"I had a feeling.. ugh. This is dreadful weather." She does hurry home. She would offer her coat as added protection for Maddie.. but they're both soaked by the time they get in. Caitlyn shivers as she takes off her boots. "I'll have the staff get the room ready. Do you remember the tea room?—
"I've tried hard to keep the public out of the know. Most of them want to move on and try to get back to whatever normal we can." She promised Mel to give Maddie a fair chance upon discovering they weren't taking her with. "You can stay at the estate tonight. It'll be too far for you to go home—
She laughed a little. "How are you finding things?" Soon outside. The rain making sense why she had such a headache now. "Ah.. at least the estate isn't terribly far."
"Ugh. Fine, I suppose." She didnt want to leave but she knew she should. Her mind was shot for today anyway. She stands and grabs her coat to leave the offices.
Caitlyn listened. The words almost a comfort but, could she trust them? She laughed a bit at the others short comment. Trying to wipe her tears quickly. "I just want to stop feeling so awful about it all."
"I was not the kindest to you either. I will admit my failings there. But I struggle to justify that as anything more than the gut feeling that something was off. Im trying so hard to keep the peace. Its such a delicate balance." It was a lot of pressure.
"That is not a compliment." She stares at the ground. She should have seen it. She knows it. She was cold to Maddie during that time but clearly it didnt matter. She was remembering.. being there on her knees. This officer she trusted.. aimed to kill her. And would have if not for Mel. Caitlyn—
"I know! ... You needn't remind me of how much of an idiot I was." She sighed turning away. Caitlyn was getting temperamental.
"... Ouch. Do you really have to say things like that?"
"I am sorry. I wish I knew, I would have gotten extra blankets for you."
"I uh.. said nothing about sleeping next to me. You seem irritated. And as a friend I want to help.. if I can. ..Did I really steal the blankets?"
"... Well, if you wish to talk, you know how to reach me."
"I count on it. Now, go lay down. I'll give you that massage now." She kissed her cheek affectionately. Kissing her lips next.
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo agoVi returned the gesture by rubbing Caitlyn's lower back while nuzzling into her a bit. ❝ Thank you, but I'm still gonna get you back for calling me out like this at some point. You can /bet/ on that.~ ❞ Is that a threat? No... It's a clichéd promise!
She giggled, hugging her gently. Her hand rubbing over her upper back where it wasn't bruised. "Sweet Vi.. Id never~ You could always ask me for a massage, sweetheart."
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo agoVi's face is flushing pink as she suddenly embraced Caitlyn in a hug just so she could whisper into her ear. ❝ Please don't make me beg, Cupcake.. Not in public at least. ❞
"Oh? Whatever do you mean? You're all better aren't you?" She takes a step closer too.. smiling. Coy from her own little game.
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago❝ W-Woah woah woah now, Cait! Let's not get ahead of ourselves now! ❞ She's taking a few steps closer, immediately showing just how easy it was to make that tough girl act crack with just the right words from the right person.
"Well if youre boasting so much.. maybe its not necessary." The fun part though.. Vi doesn't need to be sore to ask for a massage from Caitlyn.
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago❝ I-Invincible doesn't mean you can't /feel/ anything! ❞ Cue her already getting a little sheepish, not particularly fond of the idea of never feeling the joys (and literal pains) of the other's massages. Was that a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek now?
"Its not a saying, my darling. Isn't your back still sore? I was going to give you another massage." She's teasing a little.
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago❝ Invincible until proven otherwise, Babe, it's a saying for a reason.~ ❞ Vi, you're one of the only people that says shit like that...
"I can use my home computer to do some things.. and at least puzzle some things out." Caitlyn was never not working. Her mind ran a mile a minute without tiring.. "Oh, maybe if you go for a nap, I will take the horse out for a jog."
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo agoVi flashes a small, fragile smile. ❝ I appreciate it, Cupcake, but... Are you sure it'll be alright for you to take off? There's things that need to get done. ❞
"I'll stay home a few days with you. I know your need to move around is hard to ignore." Maybe fluffy cuddles and movies with her partner will help.
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo agoVi nods and reaches out a hand for her hot chocolate with a small nod. Otherwise, she's silently accepting the fact that she needs to take it down a notch for once.
"It can. But I kept my title as Commander to ensure the peace is kept. I dont have to wait for council approval if I need to ask.."
❝ Flesh is a weakness we must shed . . . . . . Join me in The Glorious Evolution! ❞ [ ❤️ & 🔁 ? ]
"You say that as if being intelligent is a bad thing. I would argue I am not particularly strong or special physically.. but I adapt and I learn."
"I know it is. But you can't be in your place when you're hurt like this. .. I have seen you take a lot of hits and never rest. So.. please. Take the time."
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago❝ They... They got what they deserved. ❞ She knows that throwing hands in response to hearing an insult wasn't "right" or even a good idea, but she just couldn't take what she heard. ❝ My place is out there, but fine... I'll try to relax and take it easy. ❞
She just holds Vi and helps her get comfortable. Her handle is gentle. "Im sorry he got under your skin like that. ... Thank you for defending my name. I just wish it wasn't at such a high cost for you, Vi." She kisses her cheek. Grabbing a tissue to help dry her tears. "Im not going to—
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago<<< him. He wasn't worth /that/. ❞ She looked down at her hands, the bloodied and bruised knuckles serving as a reminder of what she did.
"No. You usually leave them by the door or garage. But that might just be habit. Im glad youre doing well." She hummed. The garage having been converted into Vi's play area. Her workout equipment, some tech stuff and tools for her engineering projects, a couch, a mini fridge. .
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago❝ You don't see my gauntlets anywhere around, do you~? ❞ A simple retort, one that should convey that she's more than happy to just relax for the night.
She catches her love and holds her. Letting her cry.. her one arm trying to support her back while the other holds her head. No words. Not yet. Vi was allowed to cry and be vulnerable with Cait. If she wants to talk about it she will when ready.
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago<<< that having her head on Caitlyn's shoulder provided. She failed her sister and is actively failing another... That's how she viewed it, that's likely how she'll continue to view it.
"Do it. I would love to hear it again." She kissed her cheek in return. "Mmh.. are you settling in?"
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo agoShe couldn't help but snicker in mild amusement. ❝ So that's what really sealed the deal with you two, huh? Sappy, cute... All the stuff that'd be perfect for you.~ ❞ Cue a small peck on the cheek coming from Vi. ❝ Maybe I'll play it next time for /us/.~ ❞
Caitlyn has only ever seen any Vi cry a very few handful of times. And coming in the room.. she didnt hear Vi really. But she saw her shoulders shaking. Caitlyn approaches quietly. She set the drink down on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. Her hand is gentle, resting on her shoulder—
ＶＩ, 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕣@piltovanpunches.bsky.social · 2mo ago<<< face pressed into the pillow as very faint weeping began. It was barely audible from where she even was, let alone from several rooms over. Even if it's alone or in /very/ select company, she rarely let herself cry.