problems sleeping in the house of a Councilor then there was nothing Caitlyn could do, besides offer to find her a room in an inn somewhere in Piltover, though she had a feeling Vi wouldn't accept something like that.

She should've gone back to bed, all things considered, but the seed of worry had been planted, and Caitlyn had never been one to ignore her instincts. They were what led her to investigate Silco and her trek to Stillwater, and it was those instincts that pushed her to forge Jayce's signatures to get Vi released. And now her gut was telling her to walk out the door and check on Violet.

The thing stopping her, however, was her own head. Caitlyn was the type to follow her own instincts, sure, but that didn't mean she was incapable of thinking things through. She preferred her stupid ideas to be well organised, thank you very much, and this seemed like the wrong kind of stupid for her taste.

What if she offended Vi by going to her? She didn't seem the type for pity, after all, and it wasn't like she'd be leaving first thing in the morning. They worked together now, or at least they would be, as soon as Jayce made the whole thing official. Gods, the thought of that was as incredible as it was nauseating. On one hand, she'd joined the Enforcers with the intention of eventually working her way up to the position of Sheriff, but on the other, what was she going to tell her mother?

She took every opportunity to meddle in Caitlyn's affairs, getting her stationed outside the Kiramman's tent on Progress Day and nearly getting her fired after Jinx's bombing and theft from the Academy. It was Jayce's sudden promotion to being a Councilor that saved her career, as she'd be out of a job if he hadn't gotten her assigned to his security. She'd been pretty pissed when he'd explained that to her, how her parents had pretty much sabotaged the job she'd worked so hard for, and she'd forced him away in her frustration, but it was really her mother and father she was pissed at.

They wanted to protect her and she loved them for that, but their coddling would only serve to suffocate her, and the choices they'd made to put her on the path they wanted had backfired pretty spectacularly, if she did say so herself. After all, they'd gotten her removed from the Enforcers and, as a direct result of their actions, she'd gotten promoted to the highest office an Enforcer could have.

And Vi had been promoted right alongside her.

It was that thought that gave Caitlyn the drive she needed, getting off her ass to go check on her friend. Before that, however, Caitlyn made sure to stow her pistol back under her bed, because leaving firearms around the place was bad practice. For a moment after that she considered finding some socks or her pair of slippers, since the floor got pretty cold in the night, but eventually decided against it. She wouldn't be up for long, she was just… easing her mind seemed the right term.

Steeling her nerves, Caitlyn crept the distance from her bed to her room's door, keeping her feet light on the rug beneath her feet. It wouldn't do to wake up Vi if she'd managed to get to sleep, or her parents if they'd returned from the Council building. The walls in her home had always seemed thin, no matter what her mother said, so she wasn't going to risk it.

Caitlyn reached her door with nary a sound before resting her palm on the handle, opening it as quietly as she could. For a brief second she was reminded of the times she'd snuck around the house before, creeping around at the dead of night for one reason or another. Not for anything nefarious of course, but sometimes she had trouble sleeping, kept up by thoughts she couldn't escape, and fresh air always seemed to help with that. That or a warm shower, but what happened the last time she washed late at night had her rethinking that particular stress-reliever.

Shutting her bedroom door behind her, Caitlyn turned down the hallway and moved towards the guest room, shivering as the cool air hit her skin. She was wearing a light vest and shorts, white and a pale purple respectively, and while they were perfect to sleep in they did little to block the chill of the night. Regardless, she soon found herself standing outside the guest room, Vi's room, and her will faltered.

This is a stupid idea, Caitlyn reasoned, holding her fist up to her lips, her left arm wrapping softly around her stomach. Vi's the toughest woman I've ever met. She can handle sleeping alone in a comfortable bed. She spent eight years in prison, for fucks sake. I don't need to coddle her.

Then why was she standing there?

She had a busy day tomorrow, meeting with Jayce and Viktor, then Ekko down in the Undercity. She should be fast asleep in bed, not tiptoeing outside the guest room in the dead of night.

But checking on Vi would only take a moment, and it would ease her heart and mind greatly.

Her concern beat her nervousness and Caitlyn stepped towards the door, fist raised to knock before she stopped, biting her lip with a frown. She didn't want to wake Vi if it was unnecessary, so knocking wasn't a good idea. Maybe she should check if she was still sleeping?

There was a joke to be made about Caitlyn sneaking around like a burglar in her own home, but she couldn't figure it out for the life of her. Instead, she placed her hands gently upon the door and turned her head to the left, leaning forward and pressing her ear against the wood.

She held her breath for a moment, listening intently for footsteps or muffled words - any sign that Vi was up and about, really.

There was a long period of silence, half a minute or maybe more, and Caitlyn was ready to call it a night, her worry abated, before a faint sound echoed through the door. It was so quiet that for a second she thought she'd imagined it, but the muffled noise carried on, and Caitlyn pressed her ear to the wood once more.

It was a voice, scratchy and high pitched; feminine. The noise slowed down, sounding like deep, drawn breaths before speeding up frantically, growing fearful or agitated, Caitlyn couldn't tell. It was almost like she was-

Oh.

The realization hit her like a bullet and she leaned back, her heart dropping to her stomach.

She's crying, Caitlyn thought, stepping back from the door, her arms against her chest. That wasn't… that wasn't what she'd expected at all. She wasn't blind; she knew Vi was struggling, which honestly felt like an understatement, but she'd thought she had time. Time to help fix some of the issues Vi was having, time to prove she could be trusted.

Or maybe this wasn't some inevitable breakdown caused by the stress of the past week. Maybe this was how Vi spent her nights, alone and in pain, crying out for someone to come save her - someone who never showed up. Caitlyn didn't know which was worse.

Vi had said it herself: her world kept falling out from under her. Nearly everyone in her family was dead bar Jinx, and those two were so far apart that it would take a miracle to bring them back together again. She'd been taken from her home and thrown in the closest thing to hell that Piltover had to offer, and eight years later she was thrown into a conspiracy that threatened both Piltover and the Undercity.

And at some point this week she'd hold the second highest rank in Piltover's law enforcement, working directly under the Sheriff. The successor of the Sheriff that had thrown her away, sentenced to a life of rot in Stillwater.

It wasn't right.

It. Wasn't. Right.

And it fell to Caitlyn to fix it. Not because of her duty as an Enforcer, sworn as she was to protect the people of this city, but because of her duty as a friend, as a person. She'd never forgive herself if she walked away now.

Caitlyn opened the door as gently as she could, refraining from knocking beforehand because she needed to be careful. Vi was the type to put up walls if given the chance, so Caitlyn wasn't going to give her the chance. They'd never get anywhere if she did.

Gently pressing the door shut, she turned and inspected the dark and relatively sparse room, searching for Vi. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness easily enough, but even if they hadn't the open curtain let in enough light that she had a good view of the space. The guest bedroom resembled her own, save for the lack of paintings or other personal touches, along with being little over half the size. But Caitlyn wasn't interested in the room itself, not when the low light from outside showed exactly what she was looking for.

Curled up under the covers of the large bed with only her head exposed, Violet wept, choking her cries as she pressed her palms to her face, muffling a torn scream. The blanket shifted as she convulsed, her body wracked by violent sobs before tugging at her blanket, hugging it close to her chest.

"Violet…" The name left Caitlyn's lips in a breathy whisper, yet Vi reacted like she'd just fired a gun, scrambling back against the headboard with her upper body now exposed, showing off her dirty tank top and her toned, trembling arms. Her chest heaved with each shaky breath as she stared Caitlyn down, a disbelieving and panicked look in her eyes, like Vi wasn't sure if she was real even as the tear tracks that ran down her cheeks shimmered in the light from the window. "What's wrong?…"

Vi turned away from her, lifting the hem of her shirt to her face in a futile effort to wipe her tears, looking back at her with glistening, bloodshot eyes. "Go Away", she groaned, her voice hoarse. Caitlyn took a step forward, holding her arms up to her chest, but she stopped when Vi flinched, her fists clenching. "Caitlyn…"

Caitlyn considered approaching her, taking Vi in her arms because she looked so lost and alone, but she thought better of it. This was do or die, where any misstep could lead to Vi leaving her life forever; she had to be careful. "Let's talk, okay?" She kept her voice as level as possible, doing her best to meet Vi's gaze.

The redhead grimaced, tears falling as a low wail escaped her lips, and she drew her knees up to chest, tugging at her hair. She stared down, her grey eyes wild and unseeing as she cried. "Please, please leave me alone." Vi begged, despondent.

"I can't do that, Darling…" Caitlyn said, taking slow, measured steps around to the left side of the bed. Vi grabbed one of the pillows at her side, pressing it between her chest and thighs before burying her face in the fabric, like she was trying to hide herself from view - like she didn't want Caitlyn to see her cry. She hesitated for a moment, wondering what the best course of action was before hunkering down with her palms flat on the bed, putting herself below Vi so she wasn't looming over her. "Could you look at me?" She asked, reaching forward to lay two fingers on the side of her thigh, trying to grab her attention as gently as possible.

Vi tensed at her touch before shifting to the side, moving her thigh away from Caitlyn's hand as she gasped for breath. Caitlyn watched in mounting horror as her whole body began to tremble, then shake, before collapsing atop the covers, letting out a pained scream. "I can't, okay! I can't!" Her fists pulled at the fabric before she threw herself out the bed, nearly knocking Caitlyn aside in her haste. Caitlyn knelt, shocked, as Vi ran to the window, desperately fiddling with the lock before she realised what she was trying to do.

Caitlyn rushed to her feet and made to grab Vi but she heard her coming, spinning round with her hands held before her, and Caitlyn slid to a stop with little space between them. She did her best to appear calm, but she knew how perceptive Vi could be, so she was pretty sure she could tell how afraid she was. "Vi, please. Take a breath and sit with me. Let's talk this through."

Vi shook her head, one hand coming up to tug at her hair as tears streamed down her face. "I can't, I can't be here", she pleaded, "just let me go!"

"I can't do that Vi", Caitlyn said, reaching out with a hand. She moved slowly, terrified that she'd startle her, but Vi watched her with a fearful yet accepting gaze. Her hand fell upon her bicep and Vi leaned into the contact like it was a lifeline and she was lost at sea. "Just tell me what to do, and I swear to you I'll do it…"

"Why?…" Vi tearfully asked, like she wasn't worth the air in her lungs even though Caitlyn knew that was as far from the truth as possible.

Caitlyn took a step forward, closing the distance and putting both hands on Vi's waist. "Why? Because I'd do anything to make you stay." A shiver ran through her body as the words left her lips, and from the way Vi shuddered she could tell the feeling was mutual. "So please, tell me what I can do."

Vi's chest heaved as her body shook in Caitlyn's arms, and her eyes were so sad, so lonely, that she felt tears leave her eyes. Vi's eyes widened and she mumbled something under breath which, even in the quiet bedroom, Caitlyn couldn't hear. Vi reached up with her hands to wipe the tears from her cheeks and it looked like she'd regained some of her strength.

Of course it does, Vi only cares about protecting the people close to her. She'd carry the weight of the world on her shoulders if it meant those she loved would never cry again.

And Vi cared about her.

"Tell me what to do", Caitlyn whispered, and something vulnerable passed between them.

Vi was the first to look away. "Can you…" She trailed off, clearly having trouble with the words. "Can you hold me? Please?" Caitlyn watched as the tears ran anew, and Vi took a shaky breath.

Something broke within Caitlyn.

It might've been her heart.

Vi wrapped her arms around herself protectively as she stepped back, all while Caitlyn stood there, frozen. "Everyone's gone, Caitlyn. They're all gone! And-and I want to… I don't want to be alone anymore. I'm so fucking lonely, okay? All I have left is a sister who hates me, because I was meant to protect everyone and I let them down!" Vi sobbed, clutching her body so hard it must've hurt. "I'm tired of being alone but that's all I'll ever be, because my family's dead! And now I'm stuck knowing that if they were still here, they'd hate me as much as I hate myself because, me being here", she gestured to the room around her, and then to Caitlyn, "it would make them sick."

Caitlyn didn't know what to do, the stupid fool she was, and she could only watch as Vi fell apart before her.

"So just… just hold me, okay?" Vi begged, backing further away from Caitlyn, like she was afraid of her, or of what she'd say. "Hold me and tell me it'll be okay, and that I'm not better off dead even though we both know it's not true." She took a deep, trembling breath, meeting Caitlyn's eyes with a finality that frightened her to her core."Do that and I'll stay, because you're the only right thing in this whole fucking world."

Caitlyn moved without thinking, wrapping Vi in the tightest hug she'd ever given as she leaned down, pressing a tearful kiss to her brow. Vi let out a scream and collapsed in her arms, gripping her waist with enough force that it hurt, but she welcomed the pain. "It'll be okay", she whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

"I want to go home!…" Vi wept, and suddenly she wasn't the strong protector, taking on the world with a grin and a strong fist. No, she was the woman who just wanted to be loved, and Caitlyn swore she'd give that to her even if it killed her. She could do no less, seeing how desperately alone Vi was.

"I know, Vi, I know. I'm sorry. I'll make it right, I promise."

Caitlyn tried to lead her back to the bed, but Vi wouldn't move, or couldn't, so she planted her feet and bore her weight. Vi had been so strong for her; for once, she could be strong for her. "I want to die! I want it to be over!"

"Don't say that." Caitlyn said loudly, pleading with whatever gods existed that Vi would hear her words. "Please, don't ever say that. You're not worthless, and you're not better off dead."

Vi's knees hit the floor, her grip failing in her grief, but Caitlyn refused to let go. She crouched down and wrapped one arm around Vi's back, the other around her head as she let her body do what her words failed to, comforting her when nothing else could.

"You're not alone, Violet, my Darling. I swear." Caitlyn reached round with her hand and gently took Vi's chin in her palm, tilting her head up and locking eyes with her. She might've been the woman's entire world with the way her gaze focused on her, orbs of grey steel piercing into her own. "You won't ever be alone again, not if I can help it."

Tears from a lifetime of pain began to slow as they looked at each other, and Vi shut her eyes. Her hands came to rest upon her cheeks as she pressed her forehead to Caitlyn's.

They stayed together like that until Caitlyn's knees began to hurt and the tears on Vi's face dried, though neither of them bothered counting the minutes. This wasn't about time. This wasn't about Piltover or the Undercity, or any of the people in it. Not right then.

It was about being with each other in this moment, seconds that stretched out to eternity as they held each other, a wordless declaration of something deep and beautiful that Caitlyn never thought she'd feel, no matter how much she'd hoped she would.

I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.

Sometime later Vi's breathing steadied and she leaned back the tiniest amount, enough to look Caitlyn in the eye. There was an apology in them that Caitlyn never wanted to hear, because none of this was her fault. She said nothing, however, even though her cheeks had gone as red as her hair. She opened her mouth once, twice, three times before finally speaking.

"Can I kiss you?"

Caitlyn considered answering, but why waste time?

She pressed her lips to Vi's and she melted into her, a hand coming up to brush a lock of hair out of her face, because there could be no barriers to this.

There were no fireworks in her heart, no butterflies bursting through her chest, only the feeling that, for once in her entire life, she'd found where she belonged. She never thought it would be in the arms of someone like Vi, so brash and violent and kind and caring, but life made a fool of them all.

They'd need to have a talk about this in the morning, because they were a bit beyond words at that point, climbing into bed as Vi pressed Caitlyn's arms above her head. She then kissed her throat, teeth biting down into soft skin and, for a brief moment, Caitlyn considered telling her to stop. She'd just been crying, so immediately going and sleeping with her wasn't the best idea. Then Vi slid her hand down the front of her pants, and she suddenly didn't care anymore.

Vi would still be there when the sun rose, so Caitlyn would give herself over for the night. As long as Vi knew she was enough, and that she was worth everything Caitlyn could give her and more.

Caitlyn would come to love this woman one day, or maybe she already did.

Together they drove away thoughts of the world around them, anchored by the link between their bodies, and Caitlyn knew they'd be alright.

And there we have it, the end of what I'm calling the prologue of the fic. The lines are drawn, plans are made, and everything is on the edge of falling apart. But Vi and Caitlyn have found each other, which is all that really matters at this point. Honestly, I considered dragging this whole thing out a bit, but fuck that. They're clearly into each other, and they care about each other more than I'm imagining either of them expected when they met down in Stillwater's depths. They might've held it off for a better time, but truth be told there's no such thing. Vi needed Caitlyn in that moment and Caitlyn wanted to be there, so why wait? They'll need to talk about everything later, but Caitlyn's in it for the long haul and I've tried to show that Vi feels the same, both in this chapter and the previous two which were from her perspective. Maybe it was hidden under all the grief and self-loathing. Who knows.

Honestly this chapter scared me a bit, because I've never really written romance before. Sure, I've planned it out in notes for stories and fics, but this is the first time I've actually gotten to putting it into words. Hopefully it doesn't suck. I had a lot of fun with it though, and I'd love to hear what you think.

See you all next chapter!