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The Flowers were different from all the other Darkners. Unlike static objects – things that are not alive, do not breathe or consume food – they were unique entities within the Town. That, and they were painfully fragile. Unlike a heavy TV or a sturdy laptop, they were delicate, living entities.
Each found a niche in the Town; it was clear that the joy of having a body to experience life was the same between immobile living things like the Flowers, and the lifeless Objects of the Darkners. Each was able to find a job – fighting in the dojo, cooking, baking, making music, causing general mischief for the Prince – and yet, the man with all the stats could not find a place at all.
It was because he was the most human of all. He was special, a type of Flower that Lightners could be hurt by. He was the leader, the one with all the skills and abilities. The looks and the stats. Most tolerated him, and it seemed to be a practised response – other “leader” types stuck in the Castle had very big personalities. Or so the lovely couple from the dojo described it.
It was getting tiresome to have the card guy, sticky and blue, relentless pursuing him. It made sense – he was worthless for what he was, and Flowery was beautiful, rare, actually living. It would be an Increase to his entire worth. Despite Flowery’s endless patience and willingness to entertain a sad, lonely prince (princess, princex, whatever), it was getting taxing. The blue guy – not his Blue, the truly beautiful and talented one – was making his carefully crafted flesh seem to peel away, the facade cracking slightly from raw annoyance.
Is this how everyone else felt about him? Oh, of course not. He was what everyone was waiting for. A hero to save you from your heartbreak!
Flowery had taken refuge in the castle, having to pick a door and hide. He didn’t want whatever the guy was on about today, wherein he’d apparently set fire to something and was trying to entice Flowery with it as a sign of his “bade boye” nature. Flowery didn’t want a bad boy. He wanted a noble, loving --
“Oh You’re The Guy Tenna Hates (LOL) What’s Up”
Flowery was never caught off guard. Of course a Boss would be present in their Room. It was Common Sense! He tossed his hair and gave the speaker a Dazzling Smile, opening his eyes slightly to flash warm gold. It was a Stunning Strike, to show his eyes. “Haha! It’s okay to be a little jealous of what I have! No hard feelings. Who?”
He couldn’t remember all the different Darkners. None of them had what he wanted, and he felt so painfully without purpose. Heartbreak had made him unable to care about any of them – except Ralsei, and his own Flowers.
“Tenna Yknow TV He’s Right Next Door But Whatever What Brings You Around Pretty Boy”
Flowery couldn’t remember who this was. A Boss, obviously – tall, imposing, powerful, commanding the space. Is this the one with the... son? Memories of Aqua with her new friend came rushing back to him. Her seed?
“I’m just a curious guy! All the other Flowers are settling in, but I’m not ready to settle anywhere yet. I move however the wind takes me. For now.”
He’d barely managed to finish his nonsense before Rouxls invited himself in. Queen’s smile faltered, and Flowery felt immediate relief that it wasn’t just him.
“We’re Busy Playing Basketball Lamp Guy Make Sure Lancer Isn’t Destroying The Castle Without Me OK?”
Flowery was being handled roughly for the second time; the Knight hurt him badly, but Queen was doing something that would easily kill him without drawing a weapon. She picked him up in a princess carry, making him laugh nervously (that was something only he should be doing!); Queen folded him in half, making him squeak and whine, his special vocalisations going into a higher register than they ever should.
She threw him upward.
Queen was a tall drink of battery acid, so he didn’t have to go far. Flowery uncurled, landing bodily into the hoop, ass sticking out through the bottom, his long legs and arms hanging off the sides of the plastic. He grabbed on tightly, all his fibres forming his body tightening together to increase his strength. If he fell, he wasn’t sure if his back end was equipped to take that sort of fall damage.
With Rouxls properly banished, Queen looked up at him, hands on her hips. He smiled down at her, delighted by this series of bizarre, exciting and Newbuddy type of events.
“I’m Not Taking You Down But I’ll Catch You,” she extended her arms, waiting to catch him however he chose to wriggle out.
Flowery thought of what Pink had shown him, what Seth talked about from his research, and from his own experience observing Toriel and Asgore. He did what he could, making his cheeks darken with a richer, deeper orange shade, and he gave a playful giggle. “Oh, am I the princess this time?”
“Sure Princess But I Am: Queen And Won’t Be Giving That Name Up”
---
For a desperate manoeuvrer to get rid of an unwanted suitor, it had turned out to be a very Lovely Chance.
Queen pulled up some pillows – typically reserved for her son to nest on or make forts out of – and the pair flopped back to simply chat. Queen was the laptop, and very in-tune with Lightners; they were obsessed with her and what she could do for them, and had a lot to say on the topic. All Flowery had to say was he was obviously a Human, making her cackle at him mercilessly before giving him a lecture on what Lightners are like.
One thing led to another, and Queen was intrigued he was not a Darkner nor Lightner – alive, but not like Kris or Susie, but not like her or Ralsei. He and the rest of the Flowers were alive, but not the same way. Immobile, lacking sentience, but breathing and eating and sensitive to the Light World.
“What Type Of Flower I Can Look It Up”
“That’s so personal! No, no, My Queen, you have to get to know me the old fashioned way.”
Queen’s lips pursed into a firm line, before she momentarily froze. Flowery felt a bit weird, having someone stare at him so intensely without moving. Was she going to tell him something sad? He sat upright, ready to engage himself; his petals were covered with glass, but the vibrations of Asgore’s voice through it always felt nice. The sensation of being engaged with.
“His Search Info Is: Super Deleted And His Socials Are: Not Helpful But His Shop Does Have A Small Website,” Queen rambled, speaking at such a quick clip Flowery was struggling to keep up. “Are You Any Of The Following:”
Flowery sat, patient and smiling, declining each and every flower Asgore had on his website. He was rare, and special – not something Asgore would be selling. Even if Queen did say it, he would not let her know.
“You’re Just Saying No To Everything This Is Stupid,” Queen gave up, instead pulling up assorted screens. Flowery looked at it curiously, knowing about ‘television’ from Asgore. It was a glowing thing, just like that. “You’re A Plant Do You Drink”
“I am desperate for some nice water, honestly. And some nutrient-rich soil to really dig into.”
“Well That’s Something You’ll Get In,” Queen paused, like the realisation that Flowery wasn’t like her finally sunk in, “The Light World Or You’ll Die”
Flowery’s eyes, opening up slightly again as his smile faded, fell towards his abdomen. There was damage his body was slowly mending, a slash through his middle, where he’d...
“Let’s not talk about sad stuff, My Queen.” He perked himself right back up, knowing he was in good company. There was no need to dwell. He might be able to find a purpose, something new to grow into, just by talking to her. “You’re really smart, I feel so silly next to you. Even a Human like me can’t beat a machine...”
“You’re Not A Human????” Queen shook her head, deeply confused. Probably confused by how Human he was.
“Of course I am! You didn’t notice this whole time? I’m a Human, that’s why Asgore loves me. And loves all the Flowers. We’re Human!”
“Oh Honey,” Queen’s visor flashed with scrolling question marks. “Well Okay You Want Some Acid?”
“I don’t make honey, but I know it tastes sweet. I have a special move that tastes just like it.” Flowery’s gaze moved to the ceiling, falling back into fond memories of only days ago. He never got to use Honey Kiss – but he was able to make other honeys kiss. It was a thing Humans did, and he had been hoping to try it himself. To give... love, and warmth, and joy. Sweet as honey.
Queen had long since stepped away to get a glass of something; her hand gently tapping Flowery’s shoulder broke him out of his reverie. He accepted the odd green substance, looking at it curiously. It smelled bad, not a bit like water or sweet juice. “Did you lay this?” It was an awkward phrasing, but he was so puzzled by whatever fruit it was.
“Did I What Sorry It’s Battery Acid Like What Gets Used To Power Machinery?”
“Oh! So, your...” Flowery felt his filaments in his hair curling, his cells moving water through his upper root systems to help him think. “Sap?”
Queen had reached over to curiously brush one of the moving filaments of his hair. It made him startle in surprise, the sensitive component not meant to be touched – or exposed, except in cases he was about to start preparing for certain seasonal activities (that he’d never been able to partake in). He felt his hair curl back into itself, all the filaments tucking in and hiding. Not to be touched.
“What The Hell Was That?” Queen giggled, before loudly drinking whatever it was in her glass. Flowery was still staring at it, but now he was... he didn’t have a word for it. But his filament had been touched. Why had it come out at all? Maybe it was the offering of another’s sap.
“Humans like having their hair touched! It’s intimate!” Flowery grabbed whatever he could from his limited knowledge, Seth having talked about the importance of the Hair. What would a machine know about Hair?
“My Bad Anyway It’s Not Sap??? If You Don’t Want It I’ll Have It”
Flowery had to be careful: he was already in a precarious situation, and moved to another location. If this hurt him in the Dark, it could hurt him in the Light. He learned that the hard way. His finger dipped into it, slow and careful, and given it immediately made all his stomata slam closed and his delicate flesh burn, he handed it right over to her.
“Uh Oh,” Queen grabbed it, watching Flowery wipe it onto a pillow with quick, firm swipes. It still hurt, making his smile falter in pain – both physical, and emotional. He was a fool to just go along with it. He should know better! Humans are sensitive and need WATER, not battery juice! Or sap! (But other juice is okay.)
“Sorry, my Queen, that’s not for me.” He tried to laugh it off, but Queen reached over to take the hand he’d burned. She looked at him thoughtfully.
“U OK?”
“I’m well cared for.” Flowery smiled. He smiled, and felt his finger go into something cold. Plastic, cool and flexible, curled around his finger, and there was a short burst of pressure. The pain left his finger, his stomata opening to release any lingering acid.
They both sat there in silence, Flowery not knowing what this was, and Queen patting his head gently. “Got It”
---
It was nice to have a new friend.
Queen was funny and loved Lighters so much. Many Darkners seemed ambivalent or mixed; King absolutely hated them. And Queen’s room mate was desperate for them to love him back.
It made Flowery uncomfortable to see the strange television man – he seemed to glow, to be bigger and realer than other Darkners, and the feeling was mutual. In the few times he’d spoken with Tenna, Tenna had said the ‘thing you do with your voice’ annoyed him. Flowery found the fancy way he spoke to be charming, but Flowery had his own special voice quirks. He was just envious, obviously, needing to use fancy text instead of being able to talk like a Human.
Queen and Flowery would enjoy each other company’s regularly, though so much of her time was taken up with her son. He wasn’t sure how machines spawned, given they aren’t alive like Flowers are, but he didn’t want to get in the way. Lancer was Aqua’s friend, and that meant he was happy to play, but sometimes he just wanted to talk with Queen. Queen had access to a world he never could have known about, inside his glass case, with only Asgore and the Room he was in.
Having to keep out of Tenna’s way was a bit less complicated, but after the pair had combined their rooms, it just meant Tenna would have to deal with listening to Flowery and Queen chatting away or playing whatever Queen felt like at the time. Flowery found he quite liked handling sport balls. He liked the one where you kicked it.
Tenna was a very... lonely, attention-starved man, so he always ended up involving himself in the conversation. He was also keen to talk about the Dreemurr household, which made him bristle with jealousy; Tenna got to see Asgore when he was happy, when things were good. What was it like? All Flowery knew was his pain, and the heartbreak of knowing he couldn’t help him more continued to weigh down.
Tenna was, thankfully, not present for this conversation. Queen and Flowery made their routine little pile of demolished Lancer Fort Components; Queen with her screens and battery acid, and Flowery having brought some water that Ralsei had, so very kindly, provided for him and his kind.
“What’s On Your Mind Today Petal,” Queen opened up ‘wikipedia.’ They had gotten really deep into historical agriculture last time. Queen said it was boring, but if she were bored they’d have done something else. It was kind of her to let Flowery learn about the world he was a part of.
“You pick. There’s gotta be something the smartest woman in the Worlds combined doesn’t know everything about.”
“Cease,” Queen pushed Flowery’s shoulder playfully. It actually bruised him, but given it was hidden under the Clothing layer that protected his soft underneath, that was for him to repair and nobody to know about. “Let’s Do Games OK”
“Oh! I’m excited to try!” Flowery sat upright, cuddling into his friend’s side without any further consideration. Queen had none, either, as the emulator site she used to grab files to play on Tenna’s face was littered with advertisements and spam; whatever the most recent library user had done to her, she began to freeze up from the onslaught of unprotected Internet usage.
Flowery was useless here. He put a hand on Queen’s arm, staring at her in concern with his eyes wide. When she stuttered out a reply, pointing to something on the screen, he turned his head to look at it and mimic her hand gestures. “X X X X X X X,” she kept repeating. He looked where Queen was pointing, but Flowery’s eyes caught something else.
It was so... wet. Human flesh jiggling in a pop-up video on the side. A human woman’s face contorted, mouth open, and she looked afraid? So much flesh, completely naked, and what. What was that? His brows furrowed, leaning in, confused by what he was looking at. Why is that human alive with such a huge injury? Why is a long tube going into it?!
“CLOSE THE WINDOW”
Flowery snapped out of it, tapping the screen’s “x” button in the top right. Queen wheezed. “Took Your Sweet Time Petal You Got Stuck Loading A Bad AI Porn Ad Too???”
“I’m – I – sorry,” he rubbed his neck, feeling overwhelmed and strange about what he’d just seen. “I don’t see that much all at once like that. It’s a lot for a little flower like me.”
Wait, no. “I meant a grown Human. It was a lot. To see a human being hurt like that.”
Queen shook her head out, giving herself a moment to terminate processes and bin them all. Tasque Manager could tend to her later, clean up any trash from that event. “They’re Not Hurting Each Other Lightners Are OBSESSED With That Stuff It’s A Biological Thing So My: Home (Library) Had To Filter A Lot Of It”
She was talking too fast. Flowery was too curious for this to pass so quickly. “What... stuff? Like, romantic stuff? Kissing and touching? That’s not what that was. That poor human had a...” Flowery tried to draw it in the air with his fingertips. A symmetrical opening.
“Lots Of Humans And Lightners Have Those”
Flowery stared at her. He tried to think back to anything Asgore ever had on his TV. Maybe once? It wasn’t enough. Whatever had been projected onto him in the Dark had some knowledge of love and romance and intimacy, but this sort of Human Anatomy seemed to be...
“Do You Not Know?”
“I’m... I’m not really able to get out much and find out. My hopes and dreams were to make Gorey happy, so whatever helped with that.”
“What If He Wanted To Fool Around With A Beautiful Man And That’s Why You’re Like This?”
Flowery ran a hand through his glorious Hair (construct), preening. “His college room mate and his best friend!”
“What If He Comes Back What If He Wants To Do Romantic Stuff With You? Honey Kiss And Whatever”
“Then that’ll be my new dream. To make my king feel loved and happy. To touch him back as gently as he does my petals...” Flowery hadn’t thought about it much before, but now that he was, he felt his stamen below begin to react. The anthers opened, pollen began to cover them – that would stain his Clothes! So annoying! He shifted slightly, realising such behaviour – such passionate thoughts – were making him start getting ready to reproduce.
“So What Do You Have?”
“I have hands, and a tongue, and fingers and arms and legs, and soft hair, and a soft smile, and a warm body like the sunset, golden and --”
Queen brought up a screen again and Flowery’s rambling was terminated by two photos of human genitalia. “I Am NOT Teaching You About This But Which One”
Flowery shook his head. What... was this? It was so fleshy, so hairy, so flushed and wet and sad-looking, hanging bits, folds and – “I have a pistil and a stamen! So, uhm, BOTH!”
“Oh Yeah A Lot Of Us Can Do Multiple,” Queen pulled the screens away. “That Was a Vulva And A Penis And Chances Are You’d Be Messing With A Penis Soooooo”
Flowery was so scandalised. That can’t be it. Asgore’s hadn’t been so ugly! He was already undoing his Belt (the fibres of his body began to untangle, peeling the Clothing layer off him so he was Exposed from the waist down); Queen gasped softly, watching her fruity (flowery) friend put hands on his knees and open his legs apart.
A trail of golden petals, a garden of buttercups, ran down towards where many Lightners (Humans, Monsters) and several Darkners would have their sexual bits. But where, if Flowery had been a Human, might be parts like theirs, was a long central pistil with clustered of bright yellow, pollen-heavy stamens in a circle around it. Phallic, in a way. Flowery looked at Queen, expecting some sort of comment – ideally to tell him it was exactly how it should be.
Queen’s eyes, instead, spun into circles, gasping in shock as Flowery just displayed himself to her. He didn’t understand the big deal. “If Humans love it so much and crave it, I don’t get why you’re so shocked? You’re really good with Lightners, right?”
“I Mean You Don’t Just Do That”
Still, Queen leaned in, undeterred. It was scandalous, but Queen was a curious woman. This was absolutely nothing she’d seen before. As she got close to his pistil, Flowery curled slightly into himself; she was too close, and it was sensitive. He’d never had anyone take his pollen before – or felt anyone else’s enter him. This was a lot at once, but he wouldn’t back down. Not when an expert was here to tell him what Asgore would think.
“Haha, my Queen. This is embarrassing. Don’t get too close, please, it’s --”
“What the 
Flowery leaned his head back, legs parted, Queen sitting between them and also looking up at the intruder. Tenna had returned, and his entire screen was red, hidden behind his huge gloved hands.
“Oh Anty You’re Lightners’ #1 Fan Does This Look Like Anything You’ve Seen Before”
“I’m NOT changing my rating system for this! Cut it out, right now! I want to sulk in my room in peace!”
“Tenna You’re A Grown TV We’re Just Doing Anatomy Lessons Here”
It was no use. Flowery shrugged, his chance now gone; he didn’t feel like showing anyone his phytotomy would matter anyway. Given what he’d seen, Asgore and himself would likely be incompatible. And given what he knew, Asgore might be able to work around it just fine, if... if it was meant to be. Or if any Darkner wanted to try cross-pollinating with him.
It could be fun.
His vascular tissues curled around his legs, the Pants reappearing as the protective layer reformed over his body. His flowering body would remain hidden until further notice. After all, it wasn’t human – so why would anyone want to see it? Or smell his sweet petals? Or taste his honey kiss?
Ugh. Stupid Tenna.
He excused himself, thanking Queen for the lesson and the fun, leaving Tenna to turn to her and ask “FUN????” The sound of his annoying voice echoed down the hallway after Flowery.
All he could think is: I’m so glad I’m not completely Human, if they’re that ugly below.