Work Text:
It was when Hāpī was heading home from school when they started to feel lightheaded. They were a bit confused, but they just thought it was either their asthma or the fact they were wearing their binder for far too long. They sped up their pace to quickly change out of it, just in case.
— (POV; Hāpī’) —
Arriving home, Hāpī slammed the door behind them, rushing towards the bathroom. The feeling of lightheadedness they were feeling before soon turned into shortness of breath and coughing. As soon as they got to the bathroom, they went to the trash, coughing and wrenching out whatever was caught in their throat. When they thought they had gotten it out, they spared a glance, only to freeze when they noticed that they had coughed out blood, spit, and… flower petals.
Flower petals.
Daffodils petals.
What. The. Hell.
Hāpī moved away from the trash can, panicking slightly. Why were they coughing flowers? They got off the bathroom floor and headed to their room. They went over to their computer to search for why they were coughing up flower petals. The first thing to appear was something called the “Hanahaki Disease”, and with a bit more research that it’s caused by some form of unrequired romantic, familial, or platonic love. Which was weird. They knew that romantic love was off the list, they never had feelings past platonic, and that was also off the list. Hāpī might be close to them, but they knew the feeling was mutual (despite how many times Hāpī tries to deny it).
All that is left is familial love. Hāpī didn’t think that was it either, seeing as both parents gave them no choice to not love them, and they are close with their siblings. Turning off their computer, they got up to change into their night clothes, remembering to take off their binder, knowing that if they didn't, their sister would have a fit. Mentally repeating to themselves, ‘Yep, this is just a weird dream’, they went to sleep.
—
Hāpī woke up gasping for air, leaning over the edge of the bed to get whatever was in their throat out. Spitting it out, they saw blood and daffodil petals.
Oh.
So that wasn’t a dream. Hāpī smacked their head. “Why would it be a dream? You don't dream, idiot.” They muttered under their breath. They were considering just laying there, questioning their life choices when their phone ping with a notification. It was one of their friends, asking if they wanted to go out for lunch. They let out a sigh. Hāpī wasn't someone who would say no even if they didn't want to do said thing, so reluctantly, they went.
Since they didn’t really feel like taking a shower, and they subconsciously put on their going-out clothes when they were heading to bed, they just grabbed their drawing bag and satchel and headed out, closing the door behind them. Taking a deep breath, they walked out into the streets, squinting due to how bright it was.
They headed down to the main Rasbpe in the town, ‘Harpy’s Sweets and Treats’. Opening the door, Hāpī heard the familiar tone of false politeness “Hello, welcome to Harpy’s Sweets and Treats. How may we help you today?”. Slightly tilting their head to the side, swiftly glancing up to the menu, they started to order.
“One Large Frappe with six esspros shots please.” The person working at the counter looked up, and a huge smile appeared on their face. “Oy! You know you aren’t allowed that much Rasbpfeine!” The person, Harpy, said with a giggle but started to fix the drink. Hāpī watches their sister make the drink, adding only three esspros shots instead of the six that were asked for. Soon, Harpy hands the drink to Hāpī, who takes it with a small thanks.
“So,” Harpy drawled, “What are you doing up this early? The diner doesn’t open til 12.” Hāpī says silent, trying to figure out the best way to plan this out.
“Uh, so..” Hāpī looks past their sister, focusing their gaze on one of the lightly coloured flowers. “Asthma acted up.” Hāpī mentally slapped themselves.
“...Asthma… Right…” Harpy said, clearly not believing the excuse. “Since I don't feel like pestering you at the moment, you’re off the hook. For now.”
Well, that could have ended worse. Hāpī walked out of the Rasbpe, knowing that Harpy wouldn’t be so welcoming the next time – If you're a worker there and your shift hasn’t started, Harpy will kick you out, unless otherwise –. Seeing that they still have a few hours before the meet-up, Hāpī starts to head to the tailor shop down the road. Talking to Silver wouldn’t hurt, and if they are allowed, they might even be able to talk to Jealousy.
—
As they were opening the door to the shop, they noticed that a library had just opened. “One second”, a familiar voice called out. Hāpī was planning on just standing there till he showed, but they felt that uncomfortable feeling in their throat. Moving away from the wall, they glance around for a bathroom. As soon as they spotted one, Hāpī started to cough, blood and daffodil petals, although now crushed, stained their sleeve. They sped in, grabbing the trashcan and closing the door behind them. They were barely able to lift the can before they started to throw up petals, both crushed and not.
There was a sudden knock on the door, startling Hāpī, and causing them to cough. “Oh, sorry about that. Are… you ok?” Hāpī took a second to respond. “I’m fine Jealousy.” They got up, swapping out the bag in the trash for a clean one. Opening the door, Hāpī saw Jealousy's face, a concerned look fell across it. “Haha, so-”
“So what? Care to explain why you were coughing up a lung in my bathroom?” Both Hāpī and Jealousy jumped at the sudden appearance of the tailors’ shop owner, Silver, who was staring at Hāpī, expectantly. They stayed quiet. Glancing to the floor for a second, they thought of what to say. Hāpī opened their mouth to speak but was interrupted by Silver.
“Why the hell is there blood and petals in the bag?” Hāpī spoke quickly, saying that they were going to throw away the petals, but started coughing. “And where did you get the petals?” Silver asked. “Harpy.” Silver seems less tense, but not by a lot.
“Why don’t I show you around?” Jealousy intervened, “We changed a few things.” Hāpī mentally thanked her for the distraction. “I don't see why not, you do that. I finish up in the back.” Silver said as he walked to the back. Hāpī felt their wrist get grab, allowing Jealousy to pull them aside.
The tour went on without a word of what happened. At some point, they pass Silver’s current client, Dawn. They paused when they were near him, and Hāpī made the mistake of glancing towards him because when they did, they saw him staring with a face of disapproval. They turned their attention back to Jealousy, not wanting to face the walking lie detector.
“... Are you ok Hāpī?” Jealousy turned her attention onto Hāpī. “Yea. I’m… fine.'' She gave them a look of disbelief but continued heading back to the front of the store. “See you at lunch?” Jealousy asked. “Yep! I’ll… be there.” Hāpī gave a weak smile and walked out of the shop. ‘Just two more hours till the meet-up.’ they thought to themselves, ‘I can wait that long.’
They would have too.
They rushed back to the Rasbpe, ignoring their sister's startled shout, and slammed the bathroom door shut. They grabbed onto the trash can, coughing out daffodils… and buttercup petals and blood. They decided to stay there until the time to meet up with their friends.
—
After assuring their sister that they were ok, and not indeed dying – I think –, the two of them walked back up to the front. The plan was to meet up at the diner, so they didn’t have to go far. Walking to the front, The twins met up with their friends, Jealousy, Rasbp, and Encha, who were being let in by the twins' brother, Axel.
“Hoi!” Harpy shouted, making Hāpī jump slightly. If anyone noticed, they didn't say anything. Harpy ran up to them, while they staggered back a bit, feeling a little bit tired and lightheaded. They glanced up, flashing a quick smile at them before returning their attention to the floor.
“Hāpī! How is it going?” Rasbp, the shortest of the group, called out to them. They gave them a small thumbs up, flinching slightly as Rasbp pulled them into a hug. “It’s.. been going” Hāpī mumbled, then raised their voice a bit. “You?” When Rasbp started to speak – who was also dragging them towards the group – Hāpī started to tune them out, focusing on their thoughts.
—
They were sitting at one of the booths in the diner when Hāpī felt a sharp pain in their shoulder. Asking to be excused from the table, they briskly walked to the bathroom. Closing the door, Hāpī uncovered their shoulder, revealing a flower bud that was growing through their skin. They sat there until it bloomed, which didn’t take long. When it did, it was an off-white daffodil. After they recovered their shoulders, they went back out. The only one who noticed the flower at first glance was Encha, who gave them a concerned look, tilting her head slightly Hāpī gave them a thumbs up, and a very weak smile. They flinched when they felt someone touch the flower, Jealousy leaning over on it. They don't bother moving her.
Hāpī sat there quietly, listening to their friends talk. They could feel Encha glance over at them often, but they chose to ignore it. They were looking out the window when a waiter came over to ask for their drinks. Hāpī absentmindedly asked for an iced mocha, their gaze still on left the window. They heard muffled speaking. Maybe someone was talking to them? They ignored it. Their vision started to blur. Did a phone start to ring? It started quietly, but slowly, it started to get louder, and louder. Hāpī stared out the window.
Maybe, if they ignored it, it would go away.
Slowly at first, speeding up as time passed, the ring grew.
It grew louder, and louder, until –
“ – Hāpī”
They looked over at the table, the ringing stopping suddenly. The group was staring at them, Rasbp having a slight look of awe. Noticing the waiter, Hāpī told him what they wanted, to which he nodded and headed towards the back. They turn their attention back towards the group. Encha had opened her mouth like she was about to say something when Rasbp suddenly stood up and shouted;
“YOUR NAME IS FAE??”
The sudden shout caused Hāpī to flinch slightly, but they nodded. Rasbp sat back down when Axel sent them a glare, but they continually mumbled under their breath. Silently, Hāpī starts to mess with their tail – which had turned into a flower at some point –, nervousness flooding their system, almost missing Encha speaking up.
“Are you ok?” “No,” Hāpī responds on impulse. They took a second to register what they said before slightly panicking – more than they already were –, their voice rising. “I Mean I’m Fine! No worries, just reacting on impulse.'' They watched as Encha glanced over at their sister, who just shrugged – Hāpī still didn’t understand how mew did that – and nodded at meow. She looked back over at Hāpī, eyes filled with concern. “Don’t worry about it,” They assured meow. “‘Was a joke back when Me and Harpy were younger.” Encha looked like meow didn’t believe them, but she didn’t press on. Hāpī was thankful for that.
As the chatter picked back up, Hāpī zoned back out, but this time, not completely ignore what was being said or done. They noticed on more than one occasion that Encha kept glancing over at them. As the food arrived, Encha challenged Hāpī to practise battle, and who were they to deny? So despite the small feeling of flowers growing on their back, they agreed.
— (POV Swap to Encha)
Walking into the training site, Encha met up with Hāpī. She noticed they seemed off, but decided to not question it. The both of them started to head out towards the middle of the site, going to their respective spots. Encha headed to Meow’s stop backward, remembering that even if the battle hadn't started, it’s not the greatest idea to turn your back on them, ever. She only did that once on site, and now Hāpī will never let her live it down. Looking back up, Encha had barely a second to react, Hāpī sending an attack her way. In the second that she had, Encha put up a barrier to block most of the attack, sending one back towards them the moment the shield went down. She watched as they moved out of the way, their eyes a light hue of green instead of their usual purple, letting Encha know that they were using their hybrid power.
Encha continued sending attacks their way, only for it to prove futile as Hāpī kept up the pace, avoiding as ze magic started to surround them. They started to wonder what Hāpī was doing before their own Enchac suddenly forced a barrier around them. They let out a startled shout when they heard a sudden bang behind them. They spun around to see what created the noise, only to see large vines covering the back half, causing cracks to form, weakening it. Encha teleports out just as the attack from Hāpī and the sudden vines break the barriers. Watching as the smoke clears, they see that neither the vines nor the attack left a mark on the ground. It seems like they were only there to knock Encha either down, or out of the rink.
Meow glanced over to where Hāpī was previously standing, only to see them on the ground, coughing. Encha ran over to them, freezing when meow saw flowers bloom from their skin. Mewl took a step back when Hāpī started to cough again. Encha opened mew’s mouth, almost asking a question before the sound of a portal opening. Meow watched as Hāpī dumped whatever was in their hand before