Bloom

“So this dew comes from the clouds that we’re standing on…?”

Vanna looked at Eden, who was currently holding a glass watering can filled to the brim with pure dew harvested not long ago. The tip of the little nun’s tail twitched with unconcealed interest as he stared at the liquid, entranced. Vanna couldn’t help but smile as he hummed in affirmation.

“That’s right. The clouds purify all of that condensed water inside of them, and we harvest it afterwards. Kind of like a magical water filter I guess,” He said with a laugh.

“It’s beautiful,” came Eden’s breathy reply. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen water so clear before. It’s like a big gem.”

“A big, liquidy gem?” Vanna clearly wasn’t taking this as seriously as Eden was. The dew was nothing new to him after all, but it was to Eden, who seemed to be cherishing the new experience. 

Since they first spoke to one another at the embassy, the two had gotten quite close. Eden always seemed happy to spend time with Vanna, and Vanna was delighted to have his first real succubun friend since arriving in Burrowgatory. He found Eden to be cute and a little weird, though the latter trait only added onto his cuteness in a way. Eden’s default expression was practically a scowl; he didn’t look welcoming in the least, sometimes even failing when he tried to be. His voice usually gave him away though, just like it had when they first spoke—he’d been scowling then, too, but he was eager to speak with Vanna, his voice hopeful yet shaky from nerves. It really was bizarre for an average person to witness, and Vanna wondered at first if Eden was always like that. But he didn’t have to wonder for very long, for there were times soon after when Eden’s expression would soften to something so gentle that he could be mistaken for another person entirely.

Vanna saw that softened expression now, as Eden’s gaze traveled from the watering can he held to the fresh, tender buds sprouting from the soil at their feet. Perhaps Eden had given the dew some meaning that Vanna was oblivious to, or maybe he was just in a good mood. Either way—

“We should start watering these,” Eden said, beating Vanna to the punch. He looked at Vanna, and…was that a blush on his face? Vanna blinked, surprised. Unbothered by the reaction, Eden continued. “Let’s do it together?”

“Of course.”

---

Some flowers grew much faster than others. When Vanna and Eden had originally planted the seeds, Eden suggested that they plant the ones that required a little more love and attention closer to the front, so that they were always tended to first. These little sprouts were the first plants that the duo began to water; the verdant shoots had already grown several inches out of the soil, but had not yet flowered like their peers had. Still, a strange glittery substance clung to their bodies, like miniscule drops of the very dew they were being watered with. Eden watched the plants in wonder as Vanna gingerly took the watering can from him to continue where he left off.

“If you think they’re pretty now, just wait until they’ve all fully bloomed. I have a feeling that you’ll like it a lot. It won’t be as impressive as the flowers in the meadow, but…it’ll still be an impressive sight.”

Eden didn’t respond immediately, too lost in watching the flowers be watered. Vanna would’ve forgotten that he was even in the greenhouse with him, if he hadn’t been standing so close to him the whole time. It was only a few minutes later—after Vanna had already forgotten about the comment that he made—that Eden finally spoke. “We planted these. Together.”

Vanna stopped. At this point, he had moved on in the greenhouse and was now watering the plants that were in bloom. He turned to Eden, who gently stroked his thumb against the velvety red petal of a flower that was slowly but surely unfurling. “Yes?” the cherubun cocked his head, curious. “We did…”

“I’m really happy that they’re growing well.” Eden smiled, momentarily leaving Vanna at a loss for words.

“Me too?” Vanna laughed. “I thought you helped water plants at the church all the time—is something like this really so novel to you?”

“This is different. It’s…” Uh oh. Eden was reverting back to his scowl again; had Vanna said something that upset him? He was on the verge of apologizing when the succubun finally continued, “it’s with you. For you, and all the other cherubuns. That makes it special.” Eden looked at the cherubun with furrowed brows, lips nearly pouting as his cheeks warmed with a blush. “It’s special. To me.”

“Oh, Eden…” Vanna tittered, looking down at the nearly empty can in his hands as he smiled softly. “You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

Eden shook his head. It seemed as if he used up the last of his confidence in his earlier words; knowing him, he’d be silent for a while until he composed himself. That was fine with Vanna. He gave Eden a nudge, shaking the now-empty can in his grip.

“It looks like we’re finally done with the watering. How about we go and get some tea? These won’t all bloom overnight, so we can always come back tomorrow to check up on them.”

As Vanna led Eden out of the greenhouse, he couldn’t help but think of the day they would finally return to a space full of flowers. He was looking forward to it very much, now; to see their efforts finally bear fruit, and how happy it would make Eden…it would be worth the wait.