Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chishiya never really liked flowers. Thought they were useless at best and a hassle the majority of the time. All it does to have them in your house is to add chores. They only look good for two days if you don't adhere to specific rules and even then, that doesn’t guarantee standard longevity. Pointless frill and a waste of money.  

Which is probably why he never noticed the flower shop he passed when he would take his daily walk to and from the hospital and the only acceptable cafe in the area for his afternoon white chocolate raspberry mocha with an extra shot.  

He in fact didn’t notice the flower shop as he made his way there. He only noticed its existence on the way back and when he did, he dropped the important, life sustaining, drink. Noticing it was incidental. Chishiya had every detail of the moment his life changed forever memorized. 

When he saw Arisu for the first time. 

The way the sunlight hit Arisu’s hair. His hands as he arranged lilies. The tiny smudge of pollen on his cheek. The gentle concentration on his face. 

He barely registered his feet moving towards the door. In fact, Chishiya might have blacked out because the next thing he remembered was walking back into the hospital sans coffee with a small bouquet of daisies and the knowledge that the god he had come across was named Arisu. 

This was going to be a problem. 

Chishiya went home and read 47 articles on Victorian flower meanings.  

Week 1 - A good opening move (it wasn’t) 

Arisu looked up as Chishiya walked in, “Welcome! What can I get you?” 

Chishiya placed a list on the counter like it was a prescription. 

“Red tulip, pink peony, sunflower, red rose.” Arisu read slowly, blinked and looked back up with absolutely unfair eyes. “That’s…. very romantic?” 

“It’s fine.” Chishiya lied. 

The bouquet more or less translated to: I’m hopelessly in love with you, you make me weak with how pretty you are. You are the sun I revolve around. Please fall in love with me immediately 

He was being subtle. 

Arisu tied the bouquet with a ribbon and handed it to him with a smile so sweet it should come with a warning label. 

Chishiya walked out and considered seeking medical attention. 

Week 2 - Escalation 

When he went in the next week, Arisu faced brightened up and increased the temperature in the entire city by at least a degree.  

“Back again?” He asked, clearly delighted. 

“I…” Chishiya absolutely did not stutter. “… need another bouquet.” 

This time he ordered 

• Gardenias: you’re beautiful 

• Dahlias: commitment, long term affection 

• Forget me nots: Self explanatory 

• Sweet peas: …. 

Arisu hummed happily while wrapping “These are so soft and pretty. Romantic vibes again?” 

Chishiya internally combusted. “They’re… for my bedroom.” 

“Oh!” Arisu’s eyes went wide and flushed pink as he handed them over. “That’s… nice?” 

Chishiya ran away. 

Week 3 - Subtlety is Dead, Long Live Chaos 

He walked in like a man possessed. 

“Another bouquet?” Arisu asked, amused. 

“Yes.” Chishiya said simply, dropping a new list on the counter. 

Arisu once again read it aloud: 

“Red camellias… lavender… violets… and… stephanotis?” 

“Correct.” 

Arisu frowned and tilted his head, and Chishiya swears gravity shifted. “What’s a stephanotis?” 

Chishiya froze. “…a flower.” 

“Oh! Cool. Sounds like a dinosaur.” 

Chishiya wanted to scream. 

The flowers in order he picked to mean: 

• you are the flame of my heart 

• I am enchanted by you 

• I will love you until death 

• Lets get married. 

Arisu tied the bouquet with a pastel purple ribbon. 

“This one feels… intense?” 

Chishiya just stared at him expectantly. “I have no idea what you mean.” 

Week 4 - Intervention Needed 

Kuina was staring at the most recent bouquet discarded on the counter like it was a crime scene. “Okay. You’ve officially lost it.” 

Chishiya was face down on the couch and just groaned. “Its been a month Kuina.” 

“Have you even told him you like him?” She asked incredulously wandering over to the bookshelf. 

“I ordered Hyacinths.” He said and explained further “Because of the myth.” 

“That’s not the same thing. Victorian flower language? Really? You’re obsessed.” 

“I’m not obsessed” Chishiya said petulantly. Despite the flower petals and ribbons scattered around his usually spotless house. 

“You made flashcards. For Flowers.” 

“Efficient study method.” 

“That’s it. I have to meet whoever turned you this stupid.” 

“Absolutely not.” Chishiya sat up and glared at her. 

“We’ll see.” 

Week 5 - Chaos, but Pretty 

He tried to be less insane 

It didn’t work. 

Chishiya ordered: 

• Ranunculus: “You are charming and radiant” 

• Crocus: “You give me hope” 

• Bluebells: “My heart is true” 

• Apple blossoms: “I want to kiss you” (This one was a stretch honestly) 

Arisu smiled as he wrapped it. “You know, you’re like my best customer. Or maybe my favorite.” 

Chishiya almost passed out. 

Week 6- Cruel Cruel Betrayal  

Chishiya walked into the shop and immediately stopped dead in his tracks. 

Kuina. 

She was behind the counter. 

Laughing. 

With Arisu. 

They were leaning close grinning like they were life long friends. Arisu was holding a coffee cup and Kuina had a flower tucked behind her ear. This might be the biggest betrayal in human history. 

“You’re late!” Kuina cheerfully waved at him. Like she owned the place. “We were just talking about coffee orders.” 

Arisu looked over at him and Chishiya briefly considered that he might like dogs more than cats. “She says you’re picky. Is that true?” 

Chishiya was calculating how many ways he could end Kuina’s existence without leaving evidence. “I’m leaving.” He said furiously and turned to walk out. 

“Don’t forget your bouquet, lover boy!” Kuina called.  

Walking into traffic didn’t sound like the worst idea. 

Week 7 - Emotional Catastrophe 

Chishiya arrived prepared to order the ultimate bouquet. The bouquet to end all bouquets. Simple and elegant in it’s meaning. A bouquet that meant: 

HELLO I LOVE YOU PLEASE LET ME PROPOSE 

He opened the door. 

Arisu beamed at him and then said the sentence that almost put Chishiya into cardiac arrest.  

“Hey, by the way… I’m starting a new job next week. This is my last week here.” 

Chishiya stared at him, pupils dilating. The world was ending. 

Arisu cleared his throat and looked nervous. “ And, um, if I don’t ask this now I’m going to regret it forever… so… Are you single?” 

“… I’m declaring my intent for marriage.” Chishiya practically shouted. 

Arisu froze. “What?” 

Chishiya flushed red “I mean… I want a bouquet of white stephanotis.” 

Arisu narrowed his eyes at him. “Dude. What the actual fuck is a stephanotis?” 

“You work in a flower shop.” 

“And some baristas hate coffee.” Arisu said flatly. “I don’t even LIKE flowers. They just pay better than minimum wage.” 

Chishiya was about to faint. “You don’t… like flowers?” 

“Nope!” Arisu smirked “But I do like you, so there’s that.” 

Chishiya blue screened. 

Arisu leaned across the counter, smiling hopefully “So. About that single thing?” 

Chishiya inhaled very slowly, composing himself be normal. He kept his voice flat. Nonchalant. “I studied Victorian flower language for you.” THAT’S NOT YES I’M SINGLE. 

Arisu blinks. Then burst out laughing. “You. Studied. Flowers. for ME?” 

Chishiya glared. “Don’t make me regret my decisions.” 

Arisu grinned, bright enough to make the sun look for other jobs. “Well, I’m free after my shift. We could get coffee? Or dinner? You can explain what a steph… stephano… stefan… whatever the hell you keep ordering is.” 

Chishiya muttered, “It means marital happiness.” 

Arisu choked and then screamed “YOU WERE PROPOSING?!” 

“Not officially,” Chishiya said with a valiant attempt at a straight face before adding, “...yet.” 

Arisu opened his mouth. Closed it. Turned pink. “…Okay.” he said softly. “We can talk about your weird flower marriage plans, after our first date. 

Chishiya smiled. “Good. I already have a bouquet in mind.” 

Week 8 - Arisu…. Tried  

They had been dating for a week and Chishiya had finally put away the flashcards. He hadn’t gone to the flower shop and was quietly celebrating his freedom from the dying plant life.  

He was wrong. 

There was a knock at the door and when Chishiya opened it up he found Arisu holding something behind his back, bouncing in excitement.  

“Don’t freak out.” Arisu said quickly. 

“… Why would I freak out?” Chishiya asked, concerned.  

“Because you have a problem.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“A flower problem.” Arisu smiled, “I made you something” and then he dramatically revealed… 

The worst bouquet Chishiya had seen in his life. It was too kind to call it a war crime.  

“Do you like it?” Arisu was beaming 

Chishiya absentmindedly considered how strange it was birds hadn’t broken out into song as he stared at the chaotic explosion of plant life.  

• Three bright orange marigolds  

• A black Dahlia  

• Baby’s breath (the only normal part)  

• Two broken tulips  

• A single sprig of rosemary  

• A dandelion Arisu must have picked off the sidewalk  

All tied together with a Christmas ribbon. 

It was May. 

Chishiya was horrified “What did you do.” 

Arisu looked proud. “I googled ‘flower that look cool’ and bought whatever was on sale. The rosemary is from the grocery store.” 

Chishiya covered his mouth. He wasn’t sure if he was suppressing a scream or a laugh. 

Arisu shoved the bouquet into his hands. “So do you know what that means, flower genius.” 

He did. 

• Marigold: Despair, grief, pain 

• Black Dahlia: Betrayal 

• Baby’s Breath: Innocence 

• Broken Tulip: Hopeless love, tragedy 

• Dandelion: resilience (Fine???) 

• Rosemary: remembrance, funerals 

Or more poetically: 

Our love is broken, steeped in grief and betrayal, innocence lost, hope crushed, even resilience feels pointless. A funeral for what was never meant to last. 

“It’s… very symbolic.” 

“Really? I thought the Dahlia thing was a bold move! It looks so cool.” Arisu made diamonds look dull. 

“It’s… a bold statement.” 

Arisu leaned closer. “So you like it?” 

“… I’ll treasure it until the day I die.” 

Arisu grinned. “See! I’m romantic too.” 

Chishiya looked down and the flowers in his hands and then back at Arisu’s hopeful face. 

“Yes. You are.” 

“Good! Because I want to make you one every week!” 

Chishiya choke. “What.. no!’ 

“Flower date night! Every Friday! It’s decided!” he declared triumphantly before letting himself into the apartment. 

Chishiya stared at the bouquet again, horrified and in love.  

He was going to marry this idiot.