Of the various events that Bezelbean had, Cosplay night was always one of the busiest, with people dressing up in all sorts of fun and interesting costumes. Some came as television characters, others dressed as their game characters. It was a whole thing and for the first time in ages Charlie wasn't in the mood for it, as she stared at her phone, staring at the rather lengthy text message, that she supposed was meant to play on her emotions.
"You aren't dressed yet?"
Charlie adjusts her shades and looks over at Tina who was currently dressed at what she could only assume was her character, the rogue tiefling, Elenaril Deepwill. "I think that I'm going to take a raincheck," Charlie replies.
Tina stares at her as if she's grown another head, "What? You always dress up—" Tina glances at the phone in her hand. "Are you seriously giving up cosplay night for a booty call? Haven't you slept with every available woman at Faustian Press?"
"Yes—well no, I haven't hooked up with everyone at Faustian Press just yet. There's still the boss-lady who always yells at me. I think she's still mad at me for when Bacon-bit ate her fancy lunch. That was not a good day. She may or may not hold a grudge against me. She adores Bacon-bit, maybe I should have eaten her lunch." Charlie mused.
"So you are giving up tonight for a booty call? Charlie, you have a whole musical number planned!"
"I'm sure Unique will be more than happy to take over. She probably has something just as fun as my musical number."
Tina huffed at this, "What could possibly be as important?"
"Tina, I honestly just got some bad news and I've been working non-stop since this place opened up. I do all the deliveries—I'm due for a night off and I just don't feel like it. Besides, Bacon-bit is getting too old for cosplay night, and he's going to end up gassy from all the overfeeding of treats he'd get tonight. I have to live with his farts! And they're vomit inducing." Bacon-bit lifts his head and glares at her before huffing and curling back up. "Don't give me that look, they freak you out and you end up leaving the room." She's met with an indignant huff. "Everyone's a critic."
"Well I hope everything is alright," Tina said after a moment, with a frown on her features.
"I'll be fine by tomorrow." Charlie grunted, it wasn't as if she didn't have other places that she could be. And she probably check on a few other locations, hopefully Quinn would get that she really didn't want to meet up with him.
~ O ~
It was rare for her palms to be this sweaty but she couldn't help the growing anxiety that she felt. She hadn't seen her ex-fiancé since had left him at the altar, still as she stepped out of the taxi and looked up at the gigantic building, noting the red carpet. This felt like an utter waste of money, but she immediately attempts to quiet those thoughts.
She wasn't the same person as she had been back then, she was cool, she was confident and there wasn't anyone who was going to make her feel like she had back then. She had changed—no longer the meek little devil. It didn't matter that her abuela was obsessed with a failed relationship, he had made her feel small, like she simply wasn't good enough. And she was fine, she had let go of the past.
"TANA!"
Santana's back went rigid and she wheels around to turn to look at the angel in front of her, with his puffy hair and dashing good looks. This was her fault, she had thought that she had buried her past but here he was standing in front of her wearing a black suit and flashing that stupid grin of his. Her mouth goes dry and she can't find the words to respond as everyone around them looks at them, surprised by the outburst.
"Long time no see!"
It's only the sight of Sue Sylvester watching her that makes her force a smile onto her face, "Sure." It's all she can really manage, "If you'll excuse me for a moment." She turns on her heel and immediately walks away. Dialing Rachel's number she needed a reason for an emergency exit, something believable so she could get out of this. Until then she just needed to remain calm. She could be calm. Serene even. All she needed was a ride out of here, and she'd figure out an excuse tomorrow. Maybe she'd use the fact that her abuela had a heart attack, and was on death's door. That was a viable excuse?
Kitty glances at where Santana had been and turns to look at Jesse St. James, "Did you really date Santana of all people?"
The smugness that was Jesse's face shifts into one that seemed to suggest that he was sad, but it doesn't quite meet his eyes, and there's a stiffness to his face. "Of course I did, but that was ages ago. After we broke up she became the Editor of your magazine Lilith. But between you and I, there are women who get a certain way around me. I don't think she's totally over me you know? Santana's a sweet girl, and I know she adores me it's in the way she looks at me."
Lucifer Quinton Fabray, who had been lingering nearby, nearly spat out his drink and raised a brow. "What? I'm certain she left you at the altar and broke your heart," he said flatly.
Jesse's face morphs into one of anger and annoyance as blush flushes through his body, turning his ears a bright red. "You clearly misunderstood the situation Quinton!"
Quinn glances over at where Santana had once been, "I may not have much dating experience, but most people don't run the other way when they see their ex," he responds. His tone is flat, but the sarcasm was clearly there.
"I'm sure that's just a misunderstanding, look I'll go clear it up. Wish me luck," Jesse said before he followed Santana.
"If you don't make it back, I'll try to say something nice at your funeral once the police find your remains." Quinton throws out, as he pulls out his phone to see if his twin had texted back. Perhaps he should have attempted to surprise her.
Kitty smiles at Quinton Fabray, she'd done her research on him. Rich, young, one of the most eligible bachelors and he was clearly on the fast track to a CEO position, he'd be making millions in the entertainment industry. "Can you imagine? That stuck up devil, in bed with someone like Jesse?" Kitty whispers to Quinn, who barely looks up from his phone.
"We aren't in middle school, and it's idiotic to gossip about your superiors with someone you barely know—what was your name again? Aren't you in her department?" Quinton asks, but he doesn't stay for the answer and just turns and goes to go and find another drink.
Kitty makes a face, what was with these stuck up devils? There was a time when devils were into chaos, they fought angels, they didn't act like the stuck up angels that had ruled over them for centuries.
~ O ~
Charlie eyed the water in her bath that was filling and looked over all of her bath bombs, custom made so that she wasn't worried about Bacon-bit jumping in with her and swimming around in her large tub, sure they'd end up making a mess but she could clean it up tomorrow. She just needed to relax. "What scent should we do today?" She sniffs the cinnamon bun one and hums, she did like to smell sweet. Maybe after a soak and doing some sketches and drawings for her next DM session so she had a plan for the next bit of the story would make her feel better. "Actually," Charlie murmurs to herself before opening a drawer to her specialty THC infused bath bombs. "I did say that I was going to give this product a shot, see if it's worth selling at the store. Some of the guys could use a bit of help getting presents for their girlfriends, and or boyfriends." She would have to keep Bacon-bit out of the bath for the night. He would be grumpy but she did need some me time. "I think I'll try the Apple Pie bomb," she says, picking up the brown and white sphere.
Bacon-bit huffs at her before howling in frustration.
"I get to have time to myself, you're just upset that you can't be the star of the show!" Charlie says as she puts down the bath bomb and attempts to pick him up but he darts out of the way. "Seriously? Come on Bacon—" She groans as her phone begins to ring and she glances at it. She didn't recognize the number but that wasn't exactly a surprise there were quite a few women who had her number, though most did just text. Still it could also be Tina with an emergency and she hits the answer button putting it on speaker.
'Is this Charlie? It's me Rachel from Faustian Press—I know you're probably off work but you did say that I could call you if I needed something for my boss. She needs a ride home. And I called several taxi-companies but they're completely swamped and she doesn't trust the ride-sharing services and I don't have a car or license yet.'
"And she told you to call me?"
'Well you do the deliveries and I figure you have a car or something and she knows you—she sounded very distressed on the phone and she was yelling at me and I just—'
"Alright, text me the address," Charlie sighed. "I can't say no to a damsel in distress. Come on Bacon-bit, seems like you're going to get all the attention you want today."
'You'll do it?'
"Sure, but I can't imagine that she'll be thrilled to see me so expect her to start yelling at you, I'll do my best to get her to yell at me instead, but I make no promises. Besides, I wasn't having a great night, and it's probably best that I don't feel sorry for myself. I'll get dressed, but you owe me Rachel."
'I understand, I mean I've never had sex before—'
Charlie blinked and stared at the phone, she had to wonder how bad her reputation was if Rachel immediately went there. "Not like that, come into the store for coffee or a guided high experience, spend a few dollars, helps with the store."
'I don't mind, you do make really good coffee, and I am curious about some THC teas, I hear they are excellent to help you relax your vocal chords. I sing—'
"You would have enjoyed tonight then, perhaps you could sing at my next event." Charlie mused. "Anyway I should put on some clothes so she doesn't pretend she doesn't know me, and I'll be on my way, just send me a location drop and let her know that I'm on my way."
'Thank you so much Charlie, you really are saving my ass.'
Charlie scratched her chin, she really didn't want Santana to think she was anything more than a delivery girl so she'd take her beater to go pick her up, she had just cleaned it and serviced it. She couldn't take her bike out and she certainly didn't want to use anything fancy. Santana was about the only person who ever asked her any personal questions and she simply wasn't in the mood for that.
~ O ~
"I brought you some champagne Tana, you know to toast to Lilith and the greatest editor ever!" Jesse says, offering her a glass of champagne. When Santana takes it he clinks the glass together.
"You do realize I'm a Chief Creative officer now right? Nevermind what do you want?" Santana questioned turning to spot Sue giving her the thumbs up. She resists the urge to roll her eyes and instead focuses on the drink in front of her. Jesse was a piece of shit but he wasn't that type of piece of shit.
"Why do you always have to be so defensive? It's not like we see each other often Tana. Is small talk too much to ask for? I'm just seeing how you've been, what have you been up to? How are your parents? I heard your abuela is in the hospital, and I'm sorry. We were always quite close." Jesse said, bombarding her with questions.
"She's fine. As are my parents," Santana replied in a clipped tone. "The fact that you were close with my abuela was about your only useful quality because it got her off my back."
"I seem to recall that I had a few other useful qualities."
Santana shot him a dry look as she drained the glass of champagne, "I remember that your needs always came before mine. If you even thought about my needs at all."
Jesse winced, "Alright so I was a little selfish—"
"And narcissistic, manipulative, possessive—" Santana began listing off all of Jesse's problematic qualities.
"I get it. I know I wasn't great back then, and I need you to know that I'm sorry. But that was years ago and we're both different people. Look how far we've gotten with that stupid book. So I'm proud of what we accomplished together. And I want you to be happy, you deserve it. This is after all your night too. You do remember how to have fun, right? I mean you no longer look like that frigid devil like you were in university."
Santana glanced at him for a moment, he seemed to be sincere and it really did feel petty to hold onto past grievances from a relationship that was 7 years ago. And this was a celebration of her book. She spots a server and grabs another glass draining it, "You should go enjoy the party Jesse, I'll do the same." She says finally as she glances around there were several sexy men and women around she wasn't quite sure which one to choose from. But more importantly there was a table filled with confectionery treats which was calling to her.
Her abuela had loathed the sinful overly indulgent devil stereotype, she had been the one to drill it into her head to behave, to be prim and proper, but what she truly wanted was to sink her teeth into that delicious calorie dense dessert. She spots a massive cupcake and makes an immediate beeline towards it only for it to be snatched up by someone and she turns, ready to rip their head off.
"Oh, Miss Lopez. I'm terribly sorry I didn't notice you there, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but I haven't touched this cupcake, it's yours, if you want it."
Santana froze and looked at him, Lucifer Quinton Fabray was a producer at Celestial Pictures. He had been nearly impossible to deal with during negotiations. Someone who was a lesser person than she, would suggest that he was a pain in the ass, but she would disagree. They all wanted this limited series to do well, and she was certain that he wanted as much of the glory as possible. Given what she knew of his family, and the old-money that was behind him, he was probably trying to prove himself to his politician father. It was a shame he seemed close to Jesse, but he was a dominant boss, a workaholic, and he never left home in anything other than a perfectly tailored suit. "Nevermind, you got their first, Mr. Fabray."
"We can split it, and please call me Quinn" Quinton replied politely.
"Seriously, no thank you," Santana replied, she respected his work ethic, and more importantly he was stunning. Long negotiations with him always left her feeling breathless and horny.
"We can split it. Here, just take a bite!" Quinton suggests, holding out the plate for her.
She didn't just want a damn bite, she wanted to fucking indulge and take it all. That included him. "No, thank you." She just needed to mind herself, he was only being polite to her because they both held positions of power. She just needed to grab something else and then she'd go and yell at Rachel to see where her damn taxi was.
"Then perhaps I can offer you a drink," Quinton suggests.
Santana's phone dings and she glances down at it, "If only I could accept—" she begins when she spots that Sue had texted her to be more accommodating. "I mean one drink wouldn't hurt," when Quinton flashes her a smile, she flinches he was so damn good looking and that feeling of nostalgia hits her again. She'd seen that damn smile before. One drink certainly wouldn't hurt and it would show Jesse that she knew how to have fun.
~ O ~
One drink had turned into two, and that had devolved into shots at some points, as she swapped stories with Quinton.
"Our last shoot was such a disaster Miss Lopez—"
"Santana, please," Santana said with a drunken giggle as Quinton shot her an appreciative smile and it made her heart flutter.
"I honestly have no idea how it got finished. Unfortunately there was no one with such a sharp mind and the insight that you have, Santana." Quinton says. "It doesn't hurt that you're a vision to behold."
There it was that charisma that he was known for, and she knew for a fact that he wasn't an incubus, it should be illegal to be that charismatic. It was getting warm even though they were on a rooftop, and she can't help but start to unbutton her top buttons, and she watched as Quinton's eyes dilate, maybe— "You're such a charming devil, I'm wondering what else you're hiding under that sinfully tailored suit."
Quinton let out a laugh, and it almost sounded angelic, "Santana, I would love to spend the rest of my night with you, but I am here in this city partly because I wish to visit my twin. We haven't seen each other since we were teenagers, and I reached out so if I don't show up I can't fix my relationship with her. I hope that we can rekindle our relationship. We were once thick as thieves."
"Really?" Santana questions pausing, only for Quinton to place a hand on her hand.
"Really, I know how it sounds, but family is important to me and I need to fix it. But I need you to know that these things are usually a bore, and I honestly struggle to fake my interest. But you, my dear, have been nothing short of amazing company. Thanks to you, this night was actually enjoyable. So I do hope that we can stay in touch."
Santana flushes, he was really good at this seduction thing, and he didn't have wings like an incubus, so it wasn't that. She couldn't blame this feeling on the alcohol. She feels a twinge when he gets up and kisses her hand. She couldn't fuck this up, he was what she wanted. Handsome, successful and he knew how to treat a lady right. "I'd like that," she admits, unbuttoning another button.
"I do hope it's not presumptuous of me, I just don't want to keep in touch about work. If that's something that you'd like. I feel like the two of us have a lot in common."
Her mind immediately races, what would it be like if she simply grabbed him by his ridiculously expensive tie and dragged him to the nearest restroom, her mind immediately flying to rather carnal things that they could do. She couldn't even wait till—
You can't just stop whoring yourself out left and right even inside your head? Lying down for random devils? How pathetic do you have to be? You only met this man not even an hour ago.
She can hear her abuela's voice in her head, and it's like someone poured ice cold water all over her head. And as she tries to ignore it, Quinton's image is replaced with Jesse's ugly sex face grunting over her and her fantasy is ruined. It's an automatic reaction as she yanks her hand back from Quinton's gentle grip. "I think—I'm sure it would be good to stay in touch for work related matters. That's what's best for Infernal Touch."
An embarrassed look crosses Quinton's face, "Of course. I'm sorry if I was a bit presumptuous but I did enjoy your company and I do hope to see you soon, as friends."
Santana nodded and quickly got up and pulled away, she was such an idiot. It was yet another self-sabotage by her nagging abuela in her sex fantasy, she didn't get why she felt so fucking guilty over this. She heads to the bar, and points to something that looks expensive and good, and waits for them to serve her when she feels a hand on her lower back and she looks up and freezes when she spots Jesse who has a smug smirk on his face. It wasn't unusual, she had a resting bitch face, and his face was punchable no matter what expression was on his face. "Jesse?" She drains a drink feeling her head swirl with all these emotions.
"I just saw Quinton leave, are you okay?" He questions.
"I'm fine Jesse, and I sure as hell don't need your fucking help."
Jesse sighs and shakes his head, "You do, need my help Tana," he said as he turns her body so he can start buttoning up her shirt. "You're drunk, and I was watching you unbutton your shirt. What were you even trying to do? Undress? We're in public." He shakes his head, "I understand if you want to hit on Quinton, he's rich and he's handsome, but as a friend of his and a friend of yours, let me just give you a couple of tips."
"I wasn't hitting on him—he—" she hiccups suddenly feeling the anxiety build.
"I know you Tana, you took his politeness as something more. And you started to make a fool of yourself attempting to act flirty—and you kept drinking. Perhaps thinking that the drinks would make you more charming. But you should know that Quinton comes from a serious family, a proper family and is far more serious than I am. I'm not quite sure he could be interested in a girl like—this might make me sound like an ass, but I don't know how to put this nicely, a girl like you." Jesse said as he finishes buttoning Santana up and brushes a tear that was rolling down her cheek. "Even if he was interested it would only be to sow his oats in your field and move on. You know who his father is, and the position he has. He comes from good stock and the type of woman you are would never fit into his world." He finishes and takes a step back and smiles at her. "There you go! Now you seem like a proper good girl!"
Her chest felt tight, and she could hear the pounding in her ears, as she pulled away from Jesse not even bothering to respond as she simply raced out. Her eyes glued to the ground and she ignores the people she bumps into as she tries to get to the elevator as her eyes blur and her breathing becomes labored. Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
How could she have been so fucking stupid. She'd never be able to even face Quinton again, she'd basically treated him as if he had some incurable sex disease. She couldn't even pretend that she didn't need a partner, because she was a strong independent woman or whatever it was that women in relationships sang about, because that would be a lie. She was just a boring person who wanted to have someone at her side, who cared about her and she just wanted to feel welcomed and have friendships outside of work.
People made it seem so fucking easy, but she didn't know how to be that person. That person who had friends and could fantasize without seeming like some sort of degenerate pervert. She didn't even have anyone she could talk about this with.
Santana glanced up but her head was spinning. She shouldn't have had that last drink and she doesn't quite know where she was. Maybe she just needed to hit rock bottom and sleep with the first person who showed the slightest bit of interest.
"Miss Lopez?"
Santana blinks back through the tears and looks up to see a sparkly halo and a dumb smile on the face of the stupid delivery driver. And she spots Bacon-bit in his stupid carrier looking at her with his stupid shiny halo and reaches for him, touching his fur.
"Is everything okay?" Charlie questions as she helps Santana to her feet.
~ O ~
Charlie lets out a low whistle as she places Bacon-bit on the ground, "Your apartment is amazing!"
Santana laughs loudly and before breaking into a fit of giggles. "You're silly and an idiot! This is your house! You have the keys!"
Charlie blinked and glanced at Santana who was practically draped on her shoulder, she had needed to help her up into her building. She couldn't just leave her alone and hope that she made it to bed okay. "You gave me your keys because you kept missing the keyhole."
"True," Santana said before laughing harder.
"I don't think my place will ever look as fancy as this," Charlie mused looking around, and grinning when she spotted the mini-grand piano.
"Yeah, a delivery girl like you would sleep in a shithole wouldn't they?" Santana questions. Not noticing the slight unimpressed look that Charlie shoots her. "Speaking of keyholes, and putting things in it, you still need to see my gorgeous bedroom?"
The look disappears and Charlie raises a brow, "Oh? I mean that's why we're here right?" She questions turning on her charm and watching as Santana flushes and giggles some more. "Lead the way then."
Santana grips her hand and pulls her along, opening the door to the bedroom, "See, it's king-sized and I hear that you have the same!" She wraps an arm around Charlie's neck and presses her lips against them before nipping at her ear, a hand grabbing the front of Charlie's pants. "I'm so sorry about this, Quinn," she mumbles drunkenly.
The smile on Charlie's face fades for a moment before she sighs and it's replaced with a gentle smile, it seemed that Miss Lopez did have someone that she liked and was in a relationship with. Perhaps they had a fight, she really didn't need her life being complicated like this. "Let's see to your needs then?" she suggests.
"You know how to sweet talk a woman!" Santana said, flopping backwards on her bed and pulling Charlie down with her. "Everyone at work talks about your cunning—cambdo—pussy eating skills! How great you are at it! My ex wouldn't even try, so get to work! I got high expectations."
Charlie grunted feeling herself get aroused at Santana's bossiness, and she feels her pants tightening. She was in control she was in control—
"Treat me nice and I'll reciprocate," Santana said, spreading her legs and reaching for Charlie's enlarged member.
Charlie immediately placed her hands on Santana's thighs and closed them, before grabbing a blanket and throwing it over Santana. See no evil, and all that. "Let's just cover this up real quick!" Charlie managed to squeak out, she had been about to break all sorts of rules for a taste of this woman. She reaches forward and gently and awkwardly pats Santana on the head, as she tucks her into bed. "See this isn't so—"
Santana sits up and shoves Charlie away, before grabbing her by her jacket and pulling her up. "Are you seriously rejecting me? You! The weirdo that keeps her glasses on at night and indoors! The one that takes her tiny little husky everywhere and carries him in a baby carrier strapped to your chest? You! You're rejecting me?"
Charlie sighed, and gently pries Santana off her. "I know I'm a weirdo, my entire family thinks so. But I'm not going to sleep with someone so drunk that they didn't recognize the inside of their own home. I think you're beautiful, but right now you've been crying so hard your mascara is all over your cheeks. I don't know what type of assholes you've been with to make you think that you don't deserve anything but the best, but I'm not that type of person. Who is this Quinn person? Did he make you like this? I can go and beat him up for you? I'm surprisingly really good at that."
Maybe it's the rejection or the sweet dumb look on Charlie's face but she just can't help the tears that begin to pour down her face, "If I act like an angel, I don't get what I want. When I act like a devil, I still don't get what I want. How could someone like you get it?"
Charlie pats Santana on the leg gently, "Someone like me?"
"Yeah, you. You know exactly what I mean, you have the looks, the halo, the body and that fucking smile! It doesn't even matter that you're a wingless weirdo, you can say or do whatever it is that you want. If you want to fuck a girl you fuck her. You probably have lots of friends since everyone adores you. Even if you are a fucking moron who wears sunglasses indoors. And then there's me, I have to fight for people's respect, and their fear. Everybody at work hates me, and I can't even get you the person who will sleep with anyone to fuck me! How do you think that makes me feel?"
Charlie was quiet for a moment, "I think that you've had one hell of a bad day Miss Lopez. I won't bother you at work anymore, but I do want to say that I don't think you're that scary and I assure you that I do like you. Even when you yell at me. So I don't think you're nearly as bad as you think and maybe just maybe I'm not as dumb and as useless as you think?" Charlie pulls back and adjusts her sunglasses that had slid down just a bit nearly revealing her eyes. "So when you sober up, if you still feel this lonely then give me a call! Or stop by Nat20beans, I'm usually always there unless I'm doing deliveries. If everyone adores me as you think they do, then maybe there's a reason for that and I can help! So sleep tight alright, and make sure you drink lots of water or you're going to hurt tomorrow morning." Charlie said as she picked up Bacon-bit and switched off the light, and closed the door.
She was such an idiot and she felt even stupider, Charlie had been nice enough to drive her home, and to make sure that she got into her apartment again and she had practically assaulted her, and insulted her. She couldn't even just be nice to someone who had gone out of her way to help her. Even if Charlie was just a delivery girl, it was honest work and it was deserving of respect. She would apologize in the morning.