Work Text:
Not all florists had to learn the language of flowers, but Haibara was the type to go above and beyond when it came to his profession. His sister would tease him for his memorization, but there was a group of customers that enjoyed being able to send messages to those they loved and cared for, repeating the meanings Haibara would tell them to the recipient. It made flower gifts all the more special in Haibara’s eyes. Each of his little buds held a meaning to be given, whether for love, grief, hope, he truly enjoyed his work, though he also understood not everyone understood nor cared about flower language. To most flowers were just pretty decorations, and thus if someone made a bouquet that held a flower with a bad meaning he always marked it as folks being ignorant and just going for aesthetics. He had a passion but Haibara wasn’t about to argue with a paying customer, even if he secretly found it a bit funny. That was until one day when a certain blond haired businessman came in.
“Hello, welcome to Yu Need Flowers,” Haibara greeted with a smile. “What can I get you today?”
“Morning,” the man greeted back formally. “I’d like to order a bouquet.”
Nothing out of the ordinary yet, Haibara clicking on his computer to see what they had in stock. “And what would you like to build this bouquet Mr…?”
“Nanami,” the man said, “apologies, I’m in a bit of a rush.”
“Hah no worries, so what would you like?” Haibara asked.
“Orange lilies,” Nanami said, Haibara nodding as he checked.
In his brain it immediately went to the meaning, one of hatred, pride, and disdain. Shame really, lilies were quite pretty, but for now Haibara marked it as the man wanting to get a significant other or friend something that looked nice. “We have those, anything else?”
“Yellow carnations,” Nanami then said, now this had Haibara frozen for a moment.
It wasn’t uncommon for someone to put one flower with a bad meaning in their bouquet, but two were much more rare. Still Haibara was going to still strike this as a man with unfortunate aesthetic choices. Yellow carnations meaning disdain, disappointment, and rejection. “Can do, and anymore Mr. Nanami?”
“Rhododendrons,” Nanami said.
“Pft,” Haibara couldn’t keep in the laugh, Nanami arching a brow.
“Is something funny?” Nanami asked.
“I’m sorry,” Haibara said, “it’s just all these flowers, as pretty as they are, they’re like telling someone you don’t like them in flower language. Who are they for?”
“They’re for my boss,” Nanami began, his voice dry and tired. “I hate her.”
“Ahhh,” Haibara said. Well that made sense, his choices were purposeful. “Well then I’ll get this together then,” Haibara said, moving about the shop to collect Nanami’s chosen flowers.
“Thank you,” Nanami said. “Apologies if this is a weird request.”
“It’s fine Mr. Nanami,” Haibara said, already wrapping up the flowers together, ensuring the arrangement was a lovely set of yellows, oranges, and pinks before handing them to Nanami. “Flowers have plenty of meanings, both joy and sorrow, love and hatred, you’re just the first to go for the latter here.”
“I see,” Nanami said, pulling out his wallet and handing his card to Haibara. “... what’s your name?”
“Haibara Yu,” Haibara said as he swiped the card. “I run this place with my sister, she's the one who made the name actually.”
“Ah so it was a pun and not a misspelling,” Nanami said with a faint grin, the first since he had walked into the shop. That small grin sparking a small flutter into Haibara’s chest.
“Haha nope,” Haibara said, trading back Nanami’s card and then handing him the flowers. “Hopefully your boss doesn’t speak flower language.” He gave Nanami a playful wink.
“Likely not, if it doesn’t have anything to do with money then she’ll have no interest. Thank for your help today Mr. Haibara,” Nanami said, turning to leave.
“Just Haibara is fine,” Haibara called. It wouldn’t be necessary unless they saw each other again, and Haibara couldn’t help but hope that they would.
~~~
It only took one week for Nanami to return to Haibara’s flower shop. Another Monday, coming so early that he was just finishing opening up. “Ah good morning Mr. Nanami!” Haibara greeted with a grin, though that soon turned into a frown when he noted the dark circles under Nanami’s eyes.
“Just Nanami is fine,” Nanami corrected, his voice sounding even more tired than the week before. “I need a bouquet for my boss again.”
“I figured,” Haibara said, already tapping into his computer to see what they had.
“I didn’t have as much time to research this week,” Nanami confessed. “I was thinking maybe just black roses this time?”
This caused Haibara to pause, it was a pretty pick and likely his boss would be none the wiser, but there was a chance it would be too obvious. “How about we save those for later, maybe this time we go with hydrangeas.”
“Hydrangeas?” Nanami repeats, to which Haibara nods.
“They represent boastfulness and vanity,” Haibara explains.
“Vanity fits my boss very well,” Nanami said.
“And specifically the blue ones mean coldness and frigidity, does that also fit?” Haibara can’t help but chuckle when Nanami nods. “Then we’ll make sure blue is the main color.”
“Thank you Haibara,” Nanami says, already getting out his card.
“It’s no problem, though I have to know. Did your boss like the first bouquet?”
“She loved them,” Nanami confirms, a smile growing on his face. It’s such a small pleasure for him, his horrid boss taking joy in him trying to tell her he hates her. A small rebellion even Nanami will allow himself to have.
“Excellent, I’m sure she’ll love these two,” Haibara says as he hands the flowers over.
“Hopefully, I’ll see you around,” Nanami says before he leaves, leaving Haibara only hoping the week will go by quickly to see him again.
~~~
It’s such an easy rhythm to fall into after that. Every Monday Nanami comes around requesting another bouquet from his boss, and Haibara is happy to put one together. Haibara even finds himself opening earlier on Mondays just for Nanami to stop by and they can chat a bit before Nanami has to go. Haibara's sister can’t help but tease when she sees her brother’s sleepy expression, but it’s worth it. With that extra time Haibara is able to tell Nanami about all his flowers, how he got into running a flower shop with his sister after dropping out of college because he wasn’t sure where he wanted his career to go, lately Nanami even brings Haibara a coffee with him. Haibara offers to take the amount off Nanami’s total, but Nanami always reassures him it’s fine. Besides, in turn Haibara gets to hear Nanami complain and vent about his boss and work.
She really does sound like a lot to work under, forcing Nanami into overtime so that they make near impossible deadlines. Expecting near perfection from everyone without pulling her own weight, Nanami thinks she was a nepotism higher and Haibara can’t help but agree.
“Why even stay working there?” Haibara has to ask one morning.
“It’s really good money,” is the only reason Nanami gives.
Haibara can’t deny he likes seeing Nanami every morning, he likes being brought a coffee from the cafe around the corner, having someone listen to him talk about his flowers, his family, his life, and in turn he likes listening to Nanami and his woes. But Haibara can’t help but grow ever more concerned, those dark eyebags never going away, and some days Haibara wondering how Nanami even made it to his shop let alone will get work with just how drained he seems. A part of him doesn’t want the routine to end, but the part of him that genuinely cares for Nanami overtakes it.
“I really think you should just quit,” Haibara blurts out, almost regretting the words but knowing that it had to be said. “I mean, you’re miserable Nanami.”
“I’m only miserable when I’m at work,” Nanami counters. “I’m happy when I’m home, or here, it’s just there,” he says, trying to offer a soft smile.
While Haibara is pleased to hear his flower shop is an oasis to Nanami’s woes he can’t just back down. “Still, with how much you work it sounds like you’re miserable most of the day. And that’s no way to live.”
It’s then that Nanami closes his eyes. “Haibara do you have any dreams?”
“Huh?” Haibara asks.
“Dreams? Like things you want to do in the future,” Nanami clarifies, his eyes still closed.
“Well when I was a kid I wanted to be a superhero,” Haibara says. But then thinks, “outside of that, not really. Why?”
“My dream is to retire early, leave this country behind, and live out the rest of my days on a beach reading books without a care in the world,” Nanami says, his eyes opening again. “And to do that I’ll need to make a lot of money. That’s why I stay.”
Haibara considered this for a moment. It makes sense, work yourself hard and then relax but, it still doesn’t sit right with him. “I feel like there’s a middle ground you could meet though, find a job that makes good money but doesn’t run you into the ground.”
This seems to displease Nanami, “well unfortunately life doesn’t work that way, Haibara.”
Haibara can’t help but frown, “I’m aware, but still I feel like maybe you could look for something, or maybe work under a boss that’ll at least treat you a little bit better. Can’t hurt to try right?”
Nanami pauses, opens his mouth as if to say something, then shakes his head, taking the flowers. “I’ll be taking my leave.”
“Maybe you could try looking into hobbies?” Haibara scrambles to offer, guilt piercing him as Nanami turns to leave. “You know something to help with the stress. Maybe dating? Do you have a girlfriend or something?” But Nanami is already out the door, Haibara dreading next Monday and whether or not Nanami would ever come again.
~~~
Nanami doesn’t come the next week, a cloud of blue depression hanging over Haibara as he comes to accept he’s screwed everything up. Haibara had hoped with how much time they had begun spending together that perhaps they’re relationship was blossoming into something more than just customer and salesman, but of course Haibara had overstepped, blinded by his little crush on the overworked businessman to think he had a right to try and offer unsolicited advice. Haibara had hoped Nanami would understand it was just because Haibara cared, but by then haibara had just accepted he had ended the chapter of that book, that he should just focus on his shop and maybe download one of those dating apps his sister recommended to him.
And then the next Monday came, Nanami back much to Haibara’s shock and awe.
“Nanami!? Look I wanted to say I-”
“I’m sorry,” Nanami cut in, bowing his head as if to show just how bad he felt. “About leaving as I did last time and for not being in last week.”
“Ah well I’m sorry too,” Haibara says with a soft chuckle, finding it humorous how they’re both apologizing. “I overstepped where I shouldn’t have, but I’m glad to see you’re back.”
“I actually took my time away to really consider what you said,” Nanami says, raising his head to look Haibara in the eyes, his expression now serious. “I even asked a few friends and my family if I seemed miserable with my work, and all of them agreed. They all think this job is bad for me.” Nanami then took a deep breath, “so today I think I’d like to ask for black roses.”
“I don’t think that’s the best of ideas, most people know black roses mean ill intent even if-”
“I intend to quit,” Nanami cuts in, Haibara pausing.
“Wait really?” Joy and worry fill Haibara, proud Nanami is going to take care of himself, but what will he do next?
“Really,” Nanami confirms, giving Haibara one of those small smiles that make his heart pound. “I have a friend who runs a bakery, it’s something I’ve always been interested in honestly. When I was a child I wanted to run one even… And fortunately a family friend owns one and is willing to take me in. The pay isn’t as good, but I think I’ll be much happier.”
“T-that’s amazing Nanami!” Haibara says, unable to hold himself back as he closes the distance between them and meets Nanami in a hug, swinging the larger man in a circle before releasing him. “Ah sorry, I’m just really glad you might be doing something you actually love.”
“Ah yes well,” Nanami says with a small cough, Haibara swearing he can see the faintest of blushes on his cheeks. “I also wanted to thank you for pointing out how much I was being drained and for helping push me into this decision, and again I’m sorry I was so rude to you at first.”
“It’s fine, you being happy will be enough of an apology!” Haibara says with a wide grin. Though then it dawns on him, Nanami won’t have a reason to go to his flower shop anymore. Nanami won’t have any reason to see Haibara anymore. Still, Haibara keeps up the smile. “I’ll miss having you around though, don’t tell the other but you were one of my favorite customers.”
“There’s one more thing I wished to tell you,” Nanami says as Haibara moves to wrap up his black roses, card in hand. “The bakery is local to here, it’s around the corner actually. We could still see each other if you stop by… The coffees I’ve been getting you came from there.”
“Of course I will!” Haibara says, a little too quickly as he tries to reel it back. “The coffee was delicious! And it will be nice to see you around!”
Now Nanami chuckles lightly. “It would be nice to see you too,” he then took the flowers. “Thank you Haibara, for everything.”
“You can call me Yu if you want,” Haibara offers, a hope that maybe now they could become something just a bit more, pushing to see if Nanami would be comfortable.
“Only if you call me Kento,” Nanami says in turn.
“Well then it’s a deal, Kento,” Haibara says, offering his hand. Nanami takes it to shake before he leaves.
“See you around Yu.”
And with Nanami gone Haibara is calculating in his head just how often he could visit a bakery into his weekly budget.
~~~
A new rhythm is built between them, and though Haibara is tempted to visit daily he can settle for every other day. It’s easier on his wallet too. Hopefully it isn’t too suspicious, but neither Nanami nor the woman he works with seem to mind Haibara showing up when he does. At first Haibara came in the morning just for a coffee and something to eat in the morning, usually he’s a rice and egg kind of guy but he’s grown to enjoy a nice morning bread or something sweeter.
It’s then Nanami comments if Haibara came by during his lunch break the two could eat together and have even more time uninterrupted together, of course Haibara trades lunch breaks with his sister just to have that. It doesn’t take as much begging as he thought it would, his sister just teasing him about his growing crush. And how could Haibara not? He had found Nanami handsome since the first time he had laid eyes on the blond, but bonding and being there during Nanami’s lows had endured him to Haibara. It made him feel close to him, Nanami was the kind of guy who was easy to talk to. And now? Seeing Nanami without those tired circles? He was only more handsome, a light in his step as Nanami’s smiles came more easily whenever Haibara greeted him.
The buds of something were growing, but Haibara just wasn’t sure what they’d blossom into. Of course he yearned for a relationship, a sweet romance of sorts, but even a guy like Haibara feared rejection and ruining his budding friendship. Nanami had even asked to hang out outside of work! While Haibara dealt with his own inner turmoil he was completely blind to the bud blossoming in Nanami’s chest.
Even when Nanami asked, “are you seeing anyone?”
“Ah no, how about you Kento?”
“Nope,” Nanami said, Haibara unsure why his grin seemed to only grow wider.
~~~
“Ah Kento it’s been awhile since you’ve come here!” Haibara said, shoving his sister into the back to check stock as she said “oh so that’s the guy, oh he is handsome!”
“While it’s nice seeing you at the bakery, I have missed coming into the shop,” Nanami commented as he took a step in.
“Do you need anything? Hopefully not your usual,” Haibara jokes, Nanami letting off an easy laugh.
“No, I'm here for something more pleasant today,” Nanami said. “A bouquet of red roses, please.”
“Oh?” Haibara asked, cocking his head in slight confusion. “Can I ask why?”
“I intend to confess to someone, I felt red roses were a classic choice. Should I use something else?”
“N-no, red roses are a great choice!” Haibara says, turning to gather the flowers and so Nanami doesn’t see the heavy frown on Haibara’s face. Nanami’s a complete catch now with a healthy work life balance, of course he’d find someone to be with. It hurts Haibara, but he quickly resolves to support his friend. He’ll get over it, it wouldn’t be the first time.
“Thank you Yu,” Nanami says, taking the flowers carefully. Haibara has turned back to him, forcing a proud smile.
“You never told me you liked someone!” Haibara says as he rings Nanami up. “If they say yes could I meet them one day?”
“Of course,” Nanami says, and he waits for Haibara to finish ringing him up before taking in a breath. “Yu.”
“Yes?”
Nanami hands the roses back to Haibara, his face just as red as the flowers. It’s at that moment a few dots begin to connect in Haibara’s head, tears of joy forming in brown eyes. He accepts the flowers. “Kento.”
“Yes”
Haibara then handed the roses back, Nanami’s smile only matching the joy in Haibara’s. Nothing more needed to be said between them, Haibara had told Nanami the meaning behind red roses ages ago.
I love you.