Frosted (A "Jelsa" Fanfiction)

Chapter Five - Parsley

Elsa's heart skipped a beat. She stood up, letting her blanket fall to the ground, and ran to window.

"It can't be... I thought.." Elsa breathed heavily. Jack rushed over to her with a new blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders.

"What's wrong, Elsa? Isn't snow okay for us?" Jack questioned her, studying her panicked eyes for answers.

"For us, maybe.. but for the people of Arendelle- they'll freeze." Elsa gasped, "I'm think I'm going to be sick." She pushed Jack away and ran outdoors to the trees, throwing up within minutes.

Elsa leaned against pine, numb to rough bark digging into her spine. Jack came after her. He didn't touch her, or comfort her.

"I don't think the cold is moving. It's lay dormant here with me for years- I've let the ice take control, I breathe with it." Jack murmured.

"Okay." Elsa sighed, pushing thoughts of the conversation aside, and walked back inside.

Jack lit some sweet scented candles, vanilla almond, raspberry, pumpkin spice.. all of them blended perfectly. It wasn't overwhelming or chemically, just complementary to the comfort of the house. Elsa ran a hand down the log wall, sweeping sides and tracing the grooves in the wood. They were smoothed and polished, but still held their original character. Taking a minute to calm herself, Elsa looked across the room, taking in small details she'd been too quick to notice before. Nearly all the furniture was brown leather. Blankets lay stacked and folded everywhere. The majority were plaid. Elsa found Jack's affinity for plaid cute, though it was odd how it never transferred to his clothing choice. Jack had left the room minutes earlier but Elsa was still exploring. A large intricate coffee table sat front and center, covered in coffee mugs and books that had never been finished. Elsa dusted the books, and stacked them. She brought the dirty cups to the kitchen and didn't wash them.

The snow was a constant. The temperature sat at a solid zero degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, and indoors it was only the smallest bit warmer. Really, the blankets were useless to the both of them. Elsa just liked them because they were soft. Her mind wandered further. How had Jack gotten his powers? Was he born with them, like her? Why did he live here all alone, and what did he mean when he said he let the ice take control? It lay dormant? He had made it sound like an animal, a living creature.

"Is Buttermilk Squash Soup okay for dinner? Are you well enough to eat?" Jack appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Yeah, you like to cook?" Elsa asked. Jack's cheeks turned a bright pink. He rubbed the back of his head, ruffling his hair more- if that was even possible.

"Uh, yeah. So I guess I'll get started." Jack muttered, and left.

Elsa spent the next hour flipping through some of the photography books he had laying around. Most of them were full of miscellaneous pictures of snowy mountain tops, and relatively boring. She went to the bathroom, and undid her classic loose braid. Elsa opted for a braided bun to wear to dinner. Not to impress Jack, of course. Just to keep it out of her face. Or at least that's what she told herself.

Sitting down at the massive dining table reminded her of Arendelle's castle. Two place-mats lay on either end, complete with silverware and fancy glass goblets. Jack walked out with a huge bowl of creamy orange soup. He served the both of them.

"Wait a second, I'll be right back." Jack held up a finger. Elsa waited.

Jack came back with two fresh leaves of parsley, placing one delicately on each dish.

"Where could you possibly get fresh parsley? Or fresh squash, for that matter?"

"I'll show you tomorrow." Jack gave her a partial smile. Elsa resisted returning the gesture, but after a mouthful of the delicious homemade soup.. she couldn't hold back her grin. They both laughed a bit, and chatted casually right up until midnight.