Whiskey Neat and Unfinished Business

The dimly lit bar hummed with its usual energy, the chatter of patrons blending with the soft clink of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter. In the corner, Vi sat nursing a whiskey, her posture slouched, her focus fixed on the amber liquid swirling in her glass. Her pink hair, usually vibrant and styled with care, looked slightly disheveled, and the faint shadows under her eyes hinted at restless nights.

At the bar, Jules was busy pouring drinks when the door swung open, and in walked Mel, Viktor, and Jayce. Their presence immediately drew a few curious glances from the crowd, but the trio seemed unfazed. As they approached the bar, Mel’s sharp gaze swept the room, her attention settling on Vi in the corner.

“What’s up with her?” Jayce asked Jules, nodding toward Vi as he leaned casually against the counter.

Jules sighed, setting down a glass with a practiced ease. “Been like that for more than two weeks now. Sulking like the world’s ending. And I haven’t seen Caitlyn around during that time, either.”

Mel and Jayce exchanged a knowing look, subtle but telling. Jayce smirked faintly, shaking his head. “That’s because Cait’s trip got extended,” he said. “She was supposed to be back last week, but apparently, the university asked her to present a case. She couldn’t turn it down.”

Jules tilted her head, her sharp eyes flicking back toward Vi. Her lips quirked into a small, dry smile. “Figures,” she muttered under her breath, the pieces clicking into place.

Mel arched an elegant brow, her tone light but edged with curiosity. “So she knows?”

“Of course she knows,” Jules replied, grabbing a rag to wipe down the counter. “The way she’s been brooding, you’d think Caitlyn’s been gone a year, not three weeks. She’s barely said more than a few words to anyone.”

Viktor adjusted his cane, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Vi. “She’s taking it harder than expected,” he remarked quietly.

Mel’s lips curved into a faint smirk, though there was a hint of softness in her eyes as she watched Vi. “Harder than she’d ever admit.”

“Typical Vi,” Jayce said with a chuckle, shaking his head. “Always bottling it up instead of talking about it.”

Jules huffed a laugh, tossing the rag over her shoulder. “Yeah, well, that’s your problem if you want to try getting her to talk. Me? I’m just the bartender.” She turned to pour another drink, her tone casual but laced with amusement.

The trio lingered at the bar for a moment longer, their gazes occasionally drifting to Vi, who remained in her corner, oblivious to their conversation. The weight of her solitude hung in the air, a quiet contrast to the lively energy of the bar.

Jayce straightened, his expression softening. “Maybe she just needs to hear from Cait. That’d probably snap her out of it.”

Mel crossed her arms, her tone cool but empathetic. “Or maybe she just needs to admit to herself why it’s bothering her so much.”

Jules smirked, shaking her head. “Good luck with that one.”

As the trio turned their attention back to their drinks, Vi’s gaze remained fixed on her glass, the world around her fading into the background. She knew Caitlyn had extended her trip. She’d told herself it wasn’t a big deal. But no matter how many times she tried to brush it off, the silence Caitlyn had left behind lingered, heavier than she’d expected.

Jayce glanced over at Vi, still sitting in her corner, her drink half-finished, her posture closed off. While Mel and Viktor were deep in conversation with Jules at the bar, Jayce decided to take his chances.

He walked over, hands casually tucked into his pockets. “Hey, Vi,” he greeted, his tone light and friendly.

Vi didn’t even look up. “Not now, Jayce,” she muttered, swirling the whiskey in her glass.

Undeterred, Jayce smirked. “What, no time for your old buddy? You’ve been sitting here all night, looking like the world’s ending.”

Vi finally glanced at him, her eyes tired but sharp. “I’m not sulking, if that’s what you’re implying. I’m just tired. Busy week at the bar.”

Jayce held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll take your word for it.”

Before he could press further, Mel and Viktor approached, their drinks in hand. Mel leaned against the edge of the table, her dark eyes sweeping over Vi. “And here I thought you’d be the life of the party tonight,” she teased, her tone light but pointed.

“Not in the mood,” Vi replied simply, taking another sip of her drink.

The group eased into casual conversation, with Jayce and Viktor exchanging stories about work while Mel occasionally chimed in with dry humor. Vi chuckled a few times at their teasing remarks, but she stayed mostly quiet, only half-listening. Her responses were brief, her focus on her drink more than the company.

It wasn’t until around 11 PM that Mel checked her watch and nudged Jayce. “We should head out. Early meeting tomorrow,” she said, her tone firm but warm. Viktor nodded in agreement, and the three bid Jules a good night before heading for the door.

As they left, a woman seated a few tables away perked up, her gaze shifting immediately to Vi. She’d been watching her ever since Jayce and the others had arrived, sending flirtatious glances and coy smiles Vi’s way. Now that the trio was gone, she saw her opportunity.

The woman, Liza, stood up and made her way to Vi. She was striking, with dark, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, large hazel eyes, and a confident air about her. She wore a fitted black dress with a plunging neckline, paired with sleek heels that clicked softly against the floor as she approached.

“Hi there,” Liza said, her voice smooth and practiced as she stopped beside Vi’s table. “You look like you could use some company.”

Vi glanced at her briefly, her expression neutral. “I’m fine,” she replied curtly, taking another sip of her whiskey.

Unfazed, Liza leaned slightly closer, resting a manicured hand on the edge of the table. “I’m Liza,” she introduced herself, flashing a warm smile.

“Vi,” came the short response, her tone polite but detached.

Liza wasn’t discouraged. “Nice to meet you, Vi. Do you come here often?”

Vi tilted her glass toward herself, then gestured vaguely around the bar. “Owner,” she said, her tone clipped.

“Oh,” Liza said, her eyebrows raising in interest. “That’s impressive. You must really love the place to stick around so late.”

Vi gave a noncommittal shrug, not bothering to respond.

Liza tried again, her tone playful. “So, what’s your secret? How do you make a bar like this so successful?”

Vi leaned back slightly, her expression still impassive. “Good drinks. Good staff,” she said simply, nodding toward Jules at the bar.

Undeterred by the lack of engagement, Liza pressed on, clearly determined to keep the conversation going. “Well, I have to say, you’re doing a great job. The vibe here is fantastic.” She gestured around the room, then smiled at Vi. “Do you have a favorite drink? Maybe you can recommend one.”

Vi’s lips twitched into a faint smirk, but there was no warmth behind it. “Whiskey,” she said shortly, lifting her glass as if to make a point.

Liza’s smile faltered slightly, but she recovered quickly. “A classic choice. You must have good taste.”

Vi didn’t respond this time, her eyes drifting toward Jules. With a sigh, she stood up, grabbing her jacket from the back of her chair.

“Jules,” she called, her voice firm but calm. “Take care of the bar. I’m heading home.”

Jules looked up from behind the counter, giving Vi a quick nod. “Got it, boss.”

Before leaving, Vi turned to Liza and gave her a polite nod. “Nice meeting you,” she said, her tone neutral but not unfriendly.

Without waiting for a response, Vi slipped on her jacket and walked toward the door, her boots echoing softly against the floor. Liza stood there for a moment, visibly deflated, before letting out a quiet huff and returning to her seat.

Vi stepped out into the cool night air, taking a deep breath as she shoved her hands into her pockets. She didn’t look back at the bar as she walked to her truck, her thoughts already drifting elsewhere. All she wanted now was to be home, away from the noise and distractions, where she could let the quiet settle over her like a shield.

Vi pushed the door to her apartment shut behind her, the faint click of the lock echoing in the quiet space. She let out a long sigh, kicking off her boots and tossing her jacket over a nearby chair. Heading to the kitchen, she grabbed a glass and filled it with water, downing it in a few gulps. The cool liquid was refreshing after the long, draining day.

Setting the empty glass on the counter, she rubbed the back of her neck and made her way toward her bedroom. The apartment was dimly lit, with only the faint glow from the streetlights filtering through the blinds.

As she reached her bedroom door, the sudden chime of the doorbell made her stop in her tracks. She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. Jinx, she thought, already preparing to scold her sister for showing up unannounced this late.

Dragging herself back to the front door, she unlocked it and swung it open, her voice halfway to a complaint. “Jinx, I swear, if you—”

The words died on her lips as her eyes landed on Caitlyn, standing in the hallway.

Caitlyn looked exhausted, her dark blue hair tied back in a loose ponytail, her cheeks slightly flushed from travel. She was still dressed in a fitted turtleneck long sleeve and jeans, her bag slung over one shoulder and a luggage on her other hand. Her eyes met Vi’s, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

“Cait,” Vi said finally, her voice barely above a whisper, the surprise clear in her tone.

Before she could say anything more, Caitlyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Vi, pulling her into a tight hug.

“I missed you,” Caitlyn said softly, her voice carrying both happiness and relief.

Vi froze for a second, the tension she’d carried for weeks melting away as she hugged Caitlyn back. A genuine smile tugged at her lips, something warm and unspoken passing between them as she held Caitlyn close.

“You too, Cupcake,” Vi murmured, her voice soft and sincere.

For a moment, the world outside faded away. All the grumpiness, the brooding nights, the endless drinks at the bar—it all vanished in the quiet warmth of Caitlyn’s embrace.

When Caitlyn finally pulled back, her smile was radiant despite her obvious exhaustion. Vi’s own smile lingered, her blue eyes brighter now.

“You should’ve called,” Vi teased lightly, her voice softer than usual.

Caitlyn chuckled, shaking her head. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well, you succeeded,” Vi replied, her tone warm. “Come in, Cait. You look like you’ve been running on fumes.”

Caitlyn stepped inside, letting the door close behind her. Vi grabbed her bag from her shoulder and set it down by the couch.

“Thanks,” Caitlyn said, stifling a yawn. “I really just wanted to see you.”

Vi’s smile softened, and she reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from Caitlyn’s face. “Glad you’re here, Cait.”

And for the first time in weeks, Vi felt a sense of peace settle over her, as if everything she’d been missing had finally come back home.

The dining table was simple and bare, save for two glasses of water and the dim light above them. Caitlyn sat across from Vi, her posture slightly slouched from exhaustion but her expression attentive and warm. They had spent the last hour talking about everything that had happened during Caitlyn’s extended trip—her unexpected presentation, the long days at the university, and the subtle pressures of being in a room full of high-ranking professionals.

Vi, in turn, shared her chaotic days managing the bar, dealing with an influx of customers after the equestrian event, and, of course, wrangling Chip, who seemed determined to take over her life one chewed slipper at a time. Caitlyn laughed heartily at Vi’s recount of the puppy’s antics, the sound lightening the otherwise still night.

“You’ve had quite the week,” Caitlyn said, her smile soft but her voice laced with fatigue.

“Not as busy as yours, Cupcake,” Vi teased, though her smirk softened as she noticed Caitlyn suppressing another yawn.

“You’re dead tired, Cait,” Vi continued, leaning back in her chair with a faint grin. “You should rest.”

Caitlyn waved her hand dismissively, though her voice betrayed her weariness. “I’ll head home soon. I just wanted to see you.”

Vi’s smirk faded slightly, replaced by a firm but gentle expression. “It’s too late for that. You look like you’re gonna pass out any second. Stay here tonight. You’re not going anywhere like this.”

“Vi, I don’t want to impose,” Cait said, though the reluctance in her tone was half-hearted at best.

“You’re not imposing,” Vi replied, rolling her eyes playfully. “My apartment’s not exactly a five-star hotel, but it’s good enough for tonight. Stay. I’ll sleep on the couch, and you can have my bed.”

Caitlyn hesitated, her brows furrowing slightly. “Are you sure? I don’t want to kick you out of your own room.”

“You’re not kicking me out,” Vi reassured, standing up and gesturing toward her bedroom. “Though I’ll admit it’s a bit of a mess.”

Caitlyn chuckled, her smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Messier than Chip’s chew toy stash?”

Vi smirked, rubbing the back of her neck. “Okay, maybe not that bad, but close.”

With a soft laugh, Caitlyn nodded. “Alright. I’ll stay. But you really don’t have to give up your bed.”

Vi shrugged, already heading toward the living room. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll crash on the couch.”

Both women turned toward the sofa at the same time, only to find Chip sprawled out across it, snoring softly and taking up the entire space. His small golden frame was curled into a ball, his tail twitching in his sleep.

“Well, that settles it,” Caitlyn said with a laugh, gesturing toward the couch. “Looks like the couch is already claimed.”

Vi shook her head, chuckling. “Figures. Alright, we’ll share the bed. It’s big enough for both of us anyway.”

Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, her teasing smile returning. “You sure you’re okay with that?”

Vi blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before nodding. “Yeah. If you’re fine with it, then so am I.”

“I’m fine with it,” Caitlyn replied easily, her voice light. 

Vi smirked and nodded toward the bathroom. “Alright. Bathroom’s down the hall.”

Caitlyn grabbed some clothes and toiletries from her bag before heading to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Vi hurriedly tidied up her room, tossing stray clothes into the hamper and fluffing the pillows. She worked quickly, her mind flitting between making the bed presentable and the fact that Caitlyn would be sleeping in it beside her.

By the time Caitlyn emerged from the bathroom, wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts, Vi glanced up and froze for a moment. Caitlyn looked effortlessly comfortable, her hair tied back and her face free of any makeup. She looked natural, warm, and somehow softer than usual.

Caitlyn did not caught Vi’s lingering gaze. “Which side do you sleep on?”

“Any side,” Vi replied, her voice more casual than she felt as she nodded toward the bed. “Go ahead.”

Vi disappeared into the bathroom, taking her time to splash cold water on her face after brushing her teeth. She changed into a tank top and pajama pants, trying not to overthink the fact that Caitlyn was already in her bed.

When Vi stepped out of the bathroom, she found Caitlyn lying on Vi’s bed, her back slightly turned toward the empty side. Vi flipped off the lights, leaving the room dimly illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlight outside.

She slipped into bed quietly, settling on her side facing Caitlyn. The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the faint hum of the city beyond the window. The cool air seeped into the room, and Vi pulled the blanket up slightly, feeling the warmth settle around them.

Just as Vi closed her eyes, Caitlyn’s soft voice broke the quiet.

“Vi?”

Vi’s eyes fluttered open.

“I’m sorry for surprising you and barging into your place so late,” Caitlyn murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vi chuckled softly, turning her head slightly to look at Caitlyn. “Cait?”

"Hmm?" Caitlyn opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Vi’s in the faint light.

“I'm glad you did,” Vi said quietly, her voice filled with warmth. She reached out, her hand gently cupping Caitlyn’s face.

For a moment, time seemed to stop as Vi leaned in, her lips brushing against Caitlyn’s with a tenderness that carried all the longing she had buried. Caitlyn’s breath caught for a moment before she responded, her hand sliding up to rest on Vi’s arm, holding her close as she kissed her back.

When they pulled away, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.

“Good night, Cait,” Vi whispered, her voice soft and full of meaning.

Caitlyn smiled, her eyes closing as she murmured, “Night, Vi.”

Vi slipped an arm around Caitlyn’s waist, pulling her close. Caitlyn shifted slightly, resting her face gently against Vi’s neck, her breath warm and steady. Together, they drifted off to sleep, their hearts warm and the quiet peace of the moment wrapping around them like a shield.