Hello guys, Mrs. Portgas D. Ace here! Squeeee I've been having a lot of fun writing this fanfiction because I love Tao so much 3 *don't tell Ace he'll yell at me for cheating on him* I hope you guys all stick with this fanfiction and look forward to lot's of Taoris fluff in the very near future! COMMENTS ARE THE PRADA TO MY GUCCI SO PLEASE LEAVE SOME FOR TAO 3

QUICK FLASHBACK…

"Can I get some help over here please?" A familiar voice asked.

Tao looked up and grinned at Kris who had a slightly mischievous look on his face.

…

"What can I do for you?" Tao asked with a grin.

"I'm looking for flowers that would be a good for a wedding," Kris said, glancing around the store.

"You're getting married!?" Tao exclaimed, "Congr-"

Kris slapped a hand over Tao's wide-open mouth.

"Not for MY wedding idiot, my COUSIN'S," Kris said, laughing, "You looked so shocked it was hilarious"

Tao's face flushed a bright red as he buried his head in his hands in embarrassment. Kris kept laughing, scuffling his hair tenderly.

"I'm sorry," Tao mumbled, his face still red.

Kris just chuckled under his breath.

"So you want flowers to give your cousin as a gift?" Tao asked, his face still dusted with pink.

"Yeah, her wedding's this weekend," Kris explained.

"Hmmm, I have an idea of what you should get, but it's not in the store right now," Tao said, his bottom lip pouting slightly.

Kris grinned without Tao noticing. He found Tao's pouting to be really cute.

"I could order for you and have it here by Friday if you'd like," Tao offered with a small smile.

"That'd be great," Kris said.

"You'd just have to come by after work to pick them up," Tao said, "Is that alright?"

Kris nodded.

"Thanks Tao, I owe you," Kris said smiling.

"It's nothing," Tao said with a shy smile.

Kris stood there waiting while Tao went on the phone to order the bouquet from a larger shop in town. Kris noticed that Tao's arms kind of bulged against the sleeves of his plaid shirt. Tao's back was straight and firm as he talked on the phone. Kris wondered if Tao's arms were so muscled from all those years of Kung Fu. It must be. He blinked out of his daydreaming, feeling embarrassed that he was staring. Luckily for him Tao didn't notice. He hung up the phone after thanking the man on the other end.

"He said that he'd get the bouquet here by Friday afternoon," Tao said with an eager grin.

"That's great!" Kris said.

"I'll be waiting here for you to get out of work then," Tao said.

"Alright," Kris said, nodding, "I'd better get back to work then"

"See ya Kris," Tao said, waving kindly.

Kris waved as he left the store. He thought to himself that his manager might get mad that he'd been out for so long. To be completely honest, he didn't have a cousin that was getting married this weekend; he just wanted an excuse to see Tao. He was glad he went to see him today, he got see Tao's adorable pout. Smiling, he walked back into the restaurant and fixed his tie. Maybe he'd go see Tao again tomorrow.

Tao on the other hand was suddenly slammed with a throng of customers who flooded the store after they had their lunches. Amidst managing all the purchases and assisting customers, Tao thought to himself if Kris would come see him again. He hoped so.

The days after that passed by as Friday came closer and closer. Each day either Kris would stop by Tao's shop or Tao would go eat his lunch in the café where Kris worked. They chatted, joked, and just got to know each other more. On Friday, Kris came to Tao's shop for lunch. Tao showed him around the back room and they watered the plants together. Kris spilt some water on his pants and Tao laughed.

"I'll see you after work tonight," Kris aid before he left.

"See ya," Tao said with a grin.

After Kris left, something seemed different. Toa felt a little lonely when Kris left. Of course there were always customers coming in and out of the store, but none of them joked along with Tao or talked to Tao like Kris did. Tao shook his head, trying to ignore those silly thoughts. He had work to do. He tried his best to busy himself by reorganizing the flower displays and wiping off the cash register counter. Unconsciously, he'd glance out the window to see how far the sun had set. He didn't know why he was feeling like this, it was so weird. He tried to snap out of it, but it was hard.

Kris was in a similar situation. He'd glance up at the clock, begging the hands to speed up so that his shift would end soon. He'd check his phone every couple of minutes, wondering if Tao would ever text him. Whenever he flashed back to his home screen, he'd catch a glimpse of the selca they took and smile.

The clock struck six and Tao closed up shop, leaving the door unlocked for Kris to come in through later. He sat down behind the counter, sighing. He didn't like the store very much when it was so eerily quiet. It felt lonely. He sighed, lazily watching the clock. Kris probably wouldn't get out of work at least a couple more hours. He'd go check if the truck had delivered the bouquet. Getting up from the stool, he opened the door to the storeroom. The space seemed creepy with the dim lighting and no one else back here besides Tao. He strode to the back area where the delivery trucks usually left their packages. Tao had received a call earlier that day from the large store in town that they'd be late with their delivery, sending their deepest apologies. Nothing yet so far.

Tao went back to the register counter and flipped on his phone. There was nothing left to do except wait. As he lazily scrolled through his weibo account, his eyes started to droop sleepily. Before long, he was fast asleep. His silent snores echoed softly throughout the room. His breathing evened out and his chest rose slowly with each and every breath. He dreamed of slowly walking through a huge green field with the sun shining brightly above, the sky littered with puffy white clouds. The grass was sprayed with tiny purple and pink flowers that perfumed the air with their gentle scent. Tao could run forever in that beautiful field. It was so peaceful there.

While Tao dozed, Kris stressed. His manager had kept him back for a bit to help clean the mess one of the customers had made. He started to worry that Tao thought he had forgotten to come meet him. His fingers fumbled as he placed the dishes in the tub. Hopefully Tao wouldn't jump to conclusions. Quickly he wiped his hands clean and grabbed his stuff, tossing them into the backseat of his car. He rushed to start the engine and tore out of the parking lot, despite the fact that the flower shop was just a block away from the café. He felt anxious and excited to see Tao. This was strange; he had never felt this way before, only when he had been dating someone. Kris violently shook his head at the thought. He didn't like Tao in THAT way. They were just friends. Right?

Kris pulled into a free sparking spot in front of the flower shop and nearly tripped on his way out of the car. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the lights were still on. Tao must till be there. The bell above the door jangled loudly as Kris pushed the door open, exclaiming out a thousand apologies and excuses for being late. Suddenly, he realized that Tao wasn't even conscious. At first his mind jumped to the thought that Tao had fainted. Then he realized that Tao was just asleep. He sighed in relief.

Kris gazed at Tao's sleeping face. Tao had these really cute eye bags that made him look like some sort of animal, a panda? Kris chuckled to himself at the thought. Tao's hair fell on his eyelids as he softly snored. Kris stared as his chest rose and fell slightly with each soft breath. Subconsciously, Kris reached his hand out to brush the hair away from Tao's face. His face looked really peaceful when he slept. Tao looked younger too. His skin was really smooth. Kris's fingers slowly started at Tao's temple, gradually working their way down to Tao's nose and lips. His lips were soft and firm. Kris wondered what it would be like to kiss them. He jumped back then, realizing that he was getting too ahead of himself. Tao was his friend, a guy nonetheless.

Suddenly, Tao began to stir. He groaned softly in his sleep, turning his head to the other side.

Kris took a step closer, gazing at the younger's face. Tao was really handsome. His eyelashes were a nice length and his nose was sharp. His jawline was cute in a manly sort of way and he was somehow able to pull off the tough guy look with all the piercings and yet still look cute when he pouted. Kris didn't understand. It was like something changed inside him when he met Tao. He started thinking these weird things. Kris slapped his cheek, trying to snap out of it.

Tao started to wake up now, his eyes gradually opening as he let out an ear-splitting yawn. Kris grinned and scuffled his hair playfully.

"Sorry, I fell asleep," Tao said sleepily, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.

"It's all right," Kris said, "Have you been overworking? You seem sleepy"

"Nah, I just like to sleep," Tao said with a light chuckle.

"Are the flowers here?" Kris asked, unsure what else to say.

"No, the store called to say that they'd be late," Tao said, " Sorry about that"

Kris shook his head and smiled, telling Tao that it wasn't a big deal. After Tao started to wake up completely, the two talked about anything and everything. Kris told Tao stories about funny stories from the first few months of working at the Café, including the time when he accidentally mistook a woman for a man and said enjoy your meal sir. Tao cracked up hard at that one.

"What made you mistake a lady for a GUY!?" Tao said in between guffaws.

"She was kinda hideous looking," Kris said as his face flushed, "So I guessed that she was a he"

Tao cracked up again, having a hard time breathing. The more Tao laughed, the brighter the red Kris's cheeks turned. He couldn't' help it, Kris looked so cute when he was embarrassed.

"It was an honest mistake!" Kris cried out in frustration, "You should have seen her!"

"Alright, alright I get it," Tao said as he caught his breath.

To cheer Kris up, Tao shared an embarrassing story too. Tao told him of the time when he first bought the building for his flower shop. It was late at night when Tao was locking up when he saw something moving in the corner. He got scared that it was intruder and tried to hide, unsure whether to face the mysterious figure. He late discovered that it was just his reflection in the mirror. Kris burst into horrendous fit of laughter. Now it was Tao's turn to blush.

"Did you look so horrible that you frightened yourself?" Kris said between laughs.

The moment those words left Kris's lips, he knew he had said the wrong thing. Tao's face quickly fell and he looked down at the ground. Kris wanted to kick himself for being so stupid.

"Tao I d-" He started to say.

"Delivery for Mr. Huang Zitao!" A voice said from the backroom, interrupting Kris who was trying to apologize.

"I'm here!" Tao said, looking away and hurrying into the backroom.

As Tao left, Kris sighed, wanting desperately to apologize for what he said. He fought the urge to just grab Tao's wrist and pull him back. He didn't think that Tao would be offended, he hadn't been thinking at all.

In the back room, Kris found the delivery guy apologizing over and over again to Tao for being late, who just smiled and thanked him for working overtime to get the bouquet to the shop. Kris gazed at the bouquet in Tao's hands. The arrangement was beautiful and exotic. There were big pink blossom that contrasted the tiny white rosettes and lavender tinted forget-me-nots. Green leaves stuck out in all the right places. Tao really did have good tastes.

Once the deliveryman left, the two walked back to the front of the store, walking in an awkward silence. Neither knew what to say right now. Kris knew he needed to apologize but was unsure when would be the right time to say it. Toa felt awkward too. He didn't mean to take Kris's comment seriously. He knew it was just a joke, but he still felt this tiny pang in his chest. It would be weird if he said anything about it.

"Okay, your total is $23.72" Tao said as he rang Kris up at the register, trying to avoid their eyes meeting.

"Thanks Tao," Kris said, grinning.

Tao couldn't help that he smiled back. Kris's smile was just so contagious. Suddenly, Kris reached for Tao's upper arm and held it, looking into his eyes. Tao froze at the sudden contact, his face instantly growing hot.

"Sorry for what I said earlier," Kris said, his brow furrowing slightly, "I wasn't thinking"

Tao looked down, feeling ashamed that Kris noticed how he reacted to such a little comment, He felt like a real brat for acting the way he did. What did Kris think? Kris saw Tao's face tilt down and worried that he'd really offended him.

"Sorry for overreacting," Tao said shyly, his face embarrassed, "It was just a joke after all"

He looked up to show Kris that he wasn't upset of anything and froze. Kris was gazing at him so serenely; slowly look at all the exquisite features on Tao's face. His eye traveled from Tao's soft hair to his harp nose, large eyes with those precious eye bags, his fuzzy brows, and those plump lips. Unconsciously, Kris's fingers brushed Tao's cheek. His gentle touch sent shivers down Tao's spine in the most delicious and frightening way. His fingers traveled down to gently brush against Tao's slightly open lips. Kris was lost in the moment. Tao's lips were so soft and the corners were pointed into a natural smile. Kris wanted to touch every part of Tao's face. His skin was flawless and warm underneath Kris's fingertips, like a new silk scarf.

Suddenly, he realized what he was doing. He quickly drew his hand away and blushed a brilliant red. Tao was embarrassed too, his cheeks dusted with an intense shade of pink. Kris really wanted to hit himself now. What was even thinking?! He had just touched his friends face subconsciously for like five minutes, not realizing what he was doing! He hadn't even had alcohol today!

"U-umm, I'm going to head home," Kris mumbled, not daring to face Tao out of sheer embarrassment.

"Y-you do that," Tao said, his voice a squeak.

Kris practically ran out the store with the bouquet in hand. Once he was safely in his car, he slumped down in the seat and sighed. Kris slammed his head repeatedly against the steering wheel, questioning himself over and over again why he toughed Tao's face so suddenly. He could so clearly remember the way Tao's skin felt, the shape of his lips, the softness of his hair. Kris's face was starting to grow hot, despite the fact that he was alone in his car. What would Tao think? How should he act around Tao tomorrow? Should he just act like it never happened or should he apologize? Kris chest felt tight and it was hard to breath. What was this feeling? He didn't know, but he knew it was only growing. What was Tao thinking right now?

Tao slowly walked to the door of the store to lock up the place before he left. His heart was still beating fast in his chest. When he closed his eyes, he saw Kris's own gazing at him as his fingertips brushed against his face. Kris's fingertips were smooth but rough in certain places, but his touch was so gentle that it frightened Tao. He could hear his heart beating in his chest as Kris's eyes never broke their gaze. It was a frightening moment. On his way to the car in the garage, Tao almost tripped on a wire for the lights. Shaking his head lightly to wake himself up, Tao took a deep breath. Should he go see Kris tomorrow? Either Kris or Tao would text the other before lunchtime, saying where they'd go. Today Tao had gone to the café, so should he just wait for Kris to come to the shop? Tao shook his head. He should go to Kris since Kris was probably feeling embarrassed about what he did. Heck, Tao was even more embarrassed!

As he drove home, Tao felt like he was in a hazy vision. His head felt dizzy and the city lights seemed fuzzy as he drove past them. His body felt extremely light, as if the earth had lost all gravity. Maybe he was going crazy. He had never felt this way before. When he was around Kris, the air he breathed in seemed to change and all his attention would focus on only one subject. Sometimes he wouldn't notice another customer asking for help or waiting at the register until Kris told him. Tao was frustrated. He didn't know what this feeling was and it was bothering him. He didn't like being confused about something.

Once at home, he realized that someone had sent him a text. Subconsciously he hoped that it'd be Kris. When he tapped on his messages, he realized that it was a text from his good friend Suho. He let out a small sigh but replied anyway.

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:34 PM

Hey Tao :)

TO: SUHO FROM: TAO 11:34 PM

Hey :P

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:35 PM

What's up?

TO: SUHO FROM: TAO 11:35 PM
Something's bothering me

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:36 PM

Do u want to talk about it?

TO: SUHO FROM: TAO 11:36 PM

Not over txting

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:37 PM
Wanna meet up tomorrow then?

TO: SUHO FROM: TAO 11:37 PM

Yeah :)

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:38 PM
Where do you wanna go?

TO: SUHO FROM: TAO 11:39 PM

I know a nice restaurant around here where we can go

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:39 PM

Alright I'll come by ur shop around 10 am?

TO: SUHO FROM: TAO 11:40 PM

Sound good c u then ;)

FROM: SUHO TO: TAO 11:40 PM

:D

Tao didn't feel like watching TV tonight, he was too confused and deep in thought. He wanted o talk to someone about it, but he'd have to wait until tomorrow to spill his thoughts to Suho. Suho always helped him through these kinds of things. The two knew each other from school when they both were on the same dodge ball team. They had gone to the same college but Suho lived on the other side of town where he worked as a store manager. They kept in touch and Suho had helped Tao when the flower shop had first opened.

After brushing his teeth and changing into comfortable clothes, Tao flopped onto his king sized bed. He gazed up at the ceiling and tried to put hi finger on how he felt. His chest felt tight as he tried to shake this feeling off. His hand brushed his own cheek, retracing the path that Kris's fingers had touched. He wondered what Kris was doing right now, what was he thinking?

In his own apartment, Kris was having similar thoughts. He couldn't really say what was bothering him. He brushed his teeth and felt frustrated, he took a shower and felt frustrated, and he cleaned up a bit around the house and still felt frustrated. There was a mix of feelings in his heart. He felt confused as to why he touched Tao earlier. He felt frustrated as to why he felt so guilty when he said that joke to Tao earlier. Lately all he could think about right now was Tao. When he hut his eyes, he could remember the look on Tao's face. It bothered him how good Tao's skin felt underneath his fingertips.

That night, all the two could think about were each other. Both unsure what to do with these new found feelings.

I'm so excited! The two are slowly realizing that they may just feel more than friendshippy feelings for each other moves eyebrows up and down in a shifty manner. Remember guys that comments and subs are the fuel for faster updates! I'll try my best to update this story as soon as I can and please be patient! Love~ Mrs. Portgas D. Ace

P.S. Again, if anyone is willing to help me edit my works please contact me!