A/N: So I did the thing with the words. Please be gentle.
December 31st, 2019
Five minutes before midnight, a bashfully grinning Brittany presents a Champagne tipsy Santana with a carefully wrapped gift.
Confused, Santana stares blankly at the colourfully wrapped box cradled in Brittany's outstretched hands.
New Year's Eve isn't a gift giving holiday, she thinks. Right?
Santana's confusion quickly gives way to panic and embarrassment because fuck, why didn't anybody tell her that the rules had changed!
Brittany, sensing the silent freakout, nudges the gift into her owl-eyed girlfriend's hand with an understanding smile; knowing that the longer Santana is left to stew in her internalised scolding the more sweet lady coaxing it would take for her to soothe Santana's fears. And as much as she loves showering her in sweet lady love, Brittany is working to a deadline.
Santana takes the gift and holds it gingerly. "Britt, I didn't—I don't have anything to give you," she mumbles.
"You give me more than I could ever ask for," Brittany coos. "So stop worrying, okay? There's only," she looks at her watch, "three minutes until midnight and I need to explain some stuff."
Brittany waits until Santana nods her understanding, stealing a quick kiss before falling quickly into her explanation.
"That," she points to the box, "is a 'Word of The Day' calendar. I'm sorry for spoiling the surprise, but you're taking too long to open it. I promise to make it up to you tonight, though," Brittany says with a wink.
"Britt—"
Brittany places her index finger against Santana's lips. "Shhh," she scolds gently, "let me finish."
Santana apologises for her interruption with pouted lips; placing a soft kiss to the tip of Brittany's finger.
Brittany smiles fondly at the gesture and uses the palm of her hand to cup Santana's cheek.
"I know you how much you hate rules, but this present only comes with one so, y'know, tough."
"What's the rule?" Santana asks, nuzzling her face into Brittany's warm palm.
"You can't skip ahead."
"That's it?"
Brittany smiles. "That's it," she confirms with a shrug.
Santana fiddles with the taped down flap of wrapping paper. "What happens if I break the rule?" she teases.
"Well," Brittany drawls, "for every day you skip ahead, I withhold sex for two."
The mischievous twinkle in her eyes lets Santana know two things. One: Brittany knows her words are playful, not defiant. And two: Brittany would not hesitate to enforce her threat.
She learnt that lesson the hard way two years ago when Brittany caught her snooping around their bedroom for her anniversary gift.
Santana raises her hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay!" she laughs. "No skipping ahead, got it."
The smile on Brittany's face is big and bright as she pulls her into a tight hug. "Yay!" she cheers, lifting Santana clear off the ground.
Santana squeals giddily as Brittany twirls them around. "Put me down you big goof!" she demands through a laugh, swatting playfully at Brittany's shoulders.
Brittany gently sets her girlfriend back down, keeping their bodies pressed close as she affectionately nudges their noses together.
"I love you," Brittany whispers.
Santana replies with an equally soft "I love you, too." before closing the small distance between their lips.
When the first wave of fireworks sizzle and boom, colouring the night sky brilliant shades of reds and blues and greens, Brittany and Santana mumble 'Happy New Year' between kisses before stumbling their way towards their bedroom to make some fireworks of their own.