Chapter Text
The florist smelled of spring, even in full autumn. Felix arranged an arrangement of white lilies so carefully that he seemed to fear the petals would hurt. His apron was dirty with pollen and dirt, but his thin fingers danced delicately between stems and leaves.
Jisung : You’ll end up spoiling these flowers more than life itself (mocked, appearing next with a watering can in one hand and a naughty smile on his face)
Felix : They deserve... are easier to deal with than people (smiled shy)
Jisung : Just because you haven’t realized that there’s an alpha tattoo artist coming here every week just to see you (rolled his eyes)
The omega laughed softly, looking away. Before he could answer, the sound of the bell over the door interrupted them.
Chan has entered.
He always came on Tuesdays. He always smiled. He always smelled of fresh mint and ink, a smell that did not bother Felix, even being alpha. He had that quiet walk, a low voice, and eyes that seemed to be looking for someone or at least that’s what Jisung insisted on saying.
Chan : Good morning, Felix (spoke directly, with that gentle smile that always left the stomach of omega strangely light)
Felix froze for a second. He replied with a timid nod, turning his eyes to the bouquet in his hands as if it was of extreme importance at that moment.
Felix : Chan...
Chan: I was thinking of something different today (approached the counter) Maybe something with... lavender?
The youngest blinked. Lavender? It was your favorite flower. Will...?
Felix: F-for who? (he asked, lower than he wanted)
The alpha seemed to hesitate for a moment. His eyes slipped into those of Felix and then returned to the counter.
Chan : For someone special
Felix felt his heart pounding. Sure. Someone special. Probably Hyunjin. Or Jisung. Or any other lovely omega with enough self-confidence to understand an indirect.
Felix : Ah (muttered, looking away) I... will prepare
Chan watched for a few seconds in silence, until Jisung coughed loudly behind the counter, something between a warning and a silent scolding. The tattoo artist gave a half smile, like someone who is not in a hurry, and left the shop with a "thank you" full of unspoken meanings.
The bell tinkled again. Silence.
Felix stood for a few seconds, his heart beating faster than I’d like to admit. Then he went back to work, trying to convince himself that he wasn’t thinking too much.
::
A few blocks away, the doorbell rang again when Chan returned to the studio.
The smell of paint and hot metal welcomed him as an old friend.
Changbin : What’s up, Casanova? (she screamed from the background, without taking her eyes off the client who was tattooing) Did you get to say anything other than "lavender and thank you"?
Chan : I said (bufou, throwing the coat on the backrest of the sofa) Said it was for someone special
Minho : And he understood that it was for him? (he asked sitting on the bench drawing, raised an eyebrow)
Seungmin : Of course not (he answers dry, dropping the tablet hard on the counter) Because you speak as if asking for the blessing of his mother, hyung, and not trying to conquer someone
The maknae who was wiping needles carefully, let out a muffled laugh.
Jeongin : See he likes mystery, Minnie. I’m just enjoying the romance on slow bum
SeungMin : That’s not even slow burn, it’s eternal ice. If it takes longer, Hyunjin steals it on the hard face
The older alpha passed his hand through the hair with a weary sigh.
Chan : He’s different. And... I don’t want to scare you. I don’t want to look like the other alphas
Everyone shut up for a moment.
Minho : Then show it to him (he muttered, almost without lifting his eyes from the drawing)
::
At the florist, the smell of lavender still hung in the air. Felix finished tying the bouquet with purple satin ribbon, delicately. The hands were trembling.
He knew I shouldn’t think about it. That Chan was just being kind. Alphas were like that sometimes. They could be charming, but never to him.
He held the bouquet against his chest and sighed, eyes lost in the window glass clouded by moisture.
"What if... he was actually talking to me?"
But he immediately turned away the thought.
"Of course not. It would be too good."
Felix could smell the lavender even after having delivered the bouquet. The perfume stayed on his fingers, stuck like an insistent memory, of those that the heart wants to keep, but the reason tries to erase.
The shop was quieter in the late morning, with Jisung busy replanting some succulents and Hyunjin taking selfies between the pot shelves. Felix pretended to organize the roses, but in fact he was hiding behind them, stirring thoughts that came like waves.
"Someone very special."
The words echoed in his mind with an intensity he hated to admit. He should not care. He should not let his heart speed because of a smile or a request for lavender. But there was something in the way Chan spoke to him... or maybe it was just imagination.
Felix sighed and, without noticing, whispered out loud: It can’t be for me.
Jisung : What can’t be for you? (he asked peeking behind the plants with an arched eyebrow)
Felix: Jisung (jumped) N-nothing. Just talking to myself...
Hyunjin appeared with the phone still in hand, looking sharp as always.
Hyunjin : If it’s the "sexy tattooed alpha" again, then that’s what we’ve been trying to tell you for weeks
Felix : He’s not interested in me, Hyunjin (spoke low looking away) He’s probably just... kind. And handsome. And self-confident. And...
Jisung : And in love with you, isn’t it? (interrupted the other smiling with the face of who knew things) Felix, he just looks at you. Literally. He enters here, the eyes go straight on you, as if the rest of the store is invisible. I get even offended
Hyunjin: Do you know what annoys me? (he leaned on the counter, crossing his arms) You don’t think you’re worthy of it. As if you could not be "someone special". You are, Lix. Much more than you imagine
Felix bit his lower lip. A part of him wanted to believe. Another part was hiding behind the memories, the times he felt small near alphas, the comparisons, the harsh words of a past that he rarely mentioned.
Felix : I just think... he was wrong. Or confused. I don’t know (shrugs)
Jisung and Hyunjin exchanged glances, frustrated. They knew that insisting too much would only make Felix back down.
Jisung : All right, then (said taking back his tray of succulents) But if he asks for sunflowers next week, I’ll consider it a marriage proposal, and then I’ll prepare the bouquet
Hyunjin laughed loudly, and even Felix sketched a small, shy smile.
But deep down, his heart was still beating fast. A muffled and confused sound that seemed to whisper something he wasn’t ready to hear.
:::
Chan supported his forearms on the wooden bench, the look stuck to the empty space where the tablet was usually. The tattoo shop was quiet that afternoon, with Jeongin meeting a customer in the background and Seungmin scribbling on the iPad with a concentrated expression.
Changbin came in from the back room, wiping his hands with a cloth.
Changbin: Are you thinking high or just with the face of who is in crisis?
Chan : The two things, maybe (smiled sideways)
The younger alpha threw himself in the swivel chair next to it and turned it sideways, staring at his friend as if he already knew the answer, but wanted to hear it anyway.
Changbin : Felix again?
Chan : I must be looking like an idiot (dropped a laugh without humor)
Changbin : Yes. A passionate idiot. Which, by the way, suits you
The elder sighed, letting his head fall back.
Chan: He doesn’t even notice, Bin. I go there every week, get nervous like a teenager, try to start conversation, give clues... and he just... smiles and comes back to flowers as if invisible
Changbin : And did you ever think that he really might not think it’s you? (he leaned his elbow on the counter and spoke calmly)
Chan : How so? (turned his face, frowning)
Changbin : He is an omega who has spent his whole life trying to be small. Discreet. Invisible. You, on the other hand, are a tattooed alpha, safe, studio owner, surrounded by other alphas who have stage presence. And you’re cute with those dimples. He probably thinks it’s easier for you to be there because of his friends than himself
The other was silent. It made sense. Frighteningly, painfully.
Chan: I don’t want to force anything (said lower) I don’t want him to feel pressure, or fear... I want him to see that I’m here for him. I see him
Changbin : So maybe it’s time to do something that shows this (she replied shrugging) Like... something he can’t mistake for kindness
Chan : Like what? (looked at him, thoughtful)
Changbin smiled. Those smiles of those who already have a malicious plan blossoming.
Changbin : Like a tattoo. Of flower. Of lavender. With his name hidden in morse code. Go. Think out of the box.
The oldest laughed loudly, and Seungmin, in the corner, raised his eyes just to say.
SeungMin : That’s the meanest thing I’ve ever heard. And I approve.
Chan was still laughing, but there was a new glow in his eyes.
Maybe... maybe it was time to stop waiting for Felix to understand indirect. And start speaking his language.