She's kind of her best friend. As weird as that may sound, it's probably the truest thing Quinn Fabray has ever said to anyone. Don't get her wrong, she's not deluded enough to think Santana flawless, she sees what everyone else sees, but she also sees what they don't.
For every cruel word there are a thousand memories of a softer girl who would do anything for her friends, for every insult sent her way there are a multitude of unspoken compliments and secret smiles. The few times they betrayed each other are cancelled out, if not to the public then to them at least, by years of mutual support.
Santana is brave, and kind and charmingly witty and, of course, she's absolutely stunning. Naturally Quinn knows this at least as well, and arguably better, than she knows the moody, bitter and abrasive Santana that lurks the corridors because Santana, all of her, is Quinn's best friend, and it's her job to know these things.
Quinn also knows that while she and Santana are best friends, Santana and Brittany are something else entirely. She sees the way Santana looks at Brittany, the way Santana has always looked at Brittany, and she sees the looks that Brittany sends her back. And while she can never claim to know Santana as well as Brittany does, she knows her second best, and that's more than enough for her to see what this fighting is doing to her.
There's been a lot of space between them recently, what with Puck, the baby, cheerleading and Glee, but when Quinn encounters a crying Santana in the choir room late one evening she can't help but remember that this is supposed to be her best friend, and as such it's her job to remind Santana what best friends are for.
"She'll come back eventually 'Tana. She loves you more than anything." She murmurs softly as she takes the seat next to the latina. Santana doesn't say anything, she doesn't have to. Instead she leans into the blonde's shoulder and takes comfort in the familiarity of the situation, so new and yet so old and as easy as breathing. It's the pattern of a lifetime, their lifetime in fact, and it means more than either girl remembers how to show.
"You were always too good for Frankenteen Quinnie." Santana whispers back.
Brittany may be her soul mate and the love of her life, but Quinn is Santana's best friend, it was really just a question of finding her again. And now that she has maybe she'll remember where she left the courage she needs to win her girl. As her best friend Quinn knows it's only a matter of time before she does, even when Santana herself still has her doubts.
"I know I can, and Britt knows she can't do better than you." Quinn nudges her affectionately. "Be bold little lion cub." Santana smiles and laces her fingers with the blonde's.
"and lead your little lamb home".
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