Giert the Goblin: Part Two (special preview)

The mall you worked at shut down. So while now you don’t reek of every perfume on the planet, you’re sorting out life choices; which feels a lot worse than olfactory overload.

“It ain’t the end of the world if you take time, sweetheart.” Giert had brought you some peppermint to settle your nervous stomach.

Looking up from your computer screen, you could see he hadn’t washed up yet from work. He’d come straight from the garage to your kettle. “In this economy?” You scoffed and picked up the tea. “Thank you.”

Giert gave a look around your apartment, his eyes darting back to you then looking off into the distance again. His hand came up, rubbing the back of his head.

“Ya know-” he started off hesitantly, “you could save a lot of money if you didn’t have this place.”

The tea was really good, he knew exactly how you’d like it. “I should just stop paying rent, shouldn’t I?”

“No!” He grumbled, his cheeks going dark. “Not that! I mean…” He huffed, looking more and more frustrated as the moments went on. He sat down at the table across from your, sitting so stiffly you thought the chair would lean against him.

Giert swallowed. “You could move somewhere cheaper.”

He was getting at something, but you couldn’t quite figure it out yet. “I’ve heard refrigerator boxes are cheap this time of year.”

His sneer flexed from angry to pouty. “No! Ugh-” He swiped at his forehead. “What I am trying to say is-now don’t think I’m trying to suggest anything, ‘cause I’m not. But, maybe,-”

The look on Giert’s face fluctuated between his usual grumpy frown and a distressed cry for help. He was nervous, that much was obvious, he wanted to ask something. Maybe, it was a big something. “Giert, what’s up with you?” You set down the mug and closed your laptop. “You’re gonna pop a vessel if you don’t just come out with it.” You were giving him an out, whatever he had to said could be said now, and that would be the end of it.

Giert huffed, taking a deep breath while he wiped at his brow again. “I know we said there wasn’t any sort of order to our relationship. I still feel old fashioned about some things though, and this isn’t exactly my forte.” He exhaled loudly then locked eyes with you. A spark was sent though your eyes to your spine and you sat at attention.

“Until you can find a job, a good job, a job you actually give a shit about, maybe, well-” Giert’s determination began to melt. “Maybe you should, if you’d like, move in with me.”

It was a moment where, at first, it was the final moments of a Mortal Kombat game where the deep voice shouted out ‘finish her!’ You waited, baited breath for that moment Giert went for the kill, but you realized it was you who had the command.

“Are you sure?” You choked a second as you attempted to get your breath back.

Giert nodded. “I know my place is a bit of a man’s pigpen, but it’s bigger than this place. And you’ll be able to brighten up the place with all your pretty things.” He cleared his throat. “And the spare office I could clear out if you had to work from home or anything.”

Tears began to crest your lashes and Giert held his breath as he watched then drip down your cheeks. “I’d love that,” you squeaked out, barely able to contain yourself.

“Whoa! I uh-” Giert wasn’t good with this, but he had been trying his best through your relationship to be better at being comfortable. He got up from his chair. “Happy tears, right?”

You nodded, sniffling as you gazed back at him. “I know how much you value your space and privacy.”

Giert’s lip curled. “I’ll get used to it. Besides, I’d rather have you around than other people. So, that’s gotta say something.”