Chapter Text
Bright was never the type to be considered soft or gentle. He was a man who joined this world of his own choosing. He walked in with his head held high expecting everything he predicted then rose through the ranks with raw violence and scheming. Bright knew how he was feared, he knew how the streets stood on command whenever his mere cologne was mentioned.
He took pride in how clean his streets were knowing just how unaware most citizens were of his existence. He thrived on respect, efficiency, and loyalty. Thus he expects everyone to know their roles and responsibilities in his organization. They were a machine... and machines can always be broken or hacked if there was even a person out of place, something that Bright would never allow, and his machine knew this. Bright had no problem with getting his hands dirty. In fact, he even enjoyed it every once in a while.
But the need for control takes a toll on one's body, especially when one is not allowed to seek outside comfort so Bright makes it a point to make time for himself—making sure that he takes a moment to center his being in a world that would enrich his mind and soul. This is why books have always been his means of escape.
It allowed him to lose himself outside the world of blood and general darkness. He was allowed to create a world that even he could not destroy and that brought him peace in ways that only his mother had once achieved when he was just a small boy.
Bright had learned of a new bookstore that was opening in his area and planned to make a short stop there. He was surprised when he learned how the one who owned it was as young as he was and had only recently moved to his city. While the area was not small, it was rare that people relocated to stay unless they had hidden agendas. Bright admits that he had some suspicions though all were thrown away with a simple background check into the man and his business licenses. The young man seemed to be well-liked, especially among the elders and Bright knew those old farts were hard to please. Hell, they still turned their lips up at him and he's nearly lived his whole life around them.
It was weeks before the small store crossed his mind again, only piquing his interest when his mind supplied the information at random, setting aside some mundane paperwork, Bright offhandedly asked his right-hand man to stop by the building as they were on the same side of town.
The small building was charming, looking vaguely out of place as trees and gardens surrounding a cottage-style home came into view. A sunbeam shone brightly on the small home, giving the small area an unnatural appearance that even left his driver in awe as he pulled into a random spot in front of a low white fence. They would have thought they were at the wrong place if not for a sign on top of the building that had the words, "Snawfus Bookshop," swirled elegantly on a styled wooden board in white and decorated with a deer and more flowers than Bright could name.
"Sir... Are we still in the same area? We didn't leave Bangkok right?" P'Boy asked rounding the car to open the door for his Boss.
Bright's face remained just as confused as he stepped out, letting the elder man smooth the lapels of his black bespoke suit jacket and fix the white pocket square. He turned to look across the street, feeling even more confused as he saw an old run-down factory, looking as depressing and desolate as the rest of this area, then back to the quaint house that seemed to be blessed by an unknown spirit and shines brighter. He said nothing as he walked up the cobblestone path, his shoes clicking as he approached the wooden door with a blue-themed flower wreath highlighting a circle window. P'Boy opened it for him, sounding an unseen bell as he walked through the door and past the small desk at the front that stood for the checkout area.
Bright was internally pleased with how the outside matched the interior although it was bigger than he had imagined. Bookshelves filled with endless genres, some on the floor in obvious overspill but still neat and artful places. There were several small tables and chairs around and even a quant window nook that was big enough for someone to lie down could partially be seen. The sun filtering through the various windows gave the area natural hues of brown along with the greens from the plants lying around, the feeling of reading in the shade of a tree while sitting in a pasture. Bright felt comfortable and quiet even the talkative P'Boy was taking in the serenity as they roamed through the store.
While they did not encounter anyone just yet, it did not bother Bright in the slightest as he picked up a couple of books, handing them off to P'Boy to hold before dismissing him to have some time of his own. Blending into a dark corner just to the right of a window whose light beamed on the table in front of him, Bright relaxed himself as much as his hardened mind could. Opening a cookbook called "Tasting History" that had caught his attention, Bright lost himself in the small paragraph that spoke of old tales and made a mental note to buy this book to try some of the recipes that it presented. It wasn't until his ears picked up on feet walking on bare carpet that he realized he was no longer alone. Seeing as the person was yet to reveal themselves, Bright figured this was a good time to leave, he had already spent too much time here and there was no telling what dumb things his crew were up to.
Picking up the books, Bright made his way toward the front. The desk he had walked past now held a little note scrawled in the same beautiful writing that marked the name of the store outside. He read the instructions carefully before ringing the small curl of jingle bells that were next to the sticky note.
Bright could hear steps coming from the back where he was previously sitting and looked up leisurely in the direction it was coming from, making a mental note of how P'Boy was silently coming behind the new body too... only as a precaution since one could never be too sure.
A beautiful boy wearing a crown filled with hibiscus flowers came fluttering into view. Bright was momentarily stunned following the easy sway of his waist that can be seen threw the sheerness of his white blouse, one shoulder was exposed from how loose it was, showing off his long neck, his collarbone, and glowy skin. It was no wonder that the store was shrouded with the blessings of the forest as this was obviously the owner and with a face nymph and a smile to match, Bright had a hard time figuring out if the person he was seeing was human as he bounded towards him with bare feet.
"I'm sorry that I could not greet you earlier. By the time I realized you were here, you were already deep into a book."
Bright only blinked before looking over his shoulder at P'Boy, who fortunately had more human skills than he did and quickly spoke up.
"It's no worries! This is a great place you've got, you're the owner, right?"
The nymph nodded, making some of his fluffy hair move with the motion, "Yes, I just moved here so I'm really glad that everyone seems so friendly. My name is Win."
"My name is Boy and this is my boss..." Boy motioned to Bright with a mothering smile.
Bright only arched a brow when Win turned and looked at him expectedly, he didn't know why but he conceded with a low, "Bright."
He waited for the fear to set in once he heard of his name but Win only smiled at him before looking down at the books on the table, the pout on his plump lips stirred something that laid dormant in Bright's chest for years.
Doe eyes met back up with his own before Bright let his eyes fall to the other's lips again, watching as he worried them with his teeth, "Um... You can only buy two books at a time."
"No, all five." Bright reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his wallet, producing a hundred-dollar bill to hand over.
"I'm sorry but only two. It's store policy." Win insisted, pushing the hand back gently.
Bright furrowed his brows looking at the delicate hand touching his own. Tilting his head, he placed his hands on the table to loom over the boy on the other side. He was surprised when the other didn't flinch as he glared down, "Sell me all five while I'm being nice."
Win only glared back, looking more like an angry bunny as he poked a finger at Bright's shoulder, "No. Either you buy two or I'm banning you for trying to intimidate me."
P'Boy spoke up then, "Banned? We just got here!"
Win turned his angry face to the one behind Bright and folded his arms, "Banned, Phi! Unless you two place nice. I have no time for those who cannot respect my rules."
Bright smirked, trailing his eyes down and then back up the man's body, his dark eyes flashed at the growing blush on Win's porcelain cheeks. Easing his stance, he noticed a beauty mole near Win's lips and reached across the desk to brush his thumb across it, "No need to get hasty, little nymph. I'll buy two and P'Boy will buy two. Is that fair now?"
Hesitantly, Win nodded trying hard to ignore the way Bright's calloused hand engulfed the side of his face while his thumb brushed against another mole that Win knew rested under his eye. Bright echoed his nod, sliding the large bill back on the desk, "This is for all of them. How about you put one of the books on the side just for me? Can you do that?"
Bright watched as Win put a random book behind the desk and bagged the other four with a grace that was strange for someone to have while doing something so mundane. He handed over a tote bag that was quickly grabbed by P'Boy while Bright held the handle of the door, "Keep the change."
A startled noise came from Win's throat as he looked at the bill in his hand, "It's too much."
"I'll come back tomorrow. I always come for what's mine."
Win watched as the two men walked out of his shop as calmly as he could. It wasn't until their car disappeared down the street that Win placed a hand on his heart feeling it pounding in his chest. This was the scariest moment of his life but he couldn't help but gush silently over the obviously dangerous man. Scary but handsome was never his type but with the last haunting words that were spoken in that velvet tone, Win feared that the man was not talking about the book nor the money left in his shop and he would be lying if he told himself that he wasn't even a little excited. Win was in major trouble.