concordia

five

word count: 332 | 481 | 515 | 473 | 496

date written: 3.3.19 | 4.3.19 | 9.3.19 | 14.3.19 | 22.3.19

verse: prompt collection; first appearance of claire

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prompt: flowers

she didn't know which flowers to choose. the price was irrelevant but there were too many colors, too many varieties, and all she knew was that they had to be perfect. elle didn't deserve any less. a bouquet of pink roses and white lilies caught her eye, eerily similar to the one elle had gifted her on valentine's day just gone, and her breath caught in her throat. she quickly turned away, forcing herself to peruse the opposite side of the florist's. she wanted something bright. something yellow, and sunny, and wild, that you'd be able to see from a mile away. something like elle herself.

she walked around the store in circles, inspecting bunches of roses and tulips, lilies and carnations, chrysanthemums and daisies, but none of them felt right. they didn't stand out, they didn't make her think of elle, and they certainly weren't perfect. connie sighed, coming to a standstill in the corner of the shop and rubbing tiredly at her forehead. she could feel a headache slowly creeping up on her and the guilt of not being able to find the right flowers was weighing heavy in her heart. or at least what remained of it.

she decided to call it a day. give up, go home, and try again another time. but just as she turned towards the door, the bell jingling overhead as another customer entered, a bouquet on the back shelf distracted her. it was composed of bright yellows, a drop of sunlight that had bloomed into bright sunflowers and lilies that towered over delicate little daisies. it was nothing short of perfect. she took it down from the shelf with the utmost care, stroking a soft flower petal with her finger as she carried it to the counter.

she left the store a few minutes later wearing a faint smile for the first time in weeks. elle had always loved bright things and now her headstone would boast the brightest flowers in the graveyard.

-

prompt: "i can see you"

it was getting late but connie wasn't in any rush to go home. in the weeks following her attack, her office had felt far safer than her empty house. there, she was alone but here, there was always someone just a few feet away. if her mystery attacker decided to come back, they would have a hard time getting to her. she still glanced up at the thought, however, and immediately panicked when she noticed a flash of dark hair quickly disappear around the edge of the door frame. fortunately, her worry was short-lived, and she sighed when she realized who was almost definitely the culprit.

"give it up, dr. gardner," she said, crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair. "i can see you." with a disappointed look, elle reluctantly stepped into view of the door, her giveaway curls spilling over her shoulders. connie had thought she'd already gone home. she certainly looked ready to. "what are you still doing here?"

"i could ask you the same thing," elle countered, ignoring the unimpressed look connie gave her in response. "our shift ended over an hour ago. at least i've been home."

"how do you know i haven't as well?" connie asked, turning back to her paperwork. anything to avoid looking at elle as she stepped further into the room, rolling her eyes.