When Antauri came back to life and returned to the team, they took the night to relax.
Everyone was more clingy with Antauri than they usually were, even Gibson of all people. Not that Antauri would complain, they almost lost him that day. If Antauri almost lost any of them, he would cling to them for a while as well.
However, it didn't stop there.
Whenever they were off duty, they gave him something when they passed by him.
A marigold.
As a matter of fact, multiple marigolds.
Either they handed it to him, or they put it on him. Sprx slipped it into his hands. Otto and Chiro put flower crowns on him—the two made some in their free time. Nova and Gibson handed marigolds to him normally.
It wasn't something he expected, but he loved and cherished them regardless.
Antauri put the marigolds in his room. He made sure they were taken well cared of. They were put in one of the corners of his room, in a way that he could see them upon entering.
Whenever Antauri had the time to go to the garden, he noticed that an area of it was emptier than it was before.
He guessed that was where they got the marigolds. There wouldn't have been enough time to grow them with everything that was going on. There wasn't any time for them to go buy any either.
They took some and they planted more.
Well, Gibson at the very least planted more. He knew how to do this better than the others.
Antauri smirked. He didn't mind it at all. He simply thought it was sweet that they would give him the marigolds.
He didn't touch those while he was in there outside of watering them.
During one of the nights, everyone came to Antauri's room. He opened one of his eyes.
Everyone but Chiro had flowers with them.
Chiro simply went to his side and laid down. He held Antauri's tail in his hand. Antauri moved himself down so he was closer to Chiro.
"Don't worry, Chiro," Antauri softly reassured, "I'm right here."
Sprx, Gibson, and Nova put the marigolds on his lap and in his arms. Otto put a flower crown on his head. Antauri smiled as everyone gave him a kiss.
Otto and Sprx sat down close to Antauri. Gibson left the room and returned to the lab. Antauri knew Gibson would return once he was ready to sleep.
If he didn't fall asleep in the lab first.
Nova got on her toes. She cupped his face and pressed her forehead against his. Her tail wrapped around Antauri's tail without disturbing Chiro's hold on him.
"Your body may be silver now," Nova whispered, "but your soul has always been golden."
Antauri smiled wider.
He had an idea why they chose marigolds now. Needless to say, he was happy that its meanings made them think of him. If his tail wasn't held by Nova and Chiro, it would sway from side to side.
There was something so simple yet beautiful about being given marigolds. Something so simple could say so much, whether one realized it or not.
Maybe it was perspective, or maybe it was about being glad to be alive yet again.
To them, he was divine, someone loved and reassured. His love was pure, nothing to gain but what he gave. There was nothing for him to ask for in return.
He was brought back to life thanks to Chiro as well. Antauri was, essentially, their connection between life and death. He was the closest to death, yet he was here by their sides.
He wasn't too sure if every bit of that was intentional, but he felt loved regardless.
What did Antauri do to deserve his lovers and his son?
A/N: If you go to offer me any commissions or anything involving money, it's an automatic no. I'm glad you enjoy my works, but scream to me about my works instead of making offers, scam or not. Do so anyways and I'll ignore you. Do so more than once and I'll block you. I'm genuinely tired of it. Thank you in advance if you respect my wishes.
