Broken and Lonely Ch. 08

Clara stands in the alley near the Club taking a smoke break. She then hears approaching footsteps.

Sighing, she says. "It's not that I didn't like the kiss," the Carmine turns to see Velvette. "It was just surprising, Vee," she takes another puff before passing it over for Velvette to take a quick one. "My last relationship didn't end so well. When I was dating Fran, I caught her with my sister's boyfriend. In the heat of the moment, I took the cleaver from the kitchen and just…" she made swinging motion while taking her cigarette back. "Wham! Odette got her own revenge after switching out his drink with a very potent acid. Us Carmine's don't do so well when crossed," Clara smirks seeing the surprised look on her guest's face. "Since then, we both sworn off having a relationship. Neither of us wanted to get hurt like that again," they passed the smoke one last time before Clara puts it out. "Sometimes I wonder if there's a similar reason why our dad's not around."

The two remained there in silence for a bit then Velvette rested her head on Clara's shoulder. The Carmine smiles as she pats the Vee on the head. "We should head back in. Don't want Loona to think we've killed each other," the two start walking out of the alley. "With what happened in there. Can we wait until we're home to talk about it?"

A rough voice then speaks up. "I'd rather hear about it now."

Both women did a one-eighty to find a group of Sinners being led by a muscular one.

"You already killed my girl once and then you go and threaten her," the lead guy cracks his knuckles.

"Wait!" Clara looks him up and down. "Ivan?"

"That's right," Ivan pulls back his arm. "Your sister's already gone. But this will still be enjoya…" he throws a punch, but Clara easily dances around the fist and manages to kick him in the jaw.

"Don't you dare talk about my sister!?"

Seeing this, the other guys try stepping but one of them gets kicked somewhere unfavorable and he collapsed, holding his hands between his legs.

Velvette turns to the other ones who glance at one another. But they then glare at her before charging at the Vee. Despite being faster, the woman still gets hit a couple times. The former Influencer manages to kick one of the guy's head into the wall, knocking him out. But the other guy grabs her from behind. Lucky for Velvette, Clara jumps onto the guys shoulders and snaps his neck causing him to drop the Vee and the guy to slump to the ground.

"You okay, Vee?" the Carmine asks.

Velvette smiles at her before a large arm slams into her middle, throwing her against the wall.

Clara goes to kick the assailant only for her leg to get caught and a fist slammed right into her knee causing a very audible crack and the Carmine to scream. A large hand is then wrapped around her neck.

"Wish I had a cleaver," Ivan smirks at her. "Bet Francesca would have loved that," his hands then started to tighten around her neck. "Guess we'll just have to settle with you being crushed." A massive force then strikes his head, making him drop the Carmine.

Clara coughs while taking in some gasps of air. Looking up, she sees Velvette repeatedly stopping Ivan's face with her heels.

"Vee?"

Velvette continues her assault.

Clara struggles to get up. "Vee!"

Velvette could not register anything other than the guy beneath her feet.

"Vee!" the Carmine places a hand on her shoulder causing her to turn to Clara. "I think he had enough."

The Vee blinks before turning back to Ivan who has a barely recognizable face. She then spits on him. Velvette turns back to Clara and notices that she's having a hard time to remain standing. The woman pushes herself underneath the Carmine's arm to help steady her.

"Thanks, Vee," Clara smiles at her. "For everything."

The two then starts walking away again and as they passed the Club's entrance, the here giggling.

"I can't wait to see the state Ivan left those bit…" Fran and her entourage stopped once they see Clara and Velvette. She turns to run away only to run face first into a fist. After clearing out of her daze, the Sinner sees a hellhound standing over her. She looks to her friends for help only to see them turning to stone and a Goetia walks past them with glowing eyes.

Loona growls. "My friends are a part of my pack and when you mess with the pack… you… mess…" she stops, noticing something unusual about the Sinner.

Fran then looks down and her cheeks turn red as one side of her chest is now noticeably smaller than the other. She tries covering herself, hoping no one else noticed.

Clara bursts out laughing. "I thought your cup size seemed different from when we were together."

All the other present demons start laughing as well. Fran skitters out of sight.

Once everyone calmed down, Loona goes over to help with Clara. "We should get you to the hospital."

One step sent pain through the Carmine's leg causing her to hiss. "I'm not sure I'd make it that far."

Loona turns to the Goetia. "Hey, Octavia! How are you with teleportation?"

"Eh, that depends on how you feel about the possibility of being turned inside out," Octavia sighs as she digs out her phone. "I'll have to call my dad to pick us up. He is so going to pe p(bleep)ed when he finds out where I am," and just as her thumb was over her dad's number, Clara speaks up.

"If you're that concerned about your dad knowing, there is one place around the corner. I'm sure she won't mind us dropping by."

The group looks at one another and then back at the Carmine.

.oOo.

Octavia knocks on the apartment door. When the door opens, the group goes to greet who they hope would be their gracious host, only to stop and look her up and down.

Kayla wearing a fluffy bunny onesie with ears on the hood, and matching slippers says, "How I dress in my own home is up to me."

Loona then says tells her, "Fair enough."

"Hey, Kayla," Clara speaks up, still having Velvette and Loona assisting her. "Mind if we stay here for a while. We've had a rough night."

"Oh, uh," the star eyed woman moves out of the way. "Sure, Ms. Carmine. You can stay the night if you like," she shows them her apartment. Which sets the kitchen and living room as the same area. "It's not much but it's home."

"Kayla," Clara turns to her employee. "Your salary should allow you to move into a bigger place," she is set down on the single couch.

"Yeah, well, this was my first apartment," Kayla looks around. "I guess I just have a hard time giving it up."

The Carmine smiles. "I can understand the…" suddenly a wallet is shoved in her mouth.

"This is going to hurt like Hell," Loona tells her before setting Clara's legs causing her to scream in pain. "There you go," she then looks back up. "Mind if I have my wallet back?"

Clara takes the item out of her mouth. "F(bleep)! That hurt like Hell!"

The Hellhound smirks while taking her wallet back. "Told you! Hey, Hops! You got a first aid anywhere? Need something to help keep her leg together."

It took Kayla a moment to get that she was being talked to. "Oh, yeah! I keep it under the bathroom sink. Which is just down… it's actually that door behind the owlgirl."

Octavia turns. "I'll get it!" and enters the bathroom.

Kayla turns to the armless Vee, taking note of the bruises and cuts before walking up to her and whispers. "Ms. Velvette. Did Ms. Carmine do any of this?"

Velvette shakes her head.

Loona's ear twitched. "Why would your friend think you'd harm Velvette?" she looks up to see a hesitant Clara. That told the Hellhound everything she needs to know. "It sounds like you-"

"I have a problem," Clara admits. "And I am seeing help for it. I promise."

.oOo.

Later That Night

While everyone else was sleeping, Clara rolls from her spot on the couch to look at the other three who are sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor. Closest to her is Velvette who was so peaceful while sleeping.

Clara wasn't even aware what she was doing when she moved a strand of hair out of Velvette's face. This disturbs the slumbering Sinner.

"Sorry, Vee. I didn't mean to wake you," the Carmine pushes herself up. "Would you mind sitting with me?"

Velvette nods before getting up on the couch next to her.

"About that kiss," Clara starts. "I liked it. About as much as I like your company," she then turns to Velvette. "And I like you. More than what I thought I would."

The Vee smiles.

I like you to.

As if she heard what Velvette was thinking, Clara smiles in return. "Vee, I'm willing to give us a try if you are."

I'm more than williing.

As an answer, Velvette rests her head on the Carmine's shoulder and to respond, Clara moves an arm around the Vee's waist to pull them closer together. They were fine remaining like that for the rest of the night, but the moment was ruined by Loona.

"So…" both the Hellhound and Goetia are sitting up, staring at the two. "Are you guys a thing now?"

"I don't know," Clara turns to Velvette. "Are we?"

Velvette just leans in for a kiss.

Does that answer your question?

A small squeak comes from across the room, and Kayla is happily there in the doorway to her bedroom.

"I'm happy for you," Loona tells the couple. "Both of you," she then turns to Octavia. "If these two end up going add it, would you be able to conjure up some earmuffs. I've heard more than enough whenever Blitz had guests over."

"Tell me about it," the Goetia smirks as two sets of earmuffs appear in her hands. "I've had practice," and passes one to Loona.

"Excuse me," Kayla walks up to them. "Mind if I have a pair? These walls are pretty thin."

During this conversation, both Clara and Velvette are blushing at what they are discussing as if neither of them are in the room.