Jemma and Fitz waited on line to buy their first Disneyland Annual Passes. They had lived in Southern California long enough, spent days at Disneyland too often, for it to be normal that they didn't have passes. It was time. So every Saturday they ended up at the Disneyland Resort. It was a great way to relax after a long week of work. They never even minded waiting on line for their favorite attractions.
They were more than distracted, talking about the project they were working on, that it wasn't until halfway through It's A Small World After All that they noticed a girl on the seat behind them. Jemma saw her first. She tapped Fitz on the shoulder and pointed at her. The girl was lying down across the seat, her long hair obscuring her face. Jemma reached back and pulled the girl's hair back to make sure she was still alive. Fitz starting singing along to the holiday version of the repetitive song that was playing loudly through the speaker system.
The girl sat up quickly and grabbed Jemma's wrist. They looked into each other's eyes and the other girl's face softened. She slowly let go. Once Jemma regained her wrist she turned around to pay attention to the animatronics and the annoying song. Fitz was still singing along. About a minute later the girl behind them joined in. Jemma laughed and covered her ears. Fitz and the girl high fived.
Skye lived out of her van, but was crashing at a friend's place in Anaheim. For her birthday her friend had gotten her an Annual Pass. She knew it was a nice gesture but she also knew that he was trying to get her out of the house. She took the hint and went to Disneyland for a few hours every day. It took her less than a week to fall in love with the Disney magic.
After some conversation on the walk from Small World to Frontierland Jemma and Fitz realized they had nothing in common with Skye. They were living in completely different worlds. All they had was Disneyland. And so every Saturday the three of them would meet up. And after the sun set Jemma and Skye would sneak off while Fitz went on Astro Blasters at least five times, trying to beat his high score. They usually walked over to Tomorrowland Terrace to watch whatever band was playing that night. Sometimes they rode the monorail to Downtown Disney and back.
It was a few days before Christmas when the two girls ended up by the castle. Skye took Jemma's wrist again, though gently this time. Her mouth opened like she was about to speak. She was cut off by a loud, recorded voice. "We invite you to share in this special transformation as the very heart of Disneyland reflects the light of the holidays and becomes Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle." Skye and Jemma turned to face the castle. Dreamlike holiday music began to play and the lights on the castle flickered. Voices came on over the speakers but neither girl was paying attention. Skye's hand had moved from Jemma's wrist to intertwine itself with the other girl's. Jemma blushed and remained staring straight ahead. Slowly the castle began to light up until it looked like it was covered in shimmering icicles.
The song faded out and Jemma turned to face the girl whose hand she was holding. Skye's eyes had welled up with tears. Jemma squeezed Skye's hand and took a small step closer. Skye brought her other hand up to wipe a tear away but she didn't quite make it before Jemma leaned in and kissed her. Skye touched her hand instead to Jemma's cheek.
They were from different worlds, sure. But Disneyland was its own world. And in that kiss they felt like it had been created just for them.