It had been a week since Arthur and Lovino's little incident, and Antonio was still staying in the nurse's office, simply because he didn't want to go back to rooming with Lovino just yet. Perhaps it was for the best, though. Lovino probably wouldn't want to see Antonio after having his heart broken by him...

Antonio wasn't quite sure how to proceed with Arthur now, either. Arthur clearly liked Antonio, and he liked him back, but how would he maintain a relationship with Arthur, when he clearly still had his dead boyfriend on his mind? Arthur teared up whenever Antonio saw him sneak into that little room, to pour two cups of that plain, sweet-smelling tea...Seriously, Antonio had seen him cry over that boy too many times to count.

It was a shame, as Antonio really liked Arthur. He'd been so kind to him, ever since that kiss on his first day...

Bzzt!

Antonio picked up his vibrating phone, and found that he had a long, drawn out text from Arthur waiting for him. That was strange, since the only texts he'd gotten in the past week were, I'm sorry, repeated over and over by Lovino and by Arthur...

Antonio, I'm sorry about what happened. I really shouldn't have fired Lovino up like that. But everything I said to you that night was true. I really, really like you, and I'd love it if we could be together.

Those words made Antonio's heart quiver...But he ignored the feeling. Today, he was thinking with his head, not his heart. And what about your dead boyfriend? I want you, Arthur, but I have to know that you truly want me too. I want to be your boyfriend, not a replacement for that boy, he tapped onto the cold glass.

On the other end of the line, Arthur flew into panic upon reading that text. He'd loved Kiku with all his heart. And no one would remember that he existed, if he didn't keep his memory alive...But at the same time, he was falling hard for Antonio. Yes, Arthur had dated quite a few boys since Kiku died, in order to try and fill the hole in his heart, but none of them had really fit the bill, until now. Antonio wasn't like the others. He'd wormed his way into Arthur's heart, and he was staying there. Arthur wanted desperately to push on, to have Antonio all to himself, but...

Was he ready to move on? And would he be prepared to let himself fall in love with Antonio, and face the possibility of losing the person he loved for a second time?

How ridiculous, Arthur mused, snapping out of those thoughts. Antonio wasn't going to die on him! Unlike Kiku, Antonio was perfectly healthy, to his knowledge. And besides, wouldn't Kiku want him to be happy?

I truly want you. I have something else to tell you, but I want to do it in person. I'll see you at the greenhouse in five.

Antonio slipped his phone back into his pocket, and wordlessly left for the greenhouse. He'd been there so many times with Arthur, that it was probably more apt to call it their 'date house' now...

The sweet smell of yarrow filled the air as Antonio arrived. So, Arthur had chosen tea made with the flower of everlasting love...

"So, you came?" Arthur said quietly, setting out his usual tea set on the table.

"Of course," Antonio answered, "Were you expecting me not to?"

Arthur shook his head. "No, not at all..." he mumbled, sipping on his tea to calm himself, even though it was still far too hot...

Antonio mirrored Arthur, and found that the tea had an interesting flavour. It was floral, yet very, very sweet at the same time, but he wanted to listen to Arthur before talking to him about such trite matters as tea...

Arthur inhaled sharply, giving Antonio no warnings before he showed his raw feelings. "What I wanted to tell you is...I loved Kiku with all my heart. I was completely devastated when he died. And..."

Arthur paused, to regain his composure before continuing, setting the tea down.

"I haven't felt the way I did about him for anyone...Until now. Antonio, I think I'm falling in love with you. A little bit of me will always be with Kiku, but, I finally think I'm ready to love again. And I want to love you."

"A-Arthur..." Antonio stuttered, his breath catching in his throat.

The two got up from the small table, and faced each other, each of them unable to look away from the other's eyes.

"If that's really how you feel, then"—

And Arthur pulled Antonio towards him, to form their second kiss. Their second kiss, but unlike the first, it actually meant something.

Antonio eased into Arthur's lips, and before long, the two feel to the ground, landing in a patch of daffodils. The two laughed it off, and kissed again, in amongst the flowers...

-BBBBBBBBBBBB-

Lovino lay still in Antonio's old bed—It reeked of his cologne, but he didn't care—As he wondered just where Antonio was now...