In the span of a week Santana met with Brittany three more times at the park. They had also began exchanging texts and pics pretty regularly as well.
It started off with them mostly trading photos and videos of each other's dogs, like the day when Boss got his head stuck in a wicker waste basket and Santana just had to send a pic to Brittany who responded in kind by sending her a short clip of Biscuit trying to start a fight with a dog on the TV screen when a dog food commercial had come on. There were plenty of pics and videos that went back and forth when one of them found either of the puppies sleeping in a funny position or doing silly dog tricks but little by little Santana and Brittany's messages to each other had veered off into more personal territory.
Brittany would text her random funny thoughts about the weather or current events. Santana would sometimes talk about work matters or the price she paid for having such a fabulous head of hair. Through their conversations Santana learned that Brittany couldn't cook, loved unicorns and was under the impression that Stephen Hawking was her birth father. Brittany learned that Santana hated flying, was a total french fry connoisseur, took part in a Drag Race Fantasy League and also ran a secret Instagram account called 'ughlookathershoes' in which she took covert pics of people's footwear and posted them with scathing critiques underneath. They also discovered that while they were very different people they agreed on some things. They both loved Chinese food, they both thought there was a special place in hell for people who left dogs in warm cars and they also both didn't understand why the world just allowed Channing Tatum to become a thing.
Their text sessions were lively and long and there was a kind of playful anticipation about it all that gave Santana a thrill each time she felt her phone buzz.
But it was on their seventh play date that Brittany heard Santana sing for the first time.
''Womanizer, woman-womanizer. You're a womanizer. Oh, womanizer, oh. You're a womanizer, baby!''
''Are you singing Britney Spears to Boss?''
''Uh…...no?''
Brittany had just arrived on the scene with Biscuit. They had caught Santana quietly belting to a very entertained Boss who was standing up in her lap with his front paws pressed near her clavicle.
''You were,'' Brittany laughed and took a seat on what was becoming her side of the bench. ''You were singing to him.''
''It's his favorite.''
''Womanizer is his favorite song?''
''No, Circus is. I mean, Britney Spears is his favorite in general,'' Santana clarified. ''He gets all tail waggy when I sing her to him. I tried Gaga, Pink, even Beyonce, you name it but he only gets like this with Britney songs. ''
Brittany let out a long gushing sound. ''Oh my god that's so precious.''
''Not really,'' Santana said, trying to play down the act.
''It is though.'' Brittany leaned in close and ruffled Boss' ears playfully. ''Don't worry, Boss, Britney's my favorite too.''
Boss panted at her but soon she and Santana were forgotten as he hopped down to join Biscuit. The two puppies nuzzled each other affectionately before leaping into full out play-mode, wrestling and rolling about with each other.
''So is that what you are?'' asked Brittany.
''What?''
''A womanizer?''
Santana smiled nervously. She wasn't sure how to respond. She had actually never been all that wild but she did have a complicated history. People generally assumed that she went through girls quickly because she would get bored and discard them on whim when in reality it was the other way around. Girls would be drawn to her but within a short period of time would grow frustrated with her being so emotionally closed off and rather than stay and gain Santana's trust or understand why she was the way she was, they would just walk away. There was a lot there but she didn't want to lay any of that just yet on Brittany.
''I don't know,'' Santana answered. ''That depends on who you ask. Why? Do you think I'm a womanizer?''
Brittany shrugged. ''I have no idea. I mean you're gorgeous enough to be one if you wanted to but….I'm not sure. You're too cute to be a womanizer.''
''Boss is cuter.''
Brittany tilted her head as if she were internally debating that. ''Mm. Barely.''
Below them Biscuit and Boss were tenderly licking and nipping at each other now. It almost-almost looked like they were kissing.
Santana changed the course of conversation. ''It looks like things are getting serious between them,'' she said jokingly.
''Boss and Biscuit are totally going steady now.''
''Should I be worried?'' Santana asked teasingly. ''Biscuit won't break Boss' heart will he? Cause if he does I'ma have to have a talk with him man to man….or lady to dog, you know what I mean.''
''No, you don't have to worry about Biscuit. He may look rough on the outside but he's a gentlemen...for Boss he is anyway.''
Santana peered down and jokingly eyed Biscuit as if she were sizing him up. ''I'm watching you fella.'' She used two fingers to point to her eyes and then turned them around on him as if to indicate she was going to be on his case if he broke Boss' puppy heart.
Biscuit in a very uncharacteristic like manner toddled up towards Santana and licked her hand to show friendship.
X
''The next time you go in there give me something dirty but a little sexy and sleek too. Think Flying V.''
Santana was in the recording studio trying to work out some guitar parts for an album she was in the process of working on. It was for a pop princess artist who wanted her new record to be a little more bold and edgy, but of course a palatable bold and edgy so the masses would still find it accessible and catchy. Santana knew how to get something out of a musician that could pass as that yet turn it into something produced and polished.
Sam had dropped in to a lay some stuff down but she had called in another session player friend of hers to do a few takes as well. Sam was generally a well meaning laid back kind of guy and he simply had a very laid back soothing style of playing, but Puck was her go to guy when she needed a guitar part to be a little dirty and left of center yet still precise.
''Got it boss,'' Puck said with a nod and affirmative wink.
Boss, the puppy, had made a spot for himself at Santana's feet. He immediately perked up at his name.
''Not you, boy,'' Santana said to the puppy and handed him a squeaky toy to entertain himself with.
She, Sam and Puck were taking a break in the control room and while the men occupied the studio couch Santana sat behind the console, swiveling back and forth in her leather desk chair. For the past half hour they had been talking about the track they were working on but Santana kept finding herself distracted by the buzzing of her phone.
''So Lopez I heard from Sammy here that you were single again,'' Puck started. ''You know what this means right? The three of us tonight, we're going out on the prowl.'' He then began to do a ridiculous impersonation of Oprah as he pointed fingers at Santana and Sam and then to other imaginary people in the room. ''You're getting laid! You're getting laid! You're getting laid! Everybody's getting laaaaaid!''
''Count me out,'' Sam interjected through laughter. ''I'm in a relationship now. Sam Evans is a one woman kinda man.''
''Disgusting,'' said Puck who then turned to Santana. ''Looks like it'll just be you and me, Lopez. Probably for the best since we're the real lady killers of this trio.''
Santana shook her head. ''Yeah you can count me out too.''
Puck's face dropped in disappointment. ''What? Why?''
Santana's phone buzzed, she picked it up, tapped at the screen a couple of times and then set it aside with a lazy smile. Brittany had just sent her a pic of Biscuit asleep upside down. ''Since I'm not interested in cheap and fast anymore unless I'm buying a bucket of chicken. Meaningless was fun when I was younger but I'm looking for something else now.''
Puck threw his hands up in the air. ''Who says you can't look for something else while doing body shots off a stripper?''
''Leave her alone, Puck,'' Sam said. ''Santana's taking a break from all of that.''
''Bull,'' Puck laughed.
''What? I am,'' Santana laughed right back. ''I'm taking a break from women to just be with myself for awhile. Besides, I have Boss to keep me company.'' Her phone buzzed again. She swiped up, smiled and typed out a quick message.
''Oh yeah? Then who are you texting?'' asked Puck.
''No one,'' Santana answered, setting her phone down. ''No one you know anyway.''
''Mmmhmmm,'' Puck hummed. ''You've been looking at your phone every five minutes. Something tells me you don't want to go out cause you probably already got a girl in your sights. What? Is someone sending you, like, nudes are something?''
Santana scoffed. ''Not that I would share that with either of you if they were, but no.''
''Then let me see.''
With something to prove Santana tossed her phone into Puck's lap. He giddily opened up her messages but his face turned deadpan when he realized there was nothing remotely titillating there. ''What in the, there's nothing here but pictures of someone's puppy.''
''I told you,'' Santana said harshly, grabbing her phone back from him.
''Whatever Santana,'' Puck chuckled and flicked his hand at her. ''Just call me when you get bored with this chick and her cutesy dog pics, we'll go out and have some real fun. You just need to get some tail….and not of the puppy variety.''
Sensing Santana's annoyance with their friend Sam spoke up, nudging Puck in the side. ''You know what why don't you focus a little less on Santana's love life and a little more on nailing this solo. Get back in the booth already, will you. It'd be nice if we could get this part down so we could all go home.''
''Yeah, yeah, yeah,'' Puck grumbled and started making his way back into the padded room where he picked up his guitar and went about plugging himself in, preparing to have another take at recording.
Once he was out of earshot Santana turned her chair towards Sam. ''Thanks.''
He lifted a shoulder casually but he did look amused and pleased about this new development. ''You didn't tell me you met someone.''
''I haven't. I mean it's not like that,'' Santana rambled, not wanting to get into it, not sure if there was anything to get into. ''I met a girl, her dog gets along with my dog. We've been having puppy play dates, that's all. We text sometimes. It's not a thing.''
''It sure sounds like a thing. Besides every time you look at your phone you smile, that totally makes it a thing.''
''It's not.''
''Why not?''
Santana was blase about her emotional inadequacies at this point. ''Because I'm damaged goods, that's why not.''
''You're not,'' Sam spoke quietly. ''And nevermind Puck. Listen even if you're not having a thing with your mystery dog park girl I'm glad you've at least made a new friend. If it turns into something great and if it doesn't I'm happy to see that Boss is helping you get out there.''
X
''So what do you think? The blazer with the skinny jeans or the blue top with leggings?''
Brittany was laying out different outfit variations on her duvet as Tina and Biscuit sat back against the headboard and pondered their input. Brittany was a little anxious about the next puppy play date she and Santana had arranged because she planned to finally take a leap and ask Santana if she wanted to go on a real date. She was running all of her ideas by Tina and Biscuit, right down on what to wear.
''I think the blazer is cute,'' Tina offered. ''It's casual but a tad dressy. She'll be sure to notice you in that. It's adorable.''
Biscuit sat up and poked his nose at the second option, the leggings and the casual flowy blue top.
''Biscuit does have a point,'' Brittany said..
''What point?'' Tina asked, squinting in confusion.
''Santana is a leg woman from what I've gathered and would probably appreciate the leggings a little more.''
Tina shrugged. ''If you say so. I don't know why you're acting all nervous. You've been meeting and texting this girl for awhile now. Just ask her out. I don't get what the big deal is, she's just a person.''
''I know, but she's the first person I've liked that Biscuit has also liked. I think that means something.''
''I think it just means your dog is an asshole.''
As if to retaliate for that remark Biscuit threw a chew toy at Tina's face.
''He is,'' Brittany admitted with a smile. ''But he's my asshole. I know you don't believe me but he totally has like a sixth sense about people. Do you remember the last time I tried to go out with someone?''
''How could I forget? Your date came over to pick you up and Biscuit puked on the man!''
It had been a rather unpleasant incident for everyone involved. It was only a couple of months back. The man had entered the apartment and Brittany had instructed him to sit and wait in the living room while she fetched a coat from her bedroom closet. It was then that Biscuit had padded out and sniffed the guy down. Biscuit must have found something repulsive about the man because he hopped onto the couch and then proceeded to retch all over the man's lap..
It was pretty horrific. Tina and Brittany had rushed over when they heard the man scream. Biscuit meanwhile had just looked super proud of himself. Needless to say the date was cancelled and for a host of other reasons was never rescheduled.
''It was a good thing too because I found out the next day that the guy was married!''
''I think that incident had more to do with Biscuit's stomach not being able to properly digest my pet fish than it had to do with him having some kind of sixth sense.''
''Did it? Or did he purposely eat your pet fish knowing it would cause him to barf because he had gut knowledge that this dude was up to no good and needed a way to make my date come to an abrupt end.''
''I still think it was the first scenario.''
''Look my point is Biscuit hates everyone but he really seems to like Santana, and I do too. I just don't want to screw it up.''
''You won't, and I'm pretty sure she'll want to go out with you no matter what outfit you wear.''
''Yeah?''
''I mean…'' Tina laughed and rubbed Biscuit's coat. ''If she likes you enough to put up with this little snot monster, then I'd say you definitely have a shot.''
That was a very valid point although Brittany actually thought it might be the other way around.
Maybe taking a shot with Santana would turn into something more, because if Biscuit liked her that definitely had to mean something.
Biscuit didn't take to kindly to most people with an interest in Brittany yet he seemed to enjoy Santana's company. He let Santana pet him and had even played fetch with her a few times. He had in a very short time grown to feel an affection and familiarity with the woman. Brittany felt like it just had to be a sign. If Santana could pass Biscuit test of character then that meant she really was something special.
After all Biscuit didn't like just anyone.
X
Even though Santana said it wasn't a thing the truth was deep down she really wished it was.
She wished she and Brittany were a thing.
She had a tiny flickering hope that maybe that's where they were heading as their text conversations got more intimate and animated.
Maybe she had a chance, she thought.
Until their ninth meeting, when Santana was running late to their play date and arrived on the scene to see Brittany sitting on a bench, their bench, with another attractive young woman who had her own leashed dog nearby. They were smiling and nodding at each other and when the woman handed her phone over to Brittany she took it and entered her number. ''I can't wait, I'll call you later to plan something,'' the stranger said before standing and walking off.
Santana swallowed. It felt like her heart had plummeted down into her gut.
Maybe this was something Brittany did. Maybe their talks and their meetings and their texts weren't as meaningful to her as they had been to Santana she thought. Santana should've known. Of course someone as kooky and sweet as Brittany would attract people to her and of course other people would want her attention and of course Brittany had every right to give it to them.
Who was Santana? Damaged goods, she told herself. And who would want that?
''Sorry I'm late,'' Santana said as she approached. ''I got caught up in a meeting and-''
''That's fine.'' Brittany waved to the other side of the bench. ''I brought more treats by the way. Cupcakes this time. I don't know if you're a cupcake kind of person but Biscuit picked yours out. Sit and I'll go grab us something to drink.''
''Actually you know I just came to uh,'' Santana paused as her voice cracked every so slightly. ''To tell you that I couldn't hang today. Some last minute stuff came up and - we'll reschedule? Maybe next week or something?''
''What?'' Brittany's smile vanished from her face. ''You can't like, stay for five minutes? There was something I wanted to ask you.''
Santana rubbed the back of her neck and looked down at Boss. ''Boss and I would love to but another time, okay? I'm sorry to ditch you on such short notice. We'll do this again soon though.''
''Oh. Okay.'' Brittany recovered slowly and nodded as she opened up the pastry box. ''Well, at least take a cupcake.''
Ten minutes later Santana was walking a trail with a cupcake in hand, silently fuming at herself as Boss led her along.
Brittany was sunshine and rainbows and lollipops, and Santana could never be any of those things. Of course she would never be interested in someone like her, bitter, reactive, disconnected. She never had a chance. There were a million people out there, a million shiney happy smiley people out there who would be much better suited to her than Santana ever could be..
Santana chunked Brittany's cupcake in a bin as she walked, dusted off her hand and pulled out her phone. Desperate times called for desperate distractions.
''Puck,'' she said in greeting. ''You still want to go out and have some fun?''
X
The problem with being highly sensitive was you were always at the mercy of your own bitch ass emotions. That had always been one of Santana's biggest downfalls.
She didn't feel any anger towards Brittany, after all, what were they? Nothing. Brittany was single and could do or talk to whoever she pleased. The only anger Santana felt was towards herself for ever allowing herself to entertain the idea that Brittany might possibly feel something for her. But for all Santana knew, Brittany probably had a dozen numbers from other random dog owners. She probably sent pictures of Biscuit to anyone and everyone. Santana more than anything was pissed at herself for thinking she was remotely special to this girl.
And when Santana was angry she did stupid, careless, sometimes destructive things.
Perhaps she had it right all along and people like her were just meant to be alone. She told herself that girls like her didn't end up with girls like Brittany. Girls like Santana got laid instead.
And that's exactly what she planned to do.
She and Puck got together and hit the town and when they were together and drinking they was always trouble to be had. The evening was a blur of flashing club lights, liquor glasses and a gaggle of girls surrounding them at their VIP table. By the end of the night they had both stumbled out of their old favorite club with someone on their arm.
Puck had looked downright proud as Santana paired off with…Katie was her name. Or Karen. Or Kaitlynn. Something with a K, Santana couldn't remember.
Santana was a little fuzzy on how she and this random ended up back at her place. She recalled the girl who had spent the majority of the night making eyes at her and had eventually confided in her that she wanted to see Santana's home recording studio. She supposed that's why they went back to hers but of course once they were in Santana's door, the girl really didn't seem interested in a tour of the place. All she really seemed to care about was sticking her tongue down Santana's throat.
They had stumbled into the sitting area and fell onto the couch.
For Santana, this was merely a form of distraction. It didn't fill her heart or sooth her in any way, but then again it wasn't entirely unpleasant either she thought as the girl straddled her.
''You're so hot,'' the girl said as she buried her face in Santana's neck.
''Yeah, I know.''
''I want you to take me all night. Think you can do that?''
''Uh huh.''
Squeak.
Santana and the woman paused what they were doing and turned to their side. It seemed Boss had climbed up onto the couch and dropped a squeaky duck toy in front of them. He let his tongue hang out as he stared at this strange woman who was sitting on top of his favorite human.
''Who's this?'' the girl asked.
''My puppy.'' Santana blinked a few times and straightened up. She hadn't fooled around casually like this in awhile and she certainly hadn't brought any randoms home since she had taken in Boss. She almost felt guilty but then decided that she was being ridiculous. She was a human and he was her dog, she was allowed to do whatever and whoever she wanted. She tossed his toy to the other side of the room and off he went after it. ''Not now, boy, okay? Later.''
Boss jumped down and toddled off to go retrieve his ducky toy and Santana allowed the girl to resume kissing and grinding against her. Things were getting hot and heavy and gropey when once again Boss climbed up with his toy and offered it to them, clearly wanting to play.
''Boss, come on, not now little guy,'' Santana said gently.
Annoyed the girl reached out and nudged Boss away from them. ''Why is he weird?''
''He's not weird, he's a puppy, puppies like to play. He's just excited. He likes people.''
''Whatever. Is this - '' the girl made a motion with her hand, signalling her body as well as Santana's. ''Going to happen or what? Because I'm horny and I need you.''
''Just chill, okay,'' Santana grunted. ''We'll go to the bedroom and shut the door.''
Santana was getting more aggravated with the girl than she was with Boss. She shrugged it off though, it's not like she was going to remember the girl's name tomorrow. It's not like she even remembered the girl's name now. They shuffled up off of the couch and Santana led them to the bedroom where they shut the door behind them.
''Now where were we…'' the girl said as she pushed Santana down back onto her own bed.
The girl straddled her again and things started to escalate then as buttons were undone and zippers came down. The only sound one could hear was the sound of their heavy breathing...and the soft puppy cries coming from the other side of the door.
Boss. He was now apparently pawing at the bottom of the door in some sad, lonely attempt to get in, to be closer to his human. He sounded lonely and heartbroken.
Santana exhaled but made no effort to move. The girl, whatever her name was, took it upon herself to act. Still mostly dressed she got up and made her way to the door, opened it and looked down at Boss and his watery eyes.
''What the hell do you want you stupid fucking dog?''
And with that something in Santana snapped. She moved off of the bed in an instant and went to the woman. ''What did you just call him?''
''Stupid, because he is.''
''He's not stupid.''
''Well either way you need to get him trained.'' The woman picked Boss up as if he were some filthy pest, holding him out and away from her body. ''I'm gonna lock him in a room so he can leave us alone-''
''Actually no.'' Santana stopped her and pulled Boss into her own arms protectively. ''You're not. And you know what? I think you should go.''
The girl looked offended. ''Go? We were just getting started.''
''We'll we're finished now. I'm not in the mood anymore.''
''What? Because I called your dumb dog stupid?''
''Yeah actually. That and you have no ass. I'm sobering up now and frankly, I'm not interested anymore.''
The woman stormed into the sitting area, grabbed her bag and then made a show of making her hair and clothing presentable before she walked out. ''Have fun going to bed alone tonight, Santana. You really didn't have to get pissy over a damn animal.''
''Just get the hell out already, alright.'' Santana sighed, refusing to give the girl any kind of satisfaction from seeing her get flustered.
The woman slammed the door on her way out.
Once Santana was alone with Boss she took him to sit in the living room, cradling him almost. He didn't look bothered by that mean lady's words as he stared at Santana, panting happily.
''You're not stupid,'' Santana said.
He leaned up and licked her face in appreciation, as if to say I know I'm not.
It was for the best she thought later as she got washed up and changed into her sleep clothes. She didn't want to be friends with or even touch someone who could talk that way to Boss, Boss who waddled up and joined her on the bed after she slid in between her sheets.
She stared up at her ceiling dejectedly. She found her hand reaching out for her phone and opened up her messages. Her fingers itched to text Brittany.
She wasn't even sure what she would say but her first instinct was to connect to Brittany, to something and someone who was real.
But she couldn't. For whatever reason she just simply couldn't. Instead she tossed her phone back onto the empty space beside her and then rubbed at her face for several moments.
''Why am I such a stupid scared little bitch about my feelings uggghhh,'' Santana groaned.
''...uhhhhhh hello?'' Brittany's voice could be heard as if from a distance. ''Santana? Hello?''
''What the hell?'' Santana jumped up, alarmed. Why was she hearing Brittany's voice? Where was her phone? She looked amongst the bed sheets but despite the fact that she had just thrown it there it was nowhere to be found.
''Santana? Are you okay? Hello?'' Brittany asked and again her voice sounded small and far away, almost muted.
Almost as if-
''Boss get your little puppy butt off my phone,'' Santana said, patting Boss' tush and finding that yes, he had somehow gotten it underneath him and managed to buttdial Brittany in the middle of the night. She picked it up and put the existing call on speaker. ''Brittany? Are you there?''
''Hey, is everything okay?''
Santana chuckled. ''What? No-yeah. I'm so sorry, I don't know how it happened but Boss buttdialed you. I had my phone here in bed and he usually sleeps with me. I guess he sat on it. I'm sorry, I didn't meant to wake you up.''
''It's fine. I wasn't asleep anyway.''
''You weren't?''
''Nah, Biscuit and I are in the middle of a Sweet Valley High marathon. Why are you up?''
Santana hesitated. She didn't want to give Brittany all the gory details of her one-night-stand-gone-wrong. She didn't want the woman to think she did that kind of thing all the time or anything. ''I….just can't sleep.''
''Oh.''
''Can I ask you a question though? Since we're on the phone…'' Santana pulled Boss up to cuddle. He happily buried his nose in her hair and curled into her side.
''Sure. I'm down. To tell you the truth Biscuit is a lot more into Sweet Valley High than I am so you're kind of saving me from boredom. What's your question?''
''This may sound a little strange but, do you think dogs have a sixth sense about people?''
There was silence on Brittany's end for several seconds before she gave a very confident ''oh yeah totally!''
''You do?''
''For sure,'' Brittany affirmed. ''One hundred percent. Like I totally believe that Biscuit can sense things about people way better than any human can.''
''Yeah?''
''Biscuit has this way of sussing out who someone is. I told you that he gives my roommate Tina a hard time for fun right?''
''Uh huh.''
''He enjoys grinding her gears because I think he finds it funny but when it comes down to it he's also really protective of her too. A couple of months ago I was working one evening and so Tina took him out for a walk and we live in a pretty lively safe neighborhood, lots of cafes and crowds, you know. Nothing ever really happens. But that night during their walk she said she noticed Biscuit acting a little strange, he kept stopping to look behind them but every time Tina would look back there was nothing and no one. Eventually she stopped at an ATM on her way back and that's when it happened-''
''Oh god,'' Santana made some soft uncomfortable noise.
''Some guy tried to come at her but before he could even do anything Biscuit leapt at him, and Biscuit is still pretty small but believe me when I say that little guy can get vicious when he wants to and he did.''
''I hope he left the guy bloody.''
''He did and fortunately some bystanders saw what happened and kept the guy down too. When it was all said and done they found a knife on the mugger, apparently he was just after the money she had just gotten out at the machine but who knows what could've happened had Biscuit not been there. The reason he kept stopping during the walk is because he sensed something was about to go down before it did. He tore that guy up…..I think part of the reason Tina can shrug off all of Biscuit's shenanigans is because she knows that when it matters he'll always be there to protect her.''
''Wow that's….wow.''
''A lot of animals have that intuition though. They can sniff out when someone is up to no good.''
''Even Boss?''
''Probably,'' said Brittany. ''I think all dogs have this gut instinct about people. Boss has probably never had to use it or act on it but something tells me if you were in real danger or even if someone sketchy with bad intentions was around, he would totally do whatever he could to make sure you were safe and didn't get hurt.''
Beside Santana Boss let out a little puppy snore. The little guy had dozed off.
''Why do you ask?'' asked Brittany.
''No reason, just curious…..so how was your day?''
They talked about anything and everything for the next three hours and Santana found herself laughing and debating and thinking and connecting with Brittany in a way she probably wouldn't have with that rando girl if she had stayed.
Perhaps whining and pestering was Boss' covert way of saving Santana from hooking up with someone she would regret sleeping with. Someone she didn't feel anything for. Maybe that was Boss using his puppy intuition so she didn't do anything foolish.
Whatever it was Santana was glad for it because the sound of Brittany's voice, all warm and soft in her ear, was more exciting more rewarding than any heartless tumble in the sheets.
''It's like 5am…'' Santana yawned into her phone. She had been so engaged in their conversation that she hadn't noticed how much time had flown by until she heard the birds outside of her window begin to wake and chirp. ''Holy crap, I didn't realize how long we'd been talking. You should've told me to shut up.''
''No, I liked it. I liked talking with you even though I disagree with your stance on Homeward Bound being the greatest dog movie ever-''
''Cause it is! If you don't feel something when Shadow runs into Peter's arms at the end THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT BRITTANY!''
''Air Bud was better!''
''Air Bud my ass,'' laughed Santana.
''Whatever, agree to disagree,'' Brittany chuckled back. ''Seriously though, I didn't even realize how late it was getting.''
''Yeah but now I feel bad. Me, I can roll out of bed when ever I want, but you probably have a dance class to teach or something.''
''No, not today. I have a meeting with a parent this afternoon but other than that I don't have anything on my plate for the day.''
''That's good.''
''Yeah, I met this woman at the park the other day, you might've seen her. She and I hit it off. She and I were talking that day you came but left in a hurry.''
Santana swallowed because yes she had definitely seen her alright.
''I told her about being a dance teacher and she said her and her husband had always wanted to put their daughter in a class but could never afford it. She seemed nice though so I told her if she wanted to meet at the studio I could give her a tour and we could maybe talk about getting her daughter into a class at a rate they could afford.''
''Oh….ohhhhhhhhh'' Santana croaked weakly.
Santana felt relieved and also slightly queasy. She hadn't witnessed Brittany making plans to go out on a date with someone else, she had witnessed Brittany simply being kind and offering another person and their family a helping hand. She squeezed her eyes shut, not because she was sleepy but because Santana couldn't believe what a over-reactive idiot she was being.
''That's really amazing of you,'' Santana said.
''It's nothing.''
''It's not nothing. It's sweet and kind and wonderful of you to want to help a family like that.''
''Nah, not really. It's just me being me.''
''Maybe you're all of those things.''
Brittany hummed into the receiver. ''...Santana, I have a question for you and before I even ask it I want you to know you can totally say 'thanks but no thanks'. No pressure. It's just that...well I was…me and you have...I was hoping that...'' Brittany started and stopped several more times, sounding flustered on her end of the call. ''Santana, I've been wanting to ask you this since the day I met you and Boss in the park.''
Santana's face twitched up into a hopeful smile. ''Yes?''
''...would you like to come to Biscuit's dog party this weekend?''
''Uhhhhh what?''
''Biscuit,'' Brittany started with a slightly nervous lilt to her voice. ''I'm throwing him a party this weekend in honor of his three months of sobriety.''
''He's an alcoholic?''
''Was,'' Brittany corrected her. ''He goes to meetings now. But I wanted to throw him a special party to celebrate all of the hard work he's been doing. My apartment, this coming Saturday. I know how much it would mean to Biscuit if you and Boss came.''
Santana deflated a little. For a second she actually thought Brittany was going to ask her out on a date there. ''Sure. Of course, of course. I'd love to come to your dog party. Boss and I will be there in full support of Biscuit.''
It wasn't a date-date but Santana supposed it was something.
Now...what the hell was a dog party?
X
A/N: how is everyone taking to this fluffy AU so far? Does anyone have any fun puppy stories to share? Like do any of you have pets that remind you of Boss/Brittany or Biscuit/Santana?
I have to give a special shoutout to maythejulianaaa on Tumblr for one, telling me to write this story and two, always giving me ideas based on her very own doggy, Bella (who I may or may not want to secretly dognap because she's so cute). Maythejulianaaa also did some mega cute art for Puppy Love, so also go check and like that :)