They always met here. Both wish they didn't have to. But here they are again, and this time Rachel brings the tissues.
When she was younger, Lima Lake used to be Brittany's favorite place to play with Santana. Now it's her favorite place to cry about her.
Rachel hands her another Kleenex, and wraps her in another tight hug. Brittany reciprocates immediately because she knows why Rachel is here too. She can still smell the perfume Quinn uses after Cheerios practice on her.
Brittany never realized how much she and Rachel had in common until earlier this year, their first accidental meeting.
Both girls had a huge heart that was bursting at the seems with love, and both girls had it stepped on by a Cheerios mandatory Nike training shoe. Repeatedly.
They never really talk about it, neither can even verbalize three words without a river of tears threatening to fall. But they both know.
Rachel knows that Santana doesn't want anything serious, Brittany knows that Quinn just has some excess pregnancy hormones. Rachel knows that sex isn't dating. Brittany knows that Quinn could never love "RuPaul."
Rachel know Brittany loves Santana. Brittany knows Rachel loves Quinn.
They both know that's why they're here.
Brittany looks at Rachel with watery eyes, "We should bring cake next time" she mutters.
Confusion settles on Rachel's face, "Why Britt?"
"This is our ninth time here," she says choking back her tears, "next time will be our tenth, and on my Mom and Dad's tenth anniversary they had cake."
Rachel wants to reassure the girl there won't be a next time, but she can't lie to her like that. A small smile breaks through her sullen features, "Of course Brittany, I'm sure I can procure a cake, maybe even a balloon."
Brittany smiles at this. Smiles seem foreign to both girls, but a nice change of pace.
Rachel's eyes skim the lake, it would be beautiful if it weren't so blurry. She always loved the scenery in Lima, one of the few things she did love. Just another thing that couldn't love her back.
"She does you know," Brittany said suddenly, reading her mind. Rachel doesn't question how Brittany does it anymore.
"No she doesn't Britt, we've talked about this," she replies. She can't fool herself into thinking Quinn loves her anymore, she always ends up here. This lake every week, like clock work.
Brittany drops the subject. Rachel wants to burry it, but she's not strong enough. Brittany is, but she doesn't want to. The fiery Latina is too far into her heart, if she buries her she'll be burying herself.
They're both too far in and they know it.
It's getting dark now, the girls know its about time to go. Maybe dreams will bring them something better.
"Next week?"
"I'll bring the tissues."