AN: New chapter for the New Year! Hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 4:

The tearoom was nice and cosy and the fireplace was lit and blazing. With his ankle resting upon a pillow and in the chair closest to the crackling fire, Flavio had to admit that having a lazy day doing nothing was a nice change.

He still liked to keep himself busy, however.

With him, he had the monster codex. Yeah, running from a swarm of monsters was not the best circumstances to study a new breed of monsters. But he could try to sketch them, at least. And it would keep him preoccupied long enough for Fafnir to return from doing Flavio's usual morning errands.

Oh, he also turned over the vase of flowers to Hana and they were displayed at the front counter with the note, hoping the true recipient would come forward and claim them. He hoped that whoever delivered them did not inadvertently cause a greater riff between the couple by delaying the gift.

He hoped someone claimed them. They were nice flowers.

"We're back!"

'We'…?

The answer to his silent question was answered when Fafnir walked into the tearoom followed closely by Arianna.

Oh…It appeared that Arianna finally got that cosy little stroll through the town that she wanted.

Flavio managed a smile, pushing back the unwanted bubble of jealousy. "Ah, welcome back. Did you-?"

He found himself pausing mid-sentence, however, when he probably looked at the two. Fafnir appeared agitate; his jaw clenched, and his brow furrowed. Not profound, true. But more than enough for someone like Flavio, who had known him for countless years, to noticed.

Even Arianna seemed…not exactly upset. Perhaps rattled, which was rather unsettling as she, too, was quite adept at keeping her emotions controlled behind an air of dignity and serenity.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Had the two had a disagreement or sorts?

"Just ran into some asshole in the street," Fafnir replied simply and dismissively. He then presented the brown paper bag in his arms toward him. "Here. I haven't been to the post office yet. I wanted to deliver the shopping before I did that."

Flavio was not entirely convinced but decided not to press the issue. "Oh?" He quickly retrieved the goods and offered a smile in return. "And to check in on me?"

That prompted a small, half smile from Fafnir. "And to check in on you. Good to see that you haven't been up walking about on your ankle."

Honestly? Flavio had thought about it. He wanted to sneak a peek on the front counter to see if the vase of flowers for a "beloved wife" had been claimed yet. He was sure it was already the talk of the inn. Ah, that could also be the reason why it had not been claimed yet. Who would want to come forward due to all the gossip?

"I'll head back out there and brave the masses," Fafnir said before he presented Flavio with a very pointed look. "And you, I want to have a chat with you about your workload."

Flavio rolled his eyes with a smile, setting the shopping onto the coffee table in front of him. "It's not that bad. Besides, I like to keep busy."

"You do need to relax once in a while."

"Well, I'm relaxing now." True it was kinda against Flavio's choice, but semantics. "So, hurry up with the chores so you can join me."

"Right, right."

Fafnir turned to leave, but his gaze fell upon Arianna, who had been uncharacteristically silent during the whole exchange. She remained close to the doorway of the tearoom, her hands clasped elegantly in front of her, and her gaze focused upon the floor before her. She, however, had a faraway gaze to her eyes. Lost to her own thoughts.

"Arianna?"

At the sound of her name, Arianna snapped out of her revere and a smile automatically appeared on her lips.

"I must respectfully decline," Arianna said, which was honestly quite surprising. "I had just remembered that there is something I must attend to here. Do take care, Sir Fafnir."

With a small smile, Arianna turned and walked out of the room. Her back straight and her steps silent, her movements were graceful. Those true to a princess, but to Flavio, they were troubling.

A small, selfish part of himself told himself that he should be relieved. But his rational side was genuinely concerned. He wondered what truly happened during their morning stroll. It felt to him it was more than just an encounter with some inconsiderate local. Perhaps he should talk to Fafnir about it later?

Fafnir stood still, staring in the direction Arianna disappeared in. He uttered a hefty sigh a moment later before he turned to glance back in Flavio's direction. "I'll be back soon."

"Ok, be careful on those icy paths," Flavio replied.

Fafnir offered him a small smile before he, too, left the room. And left Flavio alone, with only the crackling of the fireplace for company.

He set his monster codex aside for the time being and busied himself sorting through the shopping items. With Abigail being ever diligent, he knew everything would be accounted for. So, he was simply sorting through the items to keep his mind and hands busy. Medicals items together in one pile while the other held other exploring essentials.

Must always ensure that his explorer's kit was up to date, after all. And, more importantly, plenty of Ariadne Threads.

With everything accounted for, he better take his supplies back to his room.

Carefully returning everything back into the paper bag, Flavio rested it into the crook of his elbow and reached for his walking stick. His ankle was still a little sore, in all honesty. It should not be that much of a surprise. It was a weight bearing joint, after all.

The inn was rather quiet for that time of the morning, though it was likely due to the explorers who called it home had all ventured to the labyrinth. And as he walked through the foyer, he took note that the vase of hydrangeas was still present, sat atop of the front counter. Even if they were never claimed, they offered a fresh, floral scent and vibrant colours to the room.

It took some manoeuvring for Flavio to climb the stairs, but he thankfully did so without making a fool of himself or making a mess.

Which was incredibly fortunate as he passed an elderly gentleman, a veteran explorer by appearance with long messy black hair with silver streaks, who hogged the banister. With a bag over his shoulder and a hand rubbing the small of his back, the guy mumbled about aches and pains, and damn kids these days leaving things out on the floor as he passed.

Flavio had no idea if the guy was taking a swipe as him for some reason, so just ignored him. He had more important things to concentrate on.

Yet, as he hobbled down the hall to his room, a bright colour of yellow immediately caught his attention.

Before his door, on the floor, was another vase of flowers. Daffodils. If he remembered correctly, they were not easily grown around High Lagaard, so they were not easy to get a hold of. Quite expensive.

Instinctively, Flavio glanced up and down the hallway. Yet again, empty. Just like it was last night.

Huh? Did the courier make another mistake?

Hitching his shopping into the crook of his arm, Flavio leaned against the wall next to his bedroom door as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his room key. He pushed the door open and carefully edged around the vase of daffodils to step inside. He deposited the shopping bag onto the bed before turning and quickly hobbling back to the flowers.

He figured that last night's sender had gotten the room number's wrong, and the courier simply did their job. They may not even have taken noticed of the flowers on the front counter. Not part of their job or something.

That had to be the only explanation. Thankfully, like the first, there was a fold card amongst the flowers.

'Did you not enjoy the flowers…Flavio?'

Wait, what?

'I picked them for you. They were my wife's favourite. I thought you would enjoy them, also.'

A feeling of utter confusion washed over Flavio as he re-read the card. It…did not make any sense to him. Who-? What-?

He quickly looked at the bottom of the card, yet there did not appear to be a signature or name of the one who sent it. Nothing remotely similar.

Who would…?

It…could not be that guy, could it? From the other day. That guy who claimed Flavio looked just like his deceased wife.

The card mentioned wife. Both cards did. But he had not read the first card in its entirety. Maybe he should head downstairs and do that. Fafnir did not necessarily react negativity to it, though. Just thought the sender was a loser.

But the mention of wife at all…it was too much of a coincidence. Wasn't it?

Whoever the guy was, he…moved quickly, if it was him. It had been, what, two days? One and a half if he counted last night. How could he have found his name and what room he stayed in?

…Gossip was pretty potent around High Lagaard, though.

No, no, it could not be him. He was getting a head of himself. Someone could just be playing a prank of him. Someone could have overheard the conversation and thought it would be hilarious to play a prank on the both of them for some inexplicable reason. The streets were busy, after all.

It was just…too bizarre.

Flavio would…keep the note. Tuck it away in a drawer somewhere and place the flowers downstairs. Fafnir might get the wrong idea if he kept them. Besides, they were pretty flowers and they would be better off down in the foyer.

Speaking of Fafnir, he better get his butt back down into the tearoom before he returned. He might get some scolding from him if he found him up and about walking on his injured foot.

The bottom drawer of his desk was hardly used, so Flavio would stash the note in there for the time being. And with the inn relatively empty, he would be able to place the second vase of flowers with the first and just pretend not to know where it came from. Or something.

He would look at the first one differently now that he had the knowledge that it was actually meant for him.

Should he tell Fafnir?

A part of him did not want to. He had enough on his plate, with the Fafnir Knight curse, needing to get stronger, and, you know, potentially saving High Lagaard from unknown danger.

There was no way he was going to add to his stress.

Some idiot sending flowers to mock him was not worth worry about.

Hitching the flowers in his elbow, Flavio tossed the note aside and made doubly sure to lock the door to his room. He carefully, but quickly made his way into the foyer and breathed a sigh of relief to find it empty still. He placed the daffodils next to the hydrangeas and snatched up the other note, shoving that into his pocket to keep with the first in his room.

As Flavio settled back into the tearoom, he frowned to himself when he realised that the chair he had chosen, the most sought after one during the cold season he had been told, had the disadvantage of having his back facing the windows to the back garden. Though, he argued with himself that it was better than to have his back facing the door. The windows were closed tightly. The door, however, was not.

Yeah, he was feeling a little paranoid.

He hoped Fafnir returned soon. He could not stop that prickly feeling on the back of his neck. It was unsettling knowing that some potentially faceless, nameless individual knew where he slept and was messing with him. There was no way those flowers were genuine.

"Oh, Flavio dear. I hope you've been staying off that ankle of yours and staying warm."

Flavio looked up from his monster codex and immediately smiled when inn owner and matron, Hana, walk into the room. With a silver tray in her hands. Upon it appeared to be a small porcelain teapot, a couple of teacups, and a few rich and creamy baked goods.

Oh, did she make something for him? How thoughtful!

"Of course," Flavio replied, telling a small lie as he lifted his ankle from the coffee table and pushed aside the pillow to allow for Hana to place down the tray before him. "I wouldn't want to wander too far. I might lose my spot by the fire."

"Oh yes, this chair is the most coveted," Hana joyfully chortled. "Wait until the winter blizzards. I've seen guilds go to war over that chair!"

S-she was joking, right?

"By the way, I just noticed a new vase of flowers has been added to the hydrangeas. Could our mystery couple still be fighting?"

Flavio hid a grimace. "Oh, really? I didn't hear anything."

Hana huffed, slightly bewildered. "Oh well, I'm never the one to turn down flowers. They certainly do brighten up the place!"

He was glad that someone found joy in them. Would be a shame for them to go to waste. Wasn't the flowers' fault that the sender was being a jerk.

"I'm back. Again."

Flavio immediately perked up and looked behind Hana. "And welcome back," he greeted as Fafnir approached, in his arms a few letters and envelopes.

"Oh, good," Hana greeted also. "You're just in time for some tea. That should warm you up."

Fafnir nodded as he handed the letters to Flavio before he shrugged off the thick winter coat. "The wind is getting colder."

"The northern wind usually starts this time of day. That is why the morning are usually so busy!" Hana explained before she hustled Fafnir toward the seater closest to the one Flavio occupied. "Sit sit, time to warm those frosty toes of yours."

And with a slight hum, Hana toddled from the room. Both Flavio and Fafnir watched until the motherly innkeeper was out of sight and hearing range before they both turned to each other.

"Is your hand ok?" Flavio asked quietly.

Fafnir raised his scarred, cursed hand and flexed his fingers. "A little stiff from the cold. But it's thankfully not painful."

"Ah, thank goodness."

Huh, just like he thought. The paranoia that Flavio felt before was gone.

"Pour yourself some tea and get yourself warmed up," Flavio went on to say. "We've got nothing else to do for the rest of the day, right?"

Fafnir curled his hand into a fist and a smile appeared on his lips. "Right. We'll have a lazy day today."

That sounded good. Especially if that meant he could spend time with Fafnir in the tearoom. Just the two of them. In front of the warm, cosy fireplace…

"Oh, Arianna, are you going for a walk?"

Both Flavio and Fafnir raised their heads upon the sound of Hana's voice, and their brows furrowed with confusion simultaneously. It would have been comical, if they were not bothered by the conversation occurring in the foyer.

"Oh, yes. Just a very short one," Arianna replied, her voice sounding cheerful, yet not quite as bubbly as she usually presented herself to be. "I just realised I, too, have a few errands that I needed to attend to. I've been, um, distracted as of late."

Yeah, she had been rather…preoccupied.

Hana chortled in her usual exuberant manner. That only a mother could do. "Don't stay out too late. The northern winds are surely to leave you cold."

"Oh, thank you for your concern, but I will be all right. I will return shortly."

A moment later, the large oak doors of the inn entrance were heard creaking open and then closing shut. Funny, Flavio had not heard them all day, but at that exact moment, they were quite loud.

Amazing how loud and obvious things could be when one was listening for them.

"Arianna has a crush on me, doesn't she?" Fafnir suddenly blurted out.

Flavio did his best to hide a wince. So, he had noticed. Well, how could he not, he supposed. "Yeah, she does."

Fafnir leaned forward to busy himself with pouring himself a cup of tea. "Someone asked if the two of us going for a walk together was a date."

Flavio's hands instinctively clenched, digging into the material of his pants. "Did they now?"

"It wasn't a date."

"Ah." He unclenched his hands. "I see."

Did he sound too happy at that?

Fafnir poured tea into the second cup. "I made sure to tell them that," he said, lifting the second cup. And handing it to Flavio. "I didn't want anyone to make that mistake."

With a small smile, Flavio gratefully received the cup. His fingers brushing against Fafnir's. A touch that, perhaps, lingered a little too long. Or, perhaps, it did not last long enough. "That would make things awkward, wouldn't it?"

"Especially since she is like a sister to me."

Hah, sister…that was greatly reassuring.

Was…that the reason why Arianna was so rattled? Flavio felt for her, he truly did. It must have been a painful thing to endure, hearing those words. To have the notion of a date outright rejected, just like that. It would have been for him. Absolutely.

Yet, he was also relieved. Knowing how Fafnir really felt for her eased his own peace of mind.

"Have you…told her that?"

"Not…specifically."

That was fair, honestly. No one with a kind, protective nature like Fafnir would want to be the one to break someone's heart. Not the heart of someone he regarded as a sister. No brother wanted to do that.

Perhaps Arianna did not need to be told?

But maybe he was just hoping she did not. That kind of conversation…it was one no one truly wanted to have. It was emotional, draining. No one truly knew how the other would react.

Hearts were such fickle things.

"By the way," Fafnir suddenly began. "I noticed a second vase of flowers on the front counter."

Flavio was grateful that he had not been drinking at the time. He might have accidentally burnt his lips, if he had. It was difficult enough to keep a straight face. "Y-yeah. Someone else must have gotten them and followed my example."

As endearing as Fafnir's protectiveness was, he was sure to be even more protective toward him if he found out that the first was not a mistake and he had received a second just a few hours later.

Hopefully, after the second rejection, whoever was sending them would take the hint and leave him alone.

The only man he wanted in his life was Fafnir, after all.