"I checked my phone one time and I lost her," Albert muttered under his breath as he walked to the next section in the store. They were currently at the mall for a simple date. Well it wasn't considered a date, but it might as well be. They went window shopping and may have bought matching hoodies and some stuff they could decorate it with. Brooklyn's idea, not his. Of course Albert liked the idea and they ended up getting little patches and iron ons that reminded them of their relationship, of the other, and matching his and hers items.

After that, they were on their way to the food court, and by dumb luck they passed the book store, which Brooklyn asked if they could go into. She said she wasn't going to buy anything, just to browse around for the next time she wanted to get a haul. She had a whole process of saving up and making sure she had at least ten to five books she wanted to get before making the purchase. Naturally, Albert said why not. They walked hand in hand, then Brooklyn walked up to the nearest display and started looking around, he got a text from Race about how their trio was no more. Albert knew not to take it seriously. It happened every time he went out with Brooklyn. And when he looked up, the freckled girl was suddenly gone. He should've known she was like a kid in a candy shop. One minute she's in front of him, and then poof, she's lost.

He really needed to get one of those "if lost return to -" shirts. Or something. The only good thing was that Albert knew what Brooklyn's preference in genres were. Mostly anything to do with romance, YA books and occasionally she'd pick up fantasy and or dystopia. Sometimes she'd be lost in the notebook section getting all excited over the cute covers, pens and bookmarks. Now, Brooklyn never said she had a happy place, but Albert knew any book store was indeed her happy place. Well that and when she's with him. Though she's never admitted that out loud either, it was more of an intuition than anything else. She wasn't as reserved or quiet when they were alone. Or at least it wasn't as bad when they were together without any of the other boys in sight. But as soon as someone would show up Brooklyn's gears would switch just like that. And as much as Albert didn't understand it, as long as she was happy, then he was happy.

However right now, the redhead wasn't too happy with trying to find his girlfriend among the millions of book shelves. He probably looked like an idiot carrying around several shopping bags as he looked for a person rather than through the bookshelves like everyone else in that store.

"Brooklyn," he whispered yelled as he peaked his head between the next shelf only to be met by three strangers. Two girls who were on opposite ends looking through the shelf, and one guy who looked as lost and confused as he did.

"Looking for your girlfriend?" the guy asked.

"Yup," Albert replied. "You too?"

"Yeah," the guy nodded. "Good luck."

"Back at ya," Albert nodded before turning around and made his way to the next shelf. Well, at least he knew he wasn't the only guy in the world who lost track of his girl in a sea full of books. Time and time again he peaked between the shelfs, glanced to the side just in case. When he reached the end he let out a heavy sigh and proceeded to turn around to make his way through the store again. But jumped back a bit when he saw Brooklyn was standing a foot away from him with a stack of books in her hands.

"Ok. I'm ready," she said happily.

"I am never comin' in here with you again," Albert replied with a small laugh. He didn't mean it though. They've gotten to the point in their relationship that he could joke around like that. He's made a few remarks like that in the past to her just to test out the waters, and though it is a part of his natural personality, he sort of already knew where to draw the line when it came to joking around her. "What're you gettin' now?" he asked as he picked up a book that was on top of the pile. "This a summer romance?" of course, the question was pointless seeing as he knew Brooklyn's favorite genre is summer romance, especially in the YA section. Or almost any YA romance novel.

"Beach house vacation. College group. She's getting over a breakup with her long term boyfriend, and he's been secretly in love with her since high school."

"So best friends to lovers with extra flare." Albert stated. He looked over the cover one closely while saying, "If I wanted to read that I would've just written down everythin' your brother and Feisty went through. That was the whole toolbox and the kitchen sink of a mess." a smirk formed across his lips, causing Brooklyn to shake her head. "Is that another bullet journal?" he asked, gesturing to the bottom of the book stack. But again, he already knew the answer to that.

"You know my book review journal is already almost filled up," Brooklyn replied.

Albert was about to say how she might as well get a new set of gel pens while she's at it. But quickly realized that was about the worst thing he can say right now. "Yeah ok let's get outta here for ya end up buyin' out the whole store," the redhead said as he slung an arm around Brooklyn and proceeded to guide her to the check out while silently hoping that she didn't get sidetracked or suddenly run off on him. But it could be worse, she could be the type of girl who brings him into the makeup shop and swatch...whatever onto his arm. That never made sense in Albert's mind, if the girl is the one who's going to be wearing the makeup, then why the hell would she swatch it on her boyfriend? Really Albert had lucked out in the girlfriend department. At least he wasn't the type of boyfriend to sit in one of the chairs outside the dressing room with heaps of shopping backs by his feet and purse in his lap looking like a complete fool.

As they approached the check out, out of the corner of his eye, Albert caught sight of the other guy he had ran into just moments before Brooklyn popped out of nowhere. The poor dude still didn't find his girlfriend yet. He even had his phone out in hopes she'd pick up.

"Least one of us found our girl, right?" the guy asked in a playful manner.

"And gettin' outta here fore I end up makin' a trip to the hardware store," Albert shot back.

"I don't need another bookshelf....not yet at least," Brooklyn admitted. She had never been more thankful she finally had a bedroom all to herself. Besides the obvious bed, dresser, and nightstand, whatever space was left she had filled it with shelves.

"And when that time comes, are you gonna put it together yourself or are ya gonna need some help?" Albert asked in a knowing tone. That he didn't mind so much. At least he got to put those shop class skills to good use. And knowing Brooklyn she'd probably have a plate of whatever baked recipe she was trying out that time all set to go. They'd both snack on it while she laid sprawled across the bed with a book while he was sitting on the floor with the pieces of the shelf all around while he tried to figure out what the hell the instructions say. When all else failed, he'd go by the picture of the box and wing it....when Brooklyn isn't looking of course.

Instead of answering, Brooklyn only smiled sweetly with a little shrug, telling Albert all he needed to know. He pulled her closer to his side and pressed a quick, but loving kiss to the top of her head as they took their place in the check out line. Where Brooklyn's attention was turned to the display of bookmarks. However, Albert didn't let her go and said, "You really don't need another one."

"I'm just going to look, Al."

"I can safely say that's the biggest lie of your life," Albert replied with a deep sigh. Thankfully, the line had moved quickly. If it were any longer he would've let her "look" at the bookmarks. And thus, her savings for book store trips would have been blown away before she could've really saved up. That was about the only thing he knew Brooklyn had trouble when it came to saving. She was rather good at the whole budgeting thing. Better than him, that's for sure.

Once the books were all paid before Brooklyn held the bag with one hand, and took Albert's hand in the other. Gently he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles with a look she could only describe as nothing but pure love. And quite frankly, she probably looked at him like that as well. As they headed out of the shop she leaned her head against the side of his arm, something she used to be so hesitant to do, and when she did, she simply hovered her head. Hell the first time she did it she pulled away two seconds later thinking that it was a bad idea. But Albert had pulled her back in, not against her will of course, he had such a soft touch that he silently told her that it was ok if she pulled back again. In some ways, he was still like that. He never forced her into doing anything she didn't want to. Nudging was more his style. Which further proved the fact that the redhead, though chill and sarcastic, was nothing more than a loveable giant.

"Wanna get somethin' to eat?" Albert asked as he looked down at her.

"When have I ever said no to that?" Brooklyn replied. Early on in their relationship, she quickly learned that was something they both enjoyed. Oh who was she kidding she could be a bit of a snack monster and Albert wasn't much help in taming that.

"What're you in the mood for gorgeous?"

"I dunno," Brooklyn shrugged.

Albert deeply sighed. He should've seen that coming as soon as the words left his mouth. Now there were two possibilities, either he keeps suggesting places to eat until Brooklyn agrees, or she can take a guess at what she could possibly be craving in the next five minutes and hope that craving stays. However, there was a third possibility, but it was a rare one. It was when she would suddenly ask if they could go to this place. Sadly, this wasn't one of those times.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

With a full stomach and tired feet Brooklyn plopped down onto the couch the minute she got back to her apartment. Which happened to be empty at the moment. Feister had been busy with either wedding planning, or taking a break from wedding planning. She kicked off her shoes and made her way towards her bedroom to not only put away and admire her new books, but also figure out which one she wanted to read first.

Her bedroom was a decent size. At least it was definitely bigger than the one she had at the Lodge. Then again, she wasn't rooming with Feister anymore so there was that. Naturally, the bed was in the middle, a closet was next to the door to the left while the dresser and mirror was across from the bed. Next to that was of course a bookshelf. The floors were hardwood and walls were painted a light gray. Pops of blue décor sat here and there. Windows stood proudly on the right looking at the busy streets of Lower Manhattan.

Setting the bag and her purse on top of the bed, Brooklyn took out her new stash of books before carrying them over to the shelf, and placed them in the "new reads" section. When she would finish one, she'd find a proper place for it based on a few key factors. Genre, trope, and how much she enjoyed it. As she began to neatly place the items away, she suddenly felt a pair of gentle, yet strong arms wrap around her from behind. The smell of pine needles and cedarwood instantly filled her lungs. She easily picked out something light like fruit. Though it was hard to tell what it was. Orange? Or perhaps green apple? It was hard to say for sure, either way it gave her a familiar sense.

"At this rate you're gonna need another shelf soon," he mumbled against her temple before placing a light kiss there.

"If that's the case then I'll need someone strong to help me put it together," she replied, playing along. Normally, Brooklyn wouldn't say something like - oh who was she kidding, she'd never say something like that. But with him it wasn't a terrible thing. He had been the one to show her it was ok to let loose and not be so preserved or quiet. That as long as she was having fun it didn't matter what anyone else thought. "Now who do I know can do heavy lifting...." she hummed while turning around to face the redhead. "Let's see...Finch did well in shop class. Race got an A in gym."

"The only A he ever got in his life," Albert corrected with a growing smirk. "Anyone else on that list?" he asked while tickling her sides. The action making her squirm and giggle.

She placed her hands just inches away from his shoulders. "There's one guy I know who could possibly help with that."

"Oh yeah? Who?"

"Well...he was the captain of the baseball team back in high school, king of the skate park, and crazy for this movie that involved laser swords. And..." at that moment, a small smirk formed across Brooklyn's lips as she reached up to grab his cap. "He also always wears a backwards cap-" as she said this, she placed the item on top of her own head. "To hide his hair because he hates the color. But I love it. And I love him."

It was at that moment Albert couldn't hold back anymore. Closing the short distance between them, he kissed her lovingly while wrapping his arms tighter around her. However, the impact of the kiss must've taken her by surprise, for Brooklyn took one step back, causing her back to come in contact with the bookshelf. Which...wasn't a terrible thing. A few moments passed before they broke apart, foreheads pressed against the other in complete silence. The only sound that could be heard was steady breathing and beating hearts.

"Did I mention he also just took my breath away?" Brooklyn quietly asked. Her cheeks started to flush a bright pink as she buried her face against his chest.

"And I'll do it again if you want me too," Albert replied, only causing her to hide her face deeper into his chest. Once again silence filled the air between them for a few moments before he spoke up again. "Brooklyn?"

"Hmm?" the freckled girl mumbled in response.

"I ain't makin' any promises, not now at least, but...I started thinkin' with the lovebirds' weddin' an' all....how - how would ya feel if maybe we got hitched someday down the future line?"

If Brooklyn didn't feel her heart stop before in the past, she certainly did now. She looked up at him, not making any sort of move to push him away, nor did she show any signs she wanted him to back up. She searched his eyes for a clue that it was nothing more than a fleeing thought. Something that had come up in the heat of the moment. Yet, the only thing she found was nothing but pure love. "I'd like that very much," she whispered.

"Good."

It didn't help that he pulled her closer and placed a soft, feather-like kiss on the top of her head. And she loved him for it. Loved that Albert was always so gentle when it came to things like that. He never forced her to do something she didn't want to do, made sure that it was ok to kiss. How she got so lucky to have found him, Brooklyn had no clue. Most people saw him as this big, laid back, I don't care about anything kind of guy, and while that may be true in some ways, Albert Dasilva was nothing more than a gentle giant with a heart of gold. It just took some time to get to know that side of him. Much like how it took time for someone to get to know her.

This was the kind of love that was written about in the books she would read. Once upon a time, back when she was a dumb, but wide-eyed teenager, she thought she had that with her ex-boyfriend. Yes, the one that treated her badly. But the moment Albert walked into her life, Brooklyn realized how a guy should treat a girl. Even before they started dating, Albert showed her what a caring guy looked like. Which was shocking all things considered. It goes without saying that she always wondered what her future lover would be like, and through all those daydreams she never thought she'd end up with someone like Albert. But the more she thought about it, she couldn't be happier with how things had turned out.

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Author's note

Yay for Alblyn fluff! The first half of this chapter was so much fun to write, I loved imagining Albert looking around the store for Brooklyn only to have her pop up out of nowhere with a stack of books even though she claimed she was only going to look. The best part being he just accepts it and moves along, knowing he can't do anything to stop her bookish ways. Not that he would anyways because seeing her happy is what makes him happy, especially knowing how much her past relationship destroyed her. But the second half is where the real fluff kicked in, they're so sweet, playful and they're just a fun ship all around. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you soon.