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Lily was never the type of person to relax. She was always making something. Making discoveries, new spells and most importantly, trying to make the Silver tree stronger. After the Beasts were sealed again, she couldn't help but worry that they would escape again, and it would be her fault. Her magic is holding the Beasts there, it's her responsibility....oh, witches, how she wished to never get led by her curiosity and hunger for answers, why cookiekind was made.
White Lily was once again, in her little and humble house. Even though she had a bigger and fancy place, she preferred her little cottage instead. Right now, she was preparing for a little meeting with Pure Vanilla. Ah yes....her friend...her friend that she hurt so much... that she made him suffer... that she almost-
White Lily took a little deep breath, it will be ok. After all, he forgave her. Even though she put him through this, he smiled at her while holding her hand to assure her, that it was fine. Lily's heart would always skip a beat with that gesture. Her face would burn a little, but she didn't though Pure Vanilla noticed, at least not while he didn't have his staff. After all, Pure Vanilla was blind...well partially. But he never mentioned anything strange about White Lily's strange behavior. Good, he didn't notice...she hoped.
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White Lily knocked on the kingdom gates, greeted by a certain blonde cookie.
,,Ah, White Lily. I'm glad you came." Pure Vanilla said while holding his staff close. The big eye on the staff looked excited, just like Pure Vanilla.
,, I couldn't just decline. After all, it's a pleasure to be invited." She smiled softly. Pure Vanilla stood beside the door. Holding it open for White Lily to come in.
,,You said we have a meeting right?"
,,Meet up Lily, not meeting. I noticed you spent your time in your cottage and don't usually go outside and relax. I'm worried about you."
,,Oh... Sorry that I'm worrying you, Vanilla...I just want to-"
,,Want to help the cookiekind? I know you do Lily. It's just... it's happening again."
That caught White Lily off guard. Again...?
,,Just like in the academy, you are shutting yourself away from the others. I know you want to have a better life for cookiekind...but you are going to burn out." Pure Vanilla's words came out softly...carefully. Which made White Lily feel even more heavy.
,,You are not the right person to tell me that, Pure Vanilla. After all, you have been skipping meals, you don't sleep much, and most importantly, you overwork yourself often. I'm surprised, you are still standing. If anyone should be worried, It has to be me."
Pure Vanilla said nothing, instead, he leaned his staff in the wall and opened his eyes. His heterochromatic eyes.
,,I know...I know you and others are worried about this, about me. But I can't let you make the same mistake as I did. It's not the best solution Lily. It never was."
His hands gently took White Lily's. His grip firm but gentle, like all the things he was saying was saying with hidden seriousness. White Lily slowly and gently rubbed her thumb on Pure Vanilla's, as silent "I'm sorry". But she felt her heart beating in her ribs.
,,But, I will admit..." He said looking at her smiling.
"It's nice...how we both care about each other. Making sure the other one will not do anything stupid, even though we already did."
That made White Lily chuckle a little bit. But he was right. It felt...nice and right.
,,Well, enough of the chit chatting. Let's go to our garden. I have something to show you.
While they were walking to their garden, Lily noticed something. The smell of lillies...was gone. It was there but...really faint. When she stepped into the garden, her eyes widened. The garden...was almost empty.
,,What happened there...?"
,,Almost all lilies were dry and wilted. I don't know what happened, but it needed to be removed."
,,Oh...I see. It's.... it's a shame."
,,Yeah, but that's why I call you, we are going to fix the garden. What do you say?"
White Lily smiled and nodded. She got two pairs of gardening gloves. One pair to her, the other for Vanilla. While she was handing him his pair, their hands brushed against each other, which caused them both to blush a little.
,,Ahem, shall we...shall we start?" White Lily cleared her throat nervously, with still a little visible blush. Pure Vanilla just nodded, feeling a little bit embarrassed. They soon started planting new lillies.
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Pure Vanilla was next to her, he could feel it and heard it. His staff was placed on the ground, it eye closed. He was now relying on his blurry sight. While he was making space for new lilies, White Lily was carefully placing new, small, lillies. When he was done, he wanted to help her but both of them went for the same lilly.
Their hands, brushing against each other. A little blush and bashful smile appeared on their faces, but they didn't let go. They placed the flower in its place together.
,,Do you think...the lillies will be doing fine? After all, I don't want them to be wilted or dry or-
,,The flowers will be ok Vanilla, you take great care of them."
,,Yeah...but still. I don't want them to be wilted or that the flowers are not doing well."
That got Lilly thinking. In the garden, they had lots of lilies. Nothing more. Lilies were White Lily's flowers and one of her favorites. Yet, no Pure Vanilla's favorite flowers were there. Only lillies.
,,Pure Vanilla....may I ask...why do you only have lilies in your...our garden?"
She looked at Pure Vanilla, she could notice that his shoulders relaxed, a small smile appeared on his face.
,,They remind me of you. When you are not here but study, discover... I'm often here. This garden and flowers will always be my dear memory and special place."
Pure Vanilla looked away from Lily, he could feel his cheeks burn, his heart bumping faster in his chest. He didn't really want White Lily to see him as a blushing mess. But White Lily saw it. Her scarlet eyes softened and took Pure Vanilla's hand. Which caused Pure Vanilla to blush a little bit more, feeling butterflies in his stomach.
,,I really appreciate it, I really do Vanilla. But, I have requested for our garden."
,,Well, what's your request then?"
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White Lily got something for Pure Vanilla to eat and drink, while she planted some more of the flowers. Pure Vanilla wanted to help her, but she insisted that it was a surprise and didn't want to spoil it. Her little request was that she can plant one more variety of the flowers. Pure Vanilla had nothing against it, so she was happy he agreed.
,,Are you sure I don't need to help you?"
,,I'm positive! Don't worry, just enjoy your tea and some food."
White Lily knows he will leave the tea and food almost untouched, but he was getting better at this.
She slowly placed smaller flowers into the spots and went to sit near Pure Vanilla.
,,I'm done, but we both need a break."
Pure Vanilla smiled and handed her tea. Oh witches, how White Lily loved his smile. She felt her heart flutter. She took her tea and both of them started drinking.
,,Well, are you ready for my surprise?"
,,Of course I am."
,,Do you trust me with this?"
She asked nervously but tried to hide it in the chuckle. Pure Vanilla just smiled and nodded.
,,Of course I trust you, why would I? I know that since it's from you, it will be something amazing."
Lily smiled, felt butterflies in her stomach. That was too sweet. She took Pure Vanilla's staff and hand and led him to her surprise.
,,Ok, look through your staff now."
Staff's big eye opened, widening slightly. Pure Vanilla crouched and touched the petals of Vanilla orchids.
,,You said lilies remind you of me...well, vanilla orchids remind me of you...I also wanted to give here a reminder of a person I care about. So? What do you say?"
Pure Vanilla said nothing. His face redden and his heart skipped the beat. It was such a nice gesture, he couldn't decide if he should feel flustered or overjoyed. Welp, he was definitely both.
,,Lily... it's... it's amazing. I don't know, what to say. Thank you."
,,You're welcome Vanilla."
Lily smiled then pushed Vanilla to the ground into the soft grass.
,,Now relax, we deserve a break."
Pure Vanilla chuckled and grabbed White Lily's arm, placing her in the grass next to him.
,,Now, this is better."
Both of them blushed, both of them laughed and both of them held hands looking at each other's eyes. Laying nearly new planted lilies and vanilla orchids.