Chapter Text
The drive up to the hotel was quiet, they didn't talk much. Claire had the radio on and sang along slightly, and Gloria made a few snide remarks about her pitch.
When they arrive at the hotel, it’s already well into the evening. Check-in goes smoothly, they already had the room set up. They aren’t in the room for more than 10 minutes before Claire receives an alert that the fire alarm went off.
“I’m sure they are fine. Let’s just enjoy our weekend away okay?” Gloria asks with soft eyes.
“You’re right. You’re right, I’m just being paranoid.”
“Do you want to come to get a seaweed wrap with me?” Gloria smiles.
“Ew, no. I think I am going to get a massage.”
“Yeah that’s probably best, you are always so tense.” Gloria teases.
Claire just rolls her eyes as the two leave their room and go their separate ways.
Claire’s message was rescheduled for tomorrow after one of the masseuses showed up drunk. She went back to the room and and drew a bubble bath in an attempt to relax. She opened a bottle of wine, poured a glass, and sat in silence. She had ended up falling asleep after she was done with her glass, but was woken up by the sound of someone coming into the room.
“Gloria?” Claire calls, she waits for an answer, but no reply. Gloria has put her earbuds in and was listening to a relaxing playlist Manny had sent her.
“I’m just in the bath, I’ll be out in a second.”
Claire climbs out of the bath and looks for a towel. All the drawers are empty, “You’ve got to be kidding me” she says under her breath.
Suddenly the bathroom door opens and she is met with Gloria’s eyes widened at the sight of the blonde.
“Oh my god Claire!” Gloria pulls her earbuds out, her mouth remaining open, and her legs not moving, she’s like a deer caught in headlights.
Claire is attempting to cover herself with her arms and failing. Gloria takes the hint and awkwardly shuffles out the door
“Gloria, can you uhh ...”
“Mhmm” she hums and comes back with Claire’s robe.
“Here you go. Sorry I barged in - I was listening to music-“
“It’s fine. We don’t have to talk about it” Claire says, very eager to forget that Gloria just checked out her naked body.
“You are a very beautiful woman Claire, and it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. You shouldn’t be embarrassed” Gloria says casually but avoiding looking at the blonde. She walks over to the closest bed and sits on the end.
“I'm not embarrassed!” Claire shouts in defense.
“But um, uhh thank you I guess. I’m just- I’m-I’m gonna get dressed.”
She quickly grabs her clothes from the drawer and walks back into the washroom. She closes the door behind her and releases a big breath. Slips off the robe and replaces it with a blue matching pajama set. Takes one last breath before she emerges from the washroom smoothing the shirt over her body.
“What are you wearing?” Gloria says giggling covering her mouth.
“What? They are comfortable,” Claire replies, looking down at her outfit, seeing nothing wrong with her choice in sleep attire.
“Nothing. They’re cute.”
Claire narrows her eyes slightly, not believing the lie.
Of course, Gloria being Gloria decides to just change in the room, she strips down to her underwear and slips on a red lingerie dress that barely covers her ass.
“Really? That's what you're wearing?” Claire asks in her typical condescending tone.
“Yes. I like it, it's comfortable. Plus it makes me feel sexy.”
“Oh please, like you need help feeling sexy,” Claire says as she watches the brunette climb onto the bed.
“What?” asks Gloria innocently from across the room.
“Nothing. Forget it.”
“No, what do you mean?” Gloria asks.
“I mean look at you. You could wear a garbage bag and people would still think you're beautiful and then there's me who looks like, well, this.” Claire admits pointing to herself.
“I think you are very beautiful...In like a..hot mom sorta way.”
Hot mom? Claire thought. “Thanks”
“Phil is a very lucky man.”
Claire blushes in response, bringing her hand to cover her face.
“How was your massage?” Gloria asks, settling on her side facing Claire across the room.
“Oh, it was canceled, someone showed up drunk so-”
“I can give you a massage.” Gloria offers enthusiastically to Claire's surprise.
“Uhh, I don't know-”
“Oh come on, this is supposed to be a relaxing weekend. Please?” Gloria brings her hands under her chin like she's praying, Claire has never seen her like this, “fine, but can we watch a movie?” Gloria nods in response, with a smile.
Once the two are both on Gloria's bed, Claire laying on her stomach, with her upper body propped up with a pillow, and Gloria strangling her thighs, she begins to panic a little. In only her bra, she is so aware now of the temperature in their hotel room, it's a bit cool and her arms are decorated with goosebumps. Gloria, grabs the remote, turns on the television and leaves the first movie that shows up on a low volume.
“Is this fine? We can change it if you want.” she offers, Claire looks at the screen, “I’m sure it's fine.” she hums, it's just a generic hallmark movie, not worth paying attention to.
Gloria begins at her shoulders, she grabs lotion from her bag and rubs it in with slow circles on Claire’s body. She closes her eyes and lets herself relax into the other woman's touch. Her hands were so soft and gentle, much better than when Phil has tried in the past.
“You are so tight. You need to loosen up woman, how do you live like this?”
“Oh, I don't know. I don't really get much time to relax. Constantly worrying about the kids, I don't know what I am going to do. Luke is growing up so fast. Oh my god and Phil” she pauses and takes a shallow breath before starting again.
“And don't even get me started on the company. I feel like I am failing at everything and I’ll never live up to who my dad wants me to be.” Claire confesses, the smallest of tears welling in her eyes.
Gloria doesn't say anything. Not knowing what to say. She just continues the massage.
About 27 minutes later Claire falls asleep under the brunette's touch. Gloria smiles when she realizes. She gets up off the blonde and lays beside her, turning to face her. She lays for a few moments, studying her features. After a while she felt she was being kind of creepy so, not wanting to wake her, Gloria grabs an extra blanket from the closet and places it gently over Claire's body, giving her a gentle kiss on her head while doing so.
“Goodnight,” Gloria whispers as she shuts out the light, climbs into the other bed, and closes her eyes.