Quinn and Rachel rejoined the group and had ordered another round of drinks for the rest of the girls. There was more toasting and laughing and reminiscing and they were almost done with this latest round by the time Santana and Brittany came back from their very long bathroom break.
Santana looked slightly sleepy but very pleased. Brittany however seemed alert and…smug.
''You suck so bad Quinn Fabray, I won,'' Brittany said out of the side of her mouth.
Quinn heard her loud and clear and laughed, which in turn made Brittany laugh.
''You missed it,'' Mercedes said to Santana and Brittany. ''While y'all were doing whatever Sugar ordered one of those flaming cocktails.''
''And nearly set her hair on fire,'' Tina said.
''It was quite amusing,'' Rachel chuckled.
''Yeah well, we uh, got caught up in the ladies room,'' Brittany said, even though she knew that everyone at their table knew what she and Santana had snuck off to do for the better part of an hour. ''You know how those lines get.''
''Mmmhmm,'' Mercedes said in her sassy way. ''The lines.''
"Anyways," Santana began and turned to Rachel. "Rachel, I have to break it to you. Even if I was prepared to give you a little taste of Lopez before, which I'm not saying I was, I don't think it's going to happen now. Brittany beat ya to it and wore me out."
Brittany grinned. "She always gets sleepy after, it's adorable.''
"She didn't get sleepy with me," Quinn noted.
"That's self explanatory," Brittany said.
Santana looked to Rachel, almost apologetically. All weirdness aside, she really did want to smooth things over. She didn't want to hurt the woman's feelings but she did want to draw some very clear lines. "For real, Rachel, I'm sorry if I was being an ass earlier. I'm sure you're a great kisser and there are probably tons of people who would fall over themselves to be with you but I'm just not one of them. I never looked at you that way because yes we've had our ups and downs but your friendship means more to me than a stupid drunken one night stand."
"Really?"
"Really," Santana affirmed.
"And I don't really repulse you?"
"Now I didn't say that-" Santana was swatted by Quinn and quickly amended. "I mean of course not. You're not repulsive, okay?"
"You're beautiful, Rachel," Quinn was quick to offer. "And only an idiot would be unable to see it. I mean case in point." She pointed a thumb at Santana.
This made Rachel smile for a moment and the entire silly issue looked like it was settled and sorted, that is until Rachel's smile cracked and turned into a sad frown that further morphed into a full on shoulder shaking sob. It was one of those snotty wet ugly cries that couldn't be contained. Everyone's eyes widened in alarm.
What was the matter now?
''Oh god, Rachel,'' Tina said softly as she reached over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. ''You can't be that upset over Santana. I mean, you have heard her rap right? Girl you could do better!''
''No, no,'' Rachel said through tears as she looked into the eyes of each of her friends. ''It's not about Santana.''
''Then why the tears girl?'' Mercedes asked, her voice coated with sympathy.
''It's me,'' Rachel said once she collected herself.
''What about you?'' Quinn asked.
''I'm…I'm getting a divorce.'' Rachel shuttered with her secret.
''Whoa-what?'' Tina leaned forward with intrigue. ''How, why, I-I thought you and Jessie were happy. You looked happy anyways. You two were all smiles just a few months ago when you posted your holiday cards to Instagram.''
Rachel sniffed the air. ''Well looks can be deceiving, especially on social media.''
''What happened? Are you okay?'' Brittany asked. Despite how annoying she found Rachel Berry to be at the end of the day she didn't relish in the woman's discomfort or pain.
''I'm fine, mostly,'' Rachel sighed to them with a shrug. ''We've been having problems for a while. There was no big betrayal or devastation, we just…grew apart. Turned into different people. Wanted different things. We've kept it pretty hush but we finalized it this week. Earlier when I stepped away to take that phone call it was my divorce attorney calling to inform me that the paperwork cleared and…it…it's over.''
Santana frowned and pulled a tissue out of her tits and offered it to Rachel who took it with a nod of gratitude and began dabbing her eyes with it.
''I know you all think I'm self involved and the truth is you're right, I am,'' Rachel admitted. ''It's my first valentine's day in the better part of a decade that I'll be single and I didn't want to spend it alone-''
''So you came up with this,'' Brittany said in understanding. ''Galentine's Day.''
''I thought it would keep my mind off of my marital woes if I surrounded myself with friends,'' Rachel said. ''Pathetic right?''
Quinn shook her head in the negative. ''You're not pathetic.''
''A pain in the butt and ridiculous as hell, yes, but definitely not pathetic for wanting to be surrounded by friends when you're feeling vulnerable,'' Mercedes said.
''Yeah totally,'' Sugar added.
Brittany then had a sudden hunch. "So wait, all that stuff about Santana and you was about-"
Rachel laughed a sad mirthless laugh. "I don't know. I suppose the shock of learning about Quinn and Santana's tryst stung a little. My marriage has slowly been falling apart for some time...it's been so long since I've felt wanted... desired. When I learned about the two of them it made some small part of me wonder why. Why not me? For a brief moment in time we were close, Santana. Really close. Hold hands when we wake up close.''
''You guys held hands?'' Brittany laughed despite Rachel's serious, sincere tone.
''Once and we were both hungover,'' Santana said coolly. ''And had just gotten robbed by a hot mall Santa.''
''We lived together though,'' Rachel continued. ''We shared space together. You held some of my secrets and I thought I held some of yours.''
Everyone went silent and Santana saw a glimpse of the Rachel she used to know. The Rachel she shared her space with for a period time. The Rachel she, once upon a time, had come to call her friend.
Rachel went on. ''You said you hooked up with Quinn because she was convenient. There was a silly lonely part of me that thought I could've been convenient too, Santana.''
''Rachel,'' Santana whispered. She was sad for the woman.
Rachel waved a hand about as if swatting her pity away. ''It was just the loneliness getting the better of me though. It isn't necessarily about you, Santana. I think there was some part of me that would've felt validated if you had said that there was ever a moment in time all those years ago where you looked at me and saw, I don't know, someone worthy of…desire? The steamy primal kind…'' Rachel allowed her gaze to fall on Quinn. ''The kind that makes you throw caution to the wind at a wedding and fall into bed with someone for a hot meaningless romp.''
Santana shook her head. ''That's not who we are to each other though.''
''I know, I know,'' Rachel laughed through her emotion. ''Again, it's not about you.''
''It's about wanting to be wanted,'' Tina said in understanding. ''I get that. We've all been there and it's okay.''
''It's a completely normal way to feel after ending a long term relationship,'' Mercedes added.
''So you really don't wanna make out with me?'' Santana asked.
Rachel let a weird laugh-snort roll out of her body. ''Oh god no, I mean…would it be exciting and adventurous? Yes. And do I find you aesthetically pleasing on an objective level? Sure. But I simply don't see you that way and like you said, despite our ups and downs, our friendship means more to me than some sweaty roll in the sack.''
Santana scooted to the edge of her seat and reached over to place her hand on top of the one Rachel had in her lap. ''...would it make you feel better if we sang a homoerotic duet together?''
Rachel sandwiched Santana's hand with her free one. ''Maybe later but thank you.''
Mercedes offered Rachel a sad smile. ''I'm not happy to hear that you and Jessie ended things, Rachel, but I'm glad you decided to trust us enough to share that with us.''
''Yeah, you could've told us that off the bat,'' said Sugar. ''We could've planned the night differently. We could've taken you to a strip club!''
''Gross, no,'' Tina said. ''But she's right, you could've told us the truth earlier. There would have been no judgment.''
''Yeah, and we could've started drinking waaaaay earlier in the night,'' said Sugar..
''Thanks guys,'' Rachel said.
''You know what I think you need?'' Brittany started. ''A change of scenery. Wasn't our next destination on our itinerary a gay club?''
Rachel nodded meekly. ''Yes but we don't have to. I've made this evening awkward and bleak. I'm sure none of you are in a dancey mood now.''
''Whatever,'' Brittany brushed her words off. ''Listen, Rachel, I don't have wise words to give you or some inspiring speech about how you can still find love even though you're in your 50's-''
''I'm 29,'' Rachel interjected softly, holding her index finger up.
''Are you sure?'' Brittany squinted.
Rachel blinked. ''Yes, I'm 29, you're 29, we're all 29.''
Brittany pursed her lips. Just because she felt for Rachel didn't mean she also couldn't still play with Rachel, just a little bit, as a treat. ''Could've sworn you were like waaaaay older than all of us. It's the jowls I guess. My point is, even though I'm totally made of magic I don't have any magic words to make all of your hurt go away but I do know one thing. The best medicine for a broken heart is to get your emotions out on the dance floor, trust me.''
''Totally,'' Mercedes said in agreement. ''Let's pay our tab and go hit up a club. You need to get your dance on, asap.''
''Really?'' Rachel lit up, suddenly renewed.
Quinn stood and offered her hand to Rachel who took it gently, like a lady in an old timey movie. ''And I call dibs. May I have your first dance?''
Rachel blushed, stood up and along with Quinn she began to march off - presumably to sort out their bar tab. After them, Sugar, Tina and Mercedes gathered themselves and their handbags and followed after. This of course left Brittany and Santana to be the last to rise.
''You ready?'' Brittany asked.
Santana nodded. ''Alright, but just for a bit. I don't think I can take another few hours in these heels. Plus I'm still kind of wore out from uh….earlier.''
Brittany puffed her chest out proudly. She loved wearing Santana out, and she loved knowing that she could wear her out better than anyone else on the planet.
''Don't look so smug,'' Santana chuckled.
Brittany just grinned, she totally deserved to be a little smug she thought. ''Bet Quinn didn't tire you out.''
X
''Quinn, Quinn, Quinn, you have to taste this, here,'' Rachel slur-shouted as she pulled Quinn into her side and offered her a brightly colored drink. ''Tell me this doesn't taste like pink?''
Quinn took a sip. ''This tastes like pink.''
''Mmmmm,'' Rachel moaned. ''Why do pink things taste so delicious?''
It was much later and the group had moved their night along to their next destination. A local gay club. There was glitter, there was a spinning disco ball and loud pulsing music that made your entire body vibrate from within. It was the perfect space to let one's inhibitions go and feel yourself. And after some gentle encouragement Rachel was definitely feeling herself.
And, Santana had quietly noted, Quinn was too. Feeling Rachel that is.
The two of them had been buddy-buddy ever since they left the restaurant. Santana wasn't sure but she sensed some kind of energy exchange going on there and now they were having some weird and kinky convo about pink things being tasty right in front of her. Santana's gay little antennas began to work over time because WHAT WAS HAPPENING?! Quinn. Rachel. Quinn and Rachel? She and Brittany had always had some kind of inkling there but things were escalating in the most what the fuck way.
It was even more apparent when people started to notice who they all were. Sure, some of careers were at varying levels of success but as entertainers they knew one singular truth: be loyal to the gays and the gays will be loyal to you, and sometimes that meant taking a time out to sign someone's napkin or take a shot with a gaggle of fans. One would've naturally thought that one Rachel Berry would've preened at the opportunity to hold court and put on some false display of humility - but weirdly, that wasn't the case. While the others ''punched in'' to keep the peace and the calm with the occasional fan that found their way to them, Rachel didn't seem interested in having an audience. She smiled and thanked the fans that approached her but she wasn't relishing in the admiration like Santana thought she would have.
No, Rachel was more interested in cuddling up and sneaking away with Quinn every few minutes. And that? That was mondo obvious now.
Normally she would've pulled Brittany aside to confer but her wife was dancing up a storm with everyone and Santana for the moment couldn't be bothered to move from her spot at the neon bar as she watched the new pair.
''So uh, you two having fun?'' Santana asked once she was alone with Rachel and Quinn.
''This is the best,'' Rachel shouted over the music. ''Brittany was right about me needing to dance my emotions out. I'm already feeling so much better. Your wife has the best ideas.''
''That's why I married her,'' Santana grinned. ''That and she has an ass that won't quit.''
''Oh my god, I love this song!'' Rachel hollered and pointed up as the beginning of Cher's Believe blasted through the sound system. A series of gay gasps and squeals throughout the club could be heard. ''I have to dance to this,'' Rachel declared, and then looked to Quinn. ''Would you care to join me?''
''I'd love to.''
Quinn then looked at Santana. ''Wanna come with?''
Santana smiled and shook her head. ''Yeah, no thanks, I'm more of a Madonna gay than a Cher gay, but you guys go ahead.''
Quinn and Rachel downed the last of their shared pink drink and then with their hands held ran off into the gyrating crowd. And just as the crowd seemed to swallow Rachel and Quinn up, it seemed to expel Brittany, Sugar, Mercedes and Tina who were all laughing and fanning their faces after their go around the dance floor. They came to encircle Santana who had been watching their drinks for them.
''What's so funny?'' Santana asked.
''Sugar tried to twerk her non-existent ass up on us,'' Tina chuckled. ''It looked like an insect having a seizure.''
''Rude,'' Sugar said with a flick of her hand.
''It's okay, Sugar,'' Mercedes comforted her friend. ''Not everyone can be blessed.''
''Like me,'' Tina said.
''And me,'' said Brittany.
''And me,'' added Santana.
''Also me,'' Mercedes had to add.
''Whatever,'' Sugar brushed their teasing off.
''Are you done with your drink?'' Brittany shouted in Santana's direction.
''Why?''
Brittany shrugged. ''I want to dance inappropriately with you.''
Santana knocked back the last sip. ''Lead the way.''
With that Brittany dragged them off into the crowd and Santana felt suddenly surrounded, not just by her fellow gays but by Brittany who placed her hands on Santana's hips as she got them both to moving. Brittany was, even after all these years, the best dancer Santana had ever laid eyes on. Then again, Santana really didn't have much reason or drive to be laying her eyes on anyone else.
''You look so hot,'' Brittany whisper shouted. Santana just grinned in delight. "I can't wait until we get home. You are so getting lucky.''
''I already got lucky.''
''Well you're gonna get double lucky.''
''I'm lucky every day, Britt.''
''You know what I mean.'' Brittany then did a smooth little move that had her turn her body against Santana so her ass was in Santana's lap.
Santana bit her lip and looked up in thanks to the universe because damn, right? She was about to start some hippy-grindy motion against her wife when she saw Quinn and Rachel practically float right past them in their own strange giggly embrace. And again, Santana's gay little antennas began to twitch as if sensing something.
''What do you think that's about?'' Santana asked, her lips grazing the shell of Brittany's ear as she continued to move her ass against her front.
Brittany snaked her hand around to cup the back of Santana's head. ''What? Quinn and Rachel?''
''So you've noticed them too?''
''I mean, haven't they always had some vaguely homoerotic subtexty thing going on?'' Brittany didn't see what the big deal was. They were always doing mildly fruity things with each other back in the day.
''This is different though, Britt. The way Quinn's been looking at Berry, the way Berry has been looking at Quinn? Something's going on there. Quinn totally wants up into Berry's Stinky Tofu if you know what I mean.''
''Are you sure you're not imagining things?''
''My psychic Mexican third eye is never wrong.''
They switched things up then and both turned around, so Santana was now dancing her ass up against Brittany's front. As luck would have it this gave them both the vantage point to witness Rachel and Quinn dancing together. They weren't exactly being provocative but there was indeed a strange gay energy there. Rachel looked alive and flushed as she grinned and shook her body along with Quinn, who reached forward and with a single finger pushed back an errant strand of hair away from Rachel's face. It was a subtly intimate gesture.
After witnessing that there was no denying it. Something Faberry was definitely going on. ''It's kind of cute in a really like, gross way.'' It was Brittany's turn to whisper shout into Santana's ear.
''God, I'd never let Quinn live it down.''
''Oh come on,'' Brittany said. ''I know we joke a lot but like, wouldn't it be kind of sweet.''
''What? Quinn flicking Berry's bean?''
"No, seriously," Brittany turned around to face her. ''Two old friends finding their way back to each other after taking a few detours in life? Realizing that maybe what they were looking for was right there all along in each other?''
''I mean I guess so.'' Santana smiled and wrapped her arms around Brittany's neck. ''A really smart person once told me anything is possible."
"Besides, doesn't everyone deserve a little romance on Valentine's? You and I have been in this together for what feels like forever, it's easy to forget how lonely it felt to be single this time of year."
Santana nodded. That, she could sympathize with. It had been years but she remembered the sting and longing her teenage self felt once upon a time when she had to pretend she didn't care about Brittany or Valentine's Day.
''Who do you think will make the first move?'' she asked.
Brittany hummed as she pondered her answer to that. ''Honestly? Probably neither.''
''Why do you say that?''
''Just a hunch. Aside from her brief skank phase and her thing with you, Quinn has always been so…so…''
''Reserved?''
''Exactly. It's totally obv that she's been into Rachel since we were kids and it's one thing to dance and even flirt with her but I just can't see Quinn allowing herself to be totally vulnerable with her feelings.''
''And you don't think Rachel would?''
''If it were anyone other than Quinn, maybe, but with their history? Whatever they have going on, they'll probably spend the rest of their lives tip-toeing around it.''
''That's…sad.''
''It is,'' Brittany sighed. ''Totally sad. Super mega sad.''
Maybe it was the spirit of Galentine's Day or Valentine's Day, or maybe it was the shots she did earlier but that's when Santana had the wildest idea. ''So maybe we should do something about it?''
''Huh?''
Santana spun Brittany around once and then flinged her back into her arms. ''Quinn and Rachel?''
''What about them?''
''We should play Cupid.''
Brittany couldn't contain her grin. She reached forward and grabbed Santana's cheeks, squishing them slightly. ''You.''
''What?''
''You secret romantic you.''
''Not really, only for you,'' Santana said, trying to hush that kind of talk. ''It's not like I want them to live happily ever after or anything okay? It's just because they're so pathetic and obviously need my help.''
''Sure.''
''Plus if I help them get together it'll give me a ton of new material I can use to make fun of them both.''
''You love love.'' Brittany poked Santana's chest right over her heart.
''Whatever. Are you in or what?''
''Let Operation Stinky Tofu begin.''
X
In truth there really wasn't much to this operation of theirs, but after a quick conversation on the dance floor they decided to take the divide and conquer route. After another dance around the club and a quick peck on the lips they spinned away from each other and Brittany found herself whisking Quinn away while Santana found herself dancing up on Rachel.
''What are you doing?'' Quinn shouted over the thumping music.
Brittany did an elaborate spin in place and wiggled her shoulders with fluidity. ''Dancing with you, duh.''
Quinn tossed a little look of longing at Rachel and Santana off a short distance away.
''You've been dancing with Rachel since we got here,'' Brittany said. ''Come on, I just want one dance. For old time sake?''
Quinn nodded and smiled as she began moving along with Brittany's body.
''Thanks by the way,'' Brittany said.
''For what?''
''For earlier. Giving me the idea. Helping me tease Santana a little. You were right, it was fun seeing her squirm a little.''
''So everything's all good there?''
''Oh yeah. It also sorta helps knowing you weren't good in bed.''
Quinn shot Brittany a playfully offended look, widening her eyes and letting her mouth hang open. ''Okay that may have been once upon a time but for all you and Santana know, I could have gotten better since.''
''Ooooooo,'' Brittany sang. ''That's the thing about you Quinn…you've always been a mystery.''
''I guess so.''
"You should go for it, you know."
"Sorry?"
"Go for it. With Rachel."
Quinn blinked. "Go for what with Rachel?"
"Quinn," Brittany said softly, like she was talking to a small child.
Quinn's face twitched and seemed to display a number of emotions. She looked confused and pained and eventually settled on something that appeared close to pitiful.
"It's complicated," Quinn said dejectedly.
"Yeah well, what isn't? Love is messy."
"Who said anything about love?"
"Whatever you want to call it then, this thing you have with Rachel? You should go for it," Brittany urged. ''You're single, she's single, you're both older and wiser. Why not?''
"That's easier said than done. I'm not like you Brittany. I'm not brave."
"I think you are. You've been through a lot and you've always come out on the other side of it, Quinn. And looked impeccable doing it too."
"That's different though, that's life and this...this is Rachel."
"Yeah, yeah it is. And the truth that we both know is that deep down your heart was never in it with anyone else. Not Finn or Puck or Sam, or even Santana. They were a way to distract yourself from what you really wanted...who you've always wanted."
Quinn shuttered at Brittany's words and how they hit her heart. ''I-I don't know what you're talking about.''
X
''You know after that talk we had earlier I think I'm going to try to prove everyone wrong about my mad skills. I'm going to talk to my producer about releasing a rap album next year,'' Santana said as she and Rachel bounced to the music together.
''Really?'' Rachel asked with a squeak in her voice.
''Yeah, and ya know, you can even guest on a track. We can do that whole cross promotion thing if you want.''
''Rachel Berry on a rap album?'' Even that sounded too far out there for Rachel. ''How drunk are you?''
''I'm not drunk,'' Santana laughed. ''I just thought it would be cool if you and I put our heads together and did a little collab.''
''Oh I see what this is.''
''What?''
Rachel nodded. ''You feel sorry for me because Jessie and I ended things and you're throwing a little pity collab my way as a means to cheer me up.''
''I mean you can call it pity if you want, I'd like to think of it more as friendship though…that is sort of what we are, deep down…right?''
''Yeah?''
''Yeah. We're friends. Maybe we don't see each other every day but putting aside all of our history and drama I still care about you Rachel. I don't like seeing you hurt and I know Brittany likes to twist your nips too but neither does she. We're both sorry about the Jessie thing.''
''Thank you,'' Rachel softened. ''I may have had a weepy moment earlier but honestly, breaking up with him was for the best. Yes we were compatible in so many ways and he was and is a good man but…but…''
''What?'' Santana danced closer.
Awkward, sad laughter came out of Rachel. ''There was never any passion there. There was never any passion or challenge or-or even-''
''Mystery.''
''Yes that's it,'' Rachel exclaimed, her eyes going wide at the word. ''Jessie and I make great friends because we wanted all of the same things but romance, it's not always about compatibility.''
''I get that.''
''You and Brittany for instance.'' Rachel made a wave to Brittany across the room. She and Quinn looked like they were in the middle of their own conversation on the dance floor. ''You two work but you're so different. You both bring something unique and different to the relationship, you keep each other on your feet. Jessie and I loved each other, we just never set each other on fire like that.''
''And that's what Rachel Berry wants? Fire?''
Rachel lifted a shoulder. ''Doesn't everybody?''
''Maybe you'll find it.''
''Mmm, doubtful.''
''You never know, Berry. Maybe the fire you've been looking for has been at your front door all along.''
''Is this like a flaming dog poop in a bag joke?''
Santana placed her hands on top of Rachel's shoulders, not quite firm but just enough to help guide Rachel's body. ''What-no! Rachel, I'm talking about Quinn.''
''Huh?''
Santana rolled her eyes. ''Listen, it's late, my feet are killing me so I'm not going to beat around the bush, okay? Quinn. Quinn is into you. She's always been into you, in her very intense and twisted way and if my suspicions are correct, you've always had complicated feelings for her too. Am I right or am I right?''
''That's not-Quinn would never-what even, Santana-''
''You don't believe me? Look to your right. Quinn and Britt are dancing and for the last however many minutes Q has been staring me down looking like she wants to come slap my hands off of you.''
Rachel turned her head slightly and spotted Quinn, who indeed seemed to be watching them intently. Quinn looked like she wanted to cry, and also maybe hit Santana.
''You're teasing me,'' Rachel said. ''This is another one of your jokes and I get it. Ha-ha, Rachel Berry is pathetic and I've always been secretly gay for Quinn Fabray and-''
''Right, okay, I know I like to make jokes and tease you but I'm being serious here. This isn't me pulling some petty trick on you or Quinn. Maybe the sixteen year old me might have but I'm not that girl anymore. Maybe it's because we're on the eve of Valentine's Day, maybe it's because I know how beyond lucky I am to get to go home to the woman of my dreams tonight but I'm trying to help you here.''
''Help me do what exactly?''
''You said there was never any mystery in your relationship and that's one of the reasons it didn't work out. Is there any bigger mystery out there than Quinn Fabray?''
Rachel bit her lip. ''She's…something.''
''She is and she's also one of my best friends. I've seen her date a lot of people, I've also seen her fool a lot of people. She's never fooled you though. You've always seen through her many acts. Better than Brittany, even better than me. You can't tell me that doesn't mean anything.''
Rachel swallowed and shook her head as she began moving away from Santana and off of the dance floor. This conversation was getting way too real and way too heavy. Santana sighed in annoyance but went after Rachel, elbowing her way through the crowds until she followed her friend into the ladies room. There Rachel was padding what looked like the beginnings of tears in her eyes.
''Why are you telling me this?'' she asked.
''Because, I don't know,'' Santana answered. ''The spirit of Galentine's Day. Ladies helping ladies or some shit? Look I'm not saying you and Quinn are gonna live happily ever after, but I've seen the way you look at her and the way she looks at you and maybe in the end it all amounts to nothing but why not try to-''
''Santana, what did you do to her?'' Quinn practically barked at her as she barged into the restroom, looking like she wanted to square up.
''What? Nothing!'' Santana said.
''You two were dancing and then Rachel ran away,'' Quinn continued, seeming sure that Santana stepped over some line somehow. She looked to Rachel. ''If she did something you can tell me.''
''She didn't do anything, Quinn, it's fine, I'm fine.'' Rachel placed a calming hand on Quinn's forearm, settling her down.
''And people call me whipped,'' Santana whispered under her breath.
''What were you two talking about?'' Quinn asked.
Santana squared her shoulders and folded her arms. ''My upcoming rap album for your information. The working title is Straight Outta Lima Heights.''
Quinn squinted at Santana, that was an obvious lie. But she didn't have time to call her out on it because now it was Brittany's turn to come rushing into the ladies room, chasing after Quinn. She halted when she saw Santana, Rachel and Quinn standing around at the sinks.
''Long line at the ladies room?'' Brittany said, trying to break the ice with a joke.
Santana gently took Brittany by the elbow. ''You know what, why don't we step outside. I don't think I need to use the restroom anymore.''
''Right. Me neither,'' said Brittany.
''So we'll leave you two to do your bidness and get out of your hair.''
Brittany made her exit and Santana followed after, although not before shooting finger guns at both Quinn and Rachel.
''She is such an idiot,'' Quinn said, staring at the doorway long after Santana had walked through it.
Rachel made no remark and just stared at Quinn.
''What?''
''Is it true?''
Quinn simply nodded. ''That Santana's an idiot? Yes of course, I thought we established this earlier.''
''I'm not talking about Santana or Brittany, I'm talking about you,'' Rachel said firmly.
''What about me?''
''Why do we always have these conversations in bathrooms?'' Rachel asked, remembering their interaction just a few short hours ago. ''Aren't you tired of having all of our conversations in bathrooms?''
''I guess I never thought of it.''
''I'm tired of having all of our conversations in bathrooms.''
''Ohhhkaaaay.''
With a sudden and unexpected fire Rachel erupted with passion. ''Do you want to know something, Quinn?''
''Sure?'' Quinn said, even though she looked anything but sure.
''I didn't want to be alone so yes, I concocted this Galentine's get together for all of us. There was a part of me that was really happy to see all of the girls but deep down whether I wanted to admit it to myself or not, I was most happy to see you."
Quinn audibly swallowed and yet remained silent.
"And you want to know something else?"
"What?"
"It was you," Rachel said in the softest of whispers.
"What was me?"
"It was you. When everyone was going around in a circle and admitting who they would want to be with if they had to choose, it was you."
"But wait, you-you said Santana. You said if you had to pick one of us, it would be Santana."
"Yeah, I did. Because it was easier and it was safe. I knew saying Santana would open me up to everyone's ribbing but, I'm used to that. The real answer though, the answer I didn't trust myself to say...was it was you."
"Me?" Quinn's voice quaked.
"It was easier to let everyone think I was jealous because you knew a part of Santana I've never known but the truth is I was sad and hurt because it turned out that Santana knew a part of you I've never known."
Quinn's eyes blinked back tears.
"God I can't believe I just told you," Rachel sighed. "I'm so pathetic."
"No you're not. No one thinks that. I certainly don't. I just wish you had told me sooner."
"I probably wasn't in a position to." Rachel had after all just ended a relationship. "And even if I was who's to say you were in a position to hear it the way I meant it."
She had Quinn there. Timing was never on their side, and all the obstacles in between like distance and forgettable boys surely didn't help.
"What does this mean?" Quinn asked quietly.
"It doesn't have to mean anything, Quinn. I just...I just wanted you to know that...that for me it was you. That's all. But we can leave it here, in the bathroom, where we leave every other conversation with each other."
Rachel steadied her breath and began to walk towards the door only for Quinn to turn and place a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"But what if I don't want to leave it here?" Quinn asked. "What if...what if I'm tired of leaving all of these conversations in the bathroom too? What if I want more than these brief fleeting conversations in the bathroom?"
X
It was the end of the night and the group had decided to call it a night. Well, everyone except for Rachel and Quinn who had been M.I.A since Brittany and Santana had left them to talk things out in the bathroom. When the other questioned their whereabouts Santana told them to chill out and have another drink. An hour later and the pair had still yet to return but the others were already winding down and so they all eventually filtered out of the club and onto the city sidewalks to wait for their rides.
Sam rolled up in a nice car and proceeded to act like he was a stranger to Mercedes.
''Can I offer you a ride miss?'' he asked with an overly exaggerated southern drawl.
Standing on the curb Mercedes smiled and rolled her eyes. ''You're lucky I'm just buzzed enough to find that accent sexy.''
Sam made a fist and held it to his chest, like he had just hit the jackpot. Mercedes opened the car door, got in, buckled up and waved goodbye to the girls who grinned back in return.
''Happy Galentine's Day, ladies,'' Mercedes said as her car began to pull away.
And then it was Tina and Sugar's turn to depart. Unlike Mercedes who was going home for the night, they as single ladies, planned to continue their partying at another location.
''Okay I just scored us two invites to Jojo Siwa's Galentine's Day party,'' Sugar announced to Tina.
''Jojo Siwa? Really?'' Tina didn't sound so sure about partying it up with someone so much younger.
''Pssshhhh,'' Sugar made the sound of crashing cymbals with her mouth. ''Girl, you don't even know okay, that girl can rage.''
''Really?''
''Really.''
With a couple of quick goodbyes and a promise to swipe one of Jojo's iconic rainbow bows for Brittany, Tina and Sugar were off, whisked away in an Uber together.
And then it was just Santana standing alongside Brittany.
''You ready to get out of here?'' Brittany asked.
Santana looked down at her phone. ''Yeah, I guess so. Quinn finally texted me back. She said goodnight.''
''I take it she and Rachel are still together?''
''Yeah I'd say they're otherwise occupied.''
Brittany took that as her cue to hold out her arm and offer it up for Santana to take. Brittany was a gentleman like that. Santana took it and together they began to walk down the sidewalk - for exactly three seconds.
''Ah hell,'' Santana winced. ''These heels.''
Brittany frowned at seeing her wife in pain. "Do you wanna hop on my back like a baby koala and I'll carry you to the car?"
Santana looked around at their surroundings and once satisfied there would be no witnesses she nodded. ''Please?''
''Alright…hop on.'' Brittany began to crouch down so Santana could climb up on her.
''Wait!'' They paused when they heard Rachel's voice holler out.
They turned to see both Rachel and Quinn exit the club doors together with Rachel jogging in her heels towards them. Their eyes went wide, Rachel looked really eager to reach them.
''Were you about to let Brittany carry you on her back?'' Rachel asked.
Santana scoffed and sputtered in indignation. ''What? No. Why would you think that?''
Rachel didn't see the point in pressing the matter. ''Right, well. I just wanted to say…goodnight…goodnight and thank you,'' Rachel eventually said. The smallest of smiles threatening to break out into a full blown grin.
''For what?'' Santana played it chill.
''Yeah, Galentine's Day dinner was your idea,'' Brittany said.
''I know but for everything else, thank you.''
Rachel walked back to Quinn a few short steps away and then Quinn whispered something to the shorter woman before stepping away from her to approach Santana and Brittany on her own.
''I should probably thank you guys too,'' Quinn said.
''We didn't do anything,'' Brittany replied.
''Yeah well…I know you probably don't know what this means but, you got Rachel and I out of that bathroom and for that, I think I'll always be grateful.''
''Nasty,'' Santana said. She didn't want to hear about either of those two taking dumps.
''Be quiet,'' Quinn said and shook her head. She then turned to Brittany and smiled. ''And just for the record and because I know Santana will never ever tell you. It happened twice that night. You know, she and I. The truth is this: the following morning we tried again, for the third time, but by then I guess Santana realized she couldn't do it with me sober. She started crying and-''
Brittany's heart felt like bursting and she tugged on Santana to get her to turn to her. ''You started crying? Aww.''
Santana wasn't amused. ''Don't make this into a thing,'' she said to Brittany, and then turned to Quinn. ''And you, shut your mouth.''
Quinn didn't seem the least bit threatened as she continued. ''Anyway, sober Santana started crying. The previous night I was a fun tipsy distraction for her but in the clear light of day I could see I was merely a substitute.'' She looked over to Brittany and gave her an encouraging look. ''So we stopped and got dressed and she forced me to buy her breakfast and we spent the next few hours talking. About school and parents but mostly about how much she wished things were different with you.''
''So your third time was barely even a third time?'' Brittany asked.
''Pretty much,'' Quinn admitted. ''I was kind of over it when I spotted a snot bubble on her face.''
Brittany laughed with utter joy. So much for it being a three time thing.
''Alright, enough of this,'' Santana interjected. She didn't want Quinn spilling any more embarrassing details. ''Go back to whatever you got going with Berry and get out of here.''
Quinn nodded. ''We're going to get some late night coffee and uh…talk.''
''Talk huh?'' Brittany asked.
''Yeah talk, we have a lot to talk about.''
''Well have fun,'' Brittany said.
''Use protection,'' Santana added.
Quinn rolled her eyes at them and touched each of their shoulders, patting them once before returning to Rachel.
Santana and Brittany watched then as the couple linked arms and began walking off in the opposite direction together, down the street and into the night.
''Well, looks like Operation Stinky Tofu has been a success,'' Santana said, pleased.
''Maybe we should play matchmaker more often.''
''Yeah no.''
''I hear Pete Davidson is single again, I know someone who knows him. He'd probably hit it off with Sugar.''
''No, dear lord no.''
X
Later that night found them in their bedroom changing. All in all, not a bad Galentine's Day.
Santana was in the bathroom while Brittany undressed in front of their vanity. She smiled as she slipped out of her Betsey Johnson dress, recalling how earlier in the night Santana had encouraged her to wear her old outfit, how dreamily she had looked at Brittany when she had first put it on. Santana would never admit it but Brittany knew how sappy, sentimental, sweet her wife could be, and god how she loved it.
Later when Santana returned and crawled into bed, Brittany let her be the big spoon again.
''Why didn't you tell me?'' Brittany asked in their darkened bedroom..
Santana knew there was no use beating around the bush. ''Because. It was embarrassing. Blubbering in front of Quinn about you, it was embarrassing.''
''Just so you know, a snot bubble wouldn't keep me from loving on you.''
''Same.''
''I know I joked around about it tonight but you do know I'm good with everything right. The Quinn stuff.''
''Mmm.''
Brittany turned her body to face Santana and wrap her own arms around her waist. ''I don't care if it was a two time thing or a three time thing and you know why?''
''Why?'' Santana smiled even though she knew Brittany couldn't see her expression.
''Because what we have is so much more than that.''
''And what is it that we have?''
''A forever kind of thing,'' Brittany answered with certainty.
Santana leaned forward and found Brittany's lips with her own. It was soft and sweet and before Santana could turn up the heat and go back for more, Brittany gave her a calming peck.
''Mm, none of that tonight. We need our rest.''
''Britt,'' Santana whined in horny.
''Come on,'' Brittany hushed her with another peck. ''Tonight was about hanging out with the girls but tomorrow is Valentine's. It's about you and me and I'm whisking you away. I need you all rested up for our adventure.''
Santana grumbled playfully. ''Fine. But tomorrow night-''
''Oh it's on. For now though,'' Brittany began and situated herself back so that Santana was behind her again, holding on for dear life. ''Let's get our cuddles on.''
X
Valentine's Day
Tina and Sugar, the lone single girls, were having lunch together and gabbing about the previous night's adventures.
''You were right, that Jojo Siwa chick knows how to throw a rager,'' Tina sighed into her coffee, burnt out.
''I'm telling you, the biggest party animals are the ones you'd least expect. Last year a friend got me into Martha Stewart's party, now that one was a wild one.''
They took a few bites of their meals and only paused when Sugar's phone beeped with a notification. She tossed her burger aside and picked up her device.
''What in the whaaat?'' Sugar laughed.
''What's up?''
Sugar tapped the screen and turned it so Tina could view a photo. There on the screen were a smiling Brittany and Santana in what looked to be some sort of hospital setting. A furry, fuzzy baby koala was hanging off of Santana's neck, having wrapped its arms around her.
''Happy Valentine's Day from Australia at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - the Lopez-Pierce's,'' Tina read the caption.
''Looks like those two went down under for Valentine's Day,'' Sugar said.
''In the spirit of Santana, 'wanky'.''
X
So Brittany's secret Valentine's Day destination was indeed the land down under, Australia. And though she thought it might have seemed very odd and random for the two of them she had explained it to Santana in a way that made total sense for them.
When Santana was her big spoon, her body felt like a baby koala was hanging off of Brittany's back and she loved that feeling. When Santana held her from behind her wife felt so tiny and trusting. And so Brittany wanted to take her own personal baby koala, Santana, to meet some real life baby koalas and well, what better place to do that than the first and biggest koala sanctuary in existence where they could tour the facilities and even do a little volunteer work in the on-site animal hospital. So that's where Brittany whisked them off too.
Brittany knew she picked the right destination when a sanctuary veterinarian gently placed a small koala in Santana's arms along with a bottle full of formula and Santana, so full of emotion, looked like she wanted to burst into tears.
''Baby, are you crying?'' Brittany asked.
Santana's shoulders quaked. ''Yes.''
''Would you like a picture?'' asked the vet who was supervising their VIP tour.
Brittany eagerly shoved her phone in the woman's hands and slid over to Santana who was still cradling the infant koala.
*click*
''Best Valentine's Day ever,'' Santana said before placing a kiss on Brittany's lips.
So what if Santana had shared one sad, lonely Valentine's Day with Quinn all those years ago, Brittany thought as she gazed at her wife playing with the koala in her arms. So what if she had spent one bleak night with someone else because in the end it was Brittany that Santana would always hold onto for dear life. And there was nothing and no one else that Santana would ever do that for.
Like she said before, it was pretty hard to be upset about a two time thing when they had their whole lives to enjoy this - a forever kind of thing. So warmed with affection and bubbling with adoration Brittany planted an even harder kiss on Santana. Brittany was proud of her Valentine's Day surprise.
''Aw no,'' Santana whimpered. ''I think it's pooping on me!''
Brittany burst out into shoulder shaking laughter and looked to the vet who still had the camera in her hands. ''Ohmygod, start filming this!''
''Brittany no, stop,'' Santana said as the baby koala continued to take the smallest, cutest dump in her arms.
X
''You know this Stinky Tofu? Not bad, not bad at all,'' Quinn mused.
She and Rachel were back at the exclusive vegan restaurant Rachel had been so adamant they dine at on Galentine's. Except this time it was just the two of them.
After departing the club the night before they had found an all night café and over coffee had for the first time in possibly ever allowed themselves to be vulnerable with each other somewhere other than a toilet. It was over their warm drinks that they talked about life and work but most importantly feelings, feelings neither of them had ever allowed each other to express. At the end of the night Quinn had escorted Rachel to the door of her New York apartment and even though Rachel invited her in to continue their conversations, Quinn declined politely and instead asked if Rachel had any plans for the next night.
''For Valentine's Day?'' Rachel raised an eyebrow.
''Yeah, for Valentine's Day.''
''I think my calendar is empty.''
''What would you say to dinner?''
''I'd say….I'd love to, Quinn.''
And so that's how they ended up back at the restaurant ordering Rachel's favorite meal.
And then Quinn's phone dinged with a notification, she glanced a peek at the screen and dropped her utensils.
''Whaaat?'' she chuckled in that husky way of hers.
''Huh?'' Rachel smiled at Quinn's smile.
''Look at this.'' Quinn offered her phone to Rachel who took it and snickered into one of her hands. ''Why does this look like a family photo? And is that koala taking a crap in Santana's arms?''
Rachel giggled and began to make a comment under Quinn's IG account. ''Congrats, ladies! The baby looks just like Santana!''
''Oh my god, that's borderline evil,'' Quinn laughed. ''Santana's gonna hate it. I love it.''
Rachel placed Quinn's phone face down. ''But enough of them. We're here.''
''Right, of course.'' Quinn cleared her throat and lifted up her wine glass, silently encouraging Rachel to do the same which she did. ''Me and you. Here's to us and getting to know each other in way better lighting than any bathroom we've ever been in…and uh…'' Quinn stammered then, unsure of what to call this thing here growing between them, so new and uncharted.
''Possibilities,'' Rachel said. ''Here's to possibilities.''
Quinn gave her a single, certain nod of her head. She liked the sound of that. ''Possibilities, and a Galentine's Day we'll never forget.''
The End