Work Text:
petals unfold,
bleeding scarlet
into the lukewarm water
ochako uncurls her palm
tracing a cut into her skin
with the same rugged outline
as scar etched on her abdomen
while red droplets pour into the tea,
himiko raises the cup to her lips,
letting the steam waft into her face
tartness dances on her taste buds
as her jawline warps –
but even as himiko wears ochako’s face
her wide toothy grin is all hers
the kind of smile worth envying
taking another sip
himiko marvels over how even with bitterness
lingering on her tongue
she had never tasted anything sweeter