Happy New Year, you crazies! :)

"Rosario, I'm only going to tell you this once. You need to freaking quit this job or I swear, wine on your face will be the last thing you'll have to worry about." Brittany seethes with anger having just served the last glass of beer for the night.

"Why? I'm having a grand time serving your fellow countrymen alcohol. You must admit, it's a joy to see them waste their lives before our eyes." Rosario retorts amusedly.

Brittany sighs exasperatedly. She's sure that her blood pressure's shooting up to the skies now and at any given moment she could die of a heart attack because of this woman. "You don't understand. This is my life you're messing with. First, my elective class and now my job that's sustaining me. You used me as a reference. I could get fired because of you!"

"I am well aware of that, actually. But contrary to your beliefs, I do need the money as well."

"Huh? You could get a job anywhere, why do you have to get one here?"

"I told you. It's part of my unplanned revenge that wasn't well thought through now that I think about it. But nevertheless, you'll just have to accept it. I'll take it as your indirect apology for your previous actions." Rosario grins widely.

"What?! Argh! You are killing me here, Rosario. I can practically feel the palpitations right now." Brittany grits her teeth.

"Ah, you'll live." Rosario quips nonchalantly. Brittany massages her temples and sighs deeply. She's about to go off on the brunette when Rosario speaks again. "Anyway, Brubru, I must go seeing that our work for tonight is over." Rosario adds, taking off the apron and motioning to leave the bar side until Brittany stops her.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"Uhmm… Back to the dorms?"

"You're not going anywhere. We have to clean everything first." Brittany flashes Rosario an incredulous look.

Rosario laughs. "Sure we do. That's not really a funny joke even if it were true."

"Lucky for you, I'm not known for my humor." Brittany raises an eyebrow, taking Rosario aback. "I'm serious, Rosario. You can't leave yet. We'll have to clean up the bar and half of the tables here."

Rosario nervously holds up both hands. "N-No. No, no, no, no, no, no. I-I'm not allowed to do that. I can't clean anything. That would be highly outlandish for someone such as myself to do. In a college bar that's frequented by ill-bred university students, no less."

Brittany glances down, taking three deep breaths with her eyes closed while Rosario can only look on. "Look, Rosario," The blonde starts, sporting a forced grin. "I have had a long friggin' day. If you don't stop with all these shenanigans that's making me lose my mind, I guarantee you that The Incredible Hulk would seem like a cinnamon roll compared to me losing my cool. Oh, I'll probably even start considering murder if you continue this act. So, for the love of all that is good and holy, shut up and just do your job. Or better yet, quit." Brittany angrily huffs, forcefully handing a shaken Rosario a wiping cloth.

"B-But-"

"You take the bar. I'll get the tables." Brittany cuts in. "Just stop acting like you're some kind of princess and let's get this over with."

Santana sighs deeply as she unlocks their barely breathable dorm room, eyes instantly focusing on Kurt who's reading with wine in hand.

"Please tell me that you have more of that and if I'll be reaching for the heavens here, I hope what you're holding is not something that came out of a $5 bottle."

"Chateau Lafite 1865, one of your favorites." Kurt chuckles, pouring Santana her own glass from the decanter. "I figured that we'd have a little celebration for your first ever night of doing labor. How was it, by the way?"

"Oh, it was horrible! First, there were all those rude customers who don't even know how to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Second, Brubru the barkeep kept on badgering me about insulting those commoners and to help her pour their orders. And lastly, she forced me to clean up like the rest of the workers! Me, a princess, clean?! Dios mio!"

"And did you?"

Santana takes a hefty sip before replying, face turning red of anger. "Well, I had to! She threatened to call a man named Hulk if I didn't comply. Seriously, Kurt. That woman has anger management issues. Ugh. To think that I'll get to see her at that party tomorrow night." She takes another sip again. "I cleaned the bar or at least, tried to. I ended up breaking four glasses. And now instead of getting paid for my work tonight, I owe Ken five dollars for everything! I have debt now, Kurt! This is unbelievable! How can people live like this?"

"My, just imagine how others deal with their student loans." Kurt cracks up much to Santana's ire. "It's certainly a memorable first night of work for you."

"First and last, Kurt. There is no way I'm going back to that wretched place." She pauses. "Speaking of, we also need to move out from this little prison of a room. We can get a nice apartment a couple of blocks from here. Oh, if you could have only seen how they treated me back there, you'd be horrified yourself."

"Oh, I'm sure, Your Highness. However, I believe you can't quit your job."

Santana squints her eyes on him. "What are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is that, technically you have no money. If you want to afford some of your expenses or at the very least, eat, you'll have to keep working there or find something else. You have to settle that oh-so-ridiculous amount of debt as well."

"No money? What are you- I have money in the bank and you told me Mother had just wired an allowance-"

"Yes, Your Highness." Kurt smiles. "But you also promised me you'll get a job and at the same time, told me to keep the money for myself. Of course, it's still your money but there is no way you're getting it back until you keep your end of the bargain. We had an agreement."

Santana glares at him. "Kurt, this is not a good night to, as they say, 'poke the dog'."

"'It's 'poke the bear', Princess."

"Poke whatever bloody animal!" She grits her teeth. "I am not going back to that hell hole! You are giving me access to my money or I will fire you right this second."

Kurt stares back at her, completely unfazed as he takes a sip of wine. "No."

Santana stands straight, unconsciously assuming her normal regal stance and looking every bit the royal that she is. "I order you, as Princess of Asturias, to obey my wishes. You shall give me access to my finances and recuse yourself from meddling in my personal business."

Kurt doesn't cower at all. Instead, he chuckles. "I told you, Your Highness. No."

Santana lets out a huff. "I don't need to take orders from you. You do know that disobeying a royal is against the law, right? You can be imprisoned for this. I'll even call Mother!"

"Meh. I'll take my chances." Kurt nonchalantly hands his phone over to Santana who ignores it.

"Why are you doing this, Kurt? I thought you said we are a team."

"We are, Princess. You said that you wanted to feel normal like a normal college student, so here I am helping you out." Kurt argues much to Santana's irritation. "Okay. Fine. Tell you what. I'll make you a deal."

"I don't negotiate with terrorists, McDuffin."

Kurt playfully rolls his eyes. "How about this, I will give you complete access to your money and oblige to moving in to a nicer place we are much accustomed to-"

"But?"

"But only if you continue working in the bar to provide for yourself for at least another month-"

"No! That would be the death of me. Anything else but to go back to that living Inferno!"

Kurt sighs. "Two weeks or no deal. I'll even let you have $100 right now to get you through the week."

"$100?! What can I buy with such a spare change? I'm going to starve, Kurt!" Santana throws her hands in exasperation, much to Kurt's indifference.

"That's all you'll get out of me, Your Highness."

"Argh!" Santana contemplates it for a moment, glaring hard at Kurt. "You know what? Fine!"

"Good." Kurt smirks, handing Santana a $100 bill. "Now, all you have to do is suffer for two weeks to earn your keep like everyone else and we'll stick to our deal. I might even whip up a few fancy meals for you until then."

"This is torture, Kurt. How am I even going to buy new clothes to wear for the week with this measly amount?"

"Do your laundry."

"Wha- I have never done household work my entire life. I don't even know what a detergent is! How am I supposed to do my own laundry?" Santana huffs.

Kurt smirks. "Ask Brubru the barkeep."

"Rosario! Brad! Welcome to the crib! Come in!" Mercedes greets them upon entering the apartment, the Saturday party in full swing. "Did you have a hard time finding the place?"

"Not at all." Kurt muses. "And thank you for inviting us, Mercedes. Here, we brought some wine." He adds, handing the bottle.

"Ooh… You are so welcome. Let me just put this away and I'll introduce you to the whole lot. Meanwhile, why don't you help yourself to some beer and shots over there?" She winks then scurries away.

"Funny. I thought we'd get shot on the way here. This Bushwick place is like an inspiration for dystopian madness." Santana comments, looking around the huge studio apartment. The duo eventually settle themselves into a corner.

"Don't be such a party pooper, Rosa. You're getting free drinks and food here. God knows you need to mooch off of people right now."

"I hate you, Kurt. Just know that if we get robbed on the way back to our dorm, there is no way in hell that I'll save you. You will die alone on the pavement, contemplating how you betrayed a royal princess until your dying breath."

"And so I will haunt your royal gay ass till the end of time, Your Highness." Kurt chuckles, clinking their shot glasses together and drinking the contents in one swift move.

"Shit. That's terrible." Santana winces at the taste. "You know, if there's one thing I miss about home, it's the food and alcohol. What they offer here is simply unacceptable."

"That's true. I miss the tapas. The wine. Oh, the hot men!"

"Why yes, those lustful lads you're very much enamored with." Santana grins. "Speaking of home, have they called lately? My parents, I mean."

Kurt gives her a look before nodding. "To check up on you, yes. They were quite horrified at the prospect of you roaming around unattended or in your words, feeling like a commoner."

"I'm sure they have. Mother probably went off on you." Santana laughs lightly with Kurt.

"Not really. But I bet she will if she found out about you working and going so far off into a 'dystopian madness' like this." Kurt smiles then clears his throat. "And speaking of that, there is something we need to talk about later."

"Let's talk about it now. We have nothing better to do anyway." She utters, handing Kurt another shot of random origins and taking them simultaneously.

"God, my palate is ruined." He groans, waving a hand in disregard as he moves closer to Santana. "Next month, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will be holding its 124th anniversary dinner wherein they will be showcasing rare collectibles from all over the world. Celebrities, VIPs, famous politicians, and various royal family members will be flocking in. One of those rare collectibles on sale is a Goya painting-"

Santana sighs, knowing full well where it's going. "Let me guess, Mother wants me to go to this dinner in their place instead, as a representative of the Spanish royal family."

Kurt shrugs, nodding slowly. "You and Prince Diego, Princess."

"Kurt, I can't do that! What if someone sees me with all the bodyguards o-or my face gets plastered in the newspaper? It's going to blow our cover!" She whisper screams.

"Yes, Your Highness. But the Queen had strict orders and even threatened to fly us back home if you declined. I'm afraid you don't have any choice in the matter-"

"Of course! When did I ever get to have a choice?!" Santana huffs in a whisper, gritting her teeth. "And here I was thinking that I'd get to have a little freedom here." She shakes her head in disbelief, her eyes wandering around until it falls on a familiar face approaching them from afar.

"Brittany, hi!" Kurt exclaims, immediately changing gears while sneaking a look at a displeased Santana beside him.

"Hey, Brad!" She responds then glances somberly at Santana. "Rosario, I feel that I see you way too much in my life." She adds, sighing at that.

Santana only flashes her an eye roll, still visibly upset at Kurt's news. Thankfully, she sees Marley from the far side of the apartment. Hopefully that interaction can turn her mood around.

"Excuse me." Santana mutters just enough for them to hear, disregarding their stares. She makes her way towards Marley who sees her approaching.

"Hi!" Marley greets with a big grin, appearing to be slightly affected by the alcohol.

"H-Hello!" Santana nervously utters. "Are you enjoying this get together so far?"

Marley chuckles. "I am now. You still haven't called me, you know."

"Y-Yes, you're right. I'm afraid I don't know what to say whenever I talk to you."

"What? That's crazy! You've already asked me out to dinner, Rosario."

"I know. But forgive me, I'm new to this dating scene. I'm a little overwhelmed by such a beautiful woman like you. I don't even know where you'd want to go for dinner. Or what cuisine you're into. Italian, Greek, or Mongolian, too many options! I don't know how this works exactly-" Santana rambles on but gets cut off when Marley pulls her closer for a tender kiss on the lips, taking her aback.

Santana blinks a few times upon pulling apart from Marley, eventually grinning widely. "T-That works. That works perfectly."

Marley giggles. "I'd love to try something Spanish."

"G-Great!" She exclaims. "And let's try that again, shall we?" Santana adds with confidence, leaning in closer this time and not missing the way Brittany is staring curiously - even lingering - at her from afar.

Brittany groans at the sight before her. A booklet reflecting a failed score from a recent quiz in Spanish Art. She tried hard to understand. She tried hard to make sense of anything. Hell, she even tried to stare at the pictures without blinking. But still, she could not for the life of her, understand a goddamn thing about art.

"Why the face? Did someone die?" Rosario muses as she approaches Brittany.

Brittany hurriedly hides her booklet, pretending to busy herself with stretching. It's been two days since they last saw each other. The last image of Rosario in her mind involved Marley, now that was a bit of a shock. "No. But I know someone who will if they don't leave me alone."

Rosario chuckles, settling herself beside Brittany. "Has anyone ever told you that you're too moody?"

Brittany rolls her eyes, ignoring the brunette until she catches her surveying the booklet she hid a few seconds ago. "Hey! That's mine!" She huffs, motioning to get it back but Rosario moves away.

"Dios mio. You're terrible."

"Look, I don't need you to tell me I'm not-"

"I meant this." Rosario raises an eyebrow, holding up the booklet. "From what I gathered the last time I saw you examining a piece of art on your phone like it holds the answer to the world's problems and this blasphemous quiz, you're really terrible when it comes to anything remotely related to art."

"Thank you." Brittany snaps back, grabbing the booklet from Rosario's hands. "I didn't need your wonderful validation."

"It's not that hard, you know. Art is really beautiful as is. You're just overthinking it."

Suddenly, Professor Fancy Pants enters the room with his assistant. Everybody takes to their places with their partners, including a hesitant Brittany and a groaning Rosario.

"Today is all about the basics. We're doing the Quickstep. Does everyone have a partner?" He starts while everyone nods. "Alright, ladies and gents. Take your places and follow my lead!" He adds amidst the music blaring through the whole room.

Brittany looks back at Rosario who's staring back at her dumbly. She sighs and without any fuss, asks for the brunette to come closer to her so they can start.

"Please tell me you've danced before." Brittany mutters to herself as she moves closer to Rosario, locking themselves in their dancing position.

"I have, of course. A little too much of it to my displeasure."

"Huh. The little rich girl hates dancing, such a champagne problem. Your parents must be proud of you." Brittany sarcastically voices out but immediately regrets it upon seeing Rosario assume a miserable demeanor. The blonde bites her lip, unsure how to breach the matter. "Sore topic?"

"No. But it's certainly none of your business."

Brittany nods slowly, dancing in harmony with Rosario. She thinks of something to alleviate the tension, seeing that they're dancing so close together and the guilt of having offended the brunette is somewhat eating her up. "So, uhmm… You and Marley the other night, huh?"

Rosario raises an eyebrow. "Why the sudden interest in my life?"

"W-What? No. I'm just-" Brittany sighs. "Look, I'm sorry if I offended you with the parents thing. I wasn't thinking at all."

"Would you look at that? You finally know how to apologize, Brubru."

"Way to make a spectacle out of it. Would you like to throw a ball in honor of that? Or perhaps have a statue erected as a symbol of gratitude?"

"I must say, you really are a worthy adversary." Rosario chuckles, making Brittany slightly distracted by the brunette's beautiful smile and almost losing her rhythm. "Look, if we're going this route, then I must also apologize for my hurtful words in the past. I'm tired of this back and forth. Forgive me. It won't happen again."

"C-Cool. I-I'm sorry for the wine too-"

"No, you're not."

"You're right, I'm not. You deserved that." Brittany smiles in a dopey manner. "So…"

"Right. The Marley bit, yes, I suppose. We're going to dinner this week but I've yet to decide on a romantic restaurant."

"O-Oh. I didn't peg you to be the type."

"The type?" Rosario responds with a stern tone. "Should I have a rainbow patch sewn on my forehead? Have you never seen a gay person before?"

Brittany's eyes widen. "N-No! Not that way. I didn't mean to offend you. I mean, I didn't peg you to be the romantic type."

Rosario nods slowly, looking up as if to think. "Ah, I gathered that. I was just messing around with your perceived heterosexuality." She grins devilishly.

"Well, that's just plain mean."

"Not really. Aside from not being able to take criticism, you're also a little uptight. You need to have fun. Live a little."

Brittany raises an eyebrow. "I can take criticism. Can you?" She challenges.

Rosario chuckles, this time leading Brittany into the dance instead of the other way around. "Brubru, I have been dealing with being publicly criticized my whole life. I'm practically numb to it by now."

"Huh." Brittany tries to process her words but ultimately lets it go. They dance in silence for a moment, undoubtedly smoking out all the other dancing couples on the floor. Brittany mindlessly glances around the room until a thought pops in her mind.

"I take it you'll continue working for Ken at the bar, Rosario?"

"Well, yes. I don't have a choice since I need the money." The brunette shrugs. "Why do you ask?"'

"I might have a proposition for you."

Rosario gives her a look. "Do tell."

Brittany smiles. "As you know, I have a little trouble with my Spanish Art class-"

"'Little'? That was a disgrace!"

"Don't rub it in my face now, please?" Brittany snaps back then sighs. "Anyway, I need help if I'm going to pass that course. Seeing that you seem to be well-educated on the subject matter, I need your help."

Rosario sticks out her bottom lip, nodding approvingly. "I see. And what do I get in return?"

Brittany thinks. "Well, seeing that you've been having a difficult time working at the bar so far and if you don't want to pay for everything that you will potentially wreck in your path while working there, I'll teach you everything you need to know. Making the drinks, cooking some of the basic food we make there, or even help you out in this class if need be." She pauses, small smile in place. "So, what do you say?"

Rosario contemplates the offer. "Alright then. As long as I get free rein on helping you out in Spanish Art and I won't hear any complaints-"

"You won't." Brittany almost instantly cuts her off. "I'm just desperate to pass that class if I want to graduate."

Rosario nods, grinning. "And one more thing."

"What is it?"

"I need you to teach me how to do my laundry, Brubru."

Brittany blinks owlishly, breaking out into a chuckle as she shakes her head in disbelief. "As long as you stop calling me 'Brubru'."

Rosario smirks, holding out a hand just as the music stops. "You have got yourself a deal, Brittany."

Brittany takes her hand and firmly shakes it. "It's a deal, Rosario."

Drop a review, will you? ;) Will update soon.