Chapter Text
The days following their heartfelt conversation brought unexpected moments of closeness, and Caitlyn found herself growing more comfortable in ways she hadn’t anticipated. She and Vi spent hours together, talking, laughing, and discovering more about each other’s hidden layers. The walls that had once seemed so insurmountable between them now felt like distant memories.
And yet, during the evenings, the air between them grew thicker, charged with a new energy. They had been laying together on the couch, the soft glow of the fire crackling in the background, when Vi shifted closer, her hand reaching for Caitlyn’s. It was a simple gesture, yet Caitlyn’s chest tightened in response. She knew what Vi wanted, knew what they both wanted. But the problem remained.
Caitlyn’s breath caught as she met Vi’s eyes, and for a moment, the space between them seemed to shrink. She wanted to say yes and be one with her again, wanted to lean into the heat that was building between them. But every time, when they were getting into the thick of it, something in her faltered. Something tightened in her chest.
Their repeated, failed attempts at intimacy were causing doubts to spring up in Caitlyn's mind again. Each time, Caitlyn tried to push past the fear that clawed at her chest. But the shadows of her memories—the moment she’d nearly died, helpless and vulnerable—always rose to the surface. It left her trembling and hollow, and no matter how much Vi reassured her, the fear wouldn’t let go.
After their fifth attempt, Caitlyn had pulled away, tears streaking her cheeks. “I can’t,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I thought I could, but I can’t. I’m so sorry, Vi.”
Vi had held her then, her arms warm and steady. “Don’t be sorry,” she said softly, brushing Caitlyn’s hair back. “This isn’t something we can force. We’ll figure it out. Just... not now.”
They agreed to shelve the idea of intimacy for the time being, focusing instead on simply being there for each other. But the doubts lingered, like an unspoken shadow between them. Caitlyn sometimes wondered if she was holding Vi back, if the walls she couldn’t break down were keeping them from moving forward.
Yet, despite the uncertainty, neither of them gave up.
It was on one of those restless days that Caitlyn found herself wandering Piltover’s streets, her mind churning. She hadn’t meant to walk so far, but warm air and the rhythmic click of her boots against the cobblestones were soothing in their own way. The city was healing... people going about their business trying to mend the wrongs that had been inflicted on the twin cities in the attack. The scars were visible though. Empty shops... People whose faces still bore the haunting memories of those lost in the fight... and the frequent scuffles. Piltover and the lower city were hardly friends... but the potential was there.
She found her nose tickled by the sweet aroma of baked goods and she followed it until she spotted the little bakery. It was tucked into one of Piltover’s quieter streets and Caitlyn had passed it before never paying it much mind, but something about it caught her attention today. She hesitated in the doorway, the sweet, warm aroma of freshly baked pastries drawing her in.
Inside, the air was rich with the scent of sugar and butter. The display case glistened with rows of cakes, tarts, and cookies, each more intricate than the last. But it was the cupcakes in the corner that held Caitlyn’s gaze. Their delicate swirls of frosting perched on top of soft, golden cakes seemed almost whimsical, as though they had no business being so perfect.
“Can I help you, miss?” came the baker’s voice, drawing Caitlyn’s attention. She smiled politely at a stout woman behind the counter, her apron dusted with flour and smudges of frosting. In her hands she held a small pot which she stirred with a large wooden spoon.
“Those cupcakes,” Caitlyn said, nodding toward them. “They’re beautiful.”
The baker chuckled. “Thank you, dearie. They're my pride and joy. Each one made with love. I was just about to apply some frosting to another batch. Would you like to see?”
Caitlyn blinked, surprised by the offer, but curiosity got the better of her. “I would,” she said, stepping closer as the baker moved to her station.
The process was both mesmerizing and calming. The baker worked with practiced ease, piping frosting in perfect spirals over each cupcake. Caitlyn watched as she added the finishing touches: a delicate drizzle of caramel, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a tiny edible flower perched on top like a crown. They looked perfect... flawless and for just a moment, Caitlyn found herself envious... of a pastry.
“What’s the secret?” Caitlyn asked, her gaze fixed on the smooth, glossy frosting.
The baker smiled, holding up the bowl containing the whipped mixture. “It’s all about balance. You take two things that shouldn’t mix—oil and water—and you make them work together. Butter, sugar, eggs and a little bit of patience, and there you go! They come together to make something sweet and special.”
Caitlyn frowned slightly, the words lingering in her mind. Oil and water—two things that shouldn’t mix. The thought struck a chord, her mind flashing to Vi. They were so different in so many ways, but somehow, they worked... or should work. Perhaps, like the frosting, they needed a little something extra to bind them together—a stabilizer, an emulsifier, or maybe just effort and care. Or time.
Caitlyn hesitated before speaking again, her voice quieter this time. “What if some of the ingredients... have trouble mixing? Or if one of them has... gone bad?”
The baker paused, her hands stilling as she looked at Caitlyn thoughtfully. “It happens,” she said gently. “Sometimes an ingredient isn’t ready to be used, or it needs extra care to bring out its best. The baker woman picked up a whisk, spinning it between her fingers. “And if one of them’s —‘gone bad,’ as you say—sometimes you don’t need to throw the whole thing away. You balance it out with other flavors, or you find a way to mask the bitterness. It doesn’t mean the whole recipe’s ruined. It just means you have to be patient and creative.”
She smiled faintly, feeling an idea take form in her mind. “I’ll take one,” she said, nodding toward the cupcakes. "The one with the dark blue frosting please."
The baker boxed the cupcake carefully, tying the package with a neat ribbon before handing it to Caitlyn. “Enjoy it. And if you’re sharing, make sure to tell them it’s made with love.”
“Thank you,” Caitlyn said, tucking the box under her arm as she stepped back into the brisk air of Piltover.
***
The house was quiet when Caitlyn returned. She carried the little box carefully, its contents suddenly feeling more significant than a mere confection. “Vi?” she called out, her voice soft but steady.
But there was no answer. "Vi? Sweety?" She called again as she wandered through the estate. A pang of unease stirred in her chest. Her eyes flicked to the empty living room, then toward the stairs. The silence felt heavier with each passing second, and her mind began to race. Was Vi okay? Or had she finally caved and... gone off in search of Jinx again?
But deep down, Caitlyn knew better. Vi wouldn’t leave—not without saying something.
She moved through the house with purpose, finally catching the faint whisper of wind. It led her up the stairs and out onto the roof. There, under the sprawling expanse of the sky, she found her.
Vi sat at the edge, her legs dangling over the side, staring at the city below. The gentle breeze tousled her pink hair, and her posture was relaxed, though Caitlyn could see the tension in her shoulders.
For a moment, Caitlyn simply watched her, struck by the sight. It was so clear to her now—Vi loved open spaces. She loved the sky, the wind, the sense of freedom that came with it. After so many years of confinement, surrounded by walls and iron bars, how could she not?
Caitlyn stepped closer, her voice soft. “What’s on your mind?”
Vi didn’t turn right away, her gaze fixed on an airship drifting lazily through the sky. “Jinx,” she admitted. “I’ve been thinking about her. About... how I miss her.”
Caitlyn sat beside her, letting the words come at Vi’s pace.
“She always wanted to ride one of those,” Vi murmured, nodding toward the airship. “See the world. We used to talk about it all the time when we were kids. Before everything went to shit.” Her voice softened, a bittersweet edge to her tone. “For so long, I blamed myself for everything. But... I think I’m starting to accept that I don't have to. For me. For her, maybe, too. I don’t know. I've always charged towards my problems... her included. Maybe it's time I just stopped and let things happen on their own.”
Caitlyn reached out, her hand brushing against Vi’s. “Letting go of someone you love isn’t easy,” she said gently. “Even when you know you had to.”
Vi looked at her then, a small, wry smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, both of us know about that, don't we?”
Caitlyn nodded, her chest tightening as she thought of Jayce, her mother, and the lives of everyone they’d lost. “I miss them,” she admitted softly. “My mother. Jayce. Everyone who... isn’t here anymore.”
For a moment, the two sat in shared silence, the weight of their losses settling between them like a familiar ache.
Then Caitlyn remembered the box in her lap. “Oh! I... ” She opened it and held it out to Vi, a small smile breaking through her somber expression. “I brought you something.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, curious as she took the cupcake from its box. Her eyes lit up with a mix of delight and surprise.
“I haven't had one of these in forever,” Vi said, examining it like it was something precious. “Last time was... before Stilwater. When I was still a kid.” She took a bite, her face lighting up with genuine joy. “Damn, it’s so sweet.”
Caitlyn chuckled softly, warmth spreading through her at the sight. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a comforting thought settle over her. Despite their differences, despite everything they’d been through, she knew that they were going to be okay. She loved this woman, more than she thought possible. Even if there was a bad ingredient in the mix now. Perhaps she could try a new approach... She thought back to a few nights before and how easy it had been to be close to Vi after she herself grabbed her hand and guided it around her in an embrace and a new idea formed in her mind.
Unable to resist, she leaned forward, her lips brushing against Vi’s to catch a bit of the blue frosting smudged there. Vi froze, wide-eyed and flustered. “Cait... what are you—”
But Caitlyn silenced her with a kiss, soft and deliberate. Slowly, Vi leaned into her, the hesitancy melting away as their kisses deepened. She reached for Vi’s hand and laced their fingers together, the familiar touch grounding her. "I’ve been thinking... about us, about everything." She paused, searching for the right words. "I’m tired of letting fear dictate what I do. I'm tired of being passive and helpless. I don’t want it to control me anymore. I don’t want it to control us. I want to be the one in control. So I need to change the recipe."
"Wh-?" Vi tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes and she could see a blush creep over her cheeks. "What are you saying?"
Caitlyn pulled her hand towards her body, guiding it, controlling her movement. She cupped Vi’s cheek with her other hand, her thumb brushing along it. "I’m saying that I want to move forward. I'd like to... I’m going to lead."
Vi blinked, her cheeks still flushed pink. "You’re... sure? I don’t want to rush you."
"I’m sure," Caitlyn said firmly, though her heart hammered in her chest. "I trust you, Vi. And I trust myself. But I think this is what I need. We’ll go slow, and if I need to stop, I’ll tell you. But I need to take this step—my way."
Vi nodded, her gaze steady. "Okay. Just tell me what you need."
Caitlyn leaned in, brushing her lips softly against Vi’s. It was a kiss without urgency, a quiet declaration of love and trust. She deepened it slowly, savoring the moment, and Vi responded in kind, her hands resting lightly on Caitlyn’s hips. Caitlyn pulled back just enough to meet Vi’s gaze. "Lie back," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly but filled with intent.
Vi obeyed, shifting onto her back, her expression a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Cupcake... we're on a rooftop..." Caitlyn climbed over her, her hands steady as they rested on either side of Vi’s shoulders. She smiled, her confidence growing as Vi looked up at her with nothing but love in her eyes. "I don't care..." She removed her jacked and undershirt before resuming.
Caitlyn kissed her again, slower this time, letting herself savor the warmth of Vi’s lips, the way her hands gently trailed over Caitlyn’s back. She took her time, guiding the pace, exploring the moment on her own terms. Every movement felt like a reclamation, a step toward healing. She was in control... of everything, every step of the way. The act.. her emotions. Flashes of Maddie cropped up in her mind but this time, this time she was able to let them fade away to oblivion.
She began to slide off Vi's shirt, revealing her body. Her newfound assertiveness emboldening her and making her hungry for something she'd been wanting to experience for many days now, a chance to be one with Vi again. Vi gave a chuckle, as if she couldn't believe what was happening.
"Are you... all right with this?" Caitlyn asked after finishing a row of kisses down Vi's body.
"All right? Cait, this... you have no idea how much this is doing for m..." but she hardly got a chance to finish her words, breathing heavily as Caitlyn was already undressing her further, emboldened by her lover's enthusiasm. Vi couldn't help but moan as Caitlyn continued her assault of kisses.
“You know,” Vi murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from Caitlyn’s face, “if anyone walks by and looks up, they’re getting a hell of a show.”
Caitlyn froze for a second before giving Vi a small, mischievous smirk. “Then they’d better appreciate the view.”
Under the sky, on that rooftop, it felt like the world was theirs alone. And for now, that was more than enough. The walls were falling away. They weren't gone yet, not fully... but with time, it would be as if they'd never been there at all.