A/N: A year of Bike. This is written by two people and we're going to attempt to capture Mike and Brittany's relationship throughout the year. 12 expected chapters. We generally ship FinnxRachel, PuckxQuinn, ArtiexTina, MattxSantana, KurtxBlaine(?). Slightly AU since Blaine might pop up later (we're not sure yet) and Matt is still a part of McKinley High School.
Disclaimer: We own nothing.
CHAPTER 1 – January – A New Year, A New Beginning
Mike never concerned himself too much with New Years in the past. On occasion he'd sit around watching the ball drop in New York and watch the seconds tick. Then the camera would pan to couples sharing their midnight kiss. It was a sweet gesture. He silently wished something like that would happen to him, but he knew better. This year was different.
It started one day when he walked into the choir room and Rachel Berry stepped into his path with a big smile and a pink envelope in her hand.
"Hello Mike! As you know Winter Break is approaching and that means the New Year as well. I've taken the liberty to arrange a party at my place for our fellow glee clubbers to ring in the New Year with resolutions and good thoughts. I also understand that the break would mean many of you would slack off on vocal training so I've arranged warm-ups while we wait for midnight together so we can come back well trained," she ended with a glimmering smile.
Mike was taken aback by Rachel's enthusiasm. Rachel held out the invitation and Mike stared at the bright pink envelope that was shedding glitter all over the room while the aroma of roses wafting from its seams.
"Oh thanks Rachel. Sounds like...fun?" he took the invitation from her outstretched hands. Mike figured he would go since he had nothing better to do anyway. His family never had plans as they only celebrated Chinese New Year which was in February.
And this is why Mike Chang was currently sitting in Rachel Berry's house that was decorated in streamers, star-shaped confetti, and various shades of gold.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as he was brought back to reality by a certain cheerleader's laughter coming from the doorway. His eyes moved towards the source of the cause for the rapid beat of his heart and there he saw her. Brittany wearing what seemed to be her cheerios outfit? With a raised eyebrow, he stood up from his place on the sofa and walked towards the newcomers—Brittany, Santana and Puck.
"Brittany. I believe the invitation clearly said to wear something festive and fun." Rachel seemed offended by Brittany's choice of clothing.
"I lost the invitation," Brittany said.
"Well, you see. I'm wearing this new dress I purchased embellished with gold stars to represent the star I am slowly becoming as each year passes." She beamed.
Brittany gives her a blank look and said, "Well, Christmas is red and green, and I'm wearing red. Wouldn't that mean this is festive?"
"But Brittany. A Cheerios outfit! And it's not Christmas we're celebrating today. It's New Year's."
"Well, I cheer wearing this, and we're going to cheer at midnight, so I figured this would be perfect." Brittany said, playing with the pleats in her skirt.
Santana cut off Rachel, "Look. She looks good. In fact, she'd look better than you in anything you wear. Not that what you're wearing is hot anyway. Who wears socks with loafers these days?" She flipped her hair. "Are you even going to let us in?"
"Hey!" Finn exclaimed coming from across the room to his Rachel's side before things could have gotten uglier. "Glad you could make it!" He put his hand to her waist and pulled her aside to allow room for the three to enter.
"Fine but you're only interfering with the good luck this year might be bringing to us when we go to Regionals this year," Rachel said as they were entering.
Brittany and Santana walked in linking pinkies and smiling while Puck and Finn simply gave each other a quick nod of acknowledgment.
"Yo Chang." Puck called out to him, side stepping Rachel.
Mike grinned as he put his hand out for a fist bump with Puck and then pulled each other in to bump shoulders. "Hey dude. Why so early?"
Mike shrugged, "Nothing else to do. Thought people would be here early, well at least on time anyway."
Puck looked around as if he was looking for someone, then his face dropped upon realizing whoever he was looking for was not here yet. Sighing he patted Mike on the back, "They got beer in the back or something?"
Mike chuckled, "Go check it out yourself."
"No worries. I have my emergency keg in the trunk. Time to ring in the New Year!"
Mike didn't know how long he sat there waiting for something exciting to happen, but he knew it was long enough. He sighed and finally got out of his chair and went to get another drink from the kitchen. Another drink wouldn't hurt.
Walking towards the kitchen, he saw Quinn wearing a simple yet elegant strapless emerald dress with a simple white bow around the waist. After the baby she started becoming more comfortable with her body as apparent in her clothes. Not too far away, he spotted Puck leaning against the counter with a cup of beer in his hand occasionally running his other hand slowly through his mohawk. He was obviously trying to catch her attention as he stole a few glances in her direction. She never made eye contact with him though. At least, not with him noticing. He shook his head at the two hopeless people who obviously still had feelings for each other and refilled his cup of soda.
"Not drinking tonight?" Matt came over to him, slightly buzzed.
"Nah, I'm driving myself home."
Matt shrugged as if to say 'Your loss dude.'
"When did you get here?"
"2 hours ago?" Matt replied, not sure himself.
Mike just nodded.
Matt patted his back, "Bored are you? At least it's not the same thing you do every year. You know. Lying at home in bed, blasting sad music and wishing you were with the same girl every year," he teased.
Mike punched his shoulder before he caught a flash of blond and red dancing outside on the patio. His eyes softened upon the sight of Brittany dancing with Santana.
Matt apparently caught on and chuckled, "Need help talking to her?"
"Oh no. Man, I was just…"
Matt wanted none of it. He couldn't just stand there while his friend was gawking like a sad little puppy. He took Mike's drink and placed it on the table then grabbed his arm and pulled him outside on the patio.
"Woah woah woah, what are you doing?" he was caught off guard.
"You owe me for this Chang." Matt said smirking.
Matt let go of Mike as soon as they reached the two female dancers dancing to some music from the boom box that Artie had brought. His "ghetto blaster" as he had called it. He then caught Santana's hand right after Brittany twirled her. He pulled her to him and distanced them from Brittany and Mike. Santana scoffed at first but then didn't seem to mind as the song changed into some slow mood making music courtesy of "DJ Ar-tizzle and his girl Tina-Tee."
Brittany seemed lost for a second that Santana suddenly disappeared just as the music changed but she just went along with it until the sight of Mike standing there awkwardly seemed to bring a light to her eyes. She always secretly admired his dancing abilities and found it an opportune time to go over to him.
She skipped to him and smiled, "Hey Mikey. Want to dance?"
Figuring he'd be a fool to deny the offer, he nervously put his hand out to take hers. Brittany semi-forcefully pulled Mike in closer after taking his hand and placed her arms around Mike's neck. Brittany was never one to be passive but the gesture still surprised him. His breath caught as she started swaying both their bodies to the music as he lowered his hands to the small of her back.
Mike's breathing started to reach a normal pace as the music continued. Brittany looked up at him and smiled and he couldn't help but smile himself. Feeling a bit more confident in himself, he took Brittany's hands from around his neck and repositioned them into a waltz position. He wasn't too much of a ballroom dancer himself but waltzing was just one thing he had tucked away in his back pocket.
He started to take the lead and allowed for Brittany to follow. Slightly confused, she just followed in his footsteps. Being a dancer, she didn't find it too hard to keep up though she still wasn't sure what he was doing. She quickly caught on to the steps and their movements fell into tandem with each others.
The music ended and Mike's face came dangerously close to Brittany's before he caught himself and turned away.
"Mikey?" Brittany asked worriedly. She reached up and turned his face towards her, slightly confused.
He swallowed unsure of what she might say, "Yes?"
The abrupt change from a slow song to a loud upbeat song interrupted the two as everyone broke apart and started follow the new beat that was playing. Even Quinn emerged from the kitchen to join in on the fun outside with Puck following closely behind her.
Mike, not wanting to let go of Brittany, but also wanting to get away from the crowd of people asked nervously, "Want to go inside?"
She nodded, squeezing Mike's hand and allowing him to lead her inside. It was mostly empty seeing as everyone had already made their way outside. A few abandoned plates and cups were scattered around Rachel's living room. Mike led Brittany over to the couch as they both took a seat.
Brittany broke the silence first. "Mike, do you think I`m ugly?"
Mike was a bit taken aback from her question. "Wait. Huh?"
"Then you don't like me right?"
Still confused, Mike couldn't think of the right words to say. "Wait. I'm confused. What…gave you that idea? I like you – I mean you're great and – you-"
"Well you turned away when I thought you were going to kiss me so I thought maybe you didn't like me," Brittany said, her eyes becoming pre-occupied with her skirt.
Now Mike really didn't know what to say. Originally he thought maybe kissing her would be the worse idea ever and it would scare her away but now he was wondering if he should have just done it in the first place. "Brittany. I…I really like you." He started, adjusting himself on the couch to get closer to her. "I was just scared that – well I mean, we've never – are we even…?"
Brittany took the chance to cut Mike off with a small kiss to his cheek. Mike stopped talking altogether. "You're cute, Mike," she said, her lips still lingering closely to his face. He had to fight the urge to kiss her back. Instead he just blushed a deep shade of red, smiled and admired the pretty girl hovering next to him.
"Guys! It's almost time for the ball to drop!" Kurt yelled outside to the patio from the doorway.
"Aren't you 6 years too late Hummel?" Santana scoffed. Kurt just rolled his eyes and joined Mercedes on the other side of the room.
The room once again became a noisy commotion as everyone was trying to find a place to see the tv screen. Puck grabbed a hold of a bunch of confetti poppers. Other couples were finding a place to get comfortable.
10!
9!
8!
Brittany had snuggled into Mike's lap in the meantime as everyone's focus was on the countdown.
7!
6!
Mike's hands slowly slid into Brittany's somewhat testing the waters before she intertwined their fingers as if saying it was okay.
5!
4!
His heart starting racing faster as the countdown started to reach zero. He had to think quickly so he started moving one of his hands towards her jawbone.
3!
2!
1!
Almost thinking the same thing, Brittany turned her head just as Mike began guiding her face towards his and kissed her just at the stroke of midnight while everyone was cheering. Loud screams of 'Happy New Year' rang throughout the house as well as throughout the neighborhood. Mike quickly made his resolution in his hand as his hands slowly moved down Brittany's arm and into her hands to make sure moments like these happened much more often.
A loud 'pop' hit Mike's ears loudly which broke his kiss. Matt had popped a bottle of apple cider next to him which was now spraying all over Puck's shirt.
"Dude!" Puck yelled.
"That's my boy," Matt proudly said to Mike. "I told ya. You owe me one."
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Minnie & Yunny