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I was peacefully dreaming of neckties and dancing vests when I was suddenly shaken awake.
I shot up in bed in a panic. What was wrong? Was someone hurt? Where was Hearthstone?
I flung back my sheets a little too quickly and promptly tumbled out of bed, landing on my elf’s toes. I scrambled back and hit my head on my mattress, then groaned and slumped to the floor.
Not the most pleasant way to wake up.
Something kicked me gently in the ribs—probably Hearth’s foot. I squinted up at him. “Ow.”
You’re fine, Hearthstone signed affectionately. Now—please—get up.
I sighed and pushed myself into sitting position, then onto my feet. “Are you ok?”
Hearthstone waved a hand dismissively. I suddenly noticed the sparkle in his eyes, and the way he was bouncing a little bit on his toes. Ive got a surprise, he signed.
”Oh,” I said. “For me?”
Hearthstone rolled his eyes. Yes, for you. Get dressed and then I can show you.
I crossed my arms. “Is it a good surprise?”
Hearthstone gave me a look.
I held my hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine. Im getting ready.” I edged past him and into my closet, sorting through racks and racks of clothes to find something suitable for the day.
I eventually chose a white button-up shirt, a sky-blue vest, a slightly darker shade of blue trousers, navy blue socks, and black shoes. I smiled at the ensemble when I grabbed it, then hid in the bathroom to change, also brushing my teeth and combing my curls.
I stepped out into my bedroom, and I smelled the cooking of toast in the kitchen. I grinned and walked through the living room and into the kitchen.
Hearthstone happened to turn as I walked in. I made finger guns at him, and he smiled lightly in return.
I smiled back and admired the toast he’d made. “Good choice,” I commented.
Hearth shrugged. First thing I found.
I laughed. “Fair enough,” I chuckled, grabbing my plate. I took a bite of the food, which Hearth had slathered in jelly. His own piece was naked and alone.
“How do you eat toast with nothing on it?” I asked. “It’s so… bland.”
Hearth shrugged again, taking a bite of his own piece.
I sighed and shook my head. “R.I.P. flavor.”
Hearthstone rolled his eyes and took another bite, raising his eyebrows as if to say, “it tastes fine.”
When we finished, Hearthstone started to look excited again, dragging me out of the apartment and onto the World Tree. We stumbled along a particularly wide branch until Hearthstone grabbed my hand (making my face turn red) and dragged me into a crevice big enough to fit a whole car.
We landed in a familiar place of Boston: right near Fadlan’s Falafel, Magnus Chase’s favorite restaurant. Many a time had he dragged Hearth and I there for food.
We’d ended up right in front of an abandoned shop, a nice space if I was being honest. It seemed quite big and it looked like there was space above the shop area for living space.
I gave Hearth a questioning look. “What’s this?”
A silly little grin popped onto Hearthstone’s face. Your new shop.
I stared at him. “Excuse me?”
Its yours! Hearth signed excitedly. I bought it!
My jaw dropped. “Hearthstone, what the actual fuck? You bought this place? For me?”
Hearthstone’s grin faded. Do you not like it?
My jaw dropped. “No, I fucking love it. But where did you get the money?!”
Hearthstone’s expression turned relieved, then sheepish. I may have used some of your money.
I stared at him.
I didn’t think you’d mind, since you were already looking, and this place was pretty cheap… Are you mad?
”No, I’m not mad!” I grinned at him. “Thank you! You’re… AUGH. THANK YOU.” I threw my arms around him, and squeezed tight. I felt my face flush with a blush, but I didn’t care. Hearthstone was the most amazing, wonderful, kindest elf in the Nine Worlds.
I drew back to see Hearthstone’s face, which was a mess of mint and chartreuse. He gave me a shrug and a weak smile. You like it?
“I love it,” I breathed, turning to face the building again. “Do you have a key?”
Hearthstone nodded, drawing a key out of his pocket and placing it in my hand. With my free hand, I took his and squeezed, dragging him towards the door. I turned the key in the lock, and opened the door.
I breathed in the smell: cedar wood and pines. I moved around the shop in a daze, not noticing I was still holding on to Hearthstone’s hand, or the fact that Hearth’s face was greener than a cucumber. I ran my fingers over the shelves and racks, and sighed happily.
I turned and grinned at Hearth. He looked pointedly at our intertwined hands, and I let go quickly, flushing slightly. “Sorry.”
Hearthstone shook his head, then smiled shyly at me. Is it ok?
Ok? I signed. It’s amazing.
Hearth’s smile turned wider. Good. And there’s space upstairs, so we… you could live here.
”Hell yeah we’re living here,” I grinned. “As long as you want to.”
Hearth nodded eagerly. Please.
i tapped my chin. “I could make another tanning bed. And we’d have to move a few things here. But yeah, it’s perfect.”
do you want to check the living space?
I nodded. “Come on.” I bounded across the space and up the stairs, opening the door leading to the living space and hurrying in.
I looked around. Funnily enough, it was the exact same setup as my place in Nidavellir, which was weird but awesome.
I whirled around. “Hearth, this is AMAZING. Thank you SO MUCH.”
Hearth turned sheepish. I’m glad you like it.
I grinned at him. “You’re gonna help me set everything up after your sessions with Odin.”
Of course.
We stood there, smiling at each other for gods’ know how long. He was so beautiful. So, so beautiful. His hair was impossibly soft. His eyes looked like starlight.
Gods, I wanted to kiss him.
“Hearth, again,” I murmured, “thank you.”
Hearth blushed and smiled. He didn’t seem to be able to form words.
“I…” I sighed a little bit. “I love you.”
Hearthstone froze, eyes locked on me. He definitely couldn’t form words now.
I knew he liked me. He wasn’t exactly good at hiding it. Nor was I with him. We were both a little bit too obvious with our crushes on each other.
I was definitely looking at Hearth kind of weird now, because gods he was perfect. He was still frozen, and his eyes were locked on me, and he definitely couldn’t form words now.
Eventually, he just nodded weakly.
I chuckled. “I take it that means you love me, too?”
Hearth nodded again—nod-nod-nod.
I grinned at him. “Well, good.”
We stood there, smiling stupidly at each other for what was probably a very long amount of time. I could look at his face forever. And those lips…I wanted to kiss him so bad. So, so bad.
Like, I felt like I would explode if I didn’t.
I always felt like this. Seeing Hearth smile at me always made my stomach jump off of a diving board into a series of flips. “Butterflies” was not enough to describe it, not in the slightest.
Before I could open my mouth to ask if I could kiss him, Hearth signed, Can I kiss you? Please?
My jaw dropped a little bit. Damn, he was bold.
I liked it.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Suddenly his mouth was on mine and we were kissing, kissing like I’d never kissed anyone before. Kissing Hearth was like nothing I’d ever imagined… it was more perfect than my own imagination could conjure up.
I clasped my hands behind his neck and pulled him down and closer, grinning a little bit into it. Gods, he tasted good.
I wanted to kiss him forever, but my lungs weren’t really big enough to hold a kiss for this long, so I drew back reluctantly.
Hearth gazed at me, then pressed a hand on my chest, his fingers forming the sign for I love you. I beamed at him and pressed the sign into his chest. Hearthstone was too perfect.
“we can continue this later,” I murmured. “Right now, we have to move a few things into the shop.”
Hearthstone nodded, and pulled his hand back from my chest. He grinned at me and kissed my forehead before turning on his heel and leaving.
I was frozen in place. He—UGH. He was too sweet. I quickly hurried after him with a smile on my face. I couldn’t wait to be with him.
End.