Running Home
It was the last day at science camp when Caitlyn woke up with a sigh at 5am. She felt a sense of sadness, knowing this was the last day. Her and Vi had become such good friends, and she wondered if that only existed in the lushous Noxus mountains.
For Caitlyn, Vi lit up with her jokes and that damn smirk. She was smart, funny, you could talk to her about anything and she’d understand, extremely athletic, didn’t give a flying fuck about other’s opinion, and strangely made Caitlyn feel at ease.
Caitlyn started her morning routine, but as she finished getting dressed and almost walked out the door, a groggy voice stated,
“Can I come with you? Promise I’ll keep up.”
Caught offguard by Vi being up and the request, Caitlyn stared blankly at Vi nervously scratching the back of her neck and finally replied,
“Why are you up? You should be asleep.”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Vi grumbled as she got her day clothes on.
“If you slow me down, I won’t wait for you.” Caitlyn said sternly, but not angry.
As Caitlyn and Vi walked out the door and started picking up the pace into the jog, the two ran in silence as they fell into a rhythm, running by the mess hall, the owner’s cabin, the nurse’s shack, and eventually the loop trial sign.
Breaking the awkward, but comfortable silence Vi said,
“I get why you run in the morning. It's so… peaceful. Me? I’m more of a night runner myself, but maybe it’s just because I like the danger in the darkness.”
Chuckling at Vi’s comment, Caitlyn then pointed to the loop trial sign and said,
“Up there.”
As both of them reached the top, a little out of breath because they did not want the other to think they were slow, Vi gasped aloud as she saw the pink sunrise over the lake.
Caitlyn quietly sat on the bench, watching Vi as she took it all in. She found herself smiling at Vi and saying,
“Is it everything you hoped for?”
“It does the trick, Cupcake. It’s very beautiful”, Vi said, flashing a grin at Caitlyn.
The mention of her stupid nickname made her ears run pink as Vi sat down beside her. Their shoulders touched and Caitlyn tried not to react to Vi’s warm touch. The two just sat in silence trying not to look at eachother and focus on the beautiful view in front of them.
Vi then reached into her pocket and pulled a pocket knife, making Caitlyn’s eyebrows raise at the sight.
“Was this your big plan, Vi? Just follow me into the woods and kill me?”
“No one will hear you scream” Vi deadpanned, obviously joking.
The two just burst out in laughter, loud enough for all the fish in the lake to hear.
After both stopped laughing and letting out little chuckles, Vi then spread her legs in a masculine way, and started carving her name onto the bench.
Not caring one bit about how Vi’s muscular thigh was pushed up against hers, Caitlyn softly said with a mock gasp,
“Vi Lane. Are you committing an act of vandalism?”
“Indeed I am, Cupcake… Here it’s your turn.” Vi said as she safely handed the pocket knife. Without thinking, Caitlyn then got up, knife in hand, got on her knees in front of Vi sitting on the bench manspreading, and before Vi could move, started carving her name.
Surprised by Caitlyn’s instant action, Vi said with a grin and hand in the air,
“Woah, ask a lady to dinner first!”
Caitlyn then just returned a cold, but soft glare at Vi in annoyance.
Vi didn’t dare move. There was just something about Caitlyn, especially in this position, that made her body stiffen but not in fear. Something else. Vi could feel her stomach turning. Her mind then flashed images of Caitlyn in that damn bikini, her glass figure out for all to see.
When she finished carving her name and what seemed like extra words, Caitlyn just stood up inbetween Vi’s legs but not touching them, handed back the knife and said with sarcarsm,
“There. Now we will always put apart of this old, tattered bench.”
Vi just chucked, took the knife, and looked down at the names. It read:
Caitlyn and Vi wuz here.
Vi looked up to Caitlyn standing infront of her, already grinning at her. The two just stared deeply into eachothers eyes until Caitlyn’s cheeks flushed and she broke the contact,
“Race you to the bottom!” said Caitlyn pushing Vi as she tried to get up off the bench, giving herself a head-start.
“What? No fair!” Vi shouted as she started running after Caitlyn. Her legs picked up in pace as she started running downhill, chasing a streak of dark blue.
Out of breath, Vi reached the bottom to find Caitlyn leaning against the loop trial sign, arms crossed with a large grin on her face, showing her teeth gap.
At that moment, Vi didn’t care one bit that she lost. She found herself thinking it was worth it to lose because she got to see that damn smile.
“I was starting to get sleepy waiting for your slow ass.” Caitlyn said, grinning even larger now.
“Oh please, I let you win Cupcake.” Vi said, returning her grin, walking up to Caitlyn, leaning against the sign.
For some reason seeing Vi so out of breath in her black compression shirt was doing things to her stomach. She wanted to see more of it.
God stop it Caitlyn, chill out. She has a girlfriend.
Cailyn held her breath as Vi got close to her, looking at her with those grey eyes.
“Race you to breakfast!” Vi said she gave Caitlyn’s shoulder a light shove.
Caitlyn's eyebrows instantly turned into a scowl as she started sprinting after Vi. When she found Vi copying her lean but now against the mess hall door, Caitlyn, out of breath, gave Vi a gab to the side.
“Ouch! Hey, I won fair and square.” Vi said grimacing, holding her side.
Caitlyn just glared deep into her grey eyes with annoyance.
When Vi opened the door, motioning Caitlyn to walk in, she whispered, close to Caitlyn’s ear as she was walking in,
“Karma’s a bitch.”
Caitlyn just chuckled and walked to her spot for breakfast, seeing Jayce and Viktor clearly occupied with their food.
“Ah, ladies! There you are! As I was saying to Jayce and Viktor, Today is the last day of our science trip and we will be leaving at lunch! I am very impressed with the data you guys have collected in the nature around us!”
…
After packing up their bags and cleaning up the cabin, both girls walked in silence towards the bus, bags slung over their shoulders.
Vi started wondering if her and Caitlyn’s friendship would only last in the air of the lushous Noxus mountains. If what they have was real, or if it only existed here. If she would walk into class next week and Caitlyn would have her walls up, returning to her stern self.
She glanced at Caitlyn who seemed to have the same sad expression on her face. As the four of them got into the bus, Jayce and Viktor sat right next to eachother, and Vi sat close to Caitlyn in front of her, but not in the same row.
The bus seemed quiet as Vi pulled out her headphones to play her downloaded music. Caitlyn already had her music playing in her ears and a book in her hands.
Vi let out a sigh as she let herself drown in her music and the beautiful views she would soon leave behind.
The girls didn’t talk for a whole two hours until Caitlyn lightly tapped and asked if she wanted some peanuts. After that, Vi started throwing peanuts in the air and attempted to catch them in her mouth. After many failures and giggles from Caitlyn, she said.
“Vi, you're not doing it right. Let me show you how it's done.”
Then, as Vi watched in awe, Caitlyn threw 3 nuts in the air at slightly different times, and caught all three in her mouth.
Bewildered, Vi asked, “How do you do that?”
“I’ve had many hours of practice.” Caitlyn said with a smirk.
“Of what? Nuts in your mouth?” Vi said, laughing loudly at her own joke.
Caitlyn instantly started coughing with peanuts in her mouth as her cheek turned brighter than Vi’s hair. She just gave Vi a light jab and sat down in her seat, turning to the window, hoping Vi didn’t notice the shade of her cheeks.
After some silence, Vi tightly tapped Caitlyn and asked softly,
“Wanna watch a movie or something?”
Caitlyn just nodded as Vi scrolled on her phone trying to find a good one.
“What do you wanna watch, Cait?” Vi asked holding out her phone.
Caitlyn silently took the phone, furred her eyebrows in conceratation and put on a romance movie called “10 Things I Hate About You”.
Groaning in frustation Vi sighed,
“Ughh. Romance? Ewww”
“I think you’ll like it Vi” Caitlyn responded.
The two sat in silence expect for a couple of Vi’s loud comments of,
“Oh c’mon why would he do that?” or “This is so stupid”.
When the movie was over, Caitlyn turned over to Vi and heard some sniffing.
“Are you.. crying?” Caitlyn asked.
Instantly rubbing her eyes in a panic Vi squeaked out,
“What? No! No! Its just dusty in this old bus.”
"I think you like romance, Vi" Caitlyn said in between laughs.
Giggling at Vi, Caitlyn then grabbed her phone to give it back to her, when a text notification appeared on the screen, reading:
Vi, what the fuck? Stop ignoring me! Answer me!
It was from Clara.
VI then saw Cait’s shocked face and slowly grabbed her phone from Cait’s hand, fingers touching for an instant.
After watching Vi just huff in frustration and turn off her phone, Caitlyn said softy,
“Is everything ok between you guys?”
“She still thinks I’m cheating on her or something because I spent the week in a cabin with a girl… I hate that she doesn’t trust me.”
“I’m sorry, Vi.” Caitlyn said quietly as she reached for Vi’s hand.
Vi took it with grace and smiled as Cait gave her reassuring squeeze.
I could be a better girlfriend, Caitlyn thought as she looked into Vi’s grey eyes. No, Cait, Stop. You don’t have feelings for Vi, she’s just a friend. Plus, she has a girlfriend.
“Thanks, Cait.” Vi responded, returning Caitlyn’s warm smile.
The bus drive then concluded of her and Caitlyn playing Dress to Impress, and Vi was actually much better than Caitlyn thought she was gonna be.
…
As they pulled into the school parking lot and stepped out on the sidewalk, Vi took a deep breath of fresh air.
Feels good to be home, Vi thought.
Jayce then started hugging Caitlyn, and then Viktor, and then tried to give Vi one when she said,
“Calm down, pretty boy. It’s not like this is the last time we will see eachother. We have school on Monday.”
Everyone let out a big groan as Vi mentioned that, and Dr. H said to all of them,
“Thank you guys again for being excellent students and peers. Now, everyone get some rest and I’ll see you first thing Monday morning!”
Jayce and Viktor then both got into Jayce’s bright red convertible and zoomed off, leaving Vi and Caitlyn alone in the school parking lot.
“Bet you 20 bucks, those two will get together.” Vi said as they watched Jayce’s car in the far distance.
Chuckling to herself quietly, and she reached into her pocket to pull out her phone, Caitlyn realized she didn’t have a ride home.
Waiting awkwardly for Cait to respond but then seeing her preoccupied with her phone, Vi just sighed and said
“So, um.. See you Monday, I guess?”
Looking up from her phone and seeing Vi starting to turn around, Caitlyn spitted out,
“Actually, could you give me a ride home? I don’t live very far, just 10 minutes from her, and I can repay in gas if you wan–”
“Cait, it’s fine. Yes, I will take you home. As long as you're fine riding on the back of my bike. I have an extra helmet for cases like this.”
Taking in the information, and then simply nodding, Caitlyn followed Vi to her motorcycle.
When Vi handed her a helmet, and Caitlyn reached out to grab it, she started feeling very nervous. Vi didn’t seem to notice this and just put on her helmet, started the engine, and revved it a couple times.
Relax, Caitlyn, you will be fine. Vi’s definitely a safe driver.
Seeing Vi on her bike with that helmet, made Caitlyn’s stomach feel much better. She instantly got her helmet and straddled herself on the bike next to Vi. Wondering where she should put her arms in support, she awkwardly put them on Vi’s shoulders. She then let out an anxious breath.
Starting to pick on her anxiousness and realizing that Caitlyn had probably never ridden on a motorcycle before, Vi exclaimed oudly over the motorcycle engine,
“Relax, Cupcake. It’ll be okay. And you can put your hands around my waist, you dummy.”
Smiling at Vi’s attempt to comfort her, Caitlyn hesitantly put her arms around Vi’s muscular waist. She could feel Vi’s rock-hard abs through her tank top. She wondered what it was like to touch them without a shirt.
Stop it, Caitlyn. Oh my gosh. It was getting hard for Caitlyn to focus.
Hell, Vi’s strong biceps were right in front of her, revving the engine. She could even see Vi’s back muscles moving as she did so. She could feel Vi’s steady breathing, in and out. She could smell her hair, a scent of tangerine and oak. She could feel her warmth. She found herself not wanting to ever leave Vi’s motorcycle. Caitlyn was glad Vi could not see her cheeks completely flushed.
Caitlyn squeezed tight as Vi drove through the parking lot and onto the street, letting out a surprised scream as they started their drive to Caitlyn’s house.
She didn’t know why, but I could barely focus on the road in front of her. Her heartrate started picking up as Caitlyn effortlessly slid her arms around Vi’s body, almost like it was natural. She could feel Caitlyn’s body pressed against her, and her breathing against her ear. She found herself not wanting Caitlyn to ever leave this position.
Fuck, Vi. Stop it. You have a girlfriend.
The ride was silent except for Caitlyn giving Vi directions, and Vi’s jaw dropped when they arrived at Caitlyn’s gate and when she saw Caitlyn’s house.
It was a very large two-story mansion, some could say an estate. It was on a slight hill, gated, it had a pool, a large garage with a fancy sports car parked in the front, and the design was very modern. There was also another building to the right of it that looked like a barn.
Before Vi could make any comment about Caitlyn’s house, Caitlyn got off the bike and pushed in the gate code. As the gate opened, Vi found the bike felt cold without Caitlyn’s touch.
They drove up into the gate in silence, got off the bike, and took off their helmets.
“Damn, Cupcake. I knew your mom was a famous conculior but I didn’t know you were this rich.”
“I think it’s too much.” Caitlyn said softly.
Not knowing whether to give her a goodbye hug or just say goodbye, Vi managed to cough up,
“Goodnight, Cait. See you Monday.”
As she turned around to her bike, she heard running footsteps behind her as Caitlyn swept her up into a warm hug.
Surprised by Caitlyn’s gesture, Vi awkwardly hugged her back and then let herself relax for a second in Caitlyn’s warmth. The two hugged for what seemed like days until Caitlyn pulled back.
“Thanks for the ride home, Vi. You are very kind.”
Nervously scratching her the back of her neck, Vi replied, flashing a wink.
“Anytime, Cupcake.” She then put on her helmet, got on her bike, and waited for Caitlyn to walk inside.
On the ride home Caitlyn seemed to not escape her thoughts.
This girl is gonna be the death of me, she thought.
…
Opening her door to her house, Vi was instantly greeted by a pouncing Powder embracing her with a hug. She didn’t even get a chance to throw her bags down when she was strommed with questions.
“How was it? Was it boring? Oh, I bet it was lame. Well, I heard the Noxus mountains are pretty. Was it pretty? How was it rooming with a Piltie? Was she nice? Oh, I bet she wasn’t–”
Powder seemed to be talking on 2x speed until Vi shook her shoulders and replied,
“Powder, it was great. Yes, it was beautiful and fun. And, it wasn’t bad rooming with Caitlyn. She’s actually very nice once you get to know her.”
After eating a delicious homecooked meal, cooked by her adoptive father, Vander, and answering a million questions from Powder, Vi finally got some alone time as she showered and slipped into bed.
Realizing she was very tired, she checked her phone before turning off her light. She instantly checked if there were any messanges from Caitlyn. She frowned as she saw there was none. She then checked if there were any messages from Clara, which there was. A lot. Groaning as she forced herself to read all of the “Talk to me. You better not be cheating on me. Vi where are you???”.
She then let out a sigh and responded,
Let's hang out tomorrow and talk, Clara.
After turning off her light and staring at her ceiling for a bit, Caitlyn seemed to not escape her thoughts.
Just Vi huffed and turned to her side, eyebrows furrowed.
What am I gonna do about Caitlyn? About Clara?
Let’s say Vi didn’t sleep great.