A week later

“Why haven’t you asked her out?” Ellena  asks from her spot on the kitchen island,  quickly popping a grape into her mouth.

“What?” Cleo squeaks almost dropping the eggs.

“Why haven’t you asked-”

“I heard you the first time,” the brunette frowns at her sister-in-law, “She’s my friend…Plus I’m not her type.”

“Her type?” Ellena smiles.

“I’m not a guy,” Cleo turns back to the dish.

“You don’t know that!” Ellena almost yells. 

“That I'm not a guy?” Cleo smiles, earning an annoyed eyebrow raise from Ellena and a giggle from Kassandra. 

“She has a boyfriend,” Cleo says, turning her attention back to the dish in hopes of distracting herself.

“And he's a douche,” Ellena groans in the way she does when the bachelor chooses the wrong girl. 

“Yeah,” Cleo chuckles, “But he makes her happy,” Cleo shrugs as she turns to pull the oven door. 

“Till he does something stupid!” Ellena yells earning a giggle from Kassandra, “See even Kassandra agrees!” she argues waving at her daughters banana covered face.

“She’s one, the only thing she agrees with is that bananas taste good and Elmo’s funny,” Cleo smirks, wetting a paper towel to gently clean off Kassie’s face.

“And she's right bananas are tasty and Elmo is hilarious so maybe she's right about Mc douche!” Ellen smiles, proudly caressing her daughter’s cheek.

“I never said she was wrong about Matt, I just said you were wrong about April,” Cleo chuckles at Ellena’s exasperated groan as she places the dish into the oven.

“You are such a useless lesbian!” Ellena mumbles as she drops her head to the counter.

“That’s my name don't wear it out!” Cleo chirps as she makes her way toward the living room.

[x]

“Sorry, it took me forever to find my car keys-”

“If you had listened to me and started getting ready hours ago we would have had time for the years it takes for you to put on your makeup and if you just put the keys where they belonged instead of the coffee table,” Matt mumbles with a gentle smile, reaching out to grab April’s wrist, “We wouldn't have missed half the game,” he finishes his grip on April’s wrist tightening to uncomfortable.

“I said I'm sorry,” April mumbles, forcing a smile.

“Well sorry doesn't-”

“April,” Cleo smiles holding her arms out in invitation. April smiles, not even noticing Matt dropping her wrist as she springs forward and launches herself into Cleo’s arms. “How’s my sunshine doing?” Cleo smiles, resting her cheek on April's head, pulling her as close as possible without cutting off the smaller woman’s air supply.

“Sunshine?” Matt asks curtly as April pulls back just enough to make eye contact with Cleo, her mouth open readying to form a sentence. Cleo tries her best not to show the slight irritation that flashes through her as her mind registers April’s body tensing at Matt’s question, 

“It's my nickname for her,” Cleo smiles in hopes of softening the chill that slipped into her tone without permission.

“And you are?” Matt asks stepping forward, attempting to give off a friendly demeanor.

“This is Cleo, she’s my friend and Jacob’s sister,” April smiles, begrudgingly stepping back from Cleo’s embrace.

“Friend?” Matt all but sneered, grabbing April by the wrist and pulling her back towards him. Cleo felt the world shift with April’s wince.

“The gay one?” He asked, his grip tightening. Cleo smiled grabbing Matt’s wrist, and, as gently as her temper allowed, shoved Matt aside putting herself in between the 5’10 man and his 5’4 girlfriend.

“Cleo-”

“Cleo,” Matt smiles, gently grabbing Cleo’s shoulder to turn her, he frowns confused at the wince April gives him just as he processes Cleo grabbing his wrist from his peripheral vision.

“Listen, you make her happy and that makes me happy,” Cleo growls leaning in closer to Matt so only he can hear her, “But if I ever hear you or of you so much as raising your voice or hell just saying something I personally don't like to or at her I will give you a reason to yell,” Cleo growls her tone ice cold and cutting deep as she turns Matt’s wrist far enough for it to be uncomfortable but not enough to cause damage, “Do you understand?” Matt nods as he stamps his foot in an attempt to ignore the pain, Cleo nods with a look of satisfaction, “Apologize.”

“I'm sorry,” Matt forces through gritted teeth.

April blinks as Cleo turns to her waiting for something, “Oh, uh I accept your apology,” April fumbles out as she turns to Matt. 

“Good,” Cleo says dropping Matt’s aching wrist with a deceptively sweet smile, “Who’s hungry?” She asks turning to April, “I made wings and dip,” Cleo offers nodding towards the attached living room where Jacob and Ellena sat on the couch trying to hide the shit-eating grins that took up half their faces, their bodies almost completely turned towards the kitchen. “That’s if Jake hasn't eaten it all,” Cleo smiles gently guiding April into the living room with her hand resting on the small of April’s back.

“Wine?” April asks Ellena as she steps into the living room, gently shrugging off Cleo’s hand.

“In the cellar, Cleo can get it for you though you'll want to go with her. She knows nothing about wine other than the older the better.” Ellena chuckles as Cleo’s face twists in both offense and agreement.

“You shouldn't have done that,” April says sternly after the two round the corner.

“What?” Cleo asks genuinely confused as she pulls the cellar door open.

“You can't just threaten my boyfriend,” April whispers brushing past Cleo.

“He was berating you for no reason,” Cleo laughs, leaning against the door frame.

“I would have handled it,” April grits, bending down to look at the lower racks. 

Cleo can't help the small sudden laugh that erupts from her lip, “Sorry,” she says covering her mouth as April stands and turns to look at her.

“I don't need you saving me.” April growled grabbing a random bottle off the rack and stomping towards the stairs.

“April,” Cleo sighed gently grabbing April’s hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn't have intervened…” she trailed trying to stop herself from saying it, “but you're my friend and you're amazing and he's…He makes you happy. That's all that matters but I will not stand there and watch him put his hands on you…I won't apologize for that even though I know you can more than handle yourself,” Cleo smiled, “You may be small but you pack a mean punch.”

April sighed, trudging down the few stairs between her and Cleo, slumping into the other woman arms. “But he doesn't.”

“What?”

“He doesn't make me happy,” April groaned, “Why do I keep finding men like him?”

“I…”

“I mean every man I've been with since highschool has been exactly like him! Why can I find someone like you or Jacob?!” she grumbles into Cleo’s chest.

“You'll find someone-”

“No I won't!” April cried, “I can't even get Matt out of my apartment.”

“What?” Cleo asked, her tone menacing.

“Don’t!” April warned.

“Sorry,” Cleo smiled sheepishly.

“Everytime I try to break up with him it turns into a fight-”

“Has he hit you?” Cleo whispered, wrapping her arms around April, a silent vow.

“No….he just grabs my wrist-”

“April-”

“I know…” April sighs looking up at Cleo, “I just…help me?”

Cleo nods tucking April in close.

“You guys get lost?” Jacob smiled.

“Yeah, I bet,” Matt scoffed.

“Get out.” Cleo stated calmly, standing in front of Matt.

“What?” Matt frowned.

“Get out. I won't ask again.”

“Whatever, April-”

“She stays.” Cleo growls stepping in front of April.

“You have got to be fu-”

“Language!” April, Elena, and Jacob chime.

“Whatever, you can find your own ride home.” Matt growls storming towards the door. “Your shit will be on the curb.”

“Her shit will be in her apartment.” Cleo growled, daring Matt to say otherwise, “You and everything you Zee own will be gone by tomorrow night.”

Matt scoffed, slamming the door behind him. “I’m sorry,” April whispered.

“Don't be, no offense but I'm glad that douche is gone,” Elena smiled, setting the rest of the snack on the coffee table before plopping down next to Jacob, “Now hurry and sit before you miss the rest of the game 

[x]

“Why haven’t you asked her out?” Ellena  asks from her spot on the kitchen island,  quickly popping a grape into her mouth.

“Haven’t we gone over this?” the brunette frowns at her sister-in-law, “She’s my friend…Plus I’m not her type.”

“Her type?” Ellena smiles.

“I’m not a guy,” Cleo turns back to the dish.

“You don’t know that!” Ellena almost yells. Cleo raises a brow causing Ellena to grimace, “Okay…so she’s dated a lot of guys, but that doesn’t mean she can’t fall for a woman! Like you said, love is love, the heart loves who it loves no matter gender, race, hair color,” Ellena smiles, “I mean look at Jacob and I! We absolutely hated each other, we were complete opposites or at least that was what we wanted to believe,” Ellena chuckles, the memories flooding back.

“I just don’t want to ruin what we do have,” Cleo sighs, mixing the ingredients together.

“You won’t. Trust me,” Ellena smiles mischievously.

[x]

“What?!” April chokes out through her coughing.

“Ask her out,” Ellena says, patting her friend on the back.

“No,” Ellena frowns at the redhead, “I'm not even her type!” Ellena smiles, “What?” April grimaced she knew that whatever Ellena was about to say she wasn't going to like it.

“Nothing, just interesting how the first thing out of your mouth was ‘No I'm not her type’ instead of ‘Dude, I'm straight,” Ellena smiles into her glass of wine.

“Uh…I…” April stumbles, “Look I'm still figuring this out, okay?” Ellena nods, “I like her I do, I just don't know if I'm ready to do anything with these feelings. I mean how am I supposed to tell someone how I feel when I don't even know how I feel.”

“Okay….One, you can always talk to me,” Ellena holds a finger up, “Two, you don't have to act on these feelings until you are ready, and three! I know just who to go to!” Ellena smiles.

“Elena”

“Come on she's perfect, not only do you get advice from someone you already know and trust but maybe you get to feel out the water. You know,” Elena raises her eyebrows, elbowing the redhead.

“I'll think about it,” April frowns taking a sip of her wine.

                                                                                         [x]

“Can I tell you something?” 

“Yeah, of course,” Cleo smiles, her eyes not leaving the road.

“I think I'm bi!” April rushes out as Cleo pulls into the parking space, jumping out before the car even begins to stop.

“What?” Cleo blurts, slamming on the brakes. April ignores the question, instead, beginning to walk toward the theater doors as Cleo yells after her.

“April!” Cleo whispers, barely catching up before April speeds up. “April!”

“Hi-”

“Hi, I'd like two tickets for Dragon Queen,” April rushes, slamming a twenty-dollar bill down on the counter.

“Uh, here are your tickets,” the woman frowns, noticing Cleo catching up.

“Here,” April shoves a ticket into Cleo’s hand.

“What? You said-”

“I think I'm bi,” April blurts, speed-walking to the room their movie was playing in.

“Yeah, why- I mean…Do you want to talk about it?” Cleo stammers, stopping to hold the door open.

“I don't know,” April mumbles, stepping into the screening room.

Cleo stops her, gently grabbing her arm and turning her around, “You want to wait till after the movie?” April nods, too caught up in staring into Cleo’s eyes to speak. “Okay, where do you want to sit?”

“So, did you like the movie?” Cleo asks, a smile on her face as she holds the car door open for April.

“I did, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed spending time with you,” April blushes, quickly closing the door. Cleo chuckles as she rounds the car.

“We should do it again.”

“Yeah, a date.” 

Cleo freezes, “A…date?”

“Yeah, if you want to cause if you don't want to”

“No, no I want to. I just can't imagine why you’d want to go on a date with me,” Cleo laughs.

“Why wouldn't I?” April frowns, “You’re smart, kind, funny, loving, caring. You remember all my likes and dislikes. 

The fact that you make time for us to talk whether it's through text or calls or in person! You are an amazing human being and I would be honored to be lucky enough to have you as my girlfriend.” April yells.

“You, honored?” Cleo laughs, “I’m honored to be breathing in the same air as you let alone being asked on a date by you!”

“Are you serious? What the hell have I done?” 

“You have been an amazing, caring, lovable brat who I am honored to have been annoyed by.” Cleo clasps her hand over her heart.

“Brat?! When have I been a brat?” 

“Right now!” Cleo smiles trying her best not to laugh as she leans over the center console.

“What did I do? I complimented you!” April laughs, following Cleo’s lead.

“You won't take a well-deserved compliment!” Cleo chuckles, her eyes drifting from April’s eyes to her lips.

“Well if I'm a brat then you're a brat,” April smiles playfully poking Cleo.

“Heh, want to be brats together?” Cleo smiles, holding her hand out.

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” April’s eyebrow raises.

“A date first?” Cleo offers.

“Deal,” April whispers before gently kissing Cleo.