Vi flipped on the master light next to her by the wall, and ran to her, slowing and crouching as she got to her.
"Cait? Hey, cupcake?" Caitlyn had her head down, and her shoulders shook periodically from what seemed to be a crying episode. Vi moved next to her so that they were both facing the large mirror. In that moment, Vi wasn't thinking about potentially re-aggravating Caitlyn's injuries, she just wanted to hold her. To make sure she was okay. She turned and brought both arms around Caitlyn, pulling her gently towards her. Caitlyn was still sniffing, and a sob would escape from her as she let her body be pulled into Vi's embrace.
Vi said nothing, just holding Caitlyn. Vi could feel Caitlyn's sobs gradually slow, and then dissipate. They were soon replaced by the feel of Caitlyn taking deep breaths, trying to compose herself. Vi then repositioned them, so that they were both turned towards each other, but also facing the mirror. Vi then let her left hand drift to Caitlyn's back, and slowly began rubbing her back, using gentle circles. Vi then brought her right hand across her body towards Caitlyn, gently placing it over both of Caitlyn's hands, which were resting on her lap. Caitlyn's face was still looking down at her hands, and she smiled at Vi's hand touching them. Vi then spoke up after a moment:
"Hey? Cupcake? Wanna talk about it?"
Caitlyn wanted to say she just slipped and was embarrassed about the cup drop, or say that she was just tired, but in truth, she didn't have the energy to lie, or the desire to do it to Vi. She didn't want to lay her misery on Vi, who'd dealt with so much in her life, more than anyone should, but a gentle squeeze of the hand let her know Vi wasn't going to take no for an answer.
Caitlyn nodded wordlessly, and lifted her head to look at Vi, taking a deep breath before speaking:
"Sorry, I was just… just thinking about… it's silly, but —"
"—Nothing about you is silly, cupcake," Vi interrupted. Not forcefully, but encouragingly. Caitlyn smiled and nodded before looking up at the mirror at her reflection, Vi followed her gaze to the mirror. Caitlyn then sighed, her tone one of dejection and sadness, as she said:
"I was just thinking, or realizing that, I… I have no right to feel bad about this… because I deserve it. To look this… hideous," Caitlyn said, motioning to her face before looking down. But no sooner did she do that, that Vi's hand left her hands, and gently took her chin and raised it up. And with a look of seriousness and warmth, Vi kissed her on her lips, holding the kiss for a moment, before releasing the kiss and looking at Caitlyn with one of the softest looks she'd ever seen. Vi then spoke:
"Cupcake, don't you ever say that, or even think that, about yourself. You're not hideous. You're so beautiful, and you don't even know it. And you do NOT deserve what happened to you. How could you even say that? Do you really believe that?"
Vi's voice carried a strength and edge to it. She wasn't yelling, but Caitlyn could hear the conviction behind her words. A conviction she truly felt she didn't deserve. Caitlyn shrugged softy as she spoke.
"Vi, I've… I've always wanted to be an Enforcer. Not just to forge my own path, away from my family history. But because I… I really wanted to help people. But Look at me now. Look at what I've done. I've… done so many things. Made so many mistakes. Hurt… so many people. Including you." Caitlyn said softly, trying to keep the emotion from her voice as she continued.
"When my mother died, I felt like this huge hole just opened in my heart. My grief was so… I was so angry. I let myself become someone I wasn't. And when we tried to stop Jinx in the tunnel, I was ready to shoot. If you hadn't gotten in my way, I would… I would have shot, and —"
"— but you didn't, Cait, and —"
"—because you stopped me from making a terrible mistake. But the truth was, I was going to take the shot. And the person I know I… the person I was, would never have done something like that. And the person I want to be… would never have lashed out at you, and left you lying there at the bottom of that pit." Caitlyn shut her eye, ashamed at the memory.
"Cait, you have to let that go. It happened. But you were going through a lot. You never had a chance to grieve for your mother's death, remember?" Caitlyn nodded silently, and Vi used the silence to press forward.
"You made mistakes. A lot of mistakes. And it ended up hurting a lot of people," Vi said, with Caitlyn keeping her head down. Vi continued.
"But I know you. You… you have a good heart," Caitlyn looked up in surprise at the words Vi used, because Caitlyn had said them to Vi once in the undercity. Vi then continued.
"I'm gonna tell you who you are, cupcake, cuz I think you might have forgotten." Vi smiled before she began talking in a soft voice.
"You're the one who got me out of prison. You're the one who, without hesitation, gave up your rifle, your only means of defence, to get me medicine, AFTER you saved me from Sevika. You were in Zaun, you didn't know anyone. You were so vulnerable. But you didn't care. All you were thinking about was saving me. Then, when Ekko captured us, and you thought we were in danger, all you did was ask about me, telling them that it was your fault, that you were the reason I was there, and to please not hurt me, and to let me go. Remember that?"
Caitlyn smiled at the memory, remembering how she made that selfless plea to Ekko, only for Vi to casually step by the door, revealing that she was fine. Caitlyn remembered how flustered and embarrassed she was at how unnecessary her plea was, and how Vi must have overheard everything from just outside the door, and been trying her best not to laugh. It brought a genuine smile to the Enforcer's face, looking back at that moment. It could have been Vi's words, or the touch of her hand on her back. Regardless, it felt so… soothing. Vi then continued:
"You're also the one who told Ekko that you would speak to the council on our behalf. To tell them what had happened, so that they wouldn't have to hide anymore. And when we got back to Piltover, what did you do, cupcake?"
Vi paused as she finished. Caitlyn looked at Vi and hesitated, not sure if Vi wanted her to speak. She decided Vi wanted to answer for her, so she let Vi continue.
"You went in front of the Piltover council, and told them about how bad things were in Zaun. About how the council had failed them. About how we needed to be helped. And when Jayce asked about the monkey bomb, you didn't speak up, because you knew about Jinx's relationship with me, and you didn't think it would be right to say anything, even though you were being asked, and knew who she was. You did that for me." Vi's voice grew heavier in emotion as she continued.
"You're always trying to protect people. Even people you barely know. You know that your city, and your people, benefitted from the way the system was, and how badly the people of Zaun were hurt by it, and you spoke up about it. Gotta tell you, Cait, I don't know of anyone in Piltover who's ever gone to bat for us like you. They way you were speaking up for us in front of that council. You had nothing to gain from trying to change a system that was favouring your city for generations. You did it because you knew the difference between right and wrong. You always did. And you were never afraid to speak up about it. Because you're fearless."
Caitlyn blushed slightly at the word 'fearless'. She wasn't sure she'd ever been called that before, or that she deserved such a title. But it felt good to hear that, especially when it came from Vi.
"While you were in the hospital, I got to talk with Mel a bit. And she told me about how, after the attack, one of the councillors wanted to order a full scale invasion of Zaun, with Enforcers using hex tech. And she told me how you, still grieving for your mother's death at a Zaunite's hands, spoke out against it. Not because it wouldn't work, but because innocents, Zaun innocents, would get caught in the crossfire. You said that, cupcake. That was you. And you didn't even tell me about that, I only found that out through someone else. It's like, you have no idea how compassionate and caring you really are." Caitlyn blushed a slightly deeper shade of red, but said nothing.
"When we had our.. when we sent our separate ways in the tunnel," Vi said, after some hesitation, Caitlyn felt her heart sink, a feeling of shame at that memory being revisited.
"I was hurt. More emotionally, than physically. It wasn't just the getting hit with the butt of your rifle, by the way cupcake, you seem to really like hitting me with that," Vi said as she raised an eyebrow, motioning from her stomach to the part of her face that Cait had hit when they were trying to fool Ambessa.
Caitlyn's eye widened and she looked down in embarrassment and shame, before Vi's calloused fingers gently lifted her chin to look at Vi again.
"Kidding, cupcake. I meant, it hurt, because I think I knew that, at that point, you felt you couldn't trust me. You thought I'd either never intended to go through with letting you shoot Jinx, or that I wanted to, but subconsciously couldn't let it happen. Either way, you didn't think you could trust me anymore."
Caitlyn looked away for a moment, feeling shame at knowing that Vi was right. Vi always seemed to know where Caitlyn's heart was truly at, even if she didn't know herself. Caitlyn then turned and looked timidly at Vi as she continued.
"And when I was in a bad spot, fighting in those pits. I remember after one of those fights, going to my place, and looking out at the streets. I saw the Kiramman banner, and I remember being… so angry." Vi looked down as she spoke, but before Caitlyn could try to apologize, Vi stopped her with an upraised hand before continuing.
"But not for the reason you think. It was because I knew that wasn't you. It wasn't who you really were. But that was the image everyone else would see of you. And how so many people were going to remember you. I also knew how angry you were when we last saw each other. And that even if I tried to see you and talk to you, you probably wouldn't have listened. And the reason why, was because you were in so much pain. You thought you had no one you could trust. The only thing you had, was your family name, and your position as an Enforcer. I heard through Loris about what happened. How Ambessa had appointed you as the commander. I remember him saying how you looked like you had no idea what Ambessa had planned. He said you didn't move to accept the appointment until Maddie and the other Enforcers began thumping their chests, making you feel pressure to to up there to accept the appointment." Vi paused for Caitlyn to take in everything she said.
Caitlyn was silent, but also remembered the pain of Maddie's betrayal, and how close she came to dying by the junior officer's hands. Vi pressed on.
"Yes, you became the face of the martial law act, and played a part in what happened. I also know you were manipulated into it by Ambessa, who was using your anger and grief to manipulate you. But you know what, I've never heard you try to deflect blame, or say that it was really Ambessa who was behind everything. I've never heard you say that you were just an innocent puppet being played by Ambessa. You took responsibility. You always do, cupcake. You made bad choices. You hurt people, yes. But you were dealing with a lot, and you got taken advantage of. The fact that you've never tried to deflect blame, or say that you were pressured into making the choices that you did, says everything about the person you are. You take responsibility for your actions. Your choices. In a way that so many people don't. It's one of the things I've always really liked — loved, about you," Vi looked down for a moment as she finished, as 'love' was not a word she used often. Caitlyn knew that, and smiled softly as Vi continued.
"Cupcake, you did a lot of bad things, but you did a lot of good things too. You tried to help me save my dad. And when Jinx surrendered, you could have just had her killed, no one would have stopped you, and you could have easily hidden it from me, or made up some story that she tried to attack you. But you didn't. You let me free her, despite what she did to your mother. Because you knew she wasn't a monster. Despite everything she'd done, you knew she wasn't a bad person And cupcake…?" Vi paused so that Caitlyn looked up at her.
"…neither are you." Caitlyn felt her eye moisten again as she nodded to Vi, thankful to hear that. Needing to hear that. Vi then spoke up again.
"Putting yourself out there to defend Piltover, fighting Ambessa, even though it cost you —" Vi reached up with her right hand across Caitlyn's face to gently stroke her left cheek, just next to her eye patch.
"— it cost you so much. And After the battle, you were the one who came forth and gave up your seat. And you didn't just step down, you demanded that the seat be given to someone in Zaun, saying that they needed to have a seat at the table. Remember that?" Vi said.
"Y-yes, it was, I thought it was the least I could —" Vi cut her off softly.
"'the least you could do?', No cupcake. It was huge. For generations, Zaun's never had a seat at the table. And you gave them one. One of the founding families' seats. No one asked you to do it. If you never said anything, it never would have come up. But you did that. Because you thought it was the right thing to do. Even though it did nothing for you, you did it because you knew it would help Zaun. It was so amazing, cupcake. I remember the look on Sevika's face when you stepped away from your seat. She wasn't sure what to make of it. I don't think I've ever seen Sevika so shocked, so at a loss for words. She didn't say anything then, but I remember her asking me if I put you up to it, and when I told her I had no idea you were going to do what you did, for a moment, I saw the smallest of smiles cross her face. Like, she felt touched or something like that. I didn't know she could actually smile, cupcake. I mean, I've seen her smirk, but, you made her smile!"
Caitlyn let out a short laugh, more at the passion behind Vi's words, rather than the events of that day. It didn't seem like a big deal to Caitlyn. It was the least she could do, and it was long over due. Besides, she had no interest in council affairs anyways. Vi continued.
"Yes, you did some bad things that hurt people. But you also did a lot of good too, and tried to make things right. You did things that hurt people in Zaun, but then you did things like give up your seat to help give them a voice at the table. Not just for that day. But for all the days ahead. One thing doesn't undo the other. There are always going to be people that think that you did more harm than good. People that think all the good you did, can never undo, or match the harm that you did. Those people will always be there."
Caitlyn signed in understanding, knowing what Vi said was true.
"But there are also going to be people, who know how much you tried to undo the harm that was done under martial law. How much you tried to help divert food and supplies to those in need, despite resistance from the council. People who know how bravely you fought to protect the city from Ambessa. People who know how much you tried to fight Ambessa's influence for stronger measures. People who know… that you have a good heart. People that know who you really are. People like Sevika, who now have a seat on the council, because of you, and can do more for Zaun than she ever could under Silco. And people — " Vi brought her hand up to gently cup the left side of Caitlyn's face as she finished:
"—people like me. And cupcake, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me," Vi finished with her trademark sardonic but warm smile.
Caitlyn tried to bring her hand up to wipe her tear, but Vi was quicker, and wiped it for her. Vi then motioned to the mirror, and Caitlyn looked at her reflection, and at Vi. A more serious look crossed Vi's face as she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Now, cupcake, let's talk about you calling yourself 'hideous'". Caitlyn blushed as she turned to Vi, but Vi motioned for her to keep looking at the mirror. Caitlyn knew Vi was talking about her eye, but it was her own fault for calling herself hideous in front of Vi. Vi continued.
"I don't think you know what 'hideous' is. Do you remember Jericho?"
Caitlyn had to search her memory before remembering the large green street cook they'd met shortly before travelling to the brothel.
"Do you remember when he turned around and pulled down his pants to scratch his ass?"
"Uh, y-yes, I remember?" Caitlyn said questioningly, not following why Vi wanted to revisit that event. Vi then tilted her head towards Caitlyn, lifting her eyebrows as she said in a serious voice.
"THAT's hideous." Caitlyn blinked once, but before she could say anything, a laugh escaped from her. It wasn't what she intended, but it felt so good. It was amazing how easily Vi could change her mood. As she tried to suppress her laugh, Vi pressed on.
"Are you really saying, and be honest, cupcake, that your 'hideous', and Jericho's, are the same?!"
Another laugh escaped from Caitlyn as she looked down bashfully, shaking her head as a way of saying no. Vi loved hearing Caitlyn laugh. One, because she rarely got to hear that lovely sound, and two because she knew she needed it. But Vi wanted to get serious, so she continued.
"But seriously, can I tell you what I see?" Caitlyn took a breath from her earlier laughter, her own expression turning more solemn as she looked at the mirror and their reflection.
"I see someone who's the kindest, most compassionate person I've ever met. Someone who cares and wants to help others, even if it means getting no thanks or recognition back in return. And your kindness and compassion's got nothing to do with your coming from money and privilege, cupcake, no matter what others may say. Because if it did, then why don't other people who come from wealth, act the way you do? Why are you the only one that cares when no one else does. Because that's who you are. Yes, you made mistakes. But you also tried to make things right. And as for this…". Vi paused, as she motioned to Caitlyn's eye patch, causing her breath to hitch for a moment. Vi took a breath before speaking in a soft voice.
"I can't imagine what you're going through. What it must have felt like. But I don't see anything hideous. What I see, when I look at that scar, is someone who was willing to put their life on the line to protect their city, even if it meant going up against a Noxian warlord. I… I can't tell you how much I hate her for trying to corrupt you the way she did. For taking advantage of you when you were so vulnerable. And for doing… what she did—" Vi touched Caitlyn's brow, just over her eyepatch with her fingers.
"—You said once, that you wouldn't be the same again, and.. you're right. People will look at you differently. They'll treat you differently, like those people we saw today —" Caitlyn's shoulders slumped, as she nodded once in agreement and understanding.
"—but nothing, nothing, cupcake, will ever make me see you different." Vi smiled as she finished, the warmth in her smile making Caitlyn feel a warmth she hadn't felt in some time. But Caitlyn was still worried about something, so she hesitantly spoke up.
"Vi, I —thanks. I just — I just know that some things are going to change, and I just wish —" Caitlyn stopped, embarrassed to continue.
Vi's eyebrows went up, she leaned forward with a concerned look on her face.
"What's gonna change, cupcake?"
Caitlyn hesitated before looking down and speaking in a soft voice.
"Remember when we… in the prison cell before the battle?" Vi slowly smiled as she replied.
"Kinda hard to forget about that, cupcake." Vi said with a sly grin. Caitlyn smiled for a moment before she looked at the mirror, Vi following her gaze.
"I remember the way you looked at me when you touched me. And kissed me. And… I know that… that you'll probably never be able to see me the same way as before. Every day, I get to wake up up and see your beautiful face. And every day, you… get to wake up to… " Caitlyn motioned briefly to her eye before looking down timidly. Vi then slowly took a breath, realizing what must have been on Caitlyn's mind ever since she found out about her eye. She thought Vi wouldn't be able to see her the way she always had before.
Vi hadn't tried to get intimate with Caitlyn, or overly affectionate, because she was afraid of re-aggravating Caitlyn's injuries. But in doing so, Vi had taken the choice out of Caitlyn's hands. And with Caitlyn feeling so heartbroken and insecure of herself after the life-changing injury she suffered, she must have thought Vi's reluctance to be intimate was related to her new appearance. Vi gently squeezed her hands and spoke in a soft and earnest voice:
"Cupcake, I'm so sorry that's what you thought. But I only did that because I was afraid of hurting you." Caitlyn looked up, her face one of worry and hope.
"I know you'd been through a lot. I heard from Mel about how brutal the fight was. And later on, your father told me about all your injuries, and your eye. Honestly, all I wanted to do was just grab and hold you, and tell you everything was going to be alright. But I was so afraid of hurting you more. You know me, cupcake, if I kiss you once, it probably won't end there. Remember the prison cell?" Vi said, a playful smile on her face. Caitlyn blushed in response.
"And I know you wouldn't want to make me feel bad by rejecting me, even if it meant getting hurt yourself." Caitlyn smiled, still looking down before speaking.
"Th-thank you, Vi. But, really, you don't have to worry about me. I know you'd never hurt me. I just… I —" Vi cut her off softly.
"— are you sure I don't have to worry about you?" Vi said with a smile. Caitlyn looked at their mirror, nodding with a small smile. Vi turned and leaned forward towards Caitlyn, close enough to kiss her. Caitlyn felt her pulse quicken, and got worried when Vi stopped. Vi then said:
"Then just make me one promise, okay, cupcake?" Vi said as she tilted her head towards Caitlyn. Caitlyn's eye widened in surprise at Vi's movement, but she didn't move back. She just looked into those grey eyes and nodded. Vi then spoke:
"If you feel you're not ready. Or you want to stop. Just say so, and I will. Don't feel guilty about it, or think that you've hurt me. Or that I'll get angry. I won't. I never will. I promise. Okay, cupcake?"
Caitlyn felt a smile tug at her lips, and she looked at their reflection, feeling as if a weight was being lifted off her. She nodded. Vi then reached with her right hand to gently bring it to the left side of Caitlyn's face, to her eye patch.
"Can I see? Please?" Vi said in the softest voice Caitlyn had ever heard. A voice she couldn't resist.
She wanted to say no, afraid that Vi seeing what was under the patch would somehow ruin the tenderness of that moment. But Caitlyn decided to trust Vi. Vi gently slid a finger under the strap, and lifted the eye patch so that it was just over her brow. Caitlyn's breath hitched, as she looked at her reflection. The ugly scar, her eye lid permanently closed. Caitlyn tried to look down at her lap, but Vi's calloused fingers slipped under her jaw, and she motioned for them both to look at the mirror. Vi had a soft smile on her face as she spoke:
"Can I tell you what I see, cupcake?" Caitlyn's eye widened for a moment. She wanted to look down, but Vi's fingers gently prodded her to keep her head up. Vi then let her right hand drop to cover Caitlyn's hands on her lap, with Vi's left hand drawing circles on her back. Caitlyn nodded shyly as Vi took a breath.
"I see the strongest person I know. Someone who always wanted to do the right thing. Someone who made mistakes, but also tried so hard to make things right. Even if it meant getting hurt. And this?" Vi let her fingers touch the brow above the scar.
"This was what that person was willing to do, to protect those they loved. To protect everyone. You lost something, but that doesn't make you any less whole —". Vi gently turned Caitlyn's face towards her, and gently kissed her brow, and then gently kissed her scar before saying:
"—or less beautiful. Not to me." Caitlyn felt a tear run down her face, but rather than wipe it with her finger, she gently kissed it, kissing away Caitlyn's tear, kissing away her pain. Caitlyn smiled and looked at the mirror, she looked at the eye patch, and despite what Vi said, she still wanted to pull it down. It was so amazing, how Vi seemed to read her mind as she said:
"—if you wanna keep it on, it's okay cupcake. Whatever makes you feel better." Caitlyn smiled as she looked down before replying.
"Thank you, Vi, for… for everything. I think… for now, maybe I'll just keep it on, if that's okay?" Caitlyn said with a shy smile. She wasn't ashamed anymore, but she told herself she just wanted to get used to it. Somehow, Vi having no revulsion or negative reaction to seeing her scar made her feel comfortable with the patch. Vi nodded and used her right hand to gently pull the eye patch down over Caitlyn's left eye socket, putting it back in place. Vi then smiled and stood up, offering a hand to help Caitlyn up.
Caitlyn obliged, and when she got up, Vi put her hands on her hips and said softly:
"You got it, cupcake. The eye patch can stay on, but —" Vi hesitated.
Caitlyn's arms were over Vi's, so that they were resting on the small of Vi's back. Caitlyn frowned as she looked at Vi, who's eyes had drifted down from Caitlyn's face. Vi then looked up, and an almost sympathetic smile came to her face, causing Caitlyn to left an eyebrow in curiosity. Vi then continued in a softer voice:
"—but I'm sorry, cupcake, that's the only thing you get to keep on," a mischievous yet warm smile spread on Vi's face as she looked up at Caitlyn, and she felt her face warm at the implication.
Without a word, Vi gently reached around Caitlyn and brought one arm down behind her knees. Then in a swift but gentle motion, she lifted Caitlyn up, bridal style, and slowly walked her to their bed, Caitlyn could feel her face warm, and could swear her face was probably the same shade as Vi's hair. Vi gently tossed Caitlyn onto the bed, and shared a giggle as Caitlyn bounced once before laying on her back, letting her head rest against the pillow.
Vi quickly tossed off her shirt and kicked off her pants before straddling the Enforcer. Resting just below her stomach, Vi reached with her hands, and clasped Caitlyn's hands which her by either side of her head. Vi brought them to her mouth, kissing her fingers before lowering herself so that Caitlyn and her hands were by either side of her head. Vi smiled as she kissed Caitlyn on her lips. A soft kiss that Caitlyn could tell Vi ended very reluctantly. Vi then let out that half grin before kissing her again. Caitlyn felt her heart skip a beat. It was amazing how Vi was able to deepen her kiss, without sacrificing any of the first kiss's softness and tenderness. As they broke the kiss, Caitlyn breathed out a sigh before saying: "Vi, I - Thank you, you're —" but she was cut off with a quick kiss from Vi, who let out a smile before saying in a more serious voice.
"I love you, cupcake. And don't ever think you're not the most beautiful person in the world to me. Or that you deserve any of the pain you've had to go through. Got that?" Vi said in a tone that was serious, but had an underlying warmth that made Caitlyn feel silly for harbouring the doubts she had earlier, and silently nodded.
Caitlyn could only say in a voice heavy with emotion that she loved Vi too, before Vi kissed her again. Vi then proceeded to kiss Caitlyn's chin, jaw, and neck, just above the turtle neck, before kissing and nibbling on her earlobes. Vi could feel Caitlyn squirm, which only fed Vi's desire to kiss her more. Vi felt Caitlyn bolt slightly when she kissed the side of her neck just below her ears. Vi stopped and pulled up to look at Caitlyn, a strange, almost suspicious look on her face. Caitlyn looked up at Vi, her blue eye shining as she was taking breaths to compose herself from Vi's onslaught of kisses. They just stayed there for a moment, with Vi looking down at Caitlyn with narrowed, almost suspicious searching eyes. Caitlyn wasn't sure what Vi was doing, their fingers still interlocked. Vi seemed to be looking at Caitlyn's neck, tilting her head as if to get a better angle, before letting her grey eyes find Caitlyn's blue eye. Vi then slowly shook her head once, as she said in a hushed voice.
"Oh, my god, cupcake. I— I can't believe I didn't notice this before in the prison cell. Why didn't you didn't tell me this sooner?" Vi said, as if discovering some secret and demanding to know why she hadn't been let in on it.
Caitlyn searched Vi's features to try and discern what she was talking about. Vi had been kissing her, and all of a sudden stopped. Caitlyn, her breathing still laboured, said slowly:
"I, uh, tell you what, Vi?" Caitlyn said in a confused tone, her own eye narrowing in curiosity. Wondering what it was, that made Vi stop what she was doing.
Vi had that same serous look on her face. But then, it slowly changed. Changed to where it looked like Vi had discovered something. Something Caitlyn had tried to keep from her. Vi then leaned closer, until her face was inches from Caitlyn's. Then, a smile slowly crept onto her face. But not a sardonic or normal smile. No. This was different. It was an excited smile. Almost a… hungry one? Caitlyn couldn't figure out what it was, until Vi spoke up after a moment of pause.
"You're ticklish." Vi said, a grin spreading from ear to ear.
Caitlyn was certain she couldn't have opened her eye any wider than she already had. She was wrong. She felt a perspiration form on her temples and forehead. She stammered in a completely unconvincing voice.
"I, wha — " a swift kiss to her neck, followed by her giggle, confirmed Vi's suspicion. Vi then released her hands from Caitlyn's and sat up, crossing her muscled arms and wearing the most insufferable grin.
"You're ticklish," Vi repeated, the grin so infuriating and endearing at the same time. Caitlyn's defensive instinct took over, as she tried to fix Vi with the most serious look she could as she replied on reflex.
"I am not!" She said, trying to sound indignant, which would have sounded more convincing if she hadn't allowed a brief laugh to escape from her.
But the indignation only added to Vi's adoration for her. Because the way Caitlyn said it, reminded Vi of when she suggested Caitlyn act like she worked at the brothel, and Caitlyn replied with an identically indignant "I will not!".
Vi simply cupped Caitlyn's cheeks in both hands, using her thumbs to gently draw circles on her prominent cheek bones before leaning down and kissing her, causing her to moan. She then relented on her kisses, with considerable effort, and said in a tone that was dripping with sarcasm:
"Sorry, cupcake, my mistake. I believe you," the grin Vi gave Caitlyn was infectious, and involuntary giggles soon followed.
Vi resumed her kissing in earnest, and after working together, all traces of Caitlyn's clothing were soon tossed haphazardly onto the floor, the two of them wearing nothing but the bedsheets. The kissing and caressing continued, and it was only hours later that both would be resting in each other's arms, their bodies coated in sweat. Vi was on her back, and Caitlyn had wrapped herself around her love, tucking her head just under Vi's chin. Caitlyn tilted her head to look up at Vi, who looked down at her with that grin that said she could take anything the world dished out. Caitlyn could only smile back.
They couldn't erase their mistakes. No amount of good deeds could ever undo their past actions. All they could do, was try to make right what they could, and move forward. And try to make the next day better than the one before. Caitlyn knew it would be a long journey. And for some, no amount of good deeds or reparations would ever be enough. But she was never going to give up trying. She would keep fighting. For herself. For everyone that needed help. That was the person she wanted to be. For herself. For Vi. And for everyone who couldn't fight for themselves.