As her phone went off, she quickly read the message before deciding to just wait for him because, obviously, it would take him time to reply back to her when he could be finding her without wasting that amount of time. She then locked the screen of the device, slipping it inside the pocket of her cardigan, fingertips tapping her thighs as she waited for him, turning her head from side to side in case he pops out of nowhere. When her name was called, she squinted her eyes the moment her eyes met his, smiling in a playful manner as she watched him struggling with his luggage, a bubble of laughters slipped past her lips. “Good morning to you too, Jongin. Annnd yes, I’m ready. Do you need help with that?” The smile on her face grew a size, causing an eyesmile to grace her features as she extended out a hand.
“Wha–No, no! I’ve got it,” he shushed her and gave a quick shake of his head. In truth, he’d only been struggling a bit out of his own excitement and being unable to keep still for more than a moment. Somehow, however, he managed and, after shifting to stand his luggage on its wheels, he reached inside of his carry-on bag and pulled out a slip of paper that had everything they needed to know on it. “All we have to do is check in…” his voice trailed off as he looked around for one of the stations for Swiss Air, instantly pointing with his free hand after finding it. “There! And, afterwards, we’ll be given our tickets and told where our gate is for take-off.” That same slip of paper was shoved back into his bag and he moved to grab his luggage, calloused fingers curling around the handle before he returned his attention back to his companion for the trip. “Aster, I’m really grateful that you agreed to come with me; I don’t think I can thank you enough for that.”
xnsa:
The moment she received the reply from him was the very same moment that she stood without another second to hesitate or even think of getting him something anyway. With a grace that came from her upbringing back in Japan, she easily made her way through the crowded cafe and between all of the tables and customers before making it outside in record time; one could even say that they would have missed her if they had blinked or looked away for a split-second. Another sip of the frozen drink tamped out any of the little jitters that continued to knot in her stomach before she started down the sidewalk in the direction of the bookstore, long legs and steps carrying her their in record time.
What she wouldn’t admit was the guilt she felt for this being her first time to his store. She had tried desperately to find time but with business picking up even more, her hours at the office left her drained and physically strained to the point she would stay overnight for days in a row before heading back to her own apartment. She knew it wasn’t healthy and knew for a fact that watching the bookstore would ease her out of the strains she had been putting on herself. Sekyung hadn’t expected what she stepped through the doors to see and her breath caught in her throat before she whistled lowly. It was far bigger than she had imagined but even the big space felt warm and cozy. Taking a few more steps to further immerse herself into everything, she only then realized she hadn’t replied to him so that she could get there as quickly as she could. “Jongin..?”
Despite being on the second level and closer to the back of the bookshop, he easily heard the bell that sounded from above swivelling doors, alerting him of a presence that wasn’t his own and, after remembering that he wasn’t expecting anyone else - nor was he planning to tend to customers today - he came to the conclusion that it must have been Sekyung that had entered his haven. Light as it was, his name falling from her lips confirmed his thoughts and, after quickly pulling himself away from a different shelf and adjusting the small pile of books in his hands, he turned away and descended the stairs to the first floor, a bright smile instantly plastered onto his features at the sight of her.
“Angel..” he breathed out, dark irises growing visibly brighter as he flit over from the foot of the staircase. It was the moment that he came to stand directly in front of her that he realised this was the very first time that she’d come by and, despite circumstances that brought her upon him, it was the very first time that she’d seen him in his element. An entirely different being when in the world that he loved most, there was a glossy sort of shine to his eyes as they beheld her, an aura of serenity surrounding him that couldn’t - and, more than likely, never would - be penetrated by anything negative. Even with being set to leave within the hour, it was as if he never had plans to go anywhere at all, and one wouldn’t even be able to tell if it weren’t for the exuberant bounce in his step or the luggage that stood proud next to the main counter. “It’s good to see you; let me set these down and I’ll show you around and tell you everything you need to know.” With that, he hurried to stand next to his baggage, packing the books into his carry on within seconds before turning back to her and silently offering his arm to be taken.
xnsa:
She glanced down at her phone, the message awaiting her in her inbox leaving an amused smile on her lips. It was easy for her to see just how excited Jongin was for his trip and that her offer was one that brought happiness instead of fear. A soft chuckle rolled easily from her lips, the amused curl still there as she typed out a quick reply while she waited patiently for the drink she had ordered at the small cafe.
[ txt: Light ] Of course! I’m actually already out and about so I’ll see you in a few minutes. Do you want a drink while I’m at the small cafe on the corner? I still have time to order you one—
Turning after sliding the phone into her pocket, she took her own drink when it was set out on the counter before she stepped over to one of the free chairs, sitting immediately while taking a sip from the frozen hot chocolate she had ordered. A low hum escaped her and she lightly kicked her feet before her mind wandered to just what she would be doing for the next week. She would be taking care of his bookstore; his baby. And that’s when the nervous jitters set in.
He’d held on to his mobile phone as if it were a lifeline and, in a way, it was - it was an instant connection to the one that he was leaving his most precious gem in the care of. Even with the level of excitement coursing through him, there was a layer of nervousness that couldn’t be denied; he’d never left his bookstore in someone else’s hands until now, had never even missed a day to run it himself since before the previous owner left this world for the next. But, even within this overwhelming swirl of emotion within him, there was the trust that he had in Sekyung that seemed to ease whatever worries he was beginning to have.
Pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his incoming message alert, the bookkeeper quickly tugged the book he’d been searching for from its perch upon a particular shelf before situating it under his arm and shuffling off in a different direction, his eyes trained on the brightly-lit keyboard beneath his fingertips as he typed out his response.
【 ✉ ⇛ sent to: Angel. 】 Ah, no thank you. I don't think I'd be able to stomach it, with how excited I am right now. So, I'll see you in a few minutes, then?
With her suitcase clutched in her right hand, her left hand gripped her bag tightly while sweeping her eyes around the airport; in honesty, it had been a huge while since she travelled anywhere, and needless to say, she was more than hyped for this trip which caused her eyes to glisten with excitement. “Jongin—” She muttered under her breath as she couldn’t possibly find him in such a…ginormous place. Without hesitation, she walked over to take a seat in the rather isolated aisle, pulling her phone out.
[text → jongin] good morning! where are you now? ^^*
【 ✉ ⇛ sent to: Flower. 】 Just pulled up, I'll be inside soon!
He thought he’d been on the way to having a heart attack, with how outrageous preparing for travel outside of the country was. Never having remembered it being so difficult to get everything situated, Jongin heaved a sigh that would have caused him a bit of pain, had it been just a bit harsher than it was. It doesn’t matter; you’re out, free, and need to find Aster. The only thing that he was grateful for was how effortless it was for him to figure out which way to go to reach the proper area to wait on their flight and, within only a few minutes, he caught sight of his friend and hurried to drag his luggage - while barely managing to hold on to his carry on bag - until he’d successfully caught her sitting off to the side. “Aster!” he called out above typical airport ruckus. “Good morning! Are you ready to check in and get our luggage situated?”
Having ‘jitters’ was an understatement; he was unadulteratedly excited. He’d even gone as far as to arrive at his bookshop three hours early, making certain that everything Sekyung would need to properly tend to what was needed was within easy reach for her. By now, he’d be set to leave soon, but he had just enough time to wait for her arrival and give her a tour both levels, alert her of shipments that had been set out and were set to arrive within the week, and whatever else he was certain he’d momentarily forgotten about, but would remember when the time came. Rushing to exhale a breath that he didn’t realise he’d been holding, Jongin pulled his mobile phone from his back pocket and hurried to tap out a quick message for her, letting her know that he was ready for her and everything had been situated the way it was supposed to be.
【 ✉ ⇛ sent to: Angel. 】 I leave within two hours; are you set to come now?
“I feel as if I could explode right out of my skin, if that were possible,” he gushed quietly, hands curling into fists and uncurling once more before lacing together at his lower back. “I’ll be certain to, Angel. Knowing me, I’ll end up with all sorts of things to tell you about, especially since we’re going to be gone for so long. Ah, perhaps you can? If you love to travel, it’s not out of sight, yes?”
“I’m spending a week in Switzerland,” he started, expression brightening at the thought of the next few words that were set to fall from his tongue. “Yuri-Noona set the entire trip up for my birthday, even went so far as to get me a chance to visit Abbey Library; lots of driving and dealing with guides, but…that Library is a dream. It’ll be worth it.”
A hand lifted to scratch at the top of his head, some remaining steady as it shook from side to side in response. “No, no one offered - you’re the first,” came the answer and, despite the mild stab of disappointment and worry that he felt earlier because of this, her arrival instantly shattered it all to replace it with the surge of positive feeling coursing through him at present. “Ah, it doesn’t matter, anymore, I think. I wouldn’t dare pass this up. In the morning, I’ll there to make sure everything is in place; I’ll be driven to the airport from the shop, so I’ll send a message your way and you can come by, then?”