The days following the gathering felt different, charged with an energy that Selene couldn't quite explain. It wasn't just the lingering warmth from spending time with Lyra; it was something deeper, something that settled in the pit of her stomach whenever she thought about the evening. Every glance they exchanged during the night had felt like a promise, but the question that lingered in Selene's mind was whether Lyra felt it too.
The next few days were filled with small interactions at the library; brief encounters when Selene dropped by to return books or to find something new to read. But each time she saw Lyra, there was a moment, a soft glance that seemed to speak volumes. It was always subtle, never lingering too long, but it was there, like an invisible thread that kept drawing Selene in. The space between them had shifted in ways that were difficult to understand, but she could feel it.
Selene's heart seemed to race whenever she found herself near Lyra, as though everything around her faded away, leaving only the soft sound of Lyra's voice or the quiet rustling of pages as they exchanged a few words. They hadn't spoken much outside of the gathering, but every moment together felt like it was full of potential, a potential that both scared and excited her.
One afternoon, as the light outside the library faded into the golden hues of evening, Selene found herself standing by the bookshelves, scanning the titles absentmindedly. She had a mission today, one that made her pulse quicken with a mix of nerves and playful anticipation. Lyra's jacket and umbrella were neatly folded in her bag.
She hadn't expected to see Lyra again that day, but there she was, sitting at her usual spot behind the counter, looking as absorbed in her work as ever. Selene felt the familiar pull in her chest, a quiet tug that urged her forward.
She hesitated for a moment, a mischievous plan forming in her mind. Instead of approaching the desk directly, she decided to be sneaky. She waited until Lyra was briefly called away by a colleague to help locate a book in the reference section. This was her chance.
With the speed of a cartoon villain, Selene darted to the circulation desk. She quickly folded the umbrella and placed it neatly on the corner. Then, with a flourish, she draped the jacket over the back of Lyra's chair, making sure it looked casual, as if it had always been there. She even took a moment to adjust the collar just so. A giggle almost escaped her; she felt ridiculous and utterly delighted.
She was about to make a clean getaway when she heard a soft, familiar voice behind her.
"Planning a heist, or just returning my things?"
Selene froze, her eyes going wide. She turned slowly to find Lyra standing there, arms crossed, a single, elegant eyebrow raised. But her lips were twitching, fighting a smile. She had been caught.
Selene's face flushed a brilliant shade of red. "I, um. I was just... returning these." She gestured lamely at the jacket. "I wanted to be... efficient."
"Efficient," Lyra repeated, her voice dripping with amused skepticism. She stepped closer and picked up her jacket. "And is there a reason you were trying to be so stealthy about it? I do usually expect my belongings to be returned. A simple handoff is traditional."
"I didn't want to interrupt you," Selene said, her own smile finally breaking through her embarrassment. "You looked busy. I thought I'd be... goofy. And sneaky. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
Lyra finally let her smile bloom fully, a beautiful, warm sight that made Selene's stomach flip. "It was definitely goofy," she agreed, her tone fond. She brought the jacket up, pretending to inspect it. "And you folded it. I'm impressed."
"Thank you," Selene said, puffing out her chest with mock pride. "I have many hidden talents. Stealth and laundry are among them."
Lyra laughed, a soft, genuine sound that seemed to light up the quiet space around them. "Noted. Next time, though, just say hello. I prefer it to you lurking around my desk like a bookish ninja."
"Bookish ninja," Selene repeated, nodding seriously. "I can add that to my resume."
Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence. Lyra's gaze softened, and she looked at Selene with that same curious intensity from the party. "Thank you for returning them. And for the entertainment."
"Any time," Selene said, her voice softer now. The playful energy settled into something warmer, more intimate.
The moment stretched, filled with that same unspoken understanding. The jacket was returned, the silly mission was over, but the connection it reinforced was stronger than ever. Selene knew, without a doubt, that she was falling for this woman, goofy missteps and all.