a cliche for when you need one ❁ lee minho
genre: fluffiest fluff out there
pairing: reader x lee minho
description: everyone needs a cliche in their life. Is that true?
Books were your life; and not to say that in a ‘quirky’ or ‘nerdy’ way, but in the most literal sense of all– books were your life. Your dad owned an independent book shop right under you guys’ apartment, and that was the only source of financial income you guys had. So yes. Books really were your life. It also didn’t help that you worked there every day after school and every afternoon on the weekends. The Literary Corner was never closed.
To say you grew to love books was wrong; it felt more like it was engrained on your DNA. There was no way you could’ve come out not liking to read, and even if you did, you wouldn’t have much of a choice. Your dad didn’t have enough money to hire someone to work the store while he was gone, so he pretty much relied on you– not that you minded, of course. To work at the store meant that you had enough time to do your homework, and sit on the bay window, in between Fiction U-Z and Non-Fiction A-D. That was your favorite spot, especially in between the times of 4PM and 6PM, when the sun is low enough to shine that golden light it produces after a long, tiring day, warming to the heart, but carrying no actual heat at all.
It was just one of those days; perfect weather, perfect feeling, perfect everything. You walk out through the gates of school feeling relieved– you couldn’t wait to sit on your window and read your brand new edition of if on a winter’s night a traveler. Italo Calvino was one of your favorite authors, and the sun that shone bright as you walked home would be the perfect company for a great read. You were excited to get home, chatting away with you best friend, Kim Seungmin. As weird as it sounds, you both met at the store, when he came in to buy the mandatory books for you advanced literature class, and that’s when you found out that he was a student in your school. Better yet, that you were in the same literature class.
“Did you see who’s getting transferred to our class?” Seungmin asks. “Professor Jeon said that he didn’t enroll to take them, but the principal thought that the other class was too easy for him…”
“I didn’t hear about any of this!” You gasp. “Who could it be? We didn’t really get new students this semester.”
“Rumor says it is one of the trouble boys,” He wiggles his brows and laughs. “Maybe one of them is secretly smart.”
“Pff,” You snort. “What a cliche.”
Laughing, you guys forget about the subject altogether. It was good that your school was starting to demand more from its students, but you really hoped it wasn’t the case Seungmin was talking about. You never had an encounter with one of those boys, and even though you hear plenty about them, you never cared enough to pay attention. The truth was that literature class was your favorite– one of the few things you were able to excel at school,– and you didn’t want someone who didn’t really care about it running it for you.
“I have to go,” You point to the store. “But I’ll see you at school. And don’t forget that we have our scheduled movie night after my shift tomorrow!”
“How could I forget, Y/N?” He laughs and waves. “We have it every week.”
“Yeah, yeah,” You chuckle. “See you later!”
You take it all in as soon as you’re inside; the smell of books–your personal favorite– surrounded the place as if it owned it. Your dad ran past you, kissing your forehead and bidding you goodbye, as he was probably late for another date with his mysterious girlfriend. You smiled, shouting a ‘good luck!’ into the air as you watched him run with a bouquet of flowers. You walk behind the counter, already listing your daily tasks as you drop your bag on the floor.
#1: Restock the best-sellers at the main door.
You walk to the table where a few books were missing and count them in your head, memorizing their names and authors, treating each one as a different person. You go to the back room and star collecting the necessary items. Enjoying while the store is empty and silent, you put some music on, allowing your earphones to drown the world outside into nothingness.
#2: Put the disorganized books back into their place.
Humming, you were quick to get the job done. This was something that you did everyday, with the utmost care in the world. You liked getting home and doing your tasks; the repetitive actions turning into a natural de-stressor.
And for your favorite part:
#7: Help Ms. Lee with her weekly search for a new book.
For the past five years Ms. Lee has come to the store in search of new books. They could be newly published classics or newly written contemporaries, she’d buy them all. She would come in and look at the book that you’d have in hand; I have a grandson, you see, she’d chuckle. A handsome boy, around your age, and he loves to read. What could you recommend, dear?
For the past five years, you’ve been reserving two copies of the same books; one for you, and for Ms. Lee’s grandson. You started to adore the boy even without meeting him. As Ms. Lee would tell you what he said about the novels, you noticed you started having book debates with this boy through his grandmother, and you completely adored it, so you’ve started patiently waiting for her to enter the store, with the reserved book and a glass of water.
As the door dings, you smile from where you’re crouching down behind the counter. You were working on a delivery package of three books and you were looking for boxes.
“Good evening, Ms. Lee!” You say, smiling as you get up. Your smile was quick to shatter, though, noticing that the tall figure in front of you wasn’t the adorable old lady you were expecting. Well, it wasn’t a lady at all. “Oh?”
His mouth is covered with a black mask and he is wearing a beanie. His brows go up in surprise, probably from you popping up out of nowhere. You signal him to wait and walk to the front door, peeking outside in search of your customary client. Nothing.
“Hm, excuse me?” You hear from the inside of the store. “Are you Y/N?”
You halt. How did this stranger know your name? You mind starts racing; your dad was occupied with his girlfriend and would take too long to come help if anything were to happen, same with Seungmin, and you were alone with this stranger who apparently knows who you are-
“I’m Ms. Lee’s grandson,” He chuckles. “She told me to look for you.”
Before registering what he said, your mind goes crazy. “Oh my, is she okay? Did anything happen?”
“She’s fine,” He says, and you notice he’s smiling because of his eyes; they were smiling too. “She’s just tired, so she sent me instead. I hope that’s okay?”
This is when it downs on you; this is the boy you’ve been admiring for the past five years. He was finally here. In person. Talking to you.
“Y-yes, of course!” You chuckle awkwardly. “… nice to meet you?”
“Yes,” He says pulling down his mask and he was indeed smiling. “Nice to meet you.”
“So,” You clear your throat. “What can I help you with?”
“Oh, yeah!” He digs inside his backpack and pulls out a sheet of paper. One that you were surprised to find out you knew too well. “I hope it’s not too much trouble, but I need those books.”
“Wait,” You frown. “You go to the school near the shopping mall? Just a few blocks away from here?”
“… yeah,” He frowns too. “How do you know?”
“I go there too,” You say, and your heart is beating rapidly. “I’m actually in this class.”
“Oh, how do you like it?” He asks leaning on the counter. His eyes are innocent and curious, just like a cat. “I’m being forced to switch, so I’m a little scared.”
“Don’t be,” You laugh ducking to pass under the counter and walk to the shelves where you knew those books laid. “It’s really fun. You clearly like reading, so I don’t think you’ll have any problem.”
“That’s good to hear.” He chuckles from behind you as he watched you struggle with a high shelf. “Let me help you.”
And you can just feel the warmth of his body as he stepped closer and grabbed the copy of harmless person to you by Choi. This collection of short stories was really dear to you, and you were happy to be able to discuss it in class.
“I’ve read this before,” He mumbles. “It’s really good.”
“It really is,” You nod, and as you both fell in a rhythm, the comfortable silence accompanied. After a while, all books were pilled in the counter. “Finally done.”
“These are too many.” He groans, hiding his face in his hands.
“I’m pretty sure you’ve read two thirds of these already,” You mumble, scanning all of the items.
“How do you know?” His voice seems genuinely surprised.
“Because I have too,” You chuckle. You eyes travel to the copy of if on a winter’s night a traveler and you extend it to him. “Although I am pretty sure this one is new to you.”
“It is,” He checks the back. “I like some of his other works, though. The way he switches his style of writing even new book is amazing.”
“I know, right?” You squeal, a little to excited.
“How much for this one too?” He asks with a wide smile. So genuine, you think.
“A present.” You say, blushing. “Consider it a present from me. See you tomorrow?”
“Definitely!” He grabs the bags. “Thank you Y/N!”
And it’s only when he’s gone that you remember.
I didn’t even ask his name.
For the next day of school, you don’t wake up late. You wash your face for the first time forever and you take your time brushing your hair. It’d be stupid not to, now that you knew Ms. Lee’s grandson was in your class.
“What are you doing?” You dad asks from the door, squinting his eyes. “Since when do you get all pretty to go to school?”
“I look the same, dad,” You laugh and somewhere in your mind you are sure you’ve read that conversation in a book. The character would later get ignored by her crush in school and bla bla bla. Just the thought of such cliche is funny to you, making you chuckle. “Come on, let’s eat.”
Every time you sat down to have breakfast, you thanked the lord for your dad’s girlfriend. She was an angel on Earth; always coming by to visit and check-up on you two, always making sure there was plenty of cooked meals in the house, since neither you or your dad were reliable enough to cook, always inviting you to come over and stay with them when your dad slept over and you were alone in the house. After your mom died, it took a while for you two to get back on your feet, but she helped. She was there first as a friend, and then as something more. You loved her for it.
Your walk to school was more peaceful than usual; you had your earphones in, humming the same song you were before, back in the store when Ms. Lee’s grandson came in. You smile, unconscious of the fondness of the memory. A tap on your shoulder is enough to drag you out of the music induced trance you were.
“Hey,” You hear someone say– him say. “Going to school?”
“Hey!” You say excitedly, smiling wide. You put your earphone on your backpack, sure that you won’t need them now that you had company. “Yeah, why don’t you walk with me?”
“Sure,” He smiles. “My name is Minho, by the way. Lee Minho.”
Now that you knew this information, you chuckle. You’ve definitely heard of him before. Heartbreaker. Player. Lazy. All adjectives used to describe this one boy that now rambled on and on about the first three chapters of Italo Clavino’s book, and how the usage of the second person narrator was a fantastic choice to involve the reader into the plot. You nod, not actually listening to him, but knowing what he’s saying anyways, because you’d say the same things. When it came to books, you two always agreed.
“Are you even listening?” He laughs, poking you with his elbow.
“Of course,” You blush a little. “Second person voice and all; great choice.”
“I was talking about coffee,” He says with wide eyes and a playful smile on his face. “Wow. You really weren’t listening!”
“What?” You panic. “I’m sorry! What about coffee?”
“Wanna grab some after school?” He says, straightening his back and clearing his throat. “I know a great place nearby the bookshop.”
“I wish I could,” You say and for the first time you cursed the moment in which you’d have to go straight to the store. “But I take over the store after school, everyday… my dad needs to do some things, so I try to help him out.”
“Oh I see,” His eyes lower to the ground and he kicks a pebble. “What if I brought the coffee to you? I can buy some and stay with you in the shop– I could even help out!”
“Really?” You say, impressed. Your mind travels to a parallel world, in which you and Minho work at the store together, laughing and talking about book all evening. And when the golden hour washes the place, you two sit at the bay window, and everything is just calm and beautiful and golden. “I’d love that, thank you.”
“Great!” He says excitedly. “It’s a date then.”
And the rest of the walk goes by peacefully quiet. Just you two and the early birds chirping. Today was bound to be good– you could feel it.
Classes came and went, lunch too, and it was time for your final class of the day– advanced literature. You were excited because of the new vibe that would wash over the room today, Minho being a new factor into the dynamics of the place. You were all there except him, but he makes it seconds before the teacher, and sits way in the back, ignoring all the swooning girls that waved at him. You chuckle, but it doesn’t escape you the fact that he ignored you too.
During class, he doesn’t say a thing, and you would be lying if you said you weren’t disappointed. You thought he’d be different. What is wrong with me?, you think, rubbing your eyes. That’s such a cliche thing to think. You force your attention back to the teacher, and you remember absolutely nothing from the lesson except the moment that the bell rang. It made you jump from your seat and you heard someone snickering. You turn to Seungmin and see him holding his laugh in.
“Idiot,” You mumble, holding your laugh too. He get’s up but you hold him by the hand. “Oh, wait up really quick, I need to talk to someone.”
You turn around and see Minho looking at you. You smile and start walking to him.
“Minho,” You call, but he speed walks past you, his shoulder bumping into your and making you lose your balance for a second. Seungmin is quick enough to push you forward, stoping you from falling on your ass.
“What was that?” Seungmin asks as you two walk out the school. “Lee Minho. You know him?”
“Yeah,” You mumble. “We walked to school together and he was pretty nice. Maybe I said something to offend him?”
“I doubt it,” Your friend says and that was it about it. You two talked about anything and everything, but Lee Minho. You felt confused, and a little hurt; your fantasies shattering to the ground as you walked home.
You barely noticed the bookshop showing up in your line of vision, and you definitely didn’t see the boy sitting down on the curb, with two cups of coffee in hand.
“Y/N,” Seungmin says, stopping in his tracks. “Is that Lee Minho?”
Your head whips around and your eyes adjust to the image really quick. He wasn’t in his school uniform anymore; his hair was hidden under a beanie again and the glasses were back. He looked cold, breath coming out in small puffs, and jacket seeming to flimsy to handle the weather.
“Yeah, that’s him…” You say, starting to walk to where he was. “I’ll see you later?”
“Call me right after this is done,” He says winking at you. “I wanna know everything.”
“Just… no.” You laugh as he whines. “Go home, Minnie. I’ll talk to you later.”
“You know what?” Seungmin says with a smile that you’ve known to cause trouble. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to movie night tonight… oh too bad, don’t rush him have fun bye!”
And before you could complain he runs away laughing like a maniac. Shaking you head your best friend’s antics, you go to where the root of your confusion was, trembling from the cold.
“Why are you outside?” You chuckle, feeling slightly awkward. “The place is open.”
“I thought that if I was inside you wouldn’t be able to see me,” He sniffs. “And you would’ve thought I bailed on you. Which I didn’t.”
You were speechless at this point.
“This makes no sense,” You say, brows raise. “I hope you know that.”
“I had a feeling you’d say that,” He laughs. “Let’s go inside and talk, yeah?”
Shaking your head, you walk in first, dropping your bag at the counter.
“Give me five minutes,” You say, walking to the back where the stairs to your place were. “I just need to change real quick.”
Uniform discarded, and sweatshirt and jeans replacing them, you walk down, putting your hair up and making your daily mental list.
“Okay,” You say, grabbing the coffee he got for you. “Thanks. Let’s talk after I finish the tasks? They take around thirty minutes…”
He shakes his head. “I want to help.” And that was it.
He checks the inventory while you reorganized the books. He dusted the shelves as you counted the cashier. You water the plants together, and it’s low-key adorable. Once you are done, twenty minutes later, the coffee is cold and the weather is unforgiving. There is no golden sun illuminating the store, and there is no peacefulness in the bay window. There is only rain and thunder, but Minho still insists in sitting and watching the water pour down from the skies.
“I love rainy days,” He sighs. “They are perfect for reading.”
“I hate it,” You chuckle. “I don’t like thunders.”
“Are you scared?” He teases you, and open his arms wide. “You don’t have to be when I’m here. I can protect you.”
“Says the guy that almost pushed me to the ground today!” You gasp, laughing. You didn’t take it to heart, really; you were sure he had an explanation, but if he could tease, so could you.
“What?” He shouts, looking actually surprised. “When?”
“After class, but it’s okay, I didn’t fall.”
“No, it’s not okay,” He says making a face. “Are you alright? I’m so sorry, it was an accident.”
And you just let your head fall to the side in a sign of confusion. “But I called your name…”
“I had my music on,” He chuckles, clearly embarrassed. “As soon as the class finished I put them on. I was on a hurry to get home, change, and buy the coffee before you got home. I wanted to get here first.”
“Oh,” You say, face blushing and smile wide. “Well, this is definitely a surprise.”
“I’m also sorry about kind of ignoring you in class, I guess,” He mumbles looking to his coffee. “I just… I get a lot of shit in school. My friends and I, I mean, and I just didn’t want people to bother you too, if they saw you talking to me and all…”
“Oh my gosh, Minho,” You whine loudly, laughing right after. “That is such a cliche!”
He smiles. “I can be a cliche,” He says leaning forward, just a few centimeters from your face. “Whenever you need one.”
You squint your eyes, and quickly kiss his cheek. “I don’t know when I’ll need one,” You say watching him gasp with your bold move. “But sure.”
“I’m in love,” He says dramatically, and you squeal.
“SO CHEESY!” You shout, laughing and stomping your foot on where both of you sat. “Look, look! I have the chills, that was so bad!”
“There is so much more from where that came from,” He laughs, pulling you by the ankles, making you slide close to him. He kisses your forehead and you cannot stop laughing. “I read a lot, you know?”
“Oh my god,” You hide your face on his chest. “Stop. I need to breath.”
And that was how the afternoon went by. Minho would keep blurting out romance novels cliches and you’d laugh and run away from him, as he chased you with open arms, ready for when you decided to run to him.
He was right, after all. Everyone needs a cliche once in a while… and he was yours.
