tbh i didn’t think i’d get this one out. It’s unedited because I literally just finished it. a lot of dialogue but this is one of my favourite chapters thus far? hope y’all like it, anyway, coz it’s important.

Two weeks later saw Anna standing on the frosty ground in front of Elsa’s parlour. It had been two weeks of hell, in her opinion.

Two weeks of no contact; of crying herself to sleep and waking up with no motivation to actually do anything. Two weeks of regrets and almost-messages.

And Anna knows it’s all her fault. She was drunk and handsy and pushy, and she reacted badly. But she’s strong enough to tell herself (strong enough now, after months of pain when she was with Hans) to tell herself that it’s not all her fault. That Elsa wasn’t clear, and that her actions hurt Anna.

Anna knew she needed to apologise, but she was terrified of what was waiting for her when she did. She hesitated a while longer, but the darkening sky and chilly breeze convinced her to push open the door, little bell jangling at the top.

“Be right out!”

Elsa’s voice carried through from the back, where all the seats and benches and gear was stored. The front of the shop was really only quite small, with enough seats for maybe five people. There was plenty to do while one waited, though, as Elsa had decorated the walls with framed images of her own design.

But Anna wasn’t interested in the swirling snowflake patterns that day, or any of the other images. She didn’t even bother taking a seat, instead marching behind the counter and towards the back.

Elsa mustn’t have had many customers that day, because she hadn’t bothered to shut the door. Peering through, Anna spied Elsa. Her back was turned slightly to the door, and she was wearing a pretty floral dress. How she could stand it in the current weather, Anna had no idea. It was bundled at her lap, and Anna could see Elsa dabbing at her thigh. Upon closer inspection, she realised that Elsa had been working on a new piece. It was bright and colourful, and she couldn’t stop the question from tumbling out.

“Why do you hide your colourful tattoos?”

Elsa jumped, so hard that Anna counted her lucky stars the woman had finished with the tattoo gun. She turned her face slightly, looking at Anna from the corner of her eye. It was obvious that she hadn’t been expecting the redhead – and why would she? Two weeks was a long time. She had probably assumed that Anna was done with her…

But then Elsa bit her lip and looked away. “Because it’s personal,” she said, and that answered absolutely nothing.

Anna didn’t want the awkward silence she could feel approaching. She wanted- she wanted her girlfriend back, all soft smiles and warm hugs.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “I’m sorry I pushed you too far and tried to get you to do something you didn’t want to. I know I was drunk, but that’s no excuse. I told you I’m willing to wait until you’re ready, and I mean that, Elsa. I care about you too much to let this break us apart. And- and I know you care, too.”

There was silence for several long moments, but Anna had, thankfully, avoided the awkwardness with her declaration. It wasn’t quite a comfortable silence, but it was better than she expected.

When Elsa spoke, her voice was low and soft. And… sad. “Anna,” she sighed, still not looking at her. “What if I’mnever ready? I don't… want to sleep with you. I don’t want to sleep with anyone.”

“But, kissing-”

“Isn’t sex. Anna, I like you. I really like you. I told you as much, that night. But… I don’t know. You seemed so kind that I fooled myself into think ing you would understand. But no matter how much I- we- want this, it won’t work if you hold onto the hope or the belief that one day we’ll sleep together.”

Elsa took another breath, and this time, she forced herself to meet Anna’s open, hurt gaze. “I am not sexually attracted to you, Anna,” she said, in no uncertain terms. “I’m not sexually attracted to anyone. I never have been, and I never will be. And it took so long for me to accept who I am, and right now, I need you to do it, too.”

When Anna spoke, it was so soft and quiet that it was only the silence of the room that let Elsa hear her. “But…” she began, “you- I don’t understand. You said you l-love- how could you say that but not be attracted to me?”

Her heart felt heavy in her chest, and all she wanted to do was have Elsa stand up and hug her and tell her everything was okay. She felt like she was being scolded, and she had no idea why. They weren’t talking about her actions on Halloween anymore.

She felt so small and vulnerable, and when Elsa stood up and began walking towards, her, Anna couldn’t even lift her face from the ground.

That was why she didn’t see the hug coming until it arrived, bundling her up in smooth skin and warm body heat. Elsa’s hair smelt of cherry, and it was this sensation that had Anna breaking. She wanted to lift her hands and hug Elsa back, but she didn’t know what the response would be. She didn’t want to ruin whatever of their relationship they had left.

But then Elsa began talking, a low voice in her ear.

“Don’t doubt my attraction to you, Anna,” she murmured. “Please don’t. I meant what I said; you’re one of the best things to happen to me.” She pulled back so she could look Anna in the eyes. Her hands moved up to cup Anna’s cheeks.

“I’m attracted to this,” she said, index and middle finger tapping Anna’s temple, “and these-” her forefingers ran over Anna’s eyelids, “-and this…” Her thumbs swiped across Anna’s lips, starting at the middle and stopped at the corners. Elsa used the position to lean down and, oh so gently, let their lips meet. She pulled away after only a few short seconds.

“You’re a beautiful, witty, charming young woman, Anna,” Elsa continued. “But I don’t want anything more than to… than to hold you in the movies, or kiss you at the park. I want-” her voice dipped, and Anna could only speculate the reason until Elsa continued. “I want to have that… that white fence and a cat and days off where we do nothing but cuddle and play cheesy board games. The only thing I don’t want with you is… sex…”

Finally, she stepped away, blinking rapidly. She’d never laid herself so bare before, especially not without the guarantee that Anna wouldn’t just give up on a relationship entirely

Anna’s head was foggy, hazy with Elsa’s admissions and her own emotional state. She wasn’t sure what to do with what Elsa had told her – wasn’t even sure she understood all of it. But, Anna knew one thing.

Stepping forward, she closed whatever small distance Elsa had put between them and pulled the tattooed woman close. She buried her head in the etching of a clock and breathed deep.

Anna knew that Elsa was the most important person in her life, and regardless of their differences, she knew that the alternative was so much worse than trying.

In some way, shape or form, she needed Elsa in her life. And why try for bronze when she could try for gold?