The prompt for this one is: "He's adorable, what's his name?"

Warnings: none

You were out in the city on your own, which didn't happen often.

Usually you were with a group of friends, mutuals that you had met at university, which you were still attending.

You were either found with them or your roommate, the same one that had found you the job interview you were going to attend in a few hours.

You were much too early, but you felt like you needed the walk and a coffee to clear your head, and to focus at the task at hand.

It was the job interview of your dream job, you loved the museum and when your friend had seen the advertisement in the newspaper for a tour guide at the museum she had immediately called and had gotten you an interview.

You were quite nervous about it, but you knew you were qualified enough, you just had to look confident during the time span of the interview.

That was why you needed the coffee you had just gotten from your favorite coffee shop.

Exiting the shop with a smile on your face and the hot coffe in your hand you didn't see the whirlwind of white, black and brown fur until it was too late.

You jumped slightly when the paws of the tiny whirlwind made contact with your jeans as he jumped up to rest his paws on your thighs, but you quickly grinned at the rash act of sympathy by the dog.

Chuckling softly you stretched out the hand that wasn't holding your coffee to pet the small beast, and the dog began to wag his tail excitedly.

Just while you were reaching out you heard a stranger's voice cry out. You didn't hear what the young man was saying, but you looked up to see him coming your way, focused on the dog at your feet.

He wasn't wearing a collar and when you saw the young man that was holding the leash along with the collar you realized why. The little devil had broken free from it, and by the state of the slightly heavily breathing stranger there had been a bit of a chase taking place.

Smiling up at him you squatted down, putting the coffe down next to you on the asphalt as you wrapped your hands around the dog to keep him in place.

The young man moved quickly towards you, kneeling down next to you to put the collar back on the dog with unskilled movements.

He was beautiful, pale skin with delicate features and long dark hair fraiming his face. Still out of breath his pink lips were open slightly, short breaths falling from them.

Once he had finished capturing the dog your stranger looked at you with an expression of deepest discomfort. "I'm sincerely sorry! It's my brother's dog, I'm not used to him yet, I'm sincerely sorry for the trouble he caused", he said softly as he stood up, holding the leash tightly, but letting the ball of fur stay in your lap, since you were still petting him.

"Oh no, no, please don't worry. He's adorable, what's his name?", you asked the stranger as you once again looked up at him.

You were still petting the tiny beagle, running your hands through his fur and smiling because of how much the dog wagged his tail because of it. You loved dogs, and beagles were your favorite.

"Baillard", he answered and a smile once again spread across your face as you repeated it softly to the dog, who reacted by lifting his head and licking your hand, which made you laugh.

The stranger looked uncomfortable at your interaction with the dog.

"Don't worry, it's fine. I love beagles, and it's not your fault he tackled me, they have minds of their own", you joked, trying to reassure the man. He nodded, lifting his hand to rub his neck in an awkward gesture.

He was dressed quite well, wearing a pullover, chinos and an overcoat, which made you feel lightheaded, because he was wearing it very well.

Leaving the beagle out of sight to study his master was a rooky mistake, the next thing you knew you heard the sound of Baillard's tail connecting with your paper cup and from the corner of your eyes you saw the coffee splattering across the curb.

The only reaction you were able to muster was laughing, but that didn't reassure the stranger at all.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", he said as he pulled on the leash to keep the puppy away from the coffe, and from you. "I'm so sorry", he repeated as he watched you feverishly, and you realized now that he was simply terrified of having to care for the dog, and of embarrassing himself.

You shook you head, dusting your jeans off as you stood up, making sure that the paw prints were as invisible as possible.

"No, seriously, don't apologize!", you chuckled and stretched your hand out leisurely, introducing yourself.

The stranger took your hand, shaking it with a firm grip, as if he was used to doing so everyday.

"Alfred York, it's a pleasure", he said softly, his gentle voice making his name that left his mouth sound like a poem.

You smiled at that, your hand lingering in his for a bit more than necessary. After letting go of each other's hands you smiled softly at each other, studying the other carefully, but trying to do so without them noticing.

You just stood there staring until you heard the tiniest whimper for attention come from the dog at your side, making you chuckle and Alfred furrow a brow, glancing at the dog.

"I... can I buy you a coffee? You know, as compensation?", he asked you, tugging a corner of his lips up in a half-smile.

Nodding quickly you once again let out a tiny laugh.

"I'd love that", you answered carefully. "But what about your number as well? To make it an actual compensation, not just a replacement?", you added boldly and felt yourself blushing profusely.

For a few seconds the fear of rejection filled you, your breath becoming uneven as you waited for his answer. It was much more intense than any other time you had asked a boy for his number with the intention of asking for a date, making you wonder what it was to Alfred that fascinated you so much.

You watched Alfred blink irritated for just a few seconds until a blush creeped a way on his face as well. "I'd love that", he nodded carefully as his eyes met yours.