Work Text:
“Don’t lose heart or any more leaves for that matter, Little red flower,” Zagreus winces when another curled up dry leaf falls from the small potted plant.
Zagreus shifts the soil and tsks at the dryness.
“Honestly, the lack of care is appalling despite making an expensive order to bring you here,” Zagreus looks at the notes Dusa left him to care for the strange flower.
“They don't even want you when they realize how high maintenance you are,” He picks up the pot, moving it to the sunlight piercing through the shop’s window.
“All you need is patience and care,” Zagreus props his chin, leaning from the seat. He stares at the flower.
“Honestly, boy, can't you do anything right?” The towering man with dark brown eyes, glares down at Zagreus.
Zagreus, waves his arms frantically, done with the same old, same old reprimands, “I could have if you actually taught me!”
“I don't want to hear excuses—” Hades began.
“And who wants to hear someone who all they do is berate them!” Zagreus points at his father.
Hades pushes away the pointed finger, “You are under my payroll, so be respectful.”
Zagreus grows quiet, breathing hard.
“Fine, if I have to be respectful to you, then I quit!”
“Boy–!” The door slams shut behind him.
A familiar rolling wheel crunching a couple of leaves has Zagreus straighten up.
“Dusa!”
The cheerful college student rolls over to Zagreus.
“Oh! How wonderful! She looks lovely.”
Zagreus scratches his cheek, “Hopefully I don't kill Red.”
Dusa turns her head to Zagreus, her braids swinging, “Of course you won't! I have complete faith that you will succeed!”
Zagreus blushes, “Geez, I'll do my best then.”
“That's all anyone can do,” Dusa smiles at the little potted plant. She turns her wheelchair.
“So any new plants?”
Zagreus mentally goes over what his mother told him that morning.
“Not yet, but the shipment is coming early and what Mother commented, it will be a treat.”
Dusa squeals, “Can't wait, hopeful it will give an idea what kind of plant to report in my Midterms.”
Zagreus frowns, “Dusa, it's barely February, you have time.”
She shrugs and rolls off to the greenhouse, careful with any hoses left unattended.
Fortunately Zagreus did his morning clean up. He hums happily to himself, picking up the clipboard to check any other duties he has to do.
After an hour, of Dusa humming as she took notes of the plants’ condition and Zagreus finish setting up a flowerbed when a bell tolls.
“Guh-dong!”
Zagreus frowns and looks over the entrance.
“Is that our store bell?” He mumbles to himself.
Zagreus debates leaving the clipboard, but remembers just how often he loses stuff after being distracted for a bit. He stands up, dusting off the dirt with the hand not holding the clipboard.
“Worry not sir or madam, I am here,” Zagreus greets once he crosses the threshold to the store counter.
Zagreus smile freezes and feels his face burn.
Before him was a taller man, with silver short hair. He was wearing a black form fitting sleeveless hoodie, showing off beautiful intricated sleeve tattoo on his left arm. And is that a butterfly earring on his left ear?!
“You're not, Lady Persephone.”
Zagreus shakes his head and places his clipboard on the counter to ground himself to the present.
“I’m afraid not, if you need her services, she will be back tomorrow,” Zagreus clears his dry throat, “For today, I’m the only cashier who can assist you.”
The silver haired man tschs, “Cannot be helped.”
No way he is letting a potential client leave, and if he wants more time with him, Zagreus is a complex individual.
“I can help, if it’s an emergency,” Zagreus offers, trying to focus the guy's face. Damn, it's still hot.
The other man frowns, “I don’t know what is the bouquet is called. I always ask for the usual for my tattoo shop and she knows.”
Zagreus hums, “Do you come here often?”
When the man stares at him, Zagreus splutters.
“I meant here in the shop!” Zagreus laughs, blush returning full force, “It may be possible my mother have records and I can still make it.”
“Your mother? I was unaware she had a son,” the man tilts his head, taking him in.
“It’s a long story,” Zagreus comments while looking for past sales records.
“I apologize.”
Zagreus looks up, confused, “For what? For not knowing the order? Happens the best of us.”
When he looks back down, Zagreus makes a victory fist pump.
“Wonderful! Detailed and clear records,” Zagreus looks up to ask the guy’s name only to stop.
The guy was frowning at him.
“You alright?”
“No, you—” the guy shakes his head, “What information do you need from me?”
Are you single? Zagreus thinks, but out loud he asks, “When was your last purchase and under what name it was signed off.”
“My last purchase was the same time as today and day of week. The order usually is under Pierced Butterfly or my name, Thanatos.”
“Thanatos…Pierced...aha!”
Zagreus read the notes and compares it for the last 3 weeks in case there is a difference. Fortunately they are the same and one of the first arrangements his mother taught him months before he was allowed to man the register.
“You are in luck Mr. Thanatos; I can arrange the bouquet for you.”
“Thank you for your purchase and have a great day!” Zagreus beams at him.
Thanatos picks up the vase with the flower arrangement and looks up.
His stare is so intense, wishing for it to last longer.
“I can see you are your mother’s son.”
Zagreus scratches his cheek, “Well I did inherit her green eye, paired up with…yeah.”
His voice trails off. Before he can think about his father again, Thanatos cuts in.
“You have her patience and kindness for nature.”
“Oh,” once again, he blushes. Zagreus cannot help it; Thanatos seems someone he wants to learn more from.
“Hopefully I’ll see you next week, Zagreus.”
When the store door close, Zagreus blindly reaches for the chair and slumps on it.
“I hope so too, Thanatos.”