When he let go of her the chill had left his fingers, but Hans was rooted to the spot. In the darkness he could only make out one side of her face from what little was cast by the kitchen's red emergency light.
"We should sit down till the lights come back on." said Hans
She stepped away from him. Feeling his way around the carpet he sank into the couch and sighed. In his peripheral vision Elsa glided like a ghost to the couch's arm rest.
"Elsa-"
His cellphone vibrated. Opening the message the black letters spelled out, 'No'. Mere moments after that methodical clicking was accompanied by hushed sobs. Another message.
'I don't believe you. You're lying.'
He resisted scooching closer to her end of the couch. A tightness settled in his chest, and he wondered when it was he had last felt like screaming.
All those years as glorified decor in Arendelle had felt as if he was being ignored all over again. At least that's how it was for the first year. In his prison he could still see and was amused at the fact that Queen Elsa would lower her voice in his presence as if he could still plot her kingdom's downfall in such a state.
"Anna, I'm fine." said Elsa. Her arms were laden with more magical books. She had spent every morning searching for a cure for his condition. He should be happy, but he couldn't seem to feel anything other than a great disdain or indifference.
"You've been at this too long. Just leave him."
"I can't just leave him."
Anna twisted her braids into nervous knots. "I'm sure he'll be fine if you take a break just this once. It's not your fault."
"Our family did this."
"I know, but you can't be your best if you're exhausted."
That seemed to have struck a chord with Elsa and she followed Anna out of the room. He didn't see her for the rest of the day. When night fell she returned, clad in a simple white night gown. She patted his shoulder and said, "I won't forget. I promise." She looked around her, and certain that they were alone pressed a tentative kiss to his cheek. And for the first time in forever Hans felt warm.
Elsa wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks. Her phone rang. Caller ID alerted them that it was Emma. "Aren't you going to pick that up?" said Hans
"No."
"May I?"
The phone frosted over. Sensing she might throw it Hans grabbed it from her and placed it on the table, hissing at the cold sting it left on his palm. "All this time. If I can believe you-"
"Elsa I don't expect you to reciprocate my feelings."
She turned to him then, a smile on her face.
"That's just it. I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm rather…conflicted. However, that doesn't mean I'll begrudge you your feelings."
"You still want us to be friends."
"Yes."
She slid off the arm rest to sit by his side. Hans was acutely aware of her knee nudging his thigh. "But maybe, in time, we could…."
"Be something more?"
Elsa nodded sheepishly and yelped when he squeezed her hand softly. Hans could wait. If that's what she wanted he could wait.
Down at the receptionist's desk Emma continued dialing. Beside her, Hook scratched his chin and smirked. "Better give it a rest love. They don't want to be disturbed."
