thearena | Life became complicated. [closed]

Entry tags:

Life became complicated. [closed]

Who| Dave Strider and Elsa
What| Dave and Elsa went separate ways after his fight with Eponine, it's about time they talked about what happened there.
Where| The Arendelle Shop
When| Later on in week 2
Warnings/Notes| None yet, may add later.

There's been a lot weighing on Dave's mind for a long time. Since before he got with Loki, since before he fought Eridan and Eponine and even before jailbreak, really. He's used to having Rose take one look at him and know exactly what's going on, but the Rose he has is a little far removed from the dramatics of a teenager. He's been feeling better in the past week, but he doesn't feel good. Not about himself, anyway. He never wanted to be that guy between Eponine and Orc and now, as if with tremendously terrible timing, Orc has died for good. The way Eponine had spoken to him about it had hurt more than he'd let on to anyone. His ego and self worth have always been fragile, but never to a debilitating state. He functions fine, but there's that voice in his head that makes second guesses and reminds him continuously of his fuck ups. For a moment, it had felt like Eponine was that voice personified, which is a disconcerting way to feel about someone you had earnest feelings for.

He hasn't opened up to anyone about it, of course. He plowed forward with the Arena and took it almost entirely out on Eridan, only to make a silent deal with Loki without so much as a flicker of guilt. For that moment, anyway. Despite knowing that what they're doing is paying off, he feels like a dick for initiating it so soon after what happened. She said in so many words that she was leading him on, so why the hell should he feel bad? In life, everyone experiences a Beyonce moment. A point in time in which her songs become all the more poignant and deep. For now it's Dave. Dave is the Beyonce in this moment. He doesn't owe anything to someone who would treat him like trash, he knows that deep down, but it's hard to admit to yourself.

His feelings on the matter are complicated, to say the very least, but his guilt net also spreads far enough to reel Elsa into the equation. He really hadn't wanted her involved, but that doesn't mean he isn't grateful and more than a little impressed at how well she'd handled the entire situation. Soon enough, he can't put off searching for her to check on her any longer and he sets off on his skateboard to search. After checking a few places, he can't help feeling like the Arendelle shop would be an easy bet. Too easy, maybe, but it's worth a shot.

He rolls to a stop outside the store, stepping inside cautiously with his board under his arm with the intention of searching for her, but like a bird he can't help but be drawn in by the shiny artifacts that decorate the walls. He's leaning in to study what looks to be a crest and again it's dawning on him that his friends are literally from fairy tales. Weirder things have been known to happen, of course, but it sets a strange feeling over him as he studies the store in silence.

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Elsa doesn't have quite as many things weighing on her shoulders as Dave does, what she does have is heavier than anything she's experienced in a long time. Ever since Dave somehow managed to worm his way into her heart, she's come to see him just as much of a brother as Anna is her sister and so when things like the confrontation with Eponine happen, they weigh on her terribly.

It absolutely kills her that she hasn't had the chance to properly check on him; it's a big mall, and running around without any idea as to where he is is dangerous and she still has to keep an eye on Anna, too. But she really wishes she could just find him. She knows he's alive, but Elsa knows as well as anyone how empty you can feel even when you are alive. When they parted, he seemed so... unhinged. So it's really bothering her, and more than anything Elsa just wants to know that he's okay.

On one of her mini scouting adventures to try and find some supplies for the little Arendelle brigade, Elsa managed to come across the Arendelle gift shop. The silliest things can make you feel better, as it turns out. Some people might be offended at the existence of their gift shops, but in a strange way it's like stepping into a small piece of home. Of course all of the merchandise is weird, and she had a little moment of embarrassment at the shirts with 'Let It Go' written on them, but she finds it comforting nonetheless. So as it happens, Dave is right. It's easy, too easy, but Elsa is a predictable person.

She's in a corner, holding onto an Olaf plush doll when she hears movement in the store. Hesitantly she looks out from around the corner, ready to defend herself if the need arises- but then she sees who it is. Relief and happiness floods through her and she breaks into perhaps the first smile she's had in the entire arena, pushing herself onto her feet. "Dave!" she calls, her voice cracking already just from the intense happiness.

And then she's moving towards him as fast as she can, so she can throw her arms around him and pull him into a tight hug. "Do not run off on me again!" she says, breaking the hug so she can hold him by the shoulders and look him over. "I've been worried sick about you!"

Dave is confident in his ability to defend himself, so it hadn't been self-preservation keeping him from looking for Elsa. It's just guilt, really. It's been weighing on him hard despite all attempts to dismiss it. Ever since the argument he's felt it weighing on him and squirming in him whenever things get quiet. He can't possibly tell anyone about it, he doesn't even know what to say. He can't even bring it up without feeling like he's being over-dramatic, so words get stuck in his throat and he swallows them down instead.

He'd rather think of anything but how he really feels right now, guilt is tainting absolutely everything, he wants to lose himself in pointless conversations and something mind numbing like fighting. Only the last time he tried to fight it out, it hadn't gone well at all. You can either lose yourself too much or not at all, apparently. But he's better, that counts for something. Better enough to re-involve Elsa in his bullshit, apparently.

There isn't much appreciation in him for the way that voice crack makes him feel, but he crushes that thought quickly and swallows thickly as she approaches. Goddamn, he really needs to learn what to do when people hug him, he thinks. However, his arms have a different idea and they raise up to sit awkwardly on her. Apparently he's made himself very tired of awkward, one-way hugs. At least it doesn't last too long, but now he's subject to fussing and it will be more than apparent that he's been in a fight. His face is covered in bruising from his fights and his bandaged hand now hangs by his side as he looks hopelessly at her through his glasses.

"I don't need to run, I have a skateboard." He says that ever so matter-of-factly. "Are you under the impression that I am not an incredibly cool customer and hellaciously competent when it comes to ass kicking? I'm fine. Everything is peachy. I saw Anna and she was peachy too so I figured you were fine." He shrugs. "Nice place you've got here." He came here with the intention of talking about what happened and now he feels like deflecting. Great.

Up close like this, Elsa would be blind not to see the bruises and the obvious signs of a fight. As she takes in the sight, her face falls just a little and she takes her hands off of his shoulders. One of them hovers in the air, fingers clenching and twitching like she wants to reach out and touch his face, but she resists. She knows him well enough that he wouldn't like it, but her heart aches for him. Who did this? If it was Eponine, she'll-

Her thoughts are cut off abruptly as Dave begins speaking, and of course he's going to act like everything is fine. It's how he always is when things are getting serious. Times like this, she has to appreciate how similar they are. Where Elsa tends to- or used to- put on a mask and pretend everything is okay with a stoic air of royalty, Dave just gets rambly and serious. It's the same sort of tactic, just different was of implementing it.

"I'm not doubting you," she says, ignoring his comment about the shop completely as she finally lets her hand fall to her side, her eyebrows furrowing. "I know you're probably more capable of defending yourself than I ever will be. But that doesn't stop me from worrying anyway. It's like... I'll say the same thing I tell Anna. I'm your big sister, it's my job to worry." Hesitantly, she reaches out and takes on of Dave's hands, clasping her other one over the top of his. "What happened?" she asks. "Be honest with me, please."

When her hand hovers, he purses his lips and wills her to let it drop. He's learning to appreciate affection from her and from other people, at the right time it can be nice. He's definitely had more hugs here than he did in almost sixteen years of bopping around, but the gesture is a little too intimate. He doesn't want to be pitied, he wishes the bruises would fade faster just for that.

Dave can always rely on the fact that she's learned his tricks, it seems. What is it about sisters and getting into his head? Maybe he's more transparent than he really means to be. He lets out a groan when she speaks, folding his arms loosely over himself as he fights the urge to deflect it all with jokes.

He opens his mouth, but it happens before he's even formulated words for her. He doesn't know where to begin with it or how much he really wants to say. When she asks him to be honest, it reminds him of that little pang of guilt he felt back at the beginning, that well deserved guilt he's been cultivating. He knows realistically she wouldn't like him any less for this, hell he even knows the blame really isn't on him, but it's hard to shake. So he lets her take his hands, he'll let her have that much even if he wants to pull away. He feels like he should just nip that in the bud, get it out of the way. Admit every shitty thing you did and get over it.

Okay.

Go.

Three, two, one. Go.

"I kissed her. Behind her boyfriend's back when we were alone at the crowning." He says that as steadily as he can, almost flippantly if it weren't for how bitter he sounds. "We kind of agreed that we'd be a thing- and then the mini arena happened and they took people and we didn't really see each other around." He needs to draw in a breath, just to gather his thoughts. "I had no idea she'd be there- but she was. She was there when I went in and so was her boyfriend, and they killed him. I don't know how- I didn't know until she told me then." Everything he's been mulling over is starting to brim to the top at this point, he barely even feels it surging until it's too late and he sputters. It's almost a sob, he can feel the heat of tears pricking at his eyes but he bites it down. It's a wholly pitiful noise and he wipes his hand over his face tiredly as if it will make it go away. "He died and all I got was a cuff." His voice is desperately trying to be flat again, but there's a quiver to it and he swallows hard again.

Elsa can't help but hold her breath when Dave looks like he's to launch into an explanation. In a way, her heart is beating faster and she's nervous. She can't even begin to imagine what set Eponine off so bad, then again- from what she's seen of Eponine, it could have been something very simple, she doesn't even know. From the confrontation, it sounds just like Eponine is trying to blame anyone she can for Orc's death, and Dave ended up the victim of that.

The truth is a little more than she actually expects to hear. Somewhere in her mind, she knows she should disapprove heavily of what he's done, maybe even say something about it, but she can't. It wouldn't mean much coming from the woman who spent months pining after her sister's fiancee and toyed with the idea of somehow making it happen in the back of her mind. The heart wants what the heart wants and she cannot fault Dave for that. If anything, she just sympathizes with him even more. The situation is different, it's true, but she can't help compare it to her own situation and it's just impossible to think negatively of him for it. And even if it weren't the case, family doesn't judge family anyway.

She's never seen Dave like this- losing control in quite this way. He's always so good at keeping himself together, masking it with jokes or indifference that it's... jarring, to see him have to take a moment to breathe, to regain his thoughts. And then he sputters and that little sob comes out and Elsa's heart aches even more for him, and she squeezes his hand to let him know she's there, because if the situation were reversed she probably wouldn't want a hug. She's definitely learning what not to do around him, to hold herself back from doing what she wants over what he might.

Elsa can tell that by the time he finishes, he's trying to recompose himself, but when you lose control of your emotions like that, it becomes all the harder to keep them in. The time has come for her to offer her sisterly advice, but she truly doesn't even know where to begin to help him- but the truth of the matter is, no matter what he's done, she's on his side. Not a single part of her being feels like Eponine is anywhere near in the right for what she did, regardless what she's gone through. Losing someone doesn't give you the right to lash out at other people and blame them for things that aren't their fault, in her opinion.

"I hope you don't expect me to chastise you," she says, tracing her fingers over the back of his hand as she looks down at their hands, rather than at him for the moment. "Morally, it's wrong, I suppose. Everyone would tell you that. But... I can't tell you that, Dave. Hearts are... frustrating, and complicated, and- and you can't always control them. They make you do and think things and you can't stop it." Elsa is of course speaking from experience with Hans. She's never really confided in anyone just how deeply she fell, except for Anna that night. She's sure Dave can get the point of what she's saying, though. "That aside, you have to know it wasn't your fault. She had no right to blame you, his death is completely unrelated to what you two did."

Her voice is a little shaky, but she's doing her utmost to stay calm for him, even if she's still shaken from just seeing him break down. She's finally looking at him, at least, even if she feels a little awkward and emotionally vulnerable after expressing so many of her own feelings and experiences. The fact that everyone back at the Capitol is watching just makes this even harder, but at least she's not said any specific names- though she has no doubt they'll know exactly who she's speaking of. It's not as if she's being very subtle. The realization that he's possibly watching this just makes her skin crawl, and worse of all her heart aches in a different way than the pain she's feeling for Dave.

"It's selfish of her," she adds after a moment, her brow furrowing and her expression taking on one of minor annoyance. The anger she feels towards Eponine is still very intense, only buried under her concern for Dave and focusing on surviving the arena, but now it's coming out again. "It's selfish and she had no right to do that. At least you feel things- she just... she pushes her feelings onto other people because she's too afraid to feel them." Whereas people like her and Dave take all of the feeling onto themselves, regardless of whether it's warranted or not. She squeezes his hand again. "Just... please don't blame yourself," she says quietly. "It's not your fault. It really isn't."

Nobody is a harsher judge on Dave than Dave right now. He knows how much it hurts to have someone you like, someone you're committed to, fool around behind your back. He could hardly forgive himself for playing Orc like that when he was alive, now he's dead and he can't possibly own to his mistakes good and proper like he should have done. The only victim here, in Dave's mind, is Orc. He died with people fooling around behind his back FOR one of the fools. Hot damn.

"I don't expect you to do anything." He watches her hands trace over his with an almost gormless expression, now that he's biting back the feelings more, he looks impossibly tired. "It is what it is." He says that like he doesn't appreciate what she's saying, but he does. It soothes the hurt more than he wants to express. Her voice of reason is clearer than the one he's been bickering with for two weeks, it gives him an odd feeling of relief just hearing it. His eyes fall shut behind his shades for a moment, letting the moment wash over him before he continues.

"I dunno. I thought I got her, but she threw me. I should've known from the start but I went with the moment." He says that so candidly that he needs to add: "I guess." as a vulnerability buffer. "Maybe that's what it is, because she's making it out like she never felt a damn thing for me. If that's true- then he died an idiot for nothing and it was even more fucking pointless." His mouth scrunches to the side in annoyance, hurt apparent in his voice despite himself. "It feels like she sets this shit up for the worst possible outcome- all the time. She never even liked me, she was stringing me on this whole time and now she wants me to carry all of the weight because I fell for it like a frigging chump."

He's trying to pull his hands away so he can clench them into fists, his hands are twitching under hers. He's pinging between devastated and absolutely enraged while desperately trying to find neutral, middle-ground like he always does. "I should've known from the fricking start that it was unreal. How stupid do you get? Like really, the signs could not have been clearer." So much for the whole not blaming yourself thing. "No. I fucked up. I knew it was an asshole thing to do to a guy because it's happened to me before. Nothing feels shittier than being out of the loop like that. I can blame her all I want for fucking around but I treated the guy like shit and now he's dead and there will never, ever be a chance to fix that because I fucked up and I'm not a necromancer." The one power he does have he couldn't use now, even if he wanted to. He doesn't mean to dump all of this on Elsa, he doesn't want to dump all of it on Elsa. He's just so frustrated with everything, he doesn't know if he's madder at Eponine or himself at this point.

Honestly, Elsa doesn't mind that he's dumping all of this on her. It's true that it isn't the easiest thing to deal with, but she would much rather he dump on her than bottle it all up and suffer with no outlet. If she's to be his emotional dumpster, then so be it- but she doesn't see it that way. It's helping her get her own feelings and frustrations towards Eponine out, so in a way it's good. As he speaks, she can tell he wants his hands back so she reluctantly lets go of them and allows him to clench them into fists. Her own hands don't quite know what to do, so one of them moves up to run along her braid so that it has something to do as she listens to him speak.

She can agree with a lot of what he's saying, especially in regards to Eponine. There are people out there who set themselves up for failure all of the time, and Eponine is the definition of that person. Elsa doesn't really have much of an opportunity to say anything, because Dave continues and she just wants to pull him into a hug again. But that would just prevent her from giving the advice she knows she needs to give, so she forces herself not to do that, not to break the conversation. Dave needs advice, advice that's hard to give.

"What I have to say probably isn't necessarily a good thing to say," Elsa says. "It's selfish, at it's core. Or at least it can be seen that way - I don't personally think it is. Not right now." It's getting easier to sound calm, at least. Slowly. "But he didn't know." And that's the simple truth of the matter, that in her opinion, should make it a little easier to at least move on from it. "He didn't know, Dave. He didn't die hating you, he didn't die hurting in the knowledge that Eponine did that to him." Elsa knows that keeping things from people isn't always the best thing to do; it's caused her a lot of pain in the past. But in times like this, she feels like it's truly better that people don't know. "Ignorance is bliss," she says, with a little finality to it. "If you don't agree, then... that's fine. But that's my opinion, and I think you're beating yourself up for it far too much. But I'm biased, because... I hate seeing you hurt so much."

Elsa isn't done speaking either, because more of what he said needs to be touched on. She clears her throat and continues. "I also don't think you're as stupid as you think you are. In hindsight, things always make more sense. Of course we see how... unstable she is now, but... before now? She seemed sweet." Elsa is frowning, letting out a sigh. "I quite honestly thought you two would be cute together. I encouraged it, even. Believe me, Dave," she says, and now her voice cracks a little because once again she's reaching personal territory. "I know how it feels to find out the truth about someone you've fallen hard for. It hurts like nothing else possibly can, and you want to take it all back. Every word, every action. You want it more than anything, but... but you can't. I don't- I'm sorry, I don't have any real advice, I just... I just thought you should know that I know how it feels and how much it hurts. How angry it makes you feel, and... how helpless, too."

Once it's all out in the air, Dave can feel the weight off his shoulders already. Usually the only person he could ever do this with is Rose, and even then there's a frustrating amount of puzzling and snarking to get through on both sides. It's not like his bond with Elsa popped up out of nowhere, but it probably won't stop surprising him for a long time. He was honest when he said he wasn't expecting advice, he rarely does. He knows how to fix situations most of the time, he just needs to say things out loud to realise what an idiot he is. Airing out everything about Eponine, everything about Orc-- it's liberating, but he's starting to sink back into feeling apathetic. It's safer that way, when he can pretend he's untouchable and devoid of hurt and guilt and all those other peasant emotions.

His brows raise when Elsa begins, and he looks skeptical when she finishes her first point. She has a good point, and he deeply wants to take it to heart. There's a profound amount of clarity in it, but he'll never be able to convince himself that he didn't do something horrible. "Alright." He complies, so at least she feels like she's definitely helping and not giving him food for thought. He's too absent minded to feel bad for being curt, but she's talking about other things.

"There were signs. She said all sorts of crap. Just vaguely accusatory stuff, but then she'd turn around and touch my hair and babble about my face." He crinkles his nose. "She's insecure and she's mourning. I guess." His tone is softening some, at least. "But I went another way, so she missed her chance. Sucks to be her." He tries to sound defiant for about five seconds before he pulls a face and shakes his head. "This is going to get so much worse before it gets better- but uh, thanks for having my back or whatever. You didn't have to but you did." Way to point out the obvious there, Dave. He's wound down much more now, but he's starting to see that Elsa's foundations are cracking somewhat. He knows she's upset for him and that she knew Eponine, but were they really that close? Is it shaking her so much? He's a little skeptical, so he cocks his head to the side and watches her for a moment before asking. "What happened, Elsa?"

Usually, Elsa wouldn't very much like the curt reply that Dave gives her, because it would be a sign that there's more behind it, or that he's hiding something. But with how emotionally exhausted both of them are, Elsa really doesn't mind so much this time. What more is there to say about it? She knows that it's easier said than done, that it's not possible to just stop feeling a certain way. Of anyone, Elsa is the one who would know that first hand. Still, she hopes that it's helped even if it might take a while to put into practice, and Dave isn't making her feel like she hasn't helped, either. They're on the right track.

Elsa nods as he speaks, because boy does she know all about signs. The ones with Hans were perhaps more subtle than Eponine, but they were there and she was blind to them at the time. In a way, it's still hard for her to see them. But the point of the matter is that she knows exactly how he feels. "I know what you mean," she says quietly. "Everything tends to do that, doesn't it? They settle down, but... then you know that it isn't over. It's an awful feeling." Still, she has to smile at him as he thanks her. From her perspective, she doesn't need thanks, it's just part of her job as family. "Don't mention it," she says, taking a leaf from his book and being casual about it, rather than all mushy and stuff. Though, she's Elsa so of course she follows it up with, "I'll always have it. I promise."

But then he throws her for a small curveball- honestly, she should have expected him to ask, but they've been so caught up in talking about his feelings that she had hoped maybe it wouldn't come to that. It's what she gets for putting her own experiences out there, she supposes. She also knows that given how much Dave's opened up to her, it wouldn't be good to try and hide it, she would just be hypocritical. Besides- he's earned a place in her small circle of trust that includes only Anna. She's mentioned Hans briefly, told Dave that they had a falling out because of what Anna had told her, but she never told him quite the true depth of her feelings towards the man.

"You know... the man from our world?" she asks quietly, averting her gaze again. "The one I mentioned before- who I don't talk to anymore? There's more to the story, I... It's complicated." When she says that, she realizes how stupid that sounds, given everything, and she lets out a small, mostly humorous laugh. "I guess you of all people would know that. Sorry." She shakes her head. "I... I liked him," she finally gets out, finding it harder to say than she could have expected. It's mostly because she knows they're being watched, and not because she doesn't want to tell Dave. "More than I ever liked anyone. So finding out the truth about him, you know the- the fact he tried to kill us. It...It's been hard."

She hopes that her tone conveys what she doesn't want to say out loud, that she's still struggling with those feelings for him regardless of what he did. But if it conveys it to Dave, it probably conveys it to everyone watching, and she just has to press a hand to her forehead and let out a sigh. She hates that everyone can be so easily privy to what should be a private conversation- but if Dave's love life is out in the open, then she supposes it's only right hers is. They can suffer together. "Anyway, we don't have to get into it, I know you're still upset. I was only trying to let you know that I can relate. More than you might've thought."

At this point, he's taking her reassurances in his stride. He's not sure what else he can do to express that he's acknowledged it all, beyond y'know. Actually showing a bit more of his card deck. He just feels stupidly over-dramatic as it is for that sputter, he knows this is all on TV, he doesn't want to see emotional realness played back at him for a month after.

He feels a little bad for throwing it on her, it actually hadn't been his intention. It was just that she seemed so emotionally involved, he couldn't really let it pass without letting her know he was there for her too. He hadn't expected her to open up so readily about it, so the surprise is visible in his expression at her admission. Again, he's not sure what to do with this information, though he pulls a face in annoyance at the asshole.

He nods along, letting out an almost exasperated sigh at how fucked up their love lives can be. "The important thing is that both of us clocked out before shit got really real. Right? Sure it feels like shit, but it's the difference between getting love tapped by a car or pancaked by the bus that was coming up after it." What an elegant metaphor. "We don't have to talk about it anymore." He assures, seeing the discomfort it brings her. He's never been good at physical affection, so he just gives her arm a gentle shove. "We can talk about how I'm gonna find you a better boyfriend- or a girlfriend I mean. Anna seemed pretty confused about the possibility of liking girls but hey, the world's your oyster. I'm sure there's someone of either gender more equipped to handle your awesome." He sounds like he's joking, but he's seriously considering it.

Elsa of all people deserves a good, fun relationship to wash that one out of her mouth. He wagers she's pretty much had no experience in that department and he'd hate for it to scare her off the idea forever. If nothing, finding someone to smooch around with can be a fun little way to escape from how awful everything is. Eponine had been like that for a while, a secret little game between the two of them born from the heightened stakes and the pressing situation they were in. Now he had Loki and things felt simultaneously easier and more complicated. It wasn't real, but it had to look real. He didn't want to admit it felt real, that it felt good and liberating and relaxing in the strangest way. He thinks Elsa could use someone like that, but she more than anyone deserves for it to be real. Maybe Captain America is single.

Edited 2014-09-06 14:10 (UTC)

Elsa is just nodding along with him, silently agreeing as she works to get herself together so that she doesn't let all of this talk of Hans ruin her mood, especially because she still feels like she needs to be Dave's rock. She doesn't want it turning into being all about her, after all. But then that he says next registers in her brain and she can't stop the way her eyes visibly widen. It's not even the mention of a potential girlfriend, either. That part doesn't bother her, given that she's seen all sorts of people in the Capitol and she isn't nearly as naive as Anna can be. That stuff doesn't bother her, though she also doesn't think particularly hard about it either.

No, what has her flustered is simply Dave caring enough to mention that at all, and the very idea of Dave trying to find her a boyfriend. She would be so embarrassed to know what Dave is thinking, but only because she's extremely self conscious about her love life- or lack thereof. It's not that she isn't flattered, and wouldn't still be even if she knew the extent of Dave's feelings on the matter, but she really just doesn't know how to react at all, though the deer caught in the headlights expression is pretty obvious.

"Dave, you're silly..." she says, laughing nervously, giving his shoulder a small nudge. "That really isn't necessary, though. I'm not... Well, I'm not not interested, I mean- if I meet the one then I suppose, but, I mean..." She throws her hands up a little helplessly, like she doesn't know what to say. "Honestly, I think other things take higher priority on my list. Like, er... You know, being there for you and Anna. If I had someone else to worry about, you two might get neglected. That would be awful."

She feels confident that her priorities are perfectly solid.

The intention hadn't been to stay the night in the store, but when Elsa and Dave got to talking time went a little faster than they'd expected. The doors had locked them in and it seemed as safe a place as any to sleep. Needless to say, Dave hadn't expected the evening to end in cuddles, but that happened.

The Capitol is probably having a field day with all the drama he's been exuding lately, but that was what he wanted, wasn't it? If he wanted to get back into favor, he knew he'd have to use some showmanship. It's part of the reason he went with Loki- no. It's all of it. That's the whole reason, that was the plan. It's working, he definitely can't deny that, maybe they'll take this stupid cuff off and shit can get a little better.

Seems like the big damn performance today is introducing Elsa to Loki, since she'd been curious about him when they spoke. When they traipse out in the morning, he doesn't hesitate to bring her to the rendezvous point he and Loki figured out a while ago. He cranes his neck around in search of him before calling out for him: "Yo honey, I'm home." Because that won't make it awkward at all.

All things considered, that had been good sleep. She hadn't ever intended to get stuck in that store and a part of her feels bad, but she knows Anna has Kristoff to take care of her so she isn't too alarmed. It had been nice to spend time with Dave, anyway. It feels like they haven't had the opportunity for one-on-one time for a very long time, so it's just nice to spend time and soak up each other's presence.

When the next day comes and the prospect of meeting Dave's new boyfriend becomes a thing, Elsa is a little nervous. Given how things ended with Eponine, she can't help but have that big sisterly worry in the back of her mind. But she's trying to be optimistic, at the very least she's certain she won't get spit on again.

As they arrive, Elsa is going to hang back a little, almost shyly. She never knows quite how to carry herself around strangers, fighting her polite, royal instinct conflicting with the more casual demeanor she has around people like Dave and Anna. She keeps her hands clasped in front of her and she looks around almost nervously. She won't say anything for now, instead she'll wait for Loki to appear and for Dave to introduce them.

While Dave slept inside the store, Loki was not far from their rendezvous point. He made sure to find somewhere safe to sleep, but only briefly. It was difficult to get a lot of sleep in the middle of the arena, but he still didn't look any worse for wear. He had his bag over his shoulders, hands in his pocket. He looked quite casual and comfortable.

This smile wasn't the most sincere (they rarely were), but it still seemed friendly. Loki always had an easy time with strangers and new people. He didn't really have many friends, though, despite this. He approached the two of them, lifting a hand up in a friendly wave.

He tilts his head towards Dave, then looks to Elsa. "If you shout, you'll get someone's attention."

Dave seemed to be doing fine, at least.

There's a lot to be nervous about, really. Dave already feels a little bit flighty for basically taking two days to move on from Eponine and Loki, but he likes to think that it all just worked itself out. Yep. Good. Still, he can't say for sure how well they'll mesh, but there's only one way to find out. They have so much in common like ice and old world manners, it'll be great.

He perks up just a little when Loki appears out of wherever he was hanging and he gives him a thumbs up instead of a wave. "Well I was banking on getting your attention so it looks like that went according to plan." Said in the dulcet tones of don't nag meeee that everyone is used to.

"This is Elsa." He points at her and then points to Loki. "This is Loki. And in case we need a refresher for head trauma, Dave." He points at himself.

When she catches sight of Loki, Elsa is honestly a little surprised. Somehow he doesn't look at all like she expected, though she isn't sure what she had expected, either. Maybe it's just suddenly apparent that Dave's gone from Eponine, a girl, to... well, this tall, dark haired fellow in front of them. She doesn't mind, at all. But it's certainly become more real to her, at any rate.

It's hard to think negatively when, subtly, she can sense Dave perking up. If Dave likes someone, then he honestly can't dislike them, though it does slightly bring about flashbacks to when Anna got engaged to Hans so quickly. She can only hope that Loki and Dave don't announce their engagement within the next few minutes. As long as that doesn't happen, she's certain that she can support their relationship.

At Dave's words, she can't help but relax a little and give him a questioning look. "Dave who?" she asks, brows furrowed. Her expression turns amused, and she lets out a small giggle before clearing her throat, turning to Loki. "Hello," she says, unable to stop from turning formal again. "It's nice to meet you, Loki."

Loki's eyes moved towards Dave for a moment. "Lucky for you," he said. Yes, he was chastising him a little bit. The way he talked, though, everything came from a place of concern and worry for Dave's well being. He didn't want them to be caught unprepared for an attack of some sort. Loki always expected one. Even so, he was always ready to deal with something. Still, he was much more into the parts they were playing than the actual fighting this arena. Especially with the success that it seemed to have.

"I promise my concern is all about how much I care, nothing else." Affectionate teasing at its finest.

He removed his hand from his pocket and offered it to her. His posture is relaxed when he does this. "Nice to meet you, Elsa." She was pretty - and she seemed exceptionally harmless. Polite, and maybe a bit nervous.

Dave rolls his eyes behind his shades for the nagging. He knows they're playing parts, but being a brat is certainly part of his character. Right? Right??? Only he's not being a brat because he's the right one here, so he waves Loki off with a fond look, not rising to the bicker bait.

"Good question." He fires back at Elsa, trying not to hover too much around this introduction. It isn't hard to see that Elsa is pretty important to him, so clearly Loki is allowed to be polite this time without Dave berating him for it. "You're both so regal, I feel like I shouldn't be looking directly at you. You'll cast your royal rays on my peasant skin." He raises his hands as if genuinely blocking light from his eyes.

"Am I, though?" He tilts his head down so she can catch the top of his eyes and understand just how serious he is about this. He knew she'd object, so he isn't really spurned by her hesitation. Her answers are definitely reading more like she's shy and not hugely opposed to dating.

"I know that's meant to sate me, but that's exactly the problem." His shoulders slump a little to illustrate his point. "You can't fuss over us all the time, right? You deserve some you time. Our shit probably gets boring after a while, too." He cocks his head to the side with a shrug. He doesn't want to claim that she's frigid or living vicariously, because it absolutely isn't what he's trying to say. It's just hard to explain without feeling a little condescending or insulting, but he needs to try sell his point.

"Besides, Anna has her yeti and I have.." Oh. Right. "I have something to tell you, actually." He somehow completely forgot that he needs to mention this to her, which now feels awkward having gone over how he feels about Eponine. "I got a boyfriend. I know. Timing. Let's not even talk about how the hell it happened."

So far, Loki is making a good first impression, she thinks. He's friendly, polite, and his banter with Dave is cute. They obviously like each other, so she shouldn't worry too much- that's what she tries to tell herself, anyway. If Dave can act so casual around Loki, she figures she can too- it's just hard to relax and not feel like she needs to be so formal. But she'll get there, just the same as she's gotten there with Dave and others.

Then Dave calls it into attention, and she can't help but feel a little embarrassed. "Dave," she says, shaking her head lightly. "I'm fairly certain the Knight of Arendelle is anything but a peasant."

Still, she returns Loki's handshake after that, trying to ease up. "It's nice to meet you too. I've heard a fair bit about you, actually. Dave seems quite fond of you, so I'm sure we can be friends as well."

There is so much he says that she feels herself instantly disagreeing with, which just makes it even more difficult because she really can get a sense of how serious he's taking this. She would definitely deny that it's shyness, if he had voiced that particular thought. She's not shy! She has plenty of friends and she talks to plenty of- alright, she is shy, but that isn't holding her back from a relationship.

It's... everything else. And the fact she she truly believes she should focus on protecting her little family. "That's not true!" She says quickly in response to the implication that she finds anything boring, but she's feeling so awkward about this that her voice is quiet and a little shaky, giving him plenty of chance to continue. And he does.

And he ends up proving her point entirely with what he says. Elsa can't stop the gasp that escapes when he mentions a boyfriend, her eyes going wide. This is- this is giving her so many flashbacks to Anna and Hans, her stomach flips. "Dave!" she says, really not even sure how to express her concern on this. "And- and you said I should focus on me. You and Anna are a full time job." She presses a hand to her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "I just- are you... I mean, this is so sudden. Did you really think this through?"

Maybe it's an overreaction, but she really can't help it given past experiences. She's trying to calm down from the initial reaction though, to give Dave the benefit of the doubt and not get so worked up over it.

Loki looks to Dave when Elsa says she's heard a bit about him. He raises a single eyebrow, questioning a bit. He knows it isn't anything bad, but don't most Midgardians say something in response to that in particular. He knows he had heard it in a movie at some point. "Nothing bad, I hope," he answers. He makes sure that his tone is teasing when he says it.

She isn't relaxed, and that's okay. He understands it in the arena. Midgardians don't handle this the same way he does, nor does he expect them to. They are in the middle of fighting.

He drops his hand and shrugs. "If I didn't want to be around you, Dave, I wouldn't." That was honest, at least. Loki didn't waste his own time on people who weren't worth something.

"A knight, though?" a question directed at Dave. "And royalty." He directs his attention at Elsa for that one.

While technically his status could have been described as a prince, he had a hard time truly considering himself any form of royalty now. Not after his relationship went sour with Odin a long time ago.

The raised brow earns Loki a shrug in response. Damn, caught in the act there, best to be nonchalant. Yep. No idea what this crazy woman is talking about.

"Well I mean, it's you." He points out helpfully, teasing right back. A slight smile graces his lips at the clarification that Loki wanted to spend time with him, even if he knew that and was just messing around with them.

"Knight is my class back home, technically. As you can see I embody all of the chivalrous and noble qualities that entails." Get it? That's a joke. "Elsa is Queen of Arendelle, which is a place I've never seen but apparently I'm head of security."

When her voice shakes like that, he feels bad for springing it on her like this. It seemed like a solid topic change, but maybe it's something they should talk about outside of the Arenas instead. He'll absolutely pursue it, because forgoing a relationship for him just sounds like a life he wouldn't wish on anyone, let alone Elsa.

As it happens, he doesn't need to find a new topic, she's pouncing right on that one. He wasn't expecting a great reaction considering what happened with Eponine, but he's still a little taken aback by the nagging. He falls silent for a moment, but he doesn't look offended, just surprised. He's definitely a boy who isn't used to being coddled in any sense of the word.

"That doesn't even make any sense, Elsa. Why would me getting a boyfriend mean you have to spend more time focusing on me? It just means I have another babysitter." And that isn't a jab at her, it's a jab at himself for needing one. "Of course I did." But he fidgets a little. "I mean. Eponine was always a vague thing. She never left Orc and I figured.." He throws his hands up in the air. "It isn't like we're getting married because he knocked me up or anything. We met a while back and we've been chatting for at least three months. Then he found me in the arena and he kissed me and helped me out and I felt good. For the first time in a long time." He only vocalises this for the cameras, but there's something about it that feels very sincere. "It could work. I hope it works. If it doesn't I don't think we're going to hold it against each other." A beat. "And he probably isn't going to murder me, he's had plenty of chances."

Elsa lets out a small chuckle, shaking her head softly. "Of course not." She hasn't heard too much, but she's heard enough to know that he's a pretty good guy, even if she can't help but worry a little. Still, she's trying not to. She trusts Dave's judgment- even if his judgment lead him to Eponine at one point. Dave is the type to learn from his mistakes, so she thinks they ought to be fine. "Dave is only capable of saying good things, I think." She's teasing, she knows good and well he can say pretty mean things.

For the moment, Elsa is pretty content to just listen to their banter. She doesn't have terribly much to say anyway, though when he mentions Arendelle she'll give him a smile. "I wouldn't trust anyone else to be... what you said," she says. "But there's more to being a knight than that," she adds. "You're one of the most trusted individuals in Arendelle. It's a very important job."

Feeling a little playful now that she's opening up, Elsa casts a glance to Loki. "You don't intend on stealing him from me, right?"

Edited 2014-09-20 04:22 (UTC)

Elsa doesn't mean to nag, or to have such a strong reaction. It just reminds her of so many things from back home and brings up so many fears relating to everything that's happened in her life recently that she has a hard time not feeling afraid for him.

But then he starts speaking, and somehow he says all of the right words- even if, initially, she can't help cringe slightly. It's not a jab, but she doesn't mean to come off like a babysitter, she just... really cares about him. But she doesn't have long to dwell on it as he's continuing, and despite her little panic she's starting to calm down. They've known each other for months, this isn't just a random thing. Maybe it's too soon from Eponine, but honestly she can't hold that against him. Eponine had turned out toxic, if Loki is better for him then can she really hold that against him? The answer is absolutely not. The last bit sets her on edge for just a moment, before she realizes what he's said and it sinks in, and she relaxes again.

"Alright, alright," she says, her voice sounding vaguely defeated. "I- it's just- Anna, she's... It's a long story, but she got in over her head with... Well, with Hans. So I'm just. Worried." Elsa draws in a breath and lets it out in a sigh. "But it sounds like you've put more thought into it than she did," she adds after a few moments. "I'm sorry for my reaction." Elsa forces a smile, to reassure him that she's feeling better. "Will you-"

Her words are cut off, because at that moment it reaches closing time and the store closes- literally. She hadn't realized that it was getting so late, but now it seems like the two of them are stuck in the store overnight. Her eyes fall shut, and she sighs again, annoyed. "It looks like we'll be here a while," she murmurs. "Which gives you plenty of time to do what I was about to ask, so. Will you tell me about him?" In the back of her mind, she worries how Anna is going to fare without her tonight, but she's trying not to get too worried about it. Kristoff will be there.

He's sure nobody likes to feel like they're only around to take care of him, but he gets it a lot. He doesn't want to say it's stifling, but he doesn't know what to do with it. For the better half of his life it was only Bro watching him, and even then he couldn't be sure of where he was or whether he was looking. After he died, he had Terezi and Davesprite to an extent, but he had to step up for himself eventually. He climbed that whole mountain and now he can't help but feel like he's sliding back to the bottom. He's never been so overwhelmed by people fussing over him and worrying for him, he's only ever had people pushing him to do better.

As such, it leaves a strange feeling in him when she worries about him. Like he might have done something wrong here, which hasn't been far from his mind since he and Loki kissed. Sure, there was a chance things could get serious, but that serious? Unlikely. They both knew what it was, it only seemed weird to everyone on the outside, that's why it needs to be convincing.

"Look, I get it. It's fast- but this isn't like. I dunno. I'm not asking him to leave his boyfriend for me, there haven't been any obvious signs that he wants to spit on me OR kill me, like I said. He's not like Eponine and uh, well. I don't know Hans but he doesn't have sideburns, so?" He shrugs. "It's like it's serious but it's not." That makes sense to him, maybe not for her. He just nods when she apologises, not sure how sincere she is about it.

He turns when she pauses, raising an eyebrow at the doors as they close up quickly. "Guess I won't be home for dinner." He observes, turning back to her when she seems to finish her question. "Uhh, sure. Why don't we get comfy first, though?" He crosses past her, starting to drag whatever looks soft and comfortable behind the counter for some privacy. "What do you wanna know, anyway?"

Elsa is about as sincere with her apology as she can be, though his words to help just a little. But she's still worried, she's just trying not to let it seem so apparent, because she doesn't want to seem like she's against it. She isn't, not entirely, she just wants to make sure that Dave doesn't get hurt again. Regardless, she'll allow the subject to die for now, because she doesn't want to end up stepping on his toes anymore than she already has.

"Good idea," she says with a nod, moving to help him set about getting comfortable things- of course those will primarily be Olaf plush dolls, which are amazingly soft and pillowy feeling. She dumps what she's gathered in her arms onto the floor behind the counter. "Oh, I'm not entirely sure, just... You know, the obvious." Elsa doesn't know what to really ask, and she knows that's a very vague answer. "What's he like, I suppose?"

Once they've got a good enough pile going, Elsa sits down and rests against it, shifting around to try and get comfortable.

"That's a loaded statement, Dave," Loki sighed a little. He sounded exasperated, but he certainly was not. He was glad that she would have the opportunity to get to know him, as that meant he was in full control over what she would know and the part of him he would see. It was preferred.

He raised an eyebrow, "Sounds like it's an important job. It's quite alright. You'd get really bored back in Asgardia, I think." It's a careful distinction for him - Asgard was no more to Loki, it was only Asgardia -- that place in the middle of Oklahoma. "Since you're dating me, they'd have you with body guards and things. So no, Elsa, I'm not going to steal him at all."

Once their little feels nest is set up, Dave will drop into it with a thud and shimmy around so his back faces the wall and his legs are propped up on the counter. Nesting is weirdly familiar to him, it definitely feels like it's the most comfortable he's been since forever.

"Everyone says that and I never know where to start." His mouth twitches to the side. "We met in the training center, but we'd talked on the network before." He shrugs halfheartedly. "We ran into each other again at Kevin's Crowning and swapped shirts. Then after the mini arena he sent me a note and invited me to talk about what happened. It was nice." He added that part in for the fans. "He's a trickster, I guess. He likes getting a rise out of people, but he's pretty suave about it. He thinks he's a jerk but he's fun and kind of attentive. I don't think he thinks I notice that he fusses." He smirks, almost to himself, he's been fiddling with the cuff of his shirt since they started talking. "Oh- and uh, he's Thor's little brother. I say little but he's six foot four, so I feel like I'm insulting myself saying it. Green eyes. Black hair. Pale."

Dave just smirks in response to Loki's assertion that his statement is loaded, giving him a look that says all of my statements are loaded. He sidles a little closer, moving to bump against him as affectionately as one can, since it seems weird not to physically express some happiness at seeing him.

"Hmm. Body guards or peasants filled with admiration? That's tough. Maybe you should come back to Arendelle once they figure out what doritos are." He'd be profoundly unhappy without them. "No need to fight anyway, I don't think we're going anywhere soon." He's aware of how depressing it is to admit, but it's true. He should probably add something light-hearted onto it. "The activities suck but you meet great people, right?"

She's sorry, Dave, she knows not what she's asked. If she'd ever had a significant other, she would know that it's too vague of a question to ask, but alas. Either way, Elsa listens to him and while she does, she shifts more so that she's laying her head next to Dave's shoulder. As he goes on, she can't help but think that, despite her worries, the two of them seem... suited for each other, in a way. Loki sounds like someone who Dave can get along with and for that she's grateful. Dave deserves someone fitting for him. When he gets to the part about Thor, her spirits are lifted a little and she can't help but let out a small laugh.

"I would be careful if I were you," she says, giving his chest a light poke, before letting her arm splay over his chest, half hugging him and half just letting it lie there. "Thor is a big guy, so you should treat Loki properly." Her voice is playful, she knows Thor would never do anything to hurt Dave. Probably. "You two sound good together, though," she says after a moment, and this time she's starting to actually sound sincere.

Elsa just chuckles quietly as Loki assures her and the two of them go about their banter. Her troubles are definitely beginning to ease up the longer she spends with them, Loki and Dave are a cute couple from what she can tell. She doesn't want to jump to conclusions too soon, but she's thinks she can give her blessing to the relationship. Not that he needs it or anything, but that's just her sister-queen instincts kicking in.

"I'm not certain that Arendelle is ready for doritos," she says with a raise of her eyebrows. "Supply and demand might cause a riot, and then where would I be?" She makes it sound as if she even likes doritos, but they're far too messy for her taste. "But it is ready for Loki," she adds after a moment's pause, giving them a smile.

It's around then, however, that she realizes that she and Dave have spent all night together and that she's been away from Anna for far too long. "I hate to say it," she says, and she really means it because she's enjoying their company, "but Anna is probably worried about me. I've been gone for a long while, we were never meant to get separated for this much time."

It's a lot of embarrassing shit to admit, but it's starting to feel right to Dave to open up to Elsa. She never judges him, often she can relate and sometimes he can really surprise her and open her mind a little. He has too much baggage weighing on him already to keep everything to himself, so if feels good to get chatty about things that genuinely make him happy.

"Yeah? Well so's my Bro. Seriously though, Thor'd be the last of my troubles if I broke his heart, I think." He jokes as well because he's very sure Loki is the scarier of the two where his own feelings are concerned. "Plus, y'know, he doesn't like the big guy fighting his battles for him." He adds so she doesn't think he's dating a sociopath.

It bothers him that he can't admit the truth to her, deceiving Elsa feels like a taboo somehow. Ah well, on the grand scheme of things it isn't too bad. Right? Sure. "We also look hot together. Seriously. Fierce. We got on the news or whatever the fuck that thing is."

In turn, Elsa feels similarly to Dave. She never feels like he'd judge her, and even when she has kneejerk reactions he's always calm and talks her down from it. It's always nice, talking to him, it always feels so much easier than talking to a lot of people. This conversation had been stressful, but now she's starting to enjoy it.

"Well, all the better to avoid breaking hearts, no?" she says with a laugh.

The two of them continue talking like that, the banter and conversation coming easily. Eventually, she shifts so that he head is resting just below his shoulder, her arm still thrown around him. He's warm, and a little more comfortable than their lumpy little bed. It's more comfortable than she realized, and maybe it's because she's not been sleeping the best since the arena began, but tiredness hits her much more suddenly than she could have expected.

She tries, of course, to keep her eyes open, to keep the conversation going, but before she knows it, she's fallen asleep. She clings to him a little tighter, as she slips into a deeper sleep than she's had in a while.

Loki places his hand on Dave's arm after the other nudges him. He smiles at him, then returns his attention to Elsa. After all, this meeting was about proving to Elsa the relationship, not to Dave. Subtle affection - maybe seeming a bit shy - seemed perfect.

"If we left here, I could get there," Loki said. That wasn't a lie, either. Of course, there was that big if hanging over their heads. Loki wasn't sure if they would be able to anytime soon. With the way things seemed to go, at the very least their leaving wouldn't be on their own terms.

"It is nice to meet you then, Elsa," Loki said. "We don't want to keep you if you need to find her."

"It might not be ready for me, then." He points out jokingly, but there's an undeniable appeal in going back with Elsa and Anna and having Loki come as well opposed to. Well. Going back to face Lord English, all his stupid friend drama and probably dying for one of those things. He'll miss technology, but being some fantasy knight sounds like a good break from all of this and that shit.

"Cool, our shit is so sorted for the future. This is all super solid." He says with a dramatic shrug to top it all off, nodding in understanding when Elsa speaks.

"Sure, I already hogged you for god knows how long, it's about time I spread my joy across the nation rather than keeping it contained." He lilts his head toward Loki. "Sup." Then the lilts in back to Elsa. "If you don't need a travel companion then you're good to go, little lady."

Even though they give her their blessing to let her leave, Elsa is still a little reluctant. She worries about them, she can't help it. But she's also sure that the two of them are capable of watching each other's backs, so she isn't too afraid. It's just her big sister instincts kicking in.

"Alright, well... if you're sure." She gives them both a smile, before stepping in and giving Dave a hug. It's quick, but it's tight and protective, like she's afraid of leaving him. Then, she gives Loki a small shoulder pat. "Take care of yourselves."

With that, she heads off.

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Life became complicated. [closed]

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[LATER for Loki]

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