I have a schedule for this book now, Saturday/Sunday, hehe-

Mood: Fluff

Main ship: Poofless

Side ship: Noochzahutt

Words: 4,038

Warnings: None

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Rob's POV

"Thanks again, Rob!" The beautiful man tells me as he waves goodbye to me for today. "Of course, Preston. I hope your mother will like vase of lilies and white jasmines!" I smile at him, he makes his adorable laugh, smiling back. "I know she will!" He shouts again before closing the door and leaving the shop. I sigh slightly as a small grin stayed on my face.

My co-worker, Brandon, looks at me as he walks by with a box of poppies. "You're smitten, Latsky." He laughs as he places the box down behind the counter. I didn't quite hear him since I was busy thinking about the boy earlier. "Huh?" I say in a dumb tone, turned around, and raising an eyebrow at him. He snorts as he dusts himself off. "Smitten, Rob. You're into Preston, romantically." He simply says, looking at me with a smirk. I blush as I turn back around. "Maybe..." I whispered, still smiling a little.

"You have to ask him out or at least say your feelings to him, dude." He says, climbing up and sitting on the counter and looking at me. I shake my head, "No way, you know I won't even be able to have the confidence to do that." I am not going to go up to Preston, because I do not have that level of confidence like Brandon has when he asked his now current boyfriend, Matt, out. "I didn't say it had to be face-to-face dumbo—" "Writing notes to him is a no way as well, you know I suck at doing poems or even love notes." I cut him off. He rolls his eyes. "Oh my god, let me finish," he says. "You don't have to say or write anything, you specialize in flowers Rob, you can give him a bouquet and let him read flower meanings."

I glance at him. "That's... actually not a bad idea," Brandon smirks at me as he tilts his head. "Right? You just had to let me finish." I nodded at him but was still unsure. "Would he even know what the flowers are? He might not understand it, or maybe even get the wrong message..." I bit the inside of my cheek. If Preston didn't understand, he would ask me why I sent the flowers, and as I said before, I am not the greatest when it comes to talking about my feelings face-to-face. If he gets the wrong message, only the worse can happen and I really rather not have that.

"Get something simpler with the right meaning, like roses, or lilacs, maybe red tulips—" "What about peonies?" I ask him. He looks at me, a small smile showing as he nodded. "And we can add another flower for some variance and more color, like some white clovers, zinnias or honeysuckles?" I look at him, thinking about it. It would be... kind of cute. "It does mean you are thinking about him, so..." Brandon giggles beside me, stretching the 'o' in the last word. "I guess... we can add some yarrows. They're wild but would look pretty good." I whisper, scratching the back of my head. Brandon makes a sound of triumph before getting off the counter. "I'll find the batch of wild yellow yarrows outside of the garden; we already have some peonies here." He quickly says rounding the corner from the back. I stared wide-eyed "Am I really going have to go do it right now?" I shout a bit, loud enough for him to hear. "Yeah, so you won't back down or forget about it. We're going to do it today Robert!" He didn't even give me time to protest when I hear the door open and close shut and I sigh. I guess I have to really do this now. Which is fair enough, the message should be easy enough, right?

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Brandon quickly drags me down the pathway beside the road by my arm while the bouquet of flowers was held in my other arm. "Brandon! Slow down!" But of course, he didn't listen, he was way too determined to get this job done. He may be smaller and younger than me, but he has this adrenaline that I'll never have. Suddenly we stop without warning, me almost bumping into him. "Here we are." He whispers as he then faces me, letting go of my arm. "C'mon! Just put the flowers in the mailbox with your name on it!" Brandon urges me, already pulling up the lid of the mailbox.

I gulp a bit as a tighten my grip a little on the thin fabric covering the flowers and held it. "Are you sure this is where he even lives?" I ask him, just trying to stall a bit. "Yeah of course I am." He rolls his eyes playfully. "We live in the same street together." I nervously look at the house and then back at Brandon "I don't think this is a good idea anymore, he might be allergic to these kinds of flowers, or he won't even think about—" "C'mon Rob! Quit stalling and just put the bouquet in!" "Oh hey there guys."

Okay, that last voice was neither mine or Brandon's. I turn and look at the front of the house and on the porch is Preston with his pajamas on, and oh my god he is adorable. I only stare for a bit in shock and then I felt it mix with embarrassment and nervousness when he speaks up again. "What are you two doing here?" I make a startling noise and panic a bit. I shoved the flowers in the mailbox and booked it out of there. Brandon yells out my name, but there is literally no way I'm going back there to explain. It's been a long day and I only really need sleep.

Preston's POV

I watch as Rob runs out and the other calls out for him to come back. I look at the direction Rob ran to and back at his friend, Brandon I'm pretty sure, "What just happened?" I ask, quite amused. He looks at me and shakes his head with a grin. "Sorry about that, the guy has and us a bit nervous about all of this." He then waved goodbye as he started to run towards the opposite direction "See you later Preston!"

I looked at him confused, "Hey wait!" I called out for him, but he didn't stop. "You didn't explain anything to me!" I waited for a bit, but he was already gone. I would run after him, but it's in the middle of the night, and I'm wearing my pajamas, it's too late for a night walk... or run. I sigh as I look over to my mailbox again that Rob placed something in. I walked over to it and found a lovely bouquet of flowers and I smile. That's pretty cute... I took the bundle of flowers and closed my mailbox before heading inside.

Once I got inside I noticed a small note with the words of "Flowers have meanings" in cursive whic got me even more interested. I'm not an expert in knowing kinds of flowers, nevertheless in decoding their meanings, which should be some trouble. I really do want to know what Rob means and it could explain how he ran away. I studied the set of flowers and huffed. I'm pretty sure some of these are peonies, I could look up what their meaning is. Then there were smaller flowers poking out as well... yeah, I don't know what these ones are... only I can think of and remember something about tansy. I'll look it up.

I went on to bring up my phone as I sat down on my couch. I brought up the meaning of peonies and found a certain article of peonies... bad meanings about it? I bit my lip, surely Rob isn't trying to say he hates me, right? It says that while the flower is beautiful, it represents anger. Well damn, does Rob hate me suddenly? I sigh as I dig through another article that pretty much states the same. I shook my head and went on to look up about tansy after being upset about reading the last one. I stare at meanings given to me and shook my head. Does Rob actually hate me but just doesn't want to say it to my face.

I groan as I close my phone and put the flowers down. I could be wrong since I'm just finding these on the internet and not Rob himself, but both the flowers seem to really say that he doesn't like me. I look back at my encounters with him and my times in his flower shop. I finally noticed how he would stare at me and then when I catch him he would look away and mumble something or stay quiet. He had quick responses most of the time and tried his best not to look into my eyes. Has he really hated me all thus time? Yet he was being so nice this morning, what's changed? I sighed as I put my hands onto my face and scream slightly out of frustration.

I'm now really starting to think he's hated me from the start which sucks because I really like him. He's everything I want in a guy, and I've heard he's bisexual so I still might have a chance. I sigh again, thinking over this. I could talk to Rob about it, see if he does hate me or something, and maybe change whatever it is he doesn't like me for... or the worst-case scenario; I will not be able to date Rob for the life of me and cry about it, because he is the most handsome guy I've ever met and he's outright great, but he actually hates me. Yeah, that last possibility is definitely not ideal.

I groan as I started to head upstairs for sleep. I may have planned to play some Minecraft for an hour and chill for a bit, but after that literal just below half an hour of me and the flowers, I've lost the energy and my brain is just focused to know what Rob means and thinks of me now. Maybe take some time to myself to practice what I want to know and tell Rob, or I just have to suck it up and ask him about it. Either way, I need to know tomorrow, may it hurt me or not.

Rob's POV

The time I woke up that morning, my head was frantic about everything, because by this time Preston would've searched up everything by now. I even had attempted to go "sick" while eating breakfast. Brandon, of course, knew I just wanted to get out of any confrontation. "C'mon Robert, you already took the effort of compiling the flowers and the trouble of just giving it to him." He tells me through the phone as I get ready for work. "I know, I know. I'm just... nervous, you know?" He laughed on his side as he reassured me. "It'll be fine. You at least gave a hint for him, and you never know what's going to happen."

I sigh as I grab my bag and look at the time. "I'm at the shop already, so don't worry about the keys." I smile as I hum, still grabbing my own key for the shop, just to be sure. Though I have to appreciate Brandon for this, he may not be always serious and be a goof, but he's a great friend. I'm happy he's with Matt who I'm sure would love him forever. "Alright, thanks Petey, I'll see you in a bit." He made a happy goodbye before I hang up and pull the bag over my shoulder.

I try to relax for a bit while walking to work, pulling my earphones up to my ears. I smile slightly, it's working quite well as I nod my head to the relaxing beats of the set of songs I have playing. That was until I reached the view of the humble shop, making me sigh in nervousness while pulling one earbud out and letting it fall. I found an old lady in front of the shop first and I rush a little to open the door for her, the familiar sound of the little bell ringing indicating that someone has entered or exited the place. She gives me a kind grin and nods, "Thank you, dear." I gave back the same expression she gave me. "Of course ma'am." She went on to enter the shop, and I follow with her but to the employees only room, not finding Brandon in sight.

I soon leave the small and slightly confined area, being in a slight rush that I even bumped into the same elderly woman from earlier. "Oh, my apologies, are you okay?" The smile that she had didn't leave her face as she assured me. "It's alright dear, but since you work here, may I ask you something?" I glanced at her and nodded, ready to help. "Of course, what is it that you need?" I ask. "I'm looking for a young man named Brandon, do you happen to know him?" I glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "You mean my co-worker?—" "Hey Rob, you here already I need some help on the- Oh, sorry for interrupting ma'am." I hear Pete callout once he opened the door from the garden behind the flower shop and turning the corner to see us as if on cue.

I only grinned at him as I shook my head and looked back at the elder. "That's him, ma'am. My peer and friend, Brandon." She beamed as she turned back to him. "Oh, of course! You work here, how silly of me." She giggled to herself, walking towards him. "I went on to come here after I heard you were dating my grandson Matt." I saw Brandon light up at the mention of his boyfriend's name. "Oh? Well then, uh... Rob can you watch the place for a bit and also set up the tulips on the counter?" He looks at me, and I nod at him and gave a thumbs up "Yeah sure, no worries."

As soon as he lead her to the employees only room to talk I went straight to work. I picked up the newly harvested tulips and arrange them neatly with other flowers that go just wonderful together. It was peaceful and relaxing for a bit, a couple once coming in to pick up the flowers they ordered and me helping out on the papers and getting it for them. It felt just like a normal day, though I know I was forgetting something. I got so into the mood of work that I don't remember why I didn't want to go in the first place.

That's when my ears picked up the little bell ringing again and I turn around to say my greetings while holding a vase of blue and white roses. "Good morning—" I stopped once I finally look up at who is at the door. Now I remember why I didn't want ti be here. Preston stood there, giving me a rather confused and sad expression while holding the bouquet of flowers I had previously shoved in his mailbox- "Oh, uh, hey... Preston." I say, tripping over my own words a little. Preston proceeded to give me an even sadder look as he walked up to me and placed the grouped and tied up blossoms on the counter. I still gave him an odd look, as he placed it down and just stared at me. "Do... you not like the flowers?" I ask, hoping that isn't it, but it's not the worse thing in the world.

Preston then added shock into the mixed feelings in his eyes, and I just stood there confused. You can't really blame me though, I was... discombobulated, I guess. If he didn't feel the same then it would've just been quick, but he is just staring at me as if I should know what he means. He finally sighed as he looked down. "Rob..." He started, seeming to bite the bottom of his lip. "Do... do you not like me?..." He asks, looking up at me expectantly, like a child asking for more dessert. "What? No, no, of course not!" I say, taken aback from the assumption. He gave me an unsure look and folded his arms. "Then why did you send me flowers saying so?" He says a tone of annoyance in his voice. "What?" I say, in disbelief. "I... didn't?" I mumble, still confuzzled.

"Rob, you gave me peonies and tansy. You have to hate me from what they mean." He rolled his eyes at me, and I stare at him when did I put tansy?. "I'm sorry, what?" I shake my head at him. "I never added any tansy?" I tell him. He then looks at me to see if I'm lying. "I think you meant the yarrows. I would never give tansy to you." He looks at me oddly. "What about the peonies then?" "What do you mean—" He then cuts me off. "It means anger right? You're angry with me." I look at him, and I tilted my head. "The peonies don't- Oh, oh my word, Preston, I'm not angry at you, not at all! Peonies used to mean anger back in the victorian era, these days they mean, uh..." I started explaining but slowly trailed off after realizing what the real meaning of peonies means.

He raises an eyebrow at me and moves his head to the side a bit. "These days they mean what?" He asked, getting impatient. "Oh... well, they mean things like marriage... bashfulness... romance... those kinds of meanings," I say in a shy voice, but loud enough for Preston to hear. His eyes went wide and he started to blush. I advert my eyes away from him, feeling flustered. "And what about the, uh, yarrows?" He asked, shifting in his place where he placed a hand on his face and he looked away, but I could see a little smile. I looked down a bit and found myself playing with my collar. "Well, surprisingly enough... they mean love." I chuckle at the end, feeling my face turn redder. I actually managed to say those things and pretty much confess, quite proud of myself really.

I turn my head back up to see Preston pretty much beaming in happiness. "So you don't hate or dislike me?" He asked, a large grin on his face. "No... quite the opposite really..." I mumble, "...I really l-like you, if anything..." I stutter over my own sentence. I watch as Preston looked at me, a scarlet color tipping his ears and crossing his face as he looked down, feeling embarrassed. "Now I feel dumb for thinking you didn't like me." He laughs, and I watch him in wonder, he doesn't seem to not like the idea of me liking him. "Wait so?—" "I like you too, Rob." He says pulling his head back up to see my face and look at me right in the eyes, a tiny smile as he was still blushing. I couldn't help but grin widely myself.

I wanted to say something, but I just kept staring at the younger boy who stared right back at me, he seems to be lost for words as well. "So... Uhm," I start, trying to break the non-awkward silence between us. He giggled as he let me continue. I pull my eyes to the side, I was getting even more flustered at just seeing Preston be a cute being that I'm not sure if I could even finish myself. "Would you... like to go on a date with me?" I still didn't look at him, and it was silence at first. I turn my head only to feel a pair of hands grab me over the counter by my shoulders and pull me over to feel a soft pair of lips on mine. My eyes widen as I see Preston really close to my face as he was kissing me with eyes closed. It took me a few seconds before I kissed back and smiled through the kiss, and so did he.

I know it didn't last long, maybe after five seconds or so he pulled away. I was still in shock of the kiss, but I enjoyed it a lot from how I was grinning ear to ear. I finally looked at Preston who was just as happy as me. He was pretty much laughing and putting a finger on his lips as if he couldn't believe he did that. "O-Oh wow..." I say subconsciously, "T-That was nice." He put his eyes upon me again and nodded in agreement. "It was..." he then leaned over and pecked my lips for a short second. "And yes, I would love to go on a date with you, Robbie." The cute nickname made me chuckle. I nodded happily, before taking the bouquet on the counter and giving it to him. He looked at it and took it in his arms, sighing a little. "What about my place, tonight, around six?" He suggested, his pretty brown eyes having a spark in them. "Oh, s-sure!" I say, still stammering.

He only giggles and waves goodbye as he walks out of the shop's doors. I gave a small wave back as he left, the same bell ringing that followed after the door moved to hit it. I stood silently for a bit, blushing, and still smiling until I hear another door from the employee's room and some voices. I glance to see Brandon and the lady still talking to each other as he took her towards the door. "Thanks again, miss! It was very nice talking to you... and the cookies as well." "Of course, it's a pleasure to find the boy who made my grandson very happy." She smiled, her eyes landing on me before she left. "Thank you to your friend as well." I waved goodbye with my same smiling and blushing face, still being very happy about what happened today. Brandon laughed a little while opening the door for her, saying their last goodbyes.

Brandon came back to the counter with a box of, what I presume, cookies in one hand. He opened and started eating one. "Eating on the job already?" I playfully accused. He rolled his eyes in a friendly and playful manner, swallowing the bite he took. "Hey, these came from my boyfriend's grandmother, and it's really good, okay?" He tells me before noticing the rather very happy mood and blushing face. "What about you? Anything interesting while I was gone? You seem to be in a much happier mood than this morning when you didn't want to go to work today." He slightly teases. "Well... I am going on a date with someone today." I answer, smirking a bit. He stopped, mid-eating from another bite of the cookie. He stared at me in shock, trying to see if I was bluffing. "No fricking way, a date?" He asked, "With Preston?" I glanced at him and nodded, still grinning. His eyes went wide, almost choking on the cookie before swallowing it. "I wish I was there to see it. Dude, you have to tell me how it happened!" He shouted, excited to hear about it.

I shook my head, giving a playful smirk. "If you give me a cookie, sure." The stare that he gave me became a glare. I only gave a cheeky grin back, knowing that's a trade he can't past down, especially since it's still early in the morning and there wouldn't be many customers until noon. He groaned, "Ugh, fine, deal." He then pushes the box towards me and I hum, taking one of the pastries. "I promise you, it's worth it," I tell him, taking a bite and he laughed. "It better be!"

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