Franny & Faust (Francis/Barclay)

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    Barclay wrinkled his nose. That was insulting to his flower. Sure, it was cheap, but so was tea. He'd put a lot of hard work and love into every plant, even the common ones. "I don't think it's unfair. Tea is cheap. It's a lilac. I work in a local greenhouse and worked hard to grow it." He finally sighed reached down for his wallet and pulled out the only two dollars he had, offering them to the blonde man behind the counter. "This is literally all I got right now, til I get paid. I think it's enough for a croissant. If you won't trade for a tea, can I just get a croissant and some water?"

Barclay was getting paid this week. A florist was coming in to buy out several of his flowers to make wedding bouquets and the like. But until then, he really had no money and was hoping to be able to get a little something to eat. He knew he should probably have just left, but he wanted to talk to this man a little longer. The scotsman watched the other smell them. "Smell nice, don't they? You can keep 'em if you like."

He took another inhale of his cigarette and, without thinking about it, blew smoke at the other. He barely even noticed, putting it back up to his mouth and staring at the other, waiting to get a response on the flower.

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    Barclay was content to just watch the Frenchman move about the shop and talk to customers. He smiled a little to himself. Maybe he'd have to ask the other out sometime. But not today, he was dirty and broke at the moment. He was sure he wouldn't agree to go out with someone who had mud all over his pants. The Scot ran a hand through his hair again, trying to get it out of his face as he watched the other smile all friendly towards the other customers. Yeah, he'd definitely have to visit the bakery again.

    He then watched him take the flowers and crush several of them to make tea. His heart wrenched and Barclay could only watch in horror as the flower he put so much work into got crushed. When the finished tea was set in front of him, sprinkled with Lilacs petals and a purple glazed donut, he could only stare at it. He smiled a little, hurt. "Oh. Thank you. It does smell really nice." He picked up the plate and cup, moving to sit at a table outside so that he didn't get dirt on anything inside. A part of him wondered if every flower he brought in would get crushed into tea or if he brought in something a little nicer, if the other would let it be and not kill it.


    At any rate, he moved outside and sat there, sipping at his tea and eating his donut. Every now and then he looked up and watched the blonde work. He seemed so happy with what he was doing. A part of him wondered if it was just because he was being paid to work here or if he really liked baking. Barclay didn't even notice when he got to the bottom of the cup and his pastry was gone. He got back up, taking off his work boots to set by the door, and walked back in to return the plate. "Thank you for the tea. 's really good." He left the plate there and left to back and tend to his garden.

Barclay leant on the counter a bit, smoothly. He didn't want the other to notice he was watching him. "Just some tea then, thankya." He smiled. He worried for a bit that the new flower would get crushed. Sure it was just one that was leftover from a batch of wedding flowers, but he didn't want to see it get crushed or tossed away into some tea. He made a small prayer in his mind that the plant would stay intact.

When the Frenchman was finished brewing his tea and Barclay smiled a little to himself that the flower didn't get crushed. "You know. I work at the greenhouse just down the road. If you have time, you could come by and look at the flowers. I'm sure that would look really nice around the shop." he offered. He wanted to tell him that he knew of a bunch that would look good in the other's hair, but was too shy to think of that. He thanked him for the tea and took it to a little table inside the store this time. He wanted to stay in where there was a nice smell of pastries. He was so tempted to go buy one, but he stayed in seat.

Barclay casually watched the other move about between the customers. It was odd and could only be described as wisp-like the way he moved so gracefully and stayed so pleasant to everyone in the store, even the mothers who came in with a ton of kids. And those kids always wanted cookies too. Barclay wouldn't like working here, he decided, unless the other was there too. He himself liked the quiet of the plants and the hard work of planting trees.

When he was finally done, he took his cup and saucer back up. "Thank ya for the tea. Do I owe you anything?" and then after a beat "M'names Barclay, by the way. Yours?"

Barclay tried to keep his smile to himself when he saw The frenchman wearing the flower he'd given him. He made a note to himself that he needed to bring more flowers for him. Perhaps he'd bring in a few flowers or carnations for the other. "Well thank ya so much. I'll have to return the favor sometime. I still say you outta come visit the greenhouse. I'll give you the grand tour." He looked down to his phone suddenly as it beeped at him that he had to meet a customer and water the plants. He frowned at it and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Well. Looks like that's my cue. Thanks for the tea, Francis. I hope to see you again sometime." He flashed him a grin again, making his way out of the tea shop and putting on his boots. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He really didn't want to meet this client, but he needed the money. He wanted to spend more time with Francis in the little tea shop. To be perfectly honest, he really didn't know why he liked the man so much.

He reminded him of a wisp or a fae with the way he moved and was so pleasant to everyone. Perhaps the Scotsman would bring him a rose next time, for sure. That would be a lovely match to his skin. Barclay took one last glance in the little shop, waving even if the other couldn't see him, before he pulled away to meet his customer.