The theory of flowers

Five

On her way home she couldn't help herself from giggling. She still felt the trace of the woman's lips on her tingling skin. She was in high spirits until she was all too aware of the presence of a person following her. She took a few detours to make sure she wasn't imagining it and lo and behold she was right. She decided to head home anyway and cast a protecting spell on her door and home in case the person stalking her tried anything.

In her bed, still wary of the person following her earlier, she felt her anxiousness slip away realizing there wasn't anything she could do now. On that thought, she felt her consciousness slipping away and her breaths falling into a slow rhythm. If someone following her home hadn't been enough to rain on her parade, the vision of her death was certainly enough to. She hated it, hated to see herself struggle against the waves. She had seen this scene over and over and it didn't get any better. Seeing herself thrash against the water to reach the surface, she held her breath until she couldn't anymore. It wasn't on purpose but her body did it naturally until she had no oxygen left in her lungs and was forced to wake up gasping for air. She clutched her chest and tried to slow her frantic breathing but it didn't seem to work.

Somehow, she had started crying and hyperventilating. It was too much, and she wondered if she would ever be free from the burden of her imminent death. The ever-so-fleeting temptation to throw herself into the ocean was always at the back of her mind and after witnessing herself drowning she would often visit the sea. She would gaze at the waves and wonder how much it would truly hurt to be enveloped by the currents and for all the air in her lungs to disappear. Would she be afraid of water forever? Would this really be the rest of her life? Her thoughts spiraled and she brought her knees closer to her chest, seeking comfort. Eventually, she tired herself out and fell back to sleep, needing as much rest as she could.

The next morning, she decided to take the day for herself and left the city to go roam the hills and forests of Fontaine. She felt overwhelmed by her thoughts and emotions and thought a long walk in nature would do her good. She walked aimlessly for hours, admiring the scenery that unfolded beneath her gaze with each step she took. Eventually, she decided to take a break to rest her legs and she found herself heading towards a familiar spot. As she reached the top of the tree-filled hill she saw someone's silhouette sitting in the same position she had done so many times. All of those restless early mornings when she sat on the damp grass to watch the sunset, hoping that the sight would be enough to ease her mind. At the sound of her slow footsteps, the woman turned around and surprise could be seen on y/n's features.

It was the woman who had complimented Y/n a mere day ago. She hadn't expected to see her again so soon and felt a tinge of excitement, seeing those black and red eyes.

"Oh I'm sorry, I hadn't meant to disturb you," y/n said, seeing the woman lifting herself from the ground.

"Don't worry darling, I was leaving soon anyway," The monochrome-haired woman said, approaching y/n with a small smile.

"I hadn't expected to see you so soon. Good thing I was carrying this with me," She added, pulling out a large orange rose. At the sight of the flower, y/n couldn't speak. She only managed to mutter a small what, that earned her a small chuckle from the tall woman in front of her.

"I just thought I ought to thank you for the flower the other day," she said, placing the flower in y/n's hand.

"That's really kind of you, I'll take good care of it," Y/n answered, holding the green stem of the flower but also the woman's hand as it was still holding the flower. They both looked at each other in silence before y/n cleared her throat and pulled away, feeling nervous under the other woman's gaze. After she said that she had to leave, y/n's eyes lingered on the silhouette walking away in the distance.