One Night

Set 4x14. After the best night of her life, Quinn was more than looking forward to waking up in Santana's arms. But when her eyes opened, maybe she shouldn't have had her hopes up.

Quinn could barely regain her breath as her head hit the pillow, legs feeling like jelly, a small, burning ache below her abdomen but it felt so good. She was exhausted, and her eyes were drooping before she knew it.

Santana rolled off her and lay next to her, and no words were exchanged. It was nice like this, the air had a slight tangy smell, reminiscent of what they had just done. It was something tangible to hold onto.

"Sleepy already?" she could hear the amusement in Santana's tone, but she had no energy to fight it.

"Hmm," Quinn exhaled and fumbled blindly for Santana's body. She felt the warmth of bare skin of Santana's waist and held her closer. "Kiss me one more time," she mumbled, not sure how coherent she was.

Santana chuckled and it was musical, reminiscent of how good she was at singing, and everything else really. "You're drunk, Quinn," was her response.

Quinn wanted to argue the point. She was not drunk; she did it with Santana because she wanted to. She wanted to for a long time, actually. But sleep was claiming her fast, and she had no energy to protest.

"Then at least hold me?" she barely breathed out.

"Of course," she heard Santana whisper and then felt her warmth. Intense warmth that seeped through her skin, blood and to her heart. It was so amazing.

Then everything faded to black.

Dreams were intermittent through the night, but they all had a common theme: long, brunette hair. Her smile. Her laugh. Her lips, and her heavy, heavy breaths.

It didn't seem long before Quinn woke up again, body still bare beneath the covers. She could smell Santana's perfume on her pillow. She could still feel her warmth.

Quinn couldn't wait to open her eyes and see the gorgeous Latina sleeping peacefully next to her, naked too. She couldn't wait to kiss her awake. Sure, maybe Santana would be surprised, but Quinn doubted she would mind. This was the perfect time to tell Santana how she felt these past few years but never had the courage to. She could finally do it; she was single, Santana was single. It was perfect.

She could order room service and feed each other their food. Maybe exchange a few more kisses. And if she was lucky, maybe another round.

Quinn felt her lips curving up as her eyes opened. But that smile quickly fell when she realised there was nobody next to her.

Suddenly fully awake, Quinn sat up and scanned the room. Santana's pillow was neatly set against the headrest, all her clothes were gone. Santana had left already.

She didn't even leave a note.

Quinn let out a shaky breath as her eyes began to brim with tears. She didn't know why she was so disappointed and so… sad. Maybe she was silly, thinking this, last night, meant something to her. It was just a drunken hook-up, she was just a warm body.

Quinn dejectedly slid out of bed and grabbed her clothes, slipping them on. She remembered how Santana had slowly taken them off last night. She couldn't stop giggling. Santana had scolded her for giggling and silenced her with a kiss. Their first ever kiss. It was fireworks for Quinn. Appeared it wasn't the case for Santana.

When Quinn was decent, she sat down on the bed that held so much significance to her after last night.

She desperately wiped her eyes, but she couldn't keep the tears at bay. Whatever last night was, it was just a rebound for Santana. She was getting over Brittany, using Quinn, another blonde. It meant nothing to her. The fact that she straight-up left was a clear indication.

She tried deep breaths. But it didn't work. The tears kept rolling.

"Quinn?" a voice said and Quinn jumped, looking up at the source of the voice with teary eyes.

There stood Santana, holding two cups of coffee and a brown bag.

"S-Santana?" Quinn stuttered. "You came back."

"Huh?" Santana frowned, sitting next to Quinn and getting out some food from the bag and setting them from the bed. "I was just getting us some breakfast. See? I got your favourite!" she beamed, holding a bacon sandwich before placing it on Quinn's lap.

"O-Oh," Quinn looked at the sandwich, feeling a huge wave of affection for the woman next to her.

"Have you been crying?" Santana whispered, wiping a stray tear from Quinn's cheek and Quinn looked up, wide-eyed.

"W-Well…" Quinn averted her gaze, biting her lip. "I woke up, and… well…"

"You thought I left," Santana ducked her head. "I knew I should've left a note telling you I was nipping to the café. I just thought I'd be quick and I'd be back before you're awake… I'm so sorry if that gave you the wrong idea…"

"It's okay," Quinn smiled. "Thank you for this, by the way."

Santana smiled back. "No problem." She was so pretty. So, so pretty.

Quinn took a modest bite into the sandwich but she didn't get far before Santana interrupted her.

"Um, you have some sauce here…" she whispered, wiping mayonnaise from the corner of Quinn's mouth. Quinn felt her heart melt at this endearing action.

"Thanks," Quinn whispered, and they exchanged eye contact. Santana was definitely looking at her differently. Soft, tender, affectionate.

Her hand trailed down and clasped Quinn's free hand. Quinn looked at her questioningly, but Santana just smiled.

They ate their breakfast in quiet, hands clasped the whole way, never breaking.

Maybe there is hope for them after all.