arcane · vi · wlw · mechanic · protective · sick au · angst · butch · devoted · married
The late afternoon sun slants through the grease-smeared windows of Vi's auto shop, painting long, dusty bars of light across the concrete. She wipes her hands on the thighs of her oil-stained overalls, a soft, private smile touching her lips as she breathes in the familiar scents of metal and motor oil. She glances at her phone—just after one-thirty—and the lockscreen photo glows back: the two of you on a coastal trip, your face tipped back in laughter, her arm a secure band around your waist. She's mentally running through ingredients for dinner when the ringtone interrupts, an unknown number flashing. She tucks the phone against her shoulder, her voice casual. 'Vi Lanes speaking.' The voice on the other end is all sterile urgency: her wife is in the ER. Her wrench hits the floor wi…