AN: Thanks C A Moore, Veoviing, Gcohen, Yuiiub, t3l4m0n, sedryn and wannasalad for their kind comments since the last update. Regarding Hans' focus in the last chapter, that's pretty much the last of him for this fic. He doesn't play a strong role from here on in the story. About simplifying some of the experiments I've talked about in this fic when I do the final edits, I might try to do that, but I have a feeling it might still be too in-depth for a general audience. If I simplify the language down too much, it might lose the atmosphere of the story. So what I'm planning on doing is updating that explanations page on my tumblr with pictures and descriptions to show you what I'm talking about in the fic. I think that way, the atmosphere can be preserved, and readers can also learn a little bit more about the kind of work and techniques we use in this field. But if you have something specific you find especially confusing, I can see if I can do something about it. Unfortunately, I find that I can't really distinguish between what would be more confusing for a general public audience, what would be more acceptable, so your comments would really help me figure out where the problems are and fix them. Also, I do have a Mai Hime "version" lab story called Fujino Lab, which hasn't been updated in a while, but that will change once this story finishes to give me more time to update that Mai Hime one. While this story is largely real-life science, that story is more sci-fi and has a murder mystery kind of focus.

Back to this particular update, I struggled a bit with whether I should write this arc, which includes some discussions on religion, homosexuality, and science. I've planned it really early on in the story, but I've contemplated leaving it out because I don't want to seem like I'm passing on a political message. The reason why I planned it out from the start was because I intended this fic to be...a Frozen version of a microbial genetics lab? I'm not sure if all genetics labs are like this, but in the three I've worked in, there are pretty vocal discussions about this matter because the evolutionary theory is very important to their research, and obviously, this theory is one of the ones often seen at odds with certain religious views. Now that I think of it, I do somewhat regret planning out this arc based on such a simple reason because I have to sort of put certain views in the mouths of the characters, which I don't think I should do in a fanfic. Nonetheless, I think I've put in far too much foreshadowing to just scrap the arc altogether, so I suppose I'll shorten it a bit and put more emphasis on other aspects that I feel are more important functions of this specific storyline. With that said, let's just get into it. I don't think this rant is important at all, but just let it be said that I don't mean to pass on some deeper message when I'm writing this, and I think you should be the judge for whatever views may be expressed in this story.

(This is the August 2016 revised chapter)

Courtship of the Grad Student

Chapter 18

So, this was their long-awaited date.

Supermarket date.

Anna had wanted to pick up the hair dye that matched Elsa's hair colour, and as promised, Elsa tagged along on their trip to the campus supermarket. They were to also buy some groceries for the dinner they'd be having at Anna's place after.

Upon grabbing what they came for, they decided to just enjoy a leisurely stroll around the store. Anna casually clutched onto Elsa's hand while the latter struggled to keep her face straight despite the deepening blush on her cheeks. Deciding that she needed a distraction, Elsa picked the first random thought in her mind and spoke.

"That surf clam was really delicious, right?"

"Hell yes! They don't always offer them for food tasting, so you have to check out the flyers to see when they have a food demonstration," Anna replied.

"You really like it too? Maybe I can get us some for dinner."

Anna took a while to answer, but ended up shaking her head lightly, "I like everything here. Can't buy the entire store, right? So let's just settle for tasting everything they have at the food demonstration stands, alright?"

Admittedly, it was fun just making their rounds down the aisles, searching for free food. It was like hunting for treasure. Anna would tow Elsa along by her hand, following nothing but delicious smells. Bacon, sausages, pizza pockets, toast (they were selling the jam that went on top of the toast though)...everything tasted so much better when shared with the person beside them. Even the weird bitter melon juice wasn't so, so bad when they could giggle about it to the frustration of the lady who was handing them out.

"Oh look, chocolates!" Anna exclaimed, dragging Elsa along once more. It wasn't like Elsa was complaining. The chocolates were from her favourite brand, a new product that boasted a creamy white exterior with strawberry-flavoured filling. By the time Elsa got to the front of the line and received that rounded sphere of sugary goodness she was practically already drooling.

She took a bite. The white chocolate just melted in her mouth, exposing the tart, fruity jam that just spilt onto her tongue. She couldn't help but close her eyes, focusing on the sensation. It was like a happy explosion going on behind her teeth. So. Good. There was just no other way of describing it. The rest of the piece of chocolate that she had wanted to slowly savour got quickly devoured soon after.

"You want to have mine too?" Anna asked when Elsa opened her eyes again.

"What about you?" Elsa asked.

"I'm good. Had too much to eat for lunch...and I was like busy until late afternoon so I ate at three...and then there were those sausages and pizza pockets we just had...I'm still hella full, ahahahaha!"

Elsa wondered if she should point out to Anna that her watery puppy eyes were still trained on the piece of chocolate she was feeding into Elsa's mouth, but when Anna forced the chocolate through her lips, she could do nothing but stay silent and enjoy the treat once again.

"Thank you...I guess...I mean, I would've really liked for you to try it too..." Elsa muttered. Anna just laughed it off.

"That bitter melon juice is making me wanna pee! Gotta go, gotta go..."

"You're trying to tow the shopping basket along on your washroom trip, Anna..."

"Oops!"

Elsa took over the handle on the shopping basket, "Here, I'll go check these out at the cashier and wait for you outside, okay?"

"Sure!"

But Anna didn't just leave. She stuffed some bills into Elsa's hands, "Here's thirty bucks for the hair dye, cheese, and pepperoni. Should be enough."

"Wait! Anna!"

That wasn't what Elsa was expecting Anna to do when she made the offer! Elsa sighed. Anna didn't even give her a chance of declining, literally just shoving the money and then running off.

It wasn't like Elsa's stipend really put her under the poverty line if they factored in the fact that graduate stipends weren't taxable. And Anna wasn't one to be so generous when she was living off student loans.

Silly Anna. The gesture made Elsa warm inside though...

When Anna came out of the supermarket, Elsa was already waiting outside.

"Two forty is your change," Elsa imitated the cashier's tone as she dropped the coins into Anna's hands.

"Thank you. You could've just bought yourself a pack of gum or something with the change, you know."

"Oh, I bought something alright, but it was with my TAship monies, though."

Elsa took the box of chocolates from within the grocery bag, handing it to Anna.

"The chocolates at the food demonstration!"

"Yeah. White chocolate with strawberry centers. You were drooling over it, and you still are..."

"I wasn't. And I am not!"

Anna touched the surface of the box, as though afraid a harder grip would shatter it. She eventually did take it into her hands, grinning at the product photo plastered on top.

"Is it really okay for me to have it?"

"That's why I'm giving it to you, right?"

"Yeah...but like...I was supposed to lead this date, and like..."

"Who said that? I am leading this date!"

"But you're coming to my house and I'm making dinner."

"But I'm going to spoil you with every second I've got and I will make this perfect!"

"I will make this perfect!"

"Don't steal my words, Anna."

"Don't steal my date leadership, Elsa!"

They broke out in laughter. This was just getting more and more ridiculous.

"But yeah...There really isn't anything you're supposed to do for me, Anna. I'm not expecting anything. That wouldn't be fair. So just be yourself, okay?"

"Okay. But still, you didn't have to..."

"I didn't. But I wanted to," Elsa said, taking Anna's hand in hers, "And if you're worried about my wallet, it's okay. At least Brad pays my tuition while you still have to pay your own."

"I...I promise I'll buy you a chocolate ice cream cake when I get a job at the biggest of big pharma when I graduate!" Anna exclaimed. Elsa just couldn't stop laughing at the determined grin on her face, which only led Anna to add, "I'm serious!"

"If you do get such a sweet job because of my guidance, you'd better buy me more than an ice cream cake. You have to at least treat me to a five-course dinner!"

"French?"

"How about fusion."

"Like kimchi brûlée?"

"Isn't that like...burnt kimchi?"

Anna giggled while attempting to shove Elsa playfully. Needless to say, she failed. The topic did remind her of something though.

"Speaking of dinner..."

Anna's home was quite far from campus. It took a half-hour train ride, then a forty-five minute bus transfer before they reached the rundown basement suite she chose to live in out of consideration for her parents' wallets. The suite itself was modestly-sized, with one bed, one bath, and an open kitchen connected to the small living room. Anna urged Elsa to a corner of the living room where an old piano stood. Apparently, the piano was the landlord's, but he didn't have space upstairs to put it so left it in the basement - Anna had taken over and put many pictures and decorations on top of it.

"Just don't look this way, okay? Don't look!" Anna said.

"Then what am I going to do?" Elsa complained.

"Look at the pictures. Oh, there are more in the photo album beside the TV. Do that. Or whatever...just don't look over here!"

"Okay, okay, I won't look."

Elsa first took a look at the photos on the piano. There weren't many, just a couple of young Anna playing by herself, and what looked to be a family picture taken on a golden wheat field. She then skimmed through the album where the same man and woman in the family picture made regular appearances. The woman had dark hair often held in a bun behind her, large kind eyes shining with her smiles, while the man had strawberry blond hair like Anna's, his long, tall nose and thick moustache the most prominent features on his stern-looking face.

"The man and woman from the picture you have up on the piano are your parents, right?" Elsa asked.

"Yeah. They all say I look more like my dad. Damn, that's boring."

"Boring?"

"Yeah, you can't be a pastor without looking boring."

Elsa chuckled, "You sure made a bold statement about all pastors."

"Well, I take that back. My dad is boring and he is a pastor. So there."

Elsa glanced at the etched glass cross on the piano when Anna turned around, her unsure voice sounding across the room, "You think it's...weird for a religious person to be in the sciences? You know, especially in genetics?"

"You mean from a philosophical perspective or just my personal opinion?"

"Well...either..."

"Forgive me if I'm being ignorant, but religions are based on their believers' faith, right? You're not supposed to question what is holy. This may not be true in practice, but that's the principle. Science, however, is based upon questions. Regardless of how good a hypothesis, or even a theory, is, in principle, you are supposed to continue questioning it in order to learn more about the physical world. Then again, this may not be how it is practised in reality. So just speaking philosophically for a moment, there does seem to be a contradiction. But since neither are truly practised to the way their foundations are laid, I don't see a real clash here. More specifically speaking, I don't find your religious affiliation to have any impact whatsoever on your performance in the lab, if that's what you are asking."

"I see..."

Elsa smiled, "Well, are you going to tell me why you just asked that question? Because we brought up the topic of your dad?"

"I guess. He's more of a fundamentalist while I'm more...liberal? He'd say I'm cherry-picking the Bible, but I'd like to think I'm just connecting with it in a more spiritual sense than literal. But lately, we've gotten into a couple arguments over this...well...across the phone anyway. My parents are still back in the countryside."

"I can't say I understand, seeing as I'm atheist, but if you want someone to just listen, know that I'm right here."

"Yeah. That makes me feel quite a bit better actually," Anna said, then hearing some noises behind her, she turned swiftly around, cursing the pot. Elsa couldn't help but look in her direction.

"You okay over there?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I said don't look!"

"Alright, I trust you..." - actually, not really.

To take her mind off what was likely turning into a kitchen disaster, Elsa turned towards the windows mounted high on the basement wall. The skies had since turned dark after they had arrived at Anna's place, the winter wind outside beginning to howl with the sounds of pattering rain on the cement path cutting across the backyard.

"Sounds like a storm out there," Elsa noted.

Anna chuckled, "Guess that means you'll have to stay the night!"

Upon hearing this, Elsa turned a shade of red darker, "Err...I'll take the sofa then..." to which Anna replied with a mischievous "It's not really necessary, because you know, I don't mind sharing." She had to wonder if Anna had intentionally set up their dinner date based on the weather forecast.

Just as she was contemplating what other possible tricks remained in Anna's sleeves, the phone interrupted her thoughts. She was going to pick it up, only to have Anna shout across the room.

"I'll get it!"

"You sure? Don't you have your hands full?"

The phone continued ringing while Anna shot worried glances at the pot and back at the phone. Elsa could imagine what was going through Anna's brain - she was clearly saying "I am so screwed" to herself.

"Ah...can you just help me out here for a sec, Elsa? I'll go get the phone."

"Okay."

Elsa came over to the kitchen where things looked a little messy, but nothing had exploded. Then again, Anna did live by herself, so it made sense that she usually cooked for herself, right? The pot was closed with a lid, so Elsa couldn't see what was inside.

"Don't touch it unless it's an emergency, okay?" Anna said.

"Alright. It's a surprise right?"

"Yeah. Just...don't let it boil over. If it does, then..."

"I know how to cook, Anna. Not really well, but I know how to keep losses to a minimum."

"That totally doesn't sound convincing, but..." the phone rang again, prompting Anna to hurry over to the living room.

"Not like the rattling of your pot a moment earlier convinced me of your culinary skills either, Anna," Elsa shouted her way. Anna smiled before picking up her cordless phone and walking into her bedroom to take the call.

Though Anna asked Elsa to watch the pot, Elsa found herself casting her eyes on the closed door of Anna's room. She couldn't stop herself from wondering what was it about that call that made Anna have to answer it so suspiciously. She recalled that Anna told her she usually talked with her parents over the phone after she got home from campus each day, so that was probably it, but why did she have to answer it in private?

Elsa became increasingly worried as the conversation dragged on. She could catch bits and pieces of it as Anna's voice got louder. What was going on? Anna had just told her she had had arguments with her father over the past while...was that happening again? A sick feeling set in at the bottom of Elsa's gut. What if Anna wasn't really asking about the contradictions between religion and science, but rather, her faith and her relationship with Elsa?

They had only started dating for a matter of weeks, so it wasn't as though Elsa expected Anna to tell all her family and friends about their relationship, but if they really reached that point some time in the future, as Elsa really hoped, would it be a problem?

Spending time with Anna had been so euphoric for her that she had not really considered anything aside from how to please Anna, but as the older one in this relationship, should she start considering the other aspects now? But even if she were concerned about Anna's family situation, what could she do about it? How could she even bring it up when Anna clearly didn't want her in on what was happening?

Her thoughts were cut short by a bright flash outside, followed by a roar of thunder. With a loud snap, the room went pitch black. Elsa dropped everything she was doing and stumbled towards Anna's room, luckily managing to navigate in the dark without tripping on herself. At the same time, Anna opened the door.

"The wind probably got a power line. The electricity is out," Elsa said.

"Yeah. Maybe it's a good thing," Anna muttered a tired reply, putting her cordless phone back on the base unit.

Elsa pondered whether to ask about what had just transpired, but decided against it. Anna would tell her when she was ready. For now, she'd just stand behind her back and support her whenever she needed it.

"Well, even though the power is out, maybe I'll just hand the kitchen back to you anyway. I don't know if whatever you're cooking is already good to go."

A grin returned to Anna's face, "Then let's take a look!"

She went into the kitchen, took a look at the stove, and then stared at Elsa, "Err...why did you turn off the stove?"

"It's a power outage, so it makes sense that there's no power for the electric stove, right?"

"No, I mean...like...the power knob. It's off."

"I didn't touch it, Anna."

Anna closed her eyes, cursed under her breath, then slammed her forehead into her palm with a loud smack.

"Damn it, I must've turned it off subconsciouly when I went to grab the phone!"

"And I didn't notice..." Elsa added guiltily.

"I did ask you to make sure it doesn't boil over, and it didn't, so you did your job just fine," Anna teased, making both of them laugh.

"So...it's not edible..."

"Technically it is. I mean, it's instant noodles."

Elsa quirked an eyebrow, "Really? All that suspense over instant noodles?"

"I swear this is a special type! It's my favourite pizza noodles."

Now Elsa was really confused, "So is it pizza or noodles?"

"Just take a look at this!" Anna said, opening the lid. A pot of noodles in a thick, red soup sat there, looking somewhat unappetizing. Despite this, Anna tapped her own shoulder proudly, "It's my invention. Tomato stock for soup, sliced pepperoni laid on top, and this..."

She placed a sheet of white onto the noodles and it soon melted under the heat, "Cheese. It's damn perfect."

As much as this was a creative use of food, Elsa wasn't so sure she really wanted to try the creation.

"You look skeptical," Anna noted.

"I...ahh...just don't know what to say about something so novel."

"Oh come on," she smacked Elsa's back lightly, "You're a scientist. You have to do experiments before you come to conclusions."

"Umm...can we go by the lab rules of not ingesting chemicals?"

"Elsa!" Anna whined, punching her lightly on the arm, "Oh fine, fine, fine...you can have my sandwiches instead."

With that said, Elsa helped set up the table while Anna brought the food over then lighted the candles to give them some light.

"Candles are sorta romantic aren't they? What do you think, Elsa?"

Elsa thanked the darkness for concealing her blush. She coughed to clear her throat, making sure she didn't sound a little too giddy about all this, "Well...probably better than flashlights. I mean, your fragrant lavender candles cover the strange smell of cheesy noodles."

"You're really on the roll with the teases today, huh?"

Elsa smirked, "And I wisely chose to sit across from you on this long table so you can't hit me again."

While Anna glared playfully at her, Elsa took a bite into the sandwich on her plate. It tasted...familiar...yet something was off about it. It tasted...aged? It took her a moment to figure it out, then she shot a horrified look at Anna.

"Don't tell me this sandwich is from that seminar two days ago."

Anna nearly spat out a mouthful of noodles while she struggled to cover her laugh, "Serves you right for laughing at my cooking, ahahahahaha..."

"You're such an...asshole!" Elsa yelled indignantly, taking off the top piece of bread to reveal what was inside the sandwich, "The avocado has since turned black!"

"Well, do you want some noodles instead, then?"

Elsa narrowed her gaze towards Anna, "Your endless winking doesn't make your offer any more enticing..."

"Then how about this?"

Anna took her bowl of noodles with her as she went over to sit on Elsa's lap. She picked up a string of noodle and held one end in her lips, letting the other end dangle down limply.

"Wha...what is the meaning of this?" Elsa stuttered, swallowing the nervousness in her throat. She could feel her body heat up with Anna's proximity.

Anna grinned mischievously, pointing at the other end of the noodle with her finger. Elsa's gaze followed her finger, and she soon found it captured by a drop of soup that had slipped from the end of the noodle onto Anna's bare skin and was now snaking its way into Anna's very loose t-shirt.

Elsa gulped.

"So...this is like...a pocky game?" She asked, recalling the Japanese animations Anna had watched with her once. Anna nodded, her eyes literally twinkling with amusement.

"Fine..." Elsa muttered, trying her best to tear her gaze off Anna while she picked up the other end of the noodle and put it in her mouth. As she did so, Anna started eating away her end, moving closer and closer, until it was impossible for Elsa to turn away without breaking the noodle between them.

Elsa didn't want to be the passive one anymore.

With regards to Anna's family situation, with regards to their relationship, she wanted to show Anna how she felt too.

Elsa took the last bite, closing their distance, sealing their kiss. The noodle was stiff from being undercooked, but Elsa didn't care, just pulling Anna close to her, stroking her back, clawing through her hair to rub her scalp with her fingers. Her tongue reached into Anna, tasting the sourness of tomato, but at the same time relishing in its sweetness, all rounded with the slight saltiness of molten cheese. All her worries, all her fears propelled her to deepen their contact, as though she wanted to tell Anna that she didn't want to let her go. And seeming to sense this possessiveness, Anna leaned in to maximize contact, her hands wandering down Elsa's shapely form to draw a light moan from her kisser. Only when the air in their lungs had been sucked dry by passion did they let go to catch a breath, with Elsa wearing a satisfied smile.

"That was much more appetizing."

They went the entire night without power, but that was fine by them.

It should be cold without central heating, but that was the least of their concerns that night.

It was morning when they got their power back. Elsa was too groggy to notice at first, which was rare, seeing as she usually woke up before the first light of dawn. She sat up from the bed, blinking twice before noticing Anna sitting at her desk, her hair held in a towel. She probably just came out from a shower, and was now talking on the phone.

"Alright, I gotta go, Ma. Pass on my congratulations for Uncle Nik. I hope Pa will reconcile with him soon."

Anna blew a kiss into the handset, pressed the end call button, and set it onto the table. Elsa was suddenly reminded of Anna's call with her parents just before the power outage last night, and she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about all this.

"You had a good night's sleep?" Anna asked. Elsa nodded.

"Yeah." It was a good night, a wonderful night even, but...she was now so worried that all good things would end when you were enjoying it most.

Then again, Elsa had made up her mind that she wouldn't give up so easily.

And Anna didn't disappoint. A strong will from her chased away the last of Elsa's fleeting negative thoughts. Elsa could feel Anna's determination as she spoke next.

"You probably heard my call last night, and the call just now, right? Last night was my dad, this morning my mom."

Elsa nodded. Anna didn't seem like she needed a response, because she intended to continue speaking...

Speaking about the decisions she had come to make.

"My Uncle Nik is getting married with a man. My father is opposed to it. That's why I argued with him. Yesterday, I told him that I'm going to support my uncle no matter what."

Anna took off the towel from her head, revealing her wet hair, with a strand of platinum dyed on one side.

"You really...dyed a strand of hair my colour?"

"I honestly am not a fan of highlighting my hair. But this is different. That time I braided your hair into mine...I really liked it. Now I know why. It's because I love you, and I want everyone to know that."

Anna came over to Elsa and pulled her into an embrace, whispering in her ear, "Don't worry, Elsa. Unless you push me away, I won't let you go. I won't let anyone or anything come between us. When it comes time, I'll explain to my parents. I'll tell them this is who I am and you are who I love. There is nothing more important than being truthful, to them, to you, and to myself."

Elsa returned the hug, delivering a reassuring squeeze around Anna, "Thank you. And I'll support you no matter what happens. Always."

End of Chapter 18

- as always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions. The next update is scheduled for Dec 11th.