Hello!
Welcome to today's one shot~
This combines the flower shop and coffee shop AU prompts; you will soon see who has which shop; and we have a secondary character this time in the form of Link, as well as mentions of Lavi and Lenalee!
It is very much implied that Allen heard about Tyki before meeting him; and also that Link and Lavi talked about Tyki and Allen meeting, and that Lavi thought they wouldn't work out together, while Link knew better (as he spends more time around Tyki, since they work together).
I had fun writing this, I initially thought it would be shorter, but I had the idea of the purple rose and so I needed a little more. The blue rose is meant by Allen to foreshadow his play with flowers, too~!
I hope you enjoy!
Everytime, Everywhere
(It will be you)
A flower for your heart
Tyki would admit he didn't notice at first, half asleep and too used to the closed shop beside his own to give a glance. He entered, spotted Link putting on display a few things he baked, and stopped short. The blond man lifted his gaze, watched Tyki backtrack, and tried not to let his amusement show.
Amber eyes stared at the open door, the new sign, blinking. His eyebrows shot up as a young man pulling a potted small tree walked backward out, his gaze going from the pure white hairs down the lean frame, taking note of the rolled up sleeves, the dark red tattoo on the left arm, and the lines of muscles working to pull.
His gaze had gotten lower, to this lovely little butt, when he saw the startled jolt and snapped his eyes upward again to meet surprised silver eyes that stared right back at his.
Lips stretched into a grin and Tyki whistled. "My, nobody told me about this lovely neighbour of ours!"
Fair cheeks that had been faintly pink now reddened. But the glint of those eyes was mischievous, making Tyki's heart skip a beat. "And nobody warned me how handsome you were, so we're even."
Tyki let out a startled laugh, chest a little warm as the young man grinned. "Oh I like you already." He stepped closer, extending his hand. "I'm Tyki, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The young man didn't hesitate to shake hands, and oh, he had such a firm grip, that lean body was really more muscular than it looked, wasn't it? "I'm Allen, and it's nice to finally put a face to your name."
Tyki lifted an eyebrow, flickering his eyes inside the coffee shop, but Link had already vanished in the back. "Oh? Should I worry of what you have heard?"
For the life of him, Tyki couldn't read the glint in Allen's eyes, nor the sweet smile. "They seem to be the truth." He simply shrugged, and pretended not to notice Tyki's narrowed eyes, instead looking inside Tyki's shop, eyes locking on a slice of pie.
A growl came from Allen's stomach, and his cheeks flushed lightly. Tyki grinned. "Did you have a breakfast?"
"One already, yes." The young man mumbled, scratching the back of his neck.
Tyki chuckled. "Not enough for you?" He teased, smirking at the way that little blush got stronger. "How about a coffee and that pie you're making love to with your eyes? My treat, to welcome you around here."
Silver eyes snapped up to meet him, then flickered to the potted tree, then he grinned and nodded. "Let me place a few things and I'll be coming."
Allen sent Tyki a bright smile then darted back into his shop, his eagerness visible, getting a fond little laugh out of Tyki as he went inside his own shop. He first went to greet Link properly, not without a little teasing, when were you going to tell me about this adorable boy, and got stunned by the rare smirk on the blond's face that showed for the smallest moment.
"Walker is an old classmate, like Miss Lee and Junior. They came here with a few others to celebrate Walker's return from overseas. He saw the other shop being on sale then. Today is actually his opening day."
"Really?" Tyki grinned, and lowering his voice despite no one being around to overhear, he asked, "Can you make a cake for lunch?"
Immediate understanding showed, and Link once more surprised him, smiling softly for a brief moment. "I will. I know what he likes."
Tyki's eyebrow shot up, and he smirked, earning a glare that said don't you dare. Of course, he dared. "Oh~? Is that an old crush I hear?"
"Speak for yourself, Mikk. Now get off my kitchen."
And with that comment that froze Tyki, Link pushed the man out of said kitchen, just in time for Allen to walk in, amusement brightening his silver eyes at the scene.
"Let me guess, he's in territorial mode with the kitchen?" Allen joked, walking closer; and that was when Tyki noticed his hands were not empty.
Allen had a single blue rose in his left hand, fingers twirling it elegantly by the stem. His smile had turned coy, almost secretive. Tyki's eyes glinted with curious interest while he pretended not to feel his heart flutter. "Oh? What is this, boy?"
"How much do you know of flower meanings?" The younger man asked instead, scenting the rose while his gaze was set on Tyki.
Tyki grinned. "I'd know how to interpret a red rose, but not a blue one." The rose was extended, and he took it, careful.
"Blue roses aren't natural, so they've been given the meaning of mystery and intrigue."
"Oh~? Do I intrigue you, boy?" Tyki teased, though his gaze was a little softer. The rose was beautiful, the blue a lovely shade.
"Who knows?" Allen simply replied, and the underlying it's a mystery felt so clear that it made Tyki laugh.
Oh, witty, I love that, he thought as he went to make Allen's coffee. The white haired, however, whined to get the pie first, and Tyki sent a look at him, tone deadpan as he pointed out, "It'll be gone by the time you get your coffee, won't it?"
Allen's cheeks flushed, and he just gave a kicked puppy look, all with a pout. Tyki sighed, shook his head, and grabbed the pie. Silver eyes lit up and Tyki swore he could visualize sparkles. Ah, such an adorable, interesting boy.
And they spent a few minutes chatting, both keeping an eye to the street, Allen had closed the door to his shop so he would hear if someone entered, and too soon in Tyki's taste, customers came in, and Allen told him it should go back to his own shop. Not without Tyki making him promise he would drop by for lunch, and with delight he discovered Allen's hours had a break of one hour for lunch.
One full hour of Allen. Yes.
Allen through morning, Tyki noticed a few people paused or entered Allen's shop, and often, the white haired wandered outside, almost teasing in how he stayed out, simply waving at him or sending a smile.
Tyki couldn't wait for lunch.
"Congratulations on opening your shop, Walker."
"Congratulations on opening your shop, boy~!"
Silver stared down at the cake that had been placed on the counter, then up at Tyki who grinned and Link who waved a finger as he scolded, "Now don't eat whole, Walker."
Allen, in reply, only clasped his hands around Link's. "Thank you Link!"
The blond sighed, shaking his head, and tried really hard not to notice the moody glare sent his way. "You can thank Mikk too, he's the one who asked for it."
Allen directed a beaming smile at Tyki, and Link fled into the kitchen, lips twitching at the dazed stare the man gave.
"Thank you Tyki~!"
Adorable, Tyki cooed internally. And scary, he added, a few seconds later, when he saw the way Allen gazed at the slice of cake in his plate.
Tyki almost forgot to eat his own as he stared at Allen close his eyes and let out a little moan as he took his first bite, eye twitching. He felt on autopilot as he ate his own, though he took the time to realize it was good indeed, and oh, oh no, Allen licked his fork once he finished the cake.
Tyki tried really, really hard not to have his mind wander. He failed. Something else was hard.
Silver eyes looked at him, half opened, a smirk showing for a fleeting moment.
Oh you little devil, you adorable, sexy little imp, I will get back at you, I swear.
Allen's shop closed earlier than Tyki's, and neither had needed to voice it, but of course Allen went inside the coffee shop once he had finished. This time, he got himself a tea and pancakes, humming in a merry tune.
"So how has been your first day, boy?"
Allen smiled a bright smile. "It's been great! There has been more curious people than actual customers, but they seemed to have liked my flowers." His smile grew softer, eyes warm. "And I have great neighbours."
Tyki chuckled. "A lucky one you are, aren't you?" He rested his elbows on the counter, chin in his palms. "Your neighbours might be the lucky ones too, to have you."
The white haired grinned, cheeks a little flushed. "You smooth talker," He accused, amused.
Tyki replied with his own grin. "Am I though, if I'm saying the truth?"
Allen's blush spread, he coughed and drank his tea. Tyki still grinned, but didn't comment.
In the end, Allen did leave before Tyki closed the shop, but with the knowledge they would be working every day so close to each other, Tyki didn't feel too sad. Just a little bit. The boy was charming company, after all.
Tyki really couldn't wait tomorrow, to see the boy again.
Tyki had barely took a step inside his own shop before a hand grabbed his wrist and a voice he was already familiar with told him, "Wait, come with me!"
He let himself be pulled, grinning, feeling more awake just by the feel and voice of Allen.
Link watched him disappear and sighed. Lovesick, he concluded. Pinning, he added to himself.
It had only been a few days, but they had already established habits, including how Allen would give a flower to Tyki everyday. He had given some to Link too, friendship and gratitude he had explained, as well as some to decorate the coffee shop.
Tyki, for his part, had gotten flowers that meant beauty and elegance, playfulness, happiness, even hope and faith. The poor man felt so warm each time, he had first wondered why Allen didn't try to let him guess, but he had soon realized why.
Allen's silver eyes were always focused on him, on his reaction, soft little smile on his lips as he spotted the hints of pleasure and warmth Tyki felt.
So when Allen carefully cut the stem of a single purple rose, and simply put it in the left breast pocket of his shirt, Tyki lifted an eyebrow. "No explanation?"
Allen's hand rested against his pocket, and Tyki felt hyperaware that his heart was beating just under it. The young man's smile was secretive, soft, and a little bit shy. "Discover yourself what it means."
Tyki's heart thumped harder. The change, Allen's expression, the words… But it was not a red rose. Of course it wouldn't be, he had said it was one of the only flower he knew the meaning of. Allen didn't want him to know right away.
Excitement bubbled in Tyki's chest. What could a purple rose mean?
Allen's lips curled into a wider smile, and he lifted himself on the tip of his toes, placing a kiss at Tyki's cheek. "Good luck, Tyki~" Then, in a lower voice, almost a purr, "Do come see me when you find out."
Tyki felt a shiver go down his spine. Allen's tone, his words, were layered in so much promise it took all his self control to not pin the young man to his counter, to finally taste those soft-looking lips.
But he knew what Allen wanted.
I'll play your game, and get my reward.
He didn't have to wait long. He didn't want to wait long. And Tyki had noticed before, the cards that Allen had in his shop, to help customers pick flowers for their meaning.
Allen watched him go, and Tyki couldn't snatch one.
He asked Link to bring Allen cookies later, and bribed him hard for Link to grab the roses' card for him.
Tyki stared down at the card.
Purple&Lavender are often used to convey romantic feelings.
Purple roses have various meanings, such as: enchantment, love at first sight, charm, deep magnetism, gentle desire, flirt, glory, majesty.
And at the end of the card, the number of roses can have its own meaning.
A single rose conveys intense emotions.
"Can you take care of the shop for a bit please?"
Link had barely given his agreement that Tyki put down the card and rushed out. The blond took a peek at the card, lips already twitching into a smile, and he gave a long sigh. I knew it, they get along well. Eat that, Junior.
Meanwhile, Allen heard the door to his shop open, fast steps, a smile formed on his lips; and when hands turned him he allowed them, he let his body be embraced by strong arms and brought close to a warm chest that he wrapped his own arms around, and he tilted his head up, silver meeting amber for a brief moment before lips met his.
"I'd like to buy one red rose, please," Tyki breathed out against his lips when they parted.
"Take it, you'll play me later in pie," Allen murmured, lips curling up as Tyki chuckled at this.
"Oh I have my own ideas on how to pay you," Tyki purred, allowing Allen to part from his embrace and enjoying the red flush of his cheeks.
When Allen took the red rose and extended it to Tyki, the man wrapped his hand around Allen's, and pushed it back toward the young man.
"For you, Allen," Tyki said softly, keeping his fingers wrapped around Allen's wrist, and stepping closer to him, sneaking his other arms around his waist.
Warmth flashed in Allen's eyes, his smile fond. He breathed in the scent of the rose, head tilted up as he gazed, half lidded, into Tyki's eyes. "A single red rose, eh?"
Both of them knew the meaning, after all.
End of A flower for your heart
See you in the next one-shot!