.•What Once Was•. (vixreader)

Not Alone.

You smiled at her eagerness, but it seemed to fade as you recalled the early events; the burning question you had urged to query.
"I.. I didn't want to ask because I didn't want to make you upset or, uncomfortable but, why were you gone this whole time? I just.. I don't understand. I would spend days, weeks, going behind Ekko's back searching for you in hopes that you were somehow still alive. Where were you all these years, why did you never find us?" You asked, and you could feel the tears well up in your eyes. Knowing very well that she would have a very valid reason for her absence, you still couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought that all these years apart could have been avoided.

Vi seemingly looked away for a brief moment, as if trying to find a way to deliver an explanation.
Not only that, but she seemed to try to find composure before she began.
"I.. I was in prison. Locked away for good, sent there by Marcus the day of the incident. I swear I tried so many ways to get out of that shit hole, but I never succeeded. I just.. clung onto that string of hope that somehow I'd manage to get out, but at one point I'd convinced myself there was no escape."
Your eyes widened, and all you really wanted to do was find that bastard and make him suffer the way she did.

But Vi was more important than that sick fuck, and she needed your attention right now. You could tell by the way her voice was filled with such sadness, such dread. Placing a hand to the side of her face in hopes of comforting her, your brows furrowed in dejection.
She closed her eyes, appreciating your warmth.
Your eyes subconsciously wandered away from her face, onto the mechanical tattoo you had failed to notice in detail earlier.
Trailing your fingers against her skin,
a wave of slight sorrow washed over you when you realized the deeper meaning of the permanent ink.

You didn't fully understand; you weren't a mind reader. But you knew Violet very well, even if a handful of years passed by. Somehow, someway, you knew it signified the guilt she carried. The guilt of never having gotten to her sister in time, accompanied by the physical and mental torture given by the damned place. The weight on her shoulders grew heavier and heavier as the years went by, without nobody ever bothering to ease the burden. You knew this tattoo meant all that and more.

"I'm sorry Vi, I'm so sorry you had to go through that." You stated, your voice soft. She nodded, "It's fine. It's in the past now isn't it? Better to forget and move on than dwell."
"That doesn't mean you have to push your feelings away, it's unhealthy."
You took ahold of her hand, subconsciously running your thumb over her knuckles.
"Ekko taught me that. And now, I'm here to make sure you understand that too." You stated, your voice barely a whisper.
She didn't seem convinced, as she failed to look you in the eyes. You knew now was the time to start easing that heavy weight.

"You, my dear Vi, are probably the strongest person I've ever met in the entirety of my life. I don't know how you did it, managing to survive all these years and somehow finding the courage to keep on going, but I admire you. I always did,  now more than ever." You affirmed, never daring to break eye contact once she finally looked up. Her eyes seemingly widened, a glint of shock evident in her eyes.

"I know you were alone all those years, but you don't have to be now that I'm here. And that's how it'll stay, for as long as I live." You communicated, pausing a little before continuing.
"And know, that none of this was ever your fault. Not yours, not Ekko's, not mine. The only to blame is the sick bastard, and all those evil sons of bitches who got their way. You don't deserve carrying that guilt, because it certainly won't do you any good. Trust me, I should know."
Her eyes searched yours as she wondered why the sudden speech was delivered, but the way her body seemed to get rid of the built up tension was enough to confirm that she needed to hear it. She couldn't seem to get words out of her throat, but she didn't need to. The moment she closed off the tiny space between you with an embrace assured you that she digested the words, and that she believed them. Her guard seemingly lowered, and that proved that you could make her have trust in the world again.