Sitting in the back booth of Granny's diner was Anna of Arendelle daydreaming of her home. One filled with reindeer and the many faces of people that didn't make the transition over to Storybrooke. Anna had a lot of experience using her imagination to entertain herself, it was usually because she was trapped in a padded cell or stuck inside her own home, alone. Today however her nodding off was due to the reading material she was given. Forced to study for an online assessment and get her learners permit a concept that still seemed so foreign to Anna. Flipping through the book was not helping her understand it any better the more she read the less she seemed to know. Noticing Elsa wasn't paying attention looking over at Mulan with a distant expression, Anna saw an opportunity for distraction.
"Catch" Anna said as she chucked a small chocolate across the booth hitting her sister clear on her forehead.
"Owe" Elsa replied with a frown.
"You're supposed to eat it" Anna replied laughing at her sister.
"You're supposed to be studying the road rules" Elsa replied pointing at the driving manuals on the table in front of them.
"I don't want to learn how to drive" Anna replied with a huff.
"But you need to" Elsa said her voice quiet because she knew deep down this was about Anna's unwillingness to really be a part of this word.
"I'd prefer horseback" Anna said her thoughts adrift remembering the feeling.
"Unfortunately for you there aren't many horses around here" Elsa replied smiling at her joke, but Anna wasn't laughing this subject was no longer a funny to her.
"How long are we going to stay in this world anyway" Anna replied somewhat aloof she didn't want to adjust to this world and its many confusing road rules. Only to inevitably head back to Arendelle after all they had a kingdom to run.
"I don't know" Elsa responded her voice breaking. Trying her best to hide how she felt from her sister, the truth was she couldn't imagine leaving any of this behind.
Even though Regina had announced there was no way back to the lives they once had, after finding that illuminating doorway in the mansion they mysteriously awoke in. It seemed there truly could be a way to get back to their previous life. Nobody had any clue why they all woke up where they did, nobody finding themselves in the spot they were when taken by the beast. Like their souls wondered in the dark in search of something familiar. For there home.
Elsa looked away over to the bench where Mulan sat talking to Red from over the counter about her coffee making skills or lack thereof, she didn't even realise a tear had welled up in her eye. Just imagining living a life without Mulan in it.
"You ready" Mulan said swinging around on her stool with a smile as she looked over at Elsa.
"Ready, for what?" Elsa asked confused.
"We, are going out on a date" Mulan said dramatically pointed towards the beautiful blue lite sky outside.
Elsa had a blissful smile completely surprised by this gesture; Mulan held a bag of neatly packed delicious smelling food. Red had just handed to her and was looking to take Elsa up to a secret hideaway spot. Anna didn't have much to say already catching on to the fact Mulan was planning something quickly hugging them goodbye and sternly told she must continue to study by Elsa. On a day like this it seemed almost sinful to stay indoors starring at the dreary pages of a driver's education guidebook, so Anna quickly slammed it shut as soon as the couple was out of sight.
"Hey, you're never going to learn to drive with the book closed" Red said coming over and taking the seat beside Anna
"I'm not going to learn anything period" Anna said in a huff.
"Hmph, I have an idea" Red said before disappearing out the back from a minute then reappearing with Granny's car keys. Jingling them in front of Anna as if she knew exactly what kind of crazy scheme Red was planning.
"We are going somewhere?" Anna asked excited now happy to have any excuse to end the readathon and go out and explore.
Without another word Red made her way out of the diner and into the little red car followed closely by Anna and they took of down the street. Anna didn't question Red as anything that didn't involve more sitting around reading was a good idea. However, as she eventually found herself situated in an empty car park with the engine running, she was beginning to question Red's methods. Anna's heart raced as she tensely gripping the steering wheel.
"I am strong, confident women" Anna mumbled to herself it was about the fifth time she said it and yet she remained still with her foot firmly on the break.
"What are you doing?" Red asked confused.
"I'm trying to build myself up" Anna replied trying to focus starring forward.
"Well," Red said after a moment waiting for Anna to take her foot of the brake.
Eventually Anna did the car very slowly rolled forward she hadn't accelerated at all, yet still looked extremely fearful behind a wheel. The car slowly made its way around the carpark at a snail's pace. Red clapped sarcastically as Anna went slowly started to actually put her foot on the gas and the car moved over five kilometres an hour.
"How can someone take on a giant snow monsters and then be afraid of driving a car" Red asked bewildered.
"I was motivated" Anna replied with a shrug.
Red thought if Anna could just experience the freedom of the gas pedal under her feet she would understand and feel more connected to this world, like they all did. Most residents of Storybrooke felt more at home here because they had memories of living here all their life. But those memories where fake, so flimsy they would crack under the slightest questioning or critical thinking. Anna had the capabilities to create real tangible experiences in Storybroke. However so far, they had moved much and were just wasting petrol. Red decided the open road would help calm Anna get used to driving experiencing the joys of this world.
"Isn't there something you want to do, or go" Red said with the most encouraging smile she could.
"Yeah, I think there is" Anna replied realising if she could for once have control of the direction her life went in.
While Red believed she was getting Anna to see the beauty in the world she really was just showing her a way to get back home. Now she really started focusing on it carefully turning the wheel able to gain some control.
"Alright, I think you're ready" Red said with a grin.
"I don't know what you mean by that, but I can assure you I am without a doubt not ready" Anna replied trying not to smile.
"Come let's get out here, you're driving pretty well for a first timer" Red said having no idea the can of worms she just opened.
Trying to talk up such a fearless optimist like Anna, this small bit of encouragement and she was ready to drive to the ends of the earth. Anna wasn't even sure what Red meant but she knew where she wanted to go, home. There wasn't one lead back to the mansion her and Elsa awoke in when they were pulled from the darkness. However, as it seemed with everything in this new world, it wasn't that simple. Much harder to retrace their steps than first thought and nobody else was as invested like Anna was in finding a way back the world they came from. It was beginning to frustrate her that nobody seemed to want to talk about returning the issue mostly unaddressed. Like they were doing it on purpose.
Anna thought about it getting me worked up picturing that door in her mind she felt like she could drive right home. Anna put her foot on the gas hard this time taking off down the street faster than planned. Causing they car the swerve slightly as they got to the street. Lucky for them it was empty, and they avoided a collision.
"Ok, that was with a bit more gumption than I imagined, but you're doing it" Red said with a smile not even thinking for longer than a minute how badly things could get.
"Yeah, this is actually kind of fun" Anna said with a smile realising this could be just the kind of skill she needed to get back home.
It felt great to have control, where she could go and how fast. It was freeing before she knew it, Anna was enjoying this newfound power. Out on the open road getting further and further from the safety of the parking lot. Anna realised that Red was right with this transportation at her fingertips she could accomplish so much.
"Now you know why you should get your license" Red continued thinking her plan was a complete success.
"Yeah, now turn up the radio" Anna replied.
"You got it" Red replied with a wide smile as she turned up the pop hit now blasting out the rolled down windows, making their way through the main streets of town.
As the song finished and silence filled the car once more Anna realised this was not quite the emotional realise, she craved. Focusing on how much she missed her home making her more emotional was Elsa just brushing it off every time she brought it up. Not listening to what Anna needed. Anna was stuck in the same situation she always was not able to move forward, to live because nobody else wanted to face the pain they might find if they opened a door. Once again, she had no power in her own life and there was no way forward. So, she stepped on the gas even further as they made their way through the main street.
"Hey, take it easy, we should go back now" Red said concerned and a little annoyed that Ann was being reckless.
"I can't stop, I don't want to wait anymore, I want start living my own life" Anna yelled frustrated trying to remember which turn off would lead back to the mansion and the door.
Red was taken aback by that last comment realising that something else was at play here and it had nothing to do with a driving lesson. The hairs at the back of her neck stood up and she sensed something coming, that something was heading straight towards them. Red's anxiety heightening her wolf senses kicking into overdrive. There was rustling coming from the park beside them.
"No seriously stop, somethings coming" Red yelled
"What?" Anna replied becoming anxious.
There was no time to explain and Red grabbed the wheel quickly swerving the car out of the way of a young buy running out into the street after a ball. Anna being very inexperienced was unable to regain control of the car her only cause of action to slam on the breaks. However, it was too late, and the car went straight off the road and into a shop window. The alarms starting ringing loudly causing both in the car to go into shock realising what they had done. Worst of all what they had almost hurt someone.
"You ok" Anna said through a cough as the dust from the airbag entered her throat.
"Oh no, no no no" Red said frantic.
"What, are you hurt?" Anna asked concerned.
"I am so grounded" Red exclaimed saddened looking towards the squished in front end of the car.
"Well, it was your idea" Anna replied frustrated.
"Yeah, I'm sorry this was so stupid" Red sighed looking at the mess she could already tell no one was injured or she would smelt the blood, luckily the shop was empty.
Suddenly they heard siren coming up close to their location fast as the car came around the bend, they could she the Sheriff behind the wheel. The look on his face of utter disappointment and anger.
"Well, I guess that is good timing" Red said trying to see the positive in the situation, but little did she know it was going to get worse.
The Sheriff had noticed the car as they headed out of the empty lot in town at high speed and luckily for them, he followed to make sure all was alright. Seeing them both get out of the car unscathed he relaxed and then felt himself get tense again. Noticing the residents of this town repeatedly putting their lives in danger trying to live as carelessly as they could in their previous lives, with no regard for the law. Like it was a lawless land, but he was the Sheriff it was his duty to make sure the residents of Storybrooke stayed safe. This wasn't the first incident like this, but accidents and robberies were becoming more and more common place. Not even bothering to report crime anymore assuming Graham was powerless to stop it, they had no respect for what he was doing every day. In that moment as the two unlicensed teenage girls climb out of the car wreck, Graham realised it was time to start laying down the law. Anna just gave Red a deflated look and they both got out of the car ready for a lecture.
"Are you two alright?" Graham asked out of breath.
"Yeah, don't worry, everything's fine" Red said walking away almost shrugging off the incident.
"Driving without a license, or for that matter any real idea how to drive, is not fine" Graham said sternly.
"Sheriff I" Anna started to say but she could see a deep pain in his eyes surfacing and didn't want to push it.
"Your dam lucky no one was hurt" Sheriff Graham yelled.
Neither of them said anything in response as they slowly walked to the back of the cruiser. Realising that everyone in this town have their own trauma and are dealing with it however they can, in Graham's case he was just trying to get back control.
"Just get in, I'll call a tow" Graham said deflated grabbing out his phone but before he called a tow truck, he made a quick his deputy to make sure the new rules where clear no more free passes or ignoring the rules. Graham wasn't going to let this town crumble underneath the weight of everything. Knowing Red and Anna were just extremely lucky that this day didn't end in tragedy. Graham let out a deep breath getting the front seat and letting out a sigh as he looked at the pair in the back seat of the cruiser.
"I'm booking you two" Graham told them turning on the engine and heading towards the station.
"What, why can't you take us home" Red questioned wondering why Graham was being so
"Because actions have consequences, even if you want to just keep going, you shouldn't, if you hurt those left behind" Graham paused breathing heavy "There should be consequences" Graham finished clearly something was on his mind. Whatever it was, had nothing to do with this particular incident. Something had happened to him those scars were starting to show.
"Ok, sorry well go" Red said giving up arguing she grabbed Anna hand.
Anna was quiet feeling overwhelmed coming down from the high of possibly finding a way back to Arendelle. Every day in Storybrooke was becoming more comfortable. In everything she did from taking a shower, to making her way to the kitchen for a pop tart breakfast. Anna didn't want it to ever feel normal or even for a minute stop missing home. Any reminder of her parents slowly fading in this new life. How could anyone blame her for trying to race back to the old. They were both silent sulking in the back seat while the Sheriff drove them back to the station.
Meanwhile just a little further down the road a little off the beaten path Mulan and Elsa walked hand in hand down and dirt track relaxed. Having no idea of the commotion caused by their friends in town. Talking and laughing about the days spent together and the days ahead with hopeful excitement. Elsa suddenly stopped recognising the area somewhat, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Don't you know where we are?" Mulan asked surprised she hadn't figured it out.
"Seems familiar" Elsa replied trying to place it.
"It's where we had our first date" Mulan said giving her a nudge like she was offended she couldn't remember.
"You referring to the time we spent the day wondering through the woods in search of a coma patient" Elsa replied
"Yeah, you sure now how peek a girl's interests" Mulan replied with a smile remembering exhilarating it was, exploring the woods that day although in search for David completely enthralled by Elsa just hoping the feeling was mutual.
"I'm just glad I didn't scare you off" Elsa said
"I think more than one couple found each other that day" Mulan replied gesturing for Elsa to keep walking.
They had never had this chance to just go out before just enjoy each other's company. To busy dealing with a crisis. For what seemed like forever, avoiding each other not able to move forward and pursue their feelings as time itself had stopped them. Elsa recalled when they finally had their first conversation. Right when Emma arrived in Storybrooke and time started moving again, Elsa didn't say much stumbling over her words, but it obviously left an impression.
They started moving forward again and as amazing as everything has been since the curse broke, being reunited with Anna at the top of that list. Elsa couldn't help but wish to be back in that moment again on the courtyard and stay frozen there forever. Afraid to grow up knowing the enormous responsibility the future held for her. Not wanting to return home to be tied the responsibilities of being queen of Arendelle someday. There was so much freedom in being young and having opportunities in front of you and now all those doors seemed to be closed for Elsa only one path forward. The path that would defiantly lead away from Mulan, from everyone here in Storybroke.
Elsa and Mulan made their way through the hillside it was picture perfect day with just enough cloud for shade. Laughing and joking as they absentmindedly made their way through to a spot other would have just walked past. Mulan suddenly stopped in her tracks though.
"What is it" Elsa asked confused as Mulan had stopped in place almost like she was calculating the exact longitude and latitude of there location for a moment.
"You don't remember do you" Mulan said smiling not that she blamed Elsa not everyone had the kind of training that enabled you to retrace your steps like Mulan did.
"Remember what? Elsa replied eyebrow raised.
"This" Mulan said, moving closer to Elsa she leaned in softly kissing her lips.
"Our first kiss" Elsa replied a little embarrassed but pleased with this turn of events. "Of course, I remember"
"Really?" Mulan smirked not sure if Elsa
"It's one of the first real memories I have from over a decade of foggy fading moments, it's sort of ingrained" Elsa replied with a smirk.
"Yeah, I know how you feel" Mulan replied not able to keep with the small talk she leaned in once more. Sliding her hand through Elsa's braids as they continued to kiss.
They found a spot to lay down there blanket and unpack the lunch which included and assortment of sandwiches, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and a few lukewarm beverages. The sat and enjoyed the view continuing to reminisce about that day. It felt so long ago, and their lives had changed exponentially since. They were going to continue to change, and this terrified Elsa she wanted things to stay just as they were minus the hunting down of hideous monsters. The responsibility she had to her life back in Arendelle seemed almost foreign at this point. Elsa just wanted to be a teenage girl finishing high school with her friends. Spending her afternoons with her girlfriend no fear of what tomorrow would bring.
"Red really came through" Mulan said taking a huge bite of the roast beef sandwich.
"Yeah, how much did this set you back" Elsa asked knowing Red would pack a lunch for them without a little something in return.
"Just a promise to get us an invite to the end of summer seniors party" Mulan said with a shrug
"Does that mean we actually have to go" Elsa asked hoping they could put of the high school hierarchy politics for long as possible.
"Probably" Mulan said with a wide smile picturing them all by the bonfire. "It will be fun, promise"
Mulan handed Elsa the cans of soda so she could assist with cooling them to a more acceptable ice-cold temperature.
"Demoted from queen to be to glorified fridge" Mulan joked thinking Red packed them warm drinks on purpose. With the mention of Elsa's heritage, she lost control and the can of soft drink exploded frozen cola flying everywhere.
"Sorry" Elsa said embarrassed
Mulan giggled using her hand to brush off some of the icy cola flakes from Elsa's face as it went red.
"I like it better this way" Mulan said enjoying herself, but she knew that this meant Elsa was feeling some sort of distress. Almost relieved at the fact she had a simple way of knowing when her girlfriend needed. Her powers showing her emotions right on the surface.
"Alright, what it is it" Mulan asked concerned as the conversation had come to a halt and Elsa had only taken two bites from her grilled cheese.
"Nothing, this is great" Elsa said as reassuringly as possible then taking another bite of her sandwich.
"I know" Mulan replied knowing she'd planned perfect picnic, "but somethings on your mind, it has been for a while" Mulan said looking concerned.
"I just this place, that day" Elsa said smiling as she became reminiscent of their kiss once more "It felt like we had so much ahead of us"
"And now we don't" Mulan replied kind of surprised by this comment considering they has been cursed back then, they had nothing ahead literally stuck in time.
"I only have one path" Elsa said with a shrug.
"And you'll be great" Mulan said with admiration picturing Elsa becoming queen.
"Except where I am meant to go, it terrifies me" Elsa admitted.
"Where are you going?" Mulan said somewhat confused.
"I feel so torn between this world and another, my parents will be so disappointed in me" Elsa finally said beginning to cry and the temperature began to drop.
"Hey, come on sit back relax" Mulan replied holding her hand and pulling her close. Elsa was silent tears running down her checks feeling relief that she was finally able to let her feelings out.
"Hold my hands, close your eyes, just breath, think of something that makes you happy just focus on that" Mulan said leaning closer.
Elsa nodded following the instructions carefully she closed her eyes. Mulan cups her hands over Elsa's creating a sort of sphere with their hands knowing Elsa couldn't harm her. They feel and ice-cold flutter from within their palms. When they carefully open them there is a small delicate flower made from ice in the centre and they both smile wide as they look down at it and back into each other's eyes.
"Someone once told me the flower that blows in adversity is the most powerful and beautiful" Mulan said.
"Your beautiful" Elsa said having not appreciated her magic her power as much since it returned to her life.
"You'll know what the right decision is" Mulan paused "I'm sure Anna will understand you just need to be honest with her" Mulan added.
"What am I going to do without you" Elsa said with a sad smile thinking about returning home without her.
"Seriously you haven't figured this out yet" Mulan said with a smile "I'll follow you anywhere" Mulan said.
"Would you seriously leave everything behind move to another land, to be with me?" Elsa asked surprised.
"When I was pulled from the darkness, I awoke on a rooftop I didn't hesitate to jump off, I didn't see the significance of it at first, but I realised that's where I've always been on the edge of something to afraid to jump, until that night" Mulan admitted. Noticing Elsa lack of response, she continued to explain.
"What I truly wanted was you" Mulan paused" "I know it sounds crazy, but it was almost a good thing we got so lost in that dark abyss, that way we knew exactly where we are meant to be" Mulan finished.
"That does sound crazy" Elsa asked somewhat joking.
"I'm ready to let go, stop being held back by my duty and just live" Mulan said so happy with this revelation a tear rolled down her check.
"I wish, I had your strength" Elsa said letting out a sigh.
"You have all that and more" Mulan replied.
Elsa put her hand on Mulan's check closing her eyes she leaned in standing almost pushing her forward. Mulan wrapped her arms around Elsa as they kissed, eyes closed while snowflakes started to fall around them melting as they landed in the grass.
They pulled away looking into each other's eyes for a moment started to feel slightly shy, Elsa rested her head on Mulan's shoulder and enjoyed their time together. It was not long lasting however not a minute later Elsa's phone began to ring.
"Hey, what" Elsa began to ask but was cut off by a frantic Emma desperately asking for help.
"Ok, I'm on my way" Elsa said hanging up.
Mulan had already got up and quickly shoved their belongings in the basket. The pair took off back to the car as fast as they could and heading towards the old railroad.
Notes: Getting a little deeper dive into the other characters current states up next cs angst.