When Flowers Bloom✔

11

 "Petal is special, if she chooses you it's important you know this. It's important you know how you feel about her. Things are difficult for her and they will continue to be so for a little while. You have to be sure of your feelings just as much as she does, but know that it will be easier for her in making that choice. However, it will be easier for you to decide the kind of life you want. She will only see you, so you have to listen, to pay attention to her needs and take action." As Rupert explained, Hoseok couldn't help but continue to feel bad about how he'd left Petal alone.

"Just give her a good life." Rupert said as he patted Hoseok's shoulder and walked with him a little more, filling him in on the wisdom he had gained from being Petunia's choice.

Inside the shop, Petunia and Petal were talking just as Hoseok and Rupert.

"You'll be a great mother. Know that, to both your flower children and your human children." Petunia informed her.

"I'm worried.. I don't know if this is right." Petal expressed.

"What do you feel when he's around?" Petunia asked.

"I feel warmth, like rays of sunshine are lighting my skin, making me glow. He glows.. when I see him, he glows like the sun. When we make food or he watches me as I work around here... I smile. I feel... good. When he... when touched me, kissed my.. He made me feel so good but he stopped." Petal whined. Petunia giggled.

"Human men aren't always aware. Also, we're never fully human so without telling them what happens to us, how our bodies react- they have no idea. When he's.. kissing you, touching you. You'll smell like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Tell him that, tell him that's how he'll know you're ready to be... well.. intimate." Petunia explained.

"Why didn't you ever tell me this sooner, mother. Why did you make me think you were gone?" Petal asked. Petunia sighed.

"I wanted to, but I had lost my human child... I was deep in mourning. Looking at you, my beautiful little flower children... I couldn't bare it. I hope you don't hate me for it, but I needed the escape." She said with a heavy heart.

"I forgive you, mother." Petal said with a smile as she wrapped her arms around Petunia. The two held on a little more as they talked. Petunia told her not to be scared, not to fear the love she feels, and to always take care of herself.

The sky had darkened by the time Rupert and Petunia left Hoseok and Petal alone to figure their lives out. The two ordered pizza and were enjoying it in silence as soft music played on the TV. They just ate, both seemingly deep in their own thoughts.

After they ate, Hoseok went to clean up by throwing away the pizza box and cleaning off their plates. Petal joined him, cleaning up their empty glasses and making sure to dry their plates as she put them away. While she was drying and Hoseok washed, he looked at her. She looked at him too.

"I'm sorry." He said softly as Petal dried the last dish. Petal looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion. She set the plate down and threw her arms around him. His eyes went wide but he welcomed the hug.

"I'm sorry, you're not a meanie... or a jerk.. I was just confused and everything was just too much and I didn't understand. I was feeling too much too fast." Petal tried to explain, but she was feeling a lot in that moment. Her eyes fluttered from his eyes to his lips. She tried to keep herself from looking but her will power was apparently at zero. Hoseok hadn't failed to notice her stare, in fact he himself kept gazing down at her lips.

"Petal... I.. I didn't mean to leave you like that. I was just... I don't know, I was an idiot. Maybe I was afraid to get too close. I don't know if you've noticed but I'm pretty use to being alone, sharing my space is still new to me. You've been great though, I really.... Like you, a lot." Hoseok said to her, finishing up cleaning as the two leaned against the counter of the breakfast bar.