Chapter 25: Time After Time
Chapter Title Song: "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. I prefer the Eva Cassidy version – it's a good soundtrack for this chapter.
"Bye, guys! Get home safe!" Brittany ducked to look through the window of the limo after they had climbed out.
"G'night!" Santana called, waving as the limo pulled away. They watched the limo round the corner and together they sighed. It had turned out to be a great night. Santana took Brittany's hand as they walked up the walkway to the Pierce house. After a night of loud music and throngs of McKinley students dancing, the quiet stillness around them seemed sudden, but welcome.
"You're staying over, right?" Brittany asked.
"Uh, huh," Santana smiled, squeezing Brittany's hand.
"Good. 'Cuz my parents left for the night…" Brittany grinned as she unlocked the front door.
"Why?" asked Santana, giving Brittany a curious frown.
"Because they said they wanted to make sure there was a place for the after party."
Santana shook her head in disbelief. The wackiness of the Pierces never ceased to amaze her.
"But I didn't invite anyone over," Brittany said.
"Why not, Britt? We could have had the best party ever here," Santana said.
"I wanted you all to myself," Brittany said in a quiet voice as she closed the door behind Santana.
"Oh," said Santana with a grin.
"It's Prom night, after all…" Brittany took Santana's purse from her and placed it on the table in the hallway with her own.
"What about Hayley?" Santana asked, eying the stairs. She had been extremely cautious since their near-miss with her parents at Christmas.
"Friend's house…" Brittany murmured, pulling Santana in for a kiss.
Santana relaxed as Brittany pushed her gently toward the stairs, breaking away so they could walk up, leading Santana by the hand. They got to the landing and Brittany pulled Santana close again for another kiss that just couldn't wait. It was a relief to be openly affectionate after having been so vigilant with their gestures towards each other all night. Even if they had danced together, kissing was different.
"So what is it tonight, Britt? Handcuffs? Whipped cream? Nurse and patient?" Santana asked, eyebrow raised.
Brittany smiled softly at Santana. Santana was always up for anything she suggested. "No" Brittany murmured, shaking her head and looking lovingly into Santana's eyes, "Just you…" she placed the softest of kisses on Santana's cheek, "…and me…" she kissed the other cheek, "…in a bed…" she kissed Santana's lips, "…just like that night in Columbus."
Santana exhaled and pressed her lips against Brittany's again. She rested her forehead against Brittany's as she squeezed her gently. "Perfect."
Brittany led Santana into her bedroom, not bothering to turn on the lights. She slipped off her shoes and Santana went to do the same, although the straps on Santana's heels took a bit more coercing. While Santana fidgeted with the tiny buckles, Brittany lit a candle on her bedside table. It shimmered softly, casting a dancing glow over the room. Santana stood up when she was finally free of her shoes. She looked at Brittany in her prom dress, sitting on the edge of her bed, bare feet, smile gentle but wide. Santana stepped toward her as if in a trance.
"Beautiful," Brittany murmured.
Santana suddenly felt shy as she stood before Brittany, becoming aware of her breathing. Brittany offered Santana her hand and Santana took it gingerly. Brittany reached for her other hand. She gazed up at Santana, the gentlest of smiles gracing her lips. Santana knelt before Brittany, their eyes almost level, their hands resting on Brittany's knees. The light dancing on Brittany's face was the most peaceful thing Santana had seen in a long time.
"Thank you for tonight," Brittany said so softly it was almost a whisper. "It was perfect."
Santana gazed into Brittany's bright eyes. Even after all these months, tonight she was still in disbelief that the beauty before her, the beauty she knew so well, was hers. She felt a flicker of fear that things would change.
"If you had told me last year we'd go to Prom together this year, I wouldn't have believed you," Santana said earnestly.
"Me neither," said Brittany, returning Santana's gaze and squeezing their hands.
Santana felt the familiar hardness of the promise ring on Brittany's finger between her own and looked down at it. It wasn't an engagement ring, but it held a firm promise and all the wishes in the world. Santana was pretty sure Brittany knew that, but she wanted to be sure. "I know where I'll be next year, though."
Brittany tilted her head. "But we haven't heard about colleges yet…"
"I know," said Santana, turning the ring around Brittany's finger. "But I'll still be with you," she said quietly, still looking at their hands. "Even if we're far apart."
Brittany's face grew sad. "Don't talk about being apart, S," she pleaded. "It makes me so sad."
Santana's heart ached when she realized her plan had backfired. She wanted to give Brittany all the reassurance in the world. She cupped Brittany's chin and gave her the most confident look she could muster. "We have no reason to be sad, Britt. Not tonight," she said. She leaned in and kissed Brittany ever so gently on her parted lips. She pulled away, feeling their soft breath on each other's faces. "Think about all the amazing things we have together."
"But everything will change soon," said Brittany, looking away.
"Maybe," Santana admitted, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. "But we won't."
"What if we do?" Brittany asked worriedly.
Santana saw fragility in Brittany's eyes; not fragility in Brittany herself, but in her faith that they would be okay.
"All relationships change," Santana soothed. "But I can't imagine growing apart."
Brittany ran her hand up Santana's back to her shoulder, coming to rest in the dark curls cascading over Santana's collarbone. "I could never grow apart from you," Brittany murmured.
Santana felt her heart swell; she felt exactly the same way. Tomorrow would come with all its uncertainties, but tonight, and tomorrow, and every day after that, they would have each other.
Brittany gently grasped Santana's neck and pulled her forward, leaning down so their torsos pressed together. Their lips met slowly, smoldering, wet and soft. Everything about their embrace was gentle; their clasped hands on Brittany's knee, Brittany's hand on Santana's neck, Santana's hand on Brittany's shoulder. Their lips slid together, as if in time with an impossibly slow waltz. Just like on the dance floor, outside their lips and arms and hearts, nothing else mattered.
Santana rose from her knees, bending over as she pressed Brittany backwards toward the sheets. Brittany reached behind Santana, taking the zipper of the dress between her fingers. After sliding it down, Brittany slipped her hand into the opening of the dress, feeling Santana's warm skin under the fabric. Santana reached under Brittany's arm to the side zipper of her dress, pulling it down and untying the bow at the waist. She placed her hands gently on Brittany's hips, their lips still dancing as Brittany stood up from the bed, rising up to Santana's height. Brittany's hands moved up to alight on Santana's shoulders, fingering the thin straps resting there. Santana lifted one hand to guide Brittany's, encouraging her as she pulled the strap down her shoulder. A moment later, Brittany's other hand pulled the other strap down. Santana pulled her arms out of the straps as the silken fabric of the dress slipped silently down, resting around her hips. She was wear a black strapless bra with a single rhinestone sewn between the cups. Brittany ran her hands around the bare skin of Santana's waist, making Santana tingle up to her shoulders. Brittany ran her hands up gently over the bra, bringing her mouth down to kiss Santana's neck.
"You're so beautiful," Brittany murmured against her pulse point. "I felt like I was dancing with an angel tonight."
Santana leaned into Brittany's neck, brushing her lips against it and breathing in the smell of her skin. "Tonight didn't feel real," said Santana breathlessly. "I'm just… so lucky," she exhaled.
Santana slipped one hand through the open zipper at Brittany's side, holding the small of her back under the dress. Brittany took a small step back and pulled on the skirt of her own dress, causing it to flutter to the floor, tulle petticoat spread around her feet, bodice standing upright around her ankles. Santana pressed into Brittany's bare breasts, wrapping her arms around Brittany's neck, kissing her deeply as Brittany stepped out of her dress and brushed it aside with her bare foot. If Santana had felt warm before, she felt even warmer now that their skin was touching. Every time she held Brittany it felt better than the last. Every time she felt closer, like part of her was bigger and able to hold more of Brittany to her than ever before.
Brittany tucked her fingers into the material resting on Santana's hips, and with very little coercion, Santana's dress slipped down and pooled around her ankles. Santana took a step forward, pressing the back of Brittany's knees against the bed, forcing her to lean back. They broke their kiss as Brittany sat and scooted herself back onto the bed, looking up at Santana. Santana followed her, crawling over Brittany until Brittany's head came to rest on the pillow, where Santana reunited their lips. Santana's curls spilled around their faces and tickled Brittany's cheeks as Brittany unclasped Santana's bra, dropping it onto the floor. Santana had come to absolutely revel in being naked with Brittany; it wasn't something to be feared or think to much about; it was simply meant to be felt, to bask in the warmth of touching and being touched. And Brittany touched her heart most of all.
Brittany's hands fluttered up and down Santana's sides as Santana lowered her hips onto Brittany's. They both exhaled as they felt the warmth of their stomachs and breasts pressed together. Brittany cupped Santana's cheek and broke from their kiss, gazing up at Santana.
"What?" asked Santana in a whisper, responding to the longing look on Brittany's face.
"Let's get under the covers," Brittany whispered tenderly.
Santana nodded, lifting herself off Brittany. Brittany maneuvered herself so she could lift the blankets, then slid down to where she had previously been lying, holding the covers open for Santana to climb in beside her.
Santana slipped in next to Brittany so they were lying side by side, their arms wrapping around each other, legs tangling. Their lips met as though returning to a beloved sanctuary. Brittany pushed down the lace at Santana's hip, and Santana slid her panties down to the base of the bed with her feet, lost under the covers until the morning. Santana hooked her finger into Brittany's panties, and soon they joined Santana's at the girls' feet. Brittany brought her hand to rest on Santana's bare hip, gripping it as she inhaled through her nose. Brittany broke away from their kiss, resting her head on the pillow. She looked at Santana in awe.
"I love you so much it scares me," Brittany whispered almost inaudibly. Brittany looked into Santana's eyes, letting Santana see the fear she spoke of. This was a side of Brittany no one else knew, only Santana. Although Brittany was so open and loving with everyone she met, there were still secret parts of her. Santana had been overjoyed to discover that Brittany had fears too. It made her heart feel full that Brittany let her see when she was scared, and somewhere along the way, it made Santana less scared too.
Santana leaned toward Brittany to kiss her trembling lips. "Don't be scared, Britt," she murmured, her breathe warm against Brittany's face. "We're safe." Brittany took a deep breath as Santana brushed Brittany's bangs out of her eyes. "We're safe together," Santana whispered.
When Brittany saw that Santana gazed back at her with serenity and unconditional love, Brittany nodded, letting herself fall deeper. She brought her hand up to Santana's cheek and reunited their kiss, a hint of desperation laced between their lips. Brittany pressed her hips into Santana and Santana rocked back, wanting to feel as close to her as she possibly could. They began to rock slowly against each other, sliding hands and kisses along each other's skin cursively. The extra warmth of the covers made them feel impossibly intertwined; the thin layer of sweat on their skin and the moisture from their centers was trapped under the sheets, making it seem as though they were melting together.
Santana knew Brittany felt vulnerable tonight, so she waited for Brittany to initiate everything about their lovemaking. When at last Santana felt Brittany's fingers slide into the wetness between her legs, she gasped, marveling at Brittany's power to take her breath away with a single touch, even after all these months. As Brittany's fingers slid up and down, applying more pressure, Santana's breathing quickly became erratic.
"Feels so good, Britt…" Santana whispered between breaths, her eyes shut in rapture. Brittany kissed her neck, slowing her hand for a moment before continuing to rub lazy circles through Santana's folds.
"I love touching you," Brittany whispered against Santana's neck, causing the skin to prickle at the warm breath. "And I love when you touch me."
Santana understood that this was permission as well as a request, and slid her hand up Brittany's thigh, slowing before she dipped into Brittany's sex. Brittany exhaled at the sensation, head tipping back slightly as she continued to rub Santana.
Their breath was ragged against each others' faces as their hands became more urgent, wrists gently bumping against each other as they wound their way towards release. Santana gasped when she felt Brittany's finger slide inside her, making her skin sing electric from head to toe. She slid a finger into Brittany, hearing an appreciative wince as she did. As their fingers slid in and out of each other, their whimpers and moans conversed in the still air of the quiet bedroom, dancing with the candlelight. As Brittany slipped a second finger inside her, Santana's eyes flew open, meeting a pleading expression on Brittany's face. Santana slid a second finger inside Brittany, causing her eyes to widen and a high-pitched grunt to tremble from her lips. Santana kissed Brittany urgently before pulling her head back to watch the mounting desperation in Brittany's eyes. Santana was sure hers reflected the same. She brushed her thumb against Brittany's clit and let out a moan as Brittany mirrored her. Santana curled her fingers and pressed them up, seconds later feeling Brittany's inner walls crush them together as her body stiffened. As she came, Brittany curled her fingers up into Santana, pushing Santana's body to convulse against her rigid one. Santana grit her teeth as she curled into Brittany, pressing their foreheads together as she was wracked by her release. She pumped her fingers a few times, feeling Brittany clench down harder, causing her own muscles to grip harder still. They felt suspended in time, at a loss for how long they hung in midair together.
When they were able to breathe again, their gasps fell on each other's faces and collarbones, mixing with the sweat already prickling there. Still rising and falling rapidly, their shoulders relaxed. They pulled their fingers from each other's centers at the same time, sliding their hands around each others' waist, pulling their torsos together as they came down. Finally their breathing slowed, and they smiled as they closed their eyes. They lay there for a few minutes breathing together, holding each other, feeling their heartbeats calm.
As if on cue, they opened their eyes at the same time, smiling peacefully at each other, satisfied and triumphant they had climaxed at the same time. It wasn't something that happened often, but when it did, the connection they felt to each other was powerful and limitless.
"That felt just like the first time," Brittany murmured sleepily, her eyes shining.
Santana smiled drowsily back. "With you, in some way it's always like the first time." She pulled the covers up as she snuggled into Brittany's neck as Brittany sighed in content, kissing Santana's head and smelling the gardenia that still rested there. As the candlelight danced over them, they closed their eyes and drifted into a blissful sleep.