Butterflies Volume II

Chapter 48

Remaining was just Violet, Annie, and a coughing Billy. As they headed back to the office, Annie kept trying to contact Hughie. She had sent him to the hospital due to his badly cut hand, but since there had been radio silence. Over and over, ringing and ringing, Violet had memorised the sound of her phone. Her worry, balanced with Violet's own for Billy, struggling to drive, caused a piercing headache to course through her mind. Doubled with all she was keeping locked up in her head, she was projecting herself into a stroke. Just hold on, a tiny bit further. It would be tomorrow, or maybe the day after, she decided. She would walk into the tower, and that would be it. She'd finish it.

She was rubbing her temples as they walked in, closing her eyes. Annie kept talking, kept bringing back Hughie, and as much as Violet was concerned for his injury, she also knew he could handle it. He had handled worse, and although they hadn't talked, and she hadn't said how sorry she felt for him outside a screen, he was one of the strongest people she knew. He had to be, with what he had gone through. Mending friendships was her plan for after, Hughie and Lola were at the top of her to-do list.

"Sup cum burgers," The Deep greeted them.

The Deep?

Violet opened her eyes, finding the smug sex predator sat comfortable in M's chair. He chuckled at their shocked expressions.

"The fuck you doing here?" Billy questioned, Annie too busy gaping to speak.

"Homelander is sick of your shit, bro," The Deep said in his sickly valley boy accent, "said to put you out your misery."

Violet scoffed, "and he sent you? Don't you have some octopus to be fucking right now?"

Billy let out a deep chuckle, chucking the files on their desk beside them. His smirk remained when he looked up to find the hesitation The Deep so greatly needed plastered on his face. Sending a flounder against Violet was like sending it to a sushi restaurant. What was inevitable was The Deep chopped into little pieces set on a conveyor right back to Homelander's door. Billy liked that thought.

"What? No I never..." The Deep was quick to dispute her, "he didn't just send me."

They heard footsteps behind them, Black Noir entering the room. His silent walk blocked their exit, and Violet rolled her eyes. Homelander knew they were no match for her, not anymore, what a lazy attempt at slowing her down. Annie shot her a look, giving her no other choice. And she dramatically sighed, knowing it was a fight they were gearing up for.

"Do you know what?" Billy asked, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's Christmas. You two twats leg it right now, and we'll forget you was ever here."

"What dude?" The Deep laughed, "I can barely understand you, your accent's insane."

"What the fuck do you want, Deep?" Annie begged for an answer.

"Justice you fucking bitch."

Violet blew out a gush of air, turning back to Black Noir as though he would give her any expression back. The Deep would be Annie's, there was no way Violet was going to interfere with what Annie would rightfully do to him. She will encourage it. This is the moment you've been waiting for, punish him, kill him like Violet was going to do Homelander. He didn't deserve to live.

"God, I'm gonna enjoy this so much," The Deep sighed, "first, you tried to cancel me, victimise an innocent man because I guess that's just cool to do to white guys nowadays. But jokes on you. #MeToo's over, sweetheart, it didn't work. Wah-wah-wah-"

"Oh Annie, please light his balls off already," Violet tilted her head to her, and she didn't nod, but it definitely crossed her mind.

But before Annie could react, The Deep punched her in the stomach, sending her flying into the pillar behind her, crashing heavily. They sprung into action, Billy leaping towards the black case behind their desk as Violet stepped towards Black Noir. He swung for a punch, but she swerved, kicking him in the side. He grunted, and she noticed he didn't carry his swords like he used to. He was off also, she could have sworn she heard a grunt come from his mask.