The second surprise
"You want to cancel our plans!?" Sarah’s voice cut through the stillness of Vi’s bedroom, sharp and vibrating with anger. She stood rigid in the center of the room, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Vi flinched at her tone but tried to hold her ground.
"It’s for a good cause," Vi said, her voice steady but with an unmistakable edge of concern. She knew she was treading on fragile ground and didn’t dare to let her own emotions spill over.
"A good cause!?" Sarah’s face twisted with disbelief and fury. She paced in front of the coffee table, gesturing with wild movements. "You call a vacation with your boss a good cause!?" Her voice cracked, her volume rising with each word. "Do you even hear yourself, Vi?"
"Sarah, no, that’s not—" Vi started, but Sarah wasn’t about to let her finish.
"Why do you need to cancel our plans to go with her, huh?" Sarah’s voice dripped with accusation, her eyes boring into Vi like twin flames. "What is so important about her that you’d just drop everything we planned together?"
Vi remained silent, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her mind racing to find the right words, the truth. She couldn’t tell Sara that Caitlyn had thoughts of ending it all, that this retreat might be the lifeline Caitlyn needed. That it wasn’t just about work; it was about saving a life. But how could she explain that? Without making everything worse?
"Say something, Vi!" Sarah yelled, her voice echoing off the walls. "Anything! Because right now, it sure as hell looks like you’re choosing her over me."
"It’s not what you think," Vi murmured, barely audible. Her words felt feeble, pathetic, even to her own ears.
"Not what I think!?" Sarah laughed bitterly, throwing her hands in the air. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "You’re not even denying it! You’d rather spend a week sipping cocktails on a beach with your boss than be here—with me. Us. The life we’re building, or at least I thought we were."
"Sarah, please," Vi said, her voice cracking. She stepped forward, her hands outstretched in a desperate gesture. "It’s not like that. I swear. This isn’t about me choosing anyone over you. I just—"
Sarah interrupted again, her words trembling with a mix of anger and pain. "Then what, Vi? Tell me! Because right now, it feels like I’m the last thing on your list of priorities."
Vi opened her mouth to reply, but the words stuck in her throat. How could she tell Sarah without breaking down? Without losing everything?
"You know what," Sarah said, her voice suddenly quiet, eerily calm, as though all the fight had drained out of her in one devastating wave. "We’re done."
"What!?" Vi’s head snapped up, and the blood rushed to her ears. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she stared at Sarah in disbelief. "What do you mean, we’re done? You don’t mean that."
"Go with her," Sarah said, her voice trembling as she grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. "Go on your little trip. I don’t care anymore." The tears she’d been holding back spilled over now, trailing down her cheeks, but her steps didn’t falter as she moved toward the door.
"Sarah, wait—please," Vi pleaded, her voice breaking as she took a step toward her. "Don’t do this. Let me explain. Let me—"
But Sarah shook her head, her hand tightening on the doorknob. She turned back for one brief, heart-stopping moment, her face crumpled with hurt. "You already made your choice, Vi. And now I’m making mine."
The door closed with a resounding thud, the sound reverberating through the room like the final note of a song Vi wished had never been written. She stood frozen, staring at the door, her chest heaving as the weight of Sarah’s departure crashed down on her. Every part of her screamed to run after her, to fix this, but she couldn’t move. She couldn’t even breathe.
"What!? She broke up with you?" Powder exclaimed, her eyes widening with incredulous shock as she paced around their small living room. Her energy was a whirlwind—vivid, unapologetically chaotic, and wholly Powder.
"Yes, she did," Vi replied with a heavy sigh, sinking deeper into her little sister’s couch. Her voice was steady, but the cracks of pain were unmistakable. She stared blankly at the cup of tea in her hands, as if the steam curling from it could offer her some kind of solace. It didn’t.
Powder stopped mid-step, her hands flying up into the air. "That’s crazy. But, you know what? I didn’t like her anyway," she said, her tone dismissive, as though she was casting Sarah out of her world for good.
"Powder," Vi said sharply, though her voice held no bite. It was more a plea than a reprimand.
"What?" Powder asked, throwing her hands up again. "It’s true! You deserve so much better. I mean, she only ever cared about herself—her competitions, her plans, her ‘this is my schedule, Vi’ stuff. Ugh, fuck her." Powder's tone was unapologetically brash, her words laced with a protective edge.
"Powder, language," Vi said gently, casting her sister a half-hearted glance, her exhaustion apparent.
"Sorry," Powder mumbled with zero conviction, rolling her eyes as she flopped down next to Vi on the couch. She nudged Vi's shoulder playfully, trying to chip away at the storm cloud hovering over her sister's head. But when Vi didn’t respond, the room settled into a heavy silence.
Vi’s thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to Sarah—her fiery anger, the sharpness of her words, and the slam of the door as she left. It echoed in her mind, over and over, a haunting refrain she couldn’t shake.
"You know," Powder began, her voice breaking the stillness, her blue eyes lighting up with a mischievous glint, "maybe you should date Caitlyn."
Vi’s head snapped toward her sister so fast she nearly spilled her tea. "What!?" she exclaimed, her cheeks instantly flushing a deep crimson. "No, she doesn’t like me like that."
"Mmm, sure, sis," Powder said, dragging out her words with a knowing smirk. She waggled her eyebrows at Vi, completely unrepentant.
"I’m serious, Powder," Vi said, shaking her head as if she could physically dispel the thought. "Caitlyn and I are just friends. That’s all."
Powder leaned back, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow skeptically. "Yeah, but friends can become more, you know. It happens all the time. Like in those cheesy movies you secretly love."
Vi groaned, rubbing her face with her hands. "Can we not do this right now? Please?"
"Fine, fine," Powder relented, though her grin never wavered. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and her teasing tone softened. "But, seriously, Vi, you deserve someone who actually cares about you. Someone who doesn’t make you feel like an afterthought. You’re amazing, sis, and don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise."
Vi felt a small smile tug at the corners of her lips, the warmth of Powder’s words breaking through the cold heaviness in her chest. "Thanks, Powder," she said softly, her voice tinged with genuine gratitude.
"Anytime, sis," Powder replied, her playful grin returning as she looped an arm around Vi in a quick, tight hug. She gave her a gentle shake, as though she were trying to rattle loose the lingering sadness. "Now, let’s do something fun to take your mind off things. Something messy. And preferably explosive."
Vi chuckled despite herself, a genuine laugh bubbling up for the first time in what felt like ages. "Explosive? You really don’t do subtle, do you?"
"Absolutely not," Powder said proudly, jumping to her feet with boundless energy. She held out a hand to Vi. "Come on, sis. Let’s go blow something up. Figuratively speaking. Maybe."
"Powder!" Vi exclaimed, but she couldn’t help the wide grin spreading across her face as she took her sister’s hand and let her pull her to her feet.
Vi returned home after her visit to Powder, her emotions a chaotic mix of relief, guilt, and lingering sadness. As she pushed open the door to the bar, her breath caught in her throat. The room was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight. A small table stood in the center of the room, draped with a crisp white tablecloth. Candles flickered delicately, their soft light reflecting off the crystal glasses and the scattering of red rose petals decorating the surface.
"Hey," Sarah said softly, standing beside the table. Her voice was tentative, apologetic, carrying an unfamiliar vulnerability that immediately caught Vi's attention.
"What’s all this?" Vi asked, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. She took a hesitant step closer, the atmosphere so unexpectedly intimate it almost felt out of place.
Sarah looked down, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "I wanted to… apologize," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "For the way I talked to you. For… everything, really. I was angry, and I wasn’t fair to you." She gestured to the table and then to the empty chair. "Please, sit. I want us to talk."
Vi hesitated, her mind racing. This was the last thing she’d expected when she walked through the door. After a moment, she set her keys down and slid into the chair. "Okay," she said cautiously. "I’m listening."
Sarah sat across from her, the flickering candlelight playing across her face. "I’ve been thinking a lot about what I said," she admitted, her eyes meeting Vi’s. "And I realized… I’ve been selfish. I’ve been so focused on my own stuff—my competitions, my schedule, everything—that I didn’t stop to think about how hard your job is. How much you carry. And I was wrong to put that all on you."
Vi blinked, taken aback by Sarah’s sudden honesty. "Sarah… I…"
"I know," Sarah said quickly, holding up a hand. "I know I can’t just erase what happened, or the way I made you feel. But… I want to try to make it right. I don’t want to lose you, Vi."
They shared a meal together, the carefully prepared food a testament to Sarah’s effort. As they ate, the tension between them began to dissolve. They laughed over old memories, teasing each other about shared inside jokes, and even indulged in a lighthearted discussion about where they might travel someday—together. For a fleeting moment, it felt like things could go back to the way they used to be, before everything got so complicated.
Later that night, they found themselves in Vi’s room. The walls, usually a comforting backdrop to her life, seemed to close in as the reality of their situation lingered unspoken. The night passed in a haze of closeness and vulnerability, an unspoken truce that felt fragile yet comforting.
But the morning brought a stark contrast to the tenderness of the night. Vi stirred awake to find Sarah sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a folder in her lap. Her expression was tight, her brows furrowed as she flipped through its contents.
"What are you doing?" Vi asked groggily, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"This is the trip?" Sarah asked, her tone sharp with suspicion.
"Uh… yeah," Vi replied, her confusion evident. "Why?"
Sarah closed the folder with a snap, her eyes narrowing. "Really, Vi? I thought this was a work-related trip."
"It is," Vi said firmly, though she could feel the tension creeping into her voice.
"Watching the sunset together doesn’t sound very professional to me," Sarah shot back, her voice laced with hurt and anger.
"It’s not what you think," Vi insisted, her heart sinking. "This trip—it’s complicated. It’s not about what’s in there."
"But it is, isn’t it?" Sarah said, standing abruptly. "You’re leaving me to go… play pretend on a romantic getaway with her. You know what? No. This was a mistake. Last night was a mistake."
"Sarah—" Vi started, but her words faltered. She didn’t move to stop Sarah as she grabbed her bag, her movements quick and final.
"I’m done, Vi. For real this time," Sarah said, her voice breaking as she headed for the door. She didn’t look back.
And this time, Vi didn’t try to stop her. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the space Sarah had occupied just moments ago. Relief mingled with sadness in her chest, creating a strange, heavy ache. She realized with startling clarity that she’d been holding on to something that had already unraveled.
Glancing at her watch, Vi noticed she was running late. She quickly got dressed, her thoughts laser-focused on Caitlyn and the trip ahead. The end of her relationship with Sarah, while painful, brought an unexpected sense of liberation. It was a clean slate—an opportunity to focus on what mattered.
As she stepped out of the bar, the morning air felt cool and refreshing against her skin. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she could breathe.
"Good morning, Cupcake," Vi said softly as she stepped into Caitlyn's room. Her voice was warm, but there was a slight edge of fatigue that she couldn't mask.
Caitlyn turned her head slowly, the corners of her lips lifting in a gentle smile despite the paleness of her face. "Good morning, Vi," she replied, her tone light but touched with tenderness.
Vi's eyes drifted to the flower vase on Caitlyn's bedside table. The once-vibrant flowers had wilted, their petals curled and browning. The sight tugged at her chest with an ache she couldn't quite explain. Caitlyn followed Vi's gaze, her expression softening.
"Don't worry about it," Caitlyn said quietly.
Vi's focus snapped back to Caitlyn, her brows knitting together. She wanted to say something, but the words tangled on her tongue. The dead flowers stirred a pang of guilt in her—she had noticed the dead flower in her room she always took every single time she bought Caitlyn flowers to know when it was time to get her new ones, yet she totally forgot. There had been too much on her mind lately, especially with Sarah.
"Why the long face?" Caitlyn asked, her perceptive blue eyes studying Vi’s every subtle movement.
"Well..." Vi sighed, crossing her arms as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
Caitlyn gave her a knowing look, raising her eyebrows slightly. "Vi, you know I'm here for you too," she said gently, her voice tinged with care. "You can always talk to me about anything."
"It's... complicated," Vi said, her voice faltering. She began to pace, her boots scuffing softly against the floor as her thoughts seemed to weigh heavier with each step.
"Vi," Caitlyn kindly,. "Come here and sit down."
Vi hesitated for a moment, glancing at Caitlyn’s moving fingers. The effort it took Caitlyn to move her fingers wasn’t lost on her. She finally crossed the room and perched beside Caitlyn’s bed.
"You can hold my hand if you want," Caitlyn offered, wiggling her fingers with a small, almost teasing smile.
Vi couldn’t help but smile back as she took Caitlyn’s hand, her grip firm yet tentative. There was something grounding about Caitlyn’s touch, something that made Vi feel like she wasn’t entirely untethered.
"Well..." Vi began again, letting out a deep sigh as she lowered her head. "Me and Sarah... we broke up," she said in one rushed breath.
Caitlyn's expression shifted to one of quiet empathy. "Oh, Vi," she said softly, her thumb instinctively brushing against Vi's knuckles. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Yeah," Vi said, forcing a dry laugh. "There goes three years of my life."
"Three years," Caitlyn repeated, her voice filled with quiet awe. "That’s... quite a long time."
"It is," Vi admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Caitlyn’s thumb continued its soothing motion, and Vi found herself relaxing just a little under her touch.
"You look exhausted," Caitlyn said after a moment, her gaze filled with concern. "You wanna lay down beside me? You seem like you need it."
Vi hesitated, her cheeks tinged with pink. But Caitlyn’s presence was comforting, and after a brief pause, Vi nodded. "Alright," she said with a small smile, settling herself beside Caitlyn on the bed.
After a moment of silence, Caitlyn turned her head toward Vi. "Can I ask why you broke up with her?" she asked softly.
Vi exhaled deeply, staring up at the ceiling. "She didn’t agree with my job," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration.
Caitlyn frowned slightly, glancing at Vi. "If it’s causing so much trouble, maybe we can—"
"No," Vi interrupted, turning her head sharply to look at Caitlyn. "No, Cait. I don’t want to change anything. I love this job. I love spending time with you."
Vi's comment caught Caitlyn off guard, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. She turned her gaze away, feeling the warmth rise to her face. "I... I enjoy your company too," she said softly, her voice faltering slightly. "But if it’s affecting your relationship, I’m happy to—"
"Don’t worry about it," Vi cut in, a small, reassuring smile appearing on her lips. "Honestly, I kind of lost feelings for her after she got... obsessed with those competitions."
"The competitions" Caitlyn repeated.
"Yeah, those gun competitions," Vi elaborated, shaking her head slightly. "It was like her whole world revolved around them. It got to a point where we barely even talked anymore."
Caitlyn nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "I see," she said softly, squeezing Vi’s hand gently.
"So, don’t worry," Vi said, turning her head to look at Caitlyn. Her smile widened just a little, genuine warmth in her eyes. "I’m okay."
“Well, remember I told you I had another surprise for you?” Caitlyn said, her voice carrying a playful lilt.
“Uh, yeah?” Vi replied, her tone tinged with excitement and curiosity. She sat up straighter on Caitlyn’s bed, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to guess what Caitlyn was up to.
“Open the folder on the table,” Caitlyn instructed, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
Vi swung her legs off the bed and walked over to the table, picking up the folder with a mix of anticipation and suspicion. She flipped it open, her eyes widening as she took in the contents. “Is this for…?” she began, her voice trailing off as realization dawned.
“Yes,” Caitlyn confirmed, her grin widening. “So, bring your gloves.”
Vi’s jaw dropped, and for a moment, she was too stunned to speak. “Cait, are you serious? This is—this is amazing!” she finally managed, clutching the tickets like they were the most precious thing in the world.
The day of the event arrived, and Vi, Caitlyn, and Jayce made their way into the bustling arena. The energy in the air was electric, the buzz of the crowd palpable as fans milled about, their excitement infectious. Jayce had gone all out, securing VIP tickets in the front row. Vi’s eyes sparkled with unrestrained excitement, a sight that made Caitlyn’s heart swell with affection.
“Oh, Miss Kiramman, thank you for coming,” a staff member greeted them warmly as they entered. He gestured for them to follow. “Everyone, please come this way.”
“What’s going on?” Vi asked, her brow furrowing in confusion as she glanced at Caitlyn.
“Don’t worry about it. Just come,” Caitlyn said with a mysterious smile, her tone light and teasing.
“I’ll go grab us some drinks,” Jayce offered, already scanning the concession stands. “What do y’all want?”
“I’ll have a soda,” Caitlyn replied.
“Me too,” Vi added, her attention still on Caitlyn, trying to decipher her cryptic behavior.
“Alright, soda it is,” Jayce said, disappearing into the crowd.
“Come on, let’s go,” Caitlyn said. They passed through a series of doors until they reached a backstage dressing room.
“Cait, where are we—” Vi began, but her words were cut off by a voice behind her.
“Well, I heard you’re a big fan,” the voice said, deep and unmistakably confident.
Vi turned slowly, her heart skipping a beat as she came face-to-face with none other than Sevika, the reigning fighting champion. Her mouth fell open, and for a moment, she was utterly speechless.
“Want me to sign those gloves?” Sevika asked, nodding toward the gloves Vi was clutching tightly.
Vi could only nod, her hands trembling slightly as she held out the gloves. “I’ve always admired you,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
Caitlyn stood off to the side, with a proud smile on her face as she watched Vi’s awe-struck reaction.
“Well, you could become one,” Sevika said as she handed the signed gloves back to Vi. “You seem to have potential. Let me see your arms.”
Vi hesitated for a moment before placing the gloves in Caitlyn’s lap. She shrugged off the jacket Vander had given her, revealing a fitted tank top underneath. As she turned, Caitlyn’s breath hitched. A tattoo sprawled across Vi’s back and the backs of her arms, intricate and striking. The way it accentuated her muscular frame made Caitlyn’s cheeks flush a deep shade of pink having to look away.
“Yeah, looks like you’ve got a lot of muscle on you, kid,” Sevika said, nodding in approval. “If you start training, you could make it. You’ve got the build, and from what I hear, the attitude.”
Vi’s face lit up with a mixture of pride and disbelief. “You really think so?” she asked, her voice tinged with hope.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean,” Sevika replied, her tone firm but encouraging. “You’ve got what it takes. It’s up to you to make it happen.”
Vi glanced at Caitlyn, who was still a bit red, her expression a mix of admiration and something softer, more tender. “What do you think, Cait?” Vi asked, her voice quieter now.
Caitlyn smiled, her blush still faintly visible. “I think you can do anything you set your mind to, Vi. And I’ll be right there, cheering you on.”
“Alright, kid, I’ll see you around. I gotta get ready,” Sevika said with a nod, her voice gruff but not unkind. She gave Vi a small, approving smirk before turning and disappearing into her dressing room.
“Oh, yes, thank you,” Vi called after her, her voice still tinged with awe. She clutched her signed gloves tightly, as if they were the most precious thing she’d ever owned.
“Come on, let’s head back to the arena,” said Caitlyn softly.
Vi nodded, her mind still reeling from the encounter. As they walked down the hallway, the muffled sounds of the crowd grew louder, a steady hum of excitement that seemed to vibrate through the walls. But then Vi stopped abruptly, her steps faltering.
“What’s wrong, Vi?” Caitlyn asked, turning her chair around to face her. Her brows knitted together in concern as she looked up at Vi.
Vi’s eyes were glistening, her emotions threatening to spill over. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. Finally, in a low, trembling voice, she managed to say, “Thank you.”
Caitlyn’s expression softened, her heart aching at the sight of Vi’s vulnerability. “Oh, Vi, don’t cry,” she said gently, her own voice thick with emotion. “Can I give you a hug?” Asked Vi.
“Of course,” Caitlyn said.
Vi bent down, wrapping her arms around Caitlyn in a tight embrace. She buried her face in Caitlyn’s shoulder, her tears finally spilling over. “Thank you for this,” she whispered, her voice muffled but filled with gratitude.
“You’re welcome,” Caitlyn whispered back, her own tears slipping down her cheeks. For a moment, the world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of their connection.
After a while, Vi pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Caitlyn. She wiped at her own tears with a small laugh. Caitlyn also laughed“Shall we go? Jayce has probably already drunk our sodas by now.”
Vi let out a soft laugh, the sound breaking through the heaviness in her chest. “Yeah, he probably has,” she said, her voice still a little shaky but lighter now.
Caitlyn smiled, her eyes still glistening. “Let’s not keep him waiting, then.”
Vi nodded, slipping her gloves into her bag as they made their way back to the arena.
“Thank you for today,” Vi said softly as she adjusted the blanket around Caitlyn, making sure she was comfortable and warm. Her voice was tender, her usual tough exterior giving way to the softer side she reserved only for moments like these.
“No problem,” Caitlyn replied with a warm smile, her blue eyes shining in the low light of the room. “You deserve that and so much more, Violet.”
Those words made Vi’s chest tighten in the best way. Her heart felt like it was wrapped in a blanket of warmth, and she couldn’t help the small, genuine smile that spread across her face.
“And I’ll be your first fan when you become a boxer,” Caitlyn added.
Vi’s smile grew wider “I think you just might be my only fan,” she joked, though her heart swelled at Caitlyn’s encouragement.
“Not a chance,” Caitlyn replied with a soft laugh. “The world will see what I see soon enough.”
Vi chuckled, the sound low and comforting. But before the moment could grow too sentimental, Caitlyn glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s late. You’re staying here tonight,” she said, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Vi raised an eyebrow, though a grin still tugged at the corner of her lips. “Yeah, sure, I’ll stay. Not like I can say no to you.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes playfully, but her smile didn’t fade. “Good. Go change, then.”
“Alright, alright,” Vi said, grabbing a small bag she kept at Caitlyn’s house. She headed to the bathroom to change into a loose tank top and comfortable sweatpants. As she splashed water on her face, she caught her reflection in the mirror, a rare moment of self-reflection in the quiet. She took a deep breath, brushing away the stray thoughts swirling in her mind.
When Vi returned to the room, Caitlyn was still awake. Her gaze was soft, though a hint of mischief lingered in her expression. “You’re still up?” Vi asked, placing her folded jacket on a chair.
“Yes, I was waiting for you,” Caitlyn admitted, her voice gentle but teasing.
Vi smirked, walking over to the bed. “Well, here I am,” she said as she climbed in, settling into the spot beside Caitlyn.
For a moment, there was silence, a comfortable quiet as they both lay there. But then Caitlyn spoke, her voice hesitant yet curious. “May I ask you something?”
“Yeah, what is it?” Vi replied, turning her head to look at her.
“Your tattoo,” Caitlyn said softly. “Can I ask about it? What does it mean?”
Vi hesitated for a second, not because she didn’t want to answer, but because she hadn’t expected the question. “Oh, yeah,” she said finally, her voice taking on a thoughtful tone. “It represents my connection with Zaun, the city I grew up in. And the people I love.”
“The people you love?” Caitlyn repeated, her curiosity deepening.
“Yeah,” Vi said, sitting up slightly in the bed. “Here, let me show you.”
Caitlyn watched as Vi turned her back to her, pulling up her tank top to reveal the full extent of the tattoo. The intricate design sprawled across her muscular back, and Caitlyn couldn’t help but blush faintly at the sight. The artwork was stunning, a mix of symbolism and craftsmanship that told a story without words.
“The keys on the sides are for Mylo and Claggor,” Vi explained, her voice quieter now, as though the memories she spoke of were sacred. “The smoke matches my sister’s tattoos. And the overall structure—it represents what my parents and Vander help built, what they worked so hard to create and protect.”
Caitlyn’s eyes lingered on the tattoo, taking in every detail. The way it flowed across Vi’s back, the way it seemed to be a part of her—it was beautiful. But what struck Caitlyn the most was the weight behind Vi’s words, the love and pain that seemed to breathe life into the design.
“That’s beautiful, Vi,” Caitlyn said softly, her voice full of genuine admiration.
Vi let her shirt drop back down and turned to face Caitlyn again, lying back beside her. “Thanks,” she said, her tone casual, but the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed how much Caitlyn’s words meant to her.
Caitlyn smiled, reaching out to place a hand on Vi’s arm. “It really is. It’s a part of you. A part of your story.”
Vi met her gaze, her usual guarded expression softening. “Yeah… I guess it is.”
For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence speaking volumes. Then Caitlyn’s lips curved into a playful smile. “Alright, Violet, let’s get some sleep. You’ve got a big future ahead of you, and I need to be well-rested if I’m going to keep up with my role as your biggest fan.”
Vi chuckled, the sound warm and light. “Goodnight, Cait.”
“Goodnight, Vi,” Caitlyn whispered.