Work Text:
The sound of the bell ringing suddenly broke the silence of the early morning, making the owner, who was busy watering a geranium, raise her head.
''Good morning !'' said Lily warmly, not bothered about the arrival of a client an hour before the opening. ''What can I do for you today ?''
The young woman who had entered smiled back with the same warmth. She didn't seem shy, not embarrassed in the least to enter a closed shop or walk around the aisles. Yet, her manners betrayed a certain nervousness. She kept readjusting her beanie, playing with the silver chain around her neck and pushing up the sleeves of her jean jacket, allowing Lily to catch a glimpse of her tattoo-covered arms.
''I'm looking for flowers,'' she finally replied.
''Well, it seems you're in the right place !'' exclaimed the florist, opening her arms to reveal the overwhelming amount of plants surrounding her. It made the tattooed woman smile awkwardly as if she realized the obviousness of her demand. She simply stood there for a while, her tall and charismatic (yet somehow touching in its embarrassment) presence filling the shop.
Lily just waited.
''Well I mean...I want to buy a bouquet of flowers with a message. A message in flower language !''
The florist's smile widened and she jumped enthusiastically.
''Really ? I love doing this ! What do you want to say ?''
''I want to say...Hum...'You're really pretty' !''
Lily threw her a teasing glance.
''May I ask who is it for ? A partner ? A crush ?''
''A...Crush.''
''I see. Do you know each other well ?'' she asked as she began walking around her shop, picking up various plants as the client observed her from afar.
''Not...Very very well. We've run into each other a few times.''
''Alright then...We should not be too intense, not come off as pushy,'' Lily muttered to herself, trying to create the perfect combination.
Finally, she found herself satisfied and brought back the bouquet to the counter. The tattooed woman followed her, pulling out her credit card.
''Are you familiar with flower language ?'' she asked her client as she wrapped the flowers in a beautiful piece of pink paper.
''Not at all ! That's why I need your professional help.''
''And are they familiar with it ?''
''I hope so ! Otherwise my romantic gesture will be lost on her.''
''Even if she doesn't understand, I'm sure she'll appreciate the flowers.''
''That's what I was thinking as well.''
Lily finally finished her wrapping and handed it to the woman.
''So there are pink camelias for admiration and longing, amaryllis expressing admiration for her beauty but also that you value her beyond that, gardenias to say 'you're lovely', in the very traditional victorian sense, and also expresses secret love, yellow jasmine for grace and elegance. And some leaves and greenery for the balance. But you know this is very subjective, it depends on culture, times...I suppose that the same bouquet wouldn't be understood the same way by two florists from different places.''
But the client didn't seem to mind.
''It's perfect ! Thank you very much !''
She paid quickly and just as she was about to leave the shop, she turned on her heels and said :
''I'm Bae Jinsol by the way ! I run the tattoo parlor down the street. I'm just telling you because, just so you know, you're going to see me often from now on. I'm officially beginning my courtship.''
Then she smiled and finally left, making the bell ring once again.
It was only two days later that Bae Jinsol and her tattoos walked back into her flowershop, as promised, once again before the official opening. Lily was still as warm and polite as she usually was, absolutely professional. But she did wonder why she had to be up so early to buy flowers, when most probably her own shop wouldn't be open before another few hours.
This time, instead of looking around hesitantly, she walked straight to Lily.
''Good morning !''
''Good morning,'' she smiled back. ''What can I do for you ?''
''I'd like a bouquet that says 'you're really cool.''
Lily bit her lips for a moment, trying to figure out what she could to comply to this request, and very much wondering what was the deal with this client, who, for sure, was romantic, but...What a flirting method !
''Alright !'' she finally replied. ''I like a challenge ! It's always harder to convey modern meanings, since flower language was made long ago and hasn't really been updated. But I'll find something !''
''Thanks ! You're really great !''
''Well, it's my job. And creating unique bouquets is probably among my favorite things about it !''
She left her counter and started walking around to pick up the plants she needed. As she worked, she asked :
''Is it for the same person as last time ?''
''Yep.''
''Did you make any progress ?''
Jinsol shook her head, but the dissapointement didn't seem to bother her.
''I think she got the flowers because when I came by later they were gone. But someone might have stolen them since they were outside. In any case, they probably made someone happy, even if I'm not sure who !''
The idea seemed to please her and she smiled to herself. Lily was growing a little concerned : Jinsol was leaving flowers somewhere outside and not giving them properly, which meant she really didn't know that woman well. God, what if she was helping a stalker terrorize her victim ? But she couldn't ask, because if she was right, it'd be dangerous to bring it up, and if she was wrong, it would be extremely rude and make the situation quite awkward. She reassured herself with the thought that this client, no matter how strange she was, didn't look threatening in the least.
She finally chose the last flower and brought the bouquet back to the counter.
''Okay, so : Thyme is courage and strenght, rue is grace, mint is virtue, some fennel for flattery...''
As she named the flower, she pointed each of them to Jinsol, who looked highly invested. She continued :
''Coriander can be for merit or hidden worth, chamomille for patience in adverisity and angelica for inspiration !''
''Quite an aromatic bouquet,'' commented the tattoo artist.
''Yeah, it's true...I can change it if you want !''
''No, it's great ! You're great !'' exclaimed Jinsol with enthusiasm.
''I'm glad if you like it,'' replied Lily as she wrapped up the bouquet.
The woman payed for her flowers and left the shop, whistling happily to herself, clearly thrilled to go offer her gift.
''Do you have a lot of tattoos ?'' asked Lily, picking up an orchid.
Bae Jinsol, who was back for the sixth time, today asking for a bouquet which meant 'you're hot', smiled at her.
It had been a few times already since she had started following her around and asking questions instead of watching her from afar. They also started talking about various things, which Lily really enjoyed because Jinsol was a really funny and witty person, who seemed interested in many topics. She reminded her of her best-friend. Lily thought that they'd probably get along well. But despite growing closer to her, she still didn't know who those flowers were for.
''Well, I'm a tattoo artist,'' she replied, ''so yeah. It is the kind of job that you can't do if you haven't been the client.''
''You're right.''
''You know, most of mine aren't that meaningful though. People tend to believe that tattoos have to be super important and symbolic. And of course, they can be ! For some people it's always a big deal. But check this out !''
She pulled off her shoulder the sleeeve of her oversized checked shirt, that she wore unbuttoned over a rock band T-shirt, revealing a fuzzy yellow chick tattooed there.
''It's adorable !'' cooed Lily.
''Right ? But do you think that means something ? No ! I just like this animal ! I have some song lyrics that I like, a lot of little animals, quotes, random shapes...I just enjoy having drawings on my skin ! It's awesome !''
''You really look great. It suits you well !''
''You should get a tattoo Lily !'' she exclaimed, following her to another part of the shop where she found a few savories.
The florist smiled.
''I thought about it. When I was a teen, I wanted a tattoo of 1989, the Taylor Swift album. Now that I'm an adult, I'm really thankful for my parents who forbade me to do it. And today...Frankly I wouldn't know what to get !''
''It's just like I said,'' replied Jinsol. ''Don't think too much about it. It's not that serious.''
''Well it's...it's ink in my skin. Permanently.''
''It doesn't have to be permanent ! You could start off with a semi-permanent.''
''I heard that semi-permanents tattoos last for a long time.''
''Yeah. But not a lifetime !''
Lily stared at her and Jinsol chuckled, which ended up making the florist laugh as well.
''Listen, if I find an idea, I'll go to see you straight away !''
''You definitely should ! I'm a great artist. And my two coworkers are great as well ! Check this out !''
She took off her shirt completely and turned her back to Lily, who got a little startled by the sudden action, and rolled up her T-shirt, revealing many tattoos. She tried to point at lines of beautifully stylicized korean letters starting from the back of her neck. It was an old poem that Lily recognized immediately, as a former literature student.
''That's Kyujin's work. She's really young but she's so talented ! And Jiwoo did that one !''
She gestured with some difficulty at a drawing of the sea in the style of ancient paintings.
''Isn't it great ?''
''It is. My best-friend would love to get some tattoos like that !''
Jinsol immediately pulled her shirt down and turned to her again.
''Your best-friend is tattooed ?''
''She has a few, yeah. But they're from long ago.''
''You should tell her to come by ! If she gives your name I'll give her a discount !''
''I'll tell her for sure,'' she said, finally walking back to the counter.
As she wrapped the bouquet, Jinsol leaned on the counter. The florist noticed from the corner of her eye that she was fidgeting with her rings and her beanie again, like the first time she came. Once again, Lily couldn't help but think that she was truly a cute person, despite her cool appearance.
''Is there something on your mind ?'' she finally asked.
''Yes, actually !'' replied the other, straightening up. ''But I didn't know how it would come off.''
''Go on. I don't mind.''
Jinsol inhaled sharply before saying :
''I'd like to see you someday. Like...We should hang out.''
Lily handed her the bouquet with a smile.
''I'm not making a bouquet for myself, am I ?''
Jinsol chuckled.
''Of course not ! It's not like that. The one for who those flowers are is an angel, and she's the only one in my heart ! No, I just want to be your friend.''
''Well...Aren't we friends already ?''
Jinsol smiled warmly, sincerely moved.
''True. Which is why I'd like to see you outside of your workplace.''
''I'd love that.''
They smiled at each other and Jinsol nodded.
''What about Friday night ?''
''Sure, I close at six.''
''I'll pick you up, then.''
The tattoo artist left the shop with her flowers in one hand, waving cheerfully with the other. Lily waved back, chuckling at her enthusiasm. She had never expected that, through her job, she would get to meet people with whom she would get along so well. Of course, she was always careful to be warm and polite with her clients, but it was rare to have real regulars as a florist, since people rarely offered flowers outside of great occasions. It was the first time that she saw someone so often, and especially someone so sweet and interesting. She was really enthusiastic for friday, already wondering where the cool woman would take her.
''Hello !''
Lily looked up from the wedding ornament she was making for an order she received, and smiled when she recognized the woman at the door, her heart warming up immediately.
''Hi, Haewon ! What's up ?''
''Nothing much.''
Her best-friend, still wearing her work coverall that she had pulled down to the waist, walked up towards her and came to lean on the counter. Her heavy boots were stomping on the ground as she walked with the confidence of someone who came often, and she was smiling broady, but Lily could tell something was off. Haewon was nervous. She was continuously pulling on her grey shirt, arranging her collar, fixing her coverall and the bandana around her head. Lily noticed how she briefly rubbed the treble clef tattooed on her left wrist with her right thumb. A gesture she had seen her do on multiple occasions, whenever she was reflecting on something she wanted to say.
''What brings you here so early ? Don't you close at seven ?''
''We do...But I'm on a break. We're trying to fix a car that has some problems with the controller and it's...Yeah. It's good.''
Lily smiled, leaning on the counter in front of Haewon, mirroring her position. Gently, she pushed a stray of hair that had escaped from her ponytail behind her ear.
''You look good when you spent a day of hard work.''
''Come on, you know I always look good !''
Her cocky answer didn't manage to hide the blush on her cheeks, and Lily stopped herself from telling her how cute she was.
''True. Now will you tell me why you came here in such a hurry ?''
''Who says I'm in a hurry ?''
Lily frowned, as if to say : ''Seriously ?''
''Well, you're still wearing your work outfit, which you never do, your hands aren't properly cleaned,'' and at that she grabbed Haewon's grease stained hands, ''and neither is your face. Also, you keep fidgeting with everything.''
Haewon blushed deeply, clearly embarrassed.
''I know you, Oh Haewon,'' continued Lily. ''I know when you're nervous. So what's on your mind ?''
Haewon sighed, vaguely making a move to wipe away the oil on her face. Which obviously failed. So once again, Lily leaned in and, using a towel, cleaned her face gently.
Haewon was bright red.
''Listen...It's just that...I wanted to say...I got them. I...I got it.''
She smiled shyly, but Lily only stared in confusion.
''What ?''
''Well, you know...''
She kept the same expression, although slightly more doubtful.
''I don't know actually. What did you get ?''
Haewon stared at her.
''Lily...I told you that I got it. We've been hanging out for long enough for me to understand flower language. And you know it. That's why you did it ! So it's okay, you can stop pretending.''
''Haewon, I promise you I have no idea what you're talking about. What do you think I did ?''
Haewon looked extremely confused, and her expression perfectly expressed Lily's own feelings. With red cheeks, her best-friend finally explained :
''The flowers, Lily ! I'm talking about the bouquets you left me ! It's been three weeks since I started collecting bouquets of flowers in front of the garage. All with messages ! ''You're pretty'', ''you're cool'', ''you brighten my day'', ''I admire you'', ''You're hot''...''
At those words, Lily's eyes widened in shock and she felt a mix of emotions twirling inside her. And underneath bewilderment, she felt something unpleasant. Something like dissapointement. Something like jealousy too.
Haewon was still talking.
''And honestly Lily, you're the only person I know who knows flower language. And I'm the only one in the garage who knows flower language, thanks to you. So...It wasn't hard to figure it out. But I just hadn't managed to work up the courage to tell you about it and you weren't saying anything either so I...I didn't mention it before but I...I just wanted to say, Lily...Truly I-''
But Lily wasn't listening, her heart sinking down in her chest. She was thinking about everything. Thinking about Jinsol who came here on the same days that the garage was open, who always came early so she could leave the flowers before the mechanics arrived. She thought about how awesome she was, how funny she was, everything she had in common with Haewon. ''They would get along so well'', she thought to herself everytime. Too well. And hearing Haewon talking about this misunderstanding was too painful so she ripped the band-aid off quickly, to clear it up and move on as fast as she could.
''It's not from me !''
''What ?''
Lily looked down.
''The flowers aren't from me. They're from a client of mine. Bae Jinsol. She runs the tattoo parlor down the street. She's been coming almost everyday lately. I didn't know for who those flowers were but...I guess now we know.''
Haewon's mouth was hanging open and she seemed really shocked.
''Bae...Bae Jinsol ? That's...She's the one who...''
''You know her ?''
''She came to get her car fixed like...A month ago ? It was nothing much. I had no idea that...''
''Well, she's great ! She keeps talking about you. We became friends and I...I've been thinking from the beginning that the two of you would get along. I guess it was prophetic.''
''Well I...''
''You have so much in common ! You'd be great together. You should totally give her a chance !''
That was the total opposite of what she wanted to say. But that was what a good best-friend should say. And their friendship came first.
Lily smiled at Haewon, who seemed to have gotten over her shock but didn't look happy in the least.
''Haewon ? Why are you...''
''Damn, I'm so stupid...'' she heard her best-friend mutter with a deep sigh.
Haewon looked up and blinked rapidly, her eyes getting teary despite her obvious efforts to prevent it. This was absolutely not the reaction Lily was expecting, and she couldn't understand what was happening.
''What's-''
''Well !'' interrupted the mechanic. ''My break is over ! I should probably go back and see how this controller is going ! That car won't fix itself !''
She chuckled dryly and walked away, her hands buried in her pockets. Just as she was about to leave, Lily called after her.
''Wait, Haewon !''
The woman immediately turned on her heels, quickly, and her eyes seemed full of hope.
''Is the movie night still on for tonight ? You'll come pick me up ?''
Haewon sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a while before opening them again.
''Yeah, about that...Let's just cancel it for tonight, alright ? I'm not...I don't feel up for it, anymore. I guess I'll just...Go to see that tattoo artist instead ! Since you love picturing us together so much, I should probably get started on this, right ?''
Her tone was bitterly sarcastic as she said this last sentence, and when she left the shop, she closed the door with unusual brutality.
This was the last reaction Lily expected to the news, and her best-friend's behavior left her in absolute confusion. But more than that, she felt heart-broken.
As she clenched in her fist the towel she had used to wipe the oil on Haewon's face, she looked down in an attempt to stop herself from crying. When she looked up again, she saw the wedding ornament she was making before all of this happened.
She couldn't help but feel like the maroon-colored roses were laughing at her mockingly.
''...So I'm like 'I'm sorry I can't tattoo a portrait of Taylor Swift on your chest because we don't do portraits and also because that's a terrible idea' but I didn't say that because I'm not supposed to judge but anyway...And then, this woman, she just starts throwing a tantrum in the middle of my shop about how it's 'unprofessional' and we should 'always do everything for our clients' and on and on and on...Which is totally mad because-..Lily ? Are you listening ?''
Lily suddenly blinked and looked back at Jinsol, who was staring at her intensly, her head tilted to the side in a very adorable manner, much like a curious puppy would.
''I'm sorry, Jinsol. I was...Up in the clouds.''
She smiled apologetically and started digging into her ice cream again.
''I see that. But these days you're always 'up in the clouds'. Won't you tell me what's going on ?''
The florist sighed deeply and looked away, distractedly gazing at the passers-by in the park and beyond, the sun slowly setting into the horizon.
''We're friends right ?'' she finally said.
''I would hope so ! You told me that yourself !''
''So...It's just...I've found out who's the person you're giving flowers to.''
Jinsol's cheeks suddenly turned bright red.
''R-really ? How ?''
''She's my best-friend. She works at the garage. She came by three days ago thinking I was the one leaving the bouquets. But I told her it wasn't me.''
Jinsol nodded slowly.
''And...Why does it bother you ?'' she asked slowly.
Lily sighed again and shook her head. She didn't know if she really wanted to say it. But she had to. She would probably feel better...She couldn't feel worse anyway.
''It bothers me...Because...I like her. No. I love her. I've loved her for quite a while now but I never knew how...How to tell her. I was fine being best-friends. But when I realized that you wanted to date her...And when I thought about how great you'd be together...It hurt. But I don't want to stop the two of you from being happy ! That's why I didn't say anything.''
Jinsol pat her shoulder softly.
''Listen...I'm sorry for not telling you earlier who she was. It would have saved us a lot of troubles. But maybe, instead of trying to be a romantic idiot, I should've been upfront about it. Maybe...''
She exhaled for a long time and leaned back against the bench, throwing her now empty cup of ice cream in the trashbin.
''It wouldn't have changed much anyway. Since you've told her, my bouquets have stopped dissapearing. I guess now that she knows it's not from you she doesn't care about them.''
''What ?'' exclaimed Lily, shocked.
Jinsol nodded.
''You shouldn't stop yourselves for me. Clearly, she wanted it to be you. She doesn't care about anyone else.''
''But...I thought...''
Jinsol sat up again and stared at her.
''Wait...You thought she didn't like you ?''
''Of course ! Why would I think otherwise ?''
''Well I don't know how she acted with you...''
''She came by to tell me she knew it was me, and so I told her it wasn't, it was a client of mine and she left very angrily and we haven't talked since.''
''You're such an idiot,'' chuckled the tattoo artist.
''Me ? Why ?'' asked Lily, offended.
''Because,'' replied the other. ''She clearly is jealous. Much like you were. Except she's worse at concealing it. So now she probably believes you don't like her, seing how you acted when she came to tell you she liked you back !''
''You're telling me I accidentally pushed away my crush ?''
''Yep !''
''NO ! I'm so dumb !'' she cried, putting her head in her hands and cursing her obliviousness.
''It's okay ! It's nothing you can't fix !''
''But Jinsol...Isn't this difficult for you too ? You like her as well.''
''I can't do anything if it's you she's in love with. And if you love her too...I'd be a monster to try to get in your way !''
''But...You're so...''
Lily reached out and caressed her cheek gently, trying to find a word that would manage to explain everything that Bae Jinsol was. She couldn't find anything that properly said how kind she was, how funny, how smart in a stupid way she was. It was too difficult.
''She would love you.''
''Maybe. But never like she loves you.''
''You don't know that !''
''I don't want to. Now, instead of sitting here and cry for the whole night, you should go make up with her !''
''But...She's probably home by now.''
''No. She's right here.''
Lily turned her head immediately in the direction Jinsol was pointing at, eager to see her best-friend again after so long. But to her great surprise, she didn't find her in the crowd. Which was crazy because Lily had known Haewon for so long that she was sure she could always spot her even among thousands of people. And the visitors of the park were far from being a thousand.
''Where ?'' she asked, doubtful.
''Right there !'' exclaimed Jinsol, pointing in the same direction again.
''I'm sorry I really don't see her. Are you sure you're not mistaken ?''
''Listen, I know my crush, don't I ?''
''And I know my best-friend !''
Jinsol sighed and got up, apparently taking it upon herself to make Haewon come over. She waved her arms in the air, trying to catch the woman's attention. Lily continued to scan the crowd in the hope of seeing her.
But to her great surprise, the woman who recognized Jinsol and started approaching them was not Haewon. It was her colleague, Seol Yoona, who everyone called Sullyoon because, in the loud noise of the machines and the tools clinking on metal, her quiet voice never managed to let her name be properly heard, so most people only heard ''Sullyoon'' instead of her full name.
The tall woman was wearing a very simple summer outfit, with shorts and a white short-sleeved shirt tied-up above her navel. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, much like she would wear for work. She was as pretty as usual, even though her expression seemed a little closed.
Lily was absolutely confused, but when she turned her head and saw how hard Jinsol was trying to conceal her loving smile, she started to put the pieces together.
''Hello,'' said Sullyoon as she reached them, and her expression became warmer when she noticed Lily was there too. ''Oh hi, Lily ! I didn't know you were there too ! And I didn't know you knew Jinsol...''
''Yeah, we became friends recently. But I didn't know you knew her as well.''
Sullyoon smiled faintly, then bit it back quickly, like she was also trying to hide her feelings.
Yeah...The pieces were definitely being put together and painting a really interesting picture.
''She came to the garage a while ago and...Hum...Well I also got a tattoo like...Two weeks ago.''
''Really ? I had no idea ! Where ?''
The mechanic pointed out at her waist, where she had now a graceful flower tattooed.
''It suits you very well.''
''Thank you ! It's because Jinsol is very talented.''
Jinsol's cheeks turned red and she looked away.
''I just...I mean...It's easy to make something beautiful when you are the inspiration.''
Lily nodded and innerly clapped for the witty compliment.
''Thank you,'' replied Sullyoon softly.
Now Lily understood everything. And she decided to take the matter in her own hands.
''Sullyoon, let me buy you an ice cream !''
''What ?'' said the two other women at the same time.
But Lily was already getting up.
''Yes ! All three of us get along so let's hang out !''
''I don't think-''
''It might not be a good idea...''
''Lily, maybe we should-''
But she wasn't listening to their protests and was already dragging Yoona towards the ice cream truck. As soon as they were out of earshot, she said :
''You like Jinsol.''
It was a blunt affirmation, and it made the mechanic stutter and blush.
''W-what ? What do you-''
''Come on ! I'm not stupid ! I can see it clearly !''
Sullyoon stared for a moment before sighing, her shoulders dropping down in admission.
''Yes...I do. She was so cool when she came to our shop ! She complimented me so much ! Everytime ! I thought we were flirting. But then, she started dropping off flowers for Haewon. I'm always early, even earlier than her, so I saw her leaving them. It was so adorable and romantic...It made me fall for her even more, despite knowing that this attention was for someone else. And Haewon was loving them so I believed...I had no chance. Still, I went to get my tattoo in her parlor and once again, she was the sweetest and she kept flirting with me. It's so confusing ! That's why I don't...I don't want to hang out with her. I'm trying to give her the cold shoulder and mend my heart but...I can't help it : she's really too charming.''
Lily smiled at her.
''Well, listen. I might have some awesome news for you ! But you have to trust me. Just wait here in line ! Alright ? Just trust me !''
Sullyoon watched her go with confusion, but she didn't move.
Lily immediately ran back to the bench and exclaimed :
''Jinsol ! You like Sullyoon, right ?''
''Y-yes ?''
''It's perfect !''
''How ?''
''It's not her I like ! Sullyoon is not my best-friend and she's not the one I love ! I was talking about Haewon !''
''Haewon ? The owner of the garage ?''
''Yes ! Because you see, the flowers you were dropping off, Haewon was the one taking them because she thought they were for her, from me ! And I thought they were for her, from you, when actually they were for Sullyoon. So now Sullyoon thinks you like Haewon ! And I thought you did, but it's Sullyoon you like ! And you thought I liked Sullyoon but I like Haewon, who likes me, and not you and that means everything is great !''
Jinsol stared, mouth slighty agap.
''I'm going to be honest : you lost me.''
Lily chuckled.
''To make it simple : You like Sullyoon and Sullyoon likes you. I like Haewon and Haewon likes me. There's no love triangle, no love square, no anything !''
''Really ?''
''Yep !''
Jinsol's smile was so wide it looked like it was splitting her face in two.
''That's amazing !''
''Yes it is ! So you better go and confess right away ! And buy her that ice-cream ! As for me, I'll leave you two to your date and I'll go search for my own crush to apologize for this mess and tell her that I love her !''
''Yeah, go do that !'' cheered Jinsol as she got up and ran towards Sullyoon, who just looked absolutely confused by everything. From afar, Lily saw Jinsol explaining everything with large gestures, and the mechanic's expression going from lost to happy and slightly shy.
It made her smile brightly and she felt confident that things would go just as well for her and Haewon. But before going to her house, she had something to do.
Lily felt really nervous as she stood in front of Haewon's door, raising a shy hand to knock. She really hoped her best-friend was home.
After leaving the park, she had gone home to change and put on a nice flowery dress instead of her regular shorts and T-shirt. She had also taken the opportunity to comb her hair again, but most importantly, to make a little bouquet : White roses, red roses, violets and forget-me-nots.
With these, Haewon had to understand the message :
I'm sorry that I'm an idiot but I'm in love with you so...Please can we just kiss and make-up ?
Lily felt like was she sweating everywhere, and nervously pushed a stray of hair away from her face. It would be awful if she was all flushed and sweaty when Haewon opened the door. What if she looked like a mess ? What if she looked like an idiot ? Summer was really not a season for confessions !
But before she could drown herself in more self-doubts, the door suddenly opened, revealing Haewon who apparently had just stepped out of the shower, with her hair wrapped in a towel, wearing pyjama shorts and a tank top that perfectly exposed the few tattoos on her arms. Her eyebrows comically rose up when she saw that her surprise guest was Lily, dressed to the nines and holding flowers.
''Hum...Good evening ?''
''Hi ! Sorry to arrive out of the blue-''
''At nine in the evening.''
''At nine in the evening, but I just really need to talk to you.''
Haewon seemed suspicious and leaned on her doorframe with her arms crossed, apparently not very open to a conversation. But Lily had to push through.
''So, the thing is, I was having ice cream with Jinsol in the park tonight, and as we talked I discovered that there was a huge misunderstanding.''
''Hm.''
''And that misunderstanding is that the flowers you thought I was leaving for you, were not from me.''
''Okay. I know that.''
''I know you know ! Let me finish,'' said Lily, refusing to be discouraged by Haewon's coldness. ''They were not from me but they were not for you ! Jinsol came to buy them from me and left them in front of the garage for Sullyoon ! Except that since you thought they were from me, you believed they were for you, and so Sullyoon also belived they were for you, when actually they were for her. And so, by some trick of fate, we happened to meet Sullyoon tonight and I understood everything and so I got them together, because Jinsol thought that I liked Sullyoon because I told her we like the same person but I thought she was talking about you and she thought I was talking about Sullyoon when actually we were not !''
Haewon had straightened up, her cold demeanor melting away, but only to be replaced with an air of deep, deep confusion.
''You absolutely lost me. What the hell are you saying ?''
Lily sighed.
''To sum it up, Jinsol was leaving flowers for Sullyoon and now they're together, and I wasn't leaving flowers for you, but I should have, so to make up for it, I brought you this bouquet tonight !''
The woman took the flowers slowly and carefully, accidentally brushing fingers with Lily as she did so, which made them both blush.
''I'm sorry that I'm an idiot. But I'm in love with you. So please can we just kiss and make-up ?'' said Haewon slowly as she looked at the flowers, as if reading from a card.
''How do you know that it's exactly what I mean ?''
''Because you left the draft for you inspiration among the flowers,'' replied her best-friend, holding up a small ripped piece of paper, making Lily blush heavily.
Haewon finally smiled, the first Lily saw from her for a few days, and she realized exactly how much she had missed it.
''You really are an idiot,'' commented the mechanic.
''Yeah.''
''And dense.''
''Yes.''
''And oblivious.''
''Absolutely !''
''But...You came around. And I love you too. So of course I want to make-up ! Come here !''
Without hesitation, Haewon pulled her into a hug and Lily leaned into it with relief and happiness.
''You're so smart but you're so stupid, Lily Morrow,'' said Haewon against her ear, endearment clearly audible in her voice.
''That seems to be a good way to describe me.''
They both chuckled at this and Haewon hugged her even more tightly. Finally, Lily dared to say :
''So...We've got the I'm sorry, the fact that I'm an idiot, the I love you, the making-up...I guess there's only one last thing to do...''
''And what might that be ?'' asked Haewon, pulling away but keeping her arms around Lily's neck.
''The kiss,'' smiled the florist teasingly.
She didn't even really mean it, believing that it would come later, but just enjoying the idea of turning Haewon into a blushing mess because of this comment.
She should have known better.
''I guess you're right,'' smiled the other. ''We must fix this problem immediately.''
''What ?''
Haewon only smirked mockingly before leaning in to press their lips together tenderly but decidely. Lily was so caught off guard that it took her a while to react, but finally she kissed her back.
As Haewon pulled her inside so they could kiss more comfortably and more privately, Lily made a note to herself to offer Jinsol a thank you bouquet, because, without this misunderstanding, she might have never found the guts to confess.
The sound of the bell ringing made Jinsol look up from the tablet on which she was practicing new designs. She saw two clients walking directly towards her counter, decidedly.
Recognizing them immediately, she smiled and waved at them.
Lily waved back excitedly with the hand that was not holding Haewon's, while her girlfriend simply nodded and smiled warmly. The two of them were wearing matching couple T-shirts that Haewon had gotten them for Valentine's day. They looked ridiculously in love and ridiculously adorable, as they did since they got together, a year ago.
''Hello ! What can I do for you today ?'' asked the tattoo artist.
''We would like to get a tattoo,'' said Lily.
''Well,'' replied Jinsol, opening her arms broadly, ''seems you're in the right place !''
''Oh my god, are we doing matching couple tattoos ?'' exclaimed Jiwoo, appearing from behind the curtain that led to the back of the shop.
Haewon nodded.
''A bouquet of flowers, at the back of my shoulder.''
''And at the front for me !'' added Lily.
''Sure thing ! What flowers ?''
The couple smiled at each other.
''Red roses, white roses, violets and forget-me-nots,'' replied the florist.
''I would've bet,'' smiled Jinsol.
''WE'RE DOING COUPLE TATTOOS FOR THE BOSS'S FRIENDS !'' shouted Jiwoo.
''For real ?'' replied Kyujin's voice from a room in the back.
A second later, the sound of her running footsteps echoed down the corridor and she arrived with a big smile.
''Please, let me do it ! I love couple tattoos !''
''I was here first !'' protested Jiwoo. ''I should be the one to do it !''
''Says what rule ?''
''Says the rule of me being older !''
Kyujin seemed to be about to angrily reply when Jinsol stepped between the two of them and put her hands on each of their shoulders.
''Calm down, calm down, my children. Let us be in peace in this temple of art and ink.''
''Who are you calling your children ? You're barely a year older !''
''Shhh...That does not matter. Let me finish.''
They turned their attention towards her, who kept smiling warmly.
''It does no matter because you'll each get to do a couple tattoo. Either for them,'' she pointed at Haewon and Lily who were watching the scene curiously, ''or for us.''
''Us ?''
''You mean you convinced Sullyoon to get a tattoo ?'' exclaimed Haewon.
''I guess that's what love does to a person,'' said Sullyoon's voice from behind them.
She was still wearing her work overalls and she had some oil on her face, her sleeve rolled up to her shoulders, but somehow, she managed to look as graceful as usual.
''Gosh, blessed be this day ! My woman came back to me !'' exclaimed the tattoo artist, running towards her to hug her strongly, lifting her from the ground and spinning around.
Sullyoon chuckled.
''Does she do this every time you see each other ?'' asked Lily.
''Yes. Every single time,'' replied the mechanic as Jinsol put her back down on her feet.
''And what matching tattoo are you going to get ?''
''Is it weird if I say a lily flower ?''
At this, Lily blushed heavily and looked down, obvisouly feeling shy.
''I mean I'm...You're so sweet !'' she exclaimed, running towards her friend to hug her tightly.
''Well, without you, we wouldn't be together,'' explained Jinsol.
''So...Do you mean that you're getting a meaningful tattoo ? I thought that wasn't your style.''
''Well...I just thought that you and Sullyoon are important enough to make me change my mind.''
''What a romantic you are, boss,'' teased Kyujin.
''She really is,'' smiled Sullyoon, leaning on her arm.
''Yeah, we all are a bunch of romantic idiots in love !'' said Haewon loudly. ''Now can we get tattooed ? Because to be honest it's been a while since I got one and I know it's going to hurt, and I would like to get it done before I change mind !''
They laughed together and Jiwoo guided them to the backroom, Kyujin following them enthusiastically. Jinsol and Sullyoon stayed behind, hugging lightly.
''Do you know what I'm thinking ?'' asked the tattoo artist.
''No ?''
''I'm thinking that it's been a while since I got you flowers.''