Middle of the Week Motivation

Flowers for Those I Hate

Jack hummed to himself as he bustled around the empty flower shop. Business was pretty slow today, but the blue eyed Irishman found that he didn't really mind. He stood behind the counter, surrounded on all sides by flowers of all kinds, arranging bouquets that had been ordered.

He glanced up from his work as the front door chimed, politely greeting his across the street neighbor who he'd been crushing on for a few months now. "Oh, heya Mark." Mark owned a tattoo parlor, though, ironically enough, he was spotless while Jack was covered in tattoos.

Jack looked up from his work once again, haulting his progress when Mark didn't reply. Instead, the raven haired man slammed a $20 bill on the counter and huffed in frustration before growling out a response.

"How do you passive aggressively say 'fuck you' in flowers?"

Jack snorted, and covered his mouth after recovering from a moment of shock. "Your roommate got you riled up again?" Jack teased, already scoping out which flowers he would use. Honestly, he had been waiting for this day ever since Mark had starting complaining about the jerk he lived with a few weeks ago.

"He's brought a new girl home every night this week, and I haven't been able to sleep do to their.." Mark paused, searching for a PG word. "Antics."

"Well," Jack drew his friends attention to the bunch of flowers Jack had piled on the counter. "We have Yellow Carnations for disappointment, Geraniums for stupidity and Orange lilies for hate. Does that work?"

Mark nodded, obviously pleased.

"Will he be able to understand the message?" Jack questioned. For someone who knew the language of flowers, it was an obvious sign of hate, but anyone else might mistake it for a nice bouquet.

"With a little explanation, I think Lawrence will be able to get it through his thick skull. Could you write what each one means on one of those label card things?" Jack nodded as Mark continued to talk. "I'll place this right beside the big sign I printed out which reads You Have 3 Days To Get Out!"

Jack burst out laughing, and Mark joined in a few seconds later, the tension evaporating from his body as the pair giggled to themselves. "You know, I think I'll throw in a few Sweet Pea flower, which mean good bye."

Mark nodded in agreement. "That's very fitting, I'd think."

Jack finished up the bouquet, and began to ring up the (discounted) price, when Mark stopped him. "You know, I think I'd like one more."

"Another bundle of hate?"

"Another bouquet, but one that means 'I love you.'"

Jack rose an eyebrow, trying to ignore the blush that dusted across his cheeks. "You got someone in mind?"

Mark nodded and Jack tried not to feel crestfallen at his response. "I'm just hoping I'll finally be able to take them home after this prick leaves." Mark admitted.

Jack nodded softly, arranging another, cheerier bundle of flowers. "I didn't know you were dating someone."

Mark scoffed. "I not. I getting the courage to ask them."

Jack nodded in agreement. He could relate to that feeling, except for him, it appeared his opportunity had passed. "Ok, so this time I have Acacia Blossoms for Concealed Love, Pink Camellias for Longing, White Camellias for Adorable, Red Roses for love and Red Tulips for a declaration of love."

"Perfect." Mark smiled, paying Jack the proper amount before grabbing the bouquet of hate and heading towards the door.

"Hey, wait." Jack called after the brown eyes man. "You forgot this one."

Marks gaze flickered between the bouquet in his hands and the one on the counter. "No I didn't." He winked, throwing one last sentence over his shoulder before letting the door shut behind him. "That one is for you."