It was a Sunday morning that smelled like possibility.
Golden light streamed through the curtains of Aria's tiny apartment above her shop, and Kaelira—curled up on the couch with her legs tucked under a blanket decorated with cartoon sunflowers—yawned softly, blinking as Aria entered with two warm cups of coffee.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Aria smiled, placing the mug beside Kaelira, then sitting down next to her.
Kaelira groaned lightly. "Why are you already so pretty at this hour?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Aria replied, poking her side gently. "You ready for our adventure?"
Kaelira blinked. "Wait… you're serious?"
Aria grinned. "I told you yesterday. We're going on a trip. One-day getaway. Just us."
Kaelira sat up straighter, now wide awake. "Okay, but where are we going?"
Aria leaned in and whispered, like it was a secret the whole world wanted to know: "To the countryside flower market. The one that only opens once a month."
Kaelira's eyes sparkled. "That sounds like a dream."
⤹ ❀
By late morning, they were on a bus headed out of the city, with Kaelira wearing a bucket hat low over her eyes and a plain hoodie zipped up to her chin.
Aria had brought snacks, two disposable cameras, and one very enthusiastic itinerary.
Kaelira, still sleepy but glowing with excitement, leaned her head on Aria's shoulder and softly murmured, "I can't believe I get to do this with you."
Aria rested her cheek gently on top of Kaelira's head. "You deserve this days too."
⤹ ❀
The flower market was tucked in a valley between hills, hidden behind rows of leafy trees. It was open-air, colorful, and bustling in a soft, unhurried way that felt miles away from stage lights and camera shutters.
Kaelira's eyes were wide the second they stepped in.
Stalls were filled with dahlias in every color, old women weaving floral crowns, buckets overflowing with eucalyptus and thistle and wild sunflowers.
"This is paradise," Kaelira whispered, spinning slowly in place.
Aria just watched her spin, heart too full to speak.
⤹ ❀
They walked hand-in-hand, fingers sneaking together every time they thought no one was watching.
Kaelira pointed out every flower she vaguely recognized.
"That's lavender!"
"Nope, that's salvia."
"Oh… then this one's jasmine, right?"
"That's garlic chives."
Aria laughed and Kaelira pouted.
"I'm just here to be cute," Kaelira huffed.
"You're succeeding," Aria said, eyes soft.
They bought strawberry lemonade from a stand, tried mini pastries dusted with powdered sugar, and Kaelira insisted on getting them each a silly matching pin — one with a rose and one with a daisy.
"You're the daisy," she declared.
"Why?"
Kaelira tapped Aria's nose. "Small, soft, and sunshine-y."
Aria looked like she was buffering for a full ten seconds.
"That's kind of cute but quiet offensive." Aria response that made Kaelira burst into laughter.
⤹ ❀
As the day wore on, dark clouds began creeping across the sky. But neither of them noticed — too busy laughing at the lady selling "magic mist plants" (it was just water vapor), or watching a little girl pet a bunny that had wandered into a vendor's booth.
They bought a bundle of ranunculus. Some mint. Kaelira insisted on buying an entire potted rose bush because, "It looked lonely."
"Where will you put it?" Aria asked, adjusting the paper bag in her hands.
Kaelira blinked. "I have no idea. But we'll figure it out."
And then—
Plip.
The first raindrop hit the tip of Aria's nose.
She looked up. "Uh-oh."
And then the sky opened.
People ran for cover. Market tents flapped. The wind picked up, and the scent of earth and petals filled the air.
Kaelira shrieked — delighted — and grabbed Aria's hand. "Come on!!"
They ran, dodging puddles, laughing like teenagers ditching class. They finally ducked into a narrow alley beside the market, where an old vine-covered awning gave them just enough shelter to breathe.
Water dripped from Kaelira's bucket hat. Aria's sleeves were soaked. Their shoes were a disaster.
And both of them were smiling like fools.
"Your daisy pin is crooked," Kaelira said softly, brushing her fingers across Aria's chest to fix it.
Aria caught her hand and didn't let go.
"You know," Aria whispered, breathless, "every time I think I've seen the most beautiful version of you… somehow, it's the next one."
Kaelira stared at her. "…You're gonna kill me one day with that mouth."
And then she kissed her.
Right there. In the rain. Beneath a tangle of ivy and soaked paper bags and the soft echo of music from the market still playing in the distance.
⤹ ❀
Later, the rain slowed into a mist, and they walked slowly through the emptying stalls, sharing a scarf.
Kaelira looked at the little rose pin on Aria's hoodie.
"Let's do this again," she said quietly.
"We will," Aria promised. "As many times as you want."
And when they finally sat on the bus heading back to the city, arms linked, Kaelira dozed off against Aria's shoulder — still holding the potted rose bush in her lap.
Aria smiled, resting her cheek on Kaelira's head, whispering to the sleeping girl beside her,
"You're the prettiest flower I've ever seen."