“Hey you, wake up.”

Frey stirred, frowning as the oddly feminine and sexy voice spoke to him, rudely interrupting his beauty sleep.

“Come on Frey, wake up.”

Rolling his back towards the stranger and facing away from her, he grumbled loudly in a baritone voice.

“No.”

Sounding like a petulant child. The girl sighed, then seemed to shuffle, clothes dragging against clothes as she did, something. Frey didn’t know what, though he noticed the stranger wasn’t talking no more, and smiled a little, happy in returning to sleep-

“AAAAA”

He screamed in surprise as something unbearable cold flowed down his neck and down his spine, then down into his buttcrack. The sudden cold-shock made him jump up and slam his head back into the metal dumpster, eliciting a loud “gong” sound that silenced Frey as he groaned painfully, holding his head hurtfully.

Suddenly, a wishfully wonderful sound escaped out from beside and above him. A laugh, a girlish laugh that set a fire ablaze in Frey’s heart. A fire of angry passion as he turned to look up at said assailant.

“You piece of-“

Then he saw her, Sara, and zipped his mouth close real quick, staring up at her as she laughed loudly. He let her, keeping silent as he gently caressed the top of his head. Sara tried to stop laughing, but laughed harder as she looked down at him.

Frey’s frown turned to a smile as he stared at her, and she slowly calmed, wiping away at a tear in her eye. Eventually, she stopped completely with a long breath and quirked an eyebrow down at Frey with a small smile on her face, saying.

“Good morning Frey. You look like shit.”

“Good morning angel, you look just as lovely as the day I lost you.”

“And you smell like shit.”

“And you smell like- well, I can’t really tell. I only smell rotting eggs. But if I could! You’d probably smell like flowers and daffodils”

Sara smiled wider in response, looking Frey up and down. Her smile fading slightly, a pained expression crossing her face for but a moment. Frey squirming as he lay, raising his hand as he used it to shoo her away.

“Hey, I know I’m sexy, but you don’t have to stare.”

Snorting quickly, Sara responded even quicker.

“Sexy? You look anything but sexy right now.”

“Hot?”

“No, I mean, you look very unattractive… and stupid.”

“I can’t look stupid! That’s not even possible.”

“Yet somehow, you do.”

“Well, you know what they say, if you be packing, you be slacking… in the- brains department. Right?”

Sara smirked, muttering something intangible. Her eyes going down to look at his, junk, which Frey quickly hid behind a hand as her eyes told him she wasn’t very impressed. Before he could say anything in defence, though, Sara leaned forward a little and reached her hand out.

“Here.”

She said, hand in front of his face, blinking stupidly as he stared at said, offered hand. Looking from it to Sara, he hesitated. But only for a moment, reaching for the hand and grabbing it firmly, getting pulled up with surprising strength. Up on his feet, he bounced twice before stretching his neck and his back, complaining loudly.

“Aaaagh, sleeping on the ground never gets easy.”

“But you’ve only been here for a day?”

“Yeah, I know.”

Frey quickly responded, but didn’t elaborate. Sara simply raised an eyebrow but didn’t question. Instead, she took a step back and placed her hand on her sides, looking Frey up and down again, though frowning slightly. Frey smiled in response, pushing out his chest.

“Babe, if you wanna see this piece of meat that bad, just say so.”

Instead of answering, she ignored and stared at him in the eyes. An intense stare that Frey could do not but back down from meekly, chest fading as he shyly looked down on the ground.

“Hey, Frey, you ok?”

Sara suddenly asked, and Frey looked up with confusion painted on his face.

“What? Of course? Do I look like a pussy to you or something? I could sleep on spikes if I had to.”

“That’s not what I-“

She started, but was interrupted as Frey’s stomach suddenly screamed out in defiance, screaming for food. Both Frey and Sara looked down in surprise. Frey first to break the weird trance they stumbled upon as he looked up at Sara.

“Oh boy, I’m hungry. You got any money I can borrow?”

She looked up from his stomach, slightly opened mouth as she gawked at him. But only for a moment, as her face transformed into one of thinking, and or maybe non-caring. She didn’t respond to Frey’s question, not immediately, but the way she seemed to dwell meant, to Frey at least, that she was probably weighing if she should or not.

“You know, Frey, you really are something. Something special.”

Immediately, a radiating smile came up on Frey’s face as he took a step closer to Sara.

“Yeah right?!”

“The same day I throw you out for lying to me, I hear rumours of a newbie stumbling around town begging every, single, shop for food.”

“Well, what can I say? A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

“-And then, after having been rejected from entering the top dog, for the second time, I might add, the newbie goes to fight the boss AGAIN after knowing how dangerous it is.”

“Yes yes, I know, I’m... Wait, how do you know that?”

“-And after miraculously surviving, said boss, I find this newbie sleeping by my shop’s dumpster after having been explicitly told to not come back.”

Swallowing down a clump of saliva, Frey hesitantly answered.

“Uhm, sorry not sorry? I can’t help myself, you’re just too damn sexy-“

“Frey, you really are special.”

“Oh! Oh Gosh, you think so? I think so too.”

“You’re especially fucking stupid! Holy shit Frey, I’ve never met or heard of anyone doing so much stupid shit, ON THEIR FIRST DAY!”

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Frey took a step back from the sudden hostility in Sara’s voice, having risen in volume as she stared at him, her face turning a slight hue of red. He raised a finger to answer, but Sara quickly narrowed her eyes, and Frey zipped his mouth.

She continued her intense stare, then closed her eyes and sighed deeply, rubbing at the temple of her nose while her head fell down in defeat. Frey standing still, looking like a child just scolded by their mother, awkwardly shuffling with his feet.

“Say, Frey. What would you say if I helped you? I mean, helped you get up on your own two feet-“

“HELP ME?! You really are an angel! Oh baby, I knew you loved me. My charms are just too shining to be denied.”

“No, I don’t love you. I just can’t stand a bum dirtying my perfectly nice dumpster with his stink.”

Sara replied quickly with a serious face. Frey taking a step forward in response as he swung his arms out, gesturing for a hug that would never come, as Sara pushed out with her leg, pushing Frey back gently, yet hard. Doing so awfully quickly, and weirdly, dexterous. Before he could think more of it, he slumped down and said.

“But my queen, why will you not let me express my love for you?”

“You still smell like shit, and I you did not let me finish with what I was saying.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, my queen, please continue, anything for you, my queen.”

Frey said eloquently, bowing deeply. As he came up again, he noticed Sara going from one expression, too serious.

“Anyway, I’ll help you. But only with a place to sleep and a decent bath. I’ve got a spare bedroom, so don’t get any… stupid ideas.”

Taking a step back in mock-outrage, Frey opened his mouth wide in response.

“How dare you! You think me, a scoundrel?”

“Yeah, but I’m not worried about me, but for you.”

“I would never, my queen.”

“Sure sure. Now, do you want my help or not?”

“OF COURSE! How could I say no?”

“Good, but I have some rules, house rules.”

“I’ll follow any rules, my queen. I’ll even grovel at your feet if you ask.”

“Very good, because you’ll have to man the counter twenty-four seven with no brakes or time for sleep. And I won’t pay you, nor will I give you food, so you’ll have to fit in runs for food by the well-wisher in between customers.”

Sara said quickly, very quickly, looking skywards as she started counting out tasks on her fingers, then going silent as she pushed a hand to her cheek, going thoughtful as she seemed to search for anything she’d missed. Frey himself staring slack-jawed, blinking and searching, not knowing for what. Eventually, she seemed to catch herself with something as she said.

“Oh, and you’re not allowed to sexually harass me anymore, nor make any sexual remarks in any way-”

“Naaaw come ooon! I know you like it!”

“-Or I’ll have to call the police.”

“THE POLICE?! What the fuck, why would there even be police here?”

Frey practically screamed in outrage, Sara smiling at his disbelief.

“Well, of course, how else do you think we’d stop petty crime and the more, serious things?”

“But the- police- cocks?”

He said in even more disbelief, staring at Sara, then at her shop and back. Sara herself looking very serious, albeit slightly amused at his disbelief. Amusement that seemed to shine brighter and brighter until she took her own step forward, in reach with her arm as she punched out and hit him, quite harshly, on the shoulder. Frey took a step back and grasped the slightly hurting shoulder, staring at Sara in ever-growing disbelief as she said.

“I’m just pulling your leg, silly. Don’t look so terrified.”

Frey breathed out, knees feeling like jell-o as he laughed a little awkwardly, gesturing with one finger in front of Sara. Sara smiled, then looked very serious again.

“I still have house rules, though. For one, you will NOT be lying to me, again, ever. Or I’ll personally make sure that no one, I mean no one, in this city will do business with you. And if that happens, you will wish that this dumpster was available to you. Is that clear?”

Standing back up straight, Frey nodded vigorously as he showed teeth with his big smile and shouted out.

“Yes sir!”

Sara shaking her head as she continued.

“Good, then let’s get you cleaned up.”

“I’ll let you clean me up any day, baby.”

“And another rule. If you ever touch me, I’ll actually kick your balls in so far up your stomach that you’ll be hemorrhaging them later the same night.”

“Oof, you really know the way to a man’s heart… by their balls.”

He said with a mischievous smile, getting a dismayed shake of the head in response as Sara started walking, and Frey quickly following. He took a step beside her as he turned to look, seeing her look back with a raised brow, not looking amused, making Frey even more amused.

”Naaw, is my baby a little butt-hurt?”

Sara quickly looked away from Frey, somehow looking even less amused, and Frey beamed an even brighter smile. Then focused forward on walking, whistling at the sing-song tune he still did not remember.

Quirking at the sound, Sara turned back towards Frey and asked.

“What’s the song?”

“I’ve got no idea.”

Frey quickly responded with a smile, going back to whistling as he walked with wide steps and swinging arms. Sara’s eyes widened slightly, turning back to look forward.

“It’s, nice.”

“Right? I’m awesome, aren’t I? Music is awesome too, always brings me to ease.”

“I wasn’t talking bout that, but sure, music is nice.”

“Hey, that doesn’t sound very convincing. I’ll not have music’s name besmirch by your foul mouth.”

“I didn’t say that. I just didn’t want to agree with you. It leaves a stinky taste in my mouth, even after considering how bad you smell.”

“I’ll smell even worse after I wipe that foul mouth of yours from saying bad things about music!”

Sara looked at Frey with an stupefied expression, taking a second to respond as she seemed too, search his face for something. Eventually, she seemed to give in.

“Frey, you really are retarded. You’ve seen my guitar. Do you really think I wouldn’t like music when I own a guitar?”

Blinking, Frey stared in slight disbelief at Sara.

“Ooooooh, riiiiight. Yeah, that makes sense. I’d have to break-up with you if you actually disliked music.”

Breathing out in dismay and shaking her head, Sara walked up the few stairs towards her shop and opened the door. The tinkling of a bell rang out, and Frey followed quickly after, basking in the slight warmth of the room and its wonderful smell. Something he immediately regretted doing as he got a whiff of his own stench.

“Shit, I really smell like shit.”

“The first smart thing you’ve said all day. But follow me, I’ll show you to the bath.”

Frey obeyed and walked around the counter towards the door behind it. Sara walked first and disappeared behind the wailed doorway. Ducking slightly to fit, he looked up in surprise. Finding the backroom deviously large, exposing a stairway and two doorways just in front of said stairway. Looking around, he spotted vases with plants, modern looking lights and a décor that bordered on far too white.

Sara’s head then suddenly peeked out from the rightmost doorway, and Frey squeeked by the surprise. Sara’s mouth quirked upwards, yet remained neutral, then gestured for him to follow.

Nodding, he walked behind and into the room, realizing it to be a bathroom. A large bathroom that bordered on a small sized apartment of its own. Gawking at the impossibly enormous bathroom, he wondered how it could be, then saw it. He immediately darted forward and passed Sara, whom shrugged back in response. As Frey came close enough, he dove and practically smacked his cheek down on the toilet’s rim. Then, whilst pushing his cheek down on said toilet, he looked up at Sara and asked.

“Is this a bide? Can I shit in this bide? I’ve always wanted to shit on a bide. My god it even feels warm. What the fuck.”

Taking a second to take in the sight, Sara tried and failed to collect herself, quickly shaking her head and saying something under her breath before she spoke out louder.

“Help yourself.”

“YES! You’re the fucking bomb!”

Frey shouted in childish glee, turning back to the bide as he started softly whispering to it, stroking its sides gently.

“Well, you still need to take a bath, so leave your clothes by the door and I’ll get you a fresh pair when you’re done.”

Turning away from the bide, Frey craned his neck to look up at Sara, though still holding firmly around the bide.

“Fresh pair?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want you walking around in ruined and disgusting clothing around my house.”

“No, no I get that... But you never said you’d help me with new clothes.”

“Well, obviously, I’ll get you some new clothes. What, you think I want to see you naked?... No wait, don’t even give me an answer… and stop smiling.”

Frey didn’t, but continued staring up at Sara. Eyes wavering slightly as he seemed puzzled. Sara cleared her throat and moved towards the door.

“Well, if you need anything, I’ll be by the counter of the shop, so don’t feel shy to ask- or I mean.. Don’t ask for too much, and be a little shy at least.”

Frey didn’t move or acknowledge what Sara said, simply continuing to hold his smile. Though his eyes, they didn’t look too confident. Sara didn’t see it though as she quickly shuffled towards the door, grabbing it and closing it to give Frey some privacy. But stopped just before closing as Frey shouted out.

“Sara!”

Leaning her head in and quirking up an eyebrow.

“Yeah?”

Frey opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, looked down on the ground and seemed, puzzled for words. Still clinging to the side of the bide as he sat, silent.

Patiently, Sara waited.

And eventually, Frey looked back up and said.

“You got a nice ass.”

“Yeah yeah, hope you enjoy the bath.”

And closed the door, leaving Frey alone in the enormous bathroom. He stayed still for a moment, staring at the closed door as his smile slowly faded. Then quickly reignited as he stood up, sitting down, and relaxing into the exquisitely hot bide seating.

As he finished, he reached down with a slightly trembling hand, and pressed the wondrous bide button. Immediately squeaking loudly as the whiplash of water splurted into his posterior. Letting it do its thing, he found that bides probably weren’t his thing. They felt kinda gay.

Next, after having thoroughly wiped his ass, de-clothed and piled them up in front of the door, he moved towards the enormous bathtub. A bathtub looking more like a jacuzzi than a bath. Sitting down, he realized that it probably was, for the buttons to start the water seemed impossible to find.

But after several minutes of searching, he found what he was looking for, and waited for the bath to quickly fill up. And as it did, he reveled in its warmth, breathing out calmly in a sigh of deep, deep relaxation.

And for the first time, after a very long time, relaxed completely. Simply enjoying the moment.