Two weeks later
From Puck: Yo nerds grab your shit, it's nice as fuck outside and the sky should be clear tonight allowing us to watch the starry night. Sam and I already packed all tents and camping gear, just bring yourself to the ranch, grab a horse and join us for a night in nature!
From Sam: S'mores, drinks and food is taken care of, just bring yourself it's time for the first cowboys & cowgirls nature night.
Brittany laughs reading their messages and exits her chat opening Santana's private chat.
To San: Hey you going?
She stands up walking out of her room and walks over to Mason's knocking on the door, she walks in as soon as she hears him telling her to enter with a soft giggle and smiles. ''What ya doing bud?''
''You don't have to knock Britty.'' Mason tells her giggling. ''You can always come in.''
''I know Maze but I won't barge into your room, you know that I prefer you knocking before entering my room too so I do the same.'' She crouches down beside him ruffling his hair and smiles. ''Would you like to join the group for the first night in nature this year?''
''Camping?!''
Brittany laughs as he immediately jumps up with a big smile and nods her head. ''Yes camping, Sam and Puck planned everything.'' She runs her hand through his hair and smiles lovingly. ''Pack a few toys you want to bring with you okay?''
She stands up as he nods his head grabbing his backpack and walks over to his closet, she grabs a change of clothes for him and glances at the stack of Pajamas. ''What do you want to wear to bed Maze?''
''Cars!''
She chuckles grabbing his favorite pair of Cars pajamas and grabs a pair of blue swim trunks. ''I will pack our overnight bag.'' She tells him as she walks out of his room, she walks into her own dropping his clothes on her bed and grabs her phone as she hears it buzz.
She opens Santana's message after noticing that everyone including Rachel and Finn agreed to join them and smiles as she reads her reply.
From Santana: Hey yeah sounds fun, the two of you going too?
To Santana: Yeah Maze is excited and it's warm enough for him to take a dive in the lake, pack your swim clothes I am sure we will all take a dive. Want us to pick you up?
From Santana: Yeah that would be nice, can I ride up with the both of you again? I don't really trust myself on a horse alone just yet.
To Santana: I am not letting you on a horse alone just yet San, you only had one 'Lesson', Maze and I will be there in fifteen.
She walks over to her closet quickly grabbing a pair of shorts and a shirt to sleep in and grabs her bikini top, she grabs one of the board shorts she prefers to wear in the water whenever she goes with the boys knowing they will joke around a lot and grabs one for Santana too not liking the thought of her accidentally flashing the guys.
She shoves everything in her bag and grabs her phone shooting Puck a message.
To Noah: Hey did you pack Maze's sleeping bag too, or shall I bring the one I have here?
She chuckles as he immediately reads her message and walks into the bathroom to grab the sunscreen she keeps there, she looks down at her phone as it buzzes in her hand and smiles slightly.
From Noah: Nope I have his sleeping bag and a double for you, we have three tents so we will look how we will split up.
To Noah: Well we have one four person tent, I will take that one with Maze and any of the originals just don't pair me up with Finn and Rachel.
From Noah: Yeah that four person is always reserved for the both of you B, I might crash in the other cabin. Maze is still little so we can still fit two others in the tent with us.
To Noah: We will discuss it tonight, you already there?
From Noah: About to ride up with Sam and Cedes, we will set the tents up and prepare the food so join us whenever.
To Noah: We will, Maze just finished packing his toys and I packed our bag we will pick San up and join y'all in about an hour.
She locks her phone again shoving it into the pocket of the jeans she wears and grabs her bag walking out of her room. ''Maze?'' She calls out locking her door, she watches him run out of his room with a big grin and chuckles as he skids to a stop to lock his own door. ''Ready?''
''Yes!''
''Alright let's go, Santana will drive and ride with us.''
She laughs as he immediately runs down the stairs exclaiming that they have to pick her up now and shakes her head, she shoulders her bag following him down the stairs and raises an eyebrow as he jumps around excitedly. ''Jacket Maze.'' She tells him softly as she grabs her key and puts on her own jacket.
She opens the door shaking her head as he sprints out and quickly follows him allowing the door to slam close behind her.
''Come on Britty!''
''Yeah yeah, calm down bud.'' She tells him laughing as she unlocks her car dropping their bags in the trunk, she helps him in his seat leaning over him to buckle him in and ruffles his hair smiling as he starts to count up the things he wants to do. She slides into the drivers seat sending Santana a text that they will be there in a few minutes and glances in the rear view mirror. ''What music Maze?''
''Rock!'' She chuckles hitting shuffle on her favorite playlist filled with rock songs and drops her phone into the cup holder, she pulls out of the driveway and rolls her window down smiling lovingly as she hears him start singing.
One hour later
''Puuuuck!''
Santana and Brittany both laugh as Mason suddenly excitedly yell Puck's name the second they near their spot and shake their heads.
''Maze.'' Brittany scolds softly still chuckling, she shakes her head as he just turns his head to look at her smiling cutely and sighs. ''No yelling when we are sitting on a horse.'' She reminds him.
''Sorry Britty.'' Mason whispers while gently running his hand over the horse's mane.
''Amazement, my favorite little guy!'' Puck exclaims grinning as he jogs up to them. ''Gimme the bags B.''
''Puck, I am the only little one here.'' Mason points out frowning.
Santana covers her mouth and giggles. ''Yeah Puck, he is the only little guy here.''
Brittany laughs handing him his bags and shrugs as he turns to her in surprise. ''Can't tell them they are wrong.'' She tells him as she slides off of the horse's back, she takes Mason in her arms keeping a strong hold on the reigns and places him down. ''Go say hi Maze but don't go near the water yet.''
''No, no diving in just yet Maze.'' Puck tells him as he ruffles his hair. ''We will first go into the woods and gather up some wood while the girls just sit back and relax.'' He turns to Brittany and smiles. ''Yes you will be relaxing too, Sam and I will keep an eye on him.''
Brittany nods her head helping Santana off of the horse and fastens the reigns around the tree beside the others, she grabs the bucket filled with water and places it in front of him patting his mane. ''All good boy.'' She murmurs.
''We will give them food later on.'' Puck tells her grinning as he bounces Mason on his shoulders. ''Come on, let's go to the group.'' He tells them after hugging both girls the second they walked up to him.
''Girls! Maze!''
Brittany smiles slightly as the girls and Sam immediately jog over to them and stumbles back as Sam tackles her in a hug. ''Damn Sammy, you saw me this morning.''
''Shut up, let me be excited about our first camping night.'' Sam mutters with an eye roll as he kisses her cheek. ''We kept it booze free, but Finn brought some beers.'' He whispers.
Brittany sighs her eyes immediately landing on the two six packs right beside Finn's chair and pulls out of Sam's hug allowing the girls to pull her into their own hug. ''Yeah let him, Maze won't be near him the second he cracks one open.''
''Maze will stay near one of us at all time B.'' Quinn reassures with a slight smile.
''Yeah he sure will and we also already made sleep arrangements.'' Tina tells her grinning, Brittany just raises an eyebrow dropping their bags in front of the biggest tent and smirks.
''I don't care who crashes in here with me, left side is mine.''
Mercedes laughs and pats her back nodding her head to the right side. ''Sam and I will crash in the other section, Puck, T and Q will take the one beside ours and San can crash with you or with them but that will be quite cramped up.''
''Nope I will bunk with Britt if that's okay, I know tents don't give much room but that one.'' Santana nods her head to the smaller tent their other three friends will crash in. ''Looks too small for four, hell it looks to small for three.''
Quinn laughs and nods her head. ''It is made to fit two, but T and I aren't that bit so we can still move freely.''
''You are free to join me.'' Brittany tells her chuckling. ''Just be prepared for a little body either laying on top of us or little hands suddenly slapping you awake.''
''Alright now that we cleared all of that.'' Puck exclaims still bouncing Mason on his shoulders. ''You girls sit and relax, we will gather up some wood for the campfire.''
Brittany nods her head walking over to him and plucks her little brother off of his shoulders, she adjusts Mason's hat and taps his nose. ''Listen to Sam and Puck.'' She tells him softly as she notices Finn also standing up to join the boys. ''And take your water bottle with you.''
She places him down allowing him to run to her bag to grab his water bottle and smiles slightly as he sprints to the boys after he grabbed his water bottle, she turns to the girls and chuckles. ''Well I don't know what you all are planning, but I will soak in some sun as long as it's shining brightly.''
''Let's change!''
She laughs as Quinn and Tina dive into their tent right after Mercedes yelled and shakes her head sliding into her own section of the tent, she peaks her head out looking at Santana and raises an eyebrow. ''You changing too?''
''I think I was the only smart one.'' Santana tells her chuckling as she takes off her shirt. ''Mami told me to put my bikini on right before I left.'' Smirking as she sees Brittany's eyes rake down her body.
''Damn why we never think of that?'' Mercedes asks grumbling as she hits her head against one of the inner walls, she punches it as she hears Brittany's soft snicker and cackles as she hears her groan. ''Don't laugh at me bitch.''
''Ugh shut up Cedes.'' Brittany grumbles, she digs through her bag and holds one of the board shorts out for Santana as she sees her putting her clothes away wearing a gorgeous red bikini. ''Put this one on too San.'' She murmurs so only she can hear her. ''The boys will sure turn into the clowns they are the second we enter the water, so all girls made the silent agreement to put on some shorts to make sure we don't accidentally flash them.''
She smiles as she sits down on their sleeping mats her back facing her as she slides her legs into the shorts and quickly changes into her bikini, she grabs her own shorts sliding into them and turns to Santana smiling inwardly as she sees her quickly turn away a blush covering her cheeks.
''Come on crabby, let's tan.'' She murmurs as she scoots past her to open the tent again, she blurts out a laugh quickly jumping out as Santana tries to swat at her and bumps into Mercedes.
''The heck, what kicked your ass?'' Mercedes asks in amusement as she wraps her arm around her best friend to keep her upright, she turns to Santana raising an eyebrow as she sees the light blush covering her cheeks and shakes her head as she sees her fake glaring at Brittany.
''San tried, thank god her legs were too short.'' Brittany breaths out in amusement, she laughs as Santana grumbles and jogs over to the chairs the boys set up falling down into one near the fire pit. ''Dips!''
''Hell no, you can't call dips on everything B!'' Mercedes groans out as she joins her with Santana right by her side, Brittany just tilts her head back and smirks while holding out the bottle of sunscreen.
''I just did C, can one of you do my back?''
''San will.'' Mercedes immediately tells her laughing softly as Santana nudges her hard knowing Britt didn't catch it. ''I need Q to do mine though.''
''Already there C.'' Quinn mutters as she walks over to them with Tina, Rachel trailing behind them.
''Want me to do it Britt?'' Rachel asks as she holds her hand out for the bottle, Brittany slowly shakes her head and smiles slightly.
''Sorry Rach, San already offered.''
Santana takes the bottle Brittany holds out for her and slides behind her squirting a bit into her hands, she exchanges confused glances with the rest of the girls as soon as Rachel huffs softly while shooting her a smirk and raises an eyebrow.
She shrugs as the girls just shake their heads not knowing why she is acting like that and turns back to Brittany biting her lip as she feels her ribs and spine right underneath her fingers, she smiles as she feels Brittany relax underneath her fingertips and taps her back softly. ''All done.'' She murmurs as she sees all girls taking a seat while sliding on their sunglasses.
''Scoot over.'' Brittany mutters in reply, she leans up allowing Santana to pull her leg back and sits down beside her lifting the arms of the chair they are sitting it to recline it back. She turns her head to look at her as soon as they both lean back and shrugs as Santana just looks at her with an eyebrow raised. ''The boys forgot we have one more person with us, Maze always sits with one of us but there is still one chair missing.''
''Damn you are right B.'' Tina breaths out as she counts the chairs. ''Sorry San.''
''It's alright.'' Santana breaths out as she reclines back in the chair ignoring their knowing smirks, she lowers her sunglasses and sighs. ''Damn this is nice.''
''Gotta love the peaceful silence and the birds chirping.'' Quinn agrees hearing their friends all just hum in agreement, Brittany chuckles folding her arms behind her head feeling Santana's head comfortably land on her upper arm and crosses her legs feeling the heat of the sun and Santana's body heat warming her.
After just soaking in the sun listening to the occasional conversations the girls started up for half an hour Brittany frowns as she hears her name being called in the distance and leans up on her elbows looking around.
''Brittyyyy!''
She turns her head to look at the direction the boys left in before and jumps up the second she sees Puck walking through carrying Mason bridal style while Sam scowls in Finn's direction, she sprints over to them speeding up as she sees a small cut right above Mason's eyebrow and takes him into her own arms shushing him as he continues crying. ''What the hell happened?'' She asks glaring at the boys.
''Hold that thought.'' She mutters as Mason continues crying, she walks over to the girls and locks eyes with Mercedes. ''Please tell me you have the kit with you.'' She sits down beside Santana as she nods her head immediately jumping up and reclines back allowing Mason to cuddle against her chest. ''It's okay sweetie.'' She whispers soothingly. ''Puck grab a clean shirt or something else and unopened bottle of water please.'' She instructs as she notices the dirt in the wound.
She leans up shooting Santana a small grateful smile as she immediately pulls the chair back up and plants her feet on the small leg part, she reclines Mason back against her knees thanking Mercedes softly as she hands her the small first aid kit and takes the bottle of water and towel from Puck. ''Thanks.'' She whispers softly as she unscrews the cap her heart breaking as Mason still cries loudly. ''Maze, buddy.'' She murmurs as she kisses the tip of his nose. ''Keep your eyes closed and pinch my leg as hard as you can.''
Santana leans up as Mason immediately shakes his head trying to flee his sisters hold the second he sees the first aid kit and gently places her hand on his tummy to keep him in place, she glances at Brittany turning back to Mason as she sees her looking at her feeling helpless and smiles slightly. ''Mason?'' She asks softly.
She gently taps his nose as he turns to her and tilts her head. ''I never made S'mores before, can you tell me how to make them?'' She asks as she notices everyone just watching her in silence.
Brittany shoots Santana a grateful smile the second Mason starts explaining her what they need through cries and quickly wets the towel in her hand, she dabs it on the wound shushing him softly as he whimpers and turns to Quinn. ''Q you got small fingers, can you come here for a second?''
She opens the first aid kit grabbing a cleansing pad and dabs it over the wound.
''No Britty!'' Mason screams in pain wincing, she gently cups his cheek and pulls him close.
''We need to clean the wound Mason.'' She murmurs softly, she leans back and locks eyes with him. ''One more time okay?'' She notices Santana grabbing his little arms distracting him once again and turns back to the wound gently cleaning it while softly shushing him, she turns to Quinn as she notices him yawn and sighs. ''Can you try to pinch the cut a bit close? It's not deep but it will prevent dirt entering the cut a bit more.''
She grabs a band aid with little ducks as she nods her head and smiles as she hears her brother trying to guess the animal Santana is, she watches Quinn gently place her fingers on his forehead Santana also acting immediately to keep him still the second he starts fighting it and quickly covers the wound. ''All done.'' She whispers soothingly as Mason hiccups, she gently places another band aid over the one already covering the wound to make sure it won't come off and pulls him against her chest gently running her fingers over his back under his shirt.
''It's okay Maze, you were so brave.'' She whispers softly against his blonde spikes.
''Hurts.'' Mason whimpers while hiding his face in her chest.
''I know sweetie, it will lessen soon.''
She continues running her hand over his back feeling him softly relax against her and nuzzles her nose in his blonde spiky hair, she turns to the boys and raises an eyebrow. ''Care to explain what happened?''
''It was an accident just chill, kids hurt themselves all the time.'' Finn tells her with an eye roll as he cracks open a beer, he holds it out for everyone and smiles. ''Here I have enough for everyone.''
''We don't drink near him.'' Sam sneers while the others just shake their heads, Finn shrugs and takes a sip.
''I didn't offer him one.''
''Do me a favor and just shut your trap.'' Brittany growls as she locks eyes with him making sure she won't more too much, she glances down at Mason noticing he fell asleep while sucking on his thumb and turns to Puck sighing as she sees the anger but also guilt in his eyes. ''What happened Noah?''
''We were at the opening gathering the branches and sticks that fell off of the trees there.'' Puck starts while locking eyes with her. ''We were all standing near a tree that lost a lot and Maze was skipping around between me and Sam picking up smaller branches, one second he was all giggles the next we watched him fall down after Finn threw a branch from his spot a bit further away on the pile Sam and I had between us.''
''So he didn't fall, he got struck by a branch?'' Brittany asks to clarify noticing everyone turn to glare at Finn.
''Yeah the cut is from a twig sticking out of it, sorry B.'' Puck mutters glancing at the boy fast asleep on his best friends chest, Brittany just shakes her head and sighs.
''The both of you couldn't prevent it from happening.'' She tells them while locking eyes with Sam and Puck. ''Some idiots just don't think and do whatever they want not minding their surroundings.''
''What did you just call me!'' Finn yells jumping up, Brittany swiftly places Mason in Santana's arms knowing the change won't wake him and stands up glaring at him.
''You fucking heard me.'' She sneers. ''You complain every time he joins us doing whatever, you and Rach talk mature crap to make sure he won't understand a thing and feels left out, right after the both of you have the guts to tell me how misbehaved he is.''
''He is a kid, we are teens and no fucking babysitters!'' Finn yells.
''Lower your fucking voice before you and your cans will find out where this lake leads to.'' Brittany threatens darkly, she holds up her hand before he can interrupt her and shakes her head. ''I am closed to kicking your ass, don't try me Hudson.''
She holds his glare and chuckles dryly. ''I don't expect any of you to be his babysitter, he is my responsibility. The group do whatever they do with him because they want to, they accept him for who he is and accept the fact that my little brother is a huge part of my life and understand whenever I tell them that I can't join or do whatever because I don't want to leave him alone.'' She runs her hand through her hair and shrugs. ''You and Rach both can't understand and to one point I understand because I never told you shit about my life, but I don't trust you enough to let you completely in and your damn behavior around him proves me every damn time that you are just a friend while they.'' She mentions her hand behind her knowing her friends are all near. ''Belong to our family.''
''You never let us in.'' Finn accuses with a scoff. ''Hell the first time we met him, he didn't even greet us!''
''Just ask yourself why.'' Sam tells him before Brittany can. ''The first time she brought him here to meet you, you were already drinking beer and there is one rule we all silently agreed on and that is that we don't drink whenever he is with us.''
''You can't forbi..''
''We never forbade you to drink.'' Puck tells him with a glare. ''We just all agreed to keep Mason far away from you, Mason can decides who he wants to hang out with and it's saying a lot that he is opting to stay by any of us as long as we are far away from you.''
''Britt.'' Santana starts softly as she slowly stands up the second she feels Mason move restlessly. ''I will bring him to the tent.'' She whispers softly while nodding her head down to Mason. ''I will stay with him, but the loud voices are making him restless.'' She continues as she notices her glance down at Mason.
Brittany slowly nods her head watching Santana walk to their tent with Mason and turns back to Finn, she raises an eyebrow as Rachel scoffs and turns to her. ''What is your problem?''
''You trust the new girl with Mason, but you don't trust us?'' Rachel asks incredulously while motioning her hand between herself and Finn. ''We joined this group eight months ago and we were never alone with him, but he cuddles with her and is attached to her hip ever since she first met him!''
''That little boy knows who he can trust and who not, Santana immediately included him into her conversations and often just talks to him while we joke around.'' Mercedes tells her shrugging. ''She immediately saw him as a part of our group, the both never did.''
Brittany shakes her head as they both scoff and rolls her eyes. ''You know what, I am done.'' she glances at her friends locking eyes with Puck and nods her head, she turns to Rachel and Finn and shrugs. ''Just like I told the both of you before, Maze is my responsibility which also means that the decisions in my life is based on his safety.'' She nods her head to the tent Rachel and Finn would occupy knowing it's theirs and locks eyes with them. ''I would buy what happened today being an accident from anyone but you Hudson, so leave.''
''What!''
''B go to Maze.'' Puck mutters pushing his best friend towards the tent silently promising her that he will send them away, Brittany nods her head grabbing her water bottle ignoring Finn and Rachel yelling and walks over to the tent.
She crouches down in front of it opening the entrance and slides in closing it behind her to block out a bit more of the noise, she crawls into the left section smiling lovingly as she sees Santana laying on her side with Mason cuddled into her front while she just soothingly runs her right hand down his back while scrolling through her phone with her left and crawls over to her. ''Hey, sorry about that.'' She whispers softly.
Santana looks up from her phone to lock eyes with her and smiles as she settles down on her side right behind Mason, she drops her phone and slowly shakes her head. ''You don't have to apologize B, I understand.'' She watches her gently run her long fingers through Mason's hair and smiles slightly. ''You okay?''
Brittany nods her head nuzzling her face in the pillow beneath her head and groans softly. ''Yeah just need a few minutes to calm down, the both of them will leave.''
''They will without a fight?''
She chuckles hearing the surprise in Santana's voice and shrugs her shoulders gently wrapping her arm around her brothers midsection just cuddling him close also scooting closer to Santana. ''Well if it's happening without a fight is the next question, Puck send me to the tent right after I told them to leave.''
''Do you think it was an accident?'' Santana asks softly voicing the doubt dancing around in her head, Brittany slowly shakes her head and scoffs.
''I would have believed it was an accident if it happened by an action from Puck or Sam, but no I don't buy it coming from Finn.''
''Why can't they accept them? It's easy to adore him.'' Santana murmurs softly while looking down at the little boy contently cuddled into her chest.
Brittany smiles lovingly and shrugs. ''Not everyone is as special as you are Santana.'' She murmurs. ''Maze likes to observe my behavior around new people, he immediately warmed up to you the second he noticed me also staying relaxed and not tense up like I do around Finn and Rachel.''
''I am not special.'' Santana whispers softly, Brittany sighs slowly running the hand that was wrapped around Mason just seconds before up Santana's side still feeling the heat of the sun and gently cups her cheek.
She leans their foreheads together the second they lock eyes and smiles slightly. ''I think it's safe to say that you are quite special for the both of us.'' She glances down at her brother still fast asleep and smiles slightly. ''He never stayed asleep while I moved him onto somebody else, but with you he just adjusted his position a bit and slept through the movement.''
She drops her hand from Santana's cheek the both of them still keeping their foreheads connected and bites her lip. ''He feels safe around you.'' She tells her softly. ''And I do too.''
''I am glad the both of you do.'' Santana breaths out as she gently places her hand on Brittany's hip and runs her thumb over the protruding bone keeping their eyes locked so Brittany can see the honesty clear in her brown orbs. ''I won't let anything happen to the both of you.''