A/N: Thanks for checking this out! And for the reviews! And all mistakes are mine.
Disclaimer: I don't own Frozen.
As a Des Vaux, I have been taught to always be prim and proper; be confident and collected; be strong and ruthless; but also to be gentle and caring. All through my childhood, I have exhibited that kind of aura. But, it takes one gentle smile from a lady, a completely stunning one at that, for my confidence to crash down and to forget every lesson my tutors had been paid for to teach me.
Good going, me.
We have been staring at each other for the past seven minutes now. I toy with the hem of my white suit's collar nervously. Tell me again what's wrong with me?
"So, El of House Des Vaux, would you mind if I ask why you were late?" She asks as she bounces—bounces!—on the spot.
"Well, I, uh…" I am struggling, that's for sure, to respond since I'm kind of distracted as to how energetic the redhead is. I'm also trying to find the right words in order to not sound offensive. And as I stare at her wide, innocent eyes, I can't bring it in me to give her an inadequate answer. "To be honest, I wasn't planning on attending."
She gasps as she places her hand on her chest.
Dramatic little one, aren't you? I chuckle under my breath as the thought crossed my mind. Apparently, the chuckle was a bit loud—judging by the mocking glare Anna is giving me. I hold my hand up in peace. "I come in peace."
A snort and then a giggle which then transforms into a laugh follow my declaration. Lo and behold! A blush forms on my cheeks. Well, hot damn!
"You're adorable." She blurts out; and I feel my eyes widen. I can tell she didn't mean to since she looks rather surprised by what she just said as well. "I mean, no! I mean, not that you're not adorable because you are. Wait, what? Did that even make any sense?"
I try my hardest not to look at her as if she were crazy but I don't think I'm doing a good job at it. "Uhm…" Seriously, I'm not this tongue tied.
She bites her lip. And I can feel myself staring. Not good.
"I'm sorry! I tend to blurt out anything that comes into mind. My parents always did say I should work on it and whatnot. I'm really sorry! If I could, I would take back what I said. Not that I don't think you're cute because you really are. And I'm totally repeating myself now, aren't I? You don't have to answer that—" she rambles on and I have no choice but to wait until she's done. Besides, it's a tiny bit endearing to see her this flustered… and nervous… and cute… and beautiful… Yeah, I should stop rambling to myself as well.
"—and this is getting really awkward. Not that you're awkward, it's just that we're, I'm awkward and you're absolutely beautiful…" a pause and I'm sure both of our faces are tinged with pink, "…wait, what?"
A beat passes; then, two before I feel my lips twitch into an amused smirk. She looks everywhere but me. Having none of that, I follow along with her to catch her gaze. "And you say I'm the adorable one," I tease and revel in the fact that her face is now as red as her hair. Once again, she cuts the contact of our eyes by staring at her feet; I frown.
"I-I, well… uh," she stumbles out as she fiddles with the hem of her sleeves a bit awkwardly.
I duck down to see her beautiful blues and smile at her warmly. She slowly looks up before grinning at me shyly as I let out a chuckle, extending my hand out to her. "Would you like to get some chocolate, Anna?"
Her eyes immediately snap up to meet mine, wide with surprise. I feel confused as to what I said to possibly elicit such a reaction. I run my previous words in my head before realizing that, yes; I just addressed her with her first name.
"I'm s-sorry. Is it a-alright if I call you by your first name?" I ask meekly, rubbing the back of my neck with my other hand. Seeing her somewhat shocked expression, I hurry to say, "Of course, it's fine if you don't want me—"
"No!"
Taken aback by the fierceness in her words and eyes, I clamp my mouth shut, almost taking a step back due to my surprise.
"I-I mean, I'm fine with it if you would grant me the same privileges?" Her eyes shines with such hopefulness that I couldn't possibly turn her down even in my moodiest of days. Upon seeing my nod, her eyes lit up even more. "And, yes, I would love to."
Confusion worms its way into my head. Again. "Huh?"
She smirks cutely. "That chocolate you were saying about, good sir?"
I blush and am about to start making a fool out of myself again before her words registered in my brain. Specifically, the title she used on me. My heart sinks. She thinks I'm a man? Is my voice really that deep? Honestly, I thought I sound completely feminine. Then again, I did imply that I am a man. What with my clothes and name.
My face must have showed my emotions since her smirk turns into a frown. She asks in concern as she reaches a hand to touch my face, "What's wrong?"
When her warm palms make contact with my equally warm cheeks, I blurt out a loud, "Nothing!" Wincing in time with Anna's cringe upon noticing the curious stares of people near us. Clearing my throat, I repeated in a calmer manner, "Nothing."
Anna doesn't look convinced but I am thankful when she accepts it. She retracts her hand from my face before grabbing my still outstretched hand and all but dragging me towards the table full of delicious-looking delicacies.
The people part for us but they look on curiously, no doubt intrigued as to who we are. I wonder why though.
"Anna?"
She hums in response, stopping as soon as she reaches the table then grabs two plates before giving me one. She starts by picking a piece of chocolate cake then one, two, three truffles. She then moves on to chocolate chip cookies. I can only gape at her. I know I said chocolate earlier but I didn't actually mean just food made of chocolate.
"People are staring," I say, feeling uncomfortable with all the attention. She stops her food gathering and stares at me.
"You don't get out a lot, huh?"
I'm sure it was meant to be a question but with the way she said it, it sounds like a statement. I can only nod.
She grins. "You'll get used to it."
Used to it? Is she implying that we'll be gawked at a lot throughout the night? "I'm sorry, but what do you mean?" I question as I fill my own plate up with chocolate-flavored food. Hey, if Anna's doing it, then, it's only fair if I do so myself.
Her grin widens. "Nothing."
I glance at her direction. Upon seeing the smirk on her lips, I say dryly, "You're not very good at being mysterious."
She faces me and teasingly states, "Yet, you're in the dark of things."
I chuckle as once again, our eyes connect. Hers are smiling.
"Touché," I concede.
She winks at me before grabbing my unoccupied hand and pulling me towards the balcony.