the sweetest things

literally just the tiniest slice of the floradele valentines pie for y'all <3 in honor of the day of love.... and may you be abundant in it always!

"Oh, Addam, what's all this?"

Flora, who asks questions precisely because she knows the answers, can hardly contain her delight behind blue eyes both soft and sharp. The candlelight catches on the shell-like surface of her nails, trim little half moons clicking on the tabletop.

"Well," he replies, suddenly tongue-tied under her expectant gaze, "it is Valentine's Day, you know."

The rose petals quiver as she steps forward, her skirts setting the air in motion. Laid out on a ceramic dish are strawberries coated in dark chocolate, which she can tell he dipped himself (the slightly lumpy cast gave it away.) The imperfections are the best part of the whole thing, of course, a reminder of how Addam likely threw himself into this task as he throws himself into all others, that is to say, with the utmost diligence and sincerity.

"...Do you like it?" Unlike Flora, when Addam asks a question, he is often desperate to hear the corresponding reply.

The warmth of her hand is an instant reward, lifting his chin and downcast eyes to meet hers. She doesn't respond right away, takes a moment to ponder the shock of gray hair, the swell of his lower lip, the thumbnail-sized scar on his right temple, each one so wonderfully familiar.

Year after year, despite her sensibilities, she can't help but sink deeper into love. It's the gentlest she's ever known.

"Silly," she says, with some effort given the sudden lump of emotion in her throat. "It's perfect."