you belong among the wildflowers

[toliveagain]

It's been a little over a week since the grand opening of Thistle Do Nicely, and Riley has been pleasantly surprised by how well the reception to the shop has been. They'd found a prime location, halfway between the boardwalk and a bakery and bookshop, so while they've already gotten customers ordering future arrangements for things like anniversaries and birthdays, they also get people in to pick up the occasional stray flower here and there, just to give to someone special. He's already thinking he and Ryan should eventually consider setting up a small flower kiosk out on the boardwalk itself, though it's still a little too hot for that. Maybe more into autumn, when people are looking for bursts of color to brighten the darker days.

As for today, it's slower than it's been since they opened and while in some ways that's a little disappointing, it also comes as a little bit of a relief because it means he can concentrate on other things. Ordering more inventory, for one, which may or may not include a Keurig machine because having to walk to Quill every time he needs another caffeine fix (which is considerably often) is already starting to get old.

Glancing over his shoulder to see Ryan attending to a customer who seems much more interested in learning about his likes and dislikes than the different kinds of carnations they offer, Riley smirks to himself before turning his attention to his phone. Shooting off a text to the contacts he's made in town so far, he tucks his phone back in his pocket and wanders outside with a watering can to take care of the flowers they've set up for display outside. It's a beautiful day out, Riley observes, and he can only hope that someone else will come along soon to make it even better.



[Feel free to use this post to meet Riley AND Ryan! If you don't specify in your tag or in the subject line, we'll just assume we have permission to tag your character separately :) Everyone come say hi to the qt flower shop boyzzzz~~~!]

Comments

[toliveagain]

The old woman's on him before Riley can even blink, and he gives his best friend a death glare Ryan's seen many times before then quickly shifts his expression into a much sweeter one as he slouches down to get closer to the woman's eye level. "He's right, I love stamp collections. Wouldn't you know it, my Gamma Agnes used to collect them, too?"

"My name is Agnes!" the woman exclaims, the slender fingers of one of her frail hands reaching out wrap around his wrist, and Riley is more than a little surprised by how unexpectedly strong that grip is.

"Oh, that's nice," he coos, looking up at Ryan as his jaw tightens. "Buddy, isn't that so nice? Remember what else Gamma loved, she loved daisies. I'm thinking that's what we should go for today, Agnes, what do you say?" Agnes nods but before she can say anything more, Riley is walking her back toward Ryan and patting her gently on the back. "Ryan's the very best at picking out daisies, I promise, you're in very good hands with this di-- delightful guy right here."

[ontheblink]

The way Riley can shift facial expressions so quickly never ceases to amaze, and Ryan stifles a grin behind his hand. Gamma Agnes is absolute, total 100% bullshit, Ryan knows very well, and he wonders for a minute whether Riley knew the woman's name was the same or whether it was just an incredibly lucky guess. He's still trying not to laugh when suddenly Agnes is turned around and heading back towards him, and Ryan resists the urge to swear in front of a lady who he's sure must be a hundred years old.

"I definitely don't remember your Gamma loving daisies," he retorts, but Agnes is already nodding enthusiastically. "And I know everything about carnations and nothing about daisies, I'm a one trick pony." Ryan presses his lips into a tight smile, concentrates as best as he can with Agnes staring into his fucking soul like he knows just which daisies to pick, and sends a tight fuck you directly at Riley's head. This one is a practiced move, more distinct than most of the other things he manages to send Riley's way, and it's not really a surprise, given everything.

[toliveagain]

By the time Agnes (and who'd have thought that'd really be her name, it'd just been the first elderly woman name he'd pulled out of his ass) is out the door with an armful of fresh daisies, Riley is already on his best friend with several punches to the arm, not light enough to be playful but also not hard enough to be exceptionally painful. "You're such a little shit," Riley tells him, biting back a laugh.

Rolling his eyes and brushing his fingers through his hair as he steps away. "Nice with that lovely message you projected into my head, by the way. Why can't it ever be like, rainbows or puppies or something equally enjoyable?"

[ontheblink]

Ryan braces himself against the punches, knowing they won't actually hurt that much but playing it up anyway. "Ow, fuck off!" He shoves back against Riley, careful not to knock him into any of the displays. "Stop using your freakishly huge body against me."

Riley is smoothing out his hair and Ryan rubs his arm even though it doesn't really hurt. "You don't deserve rainbows or puppies," he says. "And that one is always easier, I wonder why."

[toliveagain]

"It's not my fault your growth spurt gave up on you," Riley counters, smirking as he catches himself before falling over from the shove. "You're too fragile, I get it, and that's fine but I am who I am. One day, you're going to have to accept that."

If there's anyone in his life who's always accepted Riley for who he is, it's Ryan, and they're both very well aware of that but they've also grown very accustomed to needling each other over the years so there's no actual hint of mockery behind the words. Ryan's his brother, plain and simple, whether or not it's by blood or through legalities, it doesn't matter.

"I totally deserve rainbows and puppies! Need I remind you that you're the one who tried to spring Agnes on me first? I was just returning the favor, man."