Elsa could remember, long ago before her fate was determined, when she could express love to her family. She'd run to her father with open arms, and he would pick her up and hold her tight. She'd kiss her mother's cheek and give her tea in the early mornings. She would make a fort with Anna and have sleepovers. She'd give her hugs and kisses. This was when there was light in her little world. When she could hold a loved one's hand without fear of freezing it. When she could go right up to Kai and hug him and thank him for everything.
Then the accident happened, and the light faded. She never took it upon herself to hug her parents. No more dancing in the rain, no more cuddling, no more stroking Anna's hair when she was upset, no more latching onto her mother's arm as a loving gesture. No more contact, period. "Please," she begged her parents. "I don't want to hurt you."
She had no other choice to shut Anna out. How else was she supposed to protect her? As much it pained her, she ignored Anna's knocks. The little voice under the door made her heart break. "Are you in there, Elsa?" Her world was now dark, small, and trapped in the space of her room.
Elsa didn't know it was possible, but because of Anna, her little world was bright again. She could finally talk to her sister and express affection again. Elsa had longed for Anna, wanting her more than she could tell. She had been so loved starved to a point where she didn't even know what it felt like. Back then, she had hugged herself. She'd wrap her arms around her stomach hoping to gain the sensation of someone comforting her.
What did it feel like to have one's arms around her again? Her question was answered, just a few hours after thawing Arendelle. She had washed up, ate something, and knocked on her sister's door. "Anna?"
The door opened, and there was her beautiful sister. The little girl she once knew, the tornado with pigtails, was now a grown woman. To her she was somewhat no different than she was years ago. Teal eyes stared warmly at her, a surprised look grazing her features. "What is it Elsa?" She carefully extended a hand towards her.
The queen finally saw her chance. She embraced Anna tightly not a second later. Her chest bloomed with warmth. She finally had confidence after years of being afraid to show someone how much she loved them. She nearly cried with joy when Anna reciprocated the embrace. She gently rocked Elsa in her arms, face buried in her shoulder.
So this was it. This was the foreign feeling she had thirteen years ago. Elsa was amazed and the relief was almost overwhelming. "I missed you so much," she said.
"I missed you more," Anna replied.
Anna was so soft and warm. She was gentle, caring, and more than Elsa imagined her to be.
"I love you."
And that was why. She never knew Anna loved her. It was so beautiful, Elsa was over the moon.
"I love you too."
Neither of them wanted to let go.