Herb hummed as he watered his plants, his greenhouse was quite spacious. Yet he didn't mind the work he has to put into taking care of the plants, it's like checking up on friends to him.
After watering all of his plants, he got ready to do his deliveries for the day. But just before he left, someone knocked on the door.
"Hello!" Herb answered the door to meet his friend, Clover.
"I'm sorry if you're busy today.. I came to drop off a few flowers so they don't wilt." Clover and Licorice were holding a few pots of flowers.
"What's the occasion?" Herb placed the flowers on his window and continued to prepare the deliveries.
"We're just going on a trip" Clover let out small laugh and looked at Licorice. Herb had finished preparing the plants. "Oh, have you watered the flowers?" Herb walked over to the pair. "Yeah.. we're sorry for interrupting, we'll go now." Clover thanked Herb before speedwalking towards licorice and grabbing his hand hurriedly.
"Adorable.." Herb sighed and started walking with the deliveries.
Taking in the green surroundings, he's glad that most people had agreed on the vote of planting more greenery around the place.
The few splashes of light shining through the thick leaves, perfectly landing towards where his bard friend usually performs.
He smiled. He's doing what he loves.
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It was morning, so Sparkling's bar was empty. "Why don't we just open at night" Sparkling whined, only for Mint to open the door.
"Oh, the usual? It's quite early for you to be here" Sparkling joked, only for Mint to reply; "No, although I think you're forgetting something"
Sparkling didn't know what it was, and Mint could tell from the bartenders puzzled expression. "A certain delivery?" Mint sighed, keeping his eyes on the bartender and dully pointed to the door. Herb was nervously standing there, he looked as if he was waiting for Sparkling to pick up the delivery outside for a while.
"Oh! I'm so sorry Herb..!" Sparkling felt guilt for forgetting but frantically helped Herb bring in the heavy potted shrubs. "It's fine" Herb chuckled as the two finished carrying the potted shrubs inside.
"Really sorry, here, I'll pay extra!" Sparkling handed over some diamonds, both to pay Herb and give him a few extra. Herb didn't know what to say, although he returned a few.
"You guys have tea right?" Sparkling just nodded and went back to the counter. "We have herbal tea" Sparkling dusted off the teacups they had, nobody really ordered tea at the bar, yet they still had it.
"I'll just have that" Herb grinned and like magic, his signature pot was back in his hands.
"You really love that plant hm?" Sparkling was back to his 'charming' demeanor. The bartender gave Herb the tea, and decided to entertain Herb.
The bar was empty, and Mint left after reminding Sparkling about the delivery. "Yeah, Its like raising a kid. You were my only delivery today so I thought to bring it along" Herb took a sip of the tea, it was just right.
The gardener looked around the bar, it was empty. "Mhm, empty. Nobody really comes in unless it's night." Sparkling had noticed Herb look around.
"I like it when it's empty. It's quiet, and I get to talk to you" he took another sip, and grinned at Sparkling 'And I get to talk to you..' it echoed in the bartenders head, he brushed it off.
"Oh? You enjoy my company?" Sparkling just acted as if he wasn't taken aback from what Herb had said.
Herb kept calm, but he did regret his words back there. "Yes I do, and you don't need to put up the charming act" he teased the bartender. Sparkling had a tint of red creeping onto his face, his usual practiced smile replaced with a slightly flustered look.
'He's adorable when he's not putting up an act' Herb thought to himself, he wasn't lying. "Just like that, when you're not putting up the act, you're still sweet" Herb took a sip of his tea, looked over to the now nervous and charmed bartender.
'Come on Sparkling! He's just complimenting you! Why are you acting this way? Everyone else compliments you!' Sparkling argued with himself, as he sat down near Herb, resting his head on his arms, which were on the table.
"You can't just go around saying that.." Sparkling defeatedly muttered and looked at the gardener's plant.
Herb realized what he'd been saying to Sparkling. "S-Sorry.." Herb finished his tea, and put it aside. He was still in a panic, he meant all he said, but he didn't know why he was so nervous after realizing it.
The door to the bar opened, and vampire came in and looked at the two. "Ooh~ 2/4 of the group? Why didn't you invite us? What secrets are lurking between the gardener and bartender duo?" Vampire teased the two, and Herb just looked at his plant to try and ignore the question. "The usual?" Sparkling sighed and got up, also dodging the question.
"You two are no fun, what were you talking about?" Vampire was persistent, but sparkling just handed him his wine "I won't stop asking~" Vampire hummed, and sipped on his wine.
"None of your business" Sparkling replied in a passive agressive tone, Vampire may be lazy but he wasn't dumb. He just changed the topic, they wouldn't answer even if they stayed there till night.
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"I'll be heading off now.." Herb grabbed his plant, leaving a tip for Sparkling. Herb got to the door, waved and left. Vampire finally broke into a smug look and quickly turned to Sparkling. Sparkling groaned and immediately knew he was about to be interrogated by Vampire.
"So you swing that way~?" Vampire wasn't shy, so he quickly started asking straight forward questions. The bar wasn't too full, and everyone else was minding their own business. "I didn't even know I did.." Sparkling kept his voice down. Vampire did the same, to respect Sparkling.
"Well? Will you tell him?" Vampire beamed. Sparkling paused after hearing this, "what if he doesn't even like men that way??" Sparkling worried, yet vampire let out a quiet laugh.
But before they could continue, the bar crowded up. And the two couldn't continue speaking.
Sparkling quickly waved before leaving vampire to his wine addiction that was interrupted from herb's worries.
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Herb entered his home. He just sighed and looked at Clover's flowers.
His phone rang.
"Hello~?" Clover greeted Herb once he picked up.
"How's the trip?"
"It's great. Licorice is asleep right now though, so I'll be quiet. Anything going on there?"
"I just talked to.." Herb paused, should he say it? He was already shaken up from Vampires teasing, how could he survive if one of his closer friends knew?
"Why the pause? Is something wrong?"
"N-No! Nothing's wrong, I enjoyed talking to Sparkling!" Herb forgot about Vampire. "And Vampire.." he muttered in his panic.
Clover brushed it off. But he took note of the sudden panic Herb had. Was it from drinking?
"Drinking again? In the morning?" Trying to connect the dots, Clover sat near the window in their room.
"No no, it was tea. I just talked to sparkling after work." It's like the gardeners mind was so panicked at the thought of Sparkling, he keeps forgetting Vampire.
"Uhm, hey, you're forgetting vampire again." Now it seemed a bit sketchy, Clover decided to pursue these suspicions.
"Care to tell me why?" In a sing-song tone, Herb already knew he'd figured out.
"You have high standards" Clover laughed and played with Licorice's hair.
"Well? Are you gonna do anything about it?"
"No way, it's just a small crush, it'll pass after a while." Herb was in denial, but it was getting late.
"Well then, it's your choice. I'll be hanging up now, I'm heading to bed."
"Sweet dreams" Herb laughed and the call dropped.
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Any feedback?
A/N (unimportant): can you tell this is my favorite ship for no reason at all
Word count:1329