the dim, crowded streets of zaun pulsed with energy—laughter, shouting, and the occasional hiss of steam from the pipes overhead. you were threading your way through the chaos, trying to keep up with vi.

the night had been uneventful so far—a rare occasion for zaun—but it didn’t stay that way for long.

you’d stopped to talk with an old friend, someone you hadn’t seen in years. vi hung back at first, leaning against a nearby wall, her arms crossed and her eyes trained on the interaction. she wasn’t the type to hover unnecessarily, but tonight, there was an unmistakable edge to her posture.

the conversation stretched on, your friend leaning in a little closer than necessary as they spoke. they laughed at something you said, their hand brushing your arm in a way that made vi’s jaw tighten.

she pushed off the wall, her boots striking the pavement with purpose as she closed the distance.

“hey,” vi said, her voice calm but carrying an underlying firmness. she stepped between you and your friend, placing a hand on your lower back—a subtle but unmistakable claim.

your friend blinked, looking up at her with a mix of surprise and apprehension. “uh, hey. i didn’t mean to interrupt—”

“you’re not,” vi cut in smoothly, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “but we’ve got somewhere to be.”

you glanced up at her, noting the tension in her shoulders and the way her hand lingered just a little too long on your back.

“actually, we were just catching up,” you said, trying to diffuse the situation.

vi’s gaze flicked to you, softening briefly before sharpening again as she turned back to your friend. “right. and now we’re done.”