Sweet like a Cupcake
Chapter 12: Sweet Like a Cupcake
Two Years Later
The soft glow of twilight filtered through the curtains of Vi’s room, bathing the space in hues of gold and lavender. Shadows danced gently along the walls, their movement almost imperceptible as the fading sunlight illuminated the polished floorboards and the edge of the bed. The hum of the city beyond the manor’s walls was faint but constant, a soothing backdrop to the stillness within. Vi sat cross-legged on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly beneath her weight, her posture upright and unwavering. Her hands rested lightly on her knees, her fingers relaxed, though a faint tension lingered in the curve of her jaw.
Her fiery red hair fell loosely over her shoulders, cascading like a river of flame, each strand catching the fading light as though it carried its own inner glow. The scars etched across her skin glimmered faintly, pulsing in rhythm with her breathing. The light they emitted was soft, subtle, yet unmistakable—a testament to everything she had endured and everything she had overcome. Her face, serene yet focused, bore traces of the fighter she had always been, though the storm that once dominated her features had softened into something steadier, more resolute.
Vi inhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling in a slow, deliberate rhythm. Meditation hadn’t come easily to her—it clashed with the restless energy that had defined her for so long. Stillness was a skill she’d never sought, and quiet had often felt like a space where her thoughts turned against her. But Caitlyn had insisted, her voice calm yet firm, guiding Vi through those first, halting attempts. Over time, what had once felt unnatural became a ritual, a moment of clarity carved out of the chaos. Now, the rhythm of her breathing matched the pulse of her scars, a physical and emotional harmony she hadn’t thought possible.
In the doorway, Caitlyn leaned against the frame, her arms crossed loosely over her chest, her silhouette outlined by the warm light spilling into the room. Her blue eyes softened as they rested on Vi, a quiet pride evident in the subtle curve of her lips. Caitlyn’s gaze traced the lines of Vi’s form—the relaxed set of her shoulders, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the faint glow of her scars. Three years had passed since Vi had first returned to Piltover, a shadow of the person she had once been. Haunted by the weight of her past, she had seemed fractured, lost in the memories of everything she had endured. But now, watching her like this—calm, composed, and grounded—was a reminder of just how far she had come.
Caitlyn shifted her stance slightly, her heart swelling with an emotion she couldn’t quite name. Pride, certainly, but also awe at the strength Vi continued to show, even in her quietest moments. The fighter in Vi was still there, but it was tempered now by a new kind of resilience—one that Caitlyn had been privileged to witness unfold.
Vi’s voice broke the stillness, low and even, though her eyes remained closed. “You’ve been staring at me for five minutes, Cait.”
Caitlyn blinked, momentarily startled, before a soft smile tugged at her lips. “Am I that predictable?” she asked, her tone light but tinged with warmth, the sound blending seamlessly with the twilight stillness.
Vi’s lips curved into a faint smirk, though her eyes stayed shut. “You’re like clockwork. I could set my watch to you,” she said, her voice carrying a teasing edge that softened the quiet between them.
Caitlyn chuckled softly, stepping further into the room. Her boots barely made a sound against the floor as she crossed to the bed. She paused just short of sitting, her gaze lingering on Vi’s relaxed form. Her hands brushed the edges of her coat as if debating whether to reach out, but instead, she spoke, her voice quieter now. “You’re getting good at this,” she said, an undertone of pride evident. “Better than I thought you’d be.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Vi muttered, her smirk widening slightly. “Turns out your fancy breathing exercises actually work.”
Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a playful grin. “I prefer to call it meditation,” she corrected, her voice taking on a mock-authoritative tone as she finally settled onto the edge of the bed. “But yes, it does.”
Vi exhaled deeply, the motion almost imperceptible save for the slight rise and fall of her chest. The faint glow of her scars dimmed in rhythm with her breath, their light softening as her posture eased further. Slowly, she opened her eyes, their stormy depths locking onto Caitlyn’s steady gaze. “You’re still staring,” she said, her tone carrying a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
“I’m allowed,” Caitlyn replied simply, her smile softening as her fingers traced an idle pattern on the bedspread. “You’re worth staring at.”
Vi’s smirk faltered, replaced by something quieter, more vulnerable. Her hand rested lightly against the headboard as she leaned back, her shoulders sinking into the pillow behind her. “Flattery’ll get you nowhere, Sheriff,” she teased, her voice low and unsteady, missing its usual sharpness.
Caitlyn tilted her head, her gaze never wavering as she studied Vi’s face. The fiery red strands of her hair glowed faintly in the dim light, catching the fading lavender of the evening sky. “It’s not flattery,” Caitlyn said softly, her tone carrying a quiet sincerity that cut through Vi’s defenses. “It’s the truth.”
For a moment, the space between them felt heavier, charged with unspoken emotions. Caitlyn hesitated, her expression shifting as her usual teasing demeanor gave way to something more serious, more tender. “You’ve come a long way, Vi,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “I hope you see that.”
Vi’s gaze dropped, her hand drifting unconsciously to the glowing scars that traced her forearm. Her fingers brushed the jagged lines absently, as though grounding herself in the present. She looked past Caitlyn, her eyes fixing on the window where the final streaks of sunlight painted the horizon in soft orange and deep purple. The sky seemed to mirror her thoughts—fading light giving way to the unknown of the night. “I guess,” she murmured, her voice carrying a note of hesitation. “Still feels like there’s a long way to go.”
“There always will be,” Caitlyn said gently, leaning closer as if to bridge the gap between them. Her hand hovered near Vi’s for a moment before resting lightly on the edge of her mechanical arm. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t be proud of how far you’ve already come.”
Vi turned back to her, her expression softening as her eyes locked onto Caitlyn’s. The weight of unspoken emotions lingered between them, thick but not stifling—an unbroken thread tying them together through every step of Vi’s recovery. Caitlyn had been more than a constant; she had been a lifeline. The steady hand that pulled Vi back when she felt herself sinking, the voice that quieted the storms in her mind. Vi didn’t know how to articulate it, but deep down, she understood: she wouldn’t have made it this far without Caitlyn.
Caitlyn shifted slightly, her movements unhurried as she settled onto the bed beside Vi. She lay on her side, her head propped up by one hand as her gaze remained fixed on Vi. She didn’t press, didn’t prod—she just waited, her presence as patient and reassuring as ever.
“I don’t say it enough,” Vi said finally, her voice low but resolute. She glanced down briefly, her fingers curling against the edge of the sheets before lifting her gaze back to Caitlyn. “But… thanks. For everything.”
Caitlyn’s lips curved into a soft, knowing smile. The warmth in her eyes was enough to make Vi’s chest tighten. “You don’t have to thank me, Vi,” Caitlyn replied gently, her voice carrying a tenderness that wrapped around them like a cocoon. “I’m just glad I could be here.”
Vi’s gaze lingered, a flicker of uncertainty breaking through the stormy blue and black depths of her eyes. For a moment, it seemed as though she might pull back, retreat into the safety of her walls. But then, something shifted. She steeled herself, her shoulders straightening slightly as if bracing for an impact. “Yeah, well,” Vi muttered, her voice rough but edged with something softer. “I’m still gonna say it. You’ve been there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it.”
Caitlyn shook her head, her brows knitting slightly as her expression softened further. “You’ve always deserved it, Vi,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Don’t ever think otherwise.”
The words hit Vi harder than she expected. They slipped past her defenses with a precision she hadn’t been prepared for, leaving her chest feeling tight and full all at once. She looked away briefly, her fingers brushing absently against the sheets between them as she processed the weight of Caitlyn’s conviction. The silence stretched, not awkward but heavy with possibility.
And then, before she could second-guess herself, Vi leaned forward. The movement was deliberate but hesitant, her heart pounding in her chest as she closed the distance between them. Caitlyn’s eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching as Vi’s lips brushed against hers—tentative at first, a gentle test of boundaries. The warmth of the kiss sent a jolt through Vi, grounding her in a way words never could.
Her hand moved instinctively, rising to rest against Caitlyn’s cheek. The touch was soft, almost reverent, as though Vi were afraid to break the moment. But when Caitlyn didn’t pull away, when her lips responded with equal tenderness, Vi let herself lean in further. The kiss deepened, slow and deliberate, carrying with it everything Vi had struggled to put into words—gratitude, trust, and something even deeper that she wasn’t quite ready to name.
When they finally pulled apart, Vi’s black and blue eyes searched Caitlyn’s face, her own breath unsteady. Caitlyn’s cheeks were flushed, her usually composed expression softened by the glow of vulnerability. Her eyes locked onto Vi’s, searching for confirmation, for intent.
“Vi…” Caitlyn began, her voice barely more than a whisper.
“I’m not good at this,” Vi admitted, her voice rough but steady. Her thumb brushed against Caitlyn’s cheek, lingering as though afraid to let go. “But I know what I want. And what I want… is you.”
The words hung in the air, raw and unfiltered. For a moment, Caitlyn didn’t respond, her lips parting slightly as her gaze softened even further. Then, a smile broke across her face—radiant, genuine, and filled with a quiet certainty that made Vi’s heart ache in the best way.
“You already have me,” Caitlyn said simply, her voice steady but laced with warmth.
Vi let out a soft chuckle, the sound low and warm as she shifted back slightly. Her hand remained against Caitlyn’s cheek, her fingers brushing lightly against her skin before trailing down to rest against Caitlyn’s collarbone. Her gaze lingered on Caitlyn’s flushed face, taking in the delicate pink hue of her cheeks and the way her blue eyes glimmered in the fading light.
Without saying a word, Vi gave a gentle tug on Caitlyn’s hand, pulling her closer. The movement was unhurried, deliberate, as though Vi wanted to savor every second of the moment. Caitlyn followed willingly, her body leaning into Vi’s, her hand coming to rest lightly against Vi’s chest. The space between them disappeared, replaced by an undeniable warmth that seemed to radiate between them, electric yet grounding.
Caitlyn let out a soft, surprised laugh, the sound breaking the stillness and pulling a grin from Vi. Her composure slipped for just a moment as she found herself reclining closer to Vi on the mattress, her dark hair cascading across the pillow in soft waves. “Vi—” she started, a playful edge to her voice, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she allowed herself to be drawn in, the teasing lilt of her words fading into quiet anticipation.
“Don’t overthink it, Cait,” Vi murmured, her voice low and warm, the faintest trace of amusement lacing her tone. Her mechanical hand moved with a surprising tenderness, coming to rest lightly on Caitlyn’s hip, grounding her with its steady presence. “Just… stay.”
Caitlyn’s lips curved into a soft, almost shy smile, her gaze searching Vi’s face as the last traces of light spilled through the window. She could see it there—the vulnerability in Vi’s eyes, flickering just beneath the confident front she always projected. It was a rare glimpse of the woman behind the armor, and it made Caitlyn’s heart ache with affection. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said quietly, her voice steady but filled with an unspoken promise as she leaned closer.
Vi exhaled a slow, measured breath, her hand shifting slightly to rest against the small of Caitlyn’s back. Caitlyn let out another quiet laugh, the sound lighter this time as she allowed herself to relax, her body instinctively molding to Vi’s. Her hair spilled across the pillow like a dark halo, framing her features in the soft glow of twilight. Vi propped herself up on one elbow, her free hand brushing lightly against Caitlyn’s cheek. The motion was careful, almost reverent, her fingertips tracing a faint line along her jaw as though memorizing the moment.
“You’re really not going anywhere, huh?” Vi said softly, her voice carrying a mix of quiet awe and disbelief. Her eyes searched Caitlyn’s face, her lips twitching into a faint, hesitant smile.
“No,” Caitlyn replied, her tone unwavering but laced with gentleness. Her fingers reached up, lightly grasping Vi’s wrist and holding it in place as she tilted her head into the touch. “Not if you’ll have me.”
Vi’s smirk softened into something quieter, more introspective. Her gaze lingered on Caitlyn, drinking in every detail—the curve of her lips, the faint flush on her cheeks, the way her blue eyes seemed to shimmer with unspoken affection. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” Vi admitted after a long pause, her voice rough and raw. “But I’m not gonna question it.”
Caitlyn’s expression softened even further, her eyes never leaving Vi’s as her fingers gently brushed against her wrist. “You don’t have to deserve me, Vi,” she said quietly, her voice steady and sure. “You just have to be you.”
The words hit Vi like a tidal wave, her chest tightening as she processed the weight of Caitlyn’s unwavering belief in her. She swallowed hard, her throat constricting with emotion, before leaning down and brushing her lips against Caitlyn’s in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn’t rushed or fueled by urgency; it was steady, grounding, a kiss that carried with it all the things Vi couldn’t bring herself to say. Caitlyn responded in kind, her hand sliding up to tangle lightly in Vi’s hair, anchoring them both in the quiet intimacy of the moment.
When they finally parted, Vi rested her forehead against Caitlyn’s, her breath mingling with hers as her hand slid down to lace their fingers together. The room felt impossibly still, the hum of the city fading into the background as they stayed locked in the moment.
“You’re trouble,” Vi murmured after a beat, her voice low and tinged with amusement as her lips twitched into a faint smirk.
“And you love it,” Caitlyn replied smoothly, her tone light but carrying a depth that made Vi’s chest ache in the best way.
Vi let out a low, genuine laugh, her eyes closing briefly as she allowed herself to bask in the warmth of Caitlyn’s presence. “Yeah,” she admitted softly, her voice carrying a quiet, vulnerable sincerity. “I do.”
Vi’s laughter faded into a quieter, more contemplative silence. She pulled back just enough to see Caitlyn’s face clearly, her eyes softening as they traced every line and curve. Her mechanical hand rested against Caitlyn’s hip, her touch firm but tender, while her flesh hand remained laced with Caitlyn’s, their fingers interwoven like pieces of a puzzle that had finally found their place.
For a moment, Vi seemed to wrestle with something unspoken, her jaw tightening briefly before she let out a slow breath. Her gaze dropped to their joined hands, the scars on her arm faintly glowing in the dim light, a reminder of everything she had been through to get to this moment. She looked back up, her eyes meeting Caitlyn’s steady, patient gaze.
“I love you,” Vi said finally, her voice low and rough, but unwavering. The words came out unpolished, as if she’d been holding them back for far too long. “I know I don’t say it enough—or at all—but I do. I love you, Cait. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
Caitlyn’s lips parted in surprise, her breath hitching slightly as the words settled between them. Her blue eyes shimmered, and for a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. Then her smile broke through, soft and radiant, lighting up her face in a way that made Vi’s chest ache.
“You don’t have to say it perfectly, Vi,” Caitlyn replied, her voice gentle but filled with quiet certainty. “Just hearing it is more than enough.”
Vi let out a soft chuckle, her lips curving into a faint, almost shy smile. “Guess I can’t just keep calling you Sheriff, huh?” She hesitated for a beat, her expression softening further. “Cupcake,” she murmured, the nickname slipping from her lips with a warmth and familiarity she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in years. “I haven’t called you that in forever.”
Caitlyn’s breath caught, her smile widening as she reached up to cup Vi’s face, her fingers brushing lightly against the edge of her jaw. “No, you haven’t,” she said, her tone teasing but laced with emotion. “I missed it.”
Vi leaned into Caitlyn’s touch, her eyes closing briefly as a quiet laugh escaped her. “Yeah, well… don’t get used to it. I’ve got a reputation to uphold,” she said, her voice tinged with mock gruffness, though the softness in her expression betrayed her.
Caitlyn laughed, the sound light and genuine, and she leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Vi’s forehead. “You’re impossible,” she murmured, her lips brushing against Vi’s skin.
“And you love it,” Vi shot back, her smirk returning as she pulled Caitlyn closer, her arms wrapping securely around her waist. For the first time in years, the weight in her chest felt lighter, the walls she had built around herself crumbling in the warmth of Caitlyn’s embrace. “I love you, Cupcake. Always.”