That picture radiates vampire energy^^
Published: February 11, 2020
Rewritten: December 29, 2022
Word count: 3,388
He loved the smell of old books, redolent of time and memories. Their earthy scent brought him a sense of comfort, reminding him of his time, though that was decades ago. He opened this bookstore because it made him feel at home. Unlike your regular run-of-the-mill bookstore, San stays open into the late hours of the night, catering to those few bookworms that are up late. There aren't many people that stop by, but he doesn't mind. This little bookstore of his is like a second home for him.
It was 10:45 PM and San was straightening up some books on a shelf, making sure everything looked neat and tidy. He heard the bell ring, indicating someone had just walked in the shop. He paid no attention at first, that is until a sweet and intoxicating scent reached his senses causing him to spin around and see where the delectable fragrance was coming from.
A young girl who, based on her appearance, seemed to be around his age—well, his human age, was heading towards one of the rows of books at the front of the store. His eyes followed you until you disappeared behind another shelf, no longer in his sights. He felt drawn to you, and it wasn't just your scent. It was the strangest sensation, he couldn't describe it. He wanted to follow you but managed to talk himself out of it, wanting to give you space as you perused the shop.
After briefly browsing through the books, you made your way over to one of the reading areas, dropping your bag on the coffee table and taking a seat on one of the surprisingly comfortable couches. Pulling your laptop from your bag, you started working on an essay for one of your college classes, your fingers tapping away at the keys.
A few minutes later you heard the sound of someone approaching. Glancing up, you saw a rather attractive young man, presumably close to your age standing before you. He had wavy, blonde hair that was slightly longer in the back and wore strange Victorian style clothes, which made him stand out. Maybe that was the theme here. After all, this bookstore did have an aged vibe to it.
(I imagine something like this)
"Hello." He greeted with a warm smile, small dimples indenting his cheeks and making your heart flip. "Forgive me. I was busy when you came in so I couldn't greet your properly."
"That's so nice of you."
"Is there anything I can help you find?" He inquired.
"No thank you. I only came here to work on some stuff for college."
"At such a late hour?"
"Yeah." You huffed out a chortle. "I've been procrastinating a little and it's caught up with me."
"I see. Well, if you need anything just let me know."
"Okay. Thank you." You gave him a smile, watching him walk off before returning to your essay.
San was so happy just to be able to speak to you, even for just a few seconds. You're absolutely stunning, not to mention you smell amazing, even better up close. He almost couldn't control himself. Despite being a vampire for so long he still struggles with controlling his thirst sometimes, especially when faced with a sweet-smelling mortal like yourself.
His eyes drift to the back of the store where that enchanting woman (you) is sitting. He had never seen a human as beautiful as you. You took his breath away—well, metaphorically speaking.
Throughout the time you were there working on your college work, San found himself focusing more on you rather than keeping himself busy and doing his job. Though, to be fair he didn't have too many tasks to do, as most of them had been taken care of prior to your arrival.
You had become so immersed in your college work that you lost track of time. Upon glancing at the digital clock on your laptop screen, you saw that it was already midnight.
"Oh man." You sighed out.
This guy is probably sick of me hanging out back here. You thought to yourself. He's probably ready to go home.
You gently pushed your laptop shut and dropped it into your bag before slinging it over your shoulder and making a beeline for the exit.
"Excuse me!" The owner called, making you stop in your tracks.
Turning towards the voice, you saw the well-dressed man hurrying over, his sharp brows pulled together in mild concern.
"Is everything alright?" He asked.
"I'm sorry if I held you up. I lost track of time. You're probably ready to close up for the night." You began apologizing profusely.
"No it's quite alright. I don't close until 1 AM."
"You don't?"
"No. I'm one of the only businesses around here that stays open this late."
"Ah. Well, I should still head home. It's late and I'm getting sleepy."
"Oh of course. I'm San, by the way." He extended his hand. "The owner."
"Y/n." You introduced yourself, placing your hand in his.
Instead of a handshake, he brought your hand up to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss. It was an odd and unexpected gesture, but it made you blush furiously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Y/n. Please feel free to come back again."
"Ah. Sure thing. Th-thank you." You stumbled over your words awkwardly and pulled on the entrance door, ready to get out of the store. It wouldn't budge. Glancing down, you spotted the word push on the glass. "M-my bad. Goodbye." You murmured, pushing open the door and scrambling out.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Once you make it to your vehicle, you let out a frustrated sigh.
"Way to make a fool of yourself in front of the cute bookstore guy." You mutter, starting the engine.
As you drive home, your mind continued to replay the scene of San kissing the back of your hand, the thought getting you flustered all over again. That was very... gentlemanly. No one does that anymore though, so it was kind of odd. Then again it did get your heart racing. Shaking your head, you push the thoughts away just long enough to get home.
You dropped your things as soon as you stepped foot in your room. It had been a long and exhausting day and truthfully you were ready to sleep.
As you prepare for bed and go through your nightly routine, your thoughts drift back to the oh-so-charming San. From his soft-looking hair to his sharp and intense eyes that, despite their fierce appearance, had a gentleness to them. You found yourself wishing you could get one more look at him. Perhaps you could.
You go back and forth with yourself as you proceed through your nightly routine and get ready for bed. Do you go back to the bookstore or not?
Turning off your my bedside lamp, you make yourself comfortable under the plush covers, pulling them up over you.
Maybe you could go back to the bookstore tomorrow. You could say you forgot something or you could just to stop by to "look" at books.
The next day you found yourself preparing to head back to the quaint bookstore. Luckily, the universe was on your side, because it turns out that you had conveniently left your laptop charger at the shop the previous night, so you had to go back to retrieve it, which gave you the perfect opportunity to see him again. Yes. The endearingly charming owner that captured your heart.
You slipped a cardigan on over a worn out graphic tee and grabbed any necessary items before heading out. Your heart thumped in your chest as your shoes hit the pavement. Your pace seemed to get quicker along with your heartbeat, speed-walking down the sidewalk until you spotted the bookstore in the distance.
Pushing open the glass door, you entered the establishment, the faint smell of books reaching your senses. Your eyes desperately searched the place, spotting San standing behind the counter, nimble fingers flipping through a book.
Taking in a sharp breath, your eyes lingered on the owner, admiring him from the doorway and drinking him in. Today his attire consisted of a dress shirt with wide sleeves paired with a black and red suit vest that hugged his slim waist and made his broad shoulders stand out. His hair was pushed back, one tendril hanging over his forehead making your heart flutter.
His eyes moved up from the book, meeting your gaze causing you to stiffen, feeling like you had been caught.
"Oh. It's you." He smiled warmly.
"It's me." You greeted awkwardly, approaching the register.
"Y/n, right?"
You nodded.
"I must admit I didn't expect to see you again. What can I do for you?"
"I accidentally left my laptop charger here last night." You admitted. "I was in a rush to leave and forgot it."
"Ah." San stood up from his chair and began rummaging underneath the counter, retrieving a black cord. "It's right here. I saw it on the couch in the back before closing last night. I assumed it was yours."
You thanked him, taking your charger which, to your surprise, had been neatly rolled up.
An uncomfortable silence settled between the both of you, your mind running through topics to talk about, wanting to stay just a little longer. Your poor social skills and lack of being able to think under pressure caused you to do the first thing to pop into your head—leave.
"Okay, well thanks again." You blurted.
Turning towards the door, you started to exit only to be stopped by San calling out to you.
"Wait."
You paused.
"You're more than welcome to stay and work on any of your assignments. If this is a good place for you to focus then by all means, stay for a while."
"I didn't bring anything with me." You admitted. "But I'll definitely take you up on that offer."
A gentle closed-mouth smile pulled at San's soft-looking lips.
"Thanks again for my charger." You gently waved the item in your hand. "I'm glad it was in good hands."
"Of course."
•
You continued to return to the bookstore, using it as a place to do your college work... sometimes. When you weren't doing assignments you were chatting it up with San, who you found to be very intriguing. His personality was bright and friendly, but he also had this timeless and gentlemanly way about him. From the way he carried himself to his mannerisms, even his Victorian attire. His whole persona screamed classic gentleman and it made you swoon. Each time you visited the shop you found yourself feeling more and more drawn to San, your feelings growing.
You stepped into San's shop one evening finding him with a cart of new books placing them onto a shelf in front of him, his back was facing you. A mischievous idea popped into your head as you snuck towards him.
"Hello, Y/n."
Your shoulders dropped in response to being caught, your plan thwarted.
"How'd you know it was me?" You chuckled.
"I could smell you as soon as you walked in."
You stopped in your tracks, freezing at his words.
"I'm sorry?" You asked, unsure if you heard him right. "You could smell me?"
San immediately spun towards you, his body stiff and eyes wide with panic.
"I... I think you misheard me."
San was mentally beating himself up for having such a foolish slip up. How could he have done that? He hadn't made a mistake like that in centuries.
You shook your head. "No, I don't think I did."
San was thankful there were no customers or else the two of you would be receiving some odd glances and he would risk exposing himself to more than one person.
There was only one way to fix this.
Straightening his posture, he stepped towards you in a cursory manner, his expression strangely calm as he prepared to do something he hadn't done in a long time.
"Y/n." He spoke in a tranquil voice.
You watched as his rich, brown irises slowly changed to a deep sanguine, the sight startled you but you couldn't seem to move, your feet frozen in place.
"You will forget what just happened. You did not see me and only came into this store to look through books."
You stared into his mesmerizing eyes, blinking a few times in a drowsy, languid manner as you started to nod.
"Wait, what?" You shook your head, coming back to your senses and shoving San away from you. "What are you trying to do to me?"
"Wh-" San breathed in disbelief, his eyes wide as his irises slowly dimmed back to their natural brown.
"Were you trying to wipe my memory or something? What are you?" You questioned, unconsciously taking a step back.
"It didn't work." He muttered to himself.
"Yeah, clearly."
His worried gaze met yours. One glance and it was clear he was panicking, this had never happened before.
"Answer me, San. What are you?"
His Victorian-style attire, the way he speaks, the hypnotizing, and the fact that he said he could smell you—it all pointed to one thing. Why was it all just now making sense? You were almost certain you know what he is, you just want him to be the one to tell you.
"I'm a vampire." He answered almost shamefully, confirming your suspicions.
You slowly nodded, processing everything. This whole time you've been hanging out with an immortal being and you had no idea.
"I made a foolish mistake just now." He sighed. "I'm sure you want to run away from me."
"You're wrong." You spoke calmly, taking a step towards him.
Even with this startling news, you weren't phased by it and San being a vampire didn't change how you felt about him, not in the slightest.
"This might sound weird, but ever since I met you I've felt pulled towards you. I find myself wanting to come here all the time just to see you."
"Well, vampires are rather charming." He smirked, shooting you a wink.
You rolled your eyes in response. "Come on. You're ruining my confession."
"Sorry." He chuckled. "You said you felt drawn to me, correct?"
"Yes. I don't know how else to describe it. It's almost magnetic."
He nodded knowingly. "I have felt it too. I know the feeling is foreign to you, but I'm quite familiar with it."
"Ah. Then it must be a vampire thing."
"Sort of. These feelings are only experienced when two vampires—or in our case, a vampire and a human—are soulmates, fated to be together."
"What?"
Soulmates?
"It's not uncommon." He added.
The idea of being soulmates with San wasn't something you were opposed to, in fact it explained why you liked him so much. However, there was one very small problem.
"I don't know much about you... the real you, I mean."
You had been coming to the bookstore for a couple months and in that time, you had learned a little about San, but now that you're aware of his big secret, there's a lot about him you don't know.
Within a matter of seconds, he grabbed your wrist, pulling you against his broad (and firm) chest.
"We can always work on that." He grinned. "I've always been quite the charmer." He shot you a flirtatious wink setting your cheeks ablaze, it didn't help that he had his arm around your waist, holding you against him.
His half-lidded eyes scanned your face, taking in every feature and detail. You didn't miss the way his gaze flickered down to your lips, his tongue darting out to wet his own.
As you looked at San's face, it crossed your mind that you hadn't the slightest idea how old he really was.
"What is it?" San inquired, noticing the curious expression etched on your face.
"How old are you?"
"You want my real age or the age that I was turned at?"
"Both."
"I was turned at the age of 20, but my real age is 180."
Your eyes widened in response. "Oh wow."
"Is that an issue?" He asked with a worried look on his face, a small frown pulling at the corners of his lips.
"No, it's just a little odd. I've never dated an older guy before." You joked.
"Hey! I don't look a day over 20." He pouted.
"I'm teasing. That doesn't bother me."
"That's a relief." He grinned brightly, his eyes squinting up. His smile was so brilliantly beautiful, his dimples making an appearance.
Despite San being undead, he had this warm glow about him and this bright personality that reminded you of the sun.
"I have a question." You spoke up, fingers tracing along the swirled patter on his suit vest.
"And I have an answer."
You chuckled softly at his charming humor.
"Isn't being around me hard for you?"
"No. It was at first, but I've had decades of practice."
"So, it doesn't bother you if I'm close to you like this?"
"Not at all." He murmured leaning closer to you, his hand cupping your cheek. "In fact, it's rather captivating."
"Captivating?"
"Very."
San closed the space between your faces, his lips momentarily ghosting over yours before pressing ever so gently against them. Your eyelids fluttered closed in response, melting into the kiss, fingers clutching at his collar to ground yourself as you felt an overwhelming wave of passion wash over you. A small, involuntary sound emitted from you as San deepened the kiss, slotting his mouth closer to your own and encasing your lips with his fully. With your mind in a haze and San's skillful lips moving feverishly against yours, you couldn't think straight.
His arm snaked tighter around your waist as the hand that cupped your cheek moved to the nape of your neck to pull you in closer.
The blissful moment lasted a little longer before he pulled away with a sultry smirk.
"I'm not one to kiss immediately after a confession, but I couldn't help myself." He whispered lowly, thumb running across your bottom lip.
"I don't mind it at all." You responded absently, still in a daze.
Before you could recover or even catch your breath, San went back in for another dizzying kiss before trailing his lips down your neck, your heart leaping in response.
The blissful moment was put to an end when San abruptly pulled away.
"What is it?" You asked.
"A customer."
Your brows tugged together in confusion until the door to the shop swung open a few moments later, the bell above ringing softly as a man walked in. San gave a brief greeting to the customer. You turned to him with a surprised expression. He merely winked, tapping his ear.
Heightened senses.
"Follow me." San whispered, guiding you to a room behind the counter for some privacy.
"That was impressive." You commented.
"That was nothing. You should see this."
He was quick to sweep you off your feet and into his arms, a small squeak leaving you.
"San!" You whispered.
"You're light as a feather." He responded, placing you back down as quickly and as easily as he picked you up. "So, when would you like to get together? I would be honored to take you out."
"I'm free tomorrow."
"Very well, then." He grinned. "Meet me here tomorrow night at 8:00... and dress nice." He winked.
"What about the shop?"
"I'm the owner, I can close early." He responded nonchalantly. "No on ever comes in here past 7:30 anyway."
"Then everything works out." You smiled.
He flashed a charming, dimpled grin giving the back of your hand a soft kiss before escorting you to the entrance of the bookstore.
"I'll see you tomorrow, my dear." He murmured, holding the door open for you.
After stepping out onto the sidewalk, you glanced back towards the shop, taking one more look at San through the glass door. His eyes flashed red for a split second before he shot you a playful wink, wiggling his fingers in a flirtatious wave as he bid you goodbye.
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❌ Please do not read or interact if you're under the age of 14. I'm not comfortable with anyone under 14 reading my stuff because of certain mildly suggestive scenes. This is a personal decision, as I'm an adult and am uncomfortable with it. This boundary has been set not only for my own comfort but for my readers' comfort too. Please respect that.
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