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lincnok · 3 years

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Disney Princesses are all excellent role models

Nowadays, we see something called the feminist movement, something that was born to empower young women, and equalize society, a noble cause; now it is nothing like it’s original goal, and some even bash more feminine, or soft spoken women in the fictional media. I have seen many ‘feminists’ go off about how earlier princesses, like Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora and Ariel are all ‘weak’ and are ‘unfit to be role models for young girls’ whilst princesses like Moana and Elsa are praised for their ‘empowerment’. In all of these events, both on the opposite sides of the spectrum, there is barely ever any space for the girls in the middle like Tiana and Pocahontas. Whilst these characters aren’t recognized, some get bashed, and others praised above the rest, which is unfair as they are all excellent role models and here’s why.

(I’m gonna start from the first movie cuz I find it easier that way)

Snow White:

This princess is overlooked and consistently talked about as weaker and ‘less than’, when in actuality, she is as strong a role model as any other. Even in the face of death, she is kind-hearted and care-free, choosing to clean the dwarves home, and never saying one bad word about her step mother. Yes, she did open the door to a stranger and eat the apple, but she was fourteen, and in the original story, had been living with the dwarves for two years, essentially leaving her ‘sheltered’. She lived in the middle of the forest with a group of tiny men for God’s sake, do you really think she would understand the no strangers rule? And even then, eating the apple was something she did out of politeness, rather than stupidity. It was her innocence taken advantage of that got her poisoned, not stupidity or weakness. She is a positive role model because she was able to stay level-headed, polite and innocent, even under severe pressure.

Cinderella:

Now in her story, she is claimed as weak because, in some people’s eyes, she did nothing in the face of abuse. Is that true? Absolutely! But not because she is weak, but because she is strong enough to know when not to fight. She cried and had bad days, but still chose to do the things she was asked in order for things to remain peaceful. She worked hard to achieve what she wanted. When she was told she had to do all her chores and more in one afternoon to go to the ball, she did, and made a dress on top of that. She would’ve gone to the ball anyway if it were not for her step-family’s spite, all she need the fairy godmother for was a change of clothes and a ride. She was honest and hard working, unbending even in the face of abuse and pain, something all girls should aspire to be.

Aurora:

This is the one that gets the worst media, as she had little lines and screen time and ‘slept through her whole movie’. But in all honesty, the girl lived in the forest with three fighting fairies, who did little to help with education and knowledge of the outside world, keeping her as sheltered as possible. She was happy and loveable, with a definite affinity for singing, something she did on the regular. Of course, we don’t get to see much of her personality there, but I’d like to say that she was something of a carefree spirit, happy and optimistic, trying her best to keep others happy too. She was a little boy crazy, yes, but she was fifteen, and Prince Phillip was the first man she had ever seen, so you can’t really blame her for her fascination with him. She had no idea about a curse, and if something possesses you, you don’t really have anything to do about it, and you can’t do anything if you’re asleep for one hundred years. But she kept herself happy and cheerful even in loneliness, as the prince was not only the first male she’d seen but also the first human she’d seen since she was a baby, and yet she was obviously happy, jubilant enough to sing for hours in the forest, despite being alone for most of her life. Happiness can be found in the even in the loneliest of places and that is what Aurora teaches us.

Ariel:

This girl gets bad media too because of her choice at the end of the film. Through out the film, she is presented as a curious soul, wanting to find out how the humans lived, collecting the trinkets and items from the shipwrecks said humans left. She did go too far in her curiosity, though, signing her voice away for legs. But she was eager to learn, and that is something all girls should aim to be. As I said before, she is bashed for making the decision to stay on land and get married, rather than going back home, but that is a very common thing to do, more common that people think. If a girl falls in love with someone in another country, she has every right to stay there with him, and thus Ariel shouldn’t be penalized for something so common and accepted. Her family didn’t condemn her, they came to her wedding and were happy for her. She chose her happiness over cultural norms, and that kind of confidence is something we should all aim to have.

Belle:

Belle isn’t bashed so much as diagnosed, and I feel like that isn’t right to do. I’m not saying that it isn’t true, but there is so much that is ignored about Belle’s story that should be mentioned. Like the fact that she is educated. This is something that was very rare in the time period in which she lived, and she definitely needs to get more recognition because of that. In an essay I read, it was said that she would be the equivalent of the village’s ‘IT guy’ and that is exactly right. When she rejected Gaston, she never said a bad word about him, nor wrote off his affections or was rude, she simply declined, which is something that should be respected and applauded rather than bought down. There is also the fact that she is quite feminine in appearance and picks a decidedly feminine dress despite being raised by a single father, which is a detail I rather liked, as it lets Belle be on both sides of the spectrum, being able to expertly communicate with her male friends, whilst also being ‘girly’ with her female friends, and thus makes her a well rounded character. Her falling in love with the Beast, may have well been a psychological disorder, but it wasn’t like her feelings weren’t reciprocated. And she wasn’t kidnapped. Kidnapping is abduction, meaning that you are taken or held somewhere against your will. She chose to stay. And it wasn’t like she was held in particularly bad conditions, the only condition was that she couldn’t leave. Yes, she was provided an ultimatum, but she chose to stay. And then made the best out of it. The falling in love was a side effect. Belle was educated, but not arrogant, kind and humble, polite and feminine, and those traits are wonderful, and make the princess an incredible role model.

Jasmine:

Jasmine is one of those princesses who is forgotten about, but I’ve come here today to let you know she is an absolute girlboss. In her movie, she was the crown princess, and her family ‘needed’ her to marry so that they could have a king and her dad could retire. But she wanted to marry for love instead of just political power and wealth and thus turned all her suitors away. This meant that she never gained any of the rights she would get if married and had to live in the palace for the rest of her life until she found ‘the one’. And if you pay attention, you’ll realize that Jasmine was the ruling monarch because Jasmine was royalty and Aladdin was not. She was also only 17 when she became queen, which makes her queendom so much more impactful. Her little outing one the outside gave her that little bit of compassion that she would’ve needed to become a great sultan. She may not have been a warrior, but in terms of political prowess, she was one of the most powerful. She is the ruler that girls should want to look up to and follow, a role model to her community as well as her audience.

Pocahontas:

I don’t really know much about her, but I know enough to say this. In the film (not real life), she made the opposite decision to Ariel, and chose to stay with her tribe rather than stay the man she loved. That was a brave decision, and the fact that she made it in the face of pressure is to be admired.

Mulan:

Ah, yes. The great feminist icon. But the one who gets condemned for having a prince. Yes, she was a great warrior, and yes, she was professional, but that all doesn’t mean she’s not allowed to find love. She can be all those things and still be a mother and a wife, they don’t have to go separately. And, you know what? The fact that she had a prince just made it all the more inspiring, because thats what the #MeToo movement should be about, embracing all kinds of women, and not separating the roles of mother and wife from the roles of leader and independent. Having a husband doesn’t make you any less, and that, among other lessons, is what Mulan teaches us.

Tiana:

Tia should get about as much hype as Mulan, but in reality, she doesn’t. She is very much forgotten about other than the fact that she is black. Her story isn’t about ‘conquering racism’ or anything attributed mainly to ‘black media’, but instead is about a working girl, doing just that, working. She worked hard to achieve her goal, and not once did she even try to take a short cut. She found love along the way, made some friends and lost some friends, impacted some friends for the better, and achieved her goal, no short cuts and a whole lotta jazz music. That’s what the Princess and the Frog is about, working hard to achieve your dreams. That sentiment is something everyone should learn, and the fact that that’s a black girl up there being that role model for us just makes it even better.

Rapunzel:

Rapunzel, the queen of self-isolation. But despite that, she was always happy and optimistic, which is something us cynics could stand to learn about. She was curious, but had some common sense. She was probably the most organized out of all the Disney princesses, as she had a set schedule for everything. She was probably the most artistically gifted as well. She definitely not stupid, but instead innocent and gullible, but capable of defending herself and running a good negotiation. She could’ve been a lawyer! She was a perfect example of someone talented using their talents to better the people and that’s what makes her someone to look up to.

Merida:

Another warrior, except this time, set in Scotland without a prince. You guys know the story. Bought up in a home where all she was expected to do was get married and have kids, Merida yearned to be outside with her bow and arrow, but instead was told no. Eventually, tired of the pressure, she goes to a witch to get a charm to make make her mother more lenient. Instead, the charm turns her mother into a bear, and turns her curious little brothers into bear cubs. The race is on for Merida to get the cure before it is too late. She successfully cures her mother and brothers, fights the evil Mor’du and comes to appreciate her mother more. This little family story shows a headstrong girl getting love and affection from her family without condescending, and the best interests at heart. She sets of to fix her own mistake, something still not really shown in media. She teaches girls to love their family even when you don’t agree, stand up for themselves, take responsibility for their actions and try their best to fix their mistakes.

Elsa:

I’ll start with her because this list is oldest to youngest. Another Princess without a Prince, she’s actually a queen for most of the movie, and isn’t even the mainest main character. She still teaches girls something. With her headstrong character, she was morally sound despite dealing with an immense feeling of self-hatred and fear. Only when she really broke did she ever intend to hurt anyone. She shows you how to be yourself in spite of the of the danger. She is brave and strong, with powerful abilities and love for her sister.

Anna:

Anna isn’t in the spotlight as much as Elsa was, seemingly naïve and gullible. Except, you have to realize that Anna is that she was left literally alone for God knows how long. Hans was the first person she’d met and liked who didn’t leave her alone. She liked him a lot, and it is believable that she would’ve said yes to Hans when he proposed. But still, as the story went on she became more mature, but didn’t lose her childlike spirit. She teaches us to go to the ends of the Earth for the ones you love, but to not be a push-over. To stand firm in the face of danger, but to not be reckless. Anna teaches us what true love is.

Moana:

“If I go there’s just no telling how far I go!” Moana is an adventurous soul, unafraid of nonconformity, and in love with the great unknown. She falls in love with the sea, and, even though she is prohibited, follows her dreams. She is the picture of determination and willingness to go out into the unknown, and she isn’t afraid to be herself, even amidst hardships, rejection and danger. Such a sprit is something to admire and aspire to have.

Every last one of the girls on my list is a role model and I hope you now understand why. So don’t look down on a little girl when she says her favorite princess is Cinderella. Don’t cuss out the little black girl who says she wants to be Snow White for Halloween even when there’s a princess that looks like you or vice versa. Don’t roll your eyes at the girl who says she likes Anna better than Elsa, or she wants to be a queen like Jasmine. Don’t hate on these characters because of circumstances they couldn’t control or because they’re not like you, because every single one of them is and can be a role model to a little girl, they all just cater to different types. Yes, the Disney princess line isn’t all representing, and many of these tales are taken out of context or made more light hearted, but no matter what the story is, these girls are their own characters and we should respect that, and everyones opinions on them.

Aight, I’m out.

#respect #disney princess #disney pride #merida #snow white #tiana #disney movies #modern disney princess #aurora #moana #mulan #rapunzel #pocahontas #everyones a princess #elsa #anna #jasmine #ariel #cinderella

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hereisisa · 4 years

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When I first heard that there'll be more of Colisa (cuz I love her) in the new book, I was thinking about how the story could play out now that Elsa isn't around. I love the illustrations, but that's about it. The moment I saw the first page, with Anna "happily" being surrounded by paperwork, I nearly barfed. I respect the sacrifices and duties a monarch has to do, but that's not Anna. Being "matured" within three years wouldn't erase the fact that Anna is an outdoors person, being cooped up

(Part 2): for an entire day wouldn't be as great as the book tried to portray. And with the story being about her finding the perfect gift for Colisa, and never once thinking early on "huh, Elsa should know what to give visitors, since she was TRAINED to know these sort of things!" and instead turning to Olaf or K? Just...*face palm*. And what's with Elsa always not replying back, and now, replying late to Anna's letters? Like she replies 12 HOURS later, when Gale air delivers Anna's letter

(Part 3): in mere seconds? And she never explained why she got back to Anna's letter so late, or Anna never asking what took her SO long? What the hell was Elsa even doing? Fighting a reindeer over a carrot? Battling falling leaves? What could had possibly held Elsa up the whole time away from Arendelle that she couldn't answer Anna's question or even meet Colisa (since apparently she's "still a Queen")?

(Part 4): I know I'm getting riled up over a (non-canon) story, but it's really just a reminder over how II managed to contradict and destroy the entirety of Frozen and it's message of familial love. It sad that even books lie to spare the kids' feelings and hide the problems from them, by pretending that "everyone is happy and everything is okay!"

---------------------

I had your same reaction at the first page, but there’s one good thing here:

We say we know Anna, and we know from previous books that she would hate this life (but we have some canon too, to support our ideas, not just books)

Now this new book instead says she loves paperwork. Well, if THIS BOOK says the opposite of a PREVIOUS BOOK, I’m just gonna ignore this one and believe the first one (especially cause it’s also supported by canon). :P

Easy as that.

This is exactly why I always said F2 is based on RETCONS.

A character suddently does something new, that has no bases in the past, and it gets labelled as “truth”.

But why should I believe this, when I have evidence from previous books and movies that it’s false? As you said “growth” doesn’t change the fact that Anna is an outdoors person, and no amount of love for Elsa would ever make her love the long ours in the office.

She would love to be outside with her people, yes, but not paperwork, alone, for hours. That’s not Anna. Growth is not a personality transplant!

The fact that Anna doesn’t think to ask Elsa (that in fact helps her and fix the problem even without being there), and Elsa actually needs 12 hours to reply (the book doesn’t say Elsa was busy, but she replies right away, so that’s the time Gale takes to do the job and F2 lied making it faster), proves how unreliable these little tales are.

As for Elsa not being there: these little books will never change canon. If Elsa can’t be in Arendelle now because of what they wrote, she will not magically appear there. Not gonna happen. This is what makes me hate F2 even more: there’s nothing remotely good in the future, until they’ll change it. And who knows if they will and when.

We should make fun of the inaccuracies, hoping that when they’ll write a sequel for real, they’ll fix them.

Edit: Sorry I saw the last part of your message now, and we’re saying the same thing! We dislike these little innocent books, probably not canon, cause they remind us of how nothing good will came from that F2 end we hated. We were right to hate it and this is the proof. The movie “contradicts and destroys the entirety of Frozen and it's message of familial love”.

#Frozen 2 #BringElsaHome #Elsa #Anna #Queen Elsa #notmyfrozen

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is0gild · 4 years

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WHY I SHIP IT

You know the whole "Opposites Attract" trope? Yeah, that. I'm weak for that. A total slut for opposites attracting. Turns my knees to jelly. It's my crack. Just stick that shite into an IV straight to my veins! And these two? Got opposites coming out the wazoo!

Ice and Fire. Duh.

Introvert and extrovert. Quiet, shy girl with snarky, outgoing guy? Unf, that murders me with feels. To be fair, Elsa is not a TOTAL recluse - she’s a total sweetheart who can still hold a friendly conversation, but she's hardly the life of the party attention whore. No, that'd be THAT guy *points to lovable fire dork*

Light (Princess of Heart just trying to do her best) and Dark (Former-Nobody with a redemption arc). PS, to any Frozen fans who might be confused, “Princess of Heart” and “Nobody” are Kingdom Hearts terms - either see my Axel/Lea Cliff Notes for further deets or consult your nearest, handy-dandy KH glossary of terms.

Highborn Queen and Sly Assassin. Oof, it almost sounds so deliciously forbidden when you put it that way. Me like.

She tends to be Ms Glass-Half-Empty and he tends to be Mr Glass-Half-Full. Put there 2 half glasses together tho and you get a full glass ;D Was that hella cheesy? Yup! Think I care? Nope! Now don’t get me wrong, neither of them 100% own up to those titles - she has MORE than her fair share of bright moments, as he too has his Sad Boi™ moments. Still, they do both have a tendency to lean into those nicknames and boy howdy would it be cute watching him be the one bring a smile to her face when she’s down :3

She smol, he tol. Like, for real... he's one seriously tall boi. No official heights out there as far as I’m aware, but fan calculations put Elsa at 5'4" and Axel/Lea at either 6'4" or 6'7" (from two different sources, two different fans, take your pick). Either way, he's got at least a foot on her and just... oof! I swoon! I know, this is mega superficial, but I really don't care. It's aesthetically pleasing to me. These 2 very beautiful peeps being put together is just in general aesthetically pleasing to me.

OPPOSITES!

ATTRACTING!

Doesn't always work, but when it's done well, it can be so beautiful T_T Just love the idea of two personalities so different but that complement and balance each other out so well and help make up for what the other lacks! Ahhh, opposites attracting... that's how I wanna die *wistful, far-off, starry-eyed look*

ANYWAY! It's not all about the opposites! These two actually have a lot in common too!

They're both royal dumbasses that would (and legit DID) sacrifice themselves for their loved ones without hesitation!

They're both brave! Okay, it takes a bit of time for Elsa to come into her own courage, but by Frozen 2, our ice queen's got it in GODDAMN SPADES YO!

They’re both silly dorks with sassy, playful sides! Fire Boi wears his dorkitude on his sleeve whereas Ice Bab is a lil more shy about showing hers, but trust me, I could write a whole friggin' ESSAY on that side of her just lousy with examples! ...but I'll refrain from doing that here for the sake of not turning this "why I ship it" bit into instead being "an ode to Elsa's silliness" :P

He's an impulsive lil shit! She is too, but her impulsiveness is slightly, mind you SLIGHTLY more tempered. She'd probably do some good in reeling the big doofus in from time to time. That said, he'd still end up probably dragging her off on many adventures that she would only put on a show of mildly resisting.

Leading into my next point: they're both adventurous! C'mon, Elsa has a whole damn song about being drawn to the unknown! While Axel/Lea, well... that boy could change his self-proclaimed middle name "Dark Rescue" to "Dumbass Thrillseeker".

Smarts! They both got 'em! He's more street-smarts whereas she's more book-smarts... so this one is kinda sorta both a same AND an opposite? FANCY!

They'd both be ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS when it came to romantic love and this makes me cackle. SHE has been suppressing her emotions and trying not to have so much as one single solitary FEEL for 13 years. HE has had no heart for 10 years during which time he LITERALLY could not feel emotions. Don't worry, she's no longer suppressing and he's got the ol' ticker back, so they're both doing the whole emotions thing again, but they're both such goddamn NEWBS when it comes to feelings that they probably wouldn't know a romantic inkling if one came up and slapped them in their gorgeous faces! So just picture it: these two idiots falling in love and just being all DAFUQ IS THIS??? I THINK MY HEART ITCHES??? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HALP.

On a final-ish note that is neither really opposites nor similarities, they both canonically exist in the same universe within Kingdom Hearts, so even though they haven't actually met yet, they could still theoretically meet and it'd still be 100% kosher canon! And okay sure, Disney worlds in KH are basically AUs of their movie counterparts so just cuz Elsa exists in Axel/Lea's franchise, doesn't mean Axel/Lea exists in Elsa's franchise. BUT STILL! I just love that there IS a canon universe where they do in fact both exist and could in fact meet and I JUST THINK THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

That's it. That's all I got for now. I'm sure I'll come up with more and will return to add on to this, but to sum it all up: I just want to smoosh my fire and ice bbies cute widdle faces together :3 My my, how STEAMY that would be (huh? huh? see what I did there? cuz, ya know, she’s ice and he’s… ehhhh, I think you guys get it)

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hitchell-mope · 4 years

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(Third film. After “smells like teen spirit”. Back in Auradon. At Evie’s house. Mal’s in the kitchen making party food. Uma’s fighting a loosing battle with the swivel stool. And Celia’s sitting on the counter)

Celia: ok. I’ll bite. Why Harry. Out of all the idiots, all the boys, and Gil, that you could have chosen. Why Harry?

Uma: hm? Shit. Fuckin’. Crappy chair. What now

Mal: I can get you a proper chair if you like

Uma (slamming her palm down on the counter): I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY KITCHEN FURNISHINGS!!!! Ow

Mal: ok, dude. Say it. Don’t spray it.

Uma (sounding like Sideshow Bob): urgh. (Normal voice) What were you saying Ceels?

Celia: why. Harry.

Uma: he’s a good employee. Does what I say, when I say it, without argument

(Her sister and cousin look unconvinced)

Celia: you wanna tell or can I? Or if you’d prefer we can go full on Greek muse

Mal: ha. And let halfwit Harry be happy? Yeah, no, don’t think so

Uma: yeah I’m lost

Celia: toi, ma chère soeur, tu aimes le pirate

Uma: slander and blasphemy

Celia: well it’s true. Wether you like or not. You “wuv” him

Uma: you’re wrong. Mal, tell her she’s wrong

Mal: I can’t, I’m cooking. (She clears her throat) Coughshe’srightthoughcough

Uma: low blow. Even for you.

Celia: you know it. (She starts humming the “in a tree” song)

Uma: must she use that insipid song?

Mal: she’s your little sister. So yes.

Uma: I’m not, you know, with Harry

Mal: I am really not the one you should be talking to about this. If I had my way he’d be staring down the business end of a jet propeller.

Uma: yeah. You’re right. Got anymore booze?

Mal: open bar cuz, open bar.

Uma: thanks

(She reaches for a new bottle and promptly falls off the swivel stool)

Celia: HAHAHAHA!!!! Called it

Uma (popping up from the floor): I have to go

(She heads for the gazebo)

Mal: if I were you I’d go after her and knock her off the trail.

Celia: meaning you’d turn her away from Hook.

Mal: yep.

Celia: luckily for her, I’m not you.

(She gets off the counter and heads in Uma’s direction. Then she stops and turns around)

Celia: by the way. Where are Dizzy’s folks?

Mal (looking very uncomfortable): uhhhh (her eyes flit to the ceiling)...asleep...?

Celia: eh they deserve after the day they’ve had.

(Celia leaves Mal my long about Lamborghini’s, Doug’s shirt and throttling Evie, and goes to her sister)

Celia: hey

Uma (taking a swig of whiskey that empties half of the bottle): what?

Celia: just checking up on you

Uma: I’m not. It doesn’t exist.

Celia: yeah, yeah, I know. But if it worked

Uma: I am not like them. And you know I’m not. I’m (she takes another swig, emptying the bottle completely) independent

Celia: yeah the thing about they is well.

(This is when “miss independent” happens. After the song Mal poofs in)

Mal: Jay phoned. They’re just coming up to the house.

Celia: about time

Mal: oh and Uma, que pensez-vous de la livraison de Harry dans une boîte d'allumettes?

(Uma blanches and poofs to the front of the house. Mal bursts into cackles)

Celia: I hope you’ll still find it funny when you’re eating your meals through a straw.

Mal: ahh it’ll be worth it. C’mon kid

(They troop through the house and end up meeting Devie at the bottom of the stairs. Mal flings her arm over Celia’s eyes)

Mal: oh look. They’ve finally emerged from the nest (telepathically) Doug your buttons are disordered. Evie, my dear sister, you might wanna charge into your own clothes instead of Doug’s shirt

(They both look red faced and proceed to make the changes)

Mal: that’s better. (Verbally) lets go then

(Once outside they wait for the others. Jaylos, gilonnie and Jane walk up first)

Mal: where’s Ben. You said you found him

Jay: I also said I had a surprise for you

Jane: oh god tell me you didn’t

Gilonnie and Carlos: he did

Jane: fucking cats

Mal: cats? What about cats?

Jay: not cats. Ben.

Mal: uh-kay

Jay: 🎶come on out Ben🎶

(Ben poofs in. Mal promptly squeals in surprise)

Mal (euphorically, Unser her breath): it’s just like cats

Evie: ladies gentleman and pirates. I give you the acting queen of auradon

Mal: oh blow it out your ass sis or I’ll tell them about you’re last wardrobe choice

Evie: I’ll shut up

Lonnie: now that the king and his fiancé are safe. There’s something I’ve been waiting a year to do. You’re Uma yeah?

Uma: yeah

Lonnie: awesome

(She launches herself at Uma and tackles the sea witch to the ground)

Uma: what the fuck!

Lonnie: what’s your problem with Mal anyway? Huh? Is it that she’s more powerful then you? Or that she got away first? Oh don’t worry. I know what she did. And I don’t care. That’s who she was not who she is. But you did what she did. And you did worse. You were angry. And you lashed out at the first person you could. So how are you any different

Uma: get this crazy bitch offa me!

Mal: Lonnie! Lonnie, we’re cool now! So if could I uh hehe?

Lonnie: really? Well alright then.

Ben: got it all out of your system?

Lonnie: mostly. Might be some residual anger that’ll present itself at an inopportune time. But for now I’m ok.

Mal: cool. How about we get you a drink?

Lonnie: appletini?

Mal: more then doable. Let’s get you inside, Evie wipe that smirk off your face, and get you a nice appletini on the rocks yeah? (Lonnie nods) yeah...

(Mal and lonnie go in. Ben approaches Uma)

Ben: I’m sorry about her. She kinda got left out last year and today’s been awful for everyone concerned. She just snapped

Uma: don’t make allowances for her kid ok? I don’t make allowances for Harry

Carlos: no, of course not, you just let him get away with blue murder

Uma: don’t you have a genie to be cowering behind?

Carlos: not after the mirror, no. But I could repeat the process if you like? (Uma shuts up) good

(Jaylos go into the house. Uma turns around and looks at Jane who is not impressed)

Uma: hey, which one are you

Jane: I don’t want to talk to you. You enslaved my mother. And you boyfriend looked at me like I was food

(She follows jaylos into the house. Evie is tight lipped with barely contained glee)

Evie: today has been raining shower of crap but it’s gotten so much better in the last half hour

(Dizzy walks up to them followed by Hades, Elsa and the Hooks)

Dizzy: grandpa wouldn’t let jay keep Harry in a matchbox

Doug: awww honey, but you know what, there are mountains of cupcakes on the buffet table in the kitchen. Why don’t you go and show Celia?

Dizzy (turning to Celia): now you’re gonna see Wendy kinda magic I can do

(The two head inside)

Doug: I’m gonna head to the garage. You go inside, enjoy the party

Evie: meet me when you’re done?

Doug: goes without saying

(Devie leaves the patio, leaving Ben, Gil, Uma, Hades, Elsa and the Hooks)

Ben: I need to change, starting to feel chilly. Gil could I borrow some of your clothes? I’d poof but I knibda want time to think

Gil: sure

(The two brothers head inside)

Elsa: you haven’t lived until you’ve had my daughter cooking. And I’m starving so I shan’t keep you

Hades: I’ve heard only good things about my daughters cooking. So I’ll join you

Elsa: perfect(.)

(The two head inside)

Uma: tension much?

Cj: typical case of biological father vs adoptive mother both trying to assert their place in the child’s life

Harriet: huh?

Cj: pissing contest. You know what? You three head in. I just remembered something

(She heads to the garage where Doug’s pulling a motor engine in and out of a hole in the ground by a metal chain)

Cj: so you’re the half dwarf who grievously injured my brother

Doug: I stabbed Harry in the dick as he was trying to kill me. Also. It’s been a year. Get over it already.

Cj: a Hook doesn’t forget. Nor do they forgive.

Doug: you know there’s a subdivision of Eton here. I’m sure you’d be able to get a scholarship

Cj: hah. Boys club. And besides. When this is all over I’m going back home and doing away with my father.

Doug: yeah, sure, whatever. Now are you going to stand there gawking like a haddock or are you going to leave me to my own devices?

Cj: I should like to see what happens when the chain breaks or you’re strength gives up.

Doug: won’t break. Dwarven titanium. Magic.

Cj: I know what dwarven titanium is. I’m not as uneducated as the remaining plebs on the island

Doug: yeah. I know. I read your file. (He puts the engine down) I also know that you’re James Hook’s least favourite child. I know who your cousin is. And I know that you’re allergic to vinegar. Which is rather depressing since that’s the only readily available condiment on the island besides rock salt. Don’t mess with me kid. I’m the major-domo.

Cj: so you’re the hornbill to the maneless leonine. Alright then. If you’re do intelligent. Tell me. What goes through your mind when you’re face to face with the sister of the man you viciously attacked and left for dead?

Doug: of course he told you that. I don’t leave the numbskull for dead. Elsa, Merida and I delivered him to the ship and Uma revived him.

Cj: they wouldn’t lie. Not to

Doug: each other yes. But everyone else is fair game. Believe what you wanna believe. I’m going inside to make my kid a snack. I make a mean pb&j. Oh. And I’m not scared of you Miss Hook. I lived through my worst nightmare today so you’re of little to no consequence to me. And stay away from the cars. I’ll know if you don’t.

(He leaves her looking slightly shocked and runs into Mal on the patio bench. She’s holding a sandwich)

Mal: blt?

Doug: beef instead of bacon?

Mal: baloney. Fried on one side, salted on the other. Minced tinned tomatoes. Iceberg lettuce. I know my friends lunch orders.

Doug: you’re a marvel Mal

Mal: not really. I just cook when I’m nervous. Or bored. Or worrying. Or planning a party. Which in this case was all of the above.

Doug: ah. You covered (she hold up a beer bottle) naturally. Wanna sit

Mal: sure. I’ve been on my feet for most of the day

Doug: I’ve been thinking

Mal: yeah?

Doug: oh god this is gonna be difficult. I know you’ve made up your mind and Ben, Jay, everyone, won’t hold it against you if you choose not to. But I think it’s time

Mal: time for what?

Doug: to. Start helping

Mal: oh boy. Ok look. I get it. I do. I get it. But we tried. I tried. And came back with produce in my hair. We all did

Doug: that was six months ago. And besides. (He pulls her off the bench and has her face the window). Look. Vk and Ak. Somewhat peacefully. Coexisting. All because you kept a handle on things when everything else had gone crappy

Mal: eh. Though my cousins about to pelt my sister with apples. Hey jay? Could you? Thanks. What’re you suggesting bud?

Doug: start off with FaceTime. Say once a month Ben FaceTimes you when he goes to the island. And work your way up. It could work

Mal: my being rhere would grind everything to a halt. They’d be focused on me and not on Ben

Doug: true. But you have got to step up some more. You can’t hide behind the curtain forever

Mal: I know

Doug: come on

(This is when “collision of worlds” happens. After the song Mal turns to the party still going on inside)

Mal: I’ve been an ass haven’t I?

Doug: no, not an ass. Just yourself

Mal: somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better. I suppose I should go talk to him

Doug: you do that

Mal: before I forget. (She tackles him in a bear hug). Thank you. Now I’ll go.

(She poofs into Gils room where Ben is currently trying on a pair of aquamarine trousers with yellow braces)

Mal: you know if I had my way, that’d be all you’d have on

Ben: if you had your way, I’d still have the tattered bike pants on

Mal: touché. But why the 13th Doctor cosplay? And more to the point, why Gil’s 13th Doctor cosplay?

Ben: well I did just spend two hours traipsing through the forest, half naked, accompanied by, among others, your birth father and adoptive mother. So I feel like I should cover up a bit

Mal: fair is fair. Speaking of. A few questions. Who did it to you? Why did they do it? Can I kill them? And is it like my dragon form or is it a one and done deal?

Ben: my father, your birth mother and Chad. To get rid of me. Yes you can. And yes I can.

Gil: Harry ran his mouth and Ben switched and chased him for half a mile

Mal: he’s a moron. Oh and by the way. I sorry about the boys.

Gil: I know. I still don’t get why Adam did that

Ben: he’s a heartless up his own ass opportunistic bastard. That’s why

Mal: finally letting loose with the swears I see

Gil: “bastard” is nothing. My baby brother right here gave Adam the mother father uncle and aunt of all call outs. He even used the “count without the O” word

Mal: I’m impressed

Gil: it was amazing. I’m so proud

Ben: shoulders buddy, shoulders

Gil: right, sorry, my bad

Mal: before I forget. I made an omelette station downstairs. And a smoothie bar.

Gil: see ya!

(He rushes downstairs leaving bal alone)

Mal: so I’ve been thinking about the wedding

Ben (putting the coat on): yeah?

Mal: mhmm. I’m guessing we have to have it in the cathedral cause yknow, royalty, but we can still plan the reception yeah?

Ben: correct? What were you thinking

(Mal clicks her left hand and brings her arm down, shifting them to a new location in the process)

Mal: were you there your post coronation rave. Bookends and all that

Ben: oooh I like it

Mal: I’ve even thought of the song for our dance

Ben: I think I know where you’re going with this and I love it. And I’m in a tux. (He feels the top hat) with bunny ears. Huh

Mal: from my dream last night so was this

(She now has the purple Aurora dress on)

Ben (impressed): wow

Mal: not to fancy. But not too modern. And I’m wearing flats so stent dwarfed in comparison by me

Ben: well I could always activate my beast paws.

Mal: might give your mother a heart attack

Ben: true. True

Mal: well then your highness. Shall we practice?

Ben: yes we shall

(This is when “at the beginning” happens. After the song the school exterior melts back into the spare room. Mal’s eyes flash fuchsia and she collapses into Ben’s arms)

Ben: woah! You alright?

Mal: yeah. I just gotta talk to my father

(She switches back into her previous outfit and trots back downstairs where Evie’s hosting a singalong. This is when “better when I’m dancing” happens. After the song she walks outside)

Mal: dad I need a word. You too Uma. You’ll want to see this. (Once they’ve sat down she hands a scrap of paper to hades). Does this mean anything to you?

Hades (Jesse L Martin): “when the day becomes the night...no time for tea...before my final rhyme...return home....turn back the hands of...”. It’s one of the Cheshire cats forsaken riddles. Why do you ask?

Mal: I was talking to Ben just now and everything turned dark fuchsia for a sec, like when my eyes when I use magic, and I heard Doctor Facillier say that in my head. It’s not a prophecy is it?

Hades: no. The last prophecy I remember hearing was the Fates telling me I’d rule the cosmos. Followed by Herc beating me. Why would you think it’s a prophecy?

Mal: uhhhh

Uma: no. NO! YOU DO NOT GET THAT AS WELL AS EVERYTHING ELSE! I REFUSE TO LET THAT HAPPEN

Hades: I’m afraid I’m not following

Mal: I’ve got all the hallmarks. Powerful parents. Double heritage. Annoying brother. Really it should be Ben though. Or you cuz

Uma: really? Me?

Mal: yah. You’re much better qualified

Hades: haha. It’s funny. You’ve spent so much time trying to kill her. And she still think you’re better than her

Uma: what’s your point?

Hades (smiling smugly, he’s eyes glowing bright yellow): be very careful about who you piss off my dear

Uma: don’t test me uncle

Hades: and don’t test ME niece

Mal: >snickers<. Sorry. Anyway. So rhere really isn’t a prophecy built around me?

Hades: nope. not even close

The cousins: oh thank god

Hades: would it really be so bad if it were though?

Mal: most likely yes

Uma: she doesn’t even have the cajones necessary to get kids off the island. Why would she be so sort of cliched chosen one

Mal: HEY! You know why I don’t go. I told you why I don’t go. My reasons are my reasons. And you don’t get to say anything to me after the crap you’ve pulled to one up me when I personally couldn’t care less

Uma (oh so very smug): face it cousin. I’ve got moral high ground in this one

Mal: and you had face it “cousin”, that you have a thing for my brother

Uma: not really no seeing as I hate him and he’s only into guys...

Mal: not the fun one. The rat one

Uma (experiencing face freeze): huh?

Mal: well Harry’s my brother and you’re my second cousin which means he’s also your second cousin. And if I read the signals right possibly your almost stepbrother

Uma: I’m gonna kill you

Hades: no you won’t niece. It doesn’t matter. You knew him long before your father and I -ahem- “joined” together and your Olympian dna only counts the parents with said dna. You’re not related to my second son, Uma. And I have absolutely no intention at all of claiming you as my adoptive daughter. So, to use the modern turn of phrase, you’re golden. Is that better

Uma: sort of

Mal (at the same time as Uma): dammit.

Hades: good. Now that that’s all settled. Shall we rejoin the party?

Uma: in a minute

Hades: oh Kronos what is it now?

Uma: did you bring me out here just to say that Harry’s my cousin? Or to talk about the prophecy that isn’t?

Mal: first one. But you pressed my buttons so I wanted to throw you from your comfort zone

Uma (nodding): alright. I respect that. HOWEVER! Don’t look at me like that dragonhide. However. The fact remains you’ve gotta grow a pair and get out there. Your own feelings be damned. It’s not about you

Mal: When has it ever been about me?

Uma: butterfinger boy’s made his whole vendetta about you lousing up his home

Mal: thank you Uma, thanks for the help

Hades: ooh. I know what to do

Mal: smite Harry and save us from his unneeded existence?

Hades: no. You need a pep talk

Mal: no. Please don’t

Uma: actually. I wanna hear what he has to say

Hades: thank you Uma. But you probably won’t like what I have to say

(This is when “who I am” happens)

#disney descendants #zendaya!mal

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fortheloversoffilm · 4 years

Text

Frozen 2

Title: Frozen 2 Director: Jennifer Lee & Chris Buck Release: November 22nd, 2019

Alright, so if you know me at all, you know I’m not a huge fan of Frozen (let’s be real “Let It Go” ruined it for A LOT of us).

SO, upon seeing this 2nd film of the franchise, and enjoying it, I was BAFFLED.

*I also apologize, in advance, for the amount of photos/stills in this -- seriously cannot get over the animation*

We’ll start negatives and build into the positives, end with a high note, cuz there are FEW issues I had with this film.

One of the first negatives I want to discuss is the storyline. I wasn’t a big fan of the “no villain” aspect of this. the argument for the Grandfather being the villain, is valid, but I also don’t think he’s the major issue here, plus it was a troupe I’ve seen MANY times and wanted something different. It’s that Arendelle is in danger of being destroyed by the forces and spirits of the elements. But after Hans, who was an excellent villain BTW, it felt like it was missing something.

I also have the issue that this storyline seems kind of out of no where. We never REALLY met her parents much in the first -- which is why we could be going deeper here, but it didn’t feel necessary. However, the fact there was NO mention of the Northuldra people (Is this the people of Kristoff’s origin? Why are they not in the first? How can a whole grouping of people be completely forgotten? How can Anna remember a portrait of Mattias but never know why he’s there in a portrait?). I did LOVE the new rendition of the Frozen opening, I thought that was STUNNING, and I loved meeting the Northuldra people, regardless of my issues with where they were in the first film.

There is also the discussion piece of “This is the same as the first film story wise” -- which is a valid discussion, BUTT I would disagree with this based on the lack of a villain like Hans.

OK, so moving on from “Debbie Downer, just enjoy the movie for what it is.” THE POSITIVES.

Firstly, I need to SCREAM about how AMAZING this soundtrack was! Between Kristoff’s power 80s, love ballad and “Into the Unknown” -- I CANNOT. It was WONDERFUL. Beautiful. Spectacular. And Panic! at the Disco’s rendition of “Into the Unknown” leaves me with CHILLS. LIKE GUYS -- I have to leave a link.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcmHucRKTnI)

I also have to RAVE about how spectacular the animation is. From the details in costuming to just how REAL the trees look in the flooding scene -- LIKE:

ANDDDD

ANDDDDD

It’s just stunning and beautiful. The talent, craftsmanship, and beauty that went into these animations were amazing. I caught myself MULTIPLE times with my mouth open in awe of this animation.

I loved the fun and beautifully designed Spirits of the Enchanted forest as well! They’re quirky and understandable mad.

We also need to talk about the vulnerability that is shown by MULTIPLE characters in this film. They are breaking barriers, stereotypes, etc., all over the place. This is where I’m gonna dive deep -- so be prepared.

We’ve got Anna, who sings a whole ballad ("The Next Right Thing") about being in pain and feeling sadness and sorrow and still going forward. She also continues to be strong in her sorrow, and do what is right at the cost of losing everything. I think that message was powerful in the aspect that she show that fragility is important, but you shouldn’t let it engulf everything that you are capable of doing. You can move forward from it.

Then we’ve got Elsa. She should be extremely happy in the life she has and being freaking QUEEN. But she isn’t. She craves for something else, and knows this. In leaving her royal crown, she is showing that dreams do not have to be those that were put in front of you. They can be something different than what you’d imagined, pictured, planned out.

We also have to talk about her hair -- thats a MAJOR symbolism that has happened in film, animation, etc., for a long time (mostly from what I’ve seen in Studio Ghibli films, so I see you nodding at that Disney). We go from a tight updo braid, to a longer braid in Frozen. We are sticking with the longer braid in Frozen 2, showing her restraint. However, we then move to a ponytail -- still restrain, but more free as she moves forward in her journey. By the end we have FREE FLOWING LOCKS people! That’s extremely important because it shows her entire freedom. She is in her element and able to be who she TRULY believes.

Plus the PANTS!! *claps* We have pants people for both Anna and Elsa! -- I just really love their pant outfits

Now Olaf, who has grown to understand feelings and anger, and also to be selfless. I mean Olaf chooses to encourage Anna to go forward and almost comforts her in his moment of complete despair. I thought that was beautiful character growth for a comical relief character.

Now the big one -- Kristoff. We are TACKLING toxic masculinity in this man and I LOVE it. I mean the man sings a full 80s rock style love ballad, “Lost in the Woods” (as mentioned earlier), with reindeer back up singers! Like come on! And we CANNOT pass up the fact he tells Anna “what do you need” and let’s her be her own hero. That itself was powerful to show they are a TEAM and he is not her “hero” in the typical “knight in shining armor type.” I also almost SCREAMED when he said “My love is not fragile.” I am obsessed with it and the fact he directly communicates it with her. It’s a beautiful moment of trust, love, and understanding on his part.

***But I still have questions about Kristoff. Is he Northuldra? I thought he was an ice person’s son? But then why was he raised by the trolls? I need answers, Disney!

I honestly do have a lot of questions (was their mom the 5th element before them? I have soooo many Kristoff questions. I need to see a royal wedding. What happened with Ryder?), but at entertainment and that “leave the theatre feelings” I truly enjoyed this film. It was a beautiful show of emotions from all the characters, while also having a BANGER of an album and STUNNING animation.

So if you’re on the fence to see it -- I’d definitely say go for it. <3

_______________________________________________________________________

imdb.com

indiewire.com

bbc.co.uk

youtube.com -- “Into the Uknown” by: Panic! at the Disco

nerdist.com

imgur.com

popsugar.co.uk

thewrap.com

latimes.com

CNBC.com

people.com

usatoday.com

insider.com

#frozen 2 #frozen 2 review #disney #review #disney frozen 2 #For the love of film #for the love of film review #fortheloveoffilm #fortheloversoffilm review #fortheloversoffilmreview

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gryfon-spanish-werewolf · 4 years

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Shaking the rust off

When you haven’t written anything in over a year so you agonize over posting it for days??

A small exploration pre-Frozen 2 of Elsa hearing the voice in advance and struggling with what to do about it. Cuz really it never made sense for her to have just heard the Voice during the movie like?

--------

Nineteen days, twenty hours, and forty seven minutes. That is how much time had passed since Elsa first heard, "The Voice".

By giving it a name of course, this meant that she had considered it, classified it, and acknowledged it, an act which struck her as equal parts entirely logical and utterly outrageous, because that meant The Voice was real.

Barely a whisper at first, an inner thought, so deep down that Elsa had mistaken it for her own. But a sound out of place at a council meeting, a blending of words while speaking, gave her pause.

During the day, or days as it became, the Voice was easy to ignore. In fact the first week she had utterly forgotten about it between sunup and sundown as there was always much to do. Laughing with Anna, ribbing Kristoff, practicing letters with Olaf, checking in on Sven (she'd gotten much better at reading him and enjoyed his quiet company immensely), oh and of course, everything that she had to do to run Arendelle. Not exactly a short list.

But by the second week she knew there was something going on. The Voice had separated from her own thoughts until, were she asked, she would say it was someone else's voice in her head.

That frightened her.

Who was this voice? What was this voice? No one else reacted when she heard it, sliding against the back of her skull, comfortable as a cat. But snakes slithered too, curled up, coiled and taut. Was this a trick? A trap?

She told no one.

Night was the worst time. Already accustomed to staying up late, Elsa had no one to serve as a buffer when the whispers came to her. Alone in her study, her head bolted up as the Voice called again. A melody, always songlike, without words or meaning, or at least none that she could discern. And yet Elsa could understand it, if just a little. There was intent in the notes, even if she could not yet decipher what.

If she were lucky Anna would knock and enter, an ever welcome distraction. They would talk about the day, about what needed to be filed, which correspondences needed to be completed, about who's birthday was coming up they could celebrate. Kristoff always rolled his eyes and smiled whenever they celebrated something "so small" as some people put it. Misinformed people. Anna and Elsa knew that any day could be celebrated, and should be; if they couldn’t find a reason they’d invent one.

But tonight Anna did not come. The Voice had risen in volume over time, more insistent than ever. Elsa was already good at pacing but she was starting to worry about the floorboards in her study. They'd no doubt already seen their fair share of stepping and stalking from other rulers, her parents' included. Given her well earned freedom, the opportunity to walk elsewhere was far too tempting.

Which is how she found herself outside of Anna's room, hand raised, knuckles a scant few centimeters away from the wood. She knew she was always welcome, but it was the principle of the matter that made her hesitate. It was twilight hours, candle wax well dripped from their guttering flames.

It was, in a word, late.

And showing up at her sister’s door with tales of voices in her head, much less one that wasn’t her own? That would be too much for anyone, wide awake or not, especially for Anna who cared so deeply it pained her.

And yet Elsa had been drawn here, like a magnet. She couldn't help it, and as she admitted it to herself a rueful smile grew on her lips. She hated asking for help, much preferring to do things on her own.

Elsa drew in a deep breath. She could push this all down for one more night, retire to her room, and speak to Anna about it after breakfast. She knew Anna hated when she did that “It's not like before”, Anna would remind her, “you can come to me for anything, and I want you to!”), but she couldn't help the creeping of the older sibling role any more than she could stop the sun from rising.

And perhaps something older than her was watching her that night, a faint ghost of a presence unfelt by the queen but there nonetheless. Or perhaps it was just in the timing of things, but in that moment Elsa couldn't do anything else but walk through Anna's door anyway, forgetting the hour, roles, and principles.

Just the faintest of sounds, muffled by distance and doors, but the hiccuping breath, the shuddering exhale, those were sounds Elsa knew all too well.

Elsa crossed to her sister’s bed on hurried feet. The room was dark save for the bed of coals in the fireplace, orange light almost bubbling as the charred rocks pulsed with inner heat. The curtains were pulled, dresses laid out for the next day, armoire cleaned up as much as it ever was. All signs pointed to a boringly mundane night.

Except Anna was crying in her sleep.

Elsa saw Anna’s shoulders move under the covers, rising evenly only to hitch and stutter halfway through. Her hair was a wild mane where it burst out onto her pillow, haphazard like the strands had fought amongst themselves. The sounds Anna made were tiny, almost pitiful. Elsa's heart squeezed to hear them, so unlike the strong hearted sister she knew.

What could have happened to shrink her, curled up to half her size, lost in a sea of sheets? Not so long ago they were laughing and cavaliering with Olaf down the halls, following this Hot Lava game he'd learned from the kids in the village. Anna had swatted her shoulder and called her a cheater because when she couldn't keep her balance she'd frozen the floor. In her defense, Elsa said, that's how she'd deal with it, should such a problem ever occur in the snow-strewn north of their country.

Elsa summoned her voice, hollow in sound but firm in its query. “Anna?” Her sister moved, the edge of the blanket slipping from her head. Seeing Anna's face made Elsa’s heart drop into her stomach.

She'd been crying for hours. The tear marks on her face shone like bruises, her eyelids red and puffy, hair tangled and stuck to her forehead and cheeks. Dark circles spoke of her losing battle for rest, and her skin was pale as powder. Anna shivered as though she were cold, but bundled so thoroughly as she was in her blankets, Elsa knew that was impossible. Even if that were possible, the sweat on her brow would say otherwise.

Anna grit her teeth, eyebrows bunching so strongly it gave Elsa the ghost of a headache just by looking. Kneeling before her sister’s face, Elsa made her hand cold, like a balm, and gently placed soft fingers between strained brows. The effect was immediate, but shocking. Anna shifted away from her touch, as though it were offensive, burrowing further into the blankets.

"No, Elsa."

Elsa’s chest constricted. Anna’s voice had been clear but strained, but was she actually awake? And if so, was she really denying her access to... whatever was so clearly upsetting her? Elsa dismissed to alluring grief that the thought coaxed forward.

"Please, don't do this, don't– don't go." Anna trailed off with a fresh wave of sobs, the sound catching in her already raw throat. Her voice was rough, both from sorrow and sleep, and the sound of it bore down on Elsa like boulders.

Elsa swallowed, resolve sharpening into clarity. “I won’t,” she whispered fiercely. “Never again.”

Quickly, Elsa whisked off the blankets Anna trembled under. Anna reacted immediately curling in on herself, her hands falling to clutch her own arms. Elsa felt the smallest pang of guilt but knew Anna’s discomfort was temporary. Even still, Anna's forearms were rigid, strong in their grasp to the point where the muscles underneath sweat soaked skin strained with the effort.

Elsa nudged her sister further into the bed, their mother's words murmuring softly in her mind. She would have smiled to herself were the situation different. She reached for Anna’s hand as she lay down. Anna gasped at her touch but this time let fingers entwine with Elsa’s, pulling them close to her heart.

Anna’s words were slurred but rapid now, almost nonsensical. Elsa heard her name called many times, in fear, desperation, but Anna still shivered despite the heat coming off her body.

“Anna wake up.” Elsa used her free hand to wipe back sticky strands of red hair. Her arm rose and fell in soothing motions as she combed them back into place behind Anna’s ear. “I’m here Anna.”

She could see Anna’s pulse thundering in her throat, quick and panicked like a rabbit. Anna’s face twitched again, and Elsa experienced the the ice cold lance of hearing Anna whimper, her hands clutching like vices. Bared teeth flashed again and stilted breaths dragged themselves harshly from Anna’s lungs.

"It's okay Anna, you're okay." Elsa pressed Anna’s knuckles, white and shining in the dark, to her lips. Anna began to uncurl, leaning into her touch. “Come back to me.” Elsa leaned forward and kissed Anna's forehead, watching as Anna's mouth softened. "I've got you."

It took a few minutes but eventually Anna calmed. One final exhale blew through Elsa’s bangs as Anna stilled. Warm breath washed over her neck as Elsa drew her sister’s head into her shoulder. Lashes fluttered against her collarbone. Elsa hugged her sister close, letting her get her bearings.

Several crucial seconds ticked by, stretching like a balloon with too much air.

"Elsa?" Anna croaked. Her mouth was dry and tongue thick with sleep.

Elsa exhaled, air heavy with relief. She nuzzled her nose into Anna's hair.

"Mmhm," she hummed in reply. "I'm here."

She felt Anna swallow, finding her voice. "Really here?" she said at last, with an uptick of her voice that sent Elsa’s heart racing once more.

“I’m here, I promise.”

Anna fell quiet again. Elsa rubbed comforting circles on Anna’s back, ribs expanded beneath Elsa’s hand, slow and steady, like waves in tide.

"You were having a dream, a nightmare," Elsa said, an answer to the question Anna had yet to ask. Anna seemed to consider this before nodding.

With great effort Anna raised her head. Elsa ran her fingers down Anna's face and cradled her cheek. "I heard you outside and I just had to come in."

Anna's eyes lifted for a moment before falling back into darkness, thoughtful. "Sorry," she said, biting her lip, "if I woke you."

Elsa shook her head. "I was already awake."

Anna frowned, wincing a bit as her face ached. She felt gingerly around her eyes and brow. "Why were you awake? It's," she attempted to look around but from her position in Elsa’s arms she found no answer.

"It's late," Elsa admitted. "But don't worry. I was just doing a bit of work."

"You hesitated."

Elsa huffed but couldn't help the smile that appeared. "I did."

Anna looked her over again, then reached for Elsa's hands, pulling them close to her body. "I'm okay now. Thank you for rescuing me."

The corner of Elsa’s mouth tugged down. “You’re welcome.” She rubbed her thumb over the back of Anna’s hand. She would have thought Anna would be more forthcoming of the thoughts of worries that had robbed her of sleep. Anna tended to be a very honest, open person, even about things she didn’t fully grasp, which made her earnest heart that much more admirable. But she couldn’t force her to speak of it.

“It was just a dream,” Anna assured her, no doubt seeing Elsa’s thoughts on her face.

“You were calling my name.” Anna flinched. “And you sounded–,” Agonized? Heartbroken? “Sad,” Elsa finished softly, watching Anna's reaction like a glass bird on a window ledge. Beautiful in it’s stillness, but one couldn’t help but worry of it’s shattering if it attempted to fly.

Anna didn’t deny it, though whether she remembered calling out or if the fact seemed to slot itself into whatever plot she remembered of the nightmare Elsa wasn’t sure. After a moment Anna closed her eyes, and when she opened them they seemed much more clear than before.

“I think it was sad,” came the reply. “My chest still aches. But don’t worry,” Anna said quickly, no doubt seeing Elsa’s eyebrow rise with concern. “It’s not like, in pain. Not uh, physical pain anyway that I’d need a compress for.”

Elsa’s gaze flitted over her sister’s, then lower. “Your arms, do they hurt?”

“Wha-? My,” Anna turned her limbs this way and that, testing them.

“You were grabbing them so strongly.” Like you were trying to keep something in, are the words Elsa almost says but doesn’t. “Like you were cold.”

Anna pulled back, examining herself. “Elsa I’m drenched with sweat, how could I possibly be cold?” Her laugh has the wrong note to it though and Elsa’s not the only one to notice. “I think my arms are okay. See?” Anna pushed her forearms under Elsa’s nose.

Elsa hummed, though the shadows of the room danced upon Anna’s skin and made it difficult to tell if her sister was telling the truth.

“It doesn’t matter,” Anna said, pressing her forehead against Elsa’s. “You’re here now, and that’s all I need.”

Elsa’s heart lifted to hear those words and she leaned into Anna’s touch. They breathed in sync, taking refuge in each other. No more anxiety over musical voices, no more gut wrenching nightmares.

Until.

“So what were you doing awake at this hour?”

Elsa sighed, shifting to lay on her back. “Walking.”

Anna lifted herself up on an elbow. “Like, walking around the castle? Like going to bed from your study?”

Elsa shrugged. “Something like that.”

“Which means nothing like that.”

Elsa opened her mouth but didn’t like any of the half or three-quarters truths that lined themselves up to be said so she didn’t. She felt Anna search her face before flopping down again, her hand landing on Elsa’s head.

“You’ll tell me eventually,” Anna said, scratching Elsa’s scalp.

Elsa hummed with pleasure, the stress she’d walked in the door with melting away. “If this is your way of convincing me then I can’t say I’m opposed.” Anna looked at her out of the corner of her eye. “I will. When I,” Elsa paused, trying to find the right words before, “when I can explain it better. There’s been something in the back of my mind for a while now but I can’t describe what it is.”

She met Anna’s gaze. She saw worry there, but understanding too. “And I think you’re kind of in the same boat.”

Both sisters thought, maybe I should just tell her, but both knew that they couldn’t. Not now, not without slipping, not without tipping the happy little life they’d built.

After all, Anna mused.

After all, Elsa thought.

I’d do anything to protect her.

“Maybe we should just row away from our problems for now.” Anna scoffed, moving so her side touched Elsa’s, bumping their hips together.

“Sounds like a good plan,” Elsa murmured, eyes suddenly heavy. She yawned. “But who will run the kingdom while we’re gone?”

“Kristoff and Olaf got it,” Anna yawned back, pulling the covers over them both. “He’s got a royal title thanks to you and Olaf is getting a lot better at reading.”

“An airtight plan. What could possibly go wrong?”

Sleep tugged at them both for a second time that night. This time it came without mystic voices or haunting memories. And yes, it left answers behind, but they could be brought to light in the morning, when both travelers were good and ready.

But tonight, Arendelle’s sisters had each other, and no force on earth could begrudge them that.

#*dabs to no one but myself*#I did it y'all #I wrote the thing #I can't wait to get back into the swing of things #it was wild remembering how I used to write #and what I sounded like #there's like 6 different styles slammed into here probably because I poked at it #about 10 different times #so if you notice any tonal inconsistency thats probably why #huge shoutout to my brother for beta-ing and forgiving me for needing to put my headphones on while he was editing #because I was so stupidly self concious #also this one is dedicated to all the writers out there who have gotten back into the game because of this new content #I love you all and I can't wait to be inspired by you again #fan artists too #much love <3 #Elsa #Anna #pre-canon Frozen 2 #my writing #<<< not that I've used that tag in forever #story #fic #fan fiction #hurt/comfort #I've got plans for other stories and stories I'd love to get back to #but I also cant wait to tackle new ones #AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!#okay I'm done tag screaming now but I really needed to #what a rush to be posting my own content again

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could-have-beens · 4 years

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Tradition (Chapter 1)

I’m just gonna go and shamelessly tag this as part of the @hansannafortheholidays event even though it’s really, really late. Written for Day 10: Mistletoe.

Also posted on ff.net and ao3. Please tell me what you guys think and I hope you like it!

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Hans keeps finding himself caught under the mistletoe. Somehow, it’s always Anna’s fault.

Or, alternatively, seven kisses Hans and Anna share under the mistletoe. Childhood friends AU.

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To think, just a few weeks ago, Hans had been so excited when he had learned of his betrothal. The last of his thirteen brothers, he had been resigned to waiting for each of his older siblings to be paired off with wives before even hoping for a match of his own. And he would have waited a long time, if his brother Lars hadn't intervened.

Only Lars would give more than a passing glance at the small kingdom of Arendelle, and only he would see the opportunity in its two young and eligible princesses. Only Lars would care about his youngest brother enough to make him a match, and only Lars would have the charisma and wits to pull it off.

And what a match it was. A crown princess. A future queen.

No one but Lars, Hans' sole ally in his entire family, would have thought of it. Not even their father would have cared enough to think of Hans' future. If it were up to him, Hans would have never been paired with anyone, even if everyone else had already been married off. Or, worse, he would have been sent to the Brotherhood of Isles, forced to take a vow of silence.

But no. Thanks to Lars, that wasn't his fate anymore, and at eleven years old, Hans was already on his way to a brighter, better future than any of his brothers could ever hope to achieve. The trip to Arendelle was just icing on the cake, and Hans had been thrilled to spend the winter season away from his family.

If only Anna wasn't in the picture.

Anna, the second and youngest princess of Arendelle. A spare, just like him.

His eagerness to spend the holidays in his future home, to meet his future in-laws, to get to know his future wife, had been dampened thanks to her. Unlike Elsa — who was quiet and reserved, who was poised and graceful, whom Hans had barely even seen since his arrival in Arendelle — Anna was a tornado with pigtails. She ran around the palace without care, always with reckless abandon, always with a grin, and always with something to say.

She was just so talky. And annoying. And wouldn't leave him alone. Everywhere he went, she was always one step behind, yammering in his ear about some story or another. There was no avoiding her — and boy, did he try — and Hans had no choice but to grin and bear it. Especially, as Lars liked to laughingly remind him, if Hans wanted to get in the King and Queen's good graces.

So here he was, acting like the princess' glorified keeper, as Anna pouted and knocked incessantly at her sister's door.

"Elsa!" Anna was saying, and the sound of her relentless knocking made his head pound. "Do you want to build a snowman? We could do it with Hans! I bet Hans wants to build a snowman with us. Don't you, Hans?"

She turned to him expectantly, and Hans gave her a strained smile. "Sure," he said through gritted teeth. "I'd love nothing more."

The sarcasm was lost on her, and she beamed at him before turning back to the door, knocking again. "You hear that, Elsa? Hans wants to play with us! Elsa? Elsa, I know you're in there! Elsaaaaaaa."

Not for the first time that day, Hans bit back a sigh. Elsa was probably trying to enjoy the silence — the sweet, blissful, blessed silence — before coming out to deal with her little sister. Maybe with Elsa with them, Anna would be easier to deal with, and Hans could have an actual conversation with his betrothed.

But the longer he and Anna stood there, waiting, the more it became clear that Elsa had no intention of opening her door. Hans watched as Anna's large grin faltered with each passing second.

In spite of himself, he couldn't help but frown. Since he arrived, he had only seen Elsa a handful of times, mostly during meals where her presence was required. Even then, she hardly said a word, speaking only when spoken to, each reply short but polite. Hans supposed she must be shy around strangers, and he could understand her need to keep to herself, but was it really necessary to lock herself in her room like this? To hide herself away?

Hans knew all about hiding, after all. He just couldn't understand why Elsa would need to. Anna, as draining and irritating as she was, was nothing like his brothers. The King and Queen of Arendelle were nothing like his parents. So why was Elsa not opening her door? Why wasn't she answering at all?

Anna seemed to have given up on Elsa replying. Her shoulders had visibly drooped, and her bright eyes had dimmed as she cast her gaze downward.

"Oh, well," she said hesitantly. "You're probably busy with — uh — the usual stuff, I guess. Maybe next time?"

There was no answer, but Anna didn't wait for one before dropping on her knees and elbows, peeking through the crack under the door.

"Anna," Hans began, "what are you —"

She slipped the drawing — the one she had been so proud of, the one she made while she insisted he tell her about every single detail of his castle in the Southern Isles, about what each of his brothers looked like, about his entire voyage to Arendelle — under the door and got back to her feet, grabbed his hand, then tugged him away like a ragdoll.

"C'mon!" she said excitedly, beaming again. "Let's go to the library! It's got load and loads of books and Papa said they're from all around the world — isn't that awesome? I bet you've got a library in the Southern Isles too, huh? I bet you've —"

"Wait," he interrupted, mind reeling. "That drawing. Your drawing. You gave it to Elsa."

She nodded, not pausing in her steps. "I did! You think she'd like it?"

"Why?"

"Why would she like it?"

Again, Hans wanted to sigh. "I mean, why did you give it to her?"

"Oh. That." She took a deep breath, then, without pausing, went on, "Well, I dunno, I just thought she'd like to see what the Southern Isles looked like, 'cuz, you know, she didn't get to hear any of your stories at all, 'cuz she left so quickly after dinner and everything. And I bet she really wanted to hear 'em too, because she's in her room all day and she never gets to hear the best stories. I bet she's really bored, staying in bed all the time, and I bet she really wanted to hear all about your castles and your ships and your horses and stuff, but she didn't 'cuz — I dunno, 'cuz she's Elsa like that — anyway. I didn't want her to miss out on all the fun, so I made her those drawings so she gets to see 'em even if she wasn't there!"

It took Hans a moment to make sense of her rambling, but when he did, all he could say was, "You've never seen them either."

"Yeah, but I've got you to tell me all the stories! Elsa doesn't have a storyteller like you so maybe we can make her drawings instead. Like in the storybooks." Anna brightened, and he could almost imagine a candle over her head, lighting up with an idea. "Oh, oh, oh! We should make her a storybook, all about your adventures! I bet she'll like that. Do you think she'll like that?"

Hans fell quiet, feeling something stir in his chest at her words. He couldn't imagine any of his brothers doing something like what Anna did and wanted to do for Elsa. If it were his family, they wouldn't even notice his absence, or would have thought of him at all, let alone care enough to make handmade presents and slip it under his door. Sure, there was Lars, and Hans was definitely grateful he wasn't like the rest of his brothers, but Lars wasn't exactly the affectionate, sentimental sort, and he was always too caught up in his books and research to think of much else.

"Yes, I think she will," Hans said after a while.

Anna squealed. "We should get started! I've got all my crayons and pencils and everything and — oh! We should do it in the library! Elsa never goes to the library — well, she never goes anywhere really — but I don't think I've ever seen her in the library. It's the perfect place — I bet she'll be so surprised —"

She went on and on, talking a mile a minute. Hans let himself be dragged along, half-listening, but he couldn't help but smile and nod as he followed. The princess was annoying, certainly, but she was harmless and easily amused. He supposed there were worse ways to spend the holidays than acting like her royal babysitter.

I won't be bored, at least, he thought.

Anna stopped abruptly when they reached the library. Hans had already passed by the doorway, but Anna was staring at the decorations overhead, gasping, an awed look on her face.

"Mistletoe," she whispered, sounding almost reverent.

Sure enough, there it was, hanging above her, almost hidden behind all the other holiday ornaments. Squinting, Hans could see the mistletoe was still full of berries, and they seemed to gleam, almost tauntingly, amid the glittering decorations.

Hans grimaced. "C'mon, Anna," he said. "I thought you wanted to get started on your storybook —"

"Not before we kiss!"

He sighed. "We don't have to, Anna. It's just a plant."

She looked up at him with a horrified gasp, looking so appalled like he'd just done something terribly unforgivable. Like kicked a puppy or destroyed her snowman, or whatever it was that could be considered unforgivable for six-year-olds. "But it's tradition," she said, reproachful.

Hans resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Technically, he could probably just carry her over his shoulder, bring her inside the library, and be done with it, but no doubt Anna would throw a fuss and start kicking and screaming. It wouldn't be worth it.

So, resigned to the lesser evil, he stifled another sigh and bent down to press a soft kiss on her forehead. When he straightened and stepped back, Anna was gaping at him, with wide eyes and pink cheeks, before the stunned look quickly melted into a glare.

"You missed!" she whined. "That's not a real kiss!"

Hans could feel the beginnings of a smile curling at the corner of his lips, but he smothered it with a smirk. "Of course it is."

"Nu-uh!"

"And how do you know what a real kiss is supposed to be like?"

Anna lowered her voice, glancing about her furtively like she was about to tell a secret. "It's s'pposed to go on the lips, over here," she whispered, pointing to her lips for good measure, as if he needed the reminder. "Like Mama and Papa do. Like in the fairytales."

"Fairytales aren't real, Anna."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Shows what you know! 'Course they are!"

This time he didn't bother to hide his annoyance as he rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I still say it's a real kiss. The mistletoe tradition never said the kiss had to be on the lips."

She wasn't convinced. "How'd you know?"

"I read it. In a book."

"What book?"

"From the library."

Her brows furrowed, and she looked like she was in deep concentration, as though she was debating with herself, trying to fit what she knew with this new information. Then she nodded, self-assured and seemingly satisfied. "Okay, I guess," she said, a bit reluctantly. "But next time you have to give me a real kiss — not a stupid one on the forehead! A kiss like True Love."

"Like in the fairytales?"

"Exactly!"

"You're a bit young for True Love's kiss, aren't you?"

Anna tsked impatiently, grabbing his hand and tugging him inside the library. He was beginning to get used to it. "Then do it when I'm bigger, duh. You have to promise."

Hans wanted to laugh, but she was glaring at him so fiercely, so intensely, that he knew nothing less than an affirmative would sway her.

"Okay," he said, smiling. "I promise."

ii.

Kai had been with the royal family long enough to remember the days when the princesses were as thick as thieves, practically attached at hip. Back then, it was almost impossible to see one princess without the other trailing just a few steps behind.

But when the King and Queen decided to place the princesses in separate rooms, when they decided to close the gates, it was like the whole castle had changed overnight. Gone were the joyous, childish screams and giggling, and what were once two sets of footsteps, running to and fro the hallways, had turned to one. It made the palace seem too big, too empty, too cold, and the day Princess Elsa decided to spend her waking hours in the confines of her room, was the day Kai felt as though a light had been snuffed out in the kingdom, leaving only dimmed smiles and shrouding not just the royal family, but everyone else within the castle, in lonely shadows.

Now, Kai had some rather unfavorable opinions about certain practices that were common among the nobility. It wasn't his place to question Their Majesties, of course, but he certainly hadn't approved when he had learned of the engagement between Princess Elsa and a prince of the Southern Isles. Politics-wise, Kai agreed it was a good match, but for heaven's sake, they were only children.

Still, he remembered how Princess Anna's face lit up when she had first learned that Prince Hans was to spend the winters in Arendelle, and how Princess Elsa would wander more and more outside of her room as the prince's annual visits went on. Kai had to admit that some good had come out of the arrangement, as Her Highnesses had ended up with a playmate and a friend — or, in Princess Elsa's case, someone who was on his way to becoming one, if nothing else. Though she still insisted on staying in her room, she would come out to engage in small talk with him, and Kai had noticed that the prince was the only person she would approach and talk to at royal functions, on the rare times that she did initiate conversations.

Which was Kai felt a bit miffed on the princess' behalf, when he caught sight of Prince Hans slipping away from the ball, carrying a platter of what looked suspiciously like krumkakes. From what Kai could tell, no one but himself and the princess had noticed the prince's absence, and he saw her looking around the room, searching the crowd from her place on the dais.

Why, the nerve of him! Kai thought, affronted. Leaving the princess alone . . . why I never!

Once Kai was certain his presence was no longer needed, he too left the ballroom in search of the wayward prince. The boy needed a stern talking to. He was seventeen now, almost of age, and the ball was supposed to be held in his and his brother's honor — surely he had to know better by now, surely he was aware of how rude it was, to leave the party just like that.

It didn't take long to find the prince in the gardens, but what surprised Kai was that he wasn't alone.

"The whole thing?"

"Yeah, the whole thing! You got it."

Kai felt his eyebrows rise to his hairline at the sound of Princess Anna's voice. Peeking behind the hedges, he found the two royals, giggling over a platter of krumkakes. Prince Hans was without his coat, and it was instead draped over the princess' shoulders, big enough to hide the nightgown she wore underneath.

Kai stepped back in the shadows to give them a bit of privacy, remembering then that it wasn't just Elsa who sought the prince's company during his visits. He recalled how fond of the prince Princess Anna was, always so delighted when he visited and despondent when he left. Kai remembered too how she had moped for weeks when the King and Queen informed her she was too young to attend the welcome ball.

Oh well. . . .

Kai could give them a few moments to catch up, he supposed, before he revealed himself. It wasn't as though the prince's presence was that pressing of a matter, surely. . . .

"So what's it like?" the princess was saying.

"The ball?"

"Duh."

"All right, I suppose. A bit boring."

"Boring?" she echoed, sounding aghast to hear such a thing. "How can it be boring? I mean there's dancing and all those people and there's so much chocolate and food —"

The prince laughed. "It really is, Anna. There's hardly any people my age to dance with, and everyone else is busy talking about trade routes and politics."

"But Elsa's there." There was a pause, and the hesitation in her tone was clear when she continued, "Was she — was she having fun?"

"I don't think she was. She didn't even dance."

"Not even once?"

"Well, one dance. With me. It . . . could've been better."

The princess giggled. "Aww, how romantic."

"It wasn't," the prince said, sighing. "She kept stepping on my toes."

"Elsa? She would never!"

"You don't believe me?"

"You've seen her! She's so . . . graceful and perfect. I don't think she's even physically capable of being bad at anything."

"Clearly, you've never seen her dance."

Another pause, longer than the first, and Kai was just about to step forward to see what was wrong, when the prince spoke again.

"Anna?" he said worriedly.

"Nothing," and Kai could hear the sadness in her voice. "It's just — you're right. I've never seen her dance. She — uh — she never wanted to practice. With me, I mean."

"Oh." Prince Hans cleared his throat. Sounding rather awkward, he went on, "None of my brothers did either. I suppose . . . it's not completely outside the realm of possibility that I . . . may have tripped a couple of times myself."

This made the princess laugh again. "I knew it!" she crowed. "And . . . outside the realm of possibility? Sheesh, Hans, do you always have to be so formal and proper?"

"Someone has to."

"Hey, I can be formal and proper!"

"Sure, Anna."

"Oh, just you wait, when I'm old enough to attend those stupid balls, I'll — I'll be so proper and sophisticated and graceful that you won't even recognize me, and the look on your face will be so —"

The princess stopped so suddenly that Kai couldn't resist sneaking another glance from his hiding place. Prince Hans had placed a chaste peck on her forehead, and was now pulling back to pluck a berry off the mistletoe hanging in the archway.

"Oh," Princess Anna said, turning as red as her hair.

The prince merely chuckled. "Tradition, remember?" he said lightly. "At least it got you to shut up."

She gaped at him. "Why you —"

Kai took that as his cue. He cleared his throat, stepping away from the shadows. "Your Highnesses," he said, bowing.

"Kai!" the princess exclaimed, delighted to see him. And then her face fell, realizing why he was here, and she said, much more dismally, "Kai."

"Now, my lady," he said reproachfully. "I believe it is time I escort you back to your chambers."

"But Kai," she said in whining tones, eyes large and imploring in the way Kai knew well.

"It is past your bedtime, Your Highness."

Next to her, Prince Hans snickered, and she shot him a glare, hitting him on the shoulder hard enough that Kai caught him wincing. Kai turned his attention to the prince then, who gave him an easy, charming smile.

"I take it no one has noticed my absence?" he said, sounding certain.

"I believe the princess has, Your Highness." The prince looked stunned by this. Trying to inject a hint of humor in his tone, Kai added, "That, and the absence of a certain platter of dessert."

"Ah," was all Prince Hans said, his cheeks slightly tinged pink.

It was the princess' turn to snicker, which turned Kai's attention back to her. She made a face, giving a most unladylike groan.

"I know, I know," she grumbled under her breath. "Back to my rooms."

"Indeed." Kai nodded reprovingly. Turning to the prince, he said, "I trust you know the way back to the ballroom, Your Highness?"

"Yes, thank you, Kai," Prince Hans said somberly, looking contrite and properly chided.

And if Kai caught the prince slipping one last krumkake in the princess' hand as she was led away — well, he supposed he could turn a blind eye, just this once.

#hansanna #hansanna fic #prince hans #hans #princess anna #anna #hansannafortheholidays #hansannafortheholidays2019 #my fic #fic: tradition

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doodlelolly0910 · 5 years

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Love Don’t Cost a Thing

Summary: Emma thought she was living her happily ever after until she wasn’t. Now Neal is living his with someone else and Emma has a plus one option to the wedding from hell but no one to fill the space. Enter Killian Jones, devastatingly handsome male escort and the answer to Emma’s problems. She hires him for the wedding because he’s the safe choice. The temporary choice. Falling in love wasn’t on the invoice.

You can also find this on AO3 and FFN!

A/N: So this is a day late, I’m sure you’ve noticed, and I am so super sorry for that. These last couple of days have gotten away from me and my attention was on a billion other things. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it cuz it’s (fake) date night part one! Woo! Super huge thanks to @superchocovian for being an awesome beta for this story (her help was seriously invaluable) and also to @artistic-writer who makes the AMAZING art specific to each chapter for this fic. And she took time out to be my third set of eyes on this fic as well! Basically, she’s the best. And thanks to y'all for reading this! Your comments really make my day and I’m so glad you’re liking it so far. Thanks so much!

Chapter 4

Emma had taken the rest of the week off from the office, working from her laptop at home when necessary and forwarding her calls to her cell, but things were thankfully quiet. Perks of being your own boss. She’d barely been able to get her kid at the table with a bowl of cereal and a cup of reheated coffee into herself, looking forward to a relaxing morning before she dropped Henry off with Elsa that afternoon so she could go meet Killian, when there was a knock at her door. Groggily, she dragged herself to the door to answer it, regretting it immediately once the door swung open.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Ruby singsonged, grinning from ear to ear. Emma shook her head, not sure if she was actually seeing Ruby, or if she was hallucinating.

“Ruby, it is nine in the morning. How are you even functional?” Emma asked and Ruby scoffed, pushing her way into the apartment.

“I was supposed to work the breakfast shift this morning. Granny scheduled Ashley too and we were a little slow so she told me to go. So I thought I’d do brunch with my favorite Swans,” she said, making her way into the kitchen and ruffling Henry’s hair.

“We’re your only Swans, Aunt Ruby,” Henry said rather than a greeting, mouth full of Cocoa Puffs. Emma gave her son a warning look for talking with his mouth full and he ducked his head with a small smile.

“That doesn’t make you any less my favorite,” she replied, fixing herself a cup of coffee.

“I can’t, I’m supposed to meet-” she stopped short and glanced at her son, realizing she almost mentioned Killian in front of the curious boy before changing course and continuing, “uh, someone for coffee at two.” Ruby’s answering smile could have powered Times Square.

“Oh my god! What are you going to wear?” she squealed.

“I don’t know, just whatever, I guess. It’s just coffee,” Emma said dismissively, definitely not wanting to discuss her potential fake date clothes with the Queen of Fashion Ruby Lucas. She really didn’t want to discuss this at all in front of Henry.

“Just coffee?” She wrinkled her nose in disapproval. “Is it too late to turn this into a dinner date? Ooh, we could go shopping!”

“You’re going on a date, Mom?” Henry asked as he placed his bowl into the kitchen sink. If Emma’s eyes got any wider, they would have fallen out of her head. She looked, terrified, between Ruby, whose face was coloring rapidly, and her son, whose eyes were looking back up at his mother expectantly.

“I mean, it’s not really a date, per se,” she said evasively. Her son quirked an eyebrow, a behavior she knew he got from her, that said he did not believe her in the slightest.

“Just tell him, Emma,” Ruby said softly. Emma glared at her friend who looked apologetic but encouraging all at once.

“Tell me what…?” Henry asked slowly. Emma let out a large sigh, gripping her son lightly by the shoulders.

“Yes, I’m going on a date, Henry,” she said softly. Henry's face fell slightly.

“Oh.”

This wasn’t the reaction she imagined. She thought there would be a reaction, at least.

“Are you okay with that, Henry?” Ruby asked. Henry nodded, eyes cast to the floor.

“Hey, what’s the matter, kid? You know you can talk to me,” Emma prompted, kneeling to the floor in front of him. He brought his hazel eyes up to meet her jade and Emma was surprised to see there were tears gathering at his lash line.

“Dad is dating Tamara and he doesn’t want to spend time with me anymore. And now you won’t either,” he said, lower lip starting to wobble. Emma felt like someone punched her in the gut. Fucking Neal. She shuffled closer to Henry, and put her hands firmly on his shoulders.

“Henry, listen to me very carefully. No matter how many dates I go on, no matter what happens in my life, even if I'm dating, you will always be the most important person in it. I will always have time for you,” she said, meeting her son’s watery gaze.

“You promise?” Henry whispered. Emma nodded immediately, earnestly.

“Swear,” she whispered back, then seized her son in a fierce hug, which he returned just as tightly. Emma heard sniffling behind her and found Ruby with her back turned, wiping furiously at her eyes. When the brunette turned back around, her heavy makeup was smeared, making her look slightly raccoon-ish. Emma stood and faced her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think,” Ruby said, and Emma knew she meant it. She softened and hugged her friend. They pulled apart and Ruby looked at Henry, smiling gently. “What do you say I treat you and your mom to lunch in the park and your mom can reschedule her date for tonight, and while she’s doing that, you can spend the night at Aunt Ruby’s?” Emma made a noise of protest at the sudden change before her son cut in.

“Really? Can we stay up late and watch a movie? With popcorn?” Henry asked excitedly.

“Whatever you want, buddy. As long as it’s okay with your mom,” she added and Henry looked up to his mother, eyes shining brightly.

“Please, Mom? Please?” he begged and Emma couldn’t say no to the look on his face. If Killian was busy, she would just occupy herself another way.

“Alright, kid, turn off the puppy dog eyes. Go get dressed and then we can go in a little bit. I’ve got a couple calls to make and then we can go in a little bit,” she said and Henry whooped before running to his room.

“I’m gonna go clean all this up,” Ruby said, waving a splayed-finger hand in the direction of her face and the ruined makeup on it. “Be back in a sec.” Emma nodded and retrieved her phone as soon as she left the room to call Killian. He answered on the second ring.

“Swan,” he said in greeting. “I was just about to call you. Are we still on for coffee, love?”

“Hey, yeah, uh, so something came up and I don’t think I can make coffee this afternoon but I wanted to see if you were free tonight? For dinner…” she added unnecessarily. There was silence on the other end of the line. “What am I saying, of course you’re busy, uh, forget I asked. We can do something another time,” she babbled.

“Swan!” he interrupted. “I was just surprised, is all. I have no plans. I would love to take you out for dinner, on one condition,” he said and Emma held her breath. “You let me plan the evening.”

“I can plan a date,” she grumbled.

“Oh, of that I have no doubt, Swan, but I know how to plan an evening as well, and I have something in mind. Trust me?”

“Okay,” she relented after only a moment. “My son will be at my friend’s house tonight so you can just meet me here. I’ll text you the address.”

“Sounds perfect, love. I’ll pick you up at seven,” he said. Emma confirmed and hung up as quickly as she could, her heart pounding in her chest harder than she expected it to.

This felt a lot like a real date, and that prospect terrified her. If she was going to do this, she might as well do it right though. She didn’t know if she had anything remotely date worthy in her closet besides the red dress he had already seen her in.

This was getting too close to real.

Before she could expand on that thought, Henry, fully dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and Ruby, makeup now immaculately back in place, reentered the room.

“Looks like it’s just you now, Emma. Get dressed and we can go get some grub,” she instructed.

“Yeah, about that,” Emma said, pausing to chew her lip nervously. “What if we made this a shopping-slash-lunch date after all?” Ruby’s face lit up like Christmas.

“Of course! I am so excited!” She rushed Emma back to her room to get ready to go.

Eight hours, two pizzas, seven stores, and an anxious mess of an Emma Swan later, it was six thirty. Emma paced the floor as Ruby followed her around, holding up various pieces of jewelry against the black lace dress she was wearing. The gold slip layer underneath just barely peeked through the sheer black fabric, the skirt swishing around her thighs. The sleeveless design gave her the option to wear her red leather jacket with it, but she probably wouldn’t. It was warm outside and the jacket was a little bulky. She should be fine.

“I think just the earrings, don’t you think?” Ruby held up a pair of dainty dangling silver earrings and Emma nodded absently. Ruby frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just nervous, I guess,” she said. Although, why she was nervous, she had no idea. This wasn’t a real date, as she had reminded herself several times throughout the day. Ruby smiled gently and fluffed the golden curls cascading over Emma’s shoulder.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re going to knock his socks off,” she replied with a grin.

“You should be gone already,” Emma said, diverting the conversation away from herself. “He’s going to be here in half an hour and Henry is supposed to be gone.”

“I know, I know, I just-”

A sharp knock sounded from the front door. Emma looked at the clock (6:49 it read), then back to Ruby. Where had the last nineteen minutes gone?! Emma looked at Ruby, panicked.

“It’s fine. It’s okay, just breathe, I’ll keep Henry in the bedroom until you leave and I’ll lock up after I go,” Ruby soothed and then darted off towards the bedrooms. Emma put her earrings in as she walked and opened the door to a sinful looking Killian Jones.

Clad in black head to toe, he looked every inch as gorgeous as the day at the diner almost a week ago. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, the button down front open a few buttons below the collar but above the ‘v’ of where the black leather waistcoat wrapped around his middle. His jeans were just on the right side of tight and Emma could see why he had chosen the profession he had. The man was walking sex if she ever saw it.

“You look stunning, Swan,” he murmured genuinely and Emma smiled softly back.

“You look…” she trailed off, lost for words.

“I know,” he replied, a cheeky grin creeping over his features and Emma rolled her eyes.

“I just need to grab my purse and we can go,” Emma said, turning away.

“Mom?” A small voice came from the direction of the kitchen and Emma felt her heart drop into her stomach.

“Henry!” Ruby’s voice came from the direction of the bedrooms on the other end of the apartment, but it was too late. Henry walked towards his mother, a green plastic cup of water in his hand.

“Is this him?” Henry asked archly, appraising Killian from head to toe. Emma flushed bright red and she sputtered a few vowel sounds out, not knowing how to respond. Before she could fully answer, Killian was sinking down on one knee in front of the boy.

“Hello, Henry, I’m Killian,” he said, holding out his hand for Henry to shake. Henry looked at his outstretched appendage for a moment before grasping it in his tiny hand that wasn't occupied with his cup and shaking. “That’s quite a grip you’ve got lad,” Killian said with a smile.

“Are you taking my mom on a date?” he asked, still wary of this strange man in the doorway, setting his drink on the table next to him. Emma and Ruby both stood frozen, unsure of what to do.

“Aye, lad. If it’s alright with you that I borrow her for a few hours, of course?” It came out as a question, putting all the power in Henry’s hands. Henry contemplated it for a moment.

“What are you guys gonna do?” he asked. Killian smiled warmly at him.

“Well first,” he pulled his hand from behind his back, revealing the single red rose in it that Emma hadn’t noticed before, “I’d like to give this to your mum.” He looked up at Emma but didn’t rise, only extending his hand to offer her the flower. She accepted it with shaking fingers. “A beautiful flower for a magnificent woman,” he said to Emma, adding a wink. Emma flushed the color of the rose at the display. “Then, I’d planned on taking her for a nice meal and I thought we would do some stargazing,” he continued. Alarm bells were going off in Emma’s head.

Did he do this with all of his clients?!

A soft “Aww!” came from Ruby in her corner and Emma shot her a death glare.

“Are you gonna kiss her?” Henry asked, face twisted in disgust at the thought of kissing, making Emma’s head snap back to the scene before her.

“Perhaps, if she wants to be kissed. But I promise to return her home to you no later than eleven,” he said, holding up his hand in a vow.

“That’s late,” Henry said. “But I’m spending the night at Aunt Ruby’s tonight. So I won’t be here. We were supposed to leave already but Aunt Ruby goes crazy when she gets to dress my mom up.” Killian laughed at that.

“Well she has dressed your mother very nicely tonight, don’t you think?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye as his gaze swept appreciatively over Emma’s form.

“Mom always looks pretty. But she is really pretty tonight,” he said and Emma smiled at her son’s words. Killian slowly rose from the floor and brushed the wrinkles from himself.

“Aye, that she is. I think it’s about time we go, lad. By your leave, of course,” Killian said.

“I guess so. But if you make her cry like my dad, my uncle David will beat you up,” Henry said seriously and Emma wanted to dissolve into the floor. Killian looked back at Henry just as seriously.

“I have no intention of ever hurting your mother, Henry, you have my word,” he promised. Henry seemed satisfied with his answer and nodded before wrapping himself around his mother’s waist. Emma hugged him back tightly, cradling his head close to her stomach. Ruby met them in the entryway and took the rose from Emma's hand to go put into water.

“Be good for Aunt Ruby,” she said, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. He unwrapped himself and gave her a small smile before walking over to where Ruby was setting the flower on the kitchen counter.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Ruby called out to them and Killian chuckled next to Emma.

“Nice to see you again, Ruby,” he called back to her, placing his hand on the small of Emma’s back. Her skin tingled at the contact, even through her clothes.

“Call me if you need anything, I’ll have my phone on,” Emma said and Ruby rolled her eyes.

“I’ve watched Henry a thousand times before Emma. Get outta here. Have fun!” she practically commanded, steering Henry out of the room by his shoulders, leaving Emma and Killian alone.

Emma looked up at him, frazzled to her core, before snatching her clutch purse from the table next to Henry’s forgotten water cup and darting out the door. She was thankful that went as well as it did, but she was still apprehensive about Killian’s reaction to the whole thing. She supposed she should have been more wary of how easily he slipped into the role of doting boyfriend, especially in front of her son and best friend, but on the other hand, that’s exactly what she was paying him for. At least she was getting her money’s worth.

“I meant it, Swan, you truly look stunning tonight,” Killian said softly to her as he walked closely beside her down the hall.

“Thank you,” she said, feeling his gaze weigh heavily on her skin as they got into the elevator and she pressed the button for the ground floor. “And thank you for being so nice to Henry. I really appreciate that. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“So I gathered, love,” he replied with a chuckle. “It was no problem. Henry is a wonderful lad.”

“He is,” she agreed with a fond smile. “But still, you shouldn’t have had to put on an act so soon. I wasn’t planning on having people over when you arrived.” He looked at her her, a puzzled expression sweeping over his face as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened.

“An act?” he asked. “Did I say something wrong?” His genuinely confused tone gave Emma pause as they left the building. She stopped and looked up at him in the moonlight.

“No, no, you said all the right things, it’s just, you know, this isn’t real,” she said, the words feeling a lot more blunt in her mouth than intended. Killian’s face softened and a flash of something close to longing flickered through his gaze.

“I’m aware, Swan, but I didn’t need to put on an act. Everything I said to the lad was true, love,” he told her, and Emma’s eye widened as his words sunk in. Before she could protest (or run back upstairs and away from this), he replaced his hand at the small of her back and guided her to a car that was parked on the street. Emma stopped dead in her tracks at the vehicle.

This is a seriously nice car, she thought to herself, looking over the gunmetal gray and black striped ‘68 Chevelle parked on the curb. She shouldn’t have been surprised. A guy that looks like Killian Jones and does what he does can afford a car like this. He didn’t seem to notice how enamored she was with his vehicle as he swept around her and opened the passenger door with a bow.

“Your carriage, milady,” he said, smiling. Emma suppressed a smile of her own, thanked him softly, and sat down in the passenger seat. The inside of the car was just as nice, well maintained, and it all looked original. Emma was a big fan of the vintage vehicle already.

Killian came around and got in the driver’s seat, smiling widely at her, and started up the car. Emma clenched her thighs together at the low rumble of the engine. Holy shit this was a sexy car. About as sexy as the man driving it. Wait, what?

She chanced a glance at Killian, his blue eyes intently focused on the road, the sunset illuminating his features perfectly. The orange light highlighted the ginger whiskers in his beard and his hands were locked loosely around the steering wheel, his forearms flexing whenever they made a turn. He was painfully attractive.

In another life, maybe, she thought wistfully.

“Admiring the view, love?” He smirked and Emma blushed at having been caught staring.

“I was just wondering how a guy gets a car like this,” she deflected easily. His expression sobered slightly with the question and he took a deep breath.

“She was my father’s car. He left when I was eight. My mother gave her to me for my sixteenth birthday and I restored her myself,” he said, pride swelling in his tone.

“‘Her’?” Emma teased and Killian looked at her slyly from the corner of his eye.

“Aye. Sleek, beautiful, powerful, The Jolly was bound to be a woman.” He winked.

“‘The Jolly’? You named your car?” she asked and Killian’s cheeks developed twin red spots on the apples of them that sent a thrill through Emma. Now it was her turn to make him blush.

“Aye,” he admitted. “I’ve always had a fondness for pirates, and what better name for the finest vessel in all the lands than The Jolly Roger?” A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips and Emma couldn’t help but smile back as they pulled into the parking lot of a very chic looking restaurant Emma had never been to before.

Wonderland was a building made of glass and wood that was set against the backdrop of the nearby harbor. Emma was immediately taken aback by the upper class atmosphere. She didn’t think at any point in her life she had been to a restaurant this nice. Growing up in foster care didn’t afford her those kinds of luxuries, and struggling with Neal, there was never another opportunity. She did well for herself now, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to drop $100 a plate on cuisine. Killian seemed to sense her apprehension and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“Trust me,” he murmured in her ear before pulling away to open the door for her.

When they entered the room, Emma had to stifle a gasp. There was a huge chandelier hung in the center of the room, bathing the space in a soft glow. There were several people dining already, all of them dressed to the nines, leaving Emma feeling slightly inadequate. The black and white decor was very modern chic and there was a large white piano in the center of the room where soft music was being played by a man in a tuxedo, complete with top hat. Killian led her past the several people waiting straight to the hostess podium. There was a slightly bored looking blonde who couldn’t have even been 21 yet making notes in the reservation book, but her eyes lit up in recognition as Killian and Emma moved closer.

“Mr. Jones! It’s been forever!” she gushed and Killian gave her a fond smile.

“Grace? Look at you! I can’t believe how grown up you are!” Killian grinned and the girl stepped around the podium to accept a hug from him. “Home from university, then?” he asked and Grace nodded.

“Only for the summer. Freshman year was amazing, but I missed home. And you know Dad, he gets a little crazy when I’m not close.” Grace rolled her eyes and Killian chuckled.

“He loves you very much. And I’m sure he’s thrilled you’re home.”

“He’s around here somewhere, let me go grab him and we can get a table set up for you and your… date?”

Killian reached for Emma automatically.

“Where are my manners? Grace Hightopp, this is the lovely Emma Swan,” he introduced the two and Grace beamed at Emma, reaching out to shake her hand. Emma had remained in awkward silence to this point, but returned the handshake warmly.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.

“It’s so good to meet you, too! You are really pretty, Killian is a lucky guy!” she replied and Emma felt a deep flush settle under her skin. It seemed ‘tomato’ was the shade she would remain at for the evening at least. “I’m going to go get my dad. I’ll be right back!” Before they could reply, Grace scurried off in the direction of the piano.

“This is a lot, Killian,” Emma murmured after she left, shifting on her feet. Killian looked down at her, studying her expression.

“I know it seems that way, Swan, and I'm asking you to put your trust in me often tonight, but there's nowhere else I could take you that would be what you deserve,” he said so sincerely that Emma's breath caught in her throat.

“I've never been somewhere this nice,” she admitted softly.

“You deserve it, love,” he insisted, sparkling blue eyes boring into her anxious green. “And it's my treat.”

“Well, technically, it's mine,” she muttered, thinking of the envelope tucked into her purse. His expression wavered slightly at that, almost ashamed, and Emma felt slightly guilty at the unintentional barb.

“Killian Jones!” A bright voice rang out over the din of conversation and clinking utensils around them, breaking the awkward tension that had settled between the two. The man with the top hat who was playing the piano previously made their way towards him, Grace by his side, grinning broadly.

“Jefferson,” Killian greeted, a smile of his own in place, and the two men seized each other in a hug that only two good friends would share.

“It’s been way too long, my friend. How's Liam?” he asked, his tone serious, as they broke apart. Killian's expression turned slightly forlorn.

“He's doing better. Much better,” he said, something darker and pained flitting over his features.

Emma studied him, concerned. She had yet to see him anything but bright, happy, and flirtatious. Tonight, though, he had been an array of emotion, and she felt almost as if she was seeing Killian Jones for the first time. She briefly wondered who Liam was, and what happened to him, but now was not the time or place to ask.

“That’s very good,” Jefferson replied, clapping Killian on the shoulder. “Bring him in sometime, yeah? And who is this?” he said, not unkindly, turning his attention to Emma with a wide smile.

“This is Emma Swan,” Killian said, looking down at her affectionately, leaving Emma feeling unsettled and warm.

“Mr. Jones’ date,” Grace piped in helpfully. Jefferson gave his daughter an adoring smile before his grin turned sly as his eyes, then his head, turned towards Killian.

“Enchante, mademoiselle.” Jefferson scooped up Emma’s hand and bowed his head to it, leaving a firm kiss on the back of it. “Such a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well,” Emma returned politely. “This place is… amazing,” she complimented, gesturing to the restaurant.

“It’s my greatest accomplishment in life. Next to my Grace, of course.” He released Emma’s hand and pulled his now blushing daughter close by her shoulders. “She’s going to be a lawyer, you know,” he said, his chest puffing out with pride.

“If I survive regular college first,” his daughter said, embarrassed.

“Nonsense. You’re a Hightopp. You can do anything,” he scolded playfully. “Let’s get you two set up for your meal then, eh?” He turned his attention to a nearby waiter and gave instructions to lead them to a table. “On the house, Jones! Your money's no good here!” Jefferson commanded with a wave and a wink over his shoulder as he walked back to the piano in the middle of the room. Emma looked up at Killian who looked just as surprised as she felt. The waiter gestured for the two of them to follow him.

“I honestly didn’t expect that, Swan, I swear to you. I’m not trying to seem cheap,” he insisted as they walked, his hand once again finding its place on her lower back as if it belonged there.

“Killian, trust me, the last thing you seem in a place like this is cheap,” she said with a chuckle, trying to ease his tension. She felt him relax slightly and he stepped around her to pull out her chair for her as they reached the table. She gave him a thankful glance that quickly turned exasperated when he waggled his eyebrows at her. The Casanova mask was back in place. Instead of seating himself across the table from her, as expected, he chose the seat next to her, scooting the chair closer. The waiter waited patiently to the side, placing menus in front of them.

“What can I start you with?” he asked, pad and pen at the ready.

“Whatever dry white you recommend, and a glass of water please,” Emma asked, looking at Killian for his turn.

“Just a water for me, with a slice of lemon,” he said, tongue playing at the corner of his mouth, eyes never leaving Emma’s. She glanced down at her menu to avoid the intensity of his gaze, thankful for the cover it provided over the flush creeping up her collarbones. The waiter smiled and made his way to fill their drink order, leaving the two of them alone again.

The sounds of the other diners in the restaurant surrounded them, breaking through the silence that had descended between them. Emma hemmed and reached for her purse on the table next to her, Killian’s eyes following the movement.

“So,” she pulled the plain white envelope from the clutch and slid it across the table to him, “here is half of what we agreed on. Like a down payment, I guess? And I will give you the rest when this is done. Is that agreeable?” Killian arched a dark eyebrow and pulled the envelope to him, slipping it into the inner pocket of his vest. His face gave away nothing of what he was thinking and he barely gave the envelope a second glance.

“That’s fine, love, as I said. No rush.” He smiled at her warmly and reached over the table space to cover her hand with his, the metal of his rings smooth against her skin. Her brow furrowed as she surveyed his lack of expression.

“You’re not going to count it?” she asked curiously. He hummed an almost laugh and his blue eyes crinkled in levity as he shook his head.

“I trust you, Swan,” he said dismissively. “It’s not of any consequence. I’m enjoying your company and I don’t want to sully the mood by focusing on the business angle of this arrangement.”

“There is no other angle, Jones,” she reminded him. “This effectively is a business meeting.” Killian’s smile faded a bit at her words, but he recovered quickly with a nod.

“So you keep reminding me, darling,” he said, a sour note coloring his words that he was obviously trying to hide. Emma found herself equal parts intrigued and surprised that this continued happening when they spoke. As if he wanted more…

“Okay! Here are your waters,” a voice said, and Emma looked up to find the waiter had reappeared and was now setting two glasses on the table, one garnished with a lemon slice, then turned to wheel a bucket of ice closer, an expensive looking bottle of wine nestled among the cubes. “The bottle is at the insistence of Mr. Hightopp,” he said with a grin as he pulled it free, uncorking it with a flourish. “Would you like to sample it before I pour?”

“No, no, this is fine, I’m sure,” Emma protested, and the waiter didn’t seem fazed at all as he turned over the wine glass in front of her and poured. “That’s plenty, thank you.” She stopped him about midway. He smiled with a nod.

“Tonight’s specials are oysters on the half shell with a ceviche topping, and a smoked salmon and citrus salad with poppy seed dressing. Are we ready to order?” he asked, removing the pad and pen from the black apron at his waist and looked at them intently. Killian placed his folded menu near the waiter and Emma did the same.

“The salad is fine, please,” Emma said and the waiter hurriedly scribbled it down, looking to Killian next.

“Aye, the oysters sound perfect,” Killian replied.

“Very good, I’ll have those out for you in just a bit.” And then he was gone before they could even thank him.

“Are you sure you don’t want any wine? I can’t possibly drink that all by myself,” she said, lifting her glass to her lips. Flavor exploded on her tongue with just the small sip and her eyebrows shot up on her forehead. “Plus, that is really good.” She put her glass down and licked her lips, savoring the taste. She looked back to Killian, his eyes now a shade darker and fixed to her mouth. It was almost as if he had to force his gaze back to meet hers.

“Ah, no, love. I’m fine. Driving,” he reasoned with a shrug. “You can have as much as you like.”

“Trying to get me drunk, Jones?” Emma teased and Killian brightened at her tone.

“Afraid you'll find me even more irresistible after a few libations, love?” Killian's grin was downright lascivious. Emma rolled her eyes and took a long pointed drink from her glass.

“I think you're safe from my wanton advances,” she snarked. Killian chuckled.

“Of course, Swan. All business, I've forgotten myself,” he teased back and sat straighter, knitting his nimble fingers together. “Have at it, then. Tell me everything I need to know.” Emma was slightly taken aback by the change in course from flirty to business, but she cleared her throat and sat a little straighter herself before speaking.

“Alright, then. I think we should keep things as close to the truth as possible. That should make this whole thing easier. We met in a bar, you offered to buy me a drink, I hated your horrible pick up lines, but thought you were cute enough that I called you the next day and we've been seeing each other in secret ever since.” She nodded briskly, satisfied with this story.

“You think I'm cute?” Killian's eyes were glittering with mirth, making Emma groan.

“That would be the part you picked out. This is serious.”

“Of course, love, apologies. And what of this ex boyfriend? Neal, was it? What do I know of him?”

Emma shifted uncomfortably at the mention of his name, the jab at Neal's maturity not going unnoticed.

“Ah, well… obviously you know he's Henry's father.”

“And he is clearly a sodding imbecile for tossing you aside after ten years and a child together,” he nearly growled, and Emma's head popped up at his change in voice. He seemed to remember himself fairly quickly and smiled at her again. “Go on,” he encouraged.

“Uh, yeah. Well, nine years. I'd been with him since I was seventeen. Ran away from foster care and met him while I was trying to steal a car. One he'd already stolen and was sleeping in the backseat of.” She couldn't help the embarrassed chuckle that spilled from her lips and avoided Killian's gaze as she took another sip of liquid courage.

“No family, then, love?” he asked softly and Emma felt unbidden anger rise up in her chest.

“Hey, I have family,” she snapped, stabbing her finger into the tablecloth to mark her words. “I have a brother and friends and Henry and they're all the family I need. Blood doesn't mean shit.”

“I meant no offense, Swan, truly,” he said soothingly, taking her hand in his again and unfurling her tightly grasped fingers. He smoothed his fingertips over her palm. “I've little family myself. My own brother is the last bit of blood I have left. I understand. Please, continue.” His eyes were large and sincere and Emma felt herself relax slightly.

“Yeah,” she cleared away the tightness in her throat with a cough, “well, David's not my blood either. We were in foster care together. He looked out for me, I looked out for him. We reconnected after Henry was born while Neal was gone but I was stupid and almost lost him again a couple of years ago.”

“When Neal was gone? I thought you've only been separated for a year?” he asked, confused. Emma blushed again.

The waiter picked that moment to return to their table. He deposited their plates in front of them and quietly excused himself, seemingly noticing he was intruding on a sensitive moment.

“Uh, ha. I keep revealing these things to you out of order. Let's just start from the beginning,” she said, pushing the food around on her plate. “Just… let me get it all out, though, okay? It’s not a fun story to tell, and I don’t think I’ve told it to anyone all at once.” Killian nodded, his expression serious, and when Emma was sure he wouldn’t interrupt, she began.

She told him everything, from the fact that she was found on the side of the road as a newborn, and never met her parents, to bouncing around in foster homes, to allying with David, meeting Ruby and Elsa, to meeting and falling in what she thought was love with Neal. She told him about almost giving Henry up, Neal leaving and returning, cutting out her friends for him, and working her ass off for a better life because she wanted to give him what he wanted. She told him about Tamara. She told him about the affair and how soon he proposed and sent out wedding invitations. She told him everything.

By the end of it all, Killian had pushed their untouched plates aside and took one of her hands in both of his. She was trembling, having just relived some of her worst moments in life. Killian had listened in rapt attention to all of it, his eyes lighting up in fury in some moments, darkening in sorrow the next, even twinkling with affection and fondness when she spoke of her brother and friends. But never pity. And, true to his word, he never interrupted. It felt very… freeing to tell someone without judgement or fear of repercussions.

“So that's it. Now you know it all,” she said with a forced lightness in her words. She smiled tightly at him. He regarded her for a long moment and she tried not to squirm under his gaze.

“Tell me a good memory you had. One memory that doesn't involve someone else. Just you,” he said suddenly, taking her by surprise once again. Out of all the things he could have said, she wasn't expecting that. She thought for a moment.

“I remember the first time I went to the beach,” she said, eyes glazing slightly at the memory. “I was fourteen and I remember we travelled three hours to the Maine coast in a minivan that smelled like wet dog and throw up with six too loud kids piled on top of each other. The sky was getting overcast by the time we got there, and we almost turned around and went back to the group home. One of the counselors convinced the other that we came all this way so we might as well enjoy it while we could. I remember the second my feet hit the sand, I was running. I ran until my toes hit the water. I'd never felt so free and happy. It gave me something to hang on to, and I escaped to the beach whenever I could. It still makes me feel free.”

“That's what makes you amazing, Swan. You can always find the light in the darkness,” Killian replied, smiling warmly at her. She blushed, and picked up her fork and they ate in companionable silence, Killian's hand still wrapped firmly around hers.

#cs ff #chapter four #4/12 #escort!killian #LDCAT #love don't cost a thing

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sookashira · 7 years

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How could you see attack on titan crossover to Disney ? Why ?

10000 years for this lame reply, I’m sorry ;_;

So, I’ll make this using Disney songs’s lyrics parts (in the original english lyrics, because I like some in other languages more) instead of based my crazy and maybe don’t coherent headcanons in the characters xD

● Annie - Let it go (Frozen)

A kingdom of isolation,and it looks like I’m the Queen […]Conceal, don’t feel,don’t let them knowWell now they know[…]No right, no wrong, no rules for me,I’m free!

Elsa was finally free after years of hiding her powers and isolate herself from others but this ‘freedom’ was not so long. After she discovered her kingdom was frozen because of her, she felt trapped again. And Annie was free just for a moment too, when she showed herself as the female titan but probably she was still feeling trapped in the curse of being a warrior (a one who failed) and we know now what she thinks about both sides so… xddd Also, Annie is still trapped in her crystal x’D

● Armin - How far I’ll go (Moana)

See the line where the sky meets the sea it calls meAnd no one knows, how far it goesIf the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind meOne day I’ll know, if I go there’s just no telling how far I’ll go

I’m SORRY BUT THIS SONG IS ABOUT THE OCEAN SO… ARMIN. The ocean is calling him!

● Eren - Out there (The hunchback of Notre Dame)

The world is cruelThe world is wickedIt’s I alone whom you can trust in this whole cityI am your only friendI who keep you, teach you, feed you, dress youI who look upon you without fearHow can I protect you, boy, unless youAlways stay in hereAway in here[…]And out thereLiving in the sunGive me one day out thereAll I ask is oneTo hold forever

The first part of the lyrics (sung by Claude Frollo) are like The Walls saying Eren he must stay inside them, because outside the world is too dangerous because of the titans.

● Mikasa - Days in the sun (Beauty and the beast)

How in the midst of all this sorrowCan so much hope and love endureI was innocent and certainNow I’m wiser but unsure

I can’t go back into my childhoodOne that my father made secure

I can feel a change in meI’m stronger now but still not free

I don’t know. This song is too precious and pure for me and I can see Mikasa feeling it. Like, the world is merciless but also beautiful and she misses the old days when she was a kid and enjoyed her childhood with her parents first and then with Armin, Eren, Grisha and Karla.

● Ymir - Evermore (Beauty and the beast)

THAT’S YMIR SONG FOR HISTORIA AND NO ONE WILL MAKE ME THING OTHERWISE, I’M SORRY. THE WHOLE SONG. FIGHT ME.

I was the one who had it allI was the master of my fateI never needed anybody in my lifeI learned the truth too late

After Ymir 'came back to life again’ she decided to live only for herself, but even when she said that, Historia came and Ymir’s intentions was changing into a relationship where she wanted another’s person happiness more than herself.

● Connie - Go the distance (Hercules)

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest partFor a hero’s strength is measured by his heart, oh[…]I will search the world, I will face its harms'Till I find my hero’s welcome waiting in your arms

My interpretion of this song is about someone who wants to find itself and about self-love and “Go the distance” is like discovering how much you can do and be able to go somewhere knowing you are capable of anything. And Connie says he joined the soldiers because he wanted to get recognition from his town, because they said he was like dumb and nobody believed in him, but as the song says, a hero’s strenght is measured by the heart and Connie grew up a lot and made amazing things. I’m sure we are all proud of him.

● Historia - Like I’m alive (Brave)

Funny how life can seemlike a scene from some bad movieso painfully boringall the drama with no happy ending

[…]

It’s not enough just to go through the motionssleepwalking through lifeit’s not enough just to get byI wanna live, I wanna live like I’m alive.Not run and hide to a cage of insecurityI lock the world outside, the only one I hurt is me.

Not Christa but Historia. The first part sounds so Historia to me, like sarcastic. She wants to live like if she was alive now, being herself with her head up high, guiding the people as the queen.

● Sasha - We are one (Lion king 2)

As you go through life you’ll seeThere is so much that weDon’t understand

And the only thing we knowIs things don’t always goThe way we planned

[…]

All the wisdom to leadAll the courage that you needYou will find when you seeWe are one

This song reminds me of the conversation Sasha had with her dad before she joined the soldiers. About how people is connected in the world, no matter what and she needs courage and learn how to get along.

● Jean - I’m still here (Treasure planet)

[…]And what do you think you’d ever sayI won’t listen anywayYou don’t know meAnd I’ll never be what you want me to be

And what do you think you’d understandI’m a boyNo, I’m a manYou can’t take me and throw me awayAnd how can you learn what’s never shownYeah you stand here on your ownThey don’t know meCuz I’m not here

I think Jean have a real problem about himself. He shows himself cool and all that stuff, but he is really insecure and he even said he didn’t wanted to hate himself even more once. And I feel like if he wants people to understand him and know him but is something hard. But he had a great development in the story, even when at the beginning he was unsecure about being a leader like everybody wanted him to be. He knows now he can do it.

● Reiner - Reflection (Mulan)

Why must we all concealWhat we think, how we feel?Must there be a secret meI’m forced to hide?I won’t pretend that I’mSomeone else for all timeWhen will my reflection showWho I am inside?

Maybe is like… cliché, but we know Reiner was acting like Marcel because the real him was such a mess and he feels guilty about his death. But even as soldier he still is confusing about what to do and feel, mixing personalities and probably at some point he can’t recognize who is the real him.

● Bertholdt - No way out (Brother bear)

Everywhere I turn, I hurt someoneBut there’s nothing I can sayto change the things I’ve doneI’d do anything within my powerI’d give everything I’ve gotBut the path I seek is hiddenfrom me now

You trusted me, believed in meand I let you downOf all the things I hid from youI cannot hide the shame

What can I say? Bertholdt was always there hiding himself, feeling guilty about everything and then he tried to let people know he enjoyed his time as a soldier, sharing dreams with his comrades. And he was sorry for what he did.

● Marco - ???

To be honest I don’t know which song could fit Marco? I don’t feel like I know him like the others xd just a superficial Marco lmao but he is the nice dude who wanted to protect the king eve Maybe that friendship song from Toy story but idk.

● Eldians ¿? - Savages (Pocahontas)People from Marley singing about Eldians, basically lol

#lmao i forgot the veterans -cries-#this sucks anyways aiksnhfudhuads #snk headcanon #replies #kamenriderzero110901 #sorry for my english too

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elsanna-shenanigans · 6 years

Text

October Contest Submission #6: For Your Sake

Elsa and Anna had heard the mythical legends of the healing city all their lives, even from across the sea. The papers of Arendelle telegraphed news of miracle blood ministrations that healed any disease as the old butcher whispered in their ears the rumors of ancient sorceries. It all felt so far away; a fairy tale, a cauldron of revelry in a distant land.

So it was until Anna herself took ill. Try as she might, Queen Elsa couldn’t fight a sickness. She could sink a fleet of battleships in minutes, whip up a storm in seconds, but there was naught she could do to relieve her dear sister of her incurable ailment. Their castle reeked of despair as the days turned to weeks. Doctors from all over the land traveled expediently to the castle, but none could save her. Anna could barely walk, a slow husk of a woman who stank of sick and kept the whole kingdom holding a collective breath.

Elsa’s desperation reached a breaking point the day Anna went into a coma for over 72 hours. It nearly broke her and sent Arendelle tumbling once more into a blizzard. She thought she’d lost her other half. Her heart bleak, the Queen charted her fastest ship to the healing city of legend, where all rational accounts told her a cure would be waiting.

Elsa sang softly to a groggy but awake Anna below deck. She’d hold the girl’s head in her lap, kissing her forehead and cheeks. Heavy waves and a dark sky of breaking rain pounded against the vessel. When she’d run out of songs she began telling stories, everything she could remember.

A week passed, and on a shadowy, October afternoon Elsa and Anna found themselves standing before the city of promises. Gothic spires and winding cathedrals grew from the ground like bamboo scraping the rumbling sky. The wrought iron gates leading in hung ajar, and down a long, winding road Elsa could see streets littered with black coffins wrapped in heavy chains.

Dozens of carriages were upturned along the empty lane, not a soul in sight. Elsa swallowed air, and her magic blossomed in her free hand. She held Anna against her side with the other, the girl half awake and pale. She could taste the rot in the air.

“Oh jeez, did th’ plague hit?”

“Looks like worse,” Elsa said as she held Anna tighter, “perhaps it clears up further in.” Last she’d heard, the city was fine. Prosperous, even. Instead, they’d found a ghost town. “Can you walk?”

“Sure.” Anna pushed away from Elsa’s side, and wobbled into a standing position. “Lil’ shaky, but ’m good.”

“Okay.”

“Please, your majesties,” Kai said from the heavy carriage behind them, “There must be another way.” A crow shrieked behind him, and he yelped in his seat.

“I’ there was,” Anna said, “Elsie woulda foun’ it already.”

Elsa rubbed her sister’s back, doing her best to smile. “Thank you for the confidence vote.”

Anna giggled, and leaned in to kiss Elsa’s cheek. “An’time, love.”

“I can’t stop you, of course,” Kai said as he crossed his arms, “but I still disagree with this decision.”

“As is your right,” said Elsa.

“Hey, Elsa’s the strong’st lady ‘n th’ world, I think we’ll be f’ne.”

“You’re really overflowing with compliments today, aren’t you?”

“It’s cuz you’re amazing.”

“Yes, well, so are you.” Elsa found her sister’s hand and squeezed, “now let’s get you cured, my love.”

The women left Kai stammering with the carriage and stepped onto the city streets. The ground was heavy cobble, and clattered under foot. The air choked with ash. Around every new corner Elsa swore she saw another shadow, heard another voice, but when she checked behind her, glanced down an alley, she found nothing. Her nerves screamed in her spine. They’d come so far, it couldn’t be for nothing.

The sun crawled down the sky as the sisters staggered into an empty town square. Elsa’s breath hitched in her throat, and Anna groaned against her shoulder. “Oh, sh’t.”

Propped up in the middle of the road was a beast, a demon of fur and teeth and sinew crucified upon a wooden cross. Dozens of farm tools and weapons were strewn about at its feet. It looked fresh, its blood still wet.

“Tha’s bad, ain’t it?”

“Undoubtedly.”

Anna tugged at Elsa’s sleeve, and they locked eyes. She looked even paler, her face lined with fear. “Sho’ld we turn b’ck?”

Elsa shook her head, unable to hide the tremble of her lower lip. “N-no. Let’s at least have a look around.” Anna would die.

She grunted, and pushed herself off Elsa’s shoulder. She hobbled towards the dead beast, and craned her neck to stare at it. She wrapped her arms around herself in a hug. Elsa found the way forward easily enough, another road leading under a bridge. She stepped towards it but was interrupted by a howl that froze her blood to ice. It sounded like a wail of bloodlust given form as it echoed over the city.

“Uh, Elsa?” She’d made a terrible mistake.

“We’re leaving.” Elsa strode up to her sister and swept her up into her arms, the weight of her barely a feather.

“Oop!” Anna wrapped her arms around Elsa’s neck, her breathing heavy. “Sounds goo’ to me!”

Elsa booked it from the square. She could fight, sure but if she did would Anna survive? The clap of her footfalls rang off the towering buildings as she ran. Her neck ached from whipping around, checking dark alleyways as they rushed past, glanced up towards the roofs. It didn’t matter what had made the sound, no matter how curious she was. They had to get out. Anna had to get out.

“We’re almost there!”

Elsa turned the corner, and stopped in her tracks. Beyond the gates, the Arendelle carriage was upturned. Circling it were three monstrous, hairy creatures skulking on all fours. Blood glistened upon their snouts, and Elsa recognized Kai’s opened torso strewn across the cobble, his insides dug out and spilled.

The horses were nowhere to be found. “Oh god,” Anna whispered, her eyes wide and white, “Kai!”

No. No, no, no. What had she done? Elsa bared her teeth. The creatures had yet to see her and her sister; with a fierce stomp of her heel three ugly, jagged knives of ice erupted from the ground below the monsters in a burst of wintery magic. They shrieked as the spires pierced their centers and hauled them into the air, where they writhed and clawed at the solid, slippery spears below them for purchase.

“I think I’m g’nna faint.”

“Now where do we go?” Elsa said, her eyes wet with tears. She hadn’t time to grieve, let the Queen take over, do it for your sister. Survive. Feel, but feel later.

“No idea,” Anna said, her face buried in Elsa’s jacket, “but we gotta go s’mewhere or we’re dead!”

“I won’t let that happen.” They couldn’t go forward, there might be more of them. The scent of blood was thick from Kai’s corpse, and Elsa didn’t want to stick around. They couldn’t go back to die in the claws of whatever beast lurked there, either.

Left with little choice, Elsa turned 90 degrees from where she stood and darted down a dark alley, Anna tight in her arms. She barely weighed a thing.

“I’m s’ t’red, Elsie.” Anna’s eyes were half lidded, her mouth drooping open.

“I know, hang on!” They passed the backs of buildings, sewer entrances. Elsa pumped her legs, hurtling away from the violence that had crept into her life. Hissing rats scurried from her path in panic.

“Hey Elsa, wh’n we get back,” Anna said, her voice but a whisper, “let’s g’t married.”

The Queen forced herself to laugh. “W-What about Arendelle? I thought we decided they wouldn’t approve?”

Anna scoffed, and raised a trembling hand to caress Elsa’s cheek. “Fuck ‘em.” There was a note of finality in her voice, of acceptance, that Elsa refused to hear.

They cleared the alley and were thrust into the light of the setting sun against a wide, crooked street. The breath left Elsa’s lungs, for at once she saw the worn, faded sign of a clinic across the way, its windows unbroken and dimly lit. At the same time, just down the street to their left a mob of gangly, hunched over figures approached through a screen of haze. They growled and twitched, their hands too large for their bodies, their clothes a tatter of what they should have been.

Elsa gunned for the clinic, bursting through the front door to an empty parlor. The candles were lit in their stands, and incense hit her like a wall. Her legs shook under her as she scanned the room. There, a couch. Elsa raced forward and set Anna down as carefully as she could upon the mottled furniture, then dashed for a wooden chair set against the far wall. She wedged it under the doorknob, blocking the entrance.

Elsa held her breath as she peeked out the window. “E-Elsa?” Anna rasped. The Queen held up a finger, and did not speak.

The creatures stalked into view, their eyes blood shot or missing. They carried torches like a mob, passing without a second glance at the clinic. Dozens of them, burly and thin, armed with whatever they seemed to find. Behind them, dragged across the cobble in a smear of blood by the larger members, were four corpses of the same wolf creatures that had killed Kai.

They disappeared down the road, howls in the distance. Elsa waited, watching flies buzz about broken lampposts and the lines of the sunset dip further and further down. Her heart worked in her throat like a hammer.

With a sign, Elsa turned back to her sister. She looked the same, haggard and tired, but at least she was lying down. All around them were doors and rusted gurneys stained with dried blood and other fluids Elsa didn’t recognize. A thin layer of dust covered the floor, which reassured Elsa’s heart.

“Are w’ okay?” Anna asked.

Elsa made her way over and kneeled before Anna, clearing her bangs from her eyes with a shaking hand. “I-I think so.”

“What’s happenin’ in th’s damned city?”

Elsa shook her head, the weight of it all taught in the muscles of her back. “I don’t know.” She’d been such a fool.

Anna grimaced, and stared at the ceiling. Tears pricked in the corners of her eyes, and Elsa’s soul sank. “I gu’ss this means no cure f’r me, then.”

“No, hey,” Elsa stroked the girl’s cheek, marking her face with light kisses and eliciting a hoarse giggle, “we’re going to figure this out, I promise.” They’d walked into hell, but that wouldn’t stop her from saving her sister. Damned legends, damned city. They’d come so far.

A creak of squeaky hinges. Elsa was on her feet in a flash, her magic whirling about her hands in flurry A man in a wheelchair sat in an open door frame. He looked tired but clean, his eyes hidden by bandages and a large brimmed hat.

“Oho,” the man said, “visitors?” His accent was thick, and Elsa had to pause a moment to catch his words.

“Elsa, is there some’ne there?”

“Ahh, and foreigners, to boot. What do you know.” He wheeled a few inches forward.

“Who are you?” Elsa asked, her eyes cold as glaciers, her back arched.

“A blood minister, young miss, one o’ the last. Welcome. Your girl,” he cocked his head towards Anna, “did you come here for the healing?”

Elsa stopped, and the magic vanished from her fingers. “Yes, we have. Can you help my sister?” Anna had held out so long. Elsa felt her pulse race as desperation and fear overwhelmed her.

The man nodded, and turned himself around to roll back down a shadowy hall. The floor creaked as he went. “Yes, yes, one moment and I’ll get my tools.”

Elsa glanced at Anna but she was out, unconscious or asleep she couldn’t tell. When the minister returned, he was wheeling before him a vat of thick orange blood and intravenous drip with a shining steel tip. He approached Anna and plucked up the needle with thin, skeletal hands. He glanced at Elsa, though she still couldn’t see his eyes he looked with.

“May I, miss?” Elsa bristled. She didn’t trust him, didn’t trust the city. “From the looks of it she’s on the way out.”

She was so desperate. “Please.” Elsa found Anna’s shoulder and squeezed with all the love she could muster.

With a deftness that betrayed feeble appearance, the minister found Anna’s vein and slipped in the needle. She shuddered in her sleep. “Let ‘er be, now.”

Elsa furrowed her brow. “That’s it?”

“Yep. Just let her rest, should be right as rain.” He smiled at her, a crooked, awful thing, and turned once more in his squeaky chair and wheeled himself from the room.

For nigh on an hour, Elsa waited. Her muscles held enough tension to break stone. She drank in the breath leaving Anna’s chest, the flutter of her eyes under her lids. It had to work.

Another hour passed, and the evening became night. Howls of pain echoed across the city, some closer than others, and still Elsa sat trembling at her sister’s side. Idly, she stared into the vat of blood, and swore she could see the liquid writhing.

As Elsa began to fear she’d fallen into a nightmare, Anna stirred. She groaned, a throaty, guttural noise, and Elsa gripped her shoulders. “Hey, Anna! Anna, can you hear me?” The girl stiffened, and her eyes flew open. She let out a howl, tearing the cloth of the sofa with her nails. Elsa leapt back, her hands in front of her face. Anna rolled from the couch onto the floor, her back arced towards the ceiling.

She was panting. Elsa lowered her hands, and Anna’s back exploded in a geyser of red. It splattered the walls, the gurneys. She closed her eyes.

When she opened them, a snarling wolf-beast wearing her sister’s shredded clothes crouched before her on all fours. It opened its mouth, revealing rows and rows of dazzling knives.

Elsa’s chest hitched in a sob. She’d just wanted to save her sister. With a roar, Anna leapt across the rickety floorboards, her powerful jaws capturing the soft flesh of Elsa’s throat. Red ran like a river down her jacket and to the floor. The color fading from her skin, Elsa raised a trembling hand to caress the length of the beast’s muzzle. “I’m sorry.”

In the fading light, she heard the rapturous laughter of the minister carrying through the halls. Elsa cursed him as the last dregs of consciousness slipped away, her heart a storm of agony. Then Anna bit down, and she was gone.

#elsanna #submission #october 2018 contest #horror

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is0gild · 4 years

Text

Ice Cream and Fire Oven Pizza - Chapter 11

Pairing: Elsa x Lea/Axel || Side Pairing: Riku x OC

Summary: Modern AU. She's an introvert ball of nerves who works at Ice Palace, a mall food court ice cream shop. He's the outgoing, sassy goofball who works at the Pizza Planet across the way. Hilarity, snark, and fluffy romcom hijinks ensue.

Word Count: 8,761

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

Credit for super friggin’ cute and super friggin’ amazing cover art goes to the super friggin’ talented ky-jane here on tumblr!

“Please, Ray, think of the child!”

“I am! Cuz this is my last few months of freedom!”

It was getting late and things were winding down now in 7th Heaven. Most of the gang from the mall had already split and there were just a few stragglers left. It may have come as a shock to find me among them. Or maybe not, given Anna and I were carpooling and my little sister had never, ever been one to call it an early night.

Rayne apparently wasn’t ready for the party to be over yet either. Much to Riku’s dismay, she had climbed up onto a table for what was probably now the sixth time tonight and was rocking her best dancing queen moves. I snorted as I watched her work it, always managing to boogie-dodge out of the way whenever Riku would make a desperate grab for her ankles. I was almost surprised Anna wasn’t up there cutting the proverbial rug with her right now like she had been earlier.

“Trying to wrangle the wife so you two can head out for the night?” I asked, stepping up beside Riku.

His shoulders slumped as he released a long suffering sigh, “Yeah, if only she’d stand still long enough.” Once again his hand swiped out and once again she evaded him with ease as she razzed her tongue at him before spinning around to shake her munny-maker in his general direction. “Now she’s just taunting me,” he grumbled.

I brought a hand up to hide my grin. “Need help?”

“Nah, I got it.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes. “You catching a ride home with us tonight?”

“No thanks,” I shook my head. “Anna is more alcohol than person at this point. She has no business being behind a wheel, so she’s going to need me to drive her. Will it be okay if she sleeps on your couch?”

He nodded, “Fine by me. Sure you yourself are good to drive?”

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “If you’re referring to that one sip I had on the karaoke stage, that was hours ago. Trust me, I’m good.” Looking around, I then asked, “Any idea where Anna may have gotten off to?”

“Haven’t seen her for a while now, but I’m sure she’ll turn up. Maybe check with-”

“Catch me!”

Eyes going round, Riku hastily threw his arms out just in time for Rayne to land in them princess-style. Giggling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a loud smooch on his cheek. He gave an amused huff through his nose, muttering, “Woman, you’re gonna be the death of me.”

“And you’ll love every minute of it, my knight in shining armor,” she cooed, hugging him tighter and nuzzling her face into his neck.

He snerked, closing his eyes. “You’re right. Probably need my head examined.”

I felt a tug at one corner of my mouth. “Looks like you have your hands full with this one, Riku. Good luck.”

“Eh, it’s just this place. She’ll be all sobered up by the time we’re on the road. Speaking of which, we should probably get going.” Still carrying her, he started to turn to leave but then stopped and peered back at me with a smile. “Oh, and Elsa? Great job at the mic tonight. You were amazing.”

I blinked, then looked down with a weak chuckle. “No, not really.”

He gave my leg a friendly nudge with his shoe, seeing as how his hands were otherwise occupied. “Yes, really. Anyway, see you back at home.”

“Hi-ho Silver, away!” Rayne cried, jabbing a finger out and kicking up a leg.

“If you’re expecting me to gallop and whinny, sorry, not happening,” Riku said flatly as he started making his way towards the door.

“Aw, please?” she dragged out the word and I could all but hear the pout in her voice.

I hummed a soft laugh as I watched them go. I’d said it before and I’ll say it again… they really were so sweet. It was hard not to envy them and what they had, the relationship and life they’d built together. I wondered if I could ever have anything like that with someone. I mean, I’d had my chance with my ex and had blown it. I’d never felt anything even remotely like that for him in the years we’d been together. Could I if the right person came along? Or was I just…

...not built that way?

In any case, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about such things. Romance was the least of my worries at the moment. What with having made the wholly unwise and completely spur of the moment decision to turn my entire life utterly upside down, there were much more pressing matters to deal with.

Not the least of which was locating one rambunctious and currently quite heavily sauced little sister.

Now where to even start looking? Hmmm… pretty sure I’d seen her last holed up in one of the booths with Xion, heads hunched together, whispering and cackling about something. What exactly? Not entirely sure. Part of me had been a little too afraid to find out. Either way, checking in with Xion would probably be my best bet. I knew she’d been making the rounds and saying good night to everyone, but I didn’t think she’d left just yet.

It took a few minutes as the bar was still pretty jam packed, but I finally caught sight of her over by the arcade machines chatting with Olette and Hayner. She waved goodbye to the other two before turning and spotting me as I approached. “Oh hiya!” she smiled broadly. “Glad you decided to join us tonight, hope you had fun!”

I smiled back, “I did, thanks.” And I wasn’t just being polite. Oddly enough, I actually meant it. “So hey, any clue where Anna might be?”

She pursed her lips to one side, giving a low hum before at last shaking her head. “Nope! Sorry. She and I were hanging out a bit ago, but then she ran off. Haven’t seen her since. Why don’t you try calling her? You’re still phoneless, right?” She dug hers out of one of her pockets. “Here, use mine.”

I took it from her and almost dropped it when it immediately started vibrating against my palm. The screen lit up with Anna’s name and a photo selfie of her next to Xion in one of the booths here, both posing with duck face and white girl gangsta hand gestures. Speak of the devil. Apparently, the phone was receiving an incoming call from my sister. I arched an eyebrow up at Xion, to which she just laughed, “Oh yeah, we exchanged numbers. Perfect timing, huh?”

Perfecting timing indeed.

Shrugging it off, I pressed the green button and brought the device up to my ear, “Anna?”

A loud dramatic gasp came through from the other end, “Xi-Xi! Has anyone ever told you that you sound exactly like my sister?”

My eyelids drooped. “This is your sister.”

Another gasp. “Sis! Has anyone ever told you that you sound exactly like Xi-Xi doing a spot on impression of you?”

“You’d be the first,” I rolled my eyes, squinting as I took another quick glance around the pub. “Where are you? We should probably get going.”

“But I am going!” her voice slurred through the speaker. “I’m already loooooong gone, baby, woo!”

“Oh, no doubt about that,” I snerked. Xion pointed over to Meg and Tiana, indicating she wanted to catch them before they left and I nodded as she walked off. “But no, I mean going as in driving. You know, like in a car? Beep beep, vroom vroom?”

She huffed, “But that’s what I’m saying! I am in a car with all the beep beeps and vroom vrooms!”

My eyebrows knit together. “You are? With who?”

“Ray-Ray and Ri-Ri of course!” she chirped.

Anna was oh so clever and original at coming up with nicknames, if you hadn’t guessed by this point. “What? But I told Riku I’d be driving you. Like, not even five minutes ago.”

“Yeah, I caught them as they were leaving and Ri-Ri said something about that, but told him I figured I’d just snag a ride with them cuz you decided to stay a tad longer to hang out with yo peeps!”

“Oh I did, did I?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Funny, I don’t remember saying anything like that.”

“Well, no, not in so many words, but I knew. I could tell. Sisterly intu… intu-ish-ish, uh…” she sluggishly stumbled over the word for a bit before instead settling on, “I’m psychic!”

“I see. Fine then, oh great and powerful reader of minds, what am I thinking about right this second?”

There was a pause. Then, “You’re thinking… no, wondering… how… glue doesn’t stick to the inside of its own bottle?”

“No.” Well… yes actually, since she’d brought it up, now I was. But Anna didn’t need to know that! “I’m wondering where the keys to your car are.”

“Oh!” Another pause, then some shuffling noises followed by a loud jangle. “Right here!”

I frowned, heaving a sigh through my nose. “Perfect. So then tell me, Anna, because I’d really love to know… how am I supposed to get home?”

“Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Just ask someone there to take ya. Oh oh, ask Xi-Xi! Besides, you shouldn’t be driving anyway, ya boozehound!”

“Oh my god, it was just one sip!” I facepalmed. “Look, can you just put Riku on the phone? You guys can’t have driven that far yet, I’m sure he won’t mind turning around. Besides, we shouldn’t just leave your car here overnight.”

She scoffed, “It’ll be fine, I can get it in the morning!”

“Anna, please, can you just hand the phone to-”

“What was that?” she asked before making a loud, crackly hiss through her teeth in a super obvious and super fake attempt at static noises. “Sis? You’re breaking up! I’m going through a tunnel, I can’t-” More hissing followed by a long beep, presumably Anna pressing down on what she thought was the ‘End Call’ button. It wasn’t. “...hehehe, all according to plan.”

“You know I’m still here and can still hear you, right?” I deadpanned.

“Gah!” Another beep and the line actually went dead this time.

I pulled the phone away from my ear to narrow my eyes down at it.

What were you up to, brat?

“So!” Xion beamed as she abruptly popped back up in front of me, making me jump as my hand flew up to my chest. “Looks like you’re hitching a ride with me!”

My brow furrowed, “How did you-?”

“We better hit the road then!” she took her phone back as she slung her other arm around my shoulders, making me stagger into a walk beside her as she directed us towards the exit. “I gave the boys my keys so they could let themselves into the car, so they should already be all buckled in and good to go!”

Okay, something was beyond fishy here.

I started reaching towards her hand to remove it, “Thank you, but this isn’t necessary. Could I just maybe borrow your phone again and try Riku’s or Rayne’s numbers directly? I don’t want to be any trouble, really.”

“Nonsense!” She swatted my hand away before barreling us through the door and out into the night. “No trouble at all! I’m only too happy to drive you. Besides, with all that testosterone swimming in giggle juice stuffed into one teeny-tiny car, I’m grateful for another sane female presence. Trust me, you’re doing me a favor!”

As we made our way down the steps and into the parking lot, I tried again, “But-”

“Arr, avast ye scallywags!” Roxas suddenly jumped out in front of us from between two cars, earning a yelp from the both of us. He drunkenly wobbled into a battle stance, brandishing a broken tree branch in our faces. “Surrender yer booty or taste the cold steel of my blade, yar!”

Xion fixed him with a dull stare and crossed her arms. “Roxas, that’s a stick.”

“Wha?” Blinking groggily at his makeshift weapon a couple times, he then shouted, “Think fast!” He chucked it, missing us by miles and instead hitting some random car, setting off its alarm. Then he sniggered and spun around to make a break for it, only to trip over his own two feet and hit the asphalt hard. He hiccuped before calling out a weak, “I’m okay!” Scrambling to his feet once more, he managed to stumble across Xion’s Prius a few vehicles down and dive (well… more like fall) head first through one of the backseat windows, shoes flailing about wildly in the air for a few seconds before getting pulled inside with the rest of him.

Her lips flapped as she puffed out a breath. “Ugh, Rox is such a lightweight. At least Lea knows how to hold his hooch a little better. But see? See what I have to put up with?” She pressed her palms together and held them up under her chin, “Please, please just let me give you a ride home so you can keep those baboons from driving me bonkers.”

My lips pressed into a thin line. “...oh, alright.” Then I scraped together a small smile, “Thanks.”

“Yes!” she pumped her fist before she resumed walking and I reluctantly followed. “And don’t mention it!”

As I gave her my address to put in her phone for directions, we walked around behind her car and I looked longingly at Anna’s Porsche, just one space over. So close, I could reach out and touch it. Ugh. Besides not being able to quite shake the feeling that I was wandering headlong into a carefully laid trap courtesy of Anna and I was beginning to strongly suspect Xion too, I’d just plain had enough of being around people for one night. My social battery was depleted and in serious need of recharging, so even something so simple as a car ride with others sounded like a lot.

Hmm... wonder what my chances of success would be if I tried to break in and hotwire Anna’s car?

Probably not the best considering when it came to grand theft auto, I didn’t have the foggiest of where to even begin. But hey, someone had to be the first to figure out how to start up a car sans keys. And that person wouldn’t have even had Youtube tutorial videos to help them through the whole process, so who knew, maybe I had a shot.

Meh. I should just suck it up and go with Xion. Ten more minutes of human interaction wasn’t going to kill me.

...famous last words.

Xion opened the door to the backseat and held out her hand to whoever was seated inside, curling and uncurling her fingers a couple times. “Keys.”

Another hand stretched out from within the car, dropping the requested item into her awaiting palm with a muted clink. As the arm was pulled back inside, it was replaced by a fiery head of hair poking out to quirk an eyebrow back at me. “El?” Lea called out. “What’re you doing here?”

Xion stepped aside so I could walk up, coming to a stop between the open door and where he was buckled in in the back. With a tiny, awkward laugh, I said, “It, uh… looks like I’ll be catching a ride with you guys tonight.”

“Oh?” he smiled up at me, but then it quickly faded. “But there’s not really space…”

“There’s not?” I frowned, bowing down a bit to get a better look into the car. Sitting next to Lea were two Roxases. Or rather… I guess one was his brother… Ventus, was it? I didn’t know them well enough yet to tell which was which. Drat, I couldn’t even remember what Roxas had been wearing thirty seconds ago when he’d tried to hold us up at stick-point. And neither one was in their work clothes, so I didn’t even have that as a clue. As for the front passenger spot, that was already occupied as well. Naminé had twisted around her seat there to give me a wave with a warm grin.

“Oopsie,” Xion singsonged behind me a touch too innocently, “looks like I miscalculated available car space!”

I turned to squint suspiciously at her. “You told me you needed another,” here I used finger quotes, “sane female presence in the car with you.”

“Yeah, another. Never said anything about you being the only one.”

My gaze shot skyward as I released a soft huff. “Well… thanks anyway, but looks like I’ll be needing Riku to come back for me after all. Could someone lend me their phone please?”

“Nah, it’s fine, don’t make him drive all the way here again,” Lea batted a hand and started reaching for his seatbelt. “El, take my seat, I’ll just walk back to my place, it’s not that far.”

“Please, I’m not letting you walk your drunk ass home in the middle of the night,” Xion said sternly.

“Yeah, we’ll just stuff your drunk ass into the trunk instead!” Roxas (or was it Ventus?) cackled beside him.

He snorted, “Like I’d even fit in there. If anyone’s going in the trunk, it’s Nams. She’s the smallest.”

She blinked back at the boys before tapping a finger to her chin, “Well, I guess if it’ll make everything easier…”

“No one’s going in the trunk, Nams, he was joking,” Xion rolled her eyes.

I decided to try again, “Now about that phone?”

“Worry not! We can make this work,” Xion smirked and I didn't like that sudden gleam in her eye. “It’ll just get a lil cozy, but that’s okay. We’re all friends here, right? Right.” And with that, her hands shot forward, shoving me into a backward stumble.

And straight into Lea’s lap.

I felt his whole body jerk and tense beneath mine. As my brain was still trying to catch up and process what exactly it was that had just happened, Xion cooed all sugary sweet like, “Watch your toesies there,” lightly kicking my feet in along with the rest of me before slamming the car door shut.

“Xion!” Lea yelled, grabbing the door handle and yanking on it several times, but it remained shut tight. “This isn’t funny! Open the door!” She just brought her face down to the window, sticking her tongue out as she waggled her fingers at him before skipping off around to the other side of the car. He banged his fist against the window glass, “Damn it!”

Oh no…

Oh.

No.

“W-what’s wrong with the door?” I asked, my breathing growing rapid as I pulled on the handle a few times myself, but still it didn’t budge. “Is it stuck?”

Lea flopped his head back against the headrest, raking his fingers through his hair as he grumbled, “Child lock.”

“Yup!” piped Xion as she plopped down into the driver's seat, buckling herself in. “Rox here has tried one too many times now to jump outta a moving vehicle while plastered.”

“Keep telling ya, I’ll be fine!” the one next to the other backseat window snapped. Guess that’d make him Roxas.

She snorted, turning the key in the ignition. “For the last time, no, you won’t. Being three sheets to the wind doesn’t make you as invulnerable as you seem to think it does, sorry bud.”

I barely heard a word that was being said, heart thudding loudly now as my fingers frantically and repeatedly pressed the window button. I was not above climbing out that way to escape! However, the window remained firmly closed and I heard the one opposite of us rolling up as well.

I caught Naminé casting me a look of concern through the rearview mirror before she glanced at Xion, “Um… maybe this isn’t really the best id-”

“Shush, it’ll be fine!” Xion brushed her off before backing the car out of the parking space. “And we’re off!”

Oh god, oh god, oh god, this was really happening. I rigidly sat as far forward on his legs as I could, self-consciously tugging at the hem of my mini skirt. I still hadn’t purchased any tights to wear under them, so there was also that.

Worst.

Work attire.

Ever.

I stopped fussing with it, instead concentrating on sitting as still as humanly possible, planting my elbows on my knees and clasping my hands over my nose, mouth, and searing cheeks.

Breathe. Breathe. Okay, Elsa, calm down. This isn’t another person you’re sitting on. It’s a chair. Just… just a chair…

A very warm, firm, shifting, breathing, distressingly person-shaped chair.

Yeah, no, that wasn’t helping.

My eyes screwed tightly shut.

Alright, okay, try this instead! Just picture like you’re a child again, sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what you want for Christmas!

...except I’d always been terrified of Santa Claus as a kid and had screamed bloody murder until they’d take me away from him.

Ugh, this wasn’t working! Were we there yet? Was it almost over? Please, oh please let us almost be back to the apartment!

I peeked one eye open and...

We weren’t. In fact, we’d just barely left the parking lot and were waiting at a light. Out of my peripheral, I saw Lea’s hands hovering about awkwardly, clearly not sure what to do with them. At last, he settled on one grabbing the edge of the seat to the left of his knees while the other fumbled about against the door, the window, the ceiling, basically trying to be anywhere but on me.

This was awful. One could all but choke on the sheer amount of awkward, it was so palpable. This was one hundred and ten percent the type of situation I would usually nopety-nope the hell out of faster than you could say ‘panic attack’. But I couldn’t! I was trapped! No way out!

Except… hold up, maybe there was one way out… it was a long shot, but...

Squeezing my eyes shut once again, I clicked my heels together three times.

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…

I peeked one eye open.

Fudge, still here.

Maybe it’d help if I actually had ruby slippers.

Stupid, useless, non-magical, suede ankle boots.

“I’m really sorry about this,” I heard Lea mumble behind me.

I twitched, then quickly shook my head, “Don’t be, it’s not-”

“Sweet! Light’s green!” Xion whooped before slamming the pedal to the metal.

The car leapt forward, knocking me into a backward slide along Lea’s lap, my back thumping against his chest. I heard him suck in a sharp breath and groan softly, his hand on the seat cushion gripping harder. I stammered, “S-sorry, did I hurt you?”

Voice somewhat strained, he said, “No, not at all, it’s, er… hm, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” His breath tickled against my neck and shoulder, making me shiver and my blush burn hotter. It was a wonder my whole body wasn’t glowing in the dark at this point. “Your, ah… your hair… may I ask the, um… the scent?”

Oh gosh, he must have gotten a face full of ponytail when I had been thrown up against him just now. “Snowberry? I believe is the, erm… the flavor of shampoo.” I winced. “Not flavor! D-don’t know why I said that, I don’t know what it tastes like! Not like I go around eating shampoo, who would do that? Crazy people, that’s who! I’m perfectly normal and eat normal things like-” Ugh, stop rambling! You may not eat shampoo, but you’re definitely sounding like a crazy person right now! “Nevermind. Anyway, sorry… I know it- the shampoo that is... that the smell tends to be a bit strong.”

“No, no, it’s, uh…” he cleared his throat, “... it’s nice. Very-”

There was a loud thud that jolted the whole car, making me bounce in his lap, much to my utter horror. I heard a tiny whimper from Lea as his knuckles started turning white.

“Sorry,” Xion laughed, “pothole!”

Oh, Xion. Dear, sweet Xion… what did I ever do to you to deserve all this? Did I mess up one of your ice cream orders? Give you a sugar cone when you had wanted waffle? Or only two scoops when you had asked for three? Served you a Sea Salt that was an insultingly subpar shade of blue?

And Anna… oh-ho, trust me, this little stunt had that hellion’s name written all over it, no doubt about that. I don’t know what she was even trying to accomplish here, but when I got my hands on her… sorry, Mother, Father, but your littlest would be coming home to you in a friggin’ body bag.

“So Lea,” Ventus elbowed him in the arm abruptly, “I feel like you and I don’t get to talk much, like, ever. Figure now’s a good a time as any to fix that. So tell me, buddy, cuz I really wanna know…” his lips curled wickedly as he leaned in closer to him, eyebrows waggling, “...what’s up?”

Lea shoved him away and into Roxas, who snickered, “Ooo, sore subject, I take it? Don’t worry about it, big guy. Too much booze can do that to man and-”

A second, more forceful shove from Lea, this time knocking the twins’ heads together with a satisfying smack as he snarled, “If you two twerps don’t cram it, I’m gonna-”

“Oopsie, stop sign!” Xion announced brightly, stomping down on the brakes hard.

As the tires squealed to a stop, I flew forward, but was saved by Lea’s arm instinctively latching around my waist. He breathed a sigh of relief, but then his muscles stiffened. “S-sorry,” he hastily removed his hand from my hip… only to rest it on my bare thigh instead. Instantly realizing his mistake, another louder, more panicked, “Sorry!” as he jerked the hand away, electing to jam it under his leg instead.

One had to wonder what the boiling point of human was, because at the rate my head-to-toe blush was going, I had to be fast approaching it.

“Onward!” Xion cheerfully boomed, flooring it once more, flinging me back and starting the whole cycle anew.

The rest of the trip probably lasted only a grand total of five more minutes. However, it felt like five centuries, with a decade tacked on for every sudden acceleration, sharp turn or jerky stop. I swear Xion was purposely seeking out every last dang bump and ditch in the stupid road. I never even realized there were so many! If I hadn’t known any better, I’d have suspected her of doubling back to hit some of them twice.

Finally, after what seemed like an absolute gut-wrenching eternity, she mercifully sang out a chipper, “Here we are!” as we pulled into the parking lot for my apartment complex.

Oh thank goodness!

As we came to what had to be the smoothest stop the whole ride, I was already tugging on the door handle restlessly, impatient for Xion to release the infernal child lock. “Alright, alright, hold your horses,” she snerked, taking her sweet time to tap a button on her armrest. There was a click beside me and with one final pull of the handle, the car door popped open. In the blink of an eye, I was gone.

Road Runner, eat your heart out.

“Elsa, wait!” Lea called out behind me.

I was feeling so humiliated, so mortified, so wanting to be anywhere but here in that exact second that nothing could have stopped me. Not hell or high water. Not the zombie apocalypse. Not an alien invasion. Not the inevitable heat death of the universe snuffing out all life and existence as we know it everywhere. Nothing.

Well… almost nothing.

Turns out the one thing that could stop me was a clattering sound, followed by a, “Motherfu-” then a heavy tumbling thud accompanied by a pained grunt, all topped off at the end with a tiny, almost inaudible “Ow.”

I froze a mere few inches short of the building entrance, my hand already reaching for the door - aka my ticket out of this nightmare - and haltingly glanced back over my shoulder. There Lea was, halfway out the car, back sprawled flat against the pavement, eyes squeezed shut in a grimace, feet still up inside the vehicle where they’d somehow gotten all tangled in the seatbelt.

...this… dork…

Despite every fiber of my being still telling me to run, something in me found the will to resist. Instead I turned and slowly, reluctantly walked back, coming to a stop beside him and squatting down, knees together and arms folded over them. “...you okay?”

His eyes snapped open and he blinked up at me a couple times, surprised to see me there. Then he scrabbled to get up, failed miserably due to the seatbelt predicament and instead just ended up flopping about like a hooked fish. Finally, feet still up above his head, he just settled for rolling over onto one side, propping himself up on an elbow while the other hand went to his head with a soft hiss. “Yeah, nothing bruised ‘sides my ego.” He paused, peeking at me out of the corner of his eye. “...are we?”

I stared blankly at him, slightly tipping my head to one side.

“Okay, that is,” he elaborated. “Please believe me, I had nothing to do with this, had zero clue what the, erm… seating arrangements were gonna be.” I looked away, feeling a now all too familiar warmth creeping back into my face as the corner of my lips pulled down. He was quick to add, “And make no mistake, the culprit will not go unpunished. Heads will roll. There will be repercussions, young lady!” he directed the last threat in a yell back towards the car.

“You’re not my real dad!” Xion shouted back and it was followed by a chorus of giggles from the rest of Prius’s occupants.

Lea hung his head and heaved a sigh. “I swear, I get no respect.”

I shifted one arm to prop my chin in my palm, fingers hiding a growing grin despite myself. I nodded, “...yeah. You and I... we’re okay.” I then turned my head to shoot a small glare back towards my apartment building, “I can’t say the same though for my own little troublemaker. Yours didn’t act alone and had an accomplice, one who’ll soon be reaping the excruciating consequences of her actions.”

“I pity anyone fool enough to provoke your wrath,” he chuckled.

“Trust me, I know how to bring the pain. She will rue the day.”

“Oh, I have no doubt about that.” There was a thunk as one of Lea’s feet suddenly fell free. It seemed Naminé, feeling sorry for the big lug, had sat up on her knees and flipped around, leaning over the back of her seat so she could disentwine his ankles from the impromptu snare. With one down, her fingers set to work on unwinding the other one. “Thanks Nams! Looks like I have a new bestie, cuz my current ones suck and/or are not long for this world.”

The car’s engine revved and abruptly rolled forward a few feet, dragging Lea with it. “Xion!” he snapped and the wheels screeched to a stop.

“Ven did it!” Xion blurted out, voice bubbling with laughter.

“Wha- Did not!”

“Don’t lie, I saw you,” an identical voice could be heard, tone colored by a smirk.

“You’re the liar, Rox!”

Again, the Prius started to inch forward. Reacting on impulse, my hands darted out and latched onto Lea’s wrists. That combined with a now distraught Naminé working feverishly to finish untangling the seatbelt finally had his other leg pulling loose. He was fast to hop up to his feet and as I straightened up to join him, he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. “Heh, thanks! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a couple of ex-friends to brutally slaughter.”

And with that, he charged off in a blur after the car. Cackles and jeers from within echoed out into the night, mingled with the tires shrieking as Xion burned rubber to stay ahead of him. I shook my head, deciding to leave them to it as I turned my back on the scene and made my way inside.

I was still a little rattled from that whole… ahem, experience. My cheeks had yet to make a full recovery, still redder than molten magma and three times as hot. But hey, that was an improvement over the ten times as hot they’d been during the entire car ride, so… progress! Awesome. Not to mention I felt physically and emotionally exhausted and was pretty sure at least five years had been taken off my life. I was just about ready to curl up in bed and hibernate until next Spring.

But first I had a certain sister to march to the gallows.

After climbing several flights of stairs to reach the door to my apartment, I unlocked it and stepped inside to find the room dark. My hand groped about the wall for a second before locating and flicking the switch, light flooding the space.

“Do you have any idea what time it is you’re coming home, missy?”

Startled, I spun around to find Rayne seated at the dining table, arms crossed, eyes stern, and steaming mug resting atop a coaster in front of her. Yeesh, at this rate, my heart wasn’t going to hold out much longer. Hadn’t the poor, defenseless organ suffered enough scares for one evening? Eyelids drooping, I said, “I don’t know… maybe ten minutes after you got home?”

Her lips pursed to one side. “...touché.”

“So how long have you just been sitting here in the dark like a weirdo?” I asked as I dropped my keys onto the table and moved to the fridge, opening it up.

She shrugged and grinned, “Not long. Maybe a minute or two. Thought it really sold the whole vibe I was going for.”

“Oh, it did,” I pulled out a water bottle, nudging the door shut behind me as I unscrewed the cap. “Nice mother voice, by the way. That I’m-not-mad-just-disappointed tone of yours is really coming along quite beautifully.”

“Aw, thanks!”

This whole being her parenting test dummy thing was starting to get a bit out of hand. But eh, it sort of grows on you after a while.

“So where’s Riku? Surprised he’s not out here too, enabling your neurosis,” I quirked an eyebrow as I brought the water to my lips.

Rayne waved a dismissive hand, “Brushing his teeth and getting ready for bed.”

“And Anna?” Was kind of shocked the flat was as quiet as it was right now, given that the crimson tornado that was my sister was supposedly lurking about somewhere.

As if on cue, there was a rumbling, disembodied snuffle, followed by a mumbled, “...pink yetis… fluffy unicycles…”

She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “Passed out stone cold on the couch like the absolute lush she is.”

Setting the plastic bottle down on the table, I went over to the sofa to discover Anna flopped there in an undignified heap, hair already knotted into a bedheaded rat’s nest, arms snuggling a pillow close as she snored and murmured more incoherent gibberish.

So even evil criminal masterminds looked all sweet and innocent while sleeping. Go figure.

“So you gonna fill me in?” Rayne asked, drawing my attention back to her.

My brow furrowed. “On what?”

She blew on her beverage before taking a careful sip, shooting me a deadpan look. “On whatever happened that has your cheeks lit up like a pair of stoplights and has you looking ready to strangle your lil sis.”

“Stopl-?!” I scoffed, turning my head to one side. Come on, face, you’re weak! Get your act together already. “My cheeks are fine and I most certainly do not want to strangle her.”

“Tell that to your hands.”

I looked down and said hands were clawed and halfway to Anna’s throat.

Hehe… how did those get there?

Hastily snatching them back to hide behind me, I just gave Rayne a feeble chuckle by way of answer. She patted the chair beside her, “Sit.”

I hesitated before doing as I was told. As I lowered myself into the seat, I pulled my hair free of its ponytail, my anxious fingers combing through the soft, platinum strands. My little talk with Lea after the whole ordeal had actually been rather comforting and an odd calm had managed to settle over me in the minutes since. I say ‘odd’ because it was me after all, the PanicBot 3000. However, now that I was running over the events again in my head and trying to figure out how to best put them into words, I could feel that calm fraying at the edges and beginning to unravel.

Gnawing on my lower lip, I began, “So, you know... cars… right?”

Oh excellent. Off to a superb start here. Simply smashing.

She gave me a dull stare. “...I’m aware of the concept, yes.”

My hands, unable to keep still, moved to haphazardly weave my hair into a loose braid. “And you know how they have, uh… limited seating?” She merely gave a patient nod and here I struggled, feeling my cheeks crank up the heat again.

Damn it, face, what did we just talk about?!

What little poise I had left suddenly ripped to tatters like tissue paper and I snapped, “Well I had to get home somehow, didn’t I? And you’d left and Anna’d left and, and the keys had left! I tried to get them to come back but Anna was too busy talking about glue and making static noises and- ugh, she can be such a- anyway, I considered hotwiring her car, obviously, but had to toss out that idea due to lack of tools or experience or, you know, actually knowing how to hotwire, so when Xion offered, I… well, there really was no other choice, was there? But there were no more- I shouldn’t have been surprised, really, I just knew something was up and oh-ho, you can bet she and Anna planned it all, but still, that doesn’t change the fact that I had to sit somewhere and there was really no other alternatives, I mean… okay, Xion? Driving. The twins? Twigs. Uncomfortable. And Naminé? So small, I would have crushed her. So, I guess, by process of elimination, when… when you really think about it, Lea was just the just most logical choice! I mean, I didn’t want to, I didn’t even know what was- not until it had already- and then once I was… ya know, there, Xion, she… she just kept stopping and starting and stopping and, and hitting every- it was like a damn bouncy castle in there! I wanted to leave, oh dear god, you have no idea how much I just wanted to leave, but I couldn’t because apparently Roxas likes to pull a friggin’ Superman or whatever on the highway whenever he’s-”

Rayne clamped a hand over my mouth, silencing me except for the loud, rapid breaths through my nose. Her eyes squinted at me. “So… cliff notes version? Xion gave you a ride home.”

Her palm still effectively muzzling me, I simply nodded.

“...but she already had a full car and there were no seats left?”

I nodded again, hands twisting and tugging on my now complete, if somewhat sloppy braid.

“So you had to sit,” here a slow smirk curled her lips, “on Lea.”

My head bobbed frantically now and I was jerking on the braid so hard, I was afraid I‘d rip it clean out of my scalp.

She snerked. Then spluttered. Then busted up laughing, nearly falling out of her chair.

...so not cool.

I kicked her in the shin, shutting her up just as Anna shot up on the couch, disturbed from her slumber by all the noise. My sister looked around, all bleary-eyed and slack-jawed, doing her best zombie impersonation. Don’t think she’d quite made a full exit out of dreamland. She groggily turned her head towards us, smacked her lips and mumbled, “What’s the sum of pizza divided by the square root of sandwiches?”

We both blinked at her before I shrugged and Rayne shook her head.

“Chartreuse,” she enunciated slowly and with an air of authority. Then she flumped back down, snoring thunderously once more.

Rayne began to snicker again, more softly this time and I shoved away the hand that was still acting as a jury-rigged gag, huffing, “I fail to see what’s so funny about all this.”

Wiping the corners of her eyes, she tried to sober her expression but only ended up cracking up again, saying, “You gave Lea a lap dance!”

Just about every last ounce of blood in my body flooded up into my face. “Wha- I- He- I most certainly did not!”

Her hand now went to pat my shoulder, “Okay, okay, sweetie, just answer a few quick and simple questions for me. Were you or were you not in his lap?”

“Well, yes, technically, but-”

“And did you not dance in said lap?”

“No, I did no such-”

“Fine,” her hands came up in a placating gesture, “allow me to retract and rephrase the question. Was there not the shifting and moving of your body in his lap? Answer truthfully now,” she tacked on quickly as I opened my mouth, “for I do believe the term ‘bouncy castle’ was used earlier.”

My teeth clicked shut as I glowered at her. “...well, yes, I suppose there may have been some… inadvertent shifting, but-”

“And,” she pressed on gleefully, “is not ‘the moving and shifting of one’s body’ an acceptable, working definition of the word… dancing?”

I narrowed my eyes at her and said nothing.

She smugly relaxed back in her seat. “Let the record show the defendant is speechless. I rest my case.”

“...I really hate you right now,” I grumbled, snatching up my water bottle again and unscrewing the lid.

“Love ya too, sweetpea,” Rayne winked and blew me a kiss. She then fell silent for a second, eyeing me thoughtfully as I took a sip. Then, “You know Lea used to be a big ol’ man-slut?”

I choked.

Nope, still can’t breathe water yet.

Coughing and wheezing as I put my drink back down, I struggled to get out, “Excuse me?”

“Oh yeah,” she plonked her elbows on the table, chin nestled in her palms as she smiled big at me. “You know the type. Smooth talker, real charmer, taking a different girl back to his place every night. It was almost kind of amazing watching him work. He had it down to an art form, but not like in a sleazy douchebag way… he just loved the ladies and the ladies loved him, I suppose.”

“...okay?” Wasn’t quite sure why she was telling me this.

“And when you and him got left alone in the booth earlier tonight? Well there was a time not too long ago that the, ah… discourse between you two? Would have ended up a lot less vertical and a little more horizontal, if ya know what I’m saying,” she waggled her eyebrows at me.

I scoffed, “Please. I don’t care how much of a ladykiller he was, this is still me we’re talking about here.”

She gave a low hum at that. “True. Talk about unstoppable force meets immovable object. Now I’m actually pretty curious about how that all would’ve really played out.” Her shoulders shrugged, “Anyway, when he went back to college again, he decided to hang up his casanova hat. He really wanted to give his education a fair shake this time around, which to him meant cutting out all his vices and distractions, including women. None of us took him seriously at first, but he’s surprised us all by sticking to it. For over a year now, he’s been on his best behavior. A total priest.”

Huh. I do remember when he was telling me about going back to school, he did say something about dropping old habits… I guess maybe dating had been one of them?

Rayne gave an abrupt, tiny snerk, muffling it behind her knuckles. A crease formed between my eyebrows, “What?”

She shook her head, “Sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to laugh. You just, heh… looked a smidge disappointed there for a second.”

Annnnd there my cheeks went again. I swear, like a couple of furnaces, they were. Averting my gaze with a scowl, I said, “I’m not- ugh! I... was just trying to figure out where all this was coming from, why you felt the need to share.”

“Ah.” Her eyes crinkled and I got the feeling she didn’t quite fully believe me. Whatever, if seeing things that weren’t there made her happy, then more power to her. Let the crazy woman have her delusions. “I just wanted to give you some context. Knowing all that about Lea now, does it come as any real surprise then that Xion decided to have some fun at his expense tonight by testing his resolve and literally dropping a cute girl in his lap that he obviously has a little crush on?”

Those furnaces exploded into a fiery wreckage. “He- he absolutely does not!” I take it back. The crazy woman needs to have her delusions confiscated, no good can come from them in her demented hands! “This isn’t kindergarten, please! He hardly even knows me.”

“That’s the thing about crushes, boo. You don’t have to really know the person,” she flashed a cheshire grin and poked me in the nose, “just think they’re a total cutie-patootie! And trust me, the minute those sweet, candy lips of yours found their way to his on that fateful day, that poor boy was a goner.”

I rolled my eyes, “Oh shush, you’re just being silly now.”

“Am not. In fact, betcha that’s why Anna was Xion’s cohort in all of this. She wanted to play cupid.”

“No, Anna was just sowing chaos and mayhem like the demon imp she is because that’s what Anna does best,” I shot my sister an accusatory glance. In response, she defended herself most eloquently by snoring louder. Returning my attention to Rayne, I sighed, “Seriously, Lea doesn’t see me that way. We’re just friends.”

“You’d be singing a different tune if you saw the way he was looking at you during karaoke,” she lilted playfully.

Voice flat, I said, “What, like I was some kind of tone-deaf walrus?”

She gave a soft tch, “Girl, don’t even. Self-deprecating isn’t a good color on you. You crushed it, and I mean crushed it. And you know I never sugarcoat things, so you know I’m telling the truth! But no, I was talking specifically about during the second verse of the song.”

“The second…?” I frowned, thinking back. “...you mean the part where I got embarrassed by the lyrics and closed my eyes?”

Rayne nodded, “Mm-hm. And do you know what else you were doing?”

“Um…” Was this a trick question? “...singing?”

“And?” she prompted. I just stared at her blankly. Both eyebrows shot up her forehead and she smirked. “Oh pumpkin, you really have no idea, do you? Well, allow me to enlighten you. You had yourself a cute lil shimmy going, complete with swaying hips, a seductive crook of your finger, and a hand gliding up and down your thigh as you sang,” her voice got theatrically husky, “feel your way.”

I grew paler and my eyes more round with every word. “I- I did not! I w-would have known if- I wouldn’t j-just…” The words died on my tongue as she just simply nodded slyly at me. My mouth went dry as my face scrunched up in disbelief, my hands wrenching at my braid once more. “...did I? I mean, I… I was picturing the scene from the movie in my head, pretending I was there instead of making a fool of myself in front of a room full of people. I guess maybe I was just, I don’t know... getting into character?”

She shrugged, “Whatever you were doing, it certainly caused Lea to experience some, uh, heh… minor technical difficulties.”

Oh gosh, and here I’d thought the car ride was bad enough, but this? This was just the cherry on top. Not to mention the Kissident or... fudge, I just couldn't stop humiliating myself in front of this guy, could I? “I was… probably just making him awkward and uncomfortable, that’s all. But he really is always so nice about everything.” I stared down at my fingers, fidgeting with them now. “Do you know what he actually said after karaoke? He said I should try looking into singing professionally… which is absolutely ridiculous, of course, but still, it was sweet of him to say.”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice the oh so subtle attempt to change the subject there, sugarcube,” she gave a wry harrumph into her mug. I just avoided her gaze. Can you blame me? I just wanted to put this ludicrous and baseless topic behind us already. “But I’ll let it slide. And that’s actually not a bad idea.”

My eyes blinked at her. “You’re joking. Become a successful singer? Please, one has better odds of winning the lottery while being struck by lightning and hit by a rogue meteor at the same time!”

“And who said anything about becoming a career singer? There are other ways of putting that silver voice of yours to work. Like, for example... musicals. You know, as in play acting. Now don’t give me that look, it’s not like I’m not talking Broadway or nothing… not yet anyway. But there’s plenty of small theaters out there that would kill to have a nightingale like you on retainer.”

I huffed out a tiny snort through my nose. “Aren’t you forgetting something? Like, oh say, I don’t know… my crippling anxiety, crushing stage fright, and, ya know… absolutely zero acting experience?”

She folded her arms under her chest, “And aren’t you forgetting something? Like, oh say, I don’t know… summer camp musicals? And how you always just freaking slayed at all the lead parts?”

...oh wow, I actually had forgotten all about those. Camp felt like ages ago by now. Almost nothing more than a distant, fading dream. Frowning up at the ceiling, I murmured, “The musicals… were one of my favorite things about camp. They were the one place where I didn’t have to be my awkward, scared, pathetic self, that I could pretend to be someone else completely. It was an escape, it… helped.” Then I slowly shook my head, “But that’s different. It was a long time ago, I was a kid, I… I couldn’t be like that today.”

“Couldn’t you?” her head tilted slightly. “You really seemed to get into it with the karaoke. You said it yourself, you got into character without even realizing it. It was like the very spirit of Sandra D had possessed you.” She smiled, closing her eyes, “I think you might be a natural, cupcake.”

...me? A natural? Yeah right! There was no way, not in a million years! …I mean, unless… maybe… maybe if-

I shook my head again, more rapidly this time, banishing any such preposterous notions from my mind before scooting my chair out and rising to my feet. “Clearly you’re still fake drunk. You should really get to work sleeping it off. I’ll be heading to bed now myself. Good night,” I said firmly. End of discussion. Topic closed. I grabbed my water bottle and marched off towards the door to my room.

Of all the silly, crazy, absurd-

“You know I’m right,” she called out brightly after me. “And hey… any verdict on Anna yet?”

I paused long enough to shoot the girl in question a sour look over my shoulder. She mumbled something in her sleep, rolled over and brazenly flung one leg up over the back of the couch. My lips pressed together into a thin line.

“...let her sleep. I’ll murder her in the morning.”

Author’s Note: The takeaway this chapter? Xion and Anna are evil xP Despite their questionable methods however, they DO mean well... I think xD But oh gosh, I do so love to torture Elsa! And by extension, Lea too, tho it’s a very different kind of torture xD But I think I managed to wrap up that lil car misadventure sweetly enough by the end of it! And hmmmmm, those were some interesting things Ray was saying... very, veeeeeeeery interesting...

Next chapter, what will Elsa do with these new thoughts buzzing around her head? Does our dear fire boi actually have a crush on her? Or is Ray just talking crazy from all them baby hormones making her loopy? And will Anna live to see the blessed light of day ever again? How DOES glue not stick to the inside of its own bottle? Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, I super duper appreciate it! And an extra BIG thank you to those of you who’ve liked, reblogged, and followed so far, seeing those lil notifications always brings the biggest, goofiest smile to my face!

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