CHAPTER 14
You know, I've dreamt about this moment once. Well, actually, more than once. Back when the Avengers' movie release date was announced and Sam had said it was mandatory that I sit through every single Marvel movie made so I could have the full effect. It wasn't a surprise that I had spent almost a week dreaming of being a superhero with an awesome spandex outfit and a cool logo on my chest. I'd fly around fighting crime and saving the day, it was awesome! Like any great superhero, I'd always have this really hot love interest; sometimes a boy, sometimes a girl. They'd be put in danger and I'd have to save them in this epic battle for justice then, when I had successfully kicked the super villain's ass, I'd return for my love and we'd share this steamy hot, super passionate kiss and all would be right in the world again.
Kissing Santana Lopez in a dingy storage room was a little like that, minus the epic battle for justice. Also, I wasn't wearing hot pink spandex and a cape.
Though I was totally taken by surprise, it was like our lips automatically knew what to do, like they'd been pressed together loads of time before. It was like all the clichés ever: fitting like puzzle pieces, attracting like magnets, molding perfectly, time standing still. I'd heard it all before and seen it in movies, but I never believed any of it until right about now.
Like, who knew that stuff really happened?!
Even with my eyes closed, everything was cloudy. Anger was still coursing through me, my skin burning with frustration and annoyance directed at the bartender, but as two of the softest lips I'd ever felt pressed further into mine, that anger slowly faded. It was kind of hard to remember why I was even mad in the first place when Santana's lips felt so damn good. My skin wasn't burning nearly as hot from all my pent up rage I had for the week she had put me through, but more so desire and the want for her to never ever stop kissing me. It was like realizing something that I didn't know I needed until I got it, and let me tell you, now that I got it, I don't really plan on stopping any time soon.
I felt my tensed body start to relax as she coaxed my lips to start moving against hers.
Everything was so overwhelming; stifling even, as she took my top lip between hers and breathed me in. Despite all my presumptions about the bartender when it came to being intimate, because really Santana always talks so crudely about sex and girls, I was pleasantly surprised to witness just how gentle she actually was.
I wondered for a second if that's how she is with everyone, if so it would make sense why Quinn said all the girls like her, but I wanted to believe she saved this little part of her for me instead. I wanted Santana in ways that no one else had ever had her. If I wasn't preoccupied with the fact that I was allowing myself to kiss her back, I would've been shocked at myself for thinking something like being so possessive of the girl.
I almost didn't remember that her palms were pressing into my cheeks, her thumbs smoothing against my cheekbones, until I felt her urging our faces even closer.
I would've moved too if it hadn't been for the burning sensations I felt shooting up through my arms causing me to whimper. I wasn't sure what it was, but Santana took it as a good sign and started to move her left hand around to thread her fingers through my hair. It was a secret weakness of mine, when someone played with my hair like that, so when I felt her do it, it made it even harder to process why my arms were tingling so bad. It was distracting as hell and a total cockblock because all I wanted to do was deepen the damn kiss!
It wasn't until I tried to rest my hand on Santana's waist and curl the other around her jaw that I remembered how we even got into this situation.
The crate.
I slowly blinked my eyes open, at first only seeing Santana and loving how close she was that I could practically count her eyelashes, before glancing up at my hands struggling to hold the crate up above us. I was already beginning to lose feeling in my fingers, explains why my hands weren't hurting as bad as my arms, but letting down the crate meant stopping the kissing.
I definitely didn't want that, not after not having Santana at all to having her lips moving so languidly against mine in the best of ways.
I let out another uncontrollable whine as I started to lose my grip on wooden crate. It was already leaning way too low for me to push it back up on the shelf so it was either let it fall on us or break the kiss in order to set it down. That was the sign I needed to finally, and against my will, separate from the bartender before I knock the both of us out.
"W-wait," I whispered against her lips as I tried to pull back. She only followed me and tried her hardest to reconnect, her brows furrowing disappointedly at the lost of contact, which made pulling away a million times harder but I kept tilting my head away. Her frustration made me smile, I probably would've laughed if I had the breath for it, but before I could give in and give her what she wanted, a quiver shot up through my arm and kept me on track, "S-San, wait."
This time, with all the will-power in me, and a stern voice I pushed away from her, taking the crate with me.
"Fuck, I'm sorry." She gasped breathlessly as I brought down the crate, my arms relieved that that they weren't extended above my head anymore, and looked for a place to put it for the time being. She sounded so winded and it made me smirk and somewhat proud that it was because of me. She was too caught up in her thoughts to see me as she started ranting, guilt laced in her voice, "That was stupid of me, I shouldn't have done that. I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking! I've been a bitch this whole week and you don't even know why and I want to tell you why so bad but I can't- fuck, I'm sorry. You're probably confused as hell and really angry and I totally understand if you don't want to be friends. I mean, I can't just go kissing people like it's nothing. Well, I have before but I don't want to do that now. Not with you. Fuck, that's not what I meant. Well, I did mean it but-"
I let her get whatever she needed to say out of her system mostly because I kind of missed hearing her talk since she's pretty much either gave me the silent treatment or she was arguing with me. I missed the sound of her voice when she was being sincere. I missed the sound of her voice when she was actually being nice.
But once I had a taste of her lips, I wanted more.
Besides, seeing her so upset and self-conscious was kind of cute.
Once I set the crate down, I walked back over to her with one thing in mind. Her eyes shot up to meet mine and I was actually surprised to see them looking so pained. She had her arms folded up in front of her defensively as she continued to ramble, but I could care less about what she's saying; at least for now. I wanted one thing and one thing only and now that I had the use of my arms and hands again, I was going to get it.
Kiss now, talk later.
"Shush."
She didn't even have the time to protest, as if she'd want to, before I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips into hers yet again. From the little whimper she let out when I tilted her chin up with the brush of my fingertips, she seemed to be just as surprised as I was when she initiated the first kiss then when I felt her hands land on my hips; I knew she wasn't against the idea. My thumb ran along the underside of her jaw, urging her mouth closer to mine, as I took back her soft bottom lip. She just felt so fucking good. I hummed at the feel of her then smiled when she tried to regain some type of control.
She gripped my waist tighter as I inhaled through my nose, her fingers pressing into my skin while I filled my lungs with air I forgot I needed, then she relaxed her grip like she was scared I was going to pull away again and realized that I wasn't. It was nice to be wanted in that way for a change. I couldn't remember a time that someone actually tried to keep me in their presence. Hell, I can barely remember the last time I kissed anyone. Not even Sam.
Something told me that I wasn't going to be forgetting about this kiss any time soon though. I didn't mind that; Santana's kisses were like the sweetest things ever and I've only had one. Well, two if you're counting mine but I'm not.
It was like I was surrounded by everything Santana; her scent, her taste, her warmth, her touch. It was just way too much to take in after no having any of her for what felt like forever. It was like being stupidly hot and sweating your ass off then having a bucket of ice cold water dumped on you. It was shocking, but in the best of ways.
My heart pounded hard in my chest and I was honestly a little worried that Santana could feel it. She might mistake it as a sign that I'm about to have a heart attack or something and stop kissing me; I couldn't have that. I slowed the way my lips moved against hers, hoping that she'd take the hint and slow down too.
As we both seemed to calm down, I regained enough of my senses to realize that we were both breathing pretty hard. Our mouths were still trying desperately to keep at it, but air was necessary. I didn't want to stop anymore than she did, in fear that I'd never be in this position again, but it was getting a little stuffy in the room. I wasn't sure if it was the lack of air or Santana that had my head starting to spin, I briefly wondered if it was possible to die from a kiss, but before I could test the theory she was pulling away. I took the hint and we slowly broke away and pulled back a couple inches.
I watched as she stared at my mouth causing my cheeks to flush even more than they already were. Gradually, she tore her eyes away from my swollen lips to meet my mine. They flickered between them like she was trying to read me while I just reeled in the fact she was making eye contact again. I didn't think I could ever get enough of that; it was like find money in your pocket when you forget your credit card in the car. Her lust-filled, half-lidded, chocolate brown eyes blinked slowly like she was trying to bring herself back to Earth and that sort of broke the staring contest. I was right along with her and I think she caught onto that too because she just sighed and rested her head on the shelf she was pressed against.
I put a little more distance between us thinking it was needed after all that while she continued to stare up at the ceiling, grinning. Seeing her smile again had me smiling too, I had missed seeing her do that so much, and as I took a step back and rested my hands on my hips, I did the only thing I could think of doing at a time like this: I laughed.
I laughed because what the hell just happened? I'm over here calling Santana out on being so flip-floppy with her behavior yet here I am doing the same exact thing. I came in here pissed as hell and determined to get answers, instead I got a kiss. Well, two kisses if you count mine. I don't though. I laughed because she's so completely frustrating. I laughed because I wouldn't have her any other way.
At the sound of my giggling, Santana peered down and stared back in wonderment. She tilted her head to the side like she always does when she's confused but didn't say anything, just stared. It wasn't the kind of staring she did when she'd see Quinn and Mike hold hands or the kind of stare she'd do when a customer skimps on her tip. It was a look I had never seen before, but from the small grin that started spreading along her face, I knew it was something special.
It didn't take long for her to start laughing too.
Soon, we were both clutching our sides as our bodies shuddered with each belly-busting laugh. She had hunched over, her hands gripping her knees as wavy hair spilled over her shoulders and curtained her face, while I took a seat on a pile of crates and rested my forehead in my hand as my eyes watered.
I had no idea why I was laughing, well I did, but I doubt Santana knew. I'm pretty sure she was just laughing to laugh because what else do we do after that? As we quieted, our laughs dying down to little puffs of air, we fell into a familiar silence. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling, but as I went to lick my lips I remembered where they were only minutes ago. My eyes caught Santana staring at me again as she drummed her fingers at her mouth, but with a more somber look this time, like she just remembered the same thing I did.
I watched her gulp as I straightened up and set my palms flat on my thighs.
One of us needed to start talking.
"Well that was..unexpected," I stated as I saw her eyes fall to my lips then back up to my eyes. I wanted to laugh again at her being so distracted but it would kind of defeat my purpose of pointing at her and scowling, "You've got some explaining to do."
"I do?" She chuckled out of shock, "You kissed me."
"You kissed me first!"
"Yeah, because you saved my life!"
"You couldn't think of another way to thank me?" I argued but not really mad about it, "A thanks Britt would've been cool."
"Well, I was a little caught in the moment. My bad." She waved her hands in the air dismissively as she tried fighting a grin, "You're not entirely innocent here, you came back for seconds!"
"Seconds?" I gasped, my voice cracking at the borderline shriek. She smirked and nodded confidently, "It wasn't seconds; I was only continuing the first one. I didn't think you had fully thanked me yet."
"Oh, so you are cool with it?" She laughed, narrowing her eyes on me playfully. I felt my cheeks flush and my ears pink at feeling so cornered; damn her.
"Hey, don't try to change the subject! We can deal with all that later." I huffed and tried getting back into serious mode, "Santana, you avoided me for days and you bitched at me for no reason..then the package and this? I'm kind of lost here. What the hell is going on with you?"
She pressed her lips tight together and looked to the floor guiltily as she folded up her arms over herself again and nodded, "Yeah, I know and you have every right to be. I was a total bitch, you didn't deserve it..like at all."
"Nope, I sure didn't!" I scoffed and turned up my nose, completely milking the way Santana was looking so sorry. It was so different seeing her admit to being a jerk and by the way she seemed so small and fragile, I could tell she didn't do it often.
"I know and I'm sorry, Britt," She sighed and started inching closer to me with her hands wringing tightly in front of her, "I'm really sorry and I know you want me to explain everything, I do too, because I'm sure you've been confused-"
"Mhmmm, so get to it!" I huffed, fighting the smile that wanted to form at the sight of Santana's pout.
"But I can't."
"Wait, what."
"I really want to, believe me, I do." She urged as she kneeled down in front of me so that we were somewhat eye level, "Just, I can't do it here.."
"What? Why not?" I gasped with wide eyes. It was like all the progress we just made, that being finally talking to each other again, the kiss, all of it didn't mean anything because Santana was still being cryptic. I thought I had broken through or something, but I guess I hadn't. I felt the anger and determination I had walking into the storage room resurface as she kept me in suspense.
"Because," She breathed out as she scanned around the room, "It's not safe here."
"Oh God." I gasped, my hand shooting up to cover my mouth as my body stiffened at the realization, "You're a secret agent."
"What?"
"It makes total sense; all the avoiding, weird behavior and the nice apartmen-"
"Britt, no." She replied sternly looking like she wanted to either roll her eyes or laugh, or maybe both, "I-I'm not a secret agent, just a class A bitch."
"Oh."
"Yeah.."
We fell into another silence as we avoided each other's eyes out of sheer embarrassment. It wasn't until Santana let out a soft chuckle that I found myself looking down at her again. She had her cheeks all bunched, tinted red, while she grinned toothily at something I wasn't sure of. It was still kind of cute though, her being all apologetic and nervous.
It almost made up for the week she'd put me through.
She seemed to regain some composure as she tilted her chin up at me, "I'll explain everything to you as soon as possible though."
"Promise?" I asked hesitantly, eyeing her warily, "You've got a habit of avoiding the problem and I don't want this to be some trick where I'll have to wait a year before I find out anything.."
"No, no, it's nothing like that." She answered with the shake of her head then lifted her pinky to me, "I promise."
Seeing Santana do something as childish as swear by a pinky promise was both hilarious and adorable. It was totally something I'd do, but having her do it was way better! I grinned goofily as I held out my pinky to hers and she moved to link them snuggly. I found myself staring at her lips again while she stared at mine and I knew someone better start talking again before something bad, or good depending on how you see it, happens. There was already way too much to discuss, we didn't need to add another unprovoked kiss to the list.
"Just to be clear," I mumbled as I let go of her pinky and squeezed at my knees causing Santana's eyes to meet mine again. I smirked at seeing them so dark and half-lidded, similar to how they looked after our kiss, but I wanted to keep on track, "I'm still fucking furious with you." We both laughed at the unexpected curse that tumbled out of me.
"Ooh, say fucking again.." She whimpered playfully as she made a show of biting her lip and rolling her eyes back sensually. I giggled at her being so silly, something I've definitely missed, as I held my hands out to her to help her up off the floor.
Her hands slid smoothly into mine, her palms warm against my skin, as I hoisted her to her feet. I may have miscalculated the amount of strength I needed to lift her, because as she rose to her feet, our balance shifted and she was stumbling into me a little. I was already tipping back, about to fall over on the stack of crates I had been sitting on, when she tugged back a little on my hands so I could regain my balance. Our faces were close once again and I would be lying if the distance didn't have my body buzzing in that familiar way it had been buzzing before.
I was staring completely and unashamedly at her still-slightly swollen lips as I breathed out the word fucking. It was comical seeing the bartender practically swoon at such a dirty word that I couldn't keep up the façade and ruined it all by laughing.
"Oh my God, Britt!" She chastised through her flustered giggles and went to swat at my arm, "Just because I let you up on all this doesn't mean you can take advantage of it!"
"Oh, I would never!" I gasped, pressing a hand to my chest, then laughed and narrowed my eyes on her, "For the record though, you kissed me first. I could've slapped the crap out of you because who the hell just goes randomly kissing people-"
"BUT you didn't," She argued playfully as her eyes turned dark again, "Plus, you and I both know it was bound to happen anyway. Friends kiss all the time, it's a normal thing."
"What the hell kind of friends have you had?" I teased but by the way she seemed to tense, I wondered if I might've hit a nerve. I chose to try and recover by joking about Quinn, "You ever kiss her?"
"Quinn? Actually, yeah I have." She laughed, covering her eyes in embarrassment, "I was drunk though."
"That's hilarious."
"What can I say?" She shrugged helplessly, "I've got a thing for blondes."
"Yeah, I can see that." I joked but even through our teasing, I found myself drawing closer and closer to her yet again. She seemed to notice too.
"Alright, we've got a bar to prep and if I don't get out of here now.." She trailed off as she started backing away and heading for the exit, "Well, let's just say we'll both be enjoying ourselves a little too much."
I felt my whole body flush at her statement and my heart beat a little faster than usual. She had already left the room but I still couldn't calm myself down at just how we'd be enjoying ourselves. Something told me it had nothing to do with tapping into the unlimited supply of alcohol we had shelved around us and getting completely wasted.
XXXX
It was funny how quickly we fell back into our old routine of working with each other rather than against. We fed off each other's energy and it didn't really go unnoticed that our tip jars had been looking a little slim since we hadn't been giving off our usual vibes.
Tonight was like we finally got it all back. Drinks poured freely, cash came steadily, customers were happy, and Santana was back to smiling.
Her smiles weren't so strained as she chatted up the guys and played to the crowd. She looked like she was actually enjoying herself again; it reminded me of when I first saw her behind the bar and all that sexual confidence that just seemed to ooze off of her. She was totally in her element and it showed whenever she'd spin a bottle in the palm of her hand or effortlessly pry the caps off several beer bottles without looking away from her customer. Santana may not have been made to bartend, but she did it flawlessly. It was an honor knowing that I was taught everything I know by someone as skilled as her.
"Time to pull that pretty head from the clouds," She smirked, knocking our hips together as she passed me, "You're guy is looking lost.."
"Oh, right!" I chuckled, shaking my head from all the daydreaming and went back to my customer, "Another one?"
"Yeah," He answered without looking up at me then waved dismissively before adding, "And a water."
Water was like this unspoken word behind the bar, treated like a new curse word an eight year old learned and itches to use. Santana was like the eight year old and, despite being well in tune with her foul mouth, water was her new word. As soon as it left the guy's mouth, I could see from the corner of my eye just how fast her head swiveled.
Personally I had never used the hose on someone, I hadn't seen Santana do it either, but now that he put me in the position I was a little nervous. His suit looked really expensive and I'm sure it took hours to comb those three strands of hair over his bald spot. I could already see Santana quickening her pace, probably so that she could smirk and watch the scene, but I wasn't as enthusiastic.
"Water? Are you sure?" I suggested quietly, hoping that Santana wouldn't over hear while she finished up with her customer. I really didn't want to ruin his suit and his night so I just had to double check. The man tilted his head toward me with raised brows as if I was talking down his choice of beverage instead.
"Can you just give me what I ordered?" He replied harshly, his coffee stained teeth biting at the words as they were said.
"I-uhhh.." I was shocked that he spoke so rudely when I was only trying to help him out that all I could do was stutter out a response. I was about to set him straight when he began to turn away from me, but before I could he was being sprayed with water.
I jumped from the cold mist hitting my bare arm and turned to see Santana wielding the hose with one hand and an unopened beer bottle in the other like she couldn't even finish one task before moving to another. She looked borderline pissed, but the triumphant smile she had on her face as she told the guy, "Here's your water!" was pretty priceless.
She got the guy right in the face then projected the jet of water down his necktie and soaked him right through his jacket. I watched the whole scene unfold before me wide-eyed and amused. Over the sound of the water hose, the crowd at the bar cheered the typical, "Hell no, H2O!" over and over again while the victim sat and took his punishment.
I couldn't decide who I thought was funnier to watch; the guy as he tried to block the stream with his hands as he spat out water or Santana as she grinned devilishly and kept flicking the gun back and forth so the guy couldn't block the jet.
"Alright! Alright! I give!" He grumbled after he was completely drenched. Santana shut the gun off then quickly slid a different customer the beer she had in her hand while the soaked guy slowly slid off his stool and went to get cleaned up. Santana chuckled at the bowlegged way he walked to the restrooms, a puddle of water forming at his feet if he stood in one place too long was something the bartender thoroughly enjoyed.
"You really just did that.."
"Damn right, I did!" She boasted proudly, "He deserved it; he was kind of being a dick to you." She was still holding the gun while she leaned on the counter, her eyes following after the poor loser, "It was fun though."
"Yeah, you looked like you had fun." I giggled and tried to get started at cleaning her mess when she pointed the gun at me and smirked. My eyes flickered from hers to the gun then back up at hers as I froze in my steps, "Uhhh, what are you doing?"
"Britt..I've got to." Santana sighed sadly though the smile on her face was anything but.
"No, no you don't." I pleaded, catching on to what she was planning and started to back away with my hands up, "You don't have to do this, it's not worth it."
"Oh, I think it's worth it." She smirked as she wrapped both hands around the handle, "Besides, it's a rule and you kinda broke it."
"But-"
"Sorry, B."
"Santana!"
I didn't really expect her to actually do it, but she did.
She got me wet.
She didn't blast me as long as she did the customer, just sprayed me enough to damped my hair, but I took most of it in the chest and since it's leather it just slid off. I would've been completely pissed if it wasn't for the great big dopy smile she had plastered on her face. It was like she had just done the best thing ever, and despite being cold and wet, it was cute.
"I c-can't believe y-you did th-that!" I stammered as the shivers started to kick in, no one said that the water you get sprayed with had to be ice water, "R-rude."
Her smile faltered only a little bit as I reached for my arms and started to rub them. A pensive look flashed in her eyes before she bit down on her bottom lip in thought. While she was distracted though, I managed to take the gun easily and pointed it back at her.
"Woah! Don't you dare!" She squeaked as she put up her hands in defense. The guys at the bar were already whooping and hollering, because who wouldn't want two super hot girls soaked and glistening serving up drinks? I only focused on Santana though and the way fear flashed across her eyes, it was like seeing her watch a scary movie all over again.
I took a step closer, my finger hovering over the trigger.
"Britt, I'm warning you.."
I took another step.
"Don't do it."
I readjusted my grip on the handle and smirked.
"Brittany!"
And just like that, she was dripping.
Probably in more ways than one by the way her eyes seemed to darken more than usual, but I'm still mad at her for before so I'm not gunna think about that possibility.
It was just a quick burst just like she did with me, but it was enough to give her caramel skin that nice and shiny sparkle. I stared at her arms as she flicked water from her face then set her hands on her hips. I knew she was probably talking to me, but I couldn't hear much except for the pounding sound my heart was making as I continued to admire her. It wasn't until she snapped her fingers that I, well, snapped out of it.
"Yes?" I asked innocently, tucking the hose behind my back before turning on my charming smile. She just shook her head and pointed back at the customers who were all begging for us to wrestle or whatever weird fantasy guys have when it involves two wet girls.
"Back to work before Sue fires both our asses for breaking all these damn rules," She huffed trying to sound stern but I could tell by the tiny sparkle in her eye that she kind of liked our little fight.
"Yes ma'am!" I mock saluted, earning a chuckle from the bartender, and went back to work.
XXXX
"Woah, what happened to you?" Quinn snickered as she took a seat at the bar and I poured her her usual. I watched as her eyes left me, well my wet hair, and took in Santana's appearance as well, "What happened to the both of you?"
"She caught me trying to keep from spraying a guy for ordering water," I shrugged as I kept my eyes on pouring.
"Oh." Was all she drummed out, "And Santana?"
"She-"
"Was attacked." Santana cut in with a smirk as she leaned her hip against the counter and mostly stared at me before glancing at Quinn, "She turned on me, Q."
"Yeah, I bet." Quinn teased and wiggled a brow. It took me a couple seconds to catch on, but by that time Santana had already scoffed and walked back to her customers. Quinn was now grinning a triumphant grin as she turned back to me, "So I take it that you guys are good again?"
I just nodded because there was still so much left to be explained, but I was happy with being able to talk to her again. We were friends; friends that kiss instead of saying thank you.
"How'd that happen?"
"I saved her life," I shrugged casually as I slid the drink across the counter to her.
I watched as Quinn blinked a few times before tilting her head to the right a little, "What.."
"The she kissed me."
"What?"
"And I kissed her back."
"WHAT?"
I had to take a step back at the loudness of her voice, but she quieted as soon as we both saw Santana glance in our direction.
"It's okay though, it was just the continuation of the first kiss so it was really just one really long one." I added while Quinn just chuckled and shook her head at the table.
"You two, you guys are just-you're a mess. The both of you are crazy!"
I found myself smiling at the fact as my eyes subconsciously traveled down the counter to a pair of lusty dark brown ones that ended up staring right back at me.
"Yeah, don't I know it.."
Quinn continued to rant about how we decided to go about handling things, but all I could think of was just how messy our friendship was. My eyes kept drifting back down to Santana's side of the bar; sometimes to watch her work, sometimes just to watch her.
If being messy with Santana was how our friendship had to be for now, then she could dirty me up any time.
A/N How was that? I sort of hate fics that have Brittana kiss just once and then the next second they're confessing they're in love with each other and then become girlfriends, I think that's weird but maybe that's just me. Sorry if you just want them to get together already, I'm a sucker for a slow burner. Let me know you're still with me! Next chapter: Sam calls some attention to him and Britt's awkward living situation.