Flower Fumbling

"You think I should try... gardening?"

OJ stared at his boyfriend, completely perplexed by the idea. Of course, he was always willing to try new things, especially for Paper. But gardening? That didn't really sound like it'd go well for an object like him.

"Yeah! I mean... what's the harm in giving it a go? I'll help you. C'mon, it'll be fun."

He took OJ's hand, leading him down the stairs and out of the hotel, into the neat little garden he'd started outside. It wasn't the most impressive achievement in the world, but it meant a lot to Paper. He'd cultivated it pretty much entirely on his own, though Bomb would occasionally help out. It was his own little safe space... free of disturbance, free of distractions... just him, his thoughts, and rows upon rows of flowers.

It was a wonderfully bright day, not a cloud to be found in the sky. The sun's rays were warm and delicate, casting a beautiful light on every last flower in the garden. It almost looked as if they were glowing under the light, all of them neatly and delicately arranged by Paper.

He picked up a nearby watering can, placing it in OJ's hands as he spoke with that encouraging tone OJ had grown so used to.

"Okay, we're gonna start off simple... just giver watering these flowers a try. Start with the petunias and work your way down the row..."

Of course, even when presented with such a simple task, OJ began to worry.

"How would I know when to stop? what if I water them too much? Or too little? What if-"

"Hey- hey, relax... I'll guide you through it, and I won't be mad if something goes horribly wrong. I can always buy new seeds."

Paper explained, walking OJ over to the first few of the petunias.

"Now, with a steady hand, just... pour some of that water onto the flowers... let them have a real good drink."

OJ did as told, doing his best to keep his hand steady as water slowly trickled from the can, slowly but surely seeping into the roots of each and every flower.

"There we go... you're doing great. Alright, that should be enough... let's move onto dahlias, right over here..."

It took a little while for OJ to get the hang of it... though eventually, his hand did manage to steady, and it became a more natural cycle that he could rinse, wash and repeat.

"Alright, perfect! Keep going, with those, then. I'll focus on the ones over here..."

OJ nodded along, keeping at it for a good few more minutes as he smiled to himself. The work was getting easier and easier now, sighing to himself as he leaned down a little to get a better look at one of the smaller flowers...

Wait, what was that sound?

OJ's eyes flickered to the flowers he was watering just a moment ago, his eyes widening as he came to a sudden realisation.

He didn't have his cork on.

And now whatever flowers he was watering were completely drenched in orange juice.

He stood up straight immediately, eyes widened in fear and panic, because did he actually just ruin Paper's flowers??-

"SHIT PAPER I RUINED THE FLOWERS-"

His eyes didn't leave the flowers for one second, desperately trying to wipe off the excess juice on the leaves, even as Paper walked over and his eyes widened a little.

"Oh, I, uh, hadn't really considered that-"

"pAPER OH GOD HONEY I'M SO SORRY WHAT DO I DO-"

Paper was seized by the shoulders and shaken a little, flapping in the wind, feeling the wind rush through him.

"O-ohJayy stooo-oop shaa-ay-king me-"

He eventually processed the request and stopped, but the alarm was still clear on his face.

After taking a few seconds to recover, Paper bent down to have a look at the flowers. He recognised them as his peonies, not really all that bothered at the sight of them being practically flooded with orange juice.

"It's okay. It wasn't that much... they'll probably be fine. Worst case scenario is that I have to replace them, remember?"

He pointed out, patient as ever, and OJ was once again reminded of how lucky he was to have him as a boyfriend.

"...Right... gardening's definitely not for me though."

Paper chuckled at his comment, shaking his head.

"Well, I mean... maybe with a bit more practice you'd get the hang of it! And a cork in your glass, of course...-"

"...No, I think I'd rather leave it to the professionals... but you were right. It was fun to try, I guess."

"Mm... okay then. C'mon, let's head back inside... I'm pretty sure we still have a carton of juice left or two."

"But... what about your flowers?"

OJ gestured to the flowers in question, a confused frown on his face, as Paper rolled his eyes.

"OJ, you're more important to me than some flowers. I'd rather you get refilled first, and then we'll figure it out, okay?"

...What would OJ do without his angel?

"Okay."