Elsa was having a very bad day.

For one thing, her hair wouldn't stay pinned up, so she had to re-do everything with a braid. That would've been fine if it hadn't taken forever. She was so nervous her hands kept freeze-drying the long, creamy locks. She'd argued with her parents for ages last night. Elsa would be sixteen in a month. She was approaching the age of marriage.

This meant her first suitor ever would be coming to call soon.

To put it mildly, the eldest was unprepared. She'd been stuck studying and concealing and avoiding almost all her life. Limited contact with people.

What if she couldn't keep her powers hidden? What if she got so anxious she gave it all away? Her suitor would have a whole kingdom backing him. Her parents would be ruined. She might be seen as a monster. There could be a war.

So much could go wrong and she'd only woken up an hour ago!

But her parents insisted she was ready. She'd been able to keep the storm down for more than a week lately, all thanks to a handsome winter spirit's council. But they didn't know that. They chalked it up to her own self-control and strong will. She'd even been able to attend dinner downstairs for a night. Time to test the waters with a visitor.

She was unaccustomed to interaction with boys. Elsa tugged her gloves on and curled her fingers in. Well, there was Jack, but he was...Jack. He was closer. More important to her than a suitor. He was easy. He was sweet and fun and clever. Whoever this neighboring prince was going to be, he wasn't Jack Frost, so how could she know how to behave? All she could do was try not to let it go and maybe she'd get through one afternoon.

Thankfully, Anna was riding her horse around the small forest behind the gates. Her parents were adamant that she stay outside while Elsa received company. Currently the palace staff was busy trying to catch the redhead and her pony.

"There." Elsa murmured. She touched her hair in the mirror. "Done."

She held her hands up to her face, making sure no ice was coming through the gloves. Conceal it, don't feel it. Don't let it show.

Jack got in by the window, as usual. She was almost as tall as he was now. "Smooth move, getting your sister a horse for her birthday. What were they thinking?"

He stopped when he saw her. She was in her usual dark blue and lavender gown, but she'd applied fresh makeup and her dress came with a flowing purple cape.

Jack raised his eyebrows. "All dressed up and nowhere to go, Princess?" He looked her up and down, grinning. "Little too fancy for a snow day."

Elsa looked at the floor. "I have a...visitor."

"Aw, you didn't have to match your shoes for me." He sat on the windowsill, tapping his staff against the frame to let frost spread along it.

"No," Elsa managed a smile. "It's another visitor." She made her way to the door, smirking before tossing to him over a shoulder, "And my shoes always match."

"Yeah, mine too." Jack slipped off the sill and followed her out.

"Jack, you don't wear shoes."

"Fancy and smart. So who's this playdate? Must be pretty important. Anna's tried every door. Surprising her?"

Elsa tried not to bite her lip and ruin her lipstick. Grace and poise. "He's not a playdate. Not exactly."

Jack's steps faltered as he walked along a bench to keep in time with her in the halls. "Woah, he?"

Elsa kept going toward the stairs, not turning around. For reasons she didn't understand, she couldn't look at him. "Yes."

"Some royal relative?"

"Well, I'm sure he'll be royal."

Jack slid down the bannister as she hurried down the steps. "Not a cousin, not a playdate. You babysitting?"

"I'm not-"

"Wait. I thought you had to stay cooped up."

"My parents are forcing me."

"Oh yeah? How come?"

"For the good of the kingdom. They think I can control..." She glanced at her hands at her sides, the gloves comforting and heavy at the same time. "You know."

"You did learn from the best."

"And I'm not done yet! I can't control it. We both know that."

Jack ignored that one. "So this is good for the kingdom why?"

Elsa's parents were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She kept her voice low as she came out with it.

"He's a suitor, Jack."

Jack Frost actually froze. He nearly iced the always-closed curtains. "What?"

A suitor?

Elsa tried not to react or reply to him. She knew the King and Queen couldn't see her friend. Anything she did in response to Jack would only confuse them. And...make her look insane. That too.

Her father smiled at her. "He's in the parlor."

Elsa curtsied to them, head dipping. Then she glanced up at her parents nervously. "What if..." She let the question hang in the air unfinished. They knew what she meant.

Her mother tilted her head. "Elsa. You've shown improvement. You can do this."

Jack leaned against the bannister pole, knocking his staff against it. Frost covered the post. He didn't bother removing it. He was still struggling to remain cool and collected. Instead he felt hard as a month-long blizzard inside. A suitor. As if she could just be married off to any old guy with blue blood. Anybody she partnered with would have to know her secret. That would take a lot of trust. As far as Jack was concerned, no prince inhaling oxygen was good enough for Elsa. They'd have to be more than exceptional, and he'd yet to see anyone that was even close to being close to fitting the bill.

So what was she doing seeing a suitor?

He told himself to chill. Elsa could send the guy away anytime she liked during the visit. Knowing her, she wouldn't be easily impressed if he starting flirting right off the bat.

He put his free hand in his pocket and walked reluctantly after his friend into the parlor. Elsa's head was high and her hands were folded in front of her. Jack noticed her face was thick with exhaustion. She must've stayed up all night worrying. All the more reason to dislike the mysterious suitor.

Elsa curtsied as she'd done with her parents upon entering the parlor. "Princess Elsa of Arendelle," she mumbled.

The boy was younger than she was. He had rusty red hair and large eyes and a kind expression. He wore white and gold and sky blue.

"Prince Hans of the Southern Isles," he introduced himself, bowing. He had a deep voice, rich and neutral.

Elsa's eyebrows came down. "Hans? The youngest?" She'd done her geography. And history. This teen was Anna's age, perhaps a year or two older.

"The youngest of 12," Hans offered her a small smile.

Jack's eyebrows shot up. He must've been sent because he was the closest to her age. Did he even want to be here?

It was clear he was getting used to it.

"And you must be Princess Elsa," he added, eyes bright with excitement.

"Hoho, nothing gets past you," Jack chuckled behind Elsa.

Hans didn't notice. Obviously. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, my lady."

Elsa forced a small smile. "Thank you."

She fumbled with her hands. There was a long, unbearably awkward silence.

Jack sighed and was careful not to nudge Elsa as he slipped beside her. "Show him around," he suggested.

Elsa blinked and didn't turn to look at him. "I'll show you the castle," she immediately offered.

Hans' head came up. "Yes. Good, uh, good idea!"

"Someone's enthusiastic," Jack grunted.

Elsa turned and led Hans out of the parlor and through to the kitchens.

"Everything smells great," Hans commented.

They passed a tray of assorted chocolates. Hans stood with his hands behind his back, staring at them as if counting them.

He spotted the stack of dishes on the shelves. "Wow. How many salad plates do you have?"

Elsa responded as if reading from a scroll, "Eight thousand."

"She took a test," Jack informed the prince, who-duh-didn't react.

"Ah." Hans' eyes widened. "I'm not sure the salad is worth it."

Elsa's lips twitched. "You don't like vegetables?"

"I'm more of a sandwich fan."

Elsa gave a very small chortle. "My sister does too. We used to-" Then she stopped, mirth evaporating.

Hans glanced sideways at her. "What?"

Elsa cleared her throat. "Nothing."

Hans tilted his head but didn't insist she go on. He was staring at her almost as intently as he had been the chocolates, though. One of his boots shuffled too slowly. Jack rolled his eyes. Tenderness could be less obvious than that. Sheesh.

Elsa broke into his scornful thoughts with an unexpected reveal. "It's just...when-when we were young, my sister and I used to sneak in and steal the sandwiches before lunchtime." She allowed herself a chuckle, no longer watching Hans, just remembering. "We would smuggle them to our room and listen to the chef stomp around."

Hans grinned. "It sounds like you had a lot of fun together." He sighed a little. "If only my siblings were more like yours. We could be...just as close today too."

"Close." Elsa ran a finger along the counter. "That isn't the word I'd..." She shook her head. "Never mind."

Jack's contempt lessened for the moment, replaced by that ache Elsa gave him. The ache that only the tone she exercised now could summon.

Hans coughed.

Elsa straightened. "We grew apart. That's all."

Jack snorted behind her, crouched on a barrel in the corner. His foot slipped and he dropped his staff when he tried to use his hands to keep himself from toppling over.

The clatter it made had Elsa turning slightly toward the sound, attention caught.

Jack reached down and grasped his hooked stick. When his eyes came up he saw her watching him, a flicker of dulled agitation setting her jaw.

Instantly he stuck his tongue out at her and put his hands to his temples, making moose antlers with his palms, twiddling his fingers.

Elsa, on instinct by this time in their relationship, crossed her eyes famously back at him. Jack laughed.

Hans looked confused. "Er...Elsa?"

Elsa stiffened and turned back to him, eyes normal again. "Yes. Sorry. Let's...I'll show you the throne room."

She strode quietly down the many empty corridors, Hans trailing after her. Jack mimicked the prince's march with over-exaggerated movement, but Elsa didn't glance around.

"It's an awfully big throne room," Hans remarked.

Jack grunted. "Yeah, for a guy with twelve brothers."

Elsa shook her head. "Sometimes I think it's too big."

Hans nodded distractedly. "Big enough to hold the whole kingdom."

Elsa's eyes were fixed on the two seats on the dais. "Exactly. It shows how many people must be counting on you. Will count on you, I mean."

"Mm. I suppose that's one good thing about being the youngest in such a long line," Hans added. "I don't have that burden just yet."

Elsa didn't reply, just watching the throne as if it would come to life and swallow her up.

Jack walked up beside her. "Looks a little different up close, huh?" he asked gently.

"The eldest certainly have it rough," Elsa sighed.

"It's gonna be-" began Jack, but he was interrupted by the redheaded suitor.

Hans stepped forward to stand next to Elsa. He completely passed through Jack's body in a blur of blue, giving the winter boy the only kind of chill he ever experienced. The chill he hated.

"Hey!" Jack snapped, stumbling backward.

But Hans was speaking over him without even knowing it. "For what it's worth, I think you'll make a very wise Queen, Elsa."

Elsa blinked in surprise. Hans shyly smiled at her, drawing her gaze from the tall thrones.

And she smiled back at him. "Thank you."

There was a moment of silence, but not an unpleasant one. Jack rolled his eyes and slung his staff over his shoulder. Would Elsa make a wise Queen? Yeah. Was it obvious? Yeah. Did the Prince of Pampered Gloves have the right to theorize something so personal so soon? Uh, no.

Jacky's mouth tightened into a line, but mentally he was giving himself frostbite. He needed to calm down. Elsa wouldn't be so easily wooed by someone this...well, perfect. The guy knew how to get a girl, clearly. But the first suitor was never the last, so why get protective now? She could handle herself.

First suitor.

She was going to have more.

Oh please no.

Elsa turned rather suddenly on her heel, looking less bunched up. "It's almost lunch time, I think," she announced. "The dining hall will be ready for us."

Hans walked along beside her now, rather than behind her as they'd started out. "Sounds good to me. What're we having?"

"Soup roast," Elsa said with a hint of polite teasing in her voice. "But I can request sandwiches be added to the menu."

Hans chuckled. "Both is good."

Elsa grinned and they made their way to the dining hall. She are with delicacy and poise, and Hans, though obviously enjoying the meal, was just as neat. Jack was practically drooling onto the carpet; he was slowly sinking into the deep dark chasm that is boredom.

Time to liven things up.

While Elsa dropped a napkin and bent carefully to pick it up, Jack strolled slowly behind Hans' chair and froze his drink.

When Hans went to take a sip, he discovered his tongue was stuck to the iced liquid inside the chalice.

Jack leaned against the wall behind Elsa and smothered a laugh behind a pale hand.

Elsa came back up and raised her eyebrows, perplexed by the scene across the table. "Are you all right?"

Hans hastily nodded, but the cup nodded with him.

Elsa tensed. She glanced down at her fingers, clutching them nearer to her. She wasn't dumb. She knew what had happened with his drink. Jack didn't have to look to know terror was flying across her pupils, faintly. Guilt stabbed him. Would she freak out?

Then it was gone suddenly. He could tell by the way she relaxed her elbows on the armrests.

Slowly she turned.

Jack waved.

Elsa opened her mouth to reprimand him, but a sudden exclamation from Hans on the other side of the room stopped her.

"Ow!" His tongue hanging out, Hans had managed to free himself of his humiliating beverage fiasco. Testing it out, he moved it around outside his mouth.

Then he seemed to realize how he must look. "Ah..."

But when he glanced up at Elsa, her tongue was out too. She was crossing her eyes.

Hans laughed and she let herself giggle a tad. She used to do this sort of thing with Anna. Most of the silly faces her little sister could make now had been taught to her from across this very table. Elsa was a champ.

Jack was very familiar with the cross-eyed look, as we saw earlier. Hans seemed to think he was getting somewhere, but Jack knew she was just trying not to make him feel embarrassed.

Maybe. There was a color in her cheeks he didn't trust. She'd decided to give him a chance?

When lunch was over with (it was too long, it was too fancy, it was too comfortable for his liking) Hans stood and shocked both Frost and his Princess by asking boldly, "How about a dance?"

So the next stop was the ballroom.

Jack had to stand with his head tilted against the doorframe, watching her glide along the huge, polished floor with this boy she'd known for less than a day.

Hans was a pretty good dancer. He could twirl her and waltz and bow magnificently. And he was dashing throughout. His wide eyes suggested innocence and a heart coated in gold, but Jack knew rust when he saw it. He'd been an observer for generations. A small bit was off about this one.

Elsa's cape swirled as she moved, and she kept watching her partner, as if looking for something. She appeared to disregard his exterior with a sharp anticipation. She was definitely searching him.

When Hans pulled her closer, Jack had had enough of this nonsense. The boy was way too ambitious with the goal of a suitor. And Elsa didn't seem to notice!

Jack called a frigid wind to lift him off his feet, propelling him toward the couple.

In seconds the soles of Hans' boots were covered in ice.

He slipped backward and landed on his rump. Elsa staggered but he hadn't managed to pull her down with him.

She bent down. "I'm a little rusty too..." she began good-naturedly.

"Almost felt like..." Hans checked the bottom of his feet. His eyes came up. "Ice?"

Elsa glared around the ballroom, but Jack was nowhere to be seen.

Her heart began to pound. The sound filled her ears. Her head started spinning. She felt the storm roll closer.

Had she...?

No-her gloves-she couldn't have.

But it was the only explanation.

Elsa straightened like a pole as Hand got to his feet. "You should go."

How long till the first raindrops? The lightning? It fumed within her. Her blood ran cold as fear played Monkey in the Middle with her lungs. Her room. She had to get to her room. Behind a door. Her room.

Hans looked completely baffled. "I'm sorry?"

"I need...I need to think. I need...you have to go. Please go."

She rushed upstairs. Leaving him standing bewildered. Conceal it. Don't feel it. Don't feel it. Don't feel it.

A Prince from the Southern Isles? How could she be so foolish, going through with this? She never should've agreed to it. Ready? She didn't even know where to begin! She'd been more awkward than her sister just now, and it was all because of the storm. If anyone found out, the kingdom would be socially devoured. Wars could...

She slammed the door shut. She could hear her parents escorting Hans outside, apologizing for their daughter's outburst, making their excuses, never once insulting her or hinting at incompetence. She didn't deserve them.

Elsa curled onto her perfectly-made bed, furious with herself. She tossed her gloves to the floor. Why did everything always go wrong? Why could she get nothing right?

And most importantly-where was Jack?

"Make a left! Faster! There you go!"

Jack turned a corner past a triplet of tall trees, Anna and her horse right behind him. They were following the snowflakes he'd so graciously produced for them, batted about in the breeze at top speed.

Not wanting to have to watch how his attempts at making the prince more interesting had developed-only to be replaced with gushy oblivion-he'd darted out of the castle while Hans had begun to slip.

Better to help Anna have some fun than to watch his best friend show such bad taste in...whatever you could call that guy.

"Almost!" Anna cackled, coming close to snatching a fistful of snowflakes.

Then the horse skidded to a halt by the creek on the north side of the castle yard. Anna was hurled into the water.

"Woah-you okay?" He dropped down next to the steed. "It was gettin' hot out anyway," Jack assured her.

Anna wasn't upset. She was giggling, but all she could say was, "Cold. Cold cold cold cold cold cold cold!" She scrambled out and took hold of her horse's reins.

"Princess Anna!" The maids came running up, out of breath from hours of trying to catch them.

"That's my cue. See you later, Freckles."

Jack flew back into the castle, just in time to see Hans' ship leaving out a window. Good riddance.

He knocked on Elsa's door. "You can relax, Princess! Sandwich Suitor has left the building."

No reply.

"Elsa?"

"Go away, Jack."

His heart sank lower than he'd expected it to. "I didn't mean for-"

"Go away." Her voice was thick.

He waited a moment, then entered the room and saw her sprawled on her bed, head in her arms, looking very ungraceful and unhappy. The door clicked shut behind him.

"You came in anyway." She didn't sound surprised.

"I'm not your sister."

She didn't answer.

"Sorry," he mumbled, a bit reluctantly, it must be said.

"For what?" Her tone was neutral. She didn't sit up.

"Everything." He ran a hand through already-messy hair. "The wise cracks. Ice in the cup-"

She sniffled. "That was funny."

He cracked a half smile. She was so...

Then it melted. "And the dancing thing."

This time she sat up. "That was you?"

Jack winced. "I shouldn't've left. I was just-"

"I thought I did it!" She sounded unbelievably relieved.

Jack felt another, stronger stab of guilt. "Nah. You're almost a pro by now."

Then she sighed, one big heave. "It was going so well." She put her face back in her arms, laying on her stomach. "And then I ruined it."

Jack rubbed the back of his neck, trying to think of something to say to cheer her up. He spied something on the window seat.

Of course, actions speak louder than words.

Elsa didn't want to talk to him. She simply laid there, not really throwing a pity party. Just angry. And she didn't even like soup roast.

Over the side of the bed, level with her closed eyes, a plush face crept into view. First the cotton crown. Then the soft flaming hair. Then the button eyes. Then the threaded cheeks.

Then the rest of the body, a single large hand dancing the doll about.

"Do you wanna build a snowmaaaaan?" came the high-pitched voice.

Elsa did not look up.

The Anna doll bounced nearer to her head, tapping the braid with its whole arm. "Elsa? Elsa! Do you wanna build a snowman?"

Elsa shifted, hiding the biggest grin in her quilt.

"Build!" Another tap. "A!" Bobbed against her arm. "Snowman!"

The doll was thrown at her head and bounced off, onto the floor.

Elsa sat up again, giggling almost uncontrollably.

Jack stood up from where he'd knelt by the side of the bed, smiling.

"I can't believe you did that," she gasped.

"So? Am I forgiven?"

Elsa picked up the doll and traced her finger over the crown. "Why were you so busy today, Jack?"

"It's a gift."

"Jack."

"I dunno. He needed to loosen up."

"He did." Elsa raised an eyebrow. "Have you seen him dance?"

Jack scoffed. "Please, you call that dancing?"

"He kept his balance a full minute with that ice."

"Ooh, dreamy."

"Jack!"

"I know dancing, Princess. That wasn't dancing. That was...coordinated walking."

"I suppose you could do better, then?"

Jack crossed his arms. "Are you asking?"

"Didn't I?"

"What's a dancer without his partner?" Jack held out a hand.

Elsa stared at him. "I'm not really in the mood, Jack."

"It'll be fun." Jack didn't withdraw his hand. "Dance with me."

Elsa only met his blue eyes for a second. Then she looked away before their warmth could heat her cheeks. It always had, she admitted.

She took his hand and they danced across the room.

Was Jack Frost a better dancer than Hans? Elsa did not care. Not did she notice. She was suddenly concerned about whether she'd step on his bare feet, or trip up, or whether her hair had come out of place, or if she was being too quiet.

Jack was on Cloud 9, and he couldn't pinpoint exactly why. Because dancing really was loads of fun, yes. Because the room was nice and big and he didn't have to worry about bumping things over, yeah. Because she was a perfect dancer and she didn't mind letting him lead and she didn't criticize his footwork and she wasn't wearing her gloves.

But she wasn't smiling.

She was biting her lip and looking at her feet, why? Was he doing it wrong? The waltz wasn't that hard. He'd seen it enough times. There wasn't even a beat to follow; he was exceptional at least, wasn't he?

She wouldn't look up. Jack was getting frustrated deep inside himself. She should look at him. He didn't have creek mud on his face. Right?

He wanted her to glance at him. He really did. He wanted her to gaze up at him and search him the way she'd searched Hans. He harbored a new and odd hope that she'd find what she'd been seeking.

But she didn't.

Elsa was looking down because she found it strangely difficult to meet Frost's eyes. Not just out of wariness of the warmth there. If she looked at him, she might...she didn't know what.

Jack didn't pull her close, which was good. He didn't have the right either. He was just about euphoric by this time, though. Dancing the way they were was infectious enough. His friend was lit by the moonlight streaming unexpectedly through her window. How long had they been dancing? The moonlight made her soft, like fresh snow.

She finally braved a peek at him. He was already watching her.

When she did, she was filled with a sudden affection for her companion. It was intoxicating.

He'd been there for her since this whole magic mess had started almost ten years ago. He was funny and kind and all hers. No one else could see him. No one else could hear him. Jack Frost was her friend. Just hers. Like her powers, but not. Her powers were just hers too-a burden, a curse. He was a constant laugh and an accelerated heartbeat. She cared more about this winter spirit than the whole kingdom. Just as much as Anna, but a different care altogether. An easier care. Jack Frost was amazing.

Her rapid burst of feeling for her feather-haired lad spread through her entire being.

Frost of sparkling sky blue sprang from the floorboards beneath her feet, up the walls, over the bed, over the chair, over the window, covering the ceiling. Funny. Frost was not her specialty. Jack spun her. Oh, she didn't care. Frost was amazing too.

Jack felt a lot like smiling. He didn't know how long he'd been grinning until Elsa smiled back. The only person who knew him. She was fantastic. She was clean and lovely and witty. She was more fun than he'd ever needed, and only he knew she could be that way. He'd said it before, but it could stand being repeated. She was his very best friend. He could do this for days. Elsa of Arendelle was a blast and he was never going to leave.

He found he was having trouble breathing. Dancing too fast? Nobody cares. He kept going. She didn't seem to want to stop either. She smiled again and he could breathe just fine.

Snow fell from our of nowhere, huge fluttering powdery flakes, scattering the floor and piling lightly. Weird. He only made it snow outside, usually. And he usually knew he was doing it. Elsa laughed when one flake broke against her cheek. Never mind. Snow was cool.

They danced into the wee morning hours. Then, for whatever reason, they went onto the castle roof above her room, Jack leading her out the window.

They sat there, watching the sun rise ever so slowly, immune to the spring breeze.

"I win, right?" Jack broke a silence that had lasted the night, nudging her in that ticklish spot.

Elsa grinned and elbowed him.

He nudged her again. "Hey-I win?"

"You win." Elsa gave him a kiss on the cheek. She didn't know why at first.

Jack didn't touch the spot. His eyes didn't pop open on high alert. He almost acted like it hadn't happened. But the ice going crazy on the roof beneath his hand gave him away.

"What was that for and how do I keep doing it?" He demanded.

Elsa shrugged a shoulder and smirked. "For being my friend. For helping me. For staying."

Jack waved a hand dismissively. "No, seriously, what'd I do?"

Elsa chuckled.

He watched the last of the moon hang out in the orange-pink sky. He had mixed feelings about the moon. If the Man in it was watching this, he'd better just stay out of it. Jack may have been invisible to everyone else...and that was okay. But he wasn't about to disappear on Elsa. As long as she could see him, he didn't need the world.

His staff was in the room below, so he didn't know what to do with his hands. It left less room for his mind to work when his hands were unoccupied, but he got an idea anyway.

He flew from the roof, down to the gardens.

Elsa didn't call him back and wasn't worried she'd done something to make him angry. She was just sort of worried about how she was going to get down.

Jack was back a moment later. "Your Majesty." He bowed in midair, wind beneath him, handing her his gift.

Elsa took it in both hands cautiously, gasping. It was a rose, but completely blue with ice. An ice rose, sparkling and perfect.

"And...what is this for?" She asked, playing along.

"Meh." He shrugged like it was no big deal. "For being Elsa."