Plaything

by NowYStories

Summary:

Two years after her mother’s death, Caitlyn moves from Piltover to the remote town of Zaun, seeking a fresh start. As a forensic scientist, she joins forces with Vi, the town’s sharp-witted and loyal detective. From their first meeting, the two form a close bond, their skills seamlessly complementing each other. Their first major case plunges them into the hunt for a serial killer preying on Zaun’s residents. With Caitlyn’s precision and Vi’s instincts, they piece together a chilling pattern, uncovering a web of cryptic clues and twisted motives. As the killer closes in, Caitlyn and Vi’s partnership becomes the key to not just solving the case but protecting the town and each other.

Chapter 1: Heart of Zaun

Notes:

Part I

The air’s much lighter outside big city’s tight alleys. There’s a fresh breeze swirling with wind carrying a sweet scent of resin. Silence engulfing each object that co-exists with nature, only soft singing of an unknown bird species in the distance. The place is calmer than sky on a sunny day, it brings peace. A perfect place to relax.

Green has a different shade here. It’s brighter as if it was more alive. In cities it’s unusual to see trees or flowers which makes it that much more precious. The place is simply majestic.

Her senses are dulled by pollution common in cities. She smells, sees and feels as any other human, just not as strongly, but it’s enough to make her want to stay here forever. Her sharp eyes catch on every tiny detail that surrounds her. She closes her eyes, inhales the smell of recently fallen leaves and exhales letting her lungs fully expand and compress. If it wasn’t for her above average height and high combat boots, she would’ve noticed an old woman, probably in her sixties, examining her up close.

“M-Miss Kiramman?” The elderly woman calls out a name and inspects the person in front of her to confirm her assumption. “You’re from the capital city.” She hisses a ton lower letting words slip through her old set of teeth. It’s not very often their town gets visited by someone from high society.

“Yes, ma’am.” She responds with corners of her mouth slightly raised indicating her friendly attitude towards the old woman. “That is indeed my last name. I came here all the way from Piltover, and I think you’re not wrong if you say that I’m from the capital.” Her nervousness kicks in so she grips tightly at the handle of a bag that’s in her right hand.

“Ah, good… My name’s Amara. I’m an owner of a local bar and if I’m not mistaken, we’ve discussed your accommodation there. Come with me so we can sign the contract in my office.” Amara senses some sort of awkwardness between them and decides to lead their conversation. “What’s your name Miss Kiramman? Can I address you by it? Is that not too casual for a newcomer?”

“No, of course not. I’m Caitlyn, nice to meet you Amara.” She extends her hand towards the only person she knows around the town. The older woman gladly accepts a handshake. “You know, in the capital we’re people too. I love how this place is nothing like Piltover. The air’s so fresh around here.” Caitlyn slings the bag over her shoulder and takes a whiff of cold breeze passing by them. She looks around the simplest bus station she’s ever seen once more before following Amara.

“We wouldn’t know. No one from around here got to see the other side.” With Amara’s words the conversation seems to be dead.

 

They walk for five minutes along the main road of the town. Caitlyn can’t help herself and watches every corner of the place as if she was a tourist. To be honest, she’s excited to spend nearly a year in such a peaceful town. Not a single car has passed by ever since her bus rode down the street and left the town. ‘Zaun really is digging its’ way into my heart.’ She thinks to herself while passing a bookstore that’s closed now.

Across from the bookstore, there’s a plaza with a fountain that doesn’t work. The town’s structure is based on main road. As they keep on walking, they pass by a clinic, grocery store and police station to arrive in front of the bar called: ‘The Last Drop’. There was also a clothes shop, but the building looked so obscure that Caitlyn quickly threw that image out of her mind. They stop at the front and Amara spreads her arms showing all the glory of her bar with a proud smirk on her lips.

“Young Lady, this is where you’re going to spend your next couple of months.” The old woman opens the door to the bar letting the sound of music circle around Caitlyn’s ears. “Don’t mind the people in here. If anyone’s picking on you just say that you’re with me.” Amara turns to look back at Caitlyn who’s following her inside and sends her the most casual wink.

“What do you mean picking on me?” Caitlyn’s a tiny bit confused what the owner of the bar meant by that. Amara stops in her tracks to look at the younger woman again. She scans her with her piercing purple eyes for a second.

“You’re way too elegant for this place, honey. Every thug in here can sense that you have more money than they could imagine. They’ll try to win your heart or simply rob you, but I can tell you’re a tough one.” After hearing Amara’s words Caitlyn’s throat becomes dry. She gulps the remains of saliva in her mouth and chuckles nervously.

“I’ve been to a self-defence training once or twice.” She shrugs casually but not feeling too confident about her skills on the inside.

“Just be careful, alright? It’s not like the big city. Everyone here has a dark past.” Amara looks around her bar. There are just a few people casually talking with each other or sipping on watered down beer. “And something tells me you’re not that different from us…” Her words don’t reach Caitlyn even though the woman saw Amara’s lips moving.

 

The interior of Amara’s gives a somehow cozy vibe. Colours and lighting are shades of orange which add a warm feeling even though it’s a place where dystopia happens every day. There’s a jukebox standing in the corner, quiet and calm music is playing in the background. Exactly in front of the entrance the bar counter is set, a huge wall of different liquors and barrels with beer behind it.

Caitlyn only imagines how this place looks at night, on weekends when most of the town’s society comes here to let out the week’s steam. It might seem ridiculous to live in a bar but it’s the opposite of what she’s feeling now. Looking at the place and people, she might enjoy it more than expected.

Amara leads her downstairs into a dimly lit corridor. The walls are painted blue and black with posters of wanted people glued to them, including a guy named Silco with one of his eyes looking odd. Caitlyn stops behind Amara when the older woman reaches doors on their left. She pulls out a ring with multiple keys attached to it.

“Just ignore the mess inside. I barely have time to deal with it while managing this place alone. At night, I stand at the bar and during the day I tries to be a good grandma.” She gives Caitlyn a small smile mentioning herself having a family.

“It’s okay, don’t worry.” Caitlyn responds quietly and enters the office following Amara’s steps. She stops in front of the older woman’s desk and gives the room a quick look. It doesn’t look messy at all; she then wonders what Amara meant. “It looks fine to me though.” Caitlyn shrugs and meets Amara’s eyes. The woman lets out a small chuckle and sits down in her office chair. She pulls out a piece of paper with their contract written on it.

“Well, I let someone crash here last night after they got into a fight with some dickhead. There was blood everywhere, teeth and you know how fights get.” She sighs and extends a hand with a pen in it towards Caitlyn. “Come sign here and I’ll hand you the keys to your room upstairs.” The blue-eyed woman doesn’t hesitate a second and grabs the pen to sign the papers. Her signature appears at the bottom of the paper and Amara puts hers next to it. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Caitlyn.” They shake hands with a friendly demeanour spread across their faces.

“Thank you so much for your help, Amara. Finding a place in Zaun wasn’t the easiest after all. No one wants to host someone like me, someone from Piltover.” Her head hangs and Caitlyn can’t help but think back to the place she used to live in her whole life. A huge manor with gardens, library and multiple spare rooms. Her mother’s face flashes in front of her eyes and now she’s fighting every inch of her body not to break into tears in front of Amara.

“People here tend to be judging; they don’t like new people. I can see that you’re in pain and many of us here have been through terrible things. It might sound weird, but you suit this place. Just don’t let them burn you before you show them who you are.” The older woman with her grey hair tied up into a neat bun places her hand on Cait’s shoulder. She reassures her that everything’s going to be okay if she works with the way people around here exist. “Here, get your keys and rest for a bit. Tonight’s drinks are all on me.” Amara winks at Caitlyn who politely smiles back at the woman. She takes the keys to her room and leaves her host’s office with her bag still over her shoulder.

As Caitlyn makes her way up the stairs that lead to the first floor and watches the peaceful scenery of the bar. It doesn’t look like there was a fight last night. Maybe Amara hires someone to clean the area in such cases.

Once she passes through huge wooden door, suddenly the music is mute. “Hm, soundproof, good.” Caitlyn murmurs to herself. There’s a corridor that has four pairs of doors on each wall and the last doors in the middle right in front of her. She looks down at the number attached to her keys and heads for the door with number 516 on it. “Why the number’s so high?” It’s just a mere thought and she lets it slide past her focus.

Caitlyn opens the door with the key Amara gave her and the door creak when she pushes them open. ‘Got to fix that issue later.’ She notes internally to fix the creaking door.

There’s a middle-sized bed hugging the wall on her left side, a nightstand with a lamp on top next to it. On the other side of the room there’s a small set-up kitchen and door probably leading to a bathroom. It’s nowhere near the standard Caitlyn’s used to but maybe that’s what she needs – to live an ordinary life without worrying about money or what others think about her.

She decides to unpack her bag, put clothes into the wardrobe in the corner of the room, set up some toiletries in the bathroom and change into something comfier. Caitlyn doesn’t notice how time flies by while she’s busy assembling her stuff to make it feel more like home. The sky outside becomes dark, and stars begin shining brighter than Caitlyn has ever seen. It’s difficult to notice a single star through peasouper or with the city’s lights always turned on. She admires the sky for a while until her train of thoughts is interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Caitlyn? Is everything alright there? Would you like to come downstairs and have a drink?” Amara asks from the other side of the door. The older woman waits for Caitlyn to open the door. “Oh, I see you’ve gotten comfortable here already. That’s perfect!” She claps her hands once with excitement written all over her face.

“I didn’t do much, just set up some things I brought and… I hope you don’t mind the changes I made.” Caitlyn says hoping Amara lets her arrange the room the way she wants to.

“Oh, child, don’t worry about that. You can do whatever you want with this room, just don’t burn it.” Amara points a warning finger at Caitlyn making the taller woman flinch with fear creeping into her eyes. “I’m joking!” Amara laughs it off. “If you say your face.” Slowly, colour comes back to Cait’s face, it was quite scary for her.

“I promise, I won’t burn it.” Caitlyn gives the owner of the place a small awkward smile. She tries to relax again in front of the woman but somehow the thought of her getting scolded makes a shiver run down her spine. “Um, we can go downstairs…” The blue-haired beauty reminds Amara what she was asking of Caitlyn earlier. The older woman seemed to be lost in her thoughts for a second.

“Ah, yes! I’m sorry, from time to time I wander off. It’s called, I guess, being old.” Amara shrugs it off with a warm smile and waits for Caitlyn in front of the room’s door while the woman locks them. “For a city girl you’re not dressed too fancy.” The older woman points out while they exit the living area’s corridor. They walk onto the stair’s porch and a room full of people with beers in their hands is displayed beneath them.

“Here, I feel free to wear whatever I’m comfortable with. I don’t know anyone here except you, so I don’t worry what people will think of me.” Caitlyn explains why she chose to wear simple cargo pants and a printed T-shirt with a logo of some well-known band.

“Good attitude, don’t let them break your spirit, young lady.” Amara winks at Caitlyn again before descending the stairs. With a moment of hesitation and another quick look at the room Caitlyn follows Amara to the bar’s counter. She sits down on one of the stools and waits for the bartender to serve her something.

“Hey, new kid, what would you like to drink?” A tall, muscular man with neatly cut beard and warmth in his grey eyes asks while purring liquid into another person’s cup. Caitlyn looks up at the man and gives him a crooked smile. “Ah, I know that look. First time drinking, huh? Don’t worry I got you.” He says and turns away from the blue-haired woman to pour her a cup of barrel beer. He sets it down in front of Caitlyn and nods his head towards her. “Drink up, small, slow sips.”

Caitlyn’s feeling sceptic about drinking for the first time in an unknown environment. She doesn’t enjoy the concept of drinking mostly because of her father’s addiction to alcohol. It feels like she’d break her own rule if she took a sip from that cup. She puts her hand on the handle, her fingers wrapping around it to make her grip stronger. “Cheers, I guess…” A sigh leaves her lips before she lifts the cup to her lips and swallows a gulp of freshly poured beer. Her throat burns from the alcohol making her squint her eyes and huff to get rid of the awful taste in her mouth. “How can people drink this every night?” She asks making the bartender laugh wholeheartedly.

“I’m Vander by the way. If someone gives you trouble you come to me.” He puts the cloth he’s been cleaning the counter with on his shoulder and leans against the bar with his elbow. “Be careful around here, watch your words and don’t get involved with thugs.” He serves Caitlyn with advice.

“You sound exactly like Amara.” Cait says and tries to take another sip from her cup. She grimaces again at the taste of it. “I know my ways around people. My obligation taught me how to deal with certain kinds of people.” Once she becomes more familiar with the taste of beer in her cup, she finished it off. The warmth begins to surround her face and body as whole. “Thank you for the drink but I think one’s enough for the first time.”

“If you say so, kid.”

Behind Caitlyn’s back the door to the bar open and close a few times but only one time Vander looks away from their conversation. His face is graced with a wide smile only to turn into a disappointed look. The change in his expression makes Caitlyn turn on her stool and look at the object of the man’s focus.

“Hey Vander, one beer please.” A husky, deep voice croaks at Caitlyn’s side, it breaks through the music playing from the jukebox in the corner. A smell of pine and cinnamon easily invades her personal space immediately going into her nostrils and filling her lungs. That wave of a new scent makes Caitlyn turn her head towards the source of it. Her eyes grace the shape beside her, short messy dark hair that hug the person’s face perfectly in all the right places. A red streak of hair is visible at the side Caitlyn’s sitting on.

“For one night I didn’t have a shift here and you managed to get into a fight.” Vander sighs after putting a cup of beer on the counter. The black-haired person reaches for it, but the bartender slides it away. “When will you learn to stop blocking punches with your face. This-.” Vander lifts one of the hands of the stranger. “-Vi, this doesn’t solve anything, ever.”

“He was throwing his hands at me. What was I supposed to do?” The husky voice cracks at the end of the question making Caitlyn lick her lower lip involuntarily. “Can I have my beer now?” Vander gives Caitlyn a quick look before sliding the beer towards her instead of the person that just arrived at the bar. Caitlyn’s eyes widen and she switches her eyes’ focus to Vi. Their eyes meet for the first time, cool grey connects with vivid sky blue making Cait’s heart skip a beat. When she realises that they’re starring at each other her cheeks burn and turn scarlet red as if they weren’t flushed before from the alcohol she’s had.

The face of the woman in front of her screams slick from meters away, lines sharp and features purely masculine, she’s simply easy on the eyes. Even the cuts on her upper lip and left eyebrow bring a certain charm to the overall look. Streaks of dark hair falling on the right side of her face creating a mysterious vibe of the person. Just under her left eye there’s a ‘VI’, six in roman numbers or the assumed name of the woman. From under a navy-blue hoodie peaks a bit of a neck tattoo as well. There’s that certain rim surrounding the woman that makes Caitlyn stare at her irresistibly.

Vi lets out a small huff through her plump lips and reaches over Caitlyn for the cup Vander set there. Cait’s senses become sober quickly when she smells the fresh scent of the woman invading her personal space. “Not so fast, oil slick.” She grabs the cup and leans away from the counter to block the other woman from reaching it.

“Quite hypocrite hearing it from an unhinged mongoose.” Vi bites back and sticks out her hand waiting for Caitlyn to put the cup in her hand.

“Mongoose?” Caitlyn asks stupefied at what Vi just said.

“Now, will you please give me back my beer?” She gives the stunned woman a short fake smile.

“No, I will not.”

Vi throws her hands in the air a bit annoyed at the person in possession of her wanted drink. Vander’s observing the whole situation from the other side of the bar and the corner of his lip lift witnessing the scene. “You’re walking on thin ice, cupcake.”

“Oh, so now I’m a cupcake?” The beautiful sound of Caitlyn’s a bit slurred laugh reaches Vi’s eardrums. She fights the urge to smile by clenching her jaw. “Let’s trade. I’ll give you the beer if you kiss me.” Caitlyn confident that Vi would never do such thing with a stranger starts closing the distance between her lips and the cup.

The offer makes Vi look at the blue-haired woman for a second. She finds the way she said it challenging almost vulgar. Her hand lifts from the counter and cups Cait’s chin with pointing finger and thumb. She turns her face towards herself and licks her lips with her eyes focused on Caitlyn’s. “You shouldn’t have said that.” Vi’s eyes drop down to Caitlyn’s eyes stirring panic in the woman in front of her. Vi begins leaning in slowly not losing focus on the other’s perfectly shaped mouth.

Caitlyn gulps soundly because suddenly her throat’s dry, her hand on the cup sweats making her grip loosen around the handle. She watches with her piercing eyes how Vi leans to the side while her body’s completely frozen in the spot she’s in. When Caitlyn’s able to feel Vi’s breath against her lips she almost loses her composure because of the amazing scent the woman brings to her. In a swift motion Vi snatches the cup from Cait’s hand and backs off in an instant.

“Thank you.” She winks with a grin at the dumbfounded Caitlyn. Vi gulps down the beer as if her life depended on it. She misses the moment disappointment crossed through Cait’s eyes. The woman swallows and turns towards the counter feeling embarrassed that she longed for that closeness with Vi to never end.

“Would you stop bullying Caitlyn?” Amara walks past the two and smacks the back of Vi’s head making her choke on the liquid in her mouth. “Poor girl didn’t do anything wrong and you’re already making her life tougher.” The older woman looks at Caitlyn who’s trying to hide her furiously blushing cheeks.

“It’s okay, Amara. I was the one pulling her leg.” She admits and gives Amara a small smile. Caitlyn gets up from the stool and strides away from the counter. Vi follows her with her eyes not hiding the fact that she’s checking her out. When she turns back towards Amara the woman smacks her head once more, now with a book.

“Ow! What’s that for?” Vi grits her teeth and looks at Amara a bit pissed.

“Don’t ask me, you should know it yourself.” The owner of the bar scoffs and starts drying glasses to hold back the urge to scold Vi more.

Caitlyn finds an empty spot to sit at. She entered one of the booths where others chat comfortably among cushions. Only a minute passes when someone sits in front of her making her look up. Alluring light green eyes stare back at her, delicate feminine features of a gorgeous woman capture Cait’s attention. “A penny for your thoughts?” The woman says, her voice high pitched and merry.

“It’s nothing, just thinking if I made the right decision.” Caitlyn shrugs and gives the woman a small smile. Her brain replays the moment when Vi entered her personal space. Surprisingly, their eyes meet for the second time during the night even though it’s just imaginary. She can’t help but bite down on her bottom lip thinking back of the earlier proximity between them. “What about you? Do you come here often?” The blue-eyed beauty leans back against the couch’s headrest giving her company full attention.

“Let’s say I work here… I keep the client’s company. You seem quite distracted.”

“Hm.” Caitlyn hums and inspects the woman’s features again scanning her face carefully. “I get that, you’re beautiful.”

“Mint, I saw Pimp by the bar.” Vi’s low voice reverberates in the room catching Caitlyn’s attention, she catches Vi’s eyes across it. The woman’s leaning against the door frame with arms crossed on her chest. Mint understands the hint Vi sent her and gets up from the couch, she walks away without looking back at the two. Caitlyn rolls eyes at Vi’s cocky attitude. “You’re really making me want you.” Vi rasps out not breaking the intense eye contact between them.

“W-what?” Caitlyn’s voice trembles more with each step closer Vi gets. She stops in front of Caitlyn who’s sitting on the couch and brings one of her hands to the woman’s lips. She traces her thumb across it, the touch makes Caitlyn’s breath hitch. Desire and lust drip into Cait’s eyes making Vi drown in her darkened orbs.

“Yhm.” Violet hums, her voice sultry and sensual. Caitlyn’s lips part making the thumb on her lip slide inside her mouth. Violet’s pupils dilate instantly when she feels the warmth and wetness of Cait’s mouth. As if someone switched something inside Cait’s brain, she closes her mouth around the raven-haired woman’s thumb and sucks on it with her tongue wrapping around it. “S-shit.”

Vi’s body instantly reacts to the sensation Cait’s mouth is giving her. Heat travels through her muscles at light speed waking up a predator that’s been asleep for quite a while. She throws her head back and drowns in her own desires. Imagining the woman in front of her down on her knees is enough to push Violet closer to the edge. Her finger slips from the other’s mouth and travels down to the chin. She puts light pressure on it showing Caitlyn that she wants her to get up.

“Good girl.” It’s just a whisper but the intense gaze between the two makes them feel hundred times more aroused. Caitlyn’s body and mind experiencing such fire for the first time in her life and Vi’s senses sharpening with every heavy breath she feels against her lips. “How about instead of a kiss I’ll give you whole me?” Violet’s pushing her luck with a stranger, but she already knows she won’t be able to forget about the woman any time soon.

Cait’s eyes drop down to the blackhead’s chest, her hands pan the path her eyes are determining. She walks them lower feeling each defined muscle under her fingers. When they reach just above Vi’s waistband her hands are grabbed by the grey-eyed woman sculptured like a goddess. “Not so fast, cupcake.” She chuckles and drops Cait’s hands after taking a step closer to the woman.

“You said whole you. Doesn’t seem like whole to me.” Caitlyn teases and looks up into Violet’s eyes again.

“I haven’t heard you say yes, yet.”

Caitlyn bites her lower lip through a smile feeling somehow giddy on the inside. The charm Vi showcases during their encounters is pulling her closer to accepting the offer. “What if I say no?” She decides to see what the other one has in stock. “Will you go find somebody else?”

“Probably, I have loads of pent-up anger from yesterday.” Vi’s nostrils flare and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Caitlyn. Though she feels a bit disappointed at what she’s just heard. She takes a step forward in a sudden urge to leave the place. “Still, I’d call your name while being with another…” Vi says after seeing slight change in Cait’s look. She roams her eyes all over the other woman’s body and scoffs to herself. Caitlyn’s stopped from leaving by Vi’s hand on her wrist. She pulls the woman flush against her body making both of their breaths hitch.

“I’m not letting you walk away just like that.” Vi tries to close the distance between them by stepping forward but Caitlyn keeps leaning away until her back slam against the wall with a small thud. Her eyes drop down to Vi’s pale lips for a split second then go back to her alluring grey eyes. The tension between them becomes thicker than it was before making Caitlyn give in to her desire.

She leans forward and smashes her lips against Vi’s, her arms wrapping around the woman’s neck to pull her closer. The need for closeness of the other woman makes her lower stomach set on fire and undergarments soaking wet. Vi’s hands circle Caitlyn’s waist as if it wasn’t their first time. She kisses back immediately, the connection sparking a new flame within her body. There wasn’t ever a moment in her life when she was turned on like this.

“You’re such a tease-. “Vi was about to comment on the way Caitlyn was pushing her back and forth the whole night just to give in now, but she was interrupted when the blue-haired woman bit on her bottom lip drawing blood from it. Vi pulls away and reaches for her lip keeping her other hand on Caitlyn’s waist. She tilts her head and looks down at her finger covered in blood.

“I’m sorry.” Caitlyn throws in between her trying to catch breath. She takes a closer look at Vi and notices something flooding her eyes. “Oh, you’re- you’re liking it.” Just the thought of Vi enjoying this kind of stuff as much as Cait does drives her nuts. On the other hand, Vi’s brain is completely shut down. Her rational thinking switches off when she feels the blood from her lip drip down her chin.

“I- “Violet’s unable to spit out another word when her eyes land on Caitlyn’s lips redder than before, covered in her own blood. She loses it, feels how all the blood rushes down to her core adding up to that pent-up anger and lust that’s building up whole night. She connects their lips roughly tasting her own blood. Feeling that metallic taste arouses both even more earning a muffled moan from each of them.

Caitlyn’s hands drop down from Vi’s neck and lift her hoodie just enough to be able to tug at her belt. “I want you.” She whispers against the blackhead’s mouth while trying to undo Vi’s pants which happens to be more difficult without looking. She tugs at them again and Vi gives her a low-pitched moan from the deepest spot in her throat. The fabric getting tugged feels as if someone was already taking care of her hard business and it’s still trapped suffocating. It makes Caitlyn stop and give Vi an amused look.

“Shit, Cait why’d you stop?” Vi presses one of her hands against the wall and nuzzles her face in the crook of Caitlyn’s neck leaving wet kisses and dark red marks all over it. “Fuck, I need you now.” Vi’s hands roam the other woman’s body wanting to touch every inch of it. She tugs at the bottom of Caitlyn’s shirt to take it off.

“Wait, we’re at the bar.” The taller woman stops Vi from what she’s about to do and creates a bit of space between them. Vi groans in desperation because of how painful her erection feels.

“Cait, I don’t fucking care.” Vi grabs Caitlyn’s waist with one of her hands and turns the woman around so her backside is flush against her front. “Do you feel how hard you’re making me?” She gasps into Caitlyn’s ear making a shiver run down her spine, the hot breath dulling her mind. Vi doesn’t waste much time and with her other hand lifts Caitlyn’s shirt, she pulls it over the woman’s head so it’s resting on her back now exposing her perfectly round breasts.

“Vi.” Caitlyn calls out breathily and lets her head rest against Vi’s shoulder, her ass feeling how Vi’s cock twitches against it.

Vi slides her hand down Caitlyn’s body touching every inch of her chest and abdomen before her hand dips inside her pants. She easily finds the way into her underwear. Walking her long, slender fingers through her folds makes Caitlyn shudder in her arms as if she was cold. Vi’s thumb finds its’ way to the woman’s clit and begins massaging it in circles putting enough pressure on it to pull out a dragged moan from Caitlyn’s throat. “Yes, show me how good it feels.”

Just those words falling from Vi’s mouth could make Cait reach her orgasm, but she takes a deeper breath and holds it back for as long as she can. Vi puts her face into Caitlyn’s neck and nibbles at it wanting to enhance the experience for the blue-eyed mess in her arms. “Vi.” Cait moans her name again and it makes Vi’s hips buck against her backside like it was responding on its own to the desperate call for more.

“God, you’re so wet for me.” Violet whispers into the flesh she’s biting on Caitlyn’s neck. This time she’s the one drawing blood from how roughly she’s treating the other one. Her thumb continues making round movements on Cait’s clit while she slides middle and ring finger inside her parting her dripping folds. Caitlyn squirms in her arms rubbing her ass cheeks against Vi’s painfully strained cock. Vi can’t help but moan at the sensation herself, her breath becomes shorter with every passing minute that Caitlyn’s in her proximity. She feels how drops of pre-cum roll down the underside of her hard-on and sink into the material of her boxers.

Vi’s fingers feel like heaven and with every powerful pump and movement against her clit Caitlyn loses a bit of herself in the grip Vi has on her. Now, she’s letting smaller moans escape her lips whenever Vi’s fingers sink knuckle deep inside her pussy and bigger ones when the huge hard like a rock dick thrusts against her covered butt. “Fuck, Vi, I’m coming!” Cait’s calls become louder which makes Vi bring her other hand to the woman’s throat. She wraps her fingers around it listening to the sounds lowering down. Caitlyn’s lungs getting less and less oxygen with every pump of Vi’s fingers make her juices easily drip down Vi’s wrist. Her walls begin clenching violently as her eyesight becomes dotted with blackspots. When she falls over the edge squirting her cum all over Vi’s fingers her consciousness is fading, everything around slowly turns black until there’s just a tiny tunnel of light in front of her showcasing the ceiling of the room she experienced the most intense orgasm of her life.

Vi ungrasps Caitlyn’s neck and lets the woman come back to her senses fully. She gasps heavily together with the blue-haired woman with her pants drenched with semen. Vi feels how Caitlyn’s body’s still standing only because she’s desperately holding onto her body. She pulls out her hand covered in Caitlyn’s wetness and slowly licks it off her fingers, one by one slowly keeping eye contact with now facing her Caitlyn.

She notices how Cait’s lips part at the sight. The woman stops her right before she cleans off her last finger by grabbing her by the wrist and bringing her hand into her mouth. Vi moans deliciously when she’s met with the warmth of Caitlyn’s mouth again. “You’re so sexy when you do that.” It’s all she’s able to say before she gets pulled by Cait outside the room.

 

To say that the atmosphere of the bar changed is an understatement. There are only a few people left now including Vander at the bar and Amara chatting with a small guy in glasses. Vi only catches a glimpse of their surroundings before her eyes are set on Caitlyn again. The woman’s pulling her up the staircase that she knows leads to the rooms Amara rents out. Her eyes set on Caitlyn’s backside and a playful smirk spread across her lips remembering how it felt against her bulge.

“Stop smiling like an idiot.” Cait says with her thick British accent once they’re at the door to her room and she’s trying to unlock the door in the darkness. When the lock finally clicks, and Caitlyn pulls down on the handle swiping the door open Vi pushes her inside and shuts the door right behind them. She lifts Caitlyn up by her thighs and the woman gladly wraps her legs around her waist.

Firstly, they stumble upon the small kitchen island where Vi gets rid off that annoying T-shirt Caitlyn’s been wearing all night. She simply prefers Cait without it. Then, they end up on the armrest of the couch where Vi loses her navy-blue hoodie and Caitlyn’s cargos magically end up on a bookshelf. By the time they reach the bed and soft mattress meets with Vi’s back they’re both naked with their private parts on fire and throbbing from the lack of contact.

With Caitlyn on top of her Vi feels like a tamed beast. The sight of the other woman’s naked chest and the rest of her body drives her crazy. Her heartbeat’s been racing from the moment she first laid eyes on Cait and now it’s nearly jumping out of her chest. “You taste so amazing.” Vi whispers with a playful grin when they pull back from a kiss, this time Caitlyn’s blood on both of their lips.

“Wouldn’t want to disappoint.” Caitlyn’s hand wraps around Vi’s six-inch cock and she drives it inside herself sinking it balls deep until it shakes her to the core. A delicious moan escapes both their mouth and Vi throws her head back with her eyes shut. She’d gladly watch the way Cait’s moving on top of her, but she’s scared that if she lost her focus, she might explore right there with all she has.

Caitlyn begins moving her hips back and forth on top of her, riding her cock like a professional. She places her hands on top of Vi’s pecs and drives her fingernails into the woman’s skin. The hiss filling the room around them makes Caitlyn let out a guttural moan. Vi’s chest burns from the scratches Cait’s leaving on it and to say it makes her want more is a mistake. “Fuck, Cait, don’t stop.” Her words ring in Caitlyn’s ears and now it’s her mission to not halt until she fully milks Vi.

Vi sits up and opens her eyes again. She meets the vivid sky-blue eyes that make her heart flutter, and her throat loosen up to the point that an almost crying whine leaves it. Caitlyn wraps her arms around Vi’s neck and continues her scratching game there. She leaves marks all over blackhead’s back and neck until the sheets are drenched with bloody spots. Vi doesn’t give a fuck because it makes her want the woman on top of her even more. Shortly, for her pain adds more pleasure.

“Vi.” Caitlyn moans out for the nth time. Her forehead now resting against Vi’s while she slowly reaches her orgasm once again. Vi’s eyes are focused on her length disappearing inside Caitlyn creating wet slapping noises that fill her eardrums creating a sound she won’t dare to forget. Cait draws her nails onto her chest deeper this time and it literally makes Vi explode and she fills up Caitlyn’s pussy with hot spurts of cum. Caitlyn’s folds milk every drop of Vi’s charge and she spasms on top of the well-sculptured woman with a scream escaping her mouth as she comes as well. Her head falls onto Vi’s shoulder loudly gasping for air. Blood trickles down Vi’s abs, paints her dark pubes red and pools at the base of her cock buried deep inside Caitlyn.

“That was something.” Vi gasps out and lets her body fall onto the soft mattress without a care in the world. She looks at Caitlyn who’s still on top of her untangle herself from the close contact between their private parts. She pulls blankets over them both and rests at Vi’s side. Vi’s eyelids become heavy, and she feels how sleep is tugging at her from the inside.

“I’m sorry…” Cait’s quiet and raspy voice reaches Vi’s ears before she gives in to the dreamland. She slowly opens her eyes and watches how Caitlyn brings her hand up to her chest and inspects now dried trails of blood all over Vi’s body.

“Don’t be… I’d rather worry about that bruise of yours.” Vi lifts her hand and moves Caitlyn’s hair out of her face to reveal a nasty bruise around the woman’s throat that has just begun to darken.

“It’s nothing I can’t cover up with foundation.” Caitlyn brings her hair back to the front because she can’t stand the look in Vi’s eyes, the guilt she feels for hurting her. “I got back at you pretty well.” Cait bites down on her lip and is still able to feel that metallic taste that drives her nuts.

Vi stares blankly at the woman in front of her. Caitlyn’s beauty could blind any ordinary person wherever they would meet her but in the light of the moon she simply looks gorgeous, irresistible. Vi can’t help but leans in and seal a searing and passionate kiss on Cait’s lips which Caitlyn reciprocates immediately.

This might just be the moon’s light, but Vi already feels like she’s falling into Caitlyn’s trap and there’s only one way to find out how it ends.

Chapter 2: Menthol Candy

First POV

I place my gloved hand on her smooth cheek, and it feels shallow under my touch. The skin cold yet still perfect. I look into her eyes and this shade of blue reminds me of something, ah there are candies that have that colour, and they taste like mint. She could close her eyes, and it wouldn’t make a difference, but I admire them. I walk my hand down to her throat, there’s a dark bruise breaking out through the shade of her complexion, I’ve never seen her so pale before. It’s like I’ve never seen her before, a stranger. I’d gladly watch her more, but I don’t have time for sentiments.

 

Like I would have any. I rolled my eyes at that comment.

 

I laugh to myself, and it echoes against the walls of this tight bright room. My hand makes its way down between her small, round breasts and travels to her stomach. There’s a scar going down from her navel and disappears under the white cloth I covered her with. I wonder how she got it. Was it a surgery? Maybe an accident, I guess we’ll never know. It’s not like she will wake up and tell me her life story.

 

I stop my hand from going lower and bring it to the woman’s forearm. I gently rub it with my thumb. It must’ve been a wonderful feeling being touched by those hands, so delicate… I turn it over to plug a tube into a syringe. Once I’m done the tube becomes dark red and for a moment, I stare at it watching how her blood slowly travels from the body to a bucket next to the table. I always wondered how it feels to get your blood sucked out of you. Still, none of them know either. When you cross that bridge there’s no way to come back.

 

I look at her one more time before grabbing a scalpel and drawing it down into her skin. I slowly follow the line on her stomach cutting through the scar. There’s almost no blood and that’s good. It only messes up the place and makes my job more difficult. I cut the same lines on her legs and arms making sure her bones are exposed. I bleach her from inside, whole body until it’s clean. On the outside too. It takes time but I need her to be perfect, she can’t show herself to others without getting cleaned up first. Who knows who touched her body, how many people got to see her naked. And I’ll make sure none of them seen her the way I do.

 

I shaved her head. That colour never really suited her, it was too bright. Too blue.

 

And green.

 

Third POV

 

Vi snaps out of her nightmare with sweat running down her temples. She breathes heavily while sitting in an unfamiliar bed. The cushions are silky and soft, fresh scent of vanilla and flowers surrounding the place. It takes her a moment to remember that she’s in Caitlyn’s room. She wonders if and how the woman was able to change the sheets while she was asleep in her bed. When all her senses come back to normal, she begins feeling pain all over her back and torso, it’s the price she was willing to pay for a night spent with the beautiful blue-haired lady.

 

But she loved and enjoyed every tiny bit of it. The way Cait’s lips felt against hers, how their bodies moved perfectly in sync, their mixed saliva and that metallic taste of their blood. Vi has never thought she would find someone as equally wild in bed as her. Now, that she thinks of it, that woman was definitely something much more than her wildest sex dream.

 

Oh, and how she wants more and more…

 

She turns to her side expecting Caitlyn to be still asleep, but the spot is empty and in fact cold. The woman’s been gone for some time now. Vi’s eyes bulge and she quickly gets up to check her belongings in her pants but everything’s in its place. It wouldn’t be the first time someone wanted to sleep with her just to be able to steal a bit of cash from her wallet. Yes, it’s safe to say that she slept with half of Zaun by now, the prettier side though. She fishes out her phone from a pocket and her eyes almost fall out when she notices multiple calls and texts from the police department she works at. It’s almost half past nine and she’s supposed to be at work at eight.

 

“Fuck.” Vi breathes out and calls Mylo, one of her friends and police officers. “Hi, Mylo, what’s up?” She asks with her usual confidence lower because she knows there’s scolding awaiting on the other side.

 

“What’s up?! Dude, we’ve been trying to contact you for two hours now! Where are you? I hope you’re on your way to the station. Or no. On your way to the crime scene!” Mylo sounds angrier than usually and Vi shrinks a bit under his screams. He can be quite bossy when he wants to.

 

“What crime scene? Evidence won’t run away and… I don’t even know why my phone didn’t ring when I was sleeping! You know I always keep it on.” Vi tries to reason with her friend but it earns her only a sigh of disappointment.

 

“I’ll send you the address but hurry up. You chose a perfect day to be late you know that…” Mylo says with irritation in his voice and drops the call. A second later Vi’s phone lights up with a new text message with the address.

 

“Why the hell was it on silent?” She checks the phone’s settings and her eyebrows furrow when she notices it’s put on silent, and her alarm has been turned off. “Weird.” The screen lights up again this time with an unknown number on display.

 

8:10 a.m. *number*: Someone at the station told me to contact a local detective because there’s been a murder downtown.

8:23 a.m. *number*: Hello, is it the correct number? Please, at least let me know that it’s a wrong number.

8:26 a.m. *number*: Will someone show up to investigate?

9:07 a.m. *number*: This is ridiculous. I’ve been at the crime scene for over two hours now and still there’s no one here to help. Is this how people work in this place?

9:30 a.m. (now) *number*: Someone just texted me you’re on your way. Hurry up!

 

Vi rereads each message trying to process what has happened when she was asleep. A murder? In Zaun? Yes, gang fights, robberies or fights but not murders. Something about it feels odd already. And who is this person that’s been texting her all morning.

 

9:32 a.m. *Vi*: Yes, I’m sorry. I’m on my way. Give me 15 minutes.

9:33 a.m. *number*: Finally!

 

Vi puts her phone away and looks around the room before spotting door to the bathroom. She must wash off last night’s events before she goes to work. She enters the small room and takes a quick cold shower before realising she has no fresh clothes to wear. “Damn it, why did I have to oversleep?” Vi leaves the bathroom wrapped in a towel she took from Cait’s cabinet and decides to borrow some clothes from the woman as well.

 

She opens the wardrobe and searches through the clothes for something that would fit her wider shoulders and bigger biceps. Opening each drawer inside she comes across some black lingerie making her eyes open wider and a smirk crawl onto her lips. “Oh wow, would like to see that on someday…” Vi snaps out of it when she remembers that she’s in a hurry. “Freaking dirty thoughts. Get your head out of the gutter.” She scolds herself then picks out a pair of sweats and an oversize T-shirt to wear.

 

Her eyes catch a mirror on her way into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Vi notices how fucked up she looks right now. There are red marks and hickeys all over her body, literally everywhere. Dried streams of blood are now gone but it looks at least as if she fought a tiger last night. Which she did, kind of. “Let’s just hope no one sees that.” When she pulls on some sweats and covers her body with a T-shirt, each wound stings while rubbing against the fabric.

 

“That’s going to take a while to heal.” Vi says to herself and picks up a handwritten note on the kitchen counter. ‘There’s no food in the fridge yet so don’t look for it. I put your phone on silent because it was ringing, and I didn’t want you to wake up so early. You sleep like a baby. :)’ So now it answers one of Vi’s questions about who put her phone into the silent mode. The only question left is: where has Caitlyn gone so early?

 

Vi gets first to the police station to grab her badge and handgun. As soon as she arrives Mylo looks at her in disbelief and shakes his head. “What are you doing here?” He asks with arms crossed on his chest. “I specifically told you to go straight to the crime scene! There are people that’s been waiting for you there to finally show up!” Veins show up on his forehead and neck signalling to Vi that this isn’t a joke anymore.

 

“I know, I know but how am I supposed to work without my badge and gun? I just stopped by for a second.” She says with her arms up in a surrender gesture. Vi looks around the station and notices that her desk apparently has a new owner. “Hey, what happened to my desk?”

 

“What? Oh, that new forensic scientist and pathologist that arrived recently put their stuff there. They called early that someone found a body near the bridge so…” Mylo explains and types on his computer for a moment before Vi speaks again.

 

“Yeah, but that’s my desk?”

 

Mylo covers his face with hands and sighs deeply not knowing how to get to that small brain of his friend’s. “You haven’t used it since you became a detective plus it’s just for now probably. Why am I even talking with you right now? Go to that crime scene! They’ve been waiting for almost three hours now!”

 

“Okay, stop being so dramatic… I overslept for the first time in like… ever.” Vi shrugs and steals an apple from Mylo’s desk when he isn’t looking. She quickly strides to the door.

 

“Yeah, like you weren’t late last week for that intervention…” The man complains and slowly drags his palms down his face. “Wait, that’s my apple!” Mylo yells and runs outside after her but Vi’s already behind the wheel of her car and drives away. “Stupid bitch!” He screams and raises two middle fingers knowing that Vi will probably see them in a rearview mirror.

 

9:50 a.m. *Mylo*: You owe me lunch, you hunk.

 

Vi only views the message while she’s waiting for the light to turn green. Sometimes she wonders why such a small-town needs traffic light. Then she remembers how she started as a police officer and used to hand out tickets in the same place she’s at right now. Back when she was starting there weren’t any traffic lights here and it was a nightmare for those who wanted to walk by here safely.

 

It's been nearly half an hour since she texted that unknown number that she needs 15 minutes to get ready. It was kind of a lie but who expects her to get ready in just 15 minutes? Like, this feels insane for Vi. She pulls up near the bridge where the address she was given earlier pointed to. She grabs her jacket and drapes it over her shoulders once she gets out of her car.

 

From the spot she’s standing at she can make out Claggor interviewing some of the people that are standing behind the yellow tape saying that it’s an active crime scene. Vi slowly walks closer to the old bridge that leads in Piltover’s direction. The bridge is surrounded by woods from each side and the only way leading to it from Zaun is a narrow road that Vi just drove through. There’s a quite wild river under the bridge so it’s a dangerous place for kids to play but Vi remembers how many times she spent here playing with her friends and younger sister.

 

She reaches into the pocket of her jacket and lights up a cigarette but before she gets to put it in her mouth it gets snapped out of her hand. “How many times have I told you not to smoke near a crime scene? I thought you quit years ago.” Maddie looks at Vi with her piercing eyes and flicks her forehead when the blackhead rolls eyes at her. “You’ll never change, huh?”

 

“What can I say? Maybe, when Zaun changes it will make me think about it?” Vi chuckles and steps on the cig Maddie threw to the ground seconds ago. She looks at the redhead for a second and catches her starring at someone. Vi follows her co-worker’s gaze and her eyes land on a slim figure with their back to them. She nudges Maddie’s shoulder and points to the unknown person with her head. “Who’s that?”

 

Maddie snaps out of her small trance and takes a deep breath before explaining everything to Vi. “Well, it’s our new forensic. I heard she came here from Piltover. She’s been taking pictures of the crime scene and waiting for you to arrive.” Vi squints her eyes and connects the dots.

 

“So, that’s the bitch that put her stuff on my desk! She’s been texting me since 8 a.m. to come here.” Vi huffs air at some stray strands of hair that fell onto her face blowing them away. “Do you know anything else?”

 

“About her background? Nothing much, only that she’s insanely good. And from what I’ve seen this morning, she’s also insanely hot.” Maddie drops it at Vi and walks away to keep guarding this side of the bridge.

 

Vi stands there dumbfounded for a minute or two before she decides to finally approach the crime scene. “Hey Claggor!” She shouts from the other side of the bridge and waves at her old friend then steps over the yellow tape. The closer she gets to the new worker the clearer the woman’s amazing figure gets. She’s wearing black cargo pants that fall slightly loose around her long legs, an oversized navy-blue hoodie that somehow seems familiar to Vi. Her hair blue and put up into a messy ponytail. If Vi was completely honest, the new forensic looks somewhat scary from afar.

 

Vi’s heart beats faster with each step she takes, she stops in front of the body and glues her eyes to it not ready to face someone that screams authority from miles away. She examines the lifeless body with her eyes for a moment and realises that she knows who that is. It’s The Last Drop’s stripper named ‘Mint’. She’s known the woman since they were young, they used to be friends but fell out when Vi went to police academy.

 

A flash comes from Vi’s side and a sound of a photo being taken makes her look up from the dead body. That’s when she inhales that intoxicating vanilla and flowers scent. “Finally, do you know it took you three hours to arrive here?” The forensic says and it wouldn’t be possible for Vi not to recognise the beautiful voice thickened with that freaking British accent that’s been playing in the back of her mind all morning.

 

“It would’ve been easier if my alarm clock hadn’t been turned off by someone.” Vi says and looks at Caitlyn who’s now looking back at her. They stare at each other for a bit before Caitlyn looks down at her camera and goes through the pictures she’s taken. “I got scolded because of that. Twice.”

 

“I have everything I need to work on this case. There was a cup with a menthol candy inside left by the body. We must identify this woman and try to find a good lead.” Caitlyn suddenly switches into her professional mode which makes Vi raise an eyebrow at her. The blue-haired woman starts packing her stuff and camera.

 

“I think you don’t really need me here.” Vi stands by Caitlyn’s side and inspects the woman from head to toe. There’s nothing familiar about the woman beside her figure and the hoodie that’s Vi’s. “It’s Mint, the one that you flirted with last night.” Cait stops in her tracks when she hears Vi’s words and looks at the woman in front of her with something cold displayed in her eyes.

 

“I wasn’t flirting with her.” Caitlyn says with her voice a bit quieter and softer.

 

“Yeah, sure.” The attitude leaks off Vi’s voice and it irritates Caitlyn.

 

“Can you stop acting like a child? Have some decency, she’s dead.” Cait rolls her eyes at Vi’s behaviour and picks up her bag. She walks over to Maddie and taps her shoulder with a small smile. The redhead turns around and immediately reciprocates the smile she’s given.

 

Vi watches the two from a few feet away and her stomach twists when she notices how Maddie’s hand caresses Caitlyn’s arm. “Hey, Cait!” Vi strides over and puts one of her hands in the pocket of the sweats she borrowed. “Where did you get that hoodie?” Vi’s words make Caitlyn look down at what she’s wearing and realise what’s happening. She chuckles lightly to herself, and her eyes jump from Maddie to Vi twice.

 

Maddie also looks at the two with her eyebrows furrowed. “Need a ride back?” She asks Caitlyn to get the woman’s attention back on her. The forensic looks over at her giving her full attention and smiles shortly after.

 

“Actually, no. I’ll go with Vi.” It catches both Maddie and Vi off guard. “But thank you, you’re so sweet.” Caitlyn wraps one of her arms around Maddie giving her a small hug. She looks at Vi who’s jaw slightly flexes when she sees Cait in the redhead’s arms. “See you at the station.”

 

Vi follows Caitlyn to her car, she huffs when she sees a huge grin on Maddie’s lips right before getting inside the car. “I know what you’re doing.” Vi turns to Caitlyn who just got settled in the passenger seat. “It won’t work, not on me.” The blackhead says and starts the engine, Vi puts both her hands on the steering wheel and turns to look through the back window but a hand grabs her by the shirt.

 

“If I ever hear you call me a bitch again…” Caitlyn pulls Vi closer by her collar, so their lips end up only inches apart. “Well, you don’t want to know what I would do to you.” Vi fights the urge to smile and her eyes drop to those luscious slightly bruised lips. She looks back into Caitlyn’s vivid sky-blue eyes and yet again feels like she’s drowning in them. Cait closes the distance left between them and when Vi’s certain she’ll feel lips on her own hot breath hits her ear. “I know you want to taste it but I’m mad at you for not telling me that you work here.”

 

To be honest, Caitlyn fought back the urge to bite Vi’s earlobe because she knows that the consequences of that wouldn’t be them going back to the station but rather her place. None the less she loves watching Vi squirm on her side and clear her throat trying to act like it didn’t affect her at all. Caitlyn licks her lips when she notices just now what Vi is wearing and how she tries to hide her arousal.

 

“You’re so unfair. Y-you didn’t say a word either and you l-left me alone in bed. I-I’m the one who should be mad now.” Vi stutters in front of a woman for the first time in her life. She looks out the window for a second trying to find her usual confidence but it’s extremely difficult to focus with Caitlyn by her side almost eating her with her eyes.

 

Caitlyn only sighs and looks outside the window on her side. She rests her head on her elbow and doesn’t look away from the view outside for the entire ride. On the other side of the car, Vi looks at the blue-haired woman from time to time trying to guess whether Caitlyn’s really mad at her. She thinks that’s so silly to get mad at someone for a misunderstanding.

 

They arrive at the station within next 15 minutes and it’s still silent as they enter the building. If Vi’s being honest, it’s eating her on the inside. She’s the type that likes to resolve issues on the spot instead of dwelling on to for longer than it’s worth.

 

“Miss Kiramman! I see you found our charming detective.” Mylo raises his eyebrows twice in a playful manner while looking at Vi who’s deep in her thoughts watching every move Caitlyn’s doing. Mylo nudges her with his shoulder and gives her a confused look. “Did you already fall out with our new forensic?”

 

“Seems like it.” Vi’s short answer makes Mylo hum waiting for an explanation. “I think she’s angry at me. She was silent the whole ride here.” They’re both standing by Mylo’s desk looking like two obliviously dumb dudes. “We met yesterday, and I didn’t mention I work here.”

 

“Oof, man, that’s bad. It’s like you didn’t mention you’re a detective.” Mylo says and Vi turns to look at him with the most dumbfounded face she could muster. “What? Women are like that; they get mad for no reason.” He shrugs and scratches the back of his neck.

 

“You’re an idiot, Mylo.” Vi smacks the back of Mylo’s head and sits down next to Mylo’s desk that’s standing opposite to the one she owns and is now occupied by Caitlyn. Vi stares at the woman in front of her and notices that whenever Caitlyn focuses on something a small crease appears between her eyebrows. “Do you still want that lunch?” She asks Mylo who’s rubbing the spot Vi smacked like half an hour ago while nodding his head ‘yes’. “And stop acting like it hurt.”

 

Vi grabs the keys to her car and puts on her jacket before leaving the station. She misses how Caitlyn watches her walk out. It doesn’t take long for Cait to appear in front of Mylo’s desk with a polite smile. “Could you please let me know when they transport the body to get an autopsy? I’ll work on it shortly after.” Mylo can’t help it but smile back widely at the woman.

 

“Yes, ma’am.” He jumps up from his chair and salutes at the beautiful lady. “Have you talked to sheriff already? I think he arrived after you left for the crime scene.” Mylo points to a door at the other side of the room with a sheriff’s name displayed on it.

 

“Oh, not yet but I can go now.” Cait turns on her heel and walks towards the door before grabbing the handle. She looks back at Mylo who’s holding his thumbs up with a huge smile on his lips wishing her good luck. Caitlyn pushes the door open to reveal a huge man seated behind the desk. She looks up and immediately recognises the face of their chief.

 

“Caitlyn, what are you doing here? Did something happen?” Vander asks lowering a newspaper to fully look at the woman standing in front of his desk. “Do you need help with something?” The man asks, his voice laced with concern.

 

“No, sir. I-I work here? I thought you saw the documents I sent you while applying here. I’m the new forensic scientist and pathologist.” Caitlyn watches how Vander’s expression changes from a confused one to a smiling one.

 

“Mylo is the one who goes through applications. I just sign whatever he slides under my pen, I trust him, he’s like a son to me.” Vander puts down the newspaper he was reading and takes off his glasses. “Anyway, it’s good to have you on board. Have you met the rest of the team already?”

 

“Yes, I think so. I met Mylo and Maddie in the morning when I arrived here and Claggor at the crime scene. Vi, well, I met her last night already.” Caitlyn gulps thinking of last night and the awkward silence that follows her words. She doesn’t know how much Vander knows and office romance doesn’t look good at all.

 

“Well, I hope she won’t be too much of an ass to you.” Vander extends his hand over his desk and Caitlyn happily shakes it praying to gods that he wouldn’t break her hand. “Good luck working on a case with that stubborn ‘oil slick’.” He winks at Cait, and it makes her blush furiously at the comment he’s just made. It’s the same thing Caitlyn called Vi last night when they were still teasing each other.

 

“Thank you, sir.” Caitlyn lets go of his huge hand and leaves his office with her thoughts running wild. It’s hard for her to get used to the fact that everyone here knows everyone, and they all probably used to play with each other as kids. It gives Caitlyn an unsettling feeling since the person that murdered Mint must know them too.

 

To be honest, the sight of Mint’s naked and pale body terrified Cait a bit. Now, that she thinks of it, would she be dead if Vi didn’t tell her that Pimp was at the bar? Caitlyn makes a mental note to talk to Pimp as soon as Vi gets back from wherever she’s gone to. What if it all happened because she wasn’t talking with Caitlyn back at the bar? In her whole forensic career, she hasn’t seen a body this clean. Someone put a lot of effort into it and for now she can only wonder what’s been done inside of it.

 

Caitlyn’s walking back to the desk she’s been occupying lost in her thoughts. She doesn’t notice the person in front of her and when she bumps into them her lungs fill with familiar pine and cinnamon as she realises that Vi came back. “Whoa, easy there.” Vi’s arm wraps around Caitlyn’s waist protectively holding the woman close.

 

Their eyes lock and they stare into one another’s orbs as if it was for the first time ever. Both of their hearts thumping quicker brining heat to their faces. Caitlyn’s bothered thoughts are chased away by Vi’s concerned look. And Vi’s worries about Cait being mad at her come back. “Sorry, I was- I thought you left.” She disconnects herself from Vi and walks around the desk to sit at it like she owns it.

 

“I just went to grab lunch for Mylo. I stole an apple from him earlier because someone haven’t stocked their fridge yet.” Vi tries to loosen the tense atmosphere between them but Caitlyn’s silence only makes her hopes disappear. “You went to see Vander? Did you tell him I was late?”

 

“I think he knows already. Honestly, do you really think I would snitch on you?” Caitlyn straightens in her seat and crosses arms on her chest. She’s waiting for Vi’s reaction wanting to hear what kind of assumption she has about her.

 

Vi notices the slight change in Caitlyn’s eyes and looks down at the floor, she lets out a small sigh. “No.” Vi’s voice softens, and she looks over her shoulder to check what Mylo is doing. Thankfully, he’s invested in inhaling the lunch that Vi brought. “Look, I know you’re angry at me for this morning, but it all feels like a big misunderstanding to me. It shouldn’t have happened.”

 

Caitlyn’s eyes widen a bit and her pupils dilate. She gets up from the chair and walks over to Vi to lean back against the desk. “I understand if last night was a mistake for you but I’m not mad at you, Vi. It’s something else that’s bothering me.” She says feeling disappointed that Vi thinks that, but she’s accepted that it might have been a one-time thing especially after they found out that they’re working together.

 

“Wait, I didn’t mean us.” Vi takes a step closer to Caitlyn and quickly looks over her shoulder again. Once she’s certain no one’s looking, she lifts her hand and cups Cait’s right cheek with her left hand to caress it gently. Caitlyn raises her chin a bit to meet Vi’s twinkling eyes. “I didn’t mean us; I meant the situation and all that shit that happened after.” Vi’s breath hitches when she notices how something clicks back in Caitlyn’s eyes. She just knows that these are the windows to her soul. “And I’m so glad you’re not mad at me.”

 

They both giggle at Vi’s small sigh of relief. “I couldn’t stay mad at you because I didn’t tell you anything either and…” Vi cuts Caitlyn off by connecting their lips though for a short moment. She leaves Caitlyn mesmerized with a small smile spreading across her lips at the way Vi’s handling her rambling. “You- “She’s cut off again but this time by the commotion by the door. Claggor and Maddie enter the station making the two back away from each other in an instant. They share a quick look agreeing on keeping this a secret.

 

Vi leans back against her desk next to Caitlyn as she waits for the two to settle inside the room. “They’re transporting the body to the station. We’ve got loads of witnesses but there’s no one that testified anything useful.” Maddie says once she sits down at her desk. She eyes Vi and Caitlyn for a second then looks away at her computer.

 

“It’s okay, we already have a lead. We’ll check it now.” Caitlyn says and pushes herself off the desk before grabbing her jacket from Vi’s chair. She connects her eyes with the blackhead letting her know that they’re leaving. “Don’t touch the body after it arrives. I’ll take care of it later.” Cait’s voice echoes through the room as no one dares to speak. Vi only follows her steps outside with her eyes glued to the ground.

 

As soon as they leave Maddie looks over at Mylo. “So, she’s in charge of the investigation?”

 

Mylo shrugs and shakes his head. “I don’t know, but if I was the one choosing then she would probably be the best choice.” For the second time this day Mylo earns himself a slap on the head. “Ow! Are you serious?!” He rubs the back of his head with a small whine coming from his lips. “No wonder you two got along so well before.” He adds and scoots away from the redhead.

 

“Well, he’s got a point.” Claggor chips in making Maddie scoff at them and turn back to work.

 

“Let’s see how this plays out.” She mumbles under her nose as the corner of her lips lifts slightly.

Chapter 3: Girl Chaser

Notes:

Hello again,
I'm sorry for the quite long break between chapter two and three but I couldn't put it right. Something was missing in it and I wasn't able to fix it until now.
This story is somehow dear to me and I'd like to finish it no matter how long it will take. Still, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and keep coming back for more.

Maybe until next time! :D

TW: self-harm

After Caitlyn pulled Vi outside the station, she grabs her hand and steals car keys from her. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Vi’s protectiveness over her car kicks in and she tries to shield the door to the driver’s seat. “Give them back.” She extends her hand for Caitlyn to place the keys in it.

 

“What? You think I can’t drive a car properly?” Caitlyn crosses arms on her chest and lifts eyebrows while looking intently at Vi. She notices how Vi’s cheeks suddenly redden as if she just exposed what was on her mind. “Oh my god, you really do think that.”

 

“N-no, Cait. It’s just- it’s my car and- where are we even going? You said you have a lead in the case and now you’re playing with me.” Vi tries to escape the uncomfortable topic by giving Caitlyn a different one but she doesn’t know yet that that won’t work.

 

“We must interrogate Pimp. He was supposedly the last person to see Mint alive before she was killed. And I know what you’re doing, Vi and it doesn’t work. Now, move and let me drive.” Caitlyn takes a step closer to Vi hoping to intimidate the woman in front of her enough for her to give in.

 

“You don’t even know where Pimp lives, I do.” Vi continues fighting for her reason but the closer Caitlyn gets the more difficult it gets. “Please, may I have my car keys back?” Vi’s voice sounds almost pleading, gone a pitch higher and a tone softer. She looks away from Caitlyn while still guarding the door to the driver’s seat.

 

The sound of keys jiggling makes her look back straight. Caitlyn’s holding them in front of her ready to give up. “You may… but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m disappointed. You really think I’m a bad driver. Was it that bad last night?” Caitlyn smirks deciding to tease Vi a bit and walks around the car to get into the passenger seat.

 

“God, what have I done to deserve this?” Vi sighs while looking up at the sky. She knows what Caitlyn’s doing and she knows it’s going to drive her nuts if it keeps coming in bits the whole day. Vi turns around to get in the car and notices how Caitlyn’s applying some lipstick and checking herself in the mirror. “Damn, this woman.” Vi gets inside and doesn’t spare a glance at the beauty on her side. She must keep her composure, or things would go down south quite early this day.

 

“Were Mint and Pimp together or something? She seemed quite invested after you told her he was at the bar.” Caitlyn asks halfway through the ride to Pimp’s loft. Vi told her that Pimp works at the local factory and that’s also where he lives.

 

“I don’t know. I used to know him well when we were younger but then my life changed, I grew up and we sort of fell out. I just know Mint and him were close, she liked him a lot.” Vi takes a short glance at Caitlyn then focuses back on the road.

 

“Were you close with Mint?” It suddenly gets to Caitlyn that Vi must’ve known Mint well since she’s a frequent customer at ‘The Last Drop’ and she knew what Mint’s occupation was. For a second, she wonders if the two had ever slept together. Caitlyn shakes off the thought finding it weird to even think about such things while investigating a murder.

 

“I mean, we knew each other. We talked a few times, sometimes she tried to flirt with me, but I don’t think it was anything sexual. After all she wanted Pimp to notice her.” Vi shrugs.

 

“Is he aggressive or unstable in any way?” Caitlyn asks. “Do you think he could hurt her? Any crime record?”

 

“He might have killed her, but he never was the first one to fight. I was.” Vi admits and turns the car right into a more obscure alley. “Hopefully, once we talk with him everything will become clear about last night.

 

The words Vi said about fighting make Caitlyn look at Vi’s calloused knuckles. She really missed the fact that Vi had to go through so much in her childhood that she had to fight her way through to be who she is today. “What did you fight for?” She asks while looking at Vi’s side profile looking for any sign of uneasiness in her body language.

 

“Me, my sister, Mylo and Claggor. We all lost our parents early; I was 10 and Powder was 6. They were killed in a local gang fight, so we had to fight to survive.” Vi says, her voice a bit quieter and sadder. Caitlyn swears that for a second, she saw Vi’s eyes water up. “Vander found us and took us in. Now, we’re sort of his kids.” This fact brings smiles onto their faces. For Violet it’s a rather bitter smile. The memory of her sister floods her mind.

 

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Caitlyn places her hand on Vi’s thigh and gently caresses it with her thumb. “I can’t imagine how hard it was for you.” She bites down on her bottom lip at the coming back sight of her mother’s lifeless body lying in the middle of the street, her eyes open, temples bloody, arms and legs twisted. “I get why you became a cop.” Caitlyn moves her hand away and scoots a bit closer to the passenger window.

 

“I want to protect those who could end up like us. I want Vander to be proud of me, I want to show this city that violence is not the way.” Vi notices the way Caitlyn shuts down an invisible wall between them. She saw the way her lip trembled as she mentioned her dead parents. Vi knows there’s more to it but she won’t press the matter right now. Caitlyn’s clearly not ready to discuss it with her. “The factory’s lofts are over there.” Vi points to a block of flats in the distance as she parks the car nearby the building. She unbuckles her belt and stops the engine ready to get out of the vehicle. “Cait- “Vi noticed how Caitlyn’s been staring out the window.

 

“Let’s get it over with.” All this time Caitlyn’s been trying to erase that awful sight of her mother’s body and just one mention of something similar makes the hole her mother left hurt. Caitlyn opens the passenger door and gets out of the car. Vi follows her silently although giving directions where to turn or go up the stairs. “The doors are open…” Caitlyn stops in her tracks and whispers over her shoulder knowing Vi’s right behind her.

 

“I’m going to go in and you wait here until I check if it’s clear.” Vi quietly walks past Caitlyn and pulls out her handgun.

 

“What? No. Why would you think I’ll let you walk in there alone?” Caitlyn whispers yells obviously angry. “You don’t get to call the shots here.” She adds not wanting Vi to walk into a trap.

 

“And you don’t have a gun, so stay here and wait.” Vi whisper yells back mimicking Caitlyn’s angry expression. She slowly swings the door open with her foot and walks inside Pimp’s loft.

 

“In what mad world would I listen to someone like you?” Caitlyn throws her hands in the air while following Vi inside.

 

Vi makes her way through the corridor her nostrils flaring from how angry she is now. “Someone like me? What does that even mean, huh?” She whispers to herself gripping her handgun a bit tighter, her knuckles turning white. Vi checks each room including the kitchen and the bathroom but there’s no sign of Pimp except for a steaming hot tea in a cup left on the table.

 

“Cait, I think he’s still in here somewhere.” Vi lowers her gun as she backs away from the kitchen and steps into the corridor.

 

“Oh, you think so?” Caitlyn rolls her eyes, her hands raised, a knife being held against her neck. When Vi began searching the rest of the loft Pimp grabbed Caitlyn by her neck and threatened her with a knife. He must’ve hidden behind the door or somewhere outside the loft because there was no way they could miss him otherwise.

 

Vi’s eyes widen when she notices how blood drips down Caitlyn’s neck. Her eyes snap to Pimp’s face, and it takes them a second to recognise each other. “Pimp, let her go, she’s with me.” Vi tries to take a step closer to the man but he digs the knife deeper into Caitlyn’s throat making the woman hiss. “Okay, I’ll stay right here… we just want to talk.”

 

“Are you sure you can trust her? She talked with Mint last night, she’s the newcomer. Maybe she killed her. How can you know she didn’t?” Pimp’s eyes fill with tears at the mention of Mint, and he tightens his grip on Caitlyn’s neck making her choke. She brings her hands to his arm trying to loosen the grip but he’s stronger than her.

 

“I-I- “Vi remembers the night the two spent together though she can’t be sure what happened after she fell asleep. But why is she even considering Caitlyn to be the killer? They’ve just met, yes but Caitlyn’s also a cop. That wouldn’t make any sense, right?

 

Caitlyn’s eyebrows furrow as she watches Vi’s expression change for a spare second. She notices that focused look on her face and bites down on her lip trying to hold back the tears building up in her eyes.

 

“I was with her last night. She didn’t do it.” Vi finally says and her words seem to calm Pimp down. Caitlyn uses the leverage of distraction and kicks him in the shin before throwing him over her shoulder. The man lands on his back with a loud thud before Caitlyn flips him over and holds her knee against his back.

 

“Handcuffs.” She extends one of her hands towards Vi without looking away from her harasser.  “Now.” This time it sounded more like a command and though Vi doesn’t feel like Caitlyn has any authority over her she politely hands her the handcuffs.

 

“What the fuck?! Vi! Tell her to stop!” Pimp yells, his words muffled because of his face pressed roughly to the ground. “You can’t just cuff me like that! Fucking Piltie!”

 

“You’re under arrest for assaulting a police officer and hindering the investigation. You have right to remain silent.” Caitlyn says and brings Pimp back on his feet. Vi locks eyes with her for a second and it makes a shiver run down her spine. The cold, focused look she saw this morning is back but this time fiercer, more dangerous.

 

Vi drives them back to the police station in complete silence. Even Pimp stays quiet sensing weird tension inside the vehicle. Caitlyn’s staring out the window the whole ride while Vi tries to hide her mixed feelings. She knows she fucked up, but Caitlyn said something that upset her too.

 

Unfortunately for Vi, she’s the type that prefers to solve issues on the spot. Going to sleep while not being on good terms with someone is a guaranteed night of tossing and turning. She only assumes that Caitlyn’s the opposite, the more they talk, the more they spend time together the easier it gets noticeable. Caitlyn’s the type to shut down whenever something goes south, she hides her emotions and becomes quiet, just like now.

 

Vi feels that there’s no point in trying to talk to her, at least not right now. But she won’t be able to function properly until they talk. It all dies down when she pulls up in front of the police station. Caitlyn gets out in an instant. Vi only watches her silhouette in the side mirror as she opens the back door and drags Pimp out of the car.

 

“I’ll take him over to interrogation room.” Vi says and pulls Pimp away from Caitlyn who seems to be a bit too aggressive towards the man. In three they enter the building and Vi signs Pimp in at the desk where Mylo’s at. Once they’re done with formalities Vi notices that Caitlyn disappeared, she looks around the room a few times but there’s no sign of the tall woman. She looks at Mylo hoping he caught a glimpse of where Cait’s gone to but he only shrugs. “I’m going to ask him a few questions then put him in the holding cell. Let me know if Caitlyn shows up.”

 

“What? Did you already make her upset?” Mylo laughs with a playful smirk spread on his lips. Vi sighs heavily and leads Pimp to the interrogation room. “Oh my God! You did!” They hear Mylo yell before Vi shuts the door close. She settles down in front of Pimp and takes out her notebook to write down anything that may seem useful for the case.

 

“I know you didn’t kill her. I saw that look in your eyes when you talked about Mint. You loved her.” Vi says and leans back in her chair while Pimp brings his hands to his face looking devastated. “Tell me what happened last night.”

 

The man sniffles and looks up at Vi. “I went to the bar to see her. I couldn’t find her at the usual spot, so I started looking for her and that’s when I saw her talking to the newcomer. It looked as if they were flirting, I was hurt. I was sitting at the bar when Mint appeared by my side, she was smiling at me.”

 

“Were you mad at her? Did you two fight? What did she say to you?” Vi throws a few questions knowing damn well that these are also personal. She can’t help but remember the weird twist in her stomach when she saw Mint talking with Caitlyn.

 

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Just one look from her and all my anger was gone. Still, we weren’t officially together so I couldn’t expect her to treat me exclusively. She said she was sorry that she wasn’t at her usual spot but that woman she talked with caught her attention. Mint said that she saw her at the bar with you.” Pimp walks Vi through his whole night. He explains to her what happened after they left the bar. He simply walked Mint back to her apartment and then headed home himself. “Nothing seemed off last night except for your co-worker.”

 

“I told you she didn’t do it. I was with her the whole night.” Vi says this time more confident with her words but she feels like she’s kind of lying. She doesn’t know what happened after she fell asleep. She’s also scared to ask Cait what she was doing. Suddenly, the need to talk to Caitlyn became even bigger. What if she still thinks Vi doesn’t trust her?

 

Because all that, Vi completely forgot that Caitlyn was put under the knife’s blade. The realisation comes to her just now and she walks her hand down her face. She thinks back to the moment before they arrived at Pimp’s loft, how she mentioned her parents died when she was young and how Caitlyn’s mood shifter after that moment. She saw the hurt in the woman’s eyes although her face was unfazed. There’s something much deeper behind it and Vi’s detective instincts are kicking her from the inside to make her get to the bottom of this.

 

Oh, it’ll be a sleepless night for Vi if she doesn’t solve this problem right away.

 

Vi finishes Pimp’s interrogation noting down a couple things but her mind’s already somewhere else or rather with someone else. She hardly can focus on her task but tries to keep her façade. “Alright, that’s all for now. We won’t charge you for that incident at your loft. I know you didn’t mean to hurt anyone.” Violet gets up from her chair feeling more exhausted than she once felt after the whole night spent at the station.

 

“But what about that newcomer? Won’t she want to press charges against me? She seemed… angry.” Pimp gets up and follows Vi outside the interrogation room. They stop in front of Mylo’s desk and Vi walks her hand down her face while letting out a heavy sigh.

 

“No, I’ll talk to her. She was probably in shock.” She says, her voice laced with exhaustion. Mylo slowly takes care of Pimp’s release papers and Violet leaves them to finish formalities as soon as she notices a glimpse of blue hair passing by. “Just, don’t do that again, okay?” Vi says to Pimp and pats his shoulder as a form of comfort after his love interest has been killed.

 

Vi follows Caitlyn’s trace to the women’s bathroom. She slowly enters and pulls the door closed behind her before leaning back against them. “Can I help you with it?” Violet’s soft voice snaps Caitlyn out of her deep thoughts. She looks at Vi in the mirror and gives her a small nod. Vi makes her way over to the sink and jumps to sit on the counter.

 

“You’ve got to sit for it?” A hint of a smile appears on Caitlyn’s lips and Vi notes it in her mind that she took the right approach. Violet grabs Cait’s hand and pulls her closer to herself so the taller woman’s now standing between her legs. “It doesn’t hurt it’s just- still bleeding.”

 

Vi reaches over to the aid kit Caitlyn was using and puts the gauze from it against Caitlyn’s wound. “You stained the hoodie.” In Cait’s mind these words shouldn’t sound so calming and soft.

 

“I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have worn this for work.” Caitlyn’s response brings a smile to Vi’s lips. She places another gauze on the cut putting a bit pressure to make the bleeding stop. “I’ll wash it or at least try. I can buy you a new one if it doesn’t work.” The voice that Caitlyn speaks with is slightly raspy because of Pimp’s grip on her neck.

 

“I don’t mind. Besides, you can keep it if you like it.” Violet throws away the bloody gauzes and sprays gentian on the wound before preparing a dressing for it. “I admit it looks very good on you.”

 

Caitlyn’s hand grips Vi’s thigh the moment she sprays gentian on her wound. She hisses as the cleaning liquid hits the spot. She didn’t miss the smirk that Violet’s trying to fight back. “You’re enjoying this a bit too much.” Cait squeezes Vi’s thigh again but this time it felt more intimate almost erotic.

 

“Um…” Violet clears her throat swallowing the moan that built up in her throat. “And you’re done.” She says after finishing patching up Caitlyn’s cut on her throat.

 

“Thank you dear.” Cait’s soft voice says, and it makes Vi look up into her eyes. The vivid blue skies are watching her cool greys as they become darker with each passing second. “I love that look in your eyes.” Caitlyn slowly leans closer, and her hand instinctively travels up Vi’s thigh making the woman in front of her squirm.

 

Violet’s mind fills with naughty pictures inspired by the blue fire burning in Cait’s eyes, but she holds onto her reasons. “We need to talk.” She whispers as Caitlyn’s ghosting her lips with her own. Her chest’s heaving a bit faster than intended because of the nasty hand getting closer to its’ destination.

 

“I don’t think that’s what you want.” Another whisper from the blue haired beauty and Violet had to fight a moan again. She swallows thickly when her eyes drop down to Cait’s bruised lip.

 

“Cait- I- “Violet’s cut off when their lips are pressed together in a deep kiss. Caitlyn’s hands making their way to her backside to pull the woman closer, seeking that friction to release the tension that’s built between them. Vi’s fighting mind to stay on course completely shut down when Cait bit down on her bottom lip but this time not hard enough to cause damage. “That’s not fair.”

 

“What’s not fair?” Caitlyn’s eyes are focused on Violet’s, and she revels in the power she already wields over co-worker.

 

“You’re avoiding talking by distracting me. You’re bringing it down to sex because you feel powerful in bed. You’re flipping the page to make it seem like you’re in control of everything.” Vi acknowledges dreamily as her eyes scan Caitlyn’s faltering grin. Violet realises that she hit home with her words and maybe even Caitlyn wasn’t aware of it. The hands on her hips withdraw almost immediately and the glint in Cait’s eyes fades away in an instant.

 

Vi only feels the wind swirl around her neck as Caitlyn storms out of the bathroom and the door slams a bit too loud for her liking. “Shit.” Vi breathes out as she replays the cold look Cait gave her the moment her mouth spilled those words. She doesn’t even try to follow Caitlyn knowing that all it could bring them is more pain.

 

---

 

“Why can’t I just shut up sometimes?” Violet whispers to herself. She’s standing in front of her desk that used to be occupied by Caitlyn the whole morning. Now, it’s empty and all of Cait’s stuff is gone. Vi hates to admit it to herself but she already misses the woman’s presence and it’s been taking a toll on her since they had entered Pimp’s loft.

 

“You’re talking to yourself again?” Claggor asks from behind his desk while busing himself with some paperwork. “I told you Mylo, that Piltie will bring only trouble here.” The man laughs lightly, and Mylo agrees with him right away.

 

“These people know nothing of our lives. How is she even useful here? Our gangs would swallow her whole the moment she faces one. It was stupid of her to think that she could blend in here. Vi, have you seen how she stormed out of here earlier? The bathroom must have been too much for her.” Mylo laughs out loud. His laugh is cut short when Violet’s hand finds its’ way onto his neck.

 

“Take that back. Now.” Vi growls clenching her other fist so hard that her knuckles turn white. Mylo’s scared eyes look back into her furious ones. “If I hear you talk shit again…” Claggor pulls them apart and Violet immediately shakes her head as the realisation of what she’s done overwhelms her. She looks down at her hands with visible marks of her nails that were digging into her palms just seconds ago.

 

“I think it’s better if you go home.” Claggor says because Mylo’s still trying to catch his breath.

 

“Vi.” A low masculine voice calls her from behind them which makes their heads snap upon immediately recognising the voice. “A word.” The calmness and strictness of Vander’s voice makes a shiver run down each of their spines. “My office, now.”

 

Violet can’t do much other than follow the orders and slowly walk inside Vander’s office with her head hanging low. The man probably saw what happened between them and how she reacted. To be honest, Vi thought she has gotten rid of her anger issues a long time ago, but the day’s been so heavily weighting on her shoulders that she just snapped at her co-worker.

 

“Sit.” Vander says as he approaches her in the middle of the room. Vi’s eyes are boring holes in the floor, her feet glued to the ground. “I said sit down.” The manly voice makes another shiver run down her spine and finally obey the command. Vi sits down on the sofa next to the desk and looks up to meet her father’s eyes. “Where’s Miss Kiramman?”

 

Vi hesitates to answer wondering if she could say that the woman probably went home but she decides not to dwell on it. “I don’t know. She left an hour ago and I haven’t heard anything from her since then.” Vi feels like she’s being scolded already although Vander hasn’t started yet.

 

“I thought you were over your issues.” He says softly clearly worrying about his daughter.

 

“I am. I just had a disagreement with Miss Kiramman, and it didn’t help that Pimp was in the middle of it.” Violet wanted to curse this day. How could the night seem so sweet in the contrast of this terrible looking day? A murder, assault and then her stupid mouth. As much as she feels guilty for telling Caitlyn all the stuff, she also feels like it was the truth and that’s why the woman left. They might not know each other well but last night they connected on another level. They clicked right away, and it never took Vi long to crack other people’s minds.

 

It's her blessing and her curse.

 

“Go home and rest. Take a break for today. You can continue with the investigation tomorrow.” Vander says and the tone of his voice suggest that the conversation is over. Even if Vi wanted to argue against his order, she’s not able to right now. Her mind’s constantly running back to Caitlyn, and she knows she’s not in her best shape to focus on the case unless she talks to the woman.

 

Vi nods her head once in acknowledgement of Vander’s words and looks up at him. “Alright. Will I see you at the bar tonight?” She asks and the man’s eyebrows shoot up.

 

“Vi, you’re supposed to rest at home, not drown in beer all night long.” The older man scolds her a bit and Violet gets up from the sofa with her hands lifted in the air. “For once listen to me and go home. Don’t think I didn’t notice what’s between you and Miss Kiramman.” Vander’s finger points at Violet with an internal warning to ‘keep it in her pants’ because the two are simply co-workers.

 

Vi can only give Vander a nod though her eyes are displaying a weird kind of concern. Yes, Vander noticed the close interactions between Violet and Caitlyn, and he has no right to meddle in their personal lives. Still, the two are working together and as a sheriff he can’t let whatever’s between them ruin the investigation. “Okay, I’ll go home.” Vi accepts her small punishment and lets out a sigh before heading out of Vander’s office.

 

“And Vi?” The man stops her before closing the door to his office. Their eyes lock for a second and something soft flashes in Vander’s eyes before he narrows his eyebrows. “Make sure everyone else knows what to do in the meantime.” That’s all Vi is left with and she gives the man another nod though she hardly believes he even saw it.

 

“Maddie, please go to Mint apartment and check it. Collect as much evidence as you can if there’s something left. We don’t know if the killer went there or where exactly Mint was attacked.” Violet stops in the middle of the room and starts giving orders to keep the investigation going. “Clag, please go with her, for safety.” Vi says with a sigh on her lips as a small headache’s building up in her forehead.

 

“Should we let you know when we find something?” Claggor asks and gathers his jacket and gun before walking over to the exit.

 

“Yes, text me if anything important comes up.” Vi massages her temple slightly and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Maddie. The red head approaches Violet and puts one of her hands on her shoulder.

 

“Are you okay? I noticed you’ve been a bit distracted lately.” Maddie’s quiet and soft voice would usually be a soothing thing for Violet but the yearning for a certain voice just made this one sound odd.

 

“I’m fine. It’s just a headache.” Vi doesn’t want to make it obvious but she takes a step back just to get rid of Maddie’s touch. The last night showed her that the warmth Maddie once offered couldn’t even compare to the one Caitlyn gave her. In an unexplainable way, something pulled Vi towards the blue haired beauty and all her sensed wanted to be consumed by Cait’s presence even in that exact moment. “Go with Claggor and let me know if you find something interesting.”

 

That’s the last thing Violet said before putting her jacket on and leaving the station. Her mind still occupied by her previous words to Caitlyn. Their small argument at Pimp’s apartment. The hurt that flashed in Cait’s eyes the moment Vi hesitated to confirm that she was innocent. All that making Vi feel yet again like a lovesick attention seeking puppy she once was.

 

In a matter of minutes Violet was climbing the staircase at The Last Drop and walking down the hallway with multiple doors on each side. She wants to- no, she needs to talk with Caitlyn now. Everything that’s happened, every word that she said and didn’t are bothering her so much that when the endless knocks on Caitlyn’s door don’t bring results, she punches the frame of it making an excruciating pain ring in her right knuckles.

 

“Aw, come on!” Violet screams and grits her teeth as she suffers the pain in her right hand in silence.

 

“She’s not here.” The voice of an old lady says from behind her. “I tried to stop you and tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.” Amara gives Violet a crooked smile. “I can call you when she comes back though. I’ve never seen you so desperate before.” The woman acknowledges and Vi gives her a slight tilt of her head.

 

“That’s because I am desperate.” She admits and clenches her fist trying to make out if she still can feel her fingers. “I can’t remember the last time I chased after a woman.” Vi laughs and Amara joins her after a second.

 

“Maddie? I remember you went deep then.”

 

“Maddie was… it was a mistake. Had I known the consequences of my relationship with her… It took me some time to notice that we didn’t really fit each other.” Vi looks back to her relationship with Maddie with a bitter taste in her mouth. And why is she suddenly able to say that she’s certain it wasn’t love, at least for her.

 

“Yet, you’re chasing that girl that works with you. Maybe she needs space?” Amara points out and Vi can only sigh.

 

“What can I say? I can’t help that I have a soft spot for beautiful women.” Violet shrugs and Amara only shakes her head with a bright smile spread on her lips. “Please, let me know if she comes back. I need to talk to her badly.”

 

“Would you like me to tell her that you’re looking for her?” The older woman asks as Vi’s descending the stairs.

 

“No, I- just let me know if you see her.”

 

“Oh, Violet, if you break this poor girl’s heart…”

 

“Am, I’m trying to fix this but she’s quite… difficult. I mean, ugh- just let me do it my own way and I promise you, you won’t see her cry because of me.” Vi winks at the owner of the bar and leaves the building. If Amara doesn’t call Vi until tomorrow morning, then Violet promised herself to let it go. For now, she must go home and rest for a bit before she can go back to work and focus on the ongoing investigation. Giving Caitlyn some space is probably the best solution she could come up with.

Notes:

Don't worry I didn't forget about this story. I had a small writers block even if I knew exactly what I wanted to write. This chapter was important because it sets up so many things even if you might not know it yet.

Safe to say that I'll try to post again soon! <3

Chapter 4: Homemade Pasta

Notes:

Is Caitlyn a secret vampire or what? How does that even work?

TW: self-harm

Violet’s thoughts are still running wild even now that she has a plan. Maybe not exactly a plan but she thinks that letting Caitlyn decide what their relationship is going to be is the best she can do, at least for now. There’s clearly something that Cait has to work through by herself and Vi’s not sure anymore if what they did wasn’t a mistake.

 

After all, they are co-workers and maybe their relationship should end at a one-night stand, though the best of their lives.

 

But who is Vi kidding? She’s been chasing Caitlyn all day like a lovesick puppy. It would be a bit too exaggerated to call it love at first sight or the second but is it wrong to feel like somehow Vi feels an unexplainable affection towards their forensic. It’s as if the moment they bit each other and tasted one another’s blood they connected.

 

Now, the magnets are pulling from the inside.

 

Could she be sure that Caitlyn feels the same way as her? If they were on good terms, she would ask but giving their current situation it would only get worse.

 

How much can one person change your life in a single night?

 

For Violet, apparently, quite a lot. Caitlyn almost crawled into her life and began squeezing her throbbing heart making it ache and melt at the same time. How do you even cure such a thing? Is there other option than to keep the one in question close?

 

---

 

Vi arrives home and as soon as she walks through the door loud laughing coats her ears. She spots Powder hiding behind the armchair with her nerf gun clutched to her chest. She’s looking for a better angle to shoot her toy gun.

 

Another laugh comes from the other side of the living room and Violet’s eyes snap to Ekko who’s currently crawling on the ground trying to switch his position unnoticed.

 

It’s like this every other day. Powder and Ekko enjoy playing around the sisters’ house while Vi is busy. She doesn’t mind as long as they don’t break anything, and it happens quite often.

 

“Hey guys, what’s the score?” Vi asks and puts down a bag with a few groceries inside. She stopped by the shop on her way home because she’s craving her favourite dish to make which is pasta. Her mother taught her how to make it before she was killed. Maybe Violet’s exterior doesn’t scream a great cook, but early years of taking care of her brothers and little sister made her quite skilled in the kitchen.

 

“It’s 2-2 but I’m going to win this battle again.” Powder answers her sister’s question and peaks from behind the sofa shooting a salve towards Ekko who’s running around the room. “Hey, it’s not fair! You coward!” The girl calls out with a small pout on her lips which makes Vi smile to herself. She always enjoyed watching them play like siblings.

 

Vi leans back against the kitchen counter and watches the kids play in front of her. Ekko makes his way to the other side, so he’s opposed to Powder. It’s true he usually loses against Powder but the girl’s just too good at shooting. “I won’t lose this time.” Ekko whispers to himself and jumps over his cover before charging at Powder with all his force.

 

Plastic bullets shoot and scatter around the living room. Even Vi has to dodge one though she has no idea how it managed to come near her since she’s far from the battlefield. Ekko lets out a war cry and tackles Powder onto the couch full of cushions where they start throwing hands. “Okay guys, that’s enough.” Violet calls out from the kitchen and gives the two a stern glare.

 

Of course, they want to keep fighting and arguing but when Vi gives them ‘that’ look they know to start behaving immediately. “Thank you. Now, go upstairs, do homework and I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

 

“Jesus, you’re so not cool right now sis.” Powder rolls her eyes on her way up to her room, her best friend following her quietly. “Homework… who does homework when we can play?” The girl asks Ekko, and the boy only shrugs his shoulders before they both disappear from Vi’s sight. She smiles to herself at the little banter between her and Powder.

 

She loves that girl too much.

 

She loved that girl too much…

 

That’s when she woke up, sweat dripping down her forehead, heart beating faster than after a marathon, palms clutching her T-shirt, darkness behind the window. Vi sits up trying to calm down her breathing and it slowly steadies after a couple of deep breaths. “Pow-Pow…”

 

The realisation hits Vi like a train, she closes her eyes trying to remember as much as she can from her dream. The kids, the pasta, the fighting… the rest is gone already. All that’s left is that whole in her chest that seems to never heal.

 

Violet looks around her empty apartment and realises she must have fallen asleep on the couch. Now, that she thinks of it she can remember how she got home, and sleep took over her almost instantly. She tries to push away all the thoughts about her little sister, so she won’t break into tears. Yes, Powder’s been gone for two years now but it doesn’t take away the pain or nightmares.

 

Does Vi blame herself for what happened?

 

She doesn’t know- she doesn’t know what happened.

 

Her detective skills failed at that. She never found out how her sister could disappear so suddenly, but they fought, and Powder fought with Ekko. The funeral was… well, a funeral. Just a few crying people that thought they have known Powder. So much pain to watch a wrapped-up corpse going down underground.

 

If it wasn’t for Vander that night…

 

Stop blaming yourself. You’ve got a good heart kiddo.

 

Violet reaches for her phone on the coffee table and checks the time: 10 p.m. No new messages, no unanswered calls. She sighs heavily and walks her hand through her hair still a bit shocked after the nightmare. After a short moment of staring into nothingness Vi decides to take a cold shower and head to the police station.

 

The dream she had only intensified her need to solve this case and find the person that killed Mint. That’s her job and Vi needs a bit of alone time to piece it together. The shower takes her about 20 minutes. She gets dressed and orders a bunch of takeout to the station’s address before starting her car and driving away from her apartment.

 

Zaun’s streets are completely empty at this hour, maybe except a few drunk people she passed by. For them, it’s never a bad day for a beer. The police station looks even more obscure at night, the lights are out, cars are gone, and the stench seems to have doubled since the last time Vi was there.

 

Once she enters the building she flips on a small lamp in Vander’s office. Normally, she shouldn’t go in there without the man’s consent but that’s the only room that has a board and Vi is in need of one right now. She puts her jacket on Vander’s chair and leaves the office to visit the evidence room. They don’t have much, that’s for sure. The pictures Caitlyn took can help her visualise the scene better but the cleanness of it almost makes Vi feel nauseous.

 

“A menthol candy in a beer cup…” Violet murmurs as she pins the pictures of the evidence positioned at the crime scene to the board. “The body laid out in a straight, perfect position…” Another photo pinned in front of her. “Throat cut, but she’s been strangled too…” Vi whispers with interest as she inspects the pictures closely. “Has been tied up, but she disappeared just last night and died only a few hours before we found her.”

 

Vi takes a few steps back once she’s done displaying pictures of Mint’s body and the crime scene. She leans back against Vander’s desk and stares at her work for good 10 minutes. There’s not much she can add from her deduction. But if Maddie and Claggor haven’t found anything at Mint’s place, it must mean that she either knew the killer or they had time to clean up.

 

It couldn’t have been Pimp; she interrogated the man, and he loved the woman too much to kill her. He also seemed devastated at the mention of Mint’s death. Vi’s phone pings in the back pocket of her pants and she pulls it out to read a message from the delivery app saying that her food should be there in a minute.

 

The clock is pointing at 11 p.m. now.

 

Violet walks outside the police station and lights up a cigarette from the spare pack she always carries in the pocket of her jacket. She quit two years ago when she was at her lowest but sometimes it’s just too much for her and one cig wouldn’t kill her, right? It’s not like someone from her family will find out about it anyway.

 

The delivery guy pulls up in front of the police station’s building a minute later and Vi picks up the food before paying with cash. She watches the guy drive away before turning on her heel ready to go back inside the building when her eyes catch a glimpse of light coming from the dissecting room. Vi’s brows narrow, she’s sure the light shouldn’t be on at this hour. She puts down bags with the food on her desk inside before pulling out her gun.

 

Violet slowly makes her way over to the other, a bit smaller building behind the main one. Her steps calculated and careful, she focuses on making as few noises as she can. Something seems odd and fishy about the situation and Vi’s going to find out what’s going on. She gently pushes the front door open while aiming at each corner she passes, checking every room on her way to the source of the light.

 

“The main dissecting room…” Vi whispers to herself and takes a deeper breath approaching the room with small, quiet steps. Her heart’s almost beating inside her throat right now as new dose of adrenaline is being pumped inside her veins. She takes another calming breath before rounding the corner and pointing her gun at a person in a white coat with their back to her.

 

“Hands up! Don’t move!” Vi takes a closer look at the figure and she slightly lowers her gun. “Cait? What are you doing here at this hour?” She asks genuinely confused. The taller woman turns around with her hands lifted in the air and raises her eyebrows at Violet.

 

“Vi? Jesus…” Caitlyn drops her hands and lets out a relieved breath. “I- I’m taking care of Mint’s body. Could you please put away your gun?” She asks and turns back towards the body ready to continue examining it. Vi shuts her eyes for a second and inhales a hint of the body’s stench and Caitlyn’s intoxicating scent.

 

“No.” Violet lifts her gun and aims it at Caitlyn without thinking about it further. “We need to talk, and I need you to listen to me.” As soon as the words fall from Vi’s mouth, she feels bitterness on her tongue. She knows this is going to have consequences, but she doesn’t mind at the moment. Her desperate need to sort out things with Caitlyn pushing her over the edge.

 

Caitlyn turns around again to face Violet and the end of the gun in the blackhead’s hand. Her eyes shift from the gun to Vi’s grey ones, and she realises there’s no point in arguing. The desperation and something darker written in Vi’s pupils make her nod slowly. “Alright, we can talk.” Cait says calmly although her heart’s racing like a wild prey running away from its killer.

 

“Okay.” Vi says and then notices what she’s doing. “Oh, sorry I- I’ll put that away.” Violet gulps when her eyes meet Caitlyn’s again. A jolt of electricity courses through her body when she’s able to connect with that sky blue colour again. She puts away her gun and corrects her jacket buying herself a second to steady her nerves. “Cait, I’m sorry for earlier, maybe I shouldn’t have said that.” Vi pinches the bridge of her nose unable to hold eye contact with Caitlyn.

 

“Maybe?”

 

“Yes, I can’t say that I didn’t believe myself when I said it. I just felt- I felt like it was the truth.” Vi puts her hands on her hips and sighs heavily as a short silence engulfs them. “I’ve been chasing you the whole day to talk with you about what happened before we went to Pimp’s loft. I felt the way you looked away when I mentioned my dead parents.” Violet once again notices how Caitlyn shifts uncomfortably in her spot after her words left her mouth. The taller woman crosses arms on her chest and now her eyes are staring into the tiled floor.

 

“You don’t know anything.” Cait murmurs and Vi scoffs under her nose clearly not understanding how difficult it might be to the woman in front of her.

 

“What don’t I know, huh? I lost my parents when I was young, I lost my sister two years ago and I’m not a walking shadow trying to avoid any conversation with other people.” Vi’s throwing punch after punch at Caitlyn completely missing how much it hits the right spot inside Cait’s chest.

 

“Vi, you said I bring everything down to sex just because I don’t have control over my life!” Caitlyn finally snaps letting out her frustrations and raising her voice. She takes a step closer to Violet and points her finger at the other woman’s chest. “I’m not angry because you mentioned your parents, I pitied you for that! I’m not angry because you tried to push me out of Pimp’s apartment! I’m not even angry at you for what you said because I know it’s the truth!”

 

By the time Caitlyn’s done shouting her chest’s heaving and hands trembling. Her dark pupils are dilated because of how worked up she’s gotten. Vi’s standing there merely a step away as she watches Cait’s current state. “I was angry because I know I run away and try to forget by giving others pleasure… It’s fucked up, I’m fucked up.” Caitlyn walks her trembling hands through her long hair and looks back at Vi.

 

“Was I a good runaway at least?” Violet lets herself ask this question while her heart sinks a bit. Saying she’s disappointed is an understatement. She shoves her hands into her front pockets carefully inspecting Caitlyn’s features.

 

“What?” Caitlyn’s head snaps up and her eyes quickly find Vi’s. She stares intently into them and takes a step closer to the woman closing the gap between them. “No, I- I mean yes! But Vi- I’ve never slept next to anyone. I’ve never talked to any of them afterwards. I’ve never wanted- “ Caitlyn halts with her words not sure if she should voice it out loud. What if Violet doesn’t feel the same? But the intense pull she feels towards Vi makes her want to surrender to it and just give up all of herself.

 

“What?! You’ve never wanted what, Caitlyn?! I don’t understand why you can’t just tell me-“ Vi’s completely cut off guard when her mouth gets engulfed by Caitlyn’s. The touch of their lips sending a joyous spark through her body making every muscle ignite fire inside them. “Why do you do this to me?” Violet whispers against Caitlyn’s lips between the passionate kisses they exchange.

 

“Because I’ve never wanted anything more than just sex.” Cait pulls back and rests her forehead against Vi’s. Their breaths quicker than usually from the few intense kisses they shared. “Never.” The warm breathing coming from Caitlyn’s mouth makes a shiver run down Violet’s spine. She shudders visibly and leans a bit back from the other woman.

 

“I need to know what’s on your mind, Cait. You’ve been running around the place, pushing me away and I respect your need for space, I truly do. But you must tell me what’s going on, so I don’t loose my fucking mind in the meantime.” Vi rests her hands on her hips and takes a deeper breath.

 

“It’s not that simple. Sometimes I- it’s just how I am when things get tight. I shut down, walk away and hope that you’re really just another one to disappear sooner or later.” Caitlyn admits after she leaned back against the dissecting table behind her. “We just met- “

 

Caitlyn tried to continue but Vi interrupts her by speaking up. “Yeah, we did. So, what?” The intent look Violet gives Cait makes the taller woman look away for a second. “We had sex and we’re co-workers. Do you have any idea how that sounds for Zaun? It’s a fucking affair at stake if this shit gets out!” Vi raises her voice again making Caitlyn shrinks another bit in her spot.

 

“Then why were you so eager to chase me the whole day, huh?! Why are you here now screaming at me about how bad this looks after we just kissed again?! Why do you fucking care so much about my issues?!” Caitlyn slams her hand on the table and pushes herself off it to get closer to the detective that walked a few steps away earlier. “Why risk for a damn one-night stand?!”

 

Vi’s breathing intensifies as the words spill from Caitlyn’s mouth. Oh, how it infuriates her, the obliviousness of the forensic. “Because-! Because I can’t stop thinking about you!” Vi turns on her heel and slams her right fist on the nearest wall she can reach. She was so close to letting this all out on the woman that’s behind her now. Fortunately, some time ago she already figured that the only person she hates is herself. “Since last night you’ve been running on my mind all the time. I hear your voice in the back of my head when you’re not near me… It’s fucking embarrassing.”

 

The silence that falls in the main dissecting room wraps around Violet and it almost stings on her skin. The pain in her right hand gets worse because she’s been punching walls left and right during past hours.

 

“You’ve been clouding my mind the whole day too…” Caitlyn’s whisper hits Vi’s earlobe and the woman’s hand sneaks around Vi’s right wrist. “I wouldn’t be here at night if I didn’t need to think in peace.” This time the whisper travels lower to Violet’s neck and Caitlyn’s other hand turns the detective around so they could look one another in the eye.

 

The way their eyes connect makes butterflies appear in the pits of their stomachs. Their hearts racing fast although unaware of being perfectly in sync. “I’d like to bite that lip again. To feel your blood’s taste on my tongue…” Caitlyn says with her voice going an octave lower than it was before. She gently pushes Violet against the wall the woman punched a minute ago and eliminates the gap between their bodies. She earns a small gasp from Vi’s mouth.

 

“I- I want that too, a lot actually.” Vi admits in a whisper forgetting her initial purpose of their conversation. At the moment, she’s too mesmerized by the dark sky blue displayed in Cait’s dilated pupils. She’s too drawn to those perfectly shaped lips pulling her closer like a magnet she thought of earlier.

 

Their mouths successfully inch close enough to ghost against each other. “Now, I’ll patch the body up. In the meantime, you will go back to the office and find an aid kit. Set it on your desk and wait for me there. Understood?”

 

Vi swallows soundly as the words that fell from Cait slowly sink in. She holds the steady eye contact with the woman a few seconds longer before giving her a simple answer. “Understood, ma’am.” To say that Vi wanted to melt into a puddle on that cold tiled floor in this dissecting room would be an understatement. The power Caitlyn has over her when she gets commanding like this is beyond the power any other human could have over Violet.

 

“Then, what are you waiting for?” Caitlyn raises an eyebrow at Vi not having taken a step back yet. She watches Violet struggle to get out of her proximity with a tinge of a smile on her lips. “Good boy.” It was just another whisper coming from Cait’s lips, but it made Vi hold a moan that formed at the back of her throat.

 

Once she’s out of the room her legs are thinking for her. She makes a beeline for the main station building and enters it in a hurry. All she can think of and hear in her imagination are Caitlyn’s arousing words. The way the woman’s hot breath hit her mouth when she told her to go back to her office. It does unexplainable things to Violet, and she can’t fight herself.

 

Absentmindedly, she’s sitting in her office chair with an aid kit on her desk replaying that extremely attractive two words: ‘Good boy’. The way it makes her feel, how to forms sweats on her temples, the way she felt the need to take off her jacket in an instant, how tight her cargo’s got when she thought back to the exact moment.

 

The thought of storming into the bathroom stall and taking care of that hot business growing inside her boxers makes her spread her legs a bit wider than usually. But she can’t leave her spot, not after Caitlyn told her to sit at her desk and wait. How could she obey such an order?

 

Oh, what would happen if Caitlyn got to the office and found Violet in the bathroom making herself feel good just because she got called a pet name she used to despise so much? And why does it feel so good when Cait is saying that? Maybe because she wants to be called that?

 

So instead, Violet chews on her lower lip passionately while checking the clock every other minute. She watches the glass door to the station’s entrance absolutely not patiently waiting for Cait. Her leg starts actively pouncing after five long minutes that feel like an eternity. The sexy voice tormenting her mind making Violet feel like she could combust right where she sits at any given moment.

 

“Finally.” Vi breathes out when light shines through the door indicating that someone else is getting close except for her. The knob to the station’s entrance turns slowly and the door gets pushed open by a gloved hand. Caitlyn steps inside the dimly lit room with her both hands next to her head. Vi ducks under her desk right in time before a bullet flies across the office. “What the fuck?!” She manages to hide behind the furniture and watches the bullet fall onto the ground after hitting the concrete wall of the office.

 

Grunts and sounds of fighting come from the spot someone just entered and before Vi can peak out from behind her desk there’s a noise of glass shattering echoing through the room. The loud sound of the station’s siren goes off making the masked and gloved person run off into the darkness. Caitlyn tries to chase them down the street but the person that assaulted her is already gone. She walks back to the front door to see Vi at the doorway with her eyes wide open. She already managed to turn off the alarm.

 

“What the hell was that?” Violet asks still in shock, her heart beating fast, a bullet between her fingers. “If I knew you wanted to bring a friend, I would prepare…” The lame joke Vi just created only made Caitlyn suck in her lips trying to hold back a smile as she closed her eyes in disbelief.

 

“Yeah, imagine that exciting scenario of fucking with a gun pointed at your head.” To be honest, Vi would laugh if it wasn’t something that almost happened to them seconds ago. Instead, she breaths in and out as she watches Caitlyn’s unbothered stance.

 

“Yeah, so exciting…”

Notes:

A shorter chapter but I didn't want to keep you all waiting any longer. I also felt like it was a perfect spot to cut the chapter before going back to the meat and blood of this story. I hope you enjoyed as always and stay tuned for more to come soon!

Finally, free of exams for a while. :D

Chapter 5: Tell Me You Love Me

Summary:

After the small incident Vi and Caitlyn finally settle to talk. Vi is a good listener but doesn't let anyone tell her what she feels. Caitlyn's mind is a mess as she battles her past while trying to do what she thinks is best. She can't help but reveal the truth about herself though she doesn't put it into the right words just yet.

Notes:

Okay, so here's the thing: I'd never thought I'd have to put a trigger warning anywhere but I'll do it just in case.

There's also a lot of new things and it might seem like there's not much of an explanation about them but we'll get there. Gotta trust the process, though, if anything's too confusing feel free to let me know. I can always try to rewrite it, so it's more understandable. As someone who has the whole story in their mind it's easier to understand some non-context stuff. English isn't my first language so note that all I can do is try my best :D

TW: mention of self-harm and death of a parent, toxic behaviour (I'd say mild one)

I know it's not much but I feel like there's a lot of angst in this chapter and it might be better to put it here. There's also been a few changes in the tags so it matches the current state of the story. I revealed some of the tags and new ones will come or some will disappear. I didn't put them there at first because it would be a spoiler. Tags are tricky enough to find themselves useless sometimes. 😂

After Vi informed everyone that there’s no need to arrive at the station, she explained what happened. “No, it’s alright now. Unfortunately, officer Kiramman didn’t see their face so we can’t track them down. We’ll take care of the mess here and we’ll figure out what our next move should be.” Vi says through the phone. She’s leaning against Vander’s desk while Caitlyn’s standing in the doorway of his office with her arms crossed on her chest, a knowing smirk crawling its way on her lips.

 

“Sure, kiddo. I just want to make sure you’re safe, ya know? Don’t spend there the whole night and be careful.” Vander says his voice softening. His words make Vi look down at her feet as she contemplates something. “Make sure officer Kiramman is safe too.” The slight hint of playfulness in Vander’s voice makes a blush creep to Vi’s cheeks and her eyes widen in disbelief.

 

“Okay, bye dad!” Violet ends the call as quick as she can. When she looks up and her eyes find Caitlyn’s face, she lets out a small sigh. That smirk decorating Cait’s lips tells her there’s more teasing incoming. “What?” Vi asks and puts her phone down on the desk before turning back to the woman.

 

“Officer Kiramman? No one has called me that in years.” Caitlyn drops her hands at her sides and slowly steps closer to Violet. “After I became a forensic everyone forgot that I’m a cop too.” She smiles at her words though bitterly which doesn’t go unnoticed by Vi.

 

“I can call you that if that’s what you want.” Vi’s hand reaches out to Caitlyn’s, and she pulls the taller woman into her personal space. She intertwines their fingers and brings their joined hands up to her lips to leave a chaste kiss on top of Cait’s hand. “If you promise to be my officer… I could do much more than just call you that.”

 

Violet’s words make Caitlyn’s heart skip a beat. She knows it’s cheesy and it’s not her thing at all, but something about the way Vi looks at her while saying those sweet words tells her it’s sincere. Their connected hands feel oddly good, like they fit one another in a way none has ever did. If Caitlyn was honest, she already forgot about that dangerous incident from ten minutes ago.

 

“I had no idea you could be this charming. Thought you’re all talk…”

 

The redness on Vi’s cheeks disappears as she gains some of her old confidence back. She straightens her posture and wraps her other arm around Caitlyn’s waist. “I had time to learn how to keep it in my pants, lady.” Vi’s flirtatious voice makes Cait’s knees wobbly enough for her to fall another inch closer to the woman. Their bodies flush against each other now pressing Vi’s back into the wooden desk.

 

Caitlyn grabs Violet’s hand that started to roam a bit closer to her backside. Vi lets out a loud hiss at the touch almost making Cait jump in her spot. “Did you find that aid kit I asked you to?” The worry that’s lacing Caitlyn’s voice makes a swarm of butterflies tickle the pit of Vi’s stomach. She nods to answer the question but she’s sure she’s sporting a melting grin at the moment.

 

“Ookay, lovestruck puppy.” Caitlyn chuckles lightly and walks over to Vi’s desk to get the aid kit she asked Vi to bring. She comes back around shortly after she left and leads Violet to the couch in Vander’s office. “Stop smiling like an idiot.” To be fair, Cait’s fighting her own smile that gently tugs at the corners of her lips.

 

“But I am an idiot…” Violet says with a small shrug while Caitlyn begins to work on her bruised hand.

 

“Yeah, for punching that wall in the dissecting room.” To the lack of Vi’s shock Cait admits the idiocy of the detective. “And the one at The Last Drop…” Vi’s head perks up at that comment and their eyes meet for a short second. “Amara called me after you left the bar to tell me that I should keep you in check because you’re walking around her place punching walls.” A small chuckle managed to escape Caitlyn’s lips.

 

“That old witch.” Vi whispers under her nose and earns herself a smack on her shoulder from Caitlyn.

 

“Stop it. That woman cares about you so much and you’re talking shit about her behind her back.”

 

“I told her not to tell you I went there.” Vi blows some air at the loose hair that fell onto her face.

 

The sigh Caitlyn lets out catches Violet’s attention. “You should be glad she talked to me after you left. We wouldn’t be here having this conversation if she didn’t.” Caitlyn admits although it’s tough for her to keep on opening in front of others. At home she’s been taught to keep her composure at all times and not talk about her feelings with anyone. That’s how she ended up in a spiral of one-night stands after her mother died. She slowly lets go of Vi’s bandaged hand and looks away from the woman sitting next to her. “Let’s just say it made me give leaving this place a second thought?”

 

“Wait, you were planning on leaving? When?” Violet narrows her eyes slightly confused. Something inside her breaks, she desperately wants to see and understand Caitlyn’s point of view but sometimes it’s way too difficult. “Was it because of ‘whatever we did’?” Vi’s hands point the space between them and Cait swallows the lump in her throat before nodding.

 

“I told you I never sleep with them. I didn’t want to make this time much different.” Caitlyn starts fiddling with her hands in her lap. She can’t physically face Vi right now afraid to see any form of disappointment or pain in her eyes. “Back at The Last Drop my bags are packed. I even booked a ticket for tomorrow morning.”

 

Vi immediately senses that Cait is leaving out some important details. “But- I mean, you just arrived here… What- what about the case?” Something inside Vi’s chest started aching and she’s not sure if she could say that was her heart. Maybe her lungs were just feeling the side effects of that cigarette she smoked earlier? No, even that couldn’t be so painful.

 

“Vi, it’s just how I am. I come and go there’s nothing beyond that. The way you put it earlier, I do bring everything down to sex. It’s true. But it- it makes me-…” Caitlyn bites down on her lip and stops before she says another word that will make her feel more guilty later. To her, leaving now spares them both a lot of pain in the future. Seeing Violet so smitten earlier and how she looked at Cait, it doesn’t sit right with her.

 

She doesn’t feel like she deserves to be looked at like that.

 

Not after what she’s done.

 

Those perfect grey eyes displaying something deeper than just physical attraction. It tugs at Caitlyn’s heart making her head hurt and body ache for more touch. But she doesn’t want to give hope to the feeling she’s not sure she can reciprocate rightfully anymore.

 

“So, even after your talk with Amara you want to leave? Were you even going to tell me?” Violet feels like she’s pressing too hard on Caitlyn right now but she’s also hurting. They only met last night but something messed up must have happened to Vi’s brain because all it can spell at this moment is: C-A-I-T-L-Y-N. And she can’t help but feel betrayed.

 

“Vi, maybe it was a mistake.” Caitlyn’s head wins after she finally dares look Violet into the eyes. “You don’t know me. Why do you care so much? It was just sex.” The way her voice sounded doesn’t suit Caitlyn. She wants to push all her new formed affection down, but her shaky breath is making it obvious that’s not true. ‘I’ve been lying to myself for so long why it can’t work now?’ Cait starts repeating those words like a mantra in the back of her head.

 

“You don’t mean that.” It sounded more like a laugh coming from Vi.  “I- Last night, it was- incredible and I know I’m not the only one that felt it. I could see it in your eyes.” Vi turns to her right to face Caitlyn. “Your beautiful pupils turning black when our bare skin touched. How amazing you felt around me. The way you sounded revelling on my blood. Cait- I don’t want you to leave.” Vi takes a deeper breath before continuing. “I need you to stay.” The look on Vi’s face, eyes full of hope and plead.

 

“That’s exactly why I must go. I let you do something I’m not supposed to and now you’re paying the consequences of it.” Caitlyn says one thing while feeling the other. Yes, she hasn’t had that experience with anyone ever, as her mother told her not to. But everything about Violet felt different, felt right.

 

So, she gave in to her craving.

 

“Hey Vander, one beer please.” A husky, deep voice croaks at Caitlyn’s side, it breaks through the music playing from the jukebox in the corner. A smell of pine and cinnamon easily invades her personal space immediately going into her nostrils and filling her lungs. That wave of a new scent makes Caitlyn turn her head towards the source of it. Her eyes grace the shape beside her, short messy dark hair that hug Vi’s face perfectly in all the right places. A red streak of hair is visible at the side Caitlyn’s sitting on.

 

Caitlyn feels like her senses are going crazy as she thinks back to the moment, she first felt Violet’s presence near herself. Her heartbeat speeds up as she’s reliving those tempting moments. “Your mind’s clouded right now. You don’t know what you’re saying.” Cait’s voice shakes more while she visibly fights against her feelings with all the stuff she knows for sure.

 

Violet is at her mercy.

 

“You’re such a tease-. “Vi was about to comment on the way Caitlyn was pushing her back and forth the whole night just to give in now, but she was interrupted when the blue-haired woman bit on her bottom lip drawing blood from it. Vi pulls away and reaches for her lip keeping her other hand on Caitlyn’s waist. She tilts her head and looks down at her finger covered in blood.

 

“I’m sorry.” Caitlyn throws in between her trying to catch her breath. She takes a closer look at Vi and notices something flooding her eyes. “Oh, you’re- you’re liking it.” Just the thought of Vi enjoying this kind of stuff as much as Cait does drives her nuts. On the other hand, Vi’s brain is completely shut down. Her rational thinking switches off when she feels the blood from her lip drip down her chin.

 

Vi gets up abruptly from the couch and looks at Caitlyn clearly offended. “With all due respect but you cannot tell me what I’m feeling right now. You can’t just say that my mind’s clouded and leave the fucking town because you feel like you can decide for me if I want you to stay.” Violet walks her healthy hand through her hair, desperation and determination written all over her face. She doesn’t know if she ever felt so sick at the thought of not seeing someone again.

 

“What?” Caitlyn’s accent seeps through her word. She looks up at the woman standing in front of her almost sweating only at the thought of Caitlyn leaving Zaun. “Vi, I’m not telling you what to feel…” Suddenly, the heaviness of the situation dawns on Caitlyn. She thinks back to her mother’s lectures about any close entanglements with other people. This one here is a book example of it.

 

Her mind spaces way back into the past…

 

“Caity!” Her mother calls her from her study at their mansion in the capital. Caitlyn hearing her nickname drops her book on the nightstand next to her bed and makes a beeline to the place where her mother spends most of the day.

 

“Yes, mom?” The sixteen-year-old Caitlyn enters the room after knocking politely on the heavy door. She looks around and spots her mother sitting near the fireplace.

 

“Darling, come sit.” Cassandra points with her flat hand at the chair Tobias usually occupies. But her husband has gone to a business trip and now most of the days feel a bit duller.

 

Caitlyn’s in no position to deny her mother’s request as she’s been taught to obey those that are older and higher with rank than her. “Has something happened?” The question is laced with worry for her father, but Cassandra shakes her head with a hint of a smile.

 

“No, honey. But it’s time for us to talk. I’ve been gathering courage to do so for quite some time.” The woman with silver streaks coming through her natural hair colour intertwines her hands together seemingly digging deeper into her thoughts. “I’ve told you stories about our family before, haven’t I?” Young Caitlyn gives her mother a small nod to confirm.

 

“The Kirammans have been walking the surface of the Earth for a long time now. We’ve been through wars, disasters- and love…” The small pause in the sentence catches Cait’s attention as she’s never heard her mother stutter before. She calms down her portion of questions that built up in the back of her mind and corrects her posture.

 

 

Cassandra takes a deep breath before continuing. “You’re old enough to know the heavy consequences of being a Kiramman. It’s not just wealth that we own, Caity. It’s far worse than that…” Now, Caitlyn’s heart begins to beat faster as the words coming from her mother’s mouth are starting to scare her. “Me and your father taught you to always control your emotions. Please, never forget that lesson.”

 

Caitlyn gives in to her curiosity even if she shouldn’t. “Have you ever given in to that thought, mother?” Cassandra inspects her daughter’s teenage features for a second before sucking on her upper lip.

 

“Once… only once. But, honey, it’s nothing graceful to follow that thought. However, I do not regret it after years of successful marriage.” A smile appears on Cassandra’s lips, a rare sight even for her child. “That’s how I met your father. We liked each other so it didn’t turn out that bad. But you must be careful who you bound to you by blood…”

 

“It sure feels like it.” Violet’s words shake the image of her mother’s smile from her thoughts.

 

‘…be careful who you bound to you by blood…’.  The words echo in the back of Caitlyn’s mind again. Her blood runs cold almost instantly the more the thought of Violet bound to her becomes clear. She wasn’t intending to bound anyone to herself in the near future.

 

So, what was different this time?

 

Maybe… ‘We liked each other so it didn’t turn out that bad.’

 

The way her heart began beating faster the second their eyes met. The way Violet’s scent coated her lungs and Caitlyn began feeling like pure air is suffocating her. Maybe it was that husky voice that rang in her ears together with those flirtatious words. How can you tell what made you want them if there’s so many good things about them?

 

“Caitlyn, talk to me. What’s happening?” Another question falls from Vi’s lips making a mess inside Caitlyn’s mind. She can’t shut it off right now, she doesn’t know how to. Everything’s happening too fast. Last night she arrived, spent the night- heaven of a night with Violet- and now she’s facing the consequences of her stupidity.

 

How could I be so reckless?

 

Reckless…

 

Was following your heart reckless?

 

Only if her mother saw her now, how disappointed would she be?

 

“Never get drunk. Never take drugs. Never sleep with anyone in the same bed. Never let yourself bleed when others are around. Never tell anyone that you feel for them. Never let that thought in the back of your mind win.”

 

Caitlyn looks up from the floor that she’s sure she could draw from her memory after staring at it for long minutes. She meets Violet’s eyes and searches them for any hint, even a small one, that this could be undone, yet she finds none.

 

Fuck it.

 

Fuck you and your rules.

 

The sudden push Vi receives from Caitlyn almost scares her. She feels the hard wall of Vander’s office against her back and soft warm lips against hers. The thing that really clouds her mind right now makes it impossible not to kiss back, so she does. Violet’s hands spring into action and cup Caitlyn’s cheeks. The taller woman can feel the bandage gently caressing her face as she seeks to feel that friction again, to confirm that she should stay.

 

Their lips perfectly mould together as they taste one another’s mouth. Violet trails her tongue on Caitlyn’s lower lip asking for access and gains it instantly. Their tongues clash and Caitlyn presses her body closer to Vi’s. The thoughts to bite flood her mind and they scream that thing again and again. The urge to taste her bound’s blood lights up the fire in her core. Suddenly Cait has to fight against her fangs’ itch.

 

‘…but once you get there you cannot turn your back on them.’

 

Her mother’s words make her pull back with a whine. Vi’s chest is raising and falling rapidly, her orbs blown, darker, watching Caitlyn’s every move. “Please, stay. I need you.” Violet almost begs for her to stay. Her voice a pitch higher, and a frown on her face.

 

Caitlyn breaths in her intoxicating scent and puts her forehead to Vi’s. “Tell me what you’re feeling.” The corners of Cait’s eyes start burning from unshed tears as she does her best to hold them back. She doesn’t know if she’s seeking some sort of affirmation from Violet or she simply wants to hear the woman talk to her. Something inside her just screams to feel Vi’s soul near hers and the sting is almost unbearable.

 

Vi calms down her rapid breathing and racing heart the best she can. She closes her eyes and leans into the gentle touch of Caitlyn’s hands on her waist. “I feel that intense pull towards you. Whenever you disappear from my sight all that’s on my mind is you. Every damn time. Since last night, I’ve been hearing your voice in the back of my mind, I’ve been seeing only your shadows when you gloomed over the station, and I’ve been wanting to talk to you for hours. Now, I feel sick knowing that you want to leave Zaun. When I think of this office without you, I want to throw up all my insides. Only at the thought of it.”

 

“When I kissed you yesterday, you flipped me 180 degrees. I came here to run away from my depressed father and that constant image of my dead mother. When I looked into your eyes… Goddess, I was lost by then. I can’t breathe when you’re not near because I can’t smell that pine and cinnamon.” It’s like tearing off an old band aid that hurts like hell. Every fibber in Caitlyn’s body screams to believe she’s bonded herself to the right person, to someone that feels for her beyond their newfound connection.

 

But how could she? They met 24 hours ago. All that was real ended the second Caitlyn let go of her restraint and tore the flesh of Vi’s lips with her teeth.

 

“That was something.” Vi gasps out and lets her body fall on the soft mattress without a care in the world. She looks at Caitlyn who’s still on top of her untangling herself from the close contact between their private parts. She pulls blankets over them both and rests at Vi’s side. Vi’s eyelids become heavy, and she feels how sleep is tugging at her from the inside.

 

“I’m sorry…” Cait’s quiet and raspy voice reaches Vi’s ears before she gives in to the dreamland. She slowly opens her eyes and watches how Caitlyn brings her hand up to her chest and inspects now dried trails of blood all over Vi’s body.

 

“Don’t be… I’d rather worry about that bruise of yours.” Vi lifts her hand and moves Caitlyn’s hair out of her face to reveal a nasty bruise around the woman’s throat that has just begun to darken.

 

“It’s nothing I can’t cover up with foundation.” Caitlyn brings her hair back to the front because she can’t stand the look in Vi’s eyes, the guilt she feels for hurting her. “I got back at you pretty well.” Cait bites down on her lip and is still able to feel that metallic taste that drives her nuts.

 

Vi stares blankly at the woman in front of her. Caitlyn’s beauty could blind any ordinary person wherever they would meet her but in the light of the moon she simply looks gorgeous, irresistible. Vi can’t help but lean in and seal a searing and passionate kiss on Cait’s lips which Caitlyn reciprocates immediately.

 

This might just be the moon’s light, but Vi already feels like she’s falling into Caitlyn’s trap and there’s only one way to find out how it ends.

 

Now, there’s no going back.

 

“I see nothing but you, Cait. It’s fucking terrifying.” Vi leans away and brushes out a single tear that escaped Caitlyn’s left eye. “I’ve been with other people, in a relationship but- I can’t even describe- like something invisible is pulling me towards you, always. And it hurts when-.”

 

“I know. It pains you to miss a second by my side. You suffer whenever we part. It hasn’t become physical yet because we’ve been together only once. I feel it too, Violet. I do. It’s all my fault; it wasn’t supposed to be like that.” Caitlyn pulls back and takes a step away from Vi although the woman protests by reaching her hands out towards Cait’s face again.

 

“What do you mean by that? Caitlyn, it’s not your fault.” Vi chases after Caitlyn who tries to put even a bit of a distance between them. “It’s just- feelings…”

 

“Except it’s not!” The taller woman turns towards Vi abruptly and shoves her reaching out hand away. The hurt that swarms in Violet’s eyes makes Caitlyn instantly regret her aggressive move. She shakes her head and pinches the bridge of her nose. “It’s not just feelings, Vi. You can’t lo- like someone to this end in 24 hours, that’s just ridiculous! This…” She gestures between them. “…whatever this is, isn’t real.”

 

Vi sucks in a breath and scoffs. “Okay, fuck it. Leave. Go drown in your never-ending addiction lying to yourself that it’s just because you’re grieving!” She’s done listening to this bullshit, so she turns towards the broken door and starts walking away. It is unbelievable, but Vi’s been taught quite the opposite: she says what she feels, and it must mean it’s real. “Enough of this push and pull.”

 

“Violet.” It’s only a whisper but somehow it reaches her ears. She stops in her tracks, her body frozen, completely unable to move as if her previous purpose of leaving disappeared. “There’s no way out of this now anyway.” Caitlyn stares into Vi’s back and the intensity of it could put holes through her body.

 

Fuck the rules, Cait.

 

Do it.

 

Did you see how hurt she was?

 

‘…but once you get there you cannot turn your back on them.’

 

“Look at me and tell me you believe me when I say that I feel it.” Vi turns back towards Caitlyn, her eyes speaking a tsunami of emotions. On the other side there’s Caitlyn, who’s face remains stoic, her eyes displaying nothing, but Vi knows it’s there, just hidden deeper. She saw that raw look last night; it couldn’t have been a dream because it felt too real. “Look me in the eyes and say that you won’t leave. Promise me Caitlyn.”

 

Do it.

 

You want it, so why not give in?

 

Caitlyn’s mind’s a mess. She hears her heart speaking a mountain of words she wants to hear and still her head pulls her into that darkness she’s been running away from for years. Then there’s Vi in between all this. She fills the gaps on each side and overwhelms her being in all the right ways. The second Vi turned away that nauseatingly awful feeling that could only be described as something close to dying tugged at her guts. Leaving was no longer her choice to make.

 

“I- I won’t. I promise.” It’s quiet and weak but truthful. Promises aren’t something Caitlyn throws left and right. She felt like saying no but that’s not what she wants. And suddenly, her desires are put before everything else for the first time in her life. It feels good, as if a huge weight got lifted from her shoulders. It kept pressing on her for years and now it’s just gone.

 

They stand feet apart: Violet looking intently at Caitlyn letting the words sink in, Caitlyn focused on a piece of paper laying on the nearest desk figuring out how to end this awkward silence. Of course, her first instinct is to run, grab her stuff and walk away to give Vi probably much needed space. That’s exactly what she does. Though unconsciously because her mind’s spiralling, Cait makes a beeline to her things and makes sure to walk past Vi with as much distance as she can put there.

 

“Officer Kiramman.” Vi calls out softly when the woman’s reaching out for the handle. “Let me give you a ride, it’s already late.” Caitlyn lifts her head to look at the detective, her eyes glinting with salty tears that have been wanting to roll down her cheeks for some time now. The way Violet called her softly and spoke to her like she’s a fragile piece of glass made the nauseating feeling subside.

 

She can’t answer. There are no right words coming to her mind, it’s painfully empty. So, Caitlyn lets Vi open the door for her. She lets the woman gently take her hand and lead her to the car. And Cait’s sure she won’t even remember all this happening in the morning. The world around her feels like a wind passing by, nothing sticks for longer than a minute. Her senses are dulled by merely the thought of what it must have been like for Vi. Past hours, feeling so lost, oddly attached to a stranger. And she’s not sure if Vi fully understands what really happened last night. Her running thoughts begin to form an ache in the back of her head.

 

By the steering wheel sits Violet, not lost, no longer hurting, she has Cait by her side. That’s all she wants, and it feels right. It’s as if all her worries except for one left her body. Except one, because now she worries that fear won’t leave Caitlyn’s eyes. She first saw a flash of it last night in Cait’s bed, second, she saw it when Pimp asked her about Caitlyn being the killer, third… probably the moment she watched Vi walk away from her. It hasn’t left her eyes since then.

 

“Can you-.” Caitlyn pauses mid-sentence unsure if she’s allowed to ask anything of Vi. “Can you stay over tonight?” They’re still sitting in the car, Vi just pulled up in front of The Last Drop. “I’m sorry, it’s-.” Cait shakes her head and opens the door on her side. She gets out of the car not daring to look back. Yes, they talked, and things happened but the guilt gnawing at Caitlyn doesn’t want to let her go just yet.

 

When she reaches the entrance to the bar an echo of the car door shutting rings in her ears. She tries to ignore it not wanting to believe that it’s more than her imagination. Quiet but heavy footsteps follow her, and she can smell pine mixed with cinnamon. It creates a small bubble of comfort around her hurting soul and somehow for the first time tonight Caitlyn’s glad she bound Violet to herself. Is it selfish to believe in a picture of them together in the future?

 

Caitlyn climbs the small portion of stairs ignoring a crowd of tipsy people in the main hall. The barman serving cups of beer left and right and the smell of alcohol lingering in the air. She knows Vi’s following her in silence, so she doesn’t even look back once.

 

“Let me do it.” Vi whispers near Caitlyn’s ear when she’s unable to put the key in the lock because of her shaking hands. She gives up after a second and hands the keys over to Vi who easily unlocks the door. Violet steps inside first and she’s met with a sight that makes her sick once again. Bags packed sitting near the bed, the apartment cleaner than before it was rented.

 

Now, was Vi there for Caitlyn or for herself? She doesn’t know if she came here to make sure the taller woman doesn’t leave even though she promised not to. So, saying it’s for the other’s comfort sounds like a sweet gesture during this painful night.

 

Caitlyn walks inside and sets her backpack on the couch before opening one of the bags near her bed. She starts pulling out her neatly folded clothes and arranging them properly in the closet. Vi watches her moves in silence for some time until at one piece of cloth Caitlyn completely freezes. She stares at the clothing while caressing it gently with her fingertips.

 

“It was my mother’s…” Vi hasn’t heard the story of Caitlyn’s mother’s death but they haven’t really had much time to dig this deep into the other’s past. Their conversations longer than a few quick exchanges haven’t been pleasant at all so why make this one an exception?

 

“She liked to wear it on warm days when she wasn’t working. It was truly the only moment when everything about her screamed happy other than talking about my father.” Vi walks around Caitlyn who’s glued to the floor in the middle of the room. She notices glistening tears running down Cait’s cheeks and her heart breaks this time on another level. Seeing Caitlyn so broken, still not over her parent’s death brings painful memories to Vi. She knows what it feels like, and she had to deal with it when she was much younger.

 

“What was she like?” Vi asks now facing Cait. She doesn’t want to make the situation worse, but this is what Vander did with her after he took her home.

 

Caitlyn looks up from the cloth and she scowls slightly before answering. “Strict and distant. If she saw me today, she would’ve yelled at me for what I did.” The warm look in Vi’s eyes encourages her to keep talking. “Despite it all, I know she loved me and my father too. I rarely saw her smile, but it was so genuine when it happened. I sometimes think that she was mostly smiling with her eyes, no one knew it was there unless they knew her well.”

 

“That was your favourite thing about her?” Vi brings her healthy hand to Caitlyn’s cheek and brushes away the tears that left wet streaks on her face. “Her smile?”

 

“No, I think it’s high on the list, but I probably loved more her admiration for love. You know, once she told me the story of her and my dad. I cried like a baby that night.” They both laugh half-heartedly at that which makes a bit of tension fade away.

 

“You said she would’ve yelled at you if she saw what you did today. What did you mean by that?”

 

“Knowing her she wouldn’t approve of me being in Zaun and of my relationship with you, but she would’ve killed me with if she knew I almost left you. She was an incurable romantic; I think that made her much scarier.” Caitlyn takes a deep shaky breath and puts the dress her mother used to wear inside the closet. “I’m sorry.” She turns back to Vi with her eyes filled with fresh tears.

 

“It’s okay. I just need some time to process it and stop feeling like every time I turn away from you, you could disappear without a word.” Violet lets out a small sigh and the guilt in Caitlyn’s eyes kills something inside her.

 

“I can’t blame you for that. What I did- I don’t deserve to look at you right now. That’s why I didn’t want to ask you to stay tonight.” The forensic admits and oddly it makes Violet smile softly.

 

“I wasn’t planning on leaving you alone either way, Cupcake.” The pet name brings a blush to Caitlyn’s tearstained cheeks, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Vi. “But I want this to work, I want us to work though there are still a few things you said earlier that make no sense to me. I need an explanation for that ‘bounding’ part?” Violet scratches at the back of her head with something slightly different than confusion all over her face. Caitlyn looks over her shoulder at Vi before reaching inside her wardrobe and pulling out a book. “All of this feels weird, Cait. You said that what I feel isn’t real.”

 

“To be fair, I don’t know that, only you do. I know it’s confusing. I was kind of in your place when I was sixteen. My mom asked me to talk with her and by the end of the day I was looking at the world differently. She told me about The Kirammans, our past and well…” Caitlyn hands the book to Vi. “I could tell you one thing by other, but I think it’s better if you read it all in here. It’s my great-grandmother’s journal, her story and everything you need to know. My grandmother filled in the gaps and my mother rewrote it so it’s more like a biography combined with a textbook.”

 

“Woah, um- it sure is thick.” Vi turns the item in her hands feeling the weight of it on them. “Heavy.” The confusion on Vi’s face is still there. She doesn’t really know what it all means but she trusts Caitlyn enough to read a ‘textbook’ about so called ‘bonding’ to try and understand what the fuck happened back at the station and during last night.

 

“Please read it as soon as you can and then we can talk. I’ll answer any question you might have.” Caitlyn seems to be a bit awkward about all this and it makes Vi quirk an eyebrow.

 

“So, I could ask you anything then?” She tries to hide a smile, but the other woman spots it instantly.

 

“Regarding the things you find in the journal.” Caitlyn makes her way over to her bed. She sits down at the edge of it and looks at Violet with the book in her hand. “There are things you might not like and things that could scare you. But if I can still ask anything of you, it would be to give it a shot. You don’t have to understand it now, but I want you to know everything about me, the good and the bad.”

 

“You’re making it sound like you’re a serial killer writing a bestseller, Cait.” Vi says it as a joke but she can’t fully hide the concern in her voice. She’s seen a lot of things, pain and blood but is it enough to prepare her for what’s inside that book?

 

Her mind shuts when Caitlyn pulls her closer to herself and into a searing kiss. Violet smiles into it and cups Cait’s face in the process. “I’m so glad you stopped me from leaving.” Caitlyn whispers and realizes that she just freed herself from that constant running away. She defeated her biggest fear by facing it under rather unexpected circumstances.

 

“Um- me too.” The detective hums into her lips and straddles her lap while pushing the kiss a bit farther. “Goddess, you taste divine.” At those words Caitlyn pulls back, her lips swollen from the kiss and pupils dilated. She sucks on her itching teeth while breathing rapidly. Her thoughts are running wild gathering courage to finally ask.

 

“Can we cuddle tonight? I’m tired.” She’s never asked anyone to cuddle her before. The rules of her mother still ring in her ears as she looks at her partner waiting for an answer.

 

“Didn’t you say you don’t sleep with your flings?” Vi pulls at the string to get out a bit more from Cait. She feels like the atmosphere loosened enough to go back to that.

 

“I did say that and it’s true I don’t sleep with them.” Caitlyn starts drawing circles on Vi’s hip bones, her hands comfortably on the woman’s waist. “But last night I slept next to you. Vi, you’re not a fling to me.”

 

“But earlier when I asked you where you were during the night you didn’t want to answer. Why?” Vi sits back still in Caitlyn’s lap. She lets her hands drop from the woman’s face to her shoulders.

 

The forensic takes a breath and looks up at the ceiling. “I guess I wanted to know if you believed Pimp’s theory. I know you thought about it and the possibilities. I have no proof of staying here all night except my word. Though I must admit your snoring is adorable.” Caitlyn smiles at her remark and it makes Vi swat at her shoulder.

 

“I don’t snore!”

 

“Oh, yes you do honey.” That voice Caitlyn uses whenever she acts sweet towards Vi makes her shudder. She swallows soundly and bites down on her bruised lip as suddenly her mouth seeks to be touched.

 

“Stop biting your lip, Vi. Please, let’s take it slow until you read the journal.” Caitlyn says with her voice tight. She holds back every urge to latch onto Violet in her lap, to suck at her lips, kiss them and bite them. Taste the woman’s blood on her tongue, get to bite down on her neck… and now she’s zoned out. Staring deeply at the crook of Vi’s neck that emanated that intoxicating smell of pine and cinnamon.

 

“How can I take things slow when your voice sounds so sultry and when you look at me like you want to suck the life out of me?” Violet laughs but joke is going to age pretty badly once she opens the journal. Caitlyn knows that and she wonders if it could scare the detective away. It’s too bad they’re bound, none of them can change that though. “Answering your question, yes, we can cuddle. I just want this day to be over.”

 

“Yeah, me too.” Caitlyn rests her forehead against Vi’s chest and closes her eyes having a second to relax. “I’ve never cuddled before, you know? I haven’t done much with others beside pure sexual contact. You’re my first for most of these things.” She looks up at Vi with her tired eyes and a tiny smile.

 

“Alright, sleepy head. You’re starting to talk nonsense. Everyone cuddles.” Vi gets up from Caitlyn’s lap earning a disappointed whine from the taller woman. She chuckles and reaches inside one of Caitlyn’s bags then a pair of fresh comfy clothes lands right on Cait’s head. “Get changed or I’m sleeping on the couch.”

 

A swirl of wind blows past Vi at how fast Caitlyn left for the bathroom. Cait’s a massive dominator when it comes to conversations and daily life, her appearance and demeanour screams ‘I own this place, so you better listen to what I have to say’. But Vi thinks she revealed all of Caitlyn’s cards tonight. She can confidently say that what’s past them could only bring them better experience in the future.

 

Violet turns to look at the cover of the journal. There’s not much on it, just some random pattern and it makes it look so innocent. By what Caitlyn said earlier Vi can only imagine what could be written inside. For now, it scares her, that uncertainty of reality but there’s also curiosity in it. A part of her desperately wants to know what’s in there and what makes Cait so terrified. She reaches out for the book with her hand ready to peak at the first page of text when Caitlyn walks out of the bathroom wearing a fresh pair of sweats.

 

“Oh.” Cait notices what Vi was about to do. “I know it’s tempting but trust me, you don’t want me to be there when you read it. It might make you feel uncomfortable around me.” She looks down at her bare feet and Violet scans her body from head to toe.

 

“Fine, I’ll read it when I get home after work tomorrow.” Vi says and puts the book away. She then takes off her shirt and pants before folding them and setting on the couch. When she turns back towards Caitlyn she notices the way Cait’s gawking at her. “What? Like what you see?” Violet can’t help her playfulness and puts her hands on her hips giving the other woman a knowing look.

 

“Actually, yes. I’m enjoying it very much.” Caitlyn hates to admit that but the scratches all over Vi’s body make the detective look hundred times hotter. Her pecs slightly flexed same as her biceps but Caitlyn partially thinks Vi’s doing it on purpose. Oh, how she wants to squeeze those sexy butt cheeks. “Do you always sleep only in your underwear?”

 

“Nah, I usually sleep naked.” Vi grins while getting under the sheets and patting the space next to her asking Caitlyn to join her.

 

“You’re unbelievable.” Cait rolls her eyes and climbs into her bed. Shortly after she finds herself in between Vi’s strong arms, cuddled up into the woman’s side, absentmindedly breathing her scent and receiving the warm Violet emanates with. “I’m sorry I hurt you. As bad as it looks like, I didn’t mean to.”

 

Vi smiles to herself while looking at the ceiling. After a moment she feels the crook of her neck and a part of shoulder get wet. “Officer, are you crying?” There’s no response, only sniffles and more wetness on Vi’s shoulder. When she wants to turn towards that mess of a person that’s clinging so tightly to her waist Caitlyn presses herself harder into her body not letting her face her.

 

Then there’s just sniffles.

 

A hell lot of them.

Notes:

Ugh, I've been trying to post this chapter for wayyyy too long. But there's so much dialogue and I didn't want to cut it before the day ends. The reason for that? Well, it's 5th chapter and we're still only 24 hours into the story. 😅For those that enjoy a bit of crime dw there's more coming with the next chapter together with another portion of drama (but note, I call it drama but comparing to some other works it might be really nothing 😂). Also, I think I have a great way of showing Vi's time with the journal because the moment she asks Cait about it, the comedy will come trust me.

Anyway, let me know if this part of plot isn't too confusing. I tried to check if everything made sense, hence the title too.

(Sorry to everyone that got fooled by my previous notes about vamp stuff) 😝

If anyone's interested in having a quick access to updates I'm on ig under: @nowy.stories I always post a story when I update.

Goodbye and see you soon 🫡❤️‍🩹

Chapter 6: The Diary

Summary:

More struggles overcome Caitlyn and Vi while the later goes through her journey of finding out what it means to be bound to another person.

Notes:

Hello! It's a late update but lately I find these hours the most productive :D
Anyway, this is a long one so brace yourselves. The parts of the journal are only fragments, Vi has read more dw. I just couldn't put a whole thing in there.
I put some extra focus and work into this one, I hope you can tell. <3

Enjoy!

TW: panic attack

 

'Bound by Blood, Marked by Curse: The Scarlet Kin Diaries

 

Created by Catherine Kiramman

Rephrased by Cassandra Kiramman

Written by Cassandra Kiramman

 

 

Foreword

 

This story is a testament to the enduring legacy of Amarvain’s existence. It shows life from their perspective over the years. Their feelings, anatomy and first love…

 

Origins of blood bondage, family lines of Scarlet Kin, the way they fight against a curse of unknown source.

 

One part of our blood creating a forever lasting curse cast upon our house. The segments of our lives that are both a burden and a beautiful experience laced with love. The feeling of betrayal and lost trust at the cost of promised life with your soulmate.

 

Warning: If this book somehow made its way into your possession and you’re not of House Kiramman, burn it.'

1

 

The coldness of the white sheets and the hard mattress makes Violet stir awake. Images of Caitlyn’s side profile, which Violet had watched until the late hours, flash before her eyes. The smile that had slowly crept onto her lips falters when she turns, only to be met with the same sight she encountered yesterday morning: an empty bed, a cold spot beside her, no sign of the woman who stole not only her heart but also her soul. The quietness of Caitlyn’s apartment descends upon her in waves as Vi sits up and scans the room with cool-grey eyes. It’s as empty as the bed she now occupies; the bags and belongings from last night are long gone.

 

She sits in the middle of the bed, her world suddenly narrowing to a tight circle of sensations. Her heart hammers relentlessly, echoing in her ears as if trying to break free from her chest. Each breath comes in shallow, ragged gasps, and Vi’s hands tremble uncontrollably. For a short moment, the hum of the room fades into a distant murmur, replaced by the oppressive throb of her own anxiety. In her eyes, there is a silent plea for escape, a search for an anchor amidst the storm of panic that has gripped her entirely.

 

The feeling subsides after a few minutes, but it doesn’t disappear entirely. Vi rolls off the bed and begins picking up her clothes, which are folded more neatly than she remembered. The thought that Caitlyn had taken the time to arrange her clothes, even after leaving her, makes her head spin. She picks up her clothes and puts them on, still feeling the lingering effects of her strong panic attack. The fabric of her shirt itches in a strange way today, while her pants feel off against her skin, doing nothing to ease the uncomfortable sensation.

 

Once she’s dressed, Vi makes a beeline for the door without giving the room another glance. She walks down the hallway lined with doors until she reaches the small staircase and descends. Her eyes catch sight of Amara at the bar, so she walks over to the older woman. “Have you seen Caitlyn? I think her stuff is gone…” Violet sounds devastated, and the pity in Amara’s face almost confirms her worst fear. “D-Did she leave?” Violet stutters, her hesitation revealing that she isn’t sure she truly wants to know the answer.

 

“Yes, she left an hour ago… for work.” Amara drapes the cloth she was using to clean glasses over her shoulder and fixes her gaze on Violet. “We had a brief chat, and then she left. She was in a hurry, and something felt off, like she was lost in thought.”

 

Vi nearly inhales every last drop of oxygen, so relieved is she to hear that. The news makes her anxiety evaporate, and she no longer feels as if she’s suffocating. She chuckles softly, recalling the fear that had overwhelmed her just seconds earlier. “Oh, Goddess, good to know.” Violet leans against the bar counter for a moment, allowing the intensity of the morning to wash over her.

 

“Vi, I don’t think she’ll leave any time soon.” Amara picks up the next glass from behind the bar and begins polishing it with practiced ease.

 

“How can you know that? I know for a fact she had a ticket booked for this morning to return to the capitol. Last night, she told me she was leaving, and I barely managed to convince her to stay. Today, I woke up alone in bed with her things gone. You can’t blame me for imagining the worst possible scenario.” Vi throws her hands in the air, releasing her frustrations and pent-up anger.

 

Amara looks at the younger woman with a small smile. Leaning over the counter, she whispers directly into Vi’s face, “Trust me, that girl isn’t going anywhere beyond Zaun’s borders.” The bar owner winks at Violet, making her squint. Violet senses that the older woman clearly knows more than she does - and that realization both frustrates and intrigues her.

 

“Fine, I’m grabbing my stuff, and I’ll go find out why she left so early.” Vi rolls her eyes at Amara and stalks back to Caitlyn’s apartment, grumbling with her head hanging low and thoughts running wild. She reaches the room, and after closing the door, she leans against it to take a deep, well-deserved breath. “I can’t with these women…” Violet pushes herself off the door and walks into the kitchen. Only then does she spot a perfectly arranged oeuf poché with fresh vegetables on the side and a slice of bread.

 

Vi curses under her breath as she gazes at the beautiful meal before her - a sight that almost brings a tear to her eye. “Damn it, Cupcake.” She bites her bottom lip and sits at the table, ready to devour the food - she’s truly famished. Last night’s events had her forgetting all the takeout she’d ordered. As she reaches out to bring the plate closer, she notices a small note tucked underneath it.

 

Hi!

I know you'll be mad I didn’t wake you up when they called, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. You look so adorable when you sleep. As an apology, I made you breakfast. I hope you like it.

Don’t forget your book on the way out.

Cait <3

 

Vi smiles at the note and glances over her shoulder to see the book lying on the coffee table. She lets out a small sigh and carries it to the dining table to peek at a few pages while she eats. With the first bite, her eyes roll back in delight; the next brings a soft moan at how delicious it is. She nearly forgets about the journal beside her as she shovels the food into her mouth, likely breaking a record for how quickly she devours it.

 

After finishing breakfast, Vi finally opens the journal beside her and focuses on the first page. She has a feeling this entry is going to be tough to decipher.

 

 

'This chronicle is an attempt to capture the essence of a legacy passed down through generations - a legacy that began with a singular, fateful act 100 years ago. It all started with my mother, Catherine Kiramman, whose impassioned and impulsive choice set in motion a destiny that forever altered the lives of those connected by blood.

 

I, Cassandra - her daughter and the keeper of our family’s most guarded secrets - have reassembled these memories from her diary and other family lore. In these pages, you will find not only the heartache and ecstasy of intertwined lives but also the mystery of a unique enzyme - a mutation born of an ancient experiment - that binds us together. This is the story of the Scarlet Kin: a tale of love that defies reason, a curse that must be accepted, and the ongoing struggle to trust in the bonds that fate has woven.

 

In the early years of our family, my mother Catherine’s unbridled passion shone like a beacon. In her youth, filled with both innocence and fierce emotion, she made a fateful vow with her closest friend - a vow sealed not by mere words but by the mingling of their blood. Though I did not witness this moment myself, the detailed accounts in her diary paint a picture of a connection that transcended ordinary love. That singular, reckless act forged an unbreakable bond that has echoed through the ages, even as doubts and questions persist.

 

Catherine’s writings reveal that the union was not without its inner conflicts - she later struggled with feelings of guilt over the pain inflicted on the one she bound herself to and the weight of wondering if the connection was as voluntary as it appeared. Her words serve as a poignant reminder that every act of passion carries with it the burden of uncertainty and remorse.'

2

 

Before Vi could leave Caitlyn’s apartment, she received a call from Maddie about another murder. This time, the body was discovered at the local photographer’s workshop. According to her co-worker, the scene resembled the one from the previous day. Vi is shocked by how quickly the killer is escalating his crimes. If they don’t identify the killer and the murders continue daily, Zaun’s future is in jeopardy - in fact, by the end of the month, the town might be reduced to just a handful of residents.

 

Unfortunately, Maddie refused to share more details over the phone. She insisted they meet at the crime scene. Naturally, Vi asked the redhead about Caitlyn, an inquiry that quickly made the conversation awkward. It wasn’t surprising; Maddie had once been more than just a friend, two years ago, in fact. They parted on good terms, but Vi wasn’t sure everyone had moved on from their past.

 

It takes Vi a five-minute drive to reach the crime scene. She steps out of her car, and Claggor ushers her past the tape marking the area as restricted to police. “What do we have here?” Vi asks, pushing her hands into her front pockets. She looks up to find Maddie meeting her gaze with a small, warm smile, which Vi can’t help but return.

 

“Uh, hi. Pimp was found here a few hours ago. This looks similar enough to the last murder to link the cases, don’t you think?” Maddie says, folding her hands and swaying slightly as she shifts her weight from her heels to her toes. Vi quickly scans the body and points to a scalpel and a set of toy car keys lying nearby.

 

“Is that evidence? Why is it still out in the open?” Vi asks, furrowing her brows and scratching the back of her neck. Caitlyn should have been here long before her; she’d expected to see her tirelessly snapping photos and gathering every bit of evidence. “Who found the body?”

 

Maddie’s expression falls noticeably as she struggles to hide a roll of her eyes. “That’s the thing… the newcomer found the body. She’s in the other room, waiting for someone to interrogate her. I couldn’t let her gather evidence after the workshop owner saw her near the body.” Somehow, Maddie seems oddly proud of herself for saying all that. Little does she know, the only thing Vi registered was that Caitlyn was in the other room, waiting for her.

 

Without another word, Vi hurries to the adjacent room. She enters, panic etched on her face, until she spots Caitlyn sitting at a table, her hand cuffed to it. Caitlyn is gazing out the window, her expression clearly perplexed. “Cait.” Vi calls as she approaches.

 

“Vi? I- I thought someone else would come for interrogation,” Caitlyn stammers, her face etched with distress - tired, confused, and frightened.

 

“Okay, what happened? Why are you cuffed to the table?” Vi fires off a series of questions as she sits across from Caitlyn. For a moment, Vi recalls the journal but dismisses it as either complete bullshit or a history book with a romance twist. She decides not to mention that she peeked at a few pages, folding her arms as Caitlyn takes a deep breath.

 

“Maddie insisted that cuffing me was the best way to keep me from stealing,” Caitlyn explains, rolling her eyes at her own words. She recalls how Maddie looked at Vi, protective even without knowing all the details of their past. “Earlier this morning, I was packing my stuff to head to the station and review some evidence. When I checked my camera, it wasn’t working, so I came here to get it fixed. The workshop was closed. I looked inside through the window, and Pimp was already dead…” Caitlyn leans forward, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry, Vi- I know you two knew each other.”

 

Caitlyn reaches out and interlaces her fingers with Vi’s on the table, gently drawing circles on the back of her hand. “This whole case is weird. There’s a scalpel and toy car keys next to the body.” Vi firmly grasps Cait’s hand, giving it a light squeeze for emphasis.

 

“I know. It must be connected to yesterday’s case - and all this evidence has to mean more than meets the eye-” Caitlyn begins but is cut off when Vi withdraws her hand just as Maddie enters with a small evidence bag.

 

“I had a good feeling about cuffing you here,” Maddie says. “We found a few strands of dark blue hair on the body.” Maddie sets the bag on the table, and Caitlyn instantly snatches it up to inspect its contents. “How would that hair be there if you claimed you stayed away from the body until the proper team arrived with full equipment?” The redhead glances at Vi for a reaction, but Vi remains calm.

 

“Well, I don’t know. I arrived at the scene in full safety gear until you showed up and hauled me off,” Caitlyn replies flatly, her voice lacking the warmth it holds when she’s alone with Vi. “You can run tests on it, but with the only person who can do so cuffed to the table, it’s hardly convenient.” Caitlyn fights back a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. She looks up at Maddie and returns the bag, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she does so.

 

“We can’t have you lead the investigation while you’re on the suspect list,” Officer Nolen snaps, her eyebrow twitching. Clearly, Caitlyn’s presence is getting under her skin. “Vi?”

 

“Officer Kiramman says she followed procedures to the letter. I think we’re wasting time while the killer is out there, plotting another murder.” Violet stands from the table and unlocks the cuff on Caitlyn’s wrist. The blue-haired woman watches Vi’s every move, her eyes darkening with intensity. Their gazes meet briefly, and Vi bites her lip as if silently urging Caitlyn to smile and reveal the gap between her front teeth.

 

Maddie lingers for a few extra seconds, watching the charged exchange. Her cheeks flush at the palpable tension in the room before she turns on her heel and walks away, her boots stomping a bit louder than before.

 

Caitlyn, still seated in her chair, looks up at Vi, who is sitting at the table. “I don’t care where this case takes us.” Then Caitlyn rises and leans in close, her lips nearly ghosting over Vi’s. “Read it tonight so I can bite that lip instead.” She raises her hand to Vi’s mouth and runs her thumb along the bottom lip, her eyes fixed on the gesture with laser precision.

 

“Why wait, though?” Violet asks, her gaze flicking to Caitlyn’s lips.

 

“I have to be sure that you know every part of me. I might not be able to control myself if you let me do that now.” Caitlyn’s lustful eyes lock with Vi’s equally dark orbs, making her feel as if she could abandon any case just to remain in this moment forever. “I’m rather wild once we cross the line.” She moistens her lips, a gesture that doesn’t go unnoticed by Violet, who lets out a ragged breath and feels her toes curl, even inside her boots.

 

“H-have I even seen a part of it?” Vi’s curiosity gnaws at her. Now, all she wants is to drop the case, go home, and read that damn journal until her eyes burn. It doesn’t matter what’s written inside - what she truly craves is the feel of Caitlyn’s warmth against her bare skin. That pull of desire gnaws at her insides, slowly torturing her from within.

 

Caitlyn smiles but this time it’s a lighter smile as she looks up at the ceiling, pretending to ponder her answer. “Hm, the biting and scratching part was definitely a treat for you.” She looks back at Vi and tugs a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Promise me that once you’ve finished reading, you’ll come to me, I need to know what you think.”

 

Vi recalls what she’s read earlier and slowly nods. She can do it, whatever’s inside, she’s sure she can wrap her head around it. But who is she kidding? It’s also terrifying as fuck. Whatever Caitlyn is, or whatever their mingled fates mean – she’s going to give it a go. “If it doesn’t drive me crazy, then I guess I should be able to join you this evening,” Vi says, half-jokingly, half-seriously, scratching at her nape.

 

“I’d find you anyway. You made me stay, now you’re stuck with me. I’ll tie a rope around your feet if I must.” Cait grins devilishly, but her eyes reveal a deadly seriousness that Vi can’t ignore. And oh, if she ever left, the whole hell would be unleashed. Violet gulps audibly as she watches Caitlyn walk away with the most graceful stride she’s ever seen.

 

“Are you going to stare all day, or are we finally getting to work?” Caitlyn calls from the other room, where she’s donning her safety gear and waiting for Vi at the crime scene. Vi hurries after her and clears her throat, trying to regain a semblance of sanity. “I need to take some photos of the scene and gather the rest of the evidence so we can update your board in the chief’s office.”

 

“Yup, that’s a great idea.” Vi grins goofily, clearly agreeing with everything Caitlyn says. Maddie, busy talking with the workshop owner, casts them a cold glance that seems to fill the room.

 

“He was strangled, and then his throat was cut. The same happened to Mint.” Cait crouches beside the naked body. “He’s been stripped of his clothes, and I’m sure that once I test some samples, we’ll find traces of bleach all over his corpse. Mint’s body also shows signs of bleach, with almost no blood remaining.” Caitlyn snaps several photos of the body’s position, the placement of other evidence, and the overall crime scene.

 

“It’s clear the same person killed them; we just need to figure out why. Could it be a jealous client of Mint’s, or perhaps someone connected to Pimp?” Vi begins speculating as she rests her chin on her hand, studying the scene. “The clues left by the killer just don’t add up… At Mint’s, there was a beer cup and a menthol candy - two items that seem linked only by her name.”

 

“I think the candy is a nod to her name, and the beer cup points to the place she worked,” Caitlyn observes. “But the scalpel and toy car keys in Pimp’s case still make no sense. We’ll have to ask around about him some more.”

 

They spend the next hour meticulously combing through every corner of the scene. Caitlyn moves methodically, dusting for fingerprints and carefully photographing each detail, from the precise angle of the naked body to the oddly placed evidence like the scalpel, toy car keys. She labels each item before sealing them in separate evidence bags, her practiced hands betraying a mix of clinical detachment and simmering curiosity. Vi hovers nearby, jotting down notes in her journal as she observes the interplay of clues - the bleach traces on the corpse, the absence of blood, and the subtle hints left behind. Every so often, the two exchange glances or brief comments, their mutual focus unspoken yet palpable.

 

While Caitlyn continues her meticulous work, Vi excuses herself and heads back to her car. She patiently waits for the forensic technician to finish, opening her journal for the second time that day. Lost in its pages, time seems to vanish until suddenly, she hears a knock at her passenger window. It’s Caitlyn, urging her to unlock the door.

 

 

 

'Deep within the veins of every member of our ancient lineage lies a unique enzyme - a mysterious force that acts as an inner magnet. According to my mother’s accounts and family lore, this enzyme is no mere quirk of nature; it is the result of a mutation, perhaps the unintended consequence of an experimental manipulation long forgotten by time. Whether born of scientific ambition or sheer chance, this enzyme now courses through our blood, binding us together in profound and perplexing ways.

 

My mother often reflected on its dual nature: as both the catalyst for an unbreakable connection and the spark for uncontrollable passion. Her writings remind us that for those touched by this force - those who become Amarvain - the bond is destined to be unique, with each individual allowed only one true, attached kin.

 

The chronicles of our family reveal that the curse we bear is not one of eternal night or immortal splendour, but rather a stark testament to our mortality. The condition of being an Amarvain is marked by a relentless duality: on one hand, it forges a connection so deep that it defies explanation; on the other, it binds us to the very human experiences of pain, loss, and vulnerability. In her honest diary entries, my mother described the bittersweet reality of our fate - where the mingling of blood, an act of passionate unity, also reminds us of our inherent fragility.

 

Though the curse was initially met with shock and disbelief by those few who knew of it, the attached ones had no recourse but to accept it as an inescapable part of their existence.'

3

 

Vi feels as though her body is living a life separate from her racing mind buzzing with new questions and ideas. She almost wants to unleash every thought on Caitlyn, whom she’s been watching intently for the past thirty minutes. Once they arrive at the police station, Caitlyn immediately takes charge of the investigation. Vander graciously offers them space in his office so they can continue pinning photos to the board.

 

“There has to be something we’re missing,” Caitlyn declares. She steps back from the board to get a wider perspective, then leans against the chief’s desk, folding her arms. Meanwhile, Vi, seated at the desk, fixes her gaze on the back of Caitlyn’s head so intensely that the taller woman can almost feel its weight. Turning, Caitlyn catches Vi’s oddly distant glance. “You’ve been acting a little weird since we left the crime scene.”

 

Vi shakes her head in immediate disagreement. “What? No, I’m just trying to- uh- think?” Her voice wavers, sounding more like a question than a statement, prompting Caitlyn to raise an eyebrow. Vi meets her gaze again, then shrugs defensively. “Seriously, I’m fine. Can we focus on work now?” She forces her eyes away and clenches her jaw.

 

“Sure, I’ll be in the dissecting room,” Caitlyn replies with a light scoff. She knows something’s off with Vi and she might even wonder why. It feels especially unfair, considering how their roles were reversed the other day, as if neither of them learned a thing. “Have fun staring at the wall,” she adds, a hint of irritation in her tone that makes Vi mutter a curse under her breath. At that moment, the forensic technician strides over, swings the door wide, and heads for the main building’s exit.

 

“No, Cait-” Vi starts, rising from her desk in an attempt to follow, but it’s too late. Caitlyn has already passed the main office, leaving behind an unspoken agreement that their private moments remain just that - private. Mylo glances up from his desk, eyes Vi for a moment, then looks in the direction Caitlyn disappeared. When Vi meets his gaze, he shrugs. “She left her- glasses, yeah?” he offers, his lame excuse plunging the room into awkward silence. Vi purses her lips and reluctantly turns back inside.

 

Despite regretting her distance and the harsh tone she used with Caitlyn over the past few hours, Vi finds the now-empty room oddly comforting. Perhaps she just needs a bit more time to process everything she’s read. What once meant nothing now carries a weight that makes her question everything, her entire being, even her feelings. She recalls having told Caitlyn that the other woman couldn’t fully express what she felt in the moment. Now, Vi sees things differently; she has a clearer perspective on what Caitlyn must have experienced last night. That memory explains the mix of fear and guilt in Caitlyn’s eyes. It’s true - Vi never chose this life for herself, and she senses that Caitlyn never did either. The more she reflects on yesterday’s conversation and delves into the journal Caitlyn gave her, the more she feels she might finally understand her. The words Caitlyn once uttered - about wanting to run away instead of facing the harsh truth - resonate deeply, sounding so natural for someone so young and lost.

 

 

'From the careful study of my mother’s detailed notes and my own contemplations, I have come to understand the profound duality of our nature. The connection between attached ones not only intensifies desire but also creates a maze of trust and uncertainty. In her diary, Catherine recounted the physical manifestations of this bond - the unexpected emergence of fangs in moments of overwhelming passion.

 

Though I have observed these changes in my own life, I remain in awe of the scientific and almost mystical interplay of biology and emotion described in her words. These physical signs, as startling as they are, underscore the reality that our deep connections come with burdens as well as gifts. The act of drawing blood - a moment of both intimacy and violence - left my mother grappling with guilt and questions of manipulation. Her struggles with trust, and the fear that the bond might control rather than connect, are themes that resonate deeply within our family lore.

 

The legacy of the Amarvain is one of surrender to an overwhelming, predetermined passion. Through the accounts preserved in my mother’s diary and the echoes of untold centuries in our family history, it is clear that our fate is sealed the moment our blood mingles.

 

The curse is not something that can be broken or controlled - it must be embraced. Catherine’s writings detail the inexorable pull that leads to a union so consuming that resistance becomes impossible. This surrender, though fraught with both ecstasy and sorrow, is the only path forward. It is a fate that offers the profound gift of a lifelong soulmate, even as it demands personal sacrifice and the acceptance of inevitable loss.'

4

 

Time flies, and before Vi knows it, it's already past midday when movement in front of Vander’s desk catches her attention. She looks up from her journal and quickly closes it as she sees Maddie approaching.

 

“It’s been over an hour now, and I’m starting to wonder what has you so engrossed,” Maddie teases, a warm smile spreading across her face as she takes a seat across from Vi.

 

“Just some boring biography. Might as well get busy while we wait for the forensic results, right?” Vi replies, carefully tucking her journal away so its contents remain hidden. “By the way, did you ask around about Pimp? Maybe someone mentioned something new?” she adds, trying to steer the conversation away from that diary on Kiramman’s extraordinary origins.

 

“Unfortunately, nothing we didn’t already know. We asked around, but as usual, no one saw a damn thing,” Maddie says, letting out a small laugh to ease the tension. Her smile falters for a moment as she takes a deep breath. “But that’s not why I’m here. I’m worried about you, Vi.” The redhead glances down at her fidgeting hands.

 

“What’s with everyone today? I’m fine, just a lot on my mind with this case,” Vi replies, though deep down she knows she’s lying. Maybe her ex will believe it and let her be.

 

“Yeah, I know. But you’ve been spacing out a lot these past few days. You’re distracted at work, and I can only think of one thing that’s changed lately.” That subtle remark hardly hides the not-so-subtle reference to Caitlyn. Vi starts to wonder if Maddie still hasn’t moved on even though they broke up two years ago. “I’m not the only one worried about you. Your brothers are concerned too, and it’s clear you’re struggling.” Finally, Maddie musters the courage to meet Vi’s gaze. “We don’t like the way you’re changing.”

 

Vi considers this for a moment before replying, “I get where you’re coming from, but I’m totally fine. Officer Kiramman had nothing to do with it. If you’ve got something to say about her work, then say it, I can listen if it makes you feel better.” The bite and irritation in her voice cause Maddie to clench her fists.

 

“All I’m saying is that you can always talk to me, Vi. Mylo or Claggor too. We don’t want to see you fall back into the darkness of two years ago. I know you feel the same way about it.”

 

Vi despises that anyone would dredge up her darkest days when she drowned in alcohol, fought with everyone, pushed people away, and desperately tried to numb the pain.

 

A soft, double knock at the door interrupts their conversation. Standing casually in the doorway is Caitlyn. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important,” she says with a playful lilt. The sight of Maddie’s frowning anger only seems to brighten Caitlyn’s mood. The redhead rises and returns to her desk in the main office. “Can we talk for a second?” Caitlyn asks, directing her question at Vi. After a brief pause, Vi nods.

 

Caitlyn steps fully into the office and closes the door behind her, then lowers the roller shades to keep anyone from peeking inside. “I’m sorry for earlier. I admit I overreacted.” She walks slowly toward Vi, stopping just inches away from where Vi sits in the office chair. “Everything’s been stressing me out and honestly, I’m scared.”

 

“We can work the case out, I’m sure,” Vi offers, attempting a reassuring smile that comes out more strained than comforting. “Um, maybe the clues and evidence aren’t so obvious this time, but there must be something deeper. And what about necropsy - how did it go? Did you find anything?” Vi rises from her chair and walks over to the board. Caitlyn watches her every move, her eyes filled with anxiety and a hint of disappointment.

 

“No. The same as last night,” Caitlyn replies, leaning against the desk and staring down at her feet as she searches for the right words. “You know, that’s fine,” Vi continues, “We just have to find the motive or another clue linking someone to all this. Or maybe we’re digging too deep-” At that point, Vi’s words tumble out in a jumble of half-truths and exasperation, half bullshit and half what Caitlyn already knows.

 

Caitlyn raises her voice slightly. “I know you’re avoiding me. You’ve been doing that since we got here. I know we’re at work, but I can’t stand another empty look from you. It’s killing me, Vi.” She pinches the bridge of her nose before pushing herself away from the desk. “I know we’re moving fast with everything but fuck, I need you to follow through with this. Talk to me Vi.”

 

“What for? So, I can accept the truth that you trapped me here with you?” Vi blurts out and immediately regrets it. She wonders why she can’t sometimes just keep quiet as she watches realization dawn on Caitlyn’s face.

 

“You read it…I-” Caitlyn begins, but suddenly, every insecurity seems to wrap its arms around her. She feels it tugging at her guts, creating a churning discomfort in the pit of her stomach. In that moment, all she wants is to leave the building and get some fresh air. She needs to breathe.

 

Vi takes a deep, shuddering breath as if her secret has been laid bare for everyone to see. “I started before I got to the crime scene. I’m past half now…” she whispers, her voice so soft it almost dissolves into the silence of the room. “I don’t know what to make of it yet. It’s hard facing the truth of my feelings while reading someone’s perspective as if it were fiction.” In that moment, the weight of every word and every hidden thought presses down on her, making the air feel thick and charged with possibilities she’s not sure she’s ready to confront.

 

Caitlyn’s expression trembles with remorse as she steps closer, her voice catching in her throat. “I’m sorry you feel like I trapped you here with me. I- I never meant to-” Her words break off as her hands fly to her mouth, trembling as she struggles to hold back a sob that threatens to shatter the fragile calm. Tears well and spill silently down her cheeks; her rapid blinking and uneven breaths betray the storm raging inside her.

 

“Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have-” Caitlyn begins to confess, each word a desperate plea for forgiveness, but her admission is abruptly cut off when the door swings open to reveal Vander. A quiet gasp escapes her as she instinctively wraps her arms around herself, desperately seeking an anchor amid the tumult of fear, longing, heartbreak, and guilt - all intertwined into a vast, unnameable mass that seems to pull her under.

 

“Dad.” Vi’s soft acknowledgment of her father’s presence carries with it a bitter mix of sympathy for Caitlyn and a deep sense of personal betrayal. In that single word, the tension in the room shifts, and Caitlyn’s eyes immediately fixate on the floor as if trying to erase the painful truth Vi has just laid bare.

 

She wishes she could dissolve into pieces, vanishing into nothingness to escape the scrutiny and the inevitable confrontation with her own shortcomings. Guilt gnaws at her relentlessly as she hastily wipes away the tears that have begun to stain her cheeks, each wipe a futile attempt to banish the memories of past mistakes that continue to haunt her.

 

“Excuse me, Chief.” Overwhelmed and unable to bear the intensity of the moment any longer, Caitlyn, murmurs as she slips from the office. She is desperate to flee from both Vi’s probing presence and the flood of emotions that she can no longer contain. In her mind, she recalls a time when her feelings were hidden, locked away behind a veneer of control that no one could break through.

 

A distant voice calls after her, but she can’t quite place it, lost in the echo of her own turmoil. Without turning back or gathering her scattered belongings, she leaves the building in search of a quiet, hidden place where she can finally cry alone.

 

The corridor stretches out before her, each step echoing with the heavy burden of years of unspoken pain and regret, and as she steps into the cool air outside, she clings to the hope that solitude might bring her the solace she so desperately craves.

 

After Caitlyn leaves, Vander raises an eyebrow and fixes his gaze on Vi. “Was that me, or did you do something?” he asks as he slowly closes the door behind him. He then walks over to his desk and sits, waiting for his daughter’s answer.

 

Vi sighs heavily, then plops down on the couch next to the desk and buries her face in her hands. “Well, I guess it was me, again,” she murmurs. She leans back against the couch and stares up at the ceiling. The heaviness in her heart makes it even harder to share what’s on her mind with her father. “Last night everything was fine, and then- I’ve been on edge all day, and I said something I shouldn’t have. She started crying right in front of me…I didn’t know what to do. Maddie has never cried when we were together.” Vi’s voice trembles as she expresses her concerns, and Vander nods slowly.

 

“You’ll figure it out, Vi. If you really care about her, I’m sure you’ll come around,” he says, rising and patting her shoulder gently. “You know, I don’t like that you two are working together and getting so personal, but as your father, I have to support you in whatever this is. I can see how much it’s affecting you in such a short time.”

 

Vi’s eyes fill with conflicted emotion as she continues, “I know it’s wrong. But Dad, Goddess, I felt so broken and sick when she told me she wanted to leave Zaun because it’s too dangerous. And then she started crying right here because I couldn’t even look her in the eyes and tell her how much I want her.” Lost in her own thoughts, she forgets for a moment that she’s speaking to her father. After a long pause, she adds, “Sorry, Chief.”

 

Vander smiles softly. “It’s okay, kiddo. You know you can always talk to me, right?” He sits down next to her, and Vi allows her head to rest against his broad shoulder.

 

“Funny how you’re the third person telling me that today,” Vi scoffs lightly, letting the calm, comforting presence of her father ease the storm of nerves inside her. “I know I have loving people around me, but this has to stay between Caitlyn and me. I don’t want to hurt her, and I know she doesn’t want to hurt me either.”

 

Vander sighs. “I understand, but I’d still prefer if the rest of the station stayed out of it completely. I don’t want any conflicts here - this whole serial killer case is enough for our town to handle.” He pats Vi on her back once more. “Get yourself together, sort out whatever you have to with Officer Kiramman, and make sure our streets stay safe. Sooner or later, someone’s going to start spreading rumours that we aren’t doing enough.”

 

Rising from the couch, Vander dusts off his pants. “Close the door on your way out,” he adds casually. His words snap Vi out of her thoughts, and she abruptly stands up with a newfound warmth and hope, despite everything, she believes things are going to be alright.

 

She leaves Vander’s office and walks over to her desk. “Are you okay?” a familiar voice calls from across the room, a voice Vi knows all too well. She looks up and meets the grey eyes she once used to adore.

 

“Yeah, a bit better than before,” Vi replies, her tone soft as she packs her belongings into her backpack. She had decided to go home a bit earlier so she could finish reading the journal in peace. The case isn’t going anywhere, and they still need the results from many samples taken by Caitlyn earlier. Usually, it takes about twelve hours for everything to be ready.

 

Maddie strolls over, casually leaning against her own desk with a shrug. “Do you have anything for us to do? Claggor and I could head over to Pimp’s loft and check the place for more clues.” She hesitates a moment before adding, “I heard the sample results will come in tomorrow morning, and I thought- maybe we could go out for a beer. I mean, I don’t want it to sound like a date or anything…” As she speaks, her cheeks flush slightly, and she offers Vi an awkward smile.

 

“Maddie, I’d love to, but I’m busy this evening- I have to finish that book,” Vi says, though there’s a trace of regret in her voice. She winks and holds up the thick journal, a feeble attempt to lighten the mood. “Who would’ve thought I’d actually read something this dense, right?” Even if the joke falls a little flat, it helps ease the tension, for a moment.

 

“Yeah, sure, it’s fine. I was going to ask Mylo and Clagg to join me anyway,” Maddie replies, trying to brush it off. But the clear disappointment in her voice catches Vi’s attention. Halting her packing, Vi moves over to Maddie.

 

“We can hang out some other day,” she says softly. “Maybe once this case is over, huh? We could all celebrate closing it and have some fun together, like old times.” Playfully, Vi nudges Maddie with her shoulder as she leans against the redhead’s desk, and soon they share a light laugh.

 

“Yeah, like old times,” Maddie repeats quietly, her voice almost breathless as she looks at Vi with a glint in her eyes. Vi glances to her right, and their grey eyes lock in an intense gaze, a different kind of intensity than the one Vi experiences when she’s with Caitlyn.

 

For a long moment, silence falls between them, punctuated only by their shallow breathing. Then, almost imperceptibly, Maddie begins to lean in, as if convinced that it’s the perfect moment to surrender to the thought of feeling that scarred lip against hers again. Yet Vi remains completely still frozen in place, torn between the familiar comfort of what she’s known and the allure of this newfound connection with their forensic.

 

 

'Delving into the hidden corridors of our family’s past, I have uncovered a wealth of undocumented history - centuries of whispered lore and secret events that have shaped the destiny of the Scarlet Kin. The existence of the Amarvain has remained a mystery to the outside world, confined within the walls of House Kiramman and shared only among our closest kin. My mother’s diary hints at a vast, complex tapestry of events - moments of passionate union, heartbreaking separations, and mysterious rituals that have moulded our identity over the ages. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges posed by our curse, those destined to share this bond have come to accept it as an intrinsic part of their lives. Even in its most daunting moments, the curse carries with it the promise of an enduring soulmate. My husband Tobias, my attached one and partner in this journey, embodies that promise. Together, we stand as a testament to the unyielding power of our bond - a living legacy that now extends to our child.

 

In closing these pages, I offer this chronicle as a testament to the enduring power and mystery of the Scarlet Kin - a narrative woven from passion, tragedy, and an unyielding bond that defies both science and fate. Though I never witnessed the original act that bound my mother to her closest friend, her words and our family lore have given me insight into the depth of our connection. Our story is one of unbreakable ties, where every shared drop of blood is a reminder that love, and destiny are intertwined in a dance that must be embraced rather than resisted. May these words serve as both a reminder and a guide, encouraging those who bear our blood to live fully with the knowledge that every heartbeat is a tribute to the singular journey toward finding one’s true soulmate.

 

This revised narrative now clearly reflects that I, Cassandra, am recounting my mother Catherine’s experiences and the family lore that has been passed down—preserving the rich legacy of the Scarlet Kin for generations to come.'

5

 

The noise of drunken chatter and the hum of country music fill Vi’s ears as she pushes through the crowd toward the staircase, she’d been waiting all evening to climb. Just as she nears its base, a hand clamps onto her forearm, halting her in her tracks. She instantly recognizes that grip - the touch is too familiar. Turning to face the person who’s stopped her from reaching the source of her distress, she braces herself.

 

“Vi, can we talk? I’m really sorry for earlier,” Maddie says, her voice thick with remorse. She releases Vi’s arm once she’s sure that Vi isn’t going to run. “I know it was a mistake for me to- you know…” The redhead glances down at her feet, and Vi can’t help but inhale sharply. She also regrets letting Maddie kiss her.

 

“Maddie, it’s okay. It’s not your fault, I should’ve said something,” Vi replies, bringing her hand to the back of her neck and scratching it nervously. “Let’s just forget it happened. It’s better if we stay just friends, you know.” The sadness flooding Maddie’s eyes does not go unnoticed, and Vi feels guilt tug at her gut.

 

“I know, I’m sorry again. I promise this won’t happen again,” Maddie murmurs as she nods and turns away, heading back to the bar where Mylo and Claggor are chatting. Vi watches her go before turning to look up at the stairs she had almost climbed.

 

As she stands there, Vi reflects on everything that has happened today - on how everyone around her cares deeply and always strives to make sure she’s okay, and on the chance, she refused a friendly hangout for someone new in her life: a woman who appeared and captivated her in just twenty-four hours. Her thoughts then spiral back to the night she spent with Caitlyn, every emotion she felt being close to her, the way her heart finally seemed to find its rhythm. She recalls their quiet, unguarded conversation, the silent understanding they shared, and the torrent of words in the journal Caitlyn had given her - revelations she still struggles to process, yet one truth remains: she wants Cait more than she wants to be free.

 

With that, Vi climbs the stairs and retraces the same hallway she walked that morning. After taking a deep, steadying breath, she knocks on a familiar wooden door. It takes a moment before the door creaks open, revealing Caitlyn standing in the doorway - dressed in Vi’s hoodie. The sight shatters Vi’s heart a little more as she notices the glistening stains on Cait’s cheeks and the gentle puffiness of her perfectly blue eyes.

 

“Violet?” Caitlyn’s raspy voice cuts through the haze in Vi’s mind, and suddenly all the questions she had prepared vanish along with her composure. Staring at Caitlyn with a tender, uncertain look, Vi blurts out the dumbest question she can think of in that moment.

 

“Are you a vampire?”

Notes:

Alright, so I hope the journal parts weren't too confusing but I wanted to keep them written as if it was a real one in front of you.
Let me know what you think! I've taken forever to edit this chapter just so it would be a bit closer to being at least decent. Still I hope you liked it and as always feel free to share your thoughts!

See you again soon :P

Chapter 7: My Bunny

Summary:

Caitlyn and Vi taking a next step in their relationship but it doesn't make everything right at once.

Notes:

Soft spice incoming with a small kink twist.
And a portion of important plot too.

Vi's got herself a nickname 🐰

Vi bursts into the apartment without waiting for permission. “Damn, are you immortal? Do you only feed on blood?” The questions tumble out as she paces anxiously, throwing her hands in the air every now and then. Meanwhile, Caitlyn stands by the closed door, hugging herself protectively. “Are you immune to sunlight? Can you hypnotize people? Oh my God, did you hypnotize me when we first met?”

 

“Vi-” Caitlyn tries to speak, but Vi seems oblivious, her mind caught up in a whirlwind as she paces between the sofa and the bed, murmuring under her breath. Frustration flashes in Caitlyn’s eyes as her blood begins to boil. “Violet!” Vi halts abruptly, hands frozen midair. “No is the answer to all of your questions.”

 

“Oh.” Vi’s tone shifts into a soft disappointment. “I mean- yeah, of course I read the journal, so I know. I just wanted to be sure, I guess.” Her nervous habit takes over, and she scratches the back of her neck.

 

Caitlyn sighs heavily as she sinks down onto the edge of her mattress, her arms still wrapped around herself in a protective gesture. “What are you doing here?” she asks. Even though she feels safe with Vi nearby, being interrupted while her emotions are raw after bawling her eyes into the pillow only makes her pain worse.

 

“Well, I promised I’d come over once I was done reading. So, here I am,” Vi replies, pointing at herself with a wry smile. As she looks at Caitlyn, Vi no longer sees the strong, independent woman from the first crime scene; instead, she sees someone scared and broken vulnerability laid bare. “But that can wait.” Vi moves closer and crouches in front of Caitlyn, locking eyes with her. “Talk to me,” she urges softly, her voice wrapping around Caitlyn like a warm embrace.

 

The look Vi gives Caitlyn makes her stomach flutter, and a warm blush slowly creeps across her cheeks. “I didn’t think you’d come after our fight at the precinct,” Caitlyn admits, and as the words leave her mouth, it feels as though a heavy stone has lifted from her shoulder making it a little easier to breathe.

 

“I don’t think that was really a fight,” Vi replies, her voice gentle as she steps closer. “We talked, and yes, there were words, but we never truly fought.” With deliberate tenderness, Vi places her hand on Caitlyn’s thigh and slides it into the other’s grip. “Would it make you feel better if we pretended we did?” she teases, letting the question hang in the air for a moment before Caitlyn shakes her head.

 

“Okay, do you want to tell me why you were crying?” Vi asks, her tone softening with concern. For a second, she fears Caitlyn might refuse to open, but the invitation is met with quiet vulnerability.

 

“Violet, you must understand…” Caitlyn begins, her voice trembling as she tries to find the right words. “Despite my attraction to you, I never meant for us to become so entangled. It just happened; everything was happening so fast. I didn’t even realize what was happening until later that day, when you kept chasing after me, looking at me as if…” Her words falter, the confession hanging incomplete in the air. Caitlyn swallows hard, too afraid to voice the full truth. Instead, she can only murmur, “You know what I mean…”

 

Inside, Vi’s heart skips a beat, and she almost forgets how to speak. “The- I... you know, I- I read the journal. I know it’s not your fault. It explained everything, and I can’t blame you.” Despite the lingering shock, a small grin tugs at her lips. “I mean, who could resist me, right?” Her playful remark draws a soft laugh from Caitlyn, easing the tension just a little. Vi exhales deeply, feeling a sense of relief.

 

“Goddess, you’re so cheesy,” Caitlyn teases, rolling her eyes before pulling at Vi’s hand to draw her even closer. With a firm, affectionate grip around Vi’s neck, she leaves little room for resistance and really, why would Vi want to refuse? “Just one more joke like that, and I’ll believe you’re not mad at me.”

 

“Hold up, give me a minute to think.” They break from the hug. Vi strokes her chin theatrically, feigning deep thought. Caitlyn, sitting at the edge of her bed with her one hand in Vi’s, the other one covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Wait, I need a really good one… ah, hey, Cait?”
Vi sits on the floor, leaning back on her elbows with a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

 

“What, Vi?” Caitlyn asks playfully, knowing full well that this “brilliant” idea is bound to be absurd. “What is it, handsome? This game’s for two, detective.”

 

Vi hesitates before blurting out, “A-are you… French by any chance?” The stutter nearly sends Caitlyn into a fit of suppressed laughter as she savours the sight of Vi’s reddening cheeks.

 

“Hm, I don’t think so. Why?” Caitlyn leans forward, resting her elbows on her thighs and closing the distance between them. Their eyes lock in an intense gaze, and Caitlyn seizes the moment sliding in closer, her hands settling gently at the sides of Vi’s chest without breaking eye contact.

 

“Um- Cait-” Vi whispers, her eyes flicking down to Caitlyn’s lips for a fleeting second. In that instant, the punchline of her joke evaporates into the haze of overwhelming emotion as Caitlyn’s nearness leaves her momentarily speechless.

 

“Yes, bunny?” Caitlyn teases softly, the pet name hanging between them. In response, Vi moans breathily against Caitlyn’s lips. “You’re liking it that much, hotstuff?” she murmurs, her breath quickening as she cups Caitlyn’s cheeks gently.

 

“Fuck, Cupcake, your eyes…” Vi gasps, unable to tear her gaze away from the deep, mysterious black in Caitlyn’s eyes. As their eye contact intensifies, Vi inches closer until her lips hover almost against Caitlyn’s - her touch soft, her desire palpable.

 

“Yeah? You like them?” The question earns only a brief nod from Vi, who is too preoccupied with staring. “That’s how they look after bonding with you.” In that moment, everything clicks in Vi’s mind - what Caitlyn is saying and what she’s read in the journal meld together, though nothing on paper can compare to this feeling.

 

“I want to see them,” Vi whispers again, moistening her lips as she grows annoyed at the small gap between them. Caitlyn’s brows furrow in confusion. “Your fangs.”

 

Caitlyn’s eyes seem to darken even further at the mention. Hearing those words from the one she holds so dear makes it all the more special and frightening. What if revealing them makes Vi feel unsafe? What if she bites too hard? A shiver runs down Caitlyn’s spine as the tingling near her fangs intensifies. “Are you sure? I’ve never… no one has seen them before.”

 

Without hesitation, Vi nods. “I want to feel them. I want to feel you, every part of you.” Her words wrap around Caitlyn’s heart like a soft blanket, and the butterflies in her stomach swirl wildly. Everything about Vi’s tone and gesture makes Caitlyn long for this moment to last forever - even as her fears keep her guarded, holding back the instinct to sink her fangs into Vi’s skin.

 

“Kiss me, Violet,” Caitlyn pleads, her voice trembling with desperation. “Please…” Her request borders on begging, and who is Vi to refuse? Vi leans in, bringing their lips together in a passionate collision. Their ragged breaths mingle with the sound of their kisses as soon their tongues entwine, and Vi tugs gently at Caitlyn’s neck, drawing her closer. A soft moan escapes Caitlyn between their sloppy kisses.

 

“I’m all yours, baby,” Vi gasps, planting tender kisses along Caitlyn’s jawline before dipping lower to trace her neck. Caitlyn clutches Vi’s shirt, her grip betraying every ounce of self-control as the intensity of Vi’s affection swells within her. The more Vi shows her how much she cares, the more she desires her, the more Caitlyn feels torn between surrendering completely and holding onto her fragile sanity, teetering on the edge between unsheathing her fangs and tasting Vi’s blood, and pushing away the detective she feels for.

 

A sudden buzz from a phone cuts through the moment, and Caitlyn feels it like a sign from heaven. Reluctantly, she pulls away and stands, much to Vi’s dismay. Vi lets out an irritated groan at the abrupt loss of Caitlyn’s warmth. “Let me kill whoever’s calling you at 9 p.m.,” she jokes, half exasperated and half longing. As Vi’s body slumps onto the floor in frustration, Caitlyn reaches for her phone to answer the call. “Fucking cockblock,” Vi mutters under her breath.

 

“Hey, love!” A voice - undoubtedly female - booms over the phone. Caitlyn’s eyes widen, and she turns away from Vi, who is fully absorbed in the moment. In an instant, Vi scrambles up and rushes to Caitlyn’s side. “How have you been, cutie?” the caller asks. Caitlyn gulps, casting a quick glance at Vi before replying.

 

“It’s been bumpy, but I- I think I’m okay now. Are you calling to ask how I am, Camie?” Caitlyn says, a note of confusion in her voice. It feels odd for her ‘friend’ to call out of the blue; they usually meet for other reasons. After a beat of silence on the other end, realization hits her. “Oh, bloody hell. I forgot to tell you I left Piltover.” Caitlyn squeezes her eyes shut, remembering that they were supposed to hang out yesterday.

 

“Yeah, I figured, after your boy told me you were unavailable. You know, I still have a feeling he doesn’t like me.” The voice continues through the speakers, and as it does, Vi’s eyebrows nearly shoot up to her hairline. Vi is left puzzled, why would this woman call her Caitlyn ‘love’ or ‘cutie’, and who the hell is ‘Caitlyn’s boy’?

 

As the call continues, Vi sits down next to Caitlyn on the bed and gently tilts her chin upward to meet her gaze. “He’s just-” Caitlyn begins, but her eyes dart to Vi’s steel-grey stare. Her words falter, caught between jealousy and a fierce protectiveness that makes her stomach do flips displaying in Violet’s eyes. “-overprotective,” she finally manages in a low, breathy tone.

 

“Who’s this, Cupcake?” Vi calls out loudly, ensuring the woman on the phone hears her perfectly. Caitlyn maintains steady eye contact with Vi - if she were honest, the look in Vi’s eyes might have made her crumble. She’d never felt this kind of vulnerable thrill before; no one had ever gotten so deep into her gut.

 

“It’s, um… a friend… Camille,” Caitlyn replies, biting down on her bottom lip as the familiar itch near her fangs flares up once again. She stifles a moan by masking it with a cough.

 

“Tell me about her,” Vi demands in a husky, teasing tone that brings Caitlyn perilously close to the edge. In a span of two minutes, everything has shifted Vi now seems capable of anything without even asking. Caitlyn’s mind nearly shuts down, and she’s tempted to hang up the phone outright.

 

“We had sex a few times. She’s a good friend, though,” Cait says, Vi’s gaze so hypnotic that she barely registers the words or the fact that they were spoken aloud. “Are you jealous?”

 

“How could I be? You’re here with me, not with her.” A smile spreads across Vi’s lips, making Caitlyn’s heart skip a beat. Vi reaches up, gently sweeping a stray lock of hair from Caitlyn’s neck, then leans in so that their faces nearly touch. “So, can you say goodbye to your friend and hit that red button?” she teases, wanting to have the woman only to herself, the thought of ever having to share doesn’t even cross her mind once.

 

Caitlyn’s lips part as goosebumps rise along her skin. “Camille, I can’t talk right now,” she manages, her voice soft and conflicted. Before Camille can respond, Vi decisively presses the red button and tosses the phone onto the couch.

 

Vi then turns to meet Caitlyn’s dark, glinting eyes in the dim light of a nightstand lamp. “It wasn’t fair, I have to watch Maddie ogle you all day,” she teases with a mischievous grin.

 

That sentence hits Vi like a freight train, and she decides it’s as good a moment as any to break the news to Caitlyn. “She kissed me earlier today,” she blurts out. At the revelation, Caitlyn visibly tenses, her gaze drops to the floor as if the weight of the words is too much to bear. “I told her it was a mistake, and it won’t work.”

 

An awkward silence falls between them. Finally, Vi says softly, “Okay, Cait. Look at me.” With gentle insistence, she tilts Caitlyn’s chin upward until their eyes meet. “Maybe this has nothing to do with Maddie and doesn’t prove anything but now I understand what your mother meant. Fuck, I’d rip that phone right off your hand if I heard her call you another nickname.”

 

Before Caitlyn can respond, she can’t hold back any longer. Overwhelmed by emotion, Caitlyn grabs Vi by the neck and pulls her in for a searing kiss. In that instant, Caitlyn tugs at Vi’s lips, as if desperate to catch even a hint of the taste of her blood. “You’re so infuriatingly hot when you’re jealous,” she whispers, her voice husky with desire, before shoving her tongue into Vi’s mouth. Vi, the detective with a hardened exterior now melting into passion, moans into the kiss as she playfully resists Caitlyn’s probing tongue. She starts roaming her hands over Caitlyn’s waist as she pulls the other woman onto her lap keeping their mouths locked in a fervent embrace.

 

As their kiss intensifies and their rapid, ragged breaths fill the room, Vi becomes acutely aware of Caitlyn’s fangs lightly grazing her bottom lip whenever they shift positions. “I want to taste you so badly,” Caitlyn admits, pulling away just long enough to study Vi’s dazed eyes glimmering in the soft light.

 

“Yeah? You want to feel it in your mouth?” Vi’s voice is low, teasing. “Dripping down your chin, your neck until it reaches your chest?” She watches Caitlyn carefully, knowing there’s an insecurity buried beneath her hunger. Vi saw the guilt in her eyes over something as simple as biting her lip so she pushes forward, voice softer now. “I want to see it, Cait. I’m tired of watching you punish yourself for what happened.”

 

Caitlyn exhales sharply before shoving Vi onto the mattress, straddling her. She takes in the woman beneath her, and the sight alone makes her unravel just a little more. When her fangs press uncomfortably against her lips, she hisses, unable to suppress the sharp ache any longer. “It’s going to hurt,” she admits. “First time’s always the worst…”

 

Vi grins, dragging her hands along Caitlyn’s sides, her thumbs circling slow, reassuring patterns. “Cupcake, after last time, you should know I’m kind of into that.” She means it - there’s trust here, woven deep between them. “Whenever you’re ready.”

 

“Not yet.” Caitlyn presses her hands to Vi’s stomach, letting them linger, as if grounding herself. “I thought… maybe it’d be easier if we were… you know-” She hesitates, then lifts Vi’s shirt slightly, leaning down to press slow, open-mouthed kisses along her abdomen.

 

Vi tenses, and suspicion flickers in her expression. “Why do I feel like you’re stalling?” She tries to sit up only to be shoved back down, this time with a force that knocks the air from her lungs. A small thud echoes against the mattress, and Vi blinks up at Caitlyn, stunned by the sudden aggression. For a moment, all she can do is stare, heart pounding in her chest. “Damn, Cait…” she breathes. “Didn’t know you had that in you.”

 

“I can feel how turned on you are,” Caitlyn murmurs, voice thick with amusement. “And I highly doubt we’ll be able to finish this once I get high on your blood. So, be a good boy for me, or I’ll have to cuff you.” She pulls Vi’s shirt over her head and tosses it aside before leaning down to capture her lips in a slow, teasing kiss.

 

Vi hums into it, but when Caitlyn pulls back, she grins, mischief flickering in her eyes. “Mmm, see, I feel like being a little naughty tonight.” With a swift push of her hips, she flips them over, pinning Caitlyn’s hands above her head, her grin widening. “How’s that for a good boy?”

 

Caitlyn gasps caught off guard by Vi’s sudden display of strength. She struggles against the grip, but Vi is so much stronger, and the realization sends a shiver of something dark and thrilling down her spine. A sharp hiss escapes her lips, her fangs peeking out, glinting under the dim light. “Now I really want to hurt you.”

 

Vi chuckles, tilting her head. “Ah, so eager to bite all of a sudden?” She tightens her grip just a little, revelling in Caitlyn’s resistance. “I wonder-” Before she can finish, Caitlyn’s lips curl into a devilish smile, her gaze piercing straight through her.

 

“Wardrobe. The drawer with my underwear,” Caitlyn purrs, voice smooth like silk. “Check the bottom.”

 

Vi blinks, the words ringing through her mind like a spell. Without thinking, she releases Caitlyn and slides off the bed, drawn to the wardrobe as if in a trance. Her fingers move through the drawer, brushing against lace and silk until they land on something heavier. Smooth. Leather.

 

The spell breaks, and Vi pulls the object free, staring at it in disbelief. A collar. A sleek, dark leather collar - attached to it, a matching leash.

 

She glances back at Caitlyn, half-impressed, half-stunned. “Who’s the naughty one now, baby? Pulling dirty tricks on me…” Her voice is low, but there’s a glint of excitement behind it.

 

Caitlyn rises from the bed, moving toward her with slow, deliberate steps. When she’s close enough, she leans in, her lips ghosting over Vi’s, the heat between them crackling like a live wire. “I told you I’d cuff you.”

 

Vi swallows hard. “But babe-” A finger presses against her lips, silencing her. Caitlyn smirks, sliding her hand down, fingers cupping the growing bulge between Vi’s legs through her pants.

 

“Shh,” she whispers, pressing just a little harder.

 

“I can’t have you in charge tonight if you want me to bite you,” Caitlyn purrs, her tone laced with playful warning. A weight lifts from her chest as she finds solace in what she knows best -keeping Vi begging for her blood rather than demanding it. “Because you want me to bite you, right?”

 

Vi’s hips buckle at the heated touch of Caitlyn’s hand on her crotch. Frustrated from being left on edge these past 24 hours, she growls, “Fuck, Cait ever since I read the journal, I’ve been craving it.”

 

“Yeah, it’s been over 24 hours since we were bound. It works both ways, remember?” Caitlyn replies, revelling in the sight of Vi’s head thrown back, eyes squeezed shut as her desire builds.

 

“You’re such a tease,” Vi moans, grabbing the hand that holds her at Caitlyn’s mercy and pulling the other woman flush against her. “Bite me.” Her voice drips with desperation. “Screw waiting, I want you now.” Vi plants a fierce kiss on Caitlyn, dragging her back toward the bed.

 

A soft grunt escapes Caitlyn as Vi’s hands trail sensually over her backside. Caitlyn pulls away, and Vi chases after her, desperate to reclaim the connection. “You really want me, huh?” Caitlyn teases, running a finger slowly down Vi’s chest.

 

“Yeah,” Vi gasps, her eyes half-closed as they lock with Caitlyn’s pitch-black orbs. “I feel like if you don’t bite me soon, I’ll lose my mind. Is it that enzyme doing its work?”

 

“Mhm,” Caitlyn purrs as she tugs at Vi’s belt, drawing her closer. “It turns me on so much when you beg for it.” With a swift motion, Caitlyn flips Vi onto the mattress. “Tell me, bunny, will you behave now?” She unfurls the leather belt attached to the collar and wraps it around her palm, her eyes glinting with mischief.

 

Vi’s mouth parts in surprise as she takes in the scene: Officer Kiramman - sporting her navy-blue hoodie and shorts - with a collar in her hand, now resting provocatively on Vi. The sight sends a jolt through Vi, her arousal mingling with anticipation. “I’ll be a good boy, officer,” she replies, voice low and charged.

 

A wicked smirk curves on Caitlyn’s lips, a look that promises both pleasure and delicious torment. “Fuck, I love calling you that name…” she murmurs with a throaty moan. “My bunny.” Her hands roam teasingly over Vi’s body, and Vi squirms in response, instinctively pulling Caitlyn’s hips closer as she begins to rock her own. “So eager...”

 

“Uh, I can’t help it,” Vi confesses, her tone husky. “I’ve been on edge since last night and now you’re here with me.” Sitting up, she wraps her arms tighter around Caitlyn. Nuzzling her face into Caitlyn’s soft breasts, she gazes up at the woman with tousled hair and whispers, “I want you, Cait.” The words, dreamy and raw, take Caitlyn’s breath away unexpected but deeply felt.

 

“Kiss me,” Caitlyn whispers back, her voice a sultry plea as their lips crash together in a passionate kiss. With deliberate playfulness, Caitlyn drapes the collar around Vi’s neck and tugs at the belt, eliciting a soft, sensual whimper as the leather presses against her skin in all the right places.

 

Vi’s moans and ragged breaths build to a fever pitch, setting their kiss on a path of uncharted intensity. The pressure of Caitlyn’s firm grip around her neck and the rhythm of her rocking hips leave Vi overwhelmed, teetering on the edge of surrender. Caitlyn withdraws from Vi’s lips, trailing soft kisses along her neck; after a brief pause, she plants an open-mouthed kiss before continuing her descent. Her hands roam over Vi’s chest, teasing a nipple with gentle, deliberate thumbs.

 

Overwhelmed by stimulation from every angle, Vi rests her forehead against Caitlyn’s shoulder, struggling to catch her breath. Yet with each passing second, her control wanes. Summoning her strength, Vi reverses their positions, pinning Caitlyn to the mattress with her larger frame. The tug on her collar sends her mind reeling, and the resulting twitch beneath her boxers drives her wild.

 

Caitlyn moans even louder as she feels the anticipated friction against her crotch, a clear sign of Vi’s effect on her. “Sorry, but you gotta top from the bottom tonight,” Vi teases with a smirk as her calloused hands slip beneath Caitlyn’s hoodie to caress her breasts. A further pull on her collar signals Caitlyn’s intent as they draw together for another kiss.

 

“Take off your pants,” Caitlyn commands, her warm breath trailing across Vi’s lips. Vi rises from the bed, shedding her lower garments before positioning herself between Caitlyn’s parted legs. “Now, take off my shorts,” comes the next sultry directive. Obediently, Vi complies without a word, leaving them both exposed - save for the navy-blue hoodie that still clings to Caitlyn’s body.

 

Caitlyn’s grip on the leash is firm and unyielding as she tugs it closer, every pull charged with an insatiable longing to feel Vi’s body pressed tightly against hers. Her voice, husky and commanding, fills the space between them: “Make love to me, Violet,” a phrase that echoes in Vi’s ears like a sacred incantation, igniting every nerve. Their eyes lock in an intense, silent conversation, each glance heavy with raw passion and vulnerability that speaks of all they’ve been holding back.

 

In response, Vi’s desire takes over as she delicately guides her arousal between the heated folds of Caitlyn, moving with deliberate, slow precision that mirrors the profound trust between them. Every subtle shift, every tender caress, heightens the electric atmosphere until soft, shared moans punctuate the room - a harmonious, intimate sound that encapsulates the depth of their connection and the overwhelming, visceral pleasure of the moment.

 

After ensuring that Caitlyn has adjusted to her size, Vi begins to rock her hips slowly. The steady movement causes Caitlyn to grip the leash even tighter. The room fills with the rhythmic sound of their shared gasps and the intimate, wet symphony of their connection. “I- I can’t g-get enough of y-you,” Vi stammers, her determination evident as she deepens her rhythm to hit all the right spots. Her efforts are rewarded by a firmer tug at her collar and a delicious moan.

 

“Do you like being on top so much? Getting choked while fucking me so well?” Caitlyn teases between moans, feeling Vi twitch with each movement as her motions start to falter. Vi’s mouth hangs open as beads of sweat trace down her body onto Caitlyn’s, their eyes never wavering. Caitlyn can sense her own climax nearing as the warmth of Vi’s aroused body against hers stirs a flurry of sensations. With one final tug on the leash, they are drawn so close that their lips nearly merge. “Don’t forget to breathe, bunny.”

 

Hearing the way Caitlyn spoke made Vi’s toes curl as she tightly grips the hoodie around Caitlyn’s shoulders. She plunges into the moment, letting the surge of orgasm engulf her entire body. The moan that escapes Vi’s lips is a sound Caitlyn could listen to endlessly, it sends her over the edge, leaving her legs trembling from the intensity of her climax. Caitlyn rests her hand on Vi’s chest, feeling the rapid rise and fall of her heartbeat.

 

Between gasps, Vi struggles to find her words, her eyes locked on Caitlyn’s. “I- I’ve never…” she begins, her breath heavy as she attempts to articulate the overwhelming sensation. “You’re amazing at this…” she finally manages. Their gaze shifts as Caitlyn notices the flushed red of Vi’s neck. With a decisive motion, she removes the collar and tosses it aside.

 

Sensing a hint of lingering tension, Vi carefully untangles their legs before sliding her head beneath Caitlyn’s hoodie. Soft, gentle kisses trail along Caitlyn’s tummy and chest until a burst of giggles escapes. “Vi, what are you doing?” Caitlyn asks, her laughter mingling with the residual heat of their shared passion.

 

“I want you,” Vi declares again in the night. Caitlyn bites her bottom lip, her gaze fixed on Vi as if silently urging for more. “And I don’t mean it in just a sexual way. Fuck, Cait- I want to cuddle you, read books with you, keep solving cases together…everything, the whole package.” Caitlyn turns her eyes away, lost in thought for a moment. “When you said ‘Make love to me’… I thought I’d lose my mind. I want to keep doing that for as long as you want me to.”

 

Caitlyn’s eyes return to Vi’s, a hint of shock softening their intensity. She licks her lips and parts them slightly, as if about to speak, but no words come. Instead, she grips the back of Vi’s neck and pulls her down into a passionate kiss - deep, all-consuming, with every ounce of desire. It’s no longer a struggle but a promise.

 

Their lips meld together as their tongues dance in a fervent rhythm. Vi’s hands caress Caitlyn’s sides tenderly while Caitlyn cups Vi’s cheeks to deepen the kiss. With a fluid motion, Caitlyn shifts so that she rests on top, maintaining the connection between them. She gently tugs at Vi’s lower lip, her bite delicate yet insistent, drawing a small bead of blood. Seeing no reaction from Vi, Caitlyn pulls away, searching her lover’s eyes for reassurance and shared passion.

 

Caitlyn sees it all, the desire, the need, and something else that calls to her. Leaning in closer, she holds Vi’s gaze as long as she can before reaching the crook of her neck. She breathes softly against it, inhaling the comforting scent of pine and cinnamon, a fragrance that has become her recent favourite.

 

They both sense what’s about to happen, feeling it in their bones. A magnetic pull draws them together, making this the perfect moment to cross the line. Caitlyn parts her lips, feeling that familiar itch of her fangs. She tastes the remnants of Vi’s blood on her lips and fights back a moan as the flavour floods her senses.

 

Though Caitlyn feels ready, a nagging doubt lingers. What if she can’t control herself? What if it hurts Vi too much, causing her to run away? Every hesitation rises just before she can sink her teeth into the tender skin of Vi’s neck. Still, she clings to the hope that this moment will be as special as it is unforgettable - their very first, one they’ll remember for a lifetime.

 

Overwhelmed by a heady mix of dread and desire, Caitlyn leans in close once more. With trembling anticipation, she lets her cool fangs graze the delicate skin of Vi’s neck, sinking in as if drawn by an irresistible force. The first taste of warm, crimson blood sends shivers of ecstasy and terror coursing through her veins, like a potent drug injected directly into her soul. Vi feels it too, the enzyme surging through her, sealing their bond in a moment of raw, undeniable intimacy.

 

She gulps down the blood as Vi’s hand tightens on the fabric of her hoodie. Caitlyn’s eyes roll back as she savours the divine metallic taste on her tongue until a small whimper from Vi jolts her back to reality. Dizzily, she pulls away, letting streaks of blood drip down her chin and neck. She tries to focus on Vi, but everything is a little blurry.

 

Caitlyn’s body sways as she steadies herself, resting her hands on either side of Vi. Only then does she truly notice the state her lover is in: Vi is staring back with wide, shimmering eyes, her breath slow and measured, and delicate wet streaks marking her cheeks. With a heavy sigh, Caitlyn closes her eyes and shakes her head at what she’s done.

 

“No.” Vi’s hand finds its way to Caitlyn’s, and she squeezes it tightly. “I’m okay, baby,” she murmurs, though another tear escapes and streams down her face despite her efforts to hold it back. She knows what Caitlyn must think upon seeing her tears, but they’re not born of pain. Vi despises the guilt she sees in Caitlyn’s eyes, and it only makes her feel worse when she can’t make it go away.

 

It’s exactly as the journal warned, the guilt that eats away from the inside when you hurt the one you’re attached to. Caitlyn is experiencing every agonizing moment, even if she knows deep down that this is what Vi wanted. It’s what they needed.

 

Caitlyn’s eyes dart down to the bite mark on Vi’s neck - a delicate line of blood still clinging to her skin. Though the bites are not dangerous if halted in time, the sight stirs a deep mix of desire and regret. “I can’t…” she murmurs. With a hesitant, unsteady gait that betrays the lingering effects of drinking blood, Caitlyn rises from the bed and rushes toward the bathroom. She shuts the door behind her and locks it, seeking solitude. Soon, measured footsteps approach, and a soft knock sounds from the other side.

 

“Cait, listen-” Vi begins, but stops mid-sentence, struggling to find the right words. Meanwhile, Caitlyn leans against the sink, peering into the mirror. Her reflection reveals a face, chin, and neck stained with red - an image she despises. Desperate to wash away the reminders of her actions, she scrubs at her face, as if trying to cleanse her soul.

 

“Caitlyn, please open the door,” Vi pleads, twisting the handle in a feeble attempt to enter. “Talk to me. We promised we’d get through this together, right?” Her voice cracks with despair as the hope for a peaceful end to the night begins to wane. “Do you want me to leave?” A voice from behind the locked door makes Caitlyn snap her head toward it.

 

Vi stands there, head bowed, waiting for any sign of response. In that moment, her mind drifts back to when Caitlyn’s fangs first sank into her skin, a painful yet strangely approving moment, marked by the way Vi clutched onto Caitlyn’s hoodie. If Vi is honest, she has never felt anything quite like this before. Tonight, had been perfect in its intimacy, as if Caitlyn had finally let down her walls. But all of that vanished when, overwhelmed by emotion, Vi began to cry and Caitlyn saw her tears.

 

The lock clicks, and the bathroom door opens slowly. Caitlyn stands still for a moment, watching Vi - now dressed again - refusing to believe that what they share is more good than bad. Stepping closer, she gently caresses Vi’s cheeks with her thumbs. “Please, don’t leave,” she whispers, pressing her face into the crook of Vi’s neck.

 

“I’m not going anywhere.” Vi wraps Caitlyn in a comforting hug. Over the past few days, Vi has learned that beneath any outward appearance, Caitlyn is deeply wounded - a broken human. She remembers the times Caitlyn pushed her away, the moments when she wanted to run, the night she cried herself to sleep, and even earlier today, when she broke down in front of Vi. In every instance, Vi sees how much determination and vulnerability Caitlyn pours into holding everything together.

 

And Vi is all in for this, for both the easy and the hard moments, no matter what life throws at them.

Notes:

Okay, to be honest, I tried to write the smut scene in a different way to make it more sensual and emotional rather than spicy.
It is dialogue heavy but the teasing and fore-play's longer.
There's also lots of insecurity still left in Caitlyn and she really tries to fight it for Vi. I know for now Vi may seem a bit neglected as a character but this part of the story is more about introducing Caitlyn and her origin, plus their relationship. Next chapter should be more Vi centered though.

Would that be a surprise if I said we have 3-5 chapters left of this story?

*part of story :D

Chapter 8: Fake Illusions

Summary:

Caitlyn disappears and Vi is left alone facing the harsh truth about her closest loved ones.

Notes:

Hello,
This is the first chapter of the finale!
There will be three of them posting closely to one another.

“We’re going to be late,” Caitlyn breathes heavily into Vi’s ear between deep moans. She’s on top of Vi, riding her with a skill born of passion after their morning kissing session escalated into something far more intense. As Caitlyn’s eyes darken, her fangs lightly graze her bottom lip - a silent signal that there’s no turning back now.

 

Vi’s hands travel from Caitlyn’s hips down to her backside, squeezing firmly as she murmurs, “I think being late is worth every second we spend in bed.” Their kiss deepens, a feverish collision of tongue and teeth. “You’re so good at this… talk me through it,” Vi begs.

 

Caitlyn’s voice turns low and sultry as she whispers, “You want me to talk now, honey?” Her words drip into Vi’s ear as she adds a few extra thrusts, ensuring every bit of urgency is felt. “Do you want to know how amazing it feels having you inside me? Do you want to hear it?”

 

“Ah- yes, Cait, please- I’m getting so close. You’re incredible,” Vi moans as her body tenses, the overwhelming sensation rising from deep within her. Her heart races, and a fine sheen of sweat forms on her forehead.

 

“You’re so sexy when you beg for more,” Caitlyn gasps, the warmth of her approaching climax washing over her. “It makes me so wet for you, bunny.” She leans in, nuzzling her face into the crook of Vi’s neck. Her movements slow, but her desire remains unyielding. Inhaling deeply, Caitlyn savours Vi’s scent before sinking her fangs into Vi’s collarbone - drawing a soft, involuntary groan from Vi.

 

“Fuck, that feels so good,” Vi moans, her pulse echoing in her ears as ecstasy floods her veins and her orgasm crashes over her. She tangles her fingers in Caitlyn’s hair, silently urging her to continue, but Caitlyn pulls back just a fraction. The image of Caitlyn’s naked, sculpted body in her arms stirs something deep within Vi, as red streaks on Caitlyn’s skin only add to her irresistible allure. “You’re beautiful.”

 

Caitlyn meets Vi’s gaze, her eyes wide and her voice raspier than before. “I can’t believe you’re saying that while I look like a monster.” A small, bittersweet smile tugs at her lips, a mask for the insecurity hidden underneath.

 

“Don’t say that” Vi replies, sitting up to wrap her arms tightly around Caitlyn. “You’re my everything. My sight, my breath, my taste. Please, become liquid and flow into my veins.” Vi’s pleading, puppy-dog eyes bring a genuine laugh from Caitlyn as she runs her fingers through Vi’s hair, memorizing every detail of her face.

 

 

“You’re probably the only person I’ll ever let compliment me like this.” Caitlyn presses a gentle, chaste kiss to Vi’s lips before slipping off the bed and heading to the bathroom. Vi watches her go; her hooded eyes filled with quiet admiration. Once Caitlyn turns on the shower, Vi appears at the bathroom door.

 

“Nope,” Caitlyn says, stopping Vi with a firm hand. “We both know if you come in here, we ain’t leaving on time.”

 

Vi smirks at the playful rebuke and the steady hand on her chest. “I’m flattered you think that Cupcake,” she teases, playfully pushing back in an attempt to coax Caitlyn into giving in. Instead, she’s met with an angry hiss. Caitlyn’s fangs glint in the light as Vi raises her arms in mock surrender. “Fine, fine… I’ll wait my turn, kitty.” The look in Caitlyn’s eyes sends a shiver down Vi’s spine.

 

“You’re unbelievable,” Caitlyn mutters, rolling her eyes as she closes the bathroom door. She takes her time in the hot shower, letting the water and soap wash away the traces of sweat and blood. Afterward, she dries off and dresses in comfy jeans and her old, slightly oversized hoodie. “At this pace, you should bring some of your clothes over here,” she laughs lightly as she steps into the kitchen with a towel draped over her shoulders.

 

For a brief moment, their eyes meet before Vi quietly enters the bathroom. Caitlyn lingers, staring at the spot where Vi had just been, wondering if she’d been too harsh but the sound of running water snaps her back to the present.

 

Later, Caitlyn prepares a simple breakfast for two - sandwiches with a glass of juice on the side - when measured footsteps echo behind her. “Or, you know, you could bring some of your stuff over to mine,” a soft voice suggests. Caitlyn’s hands hover above the bread as she bites her lip, mulling over the idea. “I’m just saying…I’d love the idea of a warm bed.”

 

Vi shrugs as Caitlyn turns to face her. “I haven’t been to your place yet,” Caitlyn admits, sucking on her lip and fiddling nervously with her hands behind her back, trying to hide her anxiety. She thought the invitation might have come too soon especially after Vi had left for the bathroom without a word.

 

“I know, it’s bigger than yours and maybe a bit cozier. But I’d have to clean up; I’ve been neglecting it these past few days,” Vi chuckles softly, making Caitlyn smile. “It’s just a loose offer, no pressure.”

 

“Vi, yes.” Caitlyn suddenly blurts out, catching Vi off guard. “I know it’s all new between us, but I want it all, for us. I can’t fall asleep without you next to me anymore.” With that, Caitlyn walks over to Vi, who is casually leaning against the kitchen counter with a towel wrapped around her hips.

 

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Vi’s lips spread into a mischievous smile as her hands find their way to Caitlyn’s waist, pulling her even closer. “Can we close this case and take a day off?” she groans, irritated by the thought of leaving the place.

 

“Oh, we can but definitely not from here.” Caitlyn chuckles, gently tracing the fresh bite mark on Vi’s collarbone with her fingers. “Did it hurt this time?” she asks, locking eyes with Vi as if searching for an honest answer.

 

Vi closes her eyes and drifts back to the moment when Caitlyn bit her for the first time. “It was harder…” she confesses, biting her lower lip as she opens her eyes, trying not to get too lost in the memory. “The first time was less intense, I know you were holding back. Today… it was so much more powerful, but strangely, it didn’t hurt at all.”

 

Caitlyn’s hands drop from Vi’s sides, and she takes a half-step back. “Oh, Vi, I’m still holding back… Amarvain’s enzyme is so strong that if I fed you more than the minimum, you’d be passed out on the floor for three days,” she explains.

 

“Wait, what now?” Vi’s eyebrows nearly reach her hairline as she processes Caitlyn’s words. “Are you serious? Three days passed out on the floor?” Her voice wavers between fear and excitement - an effect Caitlyn can’t quite place.

 

“Relax, I’m just joking.” Caitlyn laughs lightly, soothing Vi’s arm with her hand. “You know it’s impossible to hurt you with the enzyme. You read the last two pages of the journal, right?”

 

“Yeah, you know what else was written there? That you can’t crack a single joke, but this one had my soul leaving my body.” Vi playfully grabs Caitlyn by her legs and hoists her over her shoulder. Turning toward the bed, she feels a hand on her butt that swiftly removes the towel wrapped around her hips. “You’re playing dirty, huh?”

 

“Can’t I at least enjoy the view while I’m being carried upside down?” Caitlyn giggles as her back thuds softly against the mattress. “Vi, I just changed the sheets to fresh ones.” Before their lips can meet again, she cups Vi’s cheeks and adds, “I’m already dressed up.”

 

“Oh, come on. You’re not playing with me for nothing, are you?” Vi sits up and runs her hand through her damp hair. “Getting all worked up just for a ‘no’,” she mutters. With a frustrated huff, she gets off the bed and stomps over to a pile of her clothes. Just as she finishes getting ready, her phone rings with Mylo’s name on the screen.

 

“Bunny,” Caitlyn calls softly as she wraps her arms around Vi’s waist from behind. “You know I’d say yes, any other time, but the faster we wrap up this case, the sooner we can spend more time together. All that bite you love.” She plants a teasing kiss on Vi’s other ear, even as Vi remains on the phone.

 

“Not happening anytime soon, we’ve got another body,” Vi announces, ending the call and grabbing her jacket, suddenly ready to leave.

 

“Wait, eat first,” Caitlyn calls, stopping Vi before she can step away.

 

“Cait, the new body - we have to go now,” Vi insists stubbornly, pulling her arm away from Caitlyn. “A few seconds ago, you told me to hurry. What changed?” she blurts out, her tone a mix of frustration and urgency.

 

Caitlyn’s brows furrow as she wraps her arms around herself, bracing for what’s coming next. “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s just go.” Her eyes drop to the floor, and Vi takes a deep breath, suddenly realizing this isn’t how she wanted things to go.

 

“I’m so sorry, Caity,” Vi says, stepping closer and taking both of Caitlyn’s hands. She intertwines their fingers, making sure Caitlyn looks into her eyes. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice, I’m not mad at you. This case is weighing on me, and I just don’t know how to handle it. And ever since last night, I can’t get enough of being near you. Forgive me, please.” Gently, Vi caresses Caitlyn’s cheek, and Caitlyn melts into her touch.

 

“Can we stop apologizing to each other every day? We’re both new to all this, and I just want us to make it work,” Caitlyn murmurs as she pulls Vi into a tight hug.

 

“You’ve shown me everything about yourself, but there’s something you need to know about me. Can we talk about it later? I have to share it with you before we take the next step,” Vi says softly, her voice trembling as she recalls her darkest moments. Caitlyn pulls back from the hug, her eyes filled with concern as they meet Vi’s.

 

“You know you don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. I just want you to feel safe sharing when you’re ready,” Caitlyn says softly, offering Vi a small, reassuring smile.

 

“I know, but there are parts of me I’m scared to talk about…scared that one wrong turn might drag me back into that darkness I come from.” Vi’s words hit Caitlyn like venom - it's painful to see the person she adores so vulnerable. “I’ll tell you everything later but know that it might change how you see me.”

 

Caitlyn scoffs and gives Vi’s shoulder a playful push. “Nothing you say will ever change my view of you. I’ve seen enough to know who you really are, Vi. And whoever you were before we met, everyone has their shadows.”

 

“I hope you’ll still feel that way once you know the truth,” Vi admits, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Deep down, she’s afraid that revealing her past might alter everything, yet the fear in her chest grows the longer she keeps her secrets.

 

“Bunny,” Caitlyn murmurs, and Vi’s ears perk up at the affectionate nickname. “Let me decide that later, alright? Now, sit down and eat.” Caitlyn nearly shoves Vi onto the chair as she insists, “Don’t make me feed you, I know you’ve been skipping meals while we’re at work.”

 

“I haven’t!” Vi whines with her mouth full of bread. She takes another bite and finishes her plate in record time. “Happy? Can we go now?” she adds, getting up and dusting off her knees as if she’d just conquered a marathon.

 

“You’re making me sound like an awful person for forcing you to eat breakfast,” Caitlyn teases as she follows Vi out of the apartment. “Is it really so bad that I want to take care of you?”

 

Vi stops in her tracks, her puppy eyes scanning Caitlyn from head to toe. “What? No, of course not. I- I want you to take care of me. I just… need more time to adjust, I guess.” Vi scratches the back of her neck and gives Caitlyn a goofy grin, trying to mask her vulnerability.

 

“Alright, Mr. Independent,” Caitlyn says with a smirk, extending her palm. “Give me the keys and get in the car.” This time, without arguing, Vi places the car keys in Caitlyn’s hand.

 

Caitlyn studies the item spread out on her palm, thinking about all the extra clues they’ve gathered from the last two crime scenes. “Vi, wait,” she calls, stopping her before she can get into the car. “What if- I know this sounds crazy, but what if the killer’s stalking us?”

 

“Cait, I’m not following you on this one,” Vi replies, confused.

 

“Think about it,” Caitlyn continues. “The beer cup matches The Last Drop, and the menthol candy fits with Mint. Remember the night we met? We were at the bar, and we both talked with Mint.” Caitlyn’s eyes light up as she lays out her theory, but Vi just shakes her head.

 

“I know, but that doesn’t mean anything - it could all be a coincidence.”

 

Caitlyn presses on, “Then, the next day I took pictures at the crime scene, it matched the next scene. I even went to the photographer’s because my camera was broken, but you know I always take care of my equipment. Someone must have tampered with it. There was a scalpel and toy car keys next to Pimp’s body. We talked with him the day before, and then someone tried to break into the dissecting room, remember?” She adds, “That’s also the day we argued about who should drive.”

 

“Yeah, when you put it that way it sounds plausible,” Vi admits as she leans back against the car, watching Caitlyn’s mind work. “But we still don’t know who the killer is - it could be anyone.”

 

“You’re going to hate me for this theory, but it has to be someone from the precinct,” Caitlyn says, her hand coming to her mouth as Vi’s eyes widen.

 

“You mean, Mylo, Claggor, Maddie, or Vander?” Vi laughs, though it’s clear she finds the idea ridiculous. “I’ve known them my whole life, there’s no way any of them would do that.”

 

“Vi, I’m not accusing anyone,” Caitlyn insists. “I just want you to consider the possibilities. Only officers know the code to the dissecting room, and no one saw us arguing about the car keys. Not everyone is what they seem.” Caitlyn’s tone carries an edge of uncertainty, not knowing what will come next.

 

Vi’s head snaps up, anger and hurt flashing in her eyes. “What about you, huh?! You know the code, you’re an officer, you know everything about these crimes! What if you’re the killer and I’m just blinded by your sweet words? Maybe they were right when they said you don’t belong here…” Before Vi can finish, she feels the car keys pressed into her chest as Caitlyn shoves her back against the car.

 

“Screw you, I’ll walk!” Caitlyn calls out, storming down the street toward the address where the third body was found. Deep down, she knows her words might have triggered something irreversible, but she’d been so sure of her intentions. Now, however, it seems Vi isn’t ready to let everything go. In that moment, as she watches Vi’s conflicted expression, Caitlyn can’t help but think back to the life she once had before all this happened before she bound herself to a stranger who felt so right in bed. Later, she’d probably regret it, wondering if leaving Zaun when she had the chance might have spared her both the burden - and the pain - that now clings to them both.

 

What if Vi keeps her close just to figure out if she isn’t the killer? The thought multiplies in Caitlyn’s mind, and she feels hot streams of doubt and regret running down her cheeks. If it weren’t for the rain pouring down outside, she’d swear those were tears - tears born of the searing pain in her chest.

 

Still, she keeps moving, even as her clothes grow soaked. Her feet seem to have a mind of their own, carrying her forward while her thoughts churn. Caitlyn tries to recall the previous night with Vi, wondering if everything they shared was just an act, a smooth performance. But the way Vi looks at her… Could that ever be a lie? Regret prickles at her; maybe she shouldn’t have brought up her suspicions until she had proof. What if she’s wrong and now her relationship with Vi is ruined for good?

 

Then, in an instant, everything goes black. “Thank God, you figured it out, or I would’ve had to keep going forever,” a high-pitched voice declares from behind Caitlyn. She tries to open her heavy eyelids, her head pounding from the impact, and all she catches is the faint, too-sweet smell of something she’s grown to despise these past few days.

 

After Caitlyn walks away, Vi gets into her vehicle and sits in silence for a few minutes, hoping that Caitlyn might return. But she doesn’t. Vi replays Caitlyn’s words in her mind, wrestling with the possibility that her theory might be true. It’s hard to believe, yet somehow everything Caitlyn hinted at fits the case. And Vi, the overprotective older sister, has turned her back on the only person who’s ever made her feel complete.

 

“Why do I keep ruining things?” Vi groans as she starts the engine. She drives off from The Last Drop, watching the pavement blur by on her way to the crime scene. As the rain intensifies, she worries about Caitlyn walking out in the downpour. Disappointment hits hard when she reaches the address, there’s no sign of Caitlyn, and the scene feels colder without her.

 

Inside the building, Vi stops in front of a naked body, noticing a stack of pages laid out nearby with a design all too familiar. She scans the room before crouching down to take a closer look. “Fuck,” she mutters, picking up the pages, rolling them carefully, and tucking them into her jacket pocket. She makes sure no one sees what she’s done. Somehow, the last two pages of Caitlyn’s journal have surfaced at the crime scene but how?

 

Vi recalls reaching the end of the journal and finding those last two pages ripped out. At the time, she didn’t give it much thought. Now, it all makes sense why she didn’t understand what Caitlyn had been hinting at earlier. How could this happen? Had she lost the pages on her way home? If Caitlyn were here, she’d probably scold Vi mercilessly.

 

“Oh, Vi. You’ve arrived. Good,” Mylo says as he appears next to her, glancing at the crime scene. He shrugs at the body and starts to move on, but Vi holds him back, lost in the whirlwind of thoughts and unanswered questions.

 

“What are you doing here, Mylo? Shouldn’t you be at the station?” Vi scolds, though she hates herself for doubting her siblings. Ever since Caitlyn’s words hit her hard, she’s felt the need to be louder - almost desperate for reassurance.

 

“Maddie called. She said she’s sick and asked me to help you at the crime scene,” Mylo replies with a shrug. Vi shoots him an annoyed look.

 

“Maddie? Sick? Do you even hear yourself? That woman’s never sick.” Frustrated, Vi facepalms before pulling out her phone to call Maddie. After a few rings, the call goes unanswered. “Take care of this; I have to check something,” she mutters.

 

“Okay, but where are the pages?” Mylo leans closer to the body.

 

“What pages?” Vi asks, trying to mask her nervousness. If anyone finds out what she did, her future will be in jeopardy. “I didn’t see any pages.”

 

“Hm, I thought I saw some paper by the body,” Mylo muses, then drops the topic. Meanwhile, Vi wonders how he could have seen anything arriving on the scene later than she did. Has anyone else reported anything about the pages? She studies her brother’s posture for a long moment, her concerned gaze searching for answers.

 

“Okay, let me know if Caitlyn shows up,” Vi instructs as she turns to walk back to her car. But Mylo stops her.

 

“I saw her at the precinct earlier today. She said you can handle the scene yourself.”
The news nearly makes Vi jump out of her shoes. What is happening, and why does everyone seem suddenly suspicious? She knows full well that Caitlyn spent the morning with her and would never let Vi near the evidence without taking a look herself. What is Mylo on about, and where the hell is Caitlyn?

 

Vi leaves the building, her mind racing with unanswered questions. She dials Caitlyn’s number, but it goes straight to voicemail - odd, considering she’d seen Caitlyn charging her phone earlier. Driving back toward The Last Drop, Vi scans the roadside for any sign of the woman she’d spoken with just half an hour ago but finds nothing.

 

“C’mon, where are you?” she growls, slamming her hand against the steering wheel before deciding to check the precinct as Mylo mentioned. As expected, the place is empty. Claggor and Mylo are at the crime scene, Vander is off working on papers in his office, and Maddie has called in sick. Vi even checks the dissecting room and Caitlyn’s lab - both are vacant.

 

Frustrated, she sits down in the lab and pulls out the pages she found at the crime scene. Carefully, she inspects them before reading, “How did they get here?” She mentally retraces her day, searching for any gap when someone could have tampered with the journal, but nothing fits.

 

A thought prickles at the back of her mind: what if it’s Caitlyn? Quickly, Vi shakes the thought off. She’s spent the past few days with Caitlyn, and there wasn’t a single moment long enough for her to kidnap three people and commit murders in the way the victims were presented. Besides, Caitlyn hadn’t known about the journal’s missing pages - so they must have been there when she handed the journal over.

 

If these murders are really about them, who would be hurt the most by seeing them together? Vi doesn’t even want to consider the possibilities. As she gets up from Caitlyn’s desk in the lab, her eyes catch a glint, a vial filled with blue water and a single strand of hair floating inside. Moving closer, Vi picks it up to inspect it further. It’s hair from the second crime scene but instead of being blue, it’s a vibrant ginger. Bringing the vial near her nose, she takes a tentative sniff and instantly recoils. “Bleach,” she whispers, grabbing a pair of tweezers to carefully pluck the hair out.

 

She quickly runs a DNA test and waits for the results to flash on the screen. The answer shocks her: it isn’t Caitlyn’s hair at all. Perhaps the killer planted it to frame her. And Vi only knows one person with ginger hair. Replaying her recent encounters with Maddie who’d been acting stranger than usual and even asked about the journal, Vi begins to wonder if someone in her own family circle might be involved.

 

The computer pings. When Vi glances at the screen, her heart sinks as she sees Maddie’s sweet face staring back at her. She swallows hard, fighting back a scream. Guilt overwhelms her - not only for having doubted Caitlyn but for defending someone who might now be the real criminal because, after all, it’s family.

 

Abruptly, Vi dials Caitlyn’s number several times on her way to the car. With no answer, she slams her phone onto the passenger seat and floors the accelerator toward Maddie’s place, pushing the pedal hard enough to risk a few traffic violations.

 

Minutes later, Vi arrives and pounds on Maddie’s front door. When no one answers, she walks around the building, checking each window for any sign of life. Nothing. Anxiety mounts as Vi begins to stress over both women’s whereabouts. Her heart pounds wildly, and she struggles to catch her breath. The idea of tracking down the last known location of Caitlyn’s phone crosses her mind but that would take too much time.

 

In a blur of frantic motion, Vi races back to the precinct. She paces back and forth until she finally blurts out to Mylo at the front desk, he just came back from the crime scene. “Where’s Vander?”

 

“He should be in his office, why?” Mylo asks, his face etched with concern and confusion. “Did something happen?”

 

Vi stops pacing and snaps out of her thoughts. “Yes. Maddie’s the killer and Caitlyn’s gone missing.” She spits the words out like machine-gun fire before rushing to Vander’s office. Without bothering to knock, she bursts through the door, startling the older man. “I need you to track down Caitlyn’s phone. She hasn’t answered my calls for over an hour and she was supposed to be at the crime scene already.” Vi’s ragged breaths fill the silence in the office.

 

Vander raises a curious eyebrow as he sets aside a stack of papers. “And why don’t you think she just doesn’t want to talk to you right now?” he asks calmly, his tone sending Vi’s blood boiling. She knows impulsiveness won’t get her the answers she needs, but she’s desperate.

 

“I just know, okay?! She wouldn’t leave me hanging for that long. We left The Last Drop together, and she said she wanted to walk to the crime scene, so I let her. But she never got there, and now she’s not answering her phone. What if-” Vi’s mind goes blank at the thought of Caitlyn getting hurt because of her own recklessness. “Listen, I need you to do it. I have a bad feeling about this.” No matter how much she tries to steady herself, nothing calms her nerves.

 

“Vi, I can’t just check your girlfriend’s phone location because you two fought,” Vander says, slamming the papers onto his desk as he stands and fixes his stern gaze on her. “I told you to keep it brief but you never listen. Ever since that woman arrived in town, you’ve been drifting away. Mylo mentioned your recent behaviour, and even Claggor and Maddie shared their concerns.” He steps closer, his tone mixing disappointment with worry.

 

“What are you on about?!” Vi snaps, backing away as for the first time she feels everyone’s eyes on her - like they pity her, like they don’t understand. “Maddie is the killer; she called in sick today and now Caitlyn’s missing. The hair we found at the second crime scene are hers. She even stole the pages from Caitlyn’s journal that I found at today’s crime scene. Doesn’t that bother you at all?!” Vi faces the sheriff with fierce determination, desperate for someone to believe her when the only person who could is nowhere to be found.

 

“Have you completely lost your mind? Our Maddie - the killer?” Vander’s words cut through her like a knife. “Vi, you need to calm down and think about what you’re saying. Did that woman really shatter your sanity?” His tone pierces her heart, and in that moment, Vi feels the weight of her family’s disbelief.

 

Every day around them feels like a lie, a day of false affection, as if they’re all waiting for her to slip back into her old self. Then, suddenly, the haze over her thoughts clears. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. That woman is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she declares, pausing to choose words that sting in just the right way. “After I lost Powder, I thought I’d never get up again, but I kept going. Not because of your countless heartfelt speeches or for anyone else-” she gestures toward the door, indicating her brothers, “but because I believed there had to be a reason why I’m still alive. I found that reason, and nothing - no one - will stop me from protecting it.”

 

Vi stares at Vander for a long moment before turning on her heel and storming away. “I’ll search every damn house in this shithole if I have to!” She stops abruptly by Mylo’s desk, jabbing a finger at him, making the man flinch. “And you, I know you’re in on this too. This whole place reeks of your bullshit.” Her voice is laced with fury, her accusations cutting deep. Mylo, for once, doesn’t fire back, he just looks away, avoiding her rage-filled eyes.

 

Vander steps out of his office, arms crossed over his chest, watching her with something that almost looks like regret. Then he exhales slowly, as if making a painful decision, and walks toward her. Before Vi can react, a firm hand lands on her shoulder. “I admire your spirit, kid. But I can’t let you leave this building.” The grip tightens.

 

Vi’s breath catches in her throat as another hand clamps down on her arm. A cold wave of realization crashes over her - it’s already too late to fight back. Vander is stronger, and he’s got the advantage.

 

The sharp click of cuffs locking around her wrists echoes through the office. “No, what the hell are you doing?!” Vi thrashes, her voice raw with desperation, struggling against the unrelenting hold. Pain flares up her arms as she pulls against the restraints. “Let me go!”

 

Vander doesn’t let up. He pushes her forward, guiding her toward custody. She twists her head over her shoulder, searching his face for something - hesitation, guilt, anything - but all she finds is cold resolve. Gone is the father figure who used to soften his gaze when he looked at her. “This is for your own safety, Vi,” he says, voice low and firm.

 

She doesn’t get the chance to respond. As Vander shoves her into one of the dark cells at the back of the building, she stumbles, her boots slipping against the cold concrete. Her shoulder slams into the wall, and the impact sends a sharp shock through her body before everything fades to black.

 

The last thing she hears before slipping into unconsciousness is the metallic clang of the cell door slamming shut.

 

“I can’t let you go mad like your sister did.”

 

Notes:

I hope this didn't disappoint as the twist in the plot intensifies. Don't worry, it's not over yet. There will be more pain and a hint of 'good heart' stuff coming from someone that suddenly becomes the saviour even if they swayed the wrong way.
Thank you for reading and see you very soon ;D

Chapter 9: The Death of an Amarvain

Summary:

The tension reaches its peak as Vi is desperately trying to save Caitlyn from the sadistic clutches of Maddie. Caitlyn, bloodied and chained in the cold basement, is at Maddie’s mercy. Maddie taunts Caitlyn and Vi, enjoying the psychological and physical torment.

Notes:

We're nearing the end of the first part of this story. One more chapter left before this plot switches.

And yes, Vander is kind of a bad person here.

TW: tortures, mention of violance, inflicting pain

(sorry I forgot to put it here 😅)

The night of Caitlyn’s arrival.

 

“She said she’d come. Just calm down and wait,” Mylo says, nursing a cup of beer as he sits in a booth at The Last Drop, enjoying a rare moment of free time after work. He, Maddie, and Claggor have ordered drinks while they wait for Vi to arrive at the bar.

 

“I don’t know… it’s been 15 minutes since she read my message.” Maddie turns away from the entrance, taking a slow sip of her drink. “I can’t help but worry about her all the time.” Her voice is quiet, and Mylo gives her a pitying look.

 

“You two broke up two years ago. Wouldn’t it be easier to just move on? She hasn’t spared you a second glance since she came back to Zaun.” Mylo’s words sting, and although Maddie’s anger is evident, she forces a neutral expression. Mylo swirls his beer in a circular motion while Claggor sits quietly, absorbing the conversation.

 

“He’s right, Maddie. Maybe it’s all burnt out?” Claggor adds, his tone gentle and understanding - unlike Mylo’s dismissive remark.

 

Maddie shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “No, I know it’s still there. If we had more time to talk about it, maybe she could come around.” She clenches her right fist and rests it firmly on the table, as if anchoring her resolve. “If you help me get closer to her, maybe it could work.” Maddie glances toward the door, hopeful but instead of Vi, a stranger enters: dark blue hair, long legs, fancy clothing definitely a Piltovan.

 

“Oh, my days, the hot stuff’s serving tonight,” Mylo whistles, drawing everyone’s attention to the newcomer. “Well, screw Vi- I’m going to spend the night with HER.” He stands abruptly, but Claggor quickly pulls him back down to his seat, tempering the situation.

 

“You’re joking, right? Do you really think you have a chance with someone like her?”
Claggor laughs, taking a swig from his cup as he teases Mylo. “Maddie, what about you? Maybe you should try something new instead of searching for something that’s long gone.”

 

"Hey! You’re hyping her up to go get laid, but I can’t chat up a pretty lady?" Mylo throws his hands up, clearly offended.

 

Claggor just smirks and waves him off. "Because you’d crash and burn, and we’d all have to watch. What’s the point in letting that happen?" The reasoning lands well enough that Mylo just mutters something under his breath and slouches deeper into his seat.

 

Maddie glances toward the bar, where Caitlyn is casually chatting with Vander who’s just served her a beer. For once, Maddie sets aside her own thoughts and studies the Piltover lady. “Yeah, she’s my type. But you know I don’t need anyone besides Vi,” she admits, her eyes fixed on her cup. Torn between waiting for Vi forever or trying to connect with someone new, she’s visibly conflicted. “Getting laid isn’t what I need right now.”

 

“You’re such a pussy, and now I’m going to have my chance with the hot stuff-” Mylo begins, about to stand up and make his move when all heads suddenly turn toward the door as Vi enters. “Oh, see? Your lover is here,” Mylo teases, rolling his eyes before sinking back into his seat as everyone watches Vi approach the bar. She begins chatting with Vander, but not before she briefly glances to the side, acknowledging the beauty by her side.

 

For a moment, the room falls silent as the scene unfolds. When Vi leans in extremely close to Caitlyn’s face, everyone at their table gasps in unison, unable to see exactly what happens between them. “Well, I guess this answers the question of what Vi wants,” Claggor remarks with a shrug, drawing an angry look from Maddie.

 

“This doesn’t mean anything,” Maddie sulks, though she can’t ignore the sight of the newcomer walking away, followed shortly by Mint joining her. In that brief exchange, she’s reminded of old wounds and the uncertainty of new beginnings.

 

“If you say so,” Mylo adds as he leans back, settling into a more comfortable position. “But that situation spoke volumes for me. Get laid with Mint or something - you did that earlier, didn’t you?” He catches a slight nod from Maddie. “Yeah, maybe she can help you forget about that brat who just crashed the hot stuff’s booth.”

 

Maddie and Mint had a brief fling after Vi and Maddie broke up. Maddie was desperate to fill the void Vi left behind, but nothing seemed to work. Mint, having known Vi longer than Maddie, became an unexpected source of childhood stories - ones Vi never liked sharing, even before she lost her sister.

 

Inside their booth, Maddie seethes with jealousy, though she’s powerless to stop it. Finishing her beer, she rises on wobbly legs and heads over to find Mint, following her friend’s advice even as disappointment burns beneath her skin. Everyone in town knows that Pimp loves Mint, yet until recently, Mint never really returned his affections.

 

So, Maddie does nothing more than watch. She watches Pimp and Mint talk, observes Caitlyn leading Vi to her room, and silently tracks everyone’s departure until the bar empties into the late night. Following Mint and Pimp later gnaws at her, she’d rather wait for Vi to finally leave the Piltovan’s room, but she needs to clear her head before confronting Vi.

 

After Pimp finally leaves, Maddie waits a few minutes and then knocks at Mint’s door. In a move that’s as vulgar as it is vulnerable, she shoves Mint into her apartment and begins kissing her passionately, all the while imagining it’s Vi, she’s holding. When Maddie finally opens her eyes, however, all she sees is the bar’s resident stripper - someone else entirely and not someone she wishes was there with her. And as she realizes it, she finds herself clutching Mint’s neck with a desperate grip.

 

That, in the end, is how jealousy and a broken heart claimed the first Zaunite.

 

Present

 

A splash of cold-water jolts Caitlyn awake from her unconsciousness. Her head pounds in her ears - a lingering reminder of the brutal impact Maddie inflicted hours ago to the back of her head. Slowly, her eyes flutter open, adjusting to the dim light of the room.

 

The basement is a forgotten place, buried beneath layers of dust and time, sealed behind a heavy metal door scarred with deep scratches and rusted patches, as though someone has tried to claw their way out. Its hinges groan in protest whenever it is forced open, a sound quickly swallowed by the thick, stagnant air inside. The scent of spilled liquor clings to every surface - whiskey soaked into the warped wooden beams, stale beer festering in unseen corners, and the sharp sting of vodka lingering in the damp air.

 

A single, flickering bulb hangs from the ceiling, casting a sickly yellow light that barely reaches the corners, where shadows pool like ink. The stone walls, rough and uneven, bear the scars of past water damage - dark streaks creeping downward like veins of rot. The chill is relentless, seeping into the bones, made worse by the lingering drafts that slither through unseen cracks. The floor, a patchwork of cracked cement and warped wooden planks, creaks underfoot in protest, sticky in places where liquor has long dried into a tacky film.

 

Scattered remnants of the past lie abandoned: a rusted metal chair missing a leg, a moth-eaten tarp draped over a forgotten workbench, and a small wooden crate shoved into the corner, its lid slightly ajar as if something inside has tried to escape. A pipe overhead drips at irregular intervals, the sound echoing through the stillness like the slow tick of a broken clock.

 

But it isn’t just the cold or the decay that makes the space unbearable - it’s the feeling of being watched, of being trapped. As if the basement itself has been a witness to too many secrets and resents the presence of anyone who dares to enter.

 

“Finally, the princess is awake!” Maddie’s annoying voice cuts through the silence. “You know, it’s been hours. I was starting to worry I hit you too hard.” Maddie steps away from Caitlyn, whose hands are chained high to the wall forcing her to hang by her wrists. The pain is excruciating, and every movement is a torment.

 

Caitlyn’s eyes follow Maddie’s deliberate movements, her face unreadable. She remains silent, partly because of the throbbing headache and partly to deny her abuser any satisfaction. “Why so silent, Caity?” Maddie taunts, using the familiar nickname Vi had used earlier that day. Caitlyn’s head jerks up at the sound, and a smirk tugs at Maddie’s lips.

 

“Would you be surprised to learn I installed wiretaps in your room?” Maddie continues, her tone dripping with malice. Caitlyn stays quiet, though a scoff escapes her - a small act of defiance that Maddie notices. “I heard every word you exchanged with Vi, except that first conversation, of course. Well, as you can probably tell, you’ve been kidnapped. You may ask why, but does it really matter now? I don’t think so.”

 

Maddie begins pacing back and forth, casually twirling a knife between her fingers - a skilful, almost effortless display that sends a chill down Caitlyn’s spine.

 

“You know nothing. I bet Vi and the rest will be here soon once they find out you’re the killer,” Maddie sneers. Each time she steps close enough, Caitlyn fights the urge to spit in her face.

 

Maddie laughs out loud - a harsh sound that makes an unpleasant shiver run through Caitlyn. “You really think I did all this behind their backs? These Piltovans... Did you hear her, Clagg?” she calls to the man standing by the hall door, who listens to every word. In the darkness, Caitlyn can’t tell if he reacted at all or if the shadows swallowed his response.

 

“Once I showed them the pages from whatever Vi was reading…” Maddie steps closer, her voice cold as she brings her knife threateningly to Caitlyn’s throat. “Even Vander agreed to help protect Vi from you. That’s how you ended up in here.”

 

Caitlyn’s voice comes out hoarse and dry. “You didn’t have to kill all those people to kidnap me. You’re a monster.” She forces her words, hoping that by keeping Maddie talking she might buy herself time for help.

 

“No! You’re the monster!” Maddie screams with a twisted smile as she presses the knife harder, drawing a thin line of blood along Caitlyn’s neck. Caitlyn hisses as the blade grazes her skin, a small trickle of blood sliding down. “You’re the real monster here! You deceived Vi- you pulled her away from us! Look what you’ve made us do!”

 

“Me? You’re the one who killed those people,” Caitlyn retorts, though the pressure on her neck forces her voice into a near-whisper. Her eyes, filled with fear, dart toward Claggor at the door, searching for any sign of the kind man she once believed she knew, but all she finds is something darker. “I did nothing wrong…”

 

Deep down, Caitlyn still blames herself for binding Vi without permission, but Maddie isn’t meant to know her vulnerabilities. Memories of that night, when she first tasted Vi and their bond deepened, float in her mind like fragments of a fading dream.

 

“Nothing wrong? You’ve been putting spells on Vi from the very beginning. I saw you two that night…” Maddie fixes her gaze on Caitlyn, her eyes hard and unyielding as she continues, “You seduced her by the bar, only to bring her to your bed where you did whatever you wanted. If you hadn’t shown up that night-”

 

“Then, what? You’d have been in my place?” Caitlyn fires back, seizing the moment to counter Maddie’s accusation. “Do you really think Vi would be with someone she doesn’t love?” Before Maddie can respond, a sharp slap crashes across Caitlyn’s face, cutting her lower lip. A bitter laugh escapes her, she knows her words have struck Maddie in all the right places.

 

“We kissed yesterday,” Maddie blurts, her tone desperate as she struggles to prove her point.

 

“Let me correct you- you kissed Vi. That’s all,” Caitlyn retorts, tilting her head back with a defiant pride. Her unwavering trust in Vi is something she intends to use as ammunition against Maddie.

 

“You really think you’re that smart, huh?!” Maddie’s eyes blaze with fury as she punches Caitlyn in the stomach with all her might. If not for the chains keeping her suspended, Caitlyn would have crumpled to the floor in agony. “You don’t look so smug now,” Maddie sneers, clearly pleased by the pain she’s inflicting.

 

“Okay, listen up,” Maddie continues, her tone turning cold and threatening as she slowly drags her fingers from the handle to the tip of her knife. “Either you tell me everything about these Amarvains willingly, or I’ll put you through hell. Either way, I’m going to get what I want.” Her words hang in the air, heavy with menace, until a tense silence falls.

 

Caitlyn, voice barely a whisper, mutters something Maddie can’t quite catch from a few meters away. Maddie steps closer, invading Caitlyn’s personal space just to hear. “Go. Fuck. Yourself.” With that, Caitlyn snaps her head back and delivers a forceful blow that sends Maddie reeling so much so that she drops her knife.

 

After Maddie staggers to her feet, she fixes Caitlyn with an almost devilish grin. “So fierce- I can see exactly what she liked about you,” she taunts, pointing a knowing finger at her “victim.” “It’s the hard way, isn’t it?” She brushes herself off and picks up her knife again, but this time she keeps her distance. “You know, Vi’s sister went mad too. Before she disappeared, she started acting exactly like Vi after you arrived. When she disappeared, it broke Vi. I was there, I picked her up, pieced her back together, only to have her throw me away like trash. I won’t let that happen again.”

 

Maddie lifts her knife, inspecting its edge before slowly bringing it to Caitlyn’s side. With deliberate precision, she presses the tip against Caitlyn’s stomach and drags it along from the left side to the centre. She dips the blade deeper into the flesh revelling in the pain she’s inflicting to her prisoner. Caitlyn’s eyes fill with tears as excruciating pain courses through her abdomen, yet she fights hard to stifle the cry threatening to escape.

 

Meanwhile, Claggor watches the unfolding scene until a steady trickle of blood splatters onto the floor. He turns away and bites his lip, unable to defy Maddie - especially after her earlier threats. “I’ll go check on Vi and Mylo,” he says, and after receiving a stern nod from Maddie, he leaves through the heavy metal door.

 

Caitlyn, still gasping for breath, manages to ask between ragged exhalations, “What did you do to Vi? If you hurt her-”

 

Maddie cuts her off with a mocking laugh. “It’s so sweet that you think you can do anything to me.” Her voice drips with venom as she continues, “Vi’s safe. And once all this is done, she’ll be back crawling to me.”

 

Caitlyn forces a bitter laugh, her gaze locking with Maddie’s as a corner of her mouth lifts in defiance. “She knows it was you who killed those people. Who killed Mint and Pimp. She’ll never be able to trust you again.” For a long, tense moment, Maddie seems lost in thought before snapping her gaze back to Caitlyn.

 

“We’ll see about that. And for now, I’m going to have a little fun with you,” Maddie declares, her tone dark and threatening. “Tell me, what exactly was it that Vi was reading?” Caitlyn takes a deep breath, lifting her chin in pride even though her mouth remains sealed in silence.

 

“WHAT WAS IT?!” Maddie roars, slamming her fist against Caitlyn’s rib cage. The impact forces a sharp cry from Caitlyn as blood spills from her mouth onto Maddie’s face. “You bitch,” Maddie spits, wiping the blood from her cheek before driving the knife into Caitlyn’s arm, creating another searing cut. “I wonder how long it’ll take for you to bleed out.”

 

At the precinct

 

Vi leans against the cold metal bars of her cell, the chill seeping into her bones. It feels eerily familiar like reliving the nights she spent locked away after Powder died. The concrete walls press in around her; the floor is unforgiving beneath her, and the small window near the ceiling offers nothing but a glimpse of a world that feels impossibly distant.

 

“You shouldn’t have fought back. Sometimes you’re so full of yourself you can’t even see your own mistakes.” Mylo stops in front of her cell, arms crossed over his chest, his expression smug. Vi, in contrast, looks like she’s already lost everything. “If you’d just listened to us - stopped whatever you were doing with Caitlyn - none of this would’ve been necessary.”

 

Vi doesn’t even look at him. “You mean killing people? Because I spend time with someone other than my so-called family?” Her voice is quiet, laced with disbelief. “Do you even hear yourself?”

 

“We did this to protect you.” Mylo’s voice sharpens, frustration breaking through his usual cocky demeanour. “At first, yeah, Maddie was obsessed, and I didn’t want to get involved. But when she showed us what Caitlyn really is… How can you be so blind? Are you that eager to join your sister?”

 

At the mention of Powder, something inside Vi snaps. She’s on her feet in an instant, grabbing Mylo by the collar and yanking him forward. Her grip is iron-tight, lifting him just enough so their eyes lock.

 

“Say one more word about Powder, and I swear I’ll kill you.” Her voice is low, dangerous. Before she can act on her threat, Claggor steps into the precinct.

 

“Vi! What the hell? Let him go!” He rushes over, forcing himself between them before things get worse. Vi releases Mylo with a shove, stepping back, her chest rising and falling with barely contained rage. Mylo stumbles but quickly regains his composure, rubbing his throat as he glares at her.

 

“I didn’t do anything, and you locked me in a fucking cell! That’s what the hell, Clag!” Vi throws up her hands, her frustration boiling over. She doesn’t want to show it, but the longer she’s trapped here, the harder it gets to keep from breaking.

 

Claggor exhales, then turns to Mylo. “Go check if everything’s alright outside.” His tone is firm, almost commanding.

 

“But- she-” Mylo starts to argue, but one look at Claggor’s unbothered expression shuts him up. With a huff, he kicks at the floor and stalks off. “Why the hell did I let myself get dragged into this shit…” he mutters as he goes.

 

Once they’re alone, Vi exhales sharply, bracing herself. “Listen, if you’re here to tell me I fucked up because I love that woman, you can save your breath.” Her heart pounds at the words. She hadn’t even admitted it to herself until now, let alone to Caitlyn.

 

Vi exhales heavily, her gaze dropping to the cold floor. She’s exhausted - physically, mentally, emotionally. “We all saw the pages. It was… something.” Claggor steps closer to the cell, his voice cautious but sincere. He knows Vi won’t lash out at him like she did with Mylo. “But I believe you. I can see it in your eyes - you’re choosing this. The way you look at her… I haven’t seen that spark in you since Powder…”

 

Vi tenses at the mention of her sister, but for once, she doesn’t snap. There’s no anger, just a quiet ache in her chest. The understanding in Claggor’s voice makes something shift inside her, something she’s been avoiding for too long. She can’t keep running from the past. It’s time to move forward.

 

“She’s torturing her, Vi.” Claggor’s voice drops to a whisper, his face close to the bars so no one else can hear. “I- I saw the blood. I couldn’t just stand there and watch.” His forehead rests against the wall, shame weighing heavy on him. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

 

Vi’s fingers tighten around the bars. “I know. But you have to let me out. I need to help Cait. She-” Her breath hitches. “She’s my everything, Clagg. Please.”

 

If she had the strength, she would have torn these bars apart long ago. The thought of Caitlyn alone with Maddie makes her stomach churn, and now, knowing that Maddie is torturing her? It’s unbearable.

 

Claggor hesitates, then glances toward the door. “I don’t know if I can get you out of here safely. Mylo won’t let you go.” His hand drifts to the keys on his belt, fingers curling around them as he makes his decision. Slowly, he unlocks the cell. “Listen, I have to cuff you for this to work,” he murmurs. “I’ll tell Mylo that Maddie wants you there to watch or something. He’ll have to let us go.”

 

Vi nods. There’s no time to argue. “Fine. But once we’re out, call for backup. Get medics from Piltover. We can’t trust anyone here, and if what you’re saying is true, we’ll need all the help we can get.”

 

Claggor nods and secures the cuffs around her wrists, his grip careful. As he leads her into the office, Vi throws her head back and yells, making a scene. “You motherfuckers!” she shouts, thrashing just enough to sell it.

 

Behind the desk, Mylo jumps up, frowning. “Hey! Where are you taking her?” His eyes narrow at Claggor. “And how the hell did you cuff her by yourself?”

 

“It wasn’t easy,” Vi declares, struggling against Claggor’s firm hold though not enough to break free. “Maddie said she wants her to watch as she slowly kills Caitlyn. Don’t worry, I’ve got her under control.”

 

Claggor opens the precinct door and pulls Vi outside, while Mylo watches them intently, seemingly convinced by their story. “Stay low until we’re far enough away,” he instructs quietly, shoving Vi into the backseat before climbing behind the wheel.

 

“Where is she holding Caitlyn?” Vi asks, scanning the area with a mix of fear and determination.

 

“Down in The Last Drop’s basement,” Claggor replies grimly. “She’s got her chained to the wall. God, I can’t get that image out of my head.” He exhales heavily; his voice thick with pain. “Vi, you need to be careful. Maddie’s armed, and she’ll do anything to hurt Caitlyn. But she claims it’s all for you, so watch your words.”

 

As Claggor outlines the rest of his plan, panic begins to grip Vi. What if she can’t save Caitlyn? What if she ends up leaving the bar alone, with a dead body in her arms? How will she cope with such a loss again? Her thoughts spiral into dark, tangled scenarios, and she barely notices the wet streaks of tears forming on her cheeks.

 

“If it goes south, please, save her - even if it means I die,” Vi pleads, her voice trembling with desperation. Claggor simply nods. “Call for backup,” she adds.

 

They pull up in front of The Last Drop. Claggor immediately contacts Piltover’s precinct for backup and medics. Now, they have to stall Maddie long enough for reinforcements to arrive. “Okay, they’ll be here in half an hour. What do we do?” Claggor asks as he turns to look at Vi in the backseat. His heart clenches at the sight of devastation on his sister’s face - tears, exhaustion, and fear etched in every line.

 

“We’re going inside,” Vi instructs, forcing her voice to steady. “Let’s pretend you really have me cuffed. Tell her you thought it was a good idea to make me watch. We need to keep her busy until help gets here. I’ll come up with something on the spot, but you must stay calm. Don’t let her see your fear.”

 

Within minutes, they stand before the heavy metal doors leading to The Last Drop’s basement. “Ready?” Vi asks.

 

“As ready as one can be,” Claggor replies, carefully opening the door and drawing Maddie’s attention away from Caitlyn to the entrance.

 

“What is she doing here?” a voice demands immediately as Maddie points her knife at Vi, who is being shoved down the stairs by Claggor. “Why did you bring her here?”

 

“She was throwing hands with us,” Claggor replies, forcing a grin as he steps closer. “I figured the worst thing for her was to watch you have all the fun with Caitlyn.”

 

Maddie laughs bitterly. “Huh, not a bad idea at all. Oh, Caity! Your plaything has arrived!” She turns to glance at Caitlyn, and Vi catches a clear view of her lover. A scream dies in Vi’s throat when she sees Caitlyn - chained to the wall by her wrists, suspended above the ground with a pool of blood beneath her feet. Caitlyn’s head hangs low, too heavy to lift, her body scarred with cuts and bruises, her hair a dishevelled mess.

 

“Oh my- Caitlyn!” Vi cries out, ready to rush toward her, but Claggor quickly restrains her by gripping her cuffed wrists. Caitlyn’s head lolls back slightly, and as her heavy eyes flutter open, she sees the one person she’s been longing for all these hours.

 

“Vi?” Caitlyn’s voice is barely a whisper. In truth, she can hardly believe Vi is there. The blood loss and mounting pain have left her barely conscious. “Is that really you?” she asks, breathlessly, while Maddie makes a mocking gagging noise in the corner.

 

“Ah, how heartbreaking, right?” Maddie scoffs, rolling her eyes. She grabs Caitlyn by the neck and pulls her closer. “Now, let’s have a little fun, shall we?” Lifting her knife, Maddie points the tip at Caitlyn’s face. “How about we take care of this beauty?”

 

“Leave her alone!” Vi yells, struggling against Claggor’s hold. She wants to rush in, but the risk of exposing them is too high. Looking at Caitlyn’s battered state, barely aware yet still meeting her gaze, Vi’s heart shatters. “Please…” she begs, her voice raw with anguish, though her plea only seems to stoke Maddie’s cruel delight.

 

A twisted smile spreads across Maddie’s face as she slowly brings her knife toward Caitlyn’s lips. “So, what do we take first? Her tongue? She does talk a lot, doesn’t she?” Maddie sneers, moving the blade closer to Caitlyn’s eye. “Maybe an eye, huh? Vi, come on - pick something!”

 

“No, wait!” Vi screams as the cuffs around her wrists suddenly loosen. She turns toward Caitlyn, her eyes pleading, then glances at Maddie before nodding at Caitlyn. “Can I- can I at least say goodbye?” Claggor, still standing behind her and pretending to control the situation, leads her closer to Maddie and Caitlyn.

 

Maddie narrows her eyes, clearly annoyed at the thought of having to listen to Vi. “Fine, go on,” she snaps, though she doesn’t release her grip on Caitlyn’s neck - if anything, she holds tighter, forcing a small whimper from Caitlyn. The knife in Maddie’s hand hovers dangerously near Caitlyn’s left eye, as if one wrong move might rip it out.

 

“I’m sorry that everything has to be this way,” Vi begins, her voice trembling with regret. “I didn’t know you were suffering. We never talked about feelings when we were together.” Her words force Maddie to focus, and for a moment, a softness appears in Maddie’s eye - something Vi hasn’t seen in a long time.

 

“What are you talking about?” Maddie interjects, confused, she feels as though Vi is addressing her instead of Caitlyn. Her grip on the knife slackens.

 

“I shouldn’t have left like that,” Vi continues, urgency and sorrow mingling in her tone, “and I’m so sorry for everything that happened between us.” Every stolen second feels crucial, each one bringing them closer to surviving this night, especially for Caitlyn, who desperately needs medical attention.

 

“Shut up!” Maddie bellows, her outrage echoing in the basement. In that moment, Vi nods subtly toward Caitlyn and mouths a quiet “now.” Gathering what strength she has left; Caitlyn drives her knee into Maddie’s stomach.

 

Maddie’s breath escapes in a strangled gasp as Caitlyn’s knee slams into her stomach, her grip on the knife tightening instinctively as pain ripples through her. The blade jerks forward in a sharp, uncontrolled motion, too fast, too sudden.

 

A searing pain explodes across Caitlyn’s left eye. A wet, stinging heat floods her vision as the knife slices through delicate skin, splitting flesh just below her brow and cutting downward in a jagged line. The world turns red - at first from the pain, then from the blood spilling over her lashes, warm and thick as it trails down her cheek.

 

A strangled cry rips from her throat as she recoils, her body jerking away even though there’s nowhere to go. Her heartbeat pounds in her skull, the agony drowning out everything else: the sounds of struggle, of Vi’s shout, of Maddie’s curse.

 

Caitlyn’s breaths come in short, panicked gasps, her fingers twitching uselessly against the chains binding her wrists. Her vision blurs, the left side already darkening, and the coppery taste of fear pools in the back of her throat. The pain is overwhelming, an electric, white-hot burn that digs deep and refuses to fade.

 

Maddie, still hunched from the impact, lets out a breathless, delighted chuckle. “Well, well,” she purrs, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as she steadies herself. “Looks like you made the choice for me.”

 

Caitlyn barely hears her. She squeezes her right eye shut, trying to block out the flood of pain, but it does nothing. The wound pulses, fresh blood trailing down her jaw, dripping onto her bare shoulder. The cold air stings against the exposed cut like a fresh brand.

 

And then, through the haze, she hears Vi’s voice - shouting, desperate, breaking with rage.

 

Vi, now free of her cuffs, rushes toward Maddie. She grabs Maddie’s arms firmly and uses the cuffs she had been wearing earlier to restrain the redhead. When Maddie finally catches her breath and looks up at Vi with the widest grin she’s ever shown, she drops her knife. Vi’s eyes catch a glimpse of the bloody blade scattered on the floor, but there’s no time to react - the door bursts open with a resounding bang.

 

The sound of heavy footsteps is all Vi can register as her senses go numb. In the chaos, she lets go of Maddie’s arms when someone pulls her away. The ringing in her ears drowns out everything, and she loses sight of Caitlyn as her mind begins to spiral.

 

Suddenly, it feels as if her lungs have run dry, everything around her closes in. The long, oppressive corridor to The Last Drop’s main hall, the cacophony of sirens and vehicles outside, all become overwhelmingly suffocating. Finally, she reaches a small patch of grass, and with a sickening lurch in her stomach, she vomits the lump that had taken hold deep inside her.

 

“You shouldn’t have done that,” a low, male voice cuts through the haze. Vi looks up to see Vander, the man with disappointment etched on his face. “Do you really want to get us all in trouble?”

 

“What? In trouble? Do you even hear yourself, old man?!” Vi shouts, her voice cracking with anger and despair. “You let her kill three people because I stopped being your little puppet?!” Though she has been part of this family for years and Vander saved her from poverty, his actions have crossed a line she can’t ignore. “You’re all sick to the bone for being a part of this!”

 

Despite her unsteady steps and the exhaustion weighing her down, one thought propels Vi forward - finding Caitlyn. As she nears the entrance, paramedics push her aside. On a stretcher, Caitlyn lies barely conscious, and before Vi can fully register the scene, she shouts, “Wait! Where are you taking her?” She follows them as far as she can, desperate for a glimpse of her lover. “I need to go with you,” she pleads, but her voice is swallowed by the turmoil of trying to save a life.

 

After a minute, the paramedics depart, leaving Vi alone in the parking lot of The Last Drop. She stands, staring off into the distance as shock slowly washes over her, unable to comprehend the last ten minutes and the impact they will have on her life.

 

A heavy hand lands on her shoulder, but Vi immediately brushes it away and steps back. With a voice full of bitter resolve, she turns to face Vander one last time. “Don’t touch me,” she says, her tone icy. “Words can’t explain how angry I am at you. Don’t look for me. Don’t try to contact me, ever. You’re not my father anymore.”

 

That’s how Vi says goodbye to Zaun. Though it cuts her deeply, she knows she has every right to feel this anger. With no chance of turning back, she walks away, resolute and unyielding, certain that nothing can make her change her mind.

Chapter 10: Piece by Piece

Summary:

The last duel they have to battle against themselves and their enemies.

Notes:

The end of Part I

It’s chaotic by the time Vi arrives at the last hospital in Piltover. This one has to be it - the previous three had no record of a patient named Caitlyn Kiramman. She had to start somewhere, and if she’d known just how wealthy the Kiramman family was, she would’ve gone straight to the most luxurious facility.

 

Vi sprints through the sterile halls until she reaches the reception desk, panting, voice almost breaking. “Is- Caitlyn Kiramman here? Please, I-I need to see her.” The way her words come out between ragged breaths makes the receptionist eye her cautiously, though not without concern.

 

“Are you by chance related to Miss Kiramman?” the woman asks carefully, trying to follow protocol while clearly noting the raw desperation in Vi’s eyes. “I can’t let you see her unless you’re family.”

 

“Miss, I- please, I’m her-” And this is where Vi falters. What is she, exactly? A lover? A girlfriend? But they never made it official. Calling herself "attached" would only raise more suspicion. Vi sighs and looks down, her mind scrambling, too clouded by worry to think clearly. Her eyes sting with tears she refuses to let fall, her jaw tightening at the mental image of Caitlyn - chained, crying out, broken-

 

No. She can’t go there. Not now.

 

She knows questions will come later, but she doesn’t care. Not when the woman she loves could be just a few corridors away. “I’m her wife,” she blurts out. The word feels foreign but not wrong. “Please. Let me see her.”

 

The receptionist's eyes widen slightly. The Kiramman heiress, married? To a lower-class woman? The media frenzy that would follow such a revelation practically writes itself. Still, she keeps her composure. “Alright, Miss Kiramman. Please sign this form and I’ll take you to your wife.”

 

Vi doesn’t hesitate. She scrawls her name across the paper without reading a word, her hand barely steady.

 

Before they can head toward Caitlyn’s room, a tall man in a white coat approaches the desk and leans in to speak to the nurse. Then he turns to Vi with a practiced smile.

 

“Hi, my name’s Jayce,” he says, offering his hand. “It’s good to finally meet you in person. Caitlyn’s told me a lot about you.”

 

“Well, she didn’t tell me anything about you. Can we go now?” Vi’s fingers haven’t stopped twitching since she parted ways with Caitlyn. She shifts on her feet, bouncing slightly on her toes, trying to bleed out the stress crawling under her skin but nothing helps.

 

“Vi, wait.” Jayce slows beside her, his voice weighted. “I need to prepare you for what you’re going to see.” He pauses, the memory of Caitlyn on his operating table still fresh. “It took hours to stop the internal bleeding. The cuts... there were so many. Some were deep. She’s going to have a hard recovery.”

 

“What do you mean?” Vi halts mid-step and turns to him, eyes sharp but hopeful. “The paramedics got to her fast, didn’t they?”

 

“They did. That saved her life,” Jayce confirms. “But she still lost a dangerous amount of blood. The worst injuries were on her abdomen and lower back-”

 

“Okay, pretty boy, I get it. It’s bad,” Vi cuts in, voice sharp, the sarcasm barely masking her fear. But then her voice softens unexpectedly. “Please. I need to see her.”

 

Jayce studies her for a second, surprised by the shift. Then he nods. “Alright. Come this way.” He leads her down a quiet corridor to a room sealed behind a large glass wall. Inside, Caitlyn lies motionless in a hospital bed, machines keeping pace with her fragile state.

 

“She’s critical, but stable,” Jayce says gently. “We can’t go in yet. The next twenty-four hours are everything. If she makes it through the night, she should wake up in a few days if everything goes well.” Vi doesn’t respond. She steps close to the glass and stares; hands limp at her sides. Caitlyn looks impossibly small in the tangle of wires and bruises.

 

“It’s my fault,” Vi whispers. “If I’d just believed her from the start… she wouldn’t be here. I let them do this to her.” Her forehead presses against the glass, and the tears fall freely now, silent and unrelenting.

 

Jayce hesitates before speaking again. “She’s going to have scars. A lot of them. The eye…” he looks down at the chart in his hands, voice trailing. “We won’t know until she wakes up. It wasn’t responding well to light last time I checked.”

 

He glances at Vi, no longer the tough, defiant woman Caitlyn used to describe, but someone utterly wrecked. He places a hand gently on her shoulder. “I’ve known Caitlyn for years,” he says. “She’s a fighter. But she’s going to want to push herself too fast when she wakes up. She’ll need someone to keep her grounded. Someone who believes in her, even when she doesn’t.”

 

Vi doesn’t speak, doesn’t even blink. Jayce gives her a quiet nod and walks away, leaving her alone with her guilt, her love, and the weight of everything unsaid.

 

The next few hours pass in silence. Vi sits by the window, watching the slow, mechanical rise and fall of Caitlyn’s chest. She barely moves, hardly breathes, afraid even the smallest sound might disturb the fragile peace in the room.

 

Her mind loops back to the last time they spoke, how she let her anger win, how she let Caitlyn walk away. Then further back, to the basement of The Last Drop, when their eyes met, and Caitlyn looked at her like she was staring down a ghost.

 

She doesn’t notice the woman who’s joined her at first. Only when the silence beside her lingers too long does Vi finally turn her head. “She’s going to be alright. I can feel it,” says the woman, roughly Vi’s height, dressed casually, a glinting badge clipped at her waistband.

 

Vi narrows her eyes. “And who are you? You talk like you know her.”

 

“Mel Medarda. I work with her at the Piltover precinct, best friend, if titles matter. Jayce is my husband. He called me when you showed up. You’re Vi, I assume?”

 

Mel doesn’t offer a handshake, and Vi doesn’t ask for one. She nods once. “Yeah.” A beat of quiet stretches between them.

 

“She chose well,” Mel finally says, a small, knowing smile touching her lips. “You’ve known her a week, and here you are keeping watch like it’s been a lifetime.”

 

Vi crosses her arms, still guarded. “What are you trying to say?”

 

“I’m saying she made the right choice. No wonder she wanted to stay in Zaun. I can see why she loves you.” Mel tilts her head, studying Vi more carefully now, something flickering in her eyes. “Although… you remind me of someone. Can’t quite place it.”

 

But Vi’s already fixated on one part of what Mel said: I can see why she loves you.
The words hit harder than they should, dragging up every misstep, every harsh word, every moment she should’ve held Caitlyn closer instead of pushing her away.

 

She wants everyone to disappear. She wants the machines gone, the pain erased, Caitlyn whole and smiling again. She wants them to finally say the things they never got to say. Mel leaves soon after, giving Vi the space she didn’t know how to ask for. As night settles beyond the glass, Vi slides down the wall beside Caitlyn’s room. She wants to steady her breathing, but even the thought of relief makes her stomach churn.

How can she even think about peace, when Caitlyn can’t take a breath without a machine helping her do it?

 

“What have I done to you…” Vi whispers, more to herself than anyone else. The guilt crashes down hard, curling her into the only position that ever used to make her feel safe, knees pulled tight to her chest like she did as a scared kid. It used to help. Not tonight.

 

The feeling that she’s already lost Caitlyn, even though she’s just behind the glass, is too much to hold back. The tears come fast, quiet, unstoppable. And so, the cocky, foul-mouthed detective ends up folded on the cold hospital floor, crying like she hasn’t in years.

 

Her shoulders shake with every silent sob, not because someone told her to keep quiet, but because noise feels wrong when Caitlyn’s fighting for every breath. Every beep from the monitors is a reminder - she’s still breathing. But Vi can’t tell if that means hope… or a countdown.

 

“I should’ve been faster. I should’ve listened.” Her voice breaks, rough and raw, as she wraps her arms around herself like she’s trying to hold her own pieces together. “I let her walk away… and now look at her.” She lifts her head just enough to glimpse the still figure in the bed. “You always said you could handle yourself, cupcake… but damn it, you shouldn’t have had to.”

 

She buries her face in her knees again, nails digging into her arms. She needs to feel something – anything - that isn’t helplessness. She’s been through hell before. Fistfights, broken bones, pain that made her see stars. But none of it ever broke her like this.

 

What the hell is strength worth if the person you love is dying right in front of you and there’s not a damn thing you can do?

 

Suddenly, alarms scream through the quiet. Vi’s head snaps up.

 

Chaos.

 

Nurses rush in. Jayce is with them, barking orders. Caitlyn’s body jerks violently beneath the sheets, convulsing.

 

A seizure.

 

Vi freezes, eyes locked on Caitlyn as her body betrays her, as the machines wail, as people swarm her side. And for one harrowing second, Jayce meets Vi’s gaze through the glass. His face says it all. Something’s gone terribly wrong.

 

“No.” Vi scrambles to her feet, the world tilting beneath her. “No, no, no- please!”

 

A nurse spots her, stepping into the doorway and holding up a hand. “You need to stay out here.”

 

“But she-” Vi chokes, panic clawing at her throat. “She needs me, please!”

 

“She needs the doctors. And you need to breathe,” the nurse says, firm but not unkind.

 

Vi stumbles back, numb. Everything blurs, the walls press in, the lights stab at her eyes, the air turns thick and hot in her lungs. She bolts. She doesn’t stop until she shoves through the hospital’s side doors and stumbles into the cold night.

 

There, under the empty sky, she finally breaks. Vi screams, not in rage, but grief. Raw and guttural, ripped from somewhere too deep to name. She falls to her knees, hands tangled in her hair, the pavement scraping skin she doesn’t feel.

 

A voice breaks the silence - low, calm, unfamiliar. “She’s not gone, you know.”

 

Vi spins, gasping. A girl stands a few feet away, lean, wiry, messy blue hair. Her clothes don’t match. Her stare does. Something about her... off, but not wrong. Familiar. “And who the hell are you?” Vi’s voice is hoarse, still catching her breath.

 

The girl just shrugs. “Just someone who’s seen what it looks like to lose everything.”

 

Vi narrows her eyes, studying her. There’s something in that face. The shape of her jaw, the way she tilts her head, the glimmer in her eyes - chaos and sadness flicker between them. Familiar. “You look like someone I lost… a long time ago.” Her voice drops to a whisper, laced with pain. “Someone I thought I’d never see again.”

 

The girl smiles, but it’s tight, almost bittersweet. “Funny. I could say the same about you.”

 

The night stretches long and quiet between them for a beat, broken only by the hum of streetlights and Vi’s still-laboured breathing. She wipes her face with her sleeve, though the tears don’t fully stop, and eyes the stranger with guarded curiosity. “You were gonna visit her?” Vi asks at last, voice flat, still raw from screaming.

 

The girl nods. “Yeah. I was just about to head in when the alarms hit. Figured I’d wait it out. Didn’t want to be in the way.”

 

Vi looks away, her gaze drifting back toward the hospital doors. Her jaw tightens. “You close with her?” The question slips out before she can think about it, and she’s not sure why she’s still talking to this strange girl. Maybe it’s because she doesn’t want to be alone, or maybe it’s because something about this girl’s presence feels like a ghost, brushing too close.

 

“Yeah. You could say that.” The girl shifts her weight, hands stuffed into the pockets of her jacket. “She and I… we’ve been through a lot together. When her mom died, I was all she had left that felt like family. I’ve kind of been her stand-in sister ever since.”

 

Vi stiffens, the word ‘sister’ hitting her like a shock to the chest. She presses her tongue to the roof of her mouth, nodding slowly. “She doesn’t talk much about her past,” Vi mutters, arms folding tightly across her chest. “But I didn’t think she had anyone like that. She always said her dad shut down after her mom passed.”

 

“He did,” the girl says quietly, her tone softening. “So did Caitlyn, for a while. But I was there. Still am, when she lets me.” She trails off, offering a crooked grin. “Long story. Not one you’d believe, anyway.”

 

Vi huffs out a breath, humourless. “Try me.”

 

But the girl doesn’t take the bait. Instead, she watches Vi, really watches her. There’s something different in her expression now. It’s not just curiosity. It’s wonder. Sadness. Longing. Something deeper. “I saw you with her, through the window.” She gestures toward the hospital. “You love her.”

 

Vi’s chest tightens, the words heavy. She doesn’t answer immediately, her throat thick. “I do,” she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

The girl’s smile softens, gentler now. “Good. She deserves someone who’ll fight for her. Someone who sees all of her and stays anyway.”

 

Vi looks at her - really looks - trying to understand what she means. “You talk like you know her better than I do.”

 

“Maybe I do.” There’s no malice in the girl’s voice, just a strange calm. “Or maybe we just knew different parts of her. You’ve seen what she became. I knew who she was before all that.”

 

Vi blinks. That doesn’t sound like a co-worker, or even a friend in the usual sense. It sounds... deeper. More complicated. And it makes her feel something she doesn’t like, a pang of realization that there’s history here, a history she hasn’t been a part of. It’s not jealousy that stings, but something worse: regret. Regret for all the pieces of Caitlyn she’s missed.

 

The girl steps back, looking up at the hospital, like she’s waiting for something, maybe a sign, or maybe just strength. After a long beat, she speaks again. “Look, when they let visitors in again, I’ll head up. Caitlyn’s going to need familiar faces when she wakes up. People who actually care.” The last part hangs in the air, leaving Vi unsure whether to take it as judgment or solidarity. Maybe both.

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Vi asks, her voice sharper than she meant it to be.

 

The girl just shrugs. “Nothing. Just… I’ve seen too many people pretend to care when it’s easy. You don’t look like one of them.”

 

Vi isn’t sure if it’s meant to be reassuring, but the words settle heavily in her chest. The girl starts to turn, then pauses - eyes flicking back to Vi like she’s on the verge of saying more. But whatever it is, she swallows it down.

 

“If Cait asks… tell her I stopped by,” she says. “She’ll know who I am.”

 

Vi nods slowly, uncertain. “Name?”

 

The girl hesitates, then gives a crooked smile. “Jinx.”

 

Vi frowns slightly. The name doesn’t mean anything to her but then again, everything about this girl feels like a puzzle she’s not meant to solve. “Jinx,” she echoes. “Right.”

 

Jinx lifts a hand in a lazy salute, already stepping backward toward the dark parking lot. “See you around, tough girl.” And then she’s gone.

 

Vi stays rooted to the spot, staring into the darkness long after the girl disappears. The encounter leaves a strange, hollow ache in her chest like waking from a dream you weren’t ready to leave.

 

Just a stranger, she tells herself.

 

But something about her lingers.

 

Something Vi can’t explain.

 

She takes a moment to breathe, to collect the pieces of herself before heading back inside. Her steps are slow, hands restless at her sides, fingers fidgeting as she winds her way through the sterile corridors. She reaches Caitlyn’s room only to find it empty. A nurse stands by the bed, quietly cleaning up the scattered remnants of chaos. The air still smells faintly of antiseptic and blood.

 

Vi’s brain stalls, refusing to process. “Excuse me?” Her voice is fragile, nearly breaking. “Where’s Miss Kiramman?”

 

The nurse looks up, recognizing her immediately. “She’s been taken to the OR. Dr. Talis is operating now.” She offers a small, reassuring smile, but it doesn’t land. It barely even registers.

 

Vi nods numbly and turns away, her steps slow and soundless. She drifts through the maze of hallways, eyes fixed on the floor. Her mind is blank. She can’t think about what comes next, not yet. All she can do is hope.

 

Hope that Caitlyn will pull through.

 

Hope that the night hasn’t taken everything from them.

 

Hope there’s still time to make things right and take back what Maddie stole.

 

Hell, Vi doesn’t even know if Caitlyn still wants her.

 

She could wake up and decide that none of it was worth it, not the risk, not the fight, not the eye she might have lost. All those injuries, all because of Vi’s reckless choices. That fear settles deep in her gut, heavy and unmovable, and suddenly the dried tears on her cheeks are replaced by fresh ones.

 

She replays every perfect moment they shared over the past week. All the stolen laughter, whispered promises, lingering touches. And she wonders how it’s possible to feel so happy and so wrecked all at once. But then the thought strikes her - maybe the happiest moments are the ones that hurt most when they’re gone. Maybe that’s just how life works.

 

Because she’s never been allowed to keep joy.

 

Her sister died.

 

She crashed and burned.

 

Her family turned their backs on her.

 

And now the woman she loves is fighting for her life behind a door she can’t open.

 

Vi spends the next few hours holed up in the cafeteria, a place where a handful of hospital staff shuffle through on their breaks. She thought being somewhere semi-crowded might ease the loneliness.

It doesn’t.

 

If anything, it makes it worse.

 

She curls up on the worn corner couch, aching for Caitlyn’s presence like a phantom limb. A plate clinks softly in front of her, pulling her out of her spiral. “Eat up,” Mel says, placing a sandwich on the table. “I can’t let you die on me. Caitlyn would have my head when she wakes up.” That small laugh from Mel somehow makes Vi believe, if only for a moment, that things might be okay again.

 

Vi looks up, her eyes raw but brimming with silent hope. She doesn’t speak, but Mel sees the question written all over her face. “She’s stable again,” Mel says gently. “But you won’t be able to visit until tomorrow morning. Now chew the damn bread.”

 

“But how is she? What happened? Why did she collapse like that?” Vi doesn’t even glance at the sandwich. Her voice is urgent, as if not knowing might break her all over again.

 

Mel crosses her arms. “Details for food,” she says, giving Vi a pointed look. Vi sighs, grabs the sandwich, and takes a reluctant bite. “Okay,” Mel begins, “Jayce said she had internal bleeding again. Something involving her kidneys and ovaries. But he patched her up, and her vitals are stronger than before.” Mel sits down next to Vi and notices a subtle shift in her posture, like some unbearable weight has finally eased off her shoulders.

 

“Fuck,” Vi breathes, voice hoarse. Fresh tears slide down her cheeks, but this time, they fall with a strange kind of relief. For a moment, she lets herself float in that fragile calm like she might finally come up for air. Then her gaze drifts to Mel. She studies Caitlyn’s friend for a second before speaking. “Do you know where I could shower and change?”

 

Mel lifts an eyebrow. “Well, the Kiramman mansion is always open to you. Just… be careful. Tobias doesn’t know you, and he’s very familiar with firearms.” There's a brief pause before Mel’s brow tightens, concern flickering behind her eyes. “I thought you wouldn’t leave her side until she wakes up.”

 

“I know. And I hate it. But you’re right, she’d kill me if I didn’t take care of myself. She’s terrifying when she pulls out the fangs.” Vi manages a weak laugh. It doesn’t feel real, not exactly but it’s something. Something solid to hold onto. Then her tone shifts, her body tensing in a way that doesn’t go unnoticed. “I also have someone else I need to visit. Someone I need to deal with before I can move forward.”

 

Mel’s expression darkens. “Maddie.” The name lands heavy between them. A different fire flares in Vi’s eyes. “I can set that up,” Mel says after a beat. “Tomorrow morning. She’s in custody at our precinct. But Vi… are you sure you want to see her now? She hasn’t spoken since the arrest. We’re just waiting on Caitlyn’s statement at this point.”

 

“You’ll need mine too, right?” Vi rises from the table, the shift in her posture clear like she’s been handed a mission and it’s the only thing keeping her upright. “I’ll be there in the morning. I have an idea how to make Maddie talk.”

 

Mel watches her head for the exit, a knot of unease settling in her chest. “Please don’t make me regret this,” she says quietly. Vi stops at the door, glancing back with a silent question.

 

Mel sighs, understanding. “Main Street. Huge mansion. The Kiramman key is at the front gate.” Vi nods, and with that, she disappears around the corner.

 

***

 

The sky is still dark when Vi steps out of the taxi, the early chill biting at her damp cheeks and aching muscles. The Kiramman mansion rises ahead like something pulled from a dream - grand, distant, too clean. Tall iron gates. Perfect hedges. A winding cobblestone path leading to a house that looks more like a museum than a home.

 

It’s quiet. Too quiet.

 

Vi pauses at the gate. Then she punches in the code Mel gave her on a small brass keypad. For a moment, nothing. Then a soft click breaks the silence, and the gate creaks open, slow and reluctant, as if the place itself isn’t ready to let her in. Her boots scrape against stone as she walks the path. Most of the windows are dark, but a faint gold light spills through one beside the door - barely enough to cast a shadow on the porch.

 

She’s halfway up the steps when the door slams open.

 

A gun.

 

“Don’t move!” a rough voice growls from the doorway. “Who the hell are you?”

 

Vi’s hands shoot up. “Whoa- easy! I’m not here to rob you!”

 

The man in the doorway is tall, haggard, and unsteady. A robe hangs from his shoulders, stained with scotch or something stronger. His grey-streaked hair is wild, his eyes red-rimmed and bleary with grief. Still, the gun doesn’t shake. “I said - who are you?”

 

“Vi,” she says, calm but alert, eyes locked on the trigger. “Mel sent me. I’m… I’m Caitlyn’s-” Her voice falters. Lover? Partner? What do you call yourself when the person you love is unconscious on a ventilator? “I’m the one she nearly died protecting,” she finishes, quiet and raw.

 

The man blinks. The gun doesn’t lower, but it wavers. His lips twitch like he wants to speak, but instead he staggers back, dragging a hand down his face. “Goddammit. Mel said someone might come by but-”

 

“You thought I was breaking in?” Vi exhales, shoulders dropping just a little. “Guess I should’ve expected you’d still be grieving. And drunk.”

 

“Grief doesn’t end just because the world moves on,” he snaps, voice frayed. “And my daughter-” He stops himself before the words fully land.

 

Vi lowers her hands, movements careful. “I know,” she says, soft now. “You don’t have to explain.”

 

At last, the man, Tobias, drops the gun to his side and leans against the doorframe like it’s holding him up. “You look like hell.”

 

Vi snorts. “You’re not exactly in runway shape yourself.” That gets a sound out of him, something between a grunt and a laugh, flat and hollow. He steps aside in silence, letting her in.

 

The inside of the mansion is beautiful, but suffocating. The warmth in its design has faded under the weight of silence and absence. Dust clings to corners. Photographs of Caitlyn and Cassandra line the hall - pale ghosts of memory caught in glass. Tobias stays outside, breathing in the cold. The gun dangles from his hand, forgotten.

 

Vi turns back before disappearing down the hall. “I just need a shower and some clean clothes. Then I’ll be out of your way.”

 

“Guest rooms are down the hall. Second door on the left,” Tobias mutters. “Clean towels are in the linen closet.”

 

She nods, hesitates. “Thanks.”

 

He doesn’t reply. But he doesn’t stop her either. And for tonight, that’s enough.

 

She drifts through the hallway like a ghost, barely registering her footsteps against polished floors. The guest room is easy to find, twice the size of her old place in Zaun. Everything inside feels curated, cold in its perfection: sleek furniture, deep navy and white walls, not a thing out of place. The bed looks like it belongs in a catalogue.

 

A floor-to-ceiling glass wall stretches along one side, revealing the backyard, manicured hedges, elegant stone paths, a fountain she can hear even from here. It’s the kind of view that demands reverence. Vi stares at it, arms folded tight across her chest. All this wealth. All this power. And still, Caitlyn almost died.

 

She turns away.

 

The bed tempts her - god, just lying down sounds like heaven. But she can’t. Not yet. It’s nearly morning, and there’s still too much to do. The thought of facing Maddie, giving her statement… it claws at her already.

 

She remembers Tobias again, the slump of his shoulders, the glassy eyes, the stink of scotch. He looked like a man barely stitched together. She could end up like that too, if things had gone just a little differently. If she’d been slower. If she hadn’t broken down that damn door when she did.

 

No. No, she won’t let herself spiral.

 

They made it out. Caitlyn’s alive. She just must keep holding onto that.

 

Vi forces herself to move. She finds the closet Tobias pointed to, grabs a towel and some folded clothes that don’t feel like they should belong to her. They smell like starch and something vaguely floral. Rich people scent.

 

The hot water in the shower is a small mercy. It rolls over her bruises, steaming the fog out of her head. For a moment, her body forgets how much it hurts. Her hands brace the wall. She lets her head hang.

 

Then, like it always does, Caitlyn comes back to her, not the hospital version, not the broken, pale figure on a bed but real Caitlyn. Smirking after a sparring match. Laughing under moonlight in Zaun. Whispering something ridiculous into Vi’s ear just to make her blush in public.

 

Vi shuts her eyes, lets the memory rush over her like the water. But it cuts too deep. The warmth of it is unbearable.

 

She dries off quickly, her movements stiff. The towel hangs limp in her hands as she stares into the bathroom mirror. Even cleaned up, she looks hollow. Eyes sunken. Skin pale under the fluorescent lights.

 

She lifts a hand and gently touches the two small marks near her ribs - the ones Caitlyn gave her when things were still playful, still new. The skin around them is pink and tender but already healing. Just like Caitlyn wrote in her diary. Faster than normal wounds.

 

She bites down on her lip, hard. Anything to stop the trembling.

 

And then Caitlyn’s smile flashes again, so bright it hurts.

 

Vi opens her eyes. She won’t cry. Not now.

 

But the fear lingers anyway, clinging to her spine like frost. What if she never sees that smile again? What if-

 

She shakes her head, backing away from the mirror. She can’t let that happen. She won’t let that happen.

 

Because loving Caitlyn means fighting for her.

 

Even now.

 

And she’s not ready to let that go.

 

Vi steps out of the bathroom with a towel draped around her neck, damp hair clinging to her shoulders in uneven streaks of faded rose and copper. The black ink Caitlyn had helped her rinse out days ago is gone now, washed down the drain like a layer of skin she no longer needed. Her body feels lighter. Not better, not even close but lighter. As if some of the guilt that clung to her bones had finally loosened its grip.

 

Barefoot and shirtless, she pads quietly down the hallway. Her jeans cling damply to her hips, water still trailing down the curve of her spine. The mansion is silent. Of course it is. She’d forgotten how loud silence can be in a place this big, where walls don’t hum with neighbours or creak under the weight of someone living above you.

 

The guest wing looks unfamiliar from this angle, and Vi quickly realizes she’s lost. She sighs, raking a hand through her wet hair, the towel slipping from her shoulders as she mutters under her breath. Another hallway. Another antique cabinet full of untouched glassware.

 

Then she notices it - a door left slightly ajar at the end of the corridor. Something about it tugs at her. She doesn’t even make a conscious choice to approach. Her body just moves.

 

She pushes the door open.

 

And stops.

 

The room is unmistakably Caitlyn’s.

 

It’s everything Vi didn’t realize she expected - neat, carefully curated in shades of blue and cream, personal without being cluttered. Medals hang in a glass case on the wall. Books are stacked on a shelf near the bed. And the scent in the air nearly floors her, clean linen, roses, gunpowder, and something softer she can’t name. She steps in like she’s afraid to wake a ghost. The bed is made, but the right side bears the soft impression of a body. Vi approaches slowly, as if underwater. Her fingers trail along the edge of the blanket, then the pillow, then pause at the collar of a dark hoodie draped over the bedpost. She lifts it gently. Brings it to her face.

 

Caitlyn.

 

Without thinking, she slips it on. It’s oversized, warm, and heavy with Caitlyn’s scent. It swallows her whole. For the first time in hours, she lets her eyes close. Then, the floor creaks behind her. Vi spins, startled.

 

Too late.

 

Tobias stands in the doorway, silent, a half-forgotten glass of amber liquid in his hand. His eyes flick from her face… to the hoodie… then lower to the marks along her neck and collarbone. Bruises, faint bites, a healing scratch beneath her jaw.

 

Evidence.

 

He doesn’t speak at first. Just takes one slow step into the room. Then another. Vi doesn’t move. She should say something, explain, apologize, tell him she had no right to be in here. But nothing comes. Her throat locks. Tobias stops in front of her. His eyes aren’t sharp anymore - they’re tired, sad… and something else. Understanding. He sets the glass down on Caitlyn’s desk without a word, then looks her over again, slower this time, really seeing her. “I thought you were just another mess,” he says quietly. “Another fire my daughter couldn’t help but run into.”

 

Vi swallows hard, her fists tightening in the sleeves of Caitlyn’s hoodie. “I was.”

 

He nods, just barely. “Maybe. But you’re also the one she let mark her. And the one who looks like she’s about to fall apart just standing in this room.” Vi drops her gaze. She can’t hold his anymore.

 

Tobias reaches out, adjusting the collar of the hoodie on her shoulder. The gesture isn’t paternal. It isn’t cold, either. It’s something in between, a clumsy offering of comfort from someone out of practice. “I lost the love of my life two years ago,” he says. “And I’ve been drowning in a bottle ever since. I didn’t think Caitlyn would let anyone close again. Not after that. Not after watching me fall apart.”

“I didn’t mean to…” Vi chokes, her voice cracking. “I just- she’s the only thing that ever-made sense.”

 

“She still is,” Tobias says softly. “Which is why you’d better not fuck it up.”

 

A sound escapes her, somewhere between a sob and a laugh, and she wipes her eyes on the sleeve of Caitlyn’s hoodie. “Too late for that, isn’t it?”

 

“No.” His voice steadies, just a little. “Not yet. If you’re here when she wakes up… maybe it’s not too late at all.” The silence that follows is different now. Not heavy. Not cruel. Just real.

 

Vi finally nods. Tobias turns as if to leave then pauses, his hand resting on the doorframe. “She’d be okay with you staying in here,” he says gently. “Hell… she’d probably pretend to be annoyed, but she’d be smiling the whole damn time.” Vi lets out a faint breath - half a laugh, half a sob. She doesn’t answer. She can’t.

 

Tobias hesitates, then steps back into the room and lowers himself into the armchair by the window. The one that looks like it hasn’t been touched in months, maybe longer. “You know,” he begins, voice a little rough, “there was this one time when Caitlyn was sixteen, she and her mother got into it over something stupid. Cassandra told her to wear something more formal to some family function. Caitlyn showed up in combat boots and a leather jacket she borrowed from a girl she had a crush on at school.”

 

Vi blinks, raising a brow. “Caitlyn?”

 

“Oh yeah,” Tobias says, a crooked grin tugging at his mouth. “She stood at the top of the stairs like she was in a movie. Jacket zipped to the throat; eyeliner so dark she looked like she was planning to mug the mayor.” Vi snorts quietly, her lips twitching. “Cassandra was livid,” he goes on. “Started in on her the second she came down. Said the outfit was disrespectful. Accused her of rebelling just to get a rise out of us. And Caitlyn - without missing a beat - says, ‘Good. Then it’s working.’” A smile lingers on Tobias’ face, his gaze drifting, distant. “Stormed out and didn’t come back for three hours.”

 

Vi shakes her head, a grin tugging at her lips despite everything. “She’s always been that stubborn, huh?”

 

“Oh, worse,” Tobias says with a low chuckle. “But it was always about something that mattered. She was never difficult just for the sake of it. She just… refused to let anyone decide who she was going to be. Not even us.”

 

Vi glances down at the sleeves of Caitlyn’s hoodie wrapped around her hands. “Yeah. That sounds like her.”

 

Tobias leans back in the chair, his voice softer now. “Cass came around eventually. I think she knew pretty early that Caitlyn wasn’t going to fit into the mould we had in mind. But she loved her for it. Respected her, even if she didn’t always know how to say it.” He drags a hand over his face and exhales, weary. “Sometimes I wish I’d been better at that, too.”

 

Vi lifts her head. “She knew you loved her.”

 

Tobias holds her gaze for a long moment, then nods once. “I’m trying to be better now,” he says. “I think we both are.” He rises, slow and stiff, but something in his stance has settled - less broken, more grounded. “I’ll let you rest. Just… try not to steal all her hoodies.”

 

Vi smirks faintly. “No promises.”

 

Tobias almost smiles as he steps out and this time, he closes the door gently behind him.

 

Vi lingers a moment longer in Caitlyn’s room, soaking in the silence, the scent, the memory of a sixteen-year-old rebel in combat boots. And for the first time in days, the tightness in her chest eases, just enough for her to breathe.

 

***

 

The sun is up by the time Vi’s ready to head to the precinct. She skips breakfast, despite Tobias offering, her mind already locked on the next thing. Once she’s focused, there’s no pulling her off course, not until she’s seen it through. She catches a cab to the address Mel texted her earlier. The building looms ahead, grey and uninviting. Vi enters with her head low, not quite ready for what waits inside.

 

At the front desk, she approaches a uniformed officer and tells him she’s here to see Mel. The man looks sceptical until she flashes her badge. That gets his attention. He nods and leads her through a corridor to a dim, narrow room with a one-way mirror. Vi nods a silent greeting to the people inside, then steps forward and looks through the glass.

 

Her breath catches.

 

Maddie sits on the other side, cuffed to the table, still in the same clothes Vi last saw her in. Her posture is slack, her expression hollow but there’s something mocking in the emptiness. Something wrong.

 

It turns Vi’s stomach.

 

“She hasn’t said a word since the arrest,” Mel says, stepping up beside her. “We’ve tried different methods, different people. Nothing. Sometimes she just sits there and stares. Other times, she smiles. Laughs at our questions.” Vi doesn’t answer. Her eyes haven’t left Maddie’s face. Mel lowers her voice. “I know this isn’t easy for you. But we need her to talk. Without a confession, it’s going to be hard to prove everything.”

 

Vi’s jaw tightens. Her fists curl at her sides. That snaps Vi out of her glare. She looks at Mel and the officers, brows furrowing in disbelief. “What? How can this be hard? You’ve got all the evidence you need.” Her blood boils, the frustration rising like an uncontrollable fire. It’s clear now: the situation isn’t as straightforward as she thought.

 

“The others we arrested put out statements, too,” Mel says, her tone measured but heavy. “They all say she didn’t do anything against the law. I’m sorry, Vi, but if she doesn’t say something useful, we might have to close the case.”

 

Vi can see the quiet empathy in Mel’s eyes - the understanding of how deeply this cuts, not just for the investigation, but for her. Caitlyn’s in a state that can’t be easily explained or dismissed. Someone put her there. Vi’s fists clench, her voice low but resolute. “Okay. I know how to make her talk.”

 

Mel eyes her for a beat, suspicion flickering before she nods reluctantly. “I’ll let you in. But be careful.”

 

Vi doesn’t wait for any more permission. She steps into the interrogation room, the heavy door clicking shut behind her. Maddie, sitting there, frozen in surprise, stares up at her, confusion and recognition in her eyes.

 

Vi stands in front of her, her voice cold. “You were right. She’s a monster.”

 

***

 

The hospital room is quiet, save for the soft hum of machines and the occasional rustle from the corridor outside. Morning light filters through the blinds, gentle and diffused, casting a faint glow across the crisp sheets of Caitlyn’s bed.

 

Her breath hitches slightly as her eyelids flutter open. For a moment, she’s disoriented, unsure of where she is. Then the pain returns, dull but persistent, and the heaviness behind her left eye reminds her of everything that happened. She shifts carefully, wincing as the gauze wrapped around her eye tugs with the movement. Her throat is dry, sore, and she blinks with her good eye, trying to adjust to the sterile light.

 

A figure is seated beside her, leaning slightly forward in the chair. Blue hair, a sharp profile, and tired eyes that snap toward her as she stirs. “Cait?” The voice is soft, but alert. “Hey- you’re awake.”

 

“…Jinx?” Caitlyn rasps, managing a faint, crooked smile. “You look like you haven’t slept.”

 

Jinx lets out a breath of relief and offers a tired laugh. “Neither have you, apparently.”

 

Caitlyn turns her head slowly toward her, careful not to strain the wound. Her voice is rough, but she still manages a soft question. “My eye?”

 

“It’s… recovering,” Jinx said softly, her voice steady but laced with concern. “The doctors said the damage was extensive, but there’s a chance your vision might return. They’re doing everything they can.”

 

Caitlyn closed her remaining eye for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “Okay… that’s good.”

 

Jinx hesitated, then spoke, her voice quieter. “I can call a nurse-”

 

“No,” Caitlyn murmured, her voice faint but firm. “Not yet. Just- stay.”

 

Jinx gave a small, understanding nod. She sat back, trying to act casual, but Caitlyn could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she was holding herself just a little too stiffly.

 

After a long beat, Caitlyn’s brows furrowed. “Where’s Vi?” Jinx’s lips parted slightly, caught off guard by the question. “I haven’t seen her since Zaun…” Caitlyn added, her voice soft and vulnerable. “Is she-?”

 

“She’s here,” Jinx replied, but the hesitation was clear in her tone. “Well, she never really left. I didn’t know where she went after everything… but-” Jinx reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her tablet. “I was going over some of the precinct systems when something pinged,” she continued. “It was the interrogation room’s feed.”

 

Caitlyn blinked, her eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. “She’s at the precinct?” Jinx nodded and turned the screen toward her, her fingers swiping as the live footage loaded. Caitlyn adjusted herself carefully, wincing at the movement, as the footage came into focus. Through the one-way mirror, they saw the interrogation room. Maddie Nolen was seated, cuffed to the table, her posture too relaxed, almost unnervingly indifferent.

 

Then, Vi entered.

 

She looked exhausted - worn out in every way - but there was fire in her eyes, a quiet fury that Caitlyn recognized all too well. The silence in the room stretched between them as they watched Vi approach Maddie, her steps measured and purposeful.

 

“You were right,” Vi said quietly, but the microphone picked it up clearly, her voice laced with cold resolve. “She’s a monster.”

 

Caitlyn’s breath caught sharply in her throat, a sharp pang of both relief and pain twisting inside her.

 

Jinx leaned forward, her gaze flicking between Caitlyn and the screen. “I didn’t even know she was planning to go there,” she said softly, almost apologetically. “She didn’t say a word to me. Just disappeared while I was running diagnostics upstairs. Guess she had unfinished business.”

 

Caitlyn didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze was locked on the screen, focused entirely on Vi, on the way she stood, the tension in her jaw, the hurt buried beneath every word. Then, after a long moment, she blinked and turned her head slightly toward Jinx. “Turn up the volume,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Jinx didn’t hesitate, tapping the screen to increase the sound. The room fell silent as they both leaned in, drawn into the conversation on the tablet. Vi's voice broke through the quiet, her tone casual, almost too casual. The detective chuckled under his breath and sat down at the table in front of Maddie.

 

“I saw her before coming here, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at her the same…” Vi's words hung in the air, and Caitlyn’s heart ached at the sting of them. She watched the way Vi sat, the way she spoke, the way her gaze was sharp but distant. Caitlyn tried to read the situation, searching for any sign that this was all an act, that Vi didn’t mean what she was saying.

 

Jinx stiffened the moment Vi’s words landed. Her eyes widened slightly, unsure if she’d heard correctly. Caitlyn, on the other hand, didn’t move. She was frozen, her gaze fixed on the tablet screen as if it could somehow provide her with answers, as if it might start lying to her.

 

Vi’s voice echoed again, and the words cut deeper. “I saw her eye. It’s all fucked up, looking terrible. It’s ugly, almost dirty. I wanted to puke when I saw it.”

 

Caitlyn’s throat tightened. She didn’t blink. She didn’t breathe. Her good eye flicked sharply over Vi’s body language, searching for something, anything, that would tell her this wasn’t real. But there was nothing. Vi wasn’t yelling. She wasn’t slouched or angry or trying to bluff her way through the situation. She was calm. Dead calm.

 

And that hurt more than anything else.

 

Jinx looked over at Caitlyn slowly, her brow furrowing. “She’s- what the hell is she doing?” Her voice was tentative, unsure if she was interpreting the situation correctly.

 

Then Vi continued, and it only got worse. “Ugh, I’m so glad you finally shut her mouth up. The last 24 hours, I had peace. No complaining, no smartass retorts. I could finally breathe for a second.” That one hit like a punch. Caitlyn flinched, just barely, but Jinx saw it.

 

“Hey,” Jinx said quickly, setting the tablet down and gently reaching for Caitlyn’s arm. “Hey- Cait, listen to me. That’s not real. That’s not- she’s lying. She has to be.”

 

But Caitlyn didn’t respond. Her jaw was clenched so tightly it looked painful, and her chest rose and fell with a slow, deliberate rhythm - the kind people get when they’re trying desperately not to lose control.

 

Jinx shook her head, her voice soft and uncertain. “She’s playing Maddie, right? I mean- she’s baiting her. That’s what this is. She wouldn’t… not after the way she looked at you. Not after-” Jinx stopped herself, unsure how much to say, not wanting to push too far.

 

Maddie looks at Vi, and for the first time, her expression shows something more than her usual smug detachment. There's concern, confusion and hope. That subtle shift makes Mel lean in instinctively, her eyes narrowing as she listens closely. “You finally see the truth about her,” Maddie says, breaking the silence in the hospital room. Caitlyn’s attention snaps back to the tablet. She watches, unmoving, as Maddie continues. “I tried to warn you. I told you you’d regret getting close to her. That’s why I did what I did. I hurt her… for you.” Maddie leans back in her chair now, animated, her voice gaining strength.

 

Vi bites back a smile. The bait had worked - just enough. She leans across the table, her face drawing closer to Maddie’s. Her eyes soften, putting on a mask of sympathy as she reaches out and lets her fingers brush lightly over Maddie’s cuffed hand. “I can help you get out of here,” she murmurs, just loud enough for the surveillance mic to catch it. “I know a way.”

 

A slow smile creeps across Maddie’s face. She links her fingers with Vi’s for a brief second, as much as the cuffs will allow. “You really are back,” she says, almost tenderly. “You even washed that black dye out of your hair.” She lifts her hand, brushing a strand of Vi’s hair back from her face.

 

Vi leans into the touch. “Thank you,” she whispers. “For freeing me from her.”

 

But Maddie doesn’t understand the truth behind those words. This isn’t about choosing Maddie - it’s about finally walking away from the version of herself Vi thought she’d never escape. The one moulded in Zaun. The one that hurt the person she loves. She’d cut her hair, bleached it clean - not for Maddie, not for show, but for herself. A final stamp on the change she desperately needed.

 

On the other side of the screen, Caitlyn remains silent. Watching them touch. Listening to Vi’s words. Each one feels like a knife, twisted deeper. Her chest aches, but she doesn’t look away. Not yet. She needs to see it through. She needs proof, undeniable, final - that Vi meant none of what they’d shared.

 

“Hey… maybe we should turn it off,” Jinx offers gently, her voice full of concern.

 

But Caitlyn shakes her head. “No.”

 

Jinx sighs but nods. “Okay. Just know I’m right here.”

 

Back in the interrogation room, Vi slowly releases Maddie’s hand and rises from her seat. She exhales, a soft hum escaping her throat as she turns toward the one-way mirror. “Is that enough?” she asks, her voice even. Then she stops behind Maddie’s chair and waits.

 

Mel’s voice crackled through the speaker overhead. “Yeah, I think we can work with that. She admitted to hurting Caitlyn.”

 

The words hit like a gavel.

 

Maddie’s eyes fluttered shut. The weight of realization sank into her skin, slow, cold, and final. Her breath stilled. Defeat clawed its way through her body, tightening every muscle. “Good, good,” Vi said quietly, almost too quietly.

 

Then came the crack.

 

Maddie’s face slammed into the table with brutal force, the sickening sound of bone meeting metal echoing through the interrogation room. The impact split her nose open instantly, blood splattering across the table’s surface. She recoiled with a muffled cry, barely catching herself before she slumped to the floor.

 

“You really thought I was going to go back to you?” Vi’s voice was laced with mockery, a venomous smirk tugging at her lips.

 

Maddie groaned, one hand clutched to her face, blood leaking between her fingers in dark rivulets. “You bitch,” she snarled, voice thick with pain and fury.

 

But Vi didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. She walked slowly across the room, her boots thudding with measured purpose. She grabbed the second chair and, with a sharp twist of her arm, jammed it under the door handle. The loud clang of metal-on-metal echoed like a countdown.

 

In the observation room, Mel’s brow furrowed. “Wait- what the hell is she doing?”

 

But Vi was already turning back. And this time, there was no mask, no pretence. Just raw, unleashed rage. “You hurt her,” Vi growled. “You don’t get to smile about it.”

 

Then she lunged.

 

Her fist crashed into Maddie’s face with a brutal crack that echoed like a gunshot. The redhead reeled, her head snapping back, blood spraying from her mouth. She barely had time to cry out before Vi grabbed her by the collar and hauled her upright again.

 

Another punch - this one square to the cheekbone. It shattered something. Maddie’s scream turned into a choked gasp.

 

Vi didn’t stop.

 

She slammed her elbow into Maddie’s temple. Drove a fist into her ribs hard enough to make the chair screech against the floor. Then another blow, her knuckles splitting skin, crushing cartilage. Maddie’s body convulsed under the onslaught, her head jerking from side to side with every hit.

 

Caitlyn gasped audibly in the hospital room, one eye wide with horror, the other still hidden beneath gauze. “Vi- oh, my God,” she whispered. “Stop…”

 

But Vi couldn’t hear her.

 

Jinx was already on her feet, clutching the tablet with white-knuckled hands. “What the hell is she doing?! Why isn’t anyone stopping her?!”

 

On-screen, the scene was a frenzy of violence. Maddie was slumped in the chair, barely conscious, her face soaked in blood. A final punch from Vi whipped her head sideways, her body going limp like a ragdoll.

 

Then chaos erupted.

 

Officers on the outside began ramming the door, shouting, slamming fists against the wood. The chair wedged beneath the handle groaned under the pressure.

 

Vi didn’t even look up. She stood over Maddie’s broken body, chest heaving, her fists coated in red. Her knuckles were raw. Splintered. And still, her expression didn’t change.

 

When the door finally burst open, the chair skittered across the floor. Officers stormed in, shouting her name, weapons drawn.

 

Vi didn’t resist. She raised her hands slowly, stepping back from the ruin of Maddie Nolen, eyes unreadable - cold, calm, and hollow.

 

Back in the hospital, the tablet screen flickered, the camera angle shifting slightly in the chaos. Caitlyn didn’t move. She sat frozen, pale, breath shallow. The sound of dripping blood crackled through the speaker like it was leaking into the room itself.

 

Jinx was pacing now, rattled and furious. “She snapped,” she muttered. “She completely snapped. What the hell was she thinking?”

 

Still, Caitlyn said nothing.

 

Her eye stayed fixed on the screen. Not on the blows but on what came after. The second Vi stepped back. The way her shoulders dropped. The pain etched into her face like it had nowhere else to go. Not rage. Not triumph.

 

Grief.

 

Regret.

 

Raw pain.

 

Caitlyn blinked slowly, then sagged back against the pillow, her breath catching. “She wasn’t lying,” she whispered. “It was bait. Every word of it… was bait for Maddie.”

 

Jinx stopped pacing and turned to her; brows furrowed. “What?”

 

“She looked at the mirror,” Caitlyn said, more firmly now. “She knew someone was watching. She wanted them to believe her. Just long enough for Maddie to slip.”

 

“To confess?” Jinx asked softly.

 

Caitlyn nodded. “So, we’d finally have proof of what she did to me.”

 

She exhaled shakily and pressed a hand to her face, fatigue dragging her down like an undertow. “Damn it, Vi…”

 

Jinx stared at her in silence, then quietly sat down beside her again. “She’s not subtle, that’s for sure.”

 

A faint, pained smile tugged at Caitlyn’s lips. “No. She never is.”

 

They looked back at the screen. Vi was being handcuffed now, flanked by officers, her knuckles smeared with dried blood. And even then, even now, her eyes flicked once more toward the one-way mirror.

 

Like she knew Caitlyn was still watching.

 

***

 

It took Mel nearly an hour to get Vi out of custody. She approached the cell herself, key in hand, and unlocked the door with a quiet click. “That wasn’t exactly subtle,” Mel said, her voice teetering between reproach and concern.

 

Vi stood from the bench, shrugging. “She deserved it. And if I see her smirk like that again, I’ll do it again.” She moved to walk past, but Mel stepped in front of her.

 

“Your badge and gun.”

 

Vi stopped.

 

Her jaw clenched. “Seriously?”

 

Mel held out her hand, unwavering. “It’s part of the deal. You’re suspended. They revoked your clearance.” For a long moment, Vi didn’t move. Then she reached to her side, pulled her badge and holstered sidearm free, and slapped them into Mel’s open palm.

 

“It was worth it,” she muttered, stepping around her and strolling down the hall. She tossed a lazy salute to the custody officer on her way out.

 

“Vi! Wait!” Mel called after her, catching up just as she handed off her gear at reception.

 

Vi turned, irritated. “What now?”

 

Mel’s tone shifted. “Caitlyn’s awake.”

 

Vi stopped in her tracks like she’d hit a wall. Her lungs seized; her heart thudded into overdrive. It was too much air and not enough at once. “What?”

 

“Jinx texted me an hour ago,” Mel added softly.

 

Vi turned on her, eyes wide. “Why didn’t you-” She broke off, too stunned to scold properly.

 

“I didn’t want you punching your way out of here,” Mel said, arms crossed, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “Let me drive you.” She walked past Vi, leaving the ex-detective blinking, caught slightly off guard.

 

To say Vi was happy Caitlyn was awake would’ve been an insult to everything she’d been through. It didn’t even touch the surface. What she felt was a tidal wave crashing through her system - adrenaline flooding her veins, her heart stumbling over beats, pupils sharp with light, thoughts spinning too fast to catch.

 

The car ride to the hospital was silent. Mel didn’t speak. Vi couldn’t. Her knee bounced the entire time, and her fingers twitched unconsciously like they still held her badge, still felt the familiar weight of her gun. But that was gone now.

 

None of it mattered.

 

She just needed to see her.

 

Mel pulled into a no-standing zone and didn’t bother to care. She was out of the car before Vi slammed the door behind her and jogged to catch up. No directions were needed, Mel had already been here. In the elevator, it hit Vi all over again. The crushing tightness in her chest. The need, raw and sudden, that bordered on panic.

 

Mel noticed. “She’s in pain,” she said quietly. “But she’s safe.”

 

Vi said nothing. Her jaw was clenched too tight for words.

 

The elevator chimed.

 

They stepped into a quiet corridor, fluorescent lights humming overhead, patient rooms stretching down either side. A nurse glanced up and gave Mel a small nod - Room 516.

 

Vi’s steps slowed as they neared. Through the small window in the door, she saw them - Jinx, sitting close beside the bed, shoulder nearly brushing Caitlyn’s. They were looking at something on the phone. Caitlyn’s eye was bandaged. But she was upright.

 

Awake.

 

Breathing.

 

Vi froze.

 

Mel’s hand brushed her arm. “You want me to go in first?”

 

Vi shook her head. “No. I need to.”

 

Mel stepped aside. Vi opened the door. Both Caitlyn and Jinx looked up at the sound.

 

Jinx stood first. “Hey,” she said gently, her tone cautious, almost soft. Vi didn’t respond. Her eyes were locked on Caitlyn, pale, bandaged, impossibly beautiful.

 

“I’ll… give you two a minute,” Jinx said, glancing at Caitlyn.

 

Caitlyn nodded slowly.

 

Jinx passed Vi on her way out, offering a quiet squeeze to her arm. Mel followed with a look of her own and the ghost of a smile. Don’t screw this up, she mouthed before the door clicked shut behind them.

 

Silence.

 

Caitlyn blinked, her one visible eye scanning Vi’s face like she wasn’t sure if it was real or just another trick her pain-fogged mind had conjured.

 

Vi stood at the foot of the bed, frozen.

 

“I thought they’d keep you locked up longer,” Caitlyn rasped, voice rough.

 

“They tried,” Vi said quietly. “Mel got me out.”

 

Caitlyn nodded faintly, then glanced down. Her fingers trembled where they rested on the edge of the blanket.

 

Vi finally stepped forward, her boots silent against the tile. “How... how are you feeling?”

 

“I’ve been better.” Caitlyn gave a weak laugh, but it faded quickly. Her eyes rose to meet Vi’s and this time; they stayed. “I saw what you did. All of it.”

 

Vi’s throat tightened. “I figured.”

 

“She confessed. Maddie. You made sure she did.” A pause. “That wasn’t just an act, was it? What you said to her.”

 

Vi shook her head. “It was bait. I meant the words… just not the way they sounded. I needed her to think she’d won.” She stepped closer, now beside the bed. “I needed her to drop her guard. So, I could finish it.”

 

Caitlyn’s lips parted slightly, but she said nothing at first. Just looked at Vi like she was trying to see the parts of her that never made it to the surface. “You broke her nose.”

 

“She deserved worse.”

 

Silence again.

 

Vi’s gaze dropped to Caitlyn’s hand. She didn’t reach for it, not yet. “I never left,” she said quietly. “They wouldn’t let me in to see you. But I stayed.”

 

“I know.” Caitlyn’s voice softened. “Jinx told me. She said you were here the whole time.”

 

“She also said you woke up,” Vi murmured, eyes lifting to meet hers again. Her voice cracked at the edges. “That’s all I needed.”

 

Caitlyn reached out slowly and this time, Vi didn’t hesitate. She took her hand, careful and gentle, but sure.

 

Just like that, the space between them broke.

 

Neither of them spoke.

They didn’t need to.

The silence filled in everything they couldn’t say.

 

Their hands stayed locked for a while. Caitlyn clutched Vi’s fingers tighter than she meant to - like letting go would make her disappear again. Even after what Vi had just said. Then her eye drifted down.

 

The bruises. The dried blood. The raw scrapes on Vi’s knuckles. She didn’t ask where they came from. She’d seen it. Every second of it. Quietly, she lifted her other hand, the one that still worked and brushed her thumb across the edge of Vi’s injured one. “You didn’t stop after the table,” she said. It wasn’t a question.

 

Vi didn’t flinch. “No.”

 

Caitlyn looked up at her. Her eye shimmered. “You were furious.”

 

“I still am,” Vi said, her voice low. “But it wasn’t just that.”

 

Caitlyn swallowed. Her gaze held Vi’s. “Then what was it?”

 

Vi shook her head, pain flashing in her eyes. She gently cupped Caitlyn’s cheek with her uninjured hand. “It was for you. For what she did to you. I don’t care what it cost me. I’d do it again.”

 

Caitlyn’s lip trembled. “I saw everything… and still, a part of me was afraid. Afraid maybe what you said in there wasn’t just an act.”

 

Vi shook her head, pain flickering across her features. “It was all a setup. I had to bait her into confessing. I had to make her believe I’d walked away from you, like I didn’t care anymore. But Cait… it tore me up inside.”

 

She hesitated, then let the truth fall. “I hated myself for saying those things. Every single word made me sick.”

 

Caitlyn closed her eye, a tear slipping free. “I still feel like something in me broke,” she whispered. “Like I’m not the same anymore.”

 

Vi moved closer until their foreheads touched. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Then let me help you put it back together. Piece by piece. As long as it takes.”

 

Caitlyn exhaled shakily, her hand resting against Vi’s chest. “Why do you keep coming back?”

 

“Because I love you,” Vi said, her voice breaking into a whisper. “Since Zaun. Since that first time you didn’t look at me like I was a piece of garbage. You saw me. And I’ll never stop choosing you.”

 

Caitlyn let the confession soak in. Then, breathed out. “I love you too.”

 

Vi pulled her into a gentle kiss, soft and lingering, their bruises forgotten in the warmth of that one moment, the one neither of them would ever take for granted again.

 

When they pulled apart, Caitlyn brushed her thumb beneath Vi’s eye, catching a tear that had started to fall. Her voice was barely audible. “Do you remember… the first time I bit you?”

 

Vi’s lips curved faintly. “Yeah. How could I forget?”

 

“I almost didn’t go through with it.” Caitlyn’s tone was more fragile than before. “You looked so calm, but I could feel you shaking. I was terrified I’d hurt you. That you’d regret letting me get that close.”

 

Vi gave a quiet laugh, almost shy. “You didn’t hurt me. You floored me. That moment…” She swallowed. “It felt like you were already under my skin. That just made it real.”

 

Caitlyn smiled softly, her voice dipping into a near-whisper. “You cried.”

 

“I did.” Vi chuckled, cheeks tinting pink. “Not from pain. It was just… everything. You. Us. The bond. I’d never felt that close to anyone.”

 

Caitlyn leaned forward, pressing her forehead to Vi’s again, her hand slipping to gently rest against her cheek. “I feel it too, bunny,” she whispered, her voice warm and fragile and full of ache. “Even now. Maybe more now.”

 

Vi’s breath caught. She hadn’t heard that name in more than a day, not since everything started to fall apart. But now, hearing it again from Caitlyn’s lips felt like home stitching itself back together.

 

“You make me feel like I’m human,” Caitlyn murmured, her lips brushing against Vi’s temple. “Like I can be something more than what they make me into.”

 

“You are,” Vi whispered back. “You’re you, Cait. Maybe scarred, maybe different but you’re not broken. You never were.” Caitlyn didn’t reply right away. Instead, she just curled her fingers into Vi’s hoodie, holding her close. Their silence was no longer heavy or uncertain, it was warm, lived in, understood.

 

As the light in the room dimmed, Caitlyn closed her eye and let herself rest against Vi’s shoulder. For the first time since waking, she didn’t feel like she had to hold herself together alone. Vi shifted slightly to pull the blanket up around them both, her arm looping gently around Caitlyn’s back.

 

They didn’t say another word.

 

They didn’t need to.

 

This time, they had nothing left to prove, only something to rebuild, together.

 

And this time, they wouldn’t let go.

 

Notes:

well, this was a long ending but I had to give you something juicy after the break. Don't worry this story's not over. It's taking a break though and the continuation will appear under The Scarlet Kin collection. So, of course stay tuned for more in the near future and let me know what you think about this story.

PS. I've been working on something else for Caitvi, hence the break but keep an eye out for that too ;)

Notes:

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. Your support and interest mean the world, and I hope it brought you as much joy and intrigue as it did creating it. Stay tuned for more adventures, and remember - every story is better with readers like you. 💜

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of The Scarlet Kin