beneath the bloom [ private ]

He was familiar with the taste of iron, the discomfort in his body and the aggravating ring at the back of his head. It happened for the most part, whenever his lips had parted. When the anger had been fueled, and the fire within those golden eyes flared brightly. For the most part he couldn't exactly recall why it had happened. So many terrible things had occurred, and yet he could barely grasp the memory of them at all. It was almost as if they didn't exist. A frightening thing it was to think that he was simply going crazy - the pain in his body was quick to remind him otherwise.

It was evening within the town of Clover, the sky was clear enough for those to gaze upon the brilliance of the stars. However, it was not inviting enough in temperature with the nearing advance  of winter. Therefore many of the civilians had quickly made their way inside, curled against the comfort of warmth. Theo grasped arm upon arm, silently wishing he had been gifted the motive and will to learn some sort of magic that granted heat. Although the town was not located in the mountains, where the snow came quickly and the cold so harsh it granted death. It could get rather pitiful living the life without a place to call home in this miserable weather.

"...Shit," he'd curse, stumbling over and grimacing. Humans could be rather unwarranted in the idea of a ( fair ) fight. Something was certainly wrong with his shoulder and ankle, perhaps a sprain regarding the fact he was able to still trudge onward. His face hurt more than the rest of the form, a swollen cheek made note of that. There was a light to the left that caught his attention, emitting a warming presence and the scent of flowers. It wasn't an obnoxious smell, like the whirl of a woman's perfume. It was gentle and natural. A flower shop with a ( closed ) sign hung on the inside of the door, the glow from within and an older lady working quietly. He could hear the faint sounds and approached, gradually seating himself against the wall that stood without a window. Unseen and injured he figured it was fine. Theo brought his legs closer to his chest, burrowing those afflicted features into the crevasse of his arms. The aroma of the flowers reminded him vividly of the forest, of a friend that couldn't shut up, and of a time where he had received his name. A time when he had been truly at peace.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

He continued to mull over the memories, the farthest ones he could recall before everything became a blur. Up until the time of Nix's death, he shut out the things which had come after. The last words before their parting, the sound of flesh tearing and metal jarring against his bones. Quickly did Theo discard of those thoughts, lashes fluttering downward to the shadowy floors. Slowly did he close them, engulfing himself in the still chilling moment of night. He did not look forth to the vivid shine of distant worlds and dying stars. For he had seen it so many times, with company and now without it. When he looked upon the endless expanse above, he could feel nothing but a nostalgic sense approach - something of loneliness. To stubborn to face that reality, he kept his eyes shut and his head down.

It was difficult to accept such a thing, and he couldn't deal with it unless vengeance had been sought out. Until he had found the meaning that his friend had given him. Why had he named him? Why had he taken him in? Why had he protected him? So many questions, yet the figure would never be here to answer him. Like an abandoned dog, Theo was simply left to stray along by his lonesome, in distrust of everyone. He knew so much of the world, but at the same time he hardly knew anything. Having formed a wall, separating himself from the presence of others merely left him in the company of his own thoughts. And just as he was drifting into sleep, his thoughts raging on and on - ( there came a sound ). Movement against the ground, a presence that was close by and evidently aware of him.

Theo stiffened, gradually peering up to encounter a pair of eyes that were comparable to the auburn of the falling leaves. The beautiful shade that came with a change in season. A change for the better. He could only stare at the other, a few strands slipping past the corner of his ear and towards his beaten face. There was a furrow in his brow, though hardly has prominent in the earlier brawl, prior to his now miserable state. Having heard the remark, he couldn't exactly unravel any sort of reason to respond. Theo was tired, and appreciated the silence when his head was still shuddering against the force of being tossed around like a rag-doll. So he went to stand instead, taking action in an immediate leave. The fall back down into his previous position was as quick as his attempt at standing. He clenched his teeth.

"Sorry, can you just let me... sit here for awhile," the voice came out, rough though as soft as the icy air that settled upon them both. "It hurts... to stand so..." he was familiar with those wanting him to discard his presence as swiftly as it had stumbled forth. He could've let the taste of venom soak upon his words, but Theo had guessed the current area he was in did belong to the young man. Either that or he had a taste for stealing flowers, the latter was hardly considered. Shoulders trembled in a reaction of being cold, curling further inward, he awaited an answer.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

It was either silence or displeasure that had been expected, and in the end came an uneasy beginning of the first. A hesitation, or process of thoughts that were gradually forming in the mind of the other. Theo did not know. He relied heavily upon misjudgment and false accusations, especially when one did not let a single word trace past the lining of their lips. His own experiences roused up all at once, unfamiliar with kind gestures or at least taking them for granted until the usual venom was formed into his words again. The only poison he could taste however, was the blood curdling into his mouth, the sour taste of iron and the dampness that soaked through the temple. Theo was only thankful that his blood had not been exposed in the pale light of the moon. Darkening strands, tipped by a crimson hue shielded the glowing silver.

There was a sound upon the stillness of the cool air, a shifting of feet and a flutter. A sudden warmth settled upon his shoulders, the jacket of the other now granting him a brief moment of turmoil. Only then had he realized how cold it had been, and how isolated he was from the comfort and sincerity that came in such an action. Theo thought, that perhaps to many collisions with his head had caused this reality to distort into something unexpectedly kind. And then the pain, reminded him, that this time was far off from the loss of his mind. That the stranger had indeed advanced such a willing gesture of aid.

"...What..." the words came out in a mutter, glimpsing up at the other with a more startled expression, rather than the one that held nothing at all. The calling of ( sir ) brought back a familiar irritation, brows furrowing momentarily. Theo didn't exactly like being referred as such, it seemed a  boundary of formality that was unnecessary in his opinion. Especially when he could have been comparable to a fossil or decaying artifact. He did look slightly older however, and upon more study the features of this stranger did appear quite young. So he held onto his tongue, and his bitter words. Instead of mustering up a response, the colder hand reached towards the other, taking the offer of stand. "I guess... if you wouldn't mind..." although stubborn, the offer of something warmer than the outside seemed much more appealing. He could not find it in his heart to sincerely trust the actions of someone he did not know, but still it had left him surprised.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

From himself to himself the decision still bounced forth, to bring a stranger into one's home had been voiced as dangerous by many, if anyone were to kill you then your life ended there. To bring someone untrusted, to lead a possible danger over the threshold of your sanctuary. Yet when faced with the option of not knowing his uncertainty had only grown, a prickleweed sprouted from the depths of his stomach, a lack of knowing bloomed forth. If he had ignored this male, returned alone into the sweet comforts of the building would he have missed out on something? An opportunity may have eluded him, or perhaps the individual could have had a personality like no other.


He had seen the other's lips move a little, a brief moment they had moved. Before the man's face had turned upwards and raised his eyes towards Lester with what had seemed to be a stunned look. The expression could have been likened to a rabbit when you left out nibbles. It was a face which expressed uncertainty, a lack of knowledge on the situation yet a question behind it all. Familiar indeed he had worn that expression many times recently. Travelled recently he had found his way of understanding, yet as with everything it had needed brief moments of unknowingness before he had come to a realization about many things. The differences in culture, beliefs and values had been among those which had come as the most distant and obscure.


Hope stretched onwards, would this individual just be someone who needed a blanket by the fire with some food? A faint movement in lacking light , a movement of the forehead or eyebrows, had they been drawn together or raised? Visibility lacked as he had found it hard to make out some of the body language. Part of his motion to change and grow, to bear new strength into adulthood had been to understand. To understand why humans acted the ways they did, for what purpose did each individual live and survive. His head had troubled as it had tried to wrap around each concept and value. Why they survived and tried, bodylanguage had always been an indicator to the youth, so now, amongst the darkening skies it had all seemed a little worrisome, for he had no immediate thoughts on how this man got to be in such a state here of all places.


Hands clasped, his own held warmth from the hours spent inside which contrasted with the bitterness of the other's hand. It felt a little odd, yet almost right, comparable to a daffodil and a snowdrop. Tensed up slightly he had worked to raise the other to his feet. The light a little better at normal height he let a slight smile slip across his face, enough wood remained inside for the fire to warm the building for at least another hour. “Once we get you back in working order there should still be some bread and things from our evening meal. Im sure that my Grandmother won’t mind with me helping someone”  The kind lady would have happily accepted anyone off the streets, gosh if she had been awake at the time he shuddered at the thought of her pottering out here to lend a hand with getting the man inside. If the other had accepted his help Lester would have slowly helped them shuffle back towards the warmth of the lights, a flood of flickering business which barred against the winters nightmares.

There was a brief struggle, but the endeavor was quickly forgotten as he had gotten the aid to stand once more. However, his balance wasn't exactly on point. Nearly stumbling over again, Theo used the stranger as a source for what little offset was left in his current state. With a closer view he noted the youthful appeal to the features of the other. Despite being slightly overbearing in height, the silver strands that fell past those auburn irises gave off a feeling of innocence. A purity which one should have held onto for as long as they could. It was similar to a child which found fascination in absolutely everything. Never doubting or blaming those around them. A curious and easily breakable presence.

Also exposing himself from the shadows, Theo felt momentarily vulnerable. Showing the swollen places against his face, the scattered locks and slight places which were traced by dirt. Like a stray dog, abandoned, hungry and without a proper bath in the time that had passed, he'd lower his head. For some reason he felt abashed by how he looked, with strands now tracing over those golden eyes, brows furrowed in frustration. The voice of the other guided him elsewhere from those vexing thoughts, recalling the previous offer. Although food wasn't a necessity, regarding he used the light of day to restore his energy, it was always pleasant to taste whenever the chance aroused. Even the vivid shine of the stars and the moon above emitted a shudder down his spine, a newfound strength gradually forming.

( It wasn't like a source of energy from the sky was powerful enough to vanquished the annoyance of these wounds. )

"Your grandmother?" he'd say, repeating what the other had just said. Theo figured it couldn't have been just the young man living in that place, all by his lonesome. And for a moment he pondered if it had just been his grandmother that was the only one there. The only presence of family that this stranger held. Even if it was - for a moment he felt envious. "If you are certain of that..." the words came out as mumble, unfamiliar with the kindness that was so forthright it put him on edge. Once the motion of movement came, he'd shuffle along with the other as best as he could without straining the current discomfort in his injuries.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

A little stumble, had it been from the weakness that had taken root in the other male's legs? Perhaps his foot had been snagged on an obstacle of some sort. Soft brows furrowed whilst they both worked to get Theo to stand steady. Stood firmly as he helped a little more he realized the moment was comparable to experiences from growing  plants. A breath of silence, paired with a soft smile misted across his face, that's right it had been like a little flower. Many times he had to find a little stake to hold up a flower's stem if it had gotten a little crumpled. After a while the flowers stem would have strengthened, the crutch no longer needed a flower would then sway happily in the breeze. This man could be like that, after he had healed the warrior would return to using his strength, his heart warmed a little with thoughts of how helping one person could indirectly help a million more. 

With a stable standing he had a moment of rest, hair fluttered back when he blew it out from his face, the breath of freshness overlapped when he had a clear view. A clean sheet of light had softly bathed the duo now that they stood at normal height, he hadn't been sure how to explain it yet the other seemed to be slightly out of place. HIs eyes reminded him of the nectar from a tulip, sweet and royal yet one wasn't quite sure what to do with one. Tulips weren't used by the florist much, they looked odd as a bunch and no better alone. 

His grandmother? Well yes, the questioning statement had surprised him momentarily, what about his grandmother? Or had the other just been surprised that he had been living with his Grandmother not his parents. A smile reached his eyes, the lashes widening with memories of the elderly lady.  "Yes, I'm staying with my grandmother. She owns this florist." His soft voice held the emotions accumulated from her gift of a scarf and teaching him about flowers. Many others his age would want to be more independent, however each day had reminded him of how life was something so special that he shouldn't waste it, it had been for that reason that he had decided to spend time with the elderly family member. 

The words which had been blown along by the wind hadn't been audible to Lester, it had only been a muttering, for which he hadn't felt was important. If the man had something to say then he figured that he would have spoken louder. His shoulder sent aches down his back and the muscles in his arms had started to strain. Yet as the door of the shop opened the air reached out to embrace the duo, its warmth had been like a blanket to him, well known scents of flowers could be picked out and categorized through the individual characteristics each scent had. The scarf nudged away from his mouth so the other could hear his words. "Mind your step, the door has a slight lip."  Foot held the door open so Theo could get inside without being hampered by it, would a stranger find it odd that he had been living in a florist store? To wake up each morning with the sun bursting through the windows like a seasonal bulb tunneling through the winter soil. To have breakfast surrounded by the flowers and ferns which spread across every flat surface put a spring in his step every morning. 

For a moment he could’ve sworn that the lips had curled, that corners of the eyes had raised. As gentle as the light, and as fleeting as the bounding stars- quickly it escaped his view. Leaving him to believe it had never existed in the first place. Of sincerity or a pleasant memory, he wasn’t exactly certain. Their gazes had crossed, his glare shuddering in uncertainty to the kindness within the shadows of the evening. He’d keep it towards the ground instead, the marble flooring where their feet shuffled along always within his view. The moon was obscured by the faint covering of clouds which passed along, the reach of light from the endless expanse above simply not filling the void. What energy lingered from the object above would not heal the wounds, but perhaps tomorrow the sun could spare some force to the current of time.

If the warning had never been given, he might’ve faltered over the raise into the entrance. Descending in an abrupt and further discomforting fall. Instead however, with the access of aid and the structure close enough for him to grasp onto, flesh wounds were momentarily exposed as his hands would reach forth onto the wooden frame. There was a warmth that shifted in response to the cold, emitting a slight breeze. The feeling was soothing, and the distinct smell of flowers had only grown more forthright. More than likely in what was evidently a shop meant for such wondrous and beautiful plants. It was something that reminded him of the places he usually spent his time around. The isolation of the forest- it was almost significant to be considered as home.

For awhile he glanced left then right, up then down, taking in everything. It was a simple place, nothing special. Or perhaps the latter could be discarded. Something different always had a potential for being special. In the end it just depended on the person. For a moment Theo closed his eyes, shuddering against the warmth. The soft presence of a jacket and the pleasing temperature were gradually returning the feeling to his fingers. Slowly and surely he was becoming more aware of his injuries. "Ouch..." cursing beneath the breath, though certainly audible, a hand was raised upward to observe the harsh discoloring of bruises upon his knuckles. He was quite certain he had appeared rather pitiful in regards to the youth whom helped him. Frustrating as it was, he held onto his tongue.

( For now, he'd let an awkward silence settle ).

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE