AN: I want to thank all those who reviewed/followed. I really appreciate it. I'm happy to say that I'm having a lot of fun writing this and plan to continue until the end. I will most likely update sometime during the weekends, and try my best to stick to that plan. Please understand that I am still in school, so I would like to apologise now for any future delays. Enjoy chapter two! Please review, fave, follow!

After a moment or two in a trance like state, Elsa was the first one to quickly clear her throat, neither quite meeting the other's gaze.

"Yes well I suppose that will be enough books for one day," she said awkwardly.

Hans laughed. "Oh really? Only this many?" he replied sarcastically, making a show of being brought down by the heavy pile in his arms. "I'm sure you could read more in your sleep."

She laughed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "What scares is me is that you're probably right."

"No romance novels, or adventurous fantasies? That's a first for any girl in this village," Hans said jokingly.

"I leave those to my sister. I don't like to fantasize about the impossible. It would just lead to disappointment," she replied seriously as she walked over to him, helping him with the load in his arms.

"Hey," he said smiling softly, "It's alright to dream Elsa."

"I don't want to get hurt."

He contemplated her response. "You know what you really need?"

"What?"

"Wrinkles and a cane."

He burst into laughter as she teasingly slapped his arm, fixing him with a faux glare. She couldn't help but crack a small smile.

"Come on. Let's go pay for these."

They both made their way to the front of the shop and set the books down on the counter.

"Hello Mr. Nelson," Elsa said, smiling to the old, spectacled little man behind the desk.

"Well hello again Miss Elsa! What can I do for my favorite customer?" He leaned up and whispered quite loudly, "This handsome young man isn't troubling you now is he?"

Elsa blushed.

"Oh come on Elsa I'm not that bad am I?" Hans asked pouting.

"Hans is a friend Mr. Nelson," she replied laughing. "He's helped me out quite a bit today actually."

Mr. Nelson reached over to shake Han's hand. "Any friend of Miss Elsa's is a friend of mine. So, how can I help you two lovebirds."

Hans wiggled his eyebrows in Elsa's direction, earning him a glare and a hard smack to the arm, followed by a stream of protests.

Mr. Nelson chuckled. "Alright, alright! Forgive an old man for his mistake! What can I do for you two just-friends."

Elsa cleared her throat, wishing desperately for the continuous redness in her cheeks to finally subside.

"We'd like to take out these books please."

"More mathematics and Aristotle?" Mr. Nelson asked chuckling.

Elsa rolled her eyes and smiled. "It hasn't changed for eight years so why start now?"

"Fair enough Miss Elsa."

She payed her bill, leaving her with nothing but a shilling. "Damnit. I hadn't expected to buy so many again. Another day of no bread means another too-many-books lecture," she mumbled under her breath, "Oh well."

She grabbed her packages and, quickly realizing there were too many, sighed in relief as Hans lifted some of the heavy, wrapped books.

"I'll help you take these home."

"Oh no Hans it's alright really. Besides, I wasn't planning on going home so soon and I don't want to bother you with my stops."

"There is no way that you can cary these books around by yourself."

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "I've only just met you Hans."

Hans gasped, feigning complete heart break. "After all this time, you don't trust me. Ouch."

Elsa giggled. "Oh alright. If you insist."

As they headed towards the door, Mr. Nelson called Hans over.

"Yes sir?" he asked.

"Take care of her, son. All she needs is a friend. Be that friend. And please don't hurt her. She's not like most girls. Elsa, she's something special."

"Yeah. She is. I won't disappoint you Mr. Nelson," he said, walking towards the door.

"Just don't disappoint her," the old clerk whispered to the young man's retreating back.

AN: I hope you all liked it! Tell me what you think. Also, I like leaving references in my writing and I once read a fanfiction that rewarded the reviewer that first commented the refernence with a little bit of the next chapter PM'd to them before hand. Comment the reference and I'd like to do the same. Review, fave, follow!