A/N: I just wanna thank everyone for the support I'm really glad you liked the new chapter! Also, I apologize that I don't update as frequently like I assumed I would (A whole month? WHAT?!) It seems that my new job is getting the best of me!
I have to say…It's just insane that I have 200 reviews and I already have gone past 200 followers! I'm so happy you all love this fic I'm writing!
One last note, is there anyone who would be willing to make a cover photo for this fic? :D If you are interested, please PM me! I'd love to have a new, personalized photo! :)
Anyways, here is the next installment of Impenetrable Hearts! I hope you all enjoy :)
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They had safely made it back to Arendelle the next night. Hans didn't care to figure out what happened to Everett or what lie he would make up about his new bruises to keep his good reputation.
And now it was the next morning. Elsa stood out on the balcony that adjoined to their bedroom and stared out at the royal gardens and the gardeners tending to the blooming trees, bushes, and flowers. Hans rested his back against the doorframe and tried to read her. He figured she must be thinking about the previous trip to the Southern Isles and the incident she had with his brother. She caught him off guard when she spoke up.
"Good morning." She said rather simply, continuing staring out at the gardens below them. Her voice was soft and gentle, no anger or repulsion to be found. Hans's eyes immediately looked to the back of her head.
"Is it?" He asked, taking a stride or two so he was a few feet from her. He placed his hands on the railing and looked over at her quickly before looking back to the gardens.
She slightly nodded, her cool hand slowly creeping towards his and resting on his large warm one. "It's a new day...and I'd like to start anew." She smiled at him a little. "And…I'd like to try to get along. Keep in mind, I am still repulsed by the things you've done to me, but I might as well do something to repay my rescuer. So I won't provoke you, or retort with rude comments, and I'll try not to cringe every time I see you." She teased, a smile tugging on her lips.
"Really?" He quirked up an eyebrow. "I don't have to do the same, do I?" He winked at her and he swore he saw a faint color rise to her cheeks. But as quickly as it came, was as quickly as it left.
"Well I would highly appreciate if you would return the favor." She responded and looked away from him and back to the gardens. She hoped he didn't see her blush, but feared that he did.
"Alright." He said simply with a nod.
She sighed audibly, attracting his attention almost immediately. "I'm sorry. I should have just been able to get along with you before or at least try-"
"I made it nearly impossible for you to do so, Elsa. Don't blame yourself for my mistakes and wrongdoings." Hans said, his eyes staring deeply into hers with genuine sincerity. One of his hands held her two small ones in his firm grasp, his other hand cupping her cheek gently, forcing her to look up at him. "I'm truly sorry, Elsa." He said with a somber look. "I'm an idiot…a complete and utter fool and I just…I want to know I'm forgiven. Please, forgive me, Elsa."
Elsa looked at him in shock at his apologetic realization. She even swore she saw the glistening wetness of unshed tears in his eyes. "I…Hans, I just can't." She said, her voice slightly shaking. "I know you're sorry…I can clearly tell, and I'm so grateful for that. But…"
"But?" Hans asked as he interrupted her, his deep voice cracking.
"You've forced me to marry you, you've fooled my entire kingdom, and my sister…oh my Anna." She said, nearly sobbing at her last point. She took a moment, barely a minute, to compose herself as she turned away from him, her back facing him. "I can't forgive you, Hans. You've simply done too much this time."
And with that simple statement, Elsa walked back inside, not bothering to turn around and see his reaction. The only thing she heard was her heels clicking against the floorboards and the sound of the balcony door slamming.
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"We need a new plan." Anna said matter-of-factly as she sat in front of the warm fire. "We don't know if they're back from wherever they were going yet, and I need Elsa to read my letter!"
"A fire!" Olaf shouts randomly from the doorway of their shelter. "Why didn't you guys tell me?" He asks as he runs as fast as his stubby little legs would carry him. "Hey! C'mon, Buddy!" He pouts as Sven picks him up with his antlers and carries him away from the fire.
"Thanks, Sven!" Kristoff calls to his best friend with a chuckle. "Just escaped a disaster right there…" He smiles goofily at Anna who is completely ignoring him, her eyes focused on the dancing flames ahead of her. "We could send Olaf again? I mean if they're back now?"
Anna shrugged, her mind wandering as she tries to think of a new plan to save her sister. "I guess that would be our best choice, huh?"
Kristoff's heart instantly melted the minute she looked up at him with those big, sad eyes. He noticed the shiny tears in her eyes that she tried so desperately hard to cover up. "Anna…c'mere." He sighs, taking her frail little body in his strong arms. She immediately warmed up to him, relaxing in his arms and scooting in closer to his protective self.
"I…I just want her back." She said between sobs, muffled by his jacket. "And I want him dead." She half-growled, half-sobbed.
"Shh…we'll figure it out." He softly whispered to her, his chin resting on the top of her head. "Just calm down, Anna, it'll be alright."
He received no answer, just a pathetic little sniffle from the crying redheaded princess. His crying redheaded princess…He smiled at the thought, knowing her heart was his and vice versa.
He didn't know how, but everything would really turn out alright…her just knew it.
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The library was silent that afternoon and so was the rest of the palace. Hans lay on the loveseat sofa near the window and lazily held a book that he was relatively uninterested in. He skimmed every page, occasionally reading a full paragraph all the way through. Just as he slipped a slim finger behind a page to turn it, quiet little clicks on the wooden floor caught his attention, and he looked up. The door opened with a slight creak to reveal his wife, Queen Elsa.
She sent him a small smile, her berry-colored lips turning up at the corners. He smiled back, yet said nothing, and received nothing in return. The silence was surprisingly comfortable as Hans continued to watch Elsa reach for a book, read the title, and push it back into its rightful place on the shelf. Knowing he was watching her, she casually looked back; only to see him snap his head back down and pretend to read his book again. She bit her lip to hide her giggle and turned back to the shelf ahead of her, mounted with books of all sizes and genres. As she focused on finding a book that interested her, Hans snuck up behind her and moved his head so it was level with her ear.
"Good afternoon, Elsa." He whispered into her ear, his breath warm and sideburns tickling her cheek. She jumps and the cutest little gasp escapes from her mouth as he slyly whispers in her ear to startle her. He chuckles at her reaction and moves his head back from her to give her space.
Elsa places her free hand over her heart as if it would help its pace calm down from her shock. "Hans!" She says with a small giggle as she tries to scold him. "You scare me!"
"I was trying to." He smirks playfully, craning his neck to read the title of the book she picked out. "Good book…I've skimmed over it a few times."
She chuckles at his comment and lets him pull the book out from its place on the shelf. He quickly flips through the book's pages before holding the book out for Elsa. "From what I read it should be a good read." He says as she gratefully takes the book from his hands.
"Thank you." She nods with a smirk. "I think I'll begin reading it tonight."
"Why not begin now?" He asks and motions to the loveseat he had just been sitting on minutes ago.
Elsa looks surprised, her big eyes widening even more at his suggestion. "Well…I-I don't want to intrude." She stutters and shrugs her shoulders lightly.
"Nonsense!" He smiles, walking over to the small couch and sitting down. "I'd be honored if you would join me. After all, if we are to become accustomed with each other we should be spending more time together."
Elsa smiles hesitantly before sitting beside him, his hand patting it for her to be seated down. "I suppose you're right."
The two sat beside each other on the small couch, Hans never actually reading his book to sneak in glances of Elsa's complete and utter ignorance of him as she's sucked into the work of fiction that lay before her eyes. She bit her lip as she read and furrowed her bros as she tried to make out a large word. Her face relaxed again after understanding the term and then began to continue with her book.
And though they barely spoke at all, the two continued to read side-by-side in the private library until dinner was served.
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A/N: I UPDATED! *fist pumps air* I had insane writer's block and a new job and just…ugh. And for all who reviewed about their fears that I wouldn't continue this fic, no worries…I'm determined! :D
Review, favorite, follow! Those small favors push me to write. :)