Kristoff stared blankly down at the old, yellowing linoleum floor, elbows on his knees and hands fisted in his still-damp hair. Even though it was now sleeting outside, the tiny waiting area was predictably frigid. Maybe that's why he was slightly shaking. Or maybe it was the uncertainty of what lie behind the glass doors of the Intensive Care Unit.
They wouldn't let him ride with her in the ambulance after they pried her from his cold, wet, solid arms, the rain drops increasing in size. Family only. Elsa had kept herself fairly composed and helped the muddy blond back to her Mercedes. He was in no shape to drive, so she rode to the hospital with him instead of Anna. It had been too much; first his soul mate was getting married to some jerk off she had only met a couple of weeks prior. He had been a coward going on ten years now, and he regretted every moment after the engagement. Now said love of his life was unresponsive, in who-knows-what condition, because the doctors still haven't come out to speak to them, even after moving her from the Emergency Room to ICU.
He wanted to die. Oh, how he wanted to die.
He vaguely heard the echoing clicks of Elsa's heels as she approached him. He didn't look up. Who else would it have been? He felt her knee nudge his gently and he slowly looked up at her.
Elsa bit her lip, wincing as she looked down at a red-eyed, still slightly muddy Kristoff. He looked awful. "I brought you some coffee," she offered gently before sitting down in a plastic chair beside him.
He took one of the two steaming cups from her hand with a small nod of thanks. "Better be strong…" he mumbled. It had been the first thing to leave his lips since they left the scene of the accident hours ago.
A sad smile tugged at her lips. "The strongest. I commandeered the nurses' coffee pot and everything." She set her cup down on the table in front of him and unfolded a blanket she had held under her arm. "Here…" she said, draping it over his shoulders. "You're still damp, and it's like the Tundra in here."
"What about you?" he asked, looking to his other best friend.
Elsa shrugged. "The cold never bothered me."
Kristoff took a sip of the coffee and nearly choked. It was definitely strong enough, like rocket fuel. They sat in silence for a moment before the question plaguing his mind finally made an exit. "How are you so calm?" he asked, tears stinging his eyes again.
Elsa let out a small sigh, looking down at her pale, clasped hands on her lap. Conceal, don't feel… "Someone's gotta stay strong," she said, giving him a small smile. "I inherited one of the largest firm's in New York City. To say my Poker Face is quite stellar would be the understatement of the year." Kristoff gave a few nods, turning his focus back to the floor. "I'm terrified, too, Kristoff," she whispered, placing a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't think for a second that I'm not."
Another hour passed. Elsa had her phone plugged up to its charger now as she played a game, doing her best to keep her mind occupied. Kristoff was slumped back in his chair now, blanket wrapped tightly around him. His focus had changed now to the dusty tiles of the ceiling. "Where is he?" he suddenly hissed from between clenched teeth.
"I'm sure they're working as fast as they can, Kris," she sighed patiently, glancing over at him.
"Not the doctor. Hans." The amount of venom in his tone was lethal. The bastard should have been here the moment Elsa told him, but he was nowhere to be seen. He could feel her tension now, and it almost felt somewhat colder in the room.
"That's an excellent question…" she replied with narrowed eyes as she glared at the empty waiting room seat across the tiny room from them.
Kristoff was ready to jump into one of his numerous rants about the city's 'most eligible playboys' when a doctor, dressed in hospital green, pushed slowly through the double doors. Both blonds immediately stood, phone falling in the seat, blanket hitting the floor.