Next Friday, when Reyna came through the door, Peter already had the sunflowers ready and in his hands. Not only did Elias come every Friday, he also showed up at noon like clockwork. One thing Peter could say about the man was that he was very consistence. This time, Peter prepared exactly what he was going to say to Reyna. "Now," Peter demanded, "I don't want a lecture. It's not like I greet every customer. Elias is no different-"

"You don't pay me enough to be your therapist," Reyna sighed and took the flowers, but she didn't leave. She said, "Elias also wants a bouquet of roses."

"Roses?" Peter straightened, eyeing the door. He couldn't see Elias from here. "For who?"

"I didn't ask," Reyna shrugged, seemingly disappointed as she stroked one of the leaves. "It's not my business. He said they need to be red."

"Red?"

"What? Are you a parrot, today?"

"Oh, uh sorry," Peter mumbled as she walked back out. He sucked in his lips and walked to one of the many fridges lining the back wall. Of course, he had roses at the ready. One vase, in particular, was carved, covered in ivory white roses. He arrived at the door, but his hands forgot how to work. He couldn't get them to move and pick up the vase. His brow narrowed and he asked himself a loaded question. "What is wrong with you? Why do you care if he buys red roses? You don't even talk to him!"

"This is stupid," he muttered and grabbed the bouquet and before he knew it, he walked right out of his workshop. He stood on the dangerous sales floor, away from the safety of his workbench. Here he was out in the open, vulnerable. It wasn't until he saw Elias that Peter realized what he'd done. There was no escaping now. He looked at Reyna, whose whole face brightened like she just tuned into her favorite soap opera.

Before he could escape, Peter laid the flowers down on the counter while Reyna waved Elias over. "Elias! I have your flowers!" Suddenly, Peter became painfully aware of his dirty jeans and the hole at the bottom of his button up. He never had to dress for the front. Still, Peter tried fingering his hair to give it some hint of style.

"Thank you," Elias smiled and hurried to the register. He was already reaching for his wallet. "I really appreciate it."

"Hey, Elias," Peter spoke up, lamely. He crossed his arms, unsure what to do with his hands. "How are things-"

"Sorry, I'm in a rush," he interrupted, picking out a couple of bills. Peter felt like he just tripped down the stairs in this conversation.

"Oh."

"It'll be twenty-four thirty-eight," Reyna said with a tight smile. She gave Peter an apologetic look when Elias started fishing for change. A few rebellious strands of hair swept across Elias' forehead. It was fascinating, the mix of gray and brown on such a young face. Despite the cuts and the scars and the exhaustion, Elias had lots of time left.

As soon as they exchange the receipt, Elias was out the door. Peter didn't even blink.

After a moment of silence, Reyna made up an excuse, "he's just in a hurry. I swear he's not usually like that-"

"I know," Peter sighed. He spied the clock on the wall. The day had only begun, but Peter's legs felt like they were filled with cement. "He only acts like that around me."

The rest of the day, Peter put on his headphones and drowned out the world. He refused to think because that would lead to overthinking and Peter really couldn't imagine digging an even deeper grave for himself. He'd end up inside the core the earth.

#

"Delphine?" Peter spoke up. He sat on the edge of Delphine's desk, watching her work. He changed out of his work clothes, something more appropriate for a nice dinner: his dark blue pants, gray sweater, and a simple white undershirt. He managed to convince his hair to hold some sort of style. However, he could never shake the smell of dirt and flowers from his skin.

"Yes, darling?" Delphine said without taking her eyes away from her computer. Every now and then, she'd write a time on her very professional stationary, light blue paper with glittering pink pens. All her pens also came with a feather attachment that fluttered as she wrote.

Peter looked down at his hands, picking at the skin around his nails. Just asking this question burned the tops of his ears. He spoke low, so Leo wouldn't hear him from the front desk. It was too pitiful. "Why don't you just give up on me?" Peter asked.

"Because..." she didn't hesitate, scribbling away. "Everyone deserves a chance to be loved, to feel loved and to give love. Besides," she grinned and ruffled the feathered pen in his face. At least it was soft, but a few stray strands caught in his mouth. "You've waited the longest! It's your turn!" She announced, gladly and Peter grimaced, picking out the feathers from his tongue.

He muttered, "that doesn't make me feel better."

Delphine just laughed like Peter was kidding. Not a second later, a light flashed through the cracks of the storage closest. "Sorry, I'm late!" James announced as he threw the door open. He was winded, flushed up to his ears and in his hand, in all its glory, was a large bouquet of roses. Peter recognized them instantly. He never forgot a bouquet.

A strange relief flooded Peter's veins. Elias bought that for Eric, didn't he? He didn't understand why, but knowing that soothed Peter's worries. It lifted his spirits even, watching James rush to put the flowers on his desk.

James wore a black blazer over a white and black striped sweater and jeans with holes in the knees. His curls were especially boyish, his bangs in need of a haircut before the brunette strands covered his eyes. Not that anything ever took away from his thousands of freckles. He was the kind of handsome that would surprise you on the street with the kind of features that'd force your stare to linger.

"Aren't you two tired of being so lovey-dovey, yet?" Peter teased James, but he couldn't explain the smile on his own face. James just smiled to himself and took the card off, keeping the note for himself. They were going to renew their vows in a couple of months and while Peter was happy for them, he kind of wished Peter could be spared from the constant parade of love.

Just when Peter thought he couldn't feel more alone.

James disappeared into the next room to say hello to Leo, the new temporary assistant, and the resident, youngest Silva. The moment James was out of the room, Delphine said. "You can't compare yourself to James, Peter. Your stories are different."

"No," Peter corrected. "We're in the same story, I'm just the side character."

Delphine answered by using her paperwork to smack the upside of Peter's head. He hopped off her desk, rubbing the growing welt. He smoothed the blonde strands down. "I did not RVSP to your pity party, Peter Flynn," Delphine narrowed her brow. "This family doesn't give up. No matter what."

And like that, like Delphine always managed to make him do, Peter smiled softly. He chuckled to himself. Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head and smelled her sweet lavender smell. He loved Delphine dearly, which just made him feel even more guilty for resenting James lately. These matchmakers were his only family in the world. Now, that included Eric.

"Oh, Elias?" James said from the waiting room and Peter straightened his spine.

No way, he thought. No way! Twice in the same day!

Panicked, Peter's feet had a mind of its own. When it came to fight or flight, Peter would always be the first in the air. He made a mad dash for the storage closet. There was still time to escape. He started blabbering as his whole face burned rosy red. "I just remembered, I forgot something at your house! Uh- I'll just- I'll—"

He was so close to escaping when Delphine stood and called after him. "Peter! You know you have to wait for the portal to cool down! Do you want to lose your eyebrows?"

Peter thought about it.

Compared to making a fool of himself again that didn't sound so bad.

"I think he's not done punishing me," Elias grumbled, following James into the office. From behind them, peaking over the desk to get the longest look, Peter spotted Leo's face and big curious eyes. The door closed, and Elias started shrugging off his jacket. "Hello," Elias greeted the rest of the room, before returning his focus to James. "I have an extensive career of being a mercenary. The greatest Alphas used to trust me with the utmost delicate matters. I have the strength of an Alpha and yet-"

"I know, Elias," James said out of pity.

"Yet!" Elias still shouted, "I submitted to your husband."

"Are you still hung up on that?" Delphine grinned like a cat, teasing her food. Standing in the middle of the room like a weirdo, Peter forgot how to be a human being all of a sudden. He didn't know what to do with his hands, crossing and uncrossing his arms, rubbing his arms and crossing his legs.

Not that Elias noticed.

Peter just had to play it cool, pretend like he wasn't totally aware of Elias' every movement. Like the way Elias rubbed his jaw with his knuckles or how many strands of hair fell across his forehead.

Elias walked right up to James' chair and sat down. "Eric Silva has basically resigned me to busy work. I'm going to quit." He loosened his tie, revealing his rather large Adam's apple.

"No, you won't," James smiled.

Peter feigned an easy-going laugh. Heat quickly trickled into his face. "Just think. Eric will run out of things to make you do eventually-"

Elias spoke up, cutting Peter off right at the end like the wrong note on the piano. Peter flinched. "I'll go rogue. Live off the land," Elias raised his hands and slumped deeper into the seat.

"With the amount of hair gel you use," Peter laughed nervously and, Elias' attention was exclusively towards James. Still stiff, now Peter's face burned hot. In this scenario, he was the annoying kid brother that couldn't take a hint. No one wanted him to be a part of it. "I doubt-"

Elias snapped his fingers at James. "Worse comes to worse! I just take over."

"Okay," Peter huffed, his brow narrowing and twisting his face. "I don't know what you're deal is, but did I do something to offend you?"

"What's wrong, darling?" Delphine asked.

"No matter what I say or do, you totally ignore me."

"He has a point," James nodded.

"Who does? Who are you talking to?"

Peter threw his hands up with a groan that rattled his ribcage. He turned his back on them, hiding his reddened face and twisted brows. There was ignoring someone, Peter thought, then there was totally disregarding someone's entire existence! It didn't make sense. Elias only acted this way to Peter. Only him. His mind went back, recalling every moment they shared. He remembered every painful moment. The best interactions they've had were when a door stood between them and Peter could watch him through the window.

"Just answer him," James sighed. "Don't be a dick."

"What are you talking about?"

"This seems a bit childish," Delphine added.

The matchmakers shamed Elias, peppering him with their machine gun bullets full of shame. Elias put up his hands in surrender, but the witches weren't forgiving. Peter tilted his head, examining Elias. Still, Elias hadn't looked at Peter. Not even in his direction. Peter walked up behind James, but Elias' eyes didn't flicker.

A guy like Elias...

A man who once earned his living by being a mercenary would have at least looked alerted to Peter's presence. He would have done something. Peter nudged James before he had time to fully think. Peter as taking a leap of faith. "Tell him to put his hand up."

"Why?" James narrowed his brow.

"I don't know why! I don't even know what you're talking about?" Elias finally raged, yelling back.

"Just put your hand up," James told him and like every command, Elias did what he was told. Not that he was happy about it. Rolling his eyes, Elias put his hand up in the air like a limp high five and Peter's chest clenched. He was suddenly weighed down by this stupid idea. If this didn't work... if Peter's guess was wrong, he was going to look like a total moron.

Hesitantly, Peter approached. He raised his hand too and still, Elias looked at James and waited for the next step. Licking his lips, Peter kept his hand from touching Elias' palm. It was as if a barrier had been placed between them. It was a wall only Peter created, brick by brick with the highest quality fear around. Peter curled his fingers back into his palm and took a deep breath. This habit was ruining his life.

He had to be brave.

Peter's trembling fingers straightened and just barely touched Elias' skin, just the tips of their fingers. What passed between them was more than just a static shock, it was more than just an electric current it was the kind of lightning thrown down from the sky by the hands of a God. Elias and Peter's hands repealed from each other. Peter stumbled back, having lost the feeling in his arm. His arm hung like dead weight by his side still tingling.

Elias' eyes were wide, but harsh as if someone had threatened his life. Without a word, he put his hand back up. Peter was drawn in. This time, Peter unfurled his hand against Elias' rough hand. His hand was thicker and his fingers were longer. Elias took a step forward, his warmth wafting across Peter. Elias' brow just furrowed deeper. He looked around Peter's general direction, looking at him like the most confusing math equation in the world.

"Just when I thought it was getting boring," Delphine stood, a grin lining her face, "you've done this. I'm so happy," she raised her hands, "This is the best. I love you, Peter Flynn. I love you, thank you."

"Don't mention it," Peter unconsciously whispered, worlds away. Their hands stayed in the air, pressing onto each other. It may have been the only thing keeping Peter upright.

"Elias," James spoke up, finally putting it together. He put the worse out into the world, while Peter was just too afraid to say it. "Elias, can you not see him?"

"I..." Elias said and their eyes met by accident. Peter sucked in a breath, trapped underneath his icy gaze. His heart was not prepared for that or the attention, no matter how unintentional it was. Peter's senses heightened, and he became hyper-aware of everything, even the way his breath shuddered. He shivered as Elias admitted, "I can't. I don't see anyone..."

#

Thanks for reading! I hope you're enjoying Peter's story :) Because it's been a lot of fun to write! But, be sure to vote and tell me what you think! Did you see that coming? You could even go back to the end of The Golden Rule, where Elias walks right past Peter. Haha.

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