JP - The Keep - Flowers

Miyuki wouldn’t return for a few hours, but when she did enter Lek’s room to check on him, she had his wash bin with her and a fresh helping of water. Setting both down, she looked toward the bed to see if he was awake or still resting. If he still slept, she would leave him be, but if he was awake, she’d take the time to check his vitals and make sure that nasty drug was out of his system.

Lek had been asleep, but was woken up when Miyuki set down the wash basin and water. He sat up. “Hello.”

“Oh, hello,” She replied, ears twitching. “I was just returning your wash basin and brought you some fresh water. Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, thank you.” Lek set his feet on the floor.

“Is there anything I can help you with since I’m here?” Miyuki asked calmly, resting her hand on her bag to rub her fingers along the fabric. It was an old nervous habit of hers.

“You did enough already.” Lek said, shoving his feet into his boots. “You saved me. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Uhm…” Miyuki was blushing beneath her fur. “I’m…I’m not sure. Maybe just help me through this?” She pointed at her stomach. “I don’t know what will happen as it gets further along and my parents used to call me Klutzy Miyu, so…it’s probably best to have someone watch out for me.”

“I’ll help where I can.” Lek promised.

Nodding, she filled his cup with water and took it to him. “For now, you take care of yourself, okay?” Miyuki said softly. “You’re going to feel a bit groggy for a day or two, but you’ll be fine otherwise.”

“That’s better than how I could have ended up.” Lek said, blushing to think of what could have happened.

“It’s a good thing I wanted to come see if I could help you with anything then, hm?” Miyuki said in a slightly joking manner to lighten the mood for him.

“Yeah.” Lek was trying to not think about what could have happened. What if Tria got herself pregnant? He shuddered.

“You okay?” Miyuki asked and reached over to touch his forehead out of worry.

“Yeah.” Lek said again, nodding. “Just trying to not think about what could have happened.”

“Look at it this way,” Miyuki suggested with a smile. “It didn’t happen and you’re safe in your room now. A little sick and recovering, but you’re still here and nothing happened to you with her.”

Lek thought that compared to what happened to Miyuki and what she was still going through, what had happened to him was minor. Insignificant. “I know.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I feel like I should be doing something.”

“Only if you feel like you’re up to it, Lek.” She replied and handed him a cup of water. “You don’t need to push yourself or you’ll just get hurt again.”

“I’ve never liked staying still.” Lek admitted, drinking the water then standing up.

Miyuki had to take a step back when he stood up. He was so tall compared to her. “Okay, but if you start to feel sick, come find me and I can give you something for nausea.” She explained, thanking whatever god out there that was listening for her fur. It would be awkward if Lek saw the blush on her face.

“I’ll take it easy for now.” Lek said, stretching his back experimentally. “Start with a walk.”

“...would you like company on your walk?” Miyuki couldn’t believe she’d just asked that.

“If you want to come, I’m not going anywhere interesting.” Lek said, moving to his door.

"What do you mean? This whole place is interesting." Miyuki said as she followed him. "Have you not looked at the nature? The wildlife? This world is beautiful if you see beyond the walls and your usual expectations. Want to see some flowers I found earlier?"

“I was only planning on walking on the walls.” Lek admitted. “I’d like to look at the flowers.”

“On them?” Miyuki tilted her head in curiosity before leading him to the little area of flowers she’d found hidden within a small cluster of trees. They were in full bloom at the moment, a rainbow of colors. “It’s odd to see them growing in a place like this, but it is beautiful.”

“The walls around the Keep are thick, there’s walkways you can reach through the towers. I run on them every day.” Lek gestured to the closest tower in explanation, then looked at the flowers. “They’re beautiful, do you know what they’re called?”

Nodding, Miyuki named off almost every flower’s name and what uses they could present, pointing to each one. She had to know these things if she intended to keep making remedies and medicines. “-and this one, if you crush the petals into a fine dust, can help with anxiety and stress at a certain level.” She pointed to a yellow flower.

“You can help Difyr a lot with herbs.” Lek said, leaning against a tree.

“I intend to help…so long as I’m welcome.” Miyuki said softly.

“I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be welcome.” Lek said with a shrug. “Difyr works with an elf.”

“Kitsune’s are often called sly tricksters…” Miyuki told him as she stepped away from the flowers and looked at him.

“Oh. Well, if you don’t do anything like that you should be okay, right?” Lek asked.