If it hadn't been for the fact that he's been using a knife since he was four, Jason might have actually dropped it just then. He turned to look at her, expression painfully blank as he wiped the blood off his knife on a dirty piece of cloth and tucked it away before crossing his arms.
"Why shouldn't I worry?" Jason asked her, his voice flat and Elsa seemed to wince from it but he beat down the need to apologize. "You're part of our group. A friend. We watch each other's backs. We care about you. I care about you. So why?"
Elsa looked away from him, biting her lip and he stayed silent as he watched her fidget, small hands tugging at the hem of her dirty blue shirt. Jason turned away from her slightly so he could look down at the body of the dead Runner ( thankfully it was the only one around ) with disdain before she spoke.
"I don't want to be a burden..."
He looked back at her with blue eyes widening slightly before he shook his head, he reached out towards her for a moment but stopped when he saw the drying and crusting blood on his hand. Right, better not.
"You're not a burden, Elsa. Please believe me when I say that not one of us see you as a burden."
She was upset and Jason hated that there wasn't much that he could do ease the tension along her shoulders as he watched her pace in their room from the bed. The room was cold but it didn't bother him in the slightest as he stood up and walked over to his wife, she flinched slightly when he gently grabbed her hands and cradled them in both of his.
"Elsa, dilecti--" Jason began softly only to be cut off by the anger in those beautiful blue eyes.
"There has to be another way, Jason! I won't lose you to war," Elsa exclaimed as she stared up at him, her fragile features seemed to shake as she held herself together. The blond king could feel a light layer of frost creeping along his fingers but he ignored it as he mentally prepared himself for another argument.
"There isn't... I wish there was but there isn't. Octavian can't be reasoned with, won't be reasoned with," He responded calmly as he gazed down at their hands, feeling hers tremble in his grasp and he wished that he could make this all go away with just a command. "I can't leave the kingdoms undefended with Octavian calling out for blood."
"He started this when he framed you! He wants this to happen, Jason, please don't give him this. It's you that he wants dead! Find another way!" She interrupted, a desperate edge in her voice.
"It isn't that simple--"
"I wish things were that simple!"
The sudden shout had him recoiling slightly as Elsa snatched her hands away from Jason's, a thin layer of ice and frost covering the floor and up the wall behind her as she glared up at him. He didn't yell or snap at her as he stared down at Elsa in shock. Her angry expression crumbled after a moment, light blue eyes glassy with unshed tears as her shoulders began to shake and Jason felt absolutely gutted.
He didn't waste a second and he pulled her against his chest, embracing his love as he felt her grip the back of his shirt, feeling the chill through the fabric as he ran his fingers through her soft hair. Each sob his queen let out was like a knife cutting into him and how he wished things were simple.
Nothing he could say would change the fact that in the morning he would be leaving with his army to confront Octavian. It wouldn't change that he would be leaving Elsa here alone with their children with the chance that he may or may not come back to them.
She didn’t exactly mean to get that close, but the ice queen of the school was one elusive girl and required a more arm- over-the-head-against-the-locker-oh-no they definitely can’t pretend nothing happened.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
she winces, then repeats the statement more softly. “we had anamazing night at the party, and then afterward–” afterward elsashyed from her touch as if she would be burned.
oh, the girl could look disinterested.
but Iris isn’t that easily fooled.
her arm drops to slowly, very slowly rest on elsa’s shoulder,lips pressed together in a sad line.
He didn’t know what exactly had happened but he knew that whatever it was, it had upset Elsa if the layer of frost on the grass around her was anything to go by. A frown was not an expression he liked to see on the beautiful queen’s face, a smile, even one of those shy little ones suited her. Or one of the smiles that lit up her entire face, the ones that she seemed to reserve for Anna and himself.
"It’s a gorgeous day out,“ Jason said as he came to a stop next to her, the blonde was sitting just a couple feet from the pond in the large garden behind her home. At the confused hum he heard and gaze he received, a fond smile appeared on his lips before sitting himself down on the soft grass next to her. “It’s a lovely day and yet you don’t seem to be enjoying it.”
Icy blue eyes looked at him and he could see something in them. She was struggling with something and he wasn’t sure if she’d share it with him. Jason reached over, letting the back of his fingers brush against her cheek before tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"What’s wrong, Elsa?” The question was asked gently as he pulled his hand away, wrapping an arm around his knee while the other leg laid stretched out in front of him.
"I… Well, it’s–“ Another frown marred her delicate features before she bit her bottom lip. "It’s complicated, Jason.” She offered him a tiny smile, as she rested her cheek against her folded arms that were on top of her knees, her gaze moved out to the pond.
The prince wondered what it was giving Elsa trouble so much that she couldn’t speak to him about it. He wanted to help but he supposed that this would be one of those times that he couldn’t. Elsa could take care of herself and handle a lot of things but it didn’t stop him from worrying about his friend, especially whenever he was back in Diovis.
Reaching over, he placed a hand on her shoulder that earned him her attention again, before he scooted a little closer and moved the hand from her shoulder so he could wrap his arm around her. A question started to come out but he accidentally silenced it when he wrapped both arms around her a little awkwardly due to the angle, bumping her chin lightly. Cool hands touched his sleeve as she peered up at him but didn’t pull away.
"Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Elsa,“ Jason told her softly and he pressed a kiss against her forehead. "But know that I’m here for you, even when I’m back home, I’m still supporting you.”
It was quiet, only the sound of birds and a few ducks swimming in the pond and the faint sound of the waterfall more to the back of the grounds being heard before those hands clutched his arm and she leaned into him.
"…Thank you.“ It was barely heard but Jason heard it and smiled.
who cooks normally?: Elsa. But Jason cooks too sometimes.how often do they fight?: Rarely.what do they do when they're away from each other?: Miss each other.nicknames for each other?: Not really.who is more likely to pay for dinner?: Jason, there is no ifs, ands or buts.who steals the covers at night?: Neither of them.what would they get each other for gifts?: Jason would get Elsa a bracelet ( made of godly metal ). Not sure what Elsa would get Jason.who kissed who first?: Elsa.who made the first move?: Jason. He asked her out.who remembers things?: Both of them.who started the relationship?: Jason asked.who cusses more?: ..................Jason?what would they do if the other one was hurt?: Hahahahaha. You don't wanna know what they would do to the person who hurt the other. But they would take care of each other.
Hesitantly, she reached a hand out, fingers brushing along the fabric of his sweater before gently grabbing hold of him. Her gaze is fixed on him, a soft fondness in her eyes, a silent, 'You are not alone' dancing across her lips in the smile she offers.
He expected her to be busy as always. When is a Queen not busy, after all. They rule kingdoms, maintain the peace among their subjects, establish relationships with other nations, things like that. But surprises sure do live up to its definition. Because seeing Arendelle's ruler was enough for him to be caught stunned, and that's not something you see from the winter spirit everyday now, is it?
Soon, the boy finds his voice again. But before he can even greet the blonde, he notices the proximity between them once she takes hold of the blue fabric of his top. Their closeness is enough for him to hear he whispering, and he can't help but to mirror her smile while her words sink in and fill his chest with pleasant warmth.
After all, simple reminders like this made him smile, knowing that he'd never have to be alone again with all the new friends he's made, and Elsa's no exception to him. She's just as special as everyone else he knows and holds dear.
❝ I know, ❞ he chuckles lightheartedly, and nips her nose with his pale fingers.
❝ And you're not alone either, okay? —— Thanks, Elsie. ❞
