In-Betweens

Daffodils and Lavender (Theo x Oliver)

Prompt: Create a story to build a bouquet using Victorian flower language.

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"I'm telling you, Oliver. She'll love it!"

Oliver Grayson rolled his eyes as he followed his best friend down a busy London street. "I didn't say she won't love it," he corrected. "I just said she'll think you've done too much."

Theodore Lewis turned back to him. "And when have you ever known me to not do too much?"

"Unfortunately for me, never. And your coin purse isn't going to like you afterwards."

As they navigated through the busy street filled with people of all class and size, Theo finally found the sign for the shop he was looking for and grinned. He turned to Oliver and finished pulling him along. "And see, that's why you're in charge, Ollie."

Oliver turned to him, raising his eyebrows. "Me?" he asked as they dodged a man selling a cart full of cabbages. "Are you sure that's wise?"

Theo stopped them in front of a large muggle shop with dark green painted wood and a large sign that read 'Madam Wollas Flower Emporium.' Even from the outside, the two men could tell that the building inside was covered in various flora and vines, which was probably why many hadn't been seen coming in and out of the small wooden door. "I can't spend all my money," Theo further explained. "I still need to buy a ring. And with you here to help me, it's almost a guarantee I won't spend my entire life savings."

Oliver had a feeling that, even though he was there, Theo was still going to spend a ridiculous amount of money.

The two opened the door and heard the small ching from the bell above. The shop was a lot smaller than the men thought, or perhaps it just felt that way because of how cramped it was with plants. Flowers of every shade and shape decorated almost every inch of the walls and shelves, and it was difficult to find a piece of floor that was not crawling with vines and thorns and leaves. The sweet smell of petals and dirt was overwhelming, and it instantly gave Oliver a headache.

"Coming!" they heard a voice cried out from somewhere in the back. A moment later, a small and frail looking woman scooted up to the front counter where the two were waiting. She had wrinkled skin so badly, it looked as if she had been left out too long in the sun to dry, and her hair was so white it reminded the boys of a piece of new parchment. The boys weren't even sure if her eyes were open or not due to the wrinkles on her face, but her toothless grin lit up her face as she eventually made her way towards them. "Oh, hello dearies!" she said as she strained her vocal chords to speak. "How can I help you?"

Theo couldn't help but stand up straighter. "I need a bouquet of your finest flowers!"

"Oh, yes dear, of course," the ancient woman said. "I figured as much. Otherwise, why would you be in my flower shop? Now, what is the occasion?"

Theo grinned brightly. "We're getting married."

Oliver smacked his forehead. What eyebrows the old woman had shot up nearly to her hairline as she looked between Theo and Oliver. "Well, you know I'm too old to judge the company of others, but perhaps you shouldn't say that so loud in public, dearie."

"No, wait," Theo said when he realized his mistake. "I mean– Not to him! Yes, I have a girlfriend, and I'm asking her to marry me, so I need a bouquet."

"Ah, of course, and how sweet," the woman smiled. Then, she said with a heavy sigh of reminiscence."Why, I haven't had to make a bouquet for young people in a long time...."

Theo nodded. "Yes, and I want–"

"Long time."

Theo and Oliver froze and waited to see if the old woman would interrupt them again. When she didn't, Theo cleared his throat. "So, I was doing some research, and according to my books it said that lavender and peonies were a flower of weddings?"

"Oh, yes," the woman agreed. "This way." She turned and began walking in inches in a direction further into the shop. "We can certainly make you something with those flowers. Was there anything else you wanted to add?"

"Well, she likes crocus flowers as well."

"A symbol of youthfullness."

"And I wanted to include daffodils, since I'm Welsh."

"Rebirth and new beginnings. Fitting for a new marriage."

"Oh, and some red roses, perhaps. Since those are pretty classic as well, aren't they?"

When they reached a pot of lavender, the frail old woman turned back to Theo. "You listed off a lot of flowers. Do you want the roses or the daffodils?"

"Yes."

Oliver felt his headache turning into a stabbing pain.

"I mean," Theo began, trying to backtrack. "Can I have all of it?"

"Don't spend all your money," Oliver warned.

The woman hummed. "Well, I suppose you could use them all, but it will be a rather busy arrangement."

Theo shrugged. "Well, I'm usually all over the place anyway, it might be perfect."

She grinned. "A Gryffindor, I imagine."

The two froze and stared. "You know of Hogwarts?" Oliver asked, unintentionally whispering. "We thought this was a muggle shop."

"It is. But that doesn't mean there isn't magic all around you," the frail woman smiled at them. "Oh, Hogwarts. I haven't thought of the castle in a long time...."

"That's incredi–"

"Long time."

They stopped again, waiting to see if she would interrupt again. Oliver spoke up this time. "Anyway, how much will this cost?"

"About 15 sickles."

Theo looked at Oliver, his eyes wide in surprise. "That's not that much at all!"

Oliver looked at his best friend and saw how excited he was at this idea. Theo had been rather nervous about getting this gorgeous bouquet for Minerva, and it had to be perfect. However, as the woman quickly put the large bouquet of red and yellow and purple flowers together in a large vase, Oliver couldn't help but feel his friends' anxiousness and excitement.

Even if the bouquet itself was not the most cohesive thing Oliver had ever seen, it suited his two best friends perfectly.

Minerva was a lucky woman.

"And here you are, dearie." The old woman held the large bouquet in her frail and shaking arms. Theo quickly grabbed it from her to prevent it from breaking. As Oliver paid the woman, she smiled at them again. "Now, she's going to love it. And don't be a stranger the next time you're in the area. I haven't had visitors in a long time...."

The boys waited.

"Long time."

Finally, the two grinned at the woman. "Thank you," Theo said, his face bright and hopeful. "I appreciate all your hard work."

"Of course, dearie," she said. "Now, go and make her your bride. I expect to hear all about it."

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