X
It all started in the Glee Girls group chat, which was actually an offshoot of the OG Glee Clubbers group chat.
It had been nearly ten years since they said goodbye to McKinley and Lima and it was near that ten year mark that someone had the bright idea to start a chat. They were all older now and at that weird age where people usually got nostalgic about their younger days.
Santana would always have a soft spot for the club and initially when the original group chat was first made it was nice to have that little means of connection to the friends from her past. But by the second week of the OG group chat's existence Santana was ready to block them all.
Or well some of them anyway. At least the people in the group who abused it and spammed it all to hell. She didn't need annoying notifications going off in the middle of the night and interrupting her beauty sleep. And more than that she sure as hell didn't need notifications popping off while she and Brittany were getting busy in bed. She really didn't need to see the memes Artie posted every ten minutes and she certainly didn't need links to Sam's White Chocolate dance routines he posted to TikTok that he was always trying to get her to duet with. Although she didn't mind the filthy jokes Puck dropped in there every other day. Those were sorta hilarious but like. She didn't need all that noise.
Nah to that Santana said early on which was why she muted notifications for that chat and decided to start her own. It was going to be a much cooler chat.
A Glee Girls chat.
Brittany was obviously in because in her eyes Brittany was the smartest, most interesting, sexiest human being to walk the earth.
Quinn was also in because sure she and Q had some dust ups through the years but at the end of the day they would always have each other's backs. And fronts, technically, since they had that fling together. Quinn was pretty chill after an orgasm or five and although that part of them was of course in the past there really was no other bitch Santana would rather bitch with than that bitch.
Mercedes was in too. Mercedes knew how to be real and never failed to give it back to Santana when she was dishing it out, and it never came from a bitter or petty place from Mercedes either. It came from an honest one which Santana always appreciated.
And Santana supposed Tina was…alright. It wasn't that Santana hated Tina or anything, it was just that Tina was just...she was Tina. But Santana knew that Tina was tight with both Mercedes and Brittany and figured throwing her in the mix would keep things lively in the chat.
Sugar Motta, well to be honest Sugar Motta was mostly an afterthought. Santana never knew her all that well but she got along with most of the others and it didn't exactly hurt that back in high school she had a bit of hero worship for both Santana and Brittany. So she was in.
It wasn't until she had assembled all of them together in the chat that anyone thought to question Rachel's absence from it. She was an OG Glee girl after all and this was an OG Glee girl group chat. It was a little odd that she wasn't invited to join.
Santana: I mean if y'all really wants Berry here I can add her but when she starts posting daily Barbra Streisand quotes to the chat just remember you're the one who asked for it
Tina: I'm not trying to be mean but I'm sorta okay with not having Rachel here
Brittany: what Tina said
Mercedes: I love Rachel but she can also be A Lot so I'm good with whatever you guys decide
Quinn: do you guys hear yourselves? We all know Rachel is a lot, we've always known Rachel was a lot but haven't we moved past all of that high school stuff? Aren't we beyond that now?
Santana: idk ask Rachel that, you know she gets uncomfortable when things are not about her.
Mercedes: like when she handed out autographs at my wedding ceremony
Tina: or when I won a Tony and she went out of her way to remind me that she won one first
Santana: we are merely supporting characters to her in the Rachel Berry Cinematic Universe
Quinn: I'm not saying she can't be aggravating, she is. But we shouldn't go out of our way to exclude her either. It would be mean.
Santana: iT wOuLd bE mEaN. omg Quinn fine, if you got a Berry sized bug up your ass about it I'll add Rachel.
Sugar: ''Berry sized bug'' lol
Santana: Hold up. Let me delete this chat and start a new one so she can't see the conversation we were having about her...
With a long sigh Santana went about starting a brand new chat and adding them once again, this time however she went ahead and added Rachel.
And of course she had to go and be irritating about it.
Santana: welcome to the Glee Girls group chat ladies
Rachel: what a wonderful idea, Santana! This is actually quite perfect because I was just thinking that perhaps there was something wrong with Facebook and I should look into another means of communicating with you all. Every time I send you e-invites to my dinner parties they go unopened. It's happened so many times I'm this close to sending off a fiery letter to Mark Zuckerberg because clearly my invites are not reaching your inbox.
Brittany: stfu
Quinn: Brittany!
Brittany: what?
Santana: Berry, I'm gonna say this once and only once: restrain yourself. I made this group chat because the OG Glee Clubbers group chat was getting too chaotic and too annoying for my taste. This group chat is for ALL of us not just you. Also lez be real, the glee girls the glee boys and we all knowz it
Rachel: with this I can agree
Mercedes: yeah this is true with the exception of Kurt
Tina: should we add Kurt? He's not a girl but he's also not a boring dudebro either.
Santana: nah I say we keep this chat strictly titly
Sugar: lol ''titly''
Brittany: besides Santana and I are already in another group chat that has Kurt in it.
Mercedes: what the hell? You got side group chats we don't know about?
Santana: obv. This is the Glee Girls group chat. Kurt, Brittany and myself have a different chat called the OGCGs. Original Glee Club Gays.
Sugar: can I be added to that one?
Santana: you're not gay or bi or any other flavor of the rainbow, Motta
Quinn: wait I just realized you added me to the OGCG chat, why?
Santana: …..
Brittany: …
Tina: …..
Mercedes: …..
Sugar: ...should we tell her?
X
And so the Glee Girls group chat was created and flourished.
They still interacted with the OG Glee Clubbers chat but only on occasion and in a really low effort way. The Glee Girls chat was where it was popping though.
It was the place they all went to when one of them heard a really fun piece of juicy gossip. The place where the single girls dished about their latest date or their cute new designer outfit. The place where Mercedes shared the top secret artwork for her upcoming album before anyone else got to see it, and the place where they all shared a good hearty laugh when Tina told them she got her very first Brazilian wax and couldn't walk without crying.
The group chat was a place where they could check in and out of each other's lives. It was a constant forr the big things as well as the mundane, everyday things. Santana was sort of proud of how active it was. It wasn't always easy to pick up a call or a face chat with everyone being in different places and time zones but when you said something in the group chat you knew you'd always get an honest response, even if it took a little while for the other girls to see it and reply.
Unfortunately though the group chat also meant that Rachel now had access to them in a way she hadn't before. Before they could always claim to have not received her emails or e-invites or some such and because of that it was always easy for them to bypass all of her stuffy parties and dinners or whatever hellish get together she wanted them to attend. But now, now Rachel could force the topic down their throats each and everyday, spamming them with reminders and basically forcing their hand.
It kind of got out of hand, even for Berry. The questioning and the pestering that is. For the better part of a month Rachel had been pressing the idea of a girl's night out, specifically she wanted them to celebrate something called Galentine's Day.
Galentine's Day, they were told, was the day before Valentine's Day, and its whole purpose was to celebrate one's female friendships. It was a day to get together with your closest lady friends and indulge in food and drink and relaxation. It was about valuing your platonic pals like you would your significant other.
Naturally Santana thought it sounded like some white lady bullshit but Rachel was insistent to the point of desperation. Something had definitely gotten into her granny panties about it. The girls had held off for as long as possible but they couldn't leave Rachel's Galentine's Day messages on read like that forever and so Santana assembled an emergency video chat with the others to come up with a game plan on how to get out of it.
''So how are we going to play this Galentine's Day bullshit Rachel is on?'' Santana asked the group in greeting.
"I'll go if Santana and Brittany are going," Mercedes announced on her end.
"Why them?" asked Tina.
"They're the best ones," Mercedes said like it was the most obvious thing ever. "Besides from what I understand Galentine's Day is about treating yourself and I could use a night out."
Sugar grumbled from her end. "It does sound fun but hanging with Rachel aggravates my irritable bowel syndrome."
"It does not," Quinn chided.
"IBS is a real condition, Quinn, and I'd thank you to not minimize my lifelong experience with it," Sugar scoffed.
"Normally I'd try to avoid social interactions with Rachel," Brittany spoke up for the first time. "Because an evening with her isn't exactly my idea of a good time but I'd be willing to take one for the team if it meant we all got to hang out. And if I say yes we all know I can get Santana to say yes.''
Her comment was met with a raucous round of laughter as if they all knew it to be true and pitiful. Santana was a total softie when it came to Brittany but she hated when other people teased her for it.
''That is true,'' Quinn said.
''So does this mean what I think it means?'' Tina asked.
''I think so,'' Mercedes said. "The glee girls are gonna celebrate Galentine's Day."
''Yaaaays,'' Sugar began to applaud for some reason as she started singing. "Oh yes it's ladies night and the feelings right oh yeah it's ladies night-"
"Oh what a night!" Tina came in at the end.
''Hol' up,'' Santana interjected, shushing them. "Y'all are acting like I said I was in. For the record I do have a mind of my own. Just so's you all know, I don't just do everything Brittany wants to do. And guess what? You guys can sing as many Kool and the Gang covers as you want but I've made up my mind, I don't want to hang with Rachel or any of you assholes for some dumb bullshit made up holiday!''
X
Two Weeks Later, Galentine's Day
''Are you ready for our Galentine's Day?" Brittany asked.
"I guess," Santana answered with a sad resigned tone.
Because yeah that whole 'I do what I want!' spiel she gave the girls? She backtracked on that as soon as Brittany batted her baby blues and began peppering kisses up and down Santana's neck. It took a little pouting and pleading but Santana finally relented when Brittany promised to let Santana do something in bed that she didn't let her do very often: be the big spoon.
Brittany had always preferred to have Santana be her little spoon because she thought they just fit so perfectly that way, with Santana being shorter and all but on the rare occasion when it was the other way around she also really didn't mind it either. Whenever Santana held her from behind it felt like she had a baby koala hanging off of her back which Brittany thought felt nice. So she made a deal to let Santana get her cuddle on from behind for the rest of that week and in return Brittany got to have her way come February.
Make no mistake Santana was still gonna bitch about it the entire evening but her word was her word, especially when she promised something to Brittany. The glee girls were doing up Galentine's Day.
"Don't act like you're not looking forward to seeing everyone," Brittany teased as she sat down on the bed and watched Santana put her earrings on at their dresser.
"I'm looking forward to drinking is what I'm looking forward to."
"Oh whatever, you know you can't wait to see the girls. Don't be a grump tonight."
"Don't worry, I won't be." Santana finished with her earrings and turned around. "Once I get a nice buzz going I'll be my perfectly charming, chill self."
Brittany raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Mmhm."
"The last time you got drunk you tried to start a fight with yourself in the mirror."
"She was asking for it!"
"I had to take you to the ER because you sprained your wrist trying to slap your own reflection."
"But like, I won."
Brittany smiled. "Let's just take it easy tonight shall we? Rachel is going to be there tonight and I know how she can set you off sometimes."
"She does not set me off."
Brittany wasn't buying that. "She totally sets you off. Not that I don't enjoy watching you savage people but I don't want tonight to get out of hand. Galentine's is supposed to be about celebrating your lady friends."
"And we will."
"Besides," Brittany gave Santana a sly, sexy look. "You need to save all of that smoldery passion for our own Valentine's celebration."
That piqued Santana's attention. She couldn't care less about this Galentine's Day business but Santana very much enjoyed Valentine's Day each year. In fact it was sort of her favorite holiday.
Since tying the knot several years back they had started a sort of tradition on Valentine's Day in that each year they alternated who got to plan their celebration. One year Santana jetted them off to spend a week of sun and sand at some secluded resort in the Bahamas. Another year Brittany planned for them to spend several days in wine country and even topped off the trip with a ride on a hot air balloon. It was pretty romantic up until Santana got sick from the height and started spewing from the side of the balloon. Brittany did her wifely duty and held her wife's hair back the entire time. Aside from that very minor vomiting it was one of their best vacations. Their little tradition kept things nice and interesting. Valentine's Day wasn't just about roses or chocolates, it was about keeping each other on their toes with the element of surprise and adventure.
They weren't like other couples, they were a cool couple, they liked to say.
This year was Brittany's turn and she had been especially secretive about where she was taking them. Her only instructions to Santana was to clear two weeks off from her schedule and make sure her passport was valid because she was going to whisk Santana for a getaway out of the country.
''Are you sure I can't have any hints?'' Santana asked.
"Nope. You'll just have to wait and see." Brittany admired the short black little number Santana had on and spent an extra few moments staring at her tan, smooth silky looking legs which seemed to go on forever with the heels Santana chose for their night out. "You look really hot in this dress."
"You know if you want…" Santana paused to glance at a nearby clock. "We can get it in right here, right now. We got some time."
Santana leaned down towards the bed. She placed her hands flat against the mattress and slowly inched herself forward, forcing Brittany to lay back beneath her. They both wore delighted smiles as they stared into each other's eyes. Through the years they'd certainly had some hot and heavy moments that ended with them tearing each other's clothes off but there was always something to be said about building anticipation.
Santana watched Brittany bite her bottom lip.
"We leave in fifteen minutes," Brittany said. "I don't know if that's enough time."
Santana grinned. "That sounds like a challenge."
"Well I guess there's only one way for you to prove your game then."
"I'm wounded. After all the time we've been together you should have more confidence in me. You know I can get things done."
Brittany gave her a raised eyebrow as if to say "oh yeah?" and that's when Santana's hands found Brittany's hips and squeezed.
Santana went in to place a teasing peck against her lips. One peck turned into two, and two into three, and then the pecks turned into something way beyond pecks as Santana got Brittany to open her mouth for her and she was sinking into that delicious embrace. If Brittany wanted a little something before they went out, Santana was fully prepared to deliver that something-something to her wife.
Her hand was on its way up Brittany's inner thigh when they heard it. Her phone was buzzing on the bed side table.
We represent the Lollipop Guild
The Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild.
And in the name of the Lollipop Guild
We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land
"Crap," Santana grumbled as she pulled her lips away from Brittany who was panting beneath her. She knew what that specific ringtone meant. She only had one munchkin in her life. "It's Rachel." She reached for her cell and aside from the call she noted she had missed several texts from the woman as well.
Brittany groaned in a sort of defeat. "Well that's a mood killer."
Santana moved off of Brittany and plopped herself down to lay at her side. She swiped up and sighed an aggravated "what" into her phone.
"What are you wearing," Rachel said in greeting.
"Pervert."
"Santana, don't be crude," Rachel sighed over the line. "I'm calling everyone to make sure we're all dressed appropriately for our Galentine's celebration."
"First of all," Santana started, "when have you known me to dress appropriately and second of all, like hell would I allow you to tell me what I can and cannot wear tonight."
"Just make sure you and Brittany dress accordingly. Think: sophisticated," Rachel urged. "Like Sex in the City season three."
Santana was bored with this conversation already. "Is that all? I have to hang up now and change out of the thong and nipple pasties I was planning on wearing tonight."
"I'll see you in an hour. Remember, tell Brittany: sophisticated."
And with that Santana ended the call and tossed her phone in between her and Brittany who was now looking suddenly intrigued.
"What's this I hear about nipple pasties?" She asked, eyeing her wife up and down.
Santana chuckled. ''In your dreams, Pierce,'' and then thinking on it she added. ''Maybe for your next birthday.''
''Yessss.'' Brittany did a little dance in place on the mattress in celebration. She was getting into it and it was turning into a full blown jig before Santana gently nudged her and reminded her she still had yet to change into her outfit for the night.
"Get dressed," Santana instructed with a smile. ''And where something extra to annoy Rachel please?''
Brittany wiggled her brows in mischief and practically bounced out of bed and into their nearby walk in closet. She then proceeded to do a quick change fashion show, tossing articles of clothing on and off at a ridiculous speed, trying to find just the right outfit that would make Rachel's eye twitch in annoyance. Teal fur vest, pleather skirt, her Kesha cutoffs? None of them felt adequately eclectic enough. Not until Brittany reached into the furthest place within their closet and came back with a handful of her old dresses from junior and senior year of high school. They were all adorable in that wonderfully weird Brittany way but there was one specific dress that Santana's eyes flitted to.
It was unmistakable, that short seafoam Betsey Johnson sweater dress with colorful fish all over it. Santana inhaled as the memory of their first Valentine's Day together came rushing back at her. The Sugar Shack, how they danced in front of everyone, the Cherish serenade, how Brittany kissed her so sweetly after the fact and how Santana kissed back so proudly.
It was their first Valentine's Day together and god those memories...
''You should wear that,'' Santana said as she gazed adoringly.
''This? Are you sure?'' Brittany looked at a couple of the other outfits she had in hand. ''I was thinking about this floral one with maybe some leg warmers on my arms for old time's sake? Rachel would hate it.''
''Wear the fish dress,'' Santana requested again. ''I think it's just the right amount of absurd to bother Rachel plus...I like it.''
Brittany lifted a shoulder in consideration. She hadn't worn that dress in ages and she really didn't appear to give it much thought but she trusted Santana and anyway, they were going to be running late if they didn't leave soon.
''Fish dress it is.''
X
"I thought I said sophisticated," Rachel said in greeting to them. She spotted Brittany's loud attire as they met on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant.
"This is sophisticated Rachel," Brittany said. "It was between this and the t-shirt with eggs on my boobs so."
Rachel rolled her eyes but let it pass. Santana opened the door for them. Well she opened it for Brittany and herself but let it close on Rachel who huffed and let herself in after them.
The night began at a trendy new restaurant. Rachel had been insistent on making them a reservation there and even had her assistant talk the manager into closing off a section just for them so they could have a more private dining experience. They all possessed various levels of celebrity after all.
"I didn't want our girl's night out to be ruined by nosy onlookers or god forbid, ill-mannered paparazzi," Rachel explained to Santana and Brittany after they spoke to the hostess and were guided to their tucked away section of the eatery.
Brittany sat down with a laugh. "Oh my god, we saw you in the National Inquirer last week, you were walking out of your gym and picking your nose."
"I was scratching my nose," Rachel said in a huff.
"That's not what the headline said," Santana teased.
"Yes well," Rachel began, obviously peeved. "I told my legal team to make it known to that publication that I'm not above filing a lawsuit over that clearly slanderous piece."
Santana shook her head. "You can't let stupid things like that get to you Rachel."
"That's easy for you to say," Rachel took a seat across from them at the large table. "Every time you and Brittany are in the tabloids it's complimentary. It's always 'how to get Brittany Pierce's perfect beach body' or 'ten things you need to achieve Santana Lopez's sultry style' or 'inside Santana and Brittany's romantic anniversary getaway'."
Santana smirked. "You're so pressed when things are not about you, aren't you?"
"That's not it," Rachel said. "I was the one who planned this Galentine's Day get together wasn't I? The entire basis of this holiday is to look beyond yourself and heap love and appreciation on your best gal pals."
"Barf," Santana said, and was then elbowed by Brittany. "Anyway. Heads up, after dinner Brittany and I are gonna dip."
"What? No," Rachel said. "You can't, I had the whole evening planned. After dinner we were going to have drinks at a rooftop bar and then time permitting I was hoping we could even sneak into a gay club, you know how the gays seem to worship me."
"Uhhh no we do not," Santana laughed.
"Ladies," a breathy voice greeted them.
The three of them turned to see Quinn walk up to their table. She was wearing an evening dress and dramatic eye makeup. Rachel straightened in her seat before hopping up and pulling her into a hug which seemed to take Quinn by surprise.
"Fabray," Santana greeted.
"Hey Q," Brittany said.
"Sit next to me," Rachel insisted and even pulled out a chair for Quinn.
"Thank you Rachel."
Santana sent Brittany a look which Brittany sent right back at her but they didn't make remark. Rachel always did have some weird intense feelings for Quinn. Apparently they still existed after all these years. Instead they turned their attention to their menus.
"The fuck is this?" Santana hollered. "You brought us to a vegan restaurant?"
"This is a five star restaurant I'll have you know," Rachel tutted.
"I've never wanted to murder you more," Santana threatened.
Brittany pointed at something on the menu. "What's 'Stinky Tofu'?"
"Slang for Rachel's snatch," Santana cracked.
"Must you," Rachel hissed under her breath and darted her eyes around the room to make sure no nearby server overheard.
"Santana come on," Quinn said, although it was clear she was fighting a smile.
"Whatever," Santana pushed her menu to the side. "I'm not down with any of these options. I'll fill up on bread."
"This vegan pasta doesn't sound too bad," Brittany said as she found something that interested her.
Quinn pursed her lips. "I'd be willing to taste this 'Stinky Tofu' on the menu."
"I bet you would," Santana whispered to Brittany who giggled like a twelve year old.
"What was that?" Rachel asked.
"Nothing," Santana coughed. "I said I hope the other girls get here soon."
Thankfully Santana didn't have to wait too long as the others strolled in a short while later and again there was another round of hugs and greetings before everyone got settled in their seats. Rachel however couldn't contain her excitement as the others looked their menus over.
"Can I just say ladies how wonderful it is for all of us to be together in the same city?" Rachel placed a hand over her heart, touched. "I've always wanted to do a Galentine's Day and truly there's no one else I'd rather celebrate it with than you all, the best girlfriends anyone could ask for."
Sugar held up her hand. "You're paying for all this right?"
"Of course, my treat," Rachel answered.
"In that case you're my best gal pal too, Rachel," Sugar beamed and then flagged down a waiter. "Bring me your most ballest bottle of champagne good sir, thank you."
Quinn rolled her eyes at their younger friend then turned to address Rachel. "It was very thoughtful of you to invite us out."
Rachel lifted a shoulder. "I've come to realize that true friendships in this industry are hard to come by. Every time I think I've made one it just turns out to be someone chasing clout or stardom or a Scientologist trying to recruit me to sign up for their celebrity center." She heaved out a sullen sigh. "I can't believe I spent 5k on books about Dianetics before I figured that one out."
Everyone gave Rachel a pitying look but sidestepped the whole Rachel almost falling for a cult matter when a server came up with a chilled bottle for them. He went around and provided each of them with a glass. He left them to it and returned a few moments later to take everyone's order. Vegan cuisine was not everyone's cup of tea but they all managed to find something on the menu they'd be willing to try. Everyone of course but Santana who simply instructed the man to give her a basket of bread.
It was only once they were alone again did Mercedes speak. "This is a pretty cool idea. A day to give love to all the lady friends in your life. It's nice to feel appreciated."
"Right," Rachel beamed. "I saw it in a movie. I have this whole evening planned. We're going to enjoy an exquisite dinner and dessert here courtesy of one of New York's finest chefs. Then we're off to a rooftop bar for after dinner cocktails and conversation. And finally I thought we'd cap off the our Galentine's Day with a visit to a local gay club."
Everyone looked to each other and smiled, for a Rachel Berry evening that actually didn't sound so obnoxious or painfully dull. It actually sounded pretty fun.
"Well I was going to wait until after we had our dinner but the excitement is killing me," Rachel said, practically vibrating in her seat. "Everyone look under your seat."
And so everyone did, although it was a complete mystery as to how Rachel managed to get anything under their chairs without them noticing when they sat down. What they all found was a pink box with a small decorative bow. Attached was a small card with their names written out in an elegant script.
"What is this?" Quinn asked, a little confused.
"A gift to the gals in my life who have always supported me through thick and thin," Rachel answered. "Open them."
No one needed to be told twice and they all tore into their box. What they found was several items, all curated by one Rachel Berry. There were fancy tea light candles, personalized sleep masks, expensive imported chocolates and what appeared to be a very sleek looking fragrance bottle, in the shape of a raspberry.
Tina pulled off the cap and sniffed at it briefly before testing it out and spraying the air in front of her face. "Oh my god, gag," she coughed as it hit her nostrils. "What is this scent?"
"You don't like it?" Rachel asked with a grimace. "It's my new fragrance, a Taste of Berries. It won't be launched until later this year but I wanted you all to be the first to try it."
Sugar sprayed the fragrance into her mouth as if it were breath spray. "This doesn't taste like berries at all, I just taste alcohol." Despite this she continued to spray it into her mouth until Mercedes reached over and took her bottle away from her.
"Rachel," Tina said, clearly not wanting to come off rude. "You really didn't have to do this."
"Please, it was my pleasure," Rachel hushed her. "But you're all missing the best gift. Look inside the little black boxes."
They all did as told and sifted through the items until they each pulled out a small box. Popping it open revealed what looked to be a small but delicate looking rose gold necklace. It was actually quite understated and beautiful, each one had a small heart pendant.
"This is gorgeous," Mercedes had to admit as she admired hers.
"It really is," Tina agreed.
Brittany took hers out of the box and inspected it closely. "Is this a locket?"
"Indeed it is," Rachel said, beaming.
Santana cracked up laughing as she pried hers open and saw Rachel's smiling face inside the heart. "Did you really put your picture inside each of our necklaces?"
"It's so I'm always close to your heart, Santana," Rachel informed her in a tight clipped tone.
"It's really beautiful, Rachel, thank you. It's all very lovely," Quinn said.
Santana was holding the necklace up to the light and squinting. She turned to Mercedes. "I think I could get one bill, maybe two on this at a pawn shop."
Mercedes gave her a playful swat before turning to address Rachel herself. "What Santana means to say is thank you."
"It's nothing of course," she insisted.
Everyone followed suit after, giving Rachel their thanks and sending her sweet smiles of appreciation in her direction. This seemed to appease Rachel greatly, she held her head up high, beaming with pride. She was clearly relishing the moment but soon the conversation moved on. There was talk of family, life and careers. For instance Sugar informed them of her latest project, apparently according to her influencers boxing each other was now a Thing.
"Next Saturday I'm supposed to kick the crap out of Trisha Paytas in a pay-per-view event. Pretty sure I can take her," Sugar said confidently.
Tina stared in what looked like half horror and half amazement. "I would totally pay to watch that."
Sugar nodded eagerly. "I can get all you comped tickets if you want."
Santana laughed into her drink. "As much as I'd love to see you and Trisha Paytas punch each other out, Brittany and I can't."
Brittany smiled at the group. "We're celebrating Valentine's Day by going on a two week vacation."
"We're flying out tomorrow," Santana elaborated. "Although Brittany has yet to tell me where she's whisking us off to."
Mercedes gave the married pair a soft look. "Two weeks, mystery destination? Romantic."
"Well, we like to do it up when we can. Valentine's Day is our favorite holiday," Brittany said as she reached over to clasp Santana's hand on the table. Santana happily clasped back and even raised it up to tenderly kiss the back of Brittany's hand.
It was a sweet moment, or it would have been if Quinn hadn't practically snorted into her champagne flute thus turning everyone's attention to her as she almost choked on the liquid.
Now there was a reason why Quinn would choke on her drink at that simple statement. It wasn't so odd that Valentine's Day would be a married couple's favorite holiday, except for the fact that once upon a time on a Valentine's Day not too long ago she may have had her legs over Santana's shoulders.
''Sorry,'' Quinn sputtered and reached for a cloth napkin which she used to wipe at the champagne that had escaped her mouth. ''I'm sorry.''
Santana sort of grimaced and Brittany, well, Brittany wasn't too bothered. She of course knew about Santana's two time thing with Quinn. There was no real bad blood or tension there. She and Santana were never about that, they had never judged the other for things they had done when they weren't together. Brittany knew without a doubt that Quinn was but a mere blip in Santana's sexual history.
Everyone else however? Not so much.
''What am I missing?'' Tina asked as Santana and Brittany traded glances and as Quinn continued to gather her composure.
Mercedes looked intrigued as well but just as confused. ''Yeeeaah, why do I feel like there's some kind of inside joke that just went over my head.''
Strangely it was Sugar who was able to piece it all together just by looking at the three parties. A fumbly Quinn, a shrinking Santana and a silent Brittany. ''Oh my god, Quinn banged Santana!'' Sugar said, louder than was necessary.
At this announcement Tina and Mercedes raised their eyebrows in unison while Quinn and Santana seemed to deflate in their seats and looked slightly embarrassed. Brittany meanwhile looked more bored than anything. Rachel however seemed shocked and unsettled by this sudden revelation. Perhaps even ...hurt?
"Quinn, is this true?" Rachel turned to the blonde.
"There's no way, I mean...right," Tina began, wanting some kind of clarification.
Quinn looked to Brittany and Santana, wanting their approval to speak on the matter. Brittany gave her nod and the go ahead.
"Since Sugar blurted it out already, yes, it happened," Quinn said. "It was years ago though. On a Valentine's Day when they weren't together just to be clear." Quinn could be a lot of things but one thing she could never be was someone who would meddle in the relationship of her two best friends.
"It's really not a big deal," Brittany spoke up. "Santana told me about it when we got back together. We even had a good laugh about it."
''Yeah,'' Quinn added. ''Brittany and I had lunch and cleared the air and at the end of our talk we even randomly started singing a Taylor Swift duet together.''
Santana meekly raised her right hand. ''I provided background vocals.''
Even though there were more pressing questions on this hookup from history Tina couldn't help but ask, ''Which Taylor song?''
''Shake It Off,'' Brittany answered. ''You know, to bury the hatchet, not that there was a hatchet but you get what I'm saying. Quinn and I are cool and to be honest it isn't something Santana and I ever really think about when Valentine's Day rolls around each year.''
"Quinn and I were never a thing anyway," Santana said. "It was just something that happened when we were drunk and lonely. Just two friends taking comfort in each other. Twice."
Quinn tilted her head and squinted off into the distance as if trying to recall something. ''Well I mean, technically it was three times if you count the next morning.''
''Three times?'' Brittany said, the inflection of her voice changing ever so slightly at this tidbit of information.
''Fabray,'' Santana hissed in warning.
''I've always heard you call it your two time thing,'' Brittany turned to Santana and looked at her questioningly.
Santana however was suddenly interested in the vegan menu she had just minutes ago dismissed as nasty. ''You know what,'' she said and rubbed her chin as if she was greatly compelled. ''That Stinky Tofu doesn't sound too bad. I'm gonna flag down my waiter and tell him I changed my mind.''
Santana made a little show of turning in her seat and trying to wave down a waiter despite the fact that there was no waiter in sight.
''May I interject to ask a question,'' Rachel started.
''Yeah,'' Sugar said with a laugh. ''I wanna hear more about the Quinntana of it all.''
''When did this happen exactly?'' Rachel asked. She looked at both Santana and Quinn in turn.
When it was clear Santana was going to continue to be weird about it Quinn answered. ''The year after graduation. Mr. Shue's flop of a wedding when Ms. Pillbury ran out. I was single, Santana was single and it was my college years and-''
''Three times…'' Brittany whispered to herself quietly.
''It was just something that happened,'' Quinn kept talking. ''It was fun and I don't regret it but it also didn't really mean anything.''
Rachel raised her brows. She seemed weirdly and thoroughly invested in the details for some reason. ''How come you two never told anyone?''
Quinn shrugged. ''We told the only person we thought it would matter to.'' She gave a nod over to Brittany. ''Like Santana said we were never a thing, it was purely physical.''
''Wow,'' Tina said as she took a sip of her drink. ''I'm shocked but at the same time, not.''
Mercedes nodded with a sly smirk. ''You always did seem a little…'' she wiggled the tips of her fingertips at Quinn.
''Fruity?''
''Sugar, you can't say that!'' Tina chastised.
''Really?'' That took Quinn by surprise. Not Sugar's use of the word fruity but rather that anyone would detect fruitiness in regards to her. She had always thought she hid that part of her fairly well.
''Oh yeah,'' laughed Sugar. ''Totes mahgoats. I always got that vibe from you.''
''Of course Santana was not the person I thought you'd explore that with,'' Mercedes added.
''Well who else would I hook up with?'' Quinn chuckled. ''Santana was convenient.''
''Gee, thanks, Q,'' Santana sassed.
''You know what I mean,'' Quinn said with a wave of her hand. ''I was convenient for you too. Don't act like it was anything more than that.''
Santana shrugged because yeah. ''True.''
Tina tapped her bottom lip once. ''Can I admit something here? In the spirit of Galentine's Day and since we're doing this whole overshare thing, if I had to hookup with someone at this table...I think I'd chose Brittany.''
This made Brittany smile with pride. It also made Santana send Tina the tiniest of scowls.
''In a hypothetical hookup I mean,'' Tina said, holding up her hand in Santana's direction. ''If I was single and if she was single and I wanted to explore, I'd totally pick Britt. I feel like she'd make me feel relaxed and, I don't know, help guide me?''
''Thank you, Tina.'' Brittany held her head up high. ''And for the record just so you know I'd be gentle with you.''
''Yeah,'' Tina continued. ''I mean, blond hair, long legs. Plus you always seemed suuuuper flexible so-''
''Watch it, Chang,'' Santana said.
''Why?'' Brittany turned and questioned her wife with a laugh. ''Does it bother you to know that in a hypothetical hookup someone here would chose me over you?''
''Uhh no, what bothers me is someone other than me wistfully talking about your hot legs or how flexible you are,'' Santana answered, and once again shot Tina a warning glance.
''Since we're all putting it out there and confessing in the name of Galentine's Day…'' Mercedes began. ''I think I'd have to pick Tina for my hypothetical hookup.''
''Aww,'' Tina said appreciatively.
''Mostly because I don't see women that way but Tina's my homegirl so we'd have a good laugh over it,'' Mercedes added.
It was Sugar's turn to ponder this hypothetical. ''I don't think I'd hookup with anyone here at the table. Mercedes and Tina, you're like my sisters. Brittany and Santana, you're like my moms. Quinn, you're like my lesbian spinster aunt. Rachel….you're like my deceased pomeranian family dog.''
''What about you, Rachel?'' Quinn asked. ''Who would be your hypothetical hookup?''
Rachel tapped her chin thoughtfully. ''Well while I must admit I believe you all to be beautiful if I'm being honest it would be you…'' she looked briefly at Quinn before almost shuttering and turning her head to Santana. ''You, Santana.''
Santana made a face like she had just stepped in dog shit. ''Ew. Really? Why?''
Sugar snickered as she gave Rachel's answer some thought. ''You know I would've put money on Rachel and Santana happening over Quinn and Santana.''
''And why is that?'' Santana asked.
Sugar lifted a shoulder like it was the most obvious thing. ''You said you and Quinn happened because of convenience right? But like, you two barely saw each other after graduation. Meanwhile you were what, cohabitating with Rachel in New York. What's more convenient than the person sleeping ten feet away?'' She made a wave to Rachel and then to Santana, drawing some kind of imaginary line.
Sugar had said it as a joke but as she put the words out into the universe Rachel seemed to preen at the idea.
''Yeah, Santana,'' Brittany began in a teasing tone. ''If this three time thing only happened because you were lonely and needed someone convenient, why not Rachel?''
''Don't be gross,'' Santana shushed her wife with a laugh.
''What, how would sleeping with me be gross?'' Rachel asked.
''It just would be,'' Santana said.
''That's rude,'' said Rachel.
''How is that rude? You're not even gay or bi or whatever,'' reasoned Santana.
Rachel leaned in and locked eyes with Santana. ''You're telling me that in all that time we spent together all those years ago you never looked at me or thought-''
''No,'' Santana answered, not even needing to hear the rest of the question that was being asked. ''Never.''
''Wow,'' Rachel said and clutched an imaginary set of pearls.
Everyone at the table stifled laughter at the ridiculous exchange.
''Are you saying you would've wanted me to hit on you?'' Santana asked.
''I'm saying it would have been nice,'' Rachel said. ''You never had a crush on me?''
Santana shook her head vigorously at this conversation. The idea of her and Rachel gave her the heeby-jeebies. ''Okay can we not talk about this?''
Rachel looked upset by that. ''Why, we're just talking hypothetically here? Say we existed in some bizarre alternate universe, even then you wouldn't?''
''Even then I wouldn't,'' Santana confirmed plainly. ''Like obviously Brittany is my one and only,'' she looked over to her wife and then down at the wedding ring on her finger. ''But even if she and I weren't together and had - in this hypothetical alternate universe - moved on from each other, I would never have a crush on you.''
Rachel made a little offended huff at this statement, it didn't go unnoticed by Brittany or Quinn but the conversation was cut short when a few different servers came towards them with several large trays in hand. They were all served and then everyone proceeded to eat in a weird, stilted silence. Rachel had pushed the conversation into a weird place and it was hard to recover after that.
The night had started off fairly well with plenty of chatter and teasing back and forth but there was something about Rachel's huffy moment that caused everyone to suddenly go hush.
On top of that Quinn did feel a little odd about discussing her and Santana in front of everyone. She wasn't embarrassed but she also didn't want to carelessly toss that information in Brittany's face even if they had moved beyond it. It didn't seem right and she respected her and Santana's marriage too much to joke around about the past.
As for Brittany she had managed to laugh her way through the conversation just fine but there was a tiny thought that had been dancing around in the back of her brain since the matter had been brought up. She was always under the assumption that Quinn and Santana had a two time thing but now, apparently, it had been a three time thing all along. She wasn't sure why that small detail stuck in her side or why Quinn and Santana had avoided telling her so. The unholy trinity had no secrets or so she thought.
And as for Santana, she was just eager to get through the night without having to discuss her sleeping with Quinn. She wasn't interested in talking about their two time thing, let alone the not so small fact that it was in actuality a three time thing. For her own reasons she didn't want Brittany learning any more details about that last fumble in the sheets with Quinn.
There was something mondo weird in the air this Galentine's Day.
X
After dinner there was some easing of this strange new tension as they moved the evening along to the next destination. The trendy sleek rooftop bar of a nearby hotel. They sat out under the stars as they sipped on smooth, fruity concoctions.
They were all able to breathe a little bit when Rachel excused herself to take a phone call that she deemed ''a private matter'', leaving the rest of the girls to lounge back in the lush VIP section. Ever since dinner Rachel had seemed strangely dejected and everyone assumed it was over her little tiff with Santana.
''Okay what the hell is going on,'' Tina laughed.
''Hell if I know,'' said Mercedes.
''You should probably have a one on one with her, Santana,'' Quinn suggested.
''Why?''
''Just stroke her ego a little,'' Tina said.
Santana flinched. ''I'm not stroking anything of Rachel's, that's disgusting.''
''Just maybe chill with comments like that,'' Mercedes said. ''You know she's being ridiculous and I know she's being ridiculous but why twist the knife.''
''Fine.'' Santana waved off their concerns and turned to Brittany. Santana was feeling a lot more relaxed with a proper mixed drink in her hand. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to the side of her wife's forehead.
''What was that for?'' Brittany asked.
Santana tried to hide her hurt behind a smile. ''Since when do I need a reason to kiss you?''
Brittany lifted a shoulder and finished off the last sip of her beverage. ''I think I'm going to the bar for another.'' And with that she extracted herself from Santana's side and made her way towards the other side of the roof.
''Someone's in the dog house,'' Sugar teased.
''Shut up, Motta.'' Santana warned. ''I hope Trisha Paytas beats your ass.''
X
Brittany was standing at the bar waiting for the bartender to finish mixing her drink. She was staring off into the open night sky and didn't quite notice Quinn saddle up next to her. It was her friend's distinctive, husky voice that brought her out of her thoughts.
''Everything okay?'' Quinn asked as she came to stand at Brittany's side, so close their arms were touching.
''Oh yeah. Just wanted another drink.''
Quinn bit down on her lip and took a deep breath. ''It's just that you seemed a little quiet after dinner and after...you know.''
''What?'' Brittany attempted to play clueless
Quinn knew better than to take her response at face value. ''Listen, Britt,I'm sorry about earlier.''
''Earlier?''
''Santana and I should have come clean about it actually being a three time thing, not a two time thing. I naively thought that it didn't really matter as long as you knew about the first two times. Whatever all of that was though, it's ancient history. You know that right?''
''Of course, I know. You don't have to worry about me being upset, I'm not.'' Brittany seemed to exhale and relax with Quinn's words of reassurance. Of course it didn't matter. Quinn was so beyond it and she and Santana were definitely beyond it. ''You guys always referred to it as your two time thing and I totally made peace with the fact that you two got together and had some tipsy meaningless night together. A drunken hookup. I just didn't know that there was a morning after when you were probably both-''
''Sober?''
''Exactly.'' Brittany laughed at how silly it all sounded when she said it out loud. ''It's weird but, the idea of you two together sober is harder to swallow than the idea of you two together while drunk.''
Quinn looked remorseful. ''I promise you the third time was as meaningless as the first and second.''
''Then how come Santana never told me about it?'' she asked.
''That...that you'd have to ask her about.''
Quinn leaned into Brittany's side, conveying affection and a certain softness. In response Brittany leaned into her as well. There really was no anger between them. Brittany wasn't jealous, she knew Quinn wasn't a threat, and she knew Santana didn't harbor any secret feelings for their friend. She just thought it slightly strange that her devoted wife would keep this tiny detail from her after all this time. She didn't understand Santana's need to withhold it if it indeed meant so little. It was so unlike Santana.
''In the meantime though,'' Quinn said, ''if you want to make your wife squirm I think I might have an idea.''
''Yeah?'' Brittany perked up at that. "What do you have in mind?"
The bartender slid two drinks in front of them and they took them with glee, raising their glasses and clinking them together in solidarity.
X
Rachel had made her way back to their spot on the rooftop and a short while later Quinn and Brittany returned. There they all sat on two perpendicular couches with a low glass table between them. Everyone was, by now, feeling the effects of their first couple of drinks. Things were starting to feel nice and chill again.
''Did I tell you guys I found some videos of our old glee club performances in my cloud,'' Mercedes said. ''Total trip down memory lane. I'm going to put them in a folder and send y'all the link next week. Looking back we really did some fly numbers. Well, I did anyway. Can't say the same for everybody's though.''
Santana nodded and made loud slurping sounds as she tried to get at the last of her drink. ''Yeah I bet Quinn's what, two solos, suck in retrospect.''
''Actually I was talking about you, girl,'' Mercedes laughed and reached over to playfully swat Santana's shoulder.
Santana was not amused though. ''The fuck, Jones? My solos were bomb. I regularly outsang all you bitches in glee club.''
''Nah,'' laughed Mercedes. ''Santana, your solos stand the test of time. I'm talking about your raps.''
Everyone cracked up at this because while she didn't rap often back in the day, Santana's few forays into the genre while in glee club were so ridiculously awkward. The mere memory of teenage Santana going hard on her raps sent everyone into hysterics. Everyone's body was vibrating with body shaking laughter.
''Screw you guys okay,'' Santana hollered. ''I can rap!''
''Baby…'' Brittany said with comical pity. ''Don't lie.''
''What? I'm not lying! Just this morning you heard me do WAP in the shower!''
''Just this morning I saw you slip and fall on your ass doing WAP in the shower,'' Brittany corrected her wife with a chuckle.
Sugar was laugh-snorting. ''Remember that mashup we did at Regionals where Santana and Blaine rapped and he somehow sounded better than her.''
Tina then began to bob her shoulders and imitate Santana's featured rap from that number. ''Uhh yo yo,'' she started.
''They got they guns out aiming at may, but I become Neo when they aiming at may!'' Mercedes rapped, also imitating Santana, even throwing her hands around as if trying to put a little stank on her part.
Rachel and Quinn giggled into each other's sides. ''The 'may' always cracked me up,'' Rachel admitted.
''Right,'' Quinn concurred.
Santana squinted at them all. ''You know what, they didn't respect Tupac either so.''
''You did not just compare yourself to Tupac,'' said Tina. ''Now that's just disrespectful.''
"Tupac? TUPAC?" This seemed to light Mercedes up as she began to speak to the air in front of her. ''Tupac, sweetie, I am so sorry, I am soooo sorry that a dumbass bitch like this would even say that.''
Santana wasn't bothered. ''Y'all just don't understand the thug life like I do.'' She turned to Brittany for comfort and with a roll of her eyes Brittany pulled her into her side. Santana was going full baby koala mode, wrapping her arms around Brittany's neck and hanging off of her.
Quinn waved away this conversation and Santana's dumbass. ''Okay, enough about Santana's embarrassing raps. I think we're all feeling good now.'' She smiled over at Rachel who looked more at ease and a little less hurt. ''We should take a moment and make a toast.''
The girls readied their drinks in hand. Santana had finished hers so she just stole Sugar's.
''To Rachel,'' Quinn said. ''Who made this Galentine's Day get together happen. May this unconventional but thoughtful tradition continue on for many years.''
''May,'' Tina snickered to herself. God, Santana's raps were so bad.
''It's true, Rachel, this night is turning out better than I thought it would,'' Mercedes said. ''I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard.''
''Even though everyone was making fun of my awesome rap skills two seconds ago, I have to agree,'' Santana added. ''I know I give you a hard time, Rachel, but deep down it comes from a place of love.''
Everyone smiled and aww'd at Santana's uncharacteristically sweet admission.
Santana held up her drink and tipped it in Rachel's direction. ''And if it makes you feel better it's for your own good that you and I never happened.''
''Why is that exactly?'' Rachel asked.
Santana waved to her near perfect face. ''Because I would've ruined you for everyone else, duh.''
This comment resulted in another round of laughter. The girls didn't quite seem to buy that line.
''See I don't know about that,'' Tina said. ''You talk a big game about your game but then again, you talk a big game about your rap skills and we all know how bad those are. You're allllll talk.''
''Yeah you're probably all needy and whiney in bed," Sugar snickered.
Mercedes had a different take. "I bet you're selfish in bed too, right?''
Offended, Santana turned to Brittany. ''Oh my god, can you tell them please?'' She then turned to the girls with the snottiest, cockiest smile. ''I'm the best Brittany's ever had.''
''She's alright,'' Brittany said, purposely toying with her wife.
Santana turned back to her wife. ''Oh ha-ha,'' she said. She then looked back over to Rachel. ''It's the truth though, Berry, I would've ruined you for everyone else.''
''I guess we'll never know what could've been,'' Rachel said.
Quinn looked at Brittany and gave her a nod. If Santana was going to be a little snot they were definitely going to play with her and they both knew how to rile her up. If Santana was so obviously uncomfortable talking about the Quinntana of it all then they wanted to see how she would react to the mere idea of Pezberry.
''You know, since we're all being open and stepping out of the box tonight-'' Quinn began.
''You should kiss Rachel, Santana,'' Brittany said with a smirk.
''What?'' Santana almost choked on her spit.
''I mean, just a peck.'' Brittany tapped her wife on the nose as if she were a pet.
''What? Hell no!'' Santana said.
''You don't have to act so repulsed by the idea!'' Rachel nagged. ''A simple no thank you would suffice.''
''Okay then, no fucking thank you.''
''No, I'm serious,'' Brittany hollered over everyone's giggling about. ''In the name of Galentine's Day, throw the girl a bone and lay one on her. Give her a peck. Let Rachel live out this tiny fantasy in her head so she can scratch it off her bucket list.''
''You're not being funny,'' Santana said to Brittany.
''Who's being funny?'' Brittany. Brittany was clearly being funny.
''You know what, I'd pay money to see a little Pezberry liplock,'' Mercedes admitted. ''The mere idea of it is so hideously compelling I'd want to see it.''
''Even though a Rachel-Santana kiss would haunt my nightmares I would watch that too,'' said Tina.
''See!'' Brittany said, getting even more pumped.
Quinn leapt back into the conversation to back up Brittany. ''Yeah, Santana, why not? I mean…unless you actually harbor secret sexy feelings for Rachel, what's the problem? If you did you'd probably want to deny yourself the experience because you'd want it toooo much right?''
''You and you,'' Santana stuck a finger in Quinn and Brittany's faces. ''Both know damn well I could never feel that way about Rachel.''
''Exxaaactly,'' Brittany sang. ''Which means a kiss between the two of you would be a total non-event.''
''What's so wrong with the idea of kissing me?'' Rachel asked.
''Oh my god,'' Santana groaned. ''Are you all seriously egging me on to do this?''
Tina shrugged and placed the end of a tiny drink umbrella to her lips. ''You did just talk a load of crap about your sexual charisma, which FYI I still don't believe. Give Rachel a peck and let us see this Lopez magnetism you claim to have first hand.''
''I'm a married woman!'' Santana shouted.
''Yeah,'' Brittany said. ''And as your wife, I'm cool with it. I'm secure in our relationship. I trust you. Go for it.''
''See! You even have Brittany's blessing!'' Sugar hollered.
''What's the harm?'' Tina asked.
''I have some mints in my bag, let me find them,'' Rachel announced.
Rachel began searching her handbag with determination. Santana meanwhile looked Quinn and Brittany in turn and noted how they both wore mischievous little grins. They were so obviously teasing her by trying to get her and Rachel to have sweet lady kisses. Well, she wasn't about to play along.
Santana sprang from her seat. "I'm going to the bar for another drink. Honey, will you come with me?"
Brittany raised an eyebrow at how Santana emphasized that term of endearment. She was caught. "No thank you dear." Two could play at this game it seemed.
"Baby, sweetie, I'm asking you to come to the bar with me?" Santana tried again.
And again Brittany smirked in reply. "Darling, angel, sugar butt, I'd rather not."
''But Brittany - mah life, mah love, mah lady - I'm asking you, please.'' Santana pleaded with a comical kind of intensity.
Brittany decided to take pity on her wife and stood up.
''Excuse us girls,'' Brittany laughed as Santana dragged her away.
The others were left to chuckle along in their corner of the VIP.
When Rachel couldn't find her mints Sugar leaned over and offered her the fragrance bottle from earlier and held it up, offering to spray inside her mouth.
Once again Mercedes knocked it out of her hand. ''For the last time that berry crap isn't breath spray, Sugar, oh my god!''
X
Santana led Brittany away from the group but instead of making for the bar she veered them off further away towards a high guardrail at the very edge of the roof. It would've been a romantic spot with the view of the city lights and the soft breeze blowing against them but Santana was more interested in questioning Brittany to appreciate the scenery.
''What's going on with you?'' Santana asked.
''Nothing, I'm having fun,'' Brittany laughed and turned her back to the guardrail. ''Who would have thought Galentine's Day would be this entertaining.''
''Yeah talk about entertaining. Why are you gassing everyone up about me and Rachel getting our mack on?''
''Uhhh because it's funny.''
''And gross!''
''Oh come on!'' Brittany patted her side, trying to get Santana to break a smile. ''She obviously feels weirdly left out after finding out about you and Quinn and your two time thing, wait no sorry, excuse me, your three time thing-''
Santana held her palm up. "Ohhhhhh ho-ho-ho, is that what this is about?''
''What?''
''Mmmmmm,'' Santana hummed as if she was tasting something wicked and delicious. ''You're playing with me because of Quinn and me and our thing."
''What about it?'' Brittany let out a dismissive puff of air. "Why would I be bothered about something I already knew?"
"Because I never told you about the third time."
''That's right, you didn't.''
''And now what... you're basically punishing me for sleeping with Quinn by encouraging me to kiss Rachel. That's totally twisted, you know that right?'' Santana was finally showing signs of amusement.
''Okay,'' Brittany gave in. ''It's a little twisted yeah but I wanted to see you squirm.''
''Well you succeeded.''
"So are you going to spill or what?" Brittany asked.
"About Quinn and the third time?"
Brittany lifted a shoulder. Maybe she wasn't upset but she was definitely curious. "I know it didn't matter and I'm totally okay with it but what was so different or wonderful or awful about that third time that set it apart from the other two times. I thought we had told each other everything.''
''We have and we do.''
''Then how come I'm just now hearing about this mysterious third roll in the sack with Quinn?''
Santana took a deep breath. This wasn't exactly how she wanted Brittany to find out, in fact she had hoped Brittany never would, for her own reasons. Santana moved closer towards her and went to place a fingertip to the front of Brittany's dress. She softly and carefully began to trace the outline of a purple fish around Brittany's midsection.
''It didn't seem important, then or now. The truth is we didn't even finish,'' Santana confessed. ''That morning, the third time, we tried and it just didn't feel right and so we stopped and that was that.''
"That's it?"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I didn't think it mattered. It didn't to me."
''It didn't?'' Brittany softened as Santana continued to go over the outline.
''Of course it didn't.'' Santana stopped tracing the fish in order to wrap her arms around Brittany's waist. "I should've told you and I'm sorry. I should have shared that with you. I don't think about that Valentine's Day much. At all really, if I'm being honest.."
They had known each other long enough for Brittany to know when Santana was being completely honest or not. She could see the openness and the emotion in her wife's eyes.
"Okay then," Brittany said
"Okay?"
"Yeah."
"So you're really not upset or anything?"
Brittany moved her own hands to Santana's shoulders, encircling them around her neck to play with her hair, allowing her fingertips to run through dark strands. "Don't be silly."
Santana exhaled with relief and squeezed Brittany's waist again affectionately. "Not that you need to be told this but for the record Quinn's got nothing on you."
"Duh," Brittany chuckled. ''I'm like the best you've ever had.''
''You know it.''
''I was having some fun with you but it's fine, I'm fine, really.''
"So no more joking about me and Rachel having sweet lady kisses?"
Brittany shrugged and wrinkled up her face as if unsure. "I don't know about that. When we left the VIP she looked like she was primping for you. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?"
''This is so not funny."
"It's a little funny."
"Not that it's going to happen or anything but you'd seriously be okay with me kissing Rachel?''
Brittany smiled. She was just that secure and confident. ''Yeah I don't exactly have any fears about her falling madly in lust with you. And if I did I'd just get you to rap in front of her. That'd turn her off."
"For the last time, woman, rap is in my blood! It is the poetry of the street!'' Santana looked at a group of people nearby and shouted. ''Lima Heights represent!"
Brittany shook her head at Santana's outburst. "I can't believe I married you sometimes. You're so embarrassing. You're lucky you're so hot."
"You're lucky I'm so hot."
With that Santana smiled and began to tug Brittany back in the direction of the table but she was immediately pulled back as Brittany stood firmly in place.
''What?'' Santana asked cluelessly.
Brittany smirked and bit down on her bottom lip. ''Lemme show you something.''
''What?'' Santana asked again because she was eloquent like that.
''Just, something.''
''Something?''
Brittany then began to tug Santana in the opposite direction. ''Yeah, something.''
Santana could tell from the lip biting and the sly, determined tone of Brittany's voice what this something was going to be. It seemed that even though Brittany was fine with all of the Quinn talk that had transpired through the evening she wanted to remind Santana what she had at home.
Santana happily let Brittany lead her to the ladies room.
X
When Santana dragged Brittany away from the group Quinn had used the opportunity to make a trip to the ladies room with Rachel who had offered to tag along. The two of them had finished and were standing at the sinks freshening up. Quinn watched as Rachel meticulously primped in front of the mirror, examining her features from every angle. From the look on the shorter woman's face Quinn could tell Rachel was unsure of her own reflection.
''How do I look?'' Rachel asked as she turned to Quinn. ''You can be honest.''
Quinn wasn't sure what kind of answer Rachel wanted to hear. ''You look...like you.''
Rachel deflated.
''That's not a bad thing,'' Quinn said. ''You look like you've always looked, like...like one of a kind...unique.''
''You...you mean it?''
Quinn nodded.
''I might as well be a troll as far as Santana is concerned though.''
''Who cares about what Santana thinks? I mean, Santana thinks she can rap which should tell you her perception of things isn't always accurate.''
Rachel laughed at that, her face breaking into a wide and real grin. Why was it that she and Quinn always ended up in bathrooms together, she wondered as she stared into green eyes.
''What was it like?'' Rachel asked.
''What was what like?''
''Being with her?''
Quinn bit the inside of her lip. It wasn't exactly easy to explain. She and Santana and their three time thing.
''Do you really want to know?''
''I do.''
Quinn looked back towards the mirror to inspect her own reflection and perhaps to avoid eye contact with Rachel at the same time. ''It was…''
Rachel leaned in, enthralled.
''It was good,'' Quinn said. ''I'd never tell her to her face but she was. She was good. Santana knew what she was doing which honestly wasn't a huge surprise."
Rachel raised an eyebrow and Quinn expanded without much encouragement.
"The unholy trinity had a lot of sleepovers once upon a time. Let's just say that I've heard her and Brittany have fun in a sleeping bag on more than one occasion." Quinn's smile sort of waned though as she sifted through her memories. "Santana was good and despite what most would probably assume of her, she was….what's the word…respectful."
At this Rachel had to laugh. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. We all know she can be an obnoxious little asshole and she is but when we were together she was also careful and patient. She made sure I was comfortable and she made sure I knew that we could stop at any point. She showed me what to do and let me go at my own pace. She was….she was good."
Rachel was gripping the edge of the sink as she listened intently.
"But it didn't mean anything," Quinn said with a slow exhale. "It was fun and I'm glad for the experience but I knew what it was, and what it wasn't."
"You did?"
Quinn smiled a sad smile. "You know how I said we had a lot of sleepovers?"
"Yeah."
"Every morning after, I'd always wake up to Brittany and Santana holding each other. You'd think it would be the other way around but it wasn't, it was always Santana hanging onto Brittany for dear life, even in her sleep. Santana had that with Brittany, this urge to be surrounded by her. But after she and I...it wasn't like that. Santana wasn't cold or shy or anything, she just...she didn't want to hold me or be held by me after. She couldn't wait to roll over to the other side of the bed actually. But that was okay, like I said, I knew what it was."
"And you don't regret it?"
Quinn shook her head. "Not for a minute. It opened me to new possibilities."
"What kind of possibilities?"
Quinn decided to play it coy. ''Just…possibilities.''
They smiled at each other, staring at each other long and meaningfully.
Why was it that they always had these heart to hearts in bathrooms?
The moment felt real and charged and there was something there left unsaid, by both of them, but before either of them could move or speak they were interrupted.
''Move bitches,'' Santana said as she and Brittany practically sprinted in.
The married pair giggled as they walked into a bathroom stall together and slammed the door shut. What Rachel and Quinn heard next was a series of low groans and moans followed by some very…wet sounds.
''We should uh probably get back to the table,'' Quinn said with an uncomfy cough.
''Yeah,'' Rachel said, her eyes wide with scandal.
Quinn smiled, took Rachel by the hand and led them both out of the bathroom.
''Sounds like Brittany and Santana are thoroughly enjoying Galentine's Day,'' Rachel remarked with a laugh.
X
Stay tuned for Part 2...