ink and flowers || one x one

[miss kobayashi]

ren took the cash, tucking it into the pocket of his apron. he took a rose off display, rather hesitantly, putting it into a plastic flower sleeve to keep it tidy.

he hands the flower to kyo, forcing a small smile. " oh, yeah. I still need to get a suit, or an nice shirt at least. they said I could stay for the whole event, but i don't even know anyone there. "

ren shrugs, taking the cash from his apron and putting into the register. " fancy affairs are fun, but they're not really my thing. " he glanced at kyo and then at the rose. a part of him wanted to ask about it, but he decided to keep his mouth shut.

[moonlessnight.]

kyo took the rose carefully, smiling at ren. "thank you." he spoke, observing the beautiful red rose before glancing to ren and listening closely as he spoke of the wedding. "hm, at least you'd get some free food." kyo joked with a chuckle. when ren mentioned fancy parties and whatnot not being his thing, kyo nodded in understanding. "yeah, i get it." he spoke, glancing at his phone when a text rang out, sighing as dee informed him that his client had arrived early.

"hey, i have to go. someone came early and i don't wanna make them wait." the male murmured apologetically, lifting the arrangement of flowers ren had made him before smiling warmly at the male. "i'll see if i can come by when we close!" he spoke, waving the hand that held the single rose before exiting the flower shop. he quickly made his way to a table out of sight from the shop, placing the flowers down carefully before yanking out a piece of paper, as well as tape and a pen. he scribbled on the paper as neatly as possible, though he did have a client so it wasn't perfect.

folding the paper a few times, he then taped the rose to it and turned, seeing a woman about to walk into the flower shop. "excuse me!" he called out to her, watching as she slowly walked over. he gave a kind smile, holding the paper out. "could you please give this to the boy at the register in there?" kyo asked, relief flooding him as the woman happily nodded. "thank you!" he called out as she headed into the store. rising to his feet, he gathered everything up again before heading into the parlor, smiling to his client and apologizing for the wait before moving to the back and motioning for the client to follow.

[miss kobayashi]

" i guess. " he replied with a small shrug. ren frowned as kyo explained he had to leave. " so soon? " he questioned with the slight tilt of his head. he was sure it wasn't kyo's choice, and didn't want to interrupt whoever he was meeting with. " okay! i'll see you soon. " he hums, waving goodbye as kyo left the shop. he sighed softly, returning to the register and resting his head on his hand.

his head pops up when a woman enters the store. " hello! how can i help you? " he greets as she walks to the front counter. she starts to talk about some flowers she wanted to order, but something she says sparks his interest.

" someone outside wanted to give this to you. " the woman explains, ren listening to her with an eyebrow raised. she gently hands him the rose, his eyes sparkling in excitement and surprise. he mumbles a thank you, helping her make her order while constantly glancing at the note now in his possession. it was no doubt from kyo, but, what did it say? she finishes her order, thanking him and leaving the store. ren, now alone, grabbed the flower and the note, too nervous to open it up and read it.

[moonlessnight.]

kyo was now in the middle of tattooing over the large temporary template, occasionally glancing to the man's face to know when he should offer up a break. continuing to let the machine push the ink into the man's skin, kyo still had a bit of nerves in his stomach about the note he had 'sent' to ren. maybe it was a wrong choice.

it was a silly little note, with a message like highschoolers did. it had the words 'go on a date with me?' with a cheesy little smile, and then the stupid little boxes next to yes, no, and maybe. kyo couldn't help but worry if he was pushing ren too much, he didn't want to lose his ren.

pausing to observe the design, he gently wiped over it, seeing the man's face contort into pain, kyo offered a gentle smile. "perhaps a ten minute break?" he suggested, the man gratefully nodding as kyo chuckled quietly, moving back to give him some breathing space.

[miss kobayashi]

curiosity finally got the better of him, and he took the rose, grinning at the thought that kyo would buy a rose from him just to give it back. it was such a sweet thing for him to do. he pulls the tape off and carefully unravels the note, making sure not to tear it.

ren carefully scans over the note. his heart pounds. he reads the note again. and another time after that. he read it over so many times just to make sure it was true and it wasn't just a dream. what was he going to do? what was he going to say? a date? with him?

he checked the yes box, giggling slightly at the silliness of it. but how was he going to give the note back to kyo? ren checked the time, and looked back at the door. he had a few minutes. ren quickly walked to the parlor, hoping that kyo was busy so he wouldn't run into him until later. he went to the front desk, waving at the girl whose name he couldn't quite remember but still hoped she recognized him. " can you give this to kyo? " he questioned, realizing he was already out of time and had to go back to the shop. he set the paper on her desk, the note now folded into the shape of a cat. before letting her respond, he jogged out of the store with a quiet thanks.

[moonlessnight.]

dee was typing away on the computer, responding to a customer's questions when she heard the bell ring at the door opening. lifting her head, she smiled as she saw it was that sweet boy that kyo always seemed to be going crazy about. at his question, she nodded in response, waving to ren as he left.

chuckling under her breath, dee quietly made her way into kyo's room, hearing the buzzing of the tattoo being worked on. she winked to kyo, quietly placing the note on his table before rushing back out. kyo glanced over to the note with a slightly nervous look, shaking his head and resuming the tattoo until it had been finished. making sure it was wrapped up nicely, the man thanked him happily, paying a large amount for the large tattoo.

after walking the man out like he did with all of his clients, kyo practically ran back into his room to check the note, dee's laughter ringing out behind him. he smiled at the cat shaped note, carefully taking a seat and lifting the note. exhaling softly, kyo slowly opened it, a wide grin forming across his lips as the box was checked yes. he hummed happily, placing the note down before checking the time. he had about ten minutes before he would go meet ren, so he rose to his feet and moved to the break room, drinking the rest of his cold water. when it was time to go, kyo pulled out his phone and texted ren. 'on my way!'

[miss kobayashi]

although it was kyo who asked him on the date, ren still felt nervous when he sent the note back. he returned to the store, just in time for a delivery of new flowers.

the delivery went fine, as most of them go, although he swore that the delivery guy was holding onto flowers in some sort of resentment, as he noticed that a variety of orders were barely taken care of. but he wasn't in the mood to argue about the flowers, as his mind was still buzzing about the note. did he get it? was his answer okay? it was hard to even remotely mimic the sweet gesture kyo made, so he hoped his answer sufficed.

he didn't have time to check his phone, as he had to restock all of the new flowers, but hope that kyo would still come after work. if not he would be sure to stop by the parlor.

[moonlessnight.]

kyo gathered all of his stuff, calling out a goodbye to dee as he exited the parlor. heading over to the flower shop, he smiled to himself to push away the slight nerves. grasping the handle, kyo pulled open the door and slowly entered the store.

seeing ren restocking everything, kyo lowered his bag on the floor by the door, walking over to observe everything. "do you need any help?" kyo questioned, fighting back a grin as he looked at ren. ren had agreed to go on a date with him.

he felt like a giddy five year old who just got a bunch of candy, or toys, or something. except he got so much more, he got ren. well, for the day, anyways. they'd have to figure out the day of course, and all of that, but kyo didn't want to immediately rush into that and overwhelm ren.

[miss kobayashi]

ren was carrying a large potted plant close to his chest when he heard kyo walk through the door. he smiles, looking over at the other for a split second before focusing back on the large pot in his grasp, barely light enough to carry.

" oh, hi! hold on. " he calls out, then setting the pot on a shelf with a quiet grunt. ren fixes the plant, trimming the dry leaves and quickly pruning it. he brushes the dirt from off of his shirt, humming slightly. " sorry about that. "

his eyes wander around the store, looking for anything else he needed to do. " yeah! I have some grasses in the back. could you help me with those? " he asks, leading the both of them to the back of the store. " it'll be quick I promise. "

[moonlessnight.]

kyo smiled as he saw ren with the pot, though he also inched closer to ren just in case he stumbled or something. he relaxed as ren placed the pot down, shaking his head at the apology. "no worries." kyo assured him.

when ren spoke of having grasses, kyo nodded his head. "yeah, no problem. i have time." he mused, following ren into the back of the store, his blue eyes roaming the interior in curiosity.

"it must get lonely here, no?" he questioned, brows furrowing at the thought of ren working alone. i mean, sure, he had customers, but no coworkers or anyone to talk to or busy himself with.