Queen Maxine was due to arrive very soon, and Elsa found herself standing in front of her mirror, changing her dress design for the 14th time.
It's not a date, *woosh* No, it's cold outside don't wear that! *woosh* She stopped and smiled at the newest design. A darker purple than her eyeshadow for the bodice, gradually fading into blue at the arms and skirt with a tiny snowflake pattern. The white fur shrug she picked to wear hid the slightly daring cleavage underneath, but the signature knee slit was definitely higher than usual.
Maybe I should cover that a bit... with a flick of her hand an opaque layer was added to the skirt, dialling the risque design down a few notches. Perfect, I should check on Anna.
_{}.000.{}_
"Ow, you two don't even have teeth yet." Anna hissed as she breastfed one of the twins. Despite the discomfort, she fed them constantly, and Elsa wondered how the two weren't fattened up yet.
"Morning Anna, and Vinter, and Jax, and...Wait, where's Kristoff?" Elsa raised an eyebrow in suspicion, even after the birth of the twins he remained glued to his wife's side. Sven and Olaf had grown much closer as a result, and even Elsa visited the reindeer more than she had before.
"Grabbing his lute, they really like when he sings for them." Anna looked up and gasped. "Woah- you look different. In a good way, Maxine is going to be speechless."
Elsa blushed at the compliment, and smiled at the thought. "Thank you. Anna I'm nervous, your plan is great and all but I'm still nervous..." she admitted, thinking back over the plan.
Anna and Olaf had come up with a idea since Maxine's birthday was on the 12th of February. It originated from Olaf's confusion about mistletoe...
_{}.000.{}_
"It's not Valentine's day though...I thought that was the holiday for love." Olaf replied after Elsa had explained what mistletoe was for.
"Well mistletoe is an old Norse symbol of love and friendship, that's why people kiss under it today." She explained further, while Anna and Kristoff listened in amusement.
"Well I think we should put it back up for Valentine's day." He chuckled as he held the plant in his hands.
Anna suddenly gasped, "Absolutely, because you know who's visiting then?"
_{}.000.{}_
Elsa had given in to Olaf's request, only placing them in the most secluded places to avoid awkward encounters.
"Don't be, you have five whole days to pull this off." Anna reminded her sister, before Kristoff came into the nursery through their bedroom.
"Els, there's some ice on the fjord and-" The ice harvester began, and the queen quickly rushed to the window, peeking out of the heavy curtains. It wasn't much, but Elsa wanted the arrival to be as smooth and safe as possible.
"Okay well I'm going to go take care of that and make sure the preparations are done and...yes. I'll see you two at dinner if not earlier." She waved before slipping out of the room and briskly walking down the hall. The urge to run was strong, but there was an image of elegance to uphold.
Clear the fjord, check the dinner menu, don't freak out. It was a new mantra, before she stopped in her tracks at the bottom of the staircase, I never got her a present, the mantra did no good as it began to snow above her.
Oh, would a necklace be too much? Yeah. Wait, maybe I'll make a bracelet... with my powers. Okay, good.
The snow came to a stop before she finished her errands, after clearing the fjord...or pushing the natural ice away, the flag was spotted. Hmm probably 20 minutes out...maybe I can give it a boost. With the added wind speed, the ship docked in 10 minutes.
_{}.000.{}_
Maxine took a deep breath as she looked down at her dress. Sadly she wasn't immune to the cold, so the wardrobe was limited. She had settled on a light purple, fur trimmed dress for today. Is my corset too tight? she glanced down at the cleavage and shrugged not bad
"Your Majesty, we've arrived." A knock on her door announced. The excitement rushing through her was nearly impossible to contain within the stature of grace she always carried.
"Thank you." Maxine replied, biting back her smile as her heart raced. Elsa is probably waiting.
Just as she had expected, the Snow Queen had her hands folded in front of her, hair in a loose braid, and was wearing a breathtaking dress. Breathe, don't embarrass yourself.
"Maxine, it's such a pleasure to see you." Elsa greeted, hesitantly unfolding her hands to touch the brunette's arm. The growing smile that followed made her heart flutter, Those dimples, and sparkling eyes...the freckles, I've missed you so much.
"You as well Elsa, " Maxine glanced around them for a moment, her belongings were being taken care of by a few servants, then the dockers and deckhands seemed to be hovering around, possibly admiring the two eye-catching monarchs before they left. She chuckled awkwardly, hoping to hint at the lack of privacy before saying more.
"Right, I'll lead you to the parlor...or the lounge. There is a lot to catch up on." Elsa offered an arm, the two guards she unwillingly allowed to accompany her in front.
Since the lounge was the lesser used of the two rooms Elsa chose to lead Maxine there, her level of nervousness dropping. " I-I missed you...a lot." Maxine admitted as they sat on a sofa facing each other, legs bent to a comfortable position of their choice. The fireplace heated the room slowly, and cast a warm glow to their faces.
Maxine's was currently looking at her skirt as she hid a nervous blush. She's going to think you're clingy. "S-sorry that probably sounded clingy, I hope my letters didn't come off as creepy I just- I've never been so close with someone before." Elsa frowned and reached out to grasp one of the warm hands in the older woman's lap.
"No, I've missed you so much Maxine...I- I loved your letters. You're not the only one who is new at this okay?" She replied, hoping to calm Maxine down as she tried to explain herself, and apologize for anything she may have done wrong.
However there was nothing. Elsa sought for a way to to prove that, because judging by the fearful hazel eyes, her words weren't enough. Don't let her push herself away. The queen warned herself, looking for a comforting action.
Maxine's blush deepened greatly as the platinum blonde brushed her lips against the back of her hand. The tingle it left nearly made her gasp, but she held it in with a shiver. A soft gasp did end up slipping from her own lips when piercing blue eyes met hers. Stop they seemed to say, and the brunette nodded in response.
"O-okay." She breathed, still in awe as the orange flames reflected in the queen's left eye, closest to the source. Elsa lowered their hands, the realization of her impulsive action replaying in her mind. Don't push her away either
"Are you cold? My mother used to make the best hot chocolate, and I know the recipe." Elsa suggested, with a new found confidence, maybe it was from seeing the effect she had on Maxine, or just excitement. Either way the question was answered with an excited nod.
_{}.000.{}_
"Anna it's probably best if you give them privacy. You can ask Elsa about it later." Kristoff urged softly as he placed a sleeping Vinter in her crib.
"Yeah but what if something goes wrong? Olaf can just come tell me, and then I can casually intervene." She replied with a shrug. "I think it's a great idea."
"That phrase usually doesn't end well, they will be just fine. Why don't we take a nap while we can. You know Vinter is going to be up in no time." Kristoff offered, still looking over their daughter and smiling softly. Both twins had bluish-hazel eyes and blond hair, but it seemed as if Vinter was already more like Anna. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her head, as he did for Jaxton earlier.
"Fine, just because I'm exhausted." Anna begrudgingly agreed, before following her husband to their bedroom.
_{}.000.{}_
"Okay, the chocolate pantry is over here..." Elsa smiled excitedly as she opened the cabinet doors and took a step back. Stacks of various chocolate bars were revealed, and jars of cocoa powder were lined up on the side. The brunette walked forward and blinked to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
"Chocolate...pantry?" Maxine repeated in disbelief, even though the proof was right before her widened eyes. She scanned over the flavors, 90%, 80%, and 70% cocoa bars, coconut dark or white chocolate, mint, orange, raspberry, hazelnut, caramel, white chocolate, and chili?
Elsa bit back a giggle, not wanting to break the cute look of amazement on her crush's face. Yet staring wasn't something she wanted to get caught doing either. "We can make hot chocolate out of any flavor of your choice." The queen added to Maxine's level of awe and excitement, her heart fluttering as their eyes locked. That look makes me want to spoil you all the time.
"Really?" She asked hesitantly, turning back toward the large variety of flavors. Something came over Elsa again, and she fought the urge to rest a hand on the slender waist before her. Stop trying to do that. The hand kiss was enough, don't freak her out.
"Absolutely." Her hand seemed to move on its own accord, resting on Maxine's lean, purple-clothed shoulder. Why'd you do that? Now you're breathing down her neck while she tries to decide. You can't just let go because that would make it even more awkward. The milk and cornstarch could be out and ready by now...
"Take your time, we can even put cinnamon into the recipe if you want traditional chocolate." Elsa felt the muscular shoulder suddenly tense, and she immediately pulled back in fear, worried her powers somehow slipped.
"No cinnamon, please I-I'm allergic. I won't die but my mouth might get itchy, and I'd rather you not see me squirm around with a toothbrush in my mouth." Maxine chuckled quietly at a memory; it had been traumatic the first time she tried snickerdoodles.
"Oh, cinnamon is overrated anyway." Elsa determined she might as well be allergic too, No cinnamon lip gloss, candy, or food this week... just in case. Her naturally fair face flushed, Well, I know her lips definitely won't taste like cinnamon...
"I-Thank you. Um is mint okay?" The Dutch queen still asked with shy eyes, turning to look at the stack of said bars on the second shelf. Anything for you.
"It's perfect Max. Anything you choose is perfect." She said the last half shyly, though her words were sincere. With a wave of her hand three mint bars became covered in frost, carefully slipping out of the stack and into her waiting hand.
Maxine's sharp breath was barely audible, but she turned around and it became clear to Elsa. That was the first time she had called her Max out loud. "I'm sorry, I-"
Don't let her pull away. The brunette pleaded with herself as her dark brows pulled together slightly at the half formed apology. It's perfect Max she replayed in her head, an aggressive shiver of pleasure following.
"No, don't be. I love it." She interrupted, her freckled cheeks burning red in plain sight. "Oh," Maxine turned and reached for a jar of cocoa powder, breathe Max, breathe.
"Are we going to need this?"
A sigh of relief fell from magenta lips. "Yes, and the cornstarch. It's in the next cabinet, I'll grab the milk."
To their oblivion a carrot nose peeked into the kitchen doorway. So far so good. The snowman pulled away and chuckled to himself, listening for any trouble.
_{}.000.{}_
Your opinions matter, lmk what you think-
