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Puddle hummed as they put aside an empty mug, taking in the warmth of the sun out on a lawn chair. While the process was long and arduous, moving to Ooji was the best decision they’d made in recent years. Being able to experience a culture and environment so different to theirs, meeting new people and visiting the gorgeous rainforests made everything worth it. Oh, that and watching Kingsly working in the garden.
The florist was wearing a loose-fitting tank top, shorts and bulky rubber boots, topped with an old sunhat. He had been meaning to weed for a while, and with the unusually clear weather, decided that now would be a great time to start. Thus, he was now elbow deep in dirt, plucking out the invasive roots threatening to smother his bright flowers.
He wiped the sweat off his brow, giving Puddle a shy wave when he realised he was being watched. Peeling off his dirty gloves, he figured it would be best to take a small break and get them both drinks. Some fresh water would do wonders for his dry mouth.
“Hey Petal, finished with your drink? I can get you some more if you’d like.”
“Oh, I’d love that! But, er… you’re gonna track mud through the house.”
“Eh?” Kingsly looked down and, yes, he was covered in dirt. He never noticed he had gotten that messy.
Puddle sighed and left their seat, kissing his cheek, “I’ll get you somethin’ cold, dear.”
They entered the house and left the florist behind, who felt as if he might melt right there on the grass. Even now, after they had been going strong for what felt like years, such small displays of affection still made him feel weak at the knees.
The stylist soon returned with a glass of icy water, a perfect counter to unceasing heat. Their pants and sleeves had also been rolled up, and they had donned a flowery cap.
“Here, I thought I oughta help out a little. Just let me know where you want me!”
“Y-you wanna-?”
“Of course!”
Kingsly nervously sipped his drink, handing Puddle his pair of gloves. They swayed on the balls of their feet as they waited for instruction, looking around their surroundings. The garden had been perfectly kept, a large tree in the centre hanging various pots, an eclectic mix of Ooji’s native flora and plants from various other planets. He took pride in its appearance, that much was crystal clear, Puddle was excited to be a part of something so big.
The clink of glass on the table broke them away from their admiration, they turned around to face their partner. Kingsly took their gloved hand and led them to the garden bed, where a particularly irritating patch of deeply rooted weeds sat and taunted them. It was the last of the weeding, which would hopefully go by quicker now that he had a helping hand. After all, he still had to plant some new blooms and water everything before the sun started to set.
As the final weed was yanked from the ground, showering the two in dirt and dust, Kingsly sighed in relief. Puddle seemed just as excited, running to collect their new additions to the garden.
They were anniversary gifts, one an Oojian violet that represented love and sincerity. The other was a peony, the symbol of beauty in Enohay; Puddle distinctly remembered seeing some outside their childhood home. Exchanging flowers in the comfort of their home made them feel closer than ever, and now, making them the centrepiece of their garden made the stylist’s heart flutter.
There was a small empty patch at the base of the tree, free from the shade the rest of the flowers were shrouded in. The light almost acted like a spotlight, proudly putting the symbol of their union on display.
Kingsly dug two deep holes while Puddle gently massaged the plants roots, the two making a great team as they worked in tandem to plant their flowers as neatly as possible. They didn’t want to rush, they didn’t need to. Such a simple activity provided a sense of intimacy for the two that physical touch couldn’t quite match, no matter how dull it would seem to an outsider.
Puddle patted down the soft earth around their freshly planted flowers. They leaned in to kiss the unsuspecting redhead as he dusted off his hands, earning a soft squeak. A dirty palm cupped their cheek, and they suddenly pulled away giggling. The stylist felt the smudge of dirt on their face, then in retaliation, smeared a glob of mud on the bridge of Kingsly’s nose.
Their playful antics suddenly devolved into a messy battle on the damp soil, rolling around until they tired themselves out. Chests heaving, they lay in a heap next to the garden bed. It was hard to recognise each other, given they were both caked in mud. Now neither one would be able to set foot inside the house, lest they make a mess too frustrating to properly clean. Unless…
“I’m getting the hose.”
“Wh– pardon?”
Kingsly sat up, “Look at us, we’re filthy. Plus, we haven’t watered the flowers yet.”
“Well…” Puddle thought for a moment, before widely grinning, “You’re gonna have to catch me first!”
“I’ll give you a headstart.”
With that, the two split up. Kingsly made a start on watering his beloved garden, while Puddle hid behind various tall plants to avoid being targeted by the stream. Every now and again, he was able to catch his partner off guard, washing off the mess bit by bit with the cool water.
They laughed and chased each other around until the flow of water came to a sudden stop. He faltered, confused, and toyed with the trigger, losing sight of the stylist. Was there a kink in the hose? He hadn’t thought it had gotten that old or flimsy, so why—
He didn’t get the chance to think about it much longer, as Puddle suddenly came from behind and jumped onto his back, desperately grabbing at the end of the hose.
Their surprise attack worked to their advantage, as the stream of water started up at the perfect time to give Kingsly a face full of it. They continued fighting over control of the hose, the back-and-forth lasting until they were both soaked to the skin. Even when all the dirt had long been washed away, and the sun had fallen behind dark clouds, they just couldn’t break apart.
The first droplet of rain had gone unnoticed in the pair’s water fight, but when it became heavier, colder, they realised how much the weather had turned.
Puddle dropped the hose and rushed to find cover, bumping into Kingsly when they escaped the bucketing down rain. The two held onto each other tightly, shivering either from the cold gusts of wind or how much they were laughing. They pressed another kiss to his lips and looked behind them.
It was a beautiful sight, their special flowers standing so tall as they faced the wind. They couldn’t look away, and neither could Kingsly.
Beneath the loud pattering of rain, the two shared soft, loving words and touches.
…Until they remembered the state that they were in.