What freedom feels like

“Hey, princess. Miss me?”

Caitlyn let out a startled squeal, her whole body tensing for a second before she realised who it was. The moment recognition hit, she melted against Vi, turning in her arms and wrapping her tightly in a hug.

Before Vi could fully savour the embrace, Caitlyn pulled back, grabbed something from the counter, and placed it in Vi’s hands.

“Here, try this - they’re red velvet.”

Vi blinked down at the cupcake, then grinned. “Huh. Cupcakes. How fitting.”

She took a bite, letting the sweetness melt on her tongue, just as she was about to comment, Caitlyn’s expression shifted, her face contorting into something unreadable. She turned sharply to the chef, rattling off something rapid in a language Vi couldn’t even comprehend.

Vi frowned, glancing between Caitlyn and the chef, who nodded in response before Caitlyn suddenly grabbed Vi’s wrist and started tugging her away.

“Hey—hey!, Cait, wait! I wasn’t done eating that,” Vi protested, reaching out for the cupcake as Caitlyn effortlessly plucked it from her hand and placed it back on the counter.

“You can finish it later,” Caitlyn said firmly. “Right now, you need a shower.”

Vi sniffed herself instinctively and immediately winced.

Yeah. Okay. That was definitely necessary.

“Fair point,” she admitted, letting Caitlyn drag her out of the kitchen and toward the stairs.

As they passed Elora on the way up, Elora barely glanced up from where she had just placed Vi’s bag in Caitlyn’s room, but she smirked slightly, nodding in approval. She hadn’t had the heart to tell Vi she stunk, but clearly, Caitlyn had no such hesitation.

When they finally made it to Caitlyn’s room, Vi barely had time to take in her surroundings before Caitlyn started undressing. First, she untied her apron and tossed it onto a chair. Then, with practised ease, she pulled her top over her head and unclasped her bra, leaving Vi standing there—completely frozen.

Caitlyn barely even acknowledged Vi’s growing stunned expression as she continued, but Vi’s jaw slowly dropped as her eyes roamed over Cait’s figure. Holy shit.

“Violet—shower. Now,” Caitlyn commanded, her voice firm, but the flicker of amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.

Vi gulped. The name. The name.

Right. Shower. She quickly kicked off her shoes and started undressing, but the entire time, her eyes kept flickering toward Caitlyn, who had moved on to slipping off her shorts and then underwear as if this was completely normal.

“Cait, as much as I really want to shower with you right now,” Vi started awkwardly, still stuck between peeling off her socks and staring at Caitlyn like she was a literal goddess, “I don’t think you’ll wanna get that close to me with how I smell.”

Caitlyn just laughed, walking over to Vi and taking her hand, leading her toward the bathroom. “Trust me, I won’t.”

“Cait, I don’t think you really understand how much room there is in a shower—HOLY SHIT, WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!”

Vi stopped dead at the entrance to the bathroom, eyes going wide as she took in the sheer size of it. The damn place was about as big as her entire room back home. And then there was the shower.

Or rather, two showers. Behind one massive glass pane.

Caitlyn smirked at Vi’s reaction. “It’s a couples’ shower, darling. It is the master bedroom ensuite—what did you expect?”

Her voice was innocent, casual, like it was the most normal thing in the world. She wasn’t trying to come off as spoilt — not even a little — but the truth was, she just didn’t realise how much of a thing it was. This kind of luxury had been her normal for so long, the big open space, the double rainfall showerheads, the plush towels folded like swans on the marble bench.

Vi, on the other hand, was standing there with her jaw practically on the floor, turning slowly in place like she’d just walked into the bloody Louvre.

“This is… insane,” Vi muttered, one hand pointing vaguely at the shower wall, the other gesturing at a heated towel rail like it had personally offended her. “You’ve got mood lighting in here. Mood lighting, Cait.”

Caitlyn opened her mouth to retort — something snarky about how warm towels were a basic human right, thank you very much — but she didn’t even get the chance. Because Vi’s grin just went feral.

“Oh hell yes.”

And then she galloped.

Literally galloped — bare feet slapping against the polished tiles as she bolted into the shower like a kid in a candy store, arms flailing slightly as she made a beeline for the left shower head.

Goddamn, royalty really lived differently.

Caitlyn stepped in a moment later, laughing as she ran her fingers through her dampening hair. “So why exactly do you smell like a sewer system?”

“Sevika made me run laps for half an hour,” Vi grumbled, back turned to Caitlyn as she lathered up. “And I really  couldn’t wait any longer to see you, so I just came straight here.”

Caitlyn hummed softly, but Vi didn’t think much of it—too focused on scrubbing off the day's grime. What she didn’t realise was that Caitlyn had quietly crossed over from her side of the shower to Vi’s. And before Vi could react, Caitlyn was suddenly right behind her, a blur of motion and frustration and adrenaline.

Without a word, she slammed Vi back against the tiled wall—not rough, but firm, a controlled fury in the motion. The water now rained down Caitlyn’s back, soaking her entirely, dark hair clinging to her flushed cheeks.

Vi’s eyes went wide, body instinctively tensing against the cold wall, and then softening as she registered that look on Caitlyn’s face. The one she’d only seen in flashes.

Caitlyn’s voice dropped low, breathy and broken by restraint. “This was a bad idea.”

Vi swallowed. “Why?”

“Because I can’t think straight when you look like this,” Caitlyn snapped, her tone half-frustrated, half-hungry, all fire.

Vi’s lips curved. “You can’t think straight. Period, cupc—”

Caitlyn kissed her.

Hard.

Vi barely had time to process before Caitlyn’s lips were on hers—firm, insistent, desperate. The initial shock lasted all of a second before Vi melted into it, her hands gripping Caitlyn’s waist as their bodies pressed flush against the cool tile. The contrast between the scalding water and the warmth of Caitlyn's skin sent a shiver down Vi’s spine.

Caitlyn’s fingers traced slow, deliberate paths down Vi’s sides before sliding back up, nails skimming along her ribs, making her gasp against Caitlyn’s lips. Vi took the chance to tilt her head, deepening the kiss, her hands now roaming freely—trailing over Caitlyn’s back, down her waist, fingers pressing into soft, wet skin like she was trying to ground herself in the moment.

Caitlyn nipped at Vi’s lower lip, teasing, before slipping her tongue into the kiss, drawing out a deep, breathy moan from Vi that she barely even registered as her own. The feeling of Caitlyn’s body against hers, slick with water and soap, was almost too much. Vi’s fingers twitched against Caitlyn’s hips, gripping her tighter, trying to pull her impossibly closer.

Vi felt consumed. The steam, the water, the intoxicating heat of Caitlyn’s body against hers, it was dizzying. Every brush of lips, every glide of hands against wet skin made her sink further, her body reacting on instinct. Her fingers slid up Caitlyn’s back, dragging lightly, earning a soft gasp from Caitlyn that sent a bolt of pure adrenaline through Vi.

Caitlyn’s lips brushed lower with purpose, her breath hot against Vi’s collarbone, trailing kisses down, soft and aching. Her hands smoothed along Vi’s thighs, gentle and reverent as the water cascaded over both of them, mixing steam with electricity. Her lips trailed lower, down the curve of Vi’s chest, her hands gripping Vi’s hips to steady herself as she dropped to her knees. The tiles were cool against her knees, but the heat radiating from Vi’s body was enough to make her forget about everything else.

Vi’s hands instinctively found Caitlyn’s hair, tangling her fingers in the damp strands as Caitlyn’s tongue flicked out, tracing a slow, deliberate path up the inside of Vi’s thigh. Caitlyn could feel the way Vi’s muscles tensed, the way her breath quickened, and it only spurred her on. She pressed her lips to Vi’s core, tasting the salt and sweetness of her, her tongue swirling in a way that made Vi’s knees buckle.

“Fuck, Cait,” Vi gasped, her grip on Caitlyn’s hair tightening. Caitlyn hummed in response, the vibrations sending a shiver through Vi’s body. She added her fingers, sliding them in with practiced ease, curling them in just the way she knew would make Vi tremble. Vi’s moans filled the small space, mingling with the sound of the water hitting the tiles.

Caitlyn’s movements were steady, relentless, each stroke of her tongue, each twist of her fingers driving Vi closer to the edge. Vi’s thighs tightened around Caitlyn’s head, her heels digging into the small of Caitlyn’s back as she tried to ground herself. “Where did you learn this, cupcake?” Vi managed to choke out between moans, her voice rough with arousal. “it’s s-so, you-you’re so so good,”

Caitlyn pulled back just enough to look up at Vi, a smirk playing on her lips. “I’ve been watching videos,” she said, her voice husky. “I want to please you and I’m glad it’s working.”

Vi let out a breathless laugh, “Y-yeah, it is,” but it quickly turned into a moan as Caitlyn’s tongue flicked over her clit, her fingers plunging deeper. Vi’s head fell back, a string of curses falling from her lips as she felt the pressure building, coiling tight in her core. Caitlyn could feel it too, the way Vi’s body was trembling, the way her muscles were clenching around her fingers.

When Vi came, it was with a cry that echoed off the walls, her body arching, her thighs squeezing Caitlyn’s head tightly as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. Caitlyn didn’t let up, her tongue and fingers working her through it until Vi was spent, her body slumping against the tiles, her chest heaving.

Caitlyn rose slowly, her knees protesting slightly as she stood. She reached for the soap, gently washing Vi’s body, her touch tender and reverent. Her fingers lingered between Vi’s legs, tracing lazy circles around her clit, teasing her in a way that made Vi’s breath catch all over again.

“You’re so beautiful like this,” Caitlyn murmured, her voice soft but filled with heat. “I like that I get to see this side of you, so pretty,” She tucked a strand of vi’s hair behind her ear, opening up her face to see the full features of her.

Vi’s eyes fluttered open, and she reached up, her hand cupping Caitlyn’s cheek. Her cheeky grin was back, but there was something softer in her eyes, something that made Caitlyn’s heart ache. “Only for you,” Vi whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. She pulled Caitlyn in for a kiss, messy and desperate, their lips moving together in a way that spoke of hunger and love and something deeper, something that neither of them could quite put into words.

Vi leaned into Caitlyn’s touch, her breath steadying as her heart began to calm. The water was warm, soothing against their heated skin, and the space between them felt sacred in its quiet. Vi let out a soft sigh, her forehead pressing against Caitlyn’s, eyes fluttering closed.

“I’m... I’m not sure how I’m supposed to function after that,” Vi murmured, her voice hushed, as if they were the only two people in the universe.

Caitlyn smiled, the warmth of the moment softening her usual smirk. “I don’t think you need to function right now.” She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Vi’s forehead, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

Vi smiled against her, her hands settling on Caitlyn’s hips, pulling her closer. “I swear, I’m addicted to you,” she whispered, breath warm against Caitlyn’s skin.

Caitlyn laughed softly, her touch tender as she brushed a strand of wet hair from Vi’s face. “I think I know exactly what you mean,” she murmured, voice thick with emotion. “You feel like the only thing that makes sense.”

Vi’s breath hitched, her fingers curling gently at Caitlyn’s waist. “That’s how I know this is real,” she whispered. “Nothing else has ever felt this right.”

They stood there for a few more seconds, just holding each other, wrapped in the gentle rhythm of their breathing. Caitlyn traced the outline of Vi’s jaw with her fingertips, before gently pulling her into another kiss - slow and lingering, a quiet promise sealed in steam and warmth.

Vi’s arms tightened around her, holding her like she never wanted to let go. “I could stay like this forever,” she murmured, voice thick with affection.

Caitlyn smiled into the kiss, her hands slowly sliding down Vi’s back, the water cascading between them. “Me too,” she whispered, barely louder than the soft patter of droplets around them.

Eventually, they broke apart, unwillingly. Caitlyn reached to turn off the water, and Vi moved to grab towels. She paused for a beat, then held up one massive towel with a grin.

“These are enormous,” she said, eyes twinkling. “Perfect.”

Without another word, she tugged Caitlyn gently into the towel with her, wrapping it around the both of them, holding her close beneath the thick cotton. Their bodies pressed together again, but this time in silence, hearts still racing but breath steady.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.”

Caitlyn immediately hides in Vi’s neck to escape the compliment, but Vi nudges her gently to meet her gaze again.
“I’m so lucky to have found you.”

“I think I’m more lucky to have found you,” Caitlyn says with a small smile.

“I disagree,” Vi murmurs, her eyes locked on Caitlyn’s brilliant blue ones.

“If you knew I was a princess before talking to me, would you have still pursued me?” Caitlyn asks, the question slipping out quieter than she intended, fear tracing the edge of her voice.

Vi pauses. She looks at them together in the mirror - wrapped up, flush with warmth -and then turns back to Caitlyn.
“I don’t think anything would’ve stopped me from pursuing you.” Then she laughs, her smirk curling at the edges. “I mean, You kissed me first, so really, it wouldn’t have mattered - I didn’t stand a chance.”

Caitlyn laughs, unable to argue with that logic, and pulls Vi into a deep kiss. Vi moves to trail kisses down her neck, but she stops abruptly when she notices Caitlyn shiver.

“We should probably dry off and get changed,” Vi says.

Caitlyn groans but agrees, and they finally unwrap themselves and head into the bedroom.

As they’re getting into pyjamas, Vi pulls on her tank top and asks, “So when are Mel and Jayce actually getting here?”

“They’re not coming till Wednesday morning now, Apparently, something came up,” Caitlyn replies, huffing a little at being left out of the loop.

“Oh?, So that means I have you to myself alllll night,” Vi grins, smug.

Caitlyn throws a pillow at her. “You know, for someone who just absolutely devoured me not even twenty minutes ago, you sure are shy.” Vi smirks, glancing over at the discarded pillow shaking her head, tugging her boxers on.

“That was impulsive,” Caitlyn flushes. “I just get so overwhelmed with you.”

Vi’s brows lift slightly, unsure what to make of the intensity.

“In a good way, I promise,” Caitlyn reassures.

“Mmhmm?” Vi’s breath wavers - she’s never had someone say things like this to her before.

“If I could indulge myself in you forever, I would,” Caitlyn murmurs, pulling up her pyjama shorts.

Vi lets out another soft “mmhmm,” quieter this time, eyes wide with something she’s still trying to name.

Caitlyn steps close and takes her hands, looking down at her earnestly. “You make me feel so safe in my own skin. I’ve never met anyone like you, and I don’t think I ever will, nor do I want to. I’m scared this is all a dream and I’ll wake up back in London, alone. So while I have you now… I want to do everything with you.”

“Caitlyn— I—”

“I know, Violet. Me too.”
They both knew what they meant. They weren’t saying it out loud yet, but it was there, bubbling between them like a secret they'd both already confessed.

Caitlyn kissed her softly. They spun around a little, caught in the quiet joy of it, until Vi’s stomach gave a dramatic growl.

“Mmm, sounds like you need some food,” Cait grinned. “Chef was preparing ramen earlier. I hope that’s okay?”

“Sounds perfect,” Vi replied, nuzzling closer. “Then maybe a movie in that swanky theatre room of yours? In those robes?” She gestured toward the silky robes hanging by the wardrobe.

“Yes and yes.” Caitlyn leaned in, lowering her voice. “But before the movie, there’s someone who wants to talk to you.”

“Oh fuck. Your parents?” Vi tensed, a flash of fear across her face.

“No, oh god no” Caitlyn laughs as Vi’s puppy eyes grew wide with panic, “Aunt Isolde.”

Vi’s breath caught. She knew what Isolde meant to Caitlyn.
“You told her about me?” she asked quietly, fiddling with Caitlyn’s fingers.

“Yes…?”

“Woah.” A shaky breath left Vi’s chest.

“Was that okay? I promise she’s nothing like my mother.”

“Yeah, princess. It’s more than okay.” Vi smiled up at her, feeling the weight of the moment settle gently between them.

-----------------------------------------------

They decided to head into the conference room after swinging by the kitchen to grab their food - two bowls of steaming ramen nestled carefully in their hands. Vi balanced hers with a little too much confidence, nearly spilling it as she tried to nudge the door open with her elbow. Caitlyn just giggled behind her and gently took the door instead.

The conference room was dimly lit and warm, the lights overhead casting a soft glow across the long polished table. Instead of sitting apart, they curled up on the oversized sofa near the screen, tucking their knees in and resting their bowls on their laps.

Vi shifted a little nervously. “I feel like I’m about to be interviewed.”

Caitlyn nudged Vi’s shoulder lightly. “You’ll be fine. Aunt Isolde’s the best. She’s direct, but she’s kind.”

Vi gave her a crooked smile. “You sure she’s not gonna interrogate me?”

Caitlyn smirked. “Oh, she absolutely will. But only because she already likes you.”

Vi chuckled. “That’s comforting… sort of.”

Caitlyn squeezed her hand. “Trust me, darling. You’ve got this.”

They were mid-slurp when Caitlyn’s phone buzzed with the go-ahead from Isolde. Her stomach flipped once, then settled - this felt oddly important. Caitlyn flicked the controls for the main screen, and after a slight delay, it lit up—revealing Isolde, far too close to the camera. The frame caught only part of her face and shoulders, and behind her, a vague blur of plush cushions and what looked like the headboard of a bed. A soft cream shawl was wrapped tightly around her, and though her smile was steady, there was a faint tremble to it—like her strength was being carefully rationed.
A tissue was clutched discreetly in one hand, and though her voice came smooth, Caitlyn could still hear the rough edge of a cough being suppressed.

Isolde’s eyes lit up. “There you are. Good timing - I was just getting rid of the harpies.” She waved a dismissive hand offscreen.

Caitlyn laughed, but Vi noticed something - something flickering just outside the edge of the frame. A pole? A line? The faint glint of metal. She didn’t say anything yet, though. Isolde clearly didn’t want Caitlyn to see it. Not yet.

From somewhere behind her, Aunt Victoria’s voice chimed in, “What could be so important that we aren’t allowed to know about?”

“Private Auntie things, Vicky,” Isolde called, smiling wide now. “Out. You too, Lexi.”

There was a half-laugh, half-sigh from Alexandra, and Caitlyn heard the soft shuffle of footsteps leaving the room. She smiled faintly, imagining her aunts lounging together—three sisters of Kiramman legacy minus one, as per usual. A small ache stirred in her chest. Her mother was the only one absent, as always, and no matter how used to it she claimed to be, it never stopped stinging.

Once the room was quiet, Isolde settled in, her gaze sweeping across the screen.

She studied Vi curiously before turning to Caitlyn. “So, Caity-girl. Introductions?”

Caitlyn hesitated for a beat, looking over to Vi and furrowing her brows slightly like she hadn’t thought about how to word it. “Of course, Auntie, this is Vi-uh Violet, my… uh—”

“Girlfriend,” Vi finished for her, soft but steady.

Caitlyn’s heart skipped. She glanced down at their hands, now tightly intertwined on her lap, before looking back at the screen. Ramen, now forgotten on the coffee table in front of them.

Isolde nodded, her expression unreadable for a moment, and then it warmed, slowly but unmistakably. “You two make a lovely pairing,” she said. “You complement each other perfectly.”

“Thank you, Auntie,” Caitlyn murmured, though the words felt distant in her own ears. She wasn’t even sure she’d heard Isolde properly—her heart was thudding so loudly it drowned everything else out. Vi had called herself her girlfriend. Out loud. To her favourite aunt. And for a moment, all Caitlyn could do was sit there, flushed and reeling, as that word settled around her like something sacred.

Girlfriend.

Vi was her girlfriend.

“Well then,” Isolde adjusted herself slightly, propping the tablet with one hand while smoothing the shawl at her shoulder with the other. “Caity-girl, be a dear and give us the room. I’d like to speak with Violet, privately.”

Caitlyn blinked. “But auntie—”

“I want to talk about you, not to you,” Isolde said with a knowing smirk.

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes. “This was your plan all along.”

Isolde tapped a finger to her nose. “Ding ding ding. Now out, please.”

Caitlyn rose from her seat, leaving the blanket behind and turned to kiss Vi’s cheek on her way out, lingering there for a second longer than necessary. Vi’s hand squeezed hers once before letting go. The door clicked behind her, and the moment Caitlyn was alone, she started pacing.

Elora stepped out from the laundry room at the end of the corridor, casually tucking her sleeves up as she pulled the door shut behind her. Her steps slowed when she spotted Caitlyn pacing tight little circles in front of the conference room.

“Thought I heard footsteps out here,” she said, brow raised. “You’ve carved a path in the floor yet?”

Caitlyn paused, arms folded, only half-smiling. “She kicked me out.”

“Vi?”

“No. Isolde. Apparently she wants to talk about me without me,” Caitlyn huffed, then added, “which, rude.”

Elora gave a low chuckle and shifted the towels in her arms. “Well, she is a Kiramman. What did you expect?”

Caitlyn smiled despite herself. “Something gentler?”

Elora grinned as she headed for the back. “From a Kiramman? That’s adorable.” She turned slightly as she passed Caitlyn. “Cigarette?” She flipped open the case and held it out.

Caitlyn looked at the offered cigarette for a second, visibly tempted. Then she shook her head, exhaling through her nose. “No thanks. Vi would be smug if I came back smelling like tobacco.”

“Smart girl,” Elora said, tucking the case under her arm. “I’ll be out back if you change your mind, try not to wear the floor out before your aunt’s done.”

“I’ll do my best,” Caitlyn said, leaning against the wall now, a little calmer. “Enjoy your break.”

Elora tipped her head in a casual salute and slipped out into the garden, leaving Caitlyn alone with the hum of her thoughts and the glow of the screen behind the closed door.

-----------------------------------------------

Vi shifted awkwardly on the couch, suddenly feeling the full weight of the screen’s attention. Isolde looked at her through slightly watery eyes, a faint cough shaking her frame before she settled.

“Now that we’re alone,” Isolde began, “I want to thank you.”

Vi blinked, caught off guard. “For what?”

“For making my Caity-girl glow the way she does now. I haven’t seen her like this since she was a child running through the palace halls with a wooden sword, insisting she was on a noble quest to rescue me from boredom.”

Vi smiled softly, her hand resting on the still-warm spot where Caitlyn had been sitting.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve her,” Vi admitted. “But I’m not letting go.”

“I’d hope not.” Isolde chuckled lightly, before coughing again and pausing to sip from a nearby glass of water. “She’s had many eyes on her since the day she was born. The pressure of a crown, the weight of expectations… and yet, I believe she was always meant to lead with her heart. And from what I see, here - right now, she’s given it to you.”

Vi’s throat tightened. “I’m trying to be enough for her. I don’t have her world, or the polish, or the-”

“Violet,” Isolde interrupted, her voice low but firm. “Caitlyn doesn’t need polish. She needs truth. She needs someone who can anchor her when everything else is trying to pull her away from herself. And from what I’ve heard. you do that just fine.”

Vi nodded, swallowing a lump in her throat.

“Now, a warning,” Isolde said with a small smirk. “If you break her heart, I will personally haunt you. And I mean that quite literally.”

Vi laughed, wiping at her eyes. “Understood, You’re Highness.”

“Please, Violet, call me Isolde,” she corrected gently. “You’re family now, whether you realise it or not.”

There was a moment of silence, warm and full of mutual respect. Then Isolde tilted her head slightly and gave a small nod toward the door, though her expression dimmed, the edges of her smile softening into something quieter.

Vi noticed the shift instantly — the subtle drop in her energy, the way the frame of Isolde shook gently, like Isolde was gripping on the tablet hard, as if bracing herself.

“I’m glad she has you in this pivotal moment in her life,” Isolde said, voice a touch raspier now, though her tone remained steady. “Things are not going to be easy soon, I fear. I need to know you’ll be by her side for all of it… even the sad and ugly.”

Vi didn’t hesitate. She straightened slightly, nodded once with conviction. “Of course. Always.”

Isolde studied her for a moment, her eyes gentle, proud… but there was something else. Something heavy in the silence that followed. Vi could feel it. Isolde was holding something back.

Isolde's gaze dropped for a moment, then returned to Vi’s, more serious now — more fragile.

“I want you to know now,” she said quietly, “so that when Caitlyn eventually finds out… you can be there for her. No questions asked.”

Vi’s breath caught. The weight in Isolde’s voice didn’t leave room for doubt — this wasn’t about hypotheticals or distant fears. This was something certain. Something coming.

Isolde paused, her fingers trembling slightly where they rested just out of frame. “She’ll need you in ways she doesn’t even know yet. And she might try to be strong, might tell you she’s fine, but don’t believe her. Don’t let her push you away.”

Vi nodded slowly, eyes never leaving the screen. “I won’t. I promise.”

“I know.” Isolde gave a faint, bittersweet smile. “That’s why I can tell you.”