Chapter Text
No matter how much Caitlyn believed that she and Vi were making strides in their relationship, reality consistently found a way to remind her of who Vi truly was—predictable in her unwavering selflessness.
"You’re doing it again,” came a rough, familiar voice from behind her. Caitlyn jumped slightly in surprise, her breath catching for a moment before warmth flooded her chest as strong arms wrapped around her waist.
It was always the same—Vi’s presence grounding her, even when her words carried a mix of teasing and concern.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Caitlyn replied, her tone light but unconvincing. All she received in response was a low, familiar grumble from Vi. Without a word, Vi removed her hands from Caitlyn’s waist and gently spun her around to face her.
Her silvery, powder-blue eye locked onto Caitlyn’s—a gaze so intense it seemed to pierce through every barrier Caitlyn had ever built around herself. And for once, Caitlyn held her gaze, something she never thought she’d have the strength to do.
For the longest time, Caitlyn had struggled to see herself as whole again. No matter how many times Vi reassured her that she was as beautiful as the day they met, that losing an eye didn’t lessen her, Caitlyn couldn’t shake the doubt. Vi would tease her, calling the eyepatch badass, always trying to make her laugh. And Caitlyn would—she had to. But she never forgot Vi’s reaction the day she found her in the hospital.
-
“Where’s she?” "Where's Caitlyn?" Vi demanded, her voice raw with panic and on the verge of hysteria.
When she found out that both Mel and Caitlyn had gone toe-to-toe with that shifty, self-serving war pig, she’d been a wreck. The thought of losing Caitlyn had unravelled her, but it wasn’t just that.
She couldn’t forget what she’d witnessed before—the image forever etched into her mind. Her baby sister, Jinx—no Powder, falling to her demise with a smile on her face, even as Vi screamed and cried, her voice hoarse and broken. She’d begged and pleaded, as though sheer desperation alone could undo the inevitable. It had felt like hours, maybe longer, before Ekko found her, pulling her back from the edge of despair. He’d held her as she sobbed uncontrollably, eventually telling her everything that had happened—things she couldn’t bear to hear but needed to know.
And now, with Caitlyn lying wounded and fragile
this world was a wasteland
Caitlyn was okay—just in critical condition. But that word, critical, had shattered what little composure Vi had left.
“She wishes to be alone and has forbidden any—” The poor staff didn’t get to finish before Vi interrupted, her voice a storm of anger and desperation.
“-Bullshit. I don’t really give a flying—”
“-Vi!”
The soft yet firm voice cut through the chaos, bringing Vi to a sudden halt. She spun around, her mouth half-open to argue, but the sight of the tall, regal woman froze her in place.
“Mel,” she said, her voice faltering, her fury momentarily dimmed.
“It’s good to see you in one piece,” Mel said, attempting to lighten the tension with a hint of dry humour.
But Vi wasn’t in the mood. Her jaw tightened. “I don’t really have time for small talk, Mel. With all due respect, where the fuck is Caitlyn?”
Mel’s face softened with a trace of pity, though her voice stayed calm. “She doesn’t want anyone to see her... in this state... especially you.”
“I don’t fucking care,” Vi shot back, her voice cracking slightly under the weight of her emotions "Please just let me see her"
Mel sighed, the kind of long, weary exhale of someone used to navigating chaos. “Follow me.”
-
I guess this is what I deserve, Caitlyn thought bitterly. She could try to blame Ambessa for everything—for the betrayal, the bloodshed—but deep down, she knew better. This was her fault. Every choice, every misstep, had led her here. And now, she was paying the price, guilt crashing over her like waves, along with the reality of Piltover and Zaun.
A sudden rush of pain surged through her body, the wound in her stomach a constant, throbbing reminder of her failure. It hurt just to breathe, let alone acknowledge the loss that weighed even heavier than the physical injury. She had lost something far more valuable: her eye.
How is Piltover’s finest sharpshooter? The question gnawed at her, mocking her pride and the identity she had spent her life building.
Was this the early retirement her mother had wished about all those months ago? Or was it Janna’s way of stopping her once and for all—a divine punishment for the control of power Caitlyn had?
She didn’t know the answer. All she knew was the ache in her body and the growing void inside her heart.
"Oh, Cait..."
No, no, no. She couldn’t be here. Caitlyn felt a surge of panic as the familiar voice reached her ears. She couldn't let her see her like this. Not now, not in this broken state. She couldn’t bear the thought of Vi looking at her with that same expression of pity and sorrow that everyone else had.
She'll leave. She’ll see me for what I really am—the same broken mess that ruined everything for everyone I ever cared about.
You were supposed to be her saving grace. Instead, all you do is hurt and disappoint her.
The thoughts flooded Caitlyn like a tidal wave, drowning her in a sea of self-loathing. How could she have let it come to this? How could she have failed the one person who meant everything to her?
“Hey, hey, easy, cupcake. I’m here.” Vi's voice was gentle, yet firm, as she moved closer, sensing Caitlyn’s distress.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Caitlyn choked out, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t want you to see me like this...”
Vi didn’t hesitate. She gently cupped Caitlyn’s face in her hands, just like she always did when Caitlyn needed comfort. Her thumb brushed softly across Caitlyn’s cheek, soothing the pain that wracked her. Caitlyn closed her eyes, wishing she could see Vi the way she used to—before all of this.
Before everything fell apart.
But she couldn’t. She would never look at Vi the same way again, not with only one eye.
The weight of it all became too much, and Caitlyn broke. She began to sob, the tears coming in heavy, uncontrollable waves. Vi pressed soft kisses to her forehead, her lips tender against Caitlyn's skin as she whispered words of comfort. She gently wiped Caitlyn’s tears away, her touch like a balm against the rawness of Caitlyn’s heart.
“I have nowhere else to go,” Vi said, her voice strong and steady, though laced with a vulnerability Caitlyn rarely heard. "I’m never leaving you again. You can punch me, shoot me, scream, kick, and..." Vi trailed off for a moment, her breath catching as her hand cupped Caitlyn’s cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re all I have left.”
Vi took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. “A little wound and a lost eye aren’t going to change anything. I’ll always be by your side, now more than ever. I love you, Caitlyn.”
The words, fierce and full of conviction, hung between them like a lifeline, an unspoken promise: she wasn’t leaving. Not now, not ever. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Caitlyn allowed herself to believe it. She let herself lean into the warmth of Vi’s love, the only thing that had ever truly felt like home.
-
"Earth to Cait."
Caitlyn snapped out of the memory and suddenly pulled back into the present, where she was once again met with the familiar silvery, powder-blue eye, staring at her, searching for an answer. Her gaze flicked over to Vi, and it took a moment to realise they were sitting in the living room, tangled on the couch— more intertwined than she'd realised.
"Gonna tell me what’s on your mind, or do I have to play psychic?" Vi’s voice was soft, but there was a teasing edge to it, a little smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she waited for Caitlyn to respond.
"Thinking about how much I love you."
It was a lie, Vi could tell, but she decided to play along, sensing that Caitlyn needed a little break. She’d humour her for a moment.
"Oh really? After all these years, you still can’t get enough of me? That’s kinda corny, babe." Vi teased, her voice warm as she tucked a stray strand of Caitlyn’s hair behind her ear and pressed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose.
This made Caitlyn giggle. Bingo.
"Says the woman who gives me a hundred different pet names." Caitlyn smiled, her gap-toothed grin barely exposed, but it was enough to melt Vi’s heart. It was adorable.
"You love it; don’t even try to deny it, Kitty Cait."
All Caitlyn could do was smile as she melted under Vi's touch, her heart softening in a way that only Vi could manage.
-
"Up again?" Vi sighed, mentally kicking herself for waking Caitlyn. She had hoped to get some sleep, but it seemed like that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
Vi sat on the edge of the bed, her body heavy with exhaustion, while Caitlyn, still in nothing but her eyepatch, rested her head on Vi’s shoulder.
"Couldn't sleep," Vi said helplessly, the words slipping out with a sigh.
"Guess I ought to up my game if you’re still awake after... all that." She couldn’t help but giggle, the playful side of Caitlyn bringing a warmth to her heart.
Vi turned her head, pressing a soft kiss to Caitlyn’s head, letting the moment linger. "No need, I’ll never get tired of you... of this. You really do live up to your name. So sweet."
Caitlyn’s cheeks flushed, the heat spreading across her face as she smiled, embarrassed yet touched.
"Come back to bed." Caitlyn muttered, still half-dazed with sleep.
"I am in bed," Vi said, her voice teasing but gentle.
"You know what I mean."
"Guess I ought to up my game if you—" Vi smirked, nudging her gently.
"Violet!" Caitlyn interrupted, as she swatted at her. "I appreciate your warmth very much, darling, please."
"Whatever the princess wants."
-
"I was there that day," Caitlyn said quietly as they sat at the table, breakfast freshly prepared by Vi.
Vi glanced up from her plate, giving Caitlyn a questioning look.
"When you went on the heist... all those years ago," Caitlyn clarified, her tone soft but loaded with meaning.
Vi froze, her fork hovering mid-air. Her body ran cold as the words sank in.
"I was helping Jayce carry boxes of materials to his apartment," Caitlyn continued, her gaze fixed on the steaming cup of tea in front of her.
Vi just stared at her, the weight of Caitlyn’s revelation crashing down on her like a wave.
"Before I knew it, the building blew up in blue smoke..." Caitlyn explained.
"My father was so upset. He forbade me from seeing Jayce—called him a misfit," Caitlyn chuckled at the memory, though it was tinged with melancholy. "That was one of the only times my mother stood by me when my father didn’t. She sponsored Jayce’s studies... sponsored Hextech... and reaped the benefits."
Vi’s grip tightened on her mug, her knuckles turning white as guilt clawed at her insides. She hadn’t realized how far the ripples of that day had spread, how close Caitlyn had been to the chaos she’d caused.
"Hey, what’s with the face? You shouldn’t feel guilty about it," Caitlyn said, her voice soft but firm. She was no longer looking at her tea but directly at Vi, her piercing gaze unyielding. "It’s not your fault," she added, her tone laced with reassurance.
But Vi couldn’t meet Caitlyn’s eyes. Vander’s words echoed in her mind, relentless and sharp:
You say run, they run. You say swim, they dive in. You say light a fire, they show up with oil. But whatever happens, it's on you.
Vi clenched her jaw, the weight of those words suffocating. "It’s my fault, Caitlyn," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, but it carried the full weight of her torment.
"Hey, none of that," Caitlyn said softly, her hand gently cupping Vi's cheek. "We can't change the past, no matter how much we beg, plead, and pray... I didn't bring it up to cause distress. It just has me thinking."
Caitlyn moved a little closer, her gaze softening as she spoke. "You truly are my soulmate, Violet. Our fates have been intertwined before we even knew it."
She smiled, her gap-toothed grin lighting up her face, and Vi couldn't help but be drawn to her. Without thinking, Vi leaned in, pulling Caitlyn into a deep, lingering kiss, as if to prove that nothing—no matter how hard the past had been—would tear them apart now.
-
They stood by the statue in silence, the air heavy with the weight of unspoken thoughts. The stillness was broken by Caitlyn’s soft sobs, a sound that surprised Vi.
"You think after seven years the pain gets less?" Caitlyn’s voice trembled as she tried to hold herself together, but the cracks in her façade were too deep. She dropped to her knees, her body wracked with the grief she could no longer contain"I wish I could do it all over".
Vi knelt beside her without a word, pulling Caitlyn into her arms, the rawness of the moment pulling them closer than ever.
-
They were at the firelight mural, the soft glow of the flames flickering in the evening air. Vi had just finished praying for those she had lost, the quietness of the moment hanging heavy between them. As she placed a bouquet of flowers down, the silence seemed to stretch, but it was broken by Vi's soft words.
"They would have loved you."
Caitlyn, standing beside her, turned her head, a small, uncertain smile tugging at her lips. "You think so?" She asked shyly, not entirely convinced. After everything she'd done—was she truly worthy of such kindness?
"Mylo might have been an ass," Vi said with a quiet chuckle, the memory of her brother still bittersweet. Caitlyn snorted at that, unable to help herself.
"But he'd come around... eventually," Vi added, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow, as though the absence of those who had loved her was still a wound that hadn’t quite healed.
Caitlyn’s gaze softened as Vi spoke, her heart aching with the weight of the things left unsaid, the people they never got to say goodbye to.
"Oh, Janna," Vi murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, the loss of her friend still so raw. "I wish we had more time."
All Caitlyn could do was watch, the sadness in Vi's eyes settling deep within her own chest. She leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Vi’s cheek, her heart full of empathy.
"I’ll give you a moment," Caitlyn said quietly, stepping back to give Vi the space she needed to grieve. The weight of everything was heavy, but in this moment, Caitlyn knew she could stand by Vi, in silence, offering the comfort of just being there.
"I don't want to lie," Vi whispered, her voice shaky. "I wish you all were more than just a memory. I dream about you, but it feels like you’re haunting me... All I want is peace of mind." She paused, her voice softening. "I have something good going on with Cait. She’s everything to me. I don’t want to ruin it. I always choose wrong; have to let this go to keep her. I know I do"
Guilt consumed her, gnawing at the edges of her soul every second of every day. No matter how hard she tried, Vi always felt like she chose wrong— every single time .
Every day, Vi was haunted by the what-ifs.
The biggest one always being:
What if she had never gone on that stupid, fucking heist?
In her mind, that was the moment. The one choice that set off a chain reaction—the butterfly effect—that shattered everything. The world might have gone to hell for countless reasons, but Vi carried the weight of it like it was her fault alone.
Vi sighed deeply, her sorrowful gaze lingering on the flowers. "I would do it all over if I could... I swear," she said, her eyes filled with regret and resolve.