Should've updated this an hour ago, but there's been an error going on. I don't know what it's about, but now that it's fine, here goes!

'Little rush, go away

I'm not supposed to be afraid

Tell me, baby, what am I supposed to do?'

"Now?" Elsa asked when Gerda grabbed the paper bags from her.

"If that's alright with you."

"Are you sure? You still need to buy more things, right? Won't you need help carrying them?"

"It's alright. Toph is on his way here. Besides, you haven't visited her yet, right? You can go after placing an order for the flowers."

"Okay. If you're sure..."

"Oh I'm sure," Gerda promised. "Don't you think now is a good time? Marshall will go there too once he escapes Charlotte's claws, but the later we order flowers, the bigger the chance they won't be delivered on time."

"I don't think they'd accept a rushed order if they weren't our friends."

"Perks of being good friends with the owner." Gerda shrugged. "With all the preparations, we didn't have the time to do it. I'm sure Aurora will be delighted to see you and help out. Just be careful on the way there, okay?"

"I will." Elsa regarded the excited girl beside her aunt. "Don't leave Mammie's side, okay?"

Alice puffed out her chest proudly. "Leave it to me!"

Elsa waited until her aunt and niece entered a shop before making her way out of the mall. Growing up as part Bjorgmann, she wasn't a stranger when it came to the family tradition of her mother's side. It had always been hectic the closer Christmas gets. Add to that the news of Rapunzel's parents coming over for the holiday, Gerda realized there wasn't enough food to sustain everyone—something Elsa assured her was simply an over exaggeration. It didn't matter to the older woman.

As soon as she was inside a cab, Elsa checked the time on her phone. It was only early in the afternoon, straying from her initial plan. She had planned to visit the cemetery after shopping, but since there were some changes, it would seem she'd be able to go earlier than expected.

"Elsa? Is that you?!" asked a golden blonde girl from behind a flower vase.

Elsa braced herself for a hug when the girl walked excitedly towards her. "Long time no see, Ro."

"I didn't know you were back!"

"I'm only here for winter vacation. Mars came with me too."

"Really? That's great!"

"He's in Tiana's restaurant now, with our friends from Arendelle."

"They came here? For Christmas?" Aurora wondered and swat a hand on air. "I guess people celebrate it differently. I'm glad you'll be spending it with Mars!"

"Me too," she agreed.

"Why aren't you with them? You could've given them a tour around after eating in the resto. I'm sure you know some places your brother don't." Aurora tugged Elsa's hand and went to the chairs, gesturing to their part-timer that she'd be busy for a while. "Corona has changed a lot since he left."

"Charlotte wanted to give them an experience of the 'real' Coronian cuisine." Elsa used her fingers to quote her words, prompting a giggle out of her florist friend. "I was out with aunt and Alice, shopping. I'm here because they forgot to place an order for flowers?"

"Oh don't worry about that. Mama knows how the Bjorgmann's celebrate. We already had it on schedule and will deliver it first thing in the morning."

"Really?"

"Come on, Elsa. Mama and Gerda knew each other since before Olaf and I were born, and that's more than 24 years now." Elsa released the breath she had been holding. At least that was taken care of. "Have you visited her yet?"

"I was about to," she confessed. "Can I order some winter jasmines?"

"Do you want some stems, wires, tapes, and scissors with that?" Aurora's eyes twinkled and a huge grin stretched across her face when Elsa simply smiled. "Coming right up!" She gathered her own personal art materials and took the winter jasmines out from inside one of the refrigerators.

"Thank you, Ro."

The florist winked as she placed the materials on the table. "No problem."

After appreciating the materials, Elsa worked to make a flower crown out of the things her friend handed over. It wasn't part of the shop's services, but being family friends with the florist's, Aurora would always allow her to use her personal belongings when this time of year came.

"You haven't lost your touch," Aurora commented as she watched the intricate way Elsa taped the stems and flowers around the wire.

"I sure hope not. It's been a while." Elsa worried her bottom lip before taping the last flower. She furrowed her brows and studied the crown carefully. "I did learn from a flower enthusiast."

"But of course," Aurora giggled. "I'm not going to stand by and let you make an abomination out of something beautiful."

Giggling at her friend's enthusiasm, Elsa showed the crown to Aurora and received a thumbs up. The first time this happened, the younger blonde insisted to pay for the materials she used, but after some persuading and insistence from the florist that it wasn't a part of their services, she relented and paid for the flowers alone.

After paying for the jasmines and saying their goodbyes, Elsa called for another cab and delicately placed the crown on her lap as the driver drove to their destination. They passed by the tranquil road and she couldn't help feeling anxious and excited at the same time. It was strange to look forward to it, considering where she was going, but it had been a long time since she last visited that place.

Stepping inside the gates, she marveled at the normally green scenery during summer now coated in white from the earlier snowfall. Elsa wrapped her coat closer to herself and walked to the familiar stone near the benches. It was quiet, save for the occasional howling of the wind, giving the place a nearly eerie vibe. No one else was in the area and she appreciated that. This was the only place where she could stand being alone without panicking for no reason.

A white puff of smoke escaped her lips before she knelt in front of her sister's grave and wiped her hands on the smooth texture of the stone. "Hey. I brought you your crown. I hope you like it," she whispered. "I'm sorry it took me so long to visit you. Arendelle... didn't work out." When she realized what she was saying—to her sister, no less—she tried to focus on other things. "But I did meet some new friends. Their names are Ariel and... and Anna."

Noticing that she was still holding the crown, she placed it on top of the stone. "Ariel's a conservative girl. She's kind and sweet, and I've never seen her angry. She reminds me of you. I think you could've been good friends." She paused, waiting until the throbbing in her chest caused by her own words subsided. "Anna- She's wonderful. We weren't in the best terms when we met, but now we're okay. I think? She... knows about you. About us."

Elsa lowered her head, smiling wistfully as a light breeze passed through. It made her feel that her sister was there, listening intently as she had always done. "I... didn't want her to know, but Mars told her." With her voice barely audible even to her own ears, she picked on a loose thread on her coat. "He never told me why."

Her hand absently reached to the accessory wrapped around her wrist. The shape was familiar, bringing comfort to her otherwise exhausted brain. "I wish you were here. You always knew what to say or do when things get too complicated. I could really use your advice right now," she chuckled dryly before blinking away the sting in her eyes. "I'm sorry. That sounds like I only want you back because I need you. It's just... I miss you. So much."

The only thing that met her quiet sobs was the silence, and it hurt. It was strange. To think that after all these years, she'd have moved on. But no. It wasn't easy, and the most recent events weren't helping her case. Why did things have to be complicated? Why did they have to happen at once? Life was way easier back when Cindy was alive. The only thing that was difficult back then was how her parents never so much as glanced at her.

Pathetic.

A crunch of snow made Elsa flinch and reflexively turn to see where it came from. She was certain no one else was there and that no one was crazy enough to visit this cemetery in a winter afternoon, but when she saw a figure she recognized walking up to her, it nearly brought another set of tears in her eyes.

Marshall came to a halt. "Hey."

"Hi," she responded, hastily wiping her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen her brother in this place, and having him here now made her feel things. "You came."

He took the spot next to hers, sitting on the balls of his feet. "Aunt texted me and said you were here. When I told Charlotte I wanted to come, she let me go. The rest of them weren't lucky." Elsa nodded, knowing how persuasive Kristoff's wife can be. "You still remember how to make a crown?"

"I always bring one when I visit." Elsa neglected the voice at the back of her head, telling her to admit how she used to visit every week. "She always loved wearing them."

"And you hated making them," he reminisced with a chuckle. "It looks better than the last one I've seen you make." He shifted his attention to the name inscribed on the stone. "Hey, sis. You probably hate my guts right now, appearing to you like this after all these years. I haven't been... the best brother since you left."

Elsa didn't say a word and simply listened to her brother's speech. He was telling Cindy about the events that happened ever since she died and apologizing for what he did. It was odd, hearing things from his perspective, but she let him be. She wasn't the only one who wanted to talk to their sister.

When he was done, Elsa spoke. "Mars?"

He jolted, waking from a momentary peace of having said his feelings and apologizing for his guilty conscience. "Yeah?"

"Anna and I talked. I... told her what happened that day." Elsa was silently relieved to see him adjust himself to face her, showing that she had his attention now. "I didn't know why, but it felt like I owed it to her."

"What do you mean?"

Ignoring the sting her deep breath caused her chest, Elsa looked at him. "You never told me why you told her about us," she said. "It feels wrong. Like... Like we're bothering her with our problems."

Elsa took his silence as a chance to avert her gaze, her eyes looking beyond what was in front of her.

If it was only her choice, she wouldn't have told Anna. She would've chosen to stay quiet, especially to someone she had only known for a short period of time. It took her years to open up to her own family, and even now, there were moments when she was reluctant to. It wasn't that she was afraid to share her problems—she was already way past that stage. She only didn't want to, unless she was certain what the person in question actually felt about her.

"Because I only ever see you relax when you're with her. It reminded me of how you used to be before everything."

"I- What?" she stammered. "I... didn't notice."

"Of course you didn't. But I did, and I... I just wanted to see you smile again, with no worries and no restrictions. With Anna, that part of you comes out naturally."

Elsa fiddled with her fingers, recollecting everything that had happened for the last few months: she fought with her brother because of him helping out the bullies, she was annoyed when Anna blamed her for things she didn't do, and she washed Anna's clothes and took care of her when she was sick simply because she didn't want to have guests help out with housework.

Was that how she used to be?

Maybe.

After all, she was the type to stand against bullies ever since she could remember. She hated seeing Cindy getting hurt, and seeing the same thing happen to other people ignited that hatred within her. Even more when it was at the hands of her own brother. It irked her to no end, and even if she had insecurities she was wholly aware of when it came to her sister, she wasn't the type to take insults in stride as long as it didn't involve a comparison between her and Cindy.

"That's selfish," she muttered, surprising the man beside her. "You told her because it makes me... normal?"

"Norma- Elsa, that's not what I—"

"Then what are you implying?" she hissed, her face heating up despite the freezing weather. "Mars, you think there's something wrong with me, and you want me to spend time with her because I act natural when she's there?!"

"What? No!" Marshall stood and it was then that Elsa noticed she was standing as well. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Are we seriously doing this? Today, in front of Cindy?"

Elsa tried to breathe, to wrap her head around his reasons, and to calm down because this wasn't the place to have an argument. "Mars," she said, "if your definition of natural is me smiling all the time, then I'd forever be crazy. I am not the same girl from back then. I can't go back to how I used to be. That was years ago!"

"How did you reach that conclusion? I'm not saying you should smile all the time. It's- I can see that you're happy when she's around."

"That's not the point!"

"I'm not using her, Elsa. I only told her what I think." He squirmed under her narrowed gaze. "Okay, I told her not to use you in any way. I was afraid she was only being kind because she wanted to get back to me, but that was a long time ago. If she listened to you, comforted you for what happened, she's doing that on her own. Why are you angry about that?"

Elsa balled her hands into fists and placed them over her eyes, squeezing them hard enough she saw disco lights behind her eyelids. "I'm leaving," she said. She wrapped her scarf around herself more securely and walked away.

"Elsa, wait." Marshall sprinted towards her. "Why are you mad? If Anna wants to help you, the—"

"I don't need help, Mars! Just because she's willing to listen doesn't mean you should've told her! Fuck, why did I- I am not her responsibility!" She nearly screamed, startling her brother. Her chest heaved as she took stinging breaths, the cold air like spikes of ice on her organs. "You're my brother. If my own family thinks I need help, what does that make me?"

That managed to shut him up, which Elsa was only slightly thankful for. Her mind was spinning from his reasons and her breathing was ragged as she tried to calm down. A second later, Marshall sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. It reminded her of the first time she confronted him about his despicable behavior in school.

"Can we forget about this? For now? Please? Just for today."

Knowing why he was being insistent on holding off on their argument, Elsa relented. She was angry and hurt that her brother, of all people, would imply that she was someone who needed help, but even she didn't want to ruin this day as much as it already was.

As much as Elsa hoped things couldn't get any more complicated, it did. That shouldn't have come as a surprise; she was never lucky when it came to unexpected situations. This, however, was crossed out of her unexpected list, mainly because the very idea of it actually happening even by accident was terribly absurd.

It was an unspoken routine that she would sit in Marshall's car when they were outside unless there were certain circumstances. They were the only ones who visited Cindy's grave and not going home with him would be odd no matter how awkward their conversation ended. What she didn't expect was for him to drive towards Tiana's restaurant where everyone else was.

"Took you long enough," Charlotte giggled from the side, blowing a handful of confetti.

Elsa was unable to react, taking in her surroundings which consisted of balloons and tables decorated with multiple desserts and different kinds of pasta. The restaurant was closed earlier than it should be and inside were the people she'd usually see in Gerda's home—along with her Uncle Kai, Olaf, Senya, and... her parents.

She tried to blink and made sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. Right there, standing beside her aunt were her parents who looked just as uncomfortable as she was. Questioning blue eyes lifted to Gerda's own brown ones, and instantly, Elsa saw an apologetic smile on her face.

"Elsie!" Alice let go of the balloon she was holding and jumped at the first chance to hug her favorite aunt. "You're here!"

No one else said anything, not even Kai and Gerda who kept giving each other a look only they could understand. Kristoff and Olaf weren't good in awkward situations, and even Rapunzel, Ariel, and Anna had their limits. If Rapunzel's frown and the cousins' constant squirming were any indications, they didn't know her parents would be there.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Charlotte asked with a huge grin, being the brave soul that she was.

Senya clapped her hands, and that managed to have woken everyone. "Right! Since the birthday girl is here now, why don't we get started?"

"What?" Elsa blinked away the last of her surprise to give the musician a confused look.

"This place is reserved for the rest of the day, courtesy of yours truly!" Charlotte curtsied and giggled. "Our house is big enough, but what's the harm of spending it outside, right? Your friends could use a little sightseeing!"

"We only stayed here for the day, though," Ariel pointed out with a teasing grin.

"Details," Charlotte shooed. "You have time before classes resume. That's plenty to go around."

"Uhm," Elsa began, capturing everyone's attention. "Don't we normally celebrate dinner?"

Gerda looked at her wristwatch. "The earlier we celebrate, the more time there is for celebrating."

"True," Senya agreed. Charlotte and Alice nodded. The effort the three of them exerted wasn't in vain because the rest of the people in the room visibly relaxed, but not entirely. Senya gave Elsa a gentle hug and whispered, "Relax, Elsa. You'll be fine."

Returning the hug, Elsa breathed in the similar scent of her best friend and the distant warmth of an older sister. "Thank you."

With a light pat on her back, Senya pulled away. Olaf was next, followed by her uncle. There were strained smiles on their lips, giving her an idea that they knew her parents would come but kept it from her. It was jarring and mortifying in a way, but she was too occupied with trying to remain calm at their sudden presence that she couldn't even get angry.

When her parents moved an inch, she flinched. They noticed and stopped for a second before continuing on their way. "Elsa." Her mother said her name like it was the most beautiful word she'd ever spoken before wrapping her in a soft but equally firm hug.

Elsa went rigid.

It was vastly unfamiliar, feeling this pair of arms wrapped around her. She had heard that a mother's warmth was comforting, but why was she tensed? Were those things she had read out of boredom a product of someone else's? Why could she only feel distraught, awkwardness, and... something?

"Why are you here?" Elsa wasn't able to register that she had spoken her thoughts out loud until the body that was hugging her froze. The hand on the back of her head rubbed once and her mother pulled away with watery eyes.

"We want to be here for your birthday, Elsa, and spend Christmas together as a family," Queenie explained with a quiver in her voice. Her eyes were red and there were wrinkles on her face that Elsa couldn't remember being there.

"Why now?" Her question was answered by a tiny whimper. Elsa sighed. "Have you visited Cindy?"

"We just arrived," said her father, joining in on the conversation and sharing the same red eyes as her mother. As they stood next to each other, Elsa noticed how they looked older than the last time she had seen them. They had few grey hairs and large bags under their eyes cleverly covered up by their own eyeglasses.

"You should go to her."

"Elsa," warned her aunt from one of the tables.

"I mean it. It gets colder there the later it gets," she explained coolly before joining her agitated best friend and the cousins who merely smiled at her. Adjusting the scarf to hide her lips better, Elsa sighed. This was going to be one awkward birthday.

Something a guest reviewer said had me thinking. There isn't going to be any sex scene in this story. I'm pretty sure it will look out of place! However, with the psychological aspect and whole family issues present, please tell me if I should change the rating to M.

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