Ambrosia [elsa/merida]

003. [damn] angel of death

🌷 Visit #2

SO MUCH FOR not seeing a lot of each other, she returns two days later with another order in mind. Freya.

     Merida finds herself at a shock once more when the door opens and there she stands, wearing a suit. A SUIT. Odin have fucking mercy. The sun from outside outlines her like an aureole, making her look like a damn angel of death, and on cue, it takes the air out of Merida's lungs. How could anyone look so beautiful?

     Suddenly, Freya looks up and their eyes meet for a full millisecond before Merida on instinct turns away like she's caught in her thoughts.

     "Hi."

     How could anyone have that effect on anyone, and not realise it? Merida thanks the gods for that. She clears her throat and looks up. "The first bouquet didn't do the trick?"

     The woman smiles gently and shakes her head. She's by the counter now, mere feet away from her, and Merida notices that her suit is actually a gradient of blues. "Not really. Can I order another, though?"

     "Of course." Merida smiles before handing out the form.

     The woman takes it and their fingers brush slightly against each other. Merida supposes it's only her mind playing tricks, but she could have felt Freya's hand still and falter slightly upon contact.

     Merida returns to earth. "What'll it be?"

     Freya looks up, and light reflecting on the flowers shows pink on her cheeks. "Oh, the same. Except" — her expression shifts to a mild disdain — "more explicit in what it's supposed to say, I guess? The recipient didn't get the message. He's quite slow."

     Merida wonders if she's starting to lose interest towards the person she's courting, then she remembers that she wants another bouquet but with the I'd like to see you again message more explicit. "I'll still include the camellias?"

     "Yes!" Surprisingly upbeat with her eyes twinkling, Freya shows a big smile. "I've read about those, Camellia sasanqua. They represent admiration and perfection — also love. And they're given to men, mostly, which is nice, because men need flowers too. Perhaps the red carnations as well? Dianthus caryophyllus symbolises admiration, right?"

     She pronounces each scientific name with caution, taking care to say it right, and she does (Merida studies flower language too, for fun). It's the cutest thing ever, Merida can't even suppress a fond smile. She nods. "They do" — then chuckles out of infatuation for literally everything this woman is, but only mentions — "You studied the flowers?"

     Freya stiffens slightly, as if she's caught with a secret. She composed herself quickly, though, with a smile. "Yes, I figured I needed to be more helpful in picking the flowers."

     Merida wants to say that florists don't really care (much) for the language of flowers, only what looks good, but that would deter this woman's hard work, and she'd hate to see a frown caused by her . . . It's common decency.

     Instead, she just says, "More pink camellias and carnations, reds and whites, maybe a few blues, remove the wildflowers?"

     Freya looks sort of disappointed at that. "I liked the wildflowers, though. It may not be ideal for courting, but that was a lovely arrangement."

     Merida smiles. Knowing that she adores her arrangement can be one of her small accomplishments in life. "You know, if you liked the wildflowers," she says half-jokingly, "I can make you a bouquet for yourself."

     To her surprise, Freya's face brightens. "I'll be looking forward to it. Don't forget the camellias, and add orchids, if you want."

     Merida's not sure what happened next, but lunch hour probably ended and the woman had to return to work. She thanked Merida once more for the arrangements and left the shop with the coins glistening on the counter and the bell ringing gently

     Should she also send flowers to her now? Did she want a bouquet with courting flowers sent to her? Not only that, orchids symbolise beauty and interest, and Freya wants these included.

     Merida has never been so confused.

_______________________________________________________

A/N: dedicated to brooke aka _daybreak bc her comments make me happy c: thank u, fam

"these are the friendliest flowers, daisy the good in everyone."

pls tell me what u thought by commenting/voting!! :-D

[note from 2021: tried to draw elsa's look,, what has become of this fic lmao]