The Comfort of Routine
Another week passed, and Friday rolled around again. The evening air was cool as Caitlyn stepped out of the clinic, her bag slung over one shoulder. Her gaze instantly fell on Vi, who was leaning against her truck, hands in her pockets, looking effortlessly casual yet unmistakably present.
“Hey,” Cait greeted, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Vi straightened slightly, her smirk easy and familiar. “Hey, Cupcake.”
They exchanged a few playful remarks, the kind that came naturally between them now, before Caitlyn suggested grabbing food. Vi nodded, and soon enough, they found themselves at a small local Chinese restaurant, ordering takeout. With boxes of steaming food in hand, they drove to a nearby park.
The sun had set by the time they parked. They got out of the truck, Vi hoisting herself onto the trunk while Caitlyn followed, setting the food between them. The faint glow of the park's streetlights illuminated their faces as they ate, the sound of their laughter mingling with the distant hum of the city.
Vi wiped her mouth with a napkin, gesturing with her chopsticks. “So, Jayce called me earlier. Apparently, some of the club members and patrons from that equestrian event really liked the bar’s catering. Been getting a lot of requests lately.”
“Look at you,” Cait teased, smirking as she poked at her food. “The famous Violet catering to the elite. What’s next? Personal invites to Piltover’s council meetings?”
Vi groaned, rolling her eyes. “Please don’t jinx me. It’s bad enough the bar’s been packed every night this week. I barely have time to breathe.”
Caitlyn chuckled but then paused, her smile fading slightly as she noticed the faint shadows under Vi’s eyes. “You do look tired,” she said softly, almost without thinking. Reaching up, she brushed a stray strand of pink hair out of Vi’s face, her touch light and fleeting.
Vi blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the gesture. Her lips parted as if to say something, but Caitlyn had already pulled her hand back, clearing her throat.
“Sorry,” Caitlyn murmured, her voice softer now. “It’s just… I’m worried about you. If you’re too busy, we can move these dinners. Another day might be better so you can rest.”
Vi stared at her for a moment, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Her voice, when she spoke, was quiet. “I like this,” she said, her blue eyes locking onto Caitlyn’s. “These simple dinners with you. These nights? This is what I call rest.”
Caitlyn’s breath hitched slightly at the sincerity in Vi’s tone. For a moment, their gazes lingered, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Then, as if realizing she was staring too long, Vi leaned back, her smirk returning as she broke the tension. “Besides, how am I supposed to rest at home when there’s Chip barking his head off every five minutes?”
Caitlyn let out a laugh, grateful for the lighthearted shift. “Fair point. Sounds like you’ve got your hands full with your ‘new addition.’”
Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Full is an understatement. Pretty sure that pup’s already plotting to take over my life.”
Their laughter echoed in the quiet of the park as they settled back into their easy rhythm. The night stretched on, filled with conversation and laughter, as the simplicity of the moment grounded them both.
Months passed, and Vi and Caitlyn’s routines settled into something comforting, almost natural. Their Friday night dinners were a constant, but their time together extended beyond the park. Caitlyn often found herself visiting Vi’s apartment, partly for Vi but mostly for Chip, who had quickly grown from a tiny pup into a spirited young dog.
One Saturday morning, Caitlyn knocked on Vi’s door, holding a bag filled with toys and treats for Chip. Vi opened the door, her hair tied back loosely, an amused smirk already on her lips. “You’re spoiling him, you know that?”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, stepping inside. “Someone has to. He deserves it, considering you still let him sleep on the sofa.”
Vi scoffed, closing the door behind her. “Don’t remind me. The little rascal’s too smart for his own good.”
Chip greeted Caitlyn with his usual enthusiasm, wagging his tail furiously and circling her legs. Caitlyn knelt to pet him, laughing as the young retriever licked her face. “You’ve gotten so big,” she said, ruffling his fur. “I think we need to talk about your diet, Chip.”
Vi leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “You’re welcome to take over. Bathing him alone feels like I’m training for the Freljord Olympics.”
The chaos began the moment they tried to wrangle Chip into the bathroom. Vi sighed, her shirt already wet as Chip darted out of her grip for the third time. “Damn it, Chip, stay still!”
Caitlyn chuckled, managing to corner the dog with surprising ease. “You’re hopeless, Vi.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Vi muttered, holding the shampoo bottle as Caitlyn gently guided Chip into the tub. With Cait’s calm demeanor balancing Vi’s exasperation, they eventually managed to scrub the wriggling pup clean. By the end, both women were soaked, laughing as they toweled off a happily soaked Chip.
“Next time, I’m calling you first,” Vi said, shaking water out of her hair. “No way I’m doing this solo again.”
“Noted,” Caitlyn replied with a grin, tossing a towel at her.
After Chip was settled and snoozing contentedly in his bed, Vi moved to the kitchen. “You hungry? I was thinking of making something for lunch.”
Caitlyn followed her, rolling up her sleeves. “I’ll help. What are we making?”
Vi handed her a cutting board and some vegetables. “You’re on slicing duty, Cupcake.”
As they worked side by side, Caitlyn found herself watching Vi more than the task at hand. The way she moved around the kitchen—confident, efficient, and surprisingly skilled—made Caitlyn smile.
When lunch was ready, Caitlyn couldn’t help but compliment her. “You’re a really good cook, Vi. I’m impressed.”
Vi shrugged, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Had to learn. You can’t survive on instant noodles forever.”
Caitlyn laughed, savoring the meal. “Well, you’ve definitely raised the bar. I might just start skipping takeout and ordering from you instead.”
“Careful,” Vi teased, smirking. “I might start charging you.”
Their bond only grew stronger over time. On some Friday nights, instead of takeout, Vi would surprise Caitlyn with home-cooked meals, packed neatly for their usual park dinners. Caitlyn always looked forward to those nights, the warmth of Vi’s food matching the warmth of their conversations.
These moments, whether spent chasing Chip around the apartment or sharing quiet meals together, became their new normal—one that neither of them realized they’d come to cherish so deeply.
It was one of those Thursday nights again and Caitlyn had just stepped out of her car, her heels clicking softly against the driveway as she made her way to her front door. The quiet of the night wrapped around her, the faint rustling of leaves the only sound accompanying her movements. She unlocked the door, stepped inside, and flipped on the lights, the warm glow filling the room as she set her bag on the counter.
Just as she pulled off her jacket, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out and saw Vi’s name on the screen. Smiling faintly, she answered, “Hey, Vi.”
The voice on the other end wasted no time, skipping any greeting entirely. “Cait, you won’t believe what happened.”
Amused, Caitlyn chuckled softly as she set her keys on the counter and made her way to the sofa. She sat down, curling her legs beneath her. “Alright, hit me. What happened?”
“Jinx came home earlier,” Vi began, her tone incredulous. “And get this—she tells me she’s moving in with Ekko. Moving in, Cait! And apparently, they’re together. Like, for real.”
Caitlyn blinked, surprised, but the corners of her lips curved upward. “Really? That’s… unexpected, but it makes sense. I mean, I did kind of tell you before.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Vi grumbled on the other end, though Caitlyn could hear the faint amusement in her voice. “You and your psychic insights or whatever. I just—man, I can’t believe it. Jinx. She’s not just my baby sister anymore, huh?”
“She hasn’t been a kid for a while, Vi,” Caitlyn said gently, her tone softening. “But I get it. It’s hard to let go sometimes.”
Vi let out a long sigh, her voice quieting. “Yeah. I mean, I’m glad it’s Ekko, you know? He’s a good guy. I trust him. Still… feels weird, you know? Like, when did Jinx grow up on me?”
Caitlyn smiled, leaning back against the cushions. “You’re acting like a mom, Vi.”
A laugh erupted from Vi’s side of the line, light and genuine. “Don’t even start. But honestly, maybe I am now, considering Jinx left Chip with me. She said he’s attached to me or something.”
Caitlyn couldn’t help but laugh at that, imagining Vi chasing Chip around her apartment. “Sounds like you’ve been promoted to full-time dog mom.”
“Yeah, great,” Vi replied with a snort, though her tone was far from annoyed. “Maybe I should get one of those mugs that says ‘Dog Mom’ on it. Real classy.”
Caitlyn laughed again, shaking her head. “I’ll get you one for your birthday.”
“Gee, thanks,” Vi deadpanned, though there was a smile in her voice.
The conversation settled into a comfortable rhythm, their laughter fading into quiet. After a moment, Vi asked, “You home already?”
“Just got in,” Caitlyn said, glancing around her living room. “Why?”
There was a pause, long enough that Caitlyn furrowed her brows. “Vi?”
“Yeah, uh…” Vi’s voice trailed off as if she was searching for the right words. “It’s nothing. Just… haven’t seen you today, and…”
Caitlyn waited, her head tilting slightly, but when Vi didn’t continue, she decided to fill the silence. “Well, we don’t usually see each other on Thursdays, remember?”
A soft chuckle came from the other end. “Yeah. Guess you’re right.”
Another quiet pause lingered between them before Vi finally spoke again, her tone lighter. “Alright, Cupcake. I’ll let you go. Good night.”
“Good night, Vi,” Caitlyn replied, her voice warm.
As the call ended, Caitlyn lowered her phone, staring at the screen for a moment before placing it on the side table. There was a slight smile on her lips, and she shook her head lightly as she leaned back against the cushions, closing her eyes.
Meanwhile, in her apartment, Vi locked her phone and leaned back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her hand raked through her hair as she muttered under her breath, “Fuck.”
Monday morning came, and the loud energy of the airport contrasted sharply with the calm of the earlier weekend. The chatter of travelers, the rolling of luggage wheels, and the occasional overhead announcements filled the air. Outside the terminal, Vi leaned against her truck, her hands shoved into her jacket pockets, watching as Caitlyn rushed stepping out of Vi's truck, clearly running behind schedule.
“Cait, you’re gonna miss your flight at this rate,” Vi called out, her voice carrying over the sound of the crowd.
“I wouldn’t be late if someone hadn’t told me to double-check my tickets last minute,” Caitlyn retorted, though her tone held more amusement than irritation.
Earlier that morning, Vi had swung by Caitlyn’s house to pick her up, only to find Cait darting around her living room in a mild panic, trying to fit everything into her luggage. Vi had stood at the door, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk.
“Slowpoke,” Vi had teased, leaning against the doorframe.
“I’m not a slowpoke,” Caitlyn shot back, narrowing her eyes as she stuffed another blouse into her suitcase. “I’m just thorough.”
“Yeah, sure,” Vi said with a chuckle, stepping in to help. She effortlessly hoisted Caitlyn’s overstuffed luggage off the floor, making a show of its weight. “How many conferences are you going to again? A year’s worth?”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “It’s two weeks. I like to be prepared.”
“Whatever you say, Cupcake,” Vi quipped as she carried the bag to her truck.
Now at the airport, Caitlyn was darting between the open trunk and the curb, checking her bag, her phone, and her ticket one last time. Vi stood back, watching the chaos unfold, her lips twitching into a smirk. “You’re really cutting it close, you know.”
“Don’t remind me,” Caitlyn muttered, finally shutting her suitcase with a satisfied snap. She turned to Vi, a little breathless, and smiled. “Thanks for the lift, Vi.”
“Anytime,” Vi replied, stepping forward to grab the luggage. She set it down on the curb with ease, her movements efficient despite Caitlyn’s hurried pace.
Caitlyn turned to her, brushing a strand of dark blue hair behind her ear. “Alright, I’ve gotta go. See you—”
Before Caitlyn could finish, Vi’s hand caught her wrist gently, stopping her mid-turn. Caitlyn glanced back, her brows furrowing slightly at the serious expression on Vi’s face.
“Hey, uh…” Vi hesitated for a moment, her grip light but firm. Her blue eyes held an intensity Caitlyn hadn’t seen in a while, an almost vulnerable edge to them. “Just… remember to come back, okay?”
Caitlyn blinked, her heart tightening as she registered the weight behind Vi’s words. She understood immediately—Vi wasn’t just talking about the two weeks. There was a fear there, lingering from the years Cait had been gone, a fear Vi couldn’t quite hide.
Letting out a soft sigh, Caitlyn reached out, pulling Vi into a quick hug. Her arms tightened briefly around Vi before she pulled back slightly, just enough to kiss her cheek, her lips lingering for a split second longer than she intended. “I will,” Caitlyn promised softly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
Vi didn’t say anything, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. She gave Caitlyn a small nod, her lips twitching into a faint, almost sheepish smile.
Caitlyn stepped back, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder. She smiled at Vi, a warm, genuine smile, and waved as she turned to head into the terminal. “See you, Vi.”
Vi stood there by her truck, watching as Caitlyn disappeared into the crowd. The kiss on her cheek burned in her mind, leaving her rooted in place for a moment longer than she’d intended. Finally, she let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through her hair. She climbed back into her truck, the hum of the engine breaking the quiet as she pulled away from the curb, Caitlyn’s words and that touch still lingering in the air.