pairing: hoseok (not famous) x reader
summary: he had tucked a note into a book hoping that you would find it. you didn’t have the chance to until years later when you picked up the forgotten book. but it was an event of long ago and it had no relevance to your current life. but of course, things have a weird way of working out. the same book ends up in his hands and he is once again in your life. seems like he is no longer a memory of the past.
Specks of dust take over the air in the room, their silent floating spotlighted by the sun, and their presence more apparent in the sneezes coming from the floor. Your hands frantically wave back and forth in front of your face, the action is useless. The dust does not move away and you sneeze again. A huff leaves your lips, you reach for a tissue and blow into it harshly, setting it down on the pile of used tissues. You had avoided moving because of this exact reason. Of course, waiting any longer would be pointless, you had to face the dust at some point, it would never disappear. You pushed the pile of tissues away and continued packing up what was left of your apartment. The idea of doing this quickly almost hurt, you had spent so much time in this apartment, it had been the first you bought, and that only made it harder to leave it. All that was left to put away are the books and soon the task would be done. You would eat, sleep and wake up tomorrow to the moving truck.Â
You pull another book from the stack in front of you, examining it you decide that it is best to donate it. You would never read it again, better enjoyed by someone who could find the love in it that you had lost. You continue to sort the books, some bringing back fond memories, others just dread. None of them catch your attention the way the last book in the stack does. You remember having lent it to a friend. You had been in an advanced literature class and your friend’s common class had begun to read it a month after your class finished it. You offered her your annotations and she had gladly taken them. Somewhere in that time, she had lost the book, you should not have cared but it still bothered you slightly. She promised to find it, you told her it was fine but you hoped that she would be able to give it back. You had spent so much time on the book and parting ways with it stung. You kept all your class books because you wanted to look back at your thoughts one day. Another month went by and the book never found its way back to your friend. You had let yourself forget about it, one book was nothing, you still had all the others. So you continued on, that book long gone from your head and the planet for all you knew. Then there came the day landed back in your hands. The bell had rung signaling the end of class and you rushed to get out of the classroom, as always. Your next class was in a hallway at the other end of the building and the only way you could make it on time was to rush. The classroom seemed so near when the one minute bell rang, you would make it. Or so you thought. You heard your name from a short distance and you stopped, you looked around and spotted someone coming your way. At that moment you were sure you would die. You had no idea why the boy you had been crushing on since the beginning of the year was walking towards you or even calling your name. You stood there dumbfounded as he took a second to catch his breath. “I found your book. Here.” he had a gentle smile, his eyes were soft and his whole demeanor was sure to make you swoon at any moment. You wanted to thank him, but you choked on your words, you choked on your heart and the bell rang. You could only let out a gargled “late!” Before quickly turning away from him and sprinting to your class.Â
You cringe at your past actions. After the incident, you had not talked to him again. You would watch for a quick sight of him in the halls but that was all. He did not show up the next year, he had moved the summer before senior year. You had thrown the book into your backpack, your locker, your bookshelf. You had never looked back at it, and the memory had been pushed to the back. Just another event and just another crush. Looking at the book, you flipped through the pages, examining the scribbled annotations. Towards the end, a neatly folded piece of paper fell from the pages. You set the book down and picked up the paper, the writing was polished, neat, a bit chunky but you could read it.Â
I found the book at my lunch table, I am assuming it was left behind on accident. As soon as I saw it I was going to return it. But when I was approaching you I saw that you had another book in your hands, and you were talking with a friend about it. I think it was an assignment? So I figured that you might not need it, you might not want it so I kept it with me. I chose to read it. My class had read a portion, I thought why not read the whole thing? So I did, I was not expecting to find so many notes on the pages. I think I had more fun reading your thoughts than the book. I never really got the chance to fully talk to you and maybe that was a missed chance, I figured you were uptight and only okay with talking to those that you knew. I did not realize until much later that you were actually pretty friendly and easy to approach. I should have approached you I guess. I have decided that since I have the chance to give you this book I can also write you a note, which I am. I am going to leave it in the book and hope you find it. I would like to be friends. So when you see me please say hello or wave to me so I know that you read this. I really do hope that this works and that we can get close. If you are not interested disregard this.”
There is a slight pang in your gut. You had missed a chance you were not even aware you had been given. But that was in the past, things happened for a reason. You set the note aside and continued to pack. The words playing in your head. You shook them off and hurried, the day was not forever and you needed rest for tomorrow. Once your packing was all done you allowed yourself the freedom of standing up and stretching. A small snap and crack came from every bone in your body, a triumphant smile appeared. You had finished. You picked up your tissues and shoved them into a mostly filled bag of trash. You picked up and threw away other small stuff before heading to clean yourself up. Once done you finally slept. The view of your new apartment accompanying you in your dreams.Â
The next morning you are driving to your new place, the moving truck behind you. The building comes into view and you work your way into the parking space. Once the truck finds a place you help them find your place, and the moving of boxes begins. Trailing behind them you trek up the stairs with box after box. Taking the elevator was done with the heavier stuff, around noon you were finally done. You signed the papers and paid up the rest of what was due. Once you had sent the truck off you were able to get a good look at your apartment and all the boxes. You remembered when you had first moved, it had taken at least half a month for everything to be unpacked, and that was considering you had less than you do now. You could not help but groan. It would be a ton of work but it would be worth it in the end, just as was anything that required work. But first, you had to eat so you would head out, grab a bite and come back. Along the way, you would also pick up some dinner. It would give you a chance to get a good familiarity with the area. With that plan in mind, you grabbed your keys and purse and walked out into the bustling streets.
The sound of people around you and cars whizzing by, honking or idling reminded you that this was your life now, and you only slightly minded it. You were not very happy with the abundance of street noise but you would get used to it, there was a slight charm to it. You smiled to yourself as you spotted a nice place for lunch. The tiny bell notified the workers that you had arrived and one was quick to greet you and seat you. You took a couple minutes to look through the menu before ordering. The smell of the food heading your way made your stomach growl, you had not realized how hungry you were until now. You were quick to eat, you did not even mind burning your tongue when you took the first bite. Instead of venturing out to find another place for dinner you opted to order from the same place. Once your takeout order was in your hands you bid the servers a quick goodbye and left. Back out in the streets, without the previous gnawing hunger, you clearly saw the shops that lined the whole place. You had made a right choice in job and neighborhood. It was all here at your disposal. If only you could tell the past you that every bit of hard work and tear shed was worth it. You took one last look around and placed the image in the back of your head for later. With that being done you finally returned to your new home.
Once inside you set up a reminder to call your parents once you had the general necessities set up. You put your dinner in the fridge and began to mentally locate what you wanted to place first. The bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchen. The living room, office, and extra room could be done later. You located the boxes labeled “main bedroom” and moved them one by one to your bedroom. You had the bed frame, vanity and wardrobe installed before moving in and you were glad you had done so. The relief of not having to do it now was pleasant. You open the box and get to work.Â
A couple of hours later the room is settled and so is the bathroom. You are about to begin the kitchen but you are interrupted by your growling stomach. A loud groan leaves your lips as you are forced to stop to appease your body. Except you cannot fully stop yet, because you can not heat up your food without a microwave. Another groan is let out as you begrudgingly reach open the kitchen boxes and find the microwave. You lug it over into its spot and plug it in. “I’m gonna have to be quick because once I rest I will not want to work again.” You mutter to yourself as the food heats up. The beep of the microwave echoes around the empty area. You are quick to pull it out and set it down on the counter before you can feel it burn you. A small hiss blows from between your lips as you rub your fingers. Of course, you had still felt the heat. You turn to the bag you had dumped aside and pull out the disposable utensils and thin napkins. The second the food is cool enough to eat, you scarf it down. “Back to work then.” You push yourself away from the counter and toss the container in the trash bag. You pull things out of the kitchen boxes and set them in their locations. You find the dining table box and with muttered complaints, you work on setting it up in the small dining corner. Once you are done you step back and fully examine all your work. To say that you were tired was an understatement. You wanted to finish up some more but you knew it was best that you rest. You had work tomorrow after all. “Oh right!” Just as you were heading for the bathroom you remembered that you had to take out your pajamas and an outfit for tomorrow. Another reminder came into your head. You grabbed a sticky note and pen from your purse and wrote down some tasks for tomorrow: drop off old books, go grocery shopping after work, start setting up the office and possibly begin the living room. There was probably more, but it didn’t really matter right now. You just wanted to wash up and sleep. So you put the sticky note next to your clothes for tomorrow and left to do as you wanted.
The morning greeted you with the blaring sound of your alarm. You shrugged off your blanket and reached for your phone. Blinking away the sudden brightness of the screen you turned off the alarm. The blankets were so warm and the mattress so lovely, but so was the money you would earn. So with a heavy heart, you hopped out of bed and got ready for your day. Once dressed and cleaned up you picked up the sticky note and grabbed the box of books for donation. You would pick up a quick breakfast on the way to work. You had a bit of time after all. You pulled on a coat, grabbed your purse and then the box of books. Stepping into your heels you let the door click behind you.Â
You let the yawn pass as you grabbed your breakfast from the fridge. Another one overcame you as you were taking a bite from your meal. Maybe it hadn’t been the best idea to stay up slightly longer to finish setting up your closet. You would grab some coffee on the way to work. You looked at your watch and let out a screech at the time. If you didn’t leave now then there would be no coffee for you until your break in the afternoon. You grabbed your stuff and quickly left your apartment. Your small breakfast in hand you struggled to accommodate your feet into your heels. Once it was fine you continued with your speed walk to the elevator. As the doors opened you heard a voice from behind you. “Excuse me, wait.” You turned around and were greeted by the sight of man. “This was on the floor in front of your door.” He had a book in his hand. Not just any book, but the book. The same one that had been lost years prior. He handed it to you with a soft smile. Suddenly you were back in high school and the bell had rung once more. And the man in front of you was the same one as before. And just as before; the only thing you could utter was “late!” before you sprinted down the stairs with the book in your hands.