Adult AU (like early 20's)
Delicate rain drops fall from the sky and onto the glistening walls of the flower shop's greenhouse. The glass reflects the million colors of flowers, creating rainbows of shimmering light. Richie stood next to one of the towering ferns, spraying it with his co-worker, Stan's, spare spray bottle. An earbud is pressed into his ear as he watches the rain slowly drip from the outdoor walls onto the gravel ground. Business was slow but Richie never minded creating new and colorful bouquets in his free time.
Right before Richie inched to the next fern, he heard a soft ding towards the front of the store. Richie peaked his head from the entrance of the greenhouse which was connected to the checkout counter. Richie felt his cheeks grow light red tint as a boy slowly paced through the store. His hair was a milk chocolate yet was dampened and covered his face. The boy looked breathless, fumbling an inhaler out of his pocket and up to his lips only to place it back into his suit coat pocket. His suit was drenched and clung tightly to his body. You could see that boy's chest as he took off his shit coat, hanging it onto the antique coat rack. Then the boy quickly paced towards the front counter, quietly slamming a bunched up twenty dollar bill in front of Richie, leaving hand on the counter. With his free hand, the boy slicked his wet hair back to perfection.
Richie could've died happy in this moment. Richie could now see the mysterious boys face. Richie could see the boys layer of freckles under his red, puffy eyes. Richie didn't notice the boys tear filled eyes until later. He was too busy counting the freckles that were sprinkled across his rosy cheeks. Once Richie counted 11 brown sugar freckles, the boy spoke with a shaky voice. "Uhm, sorry to bother you but I need a bouquet."
His voice caused Richie to choke on his own words as his cheeks grew crimson red. "Uh-yuh-yeah. What do you need darling?"
"How do you say 'fuck you' in flowers." The boy asks with full sincerity.
This made Richie giggle as he man tried to explain his request. "Oh well, I guess I can do something like that." Richie walked out from behind the counter and quickly gazed over the store. Once he got a glance at a coral flower, he ran over to gracefully pick the flower only to run back to the pitiful boy. Richie finally got a glance of the boys tear drenched eyes. Richie felt a wave of sadness wash over but he shook it off, taking the mysterious boy's hand, placing the flower into it. The boys hands were soft. Delicate. Richie never wanted to let them go. The boy pulled from Richie's grasp, and smelt the flower, leaving yellow powder trickling on his nose. Richie smiled and giggled as he wiped the pollen off the boy's nose. He saw that the boys cheeks were flushed with the same rosy blush that was plastered all over Richie's face. Richie contained himself, not to cup the boys freckle filled cheeks.
Richie shook his head again and pointed to the flower in the boys elegant hands "That flower is called an orange lily. Basically it means hatred."
The boy giggled and looked at him with a shocked expression. "Are you saying you hate me?!"
Richie's stomach filled with anxiety as he shook his head violently. "What! No! I could never hate someone as pretty as you." Richie immediately closed his mouth after realizing what he had said.
The drenched boy was warmed by what Richie said and giggled once again. Oh god, that giggle. Riche knew that was something he'd never get tired of hearing.
"Well I'm glad the flower boy things I'm pretty." the boy comments as he twirls the flower around in his hand.
"It's Richie."
"Huh?" The boy questioned.
"My name. It's Richie."
"Well thanks Richie." The boy hums, smiling a candy like smile.
Richie's heart fluttered at the sound of his name coming from the boy of his dreams. "And you?"
"Oh, It's Eddie."
Eddie.
"Hi Eddie." Richie says with a final breath, trying not to collapse right there.
Richie grabbed the rest of the flowers consisting of geraniums (stupidity), foxgloves (insincerity), meadowsweet (uselessness), yellow carnations (you have disappointed me) and finally, orange lilies (hatred). The bouquet looked like a fire, flaming with red, orange, hot pink and cotton white. Richie packed the flowers into a tight bouquet
"Here you go little man." Richie said with an annoyingly obvious wink.
Eddie clearly blushed and swiped the bouquet from Richie's grasp. "Thank you so much Richie."
"Of course!" Richie smiles, "Before you leave, do you mind telling me who's gonna receive those flowers."
Richie watched Eddie's eyes refill with tears threatening to drip. "Hey I'm sorry Eds-"
Richie was quickly interrupted by the petite boy. "Don't sweat it Richie, that's a story for next time. And don't call me that. My name is Eddie."
"Alrighty Eds." Richie replies, grabbing a pitch black umbrella from under the counter, walking it up to Eddie.
"What's this?" Eddie questions as he pulls on his still wet suit coat.
"For the road." Richie hums softly.
"Thanks Richie." Eddie grasps his hands tighter onto the bouquet and stood on his tip-toes to lay a gentle kiss on Richie's cheek. "Till next time." He says, opening the umbrella and stepping outside.
"Till next time." Richie says gleefully, holding his hand up to his cheek before waving goodbye to Eddie.
part two..? idk this one kinda sucks.
