Chapter Text

Elsa had her balance back. She stood regally, and said, “What do you mean.” Not asked, said.

Meg's violet eyes narrowed, and her smile twisted to the side of her mouth. Anna watched, fascinated. “Elsa, please,” said Meg. “You're about the only person at U.I. that I respect, because you never bullshitted me. Don't start now.” She toyed with her mug. “And sit down, for Goddess' sake.”

“Thank you,” said Elsa, with only the trace of a smirk revealing how she felt about being invited to sit in her own house. “Now what nonsense are you talking about.”

“Listen, if you're worried about blowing your cover in front of Ginger Snap here, then one, she deserves to know. And two, I pretty much spilled the beans already.” She raised her hands in mock-surrender. “Not on purpose. Honest mistake. I assumed she was one of your projects. You've got to admit she fits the profile.”

“Perhaps we should discuss this in another room.”

“Els, I like you. I really do. And I hate that I put you in this spot. But with what I said, she will figure it out for herself, so one of us might as well tell her now and get it over with. Me or you. Your call."

Elsa didn't move, except for sitting even straighter, but her eyes flashed a challenge at Megara. “I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.”

Meg sighed. “Your one good quality is – was – you were never a liar.” She turned to Anna. “You are the reason she never found what she was looking for. She was looking for you. Her sweet little red-haired sister. And she can't have you.” The tight smile faded from her face for a moment. “But don't judge, okay? We're all fucked up, one way or another. And she was doing her best. Must've been hard.” She looked down into her mug.

Anna gasped. She put her hand on Elsa's arm. “Elsa. Is this true?”

Elsa patted her hand. “No. Of course not. It's ridiculous.”

The seconds hung heavy as Meg stared at the two of them, face slack, eyes wide. “Fuck. Me. You've gone and done it, haven't you. Wow. How totally Zeus and Hera. And it must've been consensual, 'cause Elsa loves you way too much to… How did this even happen?” She turned to Anna again. “Anna, you beautiful cinnamon roll, you suck at lying. Don't even try. If it comes up, just grab your stomach and run out of the room, it'd look less suspicious. And Elsa – ”

Elsa leaned forward, her arm extended in front of Anna, her eyes shooting daggers of ice at Megara. “Get. Out.”

Meg put her hands up again. “Whoa, just a sec– ”

“Get. The fuck. Out.” Elsa began to rise from her chair.

Meg stood and backed away, her palms still facing Elsa. “Hey, stand down, Elsa. I never said I was against it. Hell, I'm European, things happen. If you want me to keep your secret, I'll keep your secret. And I mean really keep it. No cryptic allusions or meaningfully raised eyebrows. Radio silence."

“One.” Elsa didn't make any threatening moves, but it was a kitchen and there were knives.

“Just a minute – ”

“Two.”

“Did you ever think for a goddess-damned second I might be happy for you?” Meg shouted.

“I – ”

“Love hurts. I know.” Meg shook her head. “Do I know. And I've watched you suffer for years, literally years. And I figured, 'yeah, love's like that,' shrug, move on. And now maybe you can be happy for a couple of minutes? I mean, sure, something's gonna fuck it up eventually, but why should that be me? Why would I do that to you?”

Elsa stepped in front of Anna. “You have no idea – ”

Meg leaned sideways to talk around Elsa. “Anna. Don't you think it'd be good to have one person who knows, who you can talk to about it? It's a big fucking secret – so to speak – and you might want to have one clear space where you can relax and not have to keep your guard up. I mean I'm not exactly a gossip girl, but…”

Anna hugged Elsa's arm. “She's got a point, Elsa. It could be not that bad. If you think we can trust her.”

Elsa put her other hand to her forehead. “God, Anna, you just –”

“Confirmed what everyone in this room already knows? Yeah, I did that. I know you want to protect me and put up a wall, but can't we make the wall big enough to let in one other person? Just, you know, to have more room?”

Elsa sighed and leaned against her.

Anna went on. "I mean, I was already thinking this morning, 'How long are we going to have to keep this secret?' And it's all the time, from everybody. I love you so much, it's totally worth it. I'll do it gladly. But it's gonna be exhausting. So I think we should trust her. If you think we can trust her."

“I think we can trust her. I think we have to."

Meg raised her mug. "Here's to the happy, if very very unconventional couple."

"Oh, Anna.” Elsa kissed her tenderly.

"Me and my big mouth," muttered Meg as she drained the last of her coffee.

A/N: The "I'm european, things happen" line is a reference to this tumblr post: