Chapter Text
If you’d approached Vi a year and a half ago and told her that, same time next year, Mondays would be her favourite day of the week - she’d have doubled over and congratulated you on pulling off the joke of the century.
And yet, here she was - year and a half later, spending her entire week looking forward to the moment Monday rolled around again.
Impatiently waiting for 11:45 her break, which kicked off with her daily trip to the coffeeshop around the corner. On Mondays, she’d pick up a flat white with oatmilk, a cappuccino, whatever weirdly sweet latte was in season and an americano. Once coffee was secured, she hurried back to the parlour.
And every week, her sister found a new, original insult to hurl at her head as soon as she pushed through the parlour door.
That day, however, Jinx quietly glanced up from her seat at the front desk and simply tilted her head sideways like a curious cat. All while that familiar, smug little grin gradually curled up on her lips.
Vi cocked an eyebrow as she freed the seasonal latte from the carton that held the coffee orders, and slid it over the desk in her direction.
“What? No insults today? Did you finally run out?” Vi sarcastically remarked as she placed the carton with the remaining take away cups on the desk as well. “It’s pumpkin spice season again, by the way”
Jinx hummed ominously, which was somehow more unnerving than any of the insults she usually hurled at Vi’s every Monday morning.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, sis” Jinx innocently hummed before taking a sip from her pumpkin spice latte. “Oh, this is exactly what I needed”
“Cut the shit. You know exactly what I’m talking about” Vi rolled her eyes and rounded the desk after snatching her cappuccino from the carton tray.
“Ohhhhh. Right.” Jinx cooed, before throwing herself back in her desk chair while propping both legs up on the desk – pretending to suddenly recall what this was about. “You’re talking about my favourite Monday moment. Where I have the perfect excuse to let you know that you’re the most pathetic lesbian that I’ve ever fucking met. Oh! And how you should grow some balls and shoot your shot while you can. Those crow’s feet are not doing you any favours and the bags under your eyes give me the urge to sign you up for retirement homes”
“Alright, alright, alright! I fucking get it, okay? Just- get your fucking feet off my desk” Vi growled, while shoving her sister’s feet from the glass surface with a firm push. “And bring Mylo his fucking coffee. Jesus”
“Jesus ain’t gonna help you with this one, sis” Jinx chimed playfully. She pushed herself up from the chair and snatched the americano from the tray before making her way to the back of the parlour as she shot Vi another amused grin. “Might wanna get rid of that scowl, by the way. Your lesbian daydream is about to make you cream your panties. Hope you brought an extra pair”
“Hope you got another job lined up, because I’m about to fire you” Vi called back.
“You won’t” Jinx singsonged before disappearing to the back of the shop.
A second later, she was greeted by the familiar jingle of the front door.
It was absolutely pathetic how quickly Vi’s head snapped to the front of the shop, her conversation with Jinx long forgotten as soon as her eyes landed on the endless legs that stepped over the threshold of her parlour.
Legs that belonged to the woman who plagued Vi’s dreams more often than she liked to admit.
Legs belonging to Vi’s ‘lesbian dream’, who never missed her Monday coffee moment with Vi.
She was wearing heels today, which was a sight Vi had grown addicted to. There was something about those glorious legs in high heels that made Vi’s gut clench in an instance. The vision of those bared long legs wrapped around her waist while Vi feasted between those strong thighs was living in her head rent free – and came to life whenever Vi laid eyes on them.
Not to mention that Vi’s lesbian dream of a woman strutted into her parlour that very morning, wearing a skirt that she’d paired with some sort of blouse and an oversized vintage sweater layered over it. She’d folded the collar of the light blue blouse over the sweater’s neckline, and she’d decided to put her hair up in a ponytail that day.
And yet, besides all the reasons for Vi’s mouth to water at the sight of her, there was one thing about this woman that charmed Vi most of all.
And that was the combination of her smile and the bright shade of cerulean that was reflected in one of her eyes. The other was covered by a dark blue eyepatch – which matched the shade of her hair.
It’d been like that from the moment Vi had the pleasure of meeting her, a little over a year ago.
Vi felt a grin tug on her lips as soon as their gazes lingered on each other, and she noticed how her lesbian dream of a woman returned the smirk with one of her own.
“Well, what’s the verdict?” her lesbian dream purred.
The woman just so happened to be in possession of a tongue that left every word she spoke dripping with a rich, posh British accent.
Which only made her more attractive.
And coincidentally, Vi’s probable death someday.
Vi sucked in a deep breath and let the answer hang in the air until those long legs reached the other side of the front desk.
“Well-” she met the challenging grin of the woman across from her, who patiently awaited her answer. “Looks like you won this one, cupcake”
“I knew it” her lesbian dream smugly celebrated as she snatched the final coffee from the carton tray on the desk. “How does it feel to be crowned this week’s loser, Violet?” she purred before taking a sip from her flat white.
There was just something about the way her British tongue curled around Vi’s full name that sent shivers down her spine every single time. She’d heard it from those gorgeous lips countless times, and it never failed to give her goosebumps. It made her want to reach over the desk, curl her fingers around the back of her opponents neck and close the distance between them. Seizing the opportunity to finally familiarize herself with the taste of those pretty lips.
Instead, she held back and merely chuckled while scratching the nape of her neck. “That victory won’t last forever, cupcake. And I’ll keep that condescending tone in mind, so I can serve it to you when I claim victory next week” she stated in a playful tone.
“I admire your confidence, really. Especially since I’ve got quite the selection for you this week” her lesbian dream teased sweetly as she placed her cup on the glass surface of the front desk and revealed what she’d put together this time around.
Vi mumbled a curse under her breath when she took a good look at the new selection that would be the centrepiece of their little challenge over the next seven days.
“Really?” Vi deadpanned. “I mean- You’re not even- Okay.”
“This whole thing was your idea, Vi”
“Yeah, yeah. I know, I know, I know” Vi groaned as she took another good look at the floral selection that was proudly presented to her.
Unfortunately, the challenge had been initiated by her. It started as something fun and stupid, but she’d gravely underestimated the competition – and she’d slowly come to regret it.
She’d proposed it for the sole purpose of securing herself a window of about 20 minutes to chat with the stunning owner of the flower shop across the street, was what made this so pathetic.
Especially when taking into consideration that Vi never intended to be friendly to her in the first place.
Unfortunately, the moment it all started going downhill for Vi was when she actually met the goddess across the street.
The whole debacle kicked off about a year and a half ago, when the bakery across the street closed its doors and was replaced with a flower shop about a month later. Everyone at the tattoo parlour had been bitter about it, because they all loved old Bessy’s cupcakes and blueberry pies.
And the fact that she had to shut her doors permanently because the rent went up by 10%, had been the cause of a huge protest. Every shop owner on their block took to the streets in solidarity against the outrageous amount of money they were charged for the rent of their storefronts in the city centre.
Needless to say, it had little effect - and Vi spent a night in the cellblock of the local police station, for encouraging bystanders to join the protest.
Public outrage died down pretty quickly after that little stunt, but the frustration never died. The government’s inhumane treatment of old Bessy remained a heated topic of conversation amongst the shop owners on her block.
Which was why no one was thrilled to hear that it took less than a month for those fuckers to rent out Bessy’s former bakery to a newbie no one had ever heard of. More importantly, a newbie that seemed to have no issues paying the ridiculously high rent for the store and the apartment located on the second floor of the building.
Yet another reason why Vi had gotten so worked up over this particular issue.
For as long as anyone could remember, old Bessy had been living in the apartment above her bakery. That building held over 30 years of personal memories from Bessy’s entire life. And when she couldn’t afford the bakery’s rent any longer, the government had the fucking audacity to kick her out of her apartment as well.
Apparently, those fuckers had made Bessy sign a contract which stated that if she could no longer afford the rent of either her store or her apartment, both would be taken from her. Which meant that old Bessy lost both her business and her home in the span of a couple hours.
In an attempt to do something for the old lady, Vi let her crash in the apartment she shared with Jinx. For as long as she needed to get back on her feet and find a new place to live.
With no other option than homelessness, old Bessy gladly accepted the offer – and Vi gave up her bedroom for the next three months. Jinx immediately called her out on her painfully obvious saviour complex, but Vi couldn’t care less. If sleeping on their uncomfortable couch for a couple months would keep old Bessy from spending her nights on a cold bench in the park, then she’d happily give up her comfort for however long she had to.
Upon the eviction of old Bessy, Vi had sworn that she’d stop at nothing to ensure that whoever had the gal to make themselves at home in the building directly across the street from the parlour, would not make it past the two month mark.
Her arrogance was rooted in her blind hatred for whoever dared to settle in Bessy’s old shop across the street. She didn’t care who the fuck it was.
Only that they would face her unexpected wrath.
She was determined to get them out.
And she’d continue to get rid of every single idiot that tried to settle in the establishment across the street.
Until Bessy got her old place back.
There was, however, one thing her ego and anger had failed to prepare her for – when the trials of fate swung her way.
And that was the scenario she was currently entangled in. One that had gradually developed in the span of a year.
Because it had taken her by surprise, entirely.
And by the time she realised that she was knees deep into this shit, it was too late.
Vi still vividly remembered the day she first laid eyes on the woman she had been determined to hate.
It’d been a sunny Wednesday morning. Vi was in the middle of opening up the tattoo parlour with Jinx, when two Uhauls parked in front of the window that previously displayed a wide range of pastries and pies – which had been painfully empty for the past several weeks.
A tiny, white Mini Cooper led two large U-Haul trucks to their destination and parked right in front of the empty shopwindow.
“Well, they didn’t waste any time finding an asshole to poison our view” Jinx stated pointedly as the two sisters observed the scene across the street. The two were safely hidden behind the large parlour window that had their business name graffitied onto the glass.
Vi’s answer was a mere disapproving huff, while they watched how the movers got a start at unloading the U-Hauls. As the movers began dragging furniture and boxes from their trucks, two individuals exited the white Mini Cooper that was now parked right up front.
Fucking idiot living off a trust fund, for sure. Who the fuck owned a white Mini Cooper around these parts? No one Vi was friendly with, that was for sure.
Jinx let out an offended huff. “Jesus. Old Bessy’s been tossed out for some motherfucking rich folk from uptown?” her sister mumbled beside her – moments before they were met with the faces of the new owners for the first time.
Jinx wasn’t wrong.
These two, for sure, were from uptown - if not worse. Vi could practically smell the money and entitlement from across the street.
But the worst thing about the duo, was the woman that rose from driver’s seat.
More devastatingly, how unfairly attractive she was.
And how Vi immediately felt her initial hatred melt ever so slowly.
All because of how utterly weak she was for women that were the epitome of her type.
Jinx was a dedicated fan of calling her out on the very fact since Vi was 16 and she’d finally gathered enough courage to introduce her family to a girl she was dating.
Much to her dismay, her younger sister subjected her to a brutally honest review as soon as said girlfriend had left the building.
“Vi, I’m gonna say this because I love you and I want what’s best for you… but you have a terrible taste in women”
Vi spent trying to years deny said accusation, only to come to the realisation that 13 year-old Jinx’ statement was proven true time and time again.
Extensive proof for the particular claim could be found in Vi’s endless record of deeply tragic dating history.
Which had resulted in Vi drawing the conclusion that she had been cursed from birth.
Whatever fucking God or higher being was in charge, clearly had it out for her and pushed her to pick tragedy over self-respect time and time again.
Because Vi believed herself to be hardwired to fall for the tall, gorgeous, mean femmes who were set on breaking her heart in the end. And Vi found she could not be blamed for her shortcomings. She would try to find romance with women who did not fit that stereotype, but she always found herself involuntarily yearning for the pretty, unavailable women who had an air of superiority around them.
There was something about a small waist, long legs, good tits, rounded hips and a resting bitch face…
Vi couldn’t help herself around those women, really. It set off a fire inside her that yearned to get those women naked, panting and begging beneath her. To revel in the sound of their desperate moan, and grin at the delicious noises of their whimpers while they begged for her to make them cum.
Those women were a challenge.
And Vi loved a challenge.
Which was why Vi took her sweet time absorbing the glorious sight of the tall woman that rose from the driver’s seat of the white Mini Cooper. Allowing herself the momentary pleasure of soaking up every inch of those endless legs, the way her jeans hugged her hips and how a tiny strip of her bare stomach was revealed when she lifted an arm to point up at the apartment above the empty storefront, while instructing the movers.
“Looks like we got ourselves a fucking pirate” Jinx mumbled beside her.
It was only then that Vi noticed how the absolute smoke-show of a woman was sporting an eyepatch that covered her left eye. Vi’s first, initial, response came with an amused snort. “I think we just learned what the latest uptown fashion trend is.”
“Kinda fucking ableist” Jinx huffed while crossing her arms.
Vi shot her sister an unamused glare. “You’re the one who called her a fucking pirate. Don’t go around calling me ableist when you toss those types of terms around like they’re fucking coupons”
Jinx huffed while both hands shot up in defence, as she judged her old sister’s defensive response. And that was when she cocked an eyebrow and grew that grin which made her look like a hyena from Lion King.
“Oh. Oh. I see”
“What the fuck do you see?” Vi spat.
“You wanna fuck the pirate” Jinx stated plainly. “Waaaaaay to throw old Bessy under the bus there, sis“
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, you little shit” Vi hissed as a finger poked into Jinx’s collarbone. “I want those fuckers out of there as much as you do”
“Sure” Jinx hummed sarcastically, without provoking further arguments.
Vi hated her younger sister’s talent of seeing right through her.
All she could do now was prove that she was on old Bessy’s side.
The two sisters kept a close eye on the commotion across the street, while all sorts of expensive looking furniture was dragged upstairs.
The stunning enemy had taken some hotshot guy with her in the fucking Mini Cooper, and he followed her around like a lost fucking puppy.
As the day progressed, the stunning woman with the trendy fucking eyepatch settled into her new residence and the sisters came to the conclusion that she had to be the new neighbour across the street.
And the owner of a flower shop, they discovered a little later.
It was a shame said the flower shop came at the cost of a stellar bakery, because Vi really enjoyed the fine art of taking the time to put together a rather impressive bouquet. There was something about the thrill that accompanied the process of carefully selecting flowers that complimented each other, while researching the deeper meaning behind their beautiful exterior.
Still, her commitment to the promise of hating the new resident across the streets was one that she desperately clung to - while every so often checking up on the progress across the road.
As Jinx had predicted, Vi’s grip on her principles faltered before the week came to an end.
The start of her downfall?
The first time she sauntered into the territory that belonged to the enemy.
Simply to measure the threat, she told herself.
She wasn’t the one to blame. Really.
Her subconscious practically forced her to cross the street and convinced her to push through the door that led into the beautifully decorated flower shop.
And that might have been the final straw to push her over the edge of caving in to her fucked up desire.
It would have been so much easier to hate a shop that wasn’t designed to lure you into its grasp when you walked past its windows. Vi would have had an easier time seething behind her front desk, if the sight across the street wasn’t one that made her yearn to venture into the shop that was designed to make her fold.
She quietly cursed herself for every second she spent observing just how carefully the blue-haired dream of a shop owner watered the plants and fixed up the shopwindows – clearly aiming to lure unsuspecting fools to her gates of hell.
Vi being her latest victim.
She scuffled over the threshold one late afternoon, and immediately winced at the loud bell which announced her presence.
Only a moment later, the gorgeous shopkeeper made her way to the front of her store – polite smile on her pretty lips and curiosity colouring her features as she observed her new customer. Besides Vi, the shop was vacant – and that made the entire situation all the more awkward.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. Feel free to browse, and if you have any questions – you know where to find me” these were the very first words the lesbian dream of a woman had ever spoken to Vi.
And while Vi was already gravely unprepared for how gorgeous the woman was up close, she hadn’t been even remotely strapped in for the overwhelming sensation that came with the unexpected avalanche of a thick British accent that rung through her ears.
All that fucking accent did was further solidify that Vi was developing a very unhealthy, one-sided crush on a woman who clearly had a boyfriend.
Here she was, frozen and surrounded by a wide range of flowers - whose scents mingled and dawned on the establishment in an overwhelmingly fresh and calming atmosphere of natural perfume.
“I- yes. Sure. Thank you” was all Vi managed to get out before she attempted to violently shake herself from the trance she’d been sucked into when that accent took her by surprise. She managed to eventually drag her feet towards one corner of the shop, which had a colourful display that reminded her of fall in an instant.
A couple minutes of quiet passed before that British accent took her by surprise once more. “You’re employed by the tattoo parlour across the street, correct?”
Vi ripped her gaze away from the orchids she’d been inspecting, and turned to face the alluring enemy at the register rather confidently. “I own that parlour.”
“So I thought” gorgeous, one-eyed woman with a boyfriend responded. Vi didn’t miss how a small grin played on her lips as she spoke up again, before Vi had a chance to respond. “I mean, I haven’t- I don’t mean to imply that I have been observing you, but-… well, from what I have seen over the past several days, you seem to be the one in charge”
Vi couldn’t help but allow a smug little grin to crawl to the surface when the flower shop owner revealed that she, too, had been keeping an eye on the activities across the street. While she sauntered over to the register, she answered the claim. “You’ve been watching me?” the words dripped from her tongue in a low tone, and she noticed how the gorgeous stranger swallowed before blinking twice to force herself back to reality.
“Like I said, I haven’t actively observed the activity within your establishment, perse – but your parlour is located across the street. I catch a glimpse of the excitement every now and then” she stated in a tone that was trying far too hard to come across as casual. Which further fed Vi’s mild crush on the woman she was supposed to hate.
Vi’s lips settled on a teasing grin before she even realised it was happening, and she spoke before she could judge the words that came out of her mouth. “Sounds like you’ve been stalking me, cupcake”
“Cupcake?” the woman’s eyebrows shot towards her hairline when she repeated the accidental pet name, that slipped from Vi’s tongue, in her thick, posh accent.
Vi played into her own mistake with confidence. She leaned onto the counter and felt her elbows dig into the wooden surface that separated the two of them, while her mouth spoke before her mind could process what she was saying.
“It’s fitting, really. Considering you’re the reason an elderly woman is now homeless”
Gorgeous, unobtainable shopkeeper behind the counter blinked in confusion while she processed the accusations that were thrown in her direction. “Excuse me?” was the first stammer that passed her lips. Followed by the firm tightening of her shoulders as she rose to her full height.
Fuck.
She was taller than Vi was prepared for.
“You seem to be under the impression that I am the one responsible for losses suffered by the previous owner of this establishment, and I can assure you that I am not” the woman’s clipped tone indicated that Vi’s accusatory words had deeply insulted her. “I was looking for the perfect location to start my own business, and the apartment upstairs came as a very welcome surprise. This building and contract just so happened to meet all my requirements”
Vi felt her fingers ball to a fist as she fiercely held on to the passionate cerulean gaze on the other end of the counter. “A senior citizen was kicked to the curb, so you can play store manager while profiting off of mommy and daddy’s money. You think that’s fair?” she spat back – only to immediately regret the hatred embedded in her words.
“As I’ve stated before, whatever quarrel you have with the government has nothing to do with me. I was offered a good deal and I took it. Simple as that” the tall goddess answered haughtily.
True.
Rich British girl had already stated she didn’t have anything to do with old Bessy being kicked out of her own home and store. And while Vi knew that was true – it still left bitter taste in her mouth, and there were no government officials around to take her anger out on. Which meant that the pretty, unavailable amazonian type of a woman across from her was on the receiving end of her frustration.
“I urgently advice you not to judge a book by its cover” the shop owner told her in a tone so low that it almost sounded like a growl. Her expression darkened as Vi’s insults dawned on her. “You don’t know anything about me. Yet, you seem to have already drawn a myriad of conclusions about my person”
She was right.
And Vi refused to admit it.
The woman’s firm tone and that piercing glare – even though she was subjected to merely one eye shooting daggers in her direction – was what made Vi cross into dangerous territory.
One where she let down her guard ever so slightly, while her anger feasted.
“Alright. Let’s introduce ourselves then” Vi stated – her tone drenched in wavering confidence. “I’ll start. The name’s Vi, owner of the tattoo parlour across the street and caretaker of the elderly woman who was kicked out of her own home, to make room for your little flower shop. In case you give a shit, she’s currently sleeping in my bed while we’re trying to find her a new place to live”
That last bit of introduction clearly took the shop owner by surprise, and Vi revelled in the mixed feeling of both pride and curiosity that instantly filled her gut. The taller woman’s uncovered eye widened for a moment, as Vi’s words dawned on her.
Then, her gaze gradually narrowed - and she stepped closer to the counter that separated them.
“Look, Vi, while I now have a better understanding regarding your anger and frustration-” she started in a very patient tone. “That does not give you the right to barge into my shop and accuse me of carelessly tossing an elderly woman out onto the streets. As I’ve stated before, I was offered a reasonable contract for this very establishment, after the previous resident had already moved out. So whatever quarrel you wish to resolve- it isn’t with me”
Vi’s short nails dug into the palm of her hand as her fists tightened. “Just what-”
“You don’t even know my name” the tall goddess interrupted her firmly. “And quite frankly, you’re making a fool of yourself. You’re standing in the middle of my shop, accusing me of crimes I had nothing to do with, and you have not even asked for my name”
Vi was left fucking speechless.
Her frustrated brain was working overtime, trying to think of any sort of response that would not make her seem like even more of a dick than she already did.
Unfortunately, the British dream of a woman beat her to it.
“So, Vi, I suggest that you make a decision on how you wish to go about this” she pointedly stated. “Either you stay, and show genuine interest in your new neighbour across the street. Or you leave – and your only accomplishment will be the fact that I learned a lot more about you than you learned about me”
The combined force of that authoritative voice with the way Caitlyn’s words were followed by an intense glare caused Vi to endure an intense rise in both frustration and arousal.
Her piercing greys held onto the cerulean she met on the other end of the counter, for as long as she could manage. Both gazes seemingly unwavering and strong – rooted in their own stubborn nature.
Until Vi gave in.
Unable to let this opportunity slip through her fingers – even though it was barely an opportunity to begin with, considering she was pining after a woman who was both straight and out of her league – Vi caved to the dominant nature of the gorgeously unavailable woman across from her.
“Fine, you win” Vi gave in with a sigh, while finally unclenching the fist that rested atop of the counter. “What’s your name, cupcake?” she drawled with an exasperated sign.
Floral goddess remained unimpressed and merely cocked an eyebrow. “Are you actually interested in learning my name, or is this some sort of trick?” she questioned Vi’s motives rather pointedly.
“It’s- I genuinely do want to know your name” Vi admitted with a deep sigh, before a hint of a grin pulled on the corners of her lips. “Unless you’d prefer me to keep calling you ‘cupcake’”
“I’d prefer you stop that, actually” floral shop owner goddess firmly stated before her expression softened slightly, and she spoke up once more. Her voice kinder at its core “my name’s Caitlyn.”
Vi’s grin broadened “what, I don’t get a last name?” she fearlessly quipped.
Caitlyn’s eyebrow shot up a little higher. “You never told me yours”
“Touché” Vi agreed with a nod of solidarity. “So… now that we’re on first name basis, I am curious to know just what made you decided to ditch the UK for this shithole we call a country”
There was a hint of pain that flashed over Caitlyn’s features when subjected to that very question, but a soft smile swiftly erased any concern while she answered Vi’s prying questions. “I needed a fresh start, and I knew some people around these parts – so I figured I’d take the leap”
“Right. Right, right, right” Vi hummed while she tried to measure how much truth that statement held.
Unfortunately for Vi, Caitlyn was either telling the truth or she was an excellent liar – because the tattoo artist couldn’t spot any signs that could indicate that she was lying. “So, why the flower shop?”
“Oh. I’ve always loved working within the field of floral décor”
A lie.
Vi clocked it immediately.
Caitlyn’s long fingers twitched, she did not meet Vi’s gaze, and her shoulders tensed ever so slightly.
But Vi didn’t comment on it.
Something told her that she was better off securing that bit of knowledge in her back pocket – so she could bring it up when the time was right.
That little lie was the cause for a change of attitude within Vi.
Now that she had the upper hand, she felt the freedom to explore a little.
“But you are British, aren’t you?”
Caitlyn chuckled more freely than before, which exposed a rather adorable gap between her two front teeth. “Yes, I am” she confirmed. “I was rather hoping that would be my one noticeable trait” she teased softly.
Vi found herself grinning in response as she leaned over the counter a bit further. “Enlighten me then, princess-“
“Princess?” Caitlyn repeated with a huff.
“Would you prefer ‘cupcake’?” Vi suggested lightly.
It was quite enjoyable to witness the inner struggle Caitlyn worked through before giving in with a deep sigh. “Between princess and cupcake… cupcake is the preferred pet name. Though I would appreciate you addressing me by my first name”
“Alright, cupcake it is!” Vi triumphantly exclaimed before leaning in a little closer.
Caitlyn’s uncovered eyebrow shot up with a hint of curiosity, and she once more tilted her head to the side as she tried to read Vi – who remained a jovial beacon of mystery on the other end of the counter. “Why are you here¸ Vi?” cupcake asked pointedly.
Though the question came with an air of arrogance and distrust, Vi’s lips remained curled up to a confident grin. “Just wanted to get to know my neighbour-”
“Cut the bullshit” Caitlyn firmly interrupted whatever pathetic excuse was about to roll from Vi’s smooth tongue. “Just admit that you’re here to determine how much of a threat I am to your business. And while we are at it, I’d like to inform you that I am not out to destroy you”
Vi had half a mind to deny the accusations, but she knew it was no use to even fucking try.
Another particular talent Vi took to heart, was her ability to judge another person’s character without knowing any history involving said person.
And based on what she’d observed so far, Caitlyn struck her as a lost and solitary individual.
The confident, aloof attitude was clearly some sort of mechanism to keep everyone at a distance.
But cupcake’s one cerulean eye betrayed her.
Even though Vi had merely revelled in the pleasure of staring into one of her cerulean depths, she’d immediately clocked the distanced, disengaged depth when cupcake spoke. As though she was trying to fool herself into believing that she was a stone-cold bitch to her core.
Yet, all that desperation had revealed to Vi was that she battled the same type of crippling loneliness that Vi was all too familiar with.
Something about that tragic cerulean that tugged on Vi’s heartstrings, regardless how hard she tried to fight it.
And that was when Vi folded.
She’d wandered into the flower shop to make a point. To let the gorgeous mongoose of a woman know that no one wanted her here, and that Vi was set on destroying her.
Instead of reaching said goal, however, Vi had merely managed make a fool of herself, fall even more head over heels for this beautiful goddess named Caitlyn, and she was slowly coming to the painful discovery that she really did not want to stop talking to Caitlyn.
She was intrigued by her beyond the superficial attraction. She wanted to get to know Caitlyn and learn what made her smile. What she did in her spare time. How many hearts she’d broken over the years. Whether she had family around these parts. If she was into horror movies, and what tv shows she liked to watch.
Vi found herself longing to observe her from a distance as she took care for her flowers, and learn about her life back in the UK-
Which was a very, very alarming sign.
And yet, the ship had sailed already. There was nothing to be done now.
Vi’s subconscious had already latched on to the dream of a woman, who owned the flower shop across the street.
Vi’s first hint of defeat came with a deep sigh, followed by a guilty glare. Said glare was then replaced by a soft grin and an outstretched hand. “Alright, cupcake, you win this one. How about a fresh start?”
Her open palm lingered between them a couple seconds, while Caitlyn simply stared at it as she made up her mind.
“Alright then” long fingers brushed Vi’s own, when Caitlyn took a firm hold of her hand and agreed to their fresh start with a firm shake. “Fresh start it is”