watering flowers

The early glow of the enchanted cloudlight filtered through the greenhouse, giving the rows of blooming flowers an otherworldly sheen. Billie squinted against the brightness, muttering under her breath as she grabbed the watering can. It felt oddly heavy in her hands, sloshing with pure, dew-like water collected from the magical clouds supporting the Heavenly Embassy.

“This place is so extra,” she grumbled, glancing over her shoulder. “A bed of clouds? Seriously?”

Dove, perched nearby on a little stool with a pair of tiny shears, chuckled softly. “It’s not just for show. The clouds are enchanted, remember? They keep the water perfectly pure, and the plants thrive because of it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Billie trudged over to the nearest row of flowers, her boots clicking against the pristine tiled floor. The blooms she and Dove had planted days ago had already grown, their petals faintly shimmering in the warm light. She paused, staring down at them. They were… pretty. Annoyingly so.

“See?” Dove said, noticing her hesitation. “I told you they’d bloom beautifully.”

Billie rolled her eyes, dipping the spout of the watering can toward the first plant. “Yeah, well, don’t let it go to your head.”

The water flowed in a soft, steady stream, pooling at the base of the flower before soaking into the soil. Billie straightened, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. “So, what’s next? Do I just dump water on all of them and call it a day?”

Dove gasped, their hands flying to their mouth in mock horror. “Dump water? Oh no, no, no. These are heavenly flowers, Billie. They need care. Precision.”

Billie groaned. “Of course they do.”

Dove hopped off their stool and joined her, their gentle demeanor unshaken by Billie’s grumbling. “Here, let me show you.” They crouched beside the next plant, tilting their head as they inspected it. “See the way this one’s petals are curling? That means it needs less water.”

Billie squinted down at the flower. “It looks fine to me.”

“Trust me,” Dove said, giving her an encouraging smile. “They’re delicate, but they’ll let you know what they need if you pay attention.”

Billie huffed, shifting the watering can to her other hand. “Fine. Show me how it’s done, flower whisperer.”

Dove giggled, carefully pouring a thin trickle of water onto the plant’s roots. “It’s all about balance,” they explained, their voice soft and patient. “Too much water, and they drown. Too little, and they wither. You’ve got to feel it out.”

“Great,” Billie muttered. “Another thing I can screw up.”

“You’re not going to screw it up,” Dove said firmly, straightening to meet Billie’s eyes. “You’ve already done so much. Look at them—they’re blooming because of you.”

Billie shifted uncomfortably under Dove’s gaze, her free hand brushing against the edge of her jacket. “Yeah, sure. Because of me.”

Dove stepped back, giving Billie space but keeping their warm smile. “Here. Try this one.” They gestured to a flower with soft, glowing blue petals.

Billie sighed but crouched down, her knees popping audibly as she got into position. She held the watering can over the plant, hesitating as she tried to gauge how much water it needed. 

“Just a little,” Dove encouraged. “Watch the soil. When it starts to glisten, stop.”

Billie poured slowly, her brow furrowed in concentration. The soil darkened and sparkled faintly, and she stopped, glancing up at Dove for confirmation.

“Perfect!” Dove said, clapping their hands together. “See? You’ve got this.”

Billie smirked faintly, the hint of pride creeping into her expression despite herself. “Guess I’m a natural, huh?”

“You are,” Dove said earnestly, their sincerity catching Billie off guard.

They continued working side by side, Billie moving from row to row with Dove guiding her. The greenhouse was quiet except for the soft trickle of water and the occasional rustle of leaves. It was... peaceful. Almost too peaceful for Billie’s liking.

“So,” she said, breaking the silence. “You really believe all this stuff? The clouds, the magic water, the whole heavenly meadow nostalgia trip?”

Dove tilted their head thoughtfully. “I believe in what I’ve seen. And I’ve seen how these flowers grow here, even in a place as different as Burrowgatory. It’s like they’re adapting, finding a way to thrive. I think that’s… hopeful.”

“Hopeful, huh?” Billie snorted. “You’re always looking for the silver lining, aren’t you?”

“Someone has to,” Dove replied with a playful grin. “Besides, I think you see it too, even if you don’t admit it.”

Billie paused, her gaze lingering on the flowers she’d just watered. Their petals caught the light, casting faint, iridescent reflections on the soil below. 

“Maybe,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.

---

Hours later, the watering was done, and Billie set the empty can down with a relieved sigh. Her back ached, and her hands were smudged with dirt, but there was something oddly satisfying about seeing the rows of freshly tended flowers.

“They look happy,” Dove said, standing beside her with a content smile.

“They’re plants, Dove,” Billie replied, though her tone lacked its usual bite. “They don’t look like anything.”

Dove laughed softly. “Maybe not to you. But I think they’re happy.”

Billie rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Whatever you say.”

As they left the greenhouse, Dove turned to Billie, their expression bright. “Thank you, Billie. For helping. It means a lot.”

Billie shrugged, shoving her hands into her pockets. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.”

“I won’t,” Dove said, their smile unwavering. “But I’ll always be grateful.”

Billie glanced at them out of the corner of her eye, her steps slowing slightly. “Yeah, well… you’re welcome.”

For once, she didn’t add a snarky comment. 

---

As Billie made her way back from the Heavenly Embassy, her boots leaving faint smudges of dirt against the stone sidewalk, she couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder. The greenhouse gleamed in the distance, the light of the enchanted flowers spilling softly through the glass walls. It was peaceful, quiet, a stark contrast to everything she’d known back in Burrowgatory.

But it wasn’t just the place. It was Dove—the way they believed in something better, the way they believed in her. 

Billie snorted, shaking her head as she stuffed her hands deeper into her pockets. “Damn cherubuns,” she muttered to herself. “Always making me feel things.”