- Okay so, backstory: Haruka and Mako met in foster care.
- They were briefly sisters, and kept in touch. They
understood each other, both considered delinquents, both a little too quick to
throw a punch, both full of good intent. Mako had a knack for growing things,
and Haruka liked to learn to do things with her hands.
- They got through their teenage years planning how they could
open a flower shop, saving money from weekend jobs and change found under
couches, and it’s really Mako’s small inheritance from her parents that she can
legally use at 18 that lets them buy a little place and get started, but they
still feel proud. Haruka is handy enough to get their fixer upper in working
shape, and then they’re on their feet and their combined talents mean they get
by.
- They build their reputation for years. Mako’s got a green
thumb, and no matter the conditions they have beautiful blooms. (And if their clientele
skews largely into the gay community it doesn’t hurt, they don’t advertise themselves
as a gay shop but they’re a lesbian and a bi woman and people are comfortable
and are you telling me you wouldn’t shop there?)
- And once they book a few events, they get on the radar of
higher class buyers.
- That is how Michiru Kaioh comes through the door one day.
- She is, perhaps unfortunately, looking for a break up
flower. Something that conveys, “You’re getting too attached, so I want to cut
things off cleanly, but not too cleanly because I want to keep you as an option
and an occasional late night romp.”
- But then Haruka turns from tending the soil to greet her and
wipes her brow and Michiru knows she is not going to say any of that.
- She makes up some reason to be there, she’d heard about the
shop from their work at the gala, which was true, but doesn’t give her a reason
to buy something.
- But Michiru is not one to be defeated so easily. She has
Haruka show her the most beautiful flower in the shop. She decides will buy it
and give it to Haruka, and Haruka will be charmed and then Michiru will spirit
her away to a night on the town, and they will have red wine and explore each other’s
bodies and—
- And Haruka works in a flower shop, Michiru realizes, and has
no use for a flower of her own growing.
- So when Haruka asks if she would like it wrapped, Michiru
says yes, and with Haruka’s back turned she takes her leave before she can
embarrass herself.
- Haruka is left holding a rose and wondering about the
strange, beautiful girl she met.
- She looks for her at every event she and Mako do flowers
for. (Not that there’s much chance, they’re in and out before anything starts.)
- But one day, they’re commissioned to do flower accents for
an art show, and who should the artist turn out to be?
- She was hoping Haruka would forget and she could have a
second chance to make a good impression. But Haruka remembers, and there’s a
good bit of very awkward attempts at small talk, but then
- BUT THEN
- Haruka manages to choke out something resembling an
invitation to get drinks sometime to learn more about each other, and Michiru
manages some polite approximation of acceptance.
- (Mako, on the other side of the room, loudly announces that
It’s fine, she can do the arrangements on her own, no need to do your job
Haruka just keep flirting)
Published by sittingoverheredreaming
25, gay, nerd. Probably crying as we speak.
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