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GPS trailed through Tophat’s garden, brushing his hand along the sea of flowers as the sun beamed down on him- creating a glare on his screen. As much as he doesn’t like going outside when it’s sunny, Tophat’s garden was the one exception. He visited it often to see the flowers Tophat cared so dearly for, and whenever he went, he felt as if he was one of the flowers as well. Peacefully swaying with the wind, never having a problem in their mind, and always having someone to keep them this way. From roses to hydrangeas, from full bloom to wilting, they were all cared for. It was comforting to be a part of something so important to Tophat. GPS laid himself down, resting among the flowers around him, reminiscing. Him and Tophat have been dating for 4 years and yet, he still gets flustered whenever he thinks of him, just like back in high school. Even by the smallest things, like his smile that shined brighter than GPS’ own screen, his mesmerizing ribbon that swayed just as peacefully as his flowers, the way all those things came together when he danced at prom.
He laid in that same spot for a while, eyes closed but still conscious enough to hear the flowers blowing with the wind, and to hear a sudden voice.
“GP?”
The voice was in a clear though unsure tone, but it knew what it was looking for. GPS opened his eyes, aware of the sound but not exactly sure what it was. A few seconds later the voice spoke up again, much sharper and with relief hiding behind it.
“GP!”
GPS shot up, the leaves on the ground fluttering around him from his sudden movement. He looked around, confused until he caught sight of a small dark figure sticking out from the greenery, seeming to have been giggling at him seconds before.
“Oh- hey Topper! Where have you been?”
GPS brushed off any remaining foliage that was on him and waved to Tophat, who was walking over to him.
“More like where have YOU been, when I got home, I couldn’t find you anywhere! Of course you’d be at the last place I checked..”
Tophat seemed to be annoyed when he said that, but there was a slight grin on their face. Tophat finally made his way over to the garden and sat down next to GPS, admiring the flowers that surrounded them.
“Well you know I like to visit your garden, I was just looking at the flowers and…thinking.”
GPS’s screen grew a light blush from knowing he was thinking about Tophat just a few minutes before.
Tophat let out a small laugh, noticing the glowing green color under his eyes, but he decided not to push it. Instead, he focused on his surroundings, letting his own thoughts consume him. A brief moment of silence passed until Tophat started to speak.
“Do you ever feel like…nothing will change?”
GPS turned to face Tophat with a bit of confusion and concern on his face. Tophat caught it immediately and tried to clarify what he meant,
“Not in a bad way!- But it kind of just feels like we reached the end. Like there’s nothing else for us to do except..live.”
They weren’t really sure if that helped him get his point across, he was happy living like this forever, It just kind of felt like playing your favorite game after you beat it.
GPS thought about what Tophat said for a moment, trying to find what caused them to say that. He took in his surroundings until he knew what to say.
“I feel like things do change, even if it’s just a little, or not as much as it used to, it still does.”
GPS pointed to the bed of flowers that was in front of them, making Tophat look as well.
“Like your garden, even if all your flowers stay the same throughout their lifespan, they’re still changing, not themselves, but the things around them. Look at this flower, its roots spread and are growing new flowers. Soon, that flower will be added to your collection. Even if the process is slow and it won’t make that much of a difference, it still changed.”
Tophat stared at the flowers, then stared at GPS, who soon stared back at him.
”Huh…I guess you’re right.”
He then smiled. Not the same shining smile they had back then, but more of a sunset. A fleeting sunset with soft colors that eventually fades to black and ends before you know it.
After a few minutes, It was just about sunset and the wind had gotten lighter. GPS thought back on the flowers that he mentioned before, realizing that he doesn’t recognize them. Giving him an idea on how to start one of his favorite games.
“Oh no.”
GPS’s voice was dark and quiet, which caught Tophat off guard from the way he was speaking before.
“Uh- What?”
“You’re going to be so mad at me for this…”
GPS smiled a bit and raised the pitch of his voice, now clearly joking and wiping away all concern Tophat had.
“What is it…”
Tophat played along, curious what GPS had in mind.
“I MAY have forgotten some of the flower types you taught me.”
Tophat caught onto what GPS was trying to do, and a smile grew on their face, and they came up with a quick response.
“OHH how could you! I thought you were better than this…..“
Tophat turned away dramatically, putting their ribbon up to GPS and their eyes closed, which made GPS laugh a little.
“Okay, okay…want me to name a few flowers around here? I think I could do a few…”
He wasn’t very confident in remembering names of things, but seeing Tophat snap back towards him, his face beaming, he couldn’t turn back now. He scanned his eyes over the area, trying to catch sight of a flower he recognized. After a few seconds, he locked eyes onto a few and pointed to them.
“Hmm…well that one’s a tulip, those are hydrangeas, daises, uhmmm…dandelion?”
GPS jumped, feeling a nudge on his arm, and soon giggling.
“Oh come on, you’re doing the easiest ones first! Also a dandelion is not a flower.”
Tophat brought up their ribbon, like he were pointing their non-existent finger up.
“YOU’RE not a flower!”
GPS shot back, and Tophat gasped like it was an actual insult. Soon, they both began laughing, they always made eachother laugh even with the most nonsensical jokes.
GPS finally decided to bring up the flower he saw earlier, and he pointed over to it.
“Fine! Then…what’s that flower?”
Tophat followed the direction of his hand and paused before responding.
“That’s a forget-me-not! They represent remembrance for loved ones that had passed away.”
“Really? Then why did you start growing them?”
“…not sure. They just started growing one day.”