Today was the day and Quinn was a wreck.
Baby steps, she would tell herself over and over when trying to come up with the perfect birthday plans for a reluctant Santana. She had covered all the bases and told their friends that Santana didn't want to celebrate so as to not hurt their feelings, so that was taken care of. Quinn may have made those calls right away but it wasn't until last night that she came up with the perfect plan, though she would use the term "perfect" loosely.
Normally Quinn wasn't one to be excessively frazzled over anything but to say that Santana was an exception to many things for her was an understatement. First off, Quinn was in love with Santana, which was enough in itself to get her to act a little crazy as any person in love would. Secondly, Santana was fragile and Quinn had to make sure she didn't crack the porcelain. Put those two things together and you've got yourself a delicate situation. Quinn had to make sure that the plans were within Santana's comfort zone as well as making sure she didn't make things look romantic because, as much as she hates it, she wouldn't want to ruin what was probably the most important friendship to Santana right now. There was a time and place for everything and Santana's first birthday without Brittany probably wouldn't be the best time for a love confession.
So, all of that in mind, Quinn had finally decided on taking Santana to the first diner with good food they had found after moving to the city (also known as their "spot") followed by returning home to watch a movie. It was simple, it was easy, and most importantly it was exactly right for Santana. Even knowing all of that, Quinn was ridiculously nervous and wanted more than anything in the world for Santana to have fun and be happy to day.
"Dress warm, it's freezing outside!" Quinn called as she slipped on her own coat in preparation to head out for dinner.
"Yes mom," Santana teased from her room. Quinn smiled, glad that her friend seemed to be in good spirits thus far. Moments later, Santana came to the entryway clad in her black peacoat and a thick wool scarf.
"We contrast nicely," Santana commented, noting Quinn's coat of the same style only in white.
"Because I'm pure and good and you're all black and tainted Satan, pardon me I mean Santana," Quinn joked, as she opened the door and the two exited the apartment.
"Nothing better than some birthday insults," Santana chuckled before shivering against the cold wind that was whipping about. "Jesus Christ you weren't kidding."
"When have I ever lied to you?" Quinn asked, elbowing Santana playfully. Santana laughed once again before burrowing into Quinn's side as they continued walking and it took every ounce of Quinn's willpower to not trip over herself as she felt her heart palpitating in her chest.
Stay cool Fabray, she's cold.
By what was obviously some sort of divine miracle, Quinn played it cool all the way to the diner and let out a massive internal sigh of relief when they slid into their booth. Opposite sides of course.
The pair quickly ordered their respective regulars and easily fell into conversation about trivial things as they ate.
"So, this is okay right?" Quinn asked once there was a brief lull in conversation.
"Yeah, it really is," Santana nodded before dipping a fry into her milkshake and eating in, making Quinn scrunch her nose in disgust.
"God what is it with people doing that?" she asked. "I'll never understand."
"Don't knock it until you try it," Santana answered, dipping another fry and holding across the table. "Come on, just once and you'll be begging for more."
"Okay, but I'm gonna hate it," Quinn insisted in a rather child-like manner before leaning forward to take the fry from Santana. As she closed her mouth around it she felt the very tips of Santana's fingers brushing her lips, lighting a fire inside her that rendered her unable to even take notice of the taste. She leaning forward awkwardly for a moment, frozen in space before Santana snapped her fingers in front of Quinn's face.
"Anybody home?" She asked, her eyebrows cocked in confusion.
"Sorry," Quinn shook her head to clear her thoughts and puther game face back on as she leaned back down. "I was just a little dumbstruck by how gross that was."
Good save Fabray, you've got it under control.
"Friendship over," Santana deadpanned and Quinn gave her the "really now?" look.
"I'm glad to hear that our friendship is determined by dipping a deep fried potato into a blend of ice cream and chocolate," Quinn sniped back playfully.
"Well Q, some things are just deal breakers for me and this is one of them," Santana replied cooly, unwilling to be the one to back down.
"It just makes my heart soar to know how much you value my friendship."
"Fries and shakes Quinn, that's all I have to say."
"Fries and shake versus unwavering loyalty, hmm," Quinn cupped her chin in a thinker pose. "Nevermind I see where you're coming from."
"Welcome to the dark side, I knew you'd join us eventually," Santana said with a grin, making a scene out of eating another shake covered fry.
"I don't have to get a black coat now, do I?" Quinn asked.
"Naww, we need a double agent and the white will make them trust you," Santana replied before sighing in content and leaning back in the booth. "I'm stuffed, can we pay and head home? I can't even tell you how awesome pajamas and the couch sound right now."
"Your wish is my command birthday queen," Quinn said before flagging down the waitress and getting the bill. She paid quickly, shooting down Santana's offer to contribute, before letting Santana bundle up against her once again for the walk back home. Finally back inside, the pair briefly separated to go into their rooms and change into pajamas for their movie. Back in the living room, Quinn smiled when she found Santana already curled up in a thick comforter that she had brought from her bedroom.
"What do you wanna watch?" asked Quinn as she made her way over to the tv case and started looking through the dvds.
"Something light and funny," Santana said vaguely; making Quinn role her eyes and smirk before grabbing the first thing she saw, some movie that had come out last year and been a hit that she had picked up during a sale simply because it was only five dollars. She quickly popped in the dvd before scurrying to the catch and jumping next to Santana.
"Let me into the warmth," Quinn pouted. Santana just laughed and opened it up for her to scoot in. Once situated under the covers, Santana rested her head on Quinn's shoulder and started to focus on the movie.
An hour and a half of suprisingly funny viewing, Quinn changed the tv to cable and let a rerun of old sitcoms play as neither woman really wanted to move at the moment.
"Good birthday?" Quinn asked, making Santana tilt her head up from where it still rested on Quinn's shoulder and nod with a smile.
"I haven't felt this happy in a while," she said. "This was just what I needed."
"I'm glad," Quinn smiled back. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you," Santana leaned up and pecked Quinn's cheek, making the fair-skinned woman flush a deep red. "I'm glad I'm here with you, Luce."
Surging with affection for the woman leaned up against her, Quinn let her emotions take over and looked down at Santana. She cupped her face gently and readjusted so they were facing one another before pressing her lips against Santana's in a kiss that was soft but certainly not chaste.
Quinn was on fire. Every nerve in her body tingled as she moved her hand from Santana's cheek to the back of her neck. However, Quinn's body going into overdrive wasn't enough to distract her from noticing that Santana wasn't kissing back and that the distinct taste of salt was now on her lips. She quickly pulled back and looked at Santana with what she could only describe as shame.
They sat there for a moment in silence, both completely in shock for different reasons. Santana licked her lips before dragging her index finger across them. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime she looked up a Quinn with watery eyes that shattered the blonde woman's heart.
"I trusted you," Santana whispered as tears began to streak down her cheeks.
"Santana," Quinn started but was cut off by Santana, who suddenly was much louder.
"No Quinn!" Santana half-yelled half-sobbed. "I fucking trusted you! You of all people should know I wasn't ready for anything like that. That wasn't fair and you fucking know it!"
Before Quinn could respond, Santana whipped the comforter off of both of them and ran back to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. The second the door was closed, Quinn could hear Santana choking out violent sobs. She wanted nothing more than to go comfort her but being that she was the cause for Santana's tears she knew she had to stay away. So, she did the only thing she could do and started crying herself. Quinn reached for her phone on the coffee table and quickly whipped it open, dialing the only person she could talk to right now.
"Hey, Q, hows goes the birthday fun?" Blaine asked, him being the only one who knew that plans had actually been made.
"Blaine I fucked up so bad," Quinn managed to choke out. "I ruined everything, I'm so goddam stupid!"
"Shit Quinn," Blaine sighed. "Hang tight Kurt and I are gonna come over. Be there in fifteen."