Fic: Piano (1/3) - Achele
Title: Piano
Author: cranberry_pi
Rating: R for themes
Spoilers: Original Song.
Pairings: Lea Michele/Dianna Agron, minor Naya/Heather
Disclaimer: The people are real, the events (probably) aren't. This is totally a work of fiction.
Summary: Roughly based on this prompt. There's likely going to be a bit more angst than the prompter wanted, as I'm also using this as a way to work through the Piano scene from Original Song, but there will be happy fluffy Achele by the end, I promise!
“For the love of God, Lea, would you get your head in the game, please? I’d like to have this episode wrapped sometime today!”
“Sorry, Ryan - can you just give me a minute?”
“Why not?” he threw up his hands. “It’s only three in the morning. Not like any of us wanted to go home today.”
Ignoring Dianna’s stare and the tears in her hazel eyes, Lea walked out the studio door into the cool morning, trying desperately to clear her head. How had it come to this? Oh, right - movie night. That’s where it had all started.
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“Di!” Lea embraced her at the door. “What kept you?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Dianna ran a hand through her hair, laughing. “I know I’m late. Tumblr was being dumb, and I just totally lost track of time. And then there was traffic, and - ugh. I suck, I know.”
“You do, but we love you anyway. Come on in, everybody’s waiting. I hope you brought your pj’s?”
“It said to on the invitation, Lea - and you reminded me three times on the phone, so yes, I brought them. Should I go change now?” she looked at Lea again, noticing her fluffy blue pyjamas for the first time. “Right, I’ll go change now,” she ducked inside and retreated to the bathroom, shouting a quick hello into the living room on her way by. She returned dressed in bright yellow flannel pyjamas decorated with flower appliqués. Her hair was down, and her infectious grin made Lea smile back at her. She gestured to the clothes under her arm. “Where do you want me to put these?”
“Oh - why don’t you put them in my room?”
“Got it,” she disappeared briefly down the hall, coming back empty-handed. “Okay - let’s get this party started!”
They entered the living room together, met with smiles from their cast mates. Amber was settled into Lea’s plush easy chair, with Naya and Heather claiming the large couch. That left the small loveseat for Lea and Dianna, and Dianna took the side nearest Naya as Lea headed for the television, grabbing a pile of DVDs from the coffee table on her way.
“’Bout time you showed,” Naya teased. “We were going to start without you.”
“As long as there was still some popcorn left when I got here. Otherwise, it might have gotten ugly.”
“So, welcome to scary movie night, everyone!” Lea announced. “Do I hear any votes on our first selection?”
“Black Christmas!” Dianna shouted.
“I’m sorry, Di, you arrived late - you can’t vote in the first round.”
“What? That’s just mean!”
“Teach you to be playing around on the internet instead of leaving on time,” Amber poked her arm. “I did like your update, though, I saw it on my phone a few minutes ago.”
“Thanks - but you’re not distracting me! I demand a voice! I won’t be silenced!” Naya reached over from the couch and clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Yes you will. Friday the 13th!” Amber seconded.
“Friday the 13th it is!” Lea agreed.
“Fine,” Dianna huffed once she’d pulled Naya’s hand away. “I’m going to get a glass of wine. And I’m not offering to get the rest of you any, because you all suck and I hate you.” She did her best impression of a Rachel Berry storm-out, and giggled at the sarcastic applause that followed her from the room. Lea joined her in the kitchen, grabbing a crystal wine glass from the cupboard.
“If I say I’m sorry, will you give me some wine?”
“No - you’re mean,” Dianna pouted. “You were never this mean to me when we were roommates.”
“That’s because I had to put up with you - now I can just send you home!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dianna grumbled, pouring them each a generous glass of merlot. “See what happens next time you ask me to make some iPhone baby with you. I’ll make you use pictures of you and Ryan, or you and Cory or something. Then we can put that up on Twitter and see what happens.”
Lea poked her in the side. “Come on, whiny smurf. Let’s go watch the movie.”
“You don’t even like scary movies!”
“But I do like popcorn and wine. Besides, my suggestion of “cute animal movies night” got vetoed.”
They sat side-by-side on the couch, sipping wine and chatting easily with the others. At least, until the first big scare of the film - and then Lea moved closer to Dianna, molding herself to the other woman’s side. Dianna smirked.
“Is this why I couldn’t watch horror movies when we were living together? Because they scare you?”
“They don’t scare me,” her voice was small, and the rest of them chuckled.
“It’s okay - I’ll keep you safe from the big bad monsters. Well, except Naya - you’re on your own with her. I’m heroic, but I’m not crazy.”
As one film became two, and then three, Lea clung to her even more. When the group of them, full of wine and popcorn, decided to call it a night, she leaned in to whisper in Dianna’s ear. “Could I share the bed with you? I’m a bit short on sleeping spaces.”
“That’s the only reason you want to share with me?” her eyebrow quirked.
“Absolutely,” Lea insisted, indignant. “It’s certainly not because of any silly movie about horrible murderers who might be hiding around any corner, waiting to dismember me with their long knives and their hockey masks,” she looked around the room nervously, as if she expected to see Jason hiding behind Amber’s chair.
“Okay,” Dianna patted her head. “If that’s the only reason, you can share with me.” She got up, stretching languidly. “G’night, all!”
There were goodnights and wishes for sweet dreams exchanged around the room, and they made their way down the hall to Lea’s bedroom via a quick stop at the washroom. Her bed was turned down expertly, and they both sighed appreciatively at the feel of her supremely comfortable mattress.
“You’ll be safe,” Dianna mumbled sleepily at her, the wine taking its toll. “’m right here to look after you, okay?”
“Thank you,” Lea answered softly, but Dianna was already asleep. Lea turned over and tried to sleep herself, but after forty minutes she found it elusive. Horror movies had never been something she enjoyed, not since she was a child and she’d been scared out of her wits by a sadistic babysitter who thought it would be a good idea to screen Nightmare on Elm Street for a seven year old girl. She turned back over, hoping that maybe a few minutes of watching Di sleep would be comforting enough to excise the movies from her brain.
They’d slept in the same room - hell, in the same bed, even - before, but Lea had never just laid there and watched her. Mainly because it made her feel a bit like she was being some sort of creepy perv, but also because most nights she was asleep first. She was surprised that her first thought was how angelic Di looked. She was burrowed deep inside the covers, only her head visible. Her fine blonde hair was fanned out across her pillow like a halo, and the tiny sliver of moonlight coming through the bedroom window made it shine. Her brow was furrowed slightly, like she was having deep thoughts even in her sleep, and Lea had to resist the urge to reach over and smooth the lines out with a finger - she hated to see her worry, as she’d seemed to be doing too much lately. Her eyelids flickered in the movements of REM sleep, and her lips parted to release a sleepy mumble - something along the lines of “mmphrbh.” Lea grinned.
Was it the wine that made her notice how elegant Di’s cheekbones were? Or how adorable it was when her tongue peeked out between her lips? Was it the moonlight that highlighted all of her soft features, making them seem to glow warmly in the dark? She chose that moment to roll over toward Lea, who feared she’d been caught looking. But there was no sign she’d woken - her eyes remained closed, and the lock of hair that fell over her forehead remained there, with no attempt to move it out of her face. The furrow in her brow grew deeper, however, and she whimpered softly. Lea reached out and tucked the lock of hair behind her ear, and she sighed Lea’s name.
“Di? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you-“ she started, before realising that she hadn’t after all. She returned to her vigil, trying to memorise the sleeping woman’s features. Then Dianna’s lips parted invitingly, and she did something she couldn’t have explained even to herself - she leaned over and kissed her.
Her lips were warm and soft, and her breath redolent of the wine she’d consumed. Lea moaned softly at the taste of her, and it was answered by a throaty growl. And then Di’s eyes shot open, and Lea jerked away as if burned.
From the living room, they could hear the quiet noise of the television, indicating Amber was still up and about. Across the hall, Naya and Heather were conversing in low voices. But inside Lea’s bedroom, the only noise was the ticking of her bedside clock. Dianna stared at her wide-eyed, holding a wondering finger to her lips. Lea stared back at her, panic in her expression.
Author: cranberry_pi
Rating: R for themes
Spoilers: Original Song.
Pairings: Lea Michele/Dianna Agron, minor Naya/Heather
Disclaimer: The people are real, the events (probably) aren't. This is totally a work of fiction.
Summary: Roughly based on this prompt. There's likely going to be a bit more angst than the prompter wanted, as I'm also using this as a way to work through the Piano scene from Original Song, but there will be happy fluffy Achele by the end, I promise!
“For the love of God, Lea, would you get your head in the game, please? I’d like to have this episode wrapped sometime today!”
“Sorry, Ryan - can you just give me a minute?”
“Why not?” he threw up his hands. “It’s only three in the morning. Not like any of us wanted to go home today.”
Ignoring Dianna’s stare and the tears in her hazel eyes, Lea walked out the studio door into the cool morning, trying desperately to clear her head. How had it come to this? Oh, right - movie night. That’s where it had all started.
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“Di!” Lea embraced her at the door. “What kept you?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Dianna ran a hand through her hair, laughing. “I know I’m late. Tumblr was being dumb, and I just totally lost track of time. And then there was traffic, and - ugh. I suck, I know.”
“You do, but we love you anyway. Come on in, everybody’s waiting. I hope you brought your pj’s?”
“It said to on the invitation, Lea - and you reminded me three times on the phone, so yes, I brought them. Should I go change now?” she looked at Lea again, noticing her fluffy blue pyjamas for the first time. “Right, I’ll go change now,” she ducked inside and retreated to the bathroom, shouting a quick hello into the living room on her way by. She returned dressed in bright yellow flannel pyjamas decorated with flower appliqués. Her hair was down, and her infectious grin made Lea smile back at her. She gestured to the clothes under her arm. “Where do you want me to put these?”
“Oh - why don’t you put them in my room?”
“Got it,” she disappeared briefly down the hall, coming back empty-handed. “Okay - let’s get this party started!”
They entered the living room together, met with smiles from their cast mates. Amber was settled into Lea’s plush easy chair, with Naya and Heather claiming the large couch. That left the small loveseat for Lea and Dianna, and Dianna took the side nearest Naya as Lea headed for the television, grabbing a pile of DVDs from the coffee table on her way.
“’Bout time you showed,” Naya teased. “We were going to start without you.”
“As long as there was still some popcorn left when I got here. Otherwise, it might have gotten ugly.”
“So, welcome to scary movie night, everyone!” Lea announced. “Do I hear any votes on our first selection?”
“Black Christmas!” Dianna shouted.
“I’m sorry, Di, you arrived late - you can’t vote in the first round.”
“What? That’s just mean!”
“Teach you to be playing around on the internet instead of leaving on time,” Amber poked her arm. “I did like your update, though, I saw it on my phone a few minutes ago.”
“Thanks - but you’re not distracting me! I demand a voice! I won’t be silenced!” Naya reached over from the couch and clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Yes you will. Friday the 13th!” Amber seconded.
“Friday the 13th it is!” Lea agreed.
“Fine,” Dianna huffed once she’d pulled Naya’s hand away. “I’m going to get a glass of wine. And I’m not offering to get the rest of you any, because you all suck and I hate you.” She did her best impression of a Rachel Berry storm-out, and giggled at the sarcastic applause that followed her from the room. Lea joined her in the kitchen, grabbing a crystal wine glass from the cupboard.
“If I say I’m sorry, will you give me some wine?”
“No - you’re mean,” Dianna pouted. “You were never this mean to me when we were roommates.”
“That’s because I had to put up with you - now I can just send you home!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dianna grumbled, pouring them each a generous glass of merlot. “See what happens next time you ask me to make some iPhone baby with you. I’ll make you use pictures of you and Ryan, or you and Cory or something. Then we can put that up on Twitter and see what happens.”
Lea poked her in the side. “Come on, whiny smurf. Let’s go watch the movie.”
“You don’t even like scary movies!”
“But I do like popcorn and wine. Besides, my suggestion of “cute animal movies night” got vetoed.”
They sat side-by-side on the couch, sipping wine and chatting easily with the others. At least, until the first big scare of the film - and then Lea moved closer to Dianna, molding herself to the other woman’s side. Dianna smirked.
“Is this why I couldn’t watch horror movies when we were living together? Because they scare you?”
“They don’t scare me,” her voice was small, and the rest of them chuckled.
“It’s okay - I’ll keep you safe from the big bad monsters. Well, except Naya - you’re on your own with her. I’m heroic, but I’m not crazy.”
As one film became two, and then three, Lea clung to her even more. When the group of them, full of wine and popcorn, decided to call it a night, she leaned in to whisper in Dianna’s ear. “Could I share the bed with you? I’m a bit short on sleeping spaces.”
“That’s the only reason you want to share with me?” her eyebrow quirked.
“Absolutely,” Lea insisted, indignant. “It’s certainly not because of any silly movie about horrible murderers who might be hiding around any corner, waiting to dismember me with their long knives and their hockey masks,” she looked around the room nervously, as if she expected to see Jason hiding behind Amber’s chair.
“Okay,” Dianna patted her head. “If that’s the only reason, you can share with me.” She got up, stretching languidly. “G’night, all!”
There were goodnights and wishes for sweet dreams exchanged around the room, and they made their way down the hall to Lea’s bedroom via a quick stop at the washroom. Her bed was turned down expertly, and they both sighed appreciatively at the feel of her supremely comfortable mattress.
“You’ll be safe,” Dianna mumbled sleepily at her, the wine taking its toll. “’m right here to look after you, okay?”
“Thank you,” Lea answered softly, but Dianna was already asleep. Lea turned over and tried to sleep herself, but after forty minutes she found it elusive. Horror movies had never been something she enjoyed, not since she was a child and she’d been scared out of her wits by a sadistic babysitter who thought it would be a good idea to screen Nightmare on Elm Street for a seven year old girl. She turned back over, hoping that maybe a few minutes of watching Di sleep would be comforting enough to excise the movies from her brain.
They’d slept in the same room - hell, in the same bed, even - before, but Lea had never just laid there and watched her. Mainly because it made her feel a bit like she was being some sort of creepy perv, but also because most nights she was asleep first. She was surprised that her first thought was how angelic Di looked. She was burrowed deep inside the covers, only her head visible. Her fine blonde hair was fanned out across her pillow like a halo, and the tiny sliver of moonlight coming through the bedroom window made it shine. Her brow was furrowed slightly, like she was having deep thoughts even in her sleep, and Lea had to resist the urge to reach over and smooth the lines out with a finger - she hated to see her worry, as she’d seemed to be doing too much lately. Her eyelids flickered in the movements of REM sleep, and her lips parted to release a sleepy mumble - something along the lines of “mmphrbh.” Lea grinned.
Was it the wine that made her notice how elegant Di’s cheekbones were? Or how adorable it was when her tongue peeked out between her lips? Was it the moonlight that highlighted all of her soft features, making them seem to glow warmly in the dark? She chose that moment to roll over toward Lea, who feared she’d been caught looking. But there was no sign she’d woken - her eyes remained closed, and the lock of hair that fell over her forehead remained there, with no attempt to move it out of her face. The furrow in her brow grew deeper, however, and she whimpered softly. Lea reached out and tucked the lock of hair behind her ear, and she sighed Lea’s name.
“Di? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you-“ she started, before realising that she hadn’t after all. She returned to her vigil, trying to memorise the sleeping woman’s features. Then Dianna’s lips parted invitingly, and she did something she couldn’t have explained even to herself - she leaned over and kissed her.
Her lips were warm and soft, and her breath redolent of the wine she’d consumed. Lea moaned softly at the taste of her, and it was answered by a throaty growl. And then Di’s eyes shot open, and Lea jerked away as if burned.
From the living room, they could hear the quiet noise of the television, indicating Amber was still up and about. Across the hall, Naya and Heather were conversing in low voices. But inside Lea’s bedroom, the only noise was the ticking of her bedside clock. Dianna stared at her wide-eyed, holding a wondering finger to her lips. Lea stared back at her, panic in her expression.