Working in a flower shop wasn't the most glamorous labor out there. Wrapping bouquets, potting plants and dealing with hasty customers. You found this job by chance and were happy to take it due to the fact that you were working for a sweet, elderly woman and your only co-worker seemed to be a girl just about your age with the same interests. She was the shop owners granddaughter and didn't get paid at all. It slightly irritated her but she, Krystal, was a good girl, she was happy with what she had and even more grateful for her family when she heard your story. Honestly she got everything handed to her, working here was almost a punishment while you slaved for rent and a meal.

" Sooo, how was your week Onnie? " Krystal inquires while you wipe down the front counter. It was a rather calm saturday and you huffed thinking about your run in with Jongin. Who knows where the boy was. Wandering aimlessly through city with a full belly and rosy cheeks " it was.... decent I suppose. " You responded, shoulders shrugging which peaked the younger girl's interest. She darted over with an inquisitive gaze " Just decent? Isn't this the part where you rant about how terrible the world is and how everyone should go die? "

You snorted and she narrowed her glittery eyes. Noticing something was off about the way you wiped in tight little circuits instead of lazy, obtuse circles. " Nothing too interesting Krystal. My life is black and white " You mumbled with a sigh. Glaring down at the immaculate ash granite then looking up when a customer walked in. The bell at the door chiming to announce his entrance.

Krystal was going to run over to greet the potential buyer but then she noticed he was a regular. Bought a dozen roses for his wife every other Saturday. Rain or shine. He always looked around first so you two continued your conversation at a lower decibel. Krystal leaning over and resting her crossed arms on the counter. " Well, then maybe you need someone to add color? Spice it up you know. It's sad seeing you so lonely. I mean really. Every weekend, all dreary and bitter. You sound like you're forty! "

You gaped at her, those earnest dark brown eyes telling you she wasn't kidding or teasing and something small inside you told she was right. But the dizzying thought of Jongin chased that little voice off. “ I’ll have you know I met someone yesterday “ You regretted the words the moment Krystal's clamped her hands over in shock- but then she dropped them with an incredulous expression. “ Met someone outside of work or did you fail at working a tip? “ Justified question, you thought. Time to lie.

“ Outside of work “

Krystal smiled wide at you. “ Omo! Was he cute? Did you guys exchange numbers! Please, tell me you at least exchanged numbers! “ Her voice got a little too high and you put your index finger to your lips with a stern look. She slapped her hands to her face in exasperation. “ No phone remember? We just talked okay? He uhh, walked me home “ Lie. But you were a good liar and Krystal ate up like a lovestruck, teenager reading cheesy romance novels. She clapped her hands excitedly, like a child and you couldn’t but smile. Wary eyes glancing up to make sure the customer was still wandering around the shop. “ What did you talk about? Oh my god! Tell me was he cute or not! “

You thought about it for a few brief moments and leaned back, sighing once again at the thought of tall, dark and handsome. “ He wasn’t cute Krystal “ You began, words stretched out. “ He was... “ Jongin was gorgeous. All kinds of gorgeous with a face carved special from the gods “ handsome. Manly, unlike those idols you freak out over “ She took offense and glared, giving you the oh-really expression. “ I freak out over hunky idols thank you very much! “

You nodded “ Uh- huh. Like Taemin or whatever his name is “ Krystal’s eyes grew impossibly wide and she gasped like you insulted her mother. “ That’s SHINee and I no longer identify myself with the Shawol fandom “ Krystal was speaking formal with her arms crossed. Like you two were discussing something much more serious than pretty boy pop stars. “ I am now a Hottest and would appreciate it if you realized the magnitude of a Mr. Ok Taecyeon’s chocolate abs “

With a snort, you fell into a fit of giggles. Krystal wasn’t amused but decided pestering you about your mysterious man was a better way to entertain herself. “ Anyways! How handsome was he? And where exactly did you meet this guy? “ Jongin popped back into your brain. The boy clinging to your lobes and swinging from nerve to nerve. You let out a groan. Succumbing to the feelings you restrained last night. “ He was gorgeous okay. ing gorgeous and I met him when I was leaving- “ You hesitated and Krystal whined, apparently hanging off your every word. Her life must not be that exciting either if she’s so into your nonexistent romantic escapades  “ Leaving the restaurant “

Restaurant. It takes her a second to make the connections but she does and the realization in her gaze makes you cringe. “ You met this fool walking home? It’s 11 when you get off work Onnie! He could have killed you or- OH MY GOD HE KNOWS WHERE YOU LIVE NOW? “ You covered and the customer walking around gives you strange looks. For the most part Krystal was right. How in the world did you let yourself fall victim to puppy eyes and a sweet face? You read an article once, it said that and serial killers feign injuries to get women close. Your veins felt uncomfortably cold and Krystal pulled your hand off before running around the counter to grab your shoulders. “ Have you been watching the news for the past month? You know that Jack The Ripper wannabe has been mutilating people left and right! “

You blinked at Krystal’s too close face and shook the image of Jongin writhing on the floor, wailing in utter agony. “ W-what? “ You looked confused. She gritted her teeth and calmed herself. “ No TV right? Ugh, I keep forgetting. “ She seemed genuine and released you. “ Some psychopath has been murdering people in Seoul. He leaves them completely unrecognizable and the police can’t find him because he leaves nothing behind. They’re starting to believe it’s actually an animal but it would have to be bigger than a ing lion to do the damage it’s done to the victims “ You thought she was finished but she wasn’t. Just giving you time to absorb everything. “ It’s actually all pretty shady cause the cops don’t wanna say anything and the media is being censored hardcore. Like government conspiracy . “ Krystal couldn't continue because the customer approached. Wallet drawn and apprehensive as if he didn't want to interrupt your frantic conversation.

" Hello sir! What can we help with today? " Krystal was an ice princess, she really was but when she talked so cheerily. Eyes almost nonexistent due to her wide, cheek aching smile she seemed warm. Friendly even. You took note of how easily someone could be misread. Under that sweet exterior was a . A whiney, cold that easily hid it with her artificial sugar coated words of politeness. Krystal was your best friend though.

Probably your only friend in Seoul.

How bad did you misread Jongin? You completely dazed off and thought about how bizarre last night was. How bizarre this morning was. That boy was in your home. A stranger, he could have lied about his name. His age- hell, he could be at your place now. Ransacking everything cause he watched you put in your code and knew you were at work. Scenarios shot off, one by one. Your overactive imagination etching in unnecessary details. Jongin's eyes though.

You couldn't stop thinking about those abnormally gold eyes. Were they considered hazel? The lightest shade of brown with copper and red flecks surrounding his too wide pupils. Maybe it was a mutation. A birth defect or just some rare disease. There were plenty in the world you didn't know about. Krystal cleared . You snapped back to bleak reality and discovered the customer had already left with his roses and you were blankly scrubbing the counter down once more. Finger pads raw and nails aching.

 Jongin doesn't know what he's doing. He's lost among dozens of stoic faces and his head hands low. Shoulders sagging in an effort to make his large frame seem smaller. He walked in the opposite direction of you earlier. His legs carried him on the sidewalk for nearly an hour till he noticed he was going in circles around the block. Just an endless loop that matched the way your name bounced around his skull. What a pretty name. He had thought. What a prettier face and god, did you really have to smell so inviting, so tempting and forbidden.

Jongin crosses the street.

Hundreds of people have rushed down this path but your scent is strong. He has it locked into his olfactory system and no amount of overpriced perfumes can mask it. That's scary. Jongin is tracking you. He doesn't even know why. He just follows the trail like a bloodhound. Shuddering when he inhaled too deeply and took the cold into his too sensitive nose.

His feet know what to do. His legs taking long, fierce strides because he isn't wandering anymore. Jongin has a purpose and it shows. He's just like everyone else. Ignoring his surroundings and concentrating on his destination- though he doesn't know what he is going to do when he gets there. One of his flukes. He never thinks things through. A bit reckless and maybe that's why everyone used to want to take care of him. Because he was a mess. He needed to be monitored. Needed someone to tame him.

Jongin shivers, reminded of those uniformed men that wanted to " help " him. They tried to strap him down to a gurney but Jongin didn't like that. Or rather his demon didn't. He doesn't remember anything else. Just a blank, dark scene in his memory. Much like his entire life in Seoul. Bits and pieces strung together to form his pathetic existence. What is the day? The month? The goddamn year?

Jongin doesn't have a clue. It's been years and it's amusing to think that he's lasted this long. Alone in an overcrowded city. No familiar faces and then Jongin hears your voice. It's sings above the rest and his head bobs up like someone called him. He glanced around. Not spotting your lithe form and for the longest time he stood in the middle of the sidewalk, people muttering as they brushed by and ignored his obtuseness. It takes awhile for Jongin to realize he imagined it. The sound of you speaking.

He starts walking again. Hoping to hear you once more. He's struggling so hard to remember your voice that it gets more and more muffled. His brain unable to get just the right frequency and huskiness. Jongin gnaws on his thick lower lip. Leaving it bruised and swollen as he pickpockets unsuspecting strangers. He doesn't get much but scores actual bills, it's then that his nose leads him to a flower shop. Spacious with big glass windows displaying overpriced flowers wrapped in lace and pastel ribbons.

Jung's Flowers.

How boring. Jongin peers inside and like a magnet, his eyes are drawn to you. Very much occupied with a slim girl who speaks frantically about murder and government corruption. He bolts across the street. There's a connivence store and he has time to kill.