Chapter Text
The crowd began to cheer before he could finish his last pirouette. Showered in their cheers and compliments, Blue let out a few of his butterfly friends from his hand, the final touch to his performance. After that, with a wide smile on his face, he bowed and thanked everyone. As they kept clapping, he glanced at a clock hanging on a wall nearby. It was almost closing time.
He did another bow, waving his arms at them in a final salute.
- What about the final dance???? - exclaimed a rowdy Floradinn.
- Yeah, there’s been rumors of a last act you do with a special someone. Been here every day until the end, and saw nothing!!! - another one quickly added. I- heard this “special someone” was someone picked from the crowd…
- Oh, you wanting to attend another show really flatters me, but this last act really took a lot of my energy… even if there was the time, I’m afraid I still couldn’t comply…
Despite his politeness, some customers were still dissatisfied, and no matter how much they tried Blue seemed to be as good at dodging their requests as he was with ballet. Shortly after, a green slouching cook rushed out of the kitchen, and began walking around holding a sign up above their head. The dancer would point at it, still smiling.
- Regardless, as our chef is politely reminding us, we are closed for the night.
Even though there were still a few complaints, everyone did listen and leave the restaurant without any issue.
- You did a great job tonight, darling. - Blue said, doing a twirl. - You took the initiative and didn’t let anyone’s complaints stop you this time, and I’m proud of that.
Green nodded, clapping their hands together. But then, they gestured with their head to the kitchen, where they had already cleaned up and closed the kitchen.
- You may leave if you wish, don’t worry. I can take it from here, while you go rest for the day- and make sure the rest of the bouquet is doing so, as well.
The chef couldn’t help but grin a little, shrugging their shoulders. There was only one way to know whether or not Orange was sleeping or was trying to get someone to brawl with her under the night light. So, soon enough, it was only Blue standing alone inside the building, with the lights turning down and the doors closing.
And yet, he did not break off his character yet. He would stand tall, almost still, in a silent wait, among a crowd of tables and chairs.
Then, the sound of familiar steps echoed from the backstage. And at each of them, his smile grew wider.
- Apologies, i'm late. Them varmints, the Neskits, stirred up a ruckus and caused a mighty fight and all… Aww, it’s alright… take your time, catch your breath darling, I’m not going anywhere.
He nodded between each exhale, thankful. - Sorry again… today was plumb full, was helpin' the others 'til, well y’know, got the call 'bout Flowery. Stayed with 'em once you all high tailed it so i could update him on everything we've been doin', and then the Neskit problem came and i had to drop everything and…
He gently picked one of Yellow’s hands, cupping it between his. Whatever words was he about to say, they all tripped on his tongue.
- If you prefer, we can wait a minute longer, so you can tell me everything that happened more properly. I’ll leave the choice to you.
- Nah-ah, no need… can tell ya’ while we dance, or later- was looking forward for this too…
- Aww, were you?
The cowboy couldn’t help but turn his face away, blushing heavily.
- So uh… still in time?
- Of course. You know I wouldn’t start my last act without you.
Blue pulled himself into his starting pose, and a few seconds after a pair of translucid wings sprouted from his back.
They fluttered in excitement, letting out a small cloud of sparkling dust. Yellow took one last big breath, lifted his hat to pull his hair all the way back, and finally he clicked his heels to confirm he was ready too.
The dancer lended his hand towards him, and he quickly took it. Yellow wings appeared on his back as well.
The last two light reflectors that had remained activated tilted in their direction, showering them. One nodded, and so did the other.
The Special Number could now begin.
It didn’t take long for Yellow to forget what he wanted to say, fully captured by the graceful moves of his partner, by their amused smirk.
That sight was enough to make him follow his steps at a near perfect pace, all night long.
...
- … BLUE!!!! MR BLUE!!!!
The dancer snapped from his torpor, waking up on his seat in an empty diner.
From the light coming through the windows, he could tell it was quite early in the morning. Something further proved by the fact not even Green had come yet to open the kitchen for the day.
There was only a scarecrow, standing in front of him, swinging his arms frantically as it kept yelling.
- Mr Blue!!!!! Quick, we need your assistance!!!
- Oh, Shiff… What is the matter? You shouldn’t be here yet… - he said, as he got up and fixed his tutu.
- Ah!!! Sorry!!!! But!!! There’s a fight that needs to be stopped!!!
- Oh dear- is something wrong at the Cliffs?
- No!!! At the castle, just by the zen gardens!!!
- Isee…. Why didn’t you reach out to Yellow first?
- That is the problem!!!! - it yelled, trashing even more frantically.
And the more he explained, the more concerned he got.
-------
On one hand, the scene was less chaotic as the scarecrow had made it out to be; the garden was in order, and there were only a couple Terakotas watering and tending to the bonsai, all of which seemed to be relaxed and not at all in disarray. One of them noticed him, and after a polite bow with his head it pointed towards the door of a closed room, where he could clearly see two shadows talking loudly behind a paper wall.
It was easy to tell who was who.
Blue pushed the slide door slowly, while clearing his voice. The two men both turned to look at him.
- Aaah, Blue! You come just in time! - Flowery exclaimed, stretching his arm open and giving him a bright smile. Yellow pulled his hat over his eyes, looking away.
- Hello, good morning… I was told there was a discussion going on, messy enough to require my assistance…
- Well, I wouldn’t say it’s messy, just a little bit of clash of opinions! Isn’t that right, Yeller?
He tried to give his brother a friendly nudge, but he only pulled himself in a stiff position. The dancer couldn’t help but reach out a hand towards him. Flowery didn’t react, and simply shook his head as he continued:
- So, today I felt good enough to start helping you guys run the place again! As you can see, I have fully recovered, my uniform has been fixed completely, I didn’t see why I should’ve stayed in bed rest today as well!
- Ya’ were cut in halves…
- And I recovered!!! I thought about coming to see the castle’s gardens first, see if everything was in order, and so I ran into Yellow who was-
- I was replacin’ Zen Looker!!! And you told me to scram off that ya could do it!
- And what’s the issue? I told you as soon as I could get up I would’ve come back to do my job, and that’s all I did! I’m only trying to help you-
- Ahem.
Flowery shut up, pulling his hair back. Blue glanced at the cowboy, nodding his head, making him understand it was his turn.
- I came here ‘cuz Zen Looker wanted me to replace him, talked ‘bout it the other day. So today, i came here to do that. But Flowery said i could just go off he’d finish the job!!!
- I’m doing you a favour though, am I not? Doing the job for you, so you can rest-
- That ain’t the deal!! I agree to do it, i do it!! - he replied, stomping his foot onto the sand.
He left a mark that he immediately regretted, and so he stepped away to pick up a rake.
Blue turned back to the other guy. Flowery, continue.
- Thanks! So, I know you guys have taken on my responsibility to look after the Castle, after all that happened, and I just couldn’t wait to get back on my feet and give all the support I could! I already checked the pond before Seth and Aqua woke up so they have nothing to worry about, planned to get Floradinns their meals, was going to pet the Kawkaws in Orange’s place so she has more time to train herself before I got here and…
- Then go!! i can take it here!!! - snapped Yellow again, after carefully cleaning the sand and rejoining the conversation.
Flowery gestured at him, while looking at the dancer.
- See? I only just want to help and yet he’s being so stubborn about it!
Blue kept looking at one another, seeing the cowboy pulling his sleeves up and down, and the other… just standing, with his usual unassuming face.
- Flowery… don’t take this the wrong way, but I do want to side with Yellow on this one.
- Hey!
- Ah-ah! Let me finish; I don’t think you did anything wrong, and it actually comforts me to see you so energetic and eager to get back in the swing of things. But- I can’t deny I am concerned for your wellbeing, since you have just recovered from a major injury- maybe it would be best for you to take things slowly?
- But I feel great!
- You always feel great, Flowery.
- Pardon my interruption, but... does that reckon i keep the job and he does somethin' else?
- Well…
Blue stepped towards him, holding his hands together.
- I do think you should rest too… you’ve been working really hard these days, and I’m proud of you. But- maybe Flowery is right, you could really use some time to relax…
- But-!
He tipped his hat upwards, stroking a tuft of hair on the side. He immediately mellowed out.
- i-i just… it was mah job, i promised…
- I’m sure Zen Looker and whoever else you promised your services this morning can understand.
Yellow let out a long sigh. But then he turned around to his brother.
- Hm… but ya’ said Flowery can’t either…
- I did. And for that, here’s my solution; you go on and take the day off, while I stay here and take on your job while Flowery helps me, so he won’t overexert himself. How does that sound?
- Sounds fine by me!- said the Flower man called on cause.
There was a moment of silence, where the cowboy kept biting his lip and still hadn’t looked Blue in the eyes. So he helped him with it, holding his chin gently and making him tilt his head, so the shadow from his headgear wouldn’t cover his gaze anymore.
He rested his face on his palm for a moment.
- Ight, deal’s a deal.
- There we go! - Flowery shouted, making a triumphant gesture. The couple couldn’t help but smirk at his antics, and so the mood began feeling lighter.
The cowboy took a few more minutes to make sure they knew what they had to do, before he finally left them on their own.
- Thanks for mediating, Blue. And I’m sorry to have dragged you so early on such a simple matter…
- No need to apologize. I believe every conflict has the right to be addressed and taken seriously, including “simple matters” such as this one. I’m glad I was able to provide a solution that worked for both of you.
- Hah! Well, thanks regardless! But now- to talk about something else…
He sat under one of the bonsai, crossing his legs and tapping his fingers on the spot next to him.
- So! What did I miss on these days?