Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

STEVE

A human friend. I made a human friend on my first day Fyrifírar.

The Fyrifírar orkin could not be more different than the Vátrfírar. Agnarr and Piper welcomed us with open arms and already offered to let us stay the season. And now with Billie's Bar, I would have a chance to contribute during my stay.

I didn't have any questions. My mind was made up. I was staying. I found Billie fascinating—no mesmerizing. And the idea of seeing if I might fit into a different tribe was too difficult to say no to. I chewed on my lip, thinking about what my tribemates would say. Reykr would stay whether or not he wanted to because he wouldn't leave me. Tyr and Berit could make it back together if they wanted to leave. Considering I was still suspicious of their reasons for coming, it might be better if they didn't stay. I had a feeling they only joined to get a look at the human females. If they left, at least they could report back to the tribe that the other tribes or wild animals didn't kill us.

I headed to my room and let my mind wander back to Billie. She was unlike anyone I ever met. She was so candid and open it made it easy for me to talk to her. I'd told her more about my fears and hopes than I'd ever told anyone, and I just met her. There was zero judgment in her questions, just curiosity. I wanted to know more about her. For the longest time, I thought it would be getting out and seeing what was beyond my village. But what about after that? I didn't have any answers. Billie made me think beyond just gaining my freedom.

And then there was Billie herself. I had now met exactly three human women: my mom, Piper, and Billie. Billie didn't look like any of the other women. For one, she was even shorter than all of them. Her curly brown hair was a wild mane that gave off the impression of someone who wasn't to be tamed. Though she was tiny, she had a curvy figure. In the brief moment I inadvertently glanced at her chest, I wondered what it would be like to cup each of her breasts in my hands. Her tapered waist flared out to generous thighs, and I found myself thinking about what her backside would look like, pondering if her skin was as soft as it looked.

I shook my head, trying to get a hold of my thoughts. I had never considered anyone romantically—male or female. I felt almost guilty for thinking about her like that. I had been stuffed into the role of baby brother for so long, that sex, of any variety was off the table. Many orkin had stepped in to help raise me after my mom's death. Obviously I'd never been interested in any of them; that would have been weird. Instead, I had a bunch of loving uncles, aunts, and older mentor figures, not unlike siblings. There wasn't room for romance in any of those relationships. And there weren't many females in my tribe that came of age at the same time as me. Billie was the first female I'd met who hadn't patted me on the head like a child.

I opened the door to mine and Reykr's shared room to find him already dressed. He looked at me quizzically.

"Why are you all wet?" he asked.

"It's a long story involving a bucket," I said surly. "I don't want to get into it. Do we have anything I can change into?" My encounter with Billie was wild, strange, and wonderful, and I wanted to keep to myself a little longer.

"Odin brought us some fresh clothes—they are closer to our sizes this time. He's a sweet orkling, but once you get him talking, he doesn't stop. His mom, Torah, oversees laundry," he explained, indicating a pile of fresh clothes on my bed.

I quickly changed. "Alright, let's get going," I said, grabbing my cloak.

There was a crowd at the doors to the longhouse. It wasn't until I looked to the head of the crowd that I noticed Brandr holding the doors open for everyone to stream inside. He gave us a friendly nod and then tilted his head toward a table at the front of the longhouse, where Piper and Agnarr were already seated. Tyr and Berit were already seated with them. And directly to the left of Piper, I was surprised to see Billie—deep in conversation with Piper. I blanched instantly. Was she already asking Piper if we could all stay? Was she telling Piper I accidentally got her stuck in a bucket? That I thought humans could mindread?

I followed Reykr to the table, where Reykr sat across from Piper, leaving me to sit across from Billie. Billie and Piper halted their conversation.

"Steve!" Piper exclaimed. "Billie was just telling me about how you ran into her at the bar."

I looked to Billie and she gave me an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Ah, okay, she hadn't told Piper everything about the meeting yet. I returned my attention to Piper.

"Yes, while my tribemates took the afternoon to nap, I decided to explore a little. I hope that's alright?"

"Of course, of course. We trust you." She waved me off as if my concerns were unnecessary. "Billie was saying you might want to stay the season?"

At this question, Tyr, Berit, and Reykr's eyes all swiveled to me at once. I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. Billie probably didn't realize I hadn't discussed the idea of staying with them. I hadn't because it wasn't a discussion I wanted to have, but my mind was made up and I wasn't going to let them unmake it for me—as it had been so many times in the past. The silence stretched on, with more eyes on me, Agnarr's now included.

I cleared my throat again. "I did tell Billie I might like to stay the season, if you'll have me. I could help Billie get the bar up and running and do other work around the tribe to earn my keep. I hadn't gotten a chance to discuss this with the rest of my tribemates, but I plan to stay."

Rekyr looked unphased, sipping his drink as if he'd expected this all along. Berit and Tyr immediately put their heads together in whispered conversation. Billie, Piper, and Agnarr all looked thrilled.

"Well, I think we are all eager to get Billie's Bar open," Piper said with a laugh, emphasizing the name, as Billie cringed. "I think it would be lovely if you stayed to help, Steve. She hasn't been as accepting of help from others, so she must see some promise in you."

I blushed, unsure of how to take the compliment. But I was pleased to be welcomed.

Reykr crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a shrewd look. "You know I'll stay if you stay. I might even be able to help out with the bar if Billie will have me." He glanced at Billie.

Billie assessed him, taking in his giant frame."I think we might find some use for you," she replied flippantly. "What of the rest of your compatriots?"

Tyr and Berit paused their whispering, both their forks held aloft when they realized we were waiting for a response. They nodded to each other before nodding to us.

"We'll stay," Tyr said. "We can also help with the bar or do other work around the tribe. It is better than sitting around Snaerfírar waiting for the snow to thaw."

Agnarr's brows rose. "Should I be worried that the four of you seem so eager to stay away from home for more than a season?"

I had the same questions in my head about Tyr and Berit. I couldn't help but wonder if the much larger female representation in Fyrfire made up their minds. I decided to keep my concerns to myself for the time being.

"No, no," I assured him. "Lodin knows we are trying to build relationships. He will likely assume we have either been eaten by skogkatts or made headway with one of the tribes."

"Well, then consider it official. You are welcome to stay with our tribe for the season and make yourselves useful however you see fit."

"Thank you, Jarl Agnarr," Reykr rumbled next to me.

Agnarr waved his hand dismissively. "Please, just Agnarr. Now, let's eat. I am sure your fare on the road left much to be desired."

We all helped ourselves to the piles of different dishes on the table, and I enthusiastically attacked my food. I was still hungry from trying to eat on the road. I tried a bit of everything and found their cooking to be just as good, if not better, than the cooks of Snaerfírar. They had three different types of meat pies that I had to stop myself from shuffling into my mouth. As I got my fill and slowed down, I looked up and saw Billie looking at me thoughtfully. I cocked my head to the side with a silent question. Why didn't she tell Piper about the bucket and our conversation? Billie just winked at me. She whispered something in Piper's ear that made her smile, and she stood up.

"I'm heading to bed, all," Billie said. "After working all morning in the kitchen and then all afternoon in the bar, I am exhausted."

I'd already cleared my plate and made my mind up quickly. "Let me walk you back to your room?" I asked.

She looked at me with brows raised before giving Piper a quick look. Piper shrugged. Whatever language they were speaking, I wasn't privy to it.

"Sure," she said casually, "that would be nice."

I stood and followed her out of the longhouse. Once I caught up with her I had to slow my pace because her legs were much shorter than mine. Walking next to each other, our height difference was even more apparent. Her head barely reached the middle of my chest. It also made it very easy for me to see down the top of her tunic. I couldn't help but notice her breasts were significantly larger than any of the other females I'd seen. They looked so… soft. I quickly averted my eyes when I realized this was the second time I'd ogled her in one day.

"So you're staying," she said. It wasn't a question.

"I am. Are you okay with that? I know we discussed it as a possibility, but I made it official with Agnarr without further conversation. I just volunteered to be your assistant until you finished the bar. That's a lot of time with me, isn't it?" It came out as a question laced with uncertainty.

"I am happy to have your help. And you need someone to help you work through all of this." She paused. "But you shouldn't rely only on me. You should talk to Agnarr and Brandr, too, and be more honest with Reykr. He'll want to know how much you're struggling with figuring out your place without your parents if he's a real friend. I am always willing to listen, but I don't want to be your sole source of advice."

"You're right. I think having new perspectives might help me figure out what I am looking for…"

We must've reached Billie's door, because she stopped walking. I just stood there, not sure what to do next. We stared into each other's eyes for a beat.

"You don't have a lot of experience with females, do you?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

"No. No, I don't." I stuffed my hands in my pants pockets. "I wasn't interested in any of the orkin from my tribe. None of them were born around the same time as me."

"So you've never been interested in… anyone?" she looked surprised.

"Nope. Well, unless my hand counts," I said before I stopped to think better of it.

"Steve!" she gasped, clutching her chest.

I was mortified but realized she was laughing. I'd made Billie laugh again. I couldn't help it, but I started laughing too. We both kept laughing until she paused to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"Well, Steve, at the very least, I can teach you a little more about females." She said, cocking a brow.

"I—I—that sounds good," I stammered.

She turned and opened her door. "Goodnight, Steve."

"Goodnight, Billie."