dominance | ( eudio inbox )

[ much like how she had tried to duck her head to see his smile on the beach, bellamy thinks to embarrass her now. he wants to. it's the perfect moment for revenge, and even though bellamy's sometimes a guy who understands "an eye for an eye" isn't the best way to tackle wanting to make someone pay, he thinks it's only fair now. she had tried to embarrass him, and even if it wasn't her intention to do so, she'd succeeded. if she understands anything about him, it's how he likes to make fun of her. ]

[ it's incidentally the one thing he doesn't understand about himself. this desire to make her exasperated with him. ]

[ she may pull away, but he only glances around for a moment before looking back at her with a small smile. easily amused, and inspired, there's a slight laugh to his voice, ] It's not like you were particularly gentle with me, either. [ he tilts his head toward her, incidentally leaning into her. his smile widens as he does his best not to laugh. ] You started off kind of rough.

Me!

[ elsa is aghast, pressing her hand to her chest when her attention snaps back to bellamy. ] I certainly was not rough. Perhaps a bit cool, but not rough. [ conservative in her demeanor, she has a reputation for being frigid especially among her critics, though if she pauses to think about it – and she won't here – she hadn't been all that cold with him at all when they had first spoken, both online and in person. ]

I certainly was not rough, [ elsa huffs, nose in the air. ]

[ he can't help but laugh at her, walking into her slightly with a bump of his arm against her own. ]

I hadn't even been here a day and you were already telling me about people with powers.

[ it's still something he doesn't understand. bellamy's made no effort to really dig deep into it. while he's looked up books, google searched what half of it means, and tried to ask elsa without prying too much into what makes her tick and cold, bellamy's come to the conclusion that the less he knows down to the molecule, the better it is for him. ]

[ it still makes it fun to tease her, though. ]

And different realms and worlds. Are you always this gentle with newcomers, Elsa?

I can scarcely recall what our conversation was like.

[ while elsa can recall a few little things that happen between them, in clear high definition, she doesn't have a word for word recollection of their first exchange. just that it charmed her enough to inspire her to seek him out on cuddlr. ]

What would you assume? Am I gentler or rougher than I had been with you? [ she inquired with lifted eyebrows, her hand still to her chest. ]

[ bellamy doesn't remember much, but he knows that elsa had been oddly friendly to him when he thinks his original broadcast had been dripping with unkindness. asking him if he had found all he needed, and easily and eagerly providing him with information that had given him pause in wondering whether or not he could trust her at all, bellamy remembers that elsa had been someone he thought to be oddly friendly. she reminded him of some of the kids from the ground. she didn't remind him of himself. ]

[ despite looking over the network and reading some of the conversations out of sheer boredom and interest, bellamy hasn't quite followed elsa's welcome wagon tactics. but he doesn't think he needs to. he figures he knows how she is — and that's warmer than she believes her hands to be whenever he touches them. ]

[ looking at her with a pointed gaze, he smiles. ]

I do know that you should've told me 'Your Highness' was the wrong title to call you.

[ even though he'd called her it after they'd known each other for a good several months, bellamy thinks her answer can be found there. elsa's always gentle despite the harshness she perceives herself to have. ]

Oh, yes. Anna is "Your Highness." It is a mere technicality in Eudio.

[ her eyebrows remain where they are, closer to her hairline. had he been doing research on the matter? it shouldn't be surprising, all things considered, though she wonders how much he has done related to their past conversations. ]

You don't have to call me "Your Majesty," [ elsa laughs, embarrassed, ducking her head and brushing stray hairs behind her ear. ] Elsa is perfectly fine here.

[ a mere technicality. if she were more arrogant, lost in her status and power, she'd find offense to such a mere technicality. but she isn't, and that's why bellamy thinks elsa's a hell of a lot more gentler than anyone else he's met who sat on a chair of power. ]

[ pursing his lips, bellamy's head ducks, as if mulling over calling her by her name and nothing else. his lips curve upward easily giving away he's bound to be cheeky, before he lifts his head and looks ahead of them. ]

As you wish, Your Majesty.

[ whereas he's often focused elsewhere when he reaches out for someone else, acting on impulse or instinct rather than any thought he's given to the action, bellamy looks to the side, surveying the buildings in case they pass one she'll later drag him to to smell the chocolate air, he's aware of what he's doing. extending his arm, he plants it on the small of her back, touch gentle, and finds that the moment he does, they need to side-step a woman on the pavement as they walk, making it easier to nudge her to the side and out of the path of possibly bumping into her. ]

[ being addressed as "your majesty" is such a common occurrence to elsa, but for some reason, it makes her giggle behind her hand when she hears bellamy say it. of course, elsa cannot recognize good-natured flirting, even if it took its shirt off in front of her.

wait.

but then, she takes a deep breath the moment his hand touches her back and though they have held hands before, this feels a little more intimate than that small action. her eyes briefly widen and she steps to the side with him. ] Oh, thank – thank you, [ she stammers, her eyes darting to the side. ]

[ bellamy doesn't remove his hand from her back, even though the path is relatively clear. he doesn't think to. though he knows his hand is on the small of her back and she's most likely reacting nervously due to it, he doesn't retract it. ]

[ a part of him assumes elsa's not keen on being touched — or touching others, not without some thick layer of fabric and space being wedged between them. but he thinks she doesn't mind this. with the way she doesn't ice his hand, grip at him and turn him into an icicle himself … ]

[ maybe it's presuming too much, and, in turn, thinking too much. ]

[ he looks ahead, smiling widely, before he thinks to look at her and try and tame the curve of his mouth. ] So, what did you get Anna for today? [ he can't quite see elsa passing up a day to spoil anna, taking to this odd occasion of love declarations to also mean friendly and sisterly. ] Something icy?

Oh.

[ elsa smiles proudly, lifting her shoulders as she takes a deep breath, ready to list each item without missing a beat. ] Well, I got her a fondue set with the little skewers in pink and green, melting chocolates, pre-cut fruits for dipping – mostly strawberries and bananas – and some little biscuits. I believe she's with Kristoff at the moment, so I think we'll test the new set when I see her later. Perhaps tomorrow.

[ she giggles again. ] Nothing icy. Everything chocolate.

[ bellamy doesn't know what half of that is, but, to him, it sounds nice. he hasn't been given much in terms of the day, save for her gift and caroline's usual spoiling of him that he's starting to think he just has to get used to, to hear elsa go all out for her sister seems in character for her. and if it has elsa beaming with pride, he thinks it'd been a good decision to ask. ]

[ he smiles at her, bumping into her slightly despite his hand still being on her back. ] Sounds like you really went all out. But I'm a little disappointed there wasn't any snow. [ he lifts a shoulder, facing forward. ] It seems more like your signature.

[ for him, at least. from snowball to snowgie to fractal geometry to a promise of ice-skating and snowball fights, it seems to be the very gift elsa intends to keep on giving him. ]

I give Anna snow all the time, [ elsa sighs, ] It truly is the norm for her. I wanted to give her something else entirely.

[ playfully, she gives him a little nudge in return, even if she doesn't turn to him, peering instead out of the corner of her eye so she can catch the smile on his face. isn't that something. she hugs her little purse to her chest. ]

Were you anticipating snow from me?

[ truthfully, bellamy hadn't been expecting anything from her. he hadn't been expecting anything from anyone, even though he's come to suspect caroline's a person who likes to treat her friends by giving them a basket full of stuff someone from space doesn't know what to do with. and even though elsa makes him think she's like that, he hadn't expected it. he didn't think she'd even think of him on this day, considering he doesn't quite like this day at all. ]

[ he looks down, arm swinging, before he thinks to answer her. ]

No. [ looking at her, he shrugs. as someone who's never been given much, if anything, days like valentine's are odd to him. they're ones he expects nothing from and finds himself surprised. glancing away, he looks at the windows they pass instead, easily seeing their reflection. ] I didn't really expect to get anything.

I know you like the snow, [ elsa remembers, chewing on her bottom lip as they continue down the street, an extra bounce in her step. ] Perhaps I should add that onto my gift.

[ the thought of him smiling in wonder is very clear in elsa's mind and when it comes up again, she can't ignore that giddy bubbling feeling in her stomach, rising up to her chest until it gets her heart beating a little faster. he liked it. ]

I like giving presents. That must be evident, I'm sure.

[ he doesn't think to deny that he likes the snow. it's unexpected for him. he thought he'd hate it, how cold it is, mushy and wet in his hands. but he's found that he's liked it, despite those things, seeing him keep a snowball in his freezer for almost a full year. ]

[ even though her gift is unusual and unique in how it's something no one else would be able to give him, bellamy still feels slightly uneasy in accepting it. having spent a good portion of his life giving his presents to octavia to see her feel as though she belonged on the ark and in the world, having something that's his is new. being given a gift intended for him is new. ]

[ it's nice of her to think to give him snow simply because he likes it, but bellamy doesn't need it. nor does she have to. bellamy doesn't know what he feels when she says it, and as he lingers on it for a little longer than he should. ]

[ ducking his head, his hand presses against her back accidentally ] Just for the future — [ tilting his head, he looks at her, ] You don't need to get me anything.

[ shaking her head, she tuts. ]

Oh, I know I don't need to get you anything. [ that is when she actually takes care to look at him, pausing on a corner. were his hand not on her back, she would reach for his arm for emphasis. ] But I want to. I would like to. That is something I do for friends.

[ and they are friends, as they have established multiples times already. her follow up statement is more of a question, reluctant and softly spoken though she doesn't look away from him. ] I hope that is okay.

[ bellamy doesn't know what he does for friends, other than infiltrate a mountain and try and train them to defend themselves with the weapons they're supplied with. he knows what he'd do for octavia, but for anyone else, he isn't so sure — a drink, a shirt, letting them take extras when they're eating. he doesn't really have anything for her. sometimes bellamy thinks there's a need to reciprocate, and he believes it's here, especially on days like this. the stupid ones he thinks are just that. ]

[ following her, he pauses when she pauses, except takes one step too many and turns to face her. his hand falls from her back as he stands to her side. it'd be easy to tell her no, to let her off the hook that way, but bellamy knows he can't go around assuming another person's actions. he had a reason to on the ark, with mom in his ear. in eudio, he has none, save for his own fear he knows mom would only tell him to slay. ]

Yeah. If you want to do it — you just need to know you don't have to.

Alright.

[ and so she will, though perhaps not so often that she overwhelms him. not everyone is as accustomed to being spoiled and she wonders if he would retreat as she might. but elsa has never met anyone keen to shower her with gifts and affection as she does to anna.

the conversation, she thinks, has ended, so she shifts topics. ]

I realize we just had hot chocolate together before. Would you care to drink more or try something else?

[ he begins to walk again, strides small and slow. bellamy often prefers to go with what's normal, not liking change all too much. it's often too sudden for him, going from being an only child to a big brother, being a part of a family to being alone in his home that feels too quiet and empty for him. but playing it safe has only thrown him into ruts or desperate situations — and there's nothing to fear in trying something new. ]

[ he ducks his head with a smile before looking at her, ] Something else. I'm feeling adventurous today. [ and he trusts elsa's judgement. her ice-cream had been better than what she'd sold it to him as, and so had her recommendations with chocolate in the store she seems to love so much. with an arch to his brow, he teases, ] Not adventurous enough to smell the air.

Oh, you're no no fun at all, [ elsa scoffs.

somehow still a little unsettled by the feel of his hand on her back, it doesn't still her from reaching for his arm, always carrying herself as if crossing a large ballroom even in her casual attire, even with a companion without a title. ] Well, then we shall be adventurous. I will let you follow your nose.

[ elsa keeps one arm looped around his, the opposite resting over his upper arm. ] It would do us both good to try something new.

[ bellamy arches his brow as he looks down at her. ] You're going to follow my nose?

[ his nose, which isn't attuned to the smells hers is. he's still getting used to coffee (and dog, not quite snowgie since he doesn't seem to smell at all). as much as he wants to give in and challenge himself to following his nose, bellamy thinks and follows his head instead. ]

What food do you like? [ he looks ahead. trying not to smile, he opts to teasing her instead, ] Ice chips. Ice chocolate. Ice pudding ...

Yes.

[ elsa sounds very certain about this. while she is confident in her own tastes, she doesn't want to be the one calling the shots. which is ironic, since she is calling the shots on bellamy calling the shots.

at his question, she shakes her head. ] No, no, this is all you. You will decide, even if it's based entirely on what the exterior of the eatery looks like! [ what a great idea, she thinks, good job elsa. ]

And there is no such thing as ice pudding.

Okay. [ he smiles and nods his head. even though he knows he'll be looking for clues as to where it is she may prefer to dine, bellamy figures he'll take her to a place he knows. he has a feeling wherever he goes, elsa's not going to be displeased with his choice — unless it's someone else's ice-cream parlour. ] I'll take you to the place I like to eat at.

[ he looks down at her with a pointed look, ] That serves ice pudding.

[ elsa's eyes narrow at him for a second before she rolls them and looks away. shifting the arm around his, she joins both hands around his bicep ] I hope you'll be satisfied eating nothing, [ she sighs.

unconsciously, it's another effort of hers to learn more about him, not wanting to always dictate what they do and what they eat and what they discuss. even if they hadn't had much of anything up in space or on the ground, surely bellamy has found something he likes in eudio at this point. ]

I trust you.

[ he smiles. even though he wouldn't put it past an ice queen to possibly make an ice pudding, bellamy finds he likes to think everything in arendelle is made of ice. even though she's told him otherwise, he holds onto it. a snow queen has to live in a snow palace in a snow kingdom. it's just the way the stories work. ]

[ he looks down at her, brows raised, ] Are you allergic to anything?

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