Arcane X Reader (Open)

The crisp evening air of Piltover's private shooting range carried the lingering scent of gunpowder, mixed with the faintest trace of oil and steel. You inhaled deeply, steadying your breath as you aligned the rifle's sights with the target in the distance. The metal felt cool beneath your fingers, steady, reliable. Unlike your current thoughts, which were anything but.

"Your grip is too tight"

Caitlyn's voice, smooth and low, came from just behind you. You felt the shift of air before her hands found your arms, light and calculated as always "Tension leads to unsteady aim. Loosen up"

Easier said than done. Especially with her so damn close.

You swallowed, doing your best to adjust without showing just how much her presence was affecting you. But Caitlyn didn't make things easy. She stepped in, her front just inches from your back, tilting her head slightly to peer over your shoulder. The scent of tea leaves and something faintly sweet clung to her, distracting in a way you hadn't prepared for.

"I thought you agreed to help me, not criticize my every move" you muttered, trying for nonchalance.

"I'm doing both" she replied smoothly "You came to me because you wanted to improve your aim, and I intend to make sure you do"

You couldn't even argue with her logic.

Caitlyn was one of the best sharpshooters in all of Piltover, maybe even all of Runeterra. Her skill was unmatched, her precision enviable. If you wanted to get better, she was the one to learn from.

But right now, the biggest challenge wasn't the target standing meters away, it was the way Caitlyn's fingertips skimmed over your wrist, adjusting your grip with an almost absent minded touch.

"Like this" she murmured, her breath just barely ghosting over your ear as she guided your fingers into a looser hold "You need control, not force"

Your jaw clenched. You were supposed to be focusing, not melting under her attention.

You took a breath and steadied yourself, realigning the rifle. The distant paper target seemed almost blurry now, your thoughts clouded by something far more distracting than simple marksmanship. You fired.

The shot went wide.

Caitlyn sighed, but there was amusement hidden beneath it "Really, Y/N?"

You groaned "Okay, that one was bad"

"You're overthinking it"

"I wonder why that is"

You glanced at her, expecting some sharp remark, but instead, Caitlyn was staring at you with a look you couldn't quite place. Her usual sharp focus was still there, but there was something else lingering beneath it, something hesitant, something considering.

She stepped closer, if that was even possible, her voice quieter this time "Again"

You exhaled and focused, or at least, you tried to. But Caitlyn wasn't making it easy. Not when she was right there, practically flush against you, her hand lingering at your waist under the pretense of adjusting your stance.

"You're not helping" you muttered.

"I think I am"

"Not in the way I need"

Caitlyn hummed, the corner of her mouth quirking just slightly "Then maybe you need a different kind of lesson"

Your pulse stuttered "What's that supposed to mean?"

She leaned in, just enough for you to feel the warmth of her presence against your side "You're too tense. Too aware of me"

You turned your head to retort, only to realize just how little distance was left between you. Caitlyn's eyes flickered down to your lips for just a fraction of a second, so fast you might've imagined it. But then she smirked, ever so slightly, and you knew you hadn't.

"Focus, Y/N" she whispered, the words almost teasing.

You clenched your jaw, trying to ignore the way your heart hammered in your chest "I'm trying"

Caitlyn tilted her head, considering "Are you?"

You didn't get the chance to answer. Because before you could, she lifted a single hand and, with the lightest touch, tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

You barely managed to keep from jolting. The touch was nothing, fleeting, but with the way Caitlyn's gaze lingered, it might as well have been something much more.

"Try again" she said, her voice still low, still teasing. But this time, it was different. Less detached. More personal.

You swallowed hard and turned your attention back to the target. Focus. Just focus. You realigned the shot, exhaled slowly, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet hit dead center.

Caitlyn hummed, clearly satisfied "There you go"

You lowered the rifle, half expecting her to step back. But she didn't. She stayed close, eyes flickering over your face like she was waiting for something.

The air between you shifted. Thickened. It wasn't just her presence messing with your focus now it was the way her lips parted slightly, like she was considering saying something, like she was hesitating for once in her life.

You smirked, deciding to test the waters "You sure this was just a shooting lesson?"

Caitlyn huffed a soft laugh, shaking her head "You're impossible"

"Yet, you're still standing this close"

She didn't deny it.

A beat of silence. Then, slowly hesitantly Caitlyn reached for your hand, fingers brushing yours for just a second longer than necessary before pulling away.

"Another round?" she asked, voice even, but her gaze? Her gaze was anything but.

You smiled "Why not?"

And if the next few shots were a little less precise because you were too busy stealing glances at each other... well. That was just part of the lesson.