[COMM] Makoto Diligence 5

Word count: 1014

The scent of flowers clung to the air, refreshing their breaths with each slow inhale as the two stood side by side barely apart in one of the Heavenly Embassy’s gardens. It was early in the morning, just when the lights from the cavernous roof of the burrows shone down on the waking streets.

Makoto dared not yawn beside Primrose, not when the cherubun watched him with that ever judgemental stare. He knew the other probably didn’t do that on purpose, but it certainly didn't help a succubun feel welcome even if Primrose was kinder to him now. There was no escaping that glance.

Instead, Makoto raised the basket he was carrying with a low grunt and muttered, “Shall we begin? I imagine we have to harvest the flowers soon, before you have to be called away to your duties?”

Primrose nodded, his jaw set into a line as he replied, “This has been taking up more time than I thought it would. Especially when I have to show you each step, despite your ability to complete them correctly after learning.”

Who would this cherubun be if he didn’t give backhanded compliments as easily as he spoke in that uninterested tone? Still, Makoto didn’t mind Primrose at this point, the other clearly cared about his work ethic and the succubun would appreciate someone with good character. “Given I already knew how to garden, it seems our work won’t take that much longer.”

“Better than most,” Primrose agreed, unbothered by Makoto’s reply, “Start by the left side of the flowerbeds, I put a pair of garden shears in your basket.”

Makoto looked down at his basket, reaching one hand in to grab the shears. “From what you told me earlier, I cut the leaves and stems along with the petals?”

“Every part of this planet may be used for ambrosia,” Primrose said, moving to the right of the plants to begin cutting flowers with his shears. “Just don’t ruin any of them or let them touch the dirt.”

Makoto frowned slightly, “Don’t let them touch the dirt?”

Primrose gave him a sharp look, almost as if he knew whatever thoughts the succubun was having. “I will have to wash them more thoroughly than I do if there is unneeded dirt.” He scoffed, unable to stop himself, “If you plan to work diligently, then you have to do things the proper way. You can’t cut corners like the burrows have taught you.”

Makoto did his best to be polite when he responded, “Then working hard should also mean we should be respectful.”

Primrose seemed mildly stunned, his mouth working wordlessly, before he bowed his head. “Of course, I should watch my words.” It wasn’t an apology, but it was more humility than Makoto had seen before today.

It was enough to make the other bun’s lips slightly quirk up as Makoto began to cut flowers into his basket. “The harvest ended up being very bountiful.” It was the kind of sight he wished he could share with his mistress, but he imagined how poorly trying to take an ambrosia flower might end up.

Primrose hummed in a low tone as he cut a stem, his basket rattling with the sudden weight, “It is a big harvest compared to others I’ve done.” Another one of his quick not compliments.

Makoto touched one of the flowers in his basket, his fingers brushing against velvety petals. “You’ve done many then? Or are you talking about before the burrows?” He opened his mouth to way more, but the look Primrose gave him, it stole his words completely.

The cherubun looked almost uncomfortable, his mouth twisted as he gripped the edge of his own basket. “I don’t want to talk about the meadow, perhaps we should work in silence.”

Makoto listened to the cherubun, working in silence. He hadn’t meant to offend the other, but he also knew it was probably for the best that he stopped trying to ask questions about the meadow. He didn’t particularly care about the world beyond the burrows and in trying to make conversation, he said something unnecessary.

He exhaled softly, taking a moment to rest as he tried to figure out a way to fix this tension. They had too many hours in the days and plants to harvest for them to be locked into this silence. It would drive them both mad, he was sure of it. 

To his surprise, it was Primrose that spoke first, “I’m surprised you’ve been so dedicated to the process of ambrosia, I didn’t imagine I would meet a succubun with that drive.”

Makoto wanted to make a short comment on Primrose's assumptions, but he wanted to offer peace between them a lot more. “I am a butler above all other things in my life. When I have a task, I don’t complain or force others to wait.”

Primrose continued cutting flowers as he listened, making sure not to drop a single leaf. “Then you might be better than most.”

Makoto nearly dropped his shears, having meant  to continue, but stunned by the cherubun’s response. “I… Thank you for that.” That was still not a complete compliment but it was also nothing he ever expected the other bun to say. Maybe they truly were becoming friendly, he had thought so before. 

Primrose reddened slightly as he scoffed, “That wasn’t worth a thank you.”

Makoto shrugged, “Perhaps not?” Still he had a slight smile spread across his lips, Primrose might act cold but he had a feeling there was more to the cherubun. 

The rest of their time in the garden passed quickly, between the plants and their low toned conversations, lost in the silence of the gardens. Makoto admitted he enjoyed harvesting, but could lose himself to the calm snip of his shears and the sound of the leaves falling into the basket. But above that, this felt like moments spent with a friend.

Makoto wouldn’t tell Primrose his thoughts, but he hoped there was a part of the cherubun that could also see him as a friend.