Love Thaws: Melting

The Past is in the Past

Elsa placed a hand on her full stomach as she plopped herself onto the soft couch cushions. She rested her head on the armrest and stared into the hypnotic flames in front of her, tamed by the fireplace. She felt a not-so-unpleasant ripple of awareness as Jack seated himself next to her, causing the cushions to sink slightly.

She turned towards him. "What." It came out snappier than she'd intended it to.

Jack quirked an eyebrow. "I'm not done with you."

Both of Elsa's brows rose. "You're not... done with me?"

He smiled. "I asked you earlier what was upsetting you."

Elsa stared back at the fire, knowing that he'd persist until he had an answer. "I've decided... to..."

Jack leaned forward attentively, his eye boring into hers.

Elsa bit her lips, wondering how to word her feelings. "Get ahold of myself."

"Oh?"

She nodded.

"Does this mean you're shutting me out?"

Elsa flinched. "Jack, I... I'm not a... teenager with fluctuating hormones. I'm an adult."

He chuckled and winked. "I've noticed."

Elsa blushed. "I mean..." She squirmed in her seat. This wasn't coming out as easily as she'd hoped. "I haven't behaved responsibly. And now I am going to behave responsibly. I need to have self-control." Her brows furrowed and she turned towards Jack.

"So, from now on you're going to reject my advances?"

Elsa thought about it a moment. "Kind of."

Jack shook his head and smiled. "I don't know where you get these ideas from." He leaned closer. "Have I ever told you how much I love challenges?" His eyes sparkled in the firelight.

Elsa's mouth went completely dry. She gazed into his eyes and lost herself in their azure depths.

"I think this will be one of the funnest challenges I've accepted."

"Funnest isn't a work," Elsa remarked. She suddenly felt stupid for something so... dumb.

Jack smiled. "Of course not." 

He gently touched her cheek. Her skin flushed and her heart raced in response to his touch. He leaned closer and Elsa entirely forgot anything about self-control when his lips touched hers. He cupped her face and angled his head, deepening the kiss, making her heart flutter erratically. He pulled her closer until her body was pressed to his. Elsa felt herself being swept up by a torrent of emotions. She felt warmth radiate within her, spreading to her limbs. 

Her fingers feathered across his handsome features, almost teasingly. Jack moaned, delving deeper. The pounding of her heart reverberated inside of her chest. She could scarcely breathe. Heat coursed through her veins as she leaned into him, melting against him. He dragged her onto his lap and kissed her thoroughly, occasionally nuzzling her neck. His kisses were overwhelmingly passionate, yet so tender and loving. Elsa was in heaven. The pressure of his lips against hers gentled as he showered small, sweet kisses all over. Elsa felt herself completely relax in his grip as he reclined on the couch and planted gentle kisses on her neck. Her heart thrummed steadily with his. 

Elsa gazed into the fire, feeling blissfully dazed. The heat of the fire seemed to match the heat inside of her. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the warmth washing over her, making her tremble slightly. She blinked several times, her mind beginning to clear of the hazy fog. She inhaled sharply and bolted upright. Jack absent-mindedly pulled her back down. He cradled her to his chest. Elsa tried to squirm out of his grip. How could she lose herself so easily? Elsa found the thought very disconcerting.

"Let me go, Jack."

He stroked her hair. His eyes had a dreamy look to them as he seemed to drink her all in. "Elsa—"

"Let me go!" Her voice was nearly raised to a shout. 

She forcibly shoved against his chest. Jack flinched, but released her. She stood, her legs wobbling slightly. Elsa felt a bitter taste in her mouth as she realized it was a result of her lack of self-control, the after effects of the kiss. She turned on her heel and stomped to their room. She stopped herself before collapsing onto the bed. This was their room. Jack was bound to come here eventually. She had to get away from him, clear her head. Elsa spun around and nearly ran into Jack in the hallway. He began to reach for her wrist. Elsa dodged to the side and sprinted out of the house. She didn't stop at the porch.

Elsa blindly ran into the forest, occasionally tripping over gnarled roots or rotting logs. She ran until she tripped and landed hard, face-planting into the ground. Her face stung slightly and Elsa remained still, too numb to move. She finally shook the feeling off and sat up, leaning against the tree. Elsa picked some leaves out of her hair. She exhaled slowly, her breath coming in a stream of fogged air. 

Elsa stared into the distance. There were so many gray and white trunks of trees, they seemed to blend together into a solid wall. A web of thin branches tangled together to form a canopy above Elsa. She watched as the light ebbed from the forest, darkness seeping in. She rested her forehead on her knees, wondering why she was always so helpless when it came to Jack. 

Elsa balled her hands into fists. She had to regain control herself. She glanced up at the bleak sky. That was all she had left. She was sure the scientists in the lab had taken everything else she had previously possessed. She dragged air into her lungs and stood, finding her legs to be steady. Elsa trudged back to the house, trusting her instincts. The lights were on. The house looked warm and cheery in the midst of the dark clearing. Elsa paused a moment before continuing her march to the house.

The door squealed lightly on its hinges as Elsa opened it. She immediately found herself wrapped in Jack's arm. 

He held her tightly. "I was so worried about you."

Elsa felt a twinge of guilt for causing him trouble.

He drew back, holding her at an arm's length away. He looked at her sternly. "You shouldn't have run away. Something could have happened."

Elsa felt something snap inside of her. "Maybe I wouldn't have ran if you hadn't pushed me!" she snapped.

Jack flinched, as if he'd been struck. Surprise dawned on his face, followed quickly by pain. He cast his tormented gaze towards the ground, and his hands dropped from her shoulders.

Elsa's mind registered than Anna and Kristoff were both seated on the couch, watching. Elsa regretted saying that in front of them, but nothing could be done about it now. The past was in the past. She retreated to her room, shutting the door softly behind her, before curling up on the bed. Elsa realized that she was shutting everyone out again, reverting to her former habits. Her former habits kept her safe, protected her. Elsa shut her eyes. The past is in the past... or is it?