A/N: I don't own Glee nor the characters within. So this is an experiment of sorts. I and my friend pupofstuff (Alexa) have been texting a Dantanchel headcanon back and forth since October (of 2013). We've gotten so far into it and very involved into it that we're currently approaching what amounts to 80 pages on google docs. Originally we had planned to write this into its own fanfic, but we discovered that we're having too much fun doing it this way, and writing it out takes a lot more effort than we currently want to spend. So, after talking it over and polling people on tumblr, we've decided to share it as is, faithfully transcribed from our texts, like a snapshot into our minds and creative process. (The fact we've been talking about for so long without anything to show for it may have also contributed to this decision, too. :D) The beginning starts out very condensed due to the nature of the project, and if you're wondering, it's rated M because smut will be coming.

I am in italics, pupofstuff is in bold, each new paragraph is a new text, and the line breaks mean a sudden change in the general subject.

Now without further ado, here is the first part of our response to the question: how do you think Dantanchel would get together?

So I think Dani would the first one to make an innocent comment about finding Rachel attractive, like a, "Rachel's so cute, freaking out about getting Fanny," or something. Santana would deflect like she does so well, but I can see her tentatively bringing it up again when she and Dani are hanging out at Dani's place.

Ooh, and then Dani is of course the one for it to click; and Dani being Dani doesn't wait for Santana and her to feel their way around, she just pins Santana to the couch so she can't get away, and confronts her about their mutual attraction to not only each other, but Rachel.

That is one way it could happen, but I think it would be more gradual than that. Like I don't think it would be so black and white yet.

It could go either way. Like maybe she would actually be really nervous? Or do you think she would nudge Santana in that direction? Or do you think Rachel would do something about it?

I'm seeing Santana completely unwilling to even admit it's there. Because here's Dani, her first "real" lesbian, and she's soooo happy with her. She's finally getting a relationship right. I can see her holding on to it, and holding on to it until she can't take the guilt anymore and bursts it all out on Dani. It's not that Dani's not enough - she's more than enough! - and their relationship should be perfect and she loves Dani, but it's just not ENOUGH, and Santana hates that she can't stay fucking faithful with Dani, because this was supposed to be her finally happy ending.

You're right, that does sound more likely. And then Dani comforts Santana, because she knows her girlfriend needs it… Does she leave for a while after that?

I think she would comfort her, but I can't see her, in that situation, staying as Dantana for a while. Because she still loves Santana, but she just needs time to think about things. Which of course makes Santana feel miserable. The diner would be unbearable with the tension, and finally Rachel would approach Dani for information. Which I think would really start the Dani being friends with Rachel as Rachel, and not just as her girlfriend's best friend. Eventually, I can see Rachel doing that 'let's hang out where I'll never show up but Dani will be there instead' thing for Santana (she still spends more time with Santana, but she also does hang out with Dani too - sure it's hard juggling the two, but Rachel REALLY wants to see them work it out because they're wonderful for each other).

I imagine Kurt would sit back and watch until he reaches for Rachel to ask her if she really knows what she's doing, becoming so entrenched in the Dantana situation.

And then when Kurt asks her? Rachel heavily denies it? Or admits it with dread?

I think Rachel would be completely oblivious to everything. She honestly has never thought about, except for the natural appreciating girls' looks, either Dani or Santana in that light. She's just being a good friend, and in return is getting closer girl friends, which helps her with missing Finn. So when Kurt first suggests that something non-kosher is going on, she'd brush it off and laugh.

And then she starts to notice how her and Dani interact? Like how maybe they touch a little too often, and with Santana, how the way they could talk could be considered flirty?

Yes. And maybe she starts to realize/worry that when Dani and Santana fully get back together again, she won't be needed or wanted around as much. Santana, meanwhile, is trying her best not to think Rachel and Dani's starting something, while Dani of course, has to tell herself that Rachel and Santana haven't started something. I'm not sure what the catalyst for everything to come out into the open would be. I'm also not sure how Dani would start being intrigued by Rachel, either.

I think Dani sees Rachel practicing for Funny Girl, and when she sees her rehearsing, she can't help but stare.

Yes! Dani should help her with lines, and start to see the quirky perfectionist passionate girl she doesn't necessarily see otherwise. And. Got it. Ultimately, Rachel should sleep with someone, and then feel awful and unfulfilled about it - someone she really shouldn't have slept with. And being Quinn or not that she sleeps with, I can see her spending the weekend with Quinn while trying to get her mind straight. Anyway, after sleeping with whomever, Rachel should show up at Dani's where Santana and Dani are because she needs comforting. Nothing happens between the three, but when they all pile into Dani's bed, Rachel in between the two, she should fall asleep easily and contentedly. Snuggling all three becomes a common occurrence after that, too.

Perfect! Except I don't think it would be Quinn; she already finished her experimenting with Santana. Maybe someone from NYADA, or some guy that keeps hitting on her at rehearsal. And after a hard day's work, they all cuddle on the couch, and while they are all physically comfortable, their minds are all conflicted.

I was thinking the director of the play, but couldn't really swing it in my mind. Yeah, her co-star. Makes sense and would add tension to her rehearsals. And yeah, Quinn's done. Definitely with the minds all a twitter.

So last night during the wind storm, I couldn't sleep and started thinking how Dantanchel would be in a storm. I've always pictured Rachel as being terrified during storms, no matter what kind, and one night when Santana is chilling at Dani's, they hear thunder in the distance and Santana insists that they have to go back to her place since Kurt isn't there and Rachel is alone. So both head over, and just as they make it back, it starts pouring, and then they run upstairs to find Rachel under a blanket, tightly hugging her monkey. They both latch on and refuse to let go until Rachel stops shaking.

Oh my god! The monkey hugging thing. Dani, still slightly unsure about what she's allowed to do, as Santana's Rachel's best friend, volunteers to get up and make them vegan hot chocolate or coffee or tea. It's not like she's uncomfortable, or doesn't want to comfort Rachel after the initial threeway hug, but she just doesn't feel like it's her place, yet.

We need to come up with an original character for Dani to have as her own friend.

Ooh totally! I kind of picture a girl from the upper east side: rich girl that while she doesn't really understand Dani's life, she's still a good friend.

And with the cuddling, I think while Dani is willing to leave because she isn't sure, Rachel doesn't stop clinging, and Santana just smirks and mouths over Rachel's head, "There's no leaving once you start."

Yeah! Where did they meet? At college? Or at another part time job Dani's had? When would Rachel stop clinging?

Also, to keep the "Glee" flavor, Santana and Dani should sing to her.

They met at Dani's night job. She's a bartender at the club in the girl's area (I picture her name being Mikayla?) Mikayla was pouting because her boyfriend had screwed up again. They got to talking, exchanged numbers, and have been friends ever since. Rachel only loosens when Santana and Dani have started to sing and she starts to drift off.

Ooh, I like that. A lot. So how old is Dani? Twenty one or lying about her age to get the job? Also, Mikayla should be African-American. That just seems to fit. As soon as Rachel starts to let go, Dani excuses herself, which slightly wakes up Rachel, who in turn rolls over and attaches herself to Santana. I'm thinking Dani should need some time to herself, trying to come to terms with how attached she's getting to Rachel. I see her as being that kind of person who just needs time to herself every once in a while.

I was thinking that she would be black too. And you can bartend at 18 in NY (because what logic) so she doesn't need to lie. Though I think Dani is about 20. And when Dani walks away, Santana looks at her concerned, but can't move because Rachel is so attached, but after she finally gets free (this takes roughly twenty minutes anyway, so Dani has time to herself), Santana goes to find out what is going on with Dani.

Wow. That SO doesn't fly in the West Coast. XD Anyway, I think maybe Dani should also be remembering about her past and so will probably have to wipe tears and sniff when Santana finds her. Santana would probably get concerned that she's crying because of Santana wanting to be with Rachel, to be so close to her.

Aww, baby Dani. :( But yes, of course. Would this be when they start to go into the feelings that are going around between the three of them?

No. I still can't see Rachel really start to figure out she's feeling something until about a week after the storm, when she realizes she doesn't stop thinking about how nice and amazing the two girls were. Because she first thinks she's still marveling at having two really good female friends. As for Santana and Dani, I think they should still be working on building their own relationship back up. It's not going to be easy, any of this, and who would want to bring it up in fear they're the only one thinking about it? And Santana's already lost Dani once because of admitting her attraction.

That's true. Though I was thinking that Rachel would definitely remain oblivious at least for a bit longer. Do you think they would start distancing themselves from Rachel after that night? As a way to make their relationship stronger?

Oh, Rachel could definitely be oblivious to her actual feelings. I think she'd probably think about Kurt's warning that she's depending on the girls too much. So yes, Dani and Santana would start to distance themselves, maybe not consciously, and Rachel would start distancing herself, but at the same time, start to feel hurt that they're distancing from her, too, and vice versa. Rachel should start hanging more with Kurt until her play starts taking up more of her time. I can see Dantana and Kurtchel kind of splitting the diner into two parts, with slight, hesitant smiles whenever they catch each other's eyes. That's when Mikayla should crash the diner. :D

Oh yes yes. And Mikayla just has this HUGE personality. Like you aren't allowed to ignore her when she walks into the building. And as soon as Mikayla realizes something is off with Dani, she knows it's time to change things. And Mikayla doesn't care that Dani may like two people at once; Dani is her best and truest friend and just wants her to be happy.

Oh! Rachel should start a relationship with another girl, or at least go on a couple of dates with one when she starts thinking about the possibility of swinging more into the homosexual range on the Kinsey scale. I don't think it would be realistic if her first lesbian relationship would be with both Dani and Santana. I'd like to see her test the waters, first. Do research. About all things lesbian. Also, I LOVE that idea. She should, once Dani starts admitting to her (before Santana), tease Dani about getting the best of both worlds with girls like Santana and Rachel. Mikayla should invite Santana, Rachel, and Kurt to hang out with her at the bar during one of Dani's bartending shifts.

Yes I love it. What if that's where Rachel meets that girl she goes out with? Mikayla's plan backfired a bit when Rachel hits it off with the girl DJing, and ends up scheduling a date.

YES! You read my mind! At first Rachel shouldn't really think of it as a date - more like she's excited to meet someone who will actually play (and HAS!) the songs Rachel requests and will talk to her about the classics - until she starts to read the body language. Cue inner turmoil but then acceptance. She's totally willing to try this out. (So should Dani bartend in a club, then?)

I couldn't decide between an Irish pub or a club, but yeah, I think so. And I think it would last more than a few dates, but into a full relationship. I don't want the reason they break up though to be that the other girl sees how Rachel feels about Dani or Santana.

Oh, definitely not. Should it be mutual or Rachel gets depressed a bit? Maybe Rachel's spending too much time at her play so they never have time with the girl's' conflicting schedule. More like a resignation break up? And I'm thinking the girl should be the stereotypical hipster butch-ish lesbian.

Oh yes. Butch lesbian. I think that would be figured it really quickly though, if it was a problem that would come up within the first few weeks of trying to schedule dates. There needs to be something else underlying, but I don't know what.

Can you clarify the beginning of that text, please?

...I'm trying to figure that out more that I'm reading it again. XD I guess is they were having trouble meeting up, it would come to light much earlier, and things would fizzle out sooner than if they are already together.

I'm also unsure, but did you want them to become an official couple or just casually date? Like, how serious?

I was thinking official couple. But that's just me.

Okay, that's what I was thinking too. I wasn't sure if you were supportive of that or not. XD Some underlying reason… I agree it shouldn't be about Dantana. Okay, why don't we switch gears a bit and come up with a reason later - how do you think Dani and Santana react to this?

I think it causes both of them to throw themselves into the relationship even further. Like at first they don't know how to deal, because they're dwelling things they don't want and it's hurting them. They then channel the emotions into loving the other.

I agree. And it should be a healthy loving relationship, if a bit fervent currently. Santana should make snide comments sometimes - like Rachel's girlfriend is a stepping stone because she's boyish (and Santana and Dani are not - which makes both wonder about if they're even Rachel's type at ALL), but overall should be supportive as she is. Dani too. What kind of friend would she be if she wasn't? I think Kurt should ask the girls when the u-haul's gonna appear. He's given up trying to predict what Rachel's gonna do, so he's paying more attention to Dantana.

I definitely see Santana making more comments than Dani. And Kurt would just kind of ignore Rachel's relationship… I think for whatever reason, Kurt may not like her.

I just read over my last message, and I don't think it was clear. Kurt would ask Dantana when the u-haul was coming. And I can see him ignoring it. I don't want to make him a bad friend, but I think he'd be caught up in his own things, too.

I don't want him to be a bad friend, either. But I think he and Rachel's girlfriend just wouldn't click. Maybe Kurt starts feeling lonely since his roomies are in relationships and Blaine isn't in NYC. That might be why he focuses on Dantana more because he didn't click with Rachel's girlfriend. (I'm going to call her Sadie.)

I don't like the name Sadie. XD It's a dog's name to me. Got another idea? And yes. That makes sense Kurt would do that. Especially since he's avoiding Adam. Ooh! Can we make him end up sleeping with Adam? At least once.

What about Abigail? And Rachel calls her Abs for short and they joke that it's because she loves her and so much.

I like that. Abs. Heh. How long should they last? And how intimate do they get?

I think a few months at least. Long enough that Rachel would be heartbroken, even if it's mutual, when they break up. And I would think all the way, if they are together that long.

Especially with her new persona Glee has given her. Anyway, yeah, dating enough that it starts affecting daily life.

Mhm. Would Santana consider moving in with Dani?

I think she would consider it, but I think she's learned not to jump in too fast, even if she and Dani were good. She spends a lot of time there, but I don't think so yet.

Makes sense. I think the song that Dani and Santana sing to Rachel during the storm should be, You Are My Sunshine.

I immediately got that stuck in my head, thank you. XD I was thinking Dani should move in with them for at least a week or so 'cuz of problems with her apartment.

You're welcome. :D Maybe a blizzard? NYC gets a bad blizzard, and when the snow first starts, Dani heads over to be with Santana during the storm, and gets stuck there.

Love it. Should it be when Rachel's still with Abs? I know. Abs should show up with hot drinks and things, making Santana and Dani feel even worse about their jealousy, which they're still trying to figure out.

Yes! Abs is honestly a sweetheart, and she wants Rachel's friends to like her.

Which makes it harder to come up with a reason they're going to break up.

Maybe Abs gets a gig outside of New York, and wants Rachel to go with her?

I like the gig thing, but I don't think she would ask Rachel to leave New York. New York IS Rachel, practically, and she'd know that. I can see her wanting to try a long distance relationship, though. Rachel would have reservations, but she likes Abs enough to try.

I like that. With the breaking up, do you think it will just be distance? Because I don't see either of them cheating.

I can totally imagine a time when Santana is at Dani's place and wakes up early (a.k.a. around nine) and hears the theme music, goes to explore in the living room and finds Dani on the couch with a pony stuffed animal.

That's so adorable! And you know she'd draw Rachel into watching it with her.

And Kurt!

Both of them would get into it, sure, but Rachel would just eat it up. It really is in tune with her old self. She even begs Santana and Dani to accompany her to bronycon.

So when Dani, Santana, and Rachel start sleeping together (like actual sleeping) they have some trouble figuring out where to sleep. Dani and Rachel are the same height, and Santana insists she is way taller that she actually is. Rachel likes to be the center, but her early wake up tends to make the others grumpy. Dani has a tendency to wake up in the middle of the night and get water. They eventually settle with Santana and Dani on the outside, Rachel in the middle, and whenever Rachel attempts to leave bed early, the other two simply pull her back in with hugs and kisses.

Rachel will put up with some of the kisses and hugs, but she's a professional and perfectionist, so she'd still insist on getting up early. I honestly can't see her being able to put up with much interference with that, and wouldn't be able to stay in the middle for very long. They'd have to switch, and some nights one or two of them will sleep on the extra futon because they need or want the space.

I agree with the futon part; especially on the nights Rachel has a late show and can't make it all the way there. But I see her cutting back her routine a bit, with all the rehearsals, walking around the city, there just isn't the time or energy.

I agree with you on her relaxing a bit, and I tried to say that in my last text, but unless she's completely exhausted and not sleeping too much, she'd still exercise at least four-five days a week. I don't see that changing until she gets older. Those are an integral part of her and who she is, and when she psyches herself up for her personal goals.

Rachel and Abs' breakup would definitely be just because of distance, and because their lives apart are getting too busy and unable to visit often, nor Skype or call too often. Like maybe one or the other starts realizing that they're using each other as friends much more than the intimacy they used to have. It would be amicable, and they'd still be friends, but each knows they're not "together" anymore, and are free to move on, which would mean they wouldn't talk very much after the breakup to protect themselves.

Aww. :(

Alexa, you knew this was going to happen. XD What happens next?

I know, but still sad. But after, Rachel doesn't know what to do. She's sad about the breakup, and she wants to talk to her friends about it, but she feels like since there was no drama, it isn't worth it. But Santana catches her crying one night, after Rachel finds something of Abs' in her room, and Santana holds her and texts Dani that she can't come to her place, Rachel needs her tonight. Dani decides she should be there to help too. She brings ice cream, and snacks, and Santana and Dani comfort Rachel for the rest of the night.

I like that. I think Dani should show up randomly in the middle of the night, feeling useless alone at her apartment, and when Santana answers the door, Dani should hold up the food (to justify why she's there, of course), and go, "Surprise…" to which Santana should pull her in, chastising her for being out alone that night (which Rachel does as well, after hugging Dani first). And though Santana might feel jealous that her time with Rachel has been interrupted, she also feels happy and relieved that Dani's there as well, no matter Dani's early shift at the diner (she'll power through!).

I think that should be the turning point in both Dani and Santana not feeling like they're "competing" with each other to have time Rachel. Because Dani was feeling a little left out when neither Santana or Rachel asked her to be there that night, and worried that she'd, still, be intruding if she showed up anyway, but Rachel's smile and talk Dani had with Santana in the kitchen when Rachel took a shower proved to her it was a good thing she'd done. Rachel just hadn't wanted to inconvenience her, and Santana didn't trust that shifty-eyed dude on the subway to want Dani to risk coming over.

I think Dani had been turning and tossing in her bed, missing her girlfriend and feeling depressed, having finally run out of ideas how to calm herself after cleaning her apartment didn't help.

And this sparks the three of them hanging out again. Dani and Santana will invite Rachel out even though Rachel thought it was date night. It gets to the point where it's not DaniandSantana and Rachel, it's all three of them, even though they aren't together. It gets to the point where, when Rachel is over Abigail, she doesn't even look at other people when the three of them go dancing. There are a few times when Rachel feels a bit left out, when Dani and Santana can't keep their hands off each other.

To which then Rachel would turn to Kurt, starting another round of, "Aren't you ingratiating yourself with them again? Rachel. That's probably not healthy," and Rachel would reluctantly agree and try to pull herself away in that not-really-working-except-for-acting-a-little-awkwardly way, before getting swept back into the Dantana bubble, because darnit, Rachel loves her friends, and if they don't tell her they don't want her around, then there's nothing wrong. What's Kurt's opinion on this now, after Abschel happened?

Kurt isn't sure how to approach this, because while he wants to see Rachel happy and not sad about Abs, he worries that Rachel going to hurt herself when she has to separate herself because Dani and Santana want some alone time, and Rachel won't know where to turn because Kurt is not available, and Rachel doesn't have anyone else.

I think Kurt should pull Santana aside to talk to her, and maybe Dani too, if he feels comfortable enough.

I think even if it wasn't exactly comfortable, he would do it anyway. Because Rachel is his first priority in this scenario.

God, how would that conversation go?