lunarwhisperer on ff.net requested "Bloom/Flora - forehead or cheek kisses". Requests from this prompt list are now closed.
As long as Bloom has known Flora she’s known her to be generous with her touch. A hand on the shoulder when she’s worried, grabbing hands when there’s something to be excited about, a tight hug when something has upset her; Flora is so empathetic that she can’t help but share in the emotions of those around her. Bloom can remember Flora spending the night curled around her after a particularly bad break up, lazy school days spent lounging with her head in her friend’s lap while Flora played with her hair, slow dancing together in the empty kitchen the day they moved into their apartment just because.
Their friendship has always been like this that it never occurs to Bloom that it might mean something more until Flora is calling out that she’s running to the grocery store for a few things and Bloom automatically leans up to accept a kiss goodbye.
“Huh,” she says to the empty apartment once the door clicks shut. She sinks back into her armchair, sketchpad and pencil slipping, forgotten, from her grip. “Hmmm,” she follows up with, absently touching the spot just to the left of her mouth that Flora just kissed. “It’s not weird,” she says decisively after a moment. Neither she, nor the apartment, are convinced.
Because the thing is, Stella’s a cheek kisser, Musa is always down to hold hands, Layla’s usually playing with someone’s hair, and even Tecna has gotten more touchy-feely over the years. It’s not that different. It’s not.
Except it is. Because when it’s Flora, her touch makes Bloom feel as though a fire has kindled in her stomach. Because when it’s Flora, her touch makes Bloom feel as though starlight is dancing over her skin. Because when it’s Flora, her touch makes Bloom feel safer than she ever has before and she wants to find reasons not to pull away.
It’s those realisations that has Bloom sinking back into the chair and not moving, not even really aware that time is passing, until the rattle of keys in the lock alerts her to her room-mate's return.
“Didn’t I leave you sitting right there?” Flora asks, sounding amused as she walks past, casually brushing Bloom’s shoulder with her free hand.
Bloom closes her eyes and leans into the brief touch, and when she’s opened her eyes again Flora has moved into the kitchen to put the groceries away.
“Flora?” she calls, instead of answering the question. “I think I need to try something out.”
Flora reappears, looking bemused. “Okay?” she replies slowly, eyes dancing with interest as she watches Bloom stand and make her way towards her.
Bloom moves slowly, giving Flora plenty of time to step away, as she walks up to her and gently takes her face between her palms. And then, wondering if she’s making the biggest mistake of her life, she kisses her friend gently.
It feels like butterflies fluttering in her stomach, and like flying in a summer’s breeze, and like home. Kissing Flora feels like coming home.
“Hmmm,” Bloom murmurs as she slowly pulls back.
“Hmmm?” Flora hums back, and this time when they kiss, it’s Flora who leans in.
