9. A Not-Very-Nice-Word

"Cosima? Where is Cosima?" Bobby bellowed, holding the bar's phone that had been ringing incessantly.

Cosima jumped back immediately and Delphine's hands fled to the wall behind her. Cosima panicked for a moment, not knowing what to do with herself.

"Mon dieu," Delphine brought her hand to her hair, raking through, looking only at the ground, "I…I need to use the restroom". She quickly squeezed her way through the crowd, passed their table from earlier, and burst into the women's restroom.

It wasn't that bad as far as public restrooms go – especially in a bar. Delphine wet a paper towel and patted her face, trying to shake the awful remnants of emotions still buzzing inside of her. She could still feel Cosima's hands crawling across her stomach. Her chest and torso fluttered at the thought. So, she thought about it again, and again, and again, but she still didn't know what was making her ache.

Eventually, Delphine dried her face with a new paper towel and headed for the door. She entered the tiny hallway that connected the bathrooms and the bar but stopped just short of the entrance. She heard Cosima arguing, presumably on the phone that Bobby was calling her for. Delphine hesitated, she didn't want to disrespect Cosima's privacy, but she also just wanted to listen anyway. So, she listened.

You don't even know her, she's not some whore. She's straight, for one, and for two, she's actually here! That's more than I can say for you.

I'm not changing the fucking subject, I already answered you. I just left it on accident.

Because, dude, we were dancing. It's a Saturday night, the place is packed, and everyone is dancing. I wasn't going to miss out on actually enjoying myself just because you didn't fucking show up.

Cosima's yelling had made the whole side of the bar counter move over a couple seats.

How is this my fault?!

Jesus Christ, yeah, whatever. I don't care. I'm sorry for knowing someone other than you in this place. Sorry for not keeping track of my shit when I'm trying to have fun. And I'm so sorry that you have to have such a slutty piece of shit for a girlfriend. That must be so hard on you.

Cosima hung up the phone and pushed the device back in Bobby's direction. Delphine moved quickly to her, scooping her up in a tight embrace just before Cosima started crying. Delphine stroked her hair as Cosima nestled into the crook of her neck again. She sobbed in Delphine's arms and Delphine didn't let go or loosen an inch of her hold.

Delphine held the umbrella loosely over herself and Cosima. It wasn't raining, but it was likely to start at any moment. Cosima had her arm hooked with Delphine's and she was idly fussing with the string that hung down from the handle of the umbrella.

They hadn't been walking for long, but the music from the bar was completely inaudible already. Cosima's sniffling had decreased significantly. She was probably just tired. Physically and mentally. Delphine negotiated Cosima's request to walk all night long with an offer of late night dessert. They stopped into a pub and found a booth in the restaurant section. Delphine got in first and, to her surprise, Cosima slid in next to her, bracing her legs against the opposite seat.

An older man, who looked like he may be the owner by his casual attire, stopped by their table and took their order. He looked too old to be working as a waiter or cook, but this hour of night probably didn't require much effort.

"I don't really know how to describe tonight," Cosima said, examining her fork, "Like, there was all this shitty stuff but then I had a really awesome time with you, you know?"

Delphine laced their hands together, gently stroking with her thumb, "Do you want to talk about what happened? You don't have to, it's personal and I'm not going to pressure you, but, if you want, I can listen?"

Cosima had a ghost of a smile as she stared at their intertwined fingers. "You're cute," she said, half-drunk and half-asleep. Delphine rolled her eyes and squeezed their hands to encourage Cosima. After a pause and a defeated sigh, Cosima started to open up, "She was supposed to pick up her friends, bring them to the bar, and stay sober so she could be the designated driver".

Cosima looked like she was having a hard time continuing. Delphine assisted, "What happened instead?"

"What happened instead was she got to her friend's house, started drinking, forgot about the bar and me, and passed out for a couple hours," Delphine would be furious if she had the energy. Cosima took a deep breath and finally looked up from their hands. "She apparently called my cell at some point while we were dancing, and I had left it at our table. She said that you were a not-very-nice-word and trying to ruin our relationship with the magic of seduction," Cosima made a rainbow shape with her free hand through the air, "Then she said that I was right…you aren't the not-very-nice-word, I am". Cosima didn't cry, but a couple tears fell from her chin.

There was a moment of silence as Delphine took in the atrocity Cosima went through, wiping away the wetness from Cosima's face. That woman was legitimately abusive, but Cosima excused it, saying it was only because she was drunk and Cosima wasn't picking up. Before Delphine could think of anything to say, their Baileys Cheesecake arrived with two mugs of coffee they didn't ask for but looked like they were in desperate need of.

Cosima's smile was genuine, but it never quite reached her eyes, "I love cheesecake. Do you like it?" She asked in a small reserved voice. Delphine examined her admiringly. Cosima was so kind and such a happy person. Delphine liked that Cosima always made sure that it wasn't just her own needs being met, but also those surrounding her. Or maybe it was just Delphine she afforded that courtesy.

"I don't know," Delphine said after a moment, "I don't think I've ever had it".

Cosima perked up at that. She gasped dramatically and forced a fork into Delphine's hand. Delphine chuckled as she took it, scooching closer to Cosima for no particular reason.

Cosima didn't really have a reason to be in Delphine's apartment, but that's where they both ended up instinctively. Their hands never parted during their meal or the short walk to Delphine's. Both exhausted, they laid on the couch. Delphine on her back taking up the length of the furniture, and Cosima laying mostly on top of her facing the ceiling, the back of her head on Delphine's stomach and the rest of her body nestled between her legs. Friends lay like this when they were drunk, and one is sad, right? After a few minutes of Delphine sifting through Cosima's hair that was spread across her midsection, they fell asleep in their position, just before 4:00 in the morning.

Delphine loved waking up to Cosima's texts, but Cosima laying on her chest was far superior. Cosima had turned onto her stomach and positioned her head right underneath Delphine's chin. Delphine felt her hands already holding Cosima's waist, still wearing her dress. It felt similar to when they were dancing last night and when they nearly fell but ran into the wall instead and almost…What did they almost do? Or rather, what did Delphine want them to do? She would think harder about it if she weren't in so much pain.

Her hangover headache was growing by the second, she needed water and medicine.

She needed Cosima more, though. She wrapped her arms all the way around Cosima's waist and sighed in agonizing bliss.

"Are you awake, Cosima?" Delphine tilted her head to try to get a glimpse of the woman's face. She saw the redness around Cosima's eyes, irritated from crying. Delphine moved her hand up to Cosima's cheek, stroking the redness with her thumb, willing it to disappear. It didn't. She kept trying anyway.

A few minutes went by and Delphine felt fluttering eye lashes on her collarbone. "Why are you so nice to me?" Her raspy morning voice was calming somehow. Affirming her existence or just something that Delphine could rely on always being there.

Delphine liked that Cosima wasn't feigning sleep with her anymore – so far. But saddened by Cosima's question. "I'm not so nice to you Cosima, I'm just treating you like a decent human being". The softness in her voice barely covered the resentment she felt. It also felt a bit dishonest, because she treated Cosima with much more kindness than anyone else. Cosima lifted her head slightly, searching for something with tired eyes. Delphine reached to the coffee table and handed her the glasses she had removed for her last night.

Cosima beamed, "I never remember to do that," she slid them on and blinked a few times, "When I'm old and grey, you will be responsible for making sure my glasses are properly taken care of". Cosima folded her arms on Delphine's chest and looked up at her, lying back down again.

Delphine ignored the flutters in her stomach that appeared right after Cosima spoke. "By then, I'll be old and grey, too, you know? I may have my own glasses to look after."

"Alright, when we are old and grey, you will be responsible for making sure my glasses are properly taken care of…and also yours".

"Brat," Delphine felt her stomach flutter again and her heart speed up slightly, praying Cosima couldn't feel it while she was laying right on her chest. Cosima planned to be with her for that long? Be friends with her, that is.

When the two got up, pain reliever, water, and coffee were the first things to be had. Delphine let Cosima use her shower again, handing her some more comfortable clothes to borrow. Delphine decided she would take a shower later and just change for the morning, not wanting to waste her time with Cosima.

She had just changed into some sweatpants and was taking of her shirt when a voice from behind her made her jump, "You have a great body, you should show it off more," Cosima was standing in the hallway outside the bathroom door. Delphine forgot to close her door and that it was adjacent to the bathroom's. "Also, I love lace," she tacked on the end before moving to the living room, leaving Delphine blushing, still turned away.

Delphine took her shirt the rest of the way off and stood in place for a moment. Cosima had only really seen her back, she had pants on, it was just her back and bra straps she saw.

She didn't know why she wasn't moving. For some reason she wanted Cosima to come back in. Why? Because she gave Delphine a compliment? Was she really that vain? She shook the thought away, removed her bra and put on a loose top. She couldn't help but notice that the back of her bra had no lace – only her bra front and her underwear…

Cosima was staring at her cellphone screen when Delphine entered. She didn't look happy.

"What's wrong?" Delphine asked as she sat next to Cosima on the couch. Cosima tilted the screen toward her, inviting her to see for herself.

(16) Missed Call(s)

(5) Text Message(s)

"She's mad because I didn't let her know where I was. Earlier I had told her that you had a car and were going to take me home, just so she'd shut up, you know?"

"It seems really possessive, Cosima". Delphine was worried for the poor girl.

"Nah, it's my fault. I lied to her and just kind of did whatever I wanted without saying anything," Cosima opened her messages.

"You're an adult, though," Delphine reasoned, "You don't owe her an explanation, she's not your mother. You have the right to do whatever you want without reporting it to her".

Cosima just shrugged. Delphine read over the messages with her as she tilted the screen for both of them to see.

-hey you need to stop being a bitch. Im not the bad guy just because I want to know where my fucking gf is?!

-ya so shes not a legit whore…but shes probably still all over you when she knows you have a gf? Or did you not tell her about me…cause I wouldn't be surprised. Whatever my ass shes straight…whyd she agree to go drinking with a lesbian Cos? News flash…straight girls aren't into dykes and fags.

-look babe im not trying to be shitty about this..it's been a while since we've seen each other so like if you want to whore around that's your business, I get it..ive had nights like that too while you've been gone. Just don't let her seduce you…I don't need to know her to know she wants to fuck you..ur hot babe..

-im just tired and a little drunk..call me later or ill just see you at home in the morning.

-Where the fuck are you Cos? Did you even come back last night? I swear if you're at that bitch's house…Jesus Christ why are you doing this to me? Payback for being a little upset last night because you were out with some other girl? I don't even know her fucking name. You can't just pin this on me. Call me.

"That last one was sent this morning," Cosima pointed out, "It's actually not too bad for her".

"This is…not that bad? Cosima, this is awful," Delphine didn't know if she should feel sympathetic or frustrated with Cosima. She felt a little of both. "She sounded almost as anti-gay as my father, and she's gay…"

"She's bi," Cosima stared blankly at her messages. Why doesn't she understand how wrong this is? Delphine heard a shaky sigh come from the brunette as she closed her eyes. She took Cosima's face into her hands, forcing them to meet eyes. She looked at Cosima with a solemnness that seemed to mesmerize her. Delphine's brows scrunched with concern as she shook her head lightly at the situation.

Delphine couldn't help but notice Cosima's frequent glances to her lips and a brief swallow. She took a chance and quickly looked to Cosima's lips, quivering slightly. She didn't know what she was doing, but she felt herself pulling Cosima closer to her.

What the hell is happening?!

She quickly rerouted and pulled Cosima in for a tight hug. Cosima chuckled for some reason, but eventually wrapped her arms around Delphine's waist. Closing her eyes, Delphine tucked her head by Cosima's neck, and Cosima did the same. She couldn't be sure, but she thought she felt the slightest brush of Cosima's lips on her neck, giving her a gentle chill.