si la mer nous mange le corps
The host immediately seemed to recognize Caitlyn. “Miss Kiramman! Welcome,” she exclaimed, grabbing two menus and leading the pair to a table. Vi took in the surroundings of the restaurant, attempting to appear casual. The place had a sophisticated ambiance with soft lighting, fine decor, and the chatter of the well-dressed clientele. She couldn’t help but notice the recognition in the woman’s eyes, as if Caitlyn were a regular.
“Thank you very much, Maddie,” Caitlyn said sincerely. The hostess grinned with a small bow of her head before leaving. Caitlyn looked at Vi as they both sat down, and as if she could hear Vi’s question, she spoke. “I am quite well-known here. It is my recipe that they use for steak.” Caitlyn opened Vi’s menu, pointing at the signature steak dish with a slender finger.
Vi’s eyes flicked over various options from the menu, but her mouth watered as she read about the signature steak that Caitlyn had pointed at. It looked tempting. “Your recipe, huh?” she inquired, awe and skepticism prevalent in her tone.
Caitlyn only nodded with a smile on her face resembling that of a proud mother. “Order anything. It’s on me.”
Vi couldn’t remember the last time someone had treated her to a meal, and she’d certainly never had someone treat her to a meal at such a high-end place. Part of her wanted to grit her teeth and scowl, declining the offer. She hated handouts. Finally, she gave a slight nod, putting aside her pride for a moment. “I think I’ll get the signature steak.”
“Would you like champagne? Wine? Do you drink?” Caitlyn asked lightly.
Vi paused for a moment. She normally kept away from alcohol, as they dulled her senses. After all, she was hunting one of the most dangerous species in the world. Would she dare to indulge on her first night in Piltover? With a stranger no less? But Caitlyn didn’t look at her like she wanted Vi to drink, nor did she look like she particularly cared if she didn’t. After a few seconds of deliberation, she decided to push her boundaries. After all, she was out with a striking and alluring woman whom she couldn’t hide her attraction for. “Surprise me,” she said finally, her voice carrying a touch of challenge. “Whichever wine you think pairs best with steak.” She straightened her back as the waiter approached their table.
“Two glasses of Syrah, please, Steb,” Caitlyn told the waiter, who grinned and wrote the order down. Vi listened, making a note of the wine’s name for future reference. She couldn’t recall whether she’d tried it before or not, but the thought of sampling a new wine intrigued her. Once the waiter had left, Vi returned her eyes back to Caitlyn’s form, appreciating both the view and Caitlyn’s certain choice. “Did I pass your wine test?” Caitlyn asked, leaning on her arms against the table and folding her hands.
Vi realized Caitlyn was not aware of her wine ignorance, and it caught her off guard for a brief moment. She hid it well, however, her face remaining a careful neutral. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving the cerulean stare. “Passed?” she said casually, feigning nonchalance. “Let’s just say you have decent taste, for now.”
“Ah,” Caitlyn said with realization, leaning back in her chair. “You must not drink often.”
How had she been able to figure it out so quickly, with only a few words. Vi tilted her head, feeling immediately defensive despite the fact that Caitlyn was right. She hadn’t expected her lack of alcohol knowledge to be exposed so easily. It was unlike her to have so much taken out of her control. She didn’t like giving anyone the upper hand, especially someone she’d just met. She swallowed her pride, wanting to know what exactly gave her away. “What makes you think that?” she asked coolly.
“It’s not a bad thing,” Caitlyn said hastily. “With steaks, a heavier and more robust wine pairs best. Syrah is the best for steak dinners.”
Vi’s guarded expression softened at Caitlyn’s quick reassurance. Her initial defensiveness gave way to curiosity. She absorbed the information and committed it to memory. She had to admit, Caitlyn’s knowledge made her intriguing in a strange way. Vi couldn’t help but smile. “Is that so?” she asked, her voice becoming warmer and more relaxed. “To be honest, I don’t really know a lot about wine or food pairings. None of that fancy stuff.”
“I sincerely hope we will end up spending more time together, then,” Caitlyn said, her hand brushing against Vi’s atop the table, causing Vi’s heart to lurch, her guard slipping. Before Vi could reply, the waiter returned with the wine, setting the glasses on the table and pouring the wine carefully before taking their order.
Vi’s hand trembled as she picked up the stem of the glass, taking a small sip. The wine’s rich flavor hit her tongue, and she found herself enjoying it more than she had expected. She then looked up at the waiter, her eyes flickering to Caitlyn briefly—perhaps for reassurance. “I’ll have the signature steak, medium rare, please.”
“Excellent choice,” Caitlyn praised, making Vi smile somewhat shyly. Vi felt strangely flustered by Caitlyn’s approval. Caitlyn then turned to the waiter. “And Steb, I’ll have the same, please.”
Vi took another sip of her wine, enjoying the way it warmed her throat as it slid down. She set down her glass, allowing her rough fingers to trace the rim of the glass as she regarded Caitlyn.
Caitlyn aerated the wine, swirling it in her class and taking in its aroma before taking a sip. “Very nice.”
Vi couldn’t help but follow the movement of the liquid in the glass, as if she were hypnotized. This woman was dangerous, and she knew it. But she couldn’t help but want to know more. She observed the way Caitlyn savored the aroma, the subtle movements, and the way she took a sip. Vi took another sip of her own wine as well, letting the flavor sit on her tongue as if she knew what the hell she was tasting. She found herself more at ease now, Caitlyn’s presence strangely comforting. “It is,” she agreed, her voice softer than usual.
“I’m glad you think so. I was prepared to order some grape juice if you decided you weren’t a fan of wine,” Caitlyn said, a humorous twinkle in her eye. Vi couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. A rare, genuine laugh. The image of Caitlyn offering grape juice instead of wine was so unexpected and comical that it brought a real smile to her lips. She hadn’t felt one of those for a long time.
Vi took another sip of her wine before responding, her voice also carrying her amusement. “And here I thought you had some refinement.”
“What can I say?” Caitlyn grinned. “I’m tired of being predictable.”
Vi chuckled again, enjoying the light banter. Caitlyn had a truly infectious smile, and she found more of her steel guard dropping as the conversation progressed. She took another sip of her wine, the alcohol loosening her tongue and her defenses just a bit more. “Predictable isn’t good, huh?” she mused, her eyes challenging.
“Well, I never said that,” Caitlyn replied. “I hope that I can be predictable in the statement that I’d like to see you again.” There it was again, that sincere warmth. It was going to be Vi’s downfall.
Vi’s heart pounded as Caitlyn’s words sunk in. For the first time, she didn’t immediately dismiss Caitlyn’s words. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the ambience of the steakhouse with its pleasant warmth. Maybe it was something else entirely. Maybe… It was the company. Whatever the case, she found herself replying. “You’re surprisingly forward,” she said quietly.
“What can I say? I am a woman who knows what she wants,” Caitlyn said, tipping her glass of wine before taking another sip.
A smile tugged at the corner of Vi’s mouth at Caitlyn’s straightforwardness. That confidence was attractive in a way she wasn’t used to. There was a subtle power in the way Caitlyn spoke—a certainty that intrigued Vi.
Vi took another sip of her wine, swallowing carefully. “And you want to see me again?” she asked, immediately knowing the truth of her words as soon as they left her lips..
“Anyone with a brain and eyes would.”
Again, Vi found herself slightly flustered. The flattery was unexpected, and Caitlyn’s unabashed confidence was doing things to her. Things she wasn’t used to. She took another sip of wine, trying to keep her cool, though her heart was beating a bit faster now. She decided to put up a bit of a challenge and play it coy. “You’re laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”
“I just want to make sure my message comes across. I don’t want to leave anything too vague,” Caitlyn replied smoothly, tucking a piece of her navy hair behind her ear.
Vi’s eyes followed the movement, entranced. She chuckled. Caitlyn’s directness was both refreshing and slightly bewildering. The alcohol had begun to affect her more, even as she took another sip of wine. Her defenses were dropping, and soon there would be none left. A playful expression sparkled in her eyes. “Message received,” she assured the woman. “Loud and clear.”
“And if this dinner goes well, I hope you will consider seeing me again as well,” Caitlyn said softly.
Vi’s heart felt like it skipped a beat. The thought of seeing Caitlyn again was both enticing and frightening. This woman was different—unlike anyone Vi had ever met. Perhaps the alcohol was making her a bit reckless. In response, she gave a small nod. “We’ll see…” Her voice was laced with both caution and anticipation.
“I see I haven’t managed to impress you yet,” Caitlyn replied. She was wrong, of course, but Vi wasn’t about to admit that. “Perhaps the steak recipe can tip you in my favor.”
Vi chuckled softly, her eyes studying Caitlyn closely. The woman’s slight disappointment was endearing in a strange sort of way, and Vi found herself wanting to reassure her. Vi tensed her muscles for a moment before going for another sip of wine. It seemed to release her inhibitions and make her tongue a bit looser than usual. “I’m not that easily impressed,” she teased, a smirk on her lips. “Your steak recipe might be a good start, though.”
“I don’t mind a challenge.” Caitlyn looked absolutely regal sitting there, the challenge in her eyes. A shiver ran down Vi’s spine, but she quickly took another sip of her wine to hide her reaction.
After setting her class back down, Vi shot Caitlyn a look, her tone cool and challenging once again. She had to tip the control in her favor again somehow. “A challenge? You seem too confident, cupcake.” The other woman’s lips quirked up just slightly at the nickname.
“Violet,” Caitlyn said, the name reverent on her tongue as she leaned in. “I hope you don’t find me to be arrogant.”
At Caitlyn’s words, Vi found herself almost smiling, her eyes studying Caitlyn’s body language intently. Caitlyn’s charm was surely working on her, and she could feel her barriers dropping. And for once, she didn’t bother to pick them back up. “You’re definitely a bit arrogant, cupcake,” Vi teased, the word rolling off her tongue a bit easier this time.
Caitlyn laughed softly, leaning back against her hand, her elbow propped on the table. “Alright, message received.” She took a sip of her wine, licking her lips slowly.
Vi followed the movement of Caitlyn’s tongue with her eyes, watching as it glided over her berry red lips. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest. The action was such a simple, mindless thing, but it absolutely captivated her, and she couldn’t make herself look away. While she tried to collect herself, she found herself taking another sip of wine, which was certainly not helping her focus. When she spoke, she found her voice was a bit hoarse now. “You’re making this more difficult than it should be,” she muttered, her eyes locked on Caitlyn’s lips.
“Making what more difficult?” Caitlyn asked, tilting her head just slightly.
Vi took a deep breath. She couldn’t just admit that Caitlyn had a way of making her heart race and her mind go blank just by sipping her wine and licking her lips, could she? No, she was a fucking vampire hunter. She had to keep her composure. She forced a composed smile and messed with the stem of her wine glass, not daring to take another sip just yet. She had to buy herself a moment. “The… uh… conversation,” she finally managed, her voice a bit strained. “You’re making it more difficult to remain… rational.”
“Rational?” Caitlyn prodded, straightening with intrigue. “What do you mean by that?”
Vi let out a small, strangled sigh. She shifted in her seat nervously, keeping her eyes on Caitlyn’s lips. The wine made it all the more difficult to keep herself closed off. She let go of the wine glass, putting her hands on the table. She told herself not to touch the drink anymore, as it made her do and say stupid things. She shot Caitlyn another look, her voice low and frustrated. “You’re making it really hard to think straight, cupcake.” Her tone was direct but slightly strained.
“Oh,” Caitlyn whispered, her lips forming an “o” yet again. A coy smile took over her lips. “I don’t see how that is a bad thing, Violet.”
Vi felt her heart in her throat at both the usage of her name and that coy smile on those kissable lips. She knew Caitlyn understood her meaning and how she felt now, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to remain composed. The way Caitlyn spoke her name sent shivers down her spine. She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself together. “It is a bad thing when I’m supposed to keep a clear head,” she muttered, her voice strained.
“Why would you need to keep a clear head?” Caitlyn asked. “It’s a Friday night. Let loose.” After all, that’s what Friday nights were for, unless you were hunting a dangerous creature that is active only at night…
Vi let out a huff, her defenses weakening more. Caitlyn’s carefree suggestion was appealing to her, making her want to forget about her responsibilities for just one night. It was enticing, to say the least. She allowed herself another sip of wine. “I have responsibilities,” she said, her voice just barely over a whisper. “I can’t afford to just let loose.”
Caitlyn looked at her expectantly, as if she expected her to continue to speak. There was a sympathetic look on her face as she waited. Vi hadn’t expected such a reaction. So, she hesitated for a moment as she struggled to maintain her cool exterior. She forced herself to collect her thoughts, unsure if she ought to tell this woman what she was here for.
But the way Caitlyn looked at her, like she was the only person in the world. God, she’d give everything up for a night of that. “I… I hunt… vampires,” she admitted quietly, staring at the table rather than at Caitlyn.
“A vampire… in Piltover?” Caitlyn murmured. “I see. Are vampire hunters… not allowed to go on dates?” She seemed a bit surprised but not weary.
Vi blinked at the simplicity of the question. The way Caitlyn had stated it to make it sound… so normal. So simple. As if being a vampire hunter didn’t mean she had to make sacrifices and stay focused on her mission all the time. She scoffed, meeting Caitlyn’s eyes again. “We aren’t allowed to do much of anything, cupcake,” she said bitterly. “We have a job to do. It doesn’t leave room for any… distractions.”
“Then why do you do it?” Caitlyn whispered, reaching out and resting her hand on Vi’s.
Vi’s eyes widened at the soft touch. She fought the urge to intertwine their fingers together. The unexpected display of concern was surprising, but not unwelcome. She felt herself feeling at ease with this woman. Trusting. “A… A vampire kidnapped my sister when I was fifteen,” Vi said quietly. “I’ve been hunting them ever since.” This only made Caitlyn look softer. Her tender touch warmed Vi to the core.
“I’m sorry, Violet,” she whispered. “It must be so hard.”
“I killed him,” Vi said next. “But my sister… she’s not the same anymore.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Vi swallowed, her fingers twitching underneath Caitlyn’s hand. “Me too. And now I do it… for duty, I suppose. To save other people’s sisters that they can’t save.”
“I know what it’s like to have duties that can get in the way of desires,” Caitlyn said with a small nod.
Desires… usually have to take a backseat.” She couldn’t express how much she wished to hold Caitlyn’s hand right then and there. Caitlyn seemed to understand on some level, as if she’d experienced great loss as well. It was refreshing, unlike the usual reactions she got from others. She took a deep breath, trying to push away the wave of emotions that Caitlyn had managed to draw out and stir.
As if she felt Vi begin to pull away, Caitlyn intertwined their fingers. “Perhaps you could allow yourself this one night,” she whispered, squeezing Vi’s hand tenderly. Vi was torn—her rational mind told her to pull away, but a little voice that had long since been tucked away made her want to lean into Caitlyn’s touch more.
The waiter returned with their plates of steaks, setting them down gingerly on the table. “Please enjoy,” he said with a soft bow of his head.
“Thank you, Steb,” Caitlyn murmured. The waiter left, somehow sensing the tension.
Vi pulled her hand away reluctantly, berating herself for feeling so affected by Caitlyn’s presence. She looked down at the steak, her stomach twisting with hunger and… something else. She watched as Caitlyn cut off a piece of her steak and popped it into her mouth, letting it melt on her tongue. Vi watched her indulge for a moment before looking down at her own meal. It looked better than anything she’d had before, but somehow, the food didn’t seem as appetizing as the sight of Caitlyn relishing her meal.
Finally, she managed to tear her eyes away from Caitlyn to cut off a piece of the tender steak before her. She let the meat and seasonings melt on her tongue for a moment. Fuck, Caitlyn was right. This was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked.
“What do you think?” Caitlyn asked softly.
Vi chewed slowly, savoring the flavors dancing on her tongue. The seasonings added just the right amount of zest, and the meat was juicy and tender. She swallowed, sighing softly in satisfaction. “It’s… it’s good,” Vi admitted begrudgingly. “You were right. The steak is well-prepared.”
“I’m ecstatic that you like it,” Caitlyn replied with a smile. “It took me years to perfect the recipe. The head cook is my good friend Jayce.”
Vi couldn’t help but mirror Caitlyn’s smile. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she couldn’t deny that her smile was endearing. “You’re quite talented, I’ll admit.”
“It means everything coming from such a beautiful woman,” Caitlyn said with a bow of her head.
There it was. That flattery that made Vi weak in the knees. It had never reached her like this before. She found herself shifting in her seat, feeling more flustered. “You… flattery doesn’t suit you,” she muttered, her tone betraying her flustered state.
Caitlyn smiled that coy smile again. “I think you quite enjoy it.”
Vi huffed, her cheeks tinged pink. Caitlyn’s audacity should have annoyed her. Coming from anyone else, it would have. But for some reason, it only fueled that strange feeling stirring inside of her. She pushed down her rising embarrassment that caused her face to flush and shot Caitlyn a look, her voice betraying a hint of her inner turmoil. “You’re… presumptuous,” she retorted.
Caitlyn only smiled fondly, resting her cheek against her hand. “Do you think so?”
Caitlyn’s fond look only made Vi’s insides twist tighter, in a way she wasn’t familiar with. She cleared her throat. “Yes. Yes, you are,” she muttered, her eyes darting away at another table momentarily before settling back on Caitlyn. “You assume a lot about me without really knowing me.” And half the time, you’re right, she added silently.
“Please feel free to correct me,” Caitlyn said. “I only want to know you better.”
Vi felt her head reeling again. Caitlyn’s words and her soft tone had the strangest effect on her. She took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper before she spoke. “Correcting you… that would require me to open up about myself.” She couldn’t wrap her head around why she felt so off-balance in Caitlyn’s presence. It was as if the navy haired woman could see past her carefully built walls, making her want to reveal things that she normally kept hidden away. Locked behind her ribcage.
“Well, yes,” Caitlyn murmured. “But… you don’t want to do that.”
Vi’s breath hitched at Caitlyn’s perception. She was perceptive, able to read between the lines better than anyone. It should have pissed Vi off, made her want to start throwing punches, but for some reason, it only made her want to open up more. She took a shaky breath, looking down at her trembling fingers on the table. “It’s… it’s not about ‘wanting,’” she muttered, her voice hoarse. “It’s about… safety. I can’t open up, no matter how…” She trailed off, realizing she’d outed herself.
“No matter how much you want to,” Caitlyn finished, her eyes fixed on Vi.
Vi nodded, swallowing hard.
“Violet, I… I’m so sorry.”
Vi’s heart skipped a beat yet again at Caitlyn’s empathetic words. Caitlyn understood, which was both comforting and frustrating at the same time. She felt a tightness in her chest, her emotions a tangled mess. She swallowed hard, her eyes flickering between both of Caitlyn’s eyes that were fixed on her. “It’s not your fault,” she said, her voice strained. “It’s just… how things are.”
Caitlyn almost looked resigned. “I suppose that is the way things go.”
Vi continued to absentmindedly fiddle with the stem of her wine glass, feeling conflicted at Caitlyn’s calm acceptance. It felt like she was being ripped apart. One side of her wanted to keep her barriers firmly in place, not letting Caitlyn see a side of her that she was used to keeping hidden. But another part, that small, rebellious voice, wanted to break the barriers apart, to open up, to let her in. And for once, she stepped in the direction she never would have. “It doesn’t have to,” she murmured.
Caitlyn felt a wave of hope simmering within her. “It doesn’t?” she asked softly, afraid that if she was too loud or too sudden, that Vi might recoil and hide away.
Vi’s mind swirled with the conflicting emotions. Somehow, Caitlyn had managed to shine a small ray of hope in the darkness of her hardened soul. Her instincts were screaming for her to squash it down and run. She took a long swig of the Syrah in an attempt to calm her inner turmoil. Finally, she set her class back down, her voice shaking slightly as she spoke. “No, it… it doesn’t,” she murmured, her grey eyes flickering up to meet Caitlyn’s cerulean eyes. “Not for tonight, at least.”