Author's Note: Yes, another submission for the ficathon! :)
Prompt: Okie Dokie
Okie Dokie
The conversation had started off simply enough, with Quinn holding up two outfit options. Artie didn't really see what the big deal was, considering it was only an end of the semester college party, which Artie thought were lame in general, but he had agreed to come and help her select anyway. In fact, he had agreed to attend the party with her as well.
"I like the red," he told her, picking up things off her desk then putting them down again.
"You always pick red," she replied, placing the yellow one back in the closet.
Grasping the frame that held a picture of them, he gazed it while answering, "Honestly, I like you in every color but I just have a thing about red."
Smirking, Quinn ordered him to turn around, then changed. "You ready for this party?"
Examining her roommates posters, of random indie bands that he had never heard of, Artie said, nonchalantly, "Guess so."
She was quiet for a long time and Artie began to wonder if she had left (as if she would ever really do that). "Just guess?"
Running his fingers along the rims of his wheels, Artie nodded, even though he wasn't facing her. "Yup."
"Okay…you don't have to go."
Clearing his throat, Artie disregarding that option, said out loud, "Okie dokie." Though he had only meant that he understood what she meant, she took it another way.
"Fine, don't go! I don't even care!"
Confused, Artie scrunched his brow. "Can I turn around, please?"
"Whatever," she mumbled.
Believing that to be a yes, Artie spun his chair so that he could look at her. For a moment, he found it difficult to speak, as she was standing there, cheeks flushed, hands on hips, with tight red dress clinging to her figure (red hot, literally). "I…uh…" Shaking his head, he forced himself to regain his ability to talk. "I only meant, okie dokie, as in I get what you mean but that doesn't mean I don't want to go. I want to go, I want to be with you all the time." It was like a word vomit that he couldn't stop, a confession that he hadn't intended on making tonight. "You're my best friend, Quinn, but you are so much more than that. You have to know that by now. I like you, Quinn. I…I love you, Quinn. And know what? I'm not necessarily a fan of these parties but I know you are and they make you happy and seeing you happy makes me happy, okay?" By the time he ended, he was out of breath and not sure what to think. He glanced at her, trying to read her but couldn't.
After the longest silence in his life, she whispered, "Okie dokie," then launched herself into his arms, melding her lips to his.
Enjoying himself as he had never before enjoyed himself, Artie kissed her back, running his hands over the silky material of her dress.
"Oh," she said, pulling back, momentarily ending the kiss. "And I love you too."
Grinning, Artie drew her to him again, joining their lips once more.