The Greenhouse and the Flower
(AN: For Tess)
Nagisa walked into the greenhouse, not sure why she was there, but there anyway. There was no one else in here, and she suppressed the stab of disappointment she felt when Shizuma wasn't there. Picking up the watering can, she filled it up, and went around watering the plants that all looked like they needed some water. After she had gone through the entire greenhouse, she sat at the table and looked over the plants and flowers that were flowering. Making herself a cup of tea, she watched as the sun slowly sank down until she had to head back to the dorms.
/
It became a habit. Nagisa would head down to the greenhouse when she knew that everyone else was gone. She liked the peace and quiet and the break from the schoolwork and worry of normal life. As time went by, she began to notice little things. Like how when she would go to make herself some tea, the cup and tea bag would already be out, the type that she liked. How another chair appeared at the table, and another watering can. She could only assume that Shizuma knew that she was watering the plants whenever she came down here, and wasn't bothered by it. It made her chest warm slightly, and she took each small acknowledgment as they came, and let herself be warmed by each one. Each time she knew that Shizuma was thinking about her, that the older girl knew her that well. Almost a year passed before she ran into Shizuma at a time when she would normally be alone with the flowers and her thoughts.
"Hi," Nagisa greeted warily. Shizuma had never met her here, even though the older girl had obviously known about her being there.
"Hello Nagisa," Shizuma returned lowly, normally. Nagisa relaxed. This felt normal. Maybe this could become normal. Nagisa would like this to be normal.
"I'm just watering the plants," Nagisa offers, after Shizuma doesn't say anything else, just looking at her, watching her. Nagisa could hardly move, not wanting that gaze to end. Could she just stare at her forever?
"I noticed." And she can feel what Shizuma means – she knew, all along, that Nagisa was coming here, into her domain. She had been allowing it, and maybe… Maybe she wanted Nagisa to be in her space. She could only hope.
"I have something for you," Shizuma said. She began walking through the maze of corridors and leafy plants. Shizuma stopped in front of a small plant with violet flowers.
Plucking one, she offered it to Nagisa. Frowning, she takes it, looking upwards, gestures towards it. "What's this?"
Shizuma tilts her head slightly. "This flower reminds me of you. It's small, but very hardy, and will grow nearly everywhere. It's tough, but beautiful."
Nagisa swallows. Shizuma closes both of her hands around Nagisa's, surrounding the flower, leaning closer. Nagisa swallows and closes her eyes. Shizuma's lips brushed over hers, and she let herself become lost in the sensation of lips moving over her own. Shizuma pulls back, far too soon for Nagisa's liking, and when she opens her eyes, Shizuma is walking away. She returns with two watering cans, and gives one to Nagisa. Nagisa takes it, tucking the flower behind her ear.
And together, they water the plants.