Hold me closer

Time for you

"So, what happened?" Quinn kept her head down as she was walking with Kris towards where the car would pick them up. "Come on, you know I'm going to nag you until you tell me." Quinn hesitaded, paranoid about ending up back at that place. Kris starred at her persistently, the way only a best friend could. "She asked about Eve." Quinn glanced over at Kris, who looked confused.

"She saw her picture in my phone case." Quinn faced the ground again. "You still carry her picture? It's been six years!" Kris was yelling and Quinn really wasn't in the mood. "She was the love of my life, Kris!" "Well you weren't hers, Quinn!" "Don't you think I know that?!" People walking by were turning their heads and Quinn was very grateful that Nia was ahead of them and with her headphones on.

"How many times have I told you that you need to let go?!" Quinn just shook her head. "I-I try not to think about it-" "Then how are you ever going to let it go?" Kris stepped into Quinn's path and stopped her. "You need to process your trauma, Quinn." She wasn't yelling anymore, but pulled her into a well-needed hug. Quinn laid her head on her friend's shoulder and let a single tear slip down her cheek. "I know, I just..." Kris hushed her. "It's okay."

She let go and Quinn wiped her face with her sleeve. She realised she must've looked quite odd the entire day, just hanging out at a fair in a full suit. They kept walking, and then Kris inevitably brought it up. "So. Your emergency contact, huh?" She grinned tesasingly and Quinn tried to think of an explanation, only to find there was none. "I actually did that a long time ago. The lawyer that came after Eve died asked, and I came to think of you." Kris just kept smiling. "Hmmm. I think it's because you love me, Quinn." Quinn gave her friend a playfull push. "Shut up!"

Three hours later

Back at the mansion, Quinn hade made herself some instant noodles in the kitchen and was looking at her phone when Nia came around the corner. "Fuck!" Quinn jumped high and spilled some of the noodle water on herself. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know you were here!" Nia walked up to her, seemingly trying to think of something to do. Quinn just swore and tore off her wet shirt. The water was hot and left some mild flushing on her skin. "I'm so sorry, how can I..."

Quinn turned to face Nia, and the look on her face made her realise she was just wearing a bra. "Shit." They both spoke in unison, and then Quinn hurried away with Nia running after her. "Hey wait, maybe you can borrow something from me!" Quinn laughed, amused by Nia's half panicked state. "You think I can fit into any of your tiny clothes?" Quinn looked back to see Nia get a playful smirk on her face. "I didn't know you had been checking out my tiny clothes." Quinn rolled her eyes and headed into the guest room where she was staying in search for a shirt.

"Not the time, Nia." "Oh sorry, I- Oooohh!" Nia came into her room and looked around with big eyes. "You live here?" Quinn rummaged through the drawers of a fancy wooden dresser. "Since you seem to need protection around the clock..." She found a plain white shirt to put on. "Ah. My bad." Nia stepped closer and helped button the shirt up. "No, I actually really like it here. Obviously, my apartment has nothing on this place." Nia raised an eyebrow as she struggled with a button. "Really, I didn't think it was your...style..."

Quinn finnished the last button and smirked. "What did you have in mind, a mancave?" She stood tall over Nia who looked up to her, smiling. This proximity always made Quinn aware of the obvious chemistry beteween them. Only none of them were brave enough to do something about it. "So... instant noodles? Really?" Quinn headed back towards the kitchen to finnish her dinner, followed closely by Nia. "It's worked before, it will work today."

Nia shook her head almost violently. "Nuh-uh. In my house, we eat real food." Quinn got to the kitchen and stood against a counter. "What do you suggest I do?" Nia got the look of an evil genius on her face. "All you have to do is sit back and relax." Quinn hesitantly sat down at the breakfeast bar. Nia stood on the other side and put her hands on either end of the counter. "I'm going to make you dinner."

Quinn raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. "You cook?" Nia started rummaging through the cupboards. "I know, I know. But being rich doesn't only mean people who do everything for you." She spun around and slammed a cutting board down on the counter. "It also means personal chefs with Michelin stars." She smiled brightly and Quinn smiled back. Spending quality time with Nia felt like the biggest blessing.

Thity minutes later

Quinn searched through all of the cupboards to try and find some plates. "Top left." Nia told Quinn whilst stirring something in a pan. "Thanks!" She put two fancy, modern plates down on the informal dining table next to the kitchen. She folded a couple of napkins to the best of her ability, and then went on the search for candles. On the way back, she spotted a not so obnoxious flower arrangement. Perfect.

Quinn went back into the kitchen where Nia was in the process of pouring pasta into a serving bowl. "It smells amazing!" It was a long time since Quinn had homecooked food. "It's just bolognese." Nia said shyly but Quinn wouldn't let her be shy. "It's perfect." Nia's face lit up and she went into the oversized pantry.

She came out with an expensive looking bottle of red wine. She saw the extatic look on Quinn's face and laughed. "For the occasion." She said in an excessively formal voice. "You're spoiling me! I don't deserve all this!" Nia opened the bottle and poured a glass for Quinn. "Yes you do. You saved my life."