Quinn squealed in excitement as she left the table to go call her friend. Brittany laughed at her friend's receding figure, "Well, I guess I'm clearing the table today by myself today."
"Oh I can help with that," Rachel reached for her own plate and began standing up when she was yanked back down by the Latina next to her.
"Actually, Rach, we need to talk. Sorry, B, but it's all you," Santana smiled at the blonde and then pulled Rachel towards the living room.
"Santana! Could you not be so aggressive, and you left poor Brittany to clean the dished all alone."
The taller girl raised an eyebrow, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you liked me a little aggressive," she said in a suggestive tone.
"Okay, I'm done with you. If you just pulled me in here to harass me further then I-" Rachel's rising anger was interrupted by Santana's suddenly soft voice.
"Are you sure you're ready to date again?" She looked up at the brunette. Rachel was taken aback at the sudden change in demeanor from the girl, and her frustration had disippitated at a similar rate. For the first time since their shared night, Rachel looked into Santana's deep, brown eyes, and she was met with nothing but an overwhelming sense of care and trust.
"No," she found herself saying without thinking about it. "I mean, I want to be; I just don't know if I'm capable of opening myself up to another guy like that anytime soon."
"Guy?" Santana looked up at Rachel. Immediately she regretted the bit of hope that was evident in her tone and prayed that Rachel had not caught on.
The brunette didn't seem to have noticed since she answered the question indifferently, "Or girl. I can't say I'm opposed to being with a girl." Rachel sighed, "Either way, you're right. I should probably go catch up with Quinn before she officially sets up a date."
After she left, Santana remained silent and pensive on the couch. She tried to convince herself that she was doing this simply to look out for Rachel, and she pushed away any doubt that said otherwise. If Rachel put herself out there too quickly, then she would inevitably get hurt which would mean that Santana would have to hear her mope around the house for another few anything, Santana's reasons were purely selfish. Santana sighed and walked into her bedroom; she needed a minute alone.
X.
Throughout the next couple weeks, Rachel and Santana had restarted their copious hangouts since both of their schedules had cleared up. They were in the midst of one of their movie nights where Santana had coaxed Rachel into watching a horror thriller. Currently, the two were on the couch, and Rachel was using her roommate as a shield to hide behind.
"Why did I ever let you talk me into this?" Came the brunette's muffled voice.
"Because I can be very persuasive when I want to be. Plus, it was totally my turn to pick the movie or else we'd be watching The Way We Were for the third time," Santana said while stuffing a handful of popcorn into her mouth. Rachel quickly sat up to face her.
"Hey, that is a wonderful movie, and it doesn't give me nightmares for a week. Why do you even like these movies?" The brunette spoke with an indignant tone.
"It's the thrill of being scared, babe," Santana smirked and looked at Rachel. The smaller girl recoiled at the mention of the pet name, and she took her place again to finish the movie. As much as she would like to believe that things were back to normal between them, she couldn't ignore the air of awkwardness when either one of them said something affectionate or dared to step too close. Rachel had never been in this situation before; she didn't know the proper etiquette around your best friend with whom you accidentally slept. It wasn't an accident. Despite their drunken haze, both of them consented.
"Are you even paying attention?" Santana paused the movie, and turned to face Rachel.
"Yeah, sorry, I just zoned out for a second," Rachel blinked and turned back towards the tv which prompted Santana to resume. "Have you done it since?" Rachel spoke up randomly.
"Done what?" Santana asked distractedly.
"Have you been with anyone?" Rachel asked a lot softer than she had asked her previous question. Santana's eyes almost popped out of her head out of shock. She once again paused the movie and turned to Rachel.
"Rachel, what-"
"I'm sorry. It was a stupid question; you don't have to answer that," Rachel quickly shook her head and turned back.
"No," Santana said after a beat of silence.
"I think you should," Rachel said without making eye contact.
"Oh," Santana muttered. The brunette closed her eyes and sighed. At this point, she was desperate to have things go back to normal. Santana would be the player she always was, and Rachel would be her friend.
"I mean, not to force you or anything because that would be preposterous, but if you want to, you should," Rachel rambled.
"Okay, I will."
"Okay."
