Who: Quinn and Charlie What: Hanging out, discussion of love lives, snuggles When: Afternoon, September 1 Where: Charlie's apartment
Quinn knocked on Charlie's door, wondering how she was. He wasn't exactly surprised to find that she'd gone home, but worried none the less. He managed to get enough sleep, thirteen hours, and hoped that his arriving in the afternoon didn't look as though he didn't care.
Charlie glanced up from her book with only vague surprise. Another visitor? She quickly marked her page before answering the door. She still hadn't bothered to change out of her previous outfit, so she felt a bit awkward, but she really didn't have anything else that wouldn't hurt her injury. A smile spread across her face when she saw who it was. "Hello Quinn. Come to see how I am?" she guessed. She was in a surprisingly good mood considering everything that had happened lately, and it showed.
He smiled in response to her's before he teased, "Am I interrupting anything or can we hang out?"
Charlie shook her head. "No, you're welcome to come in. I'm still technically supposed to be resting, so going out isn't really an option." She opened her door even wider and waved him in.
He stepped in. Maybe he wasn't teasing her correctly. He'd figure it out later he decided as he asked, "So feeling any better?"
To be honest, she hadn't even noticed his teasing tone, but she rarely did anyways. Charlie shrugged with her good shoulder in response to his question. "I'm doing okay. I'm a little tired, but I think that might be because I've been rather lazy today." She chose not to mention that her injury was still burning around the edges and a little numb at the center. "I never really had the chance to find out what happened yesterday." Charlie frowned at the floor, irritated with herself for being taken out so easily.
"We won," Quinn said simply, not wanting to elaborate on the situation. He was sure it wouldn't matter what he said, Charlie would be upset that she hadn't helped. They needed a subject change. He tilted his head, glancing around, "So, Kamal stop by?"
It was an unsatisfactory answer, but Charlie let it slide for now. She'd get some real answers out of him later. She blinked in surprise at his question. "I- yes, he did. How did you know?"
Quinn shrugged, "He walked me home yesterday and found out you got hurt."
"Oh," Charlie said simply. "I see." She stood there for a brief moment before deciding to change the subject again. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Yeah, sure," Quinn responded not really getting anything from her statement. So, did she and Kamal decide they were interested in each other...third parties wanted to know.
She opened her fridge and glanced inside. "I have juice, milk, water, ginger ale..."
"Juice is good."
Charlie nodded and poured him a glass, placing it on the table for him. She looked over at Quinn and pursed her lips. She had a feeling he was holding something back, but she could be wrong. So she simply waiting. If he had something he wanted to say, he'd just have to say it.
"Thanks, not mad at me are you?" Quinn asked, just to make sure. Charlie was sometimes private and he hoped he hadn't crossed a line by telling Kamal she'd been hurt. "In my defense, you should've seen his face."
Charlie thought about it for a second. "Not... Mad, per say," she said carefully. She didn't object to Kamal knowing, but it was strange to have people worrying about her. She had a mental double take at his next words however. "Excuse me?" she said, honestly confused. "What do you mean by that? 'You should've seen his face.' What does that have to do with anything?
Quinn tilted his head. Wasn't the answer obvious? "Because in that moment he might have realized that he liked you as more than a friend."
Charlie blinked at Quinn, and then blinked again, before a dark blush started to creep into her cheeks. "Uhm... What?" she spluttered. "Kamal does NOT like me as more then a friend. At all." She furrowed her brow. "Did you hit your head yesterday?" she asked, actually concerned.
"What would me hitting my head have to do with your love life?" Quinn asked with a small smile.
Love life?! Whoa, whoa, WHOA! "I don't have a love life." Charlie informed him stiffly. "And if you hit your head, it might explain why you thought Kamal liked me. A good knock can confuse people." She arched an eyebrow at him. "And I think you are really, really confused."
"No, if I'd hit my head I wouldnt have gone to sleep and Kamal probably would've pried the information out of me," Quinn reassured trying not to laugh slighlty at her expression, "And I think he likes you because of how quickly he became concerned and the look on his face. It was cute."
Charlie frowned at Quinn. "Being concerned about someone doesn't mean that you are... Romantically interested in them. I'm usually concerned about a lot of people, but that doesn't mean I want to- to kiss them or something." She paused for a moment. "And I hardly see how it could be cute. That makes no sense to me whatsoever."
Quinn smiled, Charlie was protesting too much, there was at least a bit of interest there for Kamal. He gave her best faux innocent look and asked, "Guys can't be cute?"
Charlie scowled at Quinn. She could tell that his innocent expression was faked, and he was trying to corner her into admitting something that wasn't true on her part. "Yes, they can be cute. I just don't see how Kamal could be cute about being worried."
"Because he was worried about you. Charlie, come on, that's a good thing. Is it so hard to believe that a guy could be into you?"
"Yes." She answered immediately, though she didn't sound bitter or sad, simply matter of fact. "I learned a long time ago that guys simply don't like me that way. I'm not... Dating material." She snickered at the more casual term. "I don't see why you're so insistent that he be interested in me."
"Because he is," Quinn inisted, "I'm not dense about these things." He frowned, wanting to know just who made Charlie think she wasn't 'dating material'. He had to protest that, "Who told you your not girlfriend material, because you are. If I didn't have a boyfriend and Kamal didn't think you were hot..." And I wasn't interested in Nic, he added silently.
Charlie just shrugged. "I kind of figured it out on my own," she half lied. She just had a little help from a few people. She had to raise her eyebrows at his last comment, and her lip twitched slightly with a repressed smile. "If you didn't have a boyfriend, you would be dating Nic." She said, starting to give in to her grin. "Speaking of, why aren't you?" She was very happy to turn the tables on Quinn, and to switch the subject.
"I'm dating Neil," Quinn replied simply.
She frowned at him again. "But you want to date Nic more."
Quinn wet his lips, suddenly wanting to find a place to sit down. "How would you know that? You've never met Neil." He shook his head, "You sound like my mom."
She raised her eyebrow at the last comment. "Call it woman's intuition, or a mother's instinct," she half teased, well aware of the fact that she acted enough like a mother to warrant the comment. "And in any case, it just seems a little obvious to me." She gave Quinn a long look. "Why are you dating Neil anyways?"
"Because, I didn't realize I was in love with Nic until I was dating Neil and now I just...I can't hurt Neil like that. He doesn't really have anyone."
"Quinn, you can't just lead Neil on like that. You're only going to hurt everyone involved- especially yourself." Her lips turned back into a concerned frown. How on earth was she supposed to advice someone on relationships when she didn't even have any of her own? She was so tired, and she was feeling a little dizzy... "I'm going to sit down." She announced before plopping down on her couch, her legs tucked underneath her. She felt no need to invite Quinn to sit, she just figured he'd just sit down as well.
Quinn tilted his head, focus back to Charlie as she sat down, "Hey are you doing okay?" She was right, about hurting both of them, about hurting himself, but...what was he supposed to do?
"Yes, I'm fine," Charlie said, and by her standards she was- she was't going to pass out, so she was okay. She had just been standing up for too long. "Sit down, it'll be more comfortable that way." She gestured to the spot to the right of her on the couch. "And don't try and change the subject. We're talking about you right now."
He sat down next to her, "Hey, I'm allowed to change the subject." He resisted the urge to hug her, not wanting to hurt her, "I know I'm screwing everything up, but I'm having trouble letting go of Neil. He...I just don't want to hurt him, not when he's trying so hard."
"No. This is my apartment, so I get to decide when we change the subject, and right now I say we keep talking about you." Her smile was small but there, and to anyone who knew Charlie well it was evident that she was teasing him. It turned back into a look of concern at his words though. It wasn't fair that anyone as nice as Quinn should have to face something so difficult. "I wish I knew what to tell you." She admitted. She glanced at Quinn, and after taking a deep breath, leaned her head on his shoulder. She knew he was fond of physical contact, so maybe that would help? She was willing to cross her normal lines to try and help out a friend, especially one face with such a difficult problem. And it didn't hurt that he made for a really nice pillow. It was a testament to her overall good mood and exhaustion that she didn't move her head after just a few moments. She shut her eyes, though she was still very awake.
Quinn resisted putting an arm around Charlie, he didn't want to accidently hurt her. Instead he reached up to run a hand through her hair. "There's nothing really to talk about with me," Quinn told her, "Though I was thinking that when I'm ready you might help me with an experiment with my power."
Charlie knew that she shouldn't, but it felt very nice to have Quinn run his hand through her hair. It was sort of like hanging out with Chris again. She missed her surrogate brother and cousin. Maybe she could tolerate physical contact with Quinn on a more regular basis. Maybe. Her eyes snapped back open at his comment though. "What kind of experiments?" She asked cautiously, already worried that Quinn might be planning something he couldn't handle yet. She was however very pleased that he had asked her for help.
"Hey," he soothed. Maybe he could have phrased that better. "I just want to see if I can use my powers when I'm not morphed," he reassured.
"Oh." At once Charlie relaxed. "Alright. But just a few minutes at a time," she told him strictly, putting on her mom voice by accident. "I don't want you exhausting yourself." 'Like I'm exhausted,' she thought. She didn't close her eyes, a little worried she might fall asleep, what with the combined tiredness and the general comfortableness of her position. She would be fine for now, but she would have to take a nap after Quinn left for sure.
Quinn froze at her words. Had she guessed his problem with his power? Had he said anything? "I wasn't planning for very long, right now I just want to see if I can do it."
"Good." She told him firmly, feeling herself relax a little more. To be honest, she had noticed that he was rather tired after using his powers, but up until this moment wasn't sure if it was that or simply being tired after a fight. The way he tensed up at her words however confirmed it in her mind. She'd have to keep a better eye on him and make sure he didn't overexert himself. She wasn't sure what to say after that, so she just sat there, content for the time being.
Quinn smiled as he felt her relax. It seemed they'd exhausted the subject of him and it was definitely time to get back to her. "So..." he started, hoping she wouldn't beat him for his next words, "Kamal's pretty hot, huh?"
Charlie's face turned a violent shade of red again, surprised at the subject change, and the fact that he had said THAT. "I- that- that has nothing to do with anything!" She exclaimed, straightening up to get a better look at his grinning face. "And why are you so interested anyways?!"
"I'm your friend," Quinn attempted to sooth, hoping he hadn't taken things a bit too far, "And as such I'm allowed to be happy for you that you might have met someone. Seeing that said someone is hot only increases the happiness for you." He tilted his head and blinked at her.
Charlie harrumphed at him. "Well be that as it may," she said, far more gently this time, "nothing is going to happen between... between Kamal and I." She blinked. Why was she a little sad at hearing herself say that? It made no sense. She shook herself mentally, chiding herself for being so silly. "And I hardly see how being 'hot' could increase happiness." She settled back into her previous position, too tired a little too lazy to remain upright.
Quinn rose an eyebrow, "Please don't tell me we need to have the conversation about the birds and the bees."
Charlie made a face. "I have had to give that conversation to both my male and female cousins," she told him wryly. "I believe I am decently well versed."
"Then you should understand how Kamal being hot plays into this."
"Not... really..." Charlie admitted, feeling utterly bemused.
Quinn wasn't quite sure where to start, what to say. He tilted his head, "Please tell me you're not having sex with people you’re not attracted to."
Charlie shot up at once, so startled by what he had said that she actually fell backwards. She hissed in pain when she hit a small part of the burn, but quickly sat back up and did her best to ignore it. "E-excuse me?" She stammered at him. "I... I don't have sex at all, thank you very much!" It felt like her face was on fire, she was blushing so severely.
Oh. That explained a lot. "Well then wait till it's someone your attracted to," Quinn advised as he tried to see if she was hurt, "Are you sure you should be at home?"
"Quinn," she said seriously. "I'm just not going to, okay? I'm still confused as to why you think that Kamal likes me. Guys don't like me." She once again resettled herself onto Quinn's shoulder. "I'm fine," she grumped. "And I hate that stupid hospital. I can rest just as well, if not better, here. My couch is far more comfortable then their cots, as is my bed."
He let it go, Quinn decided, if she was hurt too badly then they'd notice and they'd get her back to the hospital. "I think it because it's true."
"I'm not as sure as you are," she muttered. She half wished he would start running his fingers through her hair again. That had been so relaxing... "I just don't see what's so great about me that you think someone would like me like that." She wasn't fishing for compliments, like most girls would be if they said something similar. She was simply stating that she really had no clue why guys would like her.
"Because your you, you'll figure it out," he reassured as he pulled her close.
"That's the point," she muttered as she shut her eyes again. "I'm ME." She was probably going to fall asleep if she didn't open her eyes soon, but at the moment she didn't care. She was warm and happy and comfortable.
Quinn started running his hands through her hair, an attempt to be soothing, "Exactly, that should be enough for anyone."
"Never has been before," she mumbled. "Don't see why that's going to change." Almost subconsciously she snuggled closer to him. Had she been awake she never would have done it, but in her exhausted mind she was half convinced that it was her cousin Chris so it was okay.
"Maybe we should go get you tucked in," Quinn suggested, "The best thing to help you heal would be sleep."
“I don't wanna move," She groaned. "I'm good here. Five more minutes." It was clear that she was really tired if she was using slang like the word 'wanna,' and the fact that she asked for five more minutes only cemented this fact. She hadn't asked for five more minutes since her cousins moved in.
"Five more minutes after your tucked in," Quinn pushed, "I'll tuck you in and if you need a snuggle then there will be snuggles, but you need sleep and not on top of me on your couch. Bed. Now."
Charlie grunted unhappily before getting to her feet, swaying as she did so. With one hand on the wall to keep from falling over she migrated to her bedroom. Automatically she started to tug on the sheets to try and pull them back, but she wasn't doing so well.
Quinn followed Charlie to her bed, ready to grab her if she fell. He frowned, wanting to help a bit more, but not about to get his head chewed off either. He took her hand and folded it away from the struggle with the covers. "Stand there, wait," he said gently, before he turned down the bed.
Charlie waited patiently as he got her bed ready for her, her eyes half shut. As soon as it was ready she crawled into it and curled up into a ball on her good side, closing her eyes all the way. "You are so super awesome, Quinn," she told him happily. She left her palm up and her arm outstretched, fully expecting him to hold it while he snuggled with her. When she woke up she would be utterly mortified that she had acted much like she did during a hormone spike- which is to say perky and prone to cuddles- but for now she just wanted to act the way she was acting.
Quinn toed out of his shoes and crawled in with her. He tucked them in, snuggled in close and took her hand, while leaving the other free to run through her hair gently. He closed his eyes, wondering why he was still so tired and hoping that Kamal wouldn't mind that he'd comforted Charlie.