A/N: Hey guys! Yes, I realize it's been a while. No excuses except a lack of inspiration and time. Hope ya didn't miss me too much haha.

Her laugh was genuine and undeterred, though she brought a hand up self consciously to shield it. Her shyness was adorable and child like, and Anna couldn't help grinning widely as she studied her companion.

Around them, the soft keys of a piano drifted in the air, gently stirring the atmosphere into that of someplace magical and romantic. It was something Elsa wasn't used to, something Anna adored.

A silence settled between the two women as the clattering of cutlery against plates transcended. Anna was so innocently consumed by the chicken curry that Elsa didn't dare disturb. Instead, she sipped her water and watched quietly, occasionally taking tiny bites of her salad.

When conversation did come up again, it drifted towards a mutual plane of interest for both participants.

"So, what do you think of the food here?" Anna asked casually, followed by her gulping down the last of her lemonade.

Elsa smiled down at her plate as if that answered it. "It's... nice. But not what I'm used to."

"Oh? And what are you used to?"

"Uhm, it depends. Mostly home cooked when i have time. Sometimes a quick sandwich at the local diner."

The redhead looked up, fork halfway up, stopping always dramatically as she studied the other woman.

Scrutinized, more like.

"You cook?"

Elsa nodded, feigning interest in a particular crouton. "Yeah, sometimes... I learned when i was young because my mother was always working, so i had to take care of myself."

Anna saw the shift of Elsa's shoulders, a subconscious habit of nerves. "That's cool. I'm a disaster in the kitchen. Burning everything, setting appliances on fire. You name it, it's probably happened to me."

Her attempt to gain a smile from the blonde succeeded. Elsa even laughed quietly. "I'm sure you can't be that bad."

Anna added her own giggle to the mix. "You underestimate me, dear Elsa. Kristoff does most of the cooking for us. It's either that or takeout."

And just like that Elsa's smile dimmed. Not noticeably, not massively. But that name, the realization that went with it, made her falter. The woman across from her was taken for God's sake and yet here she was.

"Oh. So, you and Kristoff... live together?"

Anna cleared her throat, seemingly nervous again as she tapped her fork against the side of the plate. But her eyes shone with a sense of ignorant pride, maybe less bashful than her demeanor would suggest.

"Yeah, for now. He wants to get a dorm on campus when he starts college though. So it would just be me. He said he'll still pay his half of the rent though."

Of course they were living together. In this society, it shouldn't have even really been a question. Unless your mind wanted desperately to cling to the possibility that Anna's relationship wasn't all that serious.

Like Elsa's mind wanted to.

Stupid mind.

The blonde picked up her glass, sipping the now room temperature liquid. "That's nice. I still live at home with my mother."

It wasn't really her choice. Given the family predicament, there wasn't the money nor set of mind to move out. Elsa's mother needed her, and even with a job Elsa simply couldn't pay a full rent. And there was no way she was getting a roommate.

The other woman shrugged, sitting back in her seat. It seemed she was through with her meal. "That's not a bad thing. Some people just leave the nest sooner than others."

Elsa scoffed. "It is a bad thing. You're like, three years younger than me."

Anna laughed quietly, but the sound still drifted and met with Elsa's ears. She shook her head and her teal eyes traveled over the other customers within these walls.

"And? People are who they are. So I moved out sooner. You have a job, and I don't. Things happen at different rates for everyone. Be patient, and be thankful."

Elsa's brow furrowed. "That's oddly insightful for you."

Anna's own brows shot up playfully. "For me, huh? So I can't secretly be some majorly inspiring philosopher?"

The blonde ducked her head, awkwardly tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Th-that's not what I... I only meant that you..."

Anna couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the older woman's cheeks heat in embarrassment as she desperately searched for appropriate words. She looked like an open mouthed bass trying to breath on land, gaping openly.

"Chill. You're shocked face is cute but embarrassing."

That did it. Elsa dropped her gaze, hands falling to the safety of her lap. They grasped at each other, fingers entwining sporadically. Her entire neck felt hot and her tongue glued itself to the bottom of her mouth, leaving talking out of the equation.

She'd said cute. She'd called Elsa cute.

Holy crap.

That was more than Elsa's suddenly infatuated self could take after so easily making a fool of herself for the second time in front of Anna.

Anna only rolled her eyes, not realizing that in that moment the woman she considered her new friend was picturing how "cute" Anna could be.

"Come on. If you're done, I'll drive you home, " Anna stated, raising her hand to motion over a waiter for the check.

Anna paid, stood, and shockingly offered a hand to Elsa.

In that moment, Elsa had a choice. Accept and fall into a disarray of chaotic emotional formulas, or decline and walk away unscathed but alone. It wasn't so clear right then, but even so it was there.

She took the offered hand.