Chapter Text
The news was on in the background. Another person found dead in the alleyway over on the Upper East Side that was deemed ‘Purgatory’.
Just in time for Christmas, the media renamed their favourite serial killer to ‘The Devil’s Butcher’. The body was mangled beyond belief. Eyes gouged out, crowbar punctures, bashed in skull. Of course Ronin was the one to kill this guy, especially since the body was in Purgatory.
Ronin had sent an image of this victim late the previous night, so she knew what the body looked like despite the news coverage censoring it.
What intrigued her, however, was what the anchors said was written in blood on one of the building walls.
‘D E A T H O F C H R I S T , B I R T H O F A D E V I L’
The victim was apparently a pastor in his 50s who’d previously been in jail for 5 counts of rape and 4 counts of sexual assault of a minor. A disgusting man, really. Wendy wished she and Ronin could’ve tag-teamed the guy.
Wendy called Ronin.
“How rude of you, murdering a man in uptown and not even inviting me along for the ride,” Wendy said the moment the man picked up.
“What can I say, darlin’? Didn’t know you would’ve been up for some holy man manslaughter.”
Wendy giggled at that.
“What you wrote was… I liked it.” She said quietly.
Ronin went quiet for a moment.
“Fucked over by god too, huh?” The burgundy-haired man asked.
“I thought you already knew, Ro,” replied Wendy.
“Tell me, how grotesque do you like your lovers?”
“More grotesque than fair, that’s for certain,”
“Good, I am that grotesqueness.” He said.
“Am I your perfect rot, then?” The greenette asked.
“Perfect rot and all that’s fucked up, darl,” Ronin answered. “Wendy, darling, whaddya say we play another game?”
“I don’t see why not. But you’re going first, and same rules as last time.”
“Deal,”
“Truth. Where in the city are you?” Wendy inquired.
“Lower East Side, same as you.” He leaned back in his chair.
“How’d you know I’m on the Lower East?” Wendy hesitated.
“Are you that dense? I’m the server owner, I got your IP the second you joined.”
Wendy exhaled and let out a laugh, though there was little mirth in it.
“Figures, looks like it's a matter of who finds who first then.” She shuddered.
“Hey, you’re the one reaching for conclusions. I only know your general location, you can’t find exact places with an IP address. Don’t be ‘fraid, darlin’. Not like I’m gonna kill ya.”
“I suppose you’re right…”
“Truth, what’s the name of your shop?”
Another mirthless laugh from Wendy.
“Do I have a stalker on my hands now? A reason to sharpen my knives?”
“If you wanna, but you wouldn’t. You like me too much, darlin’,” A laugh filled with joy. Wendy could imagine a noise complaint from the neighbors if it wasn’t only 18:00.
“It’s ‘Wendy Darling’s Wildflowers’,” Wendy responded.
“So on brand, Wendy, I’m impressed.”
“Why? Because it’s a Peter Pan reference? Sue me for liking storybooks.”
“So it’s the books you like, not the movies?” Ronin asked.
“‘Course, it’s what I grew up with. Amish people can’t even own TVs. Though… I do have a soft spot for the Tinker Bell movies, started watching em once I settled down.”
“Cute,” he said.
~
The store bell jingled.
“Hello, I’m looking for some flowers for my daughter’s performance tonight.”
Cute, a family man. Wendy would spare him unless he gave her reason to do otherwise.
Wendy turned around to look at the new customer. Salt-and-pepper hair that was slicked back, a suit and tie. Clearly a businessman. If Wendy didn’t know he was trying to be present in his daughter’s life, she would’ve certainly targeted him.
“Interesting choice of, um, muzak.” He pointed out.
Run, baby, run
Run for your life
“Ah, that… Well, we are an alternative flower shop. The music should reflect that.
Imma tear out your heart
It’ll always be mine~
“I… see,”
Ugh, he had a stick up his ass.
“Do you know what flowers your daughter likes?” Wendy asked.
“Roses and tulips. White and pink, I believe.”
“Well I can certainly get that for you,”
Wendy walked over to one end of her shop and grabbed some pink roses and tulips, before moving down to grab white ones. She tied them together in a pink ribbon and placed them in a wrapper.
“Well, I hope your daughter enjoys these. That’ll be $20,”
The man took out his wallet and gave two tens, crumpled and worn.
“Thank you kindly,” he said.
The store bell jingled.
~
That night, Wendy decided to message Angel.
4 January, 2026
{damselnotindistress} [19:26]
yooooooooooo angelllllll
can we talk rq
{angelic} [19:28]
Yeah
What’s up?
{damselnotindistress} [19:28]
it’s lowkey easier if we call, that okay?
{angelic} [19:29]
Sure
@angelic is calling you
Wendy quickly answered.
“I think I have a crush on Ronin,” she quickly spat out.
“That’s so sweet! I hope it works out for you!” Angel replied.
“Thank you,” Wendy said. “Any advice?”
“Hm,” Angel thought for a moment. “Be patient with him. And if you want to talk to me about him, feel free!”
“I’ll be talking forever, but thanks!”
“Do you wanna get Misaki and Felicie on the call?” Angel asked.
“Sure, but won’t we be interrupting Feli and Luca’s talking stage?” Wendy joked.
Angel let out a melodic laugh as the two others picked up the call.
“Well, if it isn’t my favourite poison artist!” Misaki greeted cheerfully.
“Hi!” Felicie said.
“Guys, I think I like Ronin,” Wendy announced.
“Aw, that’s so sweet!” Feli responded.
“Remember when we were talking about our favourite scary movies and I said it was Ronin as the Antichrist?” Wendy asked.
“Yeah? And you still only just realised you liked him?” Misaki answered.
“We were flirting back then, but it’s felt… more real since around Christmas.”
“How cute!” Angel exclaimed.
“I want him to carve out my aorta and devour it, filthy and beating,”
“Kay! I see what you’re doing,” Misaki said.
“What? Just being honest,” Wendy giggled.