AN: Prompts will be displayed at the bottom to avoid them potentially giving away things.


amongst the flowers

AlwaysPadfoot


Age Five


"Mummy."

Louis reaches up and grabs his mum's sleeve, causing her to scoop him up in her arms. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"I want to be Rose," Louis insists.

His mum looks at him with curious eyes; he thinks she doesn't understand. "You want to be Rose?"

"I want to carry the flowers, mummy," Louis nods firmly. "I want to be pretty like Rose is."

Rose looks beautiful. Louis thinks she shines like a bright white cloud or a shiny galleon. He wants to shine too. He beams at his mummy and slowly she smiles back, pushing his blonde hair from his eyes. She keeps saying it needs cutting, but he wants hair like his oldest sister — long and pretty.

"You are beautiful, mon Cherie," Mummy says softly to him as he watches Rose scatter petals in the aisle. "But next time, I promise, you can carry the flowers."

He will remember; Louis wants to be among the flowers too.


Age Six


"Boys don't like flowers."

Victoire sounds so sure when she tells him. Louis had been in the garden, watching Grandma Molly tend to the roses, but his oldest sister scowls when Louis doesn't want to come and play instead. He wants to stay with Grandma but Victoire drags him away.

He likes the flowers a lot, but he loves Victoire more.

He won't make her upset.


Age Eight


Louis watches, fascinated, as Grandma, Mum, and Aunt Gabrielle huddle around the kitchen table. They are all excited, he can tell, and he edges closer to try and overhear what they're saying. His mum squeaks with joy as they talk in hushed voices. Finally, Louis creeps close enough to hear them.

"There's so much to think about: the food, the flowers, the dress," Grandma says. "Oh, Gabrielle, you and Clara; it will be a stunning wedding."

The words go fuzzy in Louis' head and he speaks without thinking. "Mum, you promised."

All three of the women jump and turn to Louis, who has caught them all unawares. Grandma Molly puts a hand on her chest. "Young man, you almost gave your poor Grandma a heart attack."

"Mum promised." Mum seems confused like she doesn't remember, and Louis frowns. "You promised, at Uncle Harry's wedding, that I could carry the flowers."

Grandma Molly and Gabrielle exchange a look and then make an extended 'awwwh' noise. Louis' cheeks heat and he scuffs the toe of his shoe on the carpet. They think he's silly because boys aren't supposed to like flowers. A shadow is cast across him and Mum kneels, taking Louis' hands. He looks up and she smiles warmly.

"Then carry the flowers you will."


Age Nine


Louis is all dressed up. Smart and handsome, according to his parents, dressed in a navy blue suit and shoes so shiny that he can see his reflection in them. Louis has to admit; he feels smart. There isn't a hair out of place under the crown of flowers he wears; he likes it.

"Are you ready, Louis?"

Louis turns and nods. His smile is wide and Mum hands him the basket filled with a mix of pink and white as the doors open to the main hall. He beams as heads turn and Louis takes one last look back at his mum standing proudly behind him.

"Make sure there's a photo."


Comp/Challenge & Prompts:

Insane House Challenge: 975. Emotion - Delighted

365 House Challenge: 130. Event - Wedding

Going Going Gone: Plot point: Male character wanting to be a flower girl

Eurovision: Denmark (Victory)

Word Count: 561 — not inc. notes, titles, or ANs.