i am finished fading into the dark

“Do either of us need persuading?” He raised an eyebrow. She was already close, so he took the opportunity to press a light kiss against her jaw. And a second one. “Based on past experiences, you’re going to do what you want, and I’m just along for the ride.” He didn’t say it as a criticism, and there was no bad feeling in it. It was just a fact that Anna was willful, and also a fact that he liked that about her.

Anna giggled a little, probably buoyed by his intimate attention and the way she felt for him.  Plus, she knew him well enough to detect the note of wry affection in his voice.  She didn’t take offense to his words.  “Yeah, well, in some cases you’re an equal partner in the ride.  We can have two drivers.  Kind of.  That’s an awkward analogy, but I think you know what I mean.” 

He had trouble concentrating with her hand moving up his chest, even if it happened to have underwear in it. Maybe especially because of that. But he was beginning to accept that this was an aspect of their relationship that didn’t require overthinking. “That all sounds fun. Maybe we should set an alarm.” The corner of his mouth quirked, betraying the joke. He didn’t trust either of them to remember she had class in an hour, but maybe both of them together stood a chance.

“Maybe we should set a couple,” she amended, going up onto her toes to press her mouth to the edge of his.  Part of her honestly wanted to forget about class and waste the whole day with him.  She wondered how he would tolerate something like that (a very her thing) when he was so him.  “Or... I could let you persuade me to forget about class.  That might be fun, too.”

Kristoff had mixed feelings about that. He liked being in control of himself. Being with Anna was the only time his mind ever went quiet like that, and it was pleasant enough that he didn’t quite trust it. Of course, he didn’t fully articulate that even inside his head, let alone out loud.

He raised an eyebrow, an expression that could be described as both interested and skeptical. The latter was just his natural state, unavoidable. “Sure. What did you have in mind?” He knew how easy it was to lose track of time when they were together and didn’t want to make her late.

Something about the way his eyebrow arched sent a thrill through her.  She smiled, but had to bite her lip to control the force of it.  She had some (pretend) dignity, after all.  “Well, maybe some more of what we were doing.  Some wandering hands...”  she trailed off, stepping closer to trace her hand up his chest, the one still holding red, lacy underwear.  She almost blushed  at the reminder it provided.  “Whatever sounds fun.” 

Kristoff didn’t wear most of his feelings on the outside, so even if she had a role like that, he probably wouldn’t react much. He couldn’t say he loved the idea, but since it wasn’t his body, he didn’t have to. He put it out of his mind completely when she came closer, which was usually the case. He had trouble holding onto a coherent thought when they were kissing. He leaned down to meet her halfway, an arm curling around her waist to steady her.

One of her favorite things about Kristoff, and being around him once they were in a proper relationship, was the way her mind cleared to focus on only him when they were kissing.  There were times, sure, when he was an irritant to her entire being, times when her love and affection and trust were overwhelming, times when his solid support was everything.  But when they were kissing, It was all blended together.  There were no distractions.  

As soon as she actually remembered she had class, she had to pull back just enough. 

“I have an hour until I have to be in class,” she pointed out.  “Wanna waste some time?”

“I’ll take your word for it.” He frowned slightly like he wasn’t sure he would, but he didn’t argue. He’d probably be even less comfortable with it than she was, but he wasn’t going to be the person who stopped her from doing whatever she wanted. “Me too,” he agreed. Undivided attention was one of his strengths. He gave her hand a light tug, pulling her toward him. “Maybe we should practice. So I remember right.”

Part of her wondered what he would do, what kind of a tell he would exhibit, if she were playing a role that called for something like that.  Part of her wondered what she would do.  Honestly, she wasn’t sure she planned to find out, and he wasn’t controlling or jealous like that anyway.  Whatever was coming, whatever was required, it would most likely be fine.  They would be fine. 

She let him pull her close. Her breath stumbled a little when he was that was close.  So did her heart.  She liked it a lot.  She nodded and tried to keep her focus on the words as she said them.  The stumbling might have been that she was pressing up on her toes to kiss him, too.  Maybe.    “Yeah, practice makes perfect and everything.” 

“Like on a stage, for example.” Few people did deadpan as well as Kristoff, but he was struggling not to smile now. Overtalking was a habit he’d long associated with Anna, and sometimes it was cuter than others. “You don’t have to try.” He did smile now, and though it was small, it matched the warmth in hers. “Oh, you would? I’ll have to remember that.”

“On a stage might not be so bad if there was a plotty purpose for it,” she disagreed gently.  She wasn’t sure if she’d be entirely comfortable with it, but she figured she would have to judge for herself if the time ever came that she needed to for a part.  His words had her smiling before his own smile came out.  “I know.  I like that about us,” she pointed out, trying not to sound bratty but instead appreciative.  In spite of their rough and slightly contentious beginnings, these days she always felt as though she had his undivided attention when they were together.  It wasn’t the worst feeling.  In fact, it was something she had craved for as long as she could remember.  She nodded.  “Yes, you will.  I’m glad you have a good memory that way.” 

“Does it.” He didn’t smile, but there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes. He liked the cold. Showing skin wasn’t something he considered, but it was an interesting thing to know about his girlfriend. His gaze flicked over her, and for a second, it was hard not to picture that. Uncomfortable wasn’t the word he would have used. “I’d think you were trying to get my attention.”

There was something about his tone or the way he was looking at her that said amused, and that combined with his simple statement made her feel like she needed to explain.  “Maybe not all the time, and not when it would be inappropriate but... sometimes.”  Something in the way he was looking at her made her warm and smile.  “I would be.  And I’d probably want you to kiss me.” 

‘Help comes in the most interesting ways, even if we think we do not need it.’ Sandy wrote, nodding his head, ‘What is the path you have chosen? If I can ask.’ 

Anna chuckled a little at his wisdom because that was exactly what had happened to bring Kristoff into her life.  Now she couldn’t imagine her life with anyone but him.  This stranger spoke the truth.  “Drama.  I want to be on stage, acting in plays and singing and things like that.” 

Bigby shook his head, “Nah. I rather not have to do anything involved with a stranger’s underwear. Prop for class, or a prank, or whatever this really is.” He still isn’t sure how a class would find this a perfect way for improv but it suddenly made him grateful that he didn’t go to school in this world. “You just take care of yourself.”  

“Fair enough!” She chirped.  It wasn’t like she could argue because he made a good point.  “And now you sound like Kristoff.” 

“In front of an audience? That’s good.” He frowned slightly. He didn’t think Anna was quite that much of an exhibitionist. “I like whatever you’re wearing.” Clothes weren’t high on the list of things Kristoff noticed, but he always thought she looked nice.

“I agree, but I will admit sometimes it feels good to show a little skin,” she admitted.  It was something she had noticed in this world, and one of the things she liked about what she was heading into -- dressing up and looking nice felt good and she enjoyed it.  It was even better when there were a lot of people around to appreciate it.  That didn’t mean she wanted her underwear on display.  She gave him a shy little grin.  “What if it was just you and me and this is what I was wearing?” She asked, wondering if he would pay more attention to it that way or if it would just make him uncomfortable. 

Sandy nodded, finding it makes perfect sense that she would be a drama student. This scenario definitely seems fitting for improve. ‘I am sure it helps with having conversations with strangers in unique situations.’ He wrote down, showing her, smiling a bit. The paper part didn’t seem fun but students do have to do written things like that in order to show they understand the lesson. 

Anna nodded before she spoke.  “Yeah, I think it does.  I don’t know if most of us need the help.  We’re kind of loud and outspoken as a group.  But it’s what I need to do for the path I’ve chosen.” 

Bigby snorted at the term ‘fun-hater’, shaking his head, “Well that’s one way to put it. Glad ya two have each other then.” 

“The wording of that sentence makes it sound so much worse but yeah. I guess everyone needs a little liquid courage to get a dick involved.” Bigby let out a small chuckle, finding himself somewhat amused by how this conversation even got to this point. A thought came to him. “Where you on your way to school with that underwear?” 

Anna smiled at his snort and head shake.  She got that reaction from people a lot, and she kind of thrived on it.  “Me, too.  There’s a balance there and I think that’s important.” 

Her smile blossomed into a full laugh once he retorted and chuckled.  “At least from time to time, but my experience is pretty limited.”  She shrugged.  “I could be.  I mean I have class in an hour so that’s the next logical stop.  Unless there’s something you want to do with it?” 

“I love you. A lot.” He kissed the top of her head. “But no.”

Anna chuckled and turned her head toward his affection.  “This is my improv final.  Not wearing it or anything.  But I can do that for you, if you want.” 

He left his cup on the counter and wrapped am arm around her. He wasn’t a naturally cuddly person, especially in the morning, but he thought this was about as nice as a morning could be. Not engaging in the world with her could easily be one of his favorite things.

“I think we can manage.” He’d never tried before, but the concept seemed easy enough. He hadn’t mastered a lot of meals that seemed like an excessive amount of work for just one person. Cooking for two wasn’t a lot different, but it was different enough to make him more open to trying something new.

This was probably more cuddling than she’d expected it, but she was definitely a natural cuddler so she was okay with it.  She set her cup aside so she didn’t spill and turned into him.  

“Probably.  And if we don’t, we can make something new we’ll never be able to duplicate.”  She said it brightly like that hadn’t happened once or twice and it wasn’t annoying when it happened.  Cooking a delicious dinner with someone, instead of by herself, was something she’d never complain about though, even if it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing when they got creative.   

“Not really my color,” he deadpanned. He was about 98.5% sure that was a joke regardless of her expression.

“If I can pull off ‘red’, you can pull off red.”