Warnings: I don't own Glee or any of the characters. The M rating's just to be safe. Maybe some triggers but I don't want to give anything away. Angst. I haven't done much research yet so all mistakes are my own.
Temple had just gotten out, and of course, Noah and I were the only children in our neighborhood that hadn't already been out to play. Dad and Daddy, reluctantly, said I could go to the park with Noah Puckerman as long as he walked me home before the streetlights came on. I knew it was only a matter of time before Noah was called away from me for his real friends, but I enjoyed the short walk across the street and even the few moments he took to push me on the swings. Soon enough, though, he left me to play football with his usual group and I wouldn't see much of him until it was time to go. I could have gone to sit with the other girls, watching the boys as they always did, but I'd much rather play than sit around and act excited whenever one of them did something exciting.
As usual, I did sit on the swings, surging back and forth with each kick of my legs until Noah was done. He was still passing the ball between Finn Hudson and David Karofsky when he called, "Rach, you ready to go?"
"Yes Noah," I smiled, sliding off the swing and jogging over to him as I brushed my skirt down.
"You're still hanging with that fag-hag in training?" Azimio asked.
"Come on man, lay off," Noah mumbled.
"I'd prefer you not use such language while referring to either me or my fathers," I scowled at the boy.
"Well, I'd prefer you and your fathers stop gaying up our town," the taller boy sneered.
"We have just as much right to live has you and your father."
"You have some right to my fist too, but you aren't going around taking advantage of that, are you?" He challenged.
I unconsciously took a step back, "You wouldn't dare hit me, Azimio."
Noah turned toward his friend as if he had something to say but didn't, even Finn looked on to see if he'd actually do it. David stood behind his friend nervously and Michael had long since left.
"Watch me," he moved forward, past Noah and I didn't see nearly as much as I felt the impact of his hit as another force hit me. There was also a slight crunch and when I opened my eyes I saw why. A tan-skinned girl with curly hair sat on top of me, fuming as she clutched her now bleeding nose.
"Back the fuck off," she mumbled past her hand and the blood.
"Make me," Azimio growled.
"Fine," the girl was off of me in a second and Noah had enough sense to grab her shoulders.
"Get your friend, Karofsky," he urged trying to hold back the wild girl.
"Forget you and your pet dykes, Puckerman!" Azimio shouted when Dave finally began tugging his friend away.
"Fuck you," the girl was yelling, still putting up quite a fight as Noah struggled to find hold past her flailing arms.
"Calm the hell down," Noah urged.
"Assholes," the girl muttered, her actions calmed but her breathing still coming in huffs.
I hadn't realized I'd just been sitting and watching until Noah turned to me, "Are you okay? I'm sorry Rach, I should have-"
"It's fine, Noah," It wasn't but I'd gotten used to his friends, this was just farther than Azimio usually went. I looked to the girl in his arms, "Are you alright?"
"Fine," she groaned, shrugging off Noah's grasp as he loosened it. The blood had started spilling down her chin.
"No you aren't," I pointed out, moving to take her hand. She scrutinized me under a gaze too intense for any seven year old but I ignored the slight shiver it caused, "Come with me. My daddy can clean you up."
"I need to go," she mumbled.
"The quicker you get it over with the quicker she'll let you leave," Puck mumbled, guilt still filling his voice.
"I just live across the street," I assured.
She just nodded silently and let me tug her along.
Noah left with a hug and a silent goodbye before I pulled the girl into the house.
"Rachel is that y-" Daddy called as he walked into the living room from the kitchen, drying his hands with a washrag. He rushed forward and kneeled before us, "Is your friend alright, sweetie?"
"She got hurt," I supplied, not dipping into further details.
"What's your name honey?" He asked her, reaching out with the washrag.
She looked at him skeptically before dropping my hand to take the rag, "Santana."
"Santana, what happened?"
"I got hurt."
"How did you get hurt?" He wondered, looking between the two of us.
"Azimio was bothering me and Santana protected me," I finally clarified.
"Azimio Adams?" His eyes widened in shock, before anger filled his voice, "And Noah didn't do anything?"
"He tried," I mumbled, not wanting to get the boy in trouble, "He got David to hold Azimio."
He nodded, deciding not to push it anymore before looking to Santana, "Well, thank you for protecting my daughter, Santana."
"Was nothing," she mumbled into the rag.
"I'd greatly appreciate if you'd let me check your nose," he asked, but she didn't seem too pleased with that option, "To make sure it's not broken."
"Daddy's really gentle," I offered, but her eyes widened slightly at that and she shook her head.
"I promise, it's just a quick check, and you can go up to Rachel's room and play," he offered.
She still didn't seem convinced but as she looked to me she finally relaxed enough to lower the towel.
He was quick and careful as he'd promised before smiling encouragingly at the uncertain girl before looking to me, "Rachel take her up to your room and I'll get some ice. Santana, make sure you keep holding your nose," he showed her how and allowed her to wipe the rest of the blood away before heading back into the kitchen.
I lead the girl up to my room and let her sit on my bed, "Thank you for that."
"It was nothing, your stupid friend should have done it anyway," she grumbled.
"Noah wouldn't have let Azimio hit me," I defended, but I really couldn't have been sure.
She scoffed silently.
Daddy came up with the icepack, helping the girl maneuver it onto her face with the rag before asking, "Santana, should you be calling someone? It's kind of late."
"My aunt," she mumbled, looking down.
"Do you want to call her?"
She shook her head but stood up, "I have to go."
"Do you want me to drive you?"
Another shake, "I can walk."
"Really, it's no trouble."
"I want to walk," she clarified.
"It's sort of dark outside," he sounded concerned.
"I'll be fine," she assured.
We walked her to the door, and daddy tried, unsuccessfully, once more to convince her to let him drive her.
"Thank you," she offered without looking to either of us.
"It's really no problem, I hope you can come back under better circumstances," he offered to the little girl.
"Uh," she mumbled before looking down the street.
"Bye, Santana," I waved slightly.
Daddy and I sat on the patio, watching her walk away, the icepack still clutched to her face until Dad returned. Apparently he'd had to run to the grocery store. We sat down to dinner together, and Dad explained as much of the situation as he could to Daddy. Daddy seemed outraged at the thought of Azimio picking on me. They discussed it further for a moment before Daddy brought the conversation back to the girl who'd come to my aid. The two older men finally looked to me over my pasta.
"So this girl helped you out, sweetie?" Dad asked me.
"Yes, but Azimio hurt her," I nodded.
"It's good that you and Noah brought her here, maybe next time you can invite her to stay for dinner as thanks," he offered.
"Yeah," I smiled.
"I still wish we could have given her a ride," Daddy sighed.
"Why didn't you?" Dad wondered.
Daddy shook his head, "She was insistent on walking."
"Hmm," Dad mumbled.
They fell into more familiar topics, temple, work, their days, as we ate. I bathed and we sat down to watch a movie, although both men were insistent that I branch out from my usual favorite of Funny Girl. Finally, I was in bed and thought of the girl who'd stepped in the line of fire for me. It was a bit dramatic a pattern of thought for a seven year old, but it brought a smile to my face as I fell asleep.
}{
I woke up as I would any Sunday, enjoying the bustling of my fathers as Dad helped Daddy to find his tie. Both my father's traditions had grown very familiar to me, but I had to say I enjoyed Daddy's scatter-brained tendencies more often. He followed Dad around, whining about his favorite black and blue tie although the black one matched just as well with his suit. I already had my own yellow dress and white Mary Janes on but I still enjoyed watching. Finally Daddy came out into the living room, a coffee mug and his car keys in hand as well as a juice box for me. We left with a kiss from Dad.
Daddy's church was a lot different from Dad's temple but I still enjoyed them both. Daddy was talking to one of his friends and urged me to go play with the other children before the service began. I made a bee-line for two familiar faces, Kurt Hummel and Mercedes Jones. Mercedes was animatedly telling Kurt about her performance today, and sometimes I envied her spot in the churches choir, but with all my other classes I didn't have time for it. Kurt, aside from his usual anxiousness at the church, looked pleased for her.
"I can't wait for you two to see, it's my first solo," the darker girl beamed proudly.
"We must celebrate," Kurt clapped, "What are you guys doing after?"
"Probably going to the park," I supplied.
"Yeah," Mercedes agreed.
"Perfect, I have the makings of finger sandwiches and tea at home," he cheered, although he blushed at some disapproving glances.
"I thought you weren't supposed to use the stove anymore after the crepes," Mercedes wondered.
"I'll have my mom boil it," Kurt offered.
"Alright," I smiled, just as everyone began making their way into the church. We left with promises to meet afterwards and I found Daddy easily, leaning into his side as we made our way to our seats.
Mercedes performance of I look to you, along with the rest of the choir eventually, was amazing. I had to stand up to make sure I could see over the hat of the woman in front of me but it was worth it. The rest of the service was as it usually was. We stood up and sang along to the familiar words and I mostly watched Daddy as he listened to the preacher and the testimonials of the other patrons. Finally, we were out and I saw a familiar face, rather, familiar features behind a bruised and slightly swollen nose.
"Santana," I called and waved as I moved towards the girl.
She noticed me but looked down to her shoes. She wasn't clad in the church-wear I'd grown accustomed to; pretty dresses and dapper suits, instead she wore jeans and a t-shirt.
"Santana," I repeated as I stopped in front of her, finally noticing the hand of the older woman next to her resting on her shoulder. I gave my biggest and brightest smile, "Hello ma'am."
"Wha- Oh, um, hello?" She said curiously before looking to Santana.
"My name is Rachel Berry, I'm a friend of Santana's," I held out my hand.
She shook it curiously as Daddy walked up, "I'm sorry, my daughter got a bit ahead of herself."
"Your daughter?" She wondered, looking down to, "Oh, of course, it's no problem."
He mimicked the motion I'd made as well, "I assume your Santana's aunt?"
"Oh," she seemed displeased at the mention of the girl, "Did she do something? She's always getting into trouble an-"
"No, nothing of the sort, in fact, we're really grateful for how she helped my daughter out," he smiled down to her, "Although I'm terribly sorry it had to end with such a marking."
"It's fine, I suppose," she looked back down to the girl, who had yet to look up.
"I was wondering if you two would like to join us for dinner, maybe tonight." Daddy offered, a friendly smile in place.
"Oh," a smile that expressed far more than friendliness crossed the woman's features, "That'd be wonderful."
"Perfect," he pulled out a pen and an old receipt from his pocket, "Let me give you the address." He scribbled quickly before handing over the paper.
"We'll be there," she gave that odd smile once more before heading off and I almost remembered my plans for afterward.
I jogged after the woman, "Ma'am!"
"Yes?" She wondered indifferently.
"Some friends and I are going to the park," I stated, "And I was wondering if Santana could join us? Especially considering she's already dressed for it."
She looked to Santana almost annoyed before shrugging and urging her forward with a slight shove, "Go ahead, just be home before the streetlights are on."
The warning sounded innocent enough, I'd heard it myself plenty of times, but Santana nodded quietly.
"Kurt's bringing sandwiches and tea," I informed.
The first words out of her mouth the entire morning were hardly as excited as I'd expected, "Whatever."
"Well," I mumbled, "We should go find Daddy."
She followed me silently.
In the car Santana was still very if she wasn't prompted. We'd learned that she lived "around," her aunt was "alright," her favorite food was "whatever," and she was feeling "fine." The closest we'd gotten to definite answers were that she had just moved here and would be attending Lima Elementary after summer. At the house she sat on the couch while I went upstairs to change quickly. When I came back, sheet in hand, she was on the couch while Dad sat in his armchair and Daddy on the arm of it as they questioned her.
"So, Santana, how old are you?"
"Seven," she mumbled.
"And you live with your aunt?"
"Yes."
"What about your parents?"
Daddy elbowed dad at that question.
"Let's go Santana," I offered her an escape.
"Um," she looked to daddy, "I'll bring your stuff back."
"What stuff sweetie?"
"Your icepack and towel," she mumbled, "I'll clean 'em and bring 'em back."
"It's fine, I swear, as long as you're alright," he smiled.
She nodded.
"Where are you two going?" Dad queried.
"Picnic with Kurt and Mercedes," I beamed.
Worry crossed both their faces but Daddy spoke, "Are you sure you guys should go there?"
I nodded, "Noah will probably be there." That suggestion could go either way with the boy's reputation, but they both finally nodded.
"There are some cookies on the counter if you want to take them."
I smiled and went to get them, Santana following me. I tried getting them but they were on the wall.
"Move," Santana grumbled and when I stepped out of the way, about to complain about her rudeness she grabbed the cookies and held them out to me.
"Thank you, although a simple excuse me would have worked," I commented, taking the cookies.
"Whatever."
I pouted slightly, but it was replaced by a smile as we left. I could already see that the boys were playing across the street. Kurt had set up his blanket by the sidelines where the other girls usually sat; Mercedes was on her way from the parking lot so we made our way over. I set up my blanket neatly and Santana sat down quietly. More people were obviously coming, but we just enjoyed our picnic.
"Who's this?" Kurt wondered, taking in the tanned girl next to me.
"Weren't you at church today?" Mercedes wondered.
I waited for her to answer but when she just nodded I decided to do it, "This is my friend Santana. Santana, these are Kurt and Mercedes."
"Hi," she offered.
"What happened to your nose, girl?" Mercedes questioned.
"It doesn't matter," she scowled, watching as Azimio caught the football.
"I could cover it up if you want," Kurt offered.
She shook her head.
"Well, I brought cookies," I offered to the group, appreciating the grateful look Santana gave as the attention was transferred from her.
Kurt started passing out the sandwich triangles and juice boxes, claiming his mother assured him they would be more appropriate for a picnic. Mercedes provided the brownies we'd come to love every time her mother made them. The other kids must have recognized it as they soon joined us, the boys crashing on the ground, not caring about grass stains as we had to divide up the food further. Quinn Fabray and Brittany Pierce found places on the blankets with us, while Artie Abrams and Tina Cohen-Chang had their own blankets.
"Your dads always buy the best cookies," Noah offered me.
"I know," I smiled at him.
Azimio was going to say something but David silenced him with a punch as he sipped from his water bottle.
"Who's the new girl?" Quinn voiced, looking over Santana curiously.
"Santana," I mentioned, noticing that she wasn't eating like everyone else had been. I tapped her shoulder to get her attention, "Aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm fine," she shook her head.
"But it's for everyone," I offered.
She honestly looked like she wanted to, but she shook her head again.
"Here," I pushed my sandwich into her hand and the last piece of brownie.
She looked at me curiously before mumbling, "Thank you."
"It's no problem," I smiled at her gladly.
"Were you trying to look like a cat?" Brittany asked as she looked over the girl.
"What?"
"Your nose, it looks like my cat Lord Tubbington," she explained.
"Um, I got hit?"
"Was it Lord Tubbington? He gets so antsy when hasn't been smoking, I'm sorry if he hit you," the girl seemed flustered.
Santana looked to me for an explanation, and I probably wasn't the one to give it.
"Britt, I doubt your cat hit her," Quinn mumbled past her sandwich.
"Oh, well, then would you like to meet him?" She asked, her expression growing excited.
"Sure," Santana sounded unsure.
"If you don't want to, just say no, Britt's a big girl," Quinn mumbled.
"I'll meet your cat," Santana offered, "Can, um, Rachel come too?"
"Of course," Brittany beamed at us, "Rachel, have you met Lord Tubbington?"
"No, Brittany, but I can't wait to," I smiled at her.
"Bianca's cooler," Noah announced.
"Bianca?" The dark-haired girl looked confused as she looked to the boy.
"My dog, she's like part wolf," he grinned cockily.
"Stop lying, Puck," Mercedes challenged.
"She's totally part wolf, she's way too big to just be a normal dog," he assured.
"She's really fluffy too," Brittany offered.
"And vicious," Noah added.
"She's the sweetest thing you'll ever meet," Kurt assured.
"As far as you know," the boy smirked.
"Do you have any pets?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"She doesn't need one with you around Berry," Azimio finally made his presence known.
Her relaxed, if it could even be called that, was replaced by anger as she stood up, "Want to repeat that."
Azimio stood up, "I don't think I need to repeat anything except yesterday."
"Chill, man," Dave urged.
Noah was up this time, standing in front of the girl. Everyone else was standing up as well, hoping they wouldn't have to pick sides.
"Maybe we should go?" I asked, grabbing Noah and Santana's hands.
Puck looked around nervously, "Yeah."
"No," Santana stated, "Let him repeat it."
"Gladly," he lunged forward and tried to hit her, but Dave grabbed the back of his shirt, stopping him with enough time for Santana to get in her own attack. We watched in shock as she made sure he sported the same mark she did, but with the crack we heard we were all certain his nose was broken. The blood spurted furiously down his face as David started dragging him away with help from Finn.
Her fists clenched at her side and her breathing was heavy as she watched the boy get dragged away.
"It's good he's finally getting a taste of his own medicine," Kurt mumbled as he watched the boys.
"Azimio's always been so mean," Brittany sounded disappointed.
"I call the swing," I announced, knowing it would get everyone's attention as I made a beeline for the serious of swings. It did its job as everyone made their way over, although Santana didn't run so much as trot over, leaning on the pole as she watched me. Kurt, Brittany, Mike and I got to the swings first. Quinn pushed Brittany, Artie pushed Mike, Mercedes had Kurt, and Noah, as usual, pushed me.
"Check this out," Mike called as he got higher than everyone else just before jumping off and rolling to a standing position. He dusted sand out of his messy hair. Artie quickly replaced him on the swing.
"I knew he was a ninja," Noah declared.
Brittany and Quinn soon swapped and Kurt and Mercedes did the same.
Santana was still just watching us all when Puck urged, "Rach, let me have a turn."
"No," I got off, putting my hand on his chest when he tried to take the seat, "Let Santana have a turn."
He groaned but let her on, actually, he waited while I urged her onto the seat and he pushed her for a while before his whining grew annoying. He might have acted tough but he was a big baby most of the time. The only upside was that it stopped when he took his kicking upon himself and joined the boys in their jumping contest. Santana helped me to fold my blanket and throw the trash, something Noah would have complained about.
"Do you want to come back to my house?" I asked as we walked back to the group.
She looked up to the bright orange sky, "I guess."
I smiled brightly at her before going to hug my friends, Noah seeming reluctant to get off the swing, and Kurt and Mercedes making me promise we'd have a sleepover.
Brittany bounced up to the raven-haired girl and pulled her into a more than unexpected hug, "I can't wait for you to come and meet Lord Tubbington."
"Okay," her lips curled in the shadow of a smile.
The blonde even spared me a hug before going back to her shorter friend.
At the house Dad and Daddy were watching a movie. We headed up to my room and sat on my bed.
"You didn't get in trouble for going home late, did you?" I wondered.
"It doesn't matter," she mumbled, rubbing the back of her head anxiously.
"I'm sorry if you did. What were you even doing at the park by yourself?"
"My aunt wanted me out of the house."
"She seems odd."
"That's not the word I'd use, " She scoffed at that, "What about you? Why were you there alone?"
"I wasn't alone, Noah just-"
"Sucks," she supplied.
"No, he just wanted to play with his other friends."
"And why weren't you playing with them, or sitting with the other girls?"
"I don't know how to play football and the boys usually tell me I can't because I'm a girl. Quinn doesn't particularly like me, so I don't usually sit with her and Brittany."
"Brittany seemed nice," I saw that shadow of a smile again.
"She is," I nodded.
"What's with that Azimio kid?"
I shrugged, "He doesn't like that I have two dads."
"That's stupid."
"It is not stupid! My dads love me just as much as any mom and dad could love their child. I'm lucky enough to have two parents when some children don't have a-"
"Chill," she shook her head, "I meant about Azimio."
"Oh."
She wasn't looking at me, "Your dads seem nice."
"They are," I smiled.
She fell silent again.
I looked around the room for something to keep from boring my companion, "Do you like Connect Four?"
"Never played."
"Really?" I couldn't hide the excitement in my voice as I leapt from the bed and went to the chest at the foot of my bed and pulled out the box. I got on my knees on one side and set up the board and separated the checkers, "What color do you want?"
"Red?" She asked.
"Alright," I passed her the pieces.
"You want to get four of your color in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally," I explained.
"What?"
I often forgot how much more advanced my vocabulary could be compared to my peers, "Up, down, or across."
"Oh, okay," she nodded.
We played the first few rounds and, of course I won. But I didn't really become competitive until about the fifth. Santana started winning quickly and I got almost upset. Most games I could tell when Dad or Daddy were just letting me win, but they were genuinely just bad at Connect Four. I'd never lost to them, Noah, or Kurt before then. Santana was really good, and finally I just decided we needed a new game.
"Sorry?"
"For what?"
"No, the game," I explained, opening the chest once more.
"For losing?" She teased as I traded boxes.
I stuck my tongue out at her before setting up the board. Once more she was red and I claimed yellow. I explained the rules again and we started playing quickly. It proved to be another game she was unnervingly good at although I got the odd feeling she was letting me win every few games. This game lasted longer than Connect Four, keeping us distracted until Dad called us both downstairs. Santana hung back slightly when she saw her aunt walking in the front door.
"San, come here," she called the girl over.
"I'm so glad you could make it," Daddy greeted.
"Thank you for having us," she gave a smile that hardly looked genuine, "You have such a lovely home."
"Thank you," Daddy smiled, "Hiram's almost finished with dinner."
"Hiram?" The older woman questioned.
"Yes, my husband," he offered, before going to the kitchen door, "Rachel could you show them to the dining room?"
"Yes, Daddy," I smiled before waving them after me.
I heard the older woman mumble something about, "The good black men," But ignored it as I lead them to the large table in the dining room.
I took my seat usual seat quickly and Santana took the one next to me while her Aunt sat opposite her.
Dad and Daddy soon came in carrying a salad bowl and a plate of steaks, "I'm sorry it took us a moment. It's wonderful to meet the girl who helped our little Rachel and her aunt."
"You don't know how much of a relief it is to find out she hasn't been getting into trouble," The woman sighed.
"She's been no trouble," Daddy said, "She's a pleasant addition to Rachel's group of friends."
"That's good to hear."
Santana was mostly quiet through dinner, even with my prompting for her to speak. Her aunt spent most of her time talking to Dad and Daddy, well, mostly Daddy. When they did leave I gave Santana a quick hug before inviting her back. Daddy assured the woman, Marian, as we'd learned, that Santana was welcome back anytime. They drove off quickly, and with a sort of finality although Dad and Daddy were chuckling over something I didn't quite understand yet.
"The Jewish husband thing didn't seem to be enough of a hint to her," Dad chuckled as he pulled Daddy close for a peck on his cheek.
"I wasn't entirely sure how to let her know it wasn't going to happen."
"I think it's cute," Dad shrugged.
"You say that now, but what happens when she's using that child as an excuse to come over?" The darker man wondered.
"Did you notice she really didn't seem to be paying much attention to her?"
Daddy nodded, "It really isn't our business."
"I know, but it still seemed odd."
"If there's anything to worry about I'm sure we'll find out."
"Of course, but for now, she and Rachel seem fine."
"Aside from the Adams boy."
"Yes, well, we should probably speak to his father."
"Rachel, bath time," Daddy called to me on the stairs before turning back to Dad, "I'll try tomorrow."