*~{Wilted Roses}~* skephalo AU

Nostalgic Tears

"So, how've you been Zak? Y'know aside from that." He pointed at the burns on his fingers.
"I've been good,,! I've felt a little more motivation to wake up in the mornings ever since.." He trailed off and saw the boy working for Darryl.. Toby was it? Peering through the glass window above the door with a bee next to him.

Darryl snapped his fingers in front of Zak. "Ever since??"

"Oh- sorry about that. uhm ever since.. since... Uuuh I don't remember let's just move on!" He gave Darryl a crooked smile.
Darryl gave him a confused chuckle "Well- okay." He shrugged. "Did you hear about the fall festival they're doing this year? They do it every year but that still doesn't change the fact that everytime it comes around I get all excited.. like a little kid on Christmas." He sighed with a smile as he sat next to Zak. "Are you gonna go to the festival?"

Zak's face flushed, not knowing what to respond since he didn't want Darryl knowing he was going to try and perform at the festival. "Ah uhm.. I'm not sure to be honest, I might be busy with work that day heh,,"

Darryl frowned and shuffled in his seat. "Awh.. that's too bad." He scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, The aloe Vera! I'll be right back, sorry Zak!" He walked into a door inside the backroom labeled "break room" with many other doors down the hall. Zak sat impatiently in his chair and waited for Darryl.

-a few minutes later-

"Found it! Sorry I took so long."

"Oh, no it's totally fine you didn't take long at all! Actually.. I'm grateful that you're even bothering to do this- you're too kind Darryl." He smiled.

Darryl's face turned the slightest shade of pink, he puffed out his cheeks and simply nodded. "Well- give me your hand then."

Zak put his hand into the care of Darryl as he looked around in a bored way. He noticed Darryl kept staring at him while he was putting the Aloe Vera on him.
"What's up?"

"Hm?"

"I've noticed that you keep looking over at me while putting on the Aloe, did I do something wrong?"

"Oh-! No no you didn't do anything Zak, it's just- you look a lot like my childhood best friend so I can't help but look at you in a sorta nostalgic way."

"Is that so? Was he handsome like me?" Zak said in a joking voice.

Darryl giggled and punched Zak's arm lightly. "Quiet you muffin head. Honestly, you only remind me of him looks wise, not personality wise. He was very childish and liked to mess with me a lot. He'd do a lot of pranks on me that basically drove me to my wits end.. but I still loved and cared for him a lot." Darryl put his feet up on the bench and hid his face in his knees.
"I miss him, he was a really sweet kid but his parents got a new job opportunity elsewhere and well, he just had to go. I cried for days." Darryl chuckled.

Zak looked at Darryl with sad eyes. "I'm sorry about that man. That must've sucked, I've personally never been close with anyone so I can't even imagine how that type of heartbreak must feel." He pat his back softly, attempting to comfort his dad friend though it wasn't his strong suit.

"It's alright." Darryl sniffled.

Zak was surprised to hear how shaky his voice got. ".... Um, y'know what here.." He turned to Darryl and hugged him tight. "It's okay, let it out. Shhhh it's fine." He slowly ran his fingers through Darryl's hair in an attempt to calm him down. 'This is how my parents used to calm me down- I hope he doesn't think it's weird..'

Darryl's breathing slowed as he pulled away from Zak's hug. He wiped messy tears from his eyes. "He said we'd be friends forever, he said we'd open a flower shop together. Why did he lie?" He turned to Zak and smiled sadly.

The tea kettle hissed loudly as Zak went over and turned off the heat. He slowly sat down next to Darryl and gave him another hug. "Sometimes we can't have everything we want. Life isn't a fair game, you can get delt the worst cards or the best cards, But what you decide to do with those cards is up to you. Look at you go Darryl. You have a beautiful flower shop and you're doing your dream job. Even if you don't have your best friend by your side, I think you're doing amazing on your own." He ruffled Darryl's hair and let go, slightly missing the warmth of his body.

"T-Thanks Zak, I'm sorry for just dumping this all on you so suddenly." He sniffed.

"It's fine dude, sometimes you just can't help it and that's okay. I'm not the best at helping or giving advice though." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I think you did great, your words were very comforting actually." Darryl smiled.

"That was a lot more emotional baggage than I expected to hear-" Toby felt bad that he'd been eavesdropping but he just wanted to see if something interesting were to happen. He slid down the wall with a sad expression "Did I do something bad Tommy? I didn't mean to if I did." The bee buzzed around his face angry, yet reassuring.

"Um hello?" An unfamiliar british sounding voice came from the opening ringing door.

Toby gasped to Tommy "A human." He stood up immediately and waved to the boy "Hello there! My name is Toby, is there anything you need assistance with?"

"Jesus christ man- you scared the shit out of me. And um... I'd like to buy some flowers please." The boy said shyly.

"Alright! Come this way erm-"

"Tommy."

Toby gasped once again "that's my bee's name." He whispered

"Your bee's name? The hell? You have a bee for a pet or something?" Tommy looked at Toby with a confused expression.

"Why yes I do. He's a very friendly bee actually." The bee buzzed around Tommy, inspecting him.

Tommy never took a liking to bugs so he slowly started to back away in slight fear. "He heh uhm can you get this bee away from me before I do something I'll regret-" Tommy stumbled back, placing his foot in a plastic flower pot causing him to fall over.
"SHIT-"

"Tommy! Are you okay?" Toby said with concern, the bee sitting on his shoulder angrily.

Tommy rubbed his head with slight pain "Agh.. my head hurts like hell, but aside from that I guess I'm fine." He stood up and brushed himself off. Tommy looked at the bee angrily and pointed a finger at it. "I will kill you, you bastard."

Toby frowned and placed the bee in the safety of his hands. "Don't talk to Tommy like that Tommy!" He placed the bee on a flower and then put his hand on his chin "Huh, it'll be quite confusing to have two Tommy's so.. I suppose I'll have to rename my bee." He thought intensely on a name and then smiled. "Wilbur! Do you like it mr. Bee? I think it's quite creative." He patted himself on the back. The bee buzzed happily  but glared at Tommy for taking his name.

Toby frowned at patted the bee "I'm sorry he took your name, he was born with it he can't help it!"

"Stupid bee." Tommy crossed his arms, still salty from falling over.

"So, back on topic. What kind of flowers would you like Tommy?" Toby looked up at him.

"Em.. I dunno something that means friendship I guess." He rubbed the back of his neck and put his hand in his pocket.

"Alright! Follow me then Tommy!" He tugged on his red sleeve and pulled him over to some yellow roses. "these are what you're looking for!"

"They look beautiful." Tommy smiled. "I'll take them."