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Exer sighed, letting himself sink down onto the counter of his shop. His face fell into his hand, smooshing his cheek as he did. Today had been a rather slow day for the flower shop he worked at– something he pursued once he had accidentally exploded his dad’s car with his magic… Yeah, he was still trying to make up for that. It wasn't all too bad, working after school ended. He had an extensive amount of knowledge of flowers and plants, and it's a hobby he'd always quite loved and found calming.
When Exer heard the bell ring he was thrown off of his train of thought. Because of the cafe right next store, his usual customers were guys about to meet their dates. So, when he instead saw a distraught and puffy-eyed blonde boy he was rather shocked. The boy looked side to side before hiding his face with his hand and sniffling. Exer frowned as he rushed to greet the taller boy.
“Are– you okay?” Exer asked hesitantly as he took a closer look at him. The blonde's blue eyes glistened with tears as he took a shaky breath to respond.
“Y-Yeah I'm okay.” He mumbled while he wiped his tears with his tear-stained sleeve. Exer hadn't looked convinced, crossing his arms and looking away. He had never been great at comforting. He contemplated what to do before he slowly wrapped his arm around the boy's back to lead him into the back. He took note of the way the boy had slightly faltered from the touch before melting into Exer’s embrace. The blonde followed him hesitantly, sniffling and blinking away tears as they did so.
When they had made it to the back, Exer had poured the boy a latte as well as his own. Exer handed him the mug and he took it reluctantly. But as soon as he took a sip, his eyes lit up ever so slightly. “This is actually... really good.”
“Hidden talent.” Exer shrugged. He watched as the blonde held the mug close for warmth and his breathing became calmer. “Do you-- want to talk about it?” When the blonde looked up at him, Exer suddenly felt his face warm up. “Um.. if you want to..”
The boy sighed. “I was supposed to go to my dad’s wedding today..” He looked away, holding his breath before he continued. “And.. well he hurt me.. really bad. But it's also my dad, and his fiancé is really nice.. so It felt wrong not to show up, y'know? I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Especially since my mom and sister said no. ” He rubbed his thumb on the handle of the mug. “But today, right before I was about to leave he rung our phone and was like: “Can you buy us extra flowers, we don't have any for the cake table.” So now I was feeling extra shitty– but obviously I said yes.” The blonde held the mug to his face as he looked down. “But the snow is killing my mom's car, I don't even think I'll get there on time– I guess part of me just missed him being my dad?-- and now I'm crying about this to a total stranger–”
Exer felt himself cut off the boy before thinking against it. “Geez your dad sounds like an asshole.” Exer’s eyebrows furrowed. “Wait here.”
The blonde watched as Exer grabbed a bunch of flowers In his hand before coming back and handing them to him. The boy looked down at the bouquet.
“For your dad's wedding, on the house." He smiled. “Geraniums symbolize stupidity, Basil is hatred, Hydrangea symbolizes heartless, and Peony is shame." The blonde felt himself choke back a laugh as he smiled, looking over at all the flowers. “Basically it means “fuck you." What kind of dad makes their son buy his wedding flowers?” Exer huffed.
The boy laughed despite himself, taking one of the flowers and touching its petals.
“And one last thing,” Exer smiled, carefully placing a small rose in his shirt pocket. “For you,” He flushed. “I hope you get to have fun, anyway.”
“Thank you..” The boy flushed, looking away to hide his red face. “I.. should get going. Thanks--” He spoke softly, walking towards the door. “For everything.” He smiled at Exer before opening the door. Exer watched as the bell rang again while the boy stuffed his hands in his coat pocket, walking towards his car.
He sighed, resting his head in his hand again, leaning on the counter, staring at the door as the boy walked away.
—
“Then he smiled at me, and--"
Marco rolled his eyes.“And then he had to go before you got the chance to ask for his name.” He sighed, watering the numerous plants and bushes.
Dylan groaned from the back. “Yes, very tragic. You haven't stopped talking about it since It happened.”
...
Exer was too preoccupied with trimming the bushes to hear the bell ring. The blonde slowly walked In, eyes lighting up as he caught a glimpse of Exer. Exer must have noticed his glance because he blushed, smiling brightly, and jumped over the counter to greet him.
“It's you!” Exer beamed as he walked closer.
He smiled back at him. “It's me.” The boy looked up at Exer’s flower crown. “That looks cute!”
“Thanks, I got bored..” Exer grinned, lifting his arm up to touch its leaves. “Wait- I have the perfect one for you.” He reached to grab a daisy flower crown from the counter. He giggled as he placed it down on the blonde's hair.
The boy laughed nervously. “How do I look?”
“It looks good, I think It suits you." He smiled, taking In the way the white of the daisies mixed with his blonde hair.
He hummed before pulling out a plastic bag from his jacket pocket. Pulling out a small pot from the grocery bag, he handed Exer the small flower pot. “I got this for you–” He blushed. “To say thank you for the other day.”
Exer took the pot in his hands, staring down In awe. “You didn't have to..”
The blonde shrugged. “I wanted to, mysterious .”
“Exer.” He smiled.
The boy nodded. “I have to go but..” He looked side to side before swiftly kissing Exer’s cheek. “Read the label.” He whispered shyly, opening the glass door once more.
As the bell rang shut, Exer looked down at the note, face growing warmer.
xxx-xxx
Wanna go to the cafe sometime?
- David