voidtreckerexpress | (closed) we're all gonna be alright

Who: Madoka and Gladio
When: A day or two after the party-ish..
Where: The greenhouse car
What: Madoka teaches Gladio the wonders of gardening.
Warnings: Probably nothing, but will edit if that changes!

The greenhouse has been an excellent addition to the train. It's not as if Madoka can't appreciate the others that had been added over time, but this one feels extra special. Especially since it arrived right after they had started on the little plants project-- maybe the train was listening to what they wanted after all?

But ever since its addition after the most recent time the train stopped at a platform, Madoka has often been in there. Just admiring the carriage, looking at the bulbs and trying to figure out what might grow out of them, starting to plant some and helping out others who asked her for help on how to learn about gardening..

And so she's seen Gladio there before, just quietly spending time there as well. But the poor girl is so shy that despite how nice he seemed on the platform, she's just too nervous to approach him.

Until now, that is. Because the crate that contained seeds and bulbs has been entirely emptied. And there's definitely more left, but they're all closed. And there's only so much a fourteen year old small girl can do to try and get one of them open. And Gladio is right there, sitting in a corner and reading. Of course she worries that maybe she'd just disturb him if she asked for help.. and so she just stands there next to one of the closed crates for a moment, hesitating and changing her mind over and over.

But in the end she decides to go for it, no matter how nervously her heart is pounding in her chest. Madoka makes her way over to where the big guy is sitting, trying really hard to smile although the nervousness is so very evident in the edges of the smile.

"U.. Um. H-Hi, sir, I remember you from the platform.. I'm sorry, b.. but could I maybe ask you something? If you aren't too busy..!"

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More laughter. It was too easy. He wasn't trying to be cruel and he was definitely not trying to panic the girl. But he was amused to note that she could realise when she was being a hypocrite. So he grinned.

"Until you can call me Gladio, I think I'll call you Miss Madoka." He decided, cheered by this idea. It was only fair after all. Plus it was cute. He wondered how Ignis would react to him calling his daughter that? Then he realised he didn't really care. This was between him and Madoka! It was war. Eventually one of them would crack, and he was hoping that it would be Madoka... and not just his bad memory that would slip up and forget to use 'miss' on her.

This is most definitely war. A war between Madoka's exaggerated politeness and Gladio's ~~old man memory~~ teasing ability in the face of Madoka's panic! And a war that for sure isn't going to be solved today, since there's just no way she can find the courage within herself to leave out the 'mister' part today. Maybe someday in the future.

.. the more she thinks about it, the less likely she feels it is.. so she's just going to accept her awkward, awkward fate for now as she awkwardly pokes at the dirt.

"O.. Okay, if that's what you want, mister Gladio.." She'll be a big girl and accept it..! And probably still get flustered every single time. "I-I'll still help you look after your flowers." Even though he's a teasing menace!

"That's what I want, Miss Madoka." Gladio managed to get his smile toned down to a very serious look, though his lips were trying very hard to ruin that with a smile. Which was then ruined by Madoka's next words. "Still? You mean you were going to stop?" He asked. Maybe he'd actually pushed the teasing too far and she'd reached her limit if she was actually considering not helping him look after his flowers.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me?" He said then and offered her a gentle smile. "I didn't mean to tease you so much."

"Huh?"

Apparently she didn't realise the impact of her words just now (or more like didn't think well enough about the words themselves, really), since Madoka's gaze snaps towards him in surprise.

"O-Oh no! I.. Of course I forgive you! I'd forgive you for anything!" Maybe it's a slightly wild thing to say, considering she hasn't even known him for long. But to be fair, Madoka would forgive anyone anything as long as they didn't kill one of her friends or something similarly extreme. And, teasing aside, Gladio has been really nice today. "I.. I don't think I have anything to forgive you for anyway..! You should be allowed to tease me if you want to.."

Don't tell people they're allowed to walk over you, Madoka..

Gladio chuckled and reached out a hand to lightly pat Madoka upon her knee. "Relax, kiddo. I won't tease you any more." At least not that day. He might wait a day or two, he didn't want to actually upset the poor girl.

"But thank you for forgiving me." Gladio looked down at the piece of wood in his lap and lifted it to hold it out to the teen. "So you think you can make this look good for me?" He asked hopefully. It didn't need to be amazing of course, but something to mark the spot where he had his flowers planted.

For a moment she still looks all blushy, but then she slowly lets out a breath, trying to relax. It doesn't make her face go back to its usual colour all the way, but it's a start, at least. Enough so for her to be able to nod normally at his question.

"Of course." She says, staring down at the piece of wood as she takes it from him. She'll have to borrow someone's art supplies, but she's sure they won't mind. And even if they do, she'll just offer to buy them new ones! "I.. I mean, I can't guarantee it'll be good.. but I'll try my best!" Anything for Gladio's precious flowers.

"I know you will." Gladio nodded, happy that he could leave it in her care. He trusted Madoka to make a sign worthy of his first time flowers.

He looked toward his little patch and smiled softly. He looked forward to when they sprouted and bloomed. He wondered what colours they would be. Maybe blue? Hopefully blue, or some shade of that. Blue was a good colour.

"Thanks, Madoka. For helping me with this."

"You're welcome.." It's said a little shyly, since Madoka is so bad at just accepting thanks when she's given it, but she's trying! Even as she's trying to slightly hide behind the not-quite-yet-sign a little as she says it. "I'm just glad I can help."

Especially since he seems kind of excited about the flowers? Or happy, at the very least. She's just glad she can contribute to that at all.

"I'll go ask around now to see if anyone has some nice colourful paint or markers. And when I'm done with it later, I'll come find you to give it to you. So I'll see you then, okay?"

Edited 2020-04-19 09:18 (UTC)

He was happy. And yes, he was excited as well. He'd never had a chance to do anything like this back home, it had been something he'd filed away as something he could do when he was older and had a home and family of his own. But seeing as he was now homeless and jobless, he could indulge in those little hopes and dreams that he'd kept locked away.

Gladio gave Madoka a warm smile and a nod of thanks. "Take your time, there's no rush. But I'll be here when you're done. And... thank you again, this is all very sweet of you."

Oh, Gladio, don't you know? There's always a rush when it comes to helping people. In Madoka's mind, anyway. She's determined to try and make it the prettiest sign ever and have it in his hands as soon as possible! She can do it! .. Probably.

But at least that warm smile is met with a smile of her own. "Y.. You've been nice to me too." He agreed to help her with the crate in the first place, after all. "So I'm just repaying that."

Madoka starts to head in the direction of the door.

"I-- I'll see you later! Bye bye!"

"See you later, Miss Madoka." Gladio called with a laugh. He couldn't help the parting shot. He was still chuckling to himself when he turned back to his patch of dirt and leaned forward, just watching it, as if he could will the bulbs to grow. He couldn't wait. Gladio was sure they would be beautiful. Especially if he had Madoka helping him.

(closed) we're all gonna be alright

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