Chapter Text
Astrid worked at the front desk of the university library. It wasn’t her favorite thing but as part of her scholarship deal, she needed to work a job on campus. And she’d sooner wear a hot pink tutu to class than get a job making coffee on a college campus.
Plus, the library was a really slick deal all things considered. She could do homework and listen to her music when there was down time which, fortunately for her, was most of the time. Her job was to sit at the front desk and help anyone with questions and record any books anyone checked out. But no one besides freshman ever had questions for her (besides a few brave souls who tried and failed to ask for her number) and no one ever checked out a book.
Because no one comes to the library for the books.
Students frequent the library for various reasons, business majors came to drink their expensive coffee and post study pics online without ever actually studying. Science majors came early and left late with many hours of studying. Engineering majors came to work on group projects and complained about their workload. Some groups seemed to just come to the library to mess around- no one comes for the books.
Well, one person comes for the books.
It was still pretty early in the new semester, but the summer heat had since subsided to make room for the fall winds. Astrid ‘worked’, she would study her biology and listen to her Avril Lavigne, and all was well. Day in and day out had proven the front desk to be a dull routine, really the only difference between working and regular study time for Astrid was that she was stuck in one location where she couldn’t see outside. Her preferred study spot was in the arts and science building, a quiet corner area by a large window.
Today was another dull and boring day. Student mulling on and out at a leisurely pace, Astrid cranked her music and played mindless computer games until-
“Excuse me?” He spoke softly, almost sounding nervous.
Astrid barely heard him over My Happy Ending coming through her earbuds. Confused, she slowly took out one of her wired earbuds out and looked up to meet green eyes behind tortoise borderline glasses.
He was tall, thin, with a strong jaw and larger nose. His auburn hair was shaggy but styled, plus his layered hoodie and flannel actually matched which was key indication that this guy at least cared a little bit about how he looked. Astrid might even describe him as attractive if only he didn’t look so awkward just standing there.
“Yes?” She didn’t think he was a freshman, he had to be her age, at least, maybe older. But what could he possibly want from her?
He seemed to gain some confidence and composure once she acknowledged him. He gently put his hands on the edge of the counter dividing them and simply asked, “I’m looking for a mechanics book- uh- Advanced Problems in Mechanics II vol.6. It said online it was here, but I can’t seem to find it, is that something you could help me with?”
Astrid just stared for a second. Someone actually needed help with finding a book at the library. Crazy.
She recovered from the mild shock soon enough but not before the man seemed to notice how his question threw her as he began to tap his ring finger on the desk. His eyes flicked around nervously.
“Yes” she smiled and breathed out a small laugh. Fully ripping out her earbuds, Astrid shifted in her rolling chair to fully face him. “Yes, I can help you with that. Sorry, no one ever actually asks me about the books here. Can you tell me the name again I’ll look it up in our system.”
As she turned to face the library computer to pull up the lookup system, she saw him visibly relaxing out the corner of her eye.
“Right, yeah I believe that” The brunet laughed, “It’s uh- Advanced Problems in Mechanics II vol.6, I need it for a class- but I’d much rather be checking out a fun book.”
As she looked for the information on the textbook he needed, she gave a polite laugh to his small talk. When she glanced at his way she saw him smile and look at the ground behind the desk while he messed with the sleeve of his flannel absentmindedly.
It took her a minute or two to find the information in the book he was looking for. In her defense, she doesn’t have a lot of practice doing this. Luckily the man was being very polite and patient about it, the pair sat in comfortable silence until she found it.
“Here we go,” the blonde grabbed a pink post-it and a pen and began to write the location information down, “Here is the shelf number and author last name, it’ll be on the second floor.” She handed the pink slip of paper over to him from her seated position and he took it in gingerly.
He looked at the paper lifting his glasses to read without his lenses but didn’t move right away.
“Is there something else or-?” Right as she started to talk, she noticed he was about to say something.
“no, no I-“
“sorry-“
They spoke at the same time. Astrid laughed and the man looked almost embarrassed at first then he gave an awkward chuckle and spoke.
“No, sorry, this is perfect I just took a second to.. ah.. read it before- yeah- I’m gonna go look for the book-now-thank-you.”
As he started to walk away, it occurred to her that maybe he doesn’t know what ‘AM1.C- AM1.J’ means when he’s looking for a book. She knows it’s the shelf number he needs to look for, but she’d hate to send this poor guy on a wild goose chase when he has no idea what the goose even looks like. So, before he was able to get far from the desk, she stood up and called out to him.
“Hey! Do you need any help finding it? The shelf I mean, I know the letters and numbers are weird I didn’t make the system.” She offered a crooked smile.
He turned to look at her, eyebrows raised, “Oh no- no thank you. I know my way around a library I just,” he fidgeted with the pink post-it, “I’m kinda dyslexic so reading new handwriting is always a tossup- but you have beautiful handwriting so not a problem.”
She was so caught off guard by the simple compliment and his dorky little smile, “Oh great! I understand, well good luck.” She sat back down only a little self-conscious about her behavior. But he smiled warmly at her from a few feet behind the desk.
“Thanks- I’ll be back with the book soon!”
And with that he was gone, up the stairs with the instruction on a post-it note written in beautiful handwriting.
Astrid put her headphones back in and went back to her personal computer to start her biology homework.
About three Avril songs later someone approached and placed a heavy book on the counter, “Hello again.” The man smiled brightly as he fixed his glasses on his face.
“Hello again,” Astrid was happy to match his energy, “you find everything alright?”
“Yes, I did, you were very helpful thank you.” He slid over the book gently, only breaking eye contact as he retracted his hands.
Astrid took the book and began the checkout process, “No problem! after all on the rare occasion someone needs a book it is technically my job.”
“Of course.” Once again, he rested his wrists on the corner of the counter and tapped his fingers, from what little Astrid knew about this guy he’s definitely doing it unconsciously and it’s not his way of showing impatience.
“Can I just see your Student ID please?”
“Right! Of course” He only fumbled a little bit for his wallet. Quicky pulling out and presenting the card to her.
She took it with a polite smile immediately curious about his name.
‘Hiccup Haddock’
‘Collage of Engineering and Applied Science’
Of course, he was smart- he checked out books in the collage library.
“Alright you are good to go.” Astrid placed his ID on top of the book and slid it back across the table after she checked him out, “Just remember we have a 30-day policy and then you can renew it, or something like that. I usually don’t have to give out books.”
They both laughed as Hiccup put his book in his backpack and his ID back in his wallet.
“Don’t worry I’ll be sure bring it back in tip-top condition.” He shouldered his backpack and held the straps like a 1st grader.
“Well, you better Hiccup, or I’ll have to send the library cops after you.” She can tell he did not expect her to say his name so pointedly, but he quickly recovered from the surprise.
“Oh well we don’t want that do we…” He tentatively gestured his hand toward her. He was asking her name.
But it won’t be that easy.
“Oooo nice try Hiccup, how about you get my name when you bring the book back. Call it collateral.” She smirked at the little deal she came up with on the fly. If she has to work a job this boring at least let her make up some games to entertain herself.
He took a second to consider, eyes cast down in thought. “Alright sure, I’m game” He gave her one last smile before turning and heading to the doors, “See you later front desk girl!”
“Bye bye library boy!”