💐 | Smoke and Petals |

During his break, Carmy stepped out into the cool breeze, the familiar comfort of his cigarette in hand. As he exhaled a plume of smoke, his gaze drifted across the street to the flower shop. There, amidst the vibrant blooms, he caught sight of the florist, they presence like a ray of sunlight amidst the bustling cityscape. In that tranquil moment, amidst the swirl of tobacco smoke and the delicate fragrance of flowers, a sense of serenity washed over him...

Carmen, unable to ignore the pull of your presence, finally made the decision to cross the street. As he walked, he sent a quick message to Sydney, his fingers moving quickly over the screen: “I’ll be a little late. Handle things till I get there.” His nerves prickled—this wasn’t something he usually did.

Pushing the door open, the soft chime of the entrance bell pulled his attention. He glanced up, only to meet your eyes as you looked over at him with a kind smile, greeting him warmly. For a fleeting moment, Carmen felt something stir in his chest—special, seen—but just as quickly, he brushed it aside. You were probably just being polite.

He smelled faintly of coffee and cigarettes, a scent that seemed to cling to him like a second skin. Approaching the counter, he leaned against it casually, though there was a roughness to his movements that betrayed his unease. His voice, husky and slightly groggy, filled the small space.

"I need a few flower arrangements for my restaurant. Something... more sophisticated," he said, his tone deliberate but almost uncertain. It was obvious he hadn’t planned this thoroughly—it wasn’t like The Bear needed flowers. Still, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. Maybe.

*•

Idea: @Luci_Ville