Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/61165138.

Summary

Vi and Caitlyn have spent five years building a life together, balancing the calm of home with the chaos of their demanding careers. Caitlyn, a brilliant detective, upholds Piltover’s order, while Vi, a fearless lieutenant, was shaped by the streets of Zaun and forged in conflict. 

Their world shatters when escalating tensions explode into war. Vi is sent to the frontlines, leaving Caitlyn behind to navigate a web of betrayal, intrigue, and an unseen threat tightening its grip on Piltover.

The separation turns to heartbreak when Vi is declared dead in action. A year later, as the war ends, Caitlyn is left to piece together the remnants of her shattered life.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The early hours of the morning arrived serenely at the house Vi and Caitlyn shared. It was spacious, well-lit, with clean lines and a discreet sophistication. Caitlyn’s minimalist style was reflected in the impeccable design: neutral-toned furniture, carefully selected pieces, and no room for excess. But it was Vi who brought the warmth. It was her red leather jacket hanging on the back of the chair, sneakers tossed in a corner near the door, the worn rug she insisted on keeping in the living room, and the constant aroma of green tea she brewed for her girlfriend that turned that house into a home. 

Caitlyn was the first to wake up, as always. She loved that moment when the house was still immersed in silence, with the world outside still asleep. The timid sun filtered through the linen curtains, casting soft shadows on the light walls. She stretched carefully, shifting to look at Vi beside her. Sleeping, Vi looked different: her strong features softened, her breathing calm, her messy red hair falling across her face. Caitlyn watched for a moment, feeling that sweet ache in her chest. Vi was strength and resilience, but she was also the center of her universe, the person who made each day lighter, more real. 

Without making a sound, Caitlyn slipped out of bed. Her bare feet touched the cold floor, and she moved with the familiarity of someone who knew every detail of the place. The kitchen welcomed her with sounds and smells that comforted her: the creak of the floorboards, the click of the stove, and the aroma of tea that soon filled the air. 

As the water heated, a chill ran down her spine. She knew it wasn’t just the cold morning wind of Piltover. There was something more. Something in the rumors she had heard at the precinct in recent days. Silent sailors, evasive answers about the city’s routes. It wasn’t concrete, but it bothered her, like a small thread on a garment that kept catching her attention. 

The whistle of the kettle pulled her from her thoughts. She began preparing two cups, one of tea and the other of lemon water, when she felt arms wrap around her waist. Vi, still halfasleep, enveloped her in a strong and warm embrace.