Work Text:
Niki loved working at the flower shop. It provided a nice distraction of what was going on in the server, her own little safe haven. No one went into the flower shop to commit an act of war. Not even an extremely dangerous mercenary.
None of this helped her relax the first time Punz entered the shop. Puffy wasn't here today so Niki was on her own. She could handle this herself but the moral support would have been nice. Contrary to her expectation the mercenary didn't look particularly murderous. Punz looked nervous. She tilted her head to the side, her body relaxing slightly but not lowering her guard. She would never make such a mistake again.
"Can I help you?", Niki asked, when it became apparent Punz wasn't going to begin talking.
"I...yeah. I'd like to buy flowers."
Niki barely repressed an eye-roll at that, what else would he be here for? "Yeah, I figured. Any specific reason, or do you already have a specific flower in mind?"
Punz ducked his head at that and she would later swear he had blushed, not at all resembling the deadly man she knew from the battlefield. She couldn't catch his mumbled answer, so she asked him to repeat himself.
"Chrysanthemums," he answered. Niki turned around to hide her smile as she registered the words, fully aware of the implications of buying chrysanthemums for someone. Punz liked someone. It wasn't her place to pry, but she couldn't quite help her curiosity. Punz didn't offer any sort of explanation and they parted ways before Niki had gathered the courage to just ask him.
---
Punz came back a few days later, a new spring in his step, making her believe the flowers were well received. Niki allowed herself to grin at him, "Am I allowed to know who the lucky recipient of the flowers was?"
She had been contemplating asking him the last couple of days and her curiosity had won over her politeness. She didn't feel bad about it, if she was honest with herself.
This time she could definitely see him blushing and was rather disappointed to see him shaking his head.
A few minutes later she watched the door close behind Punz, a bouquet of lilacs gripped tightly into his hand. Niki was sure she would see him again soon but somehow she wasn't as upset about it as she should. He was bad wasn't he?
---
The next time Punz came by, Puffy was there as well. Puffy immediately stepped in front of Niki, a gesture she both adored and scoffed at. It felt nice to know someone cared.
Nonetheless, she pushed the sheep hybrid aside, who sent her a sharp look. She had a customer to attend to. Punz wanted red roses this time.
---
The next time the two saw each other was a lot more tense. Sometimes she forgot they were on different sides of the war. Punz stood behind Dream, while Dream once again berated Wilbur and his followers for their desire for independence. Niki honestly wasn't all that interested, she supported Wilbur because he was her friend, not because she thought he was right.
Dream's tone had become more threatening suddenly and her eyes instinctively moved back to him, before widening. Just behind his ear, there was a small braid, a lilac interwoven within it. Once she looked at Punz she realized the signs she had missed, the way Punz slightly leaned towards Dream, his eyes flicking back and forth from their weapons to Dream.
---
Later that day, Punz had paid Niki a visit. Not for flowers this time. She briefly wondered if he had realized she had connected the dots but quickly dismissed the thought. She and Punz had previously made plans to meet up. Seeing as Punz always exactly knew what types of flowers he wanted, she had asked him about his knowledge. Turns out when he wasn't busy doing his jobs he tended to bees, something that was closely linked to flowers.
It was awkward at first, communicating with Punz, knowing that he was romantically involved with someone who would probably love to kill most of her friends. Not to mention, that Punz would probably help him if he asked. But eventually the two had settled down in Punz's bee dome, the pleasant buzz of satisfied bees filling her ears.
"Why him?", she asked, endlessly curious and afraid at the same time. Punz barely reacted to the words, not moving from his position. He laid on his back, looking towards the sky and with his eyes closed.
"Why are you friends with Wilbur? He started a drug business on Dream's property."
"That's different. Also, can you really say Dream is any better?"
Punz chuckled then and sat up, waving away her anger as he sent her a smile. "Sorry, I just wanted to make a point. I don't want to argue. What I'm trying to say is that we don't choose who we fall in love with", and before Niki could speak up again, anger suddenly flowing in her chest, he added "both romantically and platonically."
Satisfied with the addition Niki slumped back against the tree, mulling over his words in her head. She did love Wilbur as a dear friend. But she also loved Puffy, although in a completely different way. And yet, she had never actively chosen to do so. It had just happened.
They let themselves fall into a comfortable silence after that. The last words Niki heard before she fell asleep sent a pang to her chest.
"Sometimes I wish it was someone else"
---
Edelweiss had been the latest flowers Punz had bought. She had smiled when she had given him the bouquet. He looked so happy. It didn't matter that they were technically enemies. She was allowed to feel happy that a friend of hers had fallen in love.
The remaining hours of the day went by in a blur, and in no time she found herself packing away for the day. She looked forward to a quiet evening spent with Puffy and preferably a lot of hot chocolate. Then the bell of the shop rang, indicating the entrance of one last customer.
It was Dream. Maybe he wants to know where Punz gets his flowers?
She cannot discern his face, as it his obscured by his face mask but the following words make her smile drop instantly.
"I'd like daffodils, please."
---
Niki is glad that she got to spend her evening with Puffy, glad that she missed the big showdown. Dream is in prison now.
And Punz hasn't visited her shop ever since.