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DAY SEVENTEEN: FLOWER SHOP AU

CLÉMENT NOVALAK

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@i-wish-this-was-me

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@fangirl125reader

@rheathesimp

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PAI’S WORDS: as usual when it comes to flower stuff, it’s written based on my work and how my shop is ! 🧡 so sorry for the delay, for those not following me on X, I’ve had some rough patches lately and am only now getting better and motivated again 🫶

The day has been particularly exhausting, stubborn customers and complicated arrangements taking all your time and energy, especially since your colleague and dear friend couldn’t come to work today. Your hands cold and raw, your feet aching as much as your back, you’re almost done with the day and with your commands when the bell’s melody resonates inside the shop, indicating the presence of a new customer. Hiding a sigh and putting your best smile on, you lift your head and greet the newcomer, coming face to face with a charming man dressed in a suit.

“- Hi, how can I help you ?

- Hello, I came looking for.. well flowers ?

- Well, you’ve come to the right place, no doubt about it.”

The man in front of you chuckles and sends a sheepish smile your way, his dimples appearing at the same time as a warm feeling in your guts. You tie the bouquet you were making before walking to him, guiding the customer towards all the cut flowers you have and watching as he takes it all in, eyes stopping on some of them.

“- So, what’s the occasion ? A date, maybe ?

- Oh no, none of that. It’s for a friend.

- Sorry for assuming, it’s just that usually, when customers come in dressed as sharp as this, their intentions are pretty clear.

- Trust me, that’s what everyone tells me as well. I mean, being overdressed is not a crime, is it ?

- It surely isn’t. About that friend of yours, do you know their favorite color ? Or a color they often wear, the main color in their home, whatever.

- Um, not really know. Purple, maybe ? She does wear that quite often.

- Alright. And for the budget ? I can work around pretty much anything, but the bouquet will obviously vary in size.

- Oh, well, I don’t really know about that. I don’t buy flowers that often so I’m pretty.. clueless about prices.

- It’s fine ! We can choose flowers and foliages together and I’ll tell you the price as we go ?

- Yes, perfect, thanks !”

His dimples appears once again as he sends you a grateful smile, letting you guide him through the flowers.

“- As for now, the only purple flowers we have are clematis, aster and iris. Oh, some hydrangeas too, and gerberas. We can mix them with white and pink flowers for a softer, more feminine look, or use orange and yellow to create bright contrast, that depends on what you’re looking for. It’s for a friend, right ? Is there any special occasion ? A celebration, a birthday ?

- Actually, it’s not really a friend. I mean, she’s not a friend of mine, not really I guess. See, we have an.. emission, a podcast, with two of my friends, and she’s invited today. So I know her and, well, appreciate her, but it’s.. like a work context ?”

You giggle softly at the obvious fluster taking over him, watch as he stumbles on his words and frown as he wonders about the situation. Your gaze falls towards the racks of flowers as you listen to him explain what he knows about the woman, Lissie as you’ve learned, and her job and known passions. She seems lively and passionate about what she’s doing, as much as the man in front of you is at least, so you carefully pluck a yellow Calla Lily, putting it next to the clematis in your hand.

“- So, what we can do is have some strong flowers, like the yellow calla lily here, and build around them with simpler, smaller purple flowers like the clematis here. Calla Lilies stand straight and create a lot of volume when well-paired, and clematis create some movement with how they fall. See ? They naturally are more frail and “floaty” and will add color without it being too blunt. I can pair them with some hydrangeas for volume, no more than two or three to not throw the balance off, and some iris. Maybe add some mimosa stems in between to add more yellow.

- That.. seems perfect, really.”

A proud grin falls on your lips as you pluck the flowers you’ll need, creating the bouquet as you go. Foliages are not counted in the price as your shop offers them, something not that uncommon but that still surprises customers not used to it. You decide to go for eucalyptus, giving the bouquet more volume but also more fluidity and lightness, creating a less strict, more simple looking composition. As you go, you never forget to calculate and enunciate the price, making sure to check in with the man in front of you who seems purely in awe as he observes your hands work carefully around the flowers, delicate fingers adorned with little cuts and callouses. You place the last flower where it’s supposed to go, checking on different angles to make sure it’s evenly distributed before showing it off.

“- Ans that’s how it looks, is it what you had in mind ? If not, I can replace some flowers and such, don’t hesitate to tell me.

- No, no it’s really pretty, thank you ! I didn’t even have something as gorgeous as this in mind, to be fair. You have a way with flowers, trust me.”

He compliments you excitedly as you laugh, taking a ribbon out of your apron to tie the creation before making your way to the checkout, followed closely by the young man you find quite interesting. Your hands quickly work as you cut the stems at the same level and wrap the bouquet in yellow colored paper, placing a simple light purple around it and making a bow. All the while, you explain how his friend should take care of the flowers, insisting on the “cutting them every two days” part and a sweet smile grows on your face as you note how meticulous he seems, nodding in a determined way and asking questions about some parts. You staple your shop’s cars on the wrapping paper before handing it to you, your hands brushing his as he oh so carefully takes it and profusely thanks you, making his way towards the exit.

“- Oh, I’m sorry ! But you’ve said you have a podcast, right ? May I know the name ? I don’t know much about cars and, sports in general, but I’d like to learn more.

- Yeah, sure ! It’s called Screaming Meals, and well, my name’s Clement. It was nice meeting you, Y/N.”

You stare at his back as he walks out with a frown and a gaping mouth, only realizing much later, as you’re making dinner, that your name is written on your apron. The podcast accompany your dinner and you shyly subscribe to the channel, grinning as Lissie compliments the bouquet and laughing as Clement brags about it, not missing the soft look in his eyes.