Love Thaws: Melting

Red Roses

Elsa rubbed her eyes wearily as the alarm clock blared. She was pressed against Jack, his arm pillowing her head. She flicked the alarm switch off and got out of bed. She swayed for a moment and colors danced across her vision before she got her bearings. Weariness pervaded her entire being, but Elsa forced herself forward. 

She took her work clothes out of the dryer before showering, brushing her teeth, and combing her head into a slick bun. She let out another yawn and forced her heavy eyelids open as she stumbled upstairs to the study. She opened the laptop and it turned on with a content humming noise. Elsa sighed as she began her college course for the day. The screen seemed glaringly bright at—Elsa glanced at the time—5:45 in the morning.

Her eyelids kept drooping down against her will as Elsa completed the assignment. She was becoming accustomed to the perpetual wariness. Elsa couldn't remember a time when she had slept a full night. She stumbled downstairs, her eye lids becoming heavier. Then she saw it. 

The sofa. 

The sight of its soft cushions called out to her, like the song of a siren. Elsa felt a distant nagging in the back of her head, but was too tired to listen. I can afford it. Just a few minutes... She sank into the sofa, practically melting into the cushions. As soon as she relaxed, the world disappeared into a sleepy fog.

Jack watched as she let out a contented sigh, lying completely still as soon as her weary, little frame collapsed onto the couch. Jack smiled fondly at her. Her rose-petal lips were slightly parted as she inhaled and exhaled, her chest rising and falling in sync with her breathing. Blond wisps fell over her high cheekbones and dusted her forehead, a few silky tendrils so much as daring to escape the strict confines of her austere, platinum bun. Her long, dark lashes rested gently on her flawless, creamy skin. It looked like an angel had decided to crash at his house for the night. 

Jack glanced out the window, the sky turning a radiant gold. Or crash for the morning. He stepped softly, not a board creaking. Jack draped a blanket across her sleeping form. She looked so tiny and helpless, practically engulfed on the large leather couch. Then he recalled the graduation party, when she'd used her powers. Scratch that, definitely not helpless. Though he couldn't suppress the feeling of fierce protectiveness rising within him. He'd gladly die before they took her back. A brief frown flickered across Jack's face as he thought about her powers. Even when she hadn't known who she was, even she was scared for her life, she'd never used them. He shrugged nonchalantly, accepting that there were many things he didn't know about Elsa.

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Elsa bolted upright, covered in a familiar cold sweat. She sighed, collapsing, once she realized where she was. Elsa blinked several times, clearing the remnants of sleep from her eyes. A few images from her nightmare flickered through her mind and Elsa suppressed the urge to burst into tears. She clenched the pillow until her knuckled whitened. Eventually, her breathing slowed. Elsa stood up suddenly. She had to do something—anything—to distract her. Elsa glanced down at her rumpled white shirt and frowned. A few locks of hair fell into her eyes. She must've had her afternoon nap. She glanced at the clock, her heart nearly stopping. It was only 2pm. Her eyes widened. She hadn't been to work that day! She was going to get fired. Elsa gasped and worked frantically to smooth her bun as she slipped on her shoes, tucked in her shirt, and snatched her apron.

"Finally woke up?"

Elsa whirled around. She was angry—no, furious—that she'd overslept. Her job was one of the few, precious activities that were engaging enough to effectively distract her. "Why didn't you wake me up?" she demanded. "You knew I had work." Her façade briefly slipped, revealing her anger.

Jack sighed. "Elsa—"

"Why?"

"You know, you don't have to work. We have everything we need here."

"You don't understand, do you?" Elsa huffed and whirled around, slamming the door behind her. 

She started the car. Jack had forged her a license several days ago. As she drove to work, regret slowly seeped into her. She shouldn't have lost her temper. Elsa couldn't believe she'd lost control that quickly. She shook her head and continued driving.

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Elsa wearily trudged into the house, closing the door behind her. It was amazing she'd gotten off with a warning, though it was a rather severe warning. A splash of color drew her attention to the coffee table. There was a bouquet of lavender colored flowers. Clusters of them hung on green stalks. The tiny purple flowers had six petal, each curling back. In the middle of the bouquet was a perfectly-shaped rose of the loveliest, richest red. Anna had a particular affinity for flowers and adored telling Elsa what they meant. Elsa wished she had paid more attention. 

She padded up the stairs and searched for types of flowers on her laptop. Several minutes later, she discovered the purple clusters were Hyacinth. Purple Hyacinth meant 'I'm sorry.' Elsa, intrigued, searched the meaning of the red rose. Her eyes widened slightly and she slammed the laptop lid down with a bit more force than necessary. What game was Jack playing at?

Several minutes later, Elsa was downstairs eating a pear. It was particularly slender and soft, the juicy dripping down her fingers. Elsa snatched a napkin. Jack burst through the door, panting heavily. His white shirt clung to him precariously, his body drenched in sweat. Elsa's eyes widened at the sight of his chest through the shirt. He was seriously ripped. Even his hair was charmingly disheveled. He swiped at his forehead, beading with sweat, with the back of his hand. He glanced at the coffee table.

"Did you see—"

"I saw," she replied curtly. There was an awkward silence for several long moments. "What was the meaning of them?"

"The Purple Hyacinth means—"

"I know what they mean. I meant... what are they for?"

"They're for you."

"Jack." She glared at him icily.

He swallowed and refused to meet her gaze. His cheeks were brightly flushed and Elsa didn't think it was from the jog. "I'm going to take a shower," he murmured, disappearing down the hallway.

Elsa watched him go. As soon as he left, her eyes riveted back towards the rose. Why?