#like. as vi is giving herself up to the enforcers

[comicaurora]

spoiler thoughts in no particular order:

The theme of this season seems to be "replacement." Characters are constantly taking on other character's roles. Heimerdinger highlights that Jayce is his former pupil and Ekko is his new pupil. Jinx acquires a Powder-esque kid sidekick and finds herself in Vi's role, while Vi finds herself hurt and abandoned by someone she loves most in a very Powder-y position. Caitlyn struggles to replace her mother, and Ambessa very tactically places herself in that authoritative role to give Caitlyn the motherly guidance she no longer has - essentially replacing Mel in the process. Everyone is being shuffled around, and very few of them are taking it well.

It's interesting to me that, amidst all this replacing, two roles are conspicuously not being filled: Silko and Vander. Silko's death has left a gaping wound in Jinx and Sevika's operation, and neither of them are attempting to replace him - instead, they're trying to figure out their dynamic without him between them. In a strange way, it feels like Jinx is maturing. She's beginning to recognize that she doesn't actually destroy everything she touches; there are things in this world she CAN fix. This is extremely un-Silko of her. If anything, it's a genuinely healthy extrapolation of her dreams as Powder - to be useful, to help. If she's reaching the point where she thinks she really CAN make things instead of just breaking them, that's a legitimately good sign.

Vi is the obvious candidate to become the new Vander, and I think she will eventually. The first three episodes have taken her some of the way along a very complicated journey. A lot of people have pointed out that she sacrificed every part of her identity to try and help Caitlyn in her grief - she put on the uniform of the people who killed her parents and sold out Vander, the people who tortured her in prison. She compartmentalized her love for Powder and convinced herself she could kill her for Caitlyn, even though she demonstrably couldn't. She packed away everything except her moral code, and then Caitlyn nearly shot a child to get to Jinx, so Vi stopped her. And so she learns that Caitlyn didn't appreciate anything of what she was asking of her. She didn't understand the weight of the sacrifice Vi was making for her. She didn't see Vi as a partner, only as a tool for getting her shot at Jinx, and when Vi broke from that purpose, Caitlyn police brutality'd her and abandoned her at the bottom of a hole. We've never seen Vi at this kind of rock bottom before, because she always had her identity, her stubbornness, her anger. She gave them up for love, and when her guard was down, she was punished for it. Vi is the character most reluctant to change. She voices it overtly; she sees everyone else changing, she begs it to stop. Everyone is preserved in her memory from before the night everything went wrong. Powder's not Jinx now, Powder is dead and Jinx is a new problem. Ekko is still "Little Man." I think Vi can't start becoming whoever she's meant to be until she gets past that terror of change, and it looks like she can't do that until she loses absolutely everything.

I'm less clear on what to expect from Caitlyn, but I think it's going to be fascinating. She's really at her worst in this part of the show, and it's incredibly interesting. Her unchallenged worldview is on full display: the undercity is disgusting and evil, the enforcers are the pinnacle of goodness now that the one bad apple has been excised. She was doing Vi a favor giving her the badge, obviously; Vi deserves the badge so she'll kick up whatever fuss she needs to in order to make it happen. Vi's one of the good ones, so Vi can't be like the other Zaunites, those animals. Her mother sealed up The Gray to keep them from asphyxiating from the pollution? Well, they killed her mother, so they don't deserve to breathe that free air anymore. Vi defies her one time and Caitlyn snaps into the only alternative she can currently understand: you're just like them, you're my enemy, you're beneath me. She never really made an effort to understand Vi's world because she clearly thought she was saving her from it. You don't deserve to be down there in the dirt, you deserve to be up here where it's nice. The dichotomy of Piltover Good, Zaun Bad is so deeply ingrained in her that her raw grief has left it completely exposed. If Vi won't help her, she deserves to be left down there. I want to see where they go with this, because Caitlyn's at her own kind of rock bottom right now - a sniper's fixation on her target causing her to hurt and cast away every other priority. Ambessa's correctly identified her as a weapon and is precisely aiming her wherever she needs her to destroy, and Caitlyn is so fixated on Jinx she can't even tell. I expect "what are you shooting for?" to come back in a big way.

I don't know WHAT the hell is going on with Jayce and I am so excited to figure it out. They really sold the whole "whoops you've been meddling with forces far beyond your comprehension just like Heinmerdinger said" thing and the implications are fascinating.

In the same way that Jinx seems to be sort of building a role all her own instead of taking someone's place, Viktor seems to be doing the same thing. He's not taking anyone's place; what he's up to is totally new. He's doing exactly what he wanted to back in season one - using hextech to help the people in most desperate need. He can heal the poisoning of Shimmer and the toxins in Zaun. He has what nobody else in this show has - a form of power that is curative and presently unchallenged. It isn't a fight for him, not like everything else has been. All he's ever cared about was alleviating suffering, and as far as we can tell, now he can. Nobody else was doing anything to help. I am very intrigued to see where this goes and how the magic system gets fleshed out around him.

I have a hunch that wild magic situation might be yeeting Ekko out of the timeline for a bit. The act 2 preview had him on the Remembrance Wall, so I assume the firelights are gonna presume him dead for a minute - bit of a bummer, but if he comes back with his canonical time powers I'll take it.

Minor note, I liked how they highlighted that the council hall was aggressively non-wheelchair-accessible. A very elegant way to underline how Piltover has never actually been a beacon of progress and opportunity.

Have you watched the new Arcane episodes?

my first "oh FUCK yeah" happened during the opening credits when I noticed Ekko's two shadows were moving like the hands on a clock and that momentum carried for basically the whole rest of the viewing experience

[starlostlix]

ARCANE S2 ACT 1 SPOILERS BELOW as I analyse the scene between Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn and Isha, what it means for them, and the link to Caitlyn's 3-point plan for the strike team.

I don't usually post about Arcane here but I need a place to talk about it without word limits so here we are. Also my comparison between MTP's telling of A scandal in Bohemia and the og will be done at some point I have just been very distracted.

So the scene I'm focusing on starts here when Isha runs up to where Jinx and Vi are fighting, lying between them a pointing a gun at Vi to protect Jinx.

Now Isha is a kid that has accidentally wandered into Jinx's life and gotten attached to her enough to wish to try and save her from danger - a new found family for Jinx alongside Sevika (who gives aunt vibes to me). But not just any kid is going to run into the line of fire like this. If we know anything about Isha now it's that she's brave - really brave - but also shouldn't have to be in this position.

Taking at look at her face, Isha's expressions seem to flick between anger and fear quite quickly. There's the facial muscles around her nose often flaring for that anger, but also a deep fear you can see too.

I think it's how she maintains focus on Jinx whilst the gun is turned away to Vi that's interesting. It's clear that she's afraid of what Vi is doing and is focused mostly on protecting Jinx - so that gun isn't something she necessarily wants to fire. She occasionally kept trying to press the trigger, but her hesitation isn't necessarily that she can't, but that she doesn't want to. She had ample time to take a very clear shot but she doesn't (this is interesting when we think about Caitlyn nearby who is desperate to take a shot even if it's not completely clear - Isha's motive is protection whereas Caitlyn's is revengeful action). And once she is unarmed all she can do is cling to Jinx. Perhaps both for her protection of Jinx or for Jinx to protect her. Like how a child would cling to a mother or father or even a bigger sister. Isha is supposed to play the role of a younger sibling to, in my eyes, mimic that of Vi and Powder that Jinx is desperate to protect.

I wanted to move on to Vi because I think her reactions/expressions are the most interesting. You get to see her face a lot, and once Isha has the gun to her face the main expression is one of fear. Not fear for her own safety, but a fear for Isha's safety, AND a fear of what she's been doing as an enforcer.

When Isha has the gun, all Vi can focus on is this mystery child - who she's never seen before might I add- suddenly appearing to protect Jinx. Even if Isha is scared she's still trying to protect her, trying to help even. Perhaps Vi sees herself here, a kid just trying to protect her loved ones from the enforcers that oppressed them. Perhaps she sees Powder, a kid throwing themselves in harms way just to try to help. Either way, she sees an innocent kid putting themselves in the line of fire to protect their loved ones. Except this time Vi is the dangerous one, rather than the protector role she used to fill.

When the gun is knocked away we see Vi again, frozen in place as she stares at Isha clinging to Jinx. This one feels so much more like a face of realisation - that Jinx still has loved ones left and that Vi has become the problem she swore to destroy. She's become the enforcer who enters Zaun to 'clear stuff up' with no regard for how it affects the people of Zaun. Instead of a protecter, she has become an aggressor.

If you will, remember Caitlyn's 3 goals - 'Locate Jinx, Dismantle Shimmer, and neutralise any agents still loyal to Silco'. I feel that this is where Vi realises that those goals only truly help the people of Piltover rather than anyone in Zaun.

1 - 'Locate Jinx' - this is basically corporate speak for Caitlyn wanting to k!ll Jinx. Originally, Vi was fine with this, seeing Jinx as a 'monster she created' and who 'taints the memory of her sister' Powder. But in doing so, she now realises that she will leave people behind who care for Jinx - Isha in particular. She's seen in her life so many kids left behind after enforcers k!lled their parents/families who then turn to rebellion (INCLUDING HERSELF AND POWDER!!) that she knows if she k!lls Jinx here with Isha as witness that the cycle will only continue - more kids who turn to violence as a result of trauma. If she were to go through with it she'd have become a direct parallel to those enforcers who killed her own parents, and she's already become a parallel to the ones who terrorised her and her family in her childhood with her activities in the Zaun strike team (especially with their usage of the Grey).

2 - 'Dismantle Shimmer' - whilst the removal of this drug is a good thing for pretty much anyone, the way the team go about it creates huge problems. The team are specifically shown to simply burn large quantities of the stuff (in the opening montage to 'Hellfire') - not only does this add more dangerous gasses to the underground areas (which they've already been releasing the Grey into), but it also creates issues for addicts. With access to it simply cut off, a decent portion of the population who are addicted to it will experience pretty dangerous withdrawal symptoms which could even lead to d3ath. With no system in place, addicts are left entirely on their own, so the destruction of Shimmer like this only helps those in Piltover remove a threat to them without actually helping the people. Meanwhile higher-ups in Piltover like Salo can use it recreationally (for his tattoos, even if frowned upon as implied by Mel's conversation with Lest).

3 - 'Neutralise any agents still loyal to Silco' - I'm pretty sure the Chembarons are considered Silco loyalists due to the Zaun strike team's attack on one of Margot's brothels in episode 2. The Chembarons, now down to 3 of them, were heralded as the only leadership of Zaun besides Silco. Their infighting has caused major issues in Zaun, but their elimination will not necessarily help Zaun in the long run. The removal of the Chembarons will leave a power vacuum, much like the one already left by Silco, that others will only step into over time. The removal of leadership in Zaun will only cause more issues as up-and-comers will try to fill the power vacuum and build their own forces, eventually becoming a new threat but not without a long period of chaos as people try to build resources to fill the vacuum. Piltover needs the removal of those with current power and forces to remove any possible threats of attack like the attack on the councillor memorial. It is, again, only for the benefit of Piltover.

Vi had seen becoming an Enforcer as the only way to bring down Jinx (reinforced by Caitlyn's insistence of doing things together and also partly by Maddie talking about what Caitlyn did to get her the job) AND as a way of protecting Caitlyn, but now I feel that she has been able to see the negative affect she's been having on the people of Zaun - her own people. I think this is why Vi switches into doing anything she can to protect Isha and Jinx, her protective side for Powder kicking back in specifically.

Looking back at Jinx, she was so ready to d!e at Vi's hands until Isha appears. Her expression here is the clearest look at her emotions we really see in the sequence - concern and fear. We know she's not afraid of dying or k!lling (especially when she said earlier before the fight that she's not remorseful of orphaning kids as she's 'done it to herself enough'), but she's so visibly afraid of Isha being hurt, and afraid that Vi would be the one to k!ll Isha. She's grown attached to Isha more than she'd like to admit, perhaps even seeing similarities to her and Powder (especially in their desire to help their family).

Once Isha's gun is shot away she clings to Jinx. Jinx at first is trying to claw her off - get her away from the danger, telling her to 'scram', referring to her simply by 'kid' so she leaves and doesn't get hurt. But when Vi is just sitting there looking rather than attacking she brings Isha in closer as a form of protection and looks at Vi. The way she looks at Vi. That's fear. She's afraid of her own sister again. She's afraid her sister will hurt an innocent kid, who's just trying to help, with a punch again. All her face says is 'Don't hurt this kid'.

And it's devastating. Devastating for both Jinx and Vi. Jinx sees her sister as a threat, whereas Vi begins to see a bit of Powder in Jinx again. She sees herself about to repeat a mistake that previously cost her everything - leaving a child alone with no support. This is also part of what turns Vi to protect Jinx and Isha from Caitlyn.

Last but not least, Caitlyn.

Caitlyn's effect on this scene can sometimes be forgotten (I almost didn't include her in this analysis at all) but it's actually bigger than one may think. I mentioned before how her desperation to k!ll Jinx causes her to shoot even when her shot is not clear (and how it contrasts Isha's reluctance to shoot even with a clear shot), but there's also so much more. For one, she shoots at the gun Isha is holding almost without a second thought. She tries to shoot Jinx whilst Isha is clinging on to her almost without a second thought. She shoots Vi's gauntlets when she tries to stop her. She frankly is unhinged at this point, tunnel vision on k!lling Jinx with no regard for anyone else in this situation, not just Isha but Vi also.

Grief is a strange thing. It can create many reactions from people depending on their situation. In Caitlyn's case, her grief has morphed into a desire for revenge and a thirst for violence, strengthening her pre-established prejudices towards Zaunites that she was so adamant in reversing in season 1. In her grief there is one constant - blame for Jinx - that morphs into further prejudices towards Zaunites as a whole to justify her actions in her own mind. She similarly justified her tunnel vision in this fight with the idea that 'she wasn't going to miss' despite missing her shot multiple times already (specifically when she shoots to k!ll Jinx and only hits her middle finger).

Her actions here are what happens when grief takes control and her usual logic and reasoning is not able to intervene as much as usual. Her insistence on not harming innocents (seen early in episode one), her understanding of how Zaunites were treated unfairly (s1 episode 7) - it's all overshadowed by her grief. However, her grief doesn't excuse her actions - she's still making decisions based on her own internalised prejudices that with her grief are projected outwards and drive her actions.

This has all culminated here, where her tunnel vision has led to her hurting Vi and almost caused her to hurt an innocent child. She's this looming threat to the scene, her hextech rifle being probably the most powerful weapon here - and it's in the hands of someone who is vengeful and seemingly trigger-happy and in a position of power she was not ready for. If Vi was a big danger in Jinx and Isha's eyes at first, there's a bigger danger in Caitlyn, one that even Vi notices. And she's only going to get worse next arc.

[There could be more to say but I think this is a great place to end it! I may make more arcane posts as s2 releases but i'll have to see, I just really wanted to talk about this scene in particular it's just so interesting.]

[cloudxgears]

I like to think that the way Jinx reacts to seeing Vi in the enforcer uniform is less about what happened to their parents and more about how her Vi never would have done that and realising the Vi she understood and who was familiar and safe and recognisable to her is gone for good. Because obviously no one in the Undercity likes enforcers or their topside oppressors, but Jinx is never once shown with the same vehement hatred of enforcers that young Vi had.

I think this is just about Vi. It's about Jinx's disappointment towards the big sister she spent her life looking up to, and her shock that Vi's life experiences were that bad that they've led her to lose any character and principles she used to have.

I really don't think Jinx ever cared as much about gaining freedom for Zaun and revenge on Piltover as young-Vi and Silco did. Jinx' world was always quite insular. She focused on her special interest and developing her talent, making bombs and weapons, to enable her survival, improve her self-esteem and to try to help the ones she loves. Everything she did was about proving she could survive after coming from nothing and being the kicked puppy, and to prove herself to the ones she admires.

The whole point of the teaparty scene was about deciding who to trust and who to choose and if it had happened differently she would have gone off with Vi and done what it took to make Vi keep loving her and if that meant not using the bomb she wouldn't have done it.

She isn't exactly driven by revenge like pre-teaparty Vi and post-Cassandra Cait, or by wanting dignity and wider respect like Silco and young-Vi. She's driven by loyalty and her desire to be valued and seen by those she loves, and she has no one left to be loyal to, Silco is dead and her Vi isn't there anymore, so she's dead inside.

Having her own daughter to care for (and probably losing her) is what will make her want to become a symbol and put the fire in her to truly want revenge for the first time.

But that moment in the smog seeing Vi in uniform below her is the moment the teaparty and watching Jinx use the bomb on the council building was for Vi. It's Jinx' first moment realising Vi isn't safe for her anymore and has become a total stranger. That's when she's confronted by understanding that she'll never get her Vi back again and she doesn't have the history or connection to this new woman anymore to be able to understand her. It's the first time realising the memory of the Vi she has loved and hated and held on to all this time has been extinguished by this imposter.

And she naturally has a total panic attack at the loss.

It gives you more understanding of Vi's internal feelings about Jinx. Vi doesn't show her reactions in the same big way Jinx does. She had to be Powder's parental figure as a kid and she desired to follow in Vander's footsteps and become a leader one day, so she had to constantly maintain a positive and strong front and suppress anything else. She always made sure whenever Powder looked up at her to project, 'Everything is going to be fine, because I will make it so, don't worry :)' because she was a great big sister.

And then she was locked in prison for 7+ years where she couldn't afford to show weakness or have obvious breakdowns. Also I like how her coping mechanism is shown by her general attitude to be optimism, and even in somewhere as desolate as Stillwater it's easy to imagine her against all odds fighting to maintain a can-do attitude and having a mantra of 'It will be fine and I'll get out of this one day because I have to', and that mindset takes a lot of suppressing too.

So she implodes rather than explodes in a way that's difficult for an observer to notice or understand. Which is why her S2 actions so far look so wack to most people.

The moment in the smog and the panic attack after is the first time Jinx is having the same big realisation Vi had to her during Season 1, realising that is not her safety or the big sister she can look up to anymore. It's losing a part of herself that Jinx admits at the end of S1 has kept her alive all these years.

[starless-nightz]

ok hear me out

caitlyn and her gf who’s also an enforcer and they both lose their parents when jinx blew them up (not cool jinx) except R lost her dad, the only family she had left and had no choice but to be the leader of her house

being there for each other during the funerals 😪

her and caitlyn walking in all badass and demanding respect 😎

Caitlyn with a fem! S/O who is an enforcer and lost her father in the attack

note -> Caitlyn they could never make me hate you <33

warnings -> death.

content includes -> angst, hurt/comfort.

Caitlyn is absolutely devastated by her mothers death and becoming the new head of the house, she pretended to be strong for herself and her father but the moment the two of you are alone she breaks down crying, clinging onto you like her life dependes on it, like you will disappear if she lets you go.

You were the only one who understood her pain, loosing your own father to the attack and becoming the new head of your house. You would be there for Caitlyn at her mothers funeral, and she would be there at your fathers for support.

You would give her space and comfort when you knew she needed it, the first few nights the two of you refused to leave each others sides, comforting each other in comfortable silence.

The two of you wanted revenge, revenge on Jinx, revenge on Zaun and you knew it would be possible with Vi joining you, and with the new Hextech weapons you would be able to invade the Undercity and find Jinx.

[arcane-ish]

Rambling thoughts on Cait's storyline

I thought about doing like an exhaustive analysis of Cait's story in s2Act1 with like pictures and stuff as example. But then I got lazy. I will try to focus on some short notes.

1.) I don't get the vibe that Cait is being manipulative when she pulls away from Vi's touch. I think she's genuinely torn. I can't quite decide whether she's fighting her rising anti-Zaunite rage or on some level realizes what a mess she is and that going for it with Vi right now would be a bad idea. But I don't think she is angling for anything like that, imo she's just struggling with her own emotions. Sidenote: I think it's worth nothing how it mirrors the face touching that Jayce does to Mel.

2.) However, I totally get manipulative vibes from the whole "Cait sang Vi's praises to the enforcers and then her future team member just shows up at Vi's to tell her this". Like either Cait was setting up Vi to join the force (by giving a speech to the enforcers and threatening them with withdrawing funding) without actually asking Vi and/or she sent the enforcer girl to find Vi and tell her that. I dunno, there's just something odd about Caitlyn's multi-cultural task force just coming together like that.

3.) I complained in regards to Jayce's storyline that he is in multiple storylines that don't feel quite connected. And how he moves from one story to the next makes it seem like he doesn't actually care all that much. If I think about it, Caitlyn and Vi are strictly speaking in multiple stories as well (ie apprehending Jinx, Hextech, Ambessa's schemes). But they are getting the royal treatment. It doesn't feel like they are in distinct storythreads because the show connects them. These stories when they are in them still feel like they are fundamentally about Vi and Cait. Because of that it doesn't feel like they are in multiple stories, it's one big ball of story mud of Caitlyn and Vi. Jinx comments on Vi being sweet on Caitlyn. Mel tells Jayce to check on Caitlyn which gives her a chance to talk about Vi, Ambessa's schemes in regards to Caitlyn are meaningful also in part because they might affect how Vi feels about Cait and how likely they are to reunite.

Notice how when Heimer introduces Ekko and Jayce to each other, he doesn't ask what happened to Viktor? Even though that would make sense for his character and would give Jayce a way to voice his theory on why Viktor left and where he is now?

But it never comes up. Because Jayce, Viktor etc are firmly a B story and a result their fates and feelings don't matter to the other characters as much (and in turn means that the characters themselves feel like they don't care as much, while you can't get very far without having it pointed out to you that Vi matters to Cait and vice versa).

4.) I think the scene between Cait and Vi at the pond is intensely interesting. Because Cait says there's three faces she keeps seeing. her mom, Jinx and Vi. Her mom and Jinx are illustrated with a visual, but Vi isn't.

We don't get shown what Vi looks like in Cait's mind. Maybe we can infer that it's like in the beginning, where her world is in black and white and only Vi is in color.

But why not show us? In her visions of her, is Vi smiling? Being a steady rock? Looking at her with concern?

When she talks about her visions of Cassandra and Jinx, she speaks in detail how those make her feel. But with Vi she doesn't. We just have the tone of her voice to infer, but she does not say.

5.) I think it's very telling why Cait wants Vi to come along. Like there are clear tactical advantages to having a Zaunite guide while fighting in Zaun. Vi points this out and as Sevika points out when talking to the barons. But imo Cait asks Vi to come because she feels herself slipping.

She wants Vi to hold her back. Which from a relationship point of view, is kind of shitty, to pick somebody else and try to make them responsible for you not going evil.

(an interesting wrinkle is that when Caitlyn asks why she is indicating that she is scared if she goes after Jinx "one of them will end up in a box", indicating she doesn't want to kill Jinx, but Vi comes to quickly assure Caitlyn that she would be okay with Cait taking the shot on Jinx)

6.) Imo it's interesting that before they kiss Vi essentially tells Cait that she feels like she has nobody left.

And in the beginning it's like Cait also feels like Vi is the only thing that she has left, the only thing that is real.

When even her father is grey and doesn't feel real to her. Except it's not true. Even if Vi is important to her, Caitlyn has people. She has like three different people other than Vi try to reach out and give her comfort.

And that is on top of just via her position in society she has this whole apparatus behind and under her, the enforcers, the council. While Vi has dead siblings, dead parents, dead foster father (to her knowledge), no status within Zaun's society/nobody who cares what decisions she will make, a sister she considers dead and had a falling out with, no friends it seems left back in Zaun (either she never had any of her absence was too long) and for whatever reason she doesn't consider Ekko to be meaningful (maybe their relationship was just to casual, maybe she thinks he will judge her for working with the enforcers, maybe she is too self-hate-y to think she belongs there).

[riversofmars]

When All The Lights Go Out

Clearly, I lied when I said I would never write any Caitvi fic... Needed it out of my system, something something General Caitlyn Kiramman. I'm a predictable lesbian and can't wait until two weeks time for things to hopefully get fixed.

Spoilers for end of Act 1 of the second season. Porn with plot. Enjoy.

Vi is not prepared to give up on Caitlyn after their altercation in the ventilation shafts, at least not without having it out with her. Soon enough she finds herself back in her bedroom, climbing in through the window once more, and encounters the newly appointed General of Piltover. (Rating: Explicit)

“What the fuck are you wearing?”

Of all the things Vi had pictured she’d say when she sought out Caitlyn following their altercation in the ventilation shafts, that was not it. It was a blunt and ill-advised observation, but also all she could think to say when she laid eyes on her. Set in dark blue and gold as her enforcer uniform - familiar yet utterly foreign - Caitlyn wore a long cape that made her appear taller than she already was, and more menacing too, as her eyes snapped up to meet Vi’s across the room.

The newly crowned General of Piltover had strode into her bed chambers with purpose, unaware of the intruder waiting to greet her, and she stalled. It was hardly more than a flicker of uncertainty and surprise that flashed up in her steely blue eyes, but it was immediately drowned in the ocean of dark water. If eyes truly were a window into the soul, Vi dreaded to think what it meant for the woman in front of her. They had once been one of her favourite features of hers, full warmth and kindness, but now they were empty of such frivolousness - sharp, calculating, and cold.

It was more than obvious that Vi was not welcome in her home - not anymore - and part of her wondered why she had come at all. Perhaps it was a desire to stand up for herself, perhaps a desire to find some measure of closure, perhaps simply her desire for Caitlyn alone, pathetic as it was to think after what she had done. Whatever it was, it rooted her heavy boots to the floor and made her square her jaw in defiance.

Of course Vi had not arrived through the main doors, imagining Caitlyn would have instructed her staff not to let her in. Instead she had climbed in by the window, and all the way up the side of her body had ached terribly from the sharp jab of the general’s rifle in her stomach. Vi’d had worse, so many times and from so many, but this was a phantom pain, sharper, deeper than anything she had ever felt, and she resisted the urge to press her palm against her side that seemed to throb under Caitlyn's gaze.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice was sharp, much like every aspect of her appeared to be. Even her features seemed more angular, more set, as she stared her down with barely contained anger bubbling beneath the surface. She had not forgiven Vi for what she had said and done, nothing had changed, and Vi was beginning to sense the futility of her quest.

“I- I couldn't-” She hated how her voice shook, but it was a reflection of where they stood, with Caitlyn at the advantage, holding all the cards, and Vi on the back-foot, the one who had come crawling back. And to what end? “I didn't want to leave things like that,” she strengthened her voice, raising her chin to appear taller than she felt. Everything about being in the world of the Kirammans made her feel small. Perhaps, at least, she could be the bigger person.

There was a moment of silence, turning on the edge of a knife that was gradually snapping single strands from the ties that had bound her to the other woman so fleetingly. The easiest thing for Caitlyn to do would be to simply throw her out, but credit where it was due, she was not one to do the easy thing.

“Do you realise what you said to me?” The general's words cut through the heavy silence, and of course Vi did. On her way over she had replayed their exchange countless times in torturous circles. “That I’m acting like the person who killed my mother.”

‘Because you were.’ Vi knew better than to drive that particular wedge deeper, the words that crossed her lips were different but no less accusatory.

“You said you wouldn’t change.” While a rational part of her knew that there was no way of telling which way grief would take a person, she had wanted to hang on to her promise and that wonderful kiss they had shared. Her first real kiss, come to think of it. She wasn’t completely without experience - in other areas too - but there were only so many real, meaningful encounters one could make when spending their teenage years in prison. None of it had meant anything, and she almost regretted it too, now that she’d had a taste of what the real thing might feel like. Perhaps that was why she wasn’t quite ready to give up yet.

“And you said I should take the shot if I had it!” Caitlyn took a threatening step towards her. “Where was your faith in me? I wouldn’t have missed!” She bared her teeth in anger, like a lioness advancing upon her prey and yes, she had a point. They had both gone back on something they had said, but righteous anger flared up in Vi’s chest as she remained convinced she had made the right call.

“Would you be able to live with yourself if you had?” she shot back, standing her ground and the other woman scoffed, though no joy or amusement was to be drawn from the sound.

“Would you have been able to live with it if I’d found my mark?” she growled and Vi couldn’t mask the flash of uncertainty that crossed her face. When they had marched into the chamber to confront Jinx, she had been sure. She had let Caitlyn take her shot and simply turned away. But when she had seen her sister - much as she tried not to think of her as such anymore - with the child… “Thought so…” Caitlyn spoke bitterly as she seemed to be able to read everything that was going through her mind. “She's still your sister.”

“And you're still an enforcer,” Vi spat, trying to regain some measure of ground in their exchange and she gestured at her change of outfit. “Or whatever the fuck you are now.”

Caitlyn’s expression hardened as though she had just remembered what exactly that was.

“And yet you're here,” she stated simply, looking her up and down, examining the dirty, torn enforcer uniform she was still wearing, lacking other options and ending on the hex-tech gauntlets. “Why?”

She hadn’t expected to see her again. The realisation struck Vi straight in the chest and left her winded. Was it really that easy for her? As easy as it had been to strike her and walk away? Or was she simply trying to act like it was? Vi couldn’t tell, not when Caitlyn hid any thought or emotion that could be perceived as weakness behind the hard façade she’d built.

Vi had no defences such as these to employ and she couldn’t lie either; she wouldn’t! It was time for some honesty at last and her confession tore itself from her throat in a violent outburst, as raw and angry as it was desperate.

“Because you're the only fucking thing I want, even if you embody everything I hate!” she yelled, fixing Caitlyn with a measuring look of her own, drinking in her appearance with bile rising in her throat. “Perhaps I thought that given the chance, having had a moment to reflect on your actions, you might apologise, but that’s not something you people do, is it?”

Caitlyn simply looked back at her, no answer or reaction forthcoming, just a blank, icy stare and with every moment what remained of Vi’s fool's hope drained away, confirming what she should have known. She'd been blinded by what she'd wanted to see.

“Have you ever been challenged on something before?” she continued sharply and advanced towards her, clenching her fists, the movement only pronounced by her gauntlets that shifted menacingly. “Have you ever not gotten your way? Have you ever apologised for anything?!” She raised her voice with every accusation, until it echoed through the bedroom.

There was stillness in the eye of the storm that whipped up around them, grief, disappointment, rage, a deadly flurry. Vi was breathing heavily, pleading silently with Caitlyn, hoping she could reach her behind her impenetrable shield.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, it happened: the tension broke, the storm descended and Caitlyn broke out of her trance and senses, surging into Vi's personal space.

“You have no idea how many times over the past few weeks I have apologised to my mother for bringing all this on us!” she roared, losing her poise as her expression oscillated between rage and pain. “For my arrogance! For my stubbornness! For bringing you here and-” Her face was inches from Vi's, and it was a startling difference to the intimacy of the kiss they had shared.

“If you’re still looking for your mother’s forgiveness and approval in all this, I’m sure she would be very proud of what you have become,” Vi hissed, desperately trying to hold together the pieces of her that bent and splintered under the weight of it all. Everyone in her life had changed and where she had held out hope that Caitlyn wasn't too far gone, with every moment the outcome appeared more and more inevitable. Bitterness and disappointment laced her words as she passed her final judgement: “The fearless leader of House Kiramman. As cold as she is strong - a truly worthy successor.”

And there, Caitlyn's last measure of self restraint failed her.

“How dare you speak to me like that!” She yelled and catching Vi off guard, she shoved her backward, up against the wall behind her with an unrelenting grip on the collar of her uniform. She had always been stronger than she looked. “In my room. My house. My city!”

“Your city?” Vi echoed disbelievingly, fighting her body's involuntary reaction to the other woman's proximity, the way her body pushed into her own, the heat of her breath on her face. “Do you even hear yourself?!” It took all she had to fight against her, not because she was lacking in strength, but because of how much she wanted to have Caitlyn close. Desperately, she tried to ignore the ache she felt for her, resisting the ever-present urge to simply kiss her senseless.

Instead she shoved her off.

"And what was I meant to be?” she demanded as the general staggered back. “Just another thing that was yours?!” As tempting a thought as it was, it was so much less than Vi wanted.

“I didn’t force you to stay,” Caitlyn spat, catching herself on her feet. “You wanted to be here!”

“Because I thought you were different!” Vi's voice grew raw, half scream, half sob. “Imagine my disappointment to learn you’re just another power-hungry, selfish Pilti who doesn’t give a shit about people like me!” Despite it all, it felt good to finally have it out, unburden and disillusion herself from the notion that they had ever had a chance.

“I didn’t ask for this power!” Caitlyn seethed, breathing heavily but seeking to reign herself in, return to her composed self, and all Vi could do was shake her head, scoffing bitterly.

“Yet you wear it so well.”

“I think it’s best if you leave now.” Caitlyn decided at last, straightening herself out and raising her jaw. There was complete finality to her tone. They had both said all they needed to. “Take those gauntlets off, they’re not yours to keep.”

“Whatever,” Vi growled, surprising herself as she found she was past caring. She didn't need anything from the people of Piltover, certainly not their fancy weapons. “Give me my clothes back and you can have the uniform too.” She disengaged the locking mechanism of the gauntlets and the metal hit the ground, echoing as silence drew in, heavy and suffocating.

The end, surely.

Tears pricked the corners of Vi's eyes. Giving up was not in her nature but what was she to do in the face of such impossible odds and unrelenting force?

Caitlyn didn't answer but she turned, marching towards one of the chest of drawers that lined the room. Vi couldn't see her face as she busied herself in the task of pulling a drawer open, but she could have sworn her shoulders seemed to slump, if just for a moment. When she turned back, however, she’d pulled herself to full height once more with an unreadable, cold expression. She was holding a bundle of clothes, clean and neatly folded, the trousers and jacket Vi had arrived in Piltover in. Seeing the care with which they had been treated was almost too much to bear and almost enough to make her try again calmly, with a level head, but she wrote off the notion as quickly as it had occurred when Caitlyn didn't pass them to her as she approached, she simply threw them at her feet.

“If you’ve wanted me to kneel at your feet, princess, you should have played your cards right,” Vi growled spitefully, and swept the items off the floor.

“Fuck you,” Caitlyn hissed and the smaller woman scoffed, never having expected to hear the polite, well-mannered Pilti swear.

“You wish.”

There was a flash of something in Caitlyn's eyes, involuntary, surely, as she betrayed herself. Yes, she did. But it was too late for that now.

Suddenly, the air felt charged and snotty defiance took Vi over. It was petty really, but she was beyond caring. Everything was fucked anyway, and at least it would make her feel a little better to make Caitlyn squirm, show her that she couldn’t control everything.

In a swift motion, Vi tore open the uniform jacket that had always felt too restricting, uncovering her chest bound in nothing but white wraps. She was still dirty from the fight, smeared with dried blood and there was a dark bruise blossoming where Caitlyn had jabbed her with her rifle. But she also had a lean body to offer, strong arms and shoulders, abs that flexed with every one of her deep breaths she forced herself to gulp to try and hold herself together as the last good thing in her life fell apart.

The general took in a sharp breath, and Vi couldn't tell whether it was a reaction to seeing her injury or to seeing her so exposed. It didn't matter. She tossed her jacket at her feet, mirroring her perfectly and cocked an eyebrow.

“Give you something to think about when you're alone in that big bed,” she smirked and Caitlyn's eyes flashed dangerously.

Vi was playing with fire, every little jab adding fuel to the general's simmering, explosive state. She had gotten control of her emotions once more but how long for? Suddenly, the idea of making her lose it again was all too inviting. She would have considered it fun if her motivations weren’t desperately sad. Regardless, she took a step towards Caitlyn and leaned in close.

“You'll be thinking about me and what could have been long after I’ve forgotten your name,” she hummed a blatant lie. It was far more likely it would be the other way around. There was no way Vi would forget about her and the fleeing hope that life had more to offer than pain and misery. How she longed for the Caitlyn that had shown her kindness.

Suddenly, everything seemed to happen all at once. Caitlyn bridged the short distance between them, grabbed a fistful of Vi's hair and yanked her head back with such force that she gasped, only to silence her with a demanding, rough kiss, far removed from the tenderness they had shared.

“Shut up!” she growled, fisting her hand into her hair and pushed her tongue inside her mouth.

Vi kissed her back. Hard. All teeth and tongue, primal and desperate. She was drowning, perhaps they both were, in each other, and she grabbed on to her, clawing into her shoulders and holding on like a lifeline.

“You still want some of this then?” she groaned, but the general didn't meet her eyes. Instead, she dropped her mouth to the side of Vi's throat, ripping her head back further for better access. A whimper escaped her, but the flash of pain was oil to the flame that burned down her inhibitions. Caitlyn’s lips left a searing trail along her jaw, like an electric current licking across her skin.

“This is what you came back for, isn’t it?” she growled against her sensitive, exposed neck, lips pressing against her pulse point, keeping time of her rapid heartbeat. “Might as well see it through till the end.” A gloved hand trailed up her back, untucking her bindings, and Vi’s breath caught in her chest when she realised what was about to happen between them if she didn’t put a stop to it.

She knew they shouldn’t be doing this, nothing good could come of it, but it felt so good. Caitlyn wasted no time, feeling her up, palming her chest, grabbing her arse, dragging the wraps aside and Vi knew she was done for. Every fibre of her being ached for her.

“Fine by me,” she scoffed, trying to mask the desperate need in her voice and it seemed her consent had been all the general had been waiting for as she started to walk her backwards towards the large bed that dominated the room. She seemed intent on having things her way and Vi didn’t even fight, heat pooling in her gut, all too readily following her lead. Her legs hit the edge of the bed and Caitlyn shoved her down without hesitation, climbing on top of her. She tore away the last of her bindings and wrapped her lips around one of her nipples, dragging the thin metal rod of her piercing between her teeth.

“Fuck-” Vi gasped, overwhelmed by the intense sensation and she tried to reach for the other woman, trying to grab a hold of her shoulders, but Caitlyn seemed to have other ideas. She straightened up swiftly and grabbed Vi by the throat as she attempted to follow, shoving her onto the bed and pinning her there.

“I’m going to,” she groaned, undeniably as aroused as the woman beneath her.

With her fingers digging into her throat, Vi watched, transfixed as she brought her other hand to her lips, grasping the fingertip of her glove between her teeth and dragged her hand free.

A whimper escaped Vi, an embarrassing sound, but this was without a doubt the single most erotic thing she had ever witnessed, particularly when that very hand pushed down to her crotch, cupping her through the horribly restricting fabric of her trousers. She could feel how wet she was for her already and her cheeks burned along with the rest of her body under Caitlyn’s appraising gaze. She bucked her hips against her hand, an undeniable request for more but even in this, the general was calculated, squeezing her throat in a manner of warning, a show of power, even as she popped the button of her trousers.

It was maddening. Vi longed to have more, more of Caitlyn that was. Defiantly, she brought her hands up to her shoulders, reaching for her uniform, to rid her off the ridiculous cape, to feel some of her softness but it wasn't to be. Evading her grasp, she rolled off of her and before Vi knew it, she flung her around onto her stomach, a hand at the back of her neck as she pressed her into the mattress.

“Don't,” she growled menacingly, her free hand yanking down Vi’s trousers.

‘Why,’ she wanted to ask, but she didn't get the chance, Caitlyn's hand pressed between her thighs, into the wetness that had gathered there. Vi gasped, nimble fingers tracing through her folds. She bit back a moan but couldn’t help the way she ground back against her. A faint brush against her clit was like lightning shooting to her nerve endings, heat gathering in the pit of her stomach as she grew more and more tense with anticipation.

“God, you're easy,” Caitlyn hummed, the hot air of her breath ghosting across Vi’s sculpted back.

“Fucking stop talking about it and-” Vi snarled, pent up and needy, but her words were cut of in a sharp gasp when Caitlyn thrust her fingers inside her. “AH!”

It hurt at first, pleasure and pain in equal measure and the general allowed her a moment to adjust. It had been a while, there was no denying that and Vi clawed her hands into the sheets for something to hold on to when Caitlyn started moving. She spread her fingers, testing her limits and Vi muffled a throaty moan in the pillows.

“I did want you to be mine,” Caitlyn whispered a heated confession and picked up the pace, seemingly quite intent on making her just that.

“Fuck-” Vi's body screamed from the intensity of her assault, long fingers curling into her, hitting deep inside, following a furious rhythm. She knew how to work those fingers, filling her up and stretching her out, rubbing against her clit with every thrust in a delicious flurry of sensations. And yet, there was something missing. Even though Vi was engulfed by Caitlyn’s scent from her bedsheets, and she was fulfilling the part of her that had become almost primal with lust, her heart sank, further and further, as much as she tried to lock it away from the experience. She could be doing this with anyone. It was no different to a quick, intense fuck in the prison showers when she hadn't know any better and had wanted to feel something.

Caitlyn released her neck, her gloved hand rough against the skin of her back and she reached around her to lift up her hips, find a better angle, and Vi moaned when she hit a deliciously sensitive spot inside her.

“Cait-” she gasped, as her other hand found its why between her legs too, the rough fabric delicious against her clit. She hated how good it felt, and she hated Caitlyn in that moment too. She was giving her everything, yet nothing. If only she could see her face, at least know that it was having some sort of effect on her too that they were doing this, more than laboured breathing, low grunts and the force with which she was thrusting into her.

“Cait please-” She wasn’t sure what she was asking for exactly, and her plea made Caitlyn falter.

“Please what?”

Did she want to hear her beg? All Vi wanted was to know that it hadn’t all been for nothing. Everything they had been through. The heartbreak. Even if they wouldn’t fix things, she wanted to know that Caitlyn felt it too.

“Please, my back is killing me, can I-” She cast a glance over her shoulder, finding the general’s eyes and drawing some small satisfaction from finding her pupils blown with lust, seeing her face flushed and her hair hanging loose and messy around her.

“Fine.” Caitlyn’s response was curt and she pulled out of her, a low grunt escaping Vi at the sudden emptiness. She turned onto her back, her body beginning to feel heavy from exertion and suddenly, they were face to face, with Caitlyn hovering above her with a sudden, and surprising, air of uncertainty about her.

Had she thought better of it? Did she want to stop? Vi wouldn’t be able to take it if she did now, she was too tightly wound.

“Come on, Kiramman… Fuck me like the Zaunite whore you think I am so we can both get on with our night.” Her words were crude but elicited a response. Caitlyn’s expression darkened once more and she slammed her fingers back inside her, making Vi mewl with a new angle and intensity. She leaned over her lavishing attention to her breasts and Vi resolved to watch her, pay attention, commit what she could to memory.

Caitlyn scrunched her eyes shut, either lost to the experience or trying to escape it. Even in her increasingly delirious state, Vi couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in her actions, and the way her rhythm suddenly seemed to falter.

Vi didn’t care, not really. It was hardly surprising she struggled to get her off when she didn’t know her body and took no time to learn about it either. At least she could enjoy the closeness a little while longer before the inevitable end. Perhaps she could claim a few more things before it was over.

Boldly, she reached out for her, grabbing her by the back of her head to pull her into a kiss. She succeeded too, for a wonderful moment, in a kiss that was passionate, but not as angry as it had been before and absently, Vi wondered if she’d released some of her rage in the course of this, but only until Caitlyn suddenly pulled away. Completely.

“This is not how I imagined this.” she choked out, and Vi was shocked to see tears pooled in her eyes. She didn’t allow her the chance to observe them, turning quickly as she fought to free herself of the cape that seemed to be restricting her movements and getting in the way. “Shit-” It was an unmistakable sob and Vi pushed herself upright slowly, unsure of what to say or do.

“No it’s not…” she agreed slowly, struggling to interpret her behaviour, particularly when Caitlyn offered no response. She remained facing away from her, perched on the side of the bed, fingers tensely clawed into the mattress.

There she remained and with every passing second, as Vi’s sweat cooled on her skin and silence reigned, the atmosphere grew more heavy and tense.

“Think we just- this was a bad idea-” Vi said at last when it became obvious that Caitlyn had no interest in continuing. A disappointing ending to everything that had happened between them but perhaps it was for the best. “No need to torture ourselves any longer…” Putting on a brave face, she braced herself for the final goodbye as she moved to the edge of the bed but suddenly, Caitlyn’s fingers wrapped around her arm, holding her back.

“Please don’t go…” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, heavy and shaky and Vi stalled, surprised.

“Okay…” Carefully, she turned back and at last, so did Caitlyn, her expression revealed as every bit the heartbroken mess that Vi had been going through. She didn’t meet her eyes, that was likely too much to ask, but her gaze fixed elsewhere: on the dark bruise that coloured the side of her stomach.

“I’m sorry,” Caitlyn breathed words that Vi had given up on ever hearing. “I shouldn’t have, I…” A sob tore itself from her chest and she squeezed her eyes shut, fighting for some measure of composure that seemed beyond her now. “Oh goodness…” Little by little, she appeared to be breaking apart and while it hurt to see her like this, Vi couldn’t pretend that she wasn’t a little glad too. Maybe they could have a conversation at last.

“Thank you for saying ‘sorry’…” she offered slowly. “Luckily I’m made of stronger stuff, you couldn’t do this to anyone else-” She tried for some measure of levity, crack a joke but it fell terribly flat as Caitlyn hung her head in shame, drawing in her legs to her chest and hugged them, looking far smaller than Vi had ever seen her.

”Cait… what happened?” she tried again and braved moving a little closer. At the very least, she wanted to understand, and she gestured to the ceremonial cape that lay in an abandoned heap on the floor.

Caitlyn just shook her head to herself, a sad smile drawing to her lips.

“They made me- Ambessa, she- We declared martial law and I’m- I was made general-” she answered, sounding terribly detached from it all. “I want to protect my city, I want to stand up for my family, I want to- I want to be worthy of all those things but it’s tearing me apart…” Her voice had a haunting clarity to it, an innate truth that confirmed everything Vi had seen over the past few weeks.

“I know…”

“I know it doesn’t excuse anything but-” Caitlyn’s shoulders slumped and she sobbed, rivers of tears seeking a way across the plains of her cheeks. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on to this anger, this pain, this rage. It’s burning me up and everything that I ever wanted - for myself - I’m losing-” she whispered, defeated and Vi’s heart squeezed inside her chest, the small flame of hope that she had very nearly lost was given air to breathe and grow. She gathered her courage and reached out, brushing her thumb through the mess of tears on her cheek as she raised her chin to bring her to meet her eyes.

“And… what is it you want?” She asked almost timidly, and Caitlyn smiled sadly.

“You,” she breathed and while Vi knew she wouldn’t be able to forget what had happened any time soon, this could be the start of fixing things. She brought her other hand to her face too, hoping to catch some of her tears and slowly she covered her lips with her own in a tender, emotional kiss that felt so much more intimate than anything else they had done that night.

“Can we try this again?” Vi mumbled softly, smiling against her lips as she felt lighter already and wrapped her arms around Caitlyn who melted into her embrace as they continued kissing until both of them were out of breath and the general’s tears had somewhat dried. “How did you imagine it?” Perhaps it was a bold suggestion but it seemed to lighten the atmosphere significantly.

Caitlyn chuckled and it was a genuinely warm sound, far removed from the iciness she had been confronted with all night.

“Something like this…” Gently, Caitlyn pressed her hand against Vi’s chest and pushed her backwards, but without urgency and force. She engaged her in a tender kiss, tracing her fingers across her chest toying with her piercings and quickly finding the best way to make her whimper.

There was nothing rushed about it now as Caitlyn trailed open-mouthed kisses along her throat, her jaw, and Vi relaxed into the sheets, witnessing the change in her with complete awe.

“Cait-” It didn’t take very long and Vi felt herself growing hot once more, the heat of their previous encounter returning but it felt different now, and so much better, as Caitlyn mapped her body with her hands and lips, disposing of her other glove as she went. She paid particular attention to her stomach and the bruise that was her doing, pressing kiss after kiss upon it and mumbling heart-felt apologies.

Eventually, she moved down her body, settling between her legs and Vi, breathless and worked up, simply stared at her in awe, feeling overwhelmed, as Caitlyn’s eyes sought some sort of permission.

“Please-” Vi breathed and Caitlyn smiled, lowering her head to bury her face between her legs. “Oh fuck-” Vi gasped, overwhelmed by the intense sensation as she parted her folds with her tongue, seeking her clit.

“If you’d rather I didn’t, I can-” The general picked up on how tense she became, even as she wrapped her arms around her thighs.

“No, I just…” Vi couldn’t help the embarrassment in her tone as she tried to relax which seemed a big ask with Caitlyn’s breath on her most intimate parts. “I didn’t imagine it like that either…”

“If you want me to do something different, I-” Caitlyn pulled back a little but Vi quickly shook her head, dying to experience all she wanted to give her.

“No, no, I mean- my,” she cleared her throat, stalling for time to find the right words. “Experience is… limited. And- it was never like this before. This is-” All of it, the close attention she was paying every part of her, her gentle touches, no-one had ever touched her like that, made her feel like that. It was overwhelming and oddly terrifying, if just for the thought it might all get taken away again.

Caitlyn smiled and reached for her hand, guiding it into her hair where she might hold on to her as she dipped her head lower again, dragging her tongue through her wetness once more.

Vi gasped, but held on to her, quickly finding herself grinding against her mouth. Caitlyn hummed in encouragement, deftly finding her clit with the tip of her tongue and drawing tight circles and flicking every once and again until Vi was shaking.

“Cait-” she sobbed her name as the tension became too much, the sensation overwhelming. Her muscles seized up and released, waves of pleasure crashing over her and threatening to carry her away, but Caitlyn remained her lifeline, reaching for her hand and squeezing it until the last of the aftershocks had subsided.

They didn’t speak after that, not for a while, there was no need. Vi was struggling to catch her breath and Caitlyn gathered her in her arms and stroked her hair in tender, affectionate patterns that threatened to move her to tears.

“Why did you come back after I treated you like that…” Caitlyn’s timid question broke the silence eventually, once their breathing had returned to normal and capacity for thought too. “I was- I’m sorry…”

Vi turned so she could meet her eyes, bringing her hand to cup her jaw as she sought connection to her.

“Because I- Because I need to know whether the girl I fell for is still there underneath all the grief, and I’m sorry I caused it but- we all do things we don't mean when we're grieving. I know all about that… I remember when it was like to lose Vander and how much I regretted striking Powder… even now,” she said and Caitlyn nodded understandingly, fresh tears coming to her eyes as she ducked her head in shame.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… I genuinely thought I would have made the shot. I promise. I wouldn't have…” She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

“I know…” Vi acknowledged. “And I think I… part of me is still… she's still my sister. It's not that easy.” She knew Caitlyn deserved that admission too, if they wanted to have a chance at having a future together. It was something they would need to work through, whatever that looked like.

“I know…” Caitlyn nodded, resigned but not angry. “Thank you for stopping me. And thank you for coming back… I- I was wrong to think I’d be better off if-” she broke off, shaking her head to herself. “You’re… you’re like the light in the darkness… like the… the only good thing and I’m drowning in this sea of-” Her voice grew shaky once more but Vi was right there offering her reassurance.

“I know you are… and I want to help. If you’ll let me…” She wasn’t sure what she would be able to do. She couldn’t take away her grief and pain, no-one could, but she could try and help her cope with it somehow, even just by being there for her.

“Do you really still want to?” Caitlyn asked in a small voice, clearly not thinking herself in a position to make any sort of demands of her now, and Vi smiled.

“You’re my light in the darkness too. And I won’t let you drift away and drown, maybe we can just… hold on to each other…” she suggested, and Caitlyn nodded gratefully, meeting her in a soft kiss.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” she whispered as they parted. “I know it’s a bad time to say it, with everything that’s happened. I know it will take time to rebuild trust but-” She broke off when she realised the look of shock on Vi’s face and spotted the tears that started falling. She wasn’t able to help them.

“I’m sorry…” Vi choked, instantly embarrassed, dragging the back of her hand across her face, but Caitlyn grew very pale.

“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that-” she started, but Vi quickly shook her head.

“Don’t be, please, I just…” she sobbed, feeling as though some age-old trauma had finally been lifted off her shoulders. It was overwhelming and disorientating as she tried to make sense of it. “I don’t think- I can’t remember the last time someone told me they loved me,” she confessed. “Not since Powder-”

Caitlyn pulled her back into her arms and let her cry, simply soothing her for as long as she needed it.

“Mother would be furious,” she sighed after a little while once Vi had regained her composure. “I’ve apologised for that to her too…”

“I love you too,” Vi blurted out without thinking any further than that, eliciting a similar reaction of stunned surprise, so she rushed to explain. “This version of you. The girl that is scared of what her parents will make of her bringing home a girl from the Lanes. The girl that strives for justice and can see the good in someone like me. And as … undeniably hot it is to see you acting all powerful and taking what you want… this is what I want. Who I want.” She took her hand in hers and pressed a tender kiss to the back of it.

“And that’s who I want to be,” Caitlyn agreed softly. “I don’t know what the future will bring, how things will play out with Jinx but… whatever happens… I don’t want to lose myself. Not again. And I don’t want to lose you.”

“I’ll be here to remind you,” Vi promised and Caitlyn settled against her, dropping her head to rest on her shoulder.

“Thank you,” she mumbled. “For everything.” Vi smiled and pulled her close, dropping a kiss to the top of her head, ever so grateful that they had made it through the trenches and made it to somewhere they could both breathe. There was a lot to figure out still, things were far from alright, but they had done the hard bit, everything else would follow.

“Now,” she hummed thoughtfully, casting a curious look to the girl in her arms. “I think the perfect way to thank me would be to finally allow me to see what you’re hiding underneath that uniform.” In a smooth motion, she flung Caitlyn around who landed on the mattress with an undignified squeak and laughed while Vi crawled on top of her. “You may own all of Piltover, but I want you to be mine.”

“I’d like that…” Caitlyn grinned and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Perilous as the way ahead was, they would forge a path for themselves, together.

[twijfelaar]

My initial response maybe sounded rude, I apologize for that.

I agree that Vi would not have been able to do much for Zaunite liberation, she was too much like Vander and would have been too scared to lose her people.

I disagree with your take on Ekko, he has accomplished a lot with the limited resources he has. His people are thriving, and Silco might have done a lot for the liberation of Zaunites, but not all of them, a lot of them became victims of him as well.

I see Silco's liberation effort not as an effort to free his people, but to gain ultimate power over his people. (this is where we might differ in opinion)

If Ekko had been able to move freely in Zaun, without fear for his life, and tinker to his heart's content, he would have been able to lift Zaun up. Ekko managed to do all he does without Piltover's help, even Silco is taking money from piltover with his drug sales.

I feel like Zaun rallying behind Jinx in the second act is more a propaganda trick, and the show will let us know that rallying behind Jinx is not the way, like Piltover rallying behind Caitlyn is not the way either.

Jinx and Caitlyn feel like mirrors this season, and it is brilliant story telling.

Vi did not want to put on the enforcers suit, she didn't want to join them, she is very clear about this and Caitlyn understands this. The only reason Vi joins is that Caitlyn at the start of their mission wants to apprehend Jinx. But knows she probably won't be able to control herself because she is angry, she is traumatized, (don't forget Jinx kidnapped her and basically tortured her before killing her mom.) and she should definitely not have been the one to lead this mission btw

That is their original plan, it isn't until they hear from someone else that Jinx has truly lost it, they send the others away and go on alone. They have seen Jinx lose it once already, and it ended in a massacre.

Vi was supposed to keep Caitlyn from killing Jinx, but then Vi tells her to take the shot. (Caitlyn shooting the mirror image of Jinx is some nice visual storytelling here)

I don't think Vi's writing is abysmal, Vi does not know what to do in this world, she has no clue where she fits in, she feels lost, she feels responsible so if she can help one person who lost someone because of her, she will.

If that means putting on an enforcer uniform, she will. She does not care about herself at all, not when she has people counting on her.

Again, you don't need to read all this if you don't want, but I just like talking about this show because it is so good. And talking about it gives me more insights and ideas. And discussions are a good way for me to express why I feel this show is this good.

"Never thought mine would orphan kids" Jinx has only ever killed combatants and oppressors ._. Vi and Caitlyn and the writing want us to take Jinx's actions as morally wronf but she literally has not intentionally killed any innocent person.

Jayce killed a child unintentionally and Vi's like "Welcome to the Lanes, Piltie" like girlie you are trying so hard to make Jinx into this villain when she's literally not done anything wrong. Piltover is the enemy you, fool!

It's just, like, nothing we have seen of Piltover can justify why Zaun has to live in a perpetual hell. Jinx and Vi and Ekko and all the children of Zaun have to adapt to the idea that their lives don't mean anything to Piltover. What GOOD has Piltover shown us, what morally nuanced stances do they have that could ever justify a victim of police brutality and Piltover's oppression joining the Enforcers. Wielding the same violence that tore your life apart, and using it on your neighbors!

We see beauty and community and struggle and dependency and despair and hope in Zaun. And we see opulence and naivety and bigotry in Piltover. The only speck of morality came from Caitlyn and Mel. Mel is MIA and Caitlyn is showing how the hooks of privilege and status have never truly been removed from her thinking. Because she's calling Zaunites animals, she wants to think Vi is "one of the good ones" 😭 please Vi, open your eyes, Piltover is NOT worth saving and it will NEVER accept you.

[this post is made by a Caitlyn coochie muncher]

[yan-springlove]

Still not over the fact that vi and jinx/powder had a love song in Arcane tbh

[unluckiestmember]

Arcane x Ransom! Reader

Summary: How would the Arcane characters react if the reader was held for ransom?

Characters: Jinx/Powder, Violet "Vi", Caitlyn Kiramman, Viktor, Jayce Talis, Sevika, Silco and Licker (mention).

Warning: Slight cursing and suggestive themes/implied sexual themes.

A/N: I literally got the idea for this request from Helluva Boss, particular episode 6 of season 2. I hope you all enjoy this though, I know I did!

Powder/Jinx

“You have who?! Where are they?!… You want me to pay you for them? Oh I’ll pay you alright!”

Jinx doesn’t take the idea of you getting hurt lightly. She already is super overprotective of her little trinket, so when she heard that you were being held for a price, she wasted no time grabbing Pow-Pow, Zapper and a bunch of chompers to aid her in her “heroic rescue” for her princess/prince. As soon as she is where you are held, you don’t have to see her to know she’s there for you. Don’t expect any talking, just laughter and hollers followed by gunfire, screams for mercy and explosions.

Before you know it, the Loose Cannon is standing in front of you, pulling you into the tightest hug ever and dressing your face with kisses. She will ask you countless questions while freaking out, beating herself up over you being in such a position. But when she feels you touch her and assure her you’re okay, she’s on cloud nine. As soon as she laces the area with bombs to blow it to kingdom come, she’s back at her hideout, being super affectionate and touchy the entire night. Don’t expect anyone to be touching you for months unless they want their head blown off.

Violet “Vi”

“… What?… You… You just pissed off the wrong woman.”

First word that you were kidnapped, Vi wasted no time hunting your captors down and beating them to a bloody pulp. The woman is like a bull seeing red knowing you were somewhere cold and scared away from home and her arms. So until you were back to her, anyone was able to get a personal greeting from the pink haired fighter. Vi is pretty merciful, but in situations like this, she isn’t afraid to push the envelope by giving life threatening injuries to the bastards that hurt you.

When she found you, she didn’t bother asking any questions or giving any money to your kidnappers, unless they counted a mouthful of fists and kicks as payment enough. When she’s done with her punishment, she’ll immediately scoop you into her arms and take the both of you back home, where she checks you for injuries and asks if you are okay. Please comfort her. She may act all tough and cool, but the situation scared her due to thinking she lost you just like everyone else. As soon as she knows you are alright, she’ll promise no one will ever do that to you again.

Caitlyn Kiramman

“You kidnapped Y/N? Why would- Who do you think you are? You better let them go right now!”

Caitlyn was used to people being kidnapped on the job, having to save them or negotiate with criminals for their safety. But she would have never imagined such a thing happening to you of all people. When she was told you were being held for ransom, she understandably panicked before taking deep breaths and thinking of how to get you back to her. The enforcer can easily scrounge up the money for you to be freed, because you were more important than any coin that reaches her pockets.

So when she arranges a meeting with your kidnappers and finds you so scared, she finds it hard to stop herself from grabbing you and making a run for it. If the kidnappers pull a fast one on her though, all bets are off and bullets are flying. When she has you back, she will watch you like a hawk and be on the defensive for a while. But if you assure her enough that you are okay, she will lighten up. On the bright side, after the incident she’s more romantic and spends more time with you in and out of work.

Viktor

“Look, I’m sure we can talk about this. I’ll get you the money, just. Please don’t hurt them…”

Viktor beat himself up when he heard you were taken away from him for monetary purposes. He just doesn’t understand how he would let this happen- How he would let someone easily take you under his nose and put you in harm’s way?! He could’ve waddled in his sorrows, but he couldn’t. He had to save you and he had to act fast! It would hurt him, but he would ask for assistance from Jayce and the council if he can. And if they can’t help him? Well. Maybe it was time to break out those so-called dangerous machines Heimerdinger warned him against using.

When he finds you, he’s wasting no time trying to negotiate a way around matters so you could be freed. And if those negotiations don’t go according to plan, then he’ll use his machinery and his brain to outsmart the criminals into freeing you. When you are back together, he’ll just. Hold you. Like you are a precious gemstone. He’ll promise you this will never happen again. No one will ever lay their hands on you again…

Jayce Talis

“Is this supposed to scare me? If anything, you should be the one scared- Do you know who I am?!”

Jayce does not take threats lightly, especially when it comes to his family, friends and his loved ones. As soon as he was told you were held for Ransom, he let his anger and determination to get you back fuel him to do anything to send a message and bring you back to safety. You will immediately know your boyfriend got the message because in a matter of hours, enforcers are barging into the area you were held like they were entering a war, shooting, punching and slamming anyone who got in their way from their goal; You.

And Jayce is in the middle of it all, swinging his hammer without remorse before running to your rescue as your knight in shining armor. As soon as you grab his hand, he’s walking you back to his place casually through the enforcers destroying everything in their sights and leaving a message for the assholes that took you; Never. Ever. Touch the councilman’s lover. Don’t expect to go anywhere without guards following you if Jayce isn’t, whether you want to or not. Jayce just can’t take the chance for you to be taken again. Is it extreme? Yes. But it was worth it.

Sevika

“Ransom? Seriously? Please, that’s nothing. And I’m about to show you why.”

When it comes to ransom, Sevika wasn’t new to having her friends or past lovers be kidnapped for money. So when she heard you were being held hostage, she casually grabbed her poncho, fixed her arm for a brawl and headed outside to round her co-workers up. When she found you and the ones that took you, she wasted no time kicking in the doors and sicking her co-workers on everyone before she made her way towards you after knocking some skulls in. She’ll ask if you are okay and especially check you for any injuries before grabbing you and joking how you found yourself in this predicament.

The fight rages on as soon as she places you outside for safety. Saving you wasn’t enough. No, she needed everyone to know that when someone messes with you, they have to deal with her and the rest of Zaun. When everything is over and done, Sevika will take you both back home and treat any injuries you want before kissing your cheek and simply talking as if you weren’t kidnapped to begin with. If you think she doesn’t care, then hoo boy. The way she’ll treat you that night in bed will make you think otherwise.

Silco

“Hmm… If I were you, I’d beg for mercy when I get there…”

Silco is never one to be threatened because he’s always the one making the threats. Hearing about you being held for Ransom made him immediately go on the move to round up Sevika to follow him in bringing you back to him. If he gets there and doesn’t find you anywhere, he will deliver a silent signal to bring the house down. But if you are present, then he won’t need violence to be delivered by his Right Hand. He’ll just need to put the fear of gods into your kidnapper.

He’ll paint them a picture of how he’ll find their families and let them listen to the melody of their bones breaking. How he’ll have Licker carve paintings into their bodies and let them choke on their own blood as they beg for mercy. What do they think of that? They wouldn’t like that at all. As a matter of fact, they would hate it so much that they would release you and fade from existence right there. As soon as you are back to Silco, he’s going to take you back home as if this was only a minor inconvenience. But as soon as you two are behind closed doors, he can’t help from keeping his hands to himself and make promises against your skin.

If you have any requests for Arcane, X-Men '97 or Blue Eye Samurai, send them my way!

Likes and retweets are always appreciated! I love you all, stay safe, stay hydrated and have a good day!

[thefailedabortioon]

Jinx, Vee and Caitlin's reaction to a serious injury (×female reader) 🙏🏻

Warnings: heavy wounds, lotsa blood

requests are open!

JINX

she’d get overwhelmed just by looking at your wounds. horrified at whatever might’ve happened to you and also angry at your recklessness for getting hurt this badly (PISSED at whoever did this)

furrowed eyebrows and quivering lips, she’ll snarl at you.

the blood gushing from your sides are already sending her into a spiral, panicked breaths are squeezing out of her lungs every single second.

jinx grabs bandaids and painkillers hastily, muttering to herself while tightening the wraps around your scars. she’ll mumble a “sorry” from the sudden pressure she’d placed, fidgeting with the knots and ties

“what are you- what were you-?!” if her brows couldn’t furrow any further, they did. “idiot.” she growls under her breath, “idiot!”

finally, jinx raises her eyes to look at you. theres nothing but worry encircling them into a whirlwind of nervousness. “take these. it’ll soothe the pain” she hands you painkillers and lukewarm water.

after patching you up, she will NOT leave you alone.

she’d sit beside you, legs hanging down from the side of your bed.

absolute non-stop pestering. “When did this happen?” “You see who did this?” “give me a description, i’ll take care of them.”

VI

she is furious. absolutely FURIOUS.

as in “vision turning red” kinda furious. my girl is reckless, your well-being wont be the first thing on her mind

but it WILL be her main focus for the next few weeks

who in their right mind would do this to you? of all people?

you didn’t deserve to get hurt, but whoever did this does.

she’s desperate to start patching your wounds. shes used to fixing herself up from the things that happened to her while she was in stillwater, though shes never done it to anyone else but herself so shes downright nervous.

vi knew she could handle serious injuries pretty well but she doesnt know how much you can tolerate pain. shes doing everything SUPER carefully

every little one of your smallest winces or grunts makes her immediately retract her hand from you

“are you okay?” “you hurt?”

after your properly dressed in the bandages, she’ll lay down by your side (she isnt touching you,) but shes still there. vi caresses your cheek, eyes softening at the sight of you. she plants a kiss on your forehead, grin spreading over her lips. she really glad youre okay.

but in the back of her mind she’s planning multiple ways to find who fucked you up this badly. all the gears in her head are turning to think of every possible “suspect” that could’ve done this to her sweetheart

CAITLYN

the look on her face is almost as bad as you look right now. she’s frightened.

despite that, shes more level-headed than careless. she’ll focus on more important things. You.

immediately shes rushing by your side, carrying you to somewhere more safe for your injuries. she spots her bed, let her sheets get stained by the blood dripping down, they can always be washed again.

once your settled properly, shes diving to her bathroom cabinets; everything is being tossed around on the hardwood floor while she searches for a medkit.

enforcer training had her prepared for situations like these, patching you up might not have been easy because of the look of pain in your eyes, but it was done faster than you thought it would be.

“does it hurt when i touch this?” “how’s your head? is it alright?”

the detective inside her came pounding with questions, everything quickly turned into an interrogation.

when, where, who, and why?

she understands you might not wanna talk in this situation so she’ll back off with the questions and start tending to you.

seriously, you’re treated like a princess in this household. you knew cait was well-off, but you didnt realize she was well-off.

there are people coming to your side for every request you ask.

especially caitlyn, she brought herself to cook you a proper meal for you to gain back the nutrients and energy you’d lost. anything you ask for.

the pampering won’t stop until you finally tell her to.

after that, she reports what happened to you to higher authorities, but if they’d rather prioritize other things over you, she’ll handle whoever did this herself.

[pepperpixel]

*my eyes burst open w a flash of light*

SEVIKA

Yadda yadda yadda jinx is generally seen as a loose canon, does whatever she wants type of character, totally unpredictable. When in actuality, up until the last few episodes all of her choices and actions r motivated by wanting to please someone else. Hell. Even in the last couple episodes, the very Last thing we see her doing is ENTIRELY MOTIVATED by devotion and love and grief for silco, she’s taking out her frustration at herself and the world, and also honoring his wishes and dreams. By shooting a fucking bomb at piltover, she’s ensuring his life wasn’t in vain, she’s honoring him. In that moment

Her entire, self!!! is centered around love and loyalty. Is centered around other people, She’s motivated by an insatiable urge to prove herself, to be useful to those she loves, to show that she can help them and be there for them and be WORTHY of there love. That they haven’t made a mistake in loving her. To prove that she can be as pivotal to them as they r for her. She goes to the ends of the fucking earth to do this. And it ends. Terribly.

She puts the people she loves on pedestals and supplicates at there feet, she has no motivations most of the show outside of making the people she loves happy… she yearns for connection and love and safety. For a home that will never leave her behind, or crumble under her feet, (an indestructible home, That she can’t destroy just by being her…)

Which is why.. it’s so. Interesting and intriguing. How now, she has no one on that pedestal to worship, no one to drag sacrifices and offerings to the feet of, no one to spiral around and build herself off of. She is a person so *affected* by her relationships w others, but there is no relationship now, no one is stepping up to the plate to love her. She’s too much. For anyone. The one person who seemed to have unlimited patience for her is dead, because of her. and maybe vi could still love her.. but. She’s already soured that relationship. Already broken that one too. Broken all her favorite toys that made her so happy. That were there for her. And scared all the rest away. (There is a limit to what vi can support and forgive to reconnect w her sister. And I believe terrorism is crossing that limit ghgh)

And maybe, jinx is cutting that part of herself out on purpose. To be stronger, she’s realized she just. Isn’t made for love. That she ruins it all in the end. That it just makes everything worse. Messier. More complicated. She’s better off on her own, but for what PURPOSE! Who will she be now! What choices will she make!?! Almost all of her actions in the show were for others, what is driving her now, now that she has this gaping void at the center of her being. Where love used to be… what kind of person will she become, Without a guide to follow… a sun to orbit around. it’s sad honestly ghghg-!!! like yeah it’s not healthy that she is this way but there’s no THERAPY IN ARCANE. THIS IS THE WAY SHE IS! And now. She’s alone… it’s rough. But also intriguing…!! And I honestly have no clue how she’s gonna act in season 2,,, or what sorta shit she’s gonna get up to. but I’m excited.

[venerawrites]

Vi reuniting with her significant-other after prison? The reader could be a mercenary, or a firelight, a baker, an artist(music and paint) just to name a few occupations they could have. I am not used to requesting, so please forgive me.

author's note: I think this request is so cute, I really loved doing it! I tis a bit angsty in the beginning, but it is fluffy at the end! <3 Thank you so much for requesting and I hope you enjoy! x

Nature always finds a way.

Even when surrounded by nothing but a cold, grey concrete, it managed to give birth to life.

Hope.

As she leaned against the wall, Vi gazed upon the big tree in front of her, focusing her attention on the gentle dance of the green leaves. Of course, she has seen trees before, in Piltover and on photographs, but never in Zaun.

In a way, she was both surprised and impressed with Ekko finding this place. She always thought she knew the city like the back of her hand, yet she had never stumbled over here. How many places were like that in the Undercity? How many places remained hidden, waiting to become a symbol of a new beginning?

"Your mind seems far away", a voice sounded next to her and Vi turned to her right, only to find Caitlyn's smiling face. Despite her gentle expression, there was a spark of worry in her eyes.

Interesting girl was she. One who has grown up in a closed bubble, protected by her family's money and influence, yet there was a fire inside of her, that made her different from the stereotypical Piltover person. She had a deep sense of justice and despite seeing the worst of Zaun, instead of turning her head to the side, she wanted to dig deeper and to know more.

Vi would lie if she said she did not judge her in the beginning. She was sure Caitlyn would not survive more than an hour down here. However, the girl kept making her raise her brows in surprise, completely changing her views about the people in the Topside.

"It is", the pink-haired girl finally answered, letting out a soft sigh in the process, "Somewhere far. Somewhere better."

And with someone else.

Biting her lip, she turned her attention to the few streaks of grass poking near her feet. She grasped one, pulling it out and bringing it in front of her eyes. Twirling it a few times, she carefully examined it, noting how the end was starting to turn yellow.

There was minute during which each of the women seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Caitlyn laid her palm on Vi's back, rubbing small circles on top of the clothed skin. She remained silent, but her gesture managed to ease the tension in the other female's muscles.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Vi shook her head, his eyes still focused on the little piece of grass in her fingers.

God, she wanted to talk. She needed to talk. But what was weighing on her mind, was something she couldn't share with anyone. Especially Caitlyn.

"No, I will be fin-"

"YOU LYING SNAKE!"

Before Vi could realise what was happening, she found herself on the floor pinned by your trembling body. The eyes, once so full of gentle love, which haunted her dreams almost every night, were now staring down at her full of rage. As your name rolled off her tongue, another set of hands got involved by grabbing you by the shoulders.

"Hey! Get off her!"

Whipping your head back, your eyes narrowed to slits once you saw the blue-haired enforcer. Your nose involuntarily scrunched, a clear sign you were far from happy of what, or more specifically who, was before you.

Ekko has already warned you Vi was back in the city and that she was accompanied by an enforcer, but you did not expect... well, her. In your mind, you had built the picture of an old, grumpy prison officer, not a young and pretty woman. Perhaps, you did not want to believe YOUR girlfriend would be giving someone like her a tour around Zaun, while completely forgetting your existence.

Your name was called again and you looked down, your expression softening once your eyes met those of Vi. Many emotions were swimming inside of them - happiness, guilt, pain, relief - all of which were making you wish for nothing more than to press her against your chest and hold her for hours. Your fingers twitched, but instead of embracing her, you landed a few harsh slaps against her shoulders.

"Stop!", Caitlyn shouted once more, grabbing your vest from the back. Instead of calming you down, however, this enraged you even more and you turned around, slapping her hands away.

The enforcer was not a woman who gave up easily, however.

"I demand you to stop!", your body froze as the command left her lips. You stayed still for a few seconds, during which only your heavy panting and the distant shouts of the children around the base could be heard.

"You demand me?", the words came out as a loud scoff and you lifted yourself from Vi, while eyeing the other girl with a mix of irritation and disbelief. With one long stride, you closed the distance between you and gabbed the front of her jacket.

"I demand you to shut your mouth and get your little ass out of here before I kick it so hard, you'll regret ever coming to the Undercity!"

Before things could escalate, you were pulled away by Vi, who held her arms tight around you, while nodding her head toward Caitlyn.

"Cait, give us-Stop it, damn it!", she groaned, tightening her hold, "Cait give us a few minutes!"

The blue-eyed enforcer stood frozen in her place, her worried gaze shifting from her friend to you and then back. You still fought back against Vi's grip, ignoring the feelings of warmth and nostalgia that you felt by being so close to her.

"Please?", the pink-haired woman said again and reluctantly, Caitlyn started walking slowly backward. Once she was far from earshot, Vi released her grip on you and took a step back, giving you some space. She opened her mouth to speak, but you were faster.

Without a word, you turned around and smacked your palm against her cheek. Her head whipped to the side and for a moment, it remained there, frozen. The usually pale skin flushed a deep red where your hand had made contact and your hand trembled, before hiding inside the warm comfort of your pants' pocket.

"I probably deserve that...", Vi mumbled, moving her jaw left and right while she rubbed the sore spot on her face. She took a shaky breath, regaining her composure, before lifting her face. With the corner of her eyes, she could see Caitlyn eyeing both of you with worry and she lifted her hand toward her, a gesture to show her she did not need to intervene. Yet.

The subtle communication did not stay hidden from you and let out an angry huff, before shaking your head. Rarely have you felt such intense emotions, especially since that night when... No. You couldn't go back down this memory lane. Not again.

"Oh, you deserve way more than that!", your tongue pushed against your cheek, biting back all of the colourful insults that were resting on the tip of it. The memories of all those lonely nights you spent crying, mourning, and wondering what happened to her, now hung between you like a dark cloud. No matter how much you have prepared to face her once again, all self-control and reason left your mind as soon as you laid your eyes on her.

"I know you're hurt, but please give me a chance to explain!", her voice was low and soft, an unusual sound for Vi, "Please, I-"

"What is there to explain? You left! You left me! You left Powder! You left Ekko...", with each name, the pain in your chest felt stronger. You closed your mouth, pressing your lips into a thin line before your gaze involuntarily moved to your right, where in the distance the enforcer was nervously chewing her thumb while keeping her attention glued to both of you.

Narrowing your eyes, you grabbed Vi's hand before starting to drag her toward the nearby wood shack. In the beginning, when you joined the Firelights it was used as a storage for hoverboards, but as the members of your group grew, it was soon abandoned and left to collect dust. It was secluded and most importantly away from prying eyes and ears.

The pink-haired girl followed without resistance, giving a last reassuring nod to the Piltover girl, who was now being led away by another Firelight. From all of the scenarios she imagined through the years about your reunion, you pouncing on her was definitely not on the list. A hug, a kiss, maybe even a chance for her to finally show you how much she actually loved you - those were the fantasies that kept swirling around her head all morning when she thought of how should she handle your first meeting after so many years.

Hearing that you were now part of the Firelights was not a surprise. Just like her, you liked to resolve your problems with your fists, rather than talk, and like many young people part of the group, there was nothing that you wished for more than free Zaun. You were stubborn, hot-headed, and reckless, and gave Vi a headache more than once in the past.

Would she have it any other way, however? Absolutely not!

Despite your tough and fiery nature, you also possessed a surprising softness and gentleness, reserved for those closest to you. She often considered herself lucky by being able to see you like this - open and vulnerable, a harsh contrast with your usual combative demeanour. The memories of your many nights spent together, sharing warm cuddles and soft kisses, while your head rested on her shoulder as you talked about your future dreams, often resurfaced in Vi's mind, reminding her how effortlessly it was for you to make her fall in love with you.

Deep inside she foolishly believed that if she ever got the chance to be released from prison, everything would be the same. Powder would still be her little sister, seeking her approval; Ekko would be their smart-ass best friend, who spent too much time tinkering with random gadgets; and you, her first love and girlfriend, would patiently wait for her arrival, ready to promise her the future which you always dreamt about when you were little.

Now, as she stood in front of your furious figure, she felt almost foolish for having such expectations. Of course you would change, you were forced to, just like everyone else in Zaun. The hardships you had to face at such a young age shaped you into someone colder and more guarded.

"I am sorry."

The words fell quietly from Vi's mouth, as she watched your face, trying to find even a glimpse of the love you once carried for her. All that stared back, however, was fury and disgust.

"You are sorry? That's all you've got to say?", you let out a dry chuckle, your voice ringing with mockery. Crossing your arms in front of your chest, you eyed her up and down, finally having the chance to properly observe her appearance.

Vi has always been a beautiful woman, even if she never seemed to care much about her looks. She never bothered with fancy hairstyles or clothes, preferring practicality and comfort over style. Yet, she possessed a natural attractiveness, one that made you turn your head the first time you saw her.

Your eyes focused on her buzzcut, before sliding down her face and noting the numerous new piercings and a tattoo, that were now covering it. Her eyes, still as piercing as you remembered them, held the same fiery spark as before, despite being clouded by guilt. She was also taller and more muscular, now towering almost a full head above you.

"I didn't leave!", she finally said, her expression hardening, "That night..."

The words got stuck in her throat, as she let out an angry sigh and rubbed her calloused hands on her face. Her body slumped against the wooden wall behind her, the loud thud making you wince.

"That night I was taken against my will", she continued, her voice trembling, "By the Enforcers. I... After seeing the remains of the explosion and Powder, I just needed a minute. Some time to breathe, to realise what had happened..."

The rage that bubbled inside your chest just a minute ago slowly started to evaporate, replaced by a mix of caution and confusion. You never wanted to believe that she abandoned you - for years, you pushed this thought aside, not able to accept the idea that Vi is capable of doing something like this. Not to you or Powder.

But as the time passed, the hope you held that she was just hiding somewhere started to transform into suspicion. Seeing Powder becoming Jinx right in front of your eyes, claiming that her sister deserted her, also did not help ease your mind and soon you started to accept this version of the events more and more.

She left you. Alone.

As she continued speaking, telling you how she was thrown in Stillwater Hold, never prosecuted or charged, and beaten and tortured, your whole body tensed. Her words painted a picture of chaos and pain, something completely different from what you had imagined for her. You always thought that she was living her best life, somewhere far away from Zaun.

"Do you know how many times I thought of giving up? Of just accepting that this was the end?", her eyes lifted toward your face, the raw feelings behind them making your breath catch in your throat, "But then I thought of you. Of Powder. And I knew I had to find a way back to you."

Her words hung in the air, and there was a minute of silence, during which you assimilated what she had said. A part of you wished for your initial belief to be true - you spend such a long time resenting her for abandoning you, and to a certain extent you even made your peace with it. But now, as she spoke her truth, you were left both confused and heartbroken.

How could you deal with that?

"I thought I would never see you again", you finally said, your voice sounding way softer and gentler than it was before, "That you are living your life somewhere else... with someone else."

Vi's brows furrowed at your admission and she pushed herself away from the wall, before taking a few steps toward you.

"Did you really believe I would do that?", her accusation made you shrink in your place, "That I would just leave you and Powder by yourself? That I don't care?"

The mention of her sister sent a pang of sorrow through your heart. Everyone knew how hard it was for you to witness her transformation, especially since you fought for years to save her from Silco's influence and twisted games. It took a long time for you to accept the painful truth that she was beyond saving.

"Have you seen Powder?", you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, "Do you know what she has become?"

Her gaze fell down at her feet and she weakly moved her head up and down. Despite seeing it with her own eyes, it all still felt unreal. If she controlled her anger that night, if she never screamed at her sibling, if she didn't step back from her... Maybe everything would've been different.

"I tried, Vi", you shook your head, unable to even look at her eyes, "I tried so hard, but Silco had his claws in her mind, filling it with lies. I couldn't... I couldn't save her. I don't know if anyone can. Even you..."

The woman's face fell - this was the second time she was told there was no hope for her sister anymore. She wanted to argue, to tell you that she could reach her, save her, but deep down she knew what your response was going to be. You were always honest to a fault, wearing your heart on your sleeve, and while Vi always loved that about you, she was not ready to hear the truth. Even if she already knew it.

Closing the gap between you, she cupped your cheek, gently running her thumb across the skin. You instinctively leaned toward it, seeking the feeling of warmth and comfort that you have been missing for so many years.

"I know", she said, still caressing your face, "It's not your fault. You did everything you could."

Her words were meant to comfort, but all they did was add the final drop to the already overflowing pool of emotions bubbling inside your chest. You leaped forward, circling your arms around her taller frame and burying your face in her chest. Hot tears were now flowing from your eyes, a result of years of silent suffering. Loud sobs escaped your lips, and you felt her strong arms wrapping around you, pulling you closer in a protective embrace.

"I missed you!", your words were muffled by your face being pressed against her shirt, "I missed you so much, Vi! I.. I thought I would never see you again!"

Her grip tightened and she buried her nose in your hair, inhaling deeply. The sweet scent of strawberry and cream filled her senses and she smiled, finding comfort in the fact that even years later, you still used the same shampoo. After being hit with the harsh reality of what Zaun has become, she welcomed this familiarity, even if it was a small one.

"I missed you too!", she murmured in your hair, before pressing a tender kiss on top of your head, "It's all going to be alright. I promise! I am here now."

You knew you shouldn't hope - after all, in the past it brought you only hurt and despair. But as she continued whispering sweet promises next to your ear, you couldn't help but cling to them, allowing yourself to believe that maybe, just maybe, there is a chance for you both.

"I would never leave you again!", her voice became harsher, filled with determination, "Whatever happens, I will always be by your side!"

Closing your eyes, you nodded your head, pressing your face even further into her chest. Your breathing was now calmer and the tears had dried on your cheeks, leaving salty trails behind them. If only you could freeze time and stay in this moment forever...

Suddenly your body tensed and you pulled yourself harshly from her embrace, leaving Vi shocked and surprised by the sudden movement.

"What about the enforcer girl?", your face scrunched in disgust as the words fell out of your lips, "Who is she... to you?"

The young woman blinked a few times, taken aback by your bluntness and the sudden coldness in your voice.

"Caitlyn?", the sound of her name made you roll your eyes, "She is... a friend. She helped me get out of Stillwater."

Your brow quirked and your arms crossed in front of your chest, as if protecting you from the idea that there may be something more between them. Ekko has briefly told you what he knew about her and how she seemed to be different from the other enforcers, but even he still had certain reservations when it came to her real intentions and her relationship to Vi.

"Just a friend? Is that all she is to you?"

The pink-haired woman stared long and hard at your face, somewhat amused by your questioning. She bit her lip, trying to suppress her smirk, but she couldn't control the way the corners of her lips twitched upwards.

"Violet!", the sound of you using her full name pulled her attention to your face and she reached out to you again, resting her hands on your waist, "Violet, I am being serious!"

She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to just pull you closer and shut your mouth, stopping you from asking such silly things. Her gaze bored into yours and her fingers squeezed the soft flesh under them.

"Caitlyn has been a great friend and a partner in crime...", she explained, pulling you closer to her, "But she is not you! I am not interested in her in that way."

With narrowed eyes, you studied her face for any signs of her lying, before reluctantly nodding your head. Slowly you lifted your arms, before wrapping them around her neck and immediately starting to play with the ends of her short locks.

"C'mon, I have a girlfriend, who do you think I am?", Vi finally let out a soft laugh, leaning her face toward yours and nudging your nose with hers. A light blush covered your cheeks and the tip of your ears at the sound of the word "girlfriend". After so many years apart, you were not even sure if she still considered you as such.

"A girlfriend, huh? She must be lucky!"

She grinned, moving one of her hands behind your neck, while the other one remained gripping your waist.

"I think I am the lucky one."

She closed the distance between you, pressing her chapped lips against yours and pouring all of the pent up frustration and love she held for you. Closing your eyes, you melted in her embrace, completely intoxicated by the familiar taste of her. The hand behind your neck pushed you even closer to her, resulting in a harsh battle of teeth and tongues, during which she easily dominated you.

When you finally pulled back, both of you rested your foreheads against each other, while trying to catch your breaths. You opened your eyes, immediately meeting those of Vi. Dragging your hand from behind her neck to her cheek, you rubbed it affectionately, smiling once she nudged it with her head.

"If you disappear again, I will hunt you down", you say half-seriously, half-jokingly, "And I will kick your ass!"

A wide grin formed on her face.

"I wouldn't even dream of it."

cc artwork: Shuo Shi

[astridselixir]

A/n: I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED A DRAFT. I’M ACTUALLY CRYING. I FEEL SO UPSET. It was my first request too :(( This was a request from an anon but I also lost that when I deleted the draft, so anon, wherever you are, I’m sorry 🥹💔 Have this as an apology 😭

Characters: Caitlyn, Vi, Sevika, Jinx

Summary: Hcs when you sleep with them <3

Warnings: none. Just fluff and a bit suggestive ig

ִ ࣪𖤐*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Caitlyn

☆彡 Caitlyn is definitely clingy when you two sleep together. Like she just throws herself on you and she’s not ashamed of it, in fact, she’s proud of it.

She also really loves being held and will never pass up the opportunity to be the little spoon. Especially after a tiring day of work as an enforcer (with her coworkers being an ass to her), one simple hug from you and it’s as if her problems floated away. “Magic” as she would call it.

Her favorite position to sleep in would be wherein her face is all smushed up against your chest/belly. She loves it so much because it’s as close as she can get to you, letting her know that you were there and just within arms reach.

Although you aren’t sure how she gets into this specific position or how she moves without you noticing, but hey, it’s Caitlyn, you would love her even with her strange ways.

And of course, there’s the occasional worry that she might not be getting enough oxygen with her face buried onto you like that. You’ve brought this up to her a few times but she always dismisses that fact and would sometimes retort with something cheesy like: “Why would I need air when I have you, my love?” She’s such a romantic it’s adorable.

But besides that fact, sleeping with Caitlyn is always warm and comfortable. One that you can freely call a “safe haven”. Free from worries and doubts the minute she’s in your arms.

Vi

☆彡 Vi will most definitely not let you go if she doesn’t feel like it. And it doesn’t help the fact that she has an iron grip, so you know damn well there’s no way of resisting once you’re in her hold.

Let’s be real, Vi’s had a rough life so naturally, it would be hard for her to show affection. It’s something she’s ashamed of and tries her hardest to change whenever she’s with you. She’ll always try to be the best version of herself because that’s just how much she loves you.

She’s never been good with words since she’s learned how to solve problems with her fists, so it takes a bit of adjusting when you first get into a relationship together.

Because she’s not good with words, she shows her affection through actions more. These actions can be many things. From walking you home, to giving you meaningful gifts, to always taking care of you. But of course, her favorite is spending time with you and touching you anytime she can. And cuddles is the number one option when it comes down to it.

Vi is also definitely the type to whisper sweet nothings into your ear while giving you featherlight kisses all over your face, hoping to ease any pent up stress within your system as she holds you close to her.

She’s such a big softie when it comes to you and she’s not complaining <3

Sevika

☆彡 Just like Vi, you are trapped the minute Sevika pulls you down on your shared bed. She’s not afraid to cage you in her arms, causing your vision to be obscured by her muscles— which is a heavenly sight by the way. But, she knows you wouldn’t complain. And she also knows you like it too much to do so.

It’s not hard to tell that Sevika is much larger than you. Her tall frame and physique is enough to let everyone know that. You on the other hand, you’re much smaller. Not only in height but in weight too. You’re short and light, something Sevika finds adorable.

Now, let’s get something straight; Sevika isn’t soft, she’s stern and aggressive, which contrasts to your kind and lively personality.

Because of this, she isn’t afraid to tone her emotions down so you’ll be more comfortable, which is also why she’s so careful with you whenever you guys are cuddling or sleeping together— I mean, she doesn’t want to accidentally suffocate you in the middle of sleeping now does she?

Although, cuddling with Sevika either ends up becoming a make out session or her giving you multiple hickies that are impossible to cover. This woman’s libido is just too high and you are living for it.

Jinx

☆彡 Jinx 100% wraps her arms and legs around your body when you two are sleeping. She clings onto for dear life and her grip is always firm, as if not allowing you to leave unless she says so.

And her hair is most definitely just sprawled everywhere; on your face, your body, over the edge of the bed, everywhere.

She’s your unhinged, blue-haired Rapunzel 💙

Jinx is also a tease. You guys could be having such a sweet time cuddling and she’d slip her hands up your shirt and graze the skin of your stomach purposely, just to see your flustered reaction to her touch. She loves how quickly your face turns to a shade of crimson and the momentary panic in your eyes once you realize what she’s doing.

But other than that, Jinx is clingy. Like REALLY clingy.

When you guys sleep together, she would unconsciously nuzzle her face on your neck, smiling in content once she’s sure that you really are there and not just a figment of your imagination.

Because of Jinx’s past, she’s had a hard time accepting and giving affection. She’s so afraid that the minute she let’s her guard down, you’ll just get up and leave her— but you proved her wrong. You were there when Jinx was having her episodes, her breakdowns, practically all of her moments in darkness. You stayed beside her and comforted her through them.

And then and there she knew, she knew it was you she wanted to be with for life.

You were her everything. Her sanctuary, her sun, her life, her lover. She would do anything to keep you beside her, even if it meant needing to kill. But she would only resort to that if someone had badly hurt you. She’s learned to keep her impulsiveness in check since she doesn’t want to scare you off.

She knows she’s too much to bear but you’ve reassured her that she’s your too much.

And Jinx isn’t sure how many times she’s loved you even more.

(A/n: AAA FINALLY DONE. I hope you guys like it! And anon, wherever you may be, I hope you find this 😭 Thank you guys for reading and have a great day!)

[mvmnbnv]

Interesting that vis bio changed after arcane and now has this instead of her just wanting to catch jinx and beat the shit out of her.

Now I'm theorizing on how this could happen. Jinx is wanted for a lot of terrible things so it'd be right to want to turn her in. But at the same time, there's also a theme I wanna bring up in vis promo poster

"Its too late to point the finger now"

Judging by the fight we see in the trailer and vi saying that her sister is gone, vi does try to capture her and is definitely angry with her for what she's done considering theyre literally fighting atp. But another theme in arcane this season is forgiveness, and the big question is can a monster be forgiven.

Jinx is literally looking out for her here, apparently even having tears in her eyes seeing vi in this state. So if jinx is the one that helps her, that could open the door to the theme of forgiveness and redemption. Especially considering this is one of vis darkest times.

But what's any of that shit have to do with pointing fingers??? Glad u asked ma boi

Once again judging by the trailer it seems like one, Cait is working with ambessa, two martial law has gone into effect, and three, ambessa and noxus turn on piltover at some point. Cait has been working with an expansionist leader and it looks like it could have backfired at some point. Everyone has done something wrong atp, that's even alluded to in the caption on Arcane France's promo of vis poster

Jinx is possibly redeeming herself while cait is possibly becoming an oppressor. Vi can hardly point fingers at jinx atp. Which brings me to my final point

This is definitely an act 3 vi. Coming back in different attire and with her badge, joining the fight against noxus with ekko from the looks of it. Vi and ekko probably have to save Piltover from caitlyns mistake of working with ambessa (and considering arcane is a backstory on how each character got to where they are, this might be vis entrance into becoming THE Piltover enforcer. Piltovers protector), and maybe out of guilt cait realizes that she herself can't point fingers at jinx when she let things get this bad, so she drops her vendetta against jinx at vis request and vi is left with the task of trying to help jinx, whatever that may look like. Maybe it's something discussed between them in private since it is still vis job to capture her, but maybe cait gives her some leeway after everything that's happened and vi just tries to keep jinx out of trouble.

[thenationofzaun]

Character writing in Arcane Season 2: Act 1

I have big issues with the quality of dialogue and characterization so far in Act 1. Characters and conversations have almost zero depth. Examples:

Heimerdinger - Does he know about the Council attack? How does he feel about it? Is he relieved he was voted out beforehand? Does he feel responsible for the attack, in that if he had taken action sooner, Zaun would not have been driven to this level of violence? Does he feel guilty for the deaths of his colleagues? Viktor was almost killed by the attack but got saved by the very Hexcore Heimerdinger hated. What's his reaction to that??

Lol who cares? Let's do goofy Disney channel hijinks by sneaking into a lab with Ekko. He meets Jayce there. Does he express his concern or relief that his former student just survived a Hextech explosion unscathed? Nope!!! Wacky humour time!!!

Ekko - Does Ekko know Jinx killed Silco? If yes, how does he feel about that? Is he shocked? Confused? If he doesn't know, what does he think happened to Silco? What do Zaunites like him make of Silco's death if Jinx got rid of his body? How does he feel about the Council attack? Does he support it or does he think Jinx went too far? Is he on the fence?

Lol who cares? We don't need to know any of this. Let Ekko have goofy scenes with Heimerdinger. Speaking of Heimer, what the fuck is Ekko's opinion on Heimerdinger's criminal negligence of the Undercity for the past two fucking centuries? Because he sure warmed up to that hairball quick. This is an issue that started in Season 1 Episode 8, but I had hopes they would address it in Season 2. I guess not.

Jayce - How does Jayce feel about seeing Heimerdinger again, when their last meeting was Jayce betraying him? We know he felt guilty about it in Season 1 so why was there no inkling of it during their meeting in the lab? Why doesn't Jayce tell Heimer that the Hexcore saved Viktor? The Hexcore having the potential to save Viktor's life was a huge point of contention for them in Season 1 and was partially the reason for Jayce's betrayal, but neither of them mention it. Lol. Viktor wakes up and tells him that Sky was killed by the Hexcore in their lab. Jayce: "Oh no! Anyway..." ?????? No questions as to how and when this happened? No questions as to where Sky's body is? You just learned your employee was fucking killed in your lab a few days ago and this is your reaction?

Vi - How does Vi feel about the fact that the tyrants who killed her parents are dead by Jinx's hand? She herself wanted to take revenge on the Council in the past, so how does she feel now that her little sister's the one who did it? When Caitlyn yaps about avenging her mother's death by killing Jinx, does Vi realize that Jinx's attack was in itself vengeance for their parents' deaths on the bridge? Which were sanctioned by the Council? Will she ever bring this up to Caitlyn? Probably not. What exactly is Vi's opinion on a Zaunite uprising against topside? Does she no longer think it's the right way to go about things?

What does she think happened to Ekko? The last time she saw him, he was fighting Jinx to the death. He could be dead for all she knows. And she doesn't even think about or mention him once. Seems like she doesn't give a shit about Little Man lol. Did the writers forget they are childhood friends?

What eventually drives her to join the enforcers? Could it be concern for her sister, that she somehow thinks the badge would allow her more say in advocating for lesser sentencing? Could it be ideology, that she genuinely believes stricter policing of the Undercity is the way to prevent more Silcos? Lol nope! She's convinced by some rando giving her an ego boost about how Kewl and Badazz she was attacking the factory of child labourers. (A+ manipulation by Caitlyn by the way. What a wholesome and healthy romance Caitvi is turning out to be!)

What causes the rift between Vi and Caitlyn? Could it be Vi's love for Jinx, because as much she tries to convince herself her sister is dead and that Jinx is a different person, deep down she knows that Jinx is still her sister and for all Vi's bluster and rage, she can't bear to see Jinx actually die when push comes to shove? Lol nope!!! She's actually totally okay with a fucking enforcer killing her fucking sister, the exact thing that orphaned them both. Vi only draws the line when a random kid intervenes, after which Caitlyn proceeds to domestically abuse Vi and leave her crying on the floor without looking back.

There is so much detail and nuance missing. This is why almost every scene and conversation feels so empty. Every conversation is comically rushed and not allowed to breathe. The characters' superficial personality traits are there for the most part, but their underlying motivations, feelings, opinions, and desires are completely neglected to fulfill whatever the plot demands them to do.

[justanerddummie]

You know what, after all the talk about Caitlyn tyrant arc I cannot unsee all the parallels between her and Silco.

It always left me a little baffled how Cait was one of the few character who didn't have a clear parallel with another one, yes, there's Grayson, there's Jinx and even Marcus if you will, but at least to me they never quite clicked right. But when you overlap Silco and Cait, the amount of shit they do the same is insane, especially with all the new stuff from s2.

It's not about her simply becoming a villain, it's like a circle with Caitlyn moving forward to reach the point of no return and Silco going backward after reaching the point of no return, meeting just for a moment - at the mad tea party - having different directions.

But let's start from the beginning.

We have a bunch of scenes where we see Silco tell Jinx about how he used to be different, how he had to cut out the part of him that made him soft in order to become the leader of the undercity and at the same time we get to see Caitlyn's entitled ass dissolve as her heart of gold starts making appearances, like when she refused to kill Sevika or when she gave her rifle away for Vi without batting an eye as she starts trusting Vi more and more considering how she just exchanged her only weapon for shimmer to cure Vi. Then in the other episodes they both come clean about the real reasons they are in the undercity and they start really trusting each other, two peas in a pod, just like Vander and Silco back in the day.

But then in oil and water during the rain scene when Vi leaves Cait, I think we can see the first the first seed of betrayal being planted, it's the you don't believe in me anymore, which I think can be connected to when we see Vander strangle Silco, I think that scene is supposed to go after the bridge scene in ep3 it's the aftermath of the battle with enforcers and I can totally see Silco refusing to give up on the dream of Zaun and Vander seeing no other option but to kill him in order to protect his people. I know it's a long stretch but as for Vi and Cait the rain scene is the first rift, for Silco and Vander the scene at the river is the last straw, it also ties very well with Silco being handed Zaun on a silver plate in exchange for the last piece of his heart and refusing (Cait is still not there but I think there will be something like this in s2 at the very end) just as Cait is taking the first steps into not trusting Vi.

(I'm trying to talk about how I see Caitlyn's point of view and not trying to blame Vi, I really do think that Vi had every right to make that decisions in that moment)

And then there's the mad tea party, that in no way can even be compared to the scene on the bridge in ep3 but I would still say that I think Caitlyn has processed the tea party in a similar way Silco has processed the bridge scene and what came after, the betrayal of the people they trusted the most as they watched their respective loved ones die one by the hands of the enforcers and the other by the hands of Jinx.

And as Silco's rage grew he wanted another fight with Piltover and Vander stopped him, Vi stopped Cait from taking the shot on Jinx, making that little seed of betrayal bloom and grow a little.

So by the end of s1 we see Cait is almost in Silco's starting point as he has completed his lap of the circle.

And now I dive into the more speculative section of this long-ass rant, where I'd like to put to comparison Silco's deal with Singed with Cait's alliance with Noxus. And for as much as it pains to admit it, I don't think Cait will fall for Ambessa manipulation, she's too smart, I think that she'll sacrife her morality to achieve what she's set herself up to, same way as Silco did with shimmer. The base violence for change.

I really do think that the similarities will get way stronger in s2 with the seeds of betrayal blooming by the end of s1 especially considering how both Silco and Cait's story revolve around taking control and in a certain way becoming the leaders no one asked for.

They both never wanted to be leaders as Silco was more than happy to let Vander be the face of revolution and Cait couldn't give less of a fuck about politics and spent most of the time in s1 trying to not start a war between Piltover and Zaun and wooing Zaunites women.

But at the same time both of them never shied away from the power, they both kept their heads held high in the face of people who hated them, and both were always arrogant enough to believe they could change the world single-handedly.

With that I conclude this long-ass post both wanting s2 to come faster and dreading the moment it finally comes and honestly hoping that Cait's story doesn't end the same way as Silco did. With some form of redemption arrived a little too late.