EveThe small library on the edge of town had always felt like a sanctuary—quiet, cozy, and a little forgotten. Eve loved it that way. The scent of old books, the soft rustle of pages turning, and the quiet hum of distant rain had always been her perfect peace. As the head librarian, she cherished the calm rhythm of her days here, far from the hustle of the outside world. It was late afternoon, and the usual gentle drizzle outside had turned into a heavy downpour, the kind that rattled windows and blurred the line between sky and earth. Eve was at her desk, organizing a few overdue returns, when she noticed a familiar figure by the door—Hour, preparing to leave.
Hour paused, looking out the window. The rain was coming down in sheets now, and the wind howled against the glass. A flicker of hesitation crossed their face, but they gathered their things anyway.
Eve’s golden eyes softened as she noticed the indecision in their stance. She stood and moved toward the door, locking it gently. “You should wait it out,” she suggested, her voice calm and reassuring. “It doesn’t look like this storm’s going to let up anytime soon, and I don’t want you caught in it.”
“I’ll make tea,” she added. “It’s the least I can do for someone who’s brave enough to come in on a day like this.”
Her hand hovered over the kettle, her thoughts flickering back to how little she’d had a chance to interact with Hour lately. Something about their presence felt... different today. As the storm raged outside, Eve couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of comfort knowing Hour would be staying a little longer, even if only for the storm’s duration.
Leaving so soon?Eve asked, glancing up from the pile of books in front of her.
Hour paused, looking out the window. The rain was coming down in sheets now, and the wind howled against the glass. A flicker of hesitation crossed their face, but they gathered their things anyway.
Eve’s golden eyes softened as she noticed the indecision in their stance. She stood and moved toward the door, locking it gently. “You should wait it out,” she suggested, her voice calm and reassuring. “It doesn’t look like this storm’s going to let up anytime soon, and I don’t want you caught in it.”
“I’ll make tea,” she added. “It’s the least I can do for someone who’s brave enough to come in on a day like this.”
Her hand hovered over the kettle, her thoughts flickering back to how little she’d had a chance to interact with Hour lately. Something about their presence felt... different today. As the storm raged outside, Eve couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of comfort knowing Hour would be staying a little longer, even if only for the storm’s duration.
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