writersyndicate

Challenge: AO3 is Down Drabblethon
Prompt: Any (fandom/ow), Any (pairing/frienship/character), dandelions
Gifted to: Mkrobinson

Tropes: Mafia MMC, Tattooed MMC, LibrarianFMC, Quirky is Cute, Matching her Weird, Nerdy FMC

Iris adored the slight dewy air as spring turned into summer. It was still cool out, but the warmth of the sun would soon heat it to unbearable levels, at least for her. She preferred fall, thank you very much. It was a respectable season that allowed you to wear comfy sweaters and warm drinks. Oh, how she longed for that season to be approaching rather than the scorching heat.

She had been alone on the walk to her favorite coffee shop. The same routine she's had for the last few years. Grab her favorite drink of whichever season and sit outside to watch the world wake. Now, there was a shadow at her side. Alec had shown up halfway through her walk, dressed impeccably in a tan three-piece suit. She wondered if the man wore anything but suits, even if they did cause her thoughts to turn in a licentious direction. It was hard not to. Men rarely wear them anymore.

Shaking off that thought, she continued on the silent journey with the one driven desire. Coffee. Caffeine. The lifeblood of any librarian. Besides books, that is. She smiled at the funny thought.

"What has you smiling?"

She rolled her eyes at Alec and wove around the harried businessman, not paying attention to others around him. Iris didn't miss the glare that Alec had thrown him as they passed.

"Just a thought."

Alec chuckled and stepped closer, sliding something into her hand. "Penny for your thoughts, then?"

"How long have you been holding onto that to use it?" Iris raised a brow at him and tucked it into her pocket.

"You don't want to know."

She let out a laugh that had the tension leaving her body. Iris still didn't answer his original question, but the air between them felt light and fun. She was walking through one of the small patches of grass that the city had on her morning walk. Iris let out a giggle as she kicked the Dandelions that had changed into the white puffballs. The seeds popped up into the air in a small cloud that drifted away. There, in the middle of them, sat a Dandelion that was still yellow. She gasped, making Alec pause to stare at her.

Iris bent down and plucked the flower, holding it up triumphantly to Alec. "A dandelion! It must be the last one of the season."

He raised an eyebrow at her. Iris felt the impulsive thought hit her and she acted before she could stop herself. The flower was shoved into her mouth and she chewed, making exaggerated happy noises. Alec was staring at her in shock. She swallowed the flower, though she tried to hide how bitter it was. She licked her fingers and tossed the stem to the ground.

"Oh, I'm sorry. How rude of me. I should have saved you some."

"No thanks, Sid." Alec brushed his pants and walked off with a deep laugh.