Work Text:
“What did you do?”
The words slipped past your lips before you could stop them, but it was an obvious question that you didn’t usually have to ask. Normally, when nervous men walked into the small florist shop, they wanted nothing more than to tell you why they were sleeping on the couch this time. You had heard everything, nothing surprised you anymore–other than this clumsy young man wandering around as though he had no idea how he had gotten there.
“Sorry?” He said, turning abruptly to face you.
“Not to be nosy, but I might be able to help you if I know what you’re looking for–or what you’re apologizing for.” You said, and the man rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at the floor. “You don’t have to tell me, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“I set her kitchen on fire.” He muttered after a moment.
“Oh. Well nothing says sorry like roses–” You started, but he shook his head.
“That’s not all. I broke her vase…”
“That’s not so bad.” You said, giving him a reassuring smile. “You can give her a new one with the flowers.”
He shook his head again. “It had her grandmothers ashes in it.”
“Oh.” That had you stumped for a moment, and he continued before you recovered.
“Her parents hate me. She says I don’t spend enough time with her. She moved out last week and took my dog. So I need something that says “Sorry I burned down half your house, spilled your grandmothers ashes, and that I’m not very likable. Please forgive me, and give Monie back.”
You nodded slowly. This would be tough. If you had known him as a friend, you probably would have told him to give up–at some point, relationships weren’t going to get better. You had seen it all, heard it all, and flowers could only do so much; you weren’t a miracle worker.
But not only was he a customer, his dog was at stake.
“It gets complicated when couples have a pet…” You pondered out loud.
“Yes, but Monie really is my dog. I’ve had him way longer than I’ve known her…”
You noticed he wasn’t saying the name of his ex, a sure sign that the relationship was more than likely doomed.
“Let’s start with roses.” You said after a moments thought. “And a nice letter.”
“What if that doesn’t work?” He asked, not sounding entirely sure of what he was doing.
“Then you go to the police and report her for stealing your dog.” You stated, hoping it wouldn’t come to that.
Namjoon’s order was out that day–you learned his name while he was paying with his card. You told him to let you know how things went, but you knew better than to expect to ever see him again. There were regulars–some married men who bought their wives flowers every week, some every holiday, and some were just really good at pissing off their significant other.
But if everything went well for Namjoon, you likely wouldn’t see him again. He would likely be busy trying to make up for everything he had done with no time to stop in and let you know how things were going.
And if things didn’t go well, then you figured you still wouldn’t hear from him. Most likely, his ex would tell him that she wanted nothing to do with him, in which case he would be too busy trying to get his dog back to tell you that it didn’t work.
So when Namjoon walked back into the flower shop a week and a day later, you were more than a little surprised to see him. His hair was a mess, and though his clothes were fashionable, they were wrinkled and he had circles under his eyes.
“How did it go?” You asked, though you could guess by his face how it had gone.
“I think she’s crazy.” He said with a half-smile.
“I’ll take that as a ‘not good’.” You couldn’t help the slight laugh–it wasn’t at him, so much as how determined he must be to win her back.
“Terrible.” He confirmed. “She threw a coffee mug at me when I tried to talk to her.”
You tilted you head to the side. “What else did you do?” You asked. It wasn’t your business, but either his ex really was insane, or he wasn’t telling you everything.
“Nothing.” He said, but you could tell by his eyes that he was lying. Namjoon was really too easy to read, and you thought that it would probably get him into trouble at some point.
“Okay.” You nodded, deciding to drop it for the moment. “So you’re going to give her more flowers?” You knew you should probably tell him that he was wasting his time, but you didn’t mind having him in the store.
“That, and I was hoping you had some other suggestions.” Namjoon said. “You must deal with this kind of thing all the time, is there anything else I can do?”
“What does she like?” You asked. “Books, movies, anything?”
“Nothing.” Namjoon said firmly. “She really doesn’t like anything–other than my dog.”
“Chocolate.” You recommended, snapping your fingers when it occurred to you. You couldn’t believe you hadn’t thought of it sooner, but it was always a good accompanying gift with flowers. “And have you reported her for stealing your dog yet?”
Namjoon ran a hand through his hair. “No.” He said, looking slightly guilty as he said it. “I want us to figure it out on our own.”
You thought for sure that this would be the last you heard of the tall awkward man, but you saw him a week later. He looked in better shape this time, his clothes wrinkle-free and eyes brighter.
“You’re back.” You said, unable to keep the surprise from your voice.
“Sick of me yet?” He joked, and you shook your head quickly.
“Of course not. What can I do for you today?”
“I need something that says ‘sorry I got you arrested, I didn’t meant it; where is my dog?’”
You blinked at him slowly. “You’re not seriously still trying to win her back, are you?” You asked, unable to keep your thoughts to yourself anymore. You couldn’t take his money anymore without telling him the truth. “I hate to tell you this, but I don’t think it’s going to work out between the two of you.”
Namjoon nodded and, to your surprise, smiled. “I know. I just really want her to tell me what she did with my dog.”
“And you think flowers are going to help?” You asked doubtfully.
“I’m desperate.” Namjoon shrugged.
There was a sign on the door that clearly read in bright red letters “NO PETS” right next to the one that said shoes and shirts must be worn at all times. The owner was allergic, and pets were a good way to break everything in the store anyway.
You weren’t even surprised when a week later Namjoon stepped into the shop, but you were shocked to see a white fluffy dog with him. You were about to tell him that there was strict no-pet policy, but he looked so happy you caught yourself. The owner wouldn’t be back for hours, you could give him a few minutes.
“I’m guessing this is Monie?” You asked, stepping around the counter so you could pet the animal.
“The one and only.” Namjoon grinned at you, and you smiled back as you stood.
“So what brings you in today?” Namjoon had his dog back, and you hoped against hope he wasn’t going to tell you that he had changed his mind and was perusing his ex again; surely he wasn’t that delusional.
“I met someone new.” He said. “They’re really great. So I need something that says ‘thanks for helping me pick out flowers so I could get my dog back, want to go out for coffee some time?’”
You sighed, leaning against the counter behind you. “That was, by far, the most cliche thing I have heard in my life, and I work in a flower shop.”
“I’ll take that as a yes?” Namjoon smirked.
“Only because I like your dog.” You confirmed, but couldn’t help smiling in return.