The clock ticked throughout the cold night, wind breezing through the air ever so freely. Everything was quiet outside, the roads emptied of people and vehicles, the street lights glowing through the drifting snow. It was rare to see everything still… as if they all knew they both needed alone time together. That Anna wanted to be with Elsa and just her.
Anna loved the company… to feel her bare, cold legs rubbing between her own, her arms taking Anna's waist under the blanket. They were so vulnerable to each other, their body raw and helpless to each other's touch. It was all Anna cared to have at the moment-to feel her hands and fingers sliding up and down her body in an attempt to lull her to sleep. To hear her voice sing songs-quite melancholic ones-that would drift her thoughts to places that Anna couldn't reach. She could smell her scent-minty and fresh-being so close to her, and let herself bask into the realization that she was Elsa's. No matter if it was Thursday or some other day, she was hers to care for.
Anna was completely in her hands.
She lost track of time but she knew it was quite late in the night. She couldn't sleep, eyes opened to the dark while snuggled under a cozy blanket. Beside her-with arms hugging her body so closely-Elsa was, perhaps, sleeping deeply.
She poked her head out from the blanket, gazing at the sleeping blonde. Gods, all naked and fairly warm, her hair splayed down her back as she slept on her side and in submission to keep Anna close and safe. She didn't want to wake her at all.
Of course, after that… little breakdown, Elsa took her time taking care of Anna. Being patient and gentle when she needed to be. Elsa let her watch any movie she'd like on her flat screen-of course, she chose to watch Beauty and the Beast and have a snack. A bucket of chocolate ice cream did the trick-and after the ending credits she asked to go to bed, and Elsa followed. Well, truthfully, she wanted to just lay beside Elsa.
She never knew Elsa could be this kind and gentle-but, oh, she did mention 'hiding' just made things easier. The moment when they could open up to each other, Elsa chose to close herself up even more. Though, Anna didn't mind how gentle Elsa could be with her.
Anna took a deep breath into her scent. Oh, she just wanted to talk to Elsa. Wanted to be with her as long as possible because she feared going home. She feared… seeing her mother looking at her with such disappointing eyes.
She bit her lip, letting her fingernails drag gently across the small of Elsa's pale, slim back.
The blonde sighed, shifting closer to the woman, arms hugging her tighter. Anna tensed. Uh oh.
Her blue eyes opened, meeting hers. A small grin crossed her face, and she shifted the blanket down to Anna's shoulders. "Hello."
The redhead blushed, but she doubted Elsa knew in the dark. "Hi."
Gods, she looked tired. But Anna was not going to say a word.
"What is it?" Fingers brushed her auburn hair behind her ear.
Anna shook her head, gazing down to her chest. "N-Nothing." And even if it were anything, Anna was afraid to say it out loud.
"How do you feel?" Her voice was incredibly soft and raspy. Anna could get used to this. She relaxed against her, shoulders slouching to her touch. Elsa crossed her brows in worry. "Will you be alright?"
She nodded. "I-I thought you were asleep."
"How can I sleep with you being like this today?"
She didn't know how to answer. "Sorry. I didn't mean to… you know, wake you."
The woman took a deep breath, shifting herself to sit up. The blanket fell off her chest, baring her naked. "Come. Sit with me."
Anna sat up with her, eyes not knowing where to look… because gosh, Elsa did look gorgeous when she was bare like this. Skin pale and smooth… shining through the night like an angel. But Elsa didn't seem so bothered because of course, Anna had seen this plenty. But plenty did not mean she was used to this.
"Go on, tell me what has been bothering you," she whispered with care. Fingers dragged along her shoulders and she could feel her palm wrapped around hers. Anna was tempted to lean against her… like any girlfriend would. Hm, girlfriends, huh? But were they?
The woman gulped. "I've told you everything… told you, how I didn't want to meet him. How… disappointing it is to learn that after twenty-one years… he suddenly appears. What else can I say?"
Her gaze was soft… patient. Elsa leaned in to kiss her forehead, lips whispering to her, "Would you like to talk about it?"
She shook her head immediately. "N-No." There was no way she would experience that heartbreak again. She gazed up at her… and they were just so close. So intimate. But she doubted Elsa would consider this a time for sex. Especially, not with that look on her face. Anna did not want to take her for granted. "I just… I can't sleep. I've always felt like… I've never been able to sleep very well after all this. After you."
Her eyes were glowing as if it'd engulfed into the blue ocean, and Anna wanted nothing more to go along with it. To let herself get lured into whatever Elsa wanted. Whatever… lust that was left. Or perhaps, love.
"Do I keep you awake at night?"
Anna chuckled. "Not that you keeping me awake is a bad thing… I just… I think about you." She looked right at her. "A-A lot."
"I see." A pause. "Well, I can't deny that I have also been thinking about you lately." Anna really didn't expect it.
"You know, you don't have to act 'nice' or anything to make me feel better," she stated bluntly. "I-I'm fine now. Being with you… alone makes me feel better."
Elsa leaned into her, arms wrapped around her waist. "I'm glad," she breathed. The stroke of Elsa's fingers on her back left her shivering with delight… her eyes meeting the tired smile on her… Gods, she realized how hard Elsa was trying to make her feel nice. To feel at home. Ah, this just wasn't her at all. The Elsa she knew had power. Control.
And Anna realized… climbing close to her, her gaze holding onto her luscious lips and the blue eyes that made her feel so… vulnerable. The blanket fell off her bare body and all she had hidden was exposed to the night. But what did it matter, when she was so close to her-so… lucky to have her.
"I just…" She propped her hand against her chest. Elsa's eyes darkened, smile fading… and there was nothing but desire that filled the air.
She ran her fingers through her red hair. "Say it," Elsa whispered, and Anna was tempted to spill every single letter that escaped her mind.
"Give me an escape", "make me numb and forget", "touch me… make me yours."
No.
She bit her lips, eyes falling to Elsa's again because she was so tempted… for a little taste. For her to feel again. She dared not move… to escape from her confinement in Elsa's arms. Never wanted to let her go. "I just want you close to me. To hear your voice…" Her fingers grasped her cold hand in her hair, and her mind was clouded with thoughts of having Elsa in her arms… of looking into her eyes as she basked in her love. Her lust. To feel her fingers grasping her body like she didn't have enough of her. To kiss-Stop, don't do this.
Her body froze, heart stopping to a halt, and every hair on her skin stood on its end. She shouldn't do this… shouldn't have to numb herself-use Elsa to make herself feel better.
She sighed. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't be… all over you like this." She pressed her fingers against her forehead. "God, what was I thinking…?"
The blonde tilted her head. Curious. Wondering. Anna felt her fingers driving up her bare back, and she spent every little strength to not moan.
"What do you want?" Elsa whispered, leaning closer to her reddened ear, lips pressed to her skin. And at the moment, Anna struggled to not say the word. To not kiss her… to be drunk from all of her. "Tell me…" Anna's eyes fell closed as she drowned into her voice. "I'll give you everything… anything."
Oh, it was just so hard keeping words in, in front of her. "You…" She let herself drown into the sight of her. "All of you." But Elsa stayed where she was. And Anna knew she shouldn't be acting like this.
Anna shook her head immediately, quickly pulling away. "N-No. Not now. We can't do this."
"I know." Silence, and she could hear the woman sigh with disappointment. And perhaps, it really was just relief. Elsa wouldn't want to deal with how she was. And right now, Anna wanted to feel anything but misery.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have woken you up. I had no reason to-"
Elsa gazed out into the night. "You really do remind me of her."
Her heart stopped. "H-Her?" Elsa hummed. "You mean…"
"Yes, my sister." She ran her fingers through her golden fringes, her chest heaving as she breathed out. Something seemed heavy in the air… and Anna just couldn't bear it over her shoulders. She could feel her heart stopping… because she knew Elsa's secrets… she knew they were too overbearing. She ran her fingers up Elsa's middle, her palm placed on her chest.
God, it's beating so fast. Her cold eyes froze her… gazing down at her like she was a threat. Like she was just another one of those women. But Anna was not going to give in. She knew Elsa… and Elsa would be honest when she needed to be.
"What about her?" Anna whispered in question. She dared to kiss her skin… to return favors, but it just wasn't the time.
For a second, Elsa had softened her expression. "It was that snowy day when we met. She was…" A small chuckle escaped. "She was so small. Perhaps, she was about… ten months old. It was so cold that day, but she was smiling and laughing as if she knew who I was to her. That day was the only day I'd ever seen her. I could never forget how she tried to call my name. That is why I've been trying so hard to find her. Deep down, I still love her."
"Elsa…"
"While many have thought of me as… cold and controlling, you have stuck with me. I don't doubt she'd do the same."
Anna couldn't help but smile at that. "I still think you are cold. Controlling. But i-in a good way."
She didn't say anything. Didn't really have to… because Anna knew who she was in bed. How… her skin burned from the pleasure, how she shivered, listening through her cold words to get her to do things that made sure Anna was hers. How gentle Elsa could be.
And perhaps… how broken they were. Anna couldn't admit it.
"You smile just like her…" Blue eyes fell on her stretching lips, her thumb brushing over it.
She blushed. Anna was her own self, she didn't have to act as a substitute. Fingers caressed her cheek and every freckle on her skin. And Elsa was staring at her like she was the most… perfect girl in the world. Anna doubted that.
Nothing that surrounded her was ever perfect from the moment she was born. She struggled to stay happy-to fake the happiness that her family needed. Now, her only happiness was what was in front of her. But that wouldn't do. She wanted more. She wanted perfection in her life.
"What do you think?" Anna held her hand. "Should I… should I meet him?" Anna trusted Elsa so much, she knew she had no way of saying no to her. If anything, Elsa… would always, always convince her. She gulped, taking her knuckles to her lips, and everything was warm with desire.
Elsa caressed her cheek. "Well, if this is your only chance… I want you to go." A pause. And there was something about Elsa's eyes-although bright-looked so dark. She yearned for something special too. Anna's heart ached. "I've only seen her once…" The woman turned away, expression unchanged and blank. Numbing. "I don't want to see you regret anything, Anna."
She couldn't imagine it. The happiness that came when meeting him. The hugs and kisses Anna would give to her father. The urge to get to know him better… to know who this new person was after twenty-one years.
Feeling Elsa caressing her back… fingers running down her spine, prompting her back to arch with every little pulsing touch, it loosened her muscle. Cleared her mind. She let herself sigh into her touch… and everything bad about her father that had roamed her mind for a very long time had vanished.
She gulped, coming closer to Elsa and laid her head on her shoulder, her arm hugging her waist.
"Will you?" she pressed.
At the moment, Anna didn't want to see how… empty Elsa's eyes were. How hidden her emotions were.
She felt her lips on her head. "I will be here… I will always be here when need be."
Anna shut her eyes. No crying. Not anymore. "I'll meet him. I promise." She took a deep breath. "I love you."
She could feel Elsa smiling against her, and Anna let the woman hug her tight in her arms as they laid back down, lips pressed to her warm skin. "Good girl."
She knew coming home wasn't going to be easy. So that morning and afternoon she stayed at Elsa's home and made herself comfortable (as Elsa wanted). Anna knew Elsa had work to do, but even then… the blonde did nothing but take care of her the whole day-made her breakfast, washed her body, brushed her hair… Anna felt her heart swell with happiness.
Elsa had called Olaf to tell him that Anna wouldn't have to be home until the evening… and even then, Anna felt guilty. Well, not that Elsa cared when she was so wealthy. Oh, she just wished Elsa wasn't so carefree with her money.
The woman had driven her to school only a few hours ago. And perhaps, she felt even more guilty… for avoiding what she had to do: talk to her mother. It wasn't going to be easy. But she needed time to think. To… apologize for the way she'd been acting.
Anna couldn't think about what to say. She'd always been comfortable with her mother. She loved her. But never had she felt so… disconnected. And everything hurt as it reminded her of the lies that she lived with in their home.
Ah, home. What home?
That evening she'd left class, with her mind still planted with the same sad fucking stare from Meg. She'd tried to avoid it-the talk, and all-and she did. Almost always. Gods, every day she just wanted nothing more than to ask… why? Why me? What did I do to make you feel so incapable of loving me?
No, none of this mattered. Anna had always thought of revenge… to go in her face and say that Elsa was better. Elsa loved her. Elsa made her happy. Elsa was there for her.
Elsa, Elsa, Elsa.
Oh, even that… didn't matter any longer.
With the class quickly moving out into the night, she heard Meg calling for her. Once. Twice. But Anna ignored her. Pretended that she couldn't hear the desperation in her voice. Because she deserved it… right?
"Anna Andersen!"
Slam. Anna paused in front of the shut door, teal eyes staring blankly at it. She was the last to get out.
"Anna… please, turn around. Talk to me. You can't just keep ignoring me like this."
Oh, she'd give her the pleasure. Taking a deep breath, she turned around, her textbook wrapped tightly against her chest. "Yes, professor?"
Meg sat on the edge of her table. "Come here, please. I want to talk. About this. About us."
Anna looked away. At first glance, Anna realized how big the room was. "There's not much to say about us, professor."
"Anna, listen… I'm not going to argue with you here. I just want you to know that I do care about you, okay? I'm not…" She sighed, eyes on the ground. "I'm not doing this because I owe you an apology, but because… I know how much you despise me now. I don't care… but I still care for you." Is she trying to be funny?
"You care about me?" Anna raised her eyebrows. She didn't understand. Slowly, walking up to her through the big lecture room, her voice echoed. "What are you saying? What you said to me that night was perfectly clear. You don't love me, and…" She shrugged. "You know what, that's fine."
"Anna…"
She growled, "When I was in my deepest… darkest night, it wasn't you that was there for me, professor. She was. She… held me in her arms when I cried. She took care of me. She loved me."
Gods, the pain in her eyes… all the regret and sorrow… Anna wanted to see all that filling her expression. She wanted her to know how she felt that night… the night, when she confessed and everything went downhill from there. She wanted her to know how it felt to be caught up with feelings that did not belong. She wanted her to suffer.
Anna wanted to laugh, but she wasn't that bad of a person. She was angry. And her anger had driven her to revenge. But it was everything… that Anna stood against. She didn't need to be antagonized.
Meg took a deep breath, nodding with acceptance. "What happened? I want to know."
Anna sighed. "No, you don't. And even if you do… you won't comfort me like how she did."
"Anna-"
"Why did you want to talk to me? To… tell me how sorry you are? I know you are. That doesn't make me forget what you said." Stop.
Meg eyed the ground in shame. Anger. Frustration. Ah, Anna wanted that look because that was how she felt that night.
"Anna, what do you want me to say? I…" The woman rubbed her fingers against the bridge of her nose. "I just want to make sure that you are safe. That Elsa wouldn't hurt you. I'm not here to fight you. Please."
She knew she'd gone too far-too deep into wanting to hurt her the way she did but… it wasn't the way. Anna knew that. Her mother had taught her well not to fight fire with fire. Anna sighed. "Right… I… I'm sorry."
Meg shook her head. "I deserved it, and you know it. But I just… you can't ignore us."
There is no us. "Look, whatever. I'm… I'm fine. Elsa has been good to me, and I don't want anyone to sabotage what we have."
"Do you love her?"
Anna looked away. She could just feel the pain in her chest. When had she ever cared? "What I feel about someone else, doesn't matter to you. Now if we're done, I should probably-" She looked down, finding fingers wrapped around her wrist. Shivers ran down her spine, and she felt a sudden flash of heat.
The memories of cuffs fitting her wrists together… a silky cloth blinding her vision… a bar prying her legs open to exposure and vulnerability...the way she begged Meg to give her release.
The way she let her fingers slide up her tender body to her wrists above her head… the way she whispered to Anna, "Relax. Everything will be fine". She remembered it all. The pleasure. The scent of sex. The pain. Everything.
And it was everything that Anna loved more than anything. To feel her fuck her into oblivion. To feel herself buzzing with pleasure the next morning. The intensity, the sweat, the pulsing and shaking, the times she had come so hard, so fast everything seemed to be a blur. Ah, now… it was just a fantasy.
Anna slowly looked at her, eyes widened in fear… only to be met with a comforting smile. Anna did not need this. "If anything, Anna, I will always be there for you and your mother. You can always come to me when something doesn't go your way. You know that."
She didn't know. And she never would know because she didn't belong to Meg anymore. Whatever she could do… Elsa could do better.
Gods, she could laugh at herself. Perhaps, Meg was just hoping they would break apart, but Anna knew that would never happen.
Their feelings were mutual and last night had said a lot about their feelings.
The snow had stopped when she got out of the campus, being chin deep into her warm scarf. She looked up to the sky, the busy streets buzzing with cars and people. The wind wasn't strong tonight, but it had left the night in a bitter cold.
Oh, it'd grown quite dark. Of course, it was already past eight. Normally she would be heading home already, but no.
Tonight… she was going to stay at Elsa's, especially when she didn't have work. Especially, after what happened.
She breathed out cold air, gazing up at the night sky. Tonight, the moon was hiding behind the clouds. "I can't stay like this forever…" she murmured to herself.
"Come back again, sir, if you need anymore cleaning done."
The bell rang as the glass door opened, and Anna turned her attention to… oh, it was him again at the cleaner. This time with a beautiful white dress in his arms. She placed her hands in her pockets, breathing into her scarf.
"Sam, you always know what I want. I'll come back again, for sure." He turned, and finally, their eyes had met. A beat passed. "Oh, hey, it's you." He beamed.
Anna squinted her eyes. Hm… another look at him, and she realized, he really didn't look much like her biological father. She was glad. Anna nodded to him. "Hi."
The man smiled. "Waiting for someone?"
"Yeah." She couldn't keep her eyes off the white dress. It was nothing she would wear, but… it was gorgeous. "Nice dress you got there."
He gazed at it. "Oh, this! Nice, indeed. For my wife."
"Must be a very expensive dress."
"Well, if you consider 20k as expensive…" Anna coughed, choking on her own saliva at the thought. The man laughed. "Not surprised someone would be so shocked."
"A-And you're not?"
He just couldn't stop laughing. "Anyway, for the other day, thank you for… talking."
She shook her head. "It's just talking. No big deal."
"No, really." He sighed, eyes falling down to the ground. "You made me realize that… I have a lot to make up for my daughters. Especially her."
"Her?"
"My little-big girl who I've told you about the other day. I never know how to express my love to her. I've always been hard on her and she always seems so cold to me because of the mistake that I made… but deep down, I know she still finds a father in me. So thank you for opening my eyes. I know we're just strangers but… you, being just a college student, really helped an old man out."
Anna couldn't hide the pink in her cheeks, so she ducked her head under her scarf. "I-It's really nothing. Honestly. I guess I could say… I'm going through a similar situation."
She could just feel his amused eyes on her, and never had she seen such bright blue eyes. Ever. Especially when she could just see the dark circles. "You look a bit tired. Are you alright?"
"H-Huh?" She cleared her throat. "I, um… You seem to really… understand your own heart. Don't you?" She looked at him, squinting in question.
He tilted his head in curiosity. "Well… could you elaborate?"
"Like you just… you listen and you clearly set your heart in place."
"Are you… conflicted about how you feel about your family? Boyfriend?"
Chills ran down her spine. She looked out to the streets. "Girlfriend. No… I…" She chuckled. "My mistake, I don't know what we are. I mean… we have confessed our feelings to each other. Things are just a mess right now in my life and it's not just about her. And obviously, I do care about her. How do you do it?" She shouldn't be asking someone who she'd only talked to twice. It wasn't appropriate. Ah, but in desperate times, Anna needed desperate answers. She'd listen to anyone at this point.
"You're indecisive."
Anna shrugged. He wasn't wrong. "How can I be decisive?"
He took a deep breath of the frigid air, eyes up to the sky. Anna wasn't sure what he was thinking. "Sometimes… when there's just too many things going on, you just need to let everything go. Whatever is burdening your heart, let that go so you can focus on the person you love."
It was as if he'd just looked into her broken heart. And she could just feel his warm hand on her shoulder, as if he were lifting her burdens away. Her heart ached and all she wanted right now… was to really forget and forgive. She let out a shaky sigh. "Do you think I can?"
"Oh, I do believe you are a strong woman, so yes. Just don't let what happened in the past dictate who you are. I've known this for a long time now…" he mumbled.
Nobody had ever encouraged her this way. And she looked at him with wide eyes, bright with tears, her smiling lips forming a, 'thank you' to a man who she'd only seen twice. And both times, she wished she had a friend like this.
Chuckling, he opened his arms. "I know I don't know you very well, but you do deserve a hug."
She let out a wet laugh. "As do you."
Anna could just smell his wonderful cologne all day. But that wasn't going to do. With a hard earned pat on the back, he pulled away with a sigh. "Well then, I must go. My wife will scold me once again if I get home late."
"R-Right. Sorry about that."
"Will you be alright here?"
"Y-Yeah, of course. Um… I'm still waiting for my girl… er… my friend to pick me up."
He nodded. "Friend. You know, no matter what happens… whatever relationship you are dealing with, I'll be here to listen. I promise."
"Thank you. F-For your advice and… everything."
With an everlasting smile, she watched the man leave in his car. Nobody had ever made a promise like this… well, except for Elsa. But Anna knew, there wasn't a part of her that didn't trust Elsa. For a while, everything she wanted… needed were provided through her promises.
She promised to take care of her. She promised to provide her everything and anything… and she promised to make her feel safe in her arms.
Oh, but Anna did feel safe. And with Elsa… she had everything. But it didn't matter when her heart was not with Elsa. Not yet. She gazed at the ground, regret showing behind that scarf. Perhaps… this was what Meg had done to her. Leaving her to begin having trust issues… to begin asking questions repeatedly for reassurance.
But she knew not to blame everything on Meg now.
A loud honk prompted Anna to blink from her daydream, looking up to see Elsa leaning against her car door. "How many times do I have to call you?" She smirked, arms crossed. Gods, Anna just wanted to run over to her and hug her.
Oh, but she wanted to come out and play too. She tucked her scarf under her neck, a smile stretching her lips. She reached out for her phone. "8:22PM. You're late."
"I had… a few errands to run. Surprises for you, in fact."
Anna arched her eyebrows. "S-Surprises, huh? Of what?"
"You'll like it. But would you like to get inside?" She opened the passenger door. "It's getting quite cold."
"I thought you liked the cold."
"I don't like you in the cold."
Rolling her eyes, she kissed Elsa's cold cheek and got in as she was told to. "You know when you said you were going to pick me up from class, I didn't expect myself to be just standing here all frozen from the cold."
She could hear Elsa laughing ever so heartily as she closed her door, coming over back to her seat. She sighed, fingers gripping the steering wheel, another running through her golden fringes. "Well…" Blue eyes fell on hers. "Wouldn't you like to know where I have been?"
Anna scoffed. "Actually, yeah, I would."
Elsa didn't answer her. Instead, she leaned towards her… closer and closer, and Anna was being lured into her bright blue eyes. How she… just gazed at her without a twitch in her eye. Her heart stopped, and everything was still. She could just… kiss her right now, if she wanted to. "Elsa…"
Click.
She blinked. And Elsa was smirking. "Seatbelt."
Anna wanted to groan. What the hell was I expecting?
Quickly, Elsa turned back to grab a box. No, three very… big boxes were laid on Anna's lap. She glanced between Elsa and the boxes with curiosity… and she could just bask in the moment where Elsa was just leaning her head against the window, eyes drifting to her and the streets as she began to slowly drive off. Beautiful. Mesmerizing.
"Um… may I ask, what this is?"
The woman eyed the boxes for a second. "Well, why don't you open them and see?"
That… does not sound nice. With shaky fingers, she opened the cover of the first box only to be met with a small paper in the middle with a gold font written as 'Oscar de la Renta'.
Anna frowned, slowly turning to Elsa. "Um…"
Elsa simply pressed a finger against her lips. She didn't need to say anything else-couldn't anyway, and she slowly unwrapped the paper that surrounded the box… and inside was a dress. A beautiful red dress that sparkled in the night. Oh. Anna's heart stopped. She didn't want to believe it. Elsa… did she get me three. Fucking. Dresses? No way.
She didn't know what to say, teal eyes gazing at the dress in awe. It really was beautiful… and something that Anna would never. Ever. Fucking wear. "E-Elsa…" She didn't want to ask. She was afraid of the price… of all three of the prices.
Gods, did she want to throw up right now. She felt a hand caressing her lap. "Yes?"
How is she so calm?! She's playing me. Anna quickly turned to see her concentrating on the road. "C-Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Anna cleared her throat and took her hand in hers. "Okay. Um…" Deep breaths. "H-How much… did this cost? All of this. And... I-I assume you got three dresses."
"The cost doesn't concern you." Fuck, there was that smirk again. "Don't pout. It's distracting."
Anna huffed a breath out. "Seriously. Please, tell me?"
It didn't take very long until Elsa sighed as she stopped before a red light. "If I must… three dresses cost a little over 30k."
"What?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" She quickly covered her mouth. Anna was going to faint. Her heart was pounding, palms sweaty… and she… she did not dare to touch those other two boxes. Not ever. She ran her fingers through her hair, eyes widening as she gazed at the beautiful red dress in horror. "B-But… I thought you'd… but we… oh god, that could've paid for my tuition…"
And here, Elsa was laughing. "Well, it could've, but I'm sorry, I have already paid them back to Meg." She began driving down the street again, turning around to the corner. And Anna just couldn't comprehend what she had just said. Perhaps, she'd lied. No, no, no, there's no way. Who would ever say 30k for fun? Anna took a deep breath. She had to maintain her composure.
"L-Look, I know you're wealthy and all, but I didn't… I didn't think you were-"
"I don't spend a lot of money on myself. But for someone else…" She squeezed Anna's hand. "For you, my money is yours to keep."
Oh god. "Y-You are insane, Elsa Arendelle, you know that right?"
"I've been told."
"B-But for real… what you've just said, your money is mine to keep… are you implying we-"
She could just see the sincerity in her eyes. The moment Elsa had stopped her cocky grin, everything that Anna could see-could touch had melted. She knew with all her heart what Elsa wanted. How… much Elsa tried to resist and not give in to what they had for each other.
Oh, but she couldn't. And neither could Anna.
But Anna didn't press, knowing what Elsa would say. She smiled, flushing brightly. This moment had never been so sweet and tender. She eyed her pale hand, thumb brushing over her skin. Don't be so obvious!
Anna cleared her throat. "You know… if anything, I could've just borrowed my mother's dress. Or yours."
Elsa shook her head. "Now, why would I ever let you do that? My father's birthday will be coming up, and I want you to look… as beautiful as you can be. I want us… to look stunning."
"You will be wearing a dress, right?"
"Well, I can't let you have all the attention, can I?"
"Come on, it's your father's birthday."
"I would be happy to wear a tuxedo too."
Anna rolled her eyes and looked out her side window. The woman chuckled, eyes still on the road. And for a while, they were embracing this silence… the warmth of her hand on hers. Although she knew how playful and carefree Elsa could be, there wasn't a place she'd rather be without her. After all, in her own way, Elsa did care. "But thank you. I… I don't know how I can thank you for everything that you've done for me-even for my family behind the scenes. But seriously, Elsa… I couldn't have done anything without you."
Those words were genuine. And Anna couldn't let herself cry right now. She was just so happy. So grateful. Her weak heart couldn't take it. The tears that were hanging on to her pupils were happy tears. But even then, she couldn't allow Elsa to see it.
No, Elsa would just… look at this as if she had been in pain.
Oh, never once had she been so happy… and never once, had Elsa seen her this happy. She sniffled, turning to give her the biggest smile ever. "Honestly, I… God, I love you. More than anything in the world."
"It's not too late."
"W-What?"
"For us. For you being together with me."
Anna couldn't quite comprehend what she'd said. But perhaps, she just didn't believe Elsa would… she would… Anna felt her heart stop, eyes wandering anywhere but her. Because she wasn't sure. Because she didn't want to hurt what they have… to become something more. I want this.
"But I thought… you and I… we were going to take this slowly?"
"And we will."
"And Hans? Am I just going to quit what I'm doing?"
Elsa smiled. "No, you don't have to quit. And Hans… don't let it bother you." She paused. "I was wrong. What I've said last week, I was afraid of what we would become, and I don't doubt you did too. I realized now, I can't miss this for anything else. I can't lose you to anyone else. Not to her." Meg. Anna felt chills riding down her back.
"You really… You really think we can-"
"Anna, I love you." The car stopped, so did her whole world. And all she could see was her soft eyes… how serious she looked at her. How tightly Elsa had her fingers entwined with hers. She looked down to their held hands. Anna was speechless, completely smitten, and she was nothing more than a woman… a woman in love.
Oh, she wanted to hold on to her forever. To have her as a rock for support. To have her.
Anna couldn't hide her blush, the lips that stretched to a lovely smile. She didn't want to hide it anymore. She wanted to love… and there, Elsa was gazing at her in all seriousness, in all lovingness.
The tears she had held had finally fallen down her cheeks. She didn't hesitate to lean towards Elsa, her fingers in her hair… her lips on hers, and everything was just alright. She could just feel Elsa's smile against her lips… the tender fingers that held her cheeks from this wonderful kiss.
And Anna just couldn't help but cry against her, because Elsa was here. Elsa would wrap her in her arms and whisper sweet, soft nothings when she was down. Elsa would treat her right. Elsa would bring her light and happiness… a place where she belonged.
Because Anna was hers.
"I love you too."
a/n: thank you mpsantiago for beta-ing, you are the best! reviews are appreciated!