Work Text:
Kayfour stopped growing flowers as often as they used to.
In their past lives—or as far back as the Nature-Born was able to recall—they used their ability to grow flowers to flourish a small shop in a town that they lived in. They remembered having a handful of customers each day; there wasn’t too little, but not so many to overwhelm them, so they earned a small, constant profit each day.
Kayfour couldn’t remember the faces of those they’ve seen, or what exact words were exchanged, but he remembered happiness, sometimes excitement in their tones. Other times, the melancholiness that they were able to brighten just enough to rid those customers of their frowns. It was a nice, simple life.
Of course, that had to end at some point.
In a world where kindness was almost barren, Kayfour knew how lucky they were to be picked up by HBG, to be taken in and accepted as one of their own amidst all of the chaos. But their lifestyle had changed, and the Nature-Born was not one to deny it. And now, they no longer had the time or the luxury to give away the bouquets of flowers that they had the ability to create.
Which is why Kayfour was so surprised to see Pete heading over to them on a particularly busy day in HBG’s premises, a couple of ingots of iron and gold in his grasp.
They were in the small farms, tending to crops and picking those that were ripe enough. They had on their regular attire: a dark-brown vest with a cream colored undershirt, black boots worn underneath lighter brown slacks. They were busy helping Reignex and Raddles with one of the harvests, gathering all of the vegetables by category before putting them inside their respective barrels. They were just transitioning to the carrots when Pete had met up with them.
“Hey, Kayfour?”
The Nature-Born looked up from their work, long locks falling over their face as they did so. They arched a brow, a bit confused as to why the other had come a bit of a way just to see them; Kayfour is pretty sure the two of them never even interacted with each other before.
“Can I help you?” They asked, tone calm; it seemed to be the total opposite for Pete, his sage-green hair falling over anxious, blue eyes.
“Oh- sorry, you seem a bit busy-”
“No worries, I can talk if you need something,” they reassured, standing up straight. “I was just finishing up harvesting.”
“No, it’s just- I need you to help me with something that isn’t over here.” Pete explained, still a bit awkward. Kayfour noticed how anxious the taller one seemed, but they didn’t comment on it.
“Well, in that case…” They looked around, noticing that they were around halfway finished tending to the farm. “I could use some help taking care of this, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, of course!”
The two started to work again, Kayfour starting up some small talk with Pete as he went over to get a pair of gloves from the small toolbox next to the Nature-Born. Occasionally, it’d fall into a comfortable silence, with Pete picking up the conversation every so often.
Within around half an hour, the two had finished with the barrels, and Kayfour closed one of them, setting it down against the ground. They looked up to Pete, crossing their arms together.
“What was it that you needed?”
“Uhh, I was wondering if you still sold flowers?” Pete asked, hesitant. Kayfour’s brows flew up, a bit caught off guard by the question; ever since they became Red, they had stopped creating various flora since they’d always get destroyed in the long run. All attacks against HBG left a part of their home in ruins, so tending to nature near borders wasn’t necessary at all.
“I-I do? Although I haven’t made much in a few years,” Kayfour commented, already starting towards their flower shop. “But I’ll see if I have some.”
Pete followed behind their heels, following Kayfour from the farms, closer to the outskirts of HBG’s main building. Kayfour tossed out a few hellos to familiar faces, Pete only offering small waves to the few he vaguely recognized; he hadn’t talked to HBG in a while.
Somewhere in the back of their mind, Kayfour wondered why.
They asked, “Why do you need them? It’s unlike you to ask me to help decorate.”
“Oh, it’s-it’s not for decoration,” the taller stammered, and Kayfour looked back to face him, a slight curiosity bubbling. “It’s for a friend.”
At Kayfour’s somewhat teasing expression, he added swiftly, “I need some red dye for an outfit they’re putting together.”
“Whatever you say.” They smiled gently, reaching the doors of their shop. Kayfour turned the doorknob, before opening the door.
It was neatly arranged, white walls covered in floral patterns, ones that Feinberg had helped paint. Even in a risky environment like this, Pete knew they liked decorating, even, if something went wrong, it’d be all ruined in an instant. The shelves were more vacant, but he still saw a couple pots of different flowers on each one. Various colors of tulips, roses, along with other flowers, took up the spots.
“What red flower? Poppies? Roses?” Kayfour asked, already examining a few possible picks.
Pete shrugged; “Doesn’t really matter, any of them is alright.”
Kayfour hummed to themselves for a moment, before ditching the shelves, summoning a few flowers on their arms, green vines sprouting. Pete opened his mouth to protest, but he stopped himself, knowing that Kayfour would’ve done it anyway. He caught a glimpse of a faint smile etching onto the Nature-Born’s face, and he understood why.
It reminded them of before.
Within moments, a couple different flowers were poking out from the vines: poppies on one arm, roses on the other. It didn’t seem to hurt them as Kayfour plucked them away, and in a flourish, wrapped them together in a sort of small bouquet. They handed it to Pete.
“No need to pay me.” They smiled, pushing away the ingots Pete held in his hands.
“Kay, please, you can have it-”
“No need; Fein’s always giving me his extras whenever he’s done making armor.” Kayfour shook their head, placing the wrapped flowers in his hands.
“Thank you.” Pete smiled small, and Kayfour waved a hand.
“No worries. Now, I’m sure your friend needs those flowers, right?”