Chapter Text
The sun’s rays filtered through the curtains without any mercy, casting the pack's living room with a warm golden glow.
Inside, this was the only time peace lasted in the household, mainly cause everyone was too busy getting ready for the day or getting some caffeine to wake up.
Through the morning chaos, Nut was their shining, guiding light. While his cooking skills were teased and said to be mediocre every night, in the morning, he holds the authority of the entire household with a plate of eggs and bread.
Lego was the first one to join him in the living room, starting his coffee machine, the slow mechanical hum of the machine filling the room, and somehow waking Hong up.
Hong must really have a spiritual connection with the coffee machine like Tui did with the printer… or maybe their brain has been rewired due to work.
The list of Hong's Things to do in the morning.’ consisted only of hugging his mate and inhaling his scent, fulfilling his daily dosage of affection in the open space.
Lego, who stood in the side making five cups of coffee, would always scrunch his nose at the mixing of the alpha's sandalwood and cedarwood, muttering that it was too early in the morning for visible scenting and being a witness for mated couple’s affection.
But every time he stood in that corner complaining, his scent only bloomed with happiness, the lavender and honey turning into something rich, sweet, and warm to the point it was fighting with the morning rays.
The pack alpha (read: pack baby) and the resident Mr. I am calm were never part of this chaos. They only come out of their rooms fully awake, not spiritually though, until a sip of coffee reaches their system.
They did make it up by doing the dishes every morning in full suits and ties, and still left home without a single wrinkle in their shirts, which no one knows how.
“Good morning to my beautiful people,” Tui said as he sat down at the table, only to flinch back and start chanting all the prayers and mantras he had learned in the twenty-one years of his life.
Lego was looking at him with a serious stare, something close to ‘I am going to slam your head against the bookshelf’ glint in his eyes.
He was going to face Lego’s wrath, fully, completely, even if he did not know what he had done wrong.
“It would be a good morning if you helped out a bit here, always coming out of that room in full setting. Would it kill you to come disheveled and with bed hair in the morning for once ?”
A heavy pause filled the room. Tui looked like he wanted to melt into the chair, while Nut was cooking peacefully, minus the shoulder shaking with him trying to control his laugh, and Hong standing nearby, almost draped over the other alpha, looking extremely smug.
Darn those phi’s of his, they are currently laughing at his misery instead of helping him out as they should.
Just then, the sound of the other door creaking open was heard.
Tui’s breath rate visibly increased as he started praying even more faster and desperately.
From the room came William, looking exactly like Tui with a full suit and hair styled. Full setting. The same full setting for which Tui was currently being questioned early in the morning.
“Poor him, he does not even know he is going to be torched like a marshmallow for s'mores” Hong said, looking amused.
“We need to improve his ‘read the room’ skills, but for now, let’s go and stop them before Lego starts a war in front of my precious homemade honey butter.” Nut said, carrying a tray with all their breakfast.
He comes over and places the tray down, motioning Hong to set the table up while he handles them, which was much harder than even making everything half asleep.
After what seemed like a solid fifteen minutes of persuasion and bribing with ‘I shall give them dish duty for a month’, Lego finally sat down to eat.
He pulled a waffle and took a bite of it harshly before pointing the syrup-drenched fork towards the alpha and beta duo.
“Dish duty at night. For one month.”
The duo nodded, almost scared, and gulped their breakfast down before going to the kitchen to clean up.
Nut and Hong gave an amused smile and left the place to have a few minutes of peace while getting ready, before they had to deal with chaos in their respective workplace.
The minute their room doors closed, Nut pulled Hong into a hug.
Not a small, light, half-willed one. It was fully wrapped, bodies flushed together, breaths mingling.
“Good morning, my love.”
Hong let a small chuckle out, wrapping one of his arms around Nut’s middle, pulling him even more closer if that was even possible. The other one threaded through his hair, flowing through them, removing any knots and tangles.
After a while, Nut looked up at Hong from where he had buried his face for this long, leaned in, and let their lips touch together.
A soft, sweet, and warm feeling, like coming home after a long day at work.
Hong’s fingers twisted Nut’s hair while Nut’s hands caressed Hong’s waist. They melted into each other, holding each other as their lips danced along.
They broke the kiss, looking flushed and satisfied.
“ Shall we get ready for work, husband?” Nut let out a laugh, pulling Hong closer again.
“Only if you do my tie for me… and set my hair… and give me one more kiss.” He pouted at the end.
“Consider it done, my love.” Hong gave a small peck on his lips, leaving to get dressed before coming to handle his big baby.
Est woke up to the sharp sound of the alarm ringing through the entire room, or maybe even the apartment.
After five very agonising and deeply contemplating moments of whether he should just succumb to the comfort and warmth of his sheets or actually be a responsible adult, instead of dumping his work on his only staff and baby bro Santa, he got up.
He started his routine.
The clock ticking in the background, the bathroom light’s blaring for his sleep-filled eyes, his scent mixing with the clean and artificial mint scent of the toothpaste. He should probably change his toothpaste to something that's not mint.
Then came the shower, the water bordering on cold since he forgot to turn the heater on last night, as he was busy with the flower arrangements.
The body wash that made him smell like a walking cafe with the coffee notes and his own vanilla joining, made it feel like a walking cafe and bakery at the same time, was filling the entire room now.
After a long time, he got out of the shower, got changed, and grabbed breakfast, which was just a smoothie and scrambled eggs.
When he finally got into the elevator, he was barking orders to Santa on his phone regarding a wedding arrangement, while holding a fresh bunch of daisies.
He noticed a few other people… ahh, the pack from across the hall. He gave a small bow and stood in the corner, continuing his call.
“ The bride asked for what now?” he exclaimed, voice hushed but still clear enough to be heard.
“Hydrangeas,” a sigh followed on the line.
“Hydrangeas…Literally, why do all these brides come to test our patience?”
“Its okay, Phi, I convinced her to use Daisy’s in the arrangement. You have them with you, yeah?”
Est looked down at the bunch in his arms, “Yeah, I do.”
“Just bring them, and we will be fine.”
“Yeah, also prep the Red and White roses, and snip the Peonies stems at a forty-five-degree angle, not fifty. I shall bring a protractor to measure with me. Make sure to slightly bloom the tulips. These two orders need to be out before noon. The Eucalyptus needs to be hydrated as well.”
“I know Phi, I will take care of them, just come here to arrange them. Also, there is no need for a protractor. I can now perfectly cut them at a fort-”
Est cut the call before that, a small smirk formed on his face, thinking about the reaction of the younger on the other side after he cut the call. He was probably getting chewed out respectfully.
“Umm, I am sorry to disturb you, but why did you say no to the Hydrangeas? They are a really pretty flower, and they are also used a lot in wedding decor.”
The omega from the pack looked at him with wide, curious eyes, expecting an answer. Est could not help but chuckle at the enthusiasm.
His pack members tho might have had a different idea as they looked slightly mortified, yet as if they expected this.
“Well, yes, Hydrangeas are absolutely pretty flowers and are used a lot in weddings, especially white Hydrangeas, as they represent purity and abundance. The groom is from Japan, and in Japanese culture, they indicate an apology, not the best for a wedding. Hence the daisies.”
The omega looked satisfied, “Yep, that makes sense, you don't want the groom thinking you hate him or something while you walk down the aisle. Thank you for explaining that…” The elevator beeped
“Est, I will be taking my leave now. Have a good day.”
Est got out of the elevator, walking towards his car, making sure not to jostle the daisies in his hand a lot. Once he got in his car and made sure the flowers were secure and no more emergency floral saves mid-driving would be required, he left.
The bell chimed as Est got into the shop. The flowers were all spread on the table, and scissors were left nearby. He went and picked one of the flowers, inspecting the stem.
“So now you can actually cut at forty-five degrees,” he turned the flower in his hand. “A clean cut at that to”
Santa came out of the sun room with the Eucalyptus, which was cut yesterday and kept in water.
“Well, you never let me finish. I have evolved, not like a Pokémon but like a normal human, and now I can cut flowers at forty-”
“Oh, you got the Eucalyptus, thank youuu. I shall get started on the arrangements now.”
Santa just huffed and got back to hydrating the floral arrangements on the shelves and cleaning the preserved displays.
Around three pm, Est finally sat down in the small office, accompanied by Santa, as they chatted about random stuff.
“Wait Nong, don't you have to be on a date with Perth in like… two hours?”
Santa looked at him like a confused puppy, and then realisation struck him; his eyes widened comically as he checked the time on his phone.
A reminder rang at the exact time, as if the universe had decided to make this a not-so-funny joke.
“Its fine, go ahead, I will be closing the shop soon today, I have a date as well… with myself.”
Est almost pushed him out of the store, shoving the younger's bag into his hand along with a small bouquet of deep red roses, with a few pieces of baby’s breath scattered like star dust.
“Enjoy your night, and please make sure you're presentable enough tomorrow, or wear a turtleneck instead. I can blast the AC for one day rather than have you traumatize a client again. Bye”
Once he made sure Santa’s car was out of the premises, he went over his to-do list. He had to deal with one more client, and he is free for the day.
“The cafe is next door, so if I finish this appointment and then get changed and grab the bouquet and go there, I would have enough time”
The next client was another pain in the ass. The bride had a huge to-do list and she wanted flowers for everything. From the bridesmaid proposal boxes to the cake shaped floral center piece (like where did they even think of that). They wanted over the top, perfect sets.
Est turned the signs and dropped the curtains down. He looked at the pinterest boards the bride had brought and let out a scream.
The cafe was warm and smelled of dark roasted coffee, the scent of the flowers from the display and the faint vanilla drifting from the kitchen.
Est felt the warmth in his bones the minute he entered, he was met with an enthusiastic wave from the counter.
“ Hi Est, didn't think I would see you here” The omega from the elevator ‘Lego’ as it's on his batch said, greeting him.
Hong came out from the back and smacked him in the head “I am pretty sure it is Phi Est for you… and me”
Est let out a chuckle at that “Probably, feel free to call me what you want. Also what is your recommendation?”
“ The chocolate caramel latte is my personal favorite, if we are going for something less sweet, maybe the yuzu vanilla latte, if we are looking for a refreshing coconut lime soda. Would you like to go for any of these or something else?”
“I think I will go for the yuzu vanilla latte and the lavender choux pastry. Thank you.”
Est sat down in one of the tables as he looked around the place, a huge wall caught his eye. The entire wall was stacked with books. Below them were soft plush sofas that looked like clouds. Est could not help but walk over there and look through the books.
Memories flash through his head, it's been so long since he read a book which was really a surprise considering that he loves to read. He heard the clink of a plate being placed down. “You can take them to read, just make sure you are placing it back on the shelf once you're done” Lego’s soft voice rose behind him. He could not help but smile, the omega made him feel a lot at ease.
“Sure, Thank you.”
Est settled down there, with a book in one of his hands and the other with his drink, fully immersed in the world of words and metaphors without knowing what was waiting for him.