Chapter Text
For years, every day Seokjin sat at the same desk, the looking out the same window, looking at the same old decrepit building with the “FOR SALE” sign that never left. He was only 25 years old, but at the age of 20 he had the grand idea to open up his own greeting card company. It was successful enough, it paid the bills. He had regular customers and he always found new ones. He made cards for everything. Every holiday, every season, every type of celebration, or even sad moments, Seokjin had created a card for it.
He attributed his success to his ability to make so many puns. Although, living his life narrating other people’s milestones and declarations of love began to wear on him. There were periods of time when he wanted to close his shop and go somewhere else. Surely there was something different for him in life.
All of his days blended together.
Until that day in spring when the “for sale” sign disappeared. At first he was skeptical, he thought there was no way that anyone could transform that old building into anything useful. It was best torn down.
Shortly after, he noticed the old building begin to brighten up. He watched for days as several people worked on it, carrying in paint cans, floor tiles, light fixtures. He wondered what neighboring business would be moving in so close to him--hopefully not another greeting card shop.
Soon a new sign filled the emptiness of the brick building. It read “Crab’s Flower Shop.” An interesting name to say the least. Seokjin didn’t quite know what flowers had to do with crabs, but anything was better than an old, empty building.
Day by day, flowers began appearing in the windows of the refreshed storefront. A month ago it looked like a home to ghosts, but now it looked like something a living person would enjoy visiting.
It was starting to warm up, and Jin was ready to start printing his spring themed cards. He wrote ideas down on paper, only to later scribble them out in frustration. He gazed out the window across the street at “Crab’s Flower Shop” he wondered when it would open.
He found himself daydreaming about who the owner would be, probably an older lady. There was nothing wrong with that. Maybe she would end up as one of his customers. Suddenly, the door to the flower shop swung open. A man with blonde hair and big square glasses emerged. He wore a white button up shirt and khaki pants. He turned with his hands on his hips and faced the flower shop sign, he nodded in what looked like approval, and entered the shop again.
Jin was taken aback. Could it be, that man was the owner? Jin wasn’t expecting someone like that to be arranging flowers, but he wasn’t the least bit disappointed.
More time passed as Jin watched out his window every day, rain or shine, the blonde haired man would be outside, adding more displays to the front of his shop. His flower arrangements were beautiful. They brought such a variety to the monotonous colors of the avenue.
The more he watched how carefully the man care for his flowers, the more Jin felt inspired to create. He found himself thinking of the flower shop owner every time he wrote down a new idea.
“You make my heart bloom like a field of tulips.”
“Spring begins for me each day you look in my direction.”
“The cherry blossoms aren’t the only thing falling for you this season.”
Just to name a few.
It was the middle of April when Jin’s shop door opened up, revealing the flower shop owner.
Jin meant to welcome him, but the blonde man began to speak first. “I don’t believe we’ve met yet. I’m Kim Namjoon. I’m the flourist across the street.” He held out his hand to shake Jin’s.
“Kim Seokjin. That makes us two Kims.” He laughed as he shook Namjoon’s hand. “Welcome to my greeting card shop. As you can see, I make greeting cards.”
“That’s wonderful actually. I came to introduce myself, but I am in the market for a card. Do you have any for a first date?”
A first date. Jin felt a little crushed. Though, he felt as if he didn’t really have a reason to. He hadn’t even talked to the man until today, and at this point he only knows his name and that he’s looking for a card suitable for a first date.
“Of course. They’ll be at the beginning of the romance section.”
Namjoon thanked him and headed to the appropriate area. “I notice you have a lot of flower themed cards here.” He chimed in. He began to quote the one he was holding in his hand. “‘You shower my heart’s garden with your love every day.’”
Seokjin responded. “Yes, I like flowers.”
“I like flowers too. As you can see, I have a flower shop.” Namjoon laughed and looked out the window and across the street to his shop.
“But why is it called, ‘Crab’s Flower Shop’?” Seokjin asked, tilting his head to the side a bit.
“Well, because I like crabs too.”
Fair enough.
The card Namjoon chose for his date was simple. Just a short “You’re pretty thanks for meeting me” type of card. Something that Jin created during his uncreative slump. He guessed Namjoon was a straightforward type of man. Luckily he didn’t pick the one that said “My eyes haven’t rested since they laid on you”, or Jin may have had to cringe himself out of business.
“I hope your date goes well!” Jin said as Namjoon exited the shop.
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Weeks, months, and and seasons went by and business stayed the same. Jin created cards and Namjoon sold flowers.
Jin watched Namjoon tend to his displays every mornings, and that gave him the inspiration to continue his cards.
They were happily acquainted. It was just that--they visited each other in their shops sometimes, they ordered from each other sometimes. When one of Jin’s best friends graduated from college, he ordered flowers from Namjoon. When Seokjin’s grandfather died, Namjoon sent a wreath of flowers to his family, free of charge. They had a cordial relationship, they cared about each other’s wellbeings, but it would be a stretch to call them friends.
Over the months, Namjoon bought cards from Jin. Following the first date card; there was a thank you card, more date themed cards, a birthday card, an appreciation card, a flower themed card, a confession of love card. All for the same girl, he supposed. Then came the “will you marry me?” card. If he was being completely honest. Jin wasn’t expecting it. Still, he smiled, excitedly congratulated Namjoon and wished him luck. Only a couple of days later, Namjoon was buying an “I’m sorry” card.
Seokjin didn’t ask. It wasn’t his business. But after that, Namjoon didn’t buy any more cards.
Instead, Namjoon started coming over to the shop more to talk, occasionally they would eat lunch together. Jin just figured that Namjoon was feeling lonely after his obvious breakup and he needed some company.
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Now, Christmas time was approaching. Snow lightly fell almost every day, assuring that the ground was always blanketed in white. Shoppers came from all around, the street never seemed to sleep. Both of the men were busy. Understandably, this was the busiest time of year for the both of them. Between Namjoon’s bouquet request, and Jin’s almost always empty shelves of Christmas cards, there was no time for the two of them to chat about their days.
On one abnormally slow morning, Jin watched as Namjoon hung a string of white lights at the top of one of the large windows. Before heading back inside, Namjoon turned and saw Jin at his desk, and he waved. Jin waved back, a small smile on his face as his heart rate increased at the interaction. The outside of the Crab’s Flowers was beautiful, Namjoon had set out plenty of well-taken-care of Poinsettias. To the left, samples of his Christmas wreaths were displayed for everyone to see.
That afternoon, Namjoon entered Jin’s shop, holding a slice of chocolate cake in a clear plastic takeout box. “I thought you’d like this. You seem hard at work.” He remarked as he handed it to Jin.
Eyeing the cake excitedly, he responded. “You know I will. Thanks!”
“I’m also here because I’m looking for some Christmas cards for my friends.”
Jin gestured for Namjoon to follow him to a small locked cabinet on the other side of the shop.
“There are ones already made, and you know where to find them. But here are some prototypes I was working on. If there’s anything you like I’ll gladly print it for you.” He said as he turned the small key in the lock, revealing stacks of Jin’s unpublished ideas.
He returned to his desk and began to eat the cake. Then he heard Namjoon pipe up. “What is this? ‘I want you to Ebenezer Scrooge me’? Really, Jin? Are you entering the erotic holiday card business?”
“Hotliday.”
“What?” Namjoon asked, looking up from the paper he held in his hand.
“They’re called Hotliday cards, and that was not supposed to be in there.”
Namjoon tried his best to hold in his laughter, but he failed. He continued to look through the stack of papers, finding even more flower themed prototypes. So many square shaped pieces of paper with words scribbled out. He smiled as he read the legible ones. “I can’t love any BUDdy but you”, “Your love has me lightheaded and daisy.” He thumbed forward to more romantic ones. “Each day you make my life brighter, without your smile I would live in the dark.”
Namjoon glanced over at Jin who was back to work, wearing his round glasses and writing down more ideas at his desk. The glasses always meant he was focusing hard. Namjoon spoke, interrupting Jin’s thought process. “Loving you must be really special.”
Placing his pen down on the wooden surface, he pulled his glasses off and looked back at Namjoon. “I’m sorry? What do you mean?”
“All these cards.” He showed off the prototypes he held in his hand. “You write so many romantic things. I imagine whoever you’re in love with would feel very precious.”
Jin went back to writing as he responded. “Not really. I can only think of these things when I’m not involved.”
Namjoon nodded in understanding. “Then, I’d like this one printed.” He slid the thin piece of paper onto Jin’s desk.
Jin paused and glanced at it. It read “Merry Christmas! I hope you’re not Claustrophobic.” Jin began laughing at the pun he had forgotten he wrote. “Good choice Namjoon, I’ll have it ready for you tomorrow.”
Thanking him, Namjoon returned to his flower shop. Jin leaned back in his chair as he watched the tall man enter the floral paradise for the rest of the day. With a twinge of sadness in his voice, he whispered to Namjoon from the opposite building. “I wish I could make you feel precious.”