BATIM Oneshots

White Clovers, Red Chrysanthemums, and Forget-me-nots

Some Grant x Shawn that nobody requested but I wanted to do anyway.

Trigger Warning:
Dark symbolism
Abuse
Suggested r*pe
Scars

—

Every day, Shawn would come into his office and find a beautiful flower sitting in a vase on his desk. Every day, the flower would be different, and each one would be beautiful. It was fake, of course, but he didn't care. Each time he'd get one, he'd wear it in his shirt pocket for the day, then place it into a larger vase at home. He didn't know who was leaving them, but it was a fun surprise every time.

That was, until he learned that flowers had meanings. This day, he had found a begonia, and was wearing it as usual when one of his friends, Lacie Benton, approached him.

"Hey, Shawn, everythin' okay?" She looked at the flower.

Shawn smiled innocently. "Of course, why do yah ask?"

"Well, you've been wearin' a lotta flowers recently... has... is someone hurtin' yah or somethin'?" She gives a look of concern.

Shawn's eyes widen. "What do yah mean? I wear them cause they're pretty an' someone's been leavin' 'em on mah desk. I was hopin' that if I wore 'em someone would notice and I could get the hint they were given' 'em to me..."

Lacie seems even more worried. "Shawn... did yah not know that flowers have meanings? I think someone's tryna give yah a cry for help..."

Shawn pauses. "Wait, what?" He tenses, worry starting to settle in.

"You've got on a begonia now. Begonias are given as a warning, and they represent dark thoughts and danger. Yesterday, you were wearin' an anemone, those represent forsakenness and sickness. The day before, you had a red columbine, those represent anxiety. Then a purple hyacinth, meaning sorrow. I think yah secret florist is in trouble..."

Shawn's eyes widened. He quickly led the way back to his office, hoping to find a note or something on the vase, some kind of hint as to who was giving him these flowers. However, once he got there, he found a different flower. In fact, three, all in a vase making a little bouquet. A white clover, red chrysanthemum, and forget-me-not. There is a note attached as well. Shawn looks to Lacie worriedly, taking the note. It was clearly written hastily, and has a couple wet spots where it looks like someone had cried while writing it, making the Irishman's heart ache.

I've been found out. I'm sorry, but I will no longer be able to send you flowers anymore. I'm so happy that you've liked them while it's lasted, I've seen you wear them. I don't blame you if you don't understand what they mean... it was a foolish attempt anyway... a stupid way to try and get your attention, get your help, be saved by you like you were my knight in shining armor. However, I know now that I don't need to be saved. I don't deserve to be saved. Even if the flowers beg for you to remember me, I honestly know I deserve to be forgotten by someone as amazing as you...
With love,
G.C.

The note quivers in Shawn's shaky hands. He looks down at the signature and it finally hits him.

G.C.

Grant Cohen.

He turns without another glance and starts running off down the hall. Lacie follows behind.

"Shawn, where are you goin'?!"

Shawn doesn't listen, tears filling his eyes. How could he have been such a fool? He knew Grant studied flowers as a hobby, the accountant had told him himself. How could he have possibly missed something so obvious? Now, his friend and crush was most definitely in danger, and it was all because of him.