just for some context, back in the early 20th century, women would give violets to other women to declare interest in a relationship. which I think is adorable, so here is a perekoo oneshot about it.


"Wow Isabelle look at all the flowers!" Alma smiled at her french friend for what felt like the first time in ages. Isabelle lived for Alma's perfect smile, and the fact that she rarley did it nowadays made it all the more special.

"They are quite beautiful!" Isabelle felt Alma tug her along down the crowed market. It was foreign to Isabelle to see the 16 year old so excited.

"look at these violets!" the peregrine stopped in front of a slightly less packed stand, marveling at the fully bloomed flowers. "They are so blue!"

"Do you like them?" Isabelle asked as she looked around the stand for the florist who was selling them. Alma didn't respond as she was bent over looking at some of the violets shoved in the back.

"Alma Hey!" Isabelle lightly nudged her, making her stand up quite quickly, bashing her head right into the top of a metal shelf of yellow carnations.

"Are you okay?!" Isabelle froze as Alma stepped back, holding her head with tears in her eyes, but a smile fron ear to ear.

"Yeah, there my favorite!" Alma whsipered through her teeth, face flushed with embrassment from making such a silly mistake in front of a crowd of people who had turned to look at her in all her embarrasement.

"How about we get out of the crowd?" Isabelle suggested, already taking Alma's hand and leading her away to a bench on the outskirts of the market. both girls plopped down on the bench,

"Im so sorry about your head!" Isabelle frowned, looking to make sure she wasnt to badly injured, just a small cut for. the sharp metal edge,

"Its okay Belle. It doesnt hurt that much!" Alma rolled her eyes. Isabelle seemed to relax a little more at the mention of no pain. "We should start to head home though, its getting late!" Alma peregrine stood up, slowly trailing the dirt path that lead to the loop entrance Isabelle cuckoo by her side. She wished they could remain out desperately. it was such a gorgeous sunset, it looked as if someone spilled watercolored paints all over the canvas of sky, dotting it with dark clouds every so often. Alma was sure she could stare at it for hours and not get bored at all.

"So...why are violets your favorite flower? whats makes them so special?" Isabelle asked as she stepped on a stick, using her other foot to kick it upward and break it, sending the branch flying a few feet ahead.

Alma had to think about this one for a moment. "They have a delightful smell, and they are such a darling shade of blue. They also brighten up any room, no matter how drab!" Alma smiled as they stepped inside the tree entrance to the loop. Isabelle nodded, checking her little watch.

"So, what are you going to do for the rest of evening? its only 5:03." Isabelle held the door open for the peregrine.

"I think i am just going to retire early tonight. my head has started aching from banging it into that shelf!" The 16 year old smiled as she blushed slightly, embarrased at the mishap. She truly didnt mean to jump like that at Isabelle's touch, she was just so used to having to be so cautious, she felt as if she couldn't shut it off.

"Oh, okay. Im still sorry about that..."Isabelle watched Alma head off towards there shared room, a door closing signifyed that Alma had made it there safely. Isabelle left, wandering her way into the kitchen where Miss avocet was Standing over the hot stove, stirring some kind of soup of sorts, While miss bunting was seated at the table, sewing up a tear in one of Roisin's dresses.

"Good evening." Isabelle curtised for her mentors.

"Good evening. Did you have fun with Alma in the city? I know they have all the flowers on display for planting now. I actually expected you guys to take longer sense I know Alma loves gardening." miss Bunting pulled out the chair next to her for

the French girl to sit beside her.

"Yeah, They had much more of a variety Than the french Flower markets my Mother took me to when I was a little." Isabelle answered. "Alma hit her head on a shelf, thats why we came home."

Isabelle looked down, ashamed about the whole ordeal.

"I hope she's okay. Where might she be Isabelle?" Miss Avocet readjusted her apron.

"Shes upstairs, already has a headache from the shelf, plus a small cut. I wish I would have looked to make sure it didn't happen." Isabelle answered, her eyes diverted onto the one floorboard that was slightly stuck upward, hands folded in her lap. she felt quite guilty.

miss Bunting glanced up at miss Avocet, both women sharing a concerned look. Both were definetly concerned about both of the teenagers, but almost Isabelle more. The french girl was demoted to a demure, guilty mess in less than 5 minutes, a behavior she rarley exhibited.

the sound of the spoon being placed on the counter. and the tapping of heels alerted Isabelle to miss Avocet's presence behind her. Isabelle tried desperatley not to cry as miss Avocet hugged her from behind.

"you didnt know. don't beat yourself up about it honey." miss Avocet tried to comfort her a little more before kissing her head then leaving the room to check up on her youngest.

"dont worry child, I practically beat Esme up all the time on accident. one time, I almost killed the poor woman with a bowl!" miss bunting watched Isabelle raise her head in confusion.

"How did you do that?"

"well... I was climbing that counter you see there, miss Avocet was standing right there, chopping fruit up. "she pointed wearily at a counter and another spot. "And I was trying to grab some platter from above, but I was so short I couldnt see the bowl in front of it, and when I yanked it forward pulled the bowl forward, and they smacked her right in the head."

"Oh dear.." isabelle subconsciously reached her own head.

"after being knocked to the floor unconscious, 9 stiches, and about 3 doctors visits she was back to being her old self, and she forgave me. moral of the story, Alma will forgive you. and, always check before you pull something out of those cupboards." miss bunting finished, returning to her sewing. isabelle watched her elegantly embroider it into a flower over the tear so it was unseeable that there was a tear line. Isabelle studied it for a few more seconds, then an idea popped into her head.

"Miss Bunting, if it isn't to much to ask, may I go back down to the market before supper? I want to get Alma some violets that we were looking at as a way to apologize." Isabelle tapped her foot as Miss Bunting glanced outside, the at her watch to see how much daylight was left.

"Do you have a sister who can acompany you? Esmerelda will have have my head if I let you go alone. Roisin, she is out at the enterance of the loop diving, see if she will go with you. if not, come back and ill take you tommrrow. hurry so you can make it back before dinner. and if miss Avocet asks" miss Bunting handed Isabelle 5 pounds out of her pocket. "I send you to grab something. I dont care what you use the pounds on, but if she asks, whatever you buy is what I asked you to retrieve." the African American woman finished.

"thank you!" Isabelle shouted as she bolted out the door. Miss Bunting grinned a little as Isabelle dashed off into the sunset to find her oldest sister.


"ROISIN!" Isabelle shouted out along the cliffs edge. a gannet flew upward with much force, startling Isabelle a little bit. It landed on a nearby rock, preening its wet feathers. "will you go into town with me?"

The gannet gently hopped off the rock, to beside isabelle, glancing up curiously at her.

"Isabelle? what are ya doing?" A voice came from behind the french girl. Isabelle spuna round on her heels to see Roisin, Brushing through her rather tangled hair on thr other side of the cliff, already dressed bsck in her clothing.

"wait who are you?" Isabelle looked down at the gannet beside her as the Irish woman made it up to her and the other gannet.

"Noyelle go away." Roisin patted its head. the Gannet turned and flew away the way it came, a small splash echoing off the cliff after a few seconds. "Sorry, he is one of my buddies."

Isabelle nodded, then continued with her plea. "will you go into town with me? please!" isabelle begged, taking The 17 year olds dry hands into he own.

"Are we allowed?" Roisin asked as she picked up her small travel bag and started to head down the cliff, isabelle at her side.

"of coure I got permisson!"

"I guess." She flicked her hair backwards, water dropplets dripping all over the place.

The walk down to the town wasnt far, but Isabelle stayed Glued to Roisin's side, terrfied of the woods. she knew it was rather silly to be scared, but the trees canopy made it extremely dark, even in the daylight. During the twilight hours, Isabelle felt even more nervous in the forest, creepy noises kept the French girl on her toes.

"Why are we coming here again?" Roisin asked as they entered the still tightly packed square.

"I have to grab a new comb for Miss Bunting and some flowers." Isabelle answered, picking up a Comb off of a nearby table, then retreated to the cashier, an older man with a rather sour look on his face. Isabelle handed over the 5 pounds, then recieved a handful of change. Isabelle returned it to her pocket, buttoning it as to not lose it.

"Okay...flowers now!" Isabelle giddily bounced over to the stand, dragging the much taller Roisin with her who had a much harder time weaving through the crowd.

"Good evening ma'am, one of those violet plants, please!" for the first time, Isabelle remembered her manners. The young brunette graciously turned on her heels, retrieving one from behind her that was In full bloom, even more elegant than the ones Alma was looking at.

"That will be 10 shillings." The woman waited as Isabelle pulled our her little change purse, eagerly pulling out the ammount of money.

"Here!" Isabelle traded her the coins for violet plant. "Thank you ma'am, have a wonderful day!" she smiled warmly. Roisin watched in ammusement as Isabelle shielded the plant from any danger of the crowd. the Irish woman would have struck up a conversation, but it was much too loud. Why was Isabelle so excited get flowers anyways? she never expressed much joy for gardening. The only time she was ever in the garden was when alma was tending to it.

"Why are you so excited?" Roisin asked as they both stepped away from the town square. "about the violets I mean. they are just flowers after all." Roisin clarifyed.

"Oh, they are for Alma!" Isabelle sang. Roisin glanced over with wide eyes, a smile tugging at her cheeks.

"wow, I would have never guessed!" Roisin grinned. "I hope she loves them!" She kept her face turned away, giggling a little as she scanned the treeline.

"I do too!" Isabelle could just imagine Alma's smile at the flowers.

as soon as they got home, Roisin dissapeared, but Isabelle went to take the flowers up to Alma. she didnt bother knocking as it was her room too, but the French girl quieted down quickly when she noticed Miss Avocet was sitting on the bed, with Alma resting on her shoulder.

"Is she asleep?" Isabelle whispered from across the room. Miss Avocet moved her head slightly to see, but Alma sat up, her hair askew and fluffed out.

"No i'm not." Alma piped up. "Do you need something?" she asked, then turned to miss Avocet. "I'm okay miss, Isabelle's here now so I'm not alone. then you for sitting with me, I really do apperciate it." Alma hugged her Ymbryne who simply smiled, kissed the young girls forehead and wishing goodnight to both girls before exited the room.

"Im still sorry for making you hit your head, but I uh, I hope these make you feel better!" Isabelle held the violets out, trying to avoid eye contact.

"Belle these are beautiful! Alma buried her face into them, hoping Isabelle couldnt see her blush. "Thank you so much, but you truly didn't have to do that!" Alma looked back up at her best friend.

"Yes I did, you were so excited to see them, and they are your favorite! plus, I damaged you so I must apologize in style!" Isabelle giggled. She suddenly felt Alma wrap around her, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you Belle" Alma stiffled a yawn through her smile.

"Your welcome." Isabelle hugged Alma back even tighter, leaning against the pole of the wooden bed frame. Isabelle was going to pull away as to not make Alma uncomfortable, but Rhythmic breathing echoing from Alma alerted Isabelle to the fact that Alma had fallen sleep on her. Isabelle rolled her eyes with a smile, then laid her head on top of Alma's, soon drifting off also.


"Rose, Rose!" Roisin burst into her room, where Rose, Evalynn, Alice, and Millicent were all scattered around. Alice lay reading a book on the bed, but the other 3 were just talking, having abandoned their work.

"Isabelle's giving Alma Violets!" Roisin exclaimed. Rose glassbill shrugged her shoulders, confused but Millicent and Alice's jaws hit the floor.

"Really!?" Alice bounced on the bed excitedly. "I knew it!"

"She gave her flowers big deal?" Evalynn looked at the 2 younger girls for an explaination.

"Well, in modern day london, its became a trend that when a woman wants to declare there interest in a romantic relationship with another woman, she gives her violets!" Millicent explained.

"Isabelle wants to date Alma!" Roisin giggled.

"Guys, I think your jumping to conclusions!" Rose Sighed. "Those are Alma's favorite flower! Isabelle might have just-" Rose felt a hand clasp over her mouth.

"No, they love eachother! come on face the facts!" the Thrush stood up and started pacing around giddliy "They are constantly around each other, Helping the other with there chores, Isabelle is highly protective of Alma, they have nicknames for eachother, they take trips into town together, Isabelle even takes it upon herself to mock Alma for being short! every cute couple does those things!" Millie reasoned. "Im calling it, they will be dating by tommrrow!" She exclaimed, flopping down onto the bed dramatically,mext to Alice.

"well Im convinced." Evalynn Finch nodded. She had never much seen it, but now that the facts were being spilled out, she was making the connection that her little sisters were more than just friends.

"Guys, please dont bombard them. let them take it slow." Rose watched all of her sisters break off into a lovesick chatter about their sisters. Rose stood up and exited, Feeling as if it was her responsibility to warn her little sisters of the rumors. the Glassbill knew what it was like to be put on the spot like that, and she Would rather warn them both so they could either declare it tomrrow, or put a stop to the newborn rumors before they caused any unnecessary embarrassment.

"Hey, guys-" Rose's voice died when she entered the cold room, her eyes set on Alma and Isabelle curled up in eachother's embrace, the voilets on the windowsill gleaming in the moonlight.

Rose simply shook her head with a smile and closed the door softly. She retreated down the hallway, unbraiding her brown hair as she did. "maybe that is what Isabelle meant. Silly girls."


"Good morning Roisin." Miss Avocet slid on her coat. "Did you have fun on your dive?" Miss Avocet ran a hand down Roisins drenched hair, drying her hand on her coat.

"Yes miss." The gannet nodded.

"Thats good to hear. We will be back from the meeting by late tommrrow tonight, or the day after tommrrow's morning at the latest. Please wake your sisters up by a reasonable time. Jack and Myron are going to be gone until about noon tommrrow. there are pastries in the kitchen for you all. no leaving the loop, and please, dont kill eachother. Good bye dear." Miss Avocet held the door for miss bunting.

"Good bye!" Roisin waved them off and shut the door behind them. All of the teens slowly flitered down the stairs Alma and Isabelle had'nt made an apperance yet.

"They are probably cuddling!" Alice shushed down as two pairs of foot steps made there way down the stairs. all the girls tried to hide their own stares of curiousity as Alma and Isabelle casually walked in.

Alma was the first to notice the stares and the constant giggling as she took a bite of her Vanilla cream filled crossiant. Every one seemed to be in a joyful mood this morning, which made Alma happy.

"So, Alma, did you LOVE the violets Isabelle gave you?" Evalynn asked. Alma gave a confused hint of a smile.

"Yes, I did, they were lovely, and thank you again belle." Alma thanked the cuckoo who nodded in return.

"So...uh, anyone got any news?" Rose refilled her glass of orange juice, side eyeing Alma and Isabelle from the counter.

"I found a cute boy down in the town a few days ago, he gave me 5 fruit drops and told me I was to elegant to be out in this kind of heat..." Alice treecreeper swung her feet around. "Anyone else have anything romantic happen to them?" everyone remained silent, trying not to look at Alma and Isabelle.

"That was cute Alice." Isabelle took another bite of her Apple Turnover nonchalantly, staring out the window with a rather realxed look. Isabelle certainly didn't sense the tension Alma had started to pick up on as she watched everyone's expressions and gestures. something was definetly amiss.

"ARE YOU TWO DATING?!" Millie blurted out what everyone what thinking. She hated being patient with conversation, preferring to get straight to the point as fast as she could.

"Wait whos dating who?" Alma asked.

"You and Isabelle! she gave you violets!" Alice chimed in. She was excited to know the outcome of the conversation.

"Excuse me?!" Alma stood up, a faint hint of blush becoming prominent.

"In modern day London, a upcoming trend amongst the women, is giving violets to another woman to secretly declare thier intrest in a relationship. we all thought that that was Isabelle's intention sense we noticed you two where always glued to eachothers sides." Roisin watched Alma's vision dart over to Isabelle who was at this point half under the table from slowly sliding down in her chair to avoid the intense stares.

Alma quickly made a full 180 for the door, almost crashing into the wall while trying to get away from everyones stares. Was that what Isabelle meant by the violets? Did Isabelle want a a relationship with her? the young peregrine stopped running as she ducked inti the gazebo in the garden, trying to catch her breath as she sat down on the bench, the violets sat beside the her. Alma had brought them out so they could get some of the warm July sun this morning, and she was certainly glad she did.

"She probably didn't know." Alma felt her heart drop, but she still had a slight glimmer of hope in the back of her mind that Isabelle did mean it that way.

Alma would never outright admit it, but she was smitten by the french teenager.

She loved Isabelle dearly, and had tried her hardest not to fall for her best friend, but Isabelle was just flawless in every aspect.

Isabelle listened, cared, never judged, she would even spend nights awake with Alma because she was so terrifed to rest, and she did it with a smile on her face. Isabelle never even knew why Alma was so scared, but she would remain awake as long as Alma asked, heck, half the time she stayed awake without being asked just so Alma wasn't lonely.

Alma knew she probably didnt have much of a shot with someone like her, Isabelle always had many suitors ready to drop,

everything for her, but she never much entertained any of them.

Alma sighed, running her fingers along the petals of the violets, shutting her eyes slightly. as she felt a few tears drip down her face.


"Isabelle, are you going to come out anytime soon?" rose glanced under the kitchen table where Isabelle was still sitting, trying to hide from everyone.

"No." Isabelle continued biting her nails to shreds. Why had she never heard about this trend? Isabelle considered herself to be always on trend, but she had never even heard about the Violets thing.

"Alma's probably so upset... oh dear she probably hates me..." Isabelle felt her eyes welling with tears. How could she explain that it was a mistake and she didnt mean it like that? She might have loved Alma, but she never would outright say it, just the thought of admitting that terrified Isabelle. Alma was way out of her league, and Isabelle knew it. she could see all the looks Alma got from the boys in the most handsome of boys we're smitten with Alma, and Isabelle couldnt blame them. The Peregrine was beautiful, caring, Calm, elegant. she was the definition of perfection to Isabelle.

The French woman softly moved a chair, then made a mad dash for the doorway before any of her sister could see her.

"Alma?" Isabelle called out, deciding she would have to do it sooner than later. Alma tensed up tightly as she heard Isabelle, but it was no use to try to run. she was surrounded by huge rose bushes, all packed to the brim with thorns. the peregrine slid down behind the wood bench, hoping she wasn't seen.

"Alma, there you are!" Isabelle entered the gazebo quietly so none of her sisters had an idea on where they went.

"dang it." Alma cursed, going to bury her head into her chest but suddenly yelped when her head hit the rim of the pot she held so tightly to her body. She forgot she was even holding the violets.

"what are you doing?" Isabelle leaned over the top of the bench, her shadow casting over Alma.

"nothing" Alma felt tears burning the corners of her eyes. A hand snatched Alma's, leading her upwards and onto the bench.

"Alma I truly didn't mean to upset you with the flowers I didn't know!" Isabelle felt helpless as Alma desperately wiped away her tears, trying to remain strong as she set the violets down on the cement.

"So you don't like me?" Alma didnt know which answer she wanted more. Isabelle didnt know what to truly say either.

"Ya know What?" Isabelle gazed straight ahead as she picked up the violets. Alma looked at her confused as the violets were set back down in her lap.

"I do. I do love you Alma. I would spend everyday for the rest of my life with you if you would let me. I did not know of this trend when I gave these to you, but now, I want to give them to you as part of the trend. I am unsure about how you feel about me, but I love you. I will understand if you dont like me that way, but I refuse to not acknowledge my feelings." Isabelle kept her gaze ahead, almost to afraid to see Alma's expression. would she be angry? upset? would this ruin thier friendship?

"I love you too, Isabelle." Alma leaned her head on Isabelle's shoulder, intertwining thier hands. "I love you, I love you that way." Alma wiped away another tear away, finally feeling calm.

"Oh good, because I was kind of scared I just declared my love for you and that you wouldn't be interested..." isabelle laughed nervously but was overjoyed.

"Do you want to go back inside and tell our sisters so they can stop spying on us?" Alma asked softly, noticing a thrush, a finch and a treecreeper seated in a nearby tree with Roisin and rose both peaking out from behind it trying to conceal their giggling.

"I think we will be okay, they are close enough to hear." Isabelle shut her eyes with a smile.


thanks for reading. if you have any requests, please do PM me (or comment:) I would be happy to write it:)