Firstly, sorry for my disappearance! I have no explanation except I'm trash. I hope you can forgive me with the appearance of Pj! Now listen, I've been doing some mental planning and (don't hold this against me BECAUSE STORIES CHANGE) it looks like at the VERY LEAST (yeah that's not going to happen but) there should be around 14 more chapters, and at the most (again, It's probably going to go longer than my original plan but OH WELL) about 25 more chapters? I don't know, but we are in this for the long ride. Let me repeat this again: story plot changes. This story could go for much longer or shorter than I assume. I will keep you updated when something changes. Thankyou all for your lovely reviews, ya'll are fantastic. –theivydaggers
Warnings for this chapter: Slight swearing and mentions of alcohol
"Dan someone needs something at front counter." Dan raised his head from the desk, his eyes heavy with sleep. Nicola smirked at him
"But...I want to sleep." He groaned
"Yeah, well you and me both brother mine. But that person at the counter wants a book. And-" She laughed a little "I cannot be fucked finding it."
He laughed and stretched in his seat, the joints in his back creaked. "Yeah okay, okay I'm getting up."
"Good lad. You coming to Henry's tonight?" She asked, as she pulled her compact out of her bag and applied some powder, a shade too dark for her ivory skin.
He sighed, and let his head fall back onto the desk "Nah, too tired."
Nicola giggled "Yeah I gathered that. Why are you so tired though? Seems like you're functioning solely on coffee and red bull. Oh god-" She stopped applying makeup and looked at him in horror "Don't tell me you're drunk. I can't deal with drunk Dan.'
Dan shook his head and smirked "Nah, I was talking to someone."
She raised her eyebrow "All night?"
"Uh, yeah almost." Dan said as he stood up and made his way back through the door to the main shop.
Nicola whistled "Man, I didn't know they were calling it 'talking' now days. Hope you had a nice night brother mine." She over exaggerated a wink.
Dan rolled his eyes "I swear to god Nicola, you're head's in the gutter."
She shrugged her shoulders and left Dan alone as she went to the store room.
Dan rolled his shoulders a little as he entered from the employee lounge into the main store. The bookstore he worked at was large and dusty. Bookcases reached and strained up to the roof, their angles got sharper and wilder the higher they got. Everything smelt of old books and moth balls. The chairs in the main shop were velvet but slightly lumpy. Was it old cushion? A rat? You'll never know!
He had got the job through Nicola, an old friend from high school. Nicola had gone through her goth phase back then. You know, straightened black hair, chipped black nails, eyeliner that thickly clung to both her eyelids and eyelashes. She had always been kind to him, and took 'prissy pretty boy' (her words, not his) under her wing to make her ideal emo kid. She called him her brother, a nickname that stuck though they looked as different as you could get. They grew out of their emo phase of course, got nicer haircuts and better clothes, but you can't shake off a friendship bloomed on Gerard Way's voice.
Adam had tried to convince Dan to hook up with her at one point. Dan had of course, brushed it off (just like he did with anything Adam said), but he couldn't say he hadn't thought about it himself. She was very pretty, dark auburn pixie cut hair, sharp and bright eyes and a permanent smirk on her face. But, he wouldn't risk fucking up his work relationship. The job was a godsend; well paid and not too much actual work. He was not fucking this up.
His was usually not busy. The outside looked like crap, the paint that should have spelt the name on the front; 'Elizabeth's Books' had faded, and it now spelt 'Izabeth Book'. It was rundown and but had the potential to be beautiful. Dan could see it sometimes, as he looked at the ratty wallpaper of intricate gold patterns, high ceilings with a dusty and broken chandelier, and the old red velvet couches, he could see the store in it's glory days.
Dan shook his head to try and get his mind back on track. Customer. Right. He opened the door and saw a man leant on the counter. He smiled as he took in his surroundings. He looked a bit older than Dan, but there was something youthful and curious in his appearance. His eyes looked bright, and glittered whilst he observed the shop. His hair, dark brown waves, were rumpled by (what Dan guessed) constant playing with. He saw Dan and straightened up.
"Oh! Sorry. I was just admiring the place." He said, a little bashfully. Dan already liked him.
"Ah, I didn't know there was much left to admire." Dan quipped, which earned him a small giggle from the mysterious stranger. He walked closer towards him and leant on the counter. The guy was quite handsome. Pale and tall, bright green eyes, neat white teeth; easy on the eyes.
"Oh! No don't say that! This place has such character! I mean, yeah sure it's a bit crappy at the moment, but if someone fixed it up…god couldn't you see it?" He said, as he dreamily looked at the chandelier.
"Surprisingly, yes. I'm just happy our crappy outwards appearance hasn't put you off. What can I help you with?"
"Oh yeah right, book! That's what I came here for…silly me." He laughed a little to himself. "I'm looking for a pretty strange book actually. I can't find it anywhere modern so I thought 'Second-hand and antique book stores!' I'm looking for, uhm...' He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper 'Arthur Renoive's 'Deadly Poisons and Elixirs'? It's uh…it's pretty old. It doesn't really matter the condition but uh…"
"I'll look it up." Dan cut in, to spare the man his stammers. "If anywhere has a book like that, it's here." He smiled at the man a bit, before he went behind the counter and typed the name into the computer.
"Why do you want a book like that if you don't mind me asking?" He said, as he clicked on the Author's name.
"Well first of all, an old book on poisons and potions sounds awesome. Secondly and more importantly, I need a book like this for a short film I'm shooting. It didn't have to be this book particularly, but I want to keep it after filming so, this was the choice." He beamed, and Dan bit his lip to stop from a grin back.
"Short film huh? Sounds interesting. I always wanted to be an actor. But alas, times change…and you my good sir are in luck. We dohave that book."
"Ah! Finally. How much is it?"
"Well, we actually assign the prices ourselves, depending in what condition it is and how rare it is-"
"And whether or not you actually like the customer?" The man said softly, and his eyes seemed to glitter with mirth.
Dan blinked in surprise before he let out a bark of laughter. "Heh, that as well. Lemme grab it and we'll work it out from there alright?"
The man nodded and smirked as Dan (still laughing) moved away. He sighed as he climbed up the ladder to get the book. He hated ladders. Who ever thought a couple of planks of wood connected to a wall was going to be safe was fucking mental. But, he climbed. He dangled awkwardly from the ladder, pulling himself away to inspect the names of the books.
'Amelia Race's Book of Fungi…Benedict Reed's Deadliest Animals from the Congo…Come on, where are you Arthur Renoive.'
"Mr Renoive may be hiding right now…'
The man laughed, his voice muffled by the rows of bookcases "Serenade him, woo him forward!"
Dan laughed, until he looked at his feet as the ladder wobbled. Oh Christ he hated ladders.
His eyes scanned the row of musty books again, and (with a small noise of triumph) his eyes locked on a thick and heavy leather bound book.
"Mr Renoive has been found!" He called out, as his arm extended to grab the book. The book slid a little out of place, which caused a cascade of dust. He clung to the shelf as he spluttered and coughed.
"…You alright there Dan?"
Dan coughed a little bit more and (grumpily) pulled the rest of the book out. He could feel the dust smattered on his hair and sighed. "Yep I'm good. All in a days work," He put the book under his arm and shook his head. He glared at the dust that fluttered off. "I hate dust so much."
The man laughed, closer now, and as Dan climbed down he realised the man had walked right over to the ladder.
"Maybe you should dust more often?"
"Okay, that sounds awful. Have you seen how many bookshelves this place has?"
"…It is a bookstore Dan."
"…Shut up." Dan pushed his fringe back in place before he stopped "Wait, how do you know my name?"
The man grinned wolfishly, all bright teeth and mischievous eyes
"You…you are wearing a nametag."
Dan stared at the man blankly.
"I have come to the conclusion I should not interact with other human beings." Dan said, after a long pause.
The man giggled, and clapped Dan on the shoulder
Dan shrugged him off, a slight smile tugged at his lips.
"Well, since you know my name, how bout you tell me yours?"
The man cocked an eyebrow. "It's weird…"
Dan laughed "It can't be that bad."
"Pj. Pj Liguori"
Dan raised an eyebrow "French?"
The man shook his head "Italian"
"Ah, the land of pizza and wine, truly beautiful. I'm guessing you won't tell me what Pj stands for?"
Pj laughed "Not in your wildest dreams."
"Well then, if you aren't going to entertain me with your real name, lets scan this book up for you."
Dan returned behind the counter and typed a little more into the computer, the only other sound in the store was the furious scribbling Pj was doing into a small leather bound notepad that he pulled out the moment he reached a flat surface.
The pricing was pretty straightforward with this book. It was not exactly rare, but not exactly common. Reasonably good condition, and well kept leather. It would usually be pretty pricey, but... Pj had been a fantastic customer.
I am going to get fired if i keep doing this. I can't keep halving the price.
"The book comes to about 20 pounds." Dan said, as he looked up from the computer into Pj's startling green eyes.
"Woah… aha! I thought it would be a lot more pricey than that. I came with like 80! Wait…are you sure?"
Dan smirked "Positive."
Pj pouted "You aren't doing this just because of my devilishly good looks are you?"
Dan chuckled under his breath "You aren't unappealing, but-"
Pj interrupted with an abrupt laugh " 'You aren't unappealing' wow thanks Dan best compliment ever."
"Oh shut up. I was just going to say you entertained me so yeah, have fun with you're film and book."
Pj smiled a bit and stared. Dan shifted uncomfortably under his attention.
"What? Oh crap, I don't still have dust in my hair do I?"
"What? Oh! No you just…you remind me a lot of my friend. Not personality or even look wise but like…you make me feel similar yeah?"
Dan grinned, and felt his cheeks get a little warmer "Well I'm sure if they associate with you they're fantastic, so thanks for the compliment."
"He's wonderful. Now, I may have to stop flirting and pick up my book."
His cheeks darkened as he passed the book over, only to clumsily drop it with a small noise of shock.
"Ah-shit! Sorry! It's not broken is it? I'm going to stab myself if it's broken. I'm really screwed if it's broken. I hope it's-"
Pj picked it up and giggled, "Nah, it's all fine. Well…maybe I'll see you around?"
"Yeah…maybe"
Pj turned to leave, and Dan allowed himself to stare at the man's long legs and itty-bitty waist.
God you need to get laid
His throat felt tight and constricted as his eyes dropped to Pj's arse
Oh my god don't do anything
Pj was almost out the door
Hoe don't do it y-
"W-wait!"
Oh my god
Pj turned and looked at him curiously "Is something wrong?"
"Wha? Oh uh, n-no I just uhm. Could I…uh could I give you my number?"
Pj looked at him stunned for a minute before he mouthed a small 'O' shape. "O-oh I uh, I actually don't really swing that way..."
You're a fucking idiot, literally all you had to do is let it be but NO, you're Dan Howell, the most fuck up of a fuck up to fuck up!
"Oh. I..uh, oh sorry i-"
"No, like I'm flattered!" Pj said, as he moved back towards Dan "I mean you're beautiful" Dan lowered his head as he silently begged the ground to swallow him up "…you just lack a part that is slightly vital for me. But don't get me wrong, you are incredibly gorgeous I just-"
"Yeah," Dan murmured "Yeah nah it's cool don't worry about it I'll just…go and…go."
Dan started to turn away until something caught his arm. He looked down in slight surprise to see Pj's hand held his bicep in place.
"Look I might not like guys but uhm…oh man should I do this? Eh fuck it. My friend, the one I mentioned earlier? I think he'd totally dig you. Would you mind if I gave you his number?"
Dan laughed coldly "You don't have to pity me, really I'm-"
"Not pity!" Pj turned him a bit more to look at his eyes. "Not pity. I honestly think you two would hit it off. Can I give you his number? Please?"
"I…" Dan laughed a bit in shock "Oh what the hell go ahead."
Pj smiled in thanks, before he pulled out his notepad and scribbled a number down and handed it to Dan.
"Well, I should actually be off now. But uh, yeah. Give him a text aight?"
Dan rolled his eyes "Yeah, Yeah. Get out of my work before I propose to you."
Pj chuckled, clapped him on the shoulder once again, and walked off. Dan watched as the door shut behind him. He stood there for a long time, just watching the door.
The moment passed, he sighed and turned back into the break room.
Crinkled paper in his right hand, phone in his left, he stared at the (messily) scrawled out number on the paper.
This is easily one of the strangest things you have ever done.
Dan looked at the phone again and clucked his tongue. "God, wait till Phil hears this."
He halted. Phil shouldn't be his priority. Adam and Ramona. They're who he tells boy things too. He barely knows Phil. It was a…slip of the tongue, mind... whatever. He shook his head and looked at the number again.
"Please don't be a murderer." He whispered to the number, as if it could answer itself.
He started typing the number in, only to frown.
"Oh no, you can't be" He muttered in slight horror, halfway through writing the number in phone.
When he typed out the number, he stared at his phone in shock before he dropped his head on the desk, a loud 'thud' echoed around the room in response.
"Oh my god." He mumbled, just under his breath.
He already had this number in his god damn phone.
He just...he flirted with...he. Fuck.
Of course it was fucking Phil.
Thankyou for your time! Hope you liked it, i promise a less long wait this time hehe