An Apologetic Bouquet

Ione absolutely hated it when matentines came around cause it meant increase in pure stupidity they and their employees had to face daily at The Daily Grind. They had set up a large sign in the front window several days prior that required patrons to use supressments before entering as to avoid breaking the cafe's rules, and a small landline phone had been set up near the window for them to place orders with some ease.

Ione themselves were struggling with adjusting their dose of their supressements as they often changed every season but they thought they had nailed it down early on much to their pleasure. Limon had stopped patroning the cafe due to her dislike of the prescription and Ione had been swift to enlist the citrusy lust into deliveries whenever she was around.

Viscili continued to be a regular as Ione and Viscili had found out early on that they both favored supressing their hormones and it had given Ione relief that they wouldn't have to worry about temporarily kicking out one of their favorite patrons. His usual bodyguards on the other hand did not and that had driven Ione up a wall. There had been several discussions before Ione had relented to allowing both Vadim and Varrik to swing by as long as they both remained on best behaviour and did not break any of the rules.
Especially two major ones as Ione took it rather seriously.

No Fighting
and
No Sexual Acts

Thankfully they had behaved very well and kept their restraint in check. Ione had taken notice of Varik's protective streak sparking up very often especially when they were working up front and dealing with lot of flirty patrons. That had caused the cafe owner to frown and had tried to reassure him several times during downtime that they were used to it and would be fine. Ione was careful to give him some reassuring affection without aggravating his hormones.
Limon had warned Ione one evening of Varrik's aggressive streak when it came to protecting their loved ones and Ione had expressed their concern for the cafe.

That had all come to head one early afternoon when a group of patrons had gotten overly flirty to the point of sexual and Ione had gotten rather uncomfortable as they attempted to redirect them off the topic.
"C'mon darling. What's the harm? It is breeding season after all~" One of them had smirked at Ione as they stepped away from the register; looking rather uncomfortable.
"And I said no. This is not the place for this. Get out." Ione had replied blandly as the flirty bun's friend attempted to climb onto the counter with a hand reaching for Ione who easily shrank back with a scowl while the overly flirty bun's companions snickered and made lewd noises in Ione's direction.
Then. Loud scrapping of a chair being pushed away from a table before toppling over onto the tiled floor with a resounding thud. Followed by loud footsteps that made one easily think that the owner was rather angry.

The doll on top of the counter suddenly found himself several feet in air before being tossed backwards into his friends. Several customers screamed as they scampered away from the group. The group went crashing across the floor and Ione screamed when one of them hit one of windows hard. A loud resounding crack spread across the window but thankfully it stayed put. As one of the buns in the group scampered to their feet to lunge for Varrik who easily tossed them aside like a sack of potatoes. Their cheeks grew burning hot red as Ione took a deep breath to recompose themselves while the scene got rowdier with a fight rapidly breaking out before their very eyes before shrieking for security to take the group as well as Varrik out with a swift ban. When the taller gluttony began to protest, Ione snapped

"I said. No. Fighting. You just attacked one of them and a fight broke out. Get. Out. You're banned from the cafe." They snapped angrily as Vadim swiftly hurried over to drag a stunned Varrik out of The Daily Grind as the security that had been hired for the mating season swooped in to handle the rowdy patrons.
Ione then took a rather deep breath before turning toward another employee and stated rather plainly that they would be in the kitchen for the remainder of the day.

When Ione had returned to the kitchen, Limon who had seen everything occur had swiftly pulled them into a private office to console the shaking gluttony.

Limon had come out onto the main floor to speak to Viscili privately regarding the damages and that Varrik would remain banned until Ione felt like revoking it. She had informed him quietly that Ione wanted the repairs paid for and Viscili had agreed with a soft sigh.

Varrik had avoided the cafe for first few days before attempting to return only to have an employee immediately rush to the doors with a very pointedly "You are still banned. Leave."

He was in a dilemma now. His dear Snack had not forgiven him and remained rather angry even days later. Dragging a clawed hand down his face, Varrik knew he needed to apologize but he sucked when it came to doing so. Groaning, the large glutton went to take out his frustrations in The Pit. Limon had stopped by to watch with the usual sweets from her parlor and she had sighed when a rather distracted Varrik exited the ring with a loss to Vadim. Taking pity, the citrusy lust doll hopped down from the audience seating and went over to check on the pair especially Varrik who were getting looked over by the medic, Azrael who frowned at her as she peeked in the office.

"Try flowers. Ione likes them. Also they misses you. Fix this, this is getting ridiculous." Vadim had to snort at the exasperated tone in the citrus lust's voice as Azrael stared up with mild bewilderment at Varrik who looked slightly chastised.

"Do I even fucking want to know?" The doctor deadpanned, the other three immediately shaking their head in response with Limon rolling her eyes.
"I'll leave this box of sweets here." Limon added as she set a box of chocolate confections on a desk by the door before departing.
"You fucked up" Vadim took a swig from his flask as Varrik glared at him.
"Obviously."

Later that day, Varrik wandered into a familiar garden, paid the fare and went straight to browse the flowers. He needed flowers but what ones to get? He had absolutely no idea of their meanings. The giant gluttony stopped near a rather reddish-rose plant that had multiple branches of lovely cascading petals flowing downwards almost as if saddened, and lightly cradled it while deep in thought. So lost in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed another of his partners watching him with deep concern.

It always delighted Kuchi whenever they received visit from any of their partners however the way Varrik had seemed rather distracted had been cause of concern for the prideful doll especially with how he was normally so affectionate.

When their gentle hand landed on his back, Varrik startled and spin around to meet Kuchi's worried violet eyes. His shoulders slumped as he recognized the prideful bun.
"What has you so distracted? It is not like you."
".............I may have upset someone?"
"....Who?" Kuchi's eyebrows furrowed at that answer. It could easily be anyone. Probably someone close to him?
".......Ione."
*Ah, them...... How'd Varrik manage to upset Ione? They're usually more mild mannered despite their snark* "How? Was it your jealousy?"
Varrik glanced back toward the flowers and Kuchi sighed softly. *Must be bad then?*
"Tell me?" Gentle prodding might get the full story out of Varrik and it did in clipped sentences.

"Well. You do not want this flower then." When Varrik looked at them with a frown as Kuchi continued in slightly amused tone
"That one is Amaranth and it means hopelessness." Varrik took few steps away from the flowers he had been admiring much to Kuchi's amusement.
"Need help getting something together?" Varrik inclined his head
"If you do not mind?"
Kuchi smiled kindly at him as they pulled him away toward other flowers.

"There is still hope. If what that citrus bun has said is true then they will likely forgive you." They reassured him as he sighed.
"I do not know flowers."
"I do" they patted his arm as Kuchi led them to a plot full of round petaled flowers that bore similarities to roses.
"Those are camellias. Gorgeous aren't they? Pink symbolizes 'longing for you' and you are passionate about all of your partners yes?" Varrik cleared his throat at Kuchi's observation as they cut few from the plot. When Kuchi brought him to another plot, Varrik had immediately recognized it as Gladiolus, one of Ione's favorites.
"Integrity and Strength....Oh one of their favorites." Kuchi was surprised to see that he knew this then had to smile as Varrik glanced away.
"Excellent addition. They have integrity especially regarding The Daily Grind...." "and strength to do right by that." he had added as Kuchi cut few of the tall blooming flowers to add to the collection in their arms.

"Hyacinth has many symbolisms but yellow symbolizes jealousy while the purple is a plead for forgiveness and an apology." Kuchi explained while cutting out the tall flowers with blooming flowers sprouting all over. Then they went to the small plot near back with small yellow flowers sprouting from branches and Kuchi cut them out as well
"Rue for regret. I know you hate to upset other buns you are close to especially your partners." Varrik had to agree with that.

"....I think this needs more...." he muttered as Kuchi glanced to him.
".....For extra effort, perhaps a vase? I can add some aloe to frame it, they symbolizes both affection and grief....'You have my affection and I have caused you grief'?" At his nod, some aloe were cut out and they went to look for good vases to use. When a lovely copper glazed vase had been chosen and the flowers arranged in it, Kuchi patted his arms

"It will be fine. Ione rarely hold grudges for very long." Kuchi gave Varrik a reassuring smile and Varrik knew they would be right as he had seen the bond between Snack and Sweet. No matter how many times and for how long Limon got kicked out of the cafe, she always was allowed back in. There also was that chocolate box that Ione had fretted over the other week.
"Thank you" he leaned in to nuzzle Kuchi's hair before departing.

Ione had been in middle of preparing dinner when they heard the door ring. Scowling, they went to answer the door with a snarky line on tip of their tongue as they were not in the mood for visitors only to stare into Varrik's eyes. Then the flowers in vase in his hands caught their eyes next and Ione slumped with a soft sigh

".......Is this an apology bouquet?" At his nod, Ione stepped aside to let him inside. Varrik followed them silently to the dining table where Ione took the vase from him to set down for closer look.

"...You had help?"
"Kuchi. I am not good with flowers..."
"..This is beautiful. Can you tell me about their meanings?" Ione's eyes remained glued to the vase but they were the most relaxed Varrik had seem them in days.

"The pink camellia means 'I long for you', gladiolus is one of your favorite flowers and it means 'You have integrity when it come to your business and Strength to do right by it' while the yellow and purple hyacinth is 'I am sorry for my jealousy and causing sorrow' and the rue is my regret for upsetting you. The aloe framing them is 'You have my affection and I have caused you grief'.....The vase would match your dining table..."

The moment Ione moved around table to wrap arms around him, Varrik immediately buried his face into their hair.

"Don't make a habit out of upsetting me like that....please? I always hire security every matentines because everyone's hormones always go crazy....My rules are in place for a reason. I know you are protective but please try to keep it out of my cafe? I missed you. Thank you for the flowers." They murmured with a soft content sigh as Varrik's hands rubbed at their back.

"Stay for dinner?" Ione glanced up at Varrik who grinned with a fang slipping out.