Not so much AU facts this time other than I really just wanted to write this scene out. Sorry if it gets muddy near the end. All editing and writing tips appreciated!
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“Sunflowers?” Marius question didn’t stop Mael from working on settling the new setup. The last batch of flowers had long since passed and he refused to let the brown foliage damage his business’ good name.
“Yes, they’re a wonderful summer flower,” Mael adjusted the stems one more time and encouraged the flora to settle in their new home. “It will add a little brightness to the place. Though i suppose I should have placed them near these terribly dark walls on either side of us.”
“Red is a wonderful color,” the tattoo artist mused while watching the final adjustments made to the greenery. “And this crimson makes a nice intimate atmosphere. Great for getting to know your customers.” Whether he meant the tone of the statement to sound how it did, the short laugh from the florist was a welcome sound. Work now complete, Mael stepped back and eyed the bouquet again.
The yellow sunflowers did stand out, nestled in the large leaves of variegated Pittosporum and housed in the vase that has seen better days. Note to self: He would replace this cursed object one day. For now, Mael felt it was a welcome change in this den of bright color images and metallic surfaces.
“It must be a summer flower,” Marius voice cut through the other man’s thoughts but didn’t stop there, “lately, I’ve done more than my share of them on men and women’s thighs.” Blue eyes looked over to catch the light bit of color spreading on Mael’s face. Someone’s imagination was getting the better of them. Oh this could be fun.
“You know, I could do the same for you,” Marius stated and watched Mael roll his eyes while thumbing through a samples book. “We’re slow at the moment. I could pencil you in a consultation during your lunch/restock the vase/harass my store hour.” A short, mocking chuckle is heard.
“Pfft. Honestly. A ‘consultation’. That’s all I need?”’
“Just to get the general idea. Concept, colors, size, location…” the last word trailed a bit with emphasis. Mael didn’t need to turn around to know that Marius was watching him. And heaven only knows what that line entailed though the florist could only imagine..and there was no shame in imagining. Another short chuckle escaped him as he turned to look at some stock images mounted on the walls themself.
“Oh is that all? Doesn’t seem so complex,” Mael muttered while trying to remain disinterested. It was harder to do than he realized.
“It isn’t. After that it’s pretty simple, you just drop trou and let me mark that virgin flesh of yours.” The level of shock in the Mael’s step when turning again almost had him headfirst into the counter. Marius bit his tongue as his neighbor tried to retain his dignity in this situation. Mael audibly cussed under his breath. The words really meant nothing but damn that artist!
“And what makes you think I’d want ink on my as–legs??” Mael snaps back, the red in his cheeks betraying the quiet aggravation in his voice now. It took all of Marius’ willpower to not laugh aloud at the tone coming from the florist’s mouth.
“Really, Mael, are you trying to make me beg?” Marius hummed the question with quiet satisfaction. It was fun to get under the other man’s skin. Mael turned away, refusing to look back over as he knew that lazy smirk was still there. Damn that -irresistible- irritating expression.
“C’mon there has to be something that you’ve thought of at least once,” Marius said, trying to maintain conversation. Mael stopped his mindless pacing for a moment. At first, Marius was certain the florist was just preparing to drop the topic before returning to the building next door when he noticed a shift in demeanor.
“…I mean…I suppose I had…once or twice.” Blue eyes widened in shock. Did…did he hear that correctly? Did perfectly unmarked flower boy just admit to considering getting a tattoo.
“You’re messing with me,” Marius states and continued to stare at the other man, waiting for a punch line of some sort. Mael shook his head.
“No. I’m not,” he shrugged in slight defeat of admitting this fact. “To be honest, I’ve thought of getting one, possibly on my arms or shoulders, years before meeting you. I suppose you have dug the thought further into my head though.”
“I..well…great!” the excitement in Marius’ voice was a bit hard to hide but who cared! Hand upon sketchbook that he kept under the desk,the artist continued business as usual.
“If you want, we could actually get you into an appointment this week, if only to discuss design ideas. Like I said, sunflowers are pretty popular but I’m sure we can get you something ori-”
“Sunflowers?” Marius froze at the question asked.
“Well, yeah. They started this talk. I assumed that was your favorite flower.” It was then the artist realized his mistake. “…they’re not?”
“No. Never.” Mael pushed back a stray golden hair that made their way out of his braid. A slight distraction as he gathered his thoughts. “I mean, they are beautiful and they do add character to a room but they are not my favorite. That would be…” Mael stopped.
“That would be…” Marius rolled his hand with pencil still in hand, a bit irritated in waiting to make this design, “you need to finish the statement, Mael, or this doesn’t work.”
“Oh I think it does” This. This is perfect. And a good bit of possible revenge for earlier. “I have a proposition on top of your tattoo proposition….a wager actually.”
“I am curious and concerned. What is this wager?”
“I will let you tattoo me-” Marius braced himself for what could possibly be the dumbest task imaginable, “IF you can guess my favorite flowering plant.” ….what?
“That’s it?” The artist laughed. “Guess your favorite flower? And you get your first tattoo? From here? By me?”
“I choose location and size but, yeah, all the other details are correct.” Mael didn’t flinch or feel any worry. The idea that Marius would get this on the first try would be short of amazing.
“This can’t be too hard,” said artist grinned and took a second to think. “Let’s see: Rose.”
“No.” There was a bit of silence between them. Okay, maybe that was too easy a choice and Marius tried for a slightly more obscure option.
“Fine then, petunia.”
Mael shook his head at the statement, “no.”
“Tulip. Carnation. Lily?”
“No. No. And that last one is you.”
“Dammit,” Marius huffed. This wasn’t going at all the way he planned, “Okay, daisy?”
“What is going on here?” Santino interrupted as he stepped behind the desk, lunch bag still in hand.
“I’m trying to guess Mael’s favorite flower. Is it daisy?”
“It’s flowering plant and no, it’s not daisy,” Mael corrected the statement before shaking his head again.
“Dammit again.” Marius took a moment now to mull over his next guess. Santino looked to one then another then the first person again before finally deciding that neither was going to speak up.
“…Okay, but why are you doing this?” the younger man looked confused still.
“I get it, I get to ink him,” Marius swiftly answered before looking back to Mael. “Is it carnation?”
“Wait, really?” Santino asked. Surely flower boy wasn’t the type to wager his flesh?
“Yes, I agreed to this,” Mael stated, a perfect example of a shit eating grin upon his face, then faced Marius. “and, no, it is not.” This was exciting! Santino started to open his purchased meal and pointed to Mael.
“Can I get in on this?” he asked as Marius rolled his eyes.
“No, it’s between u-“
“Sure,” Mael cut the artist off. Santino looked ecstatic while Marius was completely stunned.
“Yes!”
“NO.”
“Is it Mums? Mums are flowers right?” Tino quickly asked as he slid over and worked to push his boss away.
“They are and no it isn’t,” Mael stepped back from the desk as minor struggle was starting between the two with Santino fighting to stand up front.
“Stop it, Tino!” Marius snapped at his employee to no avail. Santino simply laughed.
“Make me, MarMar! Is it a rose?”
“That was already guessed,” Mael bit back another laugh. He hadn’t expected this reaction in sharing this little wager from his neighboring business owner but after all the teasing, he had a hard time feeling any remorse for Marius. “Honestly, I’m beginning to think this might be too easy.”
“Too easy, Mael?” Marius was now becoming more irritated as a shoving Santino still urged him to move. Dammit, how was this shrimp so strong? “There are only so many options and yet I still haven’t gotten it. What, geranium??”
“Heavens no. But at this rate you might get lucky too soon,” Mael took a moment to think. “Especially with two against one. Have to make this a bit more challenging.”
“OOH. Let’s limit it to one guess each time we see ya here!” Santino cheered while elbowing back into his boss. A sharp wheeze heard was the insurance that his mark was made.
“Genius,” Mael snickered.
“Oh fucking hell, Tino!” Marius gasped out.
Santino threw his arms up in dramatic fashion. “Betting game: hard mode! Also you’ve had 1,000 guesses already so-by the way, is it iris?”
“No, that was guessed too.” Mael stepped further away as the argument seemed to be escalating. Whether or not it was a conversation about guessing or simply how they treat each other was hard to tell as both were starting to yell at each other in Italian. The joys of another language. He took this moment to make his swift escape back to his building. “I…I’ll leave you to this then. Good luck.”
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Fyi, I do know what Mael’s favorite flower is in this AU. I’m going to eventually forgive him for it not being sunflowers. >:c
Scene you don’t see: BJ screaming from other side of counter at both Marius and Santino to stop shaking the fucking thing! Some people are trying to set up appointments over the phone! (BJ we don’t use that fucking language over the phone!) It’s on MUTE. *singsong* Welcome to Atramentum Tattoo Parlor!