A/N: I have an exam in literally two days why am I updating this fic instead of studying
What's your name? Amaya asked a cactus. It had a small bud right on top.
Tabitha, Gren replied, sprinkling some fertilizer into her pot and then giving her a few drops of water.
I was asking the cactus, Gren, let her answer. Tabitha didn't answer. She was a plant, after all. Of course her name is Tabitha. Is she one of your girlfriends too? Amaya grinned when Gren rolled his eyes. She had come to see that every single one of his plants was given a female name and she teased him endlessly about the multiple women he kept in his room. He'd usually retort with a you're just jealous, aren't you? And he was usually right, but she wouldn't admit that.
She'd never like Antoinette. Gren cared for her the most, smiled at her the most. It was stupid, Amaya realized to be so jealous over a plant, but on the other hand she was happy seeing him enjoy himself and doing what he loved. It was so… endearing. Sending a glare to Antoinette, she inched her pot into the full sun.
What are you doing?! Gren asked, shocked. He crouched over his precious Madonna lily. You know she's only partial sunlight!
Guess I forgot, Amaya shrugged, tenderly stroking a different plant's silky leaves. Her name was Charlotte. Or Charmaine. Amaya couldn't really remember. She loved his plants, though. His room had smelled so lovely, of fresh herbs and the thick aroma of wildlife and humidity from the flowers and varying medicinal plants made Amaya instantly relax no matter what mood she was in. She hadn't told anyone about his secret, but if anyone found out and teased him for it, she was ready to remove them from the castle grounds immediately. Maybe even take them to the other side of the border.
Gren stood behind her as she absent-mindedly continued her leaf-rubbing. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and his firm hand brush her shoulder as he reached past her to water the plant she was patting. He probably thought nothing of it, but Amaya was hyper-aware of his nearness. When she glanced in her peripheral vision, Gren looked perfectly content, a small smile gracing his features as he finished watering the plant. He caught her staring.
Is something wrong? He asked, brow furrowing.
Amaya shook her head, turning away from him, feeling cold. It wasn't cold at all, his room was practically like a greenhouse, sweltering in order to keep the plants healthy. When she really thought about it, how could he sleep at night? She could hardly breathe. I think training starts in a few minutes, she said in an attempt to distract herself from thoughts of him being close. Amaya left, carefully stepping over small potted plants, but not before she stuck her tongue out immaturely at Antoinette.
Gren appeared in the courtyard a few moments later, along with all of her other soldiers that she directed. They went through their basic warm-up, and by midday, everyone was dripping with a thick layer of sweat. This was normal, but in the elevating temperatures of summer, it was not appreciated. Gren's room could've been a wine cellar compared to the heat outside. Amaya was struggling too, trying to maintain morale to have her soldiers push through the exercises as well as doing them herself. She made a rule early on in her promotion to never let her soldiers do something without her. She should always try to be bettering herself along with them, no matter the situation. Despite her strength, she was in desperate need of a break.
Drink water, she'd remind her troops occasionally. She wouldn't make them work much longer in the heat, as most of the guards had stripped of their tunics and just remained in their trousers. Gren included. Amaya watched him laugh with another solider before taking a sip of a drink from his water-skin. The tops of his shoulders were already starting to burn from the blazing sunlight, but his freckles appeared more prominent. He was so handsome, Amaya realized. The way his toothy smile matched the brightness of the sunshine and how he remained so positive during an exhausting workout. She admired him.
He met her gaze, pausing mid-sentence with his friend. Amaya felt too brave to look elsewhere, and he sent a soft smile her way. She could've melted onto the stones and blamed it on the heat.
Their friendship was so perfect. So untainted and so trustworthy. She relied on him and him on her. It was a perfect balance. Amaya mentally slapped herself. She couldn't afford to ruin what they had. He meant too much to her for her to lose him. She almost groaned. There she was being clingy again.
Gren frowned when she told Katolis's guards to return to their sparring. It wasn't a frown of annoyance or exhaustion like the others', it was out of concern.
Are you okay? Gren asked, placing his large hand on her shoulder. He approached her after the training, before supper.
Dusk was settling over the rolling hills, a cool breeze shaking the trees' leaves. His tunic was slung over his bare neck, and his muscles only seemed to be more prominent with the shadows of the sky and the layer of sweat that was starting to thin.
You seemed upset during training, he continued.
Amaya wanted to bash her forehead against the stone of the palace walls. Why did he have to be so handsome and attentive? She couldn't tell him that she was confused because of him, it'd create distance and confusion. The general smiled. I'm fine. Supper?
Gren grinned in his handsome, boyish way that made her heart flutter. I'll be there shortly. Let me change first.
When Gren did arrive, he was wearing one of his nicer tunics. He had claimed that everything else was dirty, but he looked flushed and his hair had been combed. Amaya wasn't the only one who noticed his dressier attire as some of the other soldiers eyed him up and down, occasionally nudging him with their elbows. He waved them off before grabbing his tray of food. He placed it down in front of him, staring at her but not eating.
He leaned forward on his elbows. What do you say we ditch the mess hall and go somewhere in town?
