Chapter 13
Chapter XIII
Caitlyn ran a hand down the back of her neck, looking once more at the closed facade of Ekko and Powder's workshop.
She'd been there for over ten minutes, not moving much, her arms crossed over her chest and her gaze fixed on the firmly closed metal gate. Around her, the bustle of Zaun continued its natural course, with people coming and going in the streets, children running through the alleys, and merchants hawking their wares. But she felt out of place, as if she stood out even more than she already did because of her Piltover clothes. Every glance she received from passersby made her feel more exposed, more vulnerable.
There was something inherently unsettling about standing in the middle of Zaun not knowing if she was actually expected.
She bit her lip in frustration.
What if Powder was just messing with me?
It was a possibility. It wouldn't be the first time the girl had had fun at her expense. Perhaps it had been a subtle trap, a way to ridicule her, waste her time, and confirm that she would never be fully welcome.
She sighed, looking around again with some discomfort.
If it weren't for the fact that Vi had mentioned at some point that her sister and Ekko actually worked with children, she would have immediately assumed Powder had played a cruel joke. But the place was closed. There were no sounds, no children's laughter, no trace of activity in the area.
Maybe the activity was cancelled today.
Or maybe... they just didn't want her there.
Caitlyn felt a pang of anxiety at the thought.
Just as she was about to turn and head back toward Piltover, the roar of an engine burst into the alley, stopping her in her tracks.
A black motorcycle appeared around the corner at full speed, slowing abruptly as it approached the her. Caitlyn instinctively took a step back as the bike skidded slightly before stopping in front of her. The driver lifted his glasses with one hand, revealing Ekko's face, who watched her with a mixture of surprise and amusement as he cut the engine.
“Well, well,” he said, with a raised eyebrow and a half smile “Look who decided to venture out here on a Saturday.”
Caitlyn felt a slight relief to see Ekko and not some hostile stranger or, worse, a mocking and grumpy Powder. Still, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy under his gaze. She crossed her arms and looked at him expectantly, trying to maintain her composure.
“Powder told me to stop by today,” she explained, still somewhat cautiously, still hoping it wasn’t all an elaborate trap.
Ekko smiled, resting one arm on the handlebars of his bike as he watched her with that mischievous, insightful expression he always seemed to have.
“I know,” he replied with absolute calm, as if he were enjoying every second of her discomfort.
Caitlyn frowned, puzzled.
“You know?”
“Yes,” he nodded nonchalantly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “Powder told me you were coming. Although, if you ask me, it seems like she's testing you.”
Caitlyn stared at him, trying to decipher whether he was being sincere or not. The man seemed to be enjoying an inside joke he wasn't willing to share, and Caitlyn felt a pang of irritation.
“Testing me how?” she asked, her tone making it clear she wasn’t sure how to take that.
Ekko nodded. “Yeah, you know. See if you’re really willing to venture into our world. And since you’re here, I imagine it must be for a good reason…or, you know…”
He left the sentence hanging in the air, watching Caitlyn try to decipher his words.
Caitlyn blinked, waiting for him to continue, but Ekko seemed to be reveling in her confusion, letting her draw her own conclusions. She wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a warning... or something else entirely... but she decided to take it as an opportunity.
“So…” Caitlyn insisted, her tone trying to sound firm but betraying a slight nervousness. She glanced a the closed workshop once more “Are we going in or what?”
Ekko clicked his tongue, his smile widening into a smirk of pure amusement.
“Oh, you see, there was a slight change of plans,” he exclaimed.
Caitlyn felt a pang of suspicious.
“What kind of change?”
Ekko took out his motorcycle keys once more and turned them between his fingers with impressive ease.
“Today’s class isn’t here,” he explained casually. “We move around to different spots sometimes, depending on how many kids are coming or how much space we need. Powder left early to get everything ready, and I came to get you.”
Caitlyn took a second to process his words. She stared at Ekko. Then she looked at the bike. Then back at Ekko.
“No” she said immediately, her eyes widening slightly in alarm.
Ekko burst out laughing, as if her reaction was the funniest thing he'd seen all day.
"Yes"
“No, no, not a chance,” Caitlyn denied, taking a step back as if the bike were a wild beast about to attack her. “There must be other ways to get there.”
“Yeah, but this one is the fastest,” Ekko said, patting the back seat a couple of times as if inviting her onto a throne. “Come on, it’s not as scary as it looks.”
Caitlyn narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
“Isn’t this an elaborate way to kill me?”
Ekko put on a thoughtful expression, scratching his chin as if considering the idea.
“It would be an interesting plan,” he admitted, his tone doing nothing to calm her down. “But I think Vi would kill me first if anything happened to you.”
Caitlyn snorted, still unsure, but unable to help but notice how her cheeks heated slightly at the mention of Vi. Ekko's eyes brightened a little at the sight.
“I’ve never been on a motorcycle…” Caitlyn admitted.
“Well, today’s your lucky day!” Ekko declared enthusiastically. “What better way to experience it than with a little race through the chaotic streets of Zaun?”
“That doesn’t reassure me at all,” she replied in a flat tone that contrasted with Ekko’s energy.
The man rolled his eyes in amusement before taking the extra helmet he was carrying and handing it to her.
“Trust me, you're not going to die. At least not on my watch.”
Caitlyn sighed, taking the helmet with some resignation. She put it on carefully, feeling like her fate was sealed and placed in the hands of someone with a questionable sense of security.
“If I fall, I’ll have Vi strangle you” she muttered under her breath.
Ekko laughed as he started the engine, the roar filling the alley.
“If you fall, I’ll probably fall with you. So, calm down, Cupcake,” the nickname came out with a mocking tone “It’ll be fun.”
Caitlyn muttered something under her breath before clumsily climbing onto the bike, feeling absolutely ridiculous. If her mom or dad knew what she was doing, they'd definitely scream at her. She wasn't even sure where to put her hands until Ekko slapped her on the leg.
“Hold on tight or you might fly away,” he said.
The blue-haired girl glared at him before finally wrapping her arms around the man, holding on tighter than was probably necessary.
Ekko smiled. “Good. Hang in there, this is going to be quick.”
And without giving her a chance to protest, he accelerated. The roar of the engine echoed in her ears before the bike shot through the streets, and Caitlyn felt her stomach sink into free fall.
The wind whipped against her face, slicing through the edges of her helmet and, for a second, she wondered if she was really about to die in a road accident caused by an irresponsible, overconfident man. Her fingers gripped Ekko's torso tightly, feeling his muscles tense beneath his jacket with every sudden movement of the bike.
“Ekko!” she shouted, her voice barely able to overcome the roar of the engine. “You’re going too fast!”
“Don’t be dramatic,” Ekko replied a little too calmly for her liking. “We’re just getting up to speed!”
Sweet gods of Runeterra… I’m going to die.
Caitlyn looked around and felt the adrenaline surge through her body. Zaun was a veritable maze of narrow streets and makeshift passageways, every corner teeming with activity and potential danger. The uneven, wet ground made every turn feel like an impending death sentence and Ekko, it seemed, had no intention of slowing down. The bike swerved sharply to the right, and Caitlyn gasped, her grip tightening even further.
“For heaven’s sake, Ekko, watch out!” she exclaimed, feeling her heart pounding in her chest.
“Relax!” the boy laughed, taking a sharp turn with an ease that bordered on recklessness. “If you keep squeezing me like that, the true cause of my death will be suffocation.”
Caitlyn would have strangled him if she wasn't so busy holding on to her life.
The engine roared louder as Ekko sped down an even narrower street, weaving through street vendors and pedestrians with terrifying precision. Caitlyn gasped as they nearly toppled over a fruit stand, feeling the fabric of her jacket brush against a crate stacked with merchandise.
“You want to kill us both?!” she shouted with a mixture of disbelief and panic.
“Nah! If you die, Vi kills me, and that sounds like a lot of work,” Ekko replied, with a laugh that only increased Caitlyn’s frustration.
Caitlyn gritted her teeth, closing her eyes for a moment and cursing all her life choices that led her to trust this overconfident dwarf. But then, when she opened her eyes once more, she noticed something.
The city.
From this perspective, Zaun looked different. At the speed they were traveling, the neon lights flickered in blurry flashes of color, reflecting off the puddles on the ground and casting everything in an ethereal glow. She could see the lights of the overhead rails crisscrossing the polluted sky, the metal structures creating a harmonious chaos that could never be appreciated from Piltover.
It was chaotic.
It was frantic.
It was alive.
And, although she would never admit it out loud, the whole experience was incredibly exciting.
For a moment, just a brief sweet moment, she allowed herself to enjoy it. The wind on her face, the bright colors, the feeling of freedom that only speed could bring. But her fleeting appreciation of the view was cut short when Ekko let out a low laugh and, without warning, accelerated even further.
“Ekko, NO!” Caitlyn screamed, feeling her stomach drop again.
“Ekko, YES!” he replied, with an enthusiasm that could only come from someone who lived for danger.
The wind roared around them as Ekko steered the bike toward a small, makeshift concrete ramp. Caitlyn felt her body lift slightly in the air for a split second, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. The bike landed with a thud, and Caitlyn let out a strangled scream as she felt the vibrations of the impact run down her spine.
“You’re going to kill us, you fucking lunatic!”
“Hang on, princess, we’re almost there!”
Ekko turned sharply into a side alley, entering an even narrower passageway, and Caitlyn had to bury her face in the boy's back to avoid seeing the impending catastrophe she was sure was coming.
But after a few more minutes of pure adrenaline torture, the bike finally came to a smooth stop at what looked like an abandoned warehouse, with colorful murals covering the worn brick walls. A place that, despite its deplorable condition, seemed to be teeming with life; the sound of children's laughter and joyful screams filled the air. Caitlyn could hardly believe they'd made it all the way there in one piece.
Ekko cut the engine and turned around with a radiant smile. “So, how was your first motorcycle ride in Zaun?”
Caitlyn didn't respond.
She simply removed the helmet with trembling hands and dismounted the bike, her legs feeling like giant blobs of jelly, and with such poor grace and coordination that she nearly fell to the ground. After a few seconds of silence, she smacked Ekko hard in the arm with the helmet as hard as he could.
“WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” she burst out.
Ekko doubled over with laughter, dismounting the bike with a fluidity that could only come from years of practice. “Admit it, was fun!”
“Funny isn’t the word I would use!” she replied, her tone making it clear she was still recovering from the shock.
Ekko's smile would have been contagious at any other time, but Caitlyn was too busy trying to swallow her annoyance. Ekko patted her shoulder twice in mock cheering. "Relax, princess. You survived. That's what matters."
Caitlyn inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment before exhaling.
Before she could answer and say something she was sure would embarrass her own mother, the door to the building opened, revealing Powder with her arms crossed and an expression that made it unclear whether she was impressed or annoyed.
“You’re late,” she said, her tone leaving no doubt that she wasn’t happy.
“But we arrived,” Ekko replied, with a defiant smile, “and I brought the special guest.”
Caitlyn threw her helmet at him this time, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
“I’m never getting on that machine again,” she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else.
Powder looked at her with a raised eyebrow, her bright eyes filled with mockery.
“We’ll see,” she said, with a smile that didn’t bode well.
The woman nodded inside, inviting them in. Taking a deep breath, Caitlyn followed tentatively, impressed that Powder had treated her normally so far.
The interior of the building was much larger than Caitlyn had anticipated. From the outside, it appeared to be just another abandoned warehouse amidst Zaun's structural chaos, albeit a little bit more colorful, but inside...
She felt overwhelmed.
The walls were covered in vibrant murals, an explosion of colors that contrasted with the cold metal of the supporting structures. They were vivid strokes, abstract figures, and scenes full of energy and movement. Some seemed to depict stories, others were purely expressions of emotion in chaotic, fluid forms. Among the murals were enormous sculptures made from recycled mechanical parts, metal statues assembled with impressive precision, each containing intricate details that demonstrated the time and dedication invested in them.
Caitlyn felt her throat close slightly.
This was more than she had hoped for. A capacity for expression that went beyond anything Caitlyn could have possibly dreamed up. She looked at Powder with fresh eyes as the woman strode confidently inside, recognizing her authorship in most of the works around them. Caitlyn's trained eye could do nothing but marvel at the brilliance of Powder's work. It was simply unique, and a part of her felt a pang of pity knowing that the vast majority of people were unaware of the artistic genius that resided in the battered streets of Zaun.
But it wasn't just the walls and sculptures that surprised her, but the life that moved frenetically throughout the big room.
There were children of various ages, many more than Caitlyn expected, running around, chasing each other with laughter, or chatting in small groups. Some were already painting, others were fiddling with mechanical parts with fierce concentration, creating small structures with deft, dirt-covered hands. They all seemed to be part of a rhythm of their own, a community of bright, creative little minds where each had their own place.
And there, among small bodies vibrating with little contained energy and noisy games, was Vi.
Caitlyn focused on her before her mind could fully process it. Sitting on the floor with her guitar in her lap, Vi calmly strummed the strings, casually letting out small chords, with no intention of forming a complete melody. She wasn't playing for anyone in particular, but every now and then, when a note sounded particularly good, some of the children would turn to her with enthusiastic smiles, circling her for a few seconds before continuing.
One of the younger children launched himself onto her back with a laugh, his arms awkwardly wrapping around her neck. Vi stumbled slightly from the impact, letting out an amused “Hey!” before adjusting her grip on the guitar and steadying herself. Another child tried to climb up her side, taking her by surprise, while two more sat beside her, watching her fingers move across the strings in fascination.
Vi could barely keep up with them, her eyes darting around wildly and aimlessly, but she didn't seem to mind.
Caitlyn felt her heart beat a little faster at that moment.
There was something about the scene, about the way Vi smiled as she leaned her head toward the children to hear what they were saying, about how her laughter mingled with theirs, that made something warm expand in her chest.
Vi looked different in that moment. Relaxed. Comfortable. As if in this little corner of Zaun, amidst childish laughter and creative chaos, she'd found refuge from all the negativity in her life.
“Well,” Ekko murmured beside her, proudly crossing his arms. “Do you like the place?”
Caitlyn barely heard it. Because, in that moment, as she watched Vi with the children, as she felt the echo of their voices, the vibrant energy of the place, and Vi's genuine smile… She realized she was seeing something beautiful and unique, and it energized her.
Even with Ekko's voice echoing in her ear as he spoke and the sound of the children laughing all around her, she couldn't tear her gaze away from Vi. It wasn't just the way she seemed so natural here, with the children surrounding her, tangling with her without the slightest reservation. It wasn't just the ease with which she let them climb all over her, the way she laughed at every joke, the way she kept absentmindedly strumming chords, even though she was clearly being attacked by at least four little ones at once.
It was the softness in her expression.
Vi wasn't always tough, but there was a barrier about her, one that kept most people at a distance. That barrier seemed to disappear with the children, leaving no trace. Caitlyn felt something inside her swell with tenderness and admiration as she watched Vi interact with the little ones. It was a sight she hadn't expected: Vi, so strong and confident, letting herself be swept away by the children's boundless energy, a genuine smile lighting her face.
It was… lovely.
“Oh, this is interesting,” Ekko suddenly whispered, bringing her out of her thoughts.
Caitlyn blinked and turned her head, realizing that both he and Powder were watching her closely. Ekko had a sly smile and was twitching his eyebrows suggestively, as if he'd caught Caitlyn in the middle of an awkward moment...
Oh, damn.
Caitlyn glared at him, but Ekko just smiled wider, clearly enjoying the situation. Powder, on the other hand, wore an expression of annoyance mixed with resignation, as if contemplating whether to point out the obvious or just let it go. In the end, she just sighed and rolled her eyes, muttering something Caitlyn couldn't hear but that sounded a little irritated.
The young woman from Piltover felt the heat rise to her face.
She didn't have time for this.
Whatever it was…
She turned before either of them could say anything else and walked purposefully over to Vi. For a moment, she felt a little afraid at the prospect of having to talk to her. They hadn't spoken since Wednesday, when Vi finished her turn on stage, still feeling insecure and quieter than usual after their conversation. Caitlyn had given her space, but guilt had gnawed at her a little ever since.
She didn't know if it was her firm step or the shifting of the shadow on the ground that gave her away, but Vi frowned slightly, tilting her head cautiously in her direction when she was close.
“Pow?” she asked, hoping it was her sister.
Caitlyn smiled tentatively before answering. “Not this time.”
Vi was visibly startled.
Caitlyn clearly saw how Vi’s body tensed reflexively before immediately relaxing, turning her head completely towards her with a smile of pure surprise.
“Cupcake!” she said with genuine joy. “I didn’t expect you here today.”
“Is that bad?” Caitlyn asked, her tone playful.
Vi immediately denied.
“No, not at all. I’m just... well… surprised”
With that alone, Caitlyn allowed herself to relax.
Vi still had a smile on her face, but Caitlyn could see her shifting subtly in place, as if unsure what to do with her body now that Caitlyn was there. It was such an unusual reaction from someone like Vi that Caitlyn couldn't help but feel a little flattered.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but when I walked in and saw you…” Caitlyn nodded slightly at the group of children. “I didn’t mean to bother you. You seem to be having a good time.”
Vi gave a short laugh, scratching her head.
“Yeah, well… they have endless energy, but it doesn't bother me. Although I'm not going to lie to you, I think they'll be able to take me down at any moment.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Caitlyn replied, not hiding the amusement in her tone.
For some reason, the sight of Vi being dragged to the ground by a group of unruly children seemed like the cutest thing in the world.
Vi tilted her head slightly with a curious expression.
“But tell me, what are you doing here? I didn't think this was your kind of plan for a Saturday.”
“It’s a long story,” Caitlyn replied with a slight smile. “But let’s just say I received an invitation that was hard to refuse.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “Powder?”
“Powder,” Caitlyn confirmed, nodding.
Vi let out a low whistle.
“Wow, I really didn’t expect that.”
“Believe me, me neither.”
They were silent for a moment, and Caitlyn felt something warm bloom in her chest at the smile that still lingered on Vi's lips. But before either of them could say anything else, she felt a tug on the sleeve of her coat.
She looked down and found a pair of large, curious eyes watching her.
“Who are you?” the girl asked straightforwardly.
“I’m Caitlyn,” she replied, bending down a little to be at his level. “Nice to meet you.”
“Are you Vi’s friend?” another boy next to her asked, with an innate curiosity that only children could possess.
“Yes, I am.”
The boy looked at her intently for a moment before asking his next question with the same innocence and recklessness.
“Her girlfriend?”
The question came as easily as if she were asking about the weather, but the reaction it provoked was immediate. Vi, who had been calm until then, choked so hard that she almost dropped the child hanging on her back.
Caitlyn could barely contain her laughter.
“I… what?” Vi bolted upright, her face completely red, as if a bucket of hot water had just been thrown over her.
“Ekko said that when two people look at each other like that, it’s because they’re dating!” another boy exclaimed from behind Caitlyn, pointing at them excitedly.
“Like what?” Caitlyn managed to ask, even though her laughter was betraying her.
The boy shrugged.
“I don’t know. Like they’re going to kiss at any moment.”
Caitlyn burst into laughter then, though she could feel the blush creeping up her neck again. Vi, on the other hand, looked like she was about to implode. Her face was so red it rivaled her hair, and her hands were fidgeting with her guitar strings, as if she didn't know what to do with them.
“Hey, hey, hey!” Ekko interrupted, appearing out of nowhere with a grin from ear to ear. “Don’t pay attention to these gossips. They’re just jealous because no one looks at them like that.”
The children laughed, but Caitlyn noticed how Vi sank deeper into her discomfort.
“Ekko, please” Vi murmured, her tone a mixture of exasperation and embarrassment.
Caitlyn, for her part, decided to take control of the situation.
“Well, it looks like we have a group of little detectives here,” she said, her tone playful. “But I think we should let Vi get on with her class, don’t you?”
“Vi, doesn’t teach!” one of the children intervened.
“She’s just playing! Right?” A little girl clung to Vi’s side. “She always lets us paint her!”
“We can paint you today too, right?” asked another.
Vi seemed to be catching her breath after the children's surprise attack, her face still slightly flushed from the previous conversation. Caitlyn could see her shifting in place, unsure of exactly what to do with the little girl who had clung to her arm insistently.
“I… well, you know I always let you, but…” Vi tried to say, but her tone of voice was unsure.
“Yes!” another child exclaimed excitedly. “You promised us we could paint your other arm this time too!”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow curiously and looked at Vi's right arm. Her skin still bore traces of colorful paint, as if she'd once been turned into a living canvas. Vi snorted softly, yielding to the childish pressure.
“Okay, okay… but nothing on my face this time. Last time it took me days to get it off.”
The children cheered enthusiastically, and Vi let out a resigned sigh.
“I never learn,” she muttered to herself, low enough for only Caitlyn to hear.
Caitlyn smiled.
“I don’t know, you seem to enjoy it.”
Vi shrugged, her expression trying to be nonchalant, but failing. Before Caitlyn could pester her further, a loud voice echoed throughout the building, catching everyone's attention.
"All right, little brats! Come here if you don't want to run out of work materials!"
It was Powder.
The change in the atmosphere was immediate. The children, who had been scattered around the large space, playing and chasing each other, stopped abruptly and, within seconds, began running toward Powder and Ekko, who were standing across the large room with crates filled with various metal parts and neon paints.
The commotion was almost deafening, with the sound of small, hurried footsteps and excited shouts filling the air. Caitlyn watched with some fascination as, despite the apparent chaos, Powder and Ekko seemed to have everything under control, issuing instructions and arranging the children by age.
Vi, on the other hand, remained in place, as if enjoying the spectacle from a distance.
“It’s amazing how he handles them,” Caitlyn commented, watching Powder give firm directions while the children waited anxiously for their materials.
Vi let out a soft laugh.
“Yeah… she’s always been good at this. More than she knows.”
Caitlyn glanced at Vi, noticing the warmth and pride in her voice as she spoke of her sister. Although Caitlyn found the relationship between the sisters complicated, in moments like these it was clear that Vi admired her deeply.
But instead of saying anything about it, Caitlyn just stood there, next to Vi, letting the chaos of the place unfold in front of them.
Caitlyn had never experienced anything like it.
The sounds of laughter, excited voices, and small hands working with wood, metal, and clay filled the spacious workshop the rest of the day. The children were completely immersed in their creations, scattered on makeshift tables or even on the floor, while Powder and Ekko moved among them with ease, correcting postures, offering advice, and helping the little ones with tools they hadn't yet mastered.
It was chaos… but a magnificent chaos.
At first, Caitlyn had stood back, watching. She was a stranger here, and while no child had treated her with suspicion, she didn't seem to quite fit in either. After a while, though, one of the younger girls had handed her a paintbrush and, before she could protest, instructed her to paint alongside her. And so, before she knew it, Caitlyn had ended up with paint on her hands, trying to replicate an abstract design on a small wooden figure while the girl enthusiastically instructed her.
At times, she would look up and see Powder, so in her element that she seemed almost a completely different person from the woman who always regarded her with suspicion and mistrust. Vi, on the other hand, wasn't actively participating. She stayed close, but not overly involved. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable, but Caitlyn noticed that whenever a child approached her with a shape or drawing to show her, Vi would smile genuinely at their direction, but she always seemed a little... unsure.
As if she didn't know her place.
Caitlyn considered approaching a couple of times, but she didn't want to leave the little girl behind. However, before long, she noticed a small figure moving among the children and heading straight for Vi with purpose. It was a little girl with wild brown hair and an expressive face. She stopped in front of Vi and, instead of speaking to her, gently took her hand and began tracing small shapes in her palm with her fingers.
Vi was quick to smile.
“Hey, Isha”
Caitlyn felt a chill run down her spine at the sight.
The girl—Isha?— continued tracing symbols on Vi's hand, accompanying them with small, guttural sounds that Caitlyn didn't quite understand. Vi, on the other hand, nodded at her, occasionally responding with a word or a soft laugh.
Caitlyn couldn't tear her gaze away. There was something about the way they interacted, the way Vi seemed to understand her seamlessly, that fascinated her. Isha traced lines and dots with her fingertips on Vi's skin, as if she were drawing words in a silent language, and Vi responded as naturally as she spoke to Powder or Ekko.
It was beautiful.
Caitlyn felt like an intruder observing a private moment, but she couldn't help it. She'd never seen Vi interact with someone like this before. With such patience, such care, such understanding.
Isha smiled at something Vi said, then took one of the young woman's fingers and traced something on her palm in response. Vi tilted her head, as if analyzing the message, before letting out a low laugh.
“Yes, I feel better today,” Vi replied, as if that little girl could notice what others couldn’t.
Caitlyn felt her heart tighten a little in her chest. There was so much about Vi she didn't yet know. So many things she wanted to discover…
She watched silently as Isha took Vi's hand and guided her purposefully to one of the tables piled with metal pieces of various sizes and shapes. The girl, with the dexterity of someone who has done this many times, began placing several of them on the surface, arranging them precisely. Vi allowed herself to be guided, trusting the little girl completely as she ran her fingers over the objects, feeling them carefully.
“Do you want me to help you with this, shorty?” Vi asked with a smile, while Isha nodded vigorously, tapping one of the pieces with her fingertips.
The young woman laughed softly and began to work with her, letting the child show her how to put each component together. Vi was clumsy at first, moving cautiously, but Isha directed her patiently, touching her wrist to indicate directions, guiding her movements with an ease that showed how well they understood each other. At some point, Powder joined them, sitting next to Isha and joking with them both as she built alongside them.; her affection and happiness reflected in the way her eyes seemed too bright under the light.
Caitlyn didn't realize the exact moment the spark ignited inside her, but suddenly, everything around her took on a new meaning.
Her gaze scanned the room with sudden clarity, as if she'd never truly seen what lay before until the veil was lifted from her eyes. The half-finished metal sculptures, full of life and rawness. The murals on the walls, vibrant with color and energy, expressing emotions beyond words. The harmonious chaos of the workshop, with children covered in paint and grease-stained hands creating art with the most unusual resources.
And at the center of it all, Vi.
Vi and the way she leaned over the table, her lips pressed together in concentration as she tried to fit a piece of gear into place. The way her hands, which Caitlyn had come to know and understand for all the time just watching them, ran cautiously over the surfaces before acting. The expression of calm and patience on her face, the hint of a smile whenever Isha made a sound of approval or Powder joked at her expense.
Vi with her body covered in scars and ink, with her commanding presence and unnoticed tenderness, with her vulnerability hidden beneath layers of determination. Caitlyn felt her heart race, her skin tingle with silent recognition. Because she understood suddenly, with a certainty that took her breath away that this was it.
The image hit Caitlyn with brutal force.
There it was.
The spark she had been looking for.
She felt the artistic adrenaline rush through her skin, an unstoppable impulse that made her clench the fingers in her lap, wanting and needing to capture what she just saw.
Because, for the first time in a long time, it all made sense.
:::::
Caitlyn didn't bother going home that night.
She waited for Ekko to drop her off in Piltover after another horrific, hectic motorcycle ride before calling Viktor. She could feel her heart pounding, and it wasn't necessarily from the terror that was trying to leave her body after the ride back.
“I need you to lend me some tools,” she asked as soon as she heard the man answer.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Then Viktor's voice, calm and measured, but with a hint of curiosity, came through the phone speakers.
“Caitlyn, do you know what time it is?”
She exhaled sharply, looking around the deserted streets of Piltover, lit by the bright, elegant lanterns on the corners. “Yes, and I also know I don’t have everything I need in my own studio.”
Another silence, this time shorter.
“Come in whenever you want.”
Caitlyn smiled with relief.
Minutes later, she was in Viktor's workshop, a space filled with metal frames, blueprints, precision tools, and hundreds of unfinished canvases. There was organized clutter in every corner, pieces of technology and construction materials stacked on tables and shelves. It wasn't the kind of workshop a conventional artist would use, but Caitlyn no longer considered herself just a conventional artist. Not after finding what she once thought was lost.
Viktor watched her with a raised eyebrow as she looked through his materials, as if trying to understand what she was up to.
“If this is a creative crisis, it seems pretty serious,” he commented, leaning on his cane as he watched her pull out some metal pieces and engraving tools.
Caitlyn barely paid attention. Her mind was too busy, too consumed by the urge to create, to capture something she didn't fully understand yet, but that burned inside her like a fire she couldn't extinguish.
“What are you trying to do?” Vikto asked after a few seconds, sitting on a stool and surrounded by objects Caitlyn had discarded in her frenzy search.
She paused, her hands resting on the worktable. The image was still there, lingering in her mind. Vi's silhouette, the way her scars seemed to tell a story that had never been written, the intensity of her presence, the sweetness hidden in the smallest details.
“I don’t know,” she finally murmured.
But she did know.
She knew that, for the first time in weeks, she felt that spark of real inspiration, without barriers, without fear. And she knew that everything she'd experienced in Zaun so far had led her to this moment.
She turned on the lamp on the large wooden table and began to work.
The hours passed in the blink of an eye. Caitlyn lost track of time amid the sound of tools hitting metal as she etched, the mixing of pigments, and the lines that shaped her vision. Every piece, every brushstroke, every groove she created in the surface came alive with an energy she'd never felt before. She wasn't drawing Vi, not directly, but the woman presence was in every line, every shadow, every detail that reflected the chaos and beauty of Zaun.
Her work began to take shape with visceral intensity. An abstract portrait of what she had seen and felt in recent weeks: the vibrant colors of the murals in Zaun, the rawness of the city, the light and shadow coexisting in the same space at time like a unique ethereal force. And at the center of it all, an imposing, strong, unwavering presence. A figure who didn't need defined features to convey what she was.
Violet.
It was her. In every brushstroke, in every texture, in every mark Caitlyn left on her work.
Morning arrived, but Caitlyn didn't stop. She barely felt the fatigue in her muscles, the need for sleep overshadowed by the urgency to finish what she'd started.
When she finally stepped back to look at her work, after hours of no rest, she felt her heart race.
There it was.
Finally.
Everything she felt, everything she had learned, everything Vi stood for. The idea that ignited the spark captured on an unconventional canvas, on metal covered in an explosion of color and marked deep, in the soul of the work she felt was the most important she had ever made.
Without realizing it, her fingers were trembling. Because for the first time, Caitlyn had created something that truly mattered to her on such a personal and intimate level that it forced her to take a seat on the cold floor of Viktor's workshop so her mind could comprehend what she had just done. The importance of what she had just experienced.
Viktor had remained with her all night, in absolute silence and unwavering concentration. He didn't interrupt her, didn't try to question her even as time passed and the night gave way to dawn. He simply stood there, in the corner of the workshop, patiently watching Caitlyn work with an intensity he'd never seen from her before.
It wasn't until Caitlyn, trembling and exhausted, sank to the ground that he decided to approach.
His steps were slow and measured, the echo of his cane gently resonating in the space heavy with paint, metal, and creative essence. When he stopped beside her, he didn't look directly at Caitlyn. Instead, he gazed at the work in front of them, his head tilted slightly, as if trying to unravel all the secrets hidden in the colors and textures.
Caitlyn felt her breathing ragged, the weight of what she'd done still sinking in her chest as she waited for Viktor's verdict. There was something deeply vulnerable and intimate about allowing your work to be scrutinized with the intensity the man did, but Caitlyn thought if anyone could understand her at that moment, it was him.
Then Viktor spoke, his tone calm and almost reverent.
“You’ve always strived for perfection,” he murmured, with a faint smile. “But this… this isn’t perfection… It doesn’t even come close to the idea of it.”
Caitlyn turned her head, confused by his words.
Viktor continued, his gaze still fixed on the work.
“This is truth made art. Absolute and inescapable truth.”
The air thickened between them. Caitlyn felt a lump in her throat, the same feeling she'd had when, weeks ago, Viktor had pushed her to search Zaun for what she was missing. Now she saw it clearly. This wasn't just about finding inspiration, or even a change in her art. It was about discovering herself in every stroke, every splash of color, every expression of life captured in metal.
Caitlyn looked down at her hands, still stained with paint and slightly cramped, as if she herself had somehow become part of the work.
Viktor finally looked at her, and his expression held some pride.
“You’ve found yourself, Caitlyn.”
The young woman let out a short laugh, filled with emotion and exhaustion in equal measure.
“I wasn’t lost,” she whispered back, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.
Viktor tilted his head in amusement.
“Maybe not,” he admitted. “But you found something anyway, didn’t you?”
Caitlyn exhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a moment before nodding.
Yeah.
I had found it.
And now, there was no turning back.
:::::
She returned home near dusk, almost dragging her feet, but feeling prouder and more alive than ever. She spent much of the day sketching ideas and making plans with Viktor, feeling that if she didn't, she would miss something important. But in the end, she was pleased to consider that she had made more progress in a few hours than she had in years of study and dedication at the university.
She collapsed onto her large couch with a long, exhausted sigh, her muscles tense from so many hours of work, her fingers still stained with the remnants of paint and metal. But in her chest… inside her something new burned. Something vibrant.
Inspiration.
But not the cold, mechanical inspiration she'd felt before, one born of technique and obligation, but one that burned in every fiber of her being, filling every corner of her mind with images, colors, and shapes that seemed to explode before her eyes. What she'd created in Viktor's workshop was just the beginning. Because now she saw everything clearly.
Her gallery could never be the same.
She'd spent so much time trapped in other people's expectations, in the shadows of what she was supposed to do, that she'd forgotten what she really wanted. And what she wanted… was to change everything. To stop seeing her art as something static, locked between the immaculate walls of Piltover, and start capturing what truly mattered.
Zaun.
Life.
The people.
The stories that no one wanted to tell.
The stories that many refused to listen to.
And if she wanted her gallery to reflect that, if she wanted her work to have real meaning, then she needed to do something more. She needed someone sincere, unpretentious, unafraid to challenge or confront whoever was in front of her.
She needed Powder.
Back to the beginning of the game...
Caitlyn ran a hand over her face, feeling the weight of that thought. Convincing Powder to give her a chance, to showcase her art to the world wasn't going to be easy. She knew the eldest sister still didn't trust her, that she tolerated her presence only because of Vi. But now Caitlyn had more than just good intentions. She had proof. She had her work. She had something that maybe—just maybe—could show Powder that it was worth a try.
But none of that meant Caitlyn could ignore the pressing reality.
Powder's focus now, and part of her own if she was honest, was on investigating who was following them.
The threat was still there.
The strange man. The secrets they now shared. Their family legacy.
The persistent feeling that something was brewing behind their backs.
With all that in mind, convincing Powder to help her at her gallery would be as easy as trying to pull a tooth herself. A painful and slow process. But Caitlyn felt she had to try one more time.
Because now they shared a common goal: to try to discover what lurked in the shadows of Zaun and Piltover, and perhaps with that, they would be able to release some of the weight that was consuming them both. And maybe Powder could give her a real chance.
Because the mere thought of Vi being in danger made her jaw clench.
Because if there was one thing Caitlyn knew for sure now, more than anything else, it was that Vi was the most important thing to her. Not just as a source of inspiration, but as something much deeper, more personal.
Vi made her feel alive.
Vi was the spark that had ignited something inside her she had never felt before.
Vi was the reason her art had found new meaning.
And even though she didn't know how to handle it yet, even though the idea of feeling something so big and overwhelming for another person scared her a little...
What she did know was that she would do everything she could to protect her.
To make sure she could stay by Vi side.
To make sure Vi knew what she meant to her.
Caitlyn exhaled slowly, letting all her emotions settle inside her and take final refuge in her heart. Her determination felt like a warm fire in her chest, burning with an intensity that drove her to move, to do something.
She didn't want to wait any longer.
She didn't want to continue to worry about what Vi might be feeling. Maybe it wasn't the same as her, or maybe it was. Although there was something about the way Vi spoke to her that made her think she might have a chance. Or maybe she was just having a wild goose chase.
Still, she had some uncertainty about what might happen after that day, but Caitlyn could no longer ignore what she wanted.
She need Vi close.
She knew Vi was cautious, that there were things in her life she couldn't rush, but she also knew that if she didn't take the first step, she might miss the chance to discover what could truly exist between them.
She ran a hand over her face, trying to calm herself. Her heart was beating fast, excitement and fear coiling in her stomach in a way that made her hands tremble slightly. This wasn't like facing an exhibit in her gallery, or even like challenging her own parents in a difficult conversation. This was something else entirely.
Because Vi mattered.
Because Vi made her feel a way she'd never felt for anyone else before.
In a completely impulsive moment, she grabbed her phone with slightly sweaty hands, feeling the adrenaline mix with the excitement and vertigo of what she was about to do. She knew it was ridiculous to be so nervous about a simple call, but she couldn't help it. Her thumb hovered over the screen for a second before finally dialing Vi's number.
The ringtone rang once.
Twice.
Three.
Four.
Caitlyn felt time slow down with each passing second without a response. What if Vi wasn't answering? What if she was bothering her? What if this was a mistake?
But then, just as her anxiety threatened to swallow her up, the raspy, familiar voice cut through the line, shaking her to the bone.
“Hey, Cupcake”
Caitlyn closed her eyes for a second, biting her lip to hold back a smile. Her chest felt lighter just listening to her.
“Vi” she said, her voice firmer than she felt.
She paused for a second, swallowing.
She could do it.
She wanted to do it.
“Are you okay?” On the other end of the line, Vi sounded slightly concerned.
Caitlyn could imagine her frowning, her bright eyes always honest and transparent with her, jumping from side to side with uncertainty.
“Yes, yes... I feel great. Amazing, really”
Vi's laughter reached her ears like a balm of cold water, soothing the anguish that had suddenly struck her. It was the same warm laugh that sent a tingle down her stomach every time she heard it.
“Well… I’m glad you feel that way,” Vi replied sincerely, clearly not understanding but enjoying the sincerity anyway.
Caitlyn could hear movement on the other end of the line, utensils clanking in the background. Her thumb traced nervous circles on the edge of the phone, a physical need to channel the energy boiling in her veins. For the first time in her life, the meticulous artist had no plan B, no retreat strategy. She was about to bet everything on that moment, on a single question to the woman who made her as brave as she was vulnerable.
Deep down, she knew she wouldn't regret it. Even if the answer devastated her, at least she'd been honest. At least she'd have had the courage to face her feelings head-on and voice them.
“Vi, I…” She took a breath, trying to calm the heart that was beating wildly in her chest.
“Cait?”
“Do you want to go out with me?” a pause “Have a date with me?”
Silence.
A silence that seemed to stretch on for hours, days, centuries.
Caitlyn thought her heart would burst out of her chest at any moment, hammering loudly against her ribs.
The sound of an inhalation on the other end of the line made her hold her breath.