Kpop One Shots

BtoB: Changsub

The bookstore, which doubled as a lounge, was quiet this time of day. There were a few regulars cozied up on couches and reading books they had no intention on buying. Annie was doing as she normally did and filled up the empty spots on the bookcases. Currently she was putting up her pick for book of the week. It was a mystery with a sprinkle of comedy here and there.

Annie smiled as she heard the faint jingle of the bell attached to the front door. This could be one of two things. First it could be a new customer who would happily skim through all of the books before settling on one. The other possibility could be Changsub.

Changsub was a barista who worked at the small café across the street. The first time she'd met him they'd run into one another just outside of the store. She was trying to be early for her first day on the job and he was running late.

Annie had started falling backward. He'd attempted to take hold of her so she wouldn't fall on her butt. Unfortunately he wasn't as strong as either of them would have hoped and they both toppled to the ground. He'd started apologizing profusely until he got a look at her warm eyes. And he just stared for a minute.

"I'm sorry sir but you're crushing me."

Annie laughed thinking back to that first encounter. Every day since then he'd wander in at about the same time, most likely his break. He'd started by hiding behind book cases too afraid to walk up to her. He didn't know that Annie had always seen him dramatically clutching his chest where his heart would be. Eventually he took the leap and said hello.

"Guess who."

"Yoo Jaesuk?" she joked.

"I don't know whether to be flattered or offended." Changsub pouted. When Annie turned around his arms were crossed and his lower lip was poking out.

"OOOO is that a pastry?" She asked pointing at little white bag in his hand.

"Ignore that! You should be paying attention to me! I'm upset."

"What kind is it?" She asked ignoring the words he said yet again.

"Keep your grubby hands off this sticky bun." He said swatting away the hands that were inching closer to the bag. "I'll go find a new girl to give this to. Maybe she'll pay attention." Changsub turned and started walking out.

"Noo! Changsubbie don't go!" Annie wrapped her arms around his torso and snuggled up to his back. A blush covered his cheeks and he smiled at the feeling of her arms around him. "I'm sorry."

He turned, cupped her cheeks, and rubbed his nose against hers. "I forgive you Annie."

He handed her the pastry bag and picked up one of the books she'd been putting on display. He always did that. He always brought her a sweet treat in the morning, and bought her favorite books, pretending that he was actually looking for that specific book. Of course it was just coincidence.

They sat down at a table Chagsub was flipping through the book but secretly taking glances at Annie as she ate. And when he wasn't looking Annie was doing the exact same thing.

"Hey! Why are you two so quiet?" Mrs. Bang shot from a nearby couch. She was an older woman who'd come in four times a week with her husband.

"Us?" Changsub questioned waving a finger back and forth between himself and Annie.

"Who else would I be talking to?" She said referring to the nearly empty area.

"One of the reason's we come here is to watch him make a fool of himself." Her husband added.

"Are you two finally dating?" the older lady gasped, "Hwang Joo, what do you think?"

"No No No! Not us! Psh!" Changsub looked at Annie. He continued with a slur of sounds and strange faces as he looked from Annie to the old couple. "I-I-I..."

His face was bright red and he was getting more embarrassed by the second. He left his book on the table and hurried away from the situation. His legs and arms flailed showing off the true dork that he was. And like that he was gone.

The next two weeks when Changsub didn't show up Annie felt a small ach in her heart. Was he really not interested in her? Was he so put off by the comments Mrs. and Mr. Bang made that he couldn't even come around?

Annie's enthusiasm dimmed in those days. She felt about as gloomy as the bleak grey skies today. The heavy raindrops pounded against the roof. The sound echoed throughout. The small bells on the door jingled and a bit of hope surged through her. Then her heart sank when it was just another stranger seeking refuge from the downpour.

"I thought about a grand gesture. I thought about hiring an orchestra or maybe a flash mob because I'm sure you'd like it." Annie jumped at the sound of Changsub's voice.

He smiled at her. His hair was damp from the rain and his smile was shy. He had a guitar strapped across his body.

"I almost wrote you a song but I don't think there are enough words in any vocabulary on earth to explain what you mean to me." He strummed a few graceful cords on the acoustic and hummed a tune before letting out a chuckle.

"Ch-Changsub?" He stepped towards her and took her hands in his. He pulled her along with him not looking where he was walking. It was like he'd rehearsed this a thousand times.

"You've got something on your head! Oh wait that's just your halo." Annie giggled, "I've spilled my cheesiest pickup lines and I don't even care that they didn't work. Because hearing you laugh and seeing you smile is worth more than a bruised ego."

He led her up the stairs. People parted letting the two pass. Annie bowed to them slightly with a pink tint to her cheeks.

"For three years I told myself that a girl like you would never like a guy like me. I own a mirror so trust me I know. I went to advice blogs and took online quizzes that told me I should marry you. I even searched fool proof strategies to get a girl to say yes. But all of that made me feel like a fool in the end."

Mrs. and Mr. Bang appeared from behind Changsub.

"He took advice from the best."

"They said I should just be my lame old self and pour my heart out and that's what I'm doing. Because running into you, literally, was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I want to hold you and kiss you and snuggle with you till the end of time. So will you..."

He let go of one of her hands and showed her the assortment of sweets and flowers he had displayed for her. In the very center of it all was a line of cookies.

Be. My. Girl. Friend. ?

The whole thing caught Annie off guard. She was at a loss of words. Tears were even welling in the corner of her eyes. She looked up at Changsub, smiled, and shook her head.

"Why did it take you three years?" She jumped into his arms and planted her lips against his. When they pulled apart they felt a light tingle in their lips and a warm fuzziness in their chests.

"So is that a yes?" He asked with a raised brow.

"What do you think? And don't ever insinuate that my boyfriend is ugly again okay?" they both laughed and he left dozens of little kisses all over her cheeks and lips.

The people who gathered around them, people they would call their friends, clapped and cheered. Finally something that even they had been longing for was happening.

Annie took his hand in hers and leaned against his side taking in his body heat. He rubbed his thumb across her small soft hands. This is what he'd been holding out on and his only regret was not asking her out the moment he laid eyes on her.

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I said it would be like a week or two and I went way past that and I'm sorry. things got busy but I really hope that you like it and can forgive me!!! also I think it could have been fluffier but I'm a little out of practice so I'm sorry if it didn't meet expectations.

Rina💜