crocus – gladness
sweet pea – thank you for a lovely time, blissful pleasure
Chapter 7: Sweet Pea
Tsuna sat up on his bed with scarlet adorning his cheeks. He slowly brought his hand on his forehead, feeling embarrassed and weirded out. Shaking his head, he rose to his feet and entered his bathroom to wash his face. The cold water lessened his early redness. I just realised how cheesy Hibari and I look like. Giving flowers to one another? I know I'm gay, but it sounds really gay! I find it really sweet, though, especially when it seems like he's not the talkative type. I'll give him something again later.
Lightly chuckling, Tsuna left the bathroom and hurriedly took his phone from his desk. He quickly dialled his friend's number and waited for him to pick up. He needed to tell him, of course. After all, he was the one who managed to persuade him to go. Hearing his friend's voice, he said, "Enma-kun! I have to tell you something."
"Let me guess, it's about Hibari, isn't it?"
"Wha—How'd you know?"
"Intuition, Tsuna-kun." Enma chuckled.
"That intuition of yours can be weird sometimes," mumbled Tsuna.
"Hey, your intuition's also weird!"
"Nuh-uh!" He stuck his tongue out despite knowing his friend couldn't see him. "But anyway, back to the topic. You see, Hibari-san asked me out yesterday in the shop. Well, actually, to be specific, he gave me a spider flower! Can you believe it? A spider flower in November!"
"He's rich. Of course he has a greenhouse or he bought it from someone who has a greenhouse."
Tsuna scowled, wondering why he didn't think of it immediately at the time Hibari gave it to him, but brightened up immediately. "Hibari-san's nice." Somehow. "But he has this weird habit of calling people herbivores and he calls himself a carnivore. Talk about pretentious! And then when a man accidentally bumped into me, he hit him with this weird silver rod. Can you imagine it? He hit him in front of me. It was frightening!"
"And did you know he brings Hibird to work? Oh, Hibird's his pet bird. He's really cute. I can't really imagine him going to work being scary and all and then have a bird resting on his hair. It's kind of funny to think about." Tsuna laughed. He paused, waiting for his friend's reply when he was met with silence. "Enma-kun, are you still there?"
"Yeah. It seems like you were enjoying yourself, Tsuna-kun." Tsuna could hear the laughter in Enma's voice.
"Hie! I'm sorry. I was babbling, wasn't I?" He slapped his forehead.
"It's fine! I think it's good. At least it means you're moving on from him, right? And this Hibari guy seems nice from the way you were talking about him. I wish you happiness, Tsuna-kun. I really do."
"Thanks, Enma-kun. You're a really great friend." Tsuna smiled.
-x-
"So?" asked Luce sternly once Tsuna entered their shop. Surprised, he blinked numerous times in confusion. He was sure he hadn't done anything to face Luce's wrath. His mind whirled back to yesterday's events. Was she mad for him leaving early? Or perhaps he forgot a chore that Luce asked. But he was sure she hadn't asked him anything. Upon hearing her giggle, he stopped thinking. "How was your date with Hibari-kun?"
Tsuna felt his cheeks warm up. "It was okay."
"Just okay?" His boss leant nearer his face.
"It was... nice. Okay. There. I've said it. Now please let me work, Luce-san." Tsuna turned his face away in embarrassment.
"I'm glad, Tsunayoshi-kun." Luce softly smiled.
I'm surrounded by wonderful people. Tsuna beamed in response and headed over to the backroom to get his apron. I have to do something in return if things go well with Hibari-san. Actually, even if things don't go well with him, I'd like to return their kindness. After tugging the apron's knot behind him, he went back to the main room to wait for the customers, and was surprised to see a familiar guest.
"Good morning, Sawada-kun," the guest greeted.
"Good morning, Gamma-san. I'm surprised to see you here."
Gamma smiled awkwardly. "Well, five days from now will be the thirteenth year I met Aria, so I was asking for... you know."
"A way to make my daughter swoon again for this lovely young man." Luce intervened teasingly. "Not like she isn't head-over-heels for him already."
"Wait. Uni is ten years old, right? And you and Aria married when you were twenty years old. That would make..." mumbled Tsuna barely audible to the others.
"What are you calculating, Tsunayoshi-kun?" His boss smiled sweetly.
"Nothing! Nothing!" Tsuna waved his hands frantically. The door chimed and Luce hurriedly excused herself to attend to the customer. "Have you thought of anything to give yet or to do, Gamma-san?" he asked
Gamma amusedly replied, "Nothing yet, Sawada-kun, although I'm surprised you're that courageous to tread on thin ice. Luce's age is taboo."
"B-but she looks so young!" he protested. "Anyway, I'm not really the best at planning but for flowers, how about giving her white periwinkles or forget-me-nots? It means pleasures of memory and true love and memories respectively. Perfect for your nostalgic dates! Or maybe anemone or baby's breath? They stand for unfading love and eternal love or—"
"Hold on, Sawada-kun." Gamma laughed. "I like the second one you said, the forget-me not, was it?" He paused. "On second thought, do you think you can make me a mixed bouquet of the forget-me-not and... and some white roses?" Tsuna only smiled and nodded at the slightly embarrassed man. Gamma continued, "I digress, but how have you been lately?" Tsuna grimaced at the mischevious glint in his eyes.
"Luce-san told you, didn't she?"
"She's happy for you."
"Assuming it does go well for me and Hibari-san."
Gamma rubbed his chin. "Ah, so it really is Hibari Kyouya, eh?"
Tsuna became curious. "Are you acquainted with him?"
"I believe Aria previously had a meeting with his company around a month ago, and, for some reason, they ended up talking about flowers when the meeting was adjourned. Pretty amusing to see that man talking about flowers." Gamma's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure he isn't making a fool out of you? It's not that I find it wrong that someone is interested in you, Sawada-kun, but this is the Hibari Kyouya. The walking enigma."
Fidgeting, Tsuna looked down. "Even I don't know, Gamma-san."
"If he hurts you, tell me immediately, okay? Or maybe telling Luce-san is better. That woman is frightening," he mumbled the last part. The bell chimed. A man entered. "Oho. Speak of the devil."
Hibari entered the shop carrying a bouquet of cup-shaped lilac flowers. Today's crocus, eh. Gladness? For yesterday? Mumbling an excuse to Gamma, he shuffled towards Hibari and beamed. "Good morn—Welcome to the Sky's!"
Lightly chuckling, Hibari raised his hand and patted Tsuna's hair. "There's no need to be formal, Tsunayoshi. I—Why are you here?" He redirected his attention to Gamma with narrowed eyes.
"A wonder to see you here." Gamma placed his hand on Tsuna's right shoulder. "There's nothing wrong in visiting my favourite florist."
"He's the husband of Luce-san's daughter, so that pretty much explains it," said Tsuna hurriedly upon realising Hibari's suspicions. "S-small world, eh?"
"I see." Hibari redirected his eyes to Gamma's hand.
Gamma squeezed his shoulder and Tsuna groaned when he realised Gamma was trying to ruffle Hibari's feathers, an analogy he found fitting for the Hibird lover. Not wanting to cause a scene, he gently removed Gamma's hand and noticed Hibari visible relaxed. That's actually kind of cute. "Well, Hibari-san—Doesn't Aria-san need you, Gamma-san?" he asked, wanting to talk with Hibari alone.
"Oh, no, no. Not for a while yet."
Tsuna was aware that Gamma only wanted to tease him. He stared sternly at the man, who responded with a grin. "Anyway, what can I do for you today, Hibari-san?"
"When is your free day?" asked Hibari, completely ignoring Gamma.
"Um, I don't have a fixed day off since schedule of deliveries is irregular. I'll check with—"
"He's free every day just for you, Hibari-kun," intervened Luce.
"Luce-san!"
"Only if I come."
"Gamma-san!"
"Come now, Gamma. Tsunayoshi-kun is a big boy now. He should be free to go alone. They already went out together yesterday, remember?"
"But I wasn't informed prior to it, Luce-san. Now I am. We have to protect Sawada-kun."
Why are you guys talking like you're my parents? Tsuna rested his hand on his face. "Guys, please. Let me talk with Hibari-san alone."
"No worries, Tsunayoshi-kun. Take all the time you need." She winked and ushered Gamma away.
Tsuna sputtered at her implications. Glad that they weren't bothering him anymore, he breathed deeply and said, "I can request for a day off tomorrow, I suppose. Why do you ask?" He was sure why, but he only wanted confirmation. Hibari might think that he simply assume things too much.
"I am sure that you know why, Tsunayoshi."
"Well, I don't!" said Tsuna stubbornly. He wasn't going to give in to this man's provocation. Besides, he finds it more sincere if he actually asks straightforwardly
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't!"
"You do."
"I don't!" Tsuna was wondering why Hibari wouldn't just say it. Was he embarrassed to state it out loud? That was highly unlike his character. Taking the gamble, he said, "I bet you're just too embarrassed to say it!" He was shocked to see Hibari's eyes slightly widen. Whoa. Bulls-eye. "So, anything you want to say to me?" Tsuna grinned widely.
Hibari scowled. "I would like for you to go out with me tomorrow. Happy?" he asked sarcastically.
"Yes!" Tsuna snickered.
"I will pick you up tomorrow at noon. Is that all right with you?" Tsuna nodded. Glancing at his watch, Hibari said, "I have to go now. Here." He handed the bouquet.
"I'm glad for yesterday, too, Hibari-san. Thank you." Tsuna softly smiled at the flowers. Oh! "Wait, Hibari-san. I have something to give you!" Tsuna rushed towards the back room and went to one corner where there was sunlight beaming from a window. In that corner was a table with a vase on top, which contained light purple sweetpeas. He hurriedly yet carefully wrapped it in a white special paper and locked it with a purple ribbon to match the man's inner shirt and the flowers.
After his preparation, he put the crocus in the vase and rushed back to the main room. "Here, Hibari-san. Now off you go!" He pushed Hibari out, slightly embarrass at the message of the flowers he gave yet happy at the surprised, or as surprised as he can be, look in Hibari's face.
Thank you for the lovely time, Hibari-san.
