SOTUS Drabbles and One-Shots

12. Bloom

Florist!Kongpob

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It's a slow day. Usually, Tew, as proud owner of the shop, is outside giving away single flowers for a dollar or even sometimes less, or at least walking around the store, chatting with customers, but today he's in the back, going over stock, the day being just that slow. Kongpob's leaning against the counter, no one having walked in for the past hour and a half. He might as well just go on break now.

"Still no one?" Tew asks from his office.

Kongpob turns around to look at the open door, where he sees only a small part of the other, hearing the shuffling of papers rather than seeing it. "No one," he confirms. "Guess people just aren't needing flowers right now."

"Guess not," Tew agrees. "Well, if you want to start your lunch early, you—"

The sound of chimes rings throughout the shop as the front door opens. Tew falls silent as Kongpob turns around, then immediately freezes.

In the doorway stands a man, looking to be around the same height as Kongpob, maybe a little shorter, a crease between his brows, slight frown as his face as he stares down at the paper in his hands. He doesn't look like the kind of person to frequent flower shops, and all Kongpob can really think is wow, he's cute.

"Welcome to Tew's Tulips!" Kongpob calls out, getting the attention of the other man. "How can I help you today?"

"Uh...," oh dear, this guy looks really awkward, "my friend gave me an order?"

Kongpob holds out a hand, guessing the man has really never been to a flower shop before, perhaps having never even bought flowers before. "Let me see. I can get it for you."

The other nods, handing him the paper.

Kongpob thanks him, offering his name at the same time.

"Thanks, then, um, Kongpob," the other says. "I'm Arthit."

Sun. Of course. Kongpob smiles. "Nice to meet you, Arthit." There must be something in the way he says it that makes Tew laugh because he can hear the other in his office. Kongpob bites his lip as replacement for rolling his eyes as Arthit looks to the door in confusion. "That's Tew, the owner of this place," Kongpob explains when the other points uncertainly to the door behind Kongpob and a little to the left. "Ignore him."

Arthit lets out a small noise before nodding as Kongpob goes over the list.

"Okay," he says when he's done reading it. "This is a pretty common combination for a bouquet—sold the last pre-made one this morning, but because it's common, we can probably get it together while you're still here. Is that okay? You've got time?"

Arthit hesitates before nodding, and Kongpob smiles again. "Great! Let me just go get the flowers you need."

He's about halfway down the list when he pauses at some roses next to the flower he actually needs. His hand overs over the rose before he glances back at Arthit. Currently, he's typing something on his phone, brows once again furrowed, lips now pursed together in concentration. A streak of sunlight slashes across his face, though not violently, making his hair glow and the natural red in his cheeks appears brighter. Kongpob's eyes slide down to his chest, where he's got a t-shirt that has colored patches of the same color as the rose. Without thinking twice, Kongpob takes one of the lavender-colored roses, deciding to give it to Arthit free of cost. Maybe it'll brighten his day up, give him something to remember Kongpob by—or something.

Once Kongpob has all the flowers and other plants needed, he puts it together under the scrutinizing eye of Arthit, though he's pretty sure the other man has no idea what he's doing. When he's finished, he turns to Arthit to present him the bouquet. Arthit nods before pointing to the flower still on the table. "What about that one?"