The Melting Pot

by Ghostmysterios (Bioloomb)

Summary:

After a long day of celebrating the Phestival, Vinestaff finds herself a place to relax. Unsurprisingly, a familiar face greets her there.

Chapter 1

It was late evening in crossroads, the warm orange sun flitting behind the distant skyline. The streets bustled more than usual that day, and the reason was apparent—the Phestival.

Although they spent most of their time window-shopping, Vine Staff, Slingshot, and Shuriken had saved just enough bux to attend and even pick up a few keepsakes. The experience was well worth it—Vine Staff had never seen so many vibrant inphernals from every faction, all different in their own unique ways, but all gathered peacefully to celebrate the annual event. She remembered countless smiling faces, and despite the fatigue from a long workweek, she couldn’t help but smile too.

A purple sunset now draped over the crossroads, with each booth glowing beneath starry string lights and lanterns. They had made a few final rounds, taking one last look at the stalls as shop owners packed up for the night. However, the evening wasn’t over just yet. Phestivals were famous not only for their endless markets but also for the equally lively nights of drinking. 

The group hurried along the busy streets, eventually meeting up with Katana at a nearby bar. Vine Staff recalled finding the tavern’s name quite clever, The Melting Pot, a perfect name for a place located at the very center of the four factions.

Surprisingly, Katana was accompanied by another masked face. She introduced herself, and so did he. His name was Hyperlaser. He spoke in a cool, but amicable manner. By his outfit and temperance, it was apparent he was from Blackrock. Although she had her initial suspicions, they quickly melted away upon seeing Katana so thrilled to have him around.

As Shuriken and Slingshot eagerly hurried into the tavern, Katana and Hyperlaser followed closely behind. She trailed back with the two older gentlemen, relieved to finally have someone other than herself to watch her brothers. While she was only a few years older than the two, oftentimes she felt more like their mother. Phests were known for being friendly to outsiders, but Shuriken completely lacked awareness of his surroundings, leaving Vine Staff concerned for his safety. Even Slingshot, usually the most responsible of the trio, wasn’t immune to the thrill of a new environment. And to be honest, after an entire day of hovering the two, she was completely exhausted. Her face had a sunken look, her thick hair spilled into wild, frayed curls. Even the flowers that blossomed from her body had a wilted look to them. Katana was quick to take notice of her condition. As the others took their seats at the bar, the swordsman halted in front of her.

“Vine Staff,” He hooted softly. Vine Staff’s name stirred the woman from her thoughts. She looked up to meet the dark eyes of the owlish inphernal through his mask.

“…Hm?” Vine Staff replied, consciousness returning to her gaze.

”…You appear as if you could use a rest.” He paused for a moment. “There are more comfortable seatings on the east side of the tavern.” Katana carried on, his voice gentle, but firm.

”Oh, I’m… Fine, really—” She began, but her forced smile gave her away far too easily.

”Do not worry about your brothers, I assure you, I won’t allow them to drink more than their fill.” Katana saw through her worries. Vine Staff blinked, lowering her gaze. Her chest filled with warmth for her friend. She knew Katana wasn’t the type to budge easily. It made her smile genuinely this time, and reply with a little nod. 

“Thank you, Katana…”

”Now, do you have enough funds for a beverage? They brew a good… Hoo… Temperance drink here...” Katana continued on, his tone lightening upon seeing her relax.

“Yes, I do, don’t worry…” Vine Staff chuckled, grasping the arm of her satchel. She glanced at Slingshot and Shuriken a few tables ahead, already eagerly browsing the menu. She could see them pointing and laughing at the names of some of the drinks. Vine Staff sighed to herself. “…Thanks again,”

”Don’t mention it.”

As she finally parted from her family, Vine Staff had never felt more relieved to be alone. As a healer and hostess, her work constantly required her to be surrounded by others, but prolonged exposure always left her drained. Still, she had mastered the art of masking her exhaustion behind a smile and a warm demeanor. A healer must be kind—an expectation she not only upheld but actively imposed on herself.

She found her place at the back of the bar on a cushioned bench, the ideal place to allow her long, root-like tail to splay and relax. Not only was this area more spacious, but it was quiet. Only the distant hum of voices and clinking of glasses disturbed her sensitive ears. In her hand was a mocktail paloma, something sweet but refreshing to help loosen her up after a long day. Vine Staff wasn’t the drinking type, especially not in a place she was unfamiliar with.

Before she took a sip of the drink, she peered into the glass. A wedge of grapefruit and a few sprigs of rosemary decorated the rim. The leaves of the herb were slightly wilted, she could tell just by looking that they were grown somewhere far from here. The healer dipped her oak fingertip into glass, brushing the tip of her claw against the herbs fragile leaves. Within an instant, the rosemary sprang to life, growing lush and firm by the simple contact with her wooden arm.

Every now and then, her curse seemed awfully beautiful. 

Pushing away her thoughts, Vine Staff raised the glass to her lips. She closed her eyes as she took a long sip. All kinds of flavors coated her tongue, sweet, tart, and a little bit of sour. Most pleasant of all, the drink was cool against her dry throat. For a moment, she soaked in the tranquility of shifting colors behind her closed eyelids. All was peaceful, until…

A firm, metallic hand clapped her shoulder, followed by that all-too-familiar country drawl.

”Howdy, Flowers~”

Vine Staff’s blood ran cold.

Chapter 2

The inphernal’s eyes flew open and her drink almost sprayed out her nose with surprise. She managed to swallow hard, followed by a strained clearing of her throat. Vine Staff could hardly see a smear of white and teal in the corner of her eye, but she knew exactly who was behind her. The woman’s name slipped out of her mouth.

”…Scythe,” Her voice clipped with annoyance. She exhaled sharply, almost relieved it was her and not a stranger. However, considering her criminal record, perhaps a stranger would be less unsettling.

Vine Staff finally turned to look at her, meeting the huge, toothy grin of the occultist serial killer. The cowgirl hung over her shoulder, her visible, glassy eye gleamed with delight.

”…Flowers,” Scythe impishly greeted her again with that wretched nickname. ”Didn’t expect to see ya here! Why, I just had’to come over ‘nd say hi!” Scythe slid her hand from Vine Staff’s shoulder. As she circled around to meet Vine Staff’s eyes, she revealed a large, foamy mug of beer. The healer resisted the urge to sweep her legs from beneath her with her tail. Scythe glanced over Vine Staff’s expression, her annoyance more than obvious. A smirk instinctively spread across her lips. “Sorry fer surprisin’ ya, promise I didn’ mean it.” Vine Staff knew she meant to, and that made her jaw tighten. But… As Scythe plopped onto the bench beside her, she didn’t know how much rage she could muster that night.

”Sure, Scythe…” The healer muttered, resting her glass on the table. Her glare intensified as Scythe casually took a swig of beer. “…What are you doing here?” Vine Staff shot her usual accusatory question, but Scythe simply smiled without a care in the world. She knew her answer didn’t matter.

“Same reason yer here, for the Phestival, of course..!” The inphernal replied, tilting her head back as she spoke. Vine Staff couldn’t help but glance over her features as they were unshadowed.

”Hm.” Vine Staff replied with an uninterested grunt, averting her gaze to instead focus on her drink. Pink bubbles swirled around the edges of the glass. She often found herself drawn to Scythe in a way she refused to acknowledge. Scythe drew a clawed finger along the ridges of her beer mug, maintaining her gaze on Vine Staff.

“I didn’ take you as the drinkin’ type,” Scythe said, gesturing toward the glass in front of Vine Staff.

“It’s n—” Vine Staff started, begrudgingly returning her gaze to her.

“It’s a cute mocktail, that’s for sure,” Scythe teased, her voice laced with a soft flirtation. It was an infuriating habit of hers—one Vine Staff hated for all the wrong reasons: because it tugged at her heartstrings. She rolled her eyes, gathering the courage to ignore Scythe, but she just kept on talking. Though, her next remark made Vine Staff’s expression shift.

”Ya really can’t let yerself loosen up with a bit’a booze?” What sounded like a jab at first was a rather genuine question, catching Vine Staff off guard. She blinked, hesitating briefly before replying.

”…I don’t need alcohol to relax,” Vine Staff responded bluntly.

”Looks to me like ya need it, Flowers,” Scythe pointed out, brushing her dark, graying curls back with a claw before taking another drink. Vine Staff furrowed her brows. “’s been a long week, huh? I can see it on yer face.” As Scythe called her out, Vine Staff almost wanted to snap back at her, but the other part of her noted… The uncharacteristic lack of playfulness in Scythe’s tone.

”It… Has,” The healer reluctantly admitted, trying to analyze the older woman’s intentions as she spoke. She managed to take a sip of her paloma, finding her nerves slightly less on edge. 

“Preparin’ for the Phest, right..?” Scythe’s ears were angled forward as she spoke, pleased to see Vine Staff’s cold shell gradually chipping away.

”Mhm. Overtime at the cafe and… Some hospice work.” What she said was an underestimation of the amount of additional work she had taken on in order to earn enough for the three of them to attend. The cowgirl could see it in her expression. 

”And I bet you’ve been workin’ harder for it than any inphernal in this place…” Scythe smiled at her, that gold-toothed, fiendish grin that would usually make her stomach churn. Vine Staff didn’t know if it was exhaustion getting to her, or maybe she had accidentally received the wrong drink, but… She felt flattered. Flattered by what was, in the end, a serial killer. While that pit of shame in her gut deepened, another part of her basked in the praise.

Vine Staff was left speechless, simply looking back at Scythe who met her eyes intently. Twitching her ear amusedly, the cowgirl took the lead, raising her mug to Vine Staff. “Cheers to takin’ some time to relax, ain’t that right, Flowers?”

Scythe’s gesture was humorous, to the point where Vine Staff wondered if she was the inebriated one instead. The healer scoffed, shaking her head with disbelief. “Sure…” She rumbled her response. Despite the contempt in her tone, the tiniest of smiles tugged at the corners of her lips.

Chapter 3

Unexpectedly, Vine Staff felt content chatting with Scythe into the night. The tavern darkened, and the warm light of the hanging lantern was eventually the only thing that illuminated the two. Scythe was especially talkative as she downed her beer, preoccupying the healer’s thoughts with both stories and teasings. She even remembered chuckling a few too many times. Her smile grew… Hard to hide at points. 

Eventually, even Scythe grew quiet, giving Vine Staff a chance to doze off, focusing on the distant conversations she could just barely make out. The ice in her glass had almost melted now.

“If ya wanna get a better feel of me, ya should’ve just said so….” The inphernal’s playful remark shook Vine Staff from her daze. Unconsciously, her feelers had wandered astray as the two sat at the barside.

“…Hm?” As Vine Staff returned her gaze to Scythe, her entire body would suddenly stiffen. She felt and saw Scythe’s claws around whisker. Her teal gaze was sickeningly confident, a smirk teased the edges of her fanged lips. Vine Staff froze, her fragile feeler in the serial killer’s grasp, but still, bubbling annoyance stirred in her gut. “Scythe…—” She began firmly, fully prepared to tell off the inphernal.

But before she could, Scythe’s fingers stroked the length of her whisker, sending a shiver crawling up her spine. The healer flushed instinctively, part of her wanting to slap Scythe for touching her without her permission, especially a sensitive part of her body, but the other half… The other half was what took over her. Scythe’s fingers were warm, each stroke of her knuckle sending another shiver up Vine Staff’s spine. Vine Staff bit her lip.

“…What was that, Flowers..?” Scythe teased as she approached the flowery end of the tendril, her sinister tone seeming almost sultry now. The warm animosity that stirred within Vine Staff had become something else. The healer’s brow twitched, and Scythe’s lip peeled over her golden fang. Her amused snarl made Vine Staff’s insides turn. She knew exactly what she was doing to her. Scythe quirked her head, a low chuckle from her throat. She purred. “…Cat got yer tongue?”

Vine Staff’s eyes darted from Scythe’s hand to her face. The healer pursed her lips, her tone characteristically standoffish. “It’s… Force of habit,” She managed to reply, wishing her voice hadn’t wavered so much when she spoke.

“Can’t say ‘m surprised…” Scythe hummed, and another shiver would ripple up her back as the older woman drew the length of her feeler between the gap of her fingers. A terribly noticeable sense of longing welled in Vine Staff as soon as Scythe released her. However, it wouldn’t last long as Scythe stood up, proceeding to readjust her position. As she plopped back down, the older woman brushed against her shoulder, their knees gently touched.

Vine Staff’s gaze was trained on her drink, a fittingly pink mocktail. Cold condensation dribbled down the side of the glass, rolling over her fingers. Sweat formed on her brow. Scythe had touched her before, but never to this extent. She could feel the heat of her body beside her, every little movement of the cowgirl’s form. It was driving her crazy in a way Vine Staff hated. Or, moreso, wished she did. How her cheeks blossomed with warmth, how her heart fluttered, and the way her whiskers twisted, tying themselves into flustered knots.

Vine Staff’s oak hand at her side was almost balled into a fist, but Scythe found her way inbetween her rough fingers. No one dared to touch her cursed arm, let alone hold her hand. She had almost forgotten it had feeling. As Scythe intertwined their fingers, Vine Staff could’ve easily brushed her hand away. But she didn’t. It was as if her arm had gone limp under the cowgirl's touch, allowing their fingers to meld together. She could hardly think as Scythe’s thumb began to caress her inner palm, a deeply soothing gesture, one completely uncharacteristic of a killer. The healer’s heart thumped in her ears, feeling… Overwhelmed. It was as if even the slightest touch stirred something within her. Vine Staff swallowed, her gaze hardened as she tried to hide her enthrallment in the sensation. As she finally met Scythe’s expression again, it was obvious the inphernal saw straight through her.

A rather pleasant smile adorned Scythe’s lips, more of a smirk. The way her eyes roved over Vine Staff in that brief moment, she felt completely exposed. Scythe was admiring her. Even through her visor, her snake eye was dilated with intrigue, contrasting her typically predatory gaze. Yet, a chilling glint of hunger remained in her eyes. Scythe flicked her tongue, savoring Vine Staff’s expression.

“…Does that feel good, Flowers?” Scythe hardly whispered the query.

The use of that nickname now sent a surge of warmth through her. Vine Staff set her jaw, almost glaring at the woman. The fierce look in her eyes earned the healer something new. As Scythe continued to massage her wooden palm, her prosthetic hand trailed sensually down Vine Staff’s leg to caress her thigh. Her heart skipped a beat. Any semblance of irritation melted away, replaced by hot embarrassment as Scythe touched her so intimately in such a place. And, well, her reaction to it. An intense longing for intimacy roused within her. Vine Staff dared to survey their surroundings, only to freeze as she felt the cowgirl’s grip around her thigh. Scythe had read her mind.

“It’s alright, sweetheart, nobody’s lookin’…” Her low voice was like trickling honey over the healer’s ears. “…‘s just me and you,”

Scythe then raised her hand to her lips, proceeding to place a delicate kiss on her knuckle. Warmth bloomed through her cursed arm. Vine Staff’s insides boiled like a melting pot.

Chapter 4

Notes:

The one you’ve all been waiting for…

With each passing moment, the air thickened with tension. Scythe’s glassy eye peered straight through her. She was nauseated, speechless, completely and utterly flustered. Then, finally, Vine Staff parted her lips to speak.

Before she could manage a reply, killer’s gaze suddenly averted from the healer. Scythe dropped Vine Staff’s hand from her mechanical fingers.

“Mind if I take those glasses off your hands, ladies?”

The cheerful voice of a barhand broke into her ears, and Vine Staff swore she saw a grimace of irritation tease the corner of Scythe’s lips. Vine Staff stiffened, her eyes bulged from her head with a deer in the headlights-type look, her face boiling hot. She was forced to turn away in order to not embarrass herself. Thankfully for her, Scythe took the lead. The older lady carried on casually with the barhand, as if she hadn't just been making advances on a woman half her age.

“...‘Course not, go right ahead!” The cowgirl’s light voice carried a sarcastic undertone that only Vine Staff could hear.

The inphernal dipped their head, collecting the empty glasses. As they did, Vine Staff’s gaze remained fixed on her lap. Though Scythe’s touch had left her, it lingered in her mind like a sick phantom sense—the memory of clawed fingers against her thigh, her warm yet firm lips. Scythe spoke again to the barhand, but Vine Staff could barely listen. The killer’s words echoed in her head. What Scythe had said was not just her usual playful flirtation, but was something more: an offer.

One that any other inphernal would refuse immediately. Part of her wanted to feel disgusted, to summon that same burning sensation in her core she often convinced herself was anger. Although, it was anything but. As the realization settled in, Vine Staff wasn’t sure what to do with herself.

The barhand settled their tabs in front of the pair, and Scythe casually gathered them in one hand. She muttered something to the bartender, who nodded in response. Scythe tipped her hat, and the barhand departed with a much swifter stride than the one he had approached them with. 

Then, they were alone again. 

Alone together. 

Even though her eyes were trained on her lap, Vine Staff could sense Scythe’s gaze by the raised hairs along her spine. The older woman’s mechanical claws rhythmically tapped the table.

Finally, Vine Staff sighed. Scythe’s ears perked up.

”…I need some fresh air,” Vine Staff spoke with firm confidence to mask her internal turmoil. As she raised her heavy head, she met Scythe’s gaze. There it was again—that look. Even in the older woman’s cold, sinister eye, that reflection of genuine concern shone through. A flicker of annoyance stirred within the healer. Scythe blinked it away in seconds.

With a leery quirk of her brow, the killer replied.

”…Don’t ’spose you’d mind if I joined ya?” Scythe asked, planting her hands firmly on either side of her body, sitting up from the bench before Vine Staff was even on her feet. “…I could use a smoke break,” She added, that devilish half-smirk returning to her lips. Scythe flitted her snake tongue, the warm light of the bar catching her golden fang.

There was something in Scythe that she so deeply craved. An indescribable part of her, one that felt so fulfilled by the attention Scythe gave her, by her affection, her little looks. Vine Staff fell for her, hook, line, and sinker. She hated it. She hated every part of that feeling. But every time she allowed herself to forget that shame, it was like a great weight lifted from her shoulders. For one night, she didn’t want to be anchored anymore.

Vine Staff shook her head.

Scythe smiled. The healer’s legs felt strangely light as she stood up, that feeling propelled her to join Scythe on the deck. The cowgirl held the door for Vine Staff, a condescending gesture she would normally despise. But in that moment, it felt different, almost like playful banter between two old friends.

The cool breeze from the patio hardly made her shiver. Scythe gave her a glance as she passed, but the healer was quick to be distracted by the deep blue sky that revealed twinkling stars after a long evening. She rested her elbows against the balustrade, gazing off into the darkness. The warm, orange glow of the bar flitted through the gaps in her curly hair. Closing her eyes, Vine Staff inhaled deeply. 

For a moment, the air felt peaceful again. She didn't even mind the steady click of Scythe’s boots against the wooden floor as she approached. Sooner than later, it’d be followed by the flick of a lighter, tainting the fresh air with that acrid, sour smell–That scent she often associated with the outlaw.

Her whiskers swayed with the night’s breeze, twitching as Scythe took her place beside her. The killer’s arm brushed her shoulder. She expected to bristle, but… It felt strangely comforting to not be alone. Vine Staff furrowed her brows. She could already picture Scythe’s smug, snaggle-toothed grin. The older woman was surely reveling in her silence, just enough to keep her quiet. So consumed by her own annoyance, she had hardly noticed the flicker of warmth along her forearm, returning to reality as Scythe’s calloused fingers enveloped her hand.

Her eyes instinctively flew open, those familiar flames crackled in her belly as she whipped around to face her. Only then did she meet Scythe’s gaze. There was no devilish glint in her glassy iris, she wasn't grinning, and there was no cigarette in her offhand. The killer wore a soft, sincere smile. Her golden fang hardly peeked from her scarred lip.

Scythe’s thumb traced a slow, deliberate line along the valley of her palm, and the healer's fire was doused in an instant.

“...I meant what I said earlier,”

Scythe spoke in a soft murmur that made her insides twist deep in her core. She took the opportunity to intertwine their fingers, Vine Staff’s heart skipped.

“You deserve a break, after all…” The killer continued, her voice smooth, almost persuasive. “I can make ya’ feel good again, Flowers,” 

That nickname again. It was always that damn nickname.

“Jus’... Tell me you want it,”

The healer and the killer locked eyes for a few moments, neither daring to speak a word. Scythe’s fingers would trail up Vine Staff’s shoulder, the bark of her arm, sliding further up to softly cup her cheek. The tension was unbearable.

She leaned in closer, smelling the tang of ale on the older woman’s breath as their noses just barely touched. The world slowed, Vine Staff closed her eyes. She wanted to move, to let herself indulge in this. But, her nerves kept her frozen in place, so still until… Scythe closed the gap between them, brushing her lips against Vine Staff’s so softly. It was a reassurance, or perhaps, a gentle encouragement. Either way, she felt her self control slip away, just enough to return the gesture.

As she made contact with her lips, the darkness behind her eyelids flooded with color. Her hands instinctively wrapped around Scythe’s shoulders, embracing her with such swiftness her hat now sat crooked on her head.

She felt the corners of Scythe’s scarred lips smile into the kiss, her clawed fingers grasping around the healer’s waist with similar force. Vine Staff would only control the kiss for a split second before she felt the other woman’s forked tongue prod her lip. Scythe huffed through her nostrils, a sound one could only describe as voracious before the healer would part her lips, allowing Scythe to further their intimacy. Once she let Scythe take the lead, everything felt warm, so warm, as the killer invaded her senses—And she let it happen. SFOTH, she had never felt something so overwhelming, so... Pleasant. Scythe’s claws traced along her curves, and Vine Staff’s heart fluttered. The healer’s soft gasp was more than enough to assure the cowgirl she hit just the right spot, in both the kiss and in their embrace. All Vine Staff could do was delicately draw her fingers through Scythe’s dark, curly hair, the slightest effort to ground herself.

Vine Staff would only protest as her lungs ached for air, her grip around Scythe grew tense. With one last lick, the older woman would pull away, breaking a strand of saliva between the two. Their hearts pounded together as Vine Staff drew in a breath, reality slipping back into focus as her eyes fluttered open.

As soon as her vision cleared, she met Scythe’s expression. The killer had already opened her eyes, her sharp gaze now softened with satisfaction. Scythe drew her tongue over her lips, savoring Vine Staff’s sweet taste.

Her single teal eye wandered over Vine Staff’s face, her neck, and shoulders. The older woman’s ears were perked forward, attuned to the healer’s uneven breaths. Her fingers on her cheek had fallen to her neck, Scythe’s thumb lingering over her pulse point. She hummed amusedly, committing the flutter of Vine Staff’s heart to memory. Scythe’s lips curled into a smirk without a single thought, simply basking in the healer’s beauty.

Fuck, was she mesmerizing.

The healer was so soft, the only trait that contrasted her delicate features were her branch-like horns. Even so, they were an equally magnificent sight to behold. Her pink, flushed skin was like silk beneath Scythe’s calloused fingers. It felt dirty to even touch her, to taint something so beautiful. What really kept Scythe smiling was the stain of her lipstick, now swirled with Vine Staff’s fuchsia. She had left her mark. As she gazed fondly at the healer’s exposed neck, Scythe bit her lower lip, doing her best to resist the temptation to further tarnish her porcelain skin.

Scythe's alluring drawl finally broke their stunned silence. 

“Have’I ever told ya… What a pretty thing you are?”

Vine Staff made no reply, her heart still fluttering in her throat. Scythe smirk deepened. Her once genuine smile slipping back into a devilish grin, followed by an amused chuckle.

“Mm..? Y’alright, Flowers?” 

Before the younger woman could formulate a response, she felt Scythe’s hands slid down her lower back. She proceeded to pull Vine Staff closer with a less than conventional squeeze of her butt.

Within an instant, her vision flashed red. Just as intended, Vine Staff snapped back into reality, a sharp flame of annoyance ignited within her. “What do you think you’re doing?!” Vine Staff’s voice cracked with flustered rage as she shoved the older woman back with such force, she nearly stumbled in her heels.

“Whoah..!” Scythe raised her hands in mock surrender, taking a cautious step toward Vine Staff, as if she were some rabid animal. “Didn’ mean no harm in it, jus testin’ the waters, is all…” She said with a grin, flashing that awful golden fang.

“You're utterly perverse!” She shot back, bristling. Her face burned with embarrassment. She took a deep breath, then shook her head, balling her fist in order to wipe the smeared lipstick from her mouth.

Scythe shrugged her shoulders innocently, her rattlesnake tail giving an impish lash. Despite the clear desire to tease her further, Scythe gave in. She raised her white flag by burying her wandering hands into her jacket pockets. “I said what I said…” Scythe’s tone remained low and teasing.

Just as Vine Staff thought that feeling had vanished, it returned. That burning rage within her, that same flaming anger, now mixed with another emotion Vine Staff couldn’t describe. She was frustrated, but her mind continued to linger on the feeling of Scythe’s lips against hers, the soft, soothing voice the killer took on when she whispered into her ear. Those conflicting emotions swirled, clashing with one another before finally… The two flames in her belly were doused through an exasperated sigh from Vine Staff’s lips.

“...I’m going back inside,”

Scythe tilted her head, but still followed in Vine Staff’s footsteps. The healer didn't object.

 

---

 

Once they returned inside, Vine Staff found her bill neatly placed under her glass. Only a sliver of her fruity mocktail was left, but something in her refused to drink it—Not while a certain taste remained on her tongue. Her gaze lingered on empty space, her mind elsewhere.

After a moment‘s hesitation, she reached for the slip of paper. Before she could even read the cost, it was swiftly snatched from her hands by Scythe’s golden talons. Vine Staff blinked, her brow twitching as her gaze, rather reluctantly, met Scythe’s playful leer.

 “Don’t worry ‘bout the cost, sugar, I’ll take care of it,” The killer insisted, flicking through a bundle of bux that manifested seemingly from nowhere. She parted her lips to reply, but Scythe already read her mind. “Jus… Don’t let ol’ Katana know ‘t was me,” The older woman briefly nudged her shoulder, meeting her eyes. Despite her smirk, her glassy eye betrayed a little more than just its usual confidence. 

“If’e asks anythin’... Tell ‘im you found it wedged between the deck.” As she spoke, Scythe folded the cash into a neat bundle before sliding it right back under the healer’s unfinished drink.

“...Thanks,” Vine Staff reluctantly replied, biting back the urge to lie and say that Katana had already insisted on paying for her. Although, that overly smug look on Scythe’s face kept her quiet. Her facial expression reminded them of their intimacy just moments before. Part of her wanted to end this interaction as soon as possible, the other part…

“‘Spose I should be gettin’ out of yer hair…” The cowgirl began, not before firmly grasping Vine Staff’s hand in her own. She leaned in close, that same closeness that made her heart skip.

“I’ll see you around, alright?” Scythe’s warm breath grazed her ear before she leaned back, locking eyes with her for another agonizing moment. Vine Staff held her breath.

But Scythe didn’t wait for a reply.

The older woman simply dipped her head, squeezing Vine Staff’s hand one last time before turning away. Just as quickly as she appeared, the cowgirl snaked her way to the back of the bar. She could only watch as Scythe’s form vaulted the deck railing and vanished into the darkness. It was a fitting leave for any criminal. There was no wonder she paid in cash, to disappear without a trace. Fury boiled within the usually serene healer. The more she thought about what had just taken place, the more irritated she became. After all of this, It was just like Scythe to leave so suddenly, without even waiting for a response. Without even–

She gritted her teeth, then her fist, only to recognize something occupied the space in her hand. Her whiskers gave an inquisitive twitch. She lifted her hand to her face, unraveling her fingers to reveal…

A piece of paper.

Narrowing her eyes, Vine Staff unraveled the slip. She held up the leaf to the lantern glowing above her head, illuminating it. Even in the dim orange light, she made out dashes and numbers, a familiar pattern. A phone number. Presumably, Scythe’s.

With a swift, furious shake of her head, Vine Staff crumpled the note in her fist. She closed her eyes, taking a slow, deep breath in order to compose herself. Finally, her shoulders eased so that her hands hung limply at her sides. Without a glance back at the table they had shared, the healer turned around.

As she made her way toward the lively barfront, she slipped the crinkled paper into her pocket.