Pink Peonies and Coffee Stains (on hiatus)

Chapter 1: Frappés and Fuschias

Kihyun finished taking a few more photos of the plant in front of him before sighing as he placed his camera down on one of the studio's tables. It wasn't that the plant wasn't looking good on camera, no every photo he took was a masterpiece. And he supposed that since he got the plant from Hyungwon, it should look good on camera. He would admit Hyungwon was an ok florist. Kihyun and Hyungwon were friends in high school and they kept in touch since Kihyun often needed plants and flowers for his photo shoots and Hyungwon didn't mind the extra business. Neither would straight up admit it was also because they actually enjoyed each other's company. But that was beside the point, Kihyun was tired as balls. He had to stay up late yesterday to get photos of the skyline of Seoul at night for a travel magazine that had hired him. He remembers that there is a café across from Hyungwon's shop that he read sells pretty good coffee and he does need to get some photos of native flora for the magazine. Plus, it means he can pester Hyungwon, which is always fun. He shoots Hyungwon a text telling him he's coming and asking him if he wants to grab a coffee after. The photographer puts his phone back into his pocket and packs a bag with some equipment and heads to Plethora of Petals.

Hyungwon hears his phone chime from the counter and halts repotting the new Narcissuses that just arrived and groans in disdain. He takes off his gloves and picks up his phone to find a text from Kihyun. He's coming over to take some pictures and asks him to go to get a coffee with him after. He sighs, it'll be difficult to get Kihyun to not destroy his flowers as he insists on trying to force them in different directions to get a better shot, but it is almost time to close up shop and he can't deny he's curious about the café. He thinks back to the man he saw earlier and wonders how a barista can be so fit. His thoughts are interrupted when Kihyun saunters into the shop with a bag full of photography equipment.

It's the evening now and the café is quiet except for the occasional customer wandering in. Hoseok is wiping down a table when a boy with fading red hair walks in with a large bag, but it's the man that cautiously follows behind him that catches his attention. It's the florist from across the street. He looks even more stunning up close. Hoseok quickly finishes cleaning the table and lightly jogs behind the counter to take the two's orders.

"Hello my name is Hoseok, what can I get for you today?"

The man with the faded red hair orders first, a Latté with extra foam.

"And what will the name for your order be?"

"Kihyun." The man says simply.

Hoseok nods and writes the name on one of the many paper cups by the register.

"Next in line please." He says as he puts the cup for the Latté with extra foam down.

Kihyun moves to the side allowing the pink-haired florist to walk up to the counter. As the tall man gazed over the chalkboard menu on the wall, Hoseok can't help but let his eyes roam over the florist's features. He lets his eyes fall on the most prominent feature, his lips. They're plush and pink; they look like they would feel velvety, like rose petals. He wonders how they would feel against his own. It's at that exact moment that the man he's totally not feeling up with his eyes looks away from the menu and back to Hoseok to order. Hoseok hopes that he didn't notice him staring or the now rising blush on his cheeks as he averts his gaze to the register.

"What can I get for you?" He tried to act nonchalant as he waits for the man to speak his order.

"Could I get an iced Americano?" The florist speaks quietly but loud enough for Hoseok to hear him. And boy, does he hear him. His voice is smooth and gentle and Hoseok can't ignore how his stomach flutters at the sound. Why is this man so damn perfect?

"Sure! And who's this for?" He looks up with a smile, he'll finally get to know his name.

"Hyungwon." The tall man slides his money onto the counter.

Hyungwon. His name is Hyungwon. To Hoseok it didn't really matter who the person was, he found all sorts of people beautiful, but Hyungwon was probably the most beautiful person he'd ever seen. Hoseok smiles and writes the name down on a plastic cup and sets it down. He takes the money, counts it, and throws it into the cash register. He looks back up at Hyungwon and to a far lesser degree Kihyun and grins.

"I'll have your drinks out in just a moment." He turns around and starts brewing the ordered drinks, whistling lightly.

Kihyun and Hyungwon take a seat at a table near one of the windows about midway through the cafe. Once they take a seat Kihyun glances around before leaning in closer to Hyungwon.

"That barista was totally checking you out!" He says in a hushed voiced.

Hyungwon blinks incredulously. "W-what?"

"What do you mean what! How could you not notice him staring at you! Not to mention he was blushing the whole time you were ordering! Are you blind or just a bigger idiot than I initially realized?" Kihyun retorted, his voice raising slightly.

Hyungwon frowned with annoyance. "It's probably because unlike you I don't spend every second of every day analyzing people for their flaws." The taller man replies sharply.

"Yeah whatever, anyways, what do you think?" Kihyun leans back in his chair with a sigh.

"What do you mean?" Hyungwon didn't know what Kihyun was talking about. Did he mean the photos he showed him earlier of the sky he took for that magazine?

"I mean do you like that. Like do you think he's hot?" Kihyun tilts his head to the side quickly glancing at the barista before returning his gaze to his flustered friend.

Hyungwon blushes at the unexpected question he isn't one to really talk about these kinds of things. "I guess he is handsome. Though I'm not quite sure how a barista has time to be so..."

"Jacked?" Kihyun interposes.

"Yeah..." Hyungwon doesn't mind the fact that the barista, what did he say his name was again? Oh yeah, Hoseok. He didn't mind the fact that Hoseok had been staring at him. People stare at him a lot. He thinks it's because he looks funny, but his friends always insist it is because he is good-looking. Hyungwon doesn't really see it.

"So theoretically, if he asked you out, would you say yes?" Kihyun says with a sly smile. He knows that Hyungwon is bi, he had told him back in high school. Kihyun would have known anyway. He always caught the boy blushing nervously in the boy's locker room before gym and he'd also dated a female classmate for a year when they were sophomores.

Hyungwon rolls his eyes, his lips forming a tight line, well as tight a line as you can with lips like his. "I just met him like 5 minutes ago Kihyun. So no, I wouldn't."

It's then that the devil himself placed two drinks on the table. It looked like he had something to say.

Hey guys I hope you like this story so far! Hope you enjoyed some Tom and Jerry scenes haha. Votes and critiques/comments are always appreciated! I'll see you next chapter~