shindeku//eyes of sage and rosemary

part six; samhain

October 30th

The shop was busy with last minute Samhain shopping. It was decorated accordingly, yes, but there were other cute decorations around the store. Izuku liked to acknowledge the Wiccan holiday, but the child in him greatly appreciated the Westernized version of it: Halloween. 

There were paper bats and ghosts and witches all around, along with pumpkins at the register. The lights had a filter on them that cast a faint indigo glow onto the floor and the walls. He sold candies and bat pins for younger witches and their families. He sold cauldrons about the size of large bowl, and set up a sale for candles and crystals. (Buy one, get one free!) With every sale, he wished the customer a happy new year and safe travels. All in all, Izuku was very into the holiday. 

Kazuhiko roamed the store as he pleased, rubbing up on customers' legs whenever he got the chance. He often did this, though he seemed particularly lively today...or as lively as a cat can be. 

Hitoshi came into work late that day, though he didn't really mind; business wouldn't pick up until later in the evening, as midnight drew closer. 

When he did come in, he gave Izuku a little greeting kiss before jumping right into his position behind the register, allowing for Izuku to go around and help whoever he could. There were a bunch of newbies in town, which meant two things for him: 1) sales would sky rocket and 2) he would be getting a lot of people requesting help. He didn't mind it, of course. 

As the sun went down, and the moon started to rise, there was a quiet period where the store was deserted. Izuku made his way to his boyfriend, rested a hand on his cheek and leaned up to kiss him gently. "I want to talk to you after we close up. It's kind of important." When Hitoshi nodded solemnly, he kissed him again. "Don't worry." 

"I always worry." 

One last peck and Izuku was heading to the door that lead to his greenhouse. He wasn't in there for a long--only picking the few apple blossoms that still remained. He picked an apple while he was at it, just then realizing he had forgotten to eat lunch. When he returned, he picked up a glass jar and set the flowers inside, placing them behind the register counter. Hitoshi watched him, as he often did, fascinated that someone could be so confident in what they do. He had always admired that about Izuku. 

The rest of the day passed by in a matter of seconds; Izuku was ecstatic when they helped their last customer, and sent them off. When he grabbed his things (including Kazuhiko and his boyfriend), he locked up shop and headed up to his apartment. He had decorated his home for the holiday, complete with a pumpkin plush, black and silver candles, and an altar sat in the centre of the room, where the moonlight could hit it perfectly. 

Hitoshi settled on the bed, along with the cat; they both watched Izuku as he grabbed some matches and lit the candles. He joined them on the bed after that. They were silent. The only audible noise was Kazuhiko purring in Hitoshi's lap and the crackle of fire as it ate away at the candle wicks. He sprinkled the apple blossom petals around the altar, then turned his body to face Hitoshi; his eyes were focused on something over his shoulder. 

"Have you finally found a way to contact my dad?" He asked, reaching a hand out to touch Izuku's. He glanced to his boyfriend finally. 

Izuku took a breath. "You need to let him go." He said quietly, as he didn't want to hurt Hitoshi too much. "He's begging you." As if on cue, the petals started to slowly swirl around the altar, causing the flames on the candles to flicker. 

They didn't go out. 

Hitoshi squeezed Izuku's hand, afraid of what he couldn't see. Izuku's gaze flashed back to behind Hitoshi's shoulder, his eyes growing sadder by the second. He was so focused on listening to what the spirit had to say, that he almost didn't see the tears falling down Hitoshi's cheeks.