A Sunday morning patrol is always peaceful. No fights taking place, but in its stead a gentle breeze. A small smile rests on his lips, enjoying the pleasant quiet to its fullest. He knows it won't be long until the townspeople begin to rustle through the streets to chat and visit, so as much as he’d like to linger, he continues his route, fresh air filling his lungs with each breath.

 

How long has it been since his heart felt so light? How long has it been since he could sink and settle in the passing seconds, not worrying about something, someone, or some other? For him, it’s felt like an eternity, and he was sure that it would never end. But by mere chance, despite what he thought, he has one person to thank for breaking him out of his routine that never left him time to rest.

 

From Fuka, Scarlet has received so much. Despite the limitations of their interactions, he’s been blessed with feelings of a fresh start, a world painted with colours that he'd long forgotten when his life had been twisted, and hurt. Through her simple ways, her bright smile, she’d let his heart begin to mend, to heal, to rest again, slowly but surely. Without a doubt, Scarlet is so, so thankful.

 

Much more thankful than his words could manage to tell her. His emotions, and thoughts are instead placed into his actions, which he hopes can speak louder than him, more clearly than him. Though Fuka may not catch up, these feelings will seep into the warmth of his hands when they touch, the smile he gives her will as if only meant for her. These things, these little things… he hopes that they're enough.

 

But although he hopes, he knows they're not. For what Fuka has done, intentionally or not, is worth more than anything he can give her.

 

Looking at the bright, blue sky above him, he can't help but think… If he could fly, he would lace his fingers with hers, soar up to the stars and wishes, naming each one together as they passed. If he could… if only he could… but Scarlet… Scarlet is still merely himself, and little red cannot reach such great heights as he is. He may be different now than he was back then, but he is still unknowing, still immature… he's aware of that, yet despite what goes against him, for her, he will try. He will try, in small steps which may not bear fruit, but he will get up and try again. The familiar twinkle in her eyes as she explores the world and all that it has to offer is one he will never grow tired of. Whatever it may take, he wants to be by her side, and expand the world he loves so much with her.

 

He knows these thoughts may only remain as thoughts, but still, Scarlet takes comfort in the ideas. Their future, though unclear by the decisions that could perhaps steer them apart, he tries to brush them out of his mind. Just because it may not last, Scarlet will take things one day at a time. He’ll give her the pieces of him that he can, and treasure these afternoons, evenings, all of it like precious jewels.

 

His roaming mind leaves him spacey, but he finds himself again when his eyes land upon white blossoms speckled throughout the space, poking out higher than the grass. Deciding it wouldn't hurt to spare a few moments here, he crouches down, closely examining the flowers. Daisies, with petals sprawled out, facing the sun- just like… her, he thinks. A wild flower budding from nowhere the very same way she had stumbled and appeared. Just as these flowers, somehow she added so much life, and beauty into a field, making it no longer dull, but… cute… comforting...

 

He lets out a soft sigh, fingers reaching to gently pluck one from the ground, careful not to mangle the stem.

 

When he sees her this afternoon, when she approaches him with one hand in the air, and a skip in her step… well, he may not be able to give her the stars, but this flower, he thinks, will be a steady start.