I like your shirt
Note: This one-shot is a post for "Ask me a prompt" on tumblr.
Kristoff stuffed his clothes into the laundry bag, zipped it close and picked up the bottle of detergent to head homeward. It was rather late, and he desperately needed to go to bed. It had been a long working day, though well going and he couldn´t complain about the prospering business, but exhaustion was making its way and he longed for some rest.
He was about to leave the laundry salon when a young woman charged through the door and nearly knocked him over, and he almost dropped his bag.
"Hey!"
"Sorry!" she chirped, adjusted her own basket under her arm, put a loose hairstrand behind her ear and smiled.
"I didn´t expect someone still being here. It´s usually pretty lonely here by the time of hour." She shrugged and waved a friendly "good night" and then went over to the washing machine.
She was right, it was late and Kristoff didn´t feel like continuing any conversation though the young lady had aroused his curiosity when she started humming a cute tune and swaying her hips as if she were dancing while loading the laundry into the machine.
Kristoff grinned, fascinated by the jovial nature of that kind and left the place, after saying his polite farewell.
And when he returned home and stored the fresh washed clothes into the closet, he wondered if there wasn´t missing something. Damn… his favourite shirt!
Anna had listened to some music on her phone and sat dozing quietly, when the washing program was done, and she jumped from her seat to swap the laundry into the tumbler dryer. But when she opened the door of the dryer, she noticed a fabric on the bottom of the drying drum. She reached for the grey material and unfolded it to have a closer look.
A rather large t-shirt with a deer, a moose, or a… ahhh a reindeer?! How sweet. But who forgot that one in here? Anna looked around the room, but of course, the owner had long left… But who had forgotten that nice shirt? According to the size… that could belong to that smart looking man she had bumped into before.
Anna giggled, instinctively held the shirt to her nose and inhaled the fresh scent of detergent, the forest air kind, rather than the floral type she used for her laundry. But of course, that was the smell of the wild man…
She took a closer look at the shirt and smiled, trying to imagine it on that bold blond giant´s body. For a second, she closed her eyes and thought about the wild northern Viking type running the dark forest, clothed in that reindeer shirt…
Okay, stop that silliness… If someone was watching you…?!
But how was she supposed to give it back to that strange owner…? Maybe they would stumble into each other again some night over here. Then, she could tell him.
For the time being, Anna stuffed the shirt on the top of her own clothes in her basket.
Back in her flat, she packed her clothes back into the drawers, leaving the grey reindeer shirt on the dresser for the moment.
When she went to bed, she couldn´t sleep. Moving here was very exciting. She liked the area she had found this flat, and next week she was about to start her new work a bit further up town. Until then Anna was determined to use her free time to relax, watch movies and enjoy the long sleeping in morning hours.
And maybe, she would have another encounter with that mysterious man who had forgotten his shirt. She wondered who he was… He didn´t seem unfriendly, but surely annoyed of her nearly hitting him, but then he had greeted warmly when leaving…
Shit, she should have paid more attention!
The next few days, Anna spent her time just as she had imagined, only that the memory of that moment in the washing salon didn´t leave her mind…
Crap!
What was wrong with her? She was a woman of twenty-eight years, and she behaved like a teenager fresh into puberty. It will surely do her good to start working again within a few days, distracting her mind of thinking about that one…
Shit, shit, shit!
The other night, when Anna was about to go to bed, she tossed her nightshirt into the laundry box, sighingly realising that it would be about time seeking that salon again, and excitement made her heart accelerate.
Perhaps he´d be there….?! Oh, Anna…. Stop it!
She strolled to the dresser and was about to pull open her drawer for another shirt, when her eyes caught the reindeer shirt… his shirt… Anna smacked her lips, thought for a second and then grabbed the shirt!
And snuggling into her blankets, she pulled up the shirt´s collar to her nose and she inhaled deeply, that lovely wood´s herbal scent… his scent…!...
Good night, wild blond stranger…. Whoever and wherever you are….
1 week later…
It was gone.
He had gone back to the washing salon and looked through the machines and dryers. But, no sight of it.
Shit!
It had been his favourite. A wonderful memory of a great time, travelling he country of Norway last year.
Sven had made fun when he whined about the loss.
"That´s a sign that we´ll have to repeat that adventurous journey someday." he had laughed and clapped Kristoff on the shoulder. "Don´t worry, man. It´s just a shirt."
"Yes, but I like it. And then, what if somebody has taken it home, or worse, threw it away?!"
"Haven´t you said that there had been a young woman coming in before you left?"
"Yeah, but should she do with such a shirt. Besides, she´s so small, she´d fit twice within it."
Sven had stared at him and then busted into a fit of laughter. The imagination of some petite redhaired blue eyed lady, wearing Kristoff´s shirt… That was wonderful and he loved the idea. After all, Kristoff had explained into the fullest detail, what that girl had looked like. What a pity that his friend had not seen her again since then… But then, wo knew if they might not bump into each other again. Sven would not lose hope for his buddy. The narrative of the freckled nose girl had sounded super promising.
Sven sighed and continued his work alongside Kristoff.
They had opened the shop just before and soon the first customers were to be expected to come and enjoy either some late breakfast, coffee break, then later a luncheon, afternoon snack time, or evening meal.
"S + K´s sandwiches" had opened two years ago and then had prospered to a well-known name around the area.
And while they prepared last supplies for the day´s business, Kristoff got lost in thoughts, once again… He couldn´t help but think of her.
Shit!
It had been only a few minutes… but she had bewitchingly caught his curiosity. And seriously, what if she was really wearing his shirt…?
Come on man, you better stop that nonsense right away… this is getting rather unhealthy… But then, also, you should have paid better attention and speaking to the girl...
Anna had started her first day at "Gale´s whirlwind hair shop" and enjoyed herself immensely. The team seemed nice, uncomplicated, and friendly when it came to introducing a new staff member into their ways of work.
When lunch time approached, Anna craved for something to eat and made big eyes when Samantha explained that around the corner there was a fabulous sandwich shop that offered different meals for anybody´s liking.
"What?!" Anna clapped her hands and pranced on the spot, "I love sandwiches!"
"Then come along and get yourself to the boost of the day!" Sam had laughed and pulled her along.
They stood in front of the shop and Anna studied the menu card that was displayed next to the entrance. She smacked her lips, trying to stop herself from starting drooling from reading the offers alone. Goodness, there was everything somebody could ever ask for.
Okay, should she lose her flat, she could just as well ask if she could work and live in here….
"Found something?" Sam asked, glancing at Anna with a grin and waiting patiently.
"Uhm…. That´s a hard one. It all sounds so delicious. Especially that one," and she pointed to one of the highlighted offers, "Kristoff´s roll with it" (double roll, cheese, carrots, tomato, onion, ham and bacon).
Sam laughed, "yeah, that´s a real belly filler, believe me! And then, Anna, we can come back here the rest of the week and you can take your time tasting through the menu, okay?!"
Anna laughed, too, feeling super excited. And the two young women entered the shop, the little bell above the door giving this nostalgic flair to the cosy looking place.
Sam rushed over to the left where she was served by a dark-haired friendly man. They immediately seemed occupied in some daily conversation and then Anna noticed another man standing with his back to her, apparently working on some chopping board, but then he rinsed his hands under the water tap next to him, dried them with a hand towel and then turned to greet his new customer.
Kristoff stared at the beauty standing before him in disbelief, and his stomach was stormed by a swarm of bees, invading the complete space up to his heated face.
The redhaired cerulean eyed princess…
And Anna herself stood mouth agape.
The blond Viking stranger… Wait, I still have his shirt, oh god, I´ve slept in his shirt… that snugly hot shirt… Quick, don´t stare… say something!
"I like your shirt!"