Archive of Our Own ^beta

     Hecatia closed her laptop and removed her headset, revealing ears marked with black metallic piercings. One of the chains on her earlobe caught on the foam of the earpiece and snagged. She winced as she carefully detangled it and set the headset down on her shiny redwood executive desk. 

     She sat for a moment in her office, soaking in the serenity of silence as her mind cleared of the chatter that had overtaken her ears in the past hour’s meeting. It was the year end for her business, HE.LLC, and her time was absolutely eaten up by meetings with her board. It was like this every year, but this year seemed to be more chaotic than usual. She often found herself staying late nights in the office which was neither good for her nor her family.

     Hecatia’s mind drifted to said family: her girlfriend Junko, her daughter Clownpiece, and their doberman Cerberus. It was Friday, meaning Clownpiece’s daycare was closing early. Hecatia glanced at the silver digital clock on her desk. It was half past 11; she would have to rush to pick her up. 

     She breathed an exasperated sigh through her nose and glanced across her office towards her mohair coat on the coat rack. She made her way over to it and pulled it on. The long warm sleeves covered up the black and red tattoos that ran all along her forearms and biceps. With her piercings, black lipstick, and tattoos, Hecatia didn’t look like the owner of an extremely profitable corporation, but here she was. It was her company, and she felt fit to dress however the hell she felt at HE.LLC. 

     Hecatia collected her purse from the coat rack as well and dug around in it for her keys. She found them after a moment of searching. She pulled them out by the black studded lanyard and spun them around on her finger as she lightly whistled. 

     She stepped through her office door and locked it behind her. A woman sitting at a desk just outside, her secretary Persephone, looked up from her computer as she heard her boss step outside.

     “Heading out Miss Lapislazuli?” The brunette asked. She smiled, her olive skinned face twisted into a polite smile.

     “Picking up my daughter.” Hecatia noted as she stepped up to the desk. “I’ll be out for the rest of the afternoon. I shouldn’t be expecting any important calls, but if Lucy calls, tell him I’ll get back to him on Monday. Ok?”

     “Yes, ma’am.” Persephone nodded. She adjusted her headset and turned her eyes back to the computer without another word. 

     Hecatia pulled her black leather gloves out of her coat’s pockets and slid them onto her hands, preparing for the onslaught of the wintery chill that awaited her. She made her way downstairs and out onto the streets of Chicago, and hurried to the adjacent parking garage to her Mercedes.

     She quickly got into the driver’s seat and closed the door with a slam that echoed through the concrete garage around her. Hecatia quickly turned on the car and put the heater on blast. Cold air came gusting out of the vents. Hecatia shivered and tucked her hands into her coat as she waited for the heater to warm up. Her teeth chattered, and her nose stung from the cold. She had only been outside for a few moments, and yet Chicago’s frigidity had already taken hold of her. 

     Hecatia sat there in her car as it gradually warmed up more and more. She clicked on the heated seat button, and settled into the leather seat. As the internal temperature slowly rose, she let her mind wander… Her stomach twisted nervously inside.

     It was her and Junko’s fourth anniversary today, and she was planning on proposing to her that very evening. She had it all planned out. Clownpiece would be left in the care of Kogasa Tatara, their regular babysitter. Hecatia and Junko would dine at a Michelin starred restaurant, to begin their evening. Flowers would be given to her beloved, of course. Then Hecatia would take her down the Riverwalk boardwalk to admire the waterfront. They would follow that by heading to the Buckingham Fountain at 8pm where Hecatia had hired a string quartet to play their song while she got down on one knee to pop the question with a nearly one and a half karat diamond ring. 

     Hecatia imagined the ring, hidden away in a velvet box in her sock drawer. It was a princess cut haloed gold ring that was just the right size so as to not look heavy on Junko’s delicate fingers.

     Hecatia blushed at the thought of Junko wearing the ring. She had bought it nearly half a year ago, and it had remained hidden in secret since then. She couldn’t wait to actually see it on her Junko. It was a sight she yearned for. Her crimson eyes glazed over as she found herself lost in the daydream. She didn’t even realize the car heater was now blasting at full heat.

     A chime in her pocket alerted her, and pulled Hecatia out of her fantasies. She pulled her phone out, and glanced down at it. A picture she had taken of her Junko and Clownpiece looked up at her from the screen of her phone. Atop it was a notification she had scheduled titled: “Pick up the Squirt” to remind her to get Clownpiece.

     “Shit.” Hecatia said to herself as she read that it was nearly 11:45. Hecatia took the car out of park and drove it out of the gray concrete parking garage with a squealing of her tires. Her fantasies of Junko wearing her ring were long gone as she rushed towards the daycare.

     “Mama, can I have pizza with Miss Kogasa tonight?” Clownpiece asked absently as she stared down at the blocky red and blue tablet she had in her lap.

     Hecatia glanced at her through the rearview mirror. The blonde frizzy haired child strapped into her car seat was watching an episode of Cocomelon very loudly.

     “Sure. But, Sweetie, please turn that down. It’s bothering Mama.” Hecatia said.

     She pulled to a stop at a red light and continued to watch Clownpiece through the mirror.

     Clownpiece didn’t look up. Instead she reached for her sippy cup of orange juice and chugged down a gulp. She blinked, mouth agape, down at the tablet, completely inraptured by it.

     “Sweetie, I said please turn it down.” Hecatia said, her temper flickering.

     Clownpiece began picking her ear with her pinky finger, and fluttered her feet in front of her.

     “Sweetie. Clownpiece. Turn it down” Hecatia said, voice becoming more serious. 

     Clownpiece clumsily put the orange juice back into the car seat’s cup holder and reached for the bag of apple puff stars in the pocket of her overalls.

     “ Aνάθεμά το, child! Turn it down!” Hecatia barked as the light turned green. The car behind her honked.

     Clownpiece jumped at this but didn’t look up. She immediately lowered the volume of her video. “Sorry, Mama.” Clownpiece said as she absently went to shove a few apple puffs into her mouth.

     Hecatia began moving again and turned a corner down a smaller street. She pulled into a side parking space and put the car in park.

     Hecatia swung around and looked at Clownpiece. “Listen when Mama is speaking to you.” Hecatia said as she eyed the tablet on her daughter’s lap. Was she becoming what other mother’s called a tablet kid? Hecatia hoped not… still, it was looking like she was getting addicted to the damn thing. Maybe she needed some good old fashioned face to face time with her mothers. Hecatia knew damn well work had been absorbing too much of her time. She would have to set some time aside to pry that damn tablet away from Clownpiece. She made a mental note of that. She would spend the weekend with her daughter. Tonight, however, was reserved for her and Junko.

     She turned back around and pulled out her phone. She immediately texted Junko: “I’m outside, babe.” before putting it back into her pocket. She had parked the car right in front of Junko’s work. 

Hecatia turned up the stereo as the two of them waited for Junko to come down. The sound of heavy metal filled the car. Hecatia hummed the lyrics to the song as she took out her black lipstick. She pulled down the visor’s mirror and puckered her lips as she reapplied the product to her mouth. It tasted like blackberries. She popped her lips together a few times before she was satisfied. She put the lipstick away and flipped the mirror back up.

     “Mama, why do you wear that color lipstick?” Clownpiece asked as she looked up from her tablet for the first time.

     “Because it’s badass, sweetie.” Hecatia said with a smile.

     “Miss Kochiya, uh, at the daycare, she says it’s weird.”

     “...Your teacher said that?” Hecatia said, her eyebrow twinging down annoyedly. 

     “Uh huh, yeah.” Clownpiece said, fluttering her legs again.

     “I’ll… need to have a word with her.” Hecatia said flatly, trying not to let her anger bubble up. That bitch. Hecatia growled under her breath. 

     “Mommy!” Clownpiece cried. She was looking out her window. Her voice, so full of delight, pulled Hecatia out of her angry mire.

     Hecatia glanced out the window too and saw Junko was approaching the car. Her blond hair and red knitted scarf blew in the biting wind. She winced at the cold as she made her way to the car. She wore a gray pencil skirt that was cut just above her knees and a pair of shiny black high heels. She was wrapped up tightly in a red swing coat with large black buttons. She gave a tired smile when she saw Hecatia and Clownpiece through the glass. She waved and Hecatia waved back.

     Junko opened the passenger side door and sat down. She slammed the door closed as quickly as she could, yet the winter air had already surged in and sent a chill throughout the car.

     Hecatia leaned forwards, lips puckered and waiting for her hello kiss. 

     Junko blushed slightly and pecked Hecatia on her black lips.

     “Hey, babe. How was work?”

     “Ugh…” Junko sighed. She buckled herself in and rubbed her temples.

     “That bad?” Hecatia asked as she took the car out of park and glanced behind her as she began to pull out.

     Junko tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and looked at Hecatia with her tired eyes. There was always a hint of exhaustion behind them, but now it was more pronounced.

     “Well, it’s over now. Hello weekend.”

     “You know you could always quit. I can support the three of us plus Cerberus no problem.” Hecatia noted as she got back onto the main road and began heading in the direction of home.

     “And you know I couldn’t stand sitting around at home doing nothing.” Junko said. She sighed and closed her eyes, apparently this indicated the conversation was over because after a moment she turned around and looked at Clownpiece.

     “Hey, baby, how was daycare?”

     “Good! We got cheez its for snacky time!” Clownpiece shouted excitedly. She bounced up and down.

     Hecatia felt her ears ring with the sheer volume of Clownpiece’s shriek.

     “Mama, turn up the radio! I like this part!” Clownpiece begged Hecatia.

     Hecatia turned up the volume, and Clownpiece sang along with the lyrics.

     “ Disrespect your surroundings!” Clownpiece growled along with the song before she began head banging.

     Hecatia felt a swell of affection bubble inside of her. She really did love that kid, especially when she saw how much she took after her. Hecatia too began to lightly bob her head, her red hair swung around her face as she did so. She smiled as she growled along with Clownpiece to the lyrics.

     Hecatia glanced over at Junko beside her. Junko was picking at her nail cuticles, a bad anxious habit she had picked up after years of trauma and stress. 

     Hecatia removed a hand from the steering wheel and placed it on Junko’s thigh. She gave it a squeeze, then turned it palm up in her lap. Junko immediately stopped picking at her nails and placed her hand in Hecatia’s. They intertwined fingers and held each other like that. Hecatia smiled to herself. The hand she was holding, Junko’s left, would be the hand that would soon (hopefully) hold Hecatia’s engagement ring.

      Junko sighed again and glanced wistfully out the window, watching as the streets passed them by. 

     “Wanna talk about it?” Hecatia asked as Clownpiece began once again playing another loud episode of Cocomelon in the back seat. The voices and chimes of the video mixed with the heavy metal music like salt and sugar. It was terrible.

     Junko silently shook her head. Instead she gave Hecatia’s hand a squeeze and noted, “It looks like it might snow.”

     They drove in silence, the car was filled only with a cacophony of chaos that was the mixture of Cocomelon and Hecatia’s favorite new Nightwish album that had come on. Hecatia hummed along to the song, but kept a close watch on Junko out of the corner of her eye.

     They pulled up to their house not long after. Above, clouds began to pool in from the West. A cold biting wind blew down the streets and assaulted them as Hecatia parked and got out of the car. She slammed the car door shut behind her and walked around back to help Junko unbuckle Clownpiece from her carseat. 

     Clownpiece was freed, and she hopped down out of the car. She took Junko’s hand as they made their way up the driveway towards the front door. The clack clack of Junko’s high heels on the driveway pavement echoed through the December air.

     “Now, Miss Kogasa will be here at 5:00.” Hecatia noted as she pulled out her keys to the front door. She unlocked it and thankfully stepped into the warm interior of the home.

     Clownpiece released Junko’s hand and dashed forwards through the door shouting, “Cerberus, we’re home!”

     The bounding boof s of their doberman rang through the house as he came to greet the three in the threshold. The large black and brown dog met them where they stood, and Clownpiece threw herself into a hug with the beast.

     Hecatia smiled at the scene as she closed and locked the door behind them.

     “Whew…” Junko said as she stepped out of her heels. “My feet are killing me.”

     “Make sure to wear comfortable shoes tonight, dear… We’ll be taking a short walk.”

     “Out in this cold?” Junko asked, with a little distress in her voice.

     Hecatia sighed, sometimes this woman was completely oblivious to her romantic gestures… well she couldn’t blame her after the loss of her husband, romance never really quite clicked with her after his death. Still, Hecatia felt a little desperate, she had planned out this evening months ago. Everything had to go perfect. And that everything included Junko’s mood staying light and happy… which indeed was quite the feat.

     “Just a quick one.” Hecatia said. “Babe, why don’t you lay down for now? I’ll watch Clownpiece and wake you up when it’s time to get ready.”

     “Really?” Junko said, smiling a very small grin.

     “Yes, of course.” Hecatia said silkily. A well rested Junko was a must if this evening was to go perfectly.

     “Great.” Junko leaned down and pecked Hecatia on her cheek. “Thank you, dear.”

     “Anything for you.” Hecatia said. She reached for Junko’s left hand, brought it to her lips, and gave it a kiss.

     Junko smiled tiredly at her and the tiniest hint of a blush dusted her cheeks rosy.

     “Mama, Mommy.” Clownpiece said, looking up at the two of them.

     “Yes?” Hecatia asked, looking away from Junko.

     “Cerberus needs to shit. Can I take him out back?”

     Junko let out a bark of a laugh and turned to Hecatia. 

     “Honey, don’t say shit it’s not a good word.” Hecatia said as she led Clownpiece and the dog farther into the house.

     “You say it!” Clownpiece objected. 

     “I’m a grownup. I pay taxes. You can say it when you’re old enough to vote.” Hecatia chuckled. She brought Clownpiece and Cerberus over towards the back door and unlocked the child lock on the door knob. (They’d had some trouble keeping Clownpiece inside recently and had to get the child proofing installed.)

     Clownpiece, wanting to help, reached up and put her hand on her mother’s as they slid the back door open together. The excited doberman rushed outside, blowing past them, and immediately dashed down the back porch to roll around in the dead grass.

     “Keep an eye on him.” Hecatia said. “Let me know when he needs to come in.”

     Hecatia slid off her coat and extended her hand for Clownpiece’s. Clownpiece quickly tossed her large fluffy coat at her mother before going back to stick her nose flatly against the back door’s glass face. She watched Cerberus happily through the glass.

     Hecatia smiled and ruffled Clownpiece’s already messy hair. She then went back to the front door where Junko had also taken off her coat. Junko opened the coat closet door and hung her coat up on a hanger that was just inside. Hecatia did the same with hers and Clownpiece’s as well.

     When everything was tucked cleanly away, Hecatia rounded back on Junko.

     Junko let out a yawn and leaned down to kiss Hecatia on her cheek.

     “I’ll be taking that nap you promised me.” Junko said tiredly. 

     Hecatia smiled and nodded. She reached up and cupped Junko’s soft lovely round face. 

     “Rest well, my beloved.”

     “Wake me up at 4:00.” Junko said softly, lowly, already eager to get under their duvet’s covers.

     Hecatia nuzzled their noses together in a bunny kiss and nodded. She wanted the moment to go on for much longer than that, but it was over the instant Junko pulled back.

     Junko placed a hand on Hecatia’s shoulder as she walked past her, then she made her way up the stairs towards their bedroom.

     Hecatia turned to watch her go as she ascended up, turned down the hallway, and was out of sight. Her heart did a strange nervous flip remembering the plan she had set up for that night. Hopefully by the morning, she could call that wonderful woman her fiancée. 

     With a sigh, Hecatia made her way back over to Clownpiece who was still smushed up against the back door.

     “Look, Mama! It’s snowing!” Clownpiece said, her breath fogged up the glass before her face.

     “What!?” Hecatia jumped. She peered outside and looked up into the clouds. Indeed, a flurry had started up. Every now and then snowflakes would flutter down out of the looming gray clouds. 

     Hecatia felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold wash down her spine. Would this interfere with her perfect evening she had planned? Hecatia took a step away from the door and made her way into the living room. She quickly turned on the TV and flipped it to the weather.

     “ A surprise snowstorm is set to hit downtown Chicago later tonight.” The weather woman said. “ Stay tuned to see how many inches are expected, after this…”

     Hecatia, eyes wide and unbelieving, sat down on the red sofa across from the TV. A snowstorm? No one had said anything about it before. This was the first she was hearing of it. Ridiculous. She would let nothing spoil her perfect night with her Junko, not even a few inches of snow. A new resolve set in Hecatia’s stomach as she plotted around this new interruption. 

     Just then, Clownpiece trotted back into the room, she was grinning a wild smile and was looking up at the mounted TV.

     “Wow!!! Snow! Do you think Santa will come!?” Clownpiece shrieked.

     Hecatia hushed her, afraid she would wake up Junko. She put her finger to her lips and hissed. 

     “Shh, sweetie...” Hecatia’s ears felt as if they might start steaming. Her mind was overheating as she schemed and plotted around this development. Wait, no this could be good. If they got home before the real brunt of the storm was supposed to hit, a little snow would do nothing more than add to the romantic atmosphere of the night. Right? Right.

     “Cerberus wants to come in.” Clownpiece noted, she crossed the room and took a seat beside Hecatia on the couch.

     With a grunt, Hecatia got up and moved to the back door. She let in Cerberus before bolting the back door behind him. Then she went back to where Clownpiece had sprawled herself out on the couch and took her seat again. She glued her eyes to the TV again as Clownpiece crawled over to her and took a seat in her lap.

     They sat there like that for a long while, watching the forecast. Unfortunately it stated that they were due for about five inches… that would be dangerous rather than atmospherically romantic… Still, the forecast called for it to start past 10pm, so there was hope that this night would work out after all, so long as they got back before the real storm started. It could work. It would work. Hecatia gnawed at her bottom lip as she made the decision then and there that the evening would continue on as planned.

     Before long, 4:00 came around. Hecatia detangled herself out of Clownpiece’s grasp, and got up to wake Junko.

     Hecatia gave Clownpiece the remote and let her flip through the TV’s channels on her own as Hecatia herself pattered her way up the stairs to her and Junko’s room.

     Hecatia placed one heavily pierced ear to the wood of the closed door and listened… Silence. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she listened for any noise coming from the other side.

     “Babe?” Hecatia knocked twice before testing the handle. It was unlocked. Hecatia slipped inside.

     Junko was asleep on her side nuzzled into a ball on their king sized mattress. The sheets were dark gray and black, and were soft and thick. They were perfect for keeping warm during the biting winter nights.

     The room was dark, the blinds had been drawn and only a sliver of silver light pooled in from the window. It stretched across the room and fell upon the bed right atop of Junko’s hips.

     Hecatia made her way over towards the bed and took a seat on her side. She pulled down the blanket slightly to look at Junko’s sleeping face, knowing what she would see.

     Junko’s face was twisted in a mixture of anger and hurt. She always, always, had this expression on when she was in her deepest levels of sleep. Her eyebrows were knitted together and her eyes were squeezed shut. Her lips were pressed thinly together. Her jaw was set tightly.

     Hecatia sighed and brushed a lock of golden hair out of her face.

     “Junko…” Hecatia whispered. She brought her hand to Junko’s shoulder and gave it a small shake. “Babe, wake up. It’s 4:00.”

     Junko let out a groan and rolled over onto her back. She extended her arms into a stretch, nearly clocking Hecatia in the face in the process, and let out a long breathy yawn.

     “Good morning, beautiful.” Hecatia said warmly as Junko’s hot eyes fluttered open. There was still a level of anger seething behind her crimson eyes, but it was extinguished as she rejoined awareness and saw Hecatia’s face.

     “Time to get up?” Junko asked, itching her eye with the back of her hand.

     “Yep.” Hecatia leaned down and kissed Junko’s forehead.

     “Already…?” Junko yawned again and stretched out her legs this time. After a moment of grumbling, Junko pulled herself up to a sitting position and looked at Hecatia flatly.

     “I wouldn’t be waking my beautiful Junko up for nothing. It’s time to get ready.” Hecatia said with a soft smile.

     Junko nodded sleepily and rubbed her eyes once more. 

     “Thanks for watching Clownpiece while I napped.” Junko said as she pulled back the covers and got to her feet.

     “Anything for you.” Hecatia said, and she meant it. She too got up. She crossed around the bed until she came upon Junko standing there blearily. 

     There she took Junko’s soft pale hands in her own and gave them a squeeze. “How did you sleep?” Hecatia asked, smiling dreamily up at Junko.

     Junko simply yawned and shrugged. 

     “Good enough, dear.” Junko said.

     Hecatia smiled and took her hands out of Junko’s soft grasp. Instead, she crossed over to the window and peered out the curtains.

     “It’s snowing…” Hecatia said with a hint of sourness in her voice. Now, the weather had truly picked up. It wasn’t just flurries anymore. Now, it was snowing lightly, yet steadily.

     “Really?” Junko said lightly. She crossed the room and peeked out the window as well. Junko observed the falling snow for a moment before pulling back the curtains fully. Light crashed into the bedroom, illuminating it in a chilled silvery brightness. 

     “I’m going to get dressed.” Junko noted after she turned away from the window. 

     Hecatia continued to watch outside for a long while before she was able to pull herself away to get dressed as well.

     “Can you zip me up?” Junko asked as she turned away from Hecatia. She draped her golden hair over one shoulder to allow full access to her back. She was wearing a form fitting red lace A-line dress. It came down to just below her knees. She had a pair of black pantyhose underneath.

     Hecatia, who was wearing a slender black pantsuit with a sleeveless white sweater underneath, came over to her girlfriend’s side. Hecatia had her short straight shoulder length hair up in a half-bun. Gone was her black lipstick, now in place of it was a very deep bloody cherry color. Her eyes, however, now were thoroughly blacked out with a healthy helping of black and purple eyeshadow and cat eyeliner.

     Just as Hecatia reached for Junko’s back zipper, the doorbell rang.

     “That must be Kogasa.” Junko said as she brushed out the hemline of her skirt with her fingers.

     “I’ll get it. Deep breath.” Hecatia said as she put her hand on Junko’s zipper and swiftly yanked upwards.

     Junko breathed in as the zipper was pulled up, then let it out when she felt it was securely in place.

     “You look beautiful.” Hecatia said to Junko, as she pecked her on the side of the cheek from where she stood behind her.

     “Thanks. You too.” Junko said as she made her way back over towards the vanity where she collected her red lipstick tube and tucked it into her handbag.

     Hecatia smiled at her before hurrying out of the room out into the upstairs hallway.

     “Moms! Miss Kogasa is here!” Clownpiece shrieked happily.

     Hecatia winced at her volume and hurried down the stairs. She made her way forwards towards the door and unbolted it. She opened it and found that it was indeed Kogasa Tatara.

     Kogasa was a short yet broad woman. She studied at a trade school somewhere nearby, but Hecatia couldn’t remember what exactly for. Either way, she was a kind woman, and better than that, she was Clownpiece’s favorite babysitter. She was able to put up with Clownpiece’s violent bursts of energy better than just about anyone else, save for Hecatia herself and Junko. Anyone who could do that was a must have.

     Kogasa’s face lit up when she saw Hecatia. Hecatia smiled back. She could see that Kogasa was holding an umbrella to keep the snow off. It was already covered with snow from the short wait she had while Hecatia had rushed to answer the door.

     Hecatia took a quick glance around the front yard and found it was dusted with a fine layer of snow. Hecatia noted with a feeling of dread that the snow was sticking.

     “Come in, you must be freezing.” Hecatia said, shaking her head of this worry and stepping aside.

     “Thank you Miss Lapislazuli.” Kogasa said with a quick bow. She squeezed inside and unclipped her poncho coat.

     “Kogasa!” Clownpiece cheered. She ran to give Kogasa a hug and collided with her. Kogasa was nearly knocked off of her feet with the crash.

     “Clownpiece, behave.” Hecatia scolded her, feeling a twinge of annoyance.

     “Kogasa! Mama said we can order pizza!” Clownpiece said, not listening.

     “I’m leaving thirty dollars on the table for pizza. You know the drill, don’t let her have soda after 7:00.” Hecatia noted, prying her daughter off of Kogasa.

     “Yes, of course!” Kogasa said. She stepped out of her boots and set them aside. She closed her umbrella and set it just inside the door to dry.

     “Dear?” Called Junko’s voice from upstairs.

     “Yeah, babe?” Hecatia called back up.

     “Can you help me with this necklace?” Junko called again.

     “Be right there.” Hecatia turned to Kogasa and put her hand on her shoulder. “I’ll leave Clownpiece in your capable hands then.”

     “Yes, ma’am.” Kogasa nodded with a smile. She patted a backpack that she had brought with her and turned to Clownpiece. “Hey, wanna color some pictures of bugs?”

     “Yes!” Clownpiece shouted.

     Hecatia smiled at them before hurrying back up the stairs to her girlfriend. She heard Kogasa unzip her backpack behind her and Clownpiece cheering at the coloring books she presented.

     “What’s up?” Hecatia said, opening the bedroom door again.

     Junko stood with her back towards Hecatia, she had a gold chain that she was trying and failing to clip behind her head. Junko clicked her tongue in aggravation.

     “I can’t get this damn thing on.” Junko said, fumbling with the clasps.

     “I got it.” Hecatia said, moving to her side. She took the clasps from Junko’s hands and skillfully connected them together.

     “There you go.” Hecatia said, kissing Junko’s shoulder blade. Junko shivered at this and turned around with a cat-like smile on her face.

     “What?” Hecatia asked, a thrill of excitement coursing through her at her girlfriend’s expression.

     “You tickled me.” Junko said with a breathy laugh.

     “Oh?” Hecatia wrapped her arms around Junko’s waist. “How about I just find another place to kiss you then? One that isn’t so ticklish.”

     “You’re the world’s biggest flirt Ms. Lapislazuli.” Junko teased. She shook her head.

     “I can’t help it. I have the world’s most amazing and beautiful- girlfriend.” Hecatia stumbled. For a second there she had almost said fiancée. She looked up at Junko, seeing if she had alerted her, but nothing was amiss. Junko simply rolled her eyes. Phew…

     “Why don’t you head downstairs and feed Cerberus? I’ll be right down.” Hecatia said, releasing Junko from her embrace.

     “Okay. I’ll get your coat ready for you too.” Junko said, kissing Hecatia’s forehead.

     Hecatia smiled after her as Junko exited the room and closed the door behind her.

     Hecatia moved in an instant. She crossed through the room over towards the dresser. There, she dug out the velvet box containing the diamond ring. She slipped it into her handbag quickly and clipped the bag closed behind it. Tonight would be perfect. It had to be.

     Hecatia and Junko drove down a crowded street, windshield wipers on full blast. The snow was coming down heavier now, it hit Hecatia’s windshield in clumps and immediately melted away. Hecatia scowled at it as it fluttered down.

     “You look like you’re in pain.” Junko noted. She was sitting in the passenger seat, bundled up in her swing coat, gloves, and matching beret. She was wearing a frown on her pretty face. That together with her chronically tired eyes, made her look downright miserable.

     Hecatia glanced at her and felt a chill of panic run up her spine. No, this couldn’t be happening. Junko was supposed to be happy tonight. Get it together, or she’ll be worrying all evening. 

     Hecatia cleared her throat and forced a smile. Her eyebrows untightened, immediately making her face more relaxed.

     “Sorry, babe. Just concentrating on the road.”

     “You sure?” Junko asked. She began picking at her cuticles.

     “More than sure. Give me your hand.” Hecatia said, holding out her right hand for Junko to take. Her black polished fingers reached for her girlfriend with one hand as the other clasped the wheel tightly.

     Junko gave her a small relieved smile and took Hecatia’s hand.

     “Sorry, you know I hate driving in the snow.” Hecatia said.

     “How much are we supposed to get?” Junko inquired.

     “I’ve heard five inches, but it’s not supposed to hit before 10:00.” Hecatia noted.

     “Looks like it’s starting a little early… Are you sure we should be out? Maybe we should just go back and spend our anniversary with Clownpiece?”

     “And spend our romantic night watching Cocomelon and Roblox videos? I don’t think so.” Hecatia barked out a laugh. 

     Hecatia took her hand back from Junko’s and put it back on the wheel. She used it to turn the wheel as they made their way down another street. They were about 15 minutes from their destination, a fancy restaurant on West Walnut street. 

     As the car turned, Hecatia felt the back wheels skitter against the pavement as she hit a patch of black ice.

     “Fuck…” She gasped under her breath. She put her hands flatly on the steering wheel and held on tight. Luckily, the car remained mostly under her control, and she was able to steady it easily enough. The car evened out and they continued down the street with no further issue.

     “Damn it, Hecatia, be careful.” Junko said. She had one hand on her heart, the other was holding the overhand handle.

     “Sorry. Black ice.” Hecatia said.

     “I guessed as much.” Junko said. She took her hands and put them back in her lap again. She sighed and looked at Hecatia with her sad tired eyes.

     “Maybe we should-”

      BANG

      BOOM

     Their car jolted unnaturally forwards, spinning slightly.

     Hecatia’s mind worked a mile a minute as she parsed what just happened. She slammed hard on the breaks, and glanced behind her. There was a tan car behind them very close. Uncomfortably close. Hecatia put it together in an instant. A car behind them had turned, following them. The car had slipped on the same patch of black ice, and had rear ended them in the moment of uncontrol. 

     “SHIT. Junko are you okay?” Hecatia pulled off the street and parked on the side of the road. The tan car followed in suit.

     “Fine…” Junko said breathlessly. She looked over at Hecatia, she seemed unhurt, but her eyes were the size of dinner plates.

     Hecatia, fuming now, got out of the car, slammed the car door shut behind her, and rounded on the woman who was getting out of the tan car behind them.

     “Is- is everyone okay?” Was the first thing the woman asked.

     She was very short and was wearing a camo jacket and a paperboy’s cap.  Her hair was green and curly and her bangs clung to her sweaty forehead.

     “What the fuck!? ” Hecatia asked, she immediately surveyed her car.

     There was a sizable dent in the back of her black Mercedes. Worse, her back left tire was popped and flat. The smell of burnt rubber filled the snowy air. Hecatia turned to the tan car and found the hood was crumpled inwards on itself. Her eyes traveled up to the woman as she scowled.

     The woman was crying now, large fat tears pooled out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her beaten up jacket.

     “I’m so sorry… There was ice and-”

     “Save it.” Hecatia said sourly. Her miry pit of anger was back. She felt as if she were about to bite off the woman’s head. She was about to shout at her, when Junko came around the back of the car and put a hand on her shoulder.

     “Are you okay, Miss?” Junko asked the woman.

     “Yeah… just… shaken up…”

     “I’m Junko, and this is Hecatia.” Junko said. “There’s no need to cry… It was an accident.” She said this through chattering teeth. It had gotten cold out, colder than before.

     “Takane.” The woman replied. “I’m… so sorry.”

     “You should be!” Hecatia barked. This was perfect, her entire evening was ruined.

     The sun had set and was low beyond the horizon. Only now did the last warmth of daylight barely stretch past the Western sky. The street lights flickered on as they exchanged information and called for tow trucks.

     Unfortunately, in this weather, the woman from the towing company informed them that it would be another hour before she could get out to them. This was just perfect.

     Hecatia seethed. Her cheeks were hot even in the cold. She couldn’t even speak to Takane. Junko was the one who had to settle things on that end. If Hecatia approached her, she knew that she would completely snap.

     Hecatia had called Kogasa and told her they would either be very early coming home, or very late. It was hard to tell. The only thing she knew for certain was that her car was undrivable and they were stranded there until the tow decided to show up.

     “Hecatia…” Junko said tiredly as she put a hand on Hecatia’s shoulder.

     Hecatia nearly brushed it off, she was furious, but was set on not snapping at her girlfriend.

     “What.” Hecatia said between gritted teeth.

     “All we can do now is wait.” Junko said. “Do you want to wait in the car?”

     “I don’t care.” Hecatia said shortly.

     Junko sighed. Snowflakes had landed in her eyelashes. She blinked them away like tears. Then, her eyes fluttered up, over Hecatia’s shoulder. They came to land on the restaurant on the street corner where they were stuck.

     “I’m starving.” Junko said after a moment.

     “Well our reservation is long gone by now…” Hecatia said glumly. She looked up at Junko then over to Takane who was sitting in her passenger side seat with the door open.

     “Why don’t we go there?” Junko asked. She pointed at the red glowing sign a few dozen yards away.

     Hecatia looked over at it. It looked tragically common. 

     “ Innertown Pub?” Hecatia asked incredulously. “What is it?”

     “I don’t know. But I’m hungry. Let’s go with Takane and get some dinner.”

     “Ugh, with her?” Hecatia asked.

     “I think she needs it. Look at her.” Junko gestured over to her.

     The woman had her elbows on her knees with her head stooped low between her shoulders.

     Hecatia groaned for a moment then looked back at the sign. Innertown Pub it read.

     “Fine.” Hecatia said, jaw tight.

     Junko kissed her on the cheek in thanks before quickly heading over to Takane where she sat. She said something to the woman and Takane looked up, eyes still teary.

     Hecatia huffed and folded her arms. The snow was coming down heavier now, even heavier than before. It was practically a white out. Hecatia could barely see across the street. The fat clumps of snow pattered down heavily onto the streets. Soon snow plows would go by to clear the accumulation in the streets. Before long, her car would practically be buried in the side mounds the snow plows would create. Hecatia closed her eyes and put her hands on her hips with a grunt and a sigh. Her night was completely ruined. They would have to take the car to a shop and Uber home. What a complete mess. And now, Junko wanted to eat at a common bar? Ridiculous. 

     The sound of a car door closing brought Hecatia out of her ponderings. She looked up and saw Takane had gotten out of her car and was now making her way over toward Hecatia. Her shoulders were still trembling as she cried. The sight of her in such a state dampened Hecatia’s rage. She sighed and let her anger fade. She would just have to propose to Junko on another night. Maybe her birthday would do, or maybe she would take her on a trip to the Caribbean. Either way, today was a complete dud.

     Hecatia felt the shape of the velvet box inside her handbag and frowned. She had been close. So close. And yet it had eluded her.

     Junko and Takane came up to Hecatia, and Junko forced a smile though it didn’t reach her eyes.

     “Want to get going?” Junko asked, extending a hand to Hecatia to take. Hecatia took it without hesitation and the three women walked down the street to the bar’s door.

     Hecatia pushed it open and held it for Junko and Takane. They all stepped inside and were met with a dimly lit room, it was crowded and loud.

     The pub was dark save for overhead string lights and the odd ambient lamp here and there. The string lights were multicolored and cast an otherworldly hue down onto the patrons. The room smelled of cigarettes and beer. There were booths that looked sticky, tables that looked stickier, and a bar that looked the stickiest. 

     Surprisingly, as they entered, an old white dog came to greet them. It sniffed at Hecatia’s knees, curious and probably catching the scent of Cerberus.

     Hecatia immediately warmed up to the place as she reached down to pet the old dog. What a guy; he looked up at her in a very friendly manner and let out a quick low boof.

     A waitress walked by as they stood in the threshold. She noted that the dog had taken a liking to Hecatia.

     “Ah, take a seat wherever. I’ll be right with you.” Said the woman. She had pink hair and a long blue beanie on.

     “Thanks… what’s with the dog?” Hecatia asked as the woman passed them.

     “He lives here. Don’t let him outside, okay?” The waitress said.

     Hecatia smiled and gave the dog another scritch before she stood back up straight.

     The three of them made their way over towards a green booth where they took their seats. Hecatia and Junko sat next to one another while Takane sat across from them. She couldn’t make eye contact with Hecatia. Instead she looked down at her hands which she had placed upon the table.

     “So…” Junko said, she looked more tired than ever, “What do you do Takane?”

     “I’m… a mechanic.” Takane said after a moment. She wiped her still wet eyes and blinked up at Junko. “I work on the southside.”

     “A mechanic? Then can you fix our car?” Hecatia asked, suddenly a little excited.

     “No… I’m just an apprentice right now… But I think I could offer you a discount if you drove your car all the way down to our shop.”

     “Where is it?”

     “Joliet.” Takane said glumly.

     “Nevermind.” Hecatia said shortly. She would rather just take the car to a local shop and get it over with.

     “That’s a bit far, isn’t it? What brings you into the city?” Junko asked politely.

     “Visiting my girlfriend Mike.” Takane said. She seemed to sour at this even more. “Now I don’t think I’ll be able to see her tonight… I’m really sorry again, you guys. I didn’t mean to fuck up your nice Mercades.”

     Hecatia was about to answer out of anger, but the pink haired woman came up to their table at that moment.

     “What’ll you have?” The woman asked. She pulled a pen out of her blue beanie and held it up to a pad of paper she collected from her pocket.

     “Got veggie burgers?” Takane asked.

     “Yup.”

     “I’ll take one. Without cheese please.” Takane said.

     “Anything to drink?”

     “Just give me a beer.” Takane said. “I could really use one.”

     “Got it.” Then the waitress turned to Junko and Hecatia. “Well, don’t you two look pretty. If you don’t mind me sayin’, you kind of look a bit out of your element here.”

     “Our car broke down. We were headed to Oriole…”

     “Oh!” The woman’s eyes went wide. “Well I’m afraid this place isn’t exactly Michelin star rated, but our hotdogs are to die for. I’d recommend that.”

     “Fine. Gimme one. And a tall shot of gin.” Hecatia said.

     “I’ll have one too… With a mai tai on the side.” Junko said.

     “Got it.” The waitress said. “Oh, I’m Miyoi. Call for me if you need anything.”

     “Thank you Miyoi.” Junko said.

     Miyoi walked away and disappeared behind the bar. As she vanished, a cheer from a crowd surrounding the dart board rang out through the pub. Someone must have scored highly.

     “So… why were you going to Oriole?” Takane said after an awkward beat of silence.

     “It’s our anniversary.” Hecatia and Junko chimed together. Hecatia’s voice came out in all but a growl. Again she felt the square shape in her thin handbag. The ring box felt like it was burning through the leather.

     Takane winced at this. She hiccuped and looked like she was trying very hard not to cry.

     “Sorry…” Takane said again.

     Just then Hecatia’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She looked down at it and with a surge of panic she saw it was from Kogasa. Was something wrong with Clownpiece? Could this night get any worse. Hecatia read the text.

      “Sorry about your car. Clownpiece is well. Can she watch Silence of the Lambs? She says you let her watch it ‘all the time.’”

     Hecatia chuckled at this and showed Junko. Junko laughed dryly down at it.

     “Who is it from?” Takane asked.

     “My babysitter. My daughter wants to watch a scary movie.”

     “Geez, you have a kid too…?” Takane winced again. “I really screwed up your whole night.”

      You did. Hecatia thought. Instead of voicing this, she texted Kogasa back:

     “ Clownpiece is allowed to watch it, but it will give her nightmares. If you don’t want to deal with that, put on something else.” Hecatia hit send and locked her phone. She put it back in her pocket before turning on Takane again.

     “So, we’re most definitely going through your insurance.”

     “Of course…” Takane said weakly.

     Hecatia felt Junko’s hand on her thigh. She gave it a soft squeeze. Hecatia sighed. Her temper had flared up again. She tried not to take it out on the girl before her. It wasn’t really her fault she reasoned. Still… everything, everything had been ruined because of her. Hecatia clenched her jaw closed and grinded her teeth together.

     Beside her, Junko pointed across the pub. 

     Both her and Takane looked over at where she was pointing. They found themselves looking at a TV. On it was a reporter in a tan tweed coat with short black hair. What’s more, the woman was standing right in front of a very familiar storefront. She was standing right outside of the pub they were in. The subtitles on the bottom of the screen read that she was speaking about the oncoming storm. The accumulation prediction had risen from five inches to eight. Hecatia sighed and balled her fists. She felt her nails dig into the soft flesh of her palms.

     The reporter panned the camera over to Hecatia and Takane’s cars, still parked on the side of the road. The subtitles continued on the bottom of the screen.

     “ It seems there have already been accidents due to this weather. We urge you to stay inside as this storm rolls through downtown Chicago. This is Channel 9’s Aya Shameimaru signing off.”

     Then it cut to a newscaster sitting in an office somewhere else, he looked warm in comparison to the weather girl. 

     “Do you want to go outside and have a look at the cameras?” Junko asked, a little excited.

     “No.” Hecatia said bluntly. She didn’t feel like being assaulted by the snow until she absolutely positively had to.

     Junko frowned, but her eyes lit up as a bell chimed as the front door opened.

     In stepped the weather girl, Aya Shameimaru, she shivered as she took off her tweed coat. She swung it off and tucked it over her arm. She was a slender thing that looked as if a strong gust of wind could completely crumple her. Her eyes, keen and sharp, scanned the pub until they landed on Hecatia.

     Hecatia didn’t like the way the woman looked at her, but before she could do anything about it, Miyoi appeared at their table, snapping Hecatia out of her thoughts.

     Miyoi sat their drinks down on the table. She promised them that their food would be out soon before disappearing again, this time to greet Aya standing at the door.

     Junko pulled her drink close to her and took a dainty sip from it before making a face.

     “What’s wrong?” Hecatia asked, concerned.

     “It’s strong.” Junko said, sticking out her tongue. She squinted her eyes as she shook her head.

     “Well, I think a good strong drink is what we need after tonight.” Hecatia said as she downed her shot in one quick flick of her wrist. Then she held up one hand and waved Miyoi over, intending to ask for another.

     Takane watched her do this, eyes wide. 

     “You’re really planning on going all out aren’t you?”

     “Maybe.” Hecatia said dryly as she made eye contact with Miyoi across the pub. Miyoi nodded and gave her a thumbs up as Hecatia raised her index finger.

     Beside her, Junko sighed. Yet, she didn’t complain, instead she went back to sipping her strong mai tai.

     They ate in relative silence after their food was served. The hotdog, Hecatia noted, wasn’t “ to die for” as the waitress had promised, but it was still good.

     However, it soon became very clear that the taste of the food didn’t really much matter. As by the end of her meal she found herself to have downed four shots of gin. Her head began to swim. The chatter of the bar dulled to a low murmur in her ears. Her vision faded in and out as she tried desperately to concentrate on the conversation at the table. Her stomach felt warm and tingly. Before long, she was totally and thoroughly sloshed.

     Beside her, Junko wasn’t doing much better. She had gone through two mai tais and apparently they were incredibly potent. She too was drunk. Hecatia could tell this because Junko was giggling, actually giggling. This was something she never did unless she was completely inebriated. One would have expected Junko to be a sad depressive drunk after all of the trauma in her life, but she was actually quite the opposite.

     The two of them slouched together, happily intoxicated. Opposite them sat Takane who looked increasingly more uncomfortable with every drink that was served.

     About 45 minutes had passed and all three of them sat, plates and glasses empty.

     Miyoi came back around to ask if they needed anything else, but Takane refused saying that they were fine. She then paid the check in its entirety as another apology for ruining their evening, and neither Junko nor Hecatia objected to this at all. Whether this be because they genuinely felt like they were owed this or because they were too drunk to object, it really wasn’t clear.

     They got up and made their way awkwardly to the door. Hecatia wrapped one hand around Junko’s waist to steady herself, but all it really did was make the walking situation worse.

     The room was swimming around Hecatia. The multicolored atmospheric lights twisted and morphed above her head like pixies. The smell of Junko's perfume filled her nose, making her head spin even more. She really regretted wearing high heels. Her dark purple stilettos scratched awkwardly against the sticky floor.

     Beside her, Junko seemed to be faring no better. Junko was red in the face, her hair, which she had curled for the night, had been messed up. Her once neat ringlets were all but frizz now. Her eyes were glassed over and unfocused. She looked as if she were concentrating very hard on staying upright.

     “Here, let me get the door for you.” Takane said as she led them forwards. She was by far the most sober out of the three of them. She had drunk two beers and that was it. Her eyes were still alert and focused, and she seemed no worse for wear.

     Takane made her way forwards past them and opened the door for them. It opened with a small dingle of a bell. Outside, cold snowy air swirled in. 

     Hecatia hadn’t noticed how terrible it had gotten out. It was a complete blizzard now. Snow had accumulated over two inches in the 45 minutes they had been eating at the pub. The sidewalks, unshoveled now, were walking death traps. The street seemed no better. It looked like only a plow or two had been by. Already in the plow’s tracks more snow had begun to accumulate. Outside, the snow glowed orange in the light of the street lamps. It twinkled hotly in the luminescence like particles of polished amber. 

     The cold wind swirled around them as they stepped outside. Hecatia instinctually wrapped her coat tightly around her. She glanced up at Junko, and saw Junko was struggling to affix her beret atop her head, but it kept falling off.

     Hecatia laughed and turned to her. She faced Junko squarely and took the hat from Junko’s slender pale fingers.

     Junko looked down at Hecatia inquizically, but said nothing. Hecatia reached up and settled the hat onto Junko’s blonde frizzy curls. After a tentative moment, it stayed. Junko smiled down at Hecatia for this.

     “Thank you, dear.”

     “No problem, babe.” Hecatia said. She leaned up and kissed Junko on the mouth. Their red lipsticked lips met one another for only a brief instance before they pulled back.

     “I love yo-” Hecatia breathed.

     “Hey, uh guys, I’m still here.” Takane said a bit awkwardly.

     Hecatia looked over at her annoyedly. How could she have possibly forgotten… Hecatia looked past Takane’s shoulder and saw that her and Takane’s wrecked cars were still sitting on the side of the road. She sighed and reached into her pocket. She pulled out her phone and opened a ride sharing app.

     “What are you doing?” Junko asked blearily. She looked down at Hecatia’s phone, trying to focus on the screen.

     “Calling you an Uber.” Hecatia said with a slight slur in her voice. She quickly ordered a car to pick Junko up. “Gonna wait here alone for the tow truck. Don’t want ya to have to wait in the cold with me.”

     “Oh, dear, no…” Junko frowned. Her tired eyes glittered in the light from the lights in the streets. To Hecatia, they looked like they were dazzling like a million stars. For a moment, she was left breathless, looking at the woman she loved so much.

     “Junko…” Hecatia began to say, but the sound of a dingling bell brought her out of her reverie. 

     “You! You forgot this!” Aya Shameimaru came out of the pub holding Hecatia’s handbag. She must have left it at the booth. Shit! The ring was inside! She’d almost forgotten it there!

     “Thanks!” Hecatia said coming over to claim her bag, but instead Aya handed it to Junko.

     Hecatia’s heart leapt into her throat. She sobered up a little right there. Junko could not have that bag. She might open it and find the ring box.

     “It-it’s mine.” Hecatia said, trying not to sound desperate.

     “Really?” Aya asked, looking at it. “I thought it matched your outfit better.” She said turning back to Junko.

     Junko let out a little drunk giggle and waved Aya off. However, she did take the bag from Aya, to Hecatia’s absolute horror.

     “Thanks, um… I’ve forgotten your name.” Junko said. Thankfully she immediately handed the bag to Hecatia.

     Hecatia felt inside and found that the ring box was still there and undisturbed. Her heart, which had been hammering a second ago, began to slow.

     “Aya Shameimaru.” Said Aya, offering Junko a bow. She gave Junko a prize winning smile. “You might recognize me from Channel 9 News.”

     “Oh, right, you’re the weather girl.” Junko said, putting a finger up to her lips.

     “...No. I’m a reporter.” Aya said, her smile faltering.

     “Then why were you reporting on the weather?” Hecatia asked, turning to face Aya fully.

     “I wasn’t. I was reporting on all the car wrecks,” Aya turned and pointed at Hecatia’s own car, “See, idiots can’t drive in the snow. It’s a story. Always is, every year.”

     “Hey! I’m not the idiot here. Takane is. She’s the one who hit me.” Hecatia said. She felt her anger begin to bubble up again.

     “Hey…” Takane objected quietly, but she was overshadowed by the two much louder women.

     “Ah, so this is your mess?” Aya asked. She peered over her shoulder at the wreck behind her and shrugged. She pulled out her phone, opened something, and held it up to her mouth. “Want to give me a quick interview regarding what happened?” Aya asked, talking into her phone as if it were a microphone. She must have opened a voice recorder app.

     “No I do fucking not.” Hecatia said.

     “Why? Were you at fault? Were the police called?” Aya asked, holding the phone out for Hecatia to speak into.

     “What- n- no!” Hecatia grumbled. “Leave me alone, weather girl.” Hecatia said.

     “I’m not a weather girl, you emo freak.” Aya grumbled more to herself than to anyone else, but Hecatia heard her.

     “EMO?” Hecatia snapped at that. “I’m goth!” She roared. A few people from within the pub looked out the glass window front at her.

     Aya snickered and looked Hecatia up and down, from her purple stilettos to her black pantsuit, all the way up to her black and purple eyeshadow.

     “Scene, maybe? But not goth.” Aya said matter of factly.

     Hecatia saw red. Scene? Scene!? She had never been so disrespected in her entire life. She readied herself to pounce on the woman, to hit her, to claw at her, to do something, but she was interrupted when Junko handed Hecatia her handbag.

     “Hold this.” Junko commanded. There was something dark in her voice.

     Hecatia took it, momentarily too confused to want to attack the weather girl.

     Junko took a long step forwards, closing the distance between her and Aya. For a split second of horror, Hecatia thought she might kiss her. Then, Junko wound back one hand, curled it into a fist, and shot it forwards as hard as she possibly could. It collided with a sickening snap as Junko punched Aya right in the nose.

     Aya went stumbling backwards. She nearly collapsed, but Takane held out her arms and caught her before she went down completely.

     Aya, supported now in Takane’s arms, looked up at Junko in absolute horror. Her red eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. Her mouth hung open widely. After a long moment, a trail of blood began running out of one nostril.

     Junko was seething, Hecatia could practically feel the heat pouring off her. Her face was dark and rage filled. Her jaw was set and tight. Her eyes flamed as if they were on fire.

     “Don’t. Insult. My. Wife.” Junko said through her teeth.

     …

     Did she just say wife?

     …

     Hecatia swallowed. Her own anger drained out of her body. Her fury was extinguished as if it had been a flame in this snowstorm. 

     She looked, wide eyed, between Junko and Aya.

     There was a beat of silence as everything went still around them. No one dared to speak. It seemed as if the world had gone still.

     Then, the door to the pub burst open and out came Miyoi. She was fuming. Her face was red, her eyebrows were brought together. She looked ready to pounce on them.

     “Take it outta here! Get away! NO fights in or around this pub. Out!” Miyoi barked at them.

     Junko, who was still rigid from the swing, loosened up. She turned to Hecatia and extended her hand out, awaiting her handbag. Hecatia handed it to her, unsure what else to do.

     “Y-you assaulted me!” Aya chirped after a moment. She pointed a shaking finger at Junko.

     “I don’t want to hear it! Go! Now!” Miyoi barked once again.

     Aya got to her feet; she was trembling. She looked incredulously between Hecatia and Junko then stormed off past them down the street. She didn’t look back. They watched her tweed coat disappear down the road then turn around a corner.

     Hecatia felt her chest swell with pride at this. She looked over at her girlfriend and smiled. Hecatia held out her arm for Junko to take. Junko did just that. 

     The two of them stepped past the disturbed snow where Aya had scrambled to stay on her feet, and made their way over to their car.

     Takane, not knowing what else to do, followed them in suit.

     “Hey, uh, guys, can we refrain from drunken brawls? Please?” Takane asked as she unlocked her car.

     “Hm…” Junko cracked the knuckles of the hand that she had slugged Aya with. She rolled her wrist around and looked at Hecatia. She smiled.

     Hecatia smiled back.

     It seemed both of them had sobered up considerably.

     “I’m serious. Please, I don’t want to go to jail.” Takane all but wailed.

     “Relax. She’s not coming back.” Hecatia said. She folded her arms against her chest. She couldn’t stop smiling.

     “And if she does?!” Takane asked desperately.

     “Then I’ll deal with her.” Hecatia said. Then she turned to Junko and reached for one of her hands.

     Junko reached out as well and took Hecatia’s hand in her own.

     “Dear, you’re covered in snow.” Junko said to Hecatia. She reached down and brushed a thin layer of snow off of Hecatia’s shoulders.

     “Thanks, babe…” Hecatia said. She stood there and let Junko fuss about her, having no objections to push her away.

     “There…” Junko said. She combed a few snowflakes out of Hecatia’s hair. She then bent down to place a small kiss on Hecatia’s forehead.

     Hecatia felt a lump bubble up in her throat. She thought about how much she loved her Junko, and wanted to weep. This night had been a complete bust. Junko should have been wearing her engagement ring right about now. And yet, it still was tucked away in her handbag. Everything had been a complete failure. She should have canceled the evening the second she had caught word of the snowstorm. Stupid… And now here she was, mildly drunk off of cheap gin with a belly full of mediocre pub food. Oh, and she couldn’t forget about her wrecked car.

     “Junko… I- I’m sorry about tonight…” Hecatia said, her voice cracking slightly.

     Junko frowned and shook her head. 

     “Hecatia, I don’t blame you. Hell, you know, I kind of had some fun tonight.” Junko said, glancing up at the pub they had been kicked out of.

     “You did?” Hecatia asked, watery eyes looking up at her beloved.

     “Yes…” Junko said. She smiled and the grin reached her eyes. It made Hecatia’s stomach swirl with butterflies.

     Hecatia put her hands on Junko’s shoulders and pulled her down into a kiss. Their noses brushed together lightly. Hecatia noted that Junko was freezing. Her lips, cheeks, and nose were all frigid to the touch. Still, she kissed on, hoping somewhere in her heart that her kiss would warm Junko up again.

     The kiss was far too short for Hecatia’s liking. Takane had cleared her throat, signaling for them to stop, which they did begrudgingly.

     “I’m still here…” Takane said.

     “I haven’t forgotten.” Hecatia said with a sigh. She stepped back from Junko and felt her phone buzz to life in her pocket.

     Hecatia looked down at it and she saw was receiving a call from the tow truck company. She answered it quickly.

     “ Hey, uh, Miss Ladislazuli?” Came a gruff woman’s voice on the other end.

     “Lapislazuli.” She corrected her.

     “ I’ll be there in a few minutes. ‘Bout to turn down the block now.” The woman's voice said.

     “I’ll be here. Look for a redhead in a suit.” Hecatia said.

     “ Got it. Bye.” The call cut off there. 

     Hecatia turned to Takane and said, “Where’s your tow? Our’s is about here.”

     “Oh, I called my dad. He’ll be here eventually. You two go on. I’ll be fine out here.” She said. “If I get cold, I’ll wait inside my car.”

     “You sure?” Hecatia asked, feeling surprised with the level of concern she held in her voice. Just an hour ago she was ready to bite the woman’s head off.

     “Yeah…” Takane said. “Um, well, you two have my phone number. So when it comes to insurance stuff, you can just text or call me.”

     “We’ll be doing that."

     Junko wrapped one arm around Hecatia’s shoulder and pulled her in for a sideways hug. 

     “I love you.” Junko said with a small soft smile.

     “I love you too.” Hecatia said back. She wrapped her arm around Junko’s waist just as a large blue tow truck with a flashing orange light came around the corner.

      Kawashiro Towing read the words across the side of the truck.

     Behind the tow truck came a sleek black sedan. To their surprise, it pulled up beside them on the side of the road as well.

     “Looks like your Uber is here.” Hecatia said as the sedan rolled down the passenger’s window.

     “Hecatia Lapislazuli?” Asked the person in the driver’s seat.

     “Yep.” Hecatia said. She reached up and kissed Junko on the cheek. “Get home safe, okay?” She asked. “I’ll be right behind you after we get to the shop.”

     “Alright…” Junko said begrudgingly. She stepped forwards and entered the sedan just as the tow truck driver got out of her truck.

     The woman wore a set of blue pigtails and a long blue trench coat. 

     “Ladislazuli? I’m Nitori.” She said. She had a toothpick pressed between her lips and a smudge of grease on her cheek. 

     Hecatia was going to correct her, but she instead focused on the black sedan Junko was in pulling out and away. She sighed and watched as Junko went home ahead of her.

     They went through a few arrangements, and soon her Mercades was on the back of the tow truck. 

     Hecatia waved goodbye to Takane before struggling to get up inside the tall tow truck. Her heels slipped and slid on the pavement as she hoisted herself into the passenger’s seat.

     The car was cramped and smelled like cigarettes. The seats were fabric and were torn in some places. Still, more than anything, the car was warm and it felt heavenly to get out of the bitter December cold. 

     Hecatia sighed and relaxed into the seat as Nitori pulled out and onto the main road. Hecatia watched as a hula dancer on Nitori’s dashboard bobbled and danced as the truck rumbled forwards.

     “So… was the blonde your lady? Really pretty one you got there.” Nitori asked after a moment of silence.

     “Yeah… I was going to propose tonight…”

     When Hecatia finally got home it was nearly an hour later. She stepped out of the silver sedan and said goodbye to the driver. 

     Kogasa’s car wasn’t in the driveway anymore, but there was a sizable dent in the snow where her car had been shielding the driveway from the snowfall. 

     The blizzard had picked up, and the snow was coming down in fat wet chunks.  From where she was standing in the street, she could barely see her house only a few dozen yards away. The singular street light that hung just above their driveway lit the snow up in an unearthly warm light. The light pooled and stretched across the snow like a lazy orange cat.The driveway was wet and slippery and would need to be shoveled thoroughly. 

     The shoveling would need to wait until tomorrow, however. As Hecatia had no intention of doing anything more than changing into her pajamas and snuggling into bed with her girlfriend. Junko’s warmth was what she missed now more than ever as she made her way up towards the door and unlocked it. 

     Hecatia stepped inside the door and was met with Cerberus who had come to greet her. She gave him a good pat on the head before she closed and locked the door behind her. He slobbered up her hand as he licked her palm. She laughed and wiped the spit off on her pant leg.

     “Gross Cerbs.” She said as she got out of her high heels and put her coat away. She stepped into the warm house and found all was quiet. Clownpiece and Junko must be asleep.

     Hecatia stepped into the kitchen and looked at the clock on their microwave. It read 10:03pm. She sighed and yawned as she surveyed the kitchen. There were clean dishes drying in the drying rack. Across from them was a box of breadsticks from the pizza place Kogasa and Clownpiece had ordered from. Beside the box was a piece of paper, a drawing done by clownpiece.

     Hecatia made her way over to the drawing and examined it. It was a page that was torn from a coloring book. It was a butterfly that had been very messily colored in with red and blue markers. On the bottom of the page Clownpiece had written in sloppy letters: “ Sorri abot yore car Mama and Mommy!”

     Hecatia let out a breathy chuckle as she looked down at the drawing. She had no idea how a butterfly was meant to represent her wrecked Mercades, but she’d take it. Hecatia brought the drawing over towards the refrigerator and pinned it up on one of the doors with a magnet. 

     Hecatia then went over towards the box of breadsticks and snagged one and ate it before she exited the kitchen and headed upstairs.

     Upstairs she found the door to her and Junko’s bedroom was closed. She pressed her ear against the door and listened.

     “Junko?” She whispered.

     No answer.

     Hecatia creaked the door open and stepped inside. All was dark save for a sliver of warm light coming from their bedroom’s bathroom door. The sound of their shower running filled the bedroom. Hecatia flicked on the light, closed the door behind her, and made her way over towards her vanity. She put her handbag on it, and quickly glanced over her shoulder at the bathroom door. Nothing, just the hiss and patter of the shower. She quickly took the ring box out from her bag and slipped it back into her sock drawer once again. 

     Hecatia sighed, not knowing how long the poor little box would remain neglected. She shook her head of this, and went over towards the bathroom door. She knocked, earning a surprised squeak from Junko on the other end.

     “It’s just me.” Hecatia called in.

     “You’re home? Good. I’ll be out in one minute.” Came Junko’s voice.

     “Can I come in to take my makeup off?”

     “Yes, and bring me a towel please.”

     Hecatia collected one of their fuzzy maroon towels from the basket atop their dresser and brought it into the bathroom with her.

     Inside the bathroom was humid and steamy from Junko’s shower. The mirrors were fogged up and damp. The smell of Junko’s floral shampoo filled the air. Hecatia breathed it in deep lungfuls savoring it. She placed the maroon towel down at the edge of the counter closest to the shower door.

     “You got back okay?” Junko asked through the fogged glass shower door. Hecatia glanced over at her shape through the glass and smiled.

     “Just got in. How was your ride back?” Hecatia asked as she ran the sink and began wiping the makeup off her face.

     “Fine. The driver was nice.” Junko said casually. She threw her head back and began wringing her long hair out in the water.

     “That’s good.” Hecatia said as she wiped her eyeshadow off. Her eyes looked significantly less striking without the help of her mascara and eyeliner. She frowned at her expression in the mirror. Her face looked just about as tired as she felt. She was more than ready for a good night’s sleep. 

     “How was Clownpiece when you got in?” Hecatia asked as she pulled her hair down out of her half bun.

     “Good. I got her to sleep easily after Kogasa left. She was excited when I told her we’ll probably have to have a rental car for a while.” Junko said. She turned off the water.

     “At least she didn’t give you any problems.” Hecatia said tiredly. “I’m going to change. I’ll let you get out.”

     “Thank you, dear.” Junko said.

     Hecatia went out into the bedroom, it felt significantly cooler out there in comparison to in the bathroom. She changed into her pajamas, a pair of red plaid bottoms with a gray sweatshirt on top. 

     As she took a step over to the hamper to toss her dirty clothes in, she caught a glimpse of the world outside her window. The snow was coming down harder and harder. She began to worry for the tree branches of the old pine they had out back. She hoped the limbs could stand up to this sudden weight. 

     Hecatia made her way over towards the window and put her hands on her hips as she looked outside.

     At least four and a half inches of snow had fallen already, and it was only 10:00. This was ridiculous. Hecatia racked her brain wondering if there had been any talk of this massive storm before she had heard about it that evening on the news.

     The bathroom door opened then and out stepped Junko. Hecatia heard her come over to where she was standing by the window and stop. 

     Junko wrapped one arm around Hecatia’s waist and rested her chin on Hecatia’s shoulder.

     “Let’s go to bed.” Junko said tiredly.

     Hecatia turned around and saw Junko was dressed in a set of red and white pajamas. She had a white towel around her shoulders, and she was looking down at Hecatia with a tired look on her face.

     Something in Junko’s eyes, something about the way they glittered broke something inside of Hecatia just then. Hecatia turned towards Junko fully and buried herself into her arms in a hug.

     “God, Junko…”

     “What’s wrong, dear?” Junko asked soothingly? She ran a hand through Hecatia’s hair as she embraced her.

     “I just-... tonight was terrible.” Hecatia said. “It was completely ruined.”

     “It was…” Junko admitted, “But I still had a little fun. Didn’t you?” Junko pulled back to look at the shorter woman. 

     Hecatia sniffled as she looked up at Junko. Her red eyes streamed with tears. 

     “Dammit, Junko, it’s not about whether or not I had fun. It was our anniversary. It was supposed to be special.”

     “I think it was plenty special.” Junko said with an exasperated chuckle. She was tired, Hecatia could see it in her eyes.

     “Special, but in the wrong way, babe… Babe I-... I was…” Hecatia sputtered. She didn’t know where she was going with this. She found herself babbling. 

     “You were what, dear?” Junko asked, wiping a tear away from Hecatia’s eyes. 

     “I was…” Hecatia’s throat grew dry, what was she doing? She couldn’t stop herself from speaking, “I was going to ask you to marry me tonight.” Hecatia said, voice quaking.

     Junko froze. Her eyes went wide, her brows knitted together. Suddenly she was tense, completely unmoving. Her eyes glazed over as she absorbed this.

     Realizing what she had just done, Hecatia began to panic. Her heart rushed in her ears. Her face blushed a deep embarrassed red. Her crying eyes streamed faster.

     “I-I just thought it was the right time. I-I had it all planned out. We were going to- we were going to walk along the lake then go to Buckingham Fountain. I- I hired a quartet to play our song, and everything. Junko, it was going to be perfect.”

     Junko’s mouth opened but no sound came out.  She either couldn't or wouldn’t speak. Her eyes only intensified. They burned hotly down at Hecatia.

     “Junko, you’re the love of my life. Clownpiece loves you as her mother. You’re my family. You’re my world, my light, my everything. I breathe for you. I am so completely and utterly in love with you. I want to be your wife… I want you to be mine. I never want to leave your side. I want to spend the rest of our lives together.”  Hecatia gushed, not entirely in control of her own mouth.

     “Hecate.” Junko said slowly and at last.

      Hecate? Junko never called her by that name. Not ever. Had she seriously fucked up that badly?

     “Yes…?” Hecatia breathed. Was she about to be rejected?

     Then, Junko’s mouth was pressed against Hecatia’s in the most intense kiss she had ever experienced in her entire life. Junko had tucked a thumb underneath Hecatia’s chin and lifted it upwards so she had better access to her face. Junko kissed her hard, harder than she had ever kissed her before. Their lips mashed together, Junko always leading the way. The world seemed to spin. Hecatia felt as if she might feint. As if Junko read her mind, she placed one hand flatly on Hecatia’s back, holding her against her for support. 

     Hecatia felt her hands land on Junko’s shoulders. She clutched onto her for dear life as she was ravaged by Junko’s kiss. She dug her hands into Junko’s pajama top, feeling the soft silkiness of the fabric against her fingertips. 

     The smell of Junko’s shampoo filled her nose, she breathed it in in reverence. She breathed in through her nose in quick short breaths, as her heart pounded so roughly in her ears she could barely hear.

     After what felt like an eternity, Junko pulled back. She was panting, her eyes were blazing, her cheeks were blushed.

     “Junko.” Hecatia gasped at the intensity of her expression. It felt like her eyes were boring holes into her.

     “Let me speak.” Junko said roughly. She was panting. She held Hecatia against her even more firmly, squeezing the smaller woman against her torso.

     “Hecatia Lapislazuli,” Junko began, “Let me get this right… You were planning on proposing to me this evening?” Junko asked, her voice intense.

     “Yes…” Hecatia breathed weakly.

     Then, mercifully, Junko’s face turned into a soft smile. Her chronically tired eyes glistened with mirth as she looked down at the shorter woman.

     “Hecatia…” Junko sighed. She moved the hand that had been supporting her chin up to cup Hecatia’s face. “You dense woman.”

     “What?” Hecatia’s voice cracked.

     “You set up everything so perfectly, all for it to come crumbling down… My poor Hecatia.” Junko said as she kissed the tip of Hecatia’s nose. “No wonder you were so upset that tonight didn’t go as planned.”

     “Yes. It was terrible.” Hecatia said lowly, defeatedly.

     “I wouldn’t call the night you became engaged to your future wife to be terrible.” Junko said with a small chuckle.

     “I- wait- you…” Hecatia gaped.

     “Yes Hecatia. I’m saying yes…” Junko said softly, gently, delicately.

     Hecatia’s gaping mouth twisted into a grin. The tears came streaming down once again, but this time they were tears of joy. She hiccupped happily and nodded.

     “Junko!” She threw herself into a hug with the taller woman and squeezed her tightly.

     Junko’s chest reverberated with a laugh as she held Hecatia close to her.

     “I love you.” Junko said after a moment of silence.

     “I love you too… Oh- wait-” Hecatia pulled back from Junko to look her in the eyes. “I have a question.”

     “Another?” Junko asked, raising her eyebrows playfully, “I’m already exhausted from answering your big one.”

     Hecatia smiled and shook her head. Her straight red hair swung around her face with the movement. She looked up at Junko with a questioning look in her eyes; something had been bothering her all night.

     “When you punched that reporter… You called me your wife. What was that?” Hecatia asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

     “I- uh- oh…” Junko averted her gaze. She looked away as she thought about how to answer this. “Well…” She bit her lip as she shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

     “It doesn’t seem like nothing.” Hecatia said, a little concerned now. “What aren’t you telling me.”

     “It’s just… embarrassing.” Junko’s grasp on Hecatia slackened.

     “I’m you’re fiancée , Junko.” Hecatia said with a small smirk on her face. 

     “Ah,” Junko sighed slightly, “Already pulling that card? I don’t want to tell you because I’m afraid it will… take the wind out of your sails, so to say.” Junko said. She finally made eye contact with her again.

     “Just tell me.” Hecatia said as she pulled Junko closer into her embrace. “I’ll live.”

     “I was…” Junko sighed through her nose. A deep crimson blush dusted her cheeks, nose, and ears. “I was also going to propose tonight, Hecatia.” Junko said. 

     Hecatia’s mouth fell open. She blinked, but couldn’t say anything. 

     “See?” Junko said guiltily, “Now I’ve gone and disappointed you. This was supposed to be your proposal, not mine.”

     “Junko, I’m not disappointed. I’m just… surprised. Are you serious?”

     “Yes, my dear.” Junko said. She begrudgingly pulled out of Hecatia’s grasp and crossed the room over to her vanity. Atop it, amongst other things, was her handbag. She picked up the bag and began digging through it. Finally she found what she was rooting for. She pulled out a small velvet black box, one almost identical to the one in Hecatia’s sock drawer.

     Junko moved back over to Hecatia and presented her the box. She opened it for Hecatia, then got down on one knee.

     Inside, Hecatia saw a tri-stone diamond ring. It glittered in the dull light of the room. A small rainbow reflected off the beautifully cut gems against the black silk interior. The box trembled slightly as Junko tried and failed to hold it in place. 

     Hecatia glanced down past the box to see Junko’s face. Junko had pressed her lips into a very thin line. She was shaking slightly due to the pure raw emotions coursing through her body. She blushed and opened her mouth.

     “Well…?” Junko asked, voice coming out stronger than she expected.

     “Well?” Hecatia asked. She put one hand to her chest and gaped down at the beautiful three stoned ring.

     “Will you marry me?” Junko asked.

     “Me?” Hecatia clutched at her chest through her gray sweatshirt. 

     “Yes. Oh, I should do this properly… Hecate Lapislazuli, will you be my wife?” Junko asked, redder now than ever.

     “Yes…” Hecatia breathed. Then she was on her knees too, crumbled. She felt light headed, and dizzy. Junko, her perfect, amazing, beautiful Junko, had actually proposed to her? It was surreal. 

     She felt the room spinning around her, but the second before she was about to get lost in the swirling world she felt Junko’s arms reach forward and embrace her, pulling her out of the twisting and back to the present.

     “Are you okay?” Junko asked while rubbing Hecatia’s back with one hand.

     “Yeah just… overwhelmed…” Hecatia said. She looked up at Junko. Hecatia’s eyes streamed. She quaked as she sobbed. Junko was hers. Totally and utterly hers. She couldn’t believe it. How could such a perfect woman love her back the way she adored her?

     “Let’s move to the bed.” Junko said gently. She carefully helped Hecatia up to her feet. But, before she turned to steer her towards the bed she stopped and looked Hecatia deeply in the eyes.

     “I want you to wear my ring, Hecatia.” Junko said.

     Hecatia hiccuped and nodded. She extended her left hand to Junko, fingers spread open like a fan.

     Junko gingerly removed the ring from the box and slid it onto Hecatia’s finger. It was cold, but it would warm up soon. Beyond that, it fit her long tanned finger perfectly.

     Hecatia looked down at her black nail polished hand and her eyes landed on the ring. She gasped and felt weak again. She hadn’t realized it at first, but now it had dawned on her. She was Junko’s just as much as Junko was hers. It made her heart hammer in her chest.

     “Let’s go to the bed, dear.” Junko said, leading the way.

     “Wait.” Hecatia said quietly, almost too overcome to speak.

     “Yes?” Junko asked. She didn’t let go of Hecatia’s shoulders, afraid she would collapse again.

     “I want you to have your ring too.” Hecatia said, a swell of energy reinvigorated her body. She stood up straight and assured Junko she could walk on her own.

     Junko took a step back and nodded. She made her way over to the bed and had a seat at the foot of it.

     Hecatia hurried over towards their dresser and pulled the ring box out of the sock drawer. She quickly popped it open and smiled down at the small golden diamond ring inside of the box. She then crossed back to the foot of the bed where Junko sat, and got down on her knee in front of her.

     Junko smiled, she was becoming weepy now too. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and nodded silently for Hecatia to continue.

     “Junko… My love, my everything… Will you marry me?” Hecatia asked as she presented the opened box to Junko.

     Junko gasped when she saw the ring. She covered her mouth with her two hands and remained silent and wide eyed as she looked down at it. 

     For one terrible crushing moment, Hecatia was afraid Junko didn’t like the ring.

     But then, Junko gasped, “It’s beautiful.” She blinked tears out of her eyes. The tears ran down her round blushing face and dribbled off her chin.

     “Yes, Hecatia, I will marry you.” She said, voice quaking.

     She then held out her left hand, her ring finger exposed.

     Hecatia removed the ring from its box and slid it securely onto Junko’s finger. Again, the metal was chilled, but soon Junko’s body temperature would bring it back up to a comfortable heat.

     Hecatia smiled as she sat knelt there. She was ready to collapse, but Junko yanked her forwards in a surprise feat of strength and pulled her onto the bed.

     Hecatia laughed as she rolled onto her side and wrapped a heavily tattooed arm over Junko’s hips. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked over at the woman she loved so truly and desperately much. 

     Junko turned to face her, eyes equally wet. She smiled a true smile and swallowed down a sob.

     “I love you.” Junko said breathlessly.

     “I love you too, Junko.” Hecatia said. She pulled Junko against her body and rested her chin atop Junko’s head. She breathed in the scent of her fresh shampoo in deep greedy lungfuls as she relaxed against her. 

     Hecatia reached down and took Junko’s hand in her own. Their rings gently clinked together, the sound of the dull noise echoed through the air. The two of them smiled at the noise. It was the sound of their love materialized. Their fingers interlaced with one another, their rings were warmed with one another’s heat. 

     They held each other like that for a long while as the deepest part of the night crept in. Slowly, comfortably, they dozed until they both fell into a soft sleep.

     Outside the snow swirled furiously around their house. The wind assaulted their walls and windows, the flakes accumulated everywhere.

     Inside, however, the two women sat warm in each other’s comforting embrace for the first night of the rest of their lives.