Chapter Text
Vi had barely stepped inside the room before she felt the shift in the air. The door clicked shut behind her with a soft thud, but the atmosphere felt off—heavy. Caitlyn was sitting on her bed, her textbook open in front of her. But it wasn’t just Caitlyn anymore.
A girl— short-haired, much shorter, easy smile—was sprawled across Caitlyn’s bed, casually resting her head on Caitlyn’s pillow as if she belonged there. Maddie. It had to be.
Vi froze, her gaze flicking between them, the weight of the unfamiliar girl’s presence immediately setting her into fight or flight. She knew there would be a time when she would have to face Maddie, but she didn’t expect it on a Thursday night, no warning after a three hour volleyball practice.
Vi’s eyes narrowed, trying to mask the irritation already starting to build. She wasn’t ready for this—wasn’t ready to see Caitlyn so at ease with someone else in their room. Not when she was barely getting used to the idea of sharing this space in the first place.
“Hello Vi,” Cait said, looking up from her textbook to meet Vi’s eyes.
Vi’s breath tried to remain steady, “Didn’t really expect company.”
Maddie raised an eyebrow, studying Vi with a keen, almost calculating look. “I didn’t realize Caitlyn had… friends who did sports,” she said, her tone light but with an underlying sharpness. “You must be pretty good to be on the university team.”
Vi didn’t like her already.
“I am,” Vi said, her voice clipped.
Caitlyn finally looked up, glancing between them. “Maddie’s just... curious,” she explained, sounding completely unfazed. “Don’t mind her.”
“It’s hard not to when she’s in your living space,” Vi’s tone was colder than she meant to be.
Cait shut her down, “Our living space. I never said you can’t have friends over.”
“I would have told you beforehand. Especially if it was…yknow… for activities.”
Caitlyn breathed in shortly, trying not to blush, “We were studying together, nothing more nothing less.”
The two bickered on as Maddie watched silently, watching the power shift evenly. Caitlyn was in the middle of shouting about how Vi doesn’t respect the space when Maddie gave Caitlyn a sidelong glance and then tried to awkwardly hug her.
Caitlyn didn’t notice and was too invested in winning this argument. Maddie tried sighing to show how bored she was.
Not a single look from Caitlyn.
Maddie shifted on the bed, before standing. “I’ll leave you two alone. See you later, Caitlyn.” She turned to Vi, forcing a smile, “Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard such good things about you.”
Vi forced a smile back, but it felt stiff. “Yeah, sure,” she replied, her voice cool.
As the door closed behind Maddie, Vi exhaled sharply, her chest tight with frustration.
There was silence.
And more silence.
Caitlyn sat on the edge of her bed, “This sounds horrible but…thank you.”
“For fighting with you?” Vi questioned, taking out some items from her bag and placing them away.
Caitlyn sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Yes, actually. She invited herself in. I told her I needed to focus on my first exam tomorrow, and she said she’d be quiet.” Her lips tightened. “Next thing I know, I’m studying constitutional law while she’s… trying to get in my pants.”
Vi snorted despite herself. “Declining sex for one of the millions of exams you’ll take this year? Respect.” She crossed her arms, leaning against her cluttered desk, littered with pens and crumpled paper.
Caitlyn scoffed, her expression softening just a fraction. “It’s not about that. It’s just… she makes everything about her. And sometimes, I just… can’t.”
Vi studied her for a beat, surprised by the vulnerability slipping through Caitlyn’s usual sharpness. “You could’ve kicked her out yourself.”
“I was going to,” Caitlyn admitted, eyes flicking down. “But you made it easier.”
The room settled into a strange, tentative calm. Vi shifted her weight, almost uncomfortable with the unexpected honesty. She didn’t pin Cait to be a girl who would open up so quickly about relationship issues.
The room filled with the quiet scratch of Caitlyn’s pen against paper, steady and precise. Vi grabbed a water bottle from her bag and took a long sip, her gaze drifting toward Caitlyn despite herself. She desperately wanted to ask Cait why she stayed with her. But that seemed like a question that was a little too deep for now.
She would eventually let the room be silent for the rest of the night so Cait could study but Vi needed to ask one question first
“You’re still on for tomorrow?”
“Unfortunately yes.”
─ ·𖥸· ─
“Hurry up, your hair doesn’t need to be perfect” Vi was at the door, waiting for Caitlyn to be ready. She was still at her vanity trying to get all of her hair into a perfect ponytail.
She let out a low breath in response, adjusting her hair, and then slipping on her shoes, “Fine, I’m ready.”
The two walked down to the courts, making fun of each other on the way. Vi held the gym door open as Caitlyn hesitated on the threshold, it was vast- with volleyball nets placed meticulously.
The lack of people added to the vast feeling of the gym. Caitlyn thought it would be full of people, yet they were the only ones there.
Vi grabbed a nearby ball and tossed it underhand. It soared in a gentle arc, aimed straight for her.
With zero thought, Caitlyn caught it cleanly, her posture sharp. “What exactly is this supposed to prove?”
“You said it yourself: it's just a sport where you hit things, plus don’t you excel at everything?” Vi teased, stepping closer to grab the ball from Cait’s clutch.
Vi guided Caitlyn to the center of the court, suppressing a grin at the way Caitlyn stood stiffly like she was preparing for a military inspection rather than a volleyball drill.
“Relax,” Vi instructed. “You’re not in a courtroom. Plus it’s just me. No one else is watching”
Caitlyn’s jaw tightened, but she adjusted her posture slightly. “What exactly am I supposed to be learning here?”
“We’ll start simple—passing. You want to bump the ball with your forearms like this.” Vi demonstrated, her arms straight and hands clasped, sending the ball into a clean arc.
Caitlyn nodded, mirroring the stance with almost robotic precision. “Seems straightforward.”
“Let’s see if that theory holds,” Vi smirked and tossed the ball toward Caitlyn with an easy lob.
Caitlyn braced herself, locked her arms... and the ball bounced off her wrists, veering to the side.
“Okay, not terrible, ” Vi said, biting back a laugh. “Try again. Keep your arms steady and let the ball hit lower on your forearms. You also need to loosen up more.”
They ran through more passes, each one a mix of awkward attempts and surprising improvements.
Vi paced back a few steps, “Alright, time to see how you handle spiking.”
Vi walked over, standing a little closer than necessary, and placed a hand lightly on Caitlyn’s shoulder. “First, get into position.”
Caitlyn flinched at the touch but didn’t move away. Vi guided her shoulder gently. “Square up like this. Spread your legs.”
Caitlyn stepped back quickly, her knees weak, “I beg your pardon? I’m a lady and I would never-”
“Get low, stop being such a princess and- holy shit I didn’t mean it like that,” Vi realized what she had said, and put her hand over her mouth trying to stifle a laugh, and then explained the non-sexual volleyball position, “Like this you perv.”
Caitlyn followed the instructions with stiff precision, her focus intense. Vi moved behind her and adjusted Caitlyn’s elbow with a light press of her fingertips. “Keep this arm up—ready to swing. Don’t be so tense”
“This feels ridiculous,” Caitlyn muttered, her cheeks slightly pink.
“You’ll feel even more ridiculous if the ball smacks you in the face, Lady Statue” Vi teased, stepping back.
“Ever so encouraging.”
Vi laughed and positioned herself near the net, tossing the ball lightly. “I’ll set it. You jump and hit it over.”
The first attempt was... disastrous. Caitlyn jumped late, swinging her arm awkwardly and missing the ball completely. She stumbled on the landing, muttering a curse under her breath.
Vi sprinted over, holding back a grin. “Alright, not bad—for someone who's clearly never played sports.”
Caitlyn shot her a withering glare. “I’ve played sports. Show me again.”
Vi moved closer and held Caitlyn’s wrist, guiding it through the motion. Their hands brushed, lingering a second longer than necessary. “Swing fast but controlled—like you’re slicing through air.”
Caitlyn inhaled sharply but nodded, locking onto Vi’s eyes. “Got it.”
They reset, and this time Caitlyn leaped at the perfect moment, slamming the ball over the net with surprising force. The sound echoed through the empty gym.
“Holy shit, princess” Vi blinked, clearly impressed. “Where did that come from?”
Caitlyn brushed off her hands, pretending to be indifferent. “I do learn fast.”
Vi crossed her arms, an impressed smirk tugging at her lips.
─ ·𖥸· ─
“It’s 7 am on a Saturday morning, what the hell are you doing up?” Vi asked while mostly asleep.
Caitlyn was throwing things into a bag, still in her pajamas, “It’s a game day, I nearly forgot about it.”
Vi groaned and buried her face deeper into her pillow. "Game day? For what?"
"Colorguard," Caitlyn replied briskly, stuffing a pair of jazz shoes into her bag. “We have practice at 8.”
Vi cracked one eye open, watching Caitlyn dash around the room with military precision. “That early? For what? To throw some shit in the air and catch it?”
Caitlyn huffed in response.
Vi offered with a shrug. “ I could walk you there, keep you company."
Caitlyn hesitated, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "Why would you do that?"
Vi smirked lazily. "Maybe I don’t want to be stuck here bored out of my mind. Take your pick."
Cait gave her a small smile before returning to her packing.
Vi grabbed her sneakers and slipped them on while Caitlyn adjusted the strap of her equipment bag. They stepped out into the morning air- a little chilly for September- the campus still quiet in the early dawn.
“You’re still in your pajamas,” Caitlyn remarked, giving Vi a slow, judging once-over.
Vi smirked, unfazed. “It’s 7:45 in the morning. Everyone’s in pajamas at this time.”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. They walked side by side toward the stadium.
“So, what exactly happens at these games?” Vi asked, shoving her hands into her hoodie pockets.
“The marching band performs during halftime, and we execute the visual routine alongside them,” Caitlyn explained, all business.
Vi nodded thoughtfully. “Ever drop one of those rifles in front of everyone?”
Caitlyn shot her a sharp look. “No. And I don’t plan to start today.”
“I bet you were born holding one of those things.” Vi nudged Caitlyn’s side playfully.
Caitlyn smirked, shoving her back. “Practically. Started when I was fourteen.”
They walked in companionable silence for a moment before Vi spoke again. “That’s when I started volleyball. It sticks with you after a while.”
Her gaze lingered on Caitlyn’s stern expression, emphasized by two tight French braids framing her face.
“Your braids are cute,” Vi said casually. “I’ve never been able to do them myself. My sister—you saw her around—she’s a wizard with hair. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her without some kind of braid. She’s tried teaching me, but I always end up tying my hair into a knot.”
Talking about her sister softened Vi’s face, her grin easy and unguarded. Caitlyn couldn’t help but smile back, just a little.
“Thanks. It’s just practical for rehearsals.” Caitlyn paused, glancing at Vi. “You seem close with your sister.”
Vi sighed, her smile turning fond. “Yeah, she’s a handful. Fifteen and already a full-time rebel. Guess she gets it from her big sister.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, someone hurled themselves at her with full enthusiasm.
“Caitlynnnnn!” Maddie practically vibrated with excitement. “I can’t believe it’s game day! Aren’t you excited? It’s your first performance as captain!”
Vi watched, amused by Maddie’s boundless energy, such a contrast to Caitlyn’s composed demeanor.
“Well,” Vi said, stepping back, “I’ll let you two get to practice.”
“Vi, wait.” Caitlyn turned to Maddie. “Go tell the team I’ll be there in a second.”
Maddie pouted but obeyed, bouncing off toward the field.
“Thanks for walking me over,” Caitlyn said, a touch softer now. “I’ll see you after the game.”
Vi grinned, leaning back on her heels. “Good luck, Captain. ” She stretched the word into two distinct syllables, teasing.
Caitlyn returned a two-finger salute before heading off, already slipping back into her no-nonsense focus.
─ ·𖥸· ─
The door clicked softly behind Caitlyn as she stepped into the dimly lit dorm room. It was late—later than she’d planned—thanks to post-game cleanup and a long debrief from the marching band director. Her muscles ached and exhaustion tugged at every step she took.
She dropped her bag near her desk and froze when she noticed a faint glow coming from the other side of the room. Vi’s desk lamp was still on, casting a soft, warm light across her cluttered workspace.
Vi was slouched in her desk chair, earbuds in, a half-eaten protein bar resting forgotten on her lap. Her volleyball jersey was still on, though she’d swapped her shorts for sweats. Her head tilted back slightly, lost in whatever music or podcast she was listening to.
Caitlyn sighed, reaching up to pull the grey bow from her half-up, half-down hairstyle. Even after hours of performing, not a single strand was out of place—a testament to both her precision and stubborn will.
Her scalp stung with relief as she massaged the tension away, fingertips tracing where the elastic had pressed too hard. She was still in her performance uniform—a maroon dress that skimmed just below her knees, its lacy sleeves snug against her arms.
With a frustrated breath, she reached back to unzip the dress—only to freeze when the zipper refused to budge.
"You need help?" Vi’s voice cut through the quiet, low and casual, though there was a trace of concern beneath it.
Caitlyn clenched her jaw. "The zipper’s stuck. Can you just—"
Before she could finish, Vi was already behind her, fingers brushing the delicate fabric.
“Let’s see what we’re dealing with,” Vi murmured, tugging experimentally. The zipper barely shifted. "Yep. You might be stuck in this thing forever."
Caitlyn snapped her head around, eyes blazing. “Try again. I need this off now.”
Vi fought back a laugh, “Alright, alright.”
She returned to the stubborn zipper, working it up and down with mounting frustration. Her fingers grazed Caitlyn’s back through the thin lace, and for a moment, she was hyper-aware of how close they were.
Finally, the zipper slid down an inch—then snagged again.
"Come on," Vi hissed, giving it another sharp tug.
Snap.
The sudden sound of ripping fabric made both of them freeze.
“What the hell was that?” Caitlyn demanded, hands flying back.
Vi winced. “Uh… minor issue. Tiny rip. Very fixable.”
Caitlyn twisted around, eyes narrowing like she was about to issue a death sentence. "Rip? What rip?"
“There’s just—” Vi gestured vaguely. “A small tear. Right near the zipper.”
"Fixable, huh?" Caitlyn echoed, voice deadly.
Vi forced a grin. “Good news—it finally moved.”
This time, the zipper glided smoothly, sliding down until it stopped just above Caitlyn’s hips. Vi hesitated, fingers lingering for half a heartbeat longer than necessary, just so she could stare at the curve of Caitlyn’s back, her dark blue lace bralette now showing.
“You should be good to go,” she told Caitlyn, who was already tugging the dress off as Vi tried not to look. She rummaged through her dresser, grabbing an oversized sweatshirt before collapsing onto her bed, absolutely defeated.
Vi studied Caitlyn, noting the exhaustion etched into her features. “It’s not that bad of a tear,” she offered quietly. “I could help you fix it. I don’t know much about sewing, but I’ll learn.”
“It isn’t about the tear. I’m just exhausted from today. And I was so busy I forgot to eat.” Caitlyn was looking up at the ceiling, in a daze.
Vi straightened, “Get up. We’re going somewhere,”
Caitlyn tilted her head, so she could see Vi, “Nice try. Dining halls are closed.”
“Then we can go eat somewhere else,” Vi insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Before she could protest, Caitlyn found herself being guided down the street, Vi’s steady grip keeping her upright. A few minutes later, they stumbled into a small, cozy diner glowing softly under old neon signs. They ordered quickly and slid into a booth.
“So the game,” Vi questioned, “How’d it go? Didn’t even know you were captain.”
Caitlyn blinked, surprised by the softness in her tone. “It went… well. No major disasters.”
Vi grinned. “That’s a win.”
Caitlyn huffed a small laugh, “The director said it was it great for our first show, which is always nice to hear” Caitlyn’s lips twitched. “Thank you. For walking me earlier. It helped.”
Vi shrugged like it was nothing, but the sincerity in her eyes lingered. “Anything to get me out of that dorm that looks like a Better Homes & Gardens feature starring only your stuff.””
Caitlyn kicked Vi underneath the table.
“It wouldn’t be entirely my stuff if you actually put a couple of things up, and no- a Pierce the Veil ticket taped to a bare wall doesn’t count as decor.” Caitlyn lectured.
Vi leaned back into the booth, “Have you considered that-”
“I thought you were too tired to do anything today.”
Both girls froze at the sharp voice cutting through the cozy atmosphere. Maddie stood by the booth, arms crossed, her usual bubbly expression replaced with thinly veiled disapproval.
Caitlyn was a deer in headlights, “Maddie, I hadn’t eaten all day and you know how dizzy I can get. How…how did you even know I was here?”
“I’m not dumb. I have your location.” Maddie was stern.
Before Caitlyn could respond, Vi interjected smoothly, “It was my idea. She was about to pass out after everything today—completely sore and wiped. I practically carried her here.”
Maddie’s glare shifted slightly, softening, but only a bit. “You should’ve told me. I would’ve come.”
Caitlyn reached for Maddie’s hand. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Fine,” Maddie grumbled. “But next time... call.”
Caitlyn smiled faintly. “Okay.”
As Maddie left, Vi glanced at Caitlyn with a raised eyebrow. “She’s... intense.”
Caitlyn chuckled, shaking her head. “You’ve got no idea.”
─ ·𖥸· ─
The dorm was quiet when Vi and Caitlyn finally returned, the hallways empty under the dim glow of the yellowing fluorescent overhead lights. It was well past midnight, and Caitlyn was practically swaying on her feet from exhaustion. Vi kept a steadying hand on the small of her back as she unlocked the door, guiding her inside.
Caitlyn let out a long, tired breath, kicking off her shoes without bothering to line them up—a rare break in her usually meticulous habits.
Vi noticed this, “Long day, huh?”
Caitlyn leaned into her without thinking, resting her head on Vi’s shoulder. “Feels like it never ended. I’ll pick up the shoes tomorrow morning.”
“Cait…” Vi hesitated, realizing she’d never shortened her name before. It felt natural, somehow. “I don’t care. Like, at all. Just focus on resting.”
Caitlyn’s eyes fluttered open, though they were heavy with exhaustion. “I have a paper due... I should probably work on that.”
Vi shook her head gently. “C’mon. You’ve had a day. The paper can wait until you are not fighting to stay awake. Just sit on my bed for a second.” Caitlyn silently obeyed. Vi moved to Caitlyn’s bed, where she started taking off things from it- pens, textbooks, notebooks with extensive notes and diagrams.
Vi wasn’t exactly close with Cait- it had only been a month since moving in, but she felt pity for the girl. She was double majoring in two of the hardest degrees, and playing a sport. In her mind, this was the least she could do for her.
Vi went over and helped Caitlyn over to her own bed, and maybe Caitlyn leaned on her a little more than she needed to.
Caitlyn let out a small breath of relief as she sank onto the now-cleared bed, her eyes already drifting closed. Vi pulled a blanket over her, fingers lingering for just a second longer than necessary.
They both gave each other small smiles because saying “goodnight” to each other would have been far too awkward.
And they finally slept.