Page 7 of Baking Battles

“You were good today.” Mattias says. Because he should say something. Because he is an uptight tosser, and no good with small talk, but the guy did well. Honestly.

“Thanks,” the guy replies. Christopher Pedersen replies. Because the darling of Norwegian TV, who also happens to be three times Male Supermodel of the Year and last year’s surprise hit presenter of ‘Talent Scandinavia’, Christopher Pedersen, is slumped on a chair in Danijel’s office. Under a coat. Sleeping. Which is kind of... random.

“You remember Christopher? Hung out with us all the time at school. You know. When you used to hang with Alima?"

“Ehrr. Not really.” Mattias confesses. He remembers Danijel being around years ago when Mattias was still young, free and stupid. A younger cooler Danijel, fluttering in and out with his gang of mates in the large flat Alima called home. Vaguely. Not that himself and Alima had spent a lot of time with her family. It had never been that kind of friendship. Not that kind of thing, and whilst their parents had always greeted him warmly, he hadn’t really spoken to Danijel until they both started working here. With Alima, she is his sounding board, someone to keep him sane. She’s solid and reliable with zero drama. With Danijel? It is work. A work friendship.

“I remember you. You still look exactly the same.” The voice in the corner says. Still a little hazy from sleep.

“Did we meet?” Mattias says. Then he bites his tongue. Way to go being professional and suave.

“Yeah, a few times. Socially. You weren’t very talkative, and I was way too shy to speak to you back then.” Christopher giggles softly.

“Idea!” Danijel says, a little too loud, as he spins in his chair and focuses on Mattias.

“Look, Christopher here needs a place to crash for the night, he’s supposed to stay at mine, but I’ll be here for a while yet. You live on your own Mattias, and you know Christopher.”

Mattias snorts. Then blushes. Because that is rude. Unnecessary rude.

“Mattias…” Danijel warns. Then he sighs. “Mattias... Christopher, Christopher… Mattias. See? Now you have been introduced. Again. Mattias can you please take Christopher home and let him sleep on your sofa? He probably needs food, but Christopher is a solid dude and will get some take-away on the way back as a thank you, won’t you, Christopher?” Danijel stares expectantly at Christopher, who just nods.

“Ehhr.” Mattias says. Like he is supposed to be able to speak with all that being thrown at him. I mean Christopher. Christopher is Christopher.TheChristopher.

“My sofa is shit.” He blurts out.

“I couch-surf for a living.” Christopher smiles. “I can sleep on anything. It would be great. If it’s okay with you Mattias? I mean we both need to be back here at eight tomorrow?”

“Ehhr.” Mattias says, again, and swallows. A little too loudly as Christopher gets up and threads his coat over his arms. The heavy fabric falling graciously over his shoulders as he pulls his hand through his hair and smiles expectantly at Mattias.

“Thank you. I appreciate it. A lot.” Christopher says. His smile easy and genuine. Genuine and kind, as Mattias bites his lip and shuffles nervously.

“Matt, my man, thanks, dude.” Danijel says, his eyes already back on the screen as his hand wafts through the air, as to dismiss them both.

“I don’t drive.” Mattias says, as sweat starts to pool in his armpits. He doesn’t socialise well. He certainly doesn’t have a habit of hosting overnight guests. Well, apart from Emi, but it’s not like he can offer the unused side of his double bed to Christopher Pedersen, three-time Male Supermodel of the Year. Or the use of Emi’s purple unicorn snuggle blanket. He may not even have a clean pillowcase, or anything suitable for keeping a tall dude suitably warm.

“Taxi is good. I’ll spring for one. I don’t mind taxis if someone is with me. I don’t like going on my own though.” Christopher says quietly, shuffling along behind Mattias who lets his footfall stomp down the metal staircase to the ground floor, as Christopher starts to loudly shout down the phone behind him.

“Name’s Strømme.” Christopher says into the receiver. The name sounds nice in his voice. Deep and soft. Not hard like the way Mattias says it. “Dude, can you tell them the address? No idea where you live.” Christopher hands the phone over, letting Mattias finish the call. Shouldn’t be long. The sooner the damn taxi can get here, the sooner they can get home, and get to sleep and then tomorrow this small nightmare will be over. He hopes.

“The sofa is shit. Sorry. I don’t have guests. Normally.” Mattias stutters out. Again. Like he can’t hold a normal conversation. Not with this man looking at him with a little smile on his face.

“And I told you I can sleep anywhere. Thank you Mattias. I mean that.” Christopher says letting his hand pat Mattias’s shoulder. Just once, before his hand falls back down, slipping back into his coat pocket as they step out onto the cold pavement outside the main entrance.

Then they both stay quiet, as the snow starts to fall, the flakes clear and sharp against the dark night sky beyond the bright streetlights.

---