A/N: Greetings!

Yes, I know I said I was gonna write a Jelsa-fic, but KristElsa is just so... yes. I intend for this to be a significantly longer story than Love at First Dance and probably hopefully surely a little more maturely written, since it's mostly from Elsa's point of view. Takes place after Frozen aaand... rated T may magically become rated M.

Enjoy, read and review!

[1]

Elsa had been rather stunned when her sister had brought to the light that Kristoff Bjorgman - the ice-master and deliverer of Arendelle, was in reality her new suitor. The man was certainly decent enough, from what Elsa had witnessed, but she hardly knew him, and she would hate having to mention to her sister again what had occured the previous time she'd moved too quick forward with opposite sex.

"But it's true love," Anna had claimed, and on the spot, Elsa had given up.

"Very well," she'd sighed. "But please, do take it more gradually this time. Can you promise me that? I do not want you getting hurt." Elsa had been more than tempted to say 'again', but since they were in the middle of working Hans out of their lives, she supposed it was no good idea.

It had been several months since the incident, and the inhabitants of Arendelle were still striving to get used to Elsa's... gift. But sadly, when she and Anna took afternoon strolls through the village, Elsa from time to time overheard 'Snow Queen' being mumbled behind her back. Sure, it irritated her, but she had learned over a period of time that it was nothing more than a cold fact.

Still, sometimes, Elsa turned around to glare at the ones whispering, other times, she just simply kept a straight expression and smoothly fooled them into believing that she did not take notice in what they were speaking about.

'There is no point in igniting pointless fights,' her father had once shared with her. That was the main reason she usually attempted to pull away from potential arguments. Because arguments led her into getting upset and getting upset made her feelings spill, which could quickly turn out dangerous. For her, that was.

At least it used to be that way. Elsa was unsure if she would lose grip of the control of her powers if she ever happened to become enraged someday. But she did not intend to try and see.

"Is - uh, Anna here? Your Highness?"

Elsa was abruptly torn back to the bitter reality by Kristoff's deep voice, at the other side of the breakfast room. He was standing by the door. Elsa herself sat at the chair by the long, wooden table, recalling that she was supposed to be eating.

"She is still asleep," Elsa informed Kristoff, after clearing her throat for morning hoarseness.

"Oh." Kristoff rubbed his thick, muscular neck. "Do you... mind if I - uh, wait? Here? I mean - may I wait for her here?"

"Certainly." Elsa made an effort, which was most likely obvious to sound as friendly as possible. She did have a reputation for being withdrawn, and that she was determined to disprove. "You may sit down too, if you'd like," she added, performing a somewhat welcoming gesture towards the chair on the other side of the table.

Kristoff swallowed, and did as he was told. But he was a big man, and had obvious difficulties placing his arms, which were long, solid and bulging with muscles under his thick clothing. "Thanks," he muttered. "Your - Your Highness."

Elsa and Kristoff had never truly spoken, so it was nothing more than highly predictable that this would be a bit uncomfortable for them both.

"Please, call me Elsa."

Elsa's attention was drawn to how longingly Kristoff stared at the huge plates of food, and softly added: "Have a taste. I'm not feeling ravenous today."

As soon as he catched this, Kristoff shoved at least four skiver med brunost down his throat and drank so much milk it practically ran straight out of his mouth again.

Unwillingly, and despite herself, Elsa giggled and lightly covered her mouth with her hand. "You must be hungry."

Kristoff stiffened, his eyes expanding into big, chocolate brown circles. He was in the middle of swallowing the last piece of fresh bread there had been on the table, and looked so guilty it was almost comical. Elsa had to chuckle once more.

"Sow-ry," Kristoff said, his mouth still full.

"It's fully approved," Elsa joked, beaming at him. "It's a relief, actually, to finally have a big eater in the castle. No offense."

"Nown tay-kin." Kristoff stuffed a petite cake into his mouth. "But - uh, don't you eat a lot? I mean - uh, not that you're big, uh, but... you have such... a strong and... And healthy body! Not that I've seen your body. Or... that I want to see your body. Not - not that I don't like your body, your body's great, I mean..." Redness was flaring up in his face now, and he cursed heavily under his breath.

"I do eat," Elsa replied simply, struggling to decide if she would laugh at his sweet awkwardness, or become upset that he'd sworn in front of a queen, "only more satisfying portions when I'm by myself. I'm not very comfortable eating in front of people."

Kristoff groaned. "So I'm pretty much starving you by just being here."

Elsa looked at him, amused. "No, not at all. I told you, I'm not hungry."

He gave a short nod, and lifted his quite massive hand to scratch the dirty blonde hairlocks on the back of his head. "So, will Anna be down soon, or...?"

"I believe she will. Where are you two thinking of going today?"

"We're going to see my family. The... trolls."

"I'm positive Anna looks very much forward to that."

The corner of Kristoff's mouth twitched, and he let his arm fall into his lap. "Yeah."

Elsa glanced at her hands.

"Kristoff," she slowly began. He blinked, flinching a little, as if he found it startling in a way, hearing her say his name. Elsa had to admit that she too felt a bit strange about it, but did not grant it any more thought before continuing. "As we're speaking of my sister... I never thanked you - not truly - for rescuing Anna. You brought her back home when her heart froze. Because of my powers. It was courageous and I'm highly grateful."

For a long time, Kristoff sat there, stiff. He didn't answer at first, but did open his mouth a couple of times, as if he was about to say something, but decided not to. At last, he spoke: "Uh... you're - you're welcome. But you saved her too, you know."

"Barely," Elsa whispered, her gaze abruptly dropping again.

Kristoff once again seemed unsure of what to say. "What matters is... that you did," he murmured. He grabbed another cake and put it in his mouth. "By the way, how exactly did you thaw - "

He was interrupted by the door, flying open and revealing a grinning redhead with a hail of tiny freckles on her nose. Anna was - as usual - in her dark green bunad and long carrot colored braids. "I'm ready!" she cheered, storming over to Kristoff and smooching his cheek, leaving a light red lipstick-mark on the fair skin.

"Morning, Elsa. Let's go, Kris!" She yanked the mountain man out of his chair.

Kris?

"Anna, I think you should have breakfast before leaving," Elsa suggested, still a little bewildered by the way she'd bursted into the room.

"Oh, forget about the breakfast. We're going to see Pabbie and the others today!"

"Yeah, I told her," Kristoff said.

"Great. We're leaving now! See you in a couple of hours, Elsa!" Anna pulled Kristoff towards the door. "Come on, Pabbie's waiting!"

"I'll - Uh, I'll see you later, Elsa - I mean - Queen. Your Highness." Kristoff smiled sweetly as he and Anna disappeared out the door.

Elsa, who'd rosen from her chair, fell back with a quiet 'thump'.

"Well," she sighed, feeling a remarkable emptiness as the door shut, and silence fell. "At least now I can eat," she dryly mumbled to herself, feeling cold, numb and left behind.