"Good morning!"

Hisui glanced up as she set the heavy bucket of flowers down on the sidewalk. Mira was leaning out of the door across the little down town street, waving. "Late again, Hisui?"

"Shouldn't you be making coffee or something?" Hisui teased.

"Hmm… Guess I should be back inside. I left the counter to Lucy. Talk to you on lunch break! Hope you have a lovely day!" Hisui smiled a little, turning back into her shop to grab another bucket of clippings to display outside—bright yellow roses. They were just opening up and they smelled wonderful. She turned the corner of her shop's door too face and nearly crashed right into someone. She gasped out an apology, before stumbling backwards and tripping over a pot of gloxinia, crashing straight to the ground—the bucket in her hands spilling all over her.

"S-so—" But the moment she looked up she lost her voice. He's… very tall… She felt her cheeks flush as she stared into deep golden orange eyes, which were blinking in surprise.

The blond stranger frowned, "Are you alright?" She nodded slowly, trying to ignore his broad shoulders and chest. What is wrong with me?! He held out a hand, and she took it, he gently pulled her to her feet. He then leaned over to gather up the yellow roses, righting the pot of gloxinia, and fixing her upset bucket. "Sorry… I wasn't watching where I was going." He lifted the bucket with one hand and gently handed it to her. She wrapped both her arms around it, still unable to take her eyes off him. She had just noticed he was a police officer—in uniform. Stop staring at him!

She quickly looked away, cheeks hot. "No, it's alright. I accidentally spill water all the time." She laughed a little, "Perks of being a florist, I guess." She leaned over to collect the last of the roses and drop them back in the bucket, inspecting them to make sure nothing was too damaged. "You're a police officer," she said, glancing up at him.

"Detective," he nodded.

"You're probably busy—I'll let you go!" She offered him a bright smile. I hope I don't look too awkward. She was pretty wet from all the water, and her heart was beating like she was panicked.

"So sorry about your flowers," he said again.

"It's fine! I hope you have a lovely day at work!" He nodded once and was off, moving down the sidewalk towards where Hisui knew the police station was. Hisui let out a sigh, turning to set the bucket of flowers where she wanted. She would refill the bucket with water once she had all the buckets out. She turned to look down the street once more, to where the Detective had disappeared.

She glanced across the street at where Mirajane's café was. Mira was at the window, nose pressed up against the glass, blue eyes wide. She made a gesture with her hand, mimicking a phone call. No, I didn't get his number. Hisui shook her head. Her friend's shoulders dropped and she rolled her eyes before disappearing further into the shop.

Only moments later, Hisui could hear the shop phone ringing. She spun around, rushing to the door, and around the counter inside to answer it. "Crown and Keys Flower Shop. How many I—"

"'Sui, it's me."

"Mira! This is my work phone!"

"You wouldn't have answered otherwise!" Mira's voice was almost sing-songy. She was giggling.

"You're right," Hisui groaned, "I'm supposed to be putting flowers out—"

"No, don't move!" Mira gasped, "I want to know what you and mysterious stranger talked about. Lucy wants to know too."

"Relax," Hisui groaned, playing with the wire of the phone, "He just apologized for bumping into me—that's all." She could hear Mira relaying the info to Lucy.

"Did you at least get his number?"

"What?! No!"

"Aw, Hisui, why not?!" Mira gasped.

"How weird would that be?" Hisui laughed. "'Oh so sorry for bumping into you.' 'That's okay, can I have your number?"

"Yes, exactly like that," Mira giggled.

"I've got to go finish putting the flowers out, Mira," Hisui sighed.

"No, Hisui, wait! I know—"

She hung up with a roll of her eyes. Mira, always teasing her about boys. She had never really been too interested in starting a relationship. Some guys came into the shop sometime—to flirt with her. Mira scared the bad ones away. But this one… The way his hand felt in hers, his eyes. It's nothing, stop! You'll never see him again anyways.

Mira put on her brightest smile, leaning over the counter and tapping the order into the register. "Alright, you're all set! Have a lovely day!"

The door of the shop swung open, little bell ringing. "Oh!" Lucy whispered from where she was leaning against the back counter. "It's him." Mira glanced up to meet gold eyes, blond hair, police uniform… The officer from yesterday morning—the one Hisui had talked to. He was taller in person, stronger. His jaw set.

"Good morning!" Mira beamed. He nodded. "What can I get you?" He ordered black coffee and paused, cheeks almost imperceptibly flushing upon ordering two pastries. But Mira saw it. She rang up the order and then leaned over the counter a little, teasingly.

"Two pastries, huh? You have a friend?"

"Uh…" His cheeks flushed a deeper shade and he glanced away. "Actually, it's for the girl in the shop across the street."

"Oh?" Mira purred.

"I just wanted… to apologize for bumping into her the other day."

"Well!" Mirajane smiled, "I'll give you a tip. Hisui really likes hot chocolate."

The police officer's lips pulled up into a smile. "Her name's… Hisui…"

Stop thinking about it! She wanted to pull out her hair. She had been trying to work on an arrangement that morning for delivery, but she couldn't get him out of her mind. She found herself mixing too much orange in with the purple hyacinth. Those eyes. She bit her lip. You'll never see him again, Hisui!

The door of her shop swung open and the little bells rang. Hisui glanced up, plastering on a bright smile, "Welc…" but the greeting died in her throat.

"Hey…"

It's him. She glanced from his police cap down to his shiny shoes. Him. Golden orange eyes met hers. "Hi…!" She breathed. "Can I help you? I mean…" She shook her head, "Is there something you're looking for?"

"I just came by because I still feel bad about yesterday," He laughed a little and then raised both his hands to reveal two little paper baggies and two disposable coffee cups. "I got you something from across the street. You know… has a peace offering?"

"Peace offering?" She laughed a little. "We were never at war. But I accept. Mira probably directed you to the hot chocolate, huh? And I can't say no to that."

He laughed, moving up to the counter and gently setting the cup and baggie down in front of her. "Here. I'm sorry about yesterday… Hisui."

Blood rushed to her cheeks at the sound of her name from his lips. Mira told him! That demon! She's doing this to torture me. "Seems I'm at a disadvantaged," Hisui laughed, tapping her chin. "You have my name, but I don't have yours."

"Detective Dreyar," He said, tipping his hat and winking.

Hisui let out a laugh. "Is Detective your first name? Or should I call you 'Dreyar'?"

She was probably imagining things but she thought for sure she saw his cheeks flush. "Laxus. My name is Laxus."

Laxus. Laxus Dreyar. She took a sip of her hot chocolate and practically melted. Mira's hot chocolate… so sweet and warm… She glanced back up at him with a wide smile. "Thank you for the hot chocolate, Laxus."

He let out a breath and offered her a casual salute. "I'll see you around, Hisui."

I hope so. She offered him a soft smile. "Don't be a stranger."

The bell on the doorknob jangled once more, and the click of the door followed after him as he slipped away. Okay that was just dumb luck. Now you'll never see him again. She gently fixed the purple hyacinth in front of her, and her eye caught on the pot of gloxinia just outside. Probably.