A/N: In which we learn a little bit more about our two wonderful protagonists. And a bit of foreshadowing here and there, as usual.
I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to review, favorite, and follow this story! Thank you all so much. Seriously, almost 150 follows? You're all sweeter than chocolate.
As for the guest that asked if I can do an Anna gets sick chapter, I do have something planned for that yes. Haha, but later. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Warning: Description of an anxiety attack in this chapter, for those who might be triggered by it.
The theater was a bustle of activity. Despite the cold weather lately (or as Eugene had said to her earlier because of the cold weather) there was a large throng of people waiting in line or lingering around outside. Anna turned off the engine and smiled at Elsa. "Well we're here! What movie would you like to see?"
Elsa glanced outside and pressed her hand to the window. Anna noticed her breath fog on the glass. Underneath her clothes, she felt goose bumps prickle all over her skin.
"I'm not sure, why don't we look over the choices?"
Anna snapped out of her daze, blinking rapidly at Elsa. "Huh?"
Elsa gave her a sheepish grin, shoulders lifting slightly. "Perhaps we should decide while waiting in line? I can't say I go to cinema to watch movies often." A faint blush colored her cheeks at the admission. If Anna didn't know any better she would have said that Elsa seemed almost embarrassed.
Anna tilted her head and smiled at Elsa. "Alright, we'll leave it up to chance then. Who knows, maybe we'll pick something neither of us would have thought we'd like." She paused for a second, eyes flashing and an evil grin spreading across her freckled cheeks. "Like a horror movie."
Elsa blanched and looked disgusted for a moment. "Please no, I don't want to spend two and a half hours watching some fool on screen just begging to be slashed to bits," she grumbled.
Anna laughed, choking suddenly at the way Elsa's nose scrunched up at the possibility of watching a slasher film. Her eyes narrowed and she raised her head, looking down her nose as if she had stepped on something foul on the ground. Her lips pulled back in a grimace and she visibly shuddered.
To Anna, the action was so unlike (and yet completely like) prim and proper Elsa that she couldn't help snorting through her nose. Quickly, she covered her mouth with her hands, jacket cuffs hiding half her face. A blush spread across her face.
Elsa blinked at her and her blush increased tenfold, red hot and bright.
Way to go Anna, now you look like an uncultured pig.
Anna dropped her hands and coughed, face burning. She pushed back a lock of strawberry-blonde and turned away from Elsa, fumbling with the door lock. "So, uh, we should get going! Don't want tickets to sell out after all." The lock unclicked and she slipped out.
A cold wind blew over her and she was grateful for the refreshing feeling on the back of her heated neck.
Anna breathed in, out, and then looked over her shoulder at Elsa. The blonde was still seated and watching her with a thoughtful expression on her face. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, a far off look in them, and she had her hands folded neatly in her lap.
Anna realized with a start that at one point she had let go of Elsa's hand. As if on cue, she felt a tingle on her palm and flexed her fingers uncertainly.
Elsa was still staring.
"Uh, Elsa?"
Ice-blue eyes blinked, their unfocused look disappearing. The blonde rose from her seat and slid out the car door, walking to her side with her smile back in place.
Anna stared, mouth dropping open at the sudden change.
"Lead the way," Elsa said, winking at her.
Anna smiled goofily at her and nodded as Elsa grasped her arm lightly, turning to lead her date toward the building. She tried to ignore the prickle of curiosity that nagged at her mind.
x x x
Anna rubbed her hands together, secretly cursing the line's length. She glowered and huffed in place, already wishing to be inside the building and not waiting for tickets. Fridays were days where she only had classes and no work, but they were also popular for movie-going.
A movement next to her caught her eye. The redhead turned and saw Elsa looking up at the time stamps. Anna nudged her, smiling.
"Anything in mind?"
Elsa frowned thoughtfully, reaching up to play with the end of her braid. "No, I haven't seen any of the movies. I don't even know what half of them are about."
Anna licked her chapped lips. How often did Elsa get out? She shrugged and bumped her hip into Elsa, grinning at the startled look on the platinum-blonde's face.
"Why don't you go check out the boards over there and see if there's anything that interests you?"
Elsa turned to her, face scrunched up again. However, this time Anna was glad to notice it was in worry. She bit her lower lip, trying to keep from squealing at the way her date's brow furrowed.
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you waiting here forever in the cold."
Anna giggled and gently pushed Elsa in the direction of the movie boards. "Don't be silly, you won't keep me waiting. It's a long enough line anyway! By the time I'm up there you'll have made your decision."
Elsa chewed her lip, frown still plastered on her face.
"I'll save us a spot, don't worry." She pushed on Elsa's lower back and the blonde finally relented, heels clacking against the cement.
Anna felt her mouth go dry for a moment as she watched Elsa's hips sway. She shut her eyes tightly and quickly turned around.
Ever since she had seen Elsa walk out of her apartment door, lilac scarf wrapped around an elegant neck and pale blue dress fitted snuggly over the older woman's slim form, she'd been trying hard not to stare.
Trying really hard.
So hard she had neglected to tell Elsa how beautiful she looked tonight.
Have to remember to tell her that later tonight.
Anna nodded to herself and shuffled her feet in line. She breathed and watched the fog of her breath rise in the air. The mutter of the crowd was calming and she closed her eyes, feeling a lull overcome her.
The image of Elsa's hips swaying in the cold night—covered by the soft, silky material of her dress, braid bouncing upon on back—flashed through her mind's eye.
Anna snapped her eyes open and swore under her breath. Damn it Anna you're not a hormone-crazed teenager anymore! Have some self-control.
The redhead glanced over her shoulder where she saw Elsa standing. Elsa's back was ramrod straight, her scarf gently flowing along her shoulders with the slight breeze in the air. Her hands held the white designer handbag close to her, pressed against her front. Her alabaster skin was a stark contrast against the gray, cracked cement and the dark red building. Against the dark night and the theater lights, she looked ethereal.
Anna's shoulders dropped and she smiled to herself, eyes soft. Okay I'm allowed to think my date is gorgeous.
Relieved, she turned back to watch the ticket sales and the line move slowly up.
A sudden, harsh breeze rushed over her and the rest of the crowd. Anna shivered, shoving her hands into her jacket. Perhaps she should have worn a hat as well. The tips of her ears were freezing. Generally, their city had mild weather, except when it came to winter. Winter could go from brisk, gray days to snowy, frost-covered ones.
This coming winter looked as if it would be one of the latter.
Anna sneezed and zipped up her jacket. She had never done particularly well with the cold. She couldn't understand how Elsa wasn't bothered by it in the slightest.
A quick glance over her shoulder at the blonde's fair and uncovered legs caused the image of the blonde shaking after she exited her apartment to resurface.
I wonder what that was all about.
Anna rubbed her hands together, trying to bring some warmth into them. The tips were turning faintly red. She breathed on them and then placed them back into her pockets. Now she was even happier for the large letterman jacket. It helped to keep out the cold. Kristoff you look out for me even when you're not here. She buried her nose in the collar of her jacket and smiled. She'd have to find some way to repay her brother.
Another gust of wind reminded her that, unlike the jacket, her cargo pants were well-worn. Anna hunched over and pushed her legs tight together, mentally cursing the gaping hole on the right side of her outfit.
At least the theater would be nice and cozy.
The man in front of her shuffled ahead and Anna trailed along behind him. She read over the time tables with vague interest. She didn't want the movie they chose to start an hour later, but she did want Elsa to feel as if she had some time to actually choose.
Anna blew her fringe out of her face.
The clacking of heels alerted her to Elsa's return.
Anna glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the blonde. "Find anything you'd like?"
Elsa gave her an apologetic expression. "No, sorry. I don't get out much for things like this so I wasn't sure what to pick in the end."
She made a face.
"All I know is, I definitely do not want to see Midnight Sawing. That sounds so predictable I nearly gagged," she grumbled.
Anna giggled and rolled her eyes at Elsa's shudder. She nudged Elsa's shoulder with her own and asked, "Alright, why don't we decide together?"
Elsa smiled gratefully at her and nudged her back. "What do you have in mind?"
The redhead quickly scanned the movie boards on the walls and then looked up at the flashing times above the cashiers. In half an hour, the movie Not My Day would be starting.
"How about a romantic comedy?" Anna asked, leaning over to Elsa and pointing at the specific movie poster.
As Elsa glanced at it, taking in the disoriented looking businessman, a thousand worries suddenly shot through Anna's brain.
Would that be too stupid? It would probably be too stupid.
What was I thinking? Of course a romantic comedy would sound dumb.
She herself didn't mind romance stories. In fact she enjoyed them, having exhausted a large part of her childhood reading fairytale books on dashing heroes, loyal knights, and far off princesses.
But Elsa was at the top of her class, someone who came from high-born society. Would she enjoy something as silly as a romcom?
The blonde finally looked away from the movie poster and smiled at Anna, blue eyes gentle.
"Sure why not?"
The simple answer melted the rest of Anna's worries.
Elsa rummaged through her purse, brow furrowed. "Is it alright if I pay for my ticket? Or did you want to pay for both? I don't mind paying for my own."
Anna chuckled, remembering their previous date.
"Alright, we can compromise on that."
x x x
The inside of the theater was significantly warmer.
Something Elsa was sure that Anna was grateful for with the way the redhead bounced inside. Elsa handed their tickets to the employee inside, trying to resist a large smile from breaking out across her face as Anna relentlessly blew over her hands and rubbed them up and down her arms.
And she was worried about me being cold? If I didn't know any better I'd say she just walked out of a snowstorm with the way she's acting.
At that, she couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, reaching forward to tug on Anna's sleeve.
Anna turned to her, cheeks slightly flushed from the cold winds outside and freckles even more prominent due to the sudden change in lighting.
"Do you want to head in now and find some seats? Or buy something to eat?"
Anna hummed and glanced skyward, biting her lower lip in thought.
Elsa's fingers twitched and for a moment she had to resist the urge to pinch one of those freckled, soft cheeks.
The redhead clicked her tongue and then glanced back at her.
"I'm not sure, how much do you like theater food?"
Elsa turned to roam her eyes over the waiting lines, the cashiers rushing back and forth with bags of popcorn in their hands or drinks, and the display of what could easily be summed up as junk food.
The blonde frowned lightly and looked at Anna out of the corner of her eye.
The redhead was looking around at everyone with a wistful expression, shoulders loose and hands now shoved deep in her pockets. One hand was bouncing a set of coins in her pants, the tinkling and jingling of the metal almost inaudible amongst the hive and bustle of other moviegoers.
Elsa wasn't typically fond of junk food—too much fat, sugar, and oil for her delicate stomach.
That and it was severely overpriced in her opinion. Yes she had money to spare, but years of business education, marketing, and long lessons on self-control had taught her to be careful with her expenses. She hadn't been her father's heir for absolutely nothing of course.
And Anna…
Elsa glanced back at her date, folding one hand on top of the other when she noticed the redhead's forehead crease slightly. The sound of coins bouncing stopped and Anna's shoulders tensed. She rocked back and forth on her heels.
Elsa's hands twitched again and this time she lifted her left. She reached forward and tugged on Anna's sleeve for a second time.
"Hm?" Anna turned to her, eyes suddenly bright again. The redhead's ever familiar grin was stretching across her freckled cheeks and this time Elsa reached up and pinched one of them.
"Ack! Elsa!"
Anna made a face as Elsa tugged on her skin and the blonde chuckled, dropping her hand and shrugging her shoulders.
"I'm not hungry for anything. Most theater food doesn't sit well with me, but perhaps we can get something to eat after the movie finishes?" She flashed Anna what she hoped was a convincing smile.
It seemed to work because Anna's grimace disappeared and she grinned again at the blonde. "Yeah, okay, good idea! I'm fine with that, completely fine!"
Elsa looped her arms through Anna's and was rewarded with a dazzling smile, shining teal eyes, and a giddy redhead.
"Okay, let's go! I want to catch the previews in time!"
Anna shot forward and Elsa was left stumbling after her, the younger woman's grip strong and firm. Perhaps she shouldn't have decided to wear heels today.
It had actually been one thing Meg warned her against.
"Wear some more comfortable shoes. Wonder Girl sounds like she'd drag you all the way to Alaska with the way you described how excited she is. Your heels are gonna kill your feet, Your Majesty."
But damn it, she had wanted to look as best as she could on her date with Anna. Well as best as she casually could. She still had a whole wardrobe of more chic and refined outfits, but that was for another time.
Preferably when they weren't going on casual dates.
Did Anna like restaurants?
She was taken out of her thought process when she felt someone brush by her. Elsa blinked and looked around. Anna had dragged both of them into the room where the movie would be starting in ten minutes. The lights were still on, but it was beginning to dim. The people seating themselves were actively talking, young teens pushing each other aside in their chairs, a few adults mingling on the stairs or outside talking on their phones.
She rubbed the back of her right hand with her left, trying to ignore a rising itch in her skin.
She usually wasn't around this many people unless it was on campus and during her large classes she could tune other students out and simply concentrate on her work.
But this.
This noise and activity and people here and people there.
The darkness of the theater seemed to grow around her, creeping from corners and inching along the rugged floors to her feet.
Her lungs expanded, trying to take in as much air as they could. Her blue eyes flicked back and forth, watching people pass her by as they looked for seats and then staring at the entrance way.
It seemed to grow smaller and farther, shrinking back from her to appear miles and miles away.
The theater light dimmed, the sign that the movie would start soon.
Elsa tensed, shoulders rising and hands lifting protectively to her chest. Her bag rattled and the sound drew Anna's attention.
A hand gently touched her shoulder.
Elsa started, turning to face Anna. The redhead's eyebrows were bunched together and her eyes were slightly wide.
"Elsa, are you okay? You look a little pale…"
Elsa dropped her hands from their position and flashed a smile at Anna, praying it didn't look too strained. "I'm fine, just a bit excited to see the movie is all."
Anna's fingers felt hot against her, the heat seeming to pass through the thin material of her dress and down into her skin. The itch from before traveled up her spine, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise.
"Why don't we get some seats before all the good ones are taken," she whispered, relooping their arms together.
She hoped Anna didn't notice the tremble from her hands.
Anna stared at her for a moment, teal eyes burning. Then she shrugged and led Elsa along the aisle, less excitedly than she had done earlier. They chose seats in the farther back. As they were settling in, the theater lights completely dimmed, signaling the start of the previews. Elsa tried to ignore the rising heat in the pit of her stomach. Her blood pulse quickened just a bit when two people seated themselves next to her and Anna, mumbling to each other and passing their bag of popcorn between them.
The crunch of the bag was loud in her ears.
Elsa placed her bag on her lap, wanting to be as close to it as possible. She bit her lip and glanced at Anna. Unlike her, the redhead's posture was loose, arms hanging off the side and legs comfortably spread out. The collar of her jacket almost touched her ears with how she slouched in her seat, watching the screen before them with rapt fascination. At some point, she had unzipped her jacket again, likely because they were no longer out in the cold again. It allowed Elsa to see the black shirt underneath. A part of her wanted so desperately to lean into Anna's letterman jacket and shirt, escape from the whirlwind of activity around her.
Hide.
The blonde squirmed, finding it hard to concentrate on the movie as it began. Her watch ticked. The minute and second hand seemed to converge together.
Elsa pressed her back into her seat, air coming more rapidly from her nostrils. Her chest felt tight, her mouth was dry.
Hide. Escape.
Someone moved in the seat next to her and she jumped, heart skipping several beats.
"Elsa?"
The blonde whirled around, her braid hitting her cheek and eyes widening. Anna was staring at her, brow furrowed again.
"Are you alright? You're pale again. Did you want to head over to the restroom?"
Escape.
Elsa took that chance.
She flashed Anna a wobbly smile and stood up, nodding quickly and stuttering, "You're right, I do feel a little ill, I think it was something I ate. Do you mind if I head down there?"
Anna shook her head rapidly, eyes flicking between her own. "No, go right on ahead. The movie's barely started anyway, take your time."
With one last nod, Elsa squeezed out the aisle and down the steps, trying to keep her pace measured. As soon as she was out the entrance door, she hurried down the hallway in direction of the restrooms, heels clacking. Elsa grabbed the door, opened it, and closed it.
She rushed into the restroom stall, hand over her mouth. The door slammed shut, the sound echoing throughout the room. Briefly, she thanked her luck that the place was completely vacant. She leaned against the door of the stall and breathed heavily through her nose. Her eyes watered and she shuddered as adrenaline began to pump through her veins. Blood roared in her ears and she could feel a thin layer of sweat building on the nape of her neck. She tore off her scarf. The fabric, usually soft and comforting against her neck, felt rough and chafed against her skin. Her chest heaved with great effort and it felt as if her heart would burst from her ribcage, the organ pounding, pumping, and hammering away beneath the bone of her sternum.
Fear gripped her so harshly she felt as if she was suffocating.
Elsa clutched at her chest with the scarf in hand, trying vainly to slow her rapid heartbeat. Her legs shook with effort and the heat that had spread over her body as she rushed inside earlier gave way to a sudden chill. Her palms were clammy and aggressively she wiped them down the front of her dress. It didn't seem to do much. A wave of light-headedness washed through her and she sunk to the floor, back sliding against the wall of the stall. Elsa buried her face in her arms, breath rushing in and out.
Breathe Elsa, breathe! Remember what your therapist told you. Remember what Papa said.
"Control it," she whispered to herself. She shut her eyes tight, curling in on herself.
Conceal.
Don't feel.
Eventually, the minutes ticking along on her watch, she felt her heartbeat begin to slow. She inhaled sharply and stilled her breathing, counting to ten. When she exhaled, her hands trembled upon her knees as the shallow gasps evened out. Normal. Get it together. Just – just try and focus on your breathing, alright Elsa? A few more quick and uneasy breathing exercises and she finally felt herself winding down. The terror that had been running ice-cold in her veins trickled down. Elsa lifted her head and took a shuddering breath. With shaking hands, she reached into her purse, fumbling through the items inside. She extracted the bright orange bottle and uncapped it, pouring out one of its contents onto the palm of her hand. Two perfectly manicured fingernails grasped the small and round tablet and lifted it halfway to her mouth. She froze then, with the tablet hovering just right before full red lips.
Her hand lowered from her mouth, fingers curling around the tablet. Elsa took another shuddering breath and lifted the bottle to eye level. Ice-blue eyes roamed over the instructions, written on thin white paper wrapped around it. Her shoulders dropped and she placed the pill back inside. She capped the bottle and pressed it against her forehead. The watch on her wrist ticked incessantly. How long had she been in here?
Elsa gave a frustrated sigh and stood up. The urge was still strong and her hand trembled with the force of it. The platinum-blonde clutched her medication with a knuckle-white grip.
"One during the morning and one at night. You can also take these if you feel that your attacks are too severe even with your regular doses."
Her psychiatrist's words flashed through her mind. Elsa let loose a long, shuddering sigh and placed the bottle back in her handbag. She zipped it firmly shut. Then, gently smoothing out the wrinkles on her scarf, she re-tied it back across her neck. It settled comfortingly around. Her watch went tick-tock.
I've already been in here long enough. I don't want to make Anna worry. It's only a few hours until I can take my regular medication. I can hold off, I know I can.
Rising to her feet, she opened the stall door and washed her face at the sink. When she looked up, she grimaced at her expression in the mirror. Tired, off-white, and her mascara was running a bit. Her eye shadow was smudged. While washing her face had calmed herself a bit, she had inadvertently ruined her make-up. Her hands curled on the rim of the sink.
"Ugh, I'm such a mess," she grumbled.
Elsa unzipped her handbag again and rifled through it, muttering to herself, "I hope Anna doesn't mind waiting a little bit more."
x x x
Anna bit her lip, shifting in her seat. The movie was one-third over. Elsa had been gone for a while now.
I hope I didn't make the wrong decision with watching this movie. Maybe she really didn't like it after all. But then...
Anna toyed with her hands, shoulders hunched over. But then, she didn't sound so great. Maybe she's just not feeling well. She did say she was a little under the weather.
It was stupid of her to hope that it was just that and nothing else, but Anna couldn't shove down the glimmer of optimism that it was just that simple.
An idea suddenly occurred to her.
Nodding to herself, Anna stood up, and turned to the couple next to her. "Excuse me, but do you mind saving these seats for me? I have to do something really quick, sorry to bother you."
The man turned to his girlfriend, shrugged, and then nodded at her.
Anna flashed him a grateful grin and then began to squeeze down the aisle.
"Excuse me, sorry. Pardon me. Sorry, trying to get through. If I could just- thank you, sorry!"
Free now, Anna raced down the stairs and out the theater. She zig-zagged through the crowd and hurried down the hallway to the vending machines located near the entrance. Flailing her arms, she slid to a stop in front of one. She glanced over the selection quickly, looking for something that was affordable (why was it that all theater food was overpriced?) and would still taste good.
Perfect! Anna clapped her fists together excitedly and rummaged through her cargo pants. A light jingle made her squeal happily. She pushed the coins into the machine and quickly bent down, grabbing the snack and then scurrying back to the theater to wait for Elsa.
She didn't have to wait long.
In fact, she didn't have to wait at all.
Anna skidded to a stop in the hallway and stared as Elsa slid out the restroom door. The blonde blinked at her, a surprised look on her face. Anna was dimly aware of her mouth dropping open, a light blush spreading over her face as if she'd been caught in the act of stealing a cookie from the cookie jar, like she had done once or twice as a child.
A moment's heartbeat passed between them.
Elsa's expression changed from one of surprise to sudden guilt. Her shoulders dropped and she brought her arms around her torso. "Anna, I'm sorry I took so long. Did you come to look for me?" There was a hint of shame in those ice-blue eyes.
"I-wha- huh?" Anna snapped out of her daze and blinked rapidly at Elsa. "O-oh! Oh no, I didn't come looking for you." She cringed when she saw a hurt look flash in Elsa's eyes. "N-not that I wouldn't have come looking for you of course! I just thought you needed to take your time or something, but I..." She was suddenly all too aware of her arms still hovering in the air. Anna let them drop to her sides and she shoved her hands into her pockets. She scuffed her shoe on the rug floor and glanced up at Elsa, offering a shy grin. "I just went to do something real quick and thought I'd go back to our seats and wait for you."
Elsa's expression softened. Or seemed to melt. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking on Anna's part. The older woman uncrossed her arms and straightened her back. She flashed the redhead a small smile and gestured down the hallway. "Sorry I took so long, let's go back. I don't want to miss anymore of the movie than I've already had."
Anna perked up and smiled. She jogged to Elsa's side and looped their arms together.
Elsa stiffened considerably and something flared up inside Anna's mind. She gave Elsa a questioning look, but the blonde merely smiled at her, relaxing (though not completely) as they walked back to their seats.
They squeezed through the aisle (Anna doing it much more gracefully this time) and she thanked the couple from earlier for saving their seats. They settled back down and for several minutes actually watched the movie together.
But as time ticked by, Anna became more and more increasingly aware that Elsa was still tense.
Her heart dropped.
She shifted in her seat and discreetly slid her gaze to the side. From the corner of her eye, she observed Elsa. The blonde's posture was straight as usual, but to the redhead's eyes, it looked…off somehow. Anna bit her lip. Elsa was clutching, actually clutching her handbag on her lap. Her grip was tight and her skin still looked pale. Granted Elsa's complexion was paler than most people, but to Anna it looked a little bit more sickly-gray this time than the fair white tone it usually held.
And, although Elsa was smiling, it held none of her usual graceful charisma.
Anna's hands flexed against the arms of her seat. She shifted once again and all but shoved one hand down into the large pocket of her cargo pants. Anna fingered the snack inside. Gripping it, she pulled it out and looked down at her hand. A part of her was amused at the way her jacket's cuff dwarfed her fingers and the candy she held. A faint smile curled at her lips and she glanced nervously back at Elsa.
She was still watching the screen, blue eyes flickering back and forth with the moving images. The corner of her mouth twitched and the set of her jaw was tight.
Anna poked her in the shoulder with the chocolate bar.
Elsa jumped, whirling around in her seat to stare at her and Anna didn't know whether to be amused or worried at the blonde's wide-eyed, deer-in-the-headlights look. Her light brown eyebrows had shot up to her hairline, but her grip had slackened around her purse.
Anna's half-smile turned into a tiny, hopeful grin. She held up the chocolate bar in the faint, theater light. "Uh, I thought you'd be a bit hungry, so while you were in the restroom, I got this for you."
The redhead tried to keep her voice low. They had already garnered enough attention in the crowded room as it was. She didn't want Elsa to feel any more uncomfortable than she already looked.
Those bright blue eyes flew down to stare at the chocolate bar in her hand.
Anna shrugged uselessly and said, "It's just that…you didn't look so good earlier so I thought I'd get some chocolate for you. And you know, chocolate is scientifically proven to make you feel better."
She bit her lip and watched as those eyes flicked between her hand, the chocolate, and then her face. Anna felt a sudden cold rush overcome her as Elsa stared at her intensely, jaw still set tight.
What's she thinking?
Anna shifted in her seat for a third time.
Then Elsa's face smoothed and she giggled softly.
The redhead dropped her nervous smile and openly gaped.
Elsa giggled.
Well, alright Elsa had laughed and giggled before, but this…
Both of Elsa's hands rose to her mouth and she pressed her fingers against her lips, a pink flush crossing her face. Her shoulders trembled and the skin around her eyes crinkled in such a way it made Anna's heart skip a beat. Elsa shook her head from side to side, her single braid slipping off her shoulder to lay across her back with the motion. She pressed her hands harder against her mouth, covering half her face now.
Anna's eyes widened when she heard a snort escape the space between Elsa's fingers.
Elsa curled in on herself, her own eyes now mimicking Anna's expression. The light flush of pink on her cheeks turned full on red. Her bright blue eyes flicked down to the candy bar and then back up to Anna's face again.
Anna gave her own shaky giggle and handed Elsa the chocolate, eyes twinkling. "Here," she whispered.
A relieved expression dawned on Elsa's face and she took the chocolate with a gratified expression. Her fingers fiddled with the wrapper and Anna was pleased to note that as Elsa settled back into her seat, the slightest trace of a blush remained on her face.
Anna glanced to the side and around, thankful no one had made a fuss about the two girls giggling and whispering back and forth.
Something cool and slightly sticky nudged her cheek. She jumped in her seat and turned to face Elsa.
The platinum-blonde was chewing on a piece of chocolate, one of her cheeks bulging with the sweet, milky goodness. She held up half the bar to Anna, eyes crinkling up again at the confused look on the redhead's face.
"Here," Elsa mouthed, placing the rest of the bar onto the oversized sleeve of Anna's jacket, fingers lingering for a moment to stroke her wrist just above the cloth.
It was the strawberry-blonde girl's turn to blush. She grinned at Elsa and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Then she chomped off a piece and chewed, feeling more at ease now that her companion seemed more relaxed. Elsa's eyes softened and Anna felt her stomach twist.
She handed the bar back, placing it on the hand that was on Elsa's lap and when Elsa gave her a questioning gaze she merely wrapped the older woman's fingers around the candy delicately.
Elsa shook her head and chuckled, taking the rest of the chocolate and chewing it as she turned back to watch the movie. Softly, she whispered, "Now, you're just spoiling me."
Anna blinked at her and felt her face flame up. She smiled, eyes lowering to stare at the armrest, for some reason unable to actually look Elsa in the eye at the moment. She rapped her knuckles together. Her sweater felt overly warm and yet unbelievably cozy.
"Well, I am your girlfriend right?" she mumbled.
The flush across her freckled cheeks spread all the way up her ears and down her neck at her admission. She felt, more than saw, Elsa turn and stare at her.
Anna swallowed, stiff and unsure of what else to say. She raised her head and offered Elsa a shy smile.
"Right?"
Elsa gulped and Anna watched her throat move with rapt fascination. Then the blonde reached for her hands and squeezed the wrapper into her palm.
Wait, what? What am I supposed to do with this?
Anna stared down at it in utter confusion. That was most definitely not the answer she was expecting and her heart skipped a beat in fear. What did Elsa mean by handing her back the candy wrapper?
Seriously, I'm confused-
Full lips brushed over her cheek.
Anna felt her blush return full force and she turned her head just as Elsa leaned back in her seat. A tiny smile curled those beautiful lips and her brow was slightly furrowed in nervousness.
"Right," Elsa whispered, shrugging her shoulders lightly.
Anna's sunshine grin reemerged and she leaned over her seat quickly, the momentary nervousness receding. She briefly saw Elsa's eyes widen to the size of saucers before she all but smushed her lips against that high, fine cheekbone. Her sloppy kiss lingered for a moment before she settled back down in her chair.
Elsa blushed and let out a small, nervous laugh. She touched her cheek with one hand, playing with the end of her braid with the other.
Anna didn't say anything. She merely grinned and faced forward to watch the theater screen again. She heard Elsa shuffle next to her and turned forward as well.
For a while, all was quiet in the theater.
Some people whispered to each other, others shoved one another if they joked or spoke too loudly. People swooned, sighed, or laughed at the fate of the poor, clumsy protagonist on screen.
I can't believe I didn't get any popcorn for this! Anna thought to herself, biting back a snort when a particular incident led the poor man to stumble into his laundry, slip on the wet floor of his house, and land in the backyard with his freshly cleaned pants atop his head.
As the time flowed by, Eugene's words flashed through her mind.
"You should try the ol' yawn and arm trick."
Anna blushed furiously.
Nope, that's stupid and cheesy. I'm not trying it. Definitely not.
She watched the screen with determination, trying to ignore the small voice whispering in her mind.
C'mon Anna, this is the perfect chance! Eugene wasn't wrong about the burger joint idea was he?
Anna scowled and puffed out her cheeks, gripping the armrests of her chair.
The only reason he wasn't wrong about our first date not ending terribly was because we decided to go somewhere else! The burger joint smelled weird anyway.
Dear god, she was talking to herself.
She glanced at Elsa out of the corner of her eye. The blonde's back was pressed against the comfy cushion of her chair and once or twice she would press her fingers to her mouth, trying to stifle any laughter that came out. Her eyes were sparkling and she looked as if she was actually enjoying the nonsensical romantic comedy now.
Would it be so bad to try?
Anna looked away from Elsa and watched the figures and images flash by on the screen, trying to steel her courage. Slowly, inch by inch, she raised her arm across the back of Elsa's seat. Her fingers twitched and she was all too aware of everything in those few seconds: the polyester of the seat, the collar of her jacket brushing her chin, the pounding of her heart, and the delicate, delicate skin of Elsa's neck.
Elsa shifted in her seat and Anna stiffened.
Everything froze for a moment.
M-maybe I'm overstepping things. Should I even be trying this? But I want to do it! What if she doesn't like it though? She was acting weird earlier. Maybe she's still not okay? She might react badly! This is such a cheesy trick, why did I ever think I could pull this off? I'm such an awkward idiot and she's so gorgeous and my arm is still in the air I better lower it-
Wait, what?
Elsa moved. Anna's breath caught in her throat as she felt Elsa shift closer. Soft, white-gold locks brushed her cheek and her nose caught the faint fragrance of jasmine. Time seemed to slow down to a crawl as Elsa gently rested her head on Anna's shoulder and despite the cool skin now pressing into her side, Anna had never felt warmer. She shakily released the breath she'd been holding and lowered her arm. Her fingers curled around Elsa's shoulder and she turned her head to lay a chaste kiss on the blonde's temple, hearing the older woman release a small sigh of contentment. Anna squeezed Elsa's shoulder in return and discreetly brought her date closer. Whatever tension that had been left in Elsa's body from earlier evaporated and Anna felt her snuggle into her shoulder and neck.
Full, red lips brushed her cheek.
Anna turned back to watch the screen, a dreamy smile replacing her usual ear-splitting grin.
Well done Bjorgman, you actually did something right for a change.
A contented sigh brushed her ear and Anna leaned her head atop Elsa's. She squeezed the blonde's shoulder.
Quietly, she heard Elsa say, "This is a good movie."
Anna hummed her agreement.
The movie was at last nearing its end, the third act closing.
She nuzzled Elsa's hair, eyes falling halfway shut. The closeness was something she had desperately desired all night.
A thought occurred to her and Anna grinned against platinum-blonde locks.
"By the way," she whispered, warm breath brushing over Elsa's ear.
The other woman shivered, but didn't pull away. "Hm?"
"You look beautiful tonight."