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The crisp air bit Hitoshi’s skin every time people entered the small flower shop. The bell’s soft chime filled the quiet place every time the door hit it, easily sounding over the even softer music that played in the background. The darkness from the night time was held at bay by the single light that dangled from the ceiling, illuminating everything it touched with a pale tinge of yellow. The stars were hidden behind clouds dropping cold petals of ice from the sky, dancing as the wind blew.
It was quiet and most certainly a little lonely in the flower shop. However, it had been a lot busier than normal as people were rushing to get a last minute Christmas present for their significant other. Shinsou wasn’t exactly surprised by the fact that people were coming in on the day to buy flowers, it’s the sole reason he was still open, even as the clock ticked to six. The place was going to stay open until 7 o’clock, it was Shinsou’s store and he could keep the place open as late as he wanted. It’s not like he had anywhere to be, anyway. If he couldn’t be a professional hero, at least he could a relationship hero for those who forget to buy gifts.
He tapped his finger on the counter, feet tucked behind the stool. He kept in time with the clock on the wall, watching the seconds hand tick past every number in its path. Round and around it spun, honestly it was incredibly boring. However, Shinsou kept his phone tucked in his pocket. If a customer came in while he was on it, they might find it distasteful. He doubts that anyone actually cares that much, all things considered, but Hitoshi still held that mindset. He had been on his mobile for ten minutes just beforehand anyway, there wasn’t much else he could do at this point.
The bell to the entrance chimes once again, pulling Shinsou out of the trance he was in. The next thing to reach his ears is a complaint about the weather before his eyes catch up to see the shopper. Blonde hair and snow slowly melting on him, Hitoshi finds himself looking straight at a blast from the past. It had been four years since both of them had graduated from U.A. and yet the purple haired male still hadn’t forgotten the loud mouth from class 1-B of the hero course. Surprisingly, he doubts that many could considering the impression he gives, but Shinsou has yet to see him doing much as a hero either.
“Thank God you have a heater in this place.” The blonde opened, his eyes falling onto the shop owner.
“Monoma?” The shop owner spoke in return.
“Shinsou?” The tone was just a unsure as Hitoshi’s.
Monoma was just as surprised as Shinsou to see him and he was to see Monoma. While it was odd, they live in the same city, maybe Shinsou was more surprised because he didn’t expect Monoma of all people to be buying flowers for anyone. It didn’t seem like a gesture he’d do. He would expect something much more grand than this, especially not on Christmas Eve where, if he was spending the night with someone, he wouldn’t have left it until last minute. Then again, it’s not like he knew the guy all that well anymore.
“What are you doing here?” Monoma finally broke the silence between them, however with a stupendously obvious question.
“I work here.” Shinsou answered anyway, it was better than staring at each other like they’d both seen a ghost but neither would admit to it.
“It's Christmas Eve, though.”
"I have no one to spend it with, I'd rather work."
"Ahaha, right.~ Of course!" He spoke a little too proudly, only intensifying the glaringly awkward aura that coated every inch of the small floral shop.
It had been years since they talked, graduation was the last time they’d seen each other: four years ago. Shinsou never managed to get transferred to the hero course, but oddly enough, the trial in training he had with the hero course had created a strange bond between the two of them. Monoma had always had an intense fascination with the tired man’s quirk and in return, the blonde became Shinsou’s willing practice dummy in his aims to transfer. It never happened in the end though, and he graduated in general. Naturally, they’d both found themselves drifting apart, and the chapter on their friendship had ended, Shinsou found himself a job and he moved past his childish dream to become a hero, leaving it as something that just wasn’t meant to be, just like becoming a villain wasn’t either.
Clearing his throat, Hitoshi took the liberty in trying to drag away the blanket of tension.
“Is there anything you’re looking for in particular?”
“What? Oh! Right! Actually,” Monoma begun, “what’s a good bouquet for a proposal?”
“You’re proposing?” Shinsou was astounded, he couldn’t even see Monoma in a relationship to begin with.
“Bold of you to assume that I’d propose to someone.” The grin on his face was too arrogant for that claim, but it wasn’t shocking the florist. “Actually it’s for a friend who forgot to buy the flowers, and now that he’s already in the process of the dinner before the show, I’m doing the last minute recovery.”
Shinsou hummed, getting to his feet so he could start doing his job, rather than tapping with the clock or questioning why drama’s physical embodiment was gracing dear old Hitoshi with his presence.
“Well, most of the arrangements I’ve done for today are meant to be given to partners-“
“You do flower arranging?” Monoma cuts Shinsou off to ask a stupid question.
“This is my shop, of course I arrange flowers.” Irritation accented Shinsou’s words.
An obnoxious chuckle filled the quiet flower shop. It had only dawned on Monoma that moment that, yes, Shinsou did indeed work in a cute little flower shop and he personally arranged all the beautiful bouquets that were currently on display. At least he was doing more that Monoma was at this point.
“Oho, I never expected you’d be the type, Shinsou.~” The distinct chime from high school had crawled its way into full display once again, it was only know that Shinsou realised how much he missed it. This didn’t stop him from continuing to be annoyed with Monoma’s antics, but it was hard to lie to himself he really was annoyed to the extent he wanted to feel.
“Are you going to buy flowers or not?” Shinsou curtly replied.
“Ahaha, okay, okay, I’m doing it! Let me look, considering you’re being pretty unhelpful.~”
Shinsou really couldn’t deny the tugging feeling that welled inside of him over the fact that he and Monoma were bantering again like old friends. It had been so long, he wasn’t use to it, not with the blonde anyway. He couldn’t even remember what their last real conversation was about, one that he was eager to answer to and received the same eagerness in return. Not like the most recent messages, if you could even say that texts from years ago were recent. Those were filled with disassociation and distance, a dreary lull that eventually became the end of replies all together. The effort was considered too difficult and thrown into the too hard basket as life rapidly changed and new people entered. Perhaps this couldn’t be considered one of their best conversations, but it was certainly better than the last ones they’d had. It’s surprisingly refreshing to rekindle a bit of that old light, even if it was just momentarily.
The hero course student turned florist stepped back, letting Monoma gaze over the display with all the bouquets he had left. There wasn’t too many, Shinsou had been rather busy. He expected it really, but maybe he’d made too many. At least Monoma would have a variety to choose from. Shinsou watched as he meticulously inspected each bouquet in hopes to find what he’d deem perfect for the groom-to-be. It was a little admirable really. Shinsou knew as soon as he came in that this wasn’t going to be a very quick visit. If it wasn’t perfect, he knew the other man wouldn’t be content.
Seeing Neito like this was a reminder that there was more to that beautifully irritating facade he always seemed to put on. The shop was completely quiet again, only the tap of the wind on the window was keeping it from being completely silent. It felt comfortable, as Monoma was so deep in concentration and Hitoshi was content with just watching. He forgot just how handsome the blonde was. Hitoshi thought he grew into his face when they’d left high school but it seemed like he just grew up more. His jawline was sharper now, cheekbones gaining more definition. The softness in his face was replaced by a more manlier appearance, however those piercing blue eyes still held thick lashes that gave him a face that maintained its beauty. His mind recalled all the times he found himself gazing into those for moments too long, and even now all he wanted to do was look at Monoma’s striking eyes. It was embarrassing, especially when he was caught, but it was another one of his fond memories.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment that Hitoshi thought Monoma was more than just a nuisance. Of course, the training course on their first official meeting, he had realised that Monoma was slightly less annoying and a little endearing, but slightly wasn’t the biggest improvement. The blonde spent three years finding a way to break down the barriers Shinsou held, tearing away his reservations with everyone and actually becoming good friends. Back then, he never thought they could really drift apart. It was even kind of weird thinking about it now. He knew a lot of what was on his shoulders was due to how discouraged he felt after years being unable to make it as a pro hero, nor as a side kick. He was turned down by so many, the knowledge of his quirk only led him to get uncomfortable looks and to be turned down. Heroes didn’t particularly want to higher someone that could remove their power, no matter how impressive. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Monoma much in the limelight himself, Shinsou had to wonder what he must be doing now.
An exasperated sigh dragged the florist back into reality, away from his thoughts.
“If you don’t like any of them, I can arrange one for you.” Shinsou offered, his job was to sell after all. This caused the blonde to whip around, facing the other with a grin stretching his lips.
“You can?” The excitement mingled with shock.
“Of course,” the irritable and almost grumpy tone was back again, “this is my shop after all.” Something this obvious wasn’t warranted for such a reaction. However, the excitement didn’t die down. In fact, it only grew more.
“So you could personalise them completely? Can I do it with a subtle prompt? Is fist of steel enough for you?”
The questions fell out of Monoma’s mouth rapidly, Shinsou lazily scratched the back of his neck, a habit he was never able to shake from high school.
“Yes, yes, yes,” he mutters, “I don’t know if you could make it any more obvious with a prompt like that without outright saying their names.” The peeved feeling his head was telling himself to feel did not match up with the tingling in his heart. Some of it could be blamed on the fact that his friends, if he could even call them that anymore since they hadn’t spoken for years either, were getting hitched. That could only explain some of it though, not all of it. He was glad though, Kendou and Tetsutetsu cared for each other so much, he was surprised it hadn’t been sooner. Then again, it did take until two years after graduation for them to even begin dating.
Shinsou picked up a bucket with a bouquet of chrysanthemums and baby's breath. He also took some of the other bouquets that he'd take apart and reassemble specifically for Monoma's situation. He'd rather use already clipped flowers, their shelf life was already seeping out of them rapidly, there was no point bringing other flower's that same fate just yet. It'd only wind up being a waste if they weren't sold. The bucket now filled with different flowers was brought to the counter, he set it down and began unravelling them from the paper and plastic that held all the arrangements together. Blue eyes watched Shinsou's every move, he looked up to meet them.
"Monoma?"
"Yes?"
"Does Kendou have a favourite flower at all?"
"Mm," hums Monoma, his arms cross, finger tapping his chin, "not that I know of, she's never been one for that kind of thing."
"Alright." Shinsou nods, at least it gives him a lot to work with.
Monoma leans on the edge of the counter where there's empty space, close to the register.
"What's yours?" The blonde asks, it catches Shinsou off guard.
"Mine?"
"Yeah, you work with flowers, surely you must have a favourite?"
Honestly, Shinsou had never really thought about it, he'd applied to the shop because it was hiring, and when the elderly people who'd previously run it decided on retirement, Shinsou decided to take over instead, it was better than being unemployed again. He found that he also enjoyed working in the shop, it was peaceful, the money made was enough to get by, and it really spat in the face of everyone who thought he was going to become a villain because he couldn't make it as a hero. What was less sinister than working in a small flower shop? Over the years, he'd become more and more familiar with flowers and their meanings, and almost could speak the language fluently. A favourite, however, he hadn't chosen a favourite. He took some time to think, eyes scanning over the shop to get a reminder of what kind of flowers he liked as he began to choose what he wanted to use in his own arrangement for the soon to be engaged couple.
"Windflower, I guess." Eventually he decided. Out of all the flowers, they looked a tad boring, but Shinsou revelled in simplicity. They never failed to help a bouquet shine.
Shinsou began placing the flowers in a vase, he usually starts his arrangements there before he wraps them considering that's where the flowers were going to spend the rest of their life after being given. The white chrysanthemums and baby's breath were padding the bouquet out the most, He brought colour in with orange tulips and individuality with yellow irises, framing the outside of the bouquet with orange blossoms.
"Windflowers, huh?" Monoma continued to speak with the other man as he worked. His phone was out and he was looking up the flowers mentioned, his own knowledge lacking. "Ah, yeah, they look like something you'd be into."
"That means?"
"Mm, nothing, don't worry about it." Shaking his head, the blonde changed the subject. "Say, you are really good at this flower arrangement stuff."
His eyes have shifted off his phone, they glided across the small flower shop before returning to watching the way Shinsou works, marvelling at it. There were many different flower types, but the restrictive colour palette and amount of greenery with the leaves seems to tie them all together. It really was very beautiful.
"So you've been hiding here all this time and learning the way of the flowers." A soft laugh follows his words naturally.
"You could say." Shinsou mutters, pulling the flowers out of the vase now that he was done and using the brown paper for wrapping them. "And what have you been doing all this time?" He hadn't really seen Monoma doing much heroics himself after all, but they way he sags a little, he can see that he's struggled just at much as Shinsou has himself. It wasn't a noticeable move, even Hitoshi himself almost missed it, but even after all this time, he still knew Monoma's actions like the back of his hand, he was sure it was the same in reverse, and the way his shoulders moved off centre those few millimetres, wide grin growing slack, it was obvious he wasn't doing crash hot either.
"Ah~" Monoma's voice compensates for the disappointment that his posture displayed. "It's difficult considering how heavily I need to rely on others.~ Mainly side kick work.~"
Shinsou even regretted asking, being a sidekick wasn't that bad, but it wasn't the same. What hero wants to be an assistant? Although, he was doing better in that field than Hitoshi was anyway. U.A. really didn't guarantee a position as a hero, after all.
"If you'd prefer to sell flowers, we're hiring." In reality, he wasn't, originally it was intended as a joke. That was how his brain had filed it, but when it came out, he became starkly aware that he would like Monoma to take him up. After all, he missed his friends. He missed Monoma.
"Maybe I'll hand a resume in.~"
Surprisingly, that line actually picked up Neito's mood. Shinsou almost felt hopeful as he tied a ribbon around the bouquet, finished. Ah, that meant that their conversation was about to come to a close too, it was a little disappointing.
"Is this what you were looking for, Monoma?" Shinsou asked first, a quarrel starting in his mind whether he wanted it to be what Neito wanted or not.
"Yes! It's perfect.~ I can't believe this was your calling all along." With that, Shinsou knew that his mind had decided that he didn't want it to be what he wanted.
"Alright, that'll be 5,000 yen then." The price was halved, a discount for his friend.
"Wait, I'm getting one for myself first, give me a moment."
With a quick spin on his heel, Monoma had wandered back to a different stand than the initial one. Shinsou figured if Monoma was going to be a bystander of the engagement, he may as well have his own bouquet to give to the lovebirds himself. In the meantime, he began punching in the numbers on the cash register, the keys clicked loudly with each press. They'd grown rather stiff over the years, the machine was ancient. It was given to him from the previous owners, the flower shop itself having been here for years. Monoma's return led to him adding another 4,000 yen onto the total when he came back with another bouquet. It was almost as extravagant as the one Shinsou had done personally for the occasion. It was actually a personal favourite of his out of them all. Two lotus sat as the centre piece while pink roses framed around them. Lavender's sprouted between to break up the pink, and what tied it all together was the white of the windflowers.
Monoma set 12,000 yen on the table.
"Keep the change."
"I can give you back two thousan-"
"Keep the change."
Unmoving, a grin settled on his face. Monoma was set on paying at least the full price of the second bouquet. Hitoshi knew that stubbornness all to well, he took the bills from the table in both hands, entering the full amount of what the blonde was going to be paying and placing it in the register. Both the bouquets were very large, he was already reaching to grab one of the bags from behind the counter made to keep the flowers from being crushed.
"Do you want something to help carry both of them?" He asked anyway, just in case Monoma continued to be stubborn and declined.
"No it's fine, I'm only carrying one."
"What?"
Confusion spread across Shinsou's face. Neito picked up the bouquet of purple, pink and white, holding it out.
"Merry Christmas, Hitoshi."
The heater couldn't compare to the warmth of Monoma's smile.