he had a cigarette with his number on it ₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
dieter hellstrom x translator!reader
no tw
“Let’s wait for Emmanuelle to come before we start talking.” said Zoller, making a guy you worked for sigh.
They continued their discussion while you looked at the entrance at the other end of café. Your table was isolated from others highlighting the importance of men at the table - Frederick Zoller and Joseph Goebbels who you worked for.
You knew that somewhere close was Hans Landa but you didn't see him.
As you were waiting you noticed some noise slightly dying up. The change of the people at the other tables was so small - you barely noticed it - when two people entered. A blonde girl and tall man in leather uniform. You guessed that the woman would be Emmanuelle Mimieux but the second person you knew.
Who wouldn't?
Officer Dieter Hellstrom.
You meet him once marginally, Goebbels introduced the two of you out of politeness.
Mimieux and Hellstrom walked up to your table. Her expression was slightly annoyed while his walk behind her was confident as if not letting her escape. Zoller stood up like an exited puppy making my eyes roll.
Zoller introduced the blonde to Goebbels and you. You politely shook her hand.
“And you met the Major.” he turned to Hellstrom.
“I didn't introduce myself. Major Dieter Hellstrom of the Gestapo. At your service.” he told her, his demeanor has changed slightly. You noticed that in Emmanuelle's eyes. He was probably an asshole to her before. He chuckled but there was nothing nice about it.
“Have a seat please.” he pointed at the seat. After she sat down he poured champagne for her and himself. He took a seat next to you.
You translated the conversation between Goebbels and Mimieux feeling the gaze of Gestapo officer on you. The four of you continued to talk for a while, the tall man only watched you without a word. He looked slightly amused by the discussion which to your surprise made you glad, knowing that you're not the only one finding Frederick's actions ridiculous and a little bit pathetic.
“Ah, Landa, here you are.” announced Goebbels as an older man entered. You uncontrollably straightened up your posture which to Hellstrom exhaled as some sort of chuckle. You looked at him surprised but others didn't seem to notice this interaction - fully focused on Landa. He smiled at you and casually turned his attention to others, leaving you to wonder if he actually smiled or did he just continue some sort of secret mockery.
Goebbels excused himself, not saying anything to you. You wanted to stand up and follow him but Hellstrom gripped the backrest of your seat, stopping you from pushing back your chair. His hand clenched on the wooden chair was almost touching the skin on your neck. You could feel the heat emanating from his fingers.
“Don’t leave so soon.” his voice drained with mockery. “I believe you know officer? Landa.”
Your eyes flickered up to Hans Landa. You answered unsure.
“Yes… We met.”
Older man took your hand and brought your palm to his lips.
“Pleasure to meet you again.” he said, still holding your hand as you smiled politely hiding the fact that you wanted to get away.
Hellstrom continued to stare into your face as you took my arm away from Landa. Older man turned to Emmanuelle. You exhaled the breath you were holding in.
Dieter's hand was still gripping on the backrest of your seat trapping you. His eyes were focused on you and you struggled to hold his gaze.
“Perhaps you chose the wrong line of work if talking to german officials makes you so nervous?” he as asked in low voice as the rest of table was focused on themselves.
“I’m not nervous.” you mumbled as he leaned in closer.
“Of course you're not.” he said ironically, his voice quiet. You felt his thumb lightly caress the back of your neck sending shivers down your spine but you didn't react.
You cleared my throat hoping that he would stop before anyone noticed.
Then why did you felt disappointed when he brought his arm back to the table and cold air hit your skin?
He took out a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his leather coat. He offered one to you as his fingers swiftly took one for himself.
“I don't smoke.” you said, Hellstrom slightly raised his brows and muttered.
“Well aren't you a good girl?” he casually lit his cigarette like he didn't just leave you speechless. The rhetorical question was supposed to be sarcastic but he kept a straight face. You wondered if he was flirting or did he just want some sort of reaction from you.
He inhaled and blew a smoke in the air. Your eyes traced his jaw clenching as he exhaled.
“I hope you wouldn't mind if I talked to Miss Mimieux. I have a couple of questions regarding the safety of the cinema." Hans Landa interrupted your thoughts.
Gestapo officer nodded and stood up. You followed his footsteps as he left. You went outside the café, the bell rang as the doors closed behind you. He continued to smoke as he watched people walking on the other side of the street. Another smoky exhale came out of his mouth, this time his unreadable eyes focused on you. He tapped off the ashes, his fingers playing with the cigarette.
“We've met already, right?” he asked, his piercing eyes not leaving your face.
“Yes.” you said recalling it “At a banquet few months ago.” you continued after he doesn't didn't say anything. He nodded thoughtfully, pausing for a second.
“How’s your job going?” he threw away the rest of his cigarette, crushing it with his combat boot.
“I’d say pretty good.”
“Good.” he gave you a wry smile.
There was a moment of palpable silence between the two of you. The suffocating stillness carried more than words. Hellstrom didn't move, his presence had an underlying unease even in silence. The air between the two if you seemed to thicken with every second. The seconds stretched as if the two of you were playing a careful game. Who caves in first?
It was a power move - the calculated pause.
You could sense Major's mind working and waiting for your move. Expecting you to maybe break quiet or - if you were going to be stubborn - stand in the tense silence.
He signed breaking the soundlessness. His eyes softening ever so slightly.
“How old are you again?” his hand slipping into his pocket as he asked.
“Uh… 24.” I answered.
“Good enough.” I looked at him confused. He took out a pack of cigarettes and a pen from his pocket. But before i could speak he asked again.
“Are you free tomorrow?” his voice not giving anything away wasn't helpful.
“Yes.” I looked up at his face as he took out a cigarette and started scribbling something on it. Only now you noticed how taller he was standing next to you. You furrowed your brows confused as he handed it to you. Your fingers traced against his as you took a cigarette from him.
“It’s an address, be there at seven.” he said as he walked back towards the entrance to café. As he passed by he was so close you could still smell the cigarettes and a hint of cologne.
“And dress nice.” he added with a smug smile cracking through his cold exterior.
Before you could answer he disappeared inside. You fidgeted with the cigarette feeling the excitement building up in your chest.
