Page 23 of Heart of the Mountain King

"Depends," Rask said. "Sten bring Rask brännvin?"

Sten grinned. "Didn't haul up the three big bottles in my pack for my own health. Need some help drinking it?"

"Rask grateful for Sten's assistance, yes," Rask answered, returning the smile.

"So, what Sten forget?" Rask pressed, sensing it was something important to the little human — and therefore, the bergsrå was surprised to find, important to Rask too.

But Sten just gave a half-shrug. "That we don't get everything we want," he said cryptically, his stone-grey eyes peeking up at Rask through his lashes in a most puzzling way.

Rask frowned. "Sten Rask's guest. Want food, drink, sleep? Only say; Rask happy to provide for Sten."

Very, very happy. Rask had no doubt the little human would never return to the bergsrå's mountain if he understood how much satisfaction merely his being here brought Rask, talking together so easily like this. It sent a flicker of warmth through Rask's chest he hadn't realized he'd missed, having someone to provide for. To care for.

He rose to do just that, mind already working out what he had in the pantry, when Sten's hand landed heavily on Rask's forearm to stop him.

"No, it's…"

Sten drew in a deep breath, then seemed to come to a decision, his attention slanting up at the bergsrå watching him so intently now.

"Am I really that ugly to you?" Sten asked in a small voice after a moment, glancing away.

The question took Rask wholly by surprise.

"Yes," he said without thinking, before hastily adding, "but Sten funny, and sweet, and clever, and brave. So what if Sten not handsome like Rask? It fine, as long as Sten promise not scare Rask's goats."

Sten's startled laughter was more genuine this time, free and light. Rask much preferred it over the other, and was disappointed to hear it fade all too soon.

"Ah," Sten replied quietly, his shoulders falling. "Well, at least you're honest."

Rask swallowed, and looked away.

"No," Rask admitted before he could stop himself. "If Rask honest, Rask give Sten gifts. Give Sten lots of gifts. Not — "

"Rask? Rask, look at me," Sten demanded softly, urging him with the hand still on Rask's forearm. "Please."

And when Sten pleaded with him like that? Rask was helpless to do anything else.

"You've mentioned gifts before," Sten murmured, his eyes intensely bright as he searched Rask's face. "Is that how bergsrår court each other?"

Rask nodded tentatively, frustration filling him he'd let it slip; that he'd ruined it all so easily.

"And…you’d want to give me these gifts? To, uh — to court me?"

Rask sighed. "…Yes."

Truth was, he had been, and for awhile now, too. Thankfully, Sten still seemed unaware of the bergsrå's blessings hanging about him, resonating Protection and Friendship up and down Rask's mountain; his promise to teach Sten a brilliantly binding cord. But it couldn't last. Another visit, perhaps two? Soon Sten would learn enough of the Song to notice the similar themes running through both their melodies.

He'd no doubt have questions — if he didn't work the rest out for himself, of course. The little human was clever like that; annoying and intriguing Rask equally in turn.

"What if a human wanted to court a bergsrå?" Sten said slowly, as if working it out himself. "Would you want him to bring you gifts too?"

Oh?

Rask's gaze snapped to Sten's face, only to find him watching the bergsrå with a shocking intensity.

Oh.

Something trilled in Rask's chest, as he considered the little human anew.