Hello all, so for funsies Pandora asked for a Dazushi story in the style of a movie meet cute. Hope you enjoy the first chapter. :)
When Kenji told him that a new independent book store had opened Atsushi hadn't thought that much of it. Independent stores like this keep popping up everywhere and then disappearing after three weeks because they just can't compete with the chains. Now that he's standing in front of it though... after two minutes he's already decided that he's never going to another book store again. This place is perfect and he's openly gawping at the stunning window display, which he low key wants to live in.
An array of fantasy novels from all kinds of authors are surrounding the new best seller Book of Dust in the window. Just looking at it makes Atsushi desperately wish that he had the budget for more than just the books from his university reading list he promised himself he would buy. He knows that his self restraint is already cracking though. He's practically drooling, pressing himself up against the glass like a starving orphan at a restaurant and he should probably go inside before people start staring at him.
Inside it's warm and dimly lit, the main light coming in through the display window. It makes Atsushi instantly feel at home, the desire to curl up like a cat in an armchair and fall asleep with a book in his hand is strong. Despite Kenji telling him that the place is amazing there seems to be no one inside. Atsushi looks around, hoping to see at least something else living but it seems as if it's just him. Him... and the guy behind the till.
Atsushi looks over at him and his heart skips. He's lean (probably tall as well judging by how long his legs look), has a mop of messy brown hair and bandages running up each arm from waist to elbow and some winding around his neck as well. He's got his feet up on the desk in front of him and he's reading what looks like Northern Lights, holding the book open with one hand while the other is propping up his chin as he rests his head on it.
Oh my god, he's gorgeous!
Atsushi's always had a thing for the tall, dark and handsome type and this guy is most definitely all three of those. He hasn't even said anything, barely even looked up from his book and acknowledged that Atsushi is there at all, but Atsushi is completely spellbound by how good looking he is. It really doesn't help Atsushi's mental state when his eyes trail down to the man's hands to see long, gorgeous fingers. Instantly his brain is conjuring up images of those fingers ghosting over his skin and...
Atsushi shakes his head. No! Now is really not the time to be thinking about that nonsense! He might be a creep, he might be an arse-hole, he might think there's literary merit in the 50 Shades Trilogy. He tears his eyes away from the man as he starts to walk away but obviously he's not quick enough.
He walks smack into a book shelf and lets out a very undignified squeak of pain. If the man didn't know that he was there before, he certainly does now. Atsushi already feels like a complete moron but it's made even worse when he hears the man at the desk chuckle. Slowly he looks round and his eyes meet the man's as warm chocolate brown looks at him over the top of the book, a smirk on his lips.
Atsushi's face and ears catch fire and he wouldn't be at all surprised if there is steam coming out of the top of his head. He darts into the stacks, to get those eyes off him if nothing else. Once alone it's easier to think. He places a hand over his hammering heart, panting as if he's run a marathon. This he had not expected. He had expected a lovely time with books not to bump into a smoking honey who steals his heart instantly.
He slaps both of his cheeks simultaneously. Come on you idiot, get a hold of yourself. This is not what you came here for. Get your books and get out before you make even more of a fool of yourself than you already have! He gives himself another harsh shake before heading off to try and find the books he needs. If he gets it done quickly and gets out then he should be fine... at least until it comes to paying.
He finds what he's looking for pretty quickly and he's surprised to see how inexpensive everything is. He was expecting to break the bank with just three books but he's able to get everything on his list and still have some money left over. Very pleased with himself he heads over to the desk and waits to see if the man looks up. When he doesn't Atsushi clears his throat softly and, after a pause, the man puts his book down and looks up.
"Can I help you?" the man asks and Atsushi can feel his ears heating up. Oh he has a nice voice... That voice would be quite nice whispering sweet nothings in his ear... and Atsushi is getting ahead of himself again.
"Um I'd like to pay for there," Atsushi mumbles. His face must be scarlet and he tries to hide behind his fringe under the man's scrutiny.
He smiles and Atsushi's face only heats up more. "Sure thing," he says and picks up the first book.
"Thanks," Atsushi says as the man runs his book through the till.
Once he's done with it he puts it back down on the desk. "Trash," he says and picks up the next book. "Trash... trash, trash, trash and trash," he says looking trough the rest of Atsushi's purchases.
"Excuse me?" Atsushi's not sure he heard that right but he must have done.
"This is all trash," the man snorts. "Anyway you don't want to be reading that, you want to be reading this," he says and he pushes the book he has been reading across the desk towards Atsushi.
"Is this a recommendation?"
"If you like."
Atsushi picks the book up and looks at the price on the back of. His heart sinks. He has extra money left over but not enough to buy it. He puts the book back down and pushes it back across the desk. "I wish I could but my university reading list says that I do want to read these and my budget says I can't read this," he says.
"You sure?" the man asks with a smirk.
"Unfortunately yes."
"Shame."
"Are you enjoying it?" Atsush asks before he can stop himself. He can't help it, he doesn't want to stop talking to this insanely hot man.
"More than I thought," he says.
"That's good."
"You really should read it," the man says as he puts all of Atsushi's books into a bag.
"Maybe another time," Atsushi says.
The man thinks for a second. "Tell you what, you can pay for this with your name," he says as he puts the book on the top of Atsushi's other ones.
"What?"
"Give me your name and I'll give you the book," the man says with a smirk, standing and leaning over the desk to give the longer lock of Atsushi's hair a gentle tug.
"Ah... At... Atsushi," he stammers. "Atsushi Nakajima."
"Cute name," the man says. "I hope I get to see you again Atsushi." The way he says his name has Atsushi's heart hammering in his chest so loud he's sure that the man must be able to hear it.
"Y... yeah, see you soon," Atsushi says. He grabs his books and darts out of the shop. Once outside he places a hand over his rapidly beating heart. He's definitely going back there again, if nothing else he needs to work up the courage to ask the man for his name.