Work Text:
I am going insane.
I leave my office— unlocked, since you'd assume nobody wanders the halls without getting caught at night— and come to find flowers in it. Every. Morning.
I can't.
I cannot.
I can't decide if someone's genuinely interesed, or if this is a joke. Since it's most likely the latter, I went and reported it to Principal Dort, but his only response was "It's just just harmless flowers, can't you be happy for it?"
No, I can't, Mr. Principal! I have no more vases!
I don't really know what to do with the occasional berries mixed into it, either. I'm a werewolf, not a biologist. I'm not eating mystery berries.
And what do you know— it's the same today.
Bouquets of different wildflowers on my desk, and a handful of blackberries scattered amongst them.
I really have nowhere to put the poor things. Since my mug from breakfast is empty, I place them in that for now, and throw the berries out. Food waste, I know. But who knows where they came from?
My day passes even slower than usual. I swear, those pesky students always want something.
But my day isn't done after lunch. Oh, how I wish it was, but no. At least that steak was decent. Nice and rare, and bloody... Should've gone for more.
No matter.
My afternoon was spent with private lessons, for children who's parents care enough about their talents to pay me extra. When I tell you that every one of them, without fail, asked about those darn plants.
Why do they catch everyone's eyes? I've been getting them for the past month. It's really not that special anymore.
Though I do wonder about the choice of flowers.
I definitely wouldn't give something as simple as wildflowers to someone I'm trying to charm. Perhaps a rose, no?
I've never had a rose, however.
If this is even real, that is. It has to be, though. No student would be this dedicated to a joke, and no teacher here would play such tricks.
Later that week, with a class gone no a trip, I find myself with a free period. I have nothing specific to do, so I decide to explore the gardens. On my short journey, I find our groundskeeper, Y/N, outside the greenhouse, tending to some surrounding bushes.
"Good morning." I greet her, watching her hands for a moment, before continuing. "Hey, I'm just gonna stroll through your greenhouse, okay?"
"Go ahead." You permit, as I'm already walking through the door. The place is quite beautiful, with the obvious care you put into it. Though as I take a more thorough look, something stands out to me.
Most of the flowers found here are kinds I recognize; kinds that have been left on my desk before.
Common daisies and dandelions, lilies and starflowers that's what I got this week. And they're all here. Not to mention the orchids and violets, and the lavender bushes on the side. All of which I've gotten during the week I got selections of everything pink and purple.
Come to think of it, the bushes Y/N was tending to seemed to have fruits on them...
After I've made my round, I approach her again. Hey, so I don't know if you've heard, but I've been getting flowers on my desk every day for a few months now, and I can't help but notice now that most of them seem to come from your... collection. Do you know anything about that?
"Oh, I uhm..." She pauses her work to look at me. "Well, I've noticed my flora disappearing, but I don't know who it could be."
"I see... well, no matter. I do have to say that your plants are quite beautiful. Both here, and the ones left on my table." I examine a leaf between my fingers to seem like I know what I'm doing, then let go of it after a long beat, as if pleased.
"Oh, thank you a lot, Miss Capri..." She looks away, and I'm quite sure she's blushing. I can see the sheepish smile by the rise of her cheeks.
"Isadora. Isadora's fine." I don't know where that came from, but it's like I took pity on the flustered woman. Perhaps I said it to make her more comfortable with me.
"Alright. Then... thank you, Isadora." She gives me such a soft look, my heart melts at the sincere gratitude.
But despite the endearing exchange, after what I saw, I had my suspicions. So that evening, I stayed lurking around the corner, watching the hallway, listening to footsteps.
I was starting to have to have my doubts when nobody came after what seemed like hours, but patience brought it's results. I spotted the criminal walking down the hall, holding a very small bouquet this time. But the face, unfortunately, is a familiar one.. The custodian.
Y/N.
She creeps in through the door like a ghost— slowly, so the hinges don't creak to scream of her presence. She approaches my desk and settles the plants down right into the middle like it's something sacred— and it may be for her.
She hurries off once it's in place, and I hardly catch on quick enough to run after her. I grab her by the wrist before she could round the corner, and she whimpers at the touch. Her fright is so pathetically adorable...
"Wha— I-Isadora, I..." She stutters out, tearing up in her worried shock. It melts my heart to see such reaction.
"Y/N... What were you doing in there?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. I let go of her wrist, trusting her enough to not run away. The groundskeeper stared at the floor, trying not to get emotional. No response.
"I had a suspicion that you were the one leaving those flowers, you know..." I brush her hair back affectionately, trying to coax her into looking at me.
"I'm so sorry Miss Capri, I'll leave you alone—"
"Honey, no, don't. I... I'm also interested, Y/N. I'm just frustrated out of my mind because I have no more space for them..." I rub her arms, finally getting her to spare me a glance.
"Do you really...?" She croaks out, her eyes so hopeful that I immediately respond with a nod of reassurance. I see it takes her a while to process it all; concern, confusion, hope, and then a smile.
"I'll admit, I really like you, Isadora... and I thought it could be cute to show my interest through thing I love most. I'm really sorry if I was annoying, I'll stop now that I have your attention."
"Mmh, you don't have to. I do like it, it's cute." I smile back, endeared by such mentality. She trails a tentative finger down my arm, causing me to shudder, and we share a quick laugh.
"So..." She looks off to the side. "We could organize something, if you are..." She looks back at me and tilts her head to the side like a curious puppy.
"l am. And.. I'd love to." I take her hands and intertwine our fingers together, and give them a light squeeze.