When Awkwardness Orders the Usual
The streets of Piltover buzzed with life, the familiar hum of a city that never truly slept. Caitlyn adjusted the coat draped over her arm, her sleeveless cream top pristine against the faint glow of streetlights. The tailored black trousers she wore gave her an air of understated elegance, paired with subtle gold jewelry—a thin necklace and a classic watch on her wrist. Her heels clicked softly on the cobblestones as she walked alongside Jayce, who, as always, exuded an air of casual charm.
“Let me guess,” Jayce began, breaking the comfortable silence between them, “you’re already regretting saying yes to this.”
Caitlyn glanced sideways, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. “Why would you assume that?”
“Because you have that look,” Jayce teased, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. “That ‘I was tricked into this but am too polite to leave’ look. Come on, admit it—you missed me.”
Caitlyn sighed, shaking her head. “I missed Piltover. You just happened to come with the package.”
Jayce laughed, the sound hearty and unbothered. “You’re sharp tonight, Doc. What’s the matter? Too much jet lag, or did they forget to stock your clinic with the right brand of biscuits for your patients?”
Caitlyn shot him a withering look. “For your information, my patients get exactly what they need. No complaints.”
“Uh-huh,” Jayce said, clearly enjoying himself. “How’s the glamorous world of saving animals anyway? I mean, I get the appeal—fluffy patients, no awkward dinner parties with Piltover elites…” He gave her a teasing nudge. “You probably have more meaningful conversations with dogs than with half the people at galas, don’t you?”
“That’s an understatement,” Caitlyn replied dryly. “Dogs don’t lie, don’t pretend to care about city politics, and, most importantly, they don’t make small talk.”
Jayce barked out a laugh. “You know, for someone who spent half her life mingling with Piltover’s elite, you’re surprisingly antisocial.”
“I prefer efficient use of my time,” Caitlyn said, her voice laced with mock primness. “Besides, I’ve been busy. Building a career takes more effort than designing another hextech gadget.”
“Ouch.” Jayce held up his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, Doc. My gadgets are changing lives.”
Caitlyn smiled, her expression softening. “They are, Jayce. I’ve seen some of your work in action overseas—it’s impressive. You’re making a real difference.”
Jayce blinked in mock surprise, pressing a hand to his chest. “Is that… a compliment? From Caitlyn Kiramman? Somebody pinch me.”
“Don’t ruin the moment,” Caitlyn said with a faint laugh, shaking her head.
Jayce grinned, shaking his head. “Touché. But seriously, Cait, you’re killing it. A vet specializing in animal health and welfare? That’s some serious dedication. Bet your parents are still confused about why you didn’t just take over the family legacy.”
Caitlyn sighed, her expression softening slightly. “They don’t understand it, but they respect it. Mostly.”
“Well, they should,” Jayce said, his tone more sincere now. “You’re doing good work, Cait. Even if it’s not what they expected, it’s what you wanted. That’s all that matters.”
Caitlyn glanced at him, her lips twitching upward in a faint smile. “You’re not as insufferable as you pretend to be, you know that?”
“Don’t let that get around,” Jayce replied with a wink. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
The banter eased some of the tension Caitlyn hadn’t realized she’d been carrying, though it returned as soon as they turned the corner. A glowing sign loomed ahead: The Rusty Gauntlet.
“A bar,” she said flatly.
“Not just a bar,” Jayce said, gesturing with a dramatic flourish. “This place has heart. Good music, great drinks, and the perfect spot to welcome you back to Piltover.”
“You could’ve mentioned we weren’t going to a café,” Caitlyn muttered, her gaze flicking toward the bustling crowd inside.
“And miss the chance to see your face when you realized?” Jayce smirked. “Come on, Cait, loosen up. You might even have fun.”
She hesitated for a moment, smoothing the fabric of her trousers. “Fine. Lead the way.”
Jayce held the door open, and Caitlyn stepped inside, immediately greeted by the warm hum of the bar’s atmosphere. The scent of polished wood and faint citrus mingled with the sharper notes of spilled liquor. Conversations overlapped in the air, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the rhythmic thrum of a jukebox in the corner.
Caitlyn’s sharp eyes scanned the room instinctively. The crowd was diverse—some leaning over the bar, others clustered in booths or gathered around the jukebox. Despite the lively chaos, the space felt oddly welcoming, if a bit overwhelming.
Jayce led her to a small table near the wall, weaving through the crowd with ease. Caitlyn followed, her steps measured as she draped her coat neatly over the back of her chair. She adjusted her posture, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the table.
“So?” Jayce asked, sliding into his seat and lounging like he owned the place. “First impressions?”
“It’s… loud,” Caitlyn replied diplomatically.
“Loud is good,” Jayce said, waving down a server. “This place has character. And fun fact—it’s owned by someone we both know.”
Caitlyn tilted her head. “Who?”
Jayce grinned, nodding toward the bar. Caitlyn turned her head, her gaze landing on the bartender—and froze.
The pink hair was impossible to miss.
“Jayce,” Caitlyn said, her voice low and sharp, “you could’ve mentioned this was her bar.”
Jayce’s grin widened. “And miss the look on your face? No way.”
Caitlyn pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling slowly. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re welcome,” Jayce replied, leaning back as the server arrived with their drinks. “Come on, Cait, it’s Vi. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Caitlyn didn’t answer, her gaze drifting back to the bar. She hadn’t seen Vi in years—not since she’d left Piltover and all the tangled emotions that came with it. And now, here she was, sitting in her bar.
This was going to be a long night.
As they settled at the table, Caitlyn’s gaze wandered toward the bar again, pulled involuntarily to the sight of Vi. She was laughing at something a patron said, leaning casually against the counter. The loose V-neck shirt she wore shifted slightly as she moved, revealing glimpses of the bold tattoos that trailed up her arms and the edge of the intricate design that stretched across her neck. Her high-waisted trousers accentuated her strong, lean frame. Her pink hair gleamed under the warm lights, the shaved side of her head emphasizing the silver piercings along her ear and the ring in her left nostril. The faint scar on her left eyebrow and another on her upper lip softened slightly when she grinned, adding a rugged edge to her presence. Vi was magnetic—she always had been. And now, after all these years, Caitlyn wasn’t sure if she was ready to face that pull again.
Jayce, always attuned to the slightest change in Caitlyn’s demeanor, followed her gaze. A sly grin spread across his face as he leaned forward on his elbows. “So… you’re just gonna sit here and stare at her all night, or do you want me to call her over?”
“Don’t you dare,” Caitlyn said sharply, her eyes snapping back to him.
“Why not? You two were inseparable back in the day,” Jayce said with a teasing lilt, clearly enjoying himself. “What was it you used to call her? Oh, right—your ‘partner in crime.’”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, though the faintest smile tugged at her lips. “We haven’t spoken in years, Jayce. Let’s not make this more awkward than it has to be.”
“Awkward? Come on, Cait, it’s Vi,” Jayce said, waving a hand dismissively. “You two were thick as thieves. If anything, this is your chance to catch up.”
“I left,” Caitlyn replied quietly, her voice tinged with something Jayce couldn’t quite place. “We didn’t exactly part on the best terms.”
Jayce softened at that, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fix it. You’ve been gone a long time, Cait. Maybe she’s ready to talk. Maybe you are too.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, Jayce turned toward the bar and raised his hand. “Vi! Over here!”
Caitlyn’s heart lurched, her stomach twisting in an instant. Vi’s head turned at the sound of her name, her silvery, powder-blue eyes locking onto their table. Her easy smile faltered for a fraction of a second as her gaze landed on Caitlyn. It was so brief that anyone else might have missed it, but Caitlyn didn’t.
Vi recovered quickly, her grin sliding back into place as she waved Jayce over. “Well, well, look who’s here,” she said, her voice carrying easily over the noise of the bar. Her tone was light, but there was a slight edge to it, a crack in the confidence she wore like armor.
Caitlyn adjusted her posture instinctively, her back straightening as Vi walked toward their table. The casual swagger in Vi’s gait was as familiar as the tattoos and scars that decorated her skin, but now it seemed different—sharper, maybe, or just more deliberate.
“Jayce Talis,” Vi said as she approached, her grin widening. “Still alive and kicking, huh? And drinking in my bar, no less. What an honor.”
“You know me,” Jayce replied, standing to clasp her hand in a firm shake. “I always aim high.”
Vi chuckled, her gaze flicking briefly to Caitlyn before settling back on Jayce. “And you brought company,” she said, her tone softening slightly. “Been a while, Cait.”
Caitlyn hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Vi,” she replied, her voice steady despite the storm swirling in her chest.
Jayce, never one to let a moment pass without commentary, gestured between them with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Look at this! A Kiramman and a bar owner, reunited after all these years. This is the kind of wholesome content Piltover needs.”
“Wholesome,” Vi repeated dryly, her grin tilting into something closer to a smirk. She crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the back of an empty chair at their table. “So, what brings you two here? Thought you’d be sipping champagne in some fancy lounge.”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to respond, but Jayce beat her to it. “Cait just got back into town,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I figured a little nostalgia wouldn’t hurt. And hey, what better way to celebrate than visiting an old friend?”
Vi’s smirk softened slightly, though there was still a hint of wariness in her eyes. “Old friend, huh? That’s one way to put it.”
The tension between them was palpable, thickening the air despite Jayce’s attempts to keep things light. Caitlyn took a sip of her drink, her fingers tightening slightly around the glass as Vi’s gaze lingered on her.
Jayce, ever the peacemaker, leaned forward again. “So, Vi, how’s business? This place is packed—seems like you’re doing pretty well for yourself.”
“Can’t complain,” Vi replied, her attention shifting to him. “Keeps me busy, and it beats punching clocks for someone else. Besides, the crowd’s decent most nights.”
“Decent, huh?” Jayce said with a grin. “And here I thought you just liked being the center of attention.”
Vi laughed, the sound genuine this time. “Guilty as charged.”
The conversation drifted into easier territory after that, with Jayce doing most of the talking. Caitlyn chimed in occasionally, but her responses were measured, her gaze frequently drifting back to Vi. For her part, Vi kept her tone light and her words carefully neutral, but there was a tension in her shoulders that hadn’t been there before.
When a bartender called for Vi from across the room, she straightened up, her chair scraping softly against the floor. “Duty calls,” she said, her voice carefully even.
“Don’t work too hard,” Jayce said with a wave.
Vi’s gaze flicked to Caitlyn one last time before she turned and walked back toward the bar, her pink hair catching the light as she resumed supervising the bartenders. Caitlyn watched her go, her chest tight and her mind swirling with thoughts she’d spent years trying to bury.
Jayce leaned closer, his tone softer now. “She’s not mad at you, you know.”
Caitlyn didn’t look at him, her gaze still fixed on Vi. “It’s not that simple.”
“Nothing worth fixing ever is,” Jayce replied gently.
Caitlyn sighed, setting her glass down with a little more force than necessary. “I didn’t come back to Piltover for this.”
Jayce smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe not. But it looks like it found you anyway.”
Caitlyn didn’t respond, her attention still locked on Vi as she supervised the bartenders, her confident demeanor masking something deeper.