Anna waits nervously in front of the diner, constantly tucking invisible strands of hair behind her ear. The sky is cloudy and grey, the weather forecast calling for rain later in the afternoon.

The diner sits on a street corner, its neon lights flashing in the dreary afternoon. There's a Starbucks directly nestled against it, the smell of overpriced coffee wafting over to the redhead, who is struggling not to go in and get herself a grande caramel-something-or-other as she waits. It's a cute diner, Anna notes as she glances up at its sign that calls drivers forth to try the cheap, unhealthy menu they offer to the public.

She wasn't so sure what to wear this morning, so the threw together something comfortable and casual. Her raincoat, a graphic tee, and skinny jeans. A nice first date outfit.

A first official date.

Although this isn't their first time out together, it's definitely the first time it's been an actual date that has been established by both parties. Naturally, Anna is a little on edge.

Cars rush by Anna, and a cold wind follows. Her hair, which she has let down for the day, blows gently across her back, falling neatly in place once the wind dies down. She shivers just as she hears a gentle voice say, "Hey."

She looks over her shoulder to see Elsa standing there with a small smile. Anna can't help but smile back. She tucks another invisible strand of hair behind her ear and turns her body to face Elsa fully.

"Hey," she replies.

"Glad you made it."

"Thank you for inviting me. I will admit. . . that call was the last thing I expected."

Elsa giggles lightly. "I thought that it was time we stopped kidding ourselves."

"Yeah, you're right."

"But hey, like I said on the phone, if things don't work out, I still want to be friends."

Anna nods, all nervousness lifting as her eyes linger on Elsa's for several beats. "I'd like that a lot, actually. But after what we've been through, I think we owe it to ourselves to try. Like you said."

There's a brief pause before Elsa clears her throat anxiously. "So, shall we go in?"

"Actually, if I may change plans, I'd like to grab coffee from Starbucks and just walk around a bit? Is that okay?"

"I'd like that. I'll buy," Elsa says, inclining her head.

The two walk side by side into the warmth of the coffee shop. They stand in line in a pleasant silence after Anna tells Elsa her order, and Anna keeps stealing glances at the taller woman beside her. Every small glance allows Anna to memorize the details in Elsa's face. How her cheeks are slowly turning a darker pink now that she's in a warmer room, how her lashes frame her blue eyes, and how she bites her lip slightly as she contemplates her order.

She's looking at Elsa in a different way than she does when Elsa is in her classroom. She wants to see more of the beautiful girl she met at the bar and is slowly succeeding as her gaze keeps sweeping over Elsa's features. Her mind goes back to that fateful night, remembering the butterflies she felt when she kissed Elsa, remembering how amazing their night had been every moment after.

Elsa eventually glances down at Anna, meeting her wandering eyes. There's a short staring contest before Elsa lifts a brow and smiles.

"Were you waiting long?" she asks.

"Oh, no. It wasn't for too long," Anna replies, looking away from Elsa, slightly embarrassed that she was caught staring.

"Good."

"Where's Olaf?"

"He's with Kristoff and Sven today. It was previously planned. They're going to see a movie."

"That's good. If you don't mind me asking, how long has Olaf known Sven? And you known Kristoff and all?"

"Well, Kristoff went to high school and college with me. I knew him and his wife, and Sven was born a while after Olaf. So, naturally, the boys grew up together. As they've known Winifred just as long because Rapunzel has been our friend for such a long time."

"I guess it's nice to have friends who have kids all at once. Was it planned?" Anna teases.

Elsa laughs. "Not really. But none of us questioned it. It was too good to be true, but I'm glad Olaf has lifelong friends."

They order their drinks, receive them from the cashier since they both got simple drip coffees, and then walk into the chilly October air.

"So, what else do you have going on today?" Anna asks, blowing into the small opening in the lid in hopes of cooling her drink.

"After this, I'm going to head to my office and do some work. I have to fill out some payroll paperwork for one of my employees who has earned a long-overdue promotion. I owe her a lot. Then I'll go home and watch some Netflix. I have a few shows to catch up on. You?"

"I have papers to grade and a test to prepare."

"There isn't a chance you can bump up Olaf's grade now that I've asked you on a date and bought you coffee?" Elsa says jokingly.

"Ah, I see how it is. You're dating me to get Olaf's grades up," Anna smirks.

"You've caught me. I'm a horrible person. Feel free to throw that hot coffee in my face to teach me a lesson."

"I can teach you a lesson without throwing coffee in your face. Did you forget that I am a certified instructor?"

Elsa snorts. "Oh, of course. How could I forget that I'm on a date with my son's teacher, who I'm only dating because I'm blackmailing her to get my kid better grades?"

"I'm wearing a wire. I'm sending that to the Arendelle Unified School District. Your ass is on the line now, Fönn."

Elsa bursts out laughing, Anna joining in shortly. But then Anna pauses and realizes something.

"Wait. You said 'dating'."

Elsa stops laughing and flushes. "I did."

"Are you suggesting that there will be more?"

"Maybe. . ."

There's an awkward silence before Anna grins. "I hope so," she says, loving the shy smile that crosses Elsa's features.

"I hope so too," she ays quietly. "And hey, thank you for laughing and not taking everything I just said seriously. The grades thing, I mean."

"Of course I'm not going to take that seriously! I may have been mad at you over the whole one-night-stand thing before, but I'm over it." She walks closer to Elsa. "We're trying, and that means a lot to me." She frowns slightly. "However, that means people might actually get the wrong idea and believe that you really are dating me just for Olaf's grades."

"That's so stupid," Elsa frowns. "If that's what they want to think, fine. But look at it this way; we might not end up actually dating because things just don't work out. So that's fine. We'll cross the bridge when we get to it, okay? If we end up becoming an exclusive couple, then we can worry about what other people might think. But I don't believe many parents will care."

Anna still looks unconvinced. Elsa stops her by gently grabbing her arm, slowly turning Anna around to face her.

"Look, you and I have had our problems so far. The fact that we're trying is a good step in the right direction. I like you a lot, and I want this to work out the way it's supposed to. We'll make time for each other. As for your concerns, you're thinking too far ahead."

Anna nods. "Yeah, okay. You're right, you're right. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize," Elsa says sweetly. "I understand where you're coming from." She gives Anna's arm a squeeze. "Come on. I'll show you one of my favorite spots around here."

Plans for a second date are made after Elsa walks Anna to her car. They exchange a quick hug, neither quite ready to kiss again, and Anna watches Elsa stroll down the parking lot to her own car. Elsa waves at Anna before she gets in, Anna giving her a shy wave back.

As Anna drives home, she can't help but smile. She and Elsa had clicked so well again, back to the playfulness that she greatly enjoys. Anna had been reminded of what had attracted her to Elsa in the first place, and she's glad they're reliving that again.

The effort of trying means a lot to Anna. Elsa cares enough about the connection they have to actually take the first step. When she had told Anna that she likes her a lot, Anna had felt butterflies. It was a tiny confession, but it makes Anna feel good nevertheless.

When she gets home, Anna turns up the heat to make her little apartment a toaster oven and turns on the TV for some white noise in the background. She grabs the papers on her counter and sits at the bar, ready to grade. As she starts on one, her phone vibrates beside her on the marble counter. Anna blindly reaches over for it and glances down at the screen.

"I had a good time today," reads Elsa's text, "and I know we'll have an even better time on Tuesday."

Anna smiles softly and replies, "I can't wait. Hopefully it won't rain so I don't have to supervise the kids for lunch."

"It says clear skies this week. But if it does rain, we'll reschedule."

"Promise?"

There's a small lag between that text and Elsa's response. Immediately, Anna regrets sending it. Has she gotten too far ahead of herself again? Is she coming on too strong? Too hopeful? She's about to text out an apology when she sees the answer.

"I promise." And it's followed by the two pink hearts emoji.

Fuck, Anna thinks. Did she just flirt with me?

Anna tries to remind herself that Elsa has flirted with her before. Drunken flirting, sure; but, for some reason, this particular kind of flirting makes Anna's heart skip a beat. It's dorky and a little juvenile, but it's Anna's favorite kind of flirting. With a smile plastered on her face for the rest of the day, Anna grades her students' papers.

Meanwhile, Elsa is getting comfortable at home. She feels proud for taking action and asking Anna out. She had spent the entire night before she made the call awake. Elsa had paced back and forth, contemplating her decision. She had kept reminding herself of what she told Kristoff when she confessed that she wanted Anna over any other woman. It felt so right to say when she finally got it off her chest.

When Anna had whispered "yes" to Elsa after she asked her out, a wave of relief and excitement had washed over Elsa in her office. She had finally done it, and their date today was a perfect first date.

Sure, their casual outings had been nice but they felt forced. This date felt natural and fluid, almost as if adding the romantic intentions softened their hard exteriors and broke down some of their walls. That awkward night forgotten, and Elsa knows there's something wonderful ahead.

A few episodes of Shameless fill her time until there's a knock on her door. Elsa pauses her show and stands up, knowing that Kristoff's dropping Olaf off. As soon as she opens the door, Olaf glues himself to her.

"Mama!" he cheers. "I'm back!"

"I can see that," Elsa chuckles. She looks up at her friend. "Hey, Kris."

"Hey. How was the thing?" he asks, mindful of his phrasing so as to not give anything away.

"It was pretty good. I'll call you later to give you all the hot gossip," she smirks.

"Sounds good. Bye, Olaf."

"Yeah, bye, Olaf!" Sven grins, waving his hand enthusiastically.

"Bye, Uncle Kristoff!" Olaf chirps. "Bye, Sven!"

"What do you say to Uncle Kristoff?" Elsa asks her son.

"Oh, right. Thank you for the movie."

"You're welcome, little buddy." Kristoff tosses Olaf's unruly hair. "Have a good day, you two."

Elsa smiles at him and wishes him the same, closing the door behind Olaf and herself. He hops into the living room where Elsa is watching TV and sits on one of the couches. Elsa changes the channel to something appropriate for his age.

"You look happy, Mama," he says simply, watching her as she makes her way into the kitchen.

"I do?" she asks distractedly, fixated on making lunch for the two of them.

"Uh huh. Why are you happy?"

Elsa blinks. "I. . . I've just had a good day, is all," she says. "Have you?"

"Yeah. What did you do though?"

Went on a date with your teacher. "Olaf, it's not important."

"But it made you happy so it is too important," he argues, lifting his chin.

She chuckles. "Don't worry about it, sweetie. I'm just having a good day. I got some coffee with a friend."

"Who?"

"A friend, Olaf."

"But which one?"

"Jane."

"Ohhh. . ." His little face scrunches up as he thinks. Then he cocks his head to the side and asks, "Mama, do you like like Jane?"

"What?" She turns to him. "Where did you get that?"

He shrugs. "I 'unno."

"Sweetheart, I don't like like Jane. She's a close friend, like Uncle Kristoff. Okay?"

"Okay." There's a pause before he says, "Mama?"

"Yes, Olaf?"

"What's hot gossip?"

Elsa snorts into her hand, hiding a laugh. "I'll tell you when you're older. You might talk about hot gossip with your friends when you're in high school."

"Is it gross?"

She laughs this time. "Not really. Don't worry about it right now."

"Okay!" He hops off the couch. "I'm gonna go play with my Legos!"

"Have fun."

Their second date is followed by a third and fourth over the course of a week and a half. Even with their difficult schedules, they are able to find the time to meet up and go out together. If Anna finds herself free for lunch, she texts Elsa, who always agrees to meet up to grab something or have lunch together at the park if they packed their own meals for work. They even start to hold hands after the fourth date.

In fact, Anna is the one who takes Elsa's hand as they watch the newest Marvel production. She laces their fingers together and strokes the back of Elsa's hand with her thumb. The tiny touches are enough to send chills down Elsa's spine.

Every time Elsa comes home from a date or goes to pick up Olaf afterwards, he always points out that she looks happy or excited. Elsa knows that she and Anna are keeping their dating life on the down low, especially from Olaf. But Olaf keeps reminding Elsa that he is still observant of her, and she wonders if she's actually happier than she was before Anna. Olaf is the constant in her life; he's always around her, so of course he'll be able to see something different in her.

She tries not to show it. She tries to act like she's always in a better mood. She doesn't want to lie to Olaf but explaining that she's dating someone is awkward enough without the addition of explaining that it's his teacher.

The only people that are aware of the budding relationship are Kristoff, Jane, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Anna's friend Merida, who Elsa was introduced to while on a date at the Snuggly Duckling.

That's just fine with Elsa. She and Anna don't want this to get out to anybody else. There's always the possibility of some parent or faculty member with a bad attitude going to the administration office and blowing this whole thing out of proportion.

They're just dating. Nothing more.

On a particularly stormy afternoon, with Olaf away at his grandparents' house for a trip to one of the hands-on, kid-friendly museums in the city, Elsa and Anna meet downtown for a movie. With a heavy wind in her face, Elsa fights the downpour as she makes her way from the car to the theater. Strands of white blonde hair stick to her face as she huffs and puffs towards a giggling Anna.

She's adorable, Anna thinks as Elsa approaches her with a pink face and a soaked raincoat. Elsa sighs, taking the ticket that Anna bought before Elsa arrived.

"Thanks," Elsa grumbles.

"Where's your umbrella?" Anna smiles, taking Elsa's hand as they head to the turnstiles.

"I left it in my car. I thought the rain let up a bit, and I didn't think the walk was that long from the parking garage to the theater."

"Clearly you were wrong."

"Clearly."

They hand their tickets to the pimply teenager removing the stubs and press on into the concession area. They stand in line, Elsa intent on getting them a treat.

"So now I'm a little wet and actually really warm." Elsa unbuttons her coat. "I hate whenever I go into a stupid building that has a stupid heater and I'm wearing something that keeps in heat." She rubs her temple with her free hand. "Ugh, anyway, how are you?"

Anna grins at the flustered blonde. "I'm good. I finished grading tests this morning so I'm glad I got that out of the way."

"It's the best when you get work done early," Elsa nods. "So, Halloween is coming up in a couple of weeks. Do you have any plans?"

"I got the invite from Rapunzel for her annual Halloween party. I didn't go last year so I'm thinking of going this year."

"I'm going to that. Her parties are fun. I've been attending Rapunzel's parties since college. Everyone either gets drunk or gets laid. Or both. Hey, you and I could have hooked up a lot sooner." Elsa smirks as Anna blushes. "Though, now that she's an educator, she's slightly calmed the parties down."

"Does she invite more of the staff?" Anna asks.

"Sometimes, but she usually sticks to her close friends. No kids, though. Winifred is either at a friend's house or upstairs asleep. Kristoff and I usually hire a babysitter and the boys just hang out at either his place or mine until the party's over."

"That's a smart system you have. Where's Olaf this afternoon?"

"With his grandparents. They're going to a museum."

When they approach the front of the line, Elsa buys them popcorn and s Coke to share, and they head into the theater to grab seats. After finding a decent spot in the center, they sit and wait for the film to begin. They speak in hushed tones, passing the drink back and forth.

"So, your flirting via texts is pretty clumsy. It's cute, but clumsy," Anna teases.

Elsa pouts. "It's been more than seven years since I've actually flirted through text messages. Last time I actually flirted in person was with you at the Queen of Hearts."

"Out of practice, hm?"

"Yeah. I apologize in advance for that."

Anna giggles. "You don't have to apologize. I think it's cute."

Elsa soon finds her hand once again in Anna's. Her thumb is gently rubbing the back of Elsa's hand, and Elsa has an urge to kiss Anna.

They still haven't. Even after several dates, neither of them has kissed the other.

Of course, Elsa knows what Anna's lips feel like. She experienced those kisses in several places the night they spent together. But this is a different urge. She wants to kiss Anna softly, tenderly. Not with desperation and hunger.

Her eyes fall on Anna's lips, wondering if she should make the first move. Just as she's about to say something, the lights dim and the previews start. Anna's attention moves from Elsa to the screen in a heartbeat. Elsa sighs and leans back in her seat, looking at the screen with a hint of disappointment.

Throughout the movie, their hands bump together as they reach for more popcorn. Elsa eventually takes Anna's hand when they finally run out of the snack, and they play with each other's fingers silently for the rest of the show.

In spite of the movie being relatively exciting, Elsa's attention is focused more on Anna than anything else. She keeps glancing at her, studying the lines of light from the screen that bask on her face. She watches them illuminate an outline along Anna's profile, sees the movie in the teal orbs of the woman beside her.

Unbeknownst to Elsa, Anna keeps stealing glances just the same. She wants to nudge Elsa and implore her to leave with her, ditching this movie completely and going someplace else. Anna doesn't care; she paid for it after all. But she doesn't know if Elsa feels the same, so she keeps her mouth shut.

Eventually, near the end of the film, their gazes finally meet and they smile at each other. Anna inclines her head towards the exit, and Elsa nods. They both stand, earning some grumbles and groans from other patrons who have to stand or adjust their feet to let them through.

Once they leave the theater and return to the rainy day outside, they huddle together beneath an awning before sitting on a bench nearby to watch the rain bless the grimy streets with yet another cleaning from the skies above.

"Do you know what was going on in that thing?" Elsa asks, buttoning up her coat, Anna doing the same.

"Nope."

"I'm surprised," Elsa giggles. "You seemed really invested."

"It got hard not to make comments to you," Anna says with a grin. "I'm a talker when I watch movies. Merida yells at me whenever we have movie nights."

"Well, I'm glad we left because I kept getting lost."

"It wasn't all that confusing," Anna teases. "I mean, I wasn't paying too much attention, but I found my way back to the story."

"I'm not as observant as you are while watching movies apparently," Elsa counters with a soft smile.

"Apparently," Anna repeats.

They sit in silence, Elsa brushing some hair out of Anna's eyes. A small blush coats Anna's cheeks, butterflies fluttering in her stomach again. Elsa focuses on Anna's lips, biting her own, holding herself back.

"Elsa," Anna whispers.

"Hm?"

"You can kiss me."

Their eyes meet once again, and Elsa nods once. Anna lets out a smile as Elsa leans forward, pressing their lips together softly. A hand immediately touches Elsa's cheek, cupping it and coaxing her closer, showing Elsa that she's okay with this. Their ears fall deaf to the world around them as gentle moans are exchanged and noses bump together.

Parting is slow, sounds crashing in their ears like waves breaking against rocks along the coast. It's so different from their first kiss. The hunger is replaced by affection; their cheeks are pink with shyness rather than copious amounts of alcohol. There's a beat before they both move in for another kiss. Noses ram into each other; they both giggle. They share a clumsy kiss before melting into a clean one.

After a few more kisses, breaths ghosting in the cold air, they smile at each other. Elsa glances out at the street, noting that the rain is letting up, so she stands. Anna follows her, wrapping her hand around Elsa's; and, the two walk to the blonde's car.

"I need a ride home," Anna whispers. "I took an Über. My car is in the shop for maintenance."

"Okay," Elsa smiles. "No problem."

"Thank you."

The next thing they know, Anna is pressed against the door to her apartment as they kiss over and over again. When Elsa pulls away, she mumbles against Anna's lips, "I'll call you later."

Anna nods, eyes hooded. Elsa kisses her cheek and lets her hand linger in Anna's as she walks away. Anna bites her lip, watching Elsa go down the open hall to the elevator. With shaking hands, Anna enters her home, grinning like an idiot.

No, they might not have started off on the best terms. They might not have expected their dates to go so well. But Anna is over the moon, and so is Elsa.

Elsa drives to pick up Olaf with a dreamy smile on her face, replaying the kisses in her head a hundred times over. Though they were tentative yet tender kisses, they were a good start to a new little something between Anna and Elsa. Given their history, it doesn't even feel rushed.

The traffic from the pouring rain does not deter Elsa as she and Olaf drive back home. He is quiet in the backseat, playing his 3DS, worn out from a busy day with his grandparents.

All of a sudden, reality smacks Elsa hard in the face like ice cold water splashing her awake from a deep sleep.

She and Anna are going somewhere. Their little something is turning into a big something. Sooner or later, they will have to involve Olaf; he's her son, after all. But Anna is his teacher—the looming reality that keeps Elsa awake at night. It would be different if Anna were some random girl she met online or at the bar. Anything but his teacher.

Anna had said that they'd cross that bridge when they got to it, echoing Elsa's sentiments about Anna's concerns. When we get to it. Elsa desperately repeats it, a calming mantra to soothe her personal concerns. While Anna worries about the faculty judging her choice in dating a parent, Elsa worries about how this will affect her child.

Her dreamy smile melts off her face; and, she leans her head against her hand, her arm propped up against the window of her car, the Lincoln idling at a stoplight. Out of all the people in the city, Elsa is falling for her kid's teacher.

"Mama?" Olaf's voice jars her from her thoughts.

"Yes?" She peers at him through the rearview mirror.

"Can we go to Remy's for dinner?"

"Uh, sure. Yeah." Elsa puts on her turn signal, taking the left to head down to the local Italian restaurant.

"Thank you!" Olaf chirps.

That manages to put a smile back on her face. "You're very welcome, sweetheart. Want to watch a movie tonight, too?"

"Yeah! Captain America!"

"Sounds good, bud."

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, Elsa tells herself.

Thanks to my beta, let-it-geaux, for helping me with this fic.

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