Author's note: S. Snowflake unconsciously got me wondering about what Seymour and Audrey's relationship would've been like post "Suddenly Seymour" and pre marriage or... ya know... death. I imagine it to be a lot like this. This takes place during "The Meek Shall Inherit" events where I at least hope these thoughts crossed Seymour's mind. Kinda inspired by "Can you feel the love tonight".
"Seymour!" Audrey called poking her head down the basement door.
Seymour was standing in the middle of the basement by himself with his right hand at his chin and mouth and a somber look on his face as if he had been thinking. Upon hearing Audrey's voice he raised his head and somewhat smiled.
"Seymour there's a man here named Skip Snip that would like to speak with you."
Immediately his face fell and his gaze moved to the floor.
"Okay, I'll be right up," he called, though not moving an inch.
Something was wrong. Audrey moved into the basement, closing the door behind her, and paced down the stairs. As she did so he raised his head and smiled again at her, almost brightening the room. She was wearing a new yellow dress with a modest neckline and flared at the waist. A contrast from her usual tight fit, showing all, dark dresses. Seymour couldn't help but admire her. He didn't deserve her yet here she was. She moved in front of him and took his free hand in her grasp and swung it lovingly.
"Your hands are gettin' betta'," she observed, trying to make conversation.
"Huh?"
"Well rememba' a couple a weeks ago? You were bein' so clumsy with the pruning shears," she said this with affection as opposed to mocking, "You must've had a band aid on every finga'. But there's none now. It's all betta'."
He took his hand out of her grasp and glanced at it before closing his palm and moving it behind his back where she could neither see nor reach.
"Yeah," he said moving his gaze away from her eyes.
She desperately wished he'd open up. Things had never been better for them. They had the shop to themselves, they were making more money than either of them ever had, Seymour had become a local celebrity, and they were FINALLY together after all this time. He should be happy. But he wasn't.
"Seymour what's wrong?" She asked moving her hand to his shoulder. She decided to take a guess. "Is it Mr. Mushnik? Are you upset he's gone?"
His eyes moved back to her face. He was sick of lying to her. At least this technically wouldn't be a lie.
"Yeah."
"Ah honey," she said smiling and running her hand up and down his arm, "It's okay. He'll be back."
His eyes grew slightly and he turned his back on her fully. Running a hand through his hair he paced over to his bed and sat himself down. She followed him without hesitation and sat down beside him. Suddenly the sound of an engine rang loud on the street above them causing them both to freeze. They remained frozen until the sound had passed by the shop and continued until out of range. Audrey looked at Seymour and was startled to see his face almost mirroring the horror on her's.
"Seymour?" she asked moving her hand to his cheek.
He jumped at her touch, but came back to life and looked in her eyes.
"Sorry," he said, "I just thought for a moment it was…"
"Shhh."
She moved her hand off his cheek and over to his mouth. As startled as she was she could tell he needed her now.
"Me too," she whispered and shook her head, "but I don't wanna talk about him."
Seymour opened his mouth to talk under her hand but she pressed harder preventing him and continued, "Never again."
Saying these things made her also feel better. Under her hand she felt him smile. She shook her head again and pulled him in for a hug.
"I got my Seymour now," she whispered into his ear, half to him and half to herself, "That's all that matters."
Seymour felt butterflies. He never thought this could happen. He never thought in a million years he'd be this lucky. Though he knew why he was and suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Audrey pulled away with a big smile which immediately fell when she saw the look on his face.
"Seymour sweetheart, what's wrong?"
He couldn't do this. He couldn't lie anymore. If to anyone, not to her. She deserved to be treated better than that.
"Audrey I gotta tell you something."
"Okay?" Audrey whispered. She took her arms off from around him and placed them in her lap. He stared at them for a moment, unable to meet her face.
"It's about… Orin and Mr. Mushnik."
She said nothing but cocked her head and pursed her lips. Where would this be going? He continued to watch her hands until he hesitantly took them in his. She gave them a thoughtful squeeze.
"Audrey… you know I'd do anything for you…" he trailed off still not meeting her eyes.
She smiled and ran her thumbs back and forth along his giving him butterflies again. There was something about her, something he could never quite pinpoint to one thing. But still, she was magic. Seymour looked up and met her eyes. That was a mistake. She was looking at him so warmly and he knew he didn't deserve it. Seymour had always thought she was beautiful, but lately it was even more clear. She had stopped wearing so much makeup. Her eyes were so bright with the lack of false lashes and heavy shadow. Her new clothes and less makeup had been for a reason he didn't know or realize. Being with Seymour she no longer felt she needed prove anything. And she was smiling. She had been smiling a lot lately. She rarely did before. He couldn't risk that. He'd do anything for her, it's true, but he couldn't tell her this and ruin it all for both of them. He couldn't get rid of the plant either, and all the money and fame it brought in. She'd turn away after all he'd done and tried to provide to try to make her happy. Looking at her now he felt the need to say something else. Something that made his heart flutter. Something he felt for a long time and expressed every day but never put into words.
"Audrey… I love you."
Her face lit up and she made a squeak that didn't sound human.
"I love you too Seymour!"
"Really?" he breathed.
Instead of answering she grabbed the side of his face and gave him a peck on the lips.
Seymour blushed. It was something he was doing less of now but he couldn't help it. He was too happy. They stayed there for another moment sitting on his bed lost in each other's eyes, until the sound of movement upstairs caused them both to glance up. They had forgotten about Skip Snip. Audrey got up first and with some coaxing of her hands he got off his bed and followed behind her to the stairs.
"It's kinda exciting, isn't it?" she asked smiling and glancing over her shoulder at him.
"Huh?" he asked.
"All that's happenin' lately. Yesterday it was Bernstein with the television pitch. I wonder what this fella has planned for the plant."
Seymour's feet stalled as his heart began to sink. Caught up in the moment he had forgotten that this is why she loved him.
