CHAPTER WARNINGS: pretty much just incest this time.

NOTES: This story has a magical ability to keep making me rewrite how the rest of it goes. It's not important what was going to happen before; just realise that every time I open the doc, I see a completely different series of events unfolding from the ones I already had in place. (Don't worry, I'm not going to rewrite the past chapters; those are all the way I want them.)

The Chronicle: I debated the ways to approach your last review, but in the end I've decided to approach it as simply as possible. You asked to be let known if you're wrong and/or how off target you are. Comparing Anna to a rapist, however fleeting, is so far off target that you're shooting in the opposite direction. Line: crossed. I'm actually a little upset that you would cast her in such a damning light. On the other hand, you've been extremely negative and judgmental of her character from the beginning of the fic (for what I suspect are more personal than logical reasons, given how you started out mentioning knowing people "like her" and hating them). Therefore, this is par for the course. Also, be aware that you plunging into the absolute worst depths of humanity with that review, and certain phrases you used, is pretty triggering to some of my readers who've been assaulted themselves. I won't speak about most of the other things you touched on for spoiler reasons, and overall it's been interesting to hear what you think, but that part just... what a very sour note.

CanI: LOL "That's nice. I dont care, right now. I'm trying to read about Elsa sniffing Anna's crotch."

The rest of you, thank you for your thoughtful reviews and deconstructions. I didn't really expect this fic to be so controversial when I started writing it!

~ CHAPTER TWELVE ~

Stuffing their faces with chocolate chip cookie dough and watching a stupid sitcom on Netflix did a lot to calm Elsa's nerves. Little to abate her lingering desires, which still simmered beneath the sweatpants and old t-shirt she threw on over the oils. But at least she didn't feel in a heightened state of panic anymore.

From that point on, Anna had stopped making "moves". Elsa curled up to Anna, not vice versa. She was the one to kiss Anna's cheek first, to slide her arms around Anna's waist as they watched with passing interest. Despite how unfamiliar the territory was, she knew exactly how she was behaving: like a needy girlfriend. And she couldn't help it when Anna felt so inviting to her still.

Once in bed, their legs started to slide over each other with more frequency, and a game or two of footsie occurred. Fingers intertwined, brief kisses were shared. Longer ones. Elsa was grateful they were clothed, but it was still very slightly worrying. What if one night wasn't enough to get it out of their system? What if they never stopped?

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Anna wasn't like other women, or other sisters. She was her own unique person. Elsa still wasn't wild about the idea of being with a woman, either, but if the woman was Anna…

However, all of their activities eventually took their toll on the uncertain blonde and she bade her sister goodnight, exchanging a few more sweet kisses before exiling her to the living room, the proposition of sleeping together too odd after all they had done. She would have to worry about sorting her feelings tomorrow.

The next morning dawned bright, and Elsa found herself wanting to push her head back under her pillow. But she knew the alarm would be going off soon; a glance at her phone told her she had only awoken ten minutes before. Groaning, she forced herself to sit up.

And inhaled a wonderful aroma. Coffee, yes, but something else, as well. Dragging herself out of bed, she plodded through the apartment, blundering like a clumsy ox due to their late night.

"Morning, Sis!" came floating out of the kitchen. "Take a seat, it's almost ready!"

Elsa obeyed. In all honesty, she didn't have the energy to resist, anyway. Within a few more seconds, her sister appeared, face shining with pleasure as she set down a plate of eggs and toast, and a cup of coffee.

"What's… all this?" A yawn had interrupted her words.

"It's the Flying Dutchman," she snorted. "What does it look like? Eat up!"

As Elsa stirred the eggs with her fork, something niggled at the back of her mind. She couldn't be sure what it was until after she'd eaten a few bites, savouring the warm food.

"Wait… aren't you Vegan now?"

"Yeah," she said as she sat down with toast and jam and her own coffee. "But you're not. And it's not like it would be possible for those eggs to hatch anymore, right? Already been pasteurised. Doesn't hurt me much to make you something you want to eat."

"I guess that's true." By the time she was halfway through her plate and coffee, feeling a bit more awake, she was able to observe, "You're in a good mood."

"After last night? You bet I am!"

Her stomach seized, and she felt like she might have to see her breakfast come back out to take a bow. Fighting down the response, she whispered, "I… don't want to think about that."

"Why not? It was really…" When she saw Elsa's face, she shrugged and seemed to put a lid on her obvious excitement. "New. It was new, feeling our energies resonate like that. But I'm not complaining."

"Neither am I. Not 'complaining', exactly. Just worried."

Nodding, Anna took another bite and chewed while she thought. Once swallowing, she said in a very simple tone, "I like you. I, um… didn't expect it, but at the same time, it's like… not that surprising to me. Maybe that just makes me weird, but honestly, this feels so organic and predestined that I can't even pretend to be freaked out."

"Well, it would make me feel better if you would! I'm actually freaking out, and you being so calm makes me feel like… I'm the only one who's crazy."

"Hey." When Elsa looked up, there was a really serious look on Anna's face that she so rarely saw, she felt a strange compulsion to take a picture of it. Too bad her phone was still on the nightstand. "You're not crazy. We can do whatever we want; it's our lives. Not anybody else's to control."

Of course, Anna had a good point, even if Elsa wasn't sure she agreed. But she didn't want to say anything more about it right then. Instead, she simply brushed some crumbs from her shirt and said, "Still feels crazy. But I understand what you're saying, Anna. Just… give me some time."

"Yeah. I can do that, no problem."

The redhead left her in peace as Elsa showered and got dressed. When she walked from the bathroom to the bedroom in a towel, she gave a wolf whistle, but didn't follow to further tease. Elsa found herself merely smiling at the brief attention instead of loathing it.

Once she was dressed and heading to the door, Anna handed her another boxed lunch; this time, it was a little more Vegan than breakfast had been, another dish of rice and vegetables. Elsa knew it was probably healthy for her, and the last one had wound up tasting okay, so she took it without a word.

"So I think I'll go out while you're at work today," Anna said as she needlessly straightened Elsa's lapels. "Finally get myself a phone again, maybe some other stuff. Your spare key in the drawer still?"

"Yes. How much do you need?"

Laughing, Anna said, "None. I told you, I have some money, and I don't expect you to spoil me." In a lower tone, she added, "Sugar mama."

Cheeks pinkening the tiniest amount, Elsa playfully pushed Anna away, making her laugh even more. Then she smirked and said, "Alright, just stay out of trouble. And… thank you for breakfast, and lunch."

"Yeah. And, um…"

Elsa paused with her hand on the doorknob. "And?"

"Well… about what we're doing lately… I think we're both okay with it, deep down. Just, um, let me know if that changes for you. Or if I'm wrong; I could be wrong, even if my gut says I'm right."

"Okay," Elsa said with a small smile of appreciation. "The same goes for you."

"Thanks, but I'm pretty chill with the new terms of our relationship." Leaning in, she left a light peck on Elsa's lips. "Have a good day, honey!"

The exaggeratedly revolted curling of Elsa's lip only made Anna giggle.

~ o ~

Being summoned to Weselton's office was not a part of Elsa's day on a regular basis. In fact, this was the first time it had happened in months. She wished she could say it wasn't worrying, but it was; perhaps Belle had thrown her under the bus for the vibrator, after all. Or the upskirt picture that she had not requested. Well, if that was the way things were going to be, she was willing to fight fire with fire.

"Hello, hello, Elsa!" the handlebar-mustachioed man said genially as she entered, eyes moving right back to the multi-page document spread across his blotter. "Come in, come in."

She did, seating herself across from him and folding her hands in her lap. "Yes, sir?" It was wise to play things safe.

"Sit down."

"I am sitting down."

"Oh?" He glanced up, then chuckled. "Yes, so you are, of course. Would you care for a candy?"

Though the prospect of a years-old butterscotch from his candy dish made her stomach protest, she managed to keep a polite smile on her face as she said, "No, thank you. May I ask what this is about?"

"Oh, merely a formality. You haven't been taking your PTO."

"My what?" The statement was so out of context from anything she had been doing that day that it took her a minute to process. "I… don't understand. What's PTO?"

At this, the man frowned at her in annoyance. "Paid Time Off, you know that. Don't be daft. Essentially, this meeting is to let you know that you have several weeks saved up, and under the new company guidelines, you're required to take it by the end of March or forfeit the days. That's all. I'm also required to hold this meeting so that you're aware of the deadline."

"Ah. Well… alright, I'll take that under advisement." When he slid a form across the desk, declaring he had informed her of the situation, she took out a pen and signed it. "Thank you."

"Good. Now… I do have something else to ask you." Elsa merely waited for him to ask it, so he cleared his throat noisily and did so. "Are you… satisfied with your current position?"

Elsa frowned. "Shouldn't I be? I'm in a comfortable office, I balance the books, put out fires. Reduce upper management headaches. It's… good work, and I'm well compensated."

"Yes, naturally, of course, of course. But I suspect you've had your eye on old Triton's job for a while, haven't you?" His eyes were shrewd, calculating.

"No, I haven't."

This did seem to catch the man off-guard. "Oh. Well now, that's… irrelevant. Fact of the matter is, he's long past retirement age and is finally taking the gold watch so he can move to Florida, be near his daughter and her husband."

"I'll congratulate him when next I see him," Elsa hedged, still not sure where this was going and not wanting to jump to any conclusions.

"Yes, please do; there'll be a farewell party in a week or two, big occasion, full bar. Any rate, that means Phoebus will be promoted into his position, and we'll be looking around the floor for someone to fill Phoebus's. Hope that's not too disappointing for you, compared to jumping over him entirely."

They both stared at each other for a long few seconds. Finally unable to feign ignorance, Elsa arched her eyebrows and asked, "Me? Why? Obviously, I'm good at my job, but I've never-"

"Very good, yes. It's down to you and Miss Des Rosiers, actually; poor Milo simply isn't management material, and Miss Arbeit…" His little chuckle was full of a secret, which he told her, anyway: "She didn't get hired for her brains, if you know what I mean."

That made Elsa frown, and she felt like protesting such a sexist thing to say, but decided now was not the time — especially when it was Phoebus who had hired Cindy, not Weselton himself. "Cindy has done a fine job once getting here, though." That much she could do, of course.

"Yes, I quite agree; a lovely addition to our ensemble. Still, it's only been… what, a few months? Definitely not eligible for management. And honestly, you're my choice for the job; Des Rosiers doesn't seem to have quite the ambition you have."

"I wasn't aware I had any at all," she admitted. Though she could see what he meant; Belle kept her head down the same way she did, but Elsa was the one who dared suggest changes when they were asked if they had any opinions on this or that matter. Belle was more content to observe and take notes.

However… she knew from certain intimate knowledge that if given a management position, Belle could definitely step up. She was more than capable of being firm. Cold, even.

"What do you say, hmm?" the man pressed, leaning his head to one side so that his toupee slipped. "I'd like to know ahead of time if you're even interested. If not, I'll pass you over for Belle."

The idea of being Belle's boss was not a fantastic one, but the idea of being her subordinate was even worse. An easy decision. She quickly reached out to shake his hand.

"When can I start?"

~ o ~

When Elsa arrived home, mood somewhat elevated, Anna had already laid out the dinner table, complete with artfully-folded napkins and a bottle of wine with two glasses. There was even the scented candle from the bathroom gently burning in the center.

Anna herself was dressed in something nicer from the back of Elsa's closet, a dress that she hadn't been able to squeeze into for years. She would have felt underdressed comparatively, except that her work clothes were at least moderately dressy. Also, Anna's hair was about the same as before she left, and she was shoeless; not quite ready for the ball.

"Welcome to Chez Anna," she said with a warm smile as Elsa snorted, setting her briefcase down by the door. "Please take your seat; dinner will be served momentarily."

"Anna, what is all this? I didn't-"

"Momentarily!" she called out in a sing-song voice as she skipped away into the kitchen.

Elsa only had time to sit down and chuckle at the basket of breadsticks before Anna was returning with a pair of plates. Some kind of breaded fish with a drizzle of sauce, steamed greens on the side. It was certainly better than what Hans had ordered for her; at least there was meat.

Which had her raising a questioning eyebrow and asking, "You're eating fish?"

"Mine's tofu," she told Elsa simply. "Or…" She cut her "fillet" open to check. "Okay, good, I didn't mix them up."

"But why did you do all this? I didn't expect a fancy dinner waiting for me when I got home, I thought I'd order us a pizza."

Shrugging her shoulders, Anna reached to open the wine as she said, "You deserve a real date. Not that bullshit Hans put you through last night… which we both agree is my fault for meddling, right? I know this isn't much to make up for it, but it's something."

It was more than something. Elsa glanced down at the candle, then at the corkscrew Anna was jamming into the wine cork, her tongue between her teeth in concentration. While she wanted to say something flippant about one fish fillet not being enough to erase the memory of that cad's insulting barbs, she didn't have the heart.

The meal was delicious. Out of everything Anna had prepared for them that week, which wasn't much, this had been seasoned to perfection. They even exchanged bites, Anna to make sure the fish turned out the way she intended, and Elsa out of curiosity about the tofu. It wasn't bad, either, but she was more than happy with her own plate.

"That's awesome!" Anna cried out when she learned about the promotion, standing up and doing a couple of shuffle-steps on her way around the table to hug her sister. "Congrats! Wow, look at you, big cheese at Castle Dynamics!"

Against her will, Elsa finally grinned and embraced her back. "Okay, I guess it is a pretty important position. Plus the pay raise. Oh, and I'm going to get a corner office; no more cubicles!"

Giving her a big, showy kiss on the cheek, Anna then drew back and grinned down into her eyes. "See? Sometimes, life's path only takes you down into a valley so you can appreciate the view on the hill."

"Stop spewing platitudes and eat your soy-fish."

After dinner, the two sat for a while and polished off the wine, Anna showing Elsa the phone she'd picked up while out shopping. It was of a decent quality, not the most expensive but not cheap, either. She couldn't help asking why she splurged so much.

"It's heavy duty; rugged and water resistant. I mean, I could still lose it, but I'm gonna try my damndest not to. And I don't have to worry about it getting stepped on or whatever."

"Smart," Elsa said with a nod. Though she had expected her frivolous sister to just get the latest iPhone and expect it to be what she needed, she had to confess herself impressed that Anna did her research and tried to use her money as best she could.

"Thank you," she whispered shyly. "Now… I got a question for you."

"Hm? Go for it. What's up?"

Anna fidgeted for a moment. Then, picking up their plates as if to head to the sink, she said, "Are you still okay with, like… last night?"

Elsa didn't answer. She watched Anna retreat into the kitchen for a moment, then stood and drained the rest of her wine glass of the few drops left before grabbing both to follow her.

"I think so," she sighed, startling Anna a bit. Smiling in apology, she came up next to her where she stood at the sink and said, "If you are."

"Yeah, totally. I'd… love to keep exploring each other. Seriously." Elsa bit her lip as she put the glasses into the sink, then slid her hands around Anna's waist, earning a contented sigh. "Mmm…"

After a few minutes, Anna had finished rinsing off the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, and Elsa was still holding her. Then they were simply standing there, enjoying each other's presence. It was an alien experience, one Elsa had never truly got to enjoy before. Not for more than a single day, and not with this level of sheer comfort.

"Can I confess something to you?" Anna finally breathed.

"Questions and confessions," she chuckled, kissing Anna's neck. The redhead shivered. "But please do."

"Today, while I was… making you breakfast, and then dinner… I had a fantasy." A brief pause as she turned, draping her arms over Elsa's shoulders. "It's a stupid one, but I had it, anyway."

Elsa leaned her forehead against her sister's, allowing her eyes to close for a second. Just breathing in their nearness. She wasn't altogether sure she wanted to hear this fantasy, but decided to give her sister the benefit of a doubt that it wouldn't be something Belle would come up with.

"Yeah? What did you fantasise?"

"You, my smart, capable, wonderful husband. Me, your little wife. Living here and… servicing you. In every way."

The words shot through into Elsa's stomach. Even if only in their imaginations, that was much further than either of them had ever taken things. Gulping, she glided fingertips up and down the sheer material stretching over Anna's back before whispering, "Y-you… could never do it."

"Why not?"

"Because that would tie you down. And you shouldn't be tied down, you… are like a bright red kite, you need to fly. Show the world your colours."

Anna bit her lip. Her sister always said a lot of things, both in whispers and in giggles. Her lips always seemed to be moving. Only now, saying these things, was she almost… scared.

"Maybe… I want… you to tie me to you."

"What?"

Shaking her head quickly, she grinned up at Elsa, back to her usual self. "N-nothing. Just being dumb, I guess; you're my sister. Of course you don't wanna marry me. And you couldn't, anyway! Saying crazy stuff."

It took Elsa just a few seconds too long for her to summon the ability to whisper, "Anna-"

"Forget it. Um… I'm gonna change out of this dress so I don't mess it up. Then, um, you wanna watch a movie or something?"

With that one, she didn't even have to hesitate. "You know I do. I'll get it set up."

~ o ~

Again, they were the very picture of a couple in love as they indulged in an old 80s flick, cuddled up on the couch. Anna was only wearing an overlarge t-shirt, and Elsa also shed her jacket and slacks, comfortable enough in her silk shirt and stockings for the time being. All through the movie, they pawed at each other, kissed, swam in the gentle sensuality that burbled under the surface. It was wonderful.

"Ooh," Anna breathed halfway through the film when she felt a hand moving up her thigh, getting closer and closer to somewhere it shouldn't be going. "What are you doing?"

"I… oh." Withdrawing her hand, she looked up at her sheepishly. "I'm sorry, that wasn't supposed to be- I just wasn't thinking."

"Maybe not," Anna scoffed with a shrug. "But tell me. I told you, I'm good with anything."

"Well… it's only that… you touched me," she admitted aloud, voice fearful. When Anna didn't react, she went on, "And it hardly seems fair that I haven't touched you yet."

Yet she didn't progress further. After a few more seconds, Anna kissed the top of her head and whispered, "You can. Whenever. Doesn't have to be right this second, though; and it shouldn't be."

"Why not?" When she only felt Anna tense, she kissed her cheek and whispered it again: "Why not, Anna?"

"You're… a little sloshed. From the wine. It's…" She shrugged. "I know I am, too, but like… it doesn't feel right, that's all."

"Okay. Okay, I… can understand that. Thanks for looking out for me." So instead, she traced her hand back and forth across Anna's stomach. "Mmm, you stay so fit. Wish I could figure out your secret."

"No secret. Just diet and yoga. I mean, I'm not in perfect health, either."

"Close enough. Maybe I'll go Vegan, see where it gets me."

After that movie, they didn't cue up anything else; simply continued to cuddle, to tease very lightly without progressing. Finally, when her hand found its way to Anna's waistband again during the credits, Anna let out a shaky laugh and whispered onto Elsa's lips when they had parted yet again, "Still at it, even now that the wine's wearing off, huh?"

"What can I say?" Elsa whispered. "I'm drunk on you."

"What a freakin' line." Grinning, the redhead kissed her again. "Are you sure you're comfortable with this?"

"No."

"Yeah," she sighed. But then she felt a hand worming its way between her thighs, and she squirmed. "O-ooh…"

"Maybe I'm tired of being 'comfortable'. I… oh, I wish you weren't my sister…" Before Anna could respond, she went on, "And I know it doesn't matter to you. And I wish you were a man, too, and so many other wishes that will never come true. Maybe that's just selfish of me."

Nodding, Anna held her more tightly. "Don't worry, I get you. I can love you exactly as you are but also recognise that things would be easier on us if this or that thing was different. Makes total sense."

"Right! Yes, that is… that's my feelings, exactly!"

"If we weren't both women, there would be other things we could do." A shiver from the blonde sister. "And if we weren't sisters… it would be easier for us to admit that we want to do things at all."

"I do. I want to do more things, but I still don't know if we should. It makes me feel… exposed, I guess. Yeah… that's a big part of why I'm so hesitant."

Another kiss upon the top of her head. "Wanna move to somewhere less exposed?"

"What do you mean?" Her eyes flicked to the bedroom. "Nevermind. I figured it out."

"You can take a shower first, if you wanna be 'fresh' before getting under the covers," Anna promised her gently. "You probably do regardless of, um, what happens when we get there. I know you."

That was an idea. Either she would be able to figure out a way to resist Anna's charms while she was in there, or at the very least she'd be less offensive to her sister. "Maybe I'll take care of 'things' while I'm in there," Elsa warned her.

"Can I watch?"

"ANNA!" Mouth agape, she stared at the blushing redhead, then began to laugh as she cried out, "NO! I don't think so, wow, that's- you little pervert!"

"I was kidding, anyway," she giggled. "Well… half-kidding. Go shower, I'll get the bed ready."

So Elsa did. All during her shower, she fought down the temptation to relieve her tensions; she wanted to, and also wanted to wait and see what might happen if she didn't. Maybe that was unwise, dangerous, but her nervousness about touching herself paired up with her dark desire to see what Anna might want to do conspired against her. Therefore, she found herself drying off and exiting the bathroom, unsated.

For the time being.

~ To Be Continued ~