“Maybe I'm better at this than I thought?” Jinx asked herself, riding on Tifa’s back with her hands shamelessly slipping under her trusty steed’s tank top to grope at her legendary mammaries. “Or maybe she's just more fragile than I thought? Is that a good thing? It kinda feels like a good thing… but Law finds easy boring, so maybe not? Hmmmm?!”
Tifa didn't reply beyond a slightly annoyed sigh when Jinx played with her nipples absentmindedly. They were hidden away in the bombed out ruins of a building, peering at her sister who was getting drunk off her ass in a bombed out bar. Noxus had withdrawn from the surface levels on their side of the bridges. Possibly because their general went and got himself blown up somehow. But probably because of the horrors beyond mortal comprehension that had been unleashed in the Undercity.
It really spoke to how absolutely vile the Gray was that it served as a barrier against the Cloud. Some super-weapon cooked up during the Great War in Fallout, a self-replicating chemical cloud that destroyed air filters and gas masks. It had swept over topside - small ‘t’ - before sinking down into the Undercity, claiming the Promenade level, while everything below was protected by the Gray that still hadn't been cleaned up after Sukuna's little rampage let it loose.
The Cloud couldn't self-replicate endlessly, but a little clearly went a really long way since just one little canister had been enough to fumigate an entire chunk of the Undercity. It was denser than air, so of course it had seeped down over the course of a few hours. After a couple more, the surface was aired out and the boys and gals in blue were reclaiming lost ground up top with Noxus pulling out with their tails tucked between their legs.
All except Vi. Who was drinking alone while others celebrated their first real victory of the invasion, and had already gone through three bottles. Jinx liked to think it was because of the inner anguish that she’d caused her big sis by finger blasting her so well, but odds were she was upset about her part in the whole ‘unleashing a chemical weapon on the Undercity’ thing. That Maki girl had up and left as soon as the payload was delivered, and Vi hadn't exactly asked for details.
She always did punch first and think later. Now she was just doing her thinking drunk.
“But is it really difficult if it's artificially induced?” Jinx asked herself, rolling Tifa's nipples between her fingers while Tifa did her best to pretend that she wasn't there at all. Honestly, Tifa was a tougher nut to crack than Vi was. Jinx felt like she had vastly overestimated her sister's resilience. She was about as fragile as Jinx was, and that was saying something -- Jinx was just sane enough to know how far gone she was, but too far gone to stop. “Or is it a bit like cooking? Add some spice to give it a little kick?”
Jinx had really expected some push back from Vi by now. Honestly, when they fell in bed together, it was so damn easy it barely felt like an accomplishment. Her stalwart and ever dependable big sis -- up until she abandoned her, at least -- had folded like a house of cards and let Jinx have her wicked way with her. And was apparently really sensitive too, so no challenge there either. It was a milestone, however. One that told Jinx exactly how far Vi was willing to go for her sake. Because of her guilt.
A thought struck, and a slow smile tugged at her lips, “I have an idea!” She said, leaning in and kissing Tifa's neck while honking her honkers. “How about some action, eh Tifa? Doesn't my big sis look just ravishing?"
That got a reaction out of Tifa. One that she tried to hide. It got a smile out of Jinx -- Tifa had withdrawn into herself since signing the contract, having realized only afterward what signing her name on that dotted line meant. She wasn't even a year into her century long contract and had already been through the ringer, so in the name of survival she raised her guard all the way up and wouldn't drop it for anything. She nodded her head, did what she was told, and didn't react even when Jinx played with her body like the sex toy she looked like.
Tifa really thought she was going to make it a hundred years and be able to walk away. Fat chance. She had found her forever home between her and Law's legs, and she was gonna stay there. Not because Jinx or anyone else forced her to… but because she would want to.
“Go down there and seduce my sister,” Jinx ordered, and there was that flinch again. A crack in her armor.
“You can't be serious-” the words slipped out of Tifa's mouth before she could stop them. A little flare of defiance. It wasn't what she planned, but she shared Law's outlook there -- plans were at their most fun when they went off the rails! She could wear down Tifa and work her sister over at the same time. Maybe catch them in the act, play up a few tears, and use that to put Vi on her knees.
“You,” Jinx whispered in her ear, “don't have the right to refuse me.”
She didn't need to make threats, but she could. A quick trip through the Dias, and Biggs or Wedge or Jessie's family would conveniently be discovered and executed like the terrorists they were. Or she could order Jessie to walk naked into the nearest barracks and stay the night as a free use slut. Jinx didn't need to say the words, but Tifa understood the implication that they were unnecessary.
Tifa clenched her jaw before a soft sigh escaped her. One of utter defeat. Jinx chuckled, sliding off Tifa's back. Tifa spared her a glance after turning on her heel, determined to march right by Jinx without another word. That wouldn't do. So, Jinx held out a hand expectantly.
There was a beat of hesitation before Tifa complied with the silent command with an expression carved from granite. She hooked up her skirt and pulled down her panties, scrunching them up and pressing them into Jinx's waiting palm. She refused to look at Jinx as she walked by, leaving the building with squared shoulders and as much dignity as she could muster.
Jinx watched her cross the street with a chuckle. Vi barely looked up until Tifa snatched the bottle from her hand to take a swig of it. Vi started to protest, only to stop short when she realized that Tifa was a bombshell in a short skirt and tank top, and Tifa took advantage of Vi's dumbfounded gaping to press her lips to Vi's and spit the booze into her mouth.
That broke the spell on Vi and she started to suck faces with Tifa, her hands going to her waist.
“Huh,” Jinx mused, laughter dancing in her voice. “That was easier than I thought.”
Oh, Law was going to love this development. She just knew it!
…
Caitlyn opened her eyes and immediately regretted it. A low groan escaped her, turning her head away from the light that felt like it had just stabbed her in the eyes. Something felt strange. Off in a way that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She almost drifted back to sleep before her last memories before losing consciousness slammed into her with such force that she nearly jumped out of bed.
She was sore, but there wasn't any pain when her hand went to her side. She didn't even feel bandages. That was a distant concern because the last thing she recalled was-
“Cinder,” Caitlyn breathed, seeing her lover sleeping in the chair next to her, an open book resting on her stomach from where she slouched to get comfortable. A knot of worry came undone in Caitlyn's chest, and she already felt exhausted despite just waking up. Cinder always carried herself with dignity and pride, but in rare moments, the mask dropped and she was so… normal. It was adorable, really.
She swung her legs out over the bed, checking her condition. Caitlyn was in a set of medical scrubs, so it was as simple as lifting up her shirt to reveal where her injury should be. With quiet confusion and awe, Caitlyn brushed her fingers over where a length of a shattered chair leg had been embedded in her stomach, but there was only smooth flesh under her hand. There wasn't even a scar.
“Aura,” Cinder revealed that she had woken up, straightening in her seat. “You nearly died. I had to awaken your Aura to give you a chance to survive.”
Aura. “That… power that you have?” She nearly said magic, but Cinder was adamant that there was a difference. How great it could be when she wielded flames like a fire mage, Caitlyn had no idea, but she wasn't a mage so it wasn't like she was in a position to argue.
Cinder had revealed the ability months ago as a means to stop Caitlyn from pursuing the monsters that hurt her. The days had been long by her bedside. Her Aura let her heal fast, but it was still two weeks in the hospital followed by two more weeks of bed rest. Cinder was entirely against the idea of Caitlyn meeting this ‘Starlight’ and having a few words with her, and in the middle of an argument, she revealed her Aura to put an end to the idea. After all, if Aura let Cinder walk through a hail of gunfire without issue but still hadn't been enough to protect her, then Caitlyn's odds of defeating Starlight were less than stellar.
“Wait- you could have given me Aura this entire time?” Caitlyn realized and there was a ghost of a smile on Cinder's face.
“Awoken,” she corrected. “And yes, I could have. I didn't because that would defeat the purpose of talking you out of chasing after Starlight…. But I should have,” Cinder admitted quietly. “You almost died, Caitlyn. You were bleeding out in my arms. If I hadn't arrived when I did-”
Cinder wasn't one to let her emotions control her. When her voice grew thick with emotion and tears threatened to well up in her eyes, she clenched her jaw and willed them not to fall. The point was well delivered in any case, because guilt churned in Caitlyn's stomach.
“... I'm sorry,” Caitlyn muttered quietly. “Piltover is my home, and I… I had to do something. I…” she trailed off, struggling to find the words. “I didn't… I didn't think…” She didn't think she would die. It felt so stupid to say out loud, and that was why she didn't.
It was a war. People died in war and she was people. It felt like it should have been blatantly obvious, but that was the truth. She’d thought that she would fight, the Noxians would be repelled, and her home would be free of their tyranny. She’d never thought that it would be easy, of course. Caitlyn had fully expected to be pushed to her limits and beyond. That the fight would take every drop of strength that she had, and more besides.
But she didn't think she would die. She didn't think that she would leave Cinder alone. Leave her parents to mourn her. And that made the guilt a thousand times worse.
“I know,” Cinder reassured her quietly. “Your mother will murder you, but I understand.” That earned a weak laugh that nearly turned into a sob. “You’re alive. And so long as you're alive, you can make up for the worry and the bad night’s sleep in an uncomfortable chair.”
She didn't deserve Cinder. Of that, Caitlyn was certain. Still, something stood out to her. “One night?” She asked, and with a nod, Cinder confirmed it has only been a day since she was admitted. “How? Is Aura really that powerful? You said it had a healing factor, but-”
“Vought had something in development to heal traumatic injuries for the invasion,” Cinder answered. “You were brought in for surgery and given a stimpack, which boosts the body's natural healing. Which was then further boosted by Aura.”
“And the war?” She asked, almost fearing the answer. Noxus… they felt almost unbeatable. Everywhere they stopped them, it felt like they took two steps forward everywhere else.
“Piltover is on the counter attack after General Swain was attacked. Someone blew up the building he was in- I don't know if he's alive or dead. Not that it means much. The forces that were invading the Undercity pivoted and started attacking Piltover.” Cinder filled her in with a dull disinterest. A disguise for her true feelings -- Cinder cared more for the Undercity than she cared to admit. Even to herself. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become an Enforcer in the first place.
“Then… we're winning?” Caitlyn tried to grasp the situation. What she would be heading out into.
“We've stopped losing. For now,” Cinder corrected, and that sounded about as fair an assessment that she was likely to get. And then Cinder's eyes narrowed into slits. “You're planning to go back out there.” It wasn't quite an accusatory tone, but it wasn't far off.
“I'm…” Caitlyn started to answer, only for her words to fail her. Because she was. As stupid as it was and how she felt, despite avoiding Kindred’s embrace by millimeters, there was a part of her that demanded action. That couldn't sit idly by where it was safe. The same part of her which had compelled her to become an Enforcer.
It felt less like salvation and more being tossed from the frying pan and into the fire when the door suddenly opened, saving her from having to answer, only for it to be her mother at the door. Cassandra's eyes opened wide before she crossed the distance in three quick steps and threw her arms around Caitlyn. “You stupid girl! I'm so proud of you, but you just about killed me with a heart attack!”
That was a real dagger to the heart. “I'm sorry, Mom,” Caitlyn whispered in the nook of her neck, returning the hug.
It didn't last anywhere near long enough before Cassandra pulled back, "The doctors told me that you healed quickly. No complications. Is that true?” It didn't feel like she was asking for the sake of making sure Caitlyn was okay. When Caitlyn nodded, her mother continued. “Good. There is no easy way to say this, Caitlyn, and we don't have time to argue. We're leaving Piltover.”
Caitlyn flinched back as if she had been struck, “What? No- No!” She denied, making Cassandra's lips thin. Caitlyn wasn't sure why she was surprised. It's not like she had ever been any good at just doing what she was told. “I'm not leaving our home when it needs us most! Where would we even go-”
“Demacia,” Cassandra instantly answered, completely ignorant of the dangers her planned safe haven had for her and Cinder. Cinder was insistent that Aura wasn't magic, but she sincerely doubted that the Demacian mage hunters would make that same distinction. “Our family has contacts there. Ionia would have been preferable, but that would just be trading one warzone for another. Your father is preparing the vehicle now.”
“I'm not g-” Caitlyn instantly protested the very idea, disagreeing with the decision down to her bones.
“Heimerdinger is dead,” Cassandra cut her off and Caitlyn felt like she had been plunged in cold water. “Assassinated in the Council Chambers last night. Likely by Clan Ferros, given that they betrayed Piltover to Noxus. Councilor Medarda called for an emergency vote to be elected the leader of Piltover, and those cowards let the vote pass.”
Too much. She had only been asleep for a day, right? It felt like those few hours were enough that she missed everything important.
Heimerdinger’s murder was heartbreaking news. Even if Yordles couldn't truly die, there was no promise he would return in their lifetime. Jayce would be devastated. The fact that Clan Ferros had betrayed them felt like a punch to the gut -- they were always shady, and rumors circled the family, but they had never been verified with any kind of proof. The real damage was the fact that a member of the Council had betrayed the city.
There was simply no telling what they had told Noxus. Battle plans, defenses, resources… Perhaps that was why they were so effective at destroying their depots and knowing where their command bases were along the line.
In comparison, Mel becoming… Supreme Councilor or whatever her title would be seemed like the lesser development, but her mother treated it as the gravest piece of news she uttered.
“So we just… leave?” Caitlyn returned, not accepting the course of action at all.
“Everything we would have fought for is gone, Caitlyn,” Cassandra sighed. “Mel offered platitudes that it was a temporary grant of emergency powers. I know her too well for that. Democracy is dead in Piltover. If the Noxus doesn't kill it, then Clan Medarda will because the only way Mel will surrender those powers is if we pry them from her hands.” That seemed unnecessarily harsh. Mel had always been kind to Caitlyn, and it seemed like genuine kindness rather than political maneuvering.
“And if there was another way?” Cinder spoke up, and her mother only just then seemed to register Cinder's presence. Her eyes narrowed a touch. Her mother was… less than pleased with their relationship, but she never spoke a word against it. She couldn't, not when Cinder had saved Caitlyn from that cult. And again from Noxus.
“There is no other way,” Cassandra attempted to put an end to the thought. “I did what I could. Law broke off the engagement-” Caitlyn's eyes widened at that bit of news. Of course, she had been sad to hear that he had been killed. He seemed like a kind and brilliant person who had a vision for Piltover. But, it would be a lie to say that she hadn’t been a little relieved that she wouldn't have to go through with the marriage. And then a little disappointed that it was back on because he wasn't really dead, as much as news of his survival had gladdened her. But the fact that he ended the engagment…
It was like a weight had been lifted off of her chest.
“So we don't have the votes. No one else has the spine to tell her no during the attack.” Her mother continued, but Cinder was undeterred.
“What does Piltover really need from its leadership right now?” Cinder questioned sharply with a dangerous tilt of her head, her hair parting to hint at the eyepatch beneath. “A bureaucrat, one from Noxus no less… or a soldier?”
Her mother seemed to understand what Cinder meant by that while Caitlyn glanced between them.
“One who has been wounded in the line of duty. A native of Piltover from a family of good standing.” That did sound like the-
“Oh,” Caitlyn realized a second too late, glancing between her mother and Cinder. And it was a very cold comfort to see the two of them getting along and of one mind.
“Oh no.”