You are going to give me a big head with all this flattery you know
Who: Kate Kane and Elsa, also Pepper Potts What: Date #2 When: New Years Eve Where: Stark Party Status: Complete Rating: PG-13
Kate had been pleased with Elsa’s reaction to her dress. She went with something in a different shade of red, but because this was a Stark Party, it had a plunging neckline. She stared at herself in the mirror after applying her lipstick, and fingered the green beret symbol on her arm. Even worse was the Navy star compass on her back. They’d both come in while she’d slept and she wasn’t sure how she’d explain that. ‘Oh I decided to get tattoos in the past week’ was probably better than ‘dream stuff.’
It wasn’t that she hated them. She loved them ,and they made her feel more like herself. But explanations might be difficult. At least they both had meaning to her.
She headed out to the garage, this time picking out the Mustang, and sped off to Elsa’s.
Elsa had been pleased and somewhat relieved when Kate had agreed to join her at a New Year party, she had to admit she’d been jealous and a little hurt when she’d seen Kate flirting on the net with another woman. But she could put all of that out of her mind tonight.
She’d chosen an incredibly daring dress but she’d heard about Stark parties and Kate had said she’d like someone stunning on her arm. Elsa wasn’t sure that was an accurate description but she had to admit she felt good in it.
When Kate arrived she answered the door with a slightly shy smile and a soft “Hey”
Kate couldn’t help flirting, but she’d felt guilty the whole time. She blamed her hormones, and a small self-destructive streak. She shifted on her feet while she waited at the door, and then lifted her eyes, and stood there, mouth hanging open a little bit. She recovered quickly. “Wow...I really will have the most stunning date!”
“Well you did request stunning and this is my attempt” she grinned, blushing slightly at the look Kate was giving her, it made her feel rather good. If she was honest she’d picked out the more daring dress hoping to take Kate’s mind off any other woman. “Is it too much?” she asked more seriously.
“Attempt? You succeeded, Elsa.” Mission accomplished. Kate’s mind was anywhere but on other red-heads. “What? No, no. It’s...distracting. In a good way. You look beautiful.” She was being teased, and she loved it.
Elsa smiled at that, definitely mission accomplished. She was very much looking forward to this evening. “Thank you, you look incredible yourself” she said, eyes taking in Kate and very much liking what she saw.
Kate held out her hand for Elsa’s. “Shall we show Tony Stark how it’s done?” She wanted to touch her (everywhere) and she’d be perfectly happy skipping the party, but one step at a time. She’d probably screw this up, so she wanted to enjoy herself while she could.
Grabbing her shawl and bag Elsa nodded and took Kate’s hand, sliding her fingers through the other womans. “I think we rather have to, looking as good as we do together” Elsa replied with a smile.
Kate’s eyes slipped down Elsa’s body as she squeezed her hand, and she guided her down to the muscle car. “Something a little more daring tonight. I hope you approve. I think it matches your Dress.” Oh sweet lord why with the gaps?
“Oh my goodness, what an amazing car” Elsa said, her eyes lighting with excitement as she grinned at Kate, “I definitely approve and it looks like I did chose the right outfit”
Kate opened the door to help Elsa in. If her hand accidentally brushed along some of Elsa’s exposed skin, that wasn’t her fault. Then she got in and started the engine with a roar. “I wish the roads weren’t so icy. That’s just so wrong for California, and I can’t drive the way I want to.”
It definitely wasn't Kate's fault, but Elsa didn't mind one bit. It was an unexpected bonus to the dress after all. "It'll be gone soon, the weather system is returning to normal" she said, "which means it will thaw"
“I’m disappointed yet not.” She reached over to brush her knuckles along Elsa’s cheek, and then couldn’t help but touch her hair. Just once. To see what it felt like. She dropped her hand and looked innocently while she shifted gears and pulled out into the street. Despite her words, she did drive faster than was legal.
"I'll miss the snow a little but I have to admit I'll like it when it goes back to normal. It's been a bit of a puzzle as to where it suddenly came from" Elsa said her voice slight wavering as she blushed when Kate touched her face and hair. Elsa noticed the speed but said nothing, instead enjoying the excitement of the drive.
“Thing about Orange County is puzzling things seem to happen,” Kate said. She had a white knuckle grip on the stick shift, mostly because she didn’t know where else to put her hand and still trust it to behave. This was a new and unique experience for her and she found herself really liking it. Hating it. Also liking it. “Anything strange happen with you?”
"Yes apparently so. Still I guess it could be worse" Elsa said, she assumed Kate's grip was due to the weather conditions and not anything else. "Nothing strange so far. I'm waiting for these dreams to start, I've been warned everybody gets them but so far nothing. Have you experienced anything yet? Dreams or otherwise"
Thank god Elsa had brought it up. Kate smiled and shrugged one bare shoulder. “Kind of. I dream I’m a stronger woman, but a woman who’s experienced a lot more loss and pain at the same time. I like to focus on who she is rather than what she went through.”
Elsa listened fascinated, "Are they incredibly vivid? I've heard that they almost aren't like dreams but something more. I think that sounds like a good way to think of it, so who is she? The you in your dreams"
“They’re really vivid. Like a lucid dream but you can’t control them. In a lot of ways as real as this.” She moved her hand to Elsa’s leg and rubbed, then pulled it away. “She’s...I’m...someone special. Not special in that I was born that way, but special who I make myself to be. There’s injustice in the world and I fight against it.”
Elsa was going to respond but found her mouth dry after Kate removed her hand, "Pretty damn real then" she finally managed though it sounded more breathless than she would have liked. She smiled then, "A kick ass woman. Sounds like you could be straight from my favourite stories"
“Maybe…” She was reluctant to go into too much detail, mostly for Elsa’s safety. She couldn’t just come out and tell her that she was a superhero. Not when she wanted to replicate that life here. She’d keep her secrets, and keep her friends safe.
“You’re probably something elegant. If you dream.”
Assuming it just wasn’t something she wanted to talk about Elsa left it at that, she’d heard some people had dreams which were hard or unpleasant to deal with so she didn’t want to pry in case that was so with Kate.
“Thank you. I have no idea, it’d be nice to be more adventurous than I am here but knowing my luck I’ll be a librarian or something” she grinned.
“You know you’d be a very hot librarian.” The purr was audible in Kate’s voice. “Just need glasses and your hair pulled up into a bun. Just a few stray strands….”
“Are we moving away from dreams and stepping into fantasy now?” Elsa replied, turning slightly in her seat causing the dress to slip and reveal more of her thigh, “Do you have a secret thing for librarians I should know about?”
Kate’s eye cause the slip and she bit her lip, hard. “Maybe. I have a less secret thing for rebellious ladies like yourself.” Cool it, Kate.
Elsa laughed, “Well that’s definitely an incentive to continue my newly discovered rebellious streak then”
“Keep wearing things like that,” Kate said, as though it was a warning, though she wasn’t clear what the warning was. She was relieved when they got to the Stark complex, because Elsa was distracting her so much that she was afraid she’d get them in a wreck. The chilly air was a relief when she got out of the car.
A warning or a promise, either way it sent a bit of a thrill through Elsa. She got out of the car and pulled her shawl around her bare arms, “Ready to make an entrance?” she grinned at Kate.
Kate held her arm out for Elsa. “An entrance, then I really hope you know how to dance.” She winked at her.
“I might know a move or two” Elsa replied taking Kate’s arm with a smile.
Beaming, Kate led her inside. The party was already in swing - after all it was best to be fashionably late. She separated from Elsa long enough to get them some drinks and talk to a few people she knew. Despite that, she kept looking over at her date, scarcely believing it.
When Kate went to get drinks Elsa had been worried she’d end up standing there all alone but she was happy to discover people were friendly and she was engaged in conversation almost instantly. Looking beyond the person she was talking to she caught Kate’s eye and smiled before returning her attention to the conversation.
A thrill shot through Kate’s stomach, and she excused herself from a friend, before silding back over to Elsa. She handed her a drink and simply put her arm around the blonde’s waist, in a not-so-subtle declaration of just who’s date she was.
Elsa took the drink with a soft thanks and let herself lean against Kate slightly as she felt the arm slide round her waist. Once the guy she had been talking to left she looked at Kate, “Seems like this party is pretty popular”
“It’s Tony Stark, that’s to be expected. If anyone knows how to throw a party, it’s him. However.” And she grinned at this, her hand resting on part of the dress that was bared. She couldn’t tell if Elsa’s skin was extra hot or extra cool, only that her own hand was burning up. “The only reason it’ll succeed is because of the woman behind the curtain. Ms. Potts is probably around here somewhere…”
Before Elsa could reply another voice entered the conversation from behind them, “You’re far too kind Ms Kane” Pepper said with a grin and a wink to Kate as she came to stand in front of them and held her hand out to Elsa, “I don’t believe we’ve met, I’m Pepper Potts” she introduced herself.
“Elsa Arendelle” she smiled as she shook her hand, “It’s a wonderful party”
Kate beamed again, and gave Pepper a wink. “I only speak the truth. You are, after all, the glue that holds everything together, by every account I’ve ever read about. Or seen.”
She was tempted to make a bet on when Tony would embarrass himself.
“Well with Tony somebody has to make sure things get done” Pepper laughed, “I’m sure he’ll entertain us all at some point this evening”
“If he still has pants on by midnight I’m out fifty-bucks,” Kate replied smoothly. Her finger trailed a circle on Elsa’s skin. “Any interesting plans for the New Year or is all that business secrets?”
“You and me both” Pepper smirked, she’d had a couple of drinks and felt happy with the way things are going so far which means she was beginning to relax and enjoy herself. “Oh I couldn’t possibly say”
Elsa happily listened to them talk, Pepper seemed nice and was obviously good at her job if she’d organised this party. She felt a shiver run through her body as Kate’s finger stroked her skin.
“I’m contractually obligated as a step-daughter to extend offers of cooperation for Hamilton Arms.” She was never sure if Stark still did weapons, but she had to ask. “Not that I’m expecting you to say yes to anything.” She winked.
"Then I will thank you on behalf of Stark Enterprises and leave it at that" she smiled with a nod, "Now I'm sure Elsa has listened to us long enough so I will leave you to enjoy the party together. It was lovely meeting you"
Elsa smiled, "You too" she said as Pepper left them, "She was nice" she smiled at Kate.
“She’s a good person.” Kate finished her drink and turned to face Elsa. She couldn’t stop herself from touching her cheek again. “Dance?”
Leaning into the touch Elsa nodded, "Yes let's dance" she agreed before finishing her own drink.
Kate glided across the floor with Elsa. "The last dancing I did was more of a bump and grind at a club. I'll refrain from going too crazy." Her grin was wicked and her hands even more so as they slid up and down Elsa's sides and hips. She was getting bolder.
"Maybe in the new year we can go to a club together and you won't have to refrain from going crazy" Elsa said with a sultry smile, her arms winding around Kate’s neck.
Licking her lips, Kate nodded her head. “I’d like that. You really are loosening up, aren’t you Miss Elsa. I wonder why that is.” She didn’t look guilty in the slightest.
"I think I might be being affected by a good influence" she replied, of course it helped that she'd had a drink and that Kate was looking so very good.
“I’ve never been called a good influence before,” Kate replied. She used a hand on Elsa’s hips to pull her body flush against her own. She thought the blonde looked like she belonged in places like this, and she honestly thought she could stand to have her on her arm at all kinds of high class functions.
"Good in my eyes" Elsa replied grinning before tightening her arms to hold herself close to Kate, "maybe somewhat naughty in others" she allowed, not minding that idea at all. Something had awoke within her when she had gone out with this wonderful and exciting woman, something Elsa was beginning to embrace.
Some red strands moved onto Kate's face as she leaned forward. She pressed her forehead against Elsa's. Her grin was a little nervous, but she replied, "I'll have you know I'm holding back out of respect for your wishes."
Elsa smiled, reaching up to brush the hair from Kate's face and letting it slide over her fingers. It really was the most beautiful color. "Thank you" she smiled, "I promise you'll be rewarded for such good behaviour" she tried to make it teasing but it came out rather breathless.
Knees actually going weak, Kate opened her mouth, but no response was forthcoming. Elsa had managed to disarm her with just a few words, and she wondered how close to midnight it really was, because she was afraid one of them would turn into a pumpkin. She finally found her voice and whispered. "Don't promise anything you're not comfortable with."
Smiling Elsa wondered how she'd been lucky enough to find someone like Kate, she was sweet and exciting and Elsa was very happy being with her. "I'm comfortable with kissing you at midnight so I can promise that will happen"
“Oh fantastic,” Kate breathed. “You’re so stunningly beautiful that…” Control was an issue! She pulled her head back, needing air. “I think you’re amazing.”
"Then we seem to be in agreement because I think you're amazing too" Elsa replied, "Beautiful, daring, sweet, rebellious, just incredible really"
Great. Now she was going to blush again. "I'm usually a lot more smooth then this, I'll have you know." She rested her hand on Elsa's left side again, needing to feel her skin there. "I blame you. Entirely."
“I quite like that” Elsa replied, “Being the reason for you being flustered I mean. I’ll happily take the blame for that” a small shiver ran through her body as Kate’s hand came to her skin once more.
Kate leaned in, and brushed her lips against Elsa's cheek. Lightly enough to avoid leaving lipstick, but with enough pressure so that the woman didn't think she'd imagined it.
Elsa smiled at the brush of lips and carefully tightened her arms around Kate’s neck, leaning closer she placed her own kiss on Kate’s neck before embracing the woman properly.
She could live with the hugging right now. She rarely showed such self restraint in public any more but for Elsa she was making the effort. Even if she was going to feel the ghost of the blonde's lips on her neck all night. "Thank you for taking the chance..."
“I really should be the one thanking you for taking a chance on me” Elsa said pulling back a little to look at Kate, “I do appreciate you being patient with me”
"I get the impression you're like a book that lets everyone see the cover, but hides what's within. I kind of want to crack the binding." And that sounded so incredibly stupid that Kate winced.
Elsa, however, found it delightful as she laughed a little, “I can’t say I’ve ever heard myself being described like that but I like the meaning” she replied.
Kate had any number of things she wanted to do to Elsa, especially when she laughed like that. "There are a lot of ways I could describe you, but it will be next year by the time I finish."
“You are going to give me a big head with all this flattery you know” Elsa replied, blushing.
"Flattery is truth," Kate assured her. She winked and spun her around a bit as the song changed.
Elsa laughed once more as she was spun around, her body automatically moving correctly as they danced a while. She’d had lessons at boarding school but had thought she had forgotten them by now, it appeared muscle memory lasted longer than she realised.
The red-head enjoyed it. She liked the way Elsa moved, sensing there was a tigress underneath her skin just waiting to pounce. Kate could totally get that. She understood having emotions and actions under control. She also understood what it felt like to finally open the flood gates.
Kate had a public face, the silly playgirl the world saw, but Elsa was getting under her skin and making her show the stuff underneath. Dig much deeper and she'll hit steel, and then Kate would have to decide if she could afford to let her in the rest of the way.
It was true, Elsa had learnt to master her emotions as a child and keep rigid control of herself. But Kate had very quickly been able to see through that and, somewhat worryingly, Elsa found herself enjoying the newfound freedom she was being shown.
Elsa had never really seen the public image of Kate, so maybe that was why she was able to see so much more of the true woman. And what she saw she liked very much.
The next song finished, and Kate led Elsa over to get them some drinks. "What would you like?" She didn't know if Elsa even drank, or if she'd prefer water or punch. For herself she got a cocktail, then positioned herself so she could check Elsa out while she decided what she wanted. A hell of a woman. Kate sipped at her drink.
Elsa didn’t drink much but she did enjoy a drink occasionally. Despite that though the cocktail menu and general array of drinks was almost overwhelming, she glanced at the other woman and grinned as she moved closer, “Can I?” she gestured towards the drink and pulled the straw towards herself so she could try it, “That’s nice” she said, “The same please” she told the server.
Kate flushed, then took another sip. Indirect kiss. She could live with that. She swallowed a giggle before it could escape, and ended up snorting in some of the drink. She coughed.
Elsa looked concerned as she placed her hand on Kate’s back, “Are you okay?” she asked, not realising what had caused Kate’s coughing fit.
"Just had...it's..." She wiped her mouth and shook her head. "I'm okay. Just accidently snorted my drink." She leaned back against Elsa's hand. It was right about where her compass star tattoo was exposed and it felt wonderful.
Watching her for a moment Elsa slowly smiled once she was sure Kate was okay. Her drink was placed in front of her and Elsa used her free hand to reach it, leaving her other one at Kate’s back. Her fingertips were moving gently across the smooth skin, she had noticed Kate’s tattoos immediately but when the other woman had said nothing she had remained quiet. She was however, intensely curious about their sudden appearance.
Kate was discovering (rediscovering?) how good it felt for a woman's fingers to move like that, especially when they hit the inked part of her skin. It made her feel exposed. She wasn't sure if she was okay with that but she wasn't going to ask Elsa to stop, either. She exhaled. "Do you want to go outside and get some air?"
Elsa nodded, “That’s a good idea” she nodded, placing her now empty glass on the bar next to Kate’s. It was feeling rather warm inside, though she was sure it wasn’t all because of the partygoers.
"This way." There was an open balcony that looked out over the city. The air was chilly but the skies were clear and Kate felt a little more clearheaded without the stuffiness of the party to make her head foggy. She turned towards Elsa, wanting to ask her more about herself, but swallowed. The light of the moon was making her glow faintly.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Elsa said looking out over the snow covered city, “The snow makes it look almost like some kind of fairy tale land” she turned to Kate with a smile.
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” she said, still staring at Elsa. “The city. I mean. Too.” She rested her hand on top of Elsa’s and managed to look away from her again. She felt like she was 16 and trying to talk to her crush.
Elsa turned her hand so their fingers were linked, “I never thought I would be this happy to be back here again but right now I’m very glad to be here”
"Do you plan on sticking with the station? Or do you have other ambitions?" Kate realized that talking about the weather with Elsa might actually be a real thing they'd do.
"It was supposed to be a favour to my father but I've discovered that I actually rather enjoy it" Elsa admitted, "I'm not sure about long term. I want to travel, experience different cultures and climates"
"I haven't traveled nearly enough." Kate trailed her finger up Elsa's wrist and forearm. "But maybe I can take you somewhere sometime."
Elsa visibly shivered at the touch but her smile remained, "A trip would be nice" she said, her voice soft and sweet, "our own adventure"
“I’ll think something up. It doesn’t even need to be very far or for very long.” Kate had a few places in mind. She’d always wanted to visit Mexico City, for example.
“Then I will leave myself in your capable hands” Elsa replied, thinking herself mad but enjoying it nonetheless.
“Must you phrase it that way?” Kate asked, laughing. Her hands found the woman’s waist again and pulled her close. She was suddenly warm again.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. It’s the perfect phrase I think” Elsa giggled, before her breath caught as their bodies touched and she too felt the increase in temperature.
“My hands are capable. I don’t think you’d be disappointed.” Kate’s hands illustrated the point with lazy circles and caresses. Once again she was grateful this was public, as she was pretty sure she’d ruin things with a lack of self control right now.
“It never crossed my mind that I would be” Elsa replied, stroking her own hands along Kate’s shoulders and hair. It was the most beautiful color, Elsa was rather fascinated by it.
She started to grin as Elsa’s hands moved along her skin and into her hair. She didn’t know what it was, but Elsa fascinated her. It wasn’t just being turned on, or attracted or even intrigued by the way she spoke. And walked. And that slight quirk of her eyebrows that made Kate’s legs weak.
Okay maybe it was all of that. “I guess I’ll have to live up to that.”
“You know you will” Elsa told her, “Look at how amazing you’ve been already. I never imagined I’d be at a party, in this dress with a beautiful woman on New Years eve. But here I am. All thanks to you”
Kate couldn’t say that she never imagined being at a party with a beautiful woman, but she wasn’t sure she ever imagined it was with a girl like Elsa. “Well. I do try.” She stroked Elsa’s cheek, then pulled out her phone to check the time. “Almost midnight. Did you know if the first word you say when you wake up in the morning is ‘rabbit’, you’ll have good luck all year? Although,” And here Kate couldn’t resist flirting, “I’ve also heard if the first word you say is my name, then you’ll have really good luck all year.”
“Then I had best go to bed thinking of you so that your name is on my lips when I wake up. Don’t you think?” Elsa replied, “Although I’m fairly certain that it’s a guarantee that I will be dreaming of you” she blushed.
Leaning against the railing was the only reason Kate didn’t fall right over. She tilted her head back to look up at the sky and hide the blush on her face. Damn. That got turned right back on her. She was impressed and quite a bit ecstatic about that.
“Are you okay?” Elsa asked as Kate leant on the railing, her immediate thought was that she had said something wrong. Had she gone too far? Was she coming across as too much of a tease? It came so easily to her with Kate and the other woman had seemed receptive.
"I'm good. Great. Fantastic." Kate actually giggled a little and covered her mouth. "You're amazingly sexy. I'm not usually off my footing like this around a woman I'm attracted to."
“Is it wrong of me to like that I put you off balance?” Elsa asked, “Only because you do the same to me” she explained and before she could say anything more she heard the partygoers inside beginning the ten second countdown to midnight.
“It’s not wrong.” Kate brushed aside some of Elsa’s hair as the countdown passed five. She leaned in, but left it up to Elsa to make the connection and decide if she really did want this.
She did. She'd wanted it the moment she saw Kate looking so beautiful and as she leaned in to brush their lips together it felt so right. Her arms tightened around Kate as she let out a little gasp at the sensations pinging through her.
The red-head loved when a kiss sent charges down her spine. When her lips tingled and her body molded against the other woman’s. There were few things as good in life as that and Elsa was all of that. Soft lips and smooth skin under her hands, and she wasn’t going to let her go any time soon.
Elsa didn't want her to let go, if she did she was afraid she might fall over. Her legs were wobbly, her mind was singing and she was losing herself in the feel of Kate, quite happily losing herself too.
Kate let out a soft groan, and nipped lightly at Elsa’s lower lip as she ended the kiss. She didn’t want to stop, but air was necessary for life and her hands had started to disobey their orders to stay put. She looked into Elsa’s blue eyes. “Happy New Year.”
Elsa knew her eyes probably looked glazed and she no doubt wore a goofy expression on her face but she didn't care in that moment as she smiled at Kate, let her hands stroke the skin under them and replied, "Happy New Year"