"You know," Rachel says as she rifles through her bag for some lip gloss. "The bump in the relationship road that you and Santana hit has inadvertently paralyzed my own relationship." Brittany swallows her water and chews on her straw in thought. "Not that I'm blaming you for the current status of my relationship with Quinn." She waves her hand while the other shoves the lip gloss back in her purse. Brittany lets the straw slip from her lips and her eyes flicker towards the waitress who passes their table. "Or Santana for that matter." Rachel adds, rolls her eyes and grips the sides of her own water glass. "I guess that I figured after you came back and you guys reconciled, that Quinn and I would fall back into it." She shrugs her shoulders and huffs when she notices Brittany looking longingly at the food on the table next to them. "Brittany, are you even listening to me?"
"Totally." Brittany replies, pulling herself back into the conversation. Rachel flips her hair and sighs, bringing her focus back to her thoughts.
"Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the wonderful quality of being a good friend, but what about me?" She tilts her head to the side and sends her friend pleading eyes.
"You're a pretty good friend, Rach." Brittany assures her with a smile.
"Oh, no. I mean, yes, I know." Rachel shakes her head and adjusts in her seat. "I mean what about my needs as a girlfriend? While Quinn was off playing super friend to Santana in your absence, no offense," Brittany's eyes widen a bit, but she shrugs off the not so subtle dig at her absence. "I had to sit on the sidelines and wait for attention."
"Wait for attention?" Brittany asks, confused by her friend's way with words.
"Exactly!" Rachel slaps her hands to the table, only causing a few odd looks in return and Brittany barely flinches. "Normally I am center of attention, so I'm sure you can only imagine how hard it was for me to step aside and let Santana take up all of my Quinn time."
"It's been, like, a month and a half." Brittany points out, pausing momentarily to check the math in her head.
"Well, one would think that with all of your relationship drama 'fixed' or whatever it is you're calling it," She sighs and waves her hand in the air between them. "Surely Quinn and I should have fallen back into our usual and nice life."
"Is this about sex?" Brittany wonders, but she can tell by Rachel's facial expression that her question is just going to go ignored.
"Do you know I found an application for some summer photography seminar?" Brittany's eyebrows raise and then she smiles when their food finally arrives. She leans back in her chair to let the waitress set her plate in front of her and she practically drools and also hopes that food in Rachel's mouth will tone down her speaking.
They both thank the waitress and Brittany is quick to dive into her sandwich, salivating at the thought of how delicious it is going to taste. Rachel eyes her friend curiously as she picks up her fork finding herself hesitant to start indulging on her lunch just yet.
"Has Quinn ever talked to you about being a photographer?" She slyly asks, as though trying to pry the information from Brittany. While Brittany munches on her lunch, she tilts her head from side to side as she takes in the question. Sure, Quinn has taken her to this studio not so far away where she's watched her develop some photos. But, she doesn't actually remember her friend saying anything along the lines of doing anything with it.
"Umm," Brittany swallows her food and shrugs her shoulders. "I've seen some of work and it's really good." Rachel scoffs at the statement and jabs her fork into her salad.
"It's not work." Rachel bites in a hushed tone and Brittany looks at her curiously and slightly concerned.
"That's a little rude, Rachel." She points out before going in for another bite of her awesome lunch.
"Taking pictures is no way to make a living." Rachel explains, jamming her fork around her plate only moving her food around and not really eating it.
"Says who?" Brittany asks even though her mouth is full.
"Says every struggling artist's parents." She easily answers and finally digs into her salad.
"Isn't that hypothetical of you?" Brittany accuses, letting her sandwich fall to her plate and she wipes her hands on her napkin. Rachel of course sends her an incredulous and perplexed glare. "I mean, aren't you a 'struggling artist'? You're in New York and trying to make it big." She explains and when Rachel tries to defend herself, words fall short and a tiny croak comes out. After a few uncomfortable seconds of silence, Rachel clears her throat and continues to move her fork through her food.
"It's hypocritical," Rachel corrects. "And it's completely different." Brittany jerks her head back for a moment and then leans forward in her chair.
"How is it different?" She challenges, wondering if perhaps Rachel really does have an inside as to why it's different. When Rachel stares at her, mouth searching for words, she studies her own food for a moment before continuing. "I mean, if you're an artist then you make art, right?" Rachel shrugs her shoulders and nods. "Acting and singing is known as an art form. So is dancing." She smiles, realizing she herself is an artist and she's proud of that fact.
"My art is different." Rachel continues to express there's a difference with her craft and Quinn's, but Brittany can't figure out where one begins and one ends. She had always thought art was one thing; beautiful.
"Isn't art subjective?" Brittany says nonchalantly and picks her sandwich back up. "You sit there and say Quinn's art isn't actual art, but who's to say that what you do is art?" She quirks an eyebrow in Rachel's direction before taking a big bite and her question lingers in the air between them along with the sound of her chewing.
Rather than continue this obvious uphill battle of a conversation, Rachel decides to change the topic to something a bit more interesting and less confrontational. Pretty much something that is not win or lose. She inquires about Brittany's new position at the new studio and how it is at a higher level of power. Of course Brittany doesn't consider herself to be in any sort of power, but does mention that appreciates the raise in pay.
Brittany comments on how she and Santana had suggested a summer trip to Disney a while ago, but with everything that's happened the past few months have decided to wait. Of course it sucks to have to put off a romantic and exciting vacation, but they agreed it would feel like a lot of pressure. When Rachel asks what she means by there being 'pressure', Brittany shrugs her shoulders and smiles before explaining that right now they're just enjoying each other.
As the duo are heading out the door of the small café, Brittany's cell phone rings, putting the talking on pause for a moment. She glances over at Rachel because it's Quinn on the other line telling her to pretend its Santana. With a nod and a half roll of her eyes, Brittany slaps on a smile and uses her sweet Santana phone voice to answer Quinn's questions.
"Okay, I'll be there in five." Brittany assures her friend on the other side of the phone line. "Love you." She almost giggles out before ending the call. "I have to meet Santana at some salon, she's having a diva moment." She points towards her phone as if it were Santana. Rachel quirks an eyebrow and curiously eyes her friend before nodding.
"I guess that sounds like her. I remember I went with her to get a pedicure once and, well, let's just say the place now has a cappuccino machine." She shrugs her shoulders and Brittany can't stifle the laugh that pops from her lips. That does sound very much like her girlfriend. But, she remembers, this particular situation is not about Santana, it's about Quinn and she needs to meet with her. "Well, I'll see you later." Rachel waves and checks the time on her phone before turning around leaving Brittany alone to figure out the fastest way to get to the salon Quinn is at.
When she finally picks a direction her attention is brought back to her phone. This time it actually is Santana and she looks both ways before crossing as she answers the call.
"Hey babe." Brittany says, this time not having to force with the pet names.
"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I'm at Kurt's with him and Blaine." Santana explains and her tone is void of any interest in her own whereabouts. "How's lunch?"
"Just finished." Brittany lightly jogs across another street. "Rachel complains a lot." Santana scoffs at how from her girlfriend's voice, sounds like this is something she's only now come to realize.
"Yes, one of the many reasons I am so fond that I no longer share a roof with her." She points out. "What was it this time?" She asks, wondering what it was that Rachel had been gabbing about to make Brittany sound a bit exhausted.
"Well, for starters she blames us for whatever is not going on between her and Quinn." Santana's brow furrows, but she stays silent figuring Brittany is going to continue to explain. "But what got me is that she's not a fan of Quinn getting into photography."
"That's not really up to her." Santana says almost instantly. "Besides, how does it affect her?"
"She doesn't feel that it's a wise career path for Quinn because it isn't a well paying job. Then she said what she does is more art than Quinn taking pictures. So, I told her that art is subjective." Brittany picks up her pace when she spots the very salon she's been looking for.
"My baby is so smart." Santana coos into the phone and Brittany smiles a giggle. "I don't know, I mean, I can understand what Rachel is saying with the whole money thing I guess. But, at the same time, it's totally hypocritical of her considering she herself is a struggling artist."
"That's what I said." Brittany replies with a sturdy nod. "I'm actually going to meet Quinn right now. She said something about an emergency."
"Is everything okay?" Santana asks with concern.
"Well, she's at some salon right now so I'm assuming it's a hair crisis or something." She waves her hand in the air even though Santana can't see her.
"Alright, let me know. I should probably go. The two pretty ponies are staring at me." Santana sighs. "Love you."
"Love you."
When the phone call ends, Brittany looks up to the sign hanging over the small salon that is in the middle of nowhere. She's never been to this one before and has gone with Quinn to get haircuts so she knows this isn't her usual place. Her curiosity gets her legs to move and she cautiously walks through the door and spots Quinn almost instantly. She's sitting in a chair with a towel on her head and a magazine in her lap.
"What's with the 911 call, Q?" Brittany asks when she finally reaches her friend. Quinn drops the magazine and stares nervously up at Brittany. Instead of saying anything back, she pulls the towel from her head to reveal the 'emergency'. Brittany's eyes widen and her eyebrows rise in a comical fashion. "Oh." She presses her lips tightly together, not sure if she is allowed to smile at this or if she is supposed to freak out. "Umm, it's…" She points a finger and wriggles it around in the air towards her friend's head. "Your hair is pink."
"I know." Quinn responds lightening quick. Brittany drops her hand and jams it into her pocket, trying to read Quinn's expression as to how to react.
"It's pink." She repeats.
"I know."
"Like, really pink." Her eyes focus on the newly colored, short locks and tilts her head.
"It was an impulse. I was walking by and I felt like I needed a change or something and I just…" Quinn stammers and runs her fingers through her hair, looking out the corners of her eyes to see the tips of her hair that is no longer blonde.
"It's definitely a change." Brittany bounces on the balls of her feet for a few seconds before venturing a walk around the chair Quinn is sitting in. "Hmm."
"What's that? What's 'hmm' mean?" She blurts out, anxiously turning her head to catch Brittany's facial expression. "Oh my God, Rachel's gonna kill me." She covers her face with both hands and shakes her head. At this statement though, Brittany stops in front of her and jerks her head back.
"It's your hair. Why would Rachel get mad?" Brittany asks in confusion.
"Have you met Rachel?" Quinn sends her friend a glare, not at all masking her own personal horror. "Is it that bad?"
"I like it." She nods and smiles, realizing she actually does dig this new look.
"Do you think she'll notice?"
"Quinn, your hair is pink. I think she'll pick up on it." Brittany chuckles.
"Do you think she'll like it?" Quinn tries not to pay attention to the way Brittany's smile momentarily fades and falls into deep thought in a nanosecond.
"I think she'll get used to it."
"What did I do?" Quinn cries out dramatically and hunches over in her chair so her face is once again in her hands.
"Hey, you did something you wanted to do." Brittany steps up and places a comforting hand on Quinn's back. "Besides, you're twenty two, you're allowed to have pink hair." She pouts because Quinn just keeps her head down and shakes it a few times. She wonders if she's allowed to have pink hair at Nelson's, but instead of voicing that, she figures it's better to keep that to herself for right now.
"Can't we play Sorry my way?" Santana grumbles as she shakes the dice in her hand.
"Oh no." Kurt objects. "Your version of Sorry is you sitting there telling embarrassing stories about whoever is in the room and then saying 'sorry' afterwards."
"Or 'not sorry'." Blaine adds and receives a non threatening glare from Santana.
"Whatever." She huffs and moves her game piece around the board. "I guess this is better than playing 'Guess Who' using only fashion designers of dresses celebrities wear."
"Anyway." Kurt clears his throat and shifts in spot on the floor in front of the coffee table. "Where's Britt-Britt?"
"She's with Quinn." Santana replies, uninterested in the change of topic and stares on as Blaine takes his turn.
"What are they doing?" He presses on, curious as to where his two blonde girls are at.
"Ugh, I don't know. At some salon. I guess Quinn is getting a haircut." She waves the question off hoping it will prevent him from asking more.
"She just got a haircut." Blaine interjects as he moves his game piece and Santana shoots him a glare. For the most part she likes Blaine because he seems to make Kurt happy, but most times the boy grates on her nerves. Before she can spit out some witty response her cell phone buzzes, alerting her of a new picture text from Brittany.
"Holy shit!" Santana yells out and covers her mouth with her hand. Her eyebrows are practically at her hairline and she lets out a strangled chuckle. "Oh my God, this cannot be real life." She shakes her head as her eyes only get wider the longer she stares.
"What?" Kurt gasps, needing to know what all the shrieking is about.
"Rachel is going to murder Quinn." She lets out in a low voice as she turns her phone around to show the boys. Both have the same reaction as Santana and drop whatever it is they are holding to bring their hands to their mouths as they gape at the picture.
"What did she do?" Kurt blurts out.
"I like it." Blaine comments and leans back comfortably in his seat. Santana and Kurt share a look and then stare at Blaine. "What? She looks hot."
"Yeah, okay. I can dig the punk rock look as much as the next girl from the wrong side of the tracks." Santana shifts to her knees on the couch beside him. "But, you do realize Rachel Berry is going to have a fit when she sees this." She makes a point to motion towards her phone which still shows the picture of Quinn with bright pink hair.
"When who sees what?" Rachel asks when she walks through the door and all three of them snap their mouths shut and look back at her like a deer in headlights. "You know Santana, your indoor voice is just like your outside voice. I could hear you shouting from down the hall." She mentions as she places her bags and keys on the side table. Nervously, Santana looks from Blaine to Kurt then back to Rachel.
"What'd you hear?"
"I didn't hear the words, but your voice volume is permanently on high." Rachel flips her hair and heads over to the small group residing in the living room. "I'm beginning to think that it's not the walls that are thin in every place I have ever shared with you."
Luckily, instead of sharing with Rachel what she had been apparently shouting about, Santana is able to change the subject onto Rachel and her own loud voice. The threesome manage to steer the conversation from the word 'pink' and Quinn in the same sentence fearing to get the brunt of Rachel's reaction. Santana makes sure to send Brittany a quick text to let her know when Quinn is heading home so she can be out of the apartment before the bomb known as Berry blows.
Santana gets home from work and does the usual little kick dance to get her shoes off and under the table by the wall. She tosses her keys by the bowl, completely missing the intended target. Her ears perk up when she hears the clicking and clacking of shoes against the hardwood floors of their apartment. A small smile graces her lips when Brittany emerges from the hallway and into the living room where she currently is. Her eyes graze over Brittany's body and the cute, little, light blue dress she has on.
"You look nice." Santana comments with a nod, tugging at the bottom of her work shirt that contains the stench of Nelson's grill.
"Thanks." Brittany grins bashfully and looks down at the front of her dress where she watches her hands smooth out non-existent wrinkles.
"I take it you're goin' out tonight?" Santana asks and moves to brush by Brittany, destination the kitchen. She shakes her head at herself when she realizes she'd been gawking at her girlfriend, though she's sure Brittany doesn't mind. Brittany turns around in her spot and watches her grab the handle to the fridge.
"Uh," She clears her throat and takes a few steps in Santana's direction. "Actually, I was kind of wondering, if you're not busy of course," Santana eyes her carefully; an uncertain smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. "If you wanted to go out tonight." She finally spits out and Santana's smile turns into a full one. "On a date." Brittany clarifies.
"Oh." Santana breathes out, less in surprise and more in relief. "I…" The smell of dirty grills and spilled alcohol enter her senses and she looks down at her still dirty uniform. "I really need to shower." She explains with a sad face and Brittany just giggles.
"I know." Brittany walks over to the kitchen until she's leaning in the doorway. "I made reservations for seven so, take your time getting ready." She winks before turning back around and heading down the hallway.
"Where'd you make reservations at?" Santana asks when she reaches their bedroom and finds Brittany sitting in front of the vanity. Brittany smiles and looks to Santana's reflection in the mirror. "I know, I know. It's a surprise." She laughs and waves her hands as though to erase her questions.
A little over an hour and Santana is ready to go. With one last glance in the mirror and a smack of her lips, she makes her way into the living room to find Brittany waiting for her by the door. They smile at one another as Brittany offers her arm and Santana grabs her keys before accepting the sweet gesture.
It only takes them five minutes to get a taxi down on the corner from their apartment and after Brittany tells the driver a random address, they are on their way. They speak softly and sweetly about their day and how they really like Quinn's new hair color on the ride. Santana thanks Brittany for putting this little date together because she really needs it.
"I guess it has kind of been a while since we did this." Santana comments and laces her fingers through Brittany's.
"We used to do it more." Brittany points out and Santana nods, letting her eyes fall to their clasped hands. "You'd think we would have went on our second first date two months ago." She smirks.
"Yeah, I guess we really have been taking things really slow." Santana chuckles and shakes her head. The double meaning behind her words painfully obvious to the both of them and they each turn their heads towards the nearest window.
"Here we are." Brittany breaks the short silence when the taxi pulls up to the curb. Santana looks over and sees a sign for By-And-By and her eyes widen.
"Britt." She breathes out with a shake of her head. "Baby, this place is really expensive." She reminds her, but Brittany just smiles at her as she hands the cab fare to the driver.
"Keep the change." Brittany tells the guy and taps her girlfriend's thigh as she shuffles the both of them towards the door. It's hard for her eyes not to focus directly on Santana's ass when she steps out of the cab, not that she tries to look at anything else though. "My mom said that she and my dad came here last time they visited us." She says after closing the door and steps up to the sidewalk and grabs Santana's hand. "She said it was very romantic." They smile sweetly at one another while Brittany leads them towards the restaurants doors. "Come on."
Brittany keeps her close when they reach the front desk, where they are greeted with a warm 'good evening'. Santana's too busy looking around at how fancy the place is to realize her legs are even moving, luckily Brittany guides her safely to their table. When the hostess announces their table to them, Santana finds they have been brought to a built for two circular booth. It's off in the far corner of the restaurant with a perfect view of the fireplace.
Four years of living in New York City with her girlfriend, Santana has seen her share of nice restaurants. But this place definitely surpasses all of the other places either one of them has brought the other to. By-And-By reminds her of Brittany in a way. It's simple yet elegant. As she takes her seat across from Brittany, she's only reminded of how beautiful she is. Of course, Santana has always thought Brittany was one of the most beautiful people she has ever laid eyes on. But, sometimes, it's nice to be reminded and wowed all over again.
"You're mom was right." Santana says after picking up her menu. Her eyes flicker to Brittany over her menu, an attempt to hide her bashful smile. "This is romantic." Brittany grins proudly and blinks her eyes as she bows her head shyly in agreement.
"It's got this old school feel." Brittany comments while she glances around the dining room and the fireplace with a small fire already going. "It's a classy joint." Santana chuckles with a shake of her head and brings her focus down to the menu.
"Brittany," Santana sighs, lowering the menu and sends her girlfriend a troubled look. "A bottle of wine is thirty five dollars."
"Must be delicious." She replies with intrigue and turns to the wine list on the first page. But Brittany can see out of the corner of her eye Santana's shoulder lower and her head tilt. She can't help but smile over her menu and playfully rolls her eyes. "Santana, we can splurge every now and then for a good bottle of wine."
"That seven dollar pinot noir Lex brought over last week was more than adequate." Santana points out. Brittany softly shakes her head from side to side, unable to not grin widely at her girl. "Okay, okay fine."
"Red?" Brittany asks when she notices the waiter heading their way and Santana nods with a smile.
After their thirty five dollar bottle of pinot noir arrives, they place their orders and are soon left to their own devices. They clink their glasses, toasting to a lovely evening and Santana mutters something about how expensive wine tastes the same as wine from a box.
Conversation is slow and sweet over candle and firelight. It's nice to stop for a moment and take time to talk to one another. Living in New York has trained the both of them to move fast, think fast and talk fast. Once in a while a break from all the speed is appreciated. Santana sips her wine while Brittany tells her about the studio, how it's coming up and how she has spearheaded a few new original classes not offered at the older studio.
When their appetizer soups arrive, Santana goes on to share her ideas on what she wants to do with her degree. The plan had been for her to apply to law school and get her law degree. But at this point, she's feeling a bit uncertain if that is the path she wants to take. Though she feels passionate about what she's studying, she just wants to make sure she picks something she will want to do for a long time. Brittany assures her that even if it turns out that law is not the road for her, its okay. She explains that it's okay to be unsure and that she wants Santana to be happy and if it means another career path then so be it.
It's comforting for Santana to know that regardless of where she ends up or what she winds up doing, Brittany is going to be by her side. For a moment, she wonders if the same is true for their best friends, Rachel and Quinn. She knows that Rachel is having a hard time dealing with Quinn and the whole photography plan she's been cooking these past few years, but she's really been wondering about it since Brittany's lunch date with Rachel the other day. But rather than go into that whole other sordid mess, she pushes that to the back of her mind because she is out on a date with her girlfriend.
"Thank you." Brittany says as she leans back in her seat so that the waiter can place her plate in front of her.
"Thanks." Santana repeats and does the same and they both eye up their dishes. "This looks delicious." She comments when their alone again. Brittany nods, her eyes flicker from both plates of yummy looking food. "Uh, what were you gonna say?"
"Oh." Brittany picks up her fork and clears her throat before looking back up at Santana. "I was thinking the other day about our Disney fund." Santana smirks and takes a bite of her food, letting a small hum of approval come out. "We've both been adding to it here and there." Santana nods and Brittany knows she has her full attention. "As much as I love watching our money grow," She chuckles and moves her food around with her fork. "I think it's not really safe to have over a thousand dollars just sitting in our apartment." She explains and receives a curious stare from Santana.
"Okay." Santana drawls out and rests her arm on the table so she can lean a bit forward.
"I thought it would make sense if we put the money into a checking account." She says and Santana falls from her curious stupor and nods in understanding.
"Oh, okay." Santana relaxes her shoulders. "Well, you can put it in your bank account if you want. It does kind of make sense, that's a lot of money to have lying around." She looks down at her plate to pick out her next forkful but glances back up when Brittany slowly reaches her hand across the table to take hers. "What?"
"I meant do you wanna open a checking account with me?" Brittany asks through a sweet and nervous smile. "Ya know, checks with both of our names on it. It'd be our money." She shrugs her shoulders and gently squeezes Santana's hand in hers.
"Oh." Santana breathes out and her eyes shift from Brittany's to their hands. "That's…"
"Not what you were expecting?" Brittany chances and Santana sighs out a giggle.
"Well, no." She shakes her head, realizing she is pulling them from the topic. "That's a big step." She explains. Brittany nods and rubs her thumb affectionately on the back of Santana's hand. "Not that it's a bad step, I mean… hello engagement ring." Santana whispers the last part between them, rolls her eyes and practically deflates into herself because the biggest step is sitting back in their apartment in Brittany's bed side drawer. She takes a deep breath, smiles and brings her focus back to her girlfriend's face. "Can I start that over?" Brittany laughs.
"Can I explain more?" She asks and reaches for the bottle of wine to fill both of their glasses. "I want to open an account with you because somewhere down the road we're gonna be buying important things together. I think we should still have our own accounts, but I want the savings for our future to be together?" She sets the bottle back down to the table and brings her hand to cover their clasped ones. "So, what do ya think?"
"I think I should have said 'yes' five minutes ago." Santana grins and tugs at Brittany's hands bringing them to her lips to place a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Sometimes I feel like you're so much more mature than I am." She comments before picking up her fork once again and getting back to her dinner.
"That's because I am." Brittany laughs and follows suit, taking a quick bite of her food.
"Yeah, yeah." Santana waves her off. "Shush and eat your forty dollar dinner."
The couple decides to skip on dessert, agreeing that they can always have some of the chocolate ice cream that's in the freezer at home. Santana explains that she's all for splurging, but a twenty eight dollar lava cake the size of a hockey puck is pushing it. As expected, Brittany tells her to bite her tongue and that there is no price she wouldn't pay for some sugary treats. Before Santana can take a peek at the check, Brittany hands her card over to the waiter and smiles at her gaping girlfriend.
"It's such a nice night." Brittany muses when they step out onto the city sidewalk. Santana looks up at the sky, which is the clearest it has been in a long time. The stars are twinkling and the moon is almost full. She smiles at the sight and turns towards Brittany to find her enjoying the same scene.
"You're beautiful." Santana says softly and Brittany's eyes fall to her instantly.
"Well," She steps closer to Santana and brings her hands up to her shoulders. "If I'm beautiful, it's because being with you makes me so." They smile coyly at one another, Santana's fingers slowly wrap loosely around her girlfriend's wrist.
"I know this is gonna sound so corny, plus I just caught 'It's a Wonderful Life' on TV the other day." Santana scrunches her nose when Brittany laughs.
"In July?" They smirk and Santana playfully rolls her eyes. "I'm sorry. You were saying…"
"Corny as it may be, Brittany Pierce," She starts, using her best 1940's movie starlet voice. "You make me feel like the richest woman in the world."
"Aww, my sweetheart." Brittany whispers in the same accent and leans in to press her lips softly against Santana's.
They stand there kissing outside on the corner of By-And-By rather than grabbing a taxi right away. Santana's hands move to Brittany's neck and her thumbs massage at her hairline. Brittany's hands move from Santana's shoulders to her hips, fingers bunching the material of her dress. The kisses are innocent enough; until they're not. When Brittany's tongue swipes across her lips, Santana giggles and pulls back.
"How 'bout we head home." She suggests, letting her hands slide down Brittany's arms until they find other hands to hold on to.
Brittany agrees even though she'd much rather continue kissing Santana under the moonlight. But, the swirling sensation in her gut tells her that going home is most definitely a good idea. The way Santana's eyes glistened when she said they should go home is what makes her body move. The cab ride isn't so long and soon enough they are in the elevator, Brittany's hand holding their clasped ones tightly. Her fingers brush and caress Santana's skin, letting them slide up and down her arm enjoying the way goose bumps rise under her touch.
Once inside their apartment, keys tossed and shoes off, Brittany comes up behind Santana and wraps her arms around her stomach. She presses her mouth to her neck and breathes out heavily against her skin. She whispers how much she misses her and places a wet kiss just below her earlobe. Santana shudders and sets her hands over Brittany's while her back arches into the body behind her. She tilts her head, giving Brittany more and better access to all her hot spots and lets out shaky breathes.
"Turn around." Brittany whines and pushes her hands into Santana's hips to turn her around to face her. When they are face to face, Santana wastes no time leaning up and putting her lips to Brittany's.
They both gasp at contact. It's a different kiss from the one outside of By-And-By. It's filled with a different kind of want and need, but a want and need that is so familiar. Hands move through hair, down arms and tug at dresses. Santana stumbles back when Brittany presses forward, but she goes with the motions and lets her girlfriend take the lead.
Soon enough, the couple find themselves on the couch with Santana straddling Brittany. A shiver runs through her body when Brittany reaches around her to unzip her dress and pulls the straps down her arms. She shuffles on her knees to bring herself as close as possible.
Brittany wraps her arms around Santana's waist and pulls her even closer. Santana's hand comes to rest at her girlfriend's cheeks and moves her fingers to chin to neck then back to cheek. With some sloppy, misplaced kisses to her neck, Santana feels Brittany breathing hard into her skin and it sends a course of emotions and arousal through her.
"Wait, Britt." Santana breathes out when she feels Brittany's hand moving up her leg under her dress. When she pulls back, Brittany is staring back at her in an aware daze. "I haven't…" She motions her hands south and her eyes flicker between their bodies. "I haven't shaved or waxed." She admits in a quiet voice. "I mean it's not, like, chaotic down there or anything. But, it's…" She chuckles and shrugs her shoulders. "I wasn't really prepared for this." Brittany half smiles and dips her head to find Santana's eyes. Her hands squeeze the small waist in her grasp and her smile grows.
"I wasn't either." Brittany admits shyly, letting her hands travel tightly around Santana's lower back. "But, I want to." She says sincerely and Santana lets a soft smile come to her lips easily and tilts her head. "Santana, that's… I don't care. It doesn't stop me from wanting to make love to you."
"I know, I guess…" Santana twists her lips. "Like, I make it nice for you down there, 'cause it's special."
"Mhmm, it's your special place." Brittany coos with a wink and they both laugh.
"Do you know what I mean though?" Brittany nods. "I just… ugh, I don't know." Santana groans and lowers her body until she is sitting in Brittany's lap.
"Babe," Brittany runs her fingers through Santana's hair and looks deep into her eyes. "I think after you have sex with someone on their period, there's nothing else to really get self conscious about." She smirks when Santana finally cracks a smile and they both let out an airy giggle. They sit there in silence for a few moments, waiting for Santana to respond.
"Did I just ruin this?" She asks, feeling deflated that the first time they were going to have sex after months has just been shattered by her feeling slightly insecure. It is silly and Brittany is right, there really are no barriers like a little bit of hair for them when it comes to being intimate.
"I want to." Brittany admits and receives a bright smile in return. "But, if you…"
"No. I want to, too." Santana assures her and lifts her hand up so her fingers get lost in blonde hair.
"So," Brittany arches an eyebrow and licks her lips. "Kiss me."