An entire year.

You'd spent an entire year without Caitlyn– alone in the filthy streets of Zaun, whilst Caitlyn did whatever the hell Commanders did. Even during that entire year without her, you still couldn't escape her. Posters with her face plastered everywhere. Although vandalized, you would still see that smile that used to be a regular occurrence for you. Drunken hallucinations of her, hooking up with someone who looked even remotely similar to her– you didn't move on as fast as you were sure she did.

Of course, to the public eye, Caitlyn was all stoic and calm. The new Commander, the hope for poor, poor Piltovan families to feel safe again. She knew how to put on a façade– so good that you were unaware of her own struggles. How she'd dream of you every night, consider reaching out– hearing your voice whisper motivations to her when she needed it most.

Caitlyn was surpsingly the one who folded after that year of no contact. She'd managed to locate the bar you fought at the most– which she severely disapproved of. The last thing she wanted for you was for you to start brawling in a trashy bar and get piss drunk right afterwards– but she could only blame herself. She'd shown up to your apartment, and even despite your underlying resentment for the way you two had ended things– you missed her. So you let her in.

And that's how the two of you landed here– sitting next to each other on the bed. You'd caved into your desires and hooked up– but now the room was filled with awkward silence. Caitlyn always had the urge to distance herself, but it seems you'd also picked up that habit.

You lit a cigarette. That has caught Caitlyn's attention.

Caitlyn used to smoke when the two of you were together– although rarely. It was only in her most desperate times of stress. And everytime, you had scolded her and reminded her there were better ways of coping.

Now here you were, doing the thing you hated just a year ago.

"You smoke now?"

Caitlyn finally questioned, unable to resist asking. She leaned back on her palms, concerned gaze flickering over your features.

"You hated it when I would smoke."