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As is the case with most conversations she has with Alice, Gwen isn't entirely sure how she's gotten herself into this situation, or how she's going to get herself out.
Sam and Celia were dating — anyone with eyes could see that — and Sam and Alice had dated, which caused a bit of jealousy and made for some rather uncomfortable shifts in an office so thick with tension that nobody wanted to make a sound beyond breathing. Then, Celia, brilliant, bubbly Celia, had gathered them all together and laid it out for them in as simple terms as talking to Jack — you two still have feelings for each other, so start dating again, or at the very least, sleeping together; we're doing well so we'll keep going as we are; you're both welcome to approach me for casual sex, or dates, whatever you want; and I think you two should fuck. What?! It would be a healthier, and much more fun, way for you to work out your tension than snapping at each other all the time.
Gwen had bristled at first, had glared at the flush under Alice's freckles and said in no uncertain terms that she would not be doing that, but then Celia — who has the strongest, most perfect thighs she's ever had the pleasure of having her head between — had convinced her to give Alice a go, and Alice(‘s performance) had convinced her to give her another go, and another, and another- you get the picture.
However, now that she's spending more time with Alice (more time on top of or under Alice, to be more specific), she's started to notice things that she never used to pay enough attention to to fully appreciate. Things like her hazel eyes, almost amber around the pupil in the rare times they see daylight, and their little tighter cluster of freckles on the left side that crease up into crow's feet when she grins, which is often. Actually, it's the first time that Alice teases her about something with a flash of that signature shit-eater and Gwen actually smiles back instead of grumbling something disparaging that she realises there might be deeper feelings there.
She buries it for a while. She watches Sam and Celia giggle together in the breakroom, listens to him and Alice bicker over how acceptable it is to put milk into your coffee before the water (Alice argues it should be punishable by death, and why would you even do that? The point of the milk is to cool it down , and Sam says no, the point of the milk is to make the flavour milder. ) She swallows her jealousy as her gaze follows the trail of Celia’s fingertips up Alice’s freckled forearm, and she tries to tell herself it’s just her competitive streak that has her hoping she’s better in bed than both of them, that she’s Alice’s favourite.
It’s at this point that she can no longer lie to herself. She wants dates. More specifically, she wants dates with Alice. She might actually even concede to be told all about Star Wars or something, which is how she knows she’s in too deep to ignore it any longer. Of course, Gwen being Gwen, she finds the most awkward and overly delicate way to approach the subject while she's sitting on the edge of Alice's bed rebuttoning her blouse before they head off to work.
“Alice, are you… are you happy with things the way they are?”
“Oof — well, there's a question so loaded it could make me a millionaire with its pocket change. What d’you mean?”
“This. Are you happy with this just being… er- casual sex?”
“Do you want it to be formal sex?” Alice teases, fidgeting her crossed ankles in the air slowly, still naked and stretched out on her stomach. Gwen can't even gripe at her that she's going to be late because she isn't — Gwen's going to be ridiculously early and get herself a coffee somewhere so she can either treat herself for a job well done, a nerve-wracking conversation expertly handled, or stare solemnly into her mug while regretting ever opening her mouth, her heart.
“You know what I mean.”
“Do I, Gwendolyn? Use your words, darling.”
“Nevermind, I've remembered that you're insufferable and I hate you.”
“Oh, yeah, ten minutes ago, you were hating my guts — must be why you were so deep in them.”
“Shut up. I mean , do you want this to stay coworkers-with-benefits, or do you want to date like Sam and Celia do?”
Alice blinks in surprise, grin sliding off as she goes slack-jawed and jolts her chin up from where it's propped on her palms. “Are you asking me out?”
“Only if you're open to being asked out. If not, then… we continue as we are.” Gwen tries to keep her voice level, like it doesn't matter to her either way, as though there isn't an answer she's desperately hoping for. Pessimistic and apprehensive as she might be about the potential answer, she isn’t expecting a derisive snort from the bed.
“You're such a coward.”
“What?!” She baulks. “I’m n- I'm being respectful!”
“You're hiding behind bullshit ambivalence, is what you're doing. What do you want, Gwen? Do you want us to date?”
“I-” She catches herself before she dives back into indecision, lest she get another telling off, mortifyingly aware of how hot her face is and the fact that she's standing in a blouse, her underwear, and tights. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
Alice grins, and then as though it was the easiest, most painless thing in the world, drawls, “Cool. Dinner on Saturday?”
Well, Gwen’s counting that as a win. She might even get herself a mocha.