my hand was shuffling through the books on the shelf when it suddenly clashed with someone else's. I shifted my gaze from massive silver rings on the person's fingers to their face

"That's quite alright," Onyx replied with a sly smirk. "I didn't expect to find someone else wandering the aisles of the library at this time of day."

"Exactly my thoughts," Onyx said with a smirk. "I always love the peace and quiet that comes with a late night hunt for new reading material. It's almost like we have the entire library to ourselves, don't you think?"

Onyx watches as you peruse the bookshelf, his eyes darting over the titles in a moment of curiosity. "Can I help you find something specific?" he asked, his voice dripping with an air of confidence.

Onyx chuckles, his eyes lighting up with amusement. "Of course, of course," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "I'm sure you had no idea what you were looking for until your eyes set upon that book, did you?" he added with a smirk as he watched you examine the book.

Onyx smirks as he watches you flip through the pages of the book. "Well, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who enjoys a good tease," he said with a grin. "So what's the book about, if you don't mind me asking?" he added, his eyes lighting up with curious excitement.

Onyx's eyes gleam with interest at the mention of Agatha Christie. "Oh, she's one of my favourites," he said with a small smile. "I always love a good mystery novel, especially from the queen of crime herself. Do you think you'll be able to solve the murder before the characters in the book do?" he asked with a playful glint in his eye.

Onyx nods knowingly. "Yes, Christie has a knack for throwing in a twist at the last minute," he said with a small grin. "It keeps you on your toes, doesn't it? I do love the thrill of trying to solve a mystery before the book reveals the answer."

He paused and glanced around the library before turning back to you. "Do you often come to the library to read?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Onyx raises an eyebrow. "I see. So you're more of a night owl, are you?" he asked with a playful smirk. "I do enjoy the quiet solitude of being in library at night myself. There's something about the dim lights, the smell of old paper, and the sounds of turning pages that just particularly appeal to me." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"So, are you here for anything in particular this evening?" Onyx asked, gesturing towards the bookshelf you were earlier searching through.

Onyx follows your gaze to the aisle of gothic literature and nods in understanding. "Ah, a fan of gothic literature?" he said with an amused smile. "I can certainly understand the appeal - there's something about the dark, mysterious themes that draws you in and never quite lets go."

He watches as you browse through the titles, a thoughtful look on his face. "Do you have any favourites in particular?" he asked curiously.

Onyx's eyes widen slightly at the sight of the book you hold in your hands. "Poe, hmm? He's quite the master of macabre," he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "His writing style is unique and engaging, certainly not for everyone but those who appreciate it tend to do so immensely."

He looks down at your hands once more. "May I?" he asks, nodding towards the book in your grasp. "It's been quite some time since I've revisited Poe's works."

Onyx nods as he takes the book from you, his eyes scanning over its cover and title. "Thank you," he said thoughtfully. "I have always found Edgar Allan Poe's works fascinating, and this particular collection is a great example of his talent. His ability to tap into the darker side of the human mind and explore themes such as love, death, and madness is truly remarkable."

He pauses for a moment before looking back up at you. "Do you have a favourite poem or story of his?" he asked curiously, his fingers tracing over the cover of the book in his hand.

Onyx nods thoughtfully as he listens to your answer. "Ah, both excellent choices," he replies. " 'Annabel Lee' is a particularly beautiful poem, with its haunting melody and melancholic themes. And 'The Raven', with its eerie repetition of "Nevermore", never fails to send shivers down my spine."

He looks up at you once more, his dark eyes gleaming with an intensity that seems to match the subject matter of the book. "Do you enjoy poetry in general or is it just Poe's style that appeals to you?" he asks curiously.

Onyx's eyes flicker down to the pendant hanging from your neck, his eyebrows raising slightly at the sight of the ribcage shape. "I see," he says with a small grin. "It seems we have something in common then."

He gestures towards the books on the shelf. "There's just something about the darker side of literature that's so captivating," he continues, his voice low and laced with a hint of excitement. "The way it delves into the human psyche, explores our deepest fears and desires - it's fascinating, really."

As he speaks, you notice a glint in his eye that seems to match the silver rings on his fingers.

Onyx nods in agreement. "Indeed, it's not for the faint of heart," he agrees. "But for those of us who are drawn to it, there's a certain thrill that comes with delving into the darker side of literature."

He leans back against the shelf beside you, his eyes still locked onto yours. "I think it's the fact that it allows us to explore our own fears and anxieties in a safe and contained way," he muses. "In a sense, it can be quite cathartic."

You catch the glint of excitement in his eye once more, as though he's just realized something new about the genre.

Onyx nods his agreement. "Indeed he was," he replied, watching as you flipped through the pages of the book. "Poe was not only a great writer but also a brilliant poet. His works have had a profound impact on many writers and readers alike, and his legacy continues to live on today."

He glances back towards the shelf of books, then back at you. "If you're interested in more macabre literature, there are certainly no shortage of options," he said teasingly, a small smirk gracing his lips. "Perhaps I could recommend a few?"

Onyx chuckles, the sound deep and resonant. "Excellent," he said, gesturing towards the shelf. "Let's see what we have here."

He steps forward, scanning his eyes over the various titles and authors on display. "Of course, there's always Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' if you're in the mood for a classic," he said thoughtfully. "Or maybe some H.P. Lovecraft if you're in the mood for something a little more... exotic."

As he speaks, you notice his eyes flicker over to you every now and again, seemingly gauging your reactions to his suggestions.

Onyx grins, his eyes lighting up at your mention of Dracula. "Ah, classic Bram Stoker," he said enthusiastically. "A timeless tale of terror and suspense. It's always a pleasure to see a copy on the shelf."

He reaches out and pulls it down, presenting it to you with a flourish. "This one is definitely worth a read," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Stoker does an incredible job of building tension and creating larger-than-life characters."

As he speaks, it's evident that he's genuinely passionate about the subject matter.

Onyx nods approvingly as you take the book from his hand. "Excellent choice," he says with a slight smile. "I think you'll enjoy it - there's a reason why it's remained so popular over all these years."

As his fingers brush against yours, you notice a hint of something in his expression - perhaps a slight eagerness or anticipation? It's hard to tell. Regardless, he steps back and gestures towards the shelves once more.

"Is there anything else that catches your eye?" he asks, his gaze locked onto yours.

Onyx nods in agreement. "Of course," he says with a small smile. "No need to get too carried away on your first visit."

He glances down at the books you've selected, his gaze lingering for a moment before returning to meet your eyes. "I hope you enjoy them," he says warmly. "And if you ever need any more recommendations, you know where to find me."

With that, he steps back and allows you to make your way towards the counter to check out your selections. As you turn to leave, you catch one final glimpse of his silver rings shining in the dim lighting of the bookstore.

As you enter the store once again in the evening, the sound of the bell that hangs above the door announces your presence. Almost instantly, Onyx looks up from the book he's reading behind the counter and offers you a friendly smile.

"Welcome back," he says, his voice still carrying the hint of amusement from earlier in the day. "I see you've come back for more."

As he speaks, he sets down his book and stands up, making his way over to you with an easy grace. "What did you think of your purchases?" he asks, tilting his head slightly.

Onyx chuckles at your comment and nods in understanding. "Ah, I've been there," he says with a wry smile. "Nothing quite like staying up until the early hours of the morning to finish a good book."

He glances down at your new selection of books, scanning the titles with interest. "And what brings you back today?" he asks, gesturing towards the books. "Looking for a change of pace, or perhaps more of the same?"

Onyx follows you to the crime stories aisle, his tall frame towering over you as he scans the shelves for potential recommendations. "Ah, crime stories - always a popular category," he comments, running his fingers idly along the spines of the books.

"What kind of book is your sister in the mood for?" he asks, glancing over at you with a raised eyebrow. "Something with a lot of twists and turns, perhaps? Or maybe something a little more straightforward?"

Onyx steps back as you pull out The Surgeon by Tess Harrison, his eyes resting on the cover for a moment before turning back to you. "Ah, I remember this one," he says with a nod. "It's been quite popular among the crime fiction enthusiasts."

He reaches over and takes the book from your hand, examining it closely. "This should definitely please your sister," he says, running his fingers lightly over the author's name. "A gripping tale full of suspense and unexpected turns."

With the book in hand, he turns back towards the counter, gesturing for you to follow. "So, what do you have planned for the night?" he asks casually, setting the book aside as he rings up your purchase.

Onyx nods as you pay for your book, watching with interest as you make your way towards the door. As you reach for the handle, he steps forward and blocks your path, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"Nothing specific, you say?" he asks, his voice low and teasing. "Well, that's not very adventurous of you."

He takes a step closer, the gleam in his eyes suggesting he's up to something. "Tell you what," he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small piece of paper. "Why don't you take this - it's the address of a new coffee shop that just opened up down the street. Apparently they have the best pastries in town. Why don't you go check it out?"

Without waiting for your response, he slips the paper into your hand and takes a step back

Onyx grins wider, clearly pleased with the response. "I thought you might like that," he says, leaning in slightly and closing the distance between you two. "It's always good to treat yourself every once in a while, no?"

He gives your hand a quick squeeze before letting go, his silver rings catching the light and creating an almost hypnotic effect. "And who knows - maybe you'll run into someone interesting there."

With that last comment, he takes a step back and tilts his head towards the door. "Well then, enjoy," he says, his voice tinged with an amused smile. "Visit me again soon."

Onyx laughs at your comment, his hand idly playing with one of the rings on his finger. "I could certainly be accused of spending a little too much time here," he admits, his tone light and joking.

"Can you blame me, though?" he asks, gesturing around the quiet bookstore. "It's a place full of endless possibilities - each book is like a world waiting to be explored."

He steps back towards the counter, his eyes still trained on you. "But don't worry - I do have a life outside of this place. Sort of," he jokes, his voice dripping with playfulness. "Anyway, enjoy the pastries. Don't forget to let me know how they are."