You Instead Chapter 12, a glee fanfic

Sorry for the wait guys. Life. Ugh.

Also just to let it be known, I'm not super pleased with how this chapter turned out so, apologies. :) Oh and there was originally more sexin' but after reading the entire fic over I felt like those segments just weren't very well written. Again, apologies.

''Are you positive you're okay with this?'' Santana asked.

Together they stood in front of the single shower stall, covered in mud but full of anticipation. They did both need to get cleaned up and with the handcuffs there really was no other way around it. They had to shower together and they were both hyper aware that this meant things between them were definitely escalating and would soon be reaching the point of no return. The wet and soapy point of no return.

''I'm fine with it,'' Brittany raised a shoulder in nonchalance and hopped out of her shoes. ''Are you?''

''Only if you are.''

In an act of confidence then a fully clothed Brittany stepped forward into the stall and then made a small hand gesture, silently urging Santana to take the small step forward in order to join her. Santana swallowed and with her one free hand hopped in place a couple of times as she wrangled herself out of her own shoes. When she did finally enter the stall Brittany drew back the plastic curtain and turned the knob to warm and soon water began raining down on them, gently rinsing their faces. Tiny muddy rivulets began to run down both of their clothed bodies.

''Want me to help you out of this?'' Santana tugged on Brittany's jacket which was caked in mud.

Brittany nodded and slid out of it until it bunched up at the chain connecting her wrist to Santana's. The article of clothing was a soiled mess at this point and they both began pulling at it until it gave way, tearing apart and falling to the floor with a wet splat.

''I guess I owe you a new jacket,'' Santana winced.

''You can have your stylist pick it out for me,'' Brittany teased.

At Brittany's playful but smart ass remark Santana made to grab for the detachable shower head, bringing it down and aiming it at Brittany's face briefly and comically making her sputter and cry out.

''Hey!''

''What?''

''Stahp!''

''Stop, stop what?'' asked Santana who continued to spray Brittany who literally had no way to run away from it. ''Stop this? I'm just trying to get you clean,'' Santana deadpanned for a split second until she had another wicked idea roll through her brain. Suddenly she pulled at the neck of Brittany's shirt so she could spray the inside of it which only made Brittany squeak in shock again as water splashed against her chest.

Brittany's squeals and squeaks turned into rapid machine gun laughter though. ''You're trying to drown me!''

''How am I trying to drown you?''

''Well, you're trying to drown my boobs,'' Brittany said, playfully slapping Santana's hand away, pushing the water spray away from her.

''I would never drown your boobs, in fact I would happily and selflessly perform mouth to nip resuscitation if needed. Not to toot my own horn but I took a class so I'm certified and everything.''

''I'd like to see that certificate.''

''I was just trying to help you get your hard to reach places,'' Santana insisted.

''If you're interested in being generous maybe you can help me with another part of my body that needs some attention.''

''Anything.'' Santana hummed. Even through their wet clothes she could feel the heat and intensity vibrating between them although she was a little confused when Brittany began to twist away from her slightly, turning her back to Santana fully.

''I need you to do me from behind.''

''Do you from behind?'' Santana repeated slowly and with a smirk, like a 15 year old. She looked skyward as if she were smiling up in thanks to the universe before she focused back on the task at hand, the task at hand being Brittany's ass. Santana sighed as if someone was having to twist her arm into this. ''I mean if I must...''

''Not like that. I don't mean do me-do me, I mean get the mud off of my back,'' Brittany clarified with a roll of her eyes.

''Damn,'' Santana laughed in mock disappointment. ''Here I was about to rock your world.''

''You can do that later, first get the mud off my butt.''

''Alright, alright. I think I can do that.'' Santana cleared her throat and put her lust at bay as she looked down at the back of Brittany's skirt which was indeed covered in brown specks and streaks. She held the shower nozzle up and began to gently rinse her, washing the dirt away carefully almost in a very gentlewomanly fashion, never letting her hand wander too far despite the fact that they were just itching to explore. ''Tell me if the water is too hot.''

''The water's perfect,'' Brittany moaned in relaxation.

It was a strange but wonderful kind of intimacy that came with helping someone basically bathe Santana realized as she listened to the little purrs and hums coming out of Brittany. Even though they both still had clothes on there was something profoundly personal about it all when Santana found herself travelling back up with the showerhead to gently rinse blonde hair that didn't quite look blonde anymore. It was tangled and brown in some places but with a gentle hand Santana rinsed it out, taking shampoo from a wall dispenser and softly lathering Brittany up until all she saw was golden. Once clean she even leaned forward, pressing her nose into her hair, simply inhaling Brittany's scent. It was more than shampoo or soap, there was something pure on Brittany's skin that she couldn't place.

''Feel better?''

''Mmm, much,'' Brittany sighed pleasantly as she felt the most wonderful kind of shivers up and down her spine. ''Thank you.''

''You're very welcome.''

Brittany turned around so they were face to face again. ''I can do you now.''

''You don't have to.''

''I want to,'' Brittany insisted flirtatiously as she took the shower head and put it back on the wall. She turned the knob further, making the water run even warmer. It was then steam began to swirl around them. ''Turn around,'' Brittany instructed her.

Santana did as told, turning her back to Brittany who pressed herself up behind her. Brittany's cuffed hand went to rest on Santana's hip while her free one took a dab of shampoo and started a slow lather. She washed her hair out, combing and massaging her with her fingers. Santana melted back against her.

Santana had never had anyone who cared about her - really cared about her - touch her in this way. She'd never wanted anyone to touch her this way, with a certain softness, a certain kind of patience.

All the things she thought she wanted and all the things she tried to lose herself in, the spotlight, the girls, the drinking, in that moment as warm water washed over them together, none of those things seemed to matter or mean anything. It was like Brittany was washing it all away, all the mistakes and misteps, so Santana could be cleansed of it all.

Each time she blinked she saw visions in her head of some other kind of life. A life where she would rush off stage and immediately call Brittany who was touring on the other side of the world, just to hear her voice. A life where Santana was more content to lounge around by herself in her tour bus Skyping with Brittany than hitting up some club or handpicking some groupie for a night of fun. A life where she could continue to make music but actually write songs about feelings, about love, about connection in a way she couldn't before. She saw them going forward. She saw them holding hands on red carpets and doing silly sweet sit down interviews. Santana couldn't stand paparazzi but if the most they could ever do from here on out was get boring candid shots of her and Brittany walking out of grocery stores and gas stations together, she could find a way to tolerate their lenses. Of course she would draw a line with their privacy, say if they decided to really settle down and like adopt awesome ass babies from every country or something.

She smiled inwardly as her mind ran in these wonderful but wild directions.

She wasn't just excited and fantasizing about getting Brittany naked and in bed, Santana was fantasizing about what came after. What could come after if they both let it.

Santana hadn't been living, she had just been killing time until she came across the right girl. The right girl who challenged her, who understood her, the right girl who wasn't so easily impressed, the right girl who made her feel like a love song.

As flippant as she could be about so many things Santana was certain the right girl was now in front of her.

''You're not falling asleep on me are you?'' Brittany asked.

''Mmm. No.''

''Having second thoughts then?''

Santana let out a silly airy sound. ''Why would you think that?''

''I don't know,'' Brittany said with a shrug and continued to stroke and soothe Santana from behind. ''You got quiet out of nowhere.''

''I'm just really relaxed,'' Santana turned around but remained in Brittany's embrace. ''It's been a long day and your hands feel really good.'' She gently pulled Brittany's cuffed hand up to her lips and laid a kiss into her palm, but she didn't let it go, instead she began to examine it closer. ''You, Ms. Pierce, have really long fingers.''

''It's a blessing. Makes it easier for me to play really difficult chords.''

''I imagine you can do a lot more with them than play chords.''

''You imagine right.''

They snickered together and Santana pressed her lips to Brittany's hand again, this time pecking lightly at her fingers, pale and delicate and long. Brittany watched her in awe, moved by the simple but sweet gesture until she couldn't take it anymore. They had only known each other for a day and yet, and yet it felt like they had already done more than enough waiting. She pulled her hands away from Santana's lips and allowed them to travel down until she found Santana's belt which she started to tug at. Her breathing got harder and heavier when she heard the clinking of metal and the sound of a zipper being slid down.

''Whoever's in there, you need to hurry the hell up!'' a voice shouted from the outside. It was quickly followed by loud banging as someone began pounding on the bathroom door in aggravation. ''There's a line of people out here!''

They both paused as they then heard someone repeatedly jiggle on the door handle roughly as if to enter. The flimsy lock on the door held but it was still startling, not to mention ten kinds of annoying. They both let out frustrated little groans at the sudden interruption. There were definitely people on the other end of that door waiting to get in and use the shower facilities, which made sense, it was morning and they had been in there for what had to be close to a half hour leisurely rinsing each other off.

''Ughh fuck,'' Santana grumbled.

Brittany's hand stopped working on Santana's belt and button. ''Are you freaking kidding me?'' she asked in aggravation. It was just when things were getting interesting.

The pounding on the door continued, growing harder and louder with each passing second. ''HURRY UP!'' someone shouted at them again.

''Alright, alright! We're almost done in here, calm your shit!'' Santana hollered, raising her voice so as to be heard above the shower.

Their outfits were still going to need a real and thorough washing but most of everything had been washed away and at least they didn't look like hideous swamp monsters anymore. ''I guess bath time is over,'' said Brittany.

Together they stumbled awkwardly out of the shower stall and made a grab for a couple of bath towels from a large stack on the sink counter. They threw them over their shoulders, grabbed their shoes and then - still fully dressed in their wet clothing - opened the door and began to make a mad dash.

''What the hell, why is there mud everywhere?!'' they heard someone call out after them.

It was safe to say they had made a complete mess of that bathroom in the process of cleaning up. They had left muddy puddles on the floor and slightly muddy streaks on the shower walls. It was pretty gross and they were in no mood to answer any questions about what they had been up to, why they were handcuffed or why they left the place a disaster which is exactly why they ran past the group of fellow performers who were congregating at the entrance waiting for their turn at the showers.

They didn't look back, they just laughed and ran barefoot through the grass, zig zagging around the area until they managed to locate Santana's trailer.

They were both shivering from being wet and exposed to the open air but the second they shut the door it was a mad stumbly dance towards the bed as they raced to see who could get out of their clothes the fastest. They kissed madly as Santana shimmied out of her pants and Brittany wiggled herself out of her poofy skirt, then went their panties which were quickly tossed aside. Due to the constraint of the cuffs however they couldn't really take off their shirts. The most they could do was pull them off and let both articles of clothing bunch around the tiny chain of the handcuffs but otherwise they were completely nude and with their skin still slightly damp they both collapsed into bed together on top of the towels and the bedding. It was like they were sinking into each other, becoming one messy naked heap of limbs.

They just kissed for what seemed like ages, relishing as their hands moved over each other in slow degrees, tracing freckles, exploring every dip and curve of the other's body.

''You have like the cutest butt,'' Santana said, rising up on one of her elbows just a little bit to peek over Brittany and stare appreciatively at Brittany's naked ass. Now that she knew what was under that skirt, Santana was an even bigger fan. ''Like I'm pretty sure I'ma have to write a song about it,'' she joked.

''Shut up,'' Brittany laughed.

''What?'' Santana squeaked in mock outrage. ''You don't want your ass to be immortalized in song?''

''Yeah no.''

''Alright, but just so you know it'd be next level iconic. I'd prolly be able to get Nicki Minaj to feature on it.''

Brittany squinted, playing along as if she were tempted to change her mind. ''Hmm, I'm still gonna say thanks but no thanks.''

''Fuh-ine.'' Santana said, feigning heartbreak at Brittany's dismissal of what could possibly be her greatest jam ever.

''You know you have a really cute butt too.'' She propped herself up on an elbow and began to study Santana. ''In fact...I was just thinking.''

Santana raised an eyebrow and went in for another languid kiss. ''About?''

''About when we first met,'' Brittany said, mumbling back against her lips. ''I think I said something about your Rolling Stone spread being airbrushed.''

Santana pulled away with a pop and sighed in mock offense. ''Airbrushed as fuck are the words you used.''

''Right. And then you got all cute and offended and tried to be all suave by inviting me back here to your trailer because you wanted to show me just how unairbrushed you really were.''

''Uh huh.''

Brittany's eyes travelled up and down Santana's bronze body in admiration. Her pale fingers traced the tiny perfect indentations of Santana's abs and danced along the curve of a bare breast. ''And now that I'm seeing all of you I can definitely say that your Rolling Stone cover - not airbrushed.''

''Told ya,'' Santana quipped with pride. ''All thanks to my personal trainer of course.''

Brittany rolled her eyes but smiled all the same.

''You know what I also recall? That when we were in here yesterday you said there was no way in hell you would ever fall for me, or my what was it that you said, my 'ridiculously cute dimples'.''

''I did, didn't I? But that was before I knew.''

''Before you knew what?''

''Before I knew that you can't always believe what you see on the surface. Real life is never as glossy as it seems in the magazines and the people we think have it all, are probably just as clueless and lost as everyone else.''

Santana made a small thoughtful noise in agreement with that.

''And for the record, I was fibbing when I said you weren't my type. Truth is I've never really had a type before.''

''And now?''

''And now I guess you can say I've suddenly developed a thing for slightly obnoxious rockstars with secret hearts of gold and mega kissable dimples.''

Santana beamed at the affection. ''Yeah?''

''Yeah.''

Brittany leaned down then to place two sweet but chaste kisses onto each of Santana's dimples which were out in full force. She peppered a few more down her cheeks, on her lips and then one or two on her chin before moving down to her neck where she nuzzled and lightly nipped. The further her kisses went the more intense and passionate they grew until it didn't feel like kissing anymore and more like some kind of worship.

Santana gulped and closed her eyes, simply accepting it. Her moans and whimpers got louder and longer over time especially when Brittany's mouth started going further. Her lips running across the gorgeous and full swell of Santana's breasts, thoroughly teasing and tasting each peaked nipple until she started going down, down, down.

Brittany was sure Santana had probably never done this with feelings before, and if she were being honest with herself, neither had she.

But she was ready to. To kiss Santana where she was all perfect and pink, wet and ready and god was she ready Brittany realized as she went down and moved between Santana's legs, spreading them open to make room for herself. Santana was soaking, the upper inside of her thighs were already slippery and sticky. Brittany bit down on her lip, it took everything inside of her to pace herself and not just go wild. On one hand that's exactly what she wanted to do, to just go for it, quick and dirty, to press her own wet center against Santana and slide against her with abandon. But on the other hand she wanted to give something to Santana (and something to herself) that she was certain no one else had ever bothered to give.

She wanted to give her slow.

She wanted to give her passionate.

But most of all she wanted to give her real.

Meaningful.

Brittany wiggled herself down, lower until her head was between two tan silky thighs which she softly kissed in preparation. She wanted to do this right, she wanted to give Santana a night she'd never forget. She was about to lean forward, to be surrounded by her, saturated with Santana in every sense of the word...until she felt a light tugging on the back of her neck.

''Wait, wait,'' Santana said, reaching down to still Brittany and gain her attention.

''Huh?'' Brittany was seconds from combusting.

Santana looked suddenly conflicted, almost nervous. ''It's just that before we do this, before we're together this way there's something you need to know, something I should tell you.''

Brittany looked at Santana's nakedness and kissed an exposed thigh. ''I think it can wait.''

''What if it's important?''

''I need to taste you,'' Brittany countered lewdly.

''But...but...''

''Hey it's okay because whatever it is, it doesn't matter,'' Brittany assured her. ''Trust me when I say I want this and I don't care about the handcuffs, I don't care that we're from two different genres, I don't care about the magazines or the labels or any of those stupid things right now. I want this with you.''

''I do too.''

''Then let me kiss you. Please.''

''But Brittany oh fuck…''

Santana's words caught in her throat when she felt Brittany's lay a single soft kiss against her, right where she needed her the most. She closed her eyes when she felt Brittany literally moan into her. She shivered at the tiny incredible vibrations that travelled through her body.

''You...I…god that feels good,'' Santana stammered.

Brittany hummed happily in response.

Santana looked down and watched as Brittany laid hot open mouth kisses at her soaking entrance, her tongue peeking out and flicking at her every few moments. The only thing that made it hotter was when Brittany opened her eyes and began to watch as Santana watched her. There was something about the direct eye contact that made it all the more intense.

She reached down and placed her cuffed hand into blonde hair, gently running it through. It wasn't so much about wanting to guide Brittany but rather it was about needing to feel as much contact as possible. Brittany seemed to pick up on it when she brought her own hand up to interlock with Santana's, holding her hand in her hair as she continued to suck and lick at her. Santana had never felt something so beautiful before.

And in that moment they were connected by something more than just handcuffs.

Being truly and completely intimate with another person in a real way was so terrifying yet intoxicating. Because this, Santana realized, this is what all the love songs were about, this feeling, this tenderness.

And now that she knew this kind of intimacy and tenderness, now that she knew what it felt like with Brittany, she never wanted to let it go.

Santana couldn't stop what was happening even if she had wanted to, she was paralyzed by pleasure, letting Brittany's mouth take her over. All she wanted to do was give herself fully and completely and so, she did. For hours on end it's what she did, and in return she felt Brittany do the same as they moved through positions, tossing and turning and twisting amongst the sheets, so caught up in the delicious friction between them as their bodies met. Together they made a symphony of whispers and moans as they went through the motions of slowly and carefully learning each other inside and out.

Later when they finished together Brittany, satisfied and sleepy, collapsed into her side and Santana moved her hands around to hold her, encircling her waist. She was still basking in this new and wonderful daze and didn't think to worry about what tomorrow would bring or the conversation that would without a doubt take place. Whatever it was, well, Brittany had said it didn't matter and Santana allowed the hope to bloom in her heart that any and every obstacle between them would sort itself out in the end.

Including the handcuffs and that pesky not so missing key.

With Brittany in her arms Santana smiled in the dim light of the room before sleep finally overcame them.

''I'm just saying we should start a side project together, like a side band,'' Tina proposed to Quinn, Dani and Sam. ''We could call ourselves The Sidekicks!''

The previous night they along with Lake had ended up having a few drinks on The Make's tour bus and then in the wee hours of the morning finally crashed out. It wasn't until around noon that they all began to rise and head back into the festival grounds. They of course headed straight to artist hospitality, eager to hit up the dining hall tent and get in on the provided breakfast buffet.

Once they located a free table and began to devour their pancakes Tina went on some wild tangent about becoming some kind of super group that had everyone balking.

''Yeah I don't think so,'' Dani chuckled.

Quinn agreed. ''Count me out.''

''There's no way I'm calling myself a sidekick,'' said Sam.

''Fine, fine.'' Tina grumbled and gave up the idea and returned to her meal. ''So has anyone heard from Brittany or Santana yet?''

Lake took a sip of her orange juice and shook her head. ''I texted her 'can we talk later?' but got no reply. I'm not sure really what's up.''

Unbothered Sam nodded with confidence. ''She'll show up soon I'm sure. She and I have a show to play in nine hours. We're headlining the main stage tonight. She'll find us. There's no way she'd bail on a performance, even when she was full on disaster she wouldn't do that to me.''

''So do you and Lake have a plan?'' Quinn asked and looked directly at her bandmate.

''Not really,'' Dani admitted and shot a supportive look towards Lake at her side. ''I mean whatever happens, it's Lake's call obviously. But from everything I've seen myself and everything I've heard from you guys Santana seems like a reasonable person, more or less anyway. I don't think she'd hold it against me or Lake.''

''Yeah,'' Lake said. ''Plus let's all be real here, it's not like Santana was all that invested in keeping up the facade of our little PR relationship to begin with, especially after she laid eyes on Brittany. Dani and I might have had a little fun last night but something tells me Santana and Brittany weren't just sitting around twiddling their thumbs.''

''If anything Lake and I having our little thing makes it easier on Santana if you think about it,'' Dani calmly pointed out. ''If both Lake and Santana tell their publicist they're done playing their game then everyone is free and no one has to pretend anything anymore.''

''And maybe Santana would be a lot more mellow,'' Sam added thoughtfully. Maybe being free from obligations and public expectations would do Santana some good and maybe finding that authentic connection with Brittany was just what she needed to pull her through. ''I really feel like as crazy as yesterday was, this could all be the best for The Make and The Dirty Pinks.''

Tina squinted. She was a little at a loss as to why or how The Dirty Pinks as a whole would get anything out of it. ''How so? I mean I think it's great if Brittany walks out of all of this with a real connection with Santana and everything but uh, how is this good for the rest of us?''

Sam scrunched up his face like it was obvious. ''Have you looked at Twitter in the past I don't know eight hours?''

''Not really,'' Quinn answered plaintively. ''Kind of been asleep obviously.''

''Yeah,'' said Tina. ''And before that Q and I were dealing with the trauma of seeing Dani's naked butt from when we all walked in on her and Lake, so like we've been pretty busy.''

''You know what?'' Dani looked to her two bandmates. ''You two should consider yourself lucky to have seen my butt okay! I have a great butt! You're welcome by the way, god...so ungrateful I swear.''

Quinn and Tina rolled their eyes at the guitarist and focused back on questioning Sam. ''So back to what you were saying, what's happening on Twitter now?'' Quinn asked.

Sam pulled his phone out, flicked at the screen a few times and then slide it over across the table for Tina, Quinn and Dani to view. ''You guys went viral sometime overnight. Between your concert last night and this morning the video of Santana on stage with you guys blew up.''

The Dirty Pinks let out excited little squeals as Quinn took the phone in hand and became to scroll through their Twitter mentions.

''About half of them are about Brittany and Santana having some kind of mad chemistry,'' Sam began in explanation. ''But a good portion of those are people talking about your band as a whole. Everyone wants to know who you guys are all of a sudden.''

Tina rushed to pull out her own phone and logged herself into all of their official social media accounts. ''Oh my fuck, we gained ten thousand followers since yesterday!''

''What?'' Dani then went to pull out her own phone. ''Our Instagram is blowing up too!''

Sam smiled at the other musicians at the table. Having become fond of them over the previous evening he was pleased to see them get some kind of positive recognition. ''You guys should jump on this. Really, a little online buzz can go a long way. You could really do something with all of this.''

Quinn, Tina and Dani looked amongst themselves, the three of them were surprised but delighted by this new and sudden development. It was just what they needed, a little buzz, a little push in the right direction. They had the music, they had the talent, they had the charisma, they just never had the labels full support. But now, now that they had the likes of Bruno Mars, Hayley Williams and freaking Ellen liking and retweeting video of their performance alongside Santana, well that changed everything. It gave their band a chance to parlay that buzz into real success.

And it was all thanks to Santana and Brittany and those stupid handcuffs.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the tent several yards away Sugar and Mike were sitting down at their own small table.

The entertainment reporter and the cameraman were half heartedly munching on their own breakfast foods while keeping their eyes on the band members. They had lost track of Brittany and Santana in the early hours of the morning and confident of what they had already managed to capture on camera they decided to grab a few hours of sleep in their camper. Once they woke up they travelled back inside the festival and with their press passes had found their way to the dining tent in the VIP area. It was a happy surprise to find the majority of The Dirty Pinks as well as one half of The Make lounging around the space. Surely the two band leaders would need to reconvene with their bandmates they thought. They figured their best bet at getting any more shots of Santana and Brittany together was to stick close, although not too close.

''I know we've been chasing this Brittany and Santana story for the past day, but I have to say if I had to pick the most crush worthy person between either band my vote would definitely go to that cute bassist,'' Mike commented as he stared at Tina from afar.

Sugar, who had an open laptop in front of her, paused her typing for a moment. ''You should go talk to her.''

''What?''

''Go talk to her,'' Sugar encouraged. ''We're press, right? Go ask her if she wants to do an interview. If she's game there's your window. Make your move, Chang.''

''No way. I mean, she's a rockstar and I'm just some no name cameraman. You go ask her.''

Sugar waved her hand at him and went back to writing. She had more important matters to tend to. She had just spent the last hour constructing a fun and slightly scandalous piece on the music world's new couple, Santana Lopez and Brittany Pierce, complete with incriminatingly intimate pictures of the two of them sitting, talking, walking and embracing in a handful of heated kisses.

Over night it seemed that the performance Santana shared with The Dirty Pinks went viral and while people said the two lead singers definitely complimented each other no one had yet to sniff out what was really going on between the two just yet.

She did her best not to be overly gossipy or salacious in her piece but she was in essence outing them as a couple to the world, online and offline. Part of her really was conflicted about it, but another part of her itched to just push the publish button. She could just publish the post to the media site she was employed by, and from there the story would no doubt spread like wildfire to TMZ and Perez Hilton, and then everyone would know.

There was just something about them that she was rooting for. She really wanted to believe that once the rest of the world knew, they would root for them too. And if her story went viral and she herself got a little career boost out of it, well, what was the harm Sugar told herself. It was win-win.

Santana and Brittany had all the makings of a power couple and who wouldn't want to be a power couple. She was doing them a favor, sorta, she told herself.

''Alright, tell me what you think of my first draft,'' she said, pushing her laptop towards him.

He smiled weakly at her and shook his head. He didn't look too eager to read it. ''So you're really publishing this? Like today-today?''

''Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. I have to do it soon though. If I don't you know someone else will eventually break the story. Why not me.''

''Just because someone will eventually do it doesn't mean it has to be you though,'' he said, gently trying to dissuade her. ''I know you care about them in your weird little fangirl way but...I don't know, Sugar, do you really want to be a part of that celebrity consuming media machine? Like it's one thing to make your living doing fluffy little entertainment pieces. Sure those pieces don't exactly make any huge waves but at least they don't cross any personal or professional boundaries. I just...I just want you to be really sure.''

''And I am. I know what I'm doing. And this,'' she made a gesture to her screen. ''This is going up online.''

''Then what's stopping you from publishing right now this very second?''

''Morning after pictures of course,'' Sugar said with a wiggle of her brows. ''There's no way those two didn't spend the night together and any minute now they're gonna come strolling through here with mega obvious 'I just got laid' looks on their faces and I'm going to get one final picture of them. I have to get the coveted day after shot. It's the icing on the cake. Soon as I get that, the post is going live.''

Mike held his hands up at his sides and then leaned forward to hug his camera equipment on the table in defeat. Sugar was the reporter and the on air talent, he was the cameraman. His job was to point and shoot and not ask questions. He had tried to of course all throughout the previous day but if this is the story she was insisting on telling, well, he was in no real position to stop her especially now that she had the evidence to back it all up.

It wasn't his decision so he had to let it be.

It was nearly 1pm when Santana woke up. She felt lips kissing up and down her shoulder. With a yawn she wiped the sleep from her eyes and opened them to find Brittany, still tucked into her side, grinning up at her.

''Morning.''

Santana smiled back. This was the first time she could recall ever waking up with a girl and waking up with Brittany? Well it felt something she could get used to. ''What time is it?''

Brittany sat up and attempted to make a grab for her discarded phone on the floor but was yanked back by the cuffs, the weight of Santana keeping her in place. ''Fuh! Damn,'' she winced and rubbed at her wrist. ''Forgot about the handcuffs for a second.'' Santana brought said wrist up to her lips to kiss all better. ''But by the looks of it, probably afternoon.'' Brittany motioned with her head to a small trailer window letting it a few rays of sunshine into the room. ''You have anywhere to be?''

Santana smiled like a lazy and satisfied cat. ''Nope. Not until later tonight.''

Brittany plopped herself back down. She comfortably rested her head on Santana's pillow to resume their cuddling. ''That's right, you're playing tonight.''

''Sam and I are headlining the main stage.''

''It's a big deal,'' Brittany said, because it was. It would elevate The Make even further.

''It is,'' Santana conceded playfully. ''But not as big of a deal as what happened last night, with us.''

''We were pretty amazing...you were pretty amazing.''

Santana raised a cocky little eyebrow. ''So I take it that means I was as good as all the rumors made me out to be.''

''No.''

''No?'' Santana squeaked.

''You were better.''

''Better huh?'' Santana pulled Brittany in for a sleepy kiss. ''Good to know.''

''Even though you made us fall off the bed twice but, still.''

''Um no, correction, you made us fall off the bed twice.''

''No, pretty sure that was you. You were all like 'put your leg up on my shoulder' and then bam! Your ass slid off the bed and you pulled me down with you because of the cuffs. You know you may not be airbrushed but you really need to tell your physical trainer to forget all of these little vanity muscles,'' Brittany stroked along her tight abdomen, ''and get you to work on your flexibility.''

Santana sat up and leaned over Brittany, blanketing her body in a flirtatious way. ''Nah I think I'd rather have you help me with my uh flexibility.''

''I mean I'm not trained but I'd be willing to give it a go,'' Brittany played along.

Santana moved down slightly to boop her nose against Brittany's. 'I want you to know it's never been like that with anyone. Last night I mean. If I was good it's only because it was with you. Because it was us.''

Brittany beamed at her confession and reached up to run a hand through dark hair. ''So I think we've established last night was something else but... what happens when all of this is over?''

Santana's smile faded as she turned quiet and serious. This, after all, was no laughing matter to her. ''What happens after this is over? What happens is after the festival I'll tell my people I'm done pretending."

"You'd really do that?"

"Of course I would. Lake's a good person too and she'll understand. She and I can release a statement about having an amicable breakup or something. And then me and you, however fast or slow you want to take it I'm all in."

"All in huh? What does that mean?"

"It means if you want to keep things quiet for a few months we can do that, we can find a way to be lowkey about it, or if you want to go to my next event with me, we can do the whole public announcement thing too, I don't care.''

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Cause being with me, it's not going to get you any buzz or attention or any of those things." Brittany knew those things didn't matter to herself and she just wanted to be sure that Santana knew exactly what she was walking into. ''I can't offer you any of that.''

"You're right, you can't...because what you offer me is better. Brittany I'm not here because of what you can do for my image or what I can do for yours, I'm here because I love the way you make me feel and I want more of that. I want that every day and every night for the rest of my life or as long as you'll have me.''

''What about other girls?'' Brittany asked carefully.

''What about them?''

''You and Lake had a PR thing which meant you were both free to be with other people because it was never real. What about now though? I mean...are you still going to...what are…cause I can't-''

''Brittany,'' Santana said, her voice warm and certain. ''That's over. I'm done with that."

"No more fangirls or groupies?"

"No. If me and you are really gonna give this thing a go then I don't want anything getting in the way of it. And anyway after what went down in this bed between us I don't think I'm going to have much use for groupies anymore."

"Oh no?"

"Nope. Not with the way you do what you do. I swear I've never came so much or so hard in my entire life.'' With that Santana snuck her free hand down to give Brittany's very squeezable naked tush a playful swat. "Who needs groupies when my new girl has the most beautiful body I've ever seen?"

"Your new girl...or your only girl?"

"My only girl. I promise. I don't want that anymore, I want you instead. Look all of this is going to be new and different for me and I'm sure I'm gonna mess up along the way somehow yeah but I want to try this girlfriend thing and I want to try it with you."

"Really?"

"That is, if you want to try it with me?''

Brittany's hand slid down to cup Santana's face. Her thumb went to trace along Santana's lips. ''I do.''

''Then it's settled. We're both off the market.''

''Good now…'' Brittany gave her a messy and noisy kiss. ''I have your first mission as girlfriend should you choose to accept it.''

''If this mission involves orgasms I'm more than up to the task.'' Santana bounced her hips, pressing herself against Brittany who squeaked in surprise.

''Okay, that can be your second mission,'' laughed Brittany.

''So what's my first?''

''Get up and help me find a toilet because I totally have to pee.''

Santana snickered and nodded. ''Alright, I think I'm up to the task.''

Together they shimmied out of bed and began the process of putting their clothes back on. Thankfully they had dried during the last few hours although they did feel scratchy and stiff. Still they managed to be up and out of the trailer door within twenty minutes. It didn't take them long to discuss and decide that instead of heading back towards the shower trailers for Brittany's bathroom break they would instead make their way towards the dining hall tent on the other side of the VIP grounds. They both recalled that there was a row of porta potties lined up just a stone's throw away from it. This way Brittany could use the restroom and then they could grab some food afterwards. It was midday but they needed breakfast.

It was a relatively short walk to their destination. Brittany did a cute little hop when they caught sight of the portable potties and quickly ran into one. Santana waited outside and leaned against its door as she waited, the door was cracked open just the slightest bit open due to the handcuffs of course.

Santana was staring up at the perfect blue sky. This, she realized, was what it felt like to be perfectly content. Even though she was pretty sure she still had some mud in a couple of crevices and it reeked because she was standing in front of a dozen portable toilets, this was the happiest she had ever been. But then her moment of reflection was interrupted when she sensed someone come to stand directly in front of her. She startled slightly when she saw who it was.

The fangirl groupie from earlier, the one who had wanted Santana to sign her autograph on her lady business. The same one who had ignited a tiny flicker of jealousy within Brittany who had witnessed the exchange.

''Guh, what are you doing here?'' Santana asked with a wince.

The girl smiled and shrugged. ''I have my ways. A friend of mine hooked up with someone from OneRepublic.''

''Gross.''

''I know right? Girl has no taste in music. Anyhow she got us both VIP passes so I figured why not. I was kind of hoping I'd get to run into you again and look, here you are.''

Santana swallowed. ''Here I am.''

''I wanted to see if I could catch you alone. I don't think your blond friend from last night really liked me,'' the girl said, failing to see Santana's still cuffed wrist down at her side and up against the door. ''Which I get, I didn't really like her either. I mean I'm kind of jealous, I wish you had tried that kinky handcuff thing with me.'' The eager groupie stepped closer, entering Santana's personal space and forcing her back against the porta potty door even harder. ''But now that she's gone maybe we can have another fun time together, you know? Like that night you took me on your tour bus.''

''Yeah I don't think that's going to happen.'' Santana held up her free hand and pushed it between their bodies and gently pushed the groupie away, creating a few inches of space between them.

''Why not?''

''Because that was just a one time thing and I don't think I'm going to be doing that anymore, with anyone. It's nothing against you, so thanks but like...no thanks.''

The groupie pouted and continued to lay it on thick, stepping forward yet again but this time wrapping her arms around Santana's neck, trapping her in an unwanted hug. ''Aww, are you sure? From I recall we had a lot of fun that night together.''

In truth Santana couldn't recall much of anything of that night which was sort of the norm for most of her hookups. She usually needed a few drinks before it all went down and by the time things did get heavy it was mostly all a blur.

''I'm sure,'' Santana insisted, pulling the girl's arms off of her and again creating a few more inches of space between their bodies. ''It seems like you have good memories of that night but I don't remember much of anything and I'm sorry. But I can't do that with you again.''

''You can't?''

''I can't. I won't,'' Santana spoke with a firm certainty.

The groupie didn't seem pleased but she did realize Santana wasn't going to change her mind and looked to accept that. The girl smiled sadly at her. ''Can't blame a girl for trying.''

''Yeah well…'' Santana lifted a shoulder, at a loss for what to say. She didn't want to be unkind but she also didn't want to be encouraging. 'For the record though I'm sorry if I did anything or said anything that night that made you feel used or like an object, because you're not. You should want more than that...more than me.''

The girl shook her head at that. ''You didn't by the way. Make me feel used or whatever. But thanks for saying that anyway. Not a lot of rockstars do.''

Santana bowed her head in silence once. ''I take it from that statement I'm not exactly the only musician you've ever…''

''Let's just say I've been on a few tour buses in my life,'' groupie girl laughed and lightened up. ''But the private tour of your tour bus was my favorite.''

Santana let out a stilted chuckle. It was sort of flattering.

The girl began to walk backwards and make her departure. She didn't exactly look overjoyed at being rejected but she didn't look devastated either, she seemed to still have a little pep in her step as she toddled off and out of sight.

Santana exhaled in relief just as Brittany pushed at the door, nudging it open and making Santana stumble just a tad.

''What was that about?'' Brittany asked as she went about washing her hands with sanitizer mounted nearby. She shook them dry and squinted as she remembered. ''Was she the same fangirl of yours from last night?''

''Yeah.''

''What'd she want, or do I not want to know?''

''She wanted something that she's never gonna get,'' Santana vowed. ''And I made sure she knew that.''

Brittany searched Santana's eyes and smiled. ''I trust you.''

''Good.''Santana reached down and interlocked their fingers with their cuffed hands.

Of course little did each of them know that within a few short moments that trust would be completely shattered.