What Was Left Unsaid
“You didn’t come home last night,” Jinx said mid-yawn, stretching dramatically in her seat, her voice still dripping with familiar sarcasm.
The car hummed steadily along the quiet streets, the city’s usual bustle giving way to a calmer, more subdued part of town. Vi leaned back in the driver’s seat, one hand loosely gripping the steering wheel while her other arm rested casually out the open window. Jinx sat in the passenger seat, her feet propped up on the dashboard, completely undeterred as she fiddled with the radio, flipping through static-filled stations until she found one playing some upbeat tune.
Vi smirked, glancing at her sister out of the corner of her eye. “Caught that, huh?”
“Hard not to when your bed hasn’t been touched and your boots are still by the door,” Jinx shot back, turning the radio volume down. She tilted her head, studying Vi with a mischievous grin. “Another girl?”
Vi shrugged, one hand loose on the steering wheel. “Could be.”
“Let me guess,” Jinx pressed, her tone mockingly sweet. “Some big-shot wannabe with a nice smile and zero taste in music?”
Vi chuckled, her grin widening. “Nah, she had decent taste. She kept her opinions to herself—and damn, she was hot. Bonus points for that.”
Jinx snorted. “Whatever, Vi. Just keep them off my couch, alright? That thing’s barely holding together as it is.”
Vi laughed, leaning back into her seat. “Relax, Jinx. I wouldn’t do that to you. Not to the couch, anyway.”
Jinx groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. “I don’t know why I even bother talking to you sometimes.”
“Because I’m the fun one,” Vi shot back, her voice dripping with faux confidence.
“Fun? More like a discount circus clown,” Jinx muttered, rolling her eyes. She perked up almost immediately. “Speaking of which—your event tonight. I’m partying all night. No questions asked.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh, is that so? You don’t even know what the event is.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Jinx said with a shrug, kicking her feet off the dashboard finally. “I’m gonna be the life of the party. You’ll thank me for boosting your bar’s reputation.”
Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Sure, Jinx. Just try not to burn the place down.”
“No promises,” Jinx replied brightly, grinning ear to ear.
The car’s steady pace slowed as they approached their destination. The lively cityscape gave way to a quieter area, and the towering gates of the cemetery came into view. Jinx’s grin faded slightly, replaced by a more neutral expression as Vi pulled the car to a stop.
The sisters stepped out, the crunch of gravel underfoot the only sound for a moment. The air felt cooler here, calmer, as they made their way down the familiar path toward their family’s graves.
Vi shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, her usual swagger muted as they approached the modest headstones. She came to a stop in front of them, her gaze dropping to the engraved names.
“Hey, Dad. Mom,” Vi said softly, her voice steady but quieter than usual.
Jinx stood beside her, rocking slightly on her heels. “Hey, Vander,” she added, her tone unusually subdued.
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the past settling around them.
Jinx’s sharp eyes caught something unusual, and she nudged Vi with her elbow. “Uh… Vi?”
“What?”
“Did you bring those?” Jinx pointed toward a cluster of fresh violet flowers resting neatly against their parents’ grave.
Vi frowned, crouching slightly to get a better look. “Nope. You?”
“Yeah, right,” Jinx replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Like I’d waste my money on flowers. You know me.”
Vi’s fingers brushed lightly over the petals, the vivid color standing out starkly against the gray stone. She straightened, her brows knitting together.
“No one bothers to come here except us,” Jinx mused, glancing around suspiciously. “And it’s not like we have friends who know this place.”
Vi's face was unreadable, contemplative as her gaze lingered on the flowers. Slowly, her expression softened, and a small sigh escaped her lips when she realized who it was.
Jinx huffed, folding her arms. “Weird. Maybe it’s a grave fairy or something.”
Vi didn’t answer, her gaze fixed on the flowers. Her chest tightened at something she remembered, a thought surfacing quietly in her mind. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze lifting to the sky as a single name echoed in her thoughts: Cait.
Flashback
The cemetery was still that afternoon, the kind of peaceful quiet that seemed to hold the world at bay. Sixteen-year-old Vi adjusted the strap of her bag and glanced down at the bundle of violet flowers in her hand. Beside her, Caitlyn, just fifteen and dressed in her usual polished yet practical style, walked in step with her. The quiet reverence of the place softened Caitlyn’s usual sharp focus.
“I didn’t realize it would be this peaceful here,” Caitlyn said, her voice quiet but not somber.
Vi shrugged, her boots crunching softly against the gravel path. “It’s why I like coming here. Peace isn’t something you get a lot of in the undercity.”
They stopped in front of the modest gravestones. Two were marked with the names of Vi’s parents, and the third, slightly weathered, belonged to Vander. Vi knelt down, placing the flowers carefully on her mother’s grave.
“Violets,” Caitlyn said softly, kneeling beside her. “They’re beautiful.”
Vi’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “They were her favorite. Used to say they were the prettiest thing in the world, next to us, of course.”
Caitlyn’s gaze lingered on the flowers, and she smiled, a soft laugh escaping her. “Maybe that’s why she named them after you.”
Vi paused, glancing at Caitlyn, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and embarrassment. “Oh yeah? You think she looked at me and thought, ‘Yep, this kid’s definitely a flower’?”
Caitlyn grinned. “Not just any flower. A violet. Stubborn, tough, but still beautiful.”
Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, when you put it like that, I guess I’ll take it.”
Caitlyn leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees as she addressed the graves. “Hi, Mr. Connol and Mrs. Felicia. Mr. Vander too.” Her tone was light, conversational, but there was an unmistakable warmth in her words. “I’m Caitlyn. I’m sure Vi’s hasn't told you about me.”
Vi rolled her eyes, smirking as she leaned back on her hands. “I may have mentioned you once or twice.”
Caitlyn continued, undeterred. “Vi’s been taking good care of me, you know. Showing me her world. She’s… well, I’m sure you already know, but she’s incredible.You’d be so proud of her. I know I am.”
Vi stiffened slightly at the words, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down, pretending to adjust the strap of her bag, but her eyes kept flicking back to Caitlyn’s face.
Caitlyn turned to look at Vi, her smile soft. “Thank you for bringing me here. I think this might be my favorite flower now too.”
Vi’s gaze locked onto Caitlyn, her usual swagger stripped away for a moment. She didn’t say anything, just smiled—a real, genuine smile that softened the sharp edges she usually carried.
“Sure,” Vi said finally, her voice low. “Guess it’s good for something other than just being stubborn.”
They sat there for a little while longer, the weight of the world feeling lighter in the quiet company of each other and the memories of those who came before them.
“Earth to Vi,” Jinx’s voice cut through the stillness, laced with her usual sarcastic edge. “What the hell happened to you? You look like you’ve been body-snatched.”
Vi straightened up, brushing a hand across the back of her neck. “Nothing. It’s the heat,” she said casually, the hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.
Jinx let out a loud, exaggerated laugh. “The heat? Big bad Vi can’t handle a little sun now? You used to live in Zaun, genius.”
Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Yeah, well, maybe I’ve gone soft.”
“Soft?” Jinx raised an eyebrow, her grin wide and mischievous. “You’re turning into one of those topsiders, aren’t you?”
Vi laughed again, this time louder, and ruffled Jinx’s blue hair playfully. “Whatever you say, Jinx. Let’s go.”
Without another word, Vi turned and started walking toward the car, her steps steady. Jinx followed, her boots crunching against the gravel as she fell in step beside her sister. Despite her teasing, Jinx stole one last glance back at the graves, her expression briefly softening before she shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and hurried after Vi.
The car door slammed shut as Vi settled back into the driver’s seat, reaching for the keys. Jinx plopped into the passenger seat, propping her feet back onto the dashboard without hesitation. Vi glanced at her with a faint shake of her head but didn’t say anything.
As the engine hummed to life, they pulled away from the cemetery, the violet flowers still visible in the rearview mirror until they disappeared behind a bend in the road.
Music thumped steadily in the Vi’s bar, the bass reverberating through the wooden floors, while bursts of laughter mingled with the rhythmic clinking of glasses. Jinx, ever the whirlwind, was already on the dance floor, spinning wildly with Ekko. Her exaggerated moves drew both amused and confused looks from the other patrons, while Ekko attempted to match her chaotic energy with a mix of flair and control.
At the bar, Jayce leaned casually against the counter, nursing a drink in one hand while exchanging quips with the bartender. He occasionally glanced toward the dance floor, shaking his head fondly at Jinx’s antics.
Not far from him, Vi stood with her usual confidence, arms crossed loosely over her chest, her tattoos on full display beneath the rolled-up sleeves of her loose, faded shirt. The shirt hung slightly off her frame, the collar dipping just enough to hint at her toned shoulders. It was tucked into worn, dark jeans held in place by a sturdy leather belt, paired with scuffed boots that added to her effortlessly rugged appearance. Her short pink hair glinted under the dim lighting, the shaved side of her head making her look both casual and sharp all at once.
Mel stood beside her, impeccably dressed as always, her golden accessories gleaming faintly in the bar's lighting. She leaned against the counter with an easy elegance, swirling her glass of wine as she spoke. Viktor sat on her other side, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the lively energy around them, sipping tea from a plain mug he’d brought with him—a habit none of them questioned anymore.
“You know, you could at least pretend to enjoy yourself,” Mel teased, nudging Vi lightly with her elbow.
Vi smirked, her eyes darting toward Jinx. “I’m enjoying myself just fine. It’s entertaining watching Jinx out there scaring people off the dance floor.”
“She’s not scaring them,” Viktor said, setting his mug down. “They’re... adapting to her style.”
Vi let out a short laugh. “Right, adapting. That’s one way to put it.”
“Better her than you out there,” Mel quipped. “Last time, you almost started a brawl.”
Vi grinned, leaning back slightly against the counter. “Hey, that guy spilled his drink on me. All I did was offer to return the favor.”
“With his own drink and his friend’s,” Viktor added dryly, earning a snort from Mel.
“Details,” Vi said, waving a hand dismissively. Her attention shifted briefly to the bar's entrance, her gaze scanning the crowd almost reflexively before returning to the group. “Anyway, I’m behaving tonight. Scout’s honor.”
Jayce joined them, holding a fresh drink. “We’re lucky this place is yours, otherwise we’d probably be banned by now. You’ve got a way of keeping things interesting.”
Vi shrugged, her smirk widening. “Gotta keep you guys on your toes somehow.”
“Speaking of keeping things interesting,” Mel said, gesturing toward Jinx and Ekko, “should we intervene before she accidentally knocks over another table?”
Vi glanced at the dance floor and shook her head. “Nah, let her burn off some energy. Saves me the trouble of dealing with it later.”
Jayce chuckled. “You’re really leaning into this ‘big sister’ thing, huh?”
“More like babysitter,” Vi replied, but the faint grin tugging at her lips betrayed the fondness in her tone. “She’s lucky she’s entertaining, otherwise I’d charge her rent.”
“Entertaining is one word for it,” Viktor muttered, earning a round of laughter from the group.
Jayce took a sip of his drink and scanned the room. “Anyone seen Cait yet? Thought she said she’d be here.”
Mel shrugged, giving Jayce a sideways glance. “She said she’d be late—surgery or something she had to finish.”
Before anyone could respond, Ekko stopped mid-spin and pointed toward the entrance. “There she is,” he called, his voice carrying over the music.
Heads turned as Caitlyn walked in, dressed in a plain white V-neck shirt, loosely tucked into jeans cinched with a simple belt. She wore spotless white sneakers, though her shirt bore a faint blot of blood near the hem. Her hair was slightly tousled, and her posture relaxed, though there was a faint weariness in her step.
Mel raised an eyebrow, noticing the blood almost immediately. “Caitlyn, is that—?”
“Sorry,” Caitlyn interrupted, managing an apologetic smile as she approached. “Didn’t have time to change. My house is on the opposite side of the city, and I didn’t want to be later than I already am.”
Jayce chuckled, grabbing a fresh drink from the bar. “No worries, Sprout. Here—on the house.” He extended the glass toward her.
“Thanks,” Caitlyn said, reaching for the drink.
As she lifted the glass, Vi’s eyes caught a faint red scratch on Caitlyn’s left inner forearm. Her brows furrowed, and her stance shifted subtly, concern flickering across her face. “What happened there?”
“What?” Caitlyn asked, following Vi’s gaze to her arm. “Oh, this?” She waved it off with a small laugh. “It’s nothing. My last patient—an irritable cat—got a bit feisty. I’m fine.”
“You sure about that?” Ekko asked, leaning in for a closer look. “Looks like it stung.”
“I’m really fine,” Caitlyn said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. “It’s barely a scratch.”
Vi stepped forward, her tone calm but firm. “I’ve got a med kit in the back. Let’s get it cleaned up.”
Caitlyn shook her head, smiling. “Vi, it’s just a scratch. I’m okay, really.”
“Humor me,” Vi said, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Follow me.”
Caitlyn hesitated for a moment, glancing around at the others, who were all watching with varying degrees of curiosity and concern. With a resigned sigh, she set her drink down. “Alright, fine.”
Vi was already heading toward the back of the bar. Caitlyn trailed behind her, and as they disappeared through the door, Mel exchanged a knowing look with Jayce.
“Still the same Vi,” Mel murmured with a small smile.
The back of the bar was quieter, a stark contrast to the lively hum of the main floor. The muffled bass of the music thudded faintly through the walls as Vi rummaged through a cabinet, finally pulling out a worn med kit. She gestured to an empty chair near a small table, her tattoos catching the dim glow of the single overhead light.
“Sit,” Vi said, her tone firm but not harsh.
Caitlyn hesitated for a moment, then complied, lowering herself into the chair. She rested her arm on the table as Vi sat across from her, setting the med kit down with a soft thud. Vi popped it open and pulled out a bottle of antiseptic, some cotton pads, and a roll of gauze.
“So,” Vi started as she soaked a cotton pad, her voice casual but with a slight edge, “how’d you manage this?”
“It’s not a big deal,” Caitlyn replied lightly, watching as Vi began cleaning the small scratch on her inner forearm. “One of my patients—a very unhappy cat, let’s just say. Comes with the job.”
Vi smirked faintly, her eyes on the wound. “Yeah, cats are basically little demons when they’re mad. You sure you’re up-to-date on your shots?”
“Vi,” Caitlyn said with an exasperated chuckle, “Yes. It’s a scratch, not a death sentence.”
“Never know,” Vi teased, her tone deliberately over-serious. “Might have caught some cat-induced apocalypse virus.”
Caitlyn laughed softly, but the moment faded quickly, leaving behind a weight in the air. The conversation dwindled into silence, save for the soft scrape of the cotton pad against Caitlyn’s skin. Vi’s expression grew focused, almost distant, as she worked, her calloused hands steady despite the awkward tension that seemed to thicken between them.
Caitlyn’s gaze flicked to Vi’s face, taking in the way her brows furrowed slightly, her pink hair catching the dim light in soft, uneven strands. It felt strange, sitting here with Vi after all this time—stranger still to feel the pull of unspoken words hanging between them.
When Vi finally finished, she set the gauze down and leaned back slightly. “There,” she said, her voice quieter now. “You’re good.”
Caitlyn stood, brushing off her jeans as she offered a polite, “Thanks.”
She was about to turn and leave when Vi spoke again, her voice stopping Caitlyn mid-step.
“Cait?”
Caitlyn turned back, her brows lifting slightly as she met Vi’s gaze. What she saw in Vi’s expression made her stomach tighten—a softness, a vulnerability rarely seen, and something else she couldn’t quite name.
“Why did you leave?” Vi’s voice was low, carrying a hint of sadness that made the question hit harder than Caitlyn expected.
For a moment, Caitlyn was frozen. She opened her mouth, then closed it, her thoughts scrambling. “I… I wanted to pursue what I’ve always wanted,” she said finally, her voice uneven. “My parents—” She stopped, inhaling sharply before continuing, “They wouldn’t have let me take the path I wanted if I stayed.”
It was only half the truth. Caitlyn’s chest tightened as she spoke, too scared—or maybe too scarred—to reveal the real reason why she’d left. The words felt hollow even as they left her lips, a fragile shield against the weight of Vi’s gaze.
Vi’s expression didn’t change, but her silence felt heavier than any response. After a moment, she asked, almost to herself, “Then why’d you leave without saying goodbye?”
Caitlyn’s breath caught. She looked down, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She wanted to say something—anything—but the words wouldn’t come. The truth, tangled and messy, felt impossible to explain.
Before Caitlyn could muster a response, the door to the back room creaked open. A bartender poked their head in, glancing between them. “Hey, Vi. Someone’s looking for you.”
Vi blinked, her expression hardening slightly as she turned toward the interruption. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”
The bartender nodded and disappeared, leaving the door ajar. Vi’s gaze lingered on Caitlyn for a moment longer before she stood, her movements deliberate but slow.
“Take care of that scratch,” Vi said simply, her voice neutral now, though the softness from earlier still lingered faintly in her eyes.
Caitlyn nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I will.”
And just like that, the moment was gone, leaving Caitlyn standing alone as Vi walked out, the sound of her boots fading into the bar’s distant hum.
Caitlyn stepped out from the back of the bar, smoothing her shirt as she walked toward the front. The music thumped steadily, and the lively chatter of the crowd swirled around her. She glanced around, her eyes instinctively scanning the room until they landed on Vi near the entrance.
Vi stood with someone, her posture relaxed, a small smile playing on her lips as she spoke. The way Vi leaned slightly toward them, her body language familiar and easy, caught Caitlyn’s attention.
Caitlyn’s brows furrowed slightly as she took in the figure next to Vi. Recognition dawned quickly, her lips pressing into a thin line. She knew who this was.
Caitlyn lingered for a moment, watching as the two exchanged words. The knot in her stomach tightened, but she didn’t let it show. She straightened her shoulders and quietly stepped further into the crowd, her expression unreadable.