Work Text:
The desert was hot and itchy. duh.
Scythe groaned, long tail dragging through the coarse desert sands. Her tail rattled unpleasantly, a scowl plastered on her face as more sand hurled into her body. This was stupid, Father was stupid, this was a stupid day for a harvest, this storm was stupid.
Her eyes lit up and an exhausted groan tumbled from her lips as the temple entrance finally came into sight.
The sack over her shoulder rattled as she shifted its weight and pushed the heavy stone door open, slamming it shut before too much sand could get in. Scythe beelined for her room, slamming that door shut too before throwing the bag onto her floor, bloodied horns spilling out. She scowled as her hat got caught on her own spiked horns.
She eventually gave up, throwing herself down onto the unmade bed that sunk under her weight.
It wasn't long until she heard a knock at her door, and she let out a muffled grumble into her pillow. A loud squeak, that made her flinch, echoed through the room as the door opened, her bed dipping down more as someone sat down on it.
“Got anything for me?” Scythe could practically hear the weird screwed up grin in Brokers voice. She grunted while lazily lifting an arm up to point at the sack laying on the floor, the half spilled out contents littering the small room.
Her arm fell as she felt her hat finally get removed, her ‘brother’ throwing it somewhere in her room. “Careful with the horns, I put in a lota’ effort to get those.”
A quick chuckle followed by rattling was the only answer she got, small ‘ooo’s filling the silence every once and awhile as Broker found a gear he seemed to like. “When's your next harvest?” Rattling and a few clanks followed as Brokers voice rang shrill in the silent room. Scythe was too lazy to raise her head but she could tell Broker was dropping things.
“Father hasn't said. I'm goin’ out to crossroads tomorrow.” A low hum as she heard Broker stand up from her bed. “Katanas home from his mission later today. Father still won’t tell me what he had him do.” Scythe sighed, finally sitting up. “Of course, ‘Tanas missions are always top secret.” She leaned down, picking up and examining the horns Broker had dropped. “Oh! Let's all go out for dinner tonight, just you, me, and Katana!”
Scythe hesitated for a moment before nodding, offering Broker a grin as she dropped the horns back into the sack. “Sure.”
-
Broker had gone ahead of them, saying he had someone he wanted to see at the night market. Scythe and Katana were left to wander between stalls, each with a fried scorpion in hand. “Ya look tired.” Katana nodded, Scythe took a bite of her scorpion while her brother idly spun his uneaten one in a taloned hand. “Ya could have told Broker yer too exhausted to come out tonight.”
“We’re rarely home at the same time, let alone in the right state to all do things together like this.” Katana sighed, finally taking a bite of his own food. “...he always seems happier during these periods. Father never sends him out on missions like he does for us.”
Scythe swallowed hard, her grip on the skewer in her hand tightening. “I wonder if Father will ever realize Broker isn’t as stupid as he thinks. I mean, have ya seen the things he can do with the weapons I bring him from my harvests?” Katana glanced down at Scythe, his face still dark. “Broker not going on missions is for his own good. Neither of us want to see him turn out like me.” Katana gestured to the ugly scar that crossed his cheek and lip.
Scythe narrowed her eyes, forked tongue flicking out from between her teeth. “Whatever, not all of us are like you, ‘Tana.”
Broker's dark blue horns peaked out above the crowd, a tall demon with blue horns and googles standing next to him. Scythe grinned and ran towards them, hooking an arm around Broker’s neck with a muffled ‘oof’ from her brother. “Now, who's this?”
The demon with sky blue horns flashed Scythe a grin, and Broker looked uncharacteristically sheepish. He reached a hand out, which Scythe took happily. “B. Zuka. Or Zuka for short, me and Broker here met a while ago.” Scythe chuckled, releasing Brokers neck and Zukas hand, “I’m Brokers sister, Scythe. I’m mighty surprised he never told us about ya.” Scythe ruffled Brokers hair, messing up his slicked back do. “Me ‘n ‘Tana are gonna go get some more refreshments, yowl if you need us!” And with that, Scythe slipped back into the bustling night market crowd.
-
Crossroads was crowded and Scythe swore on the Overseer that it was just to spite her. Nonetheless, she had her reasons to be here and was determined to get things done. Broker had run off to an alley not long ago, his gear laundering business continuing to run even where the law could get him easily.
Scythe grinned as familiar purple horns poked over a crowd, armor clanking as the demon fought his way out of a crowd that surrounded him. A laugh escaped her, tail rattling ever so slightly as the larger demon set his eyes on her.
Banhammer always had a certain gleam in his eyes when he saw her, and as much as Scythe would hate to admit it, she probably held the same look when it came to him. She waved to Banhammer before slipping into an alley, the warden-to-be joining her a minute later.
“Mighty lot’a fangirls you got there, Mr. Popular.” Scythe grinned, flicking her hat out of her eyes.
Banhammer shook his head, a grumble tumbling from his lips as he leaned back against the wall. “Sometimes I envy you. Mommas been having me manage Crossroads while she deals with the prisoners.” The purple demon huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
Scythe's smile softened slightly as she kicked Banhammer in the knee, though she doubted he could feel it through all the armor. “Ain’t ya glad I came out to Crossroads today?” A small smile toyed at the demigod's lips, “Yeah, I guess I am.” Banhammer kicked her back, and both of their grins widened. “Race ya to the Thieves den bridge, Banny!”
-
The sunset was beautiful, the two of them sat shoulder to shoulder on the bridge. Idle small talk was muttered between them occasionally and Scythe leaned over to rest her head on Banhammer's shoulder. The demigods' armor was sitting to the side of them as they swung their legs over the edge of the bridge.
“I love ya, Banny.”
A soft smile.
“I love you too, Scythe.”
-
The face she grinned at snarled back. She remembered when that same face carried the fondest smile, one she would kiss when they had moments of privacy. “Scythe, you're under arrest.”
Her tail rattled dangerously, swinging her riffle between hands. “I don't think so, Banny.”
Banhammer growled, taking a step towards her. The wind whipped through the desert, sand pelting them as they stood face to face, weapons drawn. “Do not call me that.”
Rattles filled the silence between them. “Ya didn't seem to mind me callin’ ya that back when we were youngins.”
Banhammers blindfold ruffled, and Scythe could tell
he was narrowing his eyes. She remembered when he started to wear that stupid thing.
-
“I can't see yer eyes anymore, Banny.” Clawed hands cupped his grinning face, fingers toying with the edge of the purple cloth. “Momma says I should add some extra challenges to my phights.” Banhammer chuckled at Scythe's concerned look, “I’ll take it off when I’m with you.” The shorter demon's hands unknotted the blindfold, grinning as all four purple eyes gazed at her.
All four, so fond, so beautiful, and so perfect, just for Scythe. She smiled wide, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Banhammer's eyes were always so lovely.
“There ya are.”
-
Scythe sat patiently as Medkit tinkered with her arm, adding new additions and adjustments to help her. “Say, have ya ever been in love, Meddy?” Scythe gazed off to the side and Medkit seemed unbothered by the question, something Scythe would have believed if it wasn't for how his hands slowed down momentarily. “Can't say I have.”
She let out a low hum, eyes going back to Medkit.
“Did ya-”
Both of them jumped as a loud string of muffled curse words was followed by a crash, then a shrill ring, and finally a slam as heavy footsteps grew nearer. Medkit gazed towards the door while Scythe snickered. Broker soon emerged, his face contorted in an uncharacteristic snarl.
“What's got ya like that now?” The navy demon threw himself down into Medkits office chair as the doctor went back to work on Scythe's arm. “That fucker had the audacity to call me.”
Scythe raised an eyebrow at Broker. “Didn't ya leave that phone in Zukas for anyone to use?”
“I told Zukes I didn't want Katana anywhere near that phone. And the phone says ‘to call Broker’ on it.”
Scythe sighed, eyes trailing back to her arm where Medkit was screwing something into it. Brokers' grudge was significantly worse than hers was. It wasn't like she could even blame him, Katana had abandoned them without a word.
-
Her eyes widened as they fell on the tall figure before her, and she knew the eyes behind that mask were just as shocked as she was.
“Been awhile, hasn't it.”
“...Far too long.”
Scythe barked out a short laugh, shoving her hands into her pockets. “Brokers fukin’ pissed. Can't believe the thought of callin’ him after what you did went through your head.”
Katana stiffened ever so slightly, but Scythe knew her ‘brother’ too well, every little action or movement did not go unnoticed. “I’m not going to-”
She waved a hand at him, “I’m not expecting an apology.” Scythe hesitated, arm falling back to her side as she bit her lip. “...You were always smarter than the rest of us.”
He seemed like he was about to speak again, but Scythe turned her back on Katana. “Just never try to call us again.”
And with that, she was gone.
-
Scythe sat lazily in her cage, she already knew how she would be getting out. Decades of this cat and mouse game with Banhammer had taught her well. “Say, Banny, do ya ever get tired of this?”
Banhammer scoffed from just outside her cell, his arms crossed across his chest. “Of chasing criminals and bringing justice just like momma asks of me? Never.” Scythe eyed the bandana, an almost sad look crossing her face. “Ya never take that thing off anymore.”
The warden hesitated for a moment before turning his back to her.
They both wished for what they couldn't have.
-
“Its either me or that fucking cult, Scythe!”
Her tail rattled dangerously, forked tongue flicking between her teeth. “It's not a cult, it's my family.”
Banhammer took a step towards her, his fists clenched. “A family that kills people meaninglessly. How long did you think you could get away with this before I would find out.” He swallowed hard, and the betrayal and pain in his voice was almost palpable. “...Were you planning to kill me too?”
Scythes eyes went wide, face contorting. “No- I love you, Banny!” She closed the distance between them, placing her hands on Banhammer's cheeks. “Please, please, please-”
Banhammer's lip quivered as he gently pried a hand off of his face. “More than you love that cu-” He shook his head, lips pressed together. “...your ‘family’?”
Scythe took a shaking breath, mouth opening and closing a few times as Banhammer started to back away from her. “Banny-”
“We're done, Scythe.”
He turned away, and she fell to her knees and started to sob.
-
A solitary grave in the desert was all that was left. Someone had placed a dusty white and teal hat atop it, the only thing that symbolized who lay beneath the ground besides the name on the headstone.
A demon clad in purple armor sat before the grave, a bouquet of roses in his hands.
“I didn't think you cared about her anymore. You weren't at the funeral, after all.” Broker stood behind Banhammer, when he had gotten there was unknown to the warden.
“...I never stopped caring about her.”
Broker joined Banhammer, kneeling on the sand as he placed a pair of white horns at the base of the grave. The two sat in silence for what felt like days before Broker cleared his throat, Banhammer turning to look at him. “Take her hat back with you. I’m scared it’ll blow away in the wind.” And with that, Broker got up and was gone.
Banhammer gently placed the roses down beside Brokers offering. He picked up the hat, taking off his blindfold as he started to cry.
-
“Sometimes I forget you’ll outlive me, Banny.” There was a grin on her face the first time she had spoken those words.
-
Scythe sat at the bar with Medkit, at least five drinks in now. “Hey… Meddy?” Her words slurred together as she turned to look at him.
The doctor reached out to grab her arm, keeping her steady. “When I die, make sure to take care of Banny, K?”
-
“Hey, Scythe.”
She turned to look at Medkit as he started to cut up an apple, raising an eyebrow at the doctor. “What were you going to tell me the other day before Broker barged in?”
Scythe chuckled, going back to stirring the soup they had been making. “Ah, nothin’ you would be interested in hearin’. Just the crazed ramblings of a middle aged demon.”
“I do want to hear what you have to say.” Scythe's eyes widened, smiling even though she knew Medkit couldn't see it, he was too focused on his apple.
“I had a boyfriend once, ya know.” That got the doctor's attention and Scythe laughed, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “The warden of Banlands himself. Though he wasn't the warden yet when we were together.”
Scythe sighed, “But… that was all in the past.” She swallowed hard, turning off the stove with shaky fingers. “I don't feel anything towards him anymore.”
Medkit watched her back as she started to ladle the soup into bowls.
Liar.
-
Life continued on, the rest of Inpherno didn't care if Scythe died. Her face was plastered all over wanted posters all around the land, to them…her dying was justice being served onto the land they loved so dearly.
Katana heard of her death from his neighbors days after it had happened. The next day he went into crossroads and did the one thing he had promised his sister he wouldn't do again.
He stepped into Zukas shop, the demon lazily lounging behind the counter with a cigarette in his mouth. “I need to call Broker.”
Zuka raised his eyebrows, but complied, pulling a bright red phone out from behind the counter. “I’ll leave you to it.” He got up and walked outside, leaving Katana alone with the phone.
The swordsman hesitated before picking up the phone. It rang a few times before a voice he hadn't heard in years echoed loud and clear from the speaker. “Hey, Broker here.”
“...Broker…” Katanas' voice cracked and he could practically hear how the other demon stiffened, even over the phone. “What do you wa-”
“I’m so sorry about Scythe.” It was silent before Katana swallowed hard, hand gripping the phone harder. “Will there be a funeral?”
“...Saturday at the church. I trust you still know your way around Lost Temple.”
-
Soon enough there was more than just her on that sandy hill. All three of them overlooked the temple now, just as they had in life.
A demon, still alive, sat with them. He held a battered white cowboy hat close to his chest, the hat belonging to the owner of the largest grave.
One day, death would take him and he would be with her again.
They would dance beneath the endless stars, all their regrets and mistakes left behind. In a place where they were no longer criminal and warden, but just them.