Flower-Boy (Cactus X Reader)

1 - And his name was... - 1

"Have you seen the new guy at the flower shop?" Mango pulls in closer, making sure of their surroundings.

"Huh?" You turn to Mango, your expression growing puzzled "Which flower shop?"

"You are literally so dumb, we pass by it every day." Mango's emerald green eyes reflect the sun for a slim moment, then turns their head to the front. Their lengthy ink hair is thrown into your face as a result. "how do you miss a detail you see every day y/n?"

"Well it must be something unnoticeable; it can't be something that outstanding and eye-catching" You scoff at the remark "I'm not that oblivious."

"You're literally standing right in front of it dumbo" Mango chuckles, tapping your shoulder and pointing to your right. "its the one we used to go to as children remember?"

Standing on the street way was a highly decorated yet muted florist shop, the sign freshly painted and the building slightly outdated. Some weeds start to crawl up the corners of the bricks and the wood from the door chipping from the constant use. The flowers displayed outside contrast the murky beige; being vibrant and rich in colour. Many variants of plant life blossomed the interior of the tiny shop, decorating the slick cream walls of the inside. 

"You're standing there analyzing it as you've never seen it in your life, I hope you remember that you've been in here on more than one occasion right?" Mango sighed. "Remember when we bought flowers from Miss. Rye here?"

That name is one you recognized. 

"Ah, the shop looks a lot different! Wait I thought Miss. Rye liked more vibrant colours, didn't she? It feels a lot more.. modernized? Vintage?" You'd wonder why she'd make such a big decision to her brand. She has a degree in graphic design, doesn't she? You'd think that she's confident in her way of doing things.

"Yeah we haven't seen her since  we entered University, but we still pass by here every day I thought you'd notice?" Mango gruntled, face-palming themselves.

The both of you start to amble towards the shop, your feet firmly making a sound on the smooth concrete.

"Lately she's got a new worker, I said that earlier, did you not hear?" Mango snickered. "I haven't talked to him yet but Rye told me before she left that she wanted to make the shop seem more comfortable for other customers. Though her shop was signature to the bright colours, They wear out easily and its a bit tacky standing out heavily from the rest of the stores in this area." 

"I always thought that was the eyecatching point of her shop?" You questioned, still confused at her decision.

Taking steps into the flower shop, feeling welcomed with the familiar smells of the garden-like store.

"well according to you you forgot it even existed for a good few months" Mango sighed,  tucking their hair behind their ear, "I liked it too but I think I can agree, it mostly attracted older women because of the classic 80s look. Young people didn't really give the shop a chance for its full potential."

Well, that makes sense in a way. It's better for business anyways. I still kind of miss the old colours. You reflect on the changes to the shop. The bold colours of the flower shop always put a smile on your face, remembering how Miss. Rye started working there as a high schooler, and you were in your last grade of grade school. She was always someone who brights up the room; no matter the situation. You admired her as someone you'd wanna become when you were older.

You take a look around you reminiscing the old memories you had here. This was a place that specially belonged deeply in your heart. You got a bit embarrassed that you'd already forgotten this shop so quickly; who could forget something so special to them?

dwelling on memories, you start spiraling into thought before you smell something familiar, yet pleasant.

it might be the sweet smell of nectar coming from the ivory lilies, the smell that pulls bees into claiming the sugar-coated syrup for themselves. Or is it the luscious stands of lavender? The herbal, earthy scent, the scent that's gentle and delicate on your sense of smell, allowing you to feel at ease? Could it be the overwhelming aroma of the violet-stained bundles of lilacs? With a strong floral scent that freshens the room, the confectionary-like smell brings you closer and closer with every whiff you take. It feels as if it's a combination of all the above, you can't seem to wrap your head around any of them!

The source of the incense seems to be inching closer to you, getting more glaring to your senses, yet it's a soothing scent making you want to smell more.

"Oh! are you two here to pick up an order?" 

There it was. The source of the scent. The scent that puts you in blissfulness, making your stomach feel all tingly as it overwhelms your senses.

Looking slightly up he's a boy around your age, yet he's nothing you've ever seen. 

The sun's angle highlights the chestnut brown hue of the slightly fluffed up locks, dripping every strand with golden dust. The earthy bronze truly resembles the gemstone of a thick transparent amber, glowing in the direct sunlight.

 It contrasts the washed-out, rose-tinted hibiscus eyes. The eyes that blossom in the dead of night, when the moon washes over the earth with its tame light, the eyes that reflect the pale-ish blue of the moon to truly create a mesmerizing sight. 

They merge with the sunkissed freckled skin, imperfections are to be seen with the slight texture seen only when exposed, at the sight of the sunset; highlighting the little spots scattered across.

The sudden atmosphere change startles you when mango starts speaking,

"Oh, we're only here to look around, we're usuals of this place" Mango smiled. They seem to be a bit shy around him.

You and mango both slowly paced to admire the new set of coral-tinted canna lilies, blooming right beside the slender glass windows. The sun shone directly onto the flowers, the warmth making them grow slightly taller.

"You're a new part-timer I heard? I haven't seen you here since our last few visits" You looked up to the freckled boy,  trying your best to hide the skittish way you've been feeling around him; but the feeling of warmth slowly coming to your cheeks can't be hidden. Your ears turn a rosy red as your face warms up with it.

"Yeah," He warmly chuckled, walking towards the two of you, "My twin actually helped me get this job, You've probably seen him around in the past year or two."

The brunette showered the rosy peonies next to us, making sure to not damage the delicate flowers.

"Wait, the one with the two streaks in her hair right?" Mango straightens their stance, turning their head to look in the direction of the part-time florist. "I've seen them help around on morning shifts if it is him." 

"Yeah, that's definitely her, we switch between morning and afternoon shifts so you might see them more often" 

The brunette and Mango keep chatting, blurring into white static noise in your head. Nowadays, you don't experience much silence or peacefulness. The cramming of both University projects and a part-time job leaves your weekends as more of a need to relax and do nothing instead of indulging in your hobbies. Admiring the flowers here at the florist shop makes you feel at ease with whatever is going on around you.

"Y/n! look at the time we have to go to our afternoon classes" Mango yelped, frantically looking at their phone. "We have to leave right now or the professor will mark us late."

Mango grabs your wrist and starts to pick up the pace, starting to walk a bit faster than before.

You turn back to look at the florist shop quickly when he catches your eye.

the new worker smiles at you and waves as you get closer to the exit. He seemingly opens his mouth, wanting to get something out before we open the door to the outdoors.

"The names Cactus by the way."

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1379 words