Chapter Text
“It’s so dead today…” Lance complained spinning in his chair.
“Work on designs then.” Shiro mumbled from his cubicle.
He sighed spinning to look at the small bouquet of flowers. He could draw a flower design… Flower muse… Lance groaned looking to his ink and needles. He should design another pin-up those got picked like crazy. Maybe he could make a flower muse pin-up… For himself… No one was going to come in today. School had just started back up everyone was too focused on that, to get tatted. Lance wheeled himself over to the desk with the flowers and looked them over. These were her favorites, azaleas. She loved them cause they could help her kill him if she wanted to. Lance laughed to himself as he pulled out a pen and began to sketch.
He remembered meeting her mother’s day. It was mother’s day and he had forgotten about it. It was weird, he’d never forget mother’s day but this year he did for some reason. He remember running in once he had a break and seeing most of the shelves cleared. Then came Pidge. She came out from the back carrying 3 crates of potted azaleas. She was so short, Lance almost swore they were moving on their own. She wasn’t pleasant to him at all, he couldn’t blame him, she had probably been dealing with guys like him the whole day.
All Lance could remember was that he was frozen. Her green apron made her gold eyes pop… Her side ponytail had some pedals in it. It was all simple but it made his heart feel like it was beating for the first time. Why hadn’t he gone in there sooner? She made a snarky remark about her ‘sorry I’m a shitty son’ bouquets being sold out and he could feel the air rush into his lungs. He did his damndest to retort back but could never match her and he loved it.
He ended up buying the azalea after mentioning of them killing him. Her name tag read Katie underneath it read ‘Pidge- if I like you’. Before he could try to call her Pidge Hunk had came from the back hugging him. Lance had no idea his highschool friend worked there. Lance remember him studying botany for college… They talked every day... How did Lance not know he worked next door? Pidge laughed and told him to call her Pidge since he was friends with Hunk… He would like to call her his girlfriend.
Lance blushed has he realized he was sketching Pidge as the flower muse. He rubbed his face with his hands, moaning into them. He was whipped and they weren’t even on texting terms yet. Lance had gone back for flowers every chance he got the past few months. He gave excuses at first but he eventually just used it to try to flirt with her. Today’s reason for buying in the middle of work was that something important was in the hospital… His jaw dropped too hard from looking at her.
“A~CHOO!”
Lance grabbed the bouquet and threw it under his tattoo chair. He couldn’t let Keith see it. He winced at the slam on the wall of his room and turned to face Keith.
“What did I do now?” Lance smiled.
“You brought more flowers in here didn’t you?!”
“When did I have time?” Lance folded his arms.
“DUDE! I left to get you guys lunch!” Keith shook the bag of fries in his hands, “I wasn’t even gone 15 minutes! What is with you?! You know I am allergic!”
“You’re crazy… And you have snot coming out of your nose.”
“Where is it?” Keith stormed in looking under his desk.
“KEITH! Invasion of work space!”
Lance turned to see Shiro holding the pot. “Found it.”
Keith whipped his head to Lance with a deadly glare.
“Oh… THOSE flowers… Man, I bought those yesterday…” Lance smirked leaning on his desk.
“Lance,” Shiro put the pot down sighing, “Just ask her out already.”
“What?! You think I- Noooo!” Lance blew a raspberry with his lips, “I just like flowers…”
“THAT’S IT!” Keith stormed out of the room to his counter, “I am calling her!”
Lance shot out of his seat pushing Shiro out of the way to slam the phone back on the counter before Keith could dial.
“Nope!”
Keith pried Lance’s hand from the phone and took it holding it away from him.
“I am telling them to stop selling you flowers, until you ask her out.”
“You can’t tell them how to run their business!”
“Get! Off!” Keith groaned as Lance climbed on his back to grab the phone.
“Lance, you break the counter again I am taking it out of your check!” Shiro shouted over the fighting boys.
Shiro held out his hand to catch the phone as Keith tossed it to him. Lance dropped off of Keith’s back and held his hand up in surrender.
“Shiro… My friend… Don’t do this to your pal Lance.” Lance gave him a grin.
“Ask her on a date.” Shiro held the phone away as Lance reached for it.
“Man, she’s not into me! It’s playful batter that she tolerates.” Lance groaned diving for the phone.
“Humor us, man.” Keith rolled his eyes catching the phone as Shiro threw it back to him.
“What’s the worst she can say?” Shiro grabbed Lance’s shoulder.
“No…” Lance sighed.
Keith put the phone down punching his shoulder, “I doubt she’d be that nice.”
“Wow, Keith! Thanks! I feel so much better…” Lance mumbled.
“You’re welcome… Can you go put the flowers outside before I die now please?”
Lance sighed rubbing his chin standing in front of the flower shop. He had told himself he’d ask Pidge out the night before. It was going to be simple… Walk in and ask… That’s all he had to do. Movie… Dinner… Netflix? Shit, what movies did she like? He took a deep breath and opened the door smiling as the little bell announced his presence.
“Give me a sec!” He could hear her shout from the back.
Lance looked to the counter expecting Hunk but saw no one; He was probably in the bathroom. Lance smiled, that at least helped relieve some of the pressure.
“Lance? Pfft.” Pidge laughed rubbing her hands on her apron. “What happen? Your dignity drop with your jaw yesterday?”
Lance smirked turning his body to her, “Nah, someone stole something when I was here the other day.”
“Oh, yeah?” Pidge cocked an eyebrow.
He could tell she had already caught on to him.
“Yeah, man.” Lance tsked holding his hands out infront of him a few inches apart. “About this big… It’s normally helping me run…”
“Pretty, sure you, of all people, would be able to live without your brain.”
Pidge smirked as Lance felt his eyebrows knit together.
“You had to ruin my awesome line with your salt?”
“More like overused line, you tool. ‘Stole your heart?’ Come on, Lance” Pidge pouted wiping an imaginary tear, “You’ve disappointed me.”
“Well, I can make it up to you.” Lance placed his hand on a rack to lean.
As he shifted his weight one of the pots shook off. Panicking Lance shot out his hand grabbing it, only to find… It was a cactus… Lance whimper putting the pot back as Pidge broke out in laughter.
“Oh, my god! You are just the definition of smooth aren’t you?!” Pidge gently took his hand opening it a little.
She tried not to laugh as she looked him over, “You don’t need this hand do you?”
“Of course not…” Lance glared with a smile.
He flinched as she flexed his hand making him feel the small needles resits.
“Okay, come on you doofus. Let’s get these out.”
Pidge grabbed his unpricked hand leading him to the back room. Lance blushed looking at their hands together gripping her’s slightly tighter as they entered the back room. She let go of his hand rolling him a chair. Lance looked around seeing walls of pots and scissors. Pidge walked to a small case on the wall opening it grabbing a tiny flashlight and tweezers.
“Oh, no, those won’t do.” Lance shook his head.
He smiled as Pidge titled her head bring her eyebrows together.
“I, clearly, require mouth-to-mouth.”
Lance smiled as Pidge groaned. “Now, I almost wish that cactus had been poisonous.”
She pushed a chair in front of him raising it so Lance could rest his hand on her knee. Pidge handed him the flashlight to help her remove the pricks. He stayed quiet as she removed the pricks placing them on the table next to them. He felt his nerves slipping away as the minutes ticked on. Biting his lip he took a breath as Pidge reexamined his hand.
“Hey...Pi-Katie… Wou-”
“Lance…” Pidge glared up at him as she spoke, “I told you, you can call me Pidge.”
“Does this mean you like me?” He winked.
Pidge smiled lightly shaking her head going back to his hand. He had to ask her. He couldn’t just keep flirting.
“Alright, you are free from the pri-”
“Can I take you out tonight?” He cut her sentence off.
Pidge pinched his skin with the tweezers making him cringe in pain. The tweezers flew out of her hand as she gripped his hand harder. Lance looked and saw her face had went red. Lance felt his own face go hot as he began to stammer.
“I mean… Only if you want. Cause I know you have a life outside of work-shit… It’s not like I come in the shop only to flirt with you! Holy crap that came out wrong! I mean I like you, just if you say no I can not be… What am I saying?”
“We close at 6 today…” Pidge cleared her throat.
Lance looked back to her as she bit her lip. God, she was cute, it was obvious she’d say no. She thought he was a tool … Wait… That wasn’t a no…
“Wait-”
“Would the cafe be ok? I have to meet my brother at 7:30 but we could have a drink…”
“Wait… For real? Yeah!” Lance grabbed her held her hand ignoring the stinging sensation.
He did it! He was going on go on a date with her! 6… Shit.
“Shit, I… I get off at 9…”
“You can take an hour break.” Shiro’s voice came from the door.
Lance turned to see Hunk and Shiro leaning into the room.
“HUNK!” Pidge shouted shooting up out of her seat throwing flower foam at the snoopers.
Lance cleared his throat standing up and walking to the door.
“So… 6-o’clock?” Lance smiled.
“Yeah. If I don’t end up in jail for killing Hunk.” Pidge blushed.
“Cool, I’ll try to not kill Shiro.” Lance smiled giving a wink, “I’ll see you soon.”
Lance walked to Shiro who was waiting for him at the door. Lance glared at Shiro before punching his arm as he walked out.
“You had to snoop…”
“You’re welcome.” Shiro laughed
Lance took a deep breath leaning against the walls outside the flower shop. His leg kept twitching no matter how much he tried not to. He finched as the door to the shop opened and Pidge came out.
“Bye, Hunk. See you tomorrow.” Pidge smiled waving.
“See you, Pidge. Lock the door for me?”
“You got it.” Pidge closed the door locking it.
Lance pushed himself off the wall and smile as Pidge looked at him. She smiled and began to walk across the street.
“You coming?” She laughed.
“Right behind you.”
He walked behind her as they entered the small cafe. It smelt like his favorite cinnamon buns and hot chocolate. But it was still hot from summer Lance wasn’t feeling the idea of hot chocolate. Lance let his hands slip in his pockets as he tried not to think of Pidge standing right next to him. They waited behind a tall girl with long white hair as she ordered her mint chocolate latte. Lance recognized her as the woman who got a tattoo from Shiro last week. She had been coming back to talk to Shiro about more ideas… And date plans, Lance smirked. Lance would remember to tease Shiro about that later. He flinched as he felt her hand touch his forearm. It was innocent he was sure she didn't mean to make his heart race.
“What are you going to get?” Pidge asked slipping her hand around his forearm to hold it.
Lance puffed out his chest blushing wildly, “Ah… I was think of just getting a lemonade. Maybe a cinnamon bun if you wanted to split that?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Pidge nodded looking up at him, “Those buns are pretty massive.”
“That’s why they are the best.” He smiled hiding his nerves.
This was fine! He shouldn’t be so nervous! Holding his arm… Leaning on him a little. She came with him here, she obviously liked him… Right?
“See you tomorrow, Princess! Okay, kiddo’s!” The bartender smiled with his moustache wiggling as he spoke. “Your turn! Wait… Big blue and green thumb? I am use to you 2 coming separately! You are throwing me off my game here kids!”
Lance grinned as Pidge leaned against the counter. “What’s the matter, Coran? Can’t handle the pressure?”
“Oh! Ho! Ho! Green bean! I can handle anything you throw at me! What’ll it be?”
“I’ll take a lemonade and a cinnamon bun.” Lance dug in his back pocket for his wallet.
“I’ll have my usual, french vanilla cappuccino.”
“Alrighty!”
Coran began punching in the order as Pidge pulled out her card. Lance quickly shoved his hand in front of the card reader.
“Nope! I am paying.”
“I can pay.” Pidge narrowed her eyes.
“I asked you out, it’s only fair I pay.”
“Fine… But I pay next time.” Pidge put her card away.
Next time? She had said next time! Lance felt his face go hot as his smile spread across his face. There could be a next time? He had to make sure that happened.
“I say, it’s on the house!” Coran smugly grinned tearing off the receipt, “But don’t get use to it.” He shoved his finger at Lance.
“I’ll grab a table outside.” Pidge let Lance’s arm go walking away, “Thank you, Coran.”
“No problem, green pea!” Coran smiled leaning in close to Lance after, “I am so proud of you!”
Lance felt his lips tighten as he blushed, “What does this whole block know?!”
“Only the important people.” Coran winked getting their order ready.
Lance leaned on the counter waiting for Coran to hand him his order and looked as Pidge sat outside playing on her phone. Lance rubbed his eyes letting his hand rest over his mouth. He’d be ok he just had to stay calm and not do anything stupid… Just be himself. Coran handed him their order on a tray giving Lance a wink as he walked to his table. He sat across Pidge handing her her coffee and putting the bun in the middle.
Everything felt natural as they talked even the quiet moments weren’t awkward. She told him how she got into botany and how robot building was her side hobby. Lance confessed to always wanting to be a pilot after she showed him a video of a hoover bot she built. She was amazingly smart, he couldn’t understand half of what she was talking about but she made him want to learn so he could. They talked for a while before Lance had to get them water to replace their drinks. He sat down handing her her water when she grabbed his wrist and examined his arm.
“I had always noticed them but I never got a chance to really look at them.” She mumbled focused on his arm.
Lance felt his face heat up as she scooted her chair closer to look over his arm. She traced over his F-18 with the blue lion head on the wings. She gently move up his arm to the names of his sisters. He bit his lip once she lifted his shirt sleeve to see the bigger version of the blue lion on his shoulder.
“Did you design these?” She asked looking over the smaller tattoos on him.
“Y-yeah… Like them?” Lance tried keeping his voice steady as she looked up at him.
“Yeah, they’re rea-” Pidge went bright red letting his arm go, “Oh, my god, I am so sorry! I just spaced out.”
Lance grabbed her hand before she could scoot away. “No! It’s ok! I didn’t mind at all! It felt nice… In a not creepy way.”
“That does not make me feel better…” Pidge laughed.
Lance leaned closer smirking, “I have another one on my chest I can show you later.”
He winked as Pidge laughed using her free hand to shove him away. She stopped mid-laugh and quickly turned away from him gripping his hand tighter.
“Oh, my god… Don’t look… But Hunk and your co-workers are watching us…” Pidge groaned into her hand.
Lance blinked turning around seeing the group of guys quickly duck behind take-out menus.
“I’m going to kill them…”
Lance felt Pidge punch his arm, “I told you not to look, you dork!”
“How long you think they’ve been there?” He turned back to her seeing her hiding her face behind her hand.
“I don’t know. But I know it’s been long enough for Hunk to have plenty of teasing material.”
She squeezed his hand once more as her phone went off. Lance frowned as she took her hand away to pull out her phone. She smiled as the screen putting her phone back in her pocket.
“That was my brother. He brought me parts for the new bot I was telling you about.” She stood up, “I should go meet up with him.”
Lance shot up grabbing her hand again blushing as she matched his blush. “Can… Can I get your number?”
Pidge flushed pulling out her phone, “Oh, yeah, of course! Sorry I got so excited about the parts. I feel so dumb.”
“What, no it’s cool, I understand.” Lance smiled as he put his number in on her phone.
“Are… Are you off monday?” Pidge asked as he handed her phone back.
“Yeah.”
“Want to go see that new horror flick that came out?” Pidge bit her lip.
Lance laughed as they spoke at the same time, “It looks awful.”
Lance smiled nodding, “I’d love too.”
“Cool.” Pidge grabbed his arm pulling him down so she could kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you then.”
Lance watched her leave as he stood there trying not to shout in happiness. He felt himself get knocked of balance by a slap on his back. He grabbed the table looking back to see Shiro beaming.
“That looks like it went well!” Shiro smiled as Keith leaned on the table Lance held on to.
“You get her number?” Keith went to grab his phone.
“Man! Back off! Shouldn’t you 2 been in the shop?”
“We couldn’t miss this.” Shiro laughed walking back to the shop.
Hunk squeezed Lance from the side picking him up.
“I am so proud of you!” Hunk laughed still holding him in the air as he walked to the tattoo parlor.
“Hunk, put me down!”
Hunk listened and began bombarding him with questions as Keith echoed him with ‘Yeah!’s. Lance did his best to ignore them as his phone buzzed.
I am glad you asked me out. I’ll see you tomorrow if you work.
-Pidge
Lance smiled tucking away his phone to reply later. He was going to finish that flower muse design.