The last bursts of heat from Summer are so sticky and hot, you can feel it beneath your skin, humidity sticking to your bones. This is the perfect atmosphere for something to grow, though, with clear skies and sunny rays of warmth. In the heart of Tamamo, near Mizukume, there’s a lot of production going on around a little corner shop, nestled between trendy teahouses and fancy, independent boutiques. People file in and out of this little building for weeks; there’s display cases going up, built overnight, installations of new furnishings. Flowers start to appear in the windows, grand arrangements of sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, marigolds and peonies all gathered together in dizzying, bright and cheerful bunches— within Jigokucho, flowers are a private business. It is personal gardens you’ll find, for the urban jungle of the city doesn’t quite lend itself to the growth of new life.
But here, in Tamamo, there is an anomaly: city-bred flowers priced fairly for you and your’s. 
"Heya! Welcome in! This is Dandelion, and we hope to be your one shop stop for all your flowery needs. If you need anything, give any one of your local Busy Bees a shout, okay? Oh! And I'm Aerith, the owner. If you need me, I'll be around. Sound good?"
The shop is called Dandelion. Its sign is a sweet, simple neon light over the awning, white letters burning Spring cloud white, and outside are rows and rows of ready-made bouquets. For the first week of operations, you’ll always see an employee outside of the shop, in the Summer sun, with a basket of flowers, promoting the shop. They flank down people from the streets, and haggle prices of single flowers during the daytime. At night, they’ve gone inside— you’re welcome to try to haggle prices then, too. Who knows, maybe you’ll get that giant arrangement for half-off?
Employees are instructed to come up with different ways to have people pay for their flowers in the case of haggling, however, and how that payment is made is up to the Busy Bee you’re stuck with.
Inside the shop is just about any flower you can imagine. It smells of wildflowers, like standing in an open field full of them, and the heavy scent wafts all the way through the two-story building. With the owner’s ability to grow them at will, she can afford to grow anything she pleases, and definitely indulges. However, you might be able to catch her, if you’d like to make a special order…
The scent of freshly cut florals can be attributed quickly to two different events on either floor of the building. You can sign up for a flower crown course, led by any of the employees of Dandelion. They’re easy to spot by the virtue of the name cards they’ve been asked to wear on lanyards, or the pink ribbons Aerith has given each of them to wear however they please. The course is easy; you get to walk through the store and pick out any flowers you like, bring them upstairs, and the Busy Bee helping you will show you how to weave the stems together to make a crown. Get creative, be a nuisance— just don’t think you aren’t being charged, because you definitely are.
On the ground floor, however, are floral arrangement courses, where employees can help you create a mini armature and then stitch your flowers together, instead. The wiring is bendy and can be made into any shape you please, and (probably!) no one will get mad if you’re a little silly or even naughty about it. After all, you’re paying for it.
"If there's a certain meaning you want to convey or a shape you'd like to try, let's discuss it in further detail! Every flower has a meaning, so what would you like your arrangement to say?"
Calling in favors across Tamamo was an arduous task, but it’s been done. Along with these activities in the shop are hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. Cookies with flowers baked into them, cupcakes adorned with petals, mini cakes and hand pies, all of them with some kind of floral twist. They’re out for consumption and free of charge, with classy business cards advertising the business that’s supplied it. Maybe you’ve got your own concoction you want on display or you’re just here for the food. That’s fine, too, just make sure to take a look around and recommend Dandelion to your friends!
To pair with the goodies are drinks, virgin and alcoholic. Some were created by the Busy Bees themselves, and put together on the spot, others advertise bars or teahouses around the area and are laid out for the taking. The expected culprits are here: Floral brewed teas, cocktails and mocktails decorated with petals, extracts made from Dandelion’s special flowers, syrups with the remnants of blossoms in them lining cups…
A particular crowd pleaser comes in the form of dried flowers. Pick what you please, and a Busy Bee will drop it into a tea cup with warm water. Then, watch as it rehydrates and steeps, turning the water an inviting amber tone. The flower blooms, unfolding as if coming back to life, petals robust and colorful again… They call it a Cup of Blooms, and if you ask for a Cup of High Blooms, you’ll get one that has a particularly relaxing effect. Some of the tea being made has a very enthralling aroma, green and peachy colors brewing in cups. It might remind a customer of the smell of the end of a concert, or a hippy gathering, as the herbs turns into different types of tea and various options are available.
Though the goal isn’t to get you drunk in the shop, the employee serving you is at liberty to keep serving or cut you off as you please. Be nice? Maybe it’ll get you special treatment.
"Here we have different types, they'll take about thirty to ninety minutes to hit, so when it does, I suggest you take a look at our food options over there, yeah? I'm here if I can help - if you get the jitters, call for me! I can help."
In the evening, the upstairs gets cleaned up, and space is cleared for a little stage. Tamamo is the land of pleasures, after all. Surrounded by flowers, served efflorescent treats and refreshments, with the lights dimmed, you’re welcome to watch performances by anyone brave enough to make their way onto the make-shift stage. Perhaps it’s a Busy Bee themselves; after all, there’s that up and coming musician roaming the floor, and only a month ago had an idol duo advertised Dandelion’s opening. Maybe you manage to wiggle your way onto the stage yourself: It’s not like anyone has reason to stop you. Besides, doesn't the staff of Dandelion look like a great crowd for practicing your stand up comedy routine on?
"We're closing. Please finish up and go."
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jigokulogs2022-09-09 09:14 pm
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I know it might seem silly, I never thought I'd like something like this but it's been... nice? So, thanks for saying so.
[...]
Yeah...
no subject
But he's poured his soul out to Izuku more times than he can count. That's the thing about it. Out of everyone, it is Izuku. ]
I can't get you out of my fucking head. When you're not around, I'm wondering if you're going to get into trouble or if you're behaving yourself. If you're actually eating a meal or some instant shit. When you are around, the only thing I want you to focus on is me. I don't wanna fall behind you on anything and I don't want you to just fucking give up either. What I want is to go back and time and take your stupid chubby hand. All I want to do is beat some fucking sense into you.
[ So even though he doesn't verbalize it? His thoughts are already on Izuku 24/7. ]
Now I don't know if that's really what you wanna hear but. It's complicated. It's intense.
no subject
So hearing that... It almost sounds like he's being scolded for being him. But it also sort of sounds like...]
Kacchan, that almost sounds like the start of a really strange love confession. Or a threat.
[Yeah, he said it. But there's this tiny little smile on Izuku's lips because it's exactly what he would have expected Katsuki to say.]
You know that I'm always thinking of you too...? So ... If you want to say we like each other... I'd be happy with that.
no subject
So what if it is? It's both as far as I'm concerned.
[ A little defensive! But that should be par the course by now. Even his shoulders start to bunch a bit.
It's not surprising that Izuku thinks about him. That much has always been obvious. ]
"Like" isn't it. I don't like you, shit nerd. That's a weak-ass word for it.
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He fidgets. Hearing that makes Izuku gently reach out to shyly touch the back of Katsuki's hand.]
Kacchan... W-what are you saying... Are you saying it's more than just like?
[It's really a love confession??]
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The blonde doesn't mean to snap. It just happens. Almost every single time because he hates the feeling of feeling flustered. That feeling isn't one he really has control of and Katsuki might have a problem with needing to be in control of himself, at the very least anyway. ]
That's exactly what I just said!
[ Of course it's more than just like. "Like" isn't even anything like what Katsuki thinks of in regards to his feelings around Izuku. He groans and rubs his faces with his hands. That... Is not coming out like he means? ]
Fuck! I mean... It's complicated. No, I don't like you, but you're like. My goddamn standard? All Might picked you and I one hundred percent get why and I wanna be like that. I just fucking wanna be by your side? So it's. More. Than like? I fucking guess?
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He has to admit being called Katsuki's "goddamn standard" makes him feel some kind of way.
He flushes red too, braves to reach for Katsuki's hand, and holds it earnestly with a gentle, encouraging squeeze. Like he wants the both of them to be brave right now.]
I want to be by your side too, Kacchan. I think that's what I've always wanted? So... Don't think it's weird to say, you can say it. You want to be with me too?
no subject
Doesn't feel like it.
Yet Izuku is grabbing for his hand anyway. Katsuki doesn't pull back. Doesn't yank his hand out of Izuku's grasp. Never again. He's never going to refuse this hand that always seems to want to reach out for him ever fucking again.
You can say it. You want to be with me too?
Katsuki huffs again. Ears and face burning and he looks to the side. Looking at those bright emerald eyes and stupid as hell freckles are way too fucking much for him. His heart is beating so fast and his chest so tight. Feels like he's about to have a small panic attack. ]
Yeah.
[ AUGH. His own voice sounds so fucking pathetic! ]
no subject
Izuku also watches Katsuki with a flicker of hope in his eyes. He wanted so badly for Katsuki to just admit that he likes Izuku too. To reassure his own heart that he wasn't being onesided in all of this. He knows things have shifted and he's sure that Katsuki has felt the same things and he just...
He feels so relieved.
A tiny little breath escapes Izuku's lips. Freckled cheeks are soft with a pink blush. He smiles softly and chirps,]
I'm glad, Kacchan...!
no subject
But actually admitting that he has soft, gross feelings for Izuku? Buh! That's terrifying. For now it should be enough that he wants to catch up to him. Be there for him. Walk and throw down at his side. That he'd be willing to die for Izuku without even thinking. That should be enough for now, knowing that he's practically thinking of the nerd all the time and how to support and protect him.
And to be a better person for him. Because of him. ]
Does this answer your question!?
[ About him "liking" Izuku. About them being together? ]
no subject
His hand squeezes Katsuki's hand and he nods shyly.]
It... It does. Thank you, Kacchan. Somehow, I feel like we really accomplished something important just now.
[He swallows back a flutter in his chest. So, they like(++) each other. Being together is okay. Whatever happens next...]
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It's true though. Progress has been made. There's an accomplishment here in just being able to express those thoughts and feelings, even if it's not perfect. ]
Not done yet.
[ Going to just. Take that hand and give it a little tug. Katsuki then leans just those few centimeters to give Izuku the briefest, quickest of pecks on his lips then turn away.
Yeah, he's doing that then turning around and finding the PLANT 100% more interesting than Izuku right now. ]