Trapped by Fear

Chapter 29

(Elsa's POV)

I woke up to something looming in front of my face. With a quick gasp and a contained scream I immediately tried to shuffle backwards, only for my back to hit the wall. Muted light from the window (I usually kept the curtains closed. Outside was too bright and who knows what may be watching me) silhouetted the figure's jagged lines. I could the rapid pulsing of air in front of my face. Like a huge monster panting. I shut my eyes awaiting the attack... None came.

I cautiously cracked an eye open. The silhouette shifted to the side and out of the direct stream of light. It wasn't a monster. It was one of the Baby Tooth fairies. The jagged lines were its wings and nose. What I thought was panting was just the buzzing of its wings. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. All this time and things still surprised me. I still flinched and closed my eyes as if that would do anything to help. And I still anticipated danger around every corner. What was wrong with me? I can't let my guard down whether I feel safe or know that no matter what I do the pain will come. I suppose years of practice does that to a person.

I sighed and looked up at the fey who was eyeing my curiously as well. I got out of bed and made it. So neat and stiff that is almost looked like a picture. The fairy was still here. Was it lost? Stuck? I opened the door a crack (I daren't risk the window) we just looked at each other expectantly waiting for the other to do something.

"Ice to see you again." I heard.

Through the slightly open door I saw the face of none other than Jack frost.

"Oh, you got a Baby Tooth!"

I must've looked confused as he elaborated. "I had one too once. Sometimes they just kinda imprint on you. What did you do?"

"N-nothing, at least, I think. Why, what happened? Is everyone ok?"

"What? I meant what did you do to make them imprint on you. Why would you-? What did you mean-? I-?"

I looked into his clear, deep blue eyes. Sighing I replied, "It's always my fault."

He looked even more confused. Then a slight look of realization dawned on his face.

"Oh yeah me too!" he grinned.

"Really?"

"Yeah, whenever something goes wrong or gets broken its always 'Jack what did you do?!' although, -"

here he looked briefly embarrassed then smirked almost smugly. Almost like he was proud of himself. "Though sometimes it really is my fault so I can't really blame them."

I blinked in shock. Wow

"Yeah," he continued, " This one time I mixed up all the paint labels in Bunny's Warren and I may or may not have frozen the floor under some elves. But man it was funny to see them all sliding around with their bells jingling and their short lil legs trying to stand up. What? Don't look at me like that they were fine."

'Yeah', I thought, 'not entirely the same type of responsibility or fault.'

---time skip---

So I guess I have this fairy following me now. Must be pretty boring for them. All I do is sit in my room. Afraid to touch anything. Afraid to go outside. Afraid to sleep. Afraid to talk to anyone. Afraid of being afraid. Afraid of remembering. I shuddered.

The fairy was amusing itself by attempting to perfect a sort of acrobatics routine in the air.

It was adorable but also bittersweet.

Moments like these can't last forever. For her at least. They are aways tarnished by the knowledge that eventually they will be gone. Leaving her more destitute than before.

Then, as wintery things seemed to have a habit of doing, Jack appeared completely uninvited and slightly unwanted.

"Do you wanna play a game? You don't even have to talk to play!" he said excitedly without so much as a hello.

I'll flip a coin, - I've been practicing, and my technique is pretty impressive, - you call heads or tails and if you get it right you get a point but if it's wrong then I get a point. You can just like, I don't know do left right hand or tap your head for heads or something."

I didn't particularly want to but he looked so pleased with himself that I conceded.

It was surprisingly fun and remarkably simple.

Then, on the one toss, Jack missed the coin on its way down and it rolled onto the floor. Quick as lightning Baby Tooth swooped down and grabbed it and refused to give it back.

"What is she doing that for?" I wondered aloud.

"It's her job."

"I thought that was to collect teeth?"

"Partly. where do you think the money comes from? They can't exactly make money themselves. No, they collect pocket change. People are always dropping coins down the side of couches or are falling out their pockets onto the street. They collect those and then exchange them for teeth."

The fairy was doing a little happy dance, chirruping excitedly. Meanwhile Jack continued telling her about the one time they were helping Tooth and ended up leaving many strange gifts instead of coins.

Sitting side by side on the floor with the open curtains. Warm sunlight streaming in. Jack chattering away happily and the fairy fluttering sweetly in the air. Life didn't seem so bad for a moment.

(A/N: It is very important that you please watch the first minute of this video!!!)

Still bittersweet as it wouldn't be long before it was stripped away from her. Nothing good ever lasted in her life.

'But for now I may as well enjoy it.' I thought with a faint smile

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(Jack's POV)

Coming back late from spreading some winter fun, I entered the sleeping workshop. All was dark and quiet save for a few lanterns sparsely distributed. All seemed in order as I made my way down one of the many passages.

Then a flicker of movement caught my eye. At the end of the hall, in the dim light I could just barely make out a figure. Too small to be a yeti and too large for an elf. Not, ahem, robust enough for North. No wings, no large ears, no golden glow. And Elsa never left her room.

Who or what could it be?

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(A/N; Are y'all ok with speed of this story? The slow burn and whatnot. I promise all the major Jelsa feels are coming but I don't want to rush it ya'know?)

Anyway thanks for reading and for your patience with uploads. I wish you all wonderful days/nights etc.

~Till next time~