Chapter Text
It was hard for Eddie to make himself go to work, the excitement of the match still fresh and alive within him, a smile present that probably wouldn't be fading anytime soon. The smile was there when he opened the door to the shop, Timo trailing in behind him. It didn't falter when Stone made it a point to slip in a remark about how goofy he looked as he rushed out the door, adding in that he'd be back after meeting with some classmates about a school project. And it remained plastered on his face while he went about watering the plants, listening to Timo gush about the game as the sun streamed in through the windows.
It was basically a perfect day.
And he never fully questioned how he got that season pass. He'd just assumed they came from his step-dad. But when he expressed his thanks for the unexpected gift, his step-dad acted as though he had no idea what Eddie was talking about. Just like when he asked him about the loan for his shop being fully paid. Eddie had no idea why he was being so secretive about these things, but he was appreciative nonetheless. Maybe it was because he knew Eddie would try to pay to pay him back…
Either way, he wasn't able to go to all the games. Obviously not the away ones. And not every home game either. But this was one he didn't want to miss. Bayern vs Dortmund. Plus, it was a home game for Bayern, and he didn't get to go to the last one because of a big order he had to take care of.
He was actually ready to close the shop down, just until the match was over, but Stone had offered to watch over things for him instead. Every once in a while, Eddie would still ask Stone if he was interested in going with him, but he said no every time. He grew up in the States though, so maybe he just didn't understand; that's all. Besides, Stone had quite a bit going on, doing the whole college thing in a foreign country. Eddie was grateful for the help he provided in the shop. It lessened the weight he sometimes felt with owning his own business, having someone he could depend on and also call a friend.
And maybe Eddie was feeling somewhat sappy. But his life was heading towards a place where there was so much more than he ever thought could exist. His little flower shop, something that started out as a hobby, was beginning to flourish under his hands. A loan mysteriously paid off, although he still had his suspicions it was his step-dad, the season pass too. And that was one thing that made this day stand out in particular.
Bayern won the game today. And not just that. He was able to be there in person to see it, and he could almost taste the energy on the tip of his tongue, feel it underneath the pads of his fingers. But the thing that made it all almost completely unbelievable was the fact that Manuel Neuer and Harry Kane had become regulars in his shop, coming in to buy arrangements for someone Harry knew. Eddie wasn't sure how Manuel played into it all, but to be honest, it didn't really matter. Because he had a hunch they would be stopping by today too.
Yeah, it was a pretty fucking perfect day.
“It's always nice to see Thomas score, you know?” Timo commented, bringing Eddie back to their conversation.
His friend had a dreamy, far away look in his eyes, elbows propped up on the counter and his chin cradled in his hands. An errant blonde lock curled along the top of his forehead, talking to Eddie but his eyes zeroed in somewhere past him.
“Yeah, it is,” Eddie said, turning some flowers around after he watered them.
“And did you see that fucking set up for it? Jamal weaving and dodging past Dortmund!” Timo exclaimed, no longer gazing off far in the distance. He was suddenly animated, the imagery of it enough to snap him out of his daze. “Did you see the way he nutmegged Reyna? And then face to face with Schlotterbeck. His dribbling is insane. And still able to make that pass to Thomas. And Thomas, he's a fucking legend. The goal, the set up, it was perfection. Dortmund never stood a chance.”
“Thanks for the recap. Somehow I missed that entire play.”
“Haha, you're so funny, Ed.”
“Don't fucking call me that.”
“Edward.”
“Asshole.”
Eddie walked by Timo to the other side of the counter, knocking his elbow away as he passed. He set his water bottle on the work table before coming to stand beside Timo, leaning against the counter.
“I'm forever indebted to your step-dad for getting you those season passes.” Timo spun on his stool, following Eddie's movements. “And Stone too, for never wanting to go.”
“He just doesn't understand.”
“He really doesn't.”
“I don't think Stone’s much of a sports fan anyway,” Eddie said.
That was true. Stone's face took on a blank expression anytime football was mentioned. Either that, or he would poke fun at Eddie's and Timo's over excitement of the sport.
And he didn't seem to have much interest in any other sport that might be mentioned either…
Timo shrugged. “So, it just falls on me to go to the games with you.”
“I'm sure you're devastated about it too, aren't you?”
“Yeah, but I mean, someone's got to keep you company at these things.”
Eddie snorted. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“That's what friends are for,” Timo said. He jumped up in his seat, sitting up straighter. “Hey, what about that goal from Harry?”
“Which one?”
“Alright, fair enough. Both of them. But I meant that one right at the end of the game.”
Yes, that last goal. It was completely unexpected. The responding roar from the stadium had been almost deafening.
“Yeah, that was amazing,” Eddie said. “Last few seconds, and Dortmund wasn't ready for it at all.”
“I know! What was up with that? The goal was practically wide open for him. Definitely not something you want to do with a player like Harry.”
“Maybe they had given up at that point. That last goal was just like rubbing salt in the wound. We'd already won the game.”
“Then, Thomas with the assist, and Harry drove it in. It was so fast, Kobel didn't even know what happened.”
Eddie nodded, sifting through some order forms while he stood next to Timo. He had a fairly big one coming up in a couple of weekends. A wedding. “That yellow card against Min Jae was bullshit though.”
“It was just Guirassy trying to play it up, get Dortmund a penalty kick,” Timo said. “Which he did. And I don't give a shit what the ref said; Dortmund didn't deserve that penalty kick.”
“Yeah, it didn't work too well for them though, not with Manuel in front of the goal.” Eddie stacked the forms in order for what was due first, setting them aside. He started bouncing on his feet, thinking back to that moment in the game. “That save though, it was fucking beautiful. Did you see it? I think my heart stopped for a second before he caught it. A penalty kick too!”
The silence that followed lasted a few beats longer than it should have, and he peered at Timo to see him smirking at him from his stool. Eddie lowered his hands to the counter, only just noticing how he was gesturing with them perhaps too enthusiastically.
“I was wondering when you were going to bring up Manuel Neuer,” Timo said.
Eddie froze, eventually figuring that feigning ignorance would be the best course of action. It's not like he hadn't heard this before. “What are you talking about?”
“I was purposely not mentioning him just to see how long you could wait before doing it yourself.”
“Whatever. I don't talk about him that much.”
“You get little hearts in your eyes every time his name is mentioned.”
“Fuck you. I do not.”
Did he?
“You know, it wouldn't surprise me if you really did miss that play because you were too busy looking at Manuel Neuer,” Timo said, that stupid smirk still on his face.
Eddie glared at Timo, actively visualizing what it would feel like to punch him.
“I mean, I'm not saying that I blame you.” Timo held his hands up in an appeasing manner before switching gears. “Man, you're so lucky that he and Harry Kane come in here. Manuel Neuer and Harry Kane come to your shop to buy their flowers.”
“I know. It's pretty crazy, isn't it?”
“You need to start calling me when they come so I can try to get down here!”
“Yeah, because that would be professional. I'll just tell them that I need to make a quick call to my crazed friend so he can come down here and ogle them.”
“I wouldn't ogle them! I'll just sit back and watch you try to not make heart eyes at Manuel Neuer.”
“Why do you keep saying his full name like that?” Eddie asked.
“To annoy you. Is it working?”
“Not at all.”
Movement just outside the shop had Eddie glancing towards the door.
“Damn, that's too bad. I'll have to try harder,” Timo remarked. “I'm just shocked you're able to string together a coherent sentence in front of Manuel Ne–”
Then, came the distinctive jingle of the bell above it. And it was…
“Shut up!” Eddie hissed, smacking Timo on the side of the head. “Hi, welcome back. You all looking to buy anything today?”
Manuel smiled listening to Harry chattering about his date with Thomas. The post-match high of victory made Harry more open and enthusiastic. Manuel was happy that they had found each other, that Thomas was happy again. He had watched the ruin that Thomas had become in Lewy leaving like he did. Telling the younger man that he was nothing more than a body to keep his bed warm, that it was never more than sex between them. Manuel was glad Lewy was already in Spain when Thomas told him, otherwise he might have broken Lewy’s legs.
Then, Harry came into their lives. Thomas, of course, welcomed him to the team, but Manuel watched as it became something different. Something deep, something that was healing for Thomas. Harry was devoted, loyal, and seemed to have matching scars. Manuel still hadn’t been given details by either man about them, and he never asked. He was just glad to watch them fall in love. Now, Thomas and Harry had each other. And both men were practically glowing. It translated well on the pitch as well. Them being as unstoppable as Thomas and Lewy were. Manuel giggled a bit remembering Thomas’ starry-eyed look when he told Manuel about Harry kissing him.
Manuel will admit, if pressed, he tuned Harry out. He heard all about this planned date from Thomas, pre match, halftime and post match. Also, as it tended to, his thoughts turned to the owner of the flower shop they go to.
Harry was nervous when he started courting Thomas, so he asked Manuel to come with him. To make sure that what he bought would be in line with Thomas’ taste. Harry explained that, as Thomas’ best friend, it was Maunel’s duty to help him. The first arrangement became weekly ones. Harry asked him a few times for the right words in German. The small cards that Harry wrote started decorating Thomas’ locker.
And so, what had started as a way to support Harry became an excuse to see the proprietor. The younger man was beautiful in so many ways. His physical beauty wasn’t hard to miss. It was the first thing Manuel noticed, really. He clearly took good care of himself, the lean muscle evident. His eyes were a stunning shade of blue, Manuel felt like he could drown in them. There was a soft kindness in them. His even temper became another point of attraction. Recalling during one of their weekly visits, the way Eddie handled a panicking bride. He was smooth and graceful, helping the young woman calm down.
Then, the way he treated him and Harry. Manuel knew that Eddie knew who they were. But he never made a big deal about it. Manuel could see the admiration and awe in his eyes, but he treated Harry respectfully. Helped him find the perfect flowers, talked to him as if he was just another person. Talked to Manuel the same way.
Manuel found himself wondering if he was making the right choice. He’d been toying with asking Eddie out. Harry and Thomas encouraged him to do so. Thomas told him that it would be good for him, that healing was allowed. He didn’t know if the seeming attraction was Manuel just hoping, wishing that it was mutual. Manuel's doubts about it were only reinforced by who he is. He learned through conversations with both Eddie and the other clerk, Stone, that Eddie grew up watching Bayern. That Eddie was fourteen when Manuel joined.
That’s another reason for the creeping doubt. Eleven years is a large gap, one that might be too much. But he was bright, open, and friendly. Settled into an easy relationship with him and Harry. He was, of course, happy to talk about football, but Manuel was able to get him to talk about his flowers, his shop. Telling them about the ease of the burden because his shop loan was paid off, the pinch in his eyebrows as he was telling them was cute. Manuel wondered why, maybe if he said yes, he could ask. He expressed to Harry and himself that he still didn’t know who did it.
Pulling up to the shop, Manuel took a deep breath. He felt silly for being nervous about this, but after his divorce he struggled to put himself out there again. Harry squeezed his arm, reassuring him. Seeing a younger man next to Eddie, both of them smiling, Manuel felt his heart get lighter. Manuel hid his laugh at Eddie smacking the other man. His cheerful greeting was met Harry’s equally buoyant one.
Manuel watched as Harry went to the counter, the man with Eddie, wide eyes and mouth open. Manuel knew the star-struck look; he was always grateful for how quickly Eddie schooled his features when they became friendly. Eddie spoke friendly, casually with Harry. Both of them sharing the excitement of winning the match.
Timo whirled around on his stool at hearing Eddie's greeting. And Eddie had to fight back his giggle at seeing how his face glazed over at the sight of the two men entering his shop. He supposed that he should be relieved by Timo being struck speechless, because this way he wouldn't be capable of making some kind of offhand remark about Eddie's infatuation with a certain goalkeeper. And he had to wonder, was it really that obvious?
Eddie's smile was still unwavering when Manuel and Harry stepped up to the counter, and he was beginning to think that nothing could make it fade today.
His eyes lingered on Manuel for maybe just a touch longer than they should have before he spoke, “The match was great today. I was there today, you know? Me and Timo.”
He glanced over at Timo to see him nodding slowly, still staring at Harry and Manuel. Right, and he said he wouldn't ogle them.
Manuel suddenly felt even shyer. He knew how good he was, what he was capable of, but for some reason knowing Eddie was watching made him…
Getting pulled down onto the stool next to Harry, Manuel watched as Eddie stood in front of Harry, pulling a book from under the counter. Manuel half glanced at the book, really only seeing brightly colored flowers.
Eddie leaned over the counter, hovering over the book as he flipped a few pages so Harry could see. “Do you have any ideas about what you're looking for?”
The dreamy tone of Harry’s voice made Manuel smile. Happy that he and Thomas were so in love. While Manuel knew that he didn’t fully understand what Harry went through in England, he seemed lighter with Thomas. His play was more fluid. What made Manuel happy though was the peace they brought each other.
“Just something simple and romantic. I have a date!”
Harry’s voice snapped Manuel out of his wandering thoughts. As he continued to talk to Eddie, Manuel’s thoughts drifted again though.
Manuel then found himself thinking back to the game. He wondered where Eddie was. If he was close enough to see him. Did he perform well? He knew he made some mistakes, but they did keep a clean sheet. His focus went back to the man in front of him. The light filtering in made him glow. His face lit up with his passion for his craft.
“Oh yeah? You have a date? That's amazing. Congratulations.”
Eddie stole a quick peek at Manuel, not expecting to see the blue of his eyes already on him. Feeling the warning signs of a blush, Eddie lowered his head back down to the book. Fuck, maybe he really did make heart eyes at him.
“Um, is it the same person you've been buying the flowers for?”
Manuel looked down at his hands when Eddie’s eyes met his. He could feel his heart racing; he wasn’t even this nervous during games. The familiarity of Harry’s voice helped his stomach unknot. He knew that Harry would support him.
“Yes! I’m so excited. Manu gave me some advice on good restaurants.”
Manuel felt a slight blush creep up. He didn’t know how he felt about Harry dragging him into this. Thomas’ and his friendship was well documented, and he wasn’t sure if Harry wanted Eddie to know. Eddie was bright; he could make the connection on his own. He wondered what kind of places Eddie would like. How he ate. Manuel found himself thinking about Eddie’s day to day. If he would like to be a part of his.
Harry’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts again.
“It is! He loves the Sweet Juliet's you sell. I was wanting something simple but beautiful for him.”
“Yeah?” Eddie smiled between Harry and Manuel. He was happy to see Harry so excited, remembering how nervous he was when he first visited the shop to buy flowers. Hell, he had been nervous too, having Manuel and Harry in his shop, buying flowers from him of all people. He was still kind of nervous, to be honest. “It's nice of you to help with all this,” he said to Manuel.
At Manuel’s returned smile, Eddie went back to his book, turning pages until he found what he was looking for. “So, what about something like this?” He pointed to an arrangement of roses in the book. “I can use Sweet Juliets instead if you like? Since you said he liked them. Maybe some baby's breath in place of all the green?” Eddie stepped back so Harry could see the picture better. “Did you decide on a restaurant yet? Oh, and who's the date with, if you don't mind me asking?” he added, rubbing at his eyebrow, hoping he wasn't being too nosy.
Manuel felt his stomach flip at Eddie’s smile directed at him. He peeked at the flowers Eddie pointed out, then turned to Harry. Harry was radiating; his blue eyes were lit up, shining with love. Manuel’s eyes drifted to Eddie again. He wondered what the same soft light would look like in his eyes. When their eyes met again, Manuel looked down at the counter. Fuck, he needed to get it together.
“Oh!”
Harry’s voice, again, served as an anchor to bring him back to reality.
Manuel watched as Harry clapped his hands together.
“Oh, that would be beautiful. Thomas will love it. Manu helped me find a place called Hofbräuhaus. It serves traditional Bavrian food.”
Manuel hid his smile behind his hands, when the far off dreamy look came back on Harry’s face. He peeked at Eddie, to see how he reacted to Harry dating a man. If he didn’t seem bothered, maybe he did have a chance.
“Thomas. My beautiful Tommy. We finally have a chance to go out together.”
When Eddie’s face lit up, Manuel realized Harry being with a man didn’t bother him. A bit of hope lit a small fire. Maybe, maybe he had a chance. That Eddie would say yes.
“Thomas? As in Thomas Müller?” Eddie felt his smile growing. He knew he wasn't doing well at keeping the excited hopefulness out of his voice.
Granted, it was something he was used to, sharing in the enthusiasm of his customers. But this was different. He had no idea he'd been making arrangements for Thomas Müller. And Harry was kind, always so friendly every time he came into the shop. Eddie hoped it worked out for the both of them.
Manuel felt a pang of jealousy when Harry seized Eddie's hands. He wasn’t sure if he could be that brave. His eyes shifted to Eddie, to see how he felt about such an abrupt touch. Manuel saw that his eyes widened a bit, but it seemed used to it.
“Yes! Yes, my beautiful, talented Tommy. Can you believe it? He wants to date me.”
Manuel fought the urge to swat Harry’s hand away. Twisting his hands into his jeans, needing them to be busy, occupied so he didn’t do something rash. Manuel wanted Eddie’s hands in his. He wondered how much smaller they were. How they would feel against his. Maybe he would know soon. He would ask Harry if nothing else.
“That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!” Eddie exclaimed, returning the grip Harry had on his hands.
He recalled a similar reaction from a soon-to-be bride a few months back. She'd grabbed his hands, gushing over the details of her wedding plans. The look in Harry's eyes reminded Eddie of the same one in that bride's eyes, brimming with a love that most people only dreamed of.
“Oh! I've got the perfect thing for it. Well… you might think it's kind of silly…” Eddie shook his head. “I'll just show it to you.”
Harry nodded eagerly and released his hands. Turning away from Harry, Eddie's eyes caught Manuel’s again, noting the slight frown there before his face softened as their eyes met. He looked uncomfortable, was being more quiet than their previous visits. Was he being annoying? Oh shit, what if he was? Maybe he should dial it back some.
They maintained eye contact for a few seconds, although it felt longer. Eddie thought that Manuel’s eyes resembled the sky, blue and bright and endless. And they were looking right into his. At least, they were until Eddie bumped into a stool, nearly tripping over it. He needed to get it together and stop staring at Manuel Neuer. Fuck, now he was referring to him by his full name. Damn it, Timo.
Chuckling, he pointed behind himself. “I'll be right back.”
Digging through a shelf behind the counter, he found what he was wanting to show Harry. He had some custom-made Bayern ribbon made recently for an order he'd had, and he thought it would be a nice touch for Harry’s flowers. For Thomas. Another Bayern player! He couldn't believe he'd been making arrangements all this time for Thomas Müller.
Yeah, he doubted his smile would be going away any time soon.
Eddie brought the ribbon back to the counter and held it out for Harry. “What do you think of using this in it?”
Manuel took in the ribbon. His club crest on the wide satin fabric. The Bavarian blue made up the background, and the crest was stitched in. Manuel watched as Harry ran his fingers over the ribbon. His voice was soft.
“Tommy will love it. It's wonderful.”
Manuel took a deep breath. He played in front of tens of thousands of people; he could speak to the owner of a flower shop. Reaching over to feel the ribbon as well, his hand brushed Eddie's along the way. Manuel felt his heart jump at the unexpected contact. Clearing his throat, he spoke,
“I am curious where you got it though. It's not something widely sold.”
Eddie felt something pass through him when Manuel's hand brushed against his. It was warm, a connection there that he wished he had the courage to explore. And he realized at that moment that this could be the last time Manuel came into his shop. He wondered if maybe he should somehow suggest they see each other again, but he didn't know how.
“Yeah, I had to get it custom made for an order I had not long ago.” He turned around to the shelf behind him, choosing a glass bouquet vase similar to the one in the picture, looking at Harry for confirmation that it was okay. “Customer wanted Bayern ribbon for their arrangement.”
Manuel thought back to the flowers on the front desk of the club. Lina showing it off proudly as she greeted all of them. That same ribbon on the neck of the vase. Blue, red, and white flowers of some kind in a deep blue vase. Manuel had thought that the club had tied the ribbon there, but looking at the ribbon in Eddie’s hands made him realize that not only did he make the arrangements but owned the ribbon. He watched as Eddie pulled the same pink roses Harry had been bringing Thomas, some tiny white flowers in clusters, and large broad leaves out of his cooler. Placing a few buckets on the counter behind him. Manuel watched his hands as he put scissors, some kind of small garden snips, on the counter in front of them, followed by a few bunches of the small white flowers.
Looking down at his hands, they were so different from Eddie’s. The few scars from surgery and playing as long as he has. Eddie’s hands were small and delicate, his fingers straight. Would the crookedness of his bother Eddie?
Eddie speaking brought Manuel’s eyes back to him. He felt his heart skip at the look on his face. His eyes bright as he spoke to Harry.
Eddie picked up the leather leaf he'd taken out of the fridge. He placed them inside the vase, arranging them along the lip. “So, when are you going on your date?” he asked Harry as he gathered some of the baby's breath next.
“At nine. He told me that he wanted to make sure he looks nice. I told him that he could walk off the pitch and look nice. Even playing a whole ninety and he would still look lovely.”
Manuel tapped on Harry’s shoulder, moving the book closer to him. He knew that he wouldn’t quite have the courage to ask Eddie out directly, unsure if he could handle the rejection. Maybe this, whatever this was, was born out of Eddie being a lifelong fan of the club and not a personal interest in him. But maybe with flowers and a small note, he could leave his number and the offer.
Trying to remember what Eddie expressed an appreciation for, he thumbed through to the orchid arrangements.
Filling the vase with the baby's breath, Eddie smiled as Harry continued to talk about his date. “I think that's great you two found each other. If you stop by again, you'll have to let me know how your date went.”
His eyes kept straying over to Manuel as he began to place the Sweet Juliets in the vase one at a time, seeing him looking over the orchid arrangements in the book. And he knew it was a coincidence, him stopping at the orchids, but his mind kept telling him that maybe Manuel remembered him saying how much he liked them. It was a stupid thought, really.
But still, every so often, their eyes would meet, and Eddie found himself wondering what it would be like to go on a date with him. Maybe they'd go out to dinner too. Or maybe something else, he didn't know. It had been so long since he'd been on a date that he had no idea what he would expect. The thought was a nice one though, him and Manuel…
He needed to snap out of it. Whatever kind of closeness he thought they had formed throughout Manuel’s visits to his shop was probably built up in his own head. There was no way in hell Manuel Neuer would be interested in him.
Trying the ribbon around the neck of the vase, he shaped the bow before turning it around to face Harry. “What do you think?” he asked.
Manuel looked up, taking in the flowers. The arrangement was simple but beautiful. Harry was turning the vase around, looking here and there at it. Manuel pulled lightly on Harry’s sleeve, pointing to the orchid arrangement he found. He felt Eddie’s eyes look at the picture as well, them lingering there. Manuel peeked at Eddie, he looked a little wistful. Putting his head against Harry’s, whispering,
“Do you think Eddie will like this?”
Manuel felt his nod. Clearing his throat, Manuel caught Eddie’s hand.
“Can I order some flowers as well?”
He turned the book to Eddie, pointing to the picture he showed Harry.
“Can you make this for me?”
Eddie's heart starting racing with the sensation of Manuel's hand on his. It was so much larger than his own, and Eddie wanted to intertwine their fingers and not let go. He didn't, but the urge was still there. And he had to think for a second before comprehending the question Manuel asked him.
Flowers. That's right. Manuel wanted to order flowers.
Tearing his eyes away from their hands, Eddie examined the picture Manuel had in front of him. It was an orchid arrangement. More elaborate than the one Harry had ordered, with an array of flowers and foliage that complemented the soft pink of the orchids. It was a beautiful arrangement, one of Eddie's favorites.
“Yeah, I can do that. Do you want it just like the picture?” His eyes went back to Manuel, and he figured he could look at him all day if he was able to. He was beautiful. “Special occasion?”
Manuel decided to be bold, leaning into the courage needed to face down the best. Meekness never awarded anyone. Maybe Eddie would get it, but maybe not. Getting a grip on Harry’s thigh for support, physical touch being a grounding thing for most players, him included. He heard Harry’s light hiss of pain as his grip tightened while he gathered his courage to speak.
“If you were given it, is that how you would like it? And yes, I’m going to ask someone out.”
Eddie's smile slipped at Manuel's words. For the first time that day. He knew the day was too perfect for it to last. Manuel was going to ask someone out, and of course the person would say yes. Why wouldn't they?
Forcing the smile back to his face, it felt shaky and hollow. A fake smile. He'd always hated those. “Um, these here,” he said, pointing to the photo, “I might replace them with peonies. But, um, that's just me.”
Manuel nodded, although he really didn’t know what Eddie was talking about.
“Well, can you make it like that for me?”
Eddie nodded, getting a white bowl vase and placing it on the counter in front of Manuel. He mindlessly opened the cooler for the leather leaf and eucalyptus he needed to make Manuel’s arrangement. Frowning as his back was facing them, he sifted through the bucket of precut foam pieces, finding one that would best fit the vase. The arrangement wasn't really his though, was it? It was for the person he was going to ask out. On a date. The lucky asshole.
He'd almost forgotten that Timo was there, but it seemed that he was able to come out of his trance long enough to shoot Eddie a pitying smile when he passed him to retrieve the flowers. Embarrassment heated his face as he gathered what he needed, humiliated that he was apparently so transparent with his stupid crush on someone that would never be interested in him at all.
Tears burned at the corners of his eyes, but he managed to fight them off. And he had to do something to act normal, to hide his disappointment at his entire fucking situation. Because he couldn't let any of them know, couldn't let any of them see. Pathetic little flower shop owner crying over Manuel Neuer.
He'd just talk to Manuel. Like he did with Harry. Small talk while making his arrangement… for his date.
Standing in front of Manuel again, he somehow managed to maintain his smile as he situated the leather leaf in the vase, met with a slight resistance as he pushed the leaf into the foam. It wasn't easy… the smile.
“So, have you, uh, known this person long? The one you're asking out?”
“Just a few months. But there is something about him. He just has this beautiful soul that I want to get to know better. I’m nervous though. I’m not sure how he feels about me.”
He shifted his grip to Harry’s wrist. Manuel ignored the side eye that Harry was giving him. He knew how hard he had Harry’s wrist, but his nerves were twisting his stomach. Was how nervous he was written all over his face? Could Eddie feel his uncertainty?
“If he would even say yes. I hope he does. I found a great spot…”
Manuel trailed off. Thinking of him and Eddie walking through the botanical garden. Maybe Eddie would tell him about the flowers there. He snapped out of it with Harry lightly smacking his fingers. Manuel loosened his grip, realizing how much it had tightened. He stared at Eddie’s hands as he put a few different kinds of flowers in the vase. The pink roses were a light color, a sharp contrast to the green of the hydrangeas. Soft pink flowers next to them. Manuel reached out, lightly brushing the petals.
“Are those the other flowers you were talking about?”
“The peonies? Yeah, those are them. Are they okay? Or would you like something else?”
A numbness began creeping over him as he watched Manuel's fingers skimming along the surface of the petals. It was a light, delicate touch. And he figured the most contact he would ever have with him was that moment not long ago when Manuel grabbed his hand.
He wished he were the petals.
It was a silly thought, wondering if Eddie’s hair was as soft as the flowers he handled. Maybe he’d have the chance to find out. Would Eddie let him play with his hair? Maybe his lips were that soft, they were the same beautiful pink as the flower he sold. Manuel hoped he would be able to find out.
“No. They are fine. They are beautiful.”
The numbness was fast spreading, and he could feel it like needles in the tips of his fingers. Like his whole body had fallen asleep, and it was trying to wake up. His hands were shaking as he put the eucalyptus in what would be the back of the arrangement, fumbling a few times before he was able to place the orchids in front of it. A column of delicate pink. Standing tall. Unlike how he felt. All he really wanted was to slink underneath the counter.
Hopefully, no one noticed the tremble in his hands.
“I'm sure he'll say yes. Why wouldn't he?” Eddie realized what he said at Timo's sudden snort of laughter.
He couldn't believe this was his fucking life.
“I mean, you two already seem close, you know?” He made a couple of final adjustments and turned the arrangement to face Manuel. “Um, how's this?”
Manuel blushed at Eddie’s confident words. He hoped that Eddie meant it. That he would say yes. Manuel’s hold shifted to Harry’s thigh once again. He barely registered Harry light hiss.
“It's beautiful. Thank you.”
He was almost afraid to touch it. It seemed so delicate. He trusted that Eddie could find a good spot for it. Snagging one of the small cards Eddie kept on hand, writing out,
‘Eddie, can I take you out? Tomorrow at 6?’
He left his cell phone number under the short note then signed it.
“How much do I owe you?”
He turned to Harry.
“Let me buy these. My way of saying congratulations.”
Manuel watched as Eddie quickly wrote out a receipt and walked to the back, seeming to have closed off. He wanted to reach out and comfort him, tell him how beautiful he was, that he shouldn’t be upset. Manuel was hoping that Eddie would ring them up. That way he would see the note.
A worry settled in his guts, one he knew would stay with him until he knew what Eddie’s answer was. He watched as Harry tapped on the shoulder of Eddie's friend. Manuel couldn’t focus on him as he stumbled with the register, cussing lightly at the card reader. Instead, Manuel was still staring after Eddie, wanting to reach out to him. He barely acknowledged him taking his payment. The waving of his credit card in his face snapped him back to reality.
“Sir. Can you make sure Eddie gets these? Thank you,” Manuel said.
The wide-eyed look and the light smack made Manuel wonder how long they had known each other. Harry, however, asked before he did.
“Have you known Eddie long?”
The young man nodded. Manuel felt a pang of sympathy for him, clearly unprepared to talk to him or Harry, stumbling a bit over his words.
“We, uh, we grew up together. He’s lived with, fuck, we’ve lived down the street from each other. I’ve..I’ve been a fan of you two for years. So has Eddie. Well, a fan of you.”
Manuel watched Eddie’s friend point to him then turn to Harry.
“He doesn’t watch the Premier League, so he only passingly knew who you are. You won his heart like you have most Bayern fans. I just can’t believe that I can meet you. Both of you. It’s crazy. Oh my god.”
Manuel watched as he pulled a drawer open, fishing around for something. Producing a black marker,
“Will you sign my jersey?”
Harry went first, signing his name just under the crest then handed the marker off to Manuel. Signing his name on the other side, he handed the marker back. Manuel really just wanted to talk to Eddie, but being rude to his fans wasn’t something he could do. That almost seemed to reinforce the thought that the way Eddie treated him was because of who he is. Broken hearted, Manuel walked out of the shop, with Harry on his heels. He was almost certain that Eddie was going to say ‘no,’ but he needed to know.
Eddie knew it was unprofessional, running off the way he did. Having Timo ring them up. Hell, he didn't even work here. But Eddie saw the timid type of hopefulness in Manuel’s eyes as he filled out that card, teeth worrying his bottom lip, and Eddie didn't want to see whose name was on it. He didn't want to know anything about whoever Manuel was asking out on that date. Maybe by the time he got himself together, Manuel and Harry would be gone, and then he'd never have to see them again.
It hadn't been his intention to be rude, tossing the receipt on the counter and disappearing to the back of the store without a word. The more he thought about it, he wasn't even all the way positive if Timo could get it together enough to finish the transaction. It didn't matter though; they could have the damn flowers for free for all he cared. He just…
He needed to get away.
Sitting at his desk with his head in his hands, he looked as pathetic as he felt. He didn't need a mirror to know that was true. It was ridiculous of him to entertain any idealistic notions of how things were or how they could be. But that didn't stop the tears from falling, wetting his hands as he tried to wipe them away, immediately replaced by fresh ones, as they seemed never-ending. It was pointless. Everything was pointless. And he was just an unimportant guy who owned a flower shop, equally pointless in the grand scheme of it all.
It was that inkling of hope he held onto though, and he should have let that go immediately. There was nothing beneficial about it, only leading him to have foolish thoughts that would never become a reality. Like Manuel Neuer wanting him. He was truly a stupid, stupid person.
“Eddie!” Timo shouted from the front of the shop.
Maybe if he ignored him, he'd go away.
“Eddie, you've got to come see this.” Timo appeared in the doorway.
Apparently, him going away was too much to ask for too.
Eddie wiped his face before looking up at him. “What, Timo?”
Timo took a few quick strides to where Eddie was sitting, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him away from the desk. “Manuel Neuer. Those flowers. He left them for you.”
“What?” Eddie jerked his arm away from Timo. He wasn't in the mood to be fucked with about this right now.
“The flowers are for you.”
Eddie stood up from the desk, the chair falling over. “Timo, I swear, if you're fucking with me–”
“I'm not. Come look.”
He didn't believe Timo, and he was pretty sure he might actually punch him once he saw there were no flowers sitting on that counter. But he played along, and maybe it was that pitiful inkling of hope flaring up again, causing him to make the trek back to the front at a quicker pace than he thought possible. Even a tiny sliver of hope could be a powerful thing.
But there it was. The orchid arrangement. It had been left on the counter, a small card attached. If he thought his hands were shaking earlier, it was nothing compared to how they were now as he reached out for that card. And it was…
Eddie pulled his cell phone from his pocket, dialing the number on the card before he lost his nerve. He paced back and forth behind the counter as it rang, debating on what he'd do if it went to voice-mail. But then, a voice answered on the other end, and everything else faded away.
“Hello? Manuel? This is, um, it's Eddie.”