Prompt 2: Blue skies and dandelion fuzz

"You have thought about this through, haven't you, Hans?"

When Hans suggested that they should explore some parts of the forest, Elsa didn't expect a picnic along the way. But there they were, sitting on a picnic blanket Honeymaren had prepared, under the shade of an oak tree. Without her knowing, Hans had packed a few pastries—including some krumkake—before they departed from Arendelle the day before. It was only the first day, yet he had given her enough surprises. She wondered what he had actually planned for the whole trip.

Hans chuckled, as he rolled the sleeves of his cotton shirt. "I did tell you that I already have plans. Do you like it?"

Shyly, Elsa looked away. Her blue eyes were gazing at Sitron that seemed to bond with a group of reindeers at the meadow, a little farther from where they were. The green scenery before her, with the addition of bushes of daisy and some growing dandelions surrounding them made the view even more beautiful. It was a perfect picnic spot, of course she did like it.

"Yes, I do." She looked back, flashing him a smile. "Thank you, Hans."

The Admiral shook his head. "Nah, don't mention it. When was the last time you went on a picnic?"

Elsa tilted her head, trying to recall. "I can hardly remember."

Handing her a bottle of lemonade, he added, "The whole time you live here you haven't actually gone on a picnic?" He raised an eyebrow.

The blonde shrugged. "Well, a few times, perhaps. But that was before the war, and it was just an outing with Ryder and Honeymaren." She took a small sip from the bottle. "This is actually really good." Putting down the bottle on the blanket next to her, Elsa then faced the Admiral and caught his dreamy gaze. "What?"

Hans shook his head. "Nothing." But what he did next was something she didn't expect.

"Hans!" She yelped when Hans lied down and put his head on her lap.

Ignoring her protest, Hans closed his eyes and sighed in contentment, feeling the light blue icy fabric pressed against the back of his head. "This is nice."

Elsa's face turned red. She was stunned at first, but she eventually smiled fondly. She combed her fingers through his auburn hair, earning herself another sigh from the Admiral. His thick hair felt rather soft against her skin, and it had grown longer; she kept brushing back his bangs.

"I love you." Hans murmured. His eyes fluttered open, revealing those emerald orbs. The corner of his mouth tugged upwards as he watched her face. The close proximity allowed him the view of the faint freckles dusting her face.

She could feel her heart swell inside her ribcage at those words. She used to live in denial when it came to love—romantic, sexual love, but with every second that passed, Elsa grew fonder of the man resting against her. Her forefinger grazed the skin of his forehead, down to the slope of his perfectly angled nose, before tapping the tip gently.

"And I love you." She tucked some platinum locks behind her ear, before leaning in to capture his lips with hers.

Once she pulled away, Elsa eyed the surrounding. Hans tried to follow her gaze.

"What are you looking at?"

She shook her head slowly. "Nothing. It's just the view. It's always been so beautiful."

"I agree." He replied. "I've never really been away from the Southern Isles to spend summer, well, with the exception of going to your coronation a few years ago, but we both know how it ended."

Briefly, Elsa glanced at her hands, which were resting each on his head and his upper arm. Her brows furrowed, as she was reminded of a particular memory. Yes, she had her powers under control—she also understood the purpose of the gift, but the tainted past would still be there. How quick her people forgave her for what she had done still made her wonder.

"Sorry." Hans, knowing that he had caused such tension to spark, apologised. He noticed where her blue eyes looked at and immediately grabbed her hand. "Hey, Kaere."

At the nickname, her blue eyes met his green ones. There was something in his eyes which stared at her with sincerity. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, before bringing it to his mouth, in which he tenderly kissed her palm, eyes never leaving hers. Such gesture was enough to make her feel fuzzy and warm, with a pleasant touch lingering on her skin.

"I'm sorry for bringing that up." He reached out to caress her cheek.

Elsa flashed him a small smile, holding his hand. "Hans, it's alright." This time, it was her turn to reassure him. "How about you tell me a story?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of story?"

Half shrugging, she replied, "Well, anything that makes you happy, perhaps?"

"Like sailing?" Seeing her nodding, the Admiral continued, "What about it?"

"Why do you love it?"

Hans smiled. He had his eyes on the blue skies above them. A sense of nostalgia clouded his mind.

"You know, I also love the sea, I always do, and those two can't really be separated. I used to sneak out of the castle and go to the docks, just to admire the sea, aside from hiding from my brothers. Then one day, my mother was kind enough to give me a boat as a gift. Of course no one else knew, except for me and mother. The boat was small, but she was strong. Nordstjernen I called her."

"The North Star?" Elsa let out.

He nodded. "Nobody taught me how to sail, but the books in the castle library provided enough information. The third time I went sailing, I came to realise that I actually enjoyed it. The feeling of being out there in the open sea gives me a sense of freedom, one I used to think I'd never get. I was trapped in the Southern Isles with uncertainty, and the confinement that I felt, let's say it drove me straight to my doom."

"But you're here now, and you're free."

Sighing, Hans turned to face her. "I am." He smiled. "We should go sailing, maybe next week after we get back to Arendelle?"

Elsa shrugged. "I don't know about that."

"Why?" He tilted his head. "It's going to be fun! I promise you this time we won't be trapped in the middle of a battle."

The blonde couldn't help but smile, reminiscing the victory from the last naval battle side by side they fought.

"See that smile? I can tell that's a yes. You want to, just admit it, Elsa." He teased, earning himself a slap on the chest. "Hey! Who knows maybe I'll let you steer." Then he paused, before grinning. "Oh wait, you don't know how to!"

Elsa rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I was once the Queen of Arendelle, Hans, of course I know how to steer a ship. You're underestimating me."

"Sure." Hans sat up and scooted closer to Elsa, his body was facing the opposite direction. "But I am an Admiral, I shall be the judge of that. And I bet you can't use some naval equipment." He leaned in. Their faces were so close, he could feel her breath.

Her blue eyes narrowed, as she took in what sounded like a challenge. "Well then, Admiral, should I remind you that I once have the entire armada under my command? Operating a simple naval equipment, say a sextant, is among those things I learned growing up."

At this, the former prince raised an eyebrow in amusement. Indeed, he was aware of that fact. Elsa was once a Queen after all, and the Arendellian Navy was one of the strongest in the area, right after The Southern Isles. Her days leading up to her coronation must have been spent learning about her country, as well as trying to control her powers.

"Alright, I'll let you steer." He said. Emerald eyes glinting with mischief. "But only if you say yes."

"So, you want an answer?" Elsa tilted her head, as she stared at him with her big blue eyes. One hand secretly reached to pick a stalk of matured dandelion growing beside her. Seeing him nodded, she smirked. "Then, have this!"

Elsa blew the dandelion fuzz, and chuckled when the seeds flew towards his face. Immediately, Hans closed his eyes and leaned back, trying to avoid the floating seeds. Taking this as an opportunity, Elsa got on her feet and ran away, but not before she gave him a slight push.

"Come and get me!"

Once the Admiral realised what happened, the corner of his lips curved into a smile. He liked this playful side of hers he didn't see quite often. Taking her on a trip is a good idea, it seems. Chuckling to himself, Hans got on to his barr feet and went after her to the meadow.

Hopefully, he thought, soon, she would say yes.