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When Beau woke up that morning, he figured his day would be normal - go to classes, meet up with friends, do homework, catch a swim, run some errands, and so on.
That did not include hiding behind a display after seeing a certain blond doctor at the grocery store.
Thank goodness the man hadn’t noticed him awkwardly standing there, as his heart thrummed loudly in his chest.
Beau wasn’t sure how long he was there, alternating between sneaking glances, outright staring, and cautiously looking around, but he tripped over his feet and nearly knocked the display over when a familiar voice sounded behind him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Mina said as her arm quickly wrapped around him.
“Ah… no… that’s fine…”
There’s no way Mina didn’t know what he was doing. She soon confirmed as much.
“I think you should be more direct with him, next time.”
Surely, sending a bouquet to the man in question counted as direct, right?
Even if he scrubbed every little sign that it was from him, right?
Beau circled the coffee table, analyzing the flower arrangement. Huge, radiant blooms of dwarf sunflowers were surrounded by slender branches covered in bursts of vivid yellow acacia flowers, brightening the icy blue walls of his bedroom, filling the air with a sweet aroma. They brought their intended recipient to mind, matching his brilliant blond hair.
Besides, it wouldn’t be a big deal if the man figured out they were from him, right?
After all, Beau and his dad had gotten a lot of flowers from friends, coworkers, neighbors… and yes, the doctor and his siblings too. Anyways, it wasn’t like he’d see through the adoration and massive crush meanings of the flowers… right?
Somehow, Beau could already see Mina shaking her head in resignation.
“Is that a stake in your pants or are you happy to see me?”
What kind of idiot was he, standing in the Cullen house - in front of the doctor - dropping a stupid vampire joke like that ?
How the hell did Beau think that was a good idea?
Oh right - he wasn’t thinking. Not beyond his stupid crush.
Just as Beau was about to apologize, a soft chuckle echoed through the room.
“I am always quite happy to see you, verculum.”
Blood rushed to his face as Beau took in the vampire - the teasing glint in his eyes, the amused smile playing on his lips, the soft expression aimed his way.
It was too much.
Beau awkwardly fled the room… only to run into Mina, who he apologized to before quickly leaving the house.
It wasn’t until later that night, that Beau remembered what the doctor called him.
Verculum. Springtime?
Mina had told him to be direct, so Beau was finally going to do that.
No more hiding, no vague hints, and absolutely no dumb vampire jokes.
No, this time, he was going to find the doc- Carlisle and… well, he’d figure it out.
So there he was - standing in the hospital lobby. He’d find Carlisle’s office, greet him, and hand over the file that Mina had given him. It was a solid, foolproof plan!
…or so Beau thought until he rounded the corner after hearing the doctor’s smooth voice and saw him deep in conversation with a pair of really beautiful women.
As Beau stood there, staring at the aesthetically attractive trio, his eyes drifted to the window beside him. In its reflection was a tall, bespectacled teenage boy - not unattractive, but also not a standout. Every bit, the nerdy, boring, friend of the family.
Someone who didn't match.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Even without his glasses, Beau could feel Mina’s concerned gaze from across the sauna.
“Yeah - totally fine. I figured something out!”
He wasn’t lying - he really did have the perfect method of flirting in hand.
Beau appreciated Mina’s support, but he was sure it would all work out.
…
There was no way this could work out.
In his dreams, ice shards reflected hidden truths that the mists sought to cover.
Beau would find Carlisle - the Guardian of the Wood and the King of the Fae alike - and effortlessly seduce him.
A bridal veil, a brilliant smile, an iridescent flower… then cool hands, deft fingers, a carnal fullness, and an erotic dance that spiraled away.
A sensual union in every way.
In reality, though, an awkward teenager playing dress-up was all the ice reflected.
That was all Beau needed to know. This would never work out.
Beau was at the Cullens' house, waiting for Edward, when Mina showed up with a small smile on her face.
"These are for you."
She handed him a beautiful bouquet and left. Confused, Beau looked over the violet petals of vervain and American cowslip and the pastel pink ranunculus blooms. A strange heat in his chest had him reaching for his phone.
That… that couldn’t be right.
Enchantment, divine beauty, and radiance… with his charms???
Following his instincts, Beau navigated his way to the library and found Carlisle seated before the fireplace. Upon seeing him, the man set his book down.
"Good afternoon, Beauregard."
As Carlisle headed his way, Beau found himself blushing and staring at the floor as he awkwardly stumbled over his words.
“Did you…? But these are…? And I'm not-”
Graceful hands cradled his face as cool lips pressed gently against his own.
"You are, meum verculum."