Sweat beaded upon her skin, made her clothes stick to her uncomfortably. Her legs and chest alike burned, an attempt to receive some sort of sympathy from her.

But she didn't mind the fact she was slowing down, or the fact that she was sure she'd pulled a muscle in her side not too long ago. She just wanted to feel something other than the nagging bitterness that had developed around her this past week.

A shaky laugh came from a few steps behind her, a gasp as too much air was taken in. She glanced over her shoulder, smirking when she saw Olaf pushing drenched hair from his face.

"You okay?" she asked breathlessly. Even she was tired, which was saying something. She couldn't fathom how much he was hating this.

Unable to respond through the huffing, he shook his head, smiling at her weakly. Despite the desire to run until she couldn't feel anything anymore, Elsa stopped so he could as well. Immediately his next expression was one of thanks.

They stood together, bent over, sucking in the slightly chilled air. It made her chest tingle, her cheeks felt numb. She halfheartedly swiped a hand across her face.

"You... feelin' any better?" Olaf wheezed, standing up and stretching his arms over his head.

The blonde smirked, mirroring his action before twisting her upper body in an attempt to calm the burning muscle in her side. "Yeah... much."

He only nodded, clearing his throat as he rested his hands on his hips. They both silently wished they were closer to one of their houses.

"You... got plans tonight?"

Elsa cocked her head, cracking her knuckles. "No, why?"

Her friend smiled, but it turned into a pained expression as he quickly covered his mouth and coughed exceedingly loud. "Just... just 'cause."

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head in response and turned. "No. You ready to keep going yet?"

She could hear the exasperation in his voice when Olaf next spoke. "Sure, why not?"

She knew it wasn't a secure way to escape his questioning, but it would work for now. Not waiting for him, she took off at a steady jog that had Olaf shouting after her to wait.

"And... checkmate," he declared, grinning like a praised child as he sat back in his kitchen chair.

Elsa stared at the board like it was an alien machine. No way did she just lose chest to Olaf. There was no way... he had to have cheated or caught her when she wasn't focused.

"No way! I call a rematch," she demanded, glaring at the board so fiercely it was a wonder it didn't burst into flames.

That big, toothy smile was all she got from the man across from her.

She sighed, sitting back as well. It was oddly quiet now, when they weren't quietly bickering over what moves were and weren't okay to make, and what pieces could move how.

It was quiet until a soft, babyish voice cut into their thoughts.

"Olaf?"

Both turned toward the voice, and Olaf playfully huffed when he noticed the tiny boy plaid in panda bear pajamas. "Marsh, whatcha doing up, buddy?"

The boy's only acknowledgement to the question was to tighten his hold around the massive teddy bear that had been his second best friend forever. Bested only, of course, by the famous Marshmallow.

"One sec, Els," the brunette mumbled, standing and shuffling over to his little brother. He crouched down and muttered something too quietly for the blonde to hear, but it made the boy smile and reveal a row of crooked baby teeth.

He half whispered, half hissed something back to Olaf, causing Olaf to ruffle the boy's shaggy auburn hair. Him and Olaf had so much in common, except their hair color. It was strange, in a way.

Turning to look over at Elsa, he smirked. "Marsh was wondering if you'd tuck him in again? We got him a new comforter, and he wants you to see it."

Of course she couldn't say no, that would have been cruel. And anyway, who could say no to eyes that innocent and sincere? Certainly not her.

"Of course I can, I'd love to see it."

The three made their way back, Marshal and his bear leading the way. Olaf stepped closer to the wall, allowing Elsa the chance to slip by, and she did.

When they reached the narrow door that led into the only other decent sized bedroom in the house (the other being the master bedroom) Elsa oohed and aahed at the new transformers sheet.

Tucking the boy in had become habitual whenever Elsa came over and Marshal had a nightmare, or simply couldn't sleep. She didn't mind, actually enjoyed his presence.

It was seldom that she and Olaf would read aloud a bedtime story, but those times were even more fun.

The way Marshal's face would light up told Elsa she was doing something good and helpful.

Marshal's soft snored filled the room not long after Elsa had began humming his a soft tune. She smiled, planted a delicate kiss to his hairline, and both Olaf and she left, closing the door securely behind her.

She rested a hand on the knob, the cool metal refreshing. In a way, she kind of wished she had a baby brother or sister. Not that it wasn't like she'd been adopted into this broken but secure family.

But she wondered if she'd have been a good big sister to someone blood related. She was pretty sure it would have been challenging, but worth it in the end.

Definitely worth it in the end.

"You want me to drive you home?" Olaf asked as they were standing outside the door.

Elsa didn't even consider rejecting the offer for the first time in forever. She sighed softly and nodded. "Yes, please."