A/N Urgh too long to update I'M SO SORRY. I'll leave the rest of my rambles for the end of this chapter. Hope you like it!
It was easier for the Warblers to detect the subtle changes that occurred in Wes than it was for the New Directions' members to notice the difference in Santana. There were many reasons for this but in the end it mostly fell down to Wes' utter inability to keep anything to himself and Santana's impeccable knack for internalising any emotions she found hard to deal with.
Santana liked sarcasm. Sarcasm was always a safe option for her. It was hard to pinpoint exactly when this particular defence mechanism had surfaced but she suspected its origins lay in her early childhood where she'd began to mimic her mother's patronising tone, because as much as Santana was loathe to admit it her and her mother were very similar.
For the next few weeks Wes would drive down to Lima at least once a week and they kept in close contact via text and IMing for the days in between. For Santana the strangest thing was the fact that not doing anything wrong felt, well, wrong. It was an odd experience, not to say it was unpleasant, but there was something therapeutic in Wes' zeal for life. His enthusiasm and optimism balanced out the gloom and anger wrapped around Santana. On occasion the constant, secret knot of anxiety in the pit of her stomach would loosen and she could breathe without the fear of inadequacy weight down her chest. More often than not these blessed moments of clarity and lightness happened when she was with Wes. At first she couldn't understand why this was. Why did she feel more comfortable around someone she'd known barely two months than she had with anyone else?
She thought of everyone at McKinley. Of course she couldn't relax around them. How could she when she was clinging so desperately to the last shreds of her reputation. People expected things from her. They expected her to bitch out anyone who crossed her line of sight, they expected her to sleep with every single male at the school.
Strangely, the one person who did register some change was someone Santana would never have considered. Quinn couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in Santana's day to day dynamic. Both ex-cheerleaders and old friends put a lot of stock into the age old saying 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'. Of course for most of their acquaintance they had always danced somewhere in between. Up until the previous year they'd remained in the limbo that was life as perpetual frenemies. That was until Puck rocked the boat and left them in no doubt, their friendship had come to its end. Quinn was keeping a closer eye on Santana since the mono incident and it was this added scrutiny that led her to notice the bite behind her constant stream of insults dulling.
It was knowledge that Quinn had noted and stored away. Although Quinn had never been as starved for attention as Santana she had her own reasons for demanding the spotlight. In hindsight Santana had done her a favour. Finn and her were a shoe-in at prom. On that note she was certain. Despite her accomplishments she couldn't help but seethe internally at Santana's success in exposing her and Finn to Sam, so she kept her information to herself and continued to watch the tall, bolshie girl like a hawk and waited
One of the many things that Santana had become aware of during her time with Wes was his extreme spontaneity. No matter where they were or what they were doing if Wes got any sort of notion in his head he would hang on to that notion and run with it. Under normal circumstances this would be fine, unfortunately Wes was not normal and what that meant was that when he ran with his ideas he took Santana by the hand and dragged her along with him. The only way she could describe the experience would be akin to trying to restrain a Doberman on a leash once it caught the scent of some bacon. Previous experiences were varied and random but in the few moths they'd known each other Wes had coerced Santana into visiting pet shops, bowling, eating the biggest ice-cream Sunday she had ever seen at Wes' favourite café and visiting the circus. Of all the ridiculous situations she'd been roped into she had to admit that the last one was certainly the worst. The smell of elephant dung had made her gag and retch while Wes watched on in amusement keeling over in laughter.
The memory must have reflected in her expression because Wes cocked his head to the side and asked her why she was making such a sour face.
"I'm sitting here with you aren't I?" She retorted with a catty smile. Wes rolled his eyes at her and refocused his attention on the road in front of them. They were just emerging from the last cluttering of little houses at the edge of Lima and Santana popped open Wes' glovebox to rummage through the assortment of CD's he had shoved haphazardly in there. When she opened the compartment three CD's clattered to the floor. She swore under her breath and bent down to return the CD's to their cases.
"Your car's a freakin' mess." Wes smiled as she sifted through the scratched cases but didn't say anything. "And your music taste sucks." That got his attention. Wes' head snapped towards her and his eyes stretched out wider than she'd ever seen before.
"Excuse me?" He shot back, incredulous. If he hadn't have been in such a state of shock he would have probably noted the cogs turning in Santana's head through her mischievous eyes. She'd struck a nerve, she knew that, and she intended to use this to her full advantage.
"You heard me." Wes was rendered, for the first time in their friendship, speechless. He turned the wheel and pulled over at the side of the quiet road they'd been driving down. Wes took off his seatbelt and turned fully in the seat to face her.
"What do you mean my music taste sucks?" He exclaimed while Santana suppressed a grin. All these weeks of prodding provocations and finally, without even trying, she'd found his weakness.
"I mean your music choices leave much to be desired. I mean really?" She raised her eyebrows at him and held up a case for him to study. Wes's face coloured slightly and he tried to grab the CD from her but she snatched it back, out of reach, like a child.
"Taylor Swift." She said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"The Warblers did an acapella version of 'You Belong with me'," He defended as he finally managed to wrestle the case from her darkly painted nails. "Also, it was Blaine's bright idea." He concluded in a grumble. Santana was enjoying this pouty Wes a lot more that she'd imagined. She was about to continue down the list of embarrassing choices when she noticed the familiar spark in Wes' eye, one she had learnt to dread. It was the impulsive gleam of someone who had no qualms about running blindly into potentially stupid situations just for the hell of it. He gazed at Santana for a bit and his face steadily morphed into a smug smile. Santana blinked at him.
"What?" she asked suspiciously. Wes ignored her, turned away and put the car into drive before driving to the end of the road and turning left instead of right. They drove for half an hour and Wes still remained resolutely silent. After that Santana crossed her arms tightly across her chest and glowered furiously out the window for the remainder of the journey. Fifteen minutes later they reached a large wrought-iron gate in the middle of a wealthy row of large houses. Santana glanced at Wes when she detected the change in speed. Something must have come over him because his entire body relaxed against the seat. He turned and drove through the tall iron gates.
"We're here!" He announced jubilantly, resuming his happy disposition instantly. Santana gawped at the beautiful Victorian house before her and forgot for a second that she was angry with him for ignoring her.
"Is this your...?" Her question was left unsaid and with a slight flush Wes nodded with a rueful smile.
"Come on!" He parked on the drive before the house, took the keys out of the ignition and exited the car only to reappear a few moments later at her door. Santana felt an odd little twinge in her stomach as her opened the door for her, there was something surreal about a guy acting gentlemanly towards her. She wanted to mock him and chew him out but she couldn't help but notice the slight flush of happiness. Wes smiled encouragingly and she stepped out of the car. He closed the door behind her and locked it.
Wes gestured for her to follow him and she began to before something occurred to her. She stopped in her tracks. Wes turned to look at her questioningly.
"Are your parents inside?" She asked. There was a flicker of uncertainty over Wes' face for a second but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared and he nodded eventually.
"Yeah." He said. They stared at each other blankly.
"I'm going back to the car." She declared and turned to walk towards the large black range rover. Wes was faster. He jogged quickly to her side and blocked her path.
"Not a chance." He said and narrowed his eyes.
"Watch me." She spat and sidestepped him but as she took her first steps towards the car she felt strong hands gripping her shoulders, turning her around and moving her towards the house once more.
"Wes, Wait! No! I can't do this – Oh no, don't you dare Wesley – No!" Santana dug the heels of her knee high boots into the gravelled path leading up to one of the biggest houses she'd ever seen in real life. Sure, she'd seen houses like this in movies and on TV but never like this. Wes' palms pressed into her back, propelling her forward against her will.
"You'll be fine." He re-assured her with a roll of his eyes. "We're only staying for a second to pick up some CD's I mixed up for you a few weeks ago." All the while he pushed her down the pebbled path, they reached the bottom of the wooden steps that led up to the large porch.
"Mock my music taste..." she heard him murmur mutinously under his breath.
Santana planted her feet firmly in the pebbles. Wes gave her his best imitation of Kurt's trademark bitch stare. The result didn't have quite the effect he was going for, but Santana's lips twitched upwards unconsciously. Wes threw up his arms and huffed dramatically.
"This is like the time I tried to take my Aunt Aggy's shitzu to the dog park. Damn was that dog stubborn," He frowned at the memory but then something occurred to him and he smirked at Santana, "hey, you kind of remind me of-"
"I don't like parents." She hissed, eyes narrowing into angry slits. Wes' face fell blankly. He tilted his head to the side and seemed to look beyond Santana for a long moment with his mouth pressed tightly together in deliberation. His face relaxed as his eyes regained their focus and he gazed intently into her eyes. Santana stiffened, shifting uncomfortably under the intensity of his stare. With a slow nod and a slight smile he seemed to decide something. He reached out his hand and without giving it a seconds hesitation she held out hers, entwining their fingers. He squeezed her hand gently and she looked at their connected hands in surprise, as though she wasn't quite sure how they'd gotten here and truthfully she wasn't. Wes was one of the most confusing people she had ever encountered, which was really saying something considering her best friend was Brittany. She felt the warmth his hand presented comfortable. Santana wasn't a hand-holder. Even with Brit they only ever linked pinkies. She couldn't say that she felt uncomfortable by the touch and her fingers twitched of their own accord around Wes' long fingers.
"I'm going to tell you something that I've never told anyone before..." Wes began, he wasn't looking at her, smiling ruefully at his shoes. Santana wasn't used to him being so guarded. Her stomach twisted and her hand twitched with an urge to pull up his chin so that he had to look only at her. His head shot up and he looked at her again, she flinched at the hint of desperation there.
"But first... it'll only take a second I swear. It's easier to show you." Santana remained rooted to the spot. Wes looked at her expectantly.
"Inside." He added emphatically. Santana took a deep, calming breath and cleared the first few steps up to the porch. Wes trailed behind her, keeping her hand firmly locked in his grip. He stopped with her just outside his large front door. The dark, sleek wood and stained glass in green, red and blue were both beautiful and intimidating. She swallowed thickly. Her breathing became shallow as the fight or flight response kicked in. As Wes fumbled in his pockets for his key she bolted.
Santana managed to make it half way down the drive before a great weight attacked her from the behind. Wes ensnared her waist and pulled her back against him, her heart flip-flopped at their close proximity and the strength of Wes' arms resting on her hips.
"Oh no you don't." He murmured into her hair. Santana shivered involuntarily. Wes did things to her that she'd never experienced with anyone before and she wanted to act on those feelings so badly... but from the beginning he'd never seemed to see her like that. Still, there were times like now when Wes' fingers tightened momentarily on her hips she wondered if he really didn't want her. She felt his hot, steady breath against her neck and felt fire flood her veins. She was about to turn around and throw everything away when Wes' grip disappeared. The moment was over too soon and Wes twirled her around with ease to face him. His eyes bore holes into hers.
"Trust me." He pleaded with her. Santana contemplated his earnest brown eyes. Eyes that had only ever looked at her with patience, warmth and other emotions Santana was yet to name. Never once had they looked at her in anger or disgust but rather crinkled up and laughed at her dirty jokes and scathing remarks. He'd fought against her anger and bitchiness and dared to delve deeper.
And to think an hour ago you thought you'd found his weakness. Santana realised she was in serious danger of becoming completely and utterly whipped. And even though she knew it went against her pride and stubborn-ass nature she realised that she probably owed this boy in front of her something at the very least it could be this.
So Santana did something she didn't think she could ever do. She took his hand in hers again and decided that if it was Wes, she could trust.
Wes opened the door and stepped into the wide foyer. Santana stepped in behind him, cautiously, her eyes surveyed the curving staircase to the left of the large rectangular room. As he closed the door behind him she walked over to the banister and reached out to trace her fingers across the intricately crafted carvings in the dark wood. He watched her back with a growing warmth in his chest. He reached out and traced a circle between her shoulder blades. She turned at the touch, glancing at him briefly before taking in the rest of the expensive, antique furnishings and wide arch that led into the dining room. When she turned her head to look at Wes her expression was one of awe.
"What the hell are you?" Wes laughed at the irritation in her voice. Santana's earlier musings returned, the whole house was really like something from a TV Show. The old fashioned antiques clashing perfectly in a way they shouldn't with the modern paintings strewn across the walls. Before Wes could answer her a clear, musical voice rang out from somewhere within the house.
"Wesley? Wesley is that you?" The voice moved closer. A tall, elderly woman appeared in the archway. Santana stared at her in shock. The woman had a sharp, angular face but her expression was welcoming. Around her eyes were the grooves of laugh lines, the testament to a lifetime of smiles etched in every line in her tanned face. Her dark hair was slightly dishevelled and peppered with the occasional streak of white, secured in a loose pony tail that reached half way down her back. She was holding a mixing bowl. Santana tore her eyes away from the woman to look at Wes with a twisted expression.
"This is too cliché to be real –" she began to blurt out before Wes cut her off by placing an arm around her slender shoulders and pushed her forward, exclaiming loudly as they went.
"Nana, this is my friend Santana." He grinned broadly at his grandmother and she smiled warmly down at the beautiful young girl he'd brought with him. Her eyes wandered from Santana's face to her grandson's and she raised her eyebrows slightly questioning at Wes. He blushed a little and shrugged, his grandmother nodded still smiling but with a hardness in her eyes that wasn't unkind but spoke volumes about her strong character. Those eyes turned again to study the girl, who was shifting uncomfortably, refusing to look her in the eye. Lily held out her hand primmly, Santana regarded it with a flicker of apprehension before accepting the long, slender hand.
"Santana, this is my Nana, Lily." For the first time Santana raised her eyes to meet the woman's eyes directly, eyes that dark should have been cold but radiated a warmth and emotion that was hard to define. They were welcoming but at the same time there was a fierce fire of protective instinct blazing through.
"Hi." She said, biting down the defensive sarcasm that bubbled to her lips. She didn't trust herself to say anything more.
"It's very nice to meet you," she smiled sincerely and glanced at Wes, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes, it was one Santana recognised but usually saw reflected in a pair of slightly lighter honey-brown eyes.
He doesn't often bring girl's over...although he's never short –" Wes let out a loud obnoxious laugh, the way Santana smirked smugly at him didn't do anything to help the slow, cringing heat that was raising up his neck and pooling in his cheeks.
"Thanks Nana, I think me and Santana will be going up to my room now-" He ushered Santana towards the stairs. His grandmother laughed, the sound melodic and rang out like crystal. Santana didn't quite know what to make of her, she'd never met anyone quite so... there wasn't really a word that could describe it. Wes' grandmother seemed to ooze the old fashioned elegance that should belong to a time long forgotten but somehow, the way she carried herself, transcended all time barriers. There was something else too, the way her eyes seemed to transform when she looked at Santana. She didn't even know her but somehow her eyes just told her that they knew. Knew what exactly Santana did not know and didn't think that she could even begin to think about. So she reluctantly let Wes push her towards the stairs.
"You are so pushy today, geez."
"Well if you weren't so damned stubborn."
Lily watched as Wes' quick retorts caused the girl to bristle and come to life. She smiled fondly at her grandson as, flushed, he led the beautiful girl up the staircase. Santana glanced back down at the woman briefly and caught her eyes. A flash of understanding was communicated, Lily's lips curved into a smirk. It was not an unkind expression, in fact her eyes shone with what Santana deemed was unwarranted affection, but it spoke of an attitude and strong character that Santana could not help but admire.
"Wesley...?" Wes froze, his left foot just about reaching the top of the staircase, he turned his head mechanically around and tilted it suspiciously towards his grandmother.
"Be good." She drawled, winking up at him. Wes, appalled, covered his face with the hand that wasn't occupied keeping Santana moving forward. Lily, satisfied with her fulfilling quota of family-induced mortification of the day gave Santana a wave of her languid, ring-heavy fingers and another wink that Wes didn't see before turning gracefully on her heel and disappearing from the arch.
For a second neither of them moved, finally Santana gave a little cough. Wes gave her a withering look from between his fingers.
"Well that wasn't what I'd expected, I'll give you that." She shook her head in disbelief, "Can't you just be normal?" Wes ignored her whines.
"Shut up and come on before she comes back..." he tugged her up the stairs and down the hall.
A/N Finally here it is! The next chapter will be carrying on directly from this chapter and you'll get a bit of an insight into Wes' background. Let me know what you think of Wes' grandmother :) Sorry again for the ridiculous wait for this chapter, things have been insanely hectic and I have about a month left until I finish school forever so lots of nasty deadlines floating about! Enough of my moaning anyway! Any reviews are greatly appreciated as always! Thanks for reading!