The Astronomer and The Florist

Flowers and Stars

It's been about 2 months since the wedding, and Virgil has taken up jogging.

It started as a need for inspiration with bouquets, so he would go take pictures of wildflowers in the woods. Then he just started jogging in the woods every morning, and it became a hobby.

Pausing to take a swig of his water and a picture of some honeysuckles, Virgil bended down and started fiddling with the flowers position.

All of the sudden he feels a hand on his shoulder. His fight or flight reflexes are screaming FIGHT, so he swings around and decks the owner of the hand squarely across the face. The guy fell like a sack of potatoes, and Virgil was able to see who it was.

"Holy shit! Mr. Thomas! Shit! Oh, fuck, uhh, I'm so sorry! Are you ok? You scared me! I'm so sorry! Please don't kill me. And don't tell Logan!"

Virgil rushed over and helps Mr. Thomas up. Mr. Thomas busted out laughing, and dusts himself off.

"It's fine Virgil, I should have warned you of my presence. How have you been?"

"I've been great! The shop has been busier than ever, so I've had many bouquets to make. I've even been crossbreeding flowers to try and make something special. Logan has also been amazing, his students love him and he gets happier everyday!" Virgil sighs happily.

"That is awesome! How have y'all been together?"

Virgil pauses and squints his eyes. "Together?"

"Yeah!" Mr. Thomas says as if it is the most obvious thing in the world. "Like, how have y'all been like a couple?"

Virgil shrugs. "Fine, but we've just been pretty busy lately. Tomorrow is the first time we both have off at the same time."

"Fantastic! Y'all should go on a date!"

Virgil stares. "That's a great idea! But where? Not somewhere we've been before. It's kinda last minute so no where far, but somewhere we would both enjoy..."

Thomas blinks, and asks, "Seriously? Your kind of oblivious, aren't you?"

Virgil "uhh" offendedly. 'How could he! I just punched him, and he says I'm oblivious??' Thomas saw Virgil's offended look and immediately backtracked.

"No no no! I don't mean to be offensive or say that out loud, I just... well, there is an obvious place for a date that's just across town from the University."

They stared at eachother. Neither moved. Virgil finally let his curiosity get the better of him.

"... and that place would be?"

"The Botanical Garden! It's perfect for y'all! Flowers for you, night sky for Logan, and you could even impress him with all of your floral knowledge!"

Virgil smiles, feeling stupid that he didn't think of it but so grateful that Mr. Thomas did.

"That is a great idea! Thank you so much!"

Virgil hugs him and he laughs.

"You're welcome Virgil, and please, it's Thomas. Now, wanna go get some brunch?"

"That sounds awesome! How about IHOP? I could go for some Cheesecake Pancakes."

Thomas leads Virgil to his car. "Perfect! I've never had that, so believe I shall have some aswell!"

-_-_-_-

After brunch, Thomas heads up to the college to see Logan. He walks into Logan's classroom, where Logan is grading papers.