13.

Jack was acting kind of strange.

It wasn't crazy obvious or anything, and it's not like everyone could tell either. It was just the little things. He seemed really distracted and got lost in his thoughts every once in a while. He didn't seem to be in the 'tease' mode he always enjoyed to be around her, and while he was still pretty flirty around her and really sweet and loving, it seemed that something was bothering him in the back of his mind.

Elsa remained in her previous position about it: If there was something to tell, he'd let her know. She trusted him, and she also believed they were in a place where they already shared so many things with each other (really personal stuff, as well) that he'd wouldn't mind telling her if he considered it necessary, or when he was ready to speak. Plus, he could just be tired for all she knew.

It didn't help subdue the little worry she had, though; and the fact that they still had yet to clear the air about whatever their relationship was also had a toll on her right now.

It's not as if she thought he'd toy with her, she knew better than that. Jack was probably the best man she'd ever knew. But, there was still his job. Something she knew she wouldn't have the heart to handle if he decided to continue with it. Also, the tiny little detail that they both had lives out of this country. For what he said, she assumed he also lived in New York, but she didn't have any confirmation of that. She didn't know how she was supposed to act in the plane back home after this. They seemed to be in some Utopia that was definitely not the real world and sooner or later they needed to face the reality that was awaiting them, and it wouldn't hurt her to know what he thought about it.

Still, that was something that could wait. The real reason why they were actually here was approaching. The wedding was tomorrow, and the rehearsal dinner was a couple hours away. Whatever issues she might or might not have with Jack and their relationship had to wait.

Jack was currently in the shower, as Elsa was checking the small selection of dresses she chose to bring out for the evening. It wasn't going to be anything crazy formal, at least not today. Only family and close friends were going to be a part of the rehearsal dinner after all. Pretty much everyone they've been sharing with since they got here. It was definitely not Anna's choice, but their mom's.

Her mom was surprisingly pretty stern about this. She insisted the purpose of the rehearsal dinner remained just after its name: to rehearse. And that the evening to be just them sharing memories and having some last family time as an unmarried couple, and it could only last so long as well: Idun didn't want Anna to look tired on her big day.

That was actually the only thing that convinced Anna to abide by their mother's rules.

Elsa finally settled down for a solid black sleeveless dress that was both formal and casual enough for the dinner: It had a decent V neck, thin spaghetti straps and went below her knees hugging her figure like a glove. She paired it with some simple black heel sandals.

Her hair was down in soft waves, styled just to add enough volume. Her make-up was also kept on the simple side, the only thing that didn't look natural enough was the soft red tint her lip-gloss had.

When Jack came out of the bathroom, Elsa couldn't help but shamelessly check him up and down, like a freaking pervert.

He had a 'casual' type of suit on, very much like the one he was using when they first met: no tie, first two buttons off and open jacket. It was that shade of oxford blue with a grey tint to it, which, in Elsa's opinion, went really well with his pale skin.

"You look so handsome" She said, earning a little smirk from him.

"Thanks" He said, as he kissed her in the cheek. "You look gorgeous, not that's a surprise" He added with a wink, making Elsa flush.

Bastard. He seemed to be back to his normal self at least.

"Do you mind waiting for me downstairs? I'll just go check on Moana and Merida real quick before the dinner" Elsa asked as they exited the room and began walking towards the stairs.

"Sure thing" Jack said, and kissed her once more before she continued down the hall and he descended the stairs.

He decided to wait in the living room, taking the exact same spot he took yesterday when he was hanging out with Flynn while the girls were together.

The fire of the chimney was out now, since it was still sunny outside, hence warm, but there was still the scent of the logs lingering around, which for some reason calmed Jack's troubled state.

He was still conflicted, but much better than he was yesterday. While he could barely shut an eye last night, instead spending most of the night tossing and turning and watching Elsa's sleep peacefully, he managed to get some of his tranquility back.

That didn't mean he knew what to do yet.

It was only a few times in his life where he felt between a sword and a wall, and heck, he didn't enjoy the feeling at all.

In his mind, he knew that he should tell Elsa what he learned. She deserved as much. After everything she went through all these years and after opening herself so trustingly at him, it just felt like he was betraying her trust more and more with each passing second he spent not telling her the truth.

But the timing just didn't feel right.

Not to mention, that he didn't know if he was the one supposed to be telling her anyways.

Before he could ponder more at the issue, someone placed a glass of whiskey on the rocks on his hand.

Jack, half expecting to see Flynn again and his ability to tell when something was wrong, was surprised to the head of the Winters instead.

"Thank you, sir" Jack said, as he watched Adgar, already prepared for the night, take a seat in the same spot Flynn occupied yesterday.

"Ah, well" He said, and sipped from his glass. "I need something hard to help me realize that my youngest's getting married and I was never keen to drink on my own" Jack chuckled at this.

"I guess it's harder than I thought" Jack said and took a sip as well.

"Oh, you have no idea, trust me" Adgar replied. "I wish you never have girls, no man should be able to go under this suffering" He said chuckling. "You know, Jack, you think it's going to get easier as they get older, that you're going to worry about them less" Adgar said. "Or that you're going to trust the world more… But that's just not how it happens"

Jack gulped down, suddenly feeling his throat a little bit tighter. He could see it in the man's eyes: undeniable, unshaking and unmeasurable love. Love for his daughters, and the constant wish to keep them safe, keep them under his care forever, to give them the love they deserved and the one he didn't trust any other stranger to be capable of giving.

And also, the harsh reality that no matter what, he just couldn't always protect them, no matter how hard he tried.

"Oh, well" Adgar continued. "At least I trust Kristoff a little, not much, but I suppose it's as good as it could get, huh?"

Jack looked at the floor and sighed, before he turned back to the old man.

He, too, wished that if it was meant to be, he could protect Elsa from everything, just as her father would wanted.

It felt like he failed before he even started, but maybe from this point on, he would be able to do it.

"Sir, this might not make any sense to you…" He started, and as Adgar turned his attention to him he felt a little bit of fear creeping out from his heart. "…But I'd like to ask you for permission to date your daughter"

Adgar remained silent for just a second, but then leaned towards him.

"I thought you already were" He said whispering, and chuckling right after, to then take another sip.

Jack hoped that counted as a yes, and came to a conclusion: He'll tell her tonight. She deserves to know the thruth.

X

"The second time we met Jack was during his glorious, walk of shame at Elsa's apartment three weeks after they met" Moana deviously continued.

He knew. The moment he met them he just knew torture was in the order, but he didn't expect it to be like this.

"For some reason, though, Elsa was the most embarrassed one" Merida chimed in. "She began throwing just about everything to get him out of her apartment as if we hadn't just seen him"

The entire table laughed out loud. Jack thought it was maybe karma, returning the favor after he mercilessly teased Elsa all this days… What didn't add up with that was that Elsa was feeling even more embarrassed than him right now, just like the story her friends were telling.

"I don't know how he continued to date her after that, honestly" Moana said.

All embarrassment aside, he was genuinely surprised at how flawless and convincing their story sounded. A if they practiced everything a thousand times before telling it.

"Oh, Elsa throwing stuff when she's overwhelmed? Not a surprise!" Idun said. "You should know what she did to poor Oddvar Peepants" Idun continued and Elsa began to groan as she heard most of her family chuckling already. "In fact, Oddvar was the culprit of this all!"

"Culprit?" Jack asked, genuinely curious

"Mom, no" Elsa instantly yet firmly said.

"He was!" Idun insisted, and now even Anna sided with her sister and tried to stop her mother. "C'mon, I have to tell the story!"

"No" Elsa said again, looking at her mother completely serious, but Idun was already a bit too tipsy to notice.

"I need to initiate Jack into our family" Idun said, Elsa and Anna both sighed in defeat. Not even a gag in their mother's mouth would be able to stop her now. "I blame Oddvar for why my two girls just don't seem able to get along" Elsa huffed in annoyance and turned partially away from her mother as Anna shifted in her place "Don't deny it! You barely tolerate each other!" Idun pointed out.

Jack nearly visibly flinched at the look Elsa and Anna shared. Both had hard, yet regretful and almost glassy eyes.

"It's true. I can vouch for it" Punzie said and Elsa send her a glare.

"My two girls got into a fight over Oddvar Peepants and never made up since" Idun continued, as if there wasn't enough tension to cut with a sheet of paper.

Anna regained her composure much quicker than Elsa, placing on the usual cheery façade she sported, and turned at Jack.

"The legend says that Elsa and I were inseparable" She said, taking the reins of the story.

"If Elsa ate a banana, Anna threw it up" Idun said.

"If Anna threw it up, Elsa ate it" Punzie added, and everyone groaned loudly. Jack shuddered a bit.

"Anyways, so we were eating and throwing up together in harmony" Elsa said, continuing the story herself. "Until, Oddvar walked me home from school one day" She said turning at Jack. "He was my first boyfriend"

"And Oddvar ended up ignoring Elsa because he wanted to play with me" Anna said a little too quickly and a bit too excited, as she framed her face with an 'I'm so pretty' pose.

"Anyways, the point the story is that Oddvar ended up with a chair in his face" Rapunzel said, shocking all of the new comers.

"It was plastic and child-sized" Adgar said assuringly.

"I'm pretty sure there were stitches involved" Idun said, as she took another sip of her drink, making everyone laugh out loud.

"C'mon, hon, just three stitches" Adgar said dismissively and everyone continued to laugh.

"So…" Jack said, after the laughter subdued. "Is that when he peed his pants?" He asked, and everyone remained quiet and confused.

"He cried a lot but… there was no peeing" Idun said as she recalled the incident.

"So what's with the nickname?" Jack said with confused eyes.

"…" Idun seemed to think for a moment. "I actually have no idea"

Everyone laughed even louder at that.

Elsa whipped tears from her eyes as her laugh died down and stood up.

"Let me get more wine" She said, kissing Jack's cheek as she went inside the house.

But, he also did notice how Hans stood up and went after her almost as soon as she did. So, of course, Jack got up as well. Masking his intentions by grabbing a few empty wine bottles that were on the table.

Jack followed the halls that lead to the wine cellar he knew the house had, having visited it yesterday for the pizza-bonfire night after the girls suggested to make some sangria.

He didn't trust this guy, at all. He now knew what Punzie meant back then at the pub. He was just the type of guy you needed to keep an eye on every time, no matter how much you trusted your girl.

He stopped just a few meters away from the wine cellar door, just as he heard their voices clearly.

Quietly, he left the empty bottles on a nearby table, and proceeded to eavesdrop whatever they were saying.

"And, you know… I thought perhaps you…" He heard Hans say. He sounded really nervous, and maybe even regretful. "Shit. Sorry" He said, chuckling awkwardly. "I didn't think this would be so difficult" He explained. "I just feel like I owe you an explanation… And an apology, I've been really shitty to you last time" Hans stuttered out.

"Shhh, relax" Elsa said calmly and in assurance. "It's fine. I promise" She said truthfully, and Jack could imagine the kind smile that was surely on her face. Because Elsa was simply so good, and so kind. "I think that I should probably admit that…" Jack heard Elsa sigh. "I brought Jack here with me to torture you, slowly, for ten days" Elsa confessed and Jack was surprised she did. "But then…" She said, and this time, Jack could almost hear her smile. "…Something happened and, I don't know" She sounded like a teenage girl with a crush, which was absolutely adorable. "I hope this doesn't hurt your feelings but, I'm just so sick of you and me" She said truthfully, and Jack couldn't help but smile in pride, nor he could stop the blush growing in his cheeks.

Maybe he was worried after nothing. Elsa could take care of herself perfectly well, and she was positively done with Hans as well.

Jack smiled one more time, and turned back to the party. He'll wait for her there.

X

To say that Elsa was surprised to see Hans following after her to say sorry for everything he'd done was an understatement. But, she was glad.

She already had her closure. Closure for her feelings towards him and a final dot on this ugly chapter in her life. But, she believed that she'd feel much better if she and Hans ended their issues with a friendly handshake rather than with bitter feelings towards each other.

Sure, he'd hurt her the last time they were alone. Really, really bad if she was being honest. But, she'd knew him her whole life as well, and they were a major part of each other's life for almost just as long. They've been through a lot together, good and bad, and even if he ended up being different from what she once thought he was, she'd still cherish the good memories and experiences they shared. After all, she learned just so much from them.

She'd be lying if she said she wanted him as a friend now. But, after everything and him probably continuing to be a constant here in her family and life in Arendelle, she figured it was just for the best to remain as acquittances rather than enemies.

Not to mention, she appreciated that he decided to ask for forgiveness after all, even if it came a little bit late.

"Don't worry, really" Elsa assured him once again. "Let's just go upstairs and stuff our faces with some gomme" She said, picking two bottles of wine and starting to walk towards the door.

Before she crossed it, though, Hans spoke.

"I slept with your sister" Hans voice said from behind her, and the world around her muted as she froze in her spot.

"I'm sorry?" Elsa said, turning to look at him, her eyes wide in terror as she pleaded to have misheard him.

Hans took a big breath of air, before saying once again, unmistakably:

"I fucked Anna" He said looking straight at her. "Three years ago"

Elsa gave no reaction at all.

"That's why I broke it off with you" He continued to explain. "And then, after you left, we kept at it like rabbits…" He said. "… Until we both realized how insane it was, and, well, morally wrong" He said, daring to chuckle. "And then… that was it" He said so simply.

Elsa's eyes didn't move from his. She didn't even blink.

"But, last year, when Kristoff proposed to her, I realized…" He spoke again. "… I realized that I love her, and I want to marry her instead"

It was then, when he said the last sentence that the truth crushed on top of her.

The world felt like it was crumbling all over, squeezing around her, choking her.

Her eyes started to blurry.

"God, say something!" Hans demanded her, as if he was the one that was suffering.

Elsa simply turned around, and nearly run towards where the dinner was being held.

She needed Jack. She needed Jack right now.

As soon as she got outside, just in front of the table they were all sharing, Jack turned to her with a smile, that soon enough turned into concern and worry once he made eye contact with her.

Once his expression changed, everyone turned to look at her. After seeing her in such a state, all remaining expressions mirrored Jack's. Except, a few of them also looked panicked.

He instantly stood up, ready to wrap her in his arms as he already suspected what could have happened and cursing Hans' in his mind.

Rapunzel reached her sooner, though. She grabbed Elsa by the arms, and Elsa was just about to hug her trusted cousin until she spoke.

"Oh, my god." Punzie said at first, having seen Hans go after her before, she just put two and two together. "He told you, didn't he?"

Elsa froze in her spot, and with her frame shaking, she separated herself just enough from her cousin to look her in the eyes

"Y-You knew?" She asked, disbelieving. When the truth displayed on Rapunzel's eyes, Elsa chocked back a cry, eyes traveling to her sister.

As soon as Anna's eyes connected with hers, she looked at her pleadingly.

"Els…" She whispered in plea as she stood up from her spot, Kristoff glancing up to her concerned. "…Elsie. Please. Please don't say anything!" She said, blinking back tears as well. Elsa ignored her, and nearly run towards Jack, who instantly wrapped her in his arms and held her tight.

"What's going on here?" Adgar asked, getting up from his seat as well, concerned, and so did Moana and Merida that were looking at Elsa with immense worry.

Everyone ignored him.

"I can't believe you told her!" Anna's angry shout at Jack was as if a lightning bolt just struck all of them.

Both Jack and Elsa's body tensed in their hug. Jack looked at Anna in panic, as his heart pumped in his ears when he felt Elsa slowly break away from their hug.

Her face. Her face in pure disbelief and hurt broke his heart in a billion pieces.

Elsa didn't have to ask, and Jack didn't have to mouth any words in reply, because his face said it all.

Elsa looked at every guilty face surrounding her, Hans's too, as he joined them once again, to then look down at the ground, biting her lip as she held back a cry, and turned around to then flee towards the lake as a thunder roared in the sky.

The perfectly nice day turning grey and sour.

"Wait! Elsa" Moana said, watching her friend running away and ready to take after her.

"It's okay" Jack stopped her. "Let me go after her" Both of Elsa's friends looked ready to protest, but Jack sent them a pleading look that froze them on the spot and he took of right after.

"What is going on?" Kristoff asked, finally standing up from his spot and looking concerned after Jack and Elsa's retreating shapes. "Nothing" Anna answered, but looking everything but okay.

"Doesn't look like nothing" Kristoff said still concerned. Hans patted him in the shoulder, and turned to his clueless best friend.

"It's really not the time to catch up, Kris" He said.

Anna turned around, to look at the accusing looks her parents were giving her. After all, it didn't take a genius to know that whatever had upset Elsa, it involved her.

"I think we should cut this dinner short" Adgar said, his voice sounding much like the thunders itself, as he looked down at his daughter pointedly. 'You better explain this' look all over his face.

Anna sniffed soundly, and ran inside the house followed by a confused Kristoff. All the older guests quietly, and confused began entering the house as well and retreating towards their rooms. So did Hans. Only Rapunzel, Flynn and Elsa's two best friends remained.

As soon as Merida watched the last one enter, she turned towards Rapunzel with eyes that promised pain.

"What the fuck happened here?!" She demanded instantly, always so protective of her friends. "We know you know, so spit it out!"

"Calm down, Merida!" Moana said, but she looked no less angry than the redhead. "But, I agree. We are aware you know what went down here, Rapunzel." She said, voice as cold as ice. "Elsa was just fine a moment ago, and then returned looking like a mess! I've never seen her like this! So, please tell us."

X

"Elsa!" She heard Jack call after her for the billionth time, but just like the others, she didn't wait. "Elsa, wait! Please!"

It was pouring rain now. So hard, that Elsa could hardly remember a storm like this happen in Arendelle.

She was soaking wet, her hair and dress clinging uncomfortably to her body, making it really hard to walk. Her feet were sinking in the sand near the lake, she lost her heels near the summer house, just as it started to rain. She was wet, muddy, and exhausted, but she refused to stop just yet, because tears were still coming from her eyes. Her heart still felt like being stabbed by a thousand knifes.

She'd thought she knew what heartbreak felt like. But God, the pain she was currently feeling was unimaginable, incomparable, just nothing she could describe with words.

She nearly collapsed over a tree as she sobbed, trying to keep herself steady, but it was just too much.

"Elsa" Jack said, out of breath as well as he tried to grab her shoulder.

Elsa flinched instantly and dodged his touch just in time.

"Leave me alone!" She shouted, and finally turned to look at him.

Her face was a mess. Her blonde hair was plastered on the sides of her cheeks and her forehead, her eyes were read, puffy and while he couldn't distinguish if the droplets on her face were tears or raindrops, the smeared mascara was a pretty good indication of what they actually were. It broke Jack's heart to see her like this.

"You knew" Elsa said, choking back a sob. "You knew, and you didn't tell me!" She shouted again, making sure to keep her distance from him. "Everyone knew! Everyone knew and no one told me anything! I was making a fool of myself this entire time! My own sister was the cause of this, she hurt me and let me go far away from my own home for what she did, heartbroken and alone, and no one did anything about it!" Elsa continued to sob and each word made Jack flinch in his place. "But out of everyone…" She said, breathless. "How could you not tell me, Jack?" She asked desperately.

Jack opened and closed his mouth a few times, but couldn't come with an explanation at the moment.

"What did you expect me to say?" He simply said. Because, honestly, what was he supposed to do? When Anna told him, he was itching to go running straight to Elsa and tell her and then suggest her to get the first flight to New York they could and get the hell away from a person that did nothing but to hurt her. But then Anna pleaded him not to say anything, told him it wasn't his place, told him she'd be the one to tell her soon.

He didn't know that her cousin knew, and he didn't know if there was more people that did. He was still a stranger, he only met her less than ten days ago. How was he supposed to mend or get involved in her family business like that?

"After everything I told you…" She said. "After opening myself up to you, after telling you how I felt and everything I went through because of this…" She cited with strangled voice. "You let me keep making a fool of myself" She chocked out. "You lied to me" Her eyes turned hard, then. "But I guess I shouldn't be surprised because that's what you do" She said, making Jack's eyes widen in shock at her words. "That's who you are. You're a liar" She said, her voice cold as ice.

Jack's heart clenched at her words. He couldn't believe her.

"You're judging me, Elsa? That's a good one" He said with a dry laugh. "You're pointing a finger at me, the guy who you hired to pretend to be your boyfriend so you could make your family believe that you were happy?" Elsa took a step back as if she has just been physically slapped by his words.

"You're right" She said after digesting his words. "I was so desperate to make them stop pitying me, that I paid all this fucking money for a lie" She continued, looking at him both hurt and angry. "But, at the end of the day, the only who ended up falling for it was me" She hissed out. "Wish I could say it was worth it"

"Go ahead, Elsa, hate me" Jack said with his hands mockingly up in 'defeat'. "I think you're running out of steam on this whole Hans thing anyhow" He said mockingly. "Maybe now you'll be able to hold onto this long enough to ruin your next relationship"

And with that, he left. Leaving Elsa alone in the rain.

X

Punzie was crying and she never really cried, because her parents told her to always find the good in things, always be thankful for what she had, and to grow her skin as thick as elephant skin. So, when she cried, it was because whatever situation she was in was just so ugly, so hopeless, so dark that she couldn't get out with that fiery light she always carried with her.

Like the situation she was in right now.

"I can't fucking believe you" Merida spat out, looking at her shocked and disgusted.

A situation she brought upon herself.

"R-Rapunzel" Moana stuttered out, as she looked at her like she was that lady from The Ring.

"And you say you fucking care for her?!" Merida continued with her verbal assault.

"I-I do! Of course I do! I love her with my life and I-I tried! I tried to tell her-" Rapunzel tried to say, sobbing every single word.

"Yeah, like hell you did! It's no surprise that Elsa's so terrified of being here! Her entire family is shit!" Merida roared back, interrupting her. "She should've stayed in New York away from you heartless people!"

"Hey- Easy!" Flynn tried to calm her down as he comforted a quivering Rapunzel in his arms. "I know you're angry but-"

"Don't fucking try me goatee! I know you knew as well!" Merida accused. "You're all pieces of shit!"

"I-I'm so sorry!" Punzie said pleadingly as she continued to sob.

Merida was about to open her mouth again to scream at her, when she felt Moana tuck at her arm.

"Mer" She whispered, and pointed with her head in the direction of the lake.

In the distance, a bright silver head could be easily spotted in the dark-grey scenario. Jack was making his way towards the house. But… he was coming alone.

As soon as he was close enough, Merida and Moana trotted up to him.

"Jack, where's Elsa?" Moana asked confusedly, and it was only then that she saw the look in his face. Hurt and angry.

"Why is she not with you?" Merida asked a little more aggressively. "Weren't you supposed to go get her?"

"She'll be coming up in a minute" He simply said and walked past them.

"Hey!" Merida called after, but Moana stopped her again.

"Forget him, let's just go get her" Moana urged her. Merida huffed at Jack, but followed Moana down the direction Elsa went earlier.

Jack continued to walk towards the house, seeing a concerned Flynn and a crying Rapunzel once he got on the terrace.

"Jack?" Flynn asked, but Jack chose to ignore him and also Punzie's questioning and sad eyes.

Jack ignored and walked past them, not at all in the mood to stop and answer their questions or even spend time with them at all. He knew he'd be an hypocrite to blame them for not telling Elsa what they knew, because he didn't either. But, he just learned about it yesterday, he didn't hold the secret for three years. Not to mention, Punzie was her cousin, her family, one of Elsa's most trusted and loved friends.

He didn't want to even acknowledge them more than necessary, because he knew he'd just go off on them.

He just needed to pack and get the hell away from here. At least for the time being.

As soon as he got inside, he made his way towards his and Elsa's room as fast as he could. He didn't wanna face anyone else if he could help it.

He got inside, and began picking every item he possessed that was scattered around the room and placed them just as they were in his suit case. He could worry about tidy them up later. He quietly thanked whoever was up there that most of his stuff was already inside his case. Just some hygiene items and random stuff such as his charger and so were around the room.

Once he was done, he took one last regretful look around the room, to then close the door behind him.

It was just as he exited the room and crossed the street to walk towards the town that someone called out to him.

"Jack!" He heard behind him, and he cursed under his breath. So much for his perfect escape.

Jack turned around, and saw none other than Kristoff running up to him.

"I'm just checking into a hotel" Jack said, trying to sound reassuring and convincing so he would just leave him alone.

"Don't be ridiculous! It's late and it'll rain down on you before you even make it to town!" Kristoff said. "Here" He called out as he threw him some keys Jack caught in the air. "The boat house is empty. There's a nice room in the attic"

Jack looked at him and then down to the keys, weighting his options. It was already dark outside, and the skies were threatening to go off on anyone stupid enough to challenge them.

"Look… I don't know what's going on between you two but I'm sure you'll work it out" Kristoff said, trying to cheer him up. Jack gazed up to him but said nothing. Kristoff could tell he failed, so he tried again. "You couldn't be more perfect as if… as if she picked you out of a catalog!"

Jack jaw tensed at that.

Oh, you have no idea, pal.

"Thanks, Kris" He simply said, watching at Kristoff smiled at him, still a bit uncertain but looking more relieved.

Kristoff nodded at him and got back inside and Jack made his way towards the boat house.

X

It was more than an hour later when Merida and Moana finally got Elsa back to the house and into her room, Marshmallow hot on their trails once he saw his human in distress. Jack was nowhere to be seen when they got there, nor were his stuff, so Elsa could pretty well guess what he decided to do.

"C'mon, let's get you dry, okay? It was already freezing outside and you're soaking wet" Moana said, as Merida helped Elsa sit down on the bed. She quickly retrieved a fluffy towel from the bathroom, and then instantly began drying Elsa's hair, looking down concerned at her quiet state. "It's okay, Els" She tried to comfort her, caressing the strands of her hair. "As soon as the wedding is done we'll be out of here. Far away, in our home"

"Or we can get going right now" Merida said as she watched how Marshmallow rested his head on his owner's lap, getting a pet almost instantly. "I can get us all tickets and we'll be flying back to New York in no time. Screw the wedding and everyone else" Elsa chuckled slightly at this, and looked at her red-haired friend without stopping the ministrations she was giving to her little friend.

"I can't do that, Mer" Elsa said with a sad smile. "No matter how much I want to get away from here"

Merida smiled sadly at her as well, but before she could say anything else there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it" Merida said and walked towards the door. She only opened it so much, because Elsa and Moana weren't able to see who was outside. "What do you want?"

"I need to talk to her" Elsa heard a voice from behind the door. She recognized that voice instantly.

"If you don't mind, she's not really feeling that well right now" Merida said rather venomously.

"It's okay, Mer" Elsa said, and both Merida and Moana turned to look at her surprised. "I actually wanna hear what she has to say"

They both shared a look and hesitated for a moment.

"Alright" Moana said. "We'll wait outside then, okay?" She added, and once Elsa nodded they both exited the room before Rapunzel stepped in.

"Hey" She said, her eyes looking red and puffy, something Elsa has probably only seen just once in her entire life.

"Hey" She quietly said herself, and Punzie broke down.

"Oh, Els!" She sobbed. "I'm so, so sorry! I was so fucking stupid! I should've told you right away-"

"Why didn't you?" Elsa asked calmly yet sad, cutting her off. Elsa knew for a fact that Rapunzel was sorry, her current state was proof enough. She also knew that she'd forgive her, probably sooner rather than later, because she loved her and she knew that Punzie loved her unconditionally as well. Still, she just couldn't understand why she chose such a position. She wanted an explanation.

"I tried to" Punzie replied. "I tried to, a lot of times. I know that that's not an excuse and I don't expect you to forgive me or as a victim. I should've told you, and I was so close, so many times. But, Anna always begged me not to, telling me that it was her secret to tell and she was going to tell you soon, so I always ended up believing her for some stupid reason" She explained between tears, but with truth in her eyes.

"Punz" Elsa said. "I left" She continued. "I left. I left all alone and I left my home. I was so heartbroken and feeling so guilty, like it was my fault" She said between tears.

"I know it's no excuse. But, I promise you, that I didn't know until after you were gone" Punzie said truthfully. "When I found out… I was just so furious. It had been just a couple of months after you left, and I was so angry at the fact that Anna remained friends with that jerk. I mean, I could let Kristoff slide since he was his best friend, but Anna?" She recalled. "Then… I started to get suspicious and after a while, I finally caught them" She continued. "Anna confessed it to me then, and I was about to call and tell you right away but…" She let out a dry chuckle. "Ever since I told Flynn he begged me to tell you, he told me that you deserved to know the truth from whoever it might come, and warned that it would explode in my face if I didn't do anything soon. I guess it's safe to say he was right, huh?"

Elsa simply looked at her cousin, and said nothing.

"I'm so sorry, Els." She said again. "I thought that if I tortured Hans in other ways, maybe it would made up for the time being until Anna told you, but I was wrong. I should've come to you right away, and I'll regret it forever" She admitted. "But I am, truly sorry" She said looking into her eyes again. "And it's okay if you don't ever forgive me"

Elsa remained quiet for a long time, deep in thought.

"Of course I'll forgive you, Punz" She said. Rapunzel looked up to her, a little too hopeful. "But it's just too much to process for me right now"

"That's perfectly fine!" Rapunzel said quickly. "You can take all the time you want, really! Take all the time you need! I just… I really don't wanna lose you again"

Elsa smiled sadly at that but said nothing else. Rapunzel understood the sign.

"I'll just let you rest, then" She said and turned towards the door. "Thanks so much, Els. I'm so sorry, once again" She added and then exited the room.

Moana and Merida entered right after.

"Everything alright?" Moana asked, and Elsa nodded.

"Yeah" She said quietly. "She's really sorry" She commented. "I'll forgive her, of course… I just need some time right now" She explained. "It just… really hurt me"

Both girls smiled sympathetically at her.

"We can sleep over here tonight, if you want" Moana suggested, but Elsa was quick to shake her head.

"That's okay" She said. "I really need to spend some time alone, if you don't mind"

"Of course" Moana said. "Just let us know if you need anything, okay? We're just a text away"

"Or a scream, whichever you prefer" Merida added trying to lighten up the mood. Elsa chuckled quietly.

"Thanks" She said.

"Night, Els" Moana said and both of them exited the room.

She needed a long, hot bath that would take her out of this world for a moment.

X

Jack plopped down on the bed as he scrolled down his phone on the American Airlines app. Kristoff wasn't wrong. The room was nice. It was more towards the cozy-normal type of room, though. Unlike the luxurious rooms the Lake house and the Winters' mansion held. But, Jack appreciated the change.

Finally, he spotted the earliest flight to New York available. It was surprisingly cheap for some reason. But, unfortunately for him, it took off at 6PM tomorrow. So he basically had an entire day on a place that could only remind him of Elsa.

Jack sighed.

Just as he thought to give another chance at love or whatever, this whole mess happens and even if he implied to Elsa that she'd be hanging onto this mess for long, Jack knew it was him the one that wouldn't be able to forget her, ever.

He couldn't force her to forgive him, though… and he was also too hurt to be the one taking the first step to make up.

"Maybe… back in New York"

Where they'd both be away from this place, away from this mess, away from this backstabbing people.

Maybe then.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jack spotted some sheets of paper over a desk.

Only one thing left to do now.

X

A knock was heard on her door for a second time in the night, and it was just as Elsa exited the bathroom in her fluffy robe and her hair up in a towel turban, after spending around 40 minutes sobbing in the tub. This time, though, whoever was on the other side didn't wait for her to allow them to get inside. The door timidly opened up just as soon as the knocking stopped.

Elsa didn't turn to look who it was.

"Hey" She heard, and she tried her best not to flinch at the sound of her voice.

"…Hey" She said curtly, not bothering to turn and look at her.

"I just… I wanted to say thank you for not outing me in front of Kristoff earlier" Anna said. "I want to tell him" She said, as if she was doing him a favor. "Just not the night before the wedding, you know? With this things… timing is everything"

Elsa couldn't fucking believe her ears.

Her entire body was tensed up, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"You're right" She said, finally turning to look at her sister. Anna smiled at her words. "You should really time it right" Elsa continued and Anna smiled even brighter, looking relieved. "So that when he hears that you repeatedly fucked his best friend…" It was then when Anna's smile dropped. "…he won't feel like the world is collapsing around him and there's no escape" Elsa said with an icy voice as Anna's eyes began to water. "Because you tricked into marrying you" She finished, looking as a tear escaped her sister's eye.

"Elsie-" Anna said, chocking back a sob.

"Don't worry. Your wedding will be perfect" Elsa was quick to interrupt. "Tomorrow I'll smile and continuously say how pretty you look" She added. "But today? Right now?... I'm not going to pretend it's okay"

She turned her back to her sister again, and didn't turn back around again until she heard the door close.

A.N.:

Updating so soon almost feels wrong, lol.

It's been SO LONG since I updated a story for two consecutive days, it feels surreal!

But, if I'm being completely honest with you, I really wanna get this story done already. Not because I don't like it, because I adore it (duh) but because we're SO CLOSE to the end it's making me anxious tbh…

We have at most just two chapters to go… but I think I can get it done in just one more chapter WOOHOO!

Anyways… since I spoiled you with this long af chapter so soon… how about a review? ;)

Let me know what you think!

~byeeee

Silvana