Black tennis shoes tapped out an impatient rhythm at their apartment door as Elsa checked her cellphone for the thousandth time in… thirty minutes. She growled in frustration. Oh how she hated to be late.
"COME ON! THE MOVIE STARTS IN LIKE TEN MINUTES!"
"Movie?" Heavy hurried steps came down the stairs as Kristoff struggled to pull a button-up plaid shirt across his broad shoulders. As soon as his eyes met his roommate's dangerously narrowed icy blues, he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Oh shit…. That's today…"
Elsa scowled. "I can't believe it, Kris you did not-"
"Look Els I can explain, I met this crazy cute redhead and-"
"And now you're bailing on our movie night for some ginger!" Elsa huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Don't be like this." He walked up to her just as he patted away the wrinkles on his t-shirt. "She's gonna be here any minute and I can't just cancel now."
"So you cancel on me instead." She hissed, poking a finger in his chest. "May I remind you it was you that made such a big deal that Infinity Wars was coming out. It was you that made me go out to buy tickets in advance for us and your brother Sven, who might I add also bailed just this morning. And now you're pretty much telling me to just go by myself to a movie I didn't even care to see?"
"It sounds terrible when you put it like that." Kristoff breathed, scratching the back of his head guiltily. "Can't you just like, exchange them for a later date?"
Elsa opened her mouth to respond and Kristoff thanked whatever kind soul saved him, even if they did just seriously pull a 'Shave and a Haircut'-style knock. The platinum blonde shook her head as she turned to open the door.
"Yes, who is i-" Elsa was never one to be at a lost for words, she was the captain of her high school debate team damnit, and an English major, yet here she was babbling incoherently in her doorway, probably looking like a fish out of water.
"Oh, hi!" The girl that clearly robbed her of her sense rocked between her heels and toes showing off a bubbly demeanor and a smile matching the brilliance of a literal sun. A tinge of blush ran across freckled cheeks when her teal eyes looked over the blonde woman in front of her. "Oh, wow, you… hi! Wait, I said that, I mean, my name is Anna… not that you probably care. I must have the wrong room because I definitely wasn't expecting you," the girl laughed nervously. Suddenly her eyes widened. "Wait, no. That sounds bad, I just mean I… I'm looking for someone. Not like looking for someone as in to date! I'm supposed to be heading on a date with someone and I think I got the wrong room-"
"No, Anna, I'm right here." Kristoff pulled the door open wider to finally reveal himself, chuckling to himself.
The redhead covered her face with her hands, the tinge in her cheeks spreading throughout her entire face now. "If you were here all this time, why'd you let me babble like an idiot for so long," she whined.
"Because it was cute," he teased with a shit-eating grin. "Anna, this is my roommate Elsa. I told you about her."
"Oh." She dared to peek through her fingers, embarrassment dying down as Anna slid her hands back to her side. It wasn't completely gone though, Elsa noted the light red still coloring her face. It was probably nothing compared to the heat she felt in her face though, especially considering she was still frozen in gasping fish mode, eyes focused on the girl's thin, ruby painted lips. "Is… Were you coming with us?"
"NO!" Kristoff near shouted, startling both girls. He cleared his throat. "I mean, no, Elsa has other plans tonight, she wouldn't want to come with us."
That helped to fire up the gears in Elsa's brain. Hell, it kicked them into overdrive. "I had other plans, but then someone cancelled on me."
"That's terrible," the redhead gasped, completely missing the implication. "What were you going to do today?"
"Movies." Was Elsa's simple response, but when she saw the way those curious wide eyes stared at her, she was compelled - by some superior and clearly sadistic force - to explain. "I was supposed to go see Infinity Wars today," she decided against throwing her longtime best friend under the bus despite the burning desire to see him suffer right now.
Elsa was taken aback when the girl squeaked excitedly, hands clapping together as she jumped up a few times, apparently unable to contain herself. "I love Marvel! Superheroes in general, really. But I've been dying to see that movie since they dropped the trailer!"
"But, ice-cream... That's what you said you wanted to do today." The blonde man tried to recapture the conversation, dreading the direction it was speeding in.
"Yea because tickets were sold out like, everywhere! Trust me I checked! I can't understand why anyone would give up a chance to see the movie right now!"
Elsa smirked up at Kristoff, who nervously tried the wipe the shame from his face. Of course, Anna missed the whole interaction. Elsa turned back toward Anna, hands already fishing around in the pocket of her faded black jeans, a devilish thought invading her head. "You know, I do have two spare tickets right now, I suppose I could use some company."
"Shut up!" Anna squealed again. Ear-splitting, but not totally unbearable, Elsa decided in her head as she looked up at her towering roommate with a small smile of victory while he returned a screwed up mug of his own. "Ohhh, Kristoff can we do this instead please, please, pretty please! We can still go for ice-cream after!" The fact that she rambled all of that off in one breath was the true feat here.
Kristoff groaned, but when he met with those puppy-dog eyes, he couldn't refuse her no matter how badly he wanted to. Still, a nagging whisper scratched at the back of his head and he knew this was not going to end the way he was hoping.
"Fine.." he sighed in defeat, watching as the two girls exchanged a quick high five. He immediately regretted his decision.
...
Everyone walked out of the theatres with the same mix of excitement and dread hanging over their shoulders. Everyone, except for a certain fiery redhead who's excitement was being complimented by a range of emotions, flitting between anger, despair, and well, more excitement.
Kristoff was obviously struggling to keep up with the girl's thirty words per second spew, the panicked expression on his face showing that he was more than a little overwhelmed. Elsa on the other hand, watched Anna with attentive interest, nodding and even giving her own short input every now and again. This kept up with the trio standing just outside the exit doors for another five minutes before the shortest of the group announced that she had to pee and ran back into the theatre house.
Elsa watched until those twin braids and that sinfully bouncing skirt disappeared behind the tinted glass doors, and even then, her eyes lingered a little longer than was probably appropriate.
"Dude, stop it." Kristoff bumped his friend just hard enough to break her out of her reverie.
"I'm not sure if you noticed but I'm not doing anything." Elsa grumbled. "Except worrying about the possibility of a bruised shoulder now."
"You're doing that thing again!" He raised his voice pointing an accusatory finger at her. When Elsa quirked a brow at him he seemed to get even more flustered, arms flailing. "That adorable awkward lesbian thing! You're trying to steal her like last time with the brunette!"
"You mean Belle?" Elsa rolled her eyes. "I didn't 'steal' her. We bonded over a mutual love for Jane Austen."
"And if I remember correctly, based on the sounds that were coming from your room, I'm guessing a mutual love of E.L. Ja-"
"Hey you don't talk about my thing and I don't talk about your thing for furries-"
"THAT HAPPENED ONE TIME!"
"You mean one time that you know I caught you."
Kristoff's lips sealed tight as a low growl of frustration rumbled from his throat. "Elsa, please, just let me take this girl for ice-cream alone. I found her first, it's only fair."
Elsa wanted to fight with him. Tear into him about how he should be the last to talk about fairness when he was about to abandon her in the plans he came up with to chase a skirt. Rebuke him for the way he talked about Anna like she was a dollar they both spotted on the ground. Rant about how this girl was making her heart do the most delightful somersaults in her chest, probably playing among the butterflies the redhead's smile set in her stomach. Make him understand that while this was probably just a possible score to him, for her it felt… special?
She wanted to tell him how throughout the movie, as Anna's hand would lightly brush against hers every time she reached over to steal popcorn from Elsa's bag, it felt like fireworks lighting off every nerve in her body. How she was tempted to continue drinking her ginger ale even after the redhead mistook it for her coke and sipped it, just to have a sample of what those lips tasted like. How she memorized every freckle on her cheeks and every curve in her lips and burned every word that came out of that Anna's mouth into the back of her brain like a gospel, but couldn't remember a single hero from the movie.
But ultimately, the only thing that fell from the platinum blonde's lips was a defeated "okay". He was her best friend after all. It wouldn't be fair to him.
When Anna returned, she was met with a very deflated Elsa. For the first time all day, her demeanor dampened. "What happened?"
"Something urgent came up." Kristoff was a little too happy to supply for Elsa's liking.
Still, she played along. "Yes, it seems I won't be able to join you two for ice-cream."
Anna looked between the two, an unreadable expression on her face. "Oh.. Well… it was… nice to meet you." She took a few steps towards Elsa, arms opening wide. Elsa didn't give in to the basic desire to give the girl what she was aiming for. Something they both seemed to want. Instead Elsa took a cautious step back and extended an arm, biting her lip to punish herself for even considering doing anything more. Anna was obviously taken aback by the other girl's reaction to her, muttering a barely audible apology as she dropped her arm to meet the low shake.
It didn't feel right.
...
The apartment seemed more haunted than anything. The only source of light flickered from the television as it watched over the blonde lump bundled beneath two layers of thick blankets. The only indication that the girl hadn't suffocated herself in her fortress was the subtle but steady rise and fall of the pile with every breath she took.
Elsa regretted turning tail and heading home as soon as she arrived to the dark, empty apartment. Still, she had no choice but to obey her friend's wishes. That's what she told herself when she put a bag of popcorn in the microwave, a bag that remained untouched even hours later. She told herself that when she turned on the television without bothering to flick a light switch. She repeated it to herself when she went upstairs and dragged down the first blanket and then again when she went back for another one, desperate for a warmth she simply couldn't find at the moment. She instantly thought back to the redhead's open arms.
Elsa had never known depression but she considered that they were currently getting acquainted as she found herself in the bathroom mirror, loosing her French braid for the first time in forever and watching her wild blonde locks cascade over her shoulders. She wasn't sure what she was expecting. Perhaps it was just for the sake of doing something, anything. But now that it was done she realized how utterly useless it was. She couldn't be bothered to redo it either.
Elsa wearily returned to the chair, taking a quick peep at the clock just as she passed the kitchen. She cursed under her breath. She promised she would break that habit fifteen minutes ago after she looked up at that clock for the hundredth time since she got home.
A quiet, barely there knock sounded at the door but Elsa made no moves to answer. Kristoff has a key, he can let himself in. She waited a few moments, but the door never opened. The knocking came again, this time a bit louder. Elsa growled.
He must've forgotten his keys.
She stomped over to the door and instantly regretted the way she yanked it open when she heard the small squeak and saw the way the small girl managed to make herself seem even smaller.
"Anna," Elsa swallowed the words she had for her oaf of a best friend.
"Elsa, I didn't…" her thoughts seemed to trail off as she lowered her defenses. Her mouth opened but closed again when she decided against whatever words she was about to say. Her expression fell to a guilty frown. "I-is Kris home?"
Elsa's eyes widened and Anna's face fell more. "I thought you two were together. He hasn't come home yet… I think." Elsa added that last part when she considered how out of it she really was. It wasn't unbelievable that he may have come in while she was smothered under blankets contemplating maybe turning the tv back on, if just for the background noise to drown out the utter emptiness filling up her insides. "You can come in if you'd like. I'll check upstairs to see if I may have just not noticed him come in."
Anna cracked a small smile but there was no joy to it. "If he came home I doubt he would've been quiet."
A blond brow quirked. "What happened? Should I be worried?"
Most people emit nervous energy. Their eyes shift, their feet tap, and they just can't stop moving. Anna was the opposite of that right now. The normally animated girl was completely still, as if she was afraid that even the slightest movement would betray her. Elsa wasn't sure why her hand gravitated towards the girl the way it did, or why she pulled Anna into a weak embrace, or even why she cradled the shorter girl's head against her shoulder the way she did, but Anna didn't push away so she didn't bother herself with reasoning. How is this girl warmer than two thick blankets?
A small part of her was worried for her best friend, but Elsa felt guilty about how small that part really was.
"Are you okay?"
Elsa was surprised by the question. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Anna looked up at her worriedly. Oh, the "emergency". "It's fine, everything resolved itself."
Anna released a stuttered breath, as if she had been holding it for hours. "I'm glad." Silence impregnated the air around them before Anna finally decide to speak again. "I was really worried. I kept asking Kristoff what happened, and if you'd be okay. Even though he kept saying everything would be alright, I would ask again anyway."
Elsa bit her lip. "I'm sorry for worrying you." What else could she say? She hated herself for lying to the sweet little redhead. A corner of her brain was dedicated to cursing Kristoff for making her do something like that, but she knew it was unfair. "Is that why Kristoff left your date?"
Anna choked out a wet laugh. "I'm such an idiot. Kris is such a nice guy, and such a sweetheart really. And there I was, on a date with a nice guy, and I spend the whole time being a killjoy and asking about somebody else."
"As that somebody else, I appreciate the concern." Was that fair of her to say? Elsa started questioning her motives, but all that was silenced when Anna pulled away just enough to treat her to a warm smile. "Come on, let's take a seat. Hopefully Kris will stop moping and get home soon so you can tell him how sorry you are. Maybe you two can plan another date." Why did every word feel like it was raking at her heart.
Elsa flopped back in the chair, trying to play it as cool as she could and pretend like her insides weren't screaming at her to somehow convince this gorgeous Anna to give her a chance. But she likes men. She likes Kristoff. Your best friend. Elsa shook out the thoughts as Anna tentatively took a seat next to her on the couch, raising a brow at the blanket pile. Elsa only responded with an awkward smile and a shrug, which brought out a soft giggle from Anna.
"Your hair looks nice like that by the way. Not that I didn't like the french braid, that looked really good on you too. Just that it looks really nice when it's out too." Anna stopped herself and gave a shy smile. "Your hair is really pretty."
Elsa didn't respond. Couldn't respond. All she could do was try her best not to be too obvious with the blushing.
More silence. Elsa hated the silence right now. There was nothing to distract her from staring at Anna's face, reading into her strange expression like it was the best mystery novel she had ever dove into. What is she thinking? Is she sad? Maybe she's beating herself up over what happened on the date? How could Kristoff be such a drama queen and walk out on this girl? How could he cause her so much grief right now?
"Elsa," Fuck, I got caught staring. Elsa's eyes shot down to her lap. Maybe it wasn't too late to not look like a creep. "Promise you won't judge me if I tell you this."
"Well you haven't said anything about my blanket fortress so I think I owe you at least that." Elsa attempted to ease the tension, her efforts well received. Anna laughed.
She looked down at her lap. "I'm not attracted to Kristoff."
Elsa eyes widened slightly. "Well, I mean it's normal to not have feelings for someone so soon after meeting them. These things take time and-"
"No, like not attracted to him like at all." Her hands moved up to start fiddling with her hair nervously. "He's not really my type."
"Then why did you agree to go on a date with him?"
Anna huffed and fell back into the chair, allowing herself to be half-consumed by the blankets next to her. "Because apparently my type is arrogant, chauvinistic, narcissistic assholes. And my ex was probably the worst of them all. After finally breaking up with that dick bag I figured if I wanted things to finally work out in my relationships I should aim for something… different. And Kristoff was different. He was sweet, and awkwardly charming, and I figured maybe he was the difference I needed in my life."
"Oh." Elsa mulled over the girl's words, unsure of how to feel about the admission.
"It felt so natural to talk to him. And when he told me the stories of all the trouble he and his best friend Elsa got up to… I don't know, I thought that could be really fun."
Elsa chuckled. "Oh yeah, Kristoff did say he told you about me. I'm concerned to find out what he said though. Depending on which stories he told, I may not forgive him."
Anna waved at her frantically. "Nothing bad or anything, though the way he talked about you, I pictured you being a lot... more…" she started making strange gestures with her hand that Elsa couldn't decipher for the life of her.
"R-round?" Elsa guessed when Anna started making circles around her arms.
"Manly." Anna finally settled on. "I thought you'd look like Kristoff, but with a vagina and breasts."
Elsa actually snorted this time when she laughed. Smooth. "Sorry to disappoint."
"Nothing about you is disappointing," Anna shot up so quickly it actually shocked Elsa, almost more so than her words. Almost. But nothing compared to the shock of what happened next.
It took Elsa all of ten seconds to catch up to what was happening. To understand the soft tug she felt on her lips. In fact, it wasn't until those soft, ruby red lips pulled away from her, did her brain start to process everything. Elsa's eyebrows were lost somewhere in her hairline and her eyes were wider than when she downed three cups of redbull and coffee.
"You… like women?" Okay, so maybe Elsa's brain hadn't totally caught up yet.
Anna's shoulders were up to her ears and her face was almost as red as her hair. "I… I like you. A lot. I don't know! I've never clicked with anyone the way I did with you and…" Anna looked like she was struggling to find the right words. "And I don't know... maybe you're the different I need."
Elsa looked left and right, and then her eyes shot to the door as if she was expecting it to swing open any moment now. "...Kristoff?"
"I don't want to hurt him again the way I did today." Anna's eyes fell again.
Elsa sat there quietly, watching Anna. "He really likes you…"
"I know." Anna bit her lip, and Elsa could swear she saw a glistening in her eyes. "But I really like you.."
"He's my best friend Anna." Elsa stood. "This can't happen. I can't do that to him."
Anna's head dropped. She slowly slid to her feet. "Right, I understand. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble between you two." Her head snapped up and she plastered on a robotic smile, her lips twitching ever so slightly. "I should probably go. Tell Kris to give me a call when he gets back and that I'm really sorry… about everything."
The redhead didn't give Elsa a chance to respond before she bee-lined for the door. Her eyes were glued to her feet as she shuffled away. When she pulled at the door to leave, she barely saved herself from running into it when she felt a weight push it back shut.
"Anna wait," Elsa sighed. She fidgeted and played with anything her hands could reach on her person, already losing the confidence that propelled her to the door in the first place. Why did she stop her again? "We can still... talk. I can give you my number and we can talk. As friends."
Anna looked at her, face suddenly so full of confusion and wonder. Elsa knew this was a bad idea. Oh, how weak she must have looked right now. Friends? Does she even have any of those outside of Kristoff? Can she even manage to be friends with this girl?
Anna smiled timidly. "I'd like that."
Elsa wasn't sure if she could manage a friendship with this girl, but she was sure as hell going to try.
Author's Note: This story was accidentally born as a result of me misreading a prompt! I couldn't use it and ended up having to mad rush something else but I'm glad I was able to expand on this. I'm struggling with myself on whether I should leave this as a one-shot or do more chapters. Who knows what I'll end up doing but for now I'll mark this as complete.