Archive of Our Own ^beta

The paper crinkled as Haru set the freshly arranged bouquet in the bucket. He smiled and rubbed his fingers over the plastic and paper wrapping, smoothing out the slight fold he had made.

"Haru-kun~" The gentle sound of the shop owner's voice drifted from the backroom. "I've got some paperwork to fax out. Can you fix the sign and open the shop?"

"On it!" Haru brushed his hands off on his apron, then grabbed a bucket of chalk from behind the counter.

The early morning sunlight tickled his nose as he stepped outside the shop. Haru knelt down in front of the signboard and sketched a few loopy words. It was no work of art, and he knew it, but he was sure that Hina would decorate it beautifully when she came in for her shift later in the day. Wiping the chalk off his hands with a cloth, he glanced at the tattoo parlor across the street.

It was strange, he thought, how the two shops were facing one another. It was like two warriors—the bringer of light and the guardian of shadow—were glaring at one another, swelling with tension as they sized each other up.

I wonder if Hajime is working in the evening today. Haru hummed to himself. I guess I'll just have to ask him later.

The bell above the door jingled as he walked back inside and flipped over the sign in the window. The gentle scent of flora filled his nose with a lovely aroma as he inhaled, causing a smile to spread across his face.

The flower shop was a small, yet cozy little store several train stops away from the highly congested streets of Tokyo. It was a quiet location for the city; a small haven in the midst of madness.

Haru enjoyed working at the flower shop. Not only was the interior warm and colorful, but his coworkers were cheerful people who bloomed in their own special ways. Whenever he stepped into the store, he always felt as though he had entered a land of perpetual springtime.

The bell to the store jingled merrily, drawing Haru's attention away from the monitor.

"Welcome. How may I help you..?"

"Morning!" A young man with tan hair and ocean blue eyes smiled back at him. The light easily bounced off the surface of the leather jacket. As he raised his hand in greeting, the sleeve of the jacket crawled towards his elbow, revealing the ends of a blue tattoo snaking across his upper arm. It was clear that he was completely out of place in the flower shop.

And yet, all Haru could think about was how attractive he looked.

"Hello? Anyone home?" The man waved his hand in front of Haru's face, prompting Haru to snap back into reality.

"O-oh, sorry about that!" Haru anxiously pushed his glasses up his nose. "Uh, how may I help you today?"

"Hey, no worries." The guy laughed. "I'm actually looking for some flowers for a reference. Preferably colorful ones that are kind of large and look happy?"

"Colorful flowers for a reference?" Haru's eyes quickly skimmed the flower bundles around him. "Maybe these will do the trick?" He pulled a small bouquet of brightly-colored flowers. "Gerbera daisies can mean innocence, cheerfulness, or happiness, depending on the color."

"Ooo!" The guy beamed. "Those are perfect."

"Well, then let's just take these to the register."

With a soft beep and a few taps, the flowers were scanned and awaiting formal purchase. While the guy fumbled for some bills, Haru's eyes fell upon the t-shirt print sandwiched between the open ends of his leather jacket.

…I've seen that logo before. Haru frowned. Hajime wears a shirt with that to work…wait, then that means..?

"Got it." The guy held out a bill. "Sorry it took so long."

"No worries." Haru looked down at the register. "Here's your change."

"Thanks." The guy took the flowers and gave Haru one last bright smile. "Hope the rest of your day is as bright as these little guys!"

Haru's head felt like it was spinning. "Y-you too…"

The bell jingled and Haru slumped over the counter with a heavy sigh.

"Oh? Seems like you had some fun."

Haru groaned. "Please spare me, Mizuki-san."

Mizuki giggled and patted his head. "Good work today. Your boss is proud of you~"

"Thanks…"

"You could have given him your number though? I'd gladly look the other way for you!"

"Mizuki-san!"

Hajime was standing outside the flower shop when Haru got out from work.

"Your obligatory share for when I make too much food." Hajime held out a bag. "Enjoy your lunch."

"Hajime is so kind," Haru chuckled.

"Hm." Hajime scratched his neck. "Not that busy today, I hope?"

"Yeah." Haru thought about the first customer of the day, and his messy bangs and his good physique and—

"You okay?"

"Is there a guy that works with you? Little taller than me, blue eyes, tan hair…"

"…Why do you ask?"

Haru realized what he had said. "Oh, um. Nothing!"

Hajime scowled. "You just described Kai's general appearance to me. No way it's just nothing."

"Kai?" Haru furrowed his eyebrows. It suits him…

"Oi. Answer me." Hajime gently nudged his ribs.

"He just came in and bought some flowers this morning, that's all."

"Oh." Hajime nodded. "Makes sense. He mentioned something about needing a reference for a new design."

"So he does tattoos too?"

Hajime snorted. "He's the one who did this little guy." He pulled his jacket aside to reveal the perky ears of the black rabbit imprinted on his arm.

"Wait, seriously?" Haru blinked. "That cutie?"

"You should come by and see him work some time." Hajime grinned. "I think you'd like it."

"Why would I go into a tattoo parlor?" Haru laughed.

"To stare at Kai under the guise of visiting me."

"Hey!"

Togawa Chisa was humming merrily to herself when Haru entered the shop for his shift. She beamed when she saw him approach the counter.

"Oh, perfect timing, Haru-san! Wanna help me with this order when you've clocked in?"

"Sure."

When he had clocked in for the day and finished tying his apron around his waist, Chisa instantly held out a paper and practically begged him to work on the second bouquet in the order.

"Wait, why isn't Shun helping you with this?" Haru looked over at the counter, where a white-haired man was standing, clearly slacking off.

"He said there's no need to rush but the customer is coming today!" Chisa wailed. "I mean, they said they'd come in an hour but I don't know if we'll be busy or not because that's usually when orders really pile in!"

"…I see." Haru glared at Shun, who waved back at him. "You're kind of paid to help your coworkers with this stuff, you know?"

"Aww, but Haru's here now!" Shun laughed. "Is there really a need for three people to work on a simple order?"

"Reminder that you were here before me?"

Shun waved his hand dismissively. Haru sighed.

"Well, can't argue against the manager on duty, I suppose." He pushed his glasses up his nose and took the paper from Chisa. "The second bouquet, right?"

"Yup!"

"Okay."

About fifteen minutes later, the two had finished trimming and arranging the flowers neatly in small bundles and wrapped them with decorative paper. Chisa sighed in relief after she set the last bouquet in the order stand and Haru attached the corresponding order tag.

"And done." Haru smiled. "Good work, Chisa-chan."

"Same to you!" She glared at Shun. "Not you."

Shun merely chuckled and continued flipping through the store catalog.

"Off in his own world as always." Haru shook his head. "Are you thinking about what kind of flowers to get Hajime again?"

"…Maybe?"

Haru groaned. "Please don't send him a truckload like last time."

"No worries!" Shun sang. "I'd much rather drop by the parlor and give them to him myself!"

Hajime's definitely going to call and complain to me again, Haru thought.

"Oh boy." Chisa squinted at the computer. "Another one came in."

"You need a hand?" Haru asked.

"It's okay! I wanna get good at this stuff fast!" Chisa clicked the mouse a few times. "I'll be back!" She disappeared into a meadow of flower displays.

"For such a small place, it sure is easy to get lost here," Haru mused when she was out of sight.

"Nothing that she can't handle, I'm sure," Shun said.

The doorbell jingled soon after his reply. Chisa sang a greeting from across the store before resuming her duties. Haru was about to step around the counter to approach the customer, but froze in his tracks.

"Oh, it's the nice glasses guy again!" Ocean blue eyes sparkled happily. "What are the odds! Oh, and you're actually working for once, I see."

"Welcome home, Kai," Shun sang.

The guy—Kai, Haru had to remind himself, having gotten too caught up in the fact that the hot guy (Kai!) called him 'nice'—snorted. "This isn't my place, Shun."

Haru looked over at Shun. "You two know..?"

"Hm? You didn't know?" Shun gave a coy smile. "Kai used to make me delicious tea, you know?"

"Make...tea?" Haru's head felt like it was spinning.

"Yeah, I used to. Then you started teaching Rui strange things." Kai shook his head, but beamed when he turned towards Haru. "By the way, the bouquet you picked out last time was great! My client was really happy with her tattoo."

"Oh." Haru smiled sheepishly. "I'm glad!"

"Yup! So this time, I've got a different thing." Kai held up his hands and started making strange gestures. "See, one of my clients is coming back to retouch one of her tattoos later and she sounded kind of down when she last called, so I thought maybe I could get her something to cheer her up? Just something small is all."

"Something to cheer her up?" Haru frowned. "Shun, any ideas—?" Haru turned, but Shun had suddenly disappeared from the register. "S-Shun?!" He gaped when he saw Shun at the front of the store, happily talking to an elderly customer. "Seriously..? He picks the oddest times to work…"

"Ah, that's just how he is." Kai made a face. "I'm sorry you have to work with him."

"Well, to be fair, he's a good guy." Haru anxiously pushed his glasses up his nose and walked around the counter. "Let's see…" He reached for a single stem. "I'd suggest maybe some of these?" He held up a yellow tulip. "They're usually associated with cheerful thoughts."

"Bright and happy." Kai beamed. "I'll take a few!"

The transaction took at most two minutes, but to Haru, it felt like hours. By the time Kai had left the shop with his tulips in hand, Chisa had finished assembling her order and Shun was handing the elderly customer a beautiful bouquet.

"So who was that guy?" Chisa asked when the customer was gone. "Friend? Neighbor? Boyfriend?"

Haru choked on his cough. "N-none of those!"

"Ooo!" Chisa's eyes glimmered deviously. "Haru-san's starting to get a little blushy! So he is someone special!"

"No, he's just..!"

"An interest?" Shun cooed.

"N-no!" Haru's face was red.

"No worries, Haru," Shun's laugh was gentle and soothing, the complete opposite of what Haru had been expecting. "I know Kai personally, and I can see him being a good match for you."

"Shun!"

Haru had just settled down on his sofa with a nice book when his phone buzzed. He groaned as he fumbled for the device.

"Hello?"

"Is my notebook in your apartment?"

Haru frowned and set his book aside. "How urgently do you need it?"

"I have a client coming in about forty minutes and my designs for him were in that notebook," Hajime replied. "So if you could pull a Mother Haru miracle, that'd be great."

"I'm on it." Haru stood up and skimmed his bookshelves, his desk, his kitchen counters…

"Haru?"

"I think I found it." Haru thumbed through the small bound journal he found on the table. Various designs, all drawn and illustrated in extreme detail, flashed across his eyes as he flipped through the pages. "It has a bunch of drawings, yeah?"

"Black? Has a purple place marker?"

"Bingo."

"Can you bring it down to the parlor?"

Haru smiled as he slipped into his shoes. "Already on my way."

The front of the tattoo store loomed over Haru as he placed his hand on the door. With a swallow, he pushed it open and entered the shop.

The interior was as rugged as Haru had anticipated, with dark decor, edgy posters, and intense lighting. Haru felt completely out of place—like a nerd entering goth territory.

"Oh, hello." A strawberry blonde girl blinked in slight surprise. "Do you have an appointment, sir?"

Super polite… Haru eyed the artistic rain droplets peeking out from her collar, as well as the cutesy cat silhouette inked on her upper arm. Not exactly what I was expecting..?

"Hello?" The girl's aqua eyes glimmered with amusement. "Are you okay, sir?"

"Sorry!" Haru shook his head. "Uh, I have something for Hajime…"

"I see." The girl nodded. "Go ahead. Hajime-san should be at his station."

"Thanks…"

Hajime was standing at one one of the stations to the back of the parlor, fiddling with his equipment.

"One book of designs for a certain rabbit lover," Haru sang as he set the notebook on his friend's head.

Hajime glared at him in return. Haru raised his hands in defense. Hajime sighed and reached up to grab the notebook. The dragon inked on his forearm wavered as he did.

"Which one are you using?" Haru asked as Hajime thumbed through the pages.

"Since when were you ever interested in my job?" His words were cold, but his tone was playful. "Well, it's not final, but this is the current idea." He stopped on a drawing of a bird with various swirls sprouting from its tail and wings, intricately curling around themselves.

"It's beautiful," Haru breathed.

"Well, that's Hajime's specialty after all."

The familiarity of the voice caused a chill to run down Haru's spine. Hajime snickered into his hand when he saw the look of shock and embarrassment briefly flash through his best friend's eyes.

"Oh, aren't you from the flower shop?" Kai beamed. "You could have talked to me if you wanted a tattoo, you know."

"Not a client," Hajime said. "This is Haru. He was bringing my notebook. Haru, this is Kai."

Haru (clumsily) turned and gave Kai a (far too wide) smile. "Nice to meet you again!"

Kai laughed (hopefully not because of Haru's awkwardness). "I see. Welcome, welcome! I know this isn't exactly sunshines and rainbows like the flower shop, but I hope you enjoy your visit nevertheless."

"You want to sit in on a session?" Hajime asked. "I'll have to ask my client, but I'm sure they won't mind."

"We'll just say you're a trainee," Kai quipped. Hajime sighed, but Haru saw the gentle glimmer in his violet irises.

"If that's not a problem." Haru shrugged. "I've never seen Hajime work before."

Hajime smirked. "Then it's settled."

The customer had no problems with Haru sitting in on the session, especially when Kai said something about training, making Haru pale and Hajime snort. But watching Hajime work was mesmerizing. There was something about the way he moved the brush that was forceful, yet gentle all at once, like a warrior greeting his rival with courtesy and respect.

Before Haru knew it, the customer was staring in awe at their new tattoo and Hajime was flexing his fingers.

"Amazing work as always, Mutsuki-san." The customer beamed. "Thank you."

"Take care." Hajime nodded as the customer stood and left the chair. "Why are you staring at me like a fish?"

Haru closed his mouth. "That was amazing."

"Just a normal day." He turned his head. "Kai's working too, I see."

Haru followed Hajime's gaze towards the next station. Kai was bent over a girl's arm, carefully moving the brush. When he squinted, he could see various scars littering her arm, only to be slowly transformed into beautiful vines and flower stems. It was almost miraculous. If Hajime was a warrior, then Kai was a magician, calmly and diligently working his charms to quell an untamed beast.

"He's…hiding them by making them beautiful."

"That's what Kai's specialty is." Hajime smiled softly. "You'll see all sorts of people come by here, some with more painful backgrounds than others. He's usually the one who sits with them and lets them tell their stories." He paused. "I just wished he'd let us listen to his own."

Haru pursed his lips when he saw the concerned look briefly flash through his best friend's eyes. "Hajime?"

"Nothing." Hajime turned away. "Thanks for bringing my notebook. Feel free to ask Kai and his client if you want to continue watching."

Haru glanced back at Kai. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as he began coloring in a newly formed flower bud. But as much as Haru wanted to stay and admire how the waves on Kai's arms rippled as he moved, he felt as though he was intruding more than he should. So he exchanged farewells with Hajime, gave Kai one last look, then exited the shop.

The sun was starting to sink into a modest twilight when he stepped outside. He could see some figures moving in the flower shop across the street—likely Mizuki or Hina, if his memory was correct. With a heavy sigh, he turned and headed for the train station.

"I just wished he'd let us listen to his own."

Haru closed his eyes. I wonder what Hajime was talking about…

Haru yawned and leaned against the counter. It was a slow morning, all things considered. He had only received three customers in the past hour and a half, and all three purchased some sort of celebratory, pre-arranged bouquet.

Maybe there's some event going on…maybe a recital or a competition of sorts? He yawned again and filed through the shop system. No online orders either…I really should have brought my book today.

Just as he launched into his second yawn, the bell jingled and the door to the shop came open with a swish. Haru tried to cover his mouth to hide his yawn, but wound up smacking his face instead. He felt his ears flare when he heard the customer laugh.

"Good morning to you too, Haru."

"K-Kai!" Haru anxiously fiddled with his glasses. "G-good morning…uh…" He huffed. "You caught me off guard…"

Kai grinned sheepishly. "Sorry about that."

"…It's fine." Haru fiddled with his apron straps. "Uh…do you need some more cheerful flowers?"

"Actually…" Kai held up a sketchpad. "I was wondering if it was okay if I did some sketching real quick? For quick practice."

"Practice..?" Haru blinked. "Wait, you want to draw the flowers?"

"Bingo." Kai nodded. "It's fine if it's not okay. I don't want to be a bother…"

"…I don't see a reason to refuse, though." Haru gave a weak smile. "Um, as long as you don't get in the way of other customers, then it's alright."

"Ooo, awesome! Thanks, Haru." Kai flipped open his sketchpad and began skimming the rows. "Oh, these ones look gorgeous!" He took a pencil from his pocket and began sketching.

"Do you...need a chair?"

"Huh?" Kai blinked. "Oh, if you've got one to spare, that'd be nice! But I don't want to be a bother."

"No it's okay." Haru opened the back room door and stepped inside. He reemerged seconds later with a folding chair in hand. "Here." He unfolded the chair.

Kai's eyes sparkled like sunlight on calm ocean waves. "Thank you."

Haru hoped that his hair was thick enough to hide the reddening tips of his ears. "My pleasure."

Time passed by in relative silence for a while afterwards. Haru was busying himself with the system database, checking on orders and doing minor managerial work while Kai sketched quietly to the side.

"Is it just you working today?" He finally asked.

Haru looked up from the computer. "For the next hour, yes."

"Is it normally this calm at this time?"

"Typically, yes." Haru smiled bitterly. "The afternoon usually depends, though."

"Hm." Kai continued sketching. Haru watched him draw for a moment, then stepped around the counter and walked up to his side.

"…Hajime said you specialize in making scars and such beautiful."

Kai lowered his pencil. "I wouldn't call it a specialization. But the others do tend to refer customers to me if they're looking for something like that." He smiled tenderly. "I just want people to look more at the good things in life than the bad. That's all."

"…The good things, huh?"

The bell to the shop rang and a duo of girls walked into the shop, chattering away excitedly.

"Work seems to be calling for you," Kai chuckled. "No worries. Just one more blossom and I'll get out of your hair."

"Okay." Haru turned and greeted the two girls politely, who swooned for a moment before asking him for advice.

By the time he had rung out the girls, the folding chair was propped against the back wall and Kai was long gone.

Haru watched from behind the counter as Kai stared at a bouquet of flowers, tracing their shape in the air with a pencil.

"Ooo, he's back again today," Mizuki cooed.

"He is." Haru nodded. And it was true—his past five morning shifts consisted of Kai entering the shop to do more practice drawings.

"He only ever seems to come in when you're working." Mizuki tapped her pen against her chin and gave Haru a coy smile. "Don't you think so too?"

"I don't think you're supposed to like the idea of customers flirting with your employees, Mizuki-san."

"Well, you're lucky I own a flower shop and not a maid cafe." She giggled when Haru turned away in embarrassment at the last part of her sentence. "Just teasing. Don't worry, Haru-kun." The doorbell jingled. "I'll leave it to you to check up on him, okay?"

"O-okay." Haru watched as Mizuki walked off to speak with the new customer. With a sign, he stepped around the counter and made his way towards the tall man.

"How's it coming along?"

"Not as well as I'd like, but it's just for practice." Kai raised his pencil and closed an eye, trying to measure out the size of the flowers with the pencil tip. "I'll be out of your hair soon, if that's what you're worried about."

"Mizuki-san probably wouldn't mind if you were here until close, honestly."

"Really?"

"Ask her yourself if you want."

Kai laughed. "I think you're trustworthy enough already."

Oh. Haru mentally kicked the butterflies starting to flutter in his stomach.

"Ah." Kai was holding his phone now, scowling at the screen. "Figures. Sorry, but I gotta head out now."

"Work emergency?" Haru asked as Kai stood.

"If you consider being the eldest sibling work, then yeah."

Haru chortled. "Speaking as one myself, I do."

"Then you know how it is." Kai beamed. "See you around Haru."

The door jingled as Kai left the shop, soon followed by the customer Mizuki had been entertaining with a freshly arranged bouquet in hand. The shop owner quirked an eyebrow at Haru as he re-assumed his position at the counter.

"Don't tell me you scared him off by accident."

"Had a matter to attend to," Haru said.

"That's what they all say."

"Mizuki-san…"

"Joking." She pinched Haru's cheek affectionately, much like a grandmother would. "Tell him he's welcome to stay as long as he wants next time you see him."

"Alright."

Hajime's voice was the first thing that greeted him when Haru answered his phone.

"Shun wants to meet up."

Haru frowned. "Go meet with him then."

"No, he wants to meet with both of us. Something about wanting to have fun with friends."

"Oh." Haru pressed his phone between his cheek and shoulder and resumed hanging his laundry. "When?"

"Now."

"Now?!" Haru squeaked. "Can't it wait a few minutes? I'm hanging laundry—"

"But Haru-kun, we're already here!" A familiar voice sang through the speaker.

"Already..?" Haru swallowed and gazed over the balcony. Sure enough, he saw a familiar black car on the street below his balcony. "But I…I'm hanging laundry…"

"Your laundry can wait!" Shun assured. "Besides, it's going to rain tonight."

"But the forecast said—"

"Don't question Shun," Hajime grumbled. "Just get down here."

And so Haru found himself sitting beside Hajime in the back seat of Shun's car, hands curled in his lap and eyes glued to his palms.

"Where are we going..?"

Hajime grunted. Shun giggled.

"We just have one more little stop to make."

"Where are we stopping?" Haru asked, but Shun had already pressed his phone to his ear.

"You're off now, right? Stay put, we'll be there in a moment! Eh? Can't find your bike? No worries, I had Sakaki-san take care of it already!" There was a smack as Hajime facepalmed. "Don't fret, okay? I let Hajime pick out the place this time!"

"More like you told me you were going to make a reservation and I okayed it," Hajime grumbled.

"At least he told you about it ahead of time," Haru reassured.

The car slowly eased to a halt at the side of the road. Shun rolled down his window and beamed at the figure standing on the sidewalk.

"Good work today! The door is unlocked. Haru, would you scoot over and make room?"

Before Haru could even budge, the door opened. His entire body froze the second his eyes met with ocean blue.

KAI?!

"Hajime, are you going to budge or should I force Haru into your lap?"

Hajime, clearly unamused by the visual, scooted towards the window. Haru continued to stare.

"Oi, Haru-kun." Kai waved his hand in front of Haru's glasses, causing the blonde to snap back into reality. "Do you want me to sit in your lap now?"

Hajime murmured something that sounded suspiciously like, "The other way around." Haru glared at his best friend, then moved over to make room for Kai.

"Thanks." Kai closed the door behind him. "By the way, how did you move my bike? I locked the ignition and everything."

Shun's eyes glimmered impishly.

"I take it back. I don't want to know." Kai leaned back and stretched his arms over his head. Unfortunately, he smacked Haru's glasses off his nose in the process. "Oops! Sorry. Are you okay?"

"His real form will live," Hajime answered while Haru rubbed his cheek and wiped his glasses off on his shirt.

"I am fine," Haru mumbled.

"Oh good." Kai blinked. "Wait, real form?"

"These." Hajime snatched Haru's glasses, much to the blonde's disdain.

"Hajime! Give them back!"

"Sure." Hajime pushed them onto Haru's face in response.

"Ow! That was my eye..!"

"Ahh…Hajime, play nice," Kai laughed anxiously.

Haru sniffed and rubbed his eye. How the heck did I end up in this situation?

"Hey," Hajime murmured in his ear. "Cheer up. It's just karaoke."

"Easy for you to say that when you're sabotaging me," Haru hissed.

"Sabotage? I dunno about that. I mean, you can always just serenade him with—"

Kai smiled and watched obliviously as Haru smacked Hajime's chest.

The four spent the rest of their night drinking, eating, and singing together in high spirits.

The door to the shop jingled, followed by a familiar "Good morning, Haru!"

"Welcome back, Kai." Haru looked up from the flower bundles in his arms to greet the blue-eyed man with a smile. "More practice?" he asked, eyeing the sketchpad in Kai's hand.

"If it's not a bother."

"Your chair is in its usual spot."

Haru resumed arranging the floral displays. But out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Kai trotted over towards the folding chair against the back wall, set it up in front of a colorful flower display, then plop down and begin to draw.

Crinkle.

"Ah." Haru looked down and released the poor bouquet he was crushing. Stop staring, he scolded himself as he set the bundle in its stand and smoothed out the cellophane.

It seemed like ages before he had filled up the display and moved onto the next set. He hummed to himself as he filled his arms with more flower bundles and slipped them into their holders one by one.

"The flowers are prettier in the sunlight."

Haru turned. Kai was staring at his sketchpad, his hand moving across the page in jagged, yet fluid motions.

"The colors pop more," Kai elaborated. "It's almost like magic. Or putting on a camera filter."

"I've never thought of it that way." Haru held up a bouquet of carnations and smiled. "I see what you mean, though."

The crinkling of cellophane and the scrich scratch of graphite filled the silence that followed soon after. At one point, Haru found himself hissing from something harshly poking his finger. Rose thorns. Of course. He rubbed the throbbing spot, grateful that no blood had been drawn.

"You okay?"

Haru nodded. "Just a poke. Nothing serious." He resumed filling the display. "And…done."

"Same here." Kai lowered his pencil and smiled. "Well, that was fun."

Haru chuckled. "I'm glad. Oh, and I'll put your chair back, so don't worry about it."

"Nah, I got it." Kai folded the chair and carried it back to its original spot against the wall. "Thanks again!"

"Of course."

"Here, have this." Kai ripped out a page in his sketchbook. "It's not as glamorous as you singing that warbler code song the other night, but it'll do." He gave the page to Haru. "Until next time!"

Haru watched, somewhat dumbfounded, as Kai left the shop. Once he recovered from his shock, he turned the paper over.

He found himself staring at a pencil sketch of himself standing in the middle of two store displays with a bundle of flowers in hand and a small smile on his face.

Wait, what? Haru stared at the signature in the corner. He was drawing me this whole time?!

The door jingled. "Good morning, Haru-san! I—oo, whatcha got there?"

Haru yelped and hid the drawing behind his back. "Nothing!"

Chisa puffed her cheeks. "No fair, lemme see!"

"It's just some store documents!" Haru lied. "Nothing interesting or beautiful at all!"

Chisa raised her eyebrows at the last remark, but shrugged and sang, "I'm going to clock in," instead, much to Haru's relief.

Haru was watering his plants when he heard his phone ring in the living room.

"Hajime, can you get that for me?"

"I'm not your answering machine." There was a pause. "Good evening, Auntie."

Haru instantly knew he had made a mistake by letting Hajime answer his phone for him.

"No, Haru's alright. He's doing some work. I'm good, thank you. What about yourself?"

Haru set his watering can down, stepped back into his apartment, and dove for his phone. Hajime, utilizing his godly reflexes, promptly moved out of reach.

"I think he's gotten a little pudgier is all."

"Hajime!" Haru whined.

"I'm joking." Hajime smirked. "He's fine. Trying to maintain a slight build to impress a guy, if I'm not mistaken?"

Haru finally swiped his cellphone from his best friend's grip, then collapsed in Hajime's lap, exhausted from the struggle. "Mom, don't listen to anything Hajime's telling you."

"Sure. What's this about a guy I hear?" his mother asked.

"No, it's not like that—"

"You better send me photos of him. I want to see what eye candy my son has set his sights on."

"Mom!"

His mother giggled. "No worries. I just wanted to call and let you know I'd be stopping by tomorrow evening."

"Oh." Haru blinked. "Okay."

"You can show me the pictures then."

"MOM!"

"Good night, sweetie! Tell Hajime-kun the same for me."

Haru groaned when the line went dead. "Why do you ruin everything?" he asked while eyeing his best friend.

"What?" Hajime examined his hand. "It's pretty obvious you're into Kai."

"Just because it's obvious doesn't mean you need to announce it to the world."

"If I don't, Shun will do it for me. To Kai's face."

Haru paled. "I take it back. Do whatever you want."

Hajime chuckled softly. "But seriously, Haru," he began. "I think you should consider saying something to him about it. Kai tends to be a little dense without meaning to."

"You're one to talk," Haru murmured. Hajime pretended he didn't hear that.

"All I'm saying is nothing will happen unless someone decides to make a move." Hajime reached for the remote. "Now: movie?"

Haru watched as Hajime switched the television on.

"It's hard, Hajime."

"I know it is." Hajime reached out and patted Haru's head. "But I know that you'll be alright."

"You should be saying 'a mess', not 'alright'."

"The Yayoi Haru I know is a smart, capable friend I can always rely on." Hajime smiled softly. "So I know that whatever he does, he'll be alright."

Haru stared at his best friend for a moment, stunned. Finally, he felt a smile crawl across his face.

"Thanks, Hajime."

"Of course." Hajime gently smacked Haru's forehead with the remote. "I don't remember what source to put it on."

Haru laughed.

"Haru!"

Haru lifted his head, but wound up smacking it against a planter above his head. He yelped and placed his hands over his head, trying to rub away the pain. Shun watched, eyes glimmering with amusement.

"You need me to kiss it better?"

"No thanks," Haru grumbled.

"Okay." Shun shrugged. "I'm sure Kai would gladly do it for you anyways."

Haru groaned. "Why are you bringing him up now..?"

The sound of footsteps filled the air, stopping just short of Haru's location. "You've got some stuff in your hair."

Chartreuse eyes shifted upward to meet with twinkling blue.

"I…hit a planter," he mumbled.

"I can see that," Kai chuckled.

"Yeah…" Haru attempted to stand once more, but wound up headbutting the planter once again.

"Haru…" Shun was clearly trying to suppress his laughter with a worried tone. "Do you need the first aid kit?"

"No," Haru wheezed.

"Hey, be careful there." Kai placed his hand on Haru's head. "Here: pain, pain…" He threw his hand in the air. "Fly away!"

Shun and Haru both stared at the blue-eyed man smiling childishly, clearly proud of himself for what he had just done. After a few moments, the silence was broken by Haru's snicker.

"Hey, what's so funny?"

"It…that…" Haru inhaled, trying to regain composure. "I used to do that to my sisters when we were kids, that's all."

"Oh yeah?" Kai laughed. "I still do that to my siblings. Even if they scold me for patronizing them."

"Well, as long as Haru feels no pain now, all is well." Shun spun on his toe. "I'll be in the back if you need me," he sang before disappearing into the innards of the shop.

"He goes at his own pace as usual," Kai mused. "Does it ever get tiring for you guys? I can't imagine working with him on busy days…"

"He's carefree, but he does his work when it's sorely needed." Haru rose to his feet. "We forbade him from touching the computer though."

"Ah, yes, Shimotsuki Shun and his technology curse." Kai laughed wryly. "I'm all too familiar with it."

"Anyways…" Haru awkwardly cleared his throat. "Did you stop by for some more drawing practice?"

"No, I actually came to buy some flowers."

"Actually giving us some business for once, huh?" Haru took off his glasses to wipe them on his shirt.

"Yeah, you could say that." Kai's laugh was light, yet hearty all at once—like a loving father's laughter, Haru mused.

"Any type you're looking for in particular?" Haru asked. "Or an occasion you want to match flowers to?"

"For once, I actually know what I need to get." Kai pointed at the display beside Haru.

"Hydrangeas?" Haru blinked. "Are you going to a wedding?"

"Wedding?" Kai shook his head. "Nah, a friend of mine—former housemate, I guess you can say? He's got a competition today and hydrangeas are his favorite."

"Oh." Haru felt butterflies fluttering in his chest. Really Haru? You were concerned about a possible wedding? "Well, go ahead. Let me know if you need any help."

"You can help me out by taking care of your head."

Haru opened his mouth to respond, but a low whine came out instead. Kai laughed and waved his hand to signal that he was only joking.

"Take it easy, Haru." Kai turned away to look at the display. Haru turned as well, but less so to resume what he had been doing earlier and more so to hide his face from other possible customers.

Pull yourself together! You're at work! Haru shuffled towards the counter with a mind to ask Shun to go back out in the store to save him from future embarrassment.

"Shun?" Haru poked his head in the backroom. He spotted Shun sitting at the break table, staring at a clipboard.

"Don't let me interrupt you two," Shun said. "Let me know when he leaves."

"No, I need you to come back out and save me."

"Aww, but Haru is cute when he's flustered."

"Shun, you're not supposed to support your employees flirting with customers."

Shun quirked an eyebrow. "Am I?"

Haru groaned. "Please come back out."

Shun set his clipboard down. "You know, Haru, trying to run away from him isn't going to solve anything. Nothing's going to happen unless you face your fears and bite the bullet."

"I know, I know! I'm just…" Haru sighed. "It's hard. I'm just not like you, with you and your loud 'Hajime Love' proclamations and all…even though that's gotten you two nowhere…"

"Hajime's just playing hard to get."

Haru thought back to that one time last year when he and Hajime got tipsy and the dark-haired man admitted that Shun's fanboying was an annoying yet comforting staple in his life.

"Uh huh…um, maybe you should actually let him know exactly what you mean by 'love'…"

"Oh? So you're going to give me love advice now?" Shun's laugh tickled Haru's ears, like a small bell.

"Shun…"

"Don't keep the customers waiting, Haru." Shun turned back to his clipboard. "I promise I'll be out once I finish reading this."

Seeing there was no point in trying to persuade Shun to do actual work, Haru sighed and went to the register. He raised his eyebrows when he saw Kai standing there.

"All set?"

"Yup!" Kai set the bundle on the counter. "Hopefully I don't crush these on the way."

"Just be careful on the train."

Silence settled on the two as Haru scanned the tag and took Kai's payment.

"Thanks," Kai said when Haru handed back his change. "And as a bonus…" He picked up the bouquet and plucked one hydrangea stem from the bundle. "Odd that there was only one of this color, so here. For helping me out whenever I come here."

"O-oh…" Haru took the stem without thinking. "Thanks…"

"Of course." Kai beamed. "See you around, Haru."

The bell jingled as the door swung shut behind Kai. Haru stood, staring at the hydrangea stem in his hand, unsure what to do with it.

"Look at you, getting flowers from your suitor." Shun chuckled.

"It's pink, Shun."

"It conveys the message Kai was hoping to send, no doubt."

Haru shook his head. "There's no way Kai could've known the meaning. He only picked it because it was the only odd-colored one in the bouquet he bought."

"Are you sure? There were some purely pink bouquets on display." Shun's smirk was as profound as ever. "Kai may be oblivious, but he's not dumb, Haru." A new customer began approaching the counter, prompting Shun to step in front of the register. "I've got this. Go and take a break, Haru. Maybe ice that head of yours in the meantime?"

Haru had a mind to protest, but after giving the hydrangea one last look, he silently turned and entered the backroom to look for a water bottle or vase for the stem.

It was early afternoon when Shun and Chisa entered the shop for their shifts. When the two had switched into aprons and were brought up to speed on the day's orders, Haru and Hina hung up their aprons and clocked out for the day.

It was early afternoon when Haru finally hung up his apron and clocked out for the day.

"Good work today, Haru-san!" Hina chirped.

"Good work to you too," Haru chuckled. "You seem plenty energetic still. Do you have anything planned later?"

"N-not really!" Hina laughed and began to twirl her hair around her finger. "W-well, I mean, Kurisu-chan wanted to see a movie with me, but we haven't decided on a time yet."

"Oh, well, I hope you two have fun whenever you do see it."

Hina nodded. "What about you?"

Haru shrugged. "I was going to head home and finish some work, but—" He was cut off when a motorcycle rolled to a halt in front of them. Hina jumped in surprise when the tires screeched, but Haru froze and stared at the bike in slight disbelief.

"Heya." The motorcycle rider lifted his visor, revealing blue eyes that twinkled like polished sapphires. "Just get off work?"

"I…" Haru swallowed and nodded.

"Cool! You free then?"

Haru nodded again.

"Great! I've got something I want to show you." Kai hopped off the bike and opened the compartment to reveal a second helmet. Haru yelped when his glasses were pulled off and the helmet was shoved on his head. "Hop on."

Hina's eyes were blunging when Haru looked over at her.

"Haru-san? W-who's that?"

Haru's head was spinning with confusion, but he managed to utter, "A friend," as he lowered the visor and approached the motorcycle. Kai laughed as Haru haphazardly put his arms on his shoulders.

"You're gonna need to do better than that."

Kai grabbed Haru's hands and pulled his arms around his waist. Haru felt his cheeks flare with heat when he felt his face clumsily hit Kai's back. He prayed that the visor on the helmet was preventing Hina from seeing how red he was (though judging by her expression, she was more mortified by the suddenness of the situation than anything else).

"Well, uh, um…I-I'll see you tomorrow?" she squeaked.

"Y-yes, see you tomor—ROW!"

The motorcycle took off down the street.

Haru was known to have acrophobia. But now, he wondered if he had tachophobia as well. Or, at least, when it came to motorcycles that is. So much for taking action like Hajime said to, he thought to himself as he held on for dear life. However, even though he was terrified that he was going to fall off if his grip slipped even a little and that having a tough, manly boyfriend with a fancy bike was an idea that must have come from his younger sisters' dreams, he was actually enjoying the feeling of leaning against Kai's back and hugging him tightly.

"Where are we going?" Haru asked.

"It's a surprise." Kai made a face. "Gotta make a turn. Hold on."

Haru curled his fingers in Kai's shirt as the motorcycle tilted into the turn. But by the time the bike straightened itself again, Haru found himself relaxing and even leaning against the taller man.

He's warm, he mused. Even with the helmet, he could feel the sunshine absorbed by Kai's jacket radiating off the leather. It was a pleasant feeling, one that reminded Haru of how he felt whenever he sat by the window in his apartment, curled up in the sunshine with some tea and a book.

The next thing he knew, someone was shaking his arm and chuckling as they called his name.

"Hey, I'm not a pillow you know?"

Haru groggily lifted his head. Kai was looking back at him. His helmet was off and his sea blue eyes were sparkling amusedly.

"Huh..?" Haru tried to rub his eyes, but wound up smacking his visor instead. "I fell asleep?"

"Like a baby." Kai grabbed the helmet and slowly lifted it off of Haru's head. "Ooo, and now you have some nice helmet hair to go along with that sleepy face!"

Haru frantically ran his hands through his hair. "Kai!"

"No worries." Kai's shoulders were shaking with laughter as he held out Haru's glasses. "Come on."

Haru grumbled to himself as he took his glasses and climbed off the motorcycle. After he put his lenses back in place in front of his eyes, he squinted at his surroundings.

"This is...a beach?" He frowned. "Why are we here?"

"There's nothing like walking along a beach in late March!" Kai laughed and propped the motorcycle on its kickstand. "Let's go explore!"

"Wait, Kai, I—!" Haru yelped when Kai grabbed his wrist and dragged him towards the glittering sand.

"Ooo, the ocean's beautiful today as well!" Kai inhaled deeply. "Just as fresh as always…" He looked back at Haru and laughed as Haru pulled on his sleeves. "C'mon, it's not that cold, is it?"

Haru adjusted his glasses anxiously. "To be fair, you didn't give me time to prepare…"

"You'll be fine. Here." Kai pulled off his jacket and draped it across Haru's shoulders. "There you go!"

Haru's face flared red in an instant, from both the gesture and the fact that he could now clearly see Kai's wonderfully toned biceps and arm tattoos.

"Aren't you cold, though?"

"I'm fine!" Kai waved his arms. "It's my fault for basically dragging you here without warning anyways!"

Haru turned away and mumbled something about sand in his socks.

"Oh yeah, shoes!"

A few minutes later, they were walking side by side along the coast with their shoes in hand. The only sounds filling the air were the waves churning in the distant sea and the occasional fizzing of seafoam on sand.

"Hey, let's go in the water."

Haru blinked. "Eh?"

"Come on!" Kai grabbed Haru's shoes and tossed them aside with his own. "It'll be fun, I promise! Ooo, maybe we can find some shells too!"

"Wait, Kai, I—" Haru yelped as Kai grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward. "Hey, Kai..!" He winced when he felt cold water against his toes.

"Ah, that feels nice." Kai sighed happily. "Hey, why do you look like you want to punch someone? Relax a bit."

Haru stared at Kai. "It's cold."

"Don't think about that!" Kai laughed. "Think about the sun, the sand, the feeling of the ocean breeze!"

"Two of those three things are cold."

Kai placed his hands on his hips. "Well, then think about me."

Haru stared at Kai for a moment, then turned away, cheeks flaring with heat. "That's just strange."

"How is that strange?" Kai laughed and shook his head. "Okay, something else then…aha!" He bent over and scooped up a shell from the sand. "Check this guy out!"

Haru looked back. Kai was standing behind him, smiling at the brown seashell fragment in his hand.

"I wonder if we can find the rest of it if we look around some more," Kai mused.

"The remainder of that shell could be on another continent for all we know," Haru said.

"Yeah, but it's still fun, right?" Kai held the shell out. "Come on, Haru. Enjoy yourself a bit."

Haru sighed and took the shell in his hand. He couldn't help but smile softly as he ran his fingers over the smooth surface.

"That looks more like the Haru I know." Kai laughed. "Maybe I could also interest you in building a sandcastle with me later?"

"Shells first. Then we'll see."

"Fair enough. We'll need something to decorate the tuna fortress with, after all."

"Kai."

Before Haru knew it, the sun had already begun to sink below the horizon, dying the ocean water with hues of red, orange, pink, and purple. As the world began to recolor itself to match the sky, Haru and Kai walked back along the beach, recovered their shoes, then sat down on the pale sand to admire the view.

"A rewarding end to a hard day of work, wouldn't you say?"

Haru chuckled. "Yes." His eyes settled on the horizon. "Thank you for bringing me here."

"Of course," Kai laughed. "I wouldn't want to be here with anyone else."

Haru hoped that the red in the sky would help disguise the red in his cheeks. "Huh?"

"Shun told me about this place." Kai closed his eyes. "He would always tell me to take someone special with me here. That it was a magical spot." He chortled. "I thought he was talking about nonsense at first, but, well…"

"Someone…special..?" Haru shook his head. "And you picked…me?"

"Of course." Kai's voice was soft, like sea foam bubbling against the pearly sand. "When I think about this place, the only person I really want to share it with is you."

Haru felt the butterflies in his stomach begin to stir. "What about Shun?"

Kai made a face. Haru cursed himself for his stupidity.

"Because he told you about this place, I mean!"

"I got what you meant." Kai scratched his head. "But I'm pretty sure Shun would much rather visit a magic hotspot with Hajime."

"Yeah. You're right," Haru chuckled. "I bet he'd even try to get matching tattoos with Hajime to commemorate the moment."

"Oh god, he would." Kai shook his head. "Did you know that he once came in to ask for a tattoo of Hajime's face?"

Haru snorted at the memory of Hajime telling him the story. "Oh yes, I certainly have."

"Thank goodness Hajime was there or else I would've been arguing with him for maybe five years." Kai shook his head. "Ah, enough about Shun! That's not what I want to talk about."

"Sorry, I may have gotten us on the topic." With my stupidity, Haru felt compelled to add, but didn't.

Kai chuckled. "Nah, it's not your fault. He's a pretty interesting guy to hang with, after all."

"You're not wrong there."

"It's kind of weird being with you too, though."

"Weird?" Haru frowned. "Is that…a bad thing?"

Kai shook his head. "It's just…it's not like we know each other inside and out or anything. We only really see each other really when we drop by each other's workplaces or whenever our mutual friends drag us to hang out together." His fingers curled in the sand. "But I always feel more at ease with you."

Haru tilted his head. "Why do you think that?"

"You're a lot like your name. Gentle, nurturing, welcoming." Blue eyes shifted to meet with pale green. "You seem right at home with all those flowers you work with. Like you're bringing spring with you wherever you go. So…I guess I always feel at peace around you."

A moment passed, filled only with the sound of water churning in the distance.

"…I see." Haru looked down at his feet, already feeling heat creeping up towards his face. His fingers gently tugged on the sleeves of the leather jacket hanging off his shoulders.

"Why do you look so down?" Kai laughed.

"I'm not down." Haru inhaled slowly. "I'm glad. I am." The corner of his lip curled upward. "I'm just…surprised."

"Surprised?"

"I…feel somewhat the same around you," Haru admitted. "I mean, sometimes I get nervous since we don't know each other that well, and you seem like such a friendly and popular figure. And the tattoos…" That earned him a snort. "But past your appearance…you have a wonderfully compassionate heart. And it could be either that or your amiable personality or both, but…I just feel comfortable around you. Like I can lay down in the water and float, knowing full well that I won't sink. That I'll always be supported."

The feeling of gritty sand against his fingers drew Haru's attention away from his feet. He lifted his head and was met with a gentle smile.

"I guess that makes two of us, then."

Haru swallowed, then felt a smile spread across his face. "Mmm. I suppose."

The sand grains grated against Haru's skin as Kai gently pulled him closer. Wordlessly, they sealed the gap.

Kissing Kai, Haru thought, was like a midsummer firework. At first, there was a moment of hesitation, of anticipation, when Haru's whole body was tingling with excitement. Then there was a spark and a burst, and finally the sky would be dyed in brilliant reds, blues, greens—all the colors of the rainbow blooming like flowers in the sky.

And when the fireworks began to fizzle away, Kai pulled back.

They remained in place for a moment, foreheads just barely touching and eyes locked together, as though time has suspended itself in that one moment.

It was Kai who broke the standstill.

"Sorry."

Haru blinked. "W-what for?"

"This."

Haru blinked some more. "T-this? But I didn't…mind…"

"No, this." Kai released Haru's hand. "I got nervous and didn't mean to squeeze so tight…are your fingers okay?"

"My fingers…"

Kai frowned when Haru pulled back in a fit of laughter. "What's wrong? Did I say something?"

"It's…not that!" Haru wheezed. "I just…we just kissed and yet…you're asking about the circulation in my hand..! Of all things..!"

"Hey, I was worried!"

Haru continued laughing. Kai sighed, then wrapped an arm around Haru's neck.

"You're such a handful."

"Am I?" Haru chuckled.

"Yeah." Kai smirked and cupped Haru's cheek. "Good thing I have two hands."

Their lips met again.

"Kai got a new tattoo."

Haru raised his eyebrows. "Did he?"

"I did it for him earlier today." Hajime shook his pen. "Took ages." He scowled when his pen still refused to write on the page.

"He didn't tell me anything about that." Haru pushed his pencil pouch in Hajime's direction. "Then again, he's the type to do things…impulsively."

"Impulsive is a great word to describe this tattoo for sure." Hajime took a new pen and sighed in relief when his tester scribble was successful.

"What was it?"

"His little spring bird."

Haru dropped his book. "Wait, what?!"

Hajime picked up and scrolled through his phone. "Here." He set the device down and pointed at the picture lit up on the screen. When Haru looked down, a tattoo of a bird wearing glasses greeted him in return.

There was a clatter as Haru's chair fell onto the floor. "He did not."

"Wait, so that bird is you? Since when were you a bird? Wait, since when were you Kai's little bird?"

"I'm so going to kill him." Haru's hands shook as he reached for his phone. But instead of his lockscreen, he was greeted with a text from none other than the man himself.

"And done! I've got a fish design ready for you so just let Hajime know when you're free!"

"Fish design?" Hajime smirked. "Oh, I'll do that anytime for free if it's for you."

"Hold up a minute—I don't know anything about this! Hey, Hajime, you have a dangerous look in your eyes…HEY WAIT!"