just like fire

Rachel had grown used to having Quinn around, whether it be at Sapphire, online, or in Quinn’s home after Rachel had made sure the blonde had made it home safely and crashed there so that Quinn could do the same for her. So this was different and Rachel was excited. It meant they could explore a friendship with a sober mind and though she had a bit of a time constraint they still had a long while to be in one another’s company. When she arrives at Starbucks she sets her things down at a table before going to order herself a soy latte., resisting temptation to order anything pumpkin spice. She remembers Quinn’s text the night before and sadly still found herself in the state of mind of obeying. When the blonde makes her way through the door Rachel smiles, waving a little excitedly. “Hi. Is your hungover gone?”

Quinn still felt crummy when she got dressed, but she was going to be sober and actually talk to Rachel like a person, so that was her motivation to get to Starbucks. When she saw the brunette, her stomach tied in knots that had nothing to do with her hangover. "Hardly, but I'll live. I brought plenty of Ibuprofen and a large bottle of water." she giggled, gesturing to her bag. "Okay, I'm gonna get me a coffee. You look good, though." She smiled sweetly, giving Rachel a peck on the cheek and a gentle squeeze around her shoulders with one arm before ordering a small black coffee. She sat across from Rachel when she had been given her order and sipped it, closing her eyes as the caffeine made it's way through her system. "How do you feel?" She finally asks her friend, looking deeply into brown eyes before blushing and looking away.

Rachel can’t help but smile brighter at Quinn as she holds up her water. “I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself Quinn. Please stay hydrated.” Her cheek is still tingling as is the shoulder Quinn had squeezed. She doesn’t understand why it feels so different now, when they’d spent the last two evenings together. “I feel fine. I had a glass of wine with you and the rest of the evening I had been drinking mocktails.” She laughs, “I don’t exactly like feeling out of control. Did you have fun? I liked your performance. Your voice is sweet. A wonderful alto if I do say so myself.”

"Thank you. I had a lot of fun, but it was even more fun with you just being there." Quinn blushed, forgetting that she even sang, it was just a hazy memory. "Did I sing James Brown?" She giggled. "Oh, God...that song." She rolled her eyes. "I kind of wish you had sung with me, but I know you don't sing, and I wasn't about to press it. It would have been hypocritical since I yelled at Blaine for it. I texted him an apology, though and he seemed like he didn't even know what I was talking about. I guess we were both wasted."

“I’m sure you’re just buttering me up Quinn. I’m thankful I was there to keep an eye on you.” She winks and takes a sip of her latte as she listens to Quinn speak. “I don’t sing. Please remember that. I do enjoy listening to singers and it was fun to watch everyone. Blaine was quite drunk and I do wish he’d stopped pressing the issue.” She has to remember Blaine knew her as the performer, not this woman trying to be a teacher. “Thank you for sticking up for me though.”

"Maybe. Yeah, I did kind of go overboard, but I swear I don't do that a lot. Especially not two nights in a row." She feels her heart flutter at Rachel's wink and sipped her own coffee just to hide her smile. "I think he just wanted you to have fun with us. I see that now. I just hated seeing you upset so I snapped. I'll always stick up for you." Quinn promised, putting a hand on Rachel's for a lingering moment before pulling back and drinking her coffee.

“But you did do it two nights in a row.” Rachel muses, trying to control her tone enough so she wasn’t coming off judgmental. “I used to sing and perform.” Rachel admits, “I did a lot of performing with him when we were younger. He’s just confused to why it isn’t something we can do together now. Her hand tingles the way her cheek had and she flushes. “You make me feel things Quinn. I’m not sure how to explain it.”

"Wish i could have seen that." Quinn admitted, sipping more of her coffee. "I feel things with you, too. Trust me." Quinn bites her lower lip and looks away. "Like...when I'm not with you, I want to be. And when we're together, I never want to stop looking at you." She looked at Rachel in the eyes and could feel her heart beating faster. "Is that weird? I mean, we haven't really known each other that long. Just you making me drinks for over a year every so often."

“I don’t think it’s weird if we are mutually feeling this way. I enjoy your company. I enjoy...well I enjoy your brain and your face.” She flushes. “You’re beautiful inside and out and I’ve enjoyed serving you.” She laughs

"My brain and my face? Oh, is that all?" Quinn giggles, setting her cup down now that it was empty, then reaching over to rake a finger over the back of Rachel's hand, making small little circles on her skin. "The feeling is mutual. Well, minus the serving you part...though, I have to admit, it might be fun serving you something for once." Quinn said suggestively, wiggling her brows playfully before giggling again.

“I’m sure there is more but you don’t let me in.” She can’t judge because Quinn knows next to nothing about her and Rachel planned to keep it that way. “Oh? And what do you mean by that?” She raises an eyebrow.

"Neither do you." Quinn tried to say without being harsh in her tone. "I just mean...you know...one of our sleepovers involving more cuddling than booze induced sleeping. Maybe more kissing." She shrugged.

Rachel can’t help but shrug her shoulders, “We’re all allowed to have parts of ourselves we want hidden. I stand by that. This is who I am though. I’m not fundamentally different due to the parts of myself I don’t run my mouth about.” And she feels that, even if it’s not the complete truth. “I like kissing.”

“Me neither.” Quinn lied. Bipolar made her unpredictable even with meds. “I love kissing, so you’re in luck.” Quinn smirked.

“What evening are you free this week? I’m sure I can make something work with my schedule.” Rachel finishes off her coffee and briefly takes note of the time. “Even if it means I stop over after my shift.”

"Thursday, actually. I work tomorrow morning, but Thursday I'm off all day." Quinn beamed. "You don't have to do that for me, Rachel." Though being chosen was a nice experience for once. "But that would be kind of nice. I can do the same for you next week?"

“I don’t offer to do things if I don’t want to do them Quinn. I think you are worth it.”She can’t help but smile, “You’re ready to plan for a next time without having experienced the first time?”

"You're worth it, too. And more." Quinn laughed at Rachel's questions and rolled her eyes. "You plan on stealing a car or something, Berry?"

“That’s what would make you stay away?” She teases, “I was thinking more along the lines of us not sharing a bed well or my kisses not making you feel sexy.”

"I doubt you can screw up either of those things, Rachel. Plus, I already know I'm sexy." Quinn teased, putting her hand on her hip. "Are you really scared of not giving me proper cuddles or kisses, because I can help you with that. It's just as much my job as it is yours."

“You would be surprised by what it is I’m afraid of. “ Rachel whispers. “It’s good you’re so self assured and confident. I like that. I like confidence in a person.”

"I doubt it. We all have fears." Quinn said honestly, messing with a  sugar packet. "Yeah? Well, I'm a lot of things. I can't wait for you to find out." Except the bipolar. That was something she hoped Rachel never saw. That was her greatest fear. "I better get going, sadly, but I take it we're both on the same page? Like...we like each other?"

She shrugs, “I guess we will see.” Though Rachel knows deep down they won’t get close enough for that to happen. “Yes Quinn. I’m...I’m interested in you.” Rachel stands up with her arms out. “For the road?”