AN: Hey guys I hope you are still enjoying the story. Thanks for all the support. I need to ask a favor, though. This ship is lacking fanart. If you know of any feel free to tell me about it.
Ren and Cinder were back in the garden where they had first met. It had been a few days after their last their last date and this was the first time both students were free long enough to see the other. The bench was still there but it had been moved to the side and a small table with two chairs beside it.
Ren had brought with him a pot of his special herbal blend tea and Cinder had baked a tray of little cinnamon cookies. They were enjoying their little meal in the warm sun that shined down into the garden.
"Cinder, I feel I must apologize again for not making more time to see you," Ren said setting his cup down.
"I already told you Ren, there's no need to apologize," Cinder said with a smile "You're not the only one who couldn't make time,"
"I know," Ren took another sip of his tea "I just feel weird after that last date,"
"I know it certainly was interesting, remember we both agreed that those just stupid pieces of paper,"
"Yes, you're right," Ren said "The garden feels extra peaceful today,"
"I couldn't agree more," Cinder said looking around at the abundant amount of flora that was contained in the small area.
"So Cinder, have you found any flowers you like in particular,"
"What do you mean?"
"I've been looking around the garden a bit more and there are many different kinds of flowers here," Ren stood up, "Let me show you,"
Ren took Cinder's hand and led her to one of the corners of the garden. There was a multitude of tulips and daisies of all different colors.
"Oh wow, Ren, these are beautiful," Cinder said slightly shocked "I had no idea these flowers were here,"
"Neither did I until yesterday," Ren said "It turns out this garden holds many secrets. Let me show you another," Ren took Cinder's hand again and led her past a few bushes.
Behind the bushes was a small stack of rocks with water flowing out the top. The water traveled down the side of the rocks and into a small pond with a few koi fish swimming inside it.
"It's incredible isn't it?" Ren said noticing the look of surprise on Cinder's face.
"Yes, yes it is," Cinder said.
They stood by the small pond for a few minutes longer enjoying the movements of the fish and the quiet trickle of water. The Cinder turned to Ren and grabbed his hand. "Alright now it's my turn,"
"What do you mean?" Ren asked as Cinder pulled him back over to where the bench was and pushed him down onto it.
"Well you showed me two very interesting things, so I thought I should at least show you one," Cinder said as she took a few steps backward.
When she was standing in the center of the garden she took a quick breath and started. She held out the palm of her hand and a small flame appeared in it.
The flame grew bigger and started to cool around her hand. Then the flame slowly spiraled up her arm an across her shoulders. Then flame then spiraled down her other arm. When the tip of the flame reached her hand she held it up and the flame started to build upon itself into the shape of a tree. A moment after all the flame had been used Cinder closed her hand and the tree exploded into a hundred small butterflies made of fire.
Ren sat in shock on the bench for a moment after it ended just staring at Cinder. "Wow," he said when he finally talked. "That was incredible,"
"You really think so?" Cinder asked
"Of course," Ren said with a smile "Where did you learn to do that?"
"It's just a trick I learned after practicing for a while,"
"It certainly shows," Ren said
Cinder went over to the bench and sat down next to Ren. She leaned her head over and rested it on Ren's shoulder. Ren wrapped one of his arms around Cinder and laid his head on hers. They sat in the position for a while until both of them fell asleep.
Ren was the first to wake. He slowly lifted his head trying not to disturb the still sleeping Cinder. He looked around and saw that the sun had sunken past the walls of the garden, leaving the rest of the area in shadows.
As he was looking around a faint red glowing caught his eye. He saw that it was coming from the direction of the pond. He slowly shook Cinder awake.
"Mm, what is it?" Cinder said still partly asleep.
"There's something in the pond," Ren said quietly.
"You mean the fish?"
"I don't think this is the fish," Ren slowly lifted Cinder's head off his shoulder and start to creep over to the pond.
Cinder waited a minute before getting up, stretching, and following Ren. When she got to where Rem was all she saw was his silhouette against a red light.
"Ren, what is it?"
"Look, it's beautiful,"
Cinder look past Ren and saw what was creating the light. In the middle of the pond floated a single white lotus flower, but unlike other lotus flowers this one had bright glowing red veins running through each petal.
"That's," Cinder said trying to think of an appropriate word "Amazing,"
"It is but I don't get it," Ren said
"What do you mean?"
"Lotus usually only bloom during the day,"
"I guess this one is different,"
"And it's color,"
"It's so vibrant," Cinder crouched closer to the pond and reached towards the flower.
"Careful don't disturb it," Ren said
"I'll be careful," Cinder stopped her hand just before one of the petals. She hadn't noticed until she had gotten closer that the flower was actually giving off heat.
"Ren come feel it," Cinder said "It's warm,"
Ren crouched down next to Cinder and put his hand next to hers. He also felt the heat that seemed to radiate from the flower.
"That's incredible," Ren said
"What is this flower?" Cinder asked
"I don't know but maybe professor Peach knows,"
"Professor Peach?"
"She's the environmental teacher,"
"Oh okay," Cinder said.
Ren grabbed Cinder's hand and pulled her up with him.
"Ah I was enjoying that," Cinder said.
"I think you'll enjoy this more," Ren said. Before she could say anything else Rem wrapped one his arms around her waist and kissed her. After a moment the two broke apart both red front he kiss.
"Wow Ren I didn't know you could be so assertive," Cinder said.
"Well I can be when I feel I need to be,"
"Well you still feelings assertive now?"
"Definitely,"
They kissed again. This time longer and more passionately. To the, there was nothing else that mattered at the moment. Not the garden, not school, and not even the glowing flower.