newtralize | The End Of Love

I don't know if I want to imagine it. I, uhm, I quite like what we have right now, really. [He's trying to be bold, but his execution is so shy. So gentle.] Having your attention is pleasant, regardless.

[Newt watches the other intently as he planted some seeds, seemingly trying to focus and make sure he didn't somehow mess it up. He blinks before taking the hose from the other.

This is where he frets a bit.] What if it's too much? Or too strong? [Newt was clearly overthinking this all.]

[ Percival had only been joking about the idea; of them being rivals, implicating they would have ended up like this in the end anyway. But the gentleness of that confession sends his heart tripping over itself.

He smiles warmly and hums a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his hand under his chin. ] I agree. Wholeheartedly. [ Old fashioned, bold, a little clumsy. How couldn't he be, though, with such an endearing man beside him. ]

Don't worry, [ Percival shakes his head. ] They're new seeds, they need a little more water. [ It's a little more involved than that, but. ] Do one pass at a time. Make sure the dirt is dark and has a faint shine to it. Any water the soil can't hold will just drip to the collector so it can be used someplace else.

[When Percival agrees, it makes the pale Brit's face light up in a smile. How easily pleased the man is. How happy he is to just have Percival's attention and affection.] I'm glad. Uhm. I mean, that we agree.

[He looks away from the other, apparently trying to concentrate more on watering the seeds. For something so simple, he seems to be putting a lot of his attention to. Like how carefully he waters them and how intently he stares at the dirt like plants growing is the most interesting thing that could have been presented to him.

It's hopefully endearing, considering how menial the task is.] How long does it take for seeds to start sprouting?

[ If it hadn’t been for the other man being here Percival would have surely thought something was wrong with his heart. Still, he wonders if something is—he hasn’t felt this way about another in a long time and it’s refreshing. ] So am I.

[ He watches closely to Newt’s watering, though not overbearingly. The concentration the man puts into the task is endearing; it shows he cares despite it being an admittedly monotonous task. And how could that be anything other than charming? ]

That depends on the flower, it takes anywhere from one to four weeks in the right environment. [ He starts, gently pressing fingertips to test the soil’s saturation. ] These are chrysanthemums, so they’ll take about two weeks before they need transplanting. A month or two after that they’ll be in bloom.

[ Taking his apron and wiping the dirt from his hand he gives a smile to Newt. ] And they’re off to a great start now.

I'd like to see them...when they've bloomed that is. [Newt smiles as he tilts his head to the side; clearly imagining already what they will look like.]

This is all quite nice. It's very homey. [Newt's homes never felt that way to him. He guesses that he spent more time out of it than in it and it was more like a place to sleep.

It probably didn't help that he moved fairly often.] I like it. Thank you for taking me up here. [Not that the other had much of a choice, right? Newt didn't want to be seen in public after all.]

As would I. [ Before Percival can get caught up in staring at Newt again, he busies himself with tidying the small space. ] For you to be here when they do, that is. [ Newt’s company is something he would very much like to keep well past those months. But, baby steps. ]

It’s no problem. I glad you feel welcome. It’s been… some time since I’ve had anyone here. [ Employees and friends aside.

Once trash is thrown away and tools are back in their places, Percival turns back to him. ] Should we head back down? Finish that tour, maybe?

[Newt flushes at that. A month or two...

He hadn't really thought that far ahead if he were honest passed that he'd like to see the flowers in bloom and not the implication of time passing and still being there. It's nice though. It had been awhile since he looked forward to having someone in his life like this.] Ah, perhaps you can, well, contact me when they start to bloom. [Which might be Newt implying exchanging phone numbers.]

Oh! I'm..I'm not intruding am I? [What a dumb question to ask, Newt already realizes.] Uhm, I mean..

Yes, of course. I'd like that. Very much! [He immediately stands up, red in the face.]

[ A flash of panic spikes under his skin at the slight pause his voiced hope brings. The flush on Newt is distractingly sweet, yes, but had he overstepped just then? Was it too presumptuous to ask that far down the line with how little they’d known one another?

Relief finds him quickly enough though, and Percival laughs airily. ] Absolutely. I’d like nothing better. [ To see the blooms with him, to have each other’s numbers—it was a step in the right direction. ]

No, not— [ He tries to reassure before Newt corrects himself, and he smiles when he swatches him stand. ] Wonderful.

[ Going around the island planter behind them, Percival makes his way back to the door, holding it open his date-to-be. ] There are some tropical plants flowering I think you’ll enjoy.

Oh, good. Good! I would like that. Exchanging numbers...I don't really have many people I regularly speak to. [He had a few, but Newt knows that he can't say that he's gotten used to the culture and the people nor had he gone out of his way to befriend others.

But he is all but happy to follow the other.] Oh. What kinds? [Newt had traveled enough to see plenty (a detail he won't bring up), but that makes him no less excited.] I'm sure anything you show me would be enjoyable to me if I were to be honest. [A coy smile.]

[ Once across the rooftop, Percival gently clears his throat as he opens the door for Newt. ] I may not the best with technology but, if you don’t mind, I’m sure I could be one of those people. [ And he’d like to be. If it could help bridge any time spent apart in the future then he’d be more than happy to work past that barrier.

It takes a moment for the laugh to bubble up and when it does he catches in his throat, swallowing it back down. Pointedly keeping any implication out of his mind Percival nods, keeping his smile small. ] It’s no greenhouse variety, still, there’s a decent selection. I’d hate to give it away.

Oh! I mean, of course. My schedule can be rather hectic sometimes, but I hope we can keep in contact. I mean, more than just seeing each other here. [Newt is digging his phone out of his pocket. Newt has the money to always keep up with phone models. He's actually not completely technology illiterate, but that's because Newt played a bunch of nonsensical games on his phone. His phone case looks like a trunk, but it's covered with worn out animal stickers. It looks as though he just places a new sticker where one has completely worn off.]

I suppose you'll just have to surprise me then. [Newt steps through the open door.] I've found that surprises from you have been rather nice for now.

Busy is understandable, [ Is the small chortle that leaves him. ] I’ll take any time we can manage, either here or, [ Once through the door Percival stops on the landing, pulling out his phone too and giving it a small wave. ] Here. [ It’s a couple models behind but immaculately kept, housed in a black case with a repeating patten of blooming cacti—Percival’s style, but clearly not picked by himself.

Before he even gets too close the stairs, not wanting them to take tumble downward like they did coming up, Percival drops his contact to Newt’s phone. ] Hopefully I can keep making those surprises nice. [ With a soft smile he tucks his phone away and motions to Newt to follow him down. ] Can I get you anything to drink before we get started? I have a few bottles of soda, water, or I can put on a pot of coffee?

[There's a pause from the Brit.

Percival can glance over and see the warm and shy smile on Newt's face as he looks at his phone screen. He didn't think he'd be so taken about exchanging numbers, but there's something so lovely about it.

He flushes a little and quickly puts his phone back into his pocket.] Oh! Oh, no. Water is fine. I'm really as British as you get so I'm more fond of tea and never grew to enjoy coffee in any capacity.

Ah, my Americanness must be showing then, [ The laugh is light and warm, though mostly it’s a cover from catching the color on Newt’s cheeks. Thankfully the stairs do well to hide his noticing. ] I’m not much a fan of tea. [ He’ll have to get some for Newt though, considering the implication of his future visits. ] But water it is.

[ With the stairs conquered and shelves woven through to get near the front of the shop, Percival stops at a double sliding door refrigerator to pull a couple water bottles for them. ] Water was a good choice for now, anyway, [ He starts as he turns to hand Newt the drink. ] Our first stop will take us to the desert.

[ So much for it being an entire surprise. Oh well. ]

Perhaps you just haven't had a good cup then. [He smiles a little cheekily.] It really isn't a problem. Tea isn't everyone's cup even if I have a bias for it. [Maybe he's particularly fond when he's missing England. A good cup reminds him greatly of home and his family.

The desert is very different from what he's used to.] I've never been to the desert. I only seen them from media.

[Which makes him rather curious.]

[ The laugh that leaves Percival is delayed from his glancing over Newt. ] That’s very possible. [ Maybe he’ll give it another go later. But where to start? ] You’ll have to tell me your favorite. [ For curiosities sake, nothing more. ] I’ll tell you mine.

[ Fair was fair, after all.

Once they’re beyond the countertop it’s a sharp turn to the right and into the back corner of the shop. It looks unchanged from Newt’s last visit—a radiating light pouring from the glass, showcasing the plants inside. ] Now it is warm, though not uncomfortable. You’ll mostly feel the heat in your hair. [ Percival warns with a hand on the door. ] And I do ask you don’t touch anything with needles.

[ A tease? Yes, he’s said it like one, but also like a retail employee who’s had to get out the bandaids a few too many times. ]

The End Of Love

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