Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Caitlyn’s POV

The car hits another small bump in the road and I yelp. “Jeez Cait, will you relax?” Jayce says. I can tell he’s gripping the wheel harder, getting irritated by my anxiety. “Sorry,” I respond weakly, but frankly, I’m not sorry at all. 

    Two weeks ago, Mel had gone rock climbing with some coworkers as a bonding activity. She said it was a “blast” and that we would “love it”. My immediate response was a resounding absolutely not, but with Jayce “Whipped Bitch” Talis and his wholehearted agreement, we’re on our way to a rather popular rock climbing spot in Zaun. And obviously, I am incredibly nervous. WHY WOULDN’T I BE? Heights are terrifying and the fact that I just have to trust someone to hold me up safely? No, absolutely not.

    “Caitlyn, you’ll be fine, I promise. It’s perfectly safe!” Mel’s encouragement is appreciated, but not welcomed. It’s not like her promises mean much anyway . 

    “Really, it’s going to be fine. And if we get there and you still don’t want to do it, then you don’t have to. You can sit and watch me be stupidly amazing and strong,” Jayce pipes in. I roll my eyes and snort at the statement, but don’t say anything. Am I being dramatic?

    No, no, I’m not. I begin to remember what brought on the fear, but push down the memory. The recollection will only make me more scared. 

    “Here we are!” We’re pulling into the parking lot of a slightly rundown building. The words “The Last Rock” are spray-painted in large graffiti letters above the doors. Directly under it, in a smaller font, says “is within reach”. Clever. 

    I’m still taking in the establishment when Mel and Jayce have already jumped out of the car. “Can’t stay in there forever, Cait.” Jayce is really getting on my nerves now. Can’t pull in any other way than making me border a panic attack every other second? 

    I groan instead of saying anything and drag myself out of the vehicle. This is going to be just perfect.

—-------------

    Entering the building, my breathing stops for a moment. The climbing walls, nets, and ladders all the way up to the ceiling. I never realized how tall the building was until I got in. Who knew I could get even more horrified?

    There’s an area with equipment much smaller and shorter activities, but there are practically babies doing those. I see kids who seem to be as young as nine climbing the big ones and my stomach turns. I make sure to check everyone to see if there’s any danger lurking right under them, ready to drag them down, but everyone seems to be having a great time. I take a deep breath and follow my now sworn enemies to the main desk. 

    The man behind it has his long platinum blond locs tied into a messy bun. His t-shirt is blue with the same design that was on the brick on the outside of the building. His name tag reads ‘Ekko’. 

“Hi,” he says kindly. “Three adult climbers?” Both Mel and Jayce turn to me and I feel as if I just lost a century long war. “Three adult climbers,” I say back with a smile. They both raise their eyebrows at me, but Jayce has also plastered a smug grin on his face. I’m incredibly close to slapping it off. 

Ekko types it into the system then calls for someone. “Jinx! One small adult, one medium adult and one large adult please!” After a couple of moments, a woman with two long blue braids, a name tag that says ‘Jinx’ and a t-shirt just like Ekko’s but purple, comes out with three harnesses. “Legs through the small holes, big hole is for your waist. An instructor walking around can explain the belaying if you need it,” she says as she hands out the harnesses. 

We say our thanks to both Ekko and Jinx before going out to start the climbs to our deaths.  “Vi was our instructor last time. She was super nice,” Mel says, nodding towards someone. I turn my head to see who and my heart almost stops again. A woman with deep pink hair with one side shaved. She’s in a nice pair of sweatpants and the same company t-shirt I’ve been seeing on everyone. I try not to stare at her very strong looking arms, and her very built ass with a harness wrapped around it. My mind is just repeating ‘ Harness, harness, harness,’ over and over and my knees are about to give in. Get it together, Kiramman . 

She’s currently climbing up one of the rock walls, basically already at the top. Even from here I can see her flexing muscles and the bulging vains that lead down her forearms and to her fingertips.

We’re adjusting and tightning our harnesses when Mel waves Vi over. I’m try not to panic and get my breathing breathing check.  Be cool, be cool, be cool. “Mel, you’re back! Couldn’t get enough of me?” Vi smirks as she teases and Mel chuckles. I can basically smell Jayce’s anger from behind me and snort at it when I look back at him. 

“No, but I brought some friends and I’m sure they could use your expertise.” 

“Nah, I’ve got it. What about you, Cait?” Jayce asks while I feel as if I’m suffocating from his hurt ego taking up all the space in this gigantic death trap.

I take Vi in and think for a few moments and try to ignore her cute little freckles. I’m sure Vi wouldn’t let me fall… right? “I could always belay for you Caitlyn.” Do I really trust Mel? She’d probably get distracted by Jayce and his breathtaking biceps. She’s raising her eyebrow at me and I already know what she’s trying to do. “Vi would do a fantastic job though,” her charming smile breaks me down and I finally speak. “Yeah, I’m sure she would. If you don’t mind… Vi.”

With her bottom lip softly in between her teeth, she shakes her head. “It’s really no problem. Kind of my job,” she chuckles. Well duh, Kiramman. Idiot. I try to give a sweet smile as Vi guides me to walk around the area and we split from Jayce and Mel. 

“First time?” She speaks up after a bit. “Um, not really. Although, my past experiences unfortunately weren’t as great as they could’ve been,” I say, gazing around the building instead of looking at Vi. “Don’t worry, I’m here this time, I’ll take care of you.” She nudges me in the arm and I give her a tight smile. Knees, please do not fail me here on this day . 

“See anything that interests you?” We’re still walking around, trying to catch a glimpse of every activity available. “We can start easy, light. Wouldn’t want to jump into anything too big without any sort of prep right?” I swear she winks at me when she says that, but even if she did, I ignore it. She was blatantly just flirting with Mel, no need to get my hopes up. For someone I don’t even know .

“Right,” is all I say back.

“Maybe to get used to the height, we can the Trust Haul? It’s just a pulley kind of thing where like six people just pull you up. You can tell us whenever you want to stop. Or just me because well… do you see these,” she explains and jokes while she points at her arms.

“I’ve dealt with bigger guns.” I say it before I even realize that the thought popped into my head. 

“Oh, so you’ve got jokes? A lot coming from someone afraid of heights when you’re… What? Six foot two?” I snort before I respond.

“I’m only six feet, for your information.” We laugh as we arrive at the so-called ‘Trust Haul’. 

“Ready?” 

From the looks of it, when you’re attached, you can get at most twenty-five meters into the air. Holy shit. 

“Remember: you can tell me to stop whenever you feel a bit too stretched out,” Vi encourages me while she gently pats my back. 

“No, I can do this,” I say. Because I can do this. I can. For sure. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Vi proceeded to call over three other people before coming up to me and getting all of us attached. The bunch of carabiners attached to Vi and the others, and the carabiner on its own is clipped onto the small hole in front of my crotch. I try not to think about that too.

She checks our buckles one last time until they step back. Vi pauses for a moment and lifts her eyebrow, asking me, daring me . I nod, because I can do this.

I take one more deep breath, then let my feet leave the ground. One second, two seconds, five, then twenty-five. Now I’m up at least ten meters. Come on, I can do this. 

“How’s it going up there?” Vi asks, no bite in the question. I take a few deep breaths before responding “All good!”

“Okay, we’re gonna move a bit more. How do we feel about five more meters?”

As if I am at heaven’s doorstep. Before I can say that out loud, Vi’s soft eyes melt me and I can’t help but trust her. I am ridiculously weak.

“Five more!” I have to yell slightly. Once they start pulling back, I try to focus on my breathing. Relax, there’s a rope this time at least.

“Hey Cait, you can open your eyes,” I can hear the kindness in Vi’s voice despite her needing to project some more to make up for the distance. 

It takes me a moment before fully taking in that eyes were screwed shut, so tight it’s starting to hurt. I can’t bring myself to open them, no matter how hard I try. If I open my eyes, I’ll see the distance, estimate how much the fall would hurt and panic even more than I already am.

“Ready to come down?” A few beats until I finally find my voice. “Yup!” I respond weakly. My chest is tight and my stomach is swirling. I’m beginning to feel my breakfast rise back up, but the feeling of me being lowered, feeling grounded and safe, it prevented my airflow from stopping all together. 

My feet graze the ground and my breathing starts to feel normal, my head stops spinning and my heart stops racing. 

I hear more shuffling, but my eyes stay closed. What if I open them and I’m somehow six feet under? 

“Hey, Caitlyn, it’s Vi, it’s alright you’re on the ground now,” Vi calms me down while I feel her start to unclip our harnesses. “Come back to me, Cupcake.” After that one, I pry my eyes open. My breathing has somewhat returned to normal once I finally say something.  “Cupcake?” I ask, rather breathlessly. “Because you’re so sweet.” She finally pulls the carabiners off and looks up to me, giving me a smirk. “I could say the very same to you Vi. I’m sorry you have to deal with me.” I avoid eye contact, but I still see her caring look in the corner of my eye. “I really don’t mind, plus again, it’s kind of my job,” she chuckles. “Right.” Still breathless and tired. This is going to be a long day. 

Vi’s POV

    I can see the water building up in her eyes and I have to physically restrain myself from wiping them away. “How are you feeling?” I ask, pulling away, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. “Can we just take a second?” I nod in reassurance and guide her to a couple benches. 

“Give me one second,” I say as I make my way to the staff only room. I quickly open the fridge and take one water bottle out for both me and Caitlyn. 

I head back out to where I left her and hand her a bottle. “Here.” She takes it gratefully, giving me a tight smile. I notice her breathing is less erratic and she’s not as pale as she was before. “Thank you. I feel a lot better now.” 

We comfortably sit in silence for a bit before I try to make some more conversation. “If you don’t mind me asking… why did you come here if you, like, hate heights.” I try to soften my delivery by making my tone kind and curious, but her silence makes me realize how much I’m prying. “You don’t have to tell me. Sorry.”

“No, it‘s fine,” she says softly. I wait for her to continue, not wanting to step over any more boundaries. “Mel suggested it and Jayce is obsessed with her, so he immediately said yes and I was dragged along.” I slowly nod before she says something else. “And I’m not a pussy, so now I’m here.” I chuckle at how serious she said that. The foul word sounding funny in her accent. “Have you always been this afraid?” I turn my head farther to get a better look at Caitlyn, who’s leaning against the wall. I take in her features some more. Kind blue eyes, pale skin, sharp cheekbones, navy hair and her gorgeously long legs. Relax, stop being weird Vi, jeez. 

“I, um… Well I used to do shooting competitions. I still do on occasion, but I was obsessed when I was younger.”

”Holy shit, really? That’s awesome!” And weirdly attractive.

“Yeah, it‘s a ton of fun, I’ll show you the ropes one day if you’d like,” she says plainly before starting to blush. ‘One day’ like we’ll see each other again. “That’d also be awesome,” I say to not make her feel to embarrassed.

“Yeah…” she says shyly before continuing on with her story. “Anyway, when I was thirteen, there was one big tournament. The final obstacle was where you had to climb twenty-five meters high, then shoot a target seventy meters east. I was so close to completing it first, I had been practicing for months, but a competitor named Tara had other plans.” She pauses before going on, as if trying to come up with the right words. 

“Tara had always been… jealous. I don’t say this in a conceded way, but constantly winning second place had to have hurt.” I giggle at that. “Oh I’m sure you beat her ass every time,” I say quietly, she still hears and snorts at it. “I did, but this time she was right on my heel at twenty meters. She denied it a thousand times after the event, but I swear I felt her tug my leg to drag me down. I fell and landed on my arm. Broken and in a cast for eight weeks. The view I saw while I fell has stuck with me ever since.”

There’s a few beats while I come up with something to say. “Holy fuck, Caitlyn.” Is all that comes to mind. I’ve probably fallen from higher, but Caitlyn’s… she’s cute. Kind of sweet, timid. 

    “Because of this, the event wasn’t completed after the yells and whistles that sounded. So I basically broke my arm for nothing… Either way, the fear of another Tara existing, or me merely just slipping and falling because of my own foolishness? Way too large for me to climb anything. Mel doesn’t know this story, but Jayce was there when it happened. Has it been a decade? Yes. Am I still utterly petrified? Of course.” She finished the story with one big sigh and I swear my heart wrenches imagining a mini Caitlyn in that situation. 

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be, you tried to help me today. I didn’t even climb anything and I still had a panic attack.”

“Fuck Tara,” I say finally. Leaning back on the wall behind us, mirroring Caitlyn. 

“Yeah… Fuck Tara,” she chuckles out. 

“And no offense to pretty boy over there,” I say, pointing at who seems to be Jayce, “but he sucks.” She smiles at my revelation before shifting my hand a bit so I could point at someone else. “My bad.” She laughs some more and I can’t help but admire the gap between her two front teeth. Cute. 

“Hungry?” I ask after a bit, shifting impossibly closer to her. “Kind of.” She finally turns to me, giving me a questioning look. “I’m free in…” I check my watch, “fifteen minutes.” I raise my brow at her, daring. 

What? She’s stunning, posh and a fucking sniper… how could I pass this up?

“I guess I also just so happen to be free in fifteen minutes.” My cheeks hurt from the way her accent never makes me not smile. 

“Nice.”

“It is indeed nice.”

Fuck, I’ve never been so awkward. Get it together Lanes!

There’re couple beats before I say something again. “Wanna try something else?”

“Absolutely not, thanks,” she immediately responds. I fucking wrinkle my nose at how cute her fear is. Who would've known I’d meet a gorgeous, 75% leg woman who is terrified of heights. Ignoring the horror story behind it…

Well, horror the Piltie standards. I’ve had worse falls, but I’ll cut the cute girl some slack.

“I’m going to go find Mel and Jayce. See you in ten minutes?” She asks as she stands up, nodding in the general direction of her friends. 

“Ten. I’ll hold you to that,” I look up at her from where I’m sitting and notice how much more she towers over me. Hot. 

When she parts, I can’t not smile to myself. Where should I take her? What would she like? Aren’t I lucky?

”Hey Fathands!” The loud voice makes me flinch, not realizing it’s only Jinx… who’s sitting right beside me. “When did you get here?”

”The real question is: When did you start to think you can all of a sudden just stop working because of some pretty girl? You’re not being paid to flirt with random people.” She rolls her eyes and leans back against the wall, seemingly staring Caitlyn down.

”Okay, relax, I was helping her. And she’s not just ‘some pretty girl’,” I defend myself. 

“Yeah, come back to me when you actually know her, dummy.” She gets up to go back to he front desk and I stick my tongue at her when she looks back at me. She does the same back to me and I only smile harder. 

Chapter Text

Caitlyn’s POV

“Hey, Cait! How’d it go?”

“We saw you on the Trust Haul! Pretty fearless if you ask me.” Jayce is helping Mel climb down the highest rock wall while I’m attempting to not slap both of them across their faces. Mel’s feet find the ground and Jayce holds her in one of his arms. 

“You guys left me! I had a panic attack up there!” I’m breathing heavily again. “You could’ve at least stayed and watched to make sure I was alright.”

“You look alright to me,” Jayce says, patting me on the shoulder. “I’m sorry you struggled so much, but look! You’re alive.” He pulls me into a hug and some of my anger disappears. “We’re very proud of you Caitlyn,” Mel joins in, squeezing my hand when Jayce lets go. 

“I’m still angry at you two, but… thank you.” I give them a tight smile. 

“Are you glad you did it?” Jayce raises a brow, kind and curious. Knowing that I’m alive and well even after being around fifteen meters high makes me feel… good. Like being up there won’t really kill me. Are heights still terrifying? Yeah, but maybe, fifteen up isn’t so bad? Plus, Vi. Vi . With her encouraging words and reassurance. Oh, Vi!

“Um, I kind of am-“

“See! Exposure therapy: it works! See there’s a science to this-“

“Yeah Jayce, that’s great,” I interrupt, patting myself down, trying to find my phone in one of my pockets. I find it in the back of my pants and check the time. One more minute. “I’m kind of beat for the day. Going to go and find something to eat, call me when you want to head back, it won’t be long.” I’m struggling to get out of my harness. Not the kind I’m used to. 

“You mind waiting up for us? I’m quite famished myself,” Mel says, rubbing her stomach lightly. 

I’m already on the way to the front desk before she can finish her question. “Sorry, I feel horrible after being so high up! Need to head out now!”

I drop my harness off with a thank you and I swear I see the blue-haired woman roll her eyes and feel her yank it out of my hand. Vi’s already at the front entrance waiting for me. “Hi,”  I say, opening the door for her. “Hey.” Her voice low and pleasant. 

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going or is this a kidnapping situation?” I ask, not being able to hold in my smile. 

“Kidnapping situation for sure. Want it to be a surprise.” She winks before guiding me around the corner. “Almost there.”

After a few beats of silence, I feel the need to say something, pry for a bit of information. “We could make this a much less scary situation. Tell me about yourself.” Vi glances at me and smiles brightly. “Not much to really know. My dad has owned The Last Rock since I’ve known him. Jinx, I’m sure you’ve seen her, lanky with long blue braids: that’s my sister. I grew up with them and my two other brothers, Claggor and Mylo, here in Zaun. They work behind the scenes.” She pauses, looking as if she’s looking for more things to say. “And… sweet over savoury any day,” she points out. I laugh at how serious she says it, as if it’s a very intense dilemma. 

“Why choose? I’ll take both,” I say matter-of-factly and she raises her eyebrows at me. “Wow, how insatiable, how greedy,” she says, faking being taken aback by holding a hand to her chest. “Can’t be surprised with the posh accent.” She imitates my accent and I snort at it. 

“Not greedy, just indecisive and very hungry.” Now, we find ourselves in an unkept strip mall. The first small store has ‘Jericho’s’ in lights above the door, that’s where Vi leads me. She kindly opens the door for me. What a gentlewoman. “Prepare to have your mind blown Cupcake.”

I smile in excitement until we enter the vicinity and the stench hits my nostrils. “Oh… wow.” I clear my throat and Vi leads me to what seems like the front desk. 

“Vi!” A loud, gruff voice calls out. The voice comes from a large, yet tender-looking brute. They wear an apron around with a nice little bow in the center of their stomach. “Jericho! I have a first-timer,” Vi says, sending a wink my way. I blush at her words before Jericho speaks up, voice booming. “Perfect! Half off just for you guys! Tuesday special?”

Vi turns to me as if asking if that is what I want… like I even know what that is. I shrug before saying something.  “Sure, that would be great.” I give Jericho a smile and they respond with an enthusiastic thumbs up before disappearing behind the door that was beside them.  

Vi nods me in the direction of a small table that hosts two chairs. She pulls a seat out and stands there, waiting for something. “Come on Cupcake, sit, I’m trying to make a good impression.” I chuckle and try to hold in a smile. Vi waits for me to get comfortable in the chair prior to tucking it in slightly. “I guess I should be working on my impression too.”

“It’ll probably take around fifteen minutes before the food gets here. Take your shot.”

“Okay, well… wow, there really isn’t much to me. I grew up in Piltover with my mom and dad as an only child. Closest I had to a sibling was Jayce. I studied law at Piltover Academy, now I intern at Zaun’s Law and Protection while also assisting Jayce and his co-worker Viktor at Hextech Labs. I plan on eventually getting a permanent-paying job at Zaun’s. And… pineapple on pizza is honestly very good.” Vi’s smile continues to grow the more I add and the little wrinkles at the side of her eyes make me almost trip up on my words. She’s expecting more. “I’ve always wanted to be the voice to people who seemed to be born without one, that’s what pushed me into doing law and applying to Zaun’s. Is there a reason you decided to work with your father instead of venturing out?” I told my head, awaiting a response. It seems as if Vi snaps out of some sort of trance, blinking away distraction. “Oh well, um he needed help over there, and you know with me V eing a complete parkour god and all. Maybe once he retires, I’ll be the owner, but you never know.” She’s rushing through her words until there’s a pause. “First of all, you work at Zaun’s Law and Protection? Some of my friends work there, I’m surprised I’ve never seen you. Second of all, you like pineapple on pizza? Are you insane?” I snicker at the fact that that’s what caught her ear. “It’s quite over-hated in my opinion. People just have closed mindsets.”

“Fruit does not belong on pizza,” she says, reclining back in her chair, acting disgusted that I would even dare to say such a thing. “I would’ve thought that you out of all people would have an open mind. You respect my fear of heights, but not my food preferences?” I raise my eyebrow in question and she scrunches up her face. “Cupcake, you’ve lost me. I don’t think this is gonna work.” She leans forward, like she’s pushing out the chair from under her to exit and I only shake my head at her antics. “You are ridiculous.” 

“And you are so grossly sweet.”

“You’ve said that already,” I say smiling. 

“Well, the whole “I want to give a voice to people who were born without one”? Come on Cupcake, you’re only proving me more right.” Her grin and signature wink make me bite my lip anxiously. I can prove my sweetness in other regards too. Wait. Jeez, Kiramman, thirsty much? We laugh together before Jericho reappears, dropping one bowl in front of Vi and one in front of me. The smell all of a sudden hits my nose again, but way harder . “Thank you,” I say gently. Vi nods and beams in gratitude. Jericho nonchalantly bows before us, vanishing behind the door again. 

“You ready?” I’m staring into the bowl of… strips? Wet and slippery with some sort of mystery sauce in my dish. “Don’t worry Cait. It might look intimidating now, but once you put it in your mouth, it’s pure heaven . I swear Jericho is magical. He’s been taking care of us in Zaun for years, it’s fine, relax.” I take a deep breath. “On three?” I ask, not wanting to do this alone. Vi chuckles before giving in. “On three. One…” I look for cutlery and notice there is none. Oh boy . I pick up a piece in between my thumb and index finger. “Two…” I continue while bringing the piece closer to my face. “Three!” Vi immediately tries fitting a whole piece in her mouth while I take a tiny bite out of mine. Then… it hits. It’s like a full-body experience. I shiver travels from my chest to my toes. It’s tangy, sweet, savoury, and a bit spicy all at the same time. Vi was right… pure heaven . All that from such a minuscule bite. I’ve never had anything like it. “Wow,” I exclaim, biting off a larger piece this time. “Right!?” Vi tries countering, mouth full. I smile at how at peace she looks, enjoying the atmosphere and Vi’s presence. My phone buzzes and I’m reminded that it’s not just her and I in existence. 

Jayce

Where are you???? 

We’re leaving 

Like right now

Oh right

You’re with Vi

You guys fuck yet?

I roll my eyes. “You need to go?” Vi asks, the tiniest bit of sorrow in her voice. “They can wait a couple more minutes,” I say, giving her a smirk while texting Jayce back.

Me

Haha

We’ll be a bit, so you guys can start heading back, I’ll find my way.

Have fun with Mel :)

Jayce

You are a wonderful wing-woman, my friend

You sure you can find your way back on your own?

We can just hang around

Me

No, it’s fine, don't worry

See you later

Jayce

Seeya

Call when you get home

“You think you can give me a ride to my place?” I ask, finally pocketing my phone and turning my attention back to Vi. “Inviting me over already? Dang, you move fast.” She’s finishing off her food and I can’t help but notice a small bit on the corner of her lips. “Well, I didn’t mean it that way, but if that’s how you want to take it.” I shrug, not taking my eyes off of the little piece of food. “Cait, my eyes are up here,” she chuckles, indicating where her eyes are with her fingers. “Yes, but…” I look around for any napkins and notice a dispenser on the front desk. I get up, grab one, and head back to Vi. I gently take hold of her chin, letting her head tilt up towards me while she sits and I stand. She looks at me quizzically, before a daze takes over her eyes. Her lips parted slightly. I try not to take note of that, but the look is now as permanent in my brain as Vi’s ridiculously sexy tattoos are to her skin.

Vi’s POV

Holy. Fuck. And I thought the food was heaven. Caitlyn’s soft touch, her piercing blue eyes, the way she fucking towers over me. Her smooth, rosy lips, so close yet so far. I try so hard not to pull her into my lap and kiss her until neither of us can breathe and let her wipe something off my face. 

That look that she was giving me before she got up to get a tissue made me weak, and I swear if I weren’t sitting down, I would’ve fallen to my knees. “There we go.” She smiles and pulls away, but all I want to do is pull her back, and smell her sweet scent again. Sweet Janna, I am a creep .  

“Thanks, Cupcake,” I choke out, feeling as if I should say something to break the silence. “It’s no problem. Anyway, I would love to ask if it’s my turn yet? I would like to take you somewhere as well.” She throws out the napkin and sits back down in her chair. “Not your house?” She shakes her head. “Okay, well is it far?”

“A solid twenty-five minute drive,” she says softly, elegantly continuing to eat. “Are you going to tell me what it is?”

“Nope, it’s another hostage situation.” 

—-----------------

The walk back to The Last Rock is nice. It’s warm with a light breeze. We talk more about what we do, and what we enjoy. I learn that Caitlyn enjoys being in the kitchen a lot because as a kid, she used to cook with her dad. Now they only do it on special occasions. 

I tell her about my dad teaching me how to box and how I never held a candle to him. “He’d hand my ass back to me in a good forty-five seconds.”  

It’s not often where I use the word ‘enchanting’, but it’s the only one that’s worthy of describing Caitlyn’s laugh. The way she slouches forward and tries to politely cover her mouth. 

We go inside and I tell her to wait a second.

“How was the hot date?” Ekko asks jokingly once I get into the staff-only lounge. He doesn’t look up from his phone.  “You actually know her yet?” Jinx joins in, rolling her eyes. “Working on it, but so far, so good.” I ruffle her hair, walking past her. “She didn’t invite you home?” Ekko asks, obviously mocking me. He still doesn’t take his eyes off his phone. “Gonna drive her home after she takes me somewhere else,” I say smugly, smirking at them. Finally, Ekko meets my gaze before I’m rushing out, keys in hand. 

“See you losers later!”

Chapter Text

Vi’s POV

“You don’t mind if I drive right?” Caitlyn asks, a bit of concern in her eyes and a bit of her bottom lip in between her teeth. Fuck she’s cute.  

“Yeah, don’t worry, I don’t mind. It’s just that…”

“What?” Her brows furrow and I turn to my ride.

The cruiser motorcycle parked two spots over comes into her site and her eyes widen adorably. 

“You’ll have to be careful though: I’ve been taking care of Alexa over here since I was sixteen,” I say lowly, winking at Cait. 

“You couldn’t mention this during our little introductions?” She’s still catching her breath from the mere sight of my ride. Not the only ride of mine she’d like… Holy fuck Vi, shut up. 

“Well, did you tell me what you drive?” I finally retort. 

“You went first! I told you my unpopular food opinion because you told me yours! I followed your lead.”

“Caitlyn, if you really don’t want to, we don’t have to.” There’s a pause and I can see the gears working in her head. “No, it’s fine. But I can’t drive it, obviously.” She’s tripping all over her words, sounding breathless by the end. 

“Okay, but I need the directions.”

“It’s mostly simple. I’ll guide you,” she says, beginning to strut towards the vehicle, attempting to hide her nervousness. “Really want this abduction to work huh?”

“Of course.” She’s looking at it up and down. “Now what must I do in order to avoid death? Hold on to you?” I bite my lip to suppress my laugh while swinging my leg over the bike and sitting on it. “Yeah, that’s the general idea.” I take the two helmets off of the left handlebar. “You’re gonna need this.” 

She anxiously takes the helmet (that’s normally Jinx’s) from my hands with her slender fingers. Don’t think about her fingers . Don’t think about her fingers . Don’t think about her fingers . Or how her nude painted nails are long enough for it to hurt in a majorly good way. I clear my throat to stop my mind from wandering anywhere else. 

I look at Cait expectantly. It takes a bit, but she finally takes a deep breath, gathering up all her courage, and imitates the way I got on, helmet tightly secured, and wraps her lengthy arms around my torso. I notice her gaze linger on my hands gripping the throttle, but once I turn around to check on her, she shifts. My lip is starting to hurt with how much I’m trying to hide smiles she’d see as teasing. 

“Ready?” I feel her nod in response. She’s trying to hold on tight and lean her head against me, but her height makes it a bit awkward. I give her a couple more seconds to get situated before I rev up twice and get us on the road. She starts to hold even tighter, but I don’t really mind. Her strength surprises me a bit, but do I expect anything else from someone who shoots for fun? 

I try not to let her body (specifically certain soft and round parts) pressed against my back distract me from the road. I turn my head a bit to check on her and notice her eyes are shut tight.

“The feeling of the resistance of the wind never gets old. Sometimes, when it all gets too much, I just imagine I’m flying away from everything and everyone. Whether it was when bad dreams started to come back, or family issues, or work was piling up.” I pause a couple times while telling her this, wary of how much I spill.

”I got her to feel more free. I’ve always been super restless,” I say not as loud as before, hoping I’m not too muffled by my helmet and the noise around us. I feel her shift behind me, but no response.

Now I’m nervous. What if this is too much for her? What if I’m too much? 

Most of the thoughts subside when I feel her begin to stroke my side lightly with her thumb. I almost lean into the touch, push back a little to feel more of her warmth, but remember that I don’t plan of dying in a car crash today.

“The colour of the sky and the lights from the buildings and cars surrounding us reminds me of my first real drive. I had just graduated high school and the questions about my future, what I wanted to do, how I wanted to live were weighing on me. But I’m glad that’s not the case anymore, especially today. Now I’m just… with you.” She begins to stroke with her other thumb as well. I want her to see what I’m seeing. Feel what I’m feeling without fear. Everyone deserves to see a view like this. Especially Cait.

“Cupcake, the sunset’s gorgeous, you don’t want to miss it do you?” I ask, gently trying to persuade her to open her eyes. 

A few moments pass before she speaks up. “It is gorgeous isn’t it.” Her accent makes the word sound better than it could in anyone else’s mouth. “It’s a left here.” 

“How were you expecting to give me directions if your eyes were completely shut?”

“Leave me alone.” There’s no bite to it, but I still chuckle at the defensiveness. 

“Go right.” After that, it’s silent for about ten minutes of riding out into the countryside, forests and animals all around before we take a final left and we’re in front of a place I have never seen before. 

“My mother took me here after my first shooting competition. I still remember seeing her do it and thinking it was the coolest thing in the world. I love her to death, but we don’t always see eye to eye. Except when it comes to shooting. I had only won second place, but I recall the glow in her eyes when I ran back to them with a trophy. She brought me here as a surprise and as a congratulations.” Caitlyn tells me while we hop off the bike and leads me into the very small building that has a massive greenhouse-looking kind of thing behind it. “She’s the one who got me into shooting and I’ll always be grateful that she did.” The glass of the greenhouse is foggy, but I see little lights flying around. She’s picking nervously at her nails, avoiding eye contact while she reveals her connection to this place. “Thanks for sharing this with my Caitlyn. Even if I’m a complete stranger who could easily kill you.” She finally looks up at me and smiles, the sweetest shit that you would ever see. 

In the building, there are insect catchers hung up on the walls and little jars sitting on tables. Am I actually being murdered? 

“Caity!” Oh my fuck, that is the most adorable thing in the entire world. Caity .

“Mr. J! I’ve brought a first-time guest,” Caitlyn says, grabbing my hand lightly and pulling me towards her. A shiver travels through my body because of the tender touch. I squeeze her hand to get her attention and all I do is look. Take in her warm blue gaze and try not to think about how bad I want to kiss her. She smiles before turning her attention back to the old man who doesn’t seem to be busying around anymore. He’s wearing shorts and a patterned t-shirt with a gardening apron on top of it, rain boots, and gardening gloves. 

“Perfect!”

“I’m Vi, it’s nice to meet you,” I say as I reach forward with my free hand to shake his. He takes it and shakes it excitedly. 

“Everyone’s gone, so you guys have it all to yourself! Is an hour enough?”

“More than enough. Thank you,” Caitlyn finally says before guiding me to the back door.

When she opens it, I swear I gasp out loud. A garden. Butterflies and fireflies fly around, gorgeous flowers everywhere. Even some fruits and vegetables grow along the walls. “It’s beautiful Caitlyn.” 

I don’t let go of her hand when I start to wander. Taking in all the flowers. It’s a sight I have never seen before. It feels and looks like a tiny drop of heaven, put on earth just for us. The pleasant perfume of the flowers reminds me of Caitlyn. Seeing her in an environment like this is beyond anything my eyes have and will ever lay on. It’s like there’s a halo around her, glowing, making the place brighter, even more remarkably mystical.

I spot a light blue flower that reminds me of her eyes and direct her towards it. “Am I allowed to pick one?”

“Yeah go ahead,” Caitlyn encourages. I pick the flower and place it behind her ear, moving some of the loose strands of indigo. I don’t take my hand away and I notice a glossy look in her eye. “Cupcake…” She takes my last free hand and places a soft kiss on my rough fingers. I almost start crying from how kind her stare and how warm her touch is. 

“I’ve never brought anyone else here. I always bury myself in work, forgetting to just live you know? Now… I feel like I’ve lived. Today, I lived. And I’m glad I did it with you. Thank you, really,” she says quietly, her lips still grazing my skin.

I almost kiss her right then and there, but a certain flower behind Caitlyn catches my eye. “I forgot another fun fact,” I note, stepping a bit closer. 

“And what would that be?” She takes a step herself and I almost forget about what I wanted to say. “My full name is actually Violet.” She gives me a bright smile with furrowed brows and my lip is back between my teeth, stopping myself from stepping any closer. “Perfect,” she whispers. 

Her eyes start to dart around and she doesn’t let go of my hands, just tugs me to where my eyes had drifted before. She picks one of the flowers and copies what I did for her. “A violet for… my Violet,” she says, pushing some hair behind the same ear that holds the flower. 

“Your Violet huh?” I tease. I step closer, so close. So close to finding out how soft her lips really are. 

“Only if you’ll have me.” Her gaze somehow gets even softer and I almost melt. The sunset's pink, purple, and orange shine into the greenhouse and settle on Caitlyn’s pale skin. She looks magical. Fucking ethereal.  

“Would you want to be my Cupcake?” She snaps out of the daze she was stuck in and begins to giggle. I swear I’ll never get tired of that sound.  

“I guess I wouldn’t mind that.” 

And with that, I place both my hands on either side of Caitlyn’s face, her hands still holding on to mine. I get on my tippy toes a bit, and at that moment, my heart explodes. My lips are on hers, affectionate and patient. So sweet.

Another astonishing kiss, then another, and another, until we have to come up for air. That’s when I notice one butterfly just sitting on Caitlyn’s head. I chuckle at it.

“There’s a butterfly on your head Violet.” She startles herself and starts to backtrack. “Wait, I can call Violet right?” My name has never sounded so lovely . 

“Yes, yeah you can. Nobody really does and I don’t prefer when they do, but… it sounds nice when you say it.” I pause before continuing. “Also, there’s one on your head too.” We giggle together and just stay silent for a while. 

I go over what I’ve learned so far about Caitlyn in my head, taking in that her physical appearance is only a plus. She’s kind, gentle, honest and considerate. She’s different and she’s… special. Even if I’ve only known her for a handful of hours, I know that letting her slip through my fingers would be the biggest mistake of my life.

“I don’t want this to end,” I blurt out. My grip on her hand becomes stronger, not wanting to let go.

“Violet, it’s getting late. We can always meet up again tomorrow. And the day after that, and the day after that too.” I brush my nose against hers. “Maybe we could even plan a couple of sleepovers?” Her voice rises with the question.

“Oh, I’m down for that,” I return, almost immediately. 

She leans in for another kiss, and somehow, it’s more delightful than the first.