Chapter Text
Caitlyn gave a content sigh, flexing her bare toes in the warm sand. She basked in a comfortable silence with her companion.
The setting sun sent dazzling rays of light across the wide expanse of the ocean, glinting and sparkling over the rolling surface like so many stars.
A gentle summer breeze stirred at the loose strands of Caitlyn’s long, silky black hair. She let her head fall back against the solid chest behind her.
Muscular arms warped loosely over her narrow shoulders in response. The touch was respectful. Protective. Strong. It brought a lump to Caitlyn’s throat. Suddenly fighting back tears, the young woman exhaled heavily.
“I leave for home in the morning…” Caitlyn felt her throat closing up even more when the strong body shifted.
A broad chest swelled against Caitlyn’s backside, vibrating with a hum of acknowledgment. The woody scent of her companion’s cologne, along with the slightly sweaty, unique scent of its owner filled Caitlyn’s lungs.
“Then I guess we better make tonight count, cupcake.” The words were purred in a low tone that made Caitlyn’s heart hammer.
“Vi,” Caitlyn choked, swallowing thickly. Her face and neck began to heat up, a fiery blush spreading quickly.
Warm air puffed against the shell of Caitlyn’s right ear. “Yes?”
The lobe took on a red hue and Caitlyn ducked her chin toward her left shoulder, turning her face slightly away from Vi.
Vi slid large, calloused fingers over Caitlyn’s shoulder, gently removing her hair from the left side of her long neck. A pair of warm, wet lips pressed a kiss to the exposed skin. Goose flesh pimpled over the area. Caitlyn felt her insides sparking, the heat desperately close to starting a roaring inferno.
As much as Caitlyn wanted Vi to continue her ministrations—they couldn’t. It wasn’t proper. They had only known each other for a few weeks. Both of them were leaving soon, for separate homes, in separate, likely far away places. And her parents. God, her mother.
Scrambling to salvage the last of her wits, Caitlyn fought against her baser instincts and growing desire.
“Please Vi, don’t; you’ll spoil it.” She pleaded in a strangled tone.
Caitlyn gave a tiny sigh of relief when Vi immediately drew back, her arms giving Caitlyn’s shoulders an apologetic squeeze before they dropped away. Caitlyn shivered, silently mourning the loss.
“Alright, you win.”
Vi stood with an exaggerated grunt, wiping at the sand that clung to her faded blue jeans and untucked button down shirt. Caitlyn peered over her shoulder, chin resting on the soft fabric of her baby blue sundress, watching the spectacle with a fond expression.
Seeing the evening sun highlight Vi’s striking silhouette sent her stomach swooping. Her heart gave a painful clench at the thought that this was some of the last moments they would spend together.
A head of wild, windswept auburn hair lifted, stormy grey eyes locking onto Caitlyn. Thick lips with a prominent scar lifted at the corners into a mischievous grin. “Like what you see?”
And that’s the moment ruined.
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. She primly turned up her nose, mouth dropping open to fire off a terse retort, when Vi swooped in and scooped her off the sand.
“Vi!” Shrieking, an indignant giggle erupting from her lips, Caitlyn pounded her fists halfheartedly against the thick back she had been nonchalantly slung over like a sack of potatoes. “Vi, put me down!”
“You sure that’s what you want?” Vi teased, jostling Caitlyn when she suddenly broke out in a jog.
The sound of crashing waves was getting louder. Caitlyn whipped her head toward the ocean, cerulean eyes widening in horror.
“Don’t you dare!” Caitlyn half shouted, half hissed at the idiot carrying her off like a bandit.
Vi chuckled loudly, gleeful when she called back, “You were right! It was getting too damn hot on this beach.”
Caitlyn got out a weak chortle before she was unceremoniously flung into the ocean. The sound of Vi’s laughter sent her heart soaring, even while she was descending to be swallowed up by the waves. She caught a flash of red just before she went under.
Vi had dove in after her.
How fitting, Caitlyn thought, eyes slamming shut as she met the cool water.
The image of Vi plunging headfirst into the unknown, fearless and carefree, would be one Caitlyn would always carry with her.