One spring, hundreds of years ago, there was a single tree that had not yet blossomed: an ancient fig tree, whose protruding roots almost completely covered the top of the small hill on which it stood.
The vast meadows around it, free of any trace of human presence, danced gently in the morning breeze. In them, green grass and various wildflowers shared the space under the warm sun, which added a cozy warmth to the scene.
Sete stood before that leafy tree, watching it thrive with pride. She remained like that for a few more seconds and — even though she felt a familiar presence watching her — did not turn around until she enveloped the old plant with her powers, so that the sparkling green aura covered it with magical arabesques.
However, to the surprise of the one who was waiting for her to finish her tasks, that tree was not filled with delicate flowers. Instead, a bunch of velvety oval bulbs appeared on its branches, as green as any leaf on the plant.
Curious, Maio approached Sete. A whirlwind of orange leaves accompanied the young god's steps, and a slightly stronger wind surrounded him as soon as Spring turned her attention to him, almost as if reacting instinctively to the intense gaze of the other deity.
The next moment, when they finally stood side by side, the wind died down. The breeze ruffled Maio's long black hair, as well as Sete's light brown hair.
— I'm confused, doesn't this tree bloom like the others? — Maio asked, his coppery irises analyzing the plant. Hearing Sete's soft laughter, however, the young god turned to look at her intently. — Don't laugh at me...
— I'm not laughing at you… — Sete replied without losing the smile on her face, after all, she noticed that Maio hadn't taken his eyes off her for a second. — This tree has already bloomed, look.
Spring extended her right hand upward, so that a branch of the fig tree was drawn to her pink palm. It seemed that the plant felt compelled to approach the deity who had blessed it, almost hypnotized by the comfortable atmosphere around her. Sete, in turn, pulled a ripe fig from among those leaves.
Maio moved even closer to her, examining the freshly picked plant as Sete easily broke it in half. Inside, from the thin velvety skin to the dark pink core, there was a gradient of lighter pink coloring a series of delicate filaments, similar to petals. In the center, there was a reasonable amount of yellowish seeds, which resembled the core of a more or less common flower.
— For most of those who admire it, the fig tree flower hides very well. — The young deity explained calmly, offering one of the fig halves to Maio, who accepted it without hesitation. — But it's easy to spot when you know what you're looking for.
— So all these figs are secret flowers? — Autumn asked, admiring the vivid pink inside the plant. Sete answered with an affirmative nod and pulled him by the arm with her free hand to sit under the shade of that ancient tree. — It's a beautiful secret...
— Yes, I believe what makes this secret so beautiful is precisely its potential to bloom, even if overshadowed by a protective greenish shell. — Sete agreed as she settled on the ground next to the young god, her back resting against the massive trunk and their shoulders gently touching, despite the large difference in height between them. — Sometimes, I want to live inside these flower crypts, don't you?
— Only if I could live by your side… — Maio replied, a smile spreading across his lips, without looking away from the deep green of Sete's irises. — Forever.
— Forever. — She agreed, smiling too.
The point where their skin touched seemed unreal, almost as if their close presence filled them with an indescribable familiar emotion...
Yes, there was a warm feeling taking shape in the hearts of the two gods, something subtle and comfortable, as welcoming as the atmosphere that surrounded them under that old fig tree.
And there they remained, talking or in silence, enjoying each other's pleasant company until the sun set completely.