When the flowers blossom - Jera oneshot

Disclaimer: mentions of blood, death tread carefully

Basically angst

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The flowers blossomed into their true colors in the springtime each having their unique look and color and stood out vibrantly. Eye Catching to customers whenever entering a shop. A certain ravanette detested it already. There was an itch in his nose and he helped the tissue towards his nose sneezing into it. Brushing the tissue and putting it in his pocket. Spring. Ugh. He much rather preferred to help his dad in the tattoo shop. At least nothing could trigger his allergies there. The moment he had stepped into the shop he was met with his eyes tearing up and constantly sneezing while waiting for Seraphina.

“Good, you’re here” A figure entered the room all dressed up with a white blouse halfway tucked into her jeans, her light green light lights standing in her magenta hair, certainly just as unique. If anything she was beyond a flower in this shop for him. But right now he was currently annoyed with it. When she handed over purple gloves to John when she closed the distance between them planting a kiss on his cheek after

He clenched his jaw offering a huff when Seraphina pulled away “I didn’t consent-” he had to stop taking a large breath after feeling something tickle his nose again he bring his arm up to a loud sneeze that echoed in the flower shop “I didn’t consent to get dragged over here to sneeze for hours” he snapped with a small dirty look there was a vein appearing on his forehead.

“Remi, Blyke, and Elaine are working on a project.” the female answered turning around to pick up the watering can “Arlo and Cecile are trash at work in the flower shop. For someone so studious it was quite annoying to guide them through every step and break a few flowers in the process.” Before the ravenette could interject to protest she spoke again now moving on to the next flower “Roland, and Evie are out on a school competition so they’re out of state. Terrance ran away from me before I could ask anything.`` The pot is placed down She would finally turn to face him frowning, knowing where she was getting at. He could never really win against Seraphina in arguments “You’re the only one I know who can garden and even design to make it look good And,” she paused and proceeded to smirk and get just close enough for their lips to be inches apart. John steps back and to his dismay pink tinted cheeks “we get to work together alone for the whole day.”

Still as flushed as he was, John still mustered his strength to shale himself off of Seraphina's tease. shoot back a frown at the sly girl “Fine.” he grumbled under his breath “If my dad finds out-”

“He won’t find out.” Seraphina waved her hand dismissively attempting to alleviate any doubts ravenette. she proceeded to arrange the flowers in a better light “ He thinks we’re doing homework.” she had said it so nonchalantly he had nearly let the comment go until he replied that she turned “John you should get to work.”

Another growl in response as he begrudgingly puts his gloves on, he embedded his glare behind her back, to which to his further annoyance she ignored him before finally helping out the female with flowers, taking the other can available and starting on the other end of the aisle.

In any other universe, he would’ve liked this and maybe even found it relaxing. Hell, he was working with Seraphina too. If not for the damn allergies kicking in almost every flower he tried to water the soil. It either left him in fits of sneezing or his eyes would start to water right after. God he was even starting to sweat when it happened. Still, even when it was at a slow pace he kept on watering the flowers sniffling here and there.

Seraphina looked over while this happened. She pitied the male now seeing him sneeze so often. Her eyes flickered over to the counter almost as if in thought before finally speaking “I’ll just take care of the rest of the flowers. Just get ready upfront.” Sera started as she lightly pushed him from behind towards the direction of the counter.

He offered a small frown as he was about to protest once again until he put out his elbow for a muffled sneeze to be heard. And to be followed by a series of sneezes only proving her silent point further. Sera quirked her eyebrow up as if silently telling him ‘see’ With a small grunt he turned to work upfront. In the past, he was used to watching Sera, or Leilah run the front counter. They always welcomed their customers with a warm smile whenever they came in. It helped that working with the tattoo shop he learned to run the front counter as well while his dad worked on deg and drawing the tattoos.

As much as John disliked this, their silent moments working in the shop felt almost tranquil in a way with the only noises being water being poured out the watering can. Or pots being placed in different places of the story. When the male spotted a customer headed into the store. John tried to match the welcoming smile. It was a little awkward but it did the job. As John started to talk with the customers Seraphina who is in the background arranging the flower gives him a reassuring smile. And his heart flutters and with that, it was enough for him to keep on.

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[am I skipping because I have no idea how to write the middle parts- yes]

The sky was soon starting to turn glow to a light orange pinkish color. As the last glow of the fading sunlight started to set into the store, illuminating the store in an orange-like color. Almost mearing closing time both Sera and John were cleaning up the last of the store. The only sounds heard were footsteps and the occasional shuffling of pots of other plants being moved around. John set down the last of the flowers onto the other side of the store, a big sigh leaving the exhausted male while he took a look around realizing they were practically done cleaning everything up. Seraphina was starting to remove her gloves so John mimicked her doing the same. The male was the first one to go for the trash, tossing the gloves in until he heard footsteps nearing him.

Closing the trash can he stills as he feels something stick-like graze the side of his head as it slips between the ring of his ears. At first, John thought it was some sort of joke that Sera was starting to play on him again. Already preparing a bunch of insults in his head as he lifted a hand to feel for what she put but froze as his fingers touched something soft and leathery. Slowly, he realizes it’s a flower so he starts to pull the flower out to get a better look at it. After pulling it out he’s met with a white flower

Seraphina who still lingered behind him let out a click in her tongue as she reached out from behind. It was exceptionally hard for her. Not only did it take her a massive amount of effort to even reach it high enough to slip it in, but she also had to move to his side, their skin touching for a fraction of a second just as she’s reaching for the flower. “Now I have to put it back on again,” she murmured under their breath, sending chills down the ravenette’s spine. This time she even gives a gentle push to tell him to turn forward.

Wordlessly he complies, still entranced by the sudden gentleness coming from Seraphina. As he faces forward she uses her fingers to tuck tufts of his black locks behind his hair. Her eyes are laser-focused on the task at hand as she slips it gently in his ear again. Her hand slides down his cheek and it stops lingering there. Her eyes break off the hair traveling to meet John's eyes both gazing into each other again. Only silence in the entire store but to them, their actions seemed like it was yelling.

“I look stupid don’t I?” he started half-joking with that infamous grin of his as he pointed at the flower. Despite his joke John, however, refused to even consider pulling it out.

That earned a chuckle from the other “Not at all.” Sera responded with a light smile “it just looks absolutely adorable on you.”

John gave a dramatic gasp putting their hand to his chest as if she had just offended him “I am NOT adorable.”

The other only offered a scoff, crossing her arms and lifting an eyebrow “Says the idiot with the flower on his head” she replied with a smirk. He frowned at his only reply. Well, at least, until his eyes fell on a blue and white striped vase holding a batch of white carnations. That’s when the idea popped into his head. Glancing back at Sera still giving him that infamous cocky smile of hers. That only fueled his desire to wipe that off her face.

Slow like a wolf on the hunt of its prey he would make his approach to close the distance between him and sera. Seraphina in the sudden act of him getting close started to back away. The way he looked at her felt as if he was some sort of wolf looking at his prey and finding the cracks in its weaknesses “John.” She started still backing away. The ravenette doesn't stop or even acknowledges it and slowly keeps the same consistent pace forward as if he had suddenly turned into some zombie.

The other just kept backing away until she hit what she assumed was the table.

With nowhere to go John easily closes the distance until they are now only inches away from his large frame now in front of her. Leaving the magenta-haired girl to look up through his wolf-like look disappears when he starts to lean in. All she could do was stiffen bracing for their lips to meet. To be fair she wouldn’t mind as he closed her eyes. Yet she felt nothing but she felt the larger frame leaning against her but not kissing her. Curiosity getting the best of her, her eyes fly open only to be met with the side of his neck as he pulls away. She had no idea what he just did or what he was planning; she knitted her brows into a frown.

In his hand, there was a white carnation fully bloomed. Identical to the flower she decided to put in his hair earlier before she can even react; he's already putting the flower in her hair. His movements slow parting her hair with gentle fingers repeating the process as he slips it in her hair, his moments just as fluid as Seraphina's. Whatever she was going to react with, Sera stopped, savoring the moments when their skin makes brief . Finally, he pulls his arm away letting it fall to his side as his mouth curls into a smile of triumph "I guess you're an idiot now too” he grinned widely at her.

Sera would've to smack John or hauled out some sort of insult in retaliation in another situation. What made this different was that she was exhausted. At least it's what she told herself. In reality, John had taken the breath out of her lungs. Instead, there was a deep chuckle as she leaned into the frame of the other "I guess I am." she simply replied letting herself relax as arms were wrapped around her from the ravenette.

Who cared what time it was they both could have stayed in each other's arms for hours savoring their warmth. The sound of a ring tone however cut off whatever moment they were having as the female pushed herself off of the other. John, who like Seraphina, had been entranced at the moment felt the disappointing loss of warmth now replaced with a cold emptiness making him curse that stupid phone for ruining the moment

"Hello" she answered and there was a brief pause from the other person on the other end talking. "Yeah, just closed up." another brief pause "Alright. Bye. Love you" with that she ended the call and she turned to John “I have to go.” she had sounded disappointed. And rightfully so, “ You should go home.” she gave one last kiss to the ravenette’s cheek “ I’ll close up shop.” Seraphina’s hand slid softly over the other’s skin inching towards the flower.

A hand came up to stop Sera’s “Don’t” he said softly still having his hand wrapped around her. Sera offered no reply but her hand retracted falling back to her side turning away from John “Bye John.”

“Bye.”  He gave a small wave looking back at the woman one last time. She was over at the counter still tending to the last of the flowers. The sunset made it seem as if she was some sort of mystical being out of a storybook or a dream. Slowly he closed the door behind him, stepping out of the store letting the door close from behind him. He slowly covered his head with the hood of his jacket. No matter the situation it would’ve been embarrassing to see him with a flower tucked into his hair.

The air was beginning to turn to cold crisp as he walked back home. The ravenette was so happy about the time he spent with Seraphina. Though he hoped for a next time to be able to hang out the way they did. These thoughts went on for a couple of minutes When he turned a corner he would collide with another figure coming from the opposite way. He stumped back a little bit but caught his balance right before he fell. There was annoyance starting to boil just before he could get out some snarky comment and his eyes widened. He could feel panic and horror would flood his stomach as it sank seeing who it was. The color on his face vanished when he realized the figure he had bumped into and was staring at was his dad. The quick change from surprise and shock to scowl on his face and the aura of anger that was bubbling told him enough.

“Young man. You are in a hell of trouble.” before he could even explain his dad held up the phone “Have you been checking your phone?! Did you know you have 20 messages from me?” he was practically screaming at him at this point “Where have you been I’ve been calling Seraphina’s house but they-” he stopped mid-sentence when John interfered

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to I was with Sera-"

There was a crash. It was in the distance but it was enough to get the attention of both John and Willam both lifting their heads towards the direction of the sound. Other people near them turned towards the sound. Thick grey smoke was slowly rising into the air. John squinted trying to get a location where it came from.

But it was only then when the male pieced where the smoke was coming from. He could feel his heart dropping in his stomach. Their world seems to slow down or freeze while staring at the smoke. His eyes widened in horror as the first thought came to mind.

"Sera." He whispered, breaking off into a sprint, the hoodie falling off his head. His father called to him from behind but all noise seemed unavailable. The only thing he could hear was his thoughts. It was a cacophony of roars. All of them saying different things but all of them meant the same thing

Go to her

His lungs wanted to collapse from how far and fast he was pushing himself; he felt like he was suffocating. His legs pumped faster than they have in his entire life it felt like they were on fire and his body pleaded to stop but he kept on. The only thing driving him was to see her. He had to be sure he was okay. She had to. John prayed that when he turned the corner the shop would still be there but when his eyes lifted to the smoke as he got closer he could feel his faith in it slowly start to chip away realizing the reality.

No, it can’t be

When he finally arrived at the scene he almost couldn't believe it. The flower shop, now destroyed. Though not as much as the car, where the smoke was emitting from. Dust and rubble now covered the road along with flames on the car burning bright. Petals from the shop are now scattered, someone tinted with smoke from the crash. While other people looked on with the same horror, the real horror of it was when his eyes traveled to a body on the pavement while a pool of blood kept growing with the same carnation flower now stained with red laying in the pool of blood next to her, their tips now black from the fire. It was only then that John truly felt his heart stopped processing it all.

The girl on the ground, none other than Seraphina. Whom he just left not even ten minutes ago. All he could do was stare at the body. In shock, disbelief, and overwhelming sadness that overcame him like a tidal wave. It tightens something in his chest and suddenly he couldn't even say anything. All he could do was walk just a few feet near the female. His hand reaches for the side of her neck, everything in him hoping for a beat. But he feels nothing, just the warm blood, and her soft flesh.  His knees hit the cold pavement and hot tears fell from his face. The flower gently falls to the floor while he faces the ground now unable to look at the scene. Even as he couldn't he could see the image now in his head forever embedded. No words. Not even a scream could come out. Only choked sobs came out ignoring the cries in the distance of the people witnessing the horrifying scene. He ignored the distant sirens on their way towards the crash. The pool of blood now stains his pants. And when people are putting their hands on his shoulders trying to pull him away from it.

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It was painfully nostalgic to be back at the flower shop. After all this time it just hurt how everything was still positioned in the same way. The batches of roses and the seeds were still in the same sections when he looked inside. At this hour she should be here arranging the flowers. Him walking in as she shot him with some snarky comment. Or maybe she could be out in the world doing whatever she wanted. Either way, she was still gone and the flower shop felt less lively without its most precious flower, not present. Even with the flower shop being rebuilt to its former glory after all these years as rubble it provided no sense of closure. Even those everso eye-catching catching colors looked less lively, and seemingly more duller. Just the painful reminder of what wasn't there anymore. What it, he, lost.

He knew there was nothing he could’ve done to prevent it.

It didn’t stop the overwhelming  pain and guilt that threatened to swallow him whole when he thought about it. Taking a deep breath John put his hand on the silver knob turning it and going inside. The bell rings as he does it and gets the attention of Leilah and Doc, who took over after rebuilding the store years later. When John gets a look at the purple haired girl something in his chest tightens when he spots her, with no purple dye, a cruel reminder. John swallows despite it and smiles at them. Who also returns the smile back. Even Doc who typically doesn't smile as much does but his smile was more sad. As if he knew.

“Looking for something John?” A deep soft voice asks him. Doc stares his eyes boring into him

John plasters a smile “Just visiting the old shop I haven’t seen since it opened a year ago. It looks just as identical to how it was before…” his voice fades and his smile almost breaks.

Doc seemingly senses the unease and pats his shoulder “I know Johnwe all miss her. This flower shop doesn’t feel quite the same since she ed.”

“It’s not.” John itted his eyes traveling to the ground unable to meet the other male’s eyes.

They’re both silent Leilah glances but she goes back to working with the customers, knowing not to bother their conversation. This goes on for what seems like forever. It was surprising how Doc could be so patient with him. Nevertheless John lifts his head to the Doc

“Doc,” John hesitates but when the blue haired male turned his attention to him he mustered his courage to keep going “Can I ask you for a favor?”

He can’t refuse. Doc’s eyes soften to a more sympathetic look “Sure Kid. What do you need?”

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It was his first time stepping into a sematary. The gravestones with names embedded onto them were scattered onto the terrain symmetrically. All the gravestones all looked the same. Had it not for the help of Doc pointing out in the right direction he would’ve lost his way. He could feel the aura of death looming over him like a dark  cloud in the sky. John focused on the path taking a breath and headed in. His grip tightens around the stem the further he makes his way in.  After a little bit he finally makes it. Near the small church there was a grave sitting next to the walkway. IT was surrounded with beautiful vibrant flowers. From yellow, pink, purple, red all placed on the graves sides that make it aesthetically colorful.

Still grasping the flower in his hand John kneels down towards the grave. With the name Seraphina engraved the quote below it A beloved daughter, student, and sister along with the date. Despite this being public sematary it felt like John was the only thing here. Many words his head. Anything he wanted to say. What John wished he could say if she was still alive. None of them were uttered from his mouth even now. Memories of her are brought up all from that day when they worked together in the shop up to her moments where he had seen her corpse. Even after all these years John bled, mourning for Sera, some days it felt like he could move on. And other days he just wished he was taken in that crassh, That Somehow he could’ve saved Sera or at least died with her too. An Icy wind blows past the ravenette ruffling his hair and the flower almost flies along with it. Somehow he had thought maybe John could find some closure upon seeing her grave but all he could feel was pain. He couldn’t find the strength in him to let her go. Even after all these years and even now.

He never will.

Even before the rain comes his face is already wet. And the flower has flown away from the grave but is all sogged up.

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19,555 WORDS AAAAAAAAA also Thank you for reading. I made this mostly for a friend so if you do like this let me know or give me another ship I could write about and I'll see ya around peace out! :v:

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