TUSOKI
(AU)
Shop.
Notes; Based on an ask prompt I got on CI, AU setting so used 17 and 18's before-transformation names!
"Why are we here, again?"
The black haired male sighed, it had been the fourth time this week alone that his sister had dragged him out to go here. He didn't even like this stupid shop, with its dumb decorations and stupid merchandise which mostly consisted of scented candles and other 'girly' stuff he couldn't be bothered with.
He glanced over at Lazuli who was browsing the many shelves in the back of the tiny store. Really, they could have at least expanded the building seeing as how busy it always was in here.
Lapis tugged at his shirt collar, it was stuffy and warm.
"Hurry up will you!"
But his sister wasn't paying him any attention, instead she walked further back until she was out of sight.
"Forget this."
Lapis smirked as he checked for her one more time, then bolted for the door. Sure she would be mad when she realized he had ditched her but he had more important stuff to do. He crossed the busy intersection and entered a newly opened record store.
Meanwhile Lazuli was still at the back of the store, stealing glances at the front register through gaps in the endless rows of small glass jars of candles. The mingled scents irritated her nose but she didn't care. Her focus was entirely on the short male cashier who was helping other customers with a happy smile on his face.
The shop was fairly new, just opened business a few months ago. She figured he must be new in town as well, she had never seen him before that day she curiously stepped foot in the small building back when it first had opened its doors.
He had greeted her with a smile, apologizing for the messy state of the store.
"But feel free to browse around, Miss." He had said.
And that is exactly what she had done...many, many times now, always hiding behind these shelves so he hopefully wouldn't catch her observing him and always buying at least a small trinket so she wouldn't look so suspicious coming in almost everyday. The shelves in her room were rapidly filling with several scented candles and other trinkets and she didn't even want to think of the amount of money she had already spend in here.
All just so she could get a glance at him, see his brilliant smile and make small talk when he rang up her purchases. He intrigued her for reasons she wasn't even sure of, but no matter how much she tried to deny it at first, she'd finally come to terms with the fact that she had developed a huge crush on the short man.
In this time she had already learned quite a bit about him. She knew his name was Kuririn and that his Grandpa owned the store. His name struck her as a little odd, she hadn't heard it before in this region.
Lazuli grabbed a small jar from the shelf, not even paying attention to it as she inched her way to the front.
He was helping a different customer when someone called his name.
"Kuririn, we need to order more mint candles, don't make me forget!"
"Got it!"
Lazuli observed the older man who was stocking some shelves not too far from the register. Suddenly he caught her gaze and smiled. She looked away, something about his smile immediately set her on edge. She had a feeling she wasn't the only one who had been observant. She swallowed, hoping that she had just been over thinking things. She turned back to the register when the other customer walked away.
"Welcome to the Scented Dragon! Oh it's you! Welcome back, Miss."
Lazuli blushed slightly, caught of guard by his greeting and the light touch of his fingers against hers as he took the small jar from her hands. He was smiling brightly up at her.
"Found something to your liking then?"
"Yes." She hated the small tremble in her voice.
"Ah Cinnamon Swirl, it's one of my favorites!"
Kuririn rang up her purchase.
"What's your name, Miss?" He asked .
She was caught of guard by his sudden question.
"Huh?"
"Your name? It's only fair you tell me yours since you know mine by now." He said with a wink.
"Lazuli." She answered, trying to stop the blush that threatened to stain her cheeks.
"That's a pretty name."
Kuririn handed her the small bag that contained her purchase. He leaned over the counter a little, looking up at her with a small smile.
" I hope to see you soon, Miss Lazuli" He said softly. He held her gaze a little longer before winking a second time and stepping back.
"Have a good day!"
Lazuli swallowed, hastily turning away and making her way to the doors.
He knows...
She didn't even hear her brother yelling at her as she ran through the busy the street. Her cheeks felt burning hot and no matter what she did, she couldn't shake the blush off.
He knows!
She was relieved when she reached the house, panting and leaning against the tall fence.
No matter what happened, she could not set foot in that store again. She could not risk him truly find out just why she had been coming in there. Maybe she was just over reacting and maybe he didn't know after all, but the way he had looked at her had made alarm bells go off in her head, specially since his grandpa had also sent her that same peculiar look.
"Damnit."
She unlocked the front door and made a beeline to her room, slamming the door behind her. She flopped down on her bed with a miserable sigh.
"Well at least I got this last memento." She said softly smiling to herself, remembering how he'd said it was one of his favorites. She reached into the bag to retrieve the small candle.
She arched her brow when a small piece of paper fell on the floor in front of her feet. She picked it up, unfolding it with mild curiosity.
Her heart literally skipped a beat when she read the contents.
'Can't wait to see you again...Call me?'
K.
Lazuli noticed he had written a phone number in the bottom corner of the note. She couldn't help herself when she hugged the note close, and almost squealed but she hastily composed herself. She took the new candle and added it to her, what she assumed, still ever growing collection.
Now she only had to muster up the courage to actually pick up the phone and dial his number...
END!
