drear | OPEN SEASON 2.

Sorry. [ Of course he had to mess things up. Heine pulls the business card into his hand with his fingers, digging the sharp corners of it into his palm for a second. ] I didn't mean to bring up—make you uncomfortable.

[ TIME TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT. ]

Do you want a spring arrangement?

[he shakes his head - it's fine, it's fine, it's not uncomfortable, but at the subject of an arrangement, switches to nodding. by now, it was a small shop expense on occasion, after Jakob had seen that people really did like having flowers there. every now and then, it didn't hurt.]

Something that doesn't smell too strongly.

Okay.

[ Heine gets to work. He makes it in an asymmetrical spray this time, the base structure filled with small white tulips with lily of the valley. Apple blossom branches give it more reach. It's faintly scented, but as Fee had asked, the fragrance is negligible unless he's sticking his face into it. ]

[it's beautiful, Fee thinks, these arrangements their own type of art that he can appreciate. it's definitely going to get comments - and if it sends more customers Heine's way, then all's the better.

except when he's got it secured in his arms to take it away after paying for it, "thanks" isn't the only thing that comes out of his mouth.]

...You're really pretty.

[maybe some people would think it's a joke, but Fee says what he means with his whole heart.]

Handsome, if that word's better for you.

[ Heine focuses on simple things, the routine of ringing up a purchase and thinking about cleanup, and it takes him a good few seconds to understand what Fee is saying to him. ]

Uh. [ ??? ] Thanks.

[ That seems like something someone would say to hit on him. But it's Fee. And is he supposed to compliment him back? He doesn't know what to say along those lines, so he doesn't try. Instead, ] Maybe I should buy something from you. Since you keep coming here.

[that....wasn't what he had intended to mean at all. damn it. how clear does he have to be about this - he's used to people picking up hints, being able to read more subtle cues. now he's slightly embarrassed, but he manages the same face.]

Only if you want to. It's a big decision to make, you know.

[and with that, he turns to leave so he can go take the arrangement next door. and maybe quietly wonder what he can do to get the point across to Heine.]

[ Reading subtle cues is definitely not something Heine is good at. As Fee leaves, Heine waves at him in goodbye before clearing the counter.

It takes him mentioning it to Nill and her slapping him on the arm for him to admit to himself that Fee was, probably, flirting with him.

When they talk again Heine just pushes the thoughts aside. He likes talking to Fee, though, and even enjoys learning more about him. The days pass until Christmastime is around the corner. By then Heine hasn't yet decided if he wants to act on these facts, so he doesn't have a real gift with him when he goes next door to the tattoo shop. Instead, he has traditional poinsettias in a flowerpot in one arm and a small rosemary tree to be decorated for the holidays in the other. ]

[the tattoo parlor has been reasonably decorated to accommodate the holiday (a few lights, a few snowflakes), and today is even so, a workday. but the music occasionally yields to whatever winter themed song comes on shuffle, and some people, like Fee, have chosen to wear ugly sweaters.

despite Heine being, well, Heine about everything, Fee still lights up to see him. he's at the front, chatting with the person behind the desk, but he sees Heine and beams.]

What a surprise! A happy one, I mean. What brings you over?

[ Wow. That is... quite a look. ]

Hi. I don't know if you all do Christmas or whatever [ the rosemary tree is fairly holiday-specific ], but poinsettias mean celebration. Of any kind.

[ He offers both pots. ]

Nice sweater.

It's awful, isn't it?

[he says this so happily, because that was the point. the most hideous sweater he ever managed to find, a hand-me-down through a friend who could not understand why he was so pumped to wear it.]

But...this is really nice of you. Thanks, seriously.

[taking the poinsettias first, he gives them to the person behind the desk, and then he takes the rosemary.]

Just what we needed over here. Knew something was missing, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

[ He hands both plants over before asking, ] If it's awful, why are you wearing it?

First off, it's soft. Secondly, if it's going to be bad, it might as well be really bad. So bad it becomes great by the level of how bad it is.

[two essential qualities in winter wear.]

I'm not sure 'great' is a word for it.

[ He can't stop looking at it, there are so many clashing colors. ]

So what are your plans for the holidays?

Not much. I planned to invite a few people over, have a sort of holiday dinner before the real holidays.

You're invited, you know.

[ Oh. (Other people will be involved, so it's not a date. Just meeting some new people. It'll be fine.) Heine nods slowly. ]

Should I bring anything?

Food or drink if you really want to bring something. The most important thing is just to show up.

[because the whole point was to gather everyone before they scattered to families and other obligations. he already knows some of the others are going to cook, so it's all up to Heine's own decisions.]

Okay. When?

[ It might be nice to talk to Fee's coworkers. He's seen all of them once or twice by now, but hasn't spoken to them beyond a few words yet.

(Voluntarily engaging in social interaction. Nill would be so proud.) ]

Does the 18th or the 20th work better for you? I'm trying to pick what day works better for more people.

Either is fine if it's in the evening. [ He doesn't have any plans to travel. ]

I'll let you know what's finalized, then. The evening's a given, so don't worry.

[and true to his word, Fee will send a text later to let him know it's the 20th, at 6:00, along with the address to his place. also a happy face emoji.]

[ Heine replies with a confirmation. On the day of, he arrives a little after six with another pot of poinsettias and a pre-made Yule log cake, because baking something that includes multiple parts to assemble is beyond him. ]

Hi. [ He almost manages a smile. ] Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

[opening the door wide, Fee gestures for him to come in - it's much warmer inside than out.]

Is that for us? It looks great! Oh, and just follow me - we can put it down in the kitchen.

Yeah. [ Heine trails Fee inside, looking around casually on their way to the kitchen. He puts the cake down in a space on the countertop, then offers the flowers. ]

These are... for your place. I don't know where you want them.

[Fee's place is small, as would be expected of a person living alone, but it's cozy. aside from the Christmas decorations which appear to be slapped on in different places (why is Santa on the wall? just because) a lot of Fee's furniture is the sort salvaged from thrift stores in a mishmash, none of the chairs matching, coats hung up by the door. someone's got an album playing. one of the other artists, Mia, has taken up a spot on the couch and gives Heine a nod. she's a little gruff, if dedicated.

it's not so much that Fee's organized as he knows where everything is, and moves accordingly. some of the other food that's been brought is still wrapped in plastic wrap, but there's space enough for the cake. and when he takes the flowers, he looks genuinely surprised for a minute, taking the pot in his arms.]

...Now I'll have to ask advice on how to make sure they're happy.

[he's touched, he's just not wanting to make too huge of a fuss out of it and embarrass Heine. for now, he'll carry them out of the kitchen, glancing around before setting them next to the stereo. there. that'll do until everyone leaves.]

Do you want something to drink or anything? Usually I just say "help yourself" but since you haven't been over before....

These aren't hard to take care of.

[ Hopefully that's reassuring. Looking around the kitchen, Heine considers for a moment before replying. ]

Uh, whatever you have's okay.

[ He's not picky about what he drinks. It'll probably help him go and socialize with strangers, at least some. ]

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