Chapter Text
"Alright, we're here."
Anna unbuckled her seatbelt, giving her sister a big smile. Her school's parking lot was slowly filling up; it was a miracle Elsa had found a spot to park in. The Halloween party, as it turned out, had attracted quite the crowd.
"Thanks for dropping me off, Elsa," she said, meaning every word. "You're the best."
Their trip to Narvik was weeks ago, but Anna still found it bizarre to think she was back home again in Oslo with her sister, safe and sound, going about daily life as usual. She'd feared a retaliation on Mr. Black's part, but nothing of the sort had happened so far. The man bided his time, and in Anna's mind, the threat of him still being out there faded faster and faster. He'd soon become nothing but a footnote in this particular chapter of her life's book.
She hoped so, at least.
"It's no problem at all," Elsa assured her. "Your school is conveniently on my route."
Anna couldn't resist smirking. "Ah, yeah. Your date with your girlfriend." She poked her sister in the cheek good-naturedly. "Crazy to think you've been sleeping with Merida for a year and you're only now going on an official first date."
Elsa blushed and looked away. "Don't mention it."
"No, seriously. It's good and you two deserve this. Make sure to have fun, okay?"
"Will do." Elsa's eyes drifted to Anna's school building, students filtering in and out. "Call me when you want to go home and I'll pick you up."
"Thanks, but you don't worry about me and enjoy your date, okay? Kristoff can bring me back."
Elsa blinked, probably counted to ten in her head to keep her composure. "…Okay, fine. He's trustworthy. Just, uh… be… safe?"
It was Anna's own turn to blush. "Jesus, Elsa."
"I'm just saying."
That, Anna supposed, was fair. Embarassing, but fair. She opened the car door, stepped outside. "Don't worry. I won't do anything you could get pissed about."
"I'll hold you to that," Elsa said with a smile. Anna smiled back, closed the door and gave her sister a final little wave. Then she sped towards her school's entrance, avoiding passing cars and glancing at her watch. Just a little late; Kristoff would probably be there already, waiting for her.
She adjusted the witch's hat she wore, nicely complementing her black dress; it was a Halloween party, after all, and a costume was to be expected. She thought she looked just fine. Elsa had been kind enough to help her with her make-up, which Anna greatly appreciated.
What would Kristoff look like? He'd offered to come pick her up, but she'd declined. Thought it would be fun to keep their costumes a surprise. Her heart beat faster in her chest as her curiosity rose. She looked around, searching.
There he was.
"Kristoff!" She called out, waving like a way too enthusiastic idiot. He turned around, faced her. She watched his face light up.
Damn, he looked good.
He wore a suit. An old one, apparently, but still a suit. Anna couldn't imagine he felt comfortable in it, but he'd tolerate the discomfort for just this one night. He'd also gotten some face paint out, red lines drawn about his mouth, looking like blood dribbling down. Anna was impressed by how realistic he'd made it look.
"Wow," she said when she reached him, giving him a once-over. "You look incredible."
Kristoff avoided her gaze, shuffling on his feet awkwardly, but Anna saw the smile creep onto his face. "Thanks. I'm not, uh… I'm not very big on costumes, or, or parties like these, but… I know you really looked forward to this, so I'll step out of my comfort zone for tonight. Do I look like a proper vampire?"
Anna hummed, pretending to think about this question's answer very hard. "Oh, you look ravishing," she concluded. "Though it might have been even better with a cape."
"Couldn't find one," Kristoff replied, rummaging around in his pocket. He took out a set of fake vampire teeth. "I've got these, though."
He hadn't even put them in yet, but Anna couldn't keep her laughter in at the thought of Kristoff with those teeth in his mouth. Kristoff couldn't resist laughed himself as well. They stood there outside in the evening, having fun together, and Anna could only think about how right everything felt now. In her life, with Elsa, with Kristoff…
She was happy tonight. Truly.
She glanced through one of the school's windows, catching glimpses of the feast going on inside. It felt a little strange, this new outing with Kristoff, perhaps something more than a not-date. The last time they'd gone out, they'd almost gotten abducted in a restaurant. But this was different. There were far more people here and their teachers asked anyone wishing to enter the building for their ticket and student ID. If even Elsa deemed it safe enough, there would be no such dangers now.
Anna held out her hand for Kristoff to take, smiling playfully. "Do you want to go in?"
Kristoff smiled back at her, tentatively accepted her hand and held it in his own. "Let's go."
Together, they made their way to the entrance, Anna feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Whatever threats could come knock on her door in the future, she could face, armed with the good memories of her loved ones' affections.
Nothing could hurt her tonight.
~~~
In a dark, dank place, a man sat scheming, vengeance on his mind. He wasn't yet sure what he would do; it just had to hurt. Yes, it had to hurt… He couldn't tell when he'd be able to put his future plan in motion, but he would be patient and he would make it happen.
One day.