Work Text:
Despite the sun being high in the sky, the travelling group have taken a day of rest. M.O.O.N. is busy with chores, and Sean with route planning. Mia has already done her laundry, and 4's only responsibility is as their guard. As such she has sat herself next to their watch, pulling out her flower collection. She already has a flower crown on, and Sean and M.O.O.N. have had many before, yet it is 4's first sunny rest day with them! Mia, therefore, is determined to make them their own flower crown.
She weaves blue larkspur to match the scraps of their coat, and mixes forget-me-nots within to compliment them. A little greenery here and there, and a scattering of daisies simply because she has it to hand. 4 watches her as she works, eyes entirely focused on her hands, fingers twitching as hers move.
"Do you like it?" She asks, as she weaves more flowers into the braided loop.
"I do not like." 4 replies, still staring at her working.
Mia hums a little; there is time. They can work on it.
"Are there any flowers you would like me to add?"
Expecting another non-response, Mia keeps up the pace of her work. Her fingers catch a little more, but it is not a cut - just pain. She hums as she works, taking flowers to look nice together, zoning out the world as she imagines the gardens her brother's new city will surely have. A frisbee, a picnic, laughing children all around...
A weight presses on her skirt.
"This one."
4's voice is a little quiet, but unmistakably theirs. Mia glances back to their pretty eyes, then down to where they point.
A poppy, blood red.
Just a shade darker than their eyes.
"The poppy?" She clarifies.
"Is that what it is?" A long pause, then. "I want that one."
A want.
Oh! A want!
A small, subtle little thing, but Mia brightens to hear it. She trims the stem of the flower she was work on and immediately picks up the poppy.
"Of course!" She grins, preparing the stem and weaving it into place. "Do you... like poppies?"
"It is what you gave me when we met."
That does not really answer her question, but it makes Mia melt a little inside. That poppy had merely been the closest red flower to hand, but if it truly meant so much to get lodged into 4's memories... Then perhaps her silly little gifts are not so silly at all.
A few more flowers - more poppies amongst them - and Mia finished the crown. She shuffles forwards and up, gently placing the flower crown on 4's head, careful not to brush any surely sensitive spots as she does.
"There you go!" Mia draws back, taking pride in her handiwork. "We are both pretty princesses now!"
4 moves a hand up, but hesitates and lowers it before they can touch.
"I see." They say, and nothing more.
"Come, let us show Sean!" Mia grabs 4's wrist, and pulls them up.
She will tell Sean about the poppies later; he will surely be thrilled, that poor 4 has come so far as to have a preference already. Maybe even thrilled enough he will join them next time, instead of spending all day planning a route with M.O.O.N....