You had finished your research weeks ago, and you'd aced it, but you still found yourself coming back to the library. You'd been making up the most random excuses to yourself about why you needed to go to the library, but really you were there because of Namjoon. When you'd come back to return the book you'd borrowed for your paper the two of you had a great conversation about your favorite books. He surprised you with the types of books he enjoyed, which was stupid considering he was a librarian, you'd hope that all librarians would be well read. You found that you really enjoyed talking to him and wished that you could spend time with him outside of the library.

As you made your way down the sidewalk to the library you thought about what you were about to do. You'd resolved that the next time you went in you would get Namjoon's number and you would ask him if he would want to grab a bite with you when he got off work. At the time, you thought your idea was excellent, but now you thought maybe it was dumb. I'm sure Namjoon is nice to everyone so his interactions with me probably aren't as special as I feel like they are. What if he thinks I'm a creep for asking for his number and asking him to dinner you thought nervously.

When you reached the door of the library you took a deep breath to calm your swirling emotions. Namjoon is nice. Even if he thinks I'm creepy he won't say anything rude to me you thought, trying to reassure yourself. You yanked the door open and made your way inside. You looked around for Namjoon and saw him helping a little girl get a book she couldn't reach down off the shelf. Your heart swelled at the cute scene. Gotta love a guy that's sweet to kids.

"Thank you, Mr. Namjoon!" the little girl chirped happily as she skipped off toward her mother. Namjoon smiled after the sweet girl before turning towards the circulation desk. When he noticed you standing there his smile grew even bigger.

"Y/N!" he said happily, slightly picking up his pace as he made his way toward you. You waved at him and a smile broke out across your face at seeing him so happy to see you. You started toward him, to shorten the distance he would have to go to reach you. When he got to you, he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his dress pants and rocked back on his heels nervously. You found the nervous tic to be endearing, since he so often seemed so outgoing and like he could never be shy or nervous. He drew in a breath and fixed his gaze on you. "I'm really glad you came in today. I wanted to ask you something." he said bluntly.

"Okay. What's up?" you asked, curious about what Namjoon might want to ask you.

"Do you want to get dinner with me some time? Maybe even tonight if you have time?" he asked in a rush. You felt your eyes widen in surprise. You hadn't been expecting that, though you had hoped that he would agree to dinner with you. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck as he waited for your response. Nodding happily at him you answered, "I would love that!"

He smiled happily at you. His dimples making you feel weak in the knees. How could dimples make one man look equally innocent and insanely attractive at the same time?

"I was actually planning on asking you if you'd want to get dinner with me," you said bashfully. Namjoon blinked rapidly at that. "Really?" he asked, surprise coloring his tone.

"Really," you answered. "So, when do you want to grab dinner? I would love to go tonight, but I already had plans." You were lying through your teeth, but you wanted to have time to primp before going to dinner with him. The library was going to be closing soon and you wouldn't have time to get fixed up beforehand if you ate out tonight. Namjoon looked momentarily disappointed, but soon a sweet smile graced his face again.

"What about tomorrow?" he asked. "The library is closed tomorrow and maybe we could go get some coffee or see a movie afterwards." You noticed a blush breaking out over his face again and smiled. Maybe he likes me too. "That sounds perfect!" you exclaimed.

Namjoon opened his mouth to speak again when the little girl from earlier came over and tugged on his shirt sleeve. "Mr. Namjoon, I need help checking out my books."

"I'll be right there," he answered, smiling down at her sweetly. She scampered back over to the self-checkout leaving the two of you alone again. Namjoon pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to you. "Can you give me your number so we can finalize the details later?" he asked. You nodded, taking the phone from him and punching in your number. You sent yourself a smiley face from his phone so you would have his number, too.

"I'll let you get back to it," you said, handing his phone back to him. He slipped his phone into his pocket before reaching out with his other hand and clasping your's for a moment. Shocked, you looked down at his large, warm hand wrapped around your small, pale hand and then looked up at his smiling face.

"I'll message you later, Y/N," he said. "See you later." He released your hand and walked over to the little girl. You looked down at your hand, still able to feel his hand wrapped around yours. Turning, you walked out of the library and headed home. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

///

Namjoon fidgeted with watch as he waited. He knew he was here early, but he couldn't help but feel nervous. He may not be the shy kid he used to be, but he had been trying to muster the courage for weeks to ask Y/N to dinner. He had been enjoying getting to know her better every time she came to the library and had finally decided this wasn't some left over childhood crush; he actually really did like her. When he had asked her to dinner and she had stared at him dumbfounded he had momentarily been worried that she would say no, but then that beautiful smile broke out on her face and he knew he didn't need to worry. He'd been pleasantly surprised to hear that she had been planning on asking him to dinner, too. Namjoon was hoping that tonight he might be able to ask her to be his girlfriend, but first, he felt like he needed to tell her about having had a crush on her since they were kids.

Namjoon fidgeted with his watch again, and when he looked up, glancing around the room he noticed Y/N coming toward him. His heart started pounding double time and his breath caught in his throat. She'd always looked so pretty when she came to the library, no matter what she was wearing, sweats and a hoodie, or jean shorts and a t-shirt, but tonight she looked stunning. Her long hair, usually caught up in a ponytail or messy bun was hanging loose, curled softly and framing her sweet face. She was wearing a pretty blue sundress that fell just above her knees. When Namjoon saw what shoes Y/N was wearing he chuckled softly, you could put a girl in a dress, but you couldn't separate her from her favorite pair of Converse.

When she got closer to him, he stood up and pulled out her chair. She shot him a sunny smile and smoothed her skirt under her as she sat in the chair. Namjoon pushed her chair in and made his way around the table back to his own seat.

"You look amazing," he told her sincerely. She blushed and looked down at her lap, murmuring a small thank you. Before they could talk anymore, a waiter came over and took took their drink orders, leaving menus for them to peruse. They talked about their day while they decided what to eat, placing their orders when the waiter returned with their drinks. While they waited, they talked about college and what led them to where they were now.

"I've always loved books," Namjoon explained. "I was very shy growing up and so for the longest time I didn't have many friends, just my books."

"You were shy?" Y/N repeated, surprised by his statement. "But you always seem so outgoing every time I see you." Namjoon smiled and looked down at the glass of water he was holding in his hand, swirling it while he thought about how to respond. This could be the perfect time to lead into that they'd gone to the same school as kids, but then he might come off as rude, making it seem like she had always ignored him. He didn't want to make her think she had been rude, but he also didn't want to seem like a weirdo randomly bringing it up. He brought his glass up to his lips, taking a drink to buy a few more seconds of consideration.

"Well," he said, returning the glass to the table. "I grew out of my shyness once I got to high school, and at work I kind of have to me more outgoing."

"I still just can't imagine it," Y/N said. "Though, I've always been outgoing, ever since I was little. I wanted to make friends with everyone." Namjoon chuckled at that and she quirked an eyebrow at him. "What?"

"Well," he started, "The thing is--"

"Here is your order," the waiter interrupted, placing their plates in front of them. "Can I get you anything else?"

Namjoon looked at Y/N, who shook her head, before answering, "No thank you." The waiter nodded and left them to their food. The ate, quieting all conversation. Y/N's meal was about half gone when her curiosity apparently got the better of her.

"So what were you going to say earlier before the waiter interrupted?" she inquired. Namjoon laid down his fork and scratched the back of his neck, feeling bashful now that he was being put on the spot.

"Just that," he paused, trying to find the least weird way to say what he was going to say. "I knew that you had always been very outgoing." Y/N's eyebrows furrowed at that.

"What? How?" she asked, confusion obvious on her face. She laid down her fork as well. "We just met recently, so how could you know that I was an outgoing child?" Oh, great. I've really stepped in it. She definitely thinks I'm a weirdo now. Namjoon thought.

"We went to the same school until high school," he said, casting his eyes downward, too embarrassed to look at her face. He waited for her to tell him she didn't remember him, or for her to leave, but instead he was met with silence. He chanced a quick glance up and was surprised by the pensive look on her face. Almost as soon as he looked at her, her expression changed from pensive to one of realization.

"Oh my gosh!!" she blurted. "It makes sense now!"

Puzzled by her response, Namjoon inquired, "What makes sense now?"

"Why I thought you looked so familiar when I first met you in the library!" Y/N exclaimed. "You're Joonie!"

Namjoon's jaw dropped at her mention of his nickname. She did remember him?

"You were that sweet boy that stood up for me when those boys were teasing me for how much I talked," she continued, an awestruck expression obvious on her face.

"You remember that?" he murmured, shocked.

"Of course I remember that!" She exclaimed. "I was so touched that you did that and I really wanted to tell you how much, but after they left you ran off before I could thank you. Then school let out and I didn't ever seen you again." Namjoon couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that the girl he had always liked did in fact remember him, even if she hadn't immediately put two and two together.

"I honestly thought you had no idea who I was," Namjoon said softly. "I was always so shy and you were always so boisterous, I was sure that one incident wouldn't have made much of an impression."

"Well, it definitely did," she said firmly. "I wish you would have told me sooner."

"I wanted to, but I thought you wouldn't remember me, or you would think I was weird," he answered. Y/N shook her head vigorously.

"I would never think you were weird," came her reply.

"Then in that case I have one more thing to tell you," he said, shyness taking over. He averted his gaze again, too embarrassed and nervous to look at her. "I always had a huge crush on you. When you showed up at the library that day and I realized it was you, I was struck with those feelings all over again. I tried to tell myself it was just the remnants of a childhood crush, but then the more time I spent with you the more I came to realize that I really genuinely like you. Part of why I asked you to dinner tonight was to ask you if you would want to officially date me." Namjoon looked up at, Y/N then, nervously gauging her reaction.

She was staring at him with bright, surprised eyes. A pretty blush breaking out over her cheeks. Before he realized what was happening she stood up from her chair, leaned over the table, and kissed his cheek. His eyes widened in surprise. As Y/N pulled back she paused and locked eyes with him.

"Thank you for all those years ago," she whispered. "And I would absolutely love to date you."