How Green Becomes Wood

"Tired, but I'll live," Tristan said, flicking a hand. "I had a very odd dream last night about flowers, that's all. Not exactly a surprise, all things considered, but I'd much rather not dream at all." He turned and started rolling toward the front. "How are you faring? Are you ready for one final day of facing the hoardes?"
 
"I am hoping there are not many people hoping I am single today," Dark replied, "I presume yesterday was Desperation Day, and today will only be coupled and throupled people who either planned poorly or who desire only the freshest flowers."
 
Tristan chuckled at that. "Desperation Day. I like that. Well, if this year is like last year, it should be primarily the poor planners and the fresh flowers hunters. Tomorrow will be the truly desperate as well as those looking for 'after sales.' Unfortunately for them, I do not offer after sales."
 
Tristan smiled in amusement as he set out the tip jar and then went to open up. "Hopefully, you will receive fewer propositions today."

It took only a few minutes to open, and a small crowd of panicked people (entirely male) came rushing in and frantically trying to buy the first thing that would not bankrupt them. This continued for a couple of hours, but eventually gave way to a small selection of calm and composed people (male and female) who were entirely on schedule and plan. A handful of regulars, some who were just looking, and others sprinkled throughout the crowds. Dark did get plenty of stares, but far fewer flirtations, and most of them were just doing it for fun, nothing serious.

Then a young man only a couple of years older than Tristan came marching in. He'd been in once every day that week, and he'd also been by once the first time Dark had worked in the shop. He'd always been very polite, reserved, friendly in a restrained way, and barely talked at all as he spent sometimes as long as an hour making a selection, and he always bought something. Now he came walking straight up to Dark with a single, long-stemmed rose in his hand. He paused in front of Dark, breathing hard, a little flushed. He stared for an uncomfortable length of time. Then he dropped to one knee and offered Dark the rose.

"Please... consider me," he stammered out.

A mix of sounds swept through the shop. Those who didn't know Dark "awed," happy to see love on display on a day like this. Those who did know Dark either laughed quietly or winced and hissed in sympathy for the young fellow. Tristan - over at the register like usual - covered his mouth. Should he interfere? But he really wanted to see how this played out!
 
When this man came up and stared at him, Dark looked back silently, with his eyebrows slightly furrowed. What fresh hell was this. How was he still staring? Dark was not one to break eye contact, so he stared back.

Then the young man got down and offered him a rose. It had been a long time since anyone had asked him out like they were in a Regency period drama.

"I am married." Was his response, "And too old for you."
 
The young man looked ready to burst into tears now, but he held on. "If you aren't large in body and heart enough to share, than no one is. Please, I beg of you, I ask for no promises of the future save that you consider me. And age? You could never be too old for me. I am well above the age of all consent, and I want to be yours. I would do anything you ask of me! If only to be in your presence."

Tristan was struggling very hard not to laugh now while also feeling deep pity for the fellow still kneeling on the floor, flower extended. A quick glance around the room showed he wasn't the only one with similar feelings. Soft titters of laughter broke through, but the spellbound audience was also doing their best not to laugh. Some looked genuinely sorry for the guy.
 
"I have three children." Dark replied. "And I am monogamous. So is my wife." Some part of him did feel bad for this man, but at the same time... A public display like this only works if you know with absolute certainty what the answer would be. He wasn't sure he had ever had a conversation with this man.
 
"It is." Dark replied, not feeling at all bad for rejecting this man. Of course he had sympathy for how embarrassed and disappointed this stranger must feel, but he wasn't at all guilty for how he responded to his begging... especially since he suggested his wife "share" him.
 
The young man took a deep breath, blinked back his tears, and turned to go. He set the rose on one of the nearby shelves and walked out, head held high. The onlookers parted before him, giving him space and a few kind words like, "It'll be alright," and "there, there, you'll find someone." He closed the door behind himself and ran away.

The onlookers stared after him for a bit, and then an uncomfortable wave of laughter spread through the room, and things went back to normal. Tristan suggested Dark take a few minutes in the back before returning to work.

Dark's tip jar was packed tight and overflowing that day.

Plenty of people had gotten videos of varying lengths, and loads had gotten pictures. One of those who'd managed to video nearly the entire thing happened to know Cooger, and they sent him the video with the caption, "Don't you know this guy?"
 
Dark gladly retreated to the back room, where he ran his hands over his face, chuckled softly to himself, and immediate texted Daizi all about it.

When Cooger got the video, he was torn between laughing and cringing. It was damn embarrassing and he hoped for the guy's sake it didn't get spread online. He did text back, Hey small world! Yeah that's my brother. Dude wouldn't leave his wife for anything
 
Didn't seem like the type that would. Have fun teasing him later! The man said and went back to preparing for his own Valentine's Day preparations.

Things at the shop went back to normal, and no one else proposed to Dark, all though he was still flirted with a bit.

Meanwhile, school had just gotten out, and the twins had just arrived home. Alec dashed upstairs to his room with barely a word of hello and started getting ready for his date. Xander said hello and then wandered into the kitchen for a snack.
 
When the twins came home, Daizi was down in the living room and called a hello out to them, but she herself was too occupied styling Ivy's hair for her big day out.

On the kitchen counter were two heart-shaped boxes of chocolates set out for both Alec and Xander. They hadn't been planning to, but they bought Ivy a new toy for the holiday, which she'd receive later, so it seemed fair to do something for their boys too.
 
"They're for you and Alec," Daizi answered, "Happy Valentine's Day, habibi."

Ivy turned her head, quickly ruining the pigtail Daizi was still in the process of doing, grinning and babbling at her brother.
 
"Oh. Wow, thanks," Xander said in surprise. "Oh, sorry, didn't mean to distract the Mini there."

Alec came thundering out of his room. "How do I look?" he demanded. He was dressed very nicely in all black and white. He didn't have a black suit, but he'd gotten as close to "suit" as he could manage.

Xander looked at him. "Like you're going to a funeral."

Alec scowled. "Great." He disappeared and soon returned, having traded his white shirt for a deep burgundy one.

"Better," Xander approved. He checked the time. "She's going to be here any minute now."

"I know!" Alec yelped. He ran back to his room, fetched a box, and ran down the stairs.

Xander stared after him. "If I ever change my mind about dating, I'm going to have to set up some guidelines about V-Day in advance."
 
"Have a nice date!" Daizi called, waiting for Ivy settle before pulling her back into her lap and beginning to comb her hair again, "It's helpful to have those sorts of guidelines in a relationship. Ivy and I are going to visit your father, I guess somebody proposed to him today."
 
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