"Tooth, I really don't want Elsa staying here. You know it gets hard for me whenever I even look at her." Manny sighed.
"So? You're just gonna run away, or in this case, chase her away? Her entire family lives there, you know. It's your problem so deal with it." Tooth chided.
"What if I don't want to?" Manny raised an eyebrow.
"Well, sucks to be you." Tooth sassed. "But honestly Manny, get your head out of your ass and accept the truth already. Try to deny as much as you want to but you love Elsa. You're just forcing yourself to hate her."
"No, I'm not. She's the reason Adgarr and Iduna are dead!" Manny hissed.
"NO! Pitch is the reason they're dead! And I'm sick and tired of repeating this for years now! Don't you have any sense of shame? Or belief in the girl whom you raised for more than eight years when she had no one else to depend on in the celebrity life?"
"The girl I raised is already dead."
"And who killed her? I mean, even an idiot like yourself should be capable of understanding that Elsa wouldn't have changed if you had helped her, instead of believing the words of a business-minded scumbag who would've had no problem with killing her!"
"...Tooth."
"Yes, Manny?"
"Can you or can you not make Elsa stay in the city?"
"Absolutely can not."
"Then I have nothing to talk to you."
"Ma-"
"Good day."
And he hung up.
Manny sighed, rubbing his brows in frustration before stuffing his phone into his pocket. He stared into the distance for some time, feeling conflicted as always before he decided that a cup of tea would help. But just as he walked towards the rink, he heard something land behind him, which had him on alert.
"Who's there?" He asked, his cane clenched tightly in his hand.
"So that's why you hate her..."
Jack Frost stepped out from behind a few trees, realisation clear on his face. And any hope that Manny had of no one hearing him flew right out of the window.
Manny glared at him coldly, trying to intimidate him into silence. "I thought you left, Mr Frost."
Jack ignored him and just walked forward, eyes staring through Manny's soul. "You think that- or more specifically Pitch Black told you that Elsa is the reason her parents are dead. And he is the one who killed them."
"Lies are not to be believed, Frost." Manny sneered.
"Even though you know that Pitch murdered her parents, you still want to believe that Elsa is the cause."
"Get lost boy," Manny growled.
"But why? I do not see any reason for you to blame her. Pitch wanted her out of the game and seemingly killed her parents to make sure she doesn't win. But no matter how you look at it, Pitch is still the murderer, even if he killed them just to make her lose. So why do you still believe that she killed them? Elsa, their own daughter."
"I have no reason to answer you, you punk." Manny glared, eyes wide with anger. "Now get out of my sight before I obliterate you."
"Sure. One more word of denial from you and this whole conversation gets sent to Elsa." Jack smirked.
"What?" Manny blinked.
Jack held up another phone, which Manny realised was his other phone.
"Found it in the bushes. As you might have already realised, I've recorded our conversation and I wouldn't mind sending it to your entire family. I'm sure they'd love to know the truth about your behaviour." Jack smirked, before his expression became serious. "Now start talking or your secret's out."
Manny looked like he wanted to strangle Jack when he opened his mouth to tell something when Jack held up his hand.
"It better be the truth. Living among the rich folk for just two years has made me quite the expert in figuring out liars." He stated.
Manny huffed in frustration before glancing around. Though the rink was empty, Manny didn't want anyone to overhear so he pulled Jack aside near the trees. Once he was sure that they were well hidden and no one was around, he finally admitted. "Ever since Elsa lost her race, I've been mad at her."
Jack tilted his head in confusion, "You're telling me," he started, eyes going wide in disbelief, "that all these years of hate and emotional torture you've been giving Elsa is because she lost a race?! Which, if you haven't noticed, she's already won three times before?!"
Manny's eyebrow twitched in annoyance but he sighed, trying to stay calm. "It was important that she won the race. If she had, she would've had more power in the society and she could've easily sued Pitch and his company for all that they've done and for killing Agnarr and Iduna! But no, instead of thinking it through like a rational person, she decided to lose focus at the end of the race and slipped off her ice and fell!"
Jack just stared at him until he raised an eyebrow and asked, "did you ever tell her about this?"
"About what?"
"All that you just spoke now. Did you ever speak to her and tell her that you could sue Pitch and bring justice to her parents if she won the race?"
Manny's silence gave him the answer he expected.
"So you didn't." Jack nodded.
"Elsa is a smart person who doesn't need me to tell her everything." Manny glared at him.
"If it had been a normal day, then probably yes. But you're talking about a girl who was overcome with grief and had no one to support her other than her family, who were also living far away. You think she would've been worried about suing Pitch while she's crying over her parents?"
And once again, Manny didn't answer.
Jack sighed, crossing his arms. "And what was that about Elsa being the reason for her parents death? And did Pitch really kill them? How do you know?"
Manny stayed quiet and just when Jack thought he wouldn't answer, he finally opened his mouth. "Elsa's dream of being a racer is what eventually led to their death. And yes, Pitch was the killer. Everyone thinks they just got caught in a storm but Pitch's actual plan was far more sinister. I've been investigating their deaths these past two years with many of my detective friends and I've collected enough evidence. But Pitch has people working even in the administration so we can't do anything other than wait for the opportunity."
Jack stayed silent for a few minutes, letting Manny pull himself together. "Manny," Jack called out, "do you love Elsa?"
Manny stayed quiet again.
"To be honest, I don't think you genuinely hate her. You're just trying to convince yourself of that. I mean, this is Elsa we're talking about! I've known her for just a month or so and even I've been fantasizing about living with her." Jack shrugged.
"Say what?" Manny yelled.
"See?" Jack pointed to his face. "You're mad! You can't be mad at me for fantasizing about her if you truly hated her."
Manny just stared at him in disbelief before sighing again. "Did you really fantasize about her?"
Jack blushed, looking away as he rocked on the balls of his feet. "Of course not."
"Are you sure?"
"I might have, once or twice..." Jack muttered, rubbing the nape of his neck.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" Jack exclaimed, placing an overly innocent expression on his face. "Point is, as Tooth told, you can deny how much ever you want but you undoubtedly love Elsa. End of story. You guys both love each other. You just need to talk."
Manny just stayed silent and stared at the ground, and looked up only when he heard Jack clear his throat.
"Okay then," Jack held up the phone to Manny, who saw that the recording was deleted. "I've done you a favour by not sending it. But," Jack turned serious, eyes not leaving Manny's as he spoke, "I will make sure to create an opportunity for you to explain it. And if I can't do that, I will tell her myself. This is something that Elsa needs to know."
"You won't be doing anything of the sort, Frost," Manny growled, now standing and towering over him.
"Oh yeah?" Jack smirked, challenging him with his eyes, "Try me."
They continued glaring at each other until they heard a car honk.
"I guess that's your call to leave," Jack smirked again, crossing his arms. "Don't worry, I won't spill your beans to Elsa. Unless you do it soon."
"Frost-"
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have an apology to make."
And with that, Jack turned and shot into the sky.
.....
Fuck secret mission, I need to confront her and apologize properly. And also speak about Manny if possible.
Only after Manny's departure did Jack notice that he hadn't seen anyone around the rink. Even the supper hall, which would usually have its lights switched on all the time, looked dark though it was just afternoon. He slowly and silently flew around the rink and peeped into Flynn's house from between the leaves. He scrunched his nose in confusion as he continued searching for at least a single person but saw no one.
Lastly, he came to Elsa's house. Deciding to risk it, he flew closer to her window, flying out of the forest. Her room was as organized as ever but there was no trace of Elsa.
Maybe this was a bad idea after all...
He sighed, trying not to feel too disappointed as he turned away and returned to the forest.
Maybe I should return after the race... I'm sure she doesn't want to see my face right now...
He flew past a few trees before pausing as he turned around and looked at Elsa's room again. He sighed again but just as he turned to fly away, something soared before his eyes and before he could realise what was going on, he was unable to move.
Eyes wide in shock and surprise, Jack looked to his side and saw an arrow pinning him to the tree by the collar of his leather jacket. It was dangerously close to his neck and Jack gulped, wondering what could have happened if he had moved just a little forward.
And just as he reached up to pull the arrow out, a second came whizzing from nowhere, pinning his other side of the collar to the tree as well. Affixed to the tree with two arrows almost touching his neck, Jack stopped moving and saw movement from the direction the arrows had come from. He waited for the shooter to show themselves and when they did, all he could do was blink.
"Why the heck did you shoot arrows at me?!" He yelled.
Merida merely raised an eyebrow, shooting two more arrows that pinned each of his long sleeves to the tree as Jack screamed. "Why did you come back?"
"Is this how you treat a friend?" Jack asked dryly.
"Friends don't run off without saying goodbye."
"Okay, fair point. But there are many other ways to confront me rather than pinning me to a tree by literally firing arrows at me."
"We weren't sure if you wanted to be 'confronted', seeing how you were sneaking around."
"We? Wait, how did you even find me?"
"That would be me." Another voice spoke from between the branches and Jack looked up and found Flynn casually lying on a thick branch. "Honestly, did you forget about my powers so soon? Its literally been just a day and a half, man. I realised you were coming here the minute you got into my one-mile radius."
And that, ladies and gentlemen, Jack thought to himself miserably, is why I would never get into Ravenclaw.
That's when Jack remembered his conversation with Manny. "Wait," he looked back and forth between Merida and Flynn, "did you guys hear anything when I was speaking with Manny?"
To Jack's relief, Flynn shook his head while Merida merely raised an eyebrow, "No, but what was all that about?"
"I'll tell you later, preferably when Elsa also listens." Stated Jack, pulling out the arrows.
And before he knew it, Rapunzel and Anna came up from behind Merida and stood in front of Jack.
"So," Flynn jumped from the branch and landed in front of him, "care to explain your sudden disappearance and reappearance?"
Jack sighed and nodded, knowing there was no way out of this.
.....
"And... done." Elsa sighed in exhaustion, signing the last paper before closing the file and placing it with the rest. She stood up and stretched, walking towards the window to get some fresh air.
She had been working restlessly from the minute she entered the Head Office of the Berk Sports and Games Association, a group of owners of sports-grounds of different sports across the country. Each of the companies of the association specialized in their own type of sports, owning their respective grounds along with sports equipment and sports classes and trainers. Elsa belonged to the Haddock group, which was run by the President of the Association himself.
Elsa yawned before checking her schedule.
Only the meeting is left, huh? After that, I have a little more to take care of and then I can head home...
She didn't mind the workload. They were letting her work from home, after all. Besides, Elsa liked working. It served as a great distraction from the partially-miserable life she led. And she needed that distraction especially at that moment, what with having her heart broken when a certain someone announced their dislike towards her before promptly leaving.
I can't believe I just admitted that I feel heartbroken...
Elsa sighed, casting an annoyed look at her hair which slowly slipped out of the bun she had tied that morning. She huffed and blew a wisp of hair off her face as she headed towards the mirror.
Her hands absently worked on her braid while her mind flashed with moments spent with Jack, seemingly taking pleasure out of her suffering. Her heart raced -just a bit- every time she remembered his hot smirk or genuine smile, and she swore her heart was doing all kinds of flips every time the memories of him carrying her resurfaced.
But as they say, all good things have to come to an end.
She eventually remembered his final declaration when he clearly stated that he didn't like her. And if she ever thought of actually talking to him about it, Jack seemed to find a way out of that as well as he basically flew the coop.
Convincing herself that he was gone for good, Elsa decided to forget these weird feelings of hers as she reminded herself that he was a world-famous racer, ready to win the Tachyons cup, while she was just a worthless failure who had already given up on her dreams.
Why and when did I start liking him...?
She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard someone knocking on the door. After checking herself in the mirror once, she quickly opened the door and smiled politely when she saw her co-worker Astrid Haddock-Hofferson outside her door.
"Meeting's starting. You ready?" The heir of the Hofferson group asked.
"As I'll ever be, " Elsa smiled, grabbing a few files as she followed Astrid out of the room.
.....
"Wait, so you're telling me you had a deal with Elsa that you could leave anytime as long as you finish the work?" Merida blinked.
"Yup." Jack nodded, munching on the sandwich that Rapunzel had prepared for him.
"When did this even happen?" Anna tilted her head in confusion.
"I think it was the second or third day after my arrival." Jack looked up at the ceiling, trying to remember the details. "You guys remember after Flynn introduced me to all of you and then Elsa was walking out with you guys but then I stopped her and said that I want to talk with her alone?"
Anna and Rapunzel took a minute to realise what he was talking about. And when they did remember that it was when they had promptly started shipping him with Elsa, they nodded their heads.
"Why did you cram all your work and finish it on the day you left?" Flynn asked.
Jack rubbed the nape of his neck nervously as he explained, "Honestly speaking, I didn't mean to finish it all on that day. My race is just two weeks away and with all the practice and chores that I've been doing around the rink, I was confident in my skills and endurance. And before I knew it, I stopped worrying about the race. I guess I didn't want to leave soon, especially after becoming friends with all of you 'cause- let's face it- I haven't had proper friends my age since I was eleven or so."
"Then why did you?" Anna asked softly.
Jack looked down at the floor and stayed quiet but all of them knew the answer already.
"It was Elsa, wasn't it?" Rapunzel asked, with a sad and guilty smile on her face.
Jack wasn't sure whether to answer but nodded his head nonetheless. Anna and Rapunzel shared a glance before they nodded to each other.
"Jack?" Anna called out.
Jack looked up and blinked when he saw the guilty expressions on the girls' faces.
"We're sorry." Anna and Rapunzel bowed her heads in guilt and shame.
"We really didn't mean to upset you or cause all of this between you and Elsa." Rapunzel continued tearfully.
Merida nodded, apologizing as well. "I didn't stop them." She reasoned.
Jack looked at all three of them before breathing out a nervous chuckle. "It's okay guys, I'm not mad at you. I'm at fault as well, you know? I overreacted and didn't explain myself to her either. So don't sweat it."
Anna and Rapunzel raised their heads and shared nervous glances. "Are you- are you sure?"
"Yup. Just don't tease me too much again." Jack grinned.
They both smiled in relief, thanking him for his kindness.
"We really did go overboard though." Anna pointed out, leaning back in her chair with a frown on her face, "We were basically forcing our hopes on you without taking your feelings into consideration."
At the mention of the word 'feelings', Jack couldn't help but look away as his cheeks turned pink. "Yeah..."
"I mean, " Anna continued, oblivious to Jack's reaction as she looked up in thought, "it's not like you like her romantically, judging by how sure you were when you screamed that you didn't like her."
"Yeah... About that..."
Anna looked at him- and blinked when she saw his face looking redder than a tomato. "Jack...?"
Jack seemed to struggle to find words as he looked everywhere except their eyes. "Um... I mean- I'm not sure how I feel about her... you guys might be right after all...I think... but I don't know..."
"Hold the heck up, " Merida held out a finger to stop him from talking as she stomped towards him before grabbing him by his torn collar.
"Are you telling me-"
She yanked him forward with a fierce glare on her face.
"-that you realised that you like Elsa-"
She poked his chest really hard.
"-just now?!"
Jack winced and pushed her hand away before leaning back. "What do you mean, just now?!"
"Frost, anyone with two eyes could see that you're completely smitten for her." Merida rolled her eyes, walking back and flopping down on her chair.
"You're officially the last person to realise your crush on her, Frost," Flynn smirked.
"Wait a second, " Anna stood up, "you guys thought he had a crush on her too?"
"I honestly thought it was just Anna and me fantasizing about it. Didn't know you guys felt the same way." Rapunzel grinned.
Jack listened as each of them explained their reasons for thinking he had a crush while his own head couldn't comprehend why or when he fell for her. He couldn't help but turn red every time they gave a new reason, burying his face in his arms as he couldn't control the heat in his face.
"You know," Jack interrupted their heated discussion, "I don't know if I should be flattered or creeped out by your observations but- honestly speaking, I'm not too sure about my own feelings yet."
There was a confused silence as everyone waited for him to continue.
"It's like-" he started, ears turning red as he waved his arms around to exaggerate his point, "I know I like Elsa at least a bit and I definitely don't see her as just a friend. But this is literally the first time I've had a crush on anyone so..."
"Jack," Rapunzel leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, "you need to figure out what you wanna do with your feelings before Elsa returns."
"Yeah..." Jack looked down at his hands, thinking over many things at the same time. "Wait, what do you mean 'before she returns'? Where is she? And everyone else?"
"Elsa had some work to finish and a meeting to attend. She told us that she would be back by evening tomorrow." Anna explained.
"Everyone else had something to do so we're alone at the rink," Rapunzel shrugged.
Jack stood up and walked to the entrance of the supper hall, looking around at the snow-covered rink and houses. He remembered seeing string lights of different colours and shapes and suddenly, he was overcome with excitement as his brain cooked up an idea.
"Guys, I think I figured out the perfect scenario to make Elsa happy before I apologize." He grinned.