Curious, you watched the God of Foresight strut through the stables, arms crossed behind his back as if he were the sole owner of everything.

Now that he was so close, you could see tinier details of his clothing.

His sword was made of pure gold. Whenever he took a step, it slipped a bit out of the scabbard and allowed you to catch a glimpse of the entire blade.

His golden blond hair was thick, braided into three strands from his hairline to the back of his head, only to be braided into a single, thick strand there. It made him look a little like he had a mohawk. But it had been much more pronounced on his brother Baldur. What Heimdall wore looked more like unevenly cut hair that he was trying to arrange inconspicuously.

His skin, on the other hand, was flawless. There were neither rednesses nor scratches or even scars.

It seemed as if he had never been in a fight before. But as a god, he had to be war-tested. Probably no opponent had been able to reach him before. Not even Erik had managed to even brush him with his fingertips and that although he had acted surprisingly and without a hint of warning.

All at once Heimdall stopped.

It was so abrupt that you almost couldn't stop yourself from walking right into him.

His gaze wandered to his right shoulder.

Violet eyes examined the eight-legged Sleipnir.

The Allfather's horse tilted its head. Ears pressed against the black head and a warning snort sounded.

Hooves hit the ground with dull thuds.

It made the dirt below your feet vibrate.

You knew this kind of behavior. The creature felt threatened.

Confused, you frowned and looked at Heimdall.

He was a man of tall stature, not as tall as Thor, but taller than the usual inhabitants of Asgard. His shoulders were broad, but not powerful, and his build was also more similar to the one of his brother Baldur, who was known for his more gentle appearance.

The god of foresight was slender and well kept. There was hardly anything about him that seemed threatening.

"It is not afraid of my appearance.", he suddenly said without taking his eyes off the animal. "My mind frightens it. The Allfather enslaved Sleipnir. I could dominate it. Fair and square."

Surprised that he was answering a question you hadn't asked, your eyebrows rose.

"This is the horse of the All-Father, my lord.", you said cautiously. "I don't think he would like it..."

A dismissive snort came from Heimdall.

His gaze jumped over his shoulder to look at your face.

"I know.", he replied with a confidence that was hard to shake. "Tell me something I don't know."

With an appraising gesture, he gave the horse one last look before continuing to inspect the stables.

Lost in thoughts, you frowned.

"I don't think there is anything you don't know, my lord.", you said.

He stopped again. This time he turned around to look directly at you. The expression on his face was a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"You do know that some statements don't need replies, do you?", one of his eyebrows rose. "Or is your mind too dull to get behind that?"

Now that his face was within reach, you could see more of it.

His chin and jawline were in perfect symmetry with each other. There was no blemish on his nose either, not even small black spots that were often caused by the damp wind of the sea.

But despite his perfectly kept appearance, the skin was not completely lifeless, like a block of freshly cut marble. Beauty marks adorned his cheeks. Some of them seemed to form a line that ran ever downward, across his neck, where green veins pressed against the pale skin, all the way down to the edge of his collar.

For some reason, those few darker spots, barely bigger than the nail on your pinky finger, made him seem warmer. As if he were not just a perfectly carved figure of wood but a being of flesh and blood.

At the sight, your lips opened to release a soft gasp.

With a smug grin, he leaned down to you.

"Don't be shy, most people are shocked by the sight of the great Heimdall.", he huffed.

He was so close, the warmth of his breath brushing your cheeks.

At that moment, the smell of damp hay and animals was dispelled. Suddenly it smelled like something you had never experienced before.

Was that the scent flowers that were foreign to you?

Or noble alcohol that your lips would never touch?

Overwhelmed, you took a step back. In doing so, your back bumped against a barrel and almost knocked it over. Your hands clawed into the wooden rim as he followed you with a step.

There was still that smirk on his thin lips.

"Did the sight of me leave you speechless?", he asked and almost had to laugh.

His eyes were not violet.

For some reason, that was the first thing that popped into your head at that moment.

His eyes had a magical glow similar to that of the Bifrost. But they were not violet. Instead, it was a pink that moved in his eyeballs like waves in the ocean.

"Forgive me.", you lowered your gaze to escape the touch of those eyes.

A shiver chased down your spine. You couldn't tell if it was the good or the bad kind. But it made goosebumps grow all over your body.

Annoyed, he frowned.

Then he leaned back and groaned.

"Boring.", he called up to the mighty beams of the wooden ceiling.

"Forgive me."

"I don't want your apologies!", all at once he sounded irritated.

"Then what do you want?", it slipped out all at once.

His eyebrows rose.

"Oh? Suddenly so self-confident."

"I am honored by your presence, Lord Heimdall, but I have duties to perform."

"I'm keeping you from your work."

"I'm afraid so.", you bowed your head to honor him despite the rude answer.

"Huh...", a corner of his mouth rose in an amused manner. "Very well. I won't bother you no more."