Chapter Text
The morning sun crept through the sterile white curtains of Vi’s room, casting soft light on her motionless form. Machines hummed steadily, a rhythm that had become the background of Caitlyn’s world. She hadn’t left Vi’s side since they brought her here. Scientists and doctors had managed to create an antidote to the drug in short time and pumped it into Vi. Even though she hadn't woken up yet, the doctors said it was working and she should wake up soon.
Caitlyn watched Vi’s chest rise and fall, the slow breaths both a comfort and a torment. She’s alive, Caitlyn reminded herself.
They wasted no time mass-producing the antidote and distributing it across Piltover. Caitlyn even managed to get some doses down to Ekko and the Firelights in record time. Sevika hadn't attacked yet, and Caitlyn felt a mix of relief and anxiety at the uncertainty of what was to come. Ekko and the Firelights had been doing their best to surveil Sevika, trying to figure out when or how she would strike, but it was hard to gather information while keeping a safe distance. Sevika controlled too much of the Undercity now for them to get close enough.
She was lost in her thoughts about the next steps when Tobias appeared in the doorway. He wordlessly handed her a cup of tea and placed a hand on her shoulder as Caitlyn looked at Vi.
“She's strong, Caitlyn. I have no doubt she'll wake up soon. All of Piltover owes its safety, and possibly its future, to both of you," Tobias said softly, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Caitlyn let out a sharp breath. “We’re not out of the woods yet. Sevika’s still out there. She’s probably already adapting her plans, knowing we’d warn everyone as soon as we got here,” she replied, her voice growing more focused and determined. Her mind reeled again to what has been going on. Jayce and Parker working with the Council to bolster the city’s defenses, even as half of them thought this was a waste of time, that Sevika wouldn’t dare attack Piltover now that they're ready for her. She understood Vi's urge to cuss them out at times.
"...- should get some rest."
"I-what?" Caitlyn tuned in to the end of the conversation her father was apparently having with himself.
"Caitlyn, I worry. You've barely slept. You should get some rest."
"I don't want to be asleep when she wakes up. She's going to be confused or probably in distress, or both" she admitted, her voice wavering.
"You won't be able to do much for her if you are exhausted," Tobias stated.
Caitlyn’s shoulders tensed, and she looked away, her gaze drifting back to Vi’s unconscious form. “If I rest, who’s going to make sure—”
"Jayce and Parker are coordinating with the Council. You said your allies in the Undercity are monitoring the situation. And I'm here. I can keep watch while you sleep and if Violet shows any signs of stirring I'll wake you up right away. I'm on break for a few hours and would love to spend it making sure you are both okay," Tobias interrupted gently, taking a step closer. “You’re not alone in this, Caitlyn. Let us carry the weight for a few hours. Just enough for you to close your eyes.”
She let out a slow breath, her resolve wavering as she looked back at her father. "Okay. Just for a few hours and you wake me up the second you think Vi might wake, not like last time," she flopped on the couch just a few feet away from Vi's bed.
Tobias gave a small, reassuring nod, covering Caitlyn with a blanket. “I promise, sweetheart. Now rest,” he said, his voice steady and warm.
With that, Cailtyn let exhaustion win and was fast asleep. Her dreams, however, were not kind to her. Her mind replayed the memories of Vi's torture and then her lifeless body as Caitlyn tried to bring her back. In this nightmare, Vi didn't wake up even as Caitlyn screamed her name and punched her chest. She held onto Vi’s lifeless body and screamed and cried into the void for gods know how long.
She startled awake with a gasp. Her father was beside her in a second holding her shoulders as she got her bearings. She looked at him with terror in her eyes. "Vi- is she?"
“She’s okay, Caitlyn. I promise.” His voice was calm, but his eyes were full of worry. He kept his grip firm but gentle, waiting until the panic faded from her expression.
Caitlyn pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid thud of her heart. She glanced over to Vi’s bed, where everything was as it had been—Vi’s chest still rising and falling with each steady breath. Relief swept through her, but the remnants of the nightmare clung to her, leaving her hands trembling.
“I thought—” Caitlyn's voice cracked, and she squeezed her eyes shut, struggling to keep her composure. “I thought she was gone.” Tears flowed down her cheeks and she wiped them away as they kept coming.
Tobias softened, pulling her into a gentle hug. “She’s still here, she's alright. You both are," he murmured. He guided her back onto the couch, his hand moving to stroke her hair in a soothing rhythm. “Just rest a little longer. Everything will be okay.”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to protest, but the weight of exhaustion bore down on her, and the warmth of her father's touch melted her resistance. Her eyes fluttered shut, and before she knew it, sleep claimed her once again, pulling her into its depths.
________________
The next day dawned quietly, the morning light spilling through the window and spreading across the floor like a warm, golden blanket. The hospital room felt almost peaceful, but Caitlyn’s nerves buzzed beneath the stillness. She stirred from the couch, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep as she rubbed her eyes, disoriented for a moment. Then she saw Vi lying in the bed, unchanged, and her shoulders sagged with both relief and frustration. Her father bid her goodbye and went to start his shift, leaving some breakfast behind.
Caitlyn grabbed a bread roll and ate it in a couple of bites. She moved closer to Vi’s bed, reaching out to gently take her hand, her thumb brushing over Vi's calloused knuckles. “Hey, Vi,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath in the quiet room. “You know I always say to take your time when you're recovering, but you’ve got to wake up soon, okay? I miss you so much and I’m worried about you.”
As if in response, Vi's hand twitched beneath Caitlyn’s. At first, she thought she’d imagined it, a trick of her hopeful mind. But then it happened again—a small, unmistakable movement. Caitlyn’s breath caught, hope surging through her. She squeezed Vi's hand lightly, leaning closer.
“Vi? Can you hear me?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Vi's eyelids fluttered, her brow furrowing as if she were struggling to surface from a deep, dark place. It was a slow and painful process, but finally, her eyes opened, the grey of them hazy and unfocused. She blinked several times, as if trying to remember how to use them. She groaned.
"C-Cait?" Vi's voice was raspy, barely more than a croak, but it was the sweetest sound Caitlyn had heard in days. She felt tears spring to her eyes, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face. She also noted that there was no green hue to Vi’s eyes anymore which was a great relief.
“Yes, it’s me. I’m right here,” Caitlyn said, her grip on Vi’s hand tightening. “You’re safe. You’re going to be okay.”
"Is this- is this real?"