After the group spend another hour at the mall buying a few outfits for Santana they agreed to end their shopping spree and grab a quick bite at one of the food courts.
''What do you want to eat Maze?'' Brittany asks as she sits him down at one of the empty tables shooting Mercedes a small smile as she immediately slides in beside him after telling Sam to order for them.
''Can I have a burger with fries please?'' Mason asks looking up at his sister, Brittany glances at the kids menu and nods her head.
''Yeah sure but eat the apple parts too alright?'' She ruffles his hair as he nods his head and chuckles. ''Chocolate shake as a dessert?'' She smiles as he nods his head and places his toy beside him, she locks eyes with Mercedes silently telling her to keep an eye on him and excuses herself to order their food.
She slides up right behind Santana and leans down with a smirk. ''What ya getting?'' She asks laughing as she jumps, she reaches forward catching her phone that slipped out of her hands and holds it out for her smiling in amusement. ''Careful San.''
Santana rolls her eyes whacking her shoulder and smirks as she groans. ''That's for being an ass once again.'' She chuckles as she grumbles softly and shrugs. ''Just a cheeseburger and a chocolate vanilla shake.'' She replies shaking her head as Brittany acts like her shoulder hurt. ''Stop being a pussy.''
Brittany just raises an eyebrow and shakes her head as the boys join them. ''To be continued San.'' She promises with a soft chuckle as the cashier calls up the next one, she walks behind Santana to the cashier listening to her telling the cashier her order and clears her throat.
''Make that two and can you add a kids burger menu with fries and a chocolate shake to it please?'' She nods her head as the cashier repeats the order to make sure he got it right and holds out her card before Santana can reach for her purse. ''Put it on my card please.'' She tells him with a small grin.
She takes her card back as he pulled it through and leads Santana to the other side of the counter to wait for their order, she looks at her smiling slightly as she sees her looking at her with an eyebrow raised and chuckles. ''What?''
''You know that you didn't have to pay for me right?'' Santana asks softly.
Brittany sighs softly and locks eyes with her a small smile playing on her lips. ''See it as a thank you.'' She murmurs leaning against the wall behind her.
''A thank you for what?'' Santana asks softly in confusion.
''For everything you did today.'' Brittany replies with a soft sigh. ''I know you have some major questions swimming around in your head but you never once thought of voicing them during our whole shopping trip and you made Maze's day with the guessing game and allowing him to buy the toy he wanted.''
She glances at her brother smiling as she sees him draw with the crayons the court offers for kids and turns back to Santana as she sees the happy smile grazing his features. ''Our life isn't as happy as we make it seem and we both are careful around people, but he almost immediately warmed up to you and I did too. You have some sort of energy around you that make us feel at ease.'' She continues with a soft shrug. ''And everyone who makes that happy childish grin appear on his features is amazing in my books.''
Santana opens her mouth to reply quickly closing it as their order gets called through and just reaches out softly squeezing Brittany's arm as she grabs their food, she follows her back to the table watching her place the food in front of Mason and bites her lip deciding to continue their conversation in private soon.
She thanks Brittany softly as she places her food in front of her and leans forward as Mason calls her name. ''Yes?'' She asks softly.
''Look!'' Mason exclaims with a big grin showing her the drawing he made. ''It's you in western clothes! Now you really belong to the cowboys and cowgirls!'' He tells her excitedly.
Brittany takes a bite of her burger leaning back so Mason and Santana can look at each other and locks eyes with Mercedes slightly nodding her head silently telling her that Santana officially got accepted to the group, she snickers as Mercedes tilts the shake in her hand towards her in a silent agreement and grabs her own shake tapping it against the one Mercedes holds.
She looks down at Mason after taking a sip and laughs as he practically leans on top of her to show Santana the picture clearly. ''Want to swap places Maze?'' She asks in amusement.
Mason nods his head almost immediately and slides out of his seat. ''Scoot.'' He orders while looking at his sister, he smiles sheepishly as she just raises an eyebrow while the others hide their snickers behind a bite of their food and smiles cutely. ''Please?''
''Mh thought so.'' Brittany murmurs scooting over leaving the middle free for him so he can sit between herself and Santana, she helps him up onto the chair and slides his food in front of him tapping it softly. ''Eat between talks Mason.'' She tells him before turning back to her burger.
''Alright my uncle told me that he has five horses available for us today so we need to partner up.'' Mercedes tells the group after her phone beeped.
''Hold up.'' Santana cuts in her eyes wide. ''Horses?'' She asks looking around at her friends as Mason giggles softly, Brittany turns to look at her and raises an eyebrow in amusement.
''What exactly did you think the second Cedes mentioned the ranch?''
''I don't know.'' Santana mutters with a scoff. ''I definitely didn't think horses were included.''
Brittany laughs and turns to the group. ''Good Puck and I taught most of you how to ride, I'll show Santana around.''
''Can I join the both of you?'' Mason asks excitedly while bouncing in his seat between them looking up at his sister, Brittany takes the last sip of her shake and nods her head.
''Yeah I think the three of us can go together.'' She turns to Puck and chuckles. ''Looks like you are in luck, you get one all to yourself Noah.''
''Why to myself? Maybe T or Q want to ride with the puckasaurus.''
''Nope you are alone, T's riding with me.'' Quinn answers throwing a fry at him.
''Quinny, no throwing good food.'' Mason scolds looking at her with a frown, Brittany covers her mouth in amusement and slowly shakes her head as Quinn turns to her in shock.
''Don't look at me Q, he is the one scolding you.'' She tells her laughing.
''Here throw this.'' Mason offers instead holding out a crayon, Brittany shakes her head and burst out laughing.
''And he offers you something better.'' She exclaims in amusement, she stands up grabbing most of their trash and turns to Mason. ''Maze go freshen up with one of the girls please.'' She watches on in amusement as he immediately slides off of his seat grabbing Santana's hand and laughs as she staggers out of her seat as he pulls her to the restroom, she turns to her friends and snickers. ''Well looks like Maze found his favorite teen.''
''He warmed up quickly.'' Quinn mutters voicing everyone's thoughts, Brittany nods her head in agreement and smiles slightly.
''Yeah but I did too.'' She tells them shrugging. ''She doesn't treat him any different like she treats us, well she leaves the snark and sarcasm for us but she is joking around with him just the same as she is joking around with us.''
''You allowed yourself to relax around her completely the second you saw her interaction with Maze, you were still a bit held back but now you talk freely and you don't rethink your words.'' Puck mentions with a soft chuckle as Finn and Rachel excuse themselves to grab another drink for the road.
''Well she still doesn't know what's going down in our life.'' Brittany tells them as she leans against the table knowing the four sitting in front of her know everything and sighs softly. ''But I am sure she will find out before Rach and Finn.''
''You still don't really trust them huh?'' Tina asks softly, Brittany runs a hand through her hair and sighs once again.
''It's not that I don't trust them but they ask way too much questions, you all know I hate people who try to pry.'' She shrugs her shoulders as they all nod their heads and glances to the restrooms smiling slightly as Santana and Mason walk out in that exact moment. ''But Santana didn't ask, she takes things as they come. I know I have to start explaining soon but she allows me to do it at my speed, that is probably also the reason why it's so easy to hang around her.''
''That and her looks.'' Quinn voices with a smirk, Brittany shoots her a glare as the others suck in their lips to keep from laughing and flips her off as Santana and Mason joins them again.
''Maze ears.'' She mutters placing her hand on Mason's shoulder as she feels his arms wrap around her legs, she glances down smiling as she sees him covering his ears and looks back up at Quinn. ''Fuck you Fabray.''
She shakes her head as Santana turns to her in confusion silently telling her that it's not important and squeezes Mason's shoulder softly telling him that he can uncover his ears, she turns to Rachel and Finn as they walk back both carrying a big cup and smiles. ''Ready to go?''
''Yeah but Santana needs to change.''
''She can change at the ranch, my uncle has a shed where we can all change.'' Mercedes tells her with a small smile as she stands up, she looks around at her friends and chuckles. ''Well the most of us.'' She corrects as she sees Puck and Mason already wearing their full western outfit and Brittany only missing the jacket.
They all stand up walking out of the mall and walk over to Puck's truck, Brittany eyes the seating and chuckles as she sees the two makeshift spots in the back.
''Well this can get cuddly.'' She mutters as she places her foot on one of the tires, she hoists herself up grabbing the seat Mercedes brought with her for Mason and opens the backseat door placing it in one of the windows seats. ''Hop on in kid.''
She lifts him up in the car leaning in to buckle him in and turns to the group. ''You guys can fight over the front seat this time.'' She tells her with a small smile as she climbs in behind Mason sitting down into one of the seats cramped up in the back, she ruffles her little brothers hair chuckling as she hears Quinn yelling shotgun before anyone else can and shakes her head in amusement as she jumps in while everyone else groans.
''I'll take the other seat in the back.'' Santana volunteers with a soft chuckle. ''I am the smallest out of all of us and seeing how cramped up Britt is sitting doesn't look comfortable.''
Brittany just shoots her a grin as she climbs and chuckles. ''Yeah it isn't but it's a five minute drive so I'll be fine.''
''Alright is everyone buckled in?'' Puck asks after sliding into the drivers seat starting his truck, he laughs as Mason yells that he is and looks behind him shooting the kid a wink. ''Well that's good, gotta secure precious cargo right?''
''What is preciauk?'' Mason asks frowning in confusion.
''Precious Maze.'' Brittany corrects with a soft smile. ''It means very, very important.'' She tilts her head and shakes her head. ''Nah that doesn't fit.''
''It means something that is really priceless, you are the only Mason we have so we need to make sure that you are safe.'' Santana explains the little boy gently, Brittany nods her head as he turns to them looking over his shoulder and chuckles.
''Yeah Santana brought it to the point.''
''You sure are good with kids Santana.'' Mercedes comments with a chuckle. ''I think none of us could come up with that explanation on the spot.''
Santana smiles shyly and shrugs her shoulders. ''My mom works with children and I joined her often during school breaks back in Lima because I didn't want to hang out with other students, so I picked up on some things.''
''Is she a teacher?'' Rachel asks curiously. ''My mom is one too, maybe they know each other.''
Santana shakes her head and chuckles. ''No I don't think my mom is made for being a teacher, she loves children but that woman has no patience sometimes, so if she would teach she would often lash out at students not wanting to do their work.'' She leans back in her seat trying to give Brittany a bit more leg space and smiles slightly. ''She is a child welfare social worker.''
Brittany bites her lip as Mercedes, Quinn, Tina and Puck subtly glance in her direction to gauge her reaction and shrugs shooting them a small smile silently thinking to herself that this might be luck finally being on her side and offering her a person she can open up to and to get some help if needed.
''Sounds like a cool job.'' Brittany murmurs as Puck parks his truck, she nudges her softly and smiles slightly. ''Please get out first, I can barely feel my legs.''
Santana laughs quickly sliding out of the truck as soon as Tina opens the door and watches Brittany jump out, she smiles as she catches Mason the second she jumps in her arms and turns to the group. ''So this is the ranch?'' She asks after looking around at the amazing scenery in front of her.
Mercedes nods her head and smiles. ''Yeah my uncle's pride.''
''If you think this is amazing, you gotta see the sce.'' Brittany tells her with a smile.
''Let's go change, my uncle is out with my aunt but he sends his love.'' Mercedes tells them as she leads them over to the shed.
''We will wait here.'' Brittany tells them as she catches the jacket Puck throws to her, she shrugs it on as the girls all walk into the shed and grabs her hat out of the bag Puck holds out for her.
She takes Mason's hat and crouches down chuckling as he looks up at her with a big toothy grin after she put it on, she taps his nose and stands back up turning to the boys smiling as she sees them all leaning against Puck's truck after changing. ''Come on let's go get the horses ready.''
She follows them down to the horses and grabs a saddle big enough for two adults and a kid, she looks at the five lined up and smiles. ''Dips on Shadow!'' She calls out cackling in glee as the boys groan, she looks down at Mason as he tugs on her hand and smiles. ''The black beautiful horse is ours Maze.''
She laughs as he cheers softly knowing that loud sounds scare the horses and keeps a hold on his hand as they walk over to Shadow, she gently runs her hand through his mane and softly pats his back as she fastens the saddle after telling Mason to stay back for a moment. ''Hey there beauty.'' She murmurs gently running her hand over his back. ''Let's go out for a ride.''
She grabs his reins and turns to Mason. ''C'mere Maze.'' She leans down as he walks over making sure Shadow won't move and lifts him up placing on the saddle. ''Rules?'' She asks softly.
''Hold on to the saddle as long as I am sitting on Shadow alone.'' Mason starts. ''After you and Sanny sit I have to hold on to the reins and lean back against you or Sanny, no spurring Shadow on you will do that and no letting go.''
Brittany nods her head adjusting her hold on Shadows reins and slowly walks over to the shed smiling as she sees most of the girls already on the horses, she turns to Santana and smiles slightly as she sees the doubt in her eyes. ''He won't bite San.'' She reassures in amusement as she walks closer to her.
''That one is huge.'' Santana exclaims her eyes widened, Brittany snickers softly and holds Santana's hat out for her after Puck threw it in her direction.
''Yeah that's what she said.'' She laughs as Santana shoots her a glare and holds out the hat for her. ''Sorry but couldn't ignore that one.''
Santana huffs slowly walking closer and takes the hat from her, she looks at Brittany after she put it on and gulps. ''Do you believe me when I say that I have never sat on a horse before?'' She nods her head to the other girls already settled and swallows thickly. ''Hell I am sure I can't climb on like they did.''
Brittany swallows the teasing remark laying on the tip of her tongue as she notices the nervous waver in Santana's voice and steps closer so the group won't hear them. ''Hey it's okay, we don't have to go for a ride if you don't want to.''
''I do want to.'' Santana murmurs shyly. ''I just don't want to embarrass myself falling off of the horse.''
Brittany smiles slightly and steps back. ''I will help you and we won't go as fast as those idiots will go, riding is easy but it takes a bit of time to learn and we don't have to rush everything on one day.'' She tells her gently, she tugs on Santana's hand after grabbing it and pulls her closer to Shadow. ''First thing first, say hi to this beauty.'' She chuckles as Santana just raises an eyebrow eyeing shadow doubtful and gently places the hand she holds on the horse's back. ''Her name is Shadow, I called dibs on her because one she is beautiful and two she isn't as stubborn as those other four.''
Santana gently runs her hand over Shadows back and smiles slightly. ''She is really beautiful.'' She turns to Brittany and bites her lip. ''Now how do I get on without breaking my neck?''
Brittany laughs and nods her head to the girls. ''I am sure you saw how they climbed on.'' She turns to Santana chuckling as she nods her head with her eyes wide and snickers. ''Well that is the easiest way, you won't be successful the first few tries but I will stand right behind you to make sure you won't fall off.''
She turns to Mason and holds out her free arm. ''You need to get down for a bit Maze, we need to teach San how to get on first.'' She takes him in her arms as he nods his head with a cute smile and helps him off, she turns back to Santana after placing him down making sure to tell him to stay back a little and pats the saddle. ''Alright right foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up horn.'' She points at the small thing in front of the saddle Mason held on to the whole time. ''As soon as you think you are high enough, swing your left leg over it but don't use too much force or you will topple over.''
She watches Santana nervously step closer and holds a strong hold on the reigns. ''It's okay, we will make sure you won't fall.'' She reassures softly.
''You can do it Sanny.'' Mason tells her grinning cutely.
''Yeah San, you can do it girl!'' Mercedes calls out after watching Brittany explain everything to Santana with the group, Brittany rolls her eyes shooting the group a look and shakes her head.
''Guys ride a round around the ranch, I don't think having so much people around her will help.'' She turns back to Santana as they all nod their heads in understanding knowing Brittany send the others away every time she taught one of them how to get on safely and immediately take off, she gently places her hand on the small of Santana's back and smiles. ''They are gone.'' She tells her with a small smile. ''Try it.''
Santana closes her eyes taking a deep breath trying to ignore the closeness of Brittany and slowly releases the air she captured in her lungs, she slowly opens her eyes grabbing onto the horn and places her right foot in the stirrup.
Brittany slides behind her the second she pulls herself up and gently places her hand on the back of her thigh to boost her up a bit more. ''Left leg San.'' She reminds softly, she reaches over wrapping her hand around her hip as soon as she swung her leg over Shadow and tightens her hold to make sure she keeps upright. ''Now sit.'' She tells her with a soft chuckle. ''Damn you are the first one out of all girls who managed it in one try.''
Santana chuckles as she sits down and looks at her with a small smile. ''Well I have a great teacher.''
''You are a quick learner.'' Brittany tells her with a soft smile. ''Can you scoot forward a bit?'' She calls Mason over as soon as she scoots into the middle and lifts him back up. ''Maze will sit in front of you, I will sit behind you.'' She tells Santana softly as she places Mason back on the saddle, she smiles reassuringly as she sees her eyes widen in panic and pats her leg softly. ''Don't worry, he won't fall off but if you feel uncomfortable sitting in the middle of us, the both of you can swap.''
Santana shakes her head and bites her lip gently placing her hand on Mason's leg to make sure he won't slide off even though he immediately holds onto the horn. ''No it's not that I will feel uncomfortable, but are you sure he won't slide off?''
''No he knows he needs to hold onto the reigns the second I climb on, those aren't so long so I will have both of my arms on your sides also making sure the both of you won't slide off.'' Brittany explains, she looks around locking eyes with Puck smiling as she sees that he stayed near and calls him over. ''Puck will hold the reins so I can get on a bit easier.'' She tells her softly right before Puck reaches them, she holds the reigns out for him and glances at Shadow patting her back softly. ''It's okay girl, we will go soon.''
She turns to Puck and raises an eyebrow. ''Ready?'' She smiles as he nods his head still sitting on his horse while holding the reigns and grabs onto the horn, she places her right foot in the stirrup right after Santana pulled hers out and pulls herself up easily straddling the back of the saddle her thighs pressing against Santana's. ''You can take the Stirrups San.'' She tells her knowing she will feel a bit safer as long as she has a hold, she takes the reigns back from Puck and locks eyes with him. ''Can you grab the group? We will wait here.''
She turns to Santana as he nods his head riding off and gently taps her hand still holding onto the reigns. ''Take a hold of the reigns, you will be the one showing Shadow where to go but I will spur her on for now.''
''How do I show her?'' Santana asks softly as she allows herself to relax back against Brittany smiling as she feels Mason relax back against her.
''Just gently tug on the reigns.'' Brittany explains. ''Right if you want to go right, left for left and both to stop.'' She gently shows Santana how to hold the reigns and turns her head smiling as she sees the group riding up to them. ''Normally you use your legs too, but I will do it for now and teach you properly when we are both riding without Maze.''
''Will you tell me where to go?'' Santana asks softly as the group joins them, Brittany nods her head and smiles.
''I will.'' She turns to the group as they stop beside them and raises an eyebrow. ''Ready?''
''Not quite yet.'' Mercedes tells her with a smirk before pulling out her phone connected to a selfie stick. ''Picture first!''
''Yeah we need a new one for the group, Santana is missing on the old one.'' Tina tells her as she groans, Brittany sighs adjusting her hat and nods her head.
''Go for it.''
Santana laughs hearing Brittany's soft grumble and leans back against her after adjusting her hat, she wraps her arm around Mason pulling him closer so Mercedes has the three of them on the picture too and smiles.
''Say cheese Amazement!'' Mercedes calls out placing her finger over the button.
''Cheese!'' Mason calls out grinning brightly while relaxing back against Santana looking at Mercedes her phone.
''Alright let's go!'' Brittany tells the group right after the picture, she gently taps Santana's hip with her hand silently telling her they will move and gently taps her heels against Shadow's sides. She chuckles tensing her leg muscles as she feels Santana's body jolt and smirks. ''Easy there, she's just walking.''
''Shut up.'' Santana mutters after making sure Mason still sits securely between her thighs, she turns her head to look at her as she snickers and raises an eyebrow. ''You are really liking this huh?''
Brittany just looks at her with an eyebrow raised and smirks. ''What exactly? Teaching you how to ride or the teasing?''
''Both?'' Santana questions shrugging.
Brittany laughs softly and shrugs. ''Yeah I do.'' silently thinking that she also enjoys the closeness of Santana, she sits up peaking over her shoulder and snickers as she sees Mason cuddled into Santana. ''You okay there kid?'' She asks in amusement.
''Yes!'' Mason squeaks out with a soft giggle. ''I can cuddle, I love cuddles!''
Brittany chuckles glancing at the group in front of them and relaxes back knowing her brother is safe. ''You really are special Santana.'' She murmurs so only she can hear her while Mason looks around at the scenery, she shrugs as she glances at her in confusion and sighs nodding her head to the little boy contently sitting back while enjoying the ride. ''He only allows himself to relax around people his gut tells him it's okay, he immediately turned into his crazy self the second you crouched down to be at his height not many people do that.''
''He is a big part of your life and you are my friend Brittany.'' Santana tells her softly as she sees that they have a long road to go straight ahead, she leans her head against her shoulder so she can whisper and swallows as she feels Brittany's hands on her hips while still holding onto the reigns. ''He is still a kid but acts much older as his age and I don't like looking down at people so if I have to I will crouch down to lock eyes.''
''Yeah just like I said.'' Brittany murmurs trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach as soon as Santana's hot breath and smooth voice reaches her ears. ''Not many do that, that's also why he still holds back around Rachel and Finn they look down at him and don't really allow him to participate in their conversations. You started one up with him at the food court.''
''Yeah I noticed, Rach sure does use some rich words.'' Santana mutters looking back in front of them as she feels Brittany tap her left hip, she tugs on the left side of the reigns and feels Brittany's legs tense around her thighs knowing she is helping her steer. ''It's a bit unfair of them to do that though, Mason is a part of the cowboys and cowgirls so talking to him and allowing him to be a part of the conversation is like an unwritten rule.''
Brittany just hums and shrugs. ''Yeah we all think so too, whenever he is hanging out with us and they are there too they notice that we barely talk to them.'' She murmurs. ''They are good friends but if they continue like this I won't keep my mouth shut for much longer, they are a part of our group since four months and he hang out with us three times before so I will look how it goes.''
She sits up as they reach a clearing knowing they are nearing the look out and turns her head to look at the side of Santana's face. ''Do you trust me?'' She asks suddenly.
Santana turns her head to lock eyes with her and raises an eyebrow. ''Yea why?'' She asks curiously.
Brittany just smiles slightly taking a better hold of the reigns and tenses her arms around Santana. ''Hold on to the horn and tense your arms around Maze.'' She instructs softly, she watches her release the reigns making sure to place her underarms against Santana's side and leans her chin on her shoulder for a brief moment to whisper. ''Hold on tight.'' She pulls back and smirks. ''Hold on tight Maze.'' She tells her brother snickering as she hears is delightful giggle the second he feels her hands balled up in fists on his hips.
She spurs Shadow on tightening her hold on the reigns and feels Santana lean back against her with a soft squeak while still holding the horn, she overtakes Rachel and Finn grinning as she hears their soft surprised gasp and chuckles. ''Let's see if we can overtake all of them before reaching the lookout.''
Santana tightens her hold on the horn as she feels Shadow speed up even more feeling Brittany's arms pressed against her sides to keep her body from, she looks down at Mason chuckling as she hears him giggle happily and looks up laughing as she hears Mercedes and Sam's surprised cheer the second they overtake them and Quinn and Tina.
''Oh you are on Pierce!'' Puck exclaims laughing as he spurs his own horse on the second he sees them nearing, Brittany just smirks tapping her heels against Shadow's sides one more time and leans back a bit feeling Santana follow the movement of her upper body.
''Go beauty.''