When Hans came upstairs, he went to Elsa's room to say goodnight. He knocked on her door, that quirky rhythm she used.
There was no answer, which worried him. "Elsa?" Silence. He knocked again. "Elsa, are you in there?" Tentatively, he grabbed the knob and turned. It was unlocked. He eased the door open. "Can I come in?"
He didn't see her. The room was spotless, no sign of a struggle. But where was she?
Hans' heart was pounding, each beat echoing in his ears. His first instinct was to tell Hagen. He could orchestrate a search party. He ran down the hall to his brother's room. He knocked frantically. "Hagen, open up! It's an emergency!" He felt lightheaded as the door swung open.
"What's wrong?"
Hans' jaw dropped as he looked into the concerned blue eyes of Elsa. His green eyes darted between her at the door, Hagen in bed and Fiona at her vanity. "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to thank them for their mercy earlier. Didn't mean to frighten you," she said with a giggle.
Hans grabbed her hands. "As long as you're alright." He stepped into the room and shut the door. "Thank you both."
Fiona rose from her chair and hugged him. "No need to thank us. I'm sorry it happened at all."
"It's alright," he said, patting her back. "I've dealt with them all my life."
"You don't deserve that," both women said at once.
"Is this still just because of what happened when you were kids?" Hagen asked, rubbing his temples.
"Yes!" yelled Hans. "I swear I've never done anything to them since then."
"What happened?" Fiona asked, wincing from the memory of Jakob's scar.
"One day, Nikolai and Jakob ganged up on me, teasing me, calling me names. I asked them to stop, but they wouldn't. I was only five. I got so mad that I lashed out. I didn't realize what I had done until he started screaming from the pain. Henrik saw the whole thing and rushed him to Freyja. They've hated me ever since, even pretending I didn't exist for the next two years."
"You'd think they would have let it go by now," Elsa said.
"Nikolai holds grudges better than anyone. I know," Hans said. "And Jakob's acted like the victim ever since. He's not the only one with scars, you just can't see mine."
Elsa put an arm around Hans. "Just because they're not visible doesn't meant they don't still hurt. I know."
"Isn't there anything you can do?" Hans asked Hagen. "You're about to be King!"
"King or not, you know those two will never listen to me," Hagen said, leaning back in bed.
"Make them listen," Hans insisted.
"Hans, I'm sorry. You have to fix this yourself."
"But how?"
He gave his little brother a pointed look. "You can start by not doing anything stupid."
"I'm not-"
Hagen put a finger to his chin and mockingly said, "Funny how the two accused of treason fled into town all day."
Hans clenched his fists, which immediately glowed orange. "Is that what Nikolai said?"
"More or less," replied Hagen, shrugging. "It did look suspicious."
Hans wanted to smack himself. He couldn't spend a single day away from the family without widening the rift between them. "Ugh. I just wanted to breathe."
Elsa placed a cool hand on his cheek, her eyes concerned. "I know. I'm sorry."
"It was my idea," he said, turning away from her. Hans hung his head. The inferno rumbled in his chest. He had a strong desire to destroy something, preferably himself. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I can't do anything right."
Elsa noticed his hands glowing brighter and grabbed them to counteract his heat. "Don't be sorry. You can do this."
Fiona smiled at Elsa's tenderness. Hans looked to his future sister-in-law. "You're an expert in diplomacy," he said. "Tell me what I should do."
Fiona seemed surprised to be asked for advice. She tapped her red lips. "This is a little out of the ordinary for me. Had you been my sons, I would have made you all apologize to each other immediately. But so much time has passed... All I can say is lay low for now and let your actions speak for themselves. If we can get through the wedding and coronation without issue, that should be proof enough that you're not traitors."
Hans sighed and looked at Hagen for help.
"She's right," he said. "Just be on your best behavior, and maybe they'll drop it."
"Maybe?" Hans growled, his anger only growing. "I left Arendelle for a maybe? I could've stayed and been happy. Instead, I insist on coming home, hoping to make things right. I've learned control and changed my ways, and all I get in return is a maybe! I never should've come back." Hans turned on his heel and stormed out.
"Hans!" Fiona pleaded.
Elsa followed him out. "Hans, there's still a chance."
"No!" In a frenzy, he turned and grabbed her face. "I should've been with you this whole time. I should've listened to you and stayed in Arendelle. We could be happy." His green eyes were close to tears, and his face was red with the effort of holding them back.
Elsa caressed his fevered cheek. "I am happy...as long as I'm with you."
"But I could have spared you all this stupid family drama."
"True...but perhaps I respect you more because you tried to connect with your family. It's quite admirable."
"It's foolish."
"It's the right thing to do, which is why you left." Hans hung his head, but she lifted him back up by the chin. "After the coronation, we can go home."
His green eyes met her blue ones, hope starting to flicker. "Home?"
She nodded, smiling. Hans squeezed her tight, burying his face in her neck. She still smelled like flowers. He kissed her hard, wishing he could leave with her now.