Author's Note: I lack creativity in titles. Oh, and pairings are updated. And um… tw: mentions of thoughts of both self-injury and suicide.

Ahhhh! Do I up the rating?! I don't know! Remember, guys, if you feel like the rating should change, just say so and why (so I know for the future).

Change in Attitude

First thing in the morning, Hans reported to Kristoff for his "daily behavior review," their meeting being held in the stables. The location was chosen due to Hans having to brush the many equines held there for his first assignment of the day, as well as Kristoff wanting to see Sven, since the reindeer was being kept there during the night.

Also, Kristoff kinda wanted the two to meet each other, though he didn't voice this out loud.

He looked at the notes that Kai had given him detailing the various comments the servants around the castle had regarding his parolee before said man approached the stables, singular guard in tow with Hans' ever-present scythe.

Yeah, dangerous, but not as dangerous risking the prince's sanity without it around, right? Besides, the man didn't seem to have any intentions of using it outside of executions. It was fine.

"Sleep well?" Kristoff asked Hans.

"Yes," came the nonchalant reply.

"His Highness didn't want to get out of bed this morning," the guard teased. "He was a sobbing mess when I went to unlock his room. Of course, he'll just deny it."

Hans glared angrily at the guard but said nothing.

"Any reason why?" the blond asked, directing the question for either of them to answer.

The guard shrugged. The prince sighed, resigned.

"Just miserable. Nothing else to say about it," Hans grumbled with rolled eyes.

Sensing that it was a subject that he wasn't able to gain anymore information from, Kristoff leafed through the statements in his hands and set his jaw.

"No complaints about you yesterday, which is good," Kristoff observed out loud. "Followed the execution procedures as requested. You even did your other responsibilities without complaints." He set the statements aside and clapped a congratulatory hand on Hans' shoulder. "Good job." The two of them flinched at the friendly gesture. Kristoff drew his hand away, embarrassed. Hans' lips pursed in discomfort.

"Thank you," Hans stated, voice strained.

Kristoff coughed into his hand awkwardly, "So… stables..."

"Yes."

Something nagged at Kristoff, urging him to find out more about what the guard said, even though he knew it would be a futile attempt. Something related to everything his troll family taught him. It was like warning bells were ringing at Hans' strange attitude.

Then, a small twitch of the eyebrow. A subtle tic that Prince Anders had warned him about. Pressing the issue would get answers, if he guessed right.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

"I'm sure I don't want to talk about it, but considering how you're trying to pester me for more details, I'm also sure that I need to talk about it."

His hunch was correct, then. "Look, I don't want to bother you if you don't want to—"

Hans held up a hand, cutting him off. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"You're concerned about me, as well as Queen Elsa. That's why you two sent Princess Anna to speak with me. Ah-ah, don't say anything." Kristoff was about to explain himself but was cut off once again by the prince. "Subtleties are… were my forte, remember? Since I'm not willing to divulge any information regarding the goings-on in my head to either two of you, and considering that Princess Anna has been successful multiple times in the past for letting my guard down, who else would you send? And it was obvious that it was under the influence of the two of you that she would converse with me, since she has tried to avoid interacting with me beforehand."

"Yes, I'll admit that we did that, but… We want to help you, but we can't know the best way to do it if we don't really know what's going on."

"And what do you think is going on?"

"You've suddenly closed yourself up. You were a lot more talkative when you were in the dungeon, though a bit temperamental. And you seemed happier once you were out of the cell. Things were going so well. You weren't causing any problems, and you were making good on the promise that you were trying to fix yourself. Now you're just—"

"Just answer the question."

"You're miserable. We all can see that. Won't you tell us why you're miserable? So we can change things around to make it more bearable?"

Hans' crestfallen face suggested that Kristoff said something wrong. But why, when all everyone had done was try to be accommodating? Understanding, even? Fewer people were walking on eggshells since he stopped the attackers a few nights ago. Shouldn't the guy be happier?

"Must all of you do this for me?" Hans whispered to himself, so quietly that Kristoff almost didn't catch it. Then, as sudden as lightning crackles across the sky, Hans' face cycled through sadness, resignation, and finally fury as he graveled out, much louder, much more menacing, "I'm dangerous."

Kristoff yelped in surprise at the punch that impacted his stomach, causing him to double over in pain. Seeing that the prince was winding up for another hit, Kristoff ducked out of the way, causing the fist to fly straight into the side of the stables. Hans winced in pain, but drew his other hand back to attempt another strike.

The punch flew wide, giving Kristoff the chance to deflect it and hold the smaller man's arm in place. Hans twisted out of his grip, a lithe motion that Kristoff wasn't prepared for, and landed a strike in his ribs.

While he had a rather high tolerance for pain, Kristoff knew that he would feel that one tomorrow. Ow. Yes, he could easily break a few bones due to the amount of muscle he possessed. However, the prince grew up with twelve older brothers and knew how to wield a sword. The latter was more experienced with fights. So of course that was going to hurt.

Since it seemed that Hans wasn't going to end his assault anytime soon, Kristoff knew he had to find a way to stop it. Preferably in a way that would leave both of them relatively unscathed. He knew his own strength, and exchanging a few blows from his own fists might actually cause real damage to the other man.

"Fine, want it that way?!" Kristoff grit out through clenched teeth, trying to ignore his screaming ribs. He threw himself at the prince, tackling him to the dirt and pinning his auburn head to the floor. "Won't you just cool down? What's gotten into you?" Hans grappled with the hands holding his head down, but wasn't able to free himself. "Do you want to go back to the dungeon?"

"A monster belongs in the dungeons, so yes," was the smooth reply.

"Seriously?" Kristoff hoisted Hans by his lapels and shoved him against the stable wall, an audible thud coming from the impact. "Is that's what this is about?"

Hans squinted his eyes, yellow-green boring into Kristoff's chocolate-brown. He grinned deviously, words dripping with contempt, "Your words suggest that you are beginning to understand, but your eyes say otherwise." The pinned man hummed to himself. "How else should I convince you?"

Before Kristoff could react, Hans pulled a glove off his hand and pressed the uncovered palm into the center of his chest. He dropped the prince from his grasp and backed away in fear. He fell to his knees when the curse washed its effect over him.

What was going on? He thought that Hans was changing! Wasn't he? Or was he played a fool like everyone had initially feared? Why would he avoid hurting him in one moment, and willingly torture him the next?

Kristoff couldn't help but feel like he made a terrible error in his judgement.

The guard, seeing how badly things escalated, tossed aside the scythe and moved to intervene, but was stopped with a threatening, exposed finger from Hans pointed in his direction.

"Don't come any closer," Hans threatened. Through the tears of pain, Kristoff was able to see how much the prince's hand shook. The guard, face filled with worry and alarm, ran to the castle, likely to call for backup.

Kristoff's attacker kneeled down next to him, glaring haughtily at his tormented state. It didn't escape Kristoff's notice that Hans looked to be on the verge of tears, or how his next words didn't hold the resolve that one would have expected from someone willingly torturing another.

"Do you see now? A man like me can't be trusted. A man like me isn't allowed to live outside of a prison cell. A man like me can never change," he monotoned, though it was obvious that Hans didn't quite accept the words he was saying.

If Hans was going to kill him, why wasn't he doing it yet?

Kristoff eyed the harvesting tool laying on the ground, terrified that the other would pick it up and finish things. Hans turned his attention to it as well.

Seeing it made Hans break down into tears and sob softly.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," the prince gasped, the anger and violence from earlier melting away, leaving him as vulnerable as Kristoff currently was. It was then that Kristoff knew that the attack was a part of an act, a façade of sorts. "I'm horrible. I deserve to be punished for this. I can't…" His green eyes trailed to the hand that was still free from the confines of a glove. Slowly, he inched his hand closer to his own chest, as if he was reluctant about what he was doing.

Was Hans going to…? Oh, no he won't!

Kristoff, using all the willpower he could to force his body to move instead of curling in on itself in reflex, grabbed Hans' wrist and pinned it to the ground. He didn't care if his hand was touching Hans' cursed one. There was no way he would let anyone torture themselves like that. Besides, Kristoff was still currently a victim to the curse. What more a few more painful moments?

"Put. The. Glove. On," Kristoff grunted, tightening his grip on the prince's wrist.

Shocked, Hans obeyed, tears still streaking down his face.

Kristoff let go when he was sure Hans wouldn't attempt to do something as stupid as that again. The two of them were still, waiting for Kristoff to return to normal.

It was surprising how much willpower Kristoff never knew he had, since he was able to keep himself relatively silent and keep his dignity intact without giving into the urge to cry out in pain. The freedom from the agony couldn't have come sooner enough.

Yeah, it was time for an intervention.

###

"So… I talked a bit with Hans the other night," Anna said as she and her sister sat to a table to eat their breakfast, as was their daily custom.

"Oh?" Elsa asked, surprised that Anna had been able to find a moment to speak to him so soon, despite her obvious reluctance to do what was suggested of her.

"Yeah, I don't think I found out anything behind his gloomy attitude. You know how he is. But I did find out… something."

"So what did you guys talk about?"

"Only about how much he hates the violin and that I found it weird that he'd do it just because you asked him to."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and every single time I caught him saying something that didn't add up, he would blush like crazy!"

"Really."

"Yes! Really! Elsa, I think Hans might have a crush on you."

The spoon in the queen's hand dropped at her sister's candor, clattering into the steaming teacup in front of her.

"Are you sure?" Elsa asked slowly.

"Yeah, I mean, why would you go through torture just because someone else asked you?"

"If the person was you? Because I care about you. Everyone else, I guess the same thing, but maybe a little less, admittedly."

"Exactly! Don't you think that's a little suspicious?"

"That could just mean that he's being less selfish."

"You and I know that's not likely. Sure, he might've changed a lot over the weeks, but come on. No one willingly goes through all that unless love was involved, and so quickly, too. 'Cause without it, all that's impossible, now that I think of it."

Hans… having a crush on her? Why did this happen? How did this happen?

She hoped that she wasn't leading him on in any way by being nicer to him lately. She didn't feel the same way.

…right?

"What do you think should I do about it, Anna?" Elsa said, looking to her little sister for help.

"That depends. Do you… like him?"

"…Maybe?"

"Maybe!?"

"I don't know! I don't have experience with these kinds of situations." She hid her face in her hands. "I grew up learning how to run a kingdom, I'm terrible when it comes to personal relationships."

"Then what did your training say about suitors?"

"Anna, he's not a suitor. He hardly qualifies as one."

"Just pretend, okay? Maybe we might be able to come up with something."

"Okay, well… the man has to have concerns to better the kingdom, and he has to be capable to act on that, of course."

"Anything else?"

"I guess the rest goes to personal preference – but Anna, he's not my type. He's… too secretive."

"Then you need to tell him that."

"But I also don't want to upset him. What if he gets worse? I'm responsible for whatever happens to him from now on, and I don't want to mess up everything because of this."

"Oh… right…"

Hurried footsteps echoed outside the corridor where the sisters were situated. The two women exchanged glances and stood up to peer outside the door.

Elsa saw that there were guards rushing to the end of the hallway, hands at the ready near their swords.

"What's happening?" she asked a guard that she pulled aside.

"I'm not sure. There seems to be a fight that broke out, but Sir George was too spooked to say anything more," the guard said.

George… that's the guard she assigned to watch over Hans. Seeing the look on Anna's face, Elsa knew that her sister came to the same realization.

"That guy seriously has a knack for interrupting our meals," Anna grumbled under her breath as she took off in the direction the guards were running. Elsa huffed a breath in exasperation and joined her.

Please, don't let it be anything bad.

###

"Calm down everyone! It's just a little friendly rough-housing, okay?" Kristoff said, waving off the guards that advanced at the distraught prince next to him.

"Oh my… Kirstoff!" Anna called, parting her way through the uniformed men and falling in to embrace her fiancé, worried. "What happened to you?"

Kristoff dusted the dirt off his shoulder and ran a hand through his hair, hoping to hide his own disheveled appearance.

"Not now, Anna. Can you please get these guys to back off a bit? I need to get Hans to his room."

"What's going on?"

Kristoff sighed and cupped his beloved's face, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. "I'm fine, Anna. We need to talk about this somewhere a bit more private."

"Kristoff! Hans! What is the meaning of this?" Elsa called out, her presence parting the guards in half.

"It's something that needs to be discussed with Hans. In his chamber. As soon as possible – I mean, now." Kristoff hated acting like he had any form of authority over the queen, but if his instincts were correct, he hoped that Elsa would forgive the disrespect.

Well, considering the person that she was, it likely escaped her notice.

Fortunately, the fact that he was pressing for time was noted, for Elsa waved the guards away and beckoned for everyone else to follow.

The various ailments of the human mind and spirit raced through Kristoff's thoughts, subjects taught to him as he grew up with the trolls. Though, such knowledge was rather incomplete, since he didn't have the same ability as his family to cure them. Oh, if only he paid attention more to their symptoms, maybe he would've noticed the sudden breakdown sooner.

Was it homesickness? No, Hans wasn't antsy enough for that.

Could it be paranoia? Hmm… probably, but it didn't quite fit right.

Jeez, something was definitely not stable about Hans, since the warning bells kept ringing about something he wasn't getting. The advice given to him from Anders certainly alluded it that.

Kristoff almost didn't notice that they were situated in the small servant's room that Hans had called his own for the past few weeks, the nudge in the ribs from Anna waking him from his thoughts. He groaned slightly, the spot where she prodded being the exact place he received the punch.

Hans was still visibly distressed, and looked as if someone so much as poked him, he would crumble into pieces. It disturbed him that, once again, the prince wasn't making any attempts to cover up his vulnerability. At least he wasn't crying like earlier. It would just make the scene around him even harder to handle.

"Okay, who wants to start off by saying what in the world just happened?" Anna asked, erratic gestures emphasizing her words.

"I think… I had a nervous breakdown," Hans admitted in a small voice.

Oh, so that's the term that I was looking for. Good going for forgetting that one, Kristoff.

"I'll say," Kristoff mumbled, unable to resist the urge to make the comment. He sighed, remembering the close call where Hans willingly wanted to punish himself for hurting Kristoff. From the very start, he knew nothing was going to be easy when it came to dealing with the criminal prince. Well, it wasn't really necessary to call him that, now, considering his good deeds as of late.

"Okay, so I'll just clear the air and say what happened before we are stuck here for hours trying to pull information from 'Mister Elusive' over here," Kristoff said in a louder voice, jabbing a thumb in Hans' direction. If there was a little bit of bite in his tone, he tried not to think about it. He was just in a brawl and had his own soul wanting to escape moments after, so any annoyance was pretty difficult to keep down at the moment. "We met for our daily review of his behavior at the stables. I found out that he was reluctant to leave his room when he woke up earlier this morning.

"I decided to leave it alone for a bit to carry on with the meeting. But lo and behold, I pressed for more information anyway, because something in the back of my head kept pushing me to get to the bottom of his glum mood. I mean, isn't that what we want to know? Isn't that was good people do? Try to make a situation better for someone who seems like they need the help? But then he didn't really quite like what I said and so he punched me."

Anna and Elsa both lifted their hands to cover their gasps. Kristoff shook his head, trying to dissuade them from trying to pass judgement so quickly with his recounting of events.

"Hang on, don't assume things. We'll get to the 'whys' later. I'm sure Hans' side of the story is important, too," he continued. "We tousled a bit, and then I pinned him to the wall. He said something about trying to convince me of something and then he took his glove off and did that 'touch of death' thing on me. And then he regretted it, and then I had to stop him from doing it to himself, and here we are.

"Now, I'm no expert when it comes to… things related to breakdowns, but something is still telling me that there's more to the story that none of us are noticing yet. Is he going insane? I dunno. All I'm thinking is that whatever this is, I'm just making it worse by trying to be nice."

Kristoff turned to Hans, jutting his chin slightly to signal that it was his turn to speak and stated, "Now, care to tell the ladies what's gotten into you?"

Hans hid his face in his hands, ashamed.

"You seriously owe us an explanation," Anna said, hands on her hips. "I mean, you attacked your parole officer, who also happens to be my fiancé. It's like you're asking to be put back in the dungeon. And to have me think that you're changing and that you've got a thing for my sister all of a sudden?"

Her hands flew to cover the shocked gape of her mouth as if she spilled a secret she hadn't meant to share.

What in the world was Anna going on about? Hans… having a crush on Elsa? Of all the things that would bother the prince, that would likely be the last thing on his mind.

Or… it would make a lot of sense, too, in a way. Now he was really intrigued about what Hans would say to explain his actions.

And considering that Kristoff could almost see the gears working in Hans' mind, whatever Anna blurted out seemed to loosen his tongue to the truth.

"Amazing how easily you can hit a few of my nerves with careless words, Princess Anna," Hans said, but any hint of sarcasm that could've been portrayed in his statement was completely absent. "Perhaps that's why I've found it so easy to open up whenever you're around." He closed his eyes in defeat and inhaled deeply, clenching and unclenching his gloved fists.

Hans exhaled.

"I know that each of you have noticed my sudden low mood as of late," he started, gazing intently at the three people in front of him. "And the thoughtfulness each of you have displayed concerning your treatment of me. I appreciate it, I really do. And Mister Bjorgman's idea to release me has definitely motivated me to continue to fulfill every task that's been asked of me, and to continue to aspire to change. In fact, if I were to compare myself to who I was before arriving in Corona to who I am now, I could almost say that I didn't recognize myself.

"But I've come to realize that all of it would be for nothing. It's useless. I mean, the moment where I've finally felt that I've started to redeem myself, and a massacre and assassination attempt on the queen happens? Because of my involvement? My own idea? No, character means nothing if I'm still dangerous to be around, like before – even more than before.

"I've concluded that, since my death isn't without even greater consequence, I should at least be put away in a place where I can't hurt anyone. Being around other people… I'm putting everyone at risk."

Elsa stepped forward, "Prince Hans. Please don't—"

"No, please. I… can't accept anymore kindness from you. Especially you. It's just going to complicate everything more. Princess Anna's right. I've started growing… more than fond of you, and it somehow happened overnight when I realized these feelings existed. Your warmth, your kindness… your mercy. I can't accept it. It'll just keep entertaining thoughts of things I can never attain. Of things that can never be."

He turned away, facing his tensed-up fists, face pulled into anger. He whispered, half to himself, "Because I'm a monster." Then, he turned his face back to the other three in the room, resolution in his expression and steel in his voice, "The rest of the kingdom sees it. And I have no idea how I can convince everyone in this castle to see it. And there is no way I'll be able to prove it if I ever allow myself to fall in love with someone I know I can't have. Because it might destroy them, the measures that might entail. And the thought of hurting someone I love… The possibility that I might kill them... Just like what happened with Klaus…"

He turned away again, "I just might ignore the warnings the pixies gave me, the warning the land gave everyone... Because right now, despite everything that's trying to convince me to accept that I am Death itself, I'm afraid of dying. But if all that ever happens, if I get attached to any of you and end up hurting you… I just might lose my will to live. And that terrifies me even more.

"So please. Just put me back in the dungeon. I don't want to risk anything."

###

Hearing Hans' confession, as well as the confirmation of Anna's suspicions regarding his feelings, wrenched at the Snow Queen's heart.

She couldn't let Hans live in a cell for the rest of his life. It's inhumane when the criminal is willing to conform and become a diligent member of society, when they've proven after being released how invaluable they've become. To have him live as if he was free and send him to prison once again? No, that's out of the question.

"You're wrong, Prince Hans," Elsa said. "Your ideas that you deserve to be alone, isolated… they're misguided. I know this, because I've gone through the exact same thing."

She tugged at her interlaced fingers, unsure whether she should continue. She had a lot to say, but it would only be a waste of air if he wasn't ready to listen. Just like Anna's attempts to bring her from her ice castle were wasted, because she wasn't willing to hear.

The wary, but curious, look the prince gave her prompted her to continue. Yes, he was ready.

"The worries that you're going to hurt someone. The shame that follows you because of your past. The… feeling that it would be better if it all just… ended," Elsa continued, the last statement being extremely hard to express. She repressed the memory of her hopelessness when she thought she killed Anna when it flashed in her mind. "But those aren't things that one person can bear alone. It wasn't meant to be dealt with alone. It can only be fixed if you let those who care about you help."

She stepped forward, closer to where Hans was standing. Anna might protest her next course of action, but if the look that Hans was giving her was anything to go by, Elsa knew that he definitely needed it at the moment.

Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his torso. His body flinched at the contact, and his arms went rigid when they were pinned to his sides as she hugged him. He was shaking, the thump of his heartbeat fluttering wildly. He refrained from returning the embrace, to her disappointment.

His fear of hurting her saddened her. He really needed a hug, and the thought that he couldn't indulge in even that spoke volumes about how much he desperately needed other people in his life right now.

Without thinking, she reached up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

Elsa would blame it on her maternal instincts if anyone asked, but she knew better. Anna and Kristoff would know, too, if they were able to put two and two together. But at least she knew that they weren't ones to gossip. And the blush that formed on the prince's face from the simple sign of affection made it all worth it.

"In telling us this, I know that you intended to be locked into isolation once again. Yes, it has come to my attention that I must alter a few details of our agreement," Elsa said after releasing him. A playful smile tugged at her cheeks. "Prince Hans, I hereby sentence you to be the royal family's valet in conjunction to your other duties as executioner. Effective immediately."

The sounds of surprise (Anna and Kristoff) and protests (Hans) in the room caused the queen's smile to form into a full-blown grin.

Oh, they definitely knew what that job entailed. It meant that Hans would have to wait hand-and-foot for the sisters (and by proxy, Kristoff), meaning that it would be easier to keep an eye on him. Well, that would be the official reason, one that could easily be entered into the record books.

That tiny spark of joy in the prince's eyes, one that she herself was able to put there, that was a reason that she'd likely keep to herself. She needed to find more opportunities to ensure it stayed there, and what better way than to have him around more often? Especially with her busy schedule, wouldn't a valet's responsibilities allow for more much-needed social interaction with his custodians?

"Are you sure?" Anna asked from behind her.

Am I doing this because of duty? Elsa asked herself. Or have I let myself go too far?

She only gave her sister a gentle grin and beckoned her to leave the room along with her.

"We'll leave these two alone to sort out the scuffle they had earlier," Elsa said, nodding to Kristoff as the two sisters made their exit.

###

Hans couldn't quite believe what was happening. Even after attacking the one person he thought was reasonable in his whole situation, they still thought he could be trusted to be alone with him?

"Hey, don't start freaking out again," the blond man said, arms crossed. "Keep doing that and you might pass out."

It was then that Hans realized that he was hyperventilating. He held his breath, willing his heart to keep from leaping out of his chest.

"You need to let it go. Whatever you did in the past, or whatever you think you deserve because of the past, it'll stay there as long as you don't beat yourself up over it," Kristoff suggested.

"You don't think people should face consequences for their actions?" Hans asked.

"They should, and from what I've seen, you've been punished enough. Just… let whatever the queen has in mind for you just happen. Stop painting yourself in a light that doesn't fit you anymore. Let it go."

Hans blinked once. Twice.

"L-let go?"

Kristoff nodded slowly, as if he was trying to make sure he understood. Hans thought he was starting to, at least.

"If Queen Elsa and Princess Anna are willing to do it, the very people you've wronged in your past, don't you think you should, too? Don't you think that, I don't know, maybe you're dishonoring them in living in the past? One that might bring up not-too-great memories for them?"

He never thought of it that way. That wouldn't do at all!

"That was never my intention," Hans defended.

"Yeah, but sometimes intentions and reality don't quite mix well. Like how you intended to be locked up in the dungeon again, but instead got the queen even more sympathetic to your cause and wants to coddle you more, for some reason." Kristoff raised and lowered his brows, suggesting that he knew a bit more to that story than he was mentioning.

Hans felt his face turn warmer than usual at the insinuation, "No more of that, Mister Bjorgman. I'm already embarrassed enough in having to admit my infatuation with the queen."

"Aww, come on, still so formal after beating me up earlier? My feelings are hurt. And here I thought we were friends now," Kristoff teased.

Did he hear him right?

"Friends?"

"Well… yeah? I guess. Kinda. I don't know. I haven't got a lot of friends… who are human… So I don't really know how it all works, to be honest."

"Neither do I. Of any species, actually."

"Well then, Hans." Kristoff extended a hand. He made it obvious to drop the royal title, something that Hans found he didn't mind too much. "Stop with the 'Mister Bjorgman' business, and I won't pin your head to the floor again. Agreed?"

Hans couldn't help but laugh lightly at the childish image of once more being subdued in such a manner.

"Agreed," Hans said, reciprocating the handshake. Then he added with a playful grin, "Mister Kristoff."

The good-natured shove he received was definitely deserved.

"Please don't hurt yourself, okay?" Kristoff said, voice more serious, rubbing his shoulder after the light jab Hans gave him in retaliation. "Don't go down that road."

"What do you mean?"

"That whole 'punishing yourself' thing with your curse earlier. And then admitting that you'll consider… uh… losing your will to live if you hurt people you love."

Oh. He hoped Kristoff had forgotten about that, but of course the man was too observant for that.

Pleading eyes highlighted Kristoff's expression, "Promise me you won't ever do anything like that."

"…I promise?"

"No. Mean it, okay?"

Hans opened his mouth to repeat his oath, but hesitated. Could he mean it? The future was still rather… bleak for him. There was no way to know how events would turn out, or how he would react to situations that would send him further into a downward spiral. Would allowing Elsa, Kristoff, and Anna be more central in his destiny help him? Or would it destroy him in the end? There was no way to know, and there was no way Hans would swear certainty to a… friend…

Huh. Somehow, through all of this, he still managed to cultivate a friendship, albeit an awkward one.

"I can't," he finally replied. Kristoff's look of alarm at his response caused him to flinch in guilt. "But I can promise that I can try. Let it go, right?"

The blond relaxed in relief, apparently placated by Hans' amendment.

"That's something, at least. Oh, and you might want to remember: all the 'letting go' advice is actually Queen Elsa's personal motto. Thought you might want to know that."

Hans managed to feign mortification at the revelation, hoping that he could hide the prick of awe at Elsa's wisdom that lit in his heart. A… rather pleasant sensation, if he were to be honest. But, oh, if Kristoff were privy about that, Hans wouldn't be able to live with the embarrassment.

If only he lived a different life, a different time, he might have actually let himself fall completely in love with the queen, no fear of repercussion at its wake. Dangerous as it was, Hans at least allowed himself to admire the monarch's character just a little bit more. Well, he could console himself with the fact that he could admire from afar. And that would be enough to make himself happy.

He eyed the violin case leaning against a corner in his room, a small smile curving his mouth knowing that the instrument now held a different meaning for him, one without the memories of yearly recitals he begrudgingly participated in when he felt that his life was in the hands of malicious siblings.

Yes, it would be enough.

Author's Note: In case it wasn't already obvious, I have absolutely no idea how relationships work, especially when it comes to romance.

So I'm just going to base it off of how I think it works, based on my siblings' past relationships, how my parents' works, what others say it's like through media, and how I would want my own budding romance to happen… which is likely to be seen as the most platonic way possible, it's likely to not be categorized as 'romantic' in any way, hahaha..

Putting all that into perspective, this Helsa is likely to be a slow burn as I try to find its momentum :P

Fingers crossed, hoping that it doesn't become a train wreck of my writing.

Thank you so much to everyone who has left a review! I shower each and every one of you with imaginary chocolates of gratitude, and eternal gratefulness for not spurning my, ahem, wildly awkward imagination that drives this plot along. Seriously, if it weren't for each and every one of you, this fanfic would have gone up in smoke to be forgotten in the site's archives due to my lack of motivation.

And next chapter, the fun awaits…