There was a system – a routine – by which Arizona's parents lived by, and she'd lived under the same roof as said routine for eighteen years. She knew exactly which way she was expected to fold her napkin on her lap as they were seated at an upscale restaurant, and at which seat she was expected to sit in in relation to where they sat.
She knew that before they had decided to dine at this restaurant, her mother had looked up reviews on several other restaurants in the area, and thoroughly compared them. She also knew that her mother would have words to say about the restaurant if it did not live up to the standard she'd been expecting.
When Arizona had gone to college – living away from her parents and their strict schedules for the first time – she'd had no trouble forming and slipping into her own routine that was incredibly less severe. And she always found it restricting to be back with her parents after experiencing freedom.
But she could easy slip into what they expected and their routine for a quick lunch. Even if she was conscious of the way her back snapped up just a little straighter and her shoulders were squared.
She had been telling Callie the truth when she'd said that her parents weren't in the habit of preparing her before a visit; she suspected it was because that way she had no way of hiding anything from them.
They'd never been very big on trust, either.
But still, these visits had always tended to make her anxious, at least until they were over. Like if she made one wrong move, then that was it.
"Arizona," her mother's quiet yet somehow laser sharp voice cut into her thoughts, and she automatically lifted her head to look up from the menu she was looking at absently, "Stop fidgeting with your napkin."
Her hands stilled on her lap, where she hadn't even realized she'd been twisting the edge of the fabric between her hands, and then smoothing it out, "Sorry," she muttered and dropped her hands to her sides, just reminding herself that it was one lunch.
One lunch and then she could go see Callie. The thought was oddly soothing.
Barbara shook her perfectly coiffed blonde head slightly, her own gaze not moving from Arizona; she could feel it on her face from across the table, "I swear, you're about to be graduating from college, and we're still having the same discussion about you fidgeting that we've had since you were what – thirteen?"
It was fourteen, but she didn't correct her. Her mother's annoyance and lecturing about the importance of appearances and that there was no need for her fidgeting like that, let alone in public, started right as all of the problems with Tim did.
Thankfully, the waiter arrived at their table before she had to say anything back, and when eyes were on her she gave him a small smile, and handed him her menu as she informed him she would be having the house salad.
The last thing she needed was a lecture about healthy bodies, healthy minds, and healthy life from her father.
Who looked at her as the waiter walked away, with his stern look that she'd always felt must have served him so well in his profession as a police commissioner, "Speaking of your college graduation – any news on where you'll be attending law school? Shouldn't this decision be happening soon?"
"Yes, sir," she nodded, also thankful that the topic had been changed to something relatively easy to discuss, "I've been accepted to Stanford, and I'm waiting to hear back from Columbia, which will be soon. I don't expect bad news," she added, fairly confident in the matter.
And really hoping that she wouldn't be wrong, because Stanford was her mother's choice, it was where she had earned all of her degrees in engineering. While it was an amazing school, Arizona wasn't entirely certain that she wanted to move across the country; not when Columbia was her own first choice.
Her mother's small sigh drew her attention, "I don't understand what you have against Stanford, Arizona. It's an incredible education."
Arizona just managed to hold in her own sigh. This was a very similar conversation she'd had before choosing to go to UPenn for undergrad, "I have nothing against Stanford, mom; I'd just prefer to stay farther east."
She knew that despite her parents' preferences for where she continued her education, as long as it was a highly reputable school, it would still be deemed acceptable. Luckily, she also held herself to a high standard.
"I was talking to Mrs. Peterson about where her son – do you remember Eli? – was applying to law schools. Apparently, his LSAT score was only a 159," her mother scoffed and shook her head as she took a sip of water.
Arizona was still sometimes kicking herself for her score of 178. Two more points, and it would have been perfect. Though, most days she was happy with it.
Luckily, Arizona knew that this wasn't a topic her mother would plan to stay on for long. Unless the gossip concerned her directly, which included Arizona's life, of course, she wasn't particularly invested in it.
Daniel changed the subject first, his gaze that same intense, focused look that she sometimes recognized from herself trained on her, "So that girl. You said she's your girlfriend?"
Which made her mother sit up in attention as well, and Arizona clenched her jaw tightly, because she should have known this would be a topic of conversation, "Yes. Callie is my girlfriend."
Both of her parents lowered their eyebrows slightly in thought, and this was precisely the reason she was grateful her parents didn't invite Callie to lunch with them. Because despite having had two girlfriends in the past, she'd never introduced them to her parents. And had never intended to.
Her mother lifted an eyebrow at her, and Arizona knew she was expected to elaborate even before her mother asked in her tone, her icy tone, "And?" she prompted.
Arizona knew what she was asking, and what she wanted to know. But she also knew that her parents wouldn't like or appreciate Callie the way she deserved, no matter what she told them, "What would you like to know?"
Barbara's eyes narrowed, so slightly that any outward sign of annoyance would have been lost on anyone except for Arizona, "You've never introduced anyone to us before as your girlfriend, young lady. I believe that warrants her as serious enough for your father and I to be interested."
It took all of her willpower not to wince as her mother called her young lady, the same way she would when she scolded her as a child, and she refrained from pointing out that she hadn't planned on introducing them.
"Your mother is right; you're serious enough about this girl to introduce her as your girlfriend, when all we know about her is that she is tardy to events that she has no shame in interrupting and that you two are extremely… affectionate in public," her father finished, lifting his eyebrow at her in a reprimand all on its own.
There was no way she could control her flush now, because on the list of things she wanted in life, and that was a detailed, goal-oriented list, having her parents witness her kissing her girlfriend was nowhere to be seen.
Her fingers itched to fidget with the napkin once more, but she remained firm as she shook her head, "I hardly think that a small, quick kiss qualities as overly affectionate." And that was as far as she would go in voicing her disagreement.
But the way they both looked at her, made her bite back another sigh, even though as made her tense up a bit more. Her mother's disapproval was clear in the way she narrowed her eyes, lips drawing together tightly into a thin line, "As your father was saying, we need to know more about your friend."
Arizona didn't even bother to ask why, because she knew exactly why this was so important to her parents. It was the same reason, she presumed, why they'd always been overly concerned with who she was making friends with. Were they a good influence? An unnecessary distraction? Did they have goals of their own? And she could only imagine that their concern over a woman she was dating would be even higher.
After licking her lips for a moment, feeling her stomach clench in knots, she took a deep breath and looked across the table at her parents, "What would you like to know?"
It came as no surprise when her father was ready to fire out questions, "What does she do? She says she isn't a student. How old is she?"
In her mind, she listed the answers off, before answering, "She's my age, and no, she isn't a student. She…" she took in a deep breath, because her parents didn't typically respect careers in the arts as legitimate walks of life, "She's in a musical."
And there was that look on their faces. It was almost comical, how their eyebrows both drew down slightly and a frown came over their features at the same time. Her mother's comment was laced with disdain, "A musical. Hmm."
But that was all she said, and she could typically take whatever her parents said and just compartmentalize. Because she had learned long ago that there was no changing their minds on something that they already thought. Except now, she pushed, "She beat Tony nominated actresses for the part; and she's gotten incredible reviews." The slight approval that the smallest part of her craved was there just a bit in the nod.
She didn't expect to get any farther acknowledgement than the, "That's nice," that she received from the older woman. But it was still enough to grate on her nerves. Even though she couldn't exactly say why, but her parents being blasé about Callie was frustrating to her in a way that she hadn't been frustrated with them in… a while. But she didn't press even more. She knew it wouldn't get anywhere. It never did.
"I take that to mean she lives here, in the city," her father said in a tone that was questioning, but she knew it was a statement, so she just nodded, "Do you come see her here often?"
Arizona shrugged, "Not as often as I would like to. Only if I'm free."
She definitely wasn't going to go into detail of how they'd met, or that they had only been officially titled girlfriends since… an hour ago. Or that Callie knew about Tim or their family history, or really anything that they didn't specifically ask for. She didn't need their opinions on this aspect of her life.
"She isn't distracting you from your studies, then," this time, it was definitely a statement. Because it wouldn't be acceptable for someone to come in and distract Arizona from her work. Just as she'd told Callie – her parents didn't care if it was a boyfriend or a girlfriend. They cared that she was still doing what they had raised her to do.
And she was, because for better or for worse, this driven part of her that had been instilled through every practice and every club and every single extra credit project, it would always be a part of her.
They would never have to know about the few nights where she had put aside her extra credit work – that she mainly did to bolster her grades in the off chance that she might not do as well on an assignment that she would like – because she'd rather just have more time to talk to the brunette.
Or that she was sometimes on her mind even when Arizona should have been concentrating in class. But it was tough for her to push Callie out of her mind, a lot of the time. And weirdly, she didn't really care all that much.
So she just settled with the truth, "My grades haven't dropped. My performance in cheerleading and role at the sorority are the same – better, even," she thought with a small smile, before shaking her head, and finishing, "And mock-trial has been going just as well, as you saw today."
They both accepted that answer with a nod, as they had seen her devastate her competition. As much as she was proud of herself and her accomplishments within mock-trial, she was also relieved she had done so well when her parents had been there to see it. If only so she didn't have to hear the same speech that she'd heard when she'd been fourteen and in her first ever meet for debate club. She'd been the youngest person there, and had come in third.
Unfortunately, third place warranted a lecture about preparedness and that when she'd signed up for this responsibility, it was expected that she would sign up and do her best.
Her father clearing his throat got her attention as he asked, "Speaking of your grades, I trust they're good? We received a letter in the mail stating that with your grades and accomplishments, you're going to be your class speaker at graduation."
Arizona's eyebrows shot up from surprise as her heart started pumping quickly in her chest, "You did? I am?"
"You didn't know?" her mother asked, as she refolded the napkin on her lap, "I would have thought that's something they would have told you personally."
She lifted a hand to her hair, tucking it behind her ear as she shook her head, "I – no. I'm…" she trailed off, and put her hand against her stomach where a pleasant warmth was settling – a satisfying, accomplished feeling – and gathered her thoughts before her mother could say anything about her stammering. With a deep breath, she managed, "My advisor emailed me for a meeting next week, which is probably about this."
Daniel gave her a small smile, "Well, congratulations."
"Thank you," she smiled and nodded back, unable to stop her fingers from smoothing over her lap again, this time just trying to contain herself.
Her parents exchanged a look, before looking back at her, and she knew that what was going to come next was probably the reason for this visit in general, even before her mother said, "The reason we came to see you is because the conference we are attending this afternoon is the first in a small series."
Arizona's eyebrows drew together as she nodded slowly, wondering where they were going with this. Her mother frequently attended conferences and meetings all over the United States when she'd been growing up for work, and now that her father had retired, he'd taken to joining her in her travels, "Okay?"
"And the last in the set of conferences is at Stanford, the same weekend as your graduation. I figured you would understand – after all, it's not imperative that we attend. We already know everything we need to know; you're the class speaker. Besides, you will be so busy, having to pack all of your belongings and preparing for the next step, wherever it may be," her mother continued, with a small wave of her hand, as if to say no big deal.
Her forehead crinkled as she processed their words, "You're not… coming to my graduation?" and the words felt slow and thick on her tongue.
Barbara hesitated for just a second before nodding, "I'm sorry to miss it, of course, but you understand. I've already made a commitment to be at the conference, and I can't simply not go after I've given my word."
"Right," she breathed out, and she didn't even understand what the feelings were that were swirling in her stomach and chest. She honestly was having trouble processing it, though she supposed it made sense – her parents didn't find it necessary to actually see the fruits of her labor; walking across the stage to receive her diploma or hearing the speech she would make.
The older woman nodded, a smile on her face, "I knew you would understand, dear."
She was even more thankful that the food finally arrived so she didn't have to think of a way to respond.
Arizona had debated going to Callie's apartment first. She'd been assured by Callie that Cristina was at home all day to study for an upcoming exam, and that way, she could drop off her bag there, first.
But after the lunch with her parents, she decided just to go to the theatre and meet Callie there, earlier. If her timing was correct, the matinee show would have ended just under an hour ago, meaning there were a few hours before the evening show would go on.
Callie had texted her the instruction to walk into the lobby, and as she did, she found it almost chilling that it was so empty. Slowly, she pulled down her hood, dripping water from the downpour outside onto the floor. And it was so quiet in there, that she could swear, she could nearly hear the water droplets hit the ground.
"Callie?" she called out, looking around. She'd only ever been in said lobby before and after one of the show productions. During those times, it was not only full of the audience members, but also the people who worked here.
Though, she supposed, she didn't know what else she expected, when she'd just been thinking about the gap time in between the shows.
She nearly jumped when she heard a door swing open to her left, and her heart was already pounding in surprised as she heard Callie's voice, "Hey!"
Despite her surprise and the slight tension she was still carrying from lunch with her parents, she couldn't help but smile in return at the dazzling one on the brunette's face, "Hey," she returned, much quieter than Callie, whose voice boomed across the empty lobby. As she finished unzipping her rain jacket, and gingerly slid it off, Callie had closed the distance between them.
"I'm glad you're here; being in here alone kind of freaks me out. But everyone either went home or to get something to eat for a little bit, and I thought…" she trailed off, and the brilliant smile that was on her face dimmed slightly, as a soft, tan finger reached out to touch her chin, tilting her head up, "You look… not as happy as you did earlier."
Slightly damp blonde hair swayed as she shook her head, "I'm okay." And that was the truth.
Dark eyes narrowed slightly at her as a questioning gaze swept over her, and that deliciously full bottom lip was brought between her teeth as she thoughtfully chewed on it, "Are you, really?" she saw the flicker of doubt come over her face, before she sighed, "Is it about us being girlfr-"
Before Callie could get out her question, Arizona pushed herself onto her tiptoes, her hands – still chilly from the outside weather – brushing against Callie's jaw as she pulled the brunette forward to meet her lips.
She intended for it to be quick, just a brushing of her mouth against the brunette's, but somehow this… this connection between them just felt like a balm, soothing any of the annoyances or strange feelings from earlier. It was a feeling she was still getting used to, but… she couldn't deny that she craved it.
Or that she'd missed it during the last couple of weeks when she'd been at school.
With a small sigh she pulled back slightly, sucking on Callie's bottom lip, and pulling it between her own, as her fingertips slid lightly down the brunette's soft warm jaw. Then they trailed down her neck, and she could feel the goosebumps that the movement caused, as she pulled all away.
The way Callie's eyes were hooded made her smile again, her chest feeling pleasantly warm as she assured in a whisper, "It has nothing to do with us being girlfriends. Honestly, Callie… that was the best thing to happen today. And that's after knowing I'm going to be the class speaker at graduation," she added with a dimpled grin.
And she was almost surprised herself with how true the words were. Of course, being chosen for this honor meant a lot to her. But at this point in her life – after being valedictorian in high school, and spending the last four years busting her ass for every activity she was in as well as spending countless hours studying… this wasn't really a specific goal of hers. No matter what, she was going to graduate with honors, and she knew that.
"Really?" A smile flashed across Callie's face so quickly, and it was so bright, Arizona swore she was nearly blinded. Before she could confirm, she found Callie's arms around her, pulling her tightly into a hug.
The warm feeling that she'd had earlier when her parents told her the news was nothing compared to the amazing feeling settling low into her stomach right now. Because her parents were less proud and more… they expected this from her.
Callie's pride was clear, and if she couldn't tell by the tone of her voice, she certainly could with the way her arms were holding her so tightly, and she moved them gently side to side for a few more seconds, before pulling back, her hands still holding lightly onto Arizona's hips and dark eyes still bright and sparkling with her grin, "You didn't tell me before!"
"I didn't know. I mean, I knew I would be in the running, but I didn't know it would actually be me. My parents told me," she finished, and with that, a knowing look crossed Callie's face. Before she could ask what Arizona knew she was going to ask, she placed her hands on Callie's arms, fingers stroking the material of her sweater, as she bit her lip, "They also told me they aren't going to my graduation."
Surprise stole over Callie's face, and her eyebrows winged up at Arizona's words, "But… I thought. Wouldn't they be happy for you? To see you like that?"
She simply shrugged, because she could hardly understand her parents herself, let alone try to explain them at length, "They are… happy. In their own way," she settled on.
Shrewd eyes ran over her face, and she could feel the way Callie's thumbs rubbed circles over her hips on her fitted slacks, that she'd worn for her competition, but were now soaked from the rain. Arizona was sure that it was supposed to be comforting, and it was in a way, but it also made her shiver and her breath hitch for a moment.
"And how do you feel about it?" Callie questioned her voice low and smooth, eyes running up and down her face.
In that moment, she was kind of struck by just how much Callie cared about her. It wasn't the first time she'd felt this way, this kind of blown away feeling. But in the few times it had happened, she almost couldn't believe the way it made her chest feel. Warm and protected, and her heart felt like it was fluttering.
It somehow made her feel better about what she was feeling, "I feel badly," she started, seeing Callie nod in understanding and she quickly finished, "- about the fact that I feel relieved."
And now the thumbs on her hips stilled, and she could see that Callie was confused. But she felt relieved to have said the words aloud, even as the brunette asked, "You feel relieved?"
She nodded slowly, "I've been feeling kind of like a bad person, because when they told me that they weren't coming to my graduation, I was just… so relieved. They make me stressed and tense," she blew out a breath, and shook her head, "And the thought that I'll be able to enjoy my graduation without them there is kind of freeing. Does that make me sound awful?"
As she tipped her head back to look up, dark eyes that were looking back at her were nothing but warm, and Callie's voice was low in this way that always made the pit of her stomach tingle as she said, "No, you don't sound awful at all, Arizona. I don't have that much experience with your parents. Obviously. But I do know that the second they appeared today, you felt different. Like, physically."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Arizona lifted an eyebrow, enjoying the way Callie blushed. Sometimes there were things that Callie did that were so predictably Callie, she just… she loved those things a lot.
"I mean – I didn't. I just meant – you got so –" Callie cut herself off as Arizona chuckled, and dark eyes playfully narrowed at her, "Be quiet, you know what I meant."
Arizona hummed, as she slid her hands down farther so that she could take Callie's squeezing them both lightly, before taking one in hers, and holding it. Those long, soft fingers squeezed hers lightly as Callie stepped back, "So, why did you want me to come here instead of your apartment?" she asked, looking around once again, in the empty lobby.
Callie started walking them towards the door she'd exited from, biting her lip, "I thought maybe you'd like a tour of the theatre. I mean, we don't have to," she added, as she paused, looking at Arizona in question.
She smiled and shook her head, "No, show me." Because she would admit that she was actually really interested in seeing everything.
The door Callie led them through brought them into a dark, narrow hallway, which made her instinctively pull in towards her the brunette. She was so close, their clasped hands between them brushed against their bodies, and she could smell how good the combined smell of Callie's perfume and shampoo was. It kind of made her a little lightheaded.
Then Callie opened a door that she had barely even noticed, and after following Callie around and corner and a few more feet, they were onstage. Blue eyes blinked owlishly as she adjusted to the lights, and even though all of the seats were empty, she felt a small flutter in her stomach, "Wow."
"I know," Callie bit her lip next to her, looking down with a soft smile, before letting her hand go so that she could explore the area a little bit.
She walked around, recognizing the set as Callie's characters – where the musical's first scene took place. Lightly, she ran her fingers over the "kitchen counter" in said apartment, before turning back to Callie with a grin. Her breath caught just a bit in her throat at the soft smile Callie was wearing as she looked at her from where she stood nearly offstage, "What?"
The brunette shrugged and started walking towards her, "Nothing." Then she was back to biting into her bottom lip, her head turning to look out at the empty seats, before walking closer to Arizona, "Opening night, I was terrified. Like, utterly terrified."
When she arrived in front of Arizona, the blonde turned so that her back was to the counter and she reached her hands back so she could comfortably lean back a little and tilt her head up to the brunette, "Really? Have you ever considered this to be not quite the profession you should be in with stage fright?" she teased.
Callie's eyes flashed as she walked even closer, effectively caging Arizona in, her arms on either side of the blonde's. Then her gaze narrowed, inches from Arizona's own, as she shook her head, "I was going to say that right before I had to go onstage, I got the flowers you sent me, and they made me calm down and feel ready."
Her heart stuttered in her chest, skipping a beat – or several, she didn't really know – as Callie leaned in even closer, so that their hips bumped, and their chests were almost brushing. Arizona's lips already felt like they were tingling from Callie's impending kiss, and she had to clear her throat before she could get out, "You – you were going to say that?"
"Mhmm," Callie basically purred out, and the sound seemed to vibrate through Arizona somehow, as Callie leaned in even closer. As their breasts brushed against each other's her breath caught in her throat, and she could hear that Callie's did, too, before the brunette leaned in even closer. Arizona could feel her breath hit her lips.
She instinctively licked her own at the sensation, before she managed to whisper, "And what are you going to say now?"
And she barely heard Callie's, "I'm not," before those soft lips captured hers.
Callie's mouth skillfully played against hers, lips parting her own before Arizona even realized it, and then her tongue was teasing Arizona's. She wouldn't have been able to stop the whimper that left her mouth if she tried, as her brain finally caught up and her tongue played against the brunette's.
She could feel Callie's hands slide from where they were right next to Arizona's on the counter, before they were on her hips, and rubbing those circles again. Maybe Callie had known that the feeling wasn't just one of comfort, she thought dimly, as she shivered.
Then she tilted her head just a bit so that she could take Callie's bottom lip between her teeth, tugging just a bit, so she could experience the moan that she knew would come from the taller woman's throat. As Callie's mouth slid from hers, down to her jaw, nipping at her there, before moving to her neck, Arizona's head fell back.
Arousal had already slid in, hot and heavy into the pit of her stomach, as she felt those full lips on her neck, sucking. Then she gasped when she felt her teeth, just under her ear, and god, she was already wet.
It shouldn't have been possible to be this turned on, she though. Really, not after only a couple of minutes like this. But… here it was, happening.
Then Callie's mouth was gone, and she felt dazed, as she lifted her head up a bit from where she'd been tilting it back, looking at her in confusion. But before she could ask why they'd stopped, she felt Callie's hands slide to wrap around the back of her thighs. Her fingers splayed onto the counter made her realize the brunette's intention, and she was quickly on board.
Nodding, she hopped a bit, and in a smooth motion, those strong hands helped pick her up and she slid back onto the counter. And she was grateful because now her hands could do more than brace herself and hold herself up.
Reaching out, she hooked a finger in the top of Callie's sweater and pulled her in. But before those lips could crash into hers again, she simply lifted her other hand to tilt Callie's head to the side, so that her mouth could to go work on Callie's neck.
Just a few weeks ago, she'd leaned that the brunette was so, so sensitive right at the column of her throat. Taking advantage, Arizona nipped her teeth there, loving the way Callie's body practically fell into hers. God, two weeks and a handful of dirty phone calls had really, really geared her up for this.
But of them, it seemed, as Callie's hot breaths panted against her ear and her voice was low and husky, sending sparks through Arizona's body that fell right to her core, "You – god, you have the best mouth. I've thought about it a lot."
Arizona had never really been one to talk during these moments, but fuck if it wasn't making her feel even hotter, and she took her mouth away from that soft skin for a millisecond to ask, "Yeah? What else have you thought about?"
She could feel Callie's groan vibrate up her throat against her lips, and the feeling was sinfully amazing, before the hand that had been at Callie's waist was taken and she could feel Callie guiding her up her shirt, just like that first time over spring break.
But this time, she didn't need Callie's initiative to continue, and she darted her hand up, over Callie's bra, feeling how hard her nipple was, pressing into her palm. Callie's hips, that were pressing against hers on the edge of the counter jumped, and Arizona ground hers back, the seam of her pants pressing almost perfectly against her clit.
Not perfectly, though, and she nearly whined in frustration. She needed the friction there, but before she could say or do anything, one of the doors in the back of the theatre opened, the sound echoing through the theatre and up towards them.
Her hand was out from under Callie's shirt in a second, and the accessibility she'd had to Callie's neck was gone as the brunette stepped back shakily, her hands brushing uselessly against her sweater.
Before the man who was muttering something under his breath had even noticed them, she felt Callie's hand grip hers, and tug, helping her jump down from the counter. And then she was being pulled, and they ran off the closest side of the stage.
Arizona could feel her cheeks heat in a delayed blush, as the events caught up to her, and she breathed out a shaky laugh, "Did we just get caught making out onstage?"
Callie's laugh mirrored her own right back, "Uh, yeah. Thankfully he really didn't notice."
She really had no idea where they'd gone, but then Callie was opening a door, and she was led into a small room, with a rack of clothes, a vanity and a chair, and an uncomfortable looking couch.
Callie's hand dropped from hers after she pulled Arizona into the room, and she took a step back to close the door, locking it, as she gestured around, biting her lip in an adorably sexy way – how did she do that? Her voice was gravelly, "This, well, this is my dressing room."
God, she should probably cool down, she chanted in her mind as she turned on her heel and looked around in the dim lighting, taking in everything she'd already glimpsed at, this time noticing the small window above the couch. This was Callie's place of work. They'd only been technical girlfriends for like… a few hours now.
She hadn't realized how close behind her Callie was until the brunette cleared her throat, and she spun around. The look on her face was sheepish, even as she was still blushing, and Callie shook her head, "I'm… I just wanted you to know that I'm still okay. With taking things slow, I mean. If he hadn't walked in out there, we. Uh. Well. Yeah."
Arizona's eyebrows lifted high on her forehead as she took in what the brunette was saying, "No. I mean, yes, it would have probably escalated, but…" she licked her lips, her fingers brushing over her the blazer she was wearing, and pulling on it lightly, "But I think we've gone slow enough." When wide brown eyes whipped up to meet hers in question, she cleared her throat, "I mean… I think it's clear we both really care for each other. And we've done – other things," she settled on, and the slow smile that slid up onto Callie's face was enough to prompt her into action.
They both wanted this – wanted each other. God, blue eyes raked down Callie's body, taking in the way her sweater clung right over her breasts, which she desperately wanted to see, to touch. The curvy hips under her tight jeans.
Blowing out a breath, Arizona brought her hands up to her blazer, and undid the button, sliding it down, off her shoulders, and then throwing it so that it landed over the clothing rack. Callie's perfectly arched eyebrows flew up again, and this time it gave Arizona a renewed sense of confidence, as she started unbuttoning her shirt, slowly.
She could practically see the hunger in Callie's eyes, and fuck, if that didn't turn her on even more, especially as her voice rasped out, "Here?"
She shrugged, "I don't see why not." Licking her lips, blue eyes met brown, "I want you. I've wanted you – a lot – for a while now."
For a moment, Callie's hands came up on top of hers, stopping her movements, and she thought she'd misjudged. But then those soft, tan hands were knocking hers out of the way, and Callie's mouth came down to hers, lips brushing so softly, it was nearly feather-light.
And the gentle contact made Arizona's head spin. Her lips parted on a sigh, hands reaching out to slide under Callie's sweater again, reveling in the soft skin of her sides, as her fingertips stroked up and then back down. Then, without hesitating anymore, because god she wanted to see Callie, she leaned back and tugged.
Callie knew exactly what she wanted, and pulled back, lifting her arms, and helping Arizona dispose of the sweater. Arizona wouldn't have been able to say where she dropped it, as her attention moved to the two breasts that heaved as Callie was already panting.
Then Callie's hands dropped from where they were holding onto the sides of Arizona's shirt, moving back to take off her bra, and sliding it down her arms. Her breath actually caught in her throat at the sight of those deliciously round, firm breasts that she'd been able to touch but had never really seen came into her view.
The sound that emitted from her throat was something she'd never even heard herself make before as she reached out, pulling Callie by her hips and spun them, so that the taller woman fell onto the couch, and Arizona moved to straddle her. She braced her hands on Callie's shoulders, ducking her head again, capturing Callie's mouth.
One of her hands slid down, taking Callie's breast in her hand, stroking over her hard nipple. The whimper that fell into her mouth from Callie's made her shudder, and her other hand worked into thick, dark locks, pulling Callie impossibly closer so that she could deepen their kiss, as if she could taste Callie even more if she held her closer.
She felt Callie's hands moving to tug at her shirt, pulling it off of her, before her hands went to Arizona's bra, and it was moments later that she could feel it sliding down her arms. Reluctantly, she dropped her hand from that soft and firm breast that fit so perfectly in her palm, allowing the last of the material covering her chest to fall away.
The way dark eyes scanned over her sent a shiver through her because the look in Callie's eyes was so intense, it was almost if she could feel it. Her nipples hardened at the thought, and she could see the way Callie noticed.
Then she could feel it, because strong hands slid to her waist, and she could feel how warm her grip was, as she pulled her closer, and Arizona had to brace herself above Callie's shoulders as that hot mouth closed over one of her nipples, sucking on her. She cried out, unable to stop herself, because god, it had been so long since she'd felt someone's mouth on her like this.
And Callie's ridiculously plump, soft lips felt like heaven. One of her hands burrowed into dark hair again, holding her closer while her hips started to rock lightly into Callie's abdomen.
"Fuck," she breathed, frustrated by the lack of friction, before she realized that they were in the privacy of Callie's apartment and that this was actually happening between them.
Her hands were shaking as she pushed herself up, and she gasped as her breast fell away from Callie's mouth, feeling too cold in the room now. Before Callie could question anything, Arizona had already stood and was impatiently pushing down her pants.
Without any prompting, Callie was doing the same thing from where she sat. And the way her body rolled and her hips shimmied was – jesus – making Arizona even fucking wetter.
Which seemed like it should be impossible, because her underwear was already sticking to her. Callie reached out and pulled her back in, this time shifting so that Arizona wasn't straddling her, but was on her own seat.
That hot mouth was on hers, sucking her tongue into her mouth. Arizona nipped at it, before she moved to push Callie down to lie on the cushions, and her hands were sliding down soft, tanned sides, scratching tantalizingly across the top of her underwear. Callie's answering moan that ripped from her throat and the way her hips jerked at the sensation was so raw, she felt like she could have come from just that. Her breasts pressed Callie's perfect ones, and she could feel her hard nipples pressing against her in return.
God it was the best feeling.
"I want you," Callie breathed out, thrusting her hips up again, and they both groaned at the way Arizona's thigh slid between hers, pressing against Callie's pussy that was still covered by a soaked, thin scrap of lacy underwear.
Her breathing was labored, at feeling Callie under her like this, and she shifted to the side just enough so her fingers could come up to pinch her nipple, and she nipped at Callie's neck, "You're so wet."
All Callie could do was nod vigorously, and Arizona loved that all of her words seemed to fall away as she started pumping her thigh against the brunette, harder now, and she could tell that she was getting her skin wet even though her underwear.
"Off. Take them off," Callie bit out, and at the command, Arizona pulled back, missing the feeling of Callie's perfect, warm body immediately. Brown eyes that had slammed closed blinked open again, confused.
She looked down at Callie reverently, because she was so ridiculously beautiful laying under her, chest heaving with every breath she took in, and god, Arizona didn't think anything had ever felt so intimate, as she settled on her knees between Callie's.
Gently, she slid her fingertips down deliciously long, soft legs, kissing Callie's bent knee briefly as her fingers slid under the elastic at the top of her lacy boyshorts, urging them down those legs. She dropped them to the ground next to the couch, and gently let one of Callie's long legs move to brace against the floor, spreading her thighs, and giving Arizona more room.
Her breath shuddered out and she licked her lips as a hunger slammed into her at the sight of Callie's soft, glistening folds. "So wet," she breathed out, leaning in and pressing a kiss on Callie's inner thigh.
She loved the way it trembled lightly against her cheek, and Callie ground out a, "For you. Fuck, you are so –"
Nothing but unintelligible sounds came out after that as Arizona leaned in even more, just enough to lick down her slit, and then back up. God, Callie tasted amazing, she registered, and dove in for more.
She sucked on one side of her lips and then the other, tracing over them with her tongue, reveling in the way Callie's hips were already moving against her face. Sliding down, she plunged her tongue into Callie's entrance.
Immediately, hands dug into her hair, and she could dimly register Callie's moan above her. She slid in and out, brushing her nose over her hard clit. At the motion, Callie's moan turned into a shout, and yes she needed to hear more of that.
She moved up, enough to suck the brunette's clit into her mouth, running over it with her tongue in quick circles. Her hands traced up Callie's body back to those amazing breasts, cupping and then flicking over her nipples, and the brunette's entire body shuddered against her mouth, hands tightening in her hair.
Sliding one hand down, she cupped Callie's ass, bringing her even closer to her mouth, and just as she could feel Callie's hips shuddering against her, she slid that hand back around, sliding two fingers into that hot, tight heat.
She started a fast, hard rhythm, the wet sounds mixing with Callie's cries into the air, and it was the best thing Arizona had ever fucking heard. Her own hips were grinding into the cushion below her, trying to find any sort of friction, because she was so turned on, she was sure she would be able to come so easily.
But she had to focus on Callie and not her own sexual frustration, and her fingers curled inside of her. All of Callie's sounds completely broke off into a silent scream, and her hips jerked hard against Arizona's face, her chin coated in her wetness, as her walls clenched around Arizona's fingers, so tightly, it was all she could do to keep thrusting lightly, drawing out her orgasm.
When it finally ebbed, and Callie's hips fell back onto the couch, her leg jumped against the couch, and Arizona eased her mouth away, and pressed a soft kiss to that warm, trembling skin as she gently pulled her fingers out, a whimper leaving Callie's mouth at the feeling.
And that whimper only fueled Arizona's own need, because she was already shaking with how much she needed to come. How much she needed Callie to make her come, but the brunette was still dazed from her own orgasm.
She moved up Callie's body, pressing their mouths together, their lips almost sliding from Callie's wetness that coated hers. Then Callie's tongue was flicking out, swiping over Arizona's lips, and then a little lower to her chin – and fuck, she was licking herself off of Arizona.
The thought made her grind her hips down against Callie's thigh, and she was so soaked that she practically slid down that toned, tan thigh without the friction she needed, but at the last moment, as she shifted to rock back up, her clit brushed at the right angle.
Callie's hand slid between them, and "Yesss," she breathed out, as those long, skillful fingers easily found her clit.
She rocked her hips quickly against Callie's wrist, her hands braced on either side of the brunette's head, and she barely managed to open her eyes long enough to see the hunger on Callie's face, which just – god, she was going to come in record time.
Then Callie stopped with those perfect, quick circles on her clit, and her hand dipped lower, until Arizona felt her lips being parted, and two fingers slid slowly into her. The pumping she started with her hand was deep and still slow, and made a moan rip from deep in her chest.
And when Callie's thumb moved and started brushing against her clit again, in speedy circles, her arms gave out and she fell on top of Callie, her hips still moving, searching for the amazing orgasm that she was positive she was going to have, that was just beyond her reach. It was only then that Callie's thumb brushed against the side of her clit in a direction that was, "Fuck. There, again," she directed, her hips jumping, shaking because she was right there.
Callie followed her direction, and continued the motion, and it only took a few more strokes before Arizona's entire body tensed. Pleasure exploded, white hot from her core, and outward, nearly blinding her. Toes curled, and her entire body fucking shook, and all she could register was how amazing it felt.
It was only… however long later that she realized that the scream she'd dimly heard had been her own. Still panting, she rolled a little bit so that she could settle at Callie's side, resting her head on her shoulder, enjoying the way Callie's fingers were now sliding up and down her back and how she couldn't stop shivering from it.
The couch was small, she was just having the clarity of mind to realize, as the orgasmic haze. But she couldn't bring herself to care, as she tossed her leg over Callie's hips, drawing her closer so that their entire bodies were pressed together.
She'd never once felt this ridiculously warm and comforting feeling before – like she was in a cocoon – but she never wanted to leave it.
And she wanted Callie to never leave it, either.
Her voice was heavy and thick as she rolled her head back so she could look into dark eyes, "Callie?"
Those eyes were intently looking at her, all intense and sweet and like she was in the same cocoon, as she hummed back, "Mmm?"
She had to clear her throat, before the words would come out, "Do you… maybe want to come to my graduation? It's not for about a month."
She didn't even have to be looking to see Callie's radiant, lazy smile, "I'd love to."
Please let me know what you think! Thank you so much to everyone who had left comments/feedback before and to everyone who continues to do so; you're all great. And thank you all for reading!