Oops, off by a chapter again. Damn you fingers for typing too much crap, damn you!
Btdubs, updates may become slightly slower on this because I started a new AU Elsanna fic. I'm sorry, but I really needed some modern-ness and I find the idea of Anna cussing and using words such as 'Feelz' and 'Adorbz' absolutely, well, adorbz. So feel free to check it out if you're interested, it is called 'Across the Ice'.
Anna fumbled in the dark, making her way to the window and throwing open the curtains, letting the moonlight illuminate her way.
"Anna."
Anna jumped in fright, whirling around, her hand on her heart.
"It's me, Kristoff," he said finally, lighting a match in front of his face. He looked around the room and spotted a candle next to Anna's bed and made his way over to it, quickly lighting it before the match burned down.
"Kristoff," Anna began, breathing heavily, trying to calm herself. She was struck with fear for a moment, reliving the anger he expressed earlier. She took a step back, which Kristoff noticed, and the man held his hands up.
"I'm sorry," his face was genuine, picking up the candle finally and holding it in front of him. The anger from earlier had subsided, and instead replaced with sadness, his body slightly slumped. "I know I'm not supposed to be here," he looked around nervously for a second. "But I want to talk, if you'll let me."
Anna wrung her hands nervously as she eyed the man, absorbing his body language. She shouldn't have been afraid of him, and she hated herself for it, but he was hurt, and she couldn't blame him for his reaction earlier.
"OK," Anna said simply, unmoving.
Kristoff took a deep breath and stood across the room awkwardly, the only light coming from the candle in his hand. "I'm sorry," he said again, and instead of walking towards Anna, he sat down and leaned his back against the side of Anna's bed, placing the candle on the floor in front of him. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he began again, looking at his ungloved hands. "I was just…so mad. I'm still mad, but more because I don't know what's going on. I don't understand." Kristoff looked up to Anna with sad eyes that made the girl choke up. She slowly made her way to the Ice Master and sat next to him, the candle and a fair amount of space between them.
Kristoff looked to her, trying to catch her gaze. "What did I do wrong?"
Anna could feel the tears threatening to fall for the umpteenth time that night. She shook her head and continued to face forward, "You would think it was something you did," Anna said, sniffing and wiping at her face. She rested her head against the bed and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "You didn't do anything wrong," she paused, searching for the words.
"Are you and Elsa serious?" Kristoff asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Anna nodded but said nothing
"So this isn't just some-"
"I love her."
Anna finally faced the Ice Master, her eyes wide and vulnerable. Kristoff searched her face, trying to decipher what he saw.
"You love her." He repeated, digesting his own words, letting out a shaky breath. "Like, love her." Kristoff looked at Anna again who stared back, her expression unchanged. "Why...didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know," Anna said honestly, running a nervous hand through her hair. "I mean, I've always loved Elsa. But I didn't realize…" she struggled with the words, and Kristoff hesitantly reached across the space and touched her shoulder.
"It's OK," he murmured, though the softness in his expression changed, and his eyes darkened. "Does Elsa-" he swallowed, unsure of himself, "Does she love you?"
Anna was ready to answer, but stopped herself short. Sure, Elsa had told her that she loved her before, but did she really?
"You don't have to answer that," Kristoff said finally, not taking any joy in watching Anna struggle.
Anna let out a breath, not realizing she had been holding it.
The Ice Master patted the younger girl awkwardly on the shoulder before returning his hands to his lap. He picked at a thread coming out of his trousers and shrugged his shoulders, "You know, Elsa's really lost her touch."
Anna looked at the blonde in surprise but Kristoff only grinned in her direction, a twinkle in his eye. "I mean, last year she summoned a giant snow monster, and now all she had to throw at me were spikes? Really? Where's the fun in that?"
Anna let out a small snort which caused Kristoff to grin broader. The air was so tense and uncomfortable, and all he wanted to do was lighten the mood.
"She hasn't lost her touch," Anna said with a smile, remembering Elsa rebuilding her chambers in the Ice Palace earlier that day. "She was scared, and didn't want to hurt you."
"She was scared? I was scared!"
"Well, you were holding my arms kind of hard…"
"I – yeah."
Anna said nothing as she crossed her arms in her lap, her eyes falling to her hands.
"I'm sorry." Kristoff heaved a sigh and shook his head. "Damnit, I'm so sorry." The Ice Master scratched at his neck in frustration, "I just – I love you. And I want – I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."
Anna looked back at him with knitted brows, a strange mix of anger and sorrow taking her features. "Stop apologizing! You didn't do anything wrong!"
Kristoff was struck silent by Anna's sudden burst of emotion, and before he could react, Anna continued to rant.
"I lied to you Kristoff, and I've been lying to you, and to myself. And I'm this huge wreck, trying to play it confident with her, but really, what the hell am I doing? I love her Kristoff, and I'm literally throwing it all away for her, but what if she doesn't…what if –" Anna's hands began to shake and Kristoff lunged himself in her direction and wrapped his arms around her. Anna shook her head in his shoulder as tears began to fall. "God I'm such a mess. Everything is making me cry."
"You've always been a little bit of a cry baby," Kristoff whispered into her ear, but he know it was farthest from the truth. Anna was the strongest person he knew and he had never seen her this way, even when all the lives in Arendelle were at stake during the Freeze.
"I'm so sorry," Anna managed into the man's shoulder between sobs, allowing Kristoff to cradle her.
"Don't worry," the blonde said with a sad smile, trying to hold back his emotions as he stroked the auburn's hair. "I just want you to be happy Anna."
Elsa woke up the next morning extremely irritable. It was day five of the Festival and all she wanted was for it to be over and have everything go back to the way it was. No more royals, no more snow, no more celebrations, just the dreary day-to-day duties of being Queen that kept her mind occupied.
But no, the show must go on.
The Queen had risen well before dawn to prepare herself for the day, which included sled races and pulling contests on the outskirts of the city. There would also be a snowman building contest for the children, hosted by none other than Olaf himself, who seemed to be mysteriously absent since the beginning of the Festival.
It took everything in Elsa's power to keep herself away from Anna's room. She hoped the girl had just fallen asleep, but with all the events that went down the day before, she had a feeling it was a lot more than that. Regardless, the Queen had to walk by her door to head to the dining hall, but when the pink oak door squeaked open, and a deep sounding laugh emitted from Anna's chambers, Elsa was quick to swing around a corner, her back pressed against the wall.
"Are you sure you're going to be OK?" Elsa heard, and immediately recognized Kristoff's voice. The Queen's heart jumped to her throat and her face reddened in anger.
"I'll be fine," Anna giggled in response, and she could hear the shuffling of clothing.
"And don't forget to talk to her," Kristoff added, "Unless of course you don't want me around."
Anna laughed and Elsa heard the sound of a quick kiss. "You're not going anywhere mister. Now get out of here, before someone sees you!"
Elsa flattened herself against the wall as she watched Kristoff jog by, who failed to notice the drop in temperature and the Queen glaring at him from the shadows.
Tap Tap Tap-Tap Tap
"Elsa?"
Anna waited patiently at her sister's door. The sun was just beginning to rise and Anna found herself very awake and already dressed, a first in a very long time. She was hoping to catch Elsa just as she was rising, to not only apologize profusely for her absence the night before, but to make it up to her before she started the day.
But to Anna's disappointment, the Queen was already out.
Anna wondered if Elsa ever slept a full nights' sleep as she turned away and headed down the hallway. She tapped her fingers together in thought as she made her way towards the library. She swung open the door, attempting to make a dramatic entrance, but not only found the door to be extremely heavy, but the library to be empty.
With a pout, Anna whisked herself away and headed down the staircase in haste. She could hear the cooks moving pots and pans in the kitchen, preparing breakfasts for the soon-to-be waking royals, so she slipped in to the kitchens, to all of the servants' surprise.
"Princess Anna!" an older gentleman called, Halle, bowing his head slightly then continuing to juggle a large crate of eggs, "How can I be of service?"
Anna picked an apple out of a bowl and tossed it in the air before taking a huge bite. "I was wondering if you had seen Elsa?" she asked with a full mouth.
"Hmmm," the cook replied, placing the crate down and beginning to sort the eggs. "If I recall, the Queen specifically said not to be disturbed."
"Awww c'mon Halle," Anna begged, placing the apple down and helping him sort the eggs. "Please?"
"I can't reveal her location," the man said honestly, beginning to break the eggs into a large bowl. "But," the man added with a wink, "I can tell you where she wishes to have her tea taken."
Anna beamed from ear to ear as she tossed the remaining eggs in her hands at the suspecting cook, who caught them with ease. "Check the back courtyard," he whispered, motioning to a tray nearby that held a pot of steaming tea and a single china cup.
"Thank you Halle," Anna gave the old man a kiss on the cheek, then swooped up the tray and headed down the hall, making her way to the back of the castle. Anna reached two large looming doors and slowly pulled one open, careful to juggle the tray on one hand, and was greeted with a gust of frigid air.
"Oh!" Anna was startled by the sudden cold, and surprised that the entire back courtyard was turned into ice. She walked onto the stone balcony and headed towards the ledge, gently placing the tray down. Looking down, Anna instantly spotting Elsa skating on the iced surface below her, hands behind her back, a serene expression on her face.
Anna leaned against the stone and watched her for a moment. The rising sun casting a warm, golden glow that made Elsa sparkle like ice in the sunlight. While the Princess wanted to call out to her, Elsa's graceful form kept her entranced, the way her hips moved back in forth with every push of her blades, and the way the wind pushed at her hair, stray strands escaping the braid she currently had wrapped down her shoulder.
It was a moment later that the Queen stopped, and Anna watched her sigh heavily. The confidence in her posture disappeared as Elsa ran a frustrated hand through her hair. Anna watched this questioningly, and decided now was the time to make her presence known.
"Elsa!" Anna finally called, waving to the girl below her.
Elsa's gaze shot up, her eyes dark with emotion, her hands clenching into fists at her side. Anna failed to notice as she grabbed the tea pot and looped her pinky through the cup handle and made her way down the stone staircase.
"Elsa," Anna said again as she reached the edge of the ice, and from there she could see the Queen's sudden change in demeanor. Surprised, she clutched the tea awkwardly to her chest as Elsa skated in her direction, eyebrows furrowed.
"How nice of you to finally show up," Elsa said sarcastically, eyeing the Princess up and down.
"Uhm," Anna managed, trying to line words up in her head to make a coherent sentence. "I – Uhm, I'm sorry. Something happened and –"
"I know very well that something happened." Elsa interrupted, her voice strangely calm but not completely devoid of edge.
Anna gripped the tea tighter, her eyes apologetic. It was clear Elsa already knew she had been with Kristoff, and made no attempt in hiding it. "I know, and I'm sorry. I had to talk to Kristoff, I couldn't just leave things like that with him. He deserves better."
"Oh is that what you two did? Talk?"
"Uhm, yes?" Anna looked around her, suddenly feeling awkward.
Elsa uncharacteristically stomped her foot, ice sprouting like a fountain from the movement, anger flaring up inside her. "Don't lie to me Anna! I saw him leave your room this morning!"
Anna's face reddened as she shook her head, "Oh! That's not what happened!"
"What are you playing at?" Elsa asked, ignoring her last statement as she stepped closer to her. "Did you think you could just manipulate my feelings? That's what I don't understand, what do you have to gain from all this? You tell me one thing, yet do another. Is this some sort of game to you?"
Suddenly angry, Anna stepped forward and threw the teapot and cup between them, the expensive china shattering on the icy stone, and steaming tea splashing at their feet. Dramatic? Maybe, but Anna needed her sister to shut up.
Elsa was shocked silent as she looked from the ground to Anna's determined face.
"I didn't sleep with Kristoff!" Anna yelled, the words whooshing out of her. "Yes, last night, he surprised me in my room. And we talked, that's all we did. He was scared, and I was scared, and he apologized, and then I got upset and he comforted me and we both fell asleep." When finished, Anna took in a huge gulp of air, trying to catch her breath.
Elsa's featured softened, the Queen raising her hands and clasping them in front of her nervously, "You…were upset?" she asked, worry apparent in her voice.
"Yes!" Anna exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air in frustration. "I'm throwing everything away for you, don't you realize?" Anna let out a shaky breath and attempted to keep tears at bay. "I left Kristoff. I cancelled the engagement. I love you." Anna stepped closer, only a few inches remaining between them. "But sometimes," Anna whispered, "I think that-" the auburn shook her head, struggling to find the correct words. "Last night, Kristoff asked me if you loved me." Anna paused, her eyes sad as she look up at Elsa. "And I couldn't answer, I didn't know how you felt." Anna felt herself repeating the words she had said to Rapunzel the day before, "I still don't know how you really feel."
Elsa's heart shattered like ice as she gazed at the young girl in front of her. Her entire life she had been told to conceal, and not feel. For once, someone was standing in front of her, pouring her heart out, and asking her to do the same. Lately Elsa felt as if she had been thrown into an emotional whirlwind, with more tears falling and anger flaring in the past five days than she had her entire life.
It all made sense.
Elsa tilted her head to the side and smiled, reaching forward and cupping Anna's face with her hands, silencing her with a sweet kiss.
"I love you," Elsa whispered into Anna's lips, wrapping her arms around the girls' waist and pulling her closer. "I love you, and I'm sorry for ever doubting you."
Anna relaxed into Elsa's embrace and snaked her arms around the Queen's neck, her fingers entangling themselves in her hair.
"It's OK," Anna breathed, smiling into the kiss, pulling Elsa closer.
The Queen was suddenly very aware of the time, and knew the royals would be waking soon, swinging open their curtains to let the light in, as well as the view of the fjord and the courtyard they were currently standing in.
"Anna," Elsa whispered, pulling away reluctantly.
The younger girl pouted as Elsa let go, her hands sliding from Elsa's neck and dropping lifelessly to her sides.
"Oh, don't give me that look," the Queen smiled, which warmed Anna's heart. The girl couldn't help but grin stupidly, her mock pout dissolving. Elsa offered her elbow which Anna took, linking their arms as Elsa led her up the stone steps and back to the balcony.
"So the races are today," Elsa attempted at casual conversation but failed miserably, her smile unfading as she tucked a strand of Anna's hair behind her ear.
"As is the pulling contest," Anna added, reaching for Elsa's collar and pulling off an invisible fuzz, letting her fingers linger a few moments before pulling away.
"And the snowman contest, we can't forget that," Elsa turned to her when they reached the doors and let her hand slide down Anna's arm, reaching for the girl's hand. The shadow of the castle loomed over them, out of plain view.
Anna clasped her fingers in Elsa's and smiled, "Maybe we should have a contest of our own."
"Oh?" Elsa asked, closing in on the Princess, her face inches away.
Anna began to shake with anticipation, her eyes darting from Elsa's lips to her eyes. "Tonight? After dinner? Will you meet me in the gallery?" She managed, her voice coming out as a hoarse whisper.
Elsa narrowed her eyes, "Unlike someone I know, I show up on time when requested."
Anna held up her hands in exaggerated surrender, "You're never going to let go of that, are you?"
"Oh I will," Elsa laughed, her eyes filled with mirth, "but only when you apologize."
Anna was ready to protest, pretty sure she had already apologized, but Elsa pushed the Princess against the door and pressed her body against hers, their hands clasped which Elsa held over her head.
"Ohhh," Anna moaned in pleasure and realization as Elsa kissed her hungrily, and just as quickly pulled away.
"I'll see you at the races," Elsa breathed, out of breath as she kissed her sister one last time on the nose and disappeared behind the door.
Anna stood where she was, eyes wide, hand on her heart which was beating rapidly. As her heart slowed, the Princess laughed to herself and shook her head.
What a brat.