#elsarik week 2022

[frozenprocedural]

Something Blue

Continuing from Elsarik week. Alarik, Jenny and Dag belong to @patricia-von-arundel.

Gotta love some angst with a happy ending. Set in @couragedontdesertme‘s Fight For Something verse. Leisel belongs to her.

Something Blue

"Alarik. Alarik."

Leisel's voice sounded strange, distorted. And why was she in their house? Elsa hadn't mentioned…

"Alarik, wake up."

Wake up? But he was…

Something shook him, hard, and he shot upright, the image of his home violently replaced by stark white walls and too-bright lights. Antiseptic replaced the scent of lavender and peppermint, of home. Alarik recognized the hospital waiting room, but why was he-

Elsa! The baby!

He was halfway out of his seat when a hand grabbed his shoulder. Leisel's voice, firmer this time, stopped him. 

"Alarik, sit down."

"Elsa! I need-"

"-to sit down!" Leisel tugged, and he relented. 

"Alarik. Alarik, look at me." He did, finally realizing just how exhausted his former intern looked. It made his stomach drop- he could not remember a time when she'd looked like that.

"Elsa…" Her name escaped him in a whimper. 

"She's stable. They're finishing surgery now and will be moving her to post-op soon. She's not completely out of the woods yet, but her signs are good."

A scream filled the house, a scream that set every hair on edge and made Alarik jump from his seat. 

"Elsa? Elsa!"

He took the stairs two at a time, and yet it still felt like ages before he reached their bedroom. When he got there, the copper tang of blood hit him like a physical blow.

Elsa lay curled on her side facing the door, her face contorted in pain. Just as he came to the bed, she spasmed, letting out another desperate scream, and the pool of blood between her legs widened.

"911, what is your location?"

Alarik all but shouted out their address, his phone on the bed, holding Elsa's shoulders as she arched and screamed. He didn't believe in a higher power, but in that moment he prayed to the universe itself to let him take her pain on himself. Let him endure it rather than Elsa, who had endured far too much. 

"Please…" Whether he was talking to the dispatcher or the universe, he wasn't sure. "...help."

Alarik pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to let the memories overwhelm him. "There was so much blood…" 

Leisel nodded. "She had a placental abruption. The placenta came away from the uterine wall, and that's what caused the bleeding. We were able to stop it, although she may need more transfusions- that remains to be seen."

Alarik took a moment to process the information. "And… what about… what about the baby?" 

"He's in the NICU right now." Leisel paused for a moment, then the hand resting on his shoulder gave a squeeze. "Go visit him, Alarik. It's going to take some time to get Elsa in a room where you can see her. Once she's situated, we'll let you know. Go see your son."

…..

The neonatal ward was dim and warm, filled with muted beeps and dings both familiar and strange from his own oncology ward. A nurse led him to an incubator near the back, and Alarik laid eyes on his son for the first time. 

He's so tiny!

"He is, but he'll grow." 

Alarik blinked, not realizing he'd spoken aloud. The nurse- 'Abbey', her name tag read- pulled one of the folding chairs from nearby up to the incubator. Alarik murmured his thanks and sat down, pressing a hand to the glass. 

And for the first time, in the relative quiet of the NICU, he allowed himself to finally cry.

The weight and emotions of the past several hours rushed out in burning tears and hitching breaths. He hunched over, hands gripping his hair, trying to keep the noise down. 

There was a scrape of a chair, and suddenly he was wrapped in a hug. "Let it all out," a familiar voice murmured. 

Alarik wiped away the tears blurring his vision. "Anna?"

She handed him a wad of tissues, and he noticed her eyes were red and wet as well. Still, she was able to manage a small, crooked smile. 

"Kristoff took Neta and Jenny to the zoo. Leisel texted me. Said you could use someone with you."

Alarik turned to look at the incubator, and his hands curled into fists. "I failed them. It's my fault…"

"How?"

Alarik's head snapped up. "What?"

Anna's eyes bored into him. "How is it your fault? Was it her choice to keep the pregnancy?"

"Of course!"

"Did you force yourself on her?"

"I would never…!"

"Did you hurt her? Hit her? Push her?"

"Anna!" Anger flared up in him. How could she even insinuate…?

"Then it can't be your fault. Anymore than it's mine."

"Yours!?" Incredulousness replaced anger- Anna had been nothing but supportive and ecstatic throughout Elsa's pregnancy. 

Anna dropped her gaze to her hands. "Do you know what I thought when she first told me she was pregnant again? I thought it was the most unfair thing I'd known. I was pissed. She didn't have to go through years of cancer, only to have a pregnancy that nearly killed her, and made sure she would never have another child."

Anna's hands balled into fists. "It was so childish. And I know Elsa would have given anything for me to have another baby. When you called and told me she was bleeding? All I could think was that somehow I caused it to happen."

Alarik shook his head. "Anna, no! There's no way-"

"I know that, but I still feel guilty. Just like you're feeling. And we both know it's nothing compared to the guilt Elsa will feel. If we let ourselves go down that path, she'll blame herself. For everything."

Anna reached over and squeezed his hand. "It's okay to feel sad, even angry. Just… don't beat yourself up over this. We're going to get through this. All of us." She released his hand, opened her arms, and without hesitation, Alarik leaned into the much-needed hug. He was about to thank her when Anna went stiff, shaking his shoulder. 

"Alarik, look!"

His head jerked towards the incubator, and he gasped.

………

The smell hit her first. Antiseptic, as familiar to her as if it were her home. But why was she at work? Hadn't she been at home?

"Elsa."

His voice, as warm as the hand that brushed across her cheek. She cracked open her eyes, and almost immediately shut them against the brightness. She heard Alarik shift and grunt, there was a slight click, and the light beyond her lids dimmed. She tentatively opened her eyes, finding the light level far more tolerable. 

She turned to her husband, blinking slowly as she tried to take in her surroundings. She was in the hospital, but not in her classroom. Why was she-?

The baby! 

She gasped as everything came back. The sudden pain, blood streaming down her legs, screaming for Alarik to come, to help…

"Elsa, please, you need to lie down. You just came out of surgery."

"The baby, Alarik. What happened to him?"

"He's in the NICU." Another voice, even more familiar than Alarik's. Anna walked into the room, grabbing a chair to sit opposite Alarik. She swept the bangs back from Elsa's forehead. "Just for now, alright?"

Elsa felt tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She'd failed to keep her son safe, and he was suffering because of her. A calloused thumb gently brushed the tears away.

"It's not your fault, Elsa. None of it. Please, min älskling, don't let yourself go there. He's here, and that's what matters. He's here. And Elsa, he's so beautiful." Alarik pulled his phone from his pocket and unlocked it. He swiped a few times, then handed it over to her. "Look at him!" 

She took the phone, and her hand flew to cover her mouth. He was surrounded by tubes and wires, but that wasn't what drew Elsa's attention. Despite only being half-open, she was clearly able to see that her son's eyes were a brilliant blue. 

She let the tears flow freely, but a smile was forming, and something like hope began to grow in her chest.

[frozenprocedural]

Something Borrowed

Yeah, yeah, Elsarik week ended a week ago. Such is my life.

Alarik belongs to @patricia-von-arundel. Follow-up to this story.

Borrowed

Rating: K

"Kristoff! Where is your toolbox!?" 

"In my truck, like it always is, but Anna, why…?"

Anna came stomping down the hallway, the look of fury on her face causing Kristoff to take a few steps back. What had he forgotten? He racked his brain, desperately trying to remember any important conversations or dates. 

"Because Alarik proposed to Elsa while they were alone! He promised me I'd get to see it!"

"Oh, that."

"Yeah, that!"

…………

3 days previous

"She's not here right now. She's doing an event downtown."

"I know…"

The strange tone in Alarik's voice made Anna look up. His face was uncertain, pinched, and he was wringing his hands, looking everywhere but at her. 

"Alarik, are you alright? Do you need me to call her? Is something wrong?"

Alarik put his hands up, and Anna fell silent, realizing she was rambling. "Everything is alright, I promise. I actually came… came to see you."

"Oh?" 

"Can we… can we go into your studio?" 

Anna couldn't keep herself from raising an eyebrow, but she led him back to her studio and closed the door. She motioned to the chair and pulled up one of her stools as Alarik sat down. He was still twitchy, not looking at her. 

"Alarik, what's going on? Because right now I'm finding it hard to believe it's 'nothing.'"

Alarik blew out a long breath, running a hand through his curls. He was shaking now, and his face was so pale that Anna was seriously worried he might pass out.

"IwanttoaskyourblessingtomarryElsa."

Anna blinked. "I think I heard Elsa's name in there, but otherwise I have no idea what you just said. Take a breath, buddy, you look like you're about to pass out. 

Alarik inhaled deeply, and on some instinct, Anna reached out and took his hands. He startled, but gave her a small smile. 

"Hey, whatever it is, I'm here, okay?"

Alarik nodded and heaved another breath. "Anna, I know in the end this is entirely Elsa's choice, but you are her sister, and it's only right that I ask…" He looked up, meeting her eyes for the first time. His were full of tears. "May I have your blessing to ask Elsa to marry me?"

It took Anna's brain a second to comprehend what he'd said, but then she was leaping from the stool and throwing her arms around him with a squeal. 

"I KNEW IT! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" 

Alarik wheezed, and Anna quickly loosened her grip, letting him breathe easier. She grinned at him sheepishly.

"Sorry, but I've been waiting for so long to have you finally say that! Oh, I'm so excited for you both! Of course you have my blessing! Now, what's your plan? Are you going to take her somewhere romantic? Elsa doesn't do big crowds, and let's be honest, public proposals are awful. Maybe…"

"I really haven't gotten that far yet, to be honest. I know it's going to be small, but… I need to figure it out yet."

Anna clapped his shoulders. "You will. But I better get to witness it, or you are a dead man. Understand?" 

Alarik grinned. "I understand."

…………

"ALARIK IÓHAN GEATLAND! YOU ARE DEAD, YOU HEAR ME!? DEAD!"

Elsa looked over at Alarik- they were spending their lunch break together- with wide eyes. "What did you do!?"

Before he could answer, Anna burst into the back room, her face a mask of fury. Alarik yelped and tried to get away, but there was nowhere to go. Anna had him cornered. 

"YOU. PROMISED. ME!" Anna punctuated each word with a jab to the chest. "YOU PROMISED ME THAT I WOULD GET TO SEE IT! AND WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU GO OFF AND PROPOSE WHEN YOU'RE ALL ALONE!"

"I'm sorry! But when Elsa showed me her tattoo…"

"Oh, do not bring me into this." Elsa muttered, returning to her lunch. Her initial look of panic had been replaced by one of amusement. Alarik whimpered when Anna leaned in close.

"You owe me."

"Gourmet chocolates?"

"To start. I'll figure out the rest later. And you'd better believe that I'm in charge of the wedding." Without waiting for a response, Anna spun on her heel and marched out the door.

After a moment of silence, Alarik turned to Elsa. "Anna's going to lord that over me for the rest of my life, isn't she?"

"Oh, most definitely."

[frozenprocedural]

Here’s to the first day of Elsarik week! A huge, HUGE thanks to @starkurt for this amazing commission! Alarik and Jenny belong to @patricia-von-arundel, the Stitches!Verse belongs to @couragedontdesertme. The italicized lines come from her story “Summer”.

“Anna, that blanket must be a decade old.”

“More.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to give her something else? I could commission the most beautiful new blanket for her, let me-“

“Elsa” , Anna said, handing her daughter, swaddled nice and warm, over to her wide eyed aunt. “It’s perfect. Always has been.”

"It always has been."

"What's that?"

Elsa looked over from the bassinet, a hand coming up to cover her grin when she saw Alarik, curls flying every-which-way, sitting up in the bed. He caught her look and ran a hand through his hair, though it did little to tame the mess. 

"I was just talking to myself." She picked up Jenny, who was beginning to fuss, and held her close, tucking the ends of the blanket around her. "Just remembering something Anna told me about this old blanket."

Alarik grinned, helping her settle into bed and holding Jenny as Elsa worked the buttons free on her nightgown. He traced a finger over the crocus pattern on the edge. "It's perfect. Especially since you made it." 

Her nightgown now pulled down, Elsa took Jenny to her breast, and after a few seconds of searching, Jenny latched on, filling the air with soft sucking sounds. Alarik eased in behind them, helping Elsa onto his lap. He rested his head next to hers, watching Jenny nurse, and even in her periphery, Elsa could see the wide smile he wore. 

"Perfect." He murmured again. "Absolutely perfect."

[frozenprocedural]

Something New

Here’s my second installment for Elsarik week! Set in the Tattoo!AU started by @couragedontdesertme. There is a prequel to this story, just haven’t gotten it finished yet. Alarik, as always, belongs to the amazing @patricia-von-arundel.

Something new

Creamy paper, rough in texture, made uneven by the tiny seeds pressed within. The ink was a deep shade of green, almost black, the penmanship neat.

Till Min Älskling.

Elsa brushed a finger across the last word, careful not to smudge the ink. Älskling. Darling. The memory of Alarik whispering it against her neck still gave her goosebumps, but even more so, it made her… 

It made her love. Love the gangly man who'd set up, of all things, a flower shop right next door to her tattoo parlor. A man who had started out as little more than a business neighbor, but had become so much more. Made her look forward to his presence, something she had long believed would never happen with anyone outside her family. 

Elsa traced the word again, her hand shaking. She wasn't seeing it on the card anymore. No, it was on a different medium, one she knew well. 

The bell above the shop door tickled. "Hey, you said you needed something?" Anna came to stand next to her. 

Elsa didn't take her eyes off the card. "I… I need your help with a new tattoo."

…………

"Hello Elsa. How is your ankle doing? Better I hope!"

Elsa smiled at Alarik's elderly neighbor Dorothy. "It is, thank you. It was just a sprain." 

Dorothy patted Elsa on the arm. "Good! Well, I'm sure the two of you will have a nice night planned, so I won't keep you. Enjoy!" Dorothy gave Elsa a cheery wave before shuffling back into her own apartment.

Elsa shook her head, knocking on the door. Within seconds, Alarik had it open, beaming, holding his arms open. She walked into his embrace, lifting her chin so he could kiss her. It was brief- they were still in public- but he kept his arms around her and walked them backwards into the apartment, using his foot to hook the door close.

“Hey,” he murmured against her hair. “I missed seeing you today.”

“It was busy today…” Elsa whispered, but she could hear the shakiness in her voice. Alarik tensed against her, and she swore internally. She hadn’t meant to address this so early.

“Elsa? Is everything alright? Did someone try to hurt you?” He pulled back, his eyes roaming her body, checking for any sign of injury.

“No, no, I’m fine, I just…” She shook her head, trying to figure out the words she needed. 

Alarik took her hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze, but said nothing. He watched her with gentle eyes, letting her decide what she needed to say, if anything. Elsa knew she could say nothing, and Alarik would never push. But no. She could not do that to him.

She guided his hands to the hem of her shirt, helping him pull it up and over her head. As soon as the shirt was off, her newest work was immediately visible. Alarik gasped, reaching out with a hand, but stopping just inches away from her skin.

“Elsa… is that…”

"Yes." 

Covered by clear, waterproof dressing, Alarik's handwritten älskling had been turned into a fresh tattoo just above her heart. When she nodded her permission, he reached out and brushed his fingers across it. Despite the barrier of the dressing, Elsa swore she felt his gentle touch, and couldn't suppress a small shudder at the sensation. 

For several moments, Alarik seemed unable to speak, and Elsa worried that he was upset. Had she acted rashly? Would he feel burdened by it, his writing on her skin? Just as she was about to pull away and find her shirt, Alarik looked up at her, tears in his eyes. 

"You chose this? My writing? Elsa I… I…" He shook his head. "I don't have the words to express just how much this means to me. I… may I kiss you?"

Whether it was a laugh or sob, Elsa wasn't quite sure, but whatever the sound that escaped her came from the deep relief that washed over her at his words. She took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to reach him.

Their lips met with far more fervor than earlier. He pulled her tight against him, his tongue seeking entrance, and she parted her lips, moaning when he drew it across her own. She wound her fingers in his hair, pulling gently, and he responded with a soft groan. When the need for air became too great, they pulled apart, pressing their foreheads together, still clutching one another tightly. 

Elsa realized that Alarik was shaking, and opened her eyes to see tears running down his cheeks. She used her thumb to brush them away.

"Alarik? Is everything okay?"

He smiled then, the brilliant, wide smile she so dearly loved. "Everything is wonderful. I love you so much, Elsa. So, so very much." He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, but the shaking continued. 

"Alarik, you're shaking."

He drew in a deep breath, eyes closing for a moment before he opened them. She saw fear there, but also determination. 

"Will you marry me?"

For a moment, everything froze. Her world narrowed to him, every detail on his face sharp and clear. Then she realized she'd already made her decision. She'd made her decision when she'd seen his writing. Elsa took his hand and once more placed it on the tattoo. 

"Yes."