[Gift] The Perfect Pair

Two baos passed through the gates into the Botanic Gardens, smelling faintly of sea-salt and sunny days. They had traveled the long way from the oceans of Bearmuda Bay to attend a garden party hosted by their friend Ouji — however one of the baos didn’t seem interested in taking the direct path.

The blue bao, dressed in her finest gray hat and cream-colored dress, stood firm on the path and crossed her arms as her companion was immediately sidetracked by a hydrangea bush and a flowerbed of pansies. 

“Ducky!” She called in exasperation. “We’re going to be late.”

Ducky — a pale yellow bao in a white shirt and blue sailor collar, complete with a duck ornament — poked their head up from the hydrangea. Their natural blush deepened over their freckled cheeks as they smiled wide, waving back to their companion.

“Ceruru! Check out these beautiful flowers.” They called, motioning for her to come over.

Ceruru sighed, her tail thumping twice against the ground as she pondered, before relenting. “Fine, we can stop for a minute.”

She wandered over to the bush and stood with paws crossed, feigning ambivalence as Ducky moved from bloom to bloom, talking happily as they did so. “Look! The colors of the hydrangea are almost like watercolor…this one is blue and purple, and that purple moves into the next one but starts turning into pink…” 

These are beautiful flowers… She mused to herself, zoning out whatever Ducky was saying next. As rival sea explorers, the pair were far more accustomed to sandy beaches and ship decks. When she did see flowers, they were more often than not fake, or painted on pieces as kitsch decor. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get a little flowerpot for back home, and try raising her own flower? A matching flowerpot for Ducky…?

She shook her head, stopping the train of thought before she got too distracted. They were here for a reason, not for sightseeing. “All right Ducky, we really should go—” She turned into a face-full of hydrangea.

She sputtered, pulling her head free to see Ducky’s smiling face, and a bouquet of hydrangea and pansies in their hands. “W-What is this?”

Ducky beamed brighter (Ceruru squinted, it was like looking at the sun). “It’s for you! A bouquet for my best friend and the best partner anyone could ask for.” They continued, pointing at different blooms. “I tried to pick the flowers that had the most blues and whites in them so they could match you the most. We can find a ribbon with an anchor pin too, to really make it perfect!” 

Ceruru blinked in surprise — once, twice — before she found her words. “You…made a bouquet for me?” Ducky nodded eagerly and she turned her head, hoping that they couldn’t see her cheeks burning.

“It’s…really nice. T-Thank you.” She said, scrambling to re-piece her tough facade together. “But I don’t think a bouquet will last very long on the sea. (Also, are we even allowed to pick the flowers?)” 

“Oh…” Ducky said, immediately crestfallen. “I hadn’t considered that.” The bouquet drooped as their hands lowered.

Ceruru winced, feeling guilty at seeing Ducky’s sad face. “Maybe we can do something else. How about pressed flower bookmarks? They’ll last a long time, and I can…make one for you, too.” She pointed towards the flowerbed across the way. “Those sunflowers remind me of you. Would you like one?”

Ducky immediately dropped the flowers and hugged her tightly, squeezing and spinning them in place. “That’s a great idea, Ceruru!!” She tapped their head a few times (“Please let me down”) and Ducky lowered her down, smiling as wide as they could. “I’ll go find you the perfect flower right now!”

They took off into the bushes as Ceruru called out. “Wait! We’re going to be late for the party! Ducky! WAIT!"