Chapter Text
“If gifting ‘flowers’ is such an important ritual when courting, why have you not brought such a token for Cole?”
Eiji felt his heart race as he made his way into Iris’ flower shop. He had barely gotten past Jun who bombarded him with questions over where he was going. It seems his brother is starting to suspect he isn’t jus t going on walks around the camp. He is lucky he called ahead of time to book an appointment. The raven had only reserved a time slot in advance to avoid any wandering eyes, or interruptions during the bouquet crafting process. Now it is the only reason his older brother is not following him like a hawk. One call to the gardener was enough to convince the man he had no other plans. She also made sure to specify he could not come with the photographer to the shop as it was a one on one session. He was relieved when Jun had left to ‘hang out’ with Nathan after warning him to not return late to their cabin.
“Eiji, you are right on time,” snapping back into reality the blonde was holding the door. “Come on in, I’ll lock the door behind you.”
Bowing his head slightly he made his way inside. “Thank you again for meeting with me Iris.”
“It is no problem, I adore making custom bouquets.” She locked the door behind her, flipping the sign from ‘open’ to ‘close’. “Your brother didn’t follow you here, correct?”
“Oh Jun? No, he went on a date with Nathan.” Walking inside he marveled at all the beautiful flowers and plants Iris has managed to grow.
“I had a feeling those two had something going on from the way they interacted.” The blonde went behind the counter to retrieve a basket full of beautiful flowers.
“Those flowers are beautiful Iris! Are you sure I can use these?” Reaching out to pick a rose, he admired the vibrant red color of its petals.
“Thank you Eiji,” the gardener chuckled as she placed the basket down in front of him. “Of course you can pick any from this basket. I can tell this bouquet is going to be given to someone who means a lot to you. Who wouldn’t want the best for the person they love?”
The photographer felt his face flare up at the comment, “I suppose so…”
“Any special occasion coming up that made you want to give flowers?”
“Uhm… isn’t valentines day coming up?”
“Is it now?”
“I believe so?”
“I’m just teasing,” she said as she ruffled his hair. “You don’t need a special occasion or holiday to give someone a bouquet. Let's see, oh you picked a red rose first.”
“The color is gorgeous Iris,” he admired the petals, feeling his heart begin to race. “Don’t red roses also symbolize love?”
“They do,” she smiled as he put it on the ‘keep’ pile. “I take it this is for someone you love romantically.”
He nearly choked at her comment, “Is it really that obvious?”
“Well, judging from the phone call; I had a hunch you wanted something romantic.” The gardener then motioned to the red rose on the ‘keep’ pile. “Red roses are also among the first chosen for such a gesture.”
“I see…” He felt embarrassed that he had been so obvious with his intentions.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me Eiji. Your willingness to talk made it easy to select flowers to suggest to you. It makes my job much more simple if people are forward with their intentions and feelings.”
“Right,” taking a deep breath as he attempted to calm down. “What other flowers did you pick out for me?”
“How do you feel about this one?” She handed him a tall stalk with numerous white snout-shaped petals along it.
“It’s a lot taller than the rose I chose first.” Admiring the tube shaped flower in his hand he tried to picture Cole’s reaction to receiving one. “What does this one mean?”
“That’s a snapdragon and it represents strength. During the phone call you couldn't stop mentioning how much you admired them for it.”
He let out a sheepish chuckle deciding to place the flower into the ‘keep’ pile. The duo spent the next hour selecting blooms as he tried to imagine what would make his boyfriend smile. He knew flowers were a bit unconventional for someone like the brunette, but that didn’t discourage him. Despite what others may think at first glance, Cole adored flowers. When they were younger they’d go into the fields and make flower crowns for each other. The golden eyed boy was the reason he knew how to craft them so well. He taught the raven everything he needed to know under the warm summer sky. Admiring his choices, he felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
“It’s a beautiful bouquet, I’m sure he is going to love it.” The blonde was adding the final touches.
“You think so?”
“Of course Eiji,” she said as she carefully handed the finished arrangement to him.“Not only is it lovely to look at but its meaning is even more endearing.”
He thanked her as he could not disagree with the statement. The flowers he had picked were good looking together but it wasn’t why he chose them. When they were creating the gift, he found himself paying more attention to the meaning behind each bloom. It was truly a blessing they looked well together in the end. Besides the red roses he also selected lavender colored ones as they symbolized love at first sight. He had turned scarlet as he remembered the first time Cole had stumbled into his life, stealing his heart on the spot with a captivating smile. Daffodils were his next selection with its soft yellow petals reminding him of the brunette's eyes. More importantly, it represented hope and new beginnings that spoke to their relationship. Eiji was convinced it would never work out but the other always held onto hope. Things were far from easy but they made the best they could with the chance they were given by the mist. Finally were the sweet alyssums that smelled sweet as honey with its meaning being just as sweet. Worth beyond beauty, because no matter how the latter looked now it had not mattered to the raven. Underneath the ‘monstrous’ look was still the same boy who had loved all those years even when they were apart.
The photographer had been so caught up in his thoughts, he almost didn’t notice how close to the killer’s camp he was. Had he continued walking so carelessly, who knows what kind of trouble they could have ended in. After checking his surroundings, the raven was relieved no one had noticed his presence. The boy took his usual route to his boyfriend’s cabin, careful to not damage the bouquet he bought. Crawling through the secret door the werewolf had made to his room, he felt a fond smile make its way to his face. The brunette had been sleeping before he arrived, evident by the messy hair and drowsy expression.
“Eiji, is that you?” The golden eyed boy rubbed his eyes, his voice as sweet as honey.
“Y-Yeah… did I wake you?” He remained standing up unsure of what to do.
“No.” The latter let out a yawn before giving him a smile. Clearly not bothered that his nap had been interrupted. “I’m happy to see you, my sunshine.”
He hadn’t even given his bouquet yet and his heart already felt like it would burst out of his chest. The shorter teen had been so confident when he had selected the flowers and on the walk to his boyfriends house. Standing in front of the brunette however, he felt the sudden urge to throw away the bouquet. Maybe it wasn’t too late to discard them …
“What are you holding behind your back?”
Well it was too late to back out now . Letting out a sigh he showed the other the arrangement, “Oh this? I got some flowers…”
“For who?” Confusion evident on the taller teens face that always managed to make him look adorable.
His heart had leapt into his throat as he held it out to him, “F-For you Cole.”
“M-Me!?” The amber eyed boy stood up at once alert at the admission. “...Why?”
“Well it's valentine's day soon and you like flowers and all so I um…” The photographer felt nervous when the other hadn’t taken the bouquet.“Was it a dumb id-”
“NO!” He felt a hand meet his as the brunette reached for the blooms. “I love it, Eiji! I just wasn’t expecting this…”
Looking at the other he saw a shade of red spread across the latter’s face. Taking the bouquet into his hands the amber eyed boy stared in wonder at the gift. Appreciating the colors before picking up a card that had been placed at its center. The raven held his breath as the werewolf began to read the note that held the meaning of each blossom. It felt like he was watching his boyfriend read a love letter, as the flowers told the latter exactly how he felt. Just how much Eiji was in love with him and always had been. The room had been silent when he heard the other start to sniffle. Going up to him and placing a hand on his cheek in worry he tried to get the other to look at him.
“Cole? Is everything-”
He was pulled into a crushing hug as he felt the taller teen bury his face into his neck. “I don’t deserve this…”
“What do you mean you don’t deserve this?”
“Eiji… this bouquet… you really feel this way about me?” He could feel tears start to fall from the brunette’s eyes.
Returning the hug he rubbed the other’s back, “Of course… I love you Cole.” Pulling back briefly he placed a kiss on his cheek, wiping away tears that fell. “I always have and always will.”
Of course flowers are necessary. They were another way to say ‘I love you’ to someone who meant the world to you.