Private Finished Ever Heard of Potpourries?

EmiRose · Jun 7, 2020

If you thought about it working at a flower shop could easily be a blow to one's masculinity. Surrounded by greenery and flowers, having to wear an apron with a flower pattern and smile to boot. A year ago Diego wouldn't have been caught dead in that kind of situation.
But here he was, flower crown sitting on top of his short green hair, grinning down at a little green-skinned boy who also had a smaller flower crown on his head now.

"It looks awesome! I told ya, didn't I? Now you can go and show off. Have a great day~!"
The little boy and his mom waved and walked out of the shop, the mom holding a potted plant. Ever since Diego had learned how to make flower crowns he'd always offered them to customers
He really liked doing stuff with his hands and flower crowns were fun to make.

The customers who had just left had been the last, and the shop was now empty. So, Diego settled on a stool behind the counter and started weaving another flower crown. The one on his head had mostly wild flowers on it, ones that Diego had picked from the forest around his tree house. He'd brought a whole lot of them to the shop and used them to make the crowns, so mom wouldn't complain about Diego using up the inventory. Well, sometimes he used leftover flowers, even his flower crown had few yellow roses in it.
"Maybe I should try painting flowers next time..."
Diego idly muttered to himself, as he waited for customers to enter.

@Noctua

Noctua · Jun 7, 2020

Kalvin yawned as he neared the flower shop. He was getting used to this life of having little sleep. Try as he might, it was now more the matter of how his body was adapting to it rather than suffering from it. Although, he was guessing that a lot of internal suffering was happening too. He could barely even remember what it's like to dream of his own accord--no Quilt Dragons involved. And though he was liking the fact that he was getting more time to do things, he wanted to get some rest in too.

That was why he's in this unfamiliar area in town. When he spotted the shop, Kalvin hoped that they had all that he needed. He entered and looked about, his senses bombarded by the fragrances of the many blooms in the room. A very warm welcome. Almost as if the flowers were expecting him. He stepped toward the counter, pulling his phone out with his right hand.

"Hi," he said in greeting to the man-- or boy, rather, behind the counter. Striking green eyes that could match the vividness of the greens in the room met his. Kalvin offered a smile. "Do you happen to have any lavender, Roman chamomile, or... yee-lang-yee-lang?"

EmiRose · Jun 7, 2020

Not that long after the mom and her kid had left and Diego was about halfway through his newest creation he heard the door open. Diego plastered on his automatic welcome smile and lifted his head to look at the customer. He was a bit surprised to see a bit burly (and hot) guy who looked like he needed a 10-hour nap stat. And the guy smiled at Diego and he felt his stomach drop a little. Shit.

Diego got stuck staring for a short while, the welcome smile frozen on his face, and blinked when he realized the guy was talking to him. Diego blinked and stood up, maybe a bit too fast.
"Hi! I mean, welcome! Uh, sure, I got you bro, lemme just check the inventory real quick."
Diego mentally punched himself for that stumble at the beginning and swiftly pulled out a binder that had all the plants they had in stock.
"You said lavender, right? I'm 100% sure we've got that. Roman chamomile and...was it yee-lang? Not sure 'bout those."
Diego chatted as he browsed the binder, now a much better conversationalist when he wasn't looking at the attractive guy's face.
"Uuuuh, we do have roman chamomile, but I can't find any plant that starts with yee-lang or anything similar. Sorry bro."
Diego looked up at the guy with an apologetic smile and managed to actually look and sound normal. Progress.

"Here lemme show you where they are."
Diego swiftly flew, literally, over the counter and floated along the small corridors between the plants in the store.
"Here's the lavender, and few cabinets to the left there are the roman chamomiles."
Diego explained as he stopped in front of one of the flower freezers with glass doors that were lining the walls of the store.
"Sorry about the yee-lang, normally my brother would be able to make pretty much any plant on the spot but he's not available right now."
Diego apologized and then without thinking blurted out while grinning a bit
"What are you getting these flowers for? Got a hot date or something?"
Diego froze and yet again mentally punched himself. You don't just get this familiar with someone so fast, even if they're hot! Jesus fucking Christ, what was wrong with him?!
"Not that it's any of my business, I should mind my own business, sorry about that."

Noctua · Jun 16, 2020

Kalvin nodded. He watched the catalog-checking with some nodding and agreeing, mentally feeling half-asleep. The smell of the store alone could probably lull him to sleep if he tried right now. And wouldn't that be nice, he thought. The pleasant idea reflected a little in the smile on his face as he watched his new green-haired bro fly over the counter. Kal's reaction came a little belatedly, and once the man already had his back to him--it'd only been a rise of eyebrows and some widening of the eyes. He immediately tried to school his expression as he followed the florist deeper into the fragrant store.

"I actually don't know if yee-lang is pronounced that way. It's spelled weird," Kalvin muttered as they neared the cabinets. "You might actually know of it if I'm not butchering its name at all. It's spelled Y-L-A-N-G, but written twice with a dash in the middle?"

He checked out the lavender that they had in the store. It was a lot, but at least he knows where to get more if he ran out. "Huh... interesting," he mumbled when he began looking at the other cabinet where the chamomiles were. "Hey, um... can you tell me what the difference between the roman and german chamomiles is?" He squinted a bit at the plaques in front of two kinds of flowers that looked very much alike.

Kalvin shot a surprised look at the florist. "Oh, no, no. It's fine," he chuckled. "I just need the flowers for aromatherapy. You know for stress and sleepless nights and whatnot. I'm actually single." Which was not what he meant to add. Now, Kalvin felt like he was giving off vibes that he didn't mean to. Still, there was no other way for him to say anything else that wouldn't dig him into a deeper, less awkward hole.

EmiRose · Jun 16, 2020

"I checked every plant on the Y-spot, none really were close."
Diego explained further when the guy described how the plant name was written. Diego wasn't really an expert on plants and flowers anyway, that was Gabe's thing. Diego knew more than a normal person but honestly, that was just 'cos he'd picked stuff up from Catalina and Gabe along the years.

Oh shit, he wanted to know plant facts. Okay, Diego had two options here. He could just straight-up admit that he didn't know and offer to get Catalina from the back, or he could make a stupid joke and then admit he didn't know.
Of course Diego picked the last one, what's the worst thing that could happen?
"Well, german chamomile is the wurst if you're looking for a stronger smell but roman chamomile is best for dates if you wanna divide and conquer their heart."
Diego regretted the bad joke almost immediately after it left his lips but it was too late to turn back now. So he flashed his best goofy grin and did finger guns, ready to receive and accept all the judgement this guy could dish.

As for the guy explaining what he needed the flowers for (and mentioning that he was single which in turn made Diego confused and his heart skip another beat), Diego gave him a bit wobbly and smaller but still goofy grin.
"Cool, hope these flowers work then! Can't snatch hot dates when you're sleep-deprived, right? And if these flowers work and you cure your single status you owe our shop one~"
Naturally Diego was joking and it was clear from both his tone and body language, but he knew he probably shouldn't be talking like this to a customer. He just got way too casual way too quickly, it happened a lot after he had gotten the chance to relax and open up in rehab.

"But bad jokes and really unprofessional attitude aside, I'm really sorry but I'm not really an expert on plants. I know enough to answer most simple questions but don't really know the difference between the chamomiles. I can get my mom from the back, she'd probably know."

Noctua · Jun 16, 2020

It was a shame they had none of the ylang-ylang. Kalvin would've wanted to try it. Nevertheless, he had it in mind as an alternative anyway if the lavender or chamomile weren't available for some reason. He stopped scrutinizing the two plants that looked so much alike when his guide got quiet. Kalvin glanced at the green-eyed man just as he dropped his joke.

It was ridiculous. Kalvin's face remained stoic and unchanged. It was ridiculous and really absurd. And for a split-second, he wasn't sure if that was brought on by his unintended comment earlier about his status relationship-wise. Still, it was funny and unexpected. Kalvin's blank expression slowly turned into a smile, which slowly turned into a grin that matched the florist's. In a second, he let out a small chuckle. He was not a big laugher (more like a smiler, really), but it was probably the relaxing atmosphere that made him do it. He liked people with a good sense of humor, and already he was warming up to this man for that unexpected joke. "That's funny. I like you," he said, his voice carrying all the joy that his lack of boisterous laughter couldn't.

It was almost a blessing that the other continued to kid around with what he said about his relationship status. Kalvin wasn't all that sure if he could handle openly flirting with someone who was clearly younger than him. "Duly noted. I'll be sure to come back here and send you some thank you gifts for your wonderful customer service," Kalvin said, shifting his feet and thrusting one hip out to rest his hand on it. It must really be the flowers, he kept thinking, that was pushing him to say and do these things. If it wasn't, it's the damn insomnia. Was he really this friendly to strangers when he's sleep-deprived? The list of new people he's met in the last few days probably could tell him for sure.

He turned back to the display case and shook his head. "Thanks for offering, but I was just asking because I was curious," he said, tone warmer now. "I'll get some of that roman chamomile and lavender... Mister...?"

EmiRose · Jun 16, 2020

Oof, it did hit pretty hard when Diego at first got no reaction to his really bad joke. Diego was almost in tears inside, what the fuck had possessed him to make that stupid fucking joke? And couldn't this guy at least give him a pity laugh or something? Give a guy a break!
But just as Diego was internally sinking deeper into self-pity the guy's expression changed, first into a smile which alone made Diego almost blush, and then into a grin that definitely made Diego blush a little. Shit, hopefully this guy wouldn't notice...
But when he suddenly said that he liked Diego with a way too happy voice there was no holding back the blush that flared on Diego's cheeks and ears. It was definitely noticeable and Diego couldn't even properly answer, he just opened and closed his mouth a couple of times.
"That is-, I-, T-Thanks!"
Diego blurted out after few moments, trying to kill his blush with pure willpower alone. It didn't work.

When the guy kept joking around with Diego and used body language that made Diego's throat go dry he wondered if it would be appropriate to hit his head against the wall, repeatedly. This was almost flirting, right? Diego didn't know much about flirting but this felt like it was close. Was he flirting? With a hot guy that was clearly older than him? What had gone into him?! Well, whatever it was it better stay in him because Diego was dying but at the same time feeling awesome!
"You better. Just address them to the awesome cashier with bad jokes, my mom and brother will know immediately it's me."
Diego kept on joking, ignoring the subtle perma-blush that had settled on his cheeks. It probably wouldn't disappear until this guy was out of the store.

"Gah, no, please don't call me mister, I'm obviously the younger one here. I'm Diego, Diego Alvaro. Wait, no! Diego Vega. Sorry, just recently changed my last name, still getting used to it."
Diego gave a sheepish grin, and then set off to get this guy his flowers. He grabbed a decent amount of both and flew over to the wrapping station, where he started to wrap the flowers into neat packaged bouquets.
"Say, you could try making these into potpourries. They'd last way longer and still smell great."
Diego suggested as he finished wrapping the lavenders and moved on to the roman chamomiles.

Noctua · Jun 16, 2020

They're goddam flirting with each other, Kal finally realized. There's no question about it. The blush on the kid's face definitely set it in stone. The fond little twirl of amusement that made sure to bounce around inside him at seeing those tinted cheeks was the damn polisher and buffer too. The worst thing was that he doesn't even feel that bad about this guy being much younger than him. Was that a bad thing? He seemed to be at the right age, at least. What even was the legal age here in Manta Carlos? Was it 18 or 21? Was there some kind of Romeo and Juliet law here too?

Wait. Was he seriously thinking about this? Wouldn't this be a one-time thing only? Of course, he wasn't going to pursue this willingly. At least not if the kid shows some more attraction? Oh good lord. He walked into a family business--what would his mother say if she saw them right now? Was she a dragon lady-type of woman, too? Kalvin can maybe hold his own against a raging brother, but women were never meant to be hurt by men.

Kalvin's face was the perfect expression of pleased, keeping his thoughts well-hidden under a small smile. "Okay, then. Diego Vega. I'm Kalvin, but you don't have to call me Mister either. You can call me Kal," he said as he followed Diego around as he began preparing Kal's orders. This time, when he flew to the wrapping table, Kalvin could only look on in awe. "Potpourries, huh? I have to admit that it didn't cross my mind. Maybe I'll do that," he said thoughtfully. "It'll certainly be easier than having to take out their essential oils manually. Do you have any tips for making the flowers last extra long?"

EmiRose · Jun 16, 2020

"I've called you bro at least twice now, suddenly jumping to mister would be kinda weird anyway."
Diego joked around and chuckled, feeling way too happy that this guy, Kalvin, had said that Diego could call him Kal. It was probably a nickname that many people used with him, Diego wasn't special. So he had no goddamn reason to feel this pleased. And it didn't help that Diego saw how impressed Kal seemed to be about his flying and that stroked Diego's already inflated ego. Diego prayed that mom or Gabe wouldn't come in now, Gabe would tease him mercilessly and mom would just blow it out of proportion...

"What can I say, I'm full of great ideas. It's all included on my amazing customer service."
Diego flashed another goofy grin, and finished wrapping up the roman chamomile as well. He subtly took a whiff from the bouquet, it really did smell nice.
"Now there's a question that I can answer! So the first thing you wanna do is use warm water in the vase you put them in, and add in a bit of sugar and vinegar and mix well. Cut the stems at an angle. And take off the lower leaves so there won't be any in the water, and don't put them in direct sunlight. And when you decide to dry the flowers you gotta hang them upside down and just let them be for few weeks."
Diego explained all this as he walked (yes, walked, didn't fly) over to the cash register.
"I could explain the whole process on how to make a potpourri, but we'd be here all afternoon. Which wouldn't be all that bad, honestly, but I gotta work."
Diego grinned again, then realized what he said, and his blush deepened a bit. Damn, that had been a little bit smooth. When did he become even a little bit smooth?
"Um, that'll be 35 bucks."

Noctua · Jun 17, 2020

"And I want nothing more than amazing customer service from you," Kal said. He followed Diego over to the counter, taking mental notes of everything he was saying. "Let me see if I have this right. Put the flowers in warm water mixed with some sugar and vinegar. Stems gotta be cut at an angle. No leaves by the water. And no direct sunlight. If I wanna dry them up, I just gotta hang the flowers upside down for a few weeks," he echoed. "Got it."

Kalvin went to the other side of the cashier. "Of course. I'm sure you're a very busy florist. As for me, I usually have a couple cups of coffee waiting for me at the Bearclaw Bakery during this time of day" he said, brain shutting down but mouth mowing forward. I might actually regret this later, he thought idly in the back of his mind. "Maybe you can join me sometime. Get out of a good-smelling shop into another?"

As he said this, Kal pulled out his wallet from his right pants pocket. He held the wallet against his stomach area with his left stub, finally and openly showing it to Diego--and watching the other's reaction to seeing it; because everyone had different reactions to his stub, and Kalvin wanted to see how a young man like Diego might take the fact that Kal is single in more ways than one--as he shifted his hands. He then used his right hand to zip it open and pull out the money for the flowers and tip.

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