West and Killian were stuck working the night shift on Friday night. They were arranging bouquets of different flowers to put on display at the front of the store, and were also fixing up a couple of orders from the townspeople.
"You've improved."
"Thanks. That word document you compiled while you were ignoring me really helped."
"Uh... yeah. That was stupid of me."
"Relax." Killian said as he playfully punched West's arm. "I'm just yanking your chain."
"I know."
West took off his gloves and turned to face Killian. "Hey, uh, just out of curiosity... What are your favorite flowers?"
"It's a bit too early for wedding planning, don't you think? I mean, we haven't even gone on our first date yet." Killian teased.
"Is that a joke? I'm not good with jokes."
Killian smirked, then tied the final bow on some roses, and without looking up from them, replied, "Forget-me-nots."
West raised an eyebrow at Killian's answer, who acted like he didn't notice West burning holes onto his side.
He had always felt that flowers were a representation of one's feelings, that if you were to get flowers for someone, it was important for you to know what they meant. And not get the flowers just because they were aesthetically pleasing. Forget-me-nots didn't have a very... subtle meaning. Even the name spoke for itself. But he didn't want to question Killian about it. He was scared he might confirm his suspicions. So he played it cool.
"That's nice."
"Yeah. And yours are Carnations."
West nodded, "Amongst others."
Killian noticed that West was shifting around uncomfortably, so he decided to change the subject. He'd been wanting to ask him something, anyway.
"How do you know Steven?"
"It's a small town."
"Tell me."
"We went to school together."
Killian unblinkingly stared at West.
West met his unrelenting gaze and groaned. Killian was the persistent type and if he didn't say anything, they'd end up having a 4 hour staring competition... one that Killian was going to win.
"He forced himself on me in 6th grade, but--"
"WHAT?"
"Wait, no. That came out wrong. Well, not really-- He did hold me down, but he didn't--"
Killian's face flushed, he looked just about ready to drill a hole through Steven's skull. "Did he fucking hurt you?"
"He kissed me, but for like 5 seconds before my dad--"
West swallowed a knot in his throat. He hated thinking about that day.
"Your dad what?"
"My dad threw him out." He tore his eyes from Killian's then looked at the tiled floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
What is up with this town and secrets?
"West, I don't mean to be rude or nosy but... Is your dad the person who's been hurting you? Is he the one that asked for forgiveness?"
West paled, He should've known his injuries would never get past Killian. That observant son of a bitch. Most people just assumed he was part of underground wrestling, or that he fought drug dealers as a hobby. No one would ever think that Paul was the one inflicting them. A rumor once got out that Paul was abusive, though. But it only kept people talking for a few days before they got back to assuming the worst about West.
He wouldn't deny that Killian was nosy, but on top of that he was caring and loving and trusting. He trusted Killian.
"Yes." He admitted after a long pause. "But he wasn't always like that. He's been battling with alcohol addiction since I was 8. He'd never lain a hand on me until that day, though."
-
He and Steven had been partnered up for a science project in middle school. He had invited him to his house so they could get started with it.
West had already began questioning his sexuality when he was about 11, and he made the mistake of confiding in Steven about it, who was out of the closet at the time.
"How did you realize you were gay?"
Steven's eyes darkened and his mouth set in a hard line. "Doesn't matter. I just knew."
"Oh."
"How did you?"
West thought about how his heart skipped a beat when he first saw Steven. He stood out from everyone 'cause he was the tallest in their grade, and the most handsome. Pretty much everyone had some sort of crush on him. He had panicked when he realized that he too, had a crush.
"I'm not sure if I'm gay." West blushed. "I like girls too."
"I know how you could be sure." Steven grabbed West's hand and they headed up the rickety stairs.
"Which one's your room?"
"What? Why?"
Steven rolled his eyes and opened the first door he came across, which unfortunately, was West's room. He threw West on the bed then straddled him.
"What are you doing?"
"You'll like this."
He started running his tongue along West's throat, sucking at the sensitive skin. He felt uncomfortable. He didn't like how wet everything felt. He'd never had anyone do this to him. Let alone hug or kiss him. He wasn't that young. He knew what sex was, but he didn't want it at that moment. Even if it was with his crush.
"Steven, stop."
Steven ignored him and tore West's arms from his sides and pinned them up over his head. For a 13 year old, he seemed very experienced. Before West could say another word, Steven had captured his lips in a rough kiss that involved a lot of tongue, but one that only lasted a few seconds before he was grabbed by the back of his shirt and thrown across the room.
"Get the hell out." Paul sneered, his voice raised a couple of octaves.
West felt instant relief at the sound of his dad's voice. Even though he seemed angry, He was glad that his dad could stop whatever it was that was about to happen.
Steven scrambled from the floor and was out of the house in record time.
West got up from his bed and put his arms around Paul, whose face was contorted. "Thank God. I think he was about to--"
He didn't get to finish his sentence because Paul shoved him so hard that he fell on his back. "Dad--"
"Shut up."
He grabbed a fistful of West's hair and made him stand up. "I will not tolerate that type of behavior in my house."
"Dad, I swear I wasn't--"
"I don't want to hear it."
Paul shoved him once again.
West lay limp on the floor, sobbing. Why was his dad doing this? Why wouldn't he hear him out? He didn't want to be touched by Steven. He knew that.
"I won't have a faggot for a son." Paul spat in a low voice, before leaving the house to purchase more of his trusty feel-good beverage.
-
"It went downhill from there. The beatings just got worse and worse over time until..."
"God, West...So, your dad still doesn't know what happened that day?"
"What difference will it make? And it was you who told me to forgive and forget. That's what I'm doing. Forgiving my father, and forgetting Steven."
He had had plenty of encounters with Steven after that. When he wasn't trying to get into West's pants, he was beating on him. The bullying suddenly stopped when they all got to high school, though. West assumed he found a new punching bag or someone to satisfy his sexual urges. Teenagers were a bunch of horny little shits, but Steven had always seemed a bit abnormal.
"You can't just forget this. It's a huge deal. I didn't think Steven could be so abominable. I think you need to tell your dad what happened."
"No need. I honestly just want to move on from everything and..." West sighed deeply, "He's trying. If he were to find out what actually went on that day, he'll never be able to forgive himself. He's too weak emotionally. I don't want him to go back to his self destructive behaviors."
Killian rubbed the heel of his palm against his chest, as if to ease the pain he felt in his heart. "I hate that you've suffered so much. How in the world did I not see Steven for who he really was? And your dad... Fuck."
"Steven... he's...got his own problems. He's in pain."
West knew this because he could see it in his eyes. The Eyes Never Lied.
Steven was broken. His eyes screamed for help, but no one ever stopped to take a second look at them. If they did, all they saw was big, beautiful brown orbs that turned a golden color when the sun shown on his face. And even now, West could still recognize the pain. Even more so now that his own eyes, carried more or less, the same pain.
"He probably deserves it."
"You can't say that."
Killian scoffed, "He does. He hurt me in the most unimaginable way possible. And after hearing what he did to you... I can't. He deserves every shitty thing that life throws at him."
"Killian--"
He silenced West by putting his index finger on his lips. He let it linger once he felt how soft they were. He removed it when West started to look at him in a weird way, though. "Come with me."
He pulled West out the backdoor and towards Shirley's greenhouse. She only grew the rarest of flowers in that greenhouse. Or ones that were most special to her. West scowled when he saw Killian retrieve some keys from his back pocket.
"How the fuck do you have a key to the greenhouse? I've been working here for almost two years and I've never gotten a key."
Killian shrugged, "She gave it to me when she hired me. Guess she couldn't resist my charms-- unlike someone I know."
"You're full of yourself, you know that?"
"Maybe one day, I could be full of you." Killian chaffed as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Jesus Christ."
"You set yourself up for that one, dude."
"Truly." West agreed.
Killian pushed the door open. When they entered, they were immediately assaulted by the sweet fragrances of fresh spring flowers.
He moved to the far end of the greenhouse and picked up a potted plant. West watched him curiously, wondering what he was up to now.
He handed West the potted plant with a huge grin on his face.
"Eglantine Roses?"
Killian nodded, "I wound to heal."
So he does know the different meanings, after all.
West felt butterflies in his stomach. This was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for him. To him, it was the little things that counted. Before he could express his gratitude, Killian grabbed his face and laid a gentle kiss on his cheek.
West was stunned for a few seconds, he brought his hand to the area that Killian kissed and caressed it with his fingers. It felt nice. He wasn't used to such things. His ex girlfriend, Ophelia, had never been one for romance. She had never kissed him on the cheek. Or held his hand. The only time they touched was when they were fucking. Granted, West hated any form of touch, so he didn't really mind when she never kissed or cuddled him. It would've made him uncomfortable, anyway.
He quickly pushed those thoughts out of his head and focused on Killian. His touch didn't make him uncomfortable. He cared, he didn't think he was a weirdo. He loved hanging out with him. He did these amazing little things like giving him his shirt to use as a sling, and now, flowers.
"Thank you."
Killian was about to respond when his phone rang. He scowled and muttered something under his breath that sounded like 'vibe kill', then answered without checking who the caller was.
"Yello? ... Yeah... WHAT?... Are you fucking serious?... Fucking---Harper? HARPER?"
He threw the phone on a wooden bench and closed his eyes, rubbing at his temples for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes, West was staring at him with a concerned expression. A silent question hanging in the air.
"Harper's been arrested."
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