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Vi grabbed Cait’s hand, as the enforcer brushed her fingers on her face. Vi had felt lonely for so long, that Caitlyn’s warmth was a welcoming sensation. She kept her eyes closed as she sighed, slightly aware that the woman on her side was watching her closely.
She was aware of everything. Of how she had finally come home, to the lanes, to find a city powered by shimmer; and how the man that ran everything and had killed Vander, had also abducted her sister. Her Powder. She now hated Violet and might have died in an explosion she set herself against her childhood best friend. Violet used to believe those two would end up dating when older.
Vi had no idea where Powder was, or even if she had survived, and the guilt tasted bitter on her tongue while she was, herself, safe and lying on a fancy bed of the daughter of a counselor.
Isn’t this betrayal? She thought as she opened her eyes, but the thought scaped her as her eyes met Cait’s blue irises looking back at her.
They stayed like that for what felt like hours. Vi didn’t cry or say a thing. She just needed a hand to hold. And there was Caitlyn.
“I’m so sorry” Cait said in a whisper, finally breaking the silence.
“Don’t be.” Vi lowered her eyes, focusing on their hands. “It’s ironic to be sorry for something that isn’t your fault”. She said, thinking of how things had happened. If anything could have been different, wasn’t it Vi’s fault? If she, years ago, had not gone to Jayce’s apartment in the Topside, nothing like this would have happened.
“If I had…”
“Please don’t.” Vi reached for the woman’s face with her free hand, resting her thumb on her cheekbone and scanning her eyes through Cait’s face. She looked sincere. “I can’t stand the ifs, right now”. She said, hearing her voice crack a bit. She hated how she sounded. So vulnerable and weak.
Caitlyn seemed to freeze under Vi’s touch and gaze but managed to reply. “Okay. We won’t talk about it. The past is in the past.” She coughed and turned to look to the ceiling, bringing both her hands to her stomach and breaking the contact. She looked like a soldier, after all. Good at clearing orders. Vi wondered if she like giving them out too. “We can prepare for the audience.” She suggested, but Vi shrugged and lied on her back as well, so she could look at the ceiling and give Caitlyn the privacy she seemed to need.
“I rather shower in the fancy ass bathroom I bet you have. I do smell like a stray.” Vi said, feeling self-conscious of how she was covered in dirt, blood, shimmer, and garbage. It felt safer to take this conversation to an easier mood than bringing all her doomed childhood flashbacks to the present. Also, Caitlyn’s face had a permanently frown of worry that wrinkled the bridge of her nose and Vi felt challenged to ease that. Vi liked a challenge.
“Well, I am indeed not in my brightest appearance. The clothes you got me…” Cait started but Vi stopped her.
“Fit you perfectly, Cupcake.” She teased, smiling slightly, but not turning to see that Cait was looking at her with an outrageous look on her face. She held back a laugh.
“I-I’m going to get you a towel. And clothes. You’ll need to wash these.” Caitlyn propped herself on her feet in a second, turning her pink cheeks away from the bed and Vi.
Vi turned to lie on her stomach and propped her chin on her hands.
“You really think your clothes will fit me?” Vi asked, watching the enforcer pace around the room. Caitlyn was so absorbed in getting toiletries that her feet missed her piltover crime map for a milimiter, almost kicking Silco’s paper head that was pierced at it with a stick.
“They will.” she said confidently. “At least while yours dry. It’s early in the morning and we don’t need to be ready for some hours and…”
She was adorable while explaining her plans, Vi thought as climbing off the giant dossel bed.
“Sure.” Vi said, sliding off her stolen jacket, purposefully letting her strong arms and wide shoulders at sight. She even flexed a little. “Whatever you say. Officer.” She added the title in ironically, which made Caitlyn stop her pacing and look at her again. The enforcer stared at Violet’s shoulder blades and arms. The look on her face clearly said that she had understood that none of her clothes at home would fit Vi properly. She looked annoyed as Vi rolled her shoulders, but instead of arguing she just whispered:
“Don’t call me officer.”
Vi stroked her hand on her own neck. “Don’t call you Cupcake, don’t call you officer… you’re difficult.”
“Caitlyn. Just call me Caitlyn.” The enforcer declared, before pushing her improvised bath set on Vi chest and walking towards a huge pair of doors on the back of the bedroom, not checking if she was being followed.
Vi, naturally, followed her.
The room was large and had a mirror that covered an entire wall. The design was made of marble and gold, and it probably costed more than anywhere Vi has lived in before. A huge shower was set on the middle of it, surrounded by high glass walls, and an empty tub rested on the other wall.
Violet fought the urge to soak on hot water for hours, maybe days, to recover from the past events.
Caitlyn stepped aside so Vi could walk in. She then stood still, holding her hands behind her back like enforcers usually do, which made Vi grunt a little.
“Please, take your time. The hot water is the tap on the left. If you need anything, I’ll be right…” Cait said while going back the way she came, reaching for the doorknob.
“Here?” Vi stopped her before she could finish her sentence, holding her warm hand again. It made her feel alive, even if just for a moment. It was a bold move, and it made Vi blush, but she took her shot anyways.
She had seen how Caitlyn acted in the pleasure house. She seemed completely at ease while talking to that woman. Vi wanted Cait to be like that with her, it seemed easy, and she was feeling lonely enough to try.
“I don’t…” Caitlyn replied and Vi noticed her face blush. She seemed at the edge of shooting Vi in the face. Violet didn’t know if her nervousness was a consequence of what she was suggesting or if she was just outraged by the fact that Violet didn’t hold shame on asking for it.
“I won’t keep you here. It’s up to you.” Vi eased her, brushing her thumb on Cait’s hand. “You don’t need to do anything you don’t want. It’s simply an invitation.” Vi slowly let go of Cait’s hand and proceeded to unfasten her own top. It was tight on her body, and she felt a relief to get it off.
She checked the stabbing wound on her belly, which was partially closed, thanks to Caitlyn, and felt grateful. If it wasn’t for her, she wouldn’t be here. She would be lying in a ditch or worse.
Vi felt Caitlyn’s eyes on her but proceeded to undress silently. She had made her invitation clear, and she wouldn’t go off limits.
She slowly untied the bandages of her hands, letting her bruised and tore knuckles breathe; and piece by piece she undressed herself, not looking directly at Caitlyn. The enforcer had not moved an inch and seemed paralyzed holding the doorknob. Vi thought she needed this touch more than the golden knob did but shrugged.
When she finally was completely naked, she left her clothes on a messy pile on the expensive bathmat. She checked herself on the mirror, all scars, prison tattoos, muscles, blood, and dirt, framed by that fancy room, and noticed Caitlyn’s reflection checking it slightly too. Vi smirked, shook her head at the paralyzed woman at the door and headed to the shower.
Vi felt both nervous and excited.
She turned the right tap and let freezing water fall on her head and shoulders, tightening her muscles in response to the cold. She felt sore to the core. Every inch of her body ached. She was a map of bruises at this point, and she sighed as the water washed the exhaustion off her.
Behind her, Violet heard Caitlyn finally loose her grip on the doorknob. It seemed she had taunted Cait enough to make her stay in the room, but not enough to make her go further than the sink stand. Caitlyn leaned on it and acted distracted by the falling water, but Vi noticed when her eyes followed the drops of water where they met her bruised skin.
Vi dragged her hand over the drawings that went down her entire back and arms and saw Caitlyn’s eyes follow her fingers like a trail. The woman then quickly shifted her glance to the roof when she realized what she was doing. Vi smirked satisfied.
“You didn’t answer me earlier.” Vi asked, now completely facing Caitlyn, and shaking a little from the cold water. She wasn’t the most confident woman on the undercity, even less when in front of a rich topsider like Caitlyn, but she righted her shoulders and stared. If Caitlyn hadn’t left, Vi imagined she wasn’t mad at what she was seeing.
“What?” Cait impulsively brought her eyes down, gulping nervously at the image before her. It made her blush.
She looked enchanting like that, which made Vi feel warm, even though the heat wasn’t even turned on.
“Man or woman?” Vi repeated her question, making Cait finally snap.
“You are so annoying, for fucks sake!” Caitlyn exclaimed, coming forward and pushing the glass shower door, making Vi retreat to let her in. She reached for the hot water tap and turned it, getting herself completely wet in the process. This time, though, she didn’t look away.
Vi stared at the other woman’s figure, completely soaked and dressed, but didn’t move. She wasn’t sure just yet. Caitlyn’s raven hair was sticking to her cheeks and neck and Vi had to use every ounce of self-control she had in herself not to brush it away and kiss the skin where it touched, leaving a trail of violet hickeys.
“I hate cold showers.” Caitlyn added while unfastening her corset. “Will you help me or not?” She said, with blushing cheeks but fierce eyes. She still had a frown between her eyebrows and Vi found it unacceptable.
“You’re really bossy, you know?” Vi whispered, breathing in steam while unbuttoning free Caitlyn’s torso. Violet wasn’t shy to look, even though she didn’t touch her more than needed to undress her shirt and corsetry. Caitlyn soft skin covered her tight defined muscles, that curved perfectly at her waist and widened smoothly on her hips. One would be stupid to think Caitlyn was fragile because of her upbringing. She bared defined muscles from carrying her guns and Vi was happily surprised to see it.
When Violet brought her eyes up to Cait’s face again and felt her heart race, she wondered if attraction ever felt like that before.
The enforcer exhaled deeply, fidgeting with the ties of her trousers.
“Is it me?” Vi’s heart pounded on her chest when she once again held Caitlyn’s hands. “Do I make you uncomfortable.”
Caitlyn shook her head.
“I don’t feel uncomfortable.” Caitlyn replied, matching eyes with Vi. Violet saw her chest rise and down. “I feel like I’m at the edge of stepping a line I shouldn’t.”
They both stopped. The only sound was the water splashing on the floor.
“Dare to step.” Vi held the woman’s chin gently on her fingers, and her eyes stared at Caitlyn’s parted lips. She held her breath when the enforcer wrapped her arms around her and ended their distance with a kiss.
The hot water felt lukewarm next to the fire that was holding Caitlyn on her arms. Her body was pressed so tight on her own that she could feel all her elegant and gentle curves. Oh, and her mouth, Vi thought. It was the sweetest flavor, like cupcake frosting. It sent sparks down her spine and warmth on her lower stomach. She felt shivers when Caitlyn’s long thigh bumped between her own.
Once she gathered the courage, Caitlyn didn’t back down. She let her hands path their way through Vi’s back like she had been wanting it for some time now. Vi shivered. Caitlyn’s stopped her hands Violet’s hips, gripping her tightly and pulling them to her even more when she felt Vi bite her lower lip.
It was inebriating.
A light gasp came out of Vi’s lips when they moved away from each other.
“Is it…” Cait exclaimed gently, a little out of breath. “Answer enough?” She brushed her fingers softly on Vi’s chest and breasts, specially on the cold jewels Vi had pierced to her nipples.
Cait was actively looking at her now, with no shame. Vi could almost taste her desire, which sent out a warm wave through her body that only increased its temperature when Caitlyn lowered her hands, dragging her through her abs and the soft trail of hairs she had on the middle of her lower abdomen. Violet felt her body tighten in response.
Vi closed her eyes so the other women wouldn’t see them rolling back from the sensation of being touched like that. She needed all self-control not to drown in the feeling Caitlyn was causing. She had been with many women before, but something about Cait touching her so softly like she was a fragile thing had her feeling more than just arousal.
“I don’t know. Let me answer myself.” Vi said, before pushing Caitlyn’s back on the glass door and bringing her lips to the woman’s neck like she had been wanting to. Violet needed a distraction from the tight feeling on her lower abdomen, so she kissed Cait’s neckline hard and sloppily, trailing her jaw line, neck, and collar bone. She loved how she tasted and how Cait’s soft waist felt on Vi’s calloused hands. Her skin was sacred and well-taken care of, which made Vi want to touch her everywhere. She wanted to taste every bit of her Cupcake.
The light moan that came out of Caitlyn’s parted lips was persuasive. Vi took it was encouragement to go a little harder. She cupped Caitlyn’s breasts on her hand and lowered her trail of kisses to them. They were heavy and shaped almost perfectly like water drops, and Vi sucked and nibbled on their sensitive pink buds and felt the woman melt under her touch, grabbing her pink hair to ground herself.
The more Vi tasted her, the more Cait tugged on Violet’s hair.
Fuck. Vi thought, rising her chin when Caitlyn pulled a little harder. She got to see the flustered look the enforcer’s face. She was exhaling hard; her eyes were closed and this time her blush didn’t look naïve. She looked nothing like the daughter of a counselor and there was no sign of frown on her.
Vi trailed her mouth down Caitlyn’s wet skin, kneeling on the wet floor. She tugged on the woman’s trousers, smirking, and looking up at the panting enforcer, searching for consent.
“Don’t you dare stop now”. Caitlyn said impatiently. She did seem used to giving out orders.
Vi didn’t need to be told twice. She bit the inside of Caitlyn’s thigh, while her hands worked their way through the laces and buttons on the fabric.
In that moment, surrounded by warmth and lust, the physical sensation could almost make Vi forget what they had been through the past days.
But her mind couldn’t.
Vi stopped.
Her hands were still holding onto the trousers’ fabric when she dropped her weight on her heels and shook her head vigorously, trying to shut the voice that screamed inside her.
TRAITOR.
She could hear Powder’s angry voice. It surrounded her from all sides and drowned her in panic.
YOU LEFT ME.
“No.” Vi whispered. She fought to stop it, gritting her teeth but she couldn scape it. Caitlyn straightened herself and Vi’s hands slipped and dropped to the ground, splashing water.
“Violet?” Caitlyn called lightly.
I NEEDED YOU AND YOU LEFT ME.
Vi could see Powder… Jinx. She was baring her teeth. She loathed Vi.
NOW I AM DEAD. YOU KILLED ME. YOU KILLED ME TWICE.
“I’m sorry.” Vi bit down her lip and hid her face on her hand. It was all her fault. She knew it deep inside. And so did Powder. “I’m so sorry.” Vi exclaimed, grasping for air, hitting her own temple with the heel of her hand, searching for control. She felt vulnerable and pathetic. She was a misfit after all.
“Vi, it’s okay.” Caitilyn whispered and Vi felt the girl’s hands around her wrists, forcing them away from her face. Violet felt the urge to punch. All she knew was violence. But she couldn’t hurt Caitlyn.
“I’m sorry.” Vi kept saying, not sure who she was sorry to: herself, Caitlyn or Powder.
YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE SORRY. YOUR HURT ME. YOU HIT ME. I WAS A CHILD.
Powder was just a child. And so was Vi.
“You don’t need to be sorry.” The enforcer exhaled and kneed in front of Vi while she fought the urge to scream and punch a whole on the fancy wall behind her. She didn’t do crying. She didn’t do vulnerable. All she knew was how to survive and be strong, so she hoped Caitlyn had mistaken the tears she shed as water drops. “I can’t even start to understand what you’re going through, but I am right here”.
Vi felt soft and warm hands cup her face and lift it. She fought against them, but Caitlyn was stubborn. She now faced blue caring eyes and a worried look.
Vi panicked. She grasped for air and shrieked with a pain that wasn’t physical.
“Easy.” Caitlyn said softly, wrapping her arms around Vi, as if she could protect her from her hurt and trauma. She couldn’t. But Vi held to her anyways, burying her nose on the girl’s neck, letting her warmth and smell drift the thoughts away.
They didn’t need a single word anymore. They just knew they needed each other in that moment. Their embrace was firm and steady. Grounding even.
Caitlyn held to her like Vi was worth it.
Later they helped each other up and finished their shower properly. They didn’t share more than a few quick caresses then. Vi thought she had ruined it.
They helped each other with their bandages and Caitlyn grabbed Vi’s clothes from the ground. She headed out into the bedroom dressed in a towel robe.
“I’ll ask the maid to wash and dry it.” She said, looking a bit ashamed of her wealth. Vi shrugged, tucking her towel firmly around her body.
“Thank you” She whispered as Cait left.
Vi felt like a stranger alone in that palace.
She checked the clothes Cait had picked up for her, but dismissed them immediately. They were at least two sizes smaller than her. Instead, she grabbed a soft towel robe that made pair with the one Caitlyn was wearing and tried it on. It was oversized enough to fit her.
She walked out into the bedroom and noticed stronger light was pouring in through the windows they climbed in last night. It was probably around noon now, she thought as climbing on the bed. She felt hungry and empty; and somewhere in her mind, she could hear Vander’s voice speaking to her. But she didn’t want any of his advice now.
“Shut up, old man. It’s beyond saving. I’m beyond saving.” Vi stretched her back on the silky sheets, aware that her wet hair was leaving a dark blotch on the expensive bed set.
Vi thought about the meeting later that night. She couldn’t believe they were going to do this, and she had no idea how she could make them see what was clear to her. They don’t know the undercity. They never had to leave their fancy houses and they didn’t care. She scowled.
Vi had rehearsed the meeting in her head a hundred times when Caitlyn finally knocked on the door, pulling Violet out of her daydreaming.
“Come in. It’s your bedroom anyways.” Vi seated herself and leaned on the bed frame. Caitlyn pushed the high doors to her room with her foot, not losing her balance once. She had her arms full, holding a tray with two large meals on it.
“I figured out you’d be hungry.” Cait kicked the door behind her and walked to the bed, placing the tray in front of Vi. The food smelled amazingly and looked like it was made by a restaurant chef. Maybe it was. No one ever knows when speaking of the rich. “I didn’t know what you liked…” She added. “But I’ve seen you chew worst, so…” Cait smiled at her, trying to ease the mood.
“Don’t you dare insult Jericho’s food” Vi pointed a warning finger at Caitlyn, but smiled, nonetheless. This was easy.
“Go on.” Caitlyn climbed the bed and sit next to Vi, their shoulders almost touching, even though the bed was stupidly huge. The enforcer motioned to Violet, asking her to grab her plate.
They were both well served, with colorful strips of vegetables in heavy sauce, moist rice, and large piece of steamy steak. Vi got the one on the left, leaving Cait the other one. She waited for the other woman to start eating.
“Please, you’re my guest. You can start.” Cait handed Vi her silverware. They felt heavy and cold on her hand. Everything was unrealistic expensive there, which made Vi suspicious. Her stomach growled in protest, though, so she scooped her first bite.
She shook her head unbelieving. The food was an explosion of flavors in her mouth. By the look on Caitlyn’s face, Vi had been transparent about how she liked the food. She was an intense eater.
“I’ll send your regards to the chef.” Cait said before finally starting to eat her own lunch.
They didn’t talk much while eating. Vi was busy fitting everything she could in her mouth, like her food was going to run away. She expected Caitlyn to judge, but she just smiled and laughed when Vi bit her tongue.
“Careful! There’s plenty!” Caitlyn reached a hand to Vi’s face, gently wiping sauce from her lower lip. Vi froze at the unexpected gentleness.
Vi gave an embarrassed smile back.
When they were finished and a maid came to collect their tray and leave Vi’s clothing, Violet was starting to feel sleepy. They had not slept for more than a day and exhaustion was starting to catch them.
They dressed quietly and came back to their sitting positions side by side on the bed, letting an awkward silence fall onto them. What was Vi supposed to say after everything they lived? After seeing each other naked and having a break down after it. Vi grunted with the thought.
“We should rest.” Vi finally said. “I can lie on the chair if you don’t mind. I can crash literally anywhere”. She started to get up, but Cait held her wrist.
“Really?”
“What?” Vi frowned.
Cait stared at her skeptic.
“I’ve seen you naked, you know?” Cait said as if it was obvious. “You can lie right here”.
Vi looked at her. It wasn’t obvious for Violet. Growing up in the undercity meant getting every inch of your body alert and never letting strangers get in. Sleeping next to someone meant trusting that they wouldn’t stab you in your sleep.
“You never know…” Vi shrugged. “What would your parents think of seeing you unconscious next to a kid from the trenches?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care”. Cait was quick to reply. “I may have been born in a golden palace and that everything here might look suspicious to you, but I’m myself. I’ve chosen my path and I’ve been trailing it. I’m not my mother and I’m not the council. I thought you had noticed this.”
Vi weighted the girl’s word. She said them fiercely, squinting her eyes like she meant it.
“Of course, Cupcake.” Vi replied, knowing she would get an eye roll for the nickname. Cait dropped her wrist.
“You really hate me, don’t you?” Caitlyn crossed her arms.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Vi laughed out loud, watching the way Cait’s nose wrinkled when she was mad.
Violet fixed her pillow and lied her head on it, facing the enforcer. Cait after a few moments did the same. They were centimeters from each other, but the only thing that connected them was their eyes.
When they finally slept and woke up before the meeting, they didn’t mention a word about how they had woken up cuddled. Their arms and legs simply had found their way to each other.
Little did Vi know they were like oil and water.