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Gentle light streamed through the curtains, the light purple streaks making shapes on the walls. Darius looked around the study, taking in the serenity of it all, and enjoyed this moment of respite after a tiring week of meetings, visits, and conferences. The Isles were back to work, not even a week of boiling storms dampening their spirits. Darius was glad for the enthusiasm and hopeful attitude of his people but he couldn't help but let out a content sigh at being away from it all, even for a bit. He turned his attention back to clipping and replanting the golden orioles he had long neglected after the Day of Unity. Some of the flowers had wilted as one would expect but others were able to persevere through the chaos which followed that fateful day. He had missed taking care of them, despite the painful memories they stirred every time he glanced at them.
Darius caressed the golden petals, their softness familiar to the touch, and plucked the ones infected by rot. The repetitiveness of this task made his mind wander back to recent and not-so-recent events. He found his heart was lighter, having shed some of the burdens of his guilt but the past still loomed over him. Hunter may have accepted his apology but making it up to him would be a ‘task’ that will take a lifetime. Darius would never complain about having that 'task', quite the contrary. The boy was a delight to have as a roommate and a ward. He still carried some of the unfortunately learned prim and properness from his days as a soldier, but the more Hunter stayed away from that life, the more his true personality came out. Darius was glad to see that development, Titan he even encouraged it, even if most parents would scoff at their kids coming home slightly late or eating too many sweets instead of dinner. But Hunter deserved that kind of normalcy, far away from anything that had to do with the politics of the Isles.
Darius continued his musings, content to lose himself in the act of gardening until he heard familiar steps approaching the room. Hunter opened the door excitedly, ready to tell Darius whatever new information he learned from the stacks of books he read every week.
“Darius! You won’t believe what I read in one of the formerly forbidden books from the cas-...Oh, what are you doing?” The boy stopped in his tracks and tilted his head quizzically. He approached Darius, trying and failing to look over his shoulder.
The man moved to the side, allowing Hunter to take a closer look at his late afternoon activity. He was almost done with the replanting and the flowers looked fresher than ever. “You are gardening? I didn’t know you gardened! And those are golden orioles, right? Did you know that those are actually native to the human realm? I read in one of Willow’s books that they just spread on the Isles cause of the Titan blood pools and somehow were able to thrive here! But..you probably already knew all that, since you are taking care of them. Sorry.”
“I actually did not know that.” Hunter immediately perked up at having told Darius new information. He thought it endearing how much the boy liked sharing his knowledge. “I was just told how to take care of them but never really checked out their origins. And the human world huh…what a coincidence.”
“Why is that?”
“They…they were a gift from my mentor, Magnus. He gave me the seeds and told me I needed a new hobby beside ‘sitting and studying all day every day, you will wilt away Darius!’” He did his best to imitate his late mentor’s mannerisms and it seems he succeeded judging by Hunter's chuckle. The boy came closer to the flower pots and touched the petals lightly, his palisman doing the same and tweeting excitedly.
“But you hate mud and getting dirty! So how do you even…?”
“Oh, Magnus not only thought I needed a new hobby but to also try and get over my dislike of mud. Or at least stop complaining about it so much. As you know I never got over that but the flowers? Somehow I don’t mind it when it comes to them.” Darius looked at the orioles wistfully. Such beauty yet they carried so much pain. Hunter must have noticed his melancholy expression because he immediately grabbed his forearm and squeezed. He had been getting better at this, expressing himself through touch and Darius appreciated it tremendously, especially at times like these.
“Your mentor sounds like he was a great man.”
“He was extraordinary. As are you, little bird.” He removed his rubber gloves and placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulder, trying to chase away any doubts his ward may have. The boy looked at him, a small smile coloring his face, and went back to observing the flowers closely.
“Did they wilt? I’ve never seen you taking care of them until now.”
“Some did when I couldn’t take care of them after the Day of Unity. But some-” Darius pointed at the more verdant of the blossoms. “were able to survive the chaos of the months that followed. And now that I think about it, they kinda remind me of you. Sturdy little things, persevering through the worst. Also, they are yellow.” He chuckled at Hunter’s deadpan expression at the last comment but the compliment was not lost on him.
Hunter looked at them again, his magenta eyes tracing their patterns as if he looked for any answers within them. He had refrained from asking Darius questions about Magnus, despite probably burning with them. The man appreciated the tact but knowledge like this was something Hunter had the right to know as well.
“Hunter, you know you can ask me about him whenever you want, right?”
“I can? I-I didn’t want to impose or make you sad by mentioning him. I had the feeling you didn’t want to talk since you never mentioned him after that day.”
“Yes, I have been…quite closed up about that topic. I didn’t feel like I was ready or that you were ready. By Titan, the Golden Guard rebellion memorial is not even finished yet. It’s all so fresh and yet not but I am ready to talk, if you are.”
Hunter gave him a slight nod and rubbed his arms tensely. It seems like matters surrounding the Guards still gave him some jitters. Flapjack hopped back on his shoulder and rubbed his little head against his cheek, trying to comfort him. Darius did not want this to sully their day so he handed Hunter the watering can.
“Hey, why don’t you water the orioles, eh? It’s the only thing I have not done yet.”
The boy looked at him again, still uncertain and a bit sullen but took the can and started gently watering the flower pots. He was very careful and precise, as he always was, and made sure to get every nook and cranny of the pot. The silence was a bit heavy but comfortable and after Hunter finished with the watering, Darius gestured to the couch beside the table. Hunter sat close to him, petting Flapjack who quite happily situated himself in his lap. Palismans always knew what their life companions needed the most.
“I know it is hard and I am not rushing you. Just, whenever you feel like it, you can ask and I will do my best to answer.”
“Thank you. I mean it.” Hunter petted his bird for a bit more and took a deep breath. “And..if it’s ok, can we plant some of the orioles around the memorial? I know it’s not finished yet but I think it will be nice.”
“Magnus did miss taking care of his flowers due to how much work he had back then. It would be nice indeed if he can do it once again in a sense.” Darius smiled at him and ruffled his hair. Hunter made a content noise at that, scooting closer and laying his head on Darius' shoulder. They sat in silence, observing the last of the sunlight disappearing behind the ribs. Tomorrow awaited them a task that will bring both happiness and sorrow but for now, they let their troubles sleep with the sun.