Smoke And Mirrors

Mother Advice

Vi returned at the hospital the next day and the day after that. It seemed that Caitlyn would be staying there for a while since her injuries were a little more serious than initially anticipated and she needed more rest, as Soraka had pointed out quite strictly. But the sherrif's restless mind wasn't fond on obeying in the Star Child's orders.

Everytime Vi was on a visit, she found Caitlyn working on her phone, making calls and arrangements, staying updated on the latest developments. Vi wasn't sure of how she should be feeling about this. She was full aware that Caitlyn wouldn't just stand with hands folded, but after what happened she shouldn't be pressing herself so much. Even her mother had noticed that and had even to talked it out but was waved off. Maybe she should try herself, though the chances of Caitlyn were as little as Jinx joining the Wardens. Well, she was going to try anyways.

Not too surprisingly, Vi found the next day Caitlyn working on her phone. Only when she entered the hospital  room did the sherrif raise her head and a true smile that reached her ears spread on her beautiful face. That smile was infectious because the corner's of Vi's lips curled up in a smile too.

"Hey" she greeted, the smile never abandoning her lips.

"Hey" Caitlyn greeted back, returning momentarily her attention on her phone before closing it up. Meanwhile, walked up on her bed and shut down, starring intently at the hexetech device.

"What's the matter?" the brunette asked, noticing Vi's frown.

"First things first, I'mma say all the words inside my head. I'm fired up and tired of how you never give it a rest!" Vi said, and even if she was slightly irritated, her voice came out soft.

Caitlyn let out a sigh "I know, I know. You're right, but I'm the sherrif Vi, I have responsibilities and I can't be left behind"

"I know that" was Vi's response as she grabbed Caitlyn's hand "But how are you supposed to work if you never rest? You're such a workaholic, have I ever told you before?"

"Several times" Caitlyn let out a soft laugh and Vi mimicked her.

"Exactly" the enforcer continued "You've been shot Cupcake. That's some serious shit, not something that you recover in one day"

"What a Deja Vu moment this is" Caitlyn mused, shaking her head "You're right Vi, you know you are but my responsibilities towards this city require sacrifices"

"Do these «sacrifices» include your life as well?" Vi asked, lowering her tone.

Caitlyn was taken aback slightly. She looked over at her enforcer with a look of amusement but a response never reached her lips.

"Goddammit Cupcake" Vi murmured, squeezing Caitlyn's hand "Think of Piltover. What would the city come to be without you? What about..."

She left her sentence hanging, scared to continue, but Caitlyn caught on. She didn't need to say the words for the sherrif to understand the meaning behind her silence. This side of Vi, loving, sweet and caring, had remained unknown till then to Caitlyn and she didn't know it even existed. Vi was boisterous, strong, thick headed and most importantly violent, not giving an impression of a person with a golden heart underneath. Only Caitlyn knew about this side and that's how it would remain.

"Forgive me" Vi murmured, covering her face in her palm "How selfish of me to ask you something like that?"

"Not at all" Caitlyn disagreed "I'm the one who should be apologizing. If anything, I've been stressing you out a lot. Don't you think I haven't noticed this bags under your eyes"

The enforcer unconsciously touched her face with her fingers "Is it that bad?" she grimaced

"I've seen under my own eyes worse than this" Caitlyn laughed, trying to loosen up the tension. Then, her phone rung and she picked it on her hand to check her new message.