Hi, first of all I am so sorry to keep you waiting for so long. But between my work, health issue challenges and doing art it has been very hard for the past month to keep everything going. I do hope you enjoy in this chapter though and art that came with it. Thank you so much for all your support. 💙🩷

 

SUNDAY EVENING

 

Sunday evening had settled softly over Piltover, painting the promenade in gold and amber light while the sea below reflected the glow of lanterns strung along the railings. The restaurant sat tucked between two taller buildings overlooking the water, small and warm inside with stone walls, hanging herbs, and the rich smell of garlic, wine, and baked cheese drifting through the air.

 

Vi looked like she was in heaven. One arm rested lazily on the table while she enthusiastically demolished a bowl of pasta buried beneath bubbling baked cheese and wild Shuriman mushrooms fresh from the stone oven.

 

“This,” she declared around a mouthful, pointing her fork dramatically, “might actually be worth paying taxes for.”

 

Cait laughed softly into her wine glass.

“You say that every single time we come here.”

 

“Because every single time they keep making this better .”

 

Cait shook her head fondly while Vi continued speaking, now fully committed to telling the story.

 

“So Vander leaves us alone for one night, right? One night,” Vi stressed. “And Milo gets it into his head that he can sneak into the Piltover zoo because somebody bet him he wouldn’t.”

 

Cait was already smiling. “Oh no.”

 

“Oh yes.” Vi pointed accusingly with her fork.

“Now naturally, Powder thinks this is the greatest idea ever conceived by mankind.

 

“Naturally.” Cait smiled

 

“She’s like, we can cuddle the animals.” Vi rolls her eyes “She was seven..I think. And Claggor only came to break into the ice cream trolley.”

 

Cait snorted into her drink.

 

Vi leaned forward slightly, grinning now.

“So we sneak over the wall in the middle of the night, freezing our asses off while Milo keeps acting like some master criminal.”

 

“I can already tell this ends badly.”

 

Vi laughed at the memory. “Everything’s fine for about five minutes until Milo decides he’s gonna climb one of the fences for a better look.”

 

Cait’s eyes widened knowingly.“No.”

 

“Then Powder is egging him to walk on the edge of the wall. And he did…for about three seconds until he landed straight into the wolf enclosure.”

 

Cait burst out laughing immediately.

 

Vi was already losing it herself. “Now he’s screaming as we’re trying to pull him up and the pack of wolves think he’s come to play. They pulled his pants down and his dangling in his knickers as we’re trying to pull him up.

 

Cait physically covered her mouth trying not to laugh too loudly. “Oh my gods,” she wheezed. “I remember that.”

 

Vi blinked. “What?”

 

“My mother read about it in the morning paper.”

 

That nearly killed Vi. “No fucking way.”

 

Cait nodded, laughing harder now. “They were apparently very confused to discover a pair of ripped trousers inside the enclosure the next morning.”

 

“I can’t fucking believe this.” Vi collapsed back into her chair laughing. “Milo was so traumatised he refused to go near dogs for like three months.”

 

Cait took another sip of wine, still giggling softly to herself. Unfortunately the wine had very clearly started catching up to her. A hiccup interrupted her mid-laugh.

 

Vi immediately looked delighted. “Oh there it is.”

 

Cait narrowed her eyes. “Don’t.” Another hiccup escaped her.

 

Vi grinned wider. “You’re tipsy.”

 

“I am not.” Hiccup.

 

“Course not”  Vi grinned 

 

Cait ignored her completely and continued talking anyway, her hands becoming increasingly animated as she spoke.

“Well,” she said importantly, “if we’re discussing poor decisions…”

 

Vi leaned forward immediately. “Oh this should be good. I’m all ears.” 

 

Cait pointed vaguely with her wine glass.

“When I was around fifteen, my friend Lila and I decided we were terribly adventurous.”

 

“That already sounds like a disaster.”

 

“We snuck out one evening and went down to Zaun.”

 

Vi nearly choked on her drink. “You?”

 

“Yes, me.” Hiccup.

 

Vi looked like she was seconds away from laughing herself unconscious.

 

Cait continued with all the seriousness of someone absolutely not sober. “At first it was wonderful. We went from one market stall to another trying street food and talking to people and buying ridiculous little trinkets.”

 

“That actually sounds cute.”

 

“It was,” Cait admitted. “Until we got horribly lost.”

 

Vi laughed immediately. “I was waiting for that.”

 

“We ended up somewhere…Gods knows where. We spent four hours stumbling around Zaun. She even went into one store asking if they sold maps. ” Another hiccup interrupted her.

 

“Map?” Vi smacked her hand on the table absolutely choking from laughter. 

 

“I know pretty stupid…And then,” she continued dramatically, “someone stole our purses with all our money.”

 

Vi blinked. “That escalated fast.”

 

“But,” Cait added quickly, lifting a finger, “Some other guy who was sharpening knives took pity on us and did help us find our way back.”

 

“…Zaun really said balanced customer service.” Vi laughed 

 

Cait laughed so hard she hiccuped again.

“By the time we came back it was almost dawn. So we decided to climb back to my bedroom window, but Lila slipped and fell directly into my mother’s rose bushes.”

 

“Shit” Vi snorted 

 

“Poor girl broke her arm.”

 

“No!”

 

“Yes.”

 

Vi was wheezing now.

 

“And naturally,” Cait continued, “everyone immediately realised we’d snuck out.”

 

“Did your mum came swinging a rifle?” 

 

Cait laughed and took another sip of wine. “Not this time …But gods did she yell at me. And needless to say forbade us from seeing each other.”

 

“Oh come oooon…That’s so topside.” 

 

“I was so upset with her.” Cait pouted “She said Lila was a corrupting influence. The only friend I had and she demanded I was never to see her again.”

 

“Oh come on…like ever?…That’s just fucked up. You literally snuck into the Undercity willingly.”

 

“And yet somehow she remained the main problem.”

 

“No wonder you never had any fucking friends. It wasn’t you who was a problem.”

 

“I told you, we clashed terribly. She’d keep me permanently locked up if she could.” She rolled her eyes

 

“So…”Vi was still grinning into her drink when a dangerous look slowly appeared in her eyes.

 

Cait recognised it immediately. “…No.”

 

Vi leaned back lazily in her chair, clearly delighted with herself already. “Sooo,..”she began casually, twirling pasta around her fork, “how many girls did little Caitlyn Kiramman sneak into her bedroom, huh?”

 

Cait nearly inhaled wine. “Violet!”

 

“What?” Vi asked innocently. “I’m just asking questions.”

 

Cait pointed at her accusingly. “You are absolutely not ‘just asking questions.’”

 

Vi smirked. “Come on…spill it sherif….It’s your thing”

 

Cait was trying very hard not to laugh.

“It is absolutely noot!.” Hiccup 

 

Vi burst out laughing. “Oh my gods, you’re adorable.”

 

“I hate you.”

 

“No you don’t.”

 

Cait took another sip of wine in protest and immediately regretted it when another hiccup escaped her.

 

Vi was practically glowing with amusement now. “So?” she pressed. “How many?”

 

Cait looked deeply offended by the question “None.”

 

Vi stared at her. “Cupcake.”

 

“I’m serious!”

 

“That is statistically impossible.”

 

“It is not.”

 

“You expect me to believe that?” She snorted “You took me up that window”

 

Cait rolled her eyes dramatically. “That was different…Besides…I was way too busy.”

 

Vi barked out a laugh. “Busy?”

 

“With studying!”

 

“And sneaking out.”

 

Cait sat straighter, trying and failing to reclaim some dignity. “I was a very responsible teenager I have you know.”

 

Vi raised her brow “You falsified Jayce’s signature to brake me out”

 

Cait finally dissolved into laughter herself, covering her face with one hand. “Oh shut up.”

 

Vi reached across the table, gently tugging her hand down again just enough to kiss her knuckles.

 

Cait was still smiling into her wine when the question almost slipped out. Almost.

 

“So how many girl…” She stopped herself. The words caught somewhere in her throat as the reality settled quietly back over her thoughts.

 

Vi hadn’t spent her teenage years sneaking girls through windows or getting drunk at society parties. She’d spent them surviving. Cait’s expression softened instantly.

 

“What? Tell me” Vi pushed

 

“…Never mind,” she murmured quietly, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

 

Vi watched her for a second then sighed softly. “Go on,” she said.

 

Cait immediately shook her head again. “No.”

 

“Cupcake.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Vi knew that tone. Knew exactly what had just happened inside Cait’s head.

Her fingers tapped lightly against the stem of her glass before she finally leaned back in her chair with a small smile.

 

“There was someone,” she admitted.

 

Cait blinked.

 

Vi’s grin turned softer around the edges now. Distant almost.

 

“Rhea.”

 

Cait rested her chin against her hand, listening quietly while another tiny hiccup interrupted her halfway through settling down.

 

Vi snorted fondly before continuing.

“She was… gods.” Vi shook her head faintly. “Prettiest woman I’d ever seen in my life back then.”

 

Cait smiled slightly at the expression on her face already.

 

“She was Vastaya,” Vi continued. “Hazel eyes so deep you could drown in them if you stared too long.”

 

Her voice had softened without her noticing.

“She had this tiny waist and hips that swayed when she walked.” Vi smirked faintly into her drink. “Nearly killed me every damn time.”

 

Cait laughed quietly.

 

“And her hands…” Vi added. “Long fingers. Elegant. Like they belonged to some fancy theatre instead of Stillwater.”

 

Another hiccup escaped Cait.

 

Vi grinned and carried on.

“We shared a cell whenever I wasn’t stuck in solitary. At first I barely talked to her.” She laughed under her breath. “Honestly I was pathetic.”

 

“You?” Cait asked teasingly. “Pathetic?”

 

“Oh yeah” Vi shook her head at herself.“I used to just sit there staring at her like an idiot whenever she read or fixed her hair.” She groaned dramatically. “And every single time our hands brushed I’d completely forget how to function.”

 

“That is actually adorable.” Cait’s smile softened further.

 

Vi looked down at her glass for a moment before continuing more quietly. “One night it got really cold. Colder than usual.”

 

The restaurant around them faded slightly beneath the warmth of the memory.

 

“We stayed up talking for hours.” Vi’s mouth curved faintly. “About stupid shit mostly. What we’d do if we ever got out. What daylight probably smelled like. Whether real beds were actually comfortable or we couldn’t remember any more.”

 

Cait’s expression ached softly at that.

 

“The cold just kept getting worse,” Vi continued. “Couldn’t stop shivering. She could hear my teeth rattling.”

Her smile returned then. Smaller. More intimate. “So Rhea got up, walked over without saying a word and crawled under the blanket with me.”

 

Cait physically melted. “That is the cutest thing I ever heard.”

 

Vi laughed quietly. “We were both freezing our asses off so bad we kept accidentally kicking each other trying to squeeze together and get comfortable.” She grinned at the memory. “Couldn’t stop giggling.”

 

Cait smiled into her hand while another hiccup interrupted her.

 

Vi laughed  “You sound like a broken engine.”

 

Cait kicked her lightly under the table. “Continue your story.”

 

Vi’s grin softened again. “She was right here so close I could feel her breath on my face….And I remember thinking my heart was beating so loud she had to hear it.”

The candlelight caught the warmth in her eyes now. “Then she looked at me…” Vi paused briefly. “And kissed me.”

 

Cait stared at her quietly.

 

Vi laughed under her breath, suddenly looking younger somehow. “I’d never kissed anyone before.”

 

“You hadn’t?”

 

Vi shook her head. “Nope. So I panicked.”“I genuinely forgot how mouths worked.”

 

Cait nearly spilled her wine laughing. “What did you do?”

 

“I headbutted her.”

 

That killed Cait completely. She folded forward laughing  “You did not!”

 

“I did.” Vi covered her face dramatically. “She kissed me all sweet and romantic and I got all nervous and smashed my forehead directly into her nose.”

 

Cait was crying laughing now. “Aaaand?”

 

“She stared at me for like five whole seconds, probably thinking what the fuck was that all about.” Vi snorted . “Then we just burst out laughing.”

 

Cait reached across the table, taking Vi’s hand gently in hers. “And after that?”

 

Vi smiled softly. “After that she kissed me again…properly.”

 

“Your first kiss” Cait smiled fondly

 

The laughter slowly faded between them, settling into something softer.

Cait gently laced her fingers with Vi’s. Her thumb brushed slowly against the skin of her knuckles, tracing over old scars without thinking about it.

 

Vi’s hand immediately turned in hers automatically, holding on tighter.

 

Cait wanted to ask more. About what happened after that first kiss beneath a freezing prison blanket. About whether they stayed together. About whether Vi had been happy, even for a little while inside that terrible place.

But something stopped her.

Maybe it was the look in Vi’s eyes. Maybe it was the softness in her voice whenever she said her name.

Or maybe some quiet instinct inside Cait already understood that the story probably did not end the way she wanted it to.

 

So instead, she simply smiled. “I’m glad,” she said softly.

 

Vi looked up at her.

 

Cait’s thumb continued stroking gently across her hand. “I’m glad you had love in that place.”

 

For a moment Vi didn’t answer.

The noise of the restaurant carried softly around them while candlelight flickered between the wine glasses and the half-finished plates of food. Outside the promenade shimmered gold beneath the evening sky.

 

Vi’s expression softened into something almost vulnerable. “Yeah,” she admitted quietly. “Me too.”

 

Cait watched her fondly for another moment before smiling faintly. “She sounds lovely.”

 

Vi smiled softly under her breath. “She was probably the only reason I made it through some of those years without completely losing myself.”

 

Cait’s chest tightened painfully at that.

Without thinking, she brought Vi’s hand closer and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.

 

Vi blinked. Then smiled in that quiet way she only really did around Cait. “You know,” she murmured, “you’re so pretty when you’re emotional.”

 

Cait rolled her eyes immediately, though the faint blush creeping across her cheeks ruined the effect entirely. Another hiccup escaped Cait right in the middle of trying to answer.

 

Vi nearly fell out of her chair laughing.

 

…..

 

The front steps of the Kiramman house had never seen such a lack of dignity.

Cait fumbled with the keys, leaning just a little too much into the door, her balance questionable at best. A soft hiccup escaped her as she tried and failed to line the key up with the lock.

 

Behind her, Vi was absolutely no help whatsoever. In fact, she was making it significantly worse.

 

Her arms were wrapped around Cait like she had no intention of ever letting go again, hands wandering shamelessly as she pressed warm, distracting kisses along Cait’s neck.

 

“Vi…” Cait whispered, half-laughing, half-scolding, completely failing to keep her voice down. “Shhh… everyone’s sleeping…”

 

“I’m not the one making noise,” Vi murmured against her skin, clearly amused. “You’re the one moaning.”

 

Cait’s head snapped back slightly. “I am not moaning.”

 

Vi turned her just enough to back her against the door and kissed her properly.

Any argument Cait had completely disappeared.

 

A soft, very real sound slipped from her as she melted into it, one hand still loosely holding the keys while the other draped around Vi’s neck.

 

“Moaning..” Vi smirked into her lips

 

Cait smiled and kissed her again. For a moment, the world narrowed to just that. Warmth, laughter and the faint taste of whatever they’d been drinking earlier.

 

Then…the door suddenly opened.

Both of them stumbled backwards with a surprised yelp and tumbled into the hallway in a mess of limbs and laughter.

Cait blinked, cheeks already flushed as she looked up.

 

“…Nyx?”

 

Nyx stood there, one brow raised, arms folded, looking entirely too amused for the situation.

 

“Well,” she said dryly, “good evening to you too.”

 

Vi didn’t even try to look guilty.

 

Nyx glanced between them, taking in the state they were in, then shook her head with a smirk. “Honestly, if you two are gonna start smooching on the doorstep, at least commit to it. Don’t half-ass the performance.”

 

“Oh, for heaven’s sake…” Cait grumbled drawing Vi’s knee for balance as she stood up. covered her face for a second.

 

Vi grinned. “You opened the door, that’s on you.”

 

Nyx rolled her eyes lightly, though the amusement didn’t leave her expression. Then her tone shifted just a fraction.

“Come on you two…Caleb’s awake.”

 

Cait’s posture straightened immediately.

“What?”

 

“No way?” Vi’s head snapped up

 

Nyx nodded, softer now. “Yeah. Two hours ago.”

 

….

 

The kitchen had settled into that rare kind of quiet that only came late at night.

The staff had long since gone to bed, leaving the enormous Kiramman house unusually peaceful. Only a few warm lights remained on downstairs, their soft glow reflecting against polished counters and copper pans hanging above the stove.

Rain tapped gently against the tall windows.

 

Vi stood by the stove making everyone hot chocolate while Cait and Nyx sat at the table together.

 

Nyx was wrapped in one of the blankets from the sitting room, arms curled tightly around herself as though she still couldn’t quite settle.

 

“He’s still really disoriented.”she admitted quietly. “Jorin is with him. We will be changing through the night so he’s not alone. But Tobias says that’s normal considering everything.”

 

Cait nodded softly. “And physically?”

 

Nyx let out a slow breath. “He says everything looks great. No permanent damage. Caleb just needs to take things slowly now. One day at a time.”

 

Relief softened Cait’s expression instantly.

“That’s wonderful news.”

 

Vi turned slightly from the stove, pouring coffee carefully into the cups.

“Mentally’s gonna be the harder part,” she said more quietly. “What he went through…” She shook her head faintly. “That shit doesn’t just disappear overnight.”

 

Nyx’s eyes immediately filled again. “I know.”

Her voice cracked slightly on the last word.

 

Cait reached out without hesitation, gently taking her hand. “Whatever he needs,” she said softly, “we’ll make sure he has it. The best care, proper treatment, whatever recovery looks like for him.”

 

Nyx looked down quickly as tears finally slipped free. “You two barely even know us,” she whispered shakily.

 

Cait’s thumb stroked gently across the back of her hand. “That doesn’t matter.”

 

Nyx laughed weakly under her breath, trying to wipe her eyes before completely losing the battle anyway.

 

Cait immediately leaned over and wrapped her arms around her without a second thought. “It’s alright,” she murmured softly. “We do what we can to help each other out.”

 

That only made Nyx cry harder.

 

Vi quietly brought the mugs over before setting them onto the table one by one. Then she brushed a warm hand slowly across Nyx’s back.

 

“Hey,” she said gently. “Just let it out, girl. You’ve been carrying this around way too long.”

 

Nyx looked up at her through watery eyes and held one arm open automatically.

 

Vi smiled faintly and leaned down, wrapping her arms around both of them from the side.

 

For a little while the three of them simply stayed there together in the warm kitchen while rain whispered softly outside the windows.

 

Eventually Nyx managed to calm enough to sit back properly and sip on the hot chocolate, though she still sniffed occasionally into the sleeve of her jumper.

 

Cait handed her a napkin with a small smile.

“In the morning,” she said, “I’ll ask Dora to prepare something nice for Caleb. Soup perhaps.”

 

Nyx laughed softly. “He’d like that.”

 

“And write down whatever foods he loves,” Cait continued. “Anything at all.”

 

Nyx shook her head slightly in disbelief.

“You know…” Her eyes lifted toward Cait. “I really had my reservations about you.”

 

Vi snorted immediately as she sat down with her drink. “That’s one way of putting it.”

 

Nyx snorted then continued

“But you’re really something else.”

 

Cait smiled warmly over the rim of her mug.

“Does that mean you finally trust me?”

 

Nyx nodded without hesitation this time.

“Yeah,” she admitted quietly. “I do.”

Then guilt flickered briefly across her face.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I should’ve treated you differently.”

 

Cait shook her head immediately. “No. New page, remember?” Her smile softened further. “Friends now.”

 

Vi lifted her mug casually. “Nah. Family.”

 

Nyx laughed through the remnants of tears.

“Fucked up family.”

 

Vi grinned. “Well, that just makes it more real. Trust me, I know.”

 

Cait immediately pointed at her. “You genuinely broke records in that department.”

 

Vi barked out a laugh. “And you for accepting it.”

 

Cait leaned over and kissed her cheek without hesitation. “Best decision I ever made.”

 

Vi looked unbearably smug afterward.

 

Nyx groaned loudly. “Oh gods. They’re doing the cute thing again.”

 

……

 

Their room was quiet, wrapped in that soft, late-night calm that came after everything had finally slowed down. The city beyond the windows had dimmed, lights scattered like distant stars, and the warmth from the hearth curled gently through the space.

Cait stood near the vanity, carefully removing her jewellery one piece at a time, placing each item down with practiced precision. The faint clink of metal against glass was the only sound for a moment.

 

“It really is a relief,” she said softly. “Caleb waking up… I imagine Nyx can finally breathe again.”

 

Vi shrugged out of her jacket, tossing it over the back of a chair. “Yeah,” she said, quieter than usual. “Guy’s tough….and lucky to be alive let’s face it”

 

“Sure is.” Cait smiled faintly at that, glancing at her reflection as she removed her earrings. “Perhaps now, with more information, we can finally make some progress. Resolve this properly and arrest those responsible.”

 

Vi snorted lightly, reaching for the hem of her shirt. “You’re more hopeful than I am.” She pulled it off and tossed it aside.

 

“Don’t you believe we will ever resolve it?”

 

“Oh I believe we will resolve this. But Chem barons are like cockroaches. You stamp one out, three more crawl out of the walls.” She let out a breath “Sometimes I doubt things will ever change. Sometimes I think that things are just constantly getting worse rather than better.”

 

Cait hummed thoughtfully. “Then I suppose,” she said, turning slightly, “we’ll simply have to invent a better pesticide.”

 

Vi’s lips curled into a slow smirk as she stepped closer. “You always this optimistic?”

Her hands found Cait’s waist, fingers brushing lightly as she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss just below her ear, along the side of her neck.

 

Cait’s breath caught, just slightly.

“If there is one thing my mother taught me,” she murmured, her voice steady but warm, “it’s that there is always a solution to every problem.”

 

She turned in Vi’s arms, her hands coming up naturally, fingers threading gently into Vi’s hair. “You simply have to find it.”

There was a softness in her smile now. Something certain.

“I also think,” she added, her voice quieter, “we make rather a good team.”

 

Vi huffed a small laugh, her forehead brushing Cait’s. “In more than one thing.”

 

“We will find a way love.” Cait said softly brushing her knuckles over Vi’s cheek then tucking a fire red strand behind her ear gently “We will change things, you and I. It won’t be over night, I know that... But we will.”

 

Vi smiled her arm closing now completely around Cait pulling her even closer “Did I tell you how much I adore you?” She smirked

 

“Nope” Cait shook her head pouting in a fake disappointment “But I suppose you could show me.” She smiled cheeky

 

She barely finished the sentence before Vi closed the small distance between them and kissed her. Not rushed, just warm, steady, and certain.

The kind of kiss that deepened and carried everything they hadn’t said out loud and didn’t have to.

 

……

 

MONDAY MORNING

 

Monday morning in Zaun felt nothing like morning at all.

Up in Piltover, snow drifted down in soft, quiet sheets, catching the light like something almost gentle.

Down here, it rotted before it even touched the ground.

 

What fell from the sky was no longer snow, but a miserable, half-melted rain that clung to everything. Cold, filthy, relentless. It soaked through fabric in minutes, seeped into seams, settled into bones like it intended to stay there. The wind cut through the narrow lanes, dragging that damp chill with it, slipping under collars and through gloves that were never made for this kind of weather.

 

The streets were slick with grime and slush, boots sinking into a mixture of mud, oil, and melting ice. Every step came with a wet, sucking sound. The air smelled faintly metallic, mixed with smoke and something sour that never quite left Zaun.

 

Darren was freezing. Not just cold. Freezing in the way that made your teeth chatter no matter how hard you clenched your jaw. His shoulders were hunched, arms pulled in tight, but it did nothing. His uniform was soaked through, the dark fabric clinging to him, heavy and useless against the cold. Water dripped steadily from the edge of his sleeves. His hands shook. He tried and failed to hide it.

 

They had been out for two hours already, chasing scraps of information that led nowhere concrete. This was their third location, another dead end threatening to turn into a fourth.

 

Vi noticed everything. Of course she did.

She walked ahead at first, boots steady, pace unbothered by the weather. The cold barely touched her the same way. Years in a damp cell had seen to that. Nights spent curled on a mouldy mattress with a threadbare excuse for a blanket had burned that kind of discomfort out of her system long ago. This? This was nothing. But Darren wasn’t built for this.

 

Vi slowed slightly, glancing back at him. Took in the rigid posture, the way he tried to keep moving like everything was fine, the shivering that wouldn’t stop. Yeah. Kid was done. She stopped walking.

 

Darren nearly walked into her before catching himself. “What?” he asked, trying for steady, missing by a mile.

 

Vi looked him up and down, unimpressed. “You’re about five minutes away from turning into a popsicle.”

 

“I’m fine,” he said automatically, which only made his teeth chatter harder.

 

Vi snorted. “Yeah, and I’m the Queen of Piltover.” She jerked her head toward a narrow side alley. “Break. Now.”

 

Darren hesitated. “We should keep going. The lead…”

 

“….isn’t going anywhere,” Vi cut in. “You are. Straight into the ground if you keep this up.”

 

She stepped closer, lowering her voice just a touch, something a little more solid beneath the usual bite. “Can’t chase anyone if you can’t feel your legs, yeah?”

 

Darren exhaled, the fight leaving him in a quiet huff. “…Yeah.”

 

“Thought so.” Vi clapped a hand against his shoulder, firm but not rough. “C’mon. I know a place.”

 

——

 

The alley was easy to miss if you didn’t know where to look. Tucked between two crumbling buildings, half-hidden behind a rusted pipe and a flickering lamp.

At the end of it sat a small place with fogged-up windows and a crooked sign that had seen better days. Warm light spilled out from inside, golden and inviting against the grey misery outside.

 

Vi pushed the door open. A small bell above it chimed softly. The warmth hit instantly.

Not just heat, but real warmth. The kind that wrapped around you, thawing fingers and loosening stiff muscles. The air smelled rich, full of spices and something slow-cooked that had been sitting on the stove for hours.

 

Darren almost sagged on the spot.

Inside, the place was packed with locals. Workers, mechanics, people with grease-stained hands and tired eyes, all taking a moment to sit, eat, and breathe.

The kind of place that didn’t look like much from the outside, but mattered more than it let on.

And then the room noticed them.

 

Heads turned. Conversations dipped, not quite stopping, but shifting. Eyes lingered just a little too long. Enforcer uniforms did that down here. Always had.

 

Vi felt it settle over her like an old, unwelcome coat. Something she would never quite get used to. She didn’t slow. Just stepped further inside, casual as ever, like she didn’t see the looks, like she didn’t feel the tension that crept in around them.

 

“Try not to look like you’re about to arrest someone,” she muttered under her breath to Darren, smirking slightly. “Or pass out. Either works.” Then she nodded toward a small table near the back.

 

Vi guided Darren toward the back without breaking stride, her eyes already scanning the room out of habit.

 

“Sit,” she said, nudging the chair out with her boot.

 

Darren didn’t argue this time. He dropped into it with a quiet exhale, hands hovering over the table like he didn’t quite trust they’d stop shaking.

 

Vi shrugged off her coat just enough to loosen her shoulders, then brought her gauntlets down onto the table with a solid clunk. Metal on wood, heavy and deliberate. A few nearby heads turned again at the sound.

 

“Don’t go anywhere,” she added, already stepping away. “If you do, I’m not carrying you back.”

 

Darren gave a weak huff that might have been a laugh.

 

Vi turned and made her way to the bar.

The closer she got, the quieter the space seemed to feel. Not silent. Just… aware.

The man behind the counter noticed her immediately. He didn’t smile. Didn’t nod.

Just watched her approach, slow and steady, like he was weighing something up.

 

Vi stopped at the bar, resting one arm casually against it. She let the silence stretch for a second, then tilted her head slightly.

 

“…Do I have something on my face,” she said flatly, “or is this just your way of welcoming guests?”

 

The man didn’t answer straight away. His gaze flicked over her uniform, the gauntlets, then back to her face.

 

“Don’t get many of your kind in here,” he said finally.

 

Vi snorted softly. “Yeah, well. Lucky you.”

 

His jaw tightened a fraction. “Depends who you ask.”

 

A couple of people nearby shifted in their seats. The tension in the air pulled just a little tighter.

 

Vi didn’t move. Didn’t look away.

“Relax,” she said, voice easy but carrying just enough edge. “If I was here to cause trouble, you’d know.”

 

The man leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on the counter. “Funny. That’s usually what trouble says before it starts.”

 

Vi’s lips twitched, not quite a smile. “Good thing I’m not then.”

 

Another beat of silence.

 

Then, just as it felt like something might actually snap the man’s eyes narrowed. He leaned a little closer, squinting at her properly this time.

 

“…Wait.”

 

Vi raised a brow. “What?”

 

He tilted his head, studying her face like he was digging through an old memory.

Then it clicked.

 

“…No way.”

 

Vi frowned slightly. “No way what?”

 

The tension cracked.

 

The man let out a short, disbelieving laugh, shaking his head as he leaned back.“Violet?”

 

Vi blinked. Then smirked. “That sounds so formal, is the uniform?”

 

He grinned now, properly this time. “No way…Still got that same ‘about to punch someone’ look.”

 

Vi huffed a laugh, the edge melting away just as quickly as it had come. “Shut up. Took you long enough. It’s been years but not like grew a bigger nose.”

 

“Didn’t expect you to walk in let alone dressed like that.” he shot back, gesturing vaguely at her uniform. “Thought I was about to have a problem.”

 

“Yeah?” Vi leaned on the counter, smirking. “And here I was thinking you were about to throw me out.”

 

“Would’ve tried,” he said, grin widening. “Wouldn’t have gone well.”

 

Vi barked a quiet laugh. “Fair.”

 

“You always did have a talent for causing trouble. Guess some things don’t change.” He shook his head again, still looking at her like he couldn’t quite believe it. “Haven’t seen you since the Last Drop. You just disappear and then walk back in like a fucking ghost.”

 

Vi shrugged lightly. “Been busy.”

 

“Clearly.” His eyes flicked to the gauntlets, then back up.

 

Vi smirked. “You still make decent food or should I lower my expectations?”

 

He scoffed. “Please. Best in this part of Zaun.”

 

“Good,” Vi said, nodding back toward Darren. “Got a kid back there freezing his ass off. Need something hot. Fast.”

 

The man glanced over, spotting Darren curled slightly into himself at the table. His expression shifted, just a touch softer.

“Got it,” he said. “Soup. Bread. Something strong to wake him up.”

 

Vi nodded once. “Appreciate it.”

 

He paused, then looked back at her, grin creeping in again. “Never thought I’d see you playing babysitter to a rookie enforcer.”

 

Vi rolled her eyes, pushing off the counter. “Don’t get used to it.”

 

The man didn’t move straight away after taking the order. He stayed there a moment, looking at her properly now, the grin fading into something quieter.

“…You know,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “I thought you were dead.”

 

Vi didn’t react straight away. Just leaned her forearms on the counter, eyes flicking briefly to the worn wood before coming back up. “Yeah,” she said lightly. “A lot of people did. Guess they made a good job out of it.”

 

He huffed a breath. “Then word started going around you weren’t. That you were locked up all these years and you’re back. Still didn’t believe it.”

 

His gaze dropped to her uniform again, lingering this time.

“Then I hear you took the blue.”

 

Vi followed his look, glancing down at herself like she’d almost forgotten what she was wearing. “Guess you heard right.”

 

There was a beat.

 

Then the obvious question came, just like it always did. “…Why?” Not hostile. Not even sharp. Just… real.

 

Vi leaned back slightly, exhaling through her nose. For a second, she looked like she might brush it off. Crack a joke. Move on.

But she didn’t.

“Because smashing things from the outside only gets you so far,” she said finally. “Figured I’d try it from the inside for a change.”

 

He raised a brow. “That what this is?”

 

Vi shrugged one shoulder. “Call it whatever you want. I call it making a difference.”

She tapped her fingers once against the counter, voice steady but quieter now.

“System’s rotten. Always has been. But if no one gets in there and starts shaking it up, nothing changes.”

 

A faint smirk tugged at her lips. “And I’m real good at shaking things.”

 

He let out a short laugh at that, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Not everyone’s gonna like that.”

 

Vi’s smirk lingered. “Yeah. I noticed.”

 

Another pause settled between them, heavier this time.

 

He hesitated, like he wasn’t sure if he should ask. Then he did anyway. “…And your sister?…Is it true she…?”

 

That one landed. Vi stilled just for a second. But it was enough. Her jaw tightened slightly, gaze drifting off to the side before she pulled it back in again.

No joke this time. No easy deflection.

 

“…Yeah,” she said quietly.

 

The man nodded slowly, his expression shifting, something like regret settling in.

 

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath.

He turned away then, grabbing two bowls and ladling out steaming soup, the rich scent filling the space between them. He added thick slices of bread onto a tray, movements a little more deliberate now.

When he turned back, he set the tray down in front of her.

 

“Sorry, kid,” he said, voice rougher than before. “World’s just… one big fucked up place.”

 

Vi let out a quiet breath, not quite a laugh. “Yeah. Don’t I know it.”

 

She reached for her purse, but he stopped her with a small shake of his head.

“On the house.”

 

Vi frowned immediately. “You don’t have to…”

 

“Yeah, I do.”

 

She looked up at him.

 

He gave a small shrug, a ghost of a smile returning. “Still owe Vander a few coins.”

 

Vi blinked.

 

“Figured I’d start paying him back,” he added, nodding toward the tray. “Feed his kid.”

 

Something in Vi’s expression shifted. Softer. Quieter. She didn’t argue again. “…Thanks,” she said simply.

 

Vi made her way back through the room, tray balanced easily in her hands despite the weight of it. The warmth from the bowls seeped into her palms, a welcome contrast to the cold that still clung to her skin.

She set the tray down in front of Darren with a soft thud.

 

“How you holding up?” she asked, pulling out her chair.

 

Darren looked up at her, still pale, still shaking, but not quite as bad as before. The colour was slowly creeping back into his face.

 

“I’ve been better,” he admitted, his voice a little unsteady. “But… this helps.” He hovered his hands over the bowl, soaking in the heat like it might bring him back to life.

 

Vi gave a small nod. “Yeah. Thought it might.”

 

She reached for both their jackets without another word, gathering the damp, heavy fabric in her arms. “Hang on.”

 

Darren blinked after her, confused but too cold to question it.

Vi crossed the room toward the back corner where a large iron stove burned steadily, heat rolling off it in thick waves. She draped the jackets carefully over a nearby rack, close enough to dry but not close enough to scorch.

 

“Don’t burn,” she muttered under her breath, giving one sleeve a quick adjustment.

 

Good enough. When she returned, she dropped back into her seat and pushed one of the bowls slightly closer to Darren. “Eat before it goes cold.”

 

He didn’t need telling twice.

The first spoonful barely made it to his mouth before his entire expression changed. His shoulders dropped, tension easing as something close to relief crossed his face.

 

“Oh wow,” he breathed. “That’s… that’s really good.”

 

Vi smirked faintly, blowing on her own spoon before taking a bite.

 

“It reminds me of my grandmother’s soup,” Darren went on, already halfway through another spoonful. “She used to make this thick broth in the winter, with herbs and…”

 

He kept talking, warming up now in more ways than one. His voice steadied, the shivering easing with every bite, words spilling out as the heat finally reached his core.

 

Vi listened, half-focused, leaning back slightly in her chair as she ate.

Then the bell above the door chimed again.

Soft. Clear.

Something about the shift in the room was immediate. Subtle, but there. A quiet change in attention, like a ripple passing through the space.

Vi’s spoon paused halfway to her mouth.

Darren kept talking. Something about fresh bread, maybe.

She didn’t hear it anymore.

Her gaze lifted toward the door.

 

The woman who stepped inside moved like she didn’t quite belong to the same world as everything else in the room.

 

A fox-like Vastaya.

 

Young. Striking. Small in build, but there was nothing fragile about her. Her movements were fluid, almost weightless, each step smooth like she was gliding rather than walking. A soft sway followed her, subtle but impossible to ignore.

Her ears flicked slightly as she stepped further inside, catching the sounds around her. Her tail followed in a slow, controlled motion behind her, the fur catching the warm light in soft shades that shifted as she moved.

Every detail about her felt mesmerising in a way that drew the eye without trying.

 

Vi went completely still. The noise of the room dulled. Darren’s voice faded into nothing but background sound.

Vi didn’t even realise she’d stopped chewing. She just watched.

The spoon hovered in her hand, forgotten.

The warmth of the room faded. The sound of Darren’s voice blurred into something distant, muffled, like it was coming from the end of a long tunnel. Her chest tightened.

And just like that.. She wasn’t there anymore.

 

THREE YEARS AGO. STILLWATER HOLD. NIGHT

 

The cold in Stillwater was different. Not the sharp kind that made your skin sting or your teeth chatter for a few minutes before you warmed up again. This cold lived deeper than that. It settled inside the bones, wrapped itself around the ribs and hollowed a person out from the inside until eventually they stopped noticing it altogether.

Vi barely felt her body anymore.

 

Her boots scraped weakly across the stone floor as two guards dragged her through the corridor, each uneven step jolting through limbs that no longer seemed connected to her. Her head dipped forward with the motion, chin brushing her chest while blood pooled thick and metallic at the back of her throat.

 

She could taste it every time she breathed.

The pain itself had become something distant. Either there was too much of it or her body had simply given up trying to process it. Everything blurred together into one dull ache that stretched endlessly beneath her skin.

 

Gods, she was tired.

 

Her vision flickered in and out of focus as torchlight smeared across the corridor walls in streaks of gold and shadow. Somewhere nearby guards were laughing. Maybe at her. Maybe not. At this point she honestly couldn't tell anymore.

 

The heavy metal door ahead groaned open.

The sound cut through the haze just long enough for her to register movement before the guards tossed her inside.

Her body hit the ground hard but even that barely registered anymore. Just another impact. Another bruise added to the collection.

 

The cell door slammed shut behind her with a deafening clang.

 

For one brief second there was silence.

Then movement. A figure shot upright from the far corner of the cell.

 

“No… Vi?” Her voice cracked with shock and laced with fear.

 

The woman crossed the room in seconds, dropping to her knees beside Vi.

Her tail flicking sharply behind her while soft ears pinned tightly against her head betrayed the panic she was trying desperately to contain.

Her hand brushed against Vi’s cheek with heartbreaking gentleness that didn’t belong to this place.

Her eyes travelled over Vi’s body, taking in every bruise, every cut, every cigarette burn scattered across her arms.

 

“Gods…” she whispered shakily. “What did they do to you?”

 

Vi tried to answer but nothing came out besides the ghost of a breath.

 

The woman swallowed hard and forced herself to steady. Then she moved.

She crossed to the corner of the cell and slipped her fingers into a loose section of wall. One brick shifted free easily, revealing a hollow hidden behind it. From inside she pulled what little she had managed to collect over time, old cloths, a small bottle, a dented metal tin and a crude bottle of prison-made alcohol.

 

She was back beside Vi almost immediately.

“Stay with me, please, little one,” she murmured softly, hands already working.

 

The cloth dipped into the alcohol before pressing carefully against Vi’s skin.

The burn hit instantly.

 

Vi flinched violently, a broken sound escaping her throat as her body finally remembered how to react to pain.

 

“I know,” the woman whispered quickly, voice low and soothing. “I know. Just a little more.”

 

Her touch never lost its gentleness.

Not even when she uncovered the worst of it. The woman’s breath caught for a split second but she kept going, carefully cleaning each wound as though afraid Vi might break apart beneath her hands.

 

Vi’s vision struggled to focus. Her lips barely moved. “…Rhea…”

 

The name was nothing more than a breath on Vi’s lips but it was enough.

The woman stilled for a moment then smiled. Soft and warm like sunlight breaking through something dark.

 

“Shhh… I’m here,” she whispered. “I’ve got you.” Her hands gentled even further as she brushed damp strands of hair away from Vi’s face.

 

“Everything’s gonna be fine,” she murmured softly. “You hear me?”

 

She set the alcohol aside and reached for the small metal tin instead. When her fingers dipped into the balm and returned to Vi’s skin, the touch cooled instead of burned.

Vi let out a shaky breath.

 

For the first time that night her body eased slightly beneath someone else’s care.

Rhea’s thumb stroked lightly across her wrist, grounding her.

Steady.

Real.

 

Then she lifted Vi’s hand carefully and pressed a soft kiss against her bruised knuckles.

A faint smile tugged weakly at Vi’s lips.

 

“There,” Rhea whispered gently. “Still there.”

Her expression softened as she watched her and her fingers slipped into Vi’s damp hair, stroking slowly through the strands.

 

“Sleep now, my little fire fox,” she murmured quietly. “Rest.” Her voice wrapped around Vi like warmth itself.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Vi felt safe.

 

“Boss?” The voice shattered the memory instantly.

 

“Boss!”

 

Vi blinked hard as the warmth of the canteen rushed back around her all at once. The noise. The light. The smell of soup and damp clothes drying by the stove.

 

Darren was leaning forward across the table, concern written all over his face.

“You okay?” he asked carefully. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

 

Vi didn’t answer straight away.

Her hand was still frozen around the spoon, chest tight with something old and aching. For one brief second longer she could still feel the ghost of gentle fingers against her skin.

 

…..

 

After a whole morning of grime and cold in the Undercity Piltover’s police station felt almost insultingly clean. Dry stone corridors. Polished floors. Warm air that didn’t bite or cling or seep into your bones like it had teeth. Everything smelled faintly of ink, polished brass, and expensive soap.

Which made Vi’s current mood even worse.

 

Darren trailed behind her in the hallway, sniffling violently every few seconds, his nose red, his uniform still wet despite their best efforts. Every step he took he sounded slightly more miserable.

 

Vi didn’t slow down once. She pushed through the door into the uniform department without knocking.

 

A neat office. Shelves of folded enforcer gear. Labels. Records. A man behind the desk was giggling reading Piltover’s bulletin sipping slowly on a cup of hot coffee.

 

Vi walked straight up to the desk and dropped a soaked enforcer jacket onto it. It hit the wood with a heavy, wet slap.

The man flinched so hard he nearly fell off his chair.

 

“…what the…?”

 

“What is this shit?” She said flatly

 

“Excuse me?” The man blinked at her

 

Her hair was plastered to her face, dripping onto her collar. Her uniform clung to her skin, heavy and soaked through. She looked like she had personally wrestled the entire river system and lost.

 

Darren stood in the doorway behind her and sneezed again. Loudly.

 

“Look at it!” Vi gestured at the jacket like it had personally insulted her ancestors. “You might as well send us down there naked.”

 

He looked between her and the jacket, clearly trying to process both the tone and the dripping water forming a small puddle on his desk.

 

“What happened to you?” he asked cautiously.

 

Vi laughed once. No humour in it.

“What happened?” she repeated. “Shitty weather happened. That’s what.”

She leaned forward slightly, voice sharpening. “While you lot are up here enjoying your nice clean snow falling like it’s some sort of postcard, Zaun is down there choking in toxic rain that eats through fucking cloth like it’s breakfast.”

 

She jabbed a finger at the jacket. “And these uniforms? Might as well be made of paper.”

 

The man straightened quickly. “The sheriff ordered new ones just last week. Best tailor in Piltover.”

 

“The best, ha?” Then, without warning, she grabbed the hem of her soaked top and pulled it straight over her head in one motion.

 

Darren immediately snapped his head to the side. “Wooow!”

 

The shirt hit the desk with another wet slap, joining the jacket. “Well fuck your best!”

 

Vi stood there in a plain undershirt and bra, completely unfazed, arms still slightly raised from the motion. Water dripped steadily onto the floor.

 

“Looks to me like someone’s swindling Sheriff and your best tailor can shove these right up his ass, because this is bullshit.”

 

The office went dead silent.

Darren made a small choking sound behind her.

The man’s mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

 

She pointed at the soaked pile like it was evidence in court.

“We are wet down to our knickers,” she said flatly.

 

The man looked like his soul had briefly left his body.

 

“Tell your supervisor I’m not taking anyone down there until this is sorted,” she said, voice final.

 

She turned on her heel, “Come on, Darren. We’re done here.”

 

Darren hesitated for half a second, then scrambled after her, still sneezing.

The door shut behind them.

The man remained frozen at his desk, staring at the dripping pile of uniform like it might get up and apologise to him.

 

───

 

Out in the hallway, Vi was still muttering under her breath as she walked, damp boots squeaking faintly against the polished floor.

 

“Best tailor in Piltover,” she scoffed. “Yeah, right. I’ve seen better stitching on a sack.”

 

Darren hurried after her, one hand still hovering near his nose. “I think… I think he was genuinely offended.”

 

“Good,” Vi shot back. “Maybe he’ll go try the uniforms in Zaun himself.”

 

Darren sneezed. Loud.

 

Vi glanced at him sideways. “…You good?”

 

“Yeah,” he sniffed. “Pretty sure I’m not dying.”

 

“Not yet.”

 

They turned the corner and walked straight into Caitlyn’s line of sight.

Cait sat behind her desk, completely absorbed in paperwork, pen moving swiftly across the page.

 

Then she paused. Something in her peripheral vision caught her attention.

 

She looked up and froze. “…Vi?”

 

Her eyes widened as she took in the full situation. Soaked boots. Damp hair. And the very noticeable lack of a proper uniform top. She got up so fast her chair nearly tipped behind her.

 

“Vi?” Cait called rushing outside “…Why are you in your underwear?”

 

Darren immediately turned away again like it was a reflex at this point. “I am not looking, I am absolutely not looking!”

 

Vi, completely unfazed, spread her arms slightly like this was a perfectly reasonable state to be in.

 

“Because,” she said flatly, “your brilliant uniform department thinks Zaun’s weather is decorative.”

 

Cait stared at her. “…I beg your pardon?”

 

“They dissolve,” Vi continued, stepping closer to the desk. “Not metaphorically. Literally. Give it five minutes down there and you’ve got water in your underwear like you’ve pissed yourself. What the fuck?”

 

Darren sniffed behind her. “It’s true.”

 

Vi pointed at him. “Witness.”

 

Cait sighed pinching the bridge of her nose. like she was trying to process several problems at once.

 

“…And removing your shirt in the middle of the department was necessary?” She looked around horrified

 

Vi shrugged. “Made a point.”

 

“Right,” she said grabbing her forearm and pulling her inside . “Get inside before you cause an incident….You too.” She looked at Darren. “…Both of you. Now.”

 

Vi smirked. “Too late.”

 

Cait shot her a look. “Vi!…You threw it at him, didn’t you?”

 

“…Maybe.”

 

Cait shot her a look closing the door quickly.

 

“What the fuck do you expect me to do?”

 

Cait exhaled slowly, though there was the faintest hint of amusement tugging at the corner of her mouth. “…You could have come to me.”

 

Vi tilted her head. “Oh, I did. This is me coming to you.”

 

Darren sneezed again.

 

Cait glanced at him, softening slightly. “And you. You’re going to catch a cold.”

 

“I think I already did,” Darren admitted weakly.

 

“Take that jacket off for heaven sake.”

 

Vi leaned slightly toward Darren

“Told you we’re not dying.”

 

Darren sniffed. “I’m still not convinced.”

 

….

 

Monday morning arrived cold and clear.

The reconstruction site was already bustling by the time Gerhard arrived. Workers moved across the partially rebuilt bridge carrying tools and materials while cranes swung overhead, lifting massive steel sections into place. The steady rhythm of hammering echoed across the river, mingling with shouted instructions and the groan of machinery.

Gerhard paused for a moment at the edge of the site.

His stomach was in knots.

He had spent years working in Zaun's mines, overseeing excavation projects, reinforcement tunnels and heavy machinery. He knew engineering. He knew construction. Yet standing here felt different.

This was Piltover.

Everything seemed cleaner, larger, more official. Despite everything Caitlyn had done to help him secure this opportunity, a small voice in the back of his mind kept whispering the same thing.

Don't screw this up.

 

A broad-shouldered man in a dark work coat spotted him almost immediately and approached with an easy smile.

"Mr Gearhand?"

 

Gerhard straightened. "That's me."

 

The man extended a hand. "Marcus Veller. Project manager. Glad you could join us."

Gerhard shook it.

 

The handshake was firm and professional, and something inside him eased almost immediately. There was no suspicion in Marcus's eyes, no judgement, no hint that he was questioning whether Gerhard belonged there. He was simply being welcomed as another engineer reporting for work.

It shouldn't have mattered.

But somehow it did.

Marcus spent the next several minutes showing him around the site before leading him toward a row of temporary construction offices positioned beside the bridge. Inside one of the huts another man stood studying several large blueprints spread across a table.

 

"Gerhard," Marcus said. "This is Foreman Ellis."

 

The older man looked up and offered a nod. "Good to have you aboard."

 

Again, there was nothing unusual in the greeting. No sideways glances. No awkward questions. Nobody seemed interested in his past. They only cared whether he could do the job.

 

For the first time in a very long while, Gerhard began to relax.

The three men spent the next hour walking the site together. As they moved along the damaged sections of the bridge, Ellis explained the current reconstruction schedule while Marcus outlined several issues that had slowed progress.

 

At first Gerhard mostly listened.

He studied the plans, examined the support structures and reviewed the reports. Gradually the familiar language of measurements, load calculations and engineering diagrams began replacing the nervous thoughts in his head.

 

Soon he found himself leaning over a blueprint spread across a portable table.

"Hm."

 

Marcus glanced over. "What?"

 

Gerhard tapped a section of the plans.

"If we reinforce this support from underneath instead of extending it from the side, you'll save material and probably cut two days off the schedule."

 

Both men stepped closer.

 

"Show me."

 

He did. One suggestion led to another. Before long they were discussing solutions rather than introducing themselves, and Gerhard found himself speaking with the confidence he hadn't felt in years.

By lunchtime the knot in his stomach had almost completely disappeared.

This was familiar territory.

The bridge no longer looked intimidating. As he studied the structure, he found himself viewing it the same way he always had—simply another problem waiting to be solved.

 

Later that afternoon Marcus led him toward a smaller mobile office positioned slightly away from the main construction area.

The structure wasn't much to look at. It contained little more than a desk, a filing cabinet, a lamp and a window overlooking the bridge.

 

Marcus opened the door. "This one's yours."

 

Gerhard blinked. "My office?"

 

Marcus laughed. "Last time I checked."

 

A few moments later the door closed behind them, leaving Gerhard alone.

Silence settled over the small room. Outside, the sounds of construction continued in the distance while sunlight reflected from steel beams and scaffolding.

Slowly he walked over to the desk and lowered himself into the chair.

His chair.

The thought still felt strange.

He set his bag down carefully before resting his hand on the desk. His fingers moved across the smooth wooden surface, tracing it almost absent-mindedly.

A quiet breath escaped him. Years of struggling. Years of watching opportunities disappear before he could reach them.

Years of being judged for things that were never his fault.

 

And now here he was. Sitting in an office overlooking one of Piltover's most important reconstruction projects. Working. Providing for his daughter. Building something again.

 

His throat tightened unexpectedly.

Outside the window workers moved across the bridge while sunlight glinted from freshly installed supports. Gerhard sat there for a long moment simply watching them.

Then a small smile spread across his face.

Not the loud grin he wore around Nyx. Not the brave smile he forced when things became difficult.

Just a quiet smile born from something he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Hope.

 

"Alright, kid," he murmured softly to himself while looking out across the bridge. "Let's not mess this up."

 

For the first time in years, he genuinely believed he wouldn't.

 

…..

 

 

By the time Cait and Vi returned home, darkness had settled over Piltover and the lights of the Kiramman estate glowed warmly against the winter evening.

 

They stepped out of the car and started toward the house hand in hand, their footsteps echoing softly against the damp stone driveway where piles of cleaned snow gathered at the edges. The evening air carried a sharp winter chill, though neither of them seemed particularly bothered by it. Vi’s thumb brushed lazily across Cait’s knuckles as they walked, the conversation between them easy and familiar after another long day.

Unfortunately, Cait’s evening was far from over.

“I still have that meeting with the Merchant Guild in two hours,” she sighed, already sounding mildly exhausted by the thought of it.

Vi groaned sympathetically. “Those people again? Thought you already survived enough torture for one month.”

 

Cait laughed quietly. “Apparently not.”

 

“I could always fake your death.”

 

“That would create paperwork.”

 

“Right.” Vi nodded solemnly. “Forgot how horrifying that is for you people.”

 

Cait smiled, leaning lightly against her shoulder for a moment as they continued up the path together. “What about you?”

 

“I’ll tackle the mountain of reports you dumped on my desk,” Vi said dramatically. “Assuming I don’t die halfway through them.”

 

“You’re very brave.”

 

“I know.”

 

Despite the teasing, there was something softer beneath it. Some quiet understanding between them that moments alone together had become increasingly rare lately. Between council meetings, investigations, patrols and the constant chaos surrounding the case, even peaceful evenings felt borrowed.

Still, somewhere between Cait’s meeting and Vi’s paperwork, they both hoped they might manage a little time together before the night finally slipped away from them again.

 

The moment they stepped through the front door, Wilks appeared with his usual uncanny timing, looking as immaculate as ever.

 

"Good evening, Miss Kiramman. Miss Vi."

 

"Evening, Wilks," Vi replied, shrugging out of her jacket.

 

Wilks accepted Cait's coat first with practiced elegance before turning his attention to Vi. His hand reached confidently for the garment, only to pause when he noticed the state of it. Mud stained the sleeves, rain had soaked through most of the fabric, and there appeared to be a suspicious dark smear near one shoulder that neither Cait nor Vi were prepared to identify.

For the briefest moment, Wilks simply stared at it.

Then, with the dignity of a man handling a potentially dangerous substance, he lifted the jacket using only two fingers.

 

"I shall... see to this."

 

The corners of Cait's mouth twitched.

 

"Good luck," Vi offered.

 

Wilks gave a small nod before disappearing down the corridor carrying the jacket as far away from his body as possible.

 

The second he was gone, both women exchanged a look and dissolved into laughter.

Their amusement was cut short by the sound of rapid footsteps thundering down the staircase.

 

"VI!"

 

Elara appeared at the top of the stairs and practically launched herself down them. Before Cait could even begin worrying about broken limbs, Vi caught the little girl effortlessly and swung her into her arms.

 

"Easy there, tiger."

 

Elara wrapped her arms around Vi's neck before immediately leaning toward Cait with an exaggerated pout of her lips.

 

Without hesitation, Cait stepped closer.

The little girl planted a dramatic kiss on her cheek.

 

If Cait hadn't melted at that exact moment, she never would. “Evening sweetheart. How was school?”

 

“Booooring” she rolled her eyes dramatically

"We playing the game?" she asked Vi eagerly.

 

"Right yes…the game. How could I forget.”

Vi replied, adjusting her grip on the child. "But first I need a shower."

 

"Why?"

 

"Because I stink."

 

Elara frowned thoughtfully before leaning forward and giving her an experimental sniff.

A second later she burst into uncontrollable giggles. "You do!"

 

"Told you."

 

"Check her!" Elara demanded, pointing at Cait.

 

Cait immediately adopted the serious expression she usually reserved for council meetings. "Very well."

 

She stepped closer, leaned toward Vi and took a careful breath.

Then she wrinkled her nose dramatically.

"Hm…I’m not gonna argue this time."

 

"See?" Vi lifted her brow

 

"I'm afraid the evidence is overwhelming." Cait giggled

 

Elara laughed so hard she nearly slipped from Vi's arms.

 

Eventually Vi set her back on the floor.

 

"I'll get the game ready in the library!" Elara announced before racing away so quickly she nearly became a blur. “Hurry up!”

 

Vi watched her disappear around the corner and let out a long sigh. "I don't know if I can keep up with this."

 

Cait laughed as they started climbing the staircase together.

 

"I adore her but fucking hell…Here I was thinking I'd get some quality time with my wife after work." Vi sighed

 

"This is entirely your fault."

 

"My fault?"

 

"You encouraged her."

 

"I encouraged nothing."

 

"You’re teaching her gambling."

 

"Useful life skill."

 

"You bought her boxing gloves."

 

"Also useful."

 

Cait shook her head, still smiling. "I sincerely hope you learn the concept of boundaries before we have children."

 

Vi stopped halfway up the stairs. "Wow."

 

"What?"

 

"Now you’re scaring the shit out of me. You sounded exactly like your mother."

 

Cait froze. Absolute horror spread across her face. "I did not."

 

"You really did."

 

"I absolutely did not."

 

Vi reached over and poked her in the ribs.

Cait squeaked and jumped away.

 

"Vi!"

 

Another poke followed.

 

"Stop!"

 

"You sounded just like Cassandra."

 

"I did not!"

 

Now laughing despite herself, Cait hurried up the remaining stairs. "'Children need structure, Violet,'" Vi said in a suspiciously accurate imitation.

 

"Oh gods."

 

"'Proper boundaries, Violet.'"

 

"That's enough."

 

"It was her voice, Cupcake." Vi poked her again

 

"Stop it."  Cait laughed giving up arguing and bolted. Actually bolted.

 

Vi stared after her for half a second before breaking into a grin. "Oh no you don't."

She took off immediately.

 

Cait's longer legs gave her an unfair advantage and she knew it. Her laughter echoed through the upper hallway as she darted around the corner.

 

"Not fair!" Vi called after her.

 

"It absolutely is!"

 

"Your legs are longer!"

 

"Sounds like a skill issue!" Cait yelled as she ran

 

Vi finally caught up near the far end of the corridor, grabbing Cait around the waist and slamming her against one of the bedroom doors.

 

The impact made both of them laugh.

Cait's hands landed on Vi's shoulders as she tried to look annoyed and failed miserably.

 

Their mouths crushed together in a playful kiss broken by the giggle into each other’s lips.  Unfortunately, they weren't alone.

One of the nearby doors opened and a maid stepped into the hallway carrying a basket of folded linens.

Cait transformed instantly.

Her posture straightened. Her expression became perfectly composed.

 

"Good evening, Miss Kiramman. Miss Vi." The maid greeted them politely.

 

"Good evening." They both report the same time.

 

Vi, meanwhile, still had one arm around Cait's waist and absolutely no shame whatsoever.

 

The maid's lips twitched suspiciously before she continued down the hallway.

The moment she disappeared around the corner, Cait slipped free and immediately made a run for it.

 

"Oh, come on!" Vi took off after her once more.

 

Their laughter echoed through the upper floor of the estate as Cait disappeared toward their rooms and Vi followed close behind.

 

……

 

The library was unusually lively for a room normally reserved for quiet reading and polite conversation.

A blanket had been dragged onto the floor in front of the fireplace. Cushions were scattered everywhere, half-finished drinks sat abandoned beside a growing collection of empty snack bowls, and crumbs had somehow found their way onto nearly every available surface.

In the middle of the chaos sat Vi and Elara.

Or more accurately, they were sprawled across the floor in various stages of competitive outrage.

"I absolutely did not move that pawn," Elara insisted.

"You did."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"I didn't!" Elara pointed dramatically across the board. "It was there."

"It was not there. You little cheat. I literally took my eyes off the board for two seconds and somehow your pawn travelled halfway across Piltover."

"You're tired," Elara replied with complete confidence. "You don't remember. You ate mine and then I rolled the dice and that's where I landed."

Vi stared at her. "I'm being manipulated."

The little girl folded her arms smugly.

For several seconds neither of them blinked. It became a battle of pure stubbornness until Elara finally looked away.

Not because she was losing.

Because she spotted a biscuit.

Vi pointed immediately. "Ha!"

"That doesn't count."

"It absolutely counts."

"No."

"You broke eye contact."

"I was hungry!"

"Sounds like a you problem."

Elara grabbed a cushion and launched it at her.

Vi caught it one-handed. “Violence?"

"You started it."

"Pretty sure you cheated."

"I did not cheat."

"You're winning."

Elara nodded proudly. “Exactly. You're just a sore loser."

Vi narrowed her eyes. "Right. Rematch. I'm gonna plaster your arse across this board."

"You wish."

"You're way too bold for your age."

The game board sat between them covered with colourful pawns, little wooden houses and stacks of brass coins. The objective had started out simple enough several hours ago.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way the rules had evolved.

Mostly whenever Elara was losing.

Vi pointed at a suspicious pile of coins. "Where did those come from?"

"I earned them."

"How?"

Elara thought for a moment. "Business."

Vi stared. “Business?"

"Yep."

"What business?"

"Business business. Every game is a business. You said so yourself.”

"That's not what I…”Vi rubbed her face.

“Gods.” This was exactly what arguing with Powder used to feel like. “Just roll the bloody dice."

Elara did so immediately before moving her pawn.

Vi sighed. “I think you're making up rules and you have tiny criminal hands."

Elara nearly fell over laughing. “I don’t.”

Vi grabbed both of her hands. “Look at them."

"They're normal."

"They're suspiciously tiny and they move around when nobody's looking."

The little girl dissolved into giggles.

Before long neither of them could remember what they had originally been arguing about, but the game continued anyway.

At one point Vi reached forward to move a pawn.

Elara slapped her hand.

"No."

"What?"

"You can't go there."

"Why the fuck not?"

"Because that's my castle."

Vi blinked. “We can move on castles."

"No we can't."

"Yes we can."

She grabbed the rule sheet and jabbed her finger at it. “It literally says right here: players can move through castles."

Elara snatched the paper from her hands and studied it carefully. Her eyebrows knitted together.

For a moment Vi thought she'd won.

Then Elara waved the sheet dramatically.

"Well that's not the Zaun way."

Vi stared. “There is no Zaun way."

"Yes there is."

"No there isn't."

"I played this game with my sister."

"And made up rules as you went along."

Elara grinned.

Vi groaned.

"Fine. No castles."

"Good."

"Making up rules again," Vi muttered.

"It's called imagination."

"It's called fraud."

That sent Elara into another fit of laughter.

Then came a sudden snort.

Both of them froze.

Vi slowly looked up. “What was that?"

Elara immediately covered her mouth. “Nothing”

"You snorted."

"No I didn't."

"You absolutely snorted."

Elara laughed harder. Then another snort escaped.

Vi pointed dramatically. “There! Again!"

Now neither of them could breathe.

Elara tipped sideways onto the carpet laughing while Vi collapsed against one of the cushions. “You're a snorting, tiny-handed fraud."

A cushion immediately hit her in the face.

The fire crackled softly beside them while evening settled beyond the tall library windows. For a little while the investigation, the paperwork, the council and every problem waiting outside the estate simply ceased to exist for Vi.  There was only the game, the snacks and a cute  six-year-old who was definitely cheating. And Vi enjoyed every minute of it.

Eventually Elara rolled the dice one final time.

The pawn landed perfectly.

She shot to her feet with both arms raised.

"I WIN!"

Vi stared at the board. “There's no way."

Elara planted both hands on her hips. “You just don't like losing."

“That's actually true." Vi shrugged

Elara burst out laughing.

"Come on, kid," Vi said, climbing to her feet. "Time for bed. I've got actual work to do."

"Nooooo."

"Yep."

"One more game."

"Nope."

"Pleeeeease."

"I promised your dad you'd be in bed by seven."

Vi turned her around and nudged her gently toward the door. “Go on. Off you go."

Elara turned again and pointed a finger at her. “Rematch on Sunday?"

"So you can cheat again? No chance."

"I won't anymore I promise.”

Vi narrowed her eyes. “Aha."

Elara froze.

"You just admitted it you little cheating pice of shit.”

The little girl burst into giggles and threw her arms around Vi's waist. “I loooove you."

Vi's entire expression softened. “Love you too, kid." She kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tightly. “Even if you are an absolute nightmare."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment. Bed now!”

Elara laughed and gave her a mock salute.

"Yes, ma'am." Then she bolted from the room before Vi could catch her.

 

The library fell quiet again.

Vi watched her disappear before shaking her head fondly. Stretching like a lazy cat, she let out a long yawn and started gathering the abandoned bowls and game pieces.

"Right," she muttered to herself. "That's enough fun for one night."

Somewhere across the city, completely unaware of the fierce battle that had just taken place, Caitlyn Kiramman was still trapped in a Merchant Guild meeting and counting the minutes until she could finally come home.

 

…..

 

 

By the time Caitlyn returned from the meeting, the manor had settled into silence.

Rain whispered steadily against the tall windows overlooking Piltover, the sound soft beneath the distant hum of the city below.

 

Most of the lights throughout the estate had already been dimmed for the evening, leaving only pools of warm amber light stretching across the corridors.

 

Cait exhaled quietly as she loosened the collar of her uniform. Her shoulders ached from hours spent trapped in endless discussions, political arguments, and paperwork that never seemed to end.

 

As she passed the study, however, she noticed a thin strip of light beneath the door.

A tired smile immediately touched her lips.

 

Vi.

 

She pushed the door open. Vi was at the desk surrounded by reporters which covered nearly every inch of the desk alongside maps, loose notes, and folders stacked in uneven piles. She sat in the middle of it all, pencil in hand, completely absorbed in whatever she was reading.

She looked up the second Cait entered and instantly softened.

 

“There you are,” Vi said quietly.

 

Something warm unfurled in Cait’s chest at the sight of her. She crossed the room without a word and leaned down behind the chair, pressing a gentle kiss against Vi’s cheek.

 

Vi practically melted. Her eyes slipped closed immediately, a quiet hum leaving her throat as she leaned into the affection like she’d been waiting for it all evening.

 

Cait couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped her.

 

“Still working?”

 

“Mhm.” The answer came absentmindedly.

 

Then Vi reached for her without hesitation, sliding an arm around Cait’s waist before tugging her sideways into her lap.

 

Cait let out a surprised laugh as she landed against her.

 

“You looked stressed,” Vi murmured. “Thought I’d intervene.”

 

“How heroic of you.”

 

“I know.”

 

Cait settled against her comfortably, one arm looping loosely around Vi’s shoulders as she glanced over the paperwork scattered across the desk.

 

Vi had actually been making notes but content made Cait giggle. One line appeared to simply read ‘Punch him’, the other report had a note ‘Asshole is lying’ 

 

Cait smiled faintly while scanning through the pages until her attention suddenly snagged on something in the corner of one report. A small doodle of a cupcake with few harts. 

 

Cait stared at it for a moment before slowly turning toward Vi. “…Really?”

 

Vi looked entirely unapologetic. “I got bored.”

 

Cait brushed her thumb lightly over the doodle, amusement softening the exhaustion still lingering behind her eyes.

“You’re aware these are official documents?”

 

Vi shrugged lazily. “I’m close with the Sheriff. Pretty sure she won’t mind.”

 

Cait hummed thoughtfully as though seriously considering the matter. “Well… perhaps she’ll appreciate the artistic contribution.”

 

Vi grinned instantly. “She might.” 

 

“Mhm. Authority figures do enjoy being properly admired.”

 

Vi’s hands settled more comfortably around her waist as she leaned in slightly closer.

“And am I doing a good job admiring this particular authority figure?”

 

Cait allowed her fingers to drift slowly along the open collar of Vi’s shirt, brushing teasingly against the warm skin. “I suppose,” she said softly, “that depends entirely on where the admiration is being directed.”

 

Vi’s breath caught just slightly. “Oh?”

 

Her hand slid slowly along Cait’s thigh beneath the desk while she brushed her lips against the corner of Cait’s mouth. “What about here?” She murmured as her hand got bolder. 

 

Cait’s eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment at the touch. “Yes,” she whispered. “That seems appropriate.”

 

Vi smiled faintly before kissing her properly. slow and familiar. The kind of kiss that quietly unraveled parts of Cait like nothing else did.  Her fingers slipped into the soft hair at the back of Vi’s neck.

 

The paperwork sat abandoned on the desk and neither of them cared enough to fix that.

 

….

 

WEDNESDAY

 

Wednesday morning at the Piltover precinct was already too loud, too busy, and far too polished for Vi’s liking.

Boots echoed along clean floors, papers shuffled, voices carried in clipped, efficient tones. Everything moved with that same controlled precision that Piltover seemed to pride itself on.

Vi stood in the deputy sheriff’s office, arms folded, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else.

Beside her stood the newest addition.

Officer Timothy Spencer.

Young. Fresh. Ginger hair that refused to stay neat no matter how much effort had clearly gone into it. Freckles scattered across his face, and a posture so stiff it practically screamed academy graduate.

He looked like Darren. Maybe younger

 

Vi glanced at him once, then back at the deputy. “ …What’s going on?”

 

The deputy clasped his hands behind his back. “Officer Spencer will be assigned to you for training.”

 

Vi blinked. “…You’re joking. Right?

 

“I am not.”

 

Vi let out a slow breath through her nose, already annoyed. “What about Lance?”

She jerked a thumb vaguely toward Timothy. “No offence to you, mate.”

 

Timothy straightened even more. “None taken, ma’am.”

 

Vi winced. “Yeah, don’t call me that.”

 

She turned back to the deputy. “What about Lance?”

 

The deputy shifted slightly. “Officer Lance is still on sick leave. When he returns, he will likely be reassigned.” He said handing her the officer’s file.

 

There was a pause.

 

Then… “No,” Vi said flatly pushing the folder away.

 

The deputy frowned. “Excuse me?”

 

“No. Absolutely not.”

 

“Vi…”

 

“Why?” she cut in sharply. “Why is he being reassigned?”

 

The deputy hesitated. “It’s just more convenient.”

 

“Convenient for who? What the fuck are you trying to say?”

 

“Vi…Just drop it.”

 

Vi’s eyes narrowed. “…Wait a fucking minute.”

 

The room went still.

 

“Is this about the shooting?” she pressed, stepping closer. “You’re pulling him because of what happened?”

 

The deputy sighed, already bracing. “It just… looks bad.”

 

Vi stared at him. Then barked out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Looks bad?”

Her voice dropped, sharper now. “On who exactly? You… or me?”

 

“Now hold on…”

 

“No, you hold on,” Vi snapped. “Who authorised this?”

 

The deputy’s jaw tightened. “Vi, drop it.”

 

“Does Cait know?”

 

“I said drop it.”

 

Vi let out a breath punching a table with her fist. “Yeah. Didn’t think so.” She turned on her heel.

 

“Vi…It’s a done deal!”

 

“Yeah,” she threw over her shoulder, already at the door. “We’ll see about that.”

 

The door slammed behind her.

 

The deputy stood there for a second, then threw a folder on a desk with a sharp smack.

 

“I am so sick of this shit!”

 

…..

 

Cait’s office door flew open hard enough to make the hinges rattle.

 

“Did you authorise Lance being reassigned?”

 

The words hit the room before Vi even fully stepped inside.

 

Cait looked up sharply from her desk. She wasn’t alone. Another officer stood across from her, mid-discussion.

 

“…What?”

 

Vi stepped further in, already wound tight. “Did you reassign Lance?”

 

Cait blinked once, clearly caught off guard.

Then she turned smoothly to the officer. “If you would excuse me for a moment.”

 

The man nodded quickly and made a very smart exit. The door clicked shut behind him.

 

Then there was a silence for a moment. The only sound in the room was Vi’s heavy breathing.

 

Cait stood. Slowly. “What is this about?” She said calmly “And why,” she added, one brow lifting slightly, “are you barging into my office as if you intend to remove the door entirely?”

 

Vi dragged a hand through her hair, pacing once. “They’re reassigning Lance.”

 

Cait’s expression shifted, confusion replacing irritation. “What?”

 

“Deputy’s bright idea,” Vi shot back. “Apparently it ‘looks bad.’”

 

Cait frowned. “Looks bad?”

 

“Yeah,” Vi said, turning back to her. “You know. Because of the shooting. It’s apparently too messy.” Her voice was rising again. “Did you sign off on this?”

 

Cait held her gaze. “No.”The word landed clean. Certain.

 

Vi stilled slightly. “…You didn’t?”

 

“No.” Cait stepped around the desk, tone sharpening just a fraction. “And I would appreciate you giving me the benefit of the doubt.  Also, if I may add, being informed before decisions like this are made.”

 

Vi exhaled, “Sorry. So what is this bullshit then?”

 

“I have no idea but I can assure you I will find out!”

 

A beat passed. Then Cait stepped closer, reaching up without warning to fix Vi’s collar.

 

Vi blinked. “What are you…”

 

“You need to lower your voice,” Cait said calmly, smoothing the fabric into place. “And compose yourself.”

 

“I’ll try…It just pissed me off…”

 

Cait’s fingers paused. “is that a food stain?” She squinted slightly.

 

Vi looked down. “…No.”

 

“It is absolutely a food stain.”

 

“It’s soup,” Vi muttered.

 

Cait sighed softly, brushing at it with her thumb like that might somehow help. “You storm into my office, shouting, covered in soup…”

 

“I am not covered in….”

 

“You are.”

 

Vi huffed.

 

Cait stepped back, straightening her own posture again. “For the time being,” she said, slipping back into that composed authority, “you will work with the new recruit.”

 

Vi groaned immediately. “Cait…”

 

“Temporarily,” Cait added, holding her gaze.

“When Lance returns, I will sort it.”

 

“Oh come ooon!”

 

Cait softened just slightly, reaching out again, this time resting her hand on Vi’s chest using the other one to wrap around her waist, pulling her in. “I promise.”

 

Vi studied her for a second. “…You better.”

 

Cait’s lips curved faintly. Then, without warning, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to Vi’s lips. Effortless. Casual. Then deepening it in a way entirely inappropriate for the workplace.

 

“…What was that for?” Vi smirked as they pulled apart

 

“Incentive,” Cait replied smoothly.

 

Vi snorted. “Right. More like a bribe”

 

“Call it what you want” Cait smirked sitting on the edge of her desk. “I need you take him on for a while. Nobody wants him. If anyone can sort him out it’s you”

 

“What’s the problem with the kid?”

 

“You’ll see,” she said, not even trying to hide the amusement in her voice.

 

Vi narrowed her eyes slightly. “…I don’t like that answer.”

 

“Love you” Cait extended her leg rubbing the inside of Vi’s thigh

 

“You play dirty Kiramman”

 

“But I pay double” Cait winked

 

“I’m such a sucker” Vi rolled her eyes and turned towards the door

 

“Thank yooou” Cait called out

 

“Thank me at home” Vi said leaving the room

 

“I will” she laughed as Vi left

 

….

 

The Undercity felt even worse than usual that day.

The rain didn’t fall so much as it dragged itself down from the sky, cold and reluctant, turning the already grimy streets into a slick mess of black water and broken reflections. It soaked into everything. Walls oozed damp. Pipes hissed and dripped. Every surface felt like it had been touched by something old and sick and never properly cleaned.

The stones underfoot were uneven, slick with oil and rainwater, and every step came with a faint squelch that never quite went away.

Vi led the way through it all, shoulders set, jacket heavy with damp. Darren followed close behind, trying not to look like he was regretting every life choice that led him here.

 

Timothy Spencer brought up the rear, stiff and alert, like he was expecting Zaun itself to jump him.

 

Vi stopped at the edge of a narrow street lined with half-collapsed signage and flickering light.

“Alright,” she said, turning to them. “Listen up.”

 

Both men straightened immediately.

 

“When we go in,” she continued, “I talk. You don’t touch anything. You don’t wander. You don’t breathe funny. Got it?”

 

Darren nodded quickly. “Got it.”

 

Timothy followed. “Understood, ma’am.”

 

Vi sighed. “Don’t call me that.”

 

She turned back toward the shop. A small, crooked sign hung above a narrow door wedged between two taller buildings. Inside, faint light flickered behind grimy glass.

Vi pushed the door open.

 

A small bell chimed overhead, too cheerful for a place like this. The shop looked empty at first.

Shelves lined the walls, cluttered with mechanical parts, half-finished devices, and sealed boxes stacked in uneven towers. The air smelled like oil, metal, and something burnt that never quite left.

From somewhere deeper inside, a voice called out.

 

“Be with you in a minute.”

 

Darren stepped in slowly, eyes darting everywhere, completely fascinated despite himself. He leaned slightly toward Tim, pointing at something on a shelf, trying to get his attention.

 

Timothy barely glanced at it. “Not interested.”

 

Darren frowned but didn’t push it.

Then the man appeared.

He came through a green curtain that separated the shop from the back rooms, wiping his hands on a dirty cloth.

Slim build. Sharp features. Long dark hair tied loosely into a bun on top of his head. Tattoos ran across both arms in dense, intricate patterns, disappearing under rolled-up sleeves. On his left hand two metal fingers caught the light as she wiped them with a cloth. He didn’t look up right away.

 

“Right,” he said, still drying his hands. “How can I help…” He lifted his gaze. Saw the uniforms.

 

The cloth dropped straight from his hand.

For half a second, he just stared. “Crap!”

Then he turned and bolted.

 

“Shit,” Vi said immediately. She didn’t hesitate. She vaulted over the counter in one clean movement. “Darren, Tim, move!”

 

The man was already gone through the back. A door slammed somewhere beyond the curtain. Vi bolted after him.

The back of the shop opened into narrow corridors crammed with shelves and stacked crates, mechanical parts hanging from hooks, wires crossing overhead like tangled vines. The floor was uneven, scattered with loose tools and debris.

As the man ran, he deliberately knocked things over behind him. Boxes crashed. Metal parts clattered loudly onto the ground.

A chain of chaos designed to slow them down.

Vi ducked under a falling shelf bracket, swearing under her breath.

 

“Seriously?” she muttered, pushing forward.

 

Darren and Timothy burst out the exit of the shop, skidding into a stop Darren pointed sharply left towards the small alley from the side of the building.

 

“This way!”

 

The man burst into a side room at the end of the corridor and grabbed a Zaun-made firearm, crude but deadly, cobbled together from mismatched parts and glowing weakly with unstable charge.

 

Vi barely had time to register before the shots were fired

 

“Fuck!” She shouted dropping to the floor just as they ripped through the air right above her head.

 

The round punched through the doorframe, splintering wood and punching holes into the wall above and around her.

 

Vi raised her gauntlets instinctively, shielding her face as more shots followed. The rounds flicked against them.

 

Then the man kicked the back door open and bolted outside. But the moment his foot hit the wet ground a wooden plank swung up hard and slammed directly into his face.

 

He dropped instantly into a puddle, water splashing up around him as he hit the slick, stone-strewn ground.

 

“YES!!” Darren let out an involuntary cheer waiving the plank victoriously.

 

But then Tim stepped in and drove his boot into the man’s stomach. Hard, once then twice. Once again. “Fucking scum!”

 

The man curled in on himself, gasping.

 

Darren froze for half a second, then snapped forward. “Woah…back off, man!”

He grabbed his arm and yanked him away.

 

Tim spun on him instantly. No hesitation. The punch came fast and clean.

Darren didn’t even have time to react before the other man’s fist cracked straight into his nose. A sharp, sickening impact. Darren staggered back, hand flying to his face as blood spilled between his fingers.

 

“Man what the…”

 

But Timothy wasn’t done. He shoved forward again, grabbing Darren by the front of his uniform and driving him back against the wall. Darren pushed back, catching his shoulder and swinging blindly in return. His fist clipped Tim’s jaw, not clean, but enough to snap his head to the side.

Now it was a fight.

Boots slipping on wet stone, breath sharp, both of them swinging too fast, too messy. Darren tried to shove him off, but Tim came straight back, anger flaring hot and uncontrolled.

 

“Stay out of it!” Timothy snapped, going for him again.

 

Darren blocked poorly, still half-dazed, and caught another glancing hit as he tried to steady himself.

 

“What’s your problem man?”

 

They crashed into each other again, slipping in the puddles, turning the narrow alley into chaos in seconds.

 

Vi arrived a second later and didn’t even slow down. She grabbed Timothy by the collar and hauled him off his feet like he weighed nothing, slamming him down onto the wet stone ground. Her boot planted firmly on his shoulder, pinning him.

 

“Touch him again,” Vi said low, voice sharp as glass, “and I will rip your tonsils out and feed them to you. Do we understand each other?”

 

Tim went still. “…Okay. Okay. Chill.”

 

Vi didn’t move. “Do we understand each other?”

 

“YES! Yes we do!.”

 

Only then did she release him, hauling him back to his feet by his collar like he was a sack of potatoes.

 

Darren stepped back into view, wiping blood from his nose with his sleeve. “He was kicking him, boss.”

 

Vi turned immediately to him, voice still firm but shifting to something more tender. “You alright?”

 

Darren nodded quickly. “Yeah. I’m fine, boss.”

 

Vi gave a short nod, then reached out and patted his shoulder once. Firm. Approving.

“Good job kid.” Then she turned to Tim “And you…Cool off or I swear by any god you pray to I will have your badge. Got it?”

 

He didn’t say anything, just nodded wiping blood from his own nose.

 

…..

 

The precinct turned heads the second Vi and the boys walked through the main doors.

Mostly because they looked like they personally fought the Undercity or being dragged through mud.

 

Rainwater still dripped from the hem of Vi’s jacket. Hair plastered to her face. Mud streaked across one sleeve and there was something greasy smeared across her shoulder.

 

In front of her, the man from the augmentation shop stumbled forward in cuffs looking thoroughly miserable.

 

Darren followed next. Poor kid looked rough.

One side of his face was already swelling purple around the eye, dried blood still visible beneath his nose. His uniform was muddy, ripped at the shoulder, one sleeve hung half torn from the cuff.

Timothy Spencer came behind them in silence looking equally wrecked, though far angrier about it.

His jaw was bruised, lip split, and his expression had settled somewhere between humiliation and murderous resentment.

 

Other officers at the station just stared but nobody dared to ask.

 

Vi shoved the prisoner lightly toward the front desk officer.

“Book him in,” she said. “I’ll sort the paperwork later.”

 

The officer blinked once at the state of the entire group. “…Right.”

 

Vi turned toward Darren immediately, her tone softening by several levels.

“Hey kid,” she said, pointing at him. “Go clean yourself up.”

 

Darren straightened automatically despite looking half dead. “Yes boss.”

 

“And go see the nurse,” Vi added, squinting at his face. “Your eye’s starting to look like a fresh doughnut.”

 

Darren snorted tiredly. “Thanks boss.”

 

He turned to leave before Vi suddenly called after him.

“Hey Darren”

 

Darren looked back instantly. “Yeah?”

 

Vi pointed toward her own face. “You gotta stop blocking with your nose, kid. We’re gonna work on that.”

 

A grin spread across Darren’s bruised face despite everything. “Yes boss.”

 

Then he disappeared down the corridor.

Vi watched him go for half a second before turning slowly toward Timothy.

The warmth vanished instantly.

 

“You,” she said sharply. “With me.”

 

Timothy hesitated. Then nodded stiffly and followed her.

Vi led him down one of the quieter hallways toward an empty interview room. The second they stepped inside, she shut the door behind them. Then locked it.

Timothy immediately noticed.

 

“…Why are you locking the—”

 

“Sit.” The word cracked through the room like a whip.

 

He hesitated just long enough for nerves to visibly flicker across his face. Then obeyed.

The chair scraped against the floor as he sat down stiffly.

The moment he settled Vi moved. Fast.

She grabbed the back of his neck and slammed his face directly into the table.

The impact echoed through the room.

Timothy yelled out in shock, arms flailing instantly as Vi twisted one of them sharply behind his back.

 

“You like picking on kids?” she hissed.

 

“WHAT…fuck!…”

 

“You like hitting people smaller than you?”

 

“I didn’t…”

 

Vi twisted harder.He yelped. Then suddenly she released him completely. Timothy stumbled up from the chair instantly, fury overriding common sense as he launched straight at her. Vi barely moved. Her fist cracked across his face hard enough to stagger him sideways before he even reached her properly. He nearly hit the wall.

 

Vi rolled one shoulder lazily before curling two fingers toward herself. “C’mon,” she taunted. “You seemed real excited about fighting earlier.”

 

Timothy spat blood onto the floor and glared at her. “You’re fucking psychotic.”

 

Vi snorted. "Buddy, you never met my sister."

 

She lowered her guard deliberately and spread her arms slightly. "Go on then."

 

Timothy hesitated.

 

Vi's grin widened. "Thought so." She clicked her tongue. "Wimp."

 

Predictably he lunged again. Vi ducked under the swing and drove her fist hard into his ribs. The air left his lungs instantly.

Timothy folded forward with a strangled noise, clutching his side.

 

“Are we done?” Vi asked casually.

 

He lifted one hand shakily in surrender while wheezing for oxygen.

 

Vi crouched slightly, grabbing the front of his uniform and forcing him to look at her.

“Pick on someone your own size next time,” she said lowly. “Because I will not tolerate that shit. Not now. Not ever. You understand me?”

 

Timothy nodded quickly, still gasping.

 

Vi finally let go and started pacing slowly around the room.

 

“When you’re out there,” she continued, gesturing vaguely toward the city outside, “your ass depends on the people standing next to you.”

 

She pointed sharply toward the door.

“You think Darren’s weak? Fine. But one day it’s gonna be him dragging your bleeding body out of some alley while bullets fly over your head.”

 

Timothy stayed silent.

 

Vi stepped closer again. “You keep pulling this macho bullshit, you’re gonna end up dead in a gutter inside a week.” Her voice sharpened. “You want that?”

 

“No.”

 

“Good.” She jabbed a finger toward him.

“Now go apologise to Darren.”

 

Timothy looked away bitterly.

 

“And you better fucking mean it.”

 

Then she unlocked the door and walked straight out only to nearly walk directly into Cait.

 

Cait blinked at her in surprise.

“Oh. Hello.” Her eyes flicked briefly toward Vi’s bruised knuckles. “I didn’t realise you were back already.”

 

“Yeah,” Vi answered casually.

 

Behind her, Timothy finally emerged from the room holding his ribs and limping slightly.

 

Cait’s brows lifted immediately.

“…Is everything alright?”

 

Vi leaned in and stole a quick kiss from her lips with the most innocent smile imaginable.“Yep,” she said smoothly. “Just had a little chat.”

 

Cait nodded with a smile as Vi took her hand and started leading her down the hallway. “C’mon. Let’s get lunch.”

 

Cait allowed herself to be pulled along for approximately five seconds. Then she slowed. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“…Wait a minute.”

 

Vi kept walking. Cait stopped completely this time, tugging lightly on her hand.

“Violet.”

 

Vi looked back with entirely fake confusion.

“Yeah?”

 

“What sort of chat exactly?”

 

Vi looked thoughtful for a second. “About valuable teamwork skills.”

 

Cait stared at her. “Vi…You hit him?”

 

“I educated him.”

 

Cait closed her eyes briefly. “Oh my gods.”

 

Vi stepped closer again, “He punched Darren.”

 

Cait opened her one eye immediately.

“…He did what?”

 

“Yeah.” Vi folded her arms smugly. “Funny how your concern vanished real fast there.”

 

“Nevertheless…You can’t go around punching junior officers.”

 

“Better me than someone else. With his attitude he’s gonna be lucky if he doesn’t get himself killed.”

 

Cait sighed deeply “I should suspend you.”

 

Vi leaned close enough for their noses to brush. “But you won’t…”

 

“…No,” Cait admitted quietly. “Probably not.”

She shook her head trying hard not to laugh at Vi’s confidence in that statement.

 

“Cause you know I’m right” Vi added as they were leaving

 

“Shut up.”

 

“Make me.” She grinned kissing her cheek

 

….

 

 

Morning crept into the Kiramman house gently, pale winter light slipping through the tall windows and settling over the kitchen in a soft glow.

 

The room was already alive.

The scent of fresh bread, herbs, and something sweet drifted through the air. The staff moved in and out doing their usual morning chores.

 

Dora stood at the counter, carefully arranging small, delicate cocktail bites on a tray, while Anika worked beside the stove, stirring something warm.

 

“I’m just so glad he’s awake,” Dora said, her voice gentle. “That poor boy… what he must have been through.”

 

Anika nodded, though her expression held a sharper edge. “I only hope they find whoever did it,” she said. “And when they do, they throw them into Stillwater and never let them out.”

 

Dora hesitated, then sighed softly. “Sometimes…” she murmured, “I almost wish there was a death sentence.”

 

A quiet chuckle came from the doorway.

“Well, damn,” Vi’s voice cut in, amused. “Someone woke up and chose violence.”

She stepped into the kitchen, dropping a quick, fond kiss on Dora’s cheek as she passed.

 

Dora laughed, swatting lightly at her arm.

 

Anika shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “We were talking about Caleb.”

 

“Yeah, figured,” Vi said, leaning casually against the table. “Don’t worry. We’ll catch whoever did it.”

 

Her grin turned a little wicked. “Then we hand them over to Nyx.”

 

She shrugged. “Much worse than Stillwater.”

Without missing a beat, she leaned forward, eyeing the tray. “Oh, now these look…”

She snatched one of the neatly arranged bites and popped it straight into her mouth.

 

“Hey, get your paws away from those!” Dora snapped, swatting her with a kitchen towel. “Those are for Mister Tobias’s meeting!”

 

Vi just smirked, chewing unapologetically.

“Worth it,” she said through a mouthful, then swallowed. “Mmm….actually,” she added, straightening slightly, “speaking of food. Cait sent me. She wants a shopping list for Snowdown. We’re gonna pop to the market later on”

 

Betty immediately wiped her hands and moved to the drawer by the sink, pulling out a piece of paper.

 

Anika glanced over. “Cait is doing the shopping?”

 

Vi grinned. “Yeah. Thought I’d give her a proper taste of real life for once.”

 

That earned a soft huff of amusement from Dora as she handed over the note. “Please, you choose the flour.”

 

“I’ll be choosing everything. She can’t tick the list!” Vi chuckled taking a note out of her hands then looked back at Anika.

“You should come up,” she said. “Have breakfast with us. Meet Caleb. Might be good for you.”

 

“Oh I don’t know.” Anika hesitated almost instantly, her shoulders tightening just a fraction. “I think I’d just feel… awkward.”

 

Vi blinked at her, then snorted.

“With that lot?” she said. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She shook her head, already stepping backward toward the door.

“Trust me, you’ll be fine.”

 

Then, in one smooth motion, she grabbed another snack off the tray.

 

“Vi!” Dora snapped again. “I swear…”

 

Too late.

 

“love yoooou” Vi laughed already halfway out the door, grinning like a menace as she disappeared into the hallway.

 

“You’re a menace!” Dora called after her.

 

Vi burst out laughing, her voice echoed down the hallway as she disappeared around the corner.

 

….

 

Caleb’s room was quiet, wrapped in soft morning light that filtered gently through the curtains. The fire had burned low, leaving just enough warmth for it to feel cosy.

Nyx sat behind her brother on the bed, careful and steady as her fingers worked through his hair, braiding it with practiced ease.

 

“You’re pulling,” Caleb muttered, though there was no real bite to it.

 

“You’re whining,” Nyx replied calmly, tightening the braid just a fraction before softening her touch again.

 

He huffed faintly, but didn’t argue.

She continued, her voice quieter now, recounting everything that had happened in his absence. The shootings, the kidnappings, disappearances, people who they lost, home that no longer existed. All the pain and long sleepless nights.

And Switch.

 

By the time she finished, Caleb had gone very quiet. He wiped tears escaping from his eyes.

 

“Fucking monsters,” he said quietly, his jaw tightening.

 

Nyx didn’t interrupt.

 

“And out of all the places you end up in the Sheriff’s house.”

 

She tied his braid then rested her chin briefly against his shoulder. “We needed help,” she said simply. “And no one was willing… or able.”

 

She let out a small breath. “Not like some local baker’s going to take on a chem barron.”

 

Caleb snorted faintly at that. “How the hell did you get them to help you?”

 

“I heard about them,” she continued. “Two people snooping around, asking questions.”

She smiled just slightly. “So I followed them.”

 

Caleb turned his head a fraction. “Of course you did.”

 

Nyx shrugged lightly. “They needed us. We needed them.”

 

There was a pause.

 

“So now you work with Topside?” Caleb asked, scepticism clear in his voice.

 

Nyx leaned over his shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “Hey…They’re not that bad,” she murmured.

 

Caleb let out a quiet, disbelieving breath. “Right. Because the Sheriff of Piltover suddenly cares about the Undercity?”

 

Nyx smiled, a little more knowingly this time.

“Well,” she said lightly, “she’s marrying one of us.”

 

Caleb blinked. “You’re joking.”

 

“You’ll see.” She kissed his cheek “Be nice.”

 

“I always am.”

 

“Yeah right” she snorted

 

A knock came at the door before he could respond.

 

“Come in,” Nyx called.

 

The door opened and Jorin stepped in, a grin already spreading across his face the moment he saw Caleb upright.

 

“Well, look who decided to re-join the living,” he said. “Hey, big brain. How you holding up?”

 

He crossed the room quickly.

 

Caleb lifted a hand and they clasped it, pulling into a rough but warm hug.

“Could be better,” Caleb muttered.

 

Jorin pulled back, looking him over. “Yeah, you look like shit.”

 

Caleb huffed a weak laugh. “Cheers mate.”

 

Jorin clapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Come on. Breakfast is served.”

 

Caleb raised a brow, glancing between the two of them then burst out laughing

“Listen to you,” he said, voice dry. “Breakfast is served. What is this? You two gone all Topside on me?”

 

Nyx rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut up.”

 

Caleb shook his head, a faint smile pulling at his lips despite everything. “Unbelievable.” He shifted, trying to stand and immediately wobbled.

 

Jorin caught him without hesitation, steadying him by the arm. “Easy buddy…there’s no rush” he said.

 

Nyx was already there on the other side. “Hey, hey… slowly,” she murmured. “You’re not running anywhere today.”

 

Caleb exhaled, leaning slightly into their support. “Yeah… no shit.”

 

…..

 

 

They stepped out into the main hall slowly, Caleb leaning heavily into Jorin’s side, one arm draped over his shoulders as they moved at a careful pace.

And then Caleb stopped mid-step. His grip tightened slightly without him realising.

The space opened up around them in a way he wasn’t prepared for.

Ceilings that stretched impossibly high, disappearing into shadow and light. Gold-trimmed mouldings that caught the morning glow. The grand staircase sweeping downwards like something out of a story, wrapped in garlands and soft holiday decorations that shimmered faintly.

Everything felt… vast. Too vast. Caleb let out a quiet breath, his eyes moving slowly across it all, taking it in piece by piece.

Nyx watched him, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I know.”

Caleb shook his head faintly, still staring.

“You could fit half the Undercity in here,” he muttered.

Jorin huffed a quiet laugh. “Probably.”

Caleb glanced down at the polished floor beneath his feet, then back up again, still trying to place himself in it.

“Feels like if I breathe wrong, I’ll break something,” he added dryly.

Nyx nudged him lightly. “Relax. It’s just a house.”

Caleb gave her a look.

“Right,” he said. “Just a house.”

“Yeah,” a voice came from behind them, easy and familiar, “I know the feeling.”

They all turned.

Vi stood a few steps away, hands tucked loosely in her pockets and a crooked half-smile

She stepped forward without hesitation, pulling one hand free and holding it out.

“Vi,” she said. “Good to see you on your feet.”

Caleb shifted slightly, adjusting his balance against Jorin before reaching out to take her hand. Her grip was firm, grounding.

“Caleb,” he replied. “Likewise… I think.”

Vi huffed a quiet laugh. “Yeah, give it a day. Standing’s overrated anyway.”

Caleb laughed.

“Morning everyone” Cait called out as she walked out of their room. Her hand came to rest lightly on Vi’s shoulder, a small, familiar touch before her attention turned fully to Caleb.

“Caitlyn, how very nice to finally meet you Caleb.” she said warmly, “it’s very good to see you looking better.”  Her expression softened immediately. She took his hand with quiet grace.

“Nice to meet you too, and thank you for your hospitality and…well, getting me out of there. Both of you…Nyx told me everything.”

“I am just glad to see you feeling better. You gave us all a bit of a worry.”

“It’s alright, she’s sending you the bill for everything.” Vi smirked and Caleb laughed.

“Oh…stop it!” Cait smacked Vi’s shoulder as the other woman continued to laugh “That was a joke by the way”

“You probably don’t remember” he said “but I knew your mother.”

“Yes,” she said. “I know. Nyx told me.”

There was a flicker of something shared there.

 “I’m so sorry…for what happened to her. She was a good woman.”

Cait held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you. She truly was.”

The moment lingered just long enough to be felt, then eased.

Cait drew in a small breath, the warmth returning to her tone as she glanced toward the dining room.

“Well,” she said lightly, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am absolutely starving.”

She gestured toward the stairs . “Shall we?”

Vi smirked. “Now that’s an offer I’m not turning down.”

Jorin adjusted his hold on Caleb. “Come on, big brain. Let’s get you fed.”

….

 

They stepped into the dining room.

Warmth, light, and the sound of laughter wrapped around them instantly. The long table was already alive with movement, plates being passed, quiet conversations overlapping.

The small blur of energy came running straight across the room.

Vi barely had time to react before she was scooping her up effortlessly, lifting her into her arms with a grin.

“Morning, Tiger,” she said, voice softening in a way it rarely did.

Elara beamed and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

Vi blinked, then smirked. “Oh? I get a kiss today?”

Elara giggled, clearly pleased with herself.

Then her attention shifted. Her eyes landed on Caleb, who was just being greeted by Tobias at the table. She tilted her head slightly, curiosity lighting up her face.

“Is that Nyx’s brother?” she asked, looking back at Vi.

Vi followed her gaze, then nodded. “Yeah, that’s him.”

Elara leaned closer, lowering her voice like it was a secret. “Can I say hi?”

Vi’s grin softened. “Course you can.”

She adjusted Elara on her hip and walked over.

…..

 

The dining room settled into a warm, easy rhythm once everyone was seated.

Voices overlapped, laughter rose and fell, cutlery clinked softly against plates. It felt… normal. Almost too normal.

Caleb sat there for a moment, just taking it in.

The long table, laid out with more food than he’d seen in one place in years. The polished cutlery. The soft glow of morning light catching on glass and gold.

And then the people. The Undercity and Piltover, all mixed together like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Caleb let out a quiet breath, almost to himself.

“…This is something,” he muttered.

Nyx appeared behind him then, placed a plate down in front of him. It was full. All his favourites.

For a second, his expression shifted completely, the weight lifting just enough to let something softer through.

“Nyx…”

She leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Eat,” she said simply.

Then she slid into the chair beside him.

Next to her Jorin reached out without thinking, his fingers settling at the back of her neck, a quiet, grounding touch.

Nyx softened instantly, leaning into it.

Jorin watched her for a moment, something warm in his eyes.

“I’m gonna have to get used to this,” he said.

Nyx blinked up at him. “What?”

He smiled faintly. “You smiling again.”

Her expression melted completely.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead, and Nyx closed her eyes for just a second, letting herself rest in that moment.

Further down the table, Cait watched them, a small, genuine smile on her face.

Without thinking, her hand found Vi’s under the table, fingers lacing briefly, giving a soft squeeze.

Vi glanced at her, smirk softening into something quieter, then squeezed back.

At the head of the table, Tobias cleared his throat lightly, drawing Caleb’s attention.

“Caitlyn tells me,” he began, his tone calm and measured, “that my late wife was… something of a patron of yours?”

Caleb looked up, still chewing, then nodded.

“Yes and no,” he said after swallowing.

Tobias tilted his head slightly, inviting him to continue.

“She saw something I presented on Progress Day,” Caleb explained. “A project I’d been working on. She was very interested in it.”

A faint shadow crossed his expression. “But things moved fast after that. She never really got the chance to support it properly.”

Tobias nodded slowly. “What was it you were working on?”

Caleb leaned back slightly, his hands moving instinctively as he spoke.

“Mechanical centres,” he said. “Assistive machines. Designed for mines, construction sites… lifting heavy loads, digging, stabilising structures. Taking the strain off workers.”

There was a flicker of pride there.

“Making things safer. Faster.”

Then it faded.

“But now…” he hesitated, jaw tightening slightly. “Now they’ve turned it into something else.”

The table quieted just a little.

“Weaponised it,” he said bluntly.

Tobias exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “I am very sorry for what happened to you.”

He glanced briefly toward Cait and Vi.

“My daughter and Vi are… quite determined to put a stop to that.”

Vi huffed lightly. “Working on it.”

Tobias gave a small nod, then looked back to Caleb.

“I also know Caitlyn has a strong interest in continuing her mother’s work,” he said. “In supporting innovation where it matters.”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“Perhaps she could offer what my wife never had the chance to. If that is something you would consider.”

A beat.

“Of course,” Tobias added gently, “given everything you’ve been through, it would be entirely understandable if you chose otherwise.”

Caleb didn’t hesitate.

“No,” he said firmly, shaking his head. “Nothing’s going to stop me.”

There was something steady in his voice now. Something alive again.

“This is what I do. What I’ve always wanted to do.”

A small, almost eager smile pulled at his lips.

“I can’t wait to get back to the drafting board.”

Nyx’s expression softened at that. She watched him quietly, relief, pride, and something deeper all settling in her eyes as he spoke.

….

The dining room slowly emptied, the warmth and chatter drifting out into the hall as people went their separate ways.

Chairs scraped softly, footsteps echoed, and the lingering scent of breakfast followed them out.

Vi leaned in as they reached the doorway, pressing a quick, familiar kiss to Cait’s temple.

“I’m heading to the gym,” she said.

Cait turned slightly toward her, a small smile already there. “Alright, love.”

Then, almost as an afterthought, “Did you get the shopping list from Dora?”

Vi tapped her jacket pocket. “Got it.”

“I thought we might leave around eleven?” Cait added.

“Works for me.”

Cait nodded. “Have fun, love.”

Vi smirked. “Always do.”

Before she could take another step Elara bolted after her.  The little girl appeared out of nowhere, practically bouncing up beside her. “Can I come with you?”

Vi didn’t even hesitate. She hooked an arm around Elara, pulling her into a playful headlock.

“What, let me go alone?” she teased. “Not a chance.”

Elara giggled, squirming but not actually trying to escape.

“Come on, Tiger,” Vi said, ruffling her hair. “Let’s go cause some trouble.”

They disappeared down the hall together, laughter trailing behind them.

….

“Cait.”

Nyx’s voice cut in just as Cait turned to head the other way.

She paused, glancing back as Nyx quickly caught up to her.

“What is it?” Cait asked.

“About tonight…” she said. “What are you wearing?”

Cait blinked. “…Clothes?”

Nyx stared at her for half a second then burst out laughing.

“Well, I was hoping that would be the case,” she said, grinning. “But hey, I’m not here to judge.”

Cait rolled her eyes, already turning to continue walking. “Very funny. What exactly is your point?”

Nyx caught up beside her easily.

“My point,” she said, “is that you’re going to want to blend in.”

Cait frowned slightly. “And I don’t?”

Nyx gave her a look. “Not in whatever you’re planning to wear, no.”

There was a brief pause as Cait considered that.

“…Alright,” she said finally. “I suppose I’m open to suggestions.”

Nyx’s grin widened immediately. “Oh, this is gonna be fun”

A few minutes later, they stood in Cait’s room in front of her wardrobe.

Nyx had already flung the doors open and was halfway inside it like she was conducting an investigation.

“No.”

A hanger was tossed aside.

“Nope.”

Another.

“Too formal.”

Another.

Nyx dug deeper, pushing past rows of neatly arranged pieces with growing disbelief.

Then she paused.

“Oh…oh this is interesting.”

She slowly pulled something out, holding it up with exaggerated care. Her grin spread instantly.

“Well, well,” she said, lifting it higher. “Look what we have here.”

Cait froze.

“Nyx…put that back!”

“Oh look,” Nyx continued, turning it slightly like she was presenting it to an audience, “her Royal Dictatorship cape.”

“Give me that!” Cait moved quickly, snatching it straight out of her hands, her ears already turning pink.

Nyx blinked, then leaned in with a teasing tilt of her head. “You kept it?”

Cait held the coat close like she was trying to hide it by sheer willpower. “I was going to get rid of it.”

Nyx raised a brow. “But you didn’t.”

Cait exhaled, clearly flustered. “I can hardly just throw it in the rubbish.”

Nyx considered that for half a second.

“…Burning it is an option.”

Cait stared at her.

Nyx brightened. “Actually, we can schedule that. Next Sunday?”

Cait closed her eyes briefly, pressing her lips together as she shook her head.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered.

Nyx just laughed, already turning back to the wardrobe like nothing had happened.

“Right. Back to the mission. We will find something that doesn’t scream ‘authority figure with a tragic past.’”

She continued to examine the clothes, she paused, holding up a neatly pressed blouse, staring at it like it had personally offended her.

“…Is this another uniform?”

Cait stepped forward, immediately taking it from her. “It is not a uniform.”

Nyx looked at her. “It looks like a uniform.”

“It’s structured,” Cait corrected.

“It’s boring,” Nyx shot back.

Cait drew herself up slightly. “It is refined.”

Nyx blinked at her.

Then laughed. “Do you have anything fun in here?” she asked, gesturing vaguely at the entire wardrobe. “Or is this just… variations of the same respectable outfit?”

Cait frowned, folding the blouse over her arm. “There is nothing wrong with respectable.”

Nyx pointed at the wardrobe. “There is when we’re trying to not look like you walked out of a Council meeting.”

Cait opened her mouth to argue again but Nyx waved her off. “No. No, I’ve seen enough.”

She stepped back dramatically, hands up. “Hopeless case.”

Cait scoffed. “I am not…”

“I’m not even going to try,” Nyx cut in. “We’re going to mine.”

Before Cait could protest, Nyx snatched the blouse back, tossed it onto the bed then grabbed Cait by the shoulders.

“Nyx..”

“Move….”

“I beg your pardon?”

Nyx physically spun her toward the door and started pushing her out.

“This is completely unnecessary,” Cait protested, trying to regain some dignity while being escorted out of her own room.

“Trust me,” Nyx said, utterly unfazed. “You’ll thank me later.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“We’ll see.”

Cait glanced back once more at her wardrobe as she was ushered out into the hallway.

“I still don’t understand what is wrong with my clothes.”

Nyx just laughed, steering her along. “Everything…but we’re fixing that.”

//

Nyx’s room looked like a small explosion had gone off in a wardrobe.

 

Clothes were everywhere already. Half draped over chairs, some hanging from the wardrobe doors, others tossed dramatically onto the floor as Nyx continued tearing through hangers with frightening determination.

 

“This?” she asked, pulling out a dark fitted top.

 

Cait, sitting comfortably on the edge of the bed, barely looked up. “Mm.”

 

Nyx narrowed her eyes. “That was not a real answer.”

 

Cait smiled faintly, exhaustion softening the edges of it. “It means I just gave up. Fine…I guess I trust you.”

 

Nyx snorted. “Dangerous mistake.”

 

She disappeared halfway into the wardrobe again while Cait leaned back slightly on her hands, watching the chaos unfold with growing amusement.

 

Then Nyx paused mid-search, glancing over her shoulder.

 

“You look tired.”

 

Cait let out a quiet breath. “I am tired.”

 

Nyx turned fully now, one brow raised. “You need more sleep.”

 

Cait gave her a dry look. “I’m not likely to get much until this case is finished.”

 

Nyx made a small disapproving noise before tossing another rejected outfit aside.

 

“Speaking of the case…” she said casually, rifling through another section. “You should probably talk to Caleb tomorrow.”

 

Cait’s expression shifted slightly. “I thought I’d give him a little more time.”

 

Nyx waved a hand dismissively. “Normally? Sure.”

 

She pulled out another blouse, frowned at it, and shoved it back.

 

“But we don’t really have the luxury right now.”

 

Cait’s gaze lowered thoughtfully.

 

“He’s still weak,” she said quietly.

 

“And his head is still on the chopping block,” Nyx replied bluntly.

 

That silenced Cait for a moment.

 

Nyx softened slightly, though she kept searching as she spoke. “I know he’s been through hell. But if he knows something useful, we need it sooner rather than later.”

 

Cait nodded faintly. “I know.”

 

A brief quiet settled between them, broken only by the rustling of fabric hangers.

 

Then Cait added, “I’m planning to move on the chem lab next week.”

 

Nyx looked over immediately. “That soon?”

 

“The Council is pushing,” Cait admitted. “Officially for the murder investigation.”

 

Her mouth tightened slightly. “Unofficially…”

 

“They want someone to blame,” Nyx finished for her.

 

Cait gave a humourless little smile. “More or less.”

 

Nyx tossed another item onto the bed. “At least they’ve backed off from blaming you directly.”

 

Cait let out a soft laugh at that. “Not really.”

 

Nyx paused.

 

“I’m still technically under investigation,” Cait explained. “They’re simply leaving me alone under the condition that I produce results.”

 

Her tone sharpened slightly with frustration. “At this point, I don’t think they particularly care who’s responsible as long as the case gets closed neatly.”

 

Nyx leaned against the wardrobe door now, listening more seriously.

 

“And because all of this is connected…” Cait continued, quieter now, “I’m worried information will leak before we’re ready.”

 

“The lab?”

 

Cait nodded. “The chem. Caleb. Everything.”

 

Cait’s gaze lowered for a moment, her fingers absently smoothing a crease in the blanket beside her.

 

“The counsellor was connected to Charoite,” she said quietly. “The description his made gave us of the woman who visited him a few days before the attack on my house…”

 

She looked up at Nyx.

 

“It’s her. I’m almost certain of it.”

 

Nyx’s expression hardened immediately. “Shit.”

 

Cait nodded once. “I think they killed him the moment he stopped being useful.”

 

A bitter edge crept into her voice now. “They couldn’t risk him talking.”

 

The room fell quiet for a second, the weight of that settling heavily between them.

 

Nyx slowly folded her arms across her chest. “So how much longer do you think you can keep all of this away from the Council?”

 

Cait didn’t answer immediately.

 

“And when they do find out,” Nyx continued carefully, “aren’t they gonna be pissed when they realise you’ve been hiding it?”

 

Cait exhaled softly through her nose, her expression tightening.

 

“Yes,” she admitted. “They most certainly will.”

 

She leaned back slightly, tiredness creeping into her features again.

 

“But if I bring them this now, before we know exactly what we’re dealing with…”

 

Her jaw tightened faintly.

 

“They’ll tear through Zaun before asking a single proper question. So hardly have a choice.” She sighed deeply then laid on the bed “Let’s change the subject. Find me something that will make me forget all this.”

 

“You got it Kiramman”

 

Nyx disappeared halfway into her own wardrobe now, muttering under her breath as hangers clattered together.

 

“There has to be something in here that won’t make you look like you’re about to arrest half of the club…”

 

Cait sat up to stop herself from falling asleep watching the destruction unfold with growing concern.

 

“Your process appears deeply chaotic.”

 

“My process,” Nyx replied, still digging, “has vision.”

 

A shirt went flying over her shoulder.

 

Then another.

 

Cait caught the second one before it hit her directly in the face. “Good heavens.”

 

“Ah-ha!”

 

Nyx suddenly straightened up so quickly she nearly smacked her head on the wardrobe door. She turned around with a victorious grin, holding something up.

 

There was a beat of silence. Cait stared at it. Then at Nyx. Then back at the outfit.

 

“…Pardon me?”

 

Nyx’s grin widened dangerously. “Oh, this is perfect.”

 

Cait looked genuinely scandalised. “You cannot possibly expect me to wear that.”

 

“I absolutely expect you to wear this.”

 

“Nyx.”

 

“Cait.”

 

Cait stood from the bed, clutching the blanket around herself like she needed emotional protection. “I am not walking into Zaun dressed like…” She gestured helplessly at the outfit. “…that.”

 

Nyx gasped dramatically. “Excuse you. That outfit is iconic.”

 

“It is deeply concerning.”

 

“It is fun.”

 

Cait blinked at her. “There are at least three unnecessary belts.”

 

“They’re decorative.”

 

“They appear aggressive.”

 

Nyx burst out laughing. “See? This is exactly why we’re doing this.”

 

Cait narrowed her eyes. “I knew there was a reason you seemed far too excited.”

 

Nyx ignored that entirely and shoved the clothes toward her. “Try it on.”

 

“No.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Nyx, I mean it.”

 

“And I mean business.”

 

Cait stared at her for another second before looking back down at the outfit with profound distrust.

 

“…If this involves me not wearing underwear, I’m leaving.”

 

Nyx grinned cheeky.

 

“Absolutely NOT HAPPENING”

 

Nyx nearly folded in half laughing. “You sound eighty years old.”

 

“I sound sensible.”

 

“You sound like a woman who organises her socks by emotional importance.”

 

“I do not!”

 

Nyx pointed at her triumphantly. “That was not a normal amount of outrage. That means I’m right.”

 

Cait opened her mouth, then closed it again, deeply offended by how little defence she actually had.

 

Nyx smirked and physically pushed the clothes into her arms.

 

“Go on, Sheriff. Live a little.”

 

Cait looked down at the outfit again like it had personally betrayed her.

 

“…I hate both you and this wardrobe.”

 

Nyx beamed. “You’ll thank me later.”

 

“You wish.”

….

 

 

The gym echoed with the steady rhythm of metal, movement, and impact.

 

Steam curled faintly near the ceiling from the heating pipes, the air warm and thick with the familiar scent of oil, leather, and sweat. Morning light spilled through the high windows in pale strips, catching against polished brass fittings built into the upgraded training machine Cait had commissioned for Vi months ago.

 

The thing looked expensive enough to qualify as military equipment.

 

And Vi absolutely loved it.

 

The mechanical training arm snapped forward again with a sharp metallic hiss.

 

Vi ducked beneath the swinging effortlessly, pivoting on her heel before driving a punch straight into the centre plate.

 

The entire machine rattled.

 

Numbers spun rapidly across the score dial as gears clicked loudly inside the brass casing.

 

Another strike came.

 

Vi slipped sideways, quick and fluid, sweat glistening along her shoulders as she countered with two brutal hits that almost sent the machine out of alignment.

 

Elara sat cross-legged on the floor nearby, pink boxing gloves resting in her lap, staring at Vi with complete awe. To her, Vi didn’t even look human when she moved like this.

 

The final bell rang out with a bright metallic ‘ping!’

 

ROUND COMPLETE.

 

Vi stepped back, breathing hard but grinning, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her wrist.

 

Elara practically bounced where she sat. “Can I try?!”

 

Vi barked out a laugh immediately. “Kid, this thing’ll punch you clean outta Piltover.”

 

Elara slumped dramatically. “Then I’m never gonna learn.” There was real frustration under it this time.

 

Vi noticed straight away. Her expression softened slightly as she walked over, crouching in front of her.

 

“Hey.”

 

Elara looked down at her gloves.

 

“We’ll figure something out,” Vi said. “Nobody starts good at this stuff.”

 

She held out her hand.

 

After a second, Elara took it, and Vi pulled her easily to her feet.

 

“You know how many times I got punched in the face learning this?” Vi asked as she took off Elara’s gloves.

 

Elara blinked. “…How many?”

 

Vi snorted. “Stopped counting years ago.”

 

That got a tiny smile out of her.

 

Vi pulled another glove off the tiny hand “This stuff takes time. Practice. Patience.”

 

She tapped lightly against Elara’s forehead. “And trust me, your brain learns way slower when you’re getting smacked around.”

 

Elara giggled faintly. Then she grew quieter. Her eyes lowered.

 

“…I still wanna learn.”

 

“You will.”

 

Elara nodded once.

 

Then, very softly, “I wanna find whoever killed my sister.” She took a long breath then exhaled

 

“One day,” Elara continued quietly, staring at the floor now, “I’m gonna find them. And I’m gonna get revenge.”

Vi stilled. The words landed hard enough to knock the air from her lungs. The room suddenly felt much quieter than before.

 

Vi looked at her for a long moment before speaking carefully.

 

“Hey.”

 

Elara looked up.

 

“I get it,” Vi said quietly. “More than you think.”

 

Elara’s brows pulled together slightly. “Didn’t you wanna kill Silco?”

 

That hit deeper than Vi expected.

 

For a second, memories flashed too fast and too sharp. Blood. Smoke. Powder crying. Years of anger sitting inside her chest like poison.

 

Vi exhaled slowly through her nose and leaned back against the wall

 

“Yeah,” she admitted honestly. “I did.”

 

Elara watched her carefully.

 

“There were times when revenge was the only thing keeping me moving,” Vi continued. “I thought if I hit hard enough… fought hard enough… killed the right person…”

 

She shook her head faintly.

 

“…it would fix what happened to Powder. To my family.”

 

Elara was quiet now. Listening properly.

 

“But revenge doesn’t actually make the pain go away, kid.”

 

Vi’s voice softened.

 

“It just gives the pain somewhere to live.”

 

Elara frowned slightly. “But they deserve it.”

 

“Maybe they do.”

 

Vi shrugged lightly. “Some people deserve a punch in the face. Trust me, I’m an expert on that.”

 

That earned the faintest little smile again.

 

“But if revenge becomes the only thing you are…” Vi continued gently, “then eventually it eats everything else too. Cait knows more than anyone what it does to a person. And it’s not nice kid.”

 

She crouched down properly in front of Elara now so they were eye level.

 

“You know what really pisses people like that off?”

 

Elara blinked. “What?”

 

Vi tapped lightly the tip of her nose.

 

“You surviving.”

 

A small pause.

 

“You becoming something better than what they made you feel.”

 

Elara looked down quietly at the gloves on her hands.

 

Vi reached over, nudging her shoulder gently.

 

“And hey,” she added with a crooked little grin, “if somebody does need punching one day, we’ll make sure you know how to do it properly.”

 

That finally made Elara laugh properly again.

 

Elara was quiet for a while after that.

 

The gym had settled into a softer silence now, broken only by the occasional ticking of gears inside the training machine as it cooled down. Somewhere outside, distant footsteps echoed faintly through the halls of the estate.

 

Vi was slowly unwrapping the bandages from her hands, then Elara spoke again.

 

“Vi…”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“…What was it like….in Stillwater?”

 

Vi froze. Something inside her tightened instantly. Of all the questions she expected from a six-year-old, that had never even crossed her mind.

 

For a second she almost brushed it off. Made a joke. Changed the subject.

 

But Elara’s face was completely serious. Not curious in the careless way children sometimes were. She genuinely wanted to understand.

 

Vi looked away briefly, jaw shifting as she thought. Then she sighed quietly and she tossed the dirty bandage into the wash basket and slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor.

 

“C’mere.”

 

Elara padded over immediately and sat beside her, leaning lightly against her arm.

 

For a moment Vi just stared ahead at the gym floor. Then she spoke.

 

“It was…” she paused, searching for words that a child could understand without lying to her. “Cold.”

 

Elara looked up at her quietly.

 

“Cold all the time,” Vi continued. “Didn’t matter if it was winter or summer. The walls sweated water. Blankets felt wet half the time.”

 

Her mouth twisted slightly.

 

“And loud.”

 

She leaned her head back against the wall.

 

“People screaming. Fighting. Metal doors slamming shut. Wardens kicking the shit out of someone down the hallway.”

 

Elara’s small fingers curled tighter into the fabric of Vi’s sleeve.

 

Vi noticed, but kept going.

 

“There were good people in there,” she admitted. “People who just got dealt a bad hand.”

 

A small pause.

 

“And there were monsters too.”

 

Elara swallowed hard. “Were you scared?”

 

Vi let out the faintest breath of a laugh.

 

“Every day.”

 

The honesty of it hung quietly between them.

 

“But you learn not to show it. You have to or you’re screwed.”

 

Elara looked down at her gloves. “Did people hurt you?”

 

That one hit differently.

 

Vi’s gaze drifted for a second, memories flickering across her face before she could fully stop them.

 

“…Yeah,” she admitted softly. “Yeah they did. Wardens called it chats. Prisoners called it compliance reform.”

 

Elara’s little finger traced an old scar down Vi’s arm. “Did they do that to you?” She asked quietly

 

Vi nodded. “But I did the same to them.” She smiled nudging her shoulder

 

Elara’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

 

Vi’s heart cracked at the sight.

 

“Oh, hey…”

 

Before Elara could fully start crying, Vi pulled her gently but firmly into her arms, wrapping her tightly against her chest.

 

“It’s okay,” Vi murmured quickly, stroking her hair. “It’s okay, Tiger.”

 

Elara buried her face into her shoulder.

 

“It’s behind me now,” Vi whispered. “I’m here.”

 

She held her for a moment longer, her own gaze distant now.

 

“That’s part of why this matters to me so much,” she said quietly after a while. “Why I do what I do now.”

 

Elara sniffled slightly but listened carefully.

 

“I don’t want things staying like that.”

 

Vi’s voice lowered.

 

“I don’t want kids growing up thinking cages and violence are just… normal.”

 

Her hand rubbed gently along Elara’s back.

 

“I want things to change.”

 

Elara tilted her head up slightly. “Do you think they can?”

 

Vi was quiet for a second.

 

Then she looked down at her with a small, tired smile.

 

“I think,” she said softly, “they have

 

 

 

….

 

 

 

The decorations along the banister rattled as Elara sprinted upstairs.

 

“Bye!” She yelled, already halfway up the staircase.

 

Vi laughed, “Yeah yeah, go shower, you little goblin. You stink.”

 

“You too” Elara grinned and disappeared down the corridor toward her room.

 

Vi shook her head fondly and continued down the hallway herself.

 

Then she heard Cait’s voice.

 

“…I cannot possibly walk around looking like this.”

 

Nyx immediately burst out laughing. “You absolutely can.”

 

Vi slowed.

 

Brows lifting.

 

The door to Nyx’s room stood partially open.

 

Curiosity officially activated.

 

Vi pushed it open slightly further and completely stopped moving.

 

“…Holy shit.”

 

Her jaw practically hit the floor.

 

Cait stood in the middle of the room looking deeply offended by her own existence.

 

The outfit was wearing made Vi’s brain short circuit.

 

A black fitted top clung to her figure, elegant from the front but scandalously open at the back, exposing smooth skin all the way down her spine. The trousers were somehow even worse. Tight black leather hugging every curve with lace-up openings running the full length of the sides, criss-crossing over sheer mesh panels from hip to ankle.

 

And the boots.

 

Vi’s brain briefly stopped functioning at the boots.

 

A low whistle escaped her before she could stop it.

 

Cait whipped around instantly, mortified. “Don’t.”

 

Nyx pointed dramatically at Vi like she’d just summoned the final witness in court. “Tell her.”

 

Vi slowly stepped inside, still staring.

 

“Tell her she looks incredible,” Nyx insisted.

 

Cait crossed her arms immediately. “I look like a prostitute.”

 

“Hey…That’s my clothes you’re talking about”

 

Vi grinned so hard it was almost criminal.

 

“I’ll pay whatever you’re charging.”

 

She swaggered over shamelessly, hands immediately sliding around Cait’s hips.

 

Cait’s face went bright red. “Vi!”

 

“What?” Vi asked innocently. “I’m supporting the outfit.”

 

“You are making it worse.”

 

“No, babe,” Vi murmured, looking her up and down again, “this outfit is making everything worse. For me specifically.”

 

Nyx collapsed onto the bed laughing.

 

“I told you!” she cackled. “You look hot!”

 

Vi nodded immediately. “Correction. She’s on fire.”

 

Cait tried pushing Vi away, but Vi barely moved, still smirking like an idiot.

 

“This is not helping,” Cait complained, though she was very obviously fighting laughter now.

 

Nyx waved dramatically toward her. “You wanted to blend into Zaun.”

 

Vi snorted. “Oh, she’ll blend in alright.”

 

Then she tilted her head slightly.

 

“…Until every single person in the room starts staring.”

 

“Violet!”

 

“What?”

 

“You are impossible.”

 

Vi leaned closer, voice dropping playfully. “Seriously though…”

 

Her eyes travelled over the open back again.

 

“…how am I supposed to behave tonight when you look like that?”

 

Cait buried her face in her hands for a second. “I hate both of you.”

 

Nyx pointed triumphantly. “That means she’s folding.”

 

“I am not folding.”

 

“You are absolutely folding.”

 

Vi smirked. “Babe, you lost the moment I walked in and forgot how words work.”

 

Cait looked between the two of them, completely outnumbered.

 

Then sighed dramatically.

 

“…Fine.”

 

Nyx shot up from the bed like she’d just won a war. “YES.”

 

Cait immediately pointed a warning finger at both of them. “If anyone from the Council sees me dressed like this, I am holding you personally responsible.”

 

Vi leaned in and kissed her cheek with a grin.

 

“Worth it.”

 

…..

 

The food market was already bustling by the time they arrived.

Nestled along one of Piltover's busiest avenues, the enormous market hall rose above the surrounding buildings like a cathedral dedicated entirely to food. Sunlight filtered through magnificent stained-glass panels set high within the vaulted roof, scattering jewel-coloured patterns across the polished stone floor below.

 

The moment they stepped through the entrance, they were greeted by a riot of colour, sound and smell.

Rows upon rows of stalls stretched across the vast hall. Fresh fish gleamed atop beds of crushed ice. Butchers displayed cuts of meat beneath polished brass signs. Bakers arranged loaves of bread and pastries in towering displays while nearby vendors sold fruits and vegetables from every corner of Runeterra.

Somewhere further down the hall someone was roasting nuts.

The rich scent of coffee drifted from one of the cafés lining the walls.

People filled every available space.

Well-dressed ladies from Piltover's most influential families examined fresh produce beside factory workers collecting supplies for the week. Servants carried baskets overflowing with ingredients while merchants haggled cheerfully over prices. Inventors, labourers, academics and craftsmen all moved through the same crowded aisles with remarkably little concern for status.

For a few hours each day, everyone came here for the same reason.

 

Food.

 

Cait slowed almost immediately. Her eyes widened. "Waaaw…”

 

Vi laughed. "What?"

 

"I had no idea this place existed."

 

"You never came here?"

 

Cait shook her head. "Nooo. Sad isn’t it?”

 

The answer didn't surprise Vi nearly as much as it should have.

 

Growing up, Cait had rarely needed to think about where food came from. Things simply appeared in the kitchen. Someone bought them. Someone prepared them. Someone else put them on the table.

Now, however, she looked completely captivated.

 

As they wandered further into the market, Cait turned slowly in a circle, trying to absorb everything at once. "It's enormous."

 

Vi squeezed her hand. "It's usually worse on weekends."

 

"Worse?"

 

"Can't move without accidentally buying three wheels of cheese and somebody's grandmother."

 

Cait laughed.

Around them people stopped at stalls to sample cheeses, discuss recipes and exchange local gossip with familiar vendors. Near one of the cafés a group of older women sat around a table with steaming drinks while several shopping bags rested at their feet. They looked in absolutely no hurry to continue.

A few steps later Cait suddenly grabbed Vi's arm.

 

"Look!"

 

Before Vi could react, she was being pulled toward one of the spice merchants.

Large cloth sacks sat open around the stall, filled with powders and dried herbs in every imaginable colour. Deep reds, bright yellows, rich greens and earthy browns created a patchwork of colours across the floor.

The woman running the stall smiled knowingly at Cait's expression.

 

"What are those?" Cait asked.

 

Vi blinked. "The spices."

 

Cait looked from one sack to another.

"Those are all spices?" Her voice carried the same level of amazement someone might reserve for discovering a dragon.

 

Vi couldn't help smiling. "Yep."

 

"There must be dozens of them." Cait crouched slightly to examine one of the sacks more closely.

 

The vendor chuckled. "First visit?"

 

"It shows, doesn't it?" She smiled

 

"A little."

 

Vi was openly grinning now.

 

Cait shot her a look. "Stop that."

 

"What?"

 

"You're laughing at me."

 

"You’re cute.”

 

Cait huffed but failed entirely to hide her own smile.

 

Eventually Vi reached into her jacket pocket and produced a folded shopping list. “Right, let’s see what we got.”

 

Cait took one look at it and nearly choked.

 

"Violet."

 

"What?"

 

"That can't possibly be the list."

 

"It is." She waived it in front of her. The list unfolded. And unfolded. And unfolded.

 

Cait stared. "How exactly are we supposed to carry all of that?"

 

Vi looked at her flabbergasted then burst out laughing.

 

"What?"

 

“Babe…” Vi leans in raising a brow “It gets delivered."

 

Realisation dawned on Cait. "Oh."

 

Vi rolled her eyes affectionately. "You're adorable."

 

Cait folded her arms. "I've never done this before."

 

"No shit.”

 

"You don't have to sound so pleased about it."

 

"I'm extremely pleased about it…It’s cute….Aaand amusing.”

 

Cait tried to look offended. The attempt lasted approximately three seconds before she started laughing too.

 

“Come on…Time to learn new life skills.” Vi leaned in popping a quick kiss to her lips then folded the list and tucked it away again. "Right…first thing first…” She pointed toward the far side of the market where colourful displays of produce stretched across several stalls. "Fruits and vegetables that way."

 

Cait immediately grabbed her hand grinning excitedly  "And then?"

 

Vi smiled. "Then, Cupcake, I'm going to introduce you to the very serious and highly competitive world of arguing with old ladies over which potatoes are the best."

 

Cait laughed. “That's a real thing?"

 

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

 

Hand in hand, they disappeared deeper into the market, swallowed by the crowd and the warmth of the busy hall around them.

 

The fruit and vegetable section occupied nearly an entire wing of the market hall. Long rows of stalls overflowed with colour, creating a patchwork of reds, greens, oranges and golds beneath the stained-glass ceiling. Wooden crates were stacked high with crisp apples from Demacia, deep purple grapes from Noxus, bright citrus fruits imported from Shurima and vegetables so fresh they still carried traces of soil on their roots.

 

Cait was still trying to take everything in when Vi suddenly changed direction and headed confidently toward one particular stall.

 

A stout woman with silver-streaked hair was rearranging a display of onions when she spotted her.

 

"Well, if it isn't trouble."

 

Vi grinned immediately. “Missed you too, Mara."

 

The woman snorted. “You're late."

 

"I've got responsibilities now."

 

"Gods help us all."

 

Cait's eyebrows rose. The two of them were clearly familiar. Not polite-customer familiar.

Old-friend familiar.

 

Mara leaned over her stall and squinted at Vi. "You've put weight on."

 

"I've got a rich fiancée feeding me."

 

"It shows.”

 

Cait laughed.

 

Mara immediately pointed at her.

"Is that her?” Her eyes narrowed.

 

"Maybe." Vi said cheeky refusing to confirm

 

"She's pretty." Mara pushed for the answer

 

"Yeah, I know."

 

The woman rolled her eyes. “You always were annoying."

 

While Cait was still recovering from being discussed as though she wasn't standing there, Vi unfolded the shopping list and got straight to work.

 

"Right. We need potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages, apples, pears, mushrooms, turnips and enough vegetables to feed a small army."

 

"Snowdown?"

 

"Snowdown."

 

Mara nodded knowingly and began pulling crates closer. “Three silver cogs for the potatoes."

 

"No."

 

"What do you mean no?"

 

"I mean no."

 

"That's the price."

 

"Since when?…That's robbery."

 

"It's winter."

 

Vi leaned forward. “Mara."

 

"Vi."

 

"Mara."

 

The older woman sighed dramatically.

"Fine. Two and a half."

 

"Two."

 

"You wound me."

 

"Two."

 

"Two and a quarter."

 

"Two and I’m generous."

 

Cait stared.

The negotiation had started less than ten seconds ago. Vi was already winning.

Mara pointed accusingly.

 

"You know nobody else argues this much."

 

"That's because nobody else pays attention."

 

The woman muttered something deeply unflattering under her breath and slid the crate out from under the counter

"There."

 

"Those are tiny."

 

Mara looked personally offended. “What do you expect for that price?”

 

Vi picked one up between two fingers. "Food."

 

"They have excellent taste."

 

"They look like raisins."

 

"They're trying their best."

 

Cait nearly choked trying not to laugh.

 

“You’re annoying..you know that?” She rolled her eyes pulling out a different crate.

 

“Have been told”

 

The haggling continued as they moved through the list.

Every item became a battle.

Every price became a debate.

At one point Mara attempted to pass off a crate of apples.

 

Vi narrowed her eyes immediately. "Nope.”

 

"What?"

 

"Those are about to turn into cider.”

 

Mara pressed a hand to her chest.

"How dare you….They absolutely are not."

 

Vi picked one up, inspected it briefly and handed it back. “They’ve seen better days last winter."

 

The woman stared at her.

"...You can't possibly know that."

 

"I absolutely know that."

 

Mara sighed heavily. “You're impossible."

 

"Come on Mara…Where's the good stuff?"

 

Grumbling the entire time, Mara disappeared beneath the stall and returned with another crate.

 

Vi immediately nodded. “There it is."

 

Cait watched the exchange with growing amusement. “You can tell?"

 

Vi looked horrified. “Of course I can tell."

 

"How?"

 

"Because the skin is a bit wrinkly…See?   And those ones still smell fresh." She shoved one under her nose then the other one.

 

Cait looked at the apples and then at Vi. She blinked impressed, it was so obvious now when she pointed it out.

 

The longer the shopping continued, the more she realised something. Vi wasn't guessing. She knew what she was doing.

She knew how much things should cost.

Which produce was fresh. Which vendors could be trusted. Which ones would try to overcharge.

 

She knew the names of half the people they passed and greeted them like old friends.

This wasn't new to her. This was a skill.

A real one. One she'd learned long before Piltover, council meetings and fancy dinners entered her life.

 

Eventually the fruit and vegetable list was complete.

Mara scribbled the order onto a delivery form before looking up.

 

"Same address as always?"

 

Vi nodded.

 

"Tomorrow morning." The woman tucked the paper away. “Done."

 

Then, without another word, Vi leaned over the stall and wrapped her arms around Mara in a quick hug.

 

The older woman pretended to complain but hugged her right back.

 

"You're getting soft."

 

"Shut up."

 

Before they left, Mara reached beneath the counter and produced two small fruits about the size of plums, their skins shimmering somewhere between gold and orange.

She handed one to Cait and one to Vi.

"Gift."

 

Cait smiled warmly.

"Thank you."

 

Vi suddenly leaned back toward the stall.

"Oh, by the way."

 

Mara looked up.

 

Vi jerked her thumb toward Cait.

"That is my fiancee…”

 

There was a pause.Her eyes widened.

"No."

 

Vi nodded. “Yep."

 

The woman looked from Vi to Cait and back again. “The Caitlyn Kiramman?"

 

"I'm afraid so," Cait said with a laugh.

 

Mara looked genuinely stunned. For perhaps the first time all afternoon she seemed lost for words.

 

Vi bumped her shoulder playfully. “Told you she'd like you."

 

That finally broke the spell. Mara laughed and waved her off. “Get out of here."

 

Vi grinned. “See you next week."

 

"Unfortunately."

 

Cait smiled and lifted the small fruit in farewell. “Thank you again."

 

"You're welcome, dear."

 

They hadn't made it much further before Cait suddenly tugged on Vi's hand.

"Cheeses…Can we have a look?”

 

Vi followed her gaze and immediately shook her head. “Yeah babe but not there.”

 

Cait blinked. The look of betrayal on Cait's face was immediate. “You haven't even looked."

 

"I don't need to." Vi pointed toward the stall Cait had spotted. “Their cheese is average."

 

Cait stared at her. “And how do you know that? You hate cheese.”

 

"Because I know Gavin."

 

"Who's Gavin?"

 

"The guy that owns it…Watered down crap. You want real deal, let’s go.” She hooked her arm into Cait’s leading the way

 

"You know everyone."

 

"That's because I leave the house." Vi grinned and pulled her deeper into the market.

 

A short distance later they arrived at another cheese stall and Cait's eyes widened immediately.

 

This one was twice the size of the previous vendor.

Wooden shelves lined the walls behind the counter, stacked with wheels, wedges and rounds of cheese in every imaginable shape and colour. Some were wrapped in wax. Others were covered in herbs or ash. Small signs proudly declared their origins from all across Runeterra.

The smell alone was enough to make Cait smile.

 

Vi folded her arms smugly.

"Told you."

 

"You absolutely did." She grinned happily

 

A tall, lanky man arranging a display looked up and immediately brightened. “Well I'll be damned."

 

Vi groaned. “Please don't."

 

"Violet!"

 

"Don't call me that."

 

The man came around the counter laughing before pulling her into a quick hug.

"Good to see you, kid."

 

"You too, Arlen."

 

Then his attention shifted to Cait. His eyebrows rose. “Ah."

 

Vi pointed at him immediately. “Don't."

 

"Not saying anything."

 

"You were about to."

 

"I absolutely was."

 

Cait laughed. Arlen grinned.

 

"I like her already."

 

"Everyone says that."

 

"Because she's lovely."

 

Vi rolled her eyes so hard Cait worried they might stick. “Are you just gonna stare or you gonna let her try your stuff?”

 

Arlen suddenly jumped into action.

 

Within minutes Cait had completely abandoned any attempt at dignity. She sat on top the crate having sample after sample. This was her version of heaven.

 

Arlen handed her tiny cubes of different cheeses while explaining where each came from. Cait listened and debated with nerdy confidence.

 

"This one's from the northern Freljord settlements."

 

"I read about those although I never tried them. They cure for almost a year.”

 

"Aaa she’s pretty and she knows her stuff…And this one comes from southern Shurima."

 

"Oh!…Mmmm…that’s amazing.” She nodded

 

Vi leaned against the counter watching the whole thing unfold. She accepted one piece Cait pushed into her mouth. Chewed.

Thought about it. Swallowed.

"It's cheese."

 

Cait looked horrified. “It's not just cheese."

 

"It literally is." She frowned

 

"Vi."

 

"Whaaaat?"

 

"That one tasted completely different."

 

"It tasted like cheese."

 

Arlen snorted. “She's hopeless."

 

"I know."

 

A few minutes later Cait tried another.

"This one is nutty."

 

Vi stared at her. “How the fuck can cheese be nutty?"

 

"I give up.” Cait rolled her eyes “You’re impossible.”

 

"And yet you love me."

 

Cait couldn't even argue with that. She adored every part of Vi, even those that she couldn’t understand.

 

By the time they finally settled on their selections, they'd sampled nearly half the stall.

 

Arlen carefully noted everything down for delivery.

 

"The usual address?"

 

Vi nodded.

 

"Tomorrow morning….There done. Well, have a nice ladies”

 

“You too..thank you.” Cait waived

 

Once everything was arranged, they said their goodbyes and left the stall with Arlen waving after them.

"Don't wait six months before coming back!…I have new stock coming in two weeks. I need your opinion.”

 

“I bet you do.” Vi laughed

 

They continued wandering through the market until Cait suddenly slowed.

Her attention had fixed on a café tucked into one corner of the enormous hall.

Large windows overlooked the market and warm golden light spilled from within. Several customers sat around small tables nursing steaming drinks while watching the crowds pass by.

More importantly, a woman near the window was drinking one of the most extravagant hot chocolates in Piltover, Cait’s favourite.

A cloud of whipped cream sat on top beneath curls of chocolate and a dusting of cinnamon.

 

Cait immediately pointed. “Come…You have to try this.”

 

Vi followed her gaze.

 

"Hot chocolate?"

 

"The fancy one?” Vi smiled.

 

“Yes! Best thing you will ever drink.”

 

"Sure."

 

"You don't mind?" Cait asked

 

"We've done half the list. “ Vi shrugged “A well-earned break.”

 

A few minutes later they found themselves seated by the window overlooking the market.

The waiter appeared and Cait immediately pointed at the drink she'd spotted.

"Two of those please. I didn’t know you have this store. I usually go to the one near the bridge.”

 

“We opened just six months ago.” He noted

 

Vi raised an eyebrow. “So, what’s so special about it?”

 

The waiter smiled. “Our winter special. Hot chocolate with a splash of rum, cherry brandy and spiced cream."

 

Vi raised brow “Well... when you say it like that."

 

Cait laughed. “Told you.”

 

The drinks were ordered.

For a few minutes they simply sat together watching the market below.

People drifted between stalls carrying baskets and parcels while sunlight filtered through the stained-glass roof high above them.

 

Eventually Cait rested her chin on her hand and looked across the table.

"You really know what you're doing here."

 

Vi glanced up. “Doing what?"

 

"All of it." She gestured vaguely toward the market. “The shopping. The vendors. The prices."

 

Vi smiled faintly. “We used to do this all the time…Not here though, but it’s same everywhere.”

 

The answer carried a softness that made Cait immediately pay attention.

 

"When we were kids." Vi leaned back slightly in her chair. “Not every day. Most of the time we ate from food stalls. Easier. Cheaper." Her smile softened further.

"But every now and then I'd do a proper meal."

 

"You cooked?"

 

"Sometimes."

 

Cait looked genuinely surprised.

 

Vi laughed. “What?"

 

“Just imagining my baby Vi cooking. It’s adorable.”

 

Vi laughed “What? Me scrambling eggs?”

 

"I'm serious."

 

Vi shook her head laughing but then something more somber crossed her face “My mum used to cook." The words came quietly. “I remembered the food she made and... I don't know. Sometimes I missed it."

 

Cait listened silently.

 

"Vander wasn't much of a cook," Vi continued. "He ran the Last Drop most days. Usually he'd just leave money in a jar on the shelf. If we needed something we'd take a few cogs and head to the nearest stall."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Back then even that was considered lucky."

 

Cait frowned slightly.

 

Vi nodded. “We had a hot meal every day. A clean bed. Someone who loved us."

For a moment her gaze drifted toward the crowd below. “And honestly... that was more than a lot of people had….”

The smile remained. But Cait saw her blink.

Just once. Saw the faint shine gathering in her eyes before she looked away.

 

Without hesitation Cait reached across the table and took her hand.

 

Vi looked down at their joined fingers and laughed softly. “Sorry."

 

"What for love?”

 

"Making things depressing."

 

Cait brought Vi's hand to her lips and kissed her knuckles gently. “You never have to apologise for talking about them. And it is absolutely not depressive. I love hearing about your life.”

 

Vi's eyes softened. “I know."

 

"I'd rather you tell me how you're feeling darling..” Her thumb brushed over Vi's skin.

"…. than punching somebody in the face and coming home drunk."

 

That earned a genuine laugh. “Talking's harder."

 

“I know…But it is important darling.”

 

"It shouldn't be so hard.”

 

"No." Cait smiled. "It shouldn’t. But I have time….We have time.” She pressed another kiss to her knuckles “I love you…So much.”

 

“Love you too.” Vi pressed her lips together and squeezed her hand.

 

Before Vi could say anything else, the waiter returned carrying two enormous mugs.

 

Both women immediately cheered up.

The hot chocolate looked spectacular.

Cream piled high above the rim. Chocolate shavings curled across the top while the scent of warm spices drifted up with the steam.

 

Vi stared at hers. “Okay."

 

"Told you."

 

The heaviness that had settled between them only moments earlier dissolved as they dug their spoons into the whipped cream, both grinning happily.

 

Outside the window the market continued to bustle with life.

 

…..

 

By the time evening settled over Piltover, the Kiramman estate had fallen into a softer quiet again. Lamps glowed warmly behind tall windows while snow drifted lazily beyond the glass, the city below shimmering gold and blue beneath the winter sky.

Cait and Vi’s quarters sat high in the eastern side of the house, less a bedroom and more a private apartment hidden within the manor itself.

The main room alone was enormous, with impossibly high ceilings and tall windows framed by heavy curtains. Marble collums rose toward an upper level built like an inner balcony overlooking the space below. A narrow circular staircase curled upward toward it, leading to a private sitting room tucked above and the adjoining bathroom beyond, hidden partially behind elegant frosted glass doors.

It felt distinctly them. Beautiful, cosy, organised and currently occupied by Vi sprawled sideways across the sofa upstairs in the private lounge area. One boot rested on the low table while she lazily flipped through a Progress Magazine. She was already dressed for the evening.

New black leather trousers hugged her legs perfectly, paired with heavy boots and her favourite deep red top that exposed just enough skin to be distracting on purpose.

Every now and then she glanced toward the bathroom doors where Cait had disappeared nearly an hour ago.

“Cupcake!” she called loudly. “You alive in there?”

“Almost ready!” came Cait’s voice from inside.

Vi snorted softly and returned to the magazine.

Then she froze.

“…No fucking way.”

Her eyes widened as she stared down at the centre spread. A sleek motorcycle gleamed across the glossy page, all polished brass detailing and elegant engineering lines. The newest hextech propulsion system hummed beneath the frame in glowing blue accents. It looked fast enough to teleport into another dimension .

Vi physically sat up straighter. “Holy shit.”

The bathroom door finally opened. Steam curled faintly into the room as Cait stepped out, still adjusting one of the bangles around her wrist. She leaned over the back of the sofa, arms draping loosely around Vi’s shoulders before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

“What’s got you so excited?” she asked warmly.

Vi immediately shoved the magazine toward her. “Look at this thing.”

Cait blinked once, then smiled knowingly. “Ah.”

“The newest Ferros model,” she said. “Hextech propulsion engine, stabilised suspension system…” She stared at the image with open longing.

“Well, I was going to suggest some wheels for you. I hate you walking around everywhere.” 

“Only if they work on telephaty …I don’t know how to drive love,” she admitted finally, quieter now.

Cait’s expression softened instantly. Still leaning over her, she rested her cheek briefly against Vi’s temple. “Well,” she murmured, “we shall simply have to fix that.”

Vi huffed faintly. “Yeah?”

“Of course.” Cait smiled slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me you were interested in motorcycles?”

Vi shrugged one shoulder awkwardly. “Didn’t think it was… y’know. Something I’d get to do.”

That answer sat heavier than she intended.

Cait’s arms tightened around her slightly for just a second.

Then Vi cleared her throat, tapping Cait’s arm and leaning forward to drop the magazine onto the coffee table. “C’mon,” she muttered. “We should get going.”

She pushed herself off the sofa and turned around—

And completely lost her train of thought. Cait looked positively smug. The outfit alone had already been dangerous but now she’d committed fully to the look.

Deep violet streaks ran subtly through her dark blue hair, catching the light whenever she moved. Sharp violet eyeliner framed her eyes beautifully, paired with a sleek matching eyepatch that somehow made her look even more unfairly attractive. Gold bangles decorated her wrists, chiming softly as she lifted her arms and gave a small twirl.

“Well?” Cait asked proudly. “Do I blend in?”

Vi stared at her for approximately three business years. Then immediately grabbed her by the hand and pulled her flush against her chest.

“Oh, you blend into many things,” Vi murmured against her lips. “Especially into me.”

Her hands slid shamelessly down over Cait’s backside.

Cait burst into laughter, kissing her quickly before pulling back just enough to keep Vi suffering.

“Unfortunately,” she said in her most refined voice possible, “the blending shall have to wait until later.”

Vi grimaced dramatically. “That’s cruel.”

Cait smirked as she stepped away toward the staircase. “You are not the only one exercising restraint tonight.” Her eyes flicked meaningfully toward Vi’s trousers. “Have you seen what those do to you?”

Vi nearly walked into the sofa. Cait only laughed softly as she grabbed her coat from the armrest and headed for the small spiral staircase leading back down into the main room below.

Vi followed a second later, still recovering.

“We seriously need to address something,” she called after her.

“What?” Cait asked innocently over her shoulder.

“Nyx becoming your personal stylist.”

Cait laughed immediately. “Absolutely not.”

“But you look hot.”

“That is beside the point. Although I have thought about few changes to my personal style.”

Vi grinned. “Could these future ‘changes’ maybe involve short skirts and tight trousers?”

Cait glanced back down the staircase, smiling despite herself.

“We are discussing adjustments,” she corrected. “Not a complete moral collapse.”

Vi snorted loudly. “Too late for that, babe. I just watched you put purple eyeliner on voluntarily.”

Cait rolled her eyes, though she was still laughing as they disappeared downstairs together.

…..

 

The grand staircase echoed softly beneath their footsteps as the group descended toward the main hall.

Cait walked beside Vi, their fingers loosely intertwined, trying very hard to maintain at least some dignity while wearing an outfit that made dignity significantly more difficult than usual.

Over the top of it all, she’d thrown on a long dark coat, buttoned high enough to hide most of Nyx’s styling crimes from public view.

Nyx noticed immediately.

“Oh come on!” she groaned dramatically from halfway down the stairs. “You’re hiding it?!”

Cait looked entirely unapologetic. “My father would positively expire if he saw me dressed like this.”

Behind Nyx, Jorin frowned slightly. “Wait… what’s under the coat?”

Nyx smirked wickedly. “Oh, it’s a cultural event.”

Cait sighed heavily. “I’m surrounded by children.”

Vi squeezed her hand, barely containing laughter. “Hot children.”

“Violet.”

Gerhard appeared near the bottom of the stairs, dressed far more casually than usual for once, dark coat thrown over one shoulder as he waited for the others.

“Well,” he said after taking one look at them all, “this should end responsibly.”

“It absolutely will not,” Nyx answered immediately.

Right as they reached the hall, Wilks appeared from one of the side corridors, posture stiff as ever.

“Miss Kiramman,” he said politely. “Should I remain awake awaiting your return?”

Before Cait could answer, Vi waved a hand casually. “Nah mate, go to sleep. We’re not getting back till morning.”

Wilks made a small choking sound somewhere in his throat.

“…I see.”

But even then, his eyes still flicked toward Cait for confirmation.

Vi noticed instantly.

Cait did too.

Her expression softened, but only slightly.

“Wilks,” she said calmly, “Vi is not a guest in this house.”

The older man straightened immediately. “Of course, ma’am, I merely meant…”

“She is my partner,” Cait continued gently but firmly. “And an equal member of this household.”

Vi blinked slightly beside her.

Cait’s voice remained perfectly polite, but there was unmistakable weight behind it now.

“I would appreciate it if you treated her accordingly.”

Wilks looked genuinely embarrassed. “My apologies, ma’am.”

Cait tilted her head slightly. “You should be apologising to Vi. Not me.”

Wilks immediately turned toward her. “My apologies, Miss Vi.”

Vi scratched awkwardly at the back of her neck, suddenly looking far less comfortable than she did fighting criminals. “Uh… yeah. It’s alright, man.”

Cait gave a small nod, satisfied. “Thank you, Wilks.”

As they stepped outside into the cold evening air, Vi leaned closer to Cait with a groan.

“You’re way too hard on him,” she muttered. “Guy’s had a broom shoved up his ass since birth.”

Cait looked entirely unimpressed. “That does not excuse it.”

Vi snorted. “Cupcake, his ironing his socks. “ 

Behind them, Jorin immediately perked up. “Mistress Vi has spoken.”

Gerhard nearly choked laughing. “Mistress of the household.”

Nyx lost it completely.

Vi turned around horrified. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, we are calling you that forever now,” Jorin declared proudly.

“Eat shit.” Vi flipped him 

They reached the driveway where Cait’s car waited beneath the lantern glow.

Nyx stopped dead.

“…Okay, now that is gorgeous.”

The car gleamed under the lights, freshly repainted in elegant cream with soft lilac bumpers and polished gold rims catching every flicker of light. The whole thing looked expensive enough to fund a small nation.

Nyx slowly circled it in awe. “Cool ride.”

Cait looked quietly pleased with herself as she unlocked it. “I had to repair it after a certain someone drove it into a wall.”

Vi immediately pointed at herself proudly. “Still landed it.”

“He demolished the left side.”

“Details.”

Cait smiled despite herself. “I thought a fresh coat of paint seemed appropriate afterward.”

Nyx grinned brightly. “I love it.”

Cait glanced back at her warmly. “Thank you.”

They climbed in a moment later.

Cait took the wheel while Vi dropped into the passenger seat beside her, still muttering about the “mistress” comments under her breath.

Nyx and Jorin settled into the back alongside Gerhard. The engine hummed smoothly to life.

Then Jorin leaned forward slightly, peering out the window.

“…Not to ruin the undercover vibe,” he said carefully, “but how exactly are we blending into the Undercity in this?”

A beat of silence followed.

Nyx suddenly snapped her fingers. “Oh! I know a place.”

Everyone looked back at her.

“There’s a garage not too far from the club,” she explained. “Nobody’ll touch it there.”

Cait adjusted her gloves on the wheel. “Then you may lead the way.”

Nyx grinned. “Gladly.”

And with that, the car rolled out into the snowy Piltover night toward Zaun.

 

……

 

 

 

Zaun at night was alive in a way Piltover never understood. Not polished. Not orderly. Alive.

The streets pulsed with colour beneath layers of smoke and drifting chem-fog. Neon signs buzzed overhead in violent pinks, toxic greens, electric blues, reflecting off wet cobblestones slick with rain and oil. Music bled from bars underground clubs hidden behind rusted metal doors. 

And despite the grime, despite the danger, despite everything there was warmth here.

People crowded food stalls laughing loudly over steaming bowls of noodles and hot wine. Vendors shouted over each other. Someone played music from a battered old speaker while a group danced recklessly in the middle of the street like tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed anyway.

Vi walked through it with swagger. Her hand stayed firmly intertwined with Cait’s as they moved through the crowds together.

And gods, Cait looked good here. The coat was open now, finally revealing the full outfit underneath, and Vi still occasionally lost focus when she looked at her. The violet streaks in Cait’s hair caught every passing light, her eyepatch blending seamlessly into the chaos of Zaun fashion in a way that should not have worked nearly as well as it did.

Next to them, Nyx and Jorin looked no less striking. Nyx practically glowed tonight. Her green hair was piled messily into a bun high on her head, held together with mismatched clips, metal beads, and bits of coloured wire. The fresh undercut Jorin had shaved earlier showed cleanly beneath it, sharp against the glow of neon signs. Loose strands framed her face perfectly, moving every time she laughed.

Her trousers were aggressively Zaunite. Far too many pockets. Straps hanging everywhere. Chains clinking softly against buckles whenever she walked. Heavy military boots pounded confidently against the pavement beneath a fitted corset-style top layered with mesh and leather accents. Brightly painted nails flashed every time she gestured dramatically during conversation, wrists full of jangling bangles.

But the brightest thing about her tonight was the smile she couldn’t stop wearing.

Jorin walked beside her with one arm slung casually over her shoulders, effortlessly matching her energy.

Dark cargo trousers tucked into worn combat boots, layered sleeveless tops beneath a long charcoal jacket with rolled sleeves exposing tattooed forearms. Metal chains hung from his belt loops while silver rings caught the light every time he moved his hands talking.

Together they all looked like they’d walked straight off the walls of a Zaunite street mural.

Nyx laughed brightly at something Jorin whispered in her ear.

“I still can’t believe we’re actually out,” she said, almost disbelieving herself.

Jorin kissed her temple softly. “About time.”

She leaned automatically into him, grin widening. “You saying you missed me dragging you to clubs?”

“Terribly.”

“Liar.”

“Massively.”

Vi snorted beside them. “Hey kids…Need a room?”

“Says the woman currently eye-fucking her fiancée in public,” Nyx shot back immediately.

Cait choked on her own breath. “Nyx!”

Vi looked deeply unashamed. “Can you blame me?”

Before Cait could recover from the conversation someone’s voice cut through the crowd. 

“GERHARD?”

The entire group slowed.

A man approached quickly through the crowd, broad shouldered with tired eyes and grease stains still smeared across his jacket sleeves like he’d come straight from work.

The second Gerhard saw him, his whole face lit up.

“Helix!”

The two men immediately pulled each other into a rough, brotherly hug, smacking each other hard on the back.

“Holy shit, man,” Helix laughed. “Look at you.”

“Could say the same thing.”

Then Helix’s expression shifted slightly. Softer now.

“I heard about your daughter,” he said quietly. “Fuck… I’m sorry, brother. That’s rough.”

Gerhard’s smile dimmed but stayed warm. “Yeah.”

Helix shook his head. “People said you disappeared. Nobody knew where the hell you went.”

Gerhard exchanged a brief glance with the others. “Laying low,” he said carefully. “Sorry man, I can’t really…”

Helix lifted both hands immediately. “Nah nah, it’s cool. We all know shit’s going on.”

That made Vi frown slightly.

Cait noticed too.

“Excuse me,” she cut in politely, though her voice sharpened slightly. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

Helix finally looked properly at her.

And froze.

His eyes narrowed.

“…Wait a fucking minute.”

“I know that face….”

Cait froze

“You’re the Sheriff of Piltover.”

“Shit” Vi’s hand griped Cait’s tighter 

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Helix looked back at Gerhard in disbelief.

“You’re working with fucking Enforcers?”

“Hey…it’s not what…” Vi started.

“What the fuck, man?” Helix snapped.

Gerhard immediately grabbed his arm, pulling him a few steps aside before this became a full street scene.

“Brother, listen to me,” Gerhard said firmly. “It’s not what you think.”

Helix laughed harshly. “What do you mean it’s not what I think? That’s literally the fucking Sheriff standing right there.”

“She’s trying to help.”

“Oh, come on…That bitch….”

“She’s not a bitch man…and she trying to figure this out!” Gerhard insisted. “She’s trying to find who’s behind all this shit.”

“And you belive her?” Helix looked deeply unconvinced. “Do you also believe money grows from trees these days. What the fuck man?” 

“My kid wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for these people.” Gerard raised his voice now

 

That stopped Helix cold.

 

 “You don’t know shit.” He continued “You don’t know the fucking hell I’ve been through.”

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Helix exhaled heavily through his nose, rubbing at his jaw.

The push and pull went on another moment before Gerhard finally lowered his voice. “Trust me…Just fucking trust me. That’s all I’m asking.”

Helix rubbed the back of his neck “I don’t know man…Just be careful, I don’t trust fucking enforcers…they would lock up their own fucking granny.…But if you trust them?”

Gerhard nodded once. “I do.”

Helix looked back toward the group again. Still wary. Still sceptical.

But he trusted Gerhard more than his own instincts.

“…Alright,” he muttered finally. 

“Whanna go for a drink?” 

“What with that lot?”

Yeah…they don’t bite….Go on man..one drink.” 

“Yeah alright then. But I’m pretending I don’t know them” he pointed his finger at him

Gerhard laughed slumping his arm over his shoulder “Deal.” 

As they came back Cait immediately opened her mouth but Vi squeezed her hand sharply.

Cait looked at her.

Vi gave the tiniest shake of her head.

Helix sighed heavily and shoved his hands into his pockets.

“…Well,” he muttered. “Guess I’m coming drinking now. Since apparently tonight already stopped making sense.”

Nyx immediately brightened. “See? Now this is becoming a proper night out.”

Vi grinned. “Welcome to the disaster.”

 

….

 

The club hit Cait like a wall of sound the moment they stepped inside.

Music thundered through the vast underground space, the bass so powerful she could feel it vibrating through her ribs. Neon lights flashed overhead in bursts of electric blue, toxic green, and bright pink, reflecting off rusted pipes and drifting smoke that curled beneath the ceiling like colourful clouds.

The entire place seemed alive.

People danced shoulder to shoulder beneath glowing signs and hanging lanterns. Laughter erupted from crowded booths tucked into dark corners. Someone stood on top of the bar cheering while a group nearby argued passionately over a card game that looked one step away from becoming a fistfight.

It was chaos.

Beautiful, living chaos.

Cait found herself staring.

Everywhere she looked there was something new. The clothes. The music. The way people carried themselves. Nothing resembled the carefully polished gatherings of Piltover society.

Nobody here seemed concerned with etiquette. Nobody cared about appearances. People simply existed. Loudly. Freely.

Before she could stop to admire anything for too long, Vi grabbed her hand and started forging a path toward the bar.

The crowd thickened around them and Vi's grip automatically tightened, pulling Cait closer whenever someone bumped into them. It was instinctive. Protective.

Cait couldn't help smiling. Not that she needed any protection but something about it made her heart squeeze that much harder. 

Behind them, Nyx elbowed Jorin sharply before calling over the music.

"You like it?"

Cait looked back and nodded immediately, a grin spreading across her face.

Nyx burst out laughing.

"Maybe there's hope for you after all!"

That only made Cait laugh harder as they finally reached the bar.

Vi leaned against it like she'd owned the place her entire life.

"What are we drinking?"

A chorus of answers followed immediately.

"Something strong," Nyx declared.

"Something cheap," Gerhard added.

"Something that won't kill me," Helix contributed.

"Alive preferably," Jorin said.

Vi snorted, “Right…a bit more specific? Never mind” she rolled her eyes and turned towards the bar. 

As she started placing the order, Nyx suddenly grabbed Jorin's arm.

"Hey babe."

"What?"

She pointed dramatically across the room where a group had just stood up from a large corner booth.

"Seats."

Jorin followed her gaze. “Well spotted..On it”

One moment he was beside them, the next he was already weaving through the crowd toward the empty table.

Cait blinked. "What just happened?"

Nyx looked at her with complete seriousness. "Survival…You hesitate for two seconds in a place like this and you're standing all night."

"...Oh."

"Exactly."

Meanwhile Vi was halfway through ordering when the bartender suddenly squinted at her.

"Hold up."

Vi looked up.

"What?"

The man frowned thoughtfully.

"I know you."

Vi blinked. “Sure about that? Cause I don’t know you” 

Then his eyes widened. "Oh shit." He pointed straight at her. "The pit fighter girl. Just you hair is…different."

“You mean washed” Vi barked out a laugh."Ohhh. Right. You worked at Rust Alley."

The bartender grinned. "Yeah. Gods, you were in there every day. How could I forget”

"Pretty sure I was unconscious for half of it."

"Fair."

The bartender looked her over before smiling warmly. "You look good…Not that you didn’t look good then just…."

Vi smirked "You don't gotta be polite, man."

"I'm serious. Wow. Amazing recovery."

Vi laughed even harder.

The bartender lined up the glasses. But when Vi reached for her coins, he pushed her hand away immediately.

"Nope."

Vi frowned.

"What?"

"They're on me."

"Why?"

The man looked genuinely offended she even had to ask. "Are you kidding? If it wasn't for you, that lunatic from Dock Row would've splattered my brains all over this bar."

Vi stared at him for a moment. She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "Right. Forgot about that."

"Hard thing to forget from my side."

Before she could respond, Cait appeared beside her.

"We've got a table."

The bartender looked over automatically. "So this is the girl."

Vi nearly swallowed her own tongue. "Shh, man!"

Cait immediately narrowed her eyes.

"What girl?"

"Nothing." The answer came far too quickly. “Come on let’s go. Thanks man, see ya” she said quickly scooping up all the drinks. 

“See ya” The bartender was enjoying himself entirely too much.

"Violet."

 

Vi immediately started backing away.

 

"What girl?" Cait asked again as Vi passed her her drink in a hurry 

Behind her, Nyx nearly collapsed laughing while Cait followed at a much more dignified pace, still determined to get an answer.

Vi, however, had survived seven years in Stillwater. She knew exactly when to retreat.

“You dumb ass…” Nyx leans into her ear “He’s talking about you.” 

Cait’s eyes snapped twards Nyx 

“That girl’s got eyes just for you. Chill out.” She rotated Cait in direction of the table “Come on move you aristocratic ass” 

 

……

 

 

The club seemed even louder once they pushed deeper into it.

Music rattled through the metal framework of the building, the bass rolling through the floor beneath their feet while hundreds of conversations merged into a single wall of noise. The air smelled of alcohol, machine oil, and something sweet Cait couldn't quite identify.

Somehow, against all odds, Jorin had secured an entire corner booth.

Two battered leather sofas sat around a low metal table overlooking the dance floor below. The moment he'd reached it, he'd planted himself beside the seating area like a loyal guard dog protecting valuable property.

Nobody was taking those seats.

Absolutely nobody.

The rest of the group were still making their way through the crowd when a man suddenly appeared beside him.

"Oi."

Jorin looked up lazily from where he was leaning against one of the sofas.

The man pointed directly at the booth.

"That's our table."

Jorin glanced at the empty seats.

Then back at the man.

"Nah."

The man frowned.

"Nah?"

"Nah."

The man stepped closer.

"I saw it first."

Jorin shrugged.

"I sat down first."

The logic appeared to physically offend him.

"How about you fuck off?"

Jorin sighed dramatically.

"How about no?"

The man puffed himself up immediately.

"You looking for a problem?"

Jorin looked around the club as if genuinely checking.

"No."

"Then move."

"No."

The man stepped directly into his space, jabbing a finger into his chest.

"I said move."

Behind him, Nyx had already noticed what was happening.

A grin spread across her face.

"Oh, this is gonna be good."

Cait sighed.

Vi looked delighted.

Before Jorin could answer, a large hand landed on the stranger's shoulder.

The man froze.

Slowly he turned around.

And found himself staring almost directly into Gerhard's chest.

His eyes travelled upward.

And upward.

And upward.

Gerhard stood there with both hands casually tucked into his pockets.

"Is there a problem?" he asked pleasantly.

The man blinked.

Then blinked again.

As if that wasn't intimidating enough, Helix chose that exact moment to step up beside Gerhard.

The effect was immediate.

Together they looked less like two men and more like a pair of freight trains that had somehow learned to walk upright.

The stranger's confidence evaporated on contact.

"No."

Gerhard smiled politely.

"No?"

"No problem."

"Good."

The man nodded rapidly.

"Yep."

Gerhard glanced toward the booth.

"So we're good?"

"We're great."

Helix raised an eyebrow.

"We're great?"

"We're fantastic."

Jorin nodded approvingly.

"Glad we sorted that out."

The man immediately began backing away.

"Enjoy your table."

Then he disappeared into the crowd before anyone could change their minds.

Nyx collapsed onto one of the sofas laughing.

"Oh my gods."

Vi dropped beside her.

"He folded faster than cheap laundry."

Jorin finally sat down looking deeply pleased with himself.

"Told him."

"You literally didn't do anything," Nyx pointed out.

"I stood my ground."

"You got rescued by two mountains."

Gerhard looked mildly offended.

"I wasn't rescuing him."

Helix grinned.

"We were merely participating in conflict resolution."

That sent Vi into hysterics.

Even Cait couldn't help laughing.

"Conflict resolution?" she repeated.

Helix nodded with complete seriousness.

"Very important community service."

Jorin raised his drink immediately.

"To community service."

Everyone lifted their glasses.

"To community service."

The drinks clinked together above the table.

And for the first time that evening, they finally had somewhere to sit.

 

……

 

The music pulsed through the floor beneath them, heavy enough to vibrate the glasses every time the bass hit. Around them the club was alive with movement. People danced shoulder to shoulder beneath flashing lights while conversations and laughter blended into a constant roar of sound.

Cait lifted her drink cautiously.

"Slowly," Vi warned.

"I am perfectly capable of drinking." She took a sip and a coughing fit overtook her so suddenly she nearly sloshed half the contents back into the glass.

Nyx doubled over laughing.

Vi rubbed circles against Cait's back while trying not to grin. 

"What in the world is that?" Cait spluttered.

"Zaun hospitality," Vi answered.

"It’s nice but it’s disinfecting my oesophagus." She laughed trying to catch her breath.

Across the table Helix nodded solemnly. "That's how you know it's good."

Cait looked genuinely horrified.

“Here add some juice in that.” Nyx offered some of hers.

“Good idea…Don’t want you dissolve by the end of the night.” 

“Thank you” Cait said genuinely grateful

The conversation drifted on, but Vi found herself becoming distracted.

More specifically, by Cait.

Guys were already deep into the conversation about various topics. Helix and Gerhard catching up on lost time and Jorin pitching in explaining to the man what was going on for the past months. 

Girls stuck to their own corner, nobody was still in the mood to dance. Cait sat beside Vi completely unaware that while’s listening to Nyx talk her hips were moving subtly to the rhythm of the music. It wasn't much. Just a slight sway whenever the bass rolled through the floorboards and she took another sip of her drink. 

Nyx noticed, eyes drifted toward Cait then toward Vi. The moment Vi caught the look, the corners of her mouth twitched.

Nyx's grin widened.

Cait immediately narrowed her eyes. "What?" She looked between the two of them.

"Nothing," Vi replied.

The suspicion deepened. "Violet."

"Nothing." Vi leaned over and pressed a quick kiss against her lips.

"You're just cute, that's all."

Nyx made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a groan.

Then Cait's attention drifted toward Nyx's hands. The brightly coloured nails caught the flashing lights every time she moved.

"They look lovely," Cait said.

Nyx brightened immediately. "Oh! Thanks. I did them this afternoon."

She proudly held both hands out for inspection.

Cait examined them with genuine interest. "The detail is impressive. You did all by yourself?”

"Yap…I could do yours."

Across the table Jorin nearly inhaled his drink.

Nyx frowned.

"What?"

Jorin looked from Nyx to Cait and back again. "You want to give her long nails?"

“Why the fuck not?” The confusion lasted exactly two seconds. Then understanding struck. Nyx froze. "...Oh."

Gerhard immediately started laughing. Helix looked completely lost.

Vi, unfortunately, understood instantly laughing her head off

“I beg your pardon…Can we change the subject.” Cait puffed up

Nyx covered her face with both hands. "I wasn't thinking!"

Jorin pointed at Vi. "You want her to tear this poor girl to pieces."

"JORIN!" Nyx looked genuinely horrified 

The entire table burst into laughter.

Vi was laughing so hard tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. "You can leave the operational ones short."

"VIOLET!" Cait's face went bright red.

Gerhard lifted both hands. "I am pretending I didn't hear that."

Helix suddenly became very interested in the contents of his glass.

Nyx was still laughing. "It's okay. We'll figure it out."

Cait immediately pointed at her. "Thank you. At least someone at this table is mature."

Then everyone started laughing again including Nyx.

Cait closed her eyes. The betrayal was complete. "I walked directly into that one, didn't I?"

"Spectacularly," Vi said.

Cait groaned and buried her face in her hands while the laughter continued around the table.

For the first time that evening, nobody was talking about chem barons, investigations, murders, or councils.

They were simply friends sharing drinks in a crowded club.

And judging by the smile Vi couldn't quite suppress while watching Cait try and fail to maintain her dignity, it was exactly what they all needed.

…..

 

 

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