He liked her.
God, did he like her.
And here she was, sitting in his lap, sharing maybe one of the most important moments of his life with him, as he, his co-directors, their actors, and a few of their close friends premiered his independent film in a rather small screening room. The film ended, the credits rolled, and his feelings for Quinn Fabray were quickly replaced with those of sheer pride. He came to LA with three suitcases, nowhere to stay, and five-hundred dollars in his pocket. And he had done it. He made a movie. He was making movies, living his dream, doing everything his parents thought he wouldn't have been able to do. And it felt amazing.
But that was also partly attributed to Quinn Fabray. These last three months were incredible, and he realized just now that…he really liked her. Sure, he met her with the intentions of getting together, but those went away when she revealed that she'd been trying to use him. And when he needed to use her in return, it was, of course, to get his parents off his back, but also a little bit to get her back for doing that to him. And now it's been three months, and they've been through days at the office, parties, and get-togethers as a "couple", and just now, after she sat in his lap whispering little comments in his ear about how great the film was, he noticed how great she smelled – vanilla, and how nice her voice sounded hushed into his ear, and how her hair framed her face.
She was beautiful…And funny, driven, successful, and way out of his league. Even if she had been in his league, she was not looking for a relationship right now. That was the whole point of their fake one, so she wouldn't feel pressured to. Way to pick 'em, Artie.
Once the lights turned on, the movie team gave rounding applause and the room filled with excited chatter. Quinn stood off of his lap, and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so proud of you!" she exclaimed, swaying his body with her hug. "It's official – I'm around far too many talented people."
"Oh, stop." He chuckled, trying to maintain his composure as he unlocked his wheels and rolled his chair out of its spot. It was still such a new feeling to him, these feelings for Quinn, so he found it hard to act normal.
Mercedes and Sam came over and congratulated him, hugging him and pinching his cheeks, and he was thankful, because he couldn't be alone with Quinn right now.
"That was fantastic!" Sam patted him on the shoulder. "If you don't make it big out here, I will literally chop off my left foot." The group gave him a strange look, and Sam rolled his eyes. "I was joking." Still, the group seemed less than impressed with his humor, and turned their attention back to Artie.
"Next thing you know, you'll be movin' out of our place and into your own." Mercedes commented. Artie's heart lurched at the thought. Sure, it was kind of weird staying with them, and sure sometimes they had really loud sex that made him uncomfortable, but he loved it at their place. He knew it was temporary, but Mercedes and Sam had become his sort of…family, in a way. When he moved out here, he dreamt that maybe he'd fall in love with Quinn, and they'd move way too fast and he'd move in with her and live the romantic LA dream. And then he realized he didn't like her…And now, he realized he did. Damn.
Artie scrunched up his nose and shook his head. "Don't remind me! It's becoming way too real."
Quinn situated herself back into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning into his ear, she whispered, "Annoying ex at three o'clock." That was the code for WARNING: SUGAR MOTTA. His unresolved feelings for her had been apparent when she first came back into his life, but at this moment, with Quinn's breath in his ear, Sugar Motta could walk into the room wearing nothing but a pair of five-inch heels and he wouldn't give a damn.
"All of my scenes were perfect, Artiekins!" Sugar shouted, running up to him and wrapping her arms around his neck, over Quinn's arms.
Quinn ran a hand through his hair, and it sent a shiver up his spine. "I was just telling him the same thing." She gushed, leaning in to kiss him. Artie's heart pounded, his mouth went dry…They hadn't kissed since he realized his feelings for her. When their lips met, it was for a brief moment, but it was electric. At least…to him. God, he was pathetic. When they pulled away, he couldn't help but linger at her for a little longer than he should have.
"What?" Quinn whispered, smirking. That smirk.
He shook his head quickly, and sent his gaze to the floor. "Nothing." Was all he could muster.
"O…kay…" Sugar said, looming over them. "Well, yeah, thanks for the role, Artiekins." She murmured. Artie looked up at her, the girl who had been throwing herself on him for two months, and watched as she tilted her head and she smiled at him. "I'm glad you guys are so happy." She said, before walking away timidly. Wow. Now he knew how Quinn felt when Puck had walked away with his tail between his legs that day. It was gratifying, but also kind of scary that they'd been able to successfully push away their exes like this.
"Thanks," he called back quietly, but Sugar probably didn't hear. Besides, her little saunter had already turned back into a full-on strut, and he could tell that she probably wasn't so heartbroken.
"Whoa-ho-ho!" Quinn nearly shouted into his ear. "Well, it looks like we finally broke her. Ugh, took her long enough."
Artie was happy that the Sugar Motta portion of his life, which had been looming over him for seven years, was finally over, but a little terrified that the Quinn Fabray portion was just beginning. But, while they still could, he made a move and drummed on her legs.
"Whoo!" he cried out. "Today just keeps getting better and better." In a moment of courage, he leaned in and kissed Quinn right on the mouth, which she reciprocated. In this moment, he felt invincible. Maybe if he just flat-out said it…maybe if he whispered it into her mouth, she'd hear and admit that she felt the same way. Maybe if he just had the courage to say "I think I might really like you, Quinn". All he needed was the courage…
He felt her giggle against his lips, and pulled away much hastier than he'd have liked. "Oh! I meant to bring this up earlier." Quinn began, standing from his lap. Artie placed his hands on her hips, a habit that he'd picked up over the months. "When you and Mercedes were talking about you moving out, I was reminded that a few of the apartments on the bottom floor of my building just opened up. Maybe…" he could barely pay attention to what she was saying, for she was walking her fingers up his shoulder and onto his neck, "…you could consider moving in there. The ones down there are single-bedroom and fairly cheap. And, of course, we'd get to be neighbors." Her two fingers tickled him under the chin and woke him up from his haze.
Artie coiled under her touch and gave a smile that he hoped was less goofy than he felt like it was. "Wow. I'd…I'd have to look into it, but sure, that sounds amazing…being your neighbor and all." He looked up at her and licked his lips. This was becoming strikingly similar to his little fantasy about moving to LA…Just, well, he and Quinn weren't really together, and rather than moving in with her, he was maybe going to become her neighbor.
But, he decided, his feelings could wait.
He watched as Quinn glanced to the right of her, in Sugar's direction, and then knelt to place a deep kiss on his lips. Artie sunk into it, unable to suppress a moan that rose from the back of his throat. He knew this kiss was for show, but it was a kiss nonetheless. "Just for good measure," she whispered, as she stood back up and wiped the corners of her mouth. Artie had to grit his teeth and bite back whatever strangled noise was about to come out of his throat.
Okay, his feelings had to wait…but this was going to be hard.
