They were in Marshall's car and on their way back to Arendelle.
Surprisingly, Elsa was in the backseat with Anna and Rapunzel. She had jumped on the back before anyone could and both Anna and Rapunzel agreed that since Ariel was the girlfriend, she should sit beside the guy. Everyone wondered what brought on the change of seating arrangements, but nobody questioned it. Anna was going to spend an entire ride with Elsa by her side and she wasn't going to complain.
The only problem was they weren't talking.
Everyone was lost in their own thoughts ever since they'd left Corona. For Anna, she was thinking about the day Elsa's parents left for the city.
After Christmas, she noticed how Mr. and Mrs. Dalton moved and acted around their daughter. It was similar to the first time she had met them, but it lacked something that used to be there. There wasn't any underlying tension any longer. At least not the bad, stress-inducing kind. Whatever tension there was was caused by something else. Whatever it was, Anna was just glad to see them trying to work things out.
When it was time for Elsa's parents to go back to the city, Anna and everyone who remained for the rest of their vacation stood outside the garage, bidding farewells and greetings. It brought a smile to her face when Mr. and Mrs. Dalton kissed and hugged their children. She hadn't expected them to do the same to her, Ariel, and Rapunzel though.
New Year's Eve wasn't as emotionally draining as Christmas had been. There were fewer people in the Bjorgmann's home during the occasion, but nevertheless, it was a lively event. They spent the evening near a park—bundled up in sweaters, gloves, and scarves—where a light show was being held.
"Instead of fireworks, we have lights." Charlotte watched her daughter run to the railings where a nearby tree was lit. "In summer, we have the lantern festival."
"Lantern festival?" Ariel asked.
"I remember that! There was one when I first came here for Sen's school project," Rapunzel said. "I even lit my own. It was beautiful!"
"You should visit during the summer to see it!"
"Maybe we will." Ariel giggled. "I've never seen a lantern festival before. We do have light shows in Arendelle, but the atmosphere here is more relaxing."
"It's one of our tourist attractions." Kristoff walked over to them while carrying a tray of hot chocolates. "When midnight hits, you'll see why."
"Forget midnight, I can already see why!" Marshall stood in awe. "The lights are even more breathtaking than I remember."
"What, you're a tourist now?" Kristoff scoffed and Marshall punched him in the gut, nearly causing him to spill the hot chocolates. "Careful!"
Marshall cringed. "Sorry."
Anna smiled at the friendly banter before looking over at Elsa who was by Alice's side. It surprised her that Elsa had worn the scarf she had given for the blonde's birthday. When their eyes had met right after Elsa wore it, a shy smile was all it took for Anna's heart to swell with warmth.
That was their only interaction that day.
"Hey." Rapunzel's voice brought Anna back to the present. "Can we stop over somewhere? I need to pee."
Elsa snorted. "I told you to go before leaving."
"That was three hours ago!" Rapunzel crossed her legs and squirmed.
Marshall scanned the area, used to the brunette's way with words by now. "I think we're closing in on Starlight. I need to stretch. Mind if we take a break for a few minutes?"
"Great!"
The huge city name sign protruding out of the grass was the only thing that stopped Anna from asking what the guy meant by closing in on Starlight, having heard that same thing from Senya before. Rapunzel threw herself out of the car and sped to the nearest restroom when Marshall found a suitable parking space. After announcing that they'd be staying for a while, he and Ariel left for somewhere and left Anna and Elsa alone.
"So," Anna began awkwardly. "Are you okay?"
Elsa opened her mouth before closing it again. "Mhm."
Unconvinced, Anna tried to pry. "Elsa."
Ever since her breakdown, Elsa had been acting timid and reserved. When Anna asked if she wanted to talk about it, the only response she would receive was a simple "I'm alright" only to be avoided again. This had been going on for days and it was taking its toll on the redhead. She didn't want to force Elsa into talking, but the half-hearted responses were putting a strain on their relationship. Anna would at least want to have a normal conversation.
"I'll tell you when we're alone," Elsa promised.
"We are alone. Elsa, you started avoiding me ever since that night. Is it something I did?"
"No!" Elsa vehemently denied. "No, Anna. Really, I'm fine."
Anna didn't buy it, but because she was afraid to speak her mind, she remained silent. Part of her wondered if she should let herself loose and continuously probe until she received a believable answer. That maybe Elsa was bottling everything inside again and a little prodding was all she needed. But that mocking voice whispering in her ear reminded her that no one—not even Elsa—had the patience to deal with her old persistent nature.
An enthusiastic "Woo! Finally!" came from behind, and the two of them watched Rapunzel approach while wiping her hands with a tissue. "Are we going?"
Elsa shook her head. "We're taking a break."
"Oh." Rapunzel blinked. "Okay."
Knowing that she wasn't in a pleasant state of mind to be around Elsa at the time, Anna did what she does best in situations like these. Run. "I'll look for them," she said. She didn't wait for a response and left, mentally cursing herself for almost completely prying.
Patience, Anna. She'll tell you when she's ready.
Elsa chewed on her fingernails as she walked back and forth in front of Rapunzel who was leaning against the wall, following her every movement.
"Did you and Anna have a fight?"
She stopped walking and her eyes widened. A fight? Was that what it was?
Rapunzel pushed herself off the wall and didn't say anything for a full minute until it dawned on her. "Okay, hold on! Let me talk to her a—"
"Wait, no!" Elsa grabbed the brunette's elbow. "I-It wasn't her fault. I think I... I made her mad?"
"Okaaaay?"
Elsa inhaled deeply. "She was asking something and I couldn't answer."
"Something to do with your parents," Rapunzel stated. "Anna was asking about that?" Elsa's silence confirmed it. "Why can't you answer?"
"I-It's not a big deal. I don't want to bother her with something trivial."
"What do you think are you doing now? She's worried about you."
"That's why I don't want to bother her. Anna already helped me in ways she doesn't even know, but that's all I've been doing. Being helped. I don't want to abuse her kindness, Rapz."
"Okay, give me a minute to process this." This time, it was Elsa's turn to watch the brunette walk back and forth. "You know what I think?"
"What?"
"I think you're afraid to completely let someone in here." Rapunzel tapped Elsa's chest. "I've seen how much Anna cares about you. I was there to see her change from that judgmental girl to a worthy friend."
"Your point is...?"
"Isn't it about time you lower your pride?"
"I-It's not pride! I just don't want her to get involved in this."
"Exactly! You don't want Anna involved. You said it's not a big issue. Well, why won't you say anything?"
"I told you, it's nothing!"
"Then why are you acting like this?" Silence. "In every relationship, you have to be honest even if it's hard."
"I know that. But Anna- She's... She's been dragged into this without a warning. I don't want her to feel obligated to be there for me." Elsa's shoulder slumped when she sighed. "I don't want to feel like I can't handle things on my own. I don't want to think that... that after all this time? After everything you and everyone did to help me function as a normal human being again, I don't want to think that I'm still the same girl who needs help."
"Elsa..."
Elsa clasped her hands, regretting putting her medicine in her suitcase instead of her sling bag. She was beginning to understand how a mouse must've felt while being cornered by a cat when a hand touched hers, waking her from an impending panic attack.
"Hey, having someone else know about your past is scary and new—I get that. But this is Anna we're talking about. I don't think she pities you." The promise and confidence in Rapunzel's voice caught Elsa by surprise enough for her to lift her gaze. "There's a difference between compassion and actual pity."
"I..."
"What would you feel if Anna was troubled by something and she won't tell you why?"
The words stung in a way that Elsa could barely believe it. "I..." Her mind flashed images of a false smile on Anna's face. "I don't know."
Rapunzel's eyes softened. "I think you do."
They were back on course to Arendelle. Judging by Marshall and Ariel's frequent glances through the rearview mirror, the tension in the backseat wasn't properly concealed. Rapunzel was sitting in the middle, sandwiched between Anna and Elsa. She couldn't be blamed either. Elsa was the one who took the other end and Anna had always been fond of the window seat.
Marshall cleared his throat once they had entered the city. "Who am I going to drop off first?"
"The closest here is... Anna?"
Hearing her name, Anna blinked and looked around the place. "Oh. We're back."
Ariel adjusted on her seat to look at her with narrowed eyes. Anna rubbed the bridge of her nose and forced herself to focus. It wouldn't do good to keep getting lost in thoughts while Ariel was around.
"Where do you live? I had to pick you up at Ariel's before," Marshall said.
"Huh?"
"You're the first to be dropped off," Ariel repeated, her brows drawing together.
"NO!" Anna blurted, gasping and grabbing on to Ariel's seat when Marshall hit the breaks in surprise. There were multiple horns that were blown behind them, coupled with an angry driver who was shouting in his seat. "Sorry," she said. "Y-You don't need to drop me home."
Marshall raised a hand to silently apologize to the angry driver. "Why not?"
Well, if she was the first to go, that would mean Elsa would be in the car. What would happen if Hans was home? He would bring Chelsea into the conversation again after a few weeks of no updates. It would be his welcome. Anna wasn't ready for that. She could deal with him alone, but not when the actual girl was there to hear everything. It didn't matter if she was in the car or not.
"Ice Mall." Anna's suggestion earned a look from the two by the front seat. "You can take me there. My sister can pick me up."
"I can take you home directly," Marshall insisted. "You still have your luggage with you."
"You need to rest." Anna was a bit concerned. He had been driving for six hours. "And it's fine. My sister works around the area."
"Then let me take you there."
"Or you can get dropped off with me," Ariel offered. "You can rest there and have Meg pick you up later."
"No, I..." Anna pressed her lips, wanting very much to get out of this situation. She knew that Ariel could sense something was up and that her proposal was more sensible, but she didn't want to have a conversation with her right now.
"Actually, I want to get dropped off at the mall too," Rapunzel spoke over Anna's pause. Everyone looked at the brunette with impassive faces. She raised her phone and said, "Olaf needs an assistant for a rushed shoot nearby. He's going to pick me up there."
Marshall frowned. "Aren't you tired?"
"It's a shoot!"
"Right..."
The rest of the ride to the mall was filled with silence. Anna was glad for the momentary relief and for Rapunzel's words. She was going to step out of the car once they reached the mall whether Marshall and Ariel agreed to it or not. She couldn't let Elsa and Hans meet, especially after her display of stubbornness in Starlight.
She had to apologize for that.
The three-hour trip from Starlight had been able to cool her off. Once her head cleared up, rather than feeling pathetic for succumbing to her thoughts again, only the annoyance at herself for leaving Elsa simply because she couldn't sort out her own feelings remained intact.
"Are you sure?" Marshall asked again. "Anna, I'm serious. At least let me take you to Ariel's? Or to your sister. I'd feel more comfortable knowing you're with someone."
"I've lived here longer than you have. I know my way around."
"That's not the point!"
"Look, just make sure to bring Ariel and Elsa home safely."
Marshall scoffed. "Why do you have to be stubborn?"
"You knew that when you met me."
As Rapunzel secured the last of her belongings, Anna and Elsa's eyes met. Neither of them said anything, but Anna wished she could apologize right then and there. Her confidence wavered and she ended up simply letting a smile adorn her face and hoped that it conveyed everything she wanted to say. After a shaky smile from Elsa, Anna closed the back door and busied herself with her things.
Rapunzel made some last minute check on hers before turning her attention fully to the redhead. "Are you sure your sister will pick you up?"
Anna zipped one of the pockets and stood. "Yeah. If not, I can always visit her while working."
"If it's nearby, wouldn't it have been better to have Marshall drop you there? Where does she work anyway?"
Fingers fiddling with the handle, she mumbled, "Olympus Gate."
"Olymp- That classy restaurant near Sunset Bridge?" Anna grunted an affirmative. "Whoa," Rapunzel gasped and, after Anna coughed to stop her daydream, cleared her throat. "Wow, that's... It's close. And on our way. The event that Olaf and I were going to cover is just on the other side of the bridge. We can offer you a lift."
"It's fine. I can take a cab."
"Why take a cab when we can take you there?"
"I want some time for myself."
Rapunzel made a noise that suspiciously sounded like an 'oh'. While she let the information sink in, Anna lifted a backpack on her shoulders and gripped the handle of her suitcase.
"Is this about Elsa?" Rapunzel asked. "Are you in a fight?"
"It's not that. I was impatient and overreacted. I... I need to think."
Rapunzel hitched her own bag and glanced at the screen on her phone. "For the record, I don't think you overreacted. She knows you're worried about her. We all are. She's just terrible at receiving it."
"I know," Anna said. "I want to know what's bothering her, but I know that she's not ready to share."
"I don't know why, but..." The brunette gnawed her bottom lip. "Are you afraid of her? I mean, not just for her?"
"What?"
"I don't want to act or assume that I know you well. I just get this feeling you're curious about many things. You're just afraid to ask, you know, specific questions?"
It was truly frightening how in merely a few days, Rapunzel was able to read her as if they'd known each other for years. "I guess." The confession was heavy in her chest. "I do want to know what's going on with her, but only if she'll let me."
Rapunzel rubbed one of her temples. "I don't know if I'm proud of or annoyed with you two." It was close to a whisper, but Anna heard it loud and clear. She decided not to comment despite being confused as to why the brunette included Elsa in her dilemma. "Olaf will be here in a few minutes. He insisted you come with us."
"But—"
"You're not the only stubborn one here, red. We're going to take you there. No questions."
Anna froze. She hadn't heard the girl call her that ever since they became more than acquaintances. It wasn't a bad thing per se. In her family, she was often referred to as 'little red'. It was a nickname she grew up with, but a nickname she only appreciated hearing from people she trusted.
She'd hated it before, but after hearing it from Rapunzel again... It didn't feel bad.
"A-Anna!"
Hearing her name being called without seeing Rapunzel's mouth flap confused Anna. The brunette had been looking at something behind her that urged her to turn around. Elsa was panting, white puffs of smoke appearing in front of her mouth and cheeks flushed from the adrenaline and the cold.
"Elsa?"
"What are you doing here?" Rapunzel asked.
"I..." Unable to continue her answer and breathe at the same time, Elsa nudged her head to the side. Marshall's car was parked around the corner with hazard lights on and a head of red hair poking through the open window.
"Why...?" Anna trailed off.
"I... w-want to... talk."
The broken sentence ended with little confidence. Anna pursed her lips and forced herself to remain calm when Elsa shyly tore her gaze away. She was nervous, and Anna knew what that meant.
"Uhm." Rapunzel scratched her head, one of her hands pointing at the driveway. "Olaf's here." And he was. His window was down and giving them a clear view of his face, concerned and surprised to see Elsa there.
Anna's grip wrapped firmly around the strap of her bag. "I'll take a cab."
Despite her earlier threat and insistence, Rapunzel hesitated. "Be careful, both of you. Message me when you're home."
The girls avoided looking at each other as Olaf's car went ahead, followed by Marshall's. The awkwardness between them was almost palpable. Anna battled with her inner demons, wanting to speak yet clueless about what to say.
"I'm sorry."
As surprising as it was to hear Elsa break the silence, it wasn't what Anna expected and wasn't what she wanted to hear. She had lost count of how many apologies Elsa made since forever and she didn't want to hear another one. It was true, she was angry about being avoided for no reason, but it wasn't entirely Elsa's fault.
"Why don't we go inside?" Anna suggested. "Since we're already here."
Anna was about to take a step towards the entrance when Elsa stood in her way. "Uhm... Mars will drop my things in Olaf's apartment later," she said. "Let me help carry yours?"
"It's fine. They're not heavy."
"Please."
The insistence successfully did nothing to stop Anna's cheeks from warming up when their fingers brushed the moment Elsa took her backpack. She muttered an uncharacteristically shy 'thank you' and received an equally timid 'no problem' before entering the mall.
Minutes passed and Anna noticed that there was no longer a body beside her. She turned around and saw Elsa with her shoulders up to her ears. If her eyes weren't deceiving her, she'd say that the blonde was trembling. Was she crying? With newfound resolve, Anna closed the distance between them and stopped when Elsa lifted her head again, their faces merely an inch away from each other.
Flushing, Anna quickly took a step back. "S-Sorry." The deep blush blooming on pale cheeks dissolved the panic rising from the redhead. She reached up to her own elbow and breathed deeply in hopes that she'd calm down enough to talk. "Will you answer me now? Truthfully."
Those pale hands that were clutching tightly to her own shirt were enough to tell Anna that Elsa wanted to say something. She always did it whenever she felt that way. From the moment that Anna learned of the day that Cindy died to the time Elsa sneaked in her room that Christmas, Elsa would curl her fingers around something to draw courage and say what she wanted to say or to simply keep herself together.
"I... don't want you to worry about something that might not be a big deal."
"Elsa." Anna leaned close to catch those eyes desperately avoiding hers. "You will always be a big deal to me. I'll worry because I care for you."
"B-But—"
"If you want to talk, I'll always listen."
The worry creases on Elsa's forehead straightened. No immediate explanation was offered after that and Anna waited with admirable patience. To not waste time, however, and after figuring out that standing in the middle of the mall wouldn't benefit either of them, an idea hit her. Elsa loved Italian dishes. It might be a gamble and therefore may not work, but if it could help lift the stress off Elsa's shoulders, she was willing to try.
She guided the blonde to the elevator and hit the floor to that same Italian place where they ate lunch the first time they went there together. It wasn't packed, being early in the afternoon, and Elsa, after getting over the initial shock of realizing where she was led, insisted they take the seat in a corner.
They ordered a simple Fettuccine Alfredo and Baked Ziti.
"Mom and Dad apologized."
Anna's hand holding the fork hovered before her lips, a piece of ziti pierced on it. It was spoken very softly that she almost thought she imagined it. She hadn't expected Elsa to get straight to the point. At the very least, she expected they would talk after eating.
"Oh." When Elsa did nothing other than stare at her pasta, Anna managed a drawn-out "So..." without knowing how to finish.
"T-They wanted me to stay with them again."
Lowering her fork after taking the ziti in her mouth, Anna chewed the macaroni slowly. "What did you tell them?"
"Nothing. T-They wanted me to think it over. I've been thinking about it the last few days and... I can't decide."
"Why not?"
"I'm scared." Elsa let go of her fork and placed her hands on top of her lap. "The last time I agreed with Marshall to take me to Arendelle, they tried to change the way I am. Now, it's them who are asking me back and I..."
Anna sipped her iced tea, ignoring the throbbing it brought to her head when she drank without pause. So this was what Elsa's parents had told her. Frankly, Anna was relieved. At least they weren't against the possibility of 'them'. Still, if this was what bothered Elsa, she had to come up with something. But what?
"You know," Anna leaned back in her chair and smiled when the blonde looked at her, "this mall is memorable for me. It's not only the place where I first kissed you, even if it was on the cheek, but it was also where I had the courage to say your name."
First, there was confusion in icy blues. A second later, recognition showed on Elsa's face and Anna silently chuckled.
"I told you I'm afraid to let people in my life, right? It's the same for liking someone. Honestly, I lost count of how many times I denied my feelings for you. I was afraid that if I acknowledged it, I won't be able to handle it if you go away. If I told you how I felt, there were many possible outcomes. You could avoid me, reject me, or say that we're only friends. Worst of all, you can even reciprocate."
"W-What?"
"I'm afraid to trust people, Elsa. To fall for anyone." Anna tightened her hold around her fork. "But when you were hospitalized? I realized it didn't matter if you reject me, deny me, avoid me, or like me back. Right then, you were there, alive."
"I..."
"My father died without knowing I was gay. I always wondered if he would've accepted me if he was still alive. He's gone and... the only thing I can do about it now is to wonder." She paused, letting the regret twinge in her chest. "That day you were found passed out by the riverbank? If we were only a few minutes late, you could've been worse. I could've lost you to hypothermia or infection without even telling you how I feel."
A short whimper followed by the watering of her eyes were Elsa's reaction. Admitting things out loud and seeing how it affected her made Anna emotionally unstable. She had never been this open to anyone in a long time, but she had to. If not for her, then for Elsa's sake.
"You had regrets, Elsa. With Cindy, with Marshall, your parents. You know how it feels to lose a loved one, to let a chance slip away." Anna placed a hand on a pale one on the table. "I can't tell you what to do. It's something you should decide for yourself. I just don't want you to constantly live in regret."
"W-What if... What if it doesn't work?" With her emotions strong, Elsa had unconsciously reverted back to her Coronian accent. "I-It took me a long time to cope without my sister. I don't think I ever did. I... can't take it if Mom and Dad leave me again."
"If that happened, I'll be here. I know I'm not the best when it comes to advising and comfort, but Alice did teach me how to give a proper hug." Anna grinned when that pulled a wet laugh out of the teary-eyed blonde.
A few giggles later, Elsa pressed a hand against her chest. "Really?" There was a lilt in her voice that oddly sounded like a tease. "Did she teach you well?"
Dumbstruck, Anna didn't respond. Was that an invitation? If it was, then she was certain that her face wasn't hiding the surprise very well, and the blush even more so. It took around a couple of minutes when she saw Elsa's face fall, her lack of response taken the wrong way.
Swallowing hard, Anna stood from her seat. Elsa flinched before her dejected look was replaced with shining curiosity and childlike wonder. It made Anna forget about Alice's lesson. She hesitated until she ultimately decided to simply do it.
Feeling the warmth that was uniquely Elsa's this close made the pain on her back worth it. She was nervous and didn't know if she was doing it right, but the lingering scent of Corona on platinum blonde and pale skin helped abate her anxiousness.
A breathy laugh that sent a gush of air along Anna's neck tinkled from Elsa. "That's wrong." Then, before Anna knew it, Elsa had sat straighter and wrapped her in a pair of arms. "It's supposed to be like this."
They had hugged a handful of times. It was always Anna who initiated, but Elsa would reciprocate every time. Truthfully, Anna felt that Elsa was simply being polite during those moments, except during that Christmas when she broke down. This hug was entirely different from that and from the other times as well, and the wild beating in Anna's chest was an evidence to that. A shudder zapped through her spine when the arms around her pulled closer and a pair of lips whispered in her ear.
"Thank you, Anna."
Maybe Elsa was having second thoughts regarding her parents' offer. Maybe there were still things she needed to figure out on her own and worries she needed to face. But feeling her considerably relax in her arms, Anna decided it would be best not to mention that even now, she herself was still afraid of what this whole thing meant for them.
For her.
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