a/n: song is by We The Kings. I don't own the rights to any lyrics or glee characters.
Chapter 18: Check Yes, Juliet
Shortly after their first therapy session, school started back up after the holidays. Santana showed up to school in enough layers to melt a snowman every day. As soon as she entered the halls she'd regret her decision to wear so many jackets and would leave her locker bursting at the seams with puffy coats and scarves. Brittany would always giggle, having opted for one jacket over a long sleeve shirt every day. Santana would grumble about how her old school never used heating. After the first week, Santana had finally learned her lesson, usually donning her Glee Club hoodie and a long sleeve band tee underneath.
"You look so cute in my hoodie" Brittany said, having forced Santana to wear the name Pierce on her back.
"I'm drowning Britt." Santana waved her arms like an octopus, the sleeves clearly too big.
"I wish I could wear yours." Brittany said, holding up the smaller jacket.
"It'll fit you, just try!" the tan girl insisted. Brittany squirmed into the jacket and found it was snug but actually a perfect fit.
"Do you buy everything too big?" the dancer inquired.
"She always has." Diego said from his spot at the counter "To grow into it. Prima hasn't grown an inch since she was two."
"Te amo hermano (I love you brother)" Santana said sarcastically.
"Dios mio!" Tia Ali rolled her eyes "Stop bickering. You two, let's get to school. Mr.Schue wants you early so he can get you ready for regionals."
"Of course. Adios Diego" Brittany waved as Santana stuck out her tongue.
Regionals were coming up, landing on the week of valentines. With just 2 weeks left to prepare, the Glee club was working tirelessly. Not only that, but they were providing singing Valentines as a fundraiser for Nationals. They were stretched thin, but they knew it would be worth it.
"So I just got a theme for Regionals. It's all about empowerment." Mr.Schue scrawled the word on the board. "Who can tell me what that means?" he ignored Rachel's hand and called on Brittany who had nervously raised her hand.
"It's like, taking something that's special about you and enhancing it. Even if it's not typical it's feeling powerful because of it." Brittany explained, stumbling over her words slightly. Santana gently stroked the back of the paler hand with her thumb encouragingly.
"That's a great definition. Rachel, what's the dictionary one?" he pointed to the brunette who shot to the board and wrote
down what she said.
"Empowerment: noun. The process of becoming stronger and more confident , especially in controlling one's life or claiming one's rights." the girl smirked, Quinn grinning widely.
"Whipped." Santana whispered in the ex-cheerleaders ear. The girl just nodded happily.
"Great, now that we've got that settled, I want to highlight some different members of the club this time around. Those of you not highlighted will be tasked with singing valentines." Mr.Schue said. "I've picked one song. A classic, I think you'll all agree. Finn and Rachel, despite you being featured last time, you were who came to mind for this song so you'll be dueting it."
"What about the other two songs?" Kurt asked meekly from the back.
"Glad you asked, because Kurt, I want you as a soloist." Mr.Schue said "and then we have our group number, led by Sam and Blaine."
"So we need to find songs that suit their strengths vocally?" Santana asked.
"Precisely. You two have any ideas?" he asked the Latina and blonde.
"Let us get back to you this afternoon." Brittnay said. The rest of the club agreed to bring suggestions that afternoon. Mr.Schue would announce the number he'd chosen as well.
At lunch, they were all trading ideas when Kurt piped up.
"I was thinking I could kill Born This Way by Lady Gaga." he said nervously.
"With some backing vocals, I think you're right." Rachel said happily.
"What do you think Schue wants you two to sing?" Quinn asked her girlfriend and ex. Finn had gotten over it, him and Artie having a weird bromance where they spent all day playing Halo and Artie did the homework for both of them instead of sleeping.
"Probably Journey." Finn said nonchalantly.
"Yeah like Don't Stop Believin'." Artie agreed.
"Wheels has a point." Santana said and Brittany elbowed her. "OW! Sorry." she groaned.
"Santana, I really don't understand your need to call me wheels, however I embrace it." Artie smirked "Besides, there was a compliment in there."
"Well, what's our song then?" Mercedes and Sam asked simultaneously.
"Well San and I thought Immortals by Fall Out Boy would be a nice sound for you two." Brittany offered.
"The song from Big Hero 6! Yes we have to Mercedes PLEASE." Sam begged.
"Schue has to approve, but I trust my girls." Mercedes winked. She'd grown close to the two girls, her and Santana having a small rivalry over who's blue eyed blonde was hotter. Seeing Sam's dorkiness, Santana knew she won. That was until Brittany joined Sam's enthusiasm about the movie.
That afternoon, the suggestions were approved, and Artie was right about Mr.Schue's selection. With that, Mike was on choreographing duty, assisted by Brittany. Santana was sent to the auditorium to play piano for Kurt to start practicing, and provided the backing vocals for him. Blaine was watching from the audience, offering pointers. Santana found him infuriating, cutting his boyfriend off for every little thing.
"Kurt you are dropping that high too soon!" Blaine said exasperated.
"Blaine would you shut up and let him sing!" Santana shouted "you're criticizing isn't constructive. You're tearing him down. Let him get through the whole song and then we can break it down piece by piece." Santana huffed.
"Kurt?" Blaine asked, looking at the boy who hugged himself on stage. He nodded slightly and Blaine stormed out.
"You okay?" Santana rushed to his side. She knew how much Kurt cared for Blaine.
"Better actually. Thank you." Kurt hugged the Latina who returned it.
"I'm here if you ever need someone to talk to. Though if you want cheering up, Britt is an expert at spotting unicorns like us." Santana winked, and started playing again. Kurt sang with renowned confidence, and while Santana heard some of the technical errors, they were fewer and further between.
The next two weeks went similarly, preparing endlessly. And in the week of the competition and Valentines day, it was amped up even more. Brittany was lugging her guitar around as they delivered singing grams around the school. It was Brittany's day off when Sam and Santana came up to her during math, smiling.
"San" Brittany blushed bright red.
"This is for you babe."
Run, baby, run
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart
If you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart
Don't say we're not meant to be
Run, baby, run
Forever we'll be
You and me
The Latina smiled, handing Brittany the roses that'd been customary with each gram.
"I didn't get you one." Brittany pouted.
"You sang me The Only Exception long ago. This is my return. And it makes up for me doing it in private for homecoming." Santana and Sam left, Brittany shaking her head at the shenanigans.
Friday came before they knew it. As they piled on the bus for sectionals, runs were still being practiced, Brittany was reviewing simple choreography with Finn and the harmonies for Immortals were being perfected. They had it in the bag, but that didn't stop Kurt from obsessively reading the lyrics or Rachel from drinking a gallon of tea.
Santana had to admit, the competition was definitely greater than it had been at regionals. But as she backed up Kurt, she felt the win. And when Mercedes killed Immortals with Sam, any remaining doubt vanished from her mind.
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
I'm beautiful in my way'
Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way
Sometimes the only payoff for having any faith
Is when it's tested again and again every day
I'm still comparing your past to my future
It might be your wound, but they're my sutures
Saturday morning, Santana woke up still glowing from their win. Beside her, Brittany and Asher were curled up. She kissed Brittany's cheek as she lifted a pale arm from the growing dog. "Come on Ash. We need to make your Mama a very special Valentines breakfast."
Santana happily went downstairs, Asher padding behind her. It was fairly early, so she was surprised to see Diego sitting at the counter, nursing a cup of coffee. She was glad the pot was warm as she poured her own mug, but she could sense something was wrong with Diego.
"Estás bien (are you okay?" ?" Santana looked at him with worry.
"No" he answered simply "Desconsolando (heartbroken)"
"Oh Go-go." Santana wrapped her arms around him "What happened?"
"She cheated on me. After I left." Diego said sadly.
"Then she didn't deserve you. You're amazing." Santana insisted.
"I wish she saw that. But now what?" he looked at the girl.
"You could start by showing a little more love to your family. You're my brother now." Santana said.
"And you my sister." Diego agreed "Could I help you surprise blondie?"
"Sure." the cousins worked together to create enough not only for Brittany but enough for Ali as well. Diego said it was tradition before he was dating for him to be his mom's valentine. They parted ways armed with breakfast trays, Santana followed by Asher.
"It's time to wake up babe. Otherwise Asher is going to feast." Santana said, softly pressing a kiss to Brittany's forehead. Blue eyes fluttered open and a small smile spread on freckled cheeks.
"You made breakfast?" she said awestruck.
"Yeah. Happy Valentines baby." Santana helped the girl settle the tray on her lap. She'd made heart shaped pancakes with strawberry and whipped cream. Brittany ate happily, sharing an occasional bite with the Latina. When she was done, she set the tray aside and smirked at Santana.
"You know, as great as it is waking up to breakfast in bed, I can think of a few better ways" Brittany arched an eyebrow suggestively.
"Britt I'm sorry. I know this was our goal but I'm not there yet." Santana admitted.
"Oh honey, no, I just wanted to make out." the blonde reassured "That will happen naturally. I promise."
"Well, I guess we could make out." Santana grinned as the blonde pulled her in. It took 15 minutes before Asher squeezed between them to get his cuddles.
"Seriously, we spoil him San." the dancer smiled down at the dog.
"No regrets." the latina shrugged.
"Okay. But I do have something for you." Brittany reached into her bag.
"Britt, I didn't know we were doing gifts." Santana frowned.
"A song, breakfast in bed and a makeout were plenty my love." the freckled girl assured "just open it."
"It's our scrapbook." Santana said and Brittany nodded. "Oh my God, these pictures, how?"
"Ali may have been a really good paparazzi at your parties." Britrnay shrugged "and otherwise our friends are weirdly creepy and in love with our relationship.'
"I love it. Thank you babe. Should we commemorate Valentines?" Santana grabbed the polaroid from her nightstand.
"Yeah." Brittany and Santana kissed above Ashers head,the dog licking their chins as Santana hit the shutter button. She shook the picture and smiled at how adorable it was.
"Perfect. It can go with the picture of you and Sam singing to me." Brittnay smiled.
"Did your teacher take that?" Santana asked.
"Yup. What a weirdo." Brittany shook her head.
"I'm glad she did." Santana smiled.
"Me too." Brittany sighed happily " the past few months have been so great with you. Can you believe it's been almost 6 months?"
"No, but that milestone is just a week away my love." Santana said. It would also be 6 months since her attack.
"And we will replace all those bad memories with good?" the blonde asked.
"Of course." Santana kissed Brittnay softly "Only good."
also includes lyrics from: Immortals by Fall Out Boy, Dont Stop Believin by Journey and Born This Way by Lady Gaga.
I made a Playlist with ever song mentioned in the fic: https/open./playlist/53o1TvOwUCW0JMIDKHTaZL?si=7aPe-mmoR-SGu2jXcTG5cQif a song isn't a. chapter title, it directly below the chapter it is in! hopefully you enjoy!