The great hall was packed with guests from different kingdoms from all parts around the world. Which was to be expected for the infamous summer solstice ball held in Arendelle. Conversations flew in all directions, and the festive jubilation was practically infectious.

Waiting for the start of the commencement ceremony behind the curtains, Anna was bouncing nervously on the back of her heels.

Elsa hadn't arrived yet, and it was much past the time that they had agreed to meet. Which was strange, because Elsa was almost always punctual. She was starting to worry that the older girl had decided to ditch her last minute.

Elsa would never do that.

How do you know?

She would never leave me.

But she did before, didn't she?

Yeah...but…

Sadly, she didn't have an argument for that.

Just as her doubts were beginning to get the better of her however, the sound of approaching footsteps resounded behind her.

"Sorry I'm late Anna, I was having trouble tying up my-"

Elsa walked in, and the sight of each other made them both stop in hushed silence.

Anna felt her throat dry and heat immediately rush up into her cheeks.

She couldn't put into words just how gorgeous Elsa looked in that moment. By now she thought she would've been used to the girl's ethereal level of beauty, but once again she was proven wrong. The blonde's dress was similar to her usual ice gown, but also with noticeable differences. It was a brighter shade of blue for one, bordering along the line of celeste. The hem fell short right below her knees, revealing the full display of her sister's slender calves. The top was no less revealing. The pleasing sight of Elsa's smooth shoulders added to the strange warmth she was starting to feel all throughout her body.

And her hair…

It was in the usual braid that Anna favored, but somehow it looked more...wild. It was less tightly woven, loose, emphasizing the slick of her bangs. A few bright snowflakes were also adorned along the braid, which complimented the blue color of her eyes flawlessly.

Needless to say, Anna liked it.

A lot.

Neither one said anything for a moment, but it was Anna who broke the silence first.

"Wow Elsa...You look…"

Amazing.

Stunning.

Drop dead gorgeous.

"You look beautiful..." She finally managed.

Elsa smiled shyly in response. "Thank you, so do you."

Anna let out an awkward laugh. "Nowhere near as beautiful as you probably."

At that Elsa frowned, and in a few steps took Anna's hand in her own, causing the redhead to look up curiously.

"Don't say that. You look beautiful, okay? Don't ever tell yourself otherwise." Elsa's tone was somehow both powerful and gentle, and it made Anna's heart skip a beat entirely.

"Okay..." Was all she could manage as she found herself lost in the blonde's affectionate gaze.

In that moment, Anna wished time would stop just to let her continue to stare and savor every detail of Elsa's reassuring smile. Maybe time did stop, because it felt like many minutes had passed as they stood there hand in hand, staring lovingly into each other's eyes, until they were finally interrupted.

"Your Majesty." The curtains of the hall were pulled back, and Kai appeared behind them.

Anna and Elsa jumped away quickly from each other as if they were caught doing something indecent.

Kai blinked in confusion. "My apologies, did I interrupt something?"

Anna composed herself with a clear of her throat. "N-not at all Kai."

The servant nodded respectfully. "The preparations are ready for the commencement. We'll be starting the introductions shortly."

Anna nodded and looked to Elsa in anticipation. "You ready?"

Elsa smiled softly. "Of course."

"Introducing Her Majesty, Queen Anna of Arendelle!"

Elsa watched Anna lift the curtains and make her way to the center of the dais as she was announced. All the guests clapped and a number of cheers rang out from the crowd, heralding the arrival of the kingdom's beautiful monarch.

And God was she beautiful. Fittingly, Anna looked like the essence of summer in light green and white, and her skirts moved around her lightly, almost as though they were made of air. She had pulled her auburn hair away from her face, tying it back into a loose style that framed her face, bringing out the teal of her eyes, and her collar bone was exposed, suggesting the enticing pattern of freckles that made its way down to her―

Elsa swallowed hard, and averted her eyes. It was no good, staring at her like this. She had to think of something else. Ever since she first saw Anna minutes ago, her body was reacting in ways that she couldn't control.

Why am I like this?

"Introducing Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle!"

Elsa perked up in surprise, not entirely prepared for her introduction. She really needed to stop being so distracted.

The guests clapped at her entrance. Elsa could see quite a few of them looking at her before whispering amongst themselves. Her confidence wavered. Was the dress too much? If she had to be honest, it was a bit more revealing than what she was comfortable with.

Her eyes shifted to the woman next to her.

Anna was smiling, glancing again at her outfit appreciatively. Almost immediately, Elsa's worries melted away, reminded that the one person that she wore the dress for did in fact like it. And that was all that mattered.

The song of trumpets ended and the people clapped again in respect to their hosts.

The rest of the musicians began to tune their instruments, and Anna stepped forward. The ball was about to begin, and it seemed the clamour of the hall was quieting down ever so slightly.

"Thank you everyone for coming today to celebrate the wonderful occasion of the summer solstice in Arendelle. My sister and I are honored to once again commemorate the start of our kingdom's long held tradition with our friends and allies of the northern region. We hope that all the preparations are to your liking." Anna paused briefly before continuing. "As you all may know, it is customary for the summer solstice ball to begin with a commemorative first dance, I would like to take this time to select a participant."

Elsa stood pensively. It seemed like her every sense was focused on Anna, on the way her skirt fluttered about her, on the way her hands clutched at them with a slightly greater force than necessary, and the way she was watching her every step. The girl had come such a long way she realized. Her speaking had become a lot more composed, and though she was still rough on the edges, it was clear that she had worked hard to improve her level of royal semblance. Elsa couldn't feel anymore proud.

Anna came down from the dais and the guests all stood in attention, eager to see who she would select for her first partner.

As she came to stand in the middle of the cleared out hall, her eyes swept over the assembly, and many raised their glasses in a toast. She appeared thoughtful, but if Elsa had to guess it was mostly a formality. It was already quite clear to her on who it was that would be selected.

Near the front of the left side of the room, Kristoff stood in attention. He looked well groomed for the occasion, and seemed to be doing his best to hide his uncomfortableness for his attire. He shot Anna a smile.

But surprisingly, Anna's eyes didn't stop at him, and she turned back towards the dais until her eyes came to rest upon Elsa.

"Elsa," her clear voice said.

Even though the entire room seemed to turn to her, for a moment it seemed that time itself slowed to a crawl, that the world dimmed until there was only Anna in it, and Elsa felt like she stood at the edge of the light, eager to join her.

"Will you celebrate the summer solstice with me?" She asked.

It was then that Elsa realized she'd been holding her breath. The words didn't sink in immediately, but when they did, her mind began to race. She was reminded of their conversation yesterday, about her not wanting to dance in public because she was shy, and Anna proposing that one day she would. Nervously, she nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. Countless eyes were upon her, watching her every move.

Anna had chosen her.

On the surface it may have appeared nothing out of the usual. Many knew how close the two sisters were and just how deep their bond went, but to Elsa, with all the events that had happened in the past two weeks between them, the implication was something far more striking.

Anna had chosen her over Kristoff.

The walk down from the dais seemed to last an eternity, but it probably only lasted a few seconds. By the time she joined Anna on the open floor, she noticed that her sister appeared just as nervous, the tension almost invisible, perceptible only in the line of her shoulders, the angle of her chin.

Just start with the basics.

Elsa curtsied, and as the silks of her skirt whispered around her, she heard a barely audible 'thank you' come from Anna.

Had Anna really thought she would refuse?

Her chest felt like it was glowing. Elsa stretched out her hand, and Anna took it, and she gave it the barest of squeezes, a shared gesture of comfort between them.

The small orchestra was done tuning, and the conductor's baton clicked at the pages of his music sheets. One, two, three.

"You lead," Anna said encouragingly.

"Okay," Elsa replied, all the same, under her breath.

The gentle notes of flutes began, and behind them the violins and violas began a slow crescendo, but Elsa was already too busy to think on them. Her arm reached around Anna's waist, the world small and shrunken around them, and she cradled her sister's hand gently.

Anna looked up at her calmly, her teal eyes catching the candlelight, and Elsa felt her throat close up. The moment would come in a second, she knew, where the musical introduction would give way to sweeping strings and upbeat winds, and then she would have to move. She knew that much at least.

As the music wrapped itself around her, Elsa made the first step, and Anna followed instantly, reacting with an instinct born of years and years of training with her instructor. Elsa was well-versed in the matter, but Anna was polished. It was almost effortless, the way she danced, stepping backwards lightly and sprightly, as though she could read Elsa's mind even before her own body.

When Elsa extended her arm, Anna twirled, all control and elegance, and their skirts brushed together before Anna returned safely to the crook of Elsa's arm to continue. They moved together as though they had always danced together, as though this were their hundredth dance and not their first.

They turned and turned, one, two, three, and Elsa's senses were overwhelmed, the sight and smell and feel of Anna in her arms mingling with the music and the warm atmosphere. It was nearly too much for her to bear.

Anna's cheeks were flushed pink, her eyes were bright, her auburn hair shone in the evening candlelight and she was growing warmer, closer.

Was it her heart racing, or Anna's? With their hands and breasts together, she could hardly tell anymore. Did it matter?

Their faces were becoming closer and closer without them realizing. Noses almost touching. Eyes peering into each other's wistfully.

And then the music lifted.

Anna's eyes widened and she pulled away. Elsa did the same, slowing to a stop and quickly remembering that every single person in the room had their attention on them. The music ended on a sweeping, happy note, and the hall roared in applause and cheers. Her heart was pounding, her breath was short, and she felt energized, hot, as though she'd run a hundred miles.

What is wrong with me?

"Queen Anna, may I have the next dance?"

Anna turned to one of the visiting dignitaries and though she hid it well, Elsa noted she seemed startled. "Oh," she said, "of course." She then turned to her and gave her a smile. "I'll see you later?"

Elsa nodded, mind still racing. After that, Anna was taken away to the center of the floor to dance again, and Elsa was once again alone.

"Elsa," Kristoff's voice said, next to her, and she turned to the man, trying not to feel so distracted.

"Kristoff," She smiled, wanly. "I suppose that went well." She was trying not to sound affected, but wasn't sure it worked. Around them, the music was beginning again and many guests were now on the floor taking their places.

"It did," He said as they made their way off the floor. He was smiling, but there was something in his eyes that Elsa couldn't decipher. "You guys were amazing."

"I don't know about me, but I'm sure Anna was." Elsa said, laughing in stunned relief. "I had no idea she was going to pick me."

He smiled again, earnestly this time. "I'm not too surprised. You're her sister after all. Everyone knows how close you two are."

Elsa nodded, reflecting that perhaps that really was the case. She was overthinking it. Anna had merely chosen her because they were close and because they were family. There was nothing more to it. They were just sisters.

Recovering from her contemplation, she was able to make out the said girl's face amongst the mass of dancers. Out of sheer luck their eyes met. Anna smiled brightly, and Elsa returned it with a smile of her own. Though truthfully, it was accompanied with a hint of sadness.

"Just sisters."

"There you are. I thought you might be out here." Anna came up from behind her.

Elsa was sitting alone in the gardens, away from all the commotion of the party. It was late. She had gotten her fair share of conversations with many of the guests already, and many more dance requests that she had politely turned down.

"Sorry, I just wanted some fresh air."

"No worries." Anna assured her. "It was starting to get a bit stuffy in there anyway."

Elsa chuckled at that. Anna seated herself next to her on the bench. The stars were out that night, bright and quiet. It was quite the spectacle, and both sisters watched on in silent appreciation.

"You were great out there today. Your opening speech was wonderful." She said to break the silence.

"Well, I learned from the best."

Elsa smiled in agreement. "Papa was quite the public speaker, that's for sure."

"I was referring to you, silly."

"Oh."

Anna laughed at Elsa's surprised expression and then proceeded to lean her head onto the blonde's shoulder. Elsa stiffened, but relaxed moments after. It became quiet again. Comfortable, yes, but in Elsa's mind, there was still a certain question that she hadn't quite found the answer to yet.

"Hey Anna."

"Hm?"

She paused, unsure if she really wanted to ask what was on her mind. Staring at their intertwined hands she decided that she should.

"Why did you pick me for the dance?"

This time it was Anna's turn to become silent. All the sounds of the night suddenly seemed to grow in prominence. The chirping of nearby crickets, the echoes of the ballroom, even the small seasonal winds could be heard, all in anticipation to a seemingly fateful answer.

Elsa waited, patiently, until Anna spoke.

"The first dance is supposed to be with the person that you love most right? That's what Mama always told me. I feel like it'd be obvious on who that would be."

The person she loved most?

"T-then why didn't you just ask me beforehand?"

"Ha!" Anna smirked, "If I asked you before, you would've just came up with all sorts of excuses."

Well...she couldn't really disagree with that.

"I guess. I was just...surprised is all." She admitted.

And then quietly, barely above a whisper. So quiet that Elsa almost didn't make it out. Anna said something that made her go still.

"Me too..."

What?

Had she heard that right?

It almost sounded as if...

"Anna-"

"Well!" The girl shot up from the bench. "I better get back to the party before Kai comes to find me. Did you want to come back with me?" Anna asked.

Elsa blinked, caught off guard from being interrupted so abruptly, but she quickly recovered and forced a thin smile. "I think I'll call it a night."

Anna nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

Elsa hesitated for a moment, but replied with a nod. Satisfied, Anna smiled softly before turning and making her way back into the castle.

"Anna."

The redhead stopped in her tracks, turning to her with questioning eyes.

"Thank you...for asking me." She said softly. "I…"

She paused, unsure of herself. But steering her resolve, Elsa smiled sincerely.

"I had a lot of fun."

Anna blinked in surprise, and returned her smile with a brighter one.

"Me too."

A/N: Well well well. You thought I was gonna end the angst here? Good one.

Thanks for reading this chapter, and feel free to leave a review. Planning on working on this in tandem with 'Holding on Tight to You'. Whichever I feel like writing.

Until next time!