Two Princes(ses)
One, two princes kneel before you
That what I said now
Princes, princes who adore you
Just go ahead now
Brittany's line of work isn't glamorous at all. She constantly smells like sunshine and sweat and dirt and sometimes she finds grass clippings in her bra. Her hands are callused and the back of her neck is always a little sunburned and she can never keep her nails clean. Her muscles ache and her feet are sore after day after day, but when it comes down to it, it's worth it when she's working for the Lopezes.
Sure, their yard isn't necessarily the smallest on the block and yeah it's in constant need of up keeping due to their third consecutive summer winning Best Lawn of Lima Heights and sure they've got a bad rep for being snooty but she'd gladly do the work if she gets the chance to see her.
"Hi Brittany." She says and even in the dead heat of July, shivers erupt along Brittany's spine at just the sound of her voice. The blonde shields her eyes against the sun and peers up at the Latina before her. She's always dressed so fashionably, hair always done perfectly, make up always flawless, smile always beautiful. Just the sight of her makes Brittany's heart race and her knees sink further against the cold dirt, grounding herself against the woman's presence.
"Hey Santana." The blonde smiles back politely as she rests back on her heels. She takes out her red handkerchief and dabs the sweat from her nose and brow, wanting to look her best in front of the gorgeous brunette.
"I thought you might be thirsty." Santana says, softness in her voice causing Brittany's smile to grow. The blonde looks up and sees a glass of sweet tea in her hand, condensation dripping down the sides of the glass and falling from soft fingertips.
Brittany beams at Santana's kindness and gratefully takes the offered beverage, relief flooding her just at the feel of the cold glass, "Thank you." She takes a long gulp and the liquid feels great sliding down her throat, chilling her half as good as Santana's voice earlier. Santana just watches with a small smile, even giggling a little when Brittany continues to drink. She stays rooted in her spot, eyes roaming Brittany's features longer than she should but Brittany doesn't mind. In fact, she's used to Santana's eyes lingering on her a little too long.
She catches her staring sometimes, especially when she has to clean up the hedges or yank on the lawnmower string; it's flattering and it makes her cheeks pink and it's so worth the extra soreness in her biceps the next day. They're both well aware of the tension they have between them, they've always sensed it ever since Brittany took on the job. From then on, it's been this little game of stolen glances and innocent flirting.
"Good?" Santana chuckles when Brittany pulls away from the nearly empty glass with a lopsided grin.
"Delicious." She replies around a smirk. Santana laughs again and it's the best thing Brittany's heard all day. She'll do anything to hear it again, but for now she just wants to be near her some more. "How are you?"
"Just fine." Santana says but her smile falters and if Brittany wasn't so in tune with the many expression of Santana Lopez, after all, she's been working for the family ever since her father introduced her to the business three years ago, she would've believed her. But she is and she can always tell when something's up. She can see it in the slightest crinkle of Santana's brow and pursed lips, the faraway look in dazzling brown eyes tell her everything. She can read everything that Santana can't put into words just by looking into those eyes.
One has diamonds in his pockets
That's some bread, now
This one said he wants to buy you rockets
Ain't in his head, now
Blue eyes slowly drift from Santana's to the driveway just behind her where a gaudy yet familiar Porsche sits. Brittany can already see Noah Puckerman, dressed in his usual dark slacks and starchy button up, making his way up the steep steps where Mr. Lopez is waiting to greet him. She sees the firm handshake, expensive wrist watch catching the sunlight with a flash, the friendly chit chat, the obvious joy Santana's father feels at his arrival for Noah Puckerman is the perfect bachelor for his one perfect daughter.
"Oh." Brittany breathes out, feeling a slight pang of jealousy, "I see."
"Britt..don't." Santana frowns even further and her fingertips twitch to touch the blonde but she keeps her hands close to her sides. Her voice is laced with guilt and longing and oddly enough, Brittany understands.
She knows Santana isn't the one who she should be upset with. It's her family, so set in their ways and holding wealth above love. They don't value their daughter's opinion or care about what she wants. They see dollar signs and stability.
Maybe it's Brittany's dad's fault too, maybe if he became some important business man instead Brittany wouldn't be so stuck. Maybe if she were rich too then she'd stand a chance. If she was she wouldn't have to stand idly by and watch someone else sweep Santana off her feet. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
She digs her hands deeper in soil; she's just a gardener.
This one he got a princely racket
That's what I said now
Got some Big Seal upon his jacket
Ain't in his head now
Santana's stalling.
Brittany's noticed Puckerman coming around the Lopezes' more frequently in the past couple of months ever since he came home from his second deployment. She knows he comes from a wealthy family too and although arranged marriages are a thing of the past now, Brittany knows there's something in the works here.
Santana's family is rich. Puckerman's family is rich. Santana is single. Puckerman is single.
And Brittany? She can barely make ends meet. Her apartment is the size of the Lopez shed and she drives a beat up pickup truck. She's no princess.
"You know I would if I could." Santana says and it's funny how she can always sense what Brittany's thinking, "You know if daddy wasn't so-"
"I know." Brittany cuts her off, she's heard the speech before, many times. She looks up again and smiles softly because it isn't Santana's fault, "I know."
Santana sighs again and looks to where Mr. Lopez leads Puckerman inside then turns back, "I wish this wasn't how it had to be."
"Maybe he'll change his mind?" Brittany shrugs, but she knows there's no way. Santana's stubbornness has to come from somewhere and if she thought Santana was bad, her father was worst.
"Maybe.." Santana nods as their eyes lock. It's everything they wish to say to each other and nothing at all.
"Santanita, there you are!" Mrs. Lopez calls from the back porch, she waves her hand in the air hastily. Santana blinks away from Brittany to look up, "Noah is here, come say hello!"
Brittany looks back and forth between the two women, noticing Santana's frown and deep exhale. She can see it in her slowly shifting facial expressions that Santana could care less and it's shocking that no one else can see the obvious displeasure on her face.
"Alright, mama, I'm coming." Santana sighs and waits till her mother steals away inside again before looking back down at Brittany, her genuine smile resurfacing, "Don't work too hard, okay?"
Brittany just smiles in reply and watches as Santana leans down to press a kiss to her cheek, something she's never done before. Brittany's lips part in disbelief, her skin tingling where Santana's lips were pressed ever so gently, but when she looks up Santana's already walking away. Santana's hips sway as she makes her way up the back steps, but just before she crosses inside, she looks back at Brittany one last time. She smiles her same longing, secretive smile and Brittany can do nothing but return it with the same.
You marry him, your father will condone you
How 'bout that now
You marry me, your father will disown you
He'll eat his hat, now
It's a few weeks later when Brittany spots Santana reading in the shade of a big oak tree. She's resting against the trunk with a thick book in her lap and she sits on a small blue blanket. There's a crinkle in her brow but this time from concentration and her finger scans the text slowly. She so immersed in her reading that she doesn't notice Brittany sneak around the trunk of the tree.
"For you." Brittany says as she lays a freshly clipped rose along the seam of Santana's book, the richness of red bright against stark white pages.
"Brittany.." Santana sighs and the adoration in her tone makes Brittany's heart soar. She plucks up the stem, careful of the thorns, and inhales its sweet scent, "Thank you."
"It's your bush," Brittany shrugs casually as she crosses her legs to sit next to Santana, "I just trim it."
Santana snorts out a laugh and mutters, "Wanky."
Brittany just rolls her eyes at Santana's silliness before nodding towards Santana's book, "What are you reading?"
"Just doing a little research." She answers wistfully as she closes the book and turns to Brittany with the rose still between her fingertips, "I saw what you did with the flowers on my balcony. I love it."
"I'm glad you do." Brittany grins, remembering the bright daisies and impatiens she planted while Santana was away, "The plants there are always in such bad shape, it's almost like you want to see me on your balcony every week."
"I certainly wouldn't mind it." Santana smirks as she rests the rose against her cheek. Her eyes sparkle even in the shade and Brittany's mouth suddenly goes dry.
"Me neither." Brittany says without thinking and she's sure she's breaking so many rules. She knows she can't get involved with Santana, she knows that it's a dead end, she knows that there's no happy ending for them but it's impossible to stay away.
That's how she finds herself entranced by the Latina, her sweet smelling perfume and those alluring eyes draw her in and soon her eyes a drifting closed and she's leaning in.
Her heart is racing and she can almost hear Santana's beat in her chest, but her lips never make contact.
"He proposed, Britt." Santana says softly, "Noah proposed."
Brittany feels her heart shatter into a million pieces and all the breath in her body escapes her. Blue eyes flicker between stormy brown for something, maybe an explanation, but there's nothing but sadness there.
"What..what did you say?" Brittany asks but sounds more like a plea, a plea for it not to be true or a plea that Santana didn't accept.
"I said I needed to think about it." Santana says, her voice small and fragile.
"What?" Brittany gasps and leans away from Santana with wide eyes. Her lips close and part with words that can't form as she shakes her head in disbelief.
"Please, don't look at me like that." Santana says brokenly and tries to reach for Brittany's hands but the blonde pulls away.
"You-you don't love him. You don't even know him, Santana, how can you marry him? There's nothing to think about, he's not-"
"Yes there is." Santana told her firmly as she shifts closer, "His family is wealthy and daddy likes him. He's an idiot, we could probably still be something."
Brittany scoffs at Santana's words, "I'm not going to be the girl you have an affair with, Santana. I'm not a cheater and I don't want you if all I get are scraps." Brittany takes a deep breath because she's said so much more than she wanted Santana to know, "If I can't have all of you then I don't want this."
That makes Santana's breath stop short as she bites her lip, "I don't think I'd just want bits and pieces of you either What am I supposed to do though? It's going to happen, Britt, it has to. I can't keep avoiding it, we can't avoid this."
"We can." Brittany pleads, reaching to take Santana's hand in hers this time, "There's time, your father could still change his mind. Have you tried asking him to think of you instead?"
"He's not going to." Santana sighs and overlaps Brittany's hand with hers, "He's not like that. He wouldn't listen to me."
"But have you even tried?"
Santana shies away from Brittany's blue, blue eyes, "I just know, Britt. I can't-"
Brittany pulls away though and shakes her head. As much as it breaks her heart to, she doesn't want to hear this again. She keeps her eyes low, never meeting Santana's in fear of the unspoken words they hold this time.
"I should get back to work." Brittany tells her quietly and she strains to keep unshed tears at bay as she gets up and leaves.
Marry him, marry me
I'm the one that loved you baby can't you see?
Ain't got no future or family tree
But I know what a prince and lover ought to be
I know what a prince and lover ought be
In the days that follow, Brittany keeps as much distance between her and Santana as possible. She can still feel sad brown eyes lingering on her when she's out in the yard, but she never looks back anymore. She can't because it's easier this way. If she doesn't look maybe Santana will eventually stop too?
But it hurts; it hurts way more than it should
The weight of Puckerman's arm around Santana's shoulder and the smell of his cologne on her clothes should help, but all that does is make Brittany angry. He hangs on Santana like a chump and shows her off in always the ways Brittany knows Santana hates.
He doesn't see her like she wants to be seen, and he certainly won't treat like she should be treated.
He won't treat her like Brittany would. He won't love her like Brittany would.
What's worse is that she can't stop thinking about her. It was like that before, but now? It's like she sees Santana everywhere. She's drawn to her and she's so damn helpless. She feels her presence in the sunlight, she sees her smile in the flowers, she hears her laughter in the birds' songs. Santana's everywhere and there's no escape.
But when Brittany really thinks about it, she's not sure escaping Santana is something she wants to do.
She tries her hardest to be professional, to forget every moment they shared, but it's to no avail. Some people are just made for each other and when Brittany accidentally catches Santana's eye one day as she pulling weeds from the garden she decides that she isn't going to stand back and watch Puckerman run off with her girl.
Because Santana's hers, not officially, but in all the ways she wishes she could be and she knows it's the same for Santana. She would say and do the things she does if it weren't. It's an unspoken claim pinned against family tradition and money, but love can conquer all. It has to.
Said if you want to call me baby
Just go ahead now
And if you like to tell me maybe
Just go ahead now
And if you wanted to buy me flowers
Just go ahead now
And if you like to talk for hours
Just go ahead now
It's late in the afternoon, the sun nearly set, when Brittany sees Santana outside reading again. Her palms are warm and her chest tightens as she walks the Latina's way. She's thought of all the things she has wanted to say for days now and she hopes that she can remember it all and that one look into Santana's stormy eyes won't erase it all. She takes slow deep breaths as she gets closer trying to ease her nerves but it doesn't help much.
Santana notices her almost instantly and she sets down her book in her lap and sits up straighter like she knows Brittany's coming to talk to her, except Brittany isn't there to see her this time. Brittany sees and smiles softly back, their eyes catching and saying things that they can't just like always, before walking right past her to where Mr. and Mrs. Lopez sit at their outdoor patio set.
Brittany hears Santana whisper her name, the sound almost like a gasp, but it doesn't stop her. She walks head on, shoulders squared and head held high.
"Hi Mr. Lopez." Brittany greets politely then looks to her left, "Hi Mrs. Lopez."
"Hello Brittany." They both say in response, barely looking up from their paperwork and newspaper.
She stays rooted there and doesn't say anything else, her words getting trapped in her throat. It's exactly what she was afraid of when she made the decision to do this, but then she hears Santana approaching behind her, soft steps against the freshly cut grass, and suddenly the words come easily.
"I have something to say." Brittany says but it falls on deaf ears as Santana's eyes bore into her as she rounds her parents.
"Santanita, shouldn't you be getting ready? Noah will be here soon." Mr. Lopez says but Santana just looks at Brittany curiously. Their eyes catch again, but Brittany looks away first.
"Mr. Lopez." Brittany says again, this time with more confidence so that he actually looks up at her, "I have something to say."
"Is it money? That's what it's always about." He says and looks to his wife, "Always more money."
"No sir, it's not about money." Brittany shakes her head.
"Availability then? You want a day off?"
"No, it's not that."
"Oh, then it must be-"
Brittany's jaw tightens as she tries to compose herself but it's useless, the words fall from her mouth without a second thought, "I'm in love with your daughter."
Santana's parents stare wide-eyed up at Brittany, their faces unreadable, before looking to Santana who stares at Brittany with a dropped jaw. Brittany hadn't told Santana she loved her, that she was in love with her, so to hear the words aloud really grounded her feelings. They were so used to the unspoken that when what they had was finally put into words, everything seemed to fall right into place.
No one says anything for too long and Brittany begins to feel restless and anxious, but she doesn't regret what she said at all so she takes the silence and continues to speak her mind.
"I love her Mr. Lopez and I probably could've gone awhile without saying something but.." Brittany trails off and briefly looks up at Santana who still looks shocked before looking back at her father, "But when it's her happiness on the line, I just had to. I know that this might be a long shot and I just might lose my job because of this, but sir? Please don't make Santana marry someone she doesn't want to."
Brittany pauses when Mr. Lopez inhales deeply and shifts in his seat. She waits for him to lash out on her, to put her in her place, but he stays quiet and cuts his eyes into her. Brittany stands her ground though and glances back at Santana whose eyes have soften and her bottom lip stays tucked between her teeth.
She clenches and unclenches her hands, her palms sweaty and warm, before taking a deep breath to continue again, "It should be her decision, not yours. It should be about love not money. It should be about who makes her feel alive and loved and, honestly sir, Noah Puckerman is not that person and her happiness should not suffer because of that."
Mr. Lopez purses his lips and shifts in his seat again as he looks to his wife for a moment then back to Brittany, "You want to marry my daughter then, Ms. Pierce?"
Brittany's eyes widen at the sound of his voice but then acknowledges the question and softens. She looks to him then to Santana who tilts her head to the side in wonder. Brittany shakes her head though, a small smile gracing her lips for the first time since she walked over, "Maybe one day."
"Maybe? What do you mean maybe? What's the point of you interrupting my reading when you're not even giving a proper proposal?" Mr. Lopez scoffs and it makes Santana wince, "This is ridiculous."
Brittany's stance doesn't falter though, "I love Santana and I'd love to marry her one day, yes, but only if she wants to marry me. See sir, my point is that Santana should be able to choose who she wants to spend her life with. Maybe she doesn't want to get married right now? Maybe she does? Who cares if they're rich or poor or whatever?"Brittany doesn't miss Santana's small gasp and smiles even more because of it, "It shouldn't matter because it shouldn't be up to you or me or anyone. This is should be her choice and that's the reason I'm over here. Not because I want to ask your permission to marry her, I doubt I'd get it anyway, I know I don't live up to your expectations, but because if no one is going to stand up to you about this then I will. If that costs me my job then so be it, but someone had to say something. If you do not understand what I'm trying to say then maybe this was a mistake."
The expressions on Mr. Lopez's face shift from appalled to offended to something entirely unreadable all together, but Brittany doesn't care anymore. She isn't there for approval; she's there to be heard and hopefully understood.
"Santanita." Mr. Lopez finally says, breaking the silence as he turns to her. She looks so small and delicate as she fumbles with her fingers, but she looks to him in acknowledgement.
"Yes?" Her voice is meek and Brittany itches to step closer to her, wanting to offer her comfort somehow.
"Do you want to marry Noah?"
Brittany knows Santana's answer, she's known it ever since Puckerman started coming around, but she still cringes at the question regardless. Her heart aches for the way Santana has to muster up the courage to either speaking truthfully or the guilt she'll feel if she chooses to lie. The tension is almost palpable as Brittany sees Santana gulp and look between her parents. She look so small, like a child, and it's nothing like the Santana Brittany's so used to being around.
This Santana is afraid.
When she doesn't answer soon enough, Mr. Lopez repeats his questions, his voice urgent and stern, "Answer me!"
"No, daddy." Santana finally exhales, her shoulders slumping in defeat. Her brows scrunch and her whole body droops as she shakes her head, "I don't want to marry him."
It takes everything in Brittany not to bolt around Santana's parents and hold her in her arms, taking the weight of her world and carry it for her instead. She just wants to kiss away her worries and make her feel loved, but she's stuck in her spot. Instead, Brittany only stares, anxious for what it all means.
But she doesn't get to find out because Mr. Lopez tells Brittany to leave them, that her services aren't needed anymore and she needs to go.
It's not the anger in Mr. Lopez's eyes that make her feet move because she wants to stay and fight a little longer, she's not just going to be brushed off like that, but it's the look in Santana's eyes that make her go in the end. It's that same longing, pleading stare that says a million things at once and nothing at all that makes Brittany nod and head to her truck. She doesn't even stop to put away her tools or close up the shed, she just walks away.
Whatever just happened doesn't sink in until Brittany's about halfway home. She gets stuck at a red light and suddenly everything comes crashing down on her. She beats her fists against the steering wheel because what the hell was she thinking going up against Mr. Lopez? Who did she think she is? What did she expect to happen? Did she think she'd make him see it her way and Santana could be hers and she could be Santana's and that was it? Did she really believe she'd have the happy ending?
All the thoughts swirl around her head, she misses her turn and takes the long way instead hoping to work off some of the angst, maybe the fast moving trees will clear her mind.
It doesn't help so she turns around.
Tears begin to blur her vision but she's already home and rubbing furiously at her cheeks as she hurries inside. She can't let anyone see she's made a complete fool of herself. She can't let anyone see she just lost everything that matters.
But everything that matters is currently standing on her porch.
Brittany blinks her watery blue eyes and sniffles a little at the sight of the brunette. She's so confused, she even thinks she's hallucinating, but then Santana says her name and things couldn't be more real.
It always sounds so good when she says it too, Brittany. The way her lips press and part around the syllables, it's the best sound ever. It's even better hearing it now.
"What are you doing here?" Brittany asks and her voice sounds so strange, heavy from the crying, but Santana doesn't mind it as she descends the couple steps, "Your father-"
"I don't care."
She doesn't say anything else as her hands cup Brittany's cheeks, warm and damp against her palms, and urges her close enough that their lips almost touch. "I choose you," She says breathlessly then presses her lips to Brittany's softly, nipping at Brittany's lower lip. She can feel Brittany tremble against her but the longer she kisses her, the more her body wakes up. Her hands slide down from Brittany's cheeks to settle around her shoulders as she bumps their noses together, a smile forming at hazy blue eyes.
"Are you sure?" Brittany asks as her hands slide down Santana's back, holding her close.
Santana first answers by tilting her chin up for another soft, lingering kiss before pulling away just enough that their noses brush again when she nods, "I choose you."