A/N Hullo all. I feel like this is different than usual, but that might be because I'm finishing it rather early into the morning. The story did not go in a direction that I anticipated. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it. Characters ain't mine, dear ones.
The coffee shop was dark, and Anna swayed behind the counter, drifting between reality and dreams. The place was empty; a soulless abyss intending to drag her down into meaningless nothingness.
Anna never drank, but given the current circumstances, she was seriously toying with the idea. She would have taken anything to make this endless shift even the slightest bit more entertaining.
These days didn't usually bother her. The clouds rolled in waves outside the windows, and the sky behind them grew dark. On any other day, she would have lost herself in them, dancing in a fantasy of wild horses or over-exuberant reindeer.
Today haunted her, however, and she found all of her energy going in to not face planting on the counter, as she yawned and bemoaned her fate.
She told herself that her state had nothing to do with her cellphone, hidden under the counter, ever so empty of messages.
That had nothing to do with it at all. She scowled down at the thing, feeling surly in her neediness.
What she would have given for a distraction. Her shift didn't end for another three hours, and with most of the students off campus, business at the shop operated at a crawl. The café was blissfully, terribly empty, and Anna would have bet her entire paycheck that it would remain so as the hour got later.
"Hello, gorgeous." The shout came through the door as Olaf barged in, all colors and volume.
"What do you want?" Anna moaned, rubbing her eyes and standing up straight, wincing as her back cracked.
"Well, aren't we in a good mood today?" Olaf said, leaning casually against the counter. "Did somebody not get enough sleep last night?"
"It's not my fault your extra bed is lumpy as hell." Anna muttered, punching him good-naturedly.
"Yeah, well it's not my fault you decided to crash at my place for so long." He teased back, smiling wide and bright. "Coming back tonight?"
"My stuff's still there, isn't it?" The girl perked up, if only a little. "I haven't made my way through all your movies, anyway. I have to do something on a Friday night."
"Poor baby can't get a date, can you?" Olaf simpered. The blow that Anna directed at him hurt a bit more this time around. He laughed and danced away from the counter.
"Not my fault, really." She said begrudgingly. "Mr. 'Mountain Man' is a terrible texter."
"Ah, one of those, is it?" Olaf said sympathetically. "I understand, I really do. They're the worst."
"Yes, they are." Anna complained. "I need a drink. I don't even drink, and I need a drink. Please help me." She opened her eyes wide and pouted, looking for all the world a dejected puppy.
Olaf laughed and sat up on the counter, rubbing the poor girl's back as she rested her head back down on the counter. "Poor baby." He crooned affectionately. "Maybe we can get you a date. We can try?"
"With mountain man, or someone else?" Came the muffled response.
"Sweetie, do you really think I've got someone else up my sleeve? Just about everyone I know would—" Olaf paused, and smiled. "Oh. I've got an idea."
Anna looked up, and upon seeing the smile creeping across her friend's face, promptly moaned and smushed her face back into the counter.
"Nothing too elaborate, alright?" She said, to the sound of her friend's diabolical laughter.
"Don't worry, honey." He said affectionately. "You'll appreciate it before the night is out."
Three hours and a lifetime of banter later, the two departed the coffee shop, Anna nearly dancing with joy and anxiety. Olaf had remained mysteriously silent on his scheme, despite all of Anna's affectionate begging and pleading.
It was only upon returning to the flat that he revealed his plan.
If it had been anyone else, Anna would have immediately refused.
But it was Olaf, and she loved him in a way only a half-adopted, not-precisely sister could, so she agreed. This led to a jubilant celebration from the tall, pale man, and a decorating procedure that lasted far too long.
The dress code for gay bars on cold, December nights was as foreign to Anna as anything she could have ever possibly imagined.
XXX
Hours later, Olaf stood like a gleaming statue of ice and warmth in a suit of silver and white outside of the bathroom door. Anna, on the inside, sat before a too large mirror, staring at a reflection that gleamed and refracted beyond her control.
Things had been going so well. She was nearly ready, shimmering beneath a layer of make-up. Now, she stood, frozen, with a stick of eye-liner shaking in her hand.
"I can't do it." She whispered, closing her eyes.
"Anna?" The door opened, and Olaf entered, watching carefully as she shook before the mirror. With gentle hands, he removed the eyeliner, and turned her to face him directly.
"Oh, darling." His eyes went soft, and he cupped her face gently. "It's okay." Bringing the young woman close, he looked her dead in the eye. "I promise you." He said, firmly. "It's okay." Anna whimpered and buried her face into his chest, hands trembling.
They stayed like that for a moment, statues of hopelessness and determination.
"Look at me." Olaf commanded softly. Anna did as she was told, her bright eyes gone dull. Carefully, Olaf began to apply her eyeliner.
They stayed there in silence, as Olaf reached out for other magical devices: blush, eye shadow, and some of his own make up that he kept hidden away.
When Anna turned to face the mirror again, sparks of life re-entered her eyes. She smiled up at the pale man beside her, who patted her shoulders affectionately. Her red hair had been complemented by greens and blues swirling across her face, with her mane shone like frozen fire.
"Thank you." She whispered, leaning into the man.
"Beautiful girl." Olaf smiled, pulling her into a hug. "Come on. Let's go show you what a real good time looks like."
XXX
The place they went to was madness brought to life. Everywhere Anna looked, there was color. There were zebra stripes on hot pink walls, and counters lined with alcohol. People, costumed and make-up'd so thoroughly that no one knew who was real and who was not, danced wildly and without abandon.
"Not what you expected, was it?" The man at her side was on fire, white suit shining against red hair, brilliant against smog and sound. Anna felt a smile pull inexplicitly over her face as she took it all in.
"I think I love it." She said softly.
The world was wild and uncontrolled, and she adored it.
A man in reindeer antlers ran by on her left, dragging the hand of another man adorned with jingle-bells. On the dance floor, a woman in feathers was pressed against another woman, who had tiger stripes drawn elegantly across her face.
Reality seemed to unravel around her as Anna stared into the carnival. She wandered aimlessly through the crowds, drifting in between a world of dreams and a world of reality.
"What are you doing here?" The voice behind her ask, as she stumbled into a chair, successfully shaking her from her revelries. She turned, toppling onto a bar stool, and looked up in shock.
Kristoff, all blonde and muscle and plaid, grinned widely at her with a drink in his hand.
"What?!" Anna shrieked and nearly fell off the stool. A hand wrapped itself around her wrist and pulled her forward, back to stability.
"Careful." A casual smile met her startled features as she righted herself. "You fall down, and they'll all trample you to death."
"No kidding." Anna laughed nervously. "Do you work here?"
Kristoff offered her what could be described as a sarcastic smirk. "No, I'm just covering for the man who usually does." He said, passing the drink that had once been in his hand down the bar. "Of course I do."
"That's—unexpected." Anna said, leaning forward.
"Yeah, I know." Kristoff replied, hand running through his hair. "I didn't want to bring it up. It's a bit embarrassing, sometimes."
"But why?" Anna asked, looking back out to the pulsating crowd. "This place is fantastic!"
"You like it?" Kristoff smiled again, turning away to begin another drink. "I didn't think this was your kind of joint. And that fact that I work in a gay bar isn't something I'd casually mention over a text."
"I didn't think it was your thing, either." She replied snarkily. "You've only texted me a few times, anyway, goose. Seems we can't judge books by their covers, can we?"
Kristoff chuckled and turned back to the counter, holding an empty mason jar in front of him. "Yes, I know." He said sheepishly. "I am sorry about that. I've just been busy. Finals and work and—well, everything." With a duck of his head, he recovered. "Do you drink?" he asked, filling the jar with some indistinguishable liquid.
"Oh, no." Anna shook her head vigorously. "I'm here with Olaf to make sure he doesn't hurt himself. Or, you know, go home with any random stranger."
"You're his wingman!" Kristoff crowed. "That's brilliant!"
"Thanks?" Anna grinned, and the mason jar flew past her, only to arrive in the hands of a cheering, colorful individual at the end of the bar.
"Any time." Kristoff grinned.
The world began to spin with color and lights, and the crowd began to roar behind them. An explosion sounded from above, and glitter fell down onto the crowd.
Anna looked up and cheered with the rest, standing haphazardly and spinning as glitter stuck itself to her arms, face, and sealed its kiss against her skin.
Olaf, alone and free on the dance floor, took it in the face, got it stuck to his teeth, and let it infiltrate his soul.
The masses around them cheered, faded, shook, and roared.
Kristoff stood back, bottle in his hand, and took it all in with naught but a smile on his face.
The moment passed, and the wildness returned. Time unfroze, and Anna stumbled over her feet, tumbling back into the bar.
"Are you sure you haven't had anything to drink?" Kristoff asked, eyeing her carefully.
"Scout's honor." She said, grinning through a layer of glitter. "So. What are you making now?"
"Mint julep." Kristoff said, another mason jar appearing in his hand. "My specialty."
"What's it taste like?" Anna asked, taking her seat on a bar stool once again.
"Well," Kristoff began. "I can't really say, because I haven't really tried one before. It's not my favorite thing to drink, honestly. But according to everyone else, it's fantastic."
"What do you drink?" Curiosity was getting the better of her, and Anna scooted closer.
Kristoff laughed and passed the drink to a man over Anna's shoulder. "Don't tell anyone," he said, leaning in confidentially. "But I like to mix my stuff. Vodka and carrot juice. Absolute best thing on the planet."
"Do a lot of people do that?" Anna grinned at him, confused.
"Not that I've heard." Kristoff said casually. "But they haven't discovered its awesomeness yet."
The woman hesitated, glancing between the dance floor and the counter. "Do you think I could try it?" she asked softly.
Kristoff looked up, surprised. "Yeah." He said, after a moment. "But aren't you supposed to be watching out for Olaf?"
"Kristoff!" A shout echoed across the hall, and the overly-tall man came flouncing up to the bar, a far shorter companion at his side. "I didn't know you worked here!" Olaf said gleefully, following up with a wink.
"You liar." Kristoff shot back. "You visit all the time. You started harassing me after I came into the coffee shop."
"I would never." Olaf gasped, putting his hand to his heart while his companion giggled at his side. "Why would I do such a thing? Certainly not because you're hopeless and can't make moves for yourself, not even after giving a girl your phone number."
The shade of red on Kristoff's face was deepened by the club lights, and he glowered at the pale man, who looked far too pleased with himself. Anna sat between them, hiding her mouth to prevent her giggles from escaping.
"Are you encouraging my poor Anna to drink?" Olaf asked, after a beat of amused silence.
"Of course not." Kristoff scowled. "Though she did say she was curious."
"Anna!" Olaf shouted, looking at her sternly. The young woman giggled up at him, sides shaking. "You always said I'd be the first person you drank around." Olaf continued, acting hurt. "Now look at you, pandering away your drinking virginity to this—this slut!"
"Hey!" Kristoff shouted, as Anna exploded with laughter.
"You know what, mister." Kristoff said, turning his back to the duo. "You're not getting your special tonight." He grinned, pulling out a glass from the hangers. "I'm giving it to her, instead."
"Just make sure you get consent." Olaf said teasingly, wrapping his arms more tightly around his companion. "Stay safe, Anna." He whispered dramatically. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." With a wink, he disappeared back into the fray, companion trailing in his wake.
"What's his special?" She turned back and asked, as a glass appeared before her.
"He's pitiful, really." Kristoff rolled his eyes. "PB and Juicer, it's called." Casually, he lined the glass with what appeared to be strawberry jelly. "It's nothing strong, don't worry." He continued. "And it's sweet-ish, so you might like it."
Anna looked at the glass cautiously as Kristoff filled it, then lined the rim with peanut butter. Tentatively, she brought it to her lips, and took a long sip.
Behind her, the crowd broke out into another cheer, and another rain of glitter fell from the ceiling.
"It's not bad!" She shouted, taking another sip. Kristoff smiled and saluted her, before turning away and back to his glasses.
"It's not quite like the coffee you made me." He said fondly. "But it'll do."
Anna laughed and licked peanut butter off the rim of her glass. "I didn't think it'd taste like this." She said.
"Glad I could surprise you." Kristoff replied, winking over his shoulder. Anna let her mouth fall open in mock surprise, and the man turned red again, keeping his gaze low.
She couldn't help but laugh at his expense.
XXX
An hour passed, maybe two, and Anna sat at the bar with two empty glasses sitting in front of her. Kristoff was leaning on the counter, watching her with amusement as she tripped over her words and gestured wildly.
The music swelled behind them, and the crowd began to roar. Anna shot to her feet, tripping out onto the floor amongst the hundreds of people who seemed to be there.
The third shot of glitter fell from the ceiling, and Anna began to spin.
The world shook beneath her feet, and she closed her eyes. She blocked out the noise, the people, everything.
Her soul was set on fire. She was burning from the inside out. Her being was electric.
In this moment, she felt as though she could die, and that it would not matter. She was happy. She was perfect.
She was free.
Then, she fell against something hard, and felt the world shiver. Colorful feet ran in front of her vision, and a pair of strong arms were on her shoulders. A blur of white made its way in front of her face, as another pair of arms gathered her up and lifted her from the floor.
The world shimmered with glitter and light, and Anna stared into a face lined with blonde as she blinked herself into sleep.
XXX
Anna awoke to the sound of gunshots.