A/N: This chapter will have more of a Brittana focus. I'm planning to continue to flesh out the family relationships as it goes along.
Hope you guys enjoy this one, let me know. Credit to frankenfinn for Rachel's "muscular arms" dialogue that was all her genius and Brittany being a nurse to her teddy bears is also her brilliant idea.
One of the earliest versions of "Baby It's Cold Outside" was actually a woman singing it to a guy, interestingly enough. Gave me some Brittany S. Pierce vibes lol. She'd be the one making the first move to get whichever girl or guy she was after.
Let me know what you think
"I'm okay, really. I can walk," Santana tried to insist, attempting to step down and hobbling as best as she could on one leg while Brittany was still supporting most of her weight. She winced and almost fell over again, leaning into Brittany's frame and grateful when the blonde girl quickly caught her, wrapping an arm around her chest. "Whoa, I guess…not. This is so embarrassing… I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble… you probably have work to get back to."
"It's okay, really. It's not too busy and I've finished teaching classes for today anyway," Brittany replied with a bright smile that somehow made Santana forget what she was worried about. How was this girl so bubbly all the time? Santana wrapped an arm around the taller girl's waist, clinging to her tightly while trying to ignore how intimate all of this felt. "You and your sister are so funny, Santana."
"Funny?" Santana echoed in confusion and then instinctively became defensive. She wanted Brittany to think she was cool and rugged and capable of handling anything so this whole situation wasn't exactly going to plan at all. "Are you making fun of us?"
"Wait, are you mad?" The tall girl tilted her head to the side and she didn't look remotely scared of her though she seemed a little surprised by Santana's reaction. She just giggled at the grumpy facial expression Santana had. "I like that you're both so funny."
Santana just grunted in mild annoyance but thought better than to offend the person who was helping her. She had the feeling it would be impossible to offend Brittany regardless of what she said anyway. Besides, who could actually be mean to this airheaded girl?
"I like awkward girls." Brittany added, still smiling and Santana frowned, so sure that anyone would be able to see how red her cheeks were even though she told people she didn't blush.
"I'm not awkward. What are you doing?" Santana gasped and flailed as Brittany adjusted her hold on her, hoisting her up higher. She grasped for purchase, wrapping her arms around Brittany's neck and moving around wildly.
"It's okay, I've got you, don't worry. It's just easier to carry you this way. You're pretty scrawny but my arms are starting to hurt, sorry. Whoa, you're like a wildcat."
"You can't…" Santana complained, wrapping her legs around Brittany's waist and clinging to her tightly so she wouldn't fall. Brittany kept one arm under the backs of her thighs.
"Why? You don't want anyone to see you like this? Don't worry, no one else is out here except for squirrels, if you're so afraid of hurting your badass reputation."
Brittany's voice and mannerisms were strangely comforting. The woman had this nurturing and confident way about her that made Santana feel safe in her presence in a way she never felt with anyone before even without her having to say much.
Santana thought she would pass out by the time they made it to a small, wooden cabin that wasn't too far away from the forest area, not from the cold, although that was taking its toll on her as well, but rather from Brittany's close proximity. She panted heavily and her mind went blank. It was impossible for any girl to be as cute as Brittany was and Santana couldn't concentrate on anything except the feeling of their bodies pressed together. At least it was a good distraction from the pain.
Brittany fished a key out of her pocket then unlocked the door skillfully with one hand all the while still holding up her weight and took her inside. She gently moved Santana onto the bed in the middle of the small cabin, laying her down on top of pastel pink sheets.
Everything in the cabin was girly, a little random and eccentric - bright pink and powder blue curtains, mugs with cute cats on them on the small counter, an equally bright turquoise sofa and cushions with bohemian patterns. It felt like if Santana was in a real life Barbie dreamhouse. There was a tiny fridge that was also an eye-grabbing shade of aqua. Cat sculptures lined the counters and the table. There wasn't much space but it was enough for one person to live in.
To keep up with the feline theme, there were cat plushies on the bed and couch as well. Santana was beginning to think she may have been kidnapped by a crazy woman and the ski instructor thing was just the disguise Brittany used to lure in unsuspecting victims.
Santana groaned when a very rotund, gray tabby cat who was languishing on that sofa caught her eye. An actual cat, on top of everything else that's irritating about this place…
"Oh, that's just Lord Tubbington," Brittany noticed the way Santana was gawking over the cat. She went over and picked him up, cradling him in her arms. "You'll be nice to our new guest, won't you, Mister?"
"He's massive… what are you feeding him?"
"He's just a little horizontally challenged," Brittany grinned then gasped as the cat meowed grumpily. "Lord Tubbington! Don't say that about Santana, that's not nice."
There were photos taped all over the walls of Brittany as a little girl, Brittany and that same fat, striped cat, Brittany with many other cats of varying sizes and colours, Brittany with every other animal she apparently met along the way, Brittany skiing and Brittany with what seemed like a million other friends smiling into the camera in each one. This girl sure lived an interesting, if peculiar life.
"You - you live here?" Santana cursed herself mentally for how lame and awkward she sounded. It was such a stupid question and she was making herself look foolish in front of this hot older girl more than she already had. At least the other girl didn't seem to be bothered by it and just took everything in her stride.
Brittany nodded and Santana just about fainted when she took her purple hat and goggles off fully then finally shrugged off her puffy, light pink jacket, revealing the full extent of her beauty.
"For part of the year at least. I know it doesn't look like much and it's probably nowhere near as fancy as that mansion or castle or whatever you live in but I really like it here."
"But you're famous…"
"Not that famous. The photoshoots and tournament winnings help but ultimately, I need this job. It's not like I'm making much from an odd skiing competition here and there. "
That long, flowing fair hair fell to her shoulders in tousled waves and in this light without being blinded by the falling snow, Santana could see all of the freckles on her face, the blue of her eyes striking as she scanned the dark-haired figure on her bed. The younger girl averted her eyes, scowling and tried to ignore how distracted she was by those soft-looking lips and gentle eyes.
"I'm sorry your first time skiing sucked so much. You really should wear goggles next time so you can actually see where you're going. I mean, it helps. Although I still get lost sometimes on the trails even when I'm wearing them." Brittany told her in her soft, airy tone that held no judgment.
Santana felt herself redden as Brittany had just savagely insulted her with that comment without even trying to. It sounded like she was thinking out loud, rather than lecturing her. Santana tensed up, going on the defensive. It was her default mode to attack or defend.
"Who said it was my first time?"
Brittany gave her a look that said everything without her having to say anything, the corners of her lips curving upwards as their eyes met but she was silent otherwise, staring her down. Blue eyes glittered with barely concealed amusement. Santana continued to rant.
"Look, for the record, I didn't even want to go on this stupid vacation but my parents were being so annoying about it and there's no way I could let Rachel go alone because they'd ground me forever if I let her little banshee self get hurt."
"Okay."
"I'm a good skier I swear - actually I'm amazing - that was just a fluke, I mean -"
"Santana, are you okay?" Brittany gasped. Santana felt like the colour was being drained from her face and the pain was too distracting. She sucked in a breath and fell back on the bed. The last thing she saw was Brittany's concerned face as the girl leaned over her before everything faded out.
"It's freezing. I don't know how you can stand it." Rachel grumbled, rubbing her gloved hands together. Finn didn't say anything as Rachel continued to talk from time to time, dutifully carrying her. He was holding her like she weighed nothing.
Rachel felt a little embarrassed that people were looking at them, probably wondering what had happened to this girl who was being carried around but Finn didn't seem to be bothered as he trudged along. As stressful as the day had been, Rachel couldn't wait to tell her parents about the adventure she had. This was the ideal kind of real world inspiration she needed to write a song! It still bothered her that as polite as Finn was when he needed to be, the man was paying absolutely no attention to her.
"I can't thank you enough for rescuing me… we were lost for so long in the frozen wilderness, my sister gravely wounded by her reckless actions and I don't know what we would have done, Finn, had it not been for your heroic deeds and your big, strong muscular arms..."
"Um… you're welcome." Finn mumbled awkwardly in response, completely confused by the way the small girl was describing things and a little scared of the way she was looking at him moon-eyed in adoration as if there were a million fantasies running through her head.
These resort girls were all the same - demanding and they didn't live in the real world. All the same, Rachel was one of the strangest girls he had ever met, with her formal way of speaking and the looks she kept giving him, like she was expecting him to propose marriage just because he found the sisters in the snow.
"Here we are." He knocked on the door a few times once they reached the room number she told him, pulling back the hood on his jacket and goggles to reveal his face. Rachel noticed how unusually light his amber brown eyes were and his teeth were a little crooked when he smiled. They were the lightest shade of brown eyes she had ever seen. There were moles and freckles all over his cheeks but despite these imperfections, Rachel thought they made him look even more charming. He still wasn't looking at her and she resisted the urge to pout. "Hello Mr.. um…"
The curly-haired man stared at Finn for a moment in silence when he appeared, a little shocked when he noticed this strange, massive man holding his youngest daughter in the hotel corridor. His brows went up.
"Schuester. Will Schuester. What happened? Is everything okay, Rachel? Where's Santana?"
"It was terrible!" Rachel cried dramatically, launching into the full story as Finn grimaced, still holding her. "Santana took me skiing and- and she had a terrible accident - and we were lost in the deep snow for hours without food then this wonderful man found us in our time of need! He works here as a ski instructor. The other ski instructor is tending to Santana's wounds."
"Thank you for helping my little girls, Finn," Will chuckled after a while. He interrupted the girl's rant, taking Rachel from Finn and holding her up. "How much do I owe you? Why don't you come in and join us for a while?"
Rachel looked at the tall man hopefully but he just shook his head with a polite smile, causing her own smile to slip away.
"That's kind of you, Mr. Schuester but there's no need for any payment and I really should be going. I have a class to teach in the next ten minutes. Rachel, I hope you feel better."
"Oh…" Rachel sighed, watching gloomily as Finn disappeared, walking briskly down the hall before the brunette could answer. "Goodbye, Finn."
Will watched Rachel warily, noticing the downtrodden expression on her face as he took her inside. He had seen the way her eyes lit up around Finn and he hoped this wouldn't be another one of Rachel's ill-fated crushes.
It almost gave him a heart attack to see his youngest daughter in the arms of this huge stranger and if Rachel was going to be having a dramatic meltdown about this boy, he didn't know how to handle that. Both of his daughters were so dramatic and moody, which didn't help Emma's already nervous disposition. At the moment though, he was switching into strict dad mode. Emma began to panic, gasping as she watched Will carry Rachel inside and her big eyes darted between the two of them.
"Rachel, how could this have happened? I asked you girls to be careful out there," Will asked in a stern voice and his expression darkened as he set her down in an armchair. "Suppose you two got really hurt?"
Rachel gulped, realizing that she and Santana were about to be in big trouble, or maybe just Santana if she told him the truth… but she had to be honest. She was really bad at lying.
Santana blinked and sat up quickly, realizing she was in an unfamiliar bed with those pink sheets pulled over her up to her chest and tucked in around her. She glanced around and there was that ski instructor girl from earlier. Brittany was sitting cross-legged beside her on the bed, casually watching TV as if there wasn't a virtual stranger lying right beside her. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace now and Santana couldn't deny how comfortable she felt in the surprisingly cozy, warm little cabin, a far cry from being stuck in the virtual wilderness. She noticed that her own jacket, hat, and boots had been removed and were hanging on the rack in the corner by the door.
"What…what's going on?" She rasped.
"Oh, you're awake. You kind of passed out for a few hours," Brittany mused without looking away from the screen, wearing an oversized pink t-shirt and eating what looked like jelly beans straight out of the bag. Her socks had smiling cartoon cats on them. Her features, right down to her ears and nose, were so pointy and delicate. Like an elf, kind of. A very pretty elf with cat-like, upturned eyes. It was as if Santana had been rescued from the snow by some kind of woodland nymph.
"Oh…" Santana mumbled, embarrassed. "Thanks but why didn't you wake me up?"
Brittany just shrugged and stood up, collecting a few things from around her apartment. Santana tried to ignore the way the blonde's curvy ass looked so amazing in the grey shorts she was wearing that were slung low on her hips. "You looked peaceful. Sleep is healing."
Santana grunted suddenly, clutching her abdomen.
"Aw, are you in a lot of pain, Santana? I'll take care of your wounds now."
"Whoa, you don't have to-"
"Take your shirt off."
Santana nearly short circuited.
"Huh?!"
"It looks like your cut is bleeding through your shirt, so you need to take it off so I can get to it. I used to be a nurse for a while so I think I can help."
The black-haired girl looked at her skeptically for a moment.
"Well, maybe just a nurse to my teddy bears but trust me… I know what I'm doing."
Santana nervously did as she said and pulled it off, frowning when she noticed the blood stains on Brittany's bed that were from herself. She had never undressed in front of a girl before, especially one who was as pretty as Brittany and it was kind of terrifying. She breathed deeply. Her heart was beating so fast at the way Brittany's palm flattened against her abs, pushing gently and encouraging her to lay back as she inspected the gash that stretched across her upper abs.
Being touched by a girl for the first time in such an intimate way sent a tiny electric shock through her, even if Brittany was just tending to her injuries like a nurse would. She told herself Brittany was just being practical and clinical but couldn't help but notice the way upturned blue eyes lingered on the skin that was revealed and Santana's defined abdomen.
Santana fell silent and fell back against the pillows as Brittany worked, cleaning and gently applying antiseptic to each of the wounds then bandaging her up. She couldn't very well fight Brittany when she was being so caring. No one had ever looked after Santana this well and she didn't know what to say. Do not think of her mostly naked, do not think of her mostly naked …
Santana squirmed and pressed her thighs together, grateful that she was still wearing dark wash jeans because Brittany would definitely be able to tell how aroused she was if she took those pants off right now. She was both disappointed and relieved when Brittany eventually let go and moved off of her.
"There, that's better. You'll probably be in pain for a few days and have some black and blues all over though. Sorry."
"T-thank you," Santana looked down shyly. "I'm sorry to cause you so much trouble and about your sheets… how can I repay you? How much do I owe you?"
Brittany just shook her head with that same cheery smile as she handed Santana some painkillers and told her what to take with water. "Not necessary. Do you feel any better?"
"Much better." Santana admitted, letting out a relieved breath then allowing herself to rest against the pillow again. She was surprised by how much she was enjoying being in this quaint, odd little cabin. It was nowhere near as extravagant as her hotel room would be or her own mansion was back home.
"Um…" Brittany's cheeks coloured for a second and Santana noticed her blue eyes drop to her torso. "You're still not wearing a shirt. Not that I'm complaining but… you might get cold."
Santana hastily grabbed the black sweater and shoved it on, her own face heating up. Was she imagining Brittany flirting? She continued to shiver for a while, not saying anything and Brittany bit back a smile, handing her one of her own thick, pink hoodies with a big white cat on it to pull over. Santana reluctantly did so, trying to ignore how good it felt to be surrounded by this delicate, floral scent that was all Brittany.
"How are you not cold?" Santana asked, feeling flushed again as she took in how little Brittany was wearing comparatively.
"A hoe never gets cold," She joked and Santana was taken aback, blinking at her. "Sorry, what I mean is I'm accustomed to it. It's nothing new for me. This winter is far from the coldest we've had here."
Santana nodded and was quiet, not knowing what to say.
"It's cute that you only wore a leather jacket and jeans. I thought you were going to be an icicle." Brittany chuckled. Santana groaned.
"I don't get cold." Santana muttered, shivering visibly.
"Right because you're tough," Brittany winked with an easy smile, playing along. "Impressive. I like a badass who can protect delicate ladies like myself."
Santana was silent again, completely flustered.
"You're in college?" Brittany asked, making light conversation as she laid back on the couch, watching Santana with her arms behind her head and her legs spread out. "Let me guess, you're a business major? Law?"
"Business." Santana told her, narrowing her eyes and wondering how Brittany had guessed her field of study so easily. She was planning to get her MBA.
"That figures. You seem like the type."
"What do you mean?" Santana asked defensively, crossing her arms and then hissing at the pain when she did that.
"Oh, you're probably going to want to take it easy, Santana. I just mean that you seem really smart. Like a smart, fancy entrepreneur type in a fancy suit. I'm sure you'll open a million businesses, Boss."
She was a little flustered by Brittany's compliments and the way her gaze raked over her approvingly.
"Thanks… What about you?" Santana cleared her throat awkwardly and blushed, realizing her mistake. "I mean, sorry, what did you study?"
"Nothing," Brittany shrugged with a breezy smile, "Studying really wasn't ever for me. I'm not smart - not when it comes to books and stuff. I tried the whole college thing for a while but dropped out really soon and then Finn told me about his job. I thought I could do the same thing as him. We work well together I guess, even though we both forget everything a lot and then Tina from front desk gets mad at us. I started working here at the resort a long time ago and I'm twenty-six now."
"So you and the Sasquatch…? You guys are?" Santana arched an eyebrow, somehow really needing to know about this but hoping beyond hopes that she was wrong. Sure, it was probably a little bold of her to ask the resort's ski instructor girl about the status of her romantic relationships but they were on first name basis anyway and Santana felt like she would die if she didn't know.
From their interactions, Finn and Brittany seemed very close, an ease and naturalness between them that only came from knowing someone for as long as they had, but she didn't even want to think about anything more than that between them.
"Ew no way. Finn's like my little brother," Brittany giggled, shaking her head. "My big, gassy, clumsy little puppy brother. I've known him since we were kids practically because our moms were best friends and we both lived in this small town since forever. Believe me, he's not my type and I'm definitely not his. Nothing like that ever happened between us."
"Oh…"
Santana wasn't sure why she felt so relieved hearing that, though she didn't want to show it. She couldn't figure out how on earth anyone could meet this girl and not be instantly attracted to her.
"Just so you know, Finn's a good guy and so innocent. He'll look out for your sister."
"Hmm, he's going to have his work cut out for him. That poor whale boy." Santana joked, thinking about how Rachel was probably prattling on, talking Finn Hudson's ear off. Brittany just giggled.
"Want a jelly bean?" Brittany held some out to her and Santana reluctantly opened her palm to receive them. She didn't like sweets but Brittany was looking at her with that soft expression and she was so charming. Santana noticed that she was eating all of the pink ones first but didn't comment. Nor did she comment on it being odd how Brittany was randomly eating this stuff in the middle of winter. Brittany got up to set a pot on the stove to boil. "Oh I'm a bad host, do you want any hot chocolate?"
"No thanks… actually maybe that would be nice…" Santana allowed, confused. "Why are you being so nice to me, Brittany? Welcoming me into your cabin and all this?"
"Why not?" Brittany was unfazed by the question, getting out some milk, along with sugar, chocolate chips and other ingredients. Brittany eventually handed her hot chocolate covered in a thick layer of marshmallows in a black cat mug. Santana began sipping it hesitantly a while later as Brittany smiled at her, sitting beside her and drinking her own pink mug.
Santana couldn't deny that she felt a lot more relaxed and warm the more she drank. Brittany looked at her knowingly as the scowl slipped away from her face and Santana smiled at her, in spite of herself. Brittany's hot chocolate was delicious. "See? I knew it. Hot chocolate solves everything."
Santana just grunted awkwardly.
"Do you want to stay over for dinner? We can watch Christmas movies if you want. There's Elf, Home Alone, A Christmas Story… "
Santana was jittery about how much she was enjoying everything about this girl and how comfortable she felt around her. It was all moving way too fast and she felt like if she stayed any longer in her presence, she'd probably end up revealing how attracted to her she was. This was dangerous. She shifted nervously as Brittany just continued to beam at her and finally stood up, putting some distance between them.
"Um, I really should be going, Brittany, sorry. My family is probably wondering where I've been for so long…I should be fine walking back now." She announced.
"Really, are you sure you don't want to stay?"
"I - I really can't stay."
"But Baby it's cold outside." Brittany sang jokingly and Santana knit her brows together, exasperated and bewildered.
"No. I've really got to go."
"Beautiful, what's your hurry?" She singsonged cutely into Santana's ear, making her shiver.
"Brittany..."
Santana momentarily forgot how to breathe and function when Brittany kissed her on the cheek without warning. Her breath hitched. Before she could fully process what had just happened, Brittany was skipping away.
"It was great meeting you, Santana. Come see me for a ski lesson sometime," Brittany just giggled as she moved away. Santana attempted to glare, her mind still totally clouded by that little kiss. "Are you sure you don't want me to help you back to your hotel?"
"No, I don't need any help!" Santana grumbled in response. She knew she was being rude but she was so overwhelmed by all of this and Brittany was just confusing her even more. How dare she just… kiss her like that?!
She grabbed her things, pulling them on as quickly as she could and trudging back in the direction of the massive hotel, ignoring the soreness in her muscles.
Thankfully, Rachel was wrapped up in her own drama and didn't even seem to notice how flustered Santana was when she let her into their parents' hotel room later. The girls each had their own rooms to sleep in but at the moment, even Santana would admit that she needed her family's help. Santana collapsed as soon as the door opened and slumped against Rachel's body momentarily, feeling weak from all of the walking. Maybe it hadn't been her best decision to not accept Brittany's help in getting back. Rachel acted like they hadn't seen each other for ten years.
"There you are! We almost sent out a search team to find you." Rachel gasped, a hand on her chest as she helped Santana sit down. Santana rolled her eyes in annoyance but for once she was grateful for seeing Rachel. The familiarity of her prim and proper sister and her cheesy parents who were watching from nearby helped to make her forget what had just happened.
"Santana! Thank goodness you're alright, Darling." Emma cried, hugging her gently while Will came over to see her with worried green eyes.
"There's my other baby girl!" Will shouted. Santana began to protest as he picked her up, holding her like a baby. She glared at him murderously while Rachel giggled. Will's expression darkened and he pressed his lips together, setting her down. "Santana, I'm disappointed in you. How could you have put yourself and Rachel in danger like that? You know she's delicate."
"It was no big deal. I don't need a lecture."
"Fine. I won't argue with you but you should know better, Missy. Don't let it happen again." Will frowned and walked away, not wanting a bitter argument with the rebellious girl, which was sure to happen whenever Santana felt like she was being criticized.
"What happened with that girl… Brittany?" Rachel asked, blinking at her as she realized Santana hadn't said a word about the ski instructor. "It's very kind of her to care for you."
"Nothing. I don't want to talk about it."
"You're shutting me out again? You always do that, Santana."
"Little Girl, don't try me right now. I'm from Lima Heights Adjacent," She warned as Rachel began to pout and complain. "You know I won't hesitate to ends you."
"You never even lived there. I'm not afraid of you!"
"You will be." Santana made a threatening gesture at her while Rachel stuck out her tongue. Santana kicked her lightly and Rachel poked her back in the arm.
"Hey, hey, none of that fighting, Girls!" Will called out sternly, wagging his finger. "You two promised to keep it civil for once this vacation."
"Wait a minute... you're wearing pink?" Rachel tilted her head to the side in a Will Schuester-like fashion, completely confused. "You're wearing pink? I thought you hated pink and you hated cats."
Santana sighed, realizing she was still wearing Brittany's hoodie. Talk about embarrassing, as if she hadn't humiliated herself enough that day. She hastily pulled it off, wincing as her muscles strained again.
"It's not mine. Now beat it already, Nerd." Santana mumbled.
"Aw that girl lent you her hoodie. That's so romantic."
"Rachel!" Santana hissed in annoyance as their parents glanced over at them curiously, listening in.
"Are you going to take skiing lessons? I'll be signing up for them right away as soon as my injuries have healed," Rachel gushed, undeterred by Santana's mood. "Finn is the nicest instructor in the world. I'm hoping to see a lot more of him."
"Nope. I don't need skiing lessons."
"Don't be stubborn, Santana."
"I'm not being stubborn."
Rachel just huffed, saying nothing and puffing out her cheeks again, reminding Santana of a chipmunk and bringing a slight smile to her face.
"Santana, if you and Rachel are going to go skiing again, you have to get a lesson first and that's final. I mean it, no ifs ands or butts," Will informed her firmly, having heard the earlier part of their conversation. Santana just grunted in acknowledgment and rolled her eyes, knowing that it wouldn't be wise to argue with Will again when she was already on thin ice with him. She got up, going into her room next door to their parents' and groaned as Rachel followed her like a talkative, clingy puppy.
"You have your own room, Rachel."
"Let's watch Barbra movies. That will make you feel better."
"I highly doubt it. It'll probably make me want to die even more." Santana mumbled darkly.
"We're watching them, unless you have a better suggestion."
"You're short and bossy." Santana remarked in a lazy drawl.
"I'm bossy?! You're bossy."
"Yeah, well you're short. Shorter than short."
"You're only two inches taller than I am!"
They continued to bicker off and on as Rachel played her favourite movies on the giant flat screen while Santana lay back in bed, pulling the sheets up to her chest. Santana remained in the hotel, mostly moping around for a few days, until it felt easier to move around again.
She couldn't stop thinking about the one girl she didn't want to be thinking about. It didn't help when the next thing she saw when browsing the internet was the announcement of a brand new Brittany S. Pierce photoshoot in Maxim. Santana's eyes shot open, clicking on the link before she could help it and couldn't look away from what she saw. It was obvious that Brittany was beyond confident about her body and she had every reason to be...
"Ooo we need to go there! Look how cute those bears are!" Rachel gushed as the family strolled through the lobby of the hotel after breakfast. "Please can we get one?"
"They look totally lame. You can't be serious." The black-haired girl deadpanned.
"Santana, you go along with her and be nice, please," Will told the older girl with a smile. "Mom and I will be at the café. We'll meet up with you guys later."
Santana froze when she noticed the tall, blonde figure standing behind the counter in the shop. It was like she couldn't get away from this woman who kept popping up all over the resort and if not there, then on the internet. First she had seen Brittany working at a booth at the hotel's cinema, then she had seen her at the reception area on another occasion and now she was in this shop as well.
Each time, Brittany had waved to the family and Rachel waved back enthusiastically while Santana ignored the tall girl, managing to avoid conversation. She prayed that the blonde wouldn't notice her and maybe she could discreetly slip away this time as well. She grabbed Rachel's arm forcefully and the shorter girl shrieked, pulling away.
"What are you doing? Stop touching me, that hurts." Rachel snapped and pouted up at her, then went to look at some trinkets. Brittany locked eyes with dark brown ones and smiled brightly as Santana couldn't seem to move away.
"Hi, sorry, I work here too in the gift shop sometimes. I guess it must be weird for you seeing me here too and at all of those other places."
Santana was silent, thinking maybe if she pretended she hadn't heard her, Brittany would get the message and they could pretend this meeting never happened. She was thankful that Rachel was all the way at the front of the shop and didn't notice what was going on with her and Brittany. It seemed like everyone in the entire hotel knew Brittany as they kept waving to her or greeting her from time to time as they passed by the store. Eventually the shop began to clear out until Rachel and Santana were the only customers left. This was awkward.
"I'd recommend that one for your sister. She seems to be really into stars," Brittany suggested, pointing at a weird looking bear plushie with stars in its eyes. Santana cringed, remembering that Rachel was wearing another star-themed, yellow and black shirt. "These are normally really expensive too but for you...I can give you an extra employee's discount."
Santana again said nothing, turning away from the blonde.
"You're still mad at me, Spicy Cinnamon Roll?"
Santana focused deliberately on the souvenirs on the shelves and didn't meet Brittany's playful eyes, pursing her lips at the nickname. She cursed Rachel and her stupid need for overpriced teddy bears and keychains. Rachel already had tons of these things in her room at home from all of their annual family vacations.
"The silent treatment, huh. You're mad at me because I kissed you?" Brittany whispered, coming up to her and placing her hand on her shoulder. Santana couldn't help but notice their close proximity and shuddered. She didn't look offended, just very amused and stifled a giggle as Santana flipped around and forced herself to glare at her menacingly. Santana realized how stupid she must seem to be all hostile to Brittany for no apparent reason. "Bummer. That's usually not the reaction my kisses get from people."
"It's not that… I…" Santana started to say, trying to explain herself.
"Or because you like me? Why are you even mad at me?"
That was a good question.
"The offer's still open if you want me to teach you how to ski, by the way."
"Who says I want to ski?" Santana finally responded.
"Meet me in an hour at the bunny hills for your first lesson."
Santana couldn't exactly argue with that as Rachel came up behind them with a whole bunch of stuff she wanted. Brittany just placed the bear carefully in a bag for them along with the other items and passed it to her after she tapped her credit card. She then smiled at the next customer behind them and began to make light conversation as she rang up their purchases. Santana grabbed Rachel's arm, ignoring her protests and marched off, trying to think of anything except Brittany's flirty smile.
