Lokasenna

One

Another huff spilled from her lips as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, eyes wandering through the empty street. She had been waiting for what felt like an hour, hands running up and down her naked arms, trying to warm herself up. No longer was the sun dancing on the blue sky, no longer were the white clouds guided by the soft summer breeze. The moon was hiding behind a thick, dark curtain as (y/n) kept on waiting for him to arrive.

Each sound that hallowed through the street left her trembling, her uniform did little to protect her from the dark night, from the silent whispers that snaked itself around her body. Her shift had ended a while ago, forcing her to sit patiently, till her father would finally pick her up with his old truck that rattled through the town.

No longer did she carry any cigarettes in her pocket, all smoked away as the day was dragging on, as one customer after another entered the small diner, not sparing the young woman any attention, greedy to stuff their bellies and throats. How she hated the small town she couldn't seem to run from, chaining her to her father's house, forcing her to take care of him.

She sunk down on the cold step that led up to the diner, sneakers that once had been white impatiently tapping against the ground, building up an unsteady beat. Her eyes flickered down to the watch on her right wrist, watching the hands move, way too slow for (y/n)'s liking.

Whenever a car would turn into the street she would rise from the step, matching her breath to the familiar sounds, only for her heart to sink as the car drove by. Had he forgotten about her? His only daughter, the one that cooked his meals and cleaned his house?

Her father had always been ungrateful, finding his joy in filled bottles of Whisky and bars that smelled like cigarettes and old times that no longer were. (Y/n) could barely remember her mother, the one that had left her behind as she found another man to turn to, no longer caring about the crying toddler that needed its mother.

"(Y/n)?" The call of her name ripped her out of her thoughts, shivering body turning towards the man that neared her, smiling as she noticed the dark, shiny shoes, the black trousers and shirt, perfectly matching his dark hair. Preacher Laufeyson waved at her, the golden cross around his neck swaying from one side to another as he carried himself closer, wondering what she was doing out on the streets that late at night.

Excitement simmered deep inside of her, heart jumping, hands sweating, even though the cold seemed to burn itself into her body. Preacher Laufeyson had always held a special place in her heart, the man that smiled at her as if she was the sun burning in the sky, the man that listened to the worries her mind couldn't carry, the man she would turn to as her small world would fall apart.

Like a friend he had known for years he pulled (y/n) into his arms, instantly warming her up. Without saying a single word he shrugged off his black coat, placing it on her shoulders. The scent of his cologne wrapped itself around her, a scent she'd always pick up in a crowd, a scent that reminded her of a time where her heart didn't feel as heavy.

"What are you doing out here?" He kept on rubbing her arms, not stepping away from her. (Y/n) clung to him like he was the only source of heat earth could offer.

"I was waiting for my father to pick me up, it seems like he forgot about it." The heavy sigh that spilled from her lips tugged on his soul, arms tightening their grip on her frame. Her head comfortably rested on his chest, pressed against the cross that seemed to heat up from the contact with her cheek.

"Let me drive you home." Preacher Laufeyson guided her to his car, the black oldtimer she couldn't help but admire, wondering if the seats were as comfortably as she would imagine whenever her mind would begin to wander. (Y/n) couldn't help but wonder what he had been up to, the preacher wasn't one to roam around, at least she had barely seen him outside of his church, the only halls he would call his home.