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Barbie knew Ken was in love with her. Everyone knew, every Ken loved his Barbie, in some way or another. And she loved him too, but not in a way he wanted to be loved, not in a “i'm yours and no one else’s” way. He craved intimacy, or at least what the Barbieland considered intimacy, which mostly were the “I love you’s” and kisses goodbye every night. But Barbie would rather spend her time with her friends, giggling and picking outfits for the next day, gossiping [with respect to others] and brushing each other's hair. She wanted Ken to lay off of her so she could spend time with her girlfriends.
So when it all ended, when she apologized for treating him coldly, which Gloria later scolded her on, because he didn't even bother to apologize for almost ruining her whole world, she finally felt relief. She wasn't bound to him anymore, she was a single Barbie now, well, she wasn't technically a Barbie doll anymore, but it didn't stop her from feeling like everything would finally be okay.
And she's never been more in the wrong.
☆
During the first weeks of Barbie's human life experience, she was afraid to even be left alone. The annoying, pinching feeling that something bad was about to happen didn't want to leave her side. The only place where she felt safe was inside the house, Gloria's bed and fuzzy blankets felt the safest. She quickly learned that what was haunting her had a name, a lady told her about it before, but Sasha helped Barbie make sure that she wasn't just assuming the worst. Barbie did have anxiety.
Being human does not wait, it tosses her stones under her already wobbly legs. It felt like a stupid game, like the universe wanted to tell her that maybe this whole thing isn't for her. But Barbie didn't care what the universe thought, not when Gloria would squeeze her shoulder a little, giving her the warmest smile and saying;
"You're doing great."
And in moments like that, she would truly think that she was doing great, she tried and it’s all that matters, which is also a thing Gloria told her, just a little later on.
☆
“Sweetie, you have to try before you say you don’t like it.” Gloria had her mom voice on, and for a second, Barbie thought she only referred to Sasha, who also was sitting with a frown on her face, the plate of suspiciously looking food in front of her. The tween just sighed picking up her fork.
“Not to be rude but this looks- What did you exactly make?” Her voice was toned down, clearly not wanting to upset the already frustrated woman, god, cooking could be a killer.
“It’s a… brussel sprouts casserole” Gloria’s hair was slowly falling out of the bun on top of her head, her white apron now dirty with various spices. Her face was slightly flushed. Barbie thought she looked beautiful, she always did. When the woman turned around, Sasha got her phone out to search what the dish was actually supposed to look like, and safe to say, it wasn’t the closest match, it made them both giggle, but as soon as Gloria turned back, nothing was funny.
“Can you guys at least try it?” Exhausted, she took the kitchen wear off and hung it on the wall. With a hoping gaze she stared at the two girls. “Please?” Despite how unappetizing the dish looked, Barbie still tried it, she had to, because “How else are you going to know if it's bad?” echoed in her head, making its way to stay there for the rest of her life.
Barbie decided to go in first, carefully scooping some of the less burnt part and placing it in her mouth. Surprisingly, it was edible, tasty even. Gloria, now biting her fingernails, looked at the blonde with furrowed brows.
"It's so good!" The relief almost knocked her out, Gloria shook her head and smiled, the skin around her eyes slightly crinkling, Barbie loves when that happens.
"Thank you! Someone finally can appreciate my cooking!"
Sasha followed what Barbie did, fake gagging at first just to let out a small “im joking” after. Gloria took her own plate and before sitting down she hugged both of them from behind, placing quick kisses on top of their heads. Moments like that really helped Barbie take her mind off of missing her dreamhouse back in Barbieland.
The blonde has been living with them for almost four months now, she insisted that she can try living on her own, but no one wanted her to go, well, at least not Sasha and Gloria. So she stayed, she got her own room, even repainted it so now instead of a beige color the walls were pink and white, nicely fitting with some new and old repainted furniture.
She sleeps on a big, comfy bed, one that's almost identical to hers back there, but sometimes it's hard. She gets lonely, the walls keep her from knowing if everyone's safe, she's still not used to not seeing her friends sleeping, so sometimes Gloria joins her, or she joins Gloria and everything feels safe again. She probably would sleep like that every night if not for-
The entrance door swung open, startling the girls by its sudden movement, Richie came back from work. Lately he's been spending more time there, often taking the night shifts.
Barbie knew that something wasn't like it used to, between Gloria and Richie that is. There was that tension in the air, that sort of uneasiness was hanging over their heads and to be honest, it sucked. Not because Richie seems more sad than usual, Barbie didn't really care about him, to be fair she didn't really like him from the start. It's because Gloria was sad, every time she saw him it was like life suddenly wasn't that great, and Barbie hated that.
"Hey." He awkwardly waved towards everyone with his free hand, the other one was occupied with some bags.
"Hey, you hungry?" Gloria asked, raising a plate. He scanned the food and made little effort to even pretend to be interested.
"No, I already got takeout." And just like that, he was gone again behind his office door. Gloria sighed, her arm supporting her head, hand slightly covering her eyes.
"Love, am I right?" Sasha snorted, an undertone of sarcasm in her voice. And Barbie knew that today was a night she'll snuggle sad Gloria to sleep, again. Also, she’ll finally learn what a divorce is.
☆
Love was a weird feeling, overcomplicated and not always happy like it was supposed to be. Barbie always thought that love was easy, uplifting, soft and forever. She was aware that it could be one-sided, she didn't put up with Ken for so long to not notice that, but she always told herself that since she doesn't love him romantically, he probably doesn't really love her either. But now, she was sitting on a couch with a stressed Gloria hugging her side with divorce papers in front of her.
From what she understood, marriage was something that people do when they're forever in love, that's why they're getting married, to be forever together, but now, her whole view on it was shattered. If even marriage isn't forever, then can any love be unbreakable?
She knew they were getting divorced, she wanted to ask Gloria why, but Sasha advised to keep low on the topic, at least until Gloria won't tell her herself. She felt bad, obviously because Gloria was distressed, but also because a part of Barbie wanted Richie out. He annoyed her, even when he was still warm and nice towards Gloria, it made her chest heavy and her heart sting. He didn't deserve her, she would do anything to make sure Gloria would stay with her, she would treat her so much better, she did treat her better and she wasn't even married to her!
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea." The brown haired woman whispered into Barbie's side, sending tingles down her body.
"Do you not love him anymore?" She asked, Gloria got up, her head shook with a faint laughter that only grew bigger. For a second Barbie thought she said something wrong, something dumb, or that maybe Gloria isn't feeling very well, she could have not bought her the bottle of wine she told her about earlier.
“Oh honey, I forgot to tell you everything, did I?” Barbie nodded her head, now confused more than ever. "I do love him, we still love each other, but… it's not the same as it used to be. People fall out of love, Barbie, sometimes without a reason, sometimes maybe they just." She stopped for a second, processing what she wanted to say, her brown eyes lock onto Barbie's blue. "find someone else and fall in love with them."
"But… How could he fall out of love with you! You're perfect! You're so nice and pretty and you always know what to say! He's dumb if he doesn’t see it!" Gloria’s already flushed cheeks seemed to grow even warmer, her expression softened with a delicate smile.
“Barbie, me and Richie weren’t really in love anytime..” She took her hands, placing them in her lap. “We both wanted a family, so we got married, Sasha came into our lives, and we promised each other that if we find people that we do fall in love with, we will tell and figure things out.” She made sure to say every word slow, hoping it makes sense, which it didn’t, marriages aren’t really for love? They’re for family? Or both? Are there more reasons for them?
“Everything was awkward because it’s still hard, you know? There will always be a part of me that will miss having him all for myself, even as a friend, well, friend in marriage.” Her voice cracked and Barbie's throat felt like it had a lump inside it, she didn’t wanna see Gloria cry. “But we’re still friends, he’s just not gonna be that present anymore.” The blonde tilted her head and dropped her gaze onto her hands that still were being held by the woman in front of her. She gave them a squeeze which Gloria reciprocated.
“He found someone else? Who is it?” Barbie felt her friend shifting nervously next to her, their knees were touching and their hands stayed the same, though now the blondes thumb was carefully caressing Gloria’s knuckles.
“It’s a lady from work, her name is Valerie, he told me they met before you even came here, he was nervous to make a move, he was nervous to even tell me he likes her! Oh, it’s a shame, I would have loved to meet her sooner, she’s such a treasure.” And Gloria was crying, it was happy tears, she was happy that she could let Richie be happy, and Barbie cried because Gloria cried, she cried because Gloria was so heartwarming, her presence was enough to make Barbie want to breathe deeper and truly live.
“Are you guys okay?” A concerned voice rose from behind them, Sasha, now in her PJ's, was standing in the hallway with an empty glass in her hand. “Am I interrupting some kind of weird wine-bonding ritual?”
“Your mom is getting divorced!” Barbie cried laughing, Gloria shortly after followed and did the same. They fell into eachothers arms struggling to take a proper breath, both now slightly tipsy and a mess, hiccuping and grabbing onto each other for dear life.
“Oh I’m gonna hate it when you guys get married.” The tween whispered to herself shaking her head. Sasha didn’t even bother to get the water she wanted, she sighed and left the room with a small smile on her face.
☆
The trial went shorter than everyone thought, from that night on, things were more smooth, more peaceful between Gloria and Richie, and Barbie was never happier with that guy, even though she still didn't understand how he could not fall in love with Gloria.
Barbie can’t even imagine how life would be if she was married to her, she wouldn’t do a good job, she can’t even seem to focus near her! Her hands get clammy and suddenly she becomes so aware of herself it's hard to be in the same room. Her lungs get heavy and her head spins and she just wants to hold her and kiss her and-
Oh
Oh.
She was in love with her, how could she not know? She never thought that she would be in love with anyone, yet to think it was a woman? Could she even be in love with a woman? Was that something you could do? Is this even love? Is love so… sweaty and bothering? Isn’t she just sick? No, wait, she’s in love with Gloria of all, oh heavens, how is she going to even tell her? Maybe she is sick, should she ask? She has to, google won’t work, she tried already and she did console it with Sasha that she definitely isn’t dying, even though she sometimes feels like it.
Barbie knew she liked Gloria from the start, the moment they locked their eyes she knew something was different. The first time they hugged, the first time they slept together in one bed, the first time Gloria called Barbie beautiful when she felt the opposite. She liked Gloria, oh, she fell hard.
The question is, what now? She needs answers, and there is only one person who can help her.
“Sasha!” Barbie stormed into the room of the girl, startling her so bad she almost fell off of her chair.
“What the- What? Something is burning? Not again- ”
“No, no, listen, I need a serious answer and you’re the smartest human person I know besides your mom.” Sasha was flattered, really, it’s not like Barbie still hasn’t made a lot of friend’s here, but she will cherish that quote for a long time.
“Alright, sit down, what is it?” Sasha gathered herself together and sat down like some sort of a therapist, her hands under her chin, examining the woman that was now nervously sitting at the end of her bed.
“I think that um- I think I love someone?” She dukes out, fidgeting with the collar of her shirt. Sasha knew, she’s not dumb, as Barbie said, she is smart, and to be fair, you don’t have to be the brightest to know that Barbie was head over heels in love with Sasha’s mom.
“Okay, let’s say that someone is single, and that someone is definitely having feelings, there’s nothing stopping you from just telling her .”
“How do you know it’s a she?” Barbie exclaimed, but Sasha just pinched the tip of her nose, exhaling sharply.
“Dude, just tell her when she gets back or something, you two are basically married already. Now, out! My friends are probably gonna be here any second.” After having to use force to get Barbie out of her room, Sasha locks her door leaving the blonde almost stunned. It couldn’t be that obvious, could it be?
"Can I even love a girl?!" Barbie shouted facing the door, and the only answer she got was to google what a lesbian is.
☆
Sashas friends got there at the same time Gloria got back, Barbie, who saw them out of the window, since she was sitting in the kitchen looking and awaiting Gloria's arrival like a dog waiting for its owner, she opened the door for them with a happy smile. She greeted them and told them to just go to Sasha's room since she cant wait any longer.
Gloria had a lot of groceries bags in her hands, clearly struggling keeping them together. Barbie quickly rushed out, firstly closing the open laptop with an article about lesbians, which by the way, the flag of was so pretty and pink the woman wanted one for herself to set up in her room.
“Wait, let me help.” She smiled at Gloria, who mouthed a small thank you before handing her two bags.
“Sorry I didn’t take you shopping, the gas prices are so up right now I didn’t want to come back just to go there again-” Gloria had that cute nervous smirk that always melted her heart, Barbie never understood why she always had to apologize.
“Oh It’s alright! We can go another day.” The blonde opened the door and held it, allowing her, well, friend in. They put the bags on the countertop, slowly but surely sorting them out depending on where they’re gonna put them now.
“How was your day honey?” Gloria chimed in, now stacking the various pasta packs into the shelves. The pet name became their thing, Gloria loved to call Barbie that, and she did not protest, hearing her say that, refer to her like that melted her immediately.
“It went quicker than usual, human days are so much quicker in general, and I learned what a lesbian is!” Well, she always told Gloria what she learned today, but was it a good idea now? She bit her own tongue, quickly looking over at the shorter woman, who was now scanning her face.
"That's great, um, is there a reason you wanted to know what that is?" She could feel how her hands were getting shaky, how her breathing was becoming more and more shallow, not now Barbie, this should be easy.
"It's just- curiosity. I've never really thought about that even being a possibility but I guess that." She froze, locking her eyes onto her hands, now being gently squeezed by the sole reason why she even googled it in the first place. "I've never liked men, so finding that was kind of comforting."
"Oh." Was all that left Glorias mouth, and then a little laughter, the cutest one that Barbie heard, it made her heart flutter and she couldn't even control her smile. "I don't want to sound mean but I thought that you knew that already, oh god." Her laughter became more vibrant.
"Well, that's nice that you found yourself sweetheart." And with that she placed a gentle kiss on Barbie's cheek, making the area stingy and warm, in the best way possible. There was small talk, and jokes, and no tension at all, nothing changed, she couldn't be happier.
But there was still that anxiety, and she perfectly knew why, but how is she supposed to tell the perfect woman, that is also freshly after a divorce, that she's so in love with her she can barely breathe.
☆
Like every night, Barbie was getting ready to go to sleep, this time in her room, not alone of course, she was nervously taking off her beauty mask waiting for Gloria to come.
Since Richie moved out, the women slept in one bed everyday, Barbie never complained about it, she didn't have a reason to. She slept better, more peaceful and she felt safe, plus she would do everything to make Gloria happier, and what's better than warm snuggles and late night laughter.
She was nervous, no, nervous was an understatement, she could feel her heartbeat in her ears, which was her least favorite human trait. It was weird, and it didn't end there, there were times where she would feel it while laying down on her side, or she would feel it in her throat, even her vagina, which was definitely the weirdest. Her palms were sweaty and her cheeks were flushed with warmth. Deep breaths Barbie, just like Gloria taught you.
She had a pink top that barely covered her stomach and plaid, long baggy pants. The nights weren’t the warmest, but this would do, especially since Barbie can’t stay cold near Gloria, as the complex human nature always toys with her making the blonde’s body suddenly warmer near her.
She was brushing her hair when Gloria walked in the room, Barbie could see a glimpse of the woman in her vanity table’s mirror. She had matching pants and her upper body was wrapped in a towel, her wet hair sticking to the bare skin. There it was again, that cursed heartbeat suddenly rising. No matter what the brown-haired woman wears, if her hair is up or maybe down, if she has makeup on or not, to Barbie Gloria always was, is, and will be the prettiest woman she’s ever seen.
"Sorry, forgot to take my shirt." Gloria chuckled, she let go of the towel, allowing it to fall onto the fuzzy pink carpet, all Barbie could see was the slightly toned back of the shorter woman, and without missing a beat she said;
“You’re beautiful.”
And Gloria turned around, with the shirt on of course, and smiled, but this smile Barbie would never forget, it was the cutest, warmest smile she’s ever seen, it was like her whole face lit up, her smile lines were even more visible and her brown, gorgeous eyes almost radiated warmth. "You're beautiful, too."
It was all it took to wash the nervousness away, to make Barbie smile like she's never smiled before, to make her eyes go watery and her whole body so light she felt like she was floating.
Her body acted on its own, she got up almost running up to Gloria just to hug her so tight she got scared she wouldn't be able to breathe. She didn't know why she was tearing up, she's guessing it's just the effect the woman has on her. She makes her feel so many things the emotions can't stay inside, they're so intense her body trembles and she can't help but let them wash over her body until she can think clearly again.
Or maybe she’s crying because she finally gets what Ken wanted. She can’t imagine her day without Gloria, without seeing her smile and hearing her laugh, no, she wouldn’t even be human if not for her, Gloria was the sole reason she even thought about becoming human in the first place and she couldn’t possibly thank her for it. Gloria was Barbie’s life, she was Gloria’s and she ached for Gloria to be hers, not in a sense of owning her, but in a sense she could go somewhere public and if a waiter asked her what she and her friend wanted she could politely correct them that they’re together, as in girlfriend-girlfriend.
And she thinks how sweet it would be if she could walk with her, hand in hand while shopping, or how it delightful would it be going on those cute dates she saw in tv-shows or how amazing would it feel to be able to cup her beautiful face and kiss her so deeply she wouldn’t have to put in words how much she feels for her. Those thoughts were so intense she could almost feel the woman’s hand tangled in her hair, the other one slightly tugging at her side. So realistic she could feel the little gasp escaping her throat when the shorter woman pulled away.
“Oh.” Was enough for Barbie to hear that she wasn’t imagining it at all.
“Gloria, oh I’m so sorry, I thought that I was imagining it and- well that doesn’t sound better I just wanted to-.” She was cut off mid sentence by Gloria, Gloria’s lips on her own to be exact. She wasn’t dreaming, this wasn't a fantasy, she was kissing her, holding Gloria by the hips and actually kissing her.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment." And Gloria smiled, again, and again after another kiss, they both smiled so hard their faces started to hurt but how could they not smile laying on top of eachother, embracing and giggling like they're teenagers trying to keep calm to not alarm their parents.
"I was so scared to tell you that, that I even thought about being…" Barbie stuttered, sliding off onto the side of Gloria, laying and tucking her hand under her head.
"I know, but you talk in your sleep, a lot." This only made the blonde flush even more with blush and hide her face in her palms, she hated being embarrassed, and she thought the actual confession would be embarrassing. "So you know I'm in love with you? Is that okay?" Her voice was delicate, like she could break any second now into a thousand pieces.
"Of course it is honey." She heard in a whisper, so personal that it sounded like no one else on earth was supposed to hear it, like it was just for Barbie's ears to remember. She knew this wasn't a dream, no, dreams weren't that realistic, but there was that part of her mind nagging her about pinching her arm to just make sure, but she didn't do that, she just held her love by the hand and squeezed, receiving the same back.
"Does that mean we can be girlfriend-girlfriend?" There it was, her favorite sound in the whole world again, that soft laugh she memorized by now. "Yes, yes we can."
There were tears again, this time less, but they still dripped down her face. And maybe Barbie was still confused about what love really is, but she knew one, that her love was Gloria, and she wouldn't change it to anything else in the world, especially never after hearing her voice, saying four simple words.
"I love you too."