Here goes nothing! Chapter 2!
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Sollux Captor was nearing the end of his college course. He had chosen a course in computer engineering as this was his passion, and as far as he knew, the only thing he was good at. He had loved this course in the past, but had now grown frustrated with the work.
He stretched himself out on the beanbag he had been asleep on, his back popped and cracked in response. He let out an exasperated noise, and pulled himself up to look at his reflection in the full length mirror on the wall next to him.
Sollux was a tall, young man. The baggy clothes he wore hid his scrawny figure; and because his height made him look much thinner than he actually was, he looked as if he had been stretched out. He looked down at his reflection's hands, his long, slender fingers clenched into fists. Sollux forced his gaze upward to his head; he had dark brown hair that stuck out at the back and sides, and always looked a bit dishevelled.
He hated his face, all because of those damn eyes. The right was a warm brown and the left was a cold blue. Sollux reached for the sunglasses he wore to hide his disgusting stare. He hated himself, and he hated his stupid freak eyes.
He turned his back on his reflection, and began looking around for his laptop. After checking his desk and computer chair, he saw the corner of it poking out from under his bed. As Sollux lifted it out, he saw what had been underneath.
It was a book all about bacteria and decomposition.
Sollux's stomach sank as a memory from only a few months ago replayed in his head.
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Aradia sat on Sollux's bed, her wild and curly hair splayed all around her, her knees brought up to her chest. She had a very large book resting against them, and her full attention was on it.
Sollux watched her read; he loved the way Aradia's nose crinkled and her eyebrows furrowed when she concentrated like this.
She glanced up and met his gaze, her red lips curling upwards in a playful smile. "Sollux dear, I cannot study for my exams if you keep distracting me. How am I supposed to read when you're watching me with that look of puppy love plastered across your face?"
"You're cute when you read." Was his only response, and he turned away with a smile ghosting his own lips.
Aradia laughed and pushed the book under the bed, she leant over and placed a gentle kiss on Sollux's cheek, "well, you're always cute." She said softly.
They had gone out to dinner together after that, the book lay forgotten under the bed. That's where it stayed, even after they had broken up two nights later.
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Sollux had never moved the book, he had kept it in the hope that she would come back to him.
His fingers traced the letters on the book's cover, and on a whim he opened it to the first page where he saw yesterdays date. He hadn't realised that it was a library book, that must have been why Aradia hadn't come back for it. Sollux's head buzzed with the hope that if he was to text her about the book being late, it could start a conversation, maybe he could ask her out for coffee? What if he took the book back to the library himself? He could let her know that he saved her from the late fees, and she'd be thankful, right?
Sollux knew he was being abnormally optimistic, and he knew none of that was true, but he didn't want Aradia to get billed for the late fees that he could have prevented. He reluctantly threw on a pair of scruffy converse, picked up the large book and left his apartment.
He only lived about 20 minutes away from the library, but he hated leaving his apartment for anything other than food. He took a moment to breathe and get himself psyched, then he started walking towards his destination.
After only walking for 15 minutes, Sollux arrived at the library. He reached out his hand towards the doors, but hesitated. He stared at the wood as anxiety bubbled up from the depths of his stomach, leaving a bitter taste at the back of his throat. After a minute frozen in this position, he regained a small amount of confidence and pushed the heavy doors open.
The subtle smell of old books hung in the air, but Sollux could hardly notice it over the suffocating silence. He stepped inside and allowed the doors to close behind him.
Sollux scanned the room for the reception desk, and as he did, he noted that the library was almost deserted. He noticed a desk with a young lady sat at it, and he tentatively walked over, gripping the book to his chest.
Sollux was very conscious of how loud his footsteps sounded.
His heart hammered as he approached the desk; the young woman looked up and smiled. She had above shoulder-length black hair, and her lips and eyelashes were the same shade of blue as her eyes. There was a badge on the front of her dress that said 'Aranea'.
Sollux awkwardly thrust the book towards her, "it might be late," he managed to force out. Aranea continued to smile as she scanned the book, "it says here that a miss Aradia withdrew this book, so I can only assume that you are doing a good deed in returning it. So I'll let you off this time," She said playfully.
Sollux didn't really know what to do or say, he stood completely still biting his bottom lip. After a moment's hesitation he said, "well, then I'll put the book back for you. Uhh, I, thank you." He picked up the book, and looked around stupidly. Aranea giggled, "well, I can't refuse an offer like that! That book should go in the blue section, over by that young man. Thanks." She leaned forwards and flashed a wide smile.
They both turned towards the slim young man on the other end of the library. He had his back to them.
Sollux nodded, and started walking in the direction of the man, he tried to look for another route between the book aisles, but failed. He swallowed, and made his way over to the shelf behind the guy. In an attempt to convince himself and the two other people in the library that he wasn't scared of this possibility of human interaction, he whistled a quiet tune to himself.
Sollux found himself looking at the man; he had short, dark brown hair, and a slim build. His trousers were tight fitting. Very tight fitting. The view from behind was quite enjoyable, and Sollux smiled to himself. Unfortunately there was something that irked him; the man was wearing a scarf. Inside. It was summer.
What an arrogant twat.
The man spun around looking extremely frustrated, and met Sollux's gaze. Sollux quickly looked down at his book, pretending as if he hadn't noticed him.
After standing there pretending to be interested in his book, with the man glaring at him, Sollux finally looked up. The first thing he noticed was that the chunk of violet hair matched the violet eyes that were watching him.
'Oh fuck. Not this asshole' was all that crossed Sollux's mind when he recognised the man stood in front of him.
