It's the first time you get to leave the hospital before it closes. You talk to Mrs. Reed on your way out and she agrees to get everything set, so your professor won't be mad (just because of it, he'll be mad for anything else if you're evolved) and you'll be able to pick Brittany up in time for whatever she planned after.

You text her when you arrive at the building and she gives you the number of the room and asks you to get in. The dance building is a mystery for you and you find yourself lost at the second hallway.

"She's practicing with Chang again", you hear a voice saying in a secretive tone. "It's the third time this week, what is she doing?"

"You know Brittany", there's an answer, and you freeze in place when you hear the reference. "I mean, you don't, and that's the point. No one knows her."

"Oh, c'mon, I bet you know what's going on", the other girl pushes, and you're so uncomfortable you can't move. "I saw you guys talking more than once. Spill it out, are they a thing or what?"

Holy crap, you want to beat the shit out of her. Her tone makes you want to throw up, like she thinks it's a nasty idea or something.

"Mike has a girlfriend, I'm sure you remember her from that party at your place", the other girl's tone is cold and you find yourself relieved she's not into the conversation.

"What about Pierce? I never saw her around with anyone. Hell, I never saw her at a party, actually. Don't you think it's weird?"

"I wouldn't know, Lindsay! Maybe she's not into parties or something. What's with that fixation?" She sounds angry now, like someone's cornering her. It's awkward. "Brittany is nice, she gets along with people and everybody likes her, but she's not exactly an open book. Like I said, no one knows her. Who knows, maybe she has a boyfriend out of town or something. It's none of our business."

"I still think it's weird. She never talks. What is she hiding?"

"If you're craving the information that bad, why don't you ask her? I'm sure she won't be rude or anything."

"As if."

If they continue talking, you don't pay attention, 'cause you keep walking to the room you're supposed to be going to. You are clenching your fists so hard they're starting to hurt. You stop right in front of the door and take a deep breath. There's no need for that right now. Absolutely not. You knock.

"I'm sorry, we know it's late, we were just leaving, promise", you remember Mike from the concert that one time, but he doesn't remember you at all, it seems. You spot Brittany stretching on the back, with a sports bra and some yoga pants. You zone out for several seconds until you realize Mike is still staring at you. You clear your throat, and try to hide the blush on your cheeks.

"It's fine, I'm here for Brittany", you say, stepping inside unsurely. Mike closes the door behind you and you don't say that's a great thing because there are two annoying girls spying, because you think he knows.

Brittany finishes stretching and looks at you, sharing that warm smile that's just yours and you love it. You give her your secret lopsided smile and a wink, just to watch her blush like she always does.

"Mike", she calls, getting up and grabbing a hoodie. "This is Santana."

You grab his hand awkwardly when he offers, and you wonder how much he knows about you and Britt. The funny part is that you don't care at all.

"Well, finally", he says, answering your question. "Brittany's been talking nonstop about you lately."

"All good things, I hope", you say politely, sharing a look with your girlfriend. "It's nice to meet you", you finish with a smile.

He looks at Brittany before answering. "So charming", he says to her.

"Told ya", Britt answers with a shrug.

"Hm, Britt, can you deliver the room's key at the reception? Tina might kill me if we lose the reservations again and I'm already late."

The way he looks from you to her says he's not late at all.

"No problem", Brittany takes the keys and stands beside you, her hand touching yours softly enough to make you look. You look at Mike, as if deciding if he's good enough or not, and take her hand firmly.

"See you tomorrow, Britt. Nice to finally meet you, Santana", he stops by the door, pondering something. "We should go on a double date someday."

And if you were wondering about how much he knows, that pretty much answers the question.

"So, can I ask you why you're still at a classroom at like, almost 10 PM?" Brittany is just lying at the middle of the woody floor of the classroom, eyes closed. "Are you even listening?"

"Yea", she doesn't move. "Lay down here, too."

You hesitate. You walk closer to where she is, with her arms on the back of her head, looking at the ceiling now. She seems to understand why you hesitated, because she laughs like she thinks you're silly.

"The door is locked, Santana", there's a hint of amusement at her tone. "And it's not like that. I want to talk."

"Am I in trouble?" You joke, sitting down beside her. She rests her head on your tights and you play with her hair. You have this thing with being closer to her when you can, like you have to compensate the time you're not alone and you can't touch her so much. Brittany must feel it too, because she takes your free hand and plays with your fingers like it's the first time she sees them.

"Of course not", she kisses your knuckles. "Are you okay?"

"Yea, I guess", you switch positions, so you can lie on the floor too. Brittany settles with her head on your shoulder. It's incredibly distracting, because her stomach is bare and her hip keep touching yours. "Are you? You look nervous."

She laughs lightly. "You make me nervous", you just quirk an eyebrow, not knowing if she's serious or not. "I wanted to tell you something, that's why we're on the floor, actually."

"I'm not following, Britt."

"I'm not very smart", she starts, and you want to say that's not true, because she's the brightest person you've ever met, but she stops you with a peck. "Don't. I'm really not. When I was a kid, I was picked on all the time, because I used to ask and say things people couldn't understand. Everybody thought I had some kind of problem, except my dad. He used to say my brain had super speed and people were just not fast enough."

You look at her, mesmerized. There's this warm thing on your chest making you feel important somehow, because she never talks about herself in any way and you don't know exactly what has changed.

"Eventually I was so sad I couldn't talk anymore. I was like, the quietest 12 years old kid ever", you look at her and she's still looking at the ceiling, lost in memories. You tight your grip around her for her to notice you're listening. "My mother didn't even try to figure what was wrong. I don't even know if she noticed. One night, my father came back earlier from work and I was still up. He tried to talk to me, but I didn't answer, of course. He asked what was wrong, and my mom told him. I thought he was going to be mad."

"Did he?"

"No. He picked me up, took me to my room and we laid on the floor, like this", her voice is getting even lower; you come closer to hear her.

'Britt, do you remember when you found that baby duck on our backyard and you took care of him?'

I said I remembered.

'When he got better, you wanted to keep him away from everybody, because people could hurt him again. What did I say to you?'

'I don't remember…'

'I said you couldn't hide the baby duck away from his family, it's where he belonged and they'd take care of him and make him happy in a way he couldn't be here. You know, Britt, you can't just do that when you have a problem, you have to face it.'

'But I'm not hiding anywhere.'

'You are, baby girl. Inside. It's like you're a little safe and you locked up with the key inside. Do you understand what I'm saying?'

'Not really.'

'Your mom said you're not talking for days.'

'Every time I open my mouth, something stupid comes out. Everybody laughs.'

I remember his face when I said that. His mouth was opening and closing like he was a fish. He couldn't blame me for not wanting to talk, I had a good reason.

'Let me explain you something. Some people are really mean. You know that already. But you can't think everybody's the same. More than that, you can't hide away from the world. There are people out there, people who would love to hear you talk, answer your questions. People who would never laugh or make fun of you. You have to give them an opportunity to show you they're good.'

'How will I know if can believe them?'

'I'll tell you how. Lay on the floor with them, and tell them a story. Something meaningful for you, but not a secret. Good people will understand and feel grateful for that little piece of you that you're sharing with them.'

'What if they're bad people? What if I'm wrong and they let me down?'

'Then you're already on the floor, you just have to get up and start over.'"

You are speechless. She's looking at you and you can see she's scared of what you might think, and you want more than anything to tell her she doesn't need to be. It's like something inside of you is breaking and growing again, twice as big and a million times stronger. You keep waiting for some explanation, speech, or anything like that, but Brittany remains silent, her hand around your shoulder and another across your stomach. She lowers her head slightly to put her ear on your chest.

She knows your heart is beating crazy fast for more than one reason.

"It's like stray cats, sometimes", she wonders. "You can feed them, but you'll never know if they'll stick around. You can lose the food you gave and never see the cat again, or you can have a new friend for the rest of your life", she sighs and shakes her head in that way she always does when she's trying not to speak about something. "But no matter what happens, you'll lose the food."

You don't know what to say. Brittany seems to be on the edge with something, like she's making a risky bet. The pieces are messed on your mind, and you're trying not to think about what you've just heard on the hallway.

'She never talks'

But she's talking. She's telling you a family story. Suddenly it feels like a really tough question she wants you to figure out. And she's giving you hints.

She wants you to know her. In a way people don't.

"Oh my God", you say under your breath when you realize how amazing this is and how it makes you feel good in a way you've never felt. You think about all the times people said you don't deserve to be where you are or to do what you do. She's giving you a chance. She thinks you deserve this chance. She believes in you. It's too much. "Britt-", you can't barely speak with a knot on your throat.

She smiles a different smile this time. It says 'you got it'. She kisses just below your ear, letting it linger. "Do you want to leave?"

You run your fingers through her hair slowly. "Only if you want to."

"We kinda have to", she lifts her head just enough to meet your eyes. "I still have to take you on a date as I promised."

You blink twice. "That's not the date you planned?" 'But you just gave me everything.'

She gets off you and offers you a hand to stand up. You take her hand and she spins you gracefully, like she's leading a dance. You let her, trying to follow as you can.

"It's the start of it", she winks at you and guides you to the parking lot.

Britt gives you directions until you stop at her place, giving her a confused look. She doesn't say anything and you don't ask, following her around as you take the elevator. Her hand is shaking and she seems nervous in a way you haven't seen yet. It's good nerves, you think.

"Do you need to change before we-", the question dies halfway because she just took her hoodie off and you forgot what you were going to say.

"Do you want a beer? I just need to take a shower and then I'll cook us some dinner", she says, oblivious to your drooling and breathing problem.

"N-no problem", you manage to say, taking the beer she puts in your hand with a dumb nod. "We'll just stay here, then?"

"Is that okay?" She scrunches her nose adorably and pokes your nose playfully. "I wanted to do something special. Plus, people", she adds, in a shy tone.

"We have to stop worrying about people, Britt", you surprise yourself by saying that. "I mean, we're going slow, not hiding."

Her smile is as warm as her body when she evolves you in a hug. "I know", she kisses you lightly. "Tonight is not about people. But it's good to know we're on the same page", she kisses you again, longer this time. "I'll be right back. Make yourself comfortable."

It's normal to feel a little uneasy, isn't it? Except you're not. You're not even nervous this time. Her sofa is really comfortable; the place has something that makes you feel cozy, like you've been visiting for years. The thought makes you smile and you know that's something you're looking forward to do.

Or maybe something else, but thinking about that is still scary for you.

You walk around because patience is not your best virtue. Britt's not crazy OCD organized, but she's not messy either. There wouldn't be fights because her clothes are everywhere and you-

Shit. Your thoughts.

You stop yourself just in time to spot a family photo. Brittany looks like her mom, but her eyes are just as blue as her father's. You look closely at the five Pierces at the photo, noticing a little girl Brittany hasn't mentioned. She looked like a mini Britt on her father's shoulder. Brittany stood right beside her father, hugging him and pressing her cheek on his shoulder, her smile lighting the whole picture. Her mother and brother stood awkwardly at the opposite side, Matt with sunglasses and an unreadable expression and Mrs. Pierce with a small smile, looking at her youngest daughter.

"Are you asleep already?" Britt's voice says in the hallway.

"More like starving to death", you call back with a fake sigh.

"Oh, then it's fine", she jokes easily, taking your hand and taking you to the kitchen, stopping by the freezer to get you another beer and one for herself. "Hope you don't mind, I can't follow recipes."

"That's not… Pre-requirement for cooking or something?"

"It is, I think. But I really can't follow written instructions, it's confusing, everything gets messed when I try to read, especially when I'm nervous and-", she stops shortly and shakes her head, grabbing a couple of ingredients. "But I can memorize movements just fine. I used to watch my dad while he cooked on the weekends, and I learned some recipes because I remembered the things he did."

"You're all kinds of brilliant, Britt", you hug her from behind and give her a kiss on the curve of her neck. She shivers.

"I'm pretty sure you said that already", she tilts her head to give you more room.

"And I'll keep saying", you continue with your kiss assault, punctuating every word with a kiss or a little bite. "Until you believe it."

"I don't want to be rude", her breathing is a little unstable. "But it's hard to focus", you lift her shirt just a little so you can touch her abs. "When you", you put her hair to the side and keep assaulting her neck shamelessly. "Keep making out", you bite her earlobe and you swear you hear her cursing under her breath. "With my neck."

"I meant when I said I was starving", you husk on her ear.

"Santana."

You put your hands up in defeat and let her go. "Okay, geez, Britt", you're pouting. "No kitchen fantasies then?"

She turns to look at you, amused. "Oh, are we having fantasies now?"

You shrug. "It keeps coming up. Can't help it", she slaps your shoulder lightly. "Okay, what's gonna be, you gorgeous chef?"

"How do you feel about some Italian? There's the legendary Pierce-Alfredo Sauce recipe, goes just fine with noodles."

"Sounds perfect."

"Okay, you can seriously cook", you say after your third plate.

"C'mon."

"Hm, I mean it", you grab a napkin. "I'll just keep you in my basement and you'll cook for me forever."

She tilts her head. "Is that another kitchen fantasy?"

"Maybe."

The night goes like a blur. You feel some sort of happiness you've never felt and it makes you numb and hyper aware in a weird way. Brittany's apartment is familiar and warm and you feel like you'll do those casual things – cooking, doing the dishes together and cuddling on the sofa – for a very long time. You feel like… Setting down.

"Do you want to talk about what happened last week?" She said out of nowhere, apparently.

You look up to meet her eyes. "What happened last week?"

"You know. The awkward we-were-almost-having-sex-then-we-stopped thing", she deadpans, making you blush. Sex never made you blush before.

Well, meaningless sex never did. This is different.

"Oh my God, Britt", you look down, embarrassed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Will it be like, super weird and we won't be able to look each other in the eye for a really long time?" She studies you for a moment, reading your expression.

You know why you're nervous. There's this urge to make everything in the right way, in the perfect way, because it'll be so meaningful for you – for both of you, actually – for so many reasons (you can't explain half of them, but you know they exist)… You can't mess this up. You just can't. It's like having the chance of doing everything you did wrong again, getting it right this time. And you don't even know why you're feeling like this.

"Let me tell you something, Santana", Brittany starts, pulling you up so you can sit between her legs and look at her. "You know I like you, right? Like… I really like you", you nod. "You mean something to me. And every little thing we do together means something as well, because I'm doing it with you. Do you understand?" You nod again. You can't do anything else, you feel like she's hypnotizing you. "So, I want you to feel just the way I do, you know? That's why I'm totally fine with waiting. And it's not just about sex, it's about everything. I'll wait for you because I want everything to be special for both of us, at the same time. And if you don't want to do something, then we won't do it. I won't be mad, I'd never be mad with you. That's… Not even possible, I think. It's like, fighting a baby panda. You just don't, it's wrong. And I'm rambling, I'll stop now."

She looks down at the end, and you notice her ears turning into a deep shade of red. You lift her chin and it's right there, the things she's not saying. You want her to know how amazing she really is, how much you care, how you're about to turn your own life upside down because of her, and how you thought you'd never had guts to do it, but now you want to. You need to. And you will.

Suddenly you know what has changed.

"You're silly, Britt", you kiss her, hard. "How can you even think I'd say no to you?" She reaches for your cheek, caressing it with her thumb. Are you crying? "You told me a story on the floor, I mean, damn", you smile and kiss her again, feeling like a wall inside you just came down. "I'll take… I'll take every chance you give me. I want to hear all your stories. All your questions. Everything about you. Just… Damn, Britt, how can you-"

You stop when your eyes meet. It's that moment in the movies again, and you want to laugh and cry at the same time because it's so cheesy and cliché, but so damn overwhelming at the same time. Her hand is still on your cheek, and you cover it with yours just like the first time you kissed.

"It's happening, isn't it?" You whisper, resting your foreheads together.

"It is", she nods.

"There's so much I don't-", you stop shortly, unsure. You want to say there are so many things you don't know about her, and so many things you have to tell her. You want to freak out because it's been just a couple of months and things happening this fast wasn't the plan at all, but hell, can you plan stuff like that anyway?

"We'll be fine", she assures you with a nod, the sound of her voice melting in your ears. "If you want to, we will."

You don't think there's something you want more than that.

When she finally kisses you, you half expect the fireworks people always talk about, but then you remember that it has happened before. The fireworks are there since the first time, you just couldn't hear it because your head was buzzing so much with confusion and fear. The sensation is totally different, even though you've kissed many times before, this is… It. She holds your face like she's trying to memorize every inch, her lips caressing yours are not in a rush and not slow either, and when your tongue meet hers with practiced rhythm you don't know what you're going to do with all the things you're feeling. There's no rush, or any kind of urge to take clothes off; there's barely no lust at all. Britt just keeps pulling you closer and closer, and it's attacking all your senses at once. Like she's everywhere and it's all you can hear, taste, see, touch, breath.

You want this feeling all the time. All the freaking time.

She stops because oxygen is a problem. Her head is resting on the couch and she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath and helping you to adjust yourself on a comfortable position above her. You finally set your head half on her chest, half on the curve of her neck, body fully pressed against hers, trying not to put your weight on her. You feel her heart hammering against your ribcage and yours is not doing so differently. She puts one hand on the small of your back, lifting her shirt just a bit so she can touch your skin. You sigh when she does that and you feel her smiling. The other hand finds your hair, massaging your scalp lightly, like a silent lullaby.

It stays like that. Silence, the movement of her chest while she breathes in sync with yours, her breathing on your neck barely keeping you awake. It feels like everything is blurry around you except her, holding you like nothing can ever harm you again.

"Britt."

"Hm?"

"Thank you", it's so meaningful when you say that you feel a bit light-headed. Brittany looks at you with wide eyes and a curious expression, and then she laughs lightly and lowers her head to kiss you again, biting your lower lip and smiling against it.

"You're even more charming when you're sleepy."

"I try."

The last thing you hear her whispering is a melody you don't recognize. Then you feel her lips softly on the top of your head and you drift to sleep with the sound of her breathing.

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for my delay to update, college got me busy. Anyways, hope you like this chapter, sorry for my mistakes and thank you for reading and sticking around.

I made a tumblr: tripper-md (you know the rest. I can't post here for some weird reason, though); you can follow me there and we can, idk, talk, or something.

Next update will be faster, promise. See you guys soon. :)