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A heavy rain had fallen the night before, and now, a heavier layer of dew covered the grass. There were the slightest hints of fog hanging in the air, dusting it with hues of gray.
The grass was rather overgrown, so it brushed against Yellow’s legs with each step. The tiny droplets from these plants soaked through the bottom edges of his pants, forming a dark circle around the very bottom of each leg.
The morning was peaceful. A soft wind was carried through the air, making the surrounding plants slowly sway together. The sound of it was like music. It reminded Yellow of something Blue would often say; the way he would talk about nature creating music, or how plants held songs within them. It was a beautiful notion that always seemed to make Yellow’s heart swell. They were plants too, after all, meaning those words applied to them, as well.
It brought a smile to Yellow’s face as he walked. Thinking about Blue always did. He soon realized he was bringing a blush to his own face, so he tried to clear his head by shaking it. Instead of thinking, Yellow turned to whistling. It was some quiet tune that he didn’t know the name of, but he was sure he had danced to it with his partner before. He must have.
The sun was slow to rise, peaking over the distant mountains. It brought a comfortable warmth to the air. The slightest bit of humidity was rising from it, but Yellow didn’t exactly mind. Both the water and the warmth felt nice against his skin. It made him think about maybe taking a nap later: flat on his back, hat over his eyes, perhaps on a large rock or a pasture of grass. He would decide the details later, after he had finished with what was supposed to be a patrol.
It was then that Yellow’s mind wandered again. It had this way of hopping between topics, his thoughts often scattered and unorganized. This time, it was the grass that caught his attention. Mixed in with the high stocks seemed to be wildflowers of multiple different varieties. It had been a while since he had walked this far, and in that time, it seemed the flowers had sprung up. Yellow’s eyes widened at the sight. His heart was now set on a new idea.
He quickly made his way to the edge of the pathway, squatting as he looked at the different types of flowers and plants. He pushed his hat back slightly to allow himself a better view, and the other hand reached out to run against the mass of stems in front of him.
It was difficult for him to identify any of the species. Yellow typically just enjoyed the look of flowers; he always thought they were pretty. It was Blue who could distinguish the differences between them. Blue would point out the leaves sometimes, or the colors, or shapes, explaining how to identify each one. There was once he’d told Yellow about poison ivy, too, back when he had nearly stumbled into a patch. But these were all different than that, no alternating pairs of three leaves, and alas, Blue wasn’t with him to explain.
Yellow’s eyes passed across each of the different plants, not particularly settling yet. His mind was a mess of ideas, springing about as he tried to decide which ones he wanted to pick.
“I hope this don’t hurt none of y’all.” He said, pulling the first plant at its stem. “I know none of ya are alive the same way we are, since that there Dark Fountain sprang up, and I promise yer goin’ to a good cause.” He continued as he gathered another.
Focusing on the task at hand, Yellow’s tongue poked just slightly from the corner of his mouth, an indication of his determined state. After a rather short amount of time, he had gathered a small bundle in his hands. The plants hung at slightly odd angles, some drooping and others sitting rather straight. The plants he had chosen had these fluffy bunches at the ends. Most were a light brown color, but some were green, and others had purpleish hues mixed in. When he shook them, some of the tiny pale seeds would fall. It was a fun noise, hearing the stalks brush together.
Once Yellow had gathered what he felt was enough, he stood up to his full height and began to walk again. As he walked, his eyes remained fixed on his bouquet. Retrieving some spare leather from his pockets, he paused, taking the time to tie a bow around the stems of the plants so that they would remain together. It was the perfect arrangement, something befitting of a cowboy.
With the bouquet in hand, Yellow quickened his steps. With each step forward, he could feel his excitement growing, buzzing its way through each of his limbs. He had to keep himself from bursting into a full-on sprint, silently reminding himself that running would probably harm the flowers he had just worked so hard to collect.
After a short while of searching, Yellow was able to find his Blue. His partner was standing near the far end of their stage, drinking small sips of water as he took a break from practicing ballet. Blue looked gorgeous, standing there under the stage lights. His whole being seemed illuminated in the dim surroundings, and his wings were momentarily present at his back, fluttering just faintly as he stood. It was enough to take Yellow’s breath away, and for a moment, it really did seem he had forgotten how to breathe. Every time he laid eyes on Blue, it felt like he was falling in love all over again. It took a moment for him to remember why he was there in the first place, and slightly longer for him to regain any sort of composure.
Once he finally did regain focus, Yellow found himself bounding up the side stairs leading to the stage. With little grace, he made his way across it, hands behind his back the whole way. It brought a bit of surprise to Blue: seeing him now. It was clear in his expression.
“You are back early, dear. Did everything go well with your stroll?” The words came out smoothly, not revealing a hint of the worry that Blue might have been feeling. Quite the contrary: to Yellow, Blue’s voice was like music. Yellow would have dropped to his knees right there, that is, if it wouldn’t have spoiled his surprise.
“Jus’ fine! More then fine, really!” Yellow’s face was beaming, a full display of his excitement. Blue could tell by the look in his eyes and the way he bounced up onto the tips of his boots. It was infectious, spreading a smile to Blue’s lips, as well.
“That’s good. I am always glad to hear when things work well for you, my love.” Blue stepped forward to wrap his arms around Yellow, only to pause when he noticed the other flower’s posture. It brought a quizzical expression to his face, one that slowly morphed into amusement. “Now, dear. What exactly are you hiding behind your back?”
From this, Yellow let forth a small chuckle. His knees turned in slightly as he finally pulled the bouquet from behind his back, eagerly trusting it towards Blue.
“Look what I made fer ya!” Yellow cheered, eyes closing as he gave another little bounce. “I was out walkin’, an’ I saw these out there! They was so fun lookin’, I jus’ had’ta get‘em fer ya!”
The second Blue’s eyes set sight on the bundle of grasses, he gave a small, delighted gasp. His hands clasped upward, beside his head, in a show of dramatized bewilderment before he gently took the bouquet from Yellow.
“Oh, this is just wonderful, Yellow dear!” Blue’s giant wings gave little flaps as he turned the stalks in his hands. There was a sparkle in his eyes as he gazed at the display. “Look at all of these little fox tails! The perfect embodiment of the man I love most!”
These words sprang an instant blush to Yellow’s cheeks. He tried to hide it, but Blue’s barrage of compliments didn’t yet cease.
“And as a reciprocating testament of love, even if not quite equal, I have this exquisite glass vase that I must put them in! This bouquet will be going on that little side table, right beside my bed!” He gave another excited gasp. “And I have that lace table linen! It will look just splendid underneath it!”
Blue gushed on about all of the little details, holding the small bundle of grasses in his hands as if it were the most precious gift he had ever received. It sent a barrage of butterflies loose in Yellow’s stomach. The positive emotions were tangling in his mind, enough to make his body tingle: enough to cause sickness. It was that tipping point where good bled over into bad; his own happiness was overwhelming him.
In an instant, it was all made better, though. Before Yellow’s mind could wander too far down a dark path, he felt Blue’s arms grasp around him. Before he even had the time to process it, Yellow was hugging back, eyes fluttering shut as warmth overtook him.
With the moment seizing them both, Blue gently lifted Yellow from the ground. He spun them once around before they both found footing again. He then proceeded to pepper stray kisses across Yellow’s face, leaving the faintest lines of blueberry lipstick to accompany the rosy color that was overtaking the flower’s cheeks.
After Blue was satisfied with the onslaught of affection, he finally pulled away, sliding one hand to fit into Yellow’s.
“Come now, my sweet. These poor dears need water!”
Their sides brushed ever so faintly as they walked together. It was only a minute or so until they had made it into Blue’s room. The door was swung wide, but due to its size, Yellow was forced to lag a bit behind upon entering.
Everything about the room was perfect. The wooden flooring was covered by a soft rug in the very center. The bed frame was tall, draped with curtains and lace fabrics from a canopy built at the top. The armoire, like the rest of the furniture, had intricate swirl-like carvings. Every inch was decorated, not a bare spot to be found. The air smelled of lavender and vanilla, adding to the cozy atmosphere.
Yellow couldn’t help but let his eyes wander across every detail. Blue had released his hand, leaving momentarily to clean up and retrieve a vase for the flowers Yellow had gifted to him.
The weight that had built up in Yellow’s mind was finally subsiding, but it only seemed to leave him more tired than he already had been earlier in the morning. It must have been apparent by his expression, because Blue made a comment the second he returned to the bedroom.
“Yellow, dear?” En pointe, Blue gracefully returned to his place beside the flower. “What ever is on your mind? Will you please tell me?” Patience rang out in his voice. Yellow knew that tone well; Blue always picked it up when he was worried. If drowsiness hadn’t settled so harshly in Yellow’s mind, he might have blamed himself for it. There was a small shake of his head, an indication to Blue that he was alright.
“Nothin’s wrong. Jus’…” Yellow paused, trying to find the words to properly express exactly what he was feeling. After all the excitement, it felt as if there was this hole somewhere in his chest, one that was sucking all the energy from his body. Yellow blinked a few times, brow furrowing as he thought on that. He then shook his head again, heaving the smallest of sighs.
“Jus’ tired all’a sudden.” He finally landed on, giving up the faintest of smiles to reassure Blue that he was ok. With the misunderstanding cleared, his partner took up his hands again, now suspended betweenst them both.
“Would you like to lie down, then?” Blue quickly offered, gently squeezing Yellow’s hands in a form of reassurance. Contemplation flickered in the other flower’s eyes as he thought it over.
“I guess I cou’d make myself a spot on the floor.” Yellow finally decided, shifting his weight a bit as he thought out the idea. The rug had to be comfortable enough to lie on, and it wasn’t like he didn’t often sleep on the ground. Cowboys often camped out, after all. This would be no different! Despite this irrefutable fact, his response sent the smallest flicker through Blue’s expression. He couldn’t exactly tell why until his partner spoke again.
“My dearest. You do know that I do not mind if you share the bed with me? It would bring me such sorrow to think of you alone and uncomfortable.”
Yellow had not even realized that Blue had intended to stay with him. He knew that his partner had been practicing his ballet, and he didn’t want to get in the way of that! Neither did he want to intrude on Blue’s privacy! But if sleeping on the floor would make his Blue sad…
“Are you—” But before he had even finished the sentence, Blue was already speaking again.
“I would not offer if I were not certain, dear. On the contrary, I would just adore having you next to me.” Sincerity was clear in Blue’s voice. He wasn’t just saying this because he felt obligated or out of pity for Yellow. He really did want him there. And that made Yellow feel so incredibly cared for: so loved.
Yellow had to push back the pang that rose in his chest. It was rather difficult for him to fight the tears that were now threatening his eyes. This always happens. For whatever reason, unsolicited acts of kindness always made him want to cry.
“Well, aren’t you jus’ sweet as sugar?” Yellow choked out. Before he had the chance to move much further, Blue’s hands were already cupping his cheeks, brushing away the tears before they could fall. This only resulted in a worsening of his crying, the action finally tipping over what Yellow had tried so hard to suppress.
Several moments passed with them standing together like that. Blue had taken Yellow into his arms, rubbing his back gently as he quietly sobbed. Blue was always so patient with Yellow when he got like that. He never pushed him or shamed him. That thought was just as overwhelming; it forced Yellow to gasp out for air, and as Blue soothingly shushed him back down, he found his hands opening and closing on instinct.
It took a while, but Blue was successful in soothing Yellow back down. He didn’t leave Yellow’s side, not for a moment, as he guided the other over to the bed. Blue then helped to lift him up, frowning slightly as he watched Yellow curl in on himself against the mattress’s surface. He chose to brush that off for now, sliding into the bed next to his partner.
The second Blue hit the sheets, Yellow had already rolled over to face him. His arms grasped around the other flower as he snuggled in, burying his face low in Blue’s chest. The moment brought a soft smile to Blue’s lips. He lifted his hand to gently stroke through the locks on the back of Yellow’s head, content to be lying there in the quiet bliss.
With the curtains drawn shut, a silent ambiance of warmth had settled over them. Yellow couldn’t help but find himself loosening again, his head peeking out to stare up at the scene. His eyes finally rested again on Blue, who was still there beside him, unwavering.
Their eyes met in a silent exchange, a profession of love without the need for words. It was only then that Yellow found he could be lulled back into comfort, his eyes closing to receive much-anticipated sleep.