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The quickest way to get any peace and quiet in Night Raven College was to disappear into the library. The magical lamps were easy on the eyes, the norm was to be quiet, and there were plenty of study nooks to slide into for a quick nap or book-reading.
Of course, Riddle wasn’t there to relax, but to find more material to pull from for his Animal Languages report. Stern and studious as always, he browsed the shelves with a card in his hand from the catalog. He ran a gloved hand over the spines of the books as he made note of their titles and authors, reading each one carefully to make sure he didn’t miss what he was looking for. Looking back between the card and the shelves, his frown deepened as he seemingly couldn’t find what he was looking for. Sighing, he slowly worked his way up again, mouthing names to himself and going slower this time.
A dark green cover, accented with glittering gold designs, caught his eye. Riddle stood on his tip-toes to get a closer look, realizing it was the same book he was looking for. Finally glad to end his search, he reached up just to find himself just shy of being able to grab the book he needed.
Riddle deadpanned.
Fine, he would just return the card and find a ladder. The redhead’s pride had taken a slight blow, but it was nothing he couldn’t return from. Going back to the card catalog, he put the card back in its place and turned back around to retrace his steps before running into a familiar face.
Adora stepped back in surprise before realizing who had she had bumped into. Her expression brightened immediately, waving at him as she adjusted the book in her other arm.
“Rosie!” the tall, blonde woman smiled at him as she greeted him with a hushed but excited whisper. “Hi there!”
Riddle’s expression softened just a bit, feeling the butterflies in his stomach begin to flutter, “Oh, it’s you. Are you looking for something?”
She pointed to the catalog, “Something for history. Grim’s totally, like, gonna flunk if I don’t help him with his report.” Adora walked forward, browsing the cards, “Honestly, sometimes I really dunno what to do with him. The book I'm looking for was called ‘The Various Reigns of the Queendom of Roses’ or something like that.”
Riddle hummed, “Oh, I know where it is, I was looking for a book in the same area.”
“Oh, let’s, like, study together then!” Adora closed the small drawer on the catalog. “I’ve been looking for an excuse to hang out with you.”
“Y-You have?” Riddle blinked, feeling his face heat up just barely. Adora giggled, readjusting the jacket around her waist. Something that Riddle would have reprimanded her about in the past.
“Yeah, you’ve been so, so busy, I didn’t wanna bother you, y’know? Unless you wanted to study by yourself.” she said, twirling a lock of her hair.
Riddle smiled, shaking his head, “No, I don’t mind studying together. I’ll take you to my table then.” The butterflies in his stomach never stopped, and intensified whenever she looked at him or if he got just a little too close to her. They quietly chatted the whole way back to his table before walking between the shelves. Every laugh or smile slowly got him to relax, Riddle pointing out other books to help her with her own studies. She always listened quietly but intently. The pair picked out some books for her, and for a moment, the quiet world of the library was just for them.
“Ah! I forgot, I was going to find a ladder…” he looked up at the book he needed once they were done, realizing how absorbed in conversation he had gotten. Adora turned towards him, putting down her books on the nearby table.
“I’ll get it!” she said, coming over before Riddle could respond.
In a few heartbeats, Riddle suddenly found himself sandwiched between the bookshelf and Adora, becoming flushed. This was fine, everything was fine. All she was doing was helping him get a book, nothing more. His heartbeat was in his ears, the scent of her sweet perfume making him dizzy.
“Which one is it?” she asked, putting a hand on his back. Riddle’s signature red had made its appearance on his face once more, not out of anger this time. With some effort, he managed to bring words out of his mouth.
“The-ahem-one with the dark green cover,” he stammered, swallowing thickly as he looked up at her. She was still focused on the books, completely unaware of what she was putting the poor boy through.
Adora pressed closer to him as she went to grab the book, her chest pressing into the boy in front of her. Riddle was sure he was about to die. Trying to hide his quickened breathing and red face, he pressed against the bookshelf, putting one hand against it to steady himself, to calm himself.
Get a hold of yourself! He screamed to himself mentally, She’s just helping you, nothing more!
Seconds felt like hours, and each one that passed had Riddle hanging on for dear life. After what seemed like an eternity, Adora finally pulled away with book in hand, looking down at him.
“Rosie?! Are you okay?!” she exclaimed, trying to keep her voice in a whisper. “You’re all red!”
“I-I’m fine, just…” he couldn’t even bring out an excuse, just admiring her as he tried his best to come back to reality.
“I’ll go get some water,” Adora rushed off, placing the book on the table. Riddle watched her leave, his heart rate finally returning to normal.
In the middle of the bookshelves, Riddle buried his face into his hands, groaning. He was going to think about this whole encounter the rest of his life.