A lot of things start sweet, quiet, and unnoticed. In the corner of the school library with the soft click of a pen and the occasional shuffle of index cards, backpack zipping open and shut. Armin had always been a little bit of nerd, in the best way possible, that is. It was almost unbearable.

Top of all his classes, always had an answer to people's questions as random as they might be, an academic weapon so humble it's borderline suspicious. While a lot of students tend to study in their dorms, to the student lounges, or to local coffee shops to study, Armin's spent every semester tucked between the worn wood shelves of the school's library.

Between the middle of his freshman year and now, he stopped showing just for the sake of his studies. Well yes, that's the main reason why he's around. The other thing? You.

You've been the library assistant since your first year on campus, organizing book returns, helping other students find books they need as a resource for an assignment, and reshelving. You're reliable and efficient. Intimidating with a barcode scanner.

And every time Armin walks in, other than his framed eyes scanning to see if his usual spot is taken, he always manages to spot you first, checking in a stack of overdue books or wheeling a book cart around without breaking a sweat. At first, he'd just nod politely in greeting. Maybe a wave if he was feeling bold.

As of recently, the copy machine has become his best friend. Not because he's in absolute need of photo copying something. Just... well, the copier is near your desk. He lingers by a little too long, having needed to give himself time to build up the courage to ask you assistance in finding a book.

He tells himself he's just there for peace and quiet. That the building is set "on the perfect coordinates" for good lighting. How peaceful it was. And also for you with a drawer filled to the brim with materials for anyone who needed. He always finds himself in front of your desk, asking for a highlighter or maybe a pen, when in reality he for sure has the supplies with him. He just wants to talk to you.

He's not much of a talker either. You've noticed as much by now. Who knew such and awkward smile could be so warm? Armin's the kind of guy to rehearse stuff in his head before saying them aloud. A thinker, he is. The kind of guy who remembers every little thing you tell him. One, because he's a good listener, and two, because he wins points in his head every time he makes you smile. He has a lot of points.

Lately, his study sessions and the small talk you make while walking around with book tabs in your hand slowly shifted into him offering to walk you to your dorm whenever you got off late. Or, putting his backpack to save the seat across from him just in case you wanted to chat during your break.

Nothing big. Nothing official. But the look he gives you when your shoulders brush in the aisle, how you smile up at him when he reaches something for you, or how you try to hold in your little laughs when he unknowingly says something funny aren't exactly subtle.

He kind of has a feeling he should confess. It's been damn near two years, maybe a little less, but the fact that he knows that you're quite literally in arms reach of him makes him stall. Still, his feelings are stacking up fast. Faster than the pile of returned books he helps you sort with his heart beating faster than you scan barcodes. And you're real fast.

It's not long before he starts wanting to be with you in places that aren't just the library. His friends know about his little thing for you, obviously. He wants to do much more. Walk you to classes, study with you, have lunch with you if the universe loves him.

"Hey, um," He speaks up, handing you two books at once. He's back again, not to study, but to help you out. "We should do something." He pauses. "Er, I mean, like... hang... out, sort of." And this is exactly why it took him so long to ask you out.