Hey guys! I hope you like this one. There are not many Finncedes fics and because I love them I thought I'd write another one. I wish we could have gotten some friendship Finncedes on Glee,but unfortunately we couldn't. Another thing I love Becca Tobin and her friendship with Amber. I know Kitty was the mean cheerleader, but so was Santana and she and Mercedes were best friends at one point before RIB gave her to Rachel. Besides I liked the little bit of Kittcedes banter we got on THAT show. Anyways I do not own glee, thank you to my BETA, and enjoy!
"What do you mean moving? How am I supposed to pay for rent?" Mercedes asked following her now ex-roommate around the room as she gathered her things.
"I mean I'm leaving. As in I'm no longer going to be here."
"Kitty a warning would've been a really great idea. I can't pay 900 each month alone."
Kitty stopped her process and turned towards her friend. "Mercedes, Artie asked me to move in with him." She informed her. "I couldn't say no. We've been dating for four and a half years now. We figured why not? I mean I'm hardly here so there's no sense to even pay rent at a place I'm hardly in opposed to an apartment I'm always at with a person I love."
Mercedes pouted. "I love you too Kitty."
The short blonde smile sympathetically at Mercedes. She dropped her purse and pulled Mercedes in for a hug. "I love you too short stuff." She pulled back resting her hands on Mercedes shoulders. "I'm two floors down plus I even made up flyers for you."
Mercedes brows furrowed. "Kit no. Weirdos will try and apply."
"How else did you find me?" She teased. "I'll do the audition with you so you're not alone." In a rush she kissed Mercedes cheek and left out with whatever she had left in there.
Mercedes dropped down on the sofa and sighed. "The hell am I going to do now?"
A few days had gone by and Mercedes really missed having a roommate. Kitty wasn't the best at it, but at least she kept her company and kept the freezer stocked with butter pecan ice cream.
Mercedes was a twenty three year old graduate art student that had a knack for the finer things. Sketching was her thing. She loved painting, but the smooth feeling of a freshly sharpened led pencil gliding across that sketch pad had her heart thumping.
She had been making little doodles in her pad at the time she got a knock at her door. Standing to her feet Mercedes pulled at her shorts and headed to answer her door.
Kitty shook flyers in her friends face before stepping in her old sleeping grounds. "So guess what I just did?" She quizzed plopping down on the couch.
"What?"
"I just put up a few flyers telling people where and what time they can meet us."
Mercedes looked at her friend incredulously as she grabbed a flyer from her coffee table. Scanning over the purple flyer Mercedes shook her head. "Today from twelve to five? Kit! I haven't picked up. The maintenance man can't come until next week Wednesday to fix the a/c,"
"Yeah I was wondering why it was so hot in here." She interrupted looking around her old apartment only to see all of the windows wide open and a rotating fan next to the tv. "Well whatever. Let us just burn a few of your scented candles and put out the trash. It's not that bad."
Kitty stood from the couch and made her way to the bathroom to find which candle scent she wanted to fill the apartment with. Mercedes tied up her trash and swept her kitchen counter clean. She wasn't a messy person. Actually she was the clean one when it came to cleanliness she just wanted to make a good first impression.
They heard a knock a few moments later and looked to one another. Kitty bounced in her seat and stood up taking Mercedes with her. Yanking the door open it was a tall guy with dreads and a guitar. "Hello." Both girls greeted looking up at him.
"Hey is this right room number for the roommate position?"
Kitty shook her head causing her blonde bun to bounce around. "Yes! Come in come in. Excuse the warmth in here the air conditioner went out, but we have someone coming to fix it next week."
"That's cool. So the flyer didn't include much other than I'll be sharing the apartment with one person, it's a two bedroom, and there's a bed included."
"Yes," Kitty answered bringing him into the kitchen to sit down. "This is my friend Mercedes and she's actually the one looking for a roommate. The rent will be around 450 a month and,"
"Woah! That's pretty steep. I don't really make that much. I usually make around a hundred dollars a week on tips alone."
"I'm sorry what do you do for a living actually?" Mercedes asked.
"Oh I play guitar downtown on the street corner. Near Atlantic station." He explained.
"Yeah well Mercedes needs someone with an actual steady income. So we're sorry." Kitty pouted her red lips sympathetically. She got up and walked him out. Closing the door behind her she turned to Mercedes. "He smelled good." Kitty told her with a smile just before getting another knock at the door.
Mercedes got up to greet the face on the other end of the door. "Hello!"
"Please tell me you two are my roommates." A short guy with an orange Afro pleaded.
"Gross."
"Kit," Mercedes slapped her arm.
"I'm sorry. We just filled your position." Mercedes lied whilst shrugging her shoulder.
"Well I can always be that third person. We can be like Threes company. I'll be Jack,"
Kitty shut the door in his face. "Creepy."
A few hours had gone by and they only had three more people to stop by. A blonde girl that talked about her cat and worked at build-a-bear. Now, Mercedes didn't have a problem with her, but when she made mention to possibly collecting more cats Mercedes had to pass.
Next was a girl that seemed to be really cool. The only problem is she cried the entire time. After thirty minutes of hearing her stories came to find out she just wanted to vent. Her boyfriend had to visit his parents in Puerto Rico for a week and she wasn't too pleased about not being invited.
The last chick that arrived was loud, demanding, and obnoxious. She came in with a skirt, penny loafers, and a shirt that looked like she borrowed it from a third grader. She kept going on and on about broadway musicals and how she was a vegetarian and that none of Mercedes meats could touch or be near her organic foods.
Mercedes had the pleasure of kicking her out and now they were just waiting on the last person. His name was Finn and he called ahead letting them know that he was interested.
Mercedes poked her fork at her chicken salad before taking a bite. "If he's not qualified I might as well move into a smaller apartment. I'm not paying full rent. Not on my salary. I can't."
They heard a knock.
Kitty looked at her best friend. "You are not moving. We will find you someone."
"Hello!" They greeted with a smile.
Looking up from searching for the flyer in his pocket he flashed them a smile. "Hi, I'm Finn Hudson. I called about the roommate position." He held it up. "Is it filled?"
Kitty looked back and forth between her friend and the tall brunette. She smiled brightly and bounced on her feet. "The position is still open. Come in, please!" She widened the door allowing him to enter.
Finn looked at the short brunette under his nose and smiled.
Hearing a cough he shook his head. "Sorry I didn't get your names." He apologized holding his hand out.
"I'm Kitty and this is your roommate Mercedes." She paused after Mercedes gave her a look. "Well possible roommate. If you don't mind can we ask you a few questions?"
He sat down on the offered lazy boy and shook his head. "No please. Fire away."
Kitty nudged Mercedes shoulder telling her to read off her list.
Mercedes sucked her teeth. She brushed the curls behind her ears and cleared her throat. "First do you have a job and can it cover 450 a month?"
Finn took a sip of his offered water. He gave her a nod. "I do. I'm a part time photographer and part time bartender. I'll even buy my own food if need be."
Kitty smiled along with Mercedes pleased with his answer.
"Do you have any animals?"
He shook his head. "None. I like them I just don't own any. Do you?"
Mercedes shook her head. "No." She looked down at her list. Her smile being hidden with her hair. "Are you originally from Atlanta or did you move here?"
"I'm originally from Ohio, but I've been in Atlanta for six months now." He explained.
"Oh where were you living before?" Kitty asked interested.
"I had a roommate, but he got engaged and his fiancée moved in which pretty much moved me out."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Mercedes apologized.
"I'm not. If I'm qualified for your roommate it was probably the smartest thing I did." He replied looking at her and flashing her a smile.
Mercedes tucked her head and blushed.
"Okay!" Kitty interrupted standing up. "Let us show you around."
Mercedes pulled her curls into a makeshift bun and walked over to Kitty whom was standing behind the couch. "The air conditioner is broken for now, but the maintenance man will be here next week to fix it." She explained.
Finn followed behind them. He pushed his thin long sleeve sleeves up. "I can probably fix it if I see it. My step dad is a mechanic. Granted he owns an auto shop, but I know how to use my hands." He informed looking directly at Mercedes.
"Oh god. This is going to be so good!" Kitty mumbled to herself. "Umm this is the hallway closet. It's filled with towels, blankets, toiletries, an emergency kit. Just about everything you need is in there. This is the laundry room." She pulled back the twin doors showing the small room with the useless air conditioner in the corner.
"This would be your room." Mercedes informed opening the door. She never really realized how short the doors were until having watched Finn duck his head to get in. "I hope it's not too bad. Once you add your stuff it'll look more complete of course."
Kitty and Mercedes stood side by side looking up at the tall brunette.
Finn crossed his arms over his chest and bobbed his head. "Where do I sign?"
Mercedes let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in. She didn't have to move out.
A couple of moments of talking over the lease Finn left to his truck to grab his things.
"He's cute." Kitty mentioned looking at Mercedes nervously nibbling on her nails.
"He's not bad. He's really tall though."
Kitty gave her a nod. "And you have a weakness for tall men. I saw the way you were looking at him."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Kit I was not. I was keeping eye contact."
Kitty laughed. "Sure."
Finn walked in with two duffle bags draped over each shoulder with a storage box in his hand. Walking past the women Finn headed to his new room to drop his stuff off before heading back out for round two.
"Cedes!" Kitty exclaimed seeing her friend get that look in her eyes. "He's tall and he can lift? I think you found your future husband."
Mercedes smiled before shaking her head. "Shut up." She headed to her freezer and stuck her head in it. "Ugh it is so damn hot in here!" She complained.
"Let me just put this down and I'll take a look at it."
Mercedes turned her head at the sound of his voice. "Oh, no take your time."
He disappeared into his new room and immediately came right back out.
"Mercedes I'll be right back." Kitty announced heading towards the door.
"Whoa! Where are you going?" Mercedes asked following her moments before exiting.
"I'm just getting some clothes. I already told Artie I was staying over, but I do I have to leave early for work in the morning. Chill." Kitty put on a smile and waived at her replacement.
Mercedes turned to Finn and smiled. "Okay," Wiggling her finger Mercedes led him to the small laundry room and slid the door open. "It's cramped in there so watch your head."
"Do you have a flashlight?" He asked turning towards her. Mercedes went into her bedroom and came out with a metallic purple flashlight and handed it to him. Sitting up on the washer machine Mercedes watched as he fiddled with the thermostat.
"It's jammed." Turning to her he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "When's the last time they checked it for you?"
Mercedes shrugged innocently. "I don't know. Like five years ago when I moved in. Is that bad?" She immediately asked seeing a smile form on his face.
He shook his head. "No. At least not on your part." He scratched his head before turning around and out to go to his room.
Mercedes feet swung from up on the washer machine waiting for him to come back.
With a screw driver in his hand and his sleeves now pushed all the way up Finn headed over to her. He ducked his head down and turned her flashlight on to unscrew the face of the unit.
"So am I going to have to worry about your blonde girlfriend kicking me out too or was this her idea?" He asked removing the grill.
"Oh!" Mercedes giggled lightly. "Kitty is my friend. She moved out to be with her boyfriend. I'm straight." She cleared up.
He gave her a nod. Pulling his head out of the dusty space he wiped his sweating forehead once again and leaned on the dryer. "Then I'm assuming your boyfriend is fine with this roommate situation?"
"I don't actually have a boyfriend. I'm single." His smile made her smile. She turned her head and bit her lip. "So,"she turned back to face him "do you have a girlfriend?"
His smile only widened at her inquiry. "No. Actually I am single. My last relationship didn't go over too well."
"Uh-oh. Was she crazy?" Mercedes asked crossing her legs as she became intrigued.
Finn's eyes looked down at her exposed thighs in her tight shorts. He brought his eyes back up to hers. "You could say that. She had a thing for musicals and would force me to eat tofu."
Confusion was all over Finn's face as he watched Mercedes hide her laugh behind her small hands. "What?"
"Did she dress like an overgrown toddler?"
He shook his head. "Yeah. She'd wear penny loafers too. First song she'd ever written was a song about headbands. She was a bit extreme."
Mercedes couldn't contain her laughter. "Did she have long brown hair and was she a little taller than me?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"She applied for the roommate position probably two hours before you called."
Finn laughed. He shook his head and leaned back against the door frame. "Did she tell you about not putting your meats next to her organic spinach?"
Mercedes nodded her head. "Yes!"
"Did she sing for you?"
"No! Thank god. Is she bad?" Mercedes asked looking up at the brunette.
"She's got a voice for show tunes. It gets annoying after awhile. I just hope she doesn't make her way back over here. That would be awkward, huh?"
"Very."
Mercedes noticed something in Finn's hand and pointed to it. "What is that?"
Finn looked down in his hand. "Oh, this is the sensor. It needs to be replaced and so does the coil condenser."
Mercedes was clueless. "I have no idea what those are, but how much would that be to replace it?"
Finn let out a whistle. "A lot. The condenser itself cost more than a months rent. The sensor I'm not even sure if that can be replaced. They have to give you a new system."
Mercedes pouted her full lips and sighed. "Guess I'll just wait until next week. Until then it's nothing but shorts, tank tops, open windows, and fans. Thanks." She hopped off of the washer machine and headed into the kitchen. "Do you want some ice cream?" Mercedes asked from where she was.
"What kind?" Coming into the kitchen Finn only had the tank on that he was wearing under his shirt. He washed his hands in the sink and leaned back on the counter.
He watched as she reached up on her tippy toes to get a better look at what was in her freezer. Finn had to admit he was enjoying the view of his new roommate. She was attractive. Her body was something he wanted to curl up with in bed and her lips...hmm. He couldn't stop looking at them while she talked. He knew she was his roommate and they had just met, but it wasn't like he couldn't adore her from afar.
"Umm," turning around with two gallons of ice cream in her hands she stopped short once she turned towards him. Her jaw was slacked at his exposed arms facing towards her. She looked away and placed her focus elsewhere. "Chocolate chip cookie dough or pralines and cream."
"I'll have what you're having."
Mercedes bit her lip and tilted her head in contemplation. Placing the chosen container on the table she turned around to put the cookie dough back in the freezer. She pulled the drawer back and looked at Finn. "Can you hand me two bowls please? They're behind you."
Finn scooped the ice cream into their bowls and handed Mercedes hers before heading to the couch.
"So how often do you work as a bartender?" Mercedes asked before taking a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
"Depends really. Mostly Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from seven to one. We shut the bar down a few hours before the club itself closes. My boss was nice enough to give me tonight off."
"A lot of crazy people?"
He gave her a nod. "A lot. I don't know why people can't hold their liquor." He licked his spoon and placed the bowl down. "What about your job?"
She turned to him as she played with the soon to be melted puddle of sugar and cream in her bowl. "Umm, I work every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from nine till two and every Friday from five to ten at night. We get a lot of different people coming in and out. High school kids that want to hang out and act up are usually the demographic every Friday night."
"Knock knock!" Kitty sounded walking in already dressed in her pjs. "Oh is there more?" She asked taking a spoonful of Mercedes ice cream.
"There's more in the freezer."
Kitty had helped herself to a few scoops of cookie dough before joining the two on the couch. Resting her legs on Finn's lap she took the remote from Mercedes. "So what are we watching?"
Mercedes looked on at her friend as she took control of the tv that no longer belonged to her. "Um Kit?"
"Yup?" She bobbed her head to the song playing now on the television.
"How do you come in our apartment and take over? You left remember?"
Kitty took a spoonful of her ice cream and nodded. Looking at Mercedes she smiled brightly. "I remember, but now I'm your guest and I get the dibs on the remote."
Mercedes laughed and shook her head. "That is not how things work." Mercedes stood to her feet and stretched out a bit. Announcing she was getting ready to take her shower she left the two alone.
Kitty looked at the tall brunette from the corner of her eye as he typed away on his phone.
"Can I ask why you're staring at me?"
"I wasn't staring." She replied with a smirk as she licked her spoon clean.
"I'm a bartender. I have to see what goes on all around me. Even with my head down, and on my phone, I can still tell you're staring at me."
Kitty stared a moment longer and a smirk grew on her face. Removing her legs from his lap she stood up and brought her bowl to the sink. "Goodnight." She called over her shoulder before disappearing into Mercedes room.
Finishing her nightly rituals up Mercedes tied her hair up and left the bathroom. Too busy looking at the ground Mercedes accidentally bumped into Finn causing her to immediately apologize. "Sorry! Did I hurt you? I was looking at my toes thinking what color I was planning on painting them and I guess I didn't see you coming. I'm so sorry."
He chuckled. Shaking his head he tucked his phone into his back pocket and smiled at her. "It's fine. I should've been looking at where I was going, but instead I was talking to my ex-roommate. I didn't hurt you did I?"
Mercedes shook her head.
"Good." Looking down Finn couldn't help but find her stunningly beautiful. Her hair was tied up, she wore her glasses and her big Falcons t-shirt hung a little off of her shoulder. Looking away Finn cleared his throat. "I guess I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Mercedes gave him a hug that he wasn't ready for, but once he fell into the hug he offered a firm one back before releasing.
Going their separate ways Mercedes went to her room to join Kitty while Finn went to get ready to take his shower.
"So?" Kitty shook her shoulders and sang with anticipation almost as if Mercedes had details for her.
"So, what?" Mercedes walked over to her phone to check for any messages.
"So, are you you going to climb the tree or stay away? I personally think you should get your ladder ready because you already seem to have taken a few steps."
Mercedes rolled her eyes and corrected the smile that played on her face not even long enough for her to feel. Putting her phone down Mercedes turned her lamp off and got into bed. "Kitty stop. We're roommates and that is it."
"Yes roommates with sexual tension. Maybe you should flirt with him and do that little walk you do."
Mercedes sucked her teeth. "What walk?"
"The one where you swish your hips. You only do it when you see a guy you like."
"Do not!" Mercedes retorted looking at her best friend on the opposite side of her.
Kitty sat on her elbows as well. "Do too! Now hush I have to work tomorrow and you have to climb a tree! Goodnight."
Mercedes rolled her eyes at her friend. She wasn't going to argue with her about this. It was too late and too hot and all she wanted to do was to go to sleep.
Mercedes woke up and looked around her room. She groaned. It really was too early and hot to be up, but she decided to get up and start her day. Grabbing her glasses from the night stand she put them on and left her room.
Shutting the bathroom door Mercedes heard grunting and counting in the living room. Turning the corner Mercedes' bottom lip was settled between her teeth at the site before her.
Concentrating on his workout Finn felt a pair of eyes on him and looked up. "Good morning. Did I awake you?"
Mercedes never really did trust her mouth in situations like this. A head shake would work just fine and that was what she did. She swallowed hard and turned into her kitchen for a glass of orange juice only to notice food prepared on the table.
Finishing his last set Finn stood up and grabbed his towel to wipe his face with. Wrapping it around his neck he walked into the kitchen joining Mercedes. "Oh, I hope you don't mind, but I made breakfast this morning. Don't worry I will replace your food as soon as I pick my check up this afternoon. Your friend said you liked eggs, bacon, toast, and pancakes. I figured with the amount of eggs, toast, and bacon she demanded and devoured those were for her."
Mercedes giggled as she took a seat. "Yes! Kitty will eat anything especially bacon and eggs. Don't worry about replacing it this is sweet enough. Thank you."
He gave her a nod before going back to work out.
Mercedes put her food in the microwave and waited for the buzzer. While she enjoyed her breakfast she enjoyed her view even more. He was doing shirtless push ups now and Mercedes was a sucker for a man with height and muscles. She could've watched him work out all day.
She noticed him look up at her as he positioned himself off into a plank. Instantly she turned her head and downed her orange juice.
Finn smirked at her before continuing with his count.
Standing to his feet he looked at the time on the clock and hadn't realized how long his work out had been. Joining her in the kitchen he sat in front of her and drank his bottled water.
"Do you always work out or you just thought you'd show off your body in front of me?" She asked poking at her food.
Finn was ready to apologize. He didn't want her to think he was doing anything on purpose. Ready to apologize he noticed a smile on her lips as she looked up at him.
"I mean I'm not complaining I just need to know so I know when to wake up."
Finn let out a chuckle. Taking the last sip of his water he closed the cap and stood up. "Every morning at nine a.m. miss Jones. Since we're talking about enjoying the view that t-shirt of yours is the perfect fit for you."
Mercedes looked down to see where his eyes were roaming and hadn't noticed just how high up her shirt really was around her thighs. She couldn't help the burning in her cheeks as he smiled at her just before walking off to the restroom.
"Jones you have a customer. Table for two!" Her boss Will shouted as she finished cleaning the table from her other customers.
Mercedes groaned. With her head down too busy looking for her pen she wasn't prepared for the smiles greeting her. "Welcome to Metro Cafe. My name is Mercedes; I will be your server for the day. Can I get you guys something to drink?"
Kitty placed her elbows on the table and smiled brightly as she placed her chin on her fist. "Yes! Can we have two vanilla milkshakes with hot fudge and two grilled chicken clubs?"
Mercedes wrote the orders down only because she had too, but she already knew their orders like the back of her hand. "No fries Kit. We just ran out, do you want onion rings or cheese sticks?"
"Oh! Rings for me and sticks for her." Artie replied actually in the mood for some onion rings.
"Do you want the tartar sauce and honey mustard as sides?"
"Do my legs not work?" He teased.
Mercedes gasped and slapped his shoulder. "Artie!"
The four eyed friend shrugged and smiled. "You knew the answer though."
Mercedes finished the ticket and ripped it off. "Messy. I'll be back in about fifteen minutes. I'll bring you guys some water okay?"
Taking a turn at the light Finn noticed the time and how he had a little bit to spare before he had to go to work. Noticing Mercedes diner still opened he decided to pull in and bug her just a little while filling himself up.
"Jones!"
Mercedes rolled her eyes at the voice of her annoying boss calling her name once again.
He was annoying, needy, and controlling. He never thanked her for her hard work and when he did it was behind closed doors and followed by a big but. She wanted out of his management, but the pay was exceptional and the tips were sometimes better than the checks.
Placing her drink aside she grabbed her pad and pencil and went out to greet her next customer. Noticing her customer already talking to Kitty Mercedes recognized the back of their head and instantly a smile crept upon her lips.
"Hey!" Finn greeted seeing his roommate dressed in her uniform.
"What are you doing here?"
"I had a few minutes before work and thought I'd come and see what you guys have here. What do you suggest?" He asked holding the menu out in front of him.
"Since you decided to surprise me at my job, how about I surprise you with something to eat?" Mercedes closed his menu and looked at him as she blindly wrote in her pad.
Finn tossed his hands up. "Fair enough." Watching her walk off Finn smiled and turned his attention back to his roommate's friend and boyfriend.
Artie took a bite out of his tartar sauce covered onion ring and looked at Finn. "You have a thing for Cedes?"
Finn wasn't expecting that question. He swallowed hard and shrugged. "She's my roommate. We just tease each other a little that's all."
"Okay so you like her. That's how I bagged this one." He claimed pointing to Kitty.
Her head popped up from her plate as she sucked her teeth. "Um no. That was not how you got me." She turned to Finn. "I was having car troubles and he came out bragging about knowing this, this, and that about engines. Took him five hours and almost my battery to realize all I needed was gas."
Artie gasped. "I figured it out though, didn't I?"
"You did." She cooed before leaning in for a kiss.
"Guys nobody wants to see that before they have to eat." Mercedes cut in with a tray for Finn. Mercedes placed his plate and drink on his table. "Honey mustard chicken club with onion rings and a sparkling raspberry lemonade."
"Oh! Can I have one to go?" Kitty begged as she reached in her pocket for a tip.
Just as Mercedes was getting ready to leave Finn got hold of her hand and stopped her. "Eat with me. I see two other customers and they have other servers."
"Finn I,"
"Just have an onion ring with me then. Please?" He pleaded.
Mercedes looked around and he was right. Her only customers were served and sitting right near her. A few minutes wouldn't hurt, right?
She groaned and playfully rolled her eyes before taking a seat. "Fine."
"Woman stop acting like you don't want to." Artie teased dipping one of Kitty's cheese sticks in the honey mustard.
Finn took a bite out of his sandwich and nodded in approval before sliding the plate over. "Help yourself."
Reaching her fingers out for one of the large fried onion ring she dipped it into Artie's tartar sauce. Looking up she noticed Finn's brows furrowed down at her. She chuckled and covered her mouth. As soon as she finished chewing she licked her lips and smiled. "What?"
"What did you dip that in?"
"Tartar sauce." She stated plainly.
"On your onion rings?"
She gave him a nod. "Yeah. It's delicious so is honey mustard and cheese sticks."
Finn put his sandwich down and shook his head. "That just doesn't sound like a good match."
Mercedes shook her head. "You're missing out. Let me guess, you've never had a Wendy's frosty with fries have you?"
His face scrunched up in disgust. "Mercedes that sounds disgusting."
"You don't know what you're missing out on man." Artie added as he shook his head.
"Miss. Jones get back to work, now!" Her boss shouted as he jerked his thumb towards a new table.
Mercedes groaned. Standing to her aching feet she let Finn know she'd see him at home.
Finn quietly turned the knob only to notice Mercedes sleeping in the corner of the couch with the fan blowing on her. Placing his keys in his back pocket he made his way over to her as silent as possible and picked her up. Carrying her to her room Finn placed her in bed and walked out closing her door behind him.
"I've been on too many bad blind dates." Mercedes informed Finn as she cooked breakfast for them. Mercedes was surprised at how well they hit it off. It had been almost a month now and they worked well together as roommates. Things between them stayed flirtatious and fun, but nothing more. That was just their personality.
"You can't stop dating because you ran into a few assholes. And I say assholes because I'm sure they were." He explained as he put an attachment on his camera.
"Yeah, but it gets annoying." She told him as she reached for the pepper in the cabinets.
Finn was listening to her, and the music blaring out of her radio, but wasn't paying attention to it. He always enjoyed hanging out with her, but it was something about her in her down clothes that he really appreciated. It made him feel comfortable.
Focusing his lens on her he snapped a few pictures of her until her song went off and the room was quiet enough to hear the flash.
She stopped scrambling her eggs and gasped. "Finn!"
He smiled at her and snapped another one. "Sorry, but you looked cute dancing to your music while talking and cooking. Look," getting up from his position on the couch he walked up to her and stood closely behind her. He enjoyed the way her body felt against him. The way she looked up at him was enough to make him fall to his knees.
He had no clue how hard this would be. For him to not fall for someone that he had to live with. It was never a matter of she didn't see him the same way or that a no relationship policy was in the contract. It was he just didn't want them to not work out and for him to either move out and go apartment hunting again or lose his new found friendship. It was a new friendship and one he was grateful for. He just didn't want to ruin what they already had with a title.
Mercedes cleared her throat and looked at the camera held out in front of her. They were actually good pictures that he took. Sure she saw one or two silly looking pictures, but he was pretty good behind the lens. "My hair wasn't even done Finn."
"So?"
Mercedes turned around and placed her hands on the table behind her. "After breakfast I want you to get dressed and come with me."
He looked down into her big russet colored eyes and smiled. "And go where?"
"The park." She turned back around and scooped the scrambled eggs from the pan to the serving plate. "It's actually nice outside and I haven't drawn in what feels like months. I'm losing inspiration I think. Almost like drawers block or something?"
This was what Mercedes needed. Some fresh air and inspiration. Being locked up in that house for weeks she wanted to get out and do what she loved most. Drawing had been a passion of her's since she was four years old and it stuck with her ever since.
Her chores money went to color pencils, sketch books, canvases, you name it she'd buy it. She couldn't tell you how many times she'd get in trouble for drawing on random paperwork as a child.
A hobby that caused her many punishments, late nights, and notes from her teachers letting her know her drawing in the top corner wasn't going to give her a better grade turned into cash. A full ride scholarship to The Art Institute of Atlanta.
Her skill made her money on the side and kept her calm during those annoying days at the cafe.
Getting to be out in the Atlanta heat on a surprisingly breezy, but warm day cleared her drawers block right up. She caught inspiration left and right. A little chubby dark skin girl with afro puffs playing with her skinny Hispanic friend in the water park made her smile.
She'd seen an older couple holding hands on the bench as they fed the pigeons, but her favorite was a flower. It was by itself, but it wasn't alone. A few scattered out weeds seemed to be protecting it and Mercedes' decision of what to draw was immediately chosen.
Crossing her legs on the warm metal bench Mercedes placed her pad in her lap and gave the flower her full attention.
"I see you found something?" Finn noticed as he held a tray of food he found at a vendor not even a block away. Taking a seat beside her he placed his camera bag down and tried to find her focus.
"I did. It's gorgeous right? Also it just happened to be purple too! I guess you could say I got lucky, huh?"
He mumbled with food in his mouth and gave her a nod.
Finally getting a whiff of powerful spices Mercedes put her pencil down and looked at him eating and sporting a smile upon his face. She chuckled at him. "What are you eating?"
Handing her her paper tray and a drink he finished his food before answering. "An empanada platter. Chicken, veggies, and all cheese. He had a spicy one,"
"You got the spicy one?" Mercedes assumed as she cut him off.
"Yeah, but I know you don't really eat too much spicy foods so I just got you the regular."
Mercedes took a sip of her drink and nearly melted at how good it was. "What is this?"
"Green tea and infused fruits. Is it good?"
She gave him a nod while taking a drawn out sip of her tea. "Really good."
They had to have spent their entire day outside that day. Talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Time had gone by faster than Mercedes had expected. That day and his stay.
A month was more than enough for Finn and Mercedes to become close. Spending hours up laughing at cheesy 80 romantic comedies and staying up until 5 watching terrible infomercials were their usual nights whenever they had off.
"Look! Look look!" Mercedes muttered almost in tears watching the actress have the most difficult time placing the top on it's container.
"How do you screw that up?" Finn laughed pointing towards the television.
"Oh my god," Mercedes wiped her tears. Reaching for her phone Mercedes checked the time and groaned. Dropping her head back she stood to her feet.
"You're leaving me?" Finn whined out.
Mercedes stretched side to side and gave him a nod. "Yeah. Work calls and I have to get up at nine tomorrow." She held her arms out for a hug and waited for him to embrace her.
Wrapping his arms around her Finn rocked her side to side before lifting her up.
Mercedes giggled. "Finn!"
Putting her down Finn pulled her out in from of him and smiled down at her. He leaned down to place a tender kiss to her forehead before whispering goodnight.
Mercedes tossed and turned in her bed. She wasn't tired just yet and it wasn't like she was hot. Her room was the only one to actually have air conditioning due to the lack of concern from the maintenance man.
Finn sat on his bed with his hands propped under his head. He was hot, the fans weren't cutting it, and he wasn't going to sleep naked especially not with his door wide open. Sitting up he grabbed a pillow and a blanket and left his room.
"Come in." Mercedes sat up on her elbows and saw Finn's face appear. "Couldn't sleep?"
Finn shook his head and walked in. "It's hot in there and I was wondering if I could come in here. On the floor of course!"
Mercedes chuckled and nodded her head.
Finn set up a little bed right beside her bed and laid down. "Why are you still up?" He asked looking up at her."
Mercedes leaned over the side of her bed to look at him. "I'm not tired. I tried checking a few emails and scrolling down twitter, but I still can't sleep."
"Do you want to count sheep?"
Mercedes snorted, but shook her head. "That never works. I start off fine, but then my mind drifts off into somewhere else and that keeps me awake longer." Mercedes gasped and annoyingly tapped his shoulder. "Tell me another story about your ex!"
Finn covered his face and groaned. "Do I have to? Mercedes she was crazy."
"I know! That's the main reason I want to hear them. Please?" She begged. She moved his hands from his face and smiled brightly. "Please?" She whispered.
"Fine, but I want you to play in my hair when I do."
"Deal!"
"She didn't!" Mercedes shouted.
"Yup. She sent her to a crack house. She said she was thinking about our classmates, but she was being selfish. Like she usually is."
Mercedes shook her head as her fingers played in his short locks. "That's crazy." She mumbled shaking her head.
The room fell silent as the two enjoyed the nonexistent noise. Finn had been enjoying Mercedes running her fingers through her hair up until her heard light snores escape her mouth. Finn smiled to himself. Rolling over Finn closed his eyes and went to sleep.
"My OH, my OH, my OH, my OHH, my my booooo!" Kitty and Artie sang together during a game of Karaoke at Mercedes and Finn's place.
"Oh yeah! Look at the scores! Beat that!" Kitty bucked at Finn just before handing him her microphone and taking a seat.
"We need an easy one." Mercedes whispered to Finn as they blocked the tv and scrolled down their options. "Oh! Is this good, can you rap or at least keep a beat?"
Finn bobbed on his feet unsure. "Umm I play the arms so I can hold a beat, but he doesn't say the you know what word right? Because if I'm reading what comes up there and it,"
Mercedes laughed and touched his shoulder. "They edit this so the only cursing you will hear are damn, hell, and maybe ass. Do you want to do it?"
He looked on nervously before realizing this wasn't glee club. This wasn't nationals, hell this wasn't even sectionals this was him having fun with his friends. He held his fist out. "We got this."
Kitty threw her head back letting her laughter fill the room as Finn awkwardly rapped along. Artie being a rap and hip-hop fan was quite embarrassed by how he was delivering the rhymes. Mercedes on the other hand kept singing the background vocals to the song. She couldn't help the large smile on her face as he "rapped along" to the song.
Mercedes finished off the song before hugging him. "Finn that was good!"
"What?!"
"What the hell? Oh hell no I demand a rematch." Artie commanded looking at their score pop up on the screen.
Finn's arm was still wrapped around Mercedes waist as he turned around to check the score. A huge burst of confidence came through as he shrugged smugly. "Looks like we're in the lead."
"Um not for long!" Artie grabbed the mic from Mercedes hand. "Kitty I got this one." Scrolling down the Rap catalog Artie's face lit up at Biggie Small's Juicy.
The smug look on Kitty's face as Artie finished up annoyed Mercedes. "Yes! In your faces!" Kitty shouted.
Mercedes moved Kitty's finger out of her face. Looking at Finn she held a reassuring hand out. "I got this one." Expertly scrolling down the list of choices. The corner of Mercedes lips tugged into a devious smile, she raised her eyebrow, and cracked her neck.
"Oh no!" Artie already knew where she was going when she did all of this. " I thought I told you to delete two artists from this game." He whispered to Kitty.
Her face dropped to her lap. She mumbled out an "I thought I did."
"From the moment I saw you I went out of mind," Mercedes sang to Artie and Kitty pretty much the entire song with one goal in mind. To piss them off! And she did. The song ended and as Mercedes took her bow Finn stood up cheering.
"Oh my God! Mercedes that was amazing!" He hugged her again pulling her close to him. "Should we end the game there or,"
"I have to work tomorrow." Artie informed collecting his things.
"Tomorrow's Sunday." Mercedes whispered to herself just as they left. She giggled to herself. "Ughh," she groaned as she stretched.
Finn wrapped both arms around her. He rested his chin on her head and looked at the time. Both of them were free tomorrow and it wasn't that late. The air condition worked now so there was no need for him to sleep in her room anymore, but he did want to anyways. He just didn't want to come off as obvious.
Sure he initiated wrestling and the flirting was all him, but he couldn't use the air conditioning not working in his room excuse anymore on her.
"Are you going to bed?" Mercedes asked as she rested her head against his chest still entangled up in his hug.
"No I was going to go to my room and watch a movie." Finn swallowed hard. "Did you want to come and watch one with me?" He smiled feeling the nod against him.
"I'm going to change first and then I'll join you." She told him reluctantly leaving his arms. Mercedes headed to her room to find clothes while Finn went to his room.
Mercedes' emotions were running high. She had grown close to Finn and she really enjoyed his company which was why she took him up on that invitation. She could lie and say she didn't enjoy him tacking her to the ground to engage in a "wrestling match" with him. Or she could lie and say she didn't miss him sleeping in her room with her whoever his room got too hot for him.
She could tell you she didn't enjoy it, but it would only make things harder for her when she was around him. Mercedes didn't want to ruin her already close relationship with a Finn because of her feelings, but she wouldn't mind them being a thing together.
Mercedes took her clothes off and slipped on a big t-shirt. She grabbed her pillow and headed over to his room. Knocking on his door she waited for him to answer.
"Hey."
"Hey. Are you ready?" Mercedes asked trying not to let her eyes longer on his exposed torso.
"Yeah, let me just grab my shirt. Come in."
Mercedes walked in and noticed his pillow and blankets on the floor. She looked at him as she sat on his bed. "Are you sleeping on the floor? In your own room?"
"Yeah."
"Finn that's ridiculous just stay up here with me. It's not like I'm going to be sleeping in here."
But she did end up sleeping in there. With him. Cuddled up with him as he spooned her during their movie. She wasn't sure when it happened, but she was glad it did. Waking up a few hours later in his arms felt nice. Mercedes tried to hide her smile as he pulled her in closer to him. To say she didn't feel anything from him would be an understatement. She felt him behind her and she knew her "subconsciously" grinding against him wasn't helping, but it sure as hell felt good to her.
Mercedes saw the time and realized it was too early to wake up. Closing her eyes she allowed his heartbeat to put her to sleep once again
Mercedes woke up to the smell of bacon and a cold back. She knew Finn had to of been cooking for them or for them and Kitty. Walking out of his room Kitty's eyes flew open at her leaving Finn's room.
She grabbed a piece of bacon and ran over to Mercedes. She dragged them into the bathroom. "Y'all had sex?!"
Mercedes stopped applying toothpaste to her toothbrush and eyed Kitty. "No! And keep your voice down. All we did was watch a movie and fall asleep together." Mercedes brushed her teeth and mumbled out her answer to whatever foolishness Kitty asked.
"Is he big? If you guys were spooning it's a guaranteed yes that that ass of yours was rubbing against him." Kitty looked down at Mercedes and smiled.
Mercedes chuckled and slapped Kitty's arm. "Shut up."
Kitty sat on the toilet seat and waited for Mercedes to finish washing her face. The two headed out for breakfast where Finn was pulling the hash browns out of the oven. "Good morning." Finn greeted with a smile.
"Good morning." Mercedes greeted before taking her seat.
Kitty rolled her eyes at the two.
"Kit, where's Artie?" Mercedes asked as she made herself a plate.
"He's kinda pissed off about losing last night. He should've come because I'm not cooking anything when I go home, nor will I bring him anything back." Kitty bit a piece of bacon and smiled at Mercedes.
"You're actually a pretty good cook." Kitty complimented enjoying Finn's breakfast.
"You say this like it's my first time cooking for you, but thank you."
"It'a alright. The bacon's a little undercooked, but ehh." Mercedes teased looking at Finn from the corner of her eye.
"You think you're funny." He poked her side with a fork causing her to flinch and giggle. He collected his plate and took it to the sink where Mercedes soon joined him.
"Excuse me?" Mercedes reached over to grabbed the soap and on her way back she playfully jabbed him in the stomach. "Oh I'm terribly sorry I didn't mean,"
Finn picked her up by her waist allowing her laughter to fill their apartment.
"Finn!" Mercedes screamed out as he tossed her over his shoulder and ran over to the couch.
Tossing her down Finn pretended to punch her sides. "Say you're sorry and I'll stop."
Mercedes shook her head.
Finn shrugged. Straddling her waist Finn began tickling her sides. "Say you're sorry and I'll stop."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry what was that?" Finn asked cupping his ear.
Mercedes giggled. Trying to catch her breath she looked up at him and smiled. "I'm sorry."
"Thank you. That's all I wanted." He kissed her forehead and stood up. He offered her a hand and she took it before joining him in the kitchen.
"The sexual tension between Cedes and The green giant shoot through the roof at the Lima Apartment complex. What are we starting the bidding on? Five dollars says they'll have sex tonight do I have five?" Kitty did her best auctioneer voice into her fork.
Mercedes slapped Kitty's shoulder. "Shut up. Don't you have to go to work or something?"
"Nope. But I do have to get ready. Ms. Abrams is visiting and we're supposed to be going out for dinner with her. Which is why I'm here, I need to borrow those Mary Janes."
Mercedes shook her head. "Still trying to convince her you're a sweet little southern girl, huh?" Mercedes walked in to her room and grabbed her black shoes before returning.
"If we're going to get married someday I need for my future husband's mom to not hate me." Kitty kisses Mercedes cheek. "I'll bring them back tomorrow."
Mercedes went back to the sink to wash her plate.
Finn had just put soap on his sponge but handed it to Mercedes first.
"Thank you."
Finn leaned back on the counter and watched her. Finn noticed how Mercedes bites her bottom lip whenever she's cleaning. She probably doesn't realize what it does to him when she does it. He wanted to kiss her plump lips. He wanted to be the one to have her lips against his. Her body against him more than spooning. Their friendship seemed to be turning into more especially when they stare at each other until she turns her head as her cheeks grow red.
Mercedes snapped him back to reality when she called his name and handed him the sponge.
Finn ran the water over the soapy sponge allowing it to foam up more. As he was scrubbing the plate he felt Mercedes arms slip around his waist and rest her head against his back.
"Wanna watch a movie after this?" She asked, her voice quiet.
Finn gave her a nod. "Yeah."
Mercedes headed over to the DVD rack to find something for them to watch. Looking over at Finn sitting on the couch she showed him the cover. "Reality Bites?" She turned it over and shook her head. "Must be one of Kitty's." Putting it back Mercedes gasped. "Clueless!"
"Mercedes didn't we just watch that?"
Shook her head. "Heaven no! We watched She's the Man. Two totally different things!" Mercedes put the DVD in and went to get her blanket. She was grateful to be able to wear a blanket in her apartment again without getting heat stroke.
On her way back to the couch Mercedes grabbed the remote and took a seat right next to Finn. Offering him some of her blanket he politely declined. Mercedes threw the blanket over her legs and rested her head on Finn's lap.
Finn watched her more than he did the movie. The way her big brown eyes lit up at her favorite scene or the way her lips moved while whispering the lines from the movie. Finn enjoyed moments like this. It was just the two of them doing nothing but spending time together.
Mercedes hated the scene when Tai told Cher off. Mercedes rolled her eyes and turned over only to notice Finn looking down at her. Mercedes smiled and linked her fingers with his. "What?"
"I really want to kiss you." He admitted.
Mercedes paused the movie and sat up. "What?"
"I said I really want to kiss you. Can I?"
Mercedes tucked her hair behind her ear and looked down. "Finn,"
"Mercedes I like you a lot. I have since I first laid eyes on you. Your lips just seem so soft and perfect I honestly don't know how I went this long. So," Finn turned to her and lifted her chin up. "Mercedes L Jones can I kiss you?"
Mercedes gently bit her lip in a smile before looking back up at the brown eyes looking back at her. "Finn F Hudson I've been waiting for you to ask me that since you first walked in."
Finn smiled down at her. Cupping her cheeks on his hands Finn brought his lips to hers and groaned in pleasure at the final reveal of her lips. It was better than he imagined. Softer than he dreamt and even sweeter than he could've thought.
Mercedes fingers played in his short hair. Her lungs hot, but the kiss was long overdue and she wanted to make up for missed opportunities. Pulling back Mercedes rested her forehead against his while her thumb brushed against his nape. "Finn you're an amazing kisser." She complimented with a smile.
"I'd have to say that your lips deserve an award for being the softest set that's ever existed."
Mercedes looked away and chuckled. "Finn?"
"I know. It was really cheesy, but I couldn't really explain something so perfect."
She kissed him again. "Thank you." Mercedes grabbed her blanket and curled up next to him.
Linking his fingers with hers Finn kissed her side temple and pulled her in closer to him. What they were now he didn't know, but he hoped it includes more of what just happened because kissing her was something he could get used to.
A/N: Let me know what you think. Your comments mean a lot! Until next time!