It was the middle of the night when Elisa suddenly wakes up, gasping for air. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and her body was covered in a cold sweat. She had a nightmare, the same nightmare that had been haunting her for weeks. The one where she had lost control of her powers and accidentally freezes her loved ones. Expect this one was added with the fear of her loved ones not believing in her. Making her invisible to everyone. Since she was part spirit, getting that trait from her dad Jack Frost, people had to believe in her in order to see her. But in her nightmare, her loved ones didn't believe in her, everyone didn't believe in her. And on top of that, she had accidentally frozen everyone.

She didn't want to wake up Ben, knowing he needed his rest. He was always there for her, making sure she was okay and feeling loved. She couldn't bear the thought of waking him up and bothering him. She glanced down at him, seeing him sleeping peacefully. His arms were around her waist, his head now pressing against her side since she was sitting up. Her heart swelled with love and affection, but the nightmare she had experienced was still haunting her. She felt her body begin to tremble. 

She took a deep breath and carefully untangled herself from Ben, trying not to wake him up. She sat on the edge of the bed, putting her face in her hands as she sat there, trying to steady her breath. Elisa's hands shook as she covered her face, her thoughts swirling with the remnants of the nightmare. The chilling feeling of isolation—the fear that she could become invisible to those she loved—clung to her like frost on a windowpane. The thought of losing control of her powers again made her stomach churn.

Elisa wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her breath shaky as she struggled to ground herself in reality. She looked back at Ben, his peaceful face a stark contrast to the storm inside her. She didn't want to burden him with her fears, not after all the support he had given her.  Elisa quietly got out of the bed and walked over to the balcony. She hoped fresh air would help calm her down. She pushed open the doors, wincing as the sound of the door creaking filled the quiet air. She glanced back at Ben, seeing that he was still sleeping peacefully. She sighed with relief, glad that she didn't wake him up. She closes the door behind her and walks out onto the balcony. The air was chilly, but she was used to the cold. It never bothered her. She was her parents daughter after all. She walked over to the railing, leaning against it and gazing up at the moon.

She knew about the Man in Moon from her dad. He would tell her and her older brother stories about him as they grew up. How the Man in the Moon would watch over you and guide you. How he had chosen guardians to protect the children of the world and to keep the spirit of childhood alive. Elisa wondered if the Man in the Moon had chosen her. It would made sense because it was not known for a human and a spirt to have a child. Or even two sprits to have a child. It would be a very rare occasion. But it happened with her family. Though her older brother was a full human, they weren't sure how that happened. Sometimes she thought he was the lucky one. He didn't have to fear one day people you know and love will not believe in you and forget you ever existed.

"What am I doing?" Elisa murmured, shaking her head. She had been so caught up in her thoughts that she forgot about the reason she had come out here. Fresh air. Well, fresh air turned into deep thinking.

Elisa closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down. Her mind was racing, and her heart was still pounding in her chest. The nightmare she had experienced was still haunting her. She felt her body tremble. She had tried to ignore the ache in her heart and the fear of being alone, but it was becoming harder and harder. She wanted to be strong and not let the fear consume her, but she was part human too and that made her weak. She felt her power start to run through her, and she was worried she would freeze the balcony.

"No, no, no," Elisa murmurs, squeezing her eyes shut. "Don't freak out, Elisa. Just breathe. Everything's fine. Just focus on breathing." She looks down, backing up when she saw some ice formed on the railing. "No...What was the mantra my mom always said? Conceal...Conceal, don't feel," Elisa whispers to herself, trying to recall her mother's mantra she often used when she was younger. "Don't let it show."

She gripped the railing tightly, the cold familiar beneath her fingertips. Her mother's mantra had always helped her regain control, but tonight, the fear was different. It wasn't just about concealing her powers—it was about being seen, being believed in, being loved. As she tried to calm down, she was unaware of a certain someone watching her. He watched as she paced back and forth, mumbling to herself. He watched while her powers started to act up, causing ice to form around her. He watched as she fought to calm herself down, trying not to panic.

"Elisa," Ben's soft voice cut through her panic, causing her to whip around and stare at him with wide eyes. She hadn't realized he was awake and had been watching her. "Babe, it's okay. It's just me. I'm here."

"I-I'm sorry," Elisa apologizes, her voice trembling. "I-I tried to keep control, but I can't. I-I need my gloves..." She muttered, walking past him into his room to find her gloves.

Ben was quick to follow her, and he gently reached out to grab her wrist, stopping her. "Baby, stop." He said firmly, causing her to freeze and look up at him with wide eyes. "Your gloves won't solve your problem."

"They will! They always do!" Elisa protests, her eyes filled with tears. She was frustrated, angry, and scared. "They'll protect everyone and keep them safe!"

"They'll also keep you from embracing who you truly are." Ben points out, his tone softening. He steps closer to her, cupping her cheeks in his hands. "I know you're scared, baby. I get it. But you can't let the fear control you. You're so much stronger than that. I know you are."

Elisa sniffles, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I-I'm not strong, Ben. I'm weak and pathetic. I-I don't deserve you. You deserve someone who's not a complete screw up. You deserve someone who can embrace her true self without being scared. You deserve so much better."

"I don't want someone else," Ben murmurs, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. "I want you, Elisa. And only you. I love you and nothing will ever change that. You're not weak or pathetic, baby. You're strong, brave, and beautiful. You just need to believe in yourself."

"I don't," Elisa shakes her head, pulling away from him. "I-I can't...I can't be like you, Ben. I can't be fearless. I can't let my guard down. You deserve someone so much better to be by your side and a Lady of the Court. To be your queen...Not someone who could be invisible to half the kingdom because they don't believe in her. Not someone who has to put her gloves or a special ring to keep her powers in check. Someone who is not a freak or a monster. I'm not fit to be by your side." She rambles, sniffling as she resumes pacing. "I should just go back to the Isle. At least there I don't have to worry about losing control of my powers."

"No." Ben's stern voice cuts through her rambling, causing her to freeze and look at him. "You're not going back to the Isle. Ever. You belong here with me, and that's not going to change."

"Benny-" Elisa began, but he cut her off.

"I know you're scared, Elisa," He murmurs, stepping closer to her. "And I know it's not easy, but you can't let the fear control you." He gently cups her cheeks in his hands, and he presses his forehead against hers. "You can do this, my love. I believe in you."

"I'm trying," Elisa whimpers, tears streaming down her face. "I really am, Ben. But I'm so sick and tired of having the same freaking nightmare every night. I'm so scared that it's going to become a reality. And that I'll hurt you or lose control and end up freezing someone. I-I can't take it anymore." She cried, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

Ben's heart breaks at the sight of her sobbing, and he pulls her close to him, hugging her tightly. He runs his fingers through her hair, and he whispers comforting words to her. He blinks his own tears away, hating to see her so upset. "I'm right here, my love. I'm not going anywhere." Ben murmurs, his hand resting on the back of her head. "You are not a monster or a freak, Elisa. You are the most wonderful, beautiful, and kind person I've ever met. You have such a good heart and you're so caring and sweet. You've changed my life for the better and you make me happier than I ever thought was possible." He pulls back slightly to look into her tear-filled eyes. "And I'm not letting you go anywhere, do you understand me? I'm going to be right by your side, no matter what. Because I love you. I'm yours forever and always, Elisa. No matter what happens."

Elisa looks up at him with wide eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her heart swells with love and affection, and she launches herself at him. She wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "I love you too, Benny," She whispers, her voice filled with emotion. "You mean everything to me, and I can't live without you." Her sobs slowly start to fade, and she sighs contentedly as he holds her close. She can feel her body relaxing, and the fear slowly starts to dissipate. "Thank you, Ben. For everything."

The frost on the balcony slowly disappears as she calms down. Ben smiles softly and pulls back slightly to press a kiss to her forehead. "You're welcome, baby. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. We'll get through this together, okay?"

"Okay." Elisa agrees, nodding her head. She gives him a watery smile, her eyes shining with adoration. She takes a deep breath and steps out of his embrace, her hand intertwining with his. "So...what now?"

"Now, we try to get some more sleep." Ben chuckles, his fingers squeezing hers. He presses another kiss to her forehead, and he guides her back into his bedroom. "We have a big day tomorrow."

"Yeah, we do." Elisa sighs, climbing back into bed. She was feeling much better than she had been before. Having Ben by her side always made her feel better. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

"You don't need to apologize, baby." Ben shakes his head, climbing into bed beside her. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her close. "I'll always be here when you need me. No matter what."

"I know." Elisa murmurs, snuggling against him. She rests her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. It was calming and soothing. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"No, I'm the lucky one." Ben counters, smiling fondly. "I love you so much, Elisa. Never forget that."

"I love you too, Ben." Elisa whispers, closing her eyes. She yawns softly, and she can feel her body beginning to relax. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, baby." Ben replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. He held her close, and he can feel her drifting off to sleep. He smiled softly, his fingers gently running through her hair. He couldn't wait to show her the surprise he had planned for her tomorrow. He knew she was going to love it.

****

When morning came, Ben was the first one to wake up. He slowly untangled himself from Elisa, careful not to wake her up. He quickly gets ready and quietly leaves the room, making his way to the dining hall. He was hoping the breakfast was finished being prepared, so he could take it to Elisa. She would probably be hungry after last night.

Thankfully it was ready and once he got the food, he thanked the staff and made his way back to his room. He was surprised to see Elisa wasn't in bed anymore. He set the food down on the table, and then walked out onto the balcony. She was sitting at the railing, looking up at the sky.

"Hey, beautiful." Ben says softly, smiling fondly. He walks over to her and wraps his arms around her waist, kissing the top of her head. "Did you sleep okay?"

"After I got back in bed with you once you helped me calm down, yeah. I didn't have a nightmare after that surprisingly. I slept great actually." Elisa answers, leaning back against him. She was glad that Ben had found her last night and helped her. She would've been a complete mess if he hadn't. "You're an amazing boyfriend, you know that, right?"

"I am? How so?" Ben grins, nuzzling her beck. "Enlighten me, darling."

She giggles, blushing as her heart flutters. "You always know how to cheer me up and make me feel better. You keep me from going down a dark path. And you make me feel loved and safe." She turns her head to the side, kissing his cheek. "I love you so much, Benny. Thank you for everything."

"You don't need to thank me." He says, holding her close. He was glad to see her in such a good mood. He had been worried about her. "I'll always be here for you."

"I know. That's why you're the best boyfriend ever." Elisa grins, turning to face him. She wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Now, let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

"Me too. And by the way, you're the best girlfriend ever." Ben smiles, kissing her forehead. "Come on, babe. Breakfast is ready." He led her back inside and closed the balcony doors behind him.

They decide to have breakfast in bed and when they were done, they were cuddling. "I should get ready." Elisa sighs heavily. She didn't want to get up. Being in his arms felt amazing. "We're heading to the Isle to pick some more VK kids to bring over which I'm really glad is actually happening." She turns to look at him with a loving gaze. "That is a great thing you're doing. There are so many kids there who deserve a second chance."

"I'm glad I get to do this too." Ben smiles, running his fingers through her hair. "And I'm glad that I have the best girlfriend in the whole world to support me."

"You're the best." Elisa giggles, blushing. She kisses his cheek, and she sighs heavily as she climbs out of bed. "Alright, time to get ready."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay in bed all day and cuddle?" Ben pouts, reaching out to grab her hand. "It's much more fun in bed."

She sighs heavily as she let's him pull her back to him. "True." She murmurs, turning to kiss his cheek. "But if I don't get ready they will leave without me."

"They wouldn't." Ben scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"They would. Trust me." She chuckles. She reluctantly pulls away and stands up. "I should go. I'll see you when I get back." She leans over to cup his face, smiling lovingly at him. "I love you, Benny."

"I love you too, my love." Ben grinned, reaching up to take her hand in his. He kissed the palm of her hand and then her knuckles.

Elisa bites her lip, trying not to grin like an idiot. His gestures always made her swoon. "You are not making it easy for me to leave." She murmured, her cheeks turning red.

"That's the plan." Ben winks at her. He pulls her back down to him, capturing her lips in a sweet and passionate kiss. He kisses her a couple times, and then he reluctantly lets her go. "Alright, I'll let you go. I love you."

"I love you too, Ben." Elisa smiles, her eyes twinkling. She felt giddy. "I'll see you soon." She gave him one last kiss before she finally left his room. She made her way down the hall, still smiling.

Ben sighed contently, lying back down on the bed. He couldn't wait for her to return from the Isle. He was planning something very special for her and he hoped that she would love it.