The drive back to Kristoff's was... strained, to say the least. Anna could feel Kristoff's gaze shift over to her more than once. He was, she deduced, feeling guilty.

And she didn't blame him for feeling guilty or anything, either. After the anger had sort of ebbed from them, they were both left feeling bad for their actions.

And despite Kristoff's surprisingly strong argument, Anna was still unsure about how Elsa would greet her. Maybe she'd rather stay with Kristoff? He had Sven, which gave her a friend to play with. And he was just... better. While she had just been so cruel to Elsa, he'd just been... chill.

She was broken out of such thoughts as Kristoff gave a small, throat-clearing cough. "Um... when we get there, can you just... not... tell her you're there?" When Anna levelled a confused glare at him, he felt compelled to explain himself. "Like, I'll leave the door open so you can see but I just want you... see her first?"

Anna's glare settled into one of just confusion, and she gave a grunt. "Sure, fine, whatever."

She wondered briefly why he had asked such a thing before deciding that it didn't matter.

Now that she knew Elsa was safe, Anna realised how late it was, and how tired she felt. She entertained herself for the rest of the ride by coming up with excuses for missing class the next day- er, in a few hours. They ranged from simply telling the lecturer she was sick to going and letting herself just fall asleep in class.

... what would she do with Elsa? Surely the other girl couldn't come. There weren't any rules against people sitting in lectures, as such, but that was mostly because no one in their right mind would actually subject themselves to such torture. Her lass was only an hour in the morning. Maybe she could just... sit silently.

Anna snorted at the thought, and Kristoff shot her another look.

Finally, though, they arrived. Kristoff didn't have a dorm on-campus; he was sleeping in his family's property, just on the edge of town. He'd converted the old stable into a rather cozy little place, if a bit sparse. They usually went to his place to drink just because Anna's clumsiness increased hundred-fold and he owned less stuff that she could possibly destroy.

Jumping from his truck, she closed the door as quietly as she could and began sneaking towards the front door, just behind Kristoff. He had left the lights on, and she could hear Sven snuffling at the door, obviously having heard the car pull up.

Kristoff turned to her and opened his mouth, but she held up a hand and nodded. I know.

Turning back, he slowly opened the door, making sure Sven wouldn't escape (and thereby give Anna away). The dog became to distracted by Kristoff to worry about the open door after a few moments. Anna crept forward as Kristoff straightened up from greeting Sven. He called, "Elsa?" softly into the darkness, and suddenly Anna was able to se the blonde-haired girl.

Kristoff had given her an old set of clothes, probably to help combat the cold, and Anna couldn't help but notice that Elsa actually looked a little... cute... drowning in the greenish-greyish-blueish fabric, hair messy from where it had slipped out of her braid.

In that moment, she looked like she'd be most comfortable curled up on the sofa, a warm cup of hot chocolate in her hand and a cheesy rom-com playing on the TV.

Anna made a mental note to buy a TV. Or steal Rapunzel's. Whatever.

"Sven!" came Elsa's cheerful cry, and Anna heard Kristoff laugh a little. She wasn't sure if it was because of the nickname, or the fact that Elsa was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, obviously excited for something. She calmed down almost straight away as he began stroking the hair from her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

It made Anna feel a little sick for some reason (like 'John-Travolta-at-the-Oscars' sick), before she forced that down. Kris was awesome and Elsa had no concept of PDA.

It didn't help much, and she was grateful when Kristoff spoke again.

"I brought you a present," he said, and Anna grinned a little to herself. Of course he was talking about her. "It's just outside-"

He barely finished when Elsa was suddenly at the door. Her eyes widened, and a massive grin spread across her face before, inexplicably, she shrunk back. Anna felt her heart fall a little. So Elsa really did hate her after all...

Kristoff obviously knew Elsa better than she did, though (and that thought didn't make her feel any better) when he poked her in the stomach and whispered something in her ear.

Tentatively, Elsa approached Anna. Her hands were wrapped around her stomach, head down. She looked so small.

Elsa was three feet away when Anna sprung forward. She actually managed to push Elsa back a little when her arms came to wrap around the blonde girl, holding her tight.

Anna liked to think she was pretty good at hugs. Everyone said so. But, really, compared to Elsa, she was horrible. Satan. A puffer fish.

And she'd probably be ashamed later to admit that she cried a little, but in the moment, she couldn't care any less.

"Don't run away again. I was so worried," she sniffled. "You could have been hurt or died, Elsa! What were you thinking?"

"... Wanted Anna..."

The words were almost silent, and Anna looked up from wiping her nose on Elsa (well, it was Kristoff's shirt, so it didn't matter so much) just to verify that the blonde has actually spoken. And, spoken the words Anna thought she had.

"Anna didn't come home..."

If it hadn't been so charged between them, Anna would have laughed at how adorable Elsa looked with her face screwed up. Of course, the tears leaking over her face and Anna being the reason they were there were more than enough to stem any thoughts of humour.

"Oh, Elsa..."

And then the blonde girl proceeding to pour an entire week of confusion and grief into the one hug as she shook on Anna's shoulder, and the red-head couldn't do anything but feel guilty and hold her.

Elsa wasn't quite a 'girl out of time', but she was damn sure close to it. Anna resolved to be better.

Because Elsa wasn't a woman. She was barely-functioning as a human but one thing set her apart from all the psychopaths and extroverted people and kids, and that was her heart.

Because Anna had been a bitch but Elsa didn't hate her. Elsa just wanted to be held because... Krisoff was right.

She loved Anna.

Reaching up, Anna brushed at Elsa's cheeks, catching the tears that were still streaming. Immediately, Elsa pressed her face into Anna's hand, nuzzling softly. Her breath evened out slowly as Anna moved her hand to stroke the blonde hair of her friend.

And that was the right word. It felt... well, Anna still felt terrible about everything, and maybe a little bad too that she could presume to call Elsa a 'friend', but there really wasn't any other word for it.

But there was still something Anna hadn't done. Placing a small peck on Elsa's forehead (and sort of missing because we can't all be tall), she murmured, "I'm sorry, Elsa. I was really mean and you didn't deserve it. Can you forgive me?"

And Anna couldn't even begrudge the lick Elsa gave her because... well, Elsa wanted to give it. And if it grossed her out, she deserved it.

Gently, Anna pulled away. Or, tried to. Elsa hung on lick a starved leech, making it very difficult for Anna to manoeuvre the both of them inside. She did manage to, eventually, after Elsa realises she wasn't going to run away and leave her again.

Kristoff had already gone to bed (unsurprising, given the late hour), but he had left a pile of blankets on the couch for the girls.

"How about..." Anna began, looking at Elsa. "How about we share from now on?"

Elsa's answering smile was enough to melt her heart and keep her warm enough for the rest of the night.

And Anna couldn't—wouldn't—deny that the feel of Elsa, practically lying on top of her in the small sofa was anything but pleasant.

She fell asleep with one hand in Elsa's hair, the blonde girl nuzzled into her chest.

A/N: I promised that I wouldn't quit this story (but please excuse the short update) ^^; the fluff truly begins next chapter, btw. Astrarisks (author of chapter 3) is going to come back at some point and lend her talents, too, so be excited.

Two things: I'm doing an AMA on Reddit on the 23rd, so if you have any questions, you can ask there (or my tumblr. link's on my profile). The other is that I have a poll on my profile regarding with stories you want me to put most of my focus on.

Thanks for your support, and I hope you enjoyed it!