Prompt 7: Free

"Elsa, you're burning up."

It was four in the afternoon when they decided to find shelter in the pavilion. Tired after another snowball fight and a game of hide and seek, the group gladly enjoyed some lemonade Gerda and Olina had prepared. The weather was hot, but strangely, Elsa felt cold. That was until she swayed and grabbed Hans' arm for a support. He immediately caught her and wrapped an arm around her. The close proximity allowed him to feel her unusual body temperature.

"I'm fine." She sighed, with half lidded eyes and stupid smile, Elsa rested her head against his shoulder.

Sensing worry in the Admiral's words, Anna turned from her son, who was asleep in his father's arms. Approaching the couple, her brows knitted with concern as she pressed the back of her hand on her sister's forehead. "You're not fine, Elsa. Let's get you to bed, okay?"

"But-"

"No buts, I'll send Kristoff to get the doctor." Anna gently told her. But before the queen could link arms with Elsa, a hand stopped her.

"Don't worry, Anna." Hans said, before scooping the Snow Queen up in his strong arms. "I can carry her."

Moments later, Elsa found herself sitting on her bed. A knitted yellow and orange shawl was draped over her shoulders, covering her new lilac dress. After the doctor left, Elsa took the medicine with Anna's help. That was when Olaf suggested to bring in the snowgies and told everyone to let her rest. Since Anna had some paperworks waiting for her, and Kristoff was needed in the planning to renovate the stables, they obliged. Only someone decided to stay behind.

"You don't have to stay, you know." She smiled, before gesturing at the snowgies surrounding her on the bed. "I already have some company."

Hans shook his head, taking a step closer to sit on the bed, facing her. He felt a slight chill as a snowgie climbed onto his lap.

"I want to take care of you." He fondly said. "Do you really think I'd listen to Olaf and leave you with them?"

"No, but I'm sure Olaf means well." Elsa grinned, gently poking the snowgie next to her, earning herself a giggle. "They have been behaving quite nicely, no?"

"Eh," Hans almost grimaced, remembering what happened earlier, "well, sort of, only whenever the mother is around."

"The mother?" She raised a brow.

His cheeks flushed once he realised what he'd just implied. "I mean you."

Hans stared back at the beaming snowgie that was sitting beside Elsa, slightly amused by the creature.

"Hmm, the mother?" Elsa smiled knowingly. She looked down at the snowgie nesting in the Admiral's lap. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Hans took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. A small smile played on his lips, as his gaze landed on her naked ring finger. Not only did it remind him of the big surprise he had been working on, but it also made him think of the possibilities. Hans had always been so calculating. His ability in analysing the situation as well as the outcomes of certain actions was what won Arendelle the war. But the situation he was in was no war.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

The question did startle the Admiral, breaking his train of thoughts. Looking up, he opened his mouth to come up with an excuse, until someone abruptly swung the door open. The couple turned to the door and saw Olaf return, balancing a tray with a cup of tea and a small plate of biscuits on one hand. Noticing the struggle, Hans got up and gave him a hand.

"Ah, thank you!" Olaf said, before beaming at the two snowgies rolling around on the bed, "Oh, hello, Charles, Edgar!"

"Olaf!" Elsa smiled. "What brings you here?"

Placing the tray on the nightstand, Hans then took a seat beside her. He passed her the cup, which she took gracefully. After muttering a quick thank you, Elsa took a sip.

"Oh, just some snacks. Anna told Gerda to bring it to you, but I volunteered!" Olaf said, climbing onto the bed. "Are the snowgies helpful?"

Elsa smiled, handing the cup back to Hans, before facing the smiling snowman. "You mean well, Olaf, but-"

"Oh, I get it!" The snowman cut her off, looking back and forth between Hans and Elsa. "Anna did say that you may need some time alone with Hans, so I'll leave you to it."

"But-"

Olaf shushed her, as he climbed down and ushered the snow babies towards the door. "I'll see you later Elsa, Hans!" And after waving one last time, he closed the door with a soft thud.

Once they were left alone, Elsa stole a brief glance at the Admiral and let out a chuckle. "Olaf really is something."

"He is." That he could agree. He smiled, reaching up to brush back some blonde strands from her forehead. When he realised that she was still burning up, he frowned. "You should get some rest, Kaere."

Elsa blinked. Just like earlier, her eyes still felt slightly burning. She should have seen it coming and told Anna or Hans about it. Instead, she went along with Olaf's suggestion to play hide and seek. Charade game night was canceled according to Anna, and Elsa felt responsible for that. But it is what it is.

"Come on, Kaere."

When Hans saw her unmoving state, he decided to help her lying down on her bed. His back rested against the headboard, with an arm curled above her pillow, cradling her head closely. Elsa looked up to him, before she shifted and patted the empty spot beside her.

"Please?" She smiled, staring at him through her thick lashes.

How could he resist, when she was this adorable? Removing his waistcoat, and unbuckling his boots, Hans finally joined her. He pulled the blanket up to her chin and made sure that she was comfortable, before lying on his side. She snuggled closer to him, her hand wandered under the duvet to find his. Lying face to face, Hans reached out his free hand to stroke her cheek, smiling as he watched her eyes droop. She was still warm, and he couldn't help but worry.

"What did the doctor say?" He asked, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. He wasn't there when the doctor checked on her, and he didn't get an opportunity to ask Anna.

Her eyes fluttered open, as her gaze softened. "He said it's probably because of the heat, the constant exposure to the sun or something."

His face fell, realising that he was the reason why she got a fever. Bringing their entwined hands, he gently pressed his lips on her knuckles. Hans closed his eyes, savouring the close proximity.

"I'm sorry." His words, dripping with sincerity, came in a whisper. "I'm so sorry."

"Hans," Elsa called. She let go of his hand, and went to cup his cheeks. "Hans, it's okay." When she saw those emerald eyes, her lips curved into an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."

The Admiral held her hand, that was cradling his head. He kissed the heel of he palm oh so gently, turning her cheeks crimson.

"For what?"

She half shrugged, blinking slowly. "For being a burden."

He frowned at those words. "Elsa, no. You are never a burden, okay? You are sick, and that is on me." He leaned in to kiss her forehead. "I love you, and I'm here to look after your wellbeing."

She opened her mouth to protest, but he quickly pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her.

"Come here, Kaere."

Hans pulled her closer, and she rested her head on his chest. Her hand curled over his beating heart as she made herself comfortable in his embrace. Sighing in contentment, Elsa closed her eyes. The steady rhythm of his heart beat was lulling her to sleep.

"I love you." She murmured. And soon, the light pressure on her hairline and his gentle murmur were the last thing on her mind before sleep claimed her.

Once again, Hans was left alone with his thoughts. He looked down and saw how peaceful she looked. Nuzzling her blonde hair, he let her signature scent fill his senses, something like vanilla with a hint of mint, and he felt at ease. She was his safe haven, after all.

His mind wandered back to his plans in giving her a big surprise. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day they came back from the Enchanted Forest, meaning that the surprise day would be on the day after. What if Elsa is not ready and thinks that it's too soon? Would he be ready for any kind of rejection? He wondered about the worst thing that could happen. Deep down, he just wished that everything would go as planned, just like Anna and Honeymaren said.

Combing his fingers through her hair, he recalled how she told him that she was a burden. What made her think that way, he didn't know. If he were to describe Elsa with one word, surely a burden would be one of the last he could think of.

"Oh, Elsa, you could never be a burden to me." He paused, pressing his lips on her closed eye. "All I want is to care for you."

And with that thought alone, Hans, too, joined her in the dream land.

One more chapter, and we will wrap it up! But worry not, I'm planning on writing some outtakes of this AU on my Tumblr (ariddletobesolved). If you follow me on Tumblr you may know that I often write some drabbles in the middle of the night if I can't sleep. I'm planning on giving this book an open ending so that there's more room for me to create something. Unfortunately, this book will only be 11 chapters long, and not more. But there's another AU (for Helsa, yes) I'm planning to write, we will see. Thank you for reading the book this far! I can't do this without you. Cheers!