The muffled voice drew a groan from her lips, triggering that queer sensation she had. The only experience she could compare to this was when she was unfreezing upon the fjord some years ago. The comparison knitted together more. She had heard that muffled voice before, that frantic tone overcome with sorrow.
It was intriguing enough to rouse her. A single eye cracked open, expecting white instead Anna was met with a very lovely warm tannish hue. Never had she felt a bed so comfortable, everything was perfect. A blurry apparition evaded her depth of field. Elsa was the first to come into focus. Smiling down at her she resembled an angel. Out were the dirty and ripped traveling clothes, taking their stead was a simple thin white dress. It was a far cry from the last time Anna saw her dust and ash smudged cheeks replaced by a beautiful scene.
"Na- Anna?" She hummed, going to sit up.
"Elsa?"
"Hey." Elsa's angelical echoed. It was a beautiful heavenly choir to Anna's ears… no it was a symphony.
"I'm dead." She sighed, sounding completely content with that sentiment if this was the end result.
Elsa giggled behind her fingers. "No but you gave it your best try."
Proven wrong that Anna had cried all the tears she had in reserves, they flooded her eyes, she moved to sit up but Elsa gently pushed her chest to recline. "Take it easy. Alright." The fatigue and faint pain Ceranoos promised was present and pushed out the reach of care.
They stared at one another, checking to ensure this wasn't a joint dream or afterlife. When it was confirmed it wasn't they embraced swiftly, fingers grabbing, holding anywhere that was possible. If a sinkhole were to form beneath them it would not be able to consume either of the sisters or overpower their thousand year grasp.
"Oh, Anna," Elsa stroked her hair, pressing her face to her shoulder. "My sweet darling, my beautiful girl." Elsa choked out a laugh pulling away to repeatedly rub her cheeks. Anna's fingers tickled along her neck and face, memorizing the softness and beauty of it.
If they were doomed to spend eternity what right would Anna have to complain when this overflowed her with happiness and joy that eclipsed any pain or sorrow she had ever experienced.
How she missed Elsa's arctic breaths and touch. And the way Elsa held her, she could tell she longed for her normal old inner temperature too.
"We're back and never going to be apart again." Elsa sounded like she was warning any other dimensional being to not even dare to repeat the attempts made towards their separation.
Anna laughed with Elsa squishing her cheeks together, peppering her face with kisses occasionally pecking her lips.
Her heartbeat powered on between her ribs as if it never knew fatigue or a limit.
If Anna had to pick any type of ethereal punishment she'd choose being trapped in an infinite time loop, forced to relive this moment over and over again.
"I love you." Elsa knew that.
"I love you too." Anna knew that as well.
They held each other as they came down from the high of the reunion. Hearing Anna's sad sigh Elsa lifted her head from resting upon hers. "What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I tried, I really did Elsa but–" Breaking the news of Ryu's current predicament wasn't as challenging as Anna suspected, maybe due to how well Elsa took it. She nodded considerably, her working mind painting that concentrated expression on her face.
"Well, let's go get her." It sounded so simple with the nonchalant manner she spoke, throwing Anna completely off.
"Elsa… she's been buried for who knows how lo–" Her growing misery was waved away by Elsa's dismissive wrist flip. Her eyes held a shimmer of confidence. She stood stretching.
"Anna, this temple was erected to ensure a dragon's safety and happiness. Do you truly believe it would hurt her?" Anna considered this heavily, now that she thought about it, as terrifying as her tribulations were, Anna recalled all the threats she met, her fall could have been fetal sure and all that followed. Ryu after eating the mystery goo never intended to hurt her, the soldiers merely saw a distressed spirit and tended to her, not in the most conventional manner but their intentions were well placed all the same.
At first she had grown bitter towards this place, seeing it only as a tomb of separation and ancient angstrom. The more she thought about it, the more the dots connected, it wasn't, and though the actual stone and temple was not a living being she still felt guilty for being so quick to judge.
Elsa was right, she made a promise to Ryu and she'd keep it. Standing She examined the spacious four walls, it was then she noticed a table apparently molded up from the white stone floor supporting a silver tray upon it was a cup of water.
"They brought chocolate but that's gone." Anna rolled her eyes playfully, narrowing them at the smug Elsa.
"You couldn't even save me one?" Elsa's persona broke in a fit of chuckles. "They didn't Anna." She wasn't believed when Anna remained in the same stance.
"Come on Anna, do you really believe that an ancient temple would have access to edible chocolate?"
She had to surrender at that feeling a little silly that she had played into her sister's jape.
"So are we gonna blast out of here?" She regarded The walls which held no signs of a door.
"I've been trying until you came, it's resistant to magic." Elsa gave a small demonstration shooting an icicle at the front wall, the spear sank into it slowly.
They stood staring at where the ice once was. "Have you tried punching it?"
Elsa shook her head. "I don't think brute force is very applicable right now." Anna must have turned off her hearing approaching the wall and slamming her fist into it. Elsa cringed expecting a scream or wail to follow but nothing, instead Anna observed her hand for bruises.
"Are you hurt?"
Anna shook her head perplexed. "No, I didn't feel anything." She wound up her fist again pulling elbow even further back
Elsa stepped up, lowering the arm, she rubbed small circles into Anna's knuckles. "That does not mean you do it again but with more force."
"Well that's all I have right now!" Elsa held up her palm to ask Anna to lower her tone when she's pushed aside followed by a hasty "sorry" when Anna pointed at the tankard of water. "Did they bring this to you?"
"Yes but Anna-" Elsa replied wanting to get back to the topic at hand.
"I'm sorry Elsa, I didn't mean to yell at you but do you think they'd bring you some more?"
"Are you thirsty?" Anna nodded but refused to drink from the cup when it was offered by Elsa.
"It's okay Anna, I've already had some." Still Anna shook her head. "Elsa that's our way out, when the-whatever they are brings us some water we tackle em out the door and then follow step two of my plan!" It wasn't the worst scheme but… Elsa winced- it was definitely not ideal. Anna was right, what other options were there?
So they enacted Anna's "ingenious" plan. She was a bit more aggressive with it than Elsa was expecting from the fatigue they both suffered from and when the sentinel brought a cup of water Anna holding Elsa's hand tackled it to the ground as soon as it was close to the door to exit the room. Gripping his metallic frame the barrier swallowed the trio up in a heap.
The impact into its back and the floor hurt but Anna left no room for recovery hulling Elsa to her feet. "We're free! Go! Go! GO!"
"I don't recall this being a part of the plan!" Elsa panted keeping up with Anna. Her sister smiled over her shoulder. "Yes! Step one; get out of the room! Step two-" Elsa grasped Anna's shirt to keep her from flipping over the balcony they ran to hoping to find an out. "Improvise!" Elsa looked at her hands then to their surroundings. Climbing up the railing she flicked her wrist lassoing an ice rope around a support beam. Holding out her arm, Anna pretended to swoon as Elsa grasped her waist tightly before swinging towards the neighboring building.
"Nice trick!" Anna said impressed with the acrobatics.
"Tha-guh!" Their momentum halted so suddenly Anna had to wrap her legs around Elsa to not be jolted off, something had gripped the long rope.
When Elsa saw who hauled them to eye level she grinned sheepishly. "Hi… " she greeted in a small voice to the temple Vatken Anna's brown nosing provided no aid for their situation. "Oh wow Elsa you didn't tell me how handsome he was." Closing his eyes, his long sigh swayed the girls slightly before he carried them back to the entrance to the large white monolith tower.
"Handsome or not, put us down!"
Initially Ryu had hoped she'd fade into the dark quietly, not venture to and from consciousness, experiencing small increments of her demise of being crushed and suffocated. That wasn't the case.
What she lay upon was too soft, the air was a jarring juxtaposition to the claustrophobic pressure keeping her body painfully still. She was small, exposed, sore, nauseated.
The stoney hand gripping her bicep kept Ryu from bolting, attacking the first thing her eyes set upon, it didn't silence the growls rumbling in her chest.
Cracking a single lid open she was greeted by a sweet rock face that gave her heart a kickstart to beating properly. "Bulda." The whisper was followed by a long breathy groan. Not in a long time had Ryu felt this sick, this tired. Her stomach hated her for all that occurred and was determined to offer punishment.
The room was spinning, forcing Ryu's eyes up to the ceiling. Well she wasn't dead, this was too pleasant to be hell and she was quite certain on the small chance she would end up in heaven there wouldn't be this- this annoying pang rippling throughout her body.
"Oh sweet child," Ryu hummed at Bulda's laughter, at least someone found joy in her misery. "How much Draco sap did you drink?" Ryu's features scrunched up at the lighthearted chastisement only a mother could give to their child after a night of over indulging. "I- I don't know, I have no clue what that even is."
"Gooey, glows, smells amazing, ringing any bells?" She thought hard, sifting through the blurry fog of memories to what occured in the past few hours. She hadn't forgotten but the events did not line up to make a bit of sense.
"I remember… chasing Anna, she smelt really really good… "Oh God Anna. She definitely deserved an apology when- OH GOD ANNA!
Ryu bolted upright regretfully worsening the dizzy spell plaguing her mind. She gripped her head trying to squeeze out the pain "Anna! I have to find her and where's El-" a chubby shushing finger pressed to her lips.
"The girls are alright, don't send yourself into a tizzy."
"But where are they?" Bulda could barely make out the muffled words Ryu's pressed lips tried to articulate.
"They're in a holding cell and being tended to, although knowing them they're probably causing a commotion with escape attempts, but no harm will come to them."
Just when Ryu thought she could relax against the tattered sheets and pillows, a familiar creature entered the room with audible footsteps. Bulda remained placid, shaking her head muttering about high strung younglings as the fledgling next to her puffed up hissing and growling at the unarmored soldier she and Anna narrowly escaped a few hours ago.
The machinal creature set a neatly folded pile of clothes on the end of the bed and took their leave.
Scales still rattling Ryu shot a perplexed expression Bulda's way. "I'll explain on the way, get dressed, ooooh what a treat it is to see traditional draconic clothing!" She squealed, picking up the clothing and draping them over Ryu's form. "Oh hurry! Hurry! The quicker you get dressed the sooner we can see the girls."
Running a hand through her hair Ryu felt the small plaits intricately weaved in the back. "What the-" she did a double take, there were indeed nine short braids in the back and amongst the sides, Ryu gripped one, holding it up to Bulda. "Did you braid my hair?"
Bulda shrugged, with closed eyes and a smile. "What else was I supposed to do waiting for you to wake up?"
"Kuso jigoku…" She'd definitely be taking these out the first chance she got. Bulda giggled as she slipped her arms into the tunic. Her hands exploratively felt the silk fabrics, they were stretchy, airy, and the patterns etched into them had been done with love. Looking into the dirty mirror, Ryu hadn't recognized who was staring back at her. A dragon had made this outfit, hundreds of years before she was even thought of, crafted with care and love for the night sky. Ryu had never worn anything as nice as this… well she did. Her eyes turned somber remembering how her previous lady would dress her up in expensive clothes one day like a decoration to be gawked at and then rip them away the next.
The sleeves and hem trimmings of the night blue pants translucent and decorated in stars led to the velvet and form fitting top adorned with a constellation Ryu knew all too well.
The idea that this is what she'd look like if she had been born into her family, born into a community was a melancholy one yet she felt blessed for getting to see it. Lifting the collar Ryu knew that any scent of her ancestors would have long since faded leaving only dust and debris as a perfume, she still had to try in vain.
Bulda wiped the tear from her eye and tapped Ryu's leg. "Come on there's someone I want you to meet."
Taking one last glance at herself Ryu followed the troll out of the room.
"Wow-" Ryu whistled eyes trailing up and down the walking mountain in front of her, he too gave her a good look over leaning downward carefully to get closer. "He's big." She stated simply, drawing a giggle out of Bulda.
"Templevakten, this is Ryu. The last dragon." The introduction was followed by a sound that pricked up Ryu's ears from the Vakten who mimicked her head tilt. What a curious creature. He was bigger than anything Ryu had ever encountered, whales included and akin to all the giants she had met, he too was gentle and serene, ancient. Ryu just caught up to understanding the modern Norse that her friends spoke and gave up all hope of understanding him.
"What's he saying?" Whatever it was, the noise had saddened Bulda considerably. "He is wondering if there are more of you." Ryu sighed, glancing down at the ground, the one who had served her people loyally did not deserve to be disturbed hundreds of years later only to be greeted by a sad copy of the great myths who ruled over this place. With a half smile she patted his dangling hand. "Sorry big guy but it's just me." Upon hearing this and with a care that didn't seem possible for something of his size a lone finger pressed against her hair.
Ryu couldn't stop the purr erupting from her chest, feeling homesick for the earth giants who also loved to pet and play with her between their fingers, she didn't notice the words blowing from his mouth until Bulda translated with a knowing smirk.
"There's some troublesome spirits he requires your aid with." Ryu frowned when he herded her and Bulda onto his palm.
"I don't think I'm qualified to handle ancient angry spirits!" She stretched her legs to keep balance against the upward momentum and winds his movements created.
Bulda chortled at this. "Oh I think in this case you're exactly what we need honey!"
Panting Elsa slumped against the wall to the floor in false efforts to catch her breath. This escape attempt was proving much more strenuous against forces that absconded spiritual entities such as herself regularly.
Anna recovered much quicker than she already was standing to grab the water cup and force it into her face. "Drink up!" Her voice cracked, Elsa could see the desire in her eyes as she gazed at the liquid content. She gripped her face peaking through slitted fingers. "Anna-" her tone was tired and strangled, shame had no place here as desperation sealed the door on Elsa's mind. "You are dehydrated, and I'm about to burst. I can't drink any more water."
Anna rubbed her chin. "You think they offer pee breaks?" Narrowed suspiciously at the door. Elsa opened her mouth to answer when a raspy chuckle echoed through the halls. It created a conflicting storm inside the women who recognized it yet couldn't believe what they were hearing, it was followed by a smug voice and equally smug face appearing in front of the barrier.
Elsa gasped, scrambling to her feet with the help of Anna so they could rush to the door. "Ryu!" They cheered simultaneously.
"Hello felons." Anna giggled at this but Elsa did not like the implications of where this interaction was going. "Thank goodness you're alright." She breathed, taking in Ryu's attire it was a far cry from a few hours ago. "You look…"
"Amazing." Anna finished. It was true Ryu to them looked nothing short of royalty, in the elegantly decorated dark blue tunic, etched in stars along her sheer sleeves, the seams of her pants also made of the same material hugging her body closely, it must have been flexible enough for the finicky dragon to not mind. The trail of stars upon the sheer blue led to the centerpiece upon her chest, the Draco constellation Elsa recognized immediately.
"And you look-" Ryu surveyed their prison with her signature sardonic half smile. "Incarcerated."
"Oh so glad you've noticed, think you could help us get out?" Anna casted her arms akimbo impatiently but Ryu ignored this, shaking her head in mock disappointment.
"How'd you get in here in the first place?"
Elsa whimpered, leaning against the barrier that separated them. "It's a long story."
Anna hated the way Ryu quirked her brow and crossed her arms. "Well-" she crawled on gripping her chin. "Doesn't seem like you guys are going anywhere soon, you have nothing but time." So Elsa began paying the cost for her bail and relayed the tails of their separation, her battle the Vatken, and Anna's ingenious escape plan.
Ryu's reaction wasn't exactly expected, she was having too much fun with this, glancing between Anna and Elsa. "You absolute crooks."
"You already know half of my story, after the mines I was brought here."
"Fascinating."
They sat in silence for a small while until Ryu spoke in a casually dismissive tone. "Well Jā matane." Her leave was followed by Anna hollering at her to bring her tail back.
Chuckling she returned and easily entered the cell, with no barrier between them, the three women regarded one another. "Is Kristoff with you?" Ryu smiled warmly at Anna shaking her head, she wouldn't allow disappointment take the reigns of the moment. "He's safe and just waiting at the entrance for you." Anna broke the stillness first embracing Ryu tightly, finally able to breath. Ryu hesitated for a moment until Elsa enveloped both of them, squeezing tightly as she kissed both their heads. The joy was overflowing Ryu's insides that instinct overruled the stoic calm and demanded she nuzzled both women chuckling. Ryu pulled away bouncing, gripping both their hands she successfully pulled Anna and Elsa through the barrier. It was jarring for them at first to have had such complications against the wall just to merely walk past it.
"How's it feel being free jailbirds?"
Anna ruffled her hair to be pushed off and shoved. "Bulda!" Anna raced when she heard her mother in law's exuberant calls. Elsa beamed at them, noticing how Ryu moved to chase after Anna but stopped in self restraint. Reaching out she gripped one of the small braids running it along her fingers appreciatively. Ryu shivered, turning towards her.
Elsa's eyes were warm and unabashedly raking over Ryu's form. "You look wonderful." She whispered, closing the distance between them, allowing her arms to rest on Ryu's shoulders, toying with her braids, she liked them and Ryu would never take them out. There was her overwhelming scent again, overtaking all of Ryu's senses, she welcomed the blindness Elsa plunged her into, all she could see and hear was the spirit, everything faded to a dreary gray she had no intention of lending any attention to. She missed their cottage yes, and the other spirits but here she held in her arms what mattered, smiling at her. Her real home.
"I never gave you that jasmine I promised in the woods did I?" Ryu's interest was thoroughly captured. At first she thought Elsa's promise was that of a real flower until she took in the nature of the situation and the fact that Elsa was speaking the flower language they had created what seemed so long ago.
"No you did not." Elsa's stare flickered from the entrance then down to Ryu's lips finally settling on her eyes. Ryu's arms encircled her waist pulling Elsa in tightly.
"Do you want it now?" It was surprising, here Elsa was not only openly but confidently stepping into the realm of intimacy towards Ryu, there were no signs of anxiety or doubt, no traces of guilt that had so frequently made her question the two of them.
All Ryu could manage was a nod closing her eyes in preparation for pure bliss that Elsa was about to bestow on her in two seconds.
But one second later Elsa stopped pulling away slightly. "Maybe we shouldn't in here?" Ryu growled her grip tightening alluding to her impatience. "Well it could be disrespectful and I feel like we've done our fair share of-" And there it was. Elsa did not miss the eye roll Ryu performed accompanied by a smirk but she was serious!
"Erusa?"
"Yes?"
"Stop talking." Elsa giggled, connecting their lips. She didn't know why she hadn't expected it to become deeper, not a clue of why she expected just a simple peck yet when Ryu began moving her lips against hers she couldn't help but whimper and reciprocate. Her fiddling fingers abandoned the braids to clutch her hair and shoulders. The rush of skin to skin, Ryu giggled at the idea that if they embraced more tightly they'd fuse into one person, not that she'd mind that, swooning she fell forward into the kiss, her hands wrapped around her neck desperately. Their touches could not be mistaken for anything other than covetous, pouring out hours worth of emotions. Elsa being the addict that she was, instead of catching her own breath when they parted would steal the air from the small pants and gasps Ryu wheezed out.
Ryu pulled away wanting to gaze at her girl but Elsa wasn't finished with her yet and took her bottom lip between her teeth. "Erusa-" Ryu breathed out surprised, grinning wide wondering where this emboldened nature lay dormant for so long inside of the spirit.
Elsa connected their foreheads smiling to herself, her reverent touches were as if she doubted Ryu was real or not. The way she felt every small detail meticulously, Ryu wished she could have done the same but every part of Elsa was too wonderful, every edge, curve; her blonde soft hair and porcelain skin that seemed to glow, the constant chilly aura surrounding her person, the aspects which contributed to ethereal nature and even the ones that grounded her in reality the reminders that she was still human, like her little freckles, her smart mouth and sarcasm which went over the heads of others. All parts of her Ryu wouldn't even know where to begin, she loved all of them, every single inch of her. Every part of her loved Elsa. Wait- Ryu's heart ceased pumping blood throughout her body, chilling her limbs and spine. Did she…
Elsa in a very dragon-like manner nuzzled her cheek against Ryu's shoulder and chin. Ryu's scales puffed out in excitement, especially when Elsa rubbed their noses together.
Though something didn't feel right, which Ryu thought impossible whenever she and Elsa were caught up with one another, she grew irritated that the pesky feeling wouldn't stop disturbing her from indulging in the sweet attention Elsa lavished her in, so cautiously she opened one eye. Just as instinct predicted there stood an animal behind the wall watching them curiously with a few flickers of their ears.
"Nan to iu bukimi-sa." Elsa glanced at Ryu confused, surely she didn't mean her but noticing where Ryu's eyes were pointed she turned around spotting the Elk king.
A blush overtook her cheeks when she shyly waved at him. He bellowed at her and Elsa nodded. Taking Ryu's hands in her own, she jutted her head towards the Elk. "He wants to meet you." Ryu frowned and whined. "I don't wanna meet him, I want more kisses!" Elsa chuckled at this and kissed her cheek whispering in her ear. "Later." She was proud that the sly move she had seen Kristoff use to placate a randy Anna worked just as well for her ruffled dragon.
So Ryu allowed Elsa to drag her towards the wall. "Ryu, this is Ceranoos, ruler of the wilds. Ceranoos this is Ryu." They watched the other with Elsa looking between them nervously hoping Ryu remembered her manners. His eyes were wide, his muscles twitched in resistance to remain composed and not lunge forward, Ryu's body behaved in the same manner except she seemed ready to take flight if he tried anything.
The king touched his snout slowly to the wall and just as slowly Ryu raised her palm to it, expecting a solid surface instead her hand sunk through, making contact with the deity. She gasped with Elsa who rushed to her side to keep her from yanking her away.
She didn't know it was possible herself but knew Ceranoos would never cause harm to any of them.
The king's huffs of air tickled Ryu's palm, he felt beyond the earth and yet so grounded and real. Not wanting to be rude he removed himself slowly relinquishing Ryu's touch.
His ears swiveled in the same manner Elsa found to be adorable, Ryu mimicked it with her own. The king noticed and tilted his elegant head again Ryu copied. When he lifted his left leg she lifted hers.
Elsa had to cover her giggles but the king's joy was infectious. He had been waiting centuries for this moment not knowing if it would ever come and finally here he was with the last dragon.
They're playing.
It became too much to bear, his happiness, it made the king leap like fawn in circles thrice before he settled. His eyes drew to Elsa, face quirked with a question he already knew the answer to. Clearing her throat Elsa nodded bashfully. He bellowed at now growing more sporadic. Ryu tried to gauge what he said, based on the way Elsa's eyes grew bigger than she had ever seen them, the way her breathing nearly stopped, and with the red hot blush overtaking her face and neck, it to have been something relatively shocking.
"Well-I erm ahem! I um- thank you, but we aren't exactly at that point yet." The king huffed with disappointment taking over his handsome features, still he seemed to respect Elsa's answer even while being bewildered by it. She wanted to ask but Ryu had a feeling that Elsa wouldn't share, after all she had been translating everything Elsa for her. Bowing to both Elsa and Ryu he turned and bounded off into the void. "I didn't know you spoke Elk."
"Want me to teach you, I am actually quite fluent in it." Elsa softly smiled as Ryu tangled their fingers while watching the magnificent sight.
They kept them interlocked even upon the bridge outside. The destruction of the battle with the Vatken was evident in the rubble all around. Elsa winced at this wondering where the colossus was. Ryu could feel the hold on her hand tightening and becoming colder, the arm it was attached to growing stiff. She wouldn't let Elsa's anxieties ruin a happy moment between them, not this time.
"Still not soothed after the kiss huh?" She pretended to be offended by the notion drawing Elsa from her turbulent thoughts.
"Oh hush, your kiss was plenty soothing."
"I don't know, you seem pretty stiff still and your magic is-" she gestured to the entirety of Elsa. "Going crazy in there."
Elsa sighs. "I just feel awful about this." Ryu followed her trailing arm across the destruction. "You built them a pretty nice bridge though no, I'd say you're almost even."
"Still I should apologize." She nodded resolutely.
"You'll get a chance before we leave." Elsa's mind did not settle despite finding a little humor in Ryu's attempts. There was so much on her plate she was sure it would break from pressure, it was surprising how much energy she had to spare even after her battle with the Vatken.
"Maybe we should put you back in the jail cell so you can make a grand escape that'll tire you out." Elsa giggled at this, which Ryu counted as a win so she continued.
"Then you can put your magic to good use." She was not prepared for the way Elsa leant towards her ear, nor the suggestive tone she spoke in.
"I can think of plenty other ways I can put my magic to good use that would tire both of us out." She knew full well the effect it had on Ryu freezing her in place. It was a rare occurrence she was at a loss for words.
When she caught up to Elsa she stood in front of her holding her hands behind her back to not appear so eager but her beaming eyes gave her away. "Can I see?"
Elsa pretending to think about it nodded and closed the distance between them.
If Ryu had a tail right now it would be wagging, Elsa could tell from the way her hips and rear wiggled back and forth.
"Close your eyes." Without question she obeyed. "And hold still." Ryu held her breath as if that would help ease the twitching that plagued her.
A few seconds later she yelped, wiping her face from the impact of a soggy snowball, shaking the remnants away as she opened her eyes. "What the-" but Elsa was already gone running down the bridge to escape whatever retaliation Ryu's vengeful mind was concocting.
"There they are." Kristoff said standing from holding Anna a boulder. "Kristoff." Elsa sighed, rubbing his cheek.
"As far as temple excursions go this hasn't been as bad as I thought." His false positivity would not get by her. Elsa even with appreciating it, queried a brow at him till he relented.
"It's been terrible." He chuckled, embracing her again.
Odd Ryu wasn't behind her, looking around for the girl she spotted her stealthily stalking Anna who's back was turned. Elsa was just glad the attack wasn't aimed at her.
Right when she pounced Anna turned and gripped her torso lifting her up in the air. "Hey-what! How'd you hear me coming?" Ryu asked, contemplating whether she lost her touch.
"I didn't but I heard Elsa and knew you'd be with her." Anna explained as Ryu crawled all over her sliding down to her leg, holding it like a koala. Anna didn't seem to mind as much as Elsa would have thought walking with the extra weight and balance liability.
Elsa wasn't sure what had changed or was going on with those two but she would be lying if she said she didn't like it.
"Ryu you look sharp, everyone got new clothes except me." Kristoff pouted.
"Oh yes Honey show Kristoff your new outfit!" Bulda fawned. "These are authentic draconic clothing."
"Must be sturdy clothes if they survived this long."
"I'll say." Anna leant on Kristoff's strong shoulders waving a hand at Ryu. "Well come on, show us your best side."
Releasing Anna Ryu stood and showed off the clothes being the most over dramatic exhibitionist. She shook her hips provocatively, turning around to stick out her rear shaking it at the group.
Kristoff groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Anna drew the line at Ryu running her hands over her ass cheeks slowly.
"Okay too much showing off." Ryu looked over her shoulder flabbergasted. "You said you wanted my good side!" She returned to shaking her ass at them genuinely thrilled at the change in wardrobe.
Anna laughed with Bulda until her attention was drawn to the very quiet Elsa, who was holding her chin, lower lip captured between teeth, her eyes were far more appreciative than anyone else present, and much darker than what Anna was used to seeing on her sister. It was subtle enough to a stranger to not raise alarm bells but Anna was no stranger.
Her brows scrunched, staring at Elsa longer than what it should have taken for her to notice she garnered her attention and she would have noticed if she had not been too busy olging.
Elsa coughed when she saw Anna's gaze, pretending to find a crack in the wall very interesting.
"Okay this is why we don't get you new clothes, you don't know how to act." Kristoff put a stop to the show picking up Ryu like a sack of potatoes on his hips.
"Kristoff, do I have a nice butt?" Ryu couldn't even ask this without giggling. "Yes, it's beautiful." He said deadpanned carrying her back the way they came.
"Bulda do I have a nice butt?"
"You're just fishing for compliments now aren't you?" Ryu nodded honestly.
"Anna, do I have a nice butt?" Anna was about to answer but instead caught up to her husband and gave a hearty smack to Ryu's rear and turned to Elsa. "I don't know, I think I need a second opinion. Elsa, what do you think of Ryu's ass?"
Elsa stopped dead in her tracks both physically and mentally. "Um, well uh it's-" her cheeks flushed crimson, Anna swore that all the blood in Elsa's body congregated to her face. "Um it's, well, healthy looking for a woman her age."
Rushing past Anna she missed the sneering smirk on her face.
"Let's go find the Vakten so Elsa can say sorry for beating him up." Kristoff rushed ready to leave the temple and the conversation.
Elsa had remained quiet, since her sincere and a bit melodramatic apology to the Vakten.
Ryu loved the clothes so much she carefully undressed to change unlike the many other times she would just let her draconic bones and flesh rip through any article of clothing she would be wearing at the time. Puling pathetically she showed Elsa the gaping hole in her wing. It didn't hurt but from the way she was acting onlookers would guess it did. Elsa understood the ramifications of the scar, to have her precious means of flight taken again once more must have been a terrifying experience.
Kristoff exhaled heavily against the mountain's edge, his head thudding against the rock drew him back up with the wince. "Ouch." He sheepishly complained. Anna giggled rubbing the sore spot.
It took two trips to get everyone back down safely to the meadows, when Elsa and Bulda returned with Ryu they found Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven laying in the flowers together telling their family everything that occured.
Nokk neighed loudly, almost trampling Ryu to get to Elsa, Bulda joined the fray of hugs and kisses.
Ryu wandered off slowly, Nokk stared her down in a way that held the dragon in place for a few heartbeats until she broke away from the intense stare trotting off, finding a hill to sit up on and gaze at the stars. With peril not being the forefront of her mind, her brain decided to do its most favorite thing and rouse the past in her thoughts, small glimpses of what occured during her drugged stupor trickled down, echoing the disturbing drops into the puddles of memories.
And it's my job to protect her and so far all of her secrets have just led to her getting into danger.
Was she a dangerous secret for Elsa? What if Anna didn't approve and Elsa had to choose between her sister and h- no that wasn't even a question, for one Ryu knew Elsa's love for Anna couldn't even be compared to the feelings she had for Ryu. She'd pick Anna everytime, and even if she would be caught in the middle Ryu wouldn't force her to make a choice. That would be beyond cruel. That is if Anna or anyone ever found out.
She didn't mind it- she knew she didn't mind it, being Elsa's dirty little secret. Despite the bliss that made it worth it, it did not erase the pain. All of Elsa's precautions and fears were legitimate and trumped any angst Ryu felt on the subject, but she still felt the pangs in chest. Elsa wasn't hers, she was Elsa's, the woman knew that.
Every special moment between them would have a time limit. Ryu would never get to tell anyone how much she loved Elsa.
She wanted to be good enough for Elsa to present to her family with a beaming smile and pride. Maybe Elsa could lie to her and say one day but even that was still a stretch, Elsa wasn't a liar.
It didn't seem fair really, without Ryu, Elsa had Anna and so many others, and if Ryu were to lose Elsa she'd have no one. No one else besides Elsa could make her sadder, no one else could make her beam with such happiness.
Maybe she'd still have Bruni, the thought made her smile. Yes, next to Elsa Bruni was the closest to her, how she longed for his company he always knew what to say.
Like that time he had introduced Ryu to licking her eyeball instead of blinking, the most intelligent means of winning a staring contest.
So small and yet so wise.
A loud gallop nearly sent the dragon into a petrified sprint when rationality returned, seeing Nokk trotting towards her. She envied him, standing above her curled body strong and sure never doubting himself, never ridden with stupid angst. She wanted to find the same comfort in him as Elsa did but to her he was just daunting, she respected him but knew a powerful being when she saw one. He'd always intimidate her, enough so that Ryu stood up and moved from the lovely spot, submitting it to him.
With camp set there was a discomposing absence plaguing Elsa. She too needed time to herself, a very difficult thing to come by with Olaf around but she managed it.
She tried to still her breathing, the lack of a certain dragon's presence was overwhelming her mind with trepidation.
No, she didn't leave, she wouldn't. She promised. She hasn't even seen my castle yet, she wouldn't leave.
Elsa would give Ryu the space she needed, to digest what they had been through. She sat up on a log as Kristoff and Anna competed against who could get a fire started sooner.
Ryu would wanna see this. No! I said I'd give her space. Elsa drummed against her thighs for fifteen agonizing minutes.
Nokk nudged against her shoulder roughly, snorting irritably. She rubbed his snout but that was rebuffed. She gave him her full attention, he counted displacing some soil acting completely out of character.
"Um Anna!"
"Yep!"
"I'll be back, Nokk is being weird."
"Everything okay?" Elsa nodded at her sister trailing after the water spirit who finally got what he wanted. Climbing onto his back Elsa allowed him to gallop off deeper into the fields. The vantage point of the hill provided Elsa the ability to spot Ryu trudging slowly till she reached a tree she could curl up at the base of.
Her body language was a clear indication of her mood.
They trotted after her, her ear tendrils flickered in their direction but was not acknowledged. She growled warningly at the horse who snorted in reply.
Dismounting, Elsa slowly approached scratching her scales. She appeared staggered at her presence crooning curiously. "Hey pretty girl." Elsa cooed, blowing cold mist into her snout.
She joined her sitting on the ground leaning against the trunk. Elsa watched the conflictions swim through Ryu's eyes. She was somewhat elated to see Elsa but another side of her probably just wanted to sulk alone. With her head raised Elsa saw another desire pushing its way through, as Ryu eyed the horizon. Whatever was going on she wanted to handle it the way she always did.
By running.
"Anna and Kristoff were fighting over who could start a fire first." Elsa pointed out weakly smiling but Ryu kept her gaze fixed. Surrendering Elsa pressed her face to Ryu's neck. "Honey, tell me what's going on?" Not wanting to leave her with no reassurance, Ryu pressed her muzzle to the top of Elsa's head. They sat in silence with Nokk trailing off.
"I want to show you my ice palace, what do you say?" Ryu thought about it before chirping and rising to her feet. She offered her back to Elsa helping her climb atop. "Let's go tell the others." This would be good, Elsa was certain. Just her and Ryu, they could talk things out of whatever was bothering her and everything would be alright.
Landing in camp the scents of whatever Kristoff and Bulda were cooking made Ryu salivate.
"I was going to show Ryu my ice palace, with the lights and everything and no chance of snowstorms she'd be able to see it clearly."
"Oh okay, well don't keep her out too late." Elsa caught the wink Kristoff shot to Ryu tilting her head.
Odd.
Ryu barked at Anna, jerking her head towards them, a clear invitation. Anna wide eyed pointed to herself. "Me? You want me to come?" Ryu nodded, surprising Elsa even more so than Anna.
"Olaf wanna join?" Anna asked the snowman who was seated upon Sven. Gasping he slid off him in an excited heap.
"Well I suppose that is the most sensible thing since I can introduce her to the snowgies, like Icy, Glacier, Fridge, Sleet, Flurry, Frosty-"
Anna chuckled while collecting him. "When we get there Olaf." Elsa shrugged, so much for talking to Ryu in private, a fun little family trip wouldn't hurt either.
The flight in the night sky was even prettier than during the day. Olaf still gushed about the sensation only hyping up Anna's wonder, Elsa would chime in every now and then focused on navigating Ryu to the North mountain.
Ryu knew Elsa's powers were remarkable but it seemed everywhere she turned in Arendelle a huge reminder of this existed. The huge kaleidoscope of colors which Ryu could easily deduct was her palace standing erect proudly. It was a force of nature and confounding to see the expanse it covered.
"It's pretty awesome right?" Anna rubbed Ryu's side who agreed in a gurgle. When they landed Anna grandly gestured to the entrance. "Behold evidence that Elsa is an architectural genius." Elsa blushed at both Anna's declaration and with the complete awesomeness decorating the environment, Ryu didn't even notice the powdery white cloak and pants Elsa stitched her in.
The aurora above only showcased every fractal and angled piece that were brought together to create such a masterpiece. Ryu's eyes fell upon the astonishing anomaly that came up with this and brought it to fruition. There was that self doubt rearing its ugly head again.
Why did Elsa even like her? If she was capable of this and so much more, what did Ryu have to offer?
Coughing into her hand Elsa nodded for them to go inside. Grabbing her hand Olaf yanked Ryu along.
"You have to meet everyone!"
"Everyone?" He ignored Ryu bursting through the doors, hoots and shouts echoing off the walls.
Ryu barely had a chance to absorb all the little intricate details. A mountainous glob was no shock to Ryu who swore she had seen everything, little faces and tiny limbless Olafs charged in.
"The secret army of Arendelle." Anna crossed her arms for Elsa to nudge her. "We'd never send them into battle." Elsa chided, petting some of her creations.
"I don't know they are terrifying." Ryu quipped, uncertain of where to stand. She watched the largest one greet Anna and Elsa gently. They talked amongst themselves completely in their element.
Elsa was so embarrassed from the story of her first ever cold birthing the small creatures in impressive quantities. Ryu stayed quiet watching them jest back and forth with one another.
"Oh yea you had it all under control huh? So you nearly falling off the clock tower drunk on cough syrup was all part of the plan?"
"I wasn't drunk!"
"You were sucking on that bottle all day."
"I was trying to get better."
When one was speaking the other only had eyes for her specifically.
"Not all the memories of this place are happy-" Elsa trailed towards the banister, reliving the moments that still plagued the family, but she smiled small when Anna captured her fingers with her own, conveying nothing but assuredness and love, backed with undying support, turning back to them. "Still that's what we do best, we take awful memories and learn from them, they made us who we are today and I can't say that I regret that."
Like the temple and many other ancient places Ryu had come across, the history between Anna and Elsa was deep and rich. An endless pool, not as archaic they were both still in their twenties no less but there was so much that connected them…
She'd never dare come between that, this moment seeing them together interacting with Elsa's sweet and mischievous creations highlighted how much of a fool she truly was to ever doubt the depths of their ties.
"Let's go watch the lights from the balcony!" Elsa cheered excitedly racing up the stairs like an expert even in her heeled boots.
"Anna…" Ryu's still voice kept the queen from following her sister. She turned, smile fading when she took notice of the nature of Ryu's expression.
"I'm sorry-" she began hopelessly. "I doubted you from the beginning and still even before in caves. You were right. It wasn't my place nor is it ever to comment or make judgements about your relationship with Elsa. I was an baka- an idiot, and if I wasn't I wouldn't have scared you like I did… it was my fault." There was a mournful repentance Anna hadn't known the dragon was capable of. She took a moment to think before she spoke.
"I think it needed to happen." There it was, that doubt in Anna's words but this time she took no offense despite Ryu just apologizing for the same transgression two seconds ago. Baby steps. Anna pressed on. "If it hadn't, my eyes would have remained close to the issues I have. It wasn't pleasant having them exposed like that but I think it'll be for the better. When we first met…" Anna needed to find the right words.
"I liked you- well I mean I guess more so liked messing with you than who you were as a person." Ryu admitted. Bluntness was her language, Anna could appreciate that.
"I did not like you." Ryu snickered at this but understanding reflected in her demeanor. She was aware her person was difficult to digest and not for all, well most. Anna would give some consolation, while Ryu's good humored intuition of who she was redeeming to her, it also saddened Anna to witness the self degrading nature which seemed to be an equal part to her whole awareness, she appeared to so many as confident- overconfident and yet...
"But after the caves…" Anna wrung her fingers together. "I like you more now. I have a feeling that it'll get better." But Ryu shook her head.
"I think it's capped off, I'll take what I can get." It didn't seem right to Anna, the desperate and defeatist admission one had with set expectations of not being accepted, only to be grateful for the scraps of tolerance and not minding them.
"No." The shape reply had Ryu turning back around to face her.
Anna merely hugged her tightly, gentle fingers petting the back of her hair. "It will. And we both held some blame. I'm sorry too. I judged you just as badly as you did me, if not more so, all you've done is try to protect us and I'm … grateful for everything you've done for Elsa. For me…" Ryu frowned at this over her shoulder.
Yea until you know.
"We've been through a lot together, you and I. That has to count for something right."
Ending the embrace with an uncomfortable cough, Ryu's soft scales now had turned into steel, she nodded up the stairs. "You should talk to her about everything."
Anna's head tilted. "Aren't you coming?" Ryu backed off the stairs, Anna could see the true emotions whirling in her eyes, remoteness, resignation, despite her smile and blase tone trying to dissimulate it all. "I think Olaf has a few more people for me to meet. Go on."
Anna smiled once more, still there was a small tinge of worry for the dragon, she was right though, she needed to speak with her sister alone.
Elsa looked so content and winsome sitting on the bench looking out over the outside balcony. It was anyone's guess of what was going through her mind but Anna could detect traces of nostalgia and found herself reminiscing of the first time she saw Elsa in her natural element, both inspiring and heart wrenching that she had been so repressed in Arendelle, how stifling and suffocating that was for her.
Sensing the scrutiny Elsa's eyes landed upon her then did a quick scan around. Before she could speak up about the glaring missing party Anna beat her to it.
"She'll be up eventually-" Elsa scooted over so Anna could join her. "She has about eighty two more names to memorize." They both chuckled, envisioning Ryu drowning in a sea of snowgies. The little imps lacked any sense of personal boundaries for any visitors.
The silence following allowed them to retreat within themselves, so close physically, far away emotionally. On par with her character Anna broke the barrier first twisting her body towards Elsa. No matter how many times Elsa was receptive to her advances and desire for closeness it still always made Anna's heart do a giddy dance.
"Sooooo, today was a big day." Elsa giggled keeping her stare trained on the aurora above them. "I agree."
"You want to go first?" They chortled at the simultaneous statement made to each other. One sister usually spoke for the other.
"You first." Nudged into the story Elsa told the bold tale of her fight with Vakten, soon both realized the overlapping nature their stories had, the cause and effect that stirred up a queer concoction of guilt and silliness that left them gob smacked by how close they were to each other.
"That was you two! That tower that fell?" Having just been told how Anna and Ryu made it to the underground tunnels Elsa needed one more confirmation. Anna nodded, wincing.
And I had accused the Vakten.
Signing Elsa rested her now very heavy head upon two fists. If she had known that she would have added it to the very long list of apologies.
"I saw so many sides of Ryu and myself, some I'm not proud of." She watched Anna growing smaller, a curled up mess of fiddling fingers and nervous twitching preluding to the vulnerability she felt at the moment.
"I don't really talk about the bad things, well not as I should. It's in the past, we grew from those things but just because you grow from something-" Elsa could see her throat bob from emotion welling up. She prayed the soft clench of her hand around Anna's allowed her to find the difficult words she searched for.
"Doesn't mean it won't hurt and still doesn't hurt, lots of things have happened and they affected me in ways that are not healthy and I can't just accept the good and the growth I have to accept the bad too." The words stewed in the air, Elsa always knew her sister had some issues with abandonment, attachment, and the fear of losing her loved ones but they worked on those together. She too had many scars from the past but she had no inclination that Anna had been keeping this all inside.
"I have new fears; dying, well that's not new but umm I think the biggest one I developed is- being hunted." Elsa's stomach plummeted through the floor, instinctively she had to wrap her arms the now crying Anna who even still tries to smile through the pain.
"I've got you. "
"I know she didn't mean it, it wasn't her fault- she feels so guilty and I feel guilty for feeling this way, and she never meant to hurt me and didn't but just being chased and pursued like that by a creature like Ryu… knowing what she's capable of- it's just." Anna sobbed trying to catch her breath. "I'm sorry I know, you care about her-"
"No no sweetheart. I understand, that must have been horrible for you." Elsa rubbed Anna's shoulders keeping her pressed in. From her own experience and from what Ryu had told her what it was like being another's prey, Elsa wished with all her heart she could erase the feeling of helplessness and fear from her sister. She was however very proud of Anna coming forward with this. She was always seen by others as the reclusive one, the sister who did not wear her heart on her sleeve, many who met Anna had no idea about the demons the bubbly, sweet, joyful woman kept hidden in her closet. Always first to be there for a friend yet the last to ask for help.
"Hey," Elsa lifted Anna's face towards her own planting a soft kiss on her cheeks. "I won't ever let anything or anyone hurt you. Not ever. Not anyone." Anna nodded burying herself into Elsa's chest.
"Please don't be mad at Ryu." As if Anna could sense the tension and aggression building up in Elsa's chest towards the dragon for her sake, she knew she had to defend her. "She couldn't help it, I was covered in this gross gooey stuff and she was like a bee to honey with it, she couldn't pull away… " a flash of recognition bolted across Elsa's features until she sighed leaning back.
"Draco sap."
"What?"
"It's a drug, used for medicinal purposes for serious things like amputations, or severe illnesses, its only benefit is to take away pain and make it easier for the dragon to operated on." Anna nodded, as sickening as it was her mind flashed back to watching Ryu guzzle the drug from off the floor just to turn on her. Her imagination drew Ryu to appear angry snarling fangs, and that earth shattering roar-
Wait, that never happened.
Anna began separating fact from fiction, Ryu had never growled or roared at her, sure she chittered and barked but inherently those weren't aggressive sounds.
"What's the standard dosage?"
"Hm Bulda said about a tablespoon is enough to knock a six hundred pound dragon off their feet, it is incredibly potent and only handled with care by elder dragons they're not as susceptible to its properties."
"Oh. I guess it's my fault for exposing her to it." Elsa shut that down very quickly, using a firmer tone she left no room for argument or for Anna to slip into a depressive culpability.
"It is not! You had no idea what it was, I didn't even know until Bulda told me about it. I don't blame you and won't let you blame yourself."
Anna pouted slouching over having messed her fingers raw she took to playing with Elsa's slender cold digits. "What about Ryu?" She mumbled.
Elsa took a cleansing exhale. It would have been so easy to push the blame on her to direct this anger on someone instead of having it notched like an arrow with no target, but that wouldn't be fair. Especially knowing Ryu the way Elsa did.
"No, I don't blame Ryu either. Sometimes there isn't anyone to blame, things happen." Elsa turned her attention back on Anna, bopping her nose with each word. "I am very, very, very proud of you." Anna's beautiful giggle lifted the spirits of things allowing the girls to settle into one another for some well needed cuddling and watching the lights.
One crisis down, another to get through.
It seemed Ryu found Elsa's bedroom and escaped her rambunctious snowy creations either by scent or pure luck.
Elsa had to lean against the door, having a silent moment to herself. She felt herself drowning in the absorption from the emotions of others. Elsa felt utterly drained but she could not leave her dragon in this state of mind, out of empathy or the always underlying fear that she'll slip away.
And there she was watching the lights alone, her neck turned following a particular pattern. Ryu had to have been a thousand feet underneath her thoughts, she hadn't even detected Elsa's presence.
"Hey." It was such an awkward greeting for what they were together, Elsa waved her hand. "Hey."
"Anna alright?" Elsa nodded. "She's remarkably strong. She'll be okay." Elsa caught Ryu's shoulder wince, her tiny iridescent scales hardening but she still agreed with the sentiment.
"What about you?"
"I'm fine." The sharp reply was expected still it infuriated Elsa all the same. "Ryu-" She began massaging her temples. "I can't do this tonight." She regretted her delivery, noticing the hurt pulling Ryu further into herself. "Then… don't?"
"I'm not leaving you like this, so please just tell me what's wrong." She couldn't tell if Ryu was moved by her beseeching or not, this still wasn't answered when she spoke again.
"So Anna told you everything."
"Yes… " Elsa daring to venture closer was a mistake, Ryu tried to be subtle with the way she moved away from her leaving the window, she pretended to be investigating the surroundings in the bedroom. Feeling the materials that made the canopy.
"You can be mad."
"I am mad but not at you." Ryu scoffed. "Why?"
"It wasn't your fault, you were placed in that situation and still despite everything were very brave to protect Anna." Ryu's face said everything. She did not believe a single thing Elsa said.
That's when Elsa felt an anger born within her, its origins completely different than what Ryu would have expected.
"I'm not mad at you for what happened in the temple, but I am quite vexed at you for invalidating my feelings." Elsa didn't see Ryu's double take at her, instead keeping her back turned to the perplexed woman.
"Erusa-what I don't-"
"Yes you do, whenever I speak of my feelings towards you, they don't matter, you constantly disregard them, merely for the fact that you can't put aside your own opinions about yourself or even entertain the idea that they may be biased or simply not true." At this point Elsa had begun her pacing, hugging her arms close, the growing rigid air was not as intimidating to deal with than Elsa herself, Ryu kept her mouth shut after opening to assuage Elsa's anxieties but that was quickly shut down from the glare she received.
"How would you feel if someone constantly-every single time you paid a compliment or said something sweet and forgiving about me-" Elsa's arms waved and flayed this way and that. "How would you feel if they constantly doubted and invalidated your words and expressions?" After a minute passing Ryu realized this question was not rhetorical.
"Umm well I wouldn't want to be around them." Oh she hoped, hoped with her very being Elsa would not follow this line of thinking and turn her away. She hoped that the pitiful expression she held could appeal her case.
Ryu panicked, she lived her life without Elsa and the others for twenty years, yet all the memories they had together surpassed any others she held. It was the twenty years prior that felt short and pointless. These last two months, they were ones that felt like her whole life. If Elsa rebuked her she'd have nowhere else to go, no reason to do anything anymore.
It absolutely horrified her. How? How did they do this to her? How did Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf,the spirits make everything outside this realm so gray and insignificant?
Life was so simple before them, sickeningly simple, a single tune Ryu had been content with never seeking more. Then she just had to swim North, and just had to have been lured in by the smells of fish guts and chum by Nordic sailors, and of course she just had to be caught and make her great escape from the city, and meet these people, beautiful- flaws and all, and she just had to love them.
Elsa's voice cracked through the lump that welled in her throat."Then why do you do that to me?" Defeated and exhausted Elsa collapsed on the edge of the round bed sitting at the center of the room. Ryu carefully approached, not even daring to move aside the thin canopy drapes which concealed spirit.
Giving Elsa some time she eventually poked her head in, still Elsa refused to look at her, finding her boots more appealing to study.
"I don't know Erusa…" Ryu confessed sitting on the other side. "I don't know. I trust you in all things except that, it's not fair I know a-and I know you're not lying I just…" she didn't know how to articulate an answer.
"Why do your opinions about yourself matter more than mine?" Ryu jerked facing Elsa. "They don't Erusa, I promise it's just-" Finally Elsa lent her eyes to Ryu.
"I don't know. But I can promise to not disregard the things you say about me, even if I don't agree." That wasn't enough for Elsa, she would need more than Ryu resigning to keep her mouth shut.
"I would also greatly appreciate it if you tried to at least- try to see the things I see in you." Sighing heavily Ryu nodded. She needed to troubleshoot the situation quickly.
"You're upset, I can go get Anna and Olaf." When she stood and grazed by, she felt a cold grip envelope her wrist pulling her back down beside Elsa whose expression changed completely from before, it seemed Elsa wanted to test the restraints of their new agreement.
Scooting in closer, Ryu's purr argued with the nervousness she felt from Elsa's closing proximity, still unsure if Elsa was temperamental. Ryu got some answers from the herding pushes from Elsa's gentle hands. Catching the hint and she climbed up on the bed with Elsa following.
Before she could reach down Ryu rushed forward and began gently removing her boots and socks. Elsa watched pleasantly surprised from the lingering palms which squeezed her sore soles.
Ryu seemed most comfortable there, relieving some of the stress from Elsa's feet until she was signaled to join Elsa at the head of the bed.
She pressed her cheek to Elsa's cupping palm exhaling heavily at the rubbing thumb. "Thank you." Ryu pressed her lips to that palm mumbling into it. "I can do it some more."
Elsa shook her head. "Not for that." Now Ryu looked up blinking. "Thank you for being so brave and protecting Anna."
Without missing a beat she shrugged and her scales hardened, it must have been painful having them contract like that, squeezing together tightly just to relax only for something to get Ryu defensive again. "I didn't feel brave… " It was too late to fix her mistake so she misdirected. "An-Anna was very brave too, she kept me very safe." Elsa's petting paused when Ryu's shoulders hunched. Taking a breath she continued pulling Ryu closer. "You both were and I'm very proud of you." Ryu shuddered, braving a glance at Elsa's soft smile.
"I knew you'd take very good care of each other." Ryu nodded slowly at this, taking a harsh swallow, she hoped that was the end of Elsa's praises-
"So brave and so beautiful-" Sweet Jesus. She needed to recalibrate her mind if she was going to survive this conversation. These affirmations made Elsa happy for some reason, and Ryu wanted to make Elsa happy so she could withstand this for her.
"Thank you." Elsa beamed brighter than the sun wrapping her arm around Ryu. Her smile dimmed a little when she began considering something but what, Ryu couldn't figure out.
She reached a decision and nudged Ryu's side. "My smart, brave, beautiful, strong, and funny dragon."
Ryu half smiled, licking her lips. Turning on her side to regard Elsa."With the butt of a healthy woman." Elsa giggled, shaking her head, the mischief bled into her mannerisms, was Ryu deflecting and misdirecting with humor probably, but progress well made was a slow process. Elsa held their faces inches apart. Her hand shakily strayed up Ryu's hip till just the tips of her fingers rested upon her rear.
Elsa's cold air whispered across Ryu's lips."Well I like it." Ryu smirked, unable to lower her brows even if her life depended on it.
"I never finished my dragon clothes dance." Leaping up she scooted off the bed.
"Oh no?"
She shook her head. "Iya."
Elsa wanted to keep the humor of the situation going but the eagerness spreading and stinging her body made that difficult. "Please do." She cleared her throat and steadied her breath scooching to the edge.
Ryu began humming and slowly moving her body, although her dancing wasn't traditional by any means to any culture Elsa knew of it was pleasant to see. The way she moved waverly and hips gyrated and swayed in time with her legs and feet. Elsa noticed the flexibility of those hips, she already knew how flexible dragon bones were but to see Ryu move so…
Proactively… It made Elsa wish she tied a sash around the ice cloak Ryu wore so the clothes could hug her form a bit more.
When time came for her to turn around Elsa hesitated drawing her eyes to wear they wanted to go, she reminded herself of what they were doing. Ryu wanted her to look and enjoy looking. So she did, finally relaxing when Ryu looked over her shoulder and winked.
Elsa's insides burned as if Ryu had blown a plume of fire down her throat, the heat traveled along her body till finally settling in the most inconvenient place. Elsa gripped the bed and crossed her legs, it wasn't painful necessarily and Elsa was no stranger to these sensations in the past.
In the present however the target of her attention stopped dancing, now gazing at her bright eyed with flaring nostrils slowly walking till she stood before Elsa, looming over her and that damn smirk Elsa swore she would kiss it off her lips.
I can't take this anymore.
"So uh-" Ryu began, tucking a stray lock of hair out of Elsa's eyes. "You thought that outfit makes me look cute?"
"Uhuh…" Gripping the nape of her neck allowed Elsa to yank Ryu down into her lap. She happily complied straddling Elsa's legs.
For the first time Elsa did not ask permission, nor did she hesitate to kiss Ryu. Ryu opened her mouth inviting Elsa in as the spirit cupped her ass, relieving the curiosity of what the plump flesh felt like, how soft it was and how well it fit in Elsa's palms when she kneaded it with flexing, digging fingers.
They almost consumed Elsa's attention when she felt the faintest hint of fang grazing her ivory neck. Ryu's rear wasn't the only part of her Elsa was curious about, hiking her up by the torso Elsa used the leverage to gain enough momentum and twist them back onto the bed lifting Ryu's cloak over her stomach.
Sitting up panting Elsa's eyes raked over the small, pale blue pebbled scales decorating her torso minus the middle which remained naked. When her hungry mouth sent her forward to gift Ryu's middle with suckling kisses. She used her weight to keep the lurching Ryu pinned, ears fine tuning in to listen to scratchy moans tearing up from her throat. It was a deliciously sinful sound both sweetly human, raspy like Ryu's voice accompanied by the occasional draconic trill and chitter.
Fascinating.
Elsa wondered what other sounds she could draw from the dragoness
"Erusa!" She answered Ryu's sweet cry, meeting her eyes, her dilated, blown out eyes. It was… Elsa wasn't certain her fogged brain could find a word that could be used to describe how this felt.
Good.
It felt too good seeing and feeling Ryu underneath her in this way. Her disheveled clothes and huffing breathes pristine and imperfect. No one had ever looked at Elsa like that; those eyes, swirling in those gorgeous black pupils, was a carnal longing and reverence that seemed to venture past Elsa's physical body. "Oh god." Elsa heaved surging forward to dispel all of her pent up libidinous impulses.
Elsa whimpered, feeling utterly helpless at the whims of her inner desires. "Oh baby." The word slipped out before she had even known it was pressing against her lips. Ryu seemed too distracted to have noticed or maybe she did and just didn't care.
Where had that come from?
Shaking her head having not found an answer, Elsa just hoped she wasn't heavy, but those worries were dashed away when Ryu hitched up her leg onto Elsa's hip bringing her body down closer.
Elsa gripped the calf firmly ensuring it wouldn't go away as soon as she kissed Ryu once more, this time not waiting for invitations, plunging her tongue into her hot mouth, exploring every inch of it. Experimentally she ran her tongue along Ryu's fangs shuddering when she took inventory of how sharp they were. Her free hand was busy rubbing whatever part of Ryu's stomach it could reach, mapping every single sinew, and dip and curve. She had to balance her investigative nature and the raging hormonal wrath that just wanted to touch every and anywhere she could get her hands on.
The dragon whined desperately bucking with unsurprising strength upward into Elsa, she moaned at the sensation deciding that she loved it and now began finding ways of how to deliberately egg Ryu into the reaction again and again, and when Elsa felt her own hips beginning to rock on their own she stopped herself from chasing that type pleasure, it felt dangerous, like a cliff, a point of no return.
It was comfort knowing that Ryu could have easily thrown Elsa off if she wanted despite Elsa bearing down her weight to keep the twisting and contorting dragon somewhat still.
Ryu's fingers abandoned Elsa's hair, squeezing between them to rub her stomach in return. Elsa smiled into the kiss, she didn't know what the significance to abdomens were for dragons but deep down sensed it must have been something intimate and private, intensifying the privilege she felt that she could share this with her dragon.
My dragon.
Elsa never considered herself to be a possessive person unless it came to her privacy but knowing that no one had ever gotten to experience this Ryu, that she was all hers was intoxicating.
She barely managed to pull away from Ryu's insistent mouth, succeeding in getting out a few words. "Are you alright?" She panted out. Ryu nodded, finally coming to.
"Hai, you?" Elsa groaned, nodding into Ryu's shoulders, her hands falling to the hem of Ryu's trousers twitching. She stared down at the blue sheet below them catching her breath and her thoughts.
Ryu held deathly still as Elsa battled between her desirous lust and rational principles. She wasn't frightened and knew her mind was already made, if Elsa were to decide to take her now she'd be ready. She also knew that because of her certainty it was Elsa's choice at this point, but for the love of all that was holy if Elsa kissed her stomach one more time… well she wasn't above begging for some type of relief at this point. She wasn't sure of how it would happen if it did, she knew how her own body worked sort of, she knew what felt good, but not too sure for humans, was it complicated, was there a certain technique? These questions had her now uncertain if she was ready.
Finally with a loud huff Elsa rolled off her onto her back. Ryu regarded her sitting up on elbows. There Elsa lay staring angrily at the ceiling, she looked pissed but smelt delicious. Ryu laid back and tilted her head, connecting it with Elsa's with a thunk.
"Ow." Elsa droned.
"Sorry."
"Ryu? Gecko?" Elsa's tone was repentant.
"Erusa, that was nice. I liked it." Ryu curled closer burying underneath the sheets, with her lips she pressed her lips to Elsa's arm letting her feel her grin.
"Still, I want to discuss it when we get home okay?" Ryu nodded.
"Do you want to go back to the camp?" For some reason in the state she was flying and being around anyone that wasn't Elsa seeded a tiny drop of dread inside Ryu's chest, so she shook her head.
After a while Elsa sat up alarming Ryu, confused by the worried look on her face Elsa tilted her head. "I have to go get Anna and Olaf settled. I'll be back." Ryu nodded, closing her eyes when Elsa kissed her head tenderly.
When Elsa closed the door to the room, that faithful tremble returned to Ryu's lips. She breathed heavily, pawing at her eyes. Was she seriously about to cry right now?
The longer Elsa was gone the more terror began sullying everything that had occurred between them.
What is wrong with me?
Her chest labored having to put extra work into getting air which was now so thin, more than what being on a mountain could explain.
Ryu could not deny how alone she felt, how vulnerable, and small there was no danger present yet every sound jolted her senses into a foreboding frenzy. This fear, it felt primal. Everything after was a blur of acts urged by instinct.
Elsa had supposedly found her under the bed, trembling. And when her smell wisped up into Ryu's nostrils and voice lulled into her ears the dragon clung to her the entire night, shaking until finally she calmed. Elsa was asked what happened but Ryu had no answers. That was fine she didn't want to know what it was herself. She didn't care, all she cared about was keeping the spirit close.
When Elsa expected Ryu to fly into the night among the mountains she stayed put grooming Elsa to sleep. The chill of her body provided an amazing balm to her rattled nerves till the sun showed signs of peaking over the mountain summits when Ryu finally could doze off, Elsa must have been worried enough to stay even into the late morning. Ryu could recall hearing Anna and Olaf enter the room but she paid no mind to them. Their funny stories and jokes leaking into her brain provided for some peculiarly entertaining dreams.
"She must be pretty wiped?" Ryu heard Anna comment, the dip in the bed meant she had joined them.
"Can you blame her?"
"No… so she slept in here with you?"
"... Mhm."
"Next time invite Anna and I, we can have a sleepover!"
"I will Olaf."
"Hey Els?"
"Yes sweetheart?"
"She's one of your good secrets."
Iya Japanese for no, informal
Kuso jigoku- fucking hell
Nan to iu bukimi-sa - what a creep
Jasmine flower represents in some interpretations sensuality and kissing. ️👄 ️