Chapter Text
What the fuck.
I watch as Hearthstone waves to me across the room, and instantly a blush spreads across my face. I wave back quickly and hope that he doesn’t see my blush.
Again, I repeat myself: what the fuck.
This is NOT fair. He has the absolute AUDACITY to make me blush like this with a simple wave? So unfair.
Okay, fine, maybe he doesn’t MEAN to make me blush like this, but it sure as Helheim happened, and I am furious.
Maybe not furious. Annoyed.
What the fuck ever.
I sink down into a chair and sigh. We’re at Hotel Valhalla in Magnus’s room. I just arrived and Magnus is somewhere off with Alex. He said he’d be back at around threeish, so I’m waiting.
Hearthstone wanders over from where he was at the book shelf and plops down in the chair next to me. He leans over, and I feel my breath catch in my throat.
‘What’s up?’ He signs. ‘You okay?’
“Yeah, fine,” I say, glad he can’t hear how much my voice is squeaking.
He gives me a look, but nods.
Just then, Magnus chooses that time to walk into the room, while Hearth’s face is very, very close to my own.
“Hey guys!” He says cheerfully, completely oblivious.
“Hi,” I squeak, recoiling from Hearth.
He plops down on the grassy area in front of us, which I’ve been avoiding because I’d prefer not to be petrified today.
“Sorry it’s so sunny,” Magnus apologizes. “I don’t really choose, but…” he shrugs indifferently.
“It’s fine,” I assure him.
We settle into familiar banter and conversation, but around nine-ish, Hearth and I decide to go back to my shop, Blitzen’s Best, and go to bed. I can tell Hearth is worn out.
“See you guys later!” Magnus tells us, and shuts the door.
Hearth bumps my side playfully. ‘Let’s go home before I collapse.’
“Good idea,” I agree.
It’s a freezing winter night. The streets are dark, and we see little to no cars. Lots of people have already turned in for the night.
“Shit,” I screech as I slip over a patch of ice. “Hearth, watch out for— FUCK!”
Hearthstone slips on the same patch of ice that I did, and falls directly on top of me.
‘Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK,’ I think.
We’re pressed together on the ground. His face is so, so close to my face, and his cheeks are streaked with lime.
My ass hurts from falling.
“Hearth,” I grunt, “I’d prefer to be breathing.”
Hearthstone’s eyes widen and he scrambles off of me.
I’m so glad.
I swear to the gods, I was about to get hard. I literally am going to lose my shit. This is NOT fucking fair. Hearth touching me in a remotely romantic way does NOT mean I get to get hard. No way, no how.
Fuck me.
Not like that.
Whatever, you know what I mean.
‘Sorry,’ Hearth signs hastily.
“It’s fine,” I sigh, deciding that lying on the ground for a few moments is in order.
I’ve got to get the bottom half of my body under control before I get up.
When I’m sure I’m okay, I stand up and make a wide circle around the ice.
“That was majorly fucked up,” I tell Hearth. “That ice is very rude.”
He laughs. ‘Sure, it was the ice. Totally not you being clumsy.’
“Shut up,” I groan. “You fell, too.”
Hearthstone shrugs. ‘Maybe I just wanted to see your reaction if I fell on you.’
I bury my face in my hands, and pull them back when I’m not blushing. “And why would you want to know that?”
‘Reasons.’
“Fiiiine,” I say. “Don’t tell your best friend.”
Hearth smiles a tiny little, adorably cute smile.
I hate myself.
His smile played though my dreams that night.