Tethered - Blog Posts

Do you ever find yourself remembering a fic?

Because a word became somewhat of trigger?

A word, a thought, a feeling so simply captured that it very much felt like poetry in the way that it impressed upon your heart and your mind so deeply that it echoes through time and space to find you in the here and now, somehow someway?

I had that feeling today, with these snippets specifically. I hope you know I went searching for this. Legit looking for it. Took a couple hours trying to find it. Only remembering the vibe, the feelings it stirred and a single word.

Tethered especially. Such a fascinating concept that my mind took a hold of and CLUNG to it all these years later. Like…there are no words to explain how much this…struck me…

I also went searching for this reaction photo because it was the only one that came close to capturing my feelings tonight.

Like I’m sitting alone tonight, with my thoughts, with my feelings, just thinking about how someone’s words back on a day in May literally changed my brain chemistry.

Hey, Love your stories btw. Saw requests are open and just wondering if you would write how turtles would be with a partner that overthinks?

Kind of like comfort, mostly fluff scene?

Whelp. I wish I could say I didn't overthink this, but I am not a lying liar who lies. Hope this is to your style anon. I want to apologize in advance for somehow not being able to work Raph smooching his reader into the story, but his Reader is a little too angry for smooches

Bayverse Turtles x Reader, set in 2023 (turtles 22 ish)

G/N Reader (somehow i managed that, but names like sweetheart and babycakes are used.) No Y/N

Warnings/Summary : um... fluff. like comfort. n fluff. angst if you think about the fact that reader is not ok at the beginning of each scene. allusions to sexy times in some of them

Tether

Leo peered into your window, found you splayed out on your bed, legs up the wall and staring off into space. He let himself in via the window in your living room, making sure to step loudly as he made his way to your room. 

You hadn’t moved from that spot. He took the moment to shuck his swords, his belt, placing them across the surface of your dresser, before moving to fold his upper half on your bed, beside your gently rising chest.

“Hey.” That low, calm voice pulls you back from wherever you were, the soft touch of a careful finger against the angle of your cheekbone too common an occurrence to really faze you anymore.

“Leo.” You rasped, fingers idly rubbing against your chest as you drank him in. The bed shifted as he leaned a little further over you, lips plush where they pressed against your cheek. “I didn’t hear you come in?”

A soft snort, his movements still slow, still gentle. “I noticed. Where were you?”

You frowned, turned to stare at the ceiling before turning back to the blue banded turtle. “I was thinking.”

“Of course.” He stated it like it was a fact of life, as easy as breathing and as sure as the sun, no judgement in his too blue eyes.

You found yourself smiling despite still feeling a little lost, knowing he wouldn’t want you to apologize. “I don’t really remember how it started.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” 

You paused, thinking, before pulling a face.

It pulled a small chuckle from his snout. “You are the opposite of Dee.” 

At your questioning hum, he elaborated. “You both think too much. But he lets it all out, you hold it in.” He gently tapped the point above the center of your rib cage, before moving to brush that same, careful finger down the planes of your face. He continued when your eyes strayed back to the ceiling, “I’ll listen, if or when you need to talk.”

“I don’t know if it’ll help.” You still hadn’t reached out to him, thumbs rubbing over their counterpart’s opposite knuckles. “I just feel a little- untethered.”

He tilted his head, pressed the ridge of his brow against your face, tucked it under the curve of your jaw, slowly slid down to the bones in your collar. “I can tether you.” He whispered, against your skin. “Let me tether you.”

You probably would laugh at the corny line he delivered so seriously, if not for the fact that it was working. His weight, the immediacy of his presence, grounded your fraying thoughts, reeled them back in until you could see the edges of yourself underneath.

He breathed in deeply near the dip at the bottom of your collar, letting you feel the rush of air, let it guide you back. One large hand slipped up against your own, fingers interlocking as he urged your thumbs to stop moving.

A slow sweep of his thumb, far larger than yours, against the inside of your wrist, the callus on the inside of his digit whispering across the softer skin. 

“Shhhh… there you go.” He leaned further across the bed, pushed your face further upwards, the curve of his snout now against your cheek. “You’re not going anywhere, darling. I’m here."

This time, when he took in a deep, steady breath, his chest brushed against your arm, and you felt his air flutter across your face. After a long, silent moment, you turned your head towards his own, fingers twisting to rub against his knuckles instead of your own.

“There we go. Just breathe.” He took another steady breath, urged you to mimic him. It was as though you had forgotten the feeling, your lungs rushing with air, swelling to a point almost painful. Thoughts quieted, the mental bits of papers and half formed thoughts returning to their even piles inside the floor of your mind.

Leo shooshed you again, and you realized there had been a hiccup in your breaths. He shifted, his arms unfurling, letting you roll closer, onto your side. He moved to rest the dip where his snout met his cheek against the upturned side of your face, rubbing back and forth in a soothing motion.

“Leo.” You breathed again, feeling the heavy weight of his arm across your waist, loosened fist in between your shoulder blades. You tucked your face against the arm in front of you, rubbed your face in time with his against the pebbled skin.

“I’m here. You’re here. Just breathe.” He repeated.

He let you wrap an arm around his neck, fingers curling over the rim of his carapace, holding him in your space. He let out a hum, the sound deepening, becoming that comforting thump thump thump in his chest, faster than any heartbeat.

You hand tightened in his own, your head turning to find his gaze.

He gave you a small quirk of lips, his snout touching your nose delicately. “Hey, you.”

You know he felt the small puff of laughter, close as he was. “Hey, you back.” You let go of his shell, wrapped your arm around the back of his head, pulled him closer, just to hear that noise in his chest thump louder.

Vibration

Donnie found you in the least likely of spaces, curled up under his desk, his computer chair pulled in tight as if to make a tiny box. He had to fold in on himself to duck down low enough to catch your gaze.

You looked at him easy enough, eyes hazy and out of focus, wincing slightly at his soft whisper:

“Hey,” he drew the word out gently, “what’s wrong?” 

You didn’t want to tell him your thoughts were running a mile a minute, and the only place dark enough to hide from them was under his desk. You didn’t want to confess that your skin felt three sizes too small, and every breath felt like whatever made you, you, would escape if you weren’t careful.

“Overthinking?” Donnie shuffled closer, hands raising, pausing before he touched you. His head tilted to the side, considering, hazel eyes moving over your shivering, overstimulated form. After a long moment, he dropped his hands away from your space, instead reaching up just enough to grab his keyboard. 

“Hold on, sweetheart. I got something that might help.”

At this point you were desperate enough to just nod, closing your eyes and easing your head in your hands. After a few minutes of his typing, the keys clicking loud in the space, he turned on low music.

And, blessedly, you could feel more than hear. The beat vibrated through the lab, the bass high enough that everything not nailed down shivered. You had enough mind to watch Donnie move to close the door, before he was back on the floor next to you, one large arm braced on the overhang of the desk as he swayed into the little dark spot you had created.

“How are you doing? Is this helping?” At your shaky nod, he nods back, hand rising to softly trail the back of his knuckles down the outside of your nearest arm. 

You let out a soft gasp at the feeling, the fire ants dancing across your skin retreating under the coolness of his skin. “Dee?” 

“I’m right here, sweetheart. Tell me what you need?” He rubbed his knuckles back up your arm, paying attention to the way your limb stopped shaking.

You turned to him, stared at the column of his throat, not yet able to meet his too knowing gaze. “More. Please.”

He ducked away for a minute, and you heard the music change, the sound and vibrations starting to oscillate from one side of the room to the other.

“Thank god for surround sound, hm?” Donnie smiled at you when he came back, knuckles returning to their slow sweep.

That got a faint, brittle laugh out of you, your grip shifting on the arms of his chair, opening and closing against the elbow pads.

Donnie moved further into your little alcove, his shell blocking most of the light. “Do you want to come with me, go lay down?” At the quick shake of your head, he tried a different angle. “Do you want to sit in the chair, instead? The ground can’t be very comfortable, and I don’t know when’s the last time I cleaned under there.”

That- that worked. You unfurled, back cramping from how long you’d been hunched over in the little space. You let Donnie pull you into his lap, into his chair, fitting your knees on either side of his thighs and burying yourself in his shoulder.

“There. Much better.” His words came out in a chirp, cool hands coming up to rub along the curve of your back, switching to running his knuckles along your muscles when you shivered at too much skin contact.

The music drowned out everything, and in the all encompassing shake, his touch became bearable, an outside stimulus to focus on. It allowed you to just, stop thinking, stop worrying, condensing all those all-consuming thoughts into a smaller and smaller pile until you could shove them back into the box they’d escaped from.

You sniffled against Donnie’s skin, felt his head dip to rub his cheek on the top of your head, ruffling your hair. Not talking, not yet, just letting the vibrations do their work. Waiting for you to interact back, waiting for the all clear.

If you opened your eyes, you know you would meet his concerned gaze. After this long, being the object of Donnie’s sole focus wasn’t nearly as intense as it was in the beginning. Now, you could see the emotion there, behind the thoughts always moving, always considering a problem, defining a solution.

You tightened your hold, pressed a kiss to say thank you where the bones of his collar connected to his throat, and heard his low hum in affirmation. One hand left your back, tunneled into your hair, fingers rubbing firmly up and down the sides of your skull. 

“There, little better?” He asked, tilting back in his chair, long legs crossing before resting on the desk. He let you loop your arms around his neck, the hard surface of his plastron buzzing with the music’s vibrations more than your skin was. The thick sound of his churr keeping time like a particularly deep drum under the wave of sound.

You pressed yourself tighter to him in answer. “Thanks, Donnie.” 

“Anytime,” He kissed your temple, pet back your hair. “Anytime you need it.” 

Focus

Raph found you stalking back and forth along the canal in the Lair. He heard the angry slap of your feet, the harsh breathes coming out too fast, too strong, and felt a tightness in his chest long before he caught a glimpse of your face.

You didn’t notice him at first, a feat in itself, eyes on your tightly laced sneakers as you wore a ditch into the concrete, blinking constantly to be able to make out the surface.

“Hey.” He tried, not reaching out, not stopping your path of movement. It took two more calls, his voice slipping deeper, until a particularly rumbled ‘baby’ caught your attention, and you stopped so fast your knees protested.

Raph tracked over you, wanting to reach out, wanting to hold you, knowing it was the last thing you would want at this moment.

You were teetering at the edge of an abyss. Work, Life, Pressure. It was a mantra inside your head, everything that was wrong, everything that was out of your control. You couldn’t meet his eyes, only stared at the blearily outline of green and red, feeling yourself start to hiccup the longer you stayed still, knowing you were well on the way to making yourself sick. 

Raph rumbled again, a thump thump thump you could barely hear, a sort of mantra of his own. I see you, I understand, I know. When you jerked your head away, far too gone for comfort, he tried a different approach, finally moving to block your path.

“Follow me.” He jerked his head over his shoulder, but you were already moving past him, knowing where he wanted you, what he was after. You moved so fast, your steps jerky, angry, that he ended up following you into his weight room, found you practically vibrating as you fought to stay in one piece.

“The bag.” He ordered, another jerk of his head, tone brooking no argument. He wasn’t even sure if you could string together two thoughts to make a syllable at this moment without puking, but he knew you needed something physical, before you made yourself sick.

So he stooped to brace the bag, turned it towards you, winced internally at the thought of not being able to wrap your hands. He made a quick gut decision, grabbing an old pair of gloves and tossing them towards you. They were old, and smelled to high heaven, but they hadn’t fit his hands since he’d hit puberty, and they’d save your knuckles. 

When you gripped them, angry, he let the crack in his voice deepen. “You’re gonna wear them, whether you want to or not. I’m not gonna let you bust your hands.”

You rolled your eyes, tears still tracking down your face, but the particular scowl scrunching his features kept you from arguing, and…. Your hands were already aching, where you’d griped the thin bones in your hands too tight.

So you donned the gloves, took a stance, and swung before Raph could get a word in edgewise. The bag vibrated, but the shock transferred back up your arm, drawing out a pained hiss in the process.

Raph chuckled darkly. “Yeah, I bet that didn’t feel too hot, did it, sweetheart? You gonna listen this time, or are you dead set on hurting yourself somehow?”

You still felt the ache in your muscles, focusing on the punishment. You gave another jab, expecting more, expecting to connect with the sand filled bag, but Raph moved faster than you could process, his large hand taking the hit, curling around your glove to keep it in place.

“Don’t be an idiot.” He growled. “Slow down, think it through. You’re not doing anyone any favors punishing yourself.”

You wanted to rip your hand away, wanted to resume, but he held on tight, brought your glove forward until to pressed against the surface of his plastron, pushed until there was no more room to move forward. 

“You do that again,” he threatened out in a rumble, “and I’ll see that you regret it.” 

You shivered, but he moved away, ducked around the bag again, held it steady. 

“Now.” He intoned, and you knew what he wanted, what he was ordering.

So you fixed your stance, danced side to side, imagined your opponent. Imagined a hook coming your way, slipped past with only a faint jitter of hesitation before delivering a hard liver shot, ducking to the other side before jabbing on the rebound, your weight dancing effortlessly side to side the longer you went.

Raph kept quiet, now that you were thinking, problem solving, working out the frustration properly. He kept his eyes trained on your own, watching you come back, watching the tears slow, stop, and a hard determination take its place.

When you finally moved away from the bag, from him, he followed like a shadow, crowding into your space, stopping a hands breath away.

“You feeling better?” He mimicked your nod, continuing, “good. You need to talk about it?”

When you shook your head, lifted your hand to wipe at your face, he stopped you, grip firm and careful as he kept the filthy glove from touching your skin. You stared down at the gloves, nose wrinkling, not missing the chuckle that escaped him.

“Yeah. Sorry bout that.” He peeled it off your hand, before switching to the other, holding both your wrists in his much larger grip, thumbs pushing into sore muscles. “But I can make it up to you, if you’d like?”

You tsked, finding your lip curling up as he let that hopeful thump thump thump once more, moving into your space until he could cage you in between his arms. 

“Sure, Red. Make it up to me.”

Redirect

Mikey found you curled up on your fire escape, staring moodily at the dirty brick. He landed rather loud, wanting to warn you, wanting to see that wide smile break across your face like it always did when you saw him.

Instead, you stayed focused on the wall, and he deflated a little, before frowning, wondering if you knew it was him, or if you were so out of it you honestly didn’t realize you weren’t alone.

“Babycakes! You ok?” He let his voice carry, his suspicions confirmed when you blinked at the sound of his voice, twisted around in confusion. 

“Oh! Hey Mikey.” But you didn’t smile at seeing him, only pulled your knees up to your chest, wrapped your arms around them, laid your head across the top.

He moved to your side, folded in on himself, shuffled forward until he could press his leg, his arm against your own. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you ok?”

You hummed, nodded, not moving when he reached out, ran a hand through your hair. “M’ just tired.” You rubbed your head against your knees. “Can’t sleep.”

He tilted his head, considering you, the open window behind the two of you. “You wanna go lay down? I bet I could help you sleep.” He wiggled his eyebrows at you.

You shook your head again, and he removed his hand, leaning backwards and bracing himself on his palms, nudged you with his leg. “C’mon, baby, talk to me? Tell me what’s wrong? Please?”

“Oh, Mikey,” you smiled at his insistence. “I’m just a little caught up at the moment.” At his confused look, you tapped the side of your head. “Thoughts too loud to sleep, Angelo. Wouldn’t be fair for you to deal with that.”

He frowned, moved forward again, tapping a quick rhythm on his knees, watching as you focused on the movement. An idea sparked, and he quickly shuffled forward, mimicking your pose once more, eyes quickly moving around until he found what he was looking for.

“Look,” He pointed, reached out to tilt your head the correct direction when you hummed in confusion. You saw a tall man walking down the street, dressed to impress, fashion impeccable. You turned a confused look towards Michelangelo, wondering what in the world he was about pointing out a handsome man to you.

“Where do you think he’s going?” He asked, nudged your shoulder until you gave a sigh, answering just to get him to stop:

“I don’t know-” at his puppy dog eyes, you tried again, “maybe, maybe off to a fancy dinner? A promotion?” You lifted a hand to your head, rubbed at the ache.

“Hm.” Mikey hummed, considering. “I bet he’s leaving a date with his wife, on his way to lead a double life,” he dropped his voice to a whisper, aware you didn’t realize you were leaning into him to hear his words, “as a strongman in the  illegal underground circus.”

You stared at him for a beat, taking in his pleased grin, before the first bubble of laughter caught you by surprised, escaped before you could reel it in. “What?” You asked, hand coming up to muffle the sound. 

Mikey tugged your hand down, claiming it in his grip as he pointed out another character. “Look at her! See how she walks so fast?” He glanced over at you, saw your eyes tracking the figure. “Bet she’s late for a super villain meeting, and she’s completely forgotten it’s her turn to bring the snacks.”

“Super villain meeting?” You echoed, unfurling a little, letting him pull you closer. “Shouldn’t you tell Leo about that?”

“Eh,” Mikey shrugged, fingers dancing up and down your sides when you leaned into him. “I was going to, but they keep bribing me with pizza.”

“That would work.” You nodded along when he agreed with your assessment, then pointed. “What about him?”

Mikey followed your gaze. “Oh. Him?” He paused a moment, glancing between you and the person. “Hey, how come the people you pick are handsome?”

You sputtered, “What? He’s the first one I picked!”

“Nu uh,” Mikey shook his head, grateful you couldn’t see his face. “You picked the first one, and he was handsome, too.”

“Mikey, you picked the first one.” Your voice pitched up at the end, clearly hiding laughter, and you could feel him shake behind you.

“No I didn’t, I clearly remember you did.” He insisted, hands slipping around your waist when you turned in his grip, legs boxing in your elbows when you jabbed a retaliatory finger into his plastron.

Jab. “You.” Another jab. “Are an absolute.” Jab jab. “Menace, Mi-” 

He kissed you, a quick press of lips before he bubbled your cheek. “Oh yea? Got you smiling, babe.”

You slumped against him, and he braced a palm behind him to keep from toppling back, concerned for half a beat before he felt the shivers of your laugh against his chest. He let out a soft churr, and you nuzzled into the sound.

“God, what would I do without you, Mikey?” You asked, looped your arms around him as far as they would go.

“You aren’t ever gonna find out, baby.” He replied, gathering you closer, letting you slot yourself against him, content to stay outside in the cold for as long as you wanted.

Ch. 12: Diplomatic Relations "Tethered" CaitVi Soulmate Au Fanfic

Vi let out a bark of laughter. "Your mom hates me, princess. I'd be the last trencher she'd ever hire." "She doesn't hate you, Vi," Caitlyn insisted with an eye roll. "She's just protective. Surely that's something you can understand." "I do, which is why I know she'd never hire me. That and I haven't 'availed myself of receiving the best education anyone in Piltover or Zaun could get,'" she said, mimicking Cassandra. Caitlyn snorted. "Well, it was just a thought," she replied. Vi gave her a crooked grin that made her stomach swoop. "It's not even been three weeks, and you're already looking for ways to keep me around? Have I grown on you, Kiramman?" Caitlyn gave her a smirk that she has seen literally make other girls weak in the knees. "It's like you said, you've got that Zaunite charm." The blush that crept up Vi's face had been completely worth it, and Caitlyn ached to see just how red she could make Vi turn, but was interrupted when Sonya returned to them.

Tethered - Chapter 13 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

As Caitlyn and Vi do their best to ignore the growing feelings between them, a Council meeting with a Demacian official leads them to worry about the safety of the tether.

I am really excited for the next chapter of "Tethered." This is going to be one that will really hint at how different this story is going to be from the original rewrite. Hope you all are going to like the changes!

Ch. 11: Disappointments and Consequences "Tethered" CaitVi Soulmate AU Fanfic

"Councilor, I am speaking as a parent of four teenagers. You locked two seventeen-year-olds inside for the last two and a half weeks, and you're surprised that they snuck out to attend what sounds like a party?" Vander asked incredulously. "I can't speak to your children, Vander, but Caitlyn does not disobey my rules," Cassandra stated, almost in offense. It took everything in Vi to not roll her eyes. Caitlyn was far too well-versed in how to get in and out of her window to have never done it before they went to Zaun. Vander narrowed his eyes at the Councilor. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked with a low growl. Cassandra seemed unmoved by his flash of anger. "Caitlyn never would have behaved so abhorrently before she met Vi. I'm not sure I like the influence she is having on my daughter," Cassandra stated matter-of-factly. Righteous indignation flared through Vi as she heard the couch creak as Vander gripped the frame of it until his knuckles were white.

Tethered - Chapter 12 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Vi and Caitlyn's families discuss how they snuck out, and the girls find out their punishment.

Ch. 10: With Friends Like These "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

“Pretty snazzy,” Vi said as they neared the door, hearing the sound of laughter, music, and conversation inside. Caitlyn snorted. “If that’s the word you want to use.” “And what would you call it?” “Gaudy.” Vi mimicked her snort. “Pot, meet kettle.” Caitlyn clicked her tongue behind her teeth. “While my family and I don’t hide the fact that we are wealthy, at least we don’t shove it in everyone’s faces.” “Your front yard has two massive water fountains that are the size of the one-room basement my family lives in, princess. You have a wrought iron gate surrounding your castle that literally separates you from the rest of Piltover,” Vi replied with the most condescending tone Caitlyn’s heard from her yet.

Tethered - Chapter 11 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Caitlyn and Vi sneak out to go to a Piltover party.

I love the head-canon of Vi calling Caitlyn out on her rich girl bullshit and my fic “Tethered” has been such a fun place to indulge in that 🤣

I'm 1500 words into the next chapter of "Low Lays the Devil in Me" and I'm just so excited about this story after the short break from it. I love "Tethered," but this cute little Romeo and Juliet steampunk spy fic is just so juicy and fun to write!! And since we're coming up on the last bit of this wild ride, it's even more fun!

I love writing 🥰

"Low Lays the Devil" in Me Update

Hey, readers! Great news, "Low Lays the Devil in Me" will now be getting updates as soon as early next week. Thank you for being patient. For those that didn't know, I was spending my writing time getting about 50k words written of the "Tethered" CaitVi rewrite that I did. I felt bad that I abandoned the old version for the rewrite and wanted to make it up to those who liked that story by giving them a lot of updates. 50,000 words in 15 days I feel like definitely made up for it 😂

This means I will now be alternating between "Low Lays the Devil in Me" and "Tethered." To be honest, though, I don't think it'll take me too much longer to get the last of "Devil" out since there's maybe about 6ish (?) chapters left of the story. We'll see how that goes (I always underestimate how long a fic will be, it seems 😂). Anyways, fret not! I will begin writing the next chapter of "Devil" tomorrow 🙌🏻

Ch. 9: Revelations and Evolutions "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

“I think it wants me to touch the tether.” Caitlyn’s eyes went wide in slight alarm. “I don’t know, Vi. Asking it questions is one thing, but this seems like it could be dangerous.” A soft plea pulled at her sternum, and Vi realized what it had been trying to ask her. She met Caitlyn’s concerned gaze, the Arcane scars in her blue irises glowing. “I think it’s asking me to trust it,” Vi stated carefully.

Tethered - Chapter 10 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Vi and Caitlyn finally discuss the tether.

Slight Spoilers for Ch. 8 of "Tethered" Below

A lot of people have been liking how Sevika chewed out Heimerdinger and validated Vi in the latest chapter of "Tethered." I don't really share personal life stuff on here, but I'll say that Sevika's speech, in a very small way, was inspired by my own mom going off on an educator who directly told my mom, my sister (who was 11 at the time), and I that my sister never get into college because of how bad her test anxiety was. My mom basically sounded like Sevika did, and then, when we were back in the car, essentially said to my sister, "Don't listen to anything she just said about you. If you want to get into college, we'll figure it out. Even if it's hard, if you want to do it, then we'll find a way. But never let anyone tell you that you can't do something just because of something like anxiety."

My sister now has a master's degree and is a school counselor who helps underprivileged kids get into college. So, yeah. Long story short, in some ways, Sevika in this fic is very, very loosely inspired by my badass mom.

Ch. 8: Tentative Trust "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “Gods, you can be quite dramatic sometimes.” Outrage filtered through the tether, but then gave way to shock when Caitlyn reached out and laid her hand over Vi’s, which she could just make out in the dark. “What the hell are you doing, Kiramman?” Vi asked. Caitlyn felt Irelia sigh contentedly, and the pulling stopped. “Compromising with the tether,” she answered. “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted after today and would like to sleep instead of fighting it. I’m not saying we should let it do what it did last night, but maybe this will tide it over.” Vi hummed uncertainly, but Caitlyn felt her relax against the mattress again. “Fine. But the little parasite better not try anything.” Caitlyn tutted in disapproval at the nickname. “You’re incorrigible.”

Tethered - Chapter 9 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Vi opens up to Caitlyn as they take an important step towards trusting each other.

LOVING the new Tethered fic but I also really need to know what happens next LLTDIM, especially because of what Caitlyn had to do. Need that hurt/comfort like I need oxygen 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

No rush of course! Just wanted to know when to clear my schedule 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Promise I’m not forgetting about Low Lays the Devil in Me. I just feel bad for the people who liked the previous version of Tethered that I abandoned, so I’m trying to make up for it! I’ll get back to our little spy fic soon!

Ch. 7: When You Are Young, They Assume You Know Nothing "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

“What, you’ve never cuddled anyone in bed before?” she asked with a smirk, then she stood up and stretched. Vi's eyes were drawn down to the sliver of smooth skin that was revealed as Caitlyn’s sleep shirt rose slightly, and Vi felt the parasite urge her to raise her hand to caress it. Vi curled her fingers into a fist and swallowed as she looked away from Caitlyn, her face still hot with embarrassment. “Yeah, my little sister,” she replied derisively. Vi saw Caitlyn cock her head out of the corner of her eye before she hummed. “Well, given how obsessed Irelia is with you, I’m surprised it wasn’t me wrapped around you. So, why don’t we just call it a wash?” Vi looked back over at Caitlyn with a furrowed brow. “Wait, what are you talking about? The tether is obsessed with you, not me.” Caitlyn gave her a confused look, and the parasite in Vi’s sternum trilled in anticipated excitement, almost like it was pushing Vi towards something she couldn’t quite grasp.

Tethered - Chapter 8 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Vi and Caitlyn have come to an understanding with one another, and the scientists have discovered something about the tether.

Ch. 6: Family Matters "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

“Vi, no. Please. I don’t want you to leave,” she begged with shining eyes. Vi knelt and wiped the tears off her sister’s cheeks. “It’ll be okay, Pow Pow. The scientists are close to figuring out what’s wrong with us, and I’m sure I’ll be back in no time.” The younger girl’s lower lip trembled. “Can I come with you?” Caitlyn’s own heart squeezed in sympathy as Vi sighed. No one was allowed to know about the tether, and Caitlyn knew if it hadn’t been for the Arcane, Vi would bring her sister back to Piltover with her. Now that she could feel how much Vi loved and missed her family, especially Powder, Caitlyn was starting to understand Vi’s resentment of the tether.

Tethered - Chapter 7 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Caitlyn experiences Zaun for the first time, and she and Vi begin to understand one another better.

So, I love my job, but I don’t want to go today because I just want to keep writing 😭🤣 the next chapter of “Tethered” is going to be fun to write and I would rather do that.

Ch. 5: Show, Don't Tell "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

“I know I hurt your feelings, Vi. I’m not an idiot. It was all over your face. I’m trying to apologize,” Caitlyn stated, interrupting her thoughts. Vi began to remove her clothes to change for Caitlyn’s lessons that would start soon. “You already apologized, princess. Not sure what you think has changed between last night and this morning,” she replied, pulling on a plain brown linen shirt and her most comfortable pair of leggings. “I’m not saying it just to say it, Vi. I truly didn’t mean what I said, I promise you.” Anger flared up in her, and she rounded on Caitlyn, startling her into taking a step back. “You Pilties and your promises. Do you have any idea how many of them your people have made to mine, only to break them? All you know how to do is talk. Like that will solve any of our problems,” she scoffed. “If you think that your words last night were the most horrible thing I’ve ever experienced at the hands of a Piltovan, you’re as arrogant as every other Topsider. So, why don’t we just chalk last night up to yet another win for the Pilties against a trencher and move the fuck on?”

Tethered - Chapter 6 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Caitlyn does something that completely shocks Vi, and Vi slowly starts to figure out what has changed about their tether.

Okay, my hand is feeling much better, and I can write again. I'll get a chapter or two of "Tethered" up first. I'm focusing on that one because I feel bad I stopped writing in the middle of the original version, so I want to get a few more out for those who like the story. Then I'll get back into "Low Lays the Devil in Me."

So, mainly my pride is injured, but I did hurt my left hand a bit tripping and I used my hand to break my fall. Just scraped up, nothing even close to broken or sprained, so all good. I might be a little slow on any updates just because it's awkward to type. Obviously I'm going to sit here and force myself to type through the pain, but just wanted to let you all know. Will be back at in earnest soon with updates for Tethered and Low Lays the Devil in Me!

Ch. 4: Lessons "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

Caitlyn’s reverie of Vi’s attractively full lips was interrupted by Grady. “Miss Kiramman, shall I call in your art tutor, and she can have you begin a lesson in still life drawing with Miss Vi as your first subject?” Vi snickered as she watched a mortified Caitlyn blush from her neck to her hairline. She briefly fantasized about asking her mother to fire Grady. “I’m sorry, Professor. I promise I’ll focus,” she said in a strained voice. Vi continued to quietly laugh at her embarrassment, and Caitlyn clenched her jaw to resist the urge to growl in frustration.

Tethered - Chapter 5 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Caitlyn learns what it’s like to live with a roommate, and Vi is forced to attend Caitlyn’s school lessons.

I know I just put out the new chapter for "Tethered," but I'm extra excited for the next one. It's a completely new one, besides the prologue, of this rewrite.

Ch. 3: Experiments and Introductions "Tethered" Rewrite CaitVi Fanfic

“The tether. It doesn’t like those crystals,” Caitlyn explained, taking in a stuttered breath. “It’s afraid of them.” All three scientists gave each other a questioning look before Jayce turned to Vi and Caitlyn. “The Arcane can’t feel,” he said slowly. “It’s a natural phenomenon. Like rain or an earthquake. It has no emotions.” “Tell that to the thing in my chest that’s scared, because it sure as shit ain’t me that’s afraid,” Vi said with a frown, annoyed that this scientist refuted them when he wasn’t the one experiencing it. Viktor walked over to the chest and picked up a crystal, then held it out to the tether. The white blue light grew brighter, almost blinding, and the fear became stronger. The need to escape from the room was almost uncontrollable as Vi felt a burning sensation behind her eyes. “Please, stop! It’s afraid of it,” Caitlyn cried out, tears in her eyes.

Tethered - Chapter 4 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

The tether between Vi and Caitlyn is tested and experimented on, which results in a discovery.

"Tethered" Rewrite: Prologue, Ch. 1 & 2, CaitVi Fanfic

Soulmate. Two Spirits in one soul. Inextricably bound together for eternity in perfect harmony—until mankind intervened. When teenagers Vi and Caitlyn are caught up in an Arcane explosion, a magical tether is formed between them that won’t let them be further than 15 feet apart from one another, physically and dangerously wrenching them back together if they try to separate. With the study of magic banned in Piltover, the brightest scientific minds will have a hard time figuring out how to break their tether. As the magical bond between them evolves, so do their feelings for one another. Soon, Vi and Caitlyn begin to question whether they truly want the tether to be broken and wonder just how far they are willing to go to ensure that it isn’t.

Tethered - Chapter 1 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

PLEASE READ THE NOTES AT THE START OF THE FIC!!!

Inspired loosely by @somewillwin's soulmate AU. Your art is amazing! Thank you for sharing it.

I'm already three chapters into the new "Tethered" rewrite (since I can copy and paste a lot of it right now, it's going by very quickly), and it's already, in my opinion, a more interesting story. I think I will keep the alternative POV as I solidify the kind of story I want to tell. Hopefully you guys like the changes. <3

"Tethered" Rewrite Underway

Alright everyone, the results are in and the "Tethered" rewrite will happen. There were also 13 votes for either yes or do what you want in the comment section of the chapter for "Tethered" that I put up asking people to vote or leave a comment if they don't have tumblr. Thank you everyone who voted and for all the kind words that you'll read anything I write, regardless of what happens.

Here's the plan:

I will keep the old "Tethered" story up for those who like this current version. I will mark it "abandoned" in the title and I will turn off comments on it, too. I will link the new rewrite in the chapter one notes when it comes out as well as in put the link in a new chapter update so that anyone who is subscribed to the story will know when the new version comes out.

I will say that I will write the first few chapters to see how I like the back and forth POVs. If I don't like it, then the story will be from Vi's POV exclusively. I am wondering if this will actually be a two part series and I could do what I did with my "Rebel Heart" series and have the first one be from Vi's POV and the second from Caitlyn's. We'll have to see.

Since I saw where the votes were going, I started the rewrite and have finished the prologue that I've written for it. When I'm ready, I'll post the prologue and the first chapter at the same time. I'm really excited to share this world and really do think I can do a much better job at writing an intense love story between these two characters. Hopefully I can get this out soon.

For what it's worth, the new version of this story will be both very different and very similar. I will copy and paste several scenes and maybe even whole chapters from the old fic into the rewritten one, but I strongly suggest everyone who wants to read this version of the story read through every familiar scene, as you never know what I will choose to change. The premise will still remain the same, for the most part. I will just slow the pace down, probably considerably, and go much more in depth into the actual tether itself.

Finally, I'll be sure to do a proper dedicated shout out to artist somewillwin in both the first post for this story and in the fic notes since I realized a bit ago that I was drawing inspiration from their artwork without fully realizing it.

Thanks for reading this long post! Read you guys soon!

Vote for a "Tethered" Rewrite

So, as much as I am tempted to rewrite "Tethered," I also don't want to disappoint the people who like this story as it is. However, I will say that I think I could create a much better story since this was initially supposed to only be 3 chapters. I will say that, to me, it's turned into this really amazing world building idea and intense love story that, in my opinion, I haven't done justice.

So, vote below if you'd be okay with a rewrite with alternating Cait and Vi POVs and deeper world building with Runeterra's magic system. If majority votes yes, I will begin the rewrite and start the Pirate AU after "Low Lays the Devil in Me" is finished since I'm not too far from being done with that one.

If "no" wins, then I'll just stick to Caitlyn just talking at Vi to move the story along and then finish it up in a chapter or two as I originally intended.

in terms of tetherd (i think i spelt that wrong)

you could do it like an extra story like you did in the heart made of glass series where you did the extra perspectives ?!!!

maybe just an idea but other than that i absolutely love your fics they’re soooooooo good ,, big fan of tetherd and the burglar one

your writing style is just amazing

That wouldn't work for what I'm thinking. Caitlyn needs to update Vi on her years she spent travelling and, for it to make sense to the reader, it would require like, 3000 words of just straight up exposition. I'm on my third draft trying to find a way to make it more interesting, but I know, without a doubt, it would be better if you all experienced it with Caitlyn.

And for what I have planned for the lore of the tether, I know it would be better to build up to it rather than have this all seem out of left field like it would now.

Thank for the suggestion and the kind words!!!

Damn it all. I am so torn. I don't really want to rewrite "Tethered," but Caitlyn's journey throughout Runeterra that she experienced is such a cool idea that to waste it on an exposition or even just a flashback chapter upsets me. And it's inspiring me to do a whole new story with full world building and exploring the magic of Runeterra that would explain the tether more.

I am deeply, deeply tempted to rewrite the story and have it be alternating perspectives between Vi and Caitlyn and change some things now that I know where the story is going to have it make more sense. Ugh!

Edit: I also know that a lot of people really like this story and I would hate to disappoint them, but I honestly think I could write a much better version of it that would be much more satisfying.

So, I really don’t think I would ever do this, but if I had to rewrite any of my three CaitVi fics, it would be Tethered. Not because I hate it, because I have had so much fun writing it, but because now that I know where it’s going, I kind of wish I took my time to get there more and elaborated on some things more. If that makes sense.

Ch. 11: We're Not Broken, Just Bent "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

“I saw an article that you got back from abroad a few months ago. Did you stay in one place or did you travel around?” Caitlyn absently rubbed at her forearm as she answered. “I went to several places, but for most of the time I was in Ionia.” “Oh? With your dad’s family?” “I saw them, of course, but I stayed in the mountains on the northern part of the main island,” she explained. Vi furrowed her brow slightly as Caitlyn shifted, appearing almost uncomfortable as she didn’t elaborate. Her heart reached out to comfort the other girl and a fresh wave of pain flowed through her at the brick wall she was met with instead.

Tethered - Chapter 11 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Vi and Caitlyn go for drinks and Vi has a difficult conversation with Sevika.

Ch. 10: Listen to My Heartbeat Looking for You "Tethered" CaitVi Fanfic

As the sound of conversation and merriment filled her childhood home, she felt a small smile pull at her lips. However, if one were to look closely enough, they would see a faint sadness behind dull blue speckled eyes as Vi, subconsciously, rubbed at a spot in the center of her chest as her heart pulled at her to look for bright blue eyes in the crowd. Vi sucked in a quiet, shuddered breath as the agony of the missed connection flooded through her. She clenched her jaw and let it happen, like allowing a large wave to overtake her and remained calm until she was safe above the water again. Her heart beat mournfully for a moment, but then quieted down again as the ache soon left her. Vi glanced around and was glad that everyone seemed to be too caught up in the celebration to notice the few seconds of quiet pain Vi allowed herself to feel before it faded. With one more deep breath, she took a sip of her beer and went to actually partake in the festivities.

Tethered - Chapter 10 - caitlynkirammansrifle - Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]

Five years later...