Chapter Text
It was like yesterday, the day I pushed open those spotless glass doors, the little bell above it ringing lightly to announce my presence. I still remember the way the gentle smells immediately brushed against the tip of my nose and my eyes filled with so much color, both vibrant and pastel.
It was like a fairytale behind those doors – a wonderland of sorts – and I was dazed, having to take a moment to absorb it all.
“Um... hi! Can I help you with anything?” Seonghwa spoke up after noticing a customer standing idle at the entrance of his store.
Hongjoong’s eyes snapped over to him, a sheepish smile taking over his features “Oh actually..” he scratched at the back of his head, “I could use a bit of help.”
Seonghwa’s back straightened as the other began to make his way over to the cash register that he sat behind. He could feel as heat started to rush to his cheeks, his eyes widening in a somewhat amazement. Beautiful… The man was beautiful with his doe eyes that seemed to shine, wide grin that was almost calming, and red hair that resembled his favorite flower.
The blond cleared his throat, teeth gnawing on his bottom lip as a newfound feeling of nervousness washed over his being. “W-what exactly are you looking for?” he slightly winced at the sound of his wavering voice.
“Well, this might get a little sappy but, there is someone pretty close to me who I’m really grateful for.. and I love them a lot obviously so they’re pretty important in my life. I don’t want to get them something generic like roses or something, so where do I go from there?”
Seonghwa shifted in his spot once Hongjoong had finished explaining, his lips parting slightly as he concluded that these flowers must be for the customers’ lover. No one who’s ever come into his shop talked about family or friends this way. Not with that little sparkle in their eyes. Not with that fond smile.
He nodded his head in understanding, gears turning as he thought over the customers’ words. He stood from his seat and made his way around the front counter before walking to a corner of the shop. Hongjoong’s brows furrowed as his bottom lip poked out a bit in confusion with how abruptly the store owner had left without any words, but he decided to just stay planted in his spot and wait for the guy to come back.
It wasn’t long before Seonghwa returned to the shorter, his hands now equipped with a bundle of flowers which he placed on the counter as he spoke, “For you, I thought a bouquet of purple amaranth globes, which means ‘immortal love’ and blue campanula bells to symbolize ‘gratitude’. Of course, there is a bit of greenery to balance everything. I picked these ones with smaller leaves because of how.. interesting the flowers are in shape.” He rambled on a bit more, explaining every little detail before looking up at the other, eyebrow raised in anticipation of the others’ reaction.
From the first day he opened his shop to the first customer he had the next week, Seonghwa always had a habit of completely explaining every bit of his flower-filled thoughts, words quick and often he was met with a blank stare in return.
When he was a child, he was often dropped off by his parents to stay with his grandmother during summer break and it was a habit he picked up from watching her when he accompanied her to work on Sundays. He had always looked up to her and she was what sparked his initial interest in flowers; he learned pretty much everything he knew directly from her.
He remembers the reaction his grandmother would receive when she’d go off on a bit of a fiery tangent when explaining the bouquet to her buyers. They would smile brightly at her, nodding their heads along with her words, and even stay behind a bit longer if they couldn't quite understand everything she said. They didn't mind her tangents, simply because they could tell just how passionate she was about her craft.
But people today were different. Completely so. They don’t have a single care for Seonghwa’s passion — they find it quite bothersome in fact. Now people would rather their flowers just be quietly wrapped and handed to them in a timely manner, no words exchanged but the price and quiet thanks before the bell rang signifying their departure.
Times were much more fast-paced these days and this habit of his... it was one that Seonghwa needed to learn to shake, whether he liked it or not before he lost all business.
Hongjoong stared at him, the sudden change in demeanor from the blond taking him slightly aback. No stutters or wandering eyes, he was even slightly slouched in a chill manner.
It was so confusing to see.. You were so timid just minutes before, but suddenly you seemed comfortable.. almost confident. Your eyes had a bit of a fire behind them as you talked. Of course, I thought nothing of it though, it wasn’t worth mulling over at the time as we were just two strangers.
Seonghwa stared right back at him, slowly shrinking in on himself as he inwardly cursed himself for reverting back to his old ways and saying more than he should, worried that he’d possibly scared off another customer that will leave him with a bad review. His lips parted as he went to blurt out a bundle of apologies, but he was cut off by Hongjoong who had just come back to his senses.
“The flowers are seriously stunning.. they seem like a perfect fit. Thank you, seriously um” he looked down to the others’ shirt, slightly squinting to read his nametag, “Seonghwa! Thank you Seonghwa.”
Said boy nodded hastily, swallowing hard, “N-no problem.. Just doing my job aha..”
Hongjoong laughed slightly at his words, finding his switch back to shy kind of cute. Seonghwa was quick to ring him up after delicately wrapping the flowers in pretty light gray paper, not-so-subtly watching the red-head once he walked out the glass doors with eyes a bit brighter than they were prior to his visit.
I don’t know what it was about that store.. or what about you that compelled me to come back, but I did... only after three days of hesitation and contemplating.