Chapter Text
It was the most usual Tuesday at the biological laboratory. The specific direction of this one — floristics. Here, highly respected biologist, Mr Lee always conducts his experiments, not forgetting to visit his garden.
Each vegetations, even weed, were planted personally by him. For this sake he even took of his wedding ring, the one that he promised his wife at the altar should never be removed.
“He definitely likes toiling in soil more than being at home!” Whispered one janitor to another.
“How venomous should one be, for her husband to choose poisonous plants over her?” Answered another in wonder.
Jisung was passing by the garden and when he heard this whispered dialogue he turned his eyes to the professor. He was a statuesque man, he wasn’t in want, and he didn’t live in the bachelor apartment pinching pennies on everything he could. Han would’ve loved to be like him one day.
Feeling someone’s eyes on himself Minho raised his head. He saw his assistant, standing there as if frozen while also blinking. The very next second he started mumbling something panickily through the glass, yet obviously Lee couldn’t hear him.
“Come inside.” The older one said clearly, loudly and firmly. In a way Jisung could hear him through the glass.
Hurriedly entering the indoor garden, he didn’t spend a second to start justifying himself:
“I’m sorry Mr Lee, I didn’t mean to stare, I-I… you just… the way you work with flowers… the tenderness with which you tend to them… is fascinating…”
“Relax. I don’t mind you watching. In the end of the day you’re my assistant, and not a janitor-gossiper.” Biologist said calmly while continuing caring for his plants.
“O-oh… so you know...”
“Of course, I can’t even blink without them knowing.” The older one said cutting something off another flower.
Discussing rumours, they unnoticeably started talking about vegetations. Jisung’s curiosity wanted to know everything about the flora of this garden.
Lee didn’t have anything against it. In fact, he was glad to have someone to talk about his precious world, his true family.
“And how is this flower called?” The younger one reach out to touch it, yet his fingers were quickly intercepted and led away.
“Black Henbane. Incredibly beautiful, but very poisonous plant. Even a bit of its pollen is enough to get poisoned. Inhaling results in the airway being paralysed.” Minho answered carefully letting go off Han’s slightly raspy fingers.
“Really? Never would’ve thought…” Jisung said, cautiously observing the flower, almost not breathing, being afraid of inhaling its pollen.
“Me neither…” Lee admitted, while observing not the flower, at least not the henbane, yet his assistant, who bent down to the flower, and to him at the same time, a little bit too close.
Dark roots of his hair, that differed from his bleached length, reminded him of henbane’s petals. His lashes… not very long, neither were they thick, but they suit him. They suit his curious, round eyes.
His beauty… if he was a mediaeval princess, people would’ve fought because of his beauty. His beauty is dangerous. Poisonous.
“Okay, lets go…” Minho stood up, yet while doing so he touched the petal of the precious flower. “Damn.”
“Oh! What to do… Mr Lee, do you know how to counteract its poison? You can’t stay poisoned!” Jisung slightly started panicking.
“Let’s wash it off and that will be enough… Of course, every manual warns that this is very dangerous, but I worked with this flower not once. I wasn’t in contact with it long enough.” The older said exiting indoor garden, hir personal indoor heaven.
“Are you sure? Maybe you should visit Mrs Kwon? She would examine you…” Han followed the biologist to the bathroom.
“You’re exaggerating. I know what I work with. Moreover, I would’ve felt the symptoms: redness of the skin, dry mouth, enlarged pupils… I would’ve had paralysis of airways if I inhaled the pollen and would’ve hallucinated if I ate the flower. I know henbane at my fingertips.” Lee opened the faucet and started washing his hands diligently. “Not literally.”
“I understand, but…” Boy couldn’t help worrying. “Let me see!” Assistant insisted, grabbing professor’s hands and taking a closer look.
His hands were surprisingly tender. Most men his age had rougher skin and more robust bones, yet not him. His hands seemed gentler than the petals of a tulip.
After few seconds the younger lifted his head and intently looked at Minho’s face.
“Your skin reddened! That’s definitely henbane’s toxins… you must see a doctor… or at least a nurse!” Jisung was insisting after seeing his coworker’s red cheeks. He didn’t notice how close he was leaning in to him.
“Fine.” Biologist agreed forcibly, looking away.