(A/N: I might end up changing the rating to M, due to excessive swearing later on – although, you get a dose of it in this chapter. But, it's not like there are any lemons either…I don't know. We'll see.)

Thanks to Celestia's Paladin, cgr100, and Guest for reviewing. Also, thanks to those who followed and left a favorite. You guys are all awesome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Frozen or anything affiliated with it. The only things I own are my OC's.

Chapter 2: Feelings

A week.

At first, it didn't seem all that awful. There was still time to prepare; there was still time to practice.

As the week became six days, then five days, then four, Elsa noticed how much time she'd put into grieving and crying.

When it became three days, she was extremely worried.

Sitting at her new study, she looked over the schedule for the big day, but often times it ended in her holding her face in her hands.

Today was no different – once again, she had tried to concentrate; she had desperately tried to accustom herself to her new life.

It wasn't working.

"I know it's hard, Elsie," Anna said quietly one day. "But you can't give up! Arendelle is looking up to you as their new queen! They need you, we all need you…please."

Elsa shook her head. "I'm trying, Anna," was the reply. "But this is not easy – I'm just so…so worried about the future and – "

"Shhh." Anna began to rub her sister's shoulders slowly. "Just relax, and take a deep breath."

The queen, unable to think of a better alternative, did so. Anna smiled slightly. "By the way," she said, "I think there's something I can do to cheer you up."

Elsa chuckled, shaking her head once more. "What on Earth can cheer me up at a time like – "

"It's not so much of a 'what' as it is a 'who'," Anna interrupted, and Elsa turned around cautiously.

"What…?"

Leaning against the doorframe was a certain ice harvester – it took Elsa everything to keep her flush from crawling up her neck.

"K-Kristoff!" She stood up, and immediately ran over to him, knocking him down as she embraced him in a tight hug. "I haven't seen you in forever…"

"Hey you," he spoke softly, chuckling. "How're you holding up?"

The younger princess coughed awkwardly behind them. "Are you two…still in need of my assistance?"

No response.

Anna sighed. "Of course not."

As the footsteps of the girl grew faint, Elsa pulled away with a smile on her face. "I'm stressed, everyone's stressed…it's the usual."

The man frowned. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here when it all happened – as much as I love all of those beautiful ice blocks, they take up a hell of a lot of time out of your day. Still," he shrugged, gesturing to himself, "I'm here now."

Elsa smiled. "Good. Because I need something – or someone – to lean on and cry into." Kristoff returned the facial gesture, eyes a little sadder than Elsa liked. Extending his arms welcomingly, he let Elsa fall into place.

XXXXXXXXXX

There was something about Kristoff that made Elsa so…giddy, which was incredibly unlike her. Until it started a few years ago, Elsa had looked up to Kristoff as a brother more than anything in the world. Kristoff would know whenever Elsa was feeling down, and vice versa – they knew each other very well, and they'd always be there for one another.

It was until Elsa had fallen down and broken her ankle one day, that she began to see Kristoff as more than just a friend.

She and Anna had been skating – skating, for Christ's sake – when she had slammed her foot against the dumbest goddamn pillar in the world.

…Seriously, the pillar was smack dab in the middle of the square.

Elsa had been trying out a new maneuver – a sophisticated twirl that scared the shit out of Anna – and had been rewarded with a loud snap and an unbearable pain.

Kristoff, having been in the area, had picked her up swiftly and brought her into the castle, despite every protest she made. He had set her down carefully onto her bed, assuring her everything would be all right.

The ice harvester proceeded to set up camp inside her bedroom, and had refused to leave even when Elsa asked him to.

"You're going to get hurt," he told her firmly one night when she wanted to get up. "No."

"Kristoff, ugh!" Elsa groaned. "I'll be fine, I just need to – ow, fuck!"

The man managed to smirk silently while grimacing at the same time. "I told you," he deadpanned, jogging over to her side. "And watch your tongue, young lady!"

"It's not like you swear every damn day," Elsa grumbled, but she still smiled as she saw one tug at Kristoff's lips.

"What bullshit are you talking about?" He asked innocently, and Elsa chuckled. "If you're not going release me, then get a glass of water for your royal princess." She folded her arms, smiling. Then… "Please? Come on, I said please."

Kristoff laughed, leaning down to kiss her cheek as he ruffled her hair affectionately. "At once, your highness." And he was out the door, unbeknownst to him that the blonde girl was blushing madly.

When the ice harvester returned with not only a glass of water but with a plate of cookies, Elsa was still slightly red, unable to control her emotions.

Kristoff thought it was due to Elsa not feeling well, and had her sleep early.

"I don't get a bedtime story?" Elsa asked, pouting as Kristoff threw the covers over her slim figure. He chuckled at her humor, and, of course – he just had to kiss her again. "Hopefully that can substitute," he replied. "Goodnight, Elsie."

It did.

The feelings grew stronger and stronger. Elsa, while incredibly attracted to her friend, would not dare tell anyone about her affection towards him.

At least, she wouldn't yet.

XXXXXXXXXX

"So," the ice harvester started, looking over the shoulder of his friend, "You walk down the aisle, get a crown put on your head, and voila – you're the queen?" He shrugged playfully. "That doesn't seem too bad."

"You're not helping, you ass," was Elsa's response. "It's just…it's everything that ensues, everything…that I have to do as queen – that's the part that scares me."

Abandoning his joking manner from seconds ago, Kristoff reached out and held her slightly. "Don't worry, Elsa – I'm sure you'll be an astounding ruler, just as good as your mother and father – I mean it." Smiling, he continued. "You're kind, you're sweet, and you're fucking amazing. You've got this."

Elsa was unaware of the blush creeping onto her face, like it always rudely did whenever she was around Kristoff. She managed to smile back. One moment he's teasing me, the next moment he's the sweetest fucking –

"T-thank you," she sputtered. "I – really – it's good to have you in my life. Here, I mean. Um, yes."

He laughed at her stuttering. "Don't get nervous yet," he replied with a smirk. "I'm sure there'll be other times for that."