Caitlyn Kiramman liked her mornings quiet, her tea strong, and her plans orderly. Vi liked none of those things.
Which explained why Caitlyn was currently sitting across from a woman with grease-stained gloves still tucked into her jacket pocket, leaning far too casually on the polished café table, and eating a pastry as though it had insulted her first.
"This," Vi said through a mouthful, "is the best damn croissant I've ever had. Don't give me that look, Cupcake—it is."
Caitlyn arched a brow, delicately lifting her teacup. "I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to. Your eyebrow did all the talking."
They'd been partners for months now—officially, anyway. Unofficially, Caitlyn suspected they'd been orbiting each other since the day Vi knocked down her office door years ago. They bickered, argued, and occasionally got into trouble together. Still, brunch had been Caitlyn's idea—a chance to enjoy each other's company without being covered in soot or paperwork.
Yet, as always, Vi found a way to make it chaos.
"Not sure how you rich types survive eating things this small," Vi said, eyeing Caitlyn's plate. "That's your entire meal?"
"It's called restraint," Caitlyn replied.
Vi grinned, leaning forward. "Restraint's boring."
Caitlyn sipped her tea, hiding the smallest smile behind the porcelain.
The café was lively, sunlight pooling through the wide windows, voices mingling with the clinking of dishes. Caitlyn found herself relaxing in a way she rarely did outside her manor or the safety of her patrol routes. It was… nice.
"Hey," Vi said suddenly, nudging her foot under the table, "thanks for dragging me here."
Caitlyn blinked, startled by the sincerity. "Dragging you?"
"Yeah. Normally I'd still be in bed right now. But—" Vi paused, rubbing the back of her neck. "This isn't bad. Y'know, being normal for once."
Caitlyn's chest warmed at that. Vi never admitted things outright, not when they meant something. She softened her tone. "I'm glad. Normal is underrated."
"Don't get used to it," Vi teased quickly, though her eyes softened. "Still, could be worse company."
The words lingered longer than Caitlyn expected. She busied herself with cutting into her quiche, hoping Vi didn't notice the faint flush in her cheeks.
Conversation drifted from food to cases, then to a brawl Vi had broken up the night before. Caitlyn listened, laughing in spite of herself when Vi reenacted an absurd haymaker in her seat. People stared, but Vi didn't care. Somehow, Caitlyn didn't either.
Then their plates were empty. Their tea and coffee gone. Yet neither woman moved to leave.
"So…" Vi tapped the table. "You got plans after this, Cupcake?"
"None that can't wait," Caitlyn admitted, surprising herself. Normally, her afternoons filled themselves with reports, patrols, or political dinners she couldn't wriggle out of. But today… she wanted the day to linger.
Vi smirked. "Dangerous thing to say. I could get us into trouble."
"You usually do."
"That's the fun part."
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but her lips tugged upward. "What did you have in mind?"
Vi's grin widened. "You'll see."
Before Caitlyn could protest, Vi had tossed down coins for their bill and stood, tugging Caitlyn up by the hand. The touch was brief, but it sent a pulse of warmth racing up Caitlyn's arm.
They stepped outside into Piltover's bright midday bustle. The streets buzzed with markets, inventors hawking their wares, children darting between stalls. Vi led them with her usual reckless energy, weaving through crowds like she owned the place. Caitlyn followed, curious—and maybe a little giddy.
Finally, Vi stopped in front of a vendor's stall.
"Pick a flower," Vi said.
Caitlyn blinked. "Excuse me?"
"C'mon. Any flower. Don't overthink it."
The stall was bursting with color—dahlias, roses, sunbursts, and violets spilling out in bright bunches. Caitlyn hesitated, hand hovering before settling on a single pale lavender bloom. Elegant. Subtle.
Vi paid before Caitlyn could protest, then tucked the flower carefully behind Caitlyn's ear.
"There," Vi said, stepping back to admire her work. "Perfect."
Caitlyn's breath caught, her cheeks warming again. "You're insufferable."
"Yup," Vi said with a grin, though her gaze softened in a way that made Caitlyn's stomach flip.
They wandered for hours, drifting from stalls to side streets. Vi bought fried dumplings and insisted Caitlyn try one, laughing when sauce smeared her lip. Caitlyn retaliated by dabbing a napkin at Vi's cheek, only to realize how close they'd leaned in. Neither pulled away quickly.
Eventually, they found themselves on a quiet overlook above the city, where the noise of the crowd faded into distant hums. Vi flopped onto the railing, stretching. Caitlyn stood beside her, gazing at the golden sprawl of Piltover's rooftops.
"You ever think," Vi murmured, "that maybe we deserve stuff like this? The good days?"
Caitlyn glanced at her. "You doubt it?"
Vi shrugged. "When your life's been nothing but fighting, sometimes peace feels… fake. Like it won't last."
Caitlyn's heart ached at the honesty in her tone. Carefully, she reached out, resting her hand over Vi's gloved one.
"It lasts," Caitlyn said quietly. "At least, it can. If we let it."
P
Vi looked down at their joined hands. For once, she didn't crack a joke, didn't tease. Instead, she squeezed gently, thumb brushing across Caitlyn's knuckles.
The air shifted between them—no longer just playful banter, no longer just partners-in-arms. Something deeper, fragile but real, settled in its place.
"Careful, Cupcake," Vi said softly. "You keep saying things like that, I might start falling for you."
Caitlyn's pulse quickened. She met Vi's gaze, steady and unflinching. "Who says I haven't already?"
The world stilled. Vi's grin faltered, replaced by something raw and wide-eyed. For once, Caitlyn had managed to catch her off guard.
Then Vi laughed—soft, breathless—and leaned in. Caitlyn didn't stop her.
The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, as though neither believed it was truly happening. But when Caitlyn cupped Vi's cheek and Vi pulled her closer, the hesitation melted away. It wasn't rushed, wasn't desperate. It was exactly what it should be: a promise that brunch had become something more.
When they finally pulled apart, Vi rested her forehead against Caitlyn's, grinning like a fool.
"So…" Vi whispered. "Same time next week?"
Caitlyn smiled, her hand still resting in Vi's. "It's a date."