Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Flowers •|| WINTUMN + MARJOREECE ||•

Prompt: The boys give their girls flowers.

Winter adjusted his tie nervously, holding a single red rose in his trembling hand. Autumn stood across from him, her sharp green eyes softening as she noticed the slight shake in his fingers.

“Why is he shaking so much?” she wondered, watching him with quiet curiosity.

Winter’s face flushed as he extended the rose toward her. “Take it,” he murmured, his voice just barely steady.

Autumn blinked at the rose, then at Winter. A faint smile tugged at her lips. “Oh! For me?” she asked, gently taking the rose from his hands.

Winter nodded stiffly, unsure of what to say. When she tucked the rose into the pocket of her jacket, his heart swelled with relief. She liked it, right?

But just as the moment settled, Winter’s attention was caught by movement nearby. Autumn's brother, Reece, was standing in front of Marjorie with an enormous bouquet of colorful roses.

“Ah, honey! You didn’t have to—! I love it!” Marjorie squealed, her face lighting up with unrestrained joy as she clutched the bouquet to her chest.

Winter watched as Reece leaned down to kiss Marjorie’s forehead, his own face warm with affection. “I just wanted to remind you how much I love you,” Reece said, and Marjorie laughed, her cheeks flushing pink.

Winter turned back to Autumn, his stomach sinking. A single rose suddenly felt so small. “Am I not doing enough for her?” he wondered, the thought digging deep. “Should I have gotten her something more? Something better?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, his shoulders slumping.

“Winter?” Autumn’s voice pulled him back, her expression puzzled as she saw the sudden change in his demeanor.

“You don’t like it, do you?” he said, his voice quiet and strained. “You can break up with me… if you want.”

Autumn blinked, stunned. “What?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“I mean… compared to Reece…” Winter gestured vaguely toward where her brother stood, still basking in Marjorie’s adoration. “He’s always doing these grand things for her. I just gave you a rose. It’s not enough, is it?”

Autumn stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. “Winter.” She reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it. “It’s not about the size of the gift. It’s about the thought behind it.”

Her free hand gently plucked the rose from her pocket, and she twirled it between her fingers. “This rose means you thought about me. That’s what matters.”

Winter hesitated, his eyes searching hers for any sign of disappointment. All he found was quiet sincerity.

“You’re enough, Winter,” Autumn said, her voice soft but firm. “Don’t ever think otherwise.”

Winter’s lips twitched into a small smile. “You’re my goddess,” he murmured, leaning forward to press a light kiss to her forehead.

Autumn’s cheeks warmed, and she rolled her eyes, though her faint smile didn’t waver. “And don’t forget it.”

From the distance, Reece caught sight of the scene and grinned, nudging Marjorie. “Looks like Winter’s still got his charm,” he joked.

Marjorie chuckled, leaning into Reece. “And Autumn’s still got her way of bringing him back down to earth.”