"Okay," Kristoff exhaled as he turned to Anna who was mindlessly standing next to him. Her little nose scrunching up to him beneath her fedora hat at his announcement. "We're here."

In the much less buzzing streets of New York, an old shack mingled in between much grander shops around it. Anna's bright eyes fixed at the shop, its rusty windows looked like it was going to fall off, and its walls seemed like it'd cave in at any moment. She swallowed nervously.

It's been a week since Anna came to stay with Kristoff and Sven, their routines changing mildly after the ginger squeezed her self into the picture.

He granted her his very bedroom for her to sleep in, let her play with Sven, thankful his mutt was very fond of the ginger. Despite all he had given her, she wanted to repay her little debt.

Anna vowed she'd pay back Kristoff's kindness, only to find much less luck along the streets since it's been a week since she was hunting for a decent job. Her first job did start at a big bakery, her first shift ending with her wolfing down the pastries after forgetting to grab breakfast at the blondes place. She couldn't work at any clothing store, mostly because she couldn't fold her own underwear. Always having a helper back home to do it for her. Nor could she accept the job at the pet store without blowing her top off from what just watching the 'adorable' animals in their cages and claiming she needed to free her people from oppression.

The only thing she's got is her voice.

And this was the only answer to Kristoff's sleepless nights of waking up to her constant wailing that she's not good enough.

He pulled out a rusted key from his pocket, dangling as he loomed it over the doorknob. Knowing his life would gradually change further more after he opened the shop doors, he took in one last breath before opening.

A heavy aroma of caffeine hung in the air, wooden floorboards leading to a perfectly carved counter with barstools set at its side. Matching wooden faded chairs and tables seemed ancient as Anna's grandfather. And the subject of her fascination caught in the far corner of her eyes—a stage.

Images of her singing on that stage excited her to no end.

Suddenly, a barbarian snow-bearded man emerged from beneath the counter, turning his head as he stretched his tattooed arms out towards Kristoff in greeting.

"Kristoff!" he bellowed happily. "You seem awfully early today. I know it's still early but I need you to run by the dairy store and get me… oh," he flinched at Anna's presence. Managing an immediate grin in recovery. "You… brought a girl."

Kristoff rolled his eyes at the old man.

"Yeah, because it's a she with flimsy hair and perfectly curvy hips."

Anna blushed.

"No offense," Kristoff gushed back, the slightest hint of red on his cheeks at the realization of what he said.

"None taken."

"Kristoff!" the tattooed man grudged towards the two, having the legs the size of tree trunks stomping on the floor. "That is no way to talk to a lady!" he turned to Anna, apologetically shaking his head as he took her hands in his. "Sorry, milady. You know how hormones affect little boys heads at this time of age," he cupped his mouth as he whispered. "Late bloomer."

"Hey!"

"I know, I somehow managed to put up with it," Anna giggled at Kristoff's look of disbelief.

"My name is North, owner of this lovely shop you're sated at," He regarded gregariously as he shook her hand. "By any chance, are you…?"

"Yeah, she's the one I've been talking about," Kristoff blurted as his hand found the back of his neck, rubbing shyly.

"She's perfect!" cheered North after a long stare into the ginger's eyes. His hands finding her shoulders as he shook her, Anna cracking a sheepish smile. "Bright eyes! Working nose! Strong teeth! Yes, yes, you'll do nicely for Kristoff. Wait till Cliff and Bulda hear about this—"

"She's not my girlfriend," Kristoff deadpanned, the blush on his face spreading further. North frowned.

"Oh…"

"She's the one I've been talking about. The singing business?"

"Ah, yes," North beamed before leaning to whisper into Anna's ears again. "But you know, Kristoff's still available I assure you he's a big lump under those layer of sweat and muscles—"

"North!"

"Okay, okay," the old man chortled gleefully at the two. Both hands placing at their shoulders as he pulled them close. "It's a wonderful day to be with my crew! It's still early, would you like to have something?"

"Well, if you insist that would be lovely," Anna chirped, the smell of burning pancakes made her absolutely ravenous.

"Wonderful!" he smiled warmly as he ushered her to the counter before turning to Kristoff. "Oh, and Kristoff? Like I was saying, could you drop by the dairy shop and order the usual? We can't make hot chocolate without milk for our lovely singer now, isn't that right?"

"Sure," he shrugged nonchalantly as he made his way back to the door, the cold air rushing inside the shop. Before he stepped out, he heard North call out again.

"Hurry back before opening time. I'm making hash browns, we're having a grand celebration that we finally found an entertainer in the shop! This'll surely bring customers pouring in."

"Of course," he said as he turned and caught a glimpse of Anna sitting as she marveled at the chocolate drink in hand, blushing when she realized Kristoff had locked his gaze on her. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Usually, Kristoff would be cleaning off tables or count the cars passing by outside out of boredom on the usual day at the shop before running off to the construction site down town to earn more dough. Fortunately, this must've been those better days. And things'll get better.

Kristoff's soft eyes casted on Anna, who was trying to balance her weight on the wooden stool and the fact that she's teetering with the guitar at hand. He knew if she fell off, he would jump right over the counter with first aid kit in hand and possibly knocking over the two customers seated in front of him drinking mocha blends in hand. Thankfully, she didn't fall off. She managed to keep her cool, head swaying as her braids followed as she sang.

He could see in the way her lips quivered, she was clearly intimidated by the growing crowd. Whispering, staring and smiling at her presence since North's shop never had such lively entertainment before. Sure, North had invited others in his shop. But it never worked out. Magicians with failed magic tricks, rock bands with deafening screams that wasn't their type at all, and obnoxious comedians North had no choice but to order Kristoff to kick their butts off his shop after demanding a higher pay.

But Anna? Her talent was just cake and her pretty face was the cherry on top.

Hiccup Haddock, a scholar at a near university and a regular at the shop took notice of Kristoff's intent staring behind fogged up glasses. Playfully nudging his ribs. "Got a thing for freckle-face, huh?"

The blonde gave a half-shrug as he pursed his lips when he hunched over, having a little break with Anna catching everyone else's attention.

"Not really. Just…" He thumbed at the façade of the counter finding the right words to say. "Listening. Like everybody else. It's kind of nice to have music playing around here. Especially when business is slow."

"I guess," Hiccup shrugged as he adjusted his glasses up his freckled nose as his eyes flicked around the place. "But I'm sure business isn't gonna be running slow with her here anymore," he motioned at the growing crowd, waving his bangs off his face. People pouring in one after another, like her angelic voice was luring them into the shop. "And plus, North seems quite fond of her."

"Ahah!" North exhilarated as he balanced trays in both hands and another atop his head, like a clown balancing knives on the tip of his fingers. Skipping happily behind the counter and throwing the plates on the sink, a big pat on the blondes back almost made Kristoff choke on his water while in the middle of a big swig.

Laughter dying down before turning his pats into long soothing relieving strokes on Kristoff's back, Hiccup's turn to laugh.

"You know," North said against his trust worthy barista before trotting off to deliver orders again. "She's a keeper."

Raising an eyebrow at his undeniably happy boss, he turned his head back to Anna who's just finished another song.

Anna took a saucy curtsy as the crowd cheered and wooed for more. Gaping up, she flashed Kristoff a wink before granting the crowd another song. His stomach coiled in an unfamiliar fuzzy feeling which took every ounce of food he had for breakfast to push back vague feelings of butterflies errupting in his gut, much to his discomfort. And still, his lips managed to purse at her into a mimicking smirk, evident of his flirtatiousness.

Maybe it really wasn't that bad to have her around.

yes, north won the poll. ;) thanks to everyone who voted! ps, i might change the title of this story so heads up for the next update!

i want to know your thoughts so please dont forget to leave a review ;w; ~