She couldn't quite pinpoint the exact moment she fell in love with Anna. If she had to think about it, she supposed the feelings started to develop the first time she had spoken to her sister in years.
Coronation day was something Elsa had dreaded since before her parents had tragically passed. She knew one day, as eldest, she would have to take the throne and rule the kingdom. It was a fact that was imposed on her since birth. One would think that after so long, she would have learned to accept her birthright. That day never came.
Anna, however, looked forward to it. It was the one day she could finally venture outside of her own loneliness and talk to someone who wasn't made of oil and canvas. She even dared to think that maybe, just maybe, she could meet someone. The one. She was beyond excited to make contact with other humans. It was something she had only dreamed of, before.
But there was one person she wanted to see more than anyone else in all the kingdoms of the land.
Elsa.
When the ball came, they were both nervous. Anna was thrusted upon the stage to stand next to her sister as part of the royal family. Nearly bumping into her, she side stepped to give the oldest some space.
The new queen could only glance to the side to take in the image of a girl she hadn't spoken to in years, despite growing up in the same castle. She was beautiful. Stunning, actually. So she told her so.
Anna was so flustered by the comment that she let out a string of awkward ramblings to reciprocate the compliment. Almost like a schoolgirl talking to her crush.
At least, Elsa liked to think of it that way.
Then came the whole fiasco with her powers being exposed. She hated seeing that expression on the face of the girl she had just come to know again. She mistook the look of surprise and worry, for one of terror and hatred. That was why she ran. The accusations of sorcery didn't help, of course, but she couldn't bear to be the cause of that look. Yes, she could shut Anna out as much as she pleased. She could reprimand her and direct her to leave. But once the tables had turned, she could do nothing but flee. Away from the castle. Away from Arrendale. Away from Anna.
She had been almost cruel to her sister that night, but it wasn't long before the princess was barging into her new home with words of almost convincing kindness. It touched Elsa's heart, but the memories of the monstrous things she had done to her sister caused her to revert back to her old ways. She couldn't risk hurting Anna again. She couldn't put her life in danger. She couldn't let her in. So what did she do?
Shut her out.
If only she had heard her out, instead. Listened to what Anna had to say, and perhaps solved the problem together. She never would have duplicated the past, harming the redhead once more. Then again, even if Elsa hadn't struck her with ice, her words had already cut to the core.
Anna forgave her almost immediately, though the damage had already been done.
Her heart was full of love, kindness, joy. All the wonderful things of the earth placed carefully into one body. One perfect, beautiful, desireable-
No. She couldn't let her mind go there. She was an abomination as it was. Why further her damnation with such impure thoughts?
Then came Anna's ultimate display of love. She could have continued on her path towards Kristoff, and perhaps saved herself from an icy death. Instead, she ran to Elsa's side, choosing the queen's life over her own.
Elsa shuddered. What fate would have fallen upon the young woman had her heart not frozen over when it did?
It was things like that that vividly plagued her in her frequent night terrors.
But, why? Why would Anna put her life on the line for someone who had done nothing but hurt her? Why didn't she go forward? Why didn't she just kiss Kristoff?
But with this new revelation that the princess had revealed in front of her door, she wondered if his kiss would have worked at all.
She opened the gates, and showered the people with her 'gift' (as Anna liked to call it) all for the sake of her sister. It would kill her to be locked inside the castle once more. Secretly, Elsa missed the quiet atmosphere. Yes, it was nice to have the gates open, but old habits die hard.
The queen's second birthday with Anna – only a few months prior to their last incident - was when she had started realizing that the heavy beating of her heart and shortness of breath was not the reaction an older sister would have when her younger sibling was around. Even the thought of her would cause heat to course through her.
That day, Anna had barged into her room, jumped on her bed, and tried to rouse her from her slumber, just like she had as a child. Their new open door policy had made it easy for her to intrude without even knocking.
Elsa was in the midst of a vivid nightmare. Her face contorted in an expression of distress. The images of Anna freezing cursed her in her sleep. Though this time, she never thawed. The blonde had killed the princess, successfully taking away the one thing in her life that ever brought her true happiness.
She flinched, and snapped up into a sitting position. Cold beads of sweat trailing down her face, while her chest rose and fell in rapid succession.
Elsa could hardly believe her eyes. She was still lost in her dream, not yet acknowledging the waking world. How could Anna possibly sit in front of her, made of flesh and bone, and not frost and ice? Then, she remembered. None of it was real. Her sister was okay. Her heart still beating, and blood still flowing.
"Whoa. Are you okay?" Asked the younger of the two.
"Just…" she took a moment to compose herself. "Just a bad dream, that's all."
"Well, then we're going to have to make today really special to make up for it!" Anna's face lit up, her lips curling into a smile.
"What's so special about today?" Asked Elsa. Was she missing something, here?
"It's your birthday, silly!" She stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"My…birthday?" The blonde tried to gather her thoughts. What day was it today?
Oh.
It really was her birthday.
"Now get dressed! We have a big day ahead of us! Lots and lots to do, so get ready and we'll get started." Anna seemed so excited. Smiling from ear to ear, eyes lit up with eager expectancy.
"Alright, alright. Let me pull something out of the closet and we'll get-"
"No!" Shouted Anna, just a little too loudly.
Elsa raised a brow at the sudden outburst. What was that all about?
"What I mean to say is that, well, I…" she took a breath. "I have something for you."
"Oh?"
Anna pulled out a flat box out from behind her where it had been sitting on the bed. She quietly handed it to Elsa, who slowly opened it. Her eyes widened. Inside, tucked away nicely, was the most beautiful fabric she had ever seen. It was a unique shade of blue. Soothing, yet daring. Just like those eyes. Anna's deep, beautiful eyes.
She shivered.
"I thought, maybe, you could wear it today?" The princess looked down, avoiding eye contact as a light shade of pink made it's way onto her cheeks.
Elsa nodded, trying to hide her very own blush. She stood up and carefully took the dress out of its box. It was long, ending right before her ankles. The neckline plunged, almost a little too deep for Elsa's comfort. Elegant white stitching was all around the dress, forming a lace-like look that almost resembled snowflakes. The sleeves were long, stretching to her wrists. A cape hung from the back, giving a regal look to it. It reminded her of a dress of her own creation, something she would have made herself. Well, except for maybe the copious amount of cleavage it would surely show once she put it on.
"I understand if you don't like it. I mean, it's totally cool if you don't want to wear it. I should have gotten something else or-"
"I love it." Elsa stated. Looking to the redhead, whose face lifted and eyes sparkled at the comment.
"Put it on! I want to see it." Surely, it would be beautiful on the queen. There was no doubt about that.
"Ah, Anna, I kind of…" She gestured to her nightwear.
A deep blush stuck to both of their faces. Anna quickly stood up off the bed. "Oh! Yes. Definitely. Uhm…" she made her way towards the door. "Right. You get dressed, alone and in private and everything, and I'll see you in the dining room in ten minutes, okay?"
Elsa nodded, right before the door closed shut, and she was left alone once more.
That day had been wondrous. Filled with laughter, fun, and joy. Neither of them could have imagined having a better day. They played hide-n-go seek around the castle (a childish game from when they were small), built snowmen in the natural snow falling outside, and built a fort in the library, just to name a few. Every new activity was followed by another gift from Anna. Books, a new quill, shoes, and even a new comb to pin in her hair when she occasionally pulled her braid up. But that was not all.
Towards the end of the night, they cuddled by the fireplace, each with a hot drink in hand. They sat in silence, simply enjoying being in each other's presence. Anna leaned against her sister, closing her eyes and humming quietly to signal her comfort. Elsa draped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close, and laying her head atop of the princess's.
"This is nice." Elsa sighed happily.
"It is." Anna snuggled closer. "But…oh! I almost forgot. Wait here."
She stood up and walked behind a row bookshelves. Elsa immediately missed the warmth that had previously encased her. What was so important that Anna had to rush away without explanation?
A minute later, Anna appeared from behind the shelves, carrying something in her hands, some sort of light on top.
As she got closer, Elsa could see what exactly she was holding.
"I hope you like it. It wouldn't be a real birthday without a cake, right?" Anna smiled shyly. Her sister's approval is all she ever wanted. That, and her love, of course.
"Chocolate." Stated the blonde. "My favorite."
"Mine, too." Anna put the small cake down on the floor in front of them. "Now, you have to blow out the candles, well, candle. It's not big enough for like, fifty or something. Not that you're fifty! You're beautiful, and young, and gorgeous, so…"
"It's lovely. Thank you." Elsa smiled, her chest filling with a warmth that she couldn't explain. Was this... No. It couldn't be.
Love?
The queen leaned in to blow out the candle, taking in a breath.
"Wait!" interrupted Anna. "You have to make a wish first."
"A wish?" Questioned the older woman.
Anna thought back to all those years they had spent apart. Never once did they spend a birthday together. There was never a single party held in her sister's honor. Not once. Maybe that was why she was so clueless on holiday etiquette.
"Yeah, a wish. You have to make one before you blow out the candle, but you can't tell me. Or anyone. It won't come true if you do."
Elsa closed her eyes. Thinking of all the things she desired. Of all the things she wanted most…
Opening her eyes, she slowly leaned in, her wish in place, and blew out the candle. She pushed the cake aside, keeping it safe for later when they could indulge in it together.
"So what did you wish for?" Anna asked eagerly.
"I thought you said I couldn't tell anyone?" Questioned her sister.
"Oh, right." She nodded her head slowly, looking at the ground. "Then, can you do me a favor?"
"Of course. Anything."
"Will you tell me if it comes true?" She raised her eyes to meet Elsa's.
Elsa's body went rigid. How could she possibly promise something like that? Her wish would never come true. Not now, not ever. But, if that was the case, then what was the harm in it?
"Yes, I will."
Anna's eyes lit up. She threw herself onto her sister, embracing her tightly. Slowly, arms wrapped around her, reciprocating the act of affection. They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, but for Elsa, an eternity was not nearly enough.
Anna pulled back slightly, looking up at her sister while the blonde looked down at her. It was then that they both noticed how close their faces were to touching. Just inches separated the two of them. Both adorned a blush, while their hearts beat rapidly.
Neither made a move, unable to decide what should be done next.
"Elsa?" Anna whispered.
"Yes?"
"Can I…can I give you one last present?" She asked, still not having moved an inch from her position.
Elsa didn't have to say a thing. Though, when Anna pulled back, she wished she had.
The redhead took a breath. She felt like everything in her was on fire, a soft burning that covered her completely. Slowly, she pushed herself forward, closer to her sister.
And placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Now, Elsa sat on her bed, leaning against the headboard while she listened to her sister speak to her through the same door she had used to keep her away years ago.
What exactly did Anna mean? She broke off the engagement because of someone else? Why? It made no sense to her. Surely the youngest didn't mean she had any sort of feelings for her. There was no way on earth that that way possible. Elsa was destined for a life of lonely isolation, and nothing more. No love, especially that kind oflove, would ever touch her. She would never be cared for like that. Especially by the one person she wanted most.
Elsa listened carefully, taking in each word. None of it made sense to her. There was someone else? Her blood boiled in jealousy. It was bad enough to see Kristoff showering the object of her fondness with affection. Now she had to deal with another suitor that would surely whisk away her precious little sister? That wasn't fair.
"I love you, Elsa."
Her breath caught in her throat. Did she mean…?
No. That wasn't possible.
But she had to know.
Conjuring a heavy icicle, the handle sunk downward, and the door squeaked open.
Author's Note:
I know I said this would be a two part fic, but my imagination went wild, and I couldn't hold it back. I hope you liked the Elsanna fluff. It was fun to write. I hope you enjoyed what you read, and aren't too upset about the expansion of this story. I really appreciate all of you that have read (and hopefully liked) my story. You give me motivation to keep going. Just as a side note, I'm changing the rating from K+ to T. Nothing too extreme, I promise. Thanks for reading!
