Those days are over, Aiden always told himself with a frozen smile. But it can almost be called a grin.
Such days where a dull soul watch a graceful flame flow from a canopied bed afar are over. Days where, a dark haired little prince hugging his knees wondered by the window sill if something different were to happen tomorrow are over.
The days where he tries to fool himself the weight will weigh less soon with the tragic power of coping, enduring, are miraculously over.
Her blue eyes told him so, each dazzling curve of her lips told him so, every move of hers told him so. He watched no depressing candle this time-he only saw how much she cherishes two wriggling, bouncing angels they both have created, and have greedily awaited for.
This time, he would only march up to the window sill just so he could entertain the crying bundle in his endowed arms with a passing sparrow, while she was away, tucked beneath the comfort of the sheets in exhaustion.
He didn't cope this time. Instead, he savored every second of a kiss shared, an embrace's warmth, and how beautiful the treasure he have unexpectedly found. And this.. this moving, fleeting realization that he's no longer lost, the sensation made his chest swell.
Yes, he's simply glad.
Immensely glad. Happy. Euphoric.
"You're really silly, d'you know that?"
Aiden chuckled. He hummed a self composed love song against her hair, amused with himself.
The castle balcony always immersed this itching habit to slip off his jacket and drape it around her exposed shoulders, and just now he realized he couldn't get rid of the mannerism, even though it's completely clear to him the woman in his arms doesn't or will never be bothered by the cold.
"Yes, I know. I'm a very silly person."
The seemingly human incarnate of winter turned around, the scent of pine and citrus greeting Aiden's nostrils. Crimson lips curled upwards, and the King of Arendelle smiled back in return. Their usual gentle give and take.
She looped a pristine arm around his neck, the strapless, dark red dress clinging to all the right places, but his eyes never turned away from her blues. Elsa's favorite unsullied faux fur shawl hung low with the fire king's naval blue jacket as the replacement.
She never fails to take his breath away.
"Do you feel cold?" She questioned in worry.
Aiden shook his head like a dog, "No. My body, with it partially consisting Ignaeran attributes, adjusts to the cold very quickly. My special abilities' instincts will kick in and they will produce the needed amount of heat so I can resist the cold."
"Still, you need this more than I do," Elsa pecked his cheek affectionately, all the while sliding off her husband's main uniform off her porcelain skin, "I can't even feel a single shiver. I'm okay, I promise."
He surveyed her appearance out of curiosity and gave her a goofy grin, folding his arms. "Red suits you like blue."
Her smile shifted into a grin. "I know the holiday ball is not to be held until dusk, but," She dropped her voice into an alluring whisper, and her cold breath tickled his ear, "You're mine in our private chambers before the ball begins. Don't you forget it."
His entire frame stiffened, and the gentle grip his hand has around hers tightened for dear support. The smile plastered on her face looked like a mixture of smug and sexy as her cool fingertips grazed his flustered neck.
She circled around his motionless figure with such feline grace, smirking in satisfaction, but her current demeanor broke down into tatters when she found herself under the mercy of the taller man against the railing.
"Careful, snowflake. I'm more formidable than you think," He winked.
"Hmm, you are?" Elsa chuckled calmly, eyes closed, "I'm surprised."
"Shocked?" His face inched closer, "Y-yes, yes I am," Elsa is breathing heavily now, causing her chest to undulate, her fair share of confidence suddenly shrinking to that of a meek mouse's.
He loves it when she becomes breathless because of particular instances.
"Happy birthday once again, minn elska," Aiden kissed her lips briefly, and Elsa sighed softly and happily as she surrendered into his arms, "Besides, I've always been yours. And stop calling it the so called holiday ball. Anna and I decided to hold the event for far more fetching reasons," A thumb traced her bottom lip, "Gorgeous, captivating, enchanting reasons."
"If you're here just to make me look like a doomed tomato then I don't want to hear any of it," Elsa mocked a grumble and a scowl, dainty hands on her hips as she makes a teasing bee line for the door.
His heart skipped a beat and Aiden genuinely panicked, a desperate hand raising high, "Erm-please wait, my queen-"
"Oh, I'm kidding, you handsome fool," Elsa laughed, the coldness of her small, heart shaped locket adhering to the pale skin of her chest as she walked, "What's gotten into you today? So nervous and stiff," Her hands clambered up to his tense shoulders and he smiled as she massaged, "Relax."
"I'm not nervous," He tittered.
"Bad liar," Elsa tutted, fixing his distorted cravat, "You have something up to your sleeve and you didn't tell your poor wife again."
"If I did plan to tell you, then it wouldn't be called a surprise, birthday girl," Aiden reassuringly laced his fingers with the platinum blonde's, "You'll find out sooner or later."
"You're so mean," Elsa pouted.
"Be patient," Aiden childishly stuck out his tongue, "I'm sure you'll love it."
"I told you, you didn't have to get me anything," Elsa chuckled, "I'm already guessing your gift costs your soul."
"Now that's just plain exaggeration," Aiden defended, "I'm not that kind of person. Simplicity's my middle name."
"Not Wilhelm?" Elsa joked.
"Oh hush."
"Mmh, really?" Elsa cheekily bantered, "What about my sapphire engagement ring?"
"That's an exception. I only wanted the best for my wife," Aiden huffed with a grin, smothering the ice queen's face with fluttery kisses which made her giggle, "Come on, you know I love you too much not to spoil you, pretty eyes."
"Good afternoon, newlyweds," A skittish new voice chimes in, "Chamomile's brewed fresh in the gazebo in the garden with complimentary krumcakes, care to join us?"
"Of course, sorry," Elsa sheepishly apologized, smoothing out the skirt of her dress and well aware of the mid thigh slit that exposed a milky leg every step.
"See?" Anna proudly concluded, "Your cravings are kicking in already."
"I can't with you," Elsa shook her head dismissively, linking an arm around her husband's with heated cheeks, "I'm sure you'll stop nagging for a third godchild once Lou comes out."
"Lou?" Aiden curiously asks, "Don't tell me you're like snowflake here. Feeling what the gender is too early. Elsa's just plain wrong that she didn't expect to have our twins."
"Us mothers can feel these things, lover," Elsa chuckled, her and the ginger sharing a high five, "And if we're lucky, sis, we'll be having another redhead around."
"Kristoff prays she wouldn't have his nose," Anna tapped her chin, "What's wrong with his nose?"
"I haven't had the slightest idea," Aiden smiled, "Let's not keep the others waiting. It won't be long before it gets dark and Elsa's birthday ball will be held."
"You'd be surprised," Anna snickers, "Mama Helena's got a plus one and we all know who that certain someone is."
Stars appeared in Aiden's eyes. "Mister Noah's attending?"
"Sounds like it," Anna ecstatically nods, "He's with the others in the gazebo, already fitted in a tailcoat. The old man's dressed to impress, I gotta say. And oh, Els. You never cease to amaze me-and Aiden. With that dress I'll be having my third godchild in no time."
"Be thankful I'm resisting the urge to hunt you down, dearest sister," Elsa mocked an 'alarming' warning, sharpening her gaze, "If this dress wasn't so tight I will have no hesitation to play a nice round of Chase Miss Pigtails."
"Oh ho, I may be pregnant, Frosty," Anna challenged with a laugh, "But I'm no amateur in running games."
"Agreed," The King and Queen of Arendelle simultaneously acknowledged.
To be continued
on the next chapter...