Sorry, as soon as I set a schedule- I fail to follow it- Smh. This chapter's longer because of my lateness-
Thanks btw guys, I'm also pumped to write the birthday chapter! Hit me with any suggestions-
See if you can catch the Vine reference- XD
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'Was I trying too hard? Does she really think I'm in love with someone else? She's incredibly intelligent, but she hasn't connected the dots yet. Maybe I should try to read for her subtle signs more...the tackle on the couch was a bold move. Then before that she said I was cute, while blushing. Maybe throwing her back into the sofa was too much...I can't believe I did that.' Maxine cringed inwardly as they left the lounge.
'Why the hell did I think it was okay to snog her hand? Right after coming out to her too. I need to calm down. Be more subtle myself maybe...' That was becoming more difficult when there was more of Elsa to fall for every day. 'Like don't get caught staring at her cleavage. Or I shouldn't stare at it at all because that's disrespectful.' Maxine blushed, pulling her eyes away from the hypnotic hip-swaying angled in her diagonal view. It was like Elsa knew and was doing it on purpose...'No, I'm just overly sensitive to it.'
"Oh, all the office like rooms are on the second floor. You probably remember the council room," Elsa motioned to a elegant looking door further down the hall, and the brunette nodded quickly- thankful she hadn't been caught... again. A smile mirrored her own as she continued, "Then the nursery, and our bedrooms are upstairs."
Maxine followed awkwardly as they began up the spiral staircase, sneaking another glance at the curvy form in front of her. 'Oh, Aphrodite should be jealous.' A lip between her teeth managed to prevent any drooling at the sight, but the images that flashed through her head made her stumble.
She nearly fell into the mesmerizing cause, but by the grace of God she fell closer to the railing, the stairs above cushioning the fall. As if falling up the stairs hadn't been embarrassing enough for a Queen, Elsa- her crush of a lifetime- was there to witness it.
Maxine tried to calm down, feeling tears of embarrassment prick her eyes. "Max...Oh my Goodness, are you okay!?" The concern in Elsa's beautiful voice resulted in the tiniest lip twitch, but she still needed to regain her composure. That was incredibly difficult as she knelt, her jaw aching- clenched to stop the tears.
Her voice came out as more of a brittle murmur, "Yeah, I'm- I should've been watching my steps." Eyes widening as she realized what she practically admitted to.
"I don't blame you, the view is...captivating." An uncontrollable blush flooded her face as the platinum blonde smirked and helped her up.
Maxine began to stammer an apology, wanting to shrink and disappear from the embarrassment, "I-I, your- the hypnotic sway and- it's...I glanced-" Elsa bravely pressed a finger to her lips again, winking at the confession.
"I was talking about the paintings, Max. On the wall. But I love your honesty." She replied with a burst of confidence Maxine hadn't anticipated. 'Well she handled that really well, I guess I'm thankful for that. Woah, my lips are tingly.'
Anna's bubbly voice suddenly pulled her out of her embarrassment, "Dani! I'm so sorry for interrupting you two earlier, but it's so good to see you." She hadn't anticipated the tackle of a hug she would receive by the princess either. It reminded her of Mary, and she quickly reciprocated.
"It's good to see you too sweetheart, and it's all right. I'm sure mouthy Mary has already told you I'm lesbian, I just needed to let Elsa know." A weight had been lifted off her shoulders, finding acceptance so easily.
There was an awkward chuckle, "What!? Lesbian? I thought you were Dutch..." Anna joked sarcastically, unsure how to react for Mary's sake. Regardless, Mary was probably going to get a lecture from Maxine about spilling secrets.
"Anna, It's fine." She couldn't help but laugh at the response, it was nearly the same response Mary had given when she came out. Her sister honestly hadn't known any better though. "I won't yell at Mary too much, I don't want to scare the baby out of her." Maxine assured with a knowing smile.
Anna excitedly pushed Kristoff out of the way, "Good, come meet the twins. We just changed them, they've been fed, and had a nap...they should be all right for an hour or so. If not, Elsa is surprisingly good at calming them down, and if not her, Matilda is usually in the hallway." She blew away her bangs after listing the basics, turning to Kristoff who seemed confused.
"Anna...what are we going to do?" He now looked stressed, brushing his frizzy blond hair back as he stared his wife down. "What are we going to do?" The ice harvester muttered again, more to himself as he spaced out. Maxine watched in amusement, sitting next to Elsa as the twins rested on the rug in front of them.
Anna's face had turned into one of fear and confusion, her husband's behavior unexplainable. "Kristoff?" He didn't reply, hands still in his hair as he muttered incomprehensibly. Elsa shrugged in reply to her sister's questioning gaze. "Kris, calm down. We'll take a walk...outside." The princess offered, causing him to instantly snap out of his panicked state.
"Outside? That sounds amazing, let's go." Kristoff scrambled to their bedroom, backtracking to tell the twins goodbye with Anna hot on his heels.
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"They're only 2 months so they don't do too much yet, but...watch this." Elsa lowered herself onto her stomach in front of Jaxton. "Hi Jax! Hi, my little snowbird." She cooed in a excited baby voice, "Say ehhh" she stuck her tongue out in a demonstration, to excited about the end result to care about her appearance.
She heard Max chuckle quietly, Vinter's tiny hand grasping her finger. Her other hand was supporting the princess's back in a sitting position, as she laid on her side next to Elsa.
She watched, eyes twinkling as Jaxton slowly turned his head toward the familiar voice, his tongue stuck out partially with a short "ehehhh." The blonde's smile somehow managed to get even bigger at the simple success.
"Good job Jaxton! " Elsa kissed his fuzzy head softly before looking at Maxine and blushing. "He's really laid back, and I think he's going to be a peacemaker honestly."
Vinter, as if she were jealous of the attention her twin was getting, let out a loud "Ahhhhhh" licking the finger she had a grip on.
"Yeah, because Vinter over there is a rebel already...she's sassy, sneaky, and needs all the attention..." Elsa stopped for a moment to make a few snowflakes in front of Jax, proving her point when Vinter pulled Maxine's finger into her mouth. "constantly." When the attention was back on her, she pulled the foreign saliva-coated digit from her mouth with a soft coo.
"Huh, I'm a little disgusted...but she's so cute, it's okay." Maxine smiled while big misleading innocent hazel-blue eyes stared up at her own. "You did that exceptionally well Vinter. Great job sweetheart." The young princess reached for Maxine's hand again with a sweet gurgle.
Elsa shook her head in doubt, "Don't fall for it, she's a scheming mastermind Max, more deceiving than a siren. It's all in the eyes...Anna does that too, but I refuse to let it manifest this time." She said matter-of-factly before turning her attention back to her nephew. The brunette rolled her eyes in disbelief, allowing Vinter hold her finger anyway.
Jaxton was still transfixed on the sparkling snowflakes hovering in front of him, cooing quietly before he also reached for the pale hand he saw. "Hm, you really-Ah, ow." An unexpected yank pulled the words from her mouth. 'Max!' Elsa quickly turned to see Vinter was the one smiling with a platinum blonde braid in her tight grasp. Maxine snickered in response to the unamused look on the queen's face.
"Vinter...snowflake. It is not nice to pull hair. Ow!" There was a gurgle from the culprit, seemingly mocking her aunt as she tried to correct the advanced behavior for a two month old. "Please let go. Max, it's not funny. This is mutiny, help." The struggle was harder when she only had one free hand, the other now held in Jaxton's grip. 'I can't pull it away he'll cry.'
Maxine who was now in a similar situation with both hands occupied, looked at her with a mischievous grin, "Hm, I don't know...you look ridiculous right now."
Elsa pouted slightly at the quip, "I thought you said I was cute- all the time?" She countered shyly, gasping when a gentle kiss was placed on her cheek, leaving warm tingles in its place.
"I did, so now you're ridiculously cute." Maxine replied, before tickling Vinter's neck with her supporting hand. The combined effort allowed Elsa to peel the tiny hand away from her braid, which she then flipped back revealing a bright blush on her cheeks.
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"So, what do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow?" Elsa asked as they sat in the library after dinner. We can ice skate, cook, visit the orphanage, have a smaller party with a few guests, sock skate, oh- try every dessert from the bakery, have a bonfire in the courtyard- or that and an ice skating rink. It's a weeknight, so there would be a comfortable amount of guests...but not too many-"
Maxine cut her off...all she had truly wanted was Elsa's presence. But she decided to agree on a small party, afraid Elsa would be curious and possibly freaked out otherwise.
After all why would someone travel across the sea to just be with 'a friend' for nearly a week...as a birthday present?
"Els, all of it sounds amazing. Bonfire, skating, desserts, and music...as long as you're there, I couldn't be happier."
"Good, I'll always be here." Elsa's eyes were glowing from the fireplace again, and her heart vibrated against her ribcage at the breathtaking sight. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at those words...always.
'How long has it been since I've skated?' Too long. She was adept at it, but it had been at least a year since she was on the ice. 'I have to impress Elsa.'
"Oh! Uh...about the skating do you think- I... would you ...I-I mean. My apologies, my mouth isn't cooperating. I'm a bit rusty. W-would you mind um...helping me with that?" Maxine's face flushed. "I-ice skating I mean." She added quickly...being subtle about her feelings was harder than she expected.
A relieved chuckle slipped from magenta lips, and what almost looked like disappointment flashed across the blonde's face. 'I'm imagining things.' "Of course, but you know your lips certainly didn't seem uncooperative against my cheek earlier...or my hand."
The lines between flirting, friendly teasing, and leading on were all becoming blurry, so reading between them was nearly impossible. 'I've been at this for a few hours. It's become my mission I guess; to find out how she feels about me. If she doesn't confess anything by the end of the week...I will.'
Her mouth however seemed to work just fine, forming quick suggestion, "Well maybe we could test that theory some more?" Her heart racing again as she stared into Elsa's bright shocked eyes, fingers once again trailing along the icy fabric of her skirt.
'Subtle.' The reminder pulled her hand away, and she began to apologize for overstepping, "I-Mghhh" only to be stuffed with snow.
The smirk on the blonde's face was attractive. It always was, but she never got her chance to apologize- and the snow was making her cheeks numb. For a moment she couldn't decide whether it was okay to eat or not...it was magic ice. Elsa's magical snow. The snow Olaf was built from. She shivered in discomfort. She couldn't just spit it out...not on herself. 'Would spitting it out be offensive?'
Maxine looked around for something to release the snow into, groaning when Elsa brandishly filled a second water glass and took an amused sip. The urge to gag was hard to resist as the frigid ice water slipped down her throat in one gulp. Brain Freeze.
Clunk* The platinum blonde discarded the glass next to her's with a chortle, but when she looked at her victim's face- she actually laughed. An, Eyes crinkled-Head thrown back kind of laugh, which normally would've left Maxine speechless and weak in the knees, but now she was irritated and upset.
'Oh, okay you stomme wijf' The snow hadn't cooled her down any, in fact it did the opposite. However, the offended look on Elsa's face did make her blood run cold. "Shit... did I say that out loud? I-I Ships I mean. I'm- Elsa I didn't mean that, it's I have-" Just like that- one look- and she was sent into a heaping mess. 'Please forgive me.'
She was quickly cut off, the offended look now replaced with a gentle smile that calmed her mind. "I know. Mary told me. Most specifically that you have the mouth of a sailor...or in her words 'I swear she said more curses that day, than Maleficent had ever used in her entire life.' "
"That's true, I could broaden the sailor's vocabulary quite a bit. Captain Eogan didn't mind my language when we trained...so it stuck. I sincerly apologize Your majesty... for corrupting your innocent ears." Elsa jerked forward as if she were about to tackle her, but decided against it thanks to the lesson earlier. Maxine smirked this time, she had the last laugh, and the adorable pout the Snow Queen adorned was so worth it.
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Anna knowingly rolled her eyes as feet ran down the hall, Maxine's laughter was almost foreign- but the joy was contagious.
The steps stopped, "No- dead end- I'm soooo not sorry." Max said before the steps started again, towards the stairs.
She heard her sister, "Well you'll really be sorry if you wake Vinter and Jax. My wrath is nothing compared to Anna's." Anna couldn't help but sigh as she gently rocked her chair in the nursery.
A mother had responsibilities...running around recklessly wasn't a liberty she could enjoy anymore. Well technically Matilda was hired for watching the children, but it felt weird. She felt overprotective, and Kristoff was the same way.
In fact a month after they were born Kristoff really struggled with the idea of leaving them with Elsa even...
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"Kristoff, it's half an hour...if that. Elsa is fine. They're asleep...Matilda and Gerda are here to help if she needs it." The new mother wanted to go out...walk in the garden, or go to a store. Anything that involved some outdoor activity, Kristoff would probably appreciate it.
"Anna...w-we can't. What if...what if there's an earthquake...or what if someone tries attacking the the castle while we're gone. What if a hawk swoops in and carries one of them away? Huh? What if they sneeze and end up hitting their heads off of the crib?" Or maybe not.
"Has any of that happened while we slept? The windows are locked, it's Winter, Kristoff. We don't get earthquakes here, and what are guards for? Elsa is almost more protective than you. One time she yelled at someone for looking at my baby bump the wrong way. She said 'Their status still applies-born or unborn. Would you look at me that way?' she's a great Aunt to them Kris. Let her prove it to you." Anna had convinced him, and when they came back, all was fine.
In fact, when Anna peeked into the nursery Elsa was in the rocking chair holding Jaxton, her soft melodious voice filled the room with peace and warmth. Anna felt her heart swell, able to hear the tenderness in Elsa's voice and her eyes were filled with so much admiration...or maybe she was just teary eyed. Either way, it was definitely a special moment.
Kristoff's warm hand slipped around her own, fingers fitting like a perfect puzzle.
And the walls kept tumbling down, In the city that we love
Grey clouds roll over the hills, Bringing darkness from above
But if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like, Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like,You've been here before?
Anna waited for a moment, leaving the calm atmosphere undisturbed. She strained to hear the words Elsa murmured as she slipped the edge of the chair- pausing to press a kiss on Jaxton's head.
"Okay, maybe you were right." The smile in Kristoff's voice was contagious, and she waited as her sister gently laid Jaxton back in his crib. There was another murmur as she leaned over the rail-and the unknown words ate at Anna's curiosity.
'What is she saying?'
Kristoff always had to be the voice of reason- keeping her in line. "Whatever an Aunt says to her baby nephew. Some things are meant to be private Anna, it's special that way."
Of course, she said that out loud.
Elsa had walked over to Vinter's crib to do the same...and she was barefoot. Clearly cautious of her heels clicking too loudly.
"At first that was a depressing song...but your voice is so soothing- Thanks so much Els." Anna said softly, finally slipping into the fireplace-warmed, glowing room.
Elsa quickly turned, "Oh! Y-you're welcome. Jaxton woke up...so I just- I remembered Mama used to sing for you."
"They're so lucky to have such a loving Aunt, Els. They're going to adore you, I can tell already." Kristoff replied, his hesitation from before was completely gone.
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Perhaps she could convince him of the same for Matilda.
'What are we going to do for Dani's birthday tomorrow?' Plans hadn't been discussed at dinner, it was mostly sharing stories- getting caught up from the last visit.
Anna couldn't help but feel a bit left out again. It'd be great to have more friends her age-Mary was one, but she didn't understand yet. 'Even after she has the baby she won't be able to visit...for a while at least.'
That was upsetting, but at least they could still write until then. 'Family first...I'll go talk to Elsa.'
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Chasing Maxine through the hallways after her snarky comment had been an adventure. With the brunette being more athletically gifted, she had the lead-until something stopped her.
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"Looks like someone's a bit out of shape!" Max had laughed, quickly turning a corner and racing toward the garden door.
Elsa gasped in offense as she tried to catch up, forming a snowball to make it a fair match. "Oh you're sooo going to ap-" she had begun, quickly stopping when Max stumbled into the wall beside them. "Max?" Her heart continued to race as she rushed foward, hands shaking to help support Maxine's unstable frame.
There was no response, and her hazel-grey eyes were distant- which caused a few flurries to escape around them.'What the heck?'
"Maxine? Please." Her voice was shaky this time, scared as a few more agonizing seconds passed. Elsa spared a glance around the hallway, it was empty at this late hour.
A lively hand squeezed her arm accompanied by a sudden gasp. "Max." Tears of relief formed in her eyes blurring her view, but she hugged the recovering woman tightly. "Are you okay?" The scent of lavender perfume was intoxicating, and she rested her head on Max's shoulder, nearly nuzzling her neck.
"I-I'm fine. I don't want to, but rest is probably what I need." Maxine replied with a hesitancy Elsa couldn't pinpoint. 'Is she sick? Maybe that's why she's visiting...' The waiting tears fell from her eyes, "I promise I'm okay Elsa." Maxine reassured, pulling the worried queen closer.
"Do you want..." 'I can't carry her, duh. That was ignorant of me.' "I- I'll walk you there."
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Elsa now sat in the library, an hour later, with two physics books open as she attempted to understand Maxine's peculiar interest.
P= F/A...Pressure
P = F/S...Pressure on a surface
'Well those are simple enough...wait is that Greek?'
λ = V/f... 'Why can't they just use a 'W' for waves?'
ρ= m/V... 'For density?'
"Okay, I'm in over my head." Elsa sighed to herself as she looked at the second book, resting on the table beside her. "Paraxial...I remember her talking about that." She frowned as she scanned over the page, there was a large diagram with Greek symbols to label lines. "I-I can't figure this out."
"Can't figure what out?" The first book in her lap froze over at the unexpected intruder. It was just Anna, but her close proximity was terrifying- right over her shoulder from behind the sofa.
With a flick of her fingers she quickly thawed the book, which thankfully hadn't been damaged from the ice. "Anna! Don't scare me like that." Elsa gently scolded as Anna made her way around the sofa and ungracefully plopped.
"So, um a-any plans for Dani's birthday tomorrow?" Her sister seemed hesitant to ask, and teal eyes were unusually shy.
Elsa frowned, gently reaching for a stray strand of soft copper hair, "I'm sorry snow angel, I should've told you. We're going to have a skating rink and a bonfire in the courtyard tomorrow night. We'll be sampling desserts from the bakeries tomorrow too." The hair was tucked back, but her hand stayed, gently running fingers through the soft waves. She felt guilty, and disappointed...how could she leave her sister out of the loop?
"I-it's okay, that sounds like fun. Catch me up? What happened?" Anna was back to her energetic self, and it was as if the sun had changed its mind. The sky was awake now.
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"So write a poem, or a song...a letter, or a card? Anna that didn't narrow it down any." Anna huffed, and Elsa rolled her eyes playfully. They were further than they had been twenty minutes ago, trying to plan a better gift for Maxine.
Anna wasn't going to let her sister give Maxine a bracelet...it needed to be a thoughtful gift. Something personalized.
"Girls love to know you pay attention to the small things. Hopefully she's the same way...I mean all girls' brains are similar, right? Regardless of sexual preference...interest, um. Unless y'know she wants to be more masculine and then- I'm just gonna stop. Wait- I wanna say I'm perfectly fine with that, I'm not judging anyone." Anna rambled awkwardly, and it became hard to distinguish where her skin ended, and where her hair began. "So...uh, you said she likes physics right?" Her voice was quiet now, and she glanced at her fidgety hands.
Elsa nodded, cheeks also pink as she glanced down at the book. " And chemistry." She motioned to another book, this one still closed on the coffee table.
"Why don't you give her one of them? I don't think we'll be missing anything- wait." Anna leaned into her sister's warmth, glancing at the physics book on the table. Those symbols looked familiar... "Is that Latin?"
The older sister laughed quietly, "No Anna, that's Greek."
"No Elsa, that's actually physics." Anna deadpanned, before giggling at Elsa's unamused look. It was moments like these the princess was afraid of losing, so she treasured every single one. No matter how awkward, upsetting, funny, or serious.
"And you're ridiculous." The blonde finally cracked a smile, leaning back into Anna with an armless hug. " But I love you for it." The younger sighed in content, feeling lips press against her temple.
"I love you too Els."
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Going on Vacation for like 2 weeks- I'll try to write while I'm there because- finding inspiration in Disney is bound to be successful.
Thanks for reading...and being patient!
Oh, so...what's going on with Max?
