Have you ever asked someone what love is? - Azriel x OC

Part 2

The bell chimed in the shop, and I paused in my arranging to greet whoever had walked in, a woman smiled my way as she browsed, thanking me as I offered my assistance. She continued looking around, moving back further into the shop.

Cas was at school today so I could relax, not constantly having to worry about where he was at any given moment. Madja was picking him up too, so I had a few extra hours on my hand after I closed later to do some food shopping, and possibly pick up some new clothes for Cas. He was growing faster than I could keep up.

The bell chimed again, and I lifted my head, expecting to see the woman's back as she left. But it wasn't her.

Dark brown eyes greeted me, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. Illyrian wings tucked neatly against his back, the Shadowsinger moved into the shop. His shadows dispersed across the space, inspecting every flower and a few darted towards me, curling around my fingers and through my hair as I laughed.

"hello again"

"Sorry about them" he murmured, eyeing the shadows that refused to return to him.

"it's okay, they're cute." I assured with a smile, "what can I do for you today?"

"I'm looking to buy some flowers"

"well that was lucky" I couldn't help the comment that just slipped out, covering my mouth as a blush crept over my cheeks "sorry" he smirked at my embarrassment, tilting his head ever so slightly as his eyes studied me.

"what are your recommendations for a friends birthday?" I was glad for his redirection, moving out from behind the counter to guide him around the shop.

"Female or male?"

"Is there a difference?" I opened my mouth, but he was quick to interrupt "between the options. Not between the gender"

"Quick learner" I noted "females tend to notice the little things, most of the time men just look at flowers and see flowers."

"female"

"Any particular colours?" my gaze moved past the Shadowsinger to the woman moving towards the till, bouquet in hand. "One second" I touched his arm briefly as I moved around him, checking the lady out and wrapping her flowers for her before she left with a content wave.

"What is Al short for?" the Illyrian male asked as we went back searching for the perfect bouquet.

"Alex," I ducked my head before looking at him "and you?"

"You don't know my name?" as soon as the words left his mouth his whole faced flushed, shadows flurrying around him, siphons bright in the afternoon sun. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that"

I chuckled, leaning back against a table.

"I know it, I ask just in case you prefer to be called something else."

"Azriel is fine"

"Perfect. now then, tell me about colours"

He went for purple and white, so I picked out some lavender, baby breath, tulips and a few other smaller filler flowers to give the bunch volume. Azriel followed me around, interested in my work and he kept me busy.

"Your son isn't here today?"

"Brother" I corrected like I had done a thousand times, organising the flowers in my sorting vase. "he's in school thankfully, keeping his teachers on their toes no doubt"

"it's just the two of you?"

"And Madja, she looked after us until I could afford this place" my eyes flicked up to his to find him already watching me. "What do you think?"

"you've done a great job" my lips curved up, fighting back the amusement in my face.

"Of the bouquet, Azriel" his wings flared at his name, shadows ignoring their master and curling up my arms as I grinned.

"It's perfect, thank you" I nodded happily, bringing them to the counter to wrap them up.

"I don't think I've ever made a purple bunch before. It's quite extraordinary" I mused, mostly to myself, feeling goosebumps where the shadows travelled over the skin of my neck, caress almost a little too intimate.

"I'll make sure to tell Feyre she's the happy receiver of the extraordinary purple flowers" Azriel assured, shoulders a little less tense than when he walked in. good.

"you'll have to pass the birthday wishes on to our High Lady" I placed the beautiful bouquet on the counter in front of him, stopping him as he began pulling out his marks.

"I cannot leave you with nothing" he protested, trying to set the gold marks in my hands but I took refuge leaning further behind the counter as I shook my head.

"it's on me. You've provided me with a challenge, and that money can't buy" his lips thinned, eyes narrowing, and I smiled kindly. "Please take the flowers"

"thank you" he picked up the flowers carefully, cradling them in his arm "I will repay you"

"no need" I promised "You did more than enough for me yesterday by keeping an eye out for Cas." He nodded in defeat, casting me another one of his looks before the shadows crawled out from under my hair and back to their Illyrian.

"I'll see you again?" his tone made it sound like a question and my eyebrow twitched slightly, excitement buzzing through me at the simple thought we would have another interaction.

"I look forward to it" my eyes shone as I watched him leave.

I was beginning to enjoy the Shadow singer's company.

Azriel.