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The words on the document Vi was reading seemed to blur and blend together on the page. For what felt like the millionth time in less than an hour, she rubbed her eyes wearily, fighting against the fatigue. The complete silence of the empty mansion and the cosy sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace beside her conspired against her intention to stay awake. It didn't help either that she had decided to review the documents curled up in the green armchair, but she couldn't help it.
With her gaze lost in the fire, Vi leaned back against the chair, reflecting on her current state. She had never been a person known for her ability to relax and rest. Before Stillwater, there was always something to do, someone to help, or supervise, or a job to complete. In prison... well, nothing that happened there could be classified as relaxing. And since Caitlyn had released her until the battle in Piltover, she had hardly known a moment of peace. But now, Vi couldn't stop marveling at how much her life had changed. Comfortable and clean clothes, warm and varied meals, and a giant bed to share with her girlfriend were just the beginning of the comforts and pleasures that came with her new life.
Despite it all, every now and then she felt the sharp sting of guilt and the sense that she didn't deserve any of what she had. But in those moments, when she would stare at the dinner in her plate with a lump in her throat unable to swallow a bite, or when the clothes that had been so carefully tailored to fit her didn't seem to look right and she felt the almost irresistible urge to tear them off her body, Caitlyn was there. Caitlyn, who didn't need Vi to vocalize her discomfort to know what she was feeling. Caitlyn, who with a hand on her arm, a caress on her shoulder, a look of complicity and understanding, with the right words, always managed to calm her and make her feel less inadequate, less like an imposter, less unworthy. Just by looking at her, at the patch covering her left eye, it was enough for her to remember how much it had cost both of them to get to where they were. That the price had been costly, yes, and that was why they had to honor it every day.
That explained the documents she was trying to read. They were complaints, grievances, and suggestions from the people of Zaun for the new Council. Vi had offered to review the mountain of papers, and in that task she had been immersed in the past few days. It was tedious, at times painful and infuriating, at times interesting. But when she began to feel sorry for herself for the task she had embarked on, just thinking about everything her girlfriend was doing made her reconsider. Caitlyn never stopped for a moment. Her entire days were spent in endless Council meetings, wandering the streets of Piltover and Zaun, and working in her study with the Kiramman family archives. She arrived home at night exhausted, and rested enough to regain her energy and continue the routine the next day.
In the distance, she heard the front door open and close. Speaking of which , thought Vi, and sharpened her hearing, setting the documents aside and closing her eyes for a moment. The sounds of footsteps grew louder until they stopped just outside the room where she was. After a moment of silence, she heard the faint sound of the doorknob turning and the door opening and closing carefully. Vi remained still, pretending to be asleep. The footsteps approached her, stopping beside her. Vi kept her breathing slow, deep, and steady. She heard the intruder moving around her and then felt a warm weight settle on her legs. A blanket , she thought. When she felt the person lean over her to cover her, Vi opened her eyes and quickly moved to grab her girlfriend by the waist and place her on her lap. Caitlyn let out a surprised squeal at the sudden movement, but the surprise prevented her from reacting in time to break free.
"Vi! You scared me to death," Caitlyn exclaimed as she tried to compose herself.
Vi smiled. "Got you."
They looked at each other, Caitlyn still a bit surprised and slightly exasperated, Vi smiling mischievously as she hugged her girlfriend's waist and pulled her closer.
"How long have you been planning this?"
"Just now. I was thinking about how much and how hard we are working, and how good a break would do us.”
"There's too much wo-"
Caitlyn's response was interrupted by Vi's lips. Vi learned very early in their relationship that the best way to silence the tall girl was with kisses. Indeed, her protests died without much resistance as they both lost themselves in each other's mouths. Vi felt Caitlyn's arm settling on her shoulder, while her other hand gently scratched the shaved side of her head.
Kissing Caitlyn always made her lose her mind a little. Especially in moments like this, when Caitlyn traced the scar on her lip with her tongue. Vi let out a soft moan and held her girlfriend against her body more firmly. The sound of pleasure that Caitlyn let out from deep within her throat sent a shiver down her spine, raising the hairs on the back of her neck. They kissed intensely for a few more moments, enjoying a rare moment of intimacy in the past few weeks. In any case, the situation did not escalate. Fatigue weighed on both of them, and soon the kisses gave way to simply cuddling together. Vi rested her head on Caitlyn's shoulder, hiding her face in her neck and breathing in her scent, while she stroked her hair with one hand and the tattoos on her forearm with the other. Caitlyn nodded towards the piles of documents in front of them.
"Anything interesting?"
"Hm. Some things." Vi pointed without looking at where she had left the papers. "The stack on the right are the most promising suggestions. The middle one is what I still need to review. On the left I'm leaving what are mostly insults or jokes.”
Caitlyn made a sound of acknowledgment and then leaned forward. Vi protested slightly, tightening her grip on Caitlyn's waist as her girlfriend gently flipped through the pages of the left pile, the more voluminous one.
"Every time I think we're making progress, something comes along to show me how naive I am." Caitlyn's voice sounded more sad than bitter. Unconsciously, her left hand began to scratch around the eye patch, a gesture that Vi had noticed recently as a sign of stress.
"Hey," Vi placed her hand on Caitlyn's cheek and turned her head until their eyes met. "It's slow, yes, but it's progress after all. Small victories, remember?" That had been their phrase of comfort lately. They had taken it from one of the doctors who had treated them after the battle, who had warned them about the advances and setbacks in the healing process and the importance of recognizing and celebrating the small victories. Caitlyn smiled faintly, and Vi decided to try to lift her spirits. "I mean, just yesterday I walked by Ekko's new mural, and I could swear the Pilties were looking at it with at least fifty percent less disdain than they would have six months ago."
That got a genuine smile.
"It's truly beautiful. I am left speechless every time I see it."
Vi felt her throat tighten instantly, regretting having brought up the topic. Ekko’s new mural, with the faces of the fallen, starting in Zaun, crossing the bridge, and continuing in Piltover, broke her heart. The only time she tried to cross it, she had to give up halfway, shaken and upset, and had spent the rest of the day exhausting herself hitting the bag and drinking, reliving her worst habits. The blue flash from one of the faces on the mural haunted her. Caitlyn had found her later in a pitiful state, and only after several hours had she managed to settle her down.
Her girlfriend easily recognized the change in her mood. She hugged her tightly, knowing that was the best comfort, and Vi responded in kind. Little by little, as the minutes passed, she managed to calm down. With her face pressed against his collarbone, Vi mumbled:
"I'm a bad girlfriend. I didn't ask you how your day was."
Caitlyn sighed audibly. "I spent half the day trying to stop Sevika from killing a counselor and the other half stopping myself from killing her.”
Vi let out a laugh at that and leaned back to respond. "Just say the word and I'll take care of her." Despite everything that had happened, Vi still couldn't forgive Sevika for betraying Vander.
"Tempting, however Sevika has proven herself as the most important person in this process. Zaun listens to her and trusts her. We all need her," Caitlyn finished saying this and smiled at her. "Besides, I like having a healthy and fit girlfriend."
As she knew it would happen, a smile from ear to ear lit up Vi's face. Every time Caitlin called her her girlfriend, Vi felt uncontrollable joy. She felt a warmth that started in her chest and spread throughout her body. She leaned forward and kissed Caitlyn passionately. However, after a moment, she sighed and pulled away.
"I would love to show you the advantages of having a healthy and fit girlfriend, but I'm too tired, Cupcake," Vi murmured against her lips.
Caitlyn laughed softly. "That’s alright. I'm tired too," she kissed her once more and added, "let's go to bed."
"No," Vi countered. "Not yet. I like being like this with you." And with that, Vi pulled her close and buried her face in her neck again.
"We have a perfectly suitable bed just a few steps away."
"Hm. In a minute."
Vi's insistence was successful, and Caitlyn resigned herself without much resistance. Leaning her head against Vi's, she snuggled against her and sighed, relaxing her body and enjoying her girlfriend's embrace. The fire continued to crackle for a while longer, while the two women finally rested.