She couldn't do it.

Standing there, in front of Anna's door, her fist had never clenched so tight, never felt so heavy. And even if she did knock, she was almost certain the wood would find some way to burn her.

It was mocking her even now, laughing at her inability to complete such a simple task. It was degrading and stupid.

Elsa locked her jaw, shook her head. Why did she have to be so incapable? Now, of all times?

She jumped when her phone buzzed, vibrating in her back pocket to signal a text. It made her wince when she realized it was Anna she was praying had texted, knowing that she wouldn't want that after this encounter.

The metal was cold against her palm, she slid the bar to unlock her screen and read the words. "Are you here yet?" She wished she had the nerve to walk away and say no.

But her fingers seemed more capable traversing a screen, and "Yes" was being sent before she could back out of it.

And then she was staring at the structure keeping her safe was the redhead she both adored and feared. For the first time in a while, she felt cold. Unbearably so.

And then the door was being opened, before she could rightfully composer herself. But her breath caught, because it wasn't Anna. It was Kristoff.

He grinned, a halfhearted simper that just barely pulled up the corners of his mouth. His damp blonde hair clung to his sweaty forehead, and his cheeks were flushed. He looked like he'd just run a marathon.

"Hey, Elsa, right? Anna's in the bathroom, she'll be out in a sec," he huffed, slightly winded. He stepped out the way and motioned for her to enter. "Make yourself at home. I was just leaving for another jog."

Elsa blinked, uncertainty a black cloud threatening to swallow her whole. The thought of being alone with Anna was almost more than she could bear. Not that having Kristoff witness the whole thing would be any better.

She didn't realize how long she'd been contemplating her next move until Krist cleared his throat. Her eyes darted up, and he gave her a more genuine smile.

"I don't bite, ya know."

Elsa felt her cheeks warming; she shook her head and rushed in, passing him as fast as she could. "Thank you," she muttered, heading directly for the couch but then just standing there.

He'd said to make herself at home, and yet the very idea made her stomach knot. Was it really okay to sit? Wait, how much did he know? Had Anna said anything to him? Well, yeah, probably. So then why was he acting like he was okay with her? Even if they weren't dating, it should still make him question, right?

Elsa didn't know, and the more she thought the more she feared. And then she heard the click of a door.

When she turned, Kristoff was gone. The front door was closed. And a sinking illumination began to overwhelm her brain.

She was now alone with not only her crush, but possibly her ex-friend. She didn't have Olaf there to lighten the mood. She didn't have Kristoff there to make things either more or less (she wasn't certain which) embarrassing.

This was a disaster. And the only thing her mind could possibly tell her to do was run.

She just nearly followed that very advice.

But then a voice was cutting into her thoughts, and she turned to find a certain person leaning against the door frame that led into the bedroom.

"Hey, what's up?

Such a casual phrase. It certainly shouldn't turn her stomach into a circus of butterflies. And yet it did. Elsa suddenly felt very, very sick.

"Uh, um, n-nothing?" She cursed herself when it came out as a question and not an answer. Damn her tongue. "And you?"

Anna fidgeted, but a massive smile lit her face. That was definitely not something Elsa expected. "Eh, not complaining. I'm sorry I haven't texted in a while." The smile wavered, but just barely. "Or called. Just been... busy, you know?"

Elsa nodded, though all she wanted was to turn and leave and never, ever look back. "Yeah... I get it." And she really did. Or at least, she thought she did.

Anna rolled her shoulders, stood straight. She motioned to the couch as she herself trudged over. "Sit. Make yourself comfy."

She herself flopped down unceremoniously, and Elsa subconsciously clasped her hands in front of her stomach. "Okay."

It came out as little more than a whisper and she kept her head bowed as she slipped forward and sat at the very edge, as far away from the redhead as possible.

Anna didn't seem to notice, or didn't mention it. Instead, she looked up to the tv and frowned. "Hey, you wanna watch something?"

Elsa furrowed her brow, caught off guard by the question. "E-excuse me?" Her eyes met Anna's, and though she stiffened Anna only motioned with her head to the wall.

"TV. Please tell me you like Disney. If you don't, we can't be friends." It was a playful tone, kind and innocent. But it still made Elsa bite her cheek.

What? She was confused, but for only a second.

And then it dawned on her.

Anna was avoiding the obvious elephant in the room. She was purposefully delaying the uncomfortable conversation Elsa had been certain was her cause of being here, possibly hoping to avoid it altogether.

Elsa kinda wanted the same thing, if she was being honest with herself. But it made her heart sink a little, too.

She sat back, relaxing just the tiniest bit, deflated almost. "Yeah, I love Disney," she answered honestly.

For some reason, it hurt when Anna smiled at her.