How Did We Get Into This Mess - KOTLC Oneshots

A Sprout of Lust

( I didn't wanna fall but then I stepped right in. I looked down at the ground and then I felt it right within - It was too late for me . . . )

Sophie knew what a meadow was, by definition. Before the Elvin world, the closest she'd ever been was a tick infested field by a San Diego gas station. Even after discovering the lost cities, her only reference was Silvenys memories. Which didn't really count.

So she jumped at the chance to collect herbs for Elwin, Keefe also picking scavenging over selkie skin gathering. The smell was unbearable, as Sophie had unfortunately learned from experience. 

Slipping on a pair of gardening gloves - still mareling at the dexterity she retained, Sophie packed a satchel. Neatly arranging vials, airtight bags, tweezers, and a few key tools, she looked in the mirror with a sigh. Her mid-thigh leather boots prevented grass stains, leggings out of sight. A short sleeved yellow tunic rested comfortably on her shoulders, buttery yellow fabric suited for the heat.

"I finished chiseling the crystal," Keefe announced proudly, attaching it to Elwins Healing Center leapmaster. "You ready there Foster?"

Sophie had a sneaking suspicion Elwin had set this up as some sort of scheme to make up for the school they missed while fighting the Neverseen. Or the ongoing Foxfire hiatus. 

"Almost!" Grabbing a melder for caution, she stepped out, staring at the massive leapmaster. The physician had access to almost the entire elvin world. In the back of her mind, Sophie wondered if she would ever see Amy again. She would always have a target on her back, neon lights shining from lightyears away.

"Meandering Meadows," she called out, fingers curling around Keefe's own. They shared a smile, glittering away in a fluttering sensation Sophie had only just begun to get used to.

Paintings, photos - nothing could do it justice. The sprawling grasses were filled with beautiful tiny flowers and endless clover patches. Millions of different plants rolled across the horizon in a wide array of awe.

"How are we going to find anything in here," Sophie marveled, jaw dropping.

Keefe snipped away, smirking.

"Speak for yourself. I have an artists eye," he bragged pointing his thumps - and small shears - at himself. He noticed immediately, smoothly rotating the blades away from his face as Sophie let out a laugh. "Anyway, I already found Kingsfoil, Trama Root, and Rashnovik! Pretty sure I'm winning." 

Sophie's face grew stony.

"Oh, so it's a competition now," she seethed, looming over Keefe. Her usually warm eyes cut into his soul. "I don't quite recall the announcement." Hooking a finger in his collar, Sophie's voice lowered to a whisper. "No matter your little head start. I will beat you to the ground."

A light blush accentuated Keefe's cheekbones as he stared up in reverence, the sun creating a halo around Sophie's figure. She was a vengeful angel, strikingly beautiful.

Sophie furiously started digging up Black Lotus, snipping off a leaf of Crimson Nirnroot and a Songbell sprout, caught up within seconds. She found her own Trama root, cutting samples of Rashnovik keys.

She gathered more of what she knew had healing properties, while Keefe went for quantity over quality. Smirking, Sophie waltzed over to display what she had procured, confidence overriding clumsiness. 

She and Amy always had a sisterly rivalry, competitiveness often getting the better of them before Sophie retreated into her neutral-toned shell. Here with Keefe, she could show off more of her personality. It was refreshing.

Her shadow fell across Keefe's face, a lazy smile curling out. He lay in the long greenery, shirt riding up to reveal his defined abs, the scar from his fight with Dimitar healing well. The sun made his skin gleam, a god-like sheen oddly appealing to Sophie.

What was she thinking?!

She lowered herself to one knee, holding out a hand. Keefe's eyes opened slowly, lashes fluttering with satisfaction. Gently pulling Sophie down, he cushioned the ground with an arm unnecessarily, the thick grass blanketing rich soil. She nestled next to him, a welcome breeze blowing across her cheeks.

"What do you see," he murmured softly, in something akin to a purr. His breath traced her ear, Sophie shivering despite the warm weather. A muscular arm crossed her chest, Keefe's protective gesture not going unnoticed.

"Wynn. Bullhorn." Keefe hummed in resonating agreement. "My home."

Or at least it was what she felt. Right here, with Keefe beside her, she'd felt more at peace since she'd been with her human family, oblivious to hidden reality. She couldn't help but want to stay here forever.

The feeling soothed her, and she drifted to the stages just before true sleep. Keefe laid a kiss on her forehead, their bodies intertwined. Sophie let out something indecipherable to our ears, her companion lifting her hand to his lips, bestowing a kiss on her fingertips.

Far beneath the two, a Paopu seed cracked open, the fruit of paired destinies began to bloom.

(I have no idea what the age range of my audience is, so enjoy the fluff with undertones of lust. This oneshot required more research than usual as I scoured through 80 fictional plants to find the ones I would mention. The following list is made up of plants I used or considered.)

Simbelmyne (grows on king graves), Songbell Plant (humms) , Paopu fruit (2 people with intertwined destinies), Mallorn (elvin home structure support), Trama Root (healing), Barnacle Tree (geese are born from the blooms???), Oblivion Moss (steals memories), Wroshyr tree, (wookie home structure support), Sap Sac (explodes), Kingsfoil (healing - very powerful in the hands of a king, Alden apparently), Crimson Nirnroot (glows & hums), Rashnovik (healing, unlocks doors and uncovers anything hidden), Lullabee tree (glows and hums), Black Lotus (healing)