Backdated to February 14th
Valentine's Day.
In America, a time of sucking face and obnoxious public displays of 'affection'.
In Finland, a time where you celebrate and cherish the bonds of friendship.
Naturally, Lauri would spend the day holed up in his lairwarehouse playing video games in his underwear and ignoring the day as he had for almost every year since he'd hit puberty. Not because he didn't care to show the few in his life that he might have considered friends that they meant something, but because this was America. He was not going to play romance games when he was aromantic and people were stupid, asinine, and made him want to hit them in the head with the nearest hard object.
Or just tear out their starseeds, since he could do that now.
When the chime for the door sounded, the Finn paused his game and grumbled at the unexpected interruption - he wasn't expecting anything delivered, had no 'guests' invited to disturb his gaming. Lauri didn't even know where Yuuri currently was, whether it was in his room, doing laundry, at school, or just out running errands.
At the door, a most fragrant delivery from Padma's Bouquet awaited. Bemused but also suspicious, Lauri accepted - ignoring the gawking at his state of undress - and brought the blooms inside, setting them on the cold marble countertop in the kitchen. Two arrangements, two notes. He didn't even have to look at the notes to discern that one is meant for Yuuri, it was painfully obvious in the sunset hues chosen for the flowers, the care shown there. The whites and yellows of the second are for him. Lemons. Of course.
Lauri picked up the note, reading over it with narrowed eyes until comprehension dawned. Faustite. He set it down and fetched a beer from the fridge, taking a drink to hide his discomfiture at having been given ******** flowers. As an apology. As thanks. As...whatever else.
On Valentine's day.
That little s**t could not have picked a more perfectly shaped barb to distress his Finnish soul.
When half the beer was gone Lauri picked the discarded note up once more, re-reading the first line with a smug satisfaction that made the low-key flush on his cheeks seem less important. Good. He needs to take responsibility for something, even if it's just a plant. The rest of the note was less digestible, more uncomfortable for all it's varied intent. Lauri worked far better with 'cold metal and gear' than with Faustite's 'and more'.
A promise? A threat? The Finn folded the note and carried his flowers and beer over to the low coffee table where he did most of his consulting. The blooms could sit there and wilt. His clients would enjoy the bright splash of colour and heady fragrance for as long as it lasted.
Lauri would simply stop grumbling about having to add Eion's favorite posh tea to his grocery list.
Decisions made, Lauri checked if the house mouse were actually in residence or not. There was another delivery waiting, after all.
Word Count: 521
