Tease

A/N: Needed to take a break from long, heavy pieces of work.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED.

Segment: Flora

The bells tinkled merrily when the front door swooshed open. Athrun walked into the store, feeling the cool air bask over his body. He could vaguely hear the air conditioner rumbling at the back.

Grinning, he walked up to the counter after idling around the various pots of plants. The smell of nectar was strong and nearly overwhelmed his nose.

"Sorry! I'll be there in a second," came the voice behind the makeshift door that separated the store front from the store back.

Athrun chuckled and leaned against the counter, saying nothing. His eyes darted around and took in the exuberant colors of various shades. There were many flowers for sale as well - violets, carnations, roses, tulips, marigolds, orchids, irises, lilies – the list goes on.

"Hello, sorry for the wait, how may I…oh! Hey Athrun," spoke a voice behind him.

Athrun jumped and spun around to face Kira. He smiled, "Hey yourself. I just thought I'd drop by after work to see how you were doing."

"I'm okay," Kira began busying himself with a vase of unarranged flowers. "Though, today was pretty quiet."

"Really? Well…" Athrun paused. He watched, fascinated, as Kira's fingers weaved in and out of the flora and then looked up at Kira's concentrated face. "He's so delicate with these flowers…"

"Well? Aren't you going to continue?" humor was laced in his words as Kira ducked down under the counter to fetch a pair of scissors.

A sheepish smile alighted Athrun's face, "Actually, there was also another reason I came here."

"Mhmm…I'm listening."

"Since this is a flower shop, and I have another date tonight, I came here to buy flowers."

Kira sighed, and smiled lightly at Athrun, "So, what would you like?"

Athrun prodded his chin thoughtfully, before pointing towards a bouquet of lilies, "That might be nice…"

The other nodded, taking the flowers from the table. He glanced at Athrun curiously, before inquiring, "…who are they for?"

Mirth filled eyes gazed back at him, "Someone special of course."

Kira's smile faltered slightly, "I…see…"

"Mhmmm…" Athrun paced towards the window after leaving a few bills on the table and without turning around, he called out to Kira, "Would you mind wrapping that up for me as well?"

"I was just about to do that." There was a pause before Kira continued. "What color should I use for the wrapping?"

Athrun turned around to catch Kira's gaze, "Uhh…what's your favorite color, Kira?"

"Green," replied Kira. "Don't tell me you're going to…?"

Athrun smiled, "Okay then, green it is."

Kira placed a tired hand on his forehead and shook his head, "You're sometimes so insufferable, Athrun."

"Thanks," chuckled Athrun quietly.

-

"Here." Kira handed the flowers carefully to Athrun and gave him his change.

Athrun brought the bouquet to his nose and sniffed, commenting, "They don't smell as sweet as last time."

"Well…if people can change, so can flowers," spoke Kira softly.

The two stood in front of one another in hushed contemplation before Athrun spoke, "I never knew you to be the jealous type, Kira."

Kira gave Athrun a look mixed with disbelief, "Me? Jealous type?"

Athrun nodded, "Right when I mentioned about having a date tonight…"

A single eyebrow rose, "…you've got to be kidding me. I'm not jealous."

Athrun paused, giving time for flustered Kira to settle down, "So, are you doing anything tonight then?"

"No…" came the lonely reply.

"You want to go catch a movie?"

Bewildered, Kira commented, "But I thought you had a date tonight."

"Oh, I do."

"Then…?"

"Honestly, Kira," grinned Athrun. "Do you seriously believe that I'd go on a date without you?"

Kira frowned, "Yes…dates are between two people. I'd be a third wheel."

Athrun shook his head, amused, "I can't possibly go on a date alone. Like you said, dates are between two people, and if I go out alone, then that isn't a date."

"Huh?" perplexed, Kira made a face. "I don't understand what you're getting at."

Athrun handed the lilies to Kira, "You are my date."

Kira started, a semi-blush forming, before he sighed, "Like I said before, you're sometimes so insufferable, Athrun."

Athrun placed a gentle peck on the other's cheek, "Of course, only for you."

End Segment

Took about forty-five minutes to write this…

Thank you for your valuable time readers.

Reviews are really appreciated.

Constructive criticism is welcomed.

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Spyrit