Flowershop

Chapter Four

Kiku inhaled in the scent of the flowers for the umpteenth time. He didn't even move from his spot next to the car. He just stared at the ginormous sign that read, "NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN". This was a place he had always wanted to go to, for multiple reasons. The garden had been established in 1891, and the architecture was that of the Victorian Era, he loved it. There was just 240 acres of flowers, with 50 acres of old-growth forest that are at the heart of the garden. Just thinking of these facts made Kiku's head spin with pure excitement, and with a fleeting look he quite literally dragged Alfred by the arm to the entrance.

Just watching the look of pure ecstasy on Kiku's face made Alfred's heart flutter. He was so proud, so proud that he, Alfred F. Jones, put that look on his face- before he even got to finish the thought, Kiku caught hold of Alfred's arm and to his surprise dragged him to the entrance. His heart skipped a beat at the contact, and his lips broke into a wildly happy grin that made some people stare. He felt Kiku stop abruptly, then watched as Kiku rummaged around in his jacket's pocket for something. Realizing what he was about to do, he grabbed Kiku's hand and shook his head. He felt a bit sad the Japanese was always so obliged to pay, when Alfred was almost sure he didn't barely managed money to pay for his apartment. "Bro, its ok. Put your wallet away, today's on me!" Kiku looked at him with an unreadable expression for a second before slowly putting his wallet away, his hair slightly masking his face. with a quiet "thank you". Alfred gave him that one-thousand watt smile, and said, "No problem! What are friends for!" At that Kiku chuckled slightly, and muttered something Alfred didn't catch, a small awkward blush creeping on his face. He was still probably guilty poor guy.

25 dollars?! He thought, how could it be so expensive for one person?! He didn't even know that you had to pay to get in! He mentally facepalmed for not knowing better. Well, he thought sadly, there goes my paycheck. He was about to take out his wallet when he realized there was hardly any money in it. Oh Lord. What was he going to do?! He thought of his good friend Ludwig, who liked splitting the bill. He considered that a moment until the American grabbed his hand and shook his head with a smile on his face. "Bro, its ok. Put your wallet away, today's on me!" Kiku stared at him, very relieved but guilty at the same time. Why was Alfred doing this for him? Was he aware that Kiku had no money? Kiku felt his face grow hot, and reached to put his wallet back in his pocket. He was relieved to see that the American was oblivious to his reddening cheeks. "Thank you," he murmured. He saw as Alfred's face lit up in the cutest way in Kiku's opinion, and said "No problem! That's what friends are for!" He was taken aback at those words, and thought about all the friendly things Alfred had done for him in the time that he knew him. He remembered all the flowers Alfred had bought for him, and inwardly smiled, sometimes, Alfred bought chrysanthemums from Kiku, and gave them to him, knowing they were his favourite flower. He remembered all the times Alfred had bought him food, a knowing look in his eye as Kiku sheepishly said he wasn't all that hungry. "Friends," he repeated with a slight chuckle, a small smile playing on his lips. "Okay," Alfred said, grabbing Kiku's hand, making the latter one start, "Lets gooooo!" he said rather lamely.

Alfred took hold of the older man's hand and practically dragged him to the admittance area. He saw the prices. Lets see, it was Wednesday, and he was 20, so... $20. He was sure Kiku was about two or three years older than him... so that would be about $40 dollars. No way in hell was he going to pay 40 freaking dollars just so he could show his crush around a garden. Kids 12 and under were $8. Hm....he looked Kiku up and down. Maybe...? He watched as Kiku became visibly uncomfortable under his gaze. He was about to say something until he saw the old man at the desk waiting impatiently. So he promptly put a fatherly hand on Kiku's shoulder and approached the man. "Yes, hello, a ticket for one adult and a ticket for one child!" he said, quite unbashfully. He saw Kiku flash him a this-will-never-work kind of look but the man just gave them their tickets and waved them off. He once again grabbed hold of Kiku's hand (and once again didn't notice him flinch at the sudden contact), and set off into the garden.

Alfred looked at the prices, a smile never leaving his face. Kiku rolled his eyes slightly. He was looking at Alfred, just simply admiring him until he noticed Alfred looking him up and down with an almost serious expression on his face. Kiku became uncomfortable and shifted a little where he was standing and cringed. Why was he looking at him like that?! He was starting to actually get nervous until he felt Alfred's warm hand move to his shoulder, snapping him to reality. "Yes, hello, a ticket for one adult and a ticket for a child. A child?!His eyes widened. Was Alfred aware he was older than him by 2 years? He gave Alfred a pointed look that plainly said he would fail. He waited for the old man to call him on his bluff, and was taken off guard as the man just took the money and gave him their tickets. He was still lost in his own thoughts, still wondering how he passed off as a twelve year old, when Alfred's warm hand grabbed his own tightly and led them to the main area.
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Kiku had taken many pictures with the digital camera he brought along with him. The whole scene was just so surreal. He remembered back to his childhood, when his mother took him to gardens, many, yet none as extravagant as this. He remembered his mother talking for hours about the names of flowers, edible plants, and just nature in general. He inwardly laughed at the memories of his younger siblings always finding trouble, and Kiku, being the oldest usually got blamed for all the trouble they caused. He inwardly laughed at the memory, then looked at Alfred. Alfred honestly looked like a happy little puppy. His eyes were bright behind his glasses, and Kiku admired the way Alfred was so honest with himself and others, and how expressive Alfred was. Kiku just simply stood there, admiring the American. The way his blue eyes glimmered in the dying daylight, the way his smile just never faded. Kiku realized how grateful he was to Alfred, the times he bought him flowers, buying him this ticket, and just simply being Alfred. He was still standing there, just admiring the man, until he noticed Alfred staring right back. He looked up to meet him in the eyes, then unblushingly turned his gaze to the lilac section. He unhooked his camera from around his neck, and snapped away rapidly, taking a generous amount of pictures. He smirked, as he was fully aware of the American melting behind his back. They didn't know it yet, but they were falling in the best kind of love.