White Gardenia [TANKHUNNONSEE/OFFGUN]

part 6: rosebud

Tan doesn't understand art, but he does appreciate it. Maybe not to the extent that he could see the emotions, hear the voices and feel the artist' passion behind it. But he does enjoy walking through a gallery on a lazy evening. That wasn't enough, apparently.

His thumb froze above the screen, contemplating what to do with it. Does he scroll past? Pretends he never came across it? Or he taps 'like' and dies like brave men on the field?

The painting was splendid. The strokes are light but persistent. The colors are soothing, yet comes out as a bold mix. The sunlight serves as its spotlight instead of fading its charm. Very in character of Nubdao.

Tan is genuinely happy for her. Had she stayed in Bangkok, she would never have found the opportunity to give birth to this kind of masterpiece. To create freely this way. To live the life she dreams of. Her well-being comes before Tan's feelings. It had always been that way and Tan doubts it will ever change. But god, he hates the couple selfies that followed the beautiful painting.

"Are you a sweet tooth?"

Tan jerked up from the becursed pictures and searched for the source of voice.

Nonsee raised his brows and stepped back a little. "Oh... sorry for the interruption... I'll just leave you?"

"No, no, please don't...!" Tan replied fast. He flipped the phone downwards and sat up straight. "How can I help you?"

The shorter man giggled. Tan always knew he's small, but the way he stood there - only about a head taller than a sitting Tan - it's endearing somehow. The wide denim apron that hugs his tiny figure doesn't help either. He looks... pocket-sized.

"That should be my line. You are my customer here."

"Oh," Tan looked down to his avocado coffee - the coffee of the day. "Everything's great, Chef. Do you have anything else to recommend?"

Non scrunched up his nose. He's incredibly shy of the nickname, which makes Tan even more eager to use it. "I actually do. That's why, I'm asking you if you have a sweet tooth? Do you love sweets?"

"I am usually not. But I like to watch them."

"Watch?"

"Watch the cooking video? Look at the pictures or stare at the display fridge?"

"Is that enjoyable?"

Tan nodded. "You know, like when you pass by jewelry shops and just had to stay and watch all those sparkling diamonds, but you don't actually want to buy them?"

The other man chuckled. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can relate."

"Aw, too bad," Tan pretended a pout.

The smile on Non's face grew wider. "I really didn't expect you to have a side like this. It's rather cute."

That was such a simple remark, leaving his mouth so matter-of-factly. Yet enough to numb Tan's tongue like a boy talking to his first crush. To be called cute, by the cutest person possible in the whole city.

Tankhun had to take a quick, deep breath to not embarrass himself further. "Anyway, what do you want to sell me, Chef?"

Non puckered his lips, "Hmm, but you said you don't actually like to eat sweets..."

"I usually don't, but this shop is an exception."

"Oh?"

"I don't know. It tastes just right for me." It crossed his mind for a split second to comment that, as if they're catered for me. But that sounds delusional and creepy. "So, sell it to me. I'd eat anything you make."

Nonsee was quiet for a moment before nodding meekly. A little flustered, maybe. Even that expression looks good on him. "Anything?" He just had to confirm again. Tan nodded firmly. "Okay... I will bring it to you?" He pointed to the back and slowly turned around. "Be right back."

Tankhun watched him totter to the counter with a small smile that might plaster his face the whole day. The latter came back briefly after with a slice of chocolate chestnut cake with flower patterns on top, made of powdered sugar. To be frank, the appearance wasn't exquisite at all, but Tan liked it. Food in Pink Beauty always looks homey, made from the heart and baked with love. And because the cake tasted like gentle strokes and fluffy bed, it gave him a blind bravery. To invite Nonsee to sit with him instead of standing there and telling him stories about how chestnuts' cultivation have existed with humans since around 2000 BC.

Sunset came too soon that day. Tan almost begged Helios to slow down his journey and let the sun stay on the sky a little longer. But he has bills to pay and reality to face. Non, on the other side, just had to make it harder by accompanying him to the very last moment - handled the payment, walked him down the stairs and gifted him a flower.

"What is it...?"

"A rosebud."

It does resemble a rose, but smaller than what he usually sees. "For me?"

"Oh, umm, sorry... I'm not trying to offend you." Non retreated his hand and the stalk of flower seemed down, resembling his dropping smile.

Tan swiftly took hold of it and if their fingers accidentally touched, he pretended to be cool about it. "No, no, I'm not offended! Why would I?"

Non let go of his hand, cheeks tinted pink in a flash. "Because some men think it's humiliating to receive flowers. I don't want you to think I'm insulting you."

"Oh, I'm not. Rest assured. I think flowers are for everyone, no?" Non nodded excitedly. "I'm just wondering why?"

"Just because. Flowers make special occasion better, but it doesn't have to be reserved for that. Every day can be a special day if you make it to be. You can give anyone that deserves it, whenever you want."

"So I deserve one?"

"You do. Everyone does. And everyone has a perfect flower for them. I call them your spirit flower."

Tan blinked, intrigued. "Really? What's mine?"

Non gave it a thought, but couldn't come up with anything. "I... don't know yet. So I'm giving one according to the impression you leave me with today. Rosebud means innocent love."

He pursed his lips, twirling and gazing at the pink flower in his hand. Holding back a snort, since innocence was the last thing he'd expect people to associate him with. "Why?" He asked.

"No reason. That's just what I feel."

"Hmm, so will it change? The flower you give me?"

"It may, or it may not. We'll have to see."

Tan would really like to see. "Can you give me one each time I come? You got me curious here."

Non laughed. "Ai will go crazy if I keep giving away free flowers."

"Then I'll buy one."

"Just one stalk?"

Tan confirmed, "But I want the owner's handpicked one."

There, he said it. There, the blind bravery had brought him into. Now Tan wouldn't be able to stop coming. Because when he went home with the single stalk of pink rosebud, he found himself overdosed with dopamine. He later also found his phone with Instagram open, feed refreshed, and had completely forgotten what he was looking at the last time.

...

how is tannon so far
y'all getting the vibes?