Disclaimer: This work of fan fiction uses characters from Rise of the Guardians, The Guardians of Childhood, and Frozen which are trademarked by DreamWorks Animation, William Joyce, and the Walt Disney Company respectively. The author of this story claims no ownership over them. The story the author is telling is of her own invention and it is not purported or believed to be part of the canon storyline. This story is made for entertainment purposes only. The author is not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story.
How can I explain this feeling?
When I see you, my heart becomes numb and sore
Oh, with what word can I explain you?
All the words of the world are probably not enough.
– Peach, IU
Claire De Lune, Claude Debussy
Minuet in F Major
The Christmas gala that Elsa invited him to was held at one of the newest hotels in Burgess. The city wasn't very big, with a population just over three-quarters of a million, but the city was popular for tourism in the winter. There was a lake on the outskirts of the city that was famous for some reason and an old bed frame in the middle of the forest that was claimed to have some sort of entity living under it. So, the hotel was one of the newest architectural endeavours to draw more tourists, and it was certainly beautiful with all glass walls and soft golden light spilling into the cold December night.
Jack is still nervously fiddling with the cuff of his dress shirt by the time his Uber pulls up at the entrance of the hotel. He swears underneath his breath, huffing a tense sigh before reluctantly pulling the car door open. The frigid air nips at his skin and his breath fogs up like grey clouds. He wraps the collar of his trench coat tightly around his neck not to protect himself from the cold, but to shield himself from what's to come.
He takes slow steps towards the lobby, pulling the door open and meeting the warm, perfumed air of the building (lemongrass, he deduces). The lobby bustles with activity as guests check in with the concierge and others dressed in expensive dresses and suits sauntering down the hall.
Jack nervously rakes a hand through his hair, stopping when he remembers that he had put product into it (on Emma's insistence). Social events were never his thing and yet here he is because he couldn't say no to Elsa.
"Is it the Arendelle party?"
Jack turns at the voice to find one of the hotel staff. She smiles pleasantly at him.
"Uh, yes," he answers.
"Let me take your coat, sir," she says. Jack pulls off his coat and hands it to her. "The party is right this way sir, just through those doors there."
Jack nods and follows their directions, uneasily shuffling as he glances at what he assumes were other guests at the gala. He feels underdressed in his simple black trousers and navy-blue dress shirt, but he didn't have a blazer, and he can't seem to get away from blues (Emma said that she liked how the silk shirt hung off his shoulders, though).
The party room was brightly lit with modern, crystal chandeliers. Soft, jazzy Christmas music was playing in the background and servers weaved around small groups offering appetizers and drinks. Once again, Jack can't help but feel out of place. He hesitantly walks into the room, sticking by the walls as he searched for the familiar halo of blonde hair or even red.
"What the – Jack?"
Jack whips around to see Aster standing there with his jaw unhinged but looking impeccably dressed.
"Uh – what are you doing here?" Jack asks.
"You look more out of place than I do, so you tell me," Aster retorts.
"Elsa invited me."
"Elsa? Yeti-bros barista Elsa?" Aster clarifies, his eyes narrow into accusing slits. "Wait… what's her last name?"
"Arendelle?" Jack answers in confusion.
"You're dating Elsa Arendelle," Aster accuses.
"I'm not dating her," Jack hisses, glancing around to make sure no one heard. "Not yet…" he mutters under his breath afterwards.
"But you went out on a date with her – a couple of dates with her."
"Can you shut up about this?" Jack says, jabbing Aster in the ribs. The older man grunts, taking a huge step away from Jack and rubbing his side. "Why are you making such a big deal about it? And it still doesn't explain why you're here."
"The Arendelle's own a huge architecture firm based in Norway," Aster sighs. "This hotel was designed by the firm – most of the new buildings on the university campus are designed by the firm. On top of that the Arendelle's are great patrons of the arts. Most of the guests here are benefactors of their company. The museum committee sent me here to see if I could find a patron."
A server stops by the pair offering some champagne; Aster waves his still half-full glass of wine. But Jack takes one with a quick nod. His friend's presence makes things a little easier, but if Jack is going to survive this social interaction – alcohol is going be severely needed.
His hair colour stands out. He could feel the inquisitive glances of the guests as they pass him. Jack mildly wonders if it's time he stopped bleaching his hair white (his head might thank him for it) but he really did like the way it looked.
"How long have you been here?" Aster asks.
"Just arrived," Jack answers.
"Have you met the Arendelle's?"
"You mean Elsa and her sister and their cousins?"
"I mean her father and mother," Aster clarifies. "Agnarr and Iduna Arendelle."
Aster gestures with his wine glass, leaning against the wall and shoving his other hand into his pocket. Jack follows his direction and sees an older, handsome man with ashy blonde-hair and an elegant woman with soft, brown hair. They stood talking to two different individuals in the center of the floor.
"Agnarr is the CEO of the architecture company, his wife, Iduna, is an interior designer - her work is very renowned," Aster says.
Jack nods. He notices the resemblance from the sisters to their parents now. They both had their father's eyes but their mother's facial structure. Anna and Elsa exude an air of self-assurance and grace – now he knows where they get it from.
A flash of red crosses his peripheral vision and a voice as loud and fiery follows – Jack glances over to see Anna dressed in a black gown with colourful and bright embroidering of flowers and leaves across the fabric. She stops to wave and pull people into half-hugs as she goes, making a slow but steady pace towards the dance floor, a tall and bulky guy in tow.
Aster scoffs. "You know, I think the younger Arendelle and Emma would get along well with each other."
"Too well," Jack says, bringing the wine glass to his lips. He scans the room again, searching for Elsa once again. "So how goes the hunt for a patron?"
The Australian mutters under his breath and begins to open his mouth.
"Jack!"
When did the shy, introverted, white-haired boy fall in love with the pretty, kind-hearted coffee girl? (Circle all that apply.)
a)Last Sunday. When he happened upon her resting at the table - head pillowed in her arms and eyelids closed. The pale skin above her eyes painted in a fading purple and – Jack just froze in his steps and started tiptoeing because he couldn't bear to wake her up and – crap – was that the chair creaking? Should he wake her or shouldn't he? Would he be a creep if he didn't, but would he be a creep if he did? And – she was waking up and – did she just ask if she was drooling?
b)In Elsa's car. Her car had a small snowman stuffy hanging from the rear-view mirror (cute, Jack had thought to himself). In the close proximity provided by the vehicle, he remembered a scent: a coolness of her perfume and Jack hoped that he smelled okay. He watched as she drove off – eying her profile out the corner of his eye as he navigated, focusing on ensuring that she was well-informed. In her small sedan, the light of the streetlamps and passing cars cast shadows on her face – and god – Jack couldn't help but think she was so beautiful. His hands tightened around the fabric of his trousers – trying to keep his thoughts from turning to her.
c)In front of his house. When her lips brushed his cheek, and he fell lost for words. His instinct screamed to run, but his heart fluttered and prayed to remain, and his brain short-circuited and wanted nothing more, but to replay the moment over and over and over again, and it begged the question: what will come next?
d)Brunch together. With her double stuffed chocolate French toast coloured with slices of strawberries and how it differed from Jack's plain egg omelettes. She offered him some and Jack – despite hesitating to really try anything new, said yes. They were insanely sweet, but he liked them nonetheless.
e)At the Gala. When he sees her, dressed in a deep, midnight blue gown with a plunging neckline and her hair coiled into glamorous curls around her left shoulder. Her dress pools on the ground as she walks and her face lit up when she sees him. Elsa weaves around the crowd – she was a vision. She drew the attention of everyone towards her and now towards him. Jack finds himself at the center of attention as the beautiful – stunning – woman walked towards him. And strangely he didn't mind.
"You came," she says with almost childlike happiness. Jack couldn't help but return the smile with a grin of his own.
"Of course," he replies.
f)When she takes his arm. Her fingers curling around his bicep, urging him towards her parents as she excitedly tells him that she wants to introduce him. He reluctantly pulls for a moment before hesitantly following in step. Agnarr and Iduna greet him warmly. Her mother asks him about his studies, intrigued by his field of research with his professor and the work he has done. Her father asks if he'd be interested in coming over for dinner during Christmas – but Jack apologizes – saying that his uncle is in town and they have Christmas plans already. Her father looks dejected, and despite his stern and calm appearance, Jack was certain that it was her father than Anna gotten her spunk from and Elsa was gifted with her mother's calm and elegance.
When the room became too stuffy, and Jack began pulling at the collar of his shirt, Elsa led him out the door to a balcony overlooking the city. It was quiet outside with very few that would venture out into the cold night. Elsa's dress drags along the ground, and Jack's shoes makes soft crunching news in the fresh snow.
She stops by the railing, leaning against it with her back facing the view.
"Thank you for coming," Elsa says.
"Thanks for inviting me," Jack replies. He leans his elbows on the snow-covered railing, breathing in deeply and enjoying the quiet. "I usually – I usually don't do this kind of thing," he says honestly.
"Too much of a crowd?" Elsa asks.
"Yeah… too much of everything," he responds. "But I… enjoyed it."
"You look good," she says. "Blue suits you."
"Blue suits you too," Jack says quickly. He wanted to compliment her countless times tonight but was unable to find the words. "I mean – you look – you look wonderful."
She smiles, hiding a chuckle behind her fingers. "Thank you."
Jack twisted the glass of champagne in his hand – it was his third glass tonight, he nursed this one slowly, but the effects were there – the alcohol made him bolder – more honest. And if Aster's words were to come true – if he wanted to date Elsa Arendelle, then he better come clean.
"I have a confession to make," he begins.
"Oh?"
"I heard more than that I told you I heard – that day – at the coffee shop about – about being someone who I'm not supposed to be," he says in a rush, words jumbling together.
"…Oh."
"And I thought – I thought I understood what you meant. I thought that you were like everyone else," he licks his lips, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "There are certain expectations around me – and I'm not – I can't live up to them. I'm not confident and cool. I am awkward and – and – and shy and nerdy and – "
"But that's what makes you, you," Elsa says. She places her hand on top of his; her fingers were surprisingly warm despite how cold it was. "I'll admit, I never thought much about you – until I saw you at the park that day playing with the children. And I wondered why you wouldn't smile more – and I just wanted to get to know you."
"And I'm happy that you did," he replies.
It was a couple of days after the gala that Elsa invites Jack over to her apartment she shared with her sister. Her parents are staying at the hotel. The apartment wasn't large enough, especially with Marshall and Olaf staying over most of the time.
The apartment was mostly empty when he arrived. Anna and her boyfriend (as Jack assumed) went to do some holiday shopping with Olaf, and Marshall flinted in and out of the guest room and the kitchen to check on his baking.
Like the café, Elsa's home smells strongly of coffee and chocolate; Jack wonders if that's Marshall's fault or if it's Elsa's.
He sat on the sofa while Elsa set up the gaming console, insisting on introducing him to some of her favourite titles, she loads something with a fancy screen titled Final Fantasy XV.
Elsa hands him the controller as the opening scenes played.
"Are you sure I should be playing this?" he asks, the controller in his hand was a foreign object that he really didn't know what to do with.
Elsa sits down beside him on the couch, putting the plate of cookies (oatmeal toffee milk chocolate) beside the mug of coffee and hot chocolate. She wore an oversized white sweater and black leggings today– soft and comforting, and Jack couldn't help but feel relaxed as he crossed his legs and fiddled with the controller.
"What if I mess up your game?" he asks.
"I don't think you can," Elsa says, laughing.
"You'd be surprised," he mumbles. "Isn't there some sort of two player game that we could play together?"
"Yeah, but what's the fun in racing each other when there is a storyline in these games. You love reading, so I thought you'd like these games," she said and her eyes – just – Jack couldn't say no.
"You remembered I said that I liked to read?" he said quietly.
She smiles. "Of course." She tucks her hair behind her ears and Jack wonders where the quiet girl who wouldn't meet his eyes went. But he liked this Elsa.
"Anyway, this is to run, this button is to jump, this is to use your sword," she continues and Jack sighs, settling himself in for an afternoon of embarrassment.
"You know, I've never met anyone so bad at video games before," she comments, as Jack dies – again.
He scowls to himself. He barely made any progress in the storyline, and Elsa was right. The storyline drew him in, the opening credits calling him to continue but he couldn't figure out the fighting system and 'game over-ed' more times than he could count.
He hands the console controller to Elsa.
"You play, I wanna watch the rest of the story and I'm tired of dying."
Elsa takes the remote control, biting her lips to hide a grin as she leans into his shoulder. She tells him that she'll continue where she left off, because she isn't too far in yet and she can catch him on the plot so they can experience it together.
And while she speaks, while she enthusiastically tells the story of a prince trying to reclaim his throne, Jack couldn't help but notice how close their bodies are, how close their faces were. How close her lips were and how she smells like coffee and he wondered: would her lips would taste like coffee – and –
"Jack?"
And suddenly, something bubbles up in his chest and he needs to say it.
"I like you," he says. "I like you a lot, Elsa."
Silence.
Her eyes widen and her lips curl into a soft smile and Jack knows he's grinning in return.
"I like you too."
g) This moment right here.
h) And all the moments after.
Author's Rant:
1) It has been AGES. I am sorry – I got sidetracked with another project as well as school. My interviews for graduate school have just finished and I have to get a move on with the rest of my life. To be honest, I'm losing interest in Ouvertüre – but I need to pull a couple loose ties to an end.
2) This is probably not the most fleshed out chapter, but Minuet is 100% a pure fluff story. This chapter was written and edited all in one night. Not my best, but I am satisfied.
3) This chapter is written in a different style than the rest of Minuet. As you can tell, it's mostly written in present tense. I'm trying to experiment with some styles – and the fandom is a great way to get some feedback on it. Tell me what you guys think!
4) Thank you, guys, for supporting Ouvertüre in Snow for so long – it has been centuries since I started this project and it might be centuries before I finish, but your love and support never fails to make my day (I see those random favourites and follows and comments – thank you.)
Until next time,
Cordially yours,
EireneHarmonia