(2.) Sunflower
(n) a tall North American plant of the daisy family, with very large golden-rayed flowers.
– it radiates passion and positive energy, and turns its flowers and petals to the sun every day.

Lucas always wakes up early.

It was mostly because his nightmares – he woke up in the middle of the night, panting and sweating and scared, and never quite rested again – and a part of a habit he picked up to help his father back in Tazmily. The first thing he usually does is to get to the kitchen, fully dressed and ready for the day, to get a drink before it's crowded. It was almost like an obligatory ritual for him.

The walk to the kitchen is quiet, with only his footsteps echoed in the hallways. The sun hadn't risen yet, and it was still foggy. The cold air is biting his skin but he didn't mind. Lucas took a deep breath of the fresh air in the morning, smiling. The smell slightly reminded him of home.

When he got to his destination, Lucas stopped dead in his tracks. There's someone else in the kitchen – and his mind went to a paranoid state. Usually he's the first and the only one who woke up this early. There's no one else but him. Well, most of the time anyway. Meta Knight came down once in a while, too – but this is ia human and most certainly not Meta Knight. Is there an intruder in the mansion?

It took him a while, but Lucas felt as though he recognized the person in there – and he calmed down just a bit. That frizzy fair and slim posture... Is that...?

He had been there with the others, yesterday. 'Joker', the youth had introduced himself in the party. Lucas hadn't got the chance to greet him, since he disappeared halfway through the party. He didn't know if Joker came back because he already retreated back to his room to sleep.

After a few moments, Lucas noted that Joker wasn't wearing the fancy outfit and mask from the night before either, so it's quite hard to recognize him. He doesn't look all that intimidating with the way he dressed today. Joker wears a black uniform – and Lucas can only assume that it's his school uniform.

And he is… making a drink? Coffee? Tea? Yeah, it's definitely coffee from the smell. Lucas isn't a big fan of coffee, but it helps him stayed awake at night and wards off the nightmares. He suppose he doesn't mind it all that much.

It was a few minutes later when Joker suddenly stopped and turned to the kitchen entrance.

Lucas squeaked in surprise and hid behind the wall almost instinctively. He had been caught...!

Even now, years after he joined the Smash tourneys, he still got nervous around new faces. It's a habit he tried to change – but he chickened out on most encounters, and this one is not an exception. He should've said hi like a normal kid. He should've been friendly to Joker, because he's new and he knew how it felt like to be in a place he had to adjust himself into –

"Hey, it's okay."

And boy, does he squeak again when Joker suddenly called out to him. Lucas took a shaky breath. There's no escaping this now, is it? Lucas braced himself, and stepped inside the kitchen.

Joker waved at him as he walked in. (Hold on, since when does he wear glasses? Is it a replacement to his mask?) Shyly, Lucas looked up to the teen, still trying to calm himself. He is nice, he won't hurt you. "H-hi. Good morning…"

"Good morning to you, too." There's a chuckle afterwards, but it doesn't feel like Joker is laughing down on his pathetic behavior. It sounds good-natured.

Happy. Accepted.

Lucas smiled back at him, and sat down on a chair by the table while Joker continued to work.

"Sorry to intrude the kitchen so early," Joker said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. He reached out for another mug on the cabinet. "It's just a habit I picked back in my world... I can't function well without coffee."

"It's okay..." His response is no more than a whisper, but in this silence, Lucas is sure that Joker heard him anyway. "I only came here to get a drink... it's a habit too."

Joker nodded. "I see. That's understandable." He paused for a bit. "So, coffee or tea?"

Lucas looked up at him. "Um?"

"Coffee or tea?" Joker repeated, holding up a bag of coffee powder in one hand and a tea bag in another. "While I'm at it, I could make something for you too – but I need to know your preferences first. Or do you prefer something else other than the two...?"

Lucas blinked. Once, twice – and on the third time he realized that he needed to answer, so he blurted out, "O-oh! Tea! I like tea better..."

"Okay, hold on a second."

Lucas probably should say something more. Joker is being so nice to him, a stranger he didn't even know more than a day. But he doesn't know what to say... or maybe he does...?

"Um! I'm Lucas..." Lucas looked down on the table, too embarrassed to make eye-contact. He could feel Joker's eyes on him. "I- um, wanted to apologize because I didn't get to introduce myself yesterday... a-and... thanks... you don't have to do this for me..."

There was a brief silence after that– and Joker continued to work, utensils making noises against the kitchen counter. Lucas clamped his mouth shut, and he slumped in his seat. Joker didn't respond... He probably thought Lucas is being weird. He screwed up again. He must've said something wrong. He shouldn't have said anything at all...

The next thing he knew is that a cup of hot, steaming tea is placed in front of him. Lucas found Joker smiling warmly at him across the table. For a moment, Lucas felt his anxiety melt away.

"Well then, Lucas. I'm Joker, and it's nice to meet you." His tone is warm and welcoming, much like his smile. It reminded him of the sunflower fields back in Tazmily. "Let's get along well and let's do our best for today!"

In spite of his internal conflict, Lucas found himself smiling, too. "R-Right!"

(Everything is alright in the end. Maybe he shouldn't be so shy, after all.)