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On a lazy day like that, Afuro deemed it right to indulge at least a tiny bit and just rest. Or be lazy, as someone else might call it, it was all a matter of perspective. And he just so happened to have the perfect way of relaxing and just breathing among all the responsibilities that came with the crown, right there within the limits of the castle. One of the most beautiful gardens seen in the kingdom, with countless kinds of flowers and plants and trees alike, all taken care of by the very best gardeners they could find in the kingdom.
Afuro had always loved that garden, an easy escape from the headaches of the daily life just by sitting there in the grass and breathing. It was all he needed to clear his mind.
And it was while finally allowing himself a walk through that same garden, in a lazy morning caressed by the gentle breeze, that he saw him. One of the newest workers at the castle, picked to care for such a majestic garden after the last one retired in his old age.
He was… cute.
And that was all he really could think of for a solid moment.
His mind was very much helpful at the moment, almost not reminding him that he still hadn’t greeted all the new workers at the castle. Almost. Maybe this was a good time to say hello? Or maybe he should come back later, wouldn’t want to impose and bother someone so busy, after all-
Except the gardener had finally realized he was being watched. Well, no point in putting it off now, gently waving with a smile, humming as he decided to approach the suddenly very awkward looking gardener, clearly trying to appear busier than he was as he directed his attention back to the flowers he had been just observing.
“Hello. I guess you must be the new gardener, then?” He tried as best as he could to sound as polite and gentle as possible.
“A-ah- hello, I didn’t expect to- well, run into the prince himself. Especially this early into my work.”
“My apologies, I try to greet everyone new to the castle, but it’s been a bit busy lately.” He really, really, needed to remember to go see the other new workers. Didn’t they receive new knights too, recently…? Wait, there was something else first- “Right- may I know your name, then?”
And the gardener just smiled at him.
“Fubuki Shirou, it’s nice to meet you in person, your highness.”
Right as he said that, he reached for the bush he had been working on, to then offer the prince one of the most beautiful roses he had ever seen, with pale and delicate pink petals, that smile never leaving his face.
Afuro could’ve sworn there was almost a hint of playfulness in his words, in the way he addressed him. If there really was and it wasn’t just his mind playing tricks on him, then… he didn’t mind it. He liked it, even.
“The pleasure is mine.”
And he meant that.
Despite his best attempts to just leave everyone to do their job in peace, Afuro really, really couldn’t help his curiosity when it came to the new gardener. It must’ve been the fact that he worked with the flowers he already cherished so much, nothing more, right? That’s what he told himself.
The times they had seen each other in the garden were just a coincidence, really, just Afuro happening to run into him during his much needed breaks. Nothing else, and most definitely not an excuse to watch him do his job- and admittedly, it impressed him. There was always so much to do, he was always busy with this or that, walking from one side to the other of the far too big plot, it almost looked like he never took a break. Maybe they should find him some help…?
“Is there anything I can do for you, prince?”
The gardener had finally noticed his presence. Not like Afuro was really trying to hide it, too curious for his own good.
“Just Afuro is fine, please- no need for titles when we’re alone.” And then he grinned. “Or you could call me Terumi if you want.”
“Oh- really? Is that- is it really alright? I mean, you’re…”
“Of course it’s alright! I’m telling you it is- who’s going to say no?”
Well, he wasn’t really wrong about that.
“Alright, if that’s what you want… Afuro.”
And that was when Afuro realized that he definitely wanted to hear his name coming from his lips again.
“What kind of flower is that?”
“Oh, that’s a hydrangea. They’re good for bouquets and decorations.”
“Ooooh, I see- they’re some of the prettiest flowers here… and those?”
“Peonies- usually you make bouquets just with them if you use those, their colors complement each other on their own.”
“Really? Mmmh, I guess I never really paid attention to that…”
And Fubuki softly giggled to himself at that-
“You must’ve been too busy for that… but I can show you some things, if you’d like.”
-and now he was smiling at him. Afuro had to nearly bite his tongue to stay quiet and hope he could blame everything on the heat of such a sunny day.
“That- I would really like that, actually. If you don’t mind, of course, you’re already so busy here…”
“No no! It’s fine, I don’t mind at all. Besides, having some company around here is nice.”
It was a sudden decision and a slow start after that, only occasionally seeing each other whenever it was possible, happy to just spend at least a few hours together. And then, before they could even realize it, they were trying to make time, to see each other as much as they could. Whenever they did, Afuro would gladly walk at his side, stepping back whenever he had to stop somewhere to tend to the plants or handle some tools, then asking about whatever plant or flower he hadn’t really thought about before. It was a simple routine, but one they both cherished nonetheless.
“You know a lot about bouquets and decorations, uh?”
Fubuki just chuckled as he carefully inspected and trimmed one of the bushes, picking the best flowers he could spot, nodding along.
“It is part of my job, after all. Besides, people love them, so it’s always good to know.”
“I guess it is pretty useful. We could always use your knowledge on some occasions…” And then, Afuro grinned. “You’ll have to give me one of those bouquets one day, then!”
He pretended not to have noticed the faint blush on his cheeks.
"If I may ask..."
Afuro's attention was tugged away from the flowers he had been observing, turning to Fubuki with a curious hum and a soft tilt of his head.
"What is it?
"Well... why the interest? I mean... I guess you have other things to do, right?"
The question was… understandable. Why would a prince spend so much time with a simple gardener, after all?
Afuro just pouted, a finger mindlessly tracing circles in the dirt.
“It’s just… boring here. Don’t really have the time to go and meet new people. Or can, really.” It all came with the position. “There usually aren’t really people around my age in the castle, so… I hope it doesn’t bother you.”
“Not at all! Actually- having some company is nice. I don’t really talk to anyone here other than my brother, so…”
“Sooo… are you really sure you don’t mind? Really, really sure?”
And Fubuki just offered a gentle smile. And with it, another flower.
“I’m sure.”
Afuro took a look at the flower once he had it in his hands. Fubuki’s teachings were starting to give results, recognizing the gardenia when before he wouldn’t have even known it had a name. He wasn’t as good when it came to flower language, but…
Oh.
And Fubuki was still smiling like nothing was wrong.
It happened while they were sitting together under the shade of the secluded veranda that nearly no one visited, surprisingly neither of them too busy with their own work for once, enough to at least allow themselves a moment of silence and peace. There was some sort of event coming up at the castle, Fubuki now busier with the floral preparations than keeping up with the garden, sitting there with pencil and paper as he thought of the many flowers available and how to arrange them. He had just reassured Afuro that it would be alright to sit there and chat as he worked, that it really wasn’t a big deal and he’d actually prefer the company over sitting alone mulling over some easy work all day. And so Afuro had given in, because really- there was no way to say no to him when he made those eyes that looked too much like a puppy for comfort.
As if he wouldn’t have wanted to do nothing but sit there with him, anyways.
“So… what are you doing, exactly?”
“Oh- just organizing some things. I need to check what flowers we have available, think of the composition for the decorations… it’s not really difficult, just… a bit time consuming. Nothing I haven’t done before.”
Afuro just hummed as he listened, even when his attention was more on the one sitting next to him than the papers in his hands.
“Are you sure it’s really ok for me to be here, though? It sounds like a lot of work already…”
“Yes, of course! It’s actually nicer like this, you know? It’s pretty boring, doing all of this alone… I like having some company.”
That was… good to hear, very good actually. Afuro liked that, his earnest and genuine request for company, not someone just too polite or even scared to say no to the prince. The change was refreshing. Welcomed.
And so they sat together, the peaceful silence occasionally filled with some quiet questions and gentle answers. Neither of them had even noticed when their fingers had intertwined, one hand slipping into the other’s like it always belonged there.
It felt fitting, all of it. It felt right.
Afuro did it without thinking. Just leaned in for a soft, gentle kiss to Fubuki’s cheek. And then he froze in place.
"I-" Afuro's mind was suddenly blank. Perfect, just perfect. And Fubuki's face was turning an interesting shade of red. “W-wait- I-”
And suddenly, his words were cut off. There were lips pressed against his own cheek, pulling back too quickly to even really react in time to- whatever that was, words just dying in his throat with a low whine.
Now Fubuki was the one staring, eyebrows knitted together and an awkward attempt at a smile on his face.
“I-is that what you wanted…?”
"N-no- I-I mean yes- I-"
And Fubuki just giggled. A tiny laughter, yet so light and warm and- Afuro could swear his face felt like it was on fire now. And he didn’t mind a single bit.
“So… you’re not angry? Everything’s good?” He still needed that tiny bit of reassurance.
And to his relief, Fubuki just nodded, a smile on his face that made his heart skip a beat. Oh, he’d have a lot to think about later after this. They just kept sitting there together after that shy exchange, quiet and occasionally making small talk, neither of them really minding their hands still held so closely.
Even hours later, alone in his room, Afuro was still trying to wrap his mind around what happened- what he did. And Fubuki accepted. It was hard to process anything when all he could really think of was that smile.
Maybe he could hope for more, next time.
After that eventful afternoon hidden in the veranda, things had certainly taken a turn. A very unexpected one, yet welcomed regardless.
Almost not a single day went by without seeing each other, be it just for a quick greeting or to return to their routine of Afuro keeping Fubuki company as he tended to the garden. They were more at ease together than ever before, sometimes not even needing to really talk, just the company was enough.
And sometimes… sometimes, when they were sure no one else was looking, they sneaked in the occasional, shy kiss, soft and light on the cheek. Nothing more, just a tiny kiss and quickly returning to whatever they were doing at the moment, like they weren’t sharing the warmest, giddiest smile over their little shared secret.
Finally, on a lazy, sunny day, in the peace and silence of the garden, something changed.
“You said the colors of roses mean different things, right?”
“Mhm, they’re all different, but still used for people you care about. Why?”
“What did the red one mean, again?”
And Fubuki couldn’t help but roll a bit his eyes at the odd question. No matter how bad with plants Afuro might be, there was no way he really didn’t know what that meant, right?
“Come on, everyone knows that- it’s love.”
He expected Afuro to say something, maybe a sheepish excuse to explain how he could’ve forgotten something so simple.
He didn’t expect to turn around and find a pair of lips pressed against him with all the kindness he was capable of.
And for what felt like far too long, neither moved, neither dared to even try to break the kiss, even when he felt his face getting warmer and warmer by the second. And Afuro was smiling against his lips.
Fubuki finally snapped out of it, enough to return the kiss, shier and a tiny bit awkward, yet just as eagerly. When he finally pulled away, blushing furiously and trying to focus once again on his work, there were traces of a smile on his face refusing to leave. Afuro's sudden giggle and knowing smile didn’t help.
It was cute. He was cute.
Afuro could certainly get used to this. Maybe they should’ve hired a new gardener sooner.