Disclaimer: No, I still don't own Frozen. Working on it.
"Does your mother know about this, sweetheart?"
Elsa set another box of books down on the hardwood floors, fingers flexing in her gloves. Her Papa's question lingered for a moment before she finally answered, eyes lowered sheepishly.
"In all fairness, Anna doesn't know either," Elsa replied honestly, giving a bashful shrug. Her Papa's laugh had echoed around the vast expanse of the condominium as he shook his head. It wasn't as feeling as empty anymore, what with her boxes of books filling out the corners.
"You're going to get me into so much trouble, princess," Her papa had sighed dramatically, taking her hand and twirling her into his arms. Elsa giggled happily and embraced her Papa, feeling very much like a little girl again. Her Papa's shirt smelled faintly of lemon, and the cologne she gave her Papa last Christmas.
"Mama doesn't have to know," Elsa pointed out, lips curled into a cheeky grin as she peered up at her Papa. "It can be our secret."
Her papa had rolled his eyes fondly and ruffled the bangs that fell over her eyes. "Your secret is safe with me, sweetheart."
"What are your intentions with my daughter?"
Anna near-dropped the tray she was carrying, wide eyes snapping up to meet amused hazel ones. Elsa's father stood almost lazily at the doorway of the kitchen, arms crossed. He was certainly where Elsa got her height, standing almost a head taller than her.
"I – I have no idea what you're talking about, sir," Anna replied shakily, not at all confident under his gaze. Adgar had laughed and pushed off the doorway, taking the tray from her hands. Anna swallowed thickly, near trembling as he placed strong hands on her shoulders. Oh shoot, oh shoot, oh shoot, they were so busted and she'd be fired and-
"I like you for my daughter." Wait, what? "I think you're very good for her. Good for her health, good for her mind, good for her happiness. She's needed you for a while, but I'm glad you're finally here."
"Sir," Anna breathed, gaping up at Elsa's father and wondering about how lucky she was that it wasn't Idunn that had confronted her first. She supposed they hadn't been as subtle as they thought.
"Please, call me Adgar." Adgar had smiled easily, the same smile Elsa sent her when she was trying to be charming and make her laugh. "You're practically family now."
Anna's heart swelled with happiness, her shoulders straightening, her eyes brightening. You're practically family now. "Thank you, sir." She shook her head. "Adgar, I mean. Thank you, Adgar."
"No, thank you." Adgar had peered earnestly into her eyes, his hold firm on her shoulders. "Just promise me that you won't hurt her. Promise me, with as much as you are able, that you will take care of her and love her just as much as I know my daughter will love and care for you. She has already lost so much. I don't think her heart could take anymore."
"I promise, Adgar." A heaviness settled in her chest, a constant reminder that Elsa's life was borrowed. That every second, every minute, every beat of her heart could be the last. That Elsa was so beautiful and so strong and so wonderful but so very, very fragile. "I won't let anything happen to her. I won't."
("I think your Papa likes me."
Elsa had smiled against her collarbone, warm and content and sleepy. Anna breathed her in, fingers tracing over still-flush skin, memorising every dip and curve and dimple.
"I think it's hard for anyone not to like you." A smile played across Anna's face as she tipped Elsa's head up, catching her lips in languid kiss, enjoying the way Elsa's fingers curled into her hair every time.
"Charmer," She whispered, matching Elsa's soft breaths, taking in the way Elsa's eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks as she settled back down.
Elsa had hummed lowly, legs tangling further into Anna's, holding her closer. "You love it."
Anna's heart skipped. "I do."
I do, I do, I do.)
"Why won't you tell me what we're doing for our first school break?"
An arm had slithered around her waist from behind, Elsa's chin resting comfortably on her shoulder. Anna pouted petulantly, but easily sunk into the warm embrace, abandoning her messy, open suitcase.
"I can't believe you've already forgotten my whole speech on taking you on the Best Date Ever," Elsa had murmured, soft and low against her ear. Anna shivered lightly, and Elsa's arms began to withdraw. "I'm sorry - am I too cold?"
"No," Anna replied hastily, fingers curling into the woollen fabric of Elsa's sweater, pulling her closer. Elsa had been quick to settle in against her again. "No. Your breath just tickled me."
Elsa had chuckled quietly and kissed her shoulder. "Sorry."
Anna smiled tenderly and burrowed herself further into Elsa's arms. "You really won't tell me? Won't even remind me?"
Elsa had grinned against her skin, before curious lips pressed even curiouser kisses against the freckles found there. "No."
Anna huffed, crossing her arms firmly. "No?"
"Don't you trust me?" Elsa had asked her, lips curving into what seemed like a playful smile. Anna's eyelids fluttered to a close as her arms fell to settle over Elsa's once more.
"I do." Anna, hands steady and voice strong, chuckled. "More than anything."
"Then let me help you pack." Elsa had kissed her then, tasting of the chocolate they stole from the kitchens downstairs.
Anna didn't mind packing very much after that.
("I'm cutting down your chocolate intake."
Elsa had let out a high, indignant noise, dropping the shirt she was folding. "Anna!"
"It's bad for you," Anna protested, ear pressed to Elsa's chest, listening to the steady thumps, always counting, always wishing. "You know that. You should have told me sooner."
"I didn't want to give it up," Elsa had murmured, but sounded small and regretful and Anna couldn't help but tuck in closer, pressing reassuring kisses to Elsa's milky skin.
"I'll give you kisses to make up for the loss." Elsa had pursed her lips, as if there was really any considering to do.
"Three for every chocolate I can't eat?"
Anna laughed and shifted to sit herself in Elsa's lap, glaring playfully down at her. Elsa's bare hands were warm against her skin, having wormed their way under her shirt. "Greedy."
"Please?" Elsa had tilted her head and gave that silly little crooked smile that never failed to make Anna's heart flutter. "Can we start now? I'd like my kisses now, please."
Anna looked at her then, heart so full she felt it might burst, not wishing to be anywhere but there. I love you, Elsa, she wanted to say, wanted to scream, to declare to anyone and everyone in the world. I love you, I love you, I love you. Instead, she tipped forward and kissed her, knowing no words could ever make up for this. Never this.)
"Did Tiana help you with these?"
Elsa paused briefly, hand halfway into the basket. Her cheeks warmed as she pulled the Tupperware boxes out carefully. Anna sat leisurely on the large blanket, lean legs stretched out before her.
"She made them, actually," Elsa replied shyly, popping the Tupperware box open and revealing the uneven, oddly shaped sandwiches. "She let me do the cutting."
Anna had gazed upon them for a moment. Elsa felt her cheeks burn even further as she hastily tried to cover the sandwiches up.
"I'm sorry," Elsa murmured, hands trembling as she fumbled with the top. "They look really ugly. We should... We should just go to a café or something. I'm sure there's one nearby.""
"Elsa," Anna had called softly. Elsa sniffled. Gods, when had she started crying? Strong hands had cupped her cheeks, Anna's thumbs brushing her tears away. "Elsa, they're perfect."
"You think so?" Elsa asked hesitantly, voice meek. Anna had kissed her then, leaving tiny kisses against her lips.
"I know so." Anna had smiled and broke away slowly, moving the crooked top away from the Tupperware box and picking up the biggest sandwich she could find. Elsa rubbed at her eye as Anna took a dramatically large bite, humming happily. "This is delicious. I love the star shape especially."
Elsa's lips curled up into a bashful grin. "You knew it was a star?"
"Of course I knew."
Anna had tipped into her, holding the rest of the sandwich up to her mouth. Elsa didn't hesitate to finish it off, pecking fondly at Anna's fingertips. They spent the rest of their afternoon like that, finishing each other's sandwiches, and making out the shapes in the passing clouds.
"You're kind of perfect, you know," Elsa murmured against the crown of Anna's head, bare fingers brushing against Anna's.
Anna's fingers had threaded through hers. "You're kind of perfect, too."
("Why are you staring at me?"
Anna tucked a stray strand of hair behind Elsa' ear, meeting her gaze, still unable to believe that they were lying in a bed in a private plane thousands of feet above the ground simply because Elsa wished it to be. It never failed to startle Anna – how flippant Elsa was with her wealth, because as humble as she was, she was still an Ásdís. She was still an Ásdís, with a legacy, an empire, and it would all be hers.
"I'm just thinking about how lucky I am to be yours." Because she was. Because she knew Elsa could have anyone she wanted. She could have chosen to be with Aurora, because it would have been expected to, because it would have been right – and she wasn't. She would probably never be, not to everyone else, at least. "I'm just thinking about how lucky I am that you chose me to be yours."
Elsa had softened then, eyes no longer hazy with sleep. She had reached up and cupped Anna's cheek, leaning up to kiss her. Anna could feel the weight of the words on her tongue, and she could do nothing but sink into Elsa. "Make no mistake," she had whispered to Anna, voice so thick and full. "I am the lucky one. I'll forever be the lucky one."
"Elsa…"
Elsa had smiled at her then, pressing another kiss to her lips as the pilot's voice filtered clearly through the speakers. "I know. I know. Me too."
I love you, too.)
"You've got flakes all over you."
Anna looked up from her breakfast, catching the amused gaze Elsa was shooting her. Anna blushed lightly and shoved the last of her second pain du chocolat into her mouth.
"It's tasty, okay?" Anna defended and reached for another. Elsa had chuckled and simply sipped on her orange juice, instead. Anna eyed the simple glass, pursing her lips and crossing her arms. "I sincerely hope that's not all you're going to eat. We have a big day ahead of us, Miss Hávadr-Ásdís."
Elsa had startled at her statement, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "And what can you recommend to me this fine morning, mon amour?"
Anna gaped, warmth jolting right down her spine. That was just… preposterous! Elsa didn't tell her she could speak French. She leaned over their breakfast foods immediately, piling various selections onto Elsa's plate. Elsa had laughed, eyes widening, but remained pleasantly cool, like always.
"There!" Anna declared, pleased with herself and the teetering pile of food on Elsa's plate. "It's perfect. You have to eat it all before we go."
Elsa had rolled her eyes, reaching over and brushing the delicious flaky goodness from her cheeks instead. "Yes ma'am. You should finish up soon, because we have a lot of museums to cover."
Anna perked up at the sound of that, eagerly digging into her food.
She tried not to notice the pain killers Elsa tossed back with a gulp of juice just seconds later.
"Elsa, Elsa, look at this statue."
Elsa's hand strayed from her temples immediately, her attention going straight to the statue standing before them. Jeanne d'Arc. Anna's most favourite figure in history. She knew Anna could spend hours in their portrait room, sitting in front of Joan's painting and babbling on and on about her day. Elsa, personally, thought it was a cute habit.
"It's beautiful," Elsa commented honestly, appreciating the skill that went into crafting aforementioned statue. Anna's hand had found hers easily. Elsa craved to feel Anna's bare touch against hers, but she was still afraid. Especially in private places like this.
"Do you know why she's my favourite?" Anna had asked her, eyes not straying from the carved figure standing before them.
Elsa brought her gaze towards Anna in question, drinking her… Anna's features in for as long as she could. "Why?"
Anna had smiled, distant yet there all the same. "She reminds me of you."
"Me?" Elsa blurted out in surprise, eyebrows shooting up. Her head throbbed at her sudden exclamation. Her fingers twitched in discomfort.
"Yes," Anna had continued softly, thumb tracing soothing circles continuously over her glove. "Strong and powerful, but misunderstood." Anna's gaze had finally met hers. "You have such beautiful powers, and I will never think of them as a curse."
Elsa's heart ached as she pressed her forehead to Anna's temple. "I don't deserve someone like you, Anna."
Anna had chuckled lightly, accepting Elsa's kiss to her cheek. "You're such a sap, Els," Anna had murmured, squeezing her hand. Their eyes met, and Elsa's throat thickened. She wondered if Anna knew, already.
"Come on," Anna had urged after a long minute of being lost in a mess of green-blue seas. "We have a lot more to see."
Elsa let Anna pull her along, fingers laced together. She would worry about the aching deep in her chest, later.
"How did you get reservations for this place?"
Anna peered out the window, drinking in the Paris skyline. The lights of the city twinkled below them, Le Jules Verne only background noise as she sat across a sharply-dressed Elsa. Anna wanted nothing more than to curl her fingers into the lapel of Elsa's jacket and kiss her senseless, but concluded that that wouldn't be very appropriate in this fine dining establishment.
"I've had this planned since our mini dates," Elsa had admitted, tugging absently at the collar of her crisp white shirt. "Though, I could have gotten us in even without reservations."
Anna whistled lowly, an impressed grin crossing her face. "Wow."
"That would have been rude, though," Elsa had murmured softly, toying with her fork. Anna almost cooed and couldn't resist leaning over to peck Elsa's cheek.
"You're the sweetest," Anna declared as she settled back into her seat. "And I really love this dress. Green is my favourite colour."
"I know," Elsa had replied, lifting her chin ever so slightly, eyes sparkling with pride. Anna decided then that Elsa was the most adorable person on earth.
They settled into comfortable silence then, digging into their delicious meals. Anna had never tasted anything like it! It was absolutely incredible. (Tiana's cooking was still the best, though.)
"I wonder if we'd get a free meal if I proposed to you, right now," Elsa had said suddenly. Anna almost dropped her fork, bringing her napkin to her lips as she choked on her food.
"Propose?" Anna croaked out in astonishment, cheeks flushed and voice hoarse.
Elsa had chuckled and offered her a glass of water. "I wouldn't really propose, Anna. Neither of us are ready for that. I was just wondering."
Anna felt equal parts disappointed and relieved. "Oh."
"I do have something to give you, though," Elsa had told her, chewing on her bottom lip, cheeks glowing crimson in the light of the restaurant.
"You do?" Anna echoed in surprise and excitement. Elsa was really pulling all of the stops out.
Elsa had nodded, flushing deeper as her hand disappeared into her jacket, reappearing with a sleek blue box. Too big for a ring, Anna mused with mild amusement and relief. Maybe a necklace, or a bracelet.
"Open it," Elsa had prompted gently as she pressed the box into Anna's hand.
"This is too much, Elsa," Anna began, shaking her head with a light laugh.
"No," Elsa had cut in. "This is... I want our Best Date Ever to be special. This way, you always have a part of me. Please."
Anna softened at the pleading she caught in Elsa's voice, giving into the blonde's requests and opening the box carefully. A gasp tumbled past her lips, teal eyes taking in the necklace laid out before her. She drank in the perfect snowflake before her eyes, knowing it could only be made of one thing.
"Ice?" Anna breathed out in awe and disbelief, fingertips brushing over the snowflake pendant gingerly, as if it couldn't possibly real, as if it would melt under her touch.
"The ice doesn't melt," Elsa had muttered, fiddling shyly with her gloves. Anna could see the pride in her eyes, however. "I stuck it into the oven at max heat to check."
"I love it," Anna replied firmly, eyes sparkling with tears and adoration. "Will you put it on for me?"
Elsa had nodded eagerly, quick to be out of her seat, soon standing behind her. The snowflake rested right over her warm skin, a cool chill resonating steadily but comfortably from it.
"You didn't have to do this," Anna laughed out breathlessly, shaking her head.
Elsa had smiled bashfully and taken her hand. "Anything to make you happy."
Anna decided then that she would work extra hard to make Elsa happy, too.
'2018 - 10 - 22
Dear Anna,
Each and every day, I wonder how much time I have left to spend with you. I wonder when the headaches will be too much. I wonder, when I fall asleep in your arms, if I will ever wake up again. I worry and wonder and yet... I fall hopelessly for you. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to tell you.
Do you think that this is too soon, my falling in love with you? Perhaps, I've always been in love with you. Always in awe, always full of adoration, always, always you. Is it wrong for me to believe that your soul and my soul are very old friends, and that in this life, we are kept apart by time? By circumstance? Has it always been like this? Has our time together always been cut short by circumstance? Will we always be kept apart by time?
A small part of me hopes that we will find a time to simply be.
Every part of me hopes that we will find a time to be.
My hands are shaking as I write, but you don't notice, or don't say anything about it. You look beautiful, sitting there, bathing in French moonlight. I wonder what you're thinking about. I wonder if you're thinking that I'm home, too. I hope so. With my heart, all of my heart, I hope so.
Love, forever and ever,
Elsa.'
"Elsa," Anna had called then, voice travelling across the room. "Come back to bed."
Elsa abandoned her book immediately, tucking it into her bag. "Coming."
They succumbed to sleep as the sun rose, a mess of tangled limbs, bruised lips, and love. Much, much love.
"I told you to put more sunblock on."
Anna massaged more sunblock onto her... Elsa's cheeks, briefly distracting by the mark she'd made at Elsa's pulse point a day ago. Elsa had squirmed before her, wrinkling her nose in displeasure.
"You know sunblock doesn't work on me," Elsa had protested, cheeks reddened from the sun beating down on them. The gondola bobbed leisurely as Anna withdrew her hands, giving up on Elsa's milky skin. She'd have to make it up with aloe vera, later.
"You promised to sing to me, you know," Anna pointed out as she tucked herself into Elsa's embrace, enjoying the coolness that constantly radiated off the blonde. The water shimmered as Anna peered in.
Elsa had chuckled and shifted her arms around Anna, tucking her chin in against Anna's abundantly freckled shoulder. Anna closed her eyes as Elsa's voice drifted into her ears, full of warmth and adoration. Anna could listen to her forever.
"You never told me you could speak Italian," Anna stated as they stepped back onto solid ground, Elsa's hand clasped tightly in hers.
Elsa had laughed and shrugged, pulling her along to their next destination. "You never asked."
'2018 - 10 - 23
Dear Anna,
There's gelato on your face as I write this letter. You haven't noticed yet, or you don't care for it, but you look adorable.
This is the image I see as I wonder if you will ever find these letters. I wonder if you know that I'm not writing notes in the margins of my book, but keeping these terrified letters away, instead. I wonder, also, about how many more freckles you have now, with your beautifully exposed shoulders and backwards cap. I wonder how I never noticed that you had taken that cap from my very own closet. I had forgotten that I even had it. It looks better on you.
Today is our last day away. Tomorrow, we will get back on that plane and fly back to a place of secrets and hiding. I don't want to hide, Anna. I have done enough hiding, and I don't want you to be hidden, too. You're the only one that makes me happy now. You're the only one who will.
I'm getting more and more tired, Anna. It's only a matter of time. Forgive me for wanting you all to myself. Forgive me for not knowing how much time I have left for you.
I think I'm in love with you,
Elsa.'
"What are you writing?" Anna had asked, cheeks smeared with chocolate. Elsa smiled tenderly and swallowed down her tears, swiping Anna's cheeks with her thumb.
"Just a note on how much beautiful you look right now," Elsa replied with ease, enjoying the blush that crept into Anna's cheeks.
"Charmer," Anna had mumbled and pulled her in for a kiss.
Anna had tasted of chocolate and marshmallows, and Elsa decided she didn't want to be anywhere else.
"I'm so glad I have you, Elsa."
Anna brushed her lips against Elsa's temple, curling her arm further around the blonde, bringing her in closer with every slight jolt of the plane.
Anna was in love with her.
There, in their tangled sheets and helpless mess, Anna knew she was in love with Elsa.
Anna followed the steady rise and fall of Elsa's chest, the tiny breaths of frost Elsa seemed to puff out at particularly bad turbulence. Anna fell more in love with every breath.
Anna fell more in love with the fact that Elsa was still breathing.
"You promise to give us a hundred euros each to give flowers to a girl?"
Elsa nodded quickly, hands curled tightly around the straps of her backpack. The boys before her shared a look before shrugging. Elsa beamed victoriously.
"Be at that classroom by 10. You'll get your money after she says yes."
Elsa walked away then, letting out a shaky breath and mentally patting herself on the back. At least she didn't throw up this time.
Anna had found it fishy when Eric had been in place of Elsa after her morning class. Anna had found it even fishier when she was offered a simple orange rose, lead to one boy after another. They directed her to the courtyard, all of them smirking, eyes sparkling with mischief. Anna's breath hitched when the crowd parted, revealing a beautifully dressed Elsa, a red rose in her hands. Elsa's blue dress had billowed slightly with the wind, but Anna was too drawn to the look in Elsa's oceanic blue eyes.
The boys behind her - Eric, Aladdin, and Phillip - had begun harmonizing, and Anna's heart swelled as Elsa's beautiful voice filled the courtyard.
I'm looking at the sun
You're looking at the moon
The different sides of me and you
I look into your eyes and realize it's true
The feeling's there, can you see it too
Don't try to play around, girl. Just let it happen 'cause I heart you.
I-h-e-a-r-t-y-o-u
Believe me, baby it's the truth
I-h-e-a-r-t-y-o-u
Don't look no further, I got you
Elsa had stepped closer to her, open and beautiful and everything she could wish for. Eric, Aladdin and Phillip continued to ooh and aah behind them, but Anna couldn't care less.
"I'm tired of following my mother's rules," Elsa had stated, voice strong, steady. "I want to be happy with you, Anna. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Anna hoped the kiss she gave Elsa was answer enough.
Elsa shifted uncomfortably at the double doors leading into her mama's office, huffing. She was too tall for this crouching business.
"What is the meaning of this?" Her mother had slapped a cream-colored folder onto the desk, its contents spilling out. Anna had paled visibly, a look of horror crossing her face. "I let you stay under my roof, to look after my daughter, and you taint her with your nonsense! I trusted you, and you betrayed me! I will not have my daughter end up with someone like you. Go and pack your things, because you're fired!"
"Mrs. Hávardr-Ásdís, I can expl—" The room grew silent after her mother's hand connected with Anna's cheek. Ice coated the doors as Elsa burst through them.
"Don't touch her!" Elsa yelled, bringing Anna into her embrace, a hand straying up to cup Anna's rapidly reddening cheek. Elsa could only hope that her cool touch could reduce the swelling somewhat.
"Elsa," Her mother had breathed out, immediately attempting to recompose herself. "Get - Get away from that witch. She's been doing nothing but tainting you—"
"No," Elsa cut in, eyes sharp and voice leaving no room for argument. "Anna is the most important person in my life. She's not leaving."
Her mother's eyes flashed dangerously. "This is my house. You are under my roof, so you are under my rules."
"Then I'll leave," Elsa breathed out, letting Anna burrow further into her protective embrace. "If Anna goes, then so will I. Come on, Anna."
They whipped around, a trail of icy spikes in her wake.
Elsa didn't once turn at her mother's voice.
Things are taking a turn for the serious now. What do you guys think?
And thank you so much for your kind reviews! They always make my day :)