Gentle waves lapped at Flower's feet as she sat on the shore, staring into the endless horizon. The ocean breeze lifted her petals, and she rested her arms on her knees, laying her face in the crook of her elbow. 

  The sunset looked lovely today. Maybe she should base a new fashion line around the times of the day. It certainly would be beautiful.

  "Hey, Flower!" Ruby called out from behind her. Flower turned and waved, watching with a smile as Ruby sat down beside her. Ruby mimicked Flower's pose, crossing her arms over her knees. 

  "Whatcha doing out here?"

  Flower shrugged. "Nothing, really. I just wanted to come back here."

  "Okay, cool. I'll stay here with you." Ruby flicked her feet up and down, sending the saltwater flying.

  "Splish, splish!"

  Flower smiled fondly. In reality, she came to the beach to do a little self-reflecting. It was still a vivid memory in her mind; coming onto the beach to have a farewell party for Firey and Leafy, listening to Gelatin's comic, being invited to things, being called a friend...

  ...and looking at all her friends, smiling and chatting, and knowing she was part of it. It was almost unbelievable.

  She owed a lot of it to Ruby. First, for noticing her, and second, for helping her realize depending solely on her beauty to be liked was...kind of ridiculous. She still cringed thinking about how she disgustingly contorted herself in order to be "beautiful". In hindsight, Ruby was probably messing with her.

  She didn't really hold it against Ruby. Not too much, anyway.

  "Hey, how are your fashion things coming along?"

  "Pretty good! I think the BFB finale ended up being a really big promo for the steakhouse and fashion store. It's been really busy lately," Flower sighed. "I love the business and all, but a girl's gotta have her beauty break time."

  "I totally get it. Like, if I work for too long, I start losing my shine. So it's a good thing I don't do that!"

  Flower snickered. "I've actually been trying to find inspiration for a new fashion line. Thinking about using the times of day." She looked out into the horizon again, the dipping sun saturating the ocean with pink and red and orange and yellow. "I think I could make a whole closet with sunset colors. It's so beautiful."

  "You're pretty beautiful, too."

  Flower's gaze snapped back to Ruby- who looked a little sheepish, her eyes darting from Flower to the sand and back again- and for a moment, Flower lost herself in how Ruby dazzled with the world around her. Blue, purple, orange, and yellow reflected off her perfectly cut edges, giving Ruby an irresistible iridescence.

  "So are you."

  They locked gazes, ever so slightly leaning toward each other, their fingertips almost touching. The gentle crash of ocean waves around their feet was the only indication of time passing.

  "So, like...do you wanna..."

  Flower held Ruby's cheek in her hand and caressed her glassy surface. They leaned in until their lips connected, and held that way for a few sweet seconds. The setting sun bathed the pair in a golden glow as they kissed, until they opened their eyes again.

  "...wow."

  "You're a really good kisser."

  "Th-Thanks? You too..." She didn't pay attention to it before, but now that the moment was over, Flower was well aware of her racing heart and the nervous sweat on her forehead. "So...do you wanna...date? Or something?"

  "Yeah!" Ruby beamed up at Flower, "that'd be really cool."

  Flower realized since after the finale, she had been brimming with love. Love for herself, for her friends, and for Ruby. And for all the love she gave out, she was confident she'd get love in return. What felt impossible before came naturally now, and Flower was glad for it. 

  These warm thoughts and feelings gave Flower a sense of peace as she intertwined fingers with Ruby, her heart now steady and full, and the couple watched the receding sunlight and the stars poke holes in the night sky.