Chapter 32 – Building Bridges
The sky outside the workshop was beginning to darken, the heavy clouds gathering above Piltover as the city settled into its usual rhythm of commerce and industry.
Inside, the soft clink of metal and the hum of machines were the only sounds, but today, they didn't feel as distant.
Caitlyn stood beside Steven, watching as he meticulously worked on his latest invention—his mind clearly elsewhere, but still focused on his hands.
"Is that the new prototype?" she asked, trying to break the silence.
Steven glanced up from his work, offering a small smile.
"Yeah. It's a new kind of repulsor tech. Might help with mobility if I can get it right. But… I'm missing something."
His fingers lingered over the components, tapping them absentmindedly as if they could speak to him.
Caitlyn tilted her head, intrigued. "What's the problem?"
"Not sure,"
Steven muttered, leaning back in his chair and rubbing the back of his neck.
"I've been stuck for a while now. I can't figure out what's holding it back. Everything's almost perfect, but not quite."
Caitlyn stepped closer, glancing over his shoulder at the design. "You're overthinking it," she said, surprising him with her words.
"Sometimes, the most complicated solutions come from the simplest ideas. Take a step back. Clear your head."
Steven chuckled, though there was a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Clear my head? Right now? After everything that's happened? I wish I could just do that."
Caitlyn's tone softened. "I didn't mean to—" She paused, realizing her mistake. "Look, I know you're dealing with a lot. But sometimes, a fresh perspective helps. You can't keep everything locked away in your head."
For a moment, Steven didn't know how to respond. But something about Caitlyn's sincerity, her understanding, made him pause.
Slowly, he leaned back, staring at the ceiling as if seeking the answers in the sky above.
"What if I'm not ready to face it all, Caitlyn? What if this... this mess of grief and loss… is something I can't handle?"
Caitlyn looked at him, her expression unreadable. But the silence that passed between them wasn't uncomfortable.
It was a shared space where they both understood more than words could convey. Caitlyn's voice was soft when she spoke. "You don't have to handle it alone, you know."
Steven didn't answer immediately. Instead, he let her words settle in. His eyes met hers, and for the first time in a long while, he felt seen. Really seen.
Not as someone who was just trying to survive or invent his way out of his problems—but as someone who was struggling, who needed support.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "I've… been feeling a bit lost lately."
Caitlyn offered a small, reassuring smile. "I get that. I've been there. Everyone needs someone to lean on from time to time."
There was an awkward pause, but it wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, it was refreshing. Caitlyn sat down on the edge of a nearby workbench, crossing her arms.
"You know, I could help you with that repulsor tech if you want. I might not know anything about the mechanics, but I'm good at looking at things from different angles."
Steven's lips twitched into a faint grin. "I never took you for someone who'd be into tech."
"Well, I'm not. But I like solving problems, and I think this might be one worth tackling."
The unexpected lightheartedness of the moment eased some of the weight in Steven's chest. He nodded. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
They worked together in silence, Caitlyn offering suggestions that seemed far simpler than Steven's more complex ideas, but they helped.
Little by little, the invention started to take form. As they shared small exchanges, Steven felt a camaraderie building—something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Caitlyn wasn't just an ally anymore. She was becoming a friend.
Later that night, after the work was done, Caitlyn spoke quietly as she gathered her things to leave.
"Hey, Steven," she called, as he was finishing up some last-minute adjustments on the device.
"Yeah?"
She paused, not looking at him, but there was something different in her voice now. "If you ever need someone to talk to… You know where to find me. We've been through a lot lately, and I know it's not easy, but… I'm here."
Steven felt a warmth spread through him at her words. It was a simple thing, but it meant more than he expected. "Thanks, Caitlyn. I'll keep that in mind."
As she left, he stood there for a moment, a quiet sense of relief washing over him. He hadn't realized how much he needed someone to trust.
But now, with Caitlyn, there was something beginning to bloom—something solid.
The day had started with only an invention in his mind. But now, as night fell over Piltover, Steven realized that he wasn't just building technology. He was starting to rebuild himself.