Author's Note: Thank you all for your lovely comments; they all put a smile on my face.
I'm glad to hear you guys are enjoying the development between the girls, and I hope you all enjoy this update as well. xo
The next morning, I wake up earlier than usual and find Brittany still asleep and curled up at the edge of the bed. Thankful that my headache is gone, I quietly make my way out the bedroom and find Sugar swiftly moving about the kitchen while her neck brace sits on the counter. When she finally notices me standing at the entrance, she races for her brace and tries to clip it on.
"Save it," I laugh. "I know you don't really need it."
"Yeah? Well, I know Brittany slept in your room!"
"Shh!" I hush her. "Why are you always so loud? She's still sleeping so keep it down."
"You have no shame. You don't even try to deny it."
"Why am I going to deny it?" I ask as I pick at her freshly cooked pan of scrambled eggs. "It's true. She slept in my room."
"How can you be so casual about it?"
"It's not like I'm telling you that she slept with me. I mean, she did but not how you're imagining it."
"I saw you two kissing at the hospital and then she spends the night in your room! There's only one thing you guys could have done in there! What ever happened to being over her?"
"Sugar, I'm serious. If you yell one more time, I'm going to burn your tongue off with this pan."
"Making threats is not a good way of starting off your morning," Brittany comments as she steps into the kitchen. "What's going on?" She asks when Sugar and I go awkwardly silent.
"Nothing," I answer. "Want some eggs?"
"Sure." She sits at the small breakfast table where I set a plate of eggs in front of her.
"I made those by the way," Sugar says.
Brittany looks up at her. "You did? Were they for you?"
"They were," Sugar sighs, dramatically. "But it's okay. I have no problem sharing them with you."
I roll my eyes. "Don't you worry. I'm not touching your beloved eggs. I'm making my own breakfast."
"Okay, what's going on?" Brittany asks again. "Why were you guys fighting?"
"I'm sure Santana won't mind explaining," Sugar says as she dumps the remaining eggs on to a plate. "I'll be in my room."
When we hear her bedroom door close, Brittany looks up at me expectantly.
"It was nothing." I pull out a mug from the kitchen shelf and pour myself some coffee. "She got upset because I caught her without her neck brace," I explain.
"She doesn't really need it, does she?"
"Of course not. She just misses the attention her parents gave her so needs to get it from somewhere." I pour a shot of vodka into my coffee and take a seat next to Brittany.
"Is that your breakfast?"
"I might make some toast later," I reply.
Brittany frowns and points at her plate. "Have some eggs."
"Okay," I say, opening my mouth like a baby bird.
Brittany laughs and forks some food into my mouth.
"I need to tell you something."
"Uh-oh." I pause as she feeds me some more. "Bad or good?"
"I'm not sure. It's actually more of question." She pauses, timidly. "Last night, when-"
"When I kissed you?" I finish.
Her blue eyes look into mine then hide back behind her lashes as she looks down. "Yeah. Why- Why did you do that?"
I shrug. "Why did you stay?"
She looks up at me again, this time locking her eyes with mine. "I don't know."
"Well…" I begin. "I kissed you because it felt right, and because I'm different now. I used to be a thinker. I always ran an idea in my head a million times before deciding what to do, but now I just do what I feel. And even though that mindset has gotten me into some trouble, it's worked out for me pretty well for the most part." I smile. "So that's why I did it. I did it because I felt like it. And I realize confessing that I kissed you without permission and simply because I felt like is an extremely douchey thing to do and say, so I apologize if I offended you."
"Apology accepted but… I don't know if I was offended by it."
"Oh?"
Brittany smiles, sheepishly. "I kinda did exactly the same thing to you at the hospital. Plus, It was… kinda nice. "
"What was?" I ask as if I don't know what she means. I just want to hear her say it.
"Kissing you. It was nice."
I nod and look down into my mug with a sly grin. "Believe it or not, I hear that quite often."
"Oh, do you?" She asks, sarcastically. "From who? A girlfriend that you haven't mentioned?"
"No, no girlfriend, just girls."
"I see."
"It's a good thing it doesn't come from a girlfriend though, right?" I ask. "Cause if it did then I wouldn't have the chance to prove to you again just how nice kissing me can be."
She grins. "Who said you have a chance?"
"Well, do I?"
Brittany presses her lips into a reluctant smile as she pushes her food around her plate. For a moment, she seems to be thinking of a clever answer to reply with, but then she looks up at me and leans in until she's about half a foot away from my lips.
I quickly close the distance between us and trap her upper lip between my own, but soon after, she giggles and pulls away.
"What is it?" I ask through a chuckle.
"You taste funny," she says, inches away from me.
"Oh, sorry. It's the coffee."
"It's okay." She cradles my face in her hands and looks me straight in the eye. "I don't want things to change or get weird. I care about you. A lot. And this definitely feels right, but I don't want us to-"
"Shh." I peck her lips. "We'll be okay. I promise," I say, and it's enough to get her sweet lips instantly back on mine.
/
"Hey, beautiful," comes her voice before I get a spank on my behind. "Done for the day?"
"Yeah, just about," I say as I click through the pictures of the very pregnant woman I photographed today. "This chick is crazy. She told me this is her 4th pregnancy, and she must be in her what? Early 30s? Why would you want so many god damn kids?"
"I don't know. Some women are just made for that. They have that need, you know?"
"No, I don't know," I say, shutting off the computer.
She laughs. "Hey, I need to edit some pictures before I go tonight, but if you wait for me we can go grab some drinks and then maybe head to my place." She winks, seductively.
"I'm gonna have to pass. I'm dead tired and have to shoot some engagement pictures tomorrow morning, so I need my beauty sleep."
The entrance chime rings annoyingly as it signals someone's presence.
"Hello?" Calls Brittany's curious voice.
"My ride is here," I announce, heading out from the editing room.
When Brittany sees me, her face instantly brightens and I feel my own face do the same. "Hi!" She greets.
"Hey." I kiss her cheek. "You're just on time."
"Ah, so you're the best friend Brittany. I've heard a few things about you."
"You have?" Brittany asks with a hint of excitement.
"Yeah. All good of course."
"I just mentioned how you graduated college and are like a genius and all that," I explain.
"I'm Mallory, by the way."
Brittany shakes her hand. "It's nice to meet you. I like your accent. Are you British?"
"Australian, actually. I've been trying to shake it off for the last five years, but I've had no luck," she says, then turns to look at me, "I told you it's still noticeable."
"It's not that bad," I wave off. "We should get going, Britt."
"Hey, so give me a call if you change your mind, yeah?" Mallory says as we turn to leave.
"Ok, yeah," I say in a rushed and quiet voice as I pull Brittany through the exit.
"Nice meeting you!" Brittany calls out before the door closes. "She's really pretty," she comments once we climb into my car.
"You think so?" I turn the car engine on and pull out into the street.
"As if you don't."
"Okay she is, but I've known her for a while, so I don't pay too much attention to that aspect of anymore."
Brittany laughs.
"What's so funny?"
"No, nothing. Did you guys have plans tonight?"
"No, she was talking about a uh…" I change car lanes and double check all my mirrors in order to buy me some time. "About a job she got for me."
"Oh. Are you not going to do it?"
"Do what?"
"The job that she got for you," she answers, patiently.
"Oh! I… No, I don't think so. My schedule is pretty full right now… Hey, how did your job interviews go?" I ask, quickly changing topics.
"I don't know," she says, sounding discouraged. "I feel like they didn't go too well. I get really nervous."
"You? Brittany Pierce, nervous?"
She chuckles. "I know. It's not a very me thing to do, but I kinda freeze up when I'm getting interviewed by these experienced veterinarians."
"Just relax, Britt. You have the grades of a kid born and raised in a school and actual first hand experience. You'll get something sooner or later."
"I hope so," she says, staring out the window. "Can you stop the car?"
"What? Why?"
"Just park right up there." She points at a nearby parking meter.
As soon as I park, Brittany jumps out the car. "Britt?" I follow her out and onto the sidewalk. "What are you doing?"
"This is a park, right?"
"Yes, but it's closed, hence the locked gate."
"Well if they didn't want people to come in," she starts as she nears the gate, "I think they would have made it taller." She easily swings her legs over the metal gate and lands softly on the other side.
"Brittany!" I say in a loud whisper, looking around for any spectators. "What the hell are you doing?"
She laughs. "Come on, Santana. What happened to not being a thinker and listening to your feelings?"
"I feel like this is a bad idea."
"It's just a park. It's not like we're stealing anything."
"I doubt the cops will care when they catch us. Can you just please get back over here. We can come back tomorrow during the day like normal people."
"Hmm, nah. I think I'll go for a walk now." She turns on her heel and begins walking down the paved pathway.
"Brittany!" I whisper again. "I can't fucking believe this," I say to myself as I struggle to climb over the gate. When I finally make it over, I lose my balance and fall to my knees. "God dammit." I sweep the dirt off my jeans and hurry after Brittany.
"Oh, you came," she says, acting surprised when I catch up to her.
"Yeah, I came. What exactly are you planning on doing?"
"I plan on enjoying the scenery and being one with nature. That's what you're suppose to do at the park, right?"
"Brittany, it's 8:30, you can barely see anything out here."
"It's not like it's pitch black. There's light. See?" She points at some dim lamp posts. "Oh, look!" She says as we come to the end of our trail. "There's an amphitheater. Let's sit down." She takes my hand and leads me down a few stairs until she chooses a row in which to sit. "This is cool. We should come see a show sometime."
"That sounds like a great idea. Let's come back then," I say, getting up from my seat.
"You know, you're a big scaredy-cat for someone who does what she wants now."
I scowl at her.
"I'm just saying," she smiles. "You weren't afraid to kiss me, but you're afraid to sit in a dark park."
"I'm not afraid," I say, sitting back down.
"That's it? That's all you're going to say? No follow up witty remark?"
"Not this time."
"Did I upset you?"
I smile. "No. You just know how to shut me up."
Brittany laughs.
"You're also the only one who can get me to do shit like this. Remember when you dragged me to that hilltop to watch the sunrise?"
"Of course. I still have the picture we took, look." She pulls out her phone and when the screen lights up, our smiling faces from that day appear on her screen. "It's been my screensaver for the past two years."
"Really?" I smile.
"Yeah," she assures me. "You know, although nowadays you sometimes curse like a sailor and drink alcohol in the mornings, you still have the same sweet smile you've had since we were kids." She pokes my cheek. "I'm so happy I can see those dimples again."
I can't help but smile wider at her words. "I am pretty cute, huh?"
"The cutest," she quietly says before kissing my cheek. She lingers there for just a few seconds then slowly moves over until she's hovering over my lips and staring into my eyes. "I'm especially happy about being able to kiss you."
"Me too" I say just before connecting my lips with hers. She smiles when my tongue enters her mouth and allows me to taste her own as she slips it past my lips. It's warm and sweet like some kind of freshly made, out of the oven candy cane. And although I've never liked candy, I think I can get used to this.
"HEY!" Comes a blaring voice from somewhere near the stage. I look down and see the figure of a man before a bright light is being flashed at my face. "What are you two doing up there? This park is closed for the night!"
"Shit." I grab Brittany's hand and yank her to her feet. "Time to go."
/
"Well about time you two showed up," Sugar says, and we instantly break away from our kiss as we tumble into the apartment. "May I ask where you've been?" She asks from her place on the couch.
"What are you, our mom?" I say.
"We just went for a walk," Brittany explains. "What have you been up to tonight?"
"Oh, you know. Just hanging out with my only friend these days, the cat that sleeps out on our fire escape."
"You guys have a cat?" Brittany asks, excitedly. "Is it out there right now?"
"So Brittany, did Santana explain to you why we were arguing this morning?" Sugar asks, ignoring Brittany's adorable excitement.
"Yeah, she said she caught you without your neck brace," she says as she opens the window and peeks her head out.
"What? That's not what happened!"
"Then what was it?" She asks, her whole upper body already out on the fire escape. "I don't think it's out here. I don't see it… I wonder if it's a boy or a girl."
"By the sounds it makes at night, I'm gonna say it's a girl. Unless it's a boy who likes it from behind," I finish saying as I pull Sugar away from the living room and into the kitchen. "What do you think you're doing?"
She jerks her arm away from my grasp. "What are you doing? Cause I'm just trying to find out if you told Brittany that you're over her."
"Why are you being such an ass about this? I thought you wanted us to be together."
"Wait, so... you're together?" She asks, her face going from angry to curious. "You're official?"
"Well, no but-"
"Then what? What are you? What are you doing?"
"We're just… I don't know. We don't need to call it anything. We're keeping it simple."
"Keeping it simple," she repeats, dryly. "And does Brittany know about this?"
"Of course she does. We never said we were… you know, a thing."
"So she knows you're not actually together and she's okay with that?"
"Yeah. She hasn't said she isn't."
"This isn't a good idea, Santana. Why are you doing this if you just told me that you're done having feelings for her."
"Because it feels right. We love each other and like being around one another, but I don't think that means we need to be in love. Plus, you know I don't do relationships. And look, if this whole thing between her and me ends up going south, we'll be okay because we're not getting too invested. We can just go back to being friends."
"So wait, wait, wait," she says, waving her hands in front of her. "So what you're basically saying is that you and Brittany are friends with benefits?"
"No, it's not like that. Well, I mean… We care about each other. It's not like we're using one another for sex."
"I knew it! I knew you slept with her last night!"
My hand immediately lands over her mouth. "We didn't have sex," I whisper.
She peels my hand away from herself and says, "But you're planning to. Or are you also keeping this PG 13?"
"Sugar… I- I don't know. We haven't even kissed half as many times as you've kissed that framed picture of Ryan Gosling you have on your nightstand."
She sighs. "This is a bad idea. I really, really think you guys shouldn't do this."
"We'll be fine. We're adults, we can handle it."
"Can you?"
"Yeah…"
A knocking sound interrupts us, and we walk back into the living room to find Brittany locked out. I chuckle and lift the heavy, wood framed window open. "What happened?"
"It closed on me." She carefully climbs back in with her hands behind her back.
"What's behind your back?" Sugar asks.
"Huh? Nothing." She stands awkwardly in place then says, "I need to pee," but makes no move towards the bathroom.
"Are you planning on peeing here or?..." I say.
"We should play a game. You guys both face the door until I come back from the bathroom."
"Alright, Brittany what's behind your back?"
Her face twists into a face full of guilt. "Can we keep them?" She asks, bringing both hands forward and displaying three sleeping kittens.
"Aww!" Sugar moves towards them like a magnet. "They're so cute!"
"Brittany, they could have fleas," I say.
"They probably do…"
Sugar quickly retrieves her hands.
"...But I can bathe them and get them all out," Brittany finishes. "Then I'll find homes for them."
"I don't know, Britt. Don't they need to eat and stuff."
"We can lay them out on the fire escape during the day where their mama can feed them and once it gets dark we can bring them in and cuddle them."
"If you get them to be flea-free then I'm all for the little guys staying," Sugar says.
"Actually, one of them is a girl," Brittany explains. "We can name her Little Santana."
"Um, no," I reply. "But I guess they can stay while you find them a permanent home."
She smiles. "Thanks, guys! Maybe you'll end up falling in love with one and keeping it, huh?"
"I highly doubt that," I reply.