: ̗̀➛ Steel and Smoke | Caitvi fanfic

I was insanely bored, so I decided to write a little about my fav lesbians :sparkles:

♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡

The dim glow of neon signs flickered against the damp walls of the alley, painting the cracked bricks in hues of violet and teal. The air was thick with the scent of oil, metal, and something distinctly chemical- shimmer, no doubt. Caitlyn had learned to tune it out, to walk through Zaun's filth and keep her focus sharp. She had a lead. A dangerous one.

Missing people. Not just the usual gang-related disappearances or shimmer overdoses. No, this was different. Families vanishing overnight, skilled workers, children. No bodies turning up. Just… gone.

She had tracked a suspect to this area, following the whispers of Zaunites too afraid to speak above a murmur. A figure in a long coat, always watching. A warehouse that no one dared approach. That was where she was headed now, her rifle loaded, her heart steady.

She hadn't told Vi.

It wasn't that she didn’t trust her- quite the opposite. It was that Vi had a habit of running headfirst into danger, fists swinging, and Caitlyn needed to be sure before bringing her in. If this was as serious as she thought, they had to be smart.

"Just a quick look," she told herself as she approached the towering metal doors of the abandoned warehouse.

The second she stepped inside, she knew she'd made a mistake.

The scent hit her first- sterile, chemical, laced with something metallic. Blood. The soft hum of machinery filled the massive space, and as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, she saw them. Cages. Dozens of them, stacked along the walls like some grotesque storage system.

People. Some unconscious, others weakly gripping the bars, their eyes hollow. Caitlyn's stomach twisted. This wasn't a gang operation. This was something else entirely.

A low beep sounded from behind her.

She spun just as a stun baton struck her side, sending electricity coursing through her body. Pain exploded through her limbs as she hit the ground, her rifle skidding across the floor.

"Tsk, tsk. Meddling little enforcer," a voice sneered.

Caitlyn forced her eyes open, her muscles screaming in protest. A man loomed over her, his face hidden beneath the shadow of a hood. "You really shouldn't have come here alone."

Her fingers twitched, reaching for her sidearm.

The man stepped on her wrist, pinning it to the floor. "Ah, ah. None of that." He leaned down, his voice almost amused. "You Piltovans never learn, do you? Always sticking your noses where they don't belong."

Caitlyn gritted her teeth. "And you Zaunites never seem to understand that I don't scare easily."

The man chuckled. "You should."

Then he raised the baton again.

Before he could strike, the metal doors of the warehouse exploded inward with a deafening crash. A familiar figure stood in the doorway, dust settling around her.

Vi.

Her fists gleamed under the dim lights, the familiar hum of her Atlas gauntlets charging up sending a shiver down Caitlyn’s spine.

Vi's eyes landed on her, wide with a mix of anger and relief. "Caitlyn."

The moment the man turned his head, Vi moved.

She crossed the distance in a blink, her fist colliding with his jaw with enough force to send him crashing into a stack of crates. Wood splintered on impact, debris flying as the man crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.

Vi was on him before he could recover, yanking him up by his coat and slamming him against the wall. "Wanna repeat that shit for me?" she growled, voice low and dangerous.

The man choked out a laugh, even as blood trickled from his split lip. "You think this ends with me?"

Vi's grip tightened. "I think if you don't start talking, it's gonna end real bad for you."

Caitlyn pushed herself up, ignoring the lingering pain from the baton. "Vi, we don't have time." She motioned to the cages, her voice urgent. "There are people here. We need to get them out."

Vi's jaw clenched, but she let the man go, shoving him to the floor with enough force to make him wheeze. "Fine. But this bastard isn’t walking away."

Caitlyn nodded, already moving toward the cages. Most of the locks were electronic, but she knew how to override them. One by one, she freed the prisoners, her heart pounding as weak, malnourished figures stumbled into her arms.

Vi stood guard, keeping an eye on their captive, but Caitlyn could tell she was itching to do more damage.

"You should've told me," Vi muttered, not looking at her.

Caitlyn swallowed. "I know. But you would’ve charged in headfirst, and--"

Vi turned sharply, her expression unreadable. "And you think that's worse than coming alone and nearly getting yourself killed?"

Caitlyn opened her mouth, then closed it.

Vi sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Look, I get it. You're smart, you're capable. But Cait-" She exhaled sharply. "I can't lose you. Not like this."

Something in Caitlyn's chest tightened. She glanced away, focusing on the people she was helping, but Vi's words lingered.

The warehouse was a mess, but the worst was over. They had the evidence they needed. These people would be safe now.

As they led the former captives out into the cool night air, Vi fell into step beside Caitlyn, their shoulders brushing.

"So," Vi said, smirking slightly, "next time you get some dangerous lead, you gonna tell me?"

Caitlyn huffed a quiet laugh. "Depends. You gonna promise not to punch first, ask questions later?"

Vi shrugged. "No promises."

Caitlyn shook her head, smiling despite herself. "Figures."

Vi nudged her playfully. "You still my cupcake?"

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest told her the answer was yes. Always.

♡❀˖⁺. ༶ ⋆˙⊹❀♡