Author's Note:
I know I spend enough time saying it, but thank you again for the reviews, favorites, and follows. I am beyond overjoyed. Even to those three people who clicked on this, thought it was good for whatever reason, and then stopped following. That counts as a few views, yeah? ;D
And I'm really sorry to say that I don't have any other outcome to finish this story without killing Jack. I know that I keep saying that I don't want to (because I don't!), but Jack still needs to become a guardian in the end. I'm afraid that if I don't stick with what I have planned, I won't be happy with it; lest mention that I really can't think of another ending without making it super cliche. But I'll try to prolong it as much as I can especially since some of your reviews have given me so many ideas fuheufhweuf... I'll think on it, promise.
Even though Jack's grin was spread widely across his face, Elsa looked perturbed by the words he had spoken. Her azure eyes fell away with him, averting in favor of the handsome flooring while her gloved hands dropped down to her side. Jack thought that for a moment, she might have been clenching her hands into fists, but he didn't have time to evaluate her body language further before she was taking a step away from him, as if it was a true horror that he had dared to ask her to dance. Inasmuch, Jack felt his own features falter, wondering what she could be thinking as he awaited her response. But when her mouth finally did open again, her lips barely moved and her eyes still refused to see his. Erstwhile, her stare began to look over his shoulder, as if to check and see if anyone had followed them out into the foyer. Jack could sense that she was nervous; a feeling that he had felt emitted from her the moment that they had met, but he didn't know why. Every conclusion that he came up with ended on a dead end, making him wonder just how much suffering she had went through while being locked away in the castle, even if he had no substantial evidence that was true.
"I don't dance, Jack." Elsa explained, her voice sounding strangely eerie; almost as if it wasn't that she didn't want to, but that she was thoroughly fearful of something else entirely. Jack's shoulders slackened some in slight disappointment, a gesture that did not go unnoticed to the queen. Her face softened considerably at the sight of his frown. "I'm sorry."
But that didn't at all prevent Jack from being obstinate, as he leaned his head down so that they were on eye level, even if she refused to look at him.
"What can I do to make you change your mind?" He asked, the corners of his lips lifting into a small smile. Elsa's eyes flickered to his for a split second, before dropping away again. "Just one dance is all that I ask, your highness. And then you're free to ignore me for the rest of the night."
"Well, it might be hard to believe, but I don't want to ignore you." The genuinity in her response was difficult to doubt, but Jack was settled on his confusion. Just what was making her so hesitant to have a single dance with him?
"Then what are you so afraid of?" Jack asked, keeping his head lowered as his mouth curved into another smile, hoping that she would look at him. "I'm not going to hurt you, Elsa."
"That's not what I'm worried about." Her breathing shifted, exhaling hard as she leaned away from him. But Jack was persistent, intending to get to the bottom of whatever could be bothering her.
"Then what are you worried about?" Jack's questions were continuous, but he made sure to sound concerned. Yet, he couldn't help but add a bit of humor to his inquiries as he placed his hands on his waist and lifted an eyebrow conspiratorially. "What, are you afraid your sister will see you with a boy or something? Because don't worry, I can drop dead and act friend zoned at any given sight of her."
"No, it's nothing like that!" Elsa insisted exasperatedly, reaching up to cover her hands over her cheeks, like she was hiding what color they might have become from his blunt remark. But finally, her eyes found his. "It's complicated, Jack. More than you can imagine..."
Even if she claimed that it was beyond his imagination, Jack tried to come up with more reasons as to why Elsa would deny him the chance to dance with her. It could have easily had something to do with being seen by a commoner, or the fact that she had denied the Duke of Weaseltown - wherever that was - a dance with her prior to their engagement. But somehow, Jack wasn't getting the vibe that either were true. So instead, he offered her his best pout face and leaned away.
"Oh fine, I see how it is... After I gave you that cinnamon bun, those cookies, and I even gave you a brief tour of Arendelle... And yet you still refuse to do so much as dance with me?" He made an additional effort to sniffle, placing a hand over his heart. "However will I live, Queen Elsa?! If you will not do me the honor of a single dance?! My heart is shattering as I speak - !"
"You are unbelievably ridiculous, Jackson Overland!" Elsa cut him off, following closely behind his heels as he began to walk away and back towards the ballroom. The fact that she went out of her way to remember his full name made Jack turn around on impulse, shooting her a crooked grin. Her retorted began to hush into a whisper, looking up at him defiantly with narrowed eyes. "Did you forget that you impersonated a prince?! That I just told my staff to leave you be so that you could stay here?! I think I have more than made up for those events of you taking me around Arendelle, Jack! What you did tonight put us both in jeopardy!"
Elsa exhibited a little huff of frustration as she finished venting. It was unbelievably adorable, so much that Jack had to hide his face in his hands from a frenzy of chuckles that escaped him. But once acknowledging that she was being laughed at, the regal queen looked more flustered than ever, looking up to shoot him a defiant expression.
"What could you possibly be laughing at now?!" She might as well have stomped her foot, from how irritated she sounded. Jack found himself wishing that she would. "Not everything is funny, you know!"
Despite his hearty laughter, Jack finally straightened himself out as Elsa demanded an explanation. He faced her with a relaxed exposition, straightening out his mouth as he brushed his hair out of his eyes.
"Queen Elsa, you are without a doubt the most unyielding, enigmatic, well-behaved, and adorable young woman I have ever met." He reached out abruptly, enough to tap his forefinger across her nose only once without protest, despite that she again stepped away at his touch. "That's why I'm laughing. No reason to get so sensitive, my dear."
Elsa's white-blonde eyebrows pulled together almost sternly, but Jack could tell that she was suppressing the urge to smile.
"Did you truly just call me a 'young woman'?" Her words were slow at first. "I believe you're actually the 'young boy' out of our relations, Jack. Correct me if I'm wrong..."
It was true, of course, that Elsa was a few years older than him. Jack wrinkled his nose at her, but he didn't allow the fact to deter him whatsoever as he held his arm out to her and offered her a cocky smile. This was far from over, and Jack decided promptly that he wouldn't stop until she finally said yes.
"So then, do me the honor of giving the old woman a dance." He waggled his eyebrows playfully, before adding as an afterthought, "Please?"
"Excuse me?" She asked, sounding baffled at the thought. "That's a terrible way of gaining one's affection. I hope you don't try that line on anyone else..."
"No, only on the older ladies." Jack deadpanned sarcastically, reaching up to ruffle his hair. "You know, they don't call me a 'cub' at the bakery for no reason at all."
"I sincerely hope that isn't true, Jack. That sounds revolting."
"I was joking. Heavens, woman; didn't they teach you how to make a joke at the Academy of Locked Down Princesses?"
Elsa exhaled sharply, casting her best attempt at a rigid frown. But evidently, she had finally caught onto the fact that Jack wasn't about to leave her alone from engaging in one dance with him before the evening was over.
"You're never going to give this up, are you?" Her tone was flat and outright, initiating Jack's grin to grow incredibly cheekish.
"Not until you say yes." Jack admitted, pausing slightly as his bronze eyes wandered aimlessly around the foyer. Elsa caught onto that at once, looking particularly appalled even before he made a new assumption. "Or you know, you could give me a tour around the castle. Just in case I ever decide to sneak in again..."
"Jack!" She opened her mouth in order to scold him further, but Jack pleasantly cut her off with another promise.
"I was kidding, Elsa! Just kidding! Calm down!" He waved his arms frantically, laughter erupting from him yet again. Either way, he evaluated as Elsa brought one of her gloved hands up to her chin uncertainly; as if she was lost in a severe train of thought. A frenzy of silence fell between them, in which Jack opened his mouth twice to ask her what she was thinking. But finally, she sighed and looked up at him, the barest of a smile managing to curl at the corners of her lips.
"... One dance, Jack. Just one." She told him softly, facing him as she held an arm out for him to take. However, at that point, Jack felt his mouth open in confusion, wondering what had made her change her mind so abruptly...
"Wait, did you just - ?"
"Better hurry, before I change my mind again." Her eyes gleamed at him playfully. But even as Jack separated the distance between them in a single even stride and gently tucked her concealed arm inside of his, he thought that she might have winced; as if afraid that he might hurt her. Even so, Jack didn't have the guts to call her out, deciding it was just his imagination as he began leading them back into the ballroom where the guests and music was still as active as ever. Even so, as he brought them both back into the magnificent lounge, he was as careful as he could be with Elsa. Ensuring to keep his distance from others, but only stopping enough so that others might not intrude on them. It was only one dance, after all; maybe two or three minutes to spend with her, before she went back to her regal duties as the queen. And it wasn't something that he intended to fail.
"Somehow I knew you would agree with me." Jack murmured softly, reaching out to take one of her hands in his while the other rested on the small of her back. At first, Elsa didn't say anything whatsoever when her other arm reluctantly graced his shoulder; fingertips barely grasping the fabric of his suit. Her eyebrows furrowed, lips crushing into a hard line as he began to sway her to the music. It was impossible for Jack not to watch her, while admiring her gentle features and somber blue eyes. In fact, it was all he could focus on, while wondering privately if he was making her uncomfortable whatsoever. Inasmuch, he cleared his throat, attempting to lead them while conscious to keep his distance from everyone else. A minute or so passed, before Elsa finally made a sound. And to Jack's pleasant surprise, she had covered up her mouth with the back of her hand that had made homage on his shoulder, laughing quietly into it.
"What?" Jack asked her, blinking. "What did I do now?"
"You're a terrible dancer, Jack." Elsa admitted bluntly, retracting her hand back to his shoulder. Her eyes were sprightly, purely teasing him, but Jack felt himself grow a bit defensive with a hollow laugh.
"Ha, ha, Elsa. Come on, I haven't even stepped on your feet yet - " He gestured down at their feet, hoping that she might cut him some slack as the color began to rise in his face. Elsa bit her lip slightly, before grasping his shoulder firmly as to stop him from leading.
"Here, let me teach you."
Her suggestion stunned Jack slightly, despite that he tried to keep up with her as she looked down at his feet and began to murmur instructions to him. It was difficult for him to focus on the sound of her voice in his ears while she directed him to the notes of the music, but he did as best as he could. If anything, he felt that he was doing something right by how often she smiled when he moved his feet, giving him tips as they went. It was incredibly kind and gracious of her, even if Jack would never admit to anyone that Queen Elsa - of all people - had said that he was terrible at dancing. But perhaps, it would be something that he could get better at, with time. Despite the fact that he didn't know anyone who could help him in the future. Pippa, maybe, but she was nowhere close to the dancer that Elsa was, and he knew it just by her agile posture and analytical vision to to correct his mistakes. Granted, being a princess must have guaranteed that much, but Jack was grateful Elsa no longer made the effort to laugh at him.
Erstwhile, Jack couldn't stop himself from frowning when the song finally ended and Elsa pulled away from him. Instinctively, he wanted to keep her close and ask her for just one more dance, but he knew - by the look in her eyes - that it would be an unwarranted action that she would grow displeased with. And so, Jack found his arms back down at his sides while keeping a weathered eye on her.
"Much better." She smiled warmly, reaching up to straighten out his necktie for him again; evening out the lapels of his suit, as if she didn't quite want him to leave yet. Her stare was teasing when their eyes met again. "For a barbarian, anyway. You're not half bad."
"What? Aren't you happy that you had another opportunity to boss me around?" He laughed, drifting closer to her while one of his hand reached up to tap her gently across the back of her hand. "You can always dance with me again, if you want."
The question was never answered, however. And whether or not Elsa's reaction to tug away from him had been when his hand had touched hers or when Princess Anna had appeared out of the middle of nowhere to interrupt them, Jack would never know. All he knew at that moment precisely was that the new scene ahead couldn't end well. The strawberry-blonde haired princess hadn't even bothered to acknowledge the fact that her sister and Jack had been in the middle of conversing, before she strolled forward through the crowd with Prince Hans right beside her; holding his hand. Intuitively, Jack felt the need to hide, wondering if Elder Muttons knew about him claiming his name to get into the castle... But he stayed beside to observe what was going on regardless, aware to keep his distance as he did so.
"There she is...! Elsa! I mean, Queen... Me again." Anna curtsied, continuing on the same trek towards her older sister with Hans following closely behind her. "Um, may I present Prince Hans of the Southern Isles!"
"Your majesty." Prince Hans made a brief inclination with his head to show respect as he took Anna's waiting arm.
"We would like - " They both started at the same time, giggling amongst one another. Jack raised his eyebrows curiously, sight flickering to Elsa's bewildered expression, before looking back at the pair again.
"Uh, your blessing," Hans continued, emitting another chuckle.
"Of our marriage!"
HERE GO HELL COME... Unless I decide to alter a few things. Like I said, I'm thinking on it. Weewooooo...
