“That’s true, no one suspects that pretty things have thorns as well,”
Finally someone understood, it felt like someone else was speaking the same language as Stolas for the first time in his entire life, it was more…. incredible…. than he had ever thought it could be, to feel like he was being seen for the first time….
“Striker… what a catching name,” Stolas breathed, nearly falling apart in the imp’s hands, as smooth as melted butter, he had never been showered in compliments like this-… or…. complimented at all really…. and every word was like the world’s most gorgeous opera to his ears
“My goodness…. you certainly know how to make a man feel special, don’t you?” he breathed in return, holding onto Striker’s hand a little tighter than he would have with anyone else, nearly falling into the imp’s arms, like a swooning flamingo
“I….. well…. I wouldn’t really say that,” he confessed softly, it wasn’t like he usually made his failing marriage anyone else’s business- least of all that of a stranger, but it felt like Striker was…. flirting.…. and Stolas was starving for any hint of positive attention, desperate to feed into the first offering of what felt like affection for the first time since Blitz.. years ago.…
“I haven’t had anyone caring for me since I was a child, and even that was only the family butler,” he noted softly, reluctantly pulling away as well and returning his attention to the orchids, even though the only thing he wanted to pay attention to was Striker
He had to take it carefully, be soft and gentle, and not aggressive, knowing even the thirsty man would question why the water was free when nothing truly came without a catch. “Ya prove that pretty flowers can bloom in the harshest environments, sorry to hear ya life haven’t been kind to ya.”
Re-potting the plants into the soil would take no time at all, but he deliberately moved slowly, making it seem like he was doing his best to make it perfect for the plants, the longer he was there, the better his chances were to get them on his side, not that he imagined they needed much persuasion, but anything he could do to keep them from getting suspicious was good in his book, he didn’t mind taking it slow.
“It’s a shame that a lot of royals decide ta’ not care about other folks to the point that they even do it to their kids… Ya butler didn’t happen to be an imp, was he?” He had no idea if this was the case, but he knew well enough a lot of imps would be blessed to have a position like that, with better pay and protection, they were assured better status in the community, even if they were rarely seen from beside the paycheck to their family.
“Ya got a butler these days? Perhaps someone who tends to ya like you do the plants?” He’d make an obvious point in eyeing them up and down with a smile. “Ya look healthy, well taken care of, well rounded and strong, if ya doin’ it all by yourself ah would strongly suggest gettin’ someone to take care of ya, can’t imagine all the work you put into bein’ that pretty.”
It would be obvious flirty at this point, but he wasn’t going to take advantage of anything, with rich soil and plants, one would have to acclimate them to the earth so their roots would be strong enough to not be ripped out or fall over. The quick study of plants seems to have put a little dent in his thinking already, though he imagined it would all benefit the cause.