This fateful rainy day reminded him of a forgotten childish dream.
The clock weighed less when he was much younger, when his words were left unheeded to drown who spoke. Abaddon looked at his son like he was a mere human devoid of feelings, Magoo wouldn't understand since he saw deep things complex. Helena barely saw him around back then, and then there's docile Ronald... The very man left with nothing but barrens of emotion.
He hated playing the role of the desperate charity case, but it cannot be helped. The Northern Guards were the closest people he could consider as friends... Though their faces always seemed awfully stoic, they held the umbrella for him and it made him happy because somebody actually cared, even for a little bit.
However, it was their obligation, anyway.
"I hope this is exactly what you desired, your Majesty."
And suddenly, by the harsh sound of thunder, Aiden was tossed back to the real world. A world where, his gaze unintentionally met the falling beads of rain dribbling down the looking window in one of Arendelle's most popular barber shops.
Offering the middle aged man in his late forty's a comforting smile, Aiden surveyed himself over the mirror and showcased his dimples with a satisfied grin.
Trimmed strands of black hair were scattered around the lacquered floor, and Aiden can tell mister Moore is quite talented with his pair of scissors.
It is just the right style. It solely looked like the hairstyle he had back when he was a prince, which nearly made him gape at his reflection due to the faint memory of the distinct hair-do. His hair was growing too long anyway, and sometimes it gave him trouble to see clearly... The style felt refreshing.
"You're too talented with those dandy blades, Mister Moore," Aiden chuckled.
The barber blushed lightly and composed himself from melting like putty under the fire king's words of praise. "Glad to hear that, sire. But to be honest, anything would have been fitting."
"Always so kind, mister Moore. I insist in advance," A few daring bills left his leather wallet, "I'll be sure to refer your service to close contacts."
"You are most welcome, my king," The man donning a delighted toothy smile, "Although... It still occurs to me as a surprise that not one guard have escorted you around, even at least one."
Aiden scratched the nape of his clothed neck, "I prefer to walk downtown early by myself. This habit clears the stuffy air I find myself whenever I am escorted by my men," Aiden explained carefully, "And those certain times aren't one where it is raining," A sigh escaped his lips.
"Truly a rare day of winter with rain standing in snow's stead," Mister Moore shook his head with a sigh, "Perhaps it will be best if you stay in here until the weather clears up, sire."
Aiden could only nod in agreement, flopping down on one of the cushioned seats next to the entrance and closing his eyes as he crossed his legs. One... Two... Three.. Four... Five... Six...
Clopping hooves tore the unamused king from his invisible reverie. The official Arendellian carriage haven't been put to use since the last encounter with the Great Freeze, so it was a big surprise for Aiden to find it steadying right outside accompanied by neighing steeds and a staunch coach.
The single passage of the entrance and exit of the carriage swiftly opened, and out stepped a black heeled foot and then another, before the entire form of a calm snow queen showed herself armed with a sacred umbrella.
"Love..." He whispered, utterly in awe.
Closing the umbrella briefly, the Queen of Arendelle calmly entered the facility surrounded by an air of grace. Her regal stature didn't last very long after a grin broke into her face.
"You really shouldn't have left me without a note, it may be winter but it can rain too, you know."
Still speechless, the king of Arendelle blinked at his wife blankly, overly stupefied.
Elsa slung an arm around her spouse's neck. Having a six feet and three inches husband, she stood on her tip toes and directly looked at him in the eye, scrunching up her nose in wonder as her eyes wandered across his face.
"Who are you and what have you done to my husband? You look like the prince I met long ago."
"I literally just went out for a trim and you react like this," The fire king pouted, "Do you not like it? Is it not to your tastes?"
"You're too handsome, basically," Elsa giggled, "But.. Are you sure you're no doppelganger?"
"If you'll excuse me, I'm just going to crawl in a hole and cry now."
"Ooh, come'ere you," Elsa laughed, kissing his cheek assuringly, "I'm only kidding, sweetie. I love it. It brings out your eyes more... I'll only react with dissatisfaction if you decided to grow out a beard because if so you won't receive any kisses. I'm not a big fan of facial hair."
"Noted, baby," He smiled, "Shall we?" He outstretched his arm only for her to take, and so she did. Giving the elated barber his utmost gratitude, the royal couple made their way through the exit.
The coach gently opened the passage and allowed them in, welcoming Aiden to a dimension of expensive leather and its intoxicating scent. Sitting on the seats, Elsa instinctively scooted up closer and locked her arms around her husband's massive torso and sighed contentedly.
His head dropped idly on hers, and the ice queen accepted his gesture.
"You.. You fetched me."
"Mmh," She hummed.
"While it's raining."
She chuckled, then he held her hand like how he would the world.
"T-thank... thank you. Very much."
"You're acting really funny today."
"Am I?" Aiden tearfully guffawed, squeezing her closer, "Sorry. I'm just.. somebody actually cared about me when it's raining. You see, when I was still a child, I often see fellow children get fetched by their mother, father, whatever weather it is."
"Go on," Elsa smiled.
"I wanted to feel what it felt like to be cared about if it'll be hard to go outside. Like.. That person is willing to risk it all for you," The King of Arendelle puts an emphasis on his last sentence, "And you did... you do not know how much this means to me, Elsa."
"Then... May I have the honor to fetch you everytime it rains?" His wife bore a significant grin that would last for eternity in his mind.
"Of.. Of course," There were pointless tears cascading down his cheeks, but he couldn't care, "I would do you too, I will, and I promise."
The snow queen tightened her arms around him and pressed a meaningful kiss on his lips, there was always something she couldn't quite put a finger on that entices the bubbly swell in her chest whenever she's around him.
His eyes shut tight and more tears became present, and hushed sweet nothings of comfort greeted his ears.
Aiden... He never really had a proper childhood.
Usually children were supposed to view life as a tiny form of paradise where rainbows lived, and ice cream were better than gold. But as a young prince, Aiden saw life far from such, he only saw a cruel world filled with sugar coatings, lies and competition.
The people he met as he grew up were only a stuffy crowd keeping themselves by Abaddon's good graces, so their daughters can actually come close with the northern king's only son.
Life seemed unfair to him back then.
"I'm sorry you had to go through a harsh start," Elsa whispered lowly, her voice like appearing like a heavenly caress.
"None of that is your fault. Let's just go home," His mood lightened a bit, "Are the snowflakes awake?"
"Not yet," Elsa shook her head, "Wait–baby you forgot to wear your scarf. I knew this would happen," She giggled before taking off hers, "Here. I don't need it, but you do."
He hesitated. "You'll get cold."
"Sweetheart, I am the cold."
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"I thought we're going home?"
"Well, I wanted to go somewhere for a change," The ice queen pulled her lover's gloved hand forward with a small smile, "The castle can wait. Please?"
Their fading footsteps were the evidence of Elsa's excitement. The Arendellian playground never seemed deserted and lacking, with numerous winter coat clad children always determined to sate their juvenile desire of young thrill with the colorful slides and swings.
With winter still prevailing, balls of snow scooped up by knitted mittens came from there and there, and the beautiful music of a child's euphoric laughter danced among drifting snowflakes.
When Aiden sighed and nodded, it still amazes him that he could see his own breath in the powdery air. The vacancy of the swings came out like a chance of a lifetime with Elsa. Later, the couple sat on seperate hanging seats after they dusted off the snow sitting on them instead.
And soon Elsa noticed, the fire king didn't seem eager to make a move to actually swing.
"They're called swings for a reason, lover," She almost snickered.
His tone was blunt. "It feels ridiculous to do that."
A sad smile was the only thing that Elsa can offer him as he spoke without any sign of mirth.
"For me?" She crooned.
The king of Arendelle laughed quietly and nodded in affirmation, starting to dig his boots on the ground before lifting them up. Successfully he swung back and forth, an amused smile making its way to his face as he continued his actions.
Elsa watched happily and folded her arms in satisfaction.
You may be king, and I, queen... But it's never bad to act like children from time to time.
"That was.. That was pleasing."
"Glad to hear that," Elsa giggled softly, "I take it aside from not having the experience, the recreational gym you had in the Northern Isles have more... Challenging, qualities?"
"True," Aiden nodded with a proud grin, "Well... The results of those certain arduous exercises are too obvious, is it not?"
The ice queen coquettishly smirked as a response, "Mmh."
"So... Where else are we going?"
"I don't know.. It's up to you if you want to get lost with me, so.." She trailed off with a sly smile.
"I'll always, be willing to get lost with you," His tone was loving, "But where are we getting lost to, exactly?"
"Trond," Elsa revealed, "We can even reach Ødger if we'd like. Nobody else, love... Just us."
"Like, you and me?"
"Yes."
"Me and you? The dashing idiot and Elsa?"
"Why are you so mean to yourself?" Elsa shook her head as she ceased her laughter, "But yes, it will be just you and I. For maybe just a few days... we've worked so hard. And I miss spending time alone with you."
"Oh, minn elska, What are we going to name the baby this time?"
"Fireheart, do I have to zap you with ice so you will behave?" Elsa eyed him playfully, her hands on her hips.
"Alright, alright, I'll behave," Aiden snickered, earning a sassy whack on his shoulder, "So shall we?"
Elsa smiled and hummed.
"We shall."
To be continued
on the next chapter...