It took Anna all of two minutes to decide that nothing in her wardrobe was suitable and that she absolutely needed to go shopping.

Something bright. And fun. And suitable for a picnic.

Would a dress be suitable?

After doing a quick Google, she came to two conclusions: yes, a dress was suitable. And flannel. Not that she was against flannel but she didn't particularly want to blend in with the picnic rug.

Also maybe Elsa was going to wear flannel? Was she the sort of person to wear flannel? Anna didn't even know where her interests lay because they'd both studiously ignored the topic of sexuality. It didn't matter. They liked each other and that was enough. Anna had yet to find a label that fit her, so she was certainly not going to make Elsa share.

They still kept up texting everyday (sometimes more than once. For hours…), and the mere fact that soon Anna would be meeting her – actually meeting her, not shouting above club music before making their own – set a delighted thrill down her spine.

It was ridiculous, but she was so excited that the night before she literally couldn't sleep. The last time she hadn't been able to sleep was Christmas when she was seven. The next year the magic had been ruined and who really cared anyway?

But a proper date, that was enough to keep her tossing and turning. Her dreams, when she did manage to sleep, were full of Elsa. What they might do (in public and in private).

They were meeting at 10 at a place along the river. Anna had never been but apparently it was the perfect place for families to go on the weekends – restaurants and playgrounds and ducks abound. She had to catch a train to get there, which meant that (for what was probably the first time in her life), Anna was early. Which was stupid because Elsa probably wasn't even here yet, so she just ended up checking her make-up and meandering along the river for half an hour before making her way inland.

Elsa had set up on a little hill. It was by no means secluded, but perhaps that was for the best. It wasn't crowded, not by any stretch of the word, but enough people were moving about that it was a safe place to have a first meeting.

Not that Anna didn't trust Elsa. It was just… hmm.

It took her ages to actually locate Elsa and the small picnic rug she'd laid out. Gosh there was even a wicker basket, too, with the non-disposable plastic plates and cups and cutlery.

And there was Elsa, grinning and waving at her. Anna felt her heart melt just a little at the sight. Elsa wasn't wearing flannel (though the blanket was a bright checkered-red – thank heaven's Anna hadn't, either). She had a pretty floral shirt on, spaghetti straps showing off pale shoulders. Wearing tiny little denim shorts and her hair falling to just below her shoulders, she was just a picture of relaxation. As Anna got closer, she noted a soft splash of pink in her cheeks (and on her lips), her bright blue eyes frames by a glittering purple eyeshadow.

She suddenly felt very self-conscious. That feeling only exploded when Elsa offered a small, soft, "Hi."

"Hi- hi me?" Anna asked, eyes widening. Elsa nodded, a smile appearing on her features. That was pretty much the end of Anna's self-control as she launched into some spiel including how beautiful Elsa looked, how nice the food smelled – "I love sandwiches, aren't they great?" – and she was pretty sure there was something about chocolate. Elsa didn't even interrupt to stop her, which Anna was sort of grateful. She hoped she hadn't scared her new friend away.

When she was able to look at Elsa again, her gaze having dropped progressively as she could not get her mouth to shut up, she noticed the other girl smiling. Still! Actually, it was more than a smile, it was a little giggle, too. Quiet as well, but undoubtedly there. She made a gesture with her hands and picked up the plastic glasses. "Drink?" There was a hint of something in her voice, and the thought of Elsa still having a laugh to herself about it filled Anna with something akin to pride.

It deflated rather rapidly, at the same time that the blood drained from her face and her heart dripped to her shoes, when Elsa leaned forward. Eyes wide, Anna found them trained on the side of Elsa's head, to the little implant stuck above her hair and connected to the back of her ear. How did she miss that?

She looked away quickly when Elsa handed her a drink of something sparkling. "No' alc'lic," she said, still smiling.

It took a concentrated effort for Anna to return it, and that was honestly the worst feeling in the world.