College starts today...yay.

I'll try to keep the pace- with longer chapters to make up for any lost time though.

Askousen44- Thank you!

And thanks for the reviews and messages guys, it means so much and always makes my day!

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'Vanilla, pine, and fresh snow...or maybe vanilla ice cream in Winter. That's what her scent is.' Max thought, as she basked in the comfort it brought already this morning.

Elsa was in her arms looking angelic in a peaceful sleep, platinum blonde waves crashing down her shoulders and landing in the center of her back, over Maxine's tight hold. Her bangs fell over her face, fluttering with every breath she took, and falling back into place.

More focused, she became aware of her other hand's position, behind Elsa's bare knee. One of her slender legs was straight beside her own two, while the other (she was holding) was bent across them.

For a moment the brunette wished she would've worn a shorter nightgown, the desire to feel Elsa's satiny legs against her own very tempting...but terrifying. Wearing long clothing was a protective coping mechanism she picked up after the assault, providing security and a curtain to hide behind.

'...I haven't worn short sleeves in twelve years.' Max scowled lightly at the cause for such measures, the cause for the fear and scars.

'I keep my dagger on me, no one can hurt me again.' She stole a glance to her right, on the nightstand were her dagger rested, ready for action.

'But they'll leer at you...think about touching you.' A voice countered, 'Don't give them that liberty.' Max frowned, another voice of reason stepping in.

'It's nice to feel wanted--admired for your beauty. Just threaten the perverts with a deathly glare, let them know you aren't one to be messed with. Your family isn't to be messed with.' This sounded much more convincing...but it was still frightening. It was something to work on for the next time she saw Elsa, it'd be a surprise.

She gently pressed a kiss to the woman's head, biting her lip as a wave of warmth rushed through her body. Freckled cheeks blushed at the revelation of how close Elsa was, head resting above her now fluttering heart and a pale hand resting below her breast. She was respectful even in her sleep...thankfully, lest Maxine be triggered and accidentally hurt her.

Max glanced around the dark room, eyes stopping on a faintly glowing blue rose, incased in ice, on Elsa's desk. It was clearly important as it was protected by a display case, and she wondered what it it's significance was.

Maybe Elsa's crush had given it to her...the thought made her stomach twist and quickly shift her gaze.

The clock across the room read...5:30, an hour and a half before breakfast, followed by the meeting.

'I should probably get her up, I know she's an early riser.' Max decided, frowning briefly at the thought of ruining this perfection. The idea of waking her up and seeing how adorable she was, was motivating though.

Maxine started with gently stroking the soft platinum locks of hair, while running fingers down the silky blue gown to where the duvet began at her slender waist. Her hand went no further, but curious eyes lingered on the covered curves below the boundary line.

' Sorry Elsa, it's just mesmerizing...even without your sinful sashaying.' She mentally apologized before averting her eyes in obeisance, because Elsa deserved every ounce of her respect and more.

"Hey baby blue..." The brunette carefully squeezed the leg she was still caressing, gentle stirring stopping her in her tracks.

"Hmmm." Elsa murmured eyes still closed, "Dimples." Max couldn't help but blush, smiling at the new name birthed from a possible admiration of Elsa's.

"Angel eyes." She countered, hesitantly relocating her other hand above the duvet to brush hair from said eyes. Breath caught in her throat as disguised angel wings fluttered open, the baby blue orbs instantly capturing her own. 'Checkmate.'

A tired giggle nearly killed the brunette as she struggled to breathe, heart now skipping under the perpetrator's ear. "Queen Enchanting." Probably her personalized version of Prince Charming. Sure it was creative, but Max had an entire list on call, summoned at the very thought.

"Kitten." Elsa's blush was now visible, and she buried her head in the crook of the older queen's neck where muffled giggles followed. "Time to get up."

Cool breath ghosted along her neck before Elsa disappointedly returned to her original sleeping position. "Is there a reason you call me that?" She asked hesitantly, playing with strands of her hair like a flirting teenager.

That was a silly question. "Yes, because you make these cute little noises in your sleep, and you're small, adorable, cuddly, and innocent like a little kitten. Plus they might be my favorite baby animal."

Elsa blushed harder at the news, until her eyebrows knitted together slightly. "Oh. Wait did I fall asleep first?"

Maxine paused not seeing why it was important, but nodded anyway. "Yeah, I knew you were tired-" She still hadn't gotten an answer as to why the blonde had looked so exhausted...after all they had done the same activities. Perhaps Elsa stayed up after she went to recover from the random hallway episode.

Apparently she'd never get the answer. "Is that...is that a dagger?" Elsa had fired another question, rubbing the sleep from her eyes to clearly examine the calf holster on the nightstand.

Maxine froze again, empty pre-breakfast stomach lurching at a terrifying realization, "I wasn't going to try anything I promise Elsa, I just don't want anything to happen to you. My mother is a guardian of the people, and as queen it's now my duty to protect those I love, okay?"

Confusion again masked Elsa's features, voice sincere she replied, "I trust you Max, I've told you that." She curiously reached for it and Max giggled at how far off she was, handing it over the remaining distance.

The blonde carefully pulled the small dagger from its leather home and gasped softly as the intricate designs etched into the quillon. "It's beautiful." Fingers deserving the same compliment ran over the design ardently, reading it.

A chill suddenly snaked down Maxine's spine, erupting into warmth. "Thanks, it was my Grandmother's." Elsa's eyes again widened in disbelief to her amusement.

The image of a seventy year old Queen carrying around a dagger nearly made her chuckle, but it hadn't quite played out that way. "I guess I hail from a long line of badass women. Magic welders of course, so its primary purpose is to serve as protection from any accusations. I'll have to gift it to the next descendant that shows any signs of magic." At the moment the idea of magic wielding made her stomach churn, especially after what happened yesterday.

Baby blue eyes lifted to her own, head tilted with wonder. "But how did you get it?" It was a good question, one she hadn't truly questioned before now.

"This was the dagger Mother used to save me from the Baron of Reidall, and then she gave it to me on my 16th birthday." At least that's why Maxine thought she had it...maybe there was more to the picture.

Elsa held it so carefully, like glass, as she admired how it caught and reflected the available light in the dark room. "I pray you've never had to use it."

Another locked door of her past was knocked on and Max chuckled dryly, memories flashing of the times it was used to nick or stab someone dumb enough to test her boundaries.

"Not to kill, but as a warning- multiple times." Baby blue eyes flashed with a worried curiousity, and she decided to open the door. "I don't know what it is with Barons, but one began picking on this servant of mine, Rachel, a very sweet girl we hired from the orphanage...kind of like another sister to me.

Garrett was staying in the palace, in a room away from the castle since we had a rough history with his family and kingdom. So of course his room needed cleaning and whatnot...and Rachel being the precious girl she is offered, despite my mother's hesitancy.

I kept an eye on her, watching as she explored and happened to run into him. 'Get out of my way wench.' He said, 'Actually...you're still in my way, I can't have you spilling secrets about where I'm headed.' He then proceeded to cover her mouth and lock her in the nearest closet."

Max sighed in disbelief, moving to a sitting position before continuing. "Of course I got in a fight with him after he locked Rachel in a closet and proceeded to steal jewelry from our hidden treasure room. I leaned in the doorway waiting, and when he noticed he panicked, grabbed a sword from the wall and lunged." Elsa gasped in shock, and there was a fleeting smile before Max slipped back into seriousness.

"I wear modest dresses for more than one reason; my arm," Maxine motioned to the outer side of her left bicep, tracing under her deltoid, towards her inner elbow. "was sliced as I reached for my dagger. It hurt like a Rochambeau...but he was probably in more pain than me in the end." There was a quiet slip of the dagger being returned to its black leather sheath, held out for the brunette to put back.

'Fantastic, you've freaked her out.' She mentally scolded herself as a deafening silence passed, the sound of shifting the only current response.

Until a cool hand caressed her flawed shoulder. The mattress jolted as she nearly jumped out of her skin and held back the growl of a caged animal.

She aggressively fought the instinct to rip her arm away at the new foreign contact with her hidden scar, breath shaky as pale gentle fingers traced it.

Elsa's voice was as gentle as her touch, "How many stitches did you have to get?" The fact that it still felt slightly numb in some areas was off-putting, upsetting, and almost sickening.

Max closed her eyes in an attempt to ease the sudden nausea, "Twenty three." but her heart continued to slam against her ribcage painfully. Memories of staggering out of the room and falling against the wall, faint from blood loss, flashed behind her eyelids.

Maxine was credited with being fearless, but it wasn't true. She was afraid of death- because of the impact it would have on her family, on her kingdom.

The fine line between between dying foolishly and protecting heroically had been tested that day. She had been lucky, learning it was better to protect heroically than to die foolishly.

Dying now would mean losing the most life changing woman she had ever met, a woman better than she had ever dreamed...'I could've lost you if I died that day...all over stupid jewels.'

A tear sneaked from confinement-- cool against her flushed cheek, and as if Elsa could feel the shaking worsen to trembling, she stopped the ministrations. "Are you okay?" The simple question pulled her from waves of fear, a weight easing off her chest.

"I-I-" No.

She was carefully pulled into a loose hug, head resting on Elsa's shoulder as fingers ran through her bed-head. "It's okay, I've got you."

_{}.000.{}_

Meanwhile, after a forced, awkward... brief chat with Finn (persuaded by Anna) Kristoff had discovered the guard was now single and gave him the day off to help him "clear his mind".

'Anna I have no clue how this is supposed to help Tillie. Your plans are absurd.' He had no idea what she was up to, deciding it was best to go with the flow.

"Yay, you're back!" Kris chuckled at his adorable wife and returned her warm embrace carefully, leaning down to kiss his son's forehead.

He braced himself for the ear-piercing squeal that could follow his news, "Yes, Finn is available and has the day off." It didn't, but the look of joy on her face was priceless and Jax cooed at the sudden commotion.

"Tillie! Here." She carefully but quickly handed Jax to his waiting father. "I'll take Vinter. Because you need to go catch up with Finn." That's what she was up to...matchmaking.

The young maid's brown eyes sparkled. "Wait really? Thank you!" Kristoff couldn't help but smile knowingly at the young woman, instantly recognizing that type of joy--a near parallel to his own feelings for Anna.

'Maybe she is good at matchmaking...one mistake, multiple successes. No matter how crazy the plan.'

"You're welcome Tillie, wait--follow me I have something for you first." The ice harvester smiled down at his relaxed son, his hazel blue eyes studying the features he would eventually grow to resemble.

"I'm going to let you in on a secret." He began, sitting in one of the rocking chairs with a sigh. "I sent Finn on a mission for me...to get a present for your mother because she deserves the world. It sounds cliché I know, but you'll feel the same way one day." Kristoff barely heard the footsteps as they returned to the nursery. "Of course not till you're eighty though." He ended, voice now above the whisper he used before.

"Really? Again with that?" Anna chuckled, placing a warm loving hand on his shoulder. He leaned his head back with a derpy smile she couldn't help but laugh harder at.

It was music to his ears. "How will they learn if we keep changing the rules?" He defended, as he admired the amused but adoring cyan eyes of his wife.

"Hm, I'll let you be right." They shared a gentle kiss. "For now." She added with a smirk before mysteriously slipping out of the nursery.

A toothless gurgle broke his train of thought. "Yep, she is crazy...but we love her for it."

_{}.000.{}_

Elsa checked herself in the mirror one last time. Her dress today was of light blue fabric...long sleeved, and modest enough for the meeting, but had dark blue icy details climbing up the bodice and down the arms.

'Are you sure you don't want a knee slit?' She chuckled at her reasoning behind the question. 'I can't be distracted by Maxine's straying touches.' A blush tinged her cheeks before she gracefully clicked out of her chambers to retrieve said woman.

Eavesdropping was unnecessary this time, since the melodious voice seeped through the door and the walls of Max's room.

"You're an angel, in disguise

When you color your eyes

But angels don't need covering"

Elsa froze in the center of the hall, unable to move as two of the dots connected.

"You're a princess, you're a queen

You don't need finer things

But I'll buy you diamond rings,

Just because."

She's technically of royal descent... that was answered by her question last night, now described even further.

'A queen? I'm a queen. Obviously Elsa, focus.' Elsa hugged herself, heart racing, temperature dropping...but to her dismay the singing stopped. She blushed, snapping back to reality to fix the temperature abnormality.

'It's just a song. You sing all the time, usually with a purpose...but people can sing for fun.' It felt silly to defend every questionable action of Maxine's, only to betray her own hopes. The continuous wrestling was wearing her down.

'I should get her for breakfast.' On the contrary she paused as a different tune began,

"Now I've got you in my space,

I won't let go of you~

Got~ you shackled in my embrace

I'm latching on to you~"

"Are you gonna knock?" The voice made her jump, freeze a spot on the door, and then hold a hand to her unprepared heart. "Do you not know how to knock either?" Olaf asked innocently, completely oblivious to the terror he had just instilled within his creator.

That wasn't important however, as her brain muddled with the resonating cello-like voice, fluttering through the music scale like a butterfly. "Shhh Olaf."

'I still recall when Max told me she didn't sing...what a liar. Someone else needs to witness this, because I feel like I'm listening to an angel.'

"Okay, Olaf..." Elsa began after hushing him, before spotting the disbelief on her curiousity-lured sister's face. "Wait, do you...Anna...I-" She raised her free hand, signaling to calm down for a moment.

"You're in shock, quite frankly so am I. It's okay. I'm sure she'll sing you to sleep if you ask tonight." Anna teased knowingly, breaking Elsa's fixed trance at the newly thawed door.

"Anna! Nothing happened. Trust me, you'd be the first to know if anything did." She rolled her eyes, and the emerging silence indicated the end of the unintentional concert. Vinter even seemed to gurgle sadly at the loss.

"She was singing about you, y'know." A whisper planted in her thoughts before gracefully slipping down the hall, Olaf's hand clasped in her's.

'Okay, a leap of faith...I'll invite her to the library for another 'physics lesson' with her new book. She'll find the note, I'll blush like a sunburnt marshmallow, and if I'm not rejected- we'll kiss.' She planned nervously, realizing the chances of her truly executing the plan were slim. There was still tomorrow...if it didn't work out today.

The unmistakable jangle of a doorknob punctured her thought process, half formulated ideas escaping like the air of a balloon. She fingered at her signature braid, painfully aware Maxine preferred it down instead.

There was an air of regality to uphold however, and loose flowing locks was not on the favorability list. (But somehow men in powdered wigs were fine.) She rolled her eyes at the memory of the first meeting with the Duke of 'Weasel-town'. (Along with toupees.)

"Elsa." A hug was initiated by Maxine...whose black sleeves were...rolled. It was just one fold--to her wrists, but the gesture and effort was heart melting.

She wanted to emphasize that it was appreciated and recognized. "Max, you look beautiful." Elsa whispered, smiling idiotically as she leaned back, fingers tracing down the black fabric covering Maxine's forearms.

The brunette chuckled in reply, "Says the woman who breaks the rules of beauty." and a wink sealed the deal. Yet before the blonde had a chance to come to a quick conclusion the decorative violet skirts had already disappeared down the hall.

_{}.000.{}_

"Anna, can I ask you some questions?" Maxine had seemingly popped out of nowhere, now following the redhead as she made her way down the stairs.

Secretly the princess had been waiting for this, honestly surprised it hadn't come sooner. "Absolutely, about...Els?"

The brunette glanced behind them at the empty carpet and nodded. "Yes, uh has she ever dated or courted anyone? Or shown interest in anyone...specifically men?"

Anna bit back an excited smirk, pausing for a moment to collect herself, and adjust her daughter as they reached the second floor landing. "No to courting, and romantically? No. Peter is the closest she's ever gotten to being in a relationship with."

"So they're just friends now." The first reply was more to herself than to Anna as they started down the stairs again. "She said she was hopelessly in love with someone...who else is she close to?"

It was painful, trying to be as vague as possible for Elsa's sake. "She's closest with you and Peter," Anna decided to cut it off there, not wanting to mix in all the married friends they now had. "Oh and Punzie, but she's our cousin...you've met her."

"Right the chick with the bright green eyes, and the cute little chameleon...redeemed thief for a husband. Ohhhhh and that Cass girl...are they close?"

Anna could feel the sudden tension being pulled like a string. She remembered Maxine shooting daggers at Cassandra anytime she so much as breathed in Elsa's direction. "Not so much anymore, why? Are you jealous?"

Maxine scoffed "What? No. I'm the one staying here, she's not. Wait, has she ever stayed here to visit?" If she was trying to deny being jealous, she was failing miserably.

"No...you were definitely jealous." The strawberry-blonde teased, enjoying this situation way too much.

The queen uttered an exasperated groan, throwing her head back dramatically. "I'm not jealous, I just...wouldn't mind pushing her off a cliff."

Apparently Elsa was falling in love with a psychopath...Anna concluded from the stoic expression the older woman wore. "Dani!" She scolded as they stepped inside of the dining hall. "What did she ever do to you?"

She nodded thanks to the door holders before turning back to Anna with a smirk. "I'm just joshing Anna. She's a badass like me, and that's a threat. I had to compete with her anytime we were in the same room."

Anna snickered, it was definitely jealousy. "I see. Is that why you asked Cass to arm wrestle? So you could show your dominance?" Vinter tried to copy the giggling sound, and smiled at the success, content with entertaining herself at the moment.

"Yep." The Dutch Queen crossed her arms proudly as they waited behind their chairs for Elsa's arrival.

The baby turned her head in the direction of the new noise. "Ebth?"

"For Elsa?" The mother continued with a grin, watching for her daughter's reaction. "pha?" Vinter tried again...clearly she was going to be quite the talker in a few months.

"Yep." Max answered, too busy reliving the moment to filter her responses. "Wait! Uh-no." Her hands dropped as she reached to nervously fiddle with her loose side bangs.

Vinter jerked her arms at the exclamation, "Ooh!" hazel eyes widening in an attempt to be more expressive.

The princess laughed at them both, "Don't worry, there's a reserved part of Elsa's heart with your name on it."

_{}.000.{}_

Max nervously sat right of Elsa, who sat at the head of the council table, concerningly quiet. There was purpose for avoiding the elephant in the currently empty room; a diplomatic one. Nevertheless, it ate at Maxine's nerves, waiting for Elsa's response to her indirect confession.

A deep breath pulled her attention from the ledgers in front of her, and to the blonde's intimidatingly unreadable gaze. " Maxine...c-can you meet me in the library after our meeting? With your physics book."

Questions began to multiply in her head, but she nodded in reply. "Of course." Until then she'd sweep it under the rug, there were more important things to face as people began to file into the council room.

'Speaking of...' Maxine curled her lip as a irritatingly familiar man, suited in a grey dress coat, took a spot across from her- next to Elsa. With hazel eyes narrowed, she leaned forward slightly and growled, "Move."

"Max." Elsa began in a 'hands-on-the-hips' voice she recognized from her mother, causing Maxine to clench her jaw and return to her original position, still scowling at Peter.

He was unfazed by it, had a lip upturned in a small smile even, which irked her. "It's okay Your Majesty, I'll just take the only other available seat." Peter offered politely, mischief flashing in his eyes as he rounded the table and pulled out the chair next to her.

'What!?' She clenched a fist next to her papers and avoided looking at him lest she punch that blood-boiling smirk right off his face.

"Good morning Your Majesty, I..." She knew she should've at least tried to get along with him, but he was cocky in a passive aggressive way that...'ugh.'

Max finally zoned back in after listening to Elsa greet all the members of the table. "...lover of sandwiches, do you think a hotdog is a sandwich?"

She was sorry she tried as her brain tried to process what was just asked. "What? A hot...dog?" What kind of sick human?

Peter laughed, only to get a glare in response. " Right, a Frikandel, my apologies." He corrected, glancing at the clock for a moment.

'Five minutes before the meeting starts, fantastic.' Elsa was engaged in a conversation with an older woman who took Peter's former seat.

'No, it's not a sandwich. Why the Hel-lion," She quickly corrected as she felt Elsa's foot tap her chair. "Would it be a sandwich, anti majnun? That's like asking if cheesecake is pie." Which it definitely was not.

"Ya lah min sawal ghabiin." Max muttered in Arabic, now thankful her mother forced the lessons on her. Judging by the odd looks she received from Peter and Elsa, not everyone had the chance to learn from an Agrabahrian tutor.

Elsa blinked. "What?" Even that was cute.

Peter however was familiar with the language, replying after his moment of shock of her familiarity of it as well. "Hey!It was not. And cheesecake is definitely pie. It has no flour, and it has crust." Clearly there was another culture misunderstanding, South Holland's cheesecake did have flour.

"Your Mo-" she caught herself from being ignorant of Peter's family. Clearing her throat she corrected herself with a smirk."You have crust."

Once again Elsa came in at the wrong time, or couldn't believe her ears as she nearly choked on her water. Max reached under the table and pressed a hand to her knee in...reassurance? Maybe just because she had an excuse.

Meanwhile Peter was gaping like a fish out of water, eyes widened at the creative insult. "What? That made no sense and you've nearly made Her Majesty choke!"

'Better me than you.' Max nearly said with a smirk, settling instead for, "Ugh, sweet swords and daggers. Shut your crusty pie-hole Peter. The meeting's about to start."

_{}.000.{}_

To Elsa's relief the meeting had been going well, Max easily understood and explained the headache inducing financial charts, making that part of the meeting speed by.

Peter and Maxine had started on the wrong foot, arguing about the silliest things. Now, something had changed as they both muttered to each other before snickering. She looked at the clock and frowned, the councilmen had somehow been sidetracked, arguing like schoolchildren for the past five minutes.

"Gentlemen- I do believe our drafts to maximize trade for Spring have been finalized. Now if I could have your complete focus, I would like to proceed to the next topic of discussion- preferably more important than arguing about what team will win the Ice Hockey Championships." Peter and Maxine snickered again, apparently entertained by the look of annoyance Elsa wore.

Lord Teril's eyes suddenly brightened, "Ah! Fantastic. In that case, the matter of suito-"

WHAM!*

A loud slap on the table silenced everyone, and caused the middle aged man to jump in his seat, a thunk of his knee under the table clearly audible.

She struggled to keep a straight face, "I said something more important than the Ice Hockey Championships!" especially when Maxine's hand found its way back onto her lower thigh, warmth seeping through the light fabric.

Peter, cut through the produced tension with his famous comic relief. "Gentlemen, come on now. Queen Elsa loves hockey, you know that."

She couldn't help but chuckle at the truth in his statement. Hockey was her favorite sport, but Arendelle still lacked its own team.

"Why don't we stop arguing about who's going to win this year, and start arguing about how we're going to win next year." Peter offered with an encouraging smile. The councilmen cheered and voiced their agreements before falling back into productive chatter.

"Peter, we'd be nowhere without you." It was an innocent compliment, but the way Maxine's now grey eyes glanced at Peter sent chills down her spine.

'What is going on with her?'

_{}.000.{}_

Peter was definitely a man to be admired, Maxine determined after the way he handled the hair-raising tension. Yet, Anna's words were haunting her. 'Peter is the closest she's ever gotten to being in a relationship.' How close had they been?

Elsa's smile wasn't directed to her, but to the man beside her. "Peter, we'd be nowhere without you."

Ew. She glanced at him, desperate to know more...and that's when the feeling of weightlessness started. The last feeling was her eyes rolling back, neck hitting the back of her chair as her body went limp.

_{}.000.{}_

Elsa twirled the blue rose between her fingers and blushed. "Thank you, I-" she paused realizing how close he had suddenly become.

She felt sick. Nervous. Scared. Guilty.

Peter's dimples flashed, the distance between the two closing as he leaned forward.

As he leaned forward. Max noted.

He was excited. Nervous. Joyful. Admiring.

Elsa looked terrified, flower clutched to her chest as cool wind blew around them, blowing her platinum bangs in its path. The pale moonlight reflected off her form with a faint glow, beautifully.

Closer...and closer...and...

She seemed to have caught her breath, quickly pulling away. "Peter stop. I can't do this I'm sorry. I can't be in a relationship with someone, knowing I won't be able to return their affections wholeheartedly."

Peter listened, brows knitted in confusion, both oblivious as ice began to slip from her hand, creeping noiselessly up the stem of the untainted flower.

"I-I'm sorry. I-" Elsa's icy tears slipped down her cheeks, and fingers hesitated before wiping them away.

"It's okay, you can tell me. I promise I'll understand." His concern was endearing-heartwarming even, as his hands fell to take her free one.

She took a deep shaky breath. "I'm attracted to women Peter. I'm an abomination. I'm an embarrassment to the royal bloodline...t-to our kingdom...to other magic wielders...to-"

"Hey! You're not an embarrassment. You're an incredible representative of change and reform. Be different, be unique, be you. I'll be here every step of the way."

There was a watery chuckle as a wave of relief washed over Elsa, "You're...incredible Peter. I don't have enough words to describe how thankful I ..." She paused, gazing into his dark, honest, understanding eyes and reached to press a kiss to his cheek.

"I promise I'll just be your best friend until that rose withers okay?" He winked, dimpled cheeks the shade of a tomato.

_{}.000.{}_

Maxine's senses seemed to come back to her; first an incredibly soft bed of sorts, an unfamiliar crisp scent mingled with firewood and vanilla, soft humming, and someone holding her hand.

'Where am I?'

Her eyelids felt like anchors as she struggled to open them, and the unexpected brightness made her squint, groaning as a dull ache formed behind her eyes.

"Maxine?" She heard a gasp from the opposite direction, and winced in an attempt to relocate her current cannonball of a head. "Don't move, love. I'll..." The hand slipped away and a gentle breeze floated by, revealing a blue silhouette.

Max blinked again, joy bubbling at the heart-warming face. "Elsa." Her voice came out deeper than usual and nearly made her laugh, but deep curiosity flitted over Elsa's face and made her frown instead.

"Your eyes...they changed color." Her voice wavered, tears audible but not yet visible.

She attempted to lift the curtain of gloom, "See, that's the thing about hazel eyes, sometimes they're bluish-grey, greenish-brown, or just-"

Elsa's cool hand slipped into her's. "Max. Your eyes were silver. They turned grey when you glared at Peter, but then they flashed with this pale silver color..." She leaned in to examine them closer, and Max glanced down for a millisecond. "they're still shimmering a little." Elsa must've noticed, her lip upturning slightly.

'Wait. Silver eyes...like Grandmom's.' Maxine realized with a shaky breath. She remembered the stories her grandmother used to tell, about how she could gaze into people's pasts and feel their emotions just by touching them.

The concept was overwhelming. Especially as light was now shed on one particular confession.

'I wasn't imagining things...El-Elsa actually likes...she likes women.' Her breathing quickened, but wasn't nearly as fast as her racing heart. 'I shouldn't know this.' Max had eavesdropped on a confidential conversation, it was Elsa at her most vulnerable...a level she wanted to discover on foot, not by shortcut.

The guilt couldn't be dwelled on at the moment, she deserved to know the basics. At least it would make that confrontation easier in the future. "Elsa? I-I...I think I might...I saw something in the past."

Elsa arched a signature brow, "A flashback?"

"My Grandmother, s-she did too." The blonde's eyes widened, exaggeratedly glancing at the hidden dagger beneath blankets and skirts. "Y-yeah." Max answered, suddenly feeling overwhelmed like she had been earlier in the morning.

There were two purposes behind receiving the dagger, both for protection, but one was heraldic, a presage. 'Mom knew. She just didn't tell me.' As if the headache wasn't enough her jaw started, clenched hard as she tried to hold back the waves of emotion.

"Max, it's okay." The grip around her hand tightened, a lifeline, once again pulling her from her crashing thoughts.

A second soft hand caressed a freckled cheek, and Maxine blushed with embarrassment. How long had she had been staring at the shoulder stitching?Long enough to admire how intricate it was.

"We can figure this out together, I promise." Once again Elsa was always there just like she had promised, and a small reassuring smile graced her magenta lips, extending up to her baby blue eyes.

Meanwhile, another wave of tears threatened to fall from her own; why was Elsa so perfect? Maxine wanted to tell the queen how grateful she was...pour her heart out even, but all she could manage was a head nod and a quavering breath.

"Okay, I have to let Dr.Haavalor know you're up." Elsa sighed, eyes soaking up her disquieted, and probably unflattering features once more before she conjured a bell of ice?

Ding*

The brunette laughed, it was like Elsa sighed just because she had to look away for a moment. 'Did she? Gods she's so precious.'

_{}.000.{}_

An unfamiliar knocking on the library door grabbed the Bjorgman family's attention and Kristoff hesitantly crossed the room to answer it.

Anna watched from her comfy position on the sofa, curiously. "Ah, Peter. Come on in." Her husband greeted, using his free hand to open the door further.

"Thank you." He bowed his head, dimples flashing as he greeted the bundle of blue. "Hi peanut, is that a smile I see?" Peter's own smile grew before he crossed the fire heated room, stopping behind the sofa as Kristoff took his place next to Anna. "Vinter, you've got to learn from your brother here. Spitting up on people is not nice."

The princess laughed softly at that priceless memory, and the amused frown Peter wore after it happened. Vinter gurgled in reply, eyes somehow twinkling with mischief.

"Oh I see, you just thought it was funny." Peter crossed his arms and looked down at the partial smile on her face. "You're cute, so I guess I'll let it go."

After the short exchange Peter took a seat on the violet chaise and sighed before pulling a paper from his grey jacket pocket. "I think you were right about Queen Maxine. She had this strange look in her eyes, and they flashed silver...like a pale silver. Then she fell unconscious or something...mumbling gibberish on our way to the infirmary." He glanced over the aid, refolding it as he waited for a response.

Anna began chuckling, and Kristoff just glanced between the two, seemingly dumbfounded by the story. "I knew it!" Her maniacal grin made the Earl shift uncomfortably in his seat.

"Gahbuhhh!" Vinter squealed in addition before her mother continued, "Her eyes were pale gold in the hallway yesterday, and then she erased my memory of it... that's why you wrote it down. Right?" Anna was impatiently perched at the edge of her seat, cyan eyes wide with interest.

"Not quite, I just wanted to make sure I recorded everything after the event, for the doctor and...maybe the trolls. We all know how skilled Haavalor is, but magic isn't his area of expertise."

"You're right, I just don't know how we'd make the trip with the kids." Kristoff explained wistfully, truly wanting to help his sister in anyway possible.

"We have time to figure that out, I might have a talk with her after she's recovered. I really don't enjoy having my memories tampered with..." Anna murmured, mood lifting as Vinter wrapped her warm little fingers around one of her's.

_{}.000.{}_

"Is this the first time this has happened?"

"Well, the seeing things, yes. But the first time I zoned out like that was two days ago. Then yesterday morning, I was looking in my mirror, my eyes flashed a pale gold. I zoned out...felt some stuff, heard a voice. Y'know the usual, She's-mentally-insane-send-her-away type symptoms. Then I snapped out of it, and tripped over my bench because my eyes were...glowing. Oh! I accidentally stabbed my bedpost too because I- Well, it felt like a leg." Maxine warily looked at Haavalor's unreadable expression, his quill scratching his clipboard with her every word.

"That sounds really insane now, I'll pay for a new one, I just...out of instinct and the adrenaline." She quickly added, tracing Elsa's slender fingers and admiring the way they twitched when she lightened her touch. Appearently she was really ticklish...

A soothing, shockingly calm voice grabbed her attention. "That's what you mumbled last night." What?

'Sleep talking again? Really?' That was already embarrassing without the details.

She tried to ask though, worried about what else she revealed. "Hm?" Elsa waved it away to be discussed at a better time.

The thin doctor looked over his whistle-clean specs, "Tell me, have you been directly exposed to any magic, or had any recent important personal events?" His green eyes were kind, completely free of judgment.

Max felt more comfortable, observing as the blonde's formality slipped. It seemed to happen with all the people Elsa was closer to. "She had a birthday yesterday...and we were playing with my powers two nights ago." Elsa glanced at their intertwined fingers, and then up at her.

She paused to catch her breath, "...True, but I didn't get hit by your snowball-" Elsa's magic had never affected her before...Her eyes widened, "The snow, eating the snow." The same magical snow Olaf was made of. A violent shiver shot up her spine at the memory.

Elsa frowned, body visibly tensing with regret. "She also has magic in her bloodline." Max held tight to the woman's wrist as she tried to tug it back, distractedly nodding to the doctor.

There was a quiet adorable sigh of defeat, immediately followed by a diagnosis. "I feel as though those factors play a great role in this awakening of your symptoms Your Majesty. However, I'd advise you to visit one more practiced in magic than I am." A knowing glance was cast to Elsa, who nodded back. "Otherwise, your vitals are perfect, but please do rest for a bit longer to be safe."

"Thank you." Both queens replied, as the short man bowed and took his leave. As soon as the door clicked Max tugged on Elsa's unexpecting wrist again, effectively causing her torso to fall into the bed with a strangled yelp.

The look on her face was priceless, like a terrified bunny...but an angelic one as it landed beside her.

"Hehehe." The high pitched giggles slipped from her mouth, teeth digging into her plushy pink lip in an attempt to stop.

However, Elsa sprang back up. "Ow Max! That's not resting." As soon as the cry reached her ears the lip was released, worry now plaguing her dimpled face. 'That was stupid. . . I'm such an ass.'

"Are you okay? I'm so sorry kitten. That was a complete dick move. I...just wanted you closer." Maxine rambled, gently pressing her lips to the fragile wrist.

A hitched breath reminded her of the information she now had...by accident.

'Please just tell me, knowing this is going to drive me insane.'

_{}.000.{}_

Elsa hesitantly sat at the side of the infirmary bed, next to Max as she 'rested'. She was now coaxing the blonde to move even closer, eyes still hypnotically shimmering.

The bed was small, but it didn't really matter considering she curled up as close as possible to the recovering brunette, receiving a deeply dimpled smile in reply.

"Thank you, propriety is overrated." Those silvery eyes were changing again, flecks of pale gold swirling into the mix.

'It is, you should tell her. She deserves to know.' Elsa frowned at the unexpected urge to do so. She had reasons for not telling Max, but...'You were going to tell her after the meeting anyway.' The voice reminded, possibly spurred by the increasingly persuasive eyes that hindered her ability to think logically.

It was similar to a tug-of-war, as she forcibly tore her own gaze away, focusing instead on the blazing orange and yellow fireplace behind Maxine. Then they slipped shut to curb the temptation.

"A-anything for you." As long as she could do it voluntarily, instead of being seduced by this second ability Max seemed unaware of. What else was she capable of, and why?

Warmth shifted away from her, "Sorry." Maxine's voice apologized in a breathy whisper, eyes turned to the tiny gap of pillow between them when she hesitantly looked.

'Sorry?' She sounded really upset, and looked ashamed which broke Elsa's heart. "What for, my love?" Maxine's lips upturned briefly, but her gaze remained fixated.

The reply was short, "My eyes...you're nervous." but accurate, to the blonde's dismay. Was it that obvious? Had her powers slipped? "I just know...my eyes are probably creepy looking and we-"

The Snow Queen's fingers traced along the sharp freckled cheekbone before her, a blush painting in her wake. "Look at me Max, please." There was a pause before the brunette hesitantly complied.

Her eyes were back to the breathtaking hazel blue, but the smallest shimmers of gold were visible as they shifted. They had an golden amber outer ring, followed by stone grey-blue with faint amber webbing that led to golden centers.

She literally couldn't breath for a moment, heart skipping a beat as she admired the mystic gems. Elsa's smile grew, a blizzard of emotions swirling inside and affecting her ability to think. "T-They...I can't- lungs. O-or words."

If Maxine's amused grin was evidence, that sentence hadn't made any sense. Elsa tried to compose herself, letting out a shuddering breath, "Y-Breathtaking. Yeah." She cupped Maxine's now dimpled cheek, with her shaking fingers and blushed. That was embarrassing.

The elder queen pulled the green blanket over them both and moved closer. "Do I make you nervous Elsa of Arendelle?" Something about her velvety voice, whispering, sounded way too seductive.

Elsa shivered. "A l-little." Maxine made it worse by tracing the icy patterns up her side, making her heart thunder in her chest. 'Maybe a lot.'

Then she carefully leaned up, breathing over an unprepared ear, "Because you make me nervous too."

Elsa was even less prepared for the eye-full of cleavage Max had either accidentally, or purposely flashed right in her face. Judging by the tiny smirk Max now modeled, it was the latter. "You okay baby blue? You're a little-"

That was enough teasing for her. Maybe she could get some revenge where the mistletoe hung-- at the less used door to the infirmary. "Max. Why don't we go to lunch since you refuse to rest?" Elsa managed cringing at the icy tone, before slipping out of the bed and straightening her dress.

Max sighed but copied the woman's actions, save for a small wince as she stood. "Shall we?" Her toned arm reached out and Elsa laughed. She had no clue where they were, 'Nor should I be on /her arm.'

"Yes we shall, this way." Elsa motioned to her side of the room, a row of beds leading to another exit and fireplace, nearly symmetric to their side.

Arm in arm they made their way to the door and Max was the first to spot the hanging decoration...right outside in the rarely used hallway. Elsa watched the expressions closely- shock, confusion, and then excitement crossed her freckled features before their eyes met.

Though planned, she couldn't stop the blush from creeping over her cheeks. "It's a V-Valentine's thing w-we started. We don't have to, it's just for-"

"We've already slept together, what's a little kiss?" Maxine replied with a wink, visible confidence slipping away as her own cheeks pinkened. The brunette wasn't as nearly flustered as she had hoped.

She seemed ready, Elsa wasn't.

'I've never had my first kiss...do I really want it to be here? Mistletoe is almost cheating, and I haven't even confessed yet...this is...' While trying to find the right term for this growing issue, lips brushed the corner of her own.

Eyes that had been lost in thought, widened as things became hazy, the last of the sudden firework demonstration fizzling out. Tingling skin remained untouched by the currently uncoordinated Snow Queen, as she stared at the taller woman.

"Elsa? Are you okay? I'm sorry, I just...you were out of it and I was being very...inconsiderate." Maxine's concern helped clear the haze enough for a decent response.

"I've- Just...thinking about how I've never been kissed. But that's not importan-" Neatly plucked eyebrows knitted together and her admirable mouth parted in utter disbelief.

"Not important?" Maxine began with a huff, examining the new hallway for a second before confidently leading the way to...some destination. "That has to change. Even if I have to do it myself."

Elsa decided to play along for now, until she could finally confess. "Well I'd actually prefer someone I'm comfortable with." She decided to force a laugh, fingers reaching for the comfort of her blonde braid as the hallway split.

She motioned to the left after seeing Maxine's hesitancy...or maybe that was confused shock. Either way it was cute.

"Noted."

_{}.000.{}_

"Ah! Queen Maxine, it's such a relief to see you're okay." Peter quickly stood from his seat, voice sincere as he moved to pull out the seat beside him.

Anna was only a second behind, nearly falling out of her chair at the news. Thank goodness Kris had Vinter on his other side. Her arms flailed in haste to balance herself, and Kristoff calmly pulled out the wobbling chair with one hand. Once there was room to move, she jumped out and raced to greet them.

"Dani! Thank goodness you're okay." Any previous hesitations were forgotten as she warmly embraced the tall, violet clad, statuesque woman. Though larger, Anna felt her melt into the embrace and sigh softly, comfortable in the familiar embrace.

"Anna, I'm sorry if I...disturbed you yesterday, I was...I'm trying to understand this new...gift. It seems unfair for you to be an unintended target once again." The whisper tickled her ear slightly, but more focus was placed on the touching sincerity of the apology.

And the remaining focus...'She smells like Elsa...oooh, She better give me the details.' Anna couldn't help but smile, a weight lifting off her small shoulders.

"It's okay Dani. I'll always forgive family." First it was Elsa which was easy, then her parents for their seperation.

Maxine chuckled in relief, Summer warmth retreating to Fall as her toned arms slipped away. The princess didn't fail to notice the slightly rolled black sleeves either. She looked much more relaxed now as the worry and stress began to melt from her figure, shimmering eyes brightening in adoration.

A moment passed before the brunette said, "Elsa is so lucky to have you, as am I." Anna's cheeks heated at the comment and she smiled sheepishly. 'Marie would do the same, after all she is your blood sister.' Anna held her tongue this time, sticking to an awkward nod instead.

Their sisterly relationship was still cracked in some places, it was a sensitive topic that could turn for the worst in the blink of an eye. Anna didn't know much about the situation, other than what Marie had told her.

She always wore long sleeves, didn't like men...romantically, was a recovering alcoholic, and was quite the rebel when backs were turned. Maxine had shut her out too, and rather than "Go away Anna." Marie had heard, "I need space."

Elsa probably had the privilege of knowing more, and hopefully she could point Maxine in the right direction.

The blonde had already taken her place, chatting gracefully with Peter, but halting as Maxine gracefully took her usual seat. Anna had carefully watched their behaviors as she sat across from Maxine.

Elsa's cheeks became flushed, her smile widened, and her usual elegance shattered to pieces at a simple unnecessary greeting. "Hi." Maxine flirtatiously began, the ghost of a playful smirk on her lips.

"H-hi me? You ju-" Anna internally cringed, tapping her sister's foot under the table. Elsa's brows twitched with a silent question, before being vaguely answered by a look of her own. "Hmm, let me guess. Is that a Flynn Rider impression?" Elsa fired back with a smirk of her own, laughter echoing through the family dining hall.

_{}.000.{}_

After lunch Anna suggested an impromptu meeting be held in the library, away from any gossip-hungry ears.

Maxine explained the incident again, and the possible causes, before Kristoff cut in with a suggestion to visit his family.

She however, seemed oddly loathing at the mention of trolls, a short explanation sending shock across the room.

Anna was the first to jump, as usual. "Wait, so your kingdom has trolls too?!"

_{}.000.{}_

loose translations

anti majnun?- Are you crazy?

Ya lah min sawal ghabiin.- You're a complete idiot.

Music

Rules of Beatiful- Jacob Whitesides

Latch (acoustic)- Sam Smith

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Confessions will come in the next Ch!

Thank you all so much!

Please, let me know what you think, or follow for more.