[PRP] 花ざかりの君たちへ (Aleksy & Horace)

[shibrogane]

Aleksy didn't smile or laugh or anything. Instead he nodded like this was the most sensible thing he'd ever heard. Because it was. He had had similar not-dates with Finn before deciding that they were dates. Clearly his life goal was now to be a good wingman; not for the possibility of a job, but because holy s**t, the not-date ghetto was real. "Do you know their favorite flower," he asked, going over his low-scent flowers in his head. "You are exactly in time for dahlias. I have early blooms, so they are small, but they are still lovely."

The Semblance of Unity

 

[The Semblance of Unity]

He was relieved that Aleksy didn't say a word about how awkward he and his not-date thing was. Then again, the man was a professional... Horace remainded grateful, regardless.

"Ah, dahlias are pretty - do they have a small sort of smell?" He paused. "Uh... also, he's got cats and... there's a dog. I know poinsettias are poisonous, are other flowers?"

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

"Ah, no dahlias then," said Aleksy. "They're poisonous to cats and dogs both. Only if consumed, but better to be secure than to have to pay the vet bills." He nodded to himself, scanned the pre made arrangements on display. Nothing there that was both safe for animals and relatively scentless. "It will have to be daisies," he said, more to himself than Horace. "Gerbera, maybe."

He puttered into the back for a moment, and then thought of another question. "Do you want an arrangement in a vase or a bouquet," he asked, black eyes narrowed slightly as he thought.

The Semblance of Unity

 

[The Semblance of Unity]

"Daisies are nice," he said. Maybe he was doing too much... But no, no this was a date practice so that Oliver and Elliot could charm each other. It would work out.

He rubbed the shaved side of his head. His hair had been parted to cover it, since he was here on work, but it felt weird. Nugget was up swooping around somewhere; he'd caught a bug. "Um, a bouquet, I think. I think he's got a vase at home." He paused. "Tell me flowers are still a first not-a-date thing."

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

Aleksy nodded, and disappeared into the back again.

When he emerged, he had a small bouquet in his hands. It was more of a posy, really. The arrangement would neatly fill a pint glass and look like it'd been made for it. "It is a not-date," said Aleksy. "Not too showy. But showy enough to show you care, yes?" He had bound the stems in a wrap of white ribbon; it played off the sunny yellow gerbera daisies and the softer green and rose of the succulents. "Succulents can be planted, if his thumb is green. Daisies are safe for animals. So is this greenery." He arched an eyebrow at Horace. "Does it suit?"

The Semblance of Unity

 

[The Semblance of Unity]

"Ah, damn," he said. "That looks perfect. I'm not sure about how green his thumb is, but his housemate might try." Horace reached over and fingered a succulent. It was fresh-looking, and not overmuch. His delight showed in his face.

"I think he will love it." He grinned. "How much do I owe you?"

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

Aleksy named his price. It was a fair price, which was what mattered. He rang Horace up and completed the transaction. "Come by again soon," he said. "I would enjoy to hear how this turns out."

The Semblance of Unity

 

[The Semblance of Unity]

Horace nodded, and tipped him an additional twenty-five dollars, too. "It's... it's just a practice date," he mumbled. "But if he likes this, I'll come back for me. Thanks, Aleksy. I'll pass your information along to our funeral head, as well." Horace took a deep breath and smiled before turning around to head out.

shibrogane

 

[shibrogane]

Aleksy thought, uh-huh, yeah, sure it is. But he just smiled. "Of course," he said. "Best wishes to you, Horace.

"And do not forget your bat."

The Semblance of Unity

This is a fin