*RUGGED / FEARLESS.

❝    if you’d like an apology for me,     you won’t receive any.     ❞       they’re stuck.    their adventure to travel uphill to rejuvenate both sitron and sven’s strengths after their ill having cured had taken too long that they’d needed to find shelter if they’re hoping to make it to the castle ground by morning light now that the sun has set.    hans hadn’t wanted to,    he didn’t want to give the ice queen any reason to bring more despair on his prisoner status here in arendelle,    but the ice harvester had reminded that there were wolves in the area.    so,   yes.   hans thinks again.    they’re stuck.    how unfortunate.    

❝    i do admit,   the rumours of my family are true.   we are a cruel and unforgiving house,    and i hadn’t had the kindest of childhood   -   yet that is no excuse for having done what i did.    still,   i am not sorry.    if i were to do it again,   i’d bring up that blade quicker to your queen’s head.     not for the crown though,    no.     ❞      if only so somebody,   anybody,   could bear the same loneliness i felt.    if only for anna to stay absent of knowing how it is to be loved truly by a family member.     a frozen heart,    hans thinks,   patting his chest.     maybe it is what he bears after all.      ❝    however,    that is an ambition long passed.    so,   fear not.    there is no positive outcome anyway,   should i do harm to any royal member of kingdom arendelle presently.     ❞   

  @trollraised   /   from that starter call from like, 500 years ago.

It’s not like he’s expecting one, it is Hans. Civility has been somewhat set, hostility lukewarm. Their animal companions’ ill health had invoked them to put aside any ill feelings - - for now. The snowy grounds beneath them make crunching sounds as Kristoff steps through it with booted feet. The sun is already beginning to fall, and he knows they have to find shelter or least they’ll be stuck with wolves roaming around.      “    Wasn’t expecting one,   ”   he says wryly, adjusting his hat on his head. 

Have any of them had kind childhoods, he’s beginning to wonder. It’s not a good excuse and at least Hans can admit to that. Kristoff’s light brows furrow down, lips setting into a thin line. He hadn’t initially cared much for Elsa - - or, more like, he had been neutral on his feelings on her but she’s proven to be a good person much like Anna. Neither of them deserved what had happened - - what could have happened.    “   I doubt you’ve ever been sorry about anything in your life, ”     he retorts, voice gruff and rough edges. So much for civility, but Kristoff has his limits. Regardless if Hans says he’s not entertaining the thought anymore Kristoff’s shoulders are still oh-so-tight, guard set. Trust for him isn’t something so easily earned.

Jasmine shivered with every step, her normally tanned nose and unusual shade of pink. She had lived in the desert her entire life–snow was not something she was ever exposed to. Hell, if the temperature ever went below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, she had to wear a heavy shawl. This, though, this tundra had the poor runaway shivering like a maraca.

“No,” she whispered through chapped lips. “Ice” she basically hissed at the word, “Is not something I’ve seen a lot in my life.” Ungloved hands rubbed the side of her arms as she frantically tried to warm herself. Go see the world Jasmine, what’s the worst out there. Oh, you mean besides the icy death of Arendelle? She scolded herself mentally as she trudged through the unforgiving fjord.

“I’ll manage.” It sounded like a lie to her own ears but Jasmine was too stubborn to ask for help.

She certainly looks cold enough, but her clothing probably doesn’t help. Sven nudges at his back with his nose, urging him forwards. Like a reindeer whisperer Kristoff reads the notion easily enough. Help the girl. Right. Helping. He’s still not used to that - - the last person he helped was Anna and that had been a disaster. Disregarding the fact that she’s now his friend along with Elsa but. .  .

Kristoff eyes her a little longer than his usual quick glance. A light brow raising skeptically. Yeah, he doesn’t believe her at all. Honeyed eyes fall on his reindeer companion before he pats the back of it and as if on cue Sven steps forwards to the girl’s side, kneeling down on his four legs like a knight.

          gaze only softens further at his words and a step closer is taken so that both hands cupped his face , ❝ you don’t have to apologize , kristoff . ❞ head is tilted back a bit to look up at him , ❝ i was lost in my thoughts and not really paying attention so you’re fine . ❞ as she spoke one of her hands had moved down to be placed upon his shoulder , however , she hadn’t realized that fingers had slid down his neck to get to his shoulder — far too busy looking into his eyes .

          ❝ you never have to worry about that because i enjoy it when you — ❞ she catches herself and face becomes a deep flush . that was when eyes break away to stare at his chest — anywhere but his eyes . her heart is racing and both hands had fallen to his chest , fingers curled into loose fists . had she really been about to say that — confess that ? ❝ —i-i think we should finish up for today . the festival will be fine — like you said …and — ❞ she’s refusing to look him in the eyes , gaze falling on everything but those brown eyes .

It feels like his heart is about to burst out of his chest with the way it’s thumping heavily. It becomes more prominent when he feels her touch slide down from his cheek, leaving a cool trail that somehow burns nonetheless. He swallows, his adam’s apple bobbing up and down with the action. At least he knows he hasn’t pushed any boundaries, is always so hesitant to reach out. His warm honeyed gaze flickers across, taking in her facial features, trying to read her. He doesn’t get to hear the final part of her sentence but he can’t help but wonder: does she mean to say she enjoys the innocent touches they share here and there? But then she’s avoiding his gaze, changing the subject, and he’s left with his heart in his throat.

No, he doesn’t want to shut himself anymore. He wants to be more open, especially with Elsa.

His hands work on setting up a rope and other gear on Sven. He pauses to pat a hand gently on his reindeer companion’s back fondly before digging out a carrot to hold in front of it. Sven munches on it, and Kristoff regards him a bit longer before turning his attention back to Anna. The ground’s snowy but thankfully snowfall has stopped for the day leaving it in okay standards to travel. For someone experienced in traveling with snow like him at least. He’s practically lived outdoors all his life after all.

“    Are you sure you really want to spend your day mountain climbing?    ”    For him it’s fun but his interests aren’t exactly what every one enjoys he’s long realized. ( He’s odd, most definitely. ) In fact, he still doesn’t know all that much about Anna’s interests either; he’s still learning. 

          she’s lost in her storm of thoughts , dissociating for a moment before his touch brings her back . it’s like a thrust back into reality — being yanked out of raging rapids back into safety . she jumped in that instant but relaxed when she knew it was his touch . head turn as hand reaches up to rest over his . she listens to his words , soaks them up . they cause her to flush and avert her gaze . he was right , of course .

          he knew what to say to ease her whirling mind . though worry was still present , she was able to push it to the back of her thoughts . frown was replaced with a soft smile , free hand going to press against his own cheek .  ❝ thank you , kristoff . you’ve always known what to say to help ease my mind . ❞ how fondly did she gaze up at him , freckle dusted cheeks now hinted with a soft flush . thumb rubbed against his cheek , a cool touch compared to his heat ( and possibly quite a refreshing sensation in the summer’s rays ) .  

He feels her jump, thinks he should have asked before acting but then she’s relaxing into his touch. His warm gaze flickers across, taking in her facial features, admires the pretty color that blossoms across her cheeks. She’s so beautiful that sometimes he feels his breath catch just upon looking at her like now. Her touch is against his hand, cool and dainty, and her gaze is upon him. He’s not sure what to make of that look - - feel like the same he might give her some days like she’s the full moon in the night sky. He feels his own cheek warm, rosiness coming across his freckled cheeks and nose. When she says his name like that, when she looks at him like that his heart goes into overdrive. 

          around tables she walks , looking at selection of plates and silverware and glasses . cards were placed atop each selection which described the make and such of it . painted lips pressed together as she picked out a set of green and blue china . then came the selection of drinks to be served first , small cups that were samples . she stood before then , staring at them but not seeing them . fingers fidgeted with the end of her braid ( a habit not many knew of ) as she bit at her bottom lip .

          ❝ … i know she will … she’s so easy to please and i love her but — ❞ hands begin to rub together ; more fidgeting , ❝ this time it’s not just her but my kingdom . i want everyone to have fun in the celebrations . ❞ back to her braid , fingers twirling the end as gaze wanders and lifts to the sky . it would start getting dark in the next couple of hours .    

She’s really worried about this. He can’t imagine how much she’s bearing on her tiny shoulders. Running a kingdom can’t be an easy feat, especially with the ‘dealing with people’ part. It’s part that Kristoff’s admittedly awful at himself, spent too many years alone and away from others. His hands drop from his hips as he walks over to where she’s at, her fingers playing with perfectly braided hair. While he still hesitates with touch especially concerning her it doesn’t stop him in this moment as his hand comes out to brush across her cheek to capture her attention as well as provide some semblance of comfort. ( He wants her to smile more, to be more at ease. ) She’s soft underneath his rough skin, but he knows better, knows she’s really strong too, but her heart’s also fragile. 

@trollraised

         the midsummer festival was nearly there and still there was so much to do . the queen was rushing around making sure all was perfect within the castle’s courtyard ( tables were where they should be , was there enough places to sit , was the ribbon pole set up , ) . a array of samples had been set up for her to test ( of course she went for the chocolates in her stressful haze ) . ❝ — i’m just so worried ! this is the first midsummer festival that anna and i have celebrated properly and — oh you have something right – here let me get it – ❞ it was automatic , hand lifting so that thumb was wet by tongue to wipe away the smeared bit of fudge on the corner of his mouth before she continued with her pacing , ❝ — it needs to be perfect ! — what if something goes wrong ? ❞

It’s a little amusing to watch Elsa fret. Most don’t get to see this side of her - - the side that worries and cares so deeply and frets about things like perfection. He’s mid-bite of finishing the piece of chocolate he’d swiped from the tables, swallowing as hands come to rest upon his hips. His warm honeyed gaze flickers over to watch Elsa stride around.   “    You’re worrying too much, it’ll be fine. Anna will love anything you do,    ”    he says, his voice smooth and encouraging, a gentle touch despite his big form.