Sunflowers and Roses: A Solangelo AU

Chapter 11

Nico didn't see Will again for about a week. He had managed to get his store up and running, and, unsurprisingly, business started booming immediately. All the people of the town were probably tired of ordering flowers or driving long distances to get them. Plus, Nico made sure to have only the best supplies available.

Still, every time the door opened, he would look up, expecting-hoping-to see the blonde. Instead he was met with strangers' faces. He would hide his disappointment with a small, polite smile. Maybe he had finally scared Will off.

He'd been trying to shake the blonde, and now that he finally had, he didn't know why he felt disappointed. He couldn't stop thinking about Archie, or Will's inability to properly defend his girlfriend, or the casual overlook of Archie telling Will to date him instead.

His cheeks warmed at the thought. He quickly shook his head. You don't know him, he's straight, you're going back to New York, you don't freaking KNOW HIM-

The bell chimed, knocking Nico out of his thoughts. He looked up, ready to welcome another stranger, but his heart stuttered when he saw Will...

And Drew.

He tightened his shoulders so they wouldn't droop. He plastered on a fake, wide smile and looked at Drew like she was the only one in the world.

"I see Will finally told you I was open!" Nico chirped.

When she saw him, she beamed. "I know right? Took him long enough! I need roses, and a lot of them for a party my mom's throwing. Do you have roses? Please tell me you have roses."

He mocked offense. "Of course I have roses! Right this way!"

He led Drew (and Will) to the section where he kept only crisp, large, bold blooms. The roses were fragrant, colorful, and bursting with joy in the sunlight.

"I need all of these." She said, gesturing to all the red flowers. Nico blinked. Who the hell was this girl's mother?

"Um... Okay... you know that's going to be a little expensive, right?" He said slowly, wanting to make sure she understood.

Behind him, he heard Will snort. Nico clenched his jaw.

"Oh money's no object baby boy." She giggled, patting his cheek before prancing off to go look at other flowers.

Will turned to him smirking. "Her mom's an actress in Hollywood or something like that." He said. "It's best to just let her do what she wants, baby boy."

Nico's chest tightened, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest. What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck-

"Nico? You okay? You're really red-" Will sounded concerned, and Nico wanted to die. Why the fuck was he blushing? Why the fuck would Will say that? Why the fuck was it so hot in here?

"I'm fine." He snapped, turning away from Will. He was never going to talk to or look at that stupid blonde man again-

"Hey, darlin', how much are these?" Will called from further down the aisle.

Nico turned on his heel. "Why do you insist on calling me-"

"'Cause it annoys you." Will shrugged. "How much are these?" He gestured to delicate blue and purple blooms.

Nico stepped closer. "Hyacinth." He mumbled.

"Yes." Will said. "How much are they?"

Nico glanced at Will. The man's eyes were shining. His fingers trembled a little as he traced them against the petals of the small flowers.

"Will?" He murmured, surprised by how soft his voice was. "Will, what is it?"

Will blinked. Pulled his hand away. "Nothing, just... These are my dad's favorites."

Nico looked at the flowers. "He has good taste. Delicate, beautiful, subtle and perfect for a Texas window sill."

Will chuckled, humorlessly. "Nothing about that man is delicate or beautiful or subtle."

Nico blinked. "Will-"

"He likes them because they're the flowers he lays on the grave of his ex-lover every year." Will admitted suddenly, reaching out to touch the flowers again. "He loved someone dead more than he ever loved my mother. Or me. Or my siblings." 

"The flowers remind me that he was capable of love at one time. They make me hope that I'll love someone that much one day."

Nico felt his chest tighten again. He looked up the aisle at Drew, who was gushing over some giant, gaudy lily. "Do you?" He didn't know why he asked. He didn't know why it was so important to him.

"I don't know." He whispered, and Nico tried-and failed- not to shiver when he felt the blonde's warm breath on his neck.

Drew came stomping back over before either boy could really acknowledge what just happened.

"Okay, I'm ready!" She chirped. "I need all those red roses, four of those water lilies- they would look AMAZING in my garden's pond- and uh, Will honey, do you want anything? Think of it as an anniversary gift!"

Will smiled, but it seemed forced. "No, I'm alright Drew. I'll just-"

"Actually." Nico spoke up. "Since you're buying so many flowers, I'm going to include one complementary item in your purchase."

Drew beamed at him. "Pick whatever you want Willy~" She sang as she walked away, using her phone camera to fix her already flawless lip stick.

"Take these, Will." He mumbled, picking up the blue blooms and placing them in Will's hands, careful not to touch him. "They're free."

Will swallowed. "I can... I can pay for-"

"Shut up."

"And dance with me~"

"I said shut-"

"SHUT UP AND DANCE WITH ME!"

Nico glared at Will. Will grinned at Nico.

He didn't know he started laughing first, all he knew was the next second he was laughing his ass off, leaning against Will for support, and Will was laughing so hard the unshed tears were now falling from his eyes.

"Well ain't this a sight for sore eyes." A girl's voice said, and Nico peaked to see who it was. 

He sobered up immediately, stepping at least a foot away from Will.

"Hey Hazel." He mumbled, suddenly very interested in his shoes.

Will noticed the shift in atmosphere. "Hey Hazel." he parroted, smiling at her.

She smiled back. "What's the joke?"

Nico sighed. "There is no joke. This boy-"

"Is my destiny~"

Nico groaned. "-IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME!"

"OoOoOOooO~"

"Get out. No more free flowers for you."

"Hey! But Darlin'-"

"Darlin' nothing, sweetheart."

"When's the wedding?" Hazel giggled. "You two are acting like you've been married for years."

"WILLY!" A high pitched shriek came from the front of the store. "HURRY UP ALREADY! I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR MY MASSAGE!"

Will sighed. "Wedding planning will have to happen on another day, Hazel." He looked at Nico. "You go on ahead and go check her out."

"No thanks. She's not my type."

"Your sarcasm is going to be the death of me." Hazel sighed, smiling softly, and Nico smiled too. They were okay again.

And today hadn't been too bad of a day.