Where was he? Why was it so dark?

"Hello?" His voice reverberated against the emptiness of the void. This was so strange. He saw a shape ahead of him, perhaps it was someone who could help. "Hey! Excuse me! Can you tell me where–" Then he recognized her. Relief washed over him. "Elsa, thank God!" He chuckled. "Where are we?" He came close and saw the look in her face, it was so full of disdain and hurt. "What's wrong?" He tried to come closer, but she stepped away.

"Don't." He stopped, not sure what he'd done to make her act such a way. "Don't come near me."

Jack's heart sank. "Elsa, what's wrong? What'd–"

"You're a freak." Her words cut through him like glass. There had been nothing to prepare him for the venom in her voice, he'd never heard her speak such a tone. She was always so warm, so mellifluous when she spoke.

"Elsa... What are you saying?"

"I don't want you near me. All you do is bring everyone around you pain; the moment you were born your parents knew you were a monster."

Jack felt like the world was swallowing him. What had possessed her to say such hurtful things, the worst possible things anyone could say to him? This couldn't be her! "Y-You can't mean that! If this is a joke, then it's not funny!" He felt a sob cracking in his throat, but he fought the urge. "I'm begging you, whatever this is, stop!"

"I mean every word I've said. I want nothing to do with you... How could I ever love you?"

He felt his chest burning then. After she'd been so happy when he gave her the ring he'd made and asked for her hand, after they'd sealed their love with actions so sacred and personal, she was going to abandon him? What had he done? "Elsa, wait, please! You're my world, you changed my life and I can't imagine it without you now. Please tell me what I've done wrong, I'll fix it! I swear, I can!" She'd already turned her back to him and he felt his hands trembling. Did he really have to say it? Didn't he make it clear to her every moment of the day? "I love you so much! I can't lose you, so please, don't leave me alone!" He already felt so lost, so confused. He felt his knees crumpling. "I don't want to be alone again!" Jack looked back up, but saw her shape had vanished. Not even when he shoved the thick, salty tears from his eyes could he find her. "Elsa?" He said in a weak voice. He didn't have the will to go after her—he felt the darkness creeping up on him... not just any darkness.

"I told you long ago, didn't I?" He knew that voice well. "In the end, you'll only bring suffering and despair, especially to those you're closest to. It's why you deserve to be alone, why no one should be touched by you." Jack felt like his throat was closing. Though he wanted to fight back, he couldn't... for it was all true. He'd just wanted to be loved, but it was selfish of him to ever try! "I thought you'd learn your lesson by now." Jack suddenly felt something warm and wet on his hands. "Can't you see what you've done?"

He saw the red on his palms, and worse still, where it had come from. He could feel the needles in his chest when he looked upon his father, just as he had the last time he saw him, pale, eyes still open, and stained with the blood he'd lost so much of. Blood that Jack could never seem to escape.

"NO!"

Jack suddenly couldn't catch his breath... nor recognize where he was once again. "No... no..." His voice was a whisper now; he was lying on his damp pillow, looking around at his familiar bed chamber. His heart was galloping in his chest, his hair was stuck to his head from sweat... but he felt the comfort of realization; it wasn't real. Jack sat up and, by some impulse, checked his hands. No blood. It was only a dream. And they came without warning. He felt his face was cold and wet, but it wasn't just sweat that was pouring down his face as he slept.

Grateful that he was alone, he wiped his eyes dry of tears. He'd been right—Elsa would never say those things, she had no malice anywhere in her body. And most of all, she loved him... right?

...

Elsa wasn't used to getting a knock at her door so late at night, but since it could always be something crucial, she was inclined to answer. Fixing her bed-hair as much as she could, she opened... "Jack?" He didn't say anything; he averted his eyes like he was ashamed. "What is it?"

"Uh, I... I just wanted to see you." He caught a glimpse of her hand; she still had on her engagement ring. "Sorry I woke you up."

"...Do you wanna come in?" They both knew the rules by now, but they were both smart enough to not get caught and bold enough to not give a fuck. He nodded and stepped inside. Elsa brought him to her bed where she cradled him to her chest. "Can't sleep?"

"No." He sighed, just so relieved to be in her arms. He held her more tightly. "I love you so much."

She couldn't help but smirk. "I know." She kissed his crown. "I love you too." She pinched his cheek, "How couldn't I when you're so cute?" She got him to smile a little, but it didn't last. That was when she knew something was off. "Bad dreams again?"

"It's fine."

"Do you want to talk about them?" He didn't answer. He just wanted to hold her. "You're not gonna get better if you keep everything inside."

"They just come back sometimes is all." Though he didn't mean to, he felt his body instinctively react to feeling her curves against him. "You make me feel better already." He just wanted to lie with her then... and try to ignore the tight spot in his pants. She was so warm and soft, and she stroked his back in delicate little circles. He brought his face closer to nuzzle her neck and started to plant soft kisses on it.

Elsa let out an approving hum and let her eyes close. Already her face started to redden. She tangled her fingers in his ivory hair, "I'm here for you." She reminded.

Jack kissed her jaw, "I know." He sighed out.

Elsa returned a chaste kiss to his forehead, "You're sure you don't want to tell me about it?"

"It's not a big deal."

"Then why did you come in here? It must've been something."

Jack rested his head on her shoulder, a bit embarrassed, "I... I was dreaming that I was in some kind of void. Then you were there... You hated me." Just to remember it felt like a shard of glass spearing through his chest. "You said I was a monster, that you could never love me. You left me there... There was nothing I could say to bring you back."

Elsa nuzzled her nose to his hair, "It was only a dream. That could never happen." She gave his crown a soft kiss.

Jack grimaced—he'd made it this far... "There's more. I saw my father." Elsa blanched. "He—It was just like the day I last saw him... Right after they told us he was dead." Remembering it all over again, Jack hid his face in her shoulder, trying to let it go. "Elsa, he was in so much pain—"

She took his chin and gently lifted his head so she could see his sorrowful eyes, "Jack, there was nothing you could do. It's nobody's fault. He was sick." She assured with vehemence. "It was a terrible, terrible way to go, but it sure as Hell wasn't because of you."

Jack took deep breaths in an attempt to clear his head (and bury the sob he refused to let Elsa see). Elsa took him into a loving cradle, "It's all over now, Jack. The dream's all over. I'm here. I'm with you." Their foreheads and noses touched. "I'm always going to be with you."

Jack clamped his jaw shut to keep from sobbing. Hadn't he done that enough in his sleep? It's not like it was the first time she'd seen him wake up like this.

Taking care not to startle her, Jack took her hand and kissed every one of her fingers. Then his lips sought her forehead, her eyelid, then her own lips. Already did the nightmare begin to fade from his memory as his sole focus became whatever pleasure he could bring her. His beautiful betrothed. His tongue was met with hers and naturally his own desires began to heighten. "I want to touch you." He breathed. Elsa nuzzled his face and then unlaced her nightgown. At this point in their relationship, they knew nearly every inch of each other, yet the sight of their bodies always felt like the first time.

As soon as her breasts were out, Jack nuzzled them, pressed deep kisses into them, teased her nipples. She could feel his erection brushing over her through his trousers, so she couldn't resist as she reached and gave it a playful stroke. "Oh!" He stopped and looked at her.

"I'll make the nightmares go away." She pressed her nose to his and removed his shirt for him... and then she reached into his pants and started to pleasure him. Jack was sent into a daze of desire and greed. "I'll make it all better."

He said through gasps, "You already have." She knew what he liked by now, but he wasn't quite done with her yet. He pulled her gown off the rest of the way, until his most favorite asset of her was in sight. He pressed his hand between her thighs, feeling her wetness. She made such a rapturous sound every time he did, and he couldn't help it as he ducked his head down low and started to taste her. He just loved to hear her gentle moans and breaths that told him he was doing something right. Her pleasure was his, wasn't it? He swore she tasted like honey, something addicting that made him want to lick her dry.

"Jack," she gasped, trying not to pull his hair—the last time she'd done that, all she'd done was accidentally yank him off of her, "Jack..." She clutched onto the sheets; if he had it his way, he could go on all night. But they both got greedy and Jack crawled over her, just to see the light in her misty eyes. "Why are your pants still on?" She teased, and he managed to crack a smile. He wasted no time and slid them off before pushing them to the floor; he was all hers to do what she liked, but she seemed to be letting him take the reins this time. Elsa was such a control-freak most of the time that he didn't dare go against her wishes or suggest he take the lead... but he loved that about her, he liked knowing he was wanted so much.

With all the gentleness he could manage in his animalistic desire, he slipped inside of her with a soft, blissful moan. Immediately were her arms around him, gripping his skin like she might fall into oblivion if she let go. He never wanted to be out of her when he was so close, so it was always a slow, methodical rhythm once they were together. In, then out, in, then out. He swore he could feel her tightening around him as his dick thickened and swelled; he let out a cry of pain, if pain were pleasure, as he rode her soft waves. It seemed like she was trying assert dominance again, as he'd jokingly say, when she started to roll slightly as if to get on top, but Jack wouldn't allow it, not tonight.

She gasped in happy surprise, "Oh, taking charge are we?" She panted in grunts.

"No... I just want to look at you." He answered honestly, having all the view he needed from above. He picked up the pace as he felt his climax inching closer, but he tried to hold out so she would come first. Somehow, she always lasted longer, which embarrassed him, but flattered her. She was just so beautiful, and the faces of exhilaration and euphoria to his every movement just sent him over the edge. He came into her hard and fast with a deep, breathless moan. All his muscles seized up and he tried not to collapse into her... Elsa chased her breath, climaxing only moments after he finished. She peppered kisses to his forehead as he lied his head on her shoulder. He rolled off just so he could look at her and stroke her hair, bathing in the afterglow.

"Feel better?"

"Like it never happened." He loved her hair—it was so soft and silky. He always found himself running his fingers through it at any point they were together. He pulled her closer so he could hold her. "I love you."

She closed her eyes, eyelashes batting against him. "I love you too... I can't wait to marry you." His cheeks, which were already flushed, went ruddy again as he thought about that. Once they were, they'd be living in the same chamber together... no more sneaking around. No more guards following them whenever they went for walks outside of the gates.

Just the two of them side by side, forever.

He closed his eyes, and he was not haunted by the tormented visions of his father or loss of more loved ones. Instead, he dreamed about the beauty he held in his arms. About the time they'd gone on a picnic earlier that summer, how it wound up with her rolling on top of him in the flowered meadow, stealing kisses. Elsa's head was blocking the sun as he looked up at her, creating a halo around her angelic face.

In his sleep, Jack smiled ever-so-faintly.