Work Text:
Tai splashed water on his face, washing off the toothpaste residue from brushing his teeth a minute ago. He was getting ready in the bathroom to go out for the day. It was a pain in the ass to wake up so early, but Jude begged him to make a stop at a flower shop for him. Yet, he couldn’t just sleep in, cause he kind of owed him.
Tai walked back to his bedroom and looked through his closet. Unsurprisingly, all of his clothes were black. Some were different shades, particularly a few t-shirts were lighter than the entirety black pants he wore. He ended up picking a pair of baggy black jeans that hung especially loose around his ankles, a greyish t-shirt and a glistening thin gold chain.
He sighed while clasping the gold chain around his neck, complaining to himself, “Fucking Jude, I can’t believe this kid. Making me get him a bouquet so early.” Jude needed a bouquet for god knows who—well, Tai could absolutely guess, he just didn’t want to—which is why he was waking up bright and early. At least that was partially the reason.
There was something bright about this situation. Tai was at least ninety-percent sure he knew one of his friends worked at a flower shop. Yet, the issue of not knowing which shop exactly plagued his mind. His plan was to check every flower shop around the area his friend worked in an attempt to find his. It was a somewhat desperate attempt to catch up, but his friend wasn’t exactly the best at replying to messages unless it was a request to play Among us.
Tai checked his phone for notifications. There were a few, one from Leek, a few from his mother, and a bunch from Noob sending him videos he found funny. He scrolled down to the message he received from Jude, reading the bouquet he wanted.
get me smth with like red white and purple roses with a lot of greenery that’s easy to carry. also plssss make sure i have it before 12pm cause that’s when i need it.
Okay, easier said than done but Tai was determined to get these flowers. He slid his shoes on and made sure to lock the door behind him, shoving his phone in his pocket after making a mental note of Jude’s request.
Tai shoved his hands into his pockets as he stepped onto the sidewalk, the morning air still carrying the chill of spring that hadn’t warmed up fully yet. He half regretted not throwing a sweater on. The streets were busier than he expected for this hour, as most people should already be at work. Instead, a few were walking around with coffees in hand, someone jogging like they were paid to do so, and a small dog barking at nothing which reminded him of Noob screaming.
He reread Jude’s message just to remind himself before walking in, rolling his eyes at the ‘easy to carry’ request.
“Easy to carry?” Tai muttered under his breath, talking to himself. “What does that even mean? You want a fresh bouquet or styrofoam one?”
He had to hold back laughter while picturing Jude standing somewhere, holding the flowers with that stupid nervous smile he only wore when saying something flirty as a joke. Tai exhaled slowly through his nose. It wasn’t his business to know… but, red and purple? That was like, weirdly romantic and specific.
The first flower shop came into view as Tai turned the corner. It was overly cute, with pastel-decal covered windows and a super pink sign with the name on it. Tai stopped a few feet away from it. He peeked through the glass, observing everything inside but the flowers. Looking at the workers, he spotted a middle-aged woman at the counter as well as a teenage boy wrapping a bouquet in neat paper. Neither of them were who he was looking for. Still, he scanned the room one more time to check for the yellow hair he was looking for. The overly large smile around sunflowers. He even looked for random formation of red and blue flowers that might’ve had resemblance to an Among us avatar. None of them were there.
“Yeah,” Tai decided quietly. “Nope.”
Well, one shop was down. He really wished he would just tell him a time they could hangout, but no, he has to find him during one of his shifts.
He didn’t even bother opening the door for the next one. Just a glance was enough. This one was strangely dark and gloomy. Tai couldn’t believe flowers could be maintained in an environment with no sunlight. If his friend worked there, it’d be far more obvious. He loved to decorate, and always tended to leave something of his which made his presence obvious. Tai turned away and continued down the street.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Maybe, just maybe, it’d be the person he was looking for.
It wasn’t.
are you getting my shit
Tai stared at the text and groaned as he typed.
yes, getting it now.
The three dots appeared instantly.
pls before 12pm
also don’t sprint to me so the flowers stay nice
yeah i gotchu
Tai slipped the phone back into his pocket but didn’t let his hand leave it completely. Just in case.
The second shop wasn’t overly far from his house. Still, it was a path he hardly ever took unless he was in a rush. The general area didn’t look super familiar from memory, but, it reminded him of what his friend had said before. He could’ve been imaging it, but the fact there was a simple cafe beside a flower shop sounded exactly what someone had described.
The flower shop sign was simple, with a readable font and simple colours. Yet, it stood out more than most. Sunflowers were potted outside in a row, neatly facing the street. A chalkboard stood leaned against the side of the door. It was coloured in, with swirls and roses drawn on—it read: ‘Fresh Roses in Season!’ in bold letters.
Tai felt something tighten in his chest. Anticipation, probably. This time, when he looked inside, he didn’t immediately look away. Maybe it was the sunflowers outside which made him weirdly hopeful. Which, really shouldn’t have because that’s a very normal flower to have…
Inside, there were plants everywhere, but not in a suffocating way. It was generally endearing and looked lived in. Like someone actually enjoyed being there, which was not something the rest of his friends would ever get to say.
Tai decided that if he couldn’t find his friend within the next few shops, he’d come here to make his purchase. Luckily, he noticed something when his eyes darted around the room and landed on a small area, blocked off by glass. He had noticed yellow hair that was slightly messy, probably cause he had run his hands through it too much. Also, Red and blue sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hands were wrist deep into a bundle of dark purple Calla Lilies. Tai couldn’t tell if he was talking to someone or not, but he could recognize an exaggerated sigh which was followed by a subtle grin.
Rejoice turned slightly, reaching for something off the table to deal with the flowers in front of him and froze. His eyes locked onto Tai through the window. Slowly, the small grin that rested comfortably on his face changed into his entire face having lit up. He looked like a sunflower facing the sun. Tai, being his sun.
He abandoned the bundle of Calla Lilies he was working with, wiping off stray greenery onto his apron as he walked over to Tai.
“Tai!”
Tai was still shocked to see him as if he wasn’t actively seeking him out. “Yeah, that’s—that’s my name.”
Rejoice was in front of him in seconds. The shop smelt like Home Depot, but Rejoice smelt more like a flower field. Super sweet.
“You’re here,” Rejoice said, like this was the last thing he expected.
“Yup.”
“Why didn’t tell me you were coming? I would’ve prepared something. Tai, it’s always better to order in advance at a shop. You’re lucky it’s a slow day, cause i’ll be able to help you.”
“Slow down,” Tai laughed. “I had my reasons for not ordering in advance. Also, the flowers aren’t for me. I’m not too concerned.”
“Still should’ve told me.”
“I texted you a week ago and you didn’t reply.”
Rejoice huffed, crossing his arms. He leaned in slightly, eyes scanning Tai like he was checking reality.
“Why are you up this early?”
Tai rolled his eyes. “Jude.”
Rejoice immediately perked up. “Huh? The bunny guy? Yikes, don’t tell me you’re buying him flowers.”
“Well, they’ll be bought on his behalf, not for him.” Tai emphasized the words behalf and for as he spoke.
“What kind of flowers? A bouquet i’m assuming, nobody buys lone ones anymore.” He asked, already moving back toward the work table. “Tell me everything.”
Tai followed him, shoving his hands into his pockets again. “He asked for red, white, and purple roses with a lot of greenery. Also specified it should be easy to carry.“
“Doesn’t he mainly wear purple? That’s like you buying a black flower. Extremely ironic.”
“Yeah, well, I think he’s trying to court…” Tai raised his hands to put air quotes around the word court as if it was unbelievable for Jude to be doing that. “…someone with them, so maybe he wanted to make it personal to him.”
“Oh, that’s cute.”
“Suuure.”
Rejoice glanced over his shoulder at him, smiling softer this time. “What’d you think about it?”
Tai clicked his tongue. “I don’t know. I’m curious on who it’s for.”
Rejoice just laughed, reaching for a bundle of red roses. “You came to the right place, by the way. Trust me, I know how to make a bouquet quickly. Usually you have to pay for a consultation, but i’ll give you flowers free of charge.”
“Nah, I have Jude to pay for it and you need to keep the business going. But thanks for the consul-whatever thing I got to skip.”
Rejoice laughed and pat him on the back with the hand he wasn’t using for a moment. He ushered him over to follow him around the store, picking up different roses and leaves to add a pop of colour. Tai didn’t realize he had stopped walking until Rejoice was already a few steps ahead, sunlight catching in his hair and turning it almost blindingly gold. Despite being just an employee trying to pay rent, he knew the place extremely well.
When it came to choosing the flowers, he would hold up each one briefly and inspect it under both natural and artificial lighting. If he decided he wasn’t going to use one, he’d still smile at it before placing it down and likely filing it into his memory. The table in the center of the shop slowly filled with color. A row of flowers and leaves set on top of decorative paper, waiting to be rolled up.
Tai leaned against one of the shelves, arms folded loosely across his chest. Rejoice had told him he was fine to go wait at the cafe next door for a bit if he had no interest. Instead, he said he’d wait there so Jude wouldn’t be mad if the bouquet looked off. Obviously, Rejoice wouldn’t be making any mistakes, but he felt the need to stay.
Rejoice had rolled up the bouquet, and in Tai’s opinion, it already looked great. Yet, he insisted on adding more leaves and filler plants. He slid them between the roses until
the whole bouquet looked fuller.
Rejoice smiled at it. A small and proud smile. Unconsciously, seeing Rejoice smile made Tai smile to himself too. He tried to cough it off though, as he felt a bit off having grinned at someone who was looking at flowers.
“Listen,” Rejoice spoke as he typed numbers into the register to calculate the bouquet cost. “No offence to your friend but I hope their date is a brick. Roses are overdone and less romantic than they once were, so I had to really put the work in for this to be special.”
To be fair, it was a special bouquet. Every little addition looked wonderful and thoroughly decorated. Even the paper had a flattened out spot with a sticky note that wrote, “write a msg for your date here :)” with the same swirls that Tai saw on the chalkboard.
Rejoice saying the word brick actually did remind Tai of who it likely was.
“Yeah, don’t worry. Jude’s normal on his own, but together they’re kind of a Dumb and Dumber situation.“
Rejoice laughed at his words, pausing for a moment in his typing so he’d avoid making a mistake.
“That’s good to hear. Anyways, here, pay using whatever strange method Jude told you to use while I go grab something.”
Tai narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing—okay, and he’s gone already.” He whispered that last part just to himself.
Tai handed over the money at the counter, keeping one eye on the doorway Rejoice had disappeared through. He had went back to the bundle of purple Calla Lilies he was working on when he entered the store this morning. Tai shifted the bouquet in his arms, glancing down at the roses again. They really were a sight to see. Whether or not it was a boring choice didn’t matter, as the smell and sight were beautiful.
Rejoice reappeared, holding something behind his back. Tai would’ve been able to see what it was if he hadn’t gotten distracted by the flowers.
Rejoice walked up to him with a terribly contained smile, he was not being subtle despite what he may’ve thought. He stepped closer, pulling his hand forward. In it was a small bundle of the purple calla lilies, elegantly tied with a thin golden ribbon which resembled Tais chain.
“By the way, these are not a gift for Jude. I don’t know the guy like that.” Rejoice said quickly.
“Rejoice.” Tai stared, flustered.
“For you,” he said, softer compared to his comment about Jude.
“Why?”
Rejoice shrugged. “I miss you—yikes, I hate saying that— but genuinely, I like having you in my life. That little flower reminded me of you in the first place.”
“You make no sense.” Tai stuttered on his words.
“You being at my job makes no sense, but here we are.”
Tai huffed quietly, but he reached out anyway. To him, Jude’s taste in flowers looked boring compared the one Rejoice especially picked out for him. The golden ribbon on it was yellowish too, very on brand.
“You’re welcome.”
Tai rolled his eyes, but he didn’t give the flower back.
“Reply to my messages, okay?” Tai said as he walked out of the store, taking multiple peaks back at Rejoice as he did.
“Will do!”