Lots of talk in this one sorry it's so delayed it's been difficult trying to get to a computer and such. Lot's of talk in this one to set up the next few chapters hope you guys like it and once again thank you for the support. Actually proofread this one and didn't write it at some ungodly hour of the evening so let's see how this works. Would love to get your guys opinions on Chaos and Silver Arrow they're important going forward and your guys feedback is always helpful.
…
The sun is sitting high in the sky by the time Santana finally wakes from her slumber. She is sprawled out in the middle of the bed as her body silently protests being the only person occupying the space. She stretches making some soft groaning noises as her spine twists until it carefully cracks and her legs stretch down so her toes try to meet the end of the bed.
She settles after a second or two her eyes still shut as she yawns and mumbles knowingly, "You know it's rude to stare right?" her dark brown eyes flashing open to look at Brittany.
The blonde gives a nervous smile and after a moment of quiet contemplation shrugs her shoulders, "I was just wondering if you were ever going to wake up" she comments smoothly.
She is not wrong to wonder as Santana's behaviour has become more and more erratic the last few days. She has gone from a scared girl to completely obsessed with her patrolling and training to the point of avoiding all other aspects of her life. She trained, patrolled and then slept only eating when it was absolutely necessary and having any line of dialog about something other than those three things has become nearly impossible.
Brittany leans with unease against the large pillar near the bed her arms folded protectively across her chest, "it's good that you're sleeping again I suppose" she articulates softly while crystal blue orbs seem to track the other girl's every moment.
Santana gives an uncomfortable shrug of her shoulders as she postures up onto her elbows her mind already tracking an exit strategy to her current situation. Her lips draw tight for a moment and then with exasperation she simply sighs and mentioning, "I'm going to the gym I'll grab breakfast along the way" adding the last bit in a sore attempt to appease Brittany.
It was nice having Brittany around and it wasn't like the girl has anywhere else to go but she worries about Santana far more than the hero feels tolerable. So many things are unknown and Santana doesn't know how to voice them let alone deal with them so she bottles them quietly inside herself. She lashes out at everything around her and a lack of dialog was the only thing keeping her from snapping at those closest to her.
Carefully peeling the blanket off her body Santana moves to get out of the bed but finds it rather impossible. Brittany has moved from her position against the pillar and planted her hand firmly on Santana's chest. Her long dancer legs swing over Santana's hips her eyes burning with sudden determination and it was a simple word that fell from her lips. "No" she speaks with such sudden conviction it stuns Santana momentarily into silence.
Santana blinks in rapid succession almost feeling like she just might still be sleeping as she stares down the fierce blue eyes that loom above her. Her brow furrows slightly as she processes and the only thing she can think to say is to mirror the word back to Brittany. "No?" the word drips with confusion and an almost mocking sense of amusement as she doesn't quite grasp what Brittany is doing.
"You've been avoiding me so no you're not going," her voice is stern as she stares down at Santana her hand firm against the other girl's chest.
Santana squirms trying to push her arms up to not be at such a disadvantageous position. She quickly finds it a bit more difficult as both of Brittany's hands press against her shoulders forcing her elbows back down onto the mattress. The heat swells beneath her skin as the look on her face changes from playful albeit confused amusement to intense dissatisfaction. "Britt. Off" she commands a sudden edge taking her voice as she narrows her gaze on the woman above her.
Brittany's fingers tense against Santana's skin her touch becoming cold for what heals can also harm and the girl was not as one-sided as Santana first thought. She weakens the muscles and then pushes Santana flat onto her back leaning forward using her leverage to hold her there. "No, every time I try to talk to you, you run away. When was the last time we had a real conversation hmm? Or the last time you kissed me?" she challenges her eyes burning brightly down at Santana.
"I get it, you're scared; I know it because every night when you come home you check that I'm here and you wake up in the middle of the night to make sure I'm still breathing. You can't even get near me without this look in your eye that if you get too close I'm going to break in a million pieces" her voice is softer now her hands no longer pressing Santana against the bed. Her fingers move across the fabric of Santana's shirt sliding over where her heart thumps loudly against her chest, "I know you're hurting but I can't help you if you don't talk to me" she whispers softly.
Santana shifts nervously her head turning to the side as a few tears bitterly slip from her eyes. She sucks the oxygen into her lungs quickly as every muscle begins to scream for her to run. Her legs shift beneath Brittany but to no avail as the girl has her hips easily trapped. She wants away from the conversation and her body begins to panic, digging her elbows into the bed she tries to posture up yet again.
She stops though as her fierce brown eyes stare suddenly into deep blue orbs swimming in tears. Her body relaxes as she leans on her elbows a look of shame sweeping across her face. "I'm sorry" the words come softly, "I didn't want to hurt you Britt, I just don't know how to deal with this. Nothing in that world was real but everything I felt was and I don't want to be the reason you're hurt, I just want you to be safe."
"I get scared too you know, every night you go out I worry you're not going to come back or you'll be hurt beyond what I can heal. You don't let anyone help you so you're all alone out there. I want to be out there with you" Brittany's voice finds strong resolve in the end because she knows what the response will be.
"No, this isn't some fun after school activity we can do together like Glee or Cheerios Britt. The people out there are bad they want to hurt you and if you don't hurt them first you're done for. You've never even hit anyone" Santana warns though her tone isn't harsh her intent is only to make Brittany see reason.
"If I'm with you out there you know I'm safe because you can see me and I know you're safe too. I can fight; just because I won't throw a punch at you doesn't mean I'm defenceless. I train and I'm good at it, my powers are getting stronger…just think about it" she relents a little bit knowing enough not to push too hard.
Santana's reaction isn't immediate her eyes search into Brittany's for a while and she wants to trust her but it's difficult. Out in the middle of the danger she's alone because she doesn't trust anyone else in those situations. She knows Brittany would always have her back and would do anything to protect her and that's what scares her about the proposal. Her gaze lowers softly for a second before she nods slowly, "I'll think about it" she says unable to disguise the nervous quality to her words.
…
A shrill scream pierces the air as Santana's boot comes down hard dislocating the thug's shoulder the bone popping out of the socket with a sickening noise. She releases his wrist and spins around her foot shooting up under the jaw of one of the man's companions. He howls loudly and stumbles backwards trying desperately to regain his footing. It doesn't happen as Santana takes a running step and leaps into the air her knee landing in the center of his chest. He crashes backwards his skull bouncing off the hard concrete as he lands.
She is relentless and reaches down grabbing the man by his hair, lifting his head up only to smash it back down into the concrete. His head falls to the side as consciousness leaves his worried body. Since her incident with Mark her level of violence and ultimately brutality has increased ten fold.
These are low level thugs she normally would have left to the police but lately it's the fights she craves and they are in no short supply of that. Weeks ago she would have tapped them with a bit of energy or the stun rod but this week she's beating them savagely fully knowing they don't stand a chance.
She hears another thundering towards her and grins wickedly up until the point where a black whip comes out of nowhere and snaps around his throat. His eyes go wide and the face is priceless but does little to salvage her smile as she watches a figure appear from the shadows.
The woman who steps from the shadows appears utterly disinterested in the man she is slowly strangling with the whip. She walks towards him reeling in the length as he struggles to loosen it. She's dressed in dark red and is staring at Santana through a black minimalist mask with sharp red eyes.
"Run and I won't kill you," she whispers to the man snapping the whip away from his neck and he takes her advice willingly scrambling away from the scene. The mysterious woman sizes Santana up with a lingering gaze and then grins, "you must be the Veiled Fairy" she asks still intent on encroaching into Santana's personal space.
"I am and I don't remember asking for your help so run along," Santana snaps her fingers curling into tight fists.
"Charming, I'm Chaos and you are playing a very dangerous game. You aren't protecting a city anymore dear you're hunting. Nothing wrong with that of course, if you don't put these fools out of there misery they will always come back for seconds," she explains in a casual tone seemingly oblivious or uninterested by Santana's demeanour.
"You don't have to play by their rules and if you knew the whole truth you wouldn't, they keep secrets to keep you complacent. When you're tired of them lying to you look for me and I'll find you and show you the way…" her voice trails as those glowing red eyes narrow on something behind Santana.
The Veiled Fairy stares stoically at the woman listening to both her and Sugar's rapid chatter in her ear. The hyper active child is like bringing someone to a movie who intends to talk through the entire thing, highly irritating. She watches the woman leave as secretively as she came before Santana even thinks about turning around to what caught Chaos' attention.
"Lovely evening isn't it?" The Silver Arrow's voice drips with annoyance but it is not her he's staring at but rather the spot where the woman dressed all in red had been standing.
"I've had my quota of advice for the evening" Santana snaps airily before brushing past him as she heads for the shadows herself. She doesn't get more than a step before he grabs tightly around her bicep causing her jaw to clench and her glare to coldly settle in on him, "if you want to keep that hand you'll let go" the threat doesn't sound empty.
"The council is concerned with your behaviour as of late, you leave more criminals in hospital than you do prison. Those are just the lowly thugs, every creature with any measurable power you come across you have nearly disabled or killed…it is not the way and it is not acceptable" his tone is cold and he has all the effectiveness of a scolding parent, that is to say none at all, on Santana.
She scoffs shaking her head and pulls her arm cleanly out of his grasp without any hesitation, "if given the chance they'd do it to me I don't see the problem with returning the intent" she explains coolly distancing herself from him though making no intention of leaving
"You are walking a dark road, you're slipping and if you don't stop you'll end up like your new friend. Ask her what falling from the council's favour feels like because it wasn't long ago she was just like you walking that dark path all alone" he lowers his voice barely above a whisper as he speaks his eyes filled with more worry than disdain now.
Santana shrinks away from his words but it is more the look in his eye that causes her to shrink away from him towards the shadows and the safety of being hidden.
"You replaced her, we told you she was dead and she might as well be to the council. She went rogue and now they hunt her like a dog in the street. She is no friend of yours. Your future could very well mirror hers if you are not careful Fairy. I've spoken to Brittany, perhaps her offer is not so ill thought if it keeps you from this fate" He stares down at her having once again invaded her space.
"If she's enemy number one to the council shouldn't you be after her by now instead of wasting my time?" She questions pulling her defensive shields up high to her chin as he broke a cardinal sin dragging Brittany into the conversation.
"She is my niece and I do not want her blood on my hands," the words hang heavy in the air as he walks past Santana and grapples up into the roof tops and out of sight leaving Santana frozen for a second.
…
Santana sits high above the rest of the city leaning back against the "M" of 'Motta Towers'. The letters are massive pieces of metal sitting on top of the building and it is a favourite place of hers to come and sit. It's the quiet she chases tonight, too much has been said and she questions what to believe.
Chaos feels like the devil on her shoulder whispering what she wants to hear but the Arrow doesn't seem to want to tell her the whole truth either. He admits to his lies like he admits to a favourite flavour of ice cream. It isn't the first time he has come unexpectedly truthful about his past lies.
She pulls the gauntlets from her hand tossing them across the roof top like a child tossing a toy from the crib. Her knees are bent drawn up near her chest and she brings her forearms to rest against them while one hand holds a bottle of whiskey loose around the neck.
The bottle is half gone and she brings it back to her lips to help the cause taking a long drink careless in her behaviour. The door from the stairs swings carefully open but she doesn't move in fact she barely even reacts. Her head lolls to one side eyes scanning legs that seem to go on forever.
Her tongue slicks subconsciously across her lower lip as the long legs take smooth confident strides towards her. Her eyes drift slowly over the black shorts to where razor sharp hip bones escape the fabric. She becomes captivated watching the dangerous hips sway innocently as she figure approaches.
Santana's breath hitches in her throat as she stares through thick lashes at Brittany as she slowly loweres herself to the ground between Santana's legs taking the bottle away. She crawles innocently forward pressing her hand on the cool metal beside Santana's head leaning in to let her lips hover inches from the hero's ear.
"Because this is so much better than coming home to bed…" she teases lightly kissing slowly down Santana's neck until she feels the girl shudder and hears the small moan tumble effortlessly from her mouth.
"I just needed some time to think," the words sound utterly foolish coming from her mouth present circumstances considered. Her hand lifts brushing across Brittany's exposed arm her skin cold from the frigid night air.
"About…what happened?" Brittany asks hesitating for a moment her lips poised hovering lightly above Santana's skin.
"No, for the first time in weeks no…about what you asked me this morning" Santana speaks slowly finding it difficult to focus on what is being said as Brittany hovers inches above her. She becomes painfully aware that no parts of their bodies are touching as the blonde hesitates again this time dissecting Santana's reaction.
Brittany smiles against Santana's neck before leaving an impassioned kiss against her throat. "Is that so?" She mumbles the pride practically overwhelming the curious nature of the question.
Santana's laugh is effortless and she bites it back biting down on her lower lip forgetting the serious nature of the discussion. Being around Brittany makes it easy for her to forget the danger sometimes, when she's this close and all Santana can smell is her and every piece of her wants to touch and be touched the real world gets the volume turned down.
She doesn't want to admit it but she needs Brittany, she needs someone there to keep her from losing control. Her temper has always been quick but these days she seeks to prove something: that she's god damn invincible and it's the rest of the world that needs to be afraid. She knows she won't act this way under Brittany's watchful gaze, she doesn't want Brittany to know about the darkness that swells in her chest.
"It is, I want to see this training you've been doing first but I want you out there with me," she speaks slowly her head turned to the side exposing her neck as Brittany effortlessly trails down her neck in a rhythm of biting and kissing.
Brittany's response is less verbal and instead she is drawing her hand between the two of them, finding the zipper to Santana's costume unlocking and dragging it down. Her fingers dance gliding down the freshly exposed skin feeling the goose bumps form as the cold air swarms the warm skin.
Santana's shoulders are pressing firmly back against the metal as her chest arches out against the touch her skin sensitive to the touch and the cold. "Britt," she finally chokes out having to clear her throat to make sure she can actually speak, "we should go in" her brain is screaming at her to be quiet but even it knows she shouldn't be undressing in this weather and Brittany isn't wearing much either.
"Why?" Brittany giggles against her neck; "are you getting cold?" she is smiling brightly into Santana's shoulder as the other girl struggles to conceal what she is feeling. She relents finally pulling away leaving Santana breathless. Britt looks all too pleased with herself as she stands above her watching as she tries to pull herself together.
Santana is quick to her feet with some motivation now swimming in her mind she lingers in the cold long enough to cast a sweeping gaze over Brittany. She closes the distance capturing the pretty girl in a hard kiss backing her towards the door.