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I hummed softly to myself as I walked down the stairs. It was Valentine’s Day, and I, of course, did not have a date.
It’s not like I didn’t want one. It would’ve been quite nice. I had been hoping very idiotically that a certain someone would ask me out, but… nope.
As I reached the main floor of The Chase Space, I smiled as I watched the kids run around. Most of them were hanging out, playing games, laughing, and talking. Oh, to be young.
My attention shifted to Alex and Magnus, who were bickering, as usual. I caught something about pancakes being burned and Magnus being an idiot.
Then I caught Hearthstone’s eye across the room. He smiled and waved me over, and I grinned and made my way to him.
“Valentine’s Day is pretty overrated, huh?” I said when I reached him.
he shrugged. It’s not celebrated in Alfheim.
“Ah,” I said, face flushing. I was an idiot.
Hearth grinned at me. He’d been showing way more emotion lately, which made me glad. It meant he was opening up, feeling more comfortable around us. His new family.
Magnus needs us to go out and get groceries.
I nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
We went into the foyer and stepped outside, greeted by the the cold, dreary February Boston weather. The clouds were gathering together, forming a dark sky. It was probably going to rain soon.
Hearthstone and I hurried to the nearest grocery store, eager to get back before it began to pour.
We strolled around the store for a bit, picking up things we needed, and then we reached the aisle with pancake mix, which we’d decided to grab since that would give Magnus a do-over.
I tried to reach it and failed miserably. It was far too high up and I was way too short.
Hearthstone snickered. Having trouble?
”Shush,” I grumbled.
Hearth laughed quietly and got the mix down easily. I huffed and he laughed again.
We went to the cash register, arguing about my height and whether or not he could make fun of it.
The clerk seemed bored and majorly pissed off that he had to be working, but he got us through quickly.
And, of course, when we got outside, it was pouring.
”Shit,” I murmured. “We need a car.”
We don’t have enough money for that.
”I know,” I sighed.
We will soon, though. The store will help.
”It isn’t popular, though.”
I will be, Hearthstone assured me. Everyone loves your designs.
i must’ve looked pretty skeptical, because he added, But i like it more than anyone.
I felt myself blush. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks.”
Anytime.
We started making our way to the Chase Space, when Hearth stopped.
i turned and asked, “you okay?”
He nodded, but he looked unsure.
i stepped towards him. “Hey,” i said gently. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
He nodded. I’m fine.
I gave him a look. “Hearthstone. I’m your best friend. I know when something’s up with you.”
Blitz, I’m fine.
”Hearth, you’re not.”
Hearth stared at me. I stared back. His eyes were beautiful. A deep, perfect pale gray with a beautiful silver in the middle. They were cold but warm.
He also looked miserable.
I just… wish the person I’m in love with loves me back, okay?
The dreary rain was beginning to match my mood. He was obviously talking about Inge.
”She does love you back, you know,” I mumbled. I may have been deeply, deeply in love with Hearthstone, but I was also his best friend. My job was to make him feel better.
He tilted his head at me. Who?
”Inge.”
I wasn’t talking about Inge.
I scrunched my eyebrows together. “Who are you talking about, then?”
Hearth shook his head. It’s not important.
I crossed my arms. “It clearly is.”
Blitz, you just wouldn’t get it. It’s not like you’re hopelessly pining over someone constantly.
I crossed my arms. “Maybe I am.”
We both stared at each other for another bit. We were doing an awful lot of that in this conversation.
The rain was beginning to soak through my overcoat, clinging to my pink button-up shirt. It was freezing.
Fine, then who are you in love with?
I don’t feel like sharing, I signed.
He gave me a look. Touché.
I laughed at that. “You’re hilarious.”
Hearth grinned at me. I know.
I whapped him with my hand gently. “Now you sound stuck-up.”
Sound? Hearthstone joked.
And suddenly I was clutching my stomach from laughter, trying not to pee my pants. This is what Hearth could do to me with a simple joke.
Hearthstone reached over and wrapped me into his arms. I grinned and nuzzled my face into his chest, still chucking a little bit. He pressed his cheek onto the crown of my curls.
I sighed a little bit, both happily and sadly. I loved hugging Hearth. A lot more than I should’ve. But it hurt knowing it was just platonic.
I drew back. “Come on, we’ve got to go. We’re soaking wet.” I started walking away, but Hearth grabbed my hand and spun me around. He pulled me up and kissed me.
The rain poured down, freezing and quick and very very wet. But I didn’t care. Hearthstone was kissing me. Kissing me. And it was on purpose.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. I tilted my head down to kiss him deeper, and eventually, reluctantly pulled away.
I beamed up at him and fell into his chest, grinning. His scent was welcoming — pine and woodsmoke.
I pulled back from him for the third time and held up my hand, curling my middle and ring finger into my palm, leaving my pointer, pinkie, and thumb outstretched.
I love you.
Hearth signed it back.
I wanted to kiss him again. I wanted to cuddle with him. I wanted to wake up to his beautiful, snoozing face every morning.
And that, dear reader, is why we dropped the now-sopping wet groceries at the Chase Space, made our way to Blitzen’s Best, and made out for a long while. When we decided to stop and eat dinner, we were both shirtless and may or may not have been covered in hickies.