Chapter Text
It was late, Black Sapphire was looking out the window, completely zoned out.
“Your eyes are gonna get stuck like that if you keep staring at him.” Candy Apple commented, breaking the silence.
Black Sapphire rolled his eyes and huffed.
“I was not.” He retorted.
“You were, and you have been for the past 5 months! Ever since that flower shop opened you’ve been staring at him like some schoolgirl with a crush! Just go over and talk to him!” Candy Apple urged, trying to move him with her body weight, but was unfortunately lighter, not making much progress.
Black Sapphire pushed Candy Apple off before brushing off the parts of his clothes Candy Apple touched, like she was some type of disease that could infect him if not careful.
“Listen,” Black Sapphire started, “Even if I did go over and talk to him, what would I even say?” He questioned her, trying to reason.
But Candy Apple wasn’t having it.
“Wow! It’s almost like you have a name you can use to introduce yourself with!” Candy Apple said sarcastically, smacking the back of his arm (she would’ve hit the back of his head, but sadly, she was too short to do so).
“The sarcasm wasn’t needed smart-ass” Black Sapphire flicked her forehead. “But I’m being serious here, I say my name and then what?”
Candy Apple blinked, her eyes wide and frozen, like she was a cat processing something, and deciding if they wanted to scratch or bite you.
Then she smiled. Uh-oh.
“Hello Mr. Flower Shop guy!~ I am THE Black Sapphire! I work across the street at the tattoo parlor with a fur baby named Opal! I’ve been watching you for months because I’m too much of a tsundere to ask you out!~” Candy Apple dramatically fell back on one of the chairs with a hand over her forehead.
Black Sapphire stared at her. He had never wanted to strangle her more than right now.
“I’m going to kill you.” He said blankly.
“You can’t stare at flower boy in prison!” Candy Apple giggled.
Black Sapphire’s face flushed before he swatted at Candy Apple. Candy Apple quickly dodged before running off and giggling.
Later, Black Sapphire found an empty vase and a note: “Opal ate the roses, had to throw them out, get more Saph. -S.M”
Black Sapphire stared at the note before he deadpanned. This was the worst forgery he’d ever seen. Candy Apple really needs to up her game.
First off, Shadow Milk NEVER called him ‘Saph’. Secondly, Opal was a weird cat. She never went near plants, and had some weird grudge against them. And thirdly, Shadow Milk signs his full name. Not initials.
But fine, if Candy Apple wanted him to leave and give her all the work, who was he to deny her that?
Black Sapphire exited the tattoo parlor, going outside before quickly crossing the street to the flower shop.
…Then he hesitated by the door. He rehearsed what he was going to say about a million times, took a few deep breaths before entering.
The bell above the door dinged, announcing his arrival. Black Sapphire was immediatly met with either the smell of a valley or jungle, he couldn’t tell. There were plants everwhere, not just flowers, organized neatly.
“Hi welcome in! Can I help you find anything?” Called out a cheerful voice from behind him.
Black Sapphire turned around towards the voice. A guy around his age, about four inches shorter, silver hair, pale skin, and eyes that were blue but almost clear in a way…On his chest was a nametag with neat handwriting that had the name ‘Silverbell’. How fitting.
Black Sapphire froze, pink dusting his cheeks before he started stammering, “I- uh flowers- no roses- white-!” He mentally cursed at himself. Who answers like that?! Get a hold of yourself and actually speak properly!
But Silverbell just smiled. “White roses are in the back, I can get a bouquet while you look around. I’ll let you know when you can come to the counter and pay.”
Black Sapphire nodded quickly.
A few moments later, Black Sapphire found himself near the silverbells…Witches he was down bad…
He admired the beauty of the flowers before his head snapped up at the ding of a bell. He looked over and saw Silverbell at the counter, smiling and waving.
Black Sapphire quickly pulled out his wallet and ran over to the counter.
Silverbell seemed genuinely happy to check him out, something called customer service that Black Sapphire could learn a thing or two about.
“So is there a reason you specifically asked for white roses?” Silverbell looked up, making small talk.
“...cat got to the old ones, needed to replace them…” Black Sapphire murmured, avoiding eye contact.
Silverbell nodded, “You look familiar, you from around here?”
“I work down the street…The Spire.”
Silverbell froze and looked Black Sapphire in the eye. His voice dropped to a whisper, “The strip club?!” he whispered incredulously.
Black Sapphire sighed. This has happened one too many times. And he didn’t need Silverbell thinking he was some type of perv.
“Used to be. It’s a tattoo parlor, and boss didn’t feel like changing the name…”
Silverbell’s shoulders visibly relaxed and he sighed in relief. “Phew, it’d be kinda weird if there was a flower shop across the street from a strip club…And a tattoo parlor huh? I’ve been thinking of getting a tattoo, maybe I’ll swing by one day.”
Black Sapphire perked up. Work sounded much more appealing now.