Whiskey Neat and Unfinished Business

After leaving Jayce’s rooftop party, Vi and Caitlyn drove to Vi’s apartment in Vi’s truck. The city lights blurred past them as their conversation filled the small cab. The easy banter between them felt natural, their laughter weaving seamlessly with the faint hum of the truck’s engine.

When they arrived, Vi parked the truck and opened the apartment door, stepping inside with Caitlyn following close behind. Chip greeted them enthusiastically, his tail wagging so hard it looked like it might fall off. He barked happily and immediately bounded toward Vi, who crouched to scratch behind his ears.

“Hey, bud,” Vi said with a grin, her voice softening as she greeted the dog. Chip gave an excited bark before turning his attention to Caitlyn, who was already kneeling to pet him.

“Hi, Chip,” Caitlyn cooed, giggling as Chip licked her hand. She scratched behind his ears, earning a delighted wag of his tail.

Meanwhile, Vi moved to the small kitchen area, retrieving Chip’s water bowl and leash. “Alright, buddy, let’s get you sorted,” she said, filling the bowl and setting it down. Chip took a quick drink before bounding toward the door, clearly knowing what was next.

Vi clipped on his leash and opened the door, gesturing for Caitlyn to follow. “Be right back,” she said with a grin.

They headed outside, the crisp night air wrapping around them as Chip eagerly sniffed every patch of grass he could find. Caitlyn walked alongside Vi, their shoulders occasionally brushing as they talked and laughed, the lightness of the evening following them from the party.

Once Chip had finished his business, Vi helped him back into the truck. They climbed into the front seats, and soon they were on the road again, the city lights fading into the darkness as they made their way to Caitlyn’s house.

“He’s loving this late-night adventure,” Caitlyn remarked, her voice light.

Vi chuckled, starting the engine. “Chip loves any excuse to be out and about. You should see him when I even think about touching his leash—he goes nuts.”

As they drove through the softly lit streets of Piltover, their conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and teasing. Vi shared stories about Chip’s mischievous antics, while Caitlyn recounted some of her more amusing moments with Jayce. The familiarity between them was warm and easy, the air inside the truck alive with their shared energy.

When they pulled into Caitlyn’s driveway, Vi parked the truck and hopped out, opening the back door to let Chip out. Caitlyn followed suit, unclipping Chip’s leash as they stepped inside her house. Chip darted forward, sniffing curiously at the furniture before circling back to Caitlyn, his tail wagging furiously.

Vi glanced around the spacious interior, her hands in her pockets. “I swear, every time I come here, I’m still in awe. Your house looks like it belongs in one of those fancy magazines.”

Caitlyn smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Well, thank you. But it’s just a house, Vi.”

Vi smirked, leaning slightly against the doorway. “Yeah, a ridiculously rich one.”

Caitlyn chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Do you want anything? Coffee? Water?”

Instead of responding immediately, Vi stepped closer, closing the space between them. Her hands rested lightly on Caitlyn’s waist, and her voice dropped to a low, teasing murmur. “Yeah, I want something.”

Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a playful smile. “Oh? What do you want?”

Vi pulled her closer, her grip firm yet gentle. “I want you.”

Caitlyn blinked, laughing softly. “Alright, very funny, Vi.”

But when she met Vi’s gaze, the seriousness in her blue eyes made her laughter falter. Vi wasn’t joking. Her hands on Caitlyn’s waist tightened slightly, grounding them both. The intensity of the moment sent a thrill through Caitlyn.

Her smile softened, and she looped her arms around Vi’s neck, drawing her closer. “Well,” Caitlyn whispered, her voice barely above a breath, “who's stopping you?”

Vi didn’t hesitate. Her lips met Caitlyn’s in a tentative kiss, slow and exploring at first. Caitlyn responded instantly, leaning into the warmth of Vi’s touch. The kiss deepened, becoming more fervent, more urgent. Vi’s hands slid from Caitlyn’s waist to the bare expanse of her back, her calloused fingertips grazing the smooth skin exposed by Caitlyn’s backless dress.

As Vi’s hands traveled lower, they rested on Caitlyn’s hips before slipping to cup her butt. The movement earned a soft gasp from Caitlyn and a low groan from Vi, her lips momentarily breaking away as she muttered, “Fuck, Cait…”

The intensity only grew. Vi pressed forward, backing Caitlyn toward the sofa until Caitlyn had to brace one hand against its edge for balance. Vi’s free hand trailed down to Caitlyn’s thigh, her touch firm as she lifted it slightly, her fingers brushing up and down in a way that made Caitlyn shiver.

Caitlyn moaned softly against Vi’s lips as Vi bit down gently before sliding her tongue into Caitlyn’s mouth. Their movements became almost synchronized, their breaths mingling, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Vi pulled back just enough to meet Caitlyn’s gaze, her eyes dark with need.

Caitlyn smiled faintly, her own breathing ragged. “You’re not stopping now, are you?”

Vi smirked, leaning back in to capture Caitlyn’s lips once more, her hands still exploring every curve of Caitlyn’s body. As they caught their breath, Caitlyn’s soft laugh broke the silence, her hand gently running through Vi’s pink hair. Vi raised an eyebrow, confused, until she followed Caitlyn’s gaze and spotted Chip sitting a few feet away, his head tilted and tail wagging, watching them with what could only be described as amused curiosity.

Vi groaned, resting her forehead against Caitlyn’s shoulder. “Really, Chip?” she muttered under her breath. “Way to ruin the moment.”

Caitlyn chuckled, her fingers brushing lightly over Vi’s neck. “Well, he is part of the package,” she teased, her tone warm.

Vi sighed dramatically, stepping back but keeping her hands on Caitlyn’s waist. “Yeah, yeah. Part of the package,” she muttered, shooting Chip a mock glare. “Alright, buddy, it’s bedtime for you.”

Caitlyn shook her head, still laughing. She leaned closer, her lips brushing Vi’s ear as she whispered, “My room’s down the hall.”

Vi's lips quirked into a smirk, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Sorry, Chip,” she said, glancing back at the dog, “but you’re not invited.”

As Caitlyn led the way down the hall, Vi followed, already working on the buttons of her shirt, her eyes never leaving Caitlyn. Chip padded after them, his nails clicking softly on the floor. When they reached Caitlyn’s bedroom door, Chip stopped, sitting dutifully at the threshold.

Vi crouched down, rubbing his head affectionately. “You’re a good boy, Chip,” she murmured, her tone soft. Then, standing, she pointed firmly toward the living room. “But not that good. Goodnight, buddy.”

As Vi shut the door with a quiet click, she leaned back against it, grinning at Caitlyn, who was already walking toward her bed with an amused shake of her head.

Outside, Chip let out an exaggerated sigh, flopping down dramatically in front of Caitlyn’s bedroom door as if to say, Fine, I’ll just stay here. He rested his head on his paws, his tail giving a single, resigned thump.

That night, Chip slept outside Caitlyn’s bedroom door.

Caitlyn woke up to the faint sound of scratching at her bedroom door. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the morning light streaming through the curtains. Beside her, Vi lay sprawled on her chest, one arm draped over Caitlyn’s waist. Her tattoos peeked out from beneath the sheets, running down her back and over her toned shoulders. Caitlyn smiled softly at the sight, but the scratching and a faint whimper from outside the door pulled her attention.

Carefully slipping out from under Vi’s arm, Caitlyn moved quietly so as not to disturb her. She grabbed a robe from the chair, slipping it on over her bare skin before padding toward the door. As she opened it, Chip immediately wagged his tail, his eyes full of excitement and a hint of impatience. Caitlyn knelt to pet him, scratching behind his ears. “Good morning, buddy,” she murmured with a chuckle.

She reached for a bag and Chip’s leash, clipping it onto his collar. They headed outside, where the golden retriever eagerly trotted along. Caitlyn laughed softly as he did his business, quickly bagging it up and tossing it in the trash. Back inside, she checked Chip’s items, filling his bowl with food and water, smiling as he happily dug in.

Satisfied, Caitlyn returned to her bedroom, opening the door quietly. Vi stirred, lifting her head lazily. Her pink hair was tousled from sleep, and her sharp features softened by the morning light. She was lying on her chest, her toned muscles flexing slightly as she shifted to look at Caitlyn.

“Morning,” Vi greeted, her voice low and husky with sleep. A lazy smile tugged at her lips as her eyes followed Caitlyn’s every movement.

Caitlyn sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair back. “You’re up,” she said with a small smile.

Vi chuckled softly. “You woke up early,” she said, propping herself up slightly on her elbows, her grin widening as she watched Caitlyn.

“I heard Chip scratching at the door,” Caitlyn replied, smoothing the fabric of her robe.

“Sorry about that,” Vi muttered, though her tone didn’t carry much regret.

Caitlyn shook her head with a laugh. “It’s fine.” She tilted her head slightly, her teasing tone evident as she asked, “Still sleepy?”

Vi’s grin turned sly as her eyes glinted with mischief. “You wore me out last night,” she teased, her fingers brushing lightly over Caitlyn’s inner thigh.

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. “Maybe you’re the one who tires out too easily,” she teased back, her tone light and challenging.

Vi chuckled, her grin widening. “Oh, is that so?” she drawled, leaning forward to press a lingering kiss to Caitlyn’s inner thigh, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Guess I’ll need more practice. Lots of practice.”

Caitlyn laughed, swatting Vi’s arm playfully though her smile betrayed her fondness.

Vi shrugged, her expression unapologetic as Caitlyn leaned down, giving her a light kiss on the lips while brushing her messy pink hair. The softness of the gesture made Vi's lips curve into a small smile, but it wasn’t enough. As Caitlyn began to pull away, Vi sat up quickly, catching her by surprise as she kissed her fervently, her hand slipping inside Caitlyn’s robe.

Caitlyn let out a soft laugh against Vi’s lips, halting her advance slightly with an amused expression. “Vi,” she teased, her voice warm and playful, “it’s late.”

Vi smirked, her tone low and playful as she murmured, “Late just means we’re starting the day right.” Without giving Caitlyn a chance to respond, Vi untied the knot on Caitlyn’s robe with practiced ease, her eyes glinting with desire. She gently pushed Caitlyn back onto the bed, her bare body straddling Cait’s as the robe slipped open.

Caitlyn reached up, her fingers wrapping around Vi’s arm, pulling her down softly until their faces were just inches apart. Vi dipped her head, her lips trailing warm, wet kisses along Caitlyn’s neck and down to her collarbone. The touch was unhurried, intimate, each kiss lingering as Caitlyn’s fingers ran along Vi’s back, tracing her tattoos.

Caitlyn’s breath hitched as Vi’s lips trailed along her neck, each kiss deliberate and lingering. Her fingers traced the contours of Vi’s back, feeling the warmth of her skin and the rough edges of her tattoos. Just as Vi moved lower, pressing a playful kiss to Caitlyn’s collarbone, a sharp bark echoed from outside the bedroom door.

They both froze, and Caitlyn let out a laugh. “Looks like someone’s feeling left out.”

Vi groaned, dropping her forehead onto Caitlyn’s shoulder. “Chip has the absolute worst timing.”

Caitlyn smirked, brushing a stray strand of pink hair out of Vi’s face. “Well, he is your dog. Maybe he’s just taking after his mom.”

Vi pulled back, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Cute, but Chip’s not getting in here. He can wait.”

Another bark followed by a soft whine made Caitlyn laugh harder. “You might want to tell him that.”

Vi sighed dramatically, leaning down to press a quick kiss to Caitlyn’s lips. “I swear, he’s lucky he’s adorable.”

Caitlyn grinned. “You both are.”

With a chuckle, Vi shook her head and muttered, “Next time, I’m getting him a babysitter."

It was early afternoon when Vi walked into the bar, the familiar creak of the door accompanying her entrance. The bar was closed for the day, its usual hum of conversation replaced by the quiet rustle of paperwork and cleaning. Vi was whistling softly to herself, clearly in an excellent mood, as she pulled out the inventory booklet from behind the counter.

Across the room, Jules was standing with a new hire, Mark, going over some basic instructions. When Jules spotted Vi, she smirked, folding her arms. “Well, well, look who’s practically skipping into work. What’s got you in such a good mood, boss? Did the sun finally shine on your grumpy soul?”

Vi rolled her eyes but smirked back. “I don’t know, Jules. Maybe it’s the peace and quiet I get when you’re busy annoying someone else.”

Jules laughed, clearly unfazed, and gestured toward the man standing next to her. “Boss, meet Mark. He’s the new guy we hired for evenings. Figured you should officially meet your newest underling.”

Vi gave Mark a once-over, her smirk turning into a friendly grin. “Mark, huh? Welcome aboard. Hope Jules hasn’t scared you off yet.”

Mark chuckled nervously. “Not yet, but it’s early.”

“Smart man,” Vi replied with a grin. “Anyway, we’re bringing you on because the place is getting busier than we can handle. That, and we’re starting to do catering gigs, which means we’ll probably need more staff soon. Sound good?”

Mark nodded enthusiastically. “Sounds great. Happy to be here.”

“Good,” Vi said, clapping him on the shoulder before turning her attention back to Jules. “Keep him alive, alright? I’ll check in later.”

As Vi started toward the door, Jules called after her, her tone dripping with teasing. “So, this sudden growth in the bar’s business wouldn’t have anything to do with you finally having a social life, would it? Like, say, dating someone seriously?”

Vi grabbed a towel off the counter and lobbed it in Jules’s direction. “Don’t make me regret hiring you,” she shot back, though her chuckle gave her away.

Jules caught the towel, laughing. “Just saying, boss. It’s nice to see you in a good mood for a change.”

Vi rolled her eyes again, shaking her head as she reached the door. “Yeah, yeah. Later, Jules.”

She was about to step out when she paused, turning back toward the counter. “Hey, Jules.”

“Yeah?” Jules replied, leaning against the bar.

“You know anyone who’s a good dog sitter?” Vi asked, her expression deadpan but with a hint of exasperation.

Jules blinked, then burst out laughing. “Oh, this is great. You’re whipped. Absolutely whipped.”

Vi pointed a finger at her. “Answer the question, Jules.”

Jules grinned, raising her hands in surrender. “I’ll ask around.”

“Good,” Vi muttered, finally stepping out. The door swung shut behind her as Jules’s laughter echoed through the bar.

Caitlyn was humming softly as she moved around the kitchen, stirring a pot of pasta sauce on the stove while Chip lounged lazily nearby. The sound of the front door opening caught her attention, and soon enough, Vi stepped in, carrying her inventory booklet and a bag slung over her shoulder.

“Hey, I’m back. You should always lock your door,” Vi called out, her voice warm.

Chip immediately perked up, bounding toward Vi with excited barks. Vi crouched down to pet him, laughing as she scratched behind his ears. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a treat. “Here you go, buddy. Miss me?”

Caitlyn glanced over her shoulder with an amused look. “Vi, he just had dinner. You’re going to make him burst.”

Vi smirked, standing up as Chip happily munched on his treat. “He’s got an endless stomach. You should’ve seen him once—tried to steal a sandwich from me.”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a soft laugh. “And here I thought you were the tough mom type. Turns out, you’re just a big softie.”

Vi grinned as she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Caitlyn from behind, pulling her close. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for his puppy eyes. And yours,” she added, nuzzling Caitlyn’s neck and inhaling deeply. “Forgive me for being a terrible dog mom?”

Caitlyn laughed, her shoulders shaking lightly. “You’re forgiven—this time. But no more treats tonight.”

Vi chuckled, placing a light kiss on her neck before stepping aside to let Caitlyn finish cooking. The smell of the simmering sauce filled the air as the two chatted and teased each other, the atmosphere light and easy. Once Caitlyn finished, they sat down for dinner, the conversation flowing effortlessly between bites of pasta.

After dinner, Vi stood and started clearing the plates. “You cooked, I clean,” she announced, shooing Caitlyn away when she tried to help.

“Fair enough,” Caitlyn said with a playful smile. “I’m going to take a shower then.”

As Vi washed the dishes, the sound of water running in the bathroom was a comforting backdrop. When Caitlyn reappeared, she was dressed in a loose shirt and shorts, her damp hair framing her face. She settled onto the sofa, tucking her legs under her as she reached for the remote.

Vi joined her after a few minutes washing the dishes and bathing, toweling her pink hair dry and dressed in her own comfortable clothes. She dropped onto the sofa beside Caitlyn, leaning back with a relaxed sigh. “Alright, what are we watching?”

Caitlyn smiled mischievously. “I’ve been into murder documentaries lately.”

Vi arched an eyebrow, giving Caitlyn a mock-concerned look. “Should I be worried? You’re not secretly planning my demise, are you?”

Caitlyn laughed, lightly swatting Vi’s arm. “Only if you keep leaving wet towels on the floor.”

“Noted,” Vi said with a smirk, throwing her arm around Caitlyn’s shoulders as the documentary began. They sat close, Vi occasionally making sarcastic remarks about the overly dramatic narration, earning chuckles from Caitlyn.

As the documentary progressed, Vi’s teasing slowed, and Caitlyn glanced over to find Vi’s eyes drooping. “Falling asleep already?” Caitlyn teased softly.

“Not my fault,” Vi mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. “Your choice in murder stories is... oddly soothing.”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes fondly, shifting slightly to guide Vi’s head onto her chest. Vi let out a soft sigh of contentment, curling against Caitlyn as the latter brushed her fingers lightly through Vi’s damp hair.

They lay there together on the sofa, the flickering light of the TV casting soft shadows across the room. Before long, Caitlyn found herself drifting off as well, the steady rhythm of Vi’s breathing lulling her into a peaceful slumber.

Chip watched from his spot on the floor, his tail wagging softly before he curled up near the sofa. The house was quiet, filled with nothing but the soft sounds of sleep and the hum of the television.