Favorite Color
It had been over twelve hours since the incident with Vi. No calls. No texts. Everything Caitlyn sent went unanswered. She’d driven to Vi’s apartment once she’d sobered up, only to find it empty. As the sun rose over the horizon, she ventured to Zaun. If Vi wasn’t at her apartment, surely she was with Vander at the bar.
To her surprise, the bartender nor the younger sister had seen the catcher. During their conversation, they’d informed Caitlyn they hadn’t spoken to Vi since the team had landed. She’d sent a text letting them know she was back in Piltover safe and sound, ready to head out with the girls to celebrate, but that was last attempt at communication Vi had made.
To make matters worse, as she and Vander tried to determine where Vi was, she received a text from her mother requesting her presence for a discussion. The last thing she wanted was to have to put on a front and pretend everything was rainbows and sunshine with her mother. Nonetheless, she knew there was no way around it.
“Caitlyn. Delighted that you could make it.”
“Hello, Mother. Hello, Father.” Her greeting is guarded, unprepared for whatever game her mother is playing. A thousand possibilities as to what her mother has planned to drop into her lap spiraled through her thoughts. It was most likely a suitor that would accompany her to the next Kiramman party. She just wished her mother would finally accept she was with Vi…or at least she had been until last night.
“I assume this meeting is more than a family reunion. To what do I owe the pleasure of being summoned home.” Her mother hummed, taking a sip from a glass of scotch she had been nursing. “It must be serious if you’re nursing alcohol so early in the day.”
Cassandra’s eyebrows furrowed at the comment, but she shrugged it off. “I’m sure your time is precious as you need to prepare for the Piltover Games Tournament. So, as a means to get directly to the point, I shall let your father take over.”
As her father prepared to speak, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Instinctively, she pulled the device out, annoying her mother with her lack of focus. If it meant she finally heard from Vi, Caitlyn would deal with it.
When can you meet in my office - Coach
“Caitlyn, your father is trying to speak with you.”
Frustration built up inside her as she heard the chastising from her mother. “Mother, I know, but it is my coach. Please hold on for one minute.”
At my parents. 2 o’clock work?
Don’t be late or I’m going to be more pissed than I already am.
The final words rang out in an ominous tone. Caitlyn was sure whatever her coach needed; it was in relation to something she had done. Caitlyn hoped it was related to the incident with Fortune in the Ionia game. Sevika simply needed to have a one on one outside of the viewership of fans and players to tell Caitlyn to get her shit together. Yet something in her chest told her it had to do with Vi.
“Are you quite finished with your phone, or shall I have your father text you?”
Rolling her eyes, Caitlyn shoved her phone in her pocket. “Fine. Father, you have my undivided attention.”
Tobias leaned forward in his chair, wanting to ensure his daughter’s attention was fully indeed on him as she had stated. Caitlyn stared at the man, unsure of what he’s trying to accomplish. All she could focus on is what awaited her when she got to campus.
“I want to send you to Ionia as a trade advisor for the company.”
Suddenly, her attention returned fully to the Kiramman home. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
Her father wore a coy smile on his face. “I’m promoting my trade advisor that’s currently in Ionia. He’s been looking for a reason to return to Demacia and all it took was offering him a reasonable raise. If you don’t mind moving back to Ionia, I’d love for you to start with the company there. You know how both regions work economically and politically. I think it’s a perfect opportunity.”
Caitlyn was shocked and speechless. Her mind recalled the argument with Vi from the previous night. Both she and Vi had agreed Caitlyn couldn’t leave Piltover, her duties to her family too important. Yet, in this very moment, her father was granting her the ability to follow the woman she loved so that woman could follow her dreams.
“How did you...” she started the question but stopped when she saw the proud grin on her mother’s face.
“It seems you have finally found someone with spirit enough to fight in your corner even when they feel all the cards are stacked against them.”
Vi. The errand. Caitlyn had been furious when she’d walked into Tutler’s place. Her argument with Vi had blown up rather quickly. Her head was screaming for her to tell Vi to take the job, but heart told her if she did, the relationship they’d been working on would be gone. So, she drank to forget.
Now, her father sat in front of her giving her the opportunity to follow Vi. Would Vi want that? Did Vi still want her even? When Vi walked in to find her talking to the other woman, it hadn’t been what she thought. Stacy was an old ex who happened to be at the party. They’d been together during Caitlyn’s “wild days”, before Jayce called her on her bullshit and told her sober up or risk everything she wanted.
Back when they were together, Stacy had been nothing more than a fuck buddy really. Something to occupy her mind and time when she wasn’t working out, training, or playing the game she loved. They’d partied hard together, but Cait eventually realized if she was going to achieve her goal of college ball, Stacy had to go. Jayce helped make her see it was a detrimental relationship. They’d parted on good terms. That’s why Cait looked so at ease talking to her. It was no different than talking to an old friend. If Vi had stayed, she would have found out the two were actually talking about Vi and how Stacy could see how Vi made Caitlyn better.
“I have to go. I have to meet Coach and then find Vi.” Cait rose, a firm determination now flowed through her veins. She’d deal with whatever consequences she’d be facing from Sevika and then find Vi, if she had to search every section of Piltover on foot.
“Caitlyn, do wish to take job?” Her father questioned. Something about her body language must have informed him there was an unease there. The events of the previous night weighing heavily on her must have betrayed her normal stoic demeanor.
Blue eyes shimmered in the light of the room as she tried to force back the tears making their way to the surface. For the first time in her life, someone had fought for her. Cassandra had buckled and given her daughter the ability to choose her happiness. Sure, her father was offering her the position in the company, but Caitlyn had no doubt this was her mother’s doing.
“I need to speak with Vi first. Can I let you know after that?” The words barely come out before a choked cry released from Caitlyn’s throat. She hated showing such raw emotion in general, but especially in front of her parents. However, the generosity and symbolism of their actions made it impossible for her to hold them back.
Nodding, her father stood beside her, pulling her into an embrace. Tobias had always been more affectionate than Cassandra, always better at physically showing his love for his daughter. “I’m happy for you, Caity. This one seems to see you…the real you.”
Caitlyn pulled away to see tears in her father’s eyes. Pride beamed from a smile that turned his cheeks upward towards the heavens. His words were genuine, no hidden meaning to make the ace question an ulterior motive. Warmth flushed through Caitlyn’s heart as she realized, her parents had finally accepted her for who she really was.
Cassandra’s stance was stoic. Unlike Tobias she didn’t offer an embrace, instead only words. “She’d fight the entire Noxian army by herself if she knew they’d wronged you, Caitlyn. Don’t let this one slip away. As ferocious as she is defending you now, I’d hate to be the person who attempts to wrong your future heir.”
Approval. It means more than any hug from her mother ever could.
—————————
Sevika stared at a computer screen, feverishly clicking away at her mouse. Caitlyn hesitated to knock, not sure exactly what emotions she was feeling after the meeting with her parents. Vi had obviously told them about the job offer and somehow, they’d planned to let Caitlyn just, follow her. She envied any house fly that had buzzed around the Kiramman mansion the night to witness the discussion between Vi and her mother.
“You know I can see you out of my peripheral. Stop being a candy ass and sit down.”
Cautiously, she entered the office, slowly lowering herself into the chair facing Sevika’s desk. Minutes passed before the coach acknowledged her again. Fingers once again moved the mouse around and Caitlyn could tell she was looking for something specific.
Clearing her throat, Sevika started reading.
Coach,
I’ve put a lot of thought into what to say and I’m still not sure how to get this out. I believe it’s in the best interest of the team I step away. My behavior has become reckless and self-serving which has done nothing more than create a divide in the locker room. In the best interest of the university and the Commodores softball team, please accept my request for dismal from the Piltover University softball team.
Respectfully yours,
Violet Lanes
“What!” Caitlyn’s stomach dropped as Sevika finished the letter. Her chest no longer felt the warmth from her father’s words. Instead, it was filled with a burning sensation of anger and guilt.
“I told you, if this shit ended up in my locker room there would be hell to pay, Kiramman.”
“Did you accept?” Cait panics. Would Sevika accept the request? Most likely it would mean the end of Vi’s entire career, including coaching. The media would have a field day with Vi’s good name and playing career being drug through the mud.
“I told her to fuck off and meet me here at 2:15. I haven’t heard anything. If she doesn’t show up…”
“Sevika, you can’t accept that. She’s mad at me, not the team.”
“I know and she’s letting you fuck with her head and it’s hurting the team. This is exactly what I was afraid of.”
Caitlyn looked at the clock behind her. 2:10 Hopefully Vi would be there any minute and she needed to figure out how to talk to Vi. “Then maybe I need to leave.”
Sevika responded by rolling her eyes. “Can neither of you act like adults and just talk?”
The knock at the door caused both of them to turn their attention to the person standing in the door frame. There Vi stood, her usual bravado missing. Her eyes looked tired, as though she hadn’t slept since their night together in the Demacia hotel. Caitlyn couldn’t help but notice the anger that flickered in Vi’s eyes when she saw the pitcher sitting in the office.
“Sit down.” Sevika’s command is filled with anger. Vi crossed her arms and let out a huff. “Lanes, if you don’t sit, I’m calling Vander, and he can come join us. The choice is yours.”
A low, guttural growl resonated through the office. Not wanting to test whether Sevika was bluffing or not, Vi plopped her body down into the seat. “What the hell is this about and why is she here?” Her angry words seep out of her mouth like molasses from a jar. They are cold and thick, laced with not anger, but hurt. The sentiment breaks Caitlyn.
“How could you think I would do something like that to you?” Caitlyn doesn’t even give Sevika a chance to speak. She wants her pain to be heard.
“Do what, Kiramman? Push me aside and find yourself eye fucking the first girl who shows you attention? I mean, that’s what you did, right?”
Caitlyn slammed her left hand on the desk causing Sevika and Vi to both jump. “For fucks sake, Vi it wasn’t like that. Stacy and I were talking about you, you fool! Yes, at one time she and I saw each other but that was ages ago, before college. Our relationship was about as toxic as it could be filled with bad decisions and partying more than I should have, but last night, listening to me talk about you, she could see how I’ve changed for the better because of you.”
“Maybe I should leave.” Sevika tries to stand, but Caitlyn flashes her a look that begs her to stay. The coach slowly lowers herself back into her office chair, forced to mediate whatever the hell was happening in front of her.
“Look, I don’t want to talk about my past right now. What I need you to realize is I could never hurt you like that. I know what that’s like and I’ve told you, I don’t wish that upon anyone.”
Vi sat in silence, processing the information she’d just received. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought the perfect princess had been a wild and crazy party animal. She’d heard rumors about her, but nothing like this. “I can’t lie. I remember being younger and hearing the rumors of you being the woman conqueror of the topside. Last night, I just figured that I was just another notch added to your bedpost because suddenly I became too much of a burden.”
Cait leaned forward, placing a hand on Vi’s thigh. Her gaze demanded the catcher’s full and undivided attention. She hated this was where this conversation had gone. Hated that she’d worked for years to shed herself of the stories and rumors from her younger days only to have them suddenly resurface with this woman in front of her.
“Why do you think I chose Ionia?”
Vi squinted her eyes, suspicious as to why suddenly Cait was ready to take shots at the catcher’s abilities. It was a completely different path for the conversation than they should be taking, but Vi was about to oblige her. “You didn’t think I could handle your shit, so you ran to Ionia only to have Fortune shit the bed.”
Cait doesn’t miss the bitterness in Vi’s words. She can’t help but shake her head and uncomfortably laugh. “No, Vi. Even just out of high school, I knew you were going to be the best catcher college softball had ever seen.”
The compliment garners blushed cheeks from Vi. Caitlyn watches as Vi rubs the back of her neck, obviously made uncomfortable by the comment. In all the time they’ve spent together, the woman suddenly realizes their deep discussions had always revolved around Maddie and Lex or Caitlyn and Vi’s parents. There was no discussion of who they were before they’d become collegiate athletes. No discussion of why they chose the schools they did. Suddenly, Caitlyn realized, they knew the bare minimum about each other.
“I left to hide from my past. And then I left Ionia to hide from Maddie. Vi, I’m tired of running.”
“So then are we quitting or are we not? Because both of you have tried that today and honestly, it frankly pisses me off and you’re both gonna run until you puke Monday for it.” Sevika jumped in, wanting to make an exit from the personal conversation her two players were having.
Caitlyn stepped in and took control of the situation, much to the annoyance of Vi. “No. We’ll be at practice Monday.”
Sevika just nods and leaves, not wanting to have any part of the conversation any further. “Lock the door when you’re done. Oh, and no funny business either.”
The women sit in silence once more, neither looking up from the floor. For months they’d been each other’s lifelines and anchors. Suddenly the prospect of them being worlds apart had nearly ripped it all apart and it was wholly because Cait hated the thought of suddenly being alone again. She had to admit it to herself before she could admit it to Vi.
“You know, I broke up with Stacy because I knew it was the only way to save myself from going down a dark path of which there was no return. That’s why I became as you said the woman conqueror of the topside. I was alone and hated it. So, I made sure I didn’t spend many nights by myself. When I got to Ionia, I immediately let Maddie in. We spent over 2 years together and I never even knew what her favorite color was. Then I came here and met you. Sure, I made my move quick, but with you, I can’t explain but it felt different. For the first time in my life, I felt like I wasn’t alone. I grew up with my parents constantly around me, but it’s amazing how you can be in a crowd of people at a party in your own home and feel so alone.”
When she lifted her head, Caitlyn was met with the intensely watchful eyes of Vi. There was a hint of fear in them. “What are you saying, Cait?” Her words sound wounded, as though she wants to brace for the other foot to drop in the conversation but can’t. Caitlyn watches as Vi’s gaze drops back to the floor, resigned to her fate.
Caitlyn lifts her chin and offers her a smile. “I can’t hold you back from going to Ionia because I’m scared to be alone, Vi. This is your dream and I’m not going to be the one to stop you from achieving it. What I can do is be there by your side to support you.”
“You’d come with me?” The question was filled with disbelief.
Caitlyn chuckles lightly. “I don’t know what you said to my parents last night, but they both told me I can’t let you go. So, my father offered me a job as a trade advisor in Ionia. I’m only accepting it if you’re okay with it. I need for you to choose for you, not me. Not Lex. You have to choose you, Violet.”
Unexpectedly, Vi leaned in and kissed Cait. The pitcher’s eyes closed, waiting with bated breath to hear the decision the woman had made. “Hope you can show me around town, Cupcake because I’m going to need all the best places to take recruits.”
Caitlyn’s body crashed forward into a deep, hearty embrace. No matter what the future held, as long as they were together that was what mattered. As long as she was with Vi, Caitlyn knew she wouldn’t be alone. When they pull apart, she once again commands Vi’s attention by locking eyes. “What’s your favorite color?”
The catcher laughs, flashing a mischievous grin. “I thought that would be pretty obvious,” she says as she lightly pushes a fly away strand of Caitlyn’s hair behind her ear and stares deep and longingly into the ace’s eyes. “It’s blue.”