#romile

“Well, that’s something I guess,” Maggie scoffed before waving him to the back. Emile knew that she was just cranky because she didn’t like why he was here. She was getting on in years and their family worried about her not being able to handle the shop alone anymore. Emile agreed (not that he would ever tell her that) so he decided to take a break from his psychology degree to help her during this summer. Maggie had only accepted when he told her he would come either way and only lie around the house all day if she didn’t let him work. She grumbly accepted.

 Summer was a special time in this particular coastal town. Especially for a few selected flower shops. Because this region was home to a unique type of flower that only grew under the conditions there. Any attempts at recreating those somewhere else have failed and around 80 years ago a law prevented any more experiments to be conducted. The production and distribution of this flower have since been heavily regulated. Grandma Maggie’s shop is one of only five local stores that are allowed to sell them and she gets a set amount each year (with some small variation depending on the harvest).

 It's formal name Emile couldn’t remember for the life of him but it is most commonly known as: Stardrop. Five petals in yellow, white, or a mix of both with a scent that is calming and light.

 Emile knew that soon this year’s batch would be ready and his grandmother already had a lot of pre-orders, mainly from restaurants and hotels that decorate their establishments with them for the season. Others were for weddings, festivals, or other celebrations. So the first thing he had to learn now was how to make the arrangements and bouquets that would be their main source of income soon.

 In the backroom was a big table already cluttered with vases full of flowers, leaves, twigs, strings, and other types of decoration in a lot of different colors. He knew there was a system here somewhere on how to find something but to him it just looked like a huge mess. Grandma Maggie was already seated and impatiently patted the cushion next to her, so he sat down on the bench, ready to get lectured until either some customers or lunch time comes.

   Emile relished his one-hour lunch break after spending hours under his grandmother’s sharp eyes with only very few interruptions. They had eaten together, upstairs in the apartment where they were now living together for the duration of his stay. Maggie went back down before him while Emile phoned his parents about the current situation.

 Yes, I arrived safely. Yes, Grandma is fine. Yes, I’m helping her in the shop now. Yes, we’re getting along. So on and so forth. Emile loved his parents but they can be quite exhausting to deal with, especially when they’re worried about something.

 After he was finally done, he went back down to the shop and found Maggie at the cash register.

 “Mom and Dad send their love.”

 “Yeah, yeah, they always do. They should worry about their own behinds and not question everything I do,” she scoffed. Emile couldn’t help but laugh.

 “Maybe you’re right.”

 “I’m always right!”

 “I know, I know.” Maggie glared at him and he raised his arms in defense. She scoffed again but didn’t say anything more on the matter.

 “Chloe is coming soon to get the rose bouquet she ordered. I got it done in the back so go get it.”

 “Aye, aye, ma’am.” He evaded her attempt at smacking him in the arm and moved to the back. While looking around the mess of clutter in search of the flowers he remembers his grandmother telling him were for her friend Chloe only about two hours ago, the bell above the shop door rang. A customer.

 “Maggie, you won’t believe what Remus cooked up now!”

 A very loud costumer. Male. Very youthful. And apparently on first name basis with his grandma.

 “How about saying hello first you whippersnapper!” Emile grinned. He really loved how she never changed, always snarky with everyone. Finally, he spotted the bouquet and made his way back front where the costumer was now leaning against the counter, an incredulous look on his face.

 “I’m distraught and you expect me to be courteous? I thought we were past that!” The stranger held a hand over his heart as if she had attacked him and Emile could immediately tell he had an appreciation for theater. The man moved fluently but very overdramatically, and his grandmother watched him with the most unimpressed look she could muster.

 “My, how could I forget. No need for manners just because you had another squabble with your brother. I should be ashamed,” she added in a monotone voice. The man, who had been motioning as if he was about to faint, turned his full attention back to her.

 “Thank you for your understanding, it was very hard indeed!”

 “Mhm, I’m sure it was.” The stranger laughed and reached for her hand but she slapped him away immediately. “Keep your lips away, you scoundrel.” The man laughed louder and Maggie cracked a small smile herself. Finally, he was still enough that Emile could get a good look at his features.

 Brown eyes and hair, tan skin and probably quite a few inches bigger than himself. His smile showed off almost perfect teeth (not that that was something Emile normally noticed but they were almost twinkling in the fluorescent light of the shop). He was dressed in a red jacket with rolled up sleeves, a white shirt underneath and blue jeans. His ears were pierced and a tattoo peaked out at the edge of his shirt collar around the right shoulder.

 Emile found him incredibly handsome.

 And of course that was the moment their eyes met. For a few moments they just stared at each other in shock before the man regained his composure and flashed him his pearly white teeth again.

 “My Maggie, who’ve you been hiding from me back there?” She looked over her shoulder and Emile could see a switch flip in her head. She rolled her eyes before turning back to the stranger.

 “My grandson. Emile, get over here before your eyes fall out.” He flinched lightly, embarrassed that he’d been called out for staring but made his way over to them.

 “Hi, I’m Emile, I’m staying here for the summer.” He wanted to hold out his hand for a handshake before he remembered the vase with the bouquet still in his arms. He quickly set it down, ears burning red.

 “Roman. I work in the shop across the street,” the man introduced himself and grabbed Emile’s hand as soon as it was free. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Maggie told me all about the warden her family would be sending over to guard her from the dangers of working in a flower shop. It is indeed honorable that you took on such a challenge!” He winked and Emile burst out in giggles.

 “We just don’t want her to overwork himself but thanks for the compliment.” Roman gave him another one of his brilliant smiles and as he pulled back, Emile could spot another tattoo on the wrist of his right hand. Without thinking he grabbed the hand again and twisted it around so he could get a better look.

 “Emile don’t be rude,” his grandmother chided and he immediately let go.

 “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even realize!”

 “It’s fine, it’s fine,” Roman laughed, “most people are curious about it. You can look as long as you want, it’s good advertisement anyway.”

 “Advertisement?”

 “Open your eyes next time you’re outside!” Maggie commented, only confusing Emile more.

 “I work at a tattoo shop. Since it’s directly across the street I assumed you knew what I meant,” Roman explained, letting his arm drop to his side.

 “Oh! I only arrived yesterday and was pretty beat, so I didn’t pay attention. It feels like the shops on this street are always different when I come visit.”

 “I understand the feeling. Whenever I visit my mother I feel the same way.” They smiled at each other until Maggie scoffed again.

 “Your break isn’t gonna last forever, kid. What were you here to tell me? Don’t tell me the plan went wrong this weekend?” Roman’s eyes left Emile and he felt like he finally remembered how to breathe properly. His eyes had been so captivating.

 Wait. Was he already developing a crush?! Remy wouldn’t let him hear the end of it if that was the case. He always said that Emile fell too easily.

 “Oh no, that was fine. Everything went exactly as it should have and Logan said yes, no problem. But of course then came the question of when and you know what they decided on? The end of summer!”

 “Wait, are we talking about a wedding?” Emile asked, wholly out of the loop.

 “Yes. My brother Remus and his boyfriend – well I guess fiancé now – have been together since we were still in school and he finally got the nerve to propose to him, thanks to me of course, so we made a plan and everything and of course Logan said yes, as if he wouldn’t. They’re both way too insecure sometimes.”

 “And they decided to get married at the end of summer?”

 “Yes! Can you imagine?!” Emile and Maggie exchanged a glance, both apparently not quite understanding the problem. Roman seemed to pick up on their confusion.

 “That’s only three months away! How long do they think it takes to organize a wedding?!”

 “Oh! You meant this year. Yeah, that’s quiet soon,” Emile nodded.

 “I know, right? Who in their right mind decides to plan a wedding in three months!”

 “I mean Candace did it in one day, so…” Emile mumbled. Roman blinked at him.

 “Who?”

 “Candace? From Phineas and Ferb?”

 “Oh! I haven’t watched that show in ages! Would be fun to revisit, I guess.”

 “I highly recommend it!” Emile smiled, thankful that Roman didn’t question his knowledge of a cartoon for kids. A lot of people at his university did.

 “Well, I probably won’t have the time any time soon! Because I know my brother, if I don’t keep him on track, nothing will get done.”

 “What about his fiancé?”

 “Logan likes organization and all that, but he gets so absorbed by his work, he’ll forget everything else. And they’re in the middle of a huge project, so I doubt he’ll remember to add the wedding stuff to his to-do list until a few weeks before.”

 “What does he do?”

 “He’s a marine biologist. I’m sure you know the research station. They’re worried about the reef so they’ve been collecting samples non-stop, I think.”

 “I see… Well, I’m sure if you’re there to help, you can all find a way to work with each other.” Roman seemed to deflate a bit at that, ending the overdramatic act he’s been putting on so far. He slumps a bit more and looks at Emile with the insecurity written all over his face.

 “I know,” he sighs. “Somehow we always pull through and they don’t even want a big party but still…” Another sigh. “Remus and I don’t always get along, but I know him the best. He really adores Logan and even if he acts like he doesn’t care if they’ll get married and all that, I know he was super nervous about the proposal. That’s why he put it off for so long. I’m just worried that he’ll try to avoid actually planning the whole thing because he doesn’t want to ruin it and then stress himself and Logan out last minute. He deserves the best wedding he can get.” By the end of his rant, Roman is leaning on his arms on the counter, staring at the stone surface with his brows furrowed. Emile takes a moment to process the information and think about his response before he gently lays a hand on Roman’s shoulder.

 “It’ll be alright, I’m sure. You’re there to help them and it seems like you know what you’re doing. And I can help too if you want. Besides work I don’t really have any plans and I’m sure Grandma would be happy if I don’t hang around here all the time, right, Grandma?” He turns to where she stood but apparently, she had left without him noticing. By the look on Roman’s face, neither had he. They looked at each other and laughed.

 “Thanks for the offer. I’m sure there’ll be something for you to do, even if it’s just arranging the flowers.” Roman winked and Emile giggled.

 “That’s only if I survive my internship.”

 “Internship?”

 “Grandma is teaching me how to make the ordered arrangements in the back. Until I’ve got that down I ‘have no business being in the front’ she said.”

 “That sounds like something she’d say, alright.”

 “You two making fun of me now?” Maggie came back into the room and stares them down. Emile mutters a sorry while Roman just gives her a wink as well. She scoffed. “Get out of my store, kid. Your break’s as good as over.” He stole a glance at the clock, wide-eyed.

 “Damn it. Gotta go! It was nice to meet you, Emile! See you soon.” Before he could respond, Roman was out of the door.

 “If you ask me, he and his brother are more alike than either’d like to admit,” Maggie commented after a moment. Emile, having never met Remus, couldn’t really add anything so he just shrugged.

 “I think he was very nice.”