Professor Boggs

The kind that blooms in your chest when the thing you’ve been hoping for finally, finally happens.

His hand was warm against her cheek, steady in that careful, Randall way—and then he kissed her. Not rushed. Not performative. Just real.

And Georgette melted into it.

She kissed him back with a tenderness that surprised even her, like something sacred was unfolding in the quiet space between their hearts. No drama, no practiced lines, just her and him and that dizzying flicker of being seen—truly seen—and kissed anyway.

When they finally parted, just barely, she stayed close, forehead grazing his, lashes low.

“Well,” she whispered, lips still brushing his, “that was a very good one.”

He liked the order of it.

And this just felt right.

When he didn’t speak, didn’t move, didn’t pull away or pull her closer—she noticed. She always noticed. The pause, the hesitation, the way he stiffened just slightly like a man standing at the edge of something he wasn’t sure how to dive into.

So she pulled back just enough to look up at him, chin tipped, eyes searching.

“Randall darling,” she said, voice still hushed but not unsure, “if you’re waiting for the perfect moment, you’ll miss all the good ones.”

Lifting one hand he set it gently on her face before ducking down and stealing the kiss.

She was right- time to steal a moment and make it a good one.

The question had her blinking as she thought. On her long days of work, she would often come right home and pass out. Now during her prolonged break, she felt like she hadn't earned any kind of treat. So she was left with nothing. "...you know, I don't really know. I guess I haven't really treated myself. What would you recommend?"

"I like something sweet when I'm treating myself. But also they have a realllly good herb and garlic danish and that is always worth it." Randall could eat a dozen he was sure.

"What would be your choice of reward after a long day of work or a day of nothing because you still deserve to treat yourself."

“That’s rare,” she said quietly. “Saying what you mean.”

She looked at him, really looked. There was no smirk on her lips this time, no teasing lilt in her tone. Just that same quiet softness from before, like something delicate in her had been cracked open by accident.

“I like that about you,” she added, the words coming out unfiltered for once. “It makes me feel like I don’t have to put on a show.”

Then, as if pulled by something deeper than nerves, she stepped toward him—one, two careful paces across the stone path. Her arms lifted almost shyly at first, then with more certainty, looping around him in a hug that wasn’t flashy or performative. It was close. Real.

Her cheek pressed lightly against his shoulder, and she stayed like that for a beat—just breathing him in, grounding herself in the fact that someone was actually seeing her.

After a moment, she murmured, “Don’t let me ruin this by overthinking it, okay?”

If only he could build up enough nerve. If only he could just lean down and steal a kiss.

He knew no one else would be overthinking it this much but he just couldn't get himself to make the move.

She looked down for a second, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear like she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. The compliment hadn’t been direct, but it landed anyway. It always did with him.

“Well,” she murmured, voice quieter now, a little unsure around the edges, “I was kind of hoping you’d say that.”

Her gaze lifted, meeting his again—there was something vulnerable there, something real. No lashes batting, no pageant sparkle. Just a girl in a greenhouse, surrounded by butterflies and humidity, trying not to mess it up.

“I don’t know if anyone’s ever really wanted to look into something because of me before,” she admitted, half a laugh in her voice, half something else. “They usually just… nod, smile, and go along with whatever they think I want to hear.”

She paused, then, as a blue butterfly drifted lazily past her shoulder. She didn’t reach for it—just watched it.

Unless you tried and you learned.

It was sad to him that people would just smile and nod, but maybe that's what was expected considering he was a professor, he had a love for learning.

"I try to never say anything I don't mean."

"Maybe not, but it is a nice day for a walk," she pointed out. Up until this point, she'd been wandering trying to figure out what to do, and now she had an opportunity to get to know someone, if nothing else.

Not a lot of people liked to be restless.

“Oh, come on,” she teased, stepping just a little closer to him, her eyes glinting with mischief. “You have opinions on everything, Randall, don’t act like you don’t.” She let her fingers drift over a hanging vine, absently toying with a leaf before glancing back at him.

“But fine,” she relented, her voice dipping slightly, playful but knowing. “I suppose I can respect that. Some things are too beautiful to pick just one.”

She let that sit between them for a moment, the warmth of the greenhouse making the air feel thick, heavy with something unspoken. Then, with a slow smile, she added, “Though, if you had to choose, I bet I could guess.”

She leaned in, just slightly, close enough that her perfume—soft but expensive—lingered between them. “You strike me as a calla lily kind of man,” she mused, watching his face carefully. “Elegant, but understated. Simple, but meaningful.” Her eyes flickered, sharp with curiosity. “Am I close?”

He never wanted to stand out.

To make too much of a fuss.

"Calla lillies. I know of them, I know what they look like. I never see them often in stores or anything like that." But the thing was with the way she was looking at him like that- with such utter confidence, if he didn't have a preference before well he was pretty sure he had a preference now. "But I do think that makes them special and I think I'll have to look into them more."

“Oh, definitely,” she said with a soft laugh. “Hydrangeas — but only when they’re that perfect light purple. You know, that soft lavender shade?” She gestured vaguely with her hand, like she could pluck the color from the air. “Or peonies — big, fluffy ones. They always look like they’re about to burst.”

Georgette let out a sigh as she soaked up the beauty. Letting her eyes find their way to Randall’s and she smiled. “Do you have a favorite? You know flower?”

Ones with many petals were complicated and beautiful, but simplicity could also be stunning.

So many different colours, how could one choose.

What might that be like?

"Do you mind if I...join you?" She offered, a bit sheepishly. Normally she spoke with such confidence, but this was completely out of her depth.

"Sure why not. I can't promise it will be interesting. since we have both lived here for a long time Swynlake might not even care too much to mess with us."

“I don’t really know much about them either,” she admitted with a little laugh, brushing her hair back over her shoulder as she glanced at Randall. “But if there’s a purple one? That’s my favorite. Obviously.”

Her lips curled into a playful smile as she leaned in just a fraction. “There has to be a purple one, right?”

She let him guide her to the counter, but her eyes were already drifting, taking in the lush greenery, the delicate fluttering of wings in the air. It felt… nice here. Quiet, simple—far from the noise and expectation that usually followed her around. Just her and Randall, like a normal girl on a normal date.

And maybe that’s why she liked him so much.

That was a research topic for another time. Putting away his phone he looked up to the greenery instead.

"Do you have a favourite flower?"

She wasn't running an errand or on her way to her next job. She was just...looking around. It's strange, the things you don't notice when you're only focused on what's in front of you. She didn't realize that the Ice Queen had painted a new sign or that Oaken's Trading Post had a different wooden statue on display.

She'd been afraid when all of this started that without the daily help she was so used to giving, the restaurants and businesses that she normally assisted would suffer. Indeed, she'd spent the morning checking in with many of them, but almost all of them said they'd been able to make due. Instead, they focused their worry on her, asking if she was alright and wishing her well when she claimed she was taking a small break for her health.

No one was mad at her. Nothing had shut down due to her negligence. Everything was fine. The world had kept turning.

But where did that leave her? It was a question that rested heavily on her mind after the rather strange dream she'd had. As she continued to look around, she noticed someone doing something interesting across the way.

'You’d be surprised the things you can learn when you take the time to actually learn them.'

Luisa watched from the sidelines for a bit before her feet began to move. She didn't give herself time to overthink it, instead just walking up and outright asking, "Hey! Ah...What're you doing?"

Swynlake had long ago stopped playing games with him.

But that didn't mean when he gave her full choice she didn't guide him along a fun path.

Across someone interesting.

Like today.

"Honestly? Trying to see if Swynlake would get me lost."

“Oh, that’s such a lovely way to put it,” she mused, glancing toward the entrance. “New beginnings… I never really thought about it like that.” She looked back at him then, expression softening. “I think that’s why I love them too. They’re so delicate, but they still choose to move forward. To transform.”

As they walked, she gave his arm a playful squeeze. “I’m just warning you now, I will be trying to get at least one to land on me. Manifesting it. Speaking it into existence. Plus we need to get the perfect picture!” She laughed, tilting her head toward him. “Do you have a favorite butterfly? Or are you more of a ‘they’re all beautiful in their own way’ kind of guy?”

"What about you?" Randall questioned as he opened the door and guided them to the counter.

At his question, she shook her head, her curiosity piqued. “I haven’t, actually. Can’t even remember the last time I was in a greenhouse, if ever.” She paused, glancing out the window at the winter landscape rolling by. “But I imagine it’ll be all green and warm and beautiful, like stepping into another world. After this cold winter, I think that sounds like exactly what I need.”

Her eyes flicked back to him, that subtle flirtation dancing at the edges of her words. “Besides, I trust your taste!!!” She let the compliment linger in the air for a beat, her gaze softening.

She laughed, light and easy, hoping that her insecurities stayed tucked away, at least for today. Because right now, with Randall beside her and the promise of something new ahead, she was just happy—and that was more than enough.

With the car parked Randall got out, moving quickly over to her side to offer his hand. Tickets were already bought so when they got up he just needed to show his phone.

"My favourite part is always the butterflies. Seeing them all flutter about so show off new beginnings. It's an amazing sight."

Her fingers tapped lightly against her purse as she looked out the window, her excitement bubbling just below the surface. “But, um, I didn’t mean to overstep or anything.” She glanced back at him, her eyes searching his face for a reaction. “I mean, I’m not expecting her to love me or anything. I just thought it’d be nice to—” She paused, her cheeks tinging pink, “well, to show her how much I care about you. Even if it’s just tea.”

Georgette reached over to brush a bit of lint off his sleeve, her tone softening. “And honestly, I’m just happy to be here with you, Randall. Whether it’s tea with your mom or… whatever this is with us. I like it. I like you.” She gave him a sidelong glance, her usual confident air mixed with a touch of vulnerability. “So, if you think she’ll hate me, let i will survive… I just think it could be nice, don’t you?” Georgette let out a playful sigh that was a bit high pitched not trying to overthink. “Plus we can focus on today - it’s just tea!”

"I don't think she'll hate you." His Mum might judge but he didn't think she would hate someone that Randall really liked. But either way that wasn't something he could worry about now. Everything was in motion and there was no stopping it.

"Have you been to this greenhouse before?"

Good practice huh-- Karen working on their delegation skills.

Because yeah. Randall had a better stealth magic than Karen. Karen could definitely follow along but it would introduce risk. There wasn't really a reason to unless they played their usual role: the getaway gal (nb). They were there to swoop in and get people out if shit went south.

Karen considered this, drumming their fingers against the table.

"I think you could go-- and send me updates via text? If you start to recognize the area or if you end up in Swynlake, I can definitely portal my way to you." Karen paused. "You sure you're good with that?"

To be honest, that intense look in Randall's eyes surprised them. They always thought of Big Bro as soft and kind and maybe even a lil cowardly. But that wasn't the Randall Karen was seeing now.

No, Randall couldn't do that.

"Yeah I think that's easy enough. Just don't get caught right?" Randall nodded once, it was nice for his sister to know he could be depended on.