A/N: Things get a little serious with Santana getting outed and Brittany's troubles. But don't worry, there is definitely lots of Brittana goodness still! I kind of decided to show a different side to Brittany this chapter- one where she is assertive in a way we didn't get to see very often (really only a couple of times), so I hope it doesn't seem out of place.
Anyways, thanks to everyone who has been reviewing! Your comments keep me going to finish my next story, so I greatly appreciate it! Thanks to everyone else who is continuing to read my stuff and follow or favorite it. I am grateful to you as well.
Chapter 11
Brittany had gone from an ultimate high to some of the hardest times of her life in a few short weeks. Santana had begged her to join the Troubletones with her and Mercedes, and she got pushed over the edge and abandoned the New Directions when Finn was mean to her. She was sad about leaving the New Directions, but she was tired of being looked down on by the people who were supposed to be her family.
So she went to the Troubletones to have fun and sing and dance with her girlfriend. But then the fighting started between the two glee clubs. Brittany hated conflict, but she also hated getting talked down to anymore. She was running for Student Council President, and she needed to stand up for herself and have confidence so people would stop putting her down. So she participated in the put-downs. But then things went too far, and Finn said something really mean to Santana.
Brittany tried getting Santana to back down, and the other girl had agreed. But something happened and Finn hurt Santana's feelings. Santana wouldn't tell Brittany exactly what he had said to her, but she knew it wasn't good by how hard the Latina had clung to her that afternoon. All Santana had told her was that he said something about how she should just come out of the closet. It didn't make Brittany happy to hear, because it wasn't any of Finn's business as to when Santana came out. He was really starting to piss her off even more than he already had.
The mash-up competition was supposed to be a fun way to get rid of some of the tension between them, but it turned into one of the worst moments of Brittany's life. When she had seen and heard Santana burst into the changing room sobbing as they were preparing for their performance, her heart hurt more than it ever had in her life.
She had never seen Santana that upset before. Not even when she had told Santana she couldn't break up with Artie last year. She had finally gotten what had happened out of her girlfriend, and she was heartbroken but tried to be strong for Santana. Santana was going to be outed on television. Santana was terrified of people finding out about her sexuality, and now everyone was going to know.
Brittany comforted Santana, easing the girl's tears as she promised that they would deal with it. They could still control how Santana's family found out, but it wasn't fair that Santana couldn't have handled her coming out in the way she wanted to and was comfortable with. Nobody should have to be forced into coming out before they were ready.
Santana had finally calmed down and insisted on still performing the mash-up. It was incredibly difficult to get through, because it hurt to see how much Santana was hurting. Brittany could tell Mercedes was worried, but they were able to get through it and the performance was still really good.
But then Santana flipped out on Finn and slapped him. Not that he didn't really deserve it, but Brittany still hated that Santana was hurt enough to attack him like that. Santana shouldn't have to go through that kind of pain anymore. She had already gone through so, so much.
Brittany took Santana home that night and held her through her sobs. Santana finally broke down and told her all that Finn had said to her the other day in the hallway. Brittany was officially mad when she heard that Finn insinuated that Brittany wasn't in love with Santana like Santana was in love with her.
"Baby, he was so, so wrong," she promised, pressing a kiss into Santana's hair as the Latina lay in her arms, her head pressed to Brittany's chest. "I love you more than anything. You have to know that, right?"
Santana nodded against her, breathing shakily as she was still trying to calm down from all of her crying. "I know, Brit. But he brought up an old fear from last year when I told you I loved you and you were with Artie and…"
Santana let her words trail off, and Brittany bit her lip as her heart broke a little more.
"Santana, look at me," she implored, pulling at the brunette's shoulders a little to get the other girl to sit up.
Santana pulled back, and both girls sat up on Brittany's bed facing each other. Brittany reached out, cupping Santana's cheeks as she looked pleadingly into the brunette's eyes.
"What happened last year doesn't matter," she stated. She saw a look of hurt flash in Santana's eyes briefly, but she continued. "It doesn't matter because I still loved you more last year than I ever loved anyone else, even Artie. And I continue to fall in love with you more every day."
Santana's eyes started to soften, and Brittany caressed her thumbs against Santana's cheeks.
"Santana, no matter what, I will never love anyone more than I love you. I never have, and I never will," Brittany swore.
Santana's eyes filled with tears as she smiled at Brittany. "I've never loved anyone more than I love you, either, Brittany. And I never will."
Brittany pulled Santana in for a gentle kiss before pulling away and urging the Latina to lie back down. She lay on her side, facing Santana as she ran her hand lovingly through the other girl's dark locks. Santana's eyes started to close as she relaxed into the blonde's touch, the exhaustion from the day finally catching up with her.
"Get some sleep baby," Brittany whispered to her. "I'll be right here."
Santana smiled softly, eyes finally staying shut before her breathing evened out in sleep. Brittany lay there for awhile, stroking Santana's hair and watching her sleep. Once Santana had been out for awhile, she rolled over and quietly got out of the bed. She grabbed her phone and silently made her way out of her room so as not to wake her girlfriend with what she had to do.
She walked out to her backyard before pulling up her contact list and dialing.
"Brittany?" A confused voice answered.
"You were wrong," she stated, anger evident in her voice.
"What are you talking about?"
"About me not loving Santana," she bit out. "I've been in love with her since freshman year."
"Oh. Well, I- I'm sorry," Finn stuttered out. "I- I didn't really mean what I said. I just… I just thought it was another insult like she gave to me."
"Well, it wasn't," she muttered angrily. "You don't understand how much Santana truly cares about what you guys think of her. And what you said about that hurt her more than she would ever be willing to admit."
"But-" Finn started.
"No, I'm not finished," Brittany interrupted. She heard Finn gasp, startled at the force in her normally calm voice. "I wanted to let you know that you were wrong to tell her what you did and make her afraid that I loved her any less than I did. Because she does know how much I love her, just as I know how much she loves me."
Brittany paused to take in a shaky breath, fighting off her tears of both anger and sadness. "But I wanted to tell you that you were more wrong to even try to tell her how she should handle coming out. You have no idea of the struggle she has gone through over the past few years, and it is absolutely none of your business. And now, because of you, she has no choice in how she gets to tell people. Because of you, she has to come out before she was ready. Because of you, people who shouldn't even know something so personal about her are going to."
"Brittany, I really am sorry," Finn implored. "I had no idea that anything like this was going to happen. If she hadn't have been so mean lately, I woul-"
"No!" Brittany interrupted again, her anger getting the best of her. "It doesn't matter what she said to you, Finn. No matter her insults, Santana cares about you, just as she cares about everyone else in the New Directions. You know her, Finn, so you know that. And even if she said something mean to you, it couldn't even compare to what you have done to her."
Finn was quiet for a moment. "I know. You're right. I had no right saying anything to her, and I'm sorry. What do you want me to do?"
Brittany sighed, closing her eyes as her anger finally fled and she relaxed for the first time in hours.
"I don't know, Finn," she said quietly. "But you better figure out something, because you owe her more than you know."
"Okay, I'll think of something," Finn promised. "And Brittany?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry for thinking you might not have loved her. I'm glad she has you, and I think you guys make a really great couple."
Brittany smiled a little, pleased that someone else could see how good she and Santana were together. "Thanks, Finn."
"Now go get back to your girl, I'm sure she's waiting for you," Finn teased.
"I will. Goodnight."
"Night, Brit."
Brittany disconnected the call before shaking her arms to try to loosen up some of the kinks she felt that had taken root in her shoulders. She really wanted to dance to get some of her feelings out through her body, but she knew she wanted to get back to Santana more. She hurried back into the house, quietly making her way back into her room.
Santana didn't stir as she softly climbed back onto the bed. It wasn't until she sidled up to the brunette, putting her arm around her as she pressed a kiss to her hair that Santana moved.
"I love you," Santana mumbled as she snuggled into Brittany further.
Brittany tightened her arm around her girlfriend, hugging her close.
"I love you, too," she whispered.
Santana and Brittany had come up with a plan as to how to handle Santana's coming out. Brittany figured that, since their relationship was going to be public knowledge soon, she should probably go ahead and tell her parents as well. Her parents took it easily, as she figured they would. Brittany figured her mom already knew she liked girls as well as boys, and she suspected that her mom had known something was going on between her and Santana. Brittany's dad just told her that he was happy if she was happy and that was all that mattered. Both of them liked Santana, and neither of them had any concerns about them being in a relationship.
Brittany had asked Santana if she wanted Brittany to be there when she told her parents. Santana had told her no, that she wanted to do it by herself just in case they weren't okay with it. But she told Brittany to have her phone on her so she could let her know how it went right away. Thankfully, Santana had called her as soon as she could and told her happily that her parents were okay with it and they were glad she had found happiness with Brittany.
Brittany was more worried about how the students at McKinley were going to handle it. Since there had been so many bullying incidents with Kurt, she was afraid that Santana was going to get hurt by someone at school. She hoped that her presidential campaign helped make the student body more tolerant and that her and Santana's popularity at the school would provide some protection. There were only a couple of incidents, and Brittany was glad when their friends had no problem standing behind Santana and supporting her.
Brittany was used to people saying disparaging things about her, so she wasn't too worried if people talked about her. Plus, she had always been pretty open about her attraction to both boys and girls, so she wasn't too concerned about what people were going to say about her.
She was concerned about Santana. It made her happy that Santana seemed to be handling it well for the most part. Santana was prickly to begin with after Finn had come up with his idea to celebrate her and show his contrition by doing a themed week for both glee clubs. But she had finally opened up when she realized that their friends still loved and accepted her.
Things had been going better than Brittany could have hoped. Santana only had her abuela left to tell, and though the Latina was nervous, she seemed pretty happy with the way everything was going. Santana had promised to call her after she talked to her grandmother to let Brittany know how it went.
When she heard the pounding on her front door, she knew something was wrong. She started out of her room and she heard her mother's voice, which confirmed that Santana was there. She hurried down the stairs as she saw Santana standing just inside her front door, her heart breaking as she saw the tears streaming down her girlfriend's cheeks.
"Santana? What happened? Are you okay?"
Brittany needed to know what had happened. Was it her abuela? Was something wrong with her? Did she hurt Santana? Or was it something else? Santana latched onto Brittany once she reached the Latina's side, burying her face into Brittany's shoulder as she cried.
"Sweetie," her mother got her attention. "Why don't you take her upstairs so you can talk. I'll make sure your father doesn't bother you."
Whitney rubbed Santana's back soothingly before Brittany led the brunette up the stairs and into her bedroom. Once they got there, Brittany made sure to shut the door for privacy before she guided Santana to the bed so they could lie down. Brittany pulled the Latina into her arms and Santana rested her head on the blonde's shoulder for comfort.
"What happened, hon?" Brittany asked quietly after Santana's tears had finally slowed. "Did you tell your abuela?"
Santana breathed out shakily as she fought off more tears.
"She kicked me out, Brit," Santana said, devastated. "She told me that it would have been better had I never said anything and kept it all a secret. But since I told her, she wants nothing to do with me anymore."
Brittany could tell Santana was starting to get angry, and she didn't want her girlfriend to get worked up like that. She pushed away her own sadness at the thought of anyone not being able to love and accept the beautiful girl in her arms for any reason.
"I'm so sorry, baby," she murmured as she pressed a loving kiss to Santana's forehead. Her arms tightened around the brunette. "I'm sure she will come around someday. I mean, how could anyone not want you in their life?"
Santana pulled away, sitting up and looking at Brittany. Her tears were done now, and the frustration was still there.
"Thanks, Brit, but I don't think she is going to come around," she said. "She was a total bitch to me. If she wants nothing to do with me, then I want nothing to do with her!"
Brittany didn't want Santana to give up on her grandmother. She was Santana's family, and you shouldn't give up on family.
"Santana, don't say that. I know you love her."
Brittany grabbed Santana's hand, trying to offer comfort.
"I do love her, but she apparently doesn't love me," Santana said angrily. "How could she do that? How could anyone who claims to love a person just eliminate them from their life like that, just because they don't agree on something?"
Brittany's heart sank a little more at each question. She really didn't know how someone could do that, especially not to Santana. It was something she could truly not fathom.
"I don't know," she answered. "I am not smart enough to figure out why anyone could do something like that." Santana opened her mouth to interrupt.
"No, let me finish," Brittany continued, causing Santana's mouth to snap closed. "I know it hurts right now, but you have so many people around you who do love you and care for you. I know I love you more than anything, so it really makes no sense to me how she could do that."
Brittany frowned as she thought over her words as she spoke. She was sad for Santana, but she was also sad for Santana's grandmother, who would not know the amazing things her granddaughter was going to accomplish if she refused to be part of the girl's life.
"But you know what? It is her loss," she told Santana. "If she can't see how amazing you are, then that is sad for her. I think that in a few years she will realize what a mistake she made. But for now, just concentrate on the fact that you are surrounded by people who love you and want you to be a part of their lives."
Brittany watched as Santana's face softened at her words. Her girlfriend's beautiful eyes looked at her with love as she smiled at Brittany.
"You are the smartest, BritBrit," she said quietly. "I really don't know what I would do without you."
Brittany grinned. "I don't know what you would do, either. Probably Puck," she joked.
Santana rolled her eyes as she groaned. "Ugh, don't make me think about it," she said as she shuddered. "I would much rather think about you."
Brittany laughed as she pulled Santana to her for a kiss.
"I would rather you think about me, too. I love you," she murmured against Santana's lips.
"I love you, too," Santana whispered. She pulled Brittany into a hug, squeezing her tightly. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Brittany promised. She would do anything for Santana. She hoped the other girl knew that.
Brittany was struggling. Not with Santana. Things were perfect with Santana. But there had been so much drama with her girlfriend's coming out and everything else that Brittany was falling behind in school. She had spent so much of her time making sure Santana was okay and that Santana was happy that she put off doing her homework and her studying.
She didn't want to ask Santana for help, though, because Santana had enough to deal with. And Brittany really didn't have anybody else to ask for help from because they were all wrapped up in their own lives. Nobody but Santana really cared about her, but Santana was more important right now than getting her schoolwork completed.
Brittany ended up winning the election for Student Council President. With everything going on with Santana and their relationship and her issues with her coursework on top of the Cheerios and Troubletones, however, she didn't to really have any time to concentrate on doing anything she wanted to in office. The biggest goal that she had, which was to get people at school accepting Santana and other gay or bisexual or whatever kids, was pretty much already accomplished. She wasn't sure what more she wanted to do in office, so she just didn't bother with it.
Santana was proud to be in an open relationship with Brittany and it made her so happy that the brunette was finally accepting of herself. There was still so much that Santana was dealing with, however, such as her abuela's continued lack of contact and a plan for the future.
Brittany was scared to talk to Santana about what was going to happen after graduation, because she was afraid that Santana was going to leave her behind. Brittany was hoping she could bring her grades up before the end of the year, but if she couldn't then she wasn't going to hold Santana back. She promised that she would always be there for her girlfriend in any way she could, and she wasn't going to stop Santana from achieving her dreams.
The Troubletones ended up losing Sectionals to the New Directions. Brittany tried cheering Santana up after their loss, but it was Quinn who really saved the day. Without the help of their blonde friend, she and Santana would likely no longer have been singing and dancing with a glee club for the rest of the year. Quinn had amazingly gotten Mr. Schue to let them rejoin the New Directions and even got the agreement from him and Rachel to let the Troubletones perform a number at each of the future competitions.
Brittany was just kind of along for the ride at this point in time. She was being pulled in so many directions that she was afraid she was going to fall apart. The only thing she knew for sure, however, was that she was going to go wherever Santana went. When they found out the Warblers were their big competition for Regionals and that their new leader, Sebastian, was a bully, Santana was all about defending her glee club family. Brittany was so incredibly amazed at how far Santana had come after coming out. She was a significantly happier person, and that happiness allowed her to be open about her feelings toward their friends.
The fact that Santana wanted to fight to protect their glee family made Brittany happy. The fact that the Latina wanted to use violence to do it did not. Thankfully, Santana decided on a more clever form of action against the leader of the Warblers. Although her girlfriend had told her that she was driving nearly two hours to Columbus to go to the fashion mall because she was afraid Brittany would stop her, Brittany had figured Santana was up to something involving their competition. She knew she was right when Santana told them all that she had gotten Sebastian to confess to nearly blinding Blaine by taping a recorder to her boob. Although Brittany was a little disappointed that she didn't get to help Santana with the taping part, she thought it was pretty awesome plan, even if the others didn't really agree.
Santana was still upset that the other New Directions members didn't appreciate her plan to get the Warblers disqualified from Regionals that night when they were cuddling on Santana's bed.
"I don't get it, BritBrit," Santana complained. "That was a really clever plan. We can nail his ass with this confession, but nobody seems to want to go after him."
Santana's head was in Brittany's lap, and Brittany couldn't resist running her fingers soothingly through her girlfriend's dark tresses.
"Well I thought what you did was awesome," she stated, trying to comfort her girlfriend. "I never would have come up with that plan. And we can still use it to help stop this fighting between all of us. We just don't have to hurt other people in the process."
"I know," Santana sighed. "That is a really good idea, too. I just don't know why nobody else wants to get revenge after what that smirky little freak did to Blaine."
Brittany smiled at Santana's obvious affection for their friends. Her smile widened as Santana's brow furrowed up at her in confusion.
"What's that look for?"
"It's just that I am really proud of you," Brittany said softly as she continued to stroke Santana's hair.
"Well you are the only one who thinks my plan was any good," Santana huffed.
Brittany was still smiling as she shook her head. Santana still didn't understand.
"No, I mean I am proud of you for standing up for your friends," she clarified. "You have finally accepted the glee kids as your family. I know that you only stand up for the people you really care about, and you obviously care about them."
Santana averted her gaze, fingers playing with her comforter. "I just want to win Regionals."
Brittany couldn't help but laugh a little, and Santana looked back up at her with a small pout. She was too adorable, and Brittany wanted to kiss her senseless when she looked like that. But she really wanted her girlfriend to know just how amazing she thought she was.
"You care about them, Santana," she said. "I know you do. And it's okay, because I care about them, too. We are all different, but we all mash-up really good together. And that's awesome."
She cupped Santana's cheek, smiling big as she looked into the Latina's dark eyes. "And I am proud of you because not that long ago, you went out of your way to call them all losers and act like you hated them all, but now you make plans to protect them from mean people and are there for them to help if needed."
Santana averted her eyes again, suddenly shy, before her gaze fluttered back up to meet Brittany's. Brittany could see the corners of her mouth tug a little as she fought a smile.
"Yeah, well, most of them are pretty cool even if they are losers," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "But don't tell them I said that. And don't go acting like I want to be besties and hug Berry or anything. That is never going to happen."
"Of course not, I am your best friend!" Brittany said, mocking a horrified expression. "Rachel can't have you! Plus, there is no way I could even stand being around her much outside of glee, so I don't see how you could ever hang around her enough to have her take my place."
"Relax, babe. You have nothing to worry about, no one would ever take your place," Santana laughed, her face splitting into a grin as her dimples appeared.
"Better not!" Brittany grinned back playfully, before her voice lowered a few octaves as she nearly whispered, "Besides, I don't think Rachel would make you as happy as I can."
"Mmmm," Santana hummed, smirking. "Definitely not."
"I mean, no one knows your tickle spots better than I do," she whispered evilly.
"Don't you dare! You will regret it, Brit!" Santana's eyes widened, her hands coming up to fend off Brittany's attack, but it was too late.
Brittany grinned, digging her fingers into Santana's sides. The Latina started giggling and squirming, attempting to get away from Brittany's unrelenting onslaught. Santana was laughing so hard and Brittany was laughing with her until she was nearly breathless. Santana kept struggling, and when it became obvious that she was having a hard time breathing from laughing so much, Brittany finally relented.
She moved away enough so she could lie down, facing Santana who lay sprawled on her back trying to catch her breath. Brittany was overcome with a large wave of emotion in her chest as all of her love for Santana came crashing down on her at once. She still couldn't believe that she was finally able to call this beautiful girl hers.
"You are a really awesome person, Santana," she gushed, wishing she was able to put in words just how she felt about the brunette. "I'm happy I get to be your girlfriend."
Brittany saw love shining back at her from Santana's beautiful brown eyes as the Latina turned her head to look at her.
"Me, too," Santana replied softly.
Brittany brought her hand up to cup Santana's cheek, caressing it with her thumb. Santana's eyes fluttered shut at the touch, her face softening as a contented smile spread over her face. It lasted a moment before Brittany watched the Latina's eyes spring open, startled, with a slightly horrified look on her face.
"For real, Brit," she pleaded. "Don't tell anyone from glee that I actually like them. I don't know what I would do if they weren't at least a little afraid of me still."
Brittany threw back her head as she laughed, amused at how afraid Santana was of people finding out she wasn't as tough as her image portrayed. Her laughter subsided into soft chuckles as she moved her hand from Santana's cheek to her girlfriend's stomach. She linked their pinkies together.
"I promise."
