Chapter Text
Blitzen looked solemn and resigned. Magnus and Sam looked stern.
I, on the other hand, was completely and utterly terrified.
I wanted to beg with Junior, to please, PLEASE, not kill Blitzen, but Junior raised his axe.
I let out a scream.
Junior brought down the axe and —
I shot up in the tanning bed, shivering.
Just a dream, I told myself. Just a dream.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling of how that could be reality. How Blitz, my Blitz, could die tomorrow.
I imagined him next to me, and, oh, could I imagine him perfectly. His dark skin. His beautiful brown eyes that had flecks of gold towards the center. His neatly trimmed curls.
He’d snuggle into my side, and I’d fall asleep with his warmth comforting me. He was the sweetest dwarf alive.
My heart yearned for him.
My crush on Blitz had just been getting worse. It wasn’t long until he figured it out and hated me for the rest of my life.
But he didn’t know.
Blitz. I needed Blitz.
I shakily got to my feet and looked around the room. Magnus was passed out on the couch and Samirah was nowhere to be seen.
I moved to touch my scarf, but then remembered I’d balled it up on the couch, where Magnus was probably snoring.
I shook my head and stumbled to Blitzen’s room, knocked gently, and twisted the knob open.
The room was dark but it smelled like how Blitz always did — cinnamon with undertones of a cologne I could never seem to figure out.
I could see Blitzen’s shape on his bed. His back was towards me.
I stood awkwardly in the doorway for a moment, and eventually Blitz flipped over, spotted me, and sat up.
There was enough light that I was able to see what he said. I had to squint, but he’d said, “hey, buddy, what’s up?”
I shrugged and gestured to the spot next to him. He nodded and I shut the door behind me, then sat next to him.
“You okay?”
I shrugged again, taking in the features I very well might never see again after tomorrow.
I hadn’t realized I’d started crying until Blitz had said, “why are you crying? Please, don’t cry… you know it tears me apart when you do…”
I wiped furiously at my cheeks. ‘Sorry.’
“Come here.”
He then wrapped me in a tight embrace, a tight, warm, loving embrace, and of course I just started sobbing uncontrollably.
I was so stupid. If anyone should be crying, it’s Blitz, I thought furiously.
He held me in his arms.
When I pulled back, sniffling, he asked, “do you want to stay in here for a bit? I know you had a nightmare, and those are always better when you’re with me, right?”
‘Not all night?’
“Unless you want the others to tease us endlessly.”
I shook my head quickly and Blitz laughed. He looked wonderful when he laughed. It lit up his whole face and made me smile with pleasure. I’d made him laugh!
“Come on, lie down,” he said gently, tugging me down with him.
We were barely inches apart when I’d finally rested my head on the pillow. He was smiling at me. I loved his smile.
“Hearth,” Blitz whispered. “If you ever need me, just ask.”
I nodded.
He gestured for me to come closer, and, alright, neither of us were strangers to cuddling with each other. We’d always slept together; at this point it was second nature. But cuddling was a more recent thing. It was pure, it was ours.
I scooted closer and then he pulled me into him. We fit together like pieces of a puzzle. We fit so well together it made my chest ache.
I snuggled my face into his collarbone, letting out a small, content sigh. I wrapped my arms around his middle and clasped my hands together. Blitz did the same for me and I let out another sigh when he ran his fingers down my back, in a soft, soothing motion.
He pressed his face into my hair and whispered something I couldn’t make out. I pulled back and he paused in his touches, looking at me curiously, with a look that clearly asked, “what?”
I shook my head and buried it back in his collarbone again, and he resumed his soothing motions.
I drifted off.
When I woke, Blitz was still, but clearly awake. It was still night, I could just tell.
I was still wrapped in his arms, and I snuggled closer, eager for more warmth. I tangled my legs through his and felt him freeze. I let out a snort of laughter.
I pulled back and grinned at him. His face was red and it was very adorable.
“Damn you,” he mumbled and I laughed again.
“Oh, you think you’re funny?”
I nodded.
He grinned mischievously and suddenly I was being tickled under my chin. I started laughing uncontrollably, chest heaving, and it was like I couldn’t breathe. I shoved him away but he tickled me again, so I shoved him off and pinned him down.
Now I had his attention. I was panting from not being able to breathe, and he was very red because I was PINNING HIM DOWN.
He bit his lip and tossed me off of him, and then I was pinned down. I huffed at him and he laughed.
“Do I win?”
I sighed and nodded.
He grinned at me.
I was suddenly very aware of how close we were. I’d barely have to move if I wanted to…
“Hearth…” he said, then leaned down closer.
And he kissed me.
It was very quick and over within a second. But I felt my heart race.
He pulled back and his eyes were wide. “Oh, FUCK.”
He scrambled off of me. “Fuck, I’m so sorry!”
I reached out to touch him, to calm him down, but he recoiled.
I felt my heart shatter.
“You should, um, probably go back to the tanning bed. Before you fall asleep and wake up in here and Magnus and Sam ask endless questions.”
‘Blitz —‘
“Go, Hearth.”
I looked into his eyes. Hurt, confusion, fear, and anger were battling for dominance.
“Please.”
Tha one simple word… it broke me. But I nodded shakily, and left.
Fuck.