Disclaimer:"Frozen" and all characters related to the movie belong to The Walt Disney Company. Frozen was created by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, and Shane Morris. The Snow Queen was published by Hans Christian Andersen, and redistributed by the Walt Disney Company as "Frozen". Once Frostbitten, Twice As Shy and any characters not associated with Frozen or any other multiverse crossover characters thereof, belong to Berserkeroo. All rights reserved.
(A/N: Hello my lovelies! All aboard who's coming aboard. *massive amount or people rush onboard* Geez! *starts head count* One, two, ten, thirteen, sixty-nine, one-hunred forty, two-hundred ten… Wait a minute! *sighs* Guess some people decided to sneak aboard. Oh well. We have plenty of room on this Elsanna ship. ;D Now, I'm being extremely disobedient for doing this, but here I am posting another chapter. When I posted that I would be having surgery I did so with the intention on leaving you guys with that chapter until I've healed from my surgery, but writing's too fun for this furball. I'm serious about it this time though. My surgery is tomorrow… well, later today; so I will be out of commission for a while as I recover — meaning don't ask me when I'll update! I don't fricking know. It all depends on my pain tolerance. I have a pretty high pain threshold so it might be sooner than you think. The chapter isn't as long as last time, but still holds a lot of important details. I'm not going to ramble in this chapter's A/N's this time. I have answered questions on the Tumblr; and I will post the story analysis when I recover. I figured you guys would prefer an update to me recapping and emphasizing what is already out there for speculation. Also I decided not to be lazy SOB and color one of my drawings so there's that too. ;P Holding On and Letting Go is by Ross Copperman. As always, thanks for reading Once Frostbitten, Twice As Shy. Enjoy.)
At the summit of spring the newly dubbed veterinarian was fresh out of college from the nadir of the previous winter. Unlike most, he was fortunate enough to have connections to get a job within a few weeks after graduation. The years in high school and summers in between paid off — as he was now a familiar face in Larcbost's animal shelter. Soon after graduation he professionally worked alongside some of his mentors during his high school days. "I wonder how sis is holding up in college… if she's at college at all," he thought.
Kristoff shook his head. Of course Elsa went to college. It was one of the few things that her parents were adamant about.
Dodger walked in from the doggie-door. He and his crew of mischief-loving reprobates had somehow became the mascots of the place. The canines refused to leave the place they called home. The Jack Russell woofed. His nub of a tail wagged once the vet took his eyes off of his work.
The dog cocked his head to the side. "Don't worry about me Dodge. Just a lot of human stuff you won't understand," Kristoff said. He threw a few treats on the floor, which the dog gobbled up quickly.
The shelter closed after a few hours of service. Some worked the night shift for the emergencies, but Kristoff wasn't scheduled on duty that day. The blond shrugged off his uniform and tossed it in the back seat of his truck. The man sighed. His stomach growled at the prospect of his girlfriend's exquisite cooking, but he wouldn't indulge his stomach's desire; not for the time being. Today he decided to take the scenic route home.
For the unlearned, the 'scenic route' went through the Northern Mountain instead of around on its manmade roadway. Kristoff rolled down the window and inhaled the chilled, nighttime air. The scent of pine needles and remnants of winter saturated the air. The man smiled. He and Merida talked about plans on moving up to the mountains; but she talked… well, hinted at others things.
Kristoff wasn't a stupid man, but he… just couldn't: not yet. He parked his truck on his grandfather's property and sat under the stars. His moment of peace was interrupted with heavy hooves against the damp forest ground.
Sven tromped over to his longtime, human companion and grunted in the man's face. The cervine's long, pink tongue lolled out and licked his friend. Kristoff smirked and rubbed noggins with the reindeers.
The animal snorted against Kristoff's pocket, but didn't find any delectable, orange treats. Sven grunted, but was surprised that his friend didn't translate his discontent.
The reindeer vocalized louder and snorted. His brown eyes met his friend's equally brown eyes. "This isn't like you. What's wrong," Kristoff translated.
Kristoff shrugged. "Nothing's wrong Sven. Just a long day is all," he responded.
Sven craned his neck back with a raised 'brow' that conveyed the message of "Oh really?" The reindeer wasn't convinced and sat down in a mock-pose of Kristoff's sulking.
The vet grimaced at the mockery. "All right fine. I didn't want to go home to Merida today. Ya happy!" he confessed.
The cervine bellowed hoarsely. "Why?" Kristoff responded for his friend. "You really want to know why?" he repeated. Sven snorted and stomped his front hooves. "Fine. You don't have to get so indignant about it."
Kristoff sat up. "Okay so Merida and I have been together for years now," he started. "She's such a headstrong and independent woman. I've asked her about this in the past, but she not the type that wanted to get married young. Hell, I'm not the type either so we left it at that…"
Sven shook out his neck's thick coat and nodded as the conversation progressed. "Now we're about five years into our relationship and she's been dropping hints…" he paused. The reindeer gave him an inquisitive look. "Yeah, I want to marry her, but I can't." The animal keened at the confession. "No I'm not being a wimp about it. I just won't feel right if Elsa's not here. It wouldn't be the same without her."
A moment passed before Sven responded. The reindeer sniffed. "What do you mean I'm making a big deal out of nothing!" the vet replied. The hooved animal grunted a few times before he stood. "Aw what do you know about women. You're a reindeer."
Sven nickered and head-butted his friend in the gut. Kristoff jumped on the animals back. "I don't need to know the specifics of your mating seasons Sven," he responded. The reindeer bucked the human off and grunted. "I know a thing about human women too! You need to be a man and tell Merida why you won't marry her," Kristoff translated.
The two lunged at each other and went into a harmless scuffle until a stout man walked up to them. He cleared his throat. "Hope I'm not interrupting," he spoke.
Kristoff and Sven broke apart. "Grand Pabbie," he murmured.
Pabbie waddled to his grandson with open arms. "Good seeing you too," he said as he embraced the blond. He looked at Sven. "Get over here you troublemaker," he chuckled. The animal trotted to the humans and bucked his head gently against the elder.
"Now what are you two arguing about this time," Pabbie asked.
Kristoff — being the only one that Pabbie could 'clearly' understand — spoke first; and gave his side of the argument. Sven dug up the permafrost and lowered his head, ready to charge. "… and Sven thinks I'm not being a man about it…"
The mountain man nodded. "I gotta side with Sven on this one boy," he said.
"What?!"
Sven puffed his chest out in pride.
Pabbie patted his grandson on the back. "I'm not saying your reason is invalid, but you should tell her how you really feel Kristoff. You finally brought a girl home, and your parents and I like her. Don't deceive her like this. She's a fiery one, but she'll understand; I'm sure of it," the grandfather replied.
Kristoff gritted his teeth in defeat.
Currently, no human on Earth could match the wondrous feelings that the CEO and PA had for one another. Two weeks and some odd days passed since their relationship rekindled. Affection blossomed more and more with each passing day. Yet not all was perfect. On the rare occurrence, Hans attempted to contact his ex to work things out. Let's just say that Anna loved her position as her girlfriend's PA, and promptly thwarted any of his advances.
The nerve of some people.
Not long after the second instance: he was outright blocked by the Arendelle Corp. owner. The man was ballsy as all get-out. Never had she considered that Hans could be so brave… or stupid — most likely the latter: so she chose an alternate route. She blocked his number and cut off all ties to Two Pines Inc.
It wasn't like she tried to keep in contact with him, but she couldn't believe that he was so… Hans. The thing that she once admired about him — his persistence — now irked the living hell out of her; but fortunately she hadn't heard from him since he cut all ties with him for good.
Out of frustration and anger she considered contacting her partners to cut all ties with the man, but she decided against it: mainly because of one of her closest allies. Mickey replied on Two Pines. He held the monopoly on the company's Cloaking Devices for the anthro community. Even if he wanted to assist in her vengeance to cripple his business she knew he couldn't do it out of his moral conscience. The mouse felt it was his sworn duty to act as one of the spearheads for PAWS. So — for the sake of her anthro brethren — she allowed her revenge to go unsatisfied.
Anna strummed her fingers over her girlfriend's shoulders. She massaged them raptly. Tranquility restored itself within her mind. Her body went limp at the gentle ministration. Familiar lips brushed against her forehead before they departed.
Elsa sighed as she watched the world's best PA — and girlfriend — walk back to her workstation in her office. "I've got to be the luckiest woman alive," she pondered. Her eyes went back to her desktop computer as she viewed a few spreadsheet documents.
Notably, the office felt a sense of calm in the midst of the couple's happiness. The peace encompassed the entire building, and the atmosphere was noticeable. Workers realized that their employer wasn't as much of a hard ass. Pam — the secretary — watched the pair. There were times when Anna casted lovestruck glances to the winter-blonde when she thought no one was around.
Vibrations rumbled against the corporate president's pocket. She didn't have to look at it. It was a reminder. Her oh so lovable PA was excellent at her job. So much so that Elsa became less forgetful about her schedule. Today was Tuesday, May 11th. The time: 11:23 AM.
Anna was already up and prepared to depart the workplace. "Ready to go Ms. Arendelle," she said with a rather flirtatious grin on her face.
Heat arose to the back of Elsa's collar. "Dear gods I could get used to this," she thought. She batted the thought away. The CEO walked over to her file storage in her office's conference room. She returned with a faded smile. "I'm sorry Snowdrop, but you can't come with me this time," she replied.
The PA looked disappointed.
"Don't look at me like that. You know I'd take you where ever I go if I could but this is a private matter, and Mr. Mouse is a close, longtime friend to Arendelle Corp.," the winter-blonde explained.
Anna sighed and began to walk back to her seat. Elsa was hot on her tracks before the strawberry-blonde could take her seat. Her fingertips caressed the skin of her lover's jawline. She claimed her girlfriend's lips with her own. Hot breath ghosted around Anna's lips when they brushed their foreheads against each other. There was a brief kiss placed upon Anna's crown.
Anna shuddered — a bit breathless at the sudden affection. "We have so much to catch up on my love, and I want to be with you always, but I can't ignore this," the corporate sighed.
Her heart hammered in her chest. Truthfully, she knew that Mickey wouldn't mind Anna's presence. Anna would probably as loyal to PAWS's movement as she was — but she wouldn't risk such a thing. Every meeting, every mission, every protest, every raid; the group risked their lives for what they believed in. She had lost brothers and sisters to the cause, but she drew the line when it came to her precious life-blood.
The employer snapped out of some of her darker memories when her beloved replied, "Okay." The warmth of her girlfriend's embrace pacified the strawberry-blonde. Her eyes snapped to her girlfriend as she attempted to leave for the second time.
"I'm leaving Snowdrop. I promise I'll be back by five," she informed.
"Miss you already," the freckled woman responded.
The PA walked to Elsa's window and rested her hand upon the glass. She saw her lover's car drive down the road before it went out of sight.
Anna stretched her arms overhead before she left the office. She watched some of the employees pack up a few items. It wasn't anything new. Certain workers clocked out early when the boss was away. She shook her head. "She's coming back," she warned the cubicle workers.
All who once stood immediately sat back down. Some grumbled in disappointment, while others fantasized about what they would have done if 'the man' wouldn't return.
Now on a moment's break, Anna met up with a group of her colleagues in the break room. Pam talked to two males: one laughed rather obnoxiously while the other kept to himself.
The quiet man veered his attention to the door. He waved at her.
"Hi Sheen," Anna greeted.
Sheen nodded and offered her a cup of hot chocolate: a chocolate drizzle at the cup's base and mini marshmallows floated to the top. Small flecks of chocolate shavings sprinkled right on top of the white, bundles of sugar. Perfect.
Anna beamed at the offered beverage and sipped at the warm, liquid deliciousness. "Thank you!" Her grin widened. Sheen had a tendency of spoiling her with certain tokens. The man had a fondness of things smaller than him — which was practically everything in the office. He rivaled Lurch, from the Addams Family, in tallness; so someone Anna's height was the genuine article of small and cute.
The other man — Lars — was the complete opposite. He was blunt, loud, and crass when he wasn't putting up a façade for the man. He stared at her intently with a puzzled pout. Meanwhile Anna was completely oblivious to the analytics of her coworkers. She finally returned their scrutiny when she was at least halfway done with her special cup of hot chocolate.
"What?" she asked.
Lars responded first. "You're a traitor, that's what! You've fallen for the man and all of her ritzy charms!" he accused. "I trusted you!"
Pam swatted the man on the arm. "You're really loud Lars," she informed.
Anna blinked slowly as she tried to process Lars's words. Behold ladies and gentlemen, the one human that rivaled her in rambling. "Huh?" she responded. "Lars even my rambling is more concise than yours."
The secretary covered the loudmouth's orifice before he dug the hole too deep for him to get out. "What he's trying to say is that we've noticed that you and Ms. Arendelle have became quite chummy over the passed couple of weeks; closer than you previously were," she noted.
Lars removed Pam's hand. "Is there something you aren't sharing?" he asked.
Anna waved off their suspicions. "I already told you guys that we were really close back in high school. We… finally got our relationship back on track is all," she said dismissively.
Sheen — after he had been quiet for so long — bluntly replied, "You know you basically confessed that the two of you are back in a relationship."
Sometimes the PA disliked how perceptive the colossal man was. She sipped more of her hot chocolate. "I can't date an employer. It's prohibited against company bylaws," she reminded. Her fingers tapped against the mug nervously. If word spread around the office then she could get fired or Elsa could get sued for professional misconduct by corporate management. Shit!
Pam finished off her coffee and disposed of the cup. "Relax, we aren't going to tell anyone," she said.
Lars picked his teeth crudely before he wiped it on his shirt. "Yeah, we just wanted to know so we could protect the office's ray of sunshine from the wicked Snow Queen," he responded.
Sheen smacked the man in the back of the head.
Anna giggled at her friend's punishment. "I'll have you know that she is one of the kindest people that I know," she boasted.
Lars grinned like the cat that ate the canary. "Then you wouldn't mind hooking your best buddy Lars up with checking out early," he said with his arm draped around her shoulder.
The PA pinched his hand and removed it. The man grimaced at the sharp pain. "Do your work for a change and maybe Ms. Arendelle wouldn't have to scold you as often," she chastised.
The scrawny man whined as he rubbed his hand. "The Snow Queen has corrupted Anna. We're doomed," he teased.
Anna shook her head. No wonder Elsa considered some of her employees incompetent at times. She nursed the last drops of her hot chocolate as she pondered about the woman she loved.
In the Minnesota mountain range, the bodyguard tromped around his cabin with the still unconscious woman — if you could call her that — upon his spare bed. His blue eyes rested upon her concealed form as it rose and fell with each breath.
It was mid-afternoon by the time the woman finally roused from her slumber. For a moment Gaston was concerned that he might have to take her to a doctor, but who would believe him if he said he shot a unicorn and it turned into a human. Good luck with that! They would lock him up in the loony bin!
Confused about her surroundings the unicorn-turned-human took in the minute details of the place. She winced and clutched onto her head wound. "I wouldn't irritate that if I were you," he advised with a low voice.
Elusive froze on the spot. It was the hunter again! She curled up in the furthest corner of the bed. Gaston rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to shoot you again. I do have standards Elusive," he said.
"That's not my name," she responded skittishly. "My name is Amalthea." She took in her human-esque form. Her kind only reverted to such a state when they have lost their horn. It was a clever defense mechanism since man was the only creature that was prideful enough to disturb the unspoken law towards unicorns. Nothing ever hunted them — least of all, for their horns. Leave it to a human to cripple her.
Gaston flared his nostrils. "You ruined my hunt with this. I would have won the game," he scoffed.
Amalthea turned from the man's heated gaze. She was still nervous towards the human who hunted her relentlessly — yet, this human den reeked of his scent; that much was for certain. "My life is not a game for human whimsy. You hunted me. Now I can't go home because of you," she reminded.
The hunter raised his brow at the information. "Nothing is supposed to hunt unicorns. Humans are the only creatures selfish enough to do so," she said in a soft voice. "You broke my horn…" she paused. "The predator animals won't recognize me. They'll hunt me"
Gaston yawned with little interest. He walked out of his cabin. Her words answered very little of his curiosities, but Elu- Amalthea wouldn't leave. She was more skittish than the deer.
Midtown was cram packed with denizens and workers alike. It was one of the many things that Elsa praised about her ancestor's choice in location: placed in the view of many while not on the town's busiest road. Mouse Co. monopolized the entirety of midtown, but it didn't kill the mom and pop businesses around it.
Elsa departed her car and entered Mouse Co. While Arendelle Corp. had a strictly professional set up in their building; Mouse Co. was the complete opposite. Sure it was large, well furnished, and beautifully designed — but it felt friendlier than her company. Then again, Arendelle Corp. wasn't built for entertainment, or for neighborhood children to run amok in the nearby playroom.
The innovative corporate walked up to the secretary. "Hello Miss Clarabelle. I'm here to see Mr. Mouse," she informed. The woman pressed a button. A small printer clattered before it printed out a visitor's pass.
Elsa held the pass up to the elevator scanner and walked right in. On her way to the office she ran into a few of her other PAWS brothers and sisters. She spotted Mickey's clumsy but lovable PA — who was also the father of one of her friends back in high school. The man walked right into a pillar and banged his nose. He yelped and noticed her gaze. The anthro in disguise chuckled and waved at her.
"Afternoon Mr. Goof. Where can I find Mr. Mouse?" she asked polite as ever.
Goofy pursed his lips and gazed at the ceiling in hopes that it held the answers. He beamed before he pulled out his smartphone. The anthro hummed a random tune before he located his friend. "Aw shucks, he's down in the studio waiting for you with Maxy and the new boys," he informed.
Elsa nodded and made her way to the studio down below. She walked into the control room where Max bobbed his head to the sample beats he created. The music technician noticed the winter-blonde. "Sup Your Highness," he smirked.
The CEO rolled her eyes and pushed his cap down over his eyes. The anthro dog readjusted the hat with a chuckle. "I'm doing fine Mr. President," she responded.
Elsa saw Mickey and the chipmunks in the live room. Alvin, of course, was the most exuberant about their first recording. The teenager could hardly stay still. She entered the room — via the booth's doorway — and greeted her co-signer. "Afternoon all."
Theodore waved enthusiastically to the human. "Hi Ms. Arendelle," he responded.
The woman chuckled. She wouldn't admit it aloud, but he was definitely the most adorable out of the group. "How may I be of service to our first day of recording?" she asked.
Mickey shook his business partner's hand. "Glad to have ya onboard Elsa! Now that you're here we can discuss a few details," he said. "I'm a professional when it comes to promotion, but as my co-signer I don't want to act without notifying you," he clarified. The Arendelle Corp. name was branded alongside Alvin and the Chipmunks, so the last thing either party wanted was a misrepresentation or misconception. "We've been shooting ideas for the passed couple of months on our gimmick, and how they should be advertised."
Elsa hummed and nodded her head. "That's the best course of action, but I can't really give any input on the boys. As much as I want to help our cause I haven't heard them sing. I would need a sample of their skills to see what we're working with," she responded.
Before the anthropomorphic mouse could give the word, the chipmunks were all too eager to perform for their co-signer. Simon hummed as his younger brother began to sing. "Only you…" the trio chorused; "… can make this world seem right," Alvin sang as his brothers harmonized with his voice. "Oh-only you, can make the darkness bright…"
Elsa rubbed her chin with a smirk. "Impressive. Nice singing boys," she complimented.
Alvin brushed his nose with his thumb. He chuffed with a confident grin. "That's not singing. This is singing," he said before he started snapping his fingers to the beat of "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc.
Simon and Theodore leapt in line with their brother and danced in time with the rhythm. "Talk about it, talk about it, talk about moving," they chorused. "Oh yeah — won't you take me to, oh yeah — Funkytown," they repeated the chorus to the song before they took a bow.
The woman looked at Mickey. "I see your taste in music has rubbed off on the boys," she commented.
Mickey shrugged. "Nothing wrong with teaching the new generation a thing or two about good music. There's no school like the old school," he boasted — to which Elsa nodded in agreement.
Simon sat on the ledge of the recording stand. "Yeah we really like some of the older gen songs, and considered revamping them with own on chipmunk flair," he said.
"Yeah, but I like some of our own songs too so we've talked about incorporating a few of them here and there as well," Theodore added in.
Elsa tapped her finger against her elbow. "Why not both? We could draw in a bigger audience that way. Fans of the original will give it a listen and some of your original songs could come in later once we've made a name for 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'," she recommended.
Max walked in after he finally set up all the equipment. "Yeah, we have the budget to buy the recording rights to a few songs, and I've already started working on some sample beats for some of the boys' songs," he said as he played the hook's beat to one of the six songs he had ready.
The winter-blonde bobbed her head to the music. "I like. I like it a lot. Expand on it, add in some lyrics, and we've got a hit waiting to happen," she said.
Mickey fist pumped with a determined look on his face. "All right, well enough small-talk! It's time to walk the walk if we want to make the magic happen before Christmas. We've got a lot of recording before we make our debut!" he cheered.
The group was proud of their first successful meeting. Bit by bit, they would make the world a better place for humans and anthros alike.
After hours in the studio, they hadn't recorded as long as she had initially thought. She sighed as her friend carted her across town. All the while in the control room she couldn't help but let her mind wander to her Snowdrop, but she would return to her soon enough.
Elsa pulled out her cellphone and checked the time. It was 2:56: plenty of time to go back to the office. She checked her calendar. It's been a month. She concluded. The woman knocked on the wooden barrier that cut her off from Aladdin. "Hey Al, take me to the medical district," she requested.
Aladdin turned the wheel, and soon enough they were en route to the hospital.
The heiress took off her coat as soon as she entered the chilly building. Although it was cold by other's standards, it was a warm spring day for Larcbost; too hot for someone who admired the cold as much as she did.
Arctic blue eyes scanned the familiar hallways. White, white, white, pale-grey, white, white… The monotone colors were depressing, and the bland architecture made her wonder why she paid such a place to care for her father — but then again, the architecture wasn't what cared for her father; the staff did.
Elsa snapped out of dank emotion wrought on by the hospital's moot atmosphere. She entered the room. Gareth's heart monitor beeped in time with his heart. She leaned down to the comatose man and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Hey papa, it's been about a month since I've been here. So many things have happened since then," she informed.
The doctors told her that he wasn't able to respond, but he could still hear her. "I just came from a meeting with Mr. Mouse. Our companies are still great allies, and I decided to co-sign with the new talent. Hopefully we can change the world just a little with it…"
With every minute that passed, it turned into an hour. Elsa shook her head at her excessive talking. "Guess Anna's rubbing off on me," she commented. The faint rustle of fabric came from the white hospital sheets.
For a moment she thought she saw her father move. Her eyes stared intently to see if he would move again. Unfortunately the man stayed stationary. She bit her nail nervously. Her eyes accumulated a bit of moisture, but she rubbed them away with her shirt's sleeve before anything resulted from it. A heavy breath escaped her mouth as she sank further into her seat.
"Papa, you know… Hans and I broke up — so you won't have to hear from him again," she informed. She elaborated on a few details, but left out many things. "… but don't worry. I'm taking care of myself. He wasn't a match for me…" She paused for a while. "I know you don't want to see me get hurt, but he tricked me: he got in the way of something very important."
Elsa reached out for Gareth's hand and ran her thumb against his palm. "I know that you and mama weren't happy with what we thought Anna had done to me, but she was completely innocent. It was all Hans's fault! He deceived everyone…"
The winter-blonde gripped the bed rail and gritted her teeth. Hot tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "I wish mama survived the crash. She would have known the truth. She wouldn't resent the woman that I love with my whole heart." As much as she tried, she wasn't able to hold back all of her torment. She sniveled and bit her lip. "Mama would have loved Anna."
"But at least you know the truth," she cracked a smile. "If you could see her — how much she means me — you would love her. She makes me so happy to be alive. So happy to know that she's what I look forward to throughout the day," she murmured.
Gareth gave no response to her words, as his daughter spoke animatedly about her beloved Snowdrop.
Elsa leaned over his bed once again. "I have to return back to the company, but maybe one day I'll bring Anna to see you. You've never been properly introduced," she said, and placed a kiss on her father's cheek. "I'll be back in another month — as usual," she promised.
After she left the hospital she checked the time. She gasped. "How long have I been talking?!" she thought. "I'm so fricking late!" she berated herself mentally. "Al, we need to make a quick stop before we head back." Damn it to hell and back again!
By the time the Arendelle heiress returned to her company it was well passed 5 PM. Some of her employees clocked out, but she wasn't worried about her lazy workers. They would be punished later. For now, she focused her attention on her office. "Please still be here. Please still be here," the mantra repeated in her head as she drew nearer.
Tentatively the CEO entered her office with guilt evident on her face. She looked around slowly. To her relief Anna was still there. Notably, the office was impeccably clean and organized — more so than before she left.
Anna was heavily engrossed in the spreadsheet document that she had been working on that she hadn't even realized that her girlfriend had returned. Elsa embraced the woman from behind and sighed in contentment. Her cheek nestled in the copper tresses of her lover.
The PA interrupted the affectionate touches when she tilted her head backwards. "You came back late," she stated.
Elsa left a peck on Anna's petite nose. "I know love. I'm very sorry. I finished my meeting earlier than I thought, and decided to visit my father in the hospital. I couldn't stop talking to him about you," she said apologetically.
Anna looked away from her girlfriend. Guilt manifested itself in a flush against her neck. "I'm sorry," she apologized.
The winter-blonde tightened her hug. "Don't worry about it. I should have kept better track of time," she said.
The strawberry-blonde brushed her bangs against her lover's. Her mind went to the private meeting, but she knew that it wasn't any of her business to ask… even though she really, really wanted to know. Her girlfriend noticed her restlessness.
Elsa smiled down upon her beloved. "I might be willing to share a few not so private details about the meeting if you accompany me to my suite," she offered. She mulled over her idea of having a guest. Her great-aunt Cathleen wasn't too pleased with her at the moment; not after what she had done to her good for nothing ex. The elder woman chastised her like a child; that an Arendelle shouldn't roughhouse and wreck her hotel like a spoiled teenager.
Curiosity riddled the PA. She has never been to the Overland. "Sure. Let me clock out and we can head to your place," she said.
In one of the Overland's presidential suites, Puss in Boots reclined on a couch with his broken leg propped against a cushion. His comrade left him well accommodated when she was away — not that he was helpless. The cat lapped at the thick, creamy milk in a flat, cylindrical cup. He licked his curved whiskers as he watched one of the Spanish soap operas on the television.
The mercenary scoffed at the dramatics. "Bah! You call yourself a man! How can you just run from your responsibilities to the village? It was your fault," he shouted in disbelief.
The tabby pinched the bridge of his muzzle in frustration. "I need to add some cream liqueur to this milk," he grumbled. His advanced ears perked. Faint thumps echoed down the hall — followed by a familiar voice. The anthro leapt from the couch and disposed of his bowl. He quickly cut the television off.
The door opened with a sharp click and in walked his comrade, and a woman he had not seen before. Puss looked at the two with hooded, disinterested eyes. He yawned before he stretched. The cat sauntered over to the couple and rubbed against the strawberry-blonde's leg.
Elsa raised her brow at the sudden behavior. He looked completely naive — with no ill intent. She jumped when she head her girlfriend squeal.
Anna knelt down to Puss and stroked his back. "You didn't tell me you owned a cat," she said.
The winter-blonde watched her girlfriend intently. "I don't really own him. He's a stray that pretty much comes and goes as he pleases," she informed. Puss glared at the woman. He may have used the title as a cover, but how dare she call him a stray! The cat meowed crossly, but she ignored him. "He broke his leg a while back, but it's doing fine now. Kristoff said Puss should be up and running in two more weeks."
Puss mewled and flashed his trademark kitty-cat eyes. Anna couldn't resist such an adorable face and picked him up. "Aw, the poor baby. You're such a brave boy in your little cast," she said as she held him close.
Upon further inspection Elsa found a smug, perverted look on the feline's face. He made himself right at home in her arms and nuzzled further into the oblivious woman's chest. Once the cocky cat wagged his eyebrows at his former-employer she realized his intentions. "Sneaky son of a-"
Elsa glared at the anthro. His antics weren't pleasant. However Anna noticed her lover's jealousy; it was quite discernable when the woman pouted. She giggled at the expression. "You can't really be jealous over a little affection to a cat can you?" she teased.
The heiress was not amused. "Puss is a perverted, little mongrel. He's far from innocent," she retorted dryly.
Puss purred in the woman's arms. His eyes gleamed in a delight. That'll teach her to call him a stray. He knew it was his cover, but he was an adult cat who refused to become a common house cat.
Anna scratched beneath his chin — in the perfect spot. The mercenary went limp. "This señorita has magic fingers," he considered. He shook the thought away, and meowed loudly. He wiggled in her arms, which she took as a sign that he wanted to be put down.
The cat left the suite's den and the lovers within it.
Elsa went into her kitchen; the couple decided to discuss the meeting over a cheesy B-rated movie. She found the tabby in there with a fish in his mouth. The woman gave him a pointed glare. "We'll have a talk about that later," she warned.
Puss gave her a Cheshire cat grin before he looked away slyly.
The heiress quickly made the popcorn and returned to her girlfriend's side. By then Anna already selected a random movie.
Elsa plopped onto the couch. Anna lay in her lover's arms. The winter-blonde casually wrapped her arm around the woman she loved and placed a few affectionate kisses on the tempting, speckled skin. She grinned from her ministration. Delight twinkled in her eyes; that she could still pleasure her Snowdrop to a similar degree.
Ultimately the film became background noise as the two were spellbound with one another. Just as she promised, Elsa expounded the details of a few of the lesser activities that commenced. She left out details such as her co-signer's true form, or that the group consisted of chipmunk triplets. Anna was so rapt in her words. How she wished to tell her Snowdrop the truth, but…
Three odd years ago, the group went on one of their raids. When civilized, peaceful means failed, PAWS forged their own justice! This mission was no different. It wasn't her first raid, but she was still somewhat new to the abrasive act. She crouched low to the ground. The younger members had their own tasks, but she spearheaded that division.
If all went according to plan, the youths would rendezvous with the older members. "Veronica, bring up the rear," the heiress whispered.
The anthropomorphic fox nodded and stepped lightly against the hard woodened floor. Veronica's ears perked. "Must be my imagination," she thought. Then the sound repeated. Metal glinted in the distance. The gun cocked as its wielder readied themselves to take the shot. The fox snarled. "Our position's been compromised!" she barked aggressively.
Elsa huffed. "Shit!" she cursed as the group scrambled. She pulled out her phone. "Hector! They know we're here. Our position has been compromised. We might have to abandon the mission," she warned.
Mr. Peabody was silent on his end. "Hold out until I get there. I'll alert the others. We'll have to come back," he stated.
The band of youths stood against the gunmen. One of the anthros — a male leopard — hissed at the bigoted humans. He lunged to defend his comrades, and nailed on of their attackers. Blood decorated his maw in his successful pounce. They were trained to disarm, not kill. He growled at the gunner as his contracted pupils stared at the barrel between his eyes. "Hateful human, you can't stop us!" he taunted.
Those were his last words. The bullet pierced the leopard's skull and exited out the other end. "Adisa!" both Johnny and Veronica cried out.
The fox shook in visible anger. "Bastard! You killed my friend!" she shouted with her fangs bear. She would have lunged at the gunman had her comrade not thwarted her.
"Now is not the time to lash out and be stupid!" Elsa reprimanded. Her blue eyes widened when the gun was aimed for her head. Fuck! How would her parents react to their only child's death? They'd be devastated.
Mr. Peabody and his group were already headed in their direction. Once he saw his former-student's predicament, something primal snapped. He recalled when the dastardly social worker — Ms. Grunion — tried to take Sherman from him. Multiple emotions filled him at that moment, but when the woman harmed his son in the process was when he lost all civility.
Crimson filtered the canine's vision as he honed in on the gun wielder. His fury grew at the deceased youth on the ground. Mr. Peabody growled as he charged at the human like a rabid dog. Elsa's eyes shifted to her former-teacher. Never before had she seen him so furious. It was evident that this wasn't an attack to disarm. The dog snarled; his jaw agape; his fangs exposed.
The last clear thing that she remembered from that night was red — so much red.
Had it not been for Mr. Peabody's feral actions, she was certain that she would have died that night. Yet she was willing to go to such lengths for what she believed in. No one deserved to be oppressed. She thought about Alvin and his brothers. "These boys are our future. There's so much good we could do for this wicked world," she murmured into her lover's vibrant hair.
Anna held her girlfriend's lips captive with her own. She gazed into the heiress's eyes before she released the soft flesh from their delectable confinement. "Leave it to you to be the one who wants to change the world babe," she praised.
Elsa's skin became florid from the sudden heat. "Someone with as much power and influence as I have should try to change the world for the better; and that's exactly what I intend to do with it," she responded.
Anna took Elsa's hand and placed gentle kisses on each knuckle. Her eyes met her girlfriend's. "I'll support you every step of the way," she vowed.
Breath hitched in the heiress's throat. "What did I do to deserve someone like you," she thought. "I love you," she professed. The winter-blonde reinforced her confession with physical affection. They kissed for the umpteenth time that day. No seriously: the couple hardly kept their hands off of each other. There was so much that they had to catch up on; one of those things included kisses.
Passion fueled their amorous actions. Light touches, playful kisses, tantalizing nips. It was one huge tease — but affectionate all the same. Their combined body heat saturated the atmosphere around them, creating a warm cocoon around them.
Elsa brushed her cheek against Anna's, and lapped at the freckled neckline. Although she was far from muscular, she was definitely stronger than her petite lover. In the heat of the moment, the heiress pushed the strawberry-blonde onto the couch cushion. Her teeth racked against the skin while her hand caressed attentively.
Meanwhile Anna enjoyed the physical attention; or she did. Suddenly she felt her girlfriend shift between her legs. Her eyes widened, but she was pinned between the couch and the woman's weight. She shuddered when Elsa's hand traveled lower and lower. The younger froze and murmured.
Elsa was so enamored with pleasuring Anna that she faintly caught the words. "I'm sorry Snowdrop, could you say that a bit louder," she purred.
Sweat beaded down her face as she stammered. "E-Elsa st-stop!"
Immediately after the word was given, the heiress ceased her ministration. She hovered above her beloved with concern. "Was I being too rough," she questioned. "I'm sorry," she quickly apologized soon after.
Anna shook her head. "No… you weren't being rough…" she answered.
Perplexity suffused across her visage. Her brow furrowed as her eyes searched her lover's for answers. So far she noticed that the usually bubbly woman looked uncomfortable, nervous, and distressed. Anna barely kept eye contact with her. Her eyes snapped to her Snowdrop's stomach. There it was again. Anna's arms were wrapped around her belly.
This worried the winter-blonde. Elsa completely removed herself from on top of her girlfriend. Uncertainty rippled the freckled woman's face. She opened her mouth — completely conflicted about what would flow. The fact that she looked like she wanted to talk, but didn't only sent Elsa into panic overdrive.
Elsa cupped Anna's cheeks and examined the woman for any injury: something that explained her behavior! The heiress's breath became fast, laborious and strained.
Anna placed her hands on her lover's wrists. She gazed into the woman's eyes and gave her a reassuring look; that she was physically okay… sort of. "I'm okay babe. I just," she paused. After such a fright Elsa was all ears. She desperately wanted — needed — to know! "I just don't feel comfortable having sex with you."
The dropped bombshell only added to Elsa's confusion. Don't get it wrong: she never attempted to push Anna into something that she didn't want or wasn't ready for; but the couple had been intimate in the past. They had been intimate on several occasions — so why the hesitation? "I won't force myself on you," she responded in a calm, soothing voice.
Anna saw the bewilderment still prevalent in her lover's eyes. "Babe, I want you to touch me, to kiss me, to hold me, to love me-" she reassured; "… but…" Internal turmoil roiled in her briefly before she continued. She inhaled. "Do you remember the day that we went to the arcade? The one where I told you how my mother told me to share that intimacy with someone special — with someone I trusted."
Elsa nodded slowly. Her eyes never left Anna, but she feared the worst. "Does she not love me anymore?"
Anna stroked her girlfriend's hand. "I still love you — deeply," she confirmed. "But you chose to believe Hans's word over mine. You can't imagine how much that wounded me!" The winter-blonde felt completely ashamed of herself. She knew that she wronged the one that she loved, and it hurt her that she let her insecurity get in the way of that. "I gave you my trust and you hurt me really badly."
Elsa listened to her beloved pour her heart out. "Our break up tore my insides apart. I missed you so much and felt so helpless that you were so far away from me. Six fucking years Elsa!" she spat. "Six years… So many moments that we could have shared: lost forever! I needed you…" she whimpered.
Guilt retched her to the core. She looked away. Her mouth felt completely dried out. Her tongue ran across her lips. It took a long time before she found her voice. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she murmured in a mantra. With each apology she placed a chaste kiss upon Anna's face. Each kiss lasted longer than the previous as sincerity laced her every word.
Elsa looked into Anna's eyes. They were shrouded in complete silence. "Keeping away from you was the hardest thing I've ever done, but let me tell you that I've never stopped loving you," she declared. The heiress embraced her livelihood and stroked the woman's copper hair. "I was wrong-"
"Yes you were," Anna interrupted curtly.
The verbal wound stung, but Elsa wasn't deterred so easily. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness; but I need it!" she stated firmly. "I don't expect you to give it to me just because I ask for it, but I want to earn back your trust — and I'll do whatever it takes to get it back!"
Sheer determination flashed in her azure eyes. Her body shook as warm tears hovered on the verge of falling. "I need you to forgive me Anna… I need it."
Anna remained motionless in her girlfriend's arms. Tears of her own on the verge of falling: and they did. Droplets damped the back of Elsa's shirt, but she didn't care. Anna opened her mouth, but stopped herself. She bit her lower lip and embraced the woman she loved with all her heart.
(A/N: So I killed quite a few birds in with one stone in this chapter. Plenty of relevant questions answered. My horn-dog readers know that Elsa and Anna won't be getting frisky any time soon; others get to see Kristoff again; more knowledge about Elusive; and then there are those who wanted to know when/if I would address the consequences of Elsa's actions. She may run from her past, but she can't turn away from it when Anna blatantly puts it in her face to address. How will Elsa redeem herself? That's for me to know and you guys to find out… after my recovery. Also I got to work with Elsa finding some consolation that one of her parents knew the truth about Anna — even though Gareth couldn't give her a response. D: Anna is an important part of her life after all. Any questions, comments, concerns, theories, suggestions, or ideas will be accepted via the reviews, PMs, or the Tumblr. You've only seen a fraction of what I have planned. Let's see what happens when I start cooking with the fire that I've started. Will it be pleasant, or not? *chuckles* See you guys next time.)