expiationlogs | ❈ third shot (closed)

[When Caitlyn offered for Ekko to stay with them, she really hadn't minded. They had the space in their home, and she knew Ekko was an old friend of Vi's, even if she didn't know the in-depth history between them.

It was nice, to see Vi interact with someone she clearly cared about, especially when that someone didn't utterly hate her.

He had been with them a few weeks, doing his own thing, trying to adjust in his own way, when Vi invited him to Lupin bar to drink with them that night. Caitlyn had her own things to attend to earlier in the day, given she still had her private detective jobs to see about, but she arrived to Lupin at last, settling into the booth next to Vi, who was already sitting opposite of Ekko. It seemed like they had already gotten the party started, which was fine with her. She would never be able to out drink Vi, so it was probably for the best if Vi had already started. And if Ekko was anything like Vi, he would outdrink her too.]

[It was a pleasant surprise when Caitlyn had initially offered him residence in hers and Vi's humble abode though he hadn't quite expected the turn of events that would unfold before his eyes over the coming weeks. At first he thought the pair were simply good friends but after prompting them about where he might sleep given there only being two bedrooms, he was swiftly bestowed one instead of just couch surfing causing questions to arise in the back of his mind. Then came their morning routine of eating breakfast most days all together with Vi nonchalantly whispering sweet nothings in her ear causing her counterpart to fluster rather easily on top of the little 'cupcake' nickname ushered forth on occasion. After that it hadn't taken him much longer to realize they were more than just 'friends'. Not that he cared mind you, in fact quite the opposite for he was glad his longtime friend could find companionship after the terrible hand life had dealt her back home in Runeterra.

Tonight he and Vi had made their way to one of the bars established by a fellow Chosen by the name of Lupin, a quiet basement bar that Ekko found himself quickly growing fond of. The pair of them had already started to indulge themselves with shots of fine whiskey followed up by a hearty beer each of their own choice. He opted for a strong stout, dark in color with a thick, rich flavor that was both filling and delicious as they continued to converse away merrily.]

So honestly, Vi...How long have you and Caitlyn...Y'know been a 'thing'?

[Getting a little bit of liquid courage in him the boy savior felt more confident talking about the elephant in the room as her counterpart waltzed up to join them on cue. Booze was one of the few vices that allowed him to let his regularly guarded persona down, enjoying the nice buzz he had going already.]

Right on time, Caitlyn! I was just discussing my curiosities with Vi here.

[she really liked Ekko being back again. even though he'd been here before... it hadn't been for so long. so when he came, and stayed, and stayed with them, it felt like almost some sort of normalcy. it was so incredibly nice to hang out with Ekko, actually catch up instead of getting whisked away in the nonsense that was all that stuff back home.

even though Vi was the owner of Lupin, she wasn't proud. she still had the cheap shit for beer, with another shot being placed next to her by one of her employees when Ekko asks his question.

she almost snorts her beer out of her nose in response. she coughs, pounding her chest as she tries to regain some of her composure.]

Thing? What do you mean... 'thing'? Me and Cait... we're not a thing.

[she starts to sputter again when the other part of the subject matter walks up... lgkhdfgd]

[It became immediately evident that something happened here. Vi looks awkward, Ekko looks amused, and.. oh. What did she just walk up to?

Thank god her favorite fruity drink was dropped off not long after she sat, since the staff saw her walking in. She was going to need this tonight, wasn't she?]

Oh? What curiosities? [...she's doing to regret asking, isn't she?]

[Being all together like this made Ekko feel less anxious about what could possibly be happening back home even if it were true that time was seemingly at a stand still for them whilst here in Aldrip and would be as if nothing changed when they returned. Vi and Caitlyn both had made him feel welcomed in their residence and was very thankful for their kindness shown unto him, feeling a bit overwhelmed when he first arrived here if truth be told. He finally was starting to settle into things now though as the boy savior kept himself busy with menial tasks on top of searching meticulously for incite into their captors of this 'Council' who watched over their every move from the shadows.

The look on Vi's face when he puts forth the question at large countered by the choking cough that follows causes him to grin fiendishly in utter delight. That alone was enough to basically confirm is already growing suspicions as she tried to back pedal on his inquiry.]

Sorry but that kind of response doesn't make your argument very convincing, Vi.

[A burst of laughter erupting from deep within his chest as he tips back another long swig from his beer with a satisfied hum before turning his attention towards Caitlyn now.]

Well you see I was asking your "friend" what the deal is between you two...

Edited (Didn't like using that same thing I said last time exactly) 2024-07-06 03:37 (UTC)

Shut up!

[Vi groans and takes the shot that had been set in front of her, slapping the small glass down on the table because she's clearly not drunk enough for any of this.]

What do you even know, huh? You stay at our place for a couple weeks and think you know everything??

[she's not actually mad, but a flustered kind of mad that Ekko would probably recognize. it's not usually something she lets happen that often, but Caitlyn was always a sensitive subject for her.

mostly because she had no fucking clue what to say about her.]

Oh. Oh.

[YEP SHE SURE GOT HERE AT THE WORST TIME POSSIBLE!! Vi's denial isn't unexpected, either, because she's done the same exact thing, multiple times.

It's not like they both don't know that there's something there. Of course there is. There was something there, even before they got trapped in this world together.

But putting a label on something that's only going to end, when she inevitably goes home, while Vi stays behind with Jinx? That would only get them more hurt, so it's been easier to just have fun with each other than to put words into what it is. Because words equal emotions, and more emotions involved means more heartbreak.

Even if Caitlyn knows it'll hurt like hell, either way.

She's just. Going to pick up her drink and sip it and let Vi handle this one.]

[And here Ekko thought Caitlyn was the more forthcoming of the pair when it came to stuff like this but given her silence as she merely sips back her drink perhaps he was mistaken. Tipping back the last bit of his beer with a satisfied sigh the boy shakes his head, furrowing his brows with a perplexed look stricken over his features. Well this just suddenly got a lot more awkward than he was expecting but wasn't about to back down after Vi lashes out at him, used to his counterpart losing her shit when things didn't go as planned.]

Well...For starters I've seen the way you look at each other everyday and I don't know many friends who just up and offer someone a room when there is only two in the whole house.

[He wasn't going to say the most obvious indication of their relationship out loud in fear of being knocked the fuck out by Vi right here and now but walls only soundproof so much and neither of them were exactly 'quiet' if you catch his drift. Again not as if he truly cared but he didn't know why they were so afraid to admit it aloud! Flagging down the bartender with a hand in the air he quickly asks for another shot of whiskey himself along with another beer because he was entirely too sober still for this as well.]

[there's a long silence as Vi doesn't know what the fuck to say. for once in her life, she doesn't know what the fuck to say. everyone else had just let it go at the point where she'd clearly just let it get super awkward.

but she knew Ekko wasn't like that. especially since he'd probably give her shit for it.

well. it was going to come either way.

her hand grips at the cup her beer's in, and she breathes in through her nose for a moment.]

It...

[again. for the first time in her life, she thinks about her words carefully.]

We don't... know if we have forever with it. You know as well as I do that we don't know what we're going back to. So it's easier to just. Keep it like this.

[and Vi has problems with emotional attachments, anyway. she'd lost so many close to her... the only person that she had, without problem, been able to contact after getting out of jail was the boy sitting across from her.

she would never admit it, but she's scared of losing it all.]

[Caitlyn just stares into her cup as Vi finally starts speaking. She isn't exactly sure what she expects the other woman to say to her old friend, but as the words spill from Vi at last, Caitlyn feels her cheeks warm.

Even if they avoid talking about it, she knows it's probably obvious how they feel about each other. Ekko picked up on it quickly, which was no surprise, especially being in such a confined space with them, and the fact that he knew Vi so well from before--

But still. Her heart still hurts at the reminder that they really don't know what's going to happen when they get home, if they get home, and if they get a choice, or if one of them leaves suddenly and the other is left behind.

So many ifs. And as much as she wants to choose Vi, she has a responsibility to her family, to her home too.

They're both still here and now, for now, so she can at least reach over and loop her fingers around one of Vi's hands, giving it a gentle squeeze of reassurance.]

We're happy. Like this. I think that's all we can ask for, given our circumstances.

[He could read Vi like a book even from a young age given the fact she wore her heart on her sleeve most of the time and wasn't shy about most things. So this was a first when his counterpart finds themselves lost in thought for a moment, thinking how best to approach the matter. Ekko hadn't realized it was such a sore topic of discussion and were both content to keep it an unspoken thing given how obvious it was to him after living in close quarters all together. A sinking feeling emerged in the pit of his stomach as the pair expressed their concerns, watching intently as Caitlyn reached for Vi’s hand holding it gingerly in her grasp.]

Yeah…I get it now. Better to enjoy while it lasts without worrying about what the future might hold for us here.

[He was used to living his own life nowadays without growing too attached, for it had only caused him unparalleled heartache and pain in the past. When he first found out Powder had been taken under Silco’s wing and was working alongside him it utterly destroyed the boy. His longtime best friend and closest confidant turned against him. It was different here in Aldrip however, Jinx not exactly the same person she was back home as he sensed more of her prior self shining through in their conversations at times. Perhaps things could honestly be different here even if he was a bit hesitant to trust her fully still.

After a long drawn out silence the boy savior sighs solemnly trying to ease the tension in the room. Putting forth a cracked smile he looks towards them with a nod of his head in understanding.]

For what it's worth? I think you two are great together. I can see you both care for each other a lot and that is all that really matters at the end of the day.

[A beat as he tips back the shot of whisky with a gasp of breath, coughing a little at its harsh afterburn as the smile grows a bit wider.]

Even if Vi is a little rough around the edges she has a heart of gold. Don't let that headstrong attitude of hers fool you, Caitlyn.

[Teasing his older sister figure as per the norm.]

[Vi snorts loudly as Ekko finally breaks the small tension in between the three of them. she gives Cait's hand a squeeze back before she grabs at her drink and takes a good gulp too.]

Surprised you're not laughing. Me? Tagging around with a Piltie? Not sure if a younger me would be impressed that she's such a hottie or mad because she's one of the high families. But she's pretty okay, I guess. I'll keep her around.

[she throws her legs up towards the other chair on the other side so that she can have her legs up... but mostly so that she can try to kick Ekko under the table. after that, she tries to nudge at Caitlyn a little bit to make sure she knew she was just joking.]

She knows, or else she wouldn't be here.

[I love her so much, she wants to say to Ekko. But even now, the words don't seem to want to form. They're too real, too serious, for something that can only be temporary. Oil and water. It wouldn't work, not really-- no matter how much she wanted. Because either Vi chooses Jinx over her, or she chooses Piltover over Vi. And it sucks, no matter how it plays out. As much as she hates it, love doesn't actually trump everything.

The tension is breaking, at least. Ekko makes Vi laugh, and Vi's throwing teases her way. She forces a smile, giving Vi a nudge in return.]

Meanwhile I'm the family disappointment, so I doubt anyone would be surprised to see me with Zaunites. [She remembers all too well that look on her mother's face when she saw the "stray" she picked up. But she doesn't care. Her mother was wrong about the Undercity. They all were.]

I could tell. Even when we first went to the Undercity, I knew you had a good heart. I'm glad I was right about you. [It certainly had been a risk, to break her out of jail. And here they were, something she never expected.]

[Each of their actions speak for themselves even if they don't openly voice their true emotions held for one another, Ekko smiling coyly to himself as Vi takes a swipe at him with a foot. Both their sentiments cause the boy to chuckle unabashedly as he loosens up a bit further, shaking his head in both their directions.]

I was shocked at first when I found out you had teamed up with a top sider back home but now I can see why. She's probably the first Piltie I'd ever think about trusting myself as well, no offense.

[He was still certainly weary of his Piltover counterparts after everything they've subjected Zaun and more intimately his fellow Firelights by the corrupt Enforcers in Silco's pocket. Maybe now with Marcus dead things could change for the better, especially if Caitlyn found herself in a position of power given everything she had done to smooth things out between the opposed forces. Not to mention the most recent predicament with Jinx opting to fire upon the Council with her newfound weaponry capable of mass destruction thanks in due part to the gemstone causing uncertainty between their nations.

Moving to look across to the Piltie, Ekko shakes his head firmly at the self doubt cast upon herself sighing solemnly.]

That's not true, Caitlyn. Your parents should be proud of what you have achieved and in due time will come to realize everything you've been striving to do will be worth it to bring peace between our people.

[a muscle twitched on Vi's face, close to her mouth. for what expression, even she didn't know. guilt? sadness? amusement, that Caitlyn's parents would ever be accepting of her?

mostly it's guilt and sadness, because at least one of them was about to be dead at home. she didn't like to think about it, but...]

We probably shouldn't... talk about anyone on the Council right now.

[her voice is quiet, and she motions for another round for the three of them. even for Caitlyn, whether she's ready or not.]

That's an even worse subject than everything else.

[She appreciates that both of them are trying to spare her feelings. While it's something she tries not to think about too often, she's learning to accept whatever fate is in store for her family at home, she can't run from it forever.]

It was a joke, mostly. But my mother could be an arrogant arse, gods rest her soul. She hated that I joined the Enforcers. She hated that I didn't "live up to the Kiramman family's name." But, for what it's worth, I know she was still proud of me. And she would have loved you too, Vi, if she got the chance to know you the way I do.

[It was her mother that paved the way for her to even speak to the Council about everything. Her mother had her back, even if she didn't fully understand her.

Maybe she would still get the chance to. Or maybe she wouldn't. Caitlyn really couldn't be sure of what the future held for them when they finally got home, if they got home, but she wasn't as scared to face it as she used to be.

But even so, Caitlyn definitely appreciates the new drink being dropped off in front of her, and takes the next shot with the rest of them. Look at her, not even coughing quite as much as she used to! True character development, here.]

The neighbors, however? They can go fuck themselves. [...yeah, she's been hanging around Vi for too long. And is maybe feeling the affects of the alcohol she's been drinking, the lightweight that she is.]

[Ekko hadn't exactly realized the cord he might have struck after Vi brought it up causing him to wince a bit with a solemn nod in understanding. He wouldn't apologize to bring further anguish and instead tried to simply move away from the subject entirely as they continued on. At least Caitlyn was being a good sport about it as the other tipped back the newly bestowed shot and takes it all in stride. A bit of a smirk graced his lips followed along by a hushed bit of laughter at the latter sentiment from the top sider.]

Wooha- Never thought I'd hear the day when you would swear, Caitlyn.

[Turning towards his big sister figure the boy nudges an elbow against his counterpart's arm as the grin over his features widens immensely, playfully teasing Vi a little bit further before he takes up the newfound drink provided for him in hand.]

What the hell have you done to her, Vi?

[Tipping back his glass to take a hearty swig from his beer with a satisfied hum, already starting to feel the effects of the alcohol kicking in as well given the fact he'd never really gotten drunk before coming here to Aldrip. He didn't hate it mind you but when your life was a constant struggle for survival numbing your senses with booze wasn't exactly the greatest idea when you needed to be on high alert most of the time.]

[she's... going to let the rest of the stuff go. because she really just doesn't want to keep dwelling on the subject, especially since they're drinking. who knew how a deep and upsetting conversation that could be, and alcohol only loosens emotions.

Vi grins as she twitches her eyebrows at Ekko.]

I've done a lot of things to her.

[of course... she had to go there. but then she shrugs, knocking back her shot own shot.]

You know I've always been the best sort of influence. People look at me and go "wow I wanna be her".

Just because I'm a Piltie doesn't mean I don't swear! [Good thing they changed the subject a bit, cause Caitlyn really was ready to rant about how uptight and annoying some of the rich Piltover families were.

She's laughing, too, and nudging Vi again.] I'm positive I swore a few times, back when we first met. I'm not a complete prude.

[It was probably a mistake to take a sip of her drink when Vi opened her mouth, cause-- yep, she about chokes as it goes down, thanks to that comment. She recovers quick enough, even if her cheeks have flushed.]

You certainly know how to leave a mark on people. [Did she just go there too? Vi, what have you done to her?]

[If Ekko wanted to be a smart ass per the norm he would have immediately piped up. "I know. The walls are pretty thin in your place, I can hear you two at night you weren't very subtle about keeping it a secret." Which would have resulted in a firm smack to the back of the head from his older sibling figure or perhaps worse if she was feeling particularly sour about it. Not that he minded or anything it was their place and he was merely a guest staying in their household for the time being. Eventually he would look for his own place here in Aldrip but for now was quite content to live under their roof with people he could genuinely trust.]

Oh for sure, Vi. You are the shining beacon of what a role model should be.

[Sarcasm much? The shit eating grin saying it all as he tips back the new shot in front of him with a satisfied hum, starting to enjoy the taste now as he grows more accustom to it. He'd never been much of a drinker until coming here, Vi's influence rubbing off again on him just like his youthfulness, practicing boxing moves together with Powder when she wasn't with them.

Upon hearing Caitlyn's response the boy cannot help but shake his head modestly with a roll of his eyes before coughs loudly almost choking on his beer in kind. By Janna she really was taking after Vi with every passing moment!]

So this is what it feels like being a third wheel, huh?

[Vi just grins at both of Ekko's comments. it felt so nice, having someone to talk to here with no baggage. it was just... Ekko. they'd pretty much picked up right where they had left off at home.]

You started it.

[aaand since he's going to say something about it.]

So. How much have you seen Jinx?

[two can play at this game!!]

Jinx? [It comes out as a question, because Caitlyn is definitely missing something here.

Of course, she barely knows the history between all of them. Vi rarely tells her anything, and she doesn't push, because she knows it's a lot. Whatever happened was traumatic, and Caitlyn doesn't want to cause any harm if she can help it.

But given context clues, it's fairly easy to put two and two together. Ekko and Jinx had to be nearly the same age. Childhood friends that grew up together. Maybe even first crushes? It was just something she had never considered before now, since the few times she's spoken to Ekko about Jinx, it was usually with anger, what with her working for Silco.]

Oh. Oh.

[So that is how it's going to be, Vi?! Cue the slack jawed expression as he almost drops his mug of beer, slamming it down unceremoniously before his head immediately snaps towards his big sister. Giving her a look of pure contempt, Ekko clears his throat before flipping her the bird and sticking out his tongue. Seems like her sister's childish demeanor had already rubbed off on him a bit.]

None of your damn business, Vi!

[Clearly evident that he'd been spending at least some time with her as a shade of flush forms over his cheeks, shoving his face back into his glass as he looks to drain it trying to remain calm. Perhaps she knew about Ekko and Jinx's feelings towards each other but that didn't mean Caitlyn had any idea!]

[Vi doesn't even flinch with Ekko's outburst, and she elbows Caitlyn in the side as she glances from her to him.]

He had such a crush on her. She did too, but she wasn't as obvious about it.

[but then she shrugs loosely as she glances back over at him, still unbothered by his reaction. if anything, she just looks really smug.]

That's what you get for bringing up my private life, Ekko. Don't dish it if you can't take it.

[Well, if her gift of deduction hadn't made it obvious, Ekko's reactions to Vi sure did. Interesting.]

Oh really? Well? Have you seen her, Ekko?

[She would be surprised if he hadn't. That didn't necessarily mean anything was going to happen between them, but she wouldn't be mad if Jinx had something else to distract her. Anything to help her forget how much she seemed to hate Caitlyn. All the better if it was a good influence on Jinx, too.]

❈ third shot (closed)

Cait/Vi/Ekko - closed

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