The language of flowers
Yuuri
So the years passed, day turned to night, and night to day. Victor with loving hands nursed the flowers and creatures of the day and Yuuri’s stars now outnumbered even the sands. Yuuri’s hair grew longer and his freckles of constellations now spread over his body. As he grew so did Yurio’s love for him. Yuuri was now 24 and it appeared that he’d stopped aging, Yurio was still the riling fae of 16. Despite their age differences the two were still nearly inseparable, the fae still considering it his duty to watch over the god.
Today, at first glance was no different than any other. The sun had risen and people went about their business, though today was special. For the first time the two gods were to have a formal meeting. Yuuri would not have thought to meet his counterpart had it not been for the invitation from Victor. Anxiously Yuuri readied himself. He donned his dark robes and asked Yurio to braid his hair. The two sat together as Yurio complied.
“So his name is Victor? Is there anything I should know about him?” The god inquired, fidgeting his hands. Yuuri had always been anxious around new people, but never so much as now. He feared making mistakes that would be of detriment to his people. Despite his anxiety he was grateful for the accompaniment of the fae, whom had promised to stand by him through the meeting.
“You should be cautious. “’ Replied the fae. Finishing the braid and placing Yuuri’s crown upon his head. Yuroi wasn’t quite sure how, but somehow the god had always managed to put it on crooked.
“cautious…I thought he was your friend” Yuuri mulled over the new information, not entirely sure what to make of it.
“A friend…Victor is nice enough, but with this…Please trust me Yuuri.”
“alright…I”ll be cautious.” With that he rose, letting Yurio guide them to Victors home. They walked in silence, Yuuri shielding his eyes from the sun. He’d seldom been out during the daytime and was not yet used to the brightness. Though he marched on, astounded by the beauty of the gardens surrounding Victors castle. Around him bloomed roses and flowers of near every color and variety. All around him the sweet scent of summer drifted.
At the end of the garden stood Victor, garbed in brilliant fabrics seemingly woven of the sky itself. Yuuri only grew more anxious as he approached the other god, largely unsettled by the piercing gaze of his eyes, blue as the sky and dep as the ocean. Before Victor he stopped and bowed, thanking him for the invitation.
“Yuuri, it is I who should bow to you” Victor said, bowing deeply to his counterpart, and ever so gently he placed a kiss upon his hand. Yuuri flushed at the gesture. “I’ve waited a very long time to meet you. Thank you for accompanying him YUrio, I’ll send for you when we’re done” With that the fae was dismissed, though it seemed to yuuri that his wings drooped ever so slightly as he walked. He made a mental note to ask Yurio if he was alright later. Though now the god that walked along side him demanded his attention. Not so much in words, but in his presence.
“I’m sorry about the light…It’s not too much for you is it?” Victor asked, genuine concern emitting from him, “the sun should set soon.”
“No no no t’s fine” Yuuri stammered “ I’m just not used to it is all.” Victor nodded, patiently keeping along with the other. Despite his wanting to see the inside of the castle, Yuuri’s fascination with the garden seemed ceaseless. With wonderin his eyes he stopped to examine nearly every flower. Victor watched on in amusement , wondering how something so simple as flowers could bring about so much awe. Though Victor day in and day out was surrounded by flowers, it had not , until now occurred to him that Yuuri had never seen so many in his life. For the forest of shadows was so dark that only those few plants of darkness could grow. To Yuuri, they were the most beautiful things in the world. How marvelous was it that something so fragile should thrive? That they may cast joy among all those around them. Too absorbed within the wonderous flowers, yuuri hardly noticed the ever growing boquet in Victors arms.
“W-what are you doing?”A familiar flush danced upon yuuri’s cheeks.
“You love them so much, I’ll have to send you home with a boquet. One of each flower in the garden” He said, carefully continuing to examine and pick only the best flowers for the boquet.
“N-no, Victor that’s too much-“
“Nonesense. A beautiful creature such as yourself deserves only the best” Victor silenced yuuri’s protests and continued to make the boquet. Carefully he explained each type of flower and their meaning. “which is your favorite, yuuri?”
“um, the red rose. I-it means love”
“Romantic love” a light smirk graced Victors lips as he put several of them into the arrangement. Yuuri looked away, not daring to let the god see his flush, so red it nearly matched the roses. By now the sun had set and the two moved inside to dine. Yuuri had seldom tasted many of the foods Victor served and he was not oblivious to the amusement Victor had gleaned from his reactions. Victor had lovingly goaded him through out the meal, though he never lost his air of formality, ever too careful to not displease Yuuri. Once the meal had ended Yuuri begged Victor to go to the blcony, eager to repay the favor of the flowers. With much enthusiasm he told Victor of the constellations, explaining each of their names and meaning.
“huh…They match..” Victor trailed off, his eyes grazing Yuuri’s skin.
“Huh? What matches?” Yuuri ripped his eyes from his stars only to be met by the sharp contrast of the sky held in Victors.
“From far away the stars upon your cheeks look like freckles..But you have the dove here on your cheeks..and corona Australis here on your arm.” Victor smiled, admiring Yuuri “They shine just as bright as their sisters in the sky”
“oh…I’d never noticed before” He glanced down to his arms then back to the sky, earning a chuckle from Victor.
“Do you remember this” the sky wondered, pulling from around his neck the small star Yuuri had given him when he was but a child “You called me Vii-chan back then as well”
Examining the star Yuuri shook his head, disappointied that he could not remember such an event as clearly as his counterpart. “Only vaguely…”
Victor nodded, putting away the star. “I figured as much. You were so small then”
“Victor, why have I not met you before now? I know there is distrust between our kingdoms, but I do not understand why…” Yuuri quizzed, the temperature of the room exponentially dropping as Victor grasped for a suitable explanation. For a moment he debated simply telling the truth and letting Yuuri sort out his feelings. Though Victor knew It may ruin the friendship he felt bloom if his actions caused Yuuri to remember prematurely.
“We…used to have our disagreements. I promise you will remember in time” You will hate me in time Victor though, though his mouth continued to betray the truth “ But for now dawn fast approaches and I must let you go”
“Yuuri had many questions, could Victor perhaps give him the answers he was seeking? Before he could press him any further, Yurio came to collect Yuuri. He bid Victor goodbye, Victor again placed a kiss upon yuuri’s hand, soft whisperings of ‘until we meet again’ still played on yuuri’s ears as he walked, flowers in hand. Yuuri’s mind was bursting with questions, so much so that he’d nearly forgotten to wish yurio farewell as they reached the edge of the forest.
When he turned to say goodbye to his friend, he was met with concern,,,and something else he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“Be…be careful yuuri” Such finality did those few words carry, and off the fae went, abandoning the god to his questions.
The rest of the way Yuuri walked in solace, and upon arriving home he carefully placed the flowers in water. Unsettled as he was, he laid down to rest. Perplexity accosted him of the peculiar actions of those around him , worry a plague upon his mind. He wondered if he would ever have his answers or more importantly his memories. Though eventually sleep came over him, Visions of flowers dancing in his head.