A/N: Changed the rating to M because of the language. Sorry it's taken a minute to update, I hope you enjoy!
Six Months Later
I'm at the train station, waiting for my girlfriend to arrive. It's mind blowing to think that, even now.
Quinn Fabray is my girlfriend.
Until the end of time, this simple fact will leave me convinced that dreams do come true. Not that there haven't been bumps in the road, there certainly have been. Quinn and I are a combustion engine. When things are firing on all cylinders, we're hot and fast, taking each other so much farther than we'd ever thought we could go. Our competitive natures drives us both, but rarely causes a problem. When something slips, however…disaster. We're explosive in our disagreements, sending us careening wildly off track before we eventually get ourselves under control.
When we do inevitably right the ship, though…well, we're right back to hot and fast. Our many make-ups have had us both wondering aloud if maybe some of our fights are really inspired by the intense, fervent apologies we know we'll eventually get to. Either way, our road has certainly not been easy at all times. We even broke up once for about 10 minutes. We've agreed that it doesn't count since neither of us really wanted it, but to this day I cringe when I think about my stupidity and stubbornness during that fight.
We were fighting over, of all things, my relationship status on Facebook, but the argument ran much deeper than that. Quinn's parents still pay her Yale tuition, so despite our very open relationship in New York, we are essentially closeted everywhere else, including on social media. When I changed my relationship status I'd received an almost immediate call on Skype from my irate girlfriend.
"You changed your status to 'single?' What the hell, Santana?"
"What do you want me to do? I had 'in a relationship' up and I kept getting asked who the hell I'm dating. Besides, yours says the same thing."
Valid. All Valid.
"That's not the same, and you know it. Leaving my status as 'single' keeps my parents off my back. You know I don't want it that way."
"Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to matter what we want when it comes to this, Quinn. I'm just trying to avoid questions I can't answer. In that world we aren't together, so leaving my status as 'in a relationship' only leaves room for people to question me."
Questionable. Implying that we weren't totally together, in retrospect, might have been a mistake.
"What the hell does THAT mean? There is no world in which we aren't together, Santana. And, FYI, cheating is cheating, in every world."
"Who said anything about cheating?! Let's put away the insane insecurities, please. All I'm saying is that we aren't together on Facebook, or Instagram, or anywhere else on the internet. So, IN THAT WORLD, we are not together!"
Once again, poor choices on my part. Granted, I legitimately had never, and HAVE never even considered cheating on Quinn. Still, going after the "we're not together in that world" mantra even harder was pretty dumb.
"Listen to me carefully. We are together in every single world. We are together in every galaxy. There is not a single realm in the entire universe in which we are not together. I can't make it any clearer than that. If people ask about it, I don't see why you can't just lie."
What I should have heard here was Quinn insisting that she loves me in every single possible realm of existence. She was claiming me as hers, and all I could fixate on was the lying part. Not my best moment.
"No, I'm not going to lie. I've been nothing but supportive of your reasons for keeping this a secret, but I'm out, Q. I'm not going back in the closet for ANYBODY, not for YOU, not for your selfish, alcoholic mommy and DEFINITELY not for your controlling, emotionally abusive daddy. It's just not going to happen."
Annnnnnd there it is. My most epic fail. The truth is, I would go back into the closet to be with her, but I know she would never actually ask me to do that. If anything, Quinn is the more openly affectionate of us when we're together in New York. She wants to be with me, she's not ashamed of being with me, but her dreams will be dashed if she lets her parents know. I shouldn't have used that against her at all, let alone so hurtfully. The long silence from Quinn let me know that she was furious. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and harsh.
"I see. Well, if that's how you feel, Santana, then maybe you shouldn't be wasting your time with someone who is dragging you down so much. And by the way, you are a FUCKING BITCH for even suggesting that I would do something like that to you. So FUCK YOU, Santana. FUCK YOU VERY MUCH."
"FUCK ME? REALLY? THAT WOULD BE A NICE CHANGE, BECAUSE LAST TIME I CHECKED, I HAVEN'T HAD SEX IN WEEKS!"
…I don't even know. I really don't know. I love sex, I do. I'm really good at it. But I love it with Quinn. I love being good at it with Quinn. So really, this was possibly the most idiotic comeback of all time. Which is upsetting for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that I've made an entire persona around burning people with sick insults and pithy comebacks.
"WELL WE ALL KNOW HOW FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE IT IS FOR YOU NOT TO SPREAD IT AROUND, SO GET OUT THERE AND FUCK HALF OF NEW YORK FOR ALL I CARE, BECAUSE WE'RE SO DONE!"
Quinn had cut off the call before I could respond, which burned me to no end as I stomped out of my curtained area of the loft. One look from Rachel and I started in on a tirade.
"Did you hear any of that? Girl is fucking crazy. COMPLETELY INSANE. I can't believe we just broke up over a Facebook relationship status. It's just ridiculous!"
"I only heard your side of that, but…let me just ask you this, Santana. Do you really believe that Quinn wants to force you back into the closet?"
I had opened my mouth to respond before snapping it shut and looking at Rachel in alarm. It hit me like a ton of bricks all at once that Quinn and I had just actually broken up. At first I was frozen in shock, and then all I could do was cry in my roommate's arms, completely horrified and heartbroken. Rachel had looped her arms around me and let me cry until she could walk me back to my computer and accept Quinn's third attempt to call me back. It hadn't taken very long for us to patch things up and of course plan an immediate trip to New Haven for me.
"Hey gorgeous, whatcha thinking about?"
I spin around in shock, shaken from my thoughts. Standing before me is my very own angel, her head tilted, a brilliant smile gracing her perfect mouth. In hardly two strides I have my arms wrapped around her and my lips on hers.
"Hi, baby."
I'm breathless, from both the kiss and the sheer joy of having her in my arms once more. I press another, softer kiss to her lips before pulling back slightly. I feel an odd weight on my chest from just thinking about that fight. I shake my head slightly to clear my thoughts.
"Hi," Quinn whispers gently, her eyes clearly reflecting the same happiness I feel as she observes me carefully. They darken slightly when she recognizes that something is off with me. "What's the matter, San?"
"Nothing, Q. I'm so glad to see you. I was just thinking about our almost break up. I don't know why it was even on my mind, but seeing you is the cure all for anything. Give me another kiss and I'll be good to go."
Quinn smiles and leans in to give me another soft kiss.
"That near miss totally didn't count, remember? And, as I recall, the make up afterwards was amazing."
A rueful grin spreads across my lips at the memory. Being with this girl really is my cure all.
"So how tired are you? There are two very excited Broadway babies waiting for us to get back to the loft. They want to take us out for our anniversary tonight since they know we'll be having nothing to do with them tomorrow for the actual day."
Quinn smiles and takes my hand as we start walking, staying close to the walls so as not to piss off the fast movers all around us.
"I could go out tonight. I anticipated this little development and took a nice nap on the train, so I'm totally game. You know where they are going to want to take us, right?"
My eyes roll instantly, because I do know. The predictability of my roommates leaves absolutely no doubt in my mind.
"Yup. And I love you, baby, I really do, but I'm not singing it again. Ask me for just about any other song, and I'll gladly sing to you, but not Cop Car."
"Mmm…deal," Quinn agrees with a smile.
I lean over and plant a quick kiss on her cheek by way of thanks.
"Maybe I'll get Rachel and Kurt to sing it as a duet instead."
Q is wearing the devilish smile I know so well when I snap my head around to look at her.
"You wouldn't."
"Well, that depends," she intones, her voice raspy and low.
"On?" I'm almost afraid to ask, but I can't have this duet from hell actually occur.
My girlfriend gives me her sexy smirk and my fear instantly gives way to excitement.
"I think you know."
A few hours later we're on the subway with the Wonder Twins, headed (of course) to Callbacks. Quinn is pressed against me, looking as pleased and sated as I've ever seen her. I give myself a mental high five for an above average performance and a few bonus points for somehow keeping her quiet enough so as not to earn a lecture from the fun police who like to pretend that I've never heard them before.
Kurt looks at Quinn with narrowed eyes, and then looks at me and shakes his head. I smirk and shrug, then press a gentle kiss to my girlfriend's temple. Quinn tilts her head to give me an answering kiss on the lips just as the doors open at our stop. In a quick rush we're off the subway and headed for the street, laughing and teasing each other.
Inside Callbacks we scope out a table and quickly sit down. The Kurtchel combo immediately starts debating songs to sing and I know I have to take the reins early on.
"Okay listen, Winklevoss twins, we have agreed to come here because your dramatic, rom com obsessed little minds are convinced that Q and I are living out one of the most brilliantly scripted romances of all time. However, do NOT try to recreate the magic by signing me up to sing Cop Car. I can promise you that Quinn gets to hear it whenever she asks, but to be completely honest I'm pretty sure that between Keith and I, the song has been sung out. So please, let's not try to repeat the past, yes?"
My roommates roll their eyes and shake their heads.
"Please, Santana. You act like we don't know you at all. I personally don't see how you can miss the opportunity to sing that song on your anniversary when, after all, it is the reason you guys got together, but we respect your wishes and will not even consider signing you up to sing it."
Rachel gives her typical curt response before glancing away looking rather pleased with herself.
"What was that look?" I ask, suspicious.
"What look?" Rachel's eyes are wide in alarm. In fact, Kurt's are too.
"You had a look. What are you two planning?"
Kurt gives Rachel a sideways glare.
"We aren't planning anything. I promise you, Santana."
I give him a long stare, my eyes narrowed as I try to put the pieces together. Something is definitely up.
"Yeah well, my psychic Mexican third eye says otherwise. And I'm never wrong. You both know that."
Quinn laughs, but it sounds forced and kind of weird. I look over at her, confused. She avoids my eye contact as she looks for something to say.
"You're not even Mexican, Santana."
My eyes widen and I see my roommates snap to attention at this little tidbit of information.
"What?! She's been lording over us with this crazy psychic eye thing for over a year! She's not Mexican?"
Kurt is looking between Quinn and me, waiting for one of us to answer his question. Q keeps her eyes away from mine as she answers him, but reaches for my hand.
"No, she's not Mexican," Kurt and Rachel both throw their hands up in irritation, "BUT she is really insightful and smart about stuff that none of us even see. You should still listen to her "psychic Mexican third eye," if only because it has never steered you wrong in the past."
"Hmmph," my roommates huff in annoyance.
Quinn glances over at me and I give her a questioning look. Something is so off about this whole little exchange. I get the distinct feeling that Q is trying to distract me, but the poor eye contact is oddly evasive for her. Quinn knows my weaknesses all too well, normally she'd be all about soft touches and meaningful looks to get me completely off track. She's trying entirely too hard.
I'm suspicious as all hell and I know she can see it in my eyes when she leans over to kiss me. Again, it's an odd kiss, at least at first. When she breaks her mouth away from mine and brings her lips to within inches of my ear, I nearly melt as her soft breath caresses my skin when she whispers.
"Just trust me, baby. Don't look so worried."
She gently nips my earlobe before pulling back and a shiver shoots up my spine.
"Okay, but only if I get another kiss," I tell her, already forgetting what I was so suspicious of.
Quinn grins and presses her lips to mine quickly.
"I'm going to go order us some drinks. Usual, babe?"
My pretty girlfriend is already backing away from the table, so I just nod and watch her traipse away. She's just too damn cute to look away from.
"So! What are your plans for tomorrow, Santana? Something ridiculously romantic, I hope?"
Kurt is leaning forward on his elbows, his eyes dreamy and expectant. Rachel grins at me and raises her eye brows. I immediately roll my eyes, even as a smile spreads across my face. I debate confessing my anniversary plans with the two of them, but give in quickly. I'm so excited.
"Well…first, we'll be going back to a hotel tonight. I've already planned to order us room service so that I can bring her breakfast in bed. Then I'm taking her to Central Park, to the same bench we sat on the first weekend we spent together, where there will be a whole bunch of Quinn's favorite flowers waiting, and then—"
"Hi everyone…"
My head snaps around to the stage at the familiar raspy voice coming through the speakers. Standing in front of the microphone is Lucy Quinn Fabray, looking nervous and shy. I glance around at the crowd as they quiet down and turn their attention to my girlfriend.
"I'm Quinn, and I'd like to sing a song tonight for my girlfriend, Santana Lopez. Six months ago she sat on this very stage and sang a song she wrote for me called Cop Car. I'm sure many of you have heard of it."
The crowd hoots at that a bit, and I feel my face flush slightly. Kurt and Rachel are both grinning like the Cheshire cat, and I realize that they've been in on this all along. Rach holds out a folded letter for me to take as Quinn speaks again.
"So I wanted to take this opportunity to get up here and sing for her in return. Kurt, would you mind coming up here to help me out? Ladies and Gentlemen, one of your own, Kurt Hummel."
My mouth is hanging open when Kurt gets up to resounding cheers from his classmates. He does little bows as he prances to the stage. Rachel reaches across the table and taps the paper in my hand, and I quickly open it to read.
Santana,
I can't hear this song and not think of you.
Know this: You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I don't think I'll ever be able to keep my hands off of you. I don't want to hide us for even one second more. I'm sorry I tore your dress at the almost-wedding. I love you, so very much.
Forever yours,
Quinn
I look up, somewhat confused, as Kurt nods to Quinn, a guitar in his hands. Pieces are flying into place now. Elliott has been teaching him the guitar for a while and lately he's been playing the same chords over and over, but never sings along with it.
"Without further ado…here goes. This song is called The Right Way and it's originally by Ron Pope."
Quinn looks down as the music starts around her, then looks up into my eyes as she starts singing.
Pretty new dress
I just can't keep my hands off of you
And you look so small, all wrapped up in my arms
I'm so
In love with you
And I'm yours if you're mine
Don't wanna waste no more time
Cause I wanna live,
I wanna love you the right way
And I wanna fall asleep, then wake up with you beside me
I won't spend the rest of my life
Running from everything that's right
I wanna live
I ripped your dress
In the frenzy to get close to your skin
Yes I did
You tried not to laugh
Stood there in your slip, you said
Come here to me
I'm yours if you're mine
Don't wanna waste no more time
Cause I wanna live,
I wanna love you the right way
And I wanna fall asleep, then wake up with you beside me
I won't spend the rest of my life
Running from everything that's right
I wanna live
And I'm yours if you're mine
Don't wanna waste no more time
Cause I wanna live,
And I wanna love you the right way
And I wanna fall asleep, then wake up with you beside me
I won't spend the rest of my life
Running from everything that's right
I wanna live
I'm dumbstruck as I watch Quinn sing the chorus one last time. She's a vision on that stage, I can't think of a time when I've seen her sing so passionately, so fully. Her voice is always beautiful, but as I listen to her I am amazed by the power it has tonight.
As the last note plays, the crowd cheers and gets on their feet. I'm still frozen in my seat, awed by the moment and the girl and the tremendous love we have for one another. By the time I finally get on my feet and join the cheering, Quinn is halfway to me. I look her in the eye and shake my head, feeling tears threatening to fall on my cheeks.
Quinn's tender, soft kiss is my breaking point, sending happy tears sliding down my face as she smiles and brushes them away with her thumbs.
"I love you, Santana."
"God, I love you too. So, so much."
Kurt comes bounding back to the table gleefully.
"Did I miss it?!" he questions Rachel in a loud whisper.
"No, shut up!" Rachel hisses back at him.
I look away from Quinn and give them a look.
"Miss what?"
Quinn tugs on my hands to get me to look at her, a radiant smile on her face.
"Miss me telling you that I'm transferring to Columbia. I start classes in two weeks, I was only in New Haven to pack some last remaining things. I'm moving to New York, babe. And I managed to get enough scholarship money for my last two years to be out from underneath my parents' thumb, so I told them about us before I left Yale today. I want to be with you, Santana, the right way. All the way. I refuse to live another minute pretending otherwise. So I'm yours, fully, in every world, galaxy, universe, and realm. All yours, only yours, for as long as you'll have me."
I'm speechless. She's coming to New York. She's out. She did all of this to be with me.
I am the luckiest woman on earth.
Quinn is lying with her head on my chest in our amazing hotel room, her breathing still a bit heavy.
"Are you sure it's normal or healthy to have this many orgasms in one day?" she asks me, her tone light with laughter.
"Normal? Probably not. Sadly I think much of America is lacking compared to us. But healthy…I'd say we're a hell of a lot healthier than the sad souls who aren't getting nearly as many. I mean, we're getting more cardio and muscular endurance workouts than 95% of the public. We should do this as an Olympic sport," I tease jokingly.
"It wouldn't be fair. We'd win the gold every time."
I laugh a little at that before murmuring "true." We lie in comfortable silence for a while, my fingertips running lightly up and down Quinn's arm.
"So where will you be living? Near campus?"
"Well, I got a place in Morningside Heights. It's right next to Columbia, but like an hour subway ride to Bushwick. I figured we could use a little buffer time before we move in together, but ideally I'd like for that to happen sooner rather than later…if you're on the same page of course."
I'm surprised at her bold assertion. We've never really discussed this since I assumed she'd be at Yale for the next two years.
"God, yes, I'd love to wake up to you every day, Quinn. But why didn't you tell me you were considering transferring in the first place?"
Q shifts so she can look at me, propping herself up on her elbows and resting her chin on her palms.
"I wanted to be sure that I was doing all of this for the right reasons, not just because it would be easier on us. I looked into the program and the costs, I talked to the department head about financial aid and scholarships, and then I just laid out the pluses and minuses. I'm going to have debt now, but not a terrible amount. My father has disowned me again, but that's not really a loss, since he never really treated me the same after Beth anyway. I'm still going to an amazing school that will open up doors for me. And I'm closer to the one person in my life who has made me feel…capable, and strong, and smart. In the end, I'm gaining so much more than I'm losing."
I lean forward to give her a swift kiss on the lips.
"I'm so glad you're going to be closer, babe, but I am sorry about your dad. How did your mom react?"
"Don't be, he's an asshole. Judes will probably come around. She's afraid of losing me. I'll still have her, at least in some capacity."
I sigh and shake my head. Losing my abuela was hard, I can't imagine if my own parents reacted badly. If anything my mom just became more protective. My dad didn't seem to care at all either way, which was nice. We both kind of knew all along that when our relationship became known Quinn would lose so much more than I would.
"Hey," my girlfriend nudges me, "don't feel bad for this, okay? I'm relieved, honestly. It was only a matter of time, and really I just decided I didn't want to wait anymore. No more hiding, no more pretending to be single or straight or anything other than in love with you. This is 100% a good thing. In fact…"
Quinn rolls over away from me and hops up off the bed to dig in her purse. I'm mesmerized watching her perfect naked body and almost miss that she's holding her cell phone.
"Hey! No taking nude pics, that's just rude," I tease.
Q laughs that adorably raspy laugh of hers and shakes her head at me. She puts down her phone and grabs mine off the end table, crawling back on to the bed to hand it to me. I give her a questioning look as I take it.
"You need to confirm your new relationship status, Santana. Everyone knows that if it's not on FB then it's not official, and you are most certainly my girlfriend. I want everyone to know it, too."
I blink at her in surprise, then quickly log on to Facebook account. Sure enough, I have a relationship request from Quinn Fabray, asking me to confirm that we're together.
I smile up at the radiant girl in front of me as I click "accept," then pull her down next to me. We share a long, soft kiss.
"Can I tell you something without freaking you out?" I ask quietly.
"Of course, babe."
Quinn nuzzles her nose into my neck and drops a light kiss on my skin before pulling back to observe me expectantly. I grin at her and then lean forward to whisper against her lips.
"I'm going to marry you someday, Quinn."
My girlfriend sucks in a sharp breath of air and kisses me passionately for a moment before giving me her patented smirk.
"Not if I marry you first."