Bookshop!au - Tumblr Posts

drabble #35

taehyung x reader || romance, fluff || 599 words prompt: are you warm enough? warnings: none rating: g tags: strangers to lovers, bookshop!au

It was an atypical late afternoon at the bookstore. The autumn sky outside was painted in a beautiful orange and pink gradient, as if a rain cloud had dissipated and wetted the sun, applying a natural filter to the entire scene.

Taehyung was organizing the poem's shelf when he heard the doorbell announce someone's presence. The boy leaned back, still holding his favorite Moon In Soo book, and saw a girl with wet hair and clothes approaching the counter.

“Hello” she said.

“Welcome.”

“May I use your phone?” she asked, hugging herself.

Taehyung paused for a moment, confused by the question, making her blush.

“If not that’s okay, I don't want to bother.”

“Sure, here it goes” he handed the device to the girl, taking a few steps back and returning to the shelf he was organizing minutes before.

“Hi, it's me. My car broke down, my phone died and I need a ride home. Can you come and get me?” Taehyung heard her say, "But why? You work nearby" she asked the person at the other end of the line, “I'm soaked and cold from the rain.”

After a long pause she finally replied, “I understand. What if I wait for you?” and it made Taehyung's heart drop because obviously she needed help and the person didn't seem to care.

“Right. See you later” she ended the call and turned back to the counter, reaching out and handing the phone back to Taehyung, “Here. Thank you so much.”

“Wait!” he shouted, watching the girl walk towards the door, “I just made myself a cup of tea. Would you like some?"

“It’s okay. I have to go”

“Are you sure? You can stay a little longer, call someone else...” he looked at his feet, putting his hands in his pockets.

“I don’t wanna bother.”

"You are not bothering” Taehyung quickly looked up, meeting her eyes with an assuring expression, “I was about to close the bookstore.”

“So early?” she asked.

“It was a slow day, only two people came around noon. I think the rain scared everyone away.”

The way she laughed in response made Taehyung believe that he could help in some way. At least distract her a little from her own bad luck.

“I'm going to get more water. Please, sit down and make yourself comfortable.”

Taehyung came back minutes later with not only the teapot and a cup, but also a blanket over his forearm and a portable heater dangling in his right hand. He approached the mystery girl, now sitting on the leather sofa next to the door, and placed the items on the small table in front of her.

“What is it all this for?” her eyes widened, going from the table to Taehyung and from Taehyung to the table again.

“I thought you might be a little uncomfortable, so I brought some things to help” he smiled sheepishly, “Here is a blanket and there is chamomile tea over there. I'm going to turn on the heater too, just in case.”

An overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over the girl. She had no idea that there were still such nice people out there. The fact that not only he brought her tea but also other things to warm her, made her tear up.

Taehyung adjusted the heater next to her feet, opened the blanket, and placed it on top of her legs, respecting a safe distance between them. He then sat on his heels to calmly pour the tea.

"Are you warm enough?" he asked as he turned and handed her over the hot mug.