I do not own Glee, i am immensely saddened by Naya Rivera's untimely passing so i wrote a thing.
a/n; see bottom
It was a fairly typical day by most standards. They had been all summer doing their own things and not here they were, the students of McKinley were in the halls, it was before home room. The problem most were finding though was that there was no Treasure Trail to Slushy. It wasn't normal, it was almost tradition after the last few years of first day returns. Santana was the most put out by it though, things just weren't normal for her and she had expected to at least witness Rachel Berry being Slushied.
It put the Latina in a rather sour mood as she made her way along the halls scowling at everyone that made eye contact with her. Fools. Yet there was one that was bold enough. She knew him better than she cared to admit out loud anymore but there was that.
"Where's your girlfriend, Finnept? She ruined the first day with her being no where in sight. Wasted perfectly good icy beverages." Santana crossed the hall to him taking typical bitch-stance, arms crossed and hip jutted to the right, feet apart and smug expression to go with the look.
"Rachel? She's not my girlfriend, I don't know where she is i haven't seen her." Finn shrugs casually and Santana was admittedly not surprised.
"Finally realised how whiny and hobbit like she is did you?" Santana smirks and rolls her eyes.
"No. She broke it off with me. For good apparently." He shrugs again and Santana wrinkles her nose.
Without another word she turns on her heel and heads for the cafeteria needing something to eat or at least the smell of food to make her feel better. She dare not eat where Sue could catch her. It was as she was going to the cafeteria, past the auditorium that she heard a familiar sound. Moving quietly she gently pushed the door open to find one Rachel Berry on the stage with a guitar in hand.
Santana didn't even know Rachel played the guitar but there she was strumming out the soft chords of a a Taylor Swift song, Safe and Sound. She didn't know why but there was just something different going on here. It was a soft crooning coming from Rachel, she wasn't putting on a show and belting it out so everyone this side of Lima could hear. It was soft and gentle and soulful and it pulled at something inside Santana.
A little rattled by her own reaction to Rachel and the softly plucked song Santana crept back out of the auditorium frowning and somehow in an even worse mood as she back up and went to the cafeteria, she'd find Brittany most likely and that would calm her down. Maybe. Anything not to think of Man-Hands.
—
It was Glee that afternoon, the first meeting of the year, before anyone really saw Rachel Berry for any extended amount of time. She was, as usual, first in the choir room come the end of the day. Yet, she wasn't sitting in the front like she usually did, she looked almost bored sitting up the back with her head leaning against the wall. Santana frowned when she saw the girl where she and Britt might usually have sat.
She wasn't sure why she did it but given that Brittany had, over the holidays, gotten back with Artie when Santana continued to refuse to go out with her, she had no choice really. Or more she had a choice but she didn't really feel like she had a choice and she had no friends. That was a hard truth for her.
This is why Santana made her way up the back and took the seat next to Rachel, the smaller girl turned her head just enough to regard Santana for a moment before turning back to looking at the front… or the ceiling or what ever she was looking at. It was… a comfortable silence. A silent, mutual, understanding of sorts. Neither of them really had any friends.
No one else really paid them any attention and by the time the meeting came to an end they managed to walk out together too. Neither speaking a work to the other before parting ways in the parking lot where they each got in there own cars and went their separate ways. Santana returned to her own, to the comfort of her bedroom where she got changed and sat at her desk and did her homework.
—
The next two weeks went really similarly and it was honestly starting to bug Santana. While yes, she didn't really talk to Rachel, they had come to sit together when in the same room. Each seeking out the other silently and sharing the silent comfort of at least having someone close by, no one else really acknowledged Rachel at all. Which normally might be a typical occurrence but there was nothing typical about Rachel Berry these days.
Not only was Rachel unusually quiet in Glee, she was near non-existent in the halls these days and she rarely if ever spoke up during the few classes that Santana had with her. It wasn't right, and it was bothering her because somehow she was the only to notice. She was the only one, every day almost, to find Rachel singing, with a guitar, in the auditorium. And it was almost always melancholy.
It was just leading into that third week when things changed, when that voice was used for something other than singing the sad songs. In fact it was the turning point for the two of then going forward too. Santana was making her way to her car after Cheerios practice one afternoon where she found herself approached by two Neanderthals. Or Azimio and Karofsky anyways.
"Well if it isn't the only gay Cheerio!" Azimio, Santana was pretty sure, was quoting Tenacious D at this point and she couldn't help but scoff.
"Piss off, Adams." She huffs attempting to move around them.
"Unlikely. We've noticed you around Berry lately, Pierce not putting out lately?" Karofsky smirks.
"We've got a proposition for you." Azimio smirks and Santana was immediately positive she didn't want to hear it.
"That's right is it? I'm not interested." Santana scowls because seriously she just wanted there to be anyone else around right now.
"Too bad because we think your issue is that you've been spending too much time playing straight with Puckerman who wouldn't even know how to satisfy a woman." Karofsky smirks and Santana actually laughs.
"What and you think you do?" Santana laughed in their faces. Probably a mistake as they both grinned nastily.
It was this point that things were taking a turn. Santana had assumed she was alone, as had the jocks it seemed, as they grabbed her with every intention to drag her further out of sight and possibly for the first time in her life Santana was freaking out. In the past there had always been a crowd in which to bolster her bravado. At this point she was alone and these oafs towered over her and out weighed her about 2.5X.
Except they didn't get far at all before a little hell cat came out of know where it seemed. Santana caught the sight of a grey hoodie and rich brown hair before Karofsky was laid out in the gravel and Azimio followed shortly after with a cry of pain. Santana hadn't even really seen what had happened to them really but Karofsky had a split lip and was gasping to regain his breath and Azimio had an apparently broken nose courtesy of a knee as he'd bent to grab at what was now clearly a dislocated kneecap.
"Not today." It was the only thing Rachel said before gently grabbing Santana's elbow and guiding her towards her car. It was downright cold.
"Berry?" Santana was still trying to catch up but the panic she had felt had been laid out with Azimio and Karofsky.
"Will you be alright?" Rachel asks lightly looking Santana over, likely for any kind of injury.
"Yes?" Santana was confused more than she was rattled but the whole situation was doing a number on her and for reasons still unknown to her she began to shake.
"Come on, get in. I'll make you a snack before you go home." Rachel stopped at her own car and opened the door for Santana who rather dumbly got into the car and put her seat belt on.
They were about half way to Berry's when Santana finally seemed to come back to herself a bit more and she turned to the girl driving. It was only now, as she studied Rachel that she realised how tense the teen had been, and she had been for the last three weeks. Why am i only noticing this now? She really didn't know what had happened but Rachel seemed forever ready for anything at this point. It wasn't right.
"What happened to you over the summer break?" Santana asked finally just as they were pulling into Rachel's place and the girl sighed seeming to let the tension seep away now she was home.
Instead of answering her, Rachel go out of the car and waited for Santana who almost scurried to get out and follow Rachel into the house. The house was noticeably dark, cool inside and devoid of habitation. It wasn't really usual what she remembered the one other time she had been there.
"When i started middle school and people started openly being mean because of my fathers we decided i should take self defence classes." Rachel explains once the two where inside and the door was closed.
"Ok but that wasn't self defence, that was pure ass-kickery." Santana was aware she was basically making words up but there it was.
"Yes. About three days into Summer my fathers and i went to Cleveland for a week. They had gone out with some of friends of theirs. There was some college parties going on apparently. Seeing my fathers happy, tipsy, and in love seemed to trigger them. Dads still in Cleveland with Daddy…. he hasn't woken up yet." Rachel had lead Santana into the kitchen and was now making two turkey sandwiches. Santana noted the fact that the Vegan diet seemed to be gone.
"I… I'm really sorry to hear that. But why are you here alone?" Santana asks curiously.
"Dad didn't want me there, said that even as close minded as people can be here they've never been assaulted here. Not physically. They assumed I'd be safer and honestly i am OK." Rachel shrugs handing one of the sandwiches to Santana.
"So… after… you became a bad ass?" Santana asks following the first bite, she wasn't sure what Rachel did or if she was just hungry but the sandwich was amazing.
"I adjusted my diet to get more protein, more vitamins, a proper meal plan i found someone local to teach me Mixed Martial Arts. While i don't pick fights, in fact i avoid them as best i can. I can obviously now throw down. On top of MMA I've been taught gun safety and even have a side arm upstairs in a safe." Rachel further explains and Santana's eyes bug out.
"Can i see it?" She asks after a moment because that sounded cool as heck and honestly was the last thing she expected of Rachel Barbara Berry.
"Sure." Rachel smiles lightly and half shrugs setting her half uneaten sandwich down and gesturing Santana follow.
Santana hadn't seen a whole lot of Rachel's house the last time she had been there but now the lights were on this place definitely looked considerably more lived in. Tidy for sure, but the throw draped haphazardly over the couch and the coffee ring on the coaster on the coffee table. Definitely someone lived there, apparently it was just Rachel by herself.
Up the stairs Santana glanced into what was clearly her fathers room, the closet door was open and she could see dress shirts and blazers hanging in there, a lot of empty hangers as well. A bathroom that looked like it hadn't been used very often lately. Then another room which clearly, upon entry, was Rachels room. Yet it wasn't as pink and gaudy as she expected it to be.
The walls were a soft yellow, the carpet a light soft and plush cream or off white colour with, perhaps not as surprising as it was to Santana, a rainbow rug by the bed that was dressed in some kind of mandala type quilt set. Santana was impressed to say the least, it was tidy and looked as though it had had quite a bit more traffic there than in the rest of the house lately.
In the closet, because apparently it was a walk in, Santana noted that most of, or all of, the sweaters with animals and the argyle skirts were gone. She most definitely wondered about that, why Rachel had completely changed her style. Or course the sweats and sweatshirts and such made more sense given apparently Rachel was a ninja these days or something. There was a small safe there in the closet that she didn't see Rachel punch the code into before it was being opened.
Rachel reached in and pulled out a small 9mm glock and Santana breathed a sigh of relief and then chuckled lightly.
"What's so funny?" Rachel tilted her head, the gun wasn't loaded so when Santana hesitantly reached for it she handed it over with ease.
"It's just… its not all black. What colour even is this?" Santana asked looking the weapon over curiously.
"It's Robin egg." Rachel half shrugged and grins.
"Don't worry, I'm not entirely gone. I'm still going to New York, i still want to be on Broadway, i just have to be more realistic about my goals and honestly what happened to my dads i've realised that i really cant just pretend the worlds not as bad as it is." Rachel explains as Santana pointed the gun at the safe for a moment before handing it back to Rachel who put it back in the safe and locked it.
"I.. i like this calmer quieter you, but I'm glad the old Rachel's still in there." Santana admits after a moment. This is the most the pair had spoken in quite some time, even with their silent friendship.
"Me too, but you… i don't know. Seeing you quite and, well, lonely… it breaks my heart a little. I miss the confident, sexy, cheerio that takes no shit from no one and doesn't care what people think." Rachel offers lightly as the two move back into the bedroom.
"Yeah well...Britt barely gave me any chance before she was swept off her feet by Wheels again, it was a bit eye opening. No matter how bad ass i thought i was… I wasn't enough. It's my reality though and maybe like you i need to change too." Santana heaves a sigh.
"Wanna come to my training session tomorrow? Kai is taking on novices at the moment." Rachel explains smiling gently at Santana.
"Really?" Santana was a little surprised by the offer though she wasn't sure why Rachel had never been nothing but kind even when Santana had been constantly slinging insults.
"Of course. It's empowering and not just because i got to actually kick those guys asses today. Just knowing ive got the power and the form to take on most people my age. It's good." Rachel explains with a half shrug.
"Ok sure. Um.. thanks. I know lately we have been getting on really well for not talking and stuff but in the past ive been an insane bitch to you. I really appreciate what you did for me today." Santana says smiling gently, sincerely even. Rachel stepped up and pressed a light, unexpected, kiss to Santana's cheek.
"You're most welcome. It's nice to have a friend… i mean, we are friends are we not?" Rachel gave a lopsided smile that Santana had never witnessed on the singer before and tried to ignore just what it did to her.
"Of course we are." Santana smiles brightly now and Rachel's own became brighter.
—
The pair spent the rest of the afternoon together and Rachel even convinced Santana to stay and order in with her, it wasn't that hard. Rachel wanted the company and Santana felt bad that the little singer was left there alone. Her annoyance at Rachel's seclusion was eased slightly when the young singer had forgotten to call her father at the agreed upon time and Rachel had put him on speaker and introduced the two after many apologies at forgetting.
The following day, after Rachel had dropped Santana back at school to get her car that night. Santana had then instead driven to the Berry house and left her own car in the drive there while going with Rachel to school. The pair had gym bags in the back in lieu of the afternoons plans. They'd gotten out of the car and headed inside where, to Santana's surprise, everyone seemed to part like the Red Sea.
It wasn't for her, she quickly realised when she saw Azimio with crutches and a band-aid over his nose and Dave who had a bruised jaw and what was apparently a few stitches. The students parted for Rachel, they were actually scared of her. Santana looked from the students around them to the tiny diva beside her, Rachel was straight faced until she caught Santana looking at her and she couldn't help a wink. The little action twisted Santana's insides pleasantly.
"Bad-ass babe." She say lowly and smirks at Rachel was now grinning.
The rest of the day was much the same and Glee rolled around, Rachel and Santana both were the first ones there, they'd had the same last class that day and made their way to the choir room promptly. They were sitting in the back talking quietly when Quinn, Mercedes, Kurt and Tina walked into the room only to pause and look at them.
"Problem?" Santana asked frowning at the looks the two were suddenly getting.
"You've corrupted, Rachel." Kurt accuses after a moment and Rachel couldn't keep the frown from bad face.
"Um… no she did not." Rachel denies easily because honestly that was ridiculous.
It seemed like the rest of them came filing in then, some didn't care about the now clear development between Rachel and Santana. Brittany for one just flashed the two a smile and sat in her usual seat in the front where Artie rolled up beside her. Mike also did t really seem bothered and tugged Tina who was curious but not judgemental to their seats.
Puck made a gesture that made both girls cringe and Sam just chuckled at Puck who also ended up being slapped by Lauren who had followed them in. Finn and Me Schue were the last two to come in but Finn was frowning deeply. Mr Schue even was frowning as he looked over at Rachel, clearly the rumours had gotten around about what had happened to the football players the day before.
"Rachel before we start I have to ask… is it true you assaulted Karofsky and Azimio?" Will asked though it was clear he was having a hard time believing someone so small.
"Somewhat." Is all Rachel says with a half shrug.
"Rachel this is really serious. Azimio's knee was dislocated, Dave needed stitches." Will was frowning deeply now.
"Yes." Rachel nods looking at the man with a raised eyebrow.
"Rachel-"
"Streisand! Good work yesterday! I'd hate to think what would have happened to one of my star Cheerios if your scrappy little self hadn't been there!" Sue Sylvester with her bullhorn had interrupted the glee coach to offer her thanks.
"What?" Will frowned deeply at Sue.
"We don't really reward violence here." William pointed out and ignored the near audible eye roll through the choir room.
"We do when that scrappy little pit fighter is defending a fellow peer from sexual assault, William. Couldn't think of anything more noble. Maybe you need to stop listening to the rumours of boys with bruised egos." Sue delivered and without another threw a thumbs up at Rachel and walked out of the room.
Everyone turned to look at Rachel who shrugged lightly but had a slight grin on her face. She was sitting in her seat with one leg over the other, shoe planted on the floor and her elbow resting on her knee, she was partially turned toward Santana who was sitting back in her see with her legs crossed as well.
"Now if your done grilling Rachel for stopping those pigs from doing what ever I hate to think of them doing to me maybe we can get on with Glee?" Santana snarks at the room and no one really seems to know what to say then.
—
From then people seemed to leave Rachel alone even more, no one dare attempt to Slushy her even though no one really knew why Rachel had attacked the boys. Of course they wouldn't admit their nefarious intentions to anyone, they tried to play it off at just getting jumped but it came back to bite them. After all Rachel was tiny and kicked their asses and the hockey jocks took great pleasure in that fact. The Slushy attacks now happened to Azimio and Dave.
Santana had become a regular at the local gym where she signed up for MMA classes. Though she graded a few under Rachel the two would spar before their respective lessons would start. It was this way for the following two weeks, they only seemed to get along more each day.
Santana learned more about Rachel and found she liked her quite a bit. Things such as Rachel's favourite movies, that though she loved musicals she also really liked the Resident Evil movies, had played the games and had some novels she raved over and even convinced Santana to read. Turns out they were pretty well written for Zombie genre. Not all scary but some decent plot as well.
On top of that she learned Rachel was a total dead shot with a hand gun and could ride a horse but she was terrible swimmer, could swim and enjoyed water but couldn't race for the life of her. Rachel was naturally a firm supporter of LGBT but also in general she had very little bad to say about anyone. Even after what happened to her father, who hadn't improved at all lately.
They had the horror genre in common and Rachel even took Santana to the range with her one day where they learned Santana was a natural shot as well. While Santana was a good swimmer they both enjoyed the water just for relaxing. Santana also admitted to really enjoying song and dance. That though they'd joined glee in the beginning for Sues plots Santana had come to enjoy it just fine. As for Sue, Santana developed a whole new respect for the woman when she learned she was the one who taught Rachel to handle the sidearm in the first place.
The pair, when not bickering and being nasty, had become fast friends. Which was probably why Santana had Rachel's back anytime Finn was in her face or Schue was trying to brush her off. It was definitely why Rachel was so devout in her defence of Santana any time anyone accused her of trying to corrupt Rachel. But it suited the two just fine. Brittany and Santana were able to maintain a friendship without Arty being jealous because more often than not Santana and Brittany were hanging out at Rachel's house with Rachel.
"Rach seriously… it's a classic." Santana grinned at the brunette who rolled her eyes just as Schue called the meeting to order.
Rachel was leaning slightly into Santana now as was customary when in Glee these days, supporting one another was sometimes the literal definition. Rachel was tired after having gone jogging with Santana that morning before school, a trend the pair had started a few mornings a week.
"Alright guys! We need a new assignment for the week so I was thinking…" William trailed off to the sound of a knock on the door frowning when Sue walked in.
"Sorry Will… I need to speak with you Rachel." She spoke softly, the tone itself more startling than if she'd screamed through the bullhorn.
Santana swallowed hard and looked at Rachel when the girl stiffened and straightened. She immediately knew that this wasn't going to be good, that this was the worst possible news. And Rachel knew it too.
"No… I don't want to hear it." Rachel shook her head and stood making her way down and towards the door.
"Rachel…" Sue stepped into her way, even she could see the diva was about to run.
"NO!" Rachel took off then charging for the door only to be caught by Sue, the little singer was in tears now and fighting against the woman.
"Rachel I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. He… he went in his sleep… they couldn't…" Sue spoke softly but Rachel just struggled harder crying. No one really knew what was going on.
Santana got to her feet and ran down to the two. She didn't know how to help but her heart aches for Rachel. Learning that her father had succumbed to the injuries after weeks of fighting… it was hard. It was even harder alone but there she was, Rachel Berry crying her eyes out at the lost of her daddy.
"Rach… hey… calm down. I got you." Santana reached out placing her hand on Rachel's cheek and making the girl look at her.
"Take a breath ok… I got you… come on." Santana opened her arms gently when Rachel seemed calmer and Sue gently let her go, the little singer immediately moved into Santana's arms sobbing softly.
"Take her home, Santana." Sue orders gently and Santana nodded helping steady Rachel before the two girls made their way out.
Of course because of the situation in Cleveland, Leroy had sought out Sue to get Rachel sorted and therefore had been informed by the man of what had happened. Because of this Sue became Leroy's first contact if he couldn't get in touch with Rachel and the girl rarely had her phone off silent during school hours.
"Sue? What's going on with Rachel?" William asks the question they were all wondering.
"During the summer her fathers were assaulted in Cleveland. Hiram Berry has been in a critical condition since… he passed away this afternoon." She sighs, it wasn't often she got invested in a student but she couldn't help some kind of faint, barely existent, maternal instinct where Rachel was concerned.
"How come no one found out about it?" Finn frowned deeply.
"I'd wager because as usual you've been too busy pretending Rachel doesn't exist unless she is blatantly in your face and she's not been doing that lately." Sue shrugged and walked out.
—
By the time Santana got Rachel back to her house the thunder had started and the wind had set in, a bad storm blowing through. Rachel how ever seemed to be getting over her shock of learning her father had passed away. She practically jumped out of the car and ran inside, Santana a little startled but she followed after her.
Rachel moved straight up to her room to get a suit case and put some clothes on and it was clear to Santana what the singer was planning. Thunder tumbled outside again making Santana move again as she went over to Rachel. Gently placing her hand on the girls arm.
"You can't go tonight." Santana says gently.
"I have to. If I don't I'm just going to be thinking about it all night." Rachel sounded almost desperate.
"Then I'll stay with you. I'll be here and I'll even come to Cleveland with you tomorrow." Santana says seriously. It seems to be enough though as Rachel folded into tears again.
"He's gone San… they killed him." Santana wrapped her arms around Rachel and let her cry, she gently pulled the suitcase off the bed and sat them both down on it.
"I've got you." Santana whispers softly holding the smaller girl close.
Santana let her cry, Rachel seemed to need it and Santana was kind of at a loss for how to help the girl otherwise. But she was sure that this is what Rachel needed right now and Santana was determined to give the girl what she needed. This was only in part why Santana was only a little surprised when after the crying Rachel had kissed Santana.
It was desperate and needy and at first Santana didn't return it, this wasn't what she was expecting at all, not right now. Yet she had wanted this and had for a little while now. The feelings she had had for Brittany had waned slowly over the last few weeks and bit by bit had been replaced by feelings for Rachel yet somehow it had never seemed appropriate to attempt to try for more.
"Make me forget? For a little while Santana, please?" Santana knew this wasn't right, this was Rachel's first time the girl was offering up here and it wasn't the way Santana would prefer.
"Rachel… are you sure?" Santana wasn't sure when she had grown a conscience, this wasn't normally something she would question. Sex was good and sex with girls was ever better and she knew that was because she was gay even if she didn't admit that very often. Or at all.
Rachel kissed her again deeply and Santana took that for the answer she needed, Rachel wanted this, Santana wanted this. Silently the Latina vowed simply to make the next time more worth while for Rachel, less about desperation and more about love because Santana was certain that was where this was heading. If she had been given more time she was certain she would have been able to appropriately woo Rachel.
It seemed to progress quickly from there, Santana was surprised to find herself naked while Rachel was still half dressed, something she was happy to rectify. The kissing was less desperate now, the tears had dried and now they were full of need and Santana was both surprised and pleased by how forward Rachel was. The singer appeared to be confident in all things.
"You're beautiful." Rachel murmured leaning back and Santana gasped softly because this was not something she had heard often or really at all.
Sexy, hot, a babe sure but she'd never been called beautiful, not while being looked at with such desire filled eyes. No one had called her beautiful and meant it quite the way Rachel had. It was exhilarating and a little intimidating as well. Not that she had much chance to dwell on it because no sooner was Rachel as naked as she was did the singer have those perfect lips wrapped around a straining nipple.
"Rachel! Oh god!" Santana was on fire, she was supposed to be helping Rachel forget and suddenly there she was wondering what day of the week it even was.
Rachel how ever was far too into what she was doing, feeling Santana. In the past it had been a fleeting thought, one she wasn't ashamed to admit she had had. When the two had become friends it hadn't really occurred to her in the beginning that this could be a thing. When their friendship had been a silent one.
When the two idiots had thought for a moment they might be able to have their way with Santana against her will or otherwise Rachel had decided that if she could be with anyone she'd like it to be Santana. It was when they had started talking, when they'd started to realise they were both alone, that they could be alone together. The only thing that hadn't happened was talk or ever steps towards a relationship and Rachel had been ok with that. Until today when she'd learned that her whole world was changing and she wanted Santana as the constant.
"Shit Rach… i.." Santana groaned softly as Rachel moved to wrap her lips around the other nipple giving it the same treatment.
Rachel was very much enjoying herself and so really hadn't wanted to rush but it was clear by the sounds Santana was making that it perhaps wasn't fast enough. A fact only confirmed when Rachel found herself suddenly on her back with a gorgeous Latina hovering over her.
"I'm supposed to be distracting you." Santana's voice was husky in the best kind of way to send pleasant chills over Rachel who smirks.
"I find you highly distracting like this." Rachel retorts her own voice a lust induced husk that seemed to she's Santana's eyes darken even more.
"I can do better." Santana smirks lightly and kisses Rachel hard on the lips, even if she was on the bottom at the moment Rachel kissed like she meant business. Damn, she's an amazing kisser.
It really wasn't long after that that Rachel was a writhing mess on the bed with Santana grinding lightly against her, the movement no more than a tease for both of them. Rachel had a hand on Santana's ass, which the cheerleader enjoyed very much, and one at her waist, nails lightly biting into her skin. Santana herself had a hand supporting her slightly to one side while the other was busy manipulating a firm nipple to a diamond cutter status.
"Santi…. I need more." Rachel was actually begging and not only was she begging but Santi? Why did Santana enjoy this new nickname so much.
It might have been in part because of the way Rachel moaned the moniker but it was probably more so because it was Rachel moaning it and Santana was falling further and further for the singer. Because of the free fall the cheerleader couldn't possibly deny the other girl as she finally relented and moved her hand from Rachel's breast downwards.
Replacing teasing fingers with exploring lips Santana bit, licked and sucked lightly at Rachel's nipple, learning quickly that the little singer liked a little pain with her pleasure. Her hand found its place between Rachel's thighs, the little singers legs parting in welcome it seemed and Santana didn't hesitate to find that straining little node and rub light, tight, circles around it. The action had Rachel arching off the bed and gasping expletives that Santana might have laughed at were she not so turned on by the way Rachel was saying them.
Idle hands were not for Rachel either, the hand on the Latina's ass moved up to tangle in thick raven hair, holding the cheerleader to her chest almost, while the other slid down to mirror the action of the hand between her own legs. The gasp and moan that move offered her sent Rachel to ever reaching heights really, she wasn't going to last long.
"I want you to cum with me." Rachel half moans half purrs the words and she can feel Santana shiver against her.
Santana for her part wasn't going to last much longer but she wanted to make it even better for Rachel. Knowing the smaller girl was a virgin she moved carefully sliding in gently with two fingers. It was tight but the Latina recalled the time Rachel spoke of girls wanting sex just as much and so had suspected Rachel had most likely had her own fingers before. She let her adjust all the same before beginning to slide those digits in and out, moaning Rachel's name appreciatively as the diva again mirrored her action and pushed into her with two digits thrusting slowly.
Rachel honestly surprised Santana how ever when she brought her thumb into play, rubbing lightly as Santana's clit with each thrust and really it was Santana's undoing. Barely she managed to bury her fingers deep and curl them at just the right time, as Santana came Rachel followed her moaning over the edge of ecstasy. It was possibly one of the best if not the best orgasm Santana had ever had and it was mostly in part to who her partner was.
"San…." Rachel cooed softly as the pair came down from the high.
Santana watched in pure wonder as Rachel gently removed her fingers and rather boldly taste the Latina from them, a soft moan leaving her throat as she sucked santana off of her fingers and it was almost enough to make the cheerleader come all over again.
"Shit Rach… you're so beautiful." Santana had meant to say sexy not beautiful but still… Rachel was definitely beautiful.
"As are you… in fact I definitely like the look of you freshly fucked." Rachel smirks lightly looking the cheerleader over, she didn't miss the shock.
Of course Santana was shocked, she hadn't expected post-coitus Rachel to be so bold and honestly it was an incredible turn on. Santana just chuckled and lay back on the bed completely unashamed to be lay there naked. Rachel wasn't overly bothered either, she knew she had a nice body and was even actually tone since she started the MMA. The two were content to lay there, sharing warmth and basking in the afterglow.
—
Santana didn't remember falling asleep but it hadn't been that long ago she was pretty sure because she wasn't starving half to death. Only maybe a quarter of the way there. What woke her though was the ringing of a phone and then the jostling as Rachel shifted leaning over Santana and half off the bed to grab her jeans and fish her phone out. She missed the call but when she pulled it out she immediately called back, still leaning partly over Santana as the Latina put her hand on Rachel's back earning a small smile.
"Dad! Sorry I missed the call the phone was in my jeans. Are you ok?" It was a dumb question and they both knew it.
Leroy was just pleased his daughter had called back, he half expected she'd do something foolish like drive in the storm. Rain was one thing but this storm was intense. A fact both Rachel and Santana were aware of as it was blowing outside something fierce.
"Hey baby girl! You're not driving then are you? You're at home?" Leroy asks unable to keep the worry from his voice.
"I was going to but San wouldn't let me. We are coming up in the morning when the storm has passed." Rachel says honestly.
"I'm glad she was able to talk sense into you. Is she still there? It's ok with Marie if she comes with you right?" Leroy was always going to be a parent at this point.
"I'll ask mami in the morning but she will understand, Leroy." Santana says having heard since Rachel was so close to her, at this point Rachel put it on speaker and set the phone on Santana's stomach as she settled back on the bed.
"Alright call me if there's an issue, I'd appreciate Rachel not having to drive up alone." Leroy had become rather fond of Santana after the last few weeks when Santana had practically become an extension of Rachel.
"That's ok. We'll get there safe." Santana promises.
"Have you had any rest dad? I know you've barely been sleeping. I know it must be hard." Rachel says gently and Santana gently stroked up and down Rachel's spine.
"I'm at Lewis' now my dear they… they took your daddy to the morgue." Leroy explains softly and Rachel sucked in a slow breath.
"I can't believe he's gone." Rachel whispered softly.
"I know… it's a lot to take in right now. Try and get some sleep, girls. I'll see you both tomorrow." Leroy promises gently and his voice had caught enough times that Santana was almost in tears.
"Goodnight, Dad." Rachel says gently, sadly.
When the call was hung up on both ends Rachel set her alarm for 6 and snuggled up against Santana again. Both girls still completely naked but neither were uncomfortable. In fact they were both very comfortable with each other. It took a while but eventually they were able to fall back to sleep curled up together with the sheet over them.
—
"Dad!" Rachel cried softly jumping out of the car, she'd only just pulled up, it was 11 in the morning.
Santana grabbed their keys and bags and climbed out more sedately as father and daughter reunited. Leroy wrapped his arms around Rachel as she cried softly into his chest. Santana hovered nearby letting them have their moment before Leroy ushered them into the house. There was a dark skinned guy in the house, he had more of Rachel's skin tone though really.
"Santana this is Lewis, he's an old high school buddy of mine. His partner Jennifer is at work but she'll be home this afternoon." Leroy explains.
"Nice to meet you Santana, Leroy mentioned Rach was bringing a friend… I'd ask if you ladies were ok sharing a room but by the size of the hicky on your neck I'd suspect that's a moot point." Lewis grins and Santana blushes faintly.
"That could have been anyone." Rachel points out slowly she was already making her and Santana a coffee.
"But was it?" Lewis asks with a raised eyebrow.
"No… I always put my name on my things." Rachel grins cheekily and Santana didn't know wether to be offended or amused. She snorted lightly, she'd marked Rachel early this morning too.
"Nice." Lewis laughed at Rachel's answer and Leroy frowned.
"Rachel… have some respect for Santana." He chides gently and Rachel seems to realise how what she had said might sound.
"I'm sorry Santi I was only joking, it was a heat of the moment thing not a marking you as mine thing." Rachel apologised and Santana heaves a sigh.
"Honestly if you keep calling me Santi I may let you get away with a lot more than giving me a love bite." Santana smiles at Rachel, she really wasn't upset despite the fact they'd not talked about what it was that was going on between them.
"That's so cute, I heard you were a bad ass but you're a total kitten." Leroy was looking amused now and Santana narrowed her eyes.
"Don't give away all my secrets now." She says and Leroy chuckles and makes a heart crossing gesture.
"I'm glad you girls made it here safe. Everything was ok with Marie?" Leroy looked from his daughter to Santana.
"Yeah she totally understood and even made us stop off and pick up some breakfast on the way out of town." Santana smiles gently.
"Good. She's a smart woman." Leroy smiles but it wasn't quite reaching his eyes. Not that Santana blames the guy, his husband had just died.
—
Rachel and Santana were sitting in the living room they had been talking to Jennifer, she was a high school teacher there in Cleveland much to Santana's disgust but she was also just really nice so she wasn't too upset. Santana was sitting leaning back in her seat on the couch but Rachel was leaning into her, Santana didn't mind at all but Rachel had been fairly clingy all day.
"Rachel… that was the layer. There's a briefing tomorrow we have to go to." Leroy says gently interrupting the trio.
"What time?" Rachel asks softly.
"Early so we should think about getting to sleep." He says gently and she nods and stands up.
"Try to sleep Dad." She says firmly and he just gives a sad smile and nods.
"You too. Both of you." He says the last a little more pointedly, Santana blushes faintly but Rachel seems unperturbed.
"No promises." The little singer fires back and offers Santana her hand, the Latina didn't really mind the early night, they'd ended up awake before dawn this morning after all.
Leroy just chuckled softly and went off to bed after saying goodnight to everyone. Rachel and Santana offered good nights to their hosts before going to the other guest room. The Murphy's had a three bedroom house and a beagle dog but they'd decided a long time ago they didn't want kids of their own. Instead they both worked with kids, Jennifer was a teacher and Lewis worked with underprivileged children and the foster care system.
It was ok with Santana anyways because if accorded her and Rachel some privacy. The two hadn't spoken of the obvious development between them but they'd acted as couples do all day and had even had a round of fantastic, less desperate, sex that morning before leaving Lima. They hadn't even talked about it in the car but things had been really comfortable and not a bit awkward.
Despite not talking about it the two just seemed to fall into it rather seamlessly. From friends to lovers and Santana wasn't about to deny her feelings for Rachel, she wasn't exactly about to tell the diva she was crushing, or more than that, but she wouldn't deny it if she was asked either.
Not that talking seemed to be on Rachel/s mind because no sooner had the two changed and slipped into bed had Rachel shifted and started kissing the cheerleader. Santana really enjoyed Rachel's lips, she was a fantastic kisser among other things. Needless to say Rachel knew how to fully utilise her mouth and tongue. Santana was happy for the make out session too, she was in a strange place with people she'd literally only just met. Rachel was relaxing her considerably.
"I may go for a run in the morning since I missed out this morning, you wanna come?" Rachel asked the question as she kissed along Santana's jaw.
"May as well, you'll have to wake me up though, today was the exception, I don't normally get up before 7." Santana grins that was only half true as it was because she often had to be at school by seven to do Cheerios practice.
"I'm sure I'll manage to wake you." Santana could feel the smirk skim down her neck before a gentle kiss was being pressed on the mark there.
"God, what you do to me." Santana breathes out tilting her head away do Rachel has more access.
"There's plenty I'd like to do to you but you're kind of loud and I'd hate to embarrass you." Rachel was an incredible flirt.
"I'm Santana Lopez… i don't embarrass easily." Santana huffs only to be giggled at.
"That's why anytime Lewis grinned in your direction today you'd turn that pretty pink that filling your cheeks right now." Rachel refutes lightly leaning back now looking at Santana.
"Alright, how about you give me a break. You're so blunt about sex with your dad and his friends and its unsettling. Most parents are super up tight about that kind of thing, mi Mami included." Santana huffs and Rachel smiles lightly.
"I know. My dads were quite liberal they just had high expectations of me. No sex while drunk, no drugs and to be safe if my partner was male." Rachel explains settling down beside Santana with a smile.
"I'm kind of jealous. I'm honestly a big terrified to even come out to my parents. Mi mami might have issue but i think she might be ok… its mi abuela that really scares me. She's religious and just… ugh. Being with you is easy, even in public." Santana offers the information softly.
"It makes it hard for me to give advice on the subject given that my dads were obviously gay. I have no reference for advice. Why would your mother be ok but not your grandmother?" Rachel asks curiously and Santana wrinkles her nose a little.
"It's hard to say. Mami is from a different time, she's a little more accepting. She's defend your dads to the unholy trinity in the past and she's never really agreed with Russel Fabray when she was present from his no-homo rants. But my mothers never stood up to my grandmother when says gone on about the abhorrent act of loving the same gender so its hard to say. Abuela means so much to me, I'd hate to lose her simply because i cant help who i fall in love with." Santana heaves a sigh and isn't really surprised when Rachel wraps her arms around her and presses a kiss to her cheek.
"My dads a really good person to talk to. His parents weren't very accepting of his homosexuality either. I highly doubt he would mind the distraction if you wanted to talk to him about it. About what you might expect if you ever come out." Rachel offers gently.
"And as much as you like to talk i know you're a good listener too." Santana smiles and turns away from Rachel though she grabs the singers hand and makes sure to scoot back against Rachel, it wasn't often Santana was the little spoon but she needed to be held and they both knew it.
—
The following morning Rachel did indeed manage to wake Santana fairly early and after a stunning orgasm each, relatively quiet ones as well, the pair got dressed in running tights and tops. Rachel grabbed her bank card and as extra motivation for Santana she promised that they'd run into town to the little cafe there that Rachel enjoyed every time they came up here.
Santana and Rachel kept the conversation light as they jogged along but as it was a Thursday morning and it was around school time they probably should have expected the police to want to stick their bib in. Santana wasn't a big fan but when the sheriff rolled up beside them and waved them over she just sighed.
"Ladies, bit late for jog isn't it? You girls look school age." The older man says looking at them critically as he got out of his vehicle.
"Yes sir, high school seniors how ever our parents are aware we are out of school we are actually from Lima." Rachel explains politely.
"So what's the excuse for being in Cleveland on a school day?" The guy quirked a superior eyebrow and Santana frowned deeply, she was not a fan at all.
"It's a family matter sir." Rachel was getting a bit frustrated as well, the guy exuded attitude and she wasn't in the mood.
"Really? Cause frankly this looks like some kind of lesbian hook up, you're both sporting love bites." Honestly the guy was grasping at straws but if these had been his daughters this is the last thing he would want for them.
"Frankly sir, i don't know what that even matters. We were going for a run as we are missing out on school sports and didn't want to lose touch. If there's a problem youre welcome to call my father Leroy Berry." Rachel says scowling now and Santana gently took her friends hand in her own.
"Berry?... is that the same Berry that just recently passed?" The man spoke softer now as he seemed to draw the connections.
"The same. Santana here came with me at her mothers approval as moral support given my daddy's passing and my dads struggling." Rachel swallowed and unconsciously shifted toward Santana a little more.
The officer nodded slowly and bid the girls good day at that point, he didn't have a whole lot to say on the matter but he did appear genuinely apologetic when he offered his condolences. Rachel just gave a tight lipped smile and squeezed the gentle hand now in her own. They watched the officer drive away, Santana giving Rachel a light squeeze before pretty much coercing the diva into a race. Rachel won only because Santana had no idea where she was headed too.
—
Rachel had hated everything about the briefing that morning, because the charges went from hate crime and assault to include manslaughter this were being pushed through the system quicker in order to get a prompt outcome. The guys that did it hadn't been heard from at all by the lawyer or Leroy, clearly keeping a low profile. Santana how ever had been included in the briefing and she was absolutely livid. Rachel had been with her fathers that night though she'd not mentioned that part.
Effectively Rachel had witnessed her fathers murder and had had no one with her for almost weeks before Santana and she had become friends. It didn't sit well with Santana at all and her mood was souring by the moment. Rachel knew it too but in a moment of selfishness she didn't have it in her to tell Santana to leave. When the briefing was finally over the three of them headed to get a drink, a stiff one. Leroy even buying the girls a shot each and a cider.
"This is so fucked up." Santana mumbled sipping her drink, apple cider was better than she expected but not so much that it was helping her mood.
"Pretty much." Leroy agrees with a slow sigh.
"Why didn't you tell me you was there that night?" Santana looked at Rachel.
"I don't like thinking about it. I've never seen people be so randomly cruel, not even in high school." Rachel sighs.
"Is that why you changed your clothes to fit in more? So you wouldn't be noticed and picked on?" Santana asked frowning lightly.
"Basically. The skirts i like because i have amazing legs the sweaters though… they were mostly because I didn't mind if they were ruined with slushy. When i first started freshman year I tried to wear normal clothes but the older cheerios managed to single me out because i was smart and that's intimidating." Rachel shrugged.
"Hiram was the one to convince her the sweaters was a good idea. I was a little similar to you and your cheerios, maybe not as mean personally, I didn't speak up but i was present you know. Hiram was picked on in high school though, not slushies, that was before our time. But swirlies, or trash cans? That was our forte, he got tired of his favourite clothes being ruined so he started wearing weird sweaters and stuff." Leroy spoke up and Santana wrinkled her nose.
"Rach mentioned that your parents weren't very accepting?" Santana asked curiously the question hanging a little, there was more too it but Leroy understood it.
"Yeah they still aren't. They pretty well cut me out of their life when Hiram and I got engaged. Bad enough i was gay but marrying a Jew? Terrible." He says with a little grin and Rachel swatted him.
"That sucks. It's why you were a jack ass though right? Because of the closet?" Santana looked a little small all the sudden and Rachel wished the girl didn't. Santana was usually larger than life, a bad ass.
"You're right. You too i bet. It seems easier i think, to put up a front and act like someone you're not. I thought coming out was going to be the hardest thing i ever did, but i realised after it was all done that it wasn't the coming out that was hard, it was harder denying myself. Being someone in front of everyone else that was nothing at all like who i actually was." Leroy shakes his head a little.
"I hate it. I don't like myself very much either. I know i say I'm hot shit and act all bad ass… but before i started hanging out with Rachel i cried myself to sleep more often than not." Santana confesses softly, ignoring the look on Rachel's face.
"Yeah… me too." Leroy offers a small smile and when Santana looked like she was about to cry he pulled her into a gently hug, letting Santana had a moment mostly hidden from prying eyes.
"You're with the Berry's now. Nothing but acceptance from us." He says gently.
"Thank you… i think… when we go home I'm going to tell my parents… my abuela. Will… will you come with me Rachel?" Santana asked in a small voice.
"You know i will." Rachel promises with a small smile, a sincere one.
"I'm proud of you girls and if you ever just need a break from it all or if it gets too hard you know you're welcome at the house." Leroy smiles softly at Santana who nods and chugs half her cider in an attempt to calm herself down.
"We need a subject change." Santana mumbles after a moment.
"Yes. When Jeffery calls later with the hearing date we are going to have Hiram transferred to Lima, that was home, that's were most of our friends and such are so that is where i would like him to be laid to rest." Leroy says taking a swallow of his scotch, he wasn't usually a day drinker but the last few months had hit him for a six.
"That sounds about right. You guys have been in Lima for as long as i can remember." Santana nods and Rachel smiles softly.
"Yeah.. i don't know for how much longer though once Rach goes off to New York. I may come back here." Leroy wrinkles his nose.
"You would be better off coming to New York and getting a place, its a bit more accepting than this place." Rachel huffs, her good memories of summers in Cleveland were being a bit over shadowed. Understandably.
"You might be right. I just figured you wouldn't want your dad following you around." Leroy smiles at his daughter.
"Are you kidding? When i get kicked out cause of rent issues i can just move in with you." Rachel grins cheekily and Santana and Leroy both couldnt help but laugh.
"Always got a plan this one." Leroy grins and Santana chuckles lightly.
—
"Ok I'm freaking the fuck out." Santana says after a while, they were in Rachel's car but Santana was driving and they were almost home.
"You don't have to do this today, Santi." Rachel points out gently and places her hand on the latina's thigh.
"I do. Or I'll chicken out." Santana huffs a little indignantly. Rachel just chuckles softly.
It was Friday afternoon, the court date wasn't for another three weeks so they were having Hirams body transferred to the funeral home in Lima and having a funeral for the man on Sunday. Leroy was coming back a little later that night but had insisted the girls get home earlier. They hadn't really minded, Lewis was still teasing Santana and Rachel was afraid the girls head would pop if she didn't get a break.
The rest of the drive, about thirty minutes of it, was relatively silent. Santana was borderline hyperventilating when they pulled up outside of her home in Lima Heights. They sat for a moment before the cheerleader took a deep breath, gruffly told Rachel to 'come on' and climbed out of the car. She left her bag in it in case things went bad though Rachel was sure it would be ok.
Opening the door they walked in and Santana called for her mother who she was sure would be there somewhere. A few moments later a noise from the kitchen and Marie Lopez was smiling at the two girls who had just entered.
"Rachel, how are you sweetheart?" Marie walked over and hugged Santana and then Rachel who smiled gently.
"I think I'll be ok." Rachel offers honestly.
"Is papi still at work?" Santana asks after a moment. Marie had put the kettle on to make them all a hot drink.
"Yes, mija why?" Marie tilts her head slightly at the nervousness seeming to come off of her daughter.
"I'm gay and i wanted to tell you both at the same time but one at a time is fine i guess." Santana says bluntly and Rachel and Marie both quirk eyebrows at her.
"Is that you coming out? Sweetheart… we knew you were attracted to girls. We've seen the way you used to be with Brittany. Not to mention how worked up you got over Tara's death in Buffy when you were little." Marie smiles lightly at the slack jawed expression on Santana's face.
"Why did you never say anything!?" Santana says after a moment.
"Why didn't you? I didn't realised we had given you the impression we were homophobic." Marie says pointedly and Rachel had to cover her mouth to hide the entirely amused grin.
"But you never say anything to Abuela." Santana says flustered and Marie's smile drops a little.
"No, i don't. Because she most certainly is Homophobic and telling her you are gay is entirely up to you but i don't not see a good outcome for you there." Marie says honestly and Rachel looks sad at Santana.
"I'm going to tell her anyway. If its a deal breaker for her then its her problem, I'm ready to be me finally." Santana says firmly and her mother walked over and wrapped her in a warm embrace.
"I'm so proud of you." Marie says fondly and she really meant it. Rachel was smiling again.
"Graci mami." Santana nuzzled Into her mums embrace happily for a moment before Marie pulled back to finish making the drinks.
"So how long have you two been dating?" The woman asks only for Santana to frown and Rachel to chuckle.
"We're not." Santana sounded uncertain. Marie looked from one to the other.
"You have matching love bites." She comments. Not quite, Santana had one lower on her collarbone that Marie wouldn't have noticed had the girls shirt not shifted when they'd hugged. Santana on the other hand had left her own mark on Rachel over the pulse point leaving it very obvious.
"I haven't asked her out yet." Rachel jumps in because honestly it seemed like Santana didn't know what to say.
"Oh. Bit backwards but I won't judge." Marie grins at Rachel and the little singer grins.
"Wait what? You were never going to ask me out." Santana frowns.
"Um I didn't throw myself at you the other night because I wanted a warm body. If that had been anyone but you that situation would have never arisen. I fully intended to ask you out before Sue told me about daddy and since then things have just…" Rachel trails off a little sadly.
"Oh… well shit. Look let's not do that. Mums right it's a bit backwards. How about, because I like what's going on and dates can make it awkward… we just agree to be girlfriends… and exclusive because I don't like the idea of open relationships at all. And like… when everything calms down we can go on a date then." Rachel quirked an eyebrow at the Latina and Marie was biting her lip to keep quiet.
"You're so bossy." Rachel says rolling her eyes playfully.
"Hey pot." Santana snarks lightly and Marie chuckles.
"You girls are cute." She grins handing them both a cup of tea.
"Why thank you." Rachel smiles winningly and Santana chuckles sitting beside her at the kitchen island.
"How is Leroy holding up?" Marie asks acting having a sip.
"The love of his life was murdered so he bought Santi and I a beer and we drank our sorrows. When he gets real quiet is when I worry the most but he's doing alright considering. I think he was expecting it the whole time so he's had time to grieve before daddy passed. Now it's just cemented everything and it's a matter of figuring out what to do next." Rachel explains softly and Marie places a gentle hand on Rachel's arm.
"Normally I'd be against someone supplying my daughter alcohol but given the circumstances… and I trust Leroy. I'm really sorry sweetheart, it's an awful thing thats happened to your family. How are you doing?" Marie asks gently and Rachel ducks her head for a moment to compose herself.
"Actually I don't think I'd be doing half as good without Santana. I completely lost it when Sue told me, I was going to drive up to Cleveland in the storm but Santi made sure I wasn't so reckless. She's amazing." Rachel smiles looking at Santana adoringly.
"Hardly, I just didn't want you getting in an accident or anything. I like having you around." Santana attempted to brush it off but placed her hand on Rachel's leg gently.
"Well I am your girlfriend apparently so I can see why that would be the case." Rachel chuckles softly.
"I'll always miss him. Daddy shared my love show tunes and theatre. Dad is sympathetic to my dreams but not quite his thing." Rachel smiles softly.
"Well I was devastated when mi papi passed away and that was a considerably less traumatic experience so I only partly know what you're going through." Marie says gently.
"I'd say the grief is the same." Rachel smiles sadly.
"Indeed. So I'm going to invite you and Leroy over for dinner next week sometime ok? Let him know, remind him I know where he lives if he tries to back out." Marie says firmly making Rachel chuckle and Santana grin.
"You're half his size." Santana reminds her mother amused as the front door opened signalling Santana's fathers arrival. Marie shifted to make another cup of tea for the man.
"I don't even care, I'm Latina I'm full of fire." Marie grins brightly.
"Oh so you're where Santana gets it from." Rachel comments completely amused.
"Hello ladies! San I'm glad you're home safe. You too Rachel and I'm sorry about your daddy." Carlos Lopez offered hugging his daughter and gently squeezing Rachel's shoulder.
"Thanks Mr Lopez, it's a bit tough sometimes but dad and I will get by." Rachel smiles.
"She's a strong one this girlfriend of Santana's." Marie says brightly handing her husband the cup.
"She is… Wait… girlfriend? You came out?" Carlos looked at his daughter with bright eyes and Santana blushes but nods.
"Oh thank god. I was so over you hanging out with boys. Quinn's a good kid but I had nightmares of you coming home pregnant one day." Carlos was joking that was very clear by the dramatic air about him and Rachel had to laugh.
"I definitely cannot get you pregnant Santi, I know you called me RuPaul once or twice but we both know I'm lacking the right bits for procreation." Rachel couldn't help but tease her girlfriend who flushed a bright red. Marie and Carlos both didn't even try to contain their amusement.
"Oh… keep her. I like this one." Carlos was all approval and amusement.
"So do I or she would not get away with embarrassing me in front of my parents." Santana gives Rachel a look but the singer just blows her a cheeky kiss making the adults laugh again.
—
"Just… Wait here." Santana says softly to Rachel who was leaning against her car outside of Santana's grandmothers.
"I'll be here." Rachel says gently.
Santana drew a deep breath and went inside. Rachel waited outside, she heard no raised voices but she knew how stressed Santana was. This was something Santana was certain she would lose out on given what her parents had said but she wanted to be out, she didn't want to be scared anymore so she had to tell her abuela.
Yet maybe five minutes later a sobbing Santana ran out directly into Rachel's arms. The little singer wrapped her arms around Santana and held her close pressing a kiss to her temple and murmuring soft encouragements. Rachel would be forever glad she never had go through coming out but she could understand how it can be hard for other families. She wished it had been different for her girlfriend though, she loved her Abuela so much.
"Come on. Let me take you home." Rachel whispers softly helping Santana get into the car the girl was a mess at the moment.
Getting her home was easy enough they were only a few blocks over but Santana sobbed the whole time and when she got home she went right inside to her room. She knew, she'd been warned but it still hurt, her grandmother meant a lot to her and Santana had hoped that the love her abuela had for her would have been enough to overlook the homosexuality but apparently not.
"Didn't go well?" Carlos asks Rachel gently and the girl shook her head.
"I waited outside. She wasn't in there long and she was sobbing when she came out." Rachel explains.
"When's your dad due in, sweetheart?" Marie asks gently.
"He didn't think he's be home until around 7." Rachel offers looking to Marie curiously.
"I'll call him If you can give me his number and invite him to stop in for something to eat tonight. Saves either of you cooking and I'm sure San will want you with her." Marie smiles.
"I have Leroy's number I'll call him before he gets in the car." Carlos speaks up and ducks out without another word. Rachel smiles at her girlfriends parents because yes Sans grandmother wasn't accepting but Marie and Carlos were being completely amazing.
Heading upstairs Rachel gently knocks before going into the room. Rachel watched the Latina for a moment, the young woman was face down on the bed crying into her pillow. Finally moving she shut the door and walked over climbing onto the bed, Santana didn't hesitate to move into the offered embrace of her girlfriend burying her face in Rachel's neck and holding on like she was afraid the girl would disappear. Rachel didn't mind though her own arms winding around Santana securely.
"I'm sorry." Santana managed to get out a few minutes later.
"What in the world for Santi?" Rachel was a little confused.
"You've got so much more important stuff going on than this… and I'm meant to be a bad ass." Santana sniffles.
"My stuff is no more important than yours and you are a bad ass just sometimes your my little kitten as well. You're allowed to have your scared and sad moments." Rachel says softly kissing the girls temple.
"You're too good for me." Santana mumbles burrowing closer.
"Hardly. I happen to think we are just right for one another." Rachel smiles kissing her temple again.
"I mean probably." Santana says after a moment and Rachel chuckles lightly.
"In a perfect world we would both be happy with full and accepting families." Rachel says after a moment and Santana sighs.
"I'm sorry the world isn't perfect. It hasn't been kind to you and I'm only now realising I'm part of the problem." Santana says softly, remorsefully even.
"Why did you do it? Pick on me I mean." Rachel tilted her head slightly and Santana sighed.
"It was easier. Pick on you, shine a bad light on you or anyone for that matter and I wouldn't have to worry about anyone looking at me too hard. It was easier and I was scared." Santana admits after a moment.
"I'm not proud of it." The Latina says after a moment.
"No, and that's why you're not part of the problem. You're a victim of it same as me." Rachel presses another kiss to Santana's head.
"I really don't deserve you at all." Santana murmurs softly.
"That's for me to decide and while you might be told you could do better I think I'm exactly what you deserve… and I may not be a bad ass but I'm pretty awesome." Rachel grins lightly and Santana actually laughs finally.
"You're definitely awesome." Santana smiles before kissing Rachel sweetly before the two snuggled closer and lapsed into that familiar, comfortable, silence.
—
Come Sunday morning and Rachel was a wreck emotionally. The family and everyone had been informed Friday that the funeral was on Sunday and Rachel had been up all Saturday night baking and making finger foods for the wake even though her father had said he'd have caterers send food over. That was all well and good except that Santana had spent the night with her parents while Rachel stayed with her dad and so Rachel had no chill and she couldn't sleep.
She was near dead on her feet the next morning when Santana arrived with Brittany and Artie in tow. Apparently the best friends had decided to help and since his mothers car needed to be wheelchair accessible Artie had the largest car for carting the food trays to the wake setting. Santana and Rachel hadn't actually told anyone but their parents about their relationship.
They were friends, everyone knew that now so they didn't really question how close the two were. They definitely didn't question it at the funeral which Rachel was glad to see the whole of Glee had come to, she wasn't surprised to see Sue though and had actually gone and hugged the woman who acted rather maternally toward her in recent months.
Shelby was there with Beth though the woman had handed the baby off to a willing Quinn in order to offer to condolences to Rachel and gently inform the girl that she hoped Rachel would contact her later on at some point. It was a bit much and soon Santana found her arms full of sobbing diva as she herself tried to stop herself from crying for Rachel and Leroy. The widow managing a strong front until Lewis gently prompted him to drop the first shovel of dirt.
When it was all done the wake was being hosted by Marie Lopez who insisted to do so so that Rachel and Leroy wouldn't have to clean up afterwards. It suited the grieving Berry's just fine even if they did end up lingering at the Lopez' to help Marie and Carlos cleaning up. Once everyone else was gone the remaining few helped clean as well before finally everyone had left after offering their condolences.
Rachel was laying on her back in Santana's room staring at the ceiling, she'd stole away up there as everyone had finished up cleaning. Leroy and Carlos were having some scotch in the living room and Marie was fixing a casserole for Rachel and her father to take home. Santana had been helping until her mother sent her up to check on Rachel.
"Babe?" Santana knocked gently before walking in.
"Hey kitten." Rachel spoke softly, her voice a little gravelly.
"Are you going to be ok?" Santana walked over and set on the side of the bed gently placing her hand under Rachel's blouse and lightly stroking her belly.
"I don't know… am I?" Rachel was serious, she felt oddly lost right now.
"I think so." Santana nods gently.
"How do you know?" Rachel murmurs looking at her girlfriend.
"Because I'm Santana Lopez and you're Rachel Berry and we are bad asses. And besides that, I've got you. So you can be sad and stuff but you'll be ok because you're you and you've got me." Santana smiles and half shrugs. Rachel simply lifts her arms and the Latina doesn't hesitate to climb over and snuggle against the girl.
"You've got me too." Rachel says softly and frankly as far as Santana was concerned it was better than a declaration of love.
"I know." Santana presses a light kiss to Rachel's neck snuggling close to her.
First off i'll ask you not to be too hard on me for the grammar and spelling mistakes, i didn't edit this as well as i could have mostly because i'm lazy. This is also unbeta's.
Reviews are welcome. I have written more of this but this seemed like a good stopping point and i've yet to decide if i want it to be multi-chapter or simply a long one shot so feel free to give me your suggestions on that.