Open For a Friend

[Elliot Briar]

Open After @Lars van Houten

It was a relief to nearly be done with all his roses. Elliot wouldn't say he'd disliked the experience, but it'd definitely been a bit more nerve-wracking than he'd expected. He'd managed to save what he'd hoped would be the easiest rose for last, taking advantage of the fact that he was nearly done to relax back in the courtyard again. He knew Lars would come through here eventually, he always did, and it was reassuring that they'd both end up here at some point if they were looking for each other now. Elliot perked up when he spotted Lars, waving him over happily. "Lars, I was looking for you, you got a rose." He knew it probably wouldn't be the one he sent Lars, not that he'd have a problem if it was, but he'd hoped he wouldn't have to be around to see any one react to the notes he'd written. They weren't embarrassing, at least he hoped not, but he just knew it'd make him feel a little awkward.

 

[Lars van Houten]

Lars had been nervous all day, knowing that roses were being delivered. He had fretted over the rose he had sent Elliot all day, constantly wondering if it had been the right note to send. Was it too weird? Would he realize Lars liked him? Or should he have been bolder and sent him a pink one to let him know? That thought made him want to shrink into a tiny ball, but it also made him imagine what it would be like if Elliot felt the same way and would be happy with it. That was hard to believe, but... what if he would? Staring up at the clouds from a bench at the courtyard, he noticed someone waving at him after a moment. His heart skipped several beats when he noticed it was Elliot, and he nearly tripped over his own feet on his way over, wondering if this was about the rose he sent. But it wasn't. Instead, it was a new one. "Oh." He said, wondering if Elliot would notice him blushing. "Thank you..." He said, wondering if Elliot had gotten his rose yet but not wanting to ask.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Elliot smiled at Lars before fishing in his basket for a yellow rose. He didn't think specific roses were meant for specific people if it was the right color, so he didn't feel bad grabbing what he hoped was the nicer of the yellow roses he had left for Lars, making sure to get the right note to pass to him. "I got yours earlier, thanks," He said, brushed the stem of the flower crown where Lars' rose was resting by his ear. "Honestly, delivering these kinda stresses me out, I'm glad I get to deliver one to you." He confided. It was nice to take a break from talking to new people to catch up with a friend instead.

Spoiler: Note

Dear Lars!

You’re pretty cool! Did you know that cows moo in different accents depending on what part of the world they grew up in?

Love Nell!

 

[Lars van Houten]

Lars' face turned bright pink as Elliot said he'd gotten his rose, and he wished the boy would somehow fail to notice. Elliot thanked him, and Lars smiled weakly. "No problem, glad you liked it..." He said softly, hoping the sound of his heart thumping wasn't as loud as it seemed. He really liked Elliot, a lot, and he was starting to feel like he wasn't great at hiding it. Lars blushed even more when Elliot told him he was glad to deliver one to him, even if he knew Elliot meant that he was glad he knew someone on his list. He took the rose from the other boy and nervously fiddled with it for a moment before reading the note. He smiled, it was a sweet message. But his smile soon faded. He'd been so occupied with Elliot that he hadn't sent anyone else a rose. He instantly felt guilty, and wondered if Nell would be angry with him. "I... I haven't sent Nell a rose and she sent me one." He blurted out. "Do you think she'll be mad?" He felt like Elliot had a better grasp on social interactions and might be able to guess better than he could.

 

[Elliot Briar]

Elliot grimaced when Lars asked if Nell would be mad at him, trying not to be too please that Lars had remembered to send him one still. "I didn't send Maddy one last year and she sent me one.. I think it's okay? Maybe just send her one next year? Or at least say thanks.." Elliot wasn't sure if there was some secret rose etiquette or not. Maybe Maddy had been mad at him? She didn't seem like the type to hold a grudge at least, and neither did Nell. He hoped. The more he thought about it, the more the whole rose delivery thing seemed like a social minefield and was suddenly relieved he'd already sent all the roses he could so he didn't have to overthink about it any more. "You could paint her something maybe? That's gotta be better than a rose?" Elliot knew he'd be happy to get something like that from Lars over a rose, not that he wasn't happy with the one Lars had already sent.

 

[Lars van Houten]

Lars had hoped Elliot would dismiss his concerns and tell him that Nell definitely wouldn't be mad. He did say he thought it was okay, as long as Lars sent one next year or said thanks. To his disappointment, Elliot didn't really seem to know any better than him. He had guessed Elliot would know. "I'll say thanks..." He said softly. Elliot's next suggestion was for Lars to paint her something, which made Lars blush. It was probably prompted by the painting he'd made for Elliot after the last break, but he couldn't exactly tell Elliot he didn't often paint things for people. Painting was personal to him most of the time, and him having given one to Elliot was special, and for the same reason he'd sent only Elliot a rose. "Maybe." He said softly.