Personal Prompt- To forget-me-not is to smile and think of me, and all the good I gave. To forget-me-not is to see me in those you love, and remember the light which you fought to protect through the pain and suffering.

His mother knew what he'd look like when he walked inside, already sitting on the floor near the couch with the first aid kit and Hi Chews at the ready. He let her strip him of his bloodied shirt and slowly wash the dried blood off his wounds, never asking questions until his cuts were either stitched up or bandaged, his bruises cared for, and his spirits were rose enough for him to talk about it. It was a similar tale as the ones before it, kids making fun of his skin color, his size, the way he spoke and held himself, his living conditions.

His mother would always listen with an open heart, not denying a single thing and accepting everything he told her. He knew that tomorrow she would call him in sick and report the abuse to the school, and make sure his bullies would pay dearly for hurting him. He liked that his mom did not take shortcuts when it came to his reassurance in making the bullies pay. Even though that fact got him beat up, he would never ask his mom to stop fighting with him.

Once pictures were taken of the wounds for evidence in the later punishments, he got to relax and eat at his snacks as his mother brought a new shirt for him, and gave him a break from his homework. He knew they would sit down together tomorrow and finish it.

His uncle came in a little later than usual, hugging his mother and coming to him to ask about the damage report. He showed every bruise, cut, and mark on him, and told him the same story. His uncle was ruthless when he had to time to listen to his stories. Him coming home meant it was one of those days. He told him to toughen up of course, which wasn't anything new, and fight back himself, but gaining muscle and power was not something his body seemed to do well.

His uncle walked out with his mission, pictures from earlier in hand. His uncle could make anyone pee their pants if he tried, the steel master of the town with the iron eyes and steel heart. He was kind to him, although he pushed him like the father missing in his life. His mother came behind the couch and hugged him as the door closed.

"Your Uncle won't be back for a bit, he's going into town later. Do you want to help me make dinner?"

"Will there be fish tonight?"

"Sure, I'll make fish tonight. With soy, and yellow rice?"

"Don't forget the steam veggies, mommy!"

She chuckled softly, picking him up and setting him on top of the couch, picking his cheeks softly, making him laugh. Her smile went wider. HE liked her smiling.

"I wouldn't forget them. It's good to see you smile again, Ira. I missed seeing it."

He poked at the corners of his smile. He really hadn't smiled in a long time. He smiled wider. She laughed and poked at his cheeks until he was laughing with her.

"Whenever you can, Ira, smile for someone. A smile can bring anyone up from the depths of sadness. Even if they are bruised and beaten, seeing someone working to help them smile again can change a life."

"So if I smile, I help? I don't get in the way?"

"No, no. You're never in the way. If you smile, my baby, you could help them like you help me."

"And I help you make delicious food for our bellies!"

She chuckled, and helped him down, taking his hands and leading him toward their kitchen. "See, your smile is already working wonders. Just remember, a smile could shine as bright as the morning sun."

As they walked in, he stopped. Up on the counter sat a small bundle of small blue flowers. His mother took notice of his staring, and brought them down to him. He hovered a hand over them cautiously, afraid to touch what looked like glass petals.

"These are forget-me-nots," his mother explained, "They are a small blue flower. Your uncle bought some for us. Do you know what they symbolize?"

"Symbolize?"

"What they mean to us. These tiny, delicate flowers are a symbol of love, faithfulness, hope, and remembrance. Your father gave these to me when we first met."

His eyes widened in amazement. He never heard much of his father, but he already like the idea of him being kind and sweet. He carefully reached into the small bundle, and pulled two tiny flowers out. He carefully took a sniff, ad smelt very little, but he could smell a soft pleasant fragrance.

"They smell nice." he murmured, "and they feel soft."

His mother chuckled. "These flowers are small, but strong. They carry deep meaning, and many people use these flowers for a symbol of love."

"I declare these my symbol for you, mommy!" he exclaimed, carefully throwing a fist with his flowers in them in the air and walking into his mother's arms.

"Because you love me, and keep me safe, and you smell nice all the time."

"Agreed. When you find these out in the world later in life, Ira, think of me ad your family, think of those you cherish and love, and how they matter to you."

"Senpai!"

He looked up to see her running toward him, bag in hand and Ryuuko trailing behind her at a leisurely pace. She looked back at Ryuuko for a moment before hauling up to him, arms outstretched for a hug. He had gotten used to them in the weeks it had begun after the war ended. He knelt and accepted the warm hug, taking in her strong scent of cooking oil and soft sweet smell of forget-me-nots.

"Good morning, Gamagoori!"

"Good morning."

She stepped back out of his arms, holding her bag in front of her. "So, you wanted to do something today?"

He nodded, and carefully moved the small bundle of flowers from behind his back. He presented them, and Mako immediately dropped her bag and took them in her arms, smelling them briefly before looking up at him in wonder.

"These are really pretty! But what are they?"

He smiled softly. "They're forget-me-nots. They don't bloom around here, so I went to my hometown to gather some."

Mako looked down at them again, one hand picking at a flower. She couldn't comprehend the trouble he went through to get so many just for her. A smile worked its way on her face, her eyes going back and forth between him and the flowers.

"They're a symbol of love and faithfulness, of hope."

"Eh?!" She looked him directly in the eyes, bewilderment blooming across her face,

He couldn't hold back his smile. He had no fear after the mishap of his first try. He held one fist over his chest, the other touch the hands around the flowers.

"Mako, would you do me the honor of joining me on a date today?"

"EEEEH?! D-date, with m-me?!"

His smile widened, and he heard her gasp softly under her breath. "Absolutely."

She looked down at the flowers for a moment, then back at Ryuuko who was smiling at them. She knew of his intentions, and approved of him doing so beforehand. She gave her a quick hand signal to keep going. Mako turned back to him, and smiled wide.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"