SOKOVIA ✦ marvel oneshots

rose

( quartz! )

this kept publishing while i was editing the draft, sorry! but it's here now!

....

Love was illusive. Everyone liked to talk about it, to imagine what it was like and what their perfect idealization of it was. Yet, nobody actually knew. Everyone was spectators on the outside.

The common gist of it was hearts skipping beats, sweaty hands, unsteady breathing, and sleeplessness. In a way, that confirmed the notion of love being a drug. Except, to you, at least, that didn't seem very pleasant. Who wanted to be painfully uncomfortable around someone you love, looking like you've just consumed every strange mushroom and herb out in the forest?

The people actually in love --- smug old bastards honestly, though you couldn't blame them --- quite reveled in the fact that only they knew the answer. The occasional old couple would snort at the foolish hopes of the young. Love is not that rubbish you dream of.

You really hoped it was true. You didn't approve of the incessant drama and unnecessary pain that sprung from the "love" your peers had. It was so glossed up, yet so terribly shallow. One day sweet Fray is certain she'll marry Leif, and the next she's tossing a whole jug of ale onto his perfect hair, her heart broken and his ego chipped.

And it was the most terrible time your friend could have had a fallout with her significant other. The day of Elska was upon Asgard, a day in which the roses--- planted eons ago by the first King and Queen as a symbol of their love--- would bloom and point to true love, or wither in the aura of a farce.

Dates were mandatory on the day, solely so many would not be alone to enjoy the festivities. You thought it was cruel to spend a day of true love with someone you didn't share that with. It was even more cruel watching couples of years have their roses wilt, their relationship dying just as fast on the spot.

"Maybe today won't be so bad." Fray turned her head away and sniffed loudly. Her honey blonde hair was a waterfall around her shoulders, blending in with her shimmering gown. "They say the roses point to true love too, so maybe..."

Yes, you thought, what a terrible day for sweet Fray.

"You never know what could happen, Fray," you said, patting her hand reassuringly. It was true, maybe there was hope for her. "Keep your hopes high, maybe not today, but someday."

Standing up and smoothing her gown, Fray offered you a weak smile. "Right, well, my date, you look absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait to show you off, and make Leif die on the spot."

Faking a coy smile and fluttering your eyelashes, you held up a hand to cover your mouth, acting the part of a most shy maiden. Your best friend was heart broken, and you were dateless. It was a day of love, but no one said it had to be romantic--- platonic love was very much a thing. So a solution was presented. You and Fray would go together, lifting both of your spirits with ridiculous antics that would undoubtedly ensue.