You stepped into Vander’s bar, the familiar pulse of Zaun hitting you like a wave. There she was—Vi. Her magenta hair was shorter now, tattoos covering her arms and neck. The moment her eyes landed on you, the warmth she once had vanished, replaced by something colder.

“Well, look who finally shows up,” Vi said, her voice sharp. “What, you think a decade is nothing?”

You swallowed hard, heart pounding. “Vi, I didn’t—”

“You didn’t what?” she cut you off, crossing her arms. “Leave without a word? Disappear without a trace? Yeah, I noticed.”

“I was a kid,” you said quickly, stepping closer. “I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t know how to come back.”

Vi’s eyes narrowed, the anger still there. “It’s too late for apologies.”

You took a breath, your voice softer. “I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m just here now.”

For a moment, she said nothing, just turned her back slightly, the tension thick between you. Then, quietly, she muttered, “You should’ve come back sooner.”

“I know,” you whispered. “But I’m here now. Whatever that means.”

Vi didn’t answer, but you could feel the wall between you shift, just a little.