"You love me." Rachel decides for the two of them, hands trailing through the edges of her chestnut hair, spring sunshine radiating down through the ozone onto her pristine face.
Santana isn't exactly phased by Rachel saying something like that, because she's like this all the time. Knees pulled up to her chest, she continues to absentmindedly pull grass from the earth, life screeching to a silent halt. "Shut up, Berry." she says, and her voice isn't contemptuous or even irritated.
She doesn't deny it, Rachel notices.
…
Rachel's lips slide against hers effortlessly and Santana pulls away, hand coming to lift the diminutive girl's chin up to look at her. Santana's jaw is clenched, like she's trying to hold in a joyous laugh or a grin. "Say you love me," she says, and it isn't a question, but isn't a demand. Her voice is soft, but doesn't leave any room for argument.
Rachel does and Santana can't reply, only kiss her until they're both gasping and the world is slowly tilting out of focus.
…
She says it once, her face buried in Rachel's neck, deep brown locks hiding her from the world. Rachel hears it, faintly, and lets herself smile (not smug, but not exactly modest) at it. Santana doesn't acknowledge the fact that she said it, and neither does Rachel once they separate, but it doesn't change the fact that it was uttered.
…
"I love you," Santana decides for the two of them.
Rachel only laughs, her world spinning and spinning until everything is white.