Behind The Screen — streamer au! Caitlyn x Reader
Summary: You're one of the top streamers in Piltover, but when a fan comments about another streamer named Caitycat, you're drawn to the woman you've only ever seen on screen: Caitlyn Kiramman.
cw: 4K words | sfw, last scene is suggestive, streamer/modern au
cloudy.skiess Is Live: playing Overwatch until I win
“Is my mic working okay?” You adjust your headphones so your hair doesn’t tangle around the ears. You lower your head to the mic on your desk, speaking into it to test the volume as the chat starts flooding with messages. “Okay, I think you guys can hear me then.”
I MISSED YOUR LAST STREAM OMG
don’t you hate valorant??
Can you say happy birthday to my sister???
“Happy birthday cora_glitterz’s sister,” you smile, loading up the game while glancing at the comments piling in. “And no, guys, I don’t hate Valorant, okay? Valorant hates me. I swear, my teams are always bad.”
you’re literally the worst one on your team??
No your teams actually have sucked though
I’m so gay for your voice uuughhhh
You roll your eyes at your viewers’ antics. “Okay, we’re locking in. Who should I play for my first round? I think I’ll be Tracer.”
You play through rounds of the game for a while, enjoying yourself despite your low skill set. In your defense, you’re new to the game. But with your bedroom lights dimmed, an ice cold bottle of water next to you, and the amusing comments of your viewers to keep you entertained, it’s a nice way to spend a Thursday evening.
You huff out a sigh after your third round, leaning back against your chair before moving forward again to look at the chat. “I need a break,” you prop your chin up on your palm as you read through messages. “Does anyone have any questions?”
yes omg like a thousand
Do you have a gf???
Do you watch any other streamers?
You smile at the question about streamers, much preferring to talk about your chronically online habits than why your dating life. “Yeah, of course. I usually find out about new games from other streamers. I like watching getjinxed a lot, and queenofheartz. Those are probably my fav— oh! And, if you guys know Caitycat, I like her streams a lot too.”
You shrug, not thinking too much of it as you continue to search the messages for any more questions that your viewers may have. The chat, on the other hand, has different ideas.
CAITYCAT?? AS IN CAITLYN KIRAMMAN??
i love getjinxed
Caitlyn literally watches you too omg
ULTIMATE GAYMER DUO AHHHHH
“Oh, Caitlyn watches me too?” Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise, eyes widening the tiniest bit. “I didn’t know. Makes sense, though, we play a lot of the same games.”
In all honesty, you are surprised. Caitlyn Kiramman is well known in the gaming-streaming space. She’s a talented, rich, totally-hot woman that just so happens to be very gay. Of course she goes viral on the regular, bringing in more people to her streams just to win them over with the posh accent that falls from her lips. You’re one of them, admittedly.
What? She’s funny and attractive. Who can blame you?
You’ll never confess to it on stream, though.
“Collab?” You laugh, reading aloud the spam of pleas for a collab that your chat has decided to bombard you with. “Maybe. I’m open to it. Caitlyn’s chill, I like her content a lot.”
You lean back in your chair, re-adjusting your headphones and loading up another match. “Now, let’s see if we can finally pull a win.”
|------» ~~~ «------|
Caitycat Is Live: Valorant Stream
“Hey everyone,” Caitlyn clears her throat, running a hand through long, navy hair. Her game is already loaded up, the light of the screen reflecting in her blue eyes. “I hope everyone’s well today.”
OHMYGODS CAITLYN
You look so good omfg
isn’t this the third time you’ve streamed valorant this week?
you’re so hot i hope u don’t go bald
“You hope I don’t go bald?” Caitlyn wrinkles her nose as she reads the last comment out loud. Given her prestigious Piltover upbringing paired with her more introverted nature, she’s not used to the chronically online jokes her fans throw at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She just sighs, shaking her head and navigating the screen to character selection. “And yes, this may be my third time playing this week. But you guys don’t have to watch if you’re bored, you know. I’ll play something new next stream.”
dude ofc we’re watching hello
oooo what r u going to play???
Caitlyn marry me!!!
“I’ll probably play Minecraft or something. I don’t know, something relaxing,” Caitlyn stretches her arms out, fingers interlocked above her head. She’s like a cat stretching: lean and tall body graceful in every movement.
You’re so pretty ugh
you should play with cloudy.skiess!!
WAIT YESS SHE WATCHES YOU!
“cloudy.skiess?” Caitlyn questions. She’s already in the middle of a match, fingers moving quickly to throw her character into combat. She’s quick, agile: one of the many reasons why people love watching her content. “Ah, yes, I’ve seen her videos. She watches me?”
YES SHE SAID ON HER LAST LIVE!!!
Day 3 of asking for a collab!
Watch her last stream girl
“Guys,” Caitlyn complains, still laser-focused on the screen in front of her. She only breaks occasionally to glance at the chat, but otherwise, she’s completely in the zone. “I’m focusing on winning.”
Yet, when she finishes the match and glances back at the chat, her viewers still persist.
we need a caitycat and cloudy.skiess collab
CAITLYN GO WATCH HER STREAM OMG
Caitlyn sighs, already resigning herself to do as her chat is asking. “Aish, you guys don’t give up.”
With a few clicks, she opens your last stream on a separate tab on her PC. She skims through a little, scanning the comments for the timestamp that you mention her. When she arrives at it, she watches the footage of you.
“Collab?” Your laugh replays. “Maybe. I’m open to it. Caitlyn’s chill, I like her content a lot.”
Caitlyn grins, showing the gap between her front teeth. “Wow, I’m flattered. She seems cool, too. Maybe a collab isn’t too far-fetched.”
The chat promptly goes insane.
COLLAB OF THE CENTURY
My two faves collabing omg omg
Play Minecraft together!!
“Play Minecraft together,” Caitlyn huffs out an exhale as she repeats the comment, but her smile reveals her consideration of the idea. “That’s not the worst idea, actually.”
That is, until she turns back to her game. “Alright, we’re getting back to winning. Let’s get on it.”
|------» ~~~ «------|
cloudy.skiess Is Live: Bake with me!
“I don’t know if I have baking powder, guys.” Your eyebrows furrow, hands on your hips as you look at the ingredients in front of you. “I have to check the cabinets.”
How did you accidentally grab baking soda instead of baking powder???
Babe they’re two different things
you’re a bad baker so just let me bake for you!
“I found it!” You call from off-camera, rummaging through the cabinets to grab the baking powder instead of the baking soda.
By the time, you walk back to where your camera is set up, you’ve already measured it out into a teaspoon. “See? I’m a good baker.”
It’s not long before you’ve measured the cake batter out into the cupcake pan and stuck them in the oven. You prop your head up in your hands, reading the chat while you wait for the cupcakes to bake.
how long until they’re done?
I just got here, what flavor are you making???
ugh ur so pretty
You smile, turning back to the oven to check how much time is left. “I’m making strawberry cupcakes, and I have buttercream frosting for when they’re done. And, let’s see— ah! Nine minutes until they’re done.”
You cross back to the camera to continue reading the chat, but in the moments you’ve been looking away, your chat’s been going crazy.
OMG CAITLYN’S HERE
HI CAITLYN!!!!
omg my favs are interacting
“Caitlyn’s here?” Your eyes widen in surprise. You read the following chat replies confirming it, but you don’t quite believe it yourself. Why would Caitlyn Kiramman be watching you?
That is: until a donation pops up from a specific chatter.
Caitycat: Donating so you can get more baking powder next time!
“Ah—“ You trail off, cheeks flushing just slightly in embarrassment. “I guess you really are here. Thank you for the donation; I love your streams.”
she’s blushing???
Gods you’re sooo cute
LMAO Caitlyn is so real for that
Another donation pops up.
Caitycat: I’ll see you around then ;)
A WINK????
Oh my gods
Guys I lowkey ship it
|------» ~~~ «------|
cloudy.skiess and Caitycat are live: Minecraft
“Why aren’t you helping me mine?” Caitlyn complains into her mic. She’s in the middle of fighting off enemies, dodging them as she tries to mine for stones.
A noise of protest leaves your throat. “I’m building our base!” You roll your eyes. “Without me, we’d be homeless!”
“Well, without me, you wouldn’t have any materials to build a base!”
“Not true,” you scoff, placing more torches along the walls to light up your base. “I can always cut down trees for more wood.”
“Whatever,” Caitlyn sighs in exasperation, but her stern tone is ruined by the smile playing at her lips. “You’re exhausting.”
“That’s the goal,” you smile sweetly into your camera. It’s meant to be a tease, but the chat coos over you.
Omg my dream collab is actually happening
Caitlyn’s right tho
you guys are SO cute
You gasp as night falls, jumping in your seat as you notice a zombie outside your house. “Caitlyn! You’re supposed to be defending our base!”
“I’m still mining!” Caitlyn immediately defends herself. “Gods, you expect me to do everything around here. I don’t know how you stream by yourself.”
You laugh out loud, cheerful and lighthearted. Admittedly, you’ve been laughing a lot in the hour you’ve been on this livestream. It feels nice to stream with someone else — especially someone you’ve been watching for a long time.
Unbeknownst to you, Caitlyn is having similar thoughts on her end. It had been a long day: between her mother scolding her and not getting a lot of sleep last night, she’s more than happy to be on a fun stream with someone she actually likes.
Actually likes. Only a short time of knowing you, and she’s already drawn to you. That had snuck up on her fast.
“Alright, we need a break,” you sigh, leaning back in your chair. The stream has been close to two hours now, but a little part of you doesn’t want to end it. After all, who knows if you’ll get the chance to play with Caitlyn again. “Do you guys have any questions for us.”
“A Q&A,” Caitlyn grins, glancing at the chat herself. “I’m scared to see what you all will come up with.”
ARE YOU GUYS DATING???
gay lmao
Favorite colors?
You skim through the comments, purposefully ignoring the chatters that have started to ship you and Caitlyn. The last thing you want to do is make things awkward between you, especially when you’re actually starting to feel a bond with her. “Favorite colors?” You tilt your head, answering quickly before glancing back at Caitlyn’s face cam on your computer screen. “What about you, Cait?”
“Navy,” Caitlyn lifts one shoulder. “You probably could have guessed. Although, I’ve realized we don’t know that much about each other at all.”
We’re really stating the obvious here
Favorite foods!!
what music do y’all like?
“Favorite food is definitely cupcakes.” Caitlyn mulls over her answers as she reads the comments. “And I love Seraphine.”
A huff of laughter escapes you. Cupcakes and Seraphine? Is Caitlyn going soft on you now? “I didn’t expect that.”
“Hey,” she casts a pointed glare across the screen. “I like what I like. Just because I’m a Kiramman doesn’t mean I don’t like pop princess music.”
You lean back in your chair, thoughtful of this. It’s strange to see how much you don’t know about Caitlyn. If someone had asked you a few days prior, it wouldn’t have been anything strange. You had, after all, been only a fan until then. But now? There’s a tiny part of you that’s bothered by any distance between this woman who’s now your peer. Sue you if you want to get to know her more.
“Have you been to her concerts?”
“Well,” Caitlyn clears her throat, bowing her head sheepishly as if she’s been caught in the act. “Yes. I might fangirl just a little.”
“Awwww,” you can’t help the smile that spreads across your face. “That’s cute.”
Caitlyn’s cheeks flush with pink hue. “Shut up. You’re the cute one, okay? Not me. I’m— I’m tough.”
You hope your own pink cheeks aren’t noticeable in the light of your computer screen.
|------» ~~~ «------|
Caitycat Community Post: Livestream CANCELLED today! At a con! :)
“Excuse me,” Caitlyn politely addresses as she moves through the crowds of people gathered in the halls of the con. People are lined up to meet various streamers, play games, take photos, and celebrate together. Some recognize Caitlyn: requesting photos and autographs. She smiles graciously, posing awkwardly with a peace sign held up to fans’ cameras.
She’s not cut out to be an influencer.
Finally — finally — she reaches her destination. It’s a banner hanging on one of the columns of the hall, out of the way of most of the crowds. It’s private, but not secluded: the perfect meeting spot.
The perfect spot for meeting you.
You’ve been at the con for an hour or so, meeting mutuals and other streamers you’ve been watching for a while. It’s the first con you’ve been at as a notable streamer, and it’s been oddly endearing to meet people who consider themselves fans. You? Having fans? The thought is mind-boggling, yet flattering in its own right.
You had agreed to meet Caitlyn at the banner, and when the time comes, your stomach flips with every step you take towards the meeting spot. You’re not quite sure why. You consider Caitlyn a friend now, and you’ve interacted with her far more than some of the other people you’ve met at the con so far. And yet…
“Hey,” Caitlyn introduces her presence with a tap on your shoulder.
Smile.
That’s the first thing you notice upon laying eyes on her. An awkward, almost shy smile with a slight gap between her front teeth. It betrays her aloof and cool facade, revealing her more introverted side within the con’s halls. Gaze drifting up, you’re met with equally piercing blue eyes, almost icy in tint, but warm nonetheless. At least, as they look at you.
Oh.
“Hi,” you return her smile, forcing your voice to disguise the feeling of your heart in your throat. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
“You too,” Caitlyn tilts her head, shifting her gaze towards around the con. “We should probably get out of the crowds. Do you want to get some lunch?”
“Yeah, that sounds good,” you manage a nod, trying not to be too obvious with how you’re eyeing her up and down. She’s hot, okay? Who can blame you?
By the time you’re seated across from each other at some Ionian restaurant within the con, you meet her gaze again, desperately searching your brain for any topic that isn’t about how attractive you find her. Or the tension in your recent livestreams. Whatever. “So, did you just get here?”
“Yeah,” Caitlyn scratches the back of her neck, moving her messy ponytail of dark hair. “I met some people on the way. It was a bit of a hectic morning.”
“How so?” You ask, falling into step beside her as you begin to walk through the halls of the con. It isn’t hard to fall into smooth, lighthearted conversation. It’s as if there’s no switch between livestreams and real life, like you’ve always been this close.
Caitlyn brings a hand up to rub at her temples. Her sharp facial features contort into an expression of annoyance, as if she’s just remembered something sour-tasting. “My mother was just lecturing me. She thinks I’m above streaming, even as a hobby.”
“Why?”
“Something about my position,” Caitlyn rolls her eyes as she takes a bite of her pasta. “Whatever that means. She just wants an excuse to have me follow in her footsteps.”
“Even if that’s not what you want?” You sip from your water glass, intrigued by this new side of Caitlyn. You know her relationship with her mother is strained, she’s mentioned it offhandedly a few times in the short while you’ve known her. Yet, you can sense that it’s a more serious topic for her — something closer to her heart than her usual composed, focused demeanor.
Caitlyn’s eyes drop. Her muscles tense, shoulders stiff at the mention of her mother. “It’s nothing to worry about. I’m here now, aren’t I?”
“Well,” you lift one shoulder in a half shrug, flashing her a small smile across the table. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But it matters to you, so it matters to me.”
Caitlyn blinks one, straightening up in her chair. Icy blue seems to bear into your soul as she stares back at you. The music and crowd noise around you seems to dim: nothing but white noise in your ears. She stares at you wordlessly, and for a second, you think you might have gone too far.
“Thank you,” Caitlyn murmurs, voice tinged with accent. She extends her hand just a little from where it rests on the table, enough to nudge your fingertips with her own.
It’s your turn to fall wordless, unable to hear anything but the pounding of your own heart in your ears.
“Of course.”
|------» ~~~ «------|
cloudy.skiess Community Post: Lives will continue tmr as usual! Last day of the con, really loved meeting you guys <3
You’ve spent every single day of the con with Caitlyn.
It’s been fun, really. You’ve never had a friend who’s also a streamer, and it’s nice to finally be able to relate to someone. For Caitlyn, someone who’s always so composed and proper, it’s been nice to see her nerdy side emerge. You’ve learned the little things about her: the little twitch in her eyebrows when she’s focusing, or fidgeting with a loose stand of hair from her ponytail when she meets another streamer she likes.
It’s endearing.
What? Who said that?
You start hanging out with her more and more throughout the three days of the convention. From spending three hours together the first day, to spending the entire second day together, then laughing in her (ginormous) hotel room at 1 AM that night. It’s not like you hadn’t known Caitlyn was cool before — you’ve always liked her vibe — but now… now, you kind of don’t want to leave her.
The third day of the convention is also the afternoon you leave. You have a train back to Piltover to catch in a few hours, and as you end your lunch with Caitlyn, you know it’s time to say goodbye.
In reality, you don’t live that far from each other. It’s only a half-hour drive, maybe, between your places. It’s just: the convention is the time when you got to know her, got to bond with her. Sue you if you want to make it last. It feels like this tiny, perfect bubble outside of your normal lives and responsibilities — a bubble where only you two exist.
Now, you wonder if you’ll ever get to be in that same bubble with her again.
“Hey, so,” Caitlyn brings a hand up to scratch the back of her neck as she stands in front of your hotel room door. You have to go back in and get your suitcase, then head to the train station. Caitlyn had opted to drop you off at your hotel room. “Get home safe, okay? Text me?”
“I will,” you swallow back a pang of disappointment. “Are you sure you have a ride home?”
“Yes, my mother sent a car for me,” Caitlyn nods, and you don’t miss the bitter edge to her voice. Oh, how she wishes she could take the train with you, but she has private cars at her whim. It’s a perk of being part of Piltover’s wealthiest families, you suppose.
You exhale, looking up at her. Damn her 6’1” height. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you later, then?”
“About that,” Caitlyn blinks suddenly, tone turning sheepish. “Um, I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me on Thursday?”
“Thursday?” Your eyes widen in surprise. You hadn’t expected to see her so soon after the convention’s end, but you can’t diminish the flare of happiness inside your chest. “Yeah. Yeah, that would be nice.”
“But, I mean,” Caitlyn hesitates for a millisecond, a barely audible pause, before she gently takes one of your hands in her own. Your breath halts, heart stuttering in your chest. “I mean, as more than friends?” The ice blue of her eyes seems to soften, if only slightly.
As more than friends.
The words echo through your now-empty head.
“Yeah,” you repeat, eyes automatically falling to the floor from nerves. Only this time, your cheeks feel a hot, pink-tinted flush creeping up on them. “I’d like that.”
“Me too,” Caitlyn’s voice drops to a murmur. She runs her thumb over the back of your hand once, before she pulls her hand away only to bring it up to your face. She taps your chin lightly, and when you glance up at her— is that a smirk? “Don’t be shy. I like seeing your eyes.”
Well, fuck.
|------» ~~~ «------|
Caitycat Is Live: Stardew Valley with @ cloudy.skiess
Errr hello??
why is it a black screen?
CAITLYN KIRAMMAN START UR STREAM
“Cait, we should—“ you gasp, finally managing to find your words. It’s the first time Caitlyn’s let you speak, really. She’s been far too preoccupied leaving hickeys where no one can see them.
Caitlyn runs a hand through now-messy navy locks, adjusting her hair that was perfectly neat earlier. You are the cause of her mess. “They can wait.”
“Then why’d you start—?”
“Because,” Caitlyn cuts you off with another kiss, immediately pressing you back down into silken sheets laced with the scent of her perfume. It seems like ages before she finally lets up with a final bite to your lower lip. “I can kiss my girlfriend whenever I want. That’s your reason.”
“Unfair.”
“You know you love it,” Caitlyn grins, tilting her head in a way that exposes just a little of the smugness you know she hides. Who can blame her? You’re laid out on her bed like some pretty, desperate thing, all flushed and beautiful and perfect. She lifts her knee slightly, just to drive her point home, to press against the spot that makes you keen.
“Cait, please—“
“Nuh-uh,” Caitlyn immediately rolls off the bed and plops down in her desk chair with a huff. “If you’re going to be a brat about it, you can wait until after the stream.
“What?!” You immediately shoot up, eyes widened. “That’s not fair! You can’t just start something now and expect me to wait hours until you finish it!”
Caitlyn just spins around in her chair, cocking one eyebrow at you.
Shit. You already know you’ve lost. “Fine,” you return to your chair beside her, grumpily yanking up the hem of your sweatshirt to cover the marks Caitlyn had left. “Whatever.”
“Good,” Caitlyn hums, completely unfazed by your protests before she unmutes the chat and turns on her camera. Immediately, her demeanor changes. “Hi everyone,” she smiles at the camera, all poise and grace. You’d never know she was teasing her girlfriend to madness a minute ago. “Sorry about that. Technical difficulties.”
“Yeah, my game wasn’t starting,” you fake-excuse, smiling at Caitlyn’s camera as well. “Anyways! Long time, no see.”
It really has been a while.
You and Caitlyn had both taken the past few weeks off from streaming. It’s not that you needed a break, though it was nice, admittedly, to have your days free. It’s just: you and Caitlyn had created your own little bubble, and you haven’t felt like leaving it until now.
Dating Caitlyn has been an experience that you never want to end, never want to let go of. You spend your mornings wrapped up in her hoodies, her arms, and her warmth, and your nights end with your fingers interlaced with hers. It’s some kind of daydream come to life, and for the first time, you can picture this kind of life consuming all your days in Runeterra.
You feel Caitlyn squeeze your fingers under her desk, out of sight of the camera.
AHHH WE MISSED YOU BOTH!!!
hope u guys r doing well <3
Wait why are you guys kinda giving…
“Anyways,” Caitlyn clears her throat, opening up her computer to the game home screen. “We’re playing Stardew Valley, and someone takes forever to design her character, so we have to get started.”
“Hey!” You protest, shooting her a glare from beside her. “It’s important! Do you want me to look bad?”
“You couldn’t look bad if you tried,” Caitlyn replies smoothly, barely sparing you a glance. She’s too busy setting the game.
“Yeah, yeah,” you mumble under your breath because, oh, you can’t let your viewers see how flustered your girlfriend gets you. Mostly because they don’t know about your relationship.
OOOOOO SMOOTH CAITYCAT
we know you’re a nerd Caitlyn it’s ok
No no character design IS important
“See!” You read the last message aloud triumphantly, as if proving a point to everyone watching the stream. “I have to look good, guys. You get me.”
Satisfied, you return to your character design, pausing every so often to read the chat. Mission accomplished. The live has been going a few minutes, and no one’s put too much thought into your messy appearances or why you were late to start. That is until, well—
Are you going to put that hickey in your character design too?
You freeze, glancing at the camera reflection to see that your sweatshirt had slipped down your shoulder. Shit.
Caitlyn senses your discomfort, eyebrows furrowing as she glances at you, then the chat. “What’s wrong?” She questions, scanning the chat for ideas. You just bury your face in your palms, already knowing you’ve been exposed.
OH MY GODS
WAITTT SHE ACTUALLY HAS A HICKEY
Y’all ts is actually so gay I love it
“Oh—“ Caitlyn blinks in surprise, then sighs and leans back in her chair, defeated. She reaches over, prying your hands from your face. “Well. We were going to have to reveal it sooner or later.”
“Yes, we’re dating,” you glare at the chat as if it’s their fault, then immediately break into a sheepish smile. It takes some weight off your shoulders: knowing you can be free with your girlfriend on camera. “And we wanted to keep it private for a little while. That’s why we both took a break.”
Caitlyn nods, letting her hand run down your back soothingly. “We know we’re streamers but we do ask for privacy on personal matters. Obviously, you all can talk about it and show support, but we will keep personal information to ourselves.”
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH
Omgomgomg I can’t believe this is real
MY SHIP IS SAILING
omw to make an edit brb
“So,” you hold up your hand, fingers interlocked with Caitlyn’s. “Our first stream as girlfriends. Officially.”
|------» ~~~ «------|
Caitycat Community Post: Thank you for all the support. Scrolling through fan edits, and we’re so grateful for the community we have. Sending love <3
Later that night, when your thumb hovers above the POST button on your social media, you glance at Caitlyn. “Ready?”
“I’ve always been ready,” Caitlyn smiles back at you. Her bare legs tangle with yours underneath the blankets, skin-to-skin, and you know she means it.
POST.
A single black-and-white photo of the two of you, faces hidden by sweatshirts with hoods pulled up, but obviously kissing. It’s posted on your account. Caitlyn’s tagged in the photo.
Caption: My Caity Cat 🐈⬛💙
Happy 1 year of Arcane!
I'm back after midterm season, my lovelies. I hope everyone is doing well and the Caitlyn nation is still alive <3
~Cherry 🍒