What's that thing they say about a rose by any other name?

Chapter 14: The Florist's first kiss and Working with a Midget

Two weeks later

Yumie's P.O.V:

I was tending to my garden, trying to get my mind off the weeks from Pantalone and Capitano's letters and their flirts. Well, let me rephrase for Capitano. His blunt truth about what he thinks about me and flustering me. Pantalone teases me and turns me into a cherry face!

I sighed and looked at the Spider Lilies and Roses. I carefully grabbed two of my many vials, dark purple and silver coloring, before gently dropping two drops on the spider Lilies. I returned the two vials and grabbed the dark blue and gold vials, dropping two drops on the roses. I was being cautious. It's not the first I have done this, but It's hazardous. I have used these vials many times, but they're old, and I can't break them anymore.

"Almost done. Now, I have to-"

"Viper, what are you doing?"

I jumped a bit before catching one of the vials and the other breaking at my feet. I turned around to glare at Capitano, standing at the door with Pantalone smirking.

"Great...I have to replace this vial. And when did you two get here?!"

"Five minutes ago, Gem. Did we scare you?"

I sighed and put the dark blue Vial back with the others before kneeling to pick up the broken pieces of the Vial before getting a cut on my fingers, but I ignored it and kept going. I suddenly see Capitano next to me, picking up the glass. "C-capitano! Hey, you don't have to. This isn't the first time this has happened."

"I don't mind Viper. Besides, we need to look at that cut on your fingers. And we wanted to ask you something."

I looked at him and nodded before I grabbed Capitano's hand from touching the golding coloring. "Don't touch that. I had to use different chemicals to make it safe for flowers, not humans. I mean you. Wait, no, I mean-." I stumble with my words blushing deeply, and Capitano chuckles at me before Pantalone picks me up and holds my hand looking at my cut.

"Ah! Pantalone, my blood is going to ruin your gloves. I s-should get something to-"

"It's ok, Gem. I don't care about that. You are all that matters right now."

I looked at him, and he gave me a genuine smile before I looked away. He always offers fake smiles to others, but every time he smiles at me, he tries hard to get rid of his mask to show me who he truly is. But with Capitano, he knows how to be blunt and talk to his agents who crossed the line. Capitano takes his helmet off when it's just us, and he lets me trace his scars while he plays with my snakes. They're both very handsome and fit. I may or may not have seen Pantalone Shirtless one time! We were going to get tea together, and he had to replace the shirt after one of the maids spilled some water from watering the Spider lilies. I went to bring him a new shirt, and I saw him throwing the shirt to the ground, with his back towards me. Pantalone has whipping scar marks all over his back. But Capitano's body is covered in scars, with one near his heart; he showed me the scars when we took a training break. I know Pantalone and Capitano too well, but I don't know how to tell him or Capitano that I like them both.

"Viper, where are your medical supplies? We need to take care of that cut."

"Gem, what's going on in that head of yours?"

I look at them and shake my head, not wanting to discuss my thoughts. I moved away from Pantalone to get the first aid kit under the table next to the roses and put it next to the vials. I started to clean the cuts on my fingers and could feel them staring at me.

"I don't understand why you two like me so much. You two will leave me when you see all my flaws. I am nothing but a monster." I mumble under my breath before I feel Capitano behind me, slamming his hands next to me, trapping me. Oh no... he heard me.