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A small bell jingled overhead as Yang walked through the open entryway of the local florist. She actually had to duck on her way in to dodge a stray sunflower arcing across the head of the doorway.
“Just a minute!” came a call from the room behind the counter, leaving Yang to breathe in the rich earthy aroma. The place was empty aside from her, but it was absolutely bursting with life. All sorts of different flowers were crammed into the room. Some individual groupings, with others in select premade arrangements and bouquets.
Yang paced around slowly, casting an eye over the abundant selection of offerings. She loved the brightness of daffodils and sunflowers, but she did have an awful soft spot for roses.
In truth, she was hardly here for the flowers.
Yang was here for the florist herself. A girl that’d been on Yang’s mind for what felt like forever. She couldn’t remember what her life was like before they’d met. Yang was absolutely crazy for her, head over heels, at extreme risk of letting loose a dreamy sigh if anyone even dared to bring her up in conversation. The one and only, Blake Belladonna.
Right on queue, Blake came through from the back. She immediately lit up as soon as she caught sight of her customer.
“Oh, Yang, it’s you! What’s my favourite customer looking for today?”
“Well, I’m looking for a gift. I was hoping for something personalised. ”
Blake drummed her fingers on the countertop. “Alright, I can handle that. Did you have anything in mind, or…?”
Yang caught herself scratching the back of her head. “Well, that’s what I need my favourite florist for. You’re the expert, right?”
“That I am,” Blake smiled at Yang, and then led her through the shop to pick out flowers for the bouquet. She made sure Yang only got the top quality, freshest, healthiest looking flowers.
“So, Yang. Who’s this gift for, what’s the occasion?”
“It’s for a date. Tonight, hopefully.”
“A date, how exciting!” Blake put back some dark orchids, and picked up some bright tulips instead.
“How do you feel about your date?”
“Excited, why?” Yang replied with a beaming smile, and a curious tilt of her head.
“Because all these flowers have a meaning, beyond just being pretty. Your answers determine what goes in the bouquet. And speaking of, I meant how do you feel about the person you’re meeting. What do you want them to know? How do you feel about them?”
“I want her to know that…” Yang paused for a moment, taking an opportunity to truly think about her words. This was important. “I want her to know that I care about her. More than anything else in the world.”
“She sounds like a lucky girl.” Blake said, as she added a large sunflower.
“I think I’m the lucky one. She’s quite the catch.”
Blake didn't let Yang catch her rolling her eyes. “I think a sunflower is a good fit. Since they’re so big, too many can overpower the rest of the bouquet, but just one can symbolise your devotion. A sunflower is only committed to one thing, the sun, and so it turns its head to face the sun as it moves through the sky. I’m sure you don’t need me to explain how that fits you and your girlfriend.”
She led Yang to another section of her shop, before stopping and swivelling on her heel.
“Speaking of, this special girl, does she have a favourite colour?”
Yang gulped. “Well. She typically wears darker colours, but she really likes me too, so…” Yang squinted at Blake, trying to read her reaction. “"Yellllll...urple? Purple?"
Blake smirked, "No, I think you had it right the first time. I think it might’ve been purple, but after meeting you… things changed.”
Some bright yellow daffodils, already in hand, were added to the bouquet.
Yang handed Blake a red rose, causing her to giggle. Blake added a few more. “I can really feel your eagerness. A rose’s passion is really fitting for your relationship.”
Yang nodded, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Blake held up what they had so far. “I think it’s looking good so far! If you’ll give me a moment, I'll get this finished off, and work out the price for you.”
A few minutes later, Blake was back behind the counter and had finished arranging the flowers. The sunflower and roses were the centerpiece, whilst the tulips and daffodils were bound tightly around it, one stem at a time.
As Blake moved toward the register, Yang interrupted her. “Oh! Almost forgot, I have a coupon.”
“A coupon? Pretty sure we don’t do that here.” Blake raised an eyebrow, yet took it from Yang’s hand and gave it a look over anyway. “This coupon entitles you to one… date with the cashier? Really?”
Yang raised her hands in surrender, “Hey! Don’t give me that look! It’s the coupon!”
“And you’re the one trying to use it.” Blake gave Yang a stern look. “Where’d you even get that thing anyway?”
“Preeetty sure I got it outta a magazine.”
“Oh, a magazine? Well that makes it really official - Now I’ve got no choice but to honour it.”
“Phew!” Yang mocked wiping sweat from her forehead. “Good thing, ‘cause I already have the flowers.”
Blake laughed, a hand held over her mouth in an attempt to hide her blushing cheeks. “Yang! You’re unbelievable! You’re going to give me the flowers I just arranged!?’
“And you did an excellent job, Blake!”
Blake placed a firm hand on her hip. She tilted her head slightly downward, and held her gaze firm. “Yang.”
“Okay, okay! I’m sorry! I can’t go anywhere else because you’re just the best at it, and that’s what you deserve. The best.”
Blake’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Coming from anyone else, it’d be cheesy – coming from Yang, it still was, but it just felt different. Special. A little bit charming.
“Was there ever any doubt that I wasn’t going to go on the date with you tonight? We’re girlfriends.”
Yang dragged a little with her answer, shifting her weight from foot to foot before she spoke. “Is it wrong for me to say yeah, a little? Sometimes, I still find myself struggling to believe that you still want to be with me, even after all this time.”
Blake shook her head, and immediately circled around the counter to hold both of Yang’s hands. “Yang, of course I still want to be with you, you’re not going to make me go through all this again, are you?” She joked with a half smile, “You’re so kind and caring, you’re so funny and warm, there’s no one else I’d ever want to be with. You’re the one for me, Yang. I need you.”
Blake pulled Yang into a hug, raising slightly up onto her tiptoes to get her head over Yang’s shoulder.
Yang held Blake close, gently cradling her head. “Sometimes I’d feel lost without you, Blake.”
“Then it’s a good thing the only place I’m going is on a date, with you, tonight.”
Yang breathed out a calm sigh of relief, and planted a kiss on Blake’s neck. “I love you, Blake.”
“I love you too, Yang.”