Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

𝓘t was a rainy, late afternoon. Tino stretched and sighed; his shift was almost over, but he forgot his umbrella that day, and he didn’t want to be drenched in rain on the way to his car. It had been a slow day at the huge bookstore he worked at, but it was only him and his boss, Eduard, in the store that day. They got along well, and it was an enjoyable place to work at. 

The distinct jingle of the entrance bell sounded throughout the store, alerting Tino to a potential customer. “Welcome!” he called out from the front desk. The tall man that had come in closed his umbrella, placing it in the umbrella box. He was wearing teal scrubs, so Tino assumed he had just gotten off work. The next thing he noticed was his intense and intimidating demeanor-- but none of this should have mattered, as this man was just another customer. 

The man noticed the store map, and, seeming overwhelmed by it, approached the front desk. “History of dentistry-- where can I find that kind of book?” He glanced briefly at the ground, pushing up his glasses. 

“Oh, yes, we have some,” his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat, “they are in the science-history department. This way,” he motioned the man to follow him, and he did so.

Once in sight of the books, the man picked one at random, flipping through it.

“I really liked that one-- there are so many good pictures of old equipment. So gruesome. Oh. Sorry,” he smiled, “is there anything else I can help you find?”

The man didn’t look up from the book, in fact, he turned his head away. Tino saw the tips of his ears turn red. He shook his head, mumbling a “No, thanks.”

“Okay,” and he returned to the front desk to finish his shift. He thought this guy was kind of cute, but, if he was completely honest, he still felt intimidated. He noticed that the rain had finally let up, and Tino gave a little ‘thank-you’ to God. It was nice to be looked after, even in the smallest ways. 

The man emerged from the maze of bookshelves, still holding the first book he took from the shelf, and placed it on the check-out counter. 

Tino took the book and scanned it, “Ah, so you ended up picking this one! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.”

The man hummed a reply, digging through his wallet.

“Your total is $18.00.”

He placed a twenty on the counter, and Tino took it, their hands touching for a split second. Tino pretended it didn’t happen and punched numbers into the cash register, but he felt heat rise onto his face. “Out of twenty. Your change is two dollars. Would you like your receipt?”

“Uh. Sure,” the customer cleared his throat awkwardly. 

Tino placed the book into a neat paper bag, and placed it, the receipt, and the two dollars change on the counter. He was careful their hands didn’t meet again.

“Come again soon.”

But he was hurrying out the door too fast, and didn’t hear. 

Eduard peaked out from the backroom. “Damn, he was totally into you.”

“Oh, stop it. Besides, he probably-- Oh! He left his umbrella!” Tino ran from behind the counter and snatched up the abandoned item. He rushed outside, but the last customer of the day was already gone. 

Eduard joined him outside the store, “Well, isn’t that interesting. What is this, a Hallmark movie?”

“Seriously, stop,” Tino chuckled.

“Cut the sass, or you’ll be working overtime.”

They both laughed and went inside to close up the store.

⚜⚜⚜

“I saw you went to that bookstore down the street yesterday,” Emil said, adjusting the straps of his headgear. “God, so itchy.”

Berwald hummed, “Yeah, what about it?”

“Oh, nothing… Was just wondering if they had anything good.”

He hummed again, “‘S pretty huge. Bet they’ll have something for ya.”

“Maybe.” Someone came into the dental clinic. “Mornin’.” Usually Emil wouldn’t be so informal, but it was Matthias, his uncle and coworker. 

“Mornin’ poster boy.”

“Har-har.”

“When are you getting that thing off, anyway?”

“You tell me, you’re my orthodontist.”

“Hmm, I’ll have to check.”

“Please.”  He said sardonically. The first patients started to come into the office, so Emil shifted into his customer service demeanour. “Good morning, let’s get you checked in.”

In the back, Lukas, the hygienist, put the first patient’s documents up on the computer, “You haven’t gone back for your umbrella yet, have you?”

Berwald sighed, running his fingers through his blond hair. “No. Don’t want to be a nuisance.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s why.” He got up from his swivel chair to bring the first patient back. “Stop being that way and go get it during lunch.” 

“Okay…”

Lukas came back with the patient and sat back in the swivel chair. “Alright, Matthew. Are there any areas that have been bothering you?”

The patient sat down in the stiff chair and Lukas lowered the chair so Matthew was reclining. “No, but my retainer broke.”

“Okay, we can settle that for you after this, if you’d like.”

“That would be so nice, thank you.”

“No problem, let’s get you started today with some x-rays.”

Berwald walked back to his office, deep in thought. He really wanted to ask that bookstore clerk out, but he didn’t want to move too fast. That and he was bad with words. He logged into the computer and typed ‘Lyyda’s Books’ into the search bar. The store picture at the clerk and boss standing in front of the store with their thumbs up. Once he found the phone number he dialed it, taking a deep breath. I make phone calls all the time, it’s simple. 

It was answered after the third ring. “Lod’s Books, what can I do for you?” the clerk asked in his cheery voice.

Berwald stumbled, “My umbrella. I left it. Yesterday.”

“Oh, yes. I tried to catch you yesterday, but you’d already left. It’s still here at the store.”

“Noon… Can I come get it then?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay.”

“Okay! See you soon then.”

There was an awkward silence, then Berwald hung up. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I did it,” and gave a sigh of relief.