"What's his name?" You ask the man sitting next to you, his brown dog tucked under the bench, his fluffy head resting on the man's feet.
"Pardon?" The blond man turns his head from his phone, his brow casting a shadow over his eyes.
"His name, your dog." You clarify with a simple smile. "He's really cute."
"His name is Freki, F-r-e-k-i, like..." He stops when you interrupt him with a knowing nod.
"As in Odin's wolf?"
His face lights up, shocked and pleased that you had got the reference. Nodding eagerly, he shifts and gently calls the dog out from his hiding spot. "Yeah, exactly like Odin's wolf. My brother named him." He stuck out his hand. "I'm Hvitserk, by the way."
Shaking Hvitserk's hand, you introduce yourself, and give Freki a gentle scratch behind his ear. Yawning with a small dog yelp, he lazily flops back at Hvitserk's feet waiting for his owner.
"I haven't seen you around, much, are you new here?" You inquire. You would have noticed a dog as cute as Freki, or an owner as handsome as Hvitserk.
Securing a loose strand of hair behind his ear, Hvitserk smiles and nods. He is obviously a little shy and your ambush of questions were making that more obvious.
"We just moved here a few weeks ago." He clarifies for you, adjusting his pony tail.
"We?" you parrot hoping he means himself and Freki. Although you wouldn't be entirely surprised if he had a girlfriend.
"Yep, just me and my boy here." Hvitserk leans over to run his hand over Freki's back. The dog sighs and rapidly stomps his foot, enjoying the brief scratch. "We're still trying to navigate our way around."
"Well, if you need any help," You bite your bottom lip before continuing. "I've lived here my entire life and I'm a fantastic tour guide."
"I'll keep that in mind. Right now outside of work and Freki, I don't see too many people. I'm kind of the new kid loser." Hvitserk jokes easily.
You highly doubt he is any kind of loser. His green eyes are soft and his smile is almost...as cheesy as it sounds...breath taking. You've never been so bold with a stranger before, but something about Hvitserk makes the braver side in you stir.
"Well, I would be honoured to show you boys around. Any time." You make an offer and hope he can't refuse. "Do you have any plans on Saturday?"
Hvitserk squints against the bright day, trying to think of his Saturday schedule. Even if there is something, he can cancel it. Shaking his head, he tells you that the day is wide open.
"Good, meet me here at 10AM, I'm going to show you around. By the time we're done, you will be as savvy as any local." You boast.
"Saturday it is." Hvitserk leans over. "I don't suppose you have plans?" He asked Freki who looks at him, licking his owner's nose and flopping back over. "He's in."
"Even better!" You exclaim, excited for the next few days to pass. Your weekend just got far more interesting.
Showing Hvitserk and Freki around would be way better than sitting home alone, watching reruns of shows you hate anyway. You would never admit that sad detail to anyone, especially not Hvitserk, can't having him thinking you are some lame loser.
"I'll see you Saturday, then?" Hvitserk asked shifting around on the bench. "Here."
"Of course, rain or shine." You reply happily. "And make sure you and Freki bring an appetite, I know this great bakery with the best cookies."
YOU ARE READING
A Collection of Odds & Ends
FanficI have some random one shots coming about, a bit of this and a little of that. Instead of posting them on their own, I have decided to keep them in a collection here. Have a look, maybe I have something here for you?
