Trigger warning (maybe?): minor death, slight alcohol abuse, violence, childhood trauma
For once, Anna was the first to wake before the alarm clock. Usually, it was Elsa but if seemed that the redhead had tired her out the night before. Sitting up, Anna stretched and yawned, reveling in the feel of that one sliver of sunlight hitting the bare skin of her torso from the slightly parted curtains. She gave a sigh of satisfaction as she slumped forward, rubbing the sleep away from her eyes.
Turning her head, she smiled as her gaze fell upon the the still sleeping blonde, her porcelain back facing the redhead. Anna allowed her eyes to wander, taking in the beautifully pale and flawless skin. That was until her eyes fell upon the sight of a light scar, barely visible from a distance. The scar made Elsa no less beautiful but it had saddened Anna to think of what had caused it. She had discovered it one night after their love making. Elsa had laid on her stomach and Anna had been placing kisses all over her back with her fingers massaging the tense muscle. It was then that her lips brushed against the rather long and jagged scar. Anna had felt Elsa tense as Anna placed kisses all along the scar, silently asking what had caused it.
Elsa allowed Anna to kiss the length of it before turning onto her back and pulling Anna to her, promising to tell her everything one day. "Just not now…" She had whispered as she buried her face into the girl's flaming hair. Anna had nodded silently and wrapped her arms around her lover, pulling their naked bodies as close together as possible and offering her silent comfort.
Anna shook her head before reaching out to gently brush against the soft skin of her lovers back, not intending to wake Elsa up. It was still a few hours before they had to be at the studio and since Anna was the first to wake, she decided to make them both breakfast. With another sigh, Anna withdrew her hands and leaned over, placing a soft kiss on Elsa's cheek before getting out of bed. She pulled on one of Elsa's shirts that barely covered her bum before heading to the restroom to wash up.
Elsa awoke to a cold bed and the smell of pancakes and eggs wafting through the air. She sat up and looked to her side, finding her redheaded girlfriend missing. She smiled and giggled, thinking of how the redhead had finally woken up earlier than their alarm clock. Looking at the clock, she raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. Anna had woken a good hour before their alarm clock whereas Elsa had woken up thirty minutes before it.
Reaching over, she shut off the alarm before it could ring and got out of bed, grabbing one of Anna's shirt on the way and headed to the bathroom to wash up before meeting Anna. Didn't want to kiss her with dragons breath, now did she?
Arriving at the kitchen, Elsa padded in silently, a small smile on her lips as she caught the younger woman singing and flipping pancakes in front of the stove. This was certainly a sight that she could get used to. Before allowing her thoughts to wander any further, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her lover, mindful of the pan that was mere inches away. "Good morning, my love. Making breakfast for us?" She placed a gentle kiss on Anna's cheek as she watched the redhead flip the pancake once more. "Yup. I know you like blueberries so these have extra blueberries in them." Elsa grinned as she kissed Anna in thanks before moving to the fridge to pour them both some orange juice.
As she turned around, sipping from her glass, she couldn't help but let her thoughts wander and think about what married life would be with Anna. Would anything change? Perhaps they'd have a few children running around and wrecking havoc. But how would that happen? Artificial insemination? Adoption? Some other scientific method? Elsa shook her head slightly and frowned. Certainly it was way too soon for these thoughts. But she really couldn't help but wonder what married life would be like…
Probably just like this. Waking up in the morning to her. That sounds like a perfect life…
Elsa giggled to herself before she made her way to the table and sat down, allowing her gaze to rest on the redhead's bare backside. Wait… it was bare. As in no panties or anything. A sly grin took over Elsa's relaxed smile and she silently slid off the chair and toward the unsuspecting redhead. She was going to have a snack before breakfast.
"Hurry up, Anna! We're going to be late!" Elsa called from the doorway as she slipped on her Toms, her bag already in hand. Anna was driving today but she was still in the bedroom getting dressed. "Well we wouldn't be if you didn't insist on having your little 'snack' before breakfast! We both know we woke up with more than enough time!" Anna barreled out of the door and nearly into Elsa as she grabbed her boots from the shelf. As she slipped them on, Elsa leaned against the doorframe and raised an eyebrow at the younger woman. "Are you complaining? Because last I remember, you were screaming for more."
Anna straightened up and blushed before huffing and turning her head away. "No… but it would be nice if you didn't tease and keep me on the brink so much." She pouted as Elsa laughed, keeping her face turned away from the blonde. "I'm sorry, my love. I promise not to do it again…" Elsa finally faced her and glared. "We both know that is an empty promise." But she did end up smiling and placing a kiss on the blonde's pale cheek. "Okay. Enough fooling around. We do have to get going. Ready? Got everything? Purse? Keys? Cell? Did you bring your thermos?" Elsa doubled checked everything as Anna listed them off, nodding as she held each item up. "Yes, honey. We're all set." Anna gave a nod and opened the door, grinning as she gave a mock bow. "After you, your majesty."
Filming wasn't as eventful as they would have liked. Kristoff finally got his moment to shine but everyone was bummed out at the fact that he merely sang a fews lines. But those few lines got some girls in the back swooning as he strummed his lute and sang to a stuffed reindeer. Anna had to control her giggling as she had to officially 'meet' the ice harvester and employ him to take her to the North Mountain. It certainly didn't help to hear her girlfriend and best friend giggling right behind her.
One of the highlights of their day may have been when Anna was supposed to hit a wolf with the lute while Kristoff ducked out of the way… only, he didn't do it quick enough. Her strength threw him over the edge of the sled and into the soft green padding below them. Filming was stopped for a good hour as Kristoff laid on the couch in the back, holding a bag of ice to his head as Anna apologized profusely beside him. Hans and Elsa were kicked off set for their laughter.
All was forgiven and the filming day ended without much of an issue. They decided to hold off on filming the reprise of 'For The First Time In forever' for tomorrow as that was a big scene in itself. Elsa and Anna parted ways with the boys and headed home, fully intended to cook dinner for each other.
They sat together at the dining room table in comfortable silence as they ate dinner. Anna had made delicious garlic bread while Elsa had cooked up a simple but incredibly delicious Fettuccine Alfredo to go with it. Elsa had been contemplating something for a few weeks now, unbeknownst to Anna and she had finally reached a decision. She paused in her eating to look up at her redheaded lover, taking in the sight of the small smile on her face as she munched away on the garlic bread.
"Anna, my love?" Elsa called her softly while placing her fork down and gently dabbing at her lips with her napkin. "Hmm?" Anna perked up at hearing her name, her mind momentarily drawn out of her the weighing of pros and cons on marrying garlic bread. So far, Elsa still wins over garlic bread. "You've asked me about my past… and I believe it's time I tell you." Elsa said this carefully as her blue eyes met Anna's aquamarines, uncertainty dancing in her own. Anna immediately became serious as she sat up straighter and placed her fork down also, locking her gaze with Elsa's. "Are you sure…? I don't mind waiting. I want you to be comfortable and sure… it's a big thing for you and I understand that."
Elsa took a moment and glanced away. Swallowing all of her doubts, she raised her head once more and nodded. "I'm sure. We've been together for a while now and I know for sure that I trust you. I trust you with my life, Anna…" She offered a small smile to hopefully ease the worried expression on Anna's face. They stayed silent with their eyes locked on each other before Anna gave a slight nod. "If that is what you believe, then I will gladly hear it all."
They finished the rest of their meal in comfortable albeit slightly tense silence. Anna was worried whereas Elsa was nervous as to how Anna would react to the news of her past and childhood. Even as doubt swirled within her, she forced it down and steeled herself as she was about to lay herself bare to the woman she loved most.
Once the dishes were cleaned and put away, they both sat down on the living room couch, clutching a glass of wine. Anna places her glass down and takes Elsa's face in her hands gently, her eyes boring in Elsa's own. "Listen to me, my love… I appreciate that you are trying to tell me about your past and open up… but if it gets too hard at any given moment, just stop. Okay? I won't pry. Don't push yourself too hard, Elsa." The blonde nodded in agreement before turning her head slightly to place a kiss on the redhead's palm. "I promise."
Elsa took a sip of her wine more out of nervousness than thirst before she began. "I believe that you know I'm quite well off money wise, yes?" Receiving a nod of confirmation from Anna, Elsa continued. "That money isn't old money. It belongs to my father… or did, anyways. You see, he was the owner of a big company… A company called Silhouette." It took Anna a minute to realize what Elsa had just said but once she did, she couldn't help but let a gasp fall from her lips. "Silhouette as in… The company that supplies almost half the world with grain and everyday necessities and and… That big company?!" Elsa nodded as Anna's eyes went wide and her mouth laid open. "That very company. He was the creator and CEO."
There was a pause before Anna looked questioningly at Elsa, mildly confused. "Why do you keep saying 'was'? You told me he's still alive." Elsa nodded her head as she took another sip of her wine, an odd calm washing over her. "He is still alive. But he's unfit to overlook a company. Right now, Kai is the current COO and he's taking care of everything while the CEO is busy." Anna nodded as she listened, her face is still scrunched up in confusion. "Okay but then… how can the CEO be too busy to handle their own company? Isn't that their main job" Elsa gave a light chuckle as she confirmed what Anna said. "Indeed… but this is a special case. You see, the CEO has a movie to shoot. She doesn't have time to pour over boring paperwork."
"Oh! So she's busy shooting a mo- wait… Elsa… you… you're…" Elsa looked at Anna expectantly and nodded her head. "Yes…? I am…?" Anna stuttered and her eyes went wide again. "You're the CEO of Silhouette?!" Anna couldn't help but nearly shout. Knowing Elsa was rich was one thing but knowing that she was the president of such a huge company was another. "Yes, Anna. I am the CEO of Silhouette. I own the company along with it's many facilities around the world and also a mansion in Norway… among other homes… but truthfully, those were my fathers. I just inherited them." Anna was still surprised but she knew this was not the past that Elsa was trying to get. This may actually only be the surface.
"So… why did you father give you the company…? If he's still alive… then…?" It was then that the nervousness and pain once again washed over Elsa causing her to give a sigh and look away. "You see, I was a very spoiled child. My father and mother always gave me attention and nearly everything that I wanted. I was, to put it plainly, an attention whore." Anna raised an eyebrow at that and shook her head slightly. "That definitely doesn't sound like you though…" Elsa smiled slightly and shook her head. "No… it doesn't, does it? But it's true. I always wanted attention. Especially my mothers. I was a crybaby too. I cried at almost everything." She chuckled humorlessly at that, shaking her head at the memories. "It was pathetic, really. But at that time, that was who I was and everything seemed perfect in my little life… until my mother got sick."
Elsa had tried to keep her emotions at bay but this part was nearly too much for her. The images were seared into her mind and no matter how hard she tried, her emotions always get the best of her when she remembers. Her voice became strained as she shut her eyes, attempting to block the images while retelling the events. "I was eight when she fell ill. It was a rare and degenerative sort of disease. When it first began and she was hospitalized, I would visit and cry, as always, and she would read me stories. Her favorite was the Legend of the Phoenix." Elsa got up form the couch and moved to the bookshelf in the corner of the room. Skimming her fingers over the covers of numerous books, she finally stopped at one and pulled it out.
She walked back and held out the book for Anna to take. As the redhead took it in her hands, she could feel how old and worn the red leather cover was. Even so, the book was still in rather fine condition. The title read out 'The Legend of the Phoenix' in bright golden letters with a beautiful and intricate drawing of a golden phoenix right below it. "My mother always told me how she admired the strength of the phoenix. To die and be reborn time and time again." She chuckles as she runs her hands over the cover. "I remember how I always asked her to hurry and get better after each read and she would simply smile and promise that she would. Soon, she would always say as she put this book back in the bedside drawer."
A dark look overcame Elsa's normally calm features as her blue eyes darkened. "It was my ninth birthday and she had promised to return for it… but when she did not, I went to the hospital in a frenzy, barging into the room and screaming at her for not keeping her promise. Telling her how I hated her and how she was a liar. By then, she couldn't even get up and had trouble breathing. I was such a foolish and ridiculously stupid child… She tried to apologize as she pulled the oxygen mask away from her face but I refused it. I ran out crying even as she tried to call my name."
Elsa's hand clenched tightly as she drew in upon herself, her clenched hands resting agains the top of her thighs. Slowly, Anna reached out and placed her warm palms over Elsa's clenched fist, holding them gently. "You can stop here if you want, Elsa…" The blonde immediately shook her head and looked away. But even as she looked away, her fist unclenched and she sought Anna's warmth, lacing their fingers together. "No… if I stop now, I might never be able to continue."
Drawing in a breath, Elsa closed her eyes and continued. "When I realized my mistake, it was too late. I overheard Gerda, Kai's wife and a good friend of my family, telling my father that my mother had gone into a vegetative state. There was little to no chance of her returning. I raced over to the hospital with my father and I ran into the room and threw myself atop her bed. I felt her breathe and I heard her heart… but when I looked upon her face, I knew she was gone. Still, I laid there and begged for her to come back. I begged for her to forgive me. I begged for her to csing me a lullaby or read me her favorite story, even just once. I cried and cried… but she never returned. My father was forced to pull the plug. She died thinking I hated her." Elsa sniffed but refused to let herself cry. When she saw that Anna was about to say something, she shook her head, silencing her girlfriend. She had to finish this. She had to let go.
"On the day of her funeral, I vowed to never cry again. To never allow my emotions to take over me. I drowned myself in work. I drew on the side but I took the path on becoming an actress instead of an architect… it was my mother's dream to be one, you know…? But her frail health prevented it from coming true. My father, however, drowned himself in alcohol. I was 14 when I got that scar on my back. I had just returned from my choral and acting class and was returning to my room. By this time, everyone tells me I am the spitting image of my mother. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and skin as white as snow." She laughs and locks her gaze with Anna. "But my father was a handsome man too…"
The smile fell from her lips and a grimace replaced it. "He WAS a handsome man. That night, as I passed his room, he had opened his door to go out and do goodness knows what.. and he saw me. He was drunk, swinging a beer bottle around as he called my mother's name. Rola. He was delusional and mad with grief. He thought he saw my mother and he came at me with force. When I pushed him away, he got angry. He smashed the bottle, yelled, then lunged at me. I dodged but it was not quick enough. He sliced right across my back with that bottle. He tried again but the ruckus had got butlers attention from downstairs. Thank goodness Rufus was there… because if not, there might be more scars on me.. or worse yet, I wouldn't even be here."
Anna's hand had slowly drawn up and she held the blonde woman's face in her hand gently, stroking the smooth cheek with her thumb. "So what happened to him…? Your father? Did you place charges on him?" Elsa shook her head and leaned into the touch, smiling softly as the warmth emitting from Anna's hand soothed her. "No… he was deemed insane and placed in a mental asylum… he's still there to this day." Elsa took a calming breath and smiled, her blue eyes finally back to their normal glacial blue as she locked her eyes with Anna's. "After that, Gerda took care of me along with Kai. They taught me about business and I worked with them on company issues. When I turned 18 and officially inherited the company, I put Kai in charge and moved here. I still take care of the pressing matters of the company but otherwise, it's all Kai's doing."
With the everything told to Anna, a weight seemed to have lifted off Elsa's chest. Heaving a sigh, she downed the rest of her wine before placing it back on the table and looking expectantly at Anna. There was a pause before Anna launched herself at Elsa and threw them both onto the couch. "A-Anna?" Elsa was uncertain as to what to do beside wrapping her arms around the trembling woman. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I just… I don't know what to say. All I know is, I love you. I don't care if you're rich or if you're the CEO that's supplying half the world or whatever! I just know that I love you for you, past and all. I love all your scars and freckles and how you mumble in your sleep. I just.. I love you. I love you so much. Thank you for telling me all of this. I know it was hard… and I really appreciate you opening up and trusting me so much."
Elsa smiled and nuzzled her face into Anna's hair, finally feeling content with herself for once in her life. "Thank you for listening… thank you for loving me."
So I am so incredibly sorry if this chapter sucked like hell. I'm not good with angsty crap... and I had a lot of trouble writing this. I also had some issues personally so... a bit of a struggle.
Still. I am so, so sorry. I tried to fix it. I rewrote this thing like 5 times. lol But I hoped you guys enjoyed it at least a little? Ehe...
If anyone understood where I got the inspiration for Elsa's past, then.. damn. Legend of the Phoenix man.
Also, updates is going to be extra slow (as if it isn't already... sorry!) since I'll be off to Canada in about a week and a half.
Once again... SORRY. (I seem to like saying sorry. Sorry. Whoops.)