The meeting
The day started out as any other day you had ever been through. You woke up, took a shower, and got ready for work. It was normal. Especially since you worked as a receptionist at a flower shop in some no-name village far away from everyone else.
You knew the customers, they were your friends and neighbors. Nurse Eitsu always got lilies every day for Elder Rei’s sick granddaughter, Koga Tamatsu bought red roses for his girlfriend every Friday, and Soma bought daisies every Tuesday to make flower crowns with Isobe.
Not like any of that matters now.
Late into the day, a man with long blonde hair came into the shop. Blue eyes, fair size for someone as young as him and rather strong, attractive features. The cloak he wore was odd, almost cult-like but at the time, you didn’t care. He was fumbling around the shop, seemingly hiding from someone. Was he in trouble with the law?
“Deidara-sempai!” A man in an orange mask shouted playfully, running past the shop. Only, he stopped and looked me dead in the eye before tilting his head to the side like a curious puppy.
“Yes?” You ask slowly, a false smile spreading across your lips. The longer he stared, the more unnerved you got. Luckily he didn’t seem to notice the falsity of your expression. In fact, he completely fell for it as you felt him smile at you.
“Hi! Have you seen someone with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and wearing a coat like mine?” The masked man asked cheerfully, raising his fists to his chest in anticipation. Behind him, the blonde’s eyes widened and shook his head ‘no’.
“No, haven’t seen anyone like that around. You might want to check the other side of town. Maybe your friend will be there?” You lie through your teeth. Even though the pitch of your voice changed, the masked man nodded and ran off.
“Thank you, Friend!” The man shouted over his shoulder and waved at you ecstatically as he ran through the crowd of citizens. They all carefully moved out of the guy’s way.
Both you and the other man sighed in unison. You were exhausted from that overly cheery social experience. He seemed just to be annoyed to death by the masked stranger.
“Thanks…” The man chuckled, rubbing the back of his head to come back out into the light. Goodness! His voice!
“ Y/N.” You added, offering a handshake with a genuine smile. If the heat you feel rising on your cheeks was anything to go by, you were also blushing like some schoolgirl who was just noticed by their crush... You really need to stop reading those visual novels...
“Deidara,” He replied and took your hand, shaking it softly with a firm but not bone-crushing grip, “Sorry about my… uh, associate. Hn. He always is like that and it drives me up the wall!” He nearly snarled the last few words before calming himself. “ It’s days like this where I miss my old partner.”
You felt a pang of sympathy in your heart when you saw his expression. Downturned, pained eyes, a furrowed brow, and a deep frown.
Determined to make him feel better, you quickly turn around and grab a bloomed rose you had just prepared and stick it behind his ear. He looked surprised, to say the least. You smiled at him and begin to explain;
“You seem upset. I’ve noticed that flowers tend to cheer people up. Take it, on the house.” You finish, tucking some stray hairs away from his face.
A blush spreads quickly across his face as he lets out a puff of air, rolling his single shown eye, “Flowers? Really?”
“Mhm.” you hum, “They may be fleeting, but you have to admit, they’re beautiful.” As you turn to him you notice him staring back at you before quickly turning to the now-setting sun.
He chuckled, “Never thought of them that way before.” The way the sun’s golden glow painted his face, it made him look like one of those old renaissance paintings. His eye shimmered with life as a smirk played on his lips. “They are an art, aren’t they? Beautiful, but short-lived.” He said turning to you.
Your eyes widen as he slowly leans down and places his lips on your forehead. You feel heat travel throughout your face and you’re left in shock as he pulled away. A complete stranger kissed you, granted it was on the forehead and you did know his name, but still.
You must’ve looked like a tomato because he let out a short burst of laughter before ruffling your hair, “Stay safe! You’ve done a lot today. I think it’s time for you to close shop for tonight.”
With that, he was gone, and overnight half of the village was destroyed in an explosion.
A single red rose laid on your nightstand with a note, written for you.