Love Thaws: Melting

Unintentionally

Elsa inhaled the fragrant, pine-tinted air deeply. The air was fresh, and sharp, and cold. A small stream near the cabin gurgled happily, the crystal-clear water running over rocks, making them slick and smooth. An occasional shard of ice got swept up in the current. Everything around her seemed vibrant and full of life, despite being covered with snow. The snow was beautiful, and shimmering, and sparkling. It clung to the branches of pine trees and coated the ground in a layer, like someone had poured powdered sugar over everything. 

She placed her elbows on the wooden balcony railing and took a long sip of her steaming, spiced cider. Elsa savored the warmth that trickled down her throat. It tasted strongly of cinnamon and apples. Elsa held the hot mug cradled in her palms as she enjoyed the picturesque scene before her. She suddenly sensed a presence behind her. Elsa whirled around, making the cider slosh in the cup, but thankfully, it didn't pour over the sides. Jack's hand were stuffed in the pockets of his blue jeans, hanging onto his narrow hips. Elsa ducked down, suddenly finding the translucent brown liquid very interesting. She idly swirled it around in her mug.

"Do you... need something?" Elsa asked. She wondered how long he'd been watching her.

He didn't reply. Elsa glanced up at his azure eyes. They twinkled and he offered her a small smile. "Depends on your definition of need."

Elsa wondered what he was implying. "Do you want something?"

He smiled cheekily. "I want a lot of things."

Elsa turned back towards the woods and sighed. "Jack, you know what I mean."

His footsteps were too quiet for her to hear, which explained how he'd been standing there without her noticing. The warmth he emanated intensified as he got closer. Elsa felt an impulse to run towards him and run into his arms. Her grip on the mug tightened. Conceal, don't feel. Don't feel. Ha, easier said than done. She froze, not daring to breathe when Jack leaned over her, staring out at the scenery. His arms were placed on the balcony railing, on either side of her. 

Elsa didn't look away from her mug of hot apple cider, though she knew there was only a sparse inch of space separating them. If she straightened, just a little, her back would touch his chest. The though made her dizzy and exhilarated. She inhaled quietly and held still. Jack finally drew back from her, straightening. She felt a sudden rush of cold. 

Elsa turned, staring at Jack. Did he have any idea what he was doing to her? Judging from the subtle twinkle in his eyes, he did. Did Jack know how hard it was to push away? Yet, a part of her rebelled at the thought of making her vulnerable to him. Elsa felt tugged in both directions at once. If the strength of the pulls increased, Elsa was sure she'd be torn into two. Her hand had begun to tremble. Elsa set her cup down on the flat, wooden railing and clasped her hands, trying to regain her composure.

"I wanted to know when you felt up to ice-skating."

Ice-skating. She hadn't done that since... he'd taken her. She fondly recalled the memories. Suddenly, her knees buckled at the thought of going ice-skating with him again. She swallowed. "I-I'm not sure I can," she answered softly. Elsa clutched the railing for support before she collapsed in front of Jack. That would be embarrassing. Talk about being vulnerable, she thought.

"You did fine last time."

Elsa let out a hard laugh.

"Well, part of that was my fault... I promise not to tie your ice skates together again."

Her gaze bore into his. "Pinky promise?" She held her pinky out.

A smile brightened his handsome features. "Pinky promise." He wrapped his pinky around hers, holding on for several seconds longer than necessary.