Flowers for Dinner

by Abyssine

Summary:

Smiling, you continue, "What would you like to eat?"

She turns her head to look away for a few moments... a few really, incredibly long moments before grinning and turning back to look you, seemingly right into your eyes.

"You."

...Huh?

 

Vine Staff's kindness is met with something unexpected—but not that surprising—from Scythe.

Notes:

i wrote this during multiple 5AMs and was only listening to either BUTCHER VANITY by FLAVOR FOLEY or 炜WARD ROMANCE by FLAVOR FOLEY during it

Golden rays of sunlight beam through the windows and bathe the living room in orange.

...They also invade your eyesight and practically blind you as you try to lean back on your beige couch.

You were just about to lazily drape your right arm—the one made of flesh and skin—over your eyes when the light suddenly ceases and drenches the room back in artificial light. You look over to the windows to learn that the cause was your lover closing the curtains. She looks back at you, or at least you think she does, considering her only remaining iris isn't visible under those three lenses she wears.

"Just for you, flowers." Her uncovered, irisless eye closes for a moment. It's always hard to tell if it's because she's blinking or winking.

You're unsure how exactly you came to fall in love with Scythe. You knew she killed people, and you knew she thought good of your cursed arm, yet you somehow enjoyed her presence and protection in phights enough to allow her into your life.

"...Thank you." You smile at her in response.

Do you regret it? No, not really. If anything, for some unknown reason, you sort of regret not getting to know her sooner. Only sort of, though, considering she kills people. That's still a negative aspect you're willing to acknowledge.

Her voice—and the fact that she was standing much closer to you now—breaks through your thoughts. "Ya alright?"

After very conspicuously looking her form up and down—which makes you realize that you both hadn't changed out of your phight attire yet, not that you were willing to at the moment—you manage to muster up a hasty reply. "Yes..."

Come now, you can add a bit more than just that. "Yes, of course!"

As she moves to sit to your left, you try to elaborate to not concern her further. "Apologies, I was just thinking-"

A metal hand landing on your head stops you from finishing. "Ya think too much, dear." She giggles, seemingly to herself, before continuing, "It's yer day off, just enjoy yourself."

She's unfortunately right. About the 'day off' part, not the 'thinking' part. You were given a brain, so you're allowed to use it! But either way, today was meant to be a break from just about every stressful—albeit fulfilling—part of your life. Participating in phights, helping out Sling at his cafe alongside Shuri, and... participating in phights.

Yeah, the recent phights haven't been going in your favor. In fact, you've been on a losing streak for the past week. It's upsetting, but maybe you just need a break like this one to help you reset and play at your best next time!

"Yer doin' it again."

Darn it!

"Sorry!!" You look at her apologetically, but after seeing her giggling at you, you redirect your gaze towards the powered-off TV and cross your arms with a huff.

...But what are you supposed to do in the silence other than think? Not that the silence was uncomfortable with Scythe, of course.

Speaking of silence, the reason your house is so quiet is that Shuri and Sling are out getting groceries. No doubt to give you some alone time with Scythe, you're sure. As embarrassed as that thought makes you feel, you do appreciate their kindness. Maybe you should repay it, but how would you do that? Make dinner?

...Wait, that's actually a good idea! Go you!

"Scythe," You start in an unintentionally serious tone, which catches her attention a little too much, "I'm going to make dinner for us tonight." Might as well extend the kindness to her, right?

You clap your hands together in an attempt to lighten your presentation, which seems to work, judging by the way her narrowed eye relaxed.

Smiling, you continue, "What would you like to eat?"

She turns her head to look away for a few moments... a few really, incredibly long moments before grinning and turning back to look you, seemingly right into your eyes.

"You."

...Huh?

"What?" You tilt your head at her, because... what? What did that mean...?

And, in response, Scythe places a hand over her eye and... laughs.

It's not the teasing giggle from earlier. You recognize this one as the way she cackles in twisted delight when she's on the battlefield. When she's busy tearing up anyone getting near the Conquer point, busy gutting anyone trying to attack you. Yet here she was, cackling even though it was just the two of you. Alone.

Alone...

Your heart sinks. Surely she wasn't going to-

"You poor thing." You didn't realize when she stopped cackling at you—or maybe it wasn't meant to be at you specifically. How were you supposed to know?

You see the familiar iris-less eye peeking out at you through her fingers. That predatory gaze causes your heart to beat faster in your chest and practically slam against your ribcage. "I don't suppose you've ever tasted an inphernal before, have ya?"

"I-"

A familiar, faint jingle echoes through the room as you realize she planted her heels against the floor. She had leaned forward on the couch in the blink of an eye. But why?

You flinch in response, but can't bring yourself to move, to run, to escape or do anything sensible, because, in the back of your head, there's something clinging to the faint hope that she wouldn't actually do anything-

Scythe rolls and launches herself towards you using the support of her heels and, in an instant, is right on top of you.

For some reason, even though both of her arms were acting as a cage to trap you against the couch, you mistakenly think you can move over towards the left, but end up bumping one of your horns into her prosthetic arm instead.

It hurt. More than just the physical shock that was sent through your horn straight to your head and down your spine. It hurt that your beloved is the one giving you this pain.

You stare up at Scythe. You're wide-eyed, pleading, and powerless underneath her.

"Let me tell ya a secret." She sounds so joyful in your misery. But why? "I'm not just a killer. I'm a little cannibal~!"

Despite having already acknowledged your powerlessness, you still try to push Scythe off you... fruitlessly, of course. What would a healer with her flowers be able to do to a wanted serial killer? Your strength is a joke compared to hers. You're weak.

And that's when the realization sets in. You're going to die here, aren't you? You're dying at the hands of someone you love. Loved?

Does she still love you?

You hate yourself for allowing that to be one of your potential final thoughts. You hate the doubt creeping into your mind, and you wish it weren't justified.

Scythe continues casually, like she's done this a million times. She probably has. "Let me tell ya a secret."

As if she needs to toy with your emotions further, needs to ruin you more, she leans closer to your helpless form, her mocking expression crowding your vision and her body pressing you further against the couch.

Her voice comes out as a low, almost teasing murmur, "The horns I collect after a kill ain't the real trophy." Her smile widens just enough to reveal her sharp, carnivorous teeth. "The bloody flavor of the corpse is."

You've seen her teeth so many times when you saw her familiar, beautiful, albeit unhinged smile before. Unfortunate that they were the same teeth that were going to tear all of your remaining flesh up, right? What a joke.

You want to cry. What happened to the Scythe you knew?

Did you ever know her?

"Funny how the heart always tastes the best."

You wonder if she was just saying that because she could feel your heart drumming in fear against her chest as if you were a small animal being preyed on. She even places her calloused hand over your pulse. The action felt almost too gentle for what she was about to do to you. It made the blood in your body feel cold and drained out and like it shouldn't be in your body anymore.

"Flowers." She practically breathes out the familiar pet name. Whether it was meant to be a taunt or something more twisted, you can't tell anymore.

"I've always wondered what yours tasted like." She uses her finger to trace a shape you can't recognize on your chest. "I'd bet it's heavenly."

Why did it sound like she was... praising you despite her apparent vicious intentions? Worshipping you, even? Was it just your wishful thinking?

Something in you wanted to ask, to get at least some answers before your impending death, but you were too stunned and overwhelmed and frightened to speak to her because this serial killer didn't feel like the familiar Scythe you loved anymore.

"Good thing I'll get to find out soon, right?"

Trying to avoid crying in front of her—it would only give her more satisfaction—you instead attempt to disconnect yourself from the horrifying situation by diverting your train of thought to something else. Memories of how you got to this point.

...You're unsure how exactly you came to fall in love with Scythe. You knew she killed people, and you knew she'd likely leave no trace of you save for the wood of your cursed arm. You're pathetic.

"And don't ya worry, dear. All that time spent protectin' ya ain't going to waste."

You knew she killed people. You knew she was a murderer, and yet you expected the consequences of loving a murderer not to catch up to you. You're pathetic.

"Because, in the end, I've saved all of you for myself, haven't I?"

Do you regret it?

Somehow, no, because you're pathetic.

And because you're pathetic, you've given up.

Yes, you have. You probably would have died soon, anyway, considering your curse could have continued festering within your body at any moment. Maybe this was Scythe's way of showing you mercy. Maybe you really should be grateful for your savior.

You can only hope your heart's flavor lives up to your lover's expectations, right?

...Wow. You really are pathetic. You deserve this.

"And you know what the best part is?"

No, you didn't. Returning a resigned gaze, you waited to be enlightened to your love's ideology one last time.

For the first time since she pounced on you, her smile reaches her eye. Was she basking in your acceptance, or in something else that only she knows about?

And then she leans her head closer and ever closer to you. Her hat folds upwards against the spikes on your horns, and her smirking lips hover next to your right ear.

A hot breath ghosts the side of your face as you hear—no, feel—that haunting, velvet-laced voice whisper invade your... your being.

"Everythin' I just said about eatin' inphernals was a lie."

You tense, and then freeze completely.

That was a lie.

That was a lie?!

The echo of Scythe's words permeates through your mind, and the more you replay it in your head, the more betrayed you feel. More than if she actually ate you, even, because she lied to you! You thought something had happened to her, that she had changed, or maybe she was really like this all along, but it was all just a lie!

You notice she was pulling her head back, likely to gawk at your reaction, but you refuse to give her the chance. Ignoring how clouded your vision was becoming and how the corners of your eyes felt wet, both of your hands fly up to roughly take hold of her cheeks and force her to look you right in the eyes.

Something cold runs down your face, and you only realize that it's your own tears when your voice comes out shaky, weak, and barely audible. "But w-why?!"

She seems startled for just a moment, but her expression quickly slips back into a smug smile, as if she wasn't just mortifying you by threatening to consume you. "'Why' what? Don't tell me ya really wanted me to-"

"No!"

Pissed off, you subconsciously dig your nails further into her face, eliciting a small noise of surprise from her throat. With the tiniest hint of guilt you felt, along with the concern of accidentally lodging a splinter into her—another injury you would have to deal with later—you loosen your grip a little, but continue your borderline shouting because you know full well that she absolutely deserves this!

"I thought-" Breathe in. Calm down. You try again, "I thought something happened to you, s-so maybe I could make you happy with my final moments to help you through whatever it was..."

You aren't usually this angry, so you don't know of a better way to express the anger you feel now other than to confrontationally pull her face closer so that it ends up inches away from your own—because that was a very normal thing to do. "But you lied to me! You never do that, so why?!"

Your tears fall and stain both your kimono and Scythe's suit. Not that you could stop them right now, though. The puddles on the fabric only grow as Scythe wordlessly opens and closes her mouth.

Was she looking for an answer? Did she never have a reason to do this in the first place?! You're about to start angrily scolding her again when she finally answers.

"I'm sorry, Vine."

Now you're surprised when you hear her be so uncharacteristically quiet and regretful.

She takes her hand off your heart and cups your cheek with it, using her thumb to wipe away another tear rightfully threatening to spill. "I shoulda considered that you don't exactly think... or, Hell, love in the same way I do."

She pouts. You're sure that she's mirroring your current expression. "Thinkin' about it now, it makes sense that ya wouldn't enjoy this."

Your eyes widen at how casually she could say that. Why would you enjoy being cannibalized?! You start, almost indignified as you continue to resist outright sobbing, "I-"

"Shh." She presses a rough fingertip to your quivering lip. Against all the common sense that exists on Inpherno, it makes your heart thump almost painfully against your chest. "I know, I know. I'm a fool 'n whatnot."

And then she smiles at you again, though this time with a trace of guilt in her eye. You don't know how you were able to tell so easily, especially with how misty your surroundings look to you.

"So, I want ya to tell me somethin'." She slightly tilts her head to her right, almost playfully. "How can this fool make it up to ya?"

You've never considered yourself a particularly spiteful person, and neither would the people around you, you believe. However, this current moment is proving you and them wrong in so many ways, considering how you keep trying to internally justify your actions. Is this a valid reaction to betrayal?

...Yes, you decide. Indeed, it is, because if you don't let out your boiling anger now, Scythe might think lying to you would be okay in the future. You'd hate to have a repeat of this situation.

And, as odd as it is to have to clarify this, it also lets her know that you're most definitely not a cannibal! You just like carnivorous fauna!!

Speaking of which, you weren't quite sure how she should 'make it up to you' until just now. You silently thank your overthinking tendencies before whispering back to her.

"Scythe."

"Yes, flowers?"

Flowers, flowers, flowers.

'Flowers' this, 'flowers' that, the pet name was driving you insane at this very moment. So, instead of continuing your little reprimanding speech as planned, you squeeze your eyes shut and suddenly pull her closer to crash your lips against hers in a kiss, splashing your waning tears onto her face in the process. Admittedly, it was an underwhelming exchange, but enough to hopefully get across the fact that you were being serious.

As if that wasn't already obvious. How on Inpherno would a kiss convey your seriousness? You're starting to think this whole plan you made was secretly a thinly-veiled excuse to feel her familiar, firm, scarred lips again.

...Once you pull her away, you open your eyes to see Scythe staring at you incredulously, as if this was more shocking than her talking about literally eating you a few moments earlier. You think now is a good time to direct her attention to what you actually wanted to say.

"You don't need to devour my heart to know it. Its texture, temperature, flavor, or..." You hesitate, because you've never tried to talk like... like this. This was harder than you thought. "...whatever it was you needed..."

You lock eyes with her before slowly dragging your right hand down from her warm face, to the muscles of her neck, and finally, to her racing, rotten heart. It was in need of your healing, and you will always be there to provide it.

"You should already know about those things, because..." SFOTH, this was so weird to say out loud. "...because it's been yours for a long time."

Her face turns darker with the way her flush mixed with her skin. Internally, you were overjoyed that she reserved this side of her just for you.

"So, please, don't lie to me like this again-"

You get no time to finish before she leans into you in the blink of an eye and presses her lips against yours again. Instinctively, you close your eyes and almost greedily take in the sensation. The pressure, despite how fast she descended upon you, is unexpectedly gentle and soft. It has your heart fluttering in your ribcage and makes you feel really warm and tingly inside and everywhere.

She pulls away, and it disappoints you momentarily before she opens her pretty mouth again. "Guess I was also lyin' to myself if I thought I didn't know what yer heart desired."

You let out a confused hum, trying to process what Scythe was implying, but are swiftly cut off by her diving in for another kiss—a lot more aggressively this time, considering how hungrily her tongue seemed to be prodding for an entrance into your mouth. It was as if she were going to follow through on her earlier threat of devouring all of you.

Maybe she would in time. Not physically, you hope.

You always feel guilty for finding pleasure in these moments. But, then again, when you take the opportunity to let go of that guilt, that weight upon your shoulders is replaced with the weight of longing, hunger, and passion—something that you've come to recognize as Scythe's form of love.

This weight feels so divine.

...Wait. You know Scythe has enough power to thrust her tongue in by herself—you've experienced that before—but, this time, she just... didn't.

It's then that you realize she was waiting for you. Waiting for you to feel ready, trying to understand you.

Seeing her change for the better made you so very happy, and, in chasing that happiness, you don't take even a moment of hesitation before you part your lips and leave yourself vulnerable for her.

There's the tiniest chance it's just your wishful thinking, but you really feel like you both want to trust each other, for one reason or another.

She seizes the opportunity immediately, deftly plunging her tongue into you, licking past your teeth and wrapping it around your own as if you'd get taken away from her if she didn't. You, of course, don't mind the desperation; the way the inside of your mouth had been further slicked with both of your salivations was lovely. It makes your insides tingle and squirm, and the way she keeps her prosthetic hand on top of your heart like a shield makes goosebumps on your skin erupt with the force of fireworks under the fabric of your kimono.

Without really thinking properly, your hands reach for Scythe's back, embracing her and simultaneously clutching her suit like a lifeline. She seems to take it as encouragement, possibly straining herself to have her tongue reach deeper and swiften its movements.

Just for you.

You wish this moment—the way she familiarizes herself with the surfaces of your mouth, tastes every inch of it—could keep going on for longer, but you find yourself losing your breath, something that Scythe noticed as well, judging from the way her somewhat frustrated grumble into your mouth reverberates throughout your skull. She slows down, hesitating for a moment before she breaks the kiss, and, along with it, breaks a thick strand of saliva as she pulls away. You're left breathless, panting, yet satisfied.

Or, rather, you would have been satisfied enough with the exchange if she hadn't then brought her lips down to your exposed neck and begun leaving little loving pecks on it, her hat being tilted upwards by your horns as her kisses travel down to your collarbone. An involuntary shiver escapes from your body, but it's not like it was necessarily unwanted.

Needing to ground yourself further—as much as you realistically could right now—your right hand goes to caress one of Scythe's spiked horns. In response, and to your surprise, she lets out a shaky exhale, the breeze tickling the hairs on your skin due to the proximity.

"F-flowers..." The quiver and roughness in her voice didn't escape you. How could it when her words were rumbling through your entire being? "Yer gettin' real bold..."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry!" Were you hurting her?! You speak rapidly, panic mixing with the permeating heat and pleasure your body felt. "Do you want me to let go-"

"Never." Scythe interrupts you, her smile and joy audible in her voice despite how slurred her speech became. She continues, low and sultry, "I love the way ya hide your bold sides jus' for me to find."

You didn't think your body could heat up this much, but here you were, unhealthily hot both inside and out, all because you and Scythe love each other.

You cradle her against yourself using your wooden arm whilst your other hand continues to gently stroke her horn. With her simply resting her head in the crook of your neck, you feel at ease. Maybe a little overwhelmed by how fast everything just happened, but calm and comfortable being the healer by her side nonetheless.

Absentmindedly, you look up at the wall clock above the TV-

Oh, shoot, the usual dinner time was just an hour away! Shuri and Sling would be home soon!! The maybe-not-so-justified guilt that comes flooding in after every time you spend moments like these with Scythe now rams into your mind like a truck—you can not let your brothers see you two like this, even if they knew this would happen!!!

"S-Scythe!" You whisper as loudly as you can, trying not to startle her by fully raising your voice.

Unfortunately, that doesn't work because it seems that, apparently, Scythe wants to pay attention to your every word. She replies, a little sluggish, "What's wrong, darlin'?"

"I still need to make dinner for us!" You don't want to outright tell her to get off of you. That would be really mean, and you also knew that you wouldn't actually mean it.

"Ah. Right." Thankfully, she understands your silent request, hesitating for a moment before she lifts herself and puts barely a few inches of distance between your bodies.

What catches you off guard is how her head moves to your right and the way she plants an affectionate kiss on your cheek, right in the gap where one of your dimples appears. You giggle in response, using it as a way to mask the bashfulness you felt at the sudden sweet gesture—even if you know that Scythe could probably see right through it at this point.

After drinking in the sight of you for a few long, long moments, she pushes herself off of you and the couch, gracefully landing with both feet onto the floor.

As she begins walking towards your kitchen, she starts with a mischievous grin, "Ya need my help?"

Her deviousness was likely because she already knew your answer. Standing up, you playfully chide her, raising a scolding finger for emphasis, "Scythe, you eat your meat raw. I'm never letting you be the one to cook."

She laughs at your rebuttal. With how lighthearted it sounded now compared to earlier, it felt like music to your ears.

As you follow her to begin dinner preparations, you can't help but wonder something. Did Scythe actually mean what she said about wanting to eat your heart? She'd already said that the things about having eaten others were a lie, but did she ever specify anything about her supposed desire to-

Scythe calling out to you snaps you out of your thoughts, "You've got a nice air fryer here, flowers!"

Wait, she's already in the kitchen?! You practically break into a sprint to catch up to her as you shout back, "Don't you dare break our appliances!"

...Oh well. Maybe Scythe was right about you overthinking everything.

Notes:

why did i think this was a good idea to write, especially when i've never written a makeout scene in my life? who knows! something in the back of my mind was like "hey you shouldn't post this," but i've already put too much effort into it to not do that, so here i am

anyway here's a quick "thank you" to all of the scythe and vine staff mains i've met and friended on PHIGHTING!, you guys are awesome and funny and indirectly made me want to finish this monstrous work ❤️

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Abyssal ScytheStaff Brainrot