Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The fresh air of early morning drifted through the library windows.

At the circulation desk, Eli, who had been reviewing the schedule for the day, paused. He closed his eyes briefly, sensing the quiet and the coolness. It was the perfect moment for a cup of coffee. 

After a few minutes, he returned from the staff's break room, carrying a steaming ceramic mug carefully.

Luchino, who had arrived not long ago, was standing at the counter with a slim study in his hands, waiting to make a copy. As Eli approached, he closed his eyes briefly, then inhaled.

“That smells good.” He said, tilting his head back slightly.

“The coffee?” Eli asked, glancing down at the mug.

“Yes. What brand is that?”

“Oh, it's local. Made and roasted a few blocks from here.”  Eli said, with a little shrug. “I’ve been drinking it for years.”

The scholar hummed. “Mm. You can tell it’s good quality. The smell alone tells you they knew what they were doing.” 

Eli looked at him, quietly amused by Luchino’s expression. It was peaceful, content. It seemed the scent alone put him into a good mood. Then he looked at the cup at his side, considering something for a few seconds.

“Would you like to try it?”

Luchino looked at him, mildly surprised by the offer. “Sure.” He said, setting the study down. ”If it’s not much trouble.”

“That’s good,” Luchino murmured, after taking a first sip. “I might start asking for a cup every day.” he said lightly.

“Are you sure you don’t want sugar?”

Luchino shook his head. “I like it this way.” He said calmly. “The rich, bold flavour it’s exactly what I look for.”

“Noted.” Eli said with a faint smile. 

For a while, they drank in silence. The printer behind the desk hummed as it worked through Luchino’s copies.

The librarian looked down at his cup, then back at his companion. “To be honest… I’m surprised you haven’t given me a lecture about coffee yet.”

Luchino gave a low chuckle. “I was restraining myself.”

“I’m listening.” Eli said, before taking a sip.

“Alright…” He placed his cup down. “Coffea arabica is technically originated from the highlands of Ethiopia. What’s interesting is that…”

Chapter Text

“We’re closing soon.”

Luchino, who was already shutting down his laptop, looked up. Eli was passing by with an empty book cart and had paused beside the table he was working at. The hint of amusement on his voice told himt this wasn't just about a reminder.

“I know.” He muttered. A faint smirk tugged at his mouth. “Are you planning  to remind me about the day I arrived forever?”

“The day you proved our closing announcements are useless?” Eli said, his tone mild. “It would be impossible to forget.”

Luchino gave a quiet huff. “At least I made an impression.”

“Oh, you sure did.” Eli said with a small smile.

“And yet, here you are again, making sure I leave on time.” Luchino answered, while giving a sidelong look. 

“Maybe I’ve gotten used to seeing you here at the end of the day.” Eli tilted his head slightly. 

Luchino’s hands stilled for just a second. He hummed before he went back to packing his bag.

The librarian lingered at the edge of the table, hands resting lightly on the handle of the cart.

Even though Luchino’s eyes were on his belongings, he could feel the man's presence there. 

After a moment, the scholar glanced up.

“...You don’t have to stand guard.” he said lightly. “I’ll leave, I promise.”

Eli turned at him, mildly surprised. “It’s not that." His gaze flicked over the empty tables nearby. "I was just thinking… it’s so quiet this late.” 

Luchino followed his glance, noticing the stillness for the first time. “I haven’t even noticed." he admitted. Then, after a pause. “But the quiet is different today.”

“Different?” 

He thought for a beat, eyes still looking at the hall.

“I can’t explain it.” He said, his tone was softer now. “Maybe I’m just tired.”

Eli studied him for a moment, not understanding exactly what he meant, but choosing not to push. “Well… I hope it’s a good difference.”

Luchino’s gaze lingered on him a few seconds before answering.

“Yeah.” He said at last, almost to himself. “A good difference.”

Chapter Text

Luchino was typing on the laptop, when he fel it. The weight of a stare.

He stilled, fingers hovering over the keys, and glanced up.

Across the hall, perched neatly on a railing, Brooke was watching him. Her single round blue eye fixed on him. Unblinking. Unmoving.

“...Hi.” He murmured under his breath.

The owl only tilted her head in response. Didn't do anything else.

Luchino stared back for a moment longer before looking to the screen again. He had to fetch another book anyways.

On the second floor, he ran his fingers along the spines in the biology section. Eyes searched for the volume he needed, until the sense of being observed pulled him again.

There she was again. This time, Brooke was sitting on the top of a shelf. Gaze fixed on him. Calm, but with intent.

When their eyes met, she gave a short chirp and her feathers puffed slightly, but she didn’t break the contact.

Luchino raised an eyebrow at it. “Huh.” 

Curious.

He took the book and headed back downstairs. Although he didn’t look again, he could feel her eyes on him until he left the aisle.

The evening arrived, and it was time to leave. He could continue revising the volume at home. After packing up, he brought it to the circulation desk. 

“Heading out?” Eli asked, from this usual spot.

“Yes. I wanted to borrow this one–” Luchino began, then stopped mid-sentence.

Just behind the librarian, sitting on a perch, Brooke was still watching him.

Luchino narrowed his eyes. “…Is she judging me?” He asked, tilting his head towards the owl.

Eli glanced back, then let out a small exhale. “Judging? No, she just looks when she’s curious. She's studying you.”

“I thought she already knew me.”

“She does,” Eli said, while brushing his hand lightly on Brooke’s wings. “...Maybe she just decided you're worth another look.”

The scholar huffed, then turned back at the owl. Brooke just blinked slowly, gaze still calm. As if confirming Eli's statement.

Eli took the book from the counter, saying nothing more. While the librarian worked, Luchino held the thought in silence.

For some reason, Brooke's acknowledgment felt oddly flattering. 

Chapter Text

Eli’s eyes scanned the spreadsheet in front of him. Reviewing borrowed books was routine. Nothing unusual, nothing extraordinary. But this time, his skin prickled. He wasn’t satisfied with simply doing the job. He wanted to share it with—

“Hey, Luchino. Come here a second.”

The scholar glanced up from his notes, a little caught off guard. By that point, Eli didn’t usually call him for no reason. But that gentle tone was enough to make him stand up almost immediately.

“What is it?” He asked as he approached, notebook in hand.

The librarian shifted aside so they could both see the screen. The library management system was displayed on it. Luchino’s eyes narrowed, reading the lines.

“I was checking today’s returns,” Eli explained, his hand resting lightly on the mouse. “Look. Two weeks without notice… A week overdue….” A scroll. “Brought back a month late…“ He paused, eyebrows lifting in disbelief. “Three months?!”

Eyes on Eli, Luchino exhaled softly through his nose. The mild exasperation reaction was strangely charming. “Don’t you send reminders?”

“We do! But it won’t stop people from bringing all sorts of excuses.” 

Luchino raised his eyebrows. “I assume those are the truly fascinating part.”

“You have no idea…” A few clicks. Eli leaned closer, scanning the list. “Just hear this.

I put it aside so it wouldn’t get lost, then forgot it was…

My brother borrowed it from me without telling me….

It has become part of my night routine and I forgot it wasn’t mine.”

A thoughtful hum. “At least they were honest about the forgetting ” 

“Sure. If I had a pound for every forgotten book, the library would be fully funded.” Eli said, followed by a small huff. “Look at this one…I definitely didn’t lose it. I just can’t return it right now.”

Shifting, Luchino rested one hand on the counter. “That sounds suspiciously like someone who absolutely lost it.” He said with a smirk. “Although I assume you are not supposed to say that out loud.”

“No… But I’ve been tempted.” Eli sighed, but a small smile appeared on his lips as he did. “And then, the classic…” He cleared his throat and read: “I was just about to bring it today.”

“I would have just laughed,” Luchino muttered, “You must have the patience of a saint, Eli.”

A small shrug from Eli. “You're probably right… If I didn’t have patience, I wouldn’t have lasted here this long.”

Luchino leaned a little closer to the screen, tapping one of the lines. “It was so good I wasn’t ready to return it yet?” He read aloud. “That one is an argument I almost respect.”

“Of course you do.” Eli teased, shaking his head. Then, after a few seconds, he admitted quietly. “To be honest… that one is almost sweet.” 

Luchino gave him a sidelong glance, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Figures you would sympathize with that one.”

“You got me.” Eli laughed quietly, before turning his attention back to the computer. His fingers moved, sorting, flagging, preparing reminders. The scholar just remained beside him, watching the librarian's expression while he worked. “Sometimes I wonder,” he murmured, eyes on the screen, "if they are trying to build their own library without the cost…”

“It would be almost remarkable…” Luchino replied, “If it weren’t so obvious.”

Meeting his gaze for a moment, Eli’s mouth curved in a smile, then his eyes went back to the screen. It was comfortable to work like that, with someone, with Luchino standing beside him.

A final click. The last file was done. With a soft exhale, Eli closed the window.  

“Most overdue books eventually come back. Some don’t…” He leaned back in his chair, turning slightly. “I suppose that’s life. You can’t hold onto everything.”

Luchino tilted his head, amused. “That sounds less like a policy and more like a philosophy.”

Eli huffed a quiet laugh. “It’s hard to separate the two in this place, I guess.” 

He shut down the monitor, still smiling faintly as he turned toward fully to him.

“So, tell me. How is your work going?”

Chapter Text

Cutouts of planets, prints of the solar system, star garlands… Luchino stared down at the colorful mess spread over the table.

“Let me guess… Astronomy lesson for the kids?”

Eli looked up from where he was sorting a stack of small illustrated booklets. A smile was already forming on his lips. “Not quite. It’s for–”

“Hi, Diruse.” 

The interruption came from Naib, who was leaning against the counter with a confident slouch. The scholar turned toward him. Or rather, looked down at him.

“Morning…” He trailed off, squinting slightly as he searched for a name tag on the ridiculous bear costume the man was wearing.

Naib huffed. “Subedar.”

“Morning, Subedar.” He repeated with a nod of vague acknowledgment, then turned back to Eli. “So, are you–”

A younger staff member –Helena, if he remembered correctly– passed by. “Sorry, Mr. Diruse.” She said softly. “We just have to decide something for the booth.” 

“Mhm. We need Eli for a second.” Margaretha said as she gestured toward the librarian.

Does everyone here know me already?  He thought, mildly exasperated. Still, he stepped aside, half listening as the two women exchanged a few words with Eli.

“Was this the one we’re using for the astrology display?” Helena asked, holding up a book.

Astrology? Luchino’s head turned sharply.

Margaretha rested her chin on her hand, smiling amused.

“Do you know much about astrology, Mr. Diruse?”

The idea provoked a short, condescending laugh. “As if. I prefer to focus on the sciences that actually–”

“Oh, I love this author.” Eli cut in, taking the book from Helena’s hands before Luchino could finish. “She connects symbolism, mythology and astronomy beautifully. I attended one of her workshops a few months ago. It was fascinating.”

Luchino went quiet, then he turned his head to look at him. Just there, Eli seemed to realize he’d interrupted him.

“Sorry. What were you saying?”

“Nothing.” The scholar replied in an even tone.

Astrology, of all things.

“Come on, pick up...”

Luchino’s leg bounced restlessly under the desk. A purple glow reflected on his face, coming from that chaotic webpage on the monitor. Pink text over purple background, blinking stars, glittered titles, and a pixelated moon in the corner. As eccentric and confusing as the woman herself.

The call finally connected.

“Gilman? Yes, it’s me.” A pause. “Look, I know we didn’t exactly get along in university but…” He exhaled sharply before continuing. “But I’ve been reading your blog and I have some questions…”

A delighted laugh crackled through the speaker.

“No, I haven’t lost my mind.” Luchino said flatly, rubbing his temple. “Or maybe I have. I'm not sure anymore.”

He leaned closer to the zodiac chart on the screen.

“All I need right now,” He muttered under his breath. “Is to understand what a Scorpio rising even means.”