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Both Caitlyn and Vi had done red carpets before but it still made them both nervous. The first time they walked one together was the first time they felt any sense of calm while doing it. Since then, Caitlyn refused to ever have Vi more than a few feet away while on the red carpet. Caitlyn found comfort in the way Vi would gently guide her with a hand on her back or how Vi would hold her hand or give Caitlyn her arm whenever they had to go up or down stairs. She felt protected in a way, more than she ever had with anyone else.
Vi also felt similarly at ease whenever she would do these sorts of things with Caitlyn. Being in front of all the yelling and flashing overwhelmed her but it was manageable when she was with Caitlyn.
During their season 1 premiere, a few photographers had yelled for Vi to back out of the shot so they could get individuals of Caitlyn. Vi had tried to step away but Caitlyn had quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back to her side. Caitlyn had then turned to Vi to mumble in her ear, “Please don’t leave me here.”
Vi couldn’t help but smile and turned her head to mumble back in Caitlyn’s ear, “Wouldn’t dream of it, Cupcake.”
Caitlyn smiled back at Vi before yelling back at the photographers that Vi would not be going anywhere and to take their pictures while they had the chance. Since then, photographers knew better than to ask them to separate.
Those pictures taken of the two of them whispering and smiling at each other sparked dating rumors.
At the time they hadn’t been true, but by the time they had finished filming their second season they had already been on several dates.
They chose to keep their relationship a secret from the public, wanting to keep it for themselves for as long as they could. Their close friends, families, and coworkers all knew and had done well at keeping it a secret amongst them.
Almost every interview they did, whether it was by themselves or together, they were asked about these dating rumors. They denied them with a smile and insisted that they were just good friends.
Now at their season two premiere, they weren’t trying very hard to hide that they were dating.
Caitlyn was wearing a long midnight blue backless gown that had a slit that stopped mid thigh. Her long hair was in an intricate updo with some loose strands down to frame her face. Vi was wearing a dark grey three piece suit with a black button up underneath. She chose a pocket square and flower for her lapel that matched Caitlyn’s dress. Her hair was slicked back with one loose wisp that kept falling in front of her forehead no matter how many times she pushed it back.
They walked together down the carpet and posed for pictures. Vi kept her hand on Caitlyn’s bare back as she guided her down the carpet. Photographers yelled their names, begging for them to stop for more photos.
Vi turned to whisper in her ear, “You look gorgeous tonight, Cait. They can’t get enough of you.”
Caitlyn felt herself begin to blush at the compliment. She turned slightly to Vi and pretended to adjust and smooth out her tie when really she just wanted to touch her, to ground herself in Vi’s safe presence. It always helped when she started getting overwhelmed by everything around her.
“I’m sure it’s you they can’t get enough of, handsome. I know I certainly can’t.”
“Is that so? Maybe later you can show me just what you can’t get enough of,” Vi said with a smirk.
That made Caitlyn laugh. “Maybe I will. If you’re lucky I’ll even do that thing you like so much,” she said as she turned back to the flashing cameras.
Vi’s mind quickly drifted off, thinking of what they would do when they got back to their hotel room.
Vi adjusted her dreamy expression as they stood for more pictures. It began to lightly rain, just as Caitlyn had feared it would. Vi was already taking her coat off to drape it over Caitlyn’s shoulders. Vi was always so chivalrous, it was one of the things Caitlyn had admired most about her.
Having Vi’s jacket on made Caitlyn feel warm both inside and out. Caitlyn gave Vi a quick kiss on the cheek, “Thank you, my love.”
Vi couldn’t stop the wide grin on her face. She hadn’t expected Caitlyn to do that in front of the cameras but she enjoyed it nonetheless.
“Anything for you, princess,” Vi said as she moved to stand back next to Caitlyn.
They posed for a minute longer before they were being motioned over to do some quick interviews. These they did have to do separately, much to their chagrin. The split off to two different sides of the interview area.
The woman interviewing Caitlyn asked typical questions. What makes this season stand out from the last? Was there any scene you found really challenging? How would you describe your character’s arc this season?
Caitlyn answered these with practiced ease. Then came the question that was still jarring to hear even though she had fully been expecting it.
“We have loved seeing the chemistry both on and off screen with your co-star Vi. Is there any truth to these dating rumors we’ve all been seeing over the past year?” The interviewer asked with a hopeful look in her eye.
“Vi and I have become very good friends. We had an instant connection when we first met which helped give our character’s relationship some authenticity,” Caitlyn said, sounding very well practiced.
“That’s not exactly a ‘no’ so I will take it. Regardless, we wish you both the best,” the interviewer replied with a knowing smile.
Caitlyn thanked the interviewer then turned to find Vi. She was very easy to find but Caitlyn wasn’t sure if she was liking what she saw. Vi was still speaking with an interviewer. This particular woman was standing a little too close to Vi and kept looking her up and down as Vi spoke. She even put her hand on Vi’s bicep as she laughed at whatever Vi had said.
Caitlyn decided to walk up beside Vi and loop her arm around hers.
Vi was in the middle of another response as she looked to see Caitlyn smiling and nuzzling into her side.
The interviewer took a step back and thanked Vi for her time before walking away to presumably interview someone else from their cast.
Vi looked at Caitlyn with so much admiration. She wanted to kiss her right then and there. Caitlyn was looking so effortlessly radiant tonight it was hard to resist.
“I don’t think we’re doing a very good job at hiding our relationship tonight. You’ve been getting quite comfortable with me,” Vi teased.
Caitlyn just shrugged as they started walking back down the carpet again towards the viewing venue.
“Maybe I’m just ready for everyone to know you’re all mine.”
“I think I am too, Cupcake. It’s getting hard to not kiss you whenever I want and I really do want to.”
Caitlyn bit her lip and thought for a few moments. If they did this now, there was no going back. She slowly came to a stop just before the entrance to the venue. Vi also stopped and looked at Caitlyn curiously.
“You can, if you want to,” Caitlyn said.
“I can what?” Vi asked.
“Kiss me. I want everyone to know I’m all yours. As long as that’s what you want too.”
Vi smiled as she took Caitlyn’s face in her hands and leaned in close, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”
Caitlyn’s hands moved to the sides of Vi’s neck as their lips connected. In that moment it was just the two of them. They couldn’t hear the rapid firing of cameras over the sounds of their own heart beats.