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middleearthpixie · 1 year

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Seven Days, ~ Chapter Seventeen

Seven Days - Modern Tolkien AU

Firefighter Frerin Durin died in a fire set deliberately. But after he helps his brother, Thorin find happiness, Frerin is offered a second chance. He has to prove himself worthy by righting the one major wrong in his life. Otherwise, history will repeat and he will die for good this time. The catch? He has seven days in which to do this and isn’t even certain what his major wrong is.

At least, he doesn’t know for long.

Syd Prescott has known Frerin since high school. She spent one night with him and then he vanished from her life. Now, he claims he wants to make it up to her, to right was he realizes was his major wrong. But can she trust him? And can he prove to her that she can before it’s too late?

A/N - I wanted to thank those of you who've reached out to me regarding my husband's dad. Your kind words were very welcome and I thank you for keeping my family in your thoughts. I especially wanted to thank @laurfilijames and @fizzyxcustard who checked in on me throughout the past week, as it meant so much to me that you took the time to let me know you were there, despite having lives of your own. 🙂 You guys are the best and I 💜 you!

This story is the sequel to Miss Fortune, but is a stand alone story.

Summary: Thorin’s dream becomes Frerin’s reality…

Pairing: Modern!Frerin x OFC Syd Prescott

Characters: Frerin, Syd, Tori, Tony DiBenedetto, Steve Wheeler

Warnings: Character death

Rating: T

Word Count: 3,045

Tag List: @tschrist1 @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here.

Frerin couldn’t remember the last time he felt so… shitty, for lack of a better word. He climbed into his Jeep after leaving Sal’s Liquors and figured he’d just drink himself into a stupor tonight and hopefully when the end came, he wouldn’t even be aware of it.

“T’s right. I’m a fucking coward,” he muttered, glancing at the passenger seat, where a one-point-seven-five liter bottle of Jack Daniels stood in its innocuous brown paper bag. But, Syd had made it clear, she didn't want to talk to him.

At least, she had until…

“Motherfucker,” he growled, tugging his phone from the console to see he’d missed her call. His spirits rose as he toggled to his voicemail and her sultry voice washed over him.

“It’s me—ah, Syd, Frerin. I—uh—I’m sorry. No, that’s stupid… I mean, I am sorry, but I—give me a call when you get this, okay? I think we need to talk. So, uh, just call me. I don't care what time it is. Bye.”

His hands actually shook as he pulled up her number and hit mobile to dial. His mouth was painfully dry and for a moment, he considered cracking open the vodka to steel his nerves.

“Hey, this is Syd. I’m sorry I missed you, but leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”

“Fuck,” he muttered, and then as the beep sounded, he said, “Hey, Syd. I guess we’re playing tag and you’re it, honey. Call me back when you get this and hopefully, I’ll still be here to answer.” He winced. “Uh, yeah, that was an asshole thing to say and I’m sorry, honey. Call me, okay? We do need to talk.”

He tossed the phone onto the seat alongside the whiskey and as soon as it hit the seat, his text alert went off. He scooped the phone back up and sighed. Massive warehouse fire and all units were being recalled to combat it.

He swung out of the liquor store lot, hit the switch on his dash to active the flashing red emergency lights mounted on the Jeep’s grill, and took off in the direction of the firehouse.

He and Nico pulled in at the same time and Nico said, “So much for a day off.”

“Ah, it’s just as well.” Frerin slammed the driver’s door shut and they hurried inside. “I could use the distraction.”

They kicked off their shoes, got into their trousers, boots, coats, helmets, what have you, and within minutes, they were on the truck and tearing ass toward the western side of Cranford Falls.

Frerin tried not to think too hard about what this might mean. He’d died the first time in a fire at his house and now, that had been changed. He wasn’t home. He hadn’t hit on anyone’s sister (not that he had the first time. The sister in question was a bunker bunny who was making it her life’s goal to fuck as many Cranford Falls firefighters as possible and he wasn’t touching her with a stolen cock.) The future had been altered.

But maybe he’d die in this fire instead.

He thought about what Thorin had told him, about the dream he’d had. Ma always insisted they were descended from seers and soothsayers—both Norse and Irish. Maybe Thorin’s dream was a warning.

Maybe his life was about to be cut short.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Please, not yet. Let me talk to Syd one last time and try to make this right.

“You okay?” Nico elbowed him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just—it’s been a long week.”

“Too many late nights with the girlfriend? Wheeler said you guys popped into the house last night. I hate to tell you this, but now he’s got a hot nut for your woman.”

“Well, I hope that hot nut explodes on him. He’s not getting within fifty feet of her.”

“Nice.”

“Hey, how many alarms has this gone? Look at that fucking sky,” Brewer tapped the steering wheel, then gestured toward the windshield.

Frerin swallowed hard at the thick, black smoke billowing high into the air. Another warehouse fire. He wondered if they were dealing with a serial arsonist with a vendetta. He didn't know or care at the moment, but he was curious.

“I don't know,” Cassidy called, “but we all got the alert, so it’s got to be massive.”

They found out just how massive when they pulled into the lot and saw trucks from other municipalities arriving behind them. Brewer drew to a halt and they all leapt down, got into the rest of their gear, and Chief Pratt said, “Listen up, we’ve got three buildings engulfed already and fourth threatened. Brewer, you, Cassidy, Parker, and Wheeler take Building Two. Durin, you, Zarelli, Weaver, and McCaffrey take three. We don't know how many bodies are in there. The lot was pretty empty of cars when we got here, but we know that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Go and be safe!”

Frerin and Nico made their way to the third building, thick black smoke leaking from the around the eaves and out several open upper floor windows. Nico looked over at Weaver and McCaffrey. “You take the first floor, we’ll take the second.”

Weaver did a thumbs up and as they came through the main doors, they split up. Frerin switched on his emergency locator and said, “Watch your back, Zarelli! This is a major bitch!”

“You, too! Make sure you look behind the copiers.”

“Right!”

At the top of the stairs, the hallway split left and right. Zarelli punched him in the arm. “I’m going this way. You check down there. Careful, man. I saw cartons of fucking books downstairs. This place is a giant tinder box.”

“Yeah, I know. Book distributors. They should ship ’em in asbestos! Watch yourself.”

“Will do.”

They split up then and Frerin moved swiftly through the nearly-solid smoke. He couldn't see much more than a few feet in front of him. “Anyone here? Fire department!”

Each door he tried swung open to reveal supplies, books, a copy room, but no warm bodies. No cold ones, either, which was a relief. Still, by the time he reached the end of the corridor, he couldn't see his hand in front of his face and the heat was almost unbearable. Sweat soaked into his tee shirt, trickled down along his temples.

“Anyone here? Fire department!”

“Back here!”

He stopped dead in his tracks. He knew that voice and he knew it well.

“Syd?”

“How do you know my name?”

“Holy fuck, Syd!” He bolted toward the sound of her voice. “Where are you?”

“Back—” She began coughing—loud, hacking coughs—“h-h-here!”

Here was a conference room and he burst into the room, his heart battering his ribs as he squinted to through the smoke. “Where are you, honey? I can’t see you!”

“Down here. On the floor.”

Smart girl. He dropped to his hands and knees and crawled along the perimeter until a hand grabbed his turnout sleeve.

“Syd? Jesus Christ, honey, what are you doing here?”

“Frerin?”

“Yeah. Departments from half the county are here and my battalion got recalled. Don’t worry, honey. I’ll get you out of here, okay? Come on and hold onto me. I promise you, I won’t drop you.”

She began coughing again, grabbing him about the neck as he slid an arm about her waist and dragged her away from the wall. “Remember… what—what I said about how you calmed people?”

“Yeah.” He shifted her into his arms and got to his feet.

“You do.”

“I’ll get you out of here. Don't worry.”

“I’m not worried.” She coughed again, even harder now. Hard enough that he almost dropped her.

“Easy, Syd,” he crouched to one knee to shift her, “just relax, okay? I don’t want to go through the floor here.”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I just… I can’t breathe…”

He looked down at her. Her hair was damp at the temples, soot smudged her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. She gasped and coughed and choked and her breathing grew more and more labored. He had no idea what all was burning and what chemicals or compounds could be in the air. All he knew was she had gone from breathing to coughing to gasping to silence now. “Syd?” He gave her a shake. “Honey, hang on… come on, baby, breathe, okay?”

She sank against him, eyes closed, chest barely moving. Despite everything that he’d been taught, and all the training he’d received, he didn't hesitate to tug off his helmet and his mask, the latter he put over her face. At once, the smoke clogged his throat and choked his lungs as he tried to lift her again.

She stirred, looking up through the smoke-smudged shield. “Frerin?”

“Just breathe,” he told her, getting to his feet once more. “I’ll be fine.”

“No, you—”

“Keep—” he broke into a coughing fit as the smoke seared his lungs—“keep it on. I’ll be fine.”

He managed to find his way back out into the hallway. “Zarelli!”

Movement caught his eye, but it wasn’t Nico. “Tori? What the… wait… give me a hand!”

“I can’t, Frerin.” Tori stepped closer, her expression oddly serene, her eyes oddly flat. “Sorry.”

“Wait… What do you mean, you can’t?” He managed a few more steps, but it was becoming harder to breathe. “Just help me get to the lower level.”

“I wish I could, Frerin. But if I did that, then you’d be okay. And if you’re okay, you won’t be coming back here. And I want you back here.”

“Tori?” He fought to draw in a breath, only to have the smoke choke him further. “Are you fucking kidding me? Help me, for fuck’s sake.”

Tori just stood there, arms at her side, expression remaining serene as she shook her head. “No.”

“Frerin,” Syd lifted the mask from her face to hold out, “don’t be stupid.”

He pressed it back over her face. “Keep it on, Syd. I’ll be okay. Let’s just get you out of here.”

He managed a few more steps before the dizziness set in. He went to his knees. Then Syd spilled from his arms. He face planted into the industrial gray carpeting and glared up at Tori. “You fucking bitch…”

“You’re mine now, Frerin,” Tori whispered, crouching beside him, her lips icy as they brushed his ear, “and I won’t let you go again.”

“No…” Frerin fought to drag air into his lungs, but everything went hazy gray and then black.

Everything was quiet.

Peaceful.

Cool.

Frerin stirred, lifting his head and this time, when he inhaled, he did so without pain or fire in his lungs.

He didn't cough. Didn't gasp or splutter.

He just lay there. Staring up at the tranquil blue ceiling. From the corner of his eye, he saw the white draperies fluttering on the gentle breeze.

Tears stung his eyes as he squeezed them shut. “No… oh… please… no…” he whispered to the empty air around him. A dull, chilled dread filled him.

He knew where he was.

He’d failed.

Tori—

Anger, red-hot and swift, course through him as he flung himself up from the bed and stared in horror at the white trousers and white long sleeved shirt he wore instead of his turnout, instead of his street clothes. “Tori! Where are you?” he shouted, stalking toward the open door. “Don’t you dare hide from me! I want fucking answers, you understand?”

He stormed down the narrow, white corridor, the silence pressing in on him from all sides. No, this was not how this was supposed to end. Tori was his guide, his mentor.

His friend.

His betrayer.

I wish I could, Frerin. But if I did that, then you’d be okay. And if you’re okay, you won’t be coming back here. And I want you back here.

“Where are you!”

He felt her lips, icy as they brushed his, heard a foreign, almost silken purr in her voice as she whispered, “You’re mine now, Frerin, and I won’t let you go again.”

“Answer me, damn it!”

“Frerin?”

He stopped at the sound of the Big Guy’s voice. It rolled through him like a low bass note. His anger receded some, but not much. He wanted answers.

Tori owed him an explanation.

He wanted more time.

He needed more time.

Diane appeared then, and it was the first time he’d ever actually seen her, but he knew it was her. He just knew. She was stunning—ethereal and tranquil and blonde, the very picture of every angel he’d ever imagined. “Come, walk with me.”

“Where is Tori? She owes me an explanation. She owes me at least that.”

“I know. She is in with the Big Guy now. You are not the only one who wants an explanation, I’m sure.”

“This is it, isn’t it?” His throat tightened and his gut roiled. “I blew it and now…” He brought a hand up to his forehead to rub it. “It’s over, isn’t it?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Son of—” His knees went to sponge, but she caught him around the waist before he could hit the ground. “We were thisclose,” he held up one hand, his thumb and forefinger almost touching, “to me staying. Thisclose, and that bitch fucked me over and I hope you don't expect me to apologize, because I won’t. But, Jesus… tell me Syd at least got out.”

“She did. Come. See for yourself.”

She led him over to a stone basin perched atop a pedestal of white marble. A crystal clear liquid shimmered in the basin, but it wasn't water. Instead, it was like a peephole toward earth and he swallowed hard as he saw Syd lying on a stretcher, an oxygen mask over her face, an IV being taped into her arm. “She’s okay?”

“She will be, yes.”

“Good.” He didn't trouble to swipe at his eyes as they overflowed. He didn't care if Diane saw him cry. “That’s what matters. How did she get out?”

“Your partner found you.”

“Thank God for Zarelli.” He swallowed hard again as Nico came into view. He looked hot and sweaty and exhausted as he sank onto the bumper of the rig where Syd was being treated. He couldn't hear what Nico said, but then he saw Syd nod.

“Where—” his voice cracked. “Where am I?”

“Right there.” She trailed her fingers through the water and he appeared. He was also on a stretcher, an oxygen mask firmly in place. But his eyes were closed. Even so, Paramedic Jana frowned as she tapped at his inner arm just below his elbow and then slid an IV catheter into place.

“Wait… Why is she working on me?” He looked over at Diane. “Am I not dead? The roof didn’t cave in on me?”

“It did not and you aren’t dead. Not yet. I am not sure what happened, or why Tori was even there, but I know the Big Guy is furious with her. Again.”

“Again?”

“Walk with me.”

He sighed, but fell into step alongside her. “What’s going on? Tori’s been showing me the ropes over here. Guiding me, to a certain extent and—why are you shaking your head no? She’s not?”

“No,” Diane replied softly. “She’s not. You were guiding her, Frerin.”

“Wait,” he stopped dead in his tracks and turned toward her, “what was that?”

Diane offered up a serene smile. “You are a firefighter, Frerin. Your job, by nature, is selfless risk. Unless you are a terrible person otherwise, firefighters don't have to prove themselves when they arrive here.

“Tori was a teacher, but she was not so good a person. She did not shield her students, but died trying get around them to save herself.”

“What?” He glanced toward the Great Hall, where he could hear a soft sobbing. “Are you kidding me?”

“I am not, no. The Big Guy chose to give you the chance to return to your former life because, aside from a bit of womanizing, you were a good man on earth. You were good, but you were not happy.” She nodded toward the Great Hall. “But then you found happiness, didn't you?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, “I did. Diane, I need more time. You have to convince Him to give me just a few more hours. I fuc—screwed up with Syd but we were going to make up, get back together, whatever.”

“I know.” She nodded again. “And you would not have even been in that warehouse, if not for Tori.”

“What?”

“She orchestrated Miss Prescott to be summoned there. And she is the one who set it aflame.”

He clenched his jaw so hard, he wouldn’t have been surprised to see his teeth shatter. “Tori did this? Why?”

“She’s in love with you and wanted you for herself.”

His eyes closed as it all washed over him—Tori, her features softened by thick smoke, but oddly serene, her eyes oddly flat. “She told me that, didn't she?”

“She did.” Diane’s pale, long-fingered hand came to rest on his forearm. “Tell me true, do you love Miss Prescott?”

“I do, Diane. With everything I have to give her.”

“And do you think she feels the same?”

“I hope so, but…” he managed a sheepish smile, “I don't know. She was pretty angry at me when we broke up. I was trying to win her back and she wanted to talk, so I think it’s safe to say she feels something for me.”

“And if you are allowed to go back?”

“I want to marry her. If she’ll have me.”

Diane bobbed her head. “Let’s go and see what the Big Guy has to say about this.”

“I want a word with Tori.”

“I don't think that would be wise.”

“I don't care.”

“Frerin… let Him handle this. He has far more experience than you.”

“Just two words.”

“Do I need guess what they are?”

“Fuck and you.”

Diane smiled. “As I thought. Come. I’m certain He has already said as much to her.”

#Gerard Butler #Frerin Durin #Richard Armitage #The Hobbit #Thorin Oakenshield #Hobbit Fic #Hobbit Fanfic #Fan fiction #The Hobbit fan fiction #Frerin x OC #AU #Frerin Fic #Is it hot in here?#Romance #Modern AU

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middleearthpixie · 1 year

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Seven Days ~ Chapter Fifteen

Seven Days - Modern Tolkien AU

At least, he doesn’t know for long.

A/N - This story is the sequel to Miss Fortune, but is a stand alone story.

Summary: Frerin tells Syd the truth about his being given a second chance…

Pairing: Modern!Frerin x OFC Syd Prescott

Characters: Frerin, Syd, Tori, Tony DiBenedetto, Steve Wheeler

Warnings: None

Rating: T

Word Count: 5,084

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here.

Frerin reluctantly pulled his hand free to keep on the wheel as the roads grew slicker by the minute. Snow swirled in all directions and he breathed a silent sigh of relief when he angled into the lot behind the firehouse and parked next to Tony DiBenedetto’s Dodge Ram 1500. “It’s probably a good thing you’re agreeable to staying close to home,” he said, glancing over at her before he killed the engine.

“I’m pretty leery of the Parkway on a good day, never mind a snowy night.”

“Yeah? Why? I mean, we all hate the Parkway, but leery of it?”

She looked over at him. “My mom and dad were killed in a wreck on the Parkway. The summer after I graduated high school.”

“Oh, shit, Syd, I didn't know. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks but why would you? It was a long time ago, and the guy who hit them hadn’t slept in something like two or three days. Still, on a night like tonight? I’d rather not be on it.”

“Yeah, I get that.” He tugged the keys from the ignition. “Are you sure you want to be subjected to these guys?”

“How bad can they be?”

He just stared at her a moment. “Do you really want an answer to that?”

Even in the barely-there light afforded by the streetlights, he saw her cheeks redden. She blushed more easily than any woman he’d ever known and she’d kill him if she knew how it turned him on. There was just something so hot about how it took so little to make her cheeks go pink.

“I’m kidding,” he said, offering up a silent prayer to the Big Guy to not make a liar of him. Normally, they were all fairly well-behaved around wives and girlfriends, but no one was perfect and every now and again, manners were forgotten. Hopefully tonight would not be one of those times.

He climbed out and came around to her side as she did the same. Her hand found its way into his, a soft jolt rippling along his arm at the contact. He glanced down, wondering if she’d felt it as well, but she looked up at the rear of the station. It was a typical red-brick firehouse, the metal staircase at the back leading up to the second floor barrack. A door just beneath it led to the four-bay garage and as they stepped inside, Frerin squinted at the brightness of the lights after the darkness of the parking lot.

“Hey, Durin, what’re you doing here? Don’t you have a life—oh, sorry, man, didn’t see you had someone with you.”

Frerin smiled as Syd’s fingers tightened about his. “I’m here because I have a life, but apparently not a functioning brain. I left my wallet in my locker.” He looked from Tony to Syd. “Tony DiBenedetto, Syd Prescott. Syd, Tony. Don’t worry, his bark is weak and his bite weaker still.”

“You wish,” Tony shot back with a grin, which he then turned on Syd. “It’s nice to meet you, Syd. Your family owns the spook—er—mystical shop, don’t they?”

Frerin bit back a wince, but Syd just smiled and nodded. “We do and it’s okay to call it a spook shop. I promise you, we don’t get offended by that.”

“Oh, thank God,” Tony breathed. “My wife gets stuff from there all the time, so I really didn't mean it as an insult.”

“Okay, I’m just going to show Syd around, grab my wallet, and then get out of here before I find myself yanked on duty. Who else is on tonight?”

“Full house tonight. You’ve been warned.”

“Got it.” Frerin let go of Syd’s hand and let his come to rest at the small of her back. Heat from her body sank into his palm and the urge to just pull her into his arms and kiss her nearly overwhelmed him. But instead, he said, “I’ll give you the tour.”

“Lead on,” she said, smiling up at him.

He felt that smile clear through to the core of his being. Was this what the Big Guy wanted for him? What if the wrong he had to right had nothing to do with not calling Syd back in August, but everything to do with falling in love with her. Maybe the wrong was being with Lisa and not with Syd. He didn't know, but as he led her about the apparatus bay, where the engines were parked, and the equipment was kept, and answered her questions and watched as the other firefighters greeted her (and behaved) and how she smiled and easily conversed with them, he had the feeling that might have been it after all. He didn't know. All he did know was that for the first time in his life, he was happy. Truly happy. Content. He didn't feel the need to try to impress Syd. Didn't feel the need to brag about her—or more aptly, brag about sleeping with her. He wasn't worried about what other women were out there, and what he might be missing out on by settling down with one. In fact, it was just the opposite. As he watched Syd chatting away with Tony, Frerin realized he didn't want to leave her. Ever. He wanted to stay right there, with her, for the rest of his life.

He’d told Thorin he was in love with Syd. He’d told Tori the same. He wanted to tell Syd how he felt. But, what if he did and he scared her off? Then, come tomorrow…

His gut curdled and a sour taste flooded his mouth. A hint of panic gnawed at his insides. He was almost out of time. And he had no way of knowing whether or not he’d done what the Big Guy told him he had to do. He wouldn’t know, until it was too late.

“Frerin?”

Syd’s soft voice broke through his troubling reverie and he jumped. “Yeah? What?”

“Are you all right? You went pale for a minute.”

“I’m fine. Just—just tired.” He turned to her. “Why don’t I get my wallet and we can go grab a bite to eat?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. I am. Just tired, like I said.” He bit back a sigh as he met her beautiful aqua eyes. He had to tell her. He wanted to tell her.

He just didn't know how she’d take hearing it.

That was the risky part.

“Are you sure?”

His heart began to beat what seemed like a thousand times a minute and his stomach was alive with butterflies. Or nervous knots. Or maybe they were the same thing. He didn't know. But his blood roared through his veins and his pulse pounded through his temples and his mouth went dry as he said, “Syd, there’s some—”

“Durin? What’re you doing here? Were’t you here when I came on this morning?”

Frerin swallowed the curse bubbling to his lips as he turned to Steve Wheeler. “Yeah, and I left my wallet here. Hopefully you guys will have a quiet night, but don’t count on it. It’s snowing like a bitch out there.”

“We can handle it.” Steve glanced over at Syd and smiled. “Hey, Lisa, right?”

Frerin’s gut kinked as Syd offered up a mild smile. “No, I’m not Lisa.”

“Oh… shit…” Steve’s eyes went wide. “I’m sorry, man. I thought you were—oh, I should just shut up, shouldn’t I?”

“This is Syd. Syd, this is Steve. He’s the resident dickhead.”

To her credit, Syd held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Steve.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Syd. And I’m really sorry about that. I didn't know Frerin was lucky enough to meet another cute girl.”

“Meet her? I’ve known this cute girl since high school,” Frerin said, breathing an inward sigh of relief as her hand found its way back into his and her fingers threaded with his. Those slender fingers tightened around his and without thinking, he squeezed back.

“And I’m only finding out about her now? That is a shame.”

Frerin grinned. “Yeah, too bad for you, huh? Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to get my wallet and take my girlfriend out to dinner. See you, Wheeler.”

He didn't wait for Steve to reply, but gave a gentle tug on Syd’s hand and led her around Wheeler and up the stairs to the common area. As they crested the top step, she looked up at him. “Girlfriend?”

“Yeah. I mean, since neither one of us is seeing anyone else, it makes sense.”

“Do I have to call you my boyfriend? That sounds so seventh grade.”

He winked at her. “Yeah, actually. I want to be known as your boyfriend. I think that’s how you should introduce me to everyone. I don’t even need a name. Just call me the boyfriend.”

“Frerin.”

“What?”

“Frerin!”

He chuckled and then bent to brush her lips with what he’d meant to be a quick kiss. But then, to his surprise, she caught his face in her hands and what started out as a quick kiss morphed into a slow, deep, tender kiss unlike any he’d ever had before. Her thumbs moved along his cheeks, her tongue caressed his, and when she drew back, he couldn't help himself as he whispered, “Damn, honey… what was that for?”

“Because you want me to call you the boyfriend.”

He grinned. “Let me get my wallet. I’ll be right back. Don’t let any of these guys hit on you, okay?”

“I’ll fight them off if I have to.”

“There are axes on the trucks if you need one. I’ll be right back.” He gestured to the sofa. “Make yourself comfortable. It’ll only take me a minute or two.”

“I’ll be fine, Frerin. Go.”

He turned to make his way into the locker room and as he opened his locker, Tori said, “You didn't tell her.”

“Would you stop that?”

“Why? You didn't even jump that time.”

He glared at her. “That doesn’t mean I like you popping out at me, you know. And no, I didn't tell her. I have tonight and tomorrow and I will tell her.”

“Frerin, you must tell her. Before tomorrow. The Big Guy said—”

“I know what He said.” He reached up to the top shelf, where his wallet was exactly where he’d left it, then glared at her. “And I have to be careful with this, Tori. Imagine how freaked out she’ll be when I tell her I’m the walking dead.”

“You aren’t dead, Frerin. You’re as alive as everyone else around you.”

“Right now. But I was dead last Thursday and I’ll be dead this Friday if I don’t handle this right. He’s got to understand that.”

She sighed softly and his gut kinked. “What? Did I screw this up?”

“No,” she shook her head, “you haven’t. You figured it out pretty quickly, actually and I think you actually impressed the Big Guy.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Just reminding you, is all. You’ve only got—”

“Tonight and tomorrow. I know.” Frerin leaned against the locker. He stared down at the floor for a moment before looking back up at her. “Look, I don’t know if you can even answer this or not, but I don’t remember what it was like. Dying, I mean. Can you just ask Him, if I don’t get this right, to make sure it doesn’t hurt? I mean, I know that’s really chickenshit of me, but… not knowing it was going to happen the last time, on top of not remembering what it was like, was one thing. I don’t have that luxury now and I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t really weighed on me.”

Tori’s eyes softened. “I’ll see what I can do. I think He’ll be agreeable. He’s not looking to punish you.”

Frerin nodded, a sigh rising to his lips. “And, one more thing. If I mess this up, maybe my family could not suffer so much? It almost killed my mom. Maybe He can find a way to ease up their grief a little? Especially Thorin. He ends up in a pretty dark place.”

“Sure. Again, I’ll see what I can do.”

“One more thing and I swear, it’s the last.” He glanced toward the doorway, as if he could see Syd, which he couldn’t, of course. Not the it mattered. She was permanently seared into his brain. “I don’t want Syd mourning me, okay?”

“You’ve mentioned all of this already, and I asked the Big Guy, just for clarification. Frerin,” Tori’s hand came to rest on his shoulder, “if it goes wrong, she won’t remember any of this. It will never have happened. The timeline will be as it was before.”

That stung, the pang swift and sharp, but even so, he nodded. “So, she’ll remember I screwed her and then vanished.” He drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “It’s probably for the best that way. And maybe I can make sure she meets a decent guy, then—” those words hurt to say, as the thought of her with another guy kinked his guts sharply, but he meant it as he added, “she should be happy. I’ll have fucked it up, but maybe the next guy won’t.”

“Sure. We’ll both make sure, okay?”

He nodded, the lump in his throat making speaking impossible as he turned back toward the common area. He cleared his throat and whispered, “I love her. I want her to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”

He closed his eyes. They stung. His heart hurt. But at least he knew that his family would be okay. Thorin would be okay.

Syd would be okay.

“Frerin?” Syd’s voice floated toward him. “Are you all right?”

He peered over his shoulder toward the doorway to the locker room. “I should get back—” He turned to find Tori gone—“to Syd… yeah, if I fuck this up, I will never do this to Thorin again.”

“Frerin?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just had trouble finding my damn wallet, is all,” he came out of the locker room to find her leaning against the back of the sofa, “but I’ve got it now, so we can go.”

He’d lost count of how many times over the last five days that she’d looked at him with a furrowed brow and confused eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He forced a smile to his lips as he slid an arm about her waist to pull her up against him. Selfish, but he wanted to put off the inevitable as long as he possibly could, because he had the feeling she would not react well.

“Frerin, you look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders,” she murmured, curving a hand against his cheek. “What is it?”

Her touch was so gentle, her thumb grazing along his cheek. His eyes grew so heavy with the caress, and if they were alone, he’d probably melt into a puddle at her feet. But, he heard the footsteps on the stair treads and so drew back and said, “We should just go. You’ve got to be hungry by now and I promised you dinner.”

“I’m fine.” Her hand went still on him. “Frerin?”

“There’s nothing wrong, Syd. It’s just a long week, is all.”

She didn't look as if she believed him and he held his breath as he waited for her to push harder. But instead, she rose onto her tiptoes and brushed his lips with hers. “If you say so,” she whispered before lowering.

“It is, really.” He eased his other arm about her waist. “So, let’s go grab dinner and then go home and get to dessert.”

The sparkle in her eyes heated his blood, as did her whispered, “Or we could just skip dinner and do dessert instead?”

Dominic’s was the Italian place to go to in Cranford Falls, and Syd looked over at Frerin as he carefully angled the Jeep into a parking spot. He still looked so serious—more so than she’d ever seen him look and while that didn't mean a whole lot, it still troubled her. She knew if she asked again, he’d just tell her nothing was wrong and he’d probably be annoyed that she couldn’t let it go, but she couldn't let it go. A sense of foreboding had crept through the Jeep, one that she hadn’t felt before, and her stomach fluttered, the way it did before she went to get a cavity filled or when she watched a scary movie where something awful was about to happen to the character she was rooting for.

He killed the ignition and pulled the key from the switch. The snow had thankfully stopped, but it as such a light, powdery one that it swirled with each gust of wind, so at times, the air was filled with sparkly particles blowing in all directions.

“Frerin?”

“Syd, nothing’s wrong. I told you, it’s just been a really long week.”

She pressed her lips together, drew in a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, saying, “I know I keep bugging you about it, but I can’t help it.”

“You’re not bugging me.” He looked over at her then and offered up an almost-wistful smile. “It’s actually kind of nice, since the only women who ever really fuss over me are my mom and Dís. But, I promise you, everything is fine.”

“You’ll tell me if my fussing annoys you?”

He shook his head. “It won’t.”

“Why don’t I believe that?”

He grinned and winked. “Why would I lie about that?”

He didn't wait for her to answer, but thrust open his door and climbed out, so she did the same. Coming around the nose of the Jeep, she said, “True. Men live to be fussed over.”

“We do,” he caught her around the waist and tugged her close, “because we are sensitive and like to be cared for.”

“You’re so full of it.”

“What? You don’t think I’m sensitive?” He loomed over her, his eyes glittering in the soft halo of light cast by the streetlamp in the parking lot. “I can’t watch movies with animals in them because they make me cry.”

“What?”

“True story, honey. Ask Thorin if you don’t believe me. He used to pick on me mercilessly about it.”

“Do you really cry over them?”

“Yeah. Why would I make that up? It doesn’t exactly make me look like a tough guy.”

“I don’t know I’d say that. You’re still a tough guy, Frerin.”

“Good. At least I still have that going for me.”

The wind picked up then, stirring his dark hair into short peaks and sent more snow swirling about them. His eyes grew serious once more and that foreboding feeling swept through her as she realized his aura had begun to change. It was rare to see it actually happen, but it grew redder, while the green softened and the blue deepened.

“Frerin, something is going on with you. I can see it. I can literally see it. Please, tell me.”

“Syd, I—”

“What? What is it?”

He took a deep breath. “I’m in love with you, Syd. And I’ve been in love with you since I was fourteen years old and in the ninth grade and didn't even know what the fuck love was.”

That was the last thing she expected him to say and for a moment, it felt as if her heart had stopped beating, as if all of the air had been sucked out of the world at that very moment. She stared up at him, her blood roaring through her temples as she whispered, “What?”

“Yeah, I know. It’s insane, right? We’ve only gone out a couple of times, but… yeah, I am. And you’re looking at me like you’re afraid I’ve lost my mind, but I’m not crazy. I promise you that, Syd. I’m not. I was just… I was stupid and blind and didn't see what was right in front of me.”

“Frerin,” she swallowed hard as she met those soft blue eyes, “you know that’s nuts, right?”

“Why?”

“Because what does a guy like you see in—”

“Christ, Syd, don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?”

“Don’t give me that crap about a guy like me. I know what I was. I was a selfish asshole who was too scared to call you because… because you’re too fucking good for me.”

“Oh, please. That’s a load of bullshit and you know it.”

“Syd, I’ve been fantasizing about you since I was fourteen years old.”

“That is not love.”

“No, but I’m not fourteen any more, either. I know what love is now, and it’s been staring me in the face for the last four months and I just didn't see it. And now I do and—and I want to see what comes next. With you. And with any luck, I’ll actually live to see my thirtieth birthday now, so—”

He realized his mistake as her eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Nothing, Syd. It’s—it’s nothing.”

“No, what do you mean, you’ll actually live to see your thirtieth birthday now?” She pulled free of him, stepping back to stare up at him. “What is this about, Frerin Durin? And I want the truth. And don't you dare tell me it’s nothing!”

“Syd,” he stepped back, breaking contact with her and she knew she wasn't imaging the pain in his eyes, “I don’t even know where to begin with this, so, I’m just going come out and tell you, okay?”

“Tell me what?”

His expression grew more serious than she’d ever imagined it could. “Syd, I know this will sound completely crazy, but I swear to Christ, I’m not making it up. I’m not lying. I’m not bullshitting you.”

“Frerin.”

“Okay. I—holy shit, I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Try the beginning.” She couldn't keep the annoyance out of her voice.

“Last Friday, when I came into your shop, I—uh—that morning, before I woke up in my own bed, in my own house, I was… I was—uh—I was dead.”

She just stared at him, a prickle racing along the back of her neck. “You were what?”

“Dead. Yeah, I know how it sounds, but it wasn’t December until I opened my eyes. It was June, maybe July, I don’t know. I just know it was summer next year. But time has no meaning on the other side, Syd, so it all blends together. But this December, this moment right now, never happened. None of the last week happened. I was killed in a fire, one set deliberately at my house. Your sister wasn't seeing Thorin. I brought them together because I was able to come back and ask her to help find out who barbecued me.”

“You were killed.”

“Yes.”

“In a fire in your house?”

“Yes.”

“Deliberately.”

“Yes. Someone thought I was sniffing around his sister—which I wasn’t—and figured he’d make it loud and clear what happened when a guy did that. He burned my house down with me in it.”

“But, you’re not dead now.”

“I’m not, no. I was given a second chance.”

“By God?”

“We call him the Big Guy, but more or less, yes.” Frerin rubbed the back of his neck slowly. “He gave me the chance to come back. To right the biggest mistake I’d ever made.”

Her belly fluttered, butterflies coming to life by the hundreds, judging by the way they battered about her insides. Only this time, instead of spreading aroused heat through her, they instead sent ice whooshing through her veins, leaving her chilled and numb. “What?”

“You, Syd. Not calling you was the biggest mistake I’d ever made. I should’ve and I really did mean to, but I really did chicken out.”

“And now, you want to what? Make it up to me?”

“Yes, exactly.” He stepped closer. “I love you and I have for a long time and I was an asshole for not seeing it sooner.”

“Are you insane?” She stepped back, bumping up against the side of the Jeep. “You honestly expect me to believe this? To believe you’ve come back from the dead in order to win me over? That’s just… I can’t even with that.”

“Syd, I swear to you, I know it sounds crazy. But it’s the truth. And I wanted to tell you, but how the fuck do I even begin to?”

“So, this is how you get women to go out with you? To sleep with you? You feed them—”

“No, not women, Syd. You. It’s you. It’s been you since I was fourteen—”

“Are you kidding me? I’m supposed to believe that you’ve been pining for me for sixteen years? And when I did go out with you and sleep with you, you up and vanish and then you come back a few months later with this?”

“Syd, look, you have to believe me.”

“Oh, do I? Really? Why? What happens if I don’t? What could possibly happen if I don’t believe this utterly ridiculous story?”

His jaw tightened. “I die again. Tomorrow night. Only this time, I won’t get another chance.”

“You’ll die.”

“Yeah. That’s what I meant by with any luck, I’ll actually live to see my thirtieth birthday now. This was the wrong I had to right. I had to win you back, to tell you how I feel and just hope you believe me.”

“Because if I don’t, you’ll die. Again.”

A sick feeling swept through her as he nodded. “Yeah, that’s exactly what will happen. I’ll die sometime tomorrow night, and you won’t remember any of it. Your sister won’t be with Thorin—at least not until the next summer—and I’m gone. For good. I won’t get another chance to fix anything. My family buries me and life goes on without me.”

She could only stare at him, her brain refusing to listen to this utter nonsense. He sounded sincere enough, but at the same time, he had to be talking nonsense to her. Did he think she was stupid enough to believe this?

“People don’t come back from the dead. We don’t get second chances and time doesn’t restart itself. There is no such thing as an alternate time line. And this is the shittiest thing any guy has ever done to me.”

“Shitty? Syd, I’m telling you the truth? And—”

“The truth? My family deals in this, remember? If nothing else, we would know whether or not it is possible to come back, as a fully-fleshed human being, and it is not possible!”

“Syd, listen—”

“And am I supposed to be flattered because you’re telling me this? Or are you telling me this to save your own fucking skin? Because I’ve had guys tell me some really out-there things to get me to sleep with them, and I’ve had guys who’ve sworn they’d die of blue balls if I didn't fuck them, but this is a first.”

“I’m not lying to you, I swear on my dog’s life. On my mother’s life. On my own fucking life, Syd.”

“Yeah. Sure. And you know what? I’d thought you really had changed, Frerin.”

“I have. I was telling you the truth when I told you the Frerin you knew in August is dead. He is. I’ve spent six months on the other side of the veil and I don’t know why, but I was given a second chance. And that chance was to make things right with you.”

He reached for her hand, but she jerked away from him. “Then why not tell me right from the beginning?”

“Because who’d believe it?” His expression grew pained as he let his hand fall back to his side. “But I swear to you, Syd, I just want to be with you. I love you and I have for a really long time.”

“You’ve been lying to me this whole time.”

“No, I just couldn't figure out how to tell you. And I was afraid this would happen.”

“So, you used me as well.”

He flinched, then shook his head. “No, Syd. I didn’t. I promise you, I didn’t. I’m being honest, one-hundred percent honest with you. Look, maybe Tori can back me up on this.”

Syd’s gut kinked sharply. “Tori? Who is Tori?”

“She’s… I don’t even know what either of us were. Ghosts? Angels? I’m not sure. But she was the first person I met on the other side and maybe you’ll believe her, if you won’t believe me.”

Syd just stood there, staring at him like she’d never seen him before as he looked skyward and called, “Tori? Now would be a great time for you to just pop in.”

She looked up as well, as if there was actually some chance an angel would suddenly appear and validate Frerin’s ridiculous story. And the moment she did, she felt like the biggest fool walking. Of course there as nothing up there but sky. This was all a lie. All some twisted bullshit story told to her by a guy who got his jollies fucking with her, apparently.

She jerked her head back down and glared at him. “You’re nuts. And I am not about to humor you, Frerin. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to fall for your act again.” She strode away from him, toward the sidewalk.

He hurried after her. “Syd, where are you going?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t really want to be around you right now.”

“Why? I’m telling you the truth, honey. Letting you get away was the worst mistake I’d ever made and now, I can right it and I want to right it. I love you.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“Yeah, I know, look,” he grabbed her wrist to jerk her to a halt, “just stop.”

“No!” She yanked her arm from his grasp. “Leave me alone, Frerin. Go find another desperate simp to charm. Maybe she’ll be stupid enough to believe this idiotic story.”

“Syd—”

Tears blinded her eyes as she turned and stormed off, yanking her cell phone from her purse to call for an Uber. She’d never felt as stupid as she did right then, and she never wished so hard that she’d never met Frerin Durin.

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