Chapter Text
The soft taps of rain against the library windows had long faded into white noise. Each droplet coerces you into sleep as your eyelids grow heavier. Loose sheets of paper, books, empty coffee mugs and endless amounts of stationery are sprawled out in front of you, three months at law school and you had already learnt two things: One, no law student leaves the library before midnight and two, coffee was your lifeline.“I can’t fall asleep…. not yet” you whisper to yourself
As an attempt to stay awake, you lift yourself and walk over to the bookshelves. Hidden away in this corner you stretch softly, the shelves have barricaded you. You breathe in the faint smell of books new and old, ink and candles. Another poor choice you’ve made today, you should be at your desk but instead you choose to procrastinate. A distraction, anything to wake you up is needed. Your eyes flick to the nearest book. You read the title, etched in the spine “Oda Hiroshi”. It lingers in your mind briefly…
You’re facing upwards, the soft lights are blinding from this angle. Finally, something to wake you up. The harsh lighting outlines your bare face, clinging on to the few blemishes and faint shadows under your eyes.
You reach on your tip toes, hand outstretched, struggling briefly as a shadow casts over you. The light is softer now, almost diffused. An ambient glow has cast over this broad figure which has sheltered you. His broad chest pressing against your back, a whiff of cologne fills the air between you.
A calloused veiny hand meets yours, fingers brushing lightly as the book you were reaching for is taken out of grasp.
You turn to face him, a neutral expression peers down at you, loosened black tie and slightly disheveled hair. His forearms are against the bookshelf, you’re caged in the arms of a clearly sleep deprived man.
You don’t move, eyes fixated on his, confused at the clear discomfort in his expression. Time stills, a brief moment passes before you either of you look away. “You’re stood on my foot” he whispers bluntly.
“huh. oh your foot?” You look down “Oh sorry I didn’t me-…” He turns to leave. “I saw that book first you know, it’s only right I get to read it first” you argue
He doesn’t look back. You watch as his large frame disappears, arched doors shutting behind him.
“How rude”