Chapter Text
Flowery is very busy. It's expected as the ruler of this dark world. He's managing it on top trying to distract Asgore from the dark fountain a little longer and keeping an eye out on the lightners. He’s usually keeping an eye on things if he’s not with Asgore, and most of the flowers know not to bother him.
Emphasis on ‘most’.
“Floweryyyyyy!” a tiny weight hops on his head and keeps bouncing on the crow’s nest it makes out of his hair, “I’m bored!”
“Hey, Aqua,” he catches her on the next bounce, “Are Kris and the others not fun enough for you?”
“Uee hee hee, they are! But I lost them, and I couldn't find anyone else, so I'm bored," she giggles into her sleeve while Flowery frowns a little wondering if he'd need to search for the lightners himself, “But now I found you! Let's play Floweryyyyy."
“Ah, I'm sorry Aqua," a little bit of guilt pricks him when her smile drops, "I just don't have tree, I mean, time. Not right now, okay?”
The girl hums, “You never play with me Flowery. You're always too busy. That's boring," she huffs in his arms, very clearly grumpy, even as her legs swing.
“Sorry, sorry, Aqua, next time okay? I'll find you when I have time, so cheer up, okay?" Despite his smile and reassurance, Aqua does not smile. Instead, she stares at him curiously before jumping down his arms. He assumes he's free to go and turns on the ball of his feet, mind wandering to the most pressing matters when the swish of knives slice through air.
Flowery reacts very quickly, leaping from the spot where violet knives aimed for him.
He sees Aqua clapping in glee, a great grin on her face, and well, who is he to deny his friend such joy? He can take it easy… just a little, until Aqua is satiated.
(Though saying that was easier than doing so. Aqua's interest was as fickle as a fiddle leaf fig.)
“Uuuu, more, more!” Aqua cheers, sending more of her attacks his way. They're in the great foyer, so Flowery has plenty of space to dodge.
"You remember what I said about knife safety Aqua!?" He calls out from above, ducking under a nicely timed barrage. Even the lightners must have struggled with her bullet patterns.
“Yeah!" She nods, waving over, “Always keep the pointy end away from me!"
“Berry good!" Flowery flies over the consecutive pattern of knives designed to skewer him up mercilessly, “Your patterns have improved Aqua!"
“Uuuu, I made them more fun! Are they fun?"
“Berry fun, indeed! But can you dodge this?!" He sweeps in for a catch. Aqua hops out of his way just in time, squealing.
“Yay! Are we playing tag?"
"Sure!”
Aqua's quick in the air, like she's riding a joyous, free wind made just for her. She's hard to predict, leaving little room for Flowery to deduct where she'll be next. He chases her all over the foyer, sweeping in close only for her to run on fast feet from his hands.
"Catch me! Catch me!”
“On it!"
On it he is, putting a little more oomph into his sprint. She avoids him once, but as she's still rising, Flowery spins on the heel of his foot to catch her.
"Uuuuuu! You got me!" She claps, muffled by her sleeves, “I lost again!"
Flowery finds himself chucking, "Yeah? It's it fun losing?”
“Really fun!" Aqua cheers. Her smile drops so suddenly and quickly, Flowery worries he hurt her somehow.
"What's wrong Aqua? Are you hurt?” he tries checking over while she's still in his arms.
Gaze downcast, Aqua frowns, “Uuuu, I wish Asgore would play with us too. I wanna see his teeth in a smile,” then, in a smaller voice, “I wanna show him more teeth…”
His heart constricts at usually seeing the indomitably cheery Aqua downtrodden.
“Oh Aqua… I know, he's just really busy,” Flowery tries to placate, placing on her feet and crouching to ruffle her hair.
“Like you? That's boring…”
He sighs, "I know. I wish he'd give us more time too."
Maybe… bringing to the dark fountain was a mistake… but, it was one Asgore's wishes, and Flowery would give him anything, including this entire world.
Things would work out. He's sure. Asgore just needs time.
“But for now, why don't we find Seth?"
Aqua perks up, “Uuuu, I wanna throw knives at Seth!"
“Haha! Just don't go too overboard."
“I won't!"
Still, despite the chirp in her words, Flowery can tell she's still a little dismayed, so he gets on a knee and offers his back.
“What are you doing?"
Flowery smirks, "A piggyback. They're fun!"
It only takes a second for Aqua to jump on, "Uuuu, piggyback! I've never had one before!”
"Yeah? Hang on tight!" With a strong step, he kicks off the ground, leaping high and flying over to where he assumes Seth would be, all the whole Aqua giggles and squeals on his back.
“Weeeeeeeee!”
Flowery laughs with her, "Having fun Aqua?”
"Yeah! Go higher!”
"Sure!" He reaches the tall, towering ceiling of the castle, letting the girl brush her finger tips on it.
“Ueeee hee hee! Piggybacks are fuuuuun!”
He decides to hop the rest of the way through the castle while looking for Seth. The weight on his back gradually gets heavier, arms still over his shoulders instead of flapping.
“Aqua?"
“Hmmm?"
Flowery smiles to himself, slowing down in an attempt to jostle her less. Soon enough, her head lolls in-between the crook of his neck and shoulder, tiny, muffled snores reaching his ear. He adjusts her to be more comfortable, quietly kicking open the door to where Seth is residing.
“Flowery!" The purple flower startles from their plans. Their gaze falls flat upon seeing Aqua peacefully dozing in his back, "So that's where she went. I couldn't find her after the lightners got past us.”
"Heh, no worries. Here,” he hands the girl over, "Would you mind watching over her for a bit?"
Seth sighs, pushing up their glasses, "I suppose I have no choice,” despite their words, Seth shuffles to free their lap so Flowery can comfortably place Aqua's head there.
"Thanks Seth."
They hum without looking up, already focused on their plans. He sees a few stories tucked between the sheets, peering curiously.
Seth splutters, "H-hey! These are for Asgore, not you.”
"Ah, what a shame. I'd be happy to read them too, you know.”
"Just go,“ they shoo him away with a half hearted glare.
Flowery smiles as he waves, making his way out.
It's about time he got back to work now.