Vi laughs but it sounds faraway. It’s distracted, the joke overshadowed by Cait and her lips and her hands. The slowness of it all cuts sharp edges into her nerves, unused to focused and methodical treatment.

“Wha—Ah!“ Vi looks down at Cait only for her teeth to send a jolt through her and she throws her head back again. She’s breathing hard, holding onto Cait, hair completely a mess (more than usual) from her twisting around. She slowly looks down when she’s collected enough of herself. She had a plan but she’s now forgotten it with the way Cait’s looking at her.

“Okay.” She couldn’t say something cool even if she tried.