[one-shot] Sanctuary
Title: Sanctuary
Pairing: Tamamori Yuta/Miyata Toshiya
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: AU! Tamamori works in a bookstore/library. Miyata visits. A lot.
Note: Written for the je_anonficmeme JE Summer Fic meme. Prompt and original posting here.
Tamamori wiped the dust off on his apron. He never quite understood how books collected so much dust. It was an older bookstore, the smell of weathered paper mixing with the air around him, but it was a favorable environment to him. He liked the quiet, the stillness. More importantly, he liked that he could lose himself in these books and get paid for it.
He only ever had a few patrons at a time. The store was tucked away to where if you didn't know it was there, you didn't know it existed. If he wasn't reading, he was people watching as they passed the store. Body after body, but no one ever turned into the store. It didn't bother him too much though, considering he's worked here for years.
The dust he could do without though. There wasn't enough allergy medicine on the planet to get him through his shift. He knew why he was left with the dusting, his coworker never could reach the upper shelves of books, but it wouldn't kill Kitayama to get a step stool and do the dusting once in a while.
The tap on his shoulder drew him out of his thoughts, the hand jerking back as Tamamori flinched. A quick apology came from the body the hand belonged to, and Tamamori realized this person wasn't a regular patron. Light brown hair framed his face nicely, not too long or too short. Roughly his own height, maybe a bit shorter, he thought. He had a genuine smile though, one that made his eyes disappear. A good feature, he thought, because that nose wasn't doing him many favors.
"Welcome. I'm sorry for dozing off."
There was that smile again. "It's no problem. I never knew this store was here. How long have you been open?"
"Ten years? I've worked here for four."
The face his new patron made was almost comical. "No way! I walk down the road every day and I have never noticed this place!"
"Sorry to burst your bubble," Tamamori laughed, "but we've been here the whole time."
"You're not bursting anything, this is amazing! I just wish I knew about it sooner!"
That definitely wasn't a response Tamamori was expecting. Normally new faces poke their heads in, turn a nose at the stale air, and leave. This man with the hyperactive attitude just waltzed in and looked around in awe. He could get used to it, he thought.
"I'm Miyata, by the way. Miyata Toshiya." Miyata grinned, his eyes disappearing behind the smile lines that framed them.
He smiled. He definitely could get used to it. "Tamamori Yuta."
Truth be told, he hadn’t really expected Miyata to show up the next day; or the day after, for that matter. After a week though Tamamori had to admit to himself, the strange character was beginning to grow on him. It was a nice change to have someone closer to his age come into the store. At least this one didn’t make any serious passes on him. Not yet, anyways.
“Tama-chan looks cute in his work apron.”
“You’re creepy. Go away, I have to work.” Tamamori couldn’t help his smile though.
Miyata laughed it off and wandered up and down the aisles of books. “Tama-chan, what do you recommend?”
“How should I know what you like? And what’s with the ‘Tama-chan’? We’ve only known each other for a week.”
“Do you not like it?”
Tamamori paused for a minute. “I didn’t say that.”
“Then I see nothing wrong!” Miyata sing-songed as he pulled a book off the shelf. “This one looks good.”
“It’s in French.” Tamamori scoffed.
“It doesn’t matter. It just means I get to come back and see you again tomorrow!” Tamamori blushed as Miyata pulled out the book he took yesterday. “I really like this exchange system you have here. It’s like a library, but better.”
“Whatever.” Tamamori wrote out Miyata’s receipt and slipped it inside the new book. “You know, you are allowed to keep one. You paid for that first one.”
“I know, but I like coming here and seeing you so I might as well bring the book back.”
There was that smile again. Tamamori didn’t understand how there could be someone this happy all the time. He must be on something. No one is this happy.
Miyata glanced down at his watch. “Oh crap, I’m going to be late.”
“Late?”
“For work. I normally work mornings, but they have me closing tonight.” Miyata quickly shoved the book into his bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tama-chan!”
Tamamori didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye before Mitaya was out the door. Miyata never mentioned work before, but it made sense if he’s walked past here every day. He shrugged it off, it was none of his business. Tamamori pushed his cart around the store and started putting books back on the upper shelves-another thing Kitayama couldn’t do because of his height. It’s a miracle that guy still has a job here, Tamamori thought, it’s almost like he sleeps when he’s here. The bottom shelves were always kept up though, and Tamamori rarely touched those. Fair trade, he guessed.
Hours passed, and Tamamori waved off the last of his regular patrons and locked up for the night. He gave the shelves a final dusting and hung his apron up, returning to the register to count that day’s money. He frowned as he placed that day’s earnings in an envelope and locked it in the safe-barely worth locking up. It was a miracle the store was still open. At this rate, Tamamori figured, they’d be closing for good within the month.
The thought depressed him more than necessary as he locked the shop up for the night. This was a second home for him, a getaway from the drama and everything going on in the world. It barely paid bills and put food on the table, but he loved this little book store. If today’s income was anything to go by, it was only a matter of time. He pulled out his wallet and stared at the few bills he had to last him the end of the month. Bills were paid thankfully, but this was barely enough for food.
“Tama-chan!”
Tamamori looked up from his thoughts. “Oh, hey.”
“We got off work at the same time! How lucky am I?” Miyata skipped over to Tamamori, but his expression quickly changed. “What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
Miyata wiped a stray tear off Tamamori’s cheek. “You’re crying. Is everything okay?”
Tamamori cursed under his breath-he hadn’t even noticed. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not. I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but you can talk to me okay? I don’t bite.”
Tamamori sighed and nodded. “It’s nothing, really. I’m just a little stressed.”
“Want to grab something to eat? My treat.”
Tamamori opened his mouth to decline, but his stomach had other plans. The mere mention of food sent it into a growling fit. He blushed as Miyata laughed at him. “Fine.”
Tamamori hesitated as he stood in front of Miyata’s apartment.
“This isn’t what I had in mind when you said we’d get something to eat….”
Miyata smiled at him as he opened the door. “Don’t be shy. What’s mine is yours.”
He apologized for the intrusion as he stepped inside, slipping his shoes off in the doorway. It was very tidy for such a small place, although he wasn’t sure what he was expecting. Everything was in place, save for a few magazines and the books from the store. He made himself at home at Miyata’s request, taking a seat on the couch.
Miyata sat next to the other on the couch and handed him a bottle of tea. “Dinner shouldn’t be too long. I have some rice and dumplings going.”
“Thanks.”
“But while they’re cooking, why don’t we get to know each other better? Aside from you working at the bookstore I don’t know anything about you.”
“I’m not that exciting.” Tamamori took a sip from his bottle.
“Tell me anything! Here I’ll start: I like anime and manga.”
“You are strange.” No wonder he was so happy all the time.
“Your turn.”
“I like books.”
“I gathered that much, but what else?”
Miyata was persistent if nothing else, Tamamori figured. He needed to give him something else to make him happy. “I like to talk to the books sometimes, when there’s no one in the store.”
There was a moment of silence before Miyata broke into laughter. “And you think I’m strange.”
He shoved at Miyata as the timer went off in the kitchen, coming back moments later with food. It smelled amazing for just being rice and dumplings, but it was miles away from being the instant cup ramen his diet was as of late. He took the first bite tentatively, savoring every bit.
“Is it bad?” Miyata looked worried.
“No, it’s delicious.” He took another bite. “It’s just the first real meal I’ve had in a while.”
That must have tugged on Miyata’s heartstrings, if the look on his face was anything to go by. “I’ll bring you dinner from now on.”
“You don’t have to do that, Miyata.”
“But I’m going to.”
They ate in silence after that. Why was Miyata so nice to him?
Miyata was true to his word the next day, showing up with a neatly packed bento box and that toothed grin of his. He sat it down on the counter, along with the book he exchanged the day before.
“I couldn’t read this one, Tama-chan!”
“I told you it was in French!”
Miyata laughed and wandered through the store. “Eat up! I don’t want my new friend starving!”
“Alright, alright.” Tamamori sat down and opened up the box Miyata brought. “Miyacchi is so pushy.”
Miyata’s face beamed as Tamamori ate, the pet name not going unnoticed.
Days turned into weeks, which gave way into months. Tamamori grew used to their daily talks. Miyata would ramble on about a new anime he was watching, and slowly Tamamori opened up about himself. He briefly talked about his family kicking him out once he turned 18, how the store was struggling and how he was barely making ends meet. He saw the sadness cross Miyata face, a completely different look to his usual joyous expression. The tension melted away when Miyata was around. It was nice knowing his friend was coming every day, and even nicer that he didn’t have to worry about dinner those nights.
One night during Miyata’s visit, he asked Tamamori if he could kiss him. He nodded, not exactly trusting his voice anymore. Miyata’s lips were chapped, but the kiss itself was soft and unhurried. It lifted Tamamori higher than he ever could have imagined.
Another month passed, and sirens when off late in the night, rousing Tamamori from his sleep. Normally he could sleep through things like that, but they were deafeningly close this time. When his phone rang moments later, he knew where the sirens were headed.
Tamamori stood next to Kitayama and the owner as they watched the bookstore smolder. Long since had the fire been put out, but the smoke still lingered. If Tamamori focused hard enough, he could still catch a whiff of the stale air the books gave out. They all stood in silence, not knowing what words to say. This store was Tamamori’s life-it was his second home, his sanctuary. Now it was a pile of rubble. He stood there long after his co-worker and the owner left, not knowing where to go from there. He didn’t even flinch when Miyata came up behind him.
“Tama…”
“What am I going to do? This store was everything to me.”
“Tama.”
“My bills are due soon, how am I going to pay them now?”
Miyata grabbed Tamamori by the shoulders and gave him a quick shake. “Tama, you aren’t alone.”
Tamamori held back the tears, but he knew Miyata saw them forming. “What do I do, Miyacchi?”
“Stay with me?”
Tamamori was taken back a bit. The timing was pretty bad. “What?”
“Stay with me. At least until you can get back on your feet. Rent free, and all I ask is for you to cook once in a while. What do you say?”
Tamamori hesitated before agreeing to Miyata’s terms. It really was his best option. He was broke, and he would lose his apartment eventually anyways. There wasn’t much to move over into Miyata’s apartment, a portion of his clothes already home in a drawer Miyata cleared out for him once they made their relationship official. He situated the rest of his things and sighed, the tension slowly giving way to comfort as Miyata wrapped his arms around him.
Months turned into a year, and Tamamori cut the ribbon for the grand re-opening of the bookstore. Same store owner, same co-worker, different location. The owner went on and on about how the town came together and donated old books so the store could start anew. Tamamori was more than thrilled to be back doing the one thing he loved. The smell wasn’t quite right, but it would get there. He came home that night, and Miyata couldn’t help but notice the smile on his face.
“That good of a day?”
“It was the best! I missed that place so much.”
“Now that you’re working again, what are you planning on doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re back on your feet, aren’t you?”
“Oh.”
That’s right, Tamamori thought, this was only supposed to be a temporary arrangement. He looked over Miyata carefully, reading his expression. There was a brief sadness to him.
“I’ve grown to like it here,” Tamamori said calmly. “If Miyacchi would have me, I’d like to stay.”
That’s all Miyata needed to hear, the sadness quickly overrun with joy. He pulled Tamamori into his arms so quickly that Tamamori didn’t have time to react, the force of it enough to send them both to the floor. They laughed it off, and quickly followed it with a kiss. Tamamori could definitely get used to this.
Pairing: Tamamori Yuta/Miyata Toshiya
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: AU! Tamamori works in a bookstore/library. Miyata visits. A lot.
Note: Written for the je_anonficmeme JE Summer Fic meme. Prompt and original posting here.
Tamamori wiped the dust off on his apron. He never quite understood how books collected so much dust. It was an older bookstore, the smell of weathered paper mixing with the air around him, but it was a favorable environment to him. He liked the quiet, the stillness. More importantly, he liked that he could lose himself in these books and get paid for it.
He only ever had a few patrons at a time. The store was tucked away to where if you didn't know it was there, you didn't know it existed. If he wasn't reading, he was people watching as they passed the store. Body after body, but no one ever turned into the store. It didn't bother him too much though, considering he's worked here for years.
The dust he could do without though. There wasn't enough allergy medicine on the planet to get him through his shift. He knew why he was left with the dusting, his coworker never could reach the upper shelves of books, but it wouldn't kill Kitayama to get a step stool and do the dusting once in a while.
The tap on his shoulder drew him out of his thoughts, the hand jerking back as Tamamori flinched. A quick apology came from the body the hand belonged to, and Tamamori realized this person wasn't a regular patron. Light brown hair framed his face nicely, not too long or too short. Roughly his own height, maybe a bit shorter, he thought. He had a genuine smile though, one that made his eyes disappear. A good feature, he thought, because that nose wasn't doing him many favors.
"Welcome. I'm sorry for dozing off."
There was that smile again. "It's no problem. I never knew this store was here. How long have you been open?"
"Ten years? I've worked here for four."
The face his new patron made was almost comical. "No way! I walk down the road every day and I have never noticed this place!"
"Sorry to burst your bubble," Tamamori laughed, "but we've been here the whole time."
"You're not bursting anything, this is amazing! I just wish I knew about it sooner!"
That definitely wasn't a response Tamamori was expecting. Normally new faces poke their heads in, turn a nose at the stale air, and leave. This man with the hyperactive attitude just waltzed in and looked around in awe. He could get used to it, he thought.
"I'm Miyata, by the way. Miyata Toshiya." Miyata grinned, his eyes disappearing behind the smile lines that framed them.
He smiled. He definitely could get used to it. "Tamamori Yuta."
Truth be told, he hadn’t really expected Miyata to show up the next day; or the day after, for that matter. After a week though Tamamori had to admit to himself, the strange character was beginning to grow on him. It was a nice change to have someone closer to his age come into the store. At least this one didn’t make any serious passes on him. Not yet, anyways.
“Tama-chan looks cute in his work apron.”
“You’re creepy. Go away, I have to work.” Tamamori couldn’t help his smile though.
Miyata laughed it off and wandered up and down the aisles of books. “Tama-chan, what do you recommend?”
“How should I know what you like? And what’s with the ‘Tama-chan’? We’ve only known each other for a week.”
“Do you not like it?”
Tamamori paused for a minute. “I didn’t say that.”
“Then I see nothing wrong!” Miyata sing-songed as he pulled a book off the shelf. “This one looks good.”
“It’s in French.” Tamamori scoffed.
“It doesn’t matter. It just means I get to come back and see you again tomorrow!” Tamamori blushed as Miyata pulled out the book he took yesterday. “I really like this exchange system you have here. It’s like a library, but better.”
“Whatever.” Tamamori wrote out Miyata’s receipt and slipped it inside the new book. “You know, you are allowed to keep one. You paid for that first one.”
“I know, but I like coming here and seeing you so I might as well bring the book back.”
There was that smile again. Tamamori didn’t understand how there could be someone this happy all the time. He must be on something. No one is this happy.
Miyata glanced down at his watch. “Oh crap, I’m going to be late.”
“Late?”
“For work. I normally work mornings, but they have me closing tonight.” Miyata quickly shoved the book into his bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tama-chan!”
Tamamori didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye before Mitaya was out the door. Miyata never mentioned work before, but it made sense if he’s walked past here every day. He shrugged it off, it was none of his business. Tamamori pushed his cart around the store and started putting books back on the upper shelves-another thing Kitayama couldn’t do because of his height. It’s a miracle that guy still has a job here, Tamamori thought, it’s almost like he sleeps when he’s here. The bottom shelves were always kept up though, and Tamamori rarely touched those. Fair trade, he guessed.
Hours passed, and Tamamori waved off the last of his regular patrons and locked up for the night. He gave the shelves a final dusting and hung his apron up, returning to the register to count that day’s money. He frowned as he placed that day’s earnings in an envelope and locked it in the safe-barely worth locking up. It was a miracle the store was still open. At this rate, Tamamori figured, they’d be closing for good within the month.
The thought depressed him more than necessary as he locked the shop up for the night. This was a second home for him, a getaway from the drama and everything going on in the world. It barely paid bills and put food on the table, but he loved this little book store. If today’s income was anything to go by, it was only a matter of time. He pulled out his wallet and stared at the few bills he had to last him the end of the month. Bills were paid thankfully, but this was barely enough for food.
“Tama-chan!”
Tamamori looked up from his thoughts. “Oh, hey.”
“We got off work at the same time! How lucky am I?” Miyata skipped over to Tamamori, but his expression quickly changed. “What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
Miyata wiped a stray tear off Tamamori’s cheek. “You’re crying. Is everything okay?”
Tamamori cursed under his breath-he hadn’t even noticed. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not. I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but you can talk to me okay? I don’t bite.”
Tamamori sighed and nodded. “It’s nothing, really. I’m just a little stressed.”
“Want to grab something to eat? My treat.”
Tamamori opened his mouth to decline, but his stomach had other plans. The mere mention of food sent it into a growling fit. He blushed as Miyata laughed at him. “Fine.”
Tamamori hesitated as he stood in front of Miyata’s apartment.
“This isn’t what I had in mind when you said we’d get something to eat….”
Miyata smiled at him as he opened the door. “Don’t be shy. What’s mine is yours.”
He apologized for the intrusion as he stepped inside, slipping his shoes off in the doorway. It was very tidy for such a small place, although he wasn’t sure what he was expecting. Everything was in place, save for a few magazines and the books from the store. He made himself at home at Miyata’s request, taking a seat on the couch.
Miyata sat next to the other on the couch and handed him a bottle of tea. “Dinner shouldn’t be too long. I have some rice and dumplings going.”
“Thanks.”
“But while they’re cooking, why don’t we get to know each other better? Aside from you working at the bookstore I don’t know anything about you.”
“I’m not that exciting.” Tamamori took a sip from his bottle.
“Tell me anything! Here I’ll start: I like anime and manga.”
“You are strange.” No wonder he was so happy all the time.
“Your turn.”
“I like books.”
“I gathered that much, but what else?”
Miyata was persistent if nothing else, Tamamori figured. He needed to give him something else to make him happy. “I like to talk to the books sometimes, when there’s no one in the store.”
There was a moment of silence before Miyata broke into laughter. “And you think I’m strange.”
He shoved at Miyata as the timer went off in the kitchen, coming back moments later with food. It smelled amazing for just being rice and dumplings, but it was miles away from being the instant cup ramen his diet was as of late. He took the first bite tentatively, savoring every bit.
“Is it bad?” Miyata looked worried.
“No, it’s delicious.” He took another bite. “It’s just the first real meal I’ve had in a while.”
That must have tugged on Miyata’s heartstrings, if the look on his face was anything to go by. “I’ll bring you dinner from now on.”
“You don’t have to do that, Miyata.”
“But I’m going to.”
They ate in silence after that. Why was Miyata so nice to him?
Miyata was true to his word the next day, showing up with a neatly packed bento box and that toothed grin of his. He sat it down on the counter, along with the book he exchanged the day before.
“I couldn’t read this one, Tama-chan!”
“I told you it was in French!”
Miyata laughed and wandered through the store. “Eat up! I don’t want my new friend starving!”
“Alright, alright.” Tamamori sat down and opened up the box Miyata brought. “Miyacchi is so pushy.”
Miyata’s face beamed as Tamamori ate, the pet name not going unnoticed.
Days turned into weeks, which gave way into months. Tamamori grew used to their daily talks. Miyata would ramble on about a new anime he was watching, and slowly Tamamori opened up about himself. He briefly talked about his family kicking him out once he turned 18, how the store was struggling and how he was barely making ends meet. He saw the sadness cross Miyata face, a completely different look to his usual joyous expression. The tension melted away when Miyata was around. It was nice knowing his friend was coming every day, and even nicer that he didn’t have to worry about dinner those nights.
One night during Miyata’s visit, he asked Tamamori if he could kiss him. He nodded, not exactly trusting his voice anymore. Miyata’s lips were chapped, but the kiss itself was soft and unhurried. It lifted Tamamori higher than he ever could have imagined.
Another month passed, and sirens when off late in the night, rousing Tamamori from his sleep. Normally he could sleep through things like that, but they were deafeningly close this time. When his phone rang moments later, he knew where the sirens were headed.
Tamamori stood next to Kitayama and the owner as they watched the bookstore smolder. Long since had the fire been put out, but the smoke still lingered. If Tamamori focused hard enough, he could still catch a whiff of the stale air the books gave out. They all stood in silence, not knowing what words to say. This store was Tamamori’s life-it was his second home, his sanctuary. Now it was a pile of rubble. He stood there long after his co-worker and the owner left, not knowing where to go from there. He didn’t even flinch when Miyata came up behind him.
“Tama…”
“What am I going to do? This store was everything to me.”
“Tama.”
“My bills are due soon, how am I going to pay them now?”
Miyata grabbed Tamamori by the shoulders and gave him a quick shake. “Tama, you aren’t alone.”
Tamamori held back the tears, but he knew Miyata saw them forming. “What do I do, Miyacchi?”
“Stay with me?”
Tamamori was taken back a bit. The timing was pretty bad. “What?”
“Stay with me. At least until you can get back on your feet. Rent free, and all I ask is for you to cook once in a while. What do you say?”
Tamamori hesitated before agreeing to Miyata’s terms. It really was his best option. He was broke, and he would lose his apartment eventually anyways. There wasn’t much to move over into Miyata’s apartment, a portion of his clothes already home in a drawer Miyata cleared out for him once they made their relationship official. He situated the rest of his things and sighed, the tension slowly giving way to comfort as Miyata wrapped his arms around him.
Months turned into a year, and Tamamori cut the ribbon for the grand re-opening of the bookstore. Same store owner, same co-worker, different location. The owner went on and on about how the town came together and donated old books so the store could start anew. Tamamori was more than thrilled to be back doing the one thing he loved. The smell wasn’t quite right, but it would get there. He came home that night, and Miyata couldn’t help but notice the smile on his face.
“That good of a day?”
“It was the best! I missed that place so much.”
“Now that you’re working again, what are you planning on doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re back on your feet, aren’t you?”
“Oh.”
That’s right, Tamamori thought, this was only supposed to be a temporary arrangement. He looked over Miyata carefully, reading his expression. There was a brief sadness to him.
“I’ve grown to like it here,” Tamamori said calmly. “If Miyacchi would have me, I’d like to stay.”
That’s all Miyata needed to hear, the sadness quickly overrun with joy. He pulled Tamamori into his arms so quickly that Tamamori didn’t have time to react, the force of it enough to send them both to the floor. They laughed it off, and quickly followed it with a kiss. Tamamori could definitely get used to this.