A Rose by Any Other Name

It’s rude to gawk but she’s just speechless by what the rose had to say and how close he was, not in a bad way of course. He’s… not mad. She didn’t need forgiveness, living with that will do her well to think twice before repeating past mistakes, but to finally hear that he was actually alright with her somewhat…She didn’t know whether to cry or smile, but for the rose’s sake she did her best not to do the former. “… I…” There was a small laugh from her, a nervous habit,” I really thought you would’ve made yourself a new life… it’s been so long.”

He can tell she’s probably a little nervous, though who wouldn’t be after hearing words like the rose’s after so long. He didn’t blame her honestly but there’s another surprise. She wasn’t crying, where he thought she would. Not that it matters whether she cries or not but at least he didn’t have to wipe any tears away.

“I’ve had the thought but it was always so strange...I always considered myself not ready to start anew but I suppose there was reason for that,” He gives his own laugh, those yellow eyes of his closing. His hand drops from her chin to rest on her hands, cupping them and lifting them up to press her palms on either side of his head. “Indeed...it’s been a long time.”

That’s right he had said it before that he missed her, just like she missed him, how could she forget that? Well maybe not forget but, had gotten the rose wrong. If her cheeks didn’t color from that they certainly turned pink from how Rosaliya drew closer and tilted her chin up. Soft… his eyes were soft. He’s not fibbing to make her feel better, he genuinely meant what he said. “… You … but everything I’ve done and… you miss me? You want to be here..?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” He wasn’t going to repeat himself, that’s redundant. He didn’t stutter his words, she heard him just fine. Not that he’d be rude about it. He’s told himself time after time that he can’t forgive him but he knows deep down he can’t stay mad forever. He can’t stay away forever and that’s probably why he was so mad before. Mad at himself rather than the lily.

“I can’t stay mad at you forever, Liliya. Even if you’ve hurt me, I can’t...I can’t stay away from you wallowing in what’s supposed to be anger.” He leans closer, enough to touch his forehead to the lily’s and a sigh leaves his lips. He’s surprising himself now with the words he speaks. So many surprises today. “I want to be here.”

“… Is… is it to lecture me and babysit me..?” She hoped that wasn’t the only reason for his visit but she did probably say a bunch of things that were a little…. The lily can’t bring herself to look anywhere but her hands that fidgeted in her lap.

“Liliya,” He mumbles softly, shifting so he can face her. Did she really think that’s why he’s here? Then again the messages...she was drunk. One hand moves from his lap to press against the bed’s mattress, his yellow eyes looking to his god. “I told you, I missed you.”

There’s a sigh on his breath as he uses his feet to maneuver his boots off his feet before he pulls himself onto the bed. Crawling over to the god to use a hand to lift her chin, his expression is anything but mean. Soft yellow eyes, a small faint smile. He wasn’t playing with you, Liliya. He was telling the truth.

“I’m...I’m here because I want to be.”

Three, two, one… click. The situation became more realized by the lily and in an instant she’s pressing her back against the wall with her legs tucked in to keep her dress’s skirt down. Her eyes that were just peeking are now wide and alarmed. “But- the text- I don’t remember you saying you were visiting and-…and..Wha..?”

“Ah, right, I told Venny I was coming over, after you asked me the question.” She should know what he means and he’s stepping closer to allow himself to sit on the edge of the bed. Yellow eyes glance at her once more before looking at his lap, hands folding neatly over his knees.

“I told him not to tell you that I was coming.”

“Mmmmmmnnnnn…..” No good, there’s persistence involved but it doesn’t really sound like Venny. The scouters always have a weird toot to their words and it’s not Dion either because the voice is too gentle. But it’s not the young flower because it’s too matured. Then who…? Her green eyes blink open enough to peak over her shoulder- and stopped. “… R-.. Rosie?”

Oh. She’s awake now. Well, if he isn’t embarrassed about being in her room and practically close to her bed. His yellow eyes stare at her green ones and surely there’s a blush on his face. How embarrassing. Super embarrassing. If he could, he’d turn on heel and run away but he’s frozen.

“...Hi.”

“Mmn…” Her legs shifted to stretch out some, slightly stirring from her nap. Someone had said something, but the only one that was in the castle with her was the controller of the vines strewn through the property, a cannibalistic plant, and a young flower. Which, was actually a lot more than what it used to be after the incident. Ultimately she just figured it was Venny and Liliya didn’t feel like rolling out of bed to adhere to a schedule to stay ‘civilized’. Even if it’d wrinkle her dress.

Oh no. She was really cute. Shifting after having her name called, did she think it wasn’t him? Of course she did, why else would she not get up at having her name called? She’s tired, sure but if he knows her, she wouldn’t have gotten up so easily if it were Venny addressing her. Would she?

“...Liliya,” Rosaliya might as well try again, taking quiet steps over to the bed where she was laying. He shouldn’t wake her but he couldn’t help himself.

To give the two privacy, Venny had decided to take it upon himself to work on keeping the place warm by working with the furnace to stay distracted. Liliya on the other hand hadn’t moved from her curled up way on her bed. Not even when the rose knocked. Not even when he entered. What a terrible hostess.

#divineazurehemerocallis #( .ic )

She really was asleep. Should he bother? He feels like he shouldn’t but he’s going to anyways. What a nice devil, right? He takes it upon himself to enter the room, quietly closing the door behind him but that’s all he does. No words, no other movement aside from watching the sleeping god. She always did look cute when she was asleep.

“Liliya...”

He hadn’t heard a peep from Liliya since she tossed her phone- though… that’s because she fell asleep. Venny is grateful that wine isn’t exactly like other alcohol in that it doesn’t let someone get drunk very easily nor for very long. After all, there’s a reason why there’s such a thing as ‘table wine’. So perhaps when she wakes up, she might be more sober than she had been. What an awkward silence… The knock on the door did startle him a bit but he’s quick to tap into the vines near the door to tug it open and allow the devil in. A scouter lifting up to toot out a greeting. “Good evening, Lord Rosaliya. It’s a relief to see that you arrived safely, if you will please leave your coat on the hanger- it is fairly warm here so you might be too hot with it on. Lady Liliya is in her room, resting.”

The door is opened and there’s that familiar scouter (at least what looked like the one he’s seen before) greeting him. Thank heavens. Rosaliya wouldn’t have known what to do if Liliya had answered the door but she did so he is home free.

“Ah, thank you, Venny,” He mumbles, shoulders shaking to shrug his coat off. After his coat follows the scarf and he’s waving his hand before making his way to that room. It’s a wonder how he still remembers where it was located after all this time. His feet stop, yellow eyes staring at the door before his knuckles knock against it and his fingers turn the knob.

“...”

He wasn’t sure what the rose was mulling over, but he could only wait until the messaged came. Needless to say, he was surprised in the devil’s choice. There wasn’t assumptions on his end like the lily (1. He’s sober 2. He’s not riddled with issues and guilt), but it was all in all unexpected the other still wanted to come over. With the scouter glancing to confirm that the lily wasn’t looking still, the vine tapped away at the screen.

Yessir. Please dress warmly and travel carefully.

His phone goes off and his eyes glance at the message before he’s moving from the chair that he sat in. Grabbing a coat to pull it on, a scarf to wrap around his neck, gloves to pull on his hands and some boots, he’s careful when he leaves his room to exit from his home. Careful in the fact of evading Yllis so he can get outside and run to his destination. Not that he was excited to be going but the devil figured he might as well hurry there as fast as he can.

Even if it is tiring.

And when he does reach the door, Rosaliya is conflicted on whether to knock to send a message to Venny to tell him he’s there while catching his breath. If anything to keep Liliya from answering the door and seeing him. The knock might be the better option though. It’s rude to come into someone’s home unannounced.

Without a further adieu, a gloved fist is raised to rap his knuckles against the door.

There’s her phone going off but she’s not going to go and retrieve it. She had assumed the worse as far as a response goes and the lily had plans sleeping the night away. Liliya had been so wrapped up in her assumptions for the worst that she hadn’t noticed a vine near the wall curling around the phone, or that it picked it up so that one of the scouter bulbs could read what was written. Which, once read, it gave a huffed toot and fumbled with the vine to tap out a message.

Lord Rosaliya? This is Venny. Although Lady Liliya is being honest(maybe a little too honest), she’s intoxicated. As much as you two may want to see each other, you dealing with her emotional state may cause more problems between you two. Please choose wisely what to do, sir.

How many surprises can one get on Valentine’s day? Surely this rose is breaking a record. Even if the next message isn’t from the god herself but from her butler, Venny. He should’ve known that her words were too good but even if she was truthful, she was drunk. Great. He really didn’t want to deal with something like that but if Venny had answered him, something must have happened, right? Ivory teeth bite into his lip, pointed ears drooping slightly.

to: Liliya from: Rosaliya [1/1] I see. [1/1] Even though you are there, someone has to look over her in her state. [1/1] If anything...I’d like to help her rather than cause any problems. Though that might cause problems in itself.

He’s pausing when the messages are sent once more, thinking over his decision before sending it to the plant. He really did want to see the god but he knows she’s not a blackout drinker meaning should he do anything to help her...she’d know.

to: Liliya from: Rosaliya [1/1] Venny? [1/1] Do me a favor: don’t tell her I’m coming over.

Oh. So he wasn’t on a date. But she thought for sure he would be on one, it’s been so long and surely he would’ve moved on but. Then again maybe he just wasn’t interested in dating again period, or the better guess would be that really no one caught his interest like he said.

Oh. No i just assumed that you would be on one But, i don’t know Maybe if you want, would you like to be my Valentine?

Her hand paused at the last message that sat in the text box, knowing that she probably shouldn’t send it. So she tried to press the end of the text box to select all but instead her thumb(no thanks to being a little tipsy) hit the sent button instead.

“… No wait! That’s not what I wanted to do-” She groaned in dismay, tossing her phone in a half assed attempt across the room. She didn’t want to see what the rose would say, while it wasn’t true that the rose would be harsh and angry with her she assumed he would be. The lily rolled over in her bed to curl up, wanting to hide from the world. “Stupid…”

#divineazurehemerocallis #( .ic )

She just keeps surprising him. Which is a little strange but reminded him of the old days really. Days he actually missed but never would admit to. Surely she would’ve stopped responding but no, she didn’t. Instead, she replies again and it’s even more surprising than the last few messages from the lily.

“She’s asking me if...?” Surprising indeed and the rose is actually a little flustered. Liliya? Asking him to be her valentine? He’s not entirely sure what to say but he can’t say he’s still angry with her. Far from it. He missed her, that much was certain but he can’t say he’s forgiven her yet. But he’s not angry at her, he’s not mad.

to: Liliya from: Rosaliya [1/1] Oh. [1/1] And here I thought you’d already have one.

He pauses for a moment after he sends the message wondering if he should answer her. Should he say yes? But then he’d be questioned by Yllis about why he was gone. Is it worth it? Well, so long as nothing really happens, it might as well be safe but she’s surprised him three times already. Who knows how many more surprises are in store for the devil today.

to: Liliya from: Rosaliya [1/1] I...Of course. [1/1] I’d like to be.

Maybe she should just toss her phone onto her nightstand and shove her face into the pillow for good measure. If that wasn’t tempting already, hearing the notifications go off made the urge worse. It was probably just Liya telling her things that were truthful but painful all the same. For some reason- she didn’t give up though and checked her phone. “… He wants me to keep talking to him?”

Wait, why?Aren't you on a date or something?

He didn’t think that she would answer after that but there it is again. His phone going off once more. His eyes close for a moment, like he’s anticipating the message and when he finally opens his eyes, there’s a small laugh. Did she really think..?

to: Liliya from: Rosaliya [1/1] A date? [1/1] Why would I be on a date? [1/1] Just because we haven’t been together in so long, doesn’t mean that I’ll be on dates with someone else. [1/1] There aren’t many people that catch my interest, I’ll have you know.

She’s had too much wine because she didn’t sleep through the day, so should she have her phone in her hand? Probably not. Should she be texting the rose? It’s a real bad idea but she’d not stopping.

Hey. Hey. You probably hate my guts, idon't blame you.

But Even though it's been a real long time and all i still miss you. i'm just some shitty lily but you're a rose i don't know why i'm saying all this stuff. Probably made you cry, again, like an idiot. Sorry. i'm just gonna stop now, later.

Honestly, he didn’t expect to receive a message from the lily. He didn’t think that she would even try to connect him given what happened and how they were now. But no. Instead his phone buzzes, making him pick it up and see none other than that god of his contacting him. And saying things like she missed him. That she was shitty and probably made him cry (which he isn’t but he’s dumbfounded).

to: Liliya from: Rosaliya [1/1] Liliya. [1/1] I...I can’t say that I don’t miss you. I can’t agree with you on the fact that you are shitty nor can I deny it. [1/1] But please. Don’t stop now.