Chapter Ten - Snow Leopards
Brittany bounced in the passenger seat, her legs in constant motion. She couldn't believe they were actually going. She was sure it would have taken a lot more convincing on her part to get Santana to agree. When all it took was a well-placed kiss and a wide-eyed pout, and Brittany had Santana giving into anything she wanted.
"Britt, calm down. Before you have a stroke or something." Santana smirked, glancing to her right to see the biggest grin on Brittany's face.
"I'm just so excited." Brittany beamed, watching the cars pass by out the window. "I haven't been here since my parents took me before Katie was born."
"I know. You've told me about thirty times today." Santana chuckled, veering onto the ramp as they left the highway.
"And I've never been when it was all decorated for Christmas." Brittany practically sang, her eyes growing wider and brighter as they turned. When she saw the sign for their destination, she practically jumped out of her seat.
"Brittany, seriously baby. Calm down." Santana grinned, her arm outstretching protectively across Brittany's chest to settle her in her seat. Brittany nodded her head, her smile never fading as she began to pick at the skin around her nails. Santana smiled, shaking her head as she turned the car into the main entrance.
"Toledo Zoo." Brittany read aloud. It was nearly nighttime, and the setting sun cast an orange glow over the park as they pulled into the parking lot.
Santana watched in amusement, loving the way the blue in Brittany's eyes began to match the clear sky. She watched as Brittany ripped off her seatbelt the minute the car was put into park. She watched as Brittany flew out of the car, rounding the front of it and whipping open Santana's door.
"Come on." Brittany whined. Blonde hair whipped around her shoulders as she looked at the entrance and back at Santana.
"I'm coming." Santana giggled as she grabbed her purse from the back seat. Brittany offered out her hand, and Santana gratefully took it. Slender fingers wrapped around hers, and she was pulled gently to her feet. Brittany kissed her quickly, before turning and pulling Santana in the direction of the entrance.
Santana happily followed.
Santana knew Brittany wanted to go to the zoo. She had been leaving hints since December started. Santana didn't hate the zoo; she just wasn't particularly fond of it. Unlike Brittany's happy encounter as a child, Santana's visit with her parents wasn't as delightful. Her mom dad had spent most of the time on his work phone. A bird had pooped on her slice of pizza. And her favorite animal, the snow leopard, was hiding that day.
Santana had sworn she wouldn't return.
But Brittany had pleaded, and said she heard that it was enchanting when they decorated for Christmas. So Santana said they could go on a Saturday, that way they didn't have to worry about school.
After entering, Santana immediately noticed a stand for hot chocolate and coffee. She steered them in that direction, figuring if she had to walk through a zoo like a herd of cattle, she was going to do it with some caffeine in her.
Brittany couldn't wait any longer, and as soon as the warm cup was in Santana's hands, she pulled them in the direction of the first exhibit. The polar bears. Brittany tugged harder on Santana's hand, pushing past people to reach the glass.
"Look San." She squealed, her palm pressing against the glass. White fur glided easily through the bluish water, their bodies turning as they swam as if it were a show. Brittany's eyes widen and watched, enthralled in their movements. She watched in awe as large paws swatted the water like air, tiny bubbles leaving their noses before they surfaced. She watched them do somersaults like they were gymnasts.
Santana watched Brittany. She watched Brittany come alive. She watched her skin begin to glow as she absorbed herself in the bears' movements. She didn't hate animals or anything, but she never understood the big deal behind them. But watching Brittany, she figured she was starting to learn that some people thought animals made their lives whole.
Brittany's head turned to the side before looking back at Santana. She had that smirk on her face that told Santana she was about to ask her to do something she probably wasn't going to like.
"What?" Santana asked hesitantly, her eyebrow hitching.
"We have to take a picture." Brittany beamed, nodding her head in the direction she had previously looked. Santana slowly turned her head, afraid to know what Brittany was talking about.
Then she saw it. The cardboard cut out of a polar bear with its face missing. "Oh hell no." Santana immediately blurted, shaking her head in defiance. "Santana does not do photos." She crossed her arm over her chest, sipping from the coffee in her other.
"Oh really?" Brittany questioned, her own eyebrow quirking as she stepped closer to Santana. She leaned in, her mouth centimeters from Santana's ear so no one else could hear her. "I'm pretty sure you loved the photos we took last night." Her voice was low and sultry, causing the hairs on the back of Santana's neck to rise.
Santana gulped, her throat unnaturally dry. "Well…those…that was different." She reasoned, taking a cautionary step backwards. "Those weren't cheesy."
"Let me try this again." Brittany grinned, moving back in to press her lips against the shell of Santana's ear. "If you take this photo with me, I'll make sure to do that pose you wanted me to do last night." Brittany teased, her tongue poking out slightly to lick the skin of Santana's ear.
Santana shuddered, her knees almost buckling.
Brittany heard the soft gasp escape plump lips, and she giggled at knowing she had won the argument.
Once Brittany was satisfied with the pictures they had taken, which turned out to be quite a lot, they left the polar bears and began to walk to the other parts of the zoo. A bridge led them over the road, and Brittany wanted to stop in the middle to look at all the lights.
It was actually quite magical. The colors mixed together to form a collection of brightness. They dipped and faded into the darkness, meshing with the stars that shone above. It was like some had fallen from the sky to litter the zoo, falling into the trees and bushes to form a creation that lit up the park.
Brittany's hand weaved its way into Santana's their fingers interlocking as they stared over the bridge. "This is one of my favorite things about Christmas." Brittany breathed into the cold air. Her breath clouded from her mouth, and she could almost taste the winter on her tongue. She always believed seasons had senses. Like there was definitely a quality about fall that had a unique smell. And winter had a taste. Spring was for the eyes. And summer pleased the sense of touch. It was how Brittany differentiated between the changing seasons. It was how she learned to appreciate their diversity.
"What is?" Santana questioned, her gaze turning to face Brittany.
"The lights," she answered automatically. Her gaze never left the lights that surrounded them. "That's why I like putting up the decorations at home. There's just something about the lights that makes Christmas, Christmas." Brittany continued. She blinked in the darkness, the lights forming a permanent picture on her eyelids. "I like the idea that something so tiny and usually unimportant, can come together to form something bigger. Something important."
Santana smiled, turning back to look below them. Cars continued on the road, oblivious to the fact that people were standing above them. It made her feel a little inferior. But then Brittany squeezed her hand, and she felt it. She felt the need and the want. She felt superior because of Brittany. Brittany made her feel special. Like separately they were just individual lights, but put together, they could create something magical.
Santana blushed from her own cheesy reasoning, silently cursing herself for allowing Brittany to invade her mind as well. She smiled, squeezing back and tugging for them to continue on the bridge.
They made their way through the aquarium, Brittany stopping to make fish faces against the glass at the ones she liked best. Santana snapped a good photo of Brittany and a fish that looked like Dory, noting that it would find a good place on her bedroom mirror.
"The penguin exhibit is one of my favorites." Brittany smiled into Santana's cheek. "I remember when I was little, they were all over the place. And I felt like even if I watched them all day, I still wouldn't see them all." Brittany rambled as they entered the exhibit. Brittany placed a soft kiss to Santana's cheek before untangling her hand from hers and walking closer to the glass.
Santana stood back, sipping the rest of her coffee. She watched blonde hair bob over a green scarf, falling in ripples down her back as she skipped closer. Her head immediately turned from side to side, watching as penguins zipped in and out of the water, flying through the air as they landed on the rocks.
Santana smiled and moved closer, looping her arm around Brittany's waist as she joined her. "They're so…fun," Santana stated with amusement, watching as one penguin waddled up to another, it's beak opening and closing with sounds that were muffled by the glass.
"I know, right?" Brittany giggled, her eyes darting back and forth. Brittany would point out one, and then Santana, each joining to laugh with the other at a new find. Brittany even joined in with a little boy who pressed his face against the glass and laughed at a particular penguin swimming.
"I can see why you like them." Santana mimicked the words Brittany had spoken last night about the movie. When Brittany looked at her with wonder, she smiled and continued. "Because they're just like you." She added, leaning forward on her tiptoes to kiss the tip of Brittany's nose.
The last exhibit they visited was the snow leopards. Santana almost refused to go, afraid of another disappointment. But Brittany had insisted, pulling her toward them with a broad grin on her face.
"I know they're your favorite." She whispered into Santana's ear. Santana stood frozen, wondering how Brittany could possibly know that when she had never said anything. Brittany could see the wheels turning behind Santana's eyes as she tried to figure it out. "I just know you." Brittany clarified as they entered.
At first there was nothing but rock. Santana let out a sigh, her eyes dropping in slight disappointment. It was like they knew she wanted to see them, and decided that was the best time for bed or something. Santana began to turn, pulling Brittany with her so they could leave.
But Brittany stopped her, her hand firm and strong. "Wait." She stated, her eyes scanning the exhibit. "Maybe they'll show."
"Britt, we don't have to wait. It is getting late, and I'm starting to not feel my nose." Santana huffed, stuffing her hands into her coat pockets to keep them warm.
Brittany turned to face her, eyeing the way the tip of her nose was actually a little pink. She wanted to stay. They could huddle together and keep warm like penguins. She wanted Santana to see the snow leopards, and she could read behind auburn eyes, that Santana wanted that as well.
"Five minutes." Brittany compromised, earning herself a nod in response. Brittany looped her arm around Santana's elbow as they waited. Clouded air puffed from their noses as they breathed. They were alone now; most of the people had left this side of the park. But still they waited.
After five minutes, Santana was more than ready to go home. And as she tugged on Brittany's arm again for them to leave, Brittany sighed in defeat and began to turn as well. Her eyes looked up once more before they left, and she immediately stopped.
"San, look." She cried, her hand pointing out in front of them. "Over there. Behind the rock." She continued, her voice bubbling with excitement.
Santana turned back around, and her eyes actually watered. Like a freaking little girl. She cursed herself, but it wouldn't stop. She watched as grey spots floated in air as the leopard moved with such grace. It looked so powerful, yet gentle. Majestic. And Santana couldn't look away.
Brittany watched as Santana's eyes lit up, a tiny flame bursting behind dark brown. She watched as Santana stepped closer, pulling her along with her. She felt like she could hear the soft beat of her heart as it sped up in awe.
"It's so…" Santana breathed, her voice thick with unshed tears. She felt beyond stupid that she was fucking crying over a damn animal. But for some reason, she kind of didn't care. "I'm just…" She laughed at herself.
"I know." Brittany reassured, her hand rubbing up and down Santana's back comfortingly. "I know."
"Britt. Can we stay here till the park closes?" Santana asked hesitantly, her voice so soft that she was afraid Brittany didn't hear her.
"Of course." Brittany grinned. Her hand came to rest on Santana's hip, pulling her into her side. They watched as the leopard walked, its movements planned and skilled, but so light and carefree. They watched it climbed the rocks, its long tail swaying with each calculated step.
When their exposed skin could no longer take the unrelenting cold, Brittany squeezed Santana's side, signaling that they should go home. Santana nodded, wiping at the few tears that had fallen.
Brittany turned her in her arms, her hands locking at the small of Santana's back. "You're so beautiful," she breathed. She watched as Santana's eyes fluttered shut before opening to lock back on hers. Brittany smiled, leaning down to capture her lips with her own. They were cold and a little chapped, but they still tasted like Santana. "So, so beautiful." She whispered into the skin before molding them back together.
Santana shook her head, lacing her fingers with Brittany's as they turned to walk back. The Christmas lights lit their way as they traveled over the bridge, and back to the main side of the park. Santana knew she would never be able to express to Brittany just how much today had actually meant to her. She knew she would never be able to find the right words to describe how she felt. But she also knew that Brittany would just know. Just like the way Brittany always knew everything about her.
And as they left the zoo, Santana thanked whoever put the idea of twenty-five days of Christmas into Brittany's head. Because Santana was pretty sure it was one of the best things she'd ever experienced. It allowed her to open up in ways she never thought she would. And it allowed her to see Brittany in a different light. With each day they celebrated December, Santana was falling more and more in love.
Little did she know, the bubbly blonde walking next to her felt exactly the same.