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Was picking petals from a flower silly? A little, but here she was, picking petals anyway.
'I just need to know.'
'What this flower thought, of course! Curiosity killed the cat. But.. the kitty was safe afterwards. Yeah!'
"He loves me?"
'Maybe just like.'
"He loves me not."
'Hm.'
"He loves me?"
'He needs a friend.'
"He loves me not."
'It's safer.'
"He loves me?"
'I'm selfish.'
"He. loves me. not."
'This is the last petal.'
...
'Well. That settles it. He doesn't love me. Yup. It's official. I know. The curious cat is still okay. Now, what's next?'
'I couldn't trash it. It needs to return to nature. For the circle of life and stuff..'
...
'Save the Earth!'
- - - - - - - -
Hazel sat on her rug, gathering the daisy on the floor. Only a nightlight lit the room. Wanda and Cosmo appeared near her in a puff of pink.
Her godparents usually left her alone during dinnertime, but today wasn't usual. Her mom was away. Dad served dinner and went to bed early. He had work tomorrow.
"Hey, squirt! How are you, doing okay," Wanda asked. She watched Hazel clean up. Cosmo took in the room.
"Wow! Your lights are out already?! I thought you'd stay up tonight. Fridays are stay-up days, don't you know?" Cosmo questioned. He took a spin around the bedroom, full of energy.
"Hm. I don't feel like it." Hazel held the torn flower in her palms. She presented the pieces to Wanda, "Can you wish this to a garden? Thanks."
Wanda was more interested in Hazel's eyes.
One word described what she saw, troubled.
She ignored the request, "Sweetie, what were you doing? Do you want to talk about it?" Wanda brushed her fingers through Hazel's curls. Cosmo flew close, wanting to listen.
Hazel didn't want to, but she knew her godparents wouldn't let it go. Unless they got a good answer.
The godchild allowed a silly smile to reach her, "Ha! I've just been wanting to express my thoughts more often. It's.. been hard for me to do it well."
She said too much.
"Hazel! There's this popular toy going around at Fairy World. It could help! Wanna try?" Cosmo pumped up his fists, while kicking his feet.
She didn't want it, whatever it was. She was tired, but Cosmo looked excited to help. Hazel couldn't decline.
Hazel gave him a grin, waving for him to continue, "Go ahead, Cosmo. I wanna see it." The fairy gave her a 'Yay!' before disappearing.
Wanda and Hazel giggled at the reaction. The girl met her godmother's eyes, but dropped the gaze, too nervous. She toyed with the strands of her rug, torn daisy forgotten.
The moment didn't last long. Cosmo returned to them, carrying a basketball-sized box. The wrapping a sparkly red with white flora bow on its top. Hazel awed at the item.
"Cosmo," Hazel gasped, "It looks so fancy! What is it!?" Her smile was beaming. Cosmo had that effect on people.
Cosmo zipped around, "Open it! Open it! It's more fun this way!" He quickly set the gift to her level. Red glitter sprinkled onto the floor. Hazel tore in, senses working fast to feed her interest.
Wanda noticed, "Dear.. is that?"
She pointed at the design. Her husband clasped her pointing hand, petting it sweetly.
Cosmo whispered, "No, angel. I didn't get the one that turns sentient." He continued to caress her hand.
Hazel got through the wrapping, searching for the opening next.
"They have.. sentient versions?" Wanda couldn't wrap her head around the idea. It was problematic. Why add the feature?
"Ah ha!" Hazel let out a hurrah, "Found it!" She ripped the seal off. A baby-sized teddy fell onto the floor. Its body white with blue and yellow patches.
Cute. Very huggable. But how would it help her? Hazel figured she misunderstood. Maybe this was Cosmo's way of comforting her? Still, it was a good surprise. She cradled the plushie. The little guy was a reminder of her godparents. And maybe someone else.
Cosmo smiled at her reaction, "Aww, you like him?" He hugged his wifey, content.
Hazel felt her face redden.
She hid into the stuffie's fabric, "Y-yeah, I like him. Thank you Cosmo." Her words came in mumbles, but the fairies heard her.
As their kid held the bear, Wanda explained, "These plushies are made to hold thoughts for you." Hazel's eyes widen. She hadn't misheard Cosmo after all.
Hazel's hands raised the stuffie, creating eye contact, "Do I just.. talk to him? So it makes me feel better with magic, right?" The plushie seemed to return her gaze, oval eyes molding to reflect her worry. It didn't move, Hazel was certain.
The thought that it saw her, made her comfortable? Mom would say it was a mental thing. When a person believes something enough, it becomes their reality. Hazel shouldn't think about it. The bear couldn't move.
But she already thought about it. So.. did it count? Hm. Could that last paragraph be a freebie? Hazel would say yes and move on.
Wanda hummed, "You don't have to speak. Just hold the plush, and think to it. Simple." She gave her godkid a thumbs up. Cosmo continued to happily hold Wanda.
Hazel liked the stuffie, but the sharing of thoughts bothered her. The teddy was in her arms. Did that mean it was hearing her now?
Deep down, her heart begged, needing an outlet. Hazel could let her thoughts flow. The stuffie was designed to help. Cosmo said so. The stuffie's eyes were soft, cradling her mind. What a weird sentence.
Hazel hugged the bear, molding to her. Closing her eyes, the thoughts were free to exist. The plushie grew warm. Hazel held it close. The world was quiet.
'He would pick on me, yeah. Now, not as much. He has his softer days. He'll let me play with his hoodie when I'm anxious or touchy. He isn't bothered by the habit. His eyes are bright, making my day. He doesn't mind if I follow him around. He does it too, when he wants to hang out, but gets too nervous to ask. When my homework is tough, he wants to help me. He's such a smartie. These things make my heart happy. But I know I'm thinking too much. He's just being friendly. The daisy said so. I like him still. He brings me comfort. I wish these feelings didn't bother me so much.'
'I see. Maybe the daisy was wrong? You should talk to him about it. I would. Maybe he likes you too.'
Hazel blinked, but closed her eyes again. Too curious to ignore the response. Her fairies saw the action, but shrugged the moment off. They let her think some more.
'Heelloo? Who is this?'
'Hi. I'm your Thoughts Teddy. Call me whatever you want. I'm happy to help.'
'Okay, I'll call you Tera. Is that okay?'
'I'm genderless. Any name will do. I am a them.'
Hazel hummed.
'Ooh. My friend's nonbinary too! You'd like them. Do you.. mind if I share my thoughts? I don't want to be a bother.'
'Don't worry, dear. That's my job. I listen. It's in my product name. I'd love to hear.'
Hazel giggled.
'Oh! Right. Truue.. that's your thing. My bad!'
For the next two hours, she stayed thinking on the floor. Her fairies let it happen. They took their leave half an hour in.
The more Hazel shared, comfort would follow. Tera ate up her thoughts, eager to hear, itching to learn. Hazel turned light and relaxed.
'You're friends sound lovely. You share things with them. That's good.' Tera patted her back, action stiff.
'I like to think Winn and Jasmine know everything about me. Dev, not so much. I wish I could tell him more, but that's scary.' Hazel tugged on Tera's fabric.
'Your feelings get in the way. Someone should help you tell him.' More pats came.
Hazel flinched, never agreeing to that idea, "No no, Tera. I don't want to tell him. I can't do it.' Hazel held the teddy away.
'Okay. You won't confess. I assumed. I'm sorry.' Tera held its paws out, hoping to maintain their closeness. Its owner kept the distance, looking at her alarm instead.
'It's okay, Tera. It's getting late. Do you mind if I sleep? We can hang out tomorrow.'
Tera couldn't wait, 'Yes. Go sleep. I'm sorry. Really sorry. I'll make things better. I promise.'
Hazel spoke, "Don't be sorry, it's okay. Honest. Goodnight, Tera!" The girl gently placed the teddy on her bed, leaving to go to the bathroom, "I'll be back!"
Owner gone, Tera was free to act.
Just from the hug session, Hazel's thoughts were accessible to the mind reader. Tera knew Dev's address.
They escaped; off the bed, over the daisy, and through the window. Tera landed on the sidewalk with a light thump. They took off waddling, hitching a ride on passing cars. Tera committed these acts wholeheartedly, Hazel's feelings would be noticed.
They reached their goal in 45ish minutes.
The Dimmadome home was secure. No matter, Tera would get in. Through their magic, the plush turned paper thin, slipping under the front door. Tera began to search the rooms.
~~~
The bedroom was fully lit. Dev was in his everyday clothes, too lazy to change or sleep yet.
Dev laid face-down on his bed, "Pear, I want fun. Do something." He snapped his fingers.
Peri appeared, tired and annoyed.
"Well, what do you want me to do? Give me something to work with. I can't read your mind, y'know?" He fluttered over his sulking kid, looking for any sign of movement. Peri found none.
His godkid kept his head down. No remark came.
Peri was ready to poof away. Punny.
He stayed, "Dev, is this about your feelings? I can't help with that if you don't talk to me. You'll have to use your words, kiddo." Peri tapped Dev's head, instigating a response. Dev slapped his hand away. Peri humpth-ed at the action.
"I don't do feelings," Dev claimed. Peri snickered.
The kid looked at him, pissed. Dev continued, "I'm not kidding. I'm in full control. I don't need to tell you anything. So quit asking, and start wishing me cool stuff." He snapped his fingers again.
For all magic entities' sake.
Peri waved his scepter around, lazily summoning all the fun junk he could think of. Dev looked over his bedroom, but none of the items caught his interest. Dev sighed, letting his face hit the mattress.
The kid wasn't happy after all the wishing, yet he demanded more. Peri couldn't win. All the fairy could do was float, and wait for Dev to talk. Which might be never.
Peri was alerted to a door opening. He transformed into headphones, planting into the bed. Dev was too busy being sad to notice. Peri quickly realized the intruder wasn't human. He could sense their magic, a kid's energy was involved.
A plush toy walked in. Peri took on his fairy form. The teddy stopped its' waddling to stare. It waved at him.
Peri waved back. He flew closer, interested, the plushie waited for him. The fairy stayed six feet away, not wanting to be too trusting.
He whispered to the creature, "Hey. What are you up to?" The bear stuck its paw out, pointing over to Dev. Peri wasn't thrilled.
"Tell me why you need to see him. I don't know you." Peri crossed his arms. He planted himself in front of the bed, blocking the path.
The plushie had slits for eyes, their arms curved into their hips. Peri had an offended teddy in his view. It's frustration wouldn't change his mind, his position remained.
The bear relented, dropping its stance. It held its paw out, magic slipped from the limb. Peri summoned his sceptar, ready for an attack, but it didn't come.
Instead, a colorful note came into existence, and was offered to him. Peri paused at the action, but accepted the item regardless. He looked it over:
'Dear Mr. Fairy named Peri,
I am Hazel's Thoughts Teddy, Tera. I mean no harm to anyone. I understand Dev's important to you, but I need to talk to him about Hazel's feelings. You can monitor the interaction, I don't mind.
Thank you, Tera.'
No wonder, its' magic was interlaced with Hazel's energy. He laughed at the feelings part. This interaction could go poorly.
Thinking it over, Peri helped Tera reach the bed.
- - - - - - - -
The name wouldn't leave Dev's brain.
Hazel was there, always. These thoughts weren't normal. Especially not fitting of a Dimmadome.
'Don't complain. You're always thinking about her. You're just making up problems that aren't there.'
Another habit he dev-eloped, talking to himself.
'I'm not complaining. She's my friend. I'm worried that might change.'
'You're being weird about this, her crush is scaring you.'
Today, he overheard Hazel talk to Winn about finding daisies. They were told she wanted to know how he feels.
Daisies are very good at that type of stuff.
'No duh! It's new. Who knows what Hazel will do about it. You've never seen her in love.'
'In love?! It's not that deep. Crushes pass over. She'll forget about that bozo soon. The problem will resolve itself. Let Hazel do what she wants.
'I'm worried. That's it. You're not taking this serious enough. He could hurt her. Reject her.'
'Good. She'll know better in the end. Drop it. Dimmadomes don't act like this!'
'What if he likes her back?'
...
'Go away.'
- - - - - - - -
Dev wants to throw something. He considers what Peri might say. He drops the thought, not because he cares. Dev would claim he doesn't want a headache.
He notices the lack of his godparent. Dev keeps his head down, "Pear, where are you?" He smacks his hands into his mattress, seeking attention.
"How long are you going to keep calling me that?" Peri floated near his kid, lower than usual.
"Always. Pear, Pear, Pear. I'm still booored," he talked into the sheets, no interest in eye contact.
The fairy gave a smile that Dev couldn't see.
"You won't be bored in a minute. Look up," Peri was ready to be entertained. Dev huffed, looking up.
Tera was squished into his face, Peri held them. Dev wanted to go to sleep now.
"Pear, what the duck is this?" The godkid backed away, unsettled by Tera's stare. The plush made grabby paws, creeping Dev out more.
Peri grinned at the reaction, "You have a visitor. Here's Tera, Hazel's Thoughts Teddy. They want to talk you about feelings"
Dev perked up, locking in on 'Hazel' and 'feelings'. He held his arms out, suddenly able to ignore the creepy.
"Gimme. Right now."
Peri was surprised, "Just like that, no questions? I thought you don't do feelings."
"Hush. None of your business. Gimme."
The godparent handed the bear over. Dev and Tera hugged each other. The kid shooed Peri away. The fairy took it as his sign to leave, waving the two off.
'Hello. I want to share Hazel's feelings. She couldn't do it. Please listen.'
"Feelings..?" Dev repeated.
How convenient. He was curious, but worried. 'Why did Hazel send her doll? Was this a trust thing!?'
'Dev, don't worry. This was necessary. Hazel wanted to tell you, but she's scared. I had to do this.'
Tera knew his worries, he noticed.
"Hazel wouldn't do something like this."
'You're correct. She would not.'
Dev questioned, "Why are you here? Hazel wouldn't like this. You're breaking her trust. That's the only reason you know anything." He wanted to shake this damn bear.
'Ah. Sorry. Please do not shake me. Hazel wants to connect with you. She needs a push.'
"Do her feelings matter to you or not?" Dev set the teddy down, "I don't want to hurt her. Go back to her." He left the bed, not wanting to share the same space.
Tera freaked out, flailing around. No voice came.
Dev insisted, "Listen, this wasn't okay. Hazel would be upset. I couldn't do that to her. I'll wait for her.. so go away!"
Silence stayed for a minute.
Thumping noises came from outside the room.
Multiple knocks came.
Dev opened the door, letting a rushing Hazel in.
"Dev! Dev. Dev. Dev." Hazel latched onto his jacket, shaking him. She was in her baggy sleepwear.
Tera crawled off the bed, making its way over.
"Oh, hey Hazel. I was just thinking about you." Dev let her rock him. He overlapped her tense clutch, whispering, "Are you looking for your bear?"
Hazel flinched, "Bear! What Tera say?! H-how far..?" The girl was a mess, in general. Her eyes were glassy.
Dev smiled, "Hardly anything. You want them ba-?"
"You don care of my feels..?"
The boy froze. Quickly, Dev reclaimed his footing, "I care! I'm confused. What am I missing?"
Hazel shook her head, attempting to calm herself, "Uh.. mmh. I'm non thinking that much now. I'm eepy."
Her slurred speech was a joy for Dev's ears.
Hazel's jello-like body leaned into him. He held her, tapping her hands. An awkward act of comfort. Dev felt silly.
"We can talk later. I guess?" He patted her back. Stiff affection, but Hazel didn't complain. "Hey? Hazel. Please tell me your awake. Hazel?"
Hazel offered a whisper, "Yeah. Yeah. Non sleep yet.." She melted into his embrace, seeking warmth.
Dev tensed, "G..good. You- you can't stay here. My dad might not like it. I'll get you home."
"Aw. Thank, bun I can call Wan-"
"I'm helping, you can't stop me," Dev kept his hold.
Hazel sighed, tone sugary, "Kay.. call Pear."
Dev laughed, "Ha. Pear."
Speak of the fairy, and they shall appear.
Peri came in a poof. He tsk-ed, still tired, "Already heard, Dev. Make the wish. Let's not keep your lil lady waiting."
Dev hissed, whispering, "D-don't say that. That's weird.." He covered Hazel's ears. She wasn't paying attention.
Peri remained careless, looking over his sceptar, "Eh. You make it too easy. How can I not?"
Dev stayed silent. He continued to hug Hazel, speechless and thinking, 'What does that mean?'
Hazel watched Tera skip over. "Teeera," Hazel hummed. The stuffie hurried, latching onto Hazel's leg. The girl giggled, "I'll freak out on you later. Kay?" Tera lowered their head, ashamed.
~~~
"You're room's messy," Dev stated. His description is kinder than the actual truth. A hoarder's garage looked better.
Hazel mumbled, "I thought Tera was lost.."
The bear nervously patted her leg. Leaving her, they waddled off to the bed. Its owner watched them move.
Hazel boredly parted the blockades, walking over her fallen belongings. Forgotten flower included.
Dev took notice, focusing on the daisy. Six petals, all torn from the stem. He wondered.
Hazel turned to him, curious.
Her eyes widen, "Oh," she returned to him. Hazel's walk back was slow, "I was going to recycle that."
Dev had to ask, "What did the daisy say?"
He needed to know.
Hazel blinked, multiple times. She stammered, "T.. that's an odd thing to say."
Dev said nothing, waiting.
The girl offered, "Iz jus a daisy, Dev."
"Sure, and I'm poor." Dev glared.
"...you are?" Hazel picked at her PJs, while rubbing her eye.
Dev flung his arms to the air, confused, "Really? Really. really. You believe that."
Hazel shook her head, tired and frantic, "No. no. I don! You're joking. But I don kno why!"
Dev pointed at her, "I'm calling you a liar, Hazel. I know about the crush thing. Why can't you be honest?" He crossed his arms.
Her posture shrank, "I can't..?"
"I've heard.. why not give me a clue? Let me figure it out," Dev insisted. He wouldn't leave, not yet.
Hazel wasn't fully functional.
Once the girl hits a sleepy mood, she can't return. Dev being near made her heart swoon, sweeter words could reach her. Her tired self had a careless mouth.
This situation had a deadly combo attached.
Her tiredness kicked in.
"Hint.. hint..," Hazel sang. She linked her hands, a silly grin reached her. Small giggles slipped in.
Dev was infected with the giggles too, the awkward kind. "Thinking?" He asked.
"Hm," She came over, entering his space.
Hazel circled him once, twice. Dev watched her as she passed by in his sights. The event made him pink. Confused too, but that's an afterthought.
On her third, Hazel noticed, "You lookin at me.."
"Uh. Sorry..?" Dev attempted.
She sighed, soft. The girl continued, "..I wan you to."
Hazel paused, standing behind him. She hugged, keeping him close, "Coud you do that.."
"forever?" She asked, nuzzling his head.
Dev's face burned. He forgot how to english. His lungs refused to breathe. Dev never thought touch could be any scarier. Worse was the extra feelings that came with it all.
Thrill.. and relief!?
'OH NO. OH NO. OH NO. OH NO. OH NO. OH NO. OH NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. no. no. no. no. no. no. no.'
That daisy.
'It must be messing with with my mind!'