• Protector • Obi x Reader (Snow-white With The Red Hair)

8. Realization

"Good morning, Obi!" I greeted as I joined him in the library. "What are they doing today?"

"...Reading." Obi muttered. He looked a bit like he had just consumed sour milk.

"Oh, that's great! It's such a beautiful library. Do you mind if I go looking for a book?" I asked excitedly.

"Not at all. Go ahead." I took his words to heart and ran off to find it. I figured if I actually handed him a book he'd like, perhaps he'd actually read it. I glanced through some of the shelves, when I heard a small voice behind me.

"Excuse me, miss." I turned around and saw the twins standing there. Specifically, Rona was speaking to me.

"Yes?" With a smile, I crouched down to their level.

"Is Shirayuki and that guard together?" Her eyes were big, like a puppy's.

"No, they're not. She's interested in someone else."

"Then, are you and the guard a couple?" Her question made sparks fly in my chest.

"N- No, we're not..." I mumbled.

"Do you wish you were?"

"W- What kind of questions are these?!" I asked as politely as I could.

"Nothing, they're just... Curious questions." She smiled innocently.

"Hey, there you are." Obi went around the corner, noticing our little rendezvous.

"Hey." I replied back, and stood up properly as he walked over to me.

"Did you find the book you were looking for?"

"No, unfortunately I didn't get that far. I'll keep looking though. I'm sure they ha-" Suddenly, something- no, someone pushed my back. I stumbled forward, nearly hitting my head on the bookshelf. However, Obi's arm reached around my waist just before that could occur. I grabbed his shoulder in all the commotion. He helped me up, and I just looked at him in a mess. His hands rested on my waist, and my hands rested on his chest. We seemed to realize it at the same time, since we simultaneously backed far away from the other.

"Forgive me, my lady, I just-..."

"N- No, it's fine, it was my fault..." We both stood there, refusing to even look at each other. I hurried off to another section of the library, hoping I'd be able to cool off over there. That Rona really acts on her ideas...

~~~

Later that evening, I sat in bed just preparing to get some sleep. The scenario with Obi looped in my head. Did it mean something to him? Because... I think it did mean something to me. Or at least, I wanted it to be meaningful.

"Ugh..." I groaned, throwing myself back onto the bed. I wondered if Obi did the same. You know what? I need to know. I need to know how he feels. I decided right then and there, I needed to at least talk to him. As I headed for the door, I gently touched the doorknob and stopped. Should I really? Yes.

I opened the door, but stopped after a single step. Right there, outside my door, laid a book. A book I was far too familiar with.

Sherlock Holmes; a study in scarlet

Holmes. The character I had referenced when I spoke with Obi a while back. Had he actually remembered it? I mean, yeah, I had been looking for one of these earlier to show him, but... Had he actually gone back and found it for me without me saying a word?

"Obi..." I mumbled to myself. Wait, could he still be nearby?! I glanced to the side, perhaps... I ran in the direction of his room. I rounded corner after corner, running in circles at one point to try and find him. Obi was observant, he wouldn't let himself be found if he didn't want to. Eventually, I ended up choosing to go to his room. I held up my fist, ready to knock, but my body froze. I can't... I can't do it. What if he-