Chapter Text
The crisp air of the London streets nips at my exposed skin, sending shivers down my spine. The sky is stained hues of dark oranges, reds and blues, painting a perfect sunset view .
I drag my feet solemnly across the concrete, feeling the vibrations of the action slowly tear away at the soles of my tattered shoes. I don't give it a second thought about how I might regret it later.
My shoulders sag in the oversize sweatshirt and my eyes are glued to the concrete watching the tiny specks of glitter sparkle within the ground.
I never fully enjoyed exploring the outside world. The weather is always too unpredictable and the chances of seeing people I know are too high. But today in particular everything felt so much worse than usual.
Some will understand the feeling. The moment you wake up and everything immediately just feels ... off. A lump is in your throat despite never talking, a tiredness crawling through your bones despite getting a full night of rest, and an uncomfortable unsettled conscience plaguing your mind.
I live alone in my dull flat within the walls of London, it's a loud town with everyone bustling about, even on holidays. Though I don't hate the crowd I never dare to join it.
Some say I have an outgoing personality, that I'm a person who could connect to people with simplicity. But, I think otherwise. I might have once been a person who could talk for hours about anything in general, however it was a trait of the past. I have no one to talk to now that I live alone.
However, I don't mind mind the quiet, simple life I live. No one to put me down, no one to bother me, and no one to make me regret anything.
However, there are some downsides to the simple life I live.
No support.
I sigh deeply watching my breath slowly fog up the surrounding air and then dissipate a moment later.
I woke up late today with the realization that I would not make it to work on time at the radio station. The stress prevented me from having a decent meal beforehand thus causing me to not only be late but hungry as well.
My co-workers and boss didn't mind the fact that I was late, but I still feel horrible. Even now when my shift has long been over. My stomach had been twisting and churning with guilt all day. Making me feel horribly sick.
Why don't they care?
A sear of anger suddenly engulfs me and I whip my foot around and slam it against the brick wall I so happen to be walking past. The pain numbed my foot, but I continued to kick mercilessly.
Idiot! You fucking idiot! Why do you always make so many fucking mistakes?! This is why you live alone Dan! Because no one fucking dares to care about you!! Cause you're such an idiot.
My foot is completely numb and swollen in pain, but I continue.
I've always hated this pity, the kind tone everyone uses to lessen the blow on me when I mess up. It makes no sense to me.
I grew up in a happy and content environment, where everything was alright and I never had anything to complain about. One where I might not have had everything, but I had enough to keep me satisfied.
So why do people pity me in that way? I should know better, and be better.
I feel the breaths of surrounding passerby's questioning whispers slowly creep along my spine. I give the brick wall one last hard kick before whipping myself away from it and continue following the concrete path. It would probably be best to get some air.
I try to settle myself down, everyone has bad days. Deep breath, deep breath.
I follow my own orders and take sharp breaths through my nose and exhale out my mouth.
The streets were completely dark now, the only source of light being from the few shops still open and the old street lights that began serving their purpose the moment the sun went down. I look around at my surroundings, nothing looks familiar. The streets aren't empty, but there is definitely a decline of people around.
I wipe my face with the soft sleeves of my grey sweater before shivering. I wasn't really expecting to be out here for so long. I only brought my sweater to protect me from the bitter cold. I thought the need for a jacket was unnecessary due to the fact there was no snow.
I cross my arms together, gathering as much warmth I can. I need somewhere to warm up before I freeze to death out here. I eye the closest store to my right.
Philly's Phlower shop?
"What an ugly name." I chuckle out loud. The warm light pouring out of the front window is quite mesmerizing. Like a moth to a flame I find my feet slowly dragging me towards the store.
I hesitate at the door, but the want and need of warmth overrides my awkward feelings and I open the glass door.
A bell chimes, notifying the whole store of my presence, though the place seems deserted. The door shuts behind me quickly from the help of the wind outside and I sigh at the feeling of the welcoming warmth. I look around, several different plants line the whole of the store, giving out an earthy smell. Its as if I just stepped into a garden or forest of some sort.
I rub my hands together to retain some heat and I began walking around. I was never really interested in plants, but now looking at some, a few were pretty cool.
Abruptly, I hear a loud scrambling noise near the back of the store, behind a counter.
I walk over cautiously and look around for the perpetrator of the noise.
I nearly jump out of my skin as someone suddenly appears from the room behind the counter.
"Hello! Is there anything I can help you with!" He smiles happily.
His colourful happiness stuns me for a moment, before I scan him quietly.
He's really tall but still shorter than me, black hair adorns his pale skin; it's quite intriguing. But what interests me the most are his blue eyes. They were too blue to be real, almost cartoonish and fake. For a moment his eyes seem to widen in surprise, like he's having a revelation. But, the look quickly dissipates. He stands there smiling and waiting for a response from me. But I have no idea what to say.
My mouth opens, but no words spill out, and I've never felt so awkward. His smile never fades as he stares back at me, "Hey! Don't worry, take your time! I have no place to go, so let me know if you found something you want to buy!" His voice was loud and very deep. I instantly feel guilty that I only came in here to warm up.
I whip around, breaking our eye-contact. Letting out a breath that I didn't know I was holding, I glance at the surrounding plants.
I never thought of owning a plant, I don't even know how to take care of one! But, I feel the need to buy something after barging into the store.
I examine the shop, it was a lot bigger than it seemed from the outside. Even though it's just a plain white store with white shelves and a squeaky white tiled floor, the variety of colours the different plants are blooming with transforms the store and makes it shine with life.
I walk between the rows, I don't think I should get a big one. Maybe a smaller one? But I'm really forgetful so I can't have a high maintenance one.
For some odd reason I felt at a loss, I really want to buy a plant so I don't feel awkward and leave empty handed, and the guy is too kind to say no to.
After a few minutes of looking through the rows of plants I am still empty handed.
I look back at the counter to see the joy filled shop owner now sitting on a stool and scrolling through his phone. Though he no longer has his smile plastered on his face, you can clearly see through his lit up eyes that he was happy.
I scratch the back of my head carefully and ponder on my decision, I sighed to my self and awkwardly walk back over to the counter.
The black haired man quickly stands up and smiles, "Did you pick something out?" He questions with a peppiness in his voice that for some odd reason I do not find as annoying as I usually would.
I shake my head looking down at my hands placed on the cool white wooden counter.
"Actually I was wondering if you can give me some suggestions of what I should buy?" I mumble out quietly. I hear a deep chuckle from him and I look up to see a warmer smile replace his more customer presenting one.
"Well tell me about yourself then! Are you more of an on task kind of guy who has to make sure everything is done perfectly before going to bed? Or more like me who would probably kill all these plants if I didn't have notifications placed on my phone?" He laughs.
I look at him with curiosity, it seems like it's so easy for him to laugh, like he does it everyday. Getting to know him now he seems like a guy who hasn't lived a day without smiling.
I let out a small chuckle along with him, "Then I guess we have something in common, I'm really forgetful." I chuckle.
I feel a weird connection begin to form with this florist, he seems like the kind of person who I would love to get to know despite how bright of a personality he seems to have. He nods urging me to continue, "Uh, I guess I need something that would be perfect for a quiet home. Cause my house is kind of dark and dull, so I guess something that would make it less like a grave yard and more like a uh...living yard?" I cringe at my explanation, the florist just laughs in response.
He suddenly snaps his fingers as if he just figured out something and ushers me to follow him, he rounds the counter and walks towards the front of the store with me in tow.
He stops abruptly almost causing me to fall on top of him as he bends down. Jeezus I don't need another reason to want to jump off a cliff.
As he comes back up in his hands he holds a small spiked plant in a tiny red plastic pot. The tiny plant stood up tall, it looked almost like a tree but a cartoon version of it. The 'trunk' was a dark green while the 'leafy part' was an astonishing bright pink. The whole thing was covered with small needles.
Despite my dislike for sickly bright colours the small plant seemed to tug at my heart strings like I needed to take care of it.
"This little guy here is a moon cactus! It's really easy to maintain cause you only have to water once every one to two weeks and no fertilizer and bigger pot is needed! All you need is to do is place it on a windowsill that gets a lot of sun or a bright room and viola! Perfectly healthy cactus!!!" The preppy man cheered.
I was contemplating the pros and cons between getting the small cactus when the florist spoke up again, "Not a lot of people like getting these cacti cause they don't grow that big, but I think it's perfect for a splash of colour in any kind of room!"
My room is really dull.
I pondered for a few more minutes before settling on a decision. "Sure, I'll buy it!" I say with a weirdly high amount of confidence.
The guy smiles wide and nods, I follow him in suite to the counter and watch him click the buttons of the white cash register, his movements are quick and flow seamlessly, it was mesmerizing to say the least.
"That's 2 pounds kind sir!" He smiles looking me straight the eye. His eyes really are pretty.
I shake my thoughts aside and retrieve my old flaky wallet from my jeans. I toss the coins over to him.
The registrar's buttons click loudly with every push before a chime rings from it. "I'm going to put it in a bag cause it's getting kinda cold!" The cashier explains as he carefully wraps it in a white tissue and places it into a brown paper bag he retrieves from under the desk, I nod in understanding.
"That's everything! Thanks so much for your purchase, it really made my day! Please come again if you have anymore questions!" He cheers happily.
An odd pang of sadness hits me. I'm leaving already.
I shake my head and mumble a quick thank you as I grab the paper bag.
I didn't realize it, but the moment I walked into that store my crappy mood completely disappeared.
Just before I exited the store I looked back at the tall man, but something seemed off, his smile seems almost sadder.
I leave the thought hanging as I exit through the glass door listening as it chimes again.
I step into the cold air of the night. I shiver, immediately missing the warmth the small store brought.
I look side to side looking for the sign of the main road, I decide to venture back and retrace my steps from earlier, but before I begin the journey I look back the shop once again.
Philly's Phlower Shop.
"It really is a dumb name" I smile to myself.
I hear the click of my front door unlock before pushing myself through. I sight in relief of finally being home and I feel happy and warm despite just being in the cold air of November.
I close the door behind me and switch on the lights illuminating the hall. Untying the knots of my shoes whose souls have been battered I throw them aside not really worrying about the fact I'll need to buy some new ones.
I trek up the wooden stairs careful not to hit the brown bag on anything. Slowly crossing the hall I slip quietly into my room.
I plop onto my bed after flicking on the lights and open the brown package. Carefully taking out the small cactus and unwrapping it from the white tissue. The guy running the store wrapped it so carefully and so properly I almost felt bad for taking it apart. As the tissue falls to the ground I examined the small potted plant again, the needles are so mesmerizing.
I trace my fingers along the side of the plant only to prick myself and causing my pointer finger to bleed. Sticking my finger into my mouth to try and stop the bleeding, I move my eyes back to the plant. It's so pretty.
I pop my finger out of my mouth and examine it,
I'm gonna need to put a bandage on it later.
I look over to the window on the opposite side of my bed, I roll over careful not to spill any of the dirt in the small pot onto my bed. That wouldn't be fun to sleep on.
I place the small plant on the sill of my window, it was tiny in comparison to the wide amount of space, but it added something.
I run over to my door way and look back into my room examining it. Its still the dull grey room it has always been, but something is different. Despite how tiny the cactus is, it added a bit of life into the whole room. I smile to myself and walk back over to my bed then pick up the now empty brown bag I grab the tissue paper and proceed to throw it into the bin before something slid out of the paper bag. A receipt.
It has fallen on my duvet face up, I peer down at it a read it carefully.
Philly's Phlower Shop.
19 Beaker Ave
London.
Cactus ..................... £2.00
Total: £2.00
Sales Person: Phil M. Lester.
I stare at the thin paper and smile to myself. Phil Lester.
I guess now the store name makes sense. I laugh out loud as I read the name again. My whole day started off as a angry mess, but a man I never even met before made me laugh more then I have in a long while. I look back up to my cactus.
I need some more plants.
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I hope you guys enjoy this story! I know I still have to finish my DaiSuga fic, but this story came to me all of a sudden and I couldn't stop writing it! Thank you so much for the votes on my other stories! If you want more chapters and want me to continue this story drop a vote and leave a comment! Thank you so much! If you find and mistakes or have a suggestion please let me know! ( ' ▽ ' )ﾉ
-Alex
EDIT -
I RETURNNN!
Hello again to all who read this fic way back when. Sorry about the EXTRA long hiatus, I literally have no excuses or idea to why it has taken me so long to come back to this fic.
I've decided to pick it back again because I found my old notes about this story and I realized how much I loved writing this story. I was planning on coming back earlier but after Dan and Phil's coming out videos I got confused whether it was morally right to continue.
In the end here I am!
I've decided to kinda put a restart, starting by editing each chapter already out before continuing on. Cause being honest I've forgotten what happened XD.
I'm sorry to all the readers I've let down, and hope you can forgive me for disappearing. I promise I will try my absolute best complete this fic!
And always, comments are always appreciated!
-Alex