#elsarik week 2021

[frozenprocedural]

Elsarik week, day 2!

Here's my submission for day 2! I wanted to create some sort of story behind this artwork I commissioned from @comickergirl.

Acquaintances

“Any success on the song?”

Elsa let out a sigh at Anna's question and rubbed her eyes, the mostly-blank staves of her sheet music seemingly burned into her retinas. She’d been fighting the song for weeks now- while the lyrics had practically written themselves, the tune continued to evade her.

"Nothing so far. I don't understand. I just can't hear a tune. I can't…" Something prickly and hot rose in her throat. Elsa threw the pencil aside and grabbed the paper, crumpling it and tossing it into the waste bin.

Anna stopped her when she reached for the lyric sheet. "Hey, no, leave that Els. It's been hard since Kai had to leave. Give it some time- it'll come to you."

The burning increased in her gut, and Elsa had to turn away. Kai had been with them for well over a decade. Beyond their accompanying pianist, he'd been a dear friend, helping both of them through the difficulties of establishing themselves as singers and songwriters. But with his wife falling ill, and his own age making it difficult to keep up with the job, he'd made the reluctant decision to retire.

And ever since then, Elsa had been stuck. The song lyrics had come easily enough, though she still had yet to choose a title, but nothing she tried seemed to work. Anna had helped, but both of them were quick to realize how much they'd relied on Kai and his inventive playing to create new works.

"I may have some good news. Kai was able to track down the guy he mentored… Hold on, I have his name somewhere…" Anna scrolled through her phone for several seconds, "Ah! Alarik! Alarik Geatland, that's his name. He'd been travelling, but he's interested in trying out."

Elsa shrugged. "It's worth a try, I suppose." She attempted to hide the disinterest in her voice. It wasn't that she was unaware they needed a new pianist, or how hard Anna was trying. But Elsa had always been withdrawn and slow to trust, and fitting new people into her life, even in what might only be a professional capacity, was difficult.

Anna's sad look was all she needed to know she'd been unsuccssful in keeping her tone neutral. Elsa forced herself to smile back, if only a little bit.

"I'm sorry, Anna, I know you're trying hard to make this happen. I'll keep an open mind, alright? When can he meet with us?"

"How does this afternoon sound?"

Too soon, Elsa wanted to say, but she nodded nonetheless.

………………

He was late.

Elsa was surprised to find she felt irritated at Alarik's tardiness, given how little she'd wanted the meeting. Nonetheless, she found herself tapping the edge of the chair and shifting in her seat.

Just as she was about to suggest they leave, the door to the studio burst open, admitting a tall lean man with a head of red curls flopping into his face. He was drenched, and Elsa realized it was pouring outside.

"I am so sorry!" he gasped, pushing his hair aside to reveal a sharp-featured face and bright green eyes. "I got a flat tire a few blocks from here, and had to run the rest of the way. If you are still willing to give me a chance to do so, I would still like to audition."

Anna was already standing, her smile wide. "Alarik, of course we will hear your audition. I'm sorry to hear you had trouble on the way, but you're here now, and that's what matters. I'm Anna, and that's my sister Elsa. Why don't you go ahead and play something for us?"

Elsa nodded, surprised to find herself almost… amused. Alarik's whole face lit up at Anna's words, with a wide grin that made him look boyish and young.

Alarik set aside his soaked jacket and went to the piano, lifting the key cover and sitting down. He closed his eyes, resting his hands on the keys for a moment, then began.

It was an old seafaring tune Elsa recognized from her childhood, simple enough in nature, but somehow, Alarik made it...more. He skillfully wove new harmonies and rhythms to create a masterful rendition that had Elsa tapping her foot and humming along, completely lost in the music. When he came to the last notes, she found herself wishing there was more.

Anna gave her a look, an eyebrow raised in question. Elsa nodded and stood, walking over to Alarik and offering her hand.

"Welcome to our group, Alarik."

Somehow, his smile was even wider than before.

…………

Despite their positive first meeting, it took Elsa time to become accustomed to Alarik's being there. To his credit, he gave her the space she needed, didn't try to engage her beyond what the job entailed. He and Anna got along almost right away, often laughing and joking. Even Kristoff, when he came in, tolerated Alarik's presence, although they spoke less to one another than Elsa spoke to Alarik.

And still, Elsa's song continued to evade her. With the upcoming tour looming, her frustration grew. She desperately wanted to perform it, but with each passing day, she was forced to accept it would not come to be.

It was after one particularly tough day, hot and muggy, with the air conditioning doing little to alleviate the oppressive atmosphere. With multiple failed attempts to gain traction with the tune, Elsa, fighting a growing headache, finally crumpled the paper and hurled it to the side with a growled “I can’t!”. Ignoring Anna’s outstretched hand and Alarik’s concerned look, Elsa found an empty room and entered, pressing her palms to her throbbing head.

She could just hear the murmured conversation between Alarik and Anna, although she couldn’t make out anything distinct. She heard retreating footsteps, then silence.

As she focused on her breathing, eyes closed, she heard a few tentative notes begin. Slow, spread out, the notes being teased out. Silence again, and then a lilting line began to play, a few notes standing out from the repeating pattern. Elsa listened, something hopeful growing in her chest. She stood, returning to the practice room to find her crumpled paper resting on the music shelf. Alarik was bent over the keys, and even without seeing his face, Elsa knew his eyes were closed. His head swayed back and forth, his fingers flying over the keyboard. The song had changed, sped up, the fingers of his left hand rolling over and over, invoking a feeling of running, of freedom.

“That’s it.” Elsa didn’t realize she’d spoken so loudly until Alarik stopped, turning to look at her with wide eyes. She shook her head, instinctively taking a step back. “I’m… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“No, wait, please.” Alarik held his hand out. “Anna… Anna said you’d been working on this song. I’m sorry if I overstepped, but I wanted to try to see if I could tease something out. If you don’t want me to, I’ll stop.”

Elsa stopped, then stepped up to the piano, resting a hand on the edge. “Could… could you play the beginning again?”

Alarik grinned. “Of course.” He began to play once more, and it was Elsa’s turn to close her eyes, listening to the flow of the tune. With each rolling note, a melody began to form. She hummed it at first, then let the lyrics flow.

Every inch of me is trembling

But not from the cold….

…………….

No matter how many times she performed, Elsa always experienced a rush of nerves before stepping on stage. This time was no different, and she found herself nervously plucking at the fabric of her white dress. It was the final song of the night, after Anna and Kristoff’s duet.

“Hey,” She jumped, then turned to see Alarik. He wore a dark suit over a deep green shirt, his normally messy curls oiled and combed back. “Are you alright?”

“A bit nervous, that’s all.” He nodded.

“For what it’s worth, I know you’ll be fine. You’re amazing at this.” He flushed, looking away, but Elsa found herself smiling.

“So are you.” It was her turn to blush, but before she could say anything more, she heard their names being called, and the stage manager motioned them on. Before they stepped into the light, Alarik took her hand and squeezed it.

Elsa greeted the crowd, as she had done numerous times, and then nodded to Alarik, who was at the piano bench. He nodded back, then began.

The notes all but danced about her, and as she began to sing, Alarik’s playing wove masterfully around her, bolstering her sound without being overpowering, swelling as the bridge and final chorus echoed through the hall. As the final notes echoed throughout the hall, the audience surged to their feet, their applause thunderous. As they stepped back and made one final bow, Elsa glanced sideways at Alarik, surprised to feel a warmth growing within as she watched him, curls flopping in front of his face.

She found herself eager to see what more they would accomplish...together.

[thesciencegoose]

Falling Slowly (The Arranged Marriage AU) - Chapter 7

Happy Elsarik Week! And Happy Anniversary Elsa and Alarik! Alarik belongs to @patricia-von-arundel

Rated M

Chapter 7

“I loved you first,” he murmured against her lips

Elsa smiled when he said that, wrapping her arms around his neck, curling her fingers into his hair. “Alarik…” she whispered as they kissed lazily, slow and gentle. “I think...I think I’m ready…”

Alarik pulled away slightly, his green eyes wide. “Really?” he asked.

Elsa nodded, breathless, and pulled him in for another kiss on the lips, before kissing each of his quickly reddening cheeks. “I’ve wanted this for a while now...I just...didn’t know how to ask...didn’t know what to say…”

He placed a hand on her cheek, cupping it gently, and she leaned into his touch. “You’re certain?”

She nodded once more, kissing him deeply, groaning as she felt warmth beginning to pool in her middle. “Make love to me...please, please love me…”

“For you...anything,” Alarik said, and he guided her to lie down on the bed, her chest heaving as he braced his hands on either side of her head. 

Elsa shook her head, her hands going to the buttons of his shirt. “Off,” she told him, and she began to unbutton his nightshirt with deft fingers. When it was off, along with his pants, Elsa began to pull off her own nightgown, when Alarik laid his hands on top of hers, stopping her.

“Let me,” he said, as he slowly, almost reverently, began to undress her.  

Finally, for the first time in the entirety of their marriage, they were both bare in front of each other. Elsa’s breath caught at the sight of him, him staring at her as if one were looking at a priceless work of art. 

Looking at her. 

She wanted to feel beautiful, she wanted to be his.

Elsa wrapped her arms around his neck once more, wanting, needing him closer, and he pressed gentle kisses against her shoulder, her neck, before reaching a place behind her ear that made her arch against him, gasping.

“Oh, there?” he asked, and began to suckle gently at the spot, and Elsa began to moan, the warmth in her middle becoming almost unbearable.

Finally, Elsa gasped, “Alarik! I...I need you!” and her fingers tightened against his curls.

“Then you’ll have me,” he whispered into her ear, before slowly running his hands down her thighs, then up again, stopping to rest at her hips, thumbs circling her hipbones, making her shudder and whine. He angled himself just so, and pressed himself against her opening, hesitating.

“Alarik, Alarik, please,” Elsa whimpered.

She saw him take a deep breath, before thrusting gently. Elsa groaned at the feeling, strange and new as it was, although not unpleasant. She had expected a searing pain that never came, just some discomfort that soon began to fade as Alarik began to gently move inside her.

“Does this feel okay?” Alarik asked, eyes concerned.

Elsa’s own eyes fluttered shut, trying to will her magic to recede, trying not to lose control, one of her main hesitations when it came to lovemaking, how her magic would react. Finally, as her body began to accept him, she sighed, smiling at him as she nodded.

His thrusts were slow, gentle, allowing her body time to get used to the feeling of him. Elsa arched against him, an unspoken plea for more, so much more.

“A-alarik...h-harder...please…” she whimpered.

“Of course…” Alarik grunted, moving out and then thrusting harder back in. His lips moved to her neck, kissing it, and then suckling gently.

“Oh, Alarik!” Elsa said, clutching him closer to her, his body slick against hers. There was a heat within her such as she had never dreamed she would ever feel, she felt practically feverish with it. She was gasping now, unable to speak, and she would have worried about the noises she was making, if his mouth didn’t meet hers for each one. His tongue entered her mouth, and she wanted it, oh god she wanted it.

His hand reached down, finding her bundle of nerves, and he rubbed his thumb against it, and Elsa practically screamed as she arched off the bed, high and taut against him. “A-alarik! I’m...I’m close!” Elsa moaned, feeling her release coming, tightening within her like a coil.

“It’s okay,” Alarik whispered, thrusting deep. “Let it happen,” he said, kissing the spot behind her ear once more.

At that, Elsa gave in to it, arching up, some semblance of his name spilling out of her lips in an ecstatic cry. She contracted around him, and cried out, shuddering with pleasure, with euphoria. Alarik groaned her name against her neck as he followed soon after, releasing deep inside her. Elsa trembled, her body against his, the force of his climax prolonging her own.

Finally, Elsa felt herself relax, sinking back down on the mattress. Alarik rolled them to their sides, before gently slipping out of her, and she sucked in a breath at the sudden feeling of loss, the feeling of disjunction. She smiled at him, breathless and satiated as she cuddled close to him, letting him wrap his arms around her.

“I love you, my darling,” she heard him whisper, before the tendrils of sleep took her.

[frozenprocedural]

Elsarik Week Day 6-Devotion

I GOT IT UP IN TIME. I PROMISED I WOULD.

Rated E under the cut. Definite enthusiastic marriage times. But good fluff too.

Alarik belongs to @patricia-von-arundel.

Devotion

It was late when Alarik woke, dawn already well gone. His initial reluctance turned to joy when he realized there was no reason to leave the bed. 

The last of the dignitaries had finally left the night previous, the remnants of a week-long trade summit that had Elsa waking early and bedding late each day. And that was on top of being a mother to an active three-year-old daughter. He'd helped where he was able, but save for making sure his wife ate enough, keeping Jenny distracted and occasionally carrying Elsa to bed- after finding her asleep in her study- there was little Alarik could do to lift the burden from Elsa's shoulders.

Little, save for strategic planning with Anna to ensure this morning would remain uninterrupted.

Alarik checked the space next to him, relieved to see that Elsa was still soundly asleep. Too many mornings had found him waking alone, Elsa already having been up for at least an hour and in her study. He settled into a more comfortable position, wincing when her eyes fluttered halfway open. 

"'Larik?" Her voice was heavy with sleep. He rolled onto his side, hoping to block the light.

"Go back to sleep, darling. Everything's fine."

Too late- Elsa's eyes snapped open when she noticed how light the room was. She shot upright, eyes flying to the clock.

"Alarik! How could you let me sleep this late! I have to-"

He sat up, cursing inwardly. He'd hoped to avoid this. "Elsa, lay back down. Everything is taken care of. Please, you need to rest."

"I have to draft new agreements, and there are letters to send out, and Jenny..."

"We took care of that. Anna is working with the council. Kristoff and Neta took Jenny out this morning. Please, trust me on this. Take care of yourself this time."

"But…"

Alarik lunged, wrapping his arms around Elsa and pulling her back down with him. She squeaked, and he nuzzled her hair, chuckling when she attempted to wriggle away.

"You… ridiculous...goose." She pressed against the bed with her feet, but it was no use- he had her trapped. With a defeated sigh, she went limp, tilting her head so she could fix him with a mock glare. "Fine, you win. Are you happy now?"

He grinned. "Very." He pushed her hair to the side so he could kiss her neck. "I missed you. I know we were both there, but…"

"It's not the same." She finished for him. Her fingers traced aimless patterns on his arms, and he could hear a subtle note of desperation in her voice. 

"No," he husked, his arms tightening fractionally, and he brought his lips back to her neck, watching goosebumps form in her skin. "No, it isn't."

Her fingers gripped his forearm, her body tensing. "I thought you wanted me to sleep." The desperate note was more pronounced now.

"Should I stop?"

"No."

He nipped her neck, causing her to gasp, then bathed the area with his tongue before laying more kisses up the column of her neck, higher and higher, until he reached the spot behind her ear, working his lips against it, sucking gently. She gasped, her back arching. 

He found the hem of her nightgown and began to draw it up, letting the backs of his fingers brush against her skin as he did. Subtle, teasing pressure that had her whining in need. He didn't respond, though, not right away. Instead, he kept up the slow pace, listening to her soft whimpers. She lifted her arms so he could remove the garment. 

Alarik wasted no time in returning to her body, his hands smoothing down her shoulders, then up around her chest, tracing the swell of her breasts, but not going quite where she wanted, keeping away from her searching fingers, teasing, stroking…

"Alarik, please…"

He gave in to her whispered plea, cupping her breasts and circling her nipples with his thumbs, drawing them into peaks before pinching them firmly. She cried out, her hands grasping at the sheets on either side of him. Alarik returned to her ear, tracing the lobe with his tongue, closing his lips around it and suckling, then along her jaw as her head turned. He let one hand slide down her abdomen, tracing the stretch marks there, feeling her shudder against him. Lower and lower, finding the patch of soft curls, lower still, cupping her center. It was his turn to shudder at the slick warmth against his hand. 

Elsa was writhing against him, rubbing against his own need, and he had to take several grounding breaths. His fingers sought, then found, her sensitive bud, and he began to trace simple patterns across and around it as Elsa thrust against the pressure. He readjusted his grip, resting his arm across her hip, holding her close. His other hand left her breast, following the path of the first, and he slipped a finger into her wet heat, curling it up, keeping up the pressure on her nub. He let a second finger join the first, stretching them apart, curling them up, feeling her walls tighten against his digits. She was close… so very close, he knew. Keep up the pressure, steady, letting it grow until.

Elsa all but arched off of him, his name falling from her lips in a breathless cry. Her hands found his thighs and gripped them as she writhed, and somehow, despite her motions, he kept his hold on her. He kept up his caresses, drawing out her release until she sighed and slumped against him, her hand tugging on his wrist until he pulled his fingers free. He eased her off of him, stroking her sides and hair. She smiled at him and reached over to tug on his shirt until he removed it, doing the same with his pants. His desire was clear, and she reached over to run her fingers over his length, making him gasp, his head dropping. 

“Elsa…”

“Please… I need you…”

Alarik straddled her, letting her take the lead, guiding him into her. He took it slowly, letting her focus on keeping control. Despite the warm, slick heat, despite his body screaming at him to thrust, he made himself watch her face until it relaxed, until he was fully inside her. Still he remained still, save for his hands, which he rubbed along her sides in long, sure strokes. Her hands came up to rest on her back, eyes open, and he could see the war with her magic was gone, replaced with desire. She nodded at his unasked question. 

Alarik rocked against her, slid a hand around front to find her nub once more as he increased the pace of his thrusts. When she rose to meet him, her fingers digging into his back, he pulled back and slid back in sharply. She cried out once more, matching his rhythm, seeking a second release. He brought his mouth to her breast, taking a nipple between his teeth before lathing it with his tongue. 

“More, Alarik. Please, more.”

He groaned, and anchored his free hand in the sheets, driving into her now, his hips snapping as he felt her walls tremble against him once more, his hand moving feverishly against her bud. “Let it happen, darling, let go. I’m here, I’m here, I’m… Elsa!”

“Alarik!”

Her walls squeezed and spasmed against him, and he could hold back no more. He spilled into her, again and again, until the tension left him and he fell into the bed, rolling so he wasn’t crushing her, pulling Elsa close to his chest, keeping them connected. As their breathing slowed and evened, he found her lips, pressing a slow, gentle kiss to them. Elsa cuddled against him, her eyelids growing heavy, and he pulled the blanket up to their waists. 

It would be several hours before they left the bedroom that day.

Just as he had hoped.

[frozenprocedural]

Elsarik Week, Day 1

Here's my submission for Elsarik week day 1: Strangers! Set in the BeekeeperAU, and sets up their first meeting. Here we go!

Strangers

The old farmstead neighboring his land had been forgotten, or at least to Alarik, it seemed that way. The dilapidated house looked capable of collapsing at any minute, and the yard was overgrown and wild.

It suited Alarik just fine. No neighbor meant no complaints about the hives, and, more importantly, allowed him to plant native wildflowers to feed his bees. It was peaceful, quiet, and he liked it that way.

So when the "Sold" sign appeared on top of the faded sign, Alarik thought he was imagining things. Or perhaps the realtor had made some mistake.

Then the builders showed up, headed by a large, gruff-looking man with shaggy blonde hair, and Alarik was forced to acknowledge that someone was indeed moving in. As the old house came down, he watched, dreading what might come next. Too many properties in the area were hosting grandiose near-mansions with perfectly manicured lawns. The native flowers he'd snuck on the property were sure to go. But there was nothing he could do.

So he watched as the remnants of the old farmhouse were removed, and a new frame took its place- one that outlined a house not much larger than his own. As the house was finalized, solar panels were placed upon the roof, and the yard was left alone.

A shipping pod, then a moving truck arrived, and Alarik caught glimpses of the man who'd headed the construction carrying boxes, accompanied by an animated, red-haired woman and an older woman with pale blonde hair. He didn't have time to talk to them at the time, as he was occupied with preparing the hives for spring.

………………

The first time he saw his neighbor- truly saw her- was nearly a month after the shipping pod and boxes had disappeared. He hadn't been able to give her much thought, as preparing the hives for summer.

He was checking one of the bumblebee nests when he heard someone say "Hello there."

Alarik started, nearly upsetting the nest, and half-stood, turning towards the house next door. There was a woman, kneeling among the strawberry plants. A wide-brimmed sun hat topped pale blonde hair tied in a braid. She wasn't looking at him, but something on the plants. The bees- he realized- searching along the white blossoms. The woman smiled as she watched their movements, allowing them plenty of space and displaying no fear.

"Thank you for taking care of my plants." The woman's smile was warm and genuine, and Alarik could feel himself grinning in response. While most people at least tolerated the bees- better, he supposed than running or trying to kill them- few ever treated them so kindly, or showing thanks.

It stuck with him as he went inside for the evening, a persistent niggling in the back of his mind until he found himself descending into the cellar. A pull of the light revealed a shelf of neatly-lined honey jars. He traced over the labels with a ginger until he found the one he was looking for.

Before he could overthink it, Alarik returned upstairs, jar in hand, and left to go next door. He was able to force himself forward-even with a racing mind- long enough to step to a front porch engulfed in fragrant flowers. He jabbed the doorbell, and was startled to hear what he thought was a birdcall echo through the house. Seconds passed like hours, and just when he'd stepped back, convinced he was making a total idiot of himself, the door opened.

The first thing he noticed were her eyes, with irises the color of arctic ice. They were opened wide- she looked a bit startled, and he instinctively took a half-step back, giving her more space.

"Hi, I'm uh… I'm Alarik. I live next door, and saw you just moved in. Well, not just, but I've been really busy with the hives, so I hadn't been able to come over. But I heard you thanking the bees today, and I really appreciated that. And now that I said that out loud, I realize how weird that sounds. But I have some of my honey!"

When had he started sweating so much? And why was it so difficult for him to make coherent conversation?

"I'm really sorry, this isn't coming out well. I'll just leave this here and go."

"Please don't."

He froze, and this time his neighbor blushed.

"I meant to say don't go. Um, would you like to come in for some tea? Now that I have some good honey for it " There's a small smile on her face, and his heart melts.

"Tea would be wonderful. Oh, I didn't catch your name."

Her smile grew a bit more.

"I'm Elsa."

[frozenprocedural]

Elsarik Week, Day 7-Love

I had actually been working on this one a while back, and realized it would be perfect for today. So here it is- the aftermath of Frozen 2 if Alarik/Shardsverse had happened before the move.

Alarik, as always, belongs to @patricia-von-arundel

Love

It takes him far too long to realize something's wrong with Elsa.

Alarik knows he's dealt with a great deal- maybe too much- over the past few days. He's physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. No one would blame him for missing the signs, especially when Elsa kept hiding them. 

He does blame himself. He's better than that- he's had time enough to learn the subtle shifts in her behavior, well enough to know when she's the slightest bit uncomfortable. Let alone when she's in a great deal of pain. 

But it takes until that evening, when he goes to check on her, that he finds out.

He knocks on the pole of the temporary shelter the Northuldra had built, and peers in. "Els…"

Her name catches in his throat.

Part of him wants to believe that what he sees is a trick of the low light. It would be much better to brush off the mottled discoloration on her exposed shoulders as the play of shadows on her skin. 

But Elsa leaps and spins, her eyes wide, and he knows what he saw was bruising, dark and angry. She crosses her arms, winces, lets them drop, and he can see her left hand is swollen and red. 

He steps further inside, letting the tent flap close behind him. Her eyes are wide, and she retreats a few steps. He stops, gives her space. 

"Elsa?"

She starts at her name, and he hears her sharp intake of breath. 

She's in pain.

"Elsa, what happened?"

She looks away, trying to recede further into the dark of the tent- without the flap open, the only light source is the lantern on a nearby stool. "It's nothing. Really. I'll be fine."

Now it's Alarik's turn to be grateful for the minimal light, as it allows him to ball his hands into fists and tighten his jaw to keep from shouting. 

'Nothing!?'

He takes in a slow breath instead, forces himself to use calm, measured words. "Elsa, please. You know I don't believe that."

He can hear the tight, high note in his tone and curses internally when she tenses. He prepares himself to try to reason when she inhales deeply. 

Then everything spills out. 

He stands there, frozen as if encased in ice, as Elsa explains the fight with Nøkk in the Dark Sea, her freezing, and the subsequent thaw that sent her plunging back-first into the water. His mind struggles to come to terms with what he's hearing. Tossed about like a rag doll by massive waves, nearly drowned by the water spirit and falling who-knew-how far into water back first. 

By the time she's finished, Alarik is shaking. He wants to go out and strike something, and at the same time hold Elsa in his arms and never let go to keep her safe. He wants to scream, to ask her why, why she would go through all that, allow herself to endure such pain, even death.

Elsa slumps into the pile of furs that make up her bed, her shoulders low and head hanging. He comes in, closer, then sinks onto protesting knees at her side. He fights the urge to pull her into his arms- she hasn't granted permission for touch yet. 

"Why?" He can hear the tremble in his voice. "Why, Elsa, would you do this to yourself!?"

"I… I had to, Alarik." Her voice is soft, too soft, and choked with tears. "For the Northuldra, for Arendelle… I had to."

His gut rolls, and acrid taste coats his tongue. He pushes himself up, stumbling, his voice rising. "You had to!? Had to be beaten, nearly drowned, frozen!?" He's yelling now, but he can't bring himself to care. "You died, Elsa! You died!" 

Elsa looks as if he's struck her, and it all becomes far too much. Alarik utters some strangled, agonized noise before turning and staggering out of the tent. He can feel eyes watching him, and he picks up his pace, searching through a haze of tears to find someplace quiet. A fallen tree at the edge of the clearing catches his attention, and he slumps onto it, his head falling into his hands. The tears fall then.

Footsteps approach, and the log shifts as someone sits next to him. "Leave me alone." he mumbles through his fingers.

"Absolutely not."

Anna.

He doesn't look up- he can't, not right now. "She's in there trying to pretend that there's nothing wrong, that she isn't covered in bruises and can barely move because she's in so much pain. Acting as if she didn't freeze to death!" 

His words echo on the glade, and several Northuldran turn to stare, before quickly dropping their gazes and moving away. He doesn't care. It doesn't matter. 

Anna sits there, watching him with a soft expression. When he doesn't say anything else, she reaches over to rest her hand on his. 

"And you weren't able to stop it. Or even just help her."

Alarik whips his head around to stare at Anna in surprise. She gives a half-smile.

"I felt- feel the same way. Elsa and I talked about it. Well, sort of. I was upset. And I will be for a while. And that's alright. It's going to take time for all of us to come to terms with what happened. For all of us to heal. But you can't do that by leaving. Go back to her. And say what you need to say."

Anna takes both of his hands, squeezing gently. Her eyes lock on his. "It's time. No more guessing, no more fear. Go back to Elsa. Do the next right thing."

Alarik nods.

………

He returns to the tent, but when he raises his hand to knock once again, his resolve fades, and he can't make his arm move.

"Alarik?" 

Her voice is tentative, wavering.. He pushes back the tent flap to find her still sitting on the bed, her arms wrapped about her. He can see the fresh tear tracks on her face. 

"You heard us."

It's not a question, but she nods anyway. He can see her trembling. Alarik takes the risk and sits next to her, not touching, but there. He folds his hands together, trying to find the right words. But it's Elsa who speaks first.

"I was afraid. Afraid you, and Kristoff, and Anna would be hurt. That's why I left without you. Why I pushed Anna away. I… none of you deserved to be hurt because of my powers."

"But you deserved it?" 

Elsa doesn't answer him. 

"Elsa, no. I know you struggle. I know I can't even begin to comprehend what you live with each day with your powers, and your past. But I know this- you did not deserve that pain and suffering anymore than you believe we did. And to know you were alone when-" 

His throat tightens, and he looks away, biting back a choked sob. Then he's turning to her, hands out- a silent plea. She hesitates for the briefest of moments, then acquiesces with a tiny nod. 

Alarik brings his hand up to cup her jaw, his thumb stroking the corner of her lip. He presses his forehead to hers, feeling her tremulous breaths cool the tear tracks on his cheeks.

"I can't bear thinking of you being alone like that again. Not if I have the power to be by your side."

Do the next right thing.

"I love you, Elsa."

She stiffens and gasps. She knows his mother's rule. Never say 'I love you' unless the next words are-

"Marry me?"

Silence surrounds them, making the pounding in Alarik's ears feel deafening. The turmoil in his mind grows with each passing second- he's gone too far, she'll never accept him, he needs to leave, run away, the only thing he's ever been good at-

Elsa's hand- freezing and trembling- covers his, and it's enough to jolt him back to reality. 

"Yes." Her whisper resounds in him like a shout, and he's laughing and crying as her uninjured hand wraps around his neck, pulling him down to meet her lips. They kiss long and deep, until the need for air forces them to break apart. Alarik carefully gathers Elsa into his arms, mindful of her injuries, and closes his eyes as he rests his head atop hers. 

They would still have much to talk about, much to heal from. But this time, they would do it together.

[frozenprocedural]

THERE WE GO. HOT DAMN.

THIS WHOLE STORY WAS A *TRIP*.

I LOOOOVE IT!

Falling Slowly (The Arranged Marriage AU) - Chapter 7

Happy Elsarik Week! And Happy Anniversary Elsa and Alarik! Alarik belongs to @patricia-von-arundel

Rated M

Chapter 7

“I loved you first,” he murmured against her lips

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