Arcticfoxpup42

Chapter One: Missing Flowers

It started with the missing flowers.

Scott had gone out with Nom to do a bit of training in the arena, and the two had parted ways, smiling and wishing for the other’s safety.

Not 5 minutes later, Owain was at Nom’s door. “The nature mage is sobbing uncontrollably. Nobody knows why. He likes you enough. Fix it.” 

“Well nice to see you t–wait what happened with Scott?!” Nom's eyes widened. Scott? Sobbing? That sweet boy? Oh absolutely not, this would not stand.

“I required enchanting. He was sobbing. Granted, he did agree to enchant things for me, but he is still sobbing.” Huh. Oddly enough, Nom suspected this was Owain showing concern. “The Reds will hear of his weakness and try to attack.” Nevermind.

“That’s what you’re–no, actually, no, just–where is he now?” Nom’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to face whatever threat this was that was hurting his–ahem, that was hurting the sweet and shy florist. 

I really need to get more friends if I’m already trying to call him mine.

“In his greenhouse–at least, that was the last place I saw him.” Owain said curtly, already moving on to other duties. Seriously, dude?

Heaving a sigh as heavy as his armor, Nom gently shut his door and began walking down the path to the wheat fields. Scott lived on the outskirts of the town, hidden away in a cozy cottage, greenhouse attached.

Nom kept a steady pace, anxiety working around him like a noose, tightening with each passing thought. Had Scott received bad news from back home? Did the Reds blow him up? Was Scott ill?

Reaching the florist’s home, Nom can already hear the sickening sound of sobbing. He gently knocks on the door, but when nobody answers, he hesitantly lets himself in. 

“...Scott…?” Nom asks quietly, The crying stifles, as if somebody is trying to hide their tears. Something twists inside his chest, weaving together emotions he can’t even begin to decipher. 

All he knows is that he wants to hurt whoever made Scott cry. And he wants to hurt whoever made Scott believe that he shouldn’t let others hear him cry.

As a knight, emotions are not something to be shown. Visibly. Coping mechanisms, actions–emotions are inevitable, but crying is a weakness.

Crying is a weakness for somebody like Nom. But Scott? Sweet, shy, silly Scott? No, absolutely not. This would not stand.

“Scott, I can hear you. Are you invisible?” Nom walks towards the muffled crying.

“Um–um–oh–y–yeah, um–sorry.” Scott stutters out from a slightly darkened corner. Nom imagines it would be seen as a safer place for the mage.

“Oh, no need to be sorry, bud! What’s got you so sad?” Nom crouches down as Scott slowly flickers into view, curled up in the suspected corner. “Even Owain is concerned about you–something’s gotta be wrong!” “With me or Owain?” Scott giggles tearfully.

“Something has always been wrong with Owain–anyway, why are you crying?” More giggles that make Nom feel like he’s hearing beauty. A melody that he wants to have stuck in his head forever.

Wow that was sappy.

…he chooses to ignore said suspicious sappiness in favor of helping the saddened mage.

There’s a moment’s pause before Scott whispers, “...all my flowers are missing.”

Nom’s hand squeezes the hilt of his sheathed sword. “What.”

The florist seems to curl up a bit more, shrinking into himself. “When–when I got back from training with you, all of my flowers were gone from my greenhouse.”

Pure rage fills Nom, and silently, he opens up his communicator. “Nom–wait–it’s fine–I–”

Alright, who the hell stole Scott’s flowers? Nom sends the message for all to see. Scott winces.

“It’s fine–”

“You’re crying, Scott.” 

“It’s my fault.” Oh, hell no. 

Nom grabs the mage by his shoulders, forcing Scott to hold his gaze. “Scott Springfield, Florist’s Son, Mage of Nature–this is not your fault. In no way shape or form. You did not steal somebody else’s property, you had something precious to you stolen. Okay?” 

For a moment, Scott seemed stunned. His breathing turned slightly harsher, and his cheeks took on a pinkish hue. “I–but–I should’ve been more careful. Locked the doors. Something.” 

“You shouldn’t have had to do that, Scott. It’s your flowers. Your greenhouse.” The communicators they both had were buzzing from messages, but Nom barely noticed as more tears filled Scott’s eyes.

He gently wipes one away, offering what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “The world isn’t running on you alone, flowercup.” The tender nickname slips out, startling them both.

A flush creeps up Nom’s face, but the knight merely clears his throat. His chest tightens again, that same twisting sensation. It’s not unpleasant. If anything, he kind of enjoys it. 

Which scared him more than the actual sensation. 

“Point is–you shouldn’t blame yourself for everything. Some things are on other people. Some things are just the world being cruel. Not every bad thing that happens to you is your doing, Scott.” 

The mage opens and closes his mouth, before visibly swallowing. “You–you really mean that?”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean, fl–Scott.” That nickname again. The knight feels shy using it for whatever the reason. Maybe it was just Scott’s reaction, or his own. Probably. 

Scott stares at him for a moment, before a small smile forms on his face–and it’s like the sun has parted through the rain. Pure relief floods Nom, and he quietly lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

“That–means a lot. Um. Th–thank you.” The smile turns shy, and the knight’s stomach does a little flip. 

Huh. 

Definitely not concerning whatsoever.

…

ANYWAY.

“For you? Anytime.” Nom opens up the communicator. Ah yes, an entire argument has started.

cant scotty boie just grow mre? Comes from King Cam, of course.

I think it’s the principal of things. Is Owain’s response. You stole from him. 

WE DID NO SUCH THING. Bekyamon instantly defends.

WHY WOULD WE STEAL SCOTT’S STUPID FLOWERS??? GROW UP. Apo’s angry retaliation.

Nom narrows his eyes. “I’ll go have a look over at Red Kingdom–bound to have been somebody, I imagine Frouge or maybe Cam.” 

Scott remained silent.

A new message pinged. …my flowers are stupid? 

Oh–

“Scott…no…” Nom says softly, but his words fall on deaf ears when Apo decides she’s in the mood to crush the souls of innocents.

Yeah, you can grow flowers anywhere, and they’re just useless plants anyway. Don’t even give us oxygen like the trees do. And you choose to grow them in a greenhouse??? I don’t see the problem, just go get more.

Nom was going to murder somebody. Her name was Apo. 

“Ignore her.” The knight said, noting the way everybody had gone dead silent in the chat. Even the Red Kingdom was probably caught off guard by the cruel remarks of the knight. It was certainly crossing a line.

It was also out of character. Sure, Apo was prickly, but surely even she knew when she took things too far. Such as now.

And Nom? Well, Nom was never known for making the smart decision. Just the one that felt right.

There is something genuinely wrong with you. He left it at that. Apo didn’t respond. The knight imagined she was probably getting scolded by Princess Cherri for her behavior.

“...it’s fine…she’s–she’s got a point. Kind of. Well–” Scott laughs weakly, not the bright, beautiful giggles from before. Something more strained. More forced. More fake. “Those were all really rare flowers, but, um–yeah, I get it.”

Nom said nothing for a long moment, just taking deep breaths in order to not frighten the mage from any potential yelling. 

“...I’ll get your flowers back, Scott. I promise.” The knight said, determination running through his veins. 

“Pinkie promise me!” The mage joked, giggling wetly and quickly wiping his eyes. 

Nom linked his pinkie with Scott’s, not hesitating for a moment. The florist faltered, clearly a bit confused. 

Looking Scott dead in the eyes, voice clear and determined, pinkie’s linked, Nom said, “I promise by the powers within me, by my role as a knight, and by my life, that I will get you your flowers back. That is a knight’s honor.” 

Not oath. Never oath, not anymore. He couldn’t trust himself to make an oath. Nom rarely made such specific promises. He typically only promised that he would try his best, not that he would succeed.

But for Scott? Damn it, he wouldn’t stop until he succeeded. 

The twisting in his chest returned, and his throat felt slightly scratchy as he cleared it, suddenly aware of what little distance was between the mage and knight and just how wide eyed, shocked, and flustered Scott was.

“That–you–um–” He blinked rapidly, before ducking his face away from Nom. “Th–thank you. So much.” 

“Don’t thank me yet. I still have to do it.” Nom laughed a little to himself. Slowly, he rose, armor clanking as he did so. “Will you be alright on your own?”

“...I think so.” Scott murmured quietly, eyes growing distant, body beginning to flicker. The knight’s resolve strengthened more than ever. 

Out of everybody here, to steal from Scott, sweet, kind, beautiful Scott, was unfathomable to most in both kingdoms. Nom wouldn’t stand for it.

He pulled Scott into a loose and quick hug, aware his armor was not the most comfortable thing to touch. “See you soon, flowercup.” He murmured without thinking.

Before he could risk a glance at the mage’s reaction, Norm quickly walks out of the house, cheeks burning, heart a beat too fast.

The twisting in his chest returns stronger than before, and as he walks, a soft cough creeps up on him. Twisting weaves itself into aching. 

The oddest part is, Nom likes it. 

***

Getting to Red Kingdom isn’t that hard, although the bridge is slightly precarious. And honestly? Nom can’t say he was afraid of entering the rival kingdom. He didn’t bother trying to be stealthy–they would know he was coming.

“Are you serious? You came to our kingdom over some stupid flowers?” Apo says, sounding both enraged and disgusted. So Cherri hadn’t chatted with her, then.

“The stolen flowers, yes.” Nom says cheerfully, although he’s already planning to do a 1 v 2, him versus Apo and Bek, if necessary. He purposefully pretends to have misheard Apo. Afterall, ‘stolen’ and ‘stupid’ were similar enough, right?

Riiiiight.

“OH–you–you are the worst, you are actually probably the worst human being I have ever met.” Apo snarls out. “We don’t have your little boyfriend’s flowers!” 

“Ah, well I’m honored for such a title and am incredibly jealous of the people you have met. I wish I could say that you were the worst.” Nom chuckles, slightly self–depricatingly. 

His heart does a little flip at Scott being referenced as his–oh–

The knight’s face suddenly felt incredibly warm. The twisting is back, quickly blooming into a soft ache. He doesn’t acknowledge the comment, knowing it would leave him vulnerable and flustered.

Apo growls and aims her spear, but King Cam appears, warily approaching Nom, stopping the knight in her tracks. “Well hello there, Sir Nom. To what do we owe such a plea–hmm. Such an inconvenience?” 

A small huff of amusement escapes Nom. He can sense the way Bek struggles to keep her cool. “I’m here to regain the flowers owned by Mage Scott.” 

“Why do you need those flowers? Flowers grow everywhere.” Cam wrinkled his nose. Honestly, if they all believed this so much, then they wouldn’t have stolen the flowers in the first place!!!

“I would be inclined to agree with you if, 1. The flowers hadn’t been stolen. And 2. These weren’t incredibly rare flowers Scott spent days trying to help grow.” Nom said calmly. Getting angry was not going to help him here.

“Oh, they were rare flowers, oh–oh my.” Cam considers this. “Well, I can’t say I know of any flowers being stolen?” 

“If we wanted flowers, rare or not, we are capable enough that we wouldn’t have stolen such things!” Bek insisted, her spear now pointed at Nom alongside Apo’s.

“I don’t doubt that, anybody can get flowers. But just because you don’t need to steal doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t.” The knight narrowed his eyes at the three people in front of him. None looked guilty, per say, just mostly annoyed.

Just then, a cheerful voice said behind him, “Hey–what’s going on? Why’s a blue kingdom knight here?” Turning around, Nom finds none other than Princess Cherri herself.

She’s covered in pinks, purples, grays–colors, she’s covered in colors. In dyes. And Nom can tell by the panicked stillness of Cam and the way Apo instantly moves to guard her that he’s not the only one who’s noticed.

“I’m here to collect what our mage is dued.” Nom says calmly, studying Cherri. “You wouldn’t happen to have gotten any flowers recently, would you?”

“Of course she hasn’t–” Apo begins defensively. Fortunately, Cherri is much more of an open talker.

“Oh yeah–was in your guy’s area earlier and found a ton of flowers in a little house on the outskirts! It was so odd! Anyway, took them all since I needed to dye some things.” Dead silence hangs in the air.

“...what, what is it?” Cherri laughs nervously, shrinking slightly.

Cam clears his throat. “Cherri, those were uh–well you shouldn’t have–” 

Bek tries to explain as well, “Princess, why would you take flowers from inside a house–”

Silently, Nom raises a hand at the two. He gives the same gesture to Apo, indicating that he’ll explain the issue. How calmly? Well, he could attempt to not yell.

“Princess Cherri.” Nom begins, clearing his throat. “Those flowers that you found were from Scott, the nature mage. He had spent hours finding them, and days growing them, inside his greenhouse. He is greatly distraught of them being taken from him. You have not only stolen his property, but have made it impossible to actually return said property.” 

Cherri opened and closed her mouth, visibly paling. “O–oh–I–” 

“I’m not finished.” Nom says, voice lowering into something more dangerous. Apo instantly steps in front of Cherri, but the anger that’s fueled Nom isn’t directed at the princess.

“Mistakes happen and I understand that you didn’t know. However, not knowing or otherwise–” Nom meets the cold eyes of the Red Knight. “Apo, what you did was crossing a line. Your messages hurt Scott more than even Cherri’s actions.”

The princess’s eyebrows furrowed. “What did she say?” 

“Nothing that wasn’t true–” Apo begins defensively.

“Check your communicator and see for yourself.” Nom says curtly to Cherri. Turning back to Cam, he says, “Now, if you’ll excuse me–since the flowers can no longer be returned, I shall be heading off in search for more.” 

“Very noble of you.” The king said, giving a little nod. “I–do apologize for Cherri’s–”

“I am not the one owed an apology, if you come across Scott, then you can speak to him.” Nom states, before walking out the way he came, passing by Cherri’s horrified face as she reads the messages her knight sent.

***

At this point, the sun was setting. Nom had managed to grab nearly all of the flowers that were originally in Scott’s greenhouse–it had taken him hours, but he’d found a tucked away valley where the majority were shockingly abundant. He figured that’s where Scott got his original batch.

There was just one problem…

Scott’s center piece, the flower he held dearest, was a gray flower with an orange center. The florist spent days upon days, trying to figure out how to make it grow, and then trying to figure out how to make it bloom. 

He called it the Eyeblossom, and it wasn’t something that was easy to find. Actually, it was next to impossible to find. Scott wouldn’t tell a soul where he got the mysterious flower, just that he nearly died trying. 

Nom had spent many an hour lecturing the mage about doing something dangerous without a knight by his side, or anybody for that matter. Scott had just giggled and shrugged. “I survived–and I’d do it again!”

The knight was not about to let that happen. He knew that if he came back with all but the eyeblossom, Scott was practically guaranteed to go hunting for it. And he probably would refuse help.

Nom sighed as he wandered through the hidden valley. It was, admittedly, peaceful here. Quiet, calm, dark beyond the hazy glow of lichen…he can’t say he’s shocked Scott of all people found this.

He takes a deep breath and allows his shoulders to relax. Firefly bushes began to glow, and the wind dies down to a stop. The only sound is his boots crunching the leaves.

As the stars begin to light up the sky, bit by bit, Nom begins to feel a sense of unease. He turns around multiple times, feeling as if he’s being watched, but nothing is there beyond the graying trees.

Creak.

The sound makes Nom jump. Crossbow aimed, arrow prepared, he whips around. Another one of those gray trees, swaying in…the breeze…

The knight narrows his eyes. 

There is no breeze.

The tree slowly opens yellow eyes, blinking slowly at Nom. 

Because that isn’t one of the creepiest things ever. 

Creak…

Whipping around, Nom spies another…creature, tree creature, monster, mob, whatever–frozen mid step, blinking at him.

CREAK

Again, he turns around–and the mob he was previously looking at has grown closer.

Weeping Angels, then. 

He’d heard stories of such creatures, although the knight had never seen them depicted like this–like tall creatures made of bark, with glowing eyes. They kind of reminded Nom of the eyeblossom.

Hey…they kind of look like the Eyeblossom!

CREAAAAAAKKK

“Woah–” Nom moves to keep both Weeping Angels in his line of sight. They both freeze–and the one he wasn’t looking at had moved alarmingly close. “Easy there fellas–didn’t mean to disturb you. Just looking for a flower for a friend of mine.” 

Both creatures blink at Nom. They blink at each other, almost as if they’re communicating. They blink at a sudden crow that flies by. They blink at something behind him.

Wait. 

Something behind him?

Cr–creaaaak…

“OH COME ON–” Nom launches sideways, armor clanking against the ground, bracing on impact as a third Weeping Angel tries to touch him. 

In the split second his eyes are closed, Nom opens them to find all three creatures inches away, staring at him. “Do you three really have nothing better to do? I haven’t done anything! I just want an Eyeblossom for Scott!” 

They all just. Stare. Staring at him, blinking. Blinking at each other. Blinking at anything and everything. 

Snap.

Nom whips around, sword drawn–fine, he’ll fight these things if he has to–but nothing is there. He feels something land on his shoulder and launches back, shield raised.

Turning around, the Weeping Angels were shockingly close, one reaching out to him. They…hadn’t hurt him, but they definitely could. Rarely anything from mythology that turned out to be real was friendly, in his experience. 

“Nom what the hell are you doing?” A scream launches out of the knight as he instinctively parries, whipping around.

Blue skin, green cloak, an audible squishing sound. 4c. Thank the Gods. “Why the hell did you sneak up on me like that?” He shot back, eyeing the Weeping Angels warily.

“Well I am a rouugeee–what is that?” 4c asks, staring at the trio of living trees. “No, better question–what are those?” 

“Weeping Angels. They move if you’re not looking at them.” Nom said, aiming his crossbow threateningly at the creatures in question.

“And we know they’re violent…how, exactly?” 

“I’d rather be safe than sorry.” The knight said through gritted teeth. Still, it was a good reminder not to shoot his crossbow unless he was attacked first.

“I guess–jeez man, put the crossbow away!! You’re gonna make them think we’re trying to hunt them down!” 4c says, rolling his eyes.

“Uh huh.” Nom replies absentmindedly, beginning to slowly walk backwards, keeping an eye on the three Weeping Angels. 

4c follows, of course, bouncing up and down and walking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Odd coming from someone who has been taken by the Gods many times at this point. 

“So, what exactly are you doing out here? Didn’t think anyone knew about this place, to be honest.” The slime asks with a little hum and skip. 

Nom huffs, slowly lowering his crossbow. “Trying to find an eyeblossom for Scott.” 

“Oooh, for Scott, you say?” 4c says with a smirk. Heat rushes to Nom's cheeks as the ache returns in his chest.

He clears his throat to stop from coughing, keeping a close eye on the Weeping Angels staring at the two. “Don't give me that. His flowers got turned into dyes thanks to Princess Cherri. I don't want him going around hunting them down again.”

“Why? He survived the first time! And he knows flowers. He is quite literally a nature mage!”

“Just because you survive once doesn't mean you'll survive twice. Not all of us have the uncanny ability to survive encounters with literal gods.”

“...fair point.”

Nom finally lowers his crossbow as 4c races ahead, swinging around on the trees. He supposed this more enclosed space would feel better for the slime, considering his rougeness…

You seek mother nature's gift to us? 

Nom freezes. That–huh–HELLO??? WHAT???

What in the name of horror sonnets–

Be not afraid, human. We recognize your request.

‘Be not afraid’ as if a voice in his head was something he would be completely normal and calm about?

“Hey 4c–are you hearing this?” Nom asks, staring warily at the now unblinking Weeping Angels.

We are not beings who weep. We are known as Creaking. 

Like Nom gives a sh–

“Hearing what? You know I don't listen!” 4c calls back, coming over to where Nom is death glaring at the We–Creaking. The Creaking.

“I am well aware.” Nom agrees through gritted teeth. “But these things seem to be–communicating?” 

“How so?” 4c tilts his head, slime dripping slightly at the movement.

It is our gift you seek? For Mother Nature's son? 

“There!!! Did you hear that?” Nom asks, taking a step back warily.

“...I'd ask ‘hear what?’, but I think the correct answer is no.” 

Few can hear us. You being able to is quite strange on its own.

Wonderful, Nom always wanted to be special in a way that could get him killed.

…he hates that he isn't entirely sarcastic. 

“You're willing to give us an eyeblossom?” Nom asks warily, ignoring the startled and confused sound from his friend.

More than willing. Anything for Mother Nature's son. However, we didn't expect him to seek out a second flower.

“I–Scott? you mean Scott?” That's who they had to be talking about, right? Nom figured, with him being a nature mage and all…

“They know Scott?” 4c questions, face scrunched beyond confusion.

“APPARENTLY SO!” Nom shouted, slightly annoyed and arguably more confused than the slime.

Why do you seek our gift?

Nom eyed the Creaking warily. “Scott's flowers got stolen. I'm trying to return them to him. I don't want him getting hurt!” 

Correction–Nom refused to let that precious, sweet, kindhearted mage be hurt. Red Kingdom was playing with fire.

He could have imagined it, but one of the Creaking's eyes seemed to glow with approval. 

“You gotta have more faith in him.” 4c says gently. “You can't protect him from everything.”

Pain roots itself inside Nom's chest, the pleasant ache from before wilting into a sour and sharp sting. “I can damn sure try.”

4c chuckles. “...can't argue with that.”

We will offer our aid. We do not wish to cause harm to The Nature Son. Follow us.

Suddenly, the Creaking all move quickly–alarmingly quickly. In a flash, they've dispersed.

Silence rings out in the forest, before Nom finally speaks up. 

“Well, what the hell kind of confusing cryptic garbage was that???” He shouts, trying to figure out where the Creaking went. 

“Uh…Nom…?” 4c says, wincing slightly. “Didya always have that gray looping thing pulsing from you?”

“Did I what–” Sure enough, when Nom looks down at his chestplate, some sort of chain of gray loops has formed, a beam that creates a useful path to follow.

Closing his eyes, the knight sighs in ‘that's definitely going to have major consequences later.’

4c giggles, the traitor. “You and mythological creatures really get along, huh?” Nom glares at him.

“Head back to the kingdom, 4c.” The rogue stills, clearly confused. 

“Wha–no way! You think I'm just gonna walk back while you have all the fun adventures?” 

Nom sighs. “No. I expect my best friend to walk back safely while I risk my life.”

“THAT ONLY MAKES ME WANT TO STAY MORE!!!” 4c insists, already following the chain. 

“4c, no! I'm not risking you.” Nom tries to reach for the slime, but he's quicker. 

“Scott survived this, Nom. Scott. I'll be just fine!”

“SCOTT IS A NATURE MAGE!!! AND HE SAID HE BARELY SURVIVED!!!”

“Please, these guys can't be worse than parkour hell!” 4c argues, before launching into the air.

“Good riddance…” Nom says, palming his face. With the slime in the air, there was no way he could get 4c to go back to the kingdom.

Let's hope this isn't a trap.

Scott survived. Surely a knight and rogue with plenty of combat experience would be fine. 

***

Three. Hours.

Three hours of following the mysterious gray chain, arguing with 4c about going back to the kingdom–and zero sign of those Creaking.

This was 100% a trap. 

Not a deadly one, but one to waste time, distract the two intruders until they got bored and left.

“I mean, how much longer could it actually take?” 4c questions, hopping instead of walking, his body becoming more blobbish as the rogue grew more tired.

“In theory, infinitely.” Nom replies with a sigh. “But we can't give up. I'm not risking Scott going through this–”

“Nom do you hear yourself when you speak?” 4c interrupts suddenly. “I mean, have you stopped to consider why you're doing this?”

“Why I'm retrieving a kind young mage's stolen property after I found him crying in his house?” Nom dead pans, giving 4c a warning glance.

“Yes.” The slime says with a curt nod–damn him knowing that Nom wouldn't ever actually hurt him purposefully.

“I love you, Nom, but this? Not something you normally do. I mean, I get worrying about his safety and all–but to this extent? This has been tiring, not dangerous!”

“I…don't see your point.” The knight claims, avoiding eye contact.

The ache has returned, rooting itself in Nom's chest and growing up into his throat, causing him to cough. 

4c raises an eyebrow, but doesn't question it. “My point, Mr. ‘I don't make promises I can't keep’, is that you seemed to have promised Scott you'd get these flowers back.”

Nom narrowed his eyes, but didn't deny it. 

How could he? 

It's exactly what he did.

The slime's face softened slightly. “We both know, for anybody else, you would have given up by now. For me–heck, for Katie.”

“Only by a few minutes. Don't underestimate my loyalty.” Nom argues, avoiding what he knew 4c was getting at.

The rogue rolled his eyes. “Yes yes, you are very loyal. Especially to helpless, anxious, shy blonde boys who make you turn bright red when they smile.” 

An undignified sound left Nom's throat, followed by a couple more coughs. The ache in his chest felt like it was pulsating–or maybe that was just his pounding heart.

“I–I do not turn bright red!” He insisted, desperately looking for a way out of this conversation…or at least a way to hide his burning cheeks. 

“Uh huuuh–dude, I'm literally just talking about him and you've been blushing!!! Since the moment I mentioned his name.” 

Wait…he had?

Oh. 

Well sh–

Nom laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. The ache had rooted itself into his entire body, sprouting across his skin and causing his next breath to be a bit jagged.

“I–well, well, well…that's an, uh, interesting observation, 4c!” 

Suddenly, there was a yank on Nom's chain. Whipping around, the knight spotted the faint glow of a familiar flower and creepy yellow eyes.

“THE EYEBLOSSOM!” Grateful for the distraction and even more grateful to have finally found the florist's flower, Nom ran over.

“Wait what–where–oh!” 4c leaped into the air once more, splatting onto the ground next to one of the Creaking. “Hey dude! High five!” The slime said, raising a goopy hand.

“...4c. No.” 

“...yeah, that's probably a bad idea.” 

“Probably?” Nom scoffed, eyeing the Creaking warily. The creatures stared right back at him.

We allow you to take our gift. The ridiculous goo man does not get the luxury. 

The knight snorts in amusement. Yeah, that’s to be expected. “4c, no touching the flower.”

“Well now that you said I can’t I’m gonna!!!”

All three Creaking whipped around and stared down 4c, yellow eyes glowing brighter than before and giving an unblinking warning. 

The rogue made a little gulping sound. “You know what, nevermind! You can touch the flower, Nom! I’ll uh–I’ll be heading back to the kingdom now!!!” And with that, the slime leaped into the air and dispersed.

“Well well well…can talk back to every god in the lands, but three trees with some eyes have him running. I’ll keep that in mind for sure.” Nom chuckled, before carefully kneeling down and staring at the Eyeblossom.

It truly was a beautiful flower. Glowing faintly, gray petals unfurled, orange bulb seemingly pulsing with something unknown. Nom’s chest tightens at the thought of being able to give Scott this flower, a way to make up for the one the mage lost.

A small string of coughs creep their way up Nom’s throat, managing to slip out despite his attempts to clear it. “So I…should I use a certain tool? I don’t want to break it…”

One of the Creaking, slightly smaller than the other two, approaches. Carefully, the tree–like being crouches down, and the Eyeblossom seemingly unroots itself at the creature’s touch. Nom stares, awestruck. 

The gray chain attached to Nom curls around the unrooted plant, beaming the flower up into Nom’s arms.

“Wow…” The knight murmurs, starting to reach for his bundle before hesitating. Although the other flowers had been fine in the bundle, the Eyeblossom was clearly much more fragile.

Keep it in your arms. Mother Nature’s Son did the same. Our gift is precious. Take care of it. Do not let our trust be misplaced.

Nom bows his head slightly to the three Creaking. “I’ll do my best. Thank you. This–this would have been so hard without your help…actually, I’m pretty sure it would have been impossible without your help.”

The sun begins to rise, birds rustling the leaves as they prepare their morning songs. The Creaking look around, before the smallest one gives a small nod. The creatures close their eyes, and seemingly fade into the forest. It doesn’t make any sense to Nom, but mythological creatures never had.

The knight stands up, cradling the Eyeblossom carefully. The gray chain disappears, much to his relief. Slowly, Nom makes his way out of the forest, walking back home.

Home. It’d been a while since he’d considered Blue Kingdom home. Not since Katie switched sides. But now, between his incredible (if not slightly stupid) best friend and the precious nature mage waiting for his return…

Yeah…home felt right.

***

When Nom gets back, a familiar half–elf is pacing back and forth near the wheat fields, 4c sitting on some of the shrubbery with a small smile.

His armor clanks, but while the slime glances up and spies him, Scott seems completely oblivious, face pale with panic.

“He’s been gone for so long!!! What do you mean he’s still in the forest??? Are you serious–I–I should have never let him get me these flowers–this is all my fault what if he’s hurt or worse–”

“I mean, having a random ominous chain attached to me wasn’t fun, but I’m seemingly unharmed!” Nom says with a soft smile. Scott’s head whips up, eyes widening.

“NOM!!!!” The nature mage cries out, practically stumbling forward as the poor boy flickers slightly out of sight. Plants around the place seem to unfurl, as if releasing a breath they’ve been holding for far too long.

Scott tries to tackle Nom with a hug, but the knight shakes his head gently. Somehow, the mage manages to skid himself to a stop. “Wha–” The confusion cloaking his face transforms into shock as he realizes what the knight is holding.

“There’s no way you managed to get that.” Scott whispers, approaching slowly.

“You think I’d let you search for this thing? After you said you nearly died trying the first time? Have you met me?” The knight scoffs, gently passing over the Eyeblossom to Scott.

Their fingers brush for just a moment. Something small. Trivial. Expected. 

Nom’s face definitely doesn’t feel like it’s burning up. His chest doesn’t feel like it’s been constricted by vines, nor does his throat suddenly itch and ache like it’s sore.

Now would be a really bad time to get sick…

…anytime in Blue Kingdom is a bad time to get sick.

Which means now is the perfect time to ignore those symptoms. And also the way his heart is racing. 

4c smirks as Nom flounders, clearing his throat and trying to keep his expression neutral as Scott’s eyes soften at the sight of the Eyeblossom. “I–how on earth did you even…thank you. So much.”

The mage’s blue eyes lock onto Nom’s brown. The sincerity, shock, relief, gratitude–something else that the knight can truly name. Care, perhaps. The buzz that flickers through his body, the way his chest flourishes into a sweet ache…it’s overwhelming.

I like it way too much.

“Anything for you.” Nom manages softly, taking the bundle of flowers out from his pocket and passing that over to Scott as well. “Keep it–I can just make another.”

4c, having been watching this entire interaction, coughs out something that sounds suspiciously like “Goner.”

Nom glares at the rogue in warning, who just gives him a little knowing smirk. Scott remains thankfully oblivious, beaming at the knight.

“You’re–you don’t have to–”

“I want to.” He says, voice firm. Scott’s cheeks turn a sweet pink, and his expression softens into something that seemed dangerously close to adoration. 

I need to spend more time around Owain. Keep my ego in check to stop making up things. Nom thinks, creating a little mental note for himself. 

“Alright lovebirds, break it up!” 4c teases, breaking Scott and Nom out of the staring spell they were in and causing them both to redden.

“Oh–I–yeah! Yeah I uh–I better um, head back home. Get all these flowers set up!!!” Scott stutters out, already fading away from view before either the knight or rogue could offer goodbyes.

“I’m gonna turn in for a bit–maybe get a nap in. You should too, considering you also didn’t sleep tonight.” Dawn had creeped its way in, birds chirping pleasantly and the kingdom beginning to warm.

“Yeah yeah–see ya soon, Nom! Try not to get that sappy look on your face when you think of Scott!!!” 4c said with a smirk, although the sagging relief in the poor slime’s body was palpable–he was barely able to keep a coherent form.

Nom flushed but chose to just dash past his nearly exhausted friend, racing towards his house. 

When he gets there, he’s quick to walk up the stairs and collapse into his bed–before recalling he needed to take his armor off and sitting back up with a groan.

Could he get away with sleeping in his armor? Potentially. Would it be worth it? Absolutely not.

Sighing, the knight did the routine task of removing the heavy pieces of metal swiftly, relief tucking itself into his chest when the weight of all the pieces was removed and he could collapse and let sleep finally take him.

And if he dreamt of Scott? If his chest felt too tight and he coughed in his sleep? If flowers painted every moment of his subconscious world? 

“Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy!” An achingly familiar voice called out, and Jimmy turned around to see Scott racing towards him, stars bobbing up and down excitedly.

“JIMMY. YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE IT–I WAS USING BONEMEAL–OH VOID–” Scott stumbles, falling head first into the snow.

Scott??? Clumsy??? What on earth???

“Sheesh!” Jimmy whistled, offering the starborne a hand. Scott takes it, seemingly undeterred by his fall. “Hey Scott, you know what you should do?”

“If you tell me to take a deep breath right now I'm voting you for the naughty list again.” Scott says without missing a beat. Yeah Jimmy wasn't sure how much he loved the twist for this holiday season.

He wanted to spend the holidays loving people, not killing them. Or. Trying to kill them.

Jimmy gives an awkward finger gun. “You should…take a deep breath…! Yeah…” Scott gives him a look that starts out scolding but softens to something that makes the avian's heart flutter.

NONONONONONO. No way, no how, absolutely not. He refused. He's ignored these feelings, pushed them down, since he met Scott. In no world was that gonna change.

No matter how lovesick an expression the sweet starborne was giving him.

No matter how high the chances were that he was probably returning the look.

SNAP OUT OF IT JIM.

Clearing his throat, Jimmy asked, “Right so uh–what's the big deal?” Scott's typically pale cheeks start to have a lot of color in them.

A lot of color. “Are you okay??? YOU'RE FACE IS TURNING RAINBOW!”

“It is?” Scott's voice wobbles slightly before he laughs. “Well, I am gay–”

Jimmy does not appreciate that joke. He has half the mind to drag Scott over to Skizz. Skizz would love that joke and could maybe figure out what was wrong with Scott.

Scott's mittened hand cups his face, and any thoughts of walking away from him dangerously turn to dust. “Relax, Early Bird. It's just from being a starborne. Think how Grian blushes purple.” Huh.

“Is that actually why?” Scott nodded. “Oh…well that's very cool!” Jimmy said, trying not to linger on just how close the starborne was.

Or the fact that Scott hadn't used that nickname since 3rd Life.

So much had changed since then. It made Jimmy's heart hurt. 

Don't think about that. He reminded himself as Scott's cheeks turned even more colorful, like a kaleidoscope. “Thank youuuu!” 

“Yeah any time man.” Jimmy mumbled, staring down at the snow to try and hide the aching and soft thing forming in his heart.

That shouldn't be there. He had to get rid of it. Cut Scott off before it could fester and grow and solidify.

…void, that man used to be one of his best friends. 

Quickly stepping away and looking at his unfinished house rather than his victim, Jimmy cleared his throat. “Right. What on earth–” Scott's giggles make him stutter. “Ha–has got you so happy?”

He hears snow being kicked up nervously. “I got you something.” Oh dear void.

“Oh yeah?” Jimmy says, distant, disinterested, giving Scott a once over. Ignoring the pain that flashes over his Nightlight's features.

Ignoring the way it makes his heart clench.

“Y–yeah! And I think you'll like it. A lot. I was bonemealing grass and stuff for seeds and–and–” Scott stutters, expression caught between what could only be described as ‘Child on Christmas morning excitement’ and ‘Being the last green on the server fear’. 

Jimmy avoids looking at the starborne behind him, spying his face in the window's reflection and quickly looking away. Void, it got harder and harder each time to turn down Scott.

Past Life should've made it easier. All it did was make Jimmy realize that at this point, he was doomed. He couldn't resist whatever the hell was in his heart forever.

And Scott had long since given up on him.

Which was probably a good thing. No, definitely a good thing. No matter the ache in the avian's chest when he thought of Scott holding his hand and giggling and calling him Early Bird and cupping his face and making him a flower crown and–

…this is why he wasn't allowed to think of that stuff. 

Scott had been helplessly stuttering over his words, his face a beautiful display of when rain met the sun. “Spit it out, Scott. Come on now.” Jimmy snapped, nails digging into his palm as his hands tightened into fists.

A shadow goes through his Nightlight's expression. “You know what–it–never mind. It's stupid.” He seemed to be saying that more to himself than Jimmy. 

The defeated looking starborne begins to back away. And Jimmy should've let him go, maybe teased him about backing out, something to hammer down the final nail in the wall he had spent so long building up between them.

Jimmy was going to do that. 

But then he looked in the window and spotted the tears forming in Scott’s eyes and dear void–no, he couldn’t–

The avian wasn't always the smartest or kindest or bravest, but he wasn't a void damn monster. He couldn't handle the lack of air that entered his lungs, the ache not just in his heart but entire body. 

“Hey–wait.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Scott froze in place as Jimmy turned around.

“Wh–what?” The starborne asks warily. As if expecting Jimmy to tear him down while at his lowest.

I used to watch Christmas movies with that man. Jimmy felt sick inside at the memories of the two before these games. Before They meddled once more in his life.

“Go on now–let's hear it.” The avian said curtly. “I mean, you fell in the snow from excitement over this!” Yeah that was why.

If he convinced himself of it then maybe he could ignore the way his heart skipped a beat at the sight of the smile slowly forming on Scott's face. 

Pretend his face was bright red from the cold and not Scott stepping closer and whispering, “Did Jimmy Solidarity of all people just show me kindness?”

“Uh–alright I'm kind sometimes!” Jimmy defended. And he chose to believe that he sounded confident and assured and not breathless at all. 

Void, he was so screwed. 

Scott shrugged. “Suuuuure Early Bird, suuuuureee.” Jimmy gritted his teeth and tried to focus on something, anything other than that nickname.

He could feel something warm slowly unfurling within him. The avian hated how much he craved it. How much he loved the feelings the starborne gave him.

Because Jimmy couldn't do this. Pushing aside his awful flirting skills, easily flustered tendencies, and the fact they are in a death game. 

Even ignoring all of that, Jimmy was just. Not that great. He was a disaster, a liability. And he had been so cruel to Scott as the games went on.

“Jimmy?” His Nightlight's voice brought him back to the snowy lands of Nice Life. “You good?”

“Y–yeah yeah.” Jimmy manages to cut himself off before he can just repeat the same word till it becomes meaningless. 

Scott looks doubtful but smiles shyly. The avian's stomach does a little flip, and he wouldn't be shocked if that alone got him to flush pink–from the cold, of course. 

“You said it couldn't be done.” The starborne whispers, something close to desperation and strained hope seeping into his voice. 

“What?” Jimmy asks, but his question is answered when Scott reveals a bright red flower, a starch contrast to the snow.

Jimmy's heart lurches. A poppy.

An honest to void poppy.

The universe really gave him the middle finger today. 

“H–wh–” Jimmy shakily takes the precious flower from Scott. He doesn't flinch or pull back when their hands brush. 

“You said it couldn't be done–I did it–or, well, fate did.” Scott mumbles quietly, and that rainbow was back again, drawing Jimmy in to it's beauty. To Scott's beauty.

To Scott.

He needed to get a grip yesterday. “I–wow that–wow.” That's the best he can do, apparently. Years of denying the fondness he held for the man in front of him.

All that effort destroyed by tears, a poppy, and that hopeful, bashful look in Scott’s eyes.

“So–so since it's Third Life rules. And I got you a poppy…um–” Scott hiccups. Jimmy remembers the starborne doing it whenever he was trying to confess to his crush. 

Oh–!

OH.

Jimmy's heart is slamming against his chest, any hope the avian had of denying this eradicated as the realization hits home. “You mean like–are you saying we do it again?”

Dead silence hangs in the air. Any other time, Jimmy knows his choice of wording would be teased to infinity.

Now though, he can see the way Scott's heart starts to pound, his pulse pointing rising and falling rapidly. “Uh–well–I mean–” 

“You mean what, Nightlight?” The nickname causes the already tense air between them the two to practically spark. Scott's quiet gasp echoes the absolute panic that Jimmy's mind is plunged into.

WhydidIaaythatwhydidIsaythatwhydidIsaythatwhydidIsaythatwhydidIsayrhatwhydidIsaythat–

“I mean more like–I wanna be, like, together again but not just. An alliance.” Scott whispers shakily. The starborne was trembling. 

Pain shot out of Jimmy’s chest from how hard his heart was pounding. “So you want it to be real?” The avian managed.

Scott nodded his head rapidly. “YES. Desperately. But I–I know you don't really feel–”

Jimmy wouldn't be able to explain what came over him. He just couldn't stand seeing the panic and sadness on his Nightlight's face.

He stepped forward, pulling Scott towards him, and gave him a soft kiss. 

Quickly pulling back, Jimmy blurted out flustered apologies. “I'MSOSORRYIDON'TKNOWWHYIDIDTHATISHOULDHAVEASKEDANDNOTINTERUPPTYOU.”

Scott's face was a beautiful rainbow, eyes wide. A grin slowly formed on the starborne's face, and all the air left Jimmy's lungs. “You said it couldn't be done.”

“I–I did.” He said that about a lot of things. 

“I did it.” Scott kissed Jimmy's cheek. “I did it for you. Fate did it for us.”

“Well that's spiritual.” The avian chokes out, heart racing. There was a silent confession in the air. An understanding. 

“It's nice to believe.” Scott murmurs, before resting his head on Jimmy’s shoulder.

Push him away. For his safety. The words came to him, and he knew he should. He had to.

“Hey Scott?” Katherine’s little voice came from the top bunk. Scott checks the clock. 2:00 AM. Katherine should’ve long since fallen asleep.

Well, he should’ve too, but he rarely fell asleep fast 4. 

“Yeah Blossom?” He asks in a hushed whisper, matching her tone. The moonlight shone through their window, allowing him to see the distressed look on his little sister’s face.

“I think–something is wrong with me.” Katherine whispers shakily, looking pale. Well that was never good to hear.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” Scott asks, sitting up slightly, the cold air finding him under the blankets. 

“I–I think so…? I–” Shame washed over Katherine’s features as she whispered out, “I wanna kiss a girl.” 

Do not laugh. Do not scream. Do not cry. Calm, Scott, Calm!

“Alright…so what’s wrong with you?” Scott asks calmly, trying to ignore the lump in his throat. Did she really think something was wrong with her for that?

“Well–well Dad always said that–that doing that–that wanting to kiss girls made Mom sick.” Katherine says shakily. Thank void those two got divorce. And that they now lived with their mother. 

“It’s not a sickness, Katherine. Dad is homophobic.” Scott says, fully standing up now, moving to close the window. Darkness consumes their room, but thankfully, Katherine’s little butterfly fairylights bathe her in a soft pink glow.

“Homowhatsit?” His sister asks, fiddling with her sheep plushie, Mr. Sprinkles. 

“Ah alright so–you know how hetero means like, liking the opposite gender? Like, a boy likes a girl and stuff?” Scott explains, leaning up against the wall. Katherine nods. “Right, so. Homo is like, a boy liking a boy and a girl liking a girl and stuff like that. It’s a bit more complicated, but it basically boils down to ‘not hetero’.” 

Katherine giggles but nods again. “So wait–what’s homosolobit?” 

“Homophobic.” Void, the word tasted bitter in his mouth. “You know what a phobia is? A fear? Phobic comes from that.”

His sister stares at him, wide eyed. “Wait–so Dad is–afraid of Mom?”

“Well, kind of? He’s afraid of something that isn’t like him and doesn’t fit his idea of normal. I think.” Scott tried to think of a way to explain it. “Wait okay so–you know how you’re afraid of spiders? And will constantly say mean things about spiders?”

Katherine slowly nods. “Yeah, like how they’re gross and ugly and squishable.”

“Exactly! But that doesn’t mean those things are true, right? Spiders are good for the environment.” Katherine hesitated then smiled a little. Thank the void. “So when you hear somebody say mean things about you for wanting to kiss a girl–”

“It’s not true, they’re just afraid?” Katherine guessed hopefully. 

“Yeah!!! And being a bully, but you know.” The two siblings giggled. 

“...hey Scott?” Katherine asked quietly. Scott knew what she was going to ask before she even finished.

“Come on down, Blossom.” His sister scrambled down the ladder and hugged Scott tightly. He gently ran a hand through her hair, humming before singing a lullaby.

Filius deorum potentium.

Semita tua non est tuta ad transiendum.

Sed securus esto dum in amplexibus meis.

Fatum te laedi non patietur.

Crede mihi dum tam dulciter somnias.

Amor meus est tibi servandus.