Chapter 2 - Workouts And Worked To The Bone

The next morning, Anna awoke in her own room, stretching her arms out. She had thought last night was a bit of a dream, her coming across Elsa and offering her a place to stay. But after pinching her arm a few times, she realised this was all real and there really was a beautiful mysterious woman staying with her.

Boy...I'm glad it isn't a dream.

Anna chuckled at the thought and soon put on her dressing gown and pink bunny slippers. As she walked out of the room, she felt Carrie nuzzle her leg. She leaned down, stroking her cat's fur. "Morning to you too, girl," she cooed, and the cat purred.

Then she looked to her left to see Elsa in pants and a sports bra in the kitchen. Anna blushed, seeing Elsa's wide and massive muscles on display for her to see. Just staring at them made her sweat. They'd been under that towel and jacket all last night, but now they were in full view.

She blushed bright red and stared a little, hiding behind a corner. She felt rather flustered by Elsa's appearance. Just the way those muscles were so elegantly constructed. She was starting to wonder if Elsa was a goddess. Oh god, I'm a pervert, now.

Then Elsa looked over at Anna, giving her a warm smile. "Oh, morning Anna. You sleep well?"

Anna nervously crept out from her hiding spot and shyly nodded. "Y-Yeah..." She hoped Elsa hadn't seen her gawping at her body. "Surprised to see you up so early."

"Early? It's 11 am, Anna," Elsa remarked, pointing to the nearby clock.

"SHIT!" Anna suddenly whirled around and ran back into her bedroom. "I missed the early shift! Hans is gonna have my ass on a plate!" She rushed as fast as she could back to the room. Her heart rushed in her chest. She didn't want to lose her job.

She was in her room within the next few seconds, starting her dressing ritual. First, her top went off, then her pants. She knew she needed clean underwear as well. However, as she was looking through her drawers, she looked at the date on her phone, which was on top of the cabinet.

Saturday, April 14th.

Anna stopped suddenly, breathing a sigh of relief. It was Saturday and she only had afternoon shifts on Saturdays. As she slumped back into the kitchen, she looked at Elsa. "Oh... wait hang on, no I don't." She sighed. "Sorry, false alarm."

Elsa burst out laughing. Anna was such a dork. "I've had those mornings so don't feel bad." Then she asked "Coffee? I hope you don't mind if I made some."

Anna stared at the mug that was on the table in front of her. How generous of her new guest. She smiled, or at least, as best as she could be given how tired she was. She slumped in front of the table, sipping her coffee. "Mmm, thanks. Is there any cereal left?"

"Let me check," Elsa looked in the box of cornflakes she'd left by the side of the table. "Yeah, there's some left. Sorry that I ate a lot. Was really hungry when I woke up this morning."

"As long as you didn't touch Kristoff's Corn Pops."

"Nope, didn't touch those." She got a bowl for Anna.

Anna poured the cereal into the bowl and spooned some into her mouth. It was weird, sharing the morning with Elsa. It was as if they'd always known each other, yet they'd barely been together a day. That was probably a testament to how strong a bond had formed between them.

As Elsa sat down to read the news on her phone, Anna looked at Elsa's sports bra. It used to belong to her, back when Anna would go jogging early in the mornings before work. She could tell it didn't fit Elsa as well, judging by how tight it looked.

"I see you borrowed my exercise top," Anna stated. "Any reason why?"

"Oh... I was looking up places around here," Elsa responded. "I think I might hit up the local gym later, try and burn some of this stress out of my system and try and get back in shape. I was a total wreck for two days, remember?"

Anna chuckled. "Yeah, I can remember when I was in my fitness nut craze. I just gave up in the end. Sorry, but I'm a lazy bum."

"Nothing wrong with that," Elsa accepted. She then realised now was a good time for her to tell Anna about what she'd thought about while in her sleep. "So thinking back to our conversation last night...I, ah, I was wondering if I could stay here for a while?" She gave Anna an unsure expression. "I can give you money for rent. And I'll see about finding a job but...I just don't want to go back to sleeping in my car."

She felt bad about that. Yes, she'd wanted to stay for the weekend, but having that comfy bed under her and Anna's hospitality was so intense. The thoughts of her new friend and this warm place had dominated her thoughts.

But asking Anna to let her stay felt like begging and Elsa didn't like doing that. She was secretly worried she could end up being a burden on Anna.

Anna stopped spooning cereal into her mouth, rather surprised by Elsa's sudden statement.

"What about you staying for the weekend?" She wondered.

"I... I don't know anymore," Elsa expressed. "It's so peaceful here and you've been kind to me. I just... I just wish I could never leave."

Anna could see the desperation in Elsa's eyes. It was the face of someone who had truly been happy for the first time in forever. How could she say no to that? Her compassion was well known amongst her group of friends, and yet she did have her own life to worry about.

"Elsa, I like you, but I don't know if Kristoff and I can afford to have another mouth to feed around here."

"I'll try not to bother either of you." Elsa paused, thinking for a moment. "I did plan on staying just for the weekend, but when I woke up this morning... I just felt at home here. But... Oh, forget it." She sighed, looking away. It was hopeless now. "Never mind, just get back to your cereal."

Anna put down her spoon and took her hand. She'd made up her mind. She would keep her door open to Elsa. The blonde clearly liked being here after all, who was she to refuse. "No, I don't mind. If you wanna stay for more than the weekend, I'll let you. I'm not gonna kick you out or anything, but let me know what you decide, okay, Elsa?"

A reassuring smile filled Elsa's face. Her face brightened like a star. "Okay, thanks, Anna." At least she could have a while to change her mind. After all, she did need to consider Anna's needs as well as her own. She got up, picking up a small bag of toiletries and pulling it over her shoulder. "Well, I better head to the gym before I lose my groove. I'm all fired up now."

"Wait, before you go, let me get your number," Anna stated, heading back to her room to get her phone. "So you can text me on my break."

"You're allowed to do that? I don't wanna get you in trouble with anyone, Anna."

"Nah, it's all good," Anna assured her, returning to the room. With her phone, she handed Elsa the small device and the blonde typed her number into it. As she passed the phone back, Anna smiled. "Thanks for that." She grinned. "Well... good luck at the gym."

"Thanks," Elsa said. "Can I ask you one last thing?"

"What's that?"

Elsa blushed a little. "Do you... think of me as a friend? I mean, you've only known me a day but..."

Anna then hugged Elsa, smiling as she gave the blonde the comfort she needed. "Yeah... we're friends. You're the first new friend I've made in ages."

Pulling back, Elsa looked into Anna's eyes. There was a drive between them, a cosmic force between them pulling them closer. The sweet glow of Anna's face made Elsa's heart melt. She was so sweet and innocent and the blonde didn't want anything bad to happen to her.

She wanted to stay here so badly, to see that kind face every morning. She wanted to... kiss that cute face. Elsa calmed her thoughts. No... you only just met her.

"Thanks, Anna," Elsa spoke. "Well um... I'd better get going."

"See ya, Elsa!" Anna chirped, as the blonde left her in peace. When Elsa shut the door behind her, Anna looked down at the cereal. She'd better enjoy her lazy morning while she lasted. She needed to be at the Subway in a few hours.

Just then, Carrie jumped up on the table, meowing at her. She seemed rather hungry.

She rolled her eyes. "Alright... looks like you need breakfast too, ginger."

xXx

Elsa grunted as she finished her weight set. She wiped her face with a towel, feeling the adrenaline going through her. 'Phew, that went really well despite the fact I haven't practised in a while.'

She'd been at the gym for over two hours by that point and already she was feeling very much in the zone. She'd missed this, pushing her body to the limit. As the sweat dripped from her brow, she reached for her bottle; the gym had been having a promotion and was handing out free water bottles.

As she drank, she wondered what she'd try doing next. The treadmills seemed like a good choice and Elsa felt her legs could do with a bit of a workout as well. But maybe just on a low setting. This was her first session in weeks.

Elsa made her way to the treadmill, getting on top of the machine and starting it up. The track beneath her started to whirr and move beneath her. 'Gently now,' Elsa cautioned herself in her mind 'don't wanna burn yourself out.'

"Hey there."

She looked to see another woman, an Asian lady, likely of Chinese descent. She was tall and lean with black hair pulled into a bun and was making her way to the treadmill next to her. "Saw you completing that set on the weights. Very nice."

The blonde grinned. Glad to see there was another woman here who was as keen as she was. "Thanks. Elsa Frost."

"Fa Mulan." The woman turned on the treadmill and started lightly jogging. As she got to a pace she was comfortable at, she looked over at Elsa, who had just gotten onto a treadmill herself. "Haven't seen you here before. Just started?"

"Yeah, just got into town," Elsa replied. "Been out of shape for a while." That was an understatement, she felt. Her first good exercise in what seemed like forever, and she didn't feel like she was at her old level of strength. Still, she'd need to build herself back up again.

"Been busy with other things?"

"Mostly." Elsa didn't want to give too much away. After all, she hadn't told Anna about herself either, so she certainly wouldn't tell this stranger. "You come here often?"

"Yeah, but like you, I've been out of shape a while." She smirked. "What's your excuse?"

"Travelling."

"Ah, I see. Where you're staying?"

"With a friend," was all Elsa would give. She was comfortable calling Anna a friend, despite the growing sensation in her heart that she wanted to be more than friends. Anna was her knight in shining armor, the one who had rescued her from the dungeon her life had lately become.

Ironic, since with Elsa's muscles, she'd have probably been the knight. She liked the thought of that, riding a mighty steed into battle, fighting for truth and justice. Anna would have made a good princess, although Elsa wouldn't admit that to her in person.

She then went back to the jog at hand and then studied Mulan. 'Man, I don't know what regimen she's doing but I wish she could share her secrets. She's got a great body.'

"Well, thanks for the compliment."

Elsa clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh! Oh, hell, I didn't mean to say that out loud."

The Asian woman laughed. "Nah, it's all right. Of course, these days compliments are hard to come by."

"...oh?"

"Yeah, when you've been taking hormones, people tend to gloss that over and freak out about who you're supposed to be."

'Wait, she...is she?'

"Are you trans?"

"Yes, I am, Mulan said without breaking her stride.

"Oh...wow! I mean, you look amazing, and I mean that in a good way."

"Thanks, babe."

"I, uh...I am, too."

"You are?"

"Uh-huh."

"For how long?"

"Um...almost three years." Elsa was still surprised that she had found someone else so quickly. If she was going to tell anyone she was trans, she wanted it to have been Anna-at the right moment of course. But still, Elsa figured having more than one friend around here wouldn't exactly hurt, especially if they would understand what she was going through.

Mulan smirked, jogging on the treadmill. "Been on it for three and a half years myself. Honestly, I'm just surprised to find another trans girl around here. I thought I was the only one in this neighborhood."

"Same," Elsa admitted. She was glad to have found a kindred spirit with her unique place in the world. Maybe meeting Mulan was some sort of sign that things really were going to get better for her. "But please... can we keep this to ourselves? I don't want to publicly come out, just yet."

"Sure, I understand wanting to keep it yourself," Mulan replied. "I had to stay in the closet from my parents for three years after I came out." She then turned off the treadmill as she and Elsa had finished their runs. "So how about a smoothie on me?"

"Well, my water bottle was starting to run a bit empty," Elsa responded. She was getting a little thirsty after all the running and bench pressing she'd been putting herself through. "But, let me pay for it. Consider it a bribe for you to keep my secret." She smirked.

Mulan chuckled. "Let's bet on it. We can have a race on these things. First, one to 50 meters buys the other a smoothie."

"Deal!"

xXx

Anna swore as the mayonnaise glopped out of the jar. "Damnation!"

Tiana raised her eyebrow, looking up from her phone. "Oh, what now?"

"The stupid mayo spilt everywhere," Anna groaned, quickly wiping the table with a napkin. "God, I am in such a weird way today. I thought I had the morning shift today, and then I got those orders all mixed up." She groaned, placing her head on the table.

"I don't know, I think that buff girl liked that you gave her a large soda," her friend remarked, giggling a little.

"Not helping, Tia," Anna sighed, getting back to eating her chicken sandwich. It had seemed that all the good karma she'd gotten from helping Elsa the night before had come back to bite her. The stress of her shift had been worse than the day before.

At least she was on her break now, enjoying a rather delicious chicken sub with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. A sandwich with everything was what Anna needed to start feeling better about her shift. "Seriously, today has just been weird."

"Weird in what way?"

"Ah forget it," Anna stated, not wanting to bother Tiana with her problems. They both had a lot going on at their job that day. "So... how are things going with you and Lottie?"

"Going well," Tiana replied. "Naveen's thinking of clearing out one of the back rooms of our apartment so she can move in with us."

"Finally taking a part of that first big step, huh?"

"You could say that." Just then, Anna's phone hummed and Bob Marley began to sing from Anna's phone. The redhead quickly muted it, not wanting the loud volume from the ringtone to disturb the other customers. She pulled it out to look.

It was a text from another one of her friends, Ariel.

Ariel: Hey! Game night tonight, DnD. You coming?

Anna: Yep! I'll be there.

Ariel: We are gonna be short one player. Eric has to work late tonight.

"Ah, bummer," Anna said out loud. Trust Eric to ditch them right when their campaign was getting good. He really did live up to his nickname of being Robbie Rotten.

"Hmm?" Tiana noticed, looking up from her salad.

"Eric's not going to be able to play tonight."

Tia groaned. "Oh, come on! We're halfway through the vault in the mountain and I don't even want to think about that mess with the kelpie. Where are we gonna find a Sorcerer on short notice?"

That was a good point. They needed a powerful mage if they were going to conquer that dungeon and Eric was the only one in their party who'd bothered learning magic. Everyone else had created characters who were warriors, fighters or healers.

Anna: Can't you get Punzie to be the sorcerer instead? We can just say her thief picked up magic powers for some reason.

Ariel: You know Punzie got us killed last time she was the Sorcerer: that's why she switched to Thief.

Anna: Oh, yeah. I forgot.

Ariel: Well, if we can't find someone then we may have to switch campaigns.

Anna thought for a moment. There had to be some way of them getting a new player on such short notice. Then she brightened up. There was one person, in particular, she could think of who might be good at being a sorceress for the team.

She just hoped she knew how to play DnD.

Anna: I think I can find someone.

Ariel: Really? If you can, that'd be great!

She then opened another text message and typed her request for aid to her hopeful recruit.

Anna: Hey, Elsa. Want to play a 15th level Sorcerer tonight?

Elsa: Sorcerer? Dungeons and Dragons, right?

Anna: Yeah! One of our players can't make it. Mind being a pinch hitter?

Elsa: You know what, why not? Wouldn't mind trying it out. Always wanted to play a bit of RPGs.

A wide grin formed on Anna's face. Her gamble had worked, now she had to hope it would fully pay off. She typed back, ecstatic.

Anna: Thanks, Elsa. I'll give you a quick rundown of the rules when I get back from work

Elsa: Sounds good

"Whoo-hoo! We got a player!" Anna cheered, doing a little dance of joy in her seat.

"Boy that was fast," Tiana remarked with a smirk. "Who is it?"

"Remember the girl from yesterday?"

"Yeah, the one you left with"

"Well, she's staying at my place right now," Anna explained. "She's some rich girl I think, ran away from home or something. She didn't have much money, plus her car broke down, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Her name's Elsa and I think you'll like her.

Tiana then gave Anna a rather knowing look. "Oh... so you asked her out to our game night. Not exactly what I'd call the best place for a first date, but then again that's how Cass and Punzie met."

"Oh, shut up, not like that!" Anna blushed furiously. Elsa and Anna definitely weren't like that... but Anna couldn't deny it felt like that during their conversation at breakfast. The way the two of them had stared at one another, the fact that Anna had been gawping at Elsa's breasts.

She didn't want to say anything more, lest Tiana tease her more. She'd never hear the end of this.

"Uh huh," the southern girl remarked, winking at her. "Let me know when the honeymoon is, sugar."

Anna groaned, banging her head on the table. "Why do I bother telling you stuff since you end up making fun of me?"

"What are friends for?" Tiana grinned.

"I hate you," Anna responded. She then went back to eating her chicken sub. She had two more hours of this shift left. The best she could do know was to soldier on and look forward to the rather exciting evening she had planned for herself and Elsa.

Elsa was going to be an amazing sorceress indeed.

xXx

Author's note: Sorry for the wait between chapters! I am pleased to report that I have finally finished writing the entirety of this story with my friend Guppy. So, it's just a matter of getting round to editing and adding detail. Also, yes, Elsa is trans and so is Mulan :3 They aren't the only trans characters in the story though. There's a couple more down the line.

See ya next time!