More Than Infatuation [Yoon Bum x Reader]

Blooming Obsession

A/N: Hi everyone! Ash here, I wanted to first thank everyone for reading! I apologize if the story seems to be paced slowly, and that's because it is (for the first few chapters, at least). I wanted to establish character personalities and introduce different characters as they will appear in later chapters. As always, I hope you enjoy!

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Your nostrils were welcomed with the musky scent of the thousands of books perched upon their respective shelves.

It has been three years since you began working at the local bookstore. Your friends teased you, claiming you'd work there until you died. Truth be told, you truly enjoyed working as a bookseller. The hours were accommodating to your school schedule, and though the pay wasn't ideal, the calming atmosphere and bonds made with coworkers and regulars made up for it.

After clocking in for your shift, you made your rounds, organizing and stocking books. Some popular 80s song about 'wanting to know what love is', or something like that, played softly through the ceiling speakers. You hummed faintly to prevent disturbing the patrons that roamed the store.

You were taken from your thoughts upon hearing footsteps headed in your direction.

You pointed your gaze toward the area of the approaching footsteps, and found yourself relieved that it was your coworker, Layla. She was close in age, her being 2 years your senior, and you believe that maybe because of the closeness in your age you got along easier.

"Hey (Y/N)! I didn't even hear you sneak in. Whatcha up to?" Layla said with a lopsided grin.

"Same shit, different day," you responded, waving a book around for emphasis.

"Life in the fast lane huh?" Layla giggled at your comment. "Why don't you let me take you out sometime for drinks? You need some excitement in your life!"

"Hey, my life is plenty exciting!"

"Oh, yes - wake up, school, work, sleep and repeat is such a crazy lifestyle!"

Your cheeks flushed from embarrassment at her comment. You knew your lifestyle was probably considered 'mundane', but you enjoyed it that way. Routine was comfort for you, and change almost didn't seem feasible to you.

Layla took notice to your sudden silence and placed a hand on your shoulder in a comforting manner. "Hey, you know I'd never pressure you to do something you wouldn't feel comfortable with," she began "I am just merely reminding you that the offer is there."

"I know," you sighed "maybe one of these days I'll cave and tag along."

"Hey now, don't get my hopes up!" Layla laughed at your statement.

You rolled your eyes and nudged her, a smile tugging at your lips. She was like an older sister to you, and you appreciated her constant love and support.

A strange sensation washed over you, and your body was quick to react in which you whipped your head toward one of the many large windows on the side of the building. You narrowed your eyes in attempt to notice anything out of the ordinary.

Your investigating was cut short as Layla placed a hand on your shoulder once more.

"Are you alright (Y/N)?" Concern evident in her voice.

"Y-yeah," you responded, rubbing the back of your neck, "I just had this weird feeling, as if someone was watching me..."

Silence filled the air for a brief moment until Layla erupted with laughter, to which you tilted your head in confusion.

"You really should lay off on watching those thriller movies you seem to love so much," she wept, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye.

"I'm not joking!" you nearly shrieked, causing a few customers to turn and glare at you two. You quickly muttered an apology and turned back to your coworker who was currently trying to hold in her laughter.

"Oh? Are you worried the boogeyman is gonna get ya?" She snickered and you huffed in return and began organizing books once more, annoyance obvious with how you forcefully shoved the books into the shelves. Layla giggled at your tantrum and began helping you sort through the literature, calming you down in the process.

If only she knew your suspicions were correct.

Eyes peered in at your form from outside. He simply was not satisfied with how short your meeting went with him earlier, so Bum took it upon himself to follow you home and to your work, where he could bask in your beauty from afar. He scolded himself for nearly getting caught, and reminded himself to be careful.

Bum stayed out of sight, watching you throughout your shift until closing time approached. As he watched you close up the shop, he considered following you back to your apartment, but ultimately decided against it since you were already suspicious from the previous incident.

The walk back to Bum's apartment was glum, as a war was transpiring within his mind. He began second-guessing his decision to not follow you home; however, his apartment in sight was his realization that it was too late to turn back now.

Upon entering his apartment, Bum was quick to remove his jacket and slump on the couch. He stared at the ceiling, becoming lost in his thoughts.

I wonder if she made it home safe, his eyebrows knitted in concern

I'm sure she's fine, her work is only a 15-minute walk from her home, he sighed.

I wonder what she's doing right n-

Bum jolted from the vibration that came from his coffee table. The phone screen lit up with a notification, which Bum assumed was from some silly app he downloaded.

Picking up the phone, his eyes narrowed to focus on what the notification was from, only to widen seconds later.

Hi Bum, it's (Y/N)! I'm sorry for texting you later than expected, I'll send photos of the notes here in a few minutes.

His trembling thumbs hovered over the keyboard, unsure of what to respond with. You texted him, hell, you offered your number in the first place. It felt like dream, he convinced himself there was no way this was real – but to his delight, it was totally real.

Thank you so much... I really appreciate it.

After pressing the 'send' button, Bum didn't want to cut the conversation short.

So...how was work?

Bum internally smiled, satisfied, this should be enough to keep her talking to me.

As the minutes ticked by, the young man found himself tapping his foot impatiently. What could you possibly be doing?

Maybe she still unwinding from work.

Or she's preparing photos for the notes.

Or she's possibly preparing for bed, maybe taking a shower –

Bum's eyes widened at the thought.

A shower.

This was the first time Bum had a lewd thought of you. Images flood his mind of you in such a setting – he knew you had a beautiful body just from witnessing how your jeans hugged your curves perfectly, and your shirt framed your supple breasts.

Bum shook his head in attempt to diminish such vulgar thoughts of you when you've been so courteous to him, but he couldn't prevent the image of you showering to disappear from his mind. He imagined watching you from afar, watching as water trickled from your collarbone down to your breasts, God, how he wanted to kiss and suc-

The young man glanced down at the prominent erection between his thighs and sighed.

Maybe he'll indulge himself just this once.