#and explored ways of curing it that aren't 'it actually WAS requited all along!'

[oflights]

i know i just recced a hanahaki fic that i really did love. and i always enjoy the tension of "who is that other guy you're in love with, because if it was me you wouldn't be sick" followed by the happy ending "it's you!" revelation like that's great but like. what if there is another guy! what if the angst is that there is legitimately unrequited love happening, and it's awful and painful and the cure isn't possible, and the tragedy truly is "you love this other person and it's not me and we can't fix it"

and maybe they can?? maybe the cure becomes not about fixing the lack of reciprocity of that first love but falling in love again, with someone else who actually loves them back; opening up to being loved even when it seems hopeless. and then the flowers are just like a sleepy little plant that's mostly calm, watered by a new love.

i kind of adore the thought of your love for someone being something you carry, something that still hurts sometimes, something that would kill you if it could take over you again, but it's held in check because there's someone else, and it's requited!! wouldn't that be sweet. the heart is a universe but also a garden, and you can grow and tend different kinds of flowers.