Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Seeds

Jeong Yunho led an empire.

As cliché as it sounds, his father passed away long before the young Yunho was ready to take over, forcing him to drop everything he used to care about, and to sit at the topmost view of everything his father built. The biggest seat of them all, as his much younger self remembered, overpowering all of the others with merely its stark dark color and size, settling on the farthest spot at the end of the table.

Most of his father's partners predicted it was the end of the empire that he built, mainly because Yunho, the only heir to the throne, was too young and too innocent and too gentle to handle the harsh realities of that world. His mother had kept him in between the cracks of imagination and dreams, keeping him away from the dark world his father created just for him to keep that innocence.

But things changed, dragging Yunho along with it.

So even if he did have his own doubts about his capabilities, he led everything his father left behind, making it grow into much more than what his father and the rest predicted, and made it flourish. Flourished and empowered it, made it bigger, brighter and better.

His father's name was soon replaced with his, preaching about almost everything he achieved, overcoming and bringing down the biggest of companies and taking over the top position of the chain, marking his name at the bottom of his feet.

Jeong Yunho had everything, but a life.

He learned how to basically live with only suits in his closets, and his surroundings a constant color of blacks and whites. He got used to keeping that neutral face most of his days, only morphing into a scowl or frown when the budget allocated was too little, or when they had to change everything they planned just to accomodate a selfish bastard partner that he soon broke off contact with.

After all, running that big of a business will always be a serious matter, and everything else would just become a distraction in achieving the goals he had set for himself and the company.

So, one can't really blame him when he paused for more than a second to look at the weird shop that popped up suddenly in a spot between the gray and black buildings. The bright yellow and brown sign up ahead, with dozens of flowers arranged outside the shop, looking a little lost and out of place because of its colorful interiors and exteriors compared to the bland colors that surrounds it.

Yunho broke out of his thoughts and roamed his eyes around, waiting for an explanation from someone or from anywhere as to why the sudden burst of colors in the middle of the most pristine and expensive part of the city.

But no one was there, and nothing was enough to explain why.

Walking away became his only choice in the midst of his own thoughts, leaving his eyes to study the flowers on display as long as he could, until he couldn't anymore and the shop disappeared from his sight and only to be remembered in his memory for the rest of his day.

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"Here are the rest of them, just like you asked to be brought up after your meetings." Seonghwa came and laid out the folders on his desk, looking proud of his neat files and his punctuality. "Do you need anything else?"

"No, thank you." Yunho muttered, not bothering to look up from the separate file about the company's standing he was scanning. "You can leave for the night. Thank you for your work today."

"What about you?"

That made Yunho look up, hand in the middle of flipping a page as he glanced at Seonghwa's concerned eyes. "What about me?"

"When are you planning on leaving that seat your ass had been sitting on for more than 96 hours already?"

If it weren't for the soft tone Seonghwa gave him, Yunho would've fired him then and there. But even if he didn't have that gentle coax, Yunho wouldn't even be bothered anymore out of exhaustion; physically, mentally and emotionally.

Yunho closed off the folder and leaned back on his office chair, bouncing him forward and back slightly at the force. "It should be at 80 hours only." He said, closing his eyes and stretched out his cramping fingers. "I've been in and out of meetings, and I sat my ass down on a different chair then."

Seonghwa rolled his eyes and slightly sat at the edge of Yunho's table. "I am not in a decent mood to pretend I enjoy the tasteless jokes you give."

"Hey!"

"Even Hongjoong can make out better jokes than you."

"That standard is too low. Are you sure you want to get fired?"

"I still stand on the point I made."

"Make sure to have you and your things cleared out on your desk by tomorrow morning." Yunho threatened.

Seonghwa scoffed, standing up from the table and walked away. "I'll be gone before you know it."

If there are things that gave a little hint of colors in Yunho's life, it would probably come from his little group of friends he made on his way to the top. They are not much, but they somehow gave meaning to his meaningless life, adding some sort of humor and laughter in his endless cycle of work.

Yunho found himself calling out to Seonghwa before he could stop himself. The older turned with a hum, eyes curious and playful but there's the stiffness of work that sat proudly on his shoulders.

"You- Did you happen to notice the new shop a few steps from the building?"

Maybe the 96 hours inside this office and running on bottomless coffees and sandwiches is wearing him out already.

Seonghwa looked at him funny, tilting his head and wondering if he had heard him right, but then thinking seriously about his question. "Is this what used to be an empty spot on the main floor of the building next door?"

"Yes."

The look Seonghwa gave him was indescribable, and Yunho thought that he might have shown him a scowl because Seonghwa suddenly stood straighter under his gaze. "San never told me anything about filling up that space. But I guess somebody took it already since it's been a while since our last meeting with them as partners." Seonghwa answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Why are you asking about that space? Do you have plans on using that too? You know San can make them leave if you told him to-"

He waved a hand dismissively, asking Seonghwa to stop. "I have no plans on using it, please don't contact them about it." Yunho replied, "I just got curious since it has really been a long time since that space got occupied."

"Is there any problem with that?"

"It was a flower shop."

"What?"

"Nothing." Yunho smiled, straightening himself on his seat and pulling his chair closer to the desk. "You can rest now, and I promise to leave before midnight."

Seonghwa glared at him. Yunho flinched.

"10 pm?"

"Leave before the clock strikes 9. It's Sunday, for crying out loud. No one is here anymore for you to order around. Just go home and rest, will you? And have a decent dinner for once." Seonghwa paused. "Do you want me to ask someone to buy you steak?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll be fine, maybe I'll have food delivered or something. I just have to go through these last week's data then I'll be out."

Seonghwa naturally became his go-to person because of his personality and less more of his work behavior. Not that he doesn't know how to work properly (Yunho can even leave him the company unattended whenever he needs to go overseas for routine checks or partnerships) but because Yunho found himself leaning towards Seonghwa's instinct to take care of the people around him; which is one of the things Yunho lost after attaining this empire of his.

"I'll ask Mingi if you tend to stay longer than 10pm." Seonghwa pressed, pointing a finger at Yunho as he walked backwards.

"Mingi's out already. He said he got some dinner date plan shit going on, so he left long before you came here."

"I'll-"

"Just fucking go, Seonghwa. I'll be out soon enough." Yunho interrupted him, already waving him goodbye and pretended not to see Seonghwa flipping him off.

Professional.

Yunho did leave early (maybe a little past 9 but still not later than 10), and he planned to walk from the company to the small shop that sold good noodles a few buildings away. He's been craving those noodles for a while now, and even if he did ask a few to bring him some over for his meal, it still wasn't as good as buying them on his own and have a good sniff of the heavy and savory broth as he walked back to the building to where his car was parked.

But on that way towards his noodles, he had to pass by the shop that seemed to catch his eye every single time he walked by. The shop was now closed; well, closing, since the owner just got out of the shop after closing the lights and was on his way to locking the doors and nudging the handles hard to check if they are secure.

Yunho found himself staring at a distance, a few steps still behind before reaching the shop. The owner seemed to have not noticed his presence, since he calmly did his own thing and then proceeded to grab his bag he left by the door, slung it over his shoulders and went on his way. And when he passed by the startled Yunho, he noticed that there were earbuds deep in the florist's ears, and was bobbing his head up and down slightly as he walked away.

The noodles were long forgotten, since Yunho simply walked back to his car empty-handed, but mind was raging with endless thoughts.

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Jeong Yunho had gone insane.

Well, he got called by the media far more intelligent names, but one stood out better than the rest. He got called insane.

Insane for taking over the business empire his father left behind at such a young and immature age. Insane for being able to expand the business far bigger than anyone did. Insane for being able to remain his status at the top without any danger to his name and safety.

Insane for thinking things differently, causing him to be ahead of his competitors.

But today, Yunho had become insane for a totally different reason.

After the business proposal that he attended, he found himself parking his car, walking away from the tall glass doors of his building and stopped right in front of the shop.

Doing nothing.

Maybe staring at the figure who wandered up and about in the shop, gesturing at different plants and flowers as he spoke to a nice looking lady with a big, genuine smile on his face. Even from afar, Yunho can see his fluffy hair of black slightly getting carried away with the wind within the shop, causing a few hairs to stick out and appear out of place. The florist's long, large, blue sweater is pressed tight on his body by a dark brown apron wrapped around his waist, showing off his figure that was not slim nor bulky.

When the talking florist started to appear closer to the shop's windows to pick up a pot of some sort of flower from the displays, Yunho froze when their eyes met, florist in the middle of grabbing the plant and Yunho staring from the outside with hands in his pocket, body undeniably facing the flower shop.

Out of all the things he did right, this is definitely on the other side of the list.

Jeong Yunho had gone from insanely smart to insanely stupid.

He wasn't sure what to do, his legs tangling awkwardly with his head hung low, determined to hide his blushing face from the florist's view.

"Jeong Yunho!"

Yunho almost flung himself towards San, who was waving at him with Seonghwa tagging along, a bag seemingly full with coffee in his hands. He jogged up to them with relief, and pushed them straight towards the building and away from his humiliation. He let out a deep breath when they entered his building, knees almost giving out on him. San (and a few more others who were walking about the main floor) quickly rushed to his side and Yunho waved them off, closing his eyes and catching his breath.

"I'm fine." He muttered, San still held on to his arm and Seonghwa looking alarmed and ready to drop the expensive coffee they just bought.

"You look like you're about to pass out." Seonghwa chimed, stepping a little closer to take a better look at his face. "Do you need to have yourself checked?"

Yunho breathed and straightened himself, putting back his neutral face on and fixed the buttons of his navy blue suit. The others have gotten the sign to leave him alone, leaving just the two looking at him unsurely.

"I just made the biggest mistake of my life and for the first time ever, I have no idea how to fucking solve it."

Later that night, when Yunho laid still on his bed wide awake at 2am in the morning, did he only realize the most important thing that he shouldn't have missed out on.

Choi fucking San screamed his name in front of the fucking store.

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The issue that made it to the news last night gave his company a huge dent, though it can be fixed, but their reputation is now tainted and they can't risk anything anymore. Hence the sleep-deprived group scattered around the table with files upon files of data and records piling up as they try to come up with a solution to cover the amount they had to lose.

"This is going to end up messy." Hongjoong grunted, already massaging his temples as Jongho continued with the reports.

Yunho nodded absentmindedly but tried to understand the situation, solutions running all over his head but Jongho will always contradict his unsaid plans with something from the report that seemed to have no end.

"What about we delay the release that we were planning to publicize by the end of this month?" Mingi suggested, scratching off something from his notebook then pointing his pen on no one in particular. Jongho had just finished his report and is back on his seat. "That way, we can sort of make the public know that we are taking this shit seriously."

Yunho did think about it, resting his chin on his intertwined hands propped up on the table as he scanned through the last piece of data Jongho wrapped up in his report that still flashed on the screen. "We can't."

Hongjoong leaned forward and faced Yunho, tearing his intense glare off the screen. "Why? Data shows we can stretch it out more so we have more time to plan this out."

"But data cannot show the deals we have already made prior to this release." Yunho explained calmly, but his mind is nothing near that. "Those people are way too big and hard to claim, so we have to bend through hoops and dodge bullets just for them to agree if we need to reschedule it. We might even lose some if we did that."

The silence was suffocating. In the midst of something like this, everyone is bound to go silent. Wrecking their brains out quietly, connecting dots, remembering certain contacts and information; just to come up with something that could at least help them start moving.

"We need to lose the money." Yeosang finally spoke up, making heads turn to his position on the table. He looked up from his laptop and pulled it closer to him, angling his head so it could rest lightly on the screen. "We only have two options: lose the money or lose the people."

"But losing the money could set us a few steps back, and others might take that chance and jump on to the higher seat." Jongho pointed out, his face maintaining its blank look.

Yeosang nodded, as if he was trying to make them understand that he did take that into consideration. "But losing the connections we had would cost more. If not double, triple the amount."

"He's right." Seonghwa spoke up, eyes still trailing over the messy piles of paper before him. "If you add up all the resources we got from partnerships and deals, it costs even more than triple."

Yunho looked back at Jongho. "What are the other things connected to that money we'll give up? If we did end up choosing Yeosang's idea?"

The younger was already scanning through his own documents, slouched over the laptop to see things clearly and not to miss a single digit. "Other than cutting some production costs and delaying the amount goal we have for this year, none so far."

Yunho nodded and drifted his gaze over to Hongjoong and Mingi. "And how can we make sure that this will burn to the ground after losing that money?"

"We can triple check the data we'll present along with the confidentiality contract that we'll make you read through by the end of the week." Hongjoong answered, and Mingi seemed to be occupied already with listing all the things they needed to gather for that.

Yunho briefly looked at the data on the file that Seonghwa had provided earlier, rethinking it all again just to see if there is anything they missed out on that could have made their situation worse. “Okay, be ready for any media interviews because shit is about to go down.” Yunho nodded, glancing at everyone who groaned, slouching back on their seats and some even pouted their lips.

“Media can’t keep their filthy hands to themselves.” Hongjoong grunted.

“Do you want to be interviewed?” Seonghwa asked gently, raising an eyebrow at him, probably wordlessly trying to insult his dark circles and unkempt hair Yunho wasn’t able to hide as he rushed out of his penthouse that morning after receiving the news. But for Yunho, he probably looked better than anyone else in the room, since they were here all night doing damage control.

Yunho shrugged, standing up and buttoning his coat. “I don’t mind. Besides, they would probably want me to speak about this.” he rolled his eyes and Seonghwa chuckled. “Just let me know soon if I need to bring out my good ties and shiny shoes so I can prevent any hassle.” he nodded to the rest, and they all grunted in response, waving him goodbye as he stepped out of the meeting.

The walk back to his office was uneventful, save for the almost spilled protein shake over his suit as one of the employees didn’t see him standing on his way. Yunho didn’t really mind it, but he forgot to ask someone to dry-clean the ones he kept inside the office, so he felt a little relieved to see the employee snap out of his thoughts before creating a mess and almost losing his job.

He scanned his office for a while, glaring at the amount of papers he needed to review for the upcoming events and another tall stack for things he needed to sign and order around. If he could ask someone to finish all his tasks today, he would just because he’s goddamn tired. But, his employees are doing more than enough already, and even though they are ready and prepared to do just about anything the CEO asks, Yunho couldn’t let them.

He is responsible, and takes pride in that. But he has a tendency to get reckless; a little bit of himself which he had before claiming the throne, that gets out of his system every once in a while.

And usually, it is not a good decision.

Standing right out the door of the busy flower shop is a good example of that.

The shop had more customers today, and if Yunho’s memory is right, there is some sort of celebration or holiday or something that is going on today, explaining the amount of people roaming around the shop and asking for certain flower arrangements and scheduling delivery services.

His mind told him to snap out of it and rush back to the office, but his heart urged his body to move forward and approach.

The door chimes sounded as he went in, but the noise it made was nothing compared to the chatters happening inside the store. A couple of students were checking out the items within the store, and a couple more middle-aged males gesturing and explaining to the man behind the counter about the bouquets they wanted to buy. All in all, it was a pretty chaotic sight, but Yunho is used to chaos, practically living in them for about 5 years now.

Once inside, Yunho glanced around, taking in his surroundings of different colors and shapes. A bunch of different species of flowers were placed on a round table in the middle with a few other plants surrounding the table on the floor. A shelf filled with smaller plants is displayed and pressed against the floor, and if Yunho squinted, he could see the labels that are poking from the soil in each pot. And near the windows are beautifully arranged bouquets, several of which are a lot bigger in size and some were even bigger than anything he had seen or encountered.

But out of all the things Yunho had seen out of the ordinary, he felt weird being surrounded with all of the colors.

He got used to living off with blacks and whites, surrounded by different shades of gray and would even be pleasantly surprised if Hongjoong chose to wear a patterned suit of browns when he felt like it. Needless to say, Yunho did live in such a bland and dull life.

Bright yellows, vibrant red, calming purples and shades of green took over the entirety of the shop. The bulbs that lighted up the room were in a different shade of orange than Yunho got used to working with inside the offices, and he noticed that it complimented really well the colors within the shop, not overpowering them but more of making the area a lot more cozier and more home-y.

But what caught his eyes more than the vibrant colors is the smile of the florist wore.

The brightness was almost blinding, captivating and felt unreal. His smile got Yunho staring from one side that he walked over to prevent getting trampled on by the loud and excited university students rushing in to claim their orders. The smile that didn’t fade even once, speaking rather loudly over the chatters and noise within the shop, and he even giggled when one complimented him too much about the arrangement he did for their order.

The florist was polite and courteous, bowing deeply at every single customer after claiming requests. He got eyes that are genuine yet sharp, small but have so many stories to tell. Smooth skin that shone everytime the sun entered the shop when the doors opened, causing Yunho to pause and freeze on his spot.

Yunho was probably in there for a good amount of time, roaming around the shop to glance the flowers and admired its beauty, even taking mental notes of the plants he would think would suit best inside his office and in his apartment (his house looked even more bland and duller than the rest of his building combined, and it was something that Hongjoong had pestered him over and over to have someone decorate his place better). The customers came and went, but Yunho remained, eyes travelling and following the florist as he went on with his day, entertaining guests and sometimes running over to the back to grab the delicately arranged sets he had finished for pick-ups.

He went back to the office with a lot more plant names and species in his brain, and less of the pressing issues he had to solve and present over the week.

When he asked Seonghwa and the rest if it was okay for him to take the rest of his day off, none of them stopped him, looking rather surprised at his statement since he never took the afternoon off unless he had some meetings to prepare for and would like to get ready in the comfort of his own home.

Taking the rest of the day off was a rare occurrence, happening about once in every two years.

But as he drove home with a box of pizza and soft drinks resting on the passenger’s seat, he knew he needed the off.

He needed time to think why the hell didn’t the florist look at him every once in the two hours he spent inside his shop.

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It had been a few months since the flower shop appeared right before the young CEO’s eyes.

It had also been a few months since the flower shop casted more colors into Yunho’s life.

It had become a routine: coming to work, parking his car, walking away from the doors to grab some coffee from the nearby cafe, and stealing glances of the ever-changing flower shop as he passed by. Flowers are changed every other day, some staying longer than the rest but the potted plants remain, Yunho taking note of that after seeing Wooyoung watering them often.

Wooyoung is the florist’s name.

Yunho had encountered the name everytime he would come in to check on new flower arrangements displayed by the windows; customers coming in to greet the florist by his first name and cooing him rather softly after he presented to them their bouquets, thanking each other with so much gratitude than what Yunho was used to.

Wooyoung got streaks of brown tangled among his black hair.

The brown was much more evident when Yunho looked closer, and when Wooyoung was outside the shop, arranging the delicate flower displays in front. His fluffy mop of hair danced along the soft breeze, and instead of ruining it, Yunho found him a lot more interesting and more humane. Because everything he just saw about the florist felt unreal.

He was ethereal.

But no matter how the florist had changed Yunho’s routines against his will, two things remained.

Yunho could not speak properly while looking at the florist, and second, the florist never looked at Yunho in the eyes.

Even when he tried his best to approach, his voice came out crusty and choppy and snapping out of his thoughts so fast that Yunho was convinced that Wooyoung would think weirdly of him. Or maybe saw Yunho as someone that wasn’t worth his time.

Because Wooyoung was already surrounded with pretty flowers, so why the hell would he pay attention to the dullest crayon in the box?

That thought came over to Yunho every once in a while, sometimes in the middle of meetings and more often while he was alone in his office and at home. It came like an unwanted guest, visiting in the most inconvenient hours and delaying him of the work he had to do and accomplish within the day. Yunho was used to surprise visits and guests, but nothing is worse than that guest coming inside your thoughts and Yunho cannot make up excuses for it to go away and leave him alone.

“You told us to buy the noodles from next door, and now you’re not even eating?” Jongho spoke, eyeing Yunho curiously with narrowed eyes. “Do you know how long the line was when we arrived and you are not even acknowledging our hard work?”

“Shut up.” Yunho muttered, finally opening the lid of the paper bowl and snapping the chopsticks in two. “I will eat the noodles you just bought with my money using the card that I gave to you.”

“He’s just caught up with his emotions that never resurfaced for about 6 years until now.” San laughed, slurping his noodles as he kept his playful gaze on Yunho.

“You mean the feelings he didn’t know about ever since he was born.” Yeosang jokes, causing the rest to laugh soon after.

“Shut up or I’ll have your salaries delayed for a year and a half.” Yunho threatened, closing his eyes as he sipped the savory beef broth his noodles came with.

San leaned forward after tossing his chopsticks in his empty bowl. “Does that mean I have the right to continue on insulting you and your unprepared feelings?”

Yunho mimicked San’s actions and glared at him. “I’ll break off every single partnership your business and I have.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Seonghwa can-”

“Okay!” San exclaimed, rolling his eyes in defeat. “You’re so touchy and sensitive about your unreciprocated feelings.”

The rest chuckled but kept their insults within themselves, making small talks about their days as well as the conversations they had with potential partners and customers.

“San, what do you know about the flower shop that opened at the spot in your building?” Hongjoong asked, causing Yunho to choke over his noodles, but waving his hand dismissively when the rest started eyeing him warily.

The man leaned back on his chair while twisting the cap off his soft drink. “You mean Wooyoung’s shop?”

Seonghwa side-eyed Yunho for a moment before leaning closer. “You know him?”

“Yeah. I mean he’s been occupying that space for months already, and he seems like a good guy. Sent flowers over to my office the first day he got settled in as a thank you. The scent and colors were heaven.” San sighed, smiling. “Why? Is he in trouble?”

“Oh, no.” Hongjoong waved. “I just got curious, since it was unusual for a flower shop to maintain its business when it’s stationed in between two giant companies.” he shrugged, and San nodded in response.

Yunho had no idea what he felt about his friends knowing about his little secret.

Well, the shop isn’t a secret and Wooyoung definitely isn’t his to keep.

But the thought of others knowing about the person he seemed to take notice more frequently recently is something that caused his heart to beat. Whether it was because of his unclassified feelings over the florist or the fact that his friends would probably start to notice his actions towards the shop or the owner himself.

And he isn’t quite sure if he’s ready to handle all of that on top of the things he is already handling.

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The chimes of the door rang loudly, but what frustrates Yunho more is the fact that the florist barely looked up from the bouquet he was arranging behind the counter.

"Hello! Welcome to Precious! I'm afraid we are booked for the entirety of the month, but please! Feel free to roam around to see if there's anything you'd like." Wooyoung smiled, but his eyes remained on the small branch of the flower he's gently twisting around to fit within the small space allocated for it.

Yunho didn't feel the need to respond, especially when he realized that it won't be noticed anyway. So he simply nodded for the sake of it, then proceeded to walk towards the new flowers displayed near the window, bending over to read the small name tags of each one.

In his usual days where visiting the shop became a routine, he would glance around and mentally decorate his apartment with new plants he found within the shop.

(He may have added a cacti or two in the corners of his home, and maybe bought a bouquet once just to add colors within his living area.)

(Maybe he bought it just to see if the florist would finally look him in the eye or at least to get to know him, but Wooyoung only spared him a glance faster than a blink.)

But today, he only felt the textures of the plants between his fingers, turning his head towards Wooyoung almost every 5 seconds, wanting to catch him if he ever started to pay attention to Yunho.

The man tried to make a move towards the florist: by either trying to ask for help, or humming a little louder than he used to, or buying unnecessary things to see if he would engage in small talks like he did towards the other customers.

But all of them failed, leaving Yunho devastated and an increasing amount of gardening tools tossed in his spare closet.

"Did you like anything?" A voice called out to him, making Yunho turn at the moving plant from the back room to behind the counters. The florist bent to his side and Yunho prepared himself to finally see and stare at Wooyoung's eyes, but he only twisted to check the soil in the plant's pot as he spoke. "There will be new stocks and items getting delivered within the day, so I guess you can look into them tomorrow if you'd want to?"

Yunho didn't expect much when it came to the florist. A second glance was all he needed, and it nearly broke his heart when he wasn't able to get it even until he stepped out of the shop, with another cacti in his hands. He thought about tossing it out, but it eventually faded when he reached his office with the plant still sitting in his hands, the rest of the office looking at him in confusion, and if there is a person who could directly ask him what the fuck is going on with his brain without getting fired, it would be Seonghwa.

"What's up with the tiny green alien in your hands, chief?" he asked after Yunho settled in his office and collapsed on the leather sofa.

"Don't start." Yunho grunted, handing over the cactus to Seonghwa after the older dropped his coffee on the table. "Your desk needs more life. Put this there."

"Funny. I was about to say that to you too."

Yunho glared at him so hard but Seonghwa only found it entertaining, taking the plant from his outstretched hands and placed it at the corner of Yunho's desk, just a few inches away from his desktop screen. "There. It's definitely looking a lot less than the black and white movies my grandfather used to see."

"You really have a death wish, don't you?" Yunho eyed him, thinking rather seriously if he could survive leading the company without an insulting smart-ass Seonghwa by his side.

(He couldn't and wouldn't.)

"I really just want you to get a grip and get a fucking life outside the office, Yunho." Seonghwa explained, leaning on Yunho's table and toyed with his pens with his fingertips. "You used to be so bright and full of life and colorful. You've lost that spark that drew me closer to you and gave me a reason to work with you."

Yunho's mother used to call him her butterfly.

"You have so many colors on your wings that you can't even see. You gave me so much meaning and your father something to take care of. We want you to keep those colors with you, whether you'll keep them on your wings or within the walls of your heart." his mom told him one sunny afternoon, her fingers running gently through his scalp as he squinted against the sunlight shining on their little picnic set-up they arranged in their garden.

Yunho knew how colorful his life used to be, and how much more he wanted to be in the future.

But unpredictable things caused these colors to fade in order for him to continue on what his father had built for him to keep them. The colors blended in with the routines he made, and whether he knew about it or not, he simply had no time to care.

Let the colors dull out or let them live, but he cannot let himself get distracted by these colors from leading the empire.

Seonghwa knew about Yunho's past and the faded dreams, since he's been groomed by his own father into helping the Jeong family. When Yunho's father tried to keep his child away from that life, Seonghwa lived to learn about them. He grew up learning more than what the kids his age knew, and when Yunho began to lead whatever his father left, Seonghwa's family introduced him to Yunho and they've been inseparable ever since.

So even if he could fire him because of his stupid remarks and endless insults he did to Yunho, criticizing every black suit he own, commenting on the patterned ties he got; Yunho doesn't have the guts to cut him out of his life. He's too good and Yunho has learned to trust him with his back, and no one can handle Yunho's stubborn routines and excuses except for Seonghwa.

Seonghwa became the older brother Yunho never had.

"I never had those colors to begin with." Yunho gritted his teeth, causing Seonghwa to chuckle sadly.

"You pretend to not have them just so the rest won't have a weakness to bring you down with."

"Even if I have them, I have no reason to bring them out anymore."

Yunho followed Seonghwa's fingers that played with his pens, and towards the cactus on his desk. Seonghwa looked at Yunho and smiled, nodding towards the plant.

"You already found the reason."

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"You are absolutely insane." the florist gaped, dropping his hands on the counter.

"You never paid attention. I didn't have a choice."

Yunho shrugged as the florist stared at him wide-eyed and seemingly lost for words. He rounded the middle table that was filled with vases holding such intricate patterns and colors of flowers and plants alike, fingers delicately passing through the smooth petals and ridged leaves. Yunho sighed with content after smelling one of the buds, soft scent lingering through as he closed his eyes, then opening them to look back at the florist.

"So you think sticking flowers onto your cheeks with a band-aid is a good choice for me to notice you?" Wooyoung asked, crossing his arms on his chest and tilting his head, trying to figure what is going on in Yunho's brain.

Yunho took the guts to approach Wooyoung after weeks since his last conversation with Seonghwa about the plant. He wasn't quite sure how to approach the situation nor his feelings, so he did a little more research and a lot more thinking about what the hell he wanted, and what he needed.

And when he finally took the chance and made his mouth speak, he didn't quite expect Wooyoung to insult his every being after one stare.

(Okay, maybe the band-aid with flowers on his face was more than enough to insult everything Yunho is, since that decision wasn't really well thought of.)

"It is effective." Wooyoung nodded, but eyes still in awe at the way Yunho seemed unaffected with that thing on his cheek. "But was it a good choice? Maybe not."

"What other options would you propose? A bouquet of flowers when you're clearly a florist yourself? A box of chocolate without knowing if you are allergic to them or something-"

"A decent greeting would be nice." Wooyoung sighed, interrupting Yunho's ramble.

"What?"

"A proper 'hello' would suffice, or maybe a call to my name?" Wooyoung said, a hand held out as if he was offering something.

Yunho cleared his throat. "I did try and make you engage in small talks, but you never seemed to pay any attention."

"Have you told me your name?" Wooyoung asked, and Yunho could finally tell what colors his eyes held.

Light streaks of brown that turned golden when the sunlight shone on them. The kind of colors you would see in hidden treasures, like the browns that were neglected by light to be kept away from those selfish people. The browns that slowly fade into gold whenever the treasure has been found by those who are worthy of receiving it.

"My-my name?" He stuttered, eyes unfocusing as he tried to look deeper within those golden colors. “You don’t know who I am?”

Wooyoung shrugged. “I know you by the stories others have told me. But do I know you by what you’ve told me and shown me? I’d probably tell you that you’re like an awkward teenager who doesn’t know the concept of names, introductions or flirting and proceeds to stick something that represents my work on their cheeks to show their genuinity.” He crossed his arms again, and Yunho lost his words.

Jeong Yunho is smart and called insane for being five steps ahead of his competitors.

And yet, when it comes to a florist in a brown vest and white inner shirt, he’s five steps behind and is falling backwards.

“I-”

“Save it.” Wooyoung waved a hand, dismissing him before he could even finish his sentence. “I wouldn’t want to spend my time trying to educate someone about dating when I have no experience of it myself.”

“How come?” Yunho said before he could stop himself, tilting his head slightly at Wooyoung’s words. “How come someone as pretty as you are hasn’t experienced dating yet?”

Wooyoung scoffed at that, eyes still on the cash register. “Same reasons as yours.”

“Mine?” Yunho asked dumbly. If San or Seonghwa saw him in this state, Yunho won’t be able to see the end of it. “How come you know about the reasons I have when you don’t know who I am?”

The florist sighed, then leaned his elbows above the computer and looked at Yunho in the eyes.

He has such pretty eyes, he thought. Much prettier than any of the flowers in here.

“Your actions speak louder, Mr. Jeong. The moment I saw you staring at my shop a couple months back, the way you move and act as if nothing happened, and the way you proudly stuck that band-aid on your face- now that I keep on looking at it, it gets funnier by the second- says that you clearly have no idea what you’re doing and just winging it. Which is the complete opposite of what you’ve been doing to run that huge company of yours-”

“Because I am not here to own you.” Yunho interrupted, causing Wooyoung to now look like he’s lost his words.

“What?” he croaked out, and Yunho sighed.

He stripped the band-aid along with the flowers off his cheeks, eyes crinkling slightly at the pain as he walked closer towards him. Wooyoung smelled like lavender and vanilla, and had glasses hidden at the sides of the cash register. He owned more phones than Yunho, all lined up neatly at the bottom shelf near the back doors. And Wooyoung had a mole under his right eye.

Yunho looked at it for longer, before slowly glancing a little more upwards, and he saw the streaks of gold dancing in his eyes.

“I am not here to treat you like I’m in a business meeting or something. I am not here to talk to you like the way I talk to my potential business partners. I am not here with the confidence I wore around the office because that, that is my expertise. I trained and studied every nook and cranny of the empire my father built, but not once did those books and notes he left are about approaching a rather attractive owner of a flower shop that caught my eyes the first time I saw him.”

Wooyoung lost the glare and sarcasm he wore as a mask. Yunho saw his eyes darken the more he talked, and he saw how Wooyoung’s breath hitched when he paused.

Yunho stopped right before him, the counter separating them both, and Yunho thought that was for the best. Because kissing a complete stranger just because he found his mole and eyes attractive isn’t such a good idea; especially when that man is looking rather alarmed at Yunho’s presence, but isn’t really pushing him away.

Yunho took that as a good sign.

He felt the small buds he took off from his face in his palm, the plaster sticking in his fingers, but slowly losing their adhesive the more his hands sweat. He leaned his hands on the counter, and smiled fondly.

Wooyoung looked full of life and colorful, and Yunho couldn’t wait for him to paint his dull, bland life all over with every color he desired.

He isn’t quite sure where all this bravery or courage came from, but once he took a good grip on it, he wouldn’t dare to let go.

“I may tumble over my words, and you may find mistakes that I’d make over dinners. I may even do something like unintentionally kill the plants you’d ask me to take care of, or totally forget a holiday we planned together. Because I never learned these things, or rather, I never bothered to learn them, thinking that I never would come to a point where I would want a life like that. But I saw you. And suddenly, I wanted more.”

Yunho could feel the plants and flowers leaning closer to his words, listening to everything he had to say. Not even once in those years after he took over the company did he ever feel this thumping in his heart, similar to excitement and adrenaline and desire.

Desire to be wanted.

Desire to feel free.

Desire to be surrounded with warmth and colors.

“Let me learn with you. Let me show you who I am. Not as how people perceive me to be.”

Desire to be loved.

“Please let me see your colors, and I’ll show you mine.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: Growth

Jung Wooyoung owned a flower shop.

He had a vision in his head: build a flower shop and manage it long enough until his mom would come into his dreams in ghost form to smack him in the head, begging him to stop working his ass off.

He studied hard enough to get himself average grades, graduated with literally 20 bucks to his name, worked hard enough at every job he can fit in the hours of the day, and saved enough so he could open up a flower shop his mom dreamed of owning ever since he was a kid.

“If you liked flowers so much, why would you want to sell them away rather than keeping them for yourself?” He had asked his mother once while they were eating dinner, his father out to do errands that left him coming home in the wee hours of the night. Not that it was an issue, but as his mother’s condition grew worse, it hurt Wooyoung to think that his father could potentially come home to an empty house and would probably leave him heartbroken, fully knowing what happened.

“If you have things that are beautiful and precious, there are times that one should choose to share them with the world. In that way, we can help out the world to be a little prettier and hopefully, a little kinder.” She smiled, reaching forward to pat Wooyoung on the head and he took her hand and kissed it tenderly.

If Wooyoung knew it would be the last night he’ll spend with her, he should’ve done more. Maybe kissed her forehead, or hugged her tighter or offered the last chicken to her, anything that could let her know that Wooyoung loved her truly.

His father was good at hiding his heartbreak, smiling and nodding and assuring his only son that he got his shit together and would be until the day he died. For a while, Wooyoung believed it, but at some point, his curious and stubborn younger self would come down to realizing that they are actually going nowhere. His dad still cried at every spring, sobbed at every picture, and stared at every flower he’d see. Sure, he can still function really well after Wooyoung nudged him off when he noticed his son’s presence, but Wooyoung knew that his father had it worse.

After all, his mother would be the best thing that happened to anyone who came to know her.

So Wooyoung thought of a way to help him and his father take a step forward into their lives without leaving a single thought of his mother.

He saved enough to open his own flower shop.

His father cried when he told him his plans about building one, and he cried even harder after seeing the shop come to life, the flower shop pressed in between two gigantic buildings owned by business partners he didn’t bother knowing. His father cried once more after telling him business was doing good, and that people started to come back regularly and that word is spreading about his little shop. He hugged Wooyoung so tight it almost hurt, tears brimming and almost spilling over as he whispered the words that made his heart warmer.

“Your mom would be so proud of you. I am so proud of you. Thank you.”

So Wooyoung kept that vision in his head: to continue leading the small business he built and let it run its course.

But he never took account of one of the most respected businessman coming into his shop with a fucking medical plaster stuck on to his face, looking at him with so much conviction as he confessed his heart out. He never thought of having his delicate flower arrangements forgotten at a corner as he listened intently to whatever this suited, tall figure had to say about his appearance and idiocy.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I’m asking you out on a date, not asking you to turn over our ownership of this shop to me, Wooyoung.”

Wooyoung glared. “Don’t sass me.”

“Sorry.” Yunho looked conflicted as Wooyoung stared at him, trying to figure out if the taller had been shitting him and wanted to play games just for the fun of it.

Yunho looked honest, despite the proud grins he wore whenever Wooyoung would see his face on television. Yunho looked kind, despite the expensive suits he wore that cost almost the same as all the flowers Wooyoung could sell in two weeks. Yunho looked real, despite Wooyoung’s mental crisis about how one’s skin can be so smooth and perfect.

Jung Wooyoung rarely dated, and he was proud of it.

He spent most of his free hours and days helping out in the house when his mother started to get sick. He busied himself with taking care of her and their plentiful gardens, then finishing up projects and homeworks when he was done with his chores, and turned down invitations to parties and outings, and opted to spend the night telling wonderful stories to his mother, who started to fall asleep after his story, and soon enough, falling asleep before he even got to tell half of the stories, hushing his voice and tucking her in afterwards.

And when she left them and he opened the shop, he busied himself with taking care and looking after his father in the most subtlest of ways. He didn’t mind, and often found himself smiling in the middle of his chores because he would remember his mother and her laughter at the sight of flowers, which continued to occupy almost all vacant spaces in their house. His father started to give him a tight hug, or a soft pat, or meet his eyes with glassy ones, silently thanking him for keeping their house alive and keeping her spirits lifted.

He simply found himself so full of love, that he didn’t think of wanting to have more of it from others.

His small family provided him with everything he would want and need, and not once did he want to have more of it from anyone else. His mother had taught him so much more than what schools could, his father had told him so many things about his adventures and showed him a life full of love, for his wife and for his only son. Even after they were left behind, despite his father struggling to keep on moving forward, Wooyoung could still feel the overflowing love they all had for each other.

So when Jeong Yunho confessed about his feelings, Wooyoung had no idea what to do with it.

He had so much love in his heart already, so what would he do as he is offered more of it?

The answer started to unfold the longer he stared at Yunho. He used to see him in the news with pride on his shoulders, chin lifted so high with so much confidence, towering over all that looked up to him. He remembered getting awed by his personality, and now, he was baffled to see another side of that man who confidently stripped off that strong persona to prove to him he was serious.

Stripped of his usual brilliance, and simply showed his true nature before the owner of the flower shop who did nothing but to run his small business for the sake of his sanity. Jeong Yunho showed him something he can spoil, but acted as if it was nothing.

No. It was nothing if it landed on the hands of a certain Wooyoung.

But Wooyoung had too much of love, what would he do with another one?

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"Really, Jeong? Really?"

"What? The steaks here are exceptional!"

Wooyoung looked for any jokes behind Yunho's statement, and glared when he found none.

Maybe agreeing to date a high-end personality is a bad idea.

Jeong Yunho asked Wooyoung on a date, and here they are, dropped off by the CEO's driver in front of a five-star restaurant. And Wooyoung can't help but think of the plant soil that's stuck inside his shoes.

This wasn't the first date that Yunbo had asked of him. Though the first one was not worth mentioning, since all they did was basically eat in awkward silence in some nice place Yunho found nearby. Forced conversations was emitted, Wooyoung answering questions Yunho had for him: his family, business, friends and education (it somehow made him feel like he was applying for a job instead of a date, but before he could say anything, he remembered he had no fair share of dates so he had no right to say anything about that part).

All signs told him no, all the consequences told him no, all his conscience screamed no. But if everything he thought about led him to an answer, why did it take him two weeks to tell Yunho his answer, and even gave him the complete opposite of what he should say?

One thing lingered into his head every time he convinced himself to say no: trust.

In line with Yunho's way of living (and Wooyoung's little knowledge from running his own shop), Wooyoung knew it was hard to find and trust the right people. People who wouldn't speak against you behind your back, people who would be sincere enough to listen and people who you could trust your life with. It's easy to sign a contract and shake hands and smile for the press. But it was hard to find and trust the right people that wouldn't turn their backs on you when they found a flaw that could bring them down sooner or later.

It was hard to find someone whom you can count on when things come crumbling down.

But at the very beginning, Jeong Yunho had already trusted him with so much. I mean, why would a CEO carelessly paste a band-aid on their face, fully knowing that could tainit his image in every way? Yunho trusted him with his true nature, the part of him he selfishly hid from the world in fear of them staining it more of its bland colors.

Trust was such a powerful word. And if Yunho who had everything by the strand fearlessly gave it to Wooyoung, what more could he ask for?

After that first came another and another. Things got a little better: he didn't feel foolish about insulting the other with his blunt words and Yunho started to show him more of who he is rather than the face he showed his business partners. Yunho kept on asking (or telling) where they would go next, and Wooyoung simply agreed, not really wanting to end their little experiment dates.

As much as he hated to admit it, Yunho was fun to be with. He stutters jokes that his expressions were funnier than the joke itself, he was good at filling in the silences in their conversations, and was a very good companion. He made him laugh after a very rough day, and he always made sure to give Wooyoung something after their dates. For their first date, it was the little (expensive) mug they saw at the restaurant they went to, for the second was some take-aways for him to 'eat whenever he gets hungry'. He wasn't selfish with his money, quite the opposite Wooyoung expected him to be.

Everything Jeong Yunho showed him was opposite to what Wooyoung expected from him.

But that still doesn't excuse why Yunho dragged him and asked (forcefully) him to close the shop for the rest of the day for their third date.

The man stood proudly with his velvet suit and shiny shoes while Wooyoung had traces of the leaves he trimmed in his shop.

The younger smacked Yunho by the arm, and glared furiously. "Really? You brought me to a five-star restaurant on the day I wore the worst outfit today because it was supposed to be my rearranging day?"

Yunho glanced at him up and down and narrowed his eyes. "That's your worst outfit?" He stepped back and checked him out once more, causing Wooyoung to unconsciously cover up awkwardly with his hands. "You look good though?"

Heat went up Wooyoung's cheeks. "I'm wearing a tank top underneath this jacket. Does that count as good?"

"Your face and personality makes up for what you feel like you're lacking with."

"Shut up." Wooyoung looked the other way to further hide his reddened cheeks and gazed over the people he could see through the windows of the restaurant. "I'm sorry, but all of the people inside are all fancy and dolled-up. I hate to bring my soiled shoes inside and ruin the pristine aura."

"Then let's find another one."

Wooyoung sharply looked at Yunho, who was starting to walk away and lead him away by putting a gentle hand on his lower back. "What?" he stuttered out. "Another one?"

"You said you don't want to, and that will not be an issue. We'll find somewhere where our interests and likes can meet halfway."

Wooyoung could hear the pats of his heart through his veins. He wasn't sure if it was because of his words that somehow caused him to malfunction or the soft hand guiding him away from the place the other initially planned to go to. "Didn't you say on the way you had to pay for a reservation?"

"Yep."

"I'll pay for it."

Yunho halted and faced him. "What?"

"I feel guilty for making you pay all that just because of me."

"Nonsense. That's on my part for not taking your interests into consideration."

"Come on. Can you talk like you're not in a fucking meeting? It kind of hurts my brain a little bit."

Yunho chuckled at Wooyoung and held his shoulders. Wooyoung froze. "I'm sorry for not asking you beforehand. I was just-" he paused, looking like he was looking for the right words to say, "- I was excited."

That was his turn to laugh. "Excited for a date with me? Aren't you getting tired?" Wooyoung asked.

"Why did you make it sound like it was not pleasing?"

"Because it's not?"

They both froze. Wooyoung looked down as he bit his lip and he could feel the other's eyes trying to read him. The cars passed by loudly near the sidewalk, and he could sense other people's whispers and chatters at them as they stood in the middle of their paths.

"I will always look forward to spending time with you." Yunho said firmly, but his hands remained gentle, almost like floating on Wooyoung's shoulders. "I enjoy every minute with you, and I am really happy that you allowed me to have these moments with you."

"Aren't I a little cheap for your tastes?"

"You will never be cheap- or whatever that may mean- to me because if you are, why would I bother spending time with you?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you."

Yunho chuckled, then shook his head. "I thought I would be able to say the cheesy lines under the stars or when it's just the two of us. But I guess the sidewalk works fine too." His eyes glistened as he looked at Wooyoung, bright and warm. The smile on his face didn't falter, and that made Wooyoung feel so jumpy inside his chest. "I like you, and that means I would like to learn more about you and spend more time with you."

"And do you still like me after the few dates we had?"

Yunho nodded. "I never felt so happy when I'm with you. You made me feel like I'm a normal person and not afraid to be blunt with me. You look past my occupation and position and riches and see just me."

"Anyone can do that." Wooyoung scoffed.

"You'd be surprised to be proven wrong."

Looking and interacting with a person that doesn't include his wealth is not that hard. Just talk with what he showed and tell you, and avoid touching touchy subjects and conversations that include money or business. Wooyoung never felt the need to ask anything about it because he knew enough: Yunho was fucking rich. But hearing that coming from Yunho made him realize that the world isn't always what he expected it to be, and the other might have bad experiences with that.

"So?" Yunho asked.

"So, what?"

"Are you happy to spend time with me too or would you want to end this here?" He smiled, although this one is different. Wooyoung noticed that this smile doesn't reach his eyes. "I won't trap you into something you don't want, Wooyoung. I won't do anything. Just tell me if you still want it and if not, I'd be willing to let you go."

Does Wooyoung not like spending time with Yunho? Would he want to stop seeing him visit his shop at a specific time just so the CEO could see him and talk about his day? Does Wooyoung like to end these dates that they did that somehow became something he looked forward to going?

Dating a CEO had its perks and cons, Wooyoung knew that. It was similar to dating a celebrity, only three notches lower. But Wooyoung remembered he wasn't dating a celebrity. Or a CEO for that matter.

Wooyoung is dating Jeong Yunho.

Yunho never showed his business side to Wooyoung excluding the fact that his business-filled vocabulary never left their conversations or the way Yunho was so unbothered to pay for everything. Not once did Wooyoung feel small under the gaze of Yunho, nor did he feel unimportant. His formal and stiff side tried not to show up on their dates, the cold and blank face Wooyoung used to see in television didn't appear whenever he talked to him.

Jung Wooyoung wasn't dating the king of the business empire, he was simply dating Jeong Yunho.

The Yunho who looked at him with so much hope in his eyes, biting his lips in an attempt to hide how they quiver underneath his teeth. The Yunho who plastered a band-aid on his face to try and get Wooyoung's attention.

So, is Wooyoung happy spending time with Yunho, the not-CEO?

Wooyoung smiled. "I am really fucking happy to spend time with you too. Just please, not in a high-end restaurant when I'm in my gardening boots."

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Wooyoung loved having some peace and quiet despite his loud personality.

He especially loved the calm moments in the afternoon where people rarely come except for those elderly ladies who had nothing else to do on their list but to check on Wooyoung’s flowers and pinch his cheeks.

He hummed as he carefully pushed the stem onto the space he made, nudging the other flowers around to leave space for their new friend.

"You told me to put these plants in a pot. Does that mean to put them both in one pot or put them in separate pots?" A voice lured him out of his calmness and he failed to fight the urge to roll his eyes and sigh.

He turned around to see the crouching Yunho behind the counter, a plant on each hand and pots in front of him, waiting to be used. His suit jacket was neatly placed on the backrest of a chair, and his inner shirt pulled up to his elbows.

"What does your common sense scream in your mind?" Wooyoung raised his eyebrow.

The other looked conflicted, eyes not knowing where to focus as he tried to think of an answer. "Separate pots?"

"Bingo."

"Don't judge me, I was just making sure- don't look at me like that!" Yunho whined, sharply turning around to continue repotting the plants.

"It was common sense."

"I didn't know!"

"I'm certain you barely saw plants as big as those in the same pot."

"I was just making sure-"

"Hmm."

"There are ones that do share the same pots!"

"And do those plants in your hands fit inside a singular pot?"

"I hate you."

"If you do, you won't be here doing just that." He pointed at the mess in front of Yunho and turned back to his own task before the other could retort him more.

Things with Jeong Yunho had been impeccably… good. It had been a few months since they started this whole dating thing, and not more than twice did Yunho asked him if he ever wanted to put a label on whatever it is they have.

And Wooyoung would be lying if he told him that he hadn't been thinking about it.

Hell, it's the only thing his mind managed to think about since the first time Yunho had asked him about it.

"What do you say about relationships?"

That caused Wooyoung to put down his fork and look at the other in the eyes. They looked hopeful but scared, firm but hazy. He sighed. "You already know what my words will be."

"Yeah. But what about our relationship?"

"What?"

"I wanted you to be mine, and I- if you would accept me to be yours. I am not rushing this! I swear! It's just- I want you to know that this is not the only thing I would want to do with you. I want you to know that I take you very seriously and would want to take things to a deeper level- and that if you would allow me to do just that."

Yunho was never in a rush, and Wooyoung appreciated it.

The times Yunho would bring it up were… careful and calculated. He would address it honestly but would let Wooyoung stop him if things got a little too suffocating. He would convince Wooyoung it was alright for him to take his time to think it through, and told him that he won't get mad if his answer would be no.

He unconsciously turned once more to the other who was very seriously moving the plant to its designated pot. Yunho looked so focused that his shoulders were hunched and veins were sticking out of his arm despite the delicate fingers patting the soil firm on its new pot.

Seeing the stiff and formal CEO crouched on the floor of his flower shop made Wooyoung realize how much he's wrong about the man. It made him realize how much of him he tried to hide from the world and let somehow Wooyoung be one of the few people to see it.

It was very freeing and weirdly satisfying to have Yunho's presence near. There's something that relieves Wooyoung whenever he sees Yunho around, and his chest doesn't feel as heavy as before. The way he makes Wooyoung laugh is beyond him, too good that it made him curl over his stomach and tear brimming from his eyes. It was weird to laugh out loud and so hard after all these years of Wooyoung tiptoeing around himself, but that somehow helped him remove the small aches that resided in his heart.

A couple of hours passed and their tasks finished and tucked away at the back of the shop, the two found themselves drinking iced coffees Yunho had brought to cool themselves off. Perched on the counter was Wooyoung, and Yunho leaned on it beside him ranting off about a time where his trusted group of friends tried to prank him in the middle of an important meeting. Wooyoung only stared at him, wondering what it was that he was feeling whenever the other was in close proximity, take Yunho's elbow almost resting on Wooyoung's thigh for example.

Yunho is incredible.

There were also points in time where Wooyoung could only gawk at him. Yunho was pretty. Smooth and fair skin, dazzling dark brown orbs that somehow catch the twinkles of the stars at night, hair so soft and fragrant, lips plump and soft. Not to mention the style he wore, backed by his incredible height and legs so long.

(Wooyoung also learned how to dress himself properly, ditching the garden boots and tank-tops for some nice sneakers and polos and blazers. Although he is not the most stylish man out there, he does know in what outfits he thinks he looks best.)

Not to mention the way Yunho carried the entire empire on his back. Seeing how young Yunho was when he managed to achieve all of it, made his chest feel tight and his soul a little giddy. Not because of how much the other's annual salary was or how much he was worth, but because of how smart, sharp, determined and knowledgeable he is. He spoke in volumes and tones, firm and dedicated, focused and driven. Yunho was untouchable, and yet his hand was so near Wooyoung's.

Yunho is beyond words Wooyoung could explain. As much as he could rave on about how professional and serious and high-ranking Yunho is, Wooyoung would rather choose to describe him as simple and straight-forward. Simple with his actions and possessions (despite the alarming zeroes in his fucking bank account) and straight-forward with his wants: a life filled with color.

Though Wooyoung may not understand everything to what that does entail, and he may have lost a good amount of sleep because of it, but he did come to a conclusion.

Maybe not the wisest decision he ever made, but then again, he wasn't entirely sure if the decisions he made in the past were wise.

He'll just follow what his heart told him to do.

And Wooyoung couldn't be anymore excited to what more of Yunho is there to see and take note of.

"Yunho." Wooyoung broke the comfortable silence after the other finished his story. He could see at the corner of his eye the way Yunho turned to face him.

"Hm?"

"Have I ever told you about my mom?" He slowly turned his head to look at him, confused but eyes comforting and calm.

"You mentioned her before a couple of times." Yunho nodded, words slow and careful as if he was afraid to say the wrong things. "What about her?"

"She meant a lot to me." Wooyoung sighed, but the thought of his mom made him smile a little bit. Just a touch. "She taught me almost all that I lived with, and growing up, she was the one who taught me what love is. Well, both of my parents taught me how and what it's like to love. She showed me how the smallest things can matter and how actions can somehow draw themselves in the hearts of those who are valued. But she also told me what it comes with, good and bad."

Yunho kept silent through it all, watching Wooyoung with pleasant warmth that kept him calm and serene.

He continued on. "And maybe that's why I don't try to look for people to date. I was happy with the love I received that I somehow told myself it was enough. So what would I do with the love other people would give me when I have too much of it?"

The other's face fell, but was quick to compose himself well, not letting Wooyoung notice the hurt in his eyes.

"But then again I was reminded of my mom. She was my life, you know? And despite that aching part she left in my heart, that empty space also caused me to feel more than I did before. I thought I would want to be loved more just so I could fill in that gap she left, but no. It was quite the opposite."

Wooyoung stared at Yunho's eyes. The other did the same.

"It made me want to share the love I was selflessly given to those who earned it."

It was amazing, really, how love can change your views about a person. How love can help one see things brighter, more colorful and more exciting and thrilling. It's no wonder why people chase it, or would go through hoops and needles just to attain it. Love was simply beautiful and enchanting.

Jeong Wooyoung wanted Jeong Yunho to experience that kind of love.

The look on Yunho's face was indescribable. Wooyoung understood how many thoughts could be lingering in his mind right now, and most of them might not even be clear enough to voice out. He smiled and jumped off the counter and walked to the back of the store, to where the bouquet of flowers he was fixing earlier sat idly in the fridge. He pulled it out and smelled the subtle scent of small sunflowers sprinkled with blue forget-me-nots and white baby's breath flowers.

He felt Yunho's eyes on him as he walked back to where he sat, now a big bouquet in the small space between them. "What is this?" Yunho whispered. Wooyoung smiled.

"This is me asking you to show me more of you, and I'll selflessly share mine."

"Does that mean-"

"What about let's eat dinner at my place tonight, boyfriend?"

God only knows how much Wooyoung wished he covered his ears upon saying those words.

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Wooyoung stared.

More like gaped as he continuously scanned the other up and down, scrubbing his eyes in case they were just blurry and he was just seeing things.

But no matter how many times he scrubbed or slapped himself on the face, the image in front of him still hasn't changed.

Yunho wasn't in a suit.

He was wearing a baby blue cardigan on top of his plain white shirt and partnered that up with nice, clean, cream-colored pants, to be exact. And fuck- are those sneakers?

"Are you just going to stare at me or actually come here closer so I can hug you? I'm running out of Wooyoung energy." Yunho eyes him carefully, arms crossed in front of him as he leaned back on his car.

Wooyoung maintained a steady look on him. "Who are you?"

Yunho was taken aback for a second, then looked down at his attire and laughed out loud. His head fell back and his hand covered up his mouth as he laughed. "It was a long plane ride back home, so I opted to be comfortable."

"You mean you travelled looking like this?"

Yunho rubbed his nape awkwardly, trying not to meet Wooyoung's eyes. The other however, didn't seem to notice it. "Is it bad? Do I look weird in it-"

"Fuck, you're so pretty."

"I-what?"

Wooyoung managed to tear off his gaze from Yunho's attire to look him dead in the eyes. "You look fucking beautiful, and I wasn't the first one to see? I thought I was your boyfriend?" He walked up to Yunho and hugged him tight, but it was only for a second before he released him to scan him again. Yunho's ears had turned pink, as well as his cheeks. He tried to hide them from Wooyoung, but the other cupped his cheeks with his hands to keep them still.

Yunho without the suit made him look more… humane. Wooyoung knew the stark difference between the working Mr. Jeong and the boyfriend Yunho he dated, but seeing him out of the suit, hair not gelled and soft hues hugging his body made his heart feel a little bit more. It helped him appear more 'domestic' and less of his work. It made him look more 'Yunho' than the CEO people came to praise and adore.

Yunho without the formal attires showed more of his personality than of his occupation. And Wooyoung cannot help but to fall deeper for him.

"Stop it, Wooyoung. You make me feel weird."

"You mean appreciated?"

"Insulted."

Wooyoung backed off. "What? I would never!"

"You laughed at my green tie the other day and called me string beans for the entire week."

"In my defense, that thin, limpy necktie did look like a string bean and I still complimented that you looked great in it!" He defended, although Yunho rolled his eyes mockingly. "Don't give me that look!"

"Let's just go in." Yunho left him behind and went straight inside his shop, completely ignoring the stunned and slightly amused Wooyoung by the car. "I miss flowers."

Wooyoung smiled and hopped to match the other. "Don't they give bouquets to their visitors from where you came from?"

He shook his head as they entered the shop, interlacing their fingers together and took a deep inhale of the scent that lingered in the air. "They offer coffee and biscuits and tons of paperwork. No flowers whatsoever."

"How about let's make that a thing?"

"That would be hilarious- actually, no. That's not a bad idea."

"Hey, I'm great with ideas!"

Yunho raised an eyebrow. "I'm not too sure about that."

"Get the hell out." Wooyoung pointed at the door and Yunho laughed, snaking his arms around Wooyoung's waist and pulled him tight.

Resting his chin on the shoulder, Yunho sighed quietly. "Can't I take you with me on my next trip?"

"Unless that trip consists of beaches and coconut shakes and none of paperwork on both sides, I'd gladly come with you." Wooyoung poked the other's nose, making him wiggle it.

"When that time comes, I won't ask you anymore. I'll book the tickets right away without you knowing."

"Sounds like kidnapping, but as long as everything's free, well, take me with all that I am."

Suddenly, the floor wasn't under Wooyoung's feet anymore. He shrieked, and firm hands held his back and under his knees, lifting him in the air in a swift motion. His feet nearly hit a pot on the shelf, but he paid it no attention as his hands tried to find something to hold, and in this case, Yunho's shoulders.

"What the fuck- Yunho put me down!" Wooyoung screamed, hands wrapping around the other's shoulders in fear of falling. Though he knew Yunho wouldn't do it, but not feeling any ground beneath his feet caused his heart to tremble slightly.

As much as Wooyoung feared for his life, Yunho only looked back at him without any problem or strain in his face. His arms were holding him secure and careful, fingers not gripping the skin too tight to cause discomfort. "You said to take you with all that you are, and who am I to say no to that?" Even his voice came out soft, like he wasn't carrying Wooyoung bridal style.

"Not literally!"

"Too bad I understand it wrongly." He shrugged, taking Wooyoung with the movement.

"Remind me again why I dated an asshole?"

"Because this asshole is the only person you drooled for wearing a cardigan."

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"-you can't possibly be hiding this from him. Yunho, he's your partner for crying out loud-"

"He's my partner. Therefore I get to choose and decide what's best for our relationship."

"You think hiding this is for the best? For someone's boss you truly are stupid!"

"I am still superior to you. If I were you, I'd choose your next words very carefully."

Wooyoung didn't mean to eavesdrop. He simply wanted to surprise Yunho in his office during his lunch break with some dishes he whipped up that morning, knowing that the other had a tough week at work and that he's been sacrificing his meals for one more scan of his files or a quick nap. Plus, Wooyoung always wanted to cook for him, so he tried his best with the meal he made and prayed it tasted alright and suited the other's tastes.

So he decided to visit him and the shouts from the other side of the door caused Wooyoung to pause before he could knock.

Rather than a good meal with Yunho, what he got was something he wasn't supposed to know. And it made him want to know more about it.

Yunho was adamant to keep things honest and real. They had good conversations about their problems and conflicts and worked around it to not leave the other party hanging in the midst of their crisis. Yunho often poured his soul into the things he shared with Wooyoung, and Wooyoung began to rely on his words.

And hearing Yunho and Seonghwa's conversation outside the door of his office made him wonder if it was ever a good choice to be blinded by his sweet words.

Were they even true or did Yunho leave some facts behind?

"I don't care!" Seonghwa belted out in a hushed whisper, as if he was scared others might hear their conversation. Sucks for him, Wooyoung already heard half of it. "Wooyoung deserves to know that you are covering up this mess with you dating someone else that's not him! Don't you think he'll lose it when he hears it in the news? Do you know how that'll break him-"

"I will tell him before it gets worse. This will be a small thing- stunt per say, and it won't ever reach the news. I won't let it." Yunho grunted.

Wooyoung's heart broke. It broke into pieces and continued to shatter into even smaller pieces.

"Still! He deserves to know it! Yunho, he's your boyfriend for christ's sake!"

"I told you, this is my relationship-"

"It's also mine. So you think I don't get to have a say in this?" Wooyoung spoke out and interrupted Seonghwa, the door barely open when he found his voice, hard and firm.

Despite his heart in shatters, he couldn't help but let the spark inside his chest burst into flames upon hearing the two fight over the matters he and Yunho should have talked about.

Both of them looked at Wooyoung with wide eyes as he entered the office, the meal bag tightly held in his hand. He kept his eyes on Yunho's and Seonghwa seemed to have read the room and left quickly and quietly.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Yunho slowly stood up from his chair. "Wooyoung-"

"You decide on things like this without me? What else are there hidden up in your sleeves, Jeong Yunho?"

Wooyoung was baffled. Although he knows Yunho means well, that doesn't necessarily mean he was okay with not knowing matters like these, especially when it concerns both of them.

"I thought we talked about this? We were against hiding things from each other no matter how much we care, no matter how it might end up, no matter how small it is. Where did those endless conversations go?"

Yunho sighed and dared a step closer towards the fuming Wooyoung. "I was trying to protect you."

Wooyoung chuckled at that, dropping the bag hastily beside him. "Protect me from what?"

"From everything that might stain your personality."

"And who are you to decide that for me?"

Yunho fell silent. Looked hurt even. Wooyoung wasn't going for that, all he wanted was for the other to understand that things aren't supposed to be done this way.

"Things can get nasty. These people… They are not exactly the people you would want to interact with, and it requires strategic and planned approaches so that they won't find anything to drag you down with. And letting you come into the picture is like the easiest way for you to fall down with them. I… I can't let them do that to you." Yunho said, finally reaching Wooyoung, maybe a few steps ahead. Close, but still far away.

Wooyoung hated the distance as much as he hated the fire burning in his chest, wanting to grow bigger and spark brighter.

"And you think finding someone as a proxy is a better solution?"

"I have no other choice."

"Then let's break up."

Silence fell as the tension thickened. Wooyoung vividly saw Yunho swallow. "What?" he asked in a whisper.

"If you are so into faking your relationship with someone else just to protect me, then let me go. Besides, what difference does it make?"

"You are breaking up with me for protecting you?"

"I am breaking up with you because you made me feel like I wasn't part of this relationship!" Wooyoung spelled out for him.

"You are-"

"No! You decide for things that clearly concern both of us without bothering to think what I have to say! You kept on thinking about the things you think are best for us without talking to me about it! How is that going to work? Yunho, I am your partner, and you are not my keeper!"

"I don't want you to be ruined like the way they did to others! I cannot taint you with the harsh realities of the world just because you chose to be with me!" Yunho said back.

"I chose you, and all the hell that comes with it!" Wooyoung had enough of it. He didn't want to fight, especially scream. He didn't want to argue with Yunho, but it's obvious that they need a little more strength to get their points across.

"Yunho," Wooyoung sighed, feeling a sore in his throat from all the shouting. "You cannot protect me from the world. You cannot possibly think that I didn't take all of this into consideration when I let you take me out for the first time."

"This is not what I wanted to show you. This is not what I wanted you to know. This is beyond that and most importantly, I don't want you to get hurt in any way."

"We are bound to get hurt in this world. That's just how it works."

"And I'll try to protect you from it-"

Wooyoung shook his head. He closed the space between them and cupped Yunho's cheeks with a free hand, the anger inside him slowly fanning out at the touch of his partner's warmth. "That's not what I wanted. That's not the reason why I wanted to be with you."

"What?" Yunho whispered at the close gap.

"I simply wanted to love you. Give you what I have and show you the love I have learned to live with."

"But what about-"

"I don't care. As long as I have you beside me, I can overcome whatever life throws me. Because you're the only one I need. I'll only feel protected and safe when I'm in your arms."

"Wooyoung."

"You don't have to protect me, Yunho. Just be with me, and we'll face them together."

Warm lips suddenly pressed on his, and Wooyoung almost tumbled backward if it weren't for Yunho's hands on Wooyoung's back as he tried to pull him closer to deepen the kiss. Hands roam and pull, wanting to feel the other's warmth all over, not wanting space to come in between them. It started to get sloppy, lips wanting more and tongues playing; they just kissed and kissed, pulled and pulled. There was nothing gentle about it, and yet both of them craved more, to touch more, to kiss more. As if afraid for the other drift apart, and as if they wanted to let each other know so much that words cannot portray: apologies, understanding, agreeing, and more apologies. But despite the things they wanted the other to feel, only one remained stronger than the rest.

Or a single thought played in their minds like a broken record.

I love you.

Chapter Text

“Please let me see your colors, and I’ll show you mine.”

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Sundays for Wooyoung were usually spent with endless headaches and sore eyes from the hours facing the laptop screen while he tried to think about plans and jot down receipts and reservations for plants and flowers that were good to sell for the season. 

Sundays were filled with loud pop music blaring through his phone or podcasts from random artists he found in his apps just to feel some sort of ‘people presence’ around. To avoid feeling lonely. To forget he lived alone and had no one to reach out to because he was afraid to ask of other people’s time to spend with him. 

So he reached for the artificial presence instead, no matter how sad and lonely it sounded. 

But that was a few years back, and Wooyoung had already forgotten what it felt to be alone. 

Lunchtime had long passed, the evidence of their meals were quickly cleaned and dishes were set aside dry and to continue on with what they left off before they ate. The hot weather that summer had brought led them to opening the apartment’s sliding windows and doors as they waited for the wind to cool them off, not wanting their sweaty skin to stick onto their personal stacks of papers and laptops that took all their attention from each other. The sun was far from setting but had gone from the blazing heat to its soft rays that hang around in the mid-afternoon.

And in the middle of it all, there was Jeong Yunho.

They both settled to have work done on the floor (suggested by Wooyoung) and used the small coffee table that he rarely used before knowing Yunho.

Wooyoung still spent his Sundays trying to figure out the future of his flower shop (much more scary than he'd let on), drowning himself with accounts he wrote for the week about his supplies and demands for certain plants and flowers and planning out his month with the order he had gotten during the week. 

But the routine was slightly changed from having to do them alone (only headaches occupying him most of the time) to Yunho managing to find a permanent spot in Wooyoung's mandatory migraine schedules.

It started with Yunho inviting him out for coffee while letting Wooyoung do his work, to Yunho slowly bringing his laptop with him too (Wooyoung rarely shuts his mouth and Yunho found nothing else to do when the other stuck his nose on his computer). Then Wooyoung invited Yunho over to his apartment to be with him while he worked instead, Yunho then offered to pay to have meals delivered until they got sick of it and led to Wooyoung make them the simplest of meals. Then Yunho bought a coffee machine so it was easier and cheaper to make their gallons of coffee (Wooyoung fought with him the first time it appeared in his apartment, but grew to use it more often and even demanded Yunho to buy more of the good tasting capsules and listing those that weren’t to be purchased) rather than buying them from a nearby cafe. 

Then before they knew it, Sundays started to be something to look forward to than to be dreaded. 

Wooyoung cannot speak for his partner, but he knew his Sundays became extra special because of Jeong Yunho.

Looking beyond his own mess of a laptop and receipts and notebooks and sticky notes, were a small stack of neatly kept folders sat on one corner of the coffee table. Perked on them were packets of manila envelopes that were empty, it’s contents hanging idly on Yunho’s lap as he typed quickly on his own work laptop. 

And beyond the mess was the beauty Wooyoung couldn't still quite believe belonged to him.

Basking in the afternoon sun hitting his face, Wooyoung found himself staring at the scene he would most likely keep within the corners of his heart. Hair softly dancing with the cool breeze, big and focused eyes smoothly transitioning from looking at his files then to his screen, long eyelashes touching his cheeks every time he tried to rest his eyes, face puffed up before letting out a heavy sigh, lips slightly tinted pink from his idle lip-biting, and his loose shirt hanging softly against skin. 

Jeong Yunho was way beyond the words. 

Wooyoung grew up surrounded by love. So much of the love that he once thought he didn’t deserve, until he realized it was the type of love that was selflessly given, not having second thoughts or wanting to get something out of it.

His mother’s encouraging smiles and tender speeches about letting the world around them get a simple taste of the love that it was thirsty from; his father who was not big with words but managed to embrace him with so much security that the little Wooyoung only found himself melting into them. 

It wasn’t the love that asked to be rewarded or to be returned. It wasn’t the love that waited to be acknowledged, then proceeding to boast out the things loving others gained them.

It was the type of love that simply… loved.

His parents knew how to describe the love they have found with each other. His parents knew how to grab words and mush them together to explain to a young, innocent Wooyoung about the love they have treasured so much; the type of love that was irreplaceable, but willing to be covered with something that was worthy too of keeping. 

His parents understood something about love that Wooyoung couldn’t quite yet grasp or explain.

But the longer he stared at Yunho, the more Wooyoung understood that the language he desperately tried to figure out was the language his parents spoke. 

It was merely something not of his.

Because the more he looked at Yunho, the more the colors seemed to speak to him in volumes, bright and captivating. 

Since the day Yunho came crashing into Wooyoung’s life, Wooyoung kept learning about the things that Yunho mindlessly wore on his sleeves, quite similar to how he wore his dark and sleek suit sets. 

Yunho was reliable and unpredictable.

He would be there when Wooyoung invited him over to a flower festival, dressed in colors Wooyoung only dreamt of seeing on him. He will be there carrying his small film camera he bought only days before the event (courtesy of Hongjoong’s instructions and Seonghwa’s nags), holding Wooyoung’s hand tenderly but firm enough to not lose him in the crowd of excited tourists and guests. He would be there to offer Wooyoung water and small bites of food he managed to buy while the other was busy looking and smelling various flowers, staring in awe.

Yunho helped him to be productive.

He would push Wooyoung’s chin away from his phone when he would laze around instead of finishing his work, or he would drag Wooyoung’s ass out of bed after a late night of finishing up his orders for the upcoming days (but there will always be lot of encouraging words afterwards and a nice, hot meal waiting on the dining table as some sort of apology). 

He would urge Wooyoung to finish early so he can rest more and have a deeper sleep later in the evening, but not push any further when Wooyoung had enough of everything.

Yunho was honest.

Save for some mistakes in the past, Yunho told him almost everything Wooyoung asked. He would answer truthfully, not hiding under sweet lies and only deliver the answers Wooyoung needed to hear. 

He was sincere in his actions, giving off a security that Wooyoung had never felt before. 

Yunho was soothing as the calm waves.

He was nostalgic. He was safe. He was serene.

Blue.

Loving Yunho was blue.

There will be times where he was like a sky blue. Reminds you of the deep and husky morning greetings and tender touches, hand holding while sipping on hot coffees and letting time pass by around them. 

The type of blue that brings you to remember about the early drives to work, the chilly breeze of the morning surrounding the car with windows down, the moon still hanging up above and waiting for the sun to fully wake up.

Sometimes it was pale.

The way Yunho would look before leaving Wooyoung alone for more than two weeks because of a business trip, guilty and sorry. 

Or the way Yunho would hold him carefully as Wooyoung cried his heart out on the day of his mother’s birthday. 

Or when Yunho would hold his hand very lightly as they stared at his father's grave, not wanting to make Wooyoung feel his devastation but also not wanting to get lost in his own grief.

Or when Yunho would come to Wooyoung’s apartment without prior notice, slumping and looking small in Wooyoung’s arms as he cried silently about his exhaustion. 

If there's calm, there's also the storm.

Deep and dark blue was intense.

Like the firm hold Yunho would have on Wooyoung during their fights, not enough to hurt but enough to ask him to not leave and silently begging for their problems to be solved. 

Like the deep kisses Yunho would ask for past midnight, hurried but grounding. Hands surrounding him and pressing them closer, not letting air seep through in between their tangled bodies. Lips brushing over delicate skin, feeling his entirety without giving off anything to be anxious about.

Like the tight embrace Yunho gave out after picking him up from the hospital, whispering apologies for not being there when he needed him the most and murmuring gratitude for not letting Wooyoung slip away. Or maybe it was a silent scolding that threatened to slip out just in case words came out wrong.

It was dark and deep and it lures you in, but it was the type that felt right. 

Non-threatening.

Yunho looked up from his laptop and met Wooyoung’s stare, confusion running its course through his face then smiling softly, wide enough for his dimple to show ever so slightly.

Wooyoung's heart pounded through his ears.

In these moments, azure was the most evident.

The shade that gave off a feeling of content and comfort. 

The shade that helped push Wooyoung to achieve greater things, to reach for higher goals. 

The shade that made Wooyoung realize there's more to the world beyond the little space he had for himself.

The shade that gave off trust and responsibility. The shade that is striking to make a statement but not too bright to distract. 

But the longer he stared at Yunho, the more Wooyoung understood that the language he desperately tried to figure out was the language his parents spoke. Not his.

Colors burst out effortlessly, like firecrackers in the midnight sky.

“Why are you staring?” Yunho asked carefully, pushing down the screen of his laptop to take a better look at Wooyoung. “Is everything okay?"

A gentle smile crept up to Wooyoung's lips, then chuckling as he slowly realized the answer to the questions he never bothered to ask. "I never thought red pepper paste looked good on someone."

Yunho narrowed his eyes as if reading into a book he couldn't quite understand, then Wooyoung pushed himself to kneel in front of the table to reach over to brush his thumb over the small speck of red paste near Yunho's lips. "If you wanted a red tint for your lips, I'm pretty sure I have some here." he shrugged.

Only heaven knows how precious it must be to live the rest of their lives with Jeong Yunho on their side. 

But Wooyoung didn't lean back and sat the way he did before. Instead, he stared into those bright eyes, looking deep past his face and got lost into the whirl of emotions he always had reserved only for Yunho. His thumb felt the smooth skin on Yunho's cheeks, then carefully running the pads over the soft, plump lips.

"If you want to kiss me, do it or I'll beat you to it." Yunho whispered quietly, barely letting Wooyoung chuckle before leaning forward and kissing him on the lips.

The position is awkward with the table between them, but Wooyoung got more things to think about rather than focusing on the stiff (and annoying) table.

Yunho kissed him fully, capturing his lips quickly even when Wooyoung tried to reel in a breath. Wooyoung's hands making its way towards Yunho's jaw to press him closer, wanting to take in more of him as if Wooyoung hadn't memorized every curve and bend of Yunho's lips. 

"Have I ever told you that you are so beautiful?" Wooyoung asked when he pushed away from the kiss, only making Yunho dive into the kiss once more and humming as a response.

Their lips danced in a familiar pace, similar to a dance that's quite forgotten but muscle memory brought it back to life. 

Yunho braced a hand on the table to support their weight, and another hand laced through the hairs on the back of Wooyoung's hair. Wooyoung found himself leaning and holding Yunho's hand on the table to provide support mostly for himself, not quite trusting his own body in its weak state as his lips got tangled deeper into Yunho's.

The pace slowed to a halt, their lungs burning at the lack of air but with immense passion. Wooyoung rested his forehead against Yunho's, still moving as they both chased their breaths.

"What's on your mind?" Yunho asked, airy but deep.

"What it's like to love you." 

Yunho paused, leaning a bit back and Wooyoung biting down a whine after watching the expression on the other's face. "What brought you on to thinking about it?"

Wooyoung shrugged, sitting back on his heels before looking up at him. "Nothing. I just… realized how pretty the world is with you in it."

Yunho smiled.

"I realized how wonderful my world became with you in it."

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Jeong Yunho led an empire.

Yunho, the only heir to the throne, was too young and too innocent to maintain the title his father managed to establish. But despite everything else: the stares, gossip and rumors and fake personas; Yunho had the rest of the world on his feet.  

Flourished and empowered it, made it bigger, brighter and better. 

Jeong Yunho had everything, but a life. 

Yunho basically spent his time in suits and ties and shiny dress shoes (and Seonghwa repeatedly telling him he'll be in the casket with the same clothes he wore over and over again).  

Time passed in his world while working from 8 in the morning until the dawn of the following day, stomach filled with espresso shots and small bites of sandwiches and sweets. 

Yunho lived in a world without fun, thinking that it would put a dent in the quality of his work and he would lose the momentum that didn't fail him to succeed.

And that is, until the burst of colors and fragrant smells of flowers encased him without any willingness to break free.

That is, until Jung Wooyoung came in like a familiar memory.

Then suddenly, Jeong Yunho wanted to live.

It started out as a curiosity. 

Checking out an unfamiliar view, eyes adjusting to the contrast of colors the shop had against its background.

Then familiarity. 

The flowers reminded him of the life he used to have back when he was a child; a faint memory that was shoved into the back of his mind just because he had no other use for it.

Then wanting.

He got a taste of the life he lost, and now he wanted to drown in it. He wanted more. He wanted to experience the life he didn't remember or realized that he sacrificed.

Then Jung Wooyoung.

He came into-

No. Jeong Yunho came into his life with the want to break free from his norm.

Jeong Yunho, who had enough ego to withstand and outrank his competitors, with a face so stern and firm and not letting an ounce of uncertainty break free. 

Yunho who had everything but a life, asking someone shyly and nervously, to share a part of his life with him.

And to be quite frank, Yunho had expected the worst.

Because living in such beautiful hues, who would want more from that? Who would want their wonderful life to be tainted and stained with the cruel life Yunho led? Who would want a graze of his life, when all the wonders the world had to offer was right there in the palm of their hands?

But Wooyoung proved his thoughts wrong.

Wooyoung allowed him in.

Wooyoung kissed him.

Wooyoung loved him.

Since then, his world has turned the opposite way.

The whole closet in his room that was used to be filled up to the brim with expensive suits and watches was now separated into two: work suits and casual clothes. 

He managed to have a liking with thick sweatshirts and hoodies, fluffy cardigan with various colors other than black and gray.

He found out that clip-on earrings were a thing too (Wooyoung proudly showing them off then begging with damned puppy eyes for Yunho to try them on), and found out he liked wearing them outside of work where none of his workers and friends would be there to annoy the shit out of him.

(He accidentally forgot to remove them once, and went to work with a thick band around the lobe and it felt like the entire office looked at him crazy and gave off a look of utter disbelief because the Jeong Yunho had a fucking earring.

"Don't fucking scare everyone in the office like that! I thought I was having a nightmare!" Seonghwa belted out after Yunho reached his office, and the comment earned Seonghwa a frown and a week in the stock room.)

His black and white days started to gain more color, a bunch of flowers surprising him every other day in his office or sometimes even in his own home.

Sometimes it was bright and crisp, like red and white roses.

Sometimes it was hydrangeas, big and overwhelming that it took Yunho three large vases to occupy them all.

Sometimes it was subtle and soft, like small bouquets of baby breaths in the early Tuesday morning.

And on rare occasions, it was a singular, simple flower. A sunflower sitting proudly on its own on a vase delivered together, looking up and following the rays of the sun as the afternoon strolled.

The flowers reminded him of the life Wooyoung let him have, let him keep. The flowers were the representation of the colors he asked to take a glimpse of, and made him think that Wooyoung had offered and given him so much more than he asked of.

Jung Wooyoung showed him love.

Wooyoung would probably argue that it was Yunho who gave out so much of it into his life, but Yunho thought otherwise.

It was Wooyoung who taught him how to love.

It was Wooyoung who made Yunho think that it was worth it to show off the love he didn’t know resided in him. 

Coming home from work used to be an uneventful yet a mandatory part of his life. He would only come home for a few hours, only to sleep in a comfortable bed and nothing else, and would stay for no more than 5 hours inside before going out to work some more. 

Going home was full of routines that he was told to appreciate, because there will be a time he’d long for it when it was already gone.

But going home was nothing to Yunho. It was nothing but a simple task he was forced to do just for the sake of his friends’ sanity.

Until Jung Wooyoung painted his life with colors Yunho grew to love.

Today was one of the days where Yunho chose to finish his work as soon as possible and as fast as he could, no matter what time he’ll be able to finish, whether that will be very late at night or very early in the morning.

Work was a part of himself already, not really minding how much it occupied his time, but he still hated the disturbances that got in his way to finishing everything early.

Because Wooyoung chose to stay the night in his apartment, despite Yunho not being there, claiming that he needed to use his large kitchen for a new recipe he wanted to try, but Yunho knew that the other simply missed him despite his claims against it.

Because that meant Yunho would be coming home to him.

Knowing that Wooyoung preferred to wake up late during his free days, Yunho quietly laid down his bag and shook off his shoes, then carefully dropping his keys near the front door before sliding through the hallways that were illuminated by the late morning sun. 

He expected to see the wide area empty, probably save for some dishes Wooyoung would leave for the night in hopes of gaining motivation to wash them the following morning (but he never did, so Yunho would save himself from the whines and just did the dishes without a word but the faintest of smile on his face because it was a sign of Wooyoung inside his home). 

But what welcomed him was the humming presence of Wooyoung, busying himself with watering the plants decorating Yunho’s large glass windows.

“Look at you, bright and proud! Have you all been doing well, hm?” He said smiling, voice soft as if he was talking to a sleeping child.

Wooyoung had chosen to give Yunho those plants that varied in sizes and shapes, in colors and heights. 

Some were from the first few weeks they dated when Wooyoung had no idea what to give Yunho who- he said- ‘had everything’. 

Some were given because stocks were too much and piling up his stockroom and simply decided to let Yunho have them. 

Some were plants Yunho potted and grew himself in the shop, and Wooyoung coming to his door with the brightest smile and the most twinkling eyes, showing off the well-grown plant.

But really, all of them had Wooyoung’s print on them: taken care of with words of encouragement and showered with genuine love and happiness. 

And Yunho won’t have it in any other way.

So he simply leaned on the wall beside him, crossing his arms and watched Wooyoung, who still hasn’t taken note of his presence within his own home and continued to water the plants carefully and tried to avoid any spills or splashes on the carpeted floor. 

He was wearing a large cardigan he got from a thrift store near that one time they got lost in the city, under that was a simple white undershirt that Yunho knew was from his closet. Partnered with plaid pajamas that was too long that it almost covered his feet. 

And in front of them was the glass window that served like a wall, letting the gentle touch of the sun reach the room and bathed the room with its glory. And the silhouette of the person he loved most was perfect to say the least, a smile that was much more blinding than the sun hiding from Yunho’s view.

Yunho was the one who came into Wooyoung’s life, but it was Wooyoung who crashed Yunho’s life.

Beyond his sharp words and sneers and sarcasm, was the most genuine and precious heart one could only wish to have. 

Like that one time he cursed at Yunho and called him stupid for accidentally breaking off a rose stem and led Yunho’s finger to bleed, but was hurriedly grabbing the small emergency kit he stashed away under the cashier counter and nursing the wound very gently (but smacking Yunho by the back of the head after making sure the bandage was secure).

Even when he shared that he couldn’t care less about the future of his flower shop, Yunho did notice how much he gave all his efforts into making sure each flower was fresh before being delivered, or if the plants he was selling were full of life and plump and happy. 

He was energetic and cheerful. Wooyoung thought it was seen as aggressive and careless, but really, he had this energy he carried effortlessly, the type of energy that draws people in and joins him in the fun.

Wooyoung was optimistic, even in circumstances where people ought to just give up, he never let himself give in. 

Wooyoung was warm. In presence, in hugs and kisses, in companionship, in relationship. He was warm and welcoming like the sun.

He has this confidence only he can achieve, rising above everyone else and at times, even above the Jeong Yunho who owned the empire. He was creative and smart, proudly showing off the newly designed shop he did by himself because he was bored or smiling wide at the perfect accounting he did that took him hours to finish and earned him a few gray hairs. 

He had the willingness to grow and outgrow, to learn and unlearn, to move forward while glancing back from where he started.

And the moment Yunho saw the sunflower sitting proudly on his dining table, did he only realize how much Wooyoung had painted his walls with the colors of his own.

And upon realizing that, Yunho started to make mental notes of how much of these hues captivated him in their daily lives.

The first shade he saw was when Wooyoung was acting stubborn and not wanting to get out of bed and get to work; whining and making all these cute noises and luring Yunho back on the bed, holding his wrists tight to prevent him from moving farther away. 

Then it was when Wooyoung ran away from his grip and laughed out loud as he tried to lose Yunho in the crowd of cheerful people. 

Or when Wooyoung doodled at the corner of Yunho’s files and notebook and he had to fold them quietly so his business partners won’t notice the three small flowers drawn at the corner of the sheet.

It was playful and high-spirited. It was bright and jolly. It was…

It was comfortable and warm.

Next shade: it was light and clear.

The one that doesn’t need words. The one that simply eases your mind and soul upon feeling it, upon seeing him.

When Wooyoung would wordlessly coax him into getting ready for bed, gentle hands guiding him towards the room and pulling up covers up to his chin.

Or when he would sneak in a couple of flowers into Yunho’s suitcase and Yunho would only see them the moment he would open the bag in another country, bring small tears in his eyes about how adorable and soft the action was.

The same shade that would remind Yunho of the time when Wooyoung would cook and Yunho was instructed to simply wait (because the last time he offered to help, almost lost all of his fingers trying to slice onions). So he waited, and watched. With every stir, with every slice and dice, with every taste test, with every sprinkle of spices; Yunho found himself smiling at the image of Wooyoung with the subtle hint of the color oozing out of him.

But there will also be instances when the color was… strong.

Passionate. Bold. Fierce. Daring.

It was the shade that Yunho loved the most. Because it showed the side of Wooyoung that he was afraid to show, but the side he was the most willing to change even when there was nothing wrong about it. 

The strong color showed Wooyoung how deep he could love and show affection. How much he cared and how much his heart aches. 

The tint that can be seen in the locked room in the dark night, hands feeling numb and turning white as if he was afraid to let Yunho slip away. Kisses that were longing and desperate, not caring if it came out sloppy or the force was a little too hard than usual.

Fierce like the way Wooyoung handled things when he knew was way out of line, like the time when buying a rare but beautiful flower Wooyoung worked so hard to pay for. The seller was demanding more of the price he had agreed with Wooyoung earlier in the week, saying something about a ‘raise in demand’. But Yunho didn’t have the chance to give the old, horrible and annoying old man a piece of his mind, since Wooyoung knew how to fight for himself.

(And maybe Yunho had loved him even more at that point.)

But then, when Yunho thought he had seen it all, Wooyoung would burst another shade out of his pockets. 

Just like this view of Wooyoung peacefully taking care of the plants in Yunho’s apartment.

This… This was golden.

Striking and royal. Brilliant and fluorescent.

The hue that strikes with great attention to detail. The hue that was glowing perfectly and gorgeously. 

With the sun hitting his sharp features that Yunho grew to love and the marks he had memorized over the years, the color was ringing in Yunho’s ears and running through his mind, wandering and waiting to be called out.

Citrine. Clear. Powerful. Golden. 

Yellow.

When Wooyoung turned to water the small cactus left behind, he finally saw Yunho leaning against the wall, out of his coat and simply staring at him. He was not even surprised. Only let a smile hang on his lips as he greeted Yunho.

And Yunho’s heart failed him, beating hard and fast.

The sudden urge to scream filled his lungs, making it slightly harder to breathe and his knees to weaken and wobble. Making his fingers to twitch and blood to rise up to his cheeks and ears.

And in the moment, Yunho realized he wanted more of it.

“Hey.” Wooyoung called out, straightening a little before bending forward again to water the little plant. “Have you eaten? I just got up and wanted to water them first before making anything, so tell me what you want and I’ll see what I can do.” 

Yunho grew up with love that protected him from the dangers of the harsh realities of the world. 

But he also grew up with the type of love that showed him how to lead that harsh and dangerous world, not wanting the people to trample him and helped him to want a better life.

But soon enough, he had forgotten about the love that ceased to exist, getting overwhelmed by the world to care more about it.

Wooyoung noticed Yunho barely moving from his spot and still hadn't replied to his questions, standing up straight and Yunho saw how large the cardigan was on him, making him look smaller and warmer. “Yunho?” he asked carefully.

Wooyoung grew up with love that wanted him to help change the dangerous world outside his comfort. But also grew up in the love that was too pure and innocent and too trusting.

Wooyoung showed off the type of love that Yunho could only remember watching in movies back when he was a child. He gave the love Yunho couldn’t actually think he deserved to feel and accept, no matter how much he worked hard for it, no matter how much time had passed.

“Yunho? Are you okay-”

“Marry me.”

The love that was endless, timeless and effortless. 

The words came out smooth but weak, barely even a whisper but enough for Wooyoung to freeze and drop the watering can from his hand to the short distance between the floor. “What?”

Yunho pushed himself from the wall, dropping his things on the floor as he dared to make a move forward. “Marry me.”

The look on Wooyoung’s face was confused and disoriented, but his eyes were begging him to say more. So Yunho did.

“I… I really am not good with words, unless I am in a conference room and in front of a bunch of dudes and ladies that cared about nothing but the zeroes in their bank accounts.” There was a curl at the corner of Wooyoung’s lips. Yunho continued. “Really, I am in no way good at expressing my feelings or even knowledgeable at understanding them. I just… feel and trust my gut and heart and hope for the best.”

One more step closer.

“And I have been thinking about it for a while. I may have spat out the words carelessly but, fuck, I have thought of it way more than I have ever planned on making my next strategic move for the company. Because…”

Yunho studied Wooyoung’s expression.

Confused, but fond.

“Because it’s you.”

Wooyoung chuckled the same time Yunho took in another breath.

“It’s you. I have wanted you since the beginning, wanting you to encase me in your colors that you effortlessly gave and made. I have thought about long and hard and the decision was easy because you made it easy.”

Wooyoung made loving easy.

“You painted these bright colors in my life, and when I thought you have given me all that I deserve, you gave me more. More than I wanted, more than I deserved, more than I prayed and wished for. You made life worth living.”

Jung Wooyoung was the reason Yunho started to have a life.

“And… it would kill me to even think if I have to live a life without you in it, when you were the one you gave me the reason to enjoy life and thank it.”

"I never had those colors to begin with." 

"Even if I have them, I have no reason to bring them out anymore."

“You gave me a reason to show off a side of me I forgot I possessed. You made life more colorful. Wonderful. You made my life bright and golden and warm and everything was just better with you in it. Because you are in it.”

Loving Wooyoung was yellow.

“So please. Even if all I have to offer is a lifetime of hugs and kisses and the life you, yourself, made colorful.” 

Yunho looked at Wooyoung with determination and passion and confidence. But he knew Wooyoung would look past that and simply wanted to see the side of him that hid from everybody else. 

“Marry me, Jung Wooyoung. And I’ll be eternally grateful to be yours.”

Wooyoung stared for a few beats before turning fully towards Yunho’s direction.

And then Yunho barely caught himself when Wooyoung crashed his lips on Yunho, making him stumble backwards at the force but was quick to return the eagerness, despite the frantic beating of his heart.

Wooyoung’s lips were warm despite the fingers on Yunho’s nape being icy cold. He kissed Yunho hard and desperate and so much love, and Yunho simply kissed back, bracing Wooyoung and pressing closer to him; the thought of his unanswered proposal started to become fuzzy and hazy.

It was deep and short, and Wooyoung pulled while leaning back slightly, taking in Yunho’s face with his delicate fingers and smiled with the widest grin Yunho always loved seeing, especially when he was the one who caused it.

Yellow.

“God only knows how much I’ve waited for you to say those words.” he whispered, and the stone that pressed on Yunho’s heart was suddenly thrown out the window.

Yunho laughed, feeling lighter than he could ever be, and hugging Wooyoung closer and burying his face on the crook of his neck. “So? Will you let me?”

He felt Wooyoung chuckle, pushing him away. Yunho pouted at the break of contact, but smiled nonetheless.

Because it was Wooyoung.

Everything was worth it with him.

“Ask the right question and maybe I'll give you the proper answer.”

Yunho smiled.

Wooyoung was bright, colorful and golden.

He was beautiful and precious, and Yunho would love to boast to the world how wonderful he is.

“Marry me?”

Yunho’s breath hitched at the smile Wooyoung gave him, the sun capturing it perfectly with the shades of the flowers touching his skin ever so slightly, the faint scent of earth and lavender hanging onto him.

Wooyoung is all Yunho ever wanted love to be.

“Yes.”