I know in "Cute" I mentioned Anna likes cats, or at least, was okay with them. This isn't related, I'm not contradicting myself :p


Cat

It's early evening, and Anna has finally managed to pry Elsa from her desk full of desperate missives, boring trade agreements and work. They've decided to watch the sunset together, and there was even a rumor that a meteor shower could be headed Arendelle's way. The perfect place to watch the sun go down is arguably the docks, so the sisters head there, away from the prying eyes of the public.

There's a sturdy metal bench that's somewhat less than comfortable, but it will do for the occasion. There's something magical about watching the ships dock for the night, the lanterns creating the illusion of fireflies floating above the water. A hint of salt lingers in the air, but it's a familiar scent, not overpowering like the fishmonger's stall.

Because it's evening, Anna is bundled up tight in her fuzzy cloak and fur-lined boots. As always, Elsa is unaffected by the drop in temperature, so she offers her arm around Anna's shoulders. The queen always exudes a thin, frosty aura, but it's hardly even noticeable unless she's upset or angry. The sheer warmth that flows from Anna's being probably counters it, anyway.

A streak of something bright shoots across the orange sky. Elsa doesn't even have to look up to know, if Anna's fascinated gasp is any indication.

"It's a meteor!" the princess marvels. The lone comet is followed by a few more, grazing the sky like fiery diamonds.

"So it is," the comparably sedate response from Elsa betrays her amusement. "I haven't seen one in years."

She can't help but smile as Anna's eyes follow each comet's path from start to end.

"Miaoww."

Anna yelps, then grabs her sister's shoulders.

"Whoa, you okay?" Elsa's more than a bit surprised at her sister's strange behavior.

"W–Was that a c–cat?!"

The queen stares with a gaze both confused and concerned; the only time Anna ever stutters is when she's terrified of something, which was a rare thing to begin with.

"Was what a cat?"

"You d–didn't hear that?!"

"Maaooow."

A soft meow at Elsa's feet elicits more panicked noises from the princess. She tries to shield Elsa's body with her own, despite her intense shaking.

The source of Anna's unease is a small, gray cat. Their ears are tufted like a lynx's, and the body is decorated with darker gray tiger stripes. Soulful green eyes are contrasted by a mask of white fur.

"Aww, hello, little guy," Elsa coos. "I'd pet you, but my sister's got a death grip on me."

"El–Elsa, d–don't touch it!"

The queen shoots her sister a puzzled look, then one at the cat, who stares back with a soft trill.

"Anna, are you okay?" she asks, the tiniest hint of amusement in her tone. "It's just a cat, honey."

"I h–hate cats!"

Elsa actually gasps aloud. She looks to the object of Anna's apparent hatred, who has taken to cleaning their rear end with their tongue. Anna doesn't hate anything, except for Hans, and waking up before dawn.

"Hold on," the queen pries her sister off her and sets her on the bench beside her. "You mean to tell me you can pick up a spider or a beetle like it's nothing, but you're afraid of a cat?"

"I'm n–not af–fraid!" the princess makes a poor case for herself with her shakes and stutters. "Th–that's s–stupid! I'm not afraid of a—a stupid c–cat!"

As bad as she feels about it, Elsa tries and fails to hold back an amused snort. Anna's look of pure hurt is enough to create a deep pit in Elsa's stomach.

"I'm sorry, it's not funny," the queen squeezes Anna's shoulder with one hand, hiding her smirk with the other. "I mean, it's a little—j–just, it's a weird thing to be scared of. N–not that you're weird or anything!"

The fearsome beast in question lets out a soft 'maoow', drawing both sisters' attention.

"Ahem, could you uh, give us a few minutes?" Elsa politely requests the space Anna needs from something that cannot answer back. The absurdity of it would have had Anna rolling on the floor, had she not been frozen with fear.

The cat turns up its nose and trots away, finding some object in the distance far more interesting than the panicking princess and her flummoxed sister.

"I didn't know you were scared of cats," Elsa isn't trying to justify herself. "Can I ask why?"

"I–it's the eyes," Anna hugs herself, tucking her chin into her chest. "I d–don't like th–the eyes. It's st–stupid, I know."

"Anna," Elsa lifts Anna's chin as far as the princess will allow. "It's not stupid. I just didn't expect it. I'm sorry I laughed, I really am."

Anna knows it, too. It's that particular tone of voice Elsa has when she knows she's done something wrong, even if she can't necessarily help it. There isn't a mean bone in the queen's body when it comes to her sister. The tug at Elsa's heart feels physical as she watches her sister shrink further and further into herself from both residual fear and utter embarrassment.

"What can I do?"

The princess grumbles out a sigh, then snuggles herself into Elsa's awaiting arms.

"Never speak of this again, and you might just win your way back into my good graces," the tiny smile at the end of her ultimatum gives Anna's ire no merit whatsoever. "And if you tell anyone, even Kristoff, I'll tell him about your secret fear."

Elsa wants to say 'you wouldn't dare', but that might give Anna even more reason to dare. It's not like Kristoff hasn't already seen Elsa at her worst, anyway.

"I'm not gonna tell anyone," Elsa promises. "And I'm pretty sure Kristoff already knows about my 'secret' fear."

Elsa is thankful her sister can't see her reddening face, indicating the sure signs of a falsehood.

"Man, I can't even blackmail you properly," Anna huffs.

"And that's for the best," Elsa pats Anna's back with a guilty smile.


Closing notes: What's Elsa's secret fear? What is this event that made Kristoff see Elsa at her worst (not counting Frozen Fever)? Why am I asking so many questions? Hell if I know! I'm making these up as I go along.