cherrypuptinzy

[cherrypuptinzy]

"Like Butterscotch" CH 4 Sneak Peek

2,962 words 16,997 characters into Chapter 4...I'm almost done; all I need to do is LOCK. IN. I'm going to bump it to 3k and posting it UNLESS y'all mess with the cliffhanger if so, I'll post it now.

Maddie’s breath stirred softly against her own arm. Her body felt light — weightless, like she was floating. She shifted, elbowing something warm behind her. A sleepy groan answered. Maddie blinked herself awake.

Vi.

She’d forgotten — just for a moment. Vi’s arm was slung loosely over her waist, and as Maddie stirred, it tightened, pulling her closer. Vi was still asleep, her breaths slow and shallow, a tangle of rose-colored hair spilling across her face. Maddie watched her for a bit, then gently brushed the hair back behind her ear. She looked peaceful. Something tugged in Maddie’s chest.

Outside, the first light of morning crept in. A pale, sickly blue washed through the windows, bathing everything in a cold glow. Maddie carefully slipped out from under Vi’s arm and pulled the blanket higher over her. Then she padded into the bathroom, her bare feet soft on the wooden floor.

A brush lay near the sink — Vi’s, probably. Maddie ran it through her hair, working out the tangles. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror: flushed cheeks, love-bitten skin, eyes puffy from sleep but clear.

Should’ve packed a change of clothes, she thought, wry. She hadn’t expected to stay the night. Then again, part of her had — the same way you bring an umbrella when you’re hoping it’ll rain.

She twisted her hair into a loose ponytail and splashed her face with cold water. It helped. A little.

No work today, she remembered. At least I planned that much.

Back in the room, Vi was still sprawled out, one arm tucked under her head, the other resting in the space where Maddie had been. She looked content — hungover, probably — but content.

Maddie leaned against the doorframe, watching her. Something inside her was already stirring. Guilt? Doubt? She couldn’t quite tell. But she knew one thing: this wasn’t just about the two of them.

Not anymore.

Vi groaned as she rolled onto her back. “You’re staring,” she mumbled, eyes still closed.

“I’m admiring,” Maddie said, lips quirking. “Different category.”

Vi cracked one eye open. “We really did that, huh?”

Maddie laughed under her breath. “Yeah. We did.”

A long, quiet moment passed — the kind that felt earned.

Then Maddie’s expression shifted — barely, but Vi noticed. “What?”

Maddie hesitated. “Last night was... amazing. You’re amazing.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “But we need to talk. About Caitlyn. About what’s happening.”

Vi sat up slowly, rubbing her face. “You really know how to kill a vibe, Butterscotch.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.” Vi leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. “She won’t listen to me. She made that pretty clear.”

“She might now,” Maddie said gently. “You just have to try. Piltover’s on the edge. This war — it’s not a maybe anymore.”

Vi went quiet, jaw tight. Then: “And if I do? If I go back and she slams the door in my face again? What then?”

Maddie met her eyes. “Then at least you’ll know you tried. That you didn’t walk away when it counted.”

Vi exhaled hard, pinching the bridge of her nose. “She walked away when it counted. And then she turned it into a reason to crack down on Zaun.”

“She lost her mother,” Maddie said softly. “She wasn’t thinking straight.”

The silence that followed felt sharp-edged.

“I lost mine too,” Vi muttered. “You don’t see me locking people up over it.”

Maddie let out a breath. “I’m going to her place tonight. I need to report in.” Her voice softened. “Come with me.”

Vi looked at her, long. Maddie realized, too late, what that must’ve sounded like.

“So, what — you want me to play escort? Give Caitlyn a little heart-to-heart while she’s got soldiers breathing down everyone’s neck?”

“I want you to remind her who she is,” Maddie said. “And maybe remind yourself too.”

Vi didn’t answer. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

Maddie didn’t wait. She pulled on her boots, shrugged into her coat, and grabbed her bag.

“I’ll be at the lift by sunset,” she said over her shoulder. “If you’re there, I’ll know your answer.”

And then she left.

—

Maddie’s shoes hit the cracked pavement with a rhythmic thud. Her breath came in steady, controlled gasps, the cool morning air stinging her lungs as she ran through the early quiet of Piltover. It was supposed to clear her head, this run, but instead, her thoughts seemed to tighten around her with every step like a noose.

Vi. Caitlyn. The cruel weight of Zaun and Piltover’s state. It all kept circling around in her head, grinding up her insides until she wasn’t sure where one anxiety ended and the next began. Earlier that morning, she had visited Caitlyn, and they worked on the Jinx case as usual. Running into dead ends, coming up with new theories, Caitlyn disregarding Maddie’s idea of the recent Jinx being an imposter—yet she didn’t tell her a thing. She told herself it was out of respect, but a deeper fear gnawed at her—what if Caitlyn found out about her and Vi? What if Caitlyn would fire her for it, or worse, hate her?

Her feet slowed, the pounding rhythm of her steps losing urgency as she ran past the familiar streets, past the marketplace and into the quieter, more residential parts of Piltover. She was closer now to Steb’s house, a good colleague of hers. Without thinking, her feet turned toward it. She needed someone to talk to, someone who could see things more clearly than she could.

— Maddie —

The porcelain cups in front of her steamed with tea and smelled of honey with peppermint. Gingerly, Maddie lifted the teacup to her lips, not bothering to cool it down. The burning sensation calmed her nerves, anyway. “Thanks for having me,” Maddie sighed after a few more eager sips. “I didn’t know where else to go.” her shoulders slumped. Steb, who was dressed in a jasmine blue robe, sat down his coffee, and cracked his knuckles. “I get it,” He signed with his hands, “Relationships are hard. Though, this is a surprise to me. I thought Vi hated you.”.

Maddie furrowed her brows. “Well, she doesn’t.” she clarified, some sass in her tone. “And it isn’t just about us. I’m worried how Caitlyn might feel about it.”

“Probably not good.” Steb quickly signed. “Well, I figured that, but what if she hates me? Hell, she could even fire me!” Maddie blurted out in a hushed voice. Steb sipped his coffee, thought for a moment, then sipped his coffee again. “Are you—Are you thinking?” She stammered. Steb shook his head. “Drinking.” He signed plainly. Maddie blinked at him. “Sorry—bad time to joke.” He raised his hands to show he was serious now. “Caitlyn won’t fire you, Maddie. If she has love for Vi, that’ll be her own thing to get over.”. Maddie broke eye contact to stare into the swirling tea leaves at the bottom of her cup. “That’s the thing. I don’t want her to go through that. She may be my boss, but she’s still a person—she’s been through enough.”

“She has. I feel for her too. But she’s not entitled to Vi.” Steb assured the woman sitting at his table. “If she really loves her, she’ll let her go.”

Maddie refocused her eyes on Steb’s. “I…I just don’t want to make things worse.” She said honestly, fidgeting with her fingers anxiously.

“You won’t.” Steb smiled.

— Vi —

Vi’s fists pounded heavily against the punching bag, creating a scent of sweat and rubber all around her apartment. She caught her breath for a second, threw her best hits, before taking a breather and repeating. Oddly enough, it calmed her mind—she wished she could say the same for the fight pit itself. She was thinking of her choices, weighing her options. If she went to the lift, she’d have to face Caitlyn again.

The same Caitlyn who let some general she barely knows tell her what to do with the Undercity. The same one who was willing to shoot a child, if it meant getting revenge. Yet, the same one who showed Vi a side of herself she had long forgot she had. Her punches slowed, then eventually stopped. Something tugged at her chest, and it wasn’t just her heart pumping more blood into her arms.

She hung her head as she rested her body against the sand filled bag, closing her heavy eyes. Beads of sweat dripped from her forehead, drenching the wood beneath her. Maybe she was afraid.

No, she quickly shook that thought from her head. She spent her most formative years in a prison—that was scary. Not talking to a woman she knows—a woman she loves. Her eyes shot open. She took a few deep breaths. A woman she loved, she internally corrected.

She was wrong. She was scared. Scared that if she sees Caitlyn again, everything between them will feel fresh, new, strong. She knew she cared for Maddie, and she felt confident to say she loved her. But something still lingered for Caitlyn. It made her insides churn.

She needed something to take her mind off things, if even for a little. She walked away from her punching bag before throwing a jacket over her bandaged body—which by now she used as a shirt—and headed outside. The building door rattled behind her once it closed, while the sun spilled through cracks provided by the tall, janky buildings in the Undercity. She supposed she would go to the pit to fight for a few rounds. She needed the money, anyway.

She shoved her hands into her pockets as she wandered Zaun’s streets—by now, she knew the route to the pit subconsciously, and didn’t bother to clearly pay attention to the things around her. She only paid her surroundings mind once she heard shouting—which wasn’t uncommon, but it sounded different somehow. She looked up from the ground ahead of her and to the sound’s origin.

She first sees Vander’s statue, quickly looking away from it, before her eyes landed on Sevika, along with the crowd of Jinxsers, goons, and Zaunties compacting around the woman. She stood in front of Vander’s sculpture; on top of the fountain it resided in. A hot essence of outrage simmered in Vi’s chest. She had too much boldness in her body to stand in front of a statue of the man she helped kill. She turned down a different direction completely—she was too tired to deal with this so early into her day. She quickly strode from the rally, attempting to refocus herself.

She continued her path keeping her head down; but her attention was pushed off course, literally, when a hefty collection of Noxians, brandishing weapons, came shoving past her. “Watch where you’re going, assholes!” she quickly retaliated—not knowing, or caring, who she was speaking to. They completely ignored her presence, and continued their way towards…the rally? She froze for a moment—what were they going to do? She leered ahead of her. The pit wasn’t that far, but then again, she didn’t feel at peace not knowing their intentions. She turned on her heel, following closely behind.

She slinked ahead of them, fighting past the ones that keenly sought to push her down or backward. The crowd ahead was still engrossed in Sevika’s speech, to focused to notice the Noxians getting closer. The Noxians themselves seemed determined, focused on Sevika as well, though Vi could tell by how they approached the crowd, they weren’t coming to listen.

She saw the tallest one in front raise a spear, clearly aiming for Sevika. Judging by where the blade pointed, the hit would be fatal. Vi yelled rashly “Get down!”, and Sevika noticed, but not quick enough. She dodged the spear, just not without it piercing into her prosthetic, and pining her to the stone fountain foundation behind her. The protesters scattered hastily, and thanks to Vi’s warning, some hastier than others. Vi herself had to run, but she was quickly cornered. A heavy arm of muscle crushed against her neck. A soldier had her squeezed up against a lamppost, gasping for air.

Her head reeled for minute but was brought back when a pair of knuckles collided with the whole side of her face. Her eyes fought to stay open, while her body fought even harder to push herself off the ground once the soldier let her fall from the lamppost and onto the harsh concrete. Her senses were flooded, before everything went black.

— Maddie —

Back and forth she paced, biting her nails expectantly. Caitlyn had promised to call when she was ready to resume the investigation, but it had been hours now. What time was it? Eight o’clock? Maddie had left Caitlyn's place around seven this morning—had she really been distracting herself all day? Maybe Caitlyn had changed her mind and forgotten to let her know? No. That didn’t sound like her. Why was she even worried? Maddie was a grown woman. She could just call her. She stopped pacing and made a beeline for the rotary—then froze. She should just get this over with—stalling never helps. Taking a breath, she picked up the phone and dialed. Each rattle of the dial as it spun back to zero hollowed her stomach a little more. She pressed the receiver to her ear and held her breath.

“Hello?” A familiar lilt answered, though it was muffled by the sound of distant voices. Maddie exhaled a shallow sigh of relief. “Caitlyn!” She timidly exclaimed. “I was growing worried—You hadn’t called. It’s not like you to be so uninterested about the Jinx Case.”.

“Uninterested?” She echoed. “No, never—I’m working on it as we speak.”.

Maddie was a little taken aback. “Really? That’s, surprising.” She mumbled. “How come?” Caitlyn replied with a light crackle. Must be bad connection. “You and I usually work together.” Maddie chewed the inside of her cheek.

“I surely hope you aren’t overexerting yourself. It’s a two-person job for a reason.”

Caitlyn hummed. “I’m well aware. I’m accompanying Ambessa for interrogations.”.

Maddie blinked. That must explain the background noise. “Ambessa? Interrogations? I thought we didn’t have any more suspects, or leads—”

“We thought wrong.” Caitlyn told bluntly. “There was riot earlier, a hefty one. Ambessa’s soldiers handled it, but they had no choice but arrest—”.

“But they’re just *rioters—*what intel would they have on our case?” Maddie interjected. “I thought the same, but Ambessa has reason to believe-”

“What reason?” Maddie caught her breath quicker than her tongue. Where did that come from? She didn’t mean to sound so crude.

“…There was evidence, Maddie. Connecting a few rioters to Jinx personally. I know you’re skeptical of her authority, and to each their own, but you can’t question her experience. She knows what she’s doing.”

Maddie let Caitlyn’s word sink into her head. “Cait—what if we’re going about this wrong? Jinx is a criminal, there’s no doubt about that, but why does the rest of Zaun have to suffer from her actions?”

“You say that like you know the rest of Zaun—” “Do you?” Maddie cut her off. There was a silence, not one that tense and full of unsaid words but much more one of thought, reflection, even. Maddie considered Cait’s question, and she thought of the woman she loved. Maddie wondered if Caitlyn was thinking of her, too.

“Peace between Piltover and Zaun will be restored, but only when Jinx is brought to justice. I don’t like the soldiers; or the arrests or innocents caught in the crossfire—but it’s the price we have to pay.” Caitlyn rationalized.

“It’s the price they have to pay—out of either of us, it hurts them the most.” Maddie sighed. “I’ll come to join you in the interrogations, whatever it takes to end this—” “No.”

Maddie furrowed her brows. “No?” She repeated. “It’s my job.”.

“It’s best if you stayed out of this, Maddie. Some things don’t require your expertise, and interrogations are one of them.”

“I have the training, I know the proper protocol, everything. This is very much within my expertise.”

“I don’t mean it rudely. I value your input but as of right now, I don’t think I can trust your judgement.” Caitlyn said firmly.

Maddie scoffed. “Goodnight, Ms. Nolen.” Caitlyn farewelled.

Maddie heard the phone on the other end click back into its original place before the line went dead silent. ‘Not trust my judgement’, Maddie thought is disbelief. She was going to go to that damned interrogation even if she lost her badge over it. She could see why Vi was so hesitant to—Vi! She had completely forgotten! Maddie dashed to her coat rack and grabbed a light windbreaker. How could she forget? Vi was probably waiting at the lift for her by now. Caitlyn distracted her so much.

What was she going to tell Violet? “Hey sorry to say but we can’t go and talk to Cait right now because she’s interrogating protesters.” Maddie sarcastically thought. She fumbled her keys and some cigarettes, before shoving them in her jacket pockets. Would she still be able to go to the interrogation? How would Vi feel about it? How would Ambessa feel? She could live with pissing off Cait, but Ambessa? She wouldn’t know how to deal with that.

She made a light jog down the stairs of her apartment—thanks to that busted elevator, she thought—and jogged even faster once she was outside. She called for the lift operator to hold the car door open for longer, and she hopped in with a jolt, almost knocking her against a few strangers.

Once she got down to Zaun, she’d get Vi, tell her what happened.

----

I'm so close 💔

[cherrypuptinzy]

Ignore how JARRING my grammar is when I outline chapters, but almost done chapter 4 of "Like Butterscotch"...if anyone wants to take a look at the blueprints, go ahead and read away 😋👍

[cherrypuptinzy]

"Like Butterscotch" - Maddie/Violet fanfic

The full fanfic is on Ao3 if anyone wants to read the previous chapters--but do be warned, this isn't posted yet. Just a sneak peek before I find some way to continue, which frankly, I can't (lol). Anywayyy, enjoy the crumbs I've scraped together

Maddie’s breath stirred softly against her own arm. Her body felt light — weightless, like she was floating. She shifted, elbowing something warm behind her. A sleepy groan answered. Maddie blinked herself awake.

Vi.

She’d forgotten — just for a moment. Vi’s arm was slung loosely over her waist, and as Maddie stirred, it tightened, pulling her closer. Vi was still asleep, her breaths slow and shallow, a tangle of rose-colored hair spilling across her face. Maddie watched her for a bit, then gently brushed the hair back behind her ear. She looked peaceful. Something tugged in Maddie’s chest.

Outside, the first light of morning crept in. A pale, sickly blue washed through the windows, bathing everything in a cold glow. Maddie carefully slipped out from under Vi’s arm and pulled the blanket higher over her. Then she padded into the bathroom, her bare feet soft on the wooden floor.

A brush lay near the sink — Vi’s, probably. Maddie ran it through her hair, working out the tangles. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror: flushed cheeks, love-bitten skin, eyes puffy from sleep but clear.

Should’ve packed a change of clothes, she thought, wry. She hadn’t expected to stay the night. Then again, part of her had — the same way you bring an umbrella when you’re hoping it’ll rain.

She twisted her hair into a loose ponytail and splashed her face with cold water. It helped. A little.

No work today, she remembered. At least I planned that much.

Back in the room, Vi was still sprawled out, one arm tucked under her head, the other resting in the space where Maddie had been. She looked content — hungover, probably — but content.

Maddie leaned against the doorframe, watching her. Something inside her was already stirring. Guilt? Doubt? She couldn’t quite tell. But she knew one thing: this wasn’t just about the two of them.

Not anymore.

Vi groaned as she rolled onto her back. “You’re staring,” she mumbled, eyes still closed.

“I’m admiring,” Maddie said, lips quirking. “Different category.”

Vi cracked one eye open. “We really did that, huh?”

Maddie laughed under her breath. “Yeah. We did.”

A long, quiet moment passed — the kind that felt earned.

Then Maddie’s expression shifted — barely, but Vi noticed. “What?”

Maddie hesitated. “Last night was... amazing. You’re amazing.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “But we need to talk. About Caitlyn. About what’s happening.”

Vi sat up slowly, rubbing her face. “You really know how to kill a vibe, Butterscotch.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.” Vi leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. “She won’t listen to me. She made that pretty clear.”

“She might now,” Maddie said gently. “You just have to try. Piltover’s on the edge. This war — it’s not a maybe anymore.”

Vi went quiet, jaw tight. Then: “And if I do? If I go back and she slams the door in my face again? What then?”

Maddie met her eyes. “Then at least you’ll know you tried. That you didn’t walk away when it counted.”

Vi exhaled hard, pinching the bridge of her nose. “She walked away when it counted. And then she turned it into a reason to crack down on Zaun.”

“She lost her mother,” Maddie said softly. “She wasn’t thinking straight.”

The silence that followed felt sharp-edged.

“I lost mine too,” Vi muttered. “You don’t see me locking people up over it.”

Maddie let out a breath. “I’m going to her place tonight. I need to report in.” Her voice softened. “Come with me.”

Vi looked at her, long. Maddie realized, too late, what that must’ve sounded like.

“So, what — you want me to play escort? Give Caitlyn a little heart-to-heart while she’s got soldiers breathing down everyone’s neck?”

“I want you to remind her who she is,” Maddie said. “And maybe remind yourself too.”

Vi didn’t answer. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

Maddie didn’t wait. She pulled on her boots, shrugged into her coat, and grabbed her bag.

“I’ll be at the lift by sunset,” she said over her shoulder. “If you’re there, I’ll know your answer.”

And then she left.

---

Nothing like some Maddvi angst to take the edge off 🚬

[cherrypuptinzy]

My fair dude, Do you have an AO3?? I love your writing style and I’d love to read it there too.

I actually just very recently got one! It’s Lucky_Lem0n on Ao3, and I just posted two works because of a poll on twitter.

Thanks for the compliment :>!

[cherrypuptinzy]

[cherrypuptinzy]

Maddvi (Maddie x Vi) fanfic I’m making Bcs I love this shop with all my heart. I wanna know how to make this fic better so I’m gonna post it here for feedback ; also, this is only chapter 1 and 2 bcs chapter 3 is still a WIP, but if this does good ill finish it. Anyway enjoy ^w^!

Chapter I: “Hung Me Out To Dry”

Maddie had never ventured into the Undercity before—at least, not off duty. The place felt foreign to her, even dangerous, especially now, with the heavy tension lingering in the air since Ambessa and Caitlyn’s declaration of martial law. For a fleeting moment, she considered turning back, retreating to her cramped apartment in Piltover, and pretending this journey had never crossed her mind. But she couldn’t—not with what, or rather who, waited down here.

The echo of Noxian fists pounding against their chests had been too much to bear. Maddie had abandoned the scene to find Vi. She hadn’t seen her since Caitlyn had insisted on continuing the “Find Jinx” mission alone, claiming it would be better that way. Maddie hadn’t been convinced, and she hadn’t stopped worrying since. When she asked Loris if he had any idea where Vi might be, he had laughed, recalling how Vi, in a drunken haze, had overshared about her personal life—including, fortunately, her address.

And now here Maddie was, standing outside a three-story apartment building, narrow and weathered, tucked into the chaotic sprawl of the Undercity. She’d walked past it twice, dismissing it as abandoned before realizing her mistake. She wasn’t entirely sure what she’d say when Vi answered the door. Professionalism didn’t seem necessary, but she still wanted to present herself with some degree of composure.

She pressed the third-floor doorbell. The faint chime echoed from above, strangely clear against the unnerving silence of the street. The wait stretched on, every second feeling heavier than the last. Maddie shifted her weight, wondering if she should try again. But then, a door creaked open behind her, snapping time back into motion.

Vi peered through a narrow crack in the door, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. When recognition hit, she opened it wider, her expression equal parts annoyance and surprise. 
“You?” Vi’s voice carried an edge, though it lacked its usual bite.
Maddie blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Were you expecting someone else?” she shot back, her tone laced with unintentional sass. Old habits died hard.

“What are you doing here? How did you even find me?” Vi demanded, her tone sharper now.
“Loris told me. Apparently, you’re chatty when you’re drunk,” Maddie said matter-of-factly. “And I was worried about you.”

Vi’s scowl deepened, her eyes narrowing. “Worried? About what? I can handle myself, carrot top. Now beat it.” She moved to shut the door, but Maddie’s foot shot forward, wedging it open. “Caitlyn’s declaring martial law,” Maddie blurted, her urgency stopping Vi in her tracks. The name—or perhaps the situation—seemed to grab her attention. Maddie pressed on. “This might lead to a civil war.”

Vi scoffed, crossing her arms. “What does that have to do with me? I can’t stop a war.”
“You can’t,” Maddie admitted, “but maybe you can stop its commander.” Vi’s brow furrowed, confusion flickering behind her guarded expression. Maddie took a breath, steadying herself. “Caitlyn might listen to you. If you can convince her to call this off... She was on the right path with you by her side, but then you left—”

“I didn’t leave,” Vi snapped, her voice cutting through Maddie’s words like a blade. Her gaze turned sharp, her jaw tight. “Caitlyn was the one who hung me out to dry.”

Maddie stared at Vi, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn’t known that. It certainly wasn’t the story Caitlyn had told her when she returned to Piltover without the pink-haired woman by her side. The revelation left Maddie silent for a moment, but then she spoke softly. “Well then... she made a mistake,” Maddie said, her voice steady, almost soothing. “One she clearly can’t fix on her own. That’s why she needs you.”

Vi’s expression was difficult to read—or maybe it wasn’t. Maddie often found Vi’s perpetual scowl impossible to decipher, though it seemed to lean more toward anger than anything else. She decided not to press further. When Vi finally spoke, her words carried a weight Maddie hadn’t heard before.

There was something raw and unguarded in her tone. “I’m done trying to change people.”

Without waiting for a response, Vi turned her back on Maddie and started up the stairs. Maddie didn’t try to stop her this time. She remained frozen in place, listening as Vi’s footsteps faded, followed by the dull sound of a door closing and the distinct click of a lock. Maddie stood there, staring up at the empty stairwell. She told herself Vi would come around. People often said Maddie’s best—and worst—trait was her inability to quit. But even so, this encounter felt heavy, like she’d already lost.

Still, Maddie would try again. If not for Caitlyn, then for Piltover. And if not for Piltover, then for Vi.

——————————————————————————Chapter II: “Bringing Home a Champion”

Maddie squeezed through the rowdy crowd of ruffians and overly confident gamblers. She’d never understood the thrill of gambling—relying on luck, basing outcomes purely on chance, especially when money was involved. Draped in a dark red cape to blend into the chaos, she tried to mask her Piltover ties. But beneath the cape, her attire defined her. She wore a tailored brown vest over a crisp cream-colored shirt, paired with tan, wide-legged trousers. Despite how hard she tried, she still stood out.

Her destination loomed ahead: the pit. It had been her destination yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that. She often wondered why she kept coming back. It wasn’t for the carnage, certainly—not to watch blood and teeth scatter across the floor like gruesome confetti. No, it was for Vi. Always Vi.

And as if summoned by the thought, Vi emerged from the shadows, streaks of black paint slashed across her face like war paint. She moved with purpose, her posture sturdy as she stepped into the arena.

The fight unfolded as it usually did. Vi dominated in the early rounds, racking up a winning streak as her fists met flesh with brutal precision. But by the later rounds, the injuries she’d sustained began to slow her down, leaving her vulnerable. Whether she won or lost came down to those final moments—a gamble in itself. That unpredictability, Maddie suspected, was what the crowd came for. Would she rise again, or would this be the match that took her down?

Tonight, Vi didn’t disappoint. With a devastating uppercut, she sent her opponent sprawling to the ground, unconscious before he hit the ground. The crowd erupted, a cacophony of cheers and groans as money changed hands. Maddie, for her part, felt no joy or frustration. She wasn’t here to win or lose. She was here for Vi.

“I should be honored,” Maddie thought wryly as she watched Vi regain her strength through the cheers with a stoic face. “I’m bringing home a champion.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Vi heard the scrape of a chair being pulled out beside her, the legs groaning against the pavement.

“Vodka, salted caramel, please.” came a familiar voice.

Vi didn’t look up. She stared into her empty glass as the bartender began preparing the order. “Didn’t know you drank,” she said, her tone casual, almost indifferent. “What made you think that?” Maddie replied, nodding in thanks as the bartender slid her drink across the counter.

Vi shrugged, still not meeting her gaze. “Figured you could drink—just thought you’d be more into cocktails or something fancy. Never struck me as the vodka kind of gal.”. Maddie hummed thoughtfully, taking a sip of her drink. “I don’t drink often. Only on special occasions.”

“Oh?” Vi finally glanced her way, an edge of sarcasm in her tone. “You celebrating something?”

Maddie caught it—a subtle jab, one that most people wouldn’t notice. But she’d spent enough time around Vi to recognize the layers in her voice. “Yeah,” Maddie said, a small grin tugging at her lips. “This is your fifth win in a row.”

Vi raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Maddie’s attempt at enthusiasm. They both knew she didn’t exactly support Vi’s fighting “career”. If that’s truly what you’d call it. Scoffing, Vi leaned back in her chair. “Oh, so now you’re supportive?”

Maddie shrugged. “If you can’t beat em’, join em’ I suppose.” Maddie concluded, taking the last swig of her drink. “Okay,” Maddie sighed, getting up from her chair and leaving a few coins on the counter for the bartender. “Lets get you home while you can still walk in a straight line.” She encouraged Vi, definitely expecting some form of pushback. Vi groaned, “I can have a few more, I’m not a lightweight.”

“Fine, suit yourself,” Maddie said with an oddly calm voice, which grasped Vi’s attention. “I was just worried you wouldn’t be sober enough to appreciate the gift I brought you.” Maddie said in a defeated voice. Vi finally looked back at Maddie, who was now standing behind her.

She looked at her empty glass, then back at the woman who was staring at her with her eyebrows raised and her eyes expectant. Vi sighed, and put down a few coins on the counter before getting on her feet. “This better be good, Butterscotch.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. At first, Vi was convinced Maddie kept coming back because no one else could tolerate talking to her for longer than absolutely necessary. But eventually, she stopped questioning it. She began to grudgingly accept Maddie’s presence. They found a few common interests, and their conversations shifted—light, casual, sometimes even calming.

Spending time with Maddie didn’t feel tedious anymore. In fact, Vi started to look forward to it. If Maddie didn’t show up one day, Vi couldn’t shake the absence, carrying it with her until they crossed paths again. She didn’t even realize she was spending less money at the bar. Time seemed to slip away when Maddie was around.

Then came the night Maddie walked her home.

Maddie always walked Vi back to her apartment after nights at the bar, especially when Vi had slammed back one too many shots. That night was no different. But Maddie must have noticed Vi’s bad habit of forgetting to lock her door when she got home drunk, because shortly after Vi collapsed onto her bed, there was a knock.

It was Maddie, standing in the doorway with that exasperated, concerned look she often wore when dealing with Vi. “You shouldn’t go to sleep with the door unlocked,” she’d said firmly, like it was a lecture.

Vi, bleary-eyed and half-tangled in her bedsheets, was too tired to argue. “If it bothers you so much, just spend the night with me, then,” she muttered, waving a dismissive hand.

She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but the way Maddie froze in the doorway—and the way her cheeks flushed a deep pink—made Vi pause. Maddie looked surprised, maybe even intrigued. Vi was drunk, but not drunk enough to miss it. Flustered but quick to recover, Maddie stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

Nothing happened that night. Not really. But the tension in the air had been thick, charged, almost magnetic. Even in her drunken haze, Vi had felt it. She still remembered every detail as if it were yesterday—how Maddie looked in the slightly oversized shirt she’d borrowed, how Vi wished she hadn’t been so quick to agree when Maddie asked if she could sleep on the floor. She should’ve told her to stay on the bed.

Instead, they’d spent the night talking softly, sharing a few songs, and half-watching a movie before falling asleep apart from each other.

Now, walking side by side with Maddie under a vibrant sunset, Vi couldn’t stop thinking about that night. Maddie’s voice bubbled with excitement as she rambled on about the gift she’d gotten for Vi, her words brimming with pride and anticipation. Vi barely heard her.

It hit her, then and there. She didn’t want to miss her chance again.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Vi let herself sink into the moment. Maddie glanced up at her, her eyes sparkling with that unique mix of excitement and glee she always had when she thought she’d done something special.

When they reached the building, Vi nearly kissed her. The urge was there, strong and insistent, but she stopped herself. It would be better once they were inside. Together. Alone.

——————————————————————————

Okay that’s it :>

[cherrypuptinzy]

this is what shipping vi and maddie feels like

[cherrypuptinzy]

I was posting this on all my other socials, so I guess I’ll put it here too.

You can use this if u want, credits aren’t needed but adding them would be rlly nice :]

[cherrypuptinzy]

Maddie fanfic because I need an excuse to write about her. This is an AU where she doesn’t die, but goes to Stillwater :0

—————————————————————

(QUICK DISCLAIMER: First fanfic I’ve made in what feels like centuries, so this may or may not suck, lmao. There’s also, like, tons of head canons for Maddie and Steb since there isn’t much known about them sooo there’s that, too. Besides that, read and enjoy!)

꘎♡━PROLOGUE━♡꘎

At first, it was dark. Maddie remembered the sound—the sharp crack of a bullet leaving the commander’s rifle, the metallic chime of ricochets as it bounced off… something. Even now, she couldn’t define what had surrounded her in that moment. She once described it as a “golden, shimmering bubble,” though she knew it was magic—its sudden appearance defied explanation. The bullet had ricocheted within the bubble, each collision ringing like a bell, until it reversed course entirely.

It hit her in the shoulder.

The pain was immediate, searing, rendering her arm useless. She let Caitlyn’s rifle slip from her grasp. For a fleeting second, Maddie wished the shot had ended her life.

Blood was everywhere—her own, mostly. It poured from her nose, her shoulder, the jagged gash on her cheek where Caitlyn had reclaimed the rifle and smashed the buff of it into Maddie’s face. Maddie could hardly recall the sequence of events as her vision blurred and her knees buckled. And at first, it was dark.

Though she was unconscious, the war raged on without her. Distantly, Maddie felt her body lurch and jolt. It was as if she were running, though her legs were still. When she awoke, it was to cold stone and dull gray surroundings—the cells beneath the Enforcer headquarters, where Jinx had once been held. Maddie didn’t need to look around to know which side of the bars she was on. Even if she could muster the strength, the weakness coursing through her body pinned her in place.

She shifted slightly, wincing as pain flared through her bandaged shoulder. The wrappings were grimy, but they held. A faint cough broke the silence, startling her.

Maddie pushed herself upright, regretting it as dizziness from blood loss overtook her. The cough belonged to Steb, who leaned against the bars with his back to her. His posture was distant, almost disdainful, though Maddie felt his attention linger in the subtle twitch of his ears and the faint movement of his gills.

“...Steb?” Her voice came out hoarse, a dry croak that scratched her throat.

He didn’t turn, his gaze fixed forward, his silence deliberate. Maddie knew him too well to mistake this for indifference. Steb wasn’t the type to shout his anger—it simmered beneath the surface, concealed until it broke through in ways he couldn’t control.

“I—” Maddie faltered. What could she possibly say?

She couldn’t tell him Noxus was her home—not after years of pretending to be someone else. She couldn’t admit she’d betrayed them because their side was losing—it would make her sound cowardly, heartless. And she couldn’t offer a simple apology. There was too much to atone for, and no words could break the suffocating tension between them.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she fell to her knees, clutching the cold bars for support. She looked up at Steb, his eyes still avoiding her as if even acknowledging her presence might contaminate him. Her lips trembled, and the silence pressed in like a vice.

“Steb, I’m sorry,” she finally managed, her voice cracking with emotion. “I… I should’ve—” She broke off, uncertain what to say next. “I’m sorry for everything. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling.”

Her words dissolved into a shaky breath, a sob threatening to escape. For a moment, Steb didn’t respond. Then, his voice, cold and dry, broke the silence.

“People are saying you’re a rat. A spy. A double agent, even.” He turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers. “But I want to hear it from you. Who are you really, Madilyn?”

Maddie couldn’t meet his gaze. “I…I was born in Noxus, Steb,” she admitted. “It’s my home. I did what any soldier would’ve done.”

A harsh scoff of disbelief escaped him. “A soldier?” he repeated, his tone sharp. “Really, Madilyn? You think that’s an excuse?” His voice rose, his frustration spilling over. “How about we talk about the soldiers who died fighting your ‘home’? Or the ones you betrayed out on the bridge?”

He paced now, gesturing wildly, a habit Maddie had once found endearing. Now, it unnerved her.

“Don’t act like you didn’t kill anyone out there!” Maddie burst out, her voice rising despite the dryness in her throat. “What’s a soldier to you, huh? Some perfect, noble hero? Because if so, you’re wrong. Soldiers are murderers, Steb. All of them.” Her voice cracked. “I became a spy because I wanted to get away. I was sick of the fire, the agony, the constant fighting. I thought… I thought I could build something here. Make up for the time I lost in Noxus.”

Steb stared at her, his expression unreadable. Maddie couldn’t hold his gaze. She rested her forehead against the bars, her grip loosening.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “For everything. For all of it.”

Footsteps echoed in the corridor, followed by the clicking of heels. Maddie didn’t look up until the familiar, clipped voice of Caitlyn Kiramman reached her ears.

“Officer Nolen,” Caitlyn began, her tone icy. Maddie only caught fragments of what followed: the right to remain silent, charges of treason, attempted murder of a councilor. The words blurred together until only one thing was clear—Stillwater Prison awaited her.

—☆★☆—

The trials came and went, agonizingly slow, but Maddie accepted the plea deal. Fifty years, with a possibility of parole. It wasn’t freedom, but it wasn’t death either.

“I’ll make the best of this,” she told herself repeatedly as she prepared. She packed up her life in Piltover, left her cats with neighbors, and said quiet goodbyes to those who might still care.

But as she stared at the cold, looming walls of Stillwater, doubt crept in. Could she survive this? Could she endure what lay ahead?

She supposed there was only one way to find out.

—☆★☆—

Okay that’s it. If someone’s wants it, I’ll make another chapter >:p

[cherrypuptinzy]

MAJOR ACT 3 SPOILERS, but I CANNOT believe I worked so hard on this WIP just for Maddie to be a back stabber. I defended her so hard too😞

[cherrypuptinzy]

I pray everyday for this book to blow up out of nowhere 😔

A commission for Cab of the two main characters (Sam and Edwin) from her comic Utown watching horror movies to hide from the summer afternoon heat.

Highly recommend reading the comic! I have admired her art since I was a very young teenager and nearly died when she asked me.

Inkwash and watercolour on paper.

[cherrypuptinzy]

What kind of person would I be if I did? Meowdy 😌

Don't leave the poor old cat hanging!

[cherrypuptinzy]

My official (hopefully) spidersona design is finally finished, I thought I wouldn’t have the motivation to finish them, but thank god I did before someone took their name😭

Here’s Arachna! I truly love their design so much and she’s slightly based off of the Frutiger aero aesthetic

[cherrypuptinzy]

Husband reveal fr fr💯💯

IN CASE YOU HAVENT SEEN

I AM SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP. HIM

[cherrypuptinzy]

Bro just can’t catch a break😭

His taxes Miles, the man lost his taxes.

[cherrypuptinzy]

Just finished the 4th book of The Terrible Two series!

[cherrypuptinzy]

Ok ok, I’ve had many hyper fixations in the past, but this one…this one is glorious.