Work Text:
Eraser Flower Shop was a small building, located along a back road with little traffic.The shop was quaint and usually quiet. Emphasis on usually.
As he worked, a small, jingling bell alerted the tired shop owner to a customer. Said customer was none other than Hizashi Yamada.
...
Hizashi, in his opinion, normally got the short end of the stick when it came to luck, and this was no different. He took in the man at the front counter, noticing his scruffy appearance and unshaven stubble. The man’s dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. On the counter next to him, a chubby black cat was sleeping as he worked on a bundle of flowers. Hizashi noticed the man’s eyes as he sent Hizashi a glower: tired but sharp... it looked as if he hadn’t slept for weeks.
“Can I help you?” the man questioned him, lacing his words with a tone of annoyance.
“Uh—Yeah! I sorta…” Hizashi wasn’t sure how to word it. “Killed my roommate's houseplant.” He chuckled nervously. “So—”
“You need a replacement?” the man, Aizawa—as indicated by his name plate—cut him off.
“Yep!” Hizashi managed. The guy was cold, as well as a little intimidating, but if Hizashi could do anything, it was brighten a mood. Hizashi did like a challenge.
“I’m assuming that you need help choosing something?”
“Uh, yeah. She told me anything would be fine, but I doubt that,” Hizashi sighed over-dramatically. Nemuri was fickle to work with, much less live with.
“Great,” Aizawa deadpanned, making Hizashi laugh. He was immediately thrown a glare before Aizawa sat down the bundle of purple flowers he’d previously been working on, “Do you at least know how big your roommate wants it?”
Hizashi followed as Aizawa swiftly moved towards a section of the store filled with less flowers and more potted plants.
“She had it in her bathroom, on the sink. So, small... I guess?” Hizashi replied, recalling the poor plant’s demise. Hairspray had been the likely culprit. Aizawa seemed satisfied with that answer as he pulled a good sized pot off the shelf.
“I suggest this aloe plant,” he sighed. “It takes minimal care and the insides of the leaves can be harvested for beauty products. Or food, though I don’t advise you eat it.”
Hizashi laughed at the cold joke before taking the plant with a nod, “That sounds perfect, thank you!”
“No problem, I’ll ring you up...” Aizawa responded quietly, heading back towards the counter. He spared a glance at Hizashi’s credit card, “...Hizashi Yamada.”
The rest of the exchange wasn’t anything of note, but Hizashi found Aizawa’s obvious lack of tone and emotions funny enough that he spared a look back through the shop’s window as he was leaving.
He watched as Aizawa yawned with a stretch before heading back to work. He had a small smile on his face as his fingers gracefully tied together the flowers while an orange cat padded over to join him. With all of the flowers around him, and his look of pure content, he looked rather charming.
Fuck—He was cute.
...
“Holy shit, ‘Zashi, you actually chose a good one!”
Hizashi smiled coyly at Nemuri as she examined the aloe plant closely. It sat comfortably in her hand and the green tendrils mimicked tentacles squirming out.
“I had some help picking it out…” Hizashi said with a hint of dreaminess, causing Nemuri to perk up.
“Oh~?”
“The guy running the flower shop was… Interesting,” Hizashi answered, a little more defensively this time. He was tugging on his jacket to head off to work, and he couldn’t be late again due to Nemuri's commentary... again.
“Oh!” Nemuri exclaimed. “‘Zashi has a crush~!”
“Hey! I—” he paused, knowing that lying to Nemuri wouldn’t do him any good. “Okay, maybe a little bit.”
Nemuri let her face break into a giant grin, enveloping the man into a bear hug. He didn’t really like the way she was smiling at him.
“You should totally go back and ask him out!” Nemuri exclaimed with pride, making Hizashi remember Aizawa’s cold demeanor. He couldn’t imagine what the scruffy man’s reaction might be. Even the thought of Aizawa on a date was enough to make him laugh.
“He doesn’t seem like the type to want to be asked out after a first meeting, or asked out ever for that matter,” the blond responded, untangling himself from Nemuri’s grasp.
She smirked at him.“Ooooh!~ So he’s one to play hard to get?”
“You could say that,” Hizashi snickered, heading towards the door, “I need to get going, there’s food in the fridge; don’t burn the house down.”
Nemuri laughed as Hizashi walked out the front door, making his way down the street towards the radio station.
...
Aizawa Shota loved the fact that he got to work with his cats every day, he really did, but trying to wrangle them out of the shop at night made him reconsider it. Herding four cats was about as hard as it sounds, though he had established a system by now.
The first cat Shota would grab was also his oldest cat, Jam. He was lazy and easy to scoop into the carrier. Next, he’d get his curious little siamese, Sugar. She was rather compliant, but sometimes she’d want to stay in the shop. Then came the hard parts. Shota didn’t regret any of his cats, but Alpha and his new kitten were hyperactive and skittish respectively.
The new addition to his cat herd had been acquired last week, and Shota hadn’t bothered to name him yet, which was quickly becoming an issue.
“Fuck—” The little brown kitten dashed behind a pot of sunflowers, shattering it as it fell to the ground. Shota groaned at the sight. Luckily, the crash had startled the kitten, causing him to freeze. Shota took his opportunity and scooped him up, “you really need to stop breaking things.”
He sighed, standing himself up and setting the kitten into the carrier with his brethren.
Movement outside the shop window caught the man’s eye. Someone was walking past the normally empty street. Shota ducked down, watching as a man crossed past the shop, recognizing him as the blond from earlier. Yamada something… It was very strange anyone would be walking down the street at that time of night.
Shota shrugged off the train of thought and returned to his apartment with his cat carrier. Inside, he sat down to relax in his usual silence.
...
Three days after Hizashi’s first visit to Eraser Flower Shop, Nemuri somehow managed to convince him to go again, and now that he was standing there, he felt like an idiot. He probably should've made a game plan.
Hizashi was trying to hype himself up when a door opened to his left.
“Do you need something?” Aizawa drawled, making Hizashi jump.
“Ah, Aizawa I—”
“Oh, you were the guy who was here the other day. Why are you back?” Aizawa asked cooly. Hizashi cringed at the defensive tone the raven haired man held, “did you break the aloe plant?”
Hizashi tried to weigh his options here, he really did, but he was never one to think before speaking.
“Uh… Maybe?” Hizashi murmured, gaining a groan from Aizawa who motioned him in. Hizashi took the invitation with a grateful grin.
“Do you need another aloe plant? I think that might have been my last one,” Aizawa muttered, turning to look back at Hizashi, who had plopped himself next to the black cat that sat on the ground between them. He had sort of forgotten his fabricated motive.
“Whatever is fine, Nemuri is mostly trying to prove a point,” Hizashi sighed, flexing his acting skills as best he could. Unfortunately that wasn’t totally a lie, “what’s his name?”
“What?” Aizawa asked, taken aback.
“The cat, what’s his name?” Hizashi asked with a comfortable smile, noticing Aizawa’s hesitance.
“Jam… His name is Jam...” Aizawa answered quietly. He had a small smile on his face that made Hizashi melt. He turned back to the shelves of potted plants before opening his mouth to speak again, “What were—?” He paused to rephrase, “I saw you walk by the other night.”
“Oh!” Hizashi had forgotten his little discovery from the beginning of the week, “I was on my way to work and I found out this street is a much faster walk to the radio station.”
Aizawa let out a little grumble,nodding in what Hizashi could only assume was positive acknowledgement.
“You could listen to it sometime if you wanted—” Hizashi started, immediately regretting it, “er— well, I mean… Maybe not. I guess it might not be your style—”
“What’s it called?” Aizawa interjected, his voice still as monotone as before.
“Oh— Um… I’m Present Mic on H-FM,” Hizashi managed, his attention was quickly drawn back to Jam as the cat brushed up against his hand. Aizawa let out a hum, lifting a beautiful flower off the shelf.
“Here, try not to break this one. Or do, makes me money, I guess,” Aizawa deadpanned, making Hizashi laugh. He took the plant with a grateful smile before handing him a handful of bills.
“Bye, Yamada,” Aizawa mumbled, making Hizashi speed up his steps as he made his way out of the shop and down the street, hiding his flushed face behind the flower pot.
...
That night, Aizawa found himself reaching for an old, red radio, Though he couldn’t explain why. Maybe it was just curiosity that was driving his hand to turn the dial to H-FM. A loud voice greeted him, making him spin the volume dial down in a panic. The voice was unmistakably Yamada’s, but cheerier and louder, without his edge of nerves. The sudden noise had sent the nameless kitten running to the nearby hallway.
The show seemed pretty ridiculous, consisting of teens calling in to request songs or ask Yamada questions. Between songs, the titular “Present Mic” would interject stories or quips. Shota rolled his eyes all throughout the program, but for some reason unknown to him, he allowed himself to curl up on the couch with Alpha next to him. The energetic blond on the radio lulled him to sleep, calming noise filling the house.
...
After work that night, Hizashi presented the new flower to Nemuri, who erupted in a fit of laughter.
“‘Zashi, are you sure this guy is an expert on flowers?”
“I… think so?” Hizashi answered hesitantly, “He seems like it.”
“This flower has a meaning of, and I quote; ‘Annoyance and Irritation,’” Nemuri giggled, “It’s a yellow carnation, idiot.”
Hizashi’s eyes widened and he let out a groan.
“You should keep trying! You normally grow on people after a while! I thought you were annoying when we first met, but now I live with you and I think you’re annoying!”
“Maybe you’re right— Hey wait!” Hizashi squawked, making Nemuri laugh as she sauntered her way back to her room.
“Thanks for the new plant, ‘Zashi!”
Hizashi frowned before looking back to the flower. It was a start.
...
Shota seemed to lose track of each day that Yamada would come in. It had to be at least a month now, and it had become a comfortable routine. Each day, Yamada would come in, always talking about some story involving his roommate or work. He would then also buy a plant just about every time. He didn’t know how much radio stations paid, but it surely wasn’t this much. It discouraged him.
It was wishful thinking that Yamada would just want to stop in to see Shota. He felt like an idiot. Killing plants left and right wasn’t outside the realm of possibility, he’d seen it before, and Yamada didn’t seem like the most careful person.
Shota waited at the front counter for Yamada to come in. He always came in between 10 am and noon. He kicked himself with a groan at the fact he knew that.
Around 11 am, Yamada came in with his signature grin, making Shota smile a little.
“Morning, Aizawa!” Yamada singsonged, leaning against the counter. Shota raised an eyebrow, allowing his smile to crack a little wider.
“Hello… Need another plant, I assume?”
“Yeah, Nemuri said she wanted one for her-” Hizashi started, making Shota snort.
“Here, I have a plant even you can’t kill,” Shota deadpanned, reaching behind the counter, pulling out and offering a new plant. It was a hand sized barrel cactus, in a bright yellow pot.
...
Hizashi looked at the offering, his hopes that Aizawa actually appreciated his company were slipping away. He felt a pit in his stomach grow.
“Thanks,” he said, trying to keep the disappointment out of his tone.
...
Shota watched as Yamada’s smile became strained as he took the small plant. The man was shaking as he paid. After, he immediately started out of the shop, leaving Shota to wonder what he had done wrong.
...
Nemuri watched as Hizashi flopped dramatically on their couch, carrying a cactus. He had come home crying just as she had come back from grocery shopping.
“What do you mean he hates you?” Nemuri questioned, “I thought shit was goin’ good!”
“He gave me a cactus!” Hizashi sobbed loudly. Nemuri paused before laughing, “Hey! It’s not funny!”
“It’s kinda funny,” Nemuri purred, sitting on the couch arm, “so he doesn’t want you to keep buying plants from him?”
“I guess not, he said that this was a plant even I couldn’t kill.”
“Woah- that’s one cold rejection. What kind of confession did you give to get that?” Nemuri questioned. She watched as Hizashi seemed to freeze, “you did confess… Right?”
The guilty look on Hizashi’s face seemed to answer her question. She felt her expression turn from sympathetic to glum.
“You deserve the fucking cactus.”
...
That night, Shota went to turn on Yamada’s radio show. He was met with an unfamiliar voice speaking of sports and heroics. When he checked the station, he was met with the correct numbers.
With mild disappointment, he shut off the little radio, and returned to the silence of his apartment.
...
A week of sports talk, “All Might Radio,” silence, and no Yamada was driving Shota stir crazy. This new guy was annoying, and the lack of comforting voices at night was messing with his sleep recently created schedule. He was really trying not to think about it, but there was no way to stop worrying about it. He pouted and looked to the kitten he had now named Aloe.
Aloe was pittering on the countertop, begging politely for attention. Shota gave in and began to pet the small cat. He let his mind wander briefly.
“What did I do… Are cacti offensive?” Shota hummed with a sigh, “he might just be sick… At least it’s quiet.”
The thought wasn’t as assuring as it had been a month ago. His stomach churned a little as he went back to restocking.
...
Hours passed, but Shota’s mind didn’t wander much farther from his earlier thoughts. With little work, he wrangled the cats and headed up to his apartment. He gave a glance to the little red radio on his table before flipping it on. He flopped on the couch, allowing Sugar and Aloe to curl up next to him. A familiar voice greeted him.
“Hey there listeners! Did ya miss me?” Yamada asked his audience, making Shota perk up, “Sorry for disappearing on ya there.”
There was a pause, but Shota listened on the edge of his seat.
“That aside, you all know what day it is! Listener Call-In Saturday!” Yamada announced, his usual enthusiasm seemed to be running stale. He was on edge from what Shota could tell. A jingling interrupted the program, “and there’s the first caller! You are on the air!”
“Oh! Hi there!” a young girls voice exclaimed, joining Yamada on air, “I wasn’t calling for any advice for myself, but I wanted to know why you were off-air all week?”
There was an obvious sigh from Yamada’s end, before he let out a strained laugh. Shota was hoping he’d just answer the fucking question.
“You caught me listener, what’s your name?”
“Oh! Uraraka! Ochako Uraraka!”
“Well, Uraraka, let’s just say I was in a slump,” Yamada said glumly, “I was rejected last week.”
Sounds of jingles filled Shota’s apartment as he listened with bated breath. He couldn’t explain why.
“Yes, listener? You’re on air,” Yamada answered another call.
“Hello Mic, my question is how’d you get rejected?” another girls voice deadpanned.
“Ah-” Yamada paused, “Well, I kinda was pining after this guy… and he, well, made it obvious I wasn’t welcome in his shop anymore.”
Another jingle, another answer.
“Hello, Present Mic! How’d he make it known you couldn’t be in his shop? Thank you for taking my call!”
“Well… This is going to sound stupid, but he gave me a cactus,” Yamada groaned, “Anyways listeners, it’s no big deal! I’m over it now, so let me try and fix some of your problems now!”
Shota looked towards his ceiling and stared in shock. His hand was itching to grab his phone and call the station, and his mind was only half registering what the radio was saying. His mind finally clicked, letting him move his hand away from the phone and get up from his chair. He grabbed the still playing radio and headed downstairs.
...
The night wore on Hizashi until he left the station. He knew this would happen, and he would have put it off another day if it weren’t for Nemuri. She had told him he should handle it like ripping off a band-aid, and she was complaining because he was given no pay that week. With a sigh at the thought, he rounded the corner Aizawa’s shop sat on, only to be met with a light.
Light was spilling out of Eraser Flower Shop, illuminating the sidewalk. Hizashi’s curiosity overtook his critical thinking, and he sped up his pace, looking into the bright window. Inside sat an asleep Aizawa. He looked peaceful as he leaned against the counter, in his hand rested a bouquet of purple flowers. A small red radio sat at his side. He paused a moment, before letting his knuckles rap on the glass door.
Aizawa jumped, waking with a startle. Hizashi backed up, about to flee, when a look of recognition swept across the tired mans face. He waved him into the shop calmly, and Hizashi obeyed.
“Uh, good evening, Yamada.”
“Hey, Aizawa…” Hizashi responded stiffly, not moving any closer. He felt as though the shop floor was covered in eggshells. The radio was playing a familiar station, making Hizashi freeze.
“Um… Shota is fine. I heard your show…” Aizawa- er, Shota said. Hizashi gulped, “I may have been listening ever since you told me about it. Here, take these.”
If Hizashi was going to be honest, he forgot he even told Shota about the show.
Shota handed him the bouquet looking away. Hizashi’s face felt a little warm.
“Oh god- about that- I…”
“It’s fine, I… feel the same obviously. The cactus wasn’t meant to drive you away. I just thought your roommate would be pissed about all the plants you were killing.”
“That may have been an excuse… to see you more. Our apartment is kinda getting full of plants. It looks like a greenhouse,” Hizashi replied, grin splitting open. Shota’s eyes widened, and he broke out laughing. Not even just the little snorts Shota usually managed, but full on laughing, and Hizashi joined him.
“Are… are you free on Monday?” Shota managed.
“Is that going to be a date?” Hizashi asked with a coy smile.
“It will be if you agree,” Shota said with a small smile.
“Then of course!”