There wasn't much fanfare when they all returned to Lima. The glee club walked back into Mckinley just as they had left, as show choir losers, and yet as they finished out the rest of the school year there was a lightness and excitement in the air. Or at least there was for Santana.
Summer was officially upon them and that meant even more time to squirrel around.
If they weren't all at Kurt's place then there were Santana's and if they weren't at Santana's they were at Brittany's. Days and nights began to blur together as they pleasantly wasted them away in the comfort of the A/C. They would sprawl themselves out in someone's living room or bedroom and snack their way through the day.
They still had Drag Race nights of course but in the interest of keeping things fresh they would sometimes opt to watch a movie or documentary instead. Kurt found some random internet list about the fifty most powerful pieces of queer cinema and insisted they make their way through it.
Together the three of them made their way through the dragtastic To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar of course in all of its campy glory, not to mention its Australian inspiration Priscilla Queen of The Desert. Brittany and Santana both enjoyed enjoyed D.E.B.S and But I'm A Cheerleader too because how could they not. The Birdcage was also on the list but Kurt simply refused to acknowledge the American remake and insisted that they instead watched the original French version, La Cage aux Folles, from the 70's which he deemed far superior. Santana bitched for a good half hour about having to read subtitles but eventually got into the story enough to admit the movie was more artful and unique - even if it did force her to read when she didn't have to.
They also totally binge-watched the U.S. version of Queer as Folk which had recently been added to Netflix's streaming library. It was sexy and soapy and of course not without its flaws but it gave them a reason to stay comfortably cool inside on those long blistering summer days.
''You know who I like?'' Santana announced one evening as they watched an episode of the old Showtime series in her bedroom on her wall mounted flat screen. Santana and Brittany were laying back, curled against each other near the headboard while Kurt lounged around nearby in her lush desk chair. ''That Brian Kinney character. He's great, I love him,'' she chuckled to herself.
It was true. Out of all of the characters she felt oddly connected to that specific one for a reason she couldn't quite put her finger on.
''But he's an asshole,'' Kurt squeak-shouted. ''He's just so awful and offensive.''
''Is he really though? Or does he just speak the truth? Brian Kinney's hilarious and he keeps it real.''
''So you like him because you are him you mean?'' Kurt asked.
''I don't know if I'd say that. Let's be real I'm like way hotter than he is,'' Santana said with a smug little smile.
''Way hotter,'' Brittany said in agreement.
Kurt narrowed his gaze as he studied Santana with a critical eye. ''I suppose you are somewhat similar to Brian Kinney. Dark, smoldering, occasionally emotionally unavailable, high maintenance, secretly and deeply insecure-''
''Hey!''
''But with a profound loyalty to your friends, even the ones you can't stand,'' Kurt carried on his comparison with delight. ''I see it now yes. You're totally a Brian Kinney. Right down to the cute blond always hanging off of your arm.''
Brittany perked up at the mention of yet another Queer as Folk character, the cute as a button Justin Taylor, the human embodiment of sunshine who just happened to be the love of Brian's life. She wiggled in place at Santana's side on the bed. ''That makes sense because I do feel a spiritual connection to Justin! If we existed inside the Queer as Folk universe Santana you would be the Brian and I would be your Justin! Ohmygod you know what I just thought of? If we were Queer as Folk characters our sex scenes would be so epic, babe.''
''They really would be,'' Santana hummed at that pleasant thought.
Brittany and Santana traded loaded glances and a couple of playful smooches through laughter. It was undeniable, they would be so much hotter together than Brian and Justin. They were snickering and getting a little bit lost in the moment though so Kurt had to clear his throat to remind them that he was still in the room. Santana pulled herself away from Brittany with a reluctant whine.
''Right. Well. I don't know about you ladies but I think I've binged enough TV for today,'' Kurt said and clicked the TV off. He stood up and started to meander about her room. ''What say we move this gathering elsewhere?''
''What say you stop talking like Dame Judy Dench?'' Santana sassed.
Brittany gave her a playful but chastising nudge in her shoulder before addressing Kurt. ''What did you have in mind?''
Kurt made his way over to the dark, heavy drapes in Santana's room. He pushed one to the side and a beam of sunlight snuck through, making its way across the room to Santana's bed, hitting both she and Brittany full on.
''Well, you do have a pool,'' he suggested brightly and made a small wave to her massive backyard. ''Don't you ever use it?''
''Of course she does,'' Brittany answered. ''We have a ton of night sex in there.''
''I mean don't you ever use the pool to entertain company?'' Kurt specified. ''It's summer after all. Shouldn't we be out and about and enjoying ourselves? All of this sitting around inside we've been doing has made me all stir-crazy. Aren't you two tired of being cooped up?''
''Well, sorta,'' Brittany said as she sat up and gave Santana a sweet, pleading look. ''Our summer movie/tv marathon has been fun but it would be nice to get some fresh air. Maybe chase down an ice cream truck or two in the name of physical activity.''
Santana lifted a perfectly shaped brow as she considered it. She really had been enjoying herself wasting her days away in temperature controlled environments. She had her girl, Netflix and Breadstix, life was good. She had been pretty content with the idea of her, Brittany and Kurt having a nice lazy summer together but if the two of them were getting bored or going stir crazy from staying inside for days on end then she wasn't necessarily opposed to going out. It's not like she could say no to Brittany's cute, kissable pout or Kurt's weird freaky watery eyes that made him look like a lapdog about to piddle on the carpet.
''Well I guess I have been meaning to work on my tan…'' Santana sighed eventually to them.
''So does this mean what I think it means?'' Kurt asked as he did baby seal claps. ''Pool party?''
''Ahhh no,'' Santana announced, throwing a defiant hand up into the air. ''We can use the pool but this isn't going to be a party. I don't want any randoms or glee club kids in my house anymore after that prom after party. I had to hear it from my mom when my parents saw the mess that was left behind. Some idiot had sex on the glass coffee table in the pool house and broke it.''
''That was you,'' Kurt noted.
''Whatever,'' Santana pfft'ed at him. ''Look you can invite one person over and it can't be Berry.''
''Really?'' Kurt lit up.
''Why not?''
There wasn't much conversation as Kurt announced that he wanted to invite Blaine over to join them for an afternoon in the sun. It took a short phone call to sort it out with his boyfriend. The plan was for Kurt to make a quick trip back to his house to retrieve his swimwear but return in a half hour with Blaine at his side. And like that Kurt had left them, skipping along as he made his exit.
Once he was gone Brittany tugged Santana out of bed and towards her dresser. Luckily Brittany had her own drawer of things and because they really would often take dips in the pool at night she had a bikini on hand. Santana however had a slew of swimwear to choose from. She picked her most favorite pieces out and then stroked her chin thoughtfully.
''What do you think?'' she asked Brittany for her opinion.
''While I personally really appreciate the floral thong bikini ensemble I don't know if Kurt and Blaine will,'' Brittany advised with a smirk and then picked up her favorite of the bunch. A simple but sexy black bikini top and bottom. She made the items dance in her hands until Santana took them and began to strip. Brittany enjoyed the show, although she enjoyed helping Santana into the bikini even more, smiling goofily as she tied the strings carefully, her fingertips occasionally dancing across tan hips.
''I'm really glad Blaine's coming over,'' Brittany sighed at their reflection in the mirror and pressed her front against Santana's back, wrapping her up in a loose hug from behind.
''You are?''
''I've been thinking the four of us should do something like this for awhile. Me and you definitely should really try to get to know Blaine.''
''Why?''
''He's Kurt's boyfriend, and Kurt's our friend.'' Brittany shrugged and gave her an affectionate squeeze. ''He's always been cool about making sure I always felt included when we all hang. We should do the same for his boyfriend right?''
''I guess.''
''What?'' Brittany laughed as she placed her chin on Santana's shoulder and found her girlfriend's eyes in the mirror. ''Do you not like Blaine or something?''
''It's not that I don't like him, I just think he's a doily.''
Brittany laughed. ''A doily?''
''Yeah.''
''Like those things your grandma makes?''
''Yeah, Blaine's a total doily.''
''And how is that?''
''He's white and boring.''
''Maybe he's just a doily on the surface though,'' Brittany said with a diplomatic tone. ''What if he has much more going on for him underneath.''
''Puh.'' Santana made a scoffy noise.
''Hey now. We can't just not give him a chance. It's like people who only see you as some 'bad girl' type when you're so much more than that. You're sweet and romantic and you have tender gooey insides too. You never know, once we get to know him Blaine could be really cool.''
''I doubt it.''
''How come you sound so sure?''
Santana turned around to find herself comfortably and pleasantly trapped between Brittany and the dresser. She snaked her hands around her neck affectionately. ''I just get a vibe from him that's all. I'm not saying he isn't nice or that he hasn't been good to Kurt...I just...I don't know. My psychic Mexican third eye is trying to tell me something with that one I think.''
''Well not that I don't believe in your psychic Mexican third eye but I think it's only fair that we try to be friends with him before making any conclusions.''
Santana grumbled but relented. ''I guess.''
''So you'll be good?''
''That depends.''
''Oh what?''
Santana squinted and gave Brittany a sly little smirk as she dropped her hands and placed them around the button of Brittany's jeans. ''On if you let me help you into your bikini?''
They spent the next half hour goofing and leisurely making out with each other as they readied themselves. Santana knew they didn't have time to really get up to anything but that wasn't the point of it all. They just wanted to get in a few private kisses and cuddles before they had to go out and entertain. By the time Kurt and Blaine arrived they had already donned their sunglasses and were in the process of applying sunscreen to each other. Brittany had insisted on going first. Santana was laying on a long pool chair face down as Brittany rubbed a generous dollop of some coconutty protectant on her back when Kurt announced their return. He and Blaine walked into the backyard in swimwear.
''Hi guys,'' Blaine greeted them brightly, tipping the trilby hat he was sporting at them with a charming smile.
''We made a little pit stop on the way here,'' Kurt said, motioning down at the bags he placed on a nearby table. ''I needed some new shades and while we were at the store we picked up some snacks.''
''We also couldn't pass these babies up when we saw them.'' Blaine pulled out two plastic packages and held them up in display. He and Kurt had apparently bought a couple of pool floats. One was in the shape of a giant green popsicle and the other an enormous pink flamingo.
''Ah sweet, I call the flamingo!'' Brittany shouted, abandoning Santana and the sunscreen to rush over and claim the floaty she wanted.
Santana shook her head and gave Brittany a playful swat on the butt in passing. ''Woman! You weren't finished!'' she hollered through laughter.
''But I wanna float on a flamingo!'' Brittany playfully pleaded.
Santana's only response was to smile then as she watched Brittany tear open the package and immediately begin to blow the float up with her mouth. Before Brittany could tire herself out huffing and puffing Blaine thankfully stepped in to help her, pulling out an air pump from a bag and doing the honor for her until it was filled to the brim.
Blaine might have been a doily in her eyes but Santana did appreciate his kindness to Brittany whenever the four of them were together. That did feel like it should count for something she thought. And as it turned out Blaine was actually a pretty polite guest. Sometimes he even came off a little too polite for Santana's liking but she really didn't see the point in bitching about it. Kurt and Brittany were having fun and that's all that mattered as the four of them swam and floated and splashed about for the next couple of hours.
All of the heat and the activity did eventually wear them out though and by mid afternoon Kurt and Brittany had taken to snoozing in the poolhouse. Blaine meanwhile had quietly declared he was going to make them all a semi-proper meal. He had commandeered the kitchen in the main house and enlisted her as his assistant as he started pulling out items he'd need in order to cook up some burgers. Of course Santana didn't assist so much as she did watch.
''Do me a favor and shape these patties into discs will you?'' Blaine asked.
Santana leaned against a kitchen counter and smirked at him. ''Yeah I don't know if you've heard but I'm dating Brittany now which means I don't touch meat anymore.''
Blaine smiled and rolled his eyes in that friendly 'oh you' way of his. ''Right. How about getting the fixings together then?''
''Alright that I can help you with.''
Now she usually wasn't very open to taking instruction from others but if he was cooking she figured it was the least she could do. He was her guest and he was going out of his way to do something nice, she could handle chopping up some lettuce and tomatoes. And anyway she figured with Kurt and Brittany napping away in the pool house this could be her chance to get a better feel for who Blaine was and what he was about. Maybe after getting a sense of him she wouldn't think he was such a doily.
She didn't like to think she was wrong very often but if Kurt and Brittany obviously saw something Good in Blaine then maybe getting to know him was really worth a shot.
''Thank you for inviting me over by the way,'' Blaine began as he started getting his hands dirty with preparing the food. ''Kurt's always on about you and Brittany. It feels nice to be a part of it. Especially after prom. That was a very sweet thing you did for Kurt.''
''Yeah well,'' Santana shrugged it off. ''It was nothing. And as for today, Brittany really wanted the four of us to spend more time together.''
''I'm glad.''
''You know you always have an invitation to Drag Race night too. Why don't you ever join us?''
''I suppose I just don't want to intrude.''
''You wouldn't be.'' Santana went to open her fridge and started digging through the compartments marked crisper and vegetables. She tossed a head of lettuce onto the kitchen island as well as a couple of fresh tomatoes and a jar of pickles. She then began a search for an adequately sized knife. ''It's just us watching a TV show and eating a bunch of junk food together with occasional breaks for random dance parties.''
Blaine gave her a scrunchy, smiley face. ''While that sounds like a lot of fun, I have to admit the whole thing seems a little…''
''A little what?''
''A little...well...childish,'' Blaine said softly. ''Drag Race I mean.''
Santana pulled a giant shiney knife from a cutlery drawer. Blaine's eyes flashed with comical alarm. ''Calm down I'm not gonna stab you,'' she laughed. ''Look I'm not offended. If it's not your thing then it's not your thing.''
Blaine chuckled with relief and dusted his hands free of food bits and turned to her fully. ''I'm glad you think that. If I'm being honest, and don't tell Kurt this, I just find Drag Race as a whole to be pedestrian.''
''Oh?'' Santana wanted him to go on. She was aware that Drag Race wasn't for everybody but she liked to think that anyone with a creative or artistic bone in their body would find something valuable or notable about the show or the artform in general.
''There's no one who respects the art of performance as much as me,'' Blaine carried on in his stuffy manner. ''I'm a performance artist, Kurt's a performance artist, you're a performance artist...I don't see what drag queens do as performance art.''
Santana stared at him dumbfounded. What he was saying was so beyond laughable to her. ''Uh what drag queens do is performance art.''
''What drag queens do is entertaining, but I don't particularly consider it an art. Art moves people, art changes lives, art says something about the world.''
''So does drag and Drag Race,'' Santana said. She wasn't going full Snix of course but she did feel the need to defend the show or at the very least the queens. ''Drag queens are like the patron saints of our community.''
''Perhaps,'' Blaine said as if trying to be fair. ''I just see that form of entertainment as being all about self-glorification. The 'hey look at me over here!' mentality you know?''
''Didn't you dance on tables at a Gap store once?''
Blaine laughed and nodded at that. He could at least chuckle at himself which was sort of relieving to her. Blaine may have not been her idea of fun but he seemed to be able to keep up and take her barbs on the chin. ''...okay yes, you do have me there. Listen I know the show means a lot to you and Kurt and that's great but it just isn't my cup of tea. But what I can say is that I'm really glad he has you to share it with. Brittany too.''
Santana accepted that. Sort of.
It didn't really matter to her if he liked Drag Race or not, but it did sort of matter to her if he respected it which to be honest she wasn't sure he did. She didn't know what to make of the smile he gave her then. It was all teeth and cheeks and eyebrows but there was something about it that felt empty.
Santana knew how to keep people at a distance, to show them what they wanted to see, to show them what she wanted them to see, she knew all about how to put on a show. And that's kind of what she always sensed with Blaine, that he was putting on a show. What kind of show, and to what means, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that between her, Kurt and Brittany, she seemed to be the only one who could see it.
Everything about Blaine was a little too perfect, a little too put together, a little too neat. She didn't think anyone was really built that way. Except for that one sloppy moment where he had made out with Berry in front of everyone, Santana had never seen him get messy or silly or act like a normal ass teenager. Everything with him felt like a show, and a really boring one at that.
But because all she had was a gut feeling she couldn't very well say anything or do anything. Not when Blaine clearly meant so much to Kurt. After all she finally understood and felt happiness with Brittany, and knowing and experiencing that kind of emotional intimacy meant the world to her. Kurt deserved to be happy too, especially when they were all trapped in this town for another year. They all needed each other. And if Blaine was enough for Kurt, then that was enough for Santana. At least until she had something more than just a gut feeling to go on.
''What smells so good?'' Brittany asked through a yawn as she walked into the kitchen from the back entrance of the house.
Santana relaxed when she felt Brittany press a peck into one of her dimples. ''Blaine, he's uh cooking for us.''
''Is he now?'' Kurt sang as he entered the room as well and went to his boyfriend.
''Yeah,'' Blaine answered, his voice going up along with his eyebrows. ''Santana was giving me a hand too. I hope you and Brittany feel like burgers.''
''That sounds perfect.'' Brittany started assisting Santana in her chopping. Which, she really hadn't done much of or any at all. Santana had really only gotten as far as stabbing a head of lettuce with a knife and leaving it there. Brittany pulled the sharp utensil out and started getting to work in cutting it up, then after that diving into the tomatoes, every once and awhile feeding Santana a stray scrap.
''Don't I have the most amazing boyfriend?'' Kurt said adoringly as he beamed at Blaine with pride. He looked around then as if to take in the scene. Of Blaine preparing their food, of Brittany slicing away, of Santana pretending she was being helpful by nibbling on a piece of cheese. Kurt wrapped one of his arms around Blaine while the other pulled Santana into an awkward side hug. ''I love this. All of us together.''
''We're like the gay Avengers or the Golden Girls,'' Brittany said.
''Exactly.'' Kurt was bubbling with content at seeing his friends spending time with and embracing his boyfriend. ''We need to do this more often.''
''For sure,'' Brittany agreed.
''Then let's,'' Blaine chirped.
Santana however could only muster a half smile-half wince at the idea. ''Yeah...let's.''
And so it went on like that, the summer after junior year was filled with double dates to the mall, dinner dates at Breadstix and the movies. It was like they were all suddenly attached at the hip. Every time they got together Blaine was always polite and sporting a smile. He was the perfect guest, the perfect host, the perfect dinner companion, the perfect everything it seemed on the surface, but it never felt authentic to Santana. It was hard for her to bite her tongue but she didn't see a reason to piss all over the party when Kurt and Brittany were clearly happy with bringing Blaine into the fold. Brittany enjoyed the opportunity to be out and social with other people and Kurt loved the idea of the four of them being super pals or something.
Something about it all, something about Blaine just made Santana itch.
Blaine Anderson was a perfectly pleasant person but Santana thought it was just a part of a perfect illusion.
As days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months she was no closer to getting a sense of who he really was as a person other than a bow-tied robot. A bow-tied robot who was soon to become the newest member of New Directions seeing as how Kurt had somehow talked Blaine into leaving Warbler Academy or where ever he came from to come to McKinley to join their glee club.
Kurt broke the news to her that Blaine would be attending McKinley their senior year when they were at the mall. It was a rare occasion where they were Blaine free and she wanted to do some quality shopping and bitching with him. Brittany was along for the ride of course but had left them to go pick up a little something for herself a few storefronts down. Kurt and Santana were left to their own devices in their local Hot Topic. It really wasn't a store Santana frequented very often or at all really, however it was the one place she and Kurt had discovered carried tons of Drag Race and drag queen merch and as super fans they both felt they were required to represent.
Drag Race was like gay sports. You had to wear your teams gear and support them.
''So are you excited?'' Kurt asked as he opened up a Manila Luzon t-shirt and held it to his front, modeling it for himself in a nearby mirror.
''For senior year? Absolutely. I'm excited to get it the hell over with. Should I get the official Willam Belli hairbrush or the official Alaska hairbrush?'' Santana asked as she held up both items up for consideration. There was simply too much merch out there to decide on. The life of a Drag Race super fan was hard.
Kurt examined the graphic designs adorning each brush. ''The Willam brush since he's your favorite queen. Besides you're already getting the Alaska 'Your Makeup is Terrible!' makeup bag too so you should get something Willam.''
''True,'' Santana said as she added Willam's piece of merch to her pile of items. She put the Alaska brush back on its peg.
''But anyways back to what I was saying…'' Kurt carried on, wadding up the Manila t-shirt and tossing it in his own pile of merch he planned to buy and moving on to the poster display and clicking through them until he came across one of Jinkx who was posed in a gown and crown with her signature 'water off a duck's back' catchphrase printed clearly across her figure. ''Oh I'm so getting this.''
Santana smiled at his excitement. ''You were saying?''
Kurt pulled out the poster tube and tapped her on the shoulder with it before once again tossing it into his 'yes' pile. ''We have less than a year before we're out of Lima. We really need to figure out a plan.''
''I thought we already figured that out. The plan is New York isn't it? You, me and Brittany.''
''Well that goes without saying but we should probably figure out what we're going to do before we get there which really we should've been preparing for a while ago. I read about this performing arts school there, actually it's THE performing arts school. NYADA.''
''Never heard of it.''
''Well it's number one in the nation, everyone who is the best of the best go there.''
''And you think we should?''
Kurt gave her a hopeful smile. ''I printed out a lot of info about it and I really want you and Brittany to look at it later. I think it's where I need to be and who knows, maybe it isn't for you and her and that's fine, but you should at least look into it. If it's not something that's going to work for you then, well, I can help you find what will.''
Santana blinked. ''You...would...help me?''
''Of course I would. That was the deal we made. We're going to the city together, right? We're all going to need a plan so we all have to make sure the others have what they need to get there. If I have to I probably could manage it on my own but...I don't want to go to New York without you, or her.''
''You know I heard Rachel plans to go there too.'' Santana wandered a few feet away and distracted herself with a display of keychains.
''I know.'' Kurt nodded and found a balled up blue shirt on a shelf. He held it up and let it unfurl only to see that it was a Willam design. It was the famous one with Willam's cartoonized face printed on the front complete with wind-blown hair and hoop earrings. Kurt beamed at it. ''But she's not apart of what we're doing.''
''It would...be okay though you know...if it was. If you decided you wanted to go to New York with her instead of me.''
Kurt dropped the shirt to his side to face her straight on. ''Why do you say that?''
''I dunno.'' Santana let out a puff of air and dumbly began to busy herself with random knick knacks around, unable to look at him. ''I just don't want you to feel like you're stuck with me. I want to go to New York and I want you to go to New York but if you feel like you'd be better off making these kinds of plans with her-''
''I don't want to go to New York with Rachel though,'' he said hurriedly as he went to stand with her, nudging her slightly in encouragement. ''I want to go with you, Santana. I want to take it on with you, and Brittany, and hopefully Blaine later on too. Don't get me wrong if New York is where Rachel wants to be I hope she gets there too...but I didn't make a pact with her. I made it with you and I plan to stand by it. Now, do you think this Willam shirt works with my complexion?''
Santana swallowed her emotions and smiled as she looked up. ''It brings out the blue in your eyes.''
''Sold,'' he said, tossing the article of clothing onto his shoulder.
''I didn't think you were that much of a Willam fan.''
''Willam's pretty fabulous,'' Kurt explained with a lift of a shoulder. ''And honest. And loyal. Like you.''
''You think I'm honest and loyal?''
''Yeah...yeah I do,'' Kurt said warmly before breaking his sincere tone with a snicker. ''You also both were really slutty clothes, so there's that also.''
''Shut up,'' she said, grinning with affection at him. It meant a lot to her to hear him say all of that, that he wanted to take New York on together with her.
Kurt stared at her long and hard in silence for several minutes. ''You know what's funny?''
''What?''
''Your favorite queen and my favorite queen are so, so different. Like their style and senses of humor are so contrasting. Could you imagine Willam and Jinkx doing a song or collab together? What would that even look or sound like?''
''It would look like me and you trying to do a collab or song together.''
Kurt moved closer to give her a sort of side hug as he turned them towards a mirror so they could examine their reflections together. ''The charming, theatrical one with the loudmouth who likes to talk out of her ass.''
Santana hummed as she pondered aloud. ''I wonder if they're friends.''
''Willam and Jinkx?'' Kurt bobbed his head around in thought. ''Considering all of the tours the Ru girls go on together it's not out of the realm of possibility that Jinkx and Willam could be friends.'' He let out a light airy chuckle. ''I'd like to think they are.''
''I'd like to think they are too,'' Santana said to Kurt's reflection.
They took a moment to smile at each other before shaking themselves out of their moment and going back to the task at hand. The task at hand being their search for merch.
''You know I think we got some good stuff here,'' Kurt said as he started sorting his stuff neatly, going through each item he had selected for purchase. ''Although I will say I am grossly disappointed in the lack of Stacy Layne Matthews merch.''
''That red outfit was couture,'' Santana said offhandedly.
Their conversation came to a halt when Brittany pranced into the store and onto the scene with a a shopping bag in hand. She went to Santana and wiggled her brows in greeting at her. ''Hey good lookin'.''
Kurt noticed her bags with interest. ''Find yourself a new outfit, Britt?''
Brittany lifted her bag up to her chest. ''Sorta-kinda.''
Kurt squinted his eyes and gently took Brittany's bag in hand to sneak a peek. He blushed at what he found, handed it back to Brittany and turned to Santana. ''You're a very lucky lady, Santana.''
Santana swallowed at the implication that Brittany had bought a little something special to wear in the bedroom. ''I am,'' she beamed at Brittany.
''What about you guys?'' Brittany slinked in closer towards them, taking stock of everything they had accumulated on the store counter.
''We found a few things,'' Santana answered.
''Just the essentials,'' Kurt elaborated.
Brittany started to poke around. It was definitely more than just the essentials but it couldn't be helped. Santana just loved so many queens and since it wasn't like she had the ability to go to all of their shows she felt it was her duty to at the very least support them by purchasing their official merch.
''Look, it's up to the two of you because it's your own money but…'' Brittany began carefully. ''If we're making plans for New York we should all think about saving up for the move. I know I have. I monetized all of my Fondue for Two episodes so I'm getting a tiny bit of ad money now, plus on the weekends me and Lord Tubbington have been pool hustling and raking it in. I'm not saying you shouldn't treat yourself to a little something, but maybe whittle it down to two or three things instead of twenty.''
''But, I need all of this,'' Santana said dramatically as she gestured to her mountain of merch. ''For my life.''
''Do you?'' Brittany asked with a smirk.
''Uh yeah.''
Brittany then made a show of going through the items one by one. ''You need a new make up bag?''
''It's not just a make up bag, Brittany,'' Santana said in a comically defensive tone. ''It's the official Alaska Thunderfuck make up bag. It says 'your make up is terrible' which is one of her catchphrases!''
''Okay, what about this? Do you really need a Raja iPhone case?''
''Yes.''
''You have an Android!''
''That's besides the point!''
Brittany picked up yet another item. ''And what is this?''
''A Shangela fan,'' Santana answered smartly.
Kurt took it from Brittany's hand and did an elaborate THWORP with it and then began to fan himself in demonstration.
Brittany smiled at her ridiculous girlfriend. ''Babe, I love you and I want you to have everything you want but maybe like, cut it in half?''
Santana exhaled with exaggeration. ''Fine, you're probably right. I could trim the fat. I don't need the phone case and maybe I can settle for two t-shirts instead of ten but I'm getting the Alaska make up bag AND the Willam hairbrush AND the Shangela fan.''
''I could probably do without a few of these things myself,'' Kurt said as he took stock of his own stuff.
Brittany was being the voice of reason and logic. They really did have only so much time to prepare for New York, but what was life without a little joy every now and then. Santana and Kurt ended up walking out of the store with only a handful of items for each of them. While it was a lot less than what they had wanted, they were still pleased about everything they did purchase. While Kurt had thinned out his pile of merch he was sure that one of the items he did walk out with was the Willam shirt which he insisted on changing into before they left to hit up the food court.
He wore the shirt for the rest of the day under his neat blazer. Santana kind of thought he was doing it to make a point to her. As if he was trying to say something by simply sporting the apparel of her favorite queen. It was almost like he wanted Santana to know that she had his support and his friendship and love but knew enough that she wasn't always comfortable with hearing it or accepting it, so he did the next best thing by donning the merch of her favorite queen, the queen she felt the closest to, the queen she felt most connected to. Kurt wore his Willam shirt proudly.
And even though she didn't say, Santana appreciated the gesture and the sentiment behind it.
And so the rest of summer slinked away and before they knew it they were sashaying into senior year. But they were doing so with a new kind of confidence though. New York was the goal. They still had a few obstacles and things to sort out in the meantime but there was something there unspoken between them, they would all do their part to make sure no one was left behind, that everyone had or was working towards some kind of plan.
Come senior year Santana and Kurt were the very first to arrive for the glee club's inaugural meeting and decided to pass the time by Tooting or Booting their fellow glee clubbers as they trickled into the choir room. They were in essence doing their own glee club version of one of their favorite web shows, Fashion Photo Review, hosted by Drag Race alums Raven and Raja.
''...you know I like the studded little glovelets, I really feel like it ties up her look,'' Kurt said as they sat in the back row and examined Tina's outfit from afar as she walked in with a bookbag on her shoulder. ''All together it's a very sort of subtle gothy-rocky ensemble. I sense she's paying homage to lady rockers of the 80's. I get it, I get the reference. Pat Benatar chic. So it's going to be a Toot for me.''
''It's a Boot for me,'' Santana said, unimpressed as she too studied Tina's clothing. ''I get her aesthetic and I respect a good homage but I cannot and will not stand for a chunky shoe. Uh-uh. Boot.''
In walked Rachel wearing some ugly ass patterned one piece with a ridiculous bow on the front. Rachel stood at the front of the room and looked to be having a chat with Artie.
Kurt placed a hand onto Santana's as if to calm her. ''Okay before you say anything hear me out. I'm going to be a little more forgiving. I like to think that Rachel's wardrobe is perhaps inspired by fashions from the 1950's. Very neat, very vintage.''
Santana scrunched up her face. ''Very Jan Brady.''
''Mayhaps.''
''She gets a Boot from me.''
Kurt nodded but tried to remain neutral. ''I think you're too harsh with your Boots.''
''I think you're too generous with your Toots.''
The next glee clubber to skip into the choir room was Brittany.
''She's a Toot,'' Santana declared without much thought.
''You're only giving her a Toot because you're in love with her.''
''Uh excuse you, no I'm not. For your information I'm giving her a Toot because I find her style refreshing. She's wearing a tank top with a kitty cat pirate on it - that's cutting edge fashion right there, Hummel.''
Brittany climbed up the steps to join them in the last row. She smiled at Kurt and greeted Santana by giving her a cute nudge in her side when she took a seat. She joined them just in time as in walked Mr. Schue who was donning one of his trademark sweater vests.
''Boot!'' Santana and Kurt both exclaimed to no one but themselves.
Their first glee club meeting came and went, without Blaine who insisted that he make his grand entrance and and introduce himself to McKinley with a huge musical number in the courtyard. Santana helped him put it together even though she didn't get why he couldn't just show up in the choir room like every other student who wanted into glee. Their new recruits included some potato named Rory, a super mellow Joe and some chick named Sugar Motta who could not for the life of her carry a tune but was somehow entertaining to watch. They weren't exactly the best of singers or performers but Santana thought they all had a bit of humility which is something she hadn't seen much of in Blaine.
Still, with the addition of new members things were looking a little more promising for the glee club. Mr. Schue promised that this year his focus wouldn't stray from their goal. He would get them to nationals and he would help them take it he vowed. Santana just hoped he wouldn't let them down this time around. She, Kurt and Brittany really wanted the title under their belts. It would mean something on their transcripts.
Within the first few days of class they had put their plans in motion. With NYADA in his sights Kurt thought he needed more extracurriculars to make himself stand out. He was intent on nabbing a lead role for Mckinley's musical as well as dipping his toes into political waters by running for student body president. Santana and Brittany had also decided to approach Sue about rejoining Cheerios. The truth of the matter was the squad was nothing without her and Brittany and now Sue knew that. They had several conditions Sue had to agree to before they decided to rejoin. Sue was eager to regain her glory and would do anything to have her former stars return. No cannons, no blackmail, no verbal harassment. They made it known if Sue were to ever backtrack and go back on her word, they would walk just as they had junior year.
Santana was sure that if they could manage two national championship titles to their names they would look more appealing to the schools in New York, especially if they got Sue to put in a good word for them what with her many connections.
They spent many nights and weeks planning and strategizing, organizing and putting things in motion. They had to kick senior year in the ass in the biggest and best way possible. It was going to take them a lot of work, a lot of dedication and a lot of late night slushies to power through it.
Fortunately when Drag Race Season 6 premiered it almost acted as a sort stress relief. One hour of their week where they didn't have to fret about a test score or about nationals or about which school to apply to. One hour a week where they could just sit and relax and goof and enjoy each other's company. When premiere night rolled around they were all in need of a good laugh and a good time.
''Come on Season 6! Let's get sickening!'' Laganja Estranja sang as she made her work room entrance and then proceeded to do a wicked death drop.
''Ten bucks says she's gonna be the annoying one this season,'' Santana waged as she stuffed a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
Kurt and Brittany gave her playful shoves on each side of her as they all occupied the white couch in Kurt's bedroom. They all stopped their munching and muted the TV when a commercial break came on a few moments later.
''I have to say the show is way more exciting when watching it in real time,'' said Brittany. It was the first season she was watching air live on TV instead of binge watching online.
Santana beamed with pride. It was a little bit thrilling getting to experience the new season for the first time along with Brittany. ''Yeah?''
Brittany nodded eagerly and wiggled her form up to sit on the arm of Kurt's couch and angling herself to face them. ''Totally. There's something about meeting the queens and being on the edge of your seat for an entire week to see who goes next, it's like I have butterflies in my stomach and need to barf, but like in a really fun way.''
''Gross,'' Kurt laughed. ''But I get what you mean.''
''Yeah,'' said Santana. ''It's a little nerve wrecking watching the episodes as they air because any one of your favorite could be the one to go.''
Brittany clapped and smiled at both of them in turn. ''Just so you guys know...and just in case I haven't said it before...thank you guys.''
''For what?'' asked Kurt.
''For letting me be a part of this,'' said Brittany. ''I know it's only the first episode of Season 6, but like, I think it's going to be an amazing season. For them and for us. It means a lot that I get to experience it with the two of you.''
Kurt turned his face into a soft smile. ''Aw, Britt.''
Santana however just pulled her tugged down from her seat on the arm and pulled her into her side. She gave Brittany a peck. ''There's no one we'd rather be watching this with, babe,'' Santana said.
''Yeah...there's no one else I'd...rather be watching this with either, Britt.'' Kurt swallowed and sighed. A certain kind of sadness came over his delicate features, slowly erasing the smile from his face.
Santana was too busy hugging on Brittany to notice this in the moment.
Brittany however had a clear and perfect view of Kurt's dejected expression. She hugged Santana back and thought that maybe it was time for her to go have a little one on one with a certain warbler.
X
It was less than a week later and Brittany had taken it upon herself to arrange a friend date with Blaine. She had reasoned to him that they hadn't had very many chances to hang out with each other outside of Santana and Kurt and that it would do them so good to spend quality time together.
Blaine didn't have it in him to say no to her and he certainly never turned down a free coffee at the Lima Bean. So when Brittany offered to treat him to a cup and a scone and suggested they have a day together he was more than happy to join her. He and Brittany might not have been the closest of friends but from all of their double dates they had both sussed out the fact that they had a few things in common. Santana and Kurt could have wicked tongues when they wanted too, Santana more so than Kurt of course, but still, Kurt was known for his dry sometimes snarky remarks. Brittany and Blaine however had felt a commonality in that they were softer, a little more gentle with their words than their partners were.
There was a certain ease there between them Brittany had always felt and as it turned out their friend date was actually pretty enjoyable, especially when they took their coffees to go and decided to get in a little shopping of their own at the mall.
Brittany helped Blaine pick out a new bow tie for himself as well as a snazzy neckerchief he wanted to gift to Kurt. Then it was Brittany's turn to ask for advice. She wanted to get a little something for Santana and while she didn't need a second opinion she sort of wanted one.
''What do you think of this?'' Brittany asked.
They had wandered into a store selling intimates and Brittany had found a short black silk robe. It was sexy but very tasteful.
''It's verrrryyyyy...her,'' said Blaine as he looked over the article. ''It's very Santana.''
''You think?''
''Absolutely. It's dark, alluring and severe.''
''You think that Santana's severe?'' Brittany asked with a smile.
Blaine raised a bushy brow. ''You're telling me she isn't?'' he laughed goodnaturedly. ''I don't mean it negatively of course. She's just a very strong personality, it isn't a bad thing. It took me a little getting used to but I get it now. Surely you had to take some time to figure her out early on, right?''
Brittany lifted a shoulder and ran a hand over the smooth fabric of the robe. ''Not really. We met when we were younger so I guess I got in before she learned how to build her walls up. I dunno, she's never been 'severe' to me though, not really. She definitely likes to play it up like she is but…''
''But what?'' Blaine asked.
''Santana Lopez has the most tender heart of anyone you will ever meet,'' Brittany said warmly.
Blaine smiled at that. ''You must really love her.''
''I do. I know everyone thinks she's a certain way and like I said, she plays into that but there's so much more to who she is. She's gentle and sweet and if people stopped judging her for two seconds they would see that.''
''For what it's worth I can totally tell, she loves you just as much.''
''Yeah well Kurt's pretty crazy about you.''
''Is he?''
''For sure…'' Brittany went to playfully bump into Blaine's shoulder. ''Which is why I think you should totally consider joining us for Drag Race night next week.''
Blaine squinted and shrugged. ''Drag Race huh?''
''I'm not saying you should force yourself to come every week but yeah. You should definitely come hang with us when we watch an episode.''
''Don't misunderstand me,'' Blaine said. ''I think Kurt's obsession with Drag Race is adorable but I just don't personally find the show that intellectually stimulating.''
Brittany stiffened at his wording. ''So you're saying only dumb people watch it?''
''What? Of course not,'' he said, throwing a dazzling and disarming smile her way. ''I'm just not very fond of reality shows in general. I'm sure all the singing and dancing they do on the show is fun to watch but…'' he wrinkled his nose up and shook his head.
Brittany accepted that. ''I get that it might not be your cup of tea but think about what it would mean to Kurt if you showed up every once and awhile. When we get together it isn't just about the show...it's about...I don't know. It's about all of us sharing something. I think it would mean a lot to Kurt if he could share it with you, at least once.''
Blaine nodded and looked like he was actually taking her words to heart.
Brittany reached forward, took the robe off of the display table and brought it to the front counter where a shop girl rang up her purchase and then began to wrap it up carefully in a nice elegant little box for her. Brittany and Blaine stood and waited.
''Other than me, Drag Race is Santana's favorite thing in the entire world,'' Brittany continued to him. ''When I watch it with her...it's like...I can't even describe it. It's like I can feel the excitement vibrating off of her when a new episode is on. Sometimes it's so hard to focus on the show because I'm so busy watching her. Watching her watch the show is like the most beautiful thing in the world to me because I see so much joy in her eyes. I mean...don't you want to experience that with Kurt?
Blaine opened his mouth as if to respond but then nothing came out.
''I'm just saying think about it,'' Brittany encouraged.
''I'll think about it,'' Blaine said with a tiny bow of his head.
''Good.''
Once Brittany's purchase was boxed and bagged up they were off. They linked arms as they exited the shop.
''Now since you and I have a shared love of suspenders,'' Brittany started, ''what do you say we go pick out a little something for ourselves? I saw some really cute ones with ducks on them like three stores down.''
Blaine laughed. ''Sounds like a plan.''
X
A/N: okay so I know I'm barely dipping my toes into RPDR Season 6 but, I kind of want to stretch it out over several chapters along with their senior year. That said, I'm taking my time easing into it. I hope no one's frustrated by that.
I'm also setting some stuff up for klaine. Just a warning: if you're a klaine fan...klaine probably won't get a happy ending in this story. I plan to explore/examine that relationship from Santana's point of view. I think she'll be able to see the red flags before anyone else.
I also still really enjoy the idea that both Kurt and Santana have that one special queen they really relate and identify with personality wise. We've established that for Kurt it's Jinkx and for Santana it's Willam Belli. Those two queens are both immensely talented but they're also very, very different, much like Santana and Kurt. I feel like any time they speak positively about each other's favorite queen, Kurt and Santana are talking in code and saying something about each other too. The way I view it, I think Kurt wearing Willam's famous blue t-shirt was a very coded way of telling her 'I love you and I'm gonna support you no matter what'.
Did anyone connect the dots on the QaF reference? I sort of made a nod to my own Glee/QaF crossover fic where Brittany and Santana land on Liberty Avenue and meet Brian, Justin as well as the rest of the QaF characters.
And one more thing, in this chapter I have Santana name drop Laganja but an amusing thing about that is a few months ago Laganja and Naya were tweeting at each other and it was mega cute and my fangirl heart exploded.