He had the day off so he had decided to help Hisui in the shop. "You really want to help me tidy and clean things on your day off?" She had laughed, cheeks flushed, green eyes bright.
"Of course, I do." There was nothing else he wanted to do—nothing besides be with her.
The bell on the door jangled as Mira practically skipped into the shop. "Good morning you two!" She laughed, her voice soft and bright.
"Mira," Hisui beamed, she was sitting by the counter watering yellow hyacinth. "Aren't you supposed to be in the café?"
Mira waved her hand as if it was no big deal. "Nah! Lucy's taking care of the counter, and Levy just got in as well. My boyfriend is coming and I want to get him a flower. You got Laxus a flower on your first date, right?"
Laxus felt his cheeks grow hot and he quickly returned to sweeping.
"Yeah," Hisui sighed, Laxus dared to catch a glimpse of the adorable smile touching her lips.
"Well I'm just going to look around for the right one!" Mira nodded, turning to look through the buckets of flowers throughout the shop.
The bell rang again, and a customer walked in. Laxus usually just let Hisui do her job. She was so good with people, he kept sweeping as the customer approached the counter.
"Good morning," Hisui beamed, her voice bright and happy, "How can I help you?"
Laxus perked up at the sound of a young man's voice. "I'm looking to buy some flowers for a girl I really like... She really likes flower language, do you know flower language?"
That sounds awfully familiar. He glanced up to see the young man at the counter. He was lean and tall—though not as tall as Laxus… maybe he was younger than Laxus? He might have been closer to Hisui's age, nineteen or twenty. He was leaning close to the counter, running his fingers through his mess of brown hair. Doesn't he know what hair gel is? Laxus narrowed his eyes, careful not to bump into the pots of petunias, watching as Hisui offered the young man a bright smile.
"Of course! What are you looking to tell her?"
"Just… how beautiful she is, how much I admire her."
Laxus tried to go back to sweeping. It's for another girl. It's for another girl. But his thoughts wouldn't leave him alone. He gritted his teeth.
"What size arrangement would you like?" Hisui asked.
"Just a small one," the young man said. Hah! I got her a big one. "She likes simple things."
Laxus furrowed his brow, gripping the broom so tight he was sure he could almost break it in half at even just a slight movement from his wrist. He glanced up to meet Mira's eyes. The barista's smile was gleaming with understanding. She knew. She let out a sing-song whisper, "Laxus is jealous."
He gritted his teeth. "I am not."
But he couldn't help it. Every time he glanced over at Hisui talking to the random customer, it made his stomach go into knots and his chest feel like there was a fire in his heart. He had to cool off, this was ridiculous. He propped his broom against the wall, trying not to be too loud, and moved for the door. As he reached for the handle Hisui called out,
"Oh, Laxus! Where are you going?"
"I just…" he didn't have an excuse. The flower shop owner was looking at him expectantly, green eyes wide with worry. "I just forgot… about a phone call I have to make."
"Okay!" She smiled, though she did seem a little worried.
He stepped outside, letting out a breath. If he was still a smoker, he'd have a cigarette. For some reason he was craving one bad now. He kicked a pebble into the street, pulling out his phone. He'd take a walk. Forget about it. Just forget about it.
⁂
"Sui." Mirajane let out an exasperated sigh. She set down a bouquet of flowers.
"Wow, you're going all out for your boyfriend," Hisui teased.
"I couldn't decide on just one. He'll love it."
"I know he will," Hisui winked.
"Sui, I have to tell you something." Mira repeated at Hisui rang her up at the register.
"What's that?"
"I don't think Laxus is going to come back unless you talk to him."
Hisui paused, glancing up at her friend. "What… what do you mean?"
"Couldn't you tell he was super grumpy?" Mira laughed a little, crossing her arms. "He was definitely jealous of that last costumer you had."
"Jealous?! Of that guy?!"
"I know, right?" Mirajane giggled, "He was so not your type. He was like a string bean, and we both know you like your men…" she flexed her muscles, "BIG."
"MIRA!" Hisui gasped, her face going hot. "Stop! Oh my goddd. And besides!" She snapped, pressing her cold hands to her raging hot cheeks, "Even if that guy was my type, I don't care! I have feelings for Laxus!"
"Well, I think you need to tell him that." Mira said, pointedly. "If you need to rush after him, I'll stay here and watch the shop for you."
"Would you?" Hisui breathed.
"Tsk, yes. That's what friends are for. Go get your man!"
Hisui grabbed her phone, rushing out of the shop. "Thank you, Mira!"
She paused on the sidewalk, one message from Detective Dreyar ❤️. I needed to take a walk. I'm just going to the park and back.
She set off. She had the path to the park memorized. She was sure, based on when he had sent this that he was already on his way back, but she didn't want him to be alone! Was he really jealous of that guy? She wanted to laugh about it because… that guy?! But she also didn't want him to ever feel that way… it made her heart ache. I only care about you, Laxus. She paused at the street light, the park was just across the street, but as she reached out to press the crosswalk button she saw him—tall and broad, his spiked blond hair. He was coming back out of the park, and as the crosswalk like turned white he crossed the street.
"Laxus!" She waved, catching his eye.
"'Sui? What are you… who's watching the shop?"
"Mira is! She said she could watch it until we get back. I wanted to come find you myself."
They stood at the edge of the street, Laxus towering over her. "You didn't have to, I just needed some air."
"Were you…" she hesitated, wringing her hands. "jealous?"
His eyes widened. "W-what?! Jealous?! Of who? That shrimp—?!"
"You are jealous!" Hisui gasped, "I didn't think you were, but Mira said—"
"Mira shouldn't have said anything!" Laxus snapped. Hisui reached out and grabbed his collar.
"I'm glad she did!" She gasped, "Because now I can tell you this: … I only care about you."
He was quiet for a minute, and then reached out to cup her cheek. "Not some shrimp?"
"Some shrimp is definitely 'not my type,' as Mira so eloquently put it." She laughed. "And even if he was… I only have eyes for you."
"I adore you," Laxus whispered.
Hisui let out a soft laugh and then closed the distance between the two of them to kiss him, fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. He adores me. Her heart pounding in her chest. He adores me. He pressed a hand to the small of her back, holding her in his hands. She could have melted against him. Maybe I love him. She smiled, pulling away once, only to kiss him again. Maybe I'm falling in love.
⁂
Freed looked exhausted as he stepped into the café, letting out a deep breath. It was late—an hour and a half past the time he was supposed to arrive, two hours after the coffee shop had closed.
"Mira," He let out another deep sigh. There were dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he could fall asleep standing. "I'm so sorry…" he groaned. "There was an emergency and—"
"It's okay." Mira smiled, coming around the counter and crossing the room to gently pull him into her arms. He relaxed against her, holding her gently. "I have some pastries, and something else for you. We don't have to go anywhere today. Why don't we just sit here and talk." She gestured to the padded bench against the wall. Freed dropped down onto the bench resting his head against the wall with a groan. As soon as Mira had grabbed the plate pastries and the bouquet of flowers she sat down next to him.
"You should eat something, Freed," she smiled.
He opened his eyes, and nodded, grabbing a pastry. "Did you make these?" He mumbled, taking a big bite.
"Yeah," she beamed.
"Your baking is amazing, Mira," he groaned, closing his eyes. "I always forget its to die for."
"I also got you these." She held out the bouquet. The police officer's eyes widened, and his whole face turned bright red.
"For me…?"
"Who else?" she laughed. He took the bouquet in his hand, blinking at the daisies, the red in his cheeks growing deeper.
"Mira…" he sighed, a light smile touching his lips. "Thank you." He gently set the bouquet on the table and dropped his head against her shoulder. "I apologize… I'm not very good company tonight. I'm just… so tired."
"It's alright," Mira held him close, brushing her fingers through his long hair. It was a mess, after the long day of work. Mira knew that usually he kept his hair in a bun while he was at work, today he must have been in a rush. She hummed softly, gently running her fingers through the green strands, and then, with his head still resting on her shoulder, she gently began braiding his hair. "You need to get some rest, dear," she murmured, gently taking the hair tie off her wrist and wrapping it around the end of his new braid.
"Yeah," he mumbled, his lips brushing against her neck. "Just a few more minutes."
"A few more minutes?" Mira laughed. "Of what?"
Freed sat up, reaching out to cup Mira's cheek, a small smile touching her lips, reaching his tired blue eyes. "A few more minutes of you."