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“So, your favourites are nightshades, correct?”
Two Time asked, curiously looking at the powerfully violet flowers from the chair they were sat on.
“The flowers, I mean.”
They recalled Azure overly enthusiastically mentioning those, in about one of the first conversations that the two ever had.
It hasn't been much since Two Time first met Azure, about a week or two since they first ran into him in the forest while running away from their supposed "home", just coincidentally stumbling upon him and the cult.
From then, as of being indoctrinated and having smoothly accepted the Spawn due to Amarah's influence, Two Time only got closer to Azure every day.
“Hm? Oh, yes, that's right!" Azure confirms, looking away from one of the flower pots he was currently doing some work around, lowering his gaze to look down at the other cultist.
Two Time found it amazing just how fast they were bonding with Azure. It was about the fifth time already the two were hanging out in his cottage, which they were given long before Two Time arrived to keep and take care of his plants in.
“However, it's wrong to just say ‘nightshades’, since they are a whole family of flowers. My favorite is the Bittersweet nighshade, and that is-”
“Y-yes, I know that.” Two Time cut him off before he could start one of his hours long biology lectures again.
“You have explained your entire study in nightshades to me at least 20 times by now.”
“Oh…pardon.” He giggles softly.
“But then, why would you ask about it in the first place?” He asks, shifting his head slightly to the side in confusion.
“I was just curious…why exactly nightshades? I mean, there are many equally pretty flowers…what made you choose these?”
Azure had to pause for a moment.
“Well…I remember that they were the very first poisonous plant that I discovered in the forest outside, when I have only started to interest in biology.”
“Besides, I really like their violet shade.”
“Right…purple is your favorite color, I recall?”
“You remembered that as well?” He smiles again, looking at them through the shade of his hat over their face.
“The colour, although in various shades, is present on many flowers because- wait, have I already talked about that as well?”
“Because of the dominant gene? You sure did.”
“Haha, I sure talk a lot, don't I? It's just that I can't seem to stop talking about topics I like...”
Azure’s smile doesn't falter, but the fragment of guilt in his tone was giving him away.
“So…be sure to tell me if it's bothering you, okay?”
“N-no, you never bother me! Actually I really like listening to you talk…Wait, I mean…”
Two Time, realizing what they may have just implied, flusters just slightly.
“You…do?”
Azure asks, as if unsure if he heard that right.
“Yes…I really do. You are really interesting, you know?”
Two Time doesn't back down, despite their internal panic.
Azure is stunned for a second, like he wasn't expecting for Two Time to actually like listening to his ‘lessons’.
His expression brightens, his usual smile returning.
“You always know how to cheer me up, don't you?”
He chuckles, the guilt from earlier now completely lost from his voice.
Then, an idea suddenly hit him.
“Nightshade…”
“What?” Two Time looks at him a bit puzzled, but already guessing what this could mean.
“How does that sound?” Azure asks, his smile turning just slightly mischievous, or more playful rather.
“What are you trying to imply… Don't tell me you are going to give me another nickname!”
“Exactly.”
Two Time's face flushed further, slight redness visible on their pale skin.
“You are seriously…”
“Although… you don't exactly hate it either, do you now?”
Azure teases, something he didn't do that often.
“No… You are right, I don't…”
They look away, praying that Azure couldn't see how flushed they were.
Azure just looks at them, taken aback for a moment.
He couldn't notice their own face getting slightly red as well, as he saw Two Time's reaction.
“T-then… Nighshade it is! You can't deny… it kind of fits you, doesn't it?”
Azure attempts to brighen up, despite his own racing heartbeat.
“I guess so…”
Two Time's face only reddens further. Despite that, they manage a weak smile, followed by a genuine giggle.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
They still remembered that day so vividly.
His gentle, caring smile, the affectionate tone of his voice…
"My nightshade"
They could practically hear him saying that.
It really did fit them, as they thought of it now.
…
They only wanted to hear him call them that, just one more time.