Chapter Text
"Medkittt" A soft, gentle voice appeared in Medkit's nightmare.
The voice had suddenly interrupted his nightmare of seeing Subspace's Biograft slash him into tiny pieces. Medkit suddenly opened his eyes in a flash, gasping in a panic as the cold breeze of Blackrock had suddenly faded away. He was still in a state of shock as the gushing, warm, blood had stained his clothes and hands. He then started to look around frantically in his nightmare, confused as to what and where this voice was coming from and why his nightmare had suddenly shifted to a more dark, blank, box with some random voice speaking.
"He's not gonna wake up if you keep saying his name like that idiot!" These voices were awfully familiar. Could it be?
"Then what do you want me to do Rocket? Throw my sword at his face?" Ah. It was just Sword and Rocket.
Medkit groggily woke up to see Sword sitting next to him in the back seat, Rocket was outside the truck waiting with an annoyed expression on his face as his dolphin tail angrily thumped on the ground repeatedly.
"See Rocket? I told you he'd wake up!" Sword smirked at Rocket mischievously.
"Whatever you bum" Rocket hissed as he turned away to look at the cafe.
"Are we... Here?" Medkit managed to slur out while yawning.
"Yeah! It doesn't look open though..." Sword answered as Medkit stood up from his laying position.
"Just follow me." Medkit got out of the truck as he led the way with Rocket and Sword exchanging confused glances.
There the cafe stood. It had a big "CLOSED" sign on the front of the door, the lights were off and it didn't seem like anyone was in there. Did Medkit come too late? Or did Vinestaff forget about the meet ups? Surely, she wouldn't just forget after suggesting the idea... Right? Medkit slowly approached the door a little closer as Rocket and Sword took a singular step closer.
"Medkit maybe we should just go somewhere else..." Rocket mumbled as Sword nodded.
"Vinestaff!" Medkit softly knocked on the door, waiting for the supposed flower inphernal to answer.
"This isn't gonna wor-" Sword was suddenly interrupted by the sudden chime of the door's bell.
For a moment, it went awkwardly silence as the door suddenly shot wide open. Medkit glanced over at the two who were shaking their head not to go in. Nonetheless Medkit still went in, a bit wary about what was to come. As he walked inside, he could hear his footsteps echo inside the cafe with Rocket and Sword standing just outside the door before rushing towards Medkit with a worried expression.
"I don't think this is safe..." Sword whispered, flinching a little after Rocket brushed his dolphin tail against Sword.
"Oops that's just my tail" Rocket playfully teased Sword.
"Not funny!" Sword hissed, tugging at Rocket's horns in a playful way.
Medkit glared at the bickering friends as he noticed something pink lit up in the dark. It was a bit strange as this pink lit up thing was awfully shaped like an inphernal's horn. Did someone break in? Or was this just Vinestaff? Medkit creeped up a bit closer to see what this pink glowing thing was until he let out a sigh of relief. It was just Vinestaff who was brewing a black coffee... In the dark?
"Who is that?" Sword asked Medkit who was gazing at Vinestaff.
"That's Vinestaff." Medkit answered before strolling towards Vinestaff.
"Wait you might scare her!" Rocket quickly dashed in front of Medkit.
Medkit softly nudged Rocket away before giving him a thumbs up, trying to tell him that he'll be okay. unfortunately, Rocket thought Medkit was agreeing with him to not suddenly go up to Vinestaff. It sounded like she was softly humming to herself, her tail making some swishing noises softly as the smell of coffee filled the kitchen.
"Vinestaff?" Medkit softly spoke as Vinestaff turned towards Medkit.
"Medkit!! You came!" Vinestaff beamed as she went over to turn on the lights to the whole cafe, revealing her wagging fish tail and sparkling eyes.
"Yeah. I uhm... Also brought some other inphernals. If that's okay." Medkit glanced over at Rocket and Sword who were shuffling around trying to look awesome.
"No worries Medkit! I'm fine with some guests, the more the merrier!" Vinestaff shoots a cheerful smile towards Medkit.
Medkit sighs a relief as he gives a hasty nod towards Vinestaff, glad that she doesn't mind the extra company. He glanced back over at the cafe's lobby and back at Vinestaff who was pouring the black coffee into a small mug that had these paw print designs all over it. The tranquility was killing Medkit, even if he could he hear the small whisper arguments Sword and Rocket were having.
"I'll be sitting in a booth with the others." Medkit told Vinestaff, unsure as to what to say with the awkward silence.
"Okay! I got your black coffee ready for you; I'll bring the menu over in a minute!" Vinestaff responded as Medkit walked out.
Medkit looked over at the place Sword and Rocket were hanging out while he was talking to Vinestaff, until he realized they were already at a booth. They were waving at him and signaling him to come over and sit down with him. With a heavy sigh, Medkit started stepping over to the booth, hearing Vinestaff's own footsteps trailing behind his.
He reached towards the booth, sitting down by himself as usual with Sword and Rocket sitting together. They were chatting about a recent adventure they had before turning their attention towards Medkit and then glancing over at Vinestaff who was setting down the menus for the two and placing Medkit's black coffee on his side.
"Thank you for the black coffee, even if I didn't order it." Medkit thanked Vinestaff who's tail wagged a little at the gratitude.
"It's no problem! You asked that last time, so I decided to make it ahead of time!" Vinestaff replied, her eyes holding in Medkit's eye before Sword had to ask a question.
"Sorry if this feels a little intrusive but how did you guys meet?" Sword put a hand behind his head as he asked.
Medkit gave a quick glance towards Vinestaff who was in a thinking position, probably trying to figure out a lie she could use to not say anything but Medkit almost dying. Medkit back over at Sword and Rocket who were listening with intrigued eyes.
"It's a long story... Really!" Vinestaff says with this unsure tone Medkit notices.
"Can you give us a short story then?" Rocket leaned in closer to listen.
"It's a complex story that's unusually long and we can't give you a short version." Medkit quickly answers, keeping a stoic face on as he sipped his coffee.
Sword and Rocket exchange a puzzled glance before shrugging it off and looking at the menu. Medkit notices Sword eyes bubble into sparkles as he starts pointing towards these pastries the cafe has as Rocket asks Vinestaff questions about the items on the menu and how they taste like.
"These are SO cute I almost feel bad for wanting to eat them!" Sword's tail bounces happily as he gushed over the many options.
"Sword they're inanimate you'll be fine" Rocket tells Sword with an annoyed expression.
"Wait... Do we have to pay for these?" Sword asks, tilting his head as he looks at Vinestaff.
"I would say yes... But for now, you two can get a pass" Vinestaff says with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Rocket and Sword turn towards each other with a big grin on their face as Medkit turns to look over at Vinestaff, confused as to why she let them off with having to pay for the pastries and stuff. He thought for a moment before inquiring something.
"Why didn't you say yes?" Medkit raised a brow.
"It wouldn't be fair if they had to pay and you didn't" Vinestaff admits to Medkit and his eyes widen a little.
"It would've been fine either way. I know how these two act, they'll whine before surrendering and paying up the bux."
"Still though..."
Vinestaff turns away from Medkit before focusing her attention on the two who were still discussing what they wanted from the menu before nodding at each other and looking up at Vinestaff with a smile.
"Can we get this cute paw-shaped cookie, this cat cookie, and 2 cat-shaped donut?" Sword asked, his smile practically melting Vinestaff.
"Yeah of course! It might take a while though... And taste a bit funny... I'm not the best at baking stuff you see" Vinestaff wraps a hand around her arm as she speaks.
"Oh no worries! Hey Rocket, we should help her out with baking because she's letting us not pay for the pastries!" Sword grins at Rocket as Rocket turns to give an anxious expression to Medkit.
"Aww! That'd be lovely! I'd appreciate some help!" Vinestaff beams with this soft smile.
"Miss, it's okay! You see... I can help you! Sword, you can stay back!" Rocket says, nervously laughing as he glares at Sword.
"Why not both of you go help her out? I'll be there to make sure none of you does anything stupid." Medkit suggests as the three looked at him with curiosity.
"That could work! Come on in the kitchen! I'll be waiting" Vinestaff approved of Medkit's idea.
Medkit followed behind the three of them as they entered the kitchen, it was well kept with two other aprons hanging on the side of a wall. One appeared to be blue with cat paw prints all over while the other apron had a highlighter green color with shuriken's all over the apron. He noticed a couple shuriken's stuck to the ceiling paired up with some balls and thorns when he looked up. What in the world?
"I got the recipe!" Vinestaff's voice suddenly broke Medkit's observing as Sword and Rocket trailed over to Vinestaff.
"I guess we can each bake a recipe, although keep an eye on Sword..." Rocket glared at Sword who was too busy thinking about which pastry he wanted to bake.
"I can make the cat cookie!" Sword chirped.
"Okay then, I'll make the paw-shaped cookie" Rocket chimed in.
"Then I'm fine making the cat-shaped donuts!" Vinestaff radiantly expressed.
Medkit mused at the three going around working like a team as they gathered all the needed ingredients, measuring supplies, and bowls. He watched carefully and intently, making sure none of them messed up a step in their recipe or for some odd reason, set something on fire. Although, he did have to countlessly approach Sword and help him out a little as he almost used a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon.
"What's the difference between the letters of tablespoon and teaspoon? They look the same!" Sword grumbled.
"Tablespoon is TBsp. Teaspoon is Tsp." Medkit explained, pointing at the B in tablespoon.
"That's just a one letter difference though!"
"Sword, PLEASE, WORK." Rocket hissed from afar.
Medkit heard Vinestaff chuckle a little at the sight of Rocket and Sword arguing about whether they should focus on the fact 'tablespoon' and 'teaspoon' have a one letter difference or how they should get back to baking. Medkit quietly walked back to the little corner he was leaning against the wall to watch and listen the fiasco going on in the kitchen, slightly smiling.
"SWORD, DO YOU SEE THE WIDTH DIFFERENCE?" Rocket pointed angrily at the tablespoon and teaspoon he was holding.
"YES, I DO ROCKET! BUT LOOK AT THE SYMBOLS!" Sword bickered at Rocket who was baring his teeth.
"Okay that's enough you two! Get back to work" Vinestaff picked up Rocket and plopped him back at his counter where he was making the paw-shaped cookie.
Sword stomped his way back to his counter as he stuck his tongue at Rocket who was lashing his tail angrily while clenching his fists. Medkit noticed Vinestaff approaching him, her steps having a rhythmic tune before stopping by the little corner Medkit decided to cuddle himself in. She was grinning a little as he tilted his head, confused as to what Vinestaff wants from him.
"Your friends remind me of my brothers!" She giggled softly.
"Say, do you want to help me frost the donuts?"
"I think I'll pass. Someone's gotta watch Sword" Medkit turned down Vinestaff's offer.
"I think he'll be fine for now! It looks like he's got the hang of it too!"
Medkit skimmed a look towards Sword, who was actually somehow doing it and mixing the dough of his cat cookie. Medkit then looked back at Vinestaff before sighing, surely it wouldn't hurt to frost a donut? Right?
"Fine, I'll frost one. But I'm going back to watching Sword after I'm done" Medkit told Vinestaff.
"Yay!" Vinestaff cheered before handing Medkit a piping bag and heading towards her counter.
Medkit followed behind, taking a quick look at Sword, watching him mix his ingredients together with little to no struggle. Medkit softly smiled at the sight of that before focusing on the frosting donuts with Vinestaff. He stood next to Vinestaff at the counter as she carefully squished her piping bag, watching all the frosting land onto the donut in a swift and smooth movement. Medkit traced Vinestaff's steps before trying to imitate what she was doing, although his was a lot less precise and messy, but it still came out looking almost similar to Vinestaff's donut, just... Not that skilled looking.
"Wow! Your donut looks amazing Medkit!" Vinestaff's eyes glimmered.
"It's almost like a duplicate of mine!"
"I would say it doesn't look the best." Medkit mumbled.
"Oh, don't say that Medkit, I think you did good!"
Medkit couldn't help but admire Vinestaff's kindness, she was kind, maybe too kind. Yet she isn't that chatty. Which is weird because she's being very expressive with him. Maybe she was just in a bad mood yesterday? Or, more so shocked because of what she had to witness. Who knows, because Medkit's thoughts would be rudely interrupted by Sword who had somehow managed to mess up something.
"Uh... Guy's... I think there's something wrong with my cookie" Sword shuddered as he spoke.
"What is it? You put your sword in it?" Rocket teased before looking at the cookie in the oven.
About 13 minutes had past, so both Sword and Rocket's cookies should've been done by the same time. But... Something was wrong with Sword's cookie. It wasn't rising. Nor did it really look cooked. Instead, it was spreading out for some reason. It also looked unusually wet. Did Sword somehow mess up his recipe when Medkit was frosting the donuts?
"Sword, what happened?" Medkit tried to get an answer or some sort of clue.
"I don't know! I waited for my cookie to be done and then I see this!" Sword explained.
"Maybe you added too much of a liquid... I've had this happened to my brothers before" Vinestaff pondered as she examined the cookie.
"Sword, what did you misread" Rocket grabbed Sword's recipe, pointing at the ingredients list as Sword walked over.
"Oh shit." Sword head wings drooped.
Everyone looked at Sword, waiting for an answer as to what in the world did he mess up in the recipe. Surely it was just an accident, and he didn't do it on purpose... Right? Medkit's foot started to tap, the anticipation killing him as he could feel his heartbeat rise. On the other hand, Vinestaff was shuffling her feet around, occasionally taking a look at Sword before looking back down, it seems like she too was suffering from the anticipation.
"I added 3 cups of milk instead of 3 tablespoons..." Sword snivelled.
"YOU WHAT?!" Rocket snarled, filling the silence and anticipation everyone had been awaiting.
"I could've sworn I saw him get tablespoons instead of a whole measuring cup" Medkit put his hand on his forehead, confuzzled as to how Sword got away with that.
"You... Do know that Tbsp and C are very different from eachother... Right??" Vinestaff let out an annoyed sigh as she took out the wet cookie dough from the oven with some oven mittens on the side.
"I was working too fast... Sorry Rocket..." Sword bewailed, apologizing to Rocket for his mistake.
"It's fine Sword," Rocket let out a heavy sigh.
"We have 3 extra pastries at least?"
Sword smiled as his feathered tail started to wag. He then went on to grab Rocket into a huge, comfy hug, smiling as his tears fell down from his face. Vinestaff walked over towards Medkit to stand beside him, she beamed at the friends hugging it out, reminding her of her brothers that somehow always manages to fix things up. Medkit watched contently before going over to package up the pastries they had made for them to take home.
After packaging up Sword and Rocket's pastries, they decided it was best to leave as the sun was starting to set. The two friends waved goodbye to Medkit and Vinestaff with a smile and many thanks for the free pastries before setting off to their homes.
"Well, that was an experience!" Vinestaff smiled at Medkit who nodded.
"Sorry if they were a bit of a... Bundle to handle." Medkit looked over at Vinestaff with a slight nervous look.
"Oh no worries about that! My brothers are worse"
Medkit perked up about hearing Vinestaff's brothers somehow being worse than Sword and Rocket.
"How worse are we talking?" Medkit couldn't help but curiously ask.
"SO worse! They keep bugging me about meeting you one day and almost burned down the cafe's kitchen" Vinestaff spat angrily as she mentioned the burning down the kitchen part.
"I guess that explains all those objects stuck in the ceiling" Medkit peeked over at the cafe's kitchen before looking back at Vinestaff.
Vinestaff giggled at the mention of that before bursting into laughter. She softly wiped a tear from her eye from all the laughing before gazing at Medkit who was looking at her with a perplexed look.
"It's a real long story as to how those got there. Really" Vinestaff cheerfully smiled.
Medkit raised a brow, already wanting to hear this story about how those gears managed to get stuck on the ceiling like that. While yes, it was getting dark, Medkit didn't mind staying a bit late in the cafe with Vinestaff. Maybe it was better to get to know her a little considering he's staying here instead of at the church's cafe in the afternoon for probably the rest of his life. His eye would glint with a sign of amusement, ready to hear this so called 'long story'. And that's when he suddenly spoke.
"Let's sit over at the booth over there together. I'm a bit... Intrigued on this certain 'long story'" Medkit pointed over at the booth before walking over there, his heels tapping against the hard floor as for a moment, he could hear Vinestaff's tail wagging vigorously.
"That'd be great!" Vinestaff would say as her shoes started to echo throughout the cafe.
Medkit sat down on the booth chair as Vinestaff sat on the opposite side before explaining the story of the stuck gears in the ceiling. Medkit softly smiled at the story as Shuriken and Slingshot did in fact resemble Sword and Rocket a little, although Slingshot was more mature than Rocket if he had to compare the two. Shuriken and Sword were exactly the same, except maybe Shuriken was a bit smarter.
And so, the story came to an end. It was quite intriguing surprisingly, Medkit liked how different yet similar Vinestaff, Shuriken, and Slingshot were and how Vinestaff had admitted to her childish actions when she had accidentally used her gear to summon thorns to stop the arguing of her brothers when halfway through the story. There were some... Interesting and questionable parts Medkit was a bit puzzled about, like their traditions and all that stuff and how Katana somehow was mentioned in the story.
Medkit suddenly caught himself gazing at Vinestaff after having a small thought process as Vinestaff tilted her head a little, probably confused about why Medkit was staring at her for a while.
"Sorry, I tend to think a lot of things." Medkit apologized, noticing Vinestaff's soft grin.
"Don't worry about it! I think about a lot of things too!" Vinestaff gave a toothy smile to Medkit.
Medkit gave a soft but subtle smile to Vinestaff in return for the reassurance that he wasn't the only one who spaced out when thinking. Then it went silent for a moment as usual, it always went silent when there was nothing to talk about. That was until Vinestaff asked Medkit something.
"Sorry if this is a bit sudden but, my brothers really want to meet you for some odd reason! Even if I've yelled at them 'no' multiple times they just won't stop! Well, at least Slingshot did until Shuriken nudged him further... So, I was wondering if it was okay if you wanted to meet them tomorrow?" Vinestaff inquired Medkit, biting her lip as her tail swished around in a nervous movement.
"I would not mind that I suppose... Considering they were also watching me before you took me in" Medkit replied, a bit unsure with his answer and already regretting what he just said.
"Are you sure? I-I mean we can schedule another day!" Vinestaff stammered.
"Let's just get it over with. No need to have the pressure on you for the whole week"
"Oh? Really? Are you sure you want that? I'm just double-checking sorry if I'm repeating questions...!"
"No need to be sorry about something so small. And, yes, I'm sure. Although I do have to ask, will you be okay with it?"
It went quiet. Medkit noticed Vinestaff open her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Vinestaff would then look away, her finger tapping on her wood arm as her head held low. She would then look up at Medkit with a soft grin on her face as she held Medkit's eye contact, the moonlight glistening on them as she spoke.
"I'll be okay with it as long as you're okay with it" Vinestaff's toothy smile held in place as Medkit contently tapped his foot onto the floor.
"Then it's set. Also, it's getting awfully dark with the moon already out. I should get going" Medkit pointed out the moonlight that reflected over the two.
Vinestaff nodded, noticing the moon staring down at them as she stood up after Medkit stood up. Medkit walked over at the door, ready to exit before Vinestaff had suddenly said something.
"Thank you Medkit. For asking if I was okay with the uhm... Thingy!" Vinestaff chirped.
"It's just normal Inphernal decency. Nothing else" Medkit would reply before exchanging a goodbye wave to Vinestaff.
Vinestaff watched Medkit walked away, the moonlight radiating under him as the shadows slowly consumed him, no longer letting the moon shine its radiant light under Medkit.
She softly turned away, thinking for a moment as she hummed softly to herself. Her eyes shimmering under the moon's glimmer. She softly smiled to herself before getting herself propped up to leave the cafe.