A/N: We've gotten some of the necessary stuff out of the way, now at last we can return to simple interaction between our two ladies! Only not so simple.
I know some of you have had concerns about certain things (Hans and particularly Elsa) but I'll just reiterate that everything will fall into place.
Also, there is an actual plot in this story, I promise you there is. But I'm just trying to nudge it along.
Again, thank you all so much for the reviews, follows, and favorites. They truly mean a lot to me and are such a huge motivation to help me keep this story going! I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Again, some more backstory here! A thing or two about Anna as well. And does anyone remember Rapunzel's words in the first chapter? Keep them in mind.
Oh and the chapter does not immediately pick up where we left off last time. Well, enjoy!
I hate the rain.
Just past the double glass doors, she watched the thick and heavy clouds roll by with the rainstorm.
Elsa glared darkly, hands shoved into the folds of her light sweater. This winter had proven itself so far to be a gray, wet, and cloudy mess. She'd taken to wearing thicker clothing when she had classes—something she hadn't needed to do for a long time.
It was downright depressing waking up to the rain day in and day out. It was already late February—the days were rolling by into early March—and it still hadn't stopped raining.
The one time I forget to bring an umbrella it had to be on this day.
Elsa sighed and looked around. The building was empty save for a few loitering students and conversing professors. She pursed her lips. Most people didn't have classes between five and six at this particular time. Anyone who took night classes generally started around nine.
"Maybe I can wait out the storm," she muttered to herself. If she was lucky, the rain would stop soon. Elsa looked around and spotted a nearby empty bench. She was grateful that it was a sizable distance from the lingering people. She really didn't feel up to speaking with anyone today. Elsa approached the bench and sat down, placing her sling bag next to her.
She watched the rain outside, a fog obscuring the parking lot. After a moment, she took out her phone and sent Meg a quick text.
"I'm going to be home a bit later than usual. I forgot my umbrella."
Her phone vibrated.
"Want me to leave work early and pick you up?"
Elsa frowned and tapped away.
"No, I have my car. I'm just going to wait it out."
She didn't want to drive in this weather.
"Alright, take care."
The blonde heaved a sigh and put her phone back in her purse. Then she turned and went back to staring at nothing in particular. Her eyes followed the patterns the raindrops left on the glass doors.
"Can this day get any worse?" she asked herself, despondent.
A rumble sounded in the distance. Elsa groaned and rubbed her temples. Great, thunder and rain.
There was a bright, white flash. The blonde gasped and jumped in her seat, watching as the rain came down even harder.
"You're kidding me..." She gaped, reflexively curling into herself.
Another flash and Elsa sighed for the third time in less than fifteen minutes. I spoke too soon.
To her growing dejection, the weather stayed the same for a long while. A quick check at her wristwatch showed it was nearing 6:45 and the rain had yet to let up. Elsa leaned her head against the wall, eyes falling halfway shut.
She was drifting in and out of a daze when she registered the sound of hurried footsteps. The blonde shifted in her seat, pressing her side further into the wall, waiting for the person to run by.
Probably another student going out to their car. I wish I could leave too.
Beneath hooded eyes, she saw a pair of sneakers stop. Right in front of her. Elsa tensed.
Oh no, please, just go away. I don't want to be near anyone.
"Um-"
Elsa shut her eyes, wrapping her arms around her torso. I don't want to talk. Leave me alone.
"I, uh- I noticed you didn't- well, you don't have-"
The blonde growled low in her throat, sitting up straighter. She turned to fully face the stranger, ready to let whoever it was know that she just wanted some peace and quiet. Alone, because damn it, it was the anniversary of her parents' death and she was exhausted. Too many sleepless nights from papers, projects, exams, and this godforsaken rain.
Elsa turned, cold words hanging on the edge of her tongue.
"H-here!"
A pair of trembling, thin, shaking hands shoved something into her lap. Elsa blinked, looking down to see a hot-pink umbrella.
What?
"I think you need it more than I do!"
Elsa jerked her head up, eyes wide and confused. The stranger was a freckle-faced girl, copper hair styled into braids and an awkward smile on her face. Elsa blinked and vaguely recalled that she shared a few classes with this girl.
What was her name? It started with an 'A,' I think.
The redhead tucked a strand behind her ear and gave a choked, nervous laugh. Elsa blinked when she realized she was staring. She opened her mouth to thank her, but for the second time the other girl interrupted her.
"You can keep it, I don't really need it. I'll see you around! Uh, bye!"
And with a little wave, she rushed off. Elsa watched her go, rooted to her seat.
She sat there for several more moments, pale fingers running over the handle of the umbrella.
I wonder what that was all about...
For a second she contemplated finding the redhead and giving the umbrella back. But when she looked up and down the hallway, she realized she was alone.
"Well I can always return it the next time I see her." Granted, she wasn't sure when that would be, but she was nothing if not polite.
Of course if I was polite I'd have remembered her name.
What classes did they share? Literature?
Elsa shook her head and stood up, uncertainly holding up the umbrella. She couldn't give it back to the other girl now though, not after the awkward way the redhead had offered it to her.
"It would be rude of me," Elsa whispered to herself.
With one last glance down the hallway, she exited the building.
I hate the rain. I hate the rain. I hate the rain, she thought to herself as she raced across the parking lot to duck into her car.
After a long and—thankfully—uneventful car ride, she saw the familiar structure of her apartment. Back hunched and water dripping off the tip of the umbrella, she took the elevator up to her home, dragging her feet all the way.
Elsa unlocked her door and slipped inside. The lights were off. Meg wasn't back yet. She didn't bother to switch them on. She didn't even bother to put her shoes away in her usual neat fashion when she entered her room. She just shook them off her feet and flopped onto her bed, energy spent.
Elsa closed her heavy eyes and just lay there, breathing.
The image of the girl's quivering hands flashed through her mind. For some reason, Elsa felt her eyes burn. She curled up and buried her face into her pillow.
The memory of her awkward, hopeful smile made Elsa sniff.
Behind her closed eyelids, she saw another white flash and the booming noise that followed made her jump.
Get a hold of yourself Elsa! The blonde sat up abruptly and rubbed her face.
"It was just a stranger performing a good deed," she said to herself. She ran a hand through her hair and slipped off her bed, determined to close the window curtains.
But when she stopped right in front of her window, she froze. Elsa inhaled sharply and stood there, mesmerized.
The rain had ceased and to her astonishment, sunlight had broken through the heavy clouds. It lit up the surrounding buildings in a low and weak, but shimmering light. The rays that pierced the glass of her window were iridescent.
Spring was on its way.
Maybe that was the first time she had truly noticed her.
x x x
"Elsa, do you mind? I need to make a call."
"No, I don't. I'll be nearby, take your time."
With a last, reassuring smile at her girlfriend, Elsa walked off.
She wasn't unfamiliar to the saying "I need to take a call." As her father's heiress, she'd learned early on that social interaction was always put on hold to "take a call." Social interaction had always been the price of business of course.
"When you're running a company Elsa, there are certain expectations. Some things just come at a loss, dear one. You'll understand eventually."
He had been a businessman through and through and he'd raised her to play his part well. Under his care, she had become the perfect actor. Her father had instructed her on how to change her voice, from authoritative to unassuming. At the tender age of eight, she'd learned how to tell when something was serious by tone alone.
So when Anna, sweet, cheerful Anna said she needed to "take a call," a small stone had dropped in Elsa's stomach. Though everything about them was still so new, Anna had been nothing if not devoted to her so far. As of now, nothing had ever distracted her away from Elsa when they were spending time together. Except for her own run-away thoughts.
I really hope it isn't anything serious.
Elsa shook her head and stopped in front of another collection of paintings. "Don't be ridiculous Elsa. Whatever it is, it's none of your business anyway," she muttered to herself.
She couldn't pretend to know if Anna was acting strange or not. Or if this was even any indication that something was out of the ordinary. The girl did have other people she knew—friends, of course—that she probably talked to often. It could have been just a call from any of them about something inane. She knew Anna, but she didn't know Anna. Not that well anyway. They had been classmates for a year now, but they'd only been dating for three weeks. Anna was still a mystery to her.
A puzzle.
The thought caused the stone in her stomach to drop further and she instinctively brought her hands close to her chest.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced up at the pictures—the portraits, to be specific. Unlike the painting in the earlier room, the men and women here wore shades of deep blues, purples, and dark greens. Laces, long flowing skirts, gold epaulettes, and prim pressed vests—all the signs of nobility.
Royalty even, she guessed as she paused in front of a long picture frame.
Elsa tilted her head to the side, brow furrowing lightly. The solitary man in the picture was dressed just like the others, but there was an atmosphere about him that set him apart. His vest was a dark blue and decorated with several medals. Red and gold lined his uniform, ending with crisp, white trousers. He stared straight ahead and she fought back a shiver at the look on his face. His expression was calm, collected—shoulders back and spine stiff as a board.
It was wholly reminiscent of her father, the way he stared straight ahead.
Elsa leaned closer to the painting, inspecting the artifacts the man held in his hands. A golden orb and sceptre, one item in each palm. Signs of victory and a uniform.
Elsa took a few steps back, exhaling shortly.
This man must have been the king.
It was so uncanny how similar the King felt in comparison to her father. His stoic features and stiff posture were so like the way her father had always stood. They were all signs of someone in authority. Someone who demanded control from those around him.
Granted, there were still slight, subtle differences. Her father's hair had been as light as hers, with eyes the same vibrant blue. The King's hair was darker, brown in color and almost red in a different light. He seemed humble, in a way. There was a gentleness in his eyes that her father had never had. Her father had been a businessman and with that strive for professionalism had come a cold efficiency. The King, despite his blank face, appeared more approachable than her father had ever been.
He had been caring definitely, but distant. Any time something had involved his work, he had drawn away from her family.
"When you inherit the company Elsa, you'll see why I act the way I do. I expect no less from you."
It made the moments when he spoke in excited tones about the new house they would live in after moving a small reprieve from his aloofness. The farther away from his work, the closer to a father he had been.
I miss him.
Elsa sighed and squeezed the strap of her purse. She turned away from the painting and walked further down. There were pictures of priests, men in robes of red and white, and others in royal garb shaking hands with the King. There were even a few scenic views of what she assumed had been the castle, stationed out into the edge of a fjord. Some depicted an array of ships while others focused on the high cliffs that surrounded the kingdom. One painting in particular showcased a tall, white mountain, its peak rising to the heavens.
The blonde paused here, her eyes tracing the viridian rooftops of the castle and its high windows and brick walls. She smiled to herself and briefly wondered what it would have been like to live in a castle.
Then again, the manor itself might as well have been a modern castle. So perhaps there wouldn't have been much of a difference.
Chuckling softly to herself, she continued on and walked around the room. She made sure to keep that head of strawberry-blonde hair within sight.
Save for the King's portrait, Elsa couldn't see what was so interesting about the rest of the collection. The other nobles appeared identical and reminiscent to her. They held the faces of so many men and women her father had urged her to meet, greet, and converse with. After a while, every individual had blurred together, creating a seamless, generic crowd. The paintings themselves felt so alike in that aspect.
Why would Anna like these pictures so much?
A flash of brown and purple caught her eye. Elsa paused, foot caught mid-step. She blinked owlishly at the large frame.
"Oh," she mumbled and walked closer.
A young woman sat in a decorative chair, smiling demurely. Dark hair done up in an intricate bun and swathed in differing hues of violet, the woman held a small child in her lap. The little girl's face seemed to made entirely of baby fat and a large, jubilant grin. Elsa's lips quirked up at the thought of the young girl squirming in her mother's lap, unable to sit still. Her eyes traveled to the left and she blinked in surprise when she saw the King standing off to the side. Another girl, still quite young but older than the tiny child, clung to his leg.
With a start, she realized the painting was a picture of the royal family. Elsa glanced back at the dark-haired woman. She must have been the Queen.
With this new knowledge, she re-inspected the picture. A low, orange lighting at the corner of the painting made her wonder if the four had been posed near a fireplace. The entire scene felt domestic, quaint.
Familial even.
"Really?!"
The sudden yell made her jump a bit. Elsa looked over her shoulder and saw Anna clasping her phone tightly, beaming. A few people—and one guard in particular—glanced at her girlfriend. The freckled girl's face reddened considerably under scrutiny. She coughed into her hand, eyes flicking back and forth.
Elsa tilted her head to the side, blinking curiously and forehead creasing. She wanted to mouth, "What happened?" but Anna looked at her and, despite her shaky smile, gave her a thumbs up.
The cold stone in her stomach lifted for a warm glow. The blonde felt herself melt a bit at the sight of Anna trying to reassure her that all was well in spite of her nervous grin. Her lips curled into a minuscule smile and she turned back to look at the painting.
I think I understand why Anna likes this collection so much now. Her eyes trailed over the picture and the glow inside her spread slowly over her skin, making her fingers and toes tingle.
She has such a large family. Maybe this painting reminds her of that.
She stood there in front of the photo, admiring the graceful forms of color, shape, and line. The shadows of the painting were dark, but offset by the fireplace's orange glow. The figures had a familiar poise that she knew came from the hours of standing still for a picture. She was all too familiar with looking pretty for the camera. Still, there was a solidarity in the lining of their forms. The mother's hands were curled delicately around the child in her lap. One against the curve of the baby's back and the other upon her chest. Probably to stop her from squirming, Elsa thought with an amused smile.
She trailed her gaze to the offset figures on the left of the frame—the father and daughter. The older child clung to her father's leg and though she was as straight as him, Elsa could see a world of difference in their expressions. Her chin was held high, but her brow was creased in the smallest way and her fingers clutched tightly at her father's pant leg. Small, and insecure.
The sight struck a chord within Elsa. She tightened her jaw. So many years she had spent clinging to her father's leg. Desperate to will away the current of memories swimming in her mind, Elsa turned to look at Anna.
Her girlfriend was still speaking on the phone and to Elsa's surprise, there was a shadow over her face. Her fists were clenched and for the first time that Elsa was aware of, Anna looked-
Angry? Hurt?
Elsa frowned. I wonder what they're talking about…
Her brow furrowed. I hope it's nothing serious. I really do.
She glanced back at the painting, mulling over the subject. She roved her gaze over the family portrait, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over her again. You miss them, a voice whispered in her mind. She sucked in a breath. Now was not the time. She'd come on this date with Anna to get away from those memories.
Now was to be a reprieve from those memories.
Maybe it was the reminder of her parents, but she found her thoughts straying to what Anna's only family was like.
Another look in Anna's direction showed her that the redhead still looked sullen. Elsa's lips pursed. I hope it was better than mine. Someone like her deserves that.
Then the dark look disappeared and Anna was smiling again, chatting animatedly on the phone. Inwardly, the blonde felt relieved. I guess whatever it was wasn't too serious.
She caught Anna's eye and the redhead paused in her conversation. Oh, she saw me brooding. I hope she doesn't think I'm annoyed with her for taking a while!
Anna waved timidly and smiled. Elsa's posture relaxed and she returned it tenderly. When the redhead turned away, looking comforted, Elsa looked back at the family portrait.
Once again, she hoped Anna's actual family was better than the one she was looking at. Yes, a person like her deserves that.
She stood there for a while longer, just thinking, haphazard thoughts and memories bouncing in her head.
She was jerked out of her reverie when the sound of footsteps came from behind her. Elsa turned and her face lit up when she saw Anna approach her, phone tucked away and a sheepish grin on her face.
The younger woman rubbed the back of her head, laughing slightly. "Hey, sorry that took so long. I hope you weren't too bored hanging around a bunch of people that don't talk."
Elsa shook her head, amused. "Not at all, it was quite the experience."
But why did you bring me here?
Out loud, she said, "Don't be sorry, it sounded like an important call."
Anna coughed and glanced sideways for a moment. Elsa felt a dash of alarm at the way the redhead's face darkened again. But then Anna turned back to her and the look was gone.
"It was just my brother calling to tell me he would be coming home soon."
Was it necessarily a private thing? Elsa frowned and pushed the thought away. She and Anna really did come from two different upbringings. Perhaps all she had wanted was to speak with her brother alone. She was reminded yet again that they had only been dating for a few weeks. This was still new. They were still learning things about each other.
So instead, she asked, "Oh? He's away?"
Anna grinned and nodded. Elsa felt the knots twisting in her stomach lessen when she saw it. Anna's sunshine grin was becoming a familiar sight, one she found comforting.
"Out of state," the younger woman clarified. "He's a hockey player, part of the Mountain Men Stars. He and his team have been trying their hand at the championship and they'll be playing at home in the semifinals."
Elsa felt a flutter when she saw the glimmer of pride in those teal eyes. "My congratulations to him and his team then," she said.
Anna blushed—cutely, Elsa noted—and tucked a lock of copper hair behind her ear—also cutely.
"Uh, I don't know how well you like sports, but if you were interested," the redhead twiddled her fingers and gave Elsa a shy glance, "w-would you be interested in going to the semifinals with me? I'd love to introduce you to him."
She wants me to meet him?
Something foreign—a mixture of glee and apprehension—shot through Elsa. The blonde bit her lip to contain her smile, trying to control the fizzle of emotions tingling underneath her skin. Anna's hopeful face made it hard to school her features though.
"I'd love to go with you and meet your brother." Tentatively, she unclasped one hand from around her purse and brushed her fingers against Anna's wrist. "That sounds nice."
It sounds important to you.
Anna beamed and her entire demeanor brightened. Her curled posture loosened and she caught Elsa's hand. The blonde marveled at the ease in the way she intertwined their fingers. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Great! You won't regret it!" the redhead exclaimed, giggling.
Elsa hummed and stared down at their hands, watching Anna's thumb unconsciously stroke the back of her hand. Her smile grew by just a smidgen and again she felt that flutter in her stomach.
They stood like that for a few minutes, Anna looking up at the row of pictures and Elsa unable to take her eyes off of their joined fingers.
This is nice. I like this. The tips of her ears turned red.
"So!" Anna suddenly said, jolting the blonde from her thoughts. The redhead turned and Elsa could see excitement beginning to spark in those sea-green eyes. "I haven't introduced you to Joan yet."
"Joan?" Ice-blue eyes glanced up and stared at Anna, wide and puzzled. "Who's Joan?" Elsa asked. "A friend of yours who works here?"
Anna giggled and turned around, tugging on the older woman's hand. "Yeah you could say that. She works here twenty-four seven."
Elsa's eyebrows shot up to her hairline and she almost stumbled over her heels as her girlfriend dragged her deeper into the gallery.
They passed through pictures that depicted cobbled streets and busy ports. Elsa looked around for a moment before glancing at Anna's face. Her eyes were bright with excitement and her cheeks puffed up. The grin on her face spread so large that the blonde could see her pearly-white teeth.
Wow, perfect teeth. Elsa smirked and let Anna drag her along.
Eventually, they rounded a corner into a small room with a single frame at the farthest wall. Anna tugged on Elsa's hand one last time and they stopped right in front of the picture. The younger woman let go and Elsa tried to ignore the slight loss of heat. She gestured to the photo, her grin replaced by a timid half-smile.
"Elsa, this is Joan. Or better known as, Joan of Arc." Anna's teal eyes twinkled. "Or if you're native to France, Jeanne d'Arc."
"Oh." Elsa straightened and stared at the portrait, blinking several times. Wearing armor and wielding a shield and sword astride a white horse, the blonde wouldn't have known it was the legendary saint if Anna hadn't told her.
She turned to her girlfriend. She took quick notice of Anna's expression, lip caught between her teeth and forehead creased in worry. Elsa paused, mouth parted slightly. Truthfully, she had no idea of how to voice her impression of this whole thing—whatever it was.
How did one person go about telling their girlfriend that the last thing one would expect from them was to be introduced to an inanimate object?
She opened her mouth-
-and saw Anna's eyes flick back and forth between her and Joan.
Nervous. She's nervous. This must mean a lot to her for some reason.
Elsa's pale skin took on a pink tint. She coughed and tried to refrain from sounding perturbed. In a hesitant tone, she asked,"You wanted to introduce me to her...why?"
Dear god, how does Anna deal with being so awkward?
Anna laughed, though it came out as more of a choked squeak, and shrugged her shoulders. She didn't meet Elsa's eye, choosing to pick at her fingernails instead. Her own freckled cheeks flushed as well.
"Well you know how I told you that when I was little I used to read a lot of fairy tales?" Elsa nodded, cocking her head to the side. "Well, it wasn't just fairy tales I used to read. The orphanage-"
Orphanage? The word flashed through her mind like lightning.
"-all these different books, most of them were falling apart and some were just really basic stuff, but a few were really thick ones that were about history, society, art—that sort of stuff y'know? Outdated, but they were all donations so you couldn't really expect much."
Like a jigsaw puzzle, Elsa began to see things fall into place.
"You know how I told you earlier that I wanted to find out if there was anyone like all the knights and heroes I read about in those fairy tales?" Teal eyes dimmed a moment and glanced at Joan.
Elsa nodded, her tongue too thick to form words and throat feeling parched and scratchy.
Anna's light blush deepened and she fiddled with the edge of her shirt. With a start, Elsa recalled the way the redhead's clothes had always seemed a bit frayed. Her stomach twisted and lurched. No wonder she was always so self-conscious about money.
And you are from high society.
She felt the stone drop in her stomach again.
"Well when I was, I think nine years old? I can't remember the exact age, but the orphanage got this really, really old book on French history, mostly about things like the Renaissance and Hundred Years War, but there was a whole section dedicated to her and I-" Anna paused, taking a deep breath. Elsa waited, watching her and not daring to interrupt.
The redhead turned fully to face the picture, a slow smile lifting the corner of her lips. Elsa's heart thumped and clenched at the fond, distant look in Anna's eyes.
"I guess for a little girl who didn't know any better, reading about someone who came from nothing and ended up leading an army, changing things- it was like, like finding a real-world knight." Anna chuckled and jerked her head at the portrait, amused. "And well, when I found that the museum included her in the collection, I had to check it out. I've been coming here every now and then for a few years."
Anna turned back to her, face rid of her earlier doubt. She grinned and Elsa felt the corner of her own lips rise.
"Not what you were expecting huh?"
"Definitely not what I was expecting," Elsa admitted, chuckling. Her shoulders relaxed and she gazed at the painting.
Atop her white horse, blade raised and riding with a defiant look on her face, Elsa briefly wondered what such a thing could have communicated to a young Anna at the time.
Orphanage.
The thought flashed through her mind again and Elsa found herself thinking about her own parents again. She raised one hand to her chest, the other gripping her purse.
A knight and a royal family. Now I really know why she likes this place so much.
The blonde clutched the material of her dress and exhaled. Her eyes flicked to Anna, who was watching her with her head tilted slightly to the side, a gentle expression on her face. Elsa blushed and looked away, heartbeat quickening. Her stomach flipped and tingles ran up and down her spine. She wasn't sure where the discomfort had come from. She wasn't sure if it was her anxiety or because-
-because in that moment, when she chanced another look at Anna, she felt as if she were melting under that soft gaze.
There was a vulnerability in the air she couldn't quite place, not yet.
Anna coughed next to her, breaking the silence. Elsa stiffened, her shoulders rising to her ears. She watched the redhead approach the painting.
"Well Joan, this is Elsa." Anna grinned at her, but the blonde noted the way she rubbed one of her palms. "And, uh, Elsa, this is Joan. One of my first friends."
Elsa inhaled sharply, clenching her fist. She's trusting you.
Exhaling and hoping Anna didn't notice the way her hands trembled, the blonde took a step forward and dipped her head in a short bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Joan."
Her girlfriend's eyes widened and she felt a bit bolder when she registered the mix of gratitude and joy underneath the surprise.
Elsa smiled quietly to herself when Anna sidled closer to her side.
"Let me tell you about the time she gave me advice on talking with you," Anna quipped, voice light.
Elsa turned to her sharply, eyebrows at her hairline. This time she couldn't keep the shock out of her voice.
"I'm sorry, what?!"
Anna laughed. "You can learn a lot talking to pictures."
x x x
After that, they spent another hour within the gallery, Anna pointing out a few more of her favorite pieces. As Elsa had guessed, the younger woman was particularly fond of the royal family portrait. She was also fond of any picture that depicted dancing couples.
Elsa made a mental note of that and stored it for later.
And to her amusement, after her introduction to Joan, Anna made a grand show of bowing to the portraits and introducing Elsa in a proud, overly done accent.
After that, they moved on to a quiet lunch at the museum's cafe. They talked about their respective classes and made plans for their next date. Anna, Elsa noted happily, was ecstatic about the prospect of spending winter break together. Beneath her calm exterior, Elsa was too. Like their previous dates, she couldn't see how anything could possibly go wrong.
She really should have kept that thought to herself.
Elsa heaved a sigh and stared out from under the shelter of the museum's walls, eyebrows knitted together and mouth set in a thin line. Anna shuffled beside her, hands in the pocket of her jeans, shoulders down.
"Well, the weather report did say to expect light showers," the redhead said, laughing a bit. Though the sound died on her tongue when Elsa looked at her.
The blonde quirked an eyebrow at her, disbelieving. "Light?"
She gestured wordlessly to the pouring downfall outside the entrance, the sky a stormy gray and sun nowhere in sight.
Anna laughed again and flashed her a grin. "Well you know what people say about the weather report. Not exactly reliable half the time."
Elsa frowned and bit her lip, pulling her bag closer to her torso. "What do we do? Neither of us brought an umbrella..."
Anna scratched her cheek. "I have one."
Elsa stole a quick glance at her, eyes roaming her person.
Anna's grin stayed in place, but she blushed. "But it's in my truck."
Elsa sighed and rubbed her forehead with one hand, trying vainly to avoid the headache she knew was coming. She shut her eyes for a moment and pretended she didn't hear the pitter-patter of heavy droplets just several feet away from her.
I hate the rain.
"Elsa?"
The blonde's eyes snapped open. Anna was staring at her, smile gone.
"You alright?" Anna asked, sea-green eyes worried.
Elsa gave a strained smile. "I'm...not so fond of the rain," she said.
In fact, I hate it. All it ever does is wash things away.
She dug her fingernails into the skin of her palms, pursing her lips tighter. Everything had been going so well. Why did it have to rain? She mentally cursed the childish complaint, but she couldn't find it in herself to not be upset.
Anna glanced quickly at the downpour, chewing on her bottom lip. Elsa kept her gaze trained on the floor, unwilling to look at the rain, but she watched the redhead out of the corner of her eye. She started when Anna began to walk out.
"Where are you going?" she asked, voice embarrassingly high-pitched.
Anna looked over her shoulder as she walked. "Where else? To my truck. I'm going to grab that umbrella, you just wait right here."
Elsa shot forward, heels clacking against the tiled floor. She grabbed Anna's wrist and pulled her—a bit too sharply—back inside.
"Wha? Elsa!" Anna stumbled and blinked at her. "What's the matter?"
The blonde winced and released her grip. She didn't want to admit it or even acknowledge it, but-
"You'll be fine Elsa. We won't be gone long."
-seeing Anna turn her back and begin to walk away had unsettled her.
"You can't - shouldn't go out there," Elsa protested.
Anna frowned, though she didn't seem offended. "Well, we can wait out the rain if you'd like, but it's getting late."
She glanced at her watch and then back out. Elsa could practically hear the gears turning in her head.
"But I think it would be better if I went to grab that umbrella. Who knows how long it'll rain and besides-" The redhead's eyes flicked to her, traveling up and down her body.
Elsa suppressed a shiver. Anna's frown deepened.
"You're only wearing a dress. I know you said the cold doesn't bother you, but without an umbrella you're going to get soaked." Anna smiled slightly. "And I think wet clothes would bother anyone."
Elsa wrung her hands together. "You'll get sick if you go out there though."
Anna's smile faltered and she gave a nervous giggle. "Well despite the urban legend Elsa, you don't actually get sick from the rain. You do however, run the risk of getting pneumonia from wet clothes." She shot her a look, concern evident on her face.
Elsa huffed and wrapped her arms around her torso. "So does that mean you should get soaked instead?" Her eyes narrowed in challenge.
Anna glanced back at the rain. "I'll be quick. I can just run to my car and come back. Besides, I have a jacket." She pulled at the front of it to demonstrate her point, then zipped it up.
Elsa crossed her arms and bit the inside of her cheek, brow furrowing. "I-"
Anna blinked at her, waiting.
Her stomach flipped again and she felt the familiar rush in her veins, heart thumping rapidly in her chest. The blonde shut her eyes, images racing through her mind, like thunder.
I hate the rain, I hate the rain, I hate the rain.
A finger brushed her elbow and Elsa flinched back. Her eyes snapped open to see Anna looking worried again.
"It really bothers you that much doesn't it?" the redhead whispered, voice soft and almost inaudible amongst the pitter-patter of water.
Elsa shivered and drew her arms closer. "I don't want you to go alone," she mumbled, dropping her gaze to the floor, peering at Anna's shoelaces.
"Well I don't have to if you don't want me to."
Elsa looked up sharply, mouth dropping open and blinking several times. Anna huffed and blew at her fringe, strawberry-blonde locks rising into the air. Elsa once again spotted that curious white streak against her temple.
"I don't like the idea, but we can always go together instead of me just leaving and coming back with an umbrella. It would kill two birds with one stone and we'd be out of this rain sooner." Her girlfriend scuffed her shoe against the floor, drawing her lower lip between her teeth. "Although, I still think it would be better if you stayed inside here, where it's dry. But if you're that dead set against me going alone, then we might as well just leave now."
Elsa frowned, feeling a twinge of guilt. "You're fine with ending our date so soon?"
Anna grinned at her, teal eyes dancing. "I don't mind. I'm not a big fan of rain either."
Elsa blinked and managed a shaky, grateful smile. "Okay."
Anna's grin reached her ears and, jokingly, she added, "I'm giving you my jacket to wear though. I'm not the one with a thin-strapped dress."
Although it was tense and high, Elsa laughed. Anna unzipped her jacket and handed it to her, before turning to look outside again. Elsa took it without protest and pulled her arms into the thick sleeves, wrapping it around her slim body. Her nose brushed against the collar and she flushed—just a bit. She glanced at Anna, but the younger woman had already turned to walk toward the doors. Her braids bounced lightly against the simple fabric of her black shirt as she strode to the exit.
Elsa exhaled, quivered, and pressed her nose into the collar again, inhaling the faint scent of cinnamon and apple.
Warm. She felt warm now. Elsa shook herself and hurried forward, arriving at Anna's side just as the redhead was turning her head, mouth open.
Anna jumped, eyes widening in surprise at Elsa's sudden reappearance. The blonde giggled, the noise muffled by the large jacket. She pushed her hands into the armpits of the jacket and tucked her purse in her arms.
"Oh! I was just going to ask if you needed a moment." Anna tucked a strand behind her ear and Elsa smiled at the gesture, eyes twinkling.
"No, I'm ready, let's go."
The redhead smirked. "Well I hope you can keep up in those heels, I like going fast." She winked and Elsa's mind fizzed out for a moment, heat blooming at the—the implication.
Is she flirting with me? Now, of all times?
Wintery blue eyes narrowed and her smile became just a tad playful. Word games. Two can play at that.
"I wouldn't underestimate me, Miss Bjorgman." Elsa's back became ramrod-straight and her chin lifted high in the air. "I am at the top of my class."
Anna choked on a giggle, shutting her eyes and slapping a hand over her mouth. She coughed and beat at her chest and Elsa felt a thrill of delight at the red on her freckled, rounded cheeks.
"Let's put that to the test then shall we?" Anna asked, winking.
Elsa paused, eyes flicking down to the redhead's bare arms. Her earlier bravery washed away as she, once again, heard the drizzle just in front of her. She clutched the jacket tighter in her grip, skin over her knuckles straining.
"Are you sure you don't want your jacket Anna?" Blue eyes traveled the length of a bicep and forearm. "You know I'm not bothered by the cold."
Anna merely hummed in response and bumped their hips together. "It's fine, I won't need it Elsa." She offered her hand. "Fast, remember?"
Elsa stared at the open palm, wondering why it seemed so naked. After a moment's hesitation, she slipped her hand into Anna's. Her heart jumped once, twice, before it settled at the sight of the jacket nearly covering their thin fingers.
"Okay."
Hands clasped together, the two rushed out into the rain. Her shoes clacked against the wet concrete as they ran down the stairway that led up to the entrance. She was thankful then for her years of etiquette lessons growing up. Manners, stature, and even the traditional form of balancing a book on her head had ensured that Elsa didn't slip and break a heel.
Anna wasn't quite as lucky. Her sneakers slipped once or twice, legs wobbling and hand tightening in Elsa's hold. The blonde doubted her shoes were even meant for running. Still, as they raced through the parking lot, sky cloudy and rain pouring over their backs, Anna's smile remained. She laughed when she almost fell, Elsa swiftly pulling to keep her upright.
At last, after what felt like hours to Elsa—though in truth it was probably just a few minutes—Anna's truck came into view. The rain had washed away any residual grime and dirt on its battered, old surface, causing the red paint to stand out like a spot sign.
"Hurry Elsa!" Anna yelled over the noise, frantically pulling out her keys to unlock the passenger door.
Elsa panted beside her, heart hammering between her rib cage and blood rushing through her veins. Above them, the sky darkened and the rain began to come down harder. Elsa shivered, more from the feel of her dress clinging to her legs than the bitter bite of cold. Her eyes darkened with worry when she noticed Anna's soaked shirt sticking to her skin. The lining of the girl's shoulder blades was stark against the thin fabric.
The redhead yanked open the door and held it open, one hand reaching out to grab Elsa's elbow and steer her inside. The older woman shuddered as she edged into the seat, white-gold locks sticking to her neck and cheeks. Anna shut the door and hurried around to the other side, heaving as she climbed in. Elsa quickly shed the jacket and thrust it into her girlfriend's lap.
"Here. Here, Anna." Wintery blue eyes scanned down Anna's form, taking note of wet, tanned skin and how the girl's jeans clung to her legs. Anna trembled and Elsa fought back her own shivers when she placed her hands on the redhead's biceps, rubbing furiously.
"You're freezing," Elsa said, breathless.
Anna chuckled, but Elsa heard the quiver in her voice. "I'm not as immune to the cold as you-" when the blonde's eyes flashed and her eyebrows pinched together, Anna hurried to add "-but don't worry! I can just turn the heater up."
She rushed to rev the engine, flicking the heater on just as she said.
Elsa pulled back and brought her hands close to her chest, fiddling with the strap of her purse. Anna didn't pull out of the parking lot just yet, opting instead to let interior of the truck gradually warm up.
"You should put your jacket back on," Elsa mumbled. She kept her eyes trained on her lap, but when she heard the rustle of fabric next to her, she watched Anna out of her peripheral vision.
The girl's biceps rippled as she raised the jacket over her shoulders, tugging on the flaps and straightening it out. She watched Anna's shoulder blades disappear beneath the heavy clothing. A droplet of water slid down her neck and the muscle underneath twitched. The pounding of her heart increased and she dug her fingernails into her lap.
"It didn't get too wet did it?" she asked. An odd tremor ran down her spine and Elsa gulped at the bubble of confusion in her stomach. When Anna turned to her, she hoped her girlfriend didn't notice the way she shifted in her seat.
Anna blew at her fringe and smiled at her, eyes shining. "No, don't worry. It's made of thicker stuff," she said, tugging at her jacket again for emphasis.
Elsa felt her spirits lift a bit and she rested her head against the seat, face softening. "I'm glad," she whispered.
The engine rumbled and the rain continued to pour outside. But aside from that, the air was still and silent. Elsa watched Anna rummage through the glove compartment, eyes lazily following the movement of her arms. Anna grumbled something as she shifted through papers and Elsa chuckled at the frustration building on her face.
"What are you looking for?" the blonde asked, amused.
Anna's eyes flashed to her, but the redhead didn't stop what she was doing. "Looking for-" she grunted and then pulled out a plastic packet, "-aha! Here we go."
Elsa raised an eyebrow and blinked curiously as Anna tore open the bag. "Tissues?"
The redhead didn't answer. Instead, she leaned forward and the blonde's blue eyes widened to the size of saucers when she noticed how close Anna was. Her mouth opened, but all that came out was a speechless, short gasp. Anna's hand came up and brushed her cheek, paper rubbing in slow, small circles.
Close. Too close? I don't know.
"What are you doing?" Elsa whispered, eyes flicking back and forth.
The corners of Anna's lips were still curled in a smile, but she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. Elsa found her gaze rooted to the row of white teeth and how it tucked in pink, glistening flesh. She swallowed and was positive Anna noticed her throat bobbing.
Anna laughed once—nervously? Elsa wondered—and continued wiping her cheek. "Well, I figured since you didn't like rain, you probably wouldn't appreciate being wet." She shifted in the driver's seat and leaned to the side, taking another tissue and beginning to dry the left side of Elsa's face.
The blonde squirmed, gripping the hem of her dress. She sucked in a breath when Anna moved so close that their cheeks brushed.
"I don't mind getting wet," Elsa said, breath caressing the shell of an ear, the tip of it turning scalding-red. Anna muttered something unintelligible and the blonde felt her dab the tissue at the juncture of her neck and shoulder.
Something raced down her spine.
This near to her, Elsa could make out individual strands of Anna's fiery hair. Her vision honed in on that single lock of white hair, noticing that it was faintly, very faintly, gold.
A memory slammed into her like a sack of bricks and Elsa shut her eyes tightly.
"Anna."
Anna turned and Elsa gasped again when she felt something featherlight press against the corner of her mouth. Another tremor shot down her spine and she dug her fingernails into her thighs.
"A-Anna," Elsa whined.
"Elsa?" Anna pulled back slightly and Elsa peered through her wet eyelashes to see her eyes grow dark and worried.
"Sorry, am I hurting you?" the redhead asked.
Elsa shook her head and hissed when she felt a shudder run down her spine. "You're - you're a bit too close Anna," she admitted, averting her eyes. She couldn't bare to keep contact with Anna's gentle but heated gaze.
Anna drew back so quickly that she rammed her head against the window, breaking the heavy atmosphere with a pained yelp.
"Are you okay?!" Elsa squeaked, eyes wide open in surprise.
"I'm fine!" Anna groaned and rubbed the back of her head, squinting. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." She smiled apologetically at Elsa.
The blonde noted the way the red on Anna's cheeks concealed her freckles. She smiled at her—prayed it wasn't too stiff—and said, "No, don't worry about it."
"Uh, okay." Anna turned in her seat and fumbled with the tissue packet for a moment. "H-here," she said, holding it out to Elsa, "In case you still want to - well, just in case."
Elsa smiled a bit and reached over. Their fingers brushed when she took the plastic wrap and her skin tingled from the contact. She sat back quickly and felt her face burn.
"We should get going," Elsa said.
Anna nodded mutely and switched gears. As she checked her mirrors and looked over her shoulder to see if anyone else was out in the parking lot, the blonde stole a quick glance at her.
The tips of her ears were still bright red and Elsa could see her fingers trembling a bit.
I'm not the only one then.
As they drove back to her apartment, the rain continued to beat at the top of Anna's truck, but to Elsa the interior felt undeniably warm.
x x x
Elsa felt a wave of relief when she saw her apartment complex come into view. The heater and tissues had dried her skin, but her dress felt heavy and clung uncomfortably to her skin.
Anna glanced sideways at her and Elsa could hear the smile in her voice. "We're almost there."
Elsa turned away from the window and returned the redhead's smile with a small one of her own. "I'm sorry this didn't turn out the way you planned it," she said, twisting her braid shyly.
Anna's eyes flicked to her, a confused glint in them. "What do you mean?"
"The weather." And my own depressive mood. She bit her lip and tried to push the thought away, staring out the window again.
Anna waited for her to continue, parking the car just in front of her apartment and turning off the ignition.
"We didn't, uh-" Elsa blushed and tugged on her braid. She faced Anna and smiled weakly. "We didn't get to spend as much time together today."
Anna blinked. "Oh," she said. Her face reddened, but her lips curled up in such a way it made Elsa's heart flutter. Anna tucked her hair behind her ear and chuckled. "I don't know, I think everything turned out okay."
Elsa glanced at the pouring rain. "You think so?" she asked, distracted.
Something touched her hand. Elsa looked down and saw Anna's fingers trembling, the tips grazing hers.
Elsa stared into Anna's hesitant teal eyes, the irises a deeper color—more blue than they had ever been before.
Anna lowered her gaze, but Elsa found she couldn't take her eyes off of her. She watched the flutter of her eyelashes, watched her tongue peek out and lick her lips, noticed the swell of her chest as she breathed, and felt her fingers gently rubbing the skin of her hand.
She watched Anna lean in closer and the blood roared in her ears.
Is she going to-
"Not everything has to be perfect," Anna said.
Then she pulled back and the spell broke. The heat drained from the blonde's face and she felt a chill on her neck. All Elsa could do was mutter, "Yeah…"
Anna grinned sheepishly and she reached down to grab the umbrella at her feet. "Ready to go?" she asked, holding it out to her.
No.
The sight of the umbrella brought a vivid memory back. Elsa's heart skipped a beat—why, she wasn't sure. Nonetheless, she took it with ease and smiled gently at Anna.
She bit her lip and batted her eyelashes a bit. "Bye?" she asked.
Anna nodded, eyes dazed and dreamy. "Bye," she said.
Elsa giggled and unlocked the door. She slipped out and opened the umbrella. Behind her, she heard Anna rev the engine again.
The sound of the car starting and the rain beating down on the umbrella made something in her flare up. She was barely three steps away before she whirled around, quickly pulling out her phone.
"Anna!"
Anna snapped her head up, surprised.
There was a flash of white light.
The sky rumbled.
Elsa grinned shyly and waved her fingers. "I'll see you soon!"
Anna blinked several times before laughing. She returned the gesture with a wave of her own. "Bye!" Then she reached over, shut the passenger door, and began to drive out.
Heart leaping in her throat, Elsa ducked away and into the building, holding her phone discreetly and closely to her chest.
Her heels clacked against the floor as she hurried through the hallways and all but flung herself into the elevator. She pushed the button and leaned against the wall, sighing when the doors closed.
It couldn't reach the top floor fast enough.
Elsa closed the umbrella and actually ran to her door, fumbling with the key.
Meg looked up, startled when the blonde whirled by her.
"Wha?! Elsa, hey what's up? Are you okay-"
She slammed her bedroom door shut and flopped onto her bed, burying her face in her arms. Elsa laid there, listening to the rain outside and her own heart beating rapidly.
There was a knock at her door and Meg poked her head in. "Elsa? You okay?" her roommate asked worriedly.
Elsa shook her head, not lifting her face from the covers.
Meg approached her and sat down, a hand already rubbing her back. "Hey, what's wrong? Things didn't-" the action ceased for a moment "- go badly did they?"
Elsa shuddered and lifted her face, cheeks bright pink. "It wasn't perfect," she squeaked.
Meg frowned. "Oh Blondie, I'm sorry-"
"But that's okay," Elsa interrupted. A large grin stretched her cheeks. She rolled over and squealed into her pillow.
Meg gaped, confused. "You lost me," she blurted out.
"It was better than perfect," Elsa mumbled into her pillow.
"Wait, so you're okay? Everything all good?"
Elsa nodded. She peeked one eye open when Meg snorted behind her.
"Ugh! You had me worried!" The brunette threw her arms in the air and stood up, rolling her eyes.
Elsa giggled, eyes twinkling.
"Well, I'm going to start making dinner. You just, uh, do whatever." Meg walked out, but not before Elsa heard her mutter, "Drama queens and their redheads. Whatever."
She laughed and rolled over onto her back, holding her phone up.
With butterflies in her stomach, she listened to the drizzle of the rain. Elsa stared at the slightly blurry picture of Anna—half-turned and wide-eyed—that she had captured.
Solitary and imperfect.
Elsa couldn't keep the smile off her face.