A/N: Hey everybody! Hope you're all enjoying the story so far. If you are, make sure to leave a review!
Disclaimer: What's that? Frozen is owned by Disney? Tell me something I don't know!
1:25 AM. Johan laid awake, a candle flickering by his bedside. He had taken off his jacket, leaving only an undershirt covering his torso, but he kept his pants and his boots on, laying down on top of the neatly-made sheets. He stared up at the ceiling, his hands folded across his stomach.
He had spent most of the day settling in and catching up with Anna. She was fascinated by his stories of the navy and the antics he got into with his sisters. Anna would get along well with Julie. They both had the ability to bring an unmistakable spark of light into a room.
Anna didn't have as many stories for him. She had a few, many of which involved stealing chocolate from the kitchen, but for all that Johan had been antsy to get out of Landvik Castle, he felt guilty about it when he looked at Anna and her sister.
Last time he was in Arendelle, he'd be sitting outside Elsa's door by this time of night. He wanted to go to her now, but he remained unsure. It was one thing to go knocking on her door when they had established a routine, but expecting her to be waiting for him now would be presumptuous.
He turned his head to look at the box on his nightstand that contained his gift for her. Would she even want to see him? She'd seemed less than excited to see him earlier. Had he done something wrong? Maybe she just didn't feel the same way she felt three years ago. The same way he felt.
What if there's someone else?
Johan cringed at the thought. Somehow he doubted it, considering how isolated she was. But then, any man would be a fool not to pursue her.
He shook his head. Even if that was the case, he didn't own her. She was at perfect liberty to see whoever she desired, no matter how he felt.
He looked at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. 1:30. If Elsa had been expecting him, she'd probably given up on him by now. Maybe it was just time to go to bed and reconsider tomorrow...
He heard soft footsteps outside his door. He froze, sure that whoever was out there would be able to see that he still had a light on. There were three quiet knocks, and a small scrap of paper flew under the door. Then the sound of scampering footsteps running away.
He sat up curiously and placed his feet on the floor. Walking toward the door, he picked up the note, sure he knew who it was from.
Well? Are you coming or not? -E
A wide smile spread across the prince's face. Shoving the note into his pocket, he grabbed his jacket from the chair and quickly buttoned it. He made a beeline for the door before pausing and turning back for Elsa's gift. Clutching the box in his hand, he blew out the candle, opened the door, and peered out into the hallway.
In the direction toward her room, he saw her peeking around the corner, wearing the same black cloak she was wearing the first time they met. Her hood covered her platinum blonde locks, but he could still see her shining blue eyes and a bright smile.
He couldn't hide his sheepish grin. He heard a playful laugh as she disappeared around the corner. Shutting his door quietly behind him, he took off after her, seeing her stop at each corner to let him catch up.
They finally reached her bedroom, and she stood between the door and the frame as he approached, stopping just in front of her. They smiled at each other for a few moments, catching their breath from running and laughing. He'd never seen her like this. He'd never seen her let her guard down.
A moment passed, and an awkward pause filled the air. Johan swallowed before he spoke. "So...um..."
Elsa's smile fell and she drew in a breath.
"Uhhh..." she started awkwardly. She hadn't really thought this through, she realized. She'd let him past her initial wall. It wouldn't make sense to make him sit outside the door now.
But what was she going to do instead? Let him in?
Her thoughts were cut off as she heard the clicking of heels coming down the hallway.
She gasped quietly, and Johan's eyes went wide as the sound reached his ears. Without thinking, Elsa grabbed the prince by the wrist.
"Woah!" he gasped as she pulled him into the room, shutting the door behind them. Removing her hood, she got down on her knees and peered through the keyhole. The footsteps stopped for just a moment before continuing.
A moment later, she saw her mother walk past, not even sparing a glance at the door. Elsa kept listening as the sound of her heels got softer and eventually faded away.
She let out a sigh of relief and slouched against the keyhole. She shut her eyes for a moment, almost forgetting that someone else was in the room.
"Sit by that door often?"
Elsa opened her eyes in stunned silence. Johan smirked down at her, his mood light. After a moment, Elsa let out a breath and a chuckle.
"More than you know."
Elsa stood so she was in front of him. Removing her cloak, she wrapped her arms around her body, her mind going a thousand miles per second as she assessed her current situation.
"Who was out there?" he asked.
"My mother," she replied. "She was going toward my father's study. He must have fallen asleep at his desk again."
Johan nodded and scratched the back of his neck. "I guess I shouldn't really be in here, should I?"
"Probably not," Elsa agreed, and was about to turn and let him out-
"But," she reasoned, "you should probably stay here until they come back. They'll pass this way to go back to their room."
Johan nodded again. "I have to admit," he started, "I wasn't sure if I was going to come here tonight after the way things went in the throne room this morning."
"I had a feeling," Elsa replied. "That's why I sought you out."
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable for any reason. I didn't mean to-"
"Johan," she said, chuckling. "It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong."
Johan breathed a sigh of relief and flashed her a guilty smile, which she returned.
"Besides, if there's anyone who should be apologizing, it's me," Elsa said. "It killed me to brush you off the way I did, but I knew if I were any more welcoming to you, my father would think something was up. He knows me better than that."
"Not much of a people person, are you?" the prince said.
Elsa raised an eyebrow. "I have that way about me," she said, turning her back to him.
"Too bad," he quipped. "...it makes seeing you that much more difficult."
She felt her heart skip a beat. She looked at him over her shoulder, blushing.
"And does that disappoint you?"
He scrunched his eyebrows, his smile never leaving his face. "Does that surprise you?"
"Frankly, yes."
"...Me too."
Elsa snickered as she stared into his deep, brown eyes. There was something comforting about them. She felt... warm.
She had to tear her eyes away when she realized she was staring. Glancing down, she finally noticed something in his hand.
"Whatcha got there?"
Johan glanced at the box like he had briefly forgotten about it. He smiled and held it out to her. "It's for you."
Elsa couldn't contain her surprise as she glanced between the box and his face. She took it from his hand with a smile. It was surprisingly heavy. For a moment, she considered sitting on the side of her bed, but then she figured it was probably better to sit in one of the armchairs while he was in here.
Taking a seat in the chair by the door, she placed the box in her lap and untied the ribbon. She removed the lid and pulled out a glass-domed snow globe with a wooden base. Encased in the glass was a model of a large town, with a soaring castle in the center.
"Is this your home?" she asked.
Johan nodded. "Landvik."
"It's beautiful," she said, shaking it up and letting the snow fall over the city. "Thank you. You do too much. First the necklace, now this."
"Well the necklace was a gift from the state," Johan explained. "This is a gift from me."
"I feel so special," Elsa quipped. "Did you get anything for Anna?"
"I got her a box of chocolates."
"A box of chocolates?" Elsa chuckled. "How romantic!"
Johan's eyes widened. "What? No! It's nothing like that. I just knew she liked..."
He paused when he noticed her laughing. His face had turned red with embarrassment.
"You're... you're just.. teasing me?"
Elsa nodded, still laughing. He wasn't sure he had ever heard her laugh before. She should do it more often, he thought. It suits her.
So this was the girl behind the door. All that time he spent outside her room, it had never occurred to him how little he actually knew about her. In a lot of ways, they were complete strangers. He was suddenly finding himself back at square one- that fourteen-year-old boy determined to learn her secrets. No, that's not it. He doesn't want to know her secrets. He wants to know her.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"Yes, it's beautiful," she replied. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he replied as she stood and placed the snow globe on her vanity, next to the box containing her silver necklace.
"The necklace is beautiful, as well," she said. "I just hope I can find something to wear it with. I don't wear dresses suited for necklaces very often."
Johan scoffed as he walked up next to her. "You women and always needing everything to match!" he exclaimed, taking note of her high-necked blue nightgown. He opened the jewelry box and removed the necklace, unclasping it.
"May I?" he asked, holding it out toward her neck. He was surprised when Elsa took a step back, her eyes locked on, not the necklace, but his hands.
"I'm sorry, I don't have to-"
"N-no, it's okay," she replied. She took a deep breath and whispered her next sentence. "I'm just not used to being touched, that's all."
The scene from the throne room where he kissed her hand flashed through his mind. "I'm sorry. If it makes you uncomfortable-"
"No," Elsa said again, a new wave of confidence in her voice. She turned her back to him and held her single braid off her shoulder. "Go ahead."
Johan swallowed as he laced the ribbon around her neck, the back of his hands barely brushing her exposed skin. She was cold, almost to the point where it worried him. But she was probably just nervous. She tensed up when she felt his hand the first time, but little by little her muscles relaxed as he clamped the necklace behind her.
She turned around for him to see. The silver crocus matched beautifully with her sky-colored nightgown, shining in the moonlight.
Elsa swallowed. "There."
"There," he replied.
Time stopped as they stared into each other's eyes. Elsa wasn't sure how long they stood there, but she snapped out of it when she heard footsteps in the hallway. Two pairs this time. Then, she heard her father's voice.
"Should we say goodnight to Elsa?" he said, groggily.
The prince and princess held their breaths, their eyes widened.
"No, dear. It's late," the queen's voice replied. "She's probably asleep already. We should do the same."
Elsa released her breath as they walked away. After a few moments, their footsteps were gone entirely.
"That was close," Johan said.
"Yeah," Elsa replied.
"Guess I should... probably go?"
Elsa's heart sank, but she knew he was right. "Y-Yes," she replied. "That would probably be best."
Johan nodded. "Goodnight, Princess," he said, turning and walking toward the door. His hand was halfway to the door handle when her voice stopped him.
"Will you," she said, "...come back tomorrow?"
He turned around in surprise. She stood in the same spot as before, running her fingers through her braid and staring at the floor. She flicked her eyes up toward him, and he offered her a soft smile.
"If... you would like that," he replied.
She nodded slowly. "Yes..."
His smile widened. "Then I'll see you tomorrow night."
"Okay," Elsa replied, holding back whatever unfamiliar emotion was trying to overtake her. "Goodnight."
Johan opened her door and quickly disappeared. Elsa wasn't quite sure what just happened, but she practically floated over to her bed, her fingers wrapped around the silver pendant hanging from her neck.
Read on, write on, dream on. -bandgeek63