Granny Thayer, Demon Slayer || Collab with SophieKestrel

Chapter 17: Something Worth Living For

There was something, thought Violet the next day, as they watched Luciano bolt shrieking down the gangplank with a horde of rabbits in hot pursuit, that was just a little too satisfying about seeing a delusional mob boss humiliated by a pack of bunnies. She wasn't sure it was better than watching King Fazir walk the plank, but it was certainly up there.

"That was perfect," said Maisie, balancing her machine gun precariously against the railing and adjusting her binoculars. "The whole town got Luciano's humiliation on video. It'll be all over the internet in no time."

Violet watched Luciano become a progressively smaller speck in the distance, his outraged howls growing difficult even for her superpowered hearing to detect. Her gaze shifted to the gangplank, where LB was hopping back onto the boat, trailed by several confused bunnies. As Violet watched, LB morphed back into human form and waved at the bunnies. "Shoo," he said. "Back to the mainland. A ship's no place for rabbits."

A clattering of hooves interrupted his words. The bunnies scattered in terror as Saya, who had accompanied LB to the mainland to cheer him on, galloped back onto the ship, her face flushed with victory. Before Violet could blink, Saya leapt off her horse, flung her arms around LB's neck, and kissed him on the lips.

Violet and Raj both started to turn away to give privacy. However, the kiss ended just after it began. In fact, according to Violet's superpower-enhanced estimate (her newfound abilities appeared to be Mary-Sue endless), the mouth-to-mouth contact lasted about 0.3879 seconds.

The moment their lips disconnected, LB glanced down at his body. His face lit up, and he fist-pumped. "Hey, I didn't turn into a rabbit! In fact, I didn't even feel any kind of spark! I might as well have been kissing a rock, for all I—" He deflated and eyed Saya. "Oh wait, did you, um... how did that feel for you?"

Saya shrugged. "If I'm being honest—which I always am—it was a bit awkward. Not bad per se, but definitely not 'let's try that again'."

LB's smile returned. "Great. So glad we got that out of the way. I like you, Saya, but... I'm not actually into you."

"Aww, that's so sweet, LB. I feel the same way about you!"

"Then... friends?"

"Friends."

They fistbumped, both grinning.

Violet and Raj glanced at each other and at the pair, eyebrows raised.

"Uh, LB," Raj ventured, "so this... involuntary shifting thing... you said it happens when you interact with someone attractive...?"

"Perhaps seeing a gorgeous person didn't really turn me into a rabbit," LB pondered. "Perhaps it was more the fear of turning into a rabbit upon seeing a gorgeous person that actually forced me to change. Regardless, it appears my fears are now conquered!"

Raj tilted his head. "Well, I guess it's true what they say: we have nothing to fear but—"

"Turning into a rabbit," LB finished morosely.

Raj opened his mouth to say something else, but Saya spoke first. "Anyway," she said, "I really don't see how muscles could ever be enough to make me attracted to a person. Like, Luciano's abs were defeated by just a paintball gun. What muscles stand a chance against, for example"—she flipped a hand toward Maisie, who watched from nearby—"a machine gun?"

Maisie's face lit up, and she patted her machine gun fondly.

Violet tilted her head. "Saya, I'm quite impressed. You've matured a lot in the time I've known you."

"Yes, I'm very mature," Saya said. "And also, kissing totally ruins my lipstick."

Maisie's smile fell.