𝐕𝐈

She awkwardly smiled.

"Riiight. Um--what're you waiting for? Creator leave you here or something?"

She giggled and obliged. "C'mere-"

He leaned into her, lips pressed gently against hers. Vi thought about how warm she was. How strong but vulnerable she felt in his arms, how soft her skin was...

'I never want to let this go,' was all he could say to himself.

"You can always lay back and float, Cait. I'll be there."

"Hm.. Bit of intuition. You looked like you wanted some air."

She laughed and tilted her head for her.

'Got my answer,' she thought. Her hand moved to Caitlyn's shoulder, a gentle hold on her.

She pulled back, her expression soft and her focus dancing from Caitlyn's lips to her eyes.

"Been waiting on this one?"

A surprise but... She went along anyway, meeting her lips with the same gentle touch. Vi closed her eyes and moved her hand to meet Cait's cheek in tandem.

It felt a bit warmer out by the pond now.

Walking up from behind, Vi yawns as she takes in the sight. It really was nice outside, after all. She goes to say something but opts to just sit next to Caitlyn once she notices the ducks.

Betrayal, that pain that feels like it'll eat you from the inside out, can either break you or forge you into something greater.”

"...I'm not so sure. That stuff at the memorial was crazy, putting it lightly. You handled yourself better than most."

She thought about being picked up by one of those monsters.

"Ugh... You need your flowers, Nolen. Hats off an' everything."

"Hah--then you know I'd totally rock a Noxian's shit. No sweat!"

"I was plastered when you told me, but weren't you talkin' about how much my skills impressed you on our first meeting?"

💙 & ↺ ?

Wishing she brought her punching bag... This training dummy will do.

Somethin' bugging you, uh, robo-dude?

Abruptly she scoffed.

"Wonder if I could take one. Years in Zaun vs military training...? Could be fun."

"I could tell by the looks of it." She chuckled, genuinely this time.

"Those Noxians... Kind of intimidating, If I'm honest."

'I like how she talks,' she thought.

"Thanks. I've been... concerned about her. How're you though? Piltover's been flipped on its side!"

She offered an ear, though didn't know if it was needed or not.

"Hope I didn't haunt the place--ha!"

She cleared her throat.

"Um, I don't mean to interrogate you or anything but... Did'ya notice how stressed she might've been?"

"Don't sweat it, cupcake."

She smiled as her eyes took in Caitlyn's face.

"...Guess I should go-?"

"No it's not that. I'm okay, I promise."

She accepted the hug regardless. Any reason to hold her would do.

"If anything.. I'm worried about how stressed you've been."

"Hm... Okay. Did she ever.. talk about me? While I was gone?"

A small prod, but surely nothing crazy.

"Sometimes that's just how it goes. But... It works out better, later."

She wasn't sure if this was still about losing. She kept cleaning until she got all on her side tidy.

“Ah don’t be… Thanks though.”

A dark idea wormed into his head.

“You and Caitlyn close?”

"Man, everyone's been asking that... The short answer is self-loathing. Fighting, drinking.. You name it. But, I'm getting back on my feet now. I think so, anyway."

“Pff—alright I’ll take your word for it…”

[Could have sworn she was onto something]