Chapter Text
There was a new flower shop opening right infront of Noli's tattoo parlor. Some might expect the flower shop to have a very cute design and stuff. But for some reason, the owner of that shop decided to make it look like a tattoo parlor. It had large glasses that showcased a lot of flowers. On the large glasses, it had some random things. Writings, rose drawings, lips, some more writings... It basically was a weird looking for a flower shop.
It wasn't a bad thing in Noli's book—it's the opposite actually. Noli liked unique things. That's why he decided to shape himself to be human, that's why he hid amongst them. Those creatures always interested him. This flower shop owner is particularly interesting in Noli's book. The style the owner showed those who are around is what Noli seeks. The difference it conveys, it is exactly what Noli wants to examine.
So, after he did his last client's tattoo, he decided to visit the place. See what the owner is like. He quickly closed the parlor and went to the other side of the street, to the flower shop. He could already see a worker helping out a man choosing a flower. He wonders if he's the owner.
He finally steps inside. It smelled so beautifully, Noli guesses it's the mixture of citrus and something that's flowery. It also feels fresh to smell.
The inside looks no different from the outside. Though, there was a glass door leading to a big garden. Maybe the real shop is in there and this is just where people pay. Fascinating how unnecessary it is. Well, who is Noli to judge.
He spotted a couple of chairs and sat on one of them. Might aswell wait for the worker to finish dealing with the man while sitting, instead of standing. He observed the worker when he found the chance. The worker had a sassy vibe. He had brown spiky hair. Pink glasses and behind those glasses his dark sharp eyes—Noli could swear he sees some reds in those eyes. His outfit was a basic white shirt with black jeans, and he was wearing a red apron on top of it. He was also carrying a brown bag on his shoulder. And there was an eyebrow piercing that just elevated his looks. He was attractive in Noli's standards.
What seemed like an hour—in reality 3 minutes—had ended when the customer finally decided on going with... red roses!
The advice the worker gave had been thrown in the trash by that man. The roses did look in good quality but it was just basic. To be honest, the man looked like one of those basic white dudes so, not that much of a shock. Though, the worker seems irritated by that choice. Safe to say, the thing worker explained to the customer was to get something that had more of a message, more thought put into it.
The worker sighed to himself and then looked around the shop before their eyes met. The worker paused for a bit then went near Noli.
"Welcome," the worker greeted Noli with a fake cheerful voice "I'm guessing you are also here for some flowers"
Noli smiled when he heard it. He originally didn't plan on getting flowers but it wouldn't hurt to buy some. "Yes, you are correct" stood up from where he was sitting, just so he could take a good look at the worker once more. He also could compare their height differences. There wasn't that much of a difference—atleast when Noli was in his human form— but Noli still was the taller individual "I am looking for a flower that would suit my tattoo parlor"
"Tattoo parlor?" The worker got curious "are you the owner of the tattoo parlor infront of the shop?"
Noli's smile grew, the worker being aware of the parlor was a good step up on the stairs to get to know the owner "you are also correct on this assumption," Noli said and then decided to turn this conversation from professional to a more casual one—well, he tried "you should think of being a fortune teller, two in a row is quite the achievement"
The worker froze and then chuckled "I did not expect a joke from someone like you, not gonna lie" the worker extended their hand "007n7, though I prefer being called seven, or something along those line"
Noli quickly accepted the hand that was infront of him, getting excited as he shook the hand "it would be ideal to introduce myself right after you, my name is Noli"
"Before we discuss the flower order you want, I have biscuit and stuff like that" 7n7 offered "I also have tea and coffee, I can quickly serve it"
A tea would do wonders for Noli but he also didn't want 7n7 to leave his side, even if it was temporary "Ah, no need but you do have my gratitude for the offer"
"Damn, you speak like you are casting a spell on me" 7n7 murmured to himself, it was very quite and he probably thought Noli didn't hear him. Unfortunately for him, Noli did hear that, fortunately for him, Noli did not care. "Okay... uh, how about we sit down and discuss about what you want?"
As they sat down, 7n7 took a book from his bag and put it on his tighs. He quickly opened the pages to find the one he was looking for. It didn't take a long time—not that Noli would mind if it did. "So, I saw your tattoo parlor from the outside so, I'm just gonna speak from the vibes it gives" he turned the book to face Noli now "these flowers are a bit more darker than the usual, since your parlor has almost no other colors than black, I think getting something like these would suit it more"
Noli examined the colors, the colors ranged from deep shades of purple, red, and burgundy to something more close to black. Noli's eyes kept going to the purple ones "I think I prefer the purple ones more, may I know what these flowers are called?"
"You mean these?" 7n7 circled the flowers he considered purple, making sure he got the correct ones. Noli only nodded in response, wanting 7n7 to talk more. Which he did. "So, this one is Clematis. I wouldn't recommend you getting it since this flower is toxic. I only sell this to professionals. And it also wouldn't grow very good in your parlor"
He then pointed to the one that was next to it "that's bittersweet nightshade, also not recommended since it's posinous aswell" 7n7 then pointed at the last 3 flowers he had "these are the non-toxic ones, I can actually recommend buying them"
Noli was really not familiar with flowers, he didn't think they were that important to begin with. But the way 7n7 explained it was making him want to learn more. He wanted to hear 7n7 talk about his interest once again. It was a want that Noli couldn't understand why.
"If you want I can tell their names and the meaning behind them" 7n7 said when he realised that Noli was still staring at him, instead of the book.
"Oh, yes yes, I would appreciate it" Noli said, not understanding why he was being more timid every second. 7n7 was doing something to him and Noli hated it. But he also loved it.
"Ok so," 7n7 pointed his fingers on the picture "this is a type of orchid, the official name is Dendrobium Orchid. It actually has other colors aswell. They are one of the most popular choices. The difference between this and a normal orchid is in simple terms would be they are bigger. They aren't hard to take care of but you still have to make sure not to neglect them. Since they are purple, they represent royalty and elegance. Though I dont think it would sui-"
"Seven, may I ask for something?" Noli interrupted, staring deep into 7n7's eyes to make him slightly uncomfortable "what is your favorite flower?"
"My favorite?" 7n7 looked confused, not sure how it was relevant "uh, I don't really have one"
"Really? How curious, do you enjoy them all the same?" Noli questioned, he wished to learn more about him now.
"No, not really" he got tenser by the second, Noli excelled at making him uncomfortable "why are you asking?"
"Oh? Oh, I'm just curious that's all, haha" Noli chuckled "I was thinking of buying a flower you liked instead of one of these, I feel like your preferences would suit my parlor more. I unfortunately cannot really understand how flowers work, I do apologize"
7n7 observed Noli's facial features a bit, then he turned some pages in the book and showed Noli a flower "this is a Black Dahlia, you could say it's my favorite"
"Really?" Noli looked at the flower, it looked truly amazing in the picture. "What is the meaning of it?"
7n7 smirked "why not search it after buying?" He closed the book "though, I don't think you will be able to raise it"
"Why is that?"
"Eh, I would call this an intermediate flower" 7n7 stood up from where he was sitting "if you want to challenge yourself, a 10 pack seed is 7.20"
"I do enjoy challenges," Noli also stood up, facing 7n7 a bit too close for comfort "would you wish to turn this into a bet?"
"A bet..." He raised an eyebrow "what do you want?"
Noli laughed, he already had a plan "If I do accomplish my part of the bet, I would hope for you to gift me a flower arrangement, with meanings you want"
"Huh... then if I win the bet—which would be you not being able to care for it—I want you to do something for me without questioning, just do whatever I want"
"Are you perhaps hoping for a kiss?" Noli smirked "Or, maybe something more?"
"Ew, no!" 7n7 crunched his face, he made it obvious he was not into Noli "Stop with those thoughts you pervert"
"If you put your words like that it's only normal for someone to suspect it like this"
"Ugh, just take the seeds and go" he rushed to a shelf and took out a packet with Black Dahlia seeds. He put them in Noli's hand and pushed him to the front door "have it free since it's for a bet, goodbye, it's already pass my closing time..." 7n7 grumbled before making him step out of the front door.
_________
Noli was now on his bed. The seed packet was still in his hand, holding it on top of his chest. In his other hand was his phone. The screen showed a google search of Black Dahlia's various meanings. However, Noli felt like 7n7 wanted it to symbolise only one of them.
The one being, the unknown.