[Gift] Flowers For A Scientist

Viktor yawned as he climbed the steps to his apartment. His boots fell on the metal as he gripped the railing and trudged toward his lonely and empty apartment. At least he had his imps for company, they were always fun to hang out with. They didn’t talk to him, or annoy him; all they wanted was food and some cuddles. 

It was ideal. 

He sighed as he got to the top floor where his apartment was and stretched out, adjusting his bag on his shoulder and walking toward his door. It was then he noticed something different. 

On his welcome mat, wrapped beautifully in golden paper and tied off with a silver bow, lay a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. Viktor raised an eyebrow at the presentation and leaned down to pick it up. 

A card in a pearl white envelope with a golden stamp stuck out of the top. Picking the bouquet up, he first admired the flowers. A beautiful assortment of carnations, lilies, black roses, and a few bright orange marigolds.

Viktor smiled at the flowers. 

Of course, what a beautiful arrangement. He knew exactly who this was from. 

The black roses, with their intense shades of dark purple and red, were often associated with death, but Viktor loved the way they looked and often kept a few in his lab. The lilies also represented death and Viktor did enjoy how the smelled. The perfect aroma for his home. 

His eyes traced over the bright orange marigolds. Smiling to himself as he touched their delicate petals. These flowers were often associated with spirits. Attracting them to alters in order to celebrate life - maybe he’d have a visitor tonight. 

He stopped over carnations. 

These, he also loved. Although often used to commemorate a loved one that passed these flowers also held a deeper meaning. 

One that was seeded in love and adoration. 

He raised an eyebrow as he opened his door and brought the flowers inside. He placed them in a vase after trimming their ends and tipped in the small sachet of plant food. 

Viktor smiled at them and picked up the small card again. Flicking open the envelope and slipping it out. It was simply just a black piece of white card with a single letter written in gold ink in a cursive font. 

“Twat,” Viktor growled and put the card down. He looked up as Poe, his Avia, flew over toward him. 

“Hello, my dear, did you want your dinner?” he asked him and gave him a little pet as the avian imp sat on his shoulder. 

Viktor fed his imps before shedding his lab coat and hanging it on the door. His tentacles stretched out as he reached his arms up, feeling a clicking and clinking in his back. He needed to book in for a massage or something. 

He eyed the flowers as he walked passed them into the kitchen. Their position on his counter was quite prominent in the otherwise bare room. He boiled the kettle and made himself a mug of instant coffee. It wasn’t as good as coffee from a cafe but it would do to keep him awake that bit longer. 

He sipped it as he leaned against the counter, taking out his phone to scroll a bit through Bunstagram. Nothing interesting though - there never was really. 

He was almost finished his cup of coffee when his phone rang. He rolled his eyes, seeing Caleb’s smug face appear on his caller ID. 

“Yes Caleb,” he said as he answered the phone. 

“Well, how is my favourite scientist,” the other said down the line and Viktor rolled his eyes again. “Are you rolling your eyes at me?” Caleb continued. 

“No no, wouldn’t dream of it, what do you want?” Viktor asked him. 

“Well, because it’s Matentines and you’re just an incredibly lonely and sad individual I was wondering if anything exciting had happened to you,” Caleb replied. Viktor could feel the other in his mind’s eye. Spinning on his stupid office chair in that stupid black dress that was cut up the sides. Revealing way too much hip and thigh. 

“Oh well I actually just got a lovely bouquet of flowers, left on my doorstep,” Viktor replied. 

“Isn’t that nice, and who were they from?” Caleb asked, Viktor could hear the pleading in his voice. He wanted him to say thank you, or shower him in words of adoration. Viktor didn’t play those kinds of games. 

“Oh I don’t know, there wasn’t a card, must be a neighbour,” Viktor replied a toothy smile curling up his face as he felt the silence on the other end. Oh it tickled his soul in all the right ways. 

“Anyway Caleb I have to go, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow, good night,” Viktor continued and simply hung up the phone. 

He leaned over and picked up the card, staring at the neatly curved C that swirled on the back in pristine, luxury gold ink. 

“Such a twat,” Viktor said and left it by the flowers.