Work Text:
Rio pulls the zipper up to the top as far as she could reach. Staring back at herself in front of the dressing room mirror, her hands move down her body patting herself down and she adjusts the wig on her head to cover the dark waves of her hair.
“So this is what my life has come to…” she sighs.
Rio never thought that at 27, her dreams of becoming a botanist would be so far out of reach. Her college degree was still somewhere stuffed in a box in her father’s garage after she was forced to move back to Westview to help take care of him after his accident. That was two years ago. She had some side hustles, working for Ms. Lilia Calderu in her flower shop to help bring in some cash, but it turns out medical bills on top of her father’s other outstanding bills required more than the small weekly payment Lilia could afford to pay her. And since her father passed she really needed the extra income.
So yes, this was what her life had come to.
She was lucky to get this weekend gig, which meant she could still work at the flower shop in the week, keeping her weeknights open for some time to herself. Her new boss, Alice, actually needed someone full time, but after she explained her situation, the young woman conceded and agreed to let her only work weekends and the odd weeknight should one of her colleagues need to swap shifts.
So overall, it wasn’t the worst gig, except for the costumes. Never in her life had she imagined that this would be her job, respectfully of course. She just imagined herself working somewhere that involved a lot less yelling and grabby hands.
The fluorescent light above her flickered and she gave herself a once over one last time, checking that everything was in place and sighed as she reached for the handle on the door. Loud, horrible music blared in her ears and loud voices were straining to interact with each other over the music. The flickering lights around her felt disorientating as she moved through the bodies around her to the stage.
She took her position on the stage next to the others and waited for the announcement to come.
“Alright everyone, get ready for the Princesses!” Alice said in a deadpan voice over the microphone. Excited screams and whistles barreled over the familiar song she only knew thanks to the few hours of rehearsal in her living room. God, if her parents were alive to see that spectacle, she would’ve never been able to look them in the eye again. As graceful as her untrained body would allow her, she moved to the music in sync with the other princesses . She twirled and glanced and smiled as convincingly as possible until the incessant song finally ended.
The crowd in front of the stage clapped and screamed and she took a bow with the rest of the princesses and followed them off the stage to their designated tables where the group of probably now sticky grabby hands were waiting to grab and pull at her costume.
“You were really great,” a voice said from behind her. “The kids really loved it.”
Rio smiled at the woman, who was holding on to a little boy’s hand. The little boy, who had a paper crown on his head reading “Birthday Prince” was staring up at her with the biggest smile on his little face.
“Mama,” he said, pulling the woman down to his level, “Can I get a picture with Elsa? I already have one with Olaf, but I need one with Elsa!”
The woman smiled up at her apologetically, “Sorry, do you mind?” she asked, and suddenly Rio’s throat was dry and her heart did a flip in her chest. Looking at the woman again as she stood upright, she noticed that she was gorgeous. Her long dark wavy hair framed the sharp features of her face perfectly.
Roi blinked. “Oh yeah, uhm sure. I’d love to get a photo with Prince…?”
“Nicky,” the boy said excitedly.
“Prince Nicky.” Rio smiled.
Nicky jumped excitedly and climbed onto the chair next to Rio, who leaned in closer to him as they posed for the picture. After the woman took the first photo on her phone two other boys ran up to them and insisted on being in the next photos.
Rio smiled brightly as a few more photos were snapped of her and the small group of kids around her, and once the last picture was taken, the boy’s mother lowered the phone and Rio fought the blush rushing to her cheeks when she made eye contact with the bright blue eyes staring back at her.
“Thanks,” the woman said after the group of kids ran off to the ball pit. “He really loves Frozen. I’m sure, like me, you’re already sick of it.”
“I actually haven’t seen it. I had to learn that song last night.” Rio laughed.
“You’re joking?” she said. “You haven’t seen Frozen?”
“Should I have?” Rio asked curiously.
“Isn’t it a requirement here? This place is called Disney’s Party Palace. I would think the staff here had the appropriate training.”
“Nope,” Rio said, popping the P, “I would appreciate that you didn’t tell my boss.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” the woman smiled, and Rio had to fight another blush creeping up her neck. “Although, who am I to try and control what I dream of.” And to add another darker shade of red to her face, the woman ended their conversation with a wink and turned around to walk to a red headed woman who was trying her best to herd the kids running wild around them. Rio watched the two women interact with each other, the one laughing at the other while resting a hand on an arm. They were probably together, obviously the birthday boy’s mothers, she thought, and sighed a silent breath of disappointment.
“Elsa? Elsa. ELSA!” Rio startled. Fuck she forgot she was dressed as Elsa. She turned around to see who was calling her and saw Alice waving at her to come to the office.
“So, that wasn’t bad.” Alice said. “I think it went well for your first day.”
“Yeah,” Rio said, scratching her head through the itchy wig. “I hope so.”
“Believe me, it gets better. It still sucks balls, but you’ll get the hang of it.” Alice stared off somewhere behind Rio. “I just really hoped that the kids would have been over Frozen by now…”
Rio shrugged. “I don’t mind it.”
Alice pulled a face and frowned, “This is day one. I bet you’ll be wishing that too by the end of the month, Elsa.”
Rio couldn’t help but laugh. “Well I am grateful for the work. Thank you Alice.”
“No problem Rio, just promise me one thing. Please.”
“Okay,” Rio nodded.
“The parents are off limits. I cannot afford another scandal. And I am not lying, some of these mothers are relentless. So thanks to Ralph, I am down to only six dwarfs, because he couldn’t keep it in his little dwarf pants.” Alice rolled her eyes.
“Which one?” Rio asked.
“What?” Alice said, confused.
“Which of the seven did you lose? Grumpy? Happy? Or was it their lesser known cousin, Horny?” Rio laughed at her own joke.
“I mean it, Rio.” Alice said again, this time Rio actually took a step back from her tiny but intimidating boss.
“Okay, okay. Parents are off limits. Got it.” Rio repeated with her hands up in the air in her defense.
“Cool. So you get one drink from the soda fountain and a hot dog after your shift.” Alice said, waving her off. “Oh and I would stay away from the cheese sauce if I were you.”
Rio pulled up her nose. “Noted. Stay away from the parents and the cheese sauce. Got it.”
After a long shift involving another embarrassing costume change and an even more embarrassing performance on stage, Rio's first day at Disney’s Party Palace finally ended. As promised, she could get a soda and a hot dog from the kitchen after her shift. All the customers and their loud children left and the cleaning crew started picking up all the toys and cake covered paper plates that matted the floors.
Rio took a seat with her Coke and hot dog at the small table outside the party venue next to Alice, who was also tucking into her hot dog, sans cheese sauce.
“That was… intense.” Rio sighed, taking a long swig of her Coke.
“I told you, this isn’t as easy as it looks.” Alice said between bites of her food. “Some days I almost miss being a cop.”
“You were a cop?” Rio asked.
“Yeah, retired now. My mom used to own this place, so when she died I took over.” Alice said plainly.
“Do you miss it? Being a cop?” Rio asked with her mouth full of hot dog.
“Not one bit, I was a shitty cop. On the plus side, ringing in 40 screaming kids is way better than getting shot at.” Alice smirked.
“I think I would rather get shot.” Rio deadpanned.
Alice laughed and balled up her napkin to toss it in the trash next to them. “Hey, the hot dogs are good at least.”
Rio tossed her napkin and paper cup into the trash and gathered her things before getting up from the table to finally head home. She had icing and god knows what else covering any piece of open skin she could see and needed a shower and her bed desperately.
Rio walked back to her car, tugging her backpack over her shoulder.
“Elsa… Sorry Elsa!” she heard in the distance.
She suddenly remembered the voice and realized that yes, she was fucking Elsa. Rio stopped and turned to see the gorgeous woman from earlier the day running up to her.
“Hey,” Rio said. “Uhm, we’re closed…”
“Yeah I know,” the woman panted as she bent over, resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath. “Nicky… my son… forgot Olaf.”
“His what?” Rio asked, trying to hide the smirk on her face.
“Oh shit, I forgot you haven’t watched Frozen. It’s his stuffed snowman, Olaf. He left it inside and he will not stop crying so unless you want the murder of a beautiful 5 year old on your conscience, please tell me you have the keys to get inside. I need… to get… Olaf.” she pleaded breathlessly with the last three words.
“Uhm, I don’t have the keys, sorry, but I think Alice might still be here.” Rio said. She saw a little bit of relief spill over the woman in front of her. “Come, let's see if she’s still inside.”
Rio walked up to the entrance doors and knocked on the glass front doors. She saw a light spilling from where she knew Alice’s office was. Thankfully, Alice heard her knocking and walked over to open the door.
“Rio?” Alice asked, looking at her and the woman next to her.
“She came to get Omar.” Rio said.
“Olaf,” the woman corrected her.
“Sorry, what?” Alice asked. “We don’t…”
“My son left his stuffed toy, Olaf, here this morning. Can I please come inside to look for it?” she asked.
Rio could tell the woman next to her was getting frustrated. “Uhm, I’ll help.” Rio suggested and Alice let them in.
“There’s a lost and found in the back.” Alice said to the woman. “Rio can take you. Oh uhm, also,” Alice called, turning back to her, “I have to go actually. I’m late for a date, and this one will not say yes again if I miss it, so I am entrusting you with the keys to my… castle.” she gestured vaguely. “Please, I beg, do not lose it, I haven’t made copies yet since the last time. I’ll just get it from you before your shift tomorrow.”
Rio took the bunch of keys from Alice and promised to keep it safe till the next morning.
“Okay, remember Rio, stay away from… the cheese sauce.” Alice said, widening her eyes.
“Yup, I remember.” Rio said, pressing her lips together.
Alice bolted out of the door and Rio was left alone with the woman.
“Were we supposed to not eat the cheese sauce?” she asked.
“Apparently not.” Rio shrugged.
“Fuck, Wanda almost ate a whole bowl.” she laughed. “Oh well. She deserves it for pumping my kid full of sugar right before his midday nap. So… lost and found?”
“Oh shit, yes, okay follow me.” Rio said.
Rio led them to the back room where the lost and found bins were. Together they dug through the piles of small shoes, jackets and toys. Rio had no idea what she was looking for actually. “What does an Owen even look like?” Rio asked finally.
“It’s Olaf and it's a snowman.” the woman answered, hanging over the bar of the netted bin. “It’s not here.” she huffed disappointingly.
“Should we check the ball pit?” Rio asked.
“I guess we can.” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Nicky loves that stupid snowman.”
The two women stood frozen in front of the ball pit. It was an impossible task. The pit wasn’t small and it was probably deep enough for the balls to cover their knees. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, only this time, an Olaf in a ball pit.
“Fuck.” she heard from beside her.
“Well,” Rio said, “Only one way to do it.”
Rio climbed over the barrier and dove into the balls disappearing below a sea of reds, blues, greens and yellows. It smelled and she swore she felt something gooey touch her arm. She shook the feeling away, and popped her head out from under the balls. “Jump in, the water is great!” she joked, which earned her a loud giggle from the woman waiting outside of the ball pit.
“I didn’t bring my bikini.” she heard her tease.
“I wont look, promise.” Rio teased back.
“God, I almost hope it’s not in here, this place is a cesspool.” she said, climbing slowly over the barrier.
“I must admit, I felt something touch me when I got in, and I don’t think it was Oden.” Rio said.
“Olaf.” she corrected her again.
The two raked through the ball pit but didn’t feel any soft toy, only more questionably moist objects and quickly decided together to give up the search.
Rio helped her out of the pit and pulled a candy wrapper out of the woman’s hair. Together they walked to the dressing room to get some paper towels to wipe off some of the remnants of the ball pit and Rio followed the women back to the entrance of the Palace.
“Sorry we couldn’t find Oreo.” Rio said, locking the door and carefully putting the key in one of the zips of her backpack. The woman shook her head and laughed sweetly as they walked to the parking lot in silence. Her car was parked a few spots away from Rio’s.
“Well, I’ll just have to dig through Amazon tonight to get a replacement.” she said.
Despite the unknown horrors they had to endure, Rio couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that the evening was coming to an end.
“I’ll keep an eye out for it on my shift tomorrow.” Rio said, trying to prolong their encounter a bit longer.
The woman’s deep blue eyes found hers and the world around them seemed to hold its breath. Without thinking about it too much, Rio stepped closer and Rio saw the woman smiling warmly at her. A soft hand moved to cup her cheek and Rio closed her eyes as their lips met.
Sparks flew from behind her eyes. Her heart bolted out of her chest and her lungs fought for air as she leaned into the kiss. Rio pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, pressing the woman up against her car. She got lost in the softness of her lips, the smell of her perfume, the sound of her soft moans and she suddenly remembered her boss’ words. “Stay away from the parents and the cheese sauce.”
“Shit, sorry…the cheese sauce” Rio said, pulling away quickly.
The woman looked at her breathlessly as she took a safe step away from her. “What are you ta…”
“I uh, have to go. Please let me know when you find Otis.” Rio said, hurrying to her car and jumping in.
Rio skidded away, leaving the most beautiful woman she ever met… and kissed, fuck, in the the parking lot of the Disney Party Palace. Alice was going to kill her.
**********************
The next Saturday before her shift Rio stood in front of her locker putting away her backpack. She tried her best through the week to try and find out who the gorgeous woman she kissed a week ago was. The only clue she had was her son’s name, Nicky and her friend, who she really hoped wasn’t her girlfriend, Wanda.
Social media didn’t help one bit, and Westview, it turns out, wasn’t really that small. She even asked Lilia if she knew a Wanda since she practically knew everyone in town, but no luck. No one knew Wanda. Her only other option was to ask Alice who made the booking for Nicky’s birthday party last Saturday, but then she would have to have some explanation of needing to contact the woman without giving away that she totally didn’t stay away from the parents. She pulled on her latest character costume and readied herself for the long day of work, promising herself to come up with some excuse to ask Alice.
After the longest six hours of her entire career as a Disney character, Rio grabbed her after shift Coke, skipping the hot dog this time, and headed to the dressing room to grab her back pack before asking Alice for the other woman’s contact details. She tripped on the laces of her sneakers and tumbled down onto the floor.
“Fucking hell,” she moaned, pushing herself up off the floor, but just as she got up on her knee she spotted something white and fluffy hidden behind the lost and found bins. “Oleg!” she yelled and jumped up to run to the bins.
She couldn’t believe it, she almost cried from excitement and ran over to Alice’s office.
“Hey Alice,” Rio called out even before she reached her door.
“Slow your roll, big guy.” Alice said, holding out her hands to barricade herself.
“Sorry, I uh, need…” Rio took a breath and held up the snowman, “I found Olie.”
“Olaf.” Alice said. “So? Uhm, congratulations?”
“No Alice, I need to get it to… uhm Nicky. He loves this snowman.” Rio said, echoing the woman’s words from last week. “Do you maybe have the contact details of the person who made the booking for his party? I would really love to give him back his beloved snowman.”
“Rio I can’t just…” Alice said, shaking her head.
“Please Alice, you deal with these kids every day, you know how they get when they lose their favourite toy?”
Alice crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Rio. “I’m not allowed to do that. Sorry.” Alice said. “It’s against company policy to give out customer’s information.”
Rio’s shoulders fell disappointedly. “I understand.”
“I have another date tonight, so you’ll have to lock up again please.” Alice said, “And please remember to lock up the office and turn off the computer before you leave.” Alice smirked at Rio as she brushed past her leaving Rio alone in her office.
Wait, Rio thought. Did Alice just… Rio ran to the computer and searched through the booking details of the previous week and saw a booking for Prince Nicky . Bingo.
Rio saved the number under the booking in her phone and turned off the computer. She locked up the Palace and walked over to her car quicker than she probably should have, but she felt a sudden excitement burning up in her chest.
Rio: Hey, this is Rio, AKA Elsa, from the Party Palace.
Rio sat staring at her phone after sending the message. She still had to drive home, but she couldn’t wait until then. A few silent minutes passed, the woman was probably busy or thought she was some crazy stalker who stole her number off the company’s booking details, which yes, she technically was.
Nicky’s Mother: Hi Rio, AKA Elsa.
Rio hit her hand against the steering wheel in excitement.
Rio: I found the snowman.
Nicky’s Mother: No fucking way! I could kiss you! I have been living in hell since last week. Can you bring it to me, please. I will owe you anything you want.
Rio reread the message on her phone, specifically the “I could kiss you” part, when another message came through, this time a location. Rio checked the time, it was just past 8pm. Not too late. She clicked the link and saw the directions to the neighborhood right next to hers on her way home. Perfect.
Rio: I can come by now? Your place is on the way home.
Nicky’s Mother: If it’s no trouble.
Nicky’s Mother: Have you eaten yet?
Rio actually felt her stomach rumble, remembering that she skipped the staff hot dog after her shift.
Rio: No, but I can get something at home.
Nicky’s Mother: Please, I owe you.
With that, Rio started her car and followed the directions on her phone to the destination, with the snowman sitting in the passenger seat. She reached the driveway of a small house tucked between two large houses in the quiet neighborhood.
Rio got out of the car and walked up to the front door with the snowman in her hand. The door swung open and the beautiful woman from last week smiled brightly at her. She pulled Rio into a tight hug and Rio felt her body react to the warm embrace.
“I just can’t thank you enough!” she said, hugging her again.
“It’s uhm, it's nothing really.” Rio said, trying to act like she wasn't flailing. Rio handed the snowman to her and stepped inside the house.
“Nicky is asleep, and they just delivered my pizza like ten minutes ago, if you want some.”
Rio agreed before she could stop herself.
“Great, I’ll get us some drinks. Make yourself at home.” she gestured to the living room.
Rio walked over to the sofa slowly, taking in the warm decor in the home. Picture frames filled the walls and shelves of the woman and her son, and a lamp provided soft lighting to the room where the pizza box sat on the coffee table in the middle of the room.
“Sit, please.” she said, handing Rio a glass of wine. “I hope you like pepperoni.” she said sitting down next to her on the sofa.
She didn’t know this woman from a bar of soap but she felt at home instantly, like they have been best friends forever. They ate and drank their wine while getting to know each other more and before they knew it, Rio had her hand full of the soft waves of hair as they kissed and made out like teenagers on the sofa.
After hours have passed, Rio pulled herself away, “I uh… as much as I love this, I don’t want to move too quickly, so I think I need to go before I mess this up.”
Reluctantly they got up from the sofa and they walked to Rio’s car.
“Thanks for dinner.” Rio said, caressing her cheek and kissing her gently.
“Thanks for the snowman.” the woman said.
“Olaf.” Rio corrected her.
Both women laughed, “You remembered.” she said.
“What?” Rio asked in a daze, resting her forehead against hers.
“The name. You never got it right.” she said.
Rio smiled and suddenly she realized something, pulling her head away. “You know, I don’t even know yours.”
The beautiful woman smiled brightly, “Agatha.”
“I’d love to see you again, Agatha.” Rio smiled back.
“I’d love that, Rio.” Agatha said, kissing her again.
********************
Rio’s Sunday shift passed in a daze. She was useless to the world, barely talking, moving slower than usual. All she thought about was Agatha and their date in the next few hours. She packed the last of her things into her backpack and walked out of the dressing room to the exit, to wait for Agatha to pick her up for their date.
Agatha’s car pulled up and Rio walked over to her with a bounce in her step. Agatha got out of the car and ran up to her, kissing her right there in front of the Disney Party Palace.
“Hey gorgeous,” Rio greeted her.
“Hey yourself.” Agatha greeted back, kissing her again.
“Rio!” she heard Alice yell. “You promised!”
Rio turned her head away from Agatha to see the tiny woman glaring at them.
Rio laughed and kissed Agatha before running to the other side of the car to jump in.
“What was that about?” Agatha asked as she drove away.
“I didn’t stay away from the cheese sauce like I promised.” Rio smirked, taking Agatha’s hand in hers.