More Merit And Jasmine because these two swirl my brain and I keep getting ahead of myself XD Jasmine is @amateursillyman’s Little guy! Co-written by the both of us
Jasmine had been in the garden tending to the flowers. While the caretaker seemed to be more on top of making sure all the plants were adequately watered and given the correct amount of light, Jasmine had assigned themselves the duty of pruning and snipping off dead heads. They also had been slowly trimming some flowers into a harvest basket, they wanted to do something nice for everyone.
I can give everyone flowers, and maybe press them too so that they're bookmarks!
Their hair was tied up into a ponytail, they had donned their gardening clothes, which was just a button-up shirt and pants they didn't care about, their gloves, and their apron with all their handy tools.
They had gotten started in pruning a rose bush, getting their pants all dirty as they knealt in the soil. They wiped some sweat off their brow, leaving a smudge of dirt across their forehead.
Merit had found the garden Jasmine mentioned when they were back in the kitchen. They weren’t joking, the greenery was outstanding, colorful and unique. Even Merit was surprised and he wasn’t the best at understanding it but he enjoyed it. Vibrate colors and walls of leaves, it was its own maze all under one roof.
He eventually spotted Jasmine approaching them as they were working on the rose bush, chucking a bit at their current state, “You’re very focused, Jas.”
Jasmine turned their head in surprise, oh, it's Mer! they calmed down.
"Hi, Mer! Welcome to the garden, whaddaya think?" They smiled and asked cheerfully. They had hoped that he would appreciate the garden the same way they do. Basking in the beauty of the space.
They had continued snipping at the rose bush, snipping off some roses to encourage healthy growth. They took their time in removing the thorns so it wouldn't poke anybody. For a flower so beautiful, it pricks you if you handle it wrong.
But I know how to hold it so it won't.
“You told me it was magical but this is far more breathtaking than I had imagined.” He nodded and gave Jasmine a smile, one he could manage. His gaze softened as he looked out at the rest of the garden, “Yeah, think you undersold it just a little.” Merit teased a bit, “What are you doing anyways? I only have handled a small amount of flowers, so tell me all the tips and tricks.”
They laughed at his reaction, did I really undersell it? They watched him, unaware of the small smile that appeared in his presence.
However the question grounded them once more, "Oh! I'm just pruning the roses, y'know snipping off the dead parts to encourage healthy growth." They beamed, rose and pruner in hand. Jasmine then gestured to their harvested flowers, "And I've also taken some of the flowers, I'm thinking about making bouquets for the common areas! Or taking some and pressing them into bookmarks for Rowena and Lil'lath!"
“Ah, I see. I’m embarrassed to know so little despite liking the hobby.” He examined the harvest listening to their words, the merchant side of him coming out. “pressing flowers is a skill, you could probably sell them as well. I’ve seen a few market places do so as well as with jewelry, again not expert on the process but I imagine it’s an extra way to make cash.”
He took in the vibrant color of the roses, just taking a moment to admire them. How skillfully Jasmine moved to take care of the flowers. He envied it almost, if he could be that gentle, maybe he too could grow his own garden. “I imagine they will grow for you well. I don’t have the hand for the more gentle stuff. Maybe that’s why mine will not grow so vibrant for me. Mind showing me how you take care of them?”
They blushed a bit at the praise, not used to the attention to their hobbies. It's nothing special, just maintenance. Besides, the Caretaker seems to be doing most of the work. All I do is trim it a little bit.
"Oh, sure, hang on!" They grabbed a spare pruner for Merit, good thing I grabbed one that was too big for me. They handed him the pruner, "Here, I'll show you what all you need to cut. Please don't cut yourself on the thorns! Or with the pruners."
Then they showed him all of the dead buds that need to be trimmed off, healthy flowers that can be removed, and how to take off thorns safely. I wish I had another pair of gloves for him, I don't want him to hurt himself. They worried to themselves.
Merit chuckled a bit, “A cut wouldn’t be the worst of it if I did, but thank you.” He took the pruner, watching Jasmine trim step by step. He may have said he wouldn’t be too bad if he did get cut but he didn’t want to worry his new friend so he took his time with the task. His focus like he was on a new mission.
“I feel like I’m cutting too close..I don’t want to kill it.” Merit grumbled a bit, his brow furrowed as he started at the flower intensely.
"You're doing great! I promise, it's no different than trimming your hair or nails. The roses will be healthier for it!" Jasmine reassured him.
They plucked a few roses to add to their growing harvest. Feeling satisfied with their work they put away their pruners into their apron pocket and stood up, dusting the dirt off of them. They looked down to Merit and put their hand out to help him up, smilling gently.
Merit smiled a bit, grabbing their hand and pushing himself up with his other hand so he wouldn’t take them down. “Thanks Jas. I’ll have to write what I’ve learned in my notes later. Grow some roses back home. White ones are my favorite.”
Merit looked at the rose bush they had cleaned up, how the maintenance had already made roses look brighter, healthier. “Next time I’ll have to take you to my shop in Minrathous, you can pick anything for free. Just the one, the rest you can get discounted.”
White ones are his favorite. They noted to themselves, studying him as he looked over at the rose bush. Is he admiring his own work? they wondered to themselves.
"I'd be happy to go sometime!" They laughed as he offered them the singular free item. As nice as it sounded, they couldn't really take something without paying for it, free or not. He's being nice and offering you a gift, it'd be rude not to accept it. You can't just refuse it.
Jasmine bent down to pick up the basket, surveying the amount of flowers they had gathered. Some roses, some tulips, some daffodils, it needs something else...
"Come this way." They beckoned as they walked through the garden. A stone walkway guiding them through waterfalls of wisteria trees, walls of ivy bordered with flowers. They approached a rather unruly flower bed of Stargazer Lillies and motioned for him to kneel down with them.
"These don't need to be pruned too much, we just pull off the dead leaves and petals. I'll pick some that are healthy and wont hurt the growth." They said, demonstrating how to remove the dead leaves and petals. Jasmine then looked back to Merit and smiled, "Think you can handle it?"
Merit was a little curious to see what Jasmine had in mind, following them down the path. His eyes in awe of the wisteria trees and ivy wall, the further down they went the more Merit was fascinated. Merit carefully listened to Jasmines instructions. He grinned, “I’ll be an expert after this, I’m sure of it.”
He, of course, resumed his more serious nature with his new task. Merit picked off some of the dead leaves, enjoying the satisfying crunch of them in his palm but interestingly enough would pocket some of the dead petals that only had a bit of browning.
"I expect nothing less from you, Mer. Glad you're having fun!" Jasmine smiled as he pulled the dead petals off with care. This is nice.
Jasmine looked at the growing pile of flowers and decided that should be enough. A few small bouquets for some common rooms, a few reserved to be pressed into bookmarks for their friends...
Panic quietly sets in as they realize they completely forgot about him. They were so wrapped up in spending time with him that they forgot one for him! Goodness, how rude of me.
"Um, Mer? What, uh, what's your favorite flower?" Jasmine asked meekly, feeling ashamed having never asked. You're so wrapped up in yourself that you didn't even ask him. They looked down at the floor, hands folded together, looking as if they're expecting to be reamed for their inconsiderate action.
Merit tilted his head, “My favorite? In general?” There were plenty to choose from. Roses are nice, white roses in particular were one of his favorites but daffodils were also stunning and were quite the optimistic flower. With so many to choose, Merit tilted his head side to side thinking. Many that held meaning but most of all Merit really liked purple ones. There was one stubborn flower that often gave him trouble but once it did bloom it was his favorite because he worked so hard to achieve it, “Orchids. They are my favorite. Stubborn things really. But they are truly outstanding.”
He looked at Jasmine and chuckled, their actions made him curious as to why they looked so down, “Why are you doing that, Jas?” Merit gently pat their head, slowly so he wouldn’t startle Jasmine like he did the last time.
The question stunned them a bit. Why are you doing that? Because you've done something wrong. You were being rude and inconsiderate. You call him your friend and yet you never bothered to ask him about his favorite flower.
And yet, Merit did not raise his voice. He wasn't upset with them, nor was he angry. He seemed confused more than anything. This was new, they thought to themselves, unsure of what to do. As he brought his hand to pat their head, they softened a bit. Now they were confused, the gentleness of his actions seemed to have stopped their fears entirely. What does this mean? They wondered, finding the courage to meet his gaze again. Jasmine felt their cheeks warming, their brows furrowed in confusion as they found their voice.
"I-I never asked you about your favorite flower." they answered, voice trembling a bit. "I'm sorry, you must think me quite rude for my actions. I'll endeavor to be more considerate in the future." Shame had flooded their being, bringing that all too familiar wave of heat through them. And yet, they didn't feel afraid of him. No, why would you? But this is new, new is scary sometimes but it's good for you.
Merit shook his head, “Stop doing that.” He ruffled their hair, “You didn’t do anything wrong so don’t be sorry. I haven’t asked what your favorite is. I haven’t asked much at all about you besides gardening. Does that make me rude? Well- actually don’t answer that. Look, Things like that come up naturally. Nothing to be sorry over so don’t overthink it. I’d be silly to be upset over you not asking me what my favorite flower is. And even still you just asked.” His eyes met theirs, tone steady but firm. His hand leaving their hair, “I’ll tell you if something bothers me. So don’t apologize to me again.”
He then poked between their furrowed brows, “Apologizing for no reason, that bothers me. I’ll take away your discount privileges, Jas.” Merit grinned, clearly teasing them again
Merit's words ran through their mind, he's right, it would be silly to be upset over something like that. Despite being ' free ' for the past 9 years, the lessons that came with their punishments still stuck with them. They must think of others and obey the whims of everyone. They cannot act on their own volition, their needs come last. Those were hard rules to unlearn still, but you're trying at least.
As they relaxed their shoulders and sighed in relief, Merit gently teased and scolded them. A small, scrunched smile appeared as he then poked them in between their brows, earning a small chuckle. That's right, stop apologizing for existing.
"My discount privileges!?!" they whined, trying not to laugh. "But that means I'd have to pay you exactly what your items are worth!" Jasmine couldn't help but give in to their laughter.
Merit hummed a little, chuckling a bit, “Sounds like a reasonable punishment.” He looked back at the Lillies and admired the work they had done together. His finger gently brushing over one of the flowers, “Are these your favorite?”
Jasmine looked down at the lillies in their basket, "Um, yes and no. I do love lillies but my favorite is the Nevarran Moon Lily, it's a very rare but beautiful flower that only grows in the Grand Necropolis. I think there's something quite poetic about a flower so beautiful that only grows in grave darkness." They hummed, “Why orchids?
“I’ve visited the necropolis a few times, maybe on my next visit I can take you with me and you point them out?” Merit smiled, “Why are orchids my favorite? They are the most stubborn plant I’ve ever had to deal with. But white roses are a close second. The first time I saw an orchid was in the wild. And I tried to take one home. Imagine my surprise when it died almost immediately despite me rooting it. I tried and tried again. And gave up, the dying orchid just stayed in my apartment, a reminder of my failure but weirdly enough. It bloomed. So it’s my favorite. Despite giving up on it, it lived maybe to spite me.” Merit chuckled thinking about the memory. “Maybe it wasn’t so stubborn, maybe I just didn’t know how to care for it.”
Orchids. Orchids are his favorite. Tricky little flowers.
They couldn't help but giggle at his story, trying to take care of an orchid as a beginner plant was easier said than done. Perhaps Merit and his orchid aren't too different from each other.
"Orchids are quite particular about their needs. Quite the dramatic flower if you ask me." They grinned, "Y'know, now that you say it, you do remind me of an Orchid!"
Merit raised a brow, “Is that so? Are you calling me dramatic, Jas?” He chuckled watching their expression, their giggle a victory and worth the rather embarrassing story he shared. He placed a hand over his heart, “Dramatic and particular? Wow.”
"Oh, you're very dramatic, Mer." They laughed as they began to walk towards the large flowing stream in the middle of the garden. Placing their basket down and removing their gloves, Jasmine knelt beside the stream and washed the dirt off of their arms. Looking up to Merit and motioning him to do the same.
"I just mean that orchids are very particular about their conditions. They're very stubborn but they live out of spite, like you said. But, if you give the right kind of care, they'll bloom beautifully. I think orchids are really pretty too!" they said as they grabbed a small wash cloth from their apron, giving it a quick dip in the stream as they touched it to their forehead. Making sure to wipe any sweat and dirt away before wiping their arms down, unaware of the dirt that remained on their cheek.
Merit just chuckled and followed their lead kneeling down to wash his hands in the stream alongside Jasmine, “Spite can be a powerful thing. Their stubbornness certainly did get my attention so I suppose I share a little bit of its resilience.”
Merit cleaned off his hands and then looked to Jasmine noting the dirt on their cheek. He carefully reached out his hand and wiped their cheek with his thumb, though paused after he had already wiped the area. “You- missed a spot..” He put his hand down then got up in a bit of a hurry giving some space, “I uh- sorry. Should have just told you. All I did was smear it.” Way to make it awkward, Merit. His ears drooped a bit, embarrassed. This was out of his own comfort, the gentle side of him was new even for him. Jasmine was a nice friend to him, he didn’t want to make them uncomfortable. Time with them has made him much too comfortable. “Won’t happen again.”
Jasmine nodded and hummed in agreement as Merit acknowledged his similarities with an orchid.
However, a soft gasp escaped them as they froze in place. Merit wiped their cheek with his thumb. But they weren't scared, no, they're not scared of Merit. But this, this was a new feeling, something different.
Their big brown eyes widened as they looked at his expression, as if trying to understand the meaning. A blush had rushed to their cheeks and their heart felt like it would leap out of their chest. And then Merit pulled his hand away quickly as if they had burned him. What just happened? Why is my heart beating so fast? Am I breathing too loudly? Why did he do that?
A million questions flooded their brain as they tried processing what just happened. At that moment, Merit stood up and began excusing himself. This threw Jasmine off even more, is he okay? seemed to be their main concern, pushing down their feelings as they heard him say 'Won't happen again'. It won't happen again? Do I want that to happen again? Or should it not happen again? A gentle touch should not have been such a foreign concept, and yet for Jasmine it was. For them, it felt like the ghost of a memory that faded long ago. There was something about it, something nice about it. And it won't happen again?
"Oh-oh..." they couldn't help but sound a little dejected by his response. Won't happen again seemed to play on repeat in their mind. "But-um, okay." they murmured in reply, their cheeks still flushed.
Merit took their stutter as making them uncomfortable. His brow furrowed and complex emotions seemed to settle in his mind. He wasn’t never good at this sort of stuff, he shouldn’t have just acted on his impulse. “I better get going. Thank you again. This- was nice- sorry again.” He rushed out the garden, the tips of his ears turning their own light shade of red. Fuuuuuck.
"Oh-oh um I'll see you later! Mer, bye." Jasmine stammered out, still kneeling on the ground as they watched him leave in a hurry.
Did I do something wrong? They wondered to themselves. They were taken aback by the whole situation.
And there they sat, in the garden, alone. They slowly brought their hand up to the cheek he touched. What was that?
