Work Text:
Donghyuck entered the flower shop frowning, cursing himself for not asking a pic. How was he supposed to tattoo something he didn't know existed?
He crouched down, reading some of the tags, hoping to somehow remember the name of that damn flower.
“Can I help you ?” A voice called from behind.
Donghyuck stood up, looking at Mark with wide eyes.
“Yeah, uhm… Do you have At… Atru...ium? Atrium ?”
Mark giggled, “Absolutely not, an atrium is a piece of architecture. Here is not the right place.”
Donghyuck could feel his cheeks burning, “Fuck, I– That’s a flower I’ve literaly never seen, and someone asked me for a tattoo of it–”
“Oh! You’re the tattoo artist from across the street !” Mark exclaimed, his face lighting up. “I’ve seen your drawings on the window, they’re really amazing !”
“Ah, thank you…” Donghyuck scratched his neck.
“Anyway, I think the flower you’re looking for is an anthurium.”
“Yes, that’s it! Damn, you’re pretty and smart, that’s not fair.”
It was Mark’s turn to be embarrassed as he spun around, mumbling something about checking the back.
~*~
"Hey, you bleached your hair, Flower boy?"
Donghyuck leaned over the counter, plopping his head on his hand.
Mark raised an eyebrow, "I have a name, you know?"
"Actually I don't, you never told me."
He showed the badge on his apron, "It's written right here."
"Oh. Well hi Mark, I'm Donghyuck! But Flower Boy suits you better."
"Hi Donghyuck, how did you even notice I changed hair color when you saw me only once?" Mark asked.
Donghyuck shrugged, "You were so pretty with your dark hair, how could I not notice you?"
"If you came here to flirt with me, please stop, I have work to do." Mark rolled his eyes.
"No, actually I have something for you." Donghyuck said, taking something in a pouch Mark didn't notice. "Here, you said last time you liked my drawing, and since you helped me with this one…"
It was a beautiful drawing—of an anthurium, of course—, printed on some glossy paper.
Mark couldn't help feeling jealous of the person who had this drawing on their body. He often considered getting a tattoo from Donghyuck. Since he settled in across the street, he's been admiring his drawings.
"That's amazing, thank you." He smiled warmly, hugging the print against his heart.
~*~
"Are you tattooing another flower?"
Donghyuck settled down some lavender flowers, "No, I like how they smell. And since my parlor smells like cleaning stuff, I thought it'd be nicer to have flowers."
Mark nodded, "You're making a good choice, then."
~*~
Donghyuck would come every week to buy a new bouquet of lavender.
If he'd bought any flowers, Mark would have understood. But lavender is the kind of flower that lasts a long time, they shouldn't wither in a week.
" Are you taking good care of your flowers?"
"Uh?"
"You're buying new ones often." Mark stated, tying a ribbon around the flowers. "They're not supposed to fade this quick. Or they're not for your shop?" Mark gasped, "Are they for someone?"
He noticed Donghyuck blushing slightly, and he laughed.
"I knew it! They are lucky that you buy them flowers every week."
Donghyuck just laughed along.
Mark was right, he's buying the flowers for someone.
But he won't admit that said someone was Mark, and that the flowers were only an excuse to come see him.
~*~
One afternoon, when coming back to the flower shop, Mark found a bouquet of iris on the counter, laying there.
"What's this?"
"Someone left them for you." Renjun informed,
"Who?"
"I don't know him."
Mark took the flowers, noticing a card among them.
I don't know what your favorite flowers are,
but these reminded me of you.
Pretty both in dark and light colors.
Mark's gaze drifted across the street, feeling his heart getting warm.
~*~
Donghyuck didn't expect Mark to step in his tattoo parlor on a Wednesday afternoon.
He didn't expect him to put a tulip on the counter either.
And he certainly didn't expect what Mark asked him.
"I'd like an appointment."
Donghyuck almost choked on his soda, "You what? You? Want a tattoo?"
"Yes?"
"I'll be honest I never thought you'd be the type of person to get tattoos."
"I'm full of surprises!" Mark pushed the tulip toward Donghyuck, "I heard you preferred to draw with a model, so I brought you one."
Donghyuck snorted as he took his datebook, "Flower boy getting a flower tattoo, how unexpected." He flipped through the pages, pouting. "Someone canceled their appointment this afternoon, so I have three hours free. If we're fast enough on deciding how you want your tattoo, I can do it today."
Mark smiled, "I trust you to draw something nice, as always."
~*~
Mark nervously grabbed the bottom of his shirt, staring at Donghyuck's hands.
"You okay? We don't have to do that today if you don't feel good."
"No, I don't know when I'll have time after today. I'm a bit nervous, but I'm fine."
"Okay. As you want." Donghyuck moved his tattoo machine near Mark's arm, trying to catch his eyes. "It's going to sting a bit, but I need you to stay as still as possible, alright? Tell me if you need a break."
Mark nodded and closed his eyes, waiting for Donghyuck to start. He flinched when he felt the needle piercing his skin, and he squeezed his shirt tighter.
It was bearable, but he had to admit it hurt more than he expected.
"So I guess your favorite flowers are tulips?" Donghyuck asked, trying to distract him. "Mine are sunflowers."
"Yeah? I'll bring you some in summer." Mark giggled.
"How nice. Though I hope you'll come see me sooner."
~*~
Donghyuck was about to get paid, when he noticed a sunflower on the counter.
He read the card attached to it, suddenly ignoring his client.
I promised you to bring some! :)
Are you free tonight? I'd like to give you more in person.
(yes, it's a date)