Hetalia Fanfiction Collection!

Hello, Shopkeep - Bookstore - Chapter 1

This is a new short series I've come up with because of the picture to the left. I was just wandering through zerochan out of curiousity, and I found that! So, enjoy the story!

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It was a gray day. The sun barely shown through the thick clouds as they drizzled raindrop-tears from their cloud-eyelids. You were in line buying a coffee when it began to pour, and you found refuge in the locla bookstore down the road. You would often frequent the family-run shop for your book-loving needs. And it was lucky that you had a sudden craving for words on pages, the feel of the paper, the small of all hard-cover, paperback, and leatherbound tomes as you stepped into the store.

It was always the old man who owned the store or his wife that would greet you as you entered since you were a regular of theirs, but on this particular day, it was weither of them who acknowlegded your presence. It was a younger man, more of your age give or take a year or two, who flashed a toothy grin your way and waved. You smiled and waved back out of politeness and scurried to the fiction section where you would always dweel not only in that general area but also on the plots and characters of the books that you had read and passed by. This time, though, you didn't ponder about why authors chose this path or that for their books. Instead, your mind lingered on the keep in the front who greeted you; how the light that bounced on his hair complimented and made it, already sandy-blond, yellower and shinier and softer, how that one bit of hair ws so stubborn as it stood amost proud-like (surely, the thought occurred to you, he had tried combing or gelling it down), how his eyes glowed at the sight of your entering the shop damp and cold. You wondered who he was; if he was family of old Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

"Oh, _____," someone called, taking your attention away from the clerk. Your head turned to the left, towards the source of the old, stuttery voice, and noticed Mr. Jones. "Hello, deary."

"Hello, Mr. Jones." You waved and smiled, just as you had the clerk, but more friendly and comfortably. The two of you immersed in a conversation, sitting at a table nearby. You spoke of why you hadn't been visiting as of late due to university work, and he spoke of how much him and his wife missed you. He mentioned new books in stock, and you replied, wholeheartedly, with how excited you were to read them. That was when you culd bring up that new clerk, since he had brought Mr. Jones a cup of hot tea.

"Here ya are, Gramps. Just how you like it!" The way that young man smiled at his grandfather warmed your sopping wet and freezing heart. You two made eye contact as he set down the mug. He smiled that toothy grin, and you smiled with a flushed face in response. The thought had already crossed your mind, that he was attractive and adorable, but with like other attractive men you came across, you knew you never had a chance.

"This is my grandson Alfred," Mr. Jones intoduced the two of you to each other. "Alfred, this is _____." You shook his hand when he outstretched it your sweaty one and an even redder face.

"It's nice to meet you, _____," he said. "And might I say you have a really pretty name." That comment of his sent butterflies to your stomach, and they fluttered furiously. How were you suppose do to respond?! That your mother and father had given it to you?! Of course not, so you just said a simple thanks.

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you as well," you said timidly, hiding your eyes and your blush with your hair. Alfred went back to work after your meeting, and you and Mr. Jones went back to your conversation.

"Lovely boy, isn't he?" The old man sitting across from you blurted, changing the subject from books to the cute blond clerk up front.

"Mhm." You nodded, not particularly wanting to speak more of Alfred not only because it made you sweat when you thought of him, but because of those fluttering butterflies banging against the walls of your stomach. But you wanted to keep talking about him because of the same reasons.

"He's your age, you know. He also shares your interests," Mr. Jones paused only to take a sip of his tea.

"Is that so?"

He nodded. "Mhm."

You weren't sure if you could trust Mr. Jones with the way you felt about Alfred, since the two of you had just met and he was Mr. Jones' grandson. You tapped your paper cup of coffee anxiously. Maybe it was best to leave the confession for another day.

"I think I should get going now, Mr. Jones," you said as you stood. "It was really nice chatting." You smiled, and he returned it.

"Make sure to come back soon!"

"I will!"

You walked to the front, throwing away your now empty cup of coffee. You glanced over at Alfred, who was busy restocking, and you took this chance to really study his profile. He was lean, his jaw and cheekbones prominent. But those were things you didn't really care for. It was mostly his eyes you were searching for, those sky-blue gems you wanted to see sparkle and get lost in. You found them, but also made accidental eye contact. You quickly waved goodbye to him to avoid any awkwardness, and he waved back. Feeling your heart beating against the bones of your ribcage, you exited the shop and walked into the now clear city.

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And scene! :D

This is the first part to a mini series that I've written up. There are going to be three parts, but if people really like any of the chapters, I could make them two or even three part short series. Like, if you like this idea of Alfred being a bookstore person thingy, I could write two or three parts of this. But obviously, no promises because I suck at making second parts ^-^"

I hope you liked this little thing! Feedback and votes are very appreciated, and I would love you forever <3

Stay tuned for the next part where Alfred's a florist!~ C: