So much drama.
Hello again! So happy to see all of the support continuing. I am so amazed by all of the positive regard my stories are getting, including this one.
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Untrue: In answer to your questions, though the first one is kinda answered in this chapter, Jack said that he was 'homo' for Elliot. Elliot is Elsa. See the connection? And PDA is Public Display of Affection and it can be as simple as a hug, holding hands or a kiss. However, in past experience, I've had one of my team players bring their partner down during Hockey tournament and they were ALL OVER EACH OTHER THE DIRTY SLUTS. It was gross and inappropriate during tournament week. Rant over. Glad your enjoying my Fic, thank you so much for your review and support.
Also guys, if you have any questions DO ASK, I'll gladly answer! Thanks again for all of your support and don't forget to leave a review, I love to know what you think of my chapters and if they are getting crappy or not.
Until then, see you next update!
"N-North?" Hiccup called coach back, nerves were evident in his voice. He had to grab hold of North's massive arm to fully get his attention, "Can't we just use the en suite showers?"
Hiccup was desperately trying to save Elsa from showering in an exposed room with the whole team of boys as he gave a pleading look to North.
"No, Hiccup," North said and started again as the captain opened his mouth to protest, "because using those private showers means you clean them at end of tournament. We won't have time." He pointed back to the public showers, his gesture making his word final, "Go use those showers." And he walked off, leaving Hiccup to apologise to Elsa.
"Nah, don't apologise," Elsa shrugged, "I think I would have just raised more suspicion anyway." She stared at the ground frowning, "Let's just get this over with,"
Elsa undressed herself down to a hoodie and track pants, retrieving a towel and her bathing essentials. Although the upcoming showers was a problem, Elsa's thoughts were occupied by Jack instead. She was pretty sure that the hug he gave her was actually genuine and, though he 'joked' saying that he was 'homo' for Elliot, was he saying something about Elsa? Was he even joking?
He likes me, Elsa confessed. It had been evident for a while now that Jack liked Elsa and his increasing affection and time spending with her only supported that statement. Elsa had been unknowingly denying this fact and she had finally accepted that Jack really did like her, no, loved her. The question now was, did Elsa feel the same?
Yes. Oh, yes she did.
"...Elsa?"
The girl spun around, her hair nearly falling out of its beanie to find Jack standing awkwardly in front of the door. His feet were shuffling and his hands were looking for something to do, however, his eyes had settled on Elsa standing before him. Unsure if she wanted to 'talk' about it, Elsa spoke before he could.
"I think I'll take that wig with me," she blurted out.
Jack blinked and his lips parted slightly, "Ah... Uh, sure, good idea." He then grabbed his own gear, which was substantially less than what was in Elsa's arms, "Uhm, El?"
Elsa noticed tension in his eyes when he turned to look at her again, "Yeah?"
He seems to have difficulty finding the words, "Just... Be prepared to see more than what you bargained for... Down there..."
Elsa's face was blank for a moment before she smirked and nodded, "Yeah... Okay,"
"Guys, c'mon!" Flynn said as he passed their door.
Elsa and Jack followed Flynn and Hiccup downstairs and outside to the public showers, the block already shrouded in the thick steam, like a fog. The rest of the team was already inside and washing so Elsa, guided by her friends, swiftly occupied a cubicle.
Right, let's get this shit done.
Placing her towel and wig on the bench and her toiletries on the shower shelf, Elsa stripped down, placing her clothes alongside her towel. She decided against washing her hair, knowing that the boys would only take several minutes, and tied it up in a bun. When she had finished cleaning her body, ignoring the loud sounds from the boys, Elsa soaked her wig in the shower until it dripped. She then gently squeezed the excess water out and flicked it back and forth to looked ruffled and semi-dried. After drying herself and replacing her clothes, she put the wig on and hastily left the shower cubicle-
To then run straight into Pitch!
Elsa was only just able to suppress a squeak and backed off. Pitch towered over her, a simple towel wrapped around his waist, exposing his entire torso which steamed in he cold air. Elsa tried to ignore his toned body, lean and pale but still powerful, and looked straight into his eyes. He scrutinised her, seemingly surprised at Elsa's short, wet hair. His eyes softened after a moment, like he was more convinced about it.
"Hey," Elsa said, breaking the silence.
"Not very confident, are we?" His smirk was teasing, like it was absurd for a male to be covered up in public showers.
"Quite." Said Elsa, her snippy tone had returned. God, he was pissing her off. She went to pass him by, however, he stopped her by lifting his arm slightly so there was no way to pass him without contact.
"What?" She growled.
"How well acquainted are you with Frost?" He asked. The worst part about this question was that Pitch was genuinely and personally interested, not trying to spread gossip.
"Why?" Elsa countered his question with one of her own.
"Well, because Jack seemed to be very... Friendly towards you."
Elsa just glared at him so Pitch continued.
"The thing it, we always thought that Jack was... Normal. In fact, I was quite aware that Jack was very interested in someone back in Arendelle. She's Svelte's owner, Elsa Brellamine. I'm sure you must know her."
Elsa was bricking it. Though this confirmed Jack's feelings to her, it also made them vulnerable to Pitch discovering everything.
"I do," Elsa's voice had quieted.
"I don't know much about her," Pitch pressed on, "I was just wondering if-"
"No, there is nothing between Jack and I, if that answers your question. I didn't know about his relationship with Elsa Brellamine but I'm sure that it's none of our business. Now, move it!"
Elsa shoved past him, desperate to get away, but not before she heard him mutter "Well, someone's on their period," under his breath. Oh, the irony. Usually, Elsa would have said 'excuse me' but seeing it was Pitch and also this time of the month, he could go fuck himself. She was so absorbed that by the time she rushed into the changing room, it was too late. The majority of the team was busy changing or drying themselves meaning that lots of flesh was visible. To her horror, Elsa did see more than she bargained for from Phoebus and Hans while she thanked god to find her friends already dressed in boxers.
"... Hey," Elsa said with false confidence, finally recollecting herself. She came up with a rapid cover-up plan, "Jack, do you have any deodorant? I can't find mine,"
This quick thinking saved the whole scenario from looking like an accident and seemingly more purposeful, therefore removing any suspicion.
"Uh, sure!" Jack dug into his bag and drew out a deodorant spray, flicking it to Elsa who snatched it from the air.
"Thanks," she said, slipping her occupied hand under her shirt and spraying herself.
Elsa then flicked it back to Jack, trying not to look distracted by his body and promptly fled back to their rooms. Once inside, she slammed the door shut and rested her back against it. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she felt exhausted and nerve-wrecked. When she calmed down, Elsa dressed herself in her casual clothes that felt comforting and retreated to the bathroom to brush her hair.
"God, that was unnecessarily difficult," she muttered under her breath, pulling her hair up in a braid once more and stuffing it inside her beanie.
Satisfied that she now looked gender-ambiguous, Elsa left the bathroom to fit in more homework before dinner. The rest of the day quietly passed, with Elsa and her friends keeping quiet. They were happy when they finally crashed into their beds at the end of the day, ready for their first game tomorrow.
Except Elsa couldn't sleep, and neither could Jack. Unknown to the other, they lay awake in their beds, staring at the ceiling and it wasn't until Jack gave a hopeless sigh did Elsa realise that he wasn't sleeping like the others
"... Jack?" She whispered, cautious not to wake Flynn and Hiccup but also incase Jack really was asleep.
"... Elsa?"
"Can't sleep huh?"
Jack half-laughed, "Heheh, yeah..."
Elsa chewed her lip, wanting to say something but saying the wrong thing instead, "... Nervous for the game?"
More than anything, Jack wanted to tell her everything. To make her his. To let it out and be truthful to her. But suddenly, inexplicably, a coward had replaced the loud, hyperactive Jack since tournament started, so he didn't.
"... Part of it, heh..."
Elsa almost hated herself for taking so long to realise what Jack being a precious friend meant. For months, she had let this gorgeous, wonderful, beautiful boy follow her around, dedicating everyday just to see her smile, just to see her face. For months, she had been brushing off whatever the beautiful thing was that was growing between them, something she had ignored but Jack had nurtured. There was no denying anymore; Elsa wanted to help Jack nurture it too.
Elsa bit the bullet, "Well, if it helps take your mind off things... I love you too, Jack,"
Silence, since Elsa pulled her covers over her face as if her blush would shine through the darkness and Jack thought that this was some really, really, really nice dream again. Like, the best dream he ever had.
"Jack?" Elsa inquisitively peeked out from her covers, perplexed by the silence. Shouldn't Jack be over the moon right now?
"S-sorry?"
"... I said I love you," Elsa was wondering if she had made one huge mistake.
"I... I'm not... Dreaming, am I?"
Elsa sighed a laugh of relief and rolled over in her covers to face his silhouette in the dark, "No, Jack. You're not dreaming,"
"So you... You really do..."
"Yeah,"
It all came so suddenly where one moment Elsa was comfortably cosy in her duvet and the next Jack had stood up and dragged her out, clasping her body against his and constricting his arms around her back and waist like an anaconda. A series of cracks rolled up her spine as Elsa was crushed under Jack's grip, who had buried his face in her neck.
"Finally..." Jack was whispering over and over in her ear.
"Yes..." Elsa gasped, "Sorry... I made... you wait... Can't... Breathe...!"
"Guys, I thought you said 'no homo'..." Hiccup groaned from under his covers, disturbed by the ceremonious confession.
"And your timing's shit, guys," Flynn added.
Jack finally released Elsa, his hands resting on her shoulders, "Sorry it had to happen like this,"
"You kidding me?" Said Elsa, "This is the most unique way to ask someone out I have ever heard. We just... Have to hold it off for a week, okay?"
"Okay," Jack nodded, "goodnight, then."
"Night, Frost,"
They then parted, their fingertips trailing off each other as they savoured the contact before sliding back into bed.
Monday morning and the thunderous boom of Coach North's voice was enough to wake up the horses in the fields and the boys and Elsa promptly arose from their beds, grumbling incoherently as they stretched. Elsa was quick to claim the bathroom to sort herself out in time to join the boys for the morning jog, and for once was happy; no cramps for now. When they returned, they quickly scoffed down their breakfast, but not without a fiasco thanks to Jack.
"For the love of Christ! Stop taking my Nutella!" Hiccup complained, Jack running away to their room, a large slab of Nutella toast clasped between his grinning teeth.
Elsa licked her fingers clean of the chocolate and downed her juice before returning to their room to change, pack her gear and brush her teeth. She carefully dressed herself in her thermals and skins to keep warm, followed by her blue Snow Polo uniform. She then pulled on her boots and gloves and left to join the boys with the team talk. North was incredibly motivating, explaining who they were up against and what they would have to do to overcome them.
"Trenstone is a moderately sound team with some new players." North said, his team listening tentatively, "They tend to put extra player at front to try overcome our defence which in turns leaves them open and weak at back. If we strike aggressively and dominantly, we can get many early goals and take full control of game. Jack and Elliot, should the ball get past, prepare for extra work. The rest of you must not rely on our goalies to save the day. If ball gets past, you get back down there and support. Lots of marking."
When North finished, the team was rearing to go. Confident but wary of the threat. However, the team was tight and experienced, and even Elsa knew what to do since she had played with her friends earlier in the year. It was time to collect the horses and take them to the turf, so the boys and Elsa left for the stables.
Once in the stall with Svelte, she carefully and thoroughly groomed him until she could place his boots and coat on, matching blue with the team's uniform. The Arendelle team loaded the horses onto the float, double checking that they were safe and secure before getting into their van and driving off, the float following behind. As North drove the van along, they could see the other teams making their way to the sports grounds, all with equally grand vehicles to take them there. When they pulled in, team Arendelle spilled out from the van and instantly invaded the horse float to release their horses. When Onyx finally trotted down the ramp, flicking his head high and aggressively, the group looked fantastic and smart, all elegantly dressed in their matching uniform. Sitron, Hans' horse was the only odd one out, coloured dun instead of everybody else's black or white.
"Right!" Boomed North, "Game starts in one hour. Use time to gear and warm up," while North left the team to go talk with the officials, Hiccup organised everyone to position themselves around the horse float, tying their horses to the sides so they could tack them up. Jack and Elsa tied Dylan and Svelte next to each other while they retrieved their goalie gear from the float. They hauled out the padding, helping each other along the way before gently placing them down next to their horses. Elsa loved gearing Svelte up, she felt like a knight preparing for battle, about to go to war to fight monsters and armies. The thought made her giddy. The goalie horses required breastplates to protect their chests and various other lightweight padding that would cover the face and hindquarters. It was all a lot thicker and widespread than the rest of the team, and they were all coloured in the Arendelle three-toned blue and white. Once Svelte and Dylan were all geared up, Jack and Elsa followed suit, placing gear over their entire bodies. Elsa favourite part was the cage helmet and her stick, completing the feeling of a true cavalry warrior.
"Mount your horses and we will go to training turf one," Hiccup commanded, already astride the striking-looking Toothless.
Jack and Elsa hauled themselves onto their horses and followed Hiccup to the training fields that were near the car park. They passed other teams in many colours. Elsa even recognised the team of black horses they had encountered in the forest on yesterday's trek. They looked so sinister dressed in their mighty black gear with gold tailoring.
"What team is that?" Elsa asked Jack as they passed with considerable distance between the teams.
"The Nightmares from Brendersbugh," replied Jack, not looking, "they've been doing various international games for several years now but this year they have decided to enter for this one,"
At that moment, one of the horses squealed in anger and lashed out its back legs, smashing a hole through the unfortunate float parked next door. The Arendelle team quickly retreated, eager to get away should one of the 'Nightmares' escape. They were rounding a corner passing by people when an joyous and delightful voice called out.
"Jack! Jack!"
Jack and his friends halted their horses as a girl of fourteen rushed forward and crashed into Dylan's chest. She was small and thin with thick chocolate brown hair and matching eyes that glossed and shone with fun, just like the rider upon the horse she was currently hugging. Dylan almost seemed to purr and he dropped his muzzle to kiss the girl before him. A boy of a similar appearance followed up behind, one gloved hand buried deep into his jacket pocket, the other holding the hand of a small blond haired girl with blue eyes. She looked about nine.
"Hey Pippa!" Said Jack cheerily, "Jamie, Sophie, so happy to see you!"
"Hi Jack," replied the boy Elsa presumed to be Jamie.
The girl, Sophie then rushed forwards to Dylan's side, her hands reaching up towards Jack. The rider then leaned forwards, allowing Sophie to grasp his arm and lifted her up to sit on the saddle before him. Elsa was surprised and touched by Jack's kindness and generosity towards the child, giving his friend a ride on a world class sports star.
Jack then turned Dylan towards Elsa, "Guys, this is my friend, Elliot. Elliot," he gestured from Elsa to his friends, "this is my sister, Pippa and our friends, Jamie and Sophie,"
"Oh, pretty!" Said Sophie, pointing towards Svelte.
Elsa nudged her horse forwards so that Sophie could stroke his vast head. When Elsa looked back at the older kids, they seemed to be giving her knowing looks, but still smiling and charming. Jack rode Dylan on to follow the rest of the team who was waiting for them, Elsa riding along side and close with the kids.
"You told them?" Elsa whispered to Jack who nodded sheepishly.
"Would have just complicated things if I didn't. You can trust them,"
Hearing this, Elsa turned to Pippa who was walking beside Svelte, "Well it's so nice to finally meet you Pippa, Jack has told me wonderful things about you,"
The girl grinned back with a toothy smile, "As he had told me many wonderful things about you, Elliot,"
Elsa couldn't stop the wide smile that spread across her face, Pippa was so lovely. She then turned to Jamie on the other side of Dylan, "Are you the friend who looks after Pippa for Jack?" She asked him.
"That's right, my family had been looking after her since the accident. We're practically family,"
"The world needs more people like you," Elsa stated.
The team and friends had now reached the warm-up ring and they had to leave Pippa and her friends outside. They said goodbye, saying that they will be waiting at the stands for when the game starts and the team promptly set to work, executing various exercises to keep the horses and riders limber.
"Shouldn't Pippa be at school?" Pitch sneered as he led Onyx to walk alongside Dylan.
"Would you shut the fuck up?" Jack said, too tired to take Pitch's shitty jabs of torment.
"Just saying," he continued, "she shouldn't be wasting the education you worked so hard to get for her,"
Jack, being the better person, spurred Dylan on to get away. Now was not the time for the team to self-destruct; they had a game to win.
Five minutes before the game started, the Arendelle team, with their horses breathing deeply, waited by the gate before they were permitted to enter the turf. Fresh snow had been placed and the team was excited, anticipating the time ahead. Finally they were allowed to enter the turf and they took their positions. The starting line up was Jack in goal, Flynn and Phoebus as defence and Hiccup and Pitch as strikers. They planned to hit hard and first to get as many goal as early as possible. The Trenstone team took their places, looking formidable but nothing never faced before. The whistle blew and in ten seconds flat, Hiccup and Pitch had initiated a fatal blow, scoring instantly. The spectators screamed and cheered for the spectacular goal. It all happened so fast. But now the opposition had collected itself and was determined not to let it happen again. Granted, it will now be more difficult but Hiccup and Pitch knew exactly when to do it. So they patiently waited. The Trenstone captain now had the ball, his speedy bay horse bounded through the snow. He was confronted by Flynn but made an early pass to which the defender couldn't stop. Flynn swirled Max around, marking his player as Phoebus chased down the other striker the captain had passed to. Just as North had said, a third player had been sent high, however, Pitch had dropped and was aggressively marking the extra player, rendering them useless. They were getting close to the goal and in a desperate act, the striker took a shot. It was the best option but Jack was too good, Dylan practically teleporting to the right spot to let his rider catch the ball.
"Jack!" Hiccup called from down the field, "High!"
Jack lobbed the ball as high as it would go, his strong swing sent the ball flying the majority of the field to be met by Hiccup at the other end. This won Arendelle another point. Soon, fifteen minutes was up and Pitch, Flynn and Jack were switched with the subs. Elsa took her place by the goal, she had watched Jack's gameplay closely and knew exactly how to handle the Trenstone team. There was a lot of field play, though not many goals were scored. This was probably due to Hans not being so in sync with Hiccup as Pitch was and couldn't play the same moves. However, Herc and Phoebus made up for it, cleaning up every mistake made. The Trenstone captain broke through once again and was a good whole length in front of Herc.
"Go, Elliot!" Elsa heard from the dugout and grandstands. If Elsa had time to look, she would have seen Pippa and her friend's family cheering her on.
This encouragement made Elsa feel determined not to screw up and decided to show off just a little bit. Elsa told Phoebus to mark the other striker and when the captain wasn't looking, Elsa pounced. Svelte then reared, making the bay horse stop dead in his tracks, severely intimidated by the move. The captain tried to go around with no fellow player to pass to but his horse refused to challenge the white beast before him. This gave Elsa the perfect opportunity to knock the ball from the captain's crosse stick and scoop it from the snow. She passed it to Herc who was close enough to reach but far enough to be safe to be passed to. The Arendelle supporters cheered the fantastic save and even the opposition support gave their respects. Back and forth the players switched, working away the the Trenstone's defence until a comfortable score of 7-1 to Arendelle sealed the win. After the teams thanked each other for the game, North instructed them to cool the horses down and get them covered up. The horses were relaxed after a gentle walk around the warm-up ring and were taken back to the float for a rub down, covered up and then loaded. As Jack and Elsa returned the goalie gear, Jamie, Sophie and Pippa volunteered to held rub Svelte and Dylan down. The riders gladly accepted as they had to be quick not to let the horses lose their heat, so they were soon ready to get their coats on.
"They're covered in hot sweat," Pippa explained to Sophie, "and the horses will catch cold if the sweat cools down,"
As the horses were being loaded and the gear packed away, Jack caught up with Jamie's parents, happy that they were staying near by to watch his games. He then introduced Elsa to them but still kept the secret that she wasn't a boy from them. The kids snickered like it was a huge prank they were playing on the adults. Coach North then called for the team to get in the van and go home.
"Can't keep the horses waiting now!"
Jack and Elsa bid farewell and retreated into the van, happy with their first comfortable win in the season.