Fleurs Captives (Joshler)

6. Coriander

Start the song. It's There's a Ghost by Fleurie.

Coriander:
Meaning - lust

The next morning in the garden was spent holding each other's hands too tightly, sitting in the grass as they picked vegetables and set them inside of baskets. Although the Josephs were there, Josh and Nicole couldn't help but cling to each other.

Homesickness plagued Josh at every moment, and he knew his sisters could tell. Jenna kept telling him to take breaks and sending him worried glances. Usually on days like this, Josh would tell his sisters about his family in Columbus so he wouldn't forget them. He couldn't with the Josephs here though, so instead he was silent.

After hours of silence, Papa came to fetch him. Josh didn't know how Papa knew, but he always did. He was led back to the house, earning sad smiles from his sisters and worried glances from the Josephs. Tyler tried to give Josh a supportive smile, but Josh ached too much to smile back.

Papa led him into the kitchen, having him sit down before going about making tea. Josh stared down at his hands blankly. He didn't want to be here.

"You'll grow out of this," Papa reminded Josh.

Josh watched Papa take a small bottle of clear liquid out of the cupboard, pouring some of it into Josh's tea. He'd yet to figure out what was in the Fairy Serum, but on days like this, he was grateful for it. Papa set the cup of tea down in front of him.

"Thank you," Josh said quietly.

He picked up the tea, taking only a small sip. Whenever that liquid had been added, it was better to pace oneself. Otherwise, Josh would be passed out on the kitchen floor in minutes.

It was no secret that Papa preferred his flowers over Josh, but he was doing what he could to keep Josh comfortable regardless. He'd warmed up to the idea of having a son months ago, and he was beginning to learn how to be gentle with Josh like he was with his daughters.

"Did you sleep last night?" Papa asked Josh as he handed him a piece of bread.

Josh knew that going this many days without food was definitely contributing to his rising levels of depression, but he still felt guilty as he finally gave in and ripped off a small corner of the bread before eating it. He nodded, feeling guilty that he'd soiled something of Papa's last night when the old man was trying so hard to take care of him right now.

Papa reached out and pressed the back of his hand to Josh's forehead. "You aren't getting sick, are you?"

Josh shook his head, already feeling the clear liquid start to make him drowsier. Papa sighed, walking over to his cabinets and digging through them. Josh watched in silence as he sipped at the warm tea and ate the bread bit by bit. His stomach was tender, not at all suited for solid foods. The tea helped. When Papa came back over, he set a small sprig of lavender before Josh.

"Keep this under your pillow tonight. That should help," he assured him.

"Thank you, Papa," Josh said quietly.

The old man observed Josh for a moment, making his heart race anxiously. "I'll have peony sleep in your room tonight. That usually helps with the homesickness."

Josh nodded, watching Papa adjust the level of oxygen feeding to his lungs before he was helping Josh up. His body was already tired, making him stumble as he followed Papa up the stairs. That liquid worked so quickly.

"Papa?" Josh asked quietly as the old man helped him out of his jeans before tucking him in beneath the blankets.

"Yes, oak?" Papa asked gently, brushing Josh's hair off of his forehead.