Chapter Text
Fuck! Come on, I can’t lose you. Especially not today.
An unusual sight, Jinx pulled her sister’s now dead-weight alongside the Sheriff of Piltover. Jinx’s thoughts were consumed by growing dread ever since Vi had fallen unconscious. While Vi was still pretty heavy, Jinx was surprised by Vi’s lack of bulkiness.
She really did a number on herself, huh? What number? Probably a negative one with how she’s been taking care of herself lately.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a posh, commanding accent.
“How far are we from her flat?” Jinx snickered at the enforcer as she twisted her head back and forth, looking for the apartment. She must have forgotten that the dingy metal staircase to her left was the entrance to Vi’s lavish home.
“Come on. This way, Topsider”
Jinx had seen Vi stumble up these stairs enough times to know it would be near impossible with an unconscious Vi. Jinx looped her arms around Vi’s armpits, the Piltie taking note before supporting her legs, as they slowly ascended the stairs. A mumbled groan and whimper evoked quiet apologies from the odd pair as all three were jostled through the tight corridor.
“What is this place?” Caitlyn asked with narrowed eyes, taking in the stained walls and dim light provided by a single bulb. Jinx’s eyes widened and her head involuntarily tilted.
Wait, she really wasn’t keeping an eye on Vi this whole time? I know Vi told me that she and Cupcake had broken up, but I thought they were obsessed with each other.
“Are you kidding me? Thought you’d keep an eye on your Trench Dog kicking her to the yard.”
A vindictive smirk reached her lips as the enforcer’s face flushed, stuttering out an answer of any kind.
“I thought she’d want the space. She’s an adult who can make her own decisions and she certainly isn’t my pet!” The indignant response fueled an inferno within Jinx.
“Yeah? So what is she to you then? Because from what I can tell, she may as well just be dirt under your fingernails. Sticking with you only to be discarded once it’s inconvenient.”
Jinx’s interrogation grew from a low growl into a scream that would draw attention anywhere else, but this dark, forgotten corner of the undercity held little concern for anyone else. Jinx watched as the enforcer’s expression morphed from unrelenting anger to a somber grimace. Jinx huffed in victory as she shoved the flimsy apartment door open.
“Welcome home, sis. Now where did you put those supplies?”
—---------------------------------------------------
Cait quickly laid Vi’s legs down on the bed, shutting the door behind them to prevent any further harm from falling on the trio. As she turned around, she couldn’t hold back the gasp that fell from her lips as her eyes took in the apartment’s interior. A punching bag laid limp, crumpled against the wall in a way that feels too familiar for Caitlyn’s comfort. Numerous amber bottles of various shapes and sizes littered the floor and few shelves in the space leaving little room to breathe. A small sink with exposed piping and a cracked mirror took up one of the four cramped corners while a still lit heater filled another. A clunking noise sounded from the heater every few seconds, lending to the grim environment. Glancing at the bottle-laden table that acted as a centerpiece of the room, Caitlyn noticed a plate and cutlery set next to a tin of grease.
An angry oil slick
Cait’s humorous thought was cut short as she noticed some leftover food on the plate. It was clear as glass to Cait that the few crumbs were from many days ago. Caitlyn could feel the color leaching from her face at the thought of Vi running on the fumes of alcohol and guilt this whole time.
And then, Caitlyn looked up. At that moment, she was faced with a bloodcurdling familiar site. The wallpaper was barely visible as hundreds of slashes marred the wall. Caitlyn swallowed hard, suddenly back to the deep halls of Stillwater. A woman locked in a stone box, her only outlet being the pain of the wall against her knuckles. Tears pricked Caitlyn’s eyes as the bars of the window blocked what little garish light shone. She finally saw it: the message hidden in these walls. She’d broken Vi out of prison only to put her into a prison of another making. She-
*Snap!* A hand suddenly appeared in her vision.
Caitlyn flinched back, pulled from her stupor by the frustrated, but pained face of Jinx.
“You still in there or what?”
She looked over at Vi’s slumped form on the bed, having gained a fleeting bit of consciousness. Beside her laid several rolls of gauze and wrap, as well as medical alcohol and ointment.
“Pow-” Vi croaked out, head still lolled in front of her. Caitlyn watched as Jinx flew to the bed, an unimpressive task in this tight space, gingerly lifting Vi’s head to be face-to-face.
“Vi? Vi, I’m here, I’m right here. I got all the supplies like you said, but… I’ve only ever stapled cuts. I don’t know what to do for something like this.” For a moment, Cait heard the plea of a young girl seeking guidance and comfort from a sister. She shook her head, refusing to pretend that the girl was anything other than a psychopathic murderer.
“H-Hide… Warden… fu-” Vi pitched forward into Jinx’s shoulder before she could finish the thought. Jinx frantically moved Vi upright again, lowering her head to try and look into Vi’s closed eyes again.
“Vi? No, Vi come on. This isn’t funny!”
“Jinx,” She’s met with neon pink tears trailing down the pale woman’s face. Taking a deep breath, Caitlyn strode over to the bed, placing herself by Vi’s back, hands raised in a pacifying gesture.
“Jinx, my father is a doctor. Let me help with-” Cait’s hand reached for the gauze before it was snatched away by the braided woman.
“What, so you can kill her? With your track record, I wouldn’t trust you with a hangnail!” Jinx’s voice raised an octave as panic and protective love took hold. Caitlyn knew she needed to cut through Jinx’s hostility if Vi had any chance of making it to see old age, let alone morning. She returned her hands to the space by her chest.
“Jinx. Please, I- I never meant to hurt her. I’ve regretted it ever since, but I was too cowardly to give her the apology and comfort she’s owed. Please just… let me help her. Please,” Jinx’s breathing seemed to slow as she listened to Caitlyn’s pleas. Something settled in Jinx’s expression before she extended her hand, offering the gauze as a grim olive branch. Cait gently took the roll in her hand, looking at the woman through tear-filled eyes, mouthing ‘Thank you’. Clearing her throat and roughly wiping her eyes with a sleeve, Cait recomposed herself, steadying her hands.
“Jinx, this is what I need you to do.”