When Flowers Bloom✔

7

Another few weeks came and went as the two became more comfortable with one another. Petal was a fast learner and managed to help open and close the flower shop. Hoseok was able to have a little more time to care for himself. He went shopping mid week, brought back some snacks for he and Petal. He had been to lunch by himself, but he did bring something back for Petal. He also left early to cook dinner and relax.
He was starting to seem a little happier, humming around the apartment and smiling a bit more. Even some of his regular customers had noticed his smile was bright again like when he was younger.

"You've been more cheerful." Mrs. Whitfield commented as she came to get her weekly bouquet for her book club meetings. She had known Hoseok since he was young, he was a little younger than her grand children but she always treated him like one of them. She brought him treats whenever she'd see him around the shop. Since he had taken over she remained a loyal customer.
"You smile like you did when you were younger, I'd see you around the shop and enjoyed seeing that bright smile." She said with a soft smile. Hoseok nodded and smiled back at her.

"I guess I am." He replied.

"Mhm.. would it happen to have anything to do with a certain young lady?" Mrs Whitfield asked as she motioned her head toward the front counter where Petal was preparing another bouquet. She was humming and talking to the flowers with a big smile on her face. Hoseok looked back at her and smiled a bit.

"It's nice to have a friend around." Hoseok replied. The old woman gave him a look, raising her brow a bit.

"Mhm, just a friend. Well, she's a very lovely friend." She grinned, like she knew something. Hoseok turned his attention back to Mrs. Whitefield, they talked a few moments more before she had to get going. He opened the shop door that they had been talking near and watched her exit the shop. A slight wave goodbye and he closed the door. He turned back to Petal who was still humming away, almost singing to the flowers.

He watched her for a few moments before checking the time. It was almost 5pm on Wednesday, Hoseok closed the shop during the week at 6:00pm. He walked over to Petal and grinned as he heard her talking to the flowers more.

"Yes you are, you're so bright and pretty. Just think of the people you're going to make so so very happy. Your sweet smell will fill them with so much joy. Just you wait." She spoke softly to them as she placed them inside the vase.

"Are they doing well?" Hoseok asked. Petal looked up at him and smiled brightly as she nodded.

"Yes they are. Just a little nervous about their big day tomorrow." She replied.

"Ah. Is that the bouquet for Mrs. and Mr. Park?" Hoseok asked.

"Yup, with their son getting married soon they're presenting this beauty to their new daughter in law at some rehearsal meal. It confused me too, pretty flowers." Petal answered. Hoseok chuckled as Petal looked at him again and tilted her head. "What's a rehearsal meal for? Humans know how to eat, why would they need to rehearse it?" She asked so innocently, but Hoseok couldn't help but to laugh. Petal pouted and finished putting the ribbon on the bouquet.

"Finish up here, lock up early and we'll talk more about it. Okay?" He asked her as he laughed lightly still. He petted her hair and grinned. She smiled at the affection he gave and nodded at him. Hoseok left Petal to finish up, and close a bit early. While she was doing that downstairs, Hoseok went up to the apartment, showered quickly and then started making dinner.

Once Petal came up she went to take her shower as well, giving Hoseok more time to set up the coffee table so they could eat and watch something.

Petal had changed into her usual night-time attire. Hoseok's shirt was long enough to look like a dress on her. Hoseok himself was in his pajamas as well, a loose white cotton shirt and gray sweatpants. He had dinner set out as she came and sat on the floor next to him, both of them having their backs against the sofa.