take a break
“Caitlyn, please,” Maddie pleaded. “Take a break.”
“I have to finish some work. You can go ahead,” Caitlyn said, eyes never leaving her laptop. “I’ll come to bed soon.”
Maddie Nolen frowned. This wasn’t how she wanted to spend her Friday night, her girlfriend swamped in work, barely able to look at her. She fidgeted with her white button down that was far too large for her. It slid off her shoulder a bit, revealing freckled skin beneath.
Caitlyn Kiramman, always hard at work. Maddie was tired of going to bed alone each night only to wake up in the morning alone yet again, her girlfriend having already headed to work. The only solace she had was waking up in the middle of the night and seeing the navy hair splayed across the white pillows.
Maddie had to find a way to get the spark back—to find a way to be seen again. She’d worked hard as Caitlyn’s assistant, and she was overjoyed when she got the chance to cross the threshold into a personal relationship. But now, it felt like Caitlyn barely looked at her anymore. Where was that warmth that Maddie so desperately craved?
Her hands found Caitlyn’s shoulders, kneading away at the day’s stress. The familiar clacking of keys ceased as Caitlyn closed her eyes, enjoying the massage. Maddie took the chance to lean down, her lips finding the milky skin of Caitlyn’s neck.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Caitlyn gasped at the touch.
“Come to bed with me,” Maddie whispered into her ear, voice low and desperate. “Please.”
Caitlyn paused, glancing at her open laptop. Then she looked over at her girlfriend. She felt herself nod and allowed herself to be pulled into the bedroom. She felt her body sink into the mattress as Maddie climbed on top of her.
_
_
Caitlyn woke to the sun streaming into the master bedroom through the paper-thin white curtains. She couldn’t remember the last time she woke up feeling so relaxed.
“Good morning,” Maddie said from the doorway. She still wore her oversized button up shirt. She walked in, handing Caitlyn a steaming mug of coffee.
“Good morning,” Caitlyn murmured, taking the mug. “Thanks.” The events of the night before dawned on her as she stared at herself in the reflection of the coffee. It had been a while since she’d allowed herself that luxury.
“Thank you for spending time with me last night,” Maddie said next, sipping her own mug.
Caitlyn felt her heart pang with guilt. The realization that in refusing herself the pleasure of intimacy until she finished her work also refused Maddie. “I’m sorry,” Caitlyn said, looking up into Maddie’s big blue eyes. “I’ve been an awful partner.”
Maddie looked down at the sheets shyly.
“I’ve been putting my work way ahead of you,” Caitlyn continued. “I realize that if I stopped showing up to my job, I’d be bad at my job, right? The same goes for a relationship. And… I’m sorry that I stopped showing up.” She took Maddie’s free hand with her own. “I’ll be better.”
Maddie grinned, leaning in and placing a kiss on Caitlyn’s lips. “I’m glad.”
Just as Caitlyn went to speak again, her phone rang on the nightstand. The only person that really called her was the manager who worked below her. Caitlyn, having risen to the ranks quite quickly in the city, was the highest in the chain, so everybody looked to her.
“Is it work?” Maddie asked, looking dimmer.
“It doesn’t matter,” Caitlyn answered, intending to keep her promise. “They can reach me on Monday.”
A smile spread across Maddie’s face. She leaned in again, but she was startled by the phone ringing yet again. “Maybe it isn’t your work,” Maddie suggested.
Caitlyn sighed, setting her coffee down on the nightstand and looking at the caller ID. Maddie was right—it wasn’t. It was her father. The letters TOBIAS KIRAMMAN flashed on her screen. Her father never called unless it was an emergency.
“Hello?” Caitlyn said shakily into the phone, sitting on the edge of the bed with her feet on the ground.
“Caitlyn, dear, how are you?” her father said.
“Is something wrong?” Caitlyn asked, cutting straight to the chase. She tended to do that.
“No, dear, it’s just… it’s been quite lonely here since…” Tobias trailed off, but Caitlyn knew what he meant.. “I wish you’d come home for the holidays, Cait. It’s been so long since you’ve been back.”
“Father, I can’t just drop everything and come back to Piltover,” Caitlyn said into the phone. “People are counting on me.” She’d buried herself in her work ever since the incident.
“Won’t you give your employees the holiday off as well, dear? It’s simply been too long since I’ve seen you.”
Caitlyn thought about it. It’s not like her company had to be open during the holidays. And maybe it would be nice to be back in her hometown for a bit. She wondered if she ought to bring Maddie. “Okay, okay,” she relented. “I’ll come home for the holidays.”
“Great, we’re booking you a flight.”
“Father, I can buy my own ticket.”
“Too late. Sending you the confirmation now.”
Caitlyn sighed. It was just like her father to count his chickens before they hatched. She had the hunch that he’d already bought the ticket prior and just hoped he could convince her. After all, if Maddie hadn’t managed to pull her from her work last night, she would have probably said no. But it has been years since she last saw her father. She hated to admit it, but she did miss her childhood house sometimes.
“We can’t wait to see you!” Then, the phone hung up. Caitlyn sat there for a moment in shock, mind racing. It all happened so quickly. She had to make up her mind. Was she bringing Maddie or not?
“What happened?” Maddie asked, crawling up behind Caitlyn.
“My father called. He wants me to come home for the holidays this year.” Caitlyn sighed. “I guess it’s been a long time coming. I haven’t been back since…”
Maddie nodded, reaching out and touching Caitlyn’s shoulder gently. She looked at her expectantly, but Caitlyn just couldn’t get herself to say the words to invite her.
_
_
The airport of her hometown looked blissfully the same. But it seemed much smaller now. It didn’t give her that nervous feeling of being tiny in a crowded airport. She feels bigger now.
She took her suitcase, loading it into the taxi wordlessly. The scenery wasn’t all that different from when she was a child, but somehow it was all completely different. She took in the snow covered firs and the pale blue sky with the sun peeking behind clouds that passed every once in a while. If there was one thing she knew her hometown of Piltover could get better than Noxus was the snow. In Piltover, the snow was powdery, sparkling as it reflected the rays of the sun. Noxus snow was harder, just like most things there. It stuck to roads like armor, causing everything to be a little more dangerous than they already were.
She watched out the window as buildings passed. Her eyes lingered a little longer on the botanical garden’s huge dome. It was her favorite place to go as a child, and she could probably still identify most of the species inside due to just how much time she spent there. When she wasn’t shooting her rifle, she was cozied up next to some of the most exotic plants in the world.
The taxi pulled up to the large mansion where her parents lived. She fondly recalled the time she’d gotten in trouble for sneaking a girl in those very walls. Less fondly, she remembered her mother not allowing her to leave the house for months. But she did find a way to make her own fun, disappearing all of a sudden, causing whichever guard was on duty to panic, searching the entire house for her, only to find her later in the same place, as if she hadn’t left at all.
As she waved to the leaving taxi driver, she rolled her suitcase up the steps. Should she knock? Should she just walk in? Should she sneak through her window like the old times? She didn’t have much time to decide before the door swung open, and her father greeted her. He looked older now, wiser. His hair had gray streaks now. She felt arms wrap around her and the familiar scent of her father enveloping her. “Caitlyn, darling, how wonderful of you to visit,” her father said, as if he hadn’t begged her to visit himself.
“Hi, father,” she whispered into his embrace. She hadn’t felt his arms around her in too long, and she’d buried herself in work to distract herself. But now, she found herself melting into him.
“Your bedroom is the same as you left it.” Her father gave her a gentle and affectionate smile, cupping her cheek as he pulled away. “You’ve no idea how happy I am that you are here.” He ushered her in, and her suitcase was swept away to her bedroom. Being gone for so long, Caitlyn had grown accustomed to doing everything herself. She almost didn’t like how everything was done for her here.
“I’ve got to meet with the Blackwell family today. I don't think you are the biggest fan of their daughter, so I figured you wouldn’t want to come,” her father said, putting his large hand on Caitlyn’s shoulder. “But you ought to visit the shops. It’s especially nice this time of year.”
“Okay,” Caitlyn said, still registering everything that was happening. She’d had a fling with Donna Blackwell a while ago, and things did not end well. She was grateful that her father didn’t ask questions, just accepting her dislike.
“I’m just glad you arrived before I had to leave. I wanted to see you.” Her father patted her cheek gently before pulling away. “Now, I really must go. I love you.”
He left, and Caitlyn couldn’t help but wonder why he’d decided to schedule her to arrive the day he had duties. She exhaled with a sigh, deciding she ought to do something with herself. She felt a bit like going downtown to see the decorations. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, startling her.
Maddie Nolen
Maddie:
Hope ur having a good time
[18:59]
Maddie:
W/o me :(
[18:59]
Caitlyn:
I just got back home.
[19:00]
Maddie:
Yk I just feel like u could have at least invited me
[19:00]
Maddie:
It’s like u don’t want me to meet ur family or something
[19:00]
Caitlyn:
You know it isn’t that.
[19:01]
Maddie:
No bc u always want to go do things without me
[19:01]
Maddie:
Do u even like me???
[19:01]
Caitlyn:
Maddie, please don’t do this.
[19:02]
Caitlyn:
It just doesn’t make sense to bring you all the way here. Shouldn’t you spend the holidays with your family too?
[19:02]
Caitlyn rubbed her temples. Had she rushed into a relationship with Maddie too quickly? After all, she remembered how it went. She’d been sitting in her office when a new hire came in to greet her, excitedly introducing herself. This new hire quickly stuck herself to Caitlyn like glue, asking about her day and her favorite things. She’d just assumed the new hire was overeager. Slowly but surely, the new hire got closer and closer to Caitlyn, applying for the assistant’s position as soon as Caitlyn rose to the very top.
“Congratulations,” Maddie had said, slinking into Caitlyn’s office after most people had gone home.
“Aren’t you going to go home, Miss Nolen?” Caitlyn had asked, barely looking up from her computer.
“I wanted to see if you needed any help.” Maddie had had her shirt unbuttoned one button more than she would usually have it. “You know, these long hours are going to eat away at you.”
“Did you rush over here to provide me with this advice?” Caitlyn had asked, eyeing Maddie suspiciously.
“I thought I could help you loosen up a little bit,” Maddie replied, stepping closer to Caitlyn’s desk, hand resting against the birch surface.
“Miss Nolen-”
“Maddie.”
“Miss Nolen,” Caitlyn had insisted. “You should go home.”
Maddie shook her head. “Give me a chance, Caitlyn-”
“Miss Kiramman.”
“Caitlyn.” Maddie leaned closer. “Give me a chance to show you.”
God, maybe she really had rushed into things. It all happened so quickly, and Maddie found her at a vulnerable time right after her mother had just died. She’d allowed Maddie to take away her stress, giving her the affection and warmth she so desperately needed after a loss like that. Maddie had helped her forget about her grief, even if just for a moment.
But Caitlyn realized she hadn’t really been that affectionate or warm at all towards the Noxian. Guilt clawed at her stomach.
She shook her head, as if trying to shake out all the bad thoughts. She decided she was going to walk downtown to see what’s up. She wondered if the candy shop she’d gone to as a child was still there. She was curious if the bakery still had the best pies she’d ever had. She exhaled with a purpose before heading out the door and into the chilly weather. Her black turtleneck kept her somewhat warm, but it was her blue and gold coat that shielded her from the cold breeze.
She walked down the familiar route that she’d walked hundreds of times in her teenage years. It wasn’t long before she reached downtown with its bustling atmosphere. The shops had strung beautiful Christmas lights and hung wreaths tied with red ribbons. The bakery still stood, the smell of fresh bread wafting from it. The candy shop, however, was gone, replaced with a bar called “The Last Drop”. Well, when Caitlyn was a kid, she loved candy, but now, she figured she’d enjoy the bar more anyway. She entered the building, once painted light colors, now a dark gray hue. The bar was surprisingly nice. People sat around chatting with their groups, and a jukebox was playing some atmospheric music. She sat down at an empty seat at the bar, taking in the sight. Some people played billiards, while others shot darts. She quite liked the atmosphere here. It wasn’t stuffy or overly violent like the bars in Noxus.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked. Caitlyn tore her eyes away from the crowds and made eye contact with powder blue eyes. The bartender, with pink hair and an insane set of arm muscles, was looking expectantly at her. Caitlyn didn’t quite know what to say.
“I…er,” Caitlyn stammered. “Vodka cranberry.”
“You got it,” the bartender replied, grabbing the vodka and flipping the bottle in the hair and catching it by its neck to pour into the glass. Once the drink was in front of Caitlyn, the bartender spoke again. “I haven’t seen you in here before. Are you new around here?”
“I suppose so,” Caitlyn answered, feeling the burn of the alcohol travel down her esophagus. “I grew up around here, but I haven’t been back for a while.”
“I see. And you came home for the holidays, then.” The bartender eyed her curiously. “Well, welcome back.”
“Thank you,” Caitlyn said quietly, swirling her drink in her glass. “Is this your place?”
“The bar?” the bartender asked. “It was my dad’s. But yeah, now it’s mine.”
Caitlyn hummed, taking another sip of her drink. She decided finally to look over the woman in front of her. Pink hair, shaved on the sides, with a cheek tattoo with the Roman numeral six. The woman’s muscles were impressive, and Caitlyn couldn’t deny that the woman was incredibly physically attractive. Her eyes trailed down the woman’s tan tank top before the bar stopped her from going any further.
“So,” the woman said, breaking Caitlyn’s trance. “You came here for the holidays. I assume you’ve got family, then. So why are you here alone?”
Maddie Nolen
Maddie:
Made it to my parents’ house
[19:48]
Maddie:
I got a different job btw
[19:48]
Caitlyn:
What are you talking about?
[19:49]
Maddie:
Mrs. Medarda is angry that u didn’t accept her business proposal
[19:50]
Maddie:
Even more so that u accepted the proposal from her rival company
[19:50]
Maddie:
Now is as good a time as ever to let u know that I joined your company to find out ur secrets
[19:51]
Maddie:
Ambessa was all like “get close to her, Maddie”
[19:51]
Caitlyn:
Ambessa Medarda? Maddie. Is this some kind of prank?
[19:52]
Maddie:
She was gonna let me keep seeing u if u did what she wanted
[19:52]
Maddie:
But unfortunately my job has come to an end
[19:53]
Caitlyn:
Maddie, what do you mean?
[19:53]
Maddie:
Thanks for leaving your computer locked before you left.
[19:54]
Caitlyn:
Maddie, this isn’t funny.
[19:54]
Maddie:
I know.
[19:55]
Maddie:
I did appreciate your warmth.
[19:56]
You have been blocked by the user.
Caitlyn slammed her hand down on the bar, startling the man beside her and the bartender.
“Whoa,” the bartender said. “You okay there?”
Caitlyn buried her face in her hands. “No,” she answered truthfully. “I just found out my ex is a piece of shit.”
The bartender raised her eyebrow. “Oh.” She grabbed another glass and started pouring a cocktail of things into it. After a sprig of mint, she pushed it over to Caitlyn. “On the house.”
Caitlyn looked up, catching the stranger’s eyes. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.”