Snixxwrath asked: 36. "They're monsters."
Santana doesn't like to jump to conclusions, but she's pretty sure Brittany likes her, which is really good because Santana's heart pounds whenever she's near. They've gone out for coffee more than a couple times; Brittany shows up every couple days right before closing time, waiting for Santana to lock up before offering Santana her arm as they head to the cafe that's kind of become their cafe.
Santana's pretty sure they're going on dates, or at least, she really hopes they're going on dates because she really likes Brittany. She's funny and pretty and kind and determined and smart; Santana really wants them to be going on dates because she really likes Brittany and really, really wants to kiss her. She hasn't yet, because she keeps losing her nerve every time Brittany looks at her with those bright, hopeful eyes.
But Santana has a good feeling about tonight; it's clear and warm, and the city's actually pretty calm for once. The streetlights paint Brittany's features in glowing gold, and every time blue eyes turn to meet hers, they dart down to Santana's lips and stall there before meeting dark eyes again with a deep blush. Something in Santana's chest flutters, beating heavily against her ribs. She tries to ignore it, but it grows and grows until she can't help but curl closer to Brittany.
Brittany's hand tightens briefly around Santana's where it rests in the crook of her arm, and she gives Santana a soft, awed smile as their hips brush. They reach the cafe far too soon, because having Brittany pressed all along the side of her body is both comfortable and exhilarating, and she's reluctant to release her; except when they get to the cafe, they find the windows darkened and a closed sign in the door.
"They're closed!" Brittany exclaims, her fingers tightening around Santana's, and Santana can't really focus on what she's saying because her heart goes a little haywire at the feeling. "I can't believe this."
"Well, we've never gone on out on Sunday before," Santana eventually manages.
"Still," Brittany whines.
"They're monsters," Santana teases.
"Right?" Brittany giggles.
"What do you want to do then?" Santana asks. "I mean— If you have somewhere you need to be that's fine—"
"San," Brittany interrupts, and Santana melts at the nickname, "We've been doing this for weeks. There's nowhere I'd rather be right now."
Santana breathes a sigh of relief and smiles up at Brittany. "Well there's this food truck I know with delicious ice cream just by the river," Santana suggests, "If you don't mind a bit of a walk."
Brittany grins and nods, letting Santana lead her down the sidewalk. "An ice cream date, I love it."
"A date?" Santana breathes.
Brittany looks at Santana with an adoring smile, shaking her head slightly like she can't quite believe Santana's real. "Isn't that what we've been doing all this time? Dating?"
Santana melts further into Brittany's side and smiles up at her, all bunched cheeks and deep dimples. "Yeah, I suppose it is."
"Good," Brittany says, tugging Santana even closer.
They make it to the ice cream truck just as the sun is starting to dip below the horizon, turning the river to pink, gold, and orange. Santana still can't believe, that even after weeks of walking and talking and having coffee, they still haven't ran out of things to talk about, and every little piece of information she learns about Brittany, she tucks away in the part of her mind where all her precious thoughts and memories are kept. They walk along the side of the river, eating their ice cream quickly so it doesn't melt in their hands under the summer heat. Brittany finishes her ice cream first and balls her napkin up in her fist, tossing it in the garbage as they pass, narrating whatever crazy thing her cat did recently.
Brittany eventually slows to a stop, carefully leading Santana around her so their facing each other. Santana tucks her napkin in her pocket, feeling light and floaty when Brittany takes her hand again.
"I'd really like to kiss you," Brittany whispers, like she's admitting a secret that only the setting sun and emerging stars and Santana can know.
"Yeah?" Santana breathes, and the butterflies in her stomach take flight until her blood feels like it's buzzing.
Brittany nods and takes a careful step towards Santana. "I've wanted to kiss you for a really long time."
Santana smiles and takes a step towards Brittany too, so close that their toes are touching, Santana's old sneakers to Brittany's work boots. "So have I," Santana admits in a whisper.
Brittany's blue eyes glow as her face lights up. "Good," she murmurs, and then her lips are on Santana's. She kisses her and something inside Santana trembles and brightens; Brittany tastes of caramel and coffee and something richer, something sweet and deep and warm. Santana's fingers brush the cool metal of Brittany's badge as they anchor on her hips, fingers curling into her belt loops and tugging until their bodies are pressed together; Brittany's solid and strong against her, and Santana melts into her embrace. Brittany's hands delicately cup her cheeks, as if she's holding the most precious thing in the world, and Santana's heartbeat pounds quick and steady like a hummingbird's wings.
By the time they pull back, the sun's only just peeking over the horizon, and Santana's breathless and giddy, melting further into Brittany's body because her limbs feel light and floaty, like she might drift away if she's not anchored to Brittany.
Brittany's face is flushed and her lips are bright and wet, but her eyes, bright and blue and smitten, are what makes Santana lean in to kiss her again, and again, and again—