O/O - ((closed))

Marla flushed pink, anxiously biting the inside of her cheek. “Is it okay? Do you like it?”

“Do I like it? Marla, I look like I’m about the walk the red carpet!” Gwen exclaimed, grinning widely. “This is— no, you are incredible.”

Marla averted her eyes, extremely flustered about the whole situation. “It is? I am?”

“Absolutely.” Gwen beamed, giving Marla an awed look.

“Would it— would it be narcissistic to say that you look amazing right now?” she asked shyly, wringing her hands in her lap.

“I look amazing all the time, so no.” Gwen attempted to stifle a giggle, but failed miserably. “I now feel terrible about my makeup skills. Feel free to come by every morning and do it for me.”

Marla rushed to reassure Gwen that her makeup skills were fine. “Honestly, Gwen, I think you did a better job than me. Although I have no objection to coming by your place every morning.”

“Stop, stop.” Gwen waved her hand at Marla, blushing. “Don’t downplay your talents.”

“Only if you don’t downplay yours,” she returned with a slightly cheeky smile.

“Fine, fine. You win.” Gwen mock grumbled. She was still in awe of Marla’s work.

Marla gave a slightly breathless, triumphant smile. “Oh, I always win.”

“Not to brag but I don’t think you won your fourth and fifth grade school spelling bees.” Gwen teased playfully.

Marla let a giggle slip, shoving at Gwen’s shoulder. “I don’t actually remember ever having spelling bees..”

“They’re awful!” Gwen smiled, rolling her eyes.

Macha laughed and shook her head. “I’m sure they can’t be that bad……. This is totally random, but can I ask you a personal question?”

“Of course.” Gwen began taking her hair out of her braid, still listening to Marla. “What’s up?”

“Have— Are you out to your parents?” she asked hesitantly, eyes darting away.

“Fair question.” Gwen took a moment to reply. “Yes, I am. They took it okay. I don’t know how much they understood, but they didn’t… kick me out or anything.”

“That’s something. I’m glad they didn’t get mad or upset or anything…” she murmured, biting her lip.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but are you..?” Gwen asked tentatively, reaching her hand out for Marla to grab if needed.

Marla gladly laced their fingers together, falling silent for a minute or so. “No.. my dad left before I was born. My mom killed herself last year.” Her voice broke, hands beginning to quiver.

“Marla…” Gwen paused, her voice cracking slightly. “I’m so sorry, Princess.”

Marla blinked back suddenly tears, not wanting to ruin the makeup that Gwen had worked so hard on. “She was— she was going to have a baby boy— he died at birth—“

Gwen pulled Marla into a tight hug. “Shh, Marla. It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” She began to rub Marla’s back.

“I’m sorry— I shouldn’t be dumping my problems out on you,” she replied quietly, suddenly very vulnerable.

“Don’t ever apologise for that. You can tell me anything.” Gwen held Marla close, playing with her girlfriend’s hair.

“Same to you…” she answered softly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” Gwen shook her head. “I’d like to think we’re in this together from now on.”

Macha couldn’t resist the temptation to respond to that statement with a little singing. “*We’re all in this together~” Her grin was wobbly, but prominent as she sang.

“You know I never saw that movie?” Gwen chuckled, pressing a warm kiss to Marla’s cheek.