A/N: And this wraps up the first date! Hope you all enjoyed it. Next is movie night.
EDIT: I apologize for the formatting issues, it's only now I realized how many are left because of the transition from tumblr to FFnet. Hopefully I've fixed them all now.
"Take care, ladies! You two have a great day and come back to try my spinach puffs!" The burly chef waved goodbye, all smiles and dressed in a baby-blue apron.
Anna and Elsa returned the gesture before exiting the tiny deli, arms still looped together. They walked in a comfortable silence for a while and with each step, the shorter girl felt a tingle run down her spine where their skin came into contact. Despite the awkward and rough start, this date was quickly turning into one of her best dates ever.
I hope the rest are even better. Anna watched Elsa through the corner of her eyes. The blonde was rummaging in her purse, pulling out her phone and tapping away at it with one hand. A warm feeling settled in the pit of her stomach when she noticed the way Elsa's brow furrowed cutely for a moment.
Elsa, who'd been texting Meg that she'd be out later than she had previously stated, rolled her eyes at the reply ("Do I get to meet her now?!") and put her phone away. She turned to Anna, her lips quirking into a half-smile.
"So, where to?" The sparkle in ice-blue gave away the actual excitement the platinum blonde felt. Anna felt her heart skip a beat at the look in her eyes.
"Do you mind if we head back to campus and I drive us there?" she asked, biting her lip.
"Oh." Elsa's delicate mouth formed a small o-shape.
Rosy lips stretched into a grin to reveal a perfect row of white teeth. "That's perfect actually. Do you think you could drop me back home when we're done then?"
Anna felt a happy thrill run along the arm that was still looped with Elsa when she realized the blonde hadn't specified "when" was. The redhead cleared her throat and straightened, rising to her full height; trying to be as impressive as a girl in jean shorts and colorful sneakers could be.
"It would give me great honor to escort Milady home when she pleases," Anna said in a mock posh tone, wiggling her eyebrows at her date.
Elsa clamped her hand over her mouth, but Anna could still see the edges of her dainty mouth rising. Emboldened, she continued, "If Milady would be so kind as to still follow me, I shall gladly take her to the land of chocolates upon my noble steed."
A chuckle escaped Elsa's mouth, though she tried to stop it. It made Anna's heart skip happily to see that she could make the blonde laugh easily with her cheesy lines.
Miss Reserved has a fun side too. The redhead's expression softened at the thought.
"I'm guessing those lines are from your troupe's plays?" Elsa asked, pulling her hand away from her mouth and resting it on the arm intertwined with hers. They resumed walking, albeit more slowly now.
Anna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "Well some of them." She gestured with her free hand and added, "They've just been modified for certain situations."
Meaning I use them as cheesy pick-up lines.
Elsa raised an eyebrow, a calm smile on her lips. "I see. Then if I may ask, Sir Knight is this one of those situations?" The twinkle in her eye hinted she already knew the answer.
Anna's awkwardness slipped away and she tightened her hold on Elsa's arm.
"As Milady wishes!"
x x x
The campus and parking lot were mostly empty, courtesy of it being a Saturday. Something that Anna considered a point in her favor.
I really should stop overstepping my boundaries. Kristoff always warned me about all the hot air inside my head.
"So, this is your grand, noble steed?"
The redhead wanted to sink into the ground and simply die from embarrassment. She had a hand upon her face, her neck and ears flushing red with a mix of shame and regret. She was vainly trying to make herself disappear, shoulders hunched and head down.
Elsa, to her right, didn't understand what the fuss was about.
Alright, so the red pick-up truck was a bit dusty, the paint was peeling, and the back window had a crack in it, but who cared?
Anna fiddled with her keys and mumbled, "I forgot to take it out to the car wash this week. I was going to do it yesterday, but I was so excited for today—" Elsa tried to hide her smile at that "—that it completely slipped my mind."
The older woman pressed her hand to her lips, giggling quietly. I think I've laughed more times today than I have my whole life.
It seemed Anna had that effect on her and while it was different, it was a good different.
The redhead in question lifted her head and squeaked, "The inside is clean though! I know she doesn't look like much, but you wouldn't find a more reliable car!"
Elsa folded her hands neatly in front of her, back straightening. "Oh is she now?"
Anna nodded vigorously, moving to the passenger's side to unlock the door. "Yeah, she's a little beat up, but still good. Gotten me through every storm and snow we've had in this city." As if to emphasize her point, she patted a large front wheel. "She was my brother's. He gave it to me before he moved away since our parents got him a new car," Anna added, blushing sheepishly.
Elsa smiled and said, "That's sweet of him."
Anna tucked her hair behind her ears and replied, "It's what brothers do." She opened the passenger door and gestured inside, bowing at the waist. "Ladies first."
Amused, Elsa stepped into the large truck, but not before leaning forward and pecking Anna's cheek, saying, "You're sweeter though."
Score one for me! Anna grinned and then shut the door. Elsa bit her lip when she saw the redhead rush around and clamber into the driver's seat, amused at the discrepancy in size between truck and owner.
Could she be any more adorable? The blonde straightened and pretended to look innocent when Anna glanced over at her, curiosity causing her brow to furrow and cheeks to pinch.Obviously she can, Elsa thought. "Well good Knight, I trust you'll take us safely to our destination?"
"Oh trust me, if you love chocolate you'll love this little place!" Anna replied, eyes shining. She started up the engine and Elsa leaned back, noting that while the outside of the truck could use some work, the inside was warm and unbelievably cozy.
Just like Anna.
x x x
The chocolate shop was a tiny store located between two tall buildings. It seemed to be more squished between them than anything else. At the top, large friendly gold letters were engraved in the wood and read, "Wandering Oaken's."
Even before they stepped inside, the scent of chocolate was heavy in the air and the display window showcased several dark and light cakes so invitingly that both of them felt as if they had stepped onto cloud nine. The gold and dark brown color tones inside the shop only served to highlight the assortments of candies, pastries, and other delicacies.
Anna watched, biting her lower lip in glee, as Elsa took one step inside and stopped. The calm facade dropped to reveal a dreamy expression. Elsa tilted her head back and took a long, slow whiff of the air. She dropped her shoulders and sighed, ice blue eyes dropping to half mast, her lips curving slightly.
"This place is heavenly," Elsa whispered.
Anna rocked on the heels of her sneakers, hands clasped behind her back; vainly trying to keep her excitement contained. I hit a home run!
"Anna!"
They both turned to see a large man with curly blonde hair waving at them from behind the register counter.
"Hoo-hoo!"
Anna chuckled at Elsa's bewildered expression and returned the wave cheerfully. "Good evening Mr. Oaken. I, uh, brought someone special today to sample your wares." She glanced shyly at Elsa, fidgeting with her hands.
At Anna's words, the blonde felt a small rush of anxiety run through her veins before she noticed Oaken's kind expression. Oh. She relaxed.
Oaken twiddled his fingers and said in a thick, hearty accent, "Well someone special you say? Then I insist you try our latest Summer Collection, ja?" He gestured to the display directly in front of him where several deep golden boxes tied with lilac ribbons laid. "We've been trying a new mixture this past month. Something sweet with a bit of tartness."
Anna rubbed her hands together and grabbed two packets off the shelf. She placed them on the counter and started fishing for her wallet when a pale, delicate hand placed a heap of bills on the counter.
"Wha?" The redhead gaped at the amount in front of her. She jerked her head up to stare at Elsa, mouth flapping uselessly.
"Hoo-hoo, a spender!"
"This is enough, correct?" Elsa asked, smiling and hands folded in front of her.
Oaken nodded and turned around, grabbing a white box behind him from one of the shelves. He placed it down and pushed it toward the couple. "Ja, and in honor of my best customer and her special guest, I insist you have this. It's our best seller, dark chocolate cake with strawberries and a surprise at the end!" he said, winking.
Anna still hadn't recollected her mouth from the floor when Elsa paid and Oaken wrapped their items and placed them into a bag.
"Hoo-hoo, enjoy ladies!" Oaken said, wiggling his fingers in goodbye.
As they exited, Anna stumbling behind a very satisfied Elsa, the redhead blurted out, "You didn't have to pay! I could have done it!"
Elsa gave a sidelong glance to her date, smiling softly. "I wanted to. It's the least I could do after you've been treating me so well."
Anna gulped. "I'm supposed to be pampering you, not the opposite way around."
Elsa chuckled and fiddled with the bag, a light dusting of pink on her face. "You really are very sweet," she mumbled, almost to herself.
The strawberry-blonde found herself momentarily at a loss for words, especially with how pretty the way Elsa's fair skin looked accompanied by a rosy glow. Instead, she took the bag gingerly from Elsa and gestured to her truck. Still focused on the way Elsa suddenly seemed shy, she choked out, "We can eat in my truck."
x x x
For someone who was used to spending meals at lavish restaurants or eating at exquisite banquets, eating at a small deli and then spending the rest of her day in a worn, beaten down pick-up truck was an odd (though not unwelcomed) change of pace. As Elsa leaned back in her seat, the scent of chocolate and leather wafting in the air, she couldn't help but feel a mix of tranquility and excitement.
"Ooh, try this one!" Anna said, rummaging through the box of rapidly decreasing chocolates and picking out a dark piece.
Elsa chuckled and obligingly opened her mouth, cheeks turning slightly pink when Anna offered it to her. She chewed slowly, eyes falling shut in bliss at the taste.
Anna swallowed when she saw Elsa's long eyelashes flutter against her cheek, entranced by the contrast of alabaster skin and dark lashes. She almost missed the moan of delight Elsa uttered. Almost. She swallowed thickly.
"Mint and dark chocolate!" Elsa's ice-blue eyes flew open and she fixed Anna with a delighted look. "One of my favorites," the blonde said, swallowing and letting out another happy noise.
"I'll have to remember that in case I want to get you more chocolates," Anna said, winking. She was rewarded with a show of pearly white teeth and a small slap on her arm.
"Don't go thinking you can get anywhere just because you figured out one of my weaknesses." Still, Elsa couldn't hold back the grin on her face, especially when Anna straightened and made a show of looking suave.
"Au contraire mademoiselle, I think chocolate can get you anywhere." The redhead wiggled her eyebrows at her and Elsa pressed a hand to her mouth.
"Your accent is terrible," she mumbled through her fingers.
Anna's composure broke and she blushed furiously, hands going to play with one of her braids. "Okay, okay, French plays have never been one of my strong suits."
"It's alright, we all have our weaknesses," Elsa said as she rummaged through the chocolates and picked out a round, white one. She popped it in her mouth and inwardly squealed at the tartness of cherries inside.
"So my weakness is French accents and yours is chocolate?" Anna asked, picking up another piece as well and munching on it, the crunching sound giving away the filling of nuts.
Elsa snatched another chocolate and smirked at Anna. "If I remember correctly, that store owner said you were one of his best customers. So I'd say, my weakness is chocolates and yours is both French plays and chocolates."
Anna stuck out her tongue at her, placing aside the mostly empty chocolate box and grabbing the white one Oaken had given them. "Say what you will, but this 'best customer' managed to snag us a cake!"
"Of which I am most grateful," Elsa said, dipping her head down in a grand show of formality.
Anna chuckled at Elsa's willingness to play along with her antics and eagerly opened the white box. The sight and scent of dark chocolate filled the air, a hint of fruity goodness accompanying it. Elsa and Anna sighed in unison.
"Being a 'best customer' sure has its benefits I see," Elsa teased gently. Nevertheless, she eyed the cake hungrily, her mouth watering when she noticed that the white frosting smelled of mint.
Anna licked her lips and reached into the shopping bag Oaken had given them to grab a plastic knife. "Oh it really does. I've had tons of sweets from Oaken's but this one is one of my favorites. You'll love it!" she said as she cut a piece from the box.
The cake, as Elsa discovered, really was topped with mint frosting along with fresh strawberries and filled with strawberry jam. It was composed of three layers and her mouth watered when Anna handed a piece to her.
"Go ahead, you look like you're starving," the redhead joked.
Elsa bit into it as quickly as she deemed appropriate. The mint, dark chocolate, and sweetness of the strawberries rolled into a delicious sensation on her tongue and she hummed appreciatively. She closed her eyes at the explosion of flavors, wanting to savor the taste. Then an unfamiliar tartness followed everything and she blinked at Anna in curiosity, still chewing.
Anna giggled, shaking her head at Elsa's confused look, braids flapping. "Cloudberries. They're a delicacy in Norway and Mr. Oaken adds a bit to this cake to make it extra special." Her teal eyes twinkled in a way that seemed to say this-is-a-secret, don't-tell-anyone.
Elsa swallowed her last bite and looked longingly at the cake. "May I have some more?"
Anna laughed and cut another piece.
For a long while, they were content to just share the dessert back and forth. The cake box joined the chocolate box in similarity with its contents depleting.
At the last one-third of the cake, Elsa reached down and picked off a section (the last piece to have a whole strawberry on top), holding it up between her fingers. She smiled at Anna and held it out to the redhead. "Since this whole date idea was yours, I say you get this piece."
Anna blinked at her, teal eyes flickering from Elsa's face to the cake between her fingertips. Her throat suddenly felt dry when she noted the stickiness on those long, smooth looking hands. "Uh, I think you should have it! You're the one who's had to deal with all my awkward weirdness."
Elsa frowned slightly and moved closer, closing the distance between them. "I insist you have this piece Anna. You've been nothing but wonderful all day. You deserve a treat."
"It's just one bite of cake," Anna mumbled. Nonetheless, she opened her mouth and let Elsa feed her. Her pink lips closed around the chocolate and she shivered, at both the taste and the way Elsa's face subtly lit up when she accepted.
"Like I said, you earned it." Elsa leaned down and grabbed the abandoned box of chocolates. There were still a few left and she wasn't about to leave perfectly good desserts alone. There was one of milk chocolate with what looked like almonds inside and she picked it up eagerly.
"You did end up paying for it though," Anna whispered. Her words, despite the softness of them, pierced through the atmosphere.
A shiver ran down the blonde's spine at the tone of her date's voice.
"You really didn't have to."
Elsa paused, the chocolate halfway to her lips. She blinked and turned to Anna. The redhead was hunched over in her seat, hands gripping the white box. The smile was gone from her face and she was staring down at her hands with a sudden, intense—forlorn?—look that Elsa began to feel her hands shake.
Did I do something wrong?
"I'm sorry? I'm confused…" the blonde whispered. Her stomach did a small flip when Anna's head snapped up, teal eyes wide.
"Oh no, no! You didn't do anything wrong really!" Anna reached over, but before she could clasp Elsa's hand she froze. The redhead bit her lip, cupping her hands together. She looked down, eyes trained on the gap between their seats. "I don't want you to get the wrong impression of me."
Wait, what?
With a start, Elsa realized she was talking about earlier with Oaken's. Or was it earlier with the burger joint thing? Perhaps both? The blonde felt even more confused than before and she felt her skin begin to crawl underneath her blouse and jeans.
Anna ran a hand through her hair, looking flustered. "Sorry that doesn't make any sense." She blew her fringe away. "What I mean to say is, I don't want you to think I'm dating you for your money. That's actually the opposite! There's a bunch of reasons I want to date you besides your cash. I mean, you're smart, beautiful, composed, and uh- wait what? I'm getting off track here."
With each word that passed through Anna's lips, Elsa could feel the tightness in her stomach slowly relax. Understanding dawned on her face and her expression softened, ice-blue eyes watching Anna through dark lashes. It all made sense now. The worry over the burger joint, the awkwardness over her truck, how flabbergasted she was when Elsa paid for their treats, and the insistence that she made sure Elsa was having a fun time.
The platinum blonde moved forward, the leather seat creaking in response, and in a moment of more bravery than she ever had, grasped Anna's fidgeting hands. She fought back the instinctive urge to flinch. Not now. Get it together Elsa.
The redhead looked up and Elsa secretly delighted in the way the fading sunlight lit up Anna's strawberry hair into fine copper. Wait, I never noticed that white streak in her hair before…
Elsa breathed slowly, "I already said it before earlier, but you don't have to worry about impressing me. I'm sorry, it didn't occur to me that you were worried about your stature—" she gestured with her free hand around the truck's inner settings, "—but like you said to me, I have other reasons for going out with you."
Anna's lower lip quivered, a faint wetness in her teal eyes. "Really?"
Elsa felt her chest tighten at the unfamiliarity of the sight. In the single year she'd known Anna, she had never seen the boisterous young woman cry or even shown anything akin to sadness. The feeling sent a wave of (deja-vu?) anxiety through her. She clasped Anna's hand tighter with her trembling fingers.
"Yes really. I accepted remember?"
Anna gulped back her tears as Elsa's words and another's ("She said yes, remember?") sunk into her mind. She gripped the blonde's hand back, tanned fingers sliding down to stroke a delicate, pale wrist. "Sorry to get all emotional on you all of a sudden," Anna mumbled. Her freckled cheeks pinched in that ever-familiar grin.
Elsa smiled in relief and said, "If it helps, you're actually the first person I ever chose to date willingly. So maybe your track record isn't as bad as you think."
"Oh?" Anna visibly brightened and Elsa had to stop herself from letting out a pleased noise at seeing her teal eyes light up.
"Mhm," the blonde murmured. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes at the flood of memories coming to mind. "My parents tried to be subtle, but it doesn't take one long to figure out when you're set up to meet Mr. Some-Such-and-Other's intelligent, wealthy, and very available son."
"What?!" Anna bristled at the implications, her other hand's fingers digging into the cake box.
Elsa's eyes twinkled at the reaction and she held up a placating hand. "Easy there, fiestypants. They did it because they wanted to insure I had a stable future."
On the occasion that they weren't there anymore and certain things fell apart. She tried to shove the dark thought away, lips curling down into a grimace. Now wasn't the time to dwell on such things.
Anna stiffened, feeling as if the temperature in her car had suddenly dropped. Wanting to lighten the sudden depressive air she did what she did best. Talk. A lot.
"O-oh. Is that so? Well I can see why they'd do that, set you up with a ton of guys that is. Wait, no, that came out wrong! I mean, you being forced to go out with someone is a terrible thing! I was just saying that since you're from such a well-established family, I can see why so many other people would want their sons marrying you—wait no, that's not the point I wanted to make. I'm not saying that you should have to accept those guys just 'cause your parents were looking out for you! I mean, of course they're looking out for you, but it doesn't make those arrangements right! Love should be something natural, not pushed forward. I'm rambling again aren't I? I don't even know if you want to hear these assumptions from me! Wait what?"
Anna paused and stared at Elsa, feeling a blush spread across her freckled cheeks for the umpteenth time that day.
"You said I was the first person you chose to go out with willingly?"
Elsa, who had been watching Anna in her bumbling rant with a widening gaze, turned to fully face her now as a soft smile graced her lips. "Yes, that's correct."
Anna blinked, an uncertain emotion flickering in her teal eyes. "Why's that?"
"Hm?"
"Why did you say yes to me?"
The stillness in the air was deafening for a moment. The fading sunlight filtering through the truck's slightly dusty windows added to the silence. For a moment, neither of them breathed. Elsa's eyes flickered over Anna's face, drawn to the way the redhead bit her lip in anticipation. The blonde felt her heart thump loudly in her chest. She sucked in a breath and broke the silence.
"…I can't tell you why."
"Huh?" Anna leaned back, eyes widening in confusion. Her grip slackened on the cake box and her lower lip jutted out in a pout. "Why not?"
Elsa's lips curved into a small smile and in a slightly teasing voice, she said, "I'll tell you why when you tell me why you asked me out."
Anna blew back her fringe from her face and all at once the tension and awkwardness in the air was broken. "That's cheating." When she noticed Elsa's eyes twinkling, the redhead rolled her eyes and groaned. "That's cheating and you know it! Unfair!"
Elsa chuckled and leaned back in her seat, shoulders relaxing. "All's fair in love and war, sir Knight."
Anna blew a raspberry at Elsa, but let the subject drop. For now. Instead, she opened the white box again and broke off another piece of cake.
"I think it's about high time we finished off this lovely dessert, don't you think so Your Majesty?"
"Pfft!" Elsa let out an uncharacteristic snort of laughter. She clamped her hands over her mouth, blushing a bright, hot pink when Anna laughed in response.
"Oh wow! I didn't think I'd ever hear that from someone like you." The redhead wiped away faint tears from her eyes with her free hand, the cake's frosting in the other beginning to melt from the warmth inside her car.
Elsa straightened and ran a hand over her platinum braid, trying to recover what little dignity she had left. "There's a lot you don't know about me," she said coolly.
Oh wow, Arendelle, aren't you the mysterious one?
When uncertainty flashed on Anna's face, Elsa wanted to snatch the comment right back. Then Anna slowly began to lean closer to her, chocolate cake held invitingly on her fingers. Elsa felt her face grow hot, but for entirely different reasons now. She parted her lips obligingly, feeling her blood race at the dark, yet unbelievably kind expression in those teal eyes. Her blood pressure skyrocketed when Anna pushed forth the piece of cake into her mouth, tanned fingertips lingering for a moment on rosy lips. The blonde chewed slowly, too stunned to say anything. The bittersweet, tartness of the cake added to the pleasant tingle on her lips.
Anna flashed her a grin and put the box aside. "I guess I'm going to have keep going out with you if I want to change that." She winked and Elsa gulped, swallowing the last of the delicious, dark treat.
"I guess so…" the blonde whispered, her blush lessening to a faint splash of pink on her cheeks.
x x x
The drive home was spent in comfortable silence. The evening sun had set and the stars were barely beginning to peek out from the inky-black sky. After their earlier conversation, they had finished up the cake and chocolates in relative quiet and sparse conversation. The atmosphere had been too fragile to break with anything more serious. Anna, remembering her promise, had offered to drive her home, on the grounds that it was getting too late and too dark. Elsa had accepted, pleased with not having to walk home and that she didn't have to call Meg after all to pick her up and also secretly pleased she could spend just a little more time with her date. Though the blonde was certain she was in for a small interrogation when she got back to her condo. Glancing to the side, watching Anna steer her truck in those adorable, floral-patterned shorts, she felt her skin buzz with satisfaction.
On a scale of one to ten, this date has been complete bliss.
"This it?" Anna asked, parking in front of a tall, white building with large glass window panes. The redhead leaned out the window and whistled appreciatively. "I guess being an architect major helps with choosing things like this." She glanced at the blonde sitting next to her and grinned. "Let me guess, top floor?"
Elsa chuckled, nodded, and stepped out. "Yes to both accounts. My expertise helped in deciding this place and my roommate and I do live on the highest floor." She turned, about to ask, hopeful—
"Do you mind if I walk you to the door at least?"
Elsa bit her lip at the sight of large, puppy-dog teal eyes staring at her.
How can I resist such a face?
"I'd be delighted," the blonde whispered.
Anna grinned and jumped out of her seat, shutting both doors and locking her car before offering her arm to Elsa. Elsa tilted her head in thanks and looped their arms together. They walked toward the large double doors happily, their feet scuffing against the smooth cement the only sound in the closing night. The short trip to the building was too short though.
Elsa turned to Anna, a half-smile on her lips. "Well, I guess this is it."
The redhead stepped back and cupped her hands together. "Yeah I guess so." She shivered and Elsa suddenly realized Anna was probably cold from the night air. Her attire did only consist of shorts and a single shirt, after all.
The blonde reached into her jean pocket and pulled out her phone, ready to text Meg she was home. Fiddling with it, she said quietly, "I had fun. This was lots of fun Anna."
Anna rocked on the heels of her colorful sneakers. "It wouldn't be weird of me to ask you—and after hearing the stuff with your parents, you're completely allowed to say no!—but if you, you know, wanted to go out a second time with me, say to go see a movie, I'd-" she lifted her eyes to Elsa, looking at her between strawberry-blonde locks, "-I'd like that."
Elsa's hands paused in the act of opening the door. She fidgeted, hope blooming in her chest. "Well, I did imply earlier that I…" She exhaled, watching the glass on the door fog over for a bit. Crickets began to faintly chirp in the distance and she suddenly felt all too aware of everything at the moment. The way her skin itched under the jeans and blouse, the way the lights of the building made the surrounding dark feel even darker, making it seem as if they were the only two people within miles. And especially the way Anna made a small noise when the blonde spoke, caught halfway between hope and rejection.
"Yes," Elsa breathed. "Yes, a movie sounds good."
Anna lit up so fiercely she rivaled the sidewalk lights in brightness nearby. The redhead rushed forward and in that moment Elsa was sure she could have counted every single freckle on the other girl's face. If she'd been given time to react that is. Pink lips brushed over a fine, high cheekbone and then retreated so quickly that Elsa was almost disappointed. Almost.
"Good! Great!" Anna exclaimed, sounding as breathless as Elsa felt. She skipped down the steps from the building, turning in the direction of her car. "Well, uh, call me or text me alright? We can make plans whenever you want! Any day is good for me!"
Elsa watched as Anna began to backtrack, too stunned to really say anything. The blonde nodded and opened her door, halfway through it when she heard Anna bump into something.
"Ow! Stupid pole!"
A crown of platinum peeked out and Anna grinned sheepishly. "Uh, it's nothing! Just getting acquainted with this pole here!" She gave a small wave. "I should go now, talk to you soon Elsa. Bye!"
Elsa giggled and returned the small wave. "Bye Anna. I look forward to our next date." Then she slipped inside.
One, two, three, she counted.
"YES!"
She really is too adorable. Elsa smiled at the following whoop of delight from outside and then began to head up the floors to her condo.
Her eyelids and shoulders drooped when she stepped onto the elevator. Thankfully, no one was out so she didn't have to spend time to idly chatting around. Now she just wanted to curl up in her bed and let the day's events happily linger in her mind.
Of course all of that went to squat when she opened the door to her apartment and found a disgruntled looking brunette sitting on a pristine, white armchair.
"So," Meg began, smirking when she saw the color drain from Elsa's face. "How was your date with Wonder Girl?"
Elsa rolled her eyes and walked over to the couch, flopping down on it. "Ugh, Meg, can we do this in the morning?"
"Did she try any funny business? Did she pressure you into anything? Does she do drugs?" Meg asked, ignoring Elsa's exhausted remark.
"No, no, and the last one doesn't even make sense." Elsa groaned and rolled over. Her annoyance melted away when she saw the underlying concern in Meg's violet eyes. "We had sandwiches, chocolate, and she dropped me off."
"Wait, she dropped you off? Does that mean she's still here?!" Faster than Elsa had ever seen her move, Meg rushed to the window and pressed her nose to it, trying to spot her date in the growing night.
Elsa chuckled, amused at her roommate's overprotective actions. "She's not here anymore Meg. Besides, even if she was, you barely know what she looks like and you don't know what car she has."
Meg huffed and crossed her arms, returning to sit next to her this time. "Fine, keep Wonder Girl a mystery for now, but if you two are going to continue dating, I get to meet her soon! Okay?"
Elsa sighed and snuggled into one of the couch's plush pillows. "Fine, but there's nothing for you to worry about Meg, really."
Meg raised an unconvinced eyebrow and Elsa returned it with a dreamy smile.
"She was sweet Meg, even sweeter than the chocolate."
x x x
Anna bounded up the steps of the student dorm, tingling with excitement.
Best. Date. EVER!
She skipped the last few steps and then rushed down the hallway. She slid to a stop at her door, hearing two familiar voices inside.
Oooh! Punzie and Eugene are back too!
Anna pulled the door open and was immediately tackled by a jumping ball of pink and brown.
"You're back! You're back! How was the date? Did it go well? Did you two kiss? Tell me everything!" Rapunzel gushed, squeezing her cousin tightly.
"Can't breathe," Anna wheezed.
"Oops, sorry," Rapunzel said, drawing back but not letting go of the redhead's hands. Her doe, green eyes were sparkling. "Did you have fun?"
The way Elsa had stood there when Anna had kissed her cheek flashed back to her. The lights from inside the building and the sidewalk poles had seemed to illuminate the other woman's hair, turning it from a platinum blonde to a pale gold. She had frozen in place, blue eyes wide with surprise. For once they hadn't seemed icy-blue, but a deep, bright winter color. The memory made Anna smile dreamily.
"Yes, we had lots of fun."
Rapunzel jumped in place, squeezing her cousin's hands. "See! I told you everything would turn out okay!"
Eugene, who'd been sitting on Rapunzel's bed, got up and smacked Anna on the back. "Yeah Red, how could you ever doubt Princess here? Besides, I gave you those recommendations about Horace and Jasper's!"
That reminds me.
Anna turned to her cousin's boyfriend, dreamy smile turning cold. "Yeah, about that Eugene, just where did you get those recommendations? What made you think Elsa would like that place?"
The man shrugged, genuinely confused. "I don't know, Princess and I hit it off really well after the Ugly Duckling incident. Just thought something like that would work out the same for you and her."
"It almost didn't," Anna said, letting go of her cousin's hands so she could crack her knuckles.
"Uh, now hold the phone Anna, it turned out alright in the end! Right?" Eugene began to back out of the room, holding his hands up in self-defense.
"I'm going to hurt you."
"Oh, c'mon, you wouldn't! We grew up together! Best buddies through childhood and all that!"
"You only told me about that place to get me to stop interrupting your Rapunzel and you time didn't you?" Anna asked, stepping toward him and rolling up the sleeves of her shirt.
"You're half right. I really did think that place was good! The burgers aren't bad and they're cheap! Please don't hurt me!" Eugene shrieked and ran down the hallway.
"I'll break your smoulder!" Anna yelled as she ran after her friend.
Rapunzel rolled her eyes and looked down the hallway. "Anna don't try anything or else you'll-"
There was a loud crash.
"-both get hurt," the brunette said, wincing.
After they'd both been bandaged and after a stern scolding from her cousin, Anna conceded that Eugene's plan had worked after all. The redhead grinned and kissed both their cheeks.
"Thanks you two. My date really was great."
Rapunzel squealed and asked, "Now how about details?"