The next day, Victoria had just finished her class and was heading across campus, feeling the warmth of the afternoon sun on her face. As she rounded the corner, she spotted a familiar group standing together near the library: Monika, Kate, Gabbie, and Caitlin. A smile tugged at her lips as she walked over to them. 

"Hey, guys," Victoria greeted, slipping her arm around Caitlin's waist. "What's up?" Caitlin turned and beamed at her, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

 "Hey, love. We were just catching up and making plans for tonight. How was class?" "Long and boring," Victoria replied with a dramatic sigh, making everyone laugh. "I'm glad it's over." 

As they stood together, chatting and laughing, Victoria felt a buzz in her pocket. She pulled out her phone, glanced at the screen, and let out a dramatic groan. "Great, I have another class," she announced, clearly annoyed.

 "What class?" Caitlin asked. "History" Victoria replied, rolling her eyes. "I thought I was done for the day." Monika chuckled, patting Victoria on the back. 

"You'll survive." "Just think of it as getting closer to the weekend," Kate added. Victoria sighed, pocketing her phone. "I guess I should get going." Caitlin squeezed her waist gently. 

"I'll see you later, okay?" Victoria's eyes lit up a bit. "Alright. See you." Gabbie smirked. "Get through this class, and we'll have some fun after." 

"Deal," Victoria said, leaning in to kiss Caitlin quickly. "Later, guys." As she walked away, Caitlin called after her, "Good luck! Try to stay awake!" Victoria laughed, waving over her shoulder. "No promises!" 

As the evening settled in, Caitlin prepared the dorm, dimming the lights and setting a relaxed atmosphere. She knew Victoria would be exhausted after her long day of classes and wanted to help her relax.

 Monika, Kate, and Gabbie had gone out together, giving Caitlin and Victoria some much-needed alone time. The door clicked open, and Victoria stepped in, her shoulders slumped from fatigue.

 She barely had time to close the door before Caitlin was there, wrapping her arms around her in a warm, tight hug. "Hey, you," Caitlin murmured, her voice soft and soothing. 

Victoria melted into the embrace, burying her face in Caitlin's neck. "Hey," she whispered back, clinging to her like a lifeline.

 "You look exhausted," Caitlin said, brushing a few strands of hair away from Victoria's face. 

"Long day?" 

"The longest," Victoria replied, sighing deeply. "I just want to collapse." Caitlin smiled, guiding her over to the couch. "Well, you're home now. How about I take care of you?" 

Victoria nodded, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned into Caitlin's touch. 

"That sounds perfect." Caitlin gently kissed Victoria's forehead, then her cheeks, and finally her lips, savoring the soft, familiar feel.

 "I missed you," she whispered

Victoria's eyes opened slightly, a small smile forming on her lips. "I missed you too." 

"Come on," Caitlin said, pulling her up gently. "Let's get you comfortable." 

They moved to the couch, where Caitlin helped Victoria out of her jacket and shoes, all the while peppering her with soft kisses and sweet words. They settled into a cozy embrace, Caitlin holding Victoria close, her hands tracing gentle patterns on her back. 

"You didn't have to wait up for me," Victoria said, though her voice betrayed how grateful she was that Caitlin had. 

"I wanted to," Caitlin replied simply. "I wanted to be here for you." Victoria snuggled deeper into Caitlin's arms, her exhaustion slowly ebbing away in the warmth and safety of her presence.

 "You always know how to make everything better," she murmured. 

Caitlin smiled, kissing the top of her head. "That's because I love you," she said softly, her words filled with genuine affection. 

"I love you too," Victoria whispered, her voice trailing off as she started to relax completely, feeling at home in Caitlin's arms.

After a while of cuddling, Victoria's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She reluctantly reached over and saw Gabbie's name on the screen. She answered, her voice still soft and relaxed from their time together. 

"Hey, Gabbie." 

"Hey, Vic! We were wondering if you and Caitlin wanted to join us for dinner? We're grabbing a bite downtown." Victoria glanced at Caitlin, who raised an eyebrow in question.

 "Sure, that sounds fun," she replied, a smile spreading across her face. Caitlin nodded in agreement, already getting up to start getting ready.

 "Yeah, we'll be there," Victoria added before hanging up. Caitlin stretched, a playful grin on her face. 

"Guess it's time to get dressed again." Victoria laughed, shaking off the remnants of her fatigue. "Yeah, let's not keep them waiting." 

 As Victoria slipped into her outfit, Caitlin came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist and resting her chin on Victoria's shoulder. 

"You look amazing," Caitlin murmured, kissing her cheek. Victoria blushed slightly, a smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Cait. You don't look so bad yourself." Caitlin chuckled, giving her a playful squeeze before letting go. 

"Come on, let's go. I'm starving." Victoria grabbed her bag, and they headed out, hand in hand. The evening air was cool, and they walked close together, sharing warmth and conversation as they made their way downtown to meet the others.

 When they arrived at the restaurant, they spotted Monika, Kate, and Gabbie already seated at a table near the window. Gabbie waved enthusiastically, and they waved back before heading over. 

"Hey, you two!" Monika greeted, standing up to hug them both. "Glad you could make it." 

"Wouldn't miss it," Caitlin replied, smiling as she took a seat next to Victoria. 

After finishing their meal and paying the bill, Caitlin, Victoria, Monika, Kate, and Gabbie all walked out of the restaurant together. The night air was cool and refreshing, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees. Caitlin slipped her arm around Victoria's waist, pulling her close as they strolled. Victoria leaned into her, smiling contentedly. 

With her free hand, Caitlin gently traced circles on the back of Victoria's hand, her thumb caressing the delicate skin. Victoria glanced up at Caitlin, her smile warm and genuine. Caitlin leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Victoria's lips, watching vic blush. 

As they neared the dorms, Caitlin and Victoria lingered a bit, savoring every moment together. "See you all tomorrow," Monika called out, waving as she headed towards her dorm. 

"Goodnight!" Kate and Gabbie echoed, making their way in the opposite direction. Caitlin and Victoria stood outside for a moment longer, enjoying the peace of the evening.

 "Ready to head in?" Caitlin asked, her voice soft. "Yeah," Victoria replied, smiling up at her. 

"Let's go." Hand in hand, they walked towards Caitlin's dorm, their hearts full and content from a night well spent with friends and each other.

Once inside Caitlin's dorm, Victoria wasted no time, wrapping her arms around Caitlin's neck and pressing close. 

Caitlin chuckled, lifting an eyebrow as she closed the door behind them. "Someone's touchy tonight," Caitlin teased, gently squeezing Victoria's waist. Victoria pouted playfully. 

"Can you blame me? You're just too irresistible." 

Caitlin laughed, pressing a soft kiss to Victoria's lips. "Oh really? What makes me so irresistible?"

 "Everything," Victoria replied, her voice low and sincere. 

She kissed Caitlin again, this time more lingeringly. Caitlin smirked, running her fingers through Victoria's hair. 

"Flattery will get you everywhere." Victoria giggled, burying her face in Caitlin's neck and pressing light kisses to her skin. 

"Good to know." 

Caitlin gently pushed Victoria back onto the bed, hovering over her with a mischievous grin. 

"You know, you're kinda cute when you're all over me." 

"Kinda cute?" Victoria echoed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. 

"That's all I get?"

 Caitlin pretended to think for a moment. "Okay, maybe more than kinda. How about very cute?" 

Victoria laughed, pulling Caitlin down for another kiss.

 "I guess that'll do." Caitlin's hands roamed up and down Victoria's sides, her touch light and teasing. 

"You know, I love it when you're like this. So sweet and clingy." Victoria rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away. 

"You're the only one who gets to see me like this, you know." 

"And I'm honored," Caitlin said softly, pressing kisses along Victoria's jawline. 

"But you know what I love even more?" 

"What?" Victoria asked, her voice barely a whisper.

 "This," Caitlin replied, kissing her deeply, her hands gently caressing Victoria's sides. When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.

 "I love you, Cait," Victoria whispered, her eyes shining with affection. 

"I love you too, Vic," Caitlin replied, her voice just as tender.  "More than anything."

 Victoria smiled, pulling Caitlin down into another kiss, the room filled with their quiet laughter and the gentle hum of their shared affection.