Work Text:
Niki was tired, but it was a good kind of tired.
A few weeks ago, after Niki revealed the L'Manburg uniforms she made for everyone, Wilbur had asked her to make their nation's Flag based on the sketch he made, even offering to pay her. Niki happily accepted the offer and for the next few weeks, that's pretty much all she's been doing with breaks in between.
And finally, as she ties off her final stitch, the flag is complete.
She holds it up to admire her work, unable to stop the huge smile that forms on her face. She couldn't wait to show it off!
And so, she folds it up and hurries out of her bakery and hurries down the dirt path towards the gold and Blackstone walls of her home. Soon, she could see it in the distance and she slows down as she reaches the gates. She pants while trying to catch her breath before walking through the gates and into L'Manburg. It doesn't take her long to find the rest of her friends all settled around in a circle, laughing with each other.
She feels light as she hides the flag behind her before approaching them.
"Hey guys!"
They all turn their heads. "Aye, Niki!!" Tommy exclaims.
"We haven't seen you all day! Where have you been?" Fundy asks while leaning forward, his tail swishing in curiosity.
"I've been working on a surprise for all of you! Well, all of you but Wilbur, I suppose."
Wilbur perks up at that. "Wait, Niki is this what I think it is?"
She nods and can't resist anymore and she takes the flag out from behind her back and unfurls it to show it off to everyone. Their eyes widen and mouths drop as they see the flag, their flag. Everyone jumps to their feet and surrounds her, all chatting over each other as they take a closer look at the flag. The stitching and handiwork was nearly perfect, and the material was nicer than Wilbur was expecting her to use. All of it was made from very soft silk that he's sure cost a lot of money to get, and she followed his design down to the T.
Wilbur takes it from her, holding it carefully while looking at it in awe. "Niki, this is... this is WAY more than I was expecting! Like holy crap, this is incredible! You're amazing at this!"
Niki giggles while rubbing the back of her neck. "It's really nothing! I had a lot of fun with it!"
"What are we waiting for? Let's get it raised!!" Tubbo suggests, earning a round of agreement from everyone.
They gather around the flagpole that sits in the middle of their nation. Wilbur hooks it up to the rope before he turns to Niki. "You should do the honors."
Niki felt touched by the gesture and she stepped forward, grabbing the rope connected to the flag pole and started to pull on it. Everyone stood back and watched as it was slowly raised up, all the way to the very top that reaches taller than the walls so that everyone can see it. Once it reached its true height, it picked up the wind from up there and started to wave freely against the blue sky. Niki secures the rope before stepping back with the others to look at it.
No one said anything for the longest time, simply too entranced by the sight in front of them. Now, with their uniforms and their very own flag, it truly felt like they had a home that was all theirs.
And no one could take it away from them.