altimit | ›› 2nd round

[ Whenever they meet up, it's going to become clear that Joonghyuk wasn't fooling around and kept grinding his profession level up until he couldn't anymore. Having no chill whatsoever allows him to obtain a few Sleepy Sunflowers from Mac Anu that he's currently holding in his hands. ]

I thought that maybe we could make an arrangement using one of these.

[ He couldn't come up with anything satisfying, but Joonghyuk can tell that it'll be easy for Brambles to figure it out. ]

[ It's impossible to forget Brambles' favorite food even if he wanted. A jacket potato with baked beans. At least getting potatoes and beans isn't too much of a hassle, so as soon as they get all the ingredients needed and find a kitchen they can use, Joonghyuk starts washing the potatoes. ]

Do you eat this often?

[ He's still processing the fact that it's an actual dish, to be honest. ]

All the time! It's been my favourite since I was a child. I've made it so many times that I've practically mastered it, heh.

[ It really speaks something of British food culture when Brambles is proud to master putting a frickin potato in the oven at 180 degrees for 45 minutes and preparing some baked beans on the hob to go with it. ]

What's your favourite food?

[ He smiles. The more time he spends with this guy, he more he hates timezones. And just how far away he is. But, still. It's fun to enjoy the game with him ... he supposes. ]

Mm. [ A simple nod of his head. ]

You asked me of their meaning a little while ago. Sunflowers, I mean. Are they your favourites?

[ Mr. Brambles... that's gay. ]

Mhm, you're right. I did.

[ He's a little surprised that Brambles remembers that conversation. All things considered, they're two strangers playing an online game. Maybe a bit more than that, but Joonghyuk doesn't bother putting a label on it. ]

Yeah, I like them. Flowers are beautiful in general, but sunflowers are really bright and...

[ Joonghyuk clears his throat. ]

They are my favorites, yes.

[ He had to google this treasure of British food culture and he's still in shock that people would eat that. Maybe there's something he doesn't see? Well, if everything goes well, Joonghyuk will get the chance to try this delicacy. ]

Pork dumplings. I could eat them all the time.

[ Which wouldn't be good for his health but whatever. ]

[ Of course he remembers that conversation. It meant a lot to him. Even in real life, Brambles rarely meets other men who are interested in flowers around his age. Those who regularly visit the flower shop are women and older ladies, but never men who share similar hobbies with him like reading and playing video games. YJH is special.

Hearing him describe the flowers that he likes just makes him smile brightly. ]

Then we're going to make something really special with them.

[ Time for them to find some more flowers! ]

Did I ever tell you my favourite flower?

Oh...! Darn, I'll never get to try them. I can't eat pork.

[ Though ... ]

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever had a dumpling before.

[ His sad potato-and-bean loving tastebuds have yet to experience exciting food. ]

[ While he meant to ask, Joonghyuk got flustered and basically ran away before getting to learn what Brambles' favorite flower is. Actually, a part of him wants to turn on his heels after hearing that they're going to mae something really special, but that doesn't happen. ]

No. But you should tell me now.

[ He should because Joonghyuk wants to know!! Simple. ]

That's even better. It means more dumplings for me. [ Brambles sounded a bit sad, so that's Joonghyuk's attempt at cheering him up. ] Spinach is great for dumplings too if you can eat it.

[ They don't sell these at convenience stores, but sometimes he makes them at home. ]

Don't tell me you eat potatoes and beans all the time.

[ Didn't he just say the same about dumplings, though... ]

[ There's no running away now. Brambles just stops mid-walk and glances up at Joonghyuk before delivering his answer. ]

Daisies.

[ A sweet, simple answer, for a sweet simple flower. ]

Ooh, yes. I love spinach! We grow it in our garden.

[ He laughs! ]

I love them! But that would get proper boring. I also like to eat lentil cottage pie, butter on toast and jam sandwiches! [ THIS GUY, ]

[ That makes Joonghyuk stop as well, his eyes open wide when Brambles gazes up at him. Something about him is— ]

Sunflowers and daisies go well together... I think.

[ Joonghyuk looks away as he presses the flowers he's holding closer to his chest. ]

Let's go find some.

Butter on toast...

[ That makes Joonghyuk snort as he figures out how the oven works to heat it up before drying the potatoes. ]

We eat completely different things. Well, maybe save for butter on toast.

[ He nods and smiles. ] Right you are. You've definitely got the makings of a florist. Big flowers always go well with little flowers.

[ Which says something about their height difference, too. I mean. ]

I like daisies because of how carefree they are. They just grow wherever they want, modestly adding little pops of white to what would otherwise be a plain grassy field. They don't need to be big, beautiful and extravagant ... they're just small and brilliant. I love that.

Haha! It's a classic.

[ he is sniffing the potatoes. ]

These potatoes...! Mmmm. How is technology so incredible? I can't believe we can just stick potatoes in the oven and eat food on a game like this!

They always go well together?

[ It sounds like a generalization, but at the same time it's not like he has that much experience with flowers. Actually, he probably shouldn't tell Brambles that he has murdered a few potted plants. ]

They look nice, though. And you are similar... kind of.

[ Mr. Brambles... how is he supposed to fall for you when you're sniffing the potatoes. ]

It's really amazing. I hope they're going to use this technology for something outside of gaming.

[ It really has a lot of potential. ]

And the mini games are a little bit like Cooking Mama, too.

Mhm. You'll sparsely come across an arrangement without diversity in the size of the blooms.

[ Every flower arrangement sold in flower shops or grocery stores always follow this same sort of pattern. Big blooms accompanied by smaller blooms, oftentimes scattered with smaller ones like baby's breath.

There's an interested sparkle in his eyes as he smiles at Joonghyuk. ]

What makes you say that?

[ the answer is simple: you fall for him anyway and acquire a cute (and slightly quirky) english boyfriend ]

Cooking Mama! [ he says excitedly as he springs up. ] Yes! Hehehe, this is the best chance we might ever have of playing it together! Unless we magically see each other in person and get the chance to, but I know the odds are pretty low.

[ MAYBE ONE DAY? WHO KNOWS?????? ]

So, are you ready to begin?

[ Potato sniffing Englishman is such a catch 😳 ]

Don't tell me you're going to say the lines from the actual game? [ Imagining Brambles with fire in his eyes almost makes him laugh. ] If we ever see each other in person, make sure you have your DS on you.

But they can also be sold alone.

[ He's not sure why he's said this in the first place. Obviously, Joonghyuk is getting a little flustered because talking about flowers and then comparing Brambles to one of them might make him think that this is some kind of a metaphor and—

Why is he concerned about what Brambles is going to think in the first place? Joonghyuk shakes his head. ]

You're also carefree. [ It's impossible not to recall Brambles telling him that he ate stuff from the ground. ] Maybe even a bit careless.

I might!

[ He laughs and looks up at him. ]

I mean, who knows. It could actually be a thing. My goal in life is to do my PhD abroad. If I did it in Korea ... [ they could play cooking mama! ]

... They can be, yes. One single flower might be a simple but effective way to brighten someone's day.

[ Just like how his own day gets brightened whenever Joonghyuk logs on. Hmmmm. ]

Careless? [ He giggles. ] How's that?

That's very far from your home, so make sure to think it through.

[ The fact that it's time to stab the potatoes which is oddly soothing. ]

You might have to learn the language, too.

›› 2nd round

›› closed to brambles // botany

›› closed to brambles // cooking

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