Two Cherubuns Gone Harvesting

Under the warm light of the Heavenly Embassy’s greenhouse windows, Lapis sighed softly to himself as he fixed a pair of garden gloves over his hands.

He didn’t mind planting seeds or watering them, but he was worried he might ruin a flower if he wasn’t careful enough and from the look Primrose was giving him, there was a chance he could.

“Are you sure I should help with this part Primrose?” Lapis asked, his voice on the edge of anxiety.

Primrose scoffed, “I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t think you be useful.” A polite way of saying he wouldn’t have bothered if he thought the other cherubun was useless.

Lapis wasn’t sure that reassured him, but he did say he would help with everything ambrosia. Even if their first day was filled with backhanded comments and the rest of the time he was either by himself or running errands.

Lapis sighed, “Okay.”

Primrose nodded as he bent down to pick up. A basket from the grass and a pair of gardening shears. “If you’re so concerned, then hold the basket while I cut.” He gave Lapis a sharp look, “Do not let them touch the ground.”

Lapis wanted to hiss that he knew better, but he simply wilted under the other cherubun’s eyes. “O-Okay.”

Primrose seemed to take a bit of pity on him as he handed the other cherubun the basket. “Don’t waste time.”

Lapis bit his lip hard as he took the basket, his cheeks red in frustration. There were so many things he wanted to say to the other cherubun’s, but he didn’t have the bravery to speak. He felt like that foolish little bun in front of Melangel all over again, everything he did felt wrong.

Primrose walked over to the flowering ambrosia plants, stopping when he realized Lapis didn’t follow. “Lapis… Lapis?”

Lapis seemed to snap out of his thoughts after he heard his name a second time. “R-Right! I’m coming!” He nearly tripped over himself to hold the basket under Primrose’s shears.

Primrose looked at him for a moment, his expression unchanged, before he started the harvest. His shears moved quickly under Lapis’ eye, the flowers falling into the basket with their leaves and stems perfectly intact.

Lapis didn’t know what Primrose did to relax or even enjoy himself, but it seemed gardening had a calming effect of the other cherubun. “You know… you said you don’t do gardening because you like it, but I think you might.”

Primrose was quiet for a moment, he was almost impressed that Lapis spoke more than a few words to him. It seemed no matter what he did, between insults and half attempted placating gestures did nothing to shake Lapis. Yet, standing here, harvesting plants got a few words out.

Primrose huffed, his voice level, “It’s something to do, isn’t it? I can’t allow myself to be complacent.”

Lapis nodded, he probably shouldn’t admit he liked being lazy on his days off from work. There was nothing quite as delightful as lying in bed with all of his virtues in his arms as he watched movies and ate snacks. “It’s good to be business.”

Primrose seemed pleased by the answer. “Even with those succubuns, at least you remember some things.”

Lapis felt something pinch in his chest, before he took a deep breath, he didn’t want to jostle around the ambrosia flowers in his basket. “Right… um how much of this will we need?”

Primrose looked into the basket, “We should try for at least four more baskets full, since this one is half full, we’ll finish filling it before getting another basket.”

Lapis tried not to react, but the thought of all the work they’d have to do was making him feel tired. It was bad enough he goes here to help after his actual job. “Sounds good, I’m sure we’ll get it done fast”

Primrose replied quickly, “Not too fast, if we damage the plants, then that will give us less.” It was obvious the older cherubun had his share of experience with ambrosia, but that didn’t make Lapis any happier.

Lapis smiled weakly, “Right, I didn’t mean to imply we should rush through it.”

Primrose looked at him for a moment, before he gestured with his elbow towards the ambrosia plants. “Then let’s continue.”

The pair continued for a few more hours harvesting and while Lapis didn’t enjoy exhausting himself even further today, there was something to enjoy about spending time with Primrose. It reminded him of when he first got to the embassy, when the other cherubun was more than happy to let this hapless newcomer follow him around like a lost impup.

They both would probably never see eye to eye, but maybe Lapis could learn to live with that. Live with being friendly on the edge of being different.