On the roof

"I still think that this is completely insane, and I can't believe that it was you, the girl too scared to go to the bathroom alone, that wanted to do this."

Quinn arched an eyebrow at Santana, her tone more playful than truly critical, as Santana rolled her eyes at her, not seeming to truly take offense.

"I'm not scared, I'm reasonably cautious. I don't notice you galloping around the place by yourself whistling show tunes."

"Because you would scream bloody murder if I ever got more than three steps from your side," Quinn pointed out, but Santana ignored this, addressing her previous statement.

"We have to do something, Quinn. We've been cooping ourselves up forever, first in your house, then in the damn school I never wanted to go back to, ever, even before this. It's like we're in a slowly suffocating hell here, and I just want to be able to actually breathe new air."

"You said you wanted to see if there were zombies or living people around at a higher altitude and less risk than if you looked out the windows or stepped out into the open in the middle of the night to do it," Quinn reminded her, and Santana shrugged her shoulders, agreeing nonchalantly.

"That too. But the air, that was definitely top of my priorities."

"I can't believe you don't worry they'll see or hear us up here," Quinn remarked, narrowing her eyes as they strained to see at as great a distance as possible- something not as easy as it could be for both, as neither were wearing glasses or contact lenses. "Usually you hiss at me if I don't speak in a whisper past seven pm."

"We're practically whispering now, and they don't exactly walk around with their necks craned up, they have to stare at their feet to keep from tripping over their own rotting parts," Santana said almost carelessly. "Come on, Quinn, lighten up, live a little."

The truth was that for the first time since she could remember, Santana felt almost free, nearly giddy with the relative release of simply being able to stand out in the open, almost, feeling for the first time in what seemed forever the faint coolness of breeze on her skin, ruffling her hair and chilling her flesh. She didn't mind her slight goosebumps or even her messy hair. She wanted instead to turn cartwheels, to spin in circles and delight in the brief lift of anxiety and fear she had been granted. Only the fact that she was standing on the rooftop of the school, and despite her shrugging off Quinn's concerns, it was more than possible that she would in fact attract attention by taking these actions, kept her from indulging in her urges.

Quinn shook her head, but a slight smile curved her lips. "It's been a long time since you've been such a goofy dork." She paused, then said softly, "It's kind of nice to see."

Santana met her eyes, her own smile widening, and she held out a hand, giving a mock bow before beckoning for Quinn to come to her. "Come, milady, this goofy dork is inviting you to dance."

When Quinn arched an eyebrow again, one hand loosely held to her hip, Santana laughed, beckoning with even more flourish.

"Oh, my fair lady, the moon does shine so bright, and the stars twinkle so merrily in the night, and your hair is so blonde and light, that I simply cannot resist taking you in my arms so tight."

Quinn burst out laughing then, quickly stifling it behind her hand as they both glanced quickly around, making sure that nothing had heard them. When they were assured that the night was still silent below them, they relaxed. Still smiling at her, Santana took a step forward, taking her hand into hers.

"Seriously…come dance with me. We'll worry about all the other shit tomorrow. Just dance with me now."

And Quinn did. Her hand in Santana's, her arm secure around her waist, forehead pressed to hers, she danced, soaking up the deceptive tranquility of the night, the other girl's body against hers, and just for the moment, neither did worry.