amaranth-daydream

[amaranth-daydream]

Summer Flowers

Kiro X Reader fluff, MLQC fanfiction light spoilers

    It started with daisies at the end of spring. The air was crisp and warm with summer closing in. We strolled through the park idly, watching the petals sway on the lake’s surface. His blue eyes danced as we spoke, and I remembered why he was so loved by all who encountered him. He was warmer than the sun itself.

    We talked for a while about our jobs and the news before we ended up in a field of daisies. I felt a smirk betray me on my face, as I gently plucked one from the ground to tuck behind the idol’s ear. 

    “Daisies. New beginnings.” He chimed as he gathered a few to return the gesture. 

    “New beginnings.” I repeat, closing my eyes as I savor the sound.

    “Fitting, isn’t it?” He hums, letting himself fall back into the soft red fescue grass.

    “Why do you say that?” I say, taking a seat near him and adjusting the daisies in my hair.

    He stays silent for a moment, and I watch quietly as a round honeybee visits the white flower adorning him.

    “I’m offended you don’t know,” He says, opening one of his eyes to look at me, “It’s because of how much my life has changed since I met you.” 

    Heat rushed to my face. He was way too good at being charming, though, I suppose that was what elevated him to the fame he has now. The crowds of fans, the albums and photoshoots. He earned it himself.

    “You can’t say things like that!” I scold, laughter betraying my fake angry face.

     His eyes snap open and he sits up, scaring off the curious little bee. His eyes held an emotion I dared not try to identify as his voice came out in barely a whisper.

    “I’m serious.” He says, frowning.

    I go to say something, to comfort him. For someone whose smile dims the brightest stars, a somber expression was a grievous crime. However, he began speaking again, looking down at the daisies that were swaying in the light breeze.

    “I’ve always really felt alone. Even when surrounded by people, because they know me on stage, on tv shows, scripted and edited. It always feels so superficial. You, though? You’re my safe space. I don’t have to be on brand or advertiser friendly around you. You’ve given me a sense of freedom. A new beginning.”

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    Since then, we made it a bit of a ritual to seek out that little slice of the park with the softest grass and most wildflowers. Schedules were hectic, though, and three weeks had slipped by without a chance to catch up. The warm air of summer began to yield to the crisp winds of approaching autumn. Birds began to prepare their migratory flights, and the last of the summer flowers bloomed. A sense of melancholy was palpable as the days wore on, and it became hideously apparent that the cause wasn’t the cooler weather. 

    I missed him. 

    The realization ignited a spark within me, and I threw on a jacket to rush out to the nearest flower shop. I paid admittedly too much and took the newly made bouquet of flowers with haste. I began jogging until I paused, realizing I had no idea where my dear friend was. I frowned and pulled out my phone to text him.

(6:52) Hey, where are you?

Mr. Chips (6:54) Hey!!! I’m just finishing up some recording and heading to the gym, it’s been a crazy week.

(6:55) Yeah, I’ve heard. I have a gift for you, though! It was kinda an impulse buy.

Mr. Chips (6:55) :0 really?

Mr. Chips (6:56) I’ll wait on you outside of the studio!!

(6:56) Okay! I’ll see you soon!

    With that I picked up my pace, the alien fervor still in my veins. The sky was just beginning to take on the red-orange tint of evening and I paused, leaning on a post to catch my breath. I needed to hide the bouquet.

    I draped my jacket delicately over the paper and took a few deep breaths. I had no idea what I was going to say, or even what I wanted to say. I thanked the flowers for hopefully doing it for me as I steeled myself. I took one last inhale, and took off.

    The familiar building appeared in my sight, and I saw an equally familiar disguise. I slowed as I approached, my chest rising and falling even quicker, despite my slowed footfalls.

    His smile cracked through his neutral expression, and I could nearly see his eyes light up under his sunglasses. He motioned with a nod for me to follow, and I did so silently, savoring the moment to collect myself.     “Let’s go eat. I’m craving cheese fries.” He says, as soon as we’re deep enough in the alley.     “Don’t you have to be at the gym? Won’t Savin get mad?” I asked, worried.

    “He can die mad about it.” Kiro jokes, chuckling lightly.

     Except it wasn’t his usual airy laugh, light with amusement. My brows furrowed in concern and I instinctively moved closer. He didn’t protest, slowing down to allow me to do so.     “Are you feeling okay?” I ask, voice quiet and meek.     “Hm? Yeah... Can I talk to you about something though? When we get our food.” He replies, his voice losing its cheer as well.   “Of course!”    The rest of the walk was in silence. Warm, understanding quiet. There was no rush for the moment to pass, but the resturaunt appeared all too quickly. It was a small earthy place that smelled of sweet smoke and fresh bread. We entered and sat at a far booth in the corner. Kiro ordered a large order of their cheesy ranch fries for us to share and he leaned his head on the window lightly.     “You’re exhausted...” I note, seeing his drooping eyes and slightly chapped lips.     “Mhmm.” Was his half hearted reply before he sat up and stretched.     “Don’t tell me you’ve been stressing over a song again. I can and will come to your house and make you go to sleep again.” I say, placing the flowers lightly beside me, the jacket still covering them.    He shook his head, “No, surprisingly. It’s the new management. They’ve been cracking down on Savin to crack down on me. They want me to be perfect for a role I have coming up. I’m practicing eight hours a day then working out for 2 hours, and writing and practicing for the new album in all my free time, not to mention the diet they have me on. 1800 calories a day! I’m tired and hungry and I want a break.”           His voice was hushed, but full of frustration and stress. He ran a hand through his golden hair, displacing his hat slightly. I couldn’t help but ache to wrap him up in a hug, but the fries arrived, and the thought was lost to the heavenly smell.     Kiro dug in shamelessly as I began to talk. I began softly and slowly at first, before my emotions got the best of me.     “That’s ridiculous, Kiro. They shouldn’t do that! You’re a person, damnit! They treat you like a machine. A product to sell. I know you love your fans deeply, but they will understand a hiatus. They can’t put money out of their -- Omphh-”    My spiel was stopped by very savory fries being pressed against my lips. I looked up in confusion and hesitantly took them. Kiro’s eyes peeked out over the top of his glasses. They were full of emotion. His lips quirked up into a mischeivious smirk.      I rolled my eyes and popped the snack into my mouth.     “Thank you, y/n.” He said, as I was chewing.     I raised my eyebrows, and he answered my obvious confusion.     “For being so concerned. You’ve always been so kind. Sometimes it drags me down that I don’t have a family, you know? I look around and I see so many comforted by parents, stood up for by siblings. It hurts sometimes, but you make it better. I know it’s been a while since we got a chance to hang out, but when I’m overwhelmed, I just think back to us sitting in that flower field.” He confesses, and I understand, truly.      I gripped the bundle under my jacket and just started talking. I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.     “Kiro, I’m so glad I can help you like that. You’re the sun itself. So many turn to you, not because of how you look on magazine covers, but because you love so openly, you love everyone around you. It’s your light, your absolute charm. Es-- especially me! I- ... I’ve missed you a lot and the flowers are probably gone from our field, so... So I brought you these!” I say, presenting the bouquet.     A sunflower was broken, hanging by the stem, but the rest remained unharmed. He stared, eyes wide with a few fries poking out of his mouth.     Sedum, for hearts that ache. Sunflowers for the happiness that he brings. Pink Hydrangeas for gratitude and heartfelt emotions. Dahlia, meaning ‘I think of you always.’  Lavender. Lavender for love and promise.      He raised a hand to his eyes and took a shaky breath. When he lifted it, his sunglasses shifted to reveal wet eyes. His hand reached and grasped mine. It was cool, a contrast to my own. He intertwined our fingers quickly.      “Miss Chips, you’re too kind. How dare you give me such a thoughtful gift.” He teased, a softer kind of smile gracing his features. “I love you too.”