Happens a few hours after "Fear".
Love
"Anna? May I come in?"
The princess shoots straight up from the novel she's reading, fearful eyes trained at her door.
"Uh...maybe later," Anna shrinks back, even if she knows Elsa will not enter without permission. "Listen, I know I was stupid. I won't do that again, okay?"
A pained gasp tugs at Anna's heart. She can't help but draw parallels to her own plight from thirteen years ago. She isn't trying to give Elsa a taste of her own medicine.
"Elsa, please, I just need-"
"No, it's okay," she's far from convincing, but Anna gives her credit for trying. "I'll leave you alone. If you want to talk, I'll be in my bedroom."
Soft footfalls signal Elsa's departure. Anna's had time to think about what happened, and if she was being honest, the queen's reaction wasn't terribly abnormal. Every waking minute of Elsa's life was spent in fear of hurting Anna, and having hurt come to her. Anna just didn't expect the sheer fury that Elsa displayed, like an incensed dragon who's tail had been stepped on.
She knows Elsa would never hurt her, that's not what she's afraid of. What she is truly afraid of, she is afraid to say out loud, for fear it may happen.
Anna looks over at the clock above her dresser; seven forty five at night. She decides that now is the time to work this thing out. The princess swings her legs off the bed and vacates her bedroom to journey to Elsa's. She presses her hand to the door, unable to bring herself to knock.
"El–Elsa?" her voice sounds tired, even to herself.
The door swings open, before Anna has a chance to pry her hand from it. She yelps aloud, flailing with nothing but air to break her fall. A pair of cool arms sweep around Anna's midsection before she can tumble to the floor.
"Haha, thanks," Anna weakly chuckles, looking up into the eyes of her savior. She's immediately taken aback with how red they are.
Elsa tries to smile, but it's sad and wan. She helps her sister straighten out, then leads her to the bed, inviting her to sit with a gentle pat. Anna hesitates briefly.
"It's okay," Elsa's voice is even more broken up close.
Anna crawls her way up onto Elsa's bed, which she hasn't even seen in thirteen years, let alone touched. She maintains a respectful distance from her sister.
"Anna-"
"Elsa-"
The sisters clam up simultaneously.
"Uh-"
"You first?" Anna asks.
"No, you first. I–if you want," Elsa offers, though by the look in her eyes, it's more like a plea.
Anna nods with a tiny sigh.
"Okay. I'm sorry that I slid down the railing and scared you like that. You scared me when you yelled, but I get why you did."
Elsa's eyes swell with tears. She looks away with a fist to her mouth, but Anna has already taken note of the excessive shine in her eyes.
"No, no, don't cry!" Anna frantically grabs Elsa's remaining hand, ignoring the slight flinch. "It's okay."
The queen nods with a sniffle.
"You said some hurtful things—it's okay, Elsa," Anna gives Elsa's hand a patient squeeze as the queen's breath hitches. "It's only because I did something really stupid, and that hurt you. That's pretty crummy of me. So, I'm sorry."
Elsa bites her lip, powerless to keep her tears contained. One drop falls into her lap, eliciting a sympathetic cringe from Anna. The queen rubs the wet trail away with the heel of her hand.
"Sorry," Elsa mutters with an ashamed glance downward.
"Wha—it's okay, Elsa. Okay, I'm done," Anna exhales. She lets go of Elsa's hand to give her breathing room. "Just tell me whatever you need to tell me. When you're ready. No hurry."
Elsa takes in a shaky breath, trying to scrape together some composure.
"I'm sorry that I yelled, and said those...things. What you did was reckless, but you're not stupid. I didn't mean to imply that, and I'm sorry that I scared you. I just don't want you getting hurt."
Anna nods silently, daring a hand on her sister's arm to help her through. She doesn't flinch this time.
"I love you, Anna. I never want to hurt you again," Elsa squeezes her eyes shut.
The princess slides closer, drawing Elsa into her arms. The queen does not resist.
"I love you too, Elsa. No matter what."
"I don't deserve you."
"C'mon now," Anna gives her sister a gentle shake. "That's not true. You're the best big sister I could ask for."
The kind words snap the tiny thread of composure Elsa clings to. Her sobs begin in earnest.
"Th-then why w–wasn't I there f–for you, A–Anna?"
"You're here now," the princess insists. She swipes beneath Elsa's eyes with her thumb. "Hey, don't cry. It's alright."
"I'm sorry...I sh–shut you out, I'm so–sorry I al–almost k–killed you," Elsa hides herself in her sister's arms. It's taking all her energy just to speak through her weeping.
The fact that Elsa actively seeks Anna's touch brings a pleasant warmth to the princess' heart.
"Shh, you're just getting yourself worked up," Anna's tender voice is scarcely heard through her sister's sobs. "I forgive you. Can you forgive me? Just nod yes or no."
Elsa nods an emphatic 'yes', even if she wants to ask what there was to forgive.
"Thank you," Anna whispers, warm hands pressed to Elsa's back. "We're gonna be okay. I promise."
Elsa cries herself into exhaustion. Anna has given up trying to abate her sister's tears, letting her vent unhindered. After the queen calms down enough to be intelligible, she mutters a snuffly phrase.
"Do you wanna build a snowman?"
"You bet," Anna grins with a tender stroke to her sister's hair.
The queen gives a slow, tired blink and a smile before she falls asleep, curled up in Anna's warm arms. No more conceal, don't feel.
Love thawed.
Love thaws.
Love will thaw.
Closing notes: Elsa is a weenie and would probably be the type to cry her way through an apology from a really bad argument because she's so sorry like holy shit these feelings are too much ABORT ABORT. Also, Anna's telling her not to cry because a.) she knows Elsa feels bad enough b.) she doesn't really get that telling someone not to cry is basically useless yet. They're learning. Also, slow blinking is a thing cats do to say 'I love you' and I thought it was too cute not to throw in.
