Trapped by Fear

Chapter 33

(Jack's POV)

And so as the days past, Elsa and I gradually worked through all we, (well really, I) needed to do. I can sometimes tend to talk a bit much. I've never someone to not say what I'm thinking. Elsa remained quiet at the beginning but gradually as the days went by, she spoke a little more and a little more.

Admittedly, I usually didn't think before I spoke and ok maybe I do also have trouble committing to a task and seeing it through to the end properly. But for some reason that I couldn't place, that wasn't so with Elsa. I chose my words more carefully and watched for her reactions to see if she was comfortable with the topic. But I also needed to get information from her. It was a tricky line to walk. I didn't want to upset her but I also had a bet with Bunny. Oh and we needed to stop Pitch and stuff.

Elsa was absorbed in her task and paying no attention to me. Taking a deep breath I began.

"So, what do you think of the Guardians so far?"

She shrugged without taking her eyes away from the task at hand.

Not a great start.

A few minutes of working silently side by side while I racked his brains for something to say.

"Uhm, what's your favourite colour? Mine's blue."

Jack facepalmed internally. Why was he like this! He never usually struggled with things to say and yet he had just asked like the lamest question ever.

"Maybe...lavender?"

(never mind, I am awesome)

"What like the plant?"

"Well I suppose I like those too."

"Really, why?"

She took her time in responding. Thinking it over and weighing her words carefully. The usually impatient Jack, patiently waited for her to be ready to talk. Finally she continued the conversation, with a small nod and a brief flicker of a smile. For now at least, she was opening up to him slightly.

"Well I like the colour. And their scent is calming and supposedly aids in sleep and brings good dreams. And they grow in clusters, never alone. And they are beautiful, don't you think?"

"Uh, yeah, beautiful uh flowers" I fumbled for words. Flowers, yes, flowers were beautiful.

Silence stretched. Not quite comfortable and yet not really awkward either.

Eventually I broke the silence again, "What do you think of the Guardians so far?"

"Uh...well I uh, they seem..uhh" she was trying not to be rude it seemed. 

I helped her finish her sentence

"haha, yeah, we're usually pretty cool/decent but we all have our quirks yeah?"

"I...I suppose we do." she said thoughtfully

"Though the kangaroo is mostly quirks. To put it politely"

"Oh my." she covered her mouth with her hand, but I could see a tiny, amused smile peeking out.

There must have been a hot draught of air from the workshop because I suddenly felt warm.

I was thinking of what question to ask next, but Elsa beat me to it.

"What does it feel like? To fly?"

"Well I mean you have flown before."

"Not like that, like how you fly. Completely free, to go anywhere, no fear of failure- I mean falling. The wind in your hair. No fear, nothing tying you down. Just free and happy and alone."