Flower Language Prompt

A brisk breeze cuts through Griffin as he scurries along the streets towards his apartment, towards home. It has been a busy day at work on top of a busy week on top of a busy month and now he was running late. It wasn’t like it really mattered what time he got back home but it was comforting to have a routine. Get off work, hurry home, throw together dinner, and binge-watch whatever show was worth obsessing over.

Griffin hops from hoof to hoof waiting on the elevator to drag itself down to ground floor. As soon as the door open he hurries inside and presses at the button for his floor. The machine groans around him as it starts back up, rising through the building. His phone vibrates in his pocket. Griffin fishes around for it before tugging it out and glancing at the screen.

Over a whimsical background of a deep forest landscape, Griffin has a text notification.

Arizona: Sent you something!!!

He unlocks his phone, though before he can navigate to his messaging app another text comes through. His phone buzzes at a third, then fourth message.

Arizona: It just got delivered I think

Arizona: I hope you got it

Arizona: You gotta let me know!!!

The elevator dings and spreads its doors open to release Griffin onto his floor. He doesn’t look up from his phone as he types, walking towards the end of his hall with his screen in his face.

What is it?

Her reply comes moments later with another vibration.

Arizona: Surprise, you’ll like it

Arizona: Hopefully

An affectionate warmth floods his chest. Arizona is always looking out for him, even when he insists he doesn’t need the attention. She has been his best friend for so long that he cannot remember a time she wasn’t at his side. Somehow she must have sensed his bad streak and wanted to perk him up during Matentines.

The first thing he notices when he reaches his front door is a large, unassuming box stationed directly in front of it. There is no label or company name to hint as to what is inside. Griffin pushes it a little with his foot to test the weight. It lurches forward after a bit of strain. Not too heavy, but not filled with air either.

He shifts the box aside to swing open his apartment door before steadying his hands atop it and pushing it inside, not lifting it up off the ground just yet. Griffin mows through his pile of shoes and slippers that are scattered in his entry hall. As soon as the box is tucked inside his living room he returns to shut and lock his door.

I got something. Huge box at my door. What the hell did you send me?

His phone goes on the living room table as he picks up the mysterious package. Griffin sets it down beside his phone, then moves to his kitchen to dig around for a pair of scissors to cut the tape. Another buzz. When he returns he reads the text preview from his lock screen.

Arizona: Just open it already!! :3

Never one to disappoint, Griffin eagerly runs the edge of the blade through the tape on the tops and sides of the flaps. When he pulls back the cardboard pieces there are layers of colorful tissue stuffed inside. They are tossed aside on the floor, to deal with later, and his eyes widen at the gorgeous bouquet that is revealed.

A mixture of gorgeous pink, purple, and yellow flowers are nestled tightly atop cascading english ivy. Each flower is in perfect bloom, seeming to radiate joy and happiness from their shining glass vase. Griffin grasps the vase with one hand and pushes down on the foam base securing it, plucking the bouquet out and holding it on his lap. He leans in curiously and sniffs at them. A floral freshness washes over him as a smile blooms on his face.

You are too sweet to me. I’ve never gotten flowers before, they’re gorgeous.

Griffin quickly discards the box and the tissue paper near his trash can in the kitchen before turning to admire his gift. No matter which angle he views it at, the bundle of flowers is an absolutely breath taking spectacle. Just having it in his apartment seems to brighten the space tenfold.

It makes the whole room look a lot more cheerful. Thank you <3

When his phone buzzes again, it’s a long text explaining each of the flowers and their meanings. Arizona spent hours researching not just the best florist in Burrowgatory but the best flowers to send her very best friend.

English ivy, she explains, is a traditionally romantic representation of devotion and loyalty. For as long as they have known each other there is no other word beside devotion for the two of them. They have seen each other thick and thin, through other friends and losses, and the turmoils of life.

Pink tulips are a representation of good wishes and love. The passion of their friendship far surpasses any regular relationship; they can truly be themselves with each other and earnestly want to see each other succeed in every endeavor.

The yellow flowers are coreopsis, displaying an affinity to always be cheerful. No matter what goes on in Griffin’s life, he always tries to look on the bright side of things, and it is a trait that Arizona greatly admires. His stomach flutters happily and with embarassment at her praise.

Finally, the purple flowers are revealed to be crocuses, which not only match his fur, but they symbolize cheer, mirthfulness, and glee. All of these flowers go petal-in-petal to make the gorgeous arrangement that is the perfect representation of Griffin’s sweet, warming personality.

You’re going to make me cry or something. You suck

Arizona sends a flurry of heart and flower emojis.

I love you though

Arizona: I love you too Griff!!

He sets his phone back on the table with his eyes stuck on the bouquet. Throughout the rest of his evening, no matter what task or show he is side tracked with, he finds his gaze drawn back to the vase of admiration squarely in the center of the room. Each time he studies the flowers he finds his heart fluttering endlessly. It truly was such a thoughtful gift from a beloved friend.

As he settles in bed for the night, the vase moved to his bedside, he sends a final text Arizona’s way.

Thank you for real. You don’t know how much I needed this. I appreciate you. Lunch next week?

Griffin sets his phone aside without waiting for a reply back. He props himself up with a pillow beneath his head and another between his legs, still unable to tear his eyes away from his flowers. The streetlights shimmering in through the blinds paint his bouquet in a gorgeous faded yellow. It seemed like picture perfect. Thankfully, sleep captures him quickly. As his breaths even out and he shifts into a comfortable curl to doze through the night. When he awakes the next morning it will be to a brighter day ahead.

word count: 1200