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Rushing into the Book Nook to beat the forecasted boiling rains wasn't how Gus expected to spend his Saturday morning, but to him, it was a necessary risk to take. After the recent events at the graveyard, he felt it a good idea to research, and the library hadn't been open for some reason that was beyond him. Annoying as it was to have to drag himself elsewhere, there was still hope. And if he found nothing, the library would be open tomorrow… It was fine.
The thing that was more annoying was that rains were forecasted to happen pretty soon, and he didn't want to be stuck at a bookstore for hours… Reading something could be an option, sure, but there weren't really any cosy seating areas like a library had.
Looking up at the ever-greying skies with a tired and slightly aggravated sigh, Gus trudged into the bookshop.
Immediately he was greeted by warmth, the smell of the various plants at the doorway, and of course, books new and old. The building had a charm to it, something he'd never really noticed before; he'd heard the store got new owners fairly recently, and one of them really liked plants… Which explained all the greenery. It felt quite comforting in the end, and Gus began to hope there would be seating to go with it. That, or he could run home fast enough to read whatever books he'd get in the quiet of his bedroom, since his dad was off at work all day.
Taking a few steps into the building, he paused. He didn't really know where he was going and was in a hurry… So maybe it wasn't a good idea to go perusing all the aisles, as enchanting as that could be. No, it would be better to ask an employee.
Unable to see any around, he went straight to the checkout desk where a witch, large with muscles and wearing an orange dress and dainty reading glasses, sat reading a book of her own. She glanced up and removed her glasses upon Gus' approach.
"Why hello young witchling! May I help you?" She had a kind smile, framed by slight wrinkles. She seemed like the gentle type who would still crush you if you were a nuisance.
"Um, yes please! I'm looking for books on ancient artifacts, and setting traps." He hummed, "And maybe some human books if you have any…?"
The witch nodded with a small laugh.
"Oh, yes we do! My son insisted we find more books on that sort of thing not too long ago, strangely enough." She waved her hand dismissively. "You'll find everything you need down the furthest right aisles, and human books… Around the corner at the very end. There aren't many, unfortunately, but what we do have might interest you."
Gus nodded and smiled.
"Thanks, miss-"
"Mrs. Growlves, dear. And you're welcome, I'm happy to help!" She gave one last smile, then was immediately sucked back into her book like it was an inescapable vortex. Gus gave a nod and walked quickly to the section he needed, observing the shelves in hopes of finding something useful.
He wanted to know more about the Galderstones. The graveyard's history. Traps that would be perfect for the place… And possibly nonfatal ones. He wasn't too considerate of that sometimes. Plus, finding books from the human realm could be an added bonus!
…And it would be pretty impressive to Mattholomule if Gus knew loads about the graveyard after all. At least, he assumed. He wanted to brag and see that cute little shocked, annoyed expression on his face.
Wait… Cute? Gus shook his head. Where did that one come from?
He focused back upon the books in front of him. 'How to Trick Your Enemies into Thinking They're Dead - Illusionist Handbook!' seemed like a fun endeavour. A little cruel? Gus tapped his chin. The morbid thought of scaring awful people to death was his kind of thing, but was it too harsh on the people who'd come for the stones? What if they'd only come for the history?
He put a pin in the thought and kept going along the shelf, picking out a book on ancient magical artifacts and another on basic trap setting, but nothing much else really spoke to him. With a sigh, he looked over the two books to see what kind of thing was in them.
No page on Galderstones in one. Nothing but traps for unwanted creatures in the other. And he still questioned the morality of the book he'd seen previously.
Gus put both books back with an annoyed grumble and made his way to the section of human books. He could check the library for something tomorrow, it had way more information than this… And it'd be nice to at least take something home.
Turning the corner, he paused. At the end of the shelf, absentmindedly tracing a finger upon the spines of books, was a familiar face. Mattholomule, holding a pile of books, gently pulling another out of the shelf and looking it over curiously. He seemed almost in his element… Which to Gus was strange. He didn't think the guy would ever look at a book without scoffing. And did he have a genuine interest in human culture after all!?
Gus approached slowly, thinking the thoughts over. There was a lot more to Mattholomule than he let on, and Gus was curious to know more (as well as buy a book so the trip wasn't entirely a waste).
"Hey Matty!" Gus smiled as he spoke, raising a hand in greeting. Mattholomule let out a small shriek, shoving all the books on the shelf and crossing his arms with a glare at the other boy.
"Didn't I tell you only Bria could call me-" He let out a scream as the books from the same shelf all fell on him, as if paying him back for being so careless with them.
Gus tried not to laugh at his usual misfortune, pushing books aside and offering him a hand.
"Here, lemme help you-"
"No!" Mattholomule slapped the hand away and got off the ground himself with a grunt, then glared at Gus once again, only this time with a reddened face. "What are you doing here, Augustus!?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Gus raised an eyebrow. "I'm here to buy a book. You know, like you go to bookstores to do. I didn't take you as the reading type, though."
"Shut up, twerp. I work here."
Matt dusted himself off and began picking up the books scattered on the floor. Gus got to helping soon after.
"Aren't you 13?"
"Yeah, and?" He made eye contact with Gus, then awkwardly looked away. "It's my mom's store. I have to help out." He muttered.
"Oh, so that was your mom at the register? She's nice!"
Mattholomule simply nodded, snatching the books Gus had picked up and placing them all in the correct places on the shelf.
"Why are you even here? Aren't you the son of a reporter? You should know it's raining soon." He turned back to Gus. "What are you, an idiot?"
"No!" Gus scowled. "The library wasn't open today, so I came here. Not like I had better things to do."
Matt nodded.
"Uh-huh, and, the human? The plant girl? Why couldn't you go talk about dumb human stuff with them."
"They're busy today. And I guess I'm in luck, because you like 'dumb human stuff' too!"
"I do not." Matt yelped in annoyance, hiding the book he was still holding with a blush. "I'm just doing my job."
"Your job is to stare at books?"
Mattholomule swiped at him, although a little more gentle than usual. His voice seemed to soften up too.
"Go away, Gus, you don't wanna get stuck in the rains." He turned and walked off, probably hoping to be rid of the boy. Gus only stared, then grinned and chased after him.
"What did you just say!?" Matt groaned at the boy's return.
"What!?"
"You called me Gus. And you sounded like…" He gasped dramatically and pointed at the witchling. "You actually care about meeee!"
Mattholomule went red again and pushed Gus away.
"Shut up! I just don't want you to get stuck here bothering me all day."
"You love me really!" Gus chimed, pointing both fingers at Matt, who not only went a little red again, but stared at Gus like he'd said something insane. "What?"
"What are you doing?"
"Fingerguns. It's a cool human thing!"
"Ew." Matt turned and walked again, his ears flicking in… Either annoyance or something else.
Gus only followed again.
"C'mon, Matt, I know you're interested in human things! I mean, we can talk about it. We're friends now, after all?" His smile became a little nervous. Way to assume, Gus.
"Matt?" He'd paused, turning his head to Gus again.
"Yeah, um, human nickname?"
"Oh…" A smile crossed his face for a split second, and not his usual smug grin, but a soft, gentle one that Gus had never seen before. It was immediately replaced with a glare.
"That's dumb."
Gus deadpanned.
"I know you like it."
Matt growled and ran a hand through his hair.
"Why won't you go away!? You're so annoying!"
Something suddenly felt awful. It was as if the words had stabbed Gus directly in the heart. Memories came flooding back. He willed away the thoughts, not wanting to get lost in his head.
"O-Oh. I'm…" He shook his head, backing off. "I'm sorry, I didn't think. I'll leave you alone now." He turned quickly, heading back to the human section to find any book, he didn't care what, and get the heck out of here.
After a few moments, though, Mattholomule was back beside him. Gus was silent. Matt didn't need to know how deep his words had really cut. He'd be ridiculed forever.
"I think you'd like that one." Matt tapped upon the spine of one of the books, titled 'Scales of Fire'. "It's a fantasy romance thing. Set in a world like this one, but the book is from the human realm. Oh, and it's um… It has a gay main romance, if you're curious." Matt backed up a little, pulling his hand away. "Also, it's starting to rain. So maybe you could stick around for a while?" He was trying to ignore the red dusting his cheeks.
Gus was shocked, to say the least. He turned to Mattholomule, to see his expression soured and hurt. Was he doing this because he regretted what he'd said?
"I know what you're thinking." Matt began, slowly lifting his gaze back to meet Gus', "And yeah. I'm really sorry I said that. Not used to the whole being friends thing, I guess. You're… You're actually kinda fun to have around." He crossed his arms, blushing in embarrassment of admitting such a thing.
Gus frowned, his issues with trusting people brimming to the surface.
"Do you mean that, or are you just trying to keep the peace?"
"I mean it, Gus!" Matt said a little loudly, scratching the back of his neck. "You might be the only friend I've ever had, which is pretty pathetic, but…" He gave a small smile, "I'd rather it be you than anyone else."
Now it was Gus' turn to blush. Was Mattholomule really being… Sweet? Endearing!?
"Aw, Matty…"
"Shut up!" He suddenly snapped, glaring and going deep red. "Enough mushy talk just… Get whatever book you want and follow me." He crossed his arms with a hmph and looked away, tapping his foot impatiently.
Gus picked out the one Matt had recommended and followed after him. He was lead into a staff corridor, then a room to the side. This room was small, with a desk, couch and soft plush seats filled with scream beans. The lights didn't seem to be working, flickering slightly until they were completely dead. The rain was the obvious cause of that.
Gus hummed, casting a spell circle and illuminating the small room with an illusion of a lamp overhead, basking the room in a warm, yellow glow. It wouldn't last forever, but it would likely last through the rains. It also brought an even more comforting feel to the room, every object coated in gentle golden hues or basking in soft shadows.
Mattholomule dropped into one of the seats, the chair screaming with thousands of tiny voices as he did so. While it was grim to think about scream beans being alive, they were just beans that would make a screaming sound under pressure. They weren't alive at all, creepy to own, but incredibly soft to sit on. Gus dropped into the one beside him and sighed.
"Thanks. Nice room ya got here, too!"
"Eh, it used to be some boring old office. It was renovated for me and my brother, but… He doesn't tend to come here, so. All for me!"
"And me?" Gus smirked at him, getting a gentle slap in response.
"Shut it, Porter. I guess it's nice having someone else here."
Gus gently shoved him.
"You guess? You're clearly loving this in secret! And you really trusted me enough to show me your nerd room?"
"It is not a nerd room!" Matt hissed, shoving him back.
"Okay, then what are all the books, human artifacts and posters for, huh?" He gestured around the room. Matt rolled his eyes.
"Fuck you. Fine, yeah, it's a nerd room or whatever. It's the lamest shit you've ever seen."
"What? No! I think it's really cool!" Gus turned to face him entirely. "I'm not gonna tease you for enjoying something harmless, you know. I'm not like-"
"Not like Bria, I know." He crossed his arms. "It's just weird being more open with someone. And I doubt you'd like anything I do."
"How do you know that?" Gus looked at the book in Mattholomule's hand, then tapped it with his finger. "This one. Blademage. Do you wanna tell me about it?"
The silence following was enough to be able to hear the rains (as well as screams of witches unluckily caught in them) outside. Mattholomule stared at Gus… Confused. But there was something else in his eyes, some kind of yearning or admiration. Maybe curiosity, or adoration?
"You like… Actually wanna hear me talk about Blademage?" A smile was on the corner of his lips, but then it faltered once more. "No, I'd only piss you off."
"No way! I'd only do the same if you were willing to listen." Gus shrugged with a smile, "I just like hearing you talk when you're actually interested in something."
Mattholomule unexpectedly burst out laughing, shoving Gus away.
"No way, squirt. You're kidding."
"I'm not, you jerk!" Gus shoved back with a chuckle, the tone in his voice staying ever-serious.
"Okay, sure. I'll start talking about it. We'll see how long you can last without getting annoyed."
"Alright, bet. I can last the whole day." It wasn't like Gus was lying. He did like hearing Matt talk… But he brushed the thought away.
"Sure. Let's see what you've got, Augustus."