Lavender's Blue

Chapter 02

And rain it did that night as Cam sat curled up with his three odd friends in front of the blazing fire. The windows were shut and the doors locked as the droplets tapped onto the glass. It wasn't as frightening as it may seem. Cam had company for one and on the other hand they kept a small conversation going on.

"Don't be silly, Coran." Allura said, snuggling more into the thin blanket. "Junibarries smell better than any flower."

"Yes, but roses are most romantic!" The rooster crowed as he puffed out his chest.

"Well, I think lilies are the most beautiful." Shiro cut in, his hands in fists around the blanket as he held it tightly wrapped over his body.

"What about you, Cam?" Allura asked, staring up at the galran boy.

He seemed to be in a daze, staring at the fire, mesmerized by its raging flames. His pupils were distant as the bright light was reflected on them - like a star on the dark sky. Allura hopped out of the blanket and flew in front of his face.

His eyes focused and his head snapped up, staring at the dove. "What? What is it?" He asked.

"I asked what is your favourite flower, Cam." She answered, lowering herself to the ground.

The boy looked at all three of his friends, locking eyes with each one before staring down in his lap. He thought for a moment before he lifted his head and answered. "Lavenders." He stated, resting his head on his knee once again.

"Lavenders?" Allura asked, looking at the others with a questioning gaze before staring up at Cam again. "Have you ever seen lavenders before? Do they smell nice?" She asked again.

"No, I don't know." The galran boy answered simply, his head going up as it was still resting on his knee, his messy hair bouncing slightly.

"Then why would you choose lavenders?" This time, Shiro asked, his small hand resting on Cam's bigger one.

He sat, quiet for a moment. "My mom liked them." He finally answered, earning sad gazes from his companions. He continued on staring into the fire. "She tried to describe them to me once. Said they have a strong smell, but it was gentle in a way. Said they were purple in color, but I still think that they're blue."

"Because of the song?" Coran asked, his eyes sparkling from the flames.

Cam chuckled. "A little bit, yes." He smiled softly, humming the tune to said song. "She used to sing it to me every night."

"We know." The mouse said with a fond, nostalgic smile. "We were there too, you know."

The boy smiled. "I know." He hugged his friends tight, they doing the best they can to hug him just as much. "I miss her." He said quietly, voice breaking.

"We all do, highness" Shiro said, comforting the boy the best he could. The other chuckled at that.

"Still going with those nicknames." He wiped his eyes from the unshed tears.

"You know we've called you that since birth, majesty." Allura smirked. If she had hips, her wings would be resting on them.

Cam giggled. He could always count on his three odd friends to make him feel better on a stormy night like this. He yawned, his hand going up to his face to cover his mouth.

"You should sleep, Cam." Shiro said, pulling the blanket down - as if that would bring the other down too.

"Okay, okay." The galran boy smiled again at the mouse; always the caregiver, always the guardian.

They all laid down, curling into each other for as much warmth as possible. "Good night, guys." Cam muttered, his lids dropping.

"Goodnight, highness." Shiro muttered back, laying down by the boy's head, Coran at the top of it and Allura laying on top of the rooster.