F5Fest Day 7. Strawberry, Benmal/Malben
Mal didn't like fancy gifts.
Ben had learned that Mal preferred gifts she could use. Fancy dresses? She would only wear them once, and they would end up rotting in her closet. Jewelry? Only regulated to important events, and taking up space. Charcuterie trays? There were hundreds in the castle. There were exceptions, but those were limited.
Mal liked gifts she could use. She loved receiving paints, canvases, and new sketchbooks. She liked receiving stationery sets to use during meetings. Once, on a whim, he had bought her a small sewing kit, and she had ended up spending the afternoon teaching him how to repair minor holes in his clothes.
Flowers were included on the list of gifts Mal didn't like to receive.
However, these were different.
"What are these?" Mal said, turning the bouquet to study the small white flowers. Her brows were furrowed tight. "They don't really match my style."
"They're strawberry blossoms," Ben explained.
"This," he said, gesturing to the small black boxes connected to the ends. "These are strawberry seeds and blossoms. I thought it would be nice to start a little food garden, and I know you like strawberries."
They were the first time he had seen her content, smiling with delight around the fruit she had just tasted.
Mal's eyes, like he predicted, lit up.
