laography | blue hydrangea, cold cash, divine

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blue hydrangea, cold cash, divine

but if you send for me you know i'll come

and if you call for me you know i'll run

[ sugawara koushi lives a fairly uneventful life.

as the head proprietor of his mother's old flower shop, suga spends most of his days arranging bouquets, giving advice to terrified, lovelorn teenagers and adults, and tending to the gardens outside. the family business had been handed over to the sugawara's very capable single child after his mother had gotten sick and needed to retire, and so, though this wasn't really what he planned to be doing with his life, suga takes the job on without complaint. it's not bad. it pays well, and he gets to read a lot at the counter, plus he's got his mother's eye for aesthetic, so most of his bouquets turn out pretty nice.

speaking of eye for aesthetic, there's been a strange customer coming in recently.

said strange customer is usually dressed in a crisp suit and tie. he has a square jaw and short hair, and a kind of presence that gives off strength and leadership. suga has not yet spoken to him, because he comes in, examines the flowers like he's looking for the meaning in them, and then leaves. it was a little disheartening at first--their flowers were in perfectly good shape, all of them bursting with life and color, suga made sure of it personally--but after the third time in a week, suga was curious.

so, he waits until the guy comes in and makes sure he's behind the counter this time instead of tsukishima, who tends to be unfriendly at his most basic. he'd only seen him from the garden windows in the back before, but now? now suga waits until the guy is examining a bunch of peonies before suga slips out from behind the counter, his hands clasped near the back of his apron strings, and comes up behind him with a friendly smile and a-- ] Good morning.

[ his tone's sweet, kind, but it's also got that 'i totally caught you' air to it underneath him. you're not getting away from him today, mysteriously well dressed stranger. ]

[ Hand at his chin, Sawamura Daichi has lost himself in trying to figure out something to do with the peonies in front of him. He can't really remember what the meaning usually associated with them is, truth be told, but he's fairly certain that it can probably be used for... something. It had been his idea, when he'd spotted the flower shop while walking down the street, to start implementing flowers in their codewords, in the event that the police had started listening in on or intercepting their messages. They didn't necessarily have to actually buy them, but... well, talking about them meant actually remembering what the hell they meant.

Maybe he could ask the workers of the shop, but he took one look at the tall blond that usually stood behind the counter and decided against it. The suspicious looks he'd gotten the past couple times he'd come in without buying anything had led to a need not to make himself more memorable. The only problem was, well, the only other person he'd spotted here before -

And, lo.

To say that Daichi startles a little like a child whose hand was caught in the cookie jar would be... fairly apt, actually. It's also embarrassing, considering the fact that he's an oyabun, and a floral shop worker just got the drop on him. He's pretty sure that every single one of his lieutenants would be laughing at him right now, but he tries not to think about their jeering faces and instead focuses on the other man that's popped up behind him, taking him in.

And, lo. Clearing his throat a little to keep from flustering, he offers him a(n only slightly sheepish, thank god) smile in return. He's a mob boss, pretty men with soft looking hair and sweet - if vaguely mischievous - smiles should not ruffle him so much, or make him want to keep coming to flower shops. ]

Ah, good morning.

[ ha! caught him. suga smiles amiably as he leans back, taking a step back so he's not all up in the guy's space. so, he was right: handsome nice jaw suit guy had been inspecting the flowers way too close to just be a normal customer. suga wasn't sure why yet, but he'd surely be able to figure it out in time. maybe he had a girlfriend? (suga hoped not.) that's usually the problem when people come into the shop this early in the morning--looking for something for their significant others after forgetting a date. or their mothers. so on and so forth.

suga tries not to laugh when he jumps half a foot, biting the inside of his cheek to keep his friendly customer face in place, but oh, that was so cute. it's not suga's fault that handsome-nice-jaw-suit-guy is in fact extremely handsome, and he keeps any of his ogling very respectful and very, very subtle. ]

Sorry to startle you! [ he says with that smile, folding his hands behind his back and examining the guy for a moment with sharp hazel eyes before he lets it go, gaze flicking from the peonies back up to his face. ] I don't think we've met, but I've seen you around here--you've probably met my junior cashier before this.

[ suga offers his hand forward. ] My name's Sugawara Koushi. I own this place. It's only right of me to greet such a regular customer!

[ Busted. Daichi laughs a little as Suga apologizes, still sheepish for being startled, but he just brings a hand up as if to dissipate the air. ] It's fine, it's fine. In my own little world and all.

[ Something like that, anyways. He should have expected that someone would bust him eventually, but, well. For a while there, he figured that he was totally safe here, because the person who drew his eye that first time wasn't anywhere in sight afterwards. But, of course, that could only last for so long, and here they are now. And he is completely defenseless right now, which is something of a riot, all things considered.

Kuroo, Oikawa, and Bokuto would be laughing so hard if they were there. Thank god they aren't. ]

The tall, blond one with the intense face? [ As if he can talk, considering the people he spends time with. But Daichi still smiles, a little more confident now that he's managed to gain some measure of composure back. He can be friendly, and make small talk, this is fine.

Even if he shouldn't be offering his name and shaking hands with people, really. But he takes Suga's hand to shake, initially just going for one hand, but he moves to cradle his slender hand with both hands on a split second decision. ] Sawamura Daichi - I'm sorry to say that I haven't actually managed to buy anything just yet, but I'm just never too sure what I'm looking for when I come in.

That's the one. [ oh, tsukishima...suga makes a note to try and get him to be nicer to the customers, but, he mostly knows it's impossible. still, he gave him the job because he was a good worker, even if he acted like he hated it here 99% of the time (unless the kid with the freckles came in, which may have been the entire reason suga was keeping him on staff. that, and he could never resist someone who needed his help, whether it was romantic or just in general.)

oh--he takes his hand like that, and suga glances down, a smile blooming across his face as he reaches up to cup sawamura's (handsome-nice-jaw-suit-guy has a name) big hand with his own other one, giving a squeeze. his hands are nice and big and a little calloused, and suga finds he likes that just fine. sawamura, it seems, gets more and more interesting the longer suga gets the chance to talk to him. up close, he's really attractive, even more so than he'd been from behind the small window of the garden center. ] Well, it's a pleasure to meet you finally, Sawamura! It's nice to have a name to put to the face.

[ suga pulls back and winks, holding up a finger. (even if he was a little hesitant to let go of the hand in his. cute...how cute.) ] And--maybe I can help you find something. It's your lucky day: I like to think I'm a bit of an expert!

I know someone like him. [ Kageyama isn't quite so innately hostile mixed with intensely disinterested, though. At least, he doesn't tend to look like it to Daichi. Maybe he just knows him far too well, despite being from a batch of newer recruits. He's very eager, as far as he's been able to tell thus far, so it sort of offsets his resting face and the air of superiority, especially when he's seen how awkward he can be.

For a moment, he almost considers how drawing his hands back, because his suspicions are confirmed - Sugawara has incredibly nice hands, perfect for tending the flowers that surround them. And he tries not to fluster from the thought, succeeding only by a margin as he smiles at him and returns the squeeze before he pulls back, himself. ] It's nice to meet you, too, Sugawara-san.

[ While he might be a mob boss, he's incredibly polite to the people that deserve it, and, well. He deserves it, especially seeing as how he keeps appearing in his shop and not... buying anything.

Although he reconsiders that as he winks at him, just barely managing not to fluster as he laughs a little. Both because it's genuinely funny, in a cheerful sort of way, and to cover it up. (You are an oyabun, damnit Daichi.) ] Well, considering you're the proprietor of the shop... [ He smiles, though. ] I would appreciate the help, though.

Call me Suga, please! Sugawara's my dad. [ suga waves a hand to dismiss his full name, because he likes to keep an even familiarity with his customers, and besides, if anyone deserves his familiarity, its going to be a very cute guy by the name of sawamura daichi. suga likes to be friendly and kind to pretty much everyone, so he's not exactly going out of his way to do so, but, well. color him certainly very interested.

as daichi puts his hands back, suga catches the color of ink under the sleeve of his nice shirt, and wonders what he'd look like without a shirt on, a terrible inappropriate and distracting (but also incredible) thought. he had tattoos. or at least a tattoo, singular. not what suga would have originally expected. he puts his hands on his hips as he considers, making a thoughtful noise. ] Hmm...well, what are you looking for? That's the first question. Forget an anniversary?

[ please he hopes not. but, still, his grin is wide and friendly as he catches the way daichi's cheeks are a faint pink. cute. cute. color him a little enamored with his new customer...suga's going to have to make sure he's on register whenever sawamura daichi comes into play. ]

[ Daichi smiles pleasantly at him, almost pleased, really, and inclines his head a little. It's an appropriate nickname, from what he can tell, and, well, he's not about to say no to a little more familiarity. It's probably not exactly appropriate to be familiar with civilians due to the risks - of course the yakuza are painted in two different lights, as violent delinquents (sometimes true) by the police, and chivalrous vigilantes (his goal, usually) by their own numbers, but there is still danger in their lives.

But. ] Suga. I don't mind if you call me Daichi, then.

[ Instinctively, he adjusts his sleeves, a nuanced moment that straightens out the perfect cut more and coves his wrists better. There are, of course, businessmen that have tattoos they cover up, but his are a little more... well, obvious. And he'd much rather not ruin this particular interaction by straight out showcasing what his business usually leans towards. Instead, he raises his eyebrows with the questions, rocking on his shiny shoes from heel to toe. ]

Ah, no. No, nothing like that. It's more of a... [ He scratches at his cheek as he tries to think of how to explain it to a civvie. ] A reunion, I guess. We're not family, though, so it's more a business anniversary?

Daichi! [ he repeats with a smile, tapping his forehead as if to say 'yep, got it!' and honestly, suga's quite delighted with this interaction so far. he usually doesn't flirt with the customers (though that's not to say that the customers don't flirt with him, but suga's very polite and if it's not him, then its his other coworker shimizu, so he spends a lot of time taking flowers someone bought for one of the two of them and replacing them in the discount florists' fridge once the instigator has left.) but it's hard to help it in this case. how often do cute strangers in perfect suits with tattoos come into his shop? never. especially if they're not hunting for a girlfriend.

(suga will very much pretend that his interest didn't pique when he said it wasn't an anniversary.)

he cocks his head to the side as he considers that, and asks with a grin; ] Do you like your business associates? Or is this out of a sense of duty?

[ but, finally tearing his gaze away from the attractive sawamura daichi, suga steps back and surveys their flowers, absently plucking some of the filler flowers--queen anne's lace, for a start--and listening to daichi talk over his shoulder. his face and personality aren't the only nice thing; daichi's voice is very deep, and suga could listen to it all day. ] Tell me a little about the people you're giving these to.

[ It would be a lie to say that Daichi isn't incredibly pleased to hear Suga call him Daichi, and maybe his chest puffs a little, but it's subtle enough that at a first glance it's not noticeable. (But, considering how closely they're staring at one another, they'll probably notice every little shift one another has.) He folds his arms behind him, casual while also practiced, like he's been trained into remaining straight, formal, but has taken a more relaxed spin to it.

As he heads into the shop, he heads along after him, thinking about his questions. It's hard to describe all of the people that work under and with him, but he's fairly certain that he can manage something well enough that won't give them away. Though, Suga certainly doesn't seem the type to not figure things out quickly.

This was a dangerous venture.

Daichi draws an arm out from behind his back and waffles his hand back and forth with an ehhh. ] They're pains, but they're mine, so both?

[ But he laughs, before he hums softly as he considers his next answer. Once he comes up with it, he holds up three fingers, middle to little, imitating Oikawa's "o~kay" gesture unintentionally to count. ] There are three people that work directly under me. They like to give me a hard time, a lot, and aren't very serious unless they're hard at work. Do things like drag me into their mischief when they can, but for as frustrating as they are it gives me a chance to unwind, and they really are very good at their jobs.

[ hmm, pains, but his pains. suga smiles at that and thinks about hinata, who works next door. yeah, he gets that. ] Okay. That helped a lot! Let's see...

[ glancing back at daichi with a smile on his face, suga reaches up to push a fluffy piece of his bangs out of his face and starts to pick flowers, carefully pulling up long stems and placing them in daichi's arms. ] So we've got pink roses for friendship--even if they're pains in the asses, they're obviously very important to you.

[ this is one of the things suga really likes about working as a florist. he's always been very good at reading people, and it's not really showing off, but flowers from suga's sunflowers always have a very special meaning to them. unwittingly, suga is proving himself to be perfect for the mission that daichi and the rest are trying to achieve with their flowers. ] Next...hmm. How about crocus--and chamomile, those'll look nice! For 'joy' and...'energy in adversity', which it seems like is the root of your friendship.

And then... [ last but not least, suga plucks a few green leaves from a bin of filling flowers and sets them in daichi's arms too. ] Sorrel leaves, for parental affection.

[ he winks. ] Sound about right?

[ Rather than protest, Daichi simply accepts the flowers carefully, bundling them up as best he can so that they don't get squashed and the stems don't break off. He knows that florists trim the stems, but he's not sure by how much, and he doesn't want to somehow ruin the work that Suga could do with them to make sure they're set up in a nice looking arrangement. ]

Something like that. [ Another chuckle, and he breathes in the scent of the pink roses before he goes back to sorting them out, accepting each one and looking at them as he memorizes what they mean. This is much better than trying to look up the meaning, himself, because he can never remember them. But there's something about Suga's pleasant voice telling him the names and meanings that locks them in his mind, and he smiles as he follows after him.

It's really sort of perfect, and he feels a little guilty for doing this. But he'll do his best to make sure that none of this comes back to Suga, even as he learns as much as he can from him. He'll certainly come back as often as possible, though... ]

Oh. [ Said in a sudden bark of laughter, he throws his back a little. Parental affection sure does sound about right. ] Add about half a dozen more of those than you think is necessary, I think, because it's exactly like being a dad to a bunch of troublesome kids. Not even just to the three of them, either - we've got some... junior members, and it's sort of exhausting.

Is there anything for 'really aggressively loud?' [ Tanaka, Nishinoya... Yaku, when you rile him. ] And something more, ah, reserved, maybe. For someone serious, focused. I don't want to say withdrawn or shy, exactly, but... [ Kageyama, when his temper doesn't match the others. Kenma, always. ]

Sounds like you have some interesting coworkers. [ suga laughs as he turns back to daichi, with a bundle of flowers in his arms. there's something about a tall, muscled guy holding a lot of flowers--it seems to humble people most of the time. suga wouldn't call daichi intimidating or aggressive, not in the very brief time that he's gotten to know him, and he knowingly adds a few more sorrel leaves to the pile, brushing his hands against daichi's biceps as he pulls away.

...interesting.

(that no flirting with the customers thing may end up changing today.)

taking in what he says, suga puts a hand on his chin, looking around the shop quickly. ] How about lavender, for your serious one--calmness, grace. Plus, it smells nice. Here. [ he plucks a small bouquet of the lavender and does in fact hold it to daichi's face, smiling at him as he sets it down on the pile. from here they're nice and close, and he can see the weight of his eyelashes, the pretty, deep color of his eyes. jeez.

pulling himself away before he turns red--or does something he might regret--suga whirls around to break the moment and hurriedly goes to pull something else--he's embarrassed himself a little. oops. ] And-- cerastium! It's a weed, but it makes nice filler. And it means 'ingenuous simplicity.'

[ suga gathers the last of the flowers and offers them for daichi's inspection. ] The loud ones always tend to be the simplest ones, don't you think? Not that that's a bad thing at all. I guess that's what these imply! [ and he'll hand them over with a smile. ]

It can be pretty crazy when we're all together, but hopefully this'll be - [ Daichi tilts his head, eyes up as he thinks of his wording. ] Soothing.

[ Holding the flowers like one would hold a child - very, very careful in the cradle of your arms and chest - he simply smiles at him, despite (or because of) their proximity. The touch again his arms causes the smile to twitch a little, but not in a way that says that the expression is about to change. More like a brief flicker of amusement, accidental or not, because he's... pretty interested in where this may go if they both let it.

When he holds the lavender up, Daichi does tip his head forward to take in the scent, not looking away from Suga as he does so. But he nods in answer, approving, and it's only when the florist whirls around that his composure cracks and he grins a little stupidly, ears and the back of his neck flushed.

This was not what he expected when he came into the shop, but maybe he should have anticipated something when Suga was the one who brought his attention to it, no matter how unintentionally, no matter how far away they were when he first saw him tending the flowers out front. ]

Tanaka is definitely the 'loud and simple' type, really. But he means well, and all of them do. So I think the flowers all balance each other out just right. [ And he accepts the flowers, grin toned down a little, thankfully. ]

Oh, are these apology flowers? [ suga laughs, mischief dancing in his brown eyes as he steps back behind he counter and holds his arms out for he flowers he's handed to daichi, taking them tenderly and setting them down to be cut and trimmed. this part is easy, something he could do in his sleep, and he sets aside a vase as he begins to carefully clip the flowers and place them in the vase, one at a time. it's a fairly laborious process, but suga always has had a knack for it, just like his parents, and he smiles at daichi as he speaks. ] Or are you just using it to pacify them?

[ like he can actually take his excitement down around handsome-nice-jaw guy. suga is very good at keeping his cool, but he smiles kind of softly down at the flowers in his hand while he's talking, unable to quite keep the warmth off of his face. snip, snip, and a few of the pink flowers make their way into the vase, artfully matched with the purple and white of chamomile and crocus flowers. ] Hopefully whatever it is works for you, and if not--well, you'll have to come back, and the next one can be on the house.

[ suga beams, then, bright, all teeth, one hundred percent genuine. ] Mostly people just come in asking for a dozen red roses, so--thanks for giving me a chance to flex my muscles! I know the methodology's a bit unorthodox, but it's always nice when someone's willing to put up with it long enough for me to make something custom.

Trying to pacify them, yes. [ Daichi willingly hands over the flowers, moving so that he can cross his arms and lean on the counter out of the way. He wants to be able to watch what Suga does, as well as position himself in a way that will allow for him to watch Suga. ] It's really hard to keep them all calm when they're in the same place.

[ Moving where he's leaning, he sets his chin in his palm, resting his elbow on the counter and just - watching Suga, rather shamelessly and probably pretty obviously. But that smile on his face is, frankly, gorgeous, and he can't take his eyes off of him. Out of the corner of his eye he can see the arrangement taking shape, and he thinks it will look good, sitting somewhere in their meeting room. He's sort of tempted to get a few more made, to liven up his house, but he's also fairly sure that it's just an excuse for him to see the florist even more. ]

I'll come back regardless, I think. If it works, you'll have my business for life. If it doesn't, I'll come seeing if there's something else that might work out for this rowdy bunch. [ Does he melt a little bit in that bright, bright smile? Yes, absolutely. He's man enough to admit to it. But he immediately goes to stand up, forcing his eyes to take in the arrangement. ] Roses just seem so... simple, I guess. It's romantic, but if you can put more meaning into it, why not do it?

Yes! Exactly. [ suga's eyes light up for a moment as he says that, and he nods his head. it's not that he doesn't like roses or anything--suga likes most flowers, it's part of why he works here--but daichi's point is exactly right. he can't help his smile as he talks, looking away from the bouquet to make eye contact with his handsome not so much a stranger anymore. ] The whole language behind flowers is very complex, not to mention, it's pretty old! So you have to know someone must like you a lot if they put in that much work for it.

[ suga laughs, a tinkling thing. ] Or hates you, I guess. It depends on what you pick up.

[ his quick hands go back to the bouquet, finishing it up as he realizes he's going to have to let daichi go soon. he slows down a little as he ties the ribbon, methodical and careful and also really, really not wanting him to go. the shop's been really, really slow lately, and it's been so nice to not only have company, but to have company that was smart and handsome and... god, suga, get a grip.

he pushes the bouquet, in a pretty glass vase, across the counter. ] Well! Here we are. What do you think?

I don't really know much about flower meanings, but I'd be willing to learn. [ Especially if he can get Suga to look like that. Daichi thinks maybe that's a strange thing to think of a new acquaintance, but he just looks so happy to be talking about this, and the moment that he looks at Daichi with that face he can feel this flutter in his chest. It's a little bit ridiculous, in his honest opinion, but there it is anyways. It makes him smile back, meeting his gaze steadily. ] It seems like it would be really useful, no matter what you were expressing.

[ Which is why he's here, and why he's considering introducing the idea to the others. They'll probably think he's nuts, but maybe Oikawa at least can be won over amongst the lieutenants. Brandishing a flower as a message seems his style, honestly.

Straightening further, Daichi fixes his suit jacket and goes to gently set his hands around the vase. There's a brief moment where he folds his calloused fingers over Suga's knuckles, a brush of contact before he turns the vase this way and that, getting a good look at the arrangement in its entirety. ]

It looks great. You really know what you're doing - it's a wonder there's not more people coming and going here.

[ daichi's hands feel nice, suga has to admit to himself; he glances down at the place where their hands meet as he pulls the vase away. he has a lot of callouses--as suga suspected, this guy definitely isn't just a regular businessman--and where suga's are soft from working with water softeners and wearing gloves to garden, they brush against his pale skin, a nice contrast to his long fingers. a very nice one. suga's finding himself fairly enchanted with his newest customer, and he returns the smile with a warm one of his own, honey brown eyes focused fully on daichi.

the moment breaks once he turns the vase, though, and suga pulls his hands away, propping his chin up on them instead and leaning forward onto the counter so he can smile at him, a bit mischievous, all bright, even if a pink flush finds its way onto his cheeks at the sweet compliment. ]

It's the family business, so I'm sure mom'd be thrilled to hear you say that--florists aren't really making so big of a business nowadays. [ suga reaches up to dust off one of the petals on the bouquet, touch soft and delicate. all joking aside, his tone's very sincere. ] But, thank you.

Hopefully your employees will keep causing trouble. [ with a wink: ] And you could keep me in business after all!

[ A part of Daichi - a very big part - wants to linger where their hands are touching. Suga's skin is so soft, and he's never felt like that before. He's had a couple relationships, to be sure. He's tried dating, and has managed to find people appealing in some abstract kind of way, very different from his lieutenants, but. This is different, too, he thinks. And he just smiles at Suga, ducking his head under the guise of inspecting the flowers more closely.

His dark eyes scan over the arrangement, taking in how well the flowers have been cared for. Carefully, he adjusts his hold so that he can cradle the vase a little in the crook of his arm, thumbing at the stem of lavender. ]

That's really unfortunate, I think. The world needs more color in it. [ Daichi is equally as sincere, as he looks up from the flowers to Suga again. There's a faint flush on his own cheeks that mirrors Suga's, but it deepens a little with the wink.

At least he can laugh, afterwards, giving him a wry but amused little grin back. ] Oh, trust me. They'll never stop causing trouble. But if I can get little breaks because the atmosphere has mellowed out from flowers, I will absolutely keep coming back.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

blue hydrangea, cold cash, divine

DOIN IT FOR THE DAISUGAS

YEEEEAH SON

[ flicks light switch ]

[ flings briefcase at it ]

LMFAO FUCK

THAT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE HARDER TO FIX.

[ ABSCONDS OVER THE DESK?? ]

jfc I just pictured you doing it and laughed so hard.

just as planned

u shit.

xoxo

♥♥♥

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