TDOE Day 4- Nightmare before Christmas
Here’s day four! Set in @couragedontdesertme‘s Big Hero 6 AU once more, takes place after the TRUE ending.
Alarik and Jenny belong to @patricia-von-arundel.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Rating: T (for some swearing, imagery- nothing graphic).
The explosion almost caused him to bite Elsa's lip in surprise, and when they pulled apart, Alarik was horrified to see a gout of flame burst through the shattered windows. Even from where they stood, he could feel the heat.
His horror grew when he remembered Anna had gone back in to begin cleaning their presentation area.
Alarik was running, only realizing he was doing so when Elsa screamed his name. He turned to find her at the base of the steps, coming up after him.
"Stay here!"
I can't lose you.
“I can come in, I can help, please don’t go there alone, I need to get-”
Unconsciously, his eyes drifted to her still-flat belly, and he shook his head furiously.
I can't lose our baby.
“No Elsa, no, it’s too dangerous in there-”
"ANNA is in there!"
"I'll get her. I'll get back. I lo-"
Another explosion, one he felt in his chest, and he turned and ran in, wishing he could say the rest.
I love you. But you can lose me.
Outside, the heat had been intense. Inside, he was almost knocked backwards when it struck him like a physical blow. Someone rushed past him, screaming, just as he cleared the doorway. A beat, and he realized it was Anna. He turned, ready to follow her out, only to be met with the sight and sound of the doorway crumbling behind her, nearly striking him as he dove clear.
Trapped.
Alarik pushed himself off the floor, tugging the collar of his shirt over his nose in a vain attempt to keep from breathing in the acrid smoke. There was movement in his periphery, and when he looked, he saw a figure bolting into a somewhat clear hallway. With no other option, Alarik followed.
It wasn't until he burst inside that Alarik realized he was back in the convention hall. Not only that, but right to the space where, a mere hour earlier, Elsa had presented her nanobots. The flames hadn't reached the hall yet, and while hazy, it was clear enough for Alarik to make out the figure, not running as he would have assumed, but instead rifling through the papers and posters on the table.
"Hey! What-" the words died on Alarik's lips when he got a good look at the man.
Red hair, thick sideburns. Hans Westergard, Alarik's former roommate. It was he who'd offered an immense sum for Elsa's nanobots. But she'd trusted her instincts, turning him down. And now he held a slim flash drive in his hand, the same flash drive that held the nanobot blueprints.
And somehow, Alarik knew Hans was the one responsible for the fire. Responsible for putting Anna's, and who knew how many others', lives in danger.
Rage colored Alarik's world red, and his feet were moving even before his brain realized it. He slammed his entire body into Hans', somehow managing to catch the flash drive as it flew from the other man's hand. Without missing a beat, Alarik raced back to the hall. With a silent apology to Elsa, he hurled the flash drive into the raging flames with all his strength, feeling a rush of satisfaction when the device disappeared into the heart of the inferno.
"Fucking son of a bitch!"
Something hard slammed into the back of Alarik's head, and he dropped to his knees, sparks exploding across his vision. Something cold and hard pressed against his skull.
"You just cost me everything, you fucking bastard! You're- Wait."
The gun- he assumed that was what had been pressed against him- left, and Hans knelt in front of him, grabbing a handful of his hair and yanking his head up. Through his clearing vision, Alarik saw Hans' face split into a terrifying smile.
"Alarik Geatland. How wonderful to see you again. Maybe you've just saved yourself."
Alarik tried to shove the gun away, only to choke when the barrel was shoved against his trachea.
"Stop that. Now, I'm going to give you two choices. One, I shoot you and let the fire burn your corpse and the evidence. Two, you come with me, and to everyone else, you die. Your choice." Hans eased the gun from his throat, although he didn't entirely remove it.
He knew then Hans' assumption- that Alarik, not Elsa, had been the one to create the nanobots. Despite the fact there was a gun to his throat, Alarik felt fury rise over the misogyny of the presumption. He gritted his teeth, biting back the instinct to correct Hans.
There was no way he would let this monster anywhere near Elsa and their unborn child. Even if he may never see them again.
"I'll go with you." he gritted out.
Hans smirked and rose, keeping the gun trained on Alarik. "You were always a smart man. Get up, and head to that door." He motioned to an exit on the other side of the convention hall with his empty hand. "Try to run or do anything stupid, and I shoot you."
Alarik rose, feeling tears prick in the corners of his eyes. He turned before Hans could see them, then let them fall. Each step took him further and further from Elsa, away from his love. And while he was still alive, he didn't know how much longer that would continue- eventually it would come out that he knew nothing about the nanobots, save for the conversations he'd had with Elsa.
And there was nothing to say that he'd be allowed to live if by some miracle he managed to recreate the bots. And as far as Elsa would be concerned, he was already dead.
He bit his lip- hard- and forced back the sob that threatened to escape. No. He refused to simply lie down and accept that fate. He would do everything in his power, until he had no breath left, to reunite with his family. To be there to raise their child.
Just as he stepped outside, a heavy force pinned him to the wall by his throat. Alarik kicked and struggled, but he may well have fought steel.
"He's coming with us, Mikkel. Let him breathe."
The pressure eased off of Alarik's throat, although the giant of a man- taller and bulkier than Kristoff- remained close. Mikkel had the same red hair as Hans, although his was done in a buzz cut.
"Thought you were grabbing blueprints."
Hans made a dismissive gesture, although Alarik noticed his face had a slight flush. "There's been a change of plans. He's making the nanobots. Bring him to the car."
Mikkel glanced sidelong at Hans' retreating figure, but said nothing. He grabbed Alarik's shoulders and started marching him to the waiting black vehicle, ignoring Alarik's protests that he could walk by himself, and wouldn't be able to get anywhere.
Just as Mikkel reached for the car door, Hans stopped him again.
"Wait, bring him over there." He motioned to the trees by the parking lot, then ducked inside the car, raising his voice slightly to be heard. "We need to make sure people think he's dead."
As Mikkel steered Alarik to the copse, Hans emerged with a massive pair of bolt cutters in hand. Alarik's blood ran cold and he yelled in terror. Despite knowing both men were likely armed, he lunged forward, desperately trying to escape.
Mikkel caught him easily, wrapping an arm around his neck. Alarik scratched and kicked, but Mikkel only increased the pressure until he could barely breathe. Hans grabbed Alarik's left arm and stretched it, examining his hand.
"The wedding band should add a nice touch, don't you think?"
If Alarik could have screamed, he would have. As it was, he could only attempt to pull his arm away, an attempt easily foiled by Mikkel's free hand grasping his wrist.
Hans eased the blades of the bolt cutters around Alarik's ring finger-
"ALARIK!"
He bolts upright, halfway to his feet before even realizing what he's doing. The room is dim, his eyes slow to adjust, and all he can see, can feel, are the blades closing on his finger.
"Alarik." A softer tone, but firm. "It's alright. You're safe."
A light flicks on, and Alarik blinks against the sudden brightness. He's not at the convention center, nor pinned against a tree moments from amputation. He's in a bedroom, the bedroom he shares with-
"Elsa?"
She's there, sitting up in their bed, hand outstretched. He eases back, settling into her embrace, and as her arms encircle him, the tears come.
"Oh, Alarik."
He wants to apologize for his weakness- it's been five months since he came back- but he can't stop the sobs that shake his entire body.
Elsa cards her hand through his hair, murmuring soft words of reassurance, then simply humming- a soft tune he recognizes as one she often sings to Jenny. He clings to her, breathing in her scent, pressing his head against her chest to hear her heartbeat. How long it takes for his sobs to subside, he doesn't know, but eventually they reduce to soft whimpers.
"Thank you, Olaf."
He hadn't even heard the robot approach.
"Of course. Can I get anything else?"
"A cool washcloth, please."
"Of course."
Repetitive squeaking fades away as Olaf makes his way to the bathroom. Elsa offers Alarik a tissue, and he takes it, wiping at his eyes. Moments later, the squeaking returns, and a cool cloth is pressed to his forehead, wiping away the sweat.
"You shouldn't have to deal with this. I should be over this!" Alarik bunches the tissue in his hand, unable to look at Elsa. He can't stop staring at the space where his ring finger used to be.
Elsa's hand comes into his vision, covering his own. "Alarik." When he doesn't look up, she twines her fingers with his and squeezes. "You experienced severe trauma. It's only been five months. It's going to take time to recover. And I am your wife. I'm here through good times and bad."
When he doesn't respond, she takes his right hand, the one that now holds his ring, pressing it to her own. He sighs, curling his fingers around hers and bringing her ring to his lips.
"Thank you."
Any reply she may have is interrupted by a sharp cry, and they both look to the bassinet in the corner.
"Let me," Alarik says, placing a hand on Elsa's shoulder when she starts to rise. "Please?"
Elsa nods, sinking back into the pillows. She certainly doesn't mind watching him with their daughter- the wide grin on his face, the soft shushing noises he makes, and his gentle movements as he cradles Jenny close.
But it's the look on his face, the pure love he has for Jenny, that strikes Elsa the most. She once thought he would never hold their daughter, and even now she still tears up watching him.
"I think she's hungry."
Elsa is glad he's watching Jenny- it gives her time to brush away her tears before removing her night shirt. She must have missed some, however, for once Jenny is latched on, Alarik wipes a thumb under her eye.
"Are you alright?"
She smiles, sliding closer to him. He wraps an arm around her.
"I'm fine. It's good to be here with you."
He's silent for a moment, just tracing gentle patterns on her arm. Then he kisses the top of her head, and she can feel his body relax.
"It's good to be here with my family."
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