Anna awoke with a start. It was early, morning light had just begun to filter in through the window curtains, and the soreness left in her eyes told her a similar story.

It had been a recurring theme in the past week; waking early, stirred awake by the same unsettling dream.

Though calling it unsettling would be unfair.

A beautiful pale face.

The silkiness of platinum blonde hair.

And those lips.

So luscious and pretty, practically enticing her for a taste.

A blush forced its way to her cheeks, and Anna shook away the indecent thoughts.

She needed a bath to clear her mind. Elsa would be returning from the enchanted forest later that evening, and it was in her best interest to compose herself before then.

In their most recent exchange of letters, Anna had requested for Elsa to return a day early to assist her in the final preparations for the upcoming annual ball, which was to be tomorrow; the day of the summer solstice. Truthfully, all of the preparations had been completed already, but she wanted Elsa's approval, as it had been the other girl's responsibility for the past six years. It felt wrong to not hear her take on it.

If she had to be honest, she would've liked Elsa's take on everything. Her opinion ranked higher above any of her advisors, and it wasn't even close.

But if she had to rely on Elsa for everything, she might as well have asked for her to return and assume the throne again. The girl was a natural when it came to these things.

It surprised her just how much she wished that would happen.

I belong out there.

Elsa's words from that fateful night still rung out clearly in her mind.

She didn't quite know why she had chosen to lie to Elsa about her memory that following morning. Maybe she was scared. Scare that Elsa would be mad at her. Push her away for being so detestful and sick to have the need to kiss her own sister when she herself was engaged.

But Elsa had kissed back.

And that had thrown her off.

So she had lied, regretfully. Because she had wanted time. Time to think. Time to understand.

Understand her situation.

And understand her own feelings.

Sadly, after a week of contemplating, all she had found was more confusion.

Did she love her sister?

Well, of course she did. But she had always loved Elsa. Why was it now that she had the desperate need to have...more?

Why did she find herself suddenly wanting to spend less time with Kristoff, her new fiance, and more time spent with her sister, someone who she had spent the past three years side by side with?

Elsa's smile flashed in her mind again.

God, I miss her.

Anna sighed, and rose from her bed, heading to the washroom for her bath.

In any case, she would find more answers when Elsa returned.

And hopefully they were ones that she wanted.

"The decorations look great."

"You think so?" Anna smiled brightly, abashed.

"I really do. Everything looks like it's ready to go. Did you really need my help at all?" Elsa laughed.

Anna shrugged. "I just wanted to make sure that you were okay with it…"

Elsa had arrived around dinner time, which had gone off without a hitch. It seemed that all the tension from their so-called kiss was all but gone now, or at least on Elsa's side, which Anna was appreciative of. They had an eventful meal together, sharing laughs and retelling their respective stories for the week, and were now going over the preparations for the ball tomorrow like they had agreed on.

Throughout all of it, Anna's mind occasionally wandered to certain thoughts.

It was so natural; their exchanges. It made Anna realize just how pleasant it was being around Elsa. She always felt that way, but Anna was starting to truly see how important that time was to her.

Just how much she needed it.

Perhaps that realization was a starting point, to understanding how exactly she felt about Elsa.

"Anna?"

Anna snapped up in attention. "Ah, sorry, did you say something?"

"I was asking how things are between you and Kristoff? You haven't really mentioned him tonight."

"Oh." Anna was surprised by the question. Truthfully, she hadn't really thought about him too much lately. Not when her mind was occupied by...something else. "Things are great! He's been helping me out with a lot of things."

That was a lie. But Elsa would worry if she said that she was taking full responsibility for all of her work. She hadn't really bothered requesting for his assistance, mostly because she didn't want to rely on anyone.

Unless that person was Elsa.

"Well that's good. Are you excited to dance with him? He is your choice for the honorary first dance, afterall."

Shoot.

She had forgotten all about that.

Every year at the start of the summer solstice ball, it was tradition for the Queen to participate in an honorary first dance with a person of her choice to commemorate the day of the solstice. Usually, that person was the king, prince consort, or someone who was courting the queen. In the previous years, they had simply skipped out on the tradition, because Elsa was known to not participate in dancing, and she had no one courting her at the time.

But Anna was different. She was notorious for being a good dancer, and she had a fiancee now, so it made sense for her to participate in the tradition.

But the participant was still her choice right? No one said it had to be someone she was courting. No one said it had to be Kristoff.

Anna's train of thinking quickly caught up to her.

Wait why am I so adamant on not picking Kristoff in the first place?

Anna realized she hadn't responded to Elsa's question yet.

"Of course I'm excited! You know how much I love dancing." Anna suddenly turned her gaze to Elsa with a sly smile. "And I know how much you secretly love dancing too."

Elsa looked away in embarrassment.

"You better not tell anyone."

"Why? You're really good at it. Is it cause you're shy?" Anna cheekiness was palpable.

"Yes."

"Fair enough, but one of these days you're gonna dance in public, and you're going to love it."

Elsa smiled. "If you say so."

They had spent the remaining of the night talking in her office. Over small things for the most part, but it had been relaxing nonetheless. The hours flew by and soon it was late.

"I think I'll be going to bed now." Elsa stood by the door looking back at her. "Try not to stay up too late. It's a busy day tomorrow."

Anna stood from her seat, and in a few strides made her way in front of Elsa. Without hesitation she gave her a big hug and wrapped her arms around the other girl's waist.

Elsa tensed up, not expecting the display of affection.

"Thank you." Anna whispered.

"For what?"

Anna tightened her hold around her. "For being here."

Elsa chuckled softly. "Is that really something that needs thanks?"

Anna paused before answering, the girl's voice practically right next to her ear.

"Yes."

The earnesty in her response made Elsa still.

It was too similar.

The way Anna was when she had kissed her a week ago.

And the way she was now.

The yearning in her voice...had she heard it right?

But Anna said she didn't remember.

Only she did.

So Elsa said the only thing that she could say at that moment.

"You're welcome."

Anna broke away and smiled softly.

"Goodnight, Elsa."

Elsa forced a thin smile back. "Goodnight..."

Elsa stepped out of the enclosure and closed the door behind her.

She stood there. Silently.

Minutes passed and eventually, she moved from her spot and made her way towards her chambers.

The feeling of Anna's lithe body against her own. It had merely been moments ago.

But she missed it already.

A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed this short chapter. Chapter 3 will be out soon.