Chapter Text
It seemed as though someone had gone over the dark blue sky with a paintbrush, leaving streaks of orange and purple hues along its surface. The clouds hung low over sleepy little Corona, and all but the birds seemed to be awake this morning.
All but the birds, and Mattias.
Former-Lieutenant Destin Mattias was an early riser, and admired the tranquility that morning brought about. He stuck his head out the window, breathing in the cool air and looking up at the sky feeling fondness in his heart. From where he stood he could see rows of houses and multiple store signs and he smiled again. Though it slept soundly through the early morning, Corona was always teeming with life at noon. He enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the town, and he especially liked the tight-knit community, but there was something about peaceful mornings that made him reminiscent of life elsewhere. At this thought he chuckled lightly to himself and scratched his chin. It was too early to bury one’s self in such deep thoughts. Perhaps age was catching up to him, and he was becoming one of those grandfathers who talked too much about the past to live in the present. Whatever the matter was, he pushed it aside for now and busied himself. Today was important.
Just as daylight began to creep in through the windows, he stepped out of his room into the corridor and began making his daily rounds. He was a volunteer at Corona’s residential child care center and though he had his own place he slept here more often due to his attachment to the children. Being a single man of nearly fifty, he often fell into a somber state when left alone. He had wanted a family of his own with a woman from his youth who he had sworn to marry but when he enlisted in the military, they were driven onto separate paths and he hadn’t heard from her since. He pushed these thoughts out of his head.
The kids at the center brought a pop of color into his otherwise bleak life, and he was content. He made his way around the facility, tidying up and sorting out paperwork from the night before. He didn’t dare enter the kitchen, knowing that the resident cook, Selena, would be there any minute and quickly shoo him out again anyway.
After everything that needed to be taken care of was done, he arrived at a plain white door, identical to all the other doors in this wing of the center. He brought his fist up to its surface and knocked. A grunt sounded from inside and he took that as a signal to enter.
There wasn’t much in the small room but somehow the clutter seemed to be everywhere. Clothes and papers were strewn across the floor. No, wait. He picked one of the papers up off of the ground and upon closer inspection he realized what it was. He grabbed a few of them and placed them on the mostly-empty desk. There were two beds in this room but only one of them was occupied at the moment. At the far end of the room, a not-so-tiny lump groaned as the sun hit her face, rolling onto her side. Mattias smiled fondly and sat at the foot of the bed. He tapped her gently. “It’s time to get up.”
She opened one eye and upon seeing who it was groaned even more and covered her face with her arm. “I really don’t want to.” She felt a shift of weight at the edge of her bed and hoped that it meant he had given up on waking her, but after a moment there was just another dip to the other side of the bed. Her bag, most probably. “Maren, you haven’t even packed yet. They’ll be here any moment now.” His voice was soft yet firm all at once, and she knew he was just looking out for her but—
“Do I have to go?” She sat up, running a hand through her messy hair.
“I’m gonna end up back here in a few months, anyway.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile and clasped her hand between both of his.
“I promise you, these ones are different. They’re friends of mine.” His voice shook with sincerity but still she narrowed her eyes and cocked her head, but after no more than a few heartbeats she sighed.
“Alright, alright. I’ll pack.” At this, the elder gave a little fist pump and exclaimed a little celebratory ‘yes!’ She couldn’t help but crack the tiniest of smiles. “Help me?” The girl motioned to the messy room, and he obliged.
Honeymaren was a snarky girl with a reputation for running away. She was notorious for talking back to whoever took her in, and if she didn’t do that, she would up and leave if she had enough of them. Even at the center, she had difficulty forming any friendships with the other kids, and seemed disinterested at any and all events that entailed socializing. She wasn’t well-liked at the center but she was usually excused for her behaviour. Mattias always had her back, and she felt as though she owed him for that.
She had also turned seventeen a month earlier than today, and since the last time she had been brought back, she had insisted on staying at the center until she turned eighteen since she would always find her way back there anyway. She had been bounced around households and brought back so many times that by now she was indifferent. She had joked that she was trying to set a record, but Mattias didn’t laugh. She knew he pitied her she hated being pitied. It made her feel small. It wasn’t like she had much to ground her, given her difficulty with people, and she never stuck around long enough for them to get attached to her, anyway.
At this point, all she wanted was to be legal and not have to deal with living with strangers who didn’t want her anyway anymore. She’d been through a lot for someone her age but she was so closed off that it didn’t seem to affect her anymore. The only one who truly understood her was Mattias, since she had known him since she had first entered the foster system, but even he couldn’t get through to her when she didn’t want him to.
She tried hard not to think about it, but every time she had to pack her bag bad memories came rushing back to her. It made her saliva feel like tar as she swallowed thickly. Though she wouldn’t say anything, she still shook slightly. As she haphazardly folded her clothes and stuffed her belongings into her backpack, a sharp pain jolted through her skull. One of her ears were ringing and her body felt heavy but she wouldn’t do this now. She didn’t want to admit to it being too much, so she pushed those thoughts out of her head. Breathe, she told herself. She was going to be fine. Ignore them, they aren’t real. But she felt as though her clothes were much too big for her. She felt as though she was drenched in tar and that she was being pulled down, down, down— No. She was stronger than this. She’d be back in four months tops and she could hopefully spend the rest of her months as a minor at the center in peace. If these were friends of Mattias’ they probably wouldn’t be the worst of the worst. Before turning to face the man and taking whatever he had in his hands, she grit her teeth to ground herself. You’re fine. Get a grip.
He handed her a few more shirts and papers then helped her to her feet. Her heart was drumming in her ears and her hands felt clammy but she grabbed her bag and followed him out the door anyway. He saw her shaking, but didn’t say any more. They made their way to the waiting area, taking their seats on the incredibly uncomfortable metal chairs they had there.
“They’re a good family. I’ve known them for a very long time.” Mattias started in an attempt to ease her worries. She nodded, half listening and half not.
“Two girls and a boy. The eldest is around your age, I think.” Honeymaren shuddered, knowing what he was going to say next. She opened her mouth but was quickly cut off when he put his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eye.
“Look, I know that you try your best not to make any ties but promise me you’ll try. I promise you, you’ll be safe with them. I know them, as well as I know you, and—”
She tapped one of his hands and forced a small smile. “I appreciate you trying, Destin, but I can’t promise anything. You know that.”
He sighed, letting his hands drop. “I know.”
A few moments passed as they both tried to look anywhere but each other, before Honeymaren spoke again.
“I’ll update you every now and then.” She muttered, features uncharacteristically softening.
He nodded. After a few more minutes, a gentle rapping came at the door. “They’re here.” announced a young man, though his name had slipped Honeymaren’s mind.
She got up and looked to Mattias who was already on his feet. She trailed behind him as they made their way to the receiving area. She had caught sight of them already. They all seemed so tall. A pale woman with dark hair stood next to her husband, who was already waving to Mattias excitedly. Holding one of her hands was a young boy still in his pajamas, eyes droopy. He had probably just woken up. Honeymaren didn’t want to look at him. Behind the couple stood the two daughters Mattias had spoken of earlier. One of them had her ginger hair twisted into twin braids, and was enthusiastically explaining something to her elder sister and—Oh.
The eldest was platinum blonde, and she had her hair fashioned into a single braid, in a mostly-clean, partly-messy kind of way. She seemed to glow as the sunlight bounced off her pale skin. As they came closer into view, she saw that all three of the siblings had striking blue eyes. They were all very attractive. Shifting her attention back to the sisters, she studied them as the eldest laughed at whatever the younger had said. Judging by their body language, it seemed that she was the awkward, shy type whereas her sister was the energetic and outgoing one of the pair. By now, the ginger had scooped up their little brother and he giggled as she passed him to the elder. A pang of envy hit her as she watched the siblings interact. She knew for certain she would feel incredibly out of place in this household.
After what seemed like forever, they were finally face-to-face. The father had shushed his three children so that when she stood before them, it was much too quiet for her taste. Mattias and the other man hugged briefly, and he bowed playfully to the woman who had let out a laugh as he did. He greeted them warmly before introducing her.
“Honeymaren, these are Iduna and Agnarr Arendelle.” They both waved to her. “You’ll be staying with them from now on.” He added, as if she didn’t already know that part. Honeymaren shook both of their hands.
As Agnarr and Mattias fell into easy conversation, Iduna smiled warmly at her. “May I?” She asked, about to put her hand on her shoulder. She nodded. Her hand’s cold, thought Honeymaren as she was led to face the kids.
“This is Olaf—” Iduna began, but was quickly cut off. “I’m six!” He grinned. She forced out a chuckle. “Hey there.” Iduna rolled her eyes fondly. “Anyway, this is Anna, she’s—” Again, she’s cut off.
“Fifteen! So nice to meet you, Honeymaren!” She giggled. “ You’ve got really pretty eyes, and woah--” She gasped. “Your hands are so soft! Oh, sorry, I’m rambling, aren’t I?” She chuckled awkwardly, looking to her older sister for help, but the eldest just gave her a fond yet reprimanding look. Honeymaren raised her eyebrows, but tried to seem friendly. “It’s alright. Nice to meet you too, Anna.”
Iduna pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “I hope this isn’t too much for you, they’re just very excited.” Honeymaren hummed. “It’s alright, this isn’t my first time.” She replied, and Iduna gave her a look of… understanding and chose not to comment. Well, that's new. “I’m sorry anyway, I know it can be a little overwhelming.”
She wanted to ask but she was already face-to-face with the platinum-haired teen. “I’m Elsa,” Her voice was smooth. Cool. Calm and refined. “Seventeen, as well.” She blinked. “How did you—” Honeymaren was cut off by the sound of Mattias clearing his throat and she whipped around to look at him. “It’s time we get going. Do you have everything, Honeymaren?” Agnarr asked, not unkindly. She nodded. “Yes, sir.” He put his hand up. “Now, now. None of that. Agnarr is fine.” He smiled, and she tried to return it, but she couldn’t ignore how her stomach was already filling up with dread.
Mattias placed his hand on her shoulder once more and pulled her into a hug. “Promise me you’ll call.” He whispered, voice shaking no matter how much he didn't want it to.
“I will.” She mumbled.
After they had separated, he looked her in the eyes and smiled. She sighed as she walked with the Arendelles out the door, just as she had done with several families before.
Well, here we go again, she thought, ignoring how cold the room seemed to have gotten.