Thick as Thieves
Chapter 4 – The Best Friend
Orange. That's what everything was. It was all he saw, a blank screen of warm, glowing orange. Sunlight was streaming through the window and burning on the other side of his closed eyelids. He mustered up the courage to open them a fraction before the blinding brightness made him force them shut again immediately.
Sebastian groaned and rolled over, pulling the blanket over his head and willing himself to go back to sleep.
Voices drifted in from the kitchen as the scent of hot breakfast filled the air. Toast and bacon and eggs… his stomach grumbled in protest of his decision to stay in bed. Finally, the combined feelings of emptiness of both his stomach and his emotions became too much for him to bear and he sat up, accustoming his eyes to the sunlight. Even if his chest couldn't feel whole again without Santana, at least he could fill his stomach with some food.
He ran a hand over his messy hair and dragged it down his face.
"You're doing the right thing, big guy." He muttered to himself.
He stood up and stretched out his stiff muscles before grabbing his things and heading to the bathroom for a hot shower to get his blood pumping. It wasn't cold, but the San Francisco fog left a chill hanging in the air.
When Sebastian stepped into the kitchen twenty minutes later, Quinn had just laid a plate of sausages, bacon and scrambled eggs on the dining table for him.
"Morning, Sunshine" She greeted, her warm smile fitting in with the cheery, homely feel of the room. "Here's your breakfast. Blaine's in the yard with Summer; he should be back soon. Go ahead, dig in!"
"Wow. Thank you so much, Quinn. You really didn't need to though."
"Nonsense. You're our guest right now; It's my obligation to look after you."
Sebastian was just about to respond when Blaine burst into the house, a cream-coloured dog bounding in behind him. Blaine looked at Sebastian for a moment, a mischievous grin appearing on his face.
"Look, Summer! New friends! Go go go say hello!" he chanted in a happy, silly voice.
Tail wagging, the golden retriever ran up to Sebastian and started nudging his hands, asking for attention. When he leant down to pat the dog, it promptly licked a wide strip up his face, from his chin to his forehead.
"Argh! Gross!" he yelled, laughing and giving the dog plenty of pats as she sat next to his chair, looking very pleased with herself.
Quinn and Blaine were in hysterics themselves, but when everyone finally calmed down (Summer got a toy to play with in the corner) they sat down together for breakfast.
They talked about fond memories of the past, including Quinn and Blaine's wedding. It had been a quiet ceremony in the nearby forest, away from the prying eyes of the media trying to get coverage of the perfect Hollywood couple's special day. The gorgeous young starlet Quinn Fabray to be wed to one of the music scene's biggest rising stars – It was almost a match made in Hollywood heaven. Sebastian was the best man, of course, and it filled him with joy to see his best friend so happy. Marriage had never been something he'd ever dreamed of for himself.
But had that view changed just because of one stunning Latina? He pondered over this, distracted from the rest of the conversation when a shrill ringing brought him back to his senses.
"Sorry, I've got to take this call. Please excuse me." Quinn pardoned herself and went to the next room to take the call.
Blaine was the first to break the comfortable silence. "So… you gonna tell me what's going on, buddy? What's so important that you need new documents?"
Sebastian sighed and recounted his story, from the very start to what had happened two nights ago. How he was being hunted and was on the run, how he needed to fake his way through the rest of his life. When he finished the tale, Blaine stared at him with a thoughtful expression, processing what his best friend had just said. Blaine chose his next words carefully.
"What's happened to your partner? The girl?"
Sebastian's chest constricted painfully at that. "I left her in the Bahamas. She's safer this way. I don't think they know she's involved. She can go on with life and be happy. She deserves it."
Blaine assessed the way those words left Sebastian's mouth. In all his years of knowing him, he had never seen the lanky brunette look so vulnerable. Hunched over, eyes burning a hole in the floor, the way his voice wavered just the slightest as he all but whispered the last statement. Was it possible that the womanizing playboy he knew had softened? That Sebastian Smythe, of all people, had learned to care or even love?
Blaine glanced over at his wife in the lounge, blonde hair falling over her shoulders in gentle waves as her eyes lit up while she chuckled at something over the phone. He was filled with warmth to know that he loved her more than anything and she felt the same. It was the most amazing feeling he could describe, and he knew that that was what he wanted for Sebastian. After all the crap his closest friend had dealt with in his early life, he deserved it. He deserved to know what it felt like to love and be loved.
But now, based on the recount Sebastian had told him, it seemed like that chance had just been pulled from beneath him. Just as he opened up his heart, it was ripped out and left to bleed by cruel fate.
Turning back to Sebastian, he lay a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on. I'll help you." He reassured "Who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to come home with her and settle down. No more life on the run."
Sebastian's hopeful eyes softened with gratitude.
"Thanks, man. That would be incredible."
Blaine had a second of warning when Sebastian's expression morphed into a cheeky grin before he was being tackled in a massive hug. A ceramic plate fell off the table and shattered with a loud crash.
"Bro hug!" The taller man exclaimed as the two ended up rolling around on the wooden floors in a weird embrace/assault.
Just like old times.
"Hello?"
"Q! Oh god I've missed the sound of your voice."
"Snix? Oh honey it is you! How are you, gorgeous?"
"I'd say great, but that's be lying. How are YOU?"
"What's up, love? Oh I'm fine. Are you in town?
"Actually, yes."
"Is everything okay, sweetie? This sounds like Santana talking, not Auntie Snixx…"
"Oh shut up white girl. Afores I ends you."
They both sniggered.
"Anyway listen. Can I meet you sometime today?"
"Of course! I'd say come by my place, but Blaine's got a friend over and they're being noisy. So how about a coffee with my girl?"
"Ah. I can imagine. How is Blaine? Tell him I say hi."
"Oh he's great. Working on a new album. Trying to beat his high score on Mario Kart. The usual."
Santana heard the noise of something clattering and smashing in the background. "Well, seems like your hands are full right now. I should probably go. See you at our usual place at Three o'clock?"
"I's better go check what happened. I'm sorry. I'll see you in a few hours!" Quinn hesitated. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Santana smiled a tiny smile at her best friend's words. "I know. Just not over the phone. Seeya in a bit, Q."
"Seeya, Snix."
Quinn entered the dining room to see her husband and his best friend entangled on the floor in a jumble of limbs, Sebastian pulling at Blaine's curly hair and Blaine appeared to actually have his teeth sunk into Sebastian's forearm. Summer had decided to join in and was standing to the side with her tail wagging enthusiastically, contemplating which angle was best to pounce in.
Quinn didn't know whether to laugh or yell. Instead, she sighed, shook her head and retrieved a broom to sweep up the shards of the broken plate.
The sound of the trash can snapping shut caused the two men to stop their play fighting and sheepishly face the blonde actress. She stared them down with a stern expression on her face, though the straight line she had her mouth in began to twitch up at the corners when the two grown men sitting in front of her turned their "puppy eyes" mode up to full notch.
"Oh help. I married a five year-old." She exclaimed with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Well excuse me! I take offense at the statement!" Blaine cried in mock offense. "I'm five-and-a-half" he corrected.
"You're impossible." Quinn said, leaning over to give her husband a peck on the lips.
Sebastian watched the exchange with a smile on his face and an ache in his heart. He wanted what they had. He wanted it with Santana.
"So who called?" Blaine asked.
"Snix! She's back in town and wants to meet up for coffee. Oh and she says hi, B."
"Aw that's nice of her. How is she?"
A little crease formed between Quinn's eyebrows as she thought about the question. "I don't know… she said she's in a bit of a fix but wouldn't elaborate on it. Well, I guess I'll find out soon enough. Would you boys like to join us for coffee?"
"I would say yes, but Sebastian here is an arrogant little douchebag and I wouldn't want to start World War III when he and Auntie Snix board the Bitchtown express."
Blaine and Quinn exchanged a look and burst out laughing; imagining just how venomous any exchange between their respective best friends would end up being.
"Wait. Hold up. Who the hell is this Auntie Snix?" Sebastian was completely lost. And he both resented and accepted being called an arrogant douchebag.
Quinn pitched in to answer his confusion.
"She's a close friend of mine. Her Grandmother used to be a part-time housekeeper for my family and would sometimes bring her granddaughter along. That's when we first became friends. We later went to high school and college together. Snix isn't her real name, it's just a nickname she gave her Queen Bitch alter-ego and seeing as she was in bitch mode 80% of the time, the name kind of stuck."
"Whoa. Okay. She sounds completely bonkers. I think I'll stick with Blaine on this one and pass on the coffee date. Sorry, Quinn."
"Hmm. Blaine and I actually planned on introducing you two at our wedding, but unfortunately she couldn't come."
"Besides, based on the number of ruined bridesmaid dresses returned to us after the wedding, I think it's safe to say that Sebastian Smythe didn't have an entirely bad time either, eh?" Blaine added with a wink.
"You know it, brother." Sebastian and Blaine exchanged a knowing smirk while Quinn rolled her eyes.
"Men." She thought.
Santana stared at her phone as she sat on the hotel's bed.
She missed Quinn. They had been best friends (and enemies) for as long as she could remember. From begging her Abuela to take her along whenever she went to the Fabray's Residence to have play dates with the little blonde girl, to becoming co-captains of the cheerleading team, the girls were practically joined at the hip. They had been there for each other through thick and thin; break ups, failures, parent issues. Happiness, graduation, homecoming crowns.
There was one moment they had shared, however, that Santana seriously doubted she would ever forget.
It was after nationals. The cheer squad had placed first, achieving the coveted title of national cheer champions. The Football team had also won the league finals, and quarterback Noah Puckerman decided that this was cause for a celebration (everything was, to Puck) – Frat Party style.
It had reached the point of the night where everyone was more than a little tipsy, and when senior student Justin Walters yelled out that a game of spin the bottle was starting, everybody gathered around.
Quinn had been flirting with a cute blonde named Sam Evans all night. She had liked him for quite a while and it was clear he felt the same. Heck, everybody had a crush on Quinn. She was gorgeous. The only difference in this case was that the feelings were actually reciprocated on her part.
The alcohol in their systems had removed any and all inhibitions and Quinn and Sam had been practically eyefucking all night. Santana had made out with three football players already.
When Quinn spun the bottle, casting sultry glances at Sam, she was hoping it would land on him. Everything had been going perfectly for her that night, who was to say this wouldn't too?
Imagine everyone's delight when the bottle stopped at none other than her best friend, Santana Lopez.
The boys all jeered and catcalled in anticipation, eager to watch the two hottest girls in school make out. Jeez, Quinn never understood why guys found girl-on-girl action hot. It must be a characteristic of the Y chromosome, along with supreme pigheadedness and a severe inability to ask for directions.
Anyway rules were rules, and Santana and Quinn locked lips.
Even though they were both completely comfortable with their sexualities, they had to admit that that was one of the hottest make outs both parties had ever had. And that said a lot, solely based on the number of people they had made out with.
Quinn was overwhelmed. Alcohol was coursing through her veins and making her dizzy, the catcalls and cheers of the people around the room an energetic buzz. The lips against hers were the softest she had ever felt, as was the overheating skin wherever it came to contact with Santana's.
Lost in the moment, she climbed onto her best friend's lap, thighs straddling either side of those tanned legs and got her hands tangled in the dark, luscious hair. She could taste the spirits on the Latina's tongue but somehow that only turned her on even more. The kiss lasted far longer than the average round, but no one was complaining.
When they broke apart several minutes later, the room had fallen silent. The boys were staring dumbfounded with varying degrees of blown pupils. When they met eyes of the two cheerleaders, who were looking around the room as if nothing had happened, a few of the boys blushed and excused themselves from the room, awkwardly clutching throw pillows to try and hide their 'problems'.
The girls left the party shortly afterwards. Nothing much more exciting had happened anyway, apart from Quinn spending the rest of the evening in a serious make out session with Sam and Santana stripping on the coffee table. Not to mention the fact that Coach Stevenson was resuming cheer practice the following afternoon, even though it was the Saturday after their victory ("Success has its sacrifices!" the middle-aged woman had often chanted).
When they reached Santana's house (her parent's were away for the weekend), they immediately picked up where they had left off at the party, finally falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next day was like any other for the two best friends. Together, they led the Cheerleading squad to another successful national championship. Quinn dated Sam for the rest of high school until they both left to different states for college, though the Brangelina of their senior class remained close friends. Santana continued on with her promiscuous ways all through high school and college.
That night after the party was never mentioned again by either one of them. They both assumed that because of the alcohol involved, the other didn't remember the less-than-innocent events that had unfolded. Besides, it was a one-off thing. They never saw each other in that way; they were completely straight. If anything, it strengthened their bond; their friendship and mutual trust skyrocketing to a whole new level.
It was the one night that made them both realize that no matter what happened, they would always be there for one another.
Best friends, helping each other out, forever and always.
Quinn waltzed into the small café that she had practically lived in all through high school and college. She and Santana had discovered it during their freshman year and had been frequenting it ever since. It appeared nondescript from the outside, which was perfect for her in this case since she was trying to hide from the lurking paparazzi. The interior of the place, however was cozy, homely and quirky. It was a fine mix of warm mahogany furnishings and mismatched modern pieces. It was strange and fun, and Quinn absolutely adored it. The little coffee shop was also where she and Santana had grown up, having spent so much of their crucial teenage years there together after school and cheer practices. Not to mention, the place made a killer hot chocolate.
Entering the warmth of the tiny shop caused a sense of nostalgia to momentarily flash through her mind. The delicious aroma of fresh brewed coffee and home made cookies filled her nostrils and she inhaled deeply, sighing in contentment.
Her startlingly green eyes scanned the store as she cautiously peered over the tops of her sunglasses. She could never be too careful when it came to the prying eyes of the media. Quinn really hated this part of the celebrity lifestyle. She and Blaine had to constantly fight for privacy. Sometimes, she almost felt like she was a fugitive on the run. The bitter thoughts were quickly replaced by one of pure joy as she saw her best friend sitting in their usual booth at the back of the cafe, her slender fingers drumming lightly on the table (which was really an old, converted door. God, Quinn loved the furnishing).
She strode over to the table and slid herself into the seat opposite Santana, a wide grin lighting up her face.
"Q! Oh my god. Hi! How are you?" Santana lunged forward across the table and threw arm arms around her best friend.
Quinn laughed and wrapped her arms around the Latina's waist in a tight hug.
"I'm great! Missed you though."
"Same here, Quinn, same here."
After giving each other gentle pecks on the cheeks, the ladies settled back down in their seats and ordered their drinks.
And then they talked. They had so much to catch up on. The last time Santana and Quinn had seen each other had been months ago, and the former had sent pretty much the whole meeting wrecked with guilt and apologizing for having missed her closest friend's wedding. Quinn had shot down every apology, and though she admitted she was a little sad that her Maid of Honour could be there, no one wanted Santana's aunt to suddenly pass away from an unexpected heart attack.
Right now, as Santana watched Quinn recount the story of how she and Blaine had decided to get a puppy, she felt incredibly happy for her fellow cheerleader. There was no doubt that Quinn was completely happy with her life. She worked hard to get where she was, she was a great person, and it seemed only fair that life was good to her. It was evident that she loved her husband as much as he loved her, she was living her dream life and and she adored her job.
Santana felt her heart twinge whenever Quinn mentioned Blaine. There was a way Quinn said his name, almost like worship. Her eyes would simultaneously light up and glaze over and excitement and dreaminess, and the name rolled off her tongue in almost a purr, caressing the vowels and consonants and a rich, melodious tone. Quinn and Blaine was the perfect couple who loved each other more than they loved themselves. If Santana believed in any of the crap, what they had was true love of the purest form.
Santana had never even considered this as an option for herself; her life of promiscuity had led her to always believe that she would never settle, never find her 'soul mate' simply because he didn't exist. She used to cringe at the very thought of having to spend forever with the same person.
Things were different now, of course, because of one Sebastian Smythe.
"… so when we visited the breeder on the day we had to pick out one puppy, I was stressing since I had no idea how to choose just one, and Blaine was in a similar dilemma. Then the smallest girl, the very pale, almost white-blonde one woke up and walked head-first into the glass sliding door! It was adorable. Blaine and I exchanged a look and we knew that she was the one. We brought Summer home the next week."
Santana smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. But Quinn knew her long enough to know that there was some turmoil bubbling beneath the tough exterior Santa had put up.
"So yeah. Sorry to Ramble on… Hey, are you alright?"
"I wish I could say yes, Q. I really do. But I'm afraid I'm going to need your help."
"Anything, Snix. Anything."
"Well, so here goes…"
Santana told Quinn the recent events that had unfolded, leaving Sebastian out as much as possible. The last thing she wanted was for her girl to get dragged into their mess. But she needed Quinn, she needed the special help that only the stunning blonde starlet had to offer.
Because Quinn Fabray had some secrets of her own.
Author's note: Hi all, lots of dialogue this chapter! Hope it didn't get too confusing... Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter (: (Teehee, almost-encounter between the two partners right there...)
I'm going to be away from any internet connect for the next few days, so unfortunately the next update will probably only be around next weekend. I'm trying my best.
Next up: We find out a little more about Quinn's involvement and why Santana needs her help specifically. Blaine and Sebastian are reminded of just why they became best friends in the first place and another glee character makes a special appearance...