Chapter Text
Every morning use to start like this,
The light would filter through the east facing windows. Monty could sleep through it, if it wasn’t for his mom’s car engine starting directly under his room.
He would groan and know he had to get up because he was never able to get back to sleep once he was awake.
He would rise from his bed and start his routine which was a mix of-
Relieving himself - brushing his teeth - watering the plants closest to his bathroom- drinking a glass of water - avoiding looking at the expensive textbooks his mom got him - looking at them - getting anxious - rolling a joint - scrolling through random facts or forums or just funny images on his desk top - getting hungry - reading the random notes his mom leaves on the fridge for herself - some for him - take the trash to the curb - eat something easy to grab - back to his area he’ll water the plants on his desk - watch something educational and or funny - eventually his mom comes home - have dinner with her - water his plants near his bed - scroll through inspirational and or depressing things on his phone -
Not always in that order, but usually in that order.
Now though, he groans as an alarm goes off.
It’s been a few months of his new routine, and he’s still not used to it.
Up before the sun because his mom refuses to hire anyone to manage the plant nursery- well because she’s expecting him to “if you’re not going to do anything else.”
He showers - grabs something quick from the kitchen - runs back to water his plants near the bathroom and on his desk as he grabs his keys - drives his car 20 minutes into town where the Green’s Plant Nursery is -
Not a very clever name, could have at least played on Green thumb or something, but his mom says it’s unnecessary to dress it up.
“Our names Green, it’s a plant nursery. It works Monty. Clear, concise, now go to work.”
He sighs as he pulls in. Maybe a little late, seeing as the only worker he has right now is standing next to the door looking about as happy to be there as Monty feels.
Monty walks over quietly feeling awkward, glancing at Bellamy then ducking his head as he unlocks the door.
“Good morning.” He murmurs.
“Hey.” Bellamy responds.
That’s pretty much their morning ritual.
Today he unlocks the door and holds it open for Bellamy in a sort of sorry I was late friendly gesture, Bellamy walks in and disappears right into the back.
The plant nursery isn’t huge by any means. Monty flips a sign on the door - open 9 - 5 - just Bellamy and him here for 8 hrs. Practically everyday. Mondays are closed.
Monty goes to the small desk where the register hides and powers on the computer, and sits there for a minute watching it start.
They have the store front, seeds, small popular plants, pretty pots, bottles of fertilizers, pebbles, all the little plant necessities and spoileries.
This is where Monty lives- pretty much- there’s a small office behind him with file cabinets - his mom’s, though she’s been pressuring him to actually go in there and manage things since he’s been mostly avoiding it- and two small green houses out the back.
That’s where Bellamy usually is. Doing something, somewhere back there. Monty doesn’t really helicopter supervise and things tend to get done so-
Sometimes he’ll get bored and wonder back there.
Bellamy’s usually potting plants, watering them with a light fanning spray of the hose, or shifting bags of soil where they need to go, he always stops whatever he’s doing and asks
“Need something?”
And it always makes Monty embarrassed and feel like an idiot.
“Just slow, as usual.”
He tries to make conversation, thankfully Bellamy isn’t as socially inept as Monty feels.
Bellamy leans easily against a counter and smiles. “Yeah. It will pick up though.”
They usually do very casual small talk, plans- neither of them have many, weather - supposed to rain for a couple of days, which is bad for Bellamy because he bikes to work though he says it’s not a big deal, plants- Monty is definitely taking home one of the gorgeous tricolor calatheas he just doesn’t know where he’s going to put it, and generally gets around to Monty complaining about his mom and Bellamy listening and usually saying something a long the lines of “you two are family, it’ll work out.” And talking about what his sister told him about some random city in a different country every so many months she’s visiting with her adopted family.
Today Monty sits at the counter in the store front and scrolls through his phone, lightly spinning himself left and right in a soothing rocking way.
The door has these little jingle bells, it’s a pleasant sound- which instills instant dread in Monty’s bones.
A customer, meaning he’s going to have to force himself through another interaction with a random person.
At least it’s always about plants. Monty can talk about plants.
Monty smiles nervously “Hello, let me know if you need anything.”
The guy grins and nods and starts poking around at things.
Monty sits awkwardly back down and tries not to just, well, watch him. So he looks down at the desk at his options. Notepad. Phone. Little plants. Cup full of pens.
He grabs his phone and texts Bellamy.
-finally. A customer.-
And because Bellamy knows Monty hates customers he appears wiping dirt off his hands and sighing as he leans against the counter.
Monty smiles thankfully.
The customer has floppy brown hair, looked to be around their age and has his back turned to them reaching up and poking a hanging plant causing it to sway lightly.
Monty hears his chuckle and feels oddly embarrassed for hearing it.
Bellamy watches him and Monty says “what?”
“Why don’t you go talk to him?”
Monty spins his chair back and forth a little.
“What?” He repeats.
Bellamy knows Monty would really rather not.
Bellamy crosses his arms. It’s oddly reminiscent of his mom.
“I really have things to do-“
Monty scoffs disbelieving-
“-and you’re supposed to be running things up here. Not me.”
Monty frowns, feeling completely chastised “you get paid though.”
Monty mutters.
They stare at each other a minute.
There’s another chuckle from across the room catching Monty’s attention, he looks over to see the guy bent down over a tray of succulents poking at them and talking to them.
Monty flushes.
“Is he talking to the plants?” He whispers
Bellamy’s looking at the guy and turns to smile at Monty. “Looks like it.”
“You think he’s-“ Bellamy’s smile falls as Monty makes a motion at his own head.
“Crazy?” He finishes lightly.
Bellamy glances back and shrugs a shoulder. “Seems harmless.”
“…will you go talk to him?”
Bellamy smirks at him. Oh no.
“No.”
Monty really wants to reach out and grab the sleeve of his shirt as he turns his traitorous back on Monty and walks back to the greenhouses. Leaving Monty staring at the guy who’s moved towards a small cactus. He pokes it and makes an audible “ow.” noise.
Monty frowns harder. Staring at the side of the guys head, this is awful.
He’s cute.