it was love to me

by your-street-serenade

Brittany and Santana spend their summer vacation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's there on Liberty Avenue that they find their footing as individuals and as a couple, with just a little companionship from Justin and Brian along the way. Glee/Queer as Folk crossover. Post Season 2 Glee/Post Season 5 QAF.

2. Fools Like Us

X

fools like us will always fall

always fall in love and fall in love with

fools like us will never change

and never get enough of fools just like you and me

- Andreas Johnson

X

One Month Earlier...

''Remind me one more time why we're in Pittsburgh freaking Pennsylvania, Britt?'' Santana asked in a huff as she pulled a piece of luggage from the trunk of a taxi cab.

''Because,'' Brittany began with a laugh, tugging her own bag out as well before they closed the trunk and watched the vehicle drive away.

Santana knew why they were here in this disgusting godforsaken 'burgh of course, but went through the motion of asking anyway.

While Santana loved vacationing in itself, she'd never actually taken to the travel part of it, the whole dashing off from A to B to C part of it. The airports, the cab rides, all of it. There was always too many people and too much chaos for her taste, not to mention she could never take any of her really good cigars along, plus getting her make-up bags through security was always a bitch. Brittany, however, had always loved that kind of madness. She enjoyed the crowds and the noise and the rush of it all. Since the moment their plane had left Ohio Brittany had been especially hyper and chipper, clasping Santana's arm every five seconds in excitement and letting out little adorable squeaks of enthusiasm. She would have thought it warranted had their destination been a little more interesting and exotic instead of a neighboring state, and yet the blonde's happiness never ceased to warm Santana. Still she tried her hardest not to betray her cool, apathetic exterior, hence her occasional need to grump and what better moment to grump than when she came to the realization that she had agreed to spend the last month of her summer vacation here. In Pittsburgh. Fucking. Pennsylvania.

Back on the sidewalk a tickled Brittany explained unnecessarily once more, ''for the millionth time, my parents wanted to take me and my little sister to Disneyland this summer but I refused to go.''

''Which I still don't understand by the way. Disneyland seems right up your alley...''

Brittany bowed her head slightly, turning serious, ''It is. Or was. When I was eight my parents took me there one summer and I had an unfortunate run in with Donald Duck at a corn dog stand. Needless to say he and I have beef and-''

''What kind of beef could you possibly have with a fictional cartoon duck?''

''He totally photobombed the pic my mom took of me and Cinderella. Rude is what it was and I'm not ready to make amends just yet. Plus he's always running around without any pants on and that's just indecent.''

''Uh-huh,'' Santana said, quietly amused.

''So while my parents were okay with me not wanting to go with them, they weren't cool with the idea of me being home alone without any adult supervision. The last time they trusted me like that I totally screwed up by letting Lord Tubbington throw a house party for his delinquent friends. Long story short, it got out of hand and some neighbors called the police...''

''All I know is I came over ready for an actual party but just found you sitting with seventeen stray cats in your living room.''

''One of which was totally carrying drugs apparently and the whole thing resulted in like three arrests.''

Santana shook her head at the blonde, who was so obviously playing up the silly with her whimsically twisted story. ''Did not.''

''Okay, it didn't, but I did get a citation from the city for having too many felines on the property because my neighbor called Animal Control when a bunch of the cats paired up and started getting it on on my front lawn.''

''Well, they were making some super disturbing noises.''

''I know, right? But anyway, my parents didn't think that or the hundred dollar fine was funny. They weren't too keen on leaving me home alone for an entire month. So it was either this,'' Brittany made a wave towards their surroundings.

Together they stood beneath the late afternoon sun on the sidewalk of a bustling street filled with lots of drab, brick buildings. The industrial area wasn't exactly welcoming or vibrant, but Santana had to admit to herself it looked far more interesting and alive than Lima which wasn't saying much but still. When Brittany had asked her if she'd like to go away together for a few weeks during their summer break, this was definitely the last place she had in mind.

''...or Arizona with my grandmother,'' Brittany resumed, ''and I totally love my nana, but if I was going to have to be shipped off to visit family this summer I wanted to visit my favorite cousin and he just so happens to call Pittsburgh home. That's why I'm here.''

''Mmhm, and why am I here exactly?'' Santana asked.

''Orgasms. Well, that and because you can't bear to be away from me for more than, like, two minutes,'' Brittany teased.

''True on both counts.''

''Right. So if you know all of this why have I had to keep repeating it all day? You're totally acting weird and nervy.''

''Wha-I'm not being weird and nervy,'' Santana laughed her reply in a manner that yes, she knew was totally weird and nervy.

''You only tried to feel me up twice on the cab ride here, clearly you're not yourself and it's worrying me.''

''Sorry about that,'' Santana sighed, looking suddenly remorseful for not attempting more advances towards the blonde throughout the day, as if she had committed some great punishable offense. ''I promise to be inappropriate towards you a few more times before the end of the day.''

''You better,'' Brittany said in a cute little grumble. ''But for reals, what's going on? You weren't acting like this yesterday but it's like the minute we landed you were itching to hop right back on the plane...are you tired or did I do something or...?''

''No, of course not.''

''Then?'' Brittany looked at her, her eyes soft and imploring. The playfulness in her tone vanishing as concern took its place.

Santana exhaled with exaggeration as she shifted in place. Normally she would have waved Brittany's questions off with nonchalance and her usual evasiveness, but since she was trying out this whole strange being emotionally available thing she figured it best to just get it out in the open. ''I'm glad you invited me along to keep you company, really, I am, but now that we're actually here a part of me feels like I'll be imposing on your super blonde family reunion or whatever.''

''First of all, you could never impose. It's not going to be some big, giant family reunion with a million people where everyone is wearing name tags and matching t-shirts. The only family I'll be spending time with is my cousin and maybe my aunt. It's probably going to be a lot of sitting around and hanging out. If anything you're doing me a favor by agreeing to tag along.''

''Yeah?''

''Yeah. And second of all, you're not here because you're company. You're here because you're the most important person in my life.''

Brittany gave the neighborhood a once over again, this Santana knew was mostly for her benefit and apprehension, Santana was still a little hesitant about public displays of affection. Once the blonde was confident no one was paying them any mind she reached over and took one of Santana's hands and gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze before picking it up and bringing it up towards her lips to lay a sweet kiss into her palm. Any second thoughts Santana might have had about coming along for the trip quickly faded away as her dark eyes connected with blue ones that stared at her with open affection.

It was moments like these where Santana wished she were braver, where she wished she had it in her to pull the blonde into a seriously, passionate kiss right there in the middle of a busy public street, onlookers be damned. But she wasn't. Brave that is. Not yet, not in that way.

It's part of the reason why they were still in this strange, weird limbo of sorts.

For months Santana, too terrified to take the first step by starting a Serious Conversation, had been waiting for Brittany to say something, something that would clear the air and put a name to what they were now that there weren't any more roadblocks or ''stupid boys'' in the picture, but no. They were definitely more than friends at this point, but they weren't exactly officially official in any way either.

They had started sleeping together again, which was an inevitability really. Their relationship and dynamic had always been uniquely complex in that they had, through the years, developed a profound understanding of each other, a bond so deep and powerful that words sometimes got in the way of it, leaving only their bodies to express it the only way they knew how. In the tangle of limbs and the soft mix of whispers and moans. This thing between them, whatever it was, whatever one could call it, was uncontrollable. They couldn't escape that if they tried. That hadn't changed.

It was the whole Talking About Feelings thing that they had trouble with. Or at least that's the part Santana had trouble with.

Very early on it was made clear that this time there would be no one else for either of them. Brittany had always wanted it to just be the two of them and Santana was finally in a place where she could admit the same. Aside from that initial promise no other declaration had been made. Santana was never really one for romantic gestures or words, not because she didn't feel the emotions behind them when it came to Brittany, but because she was never sure how to go about them, how to articulate them. So while she had yet to voice it, she tried to prove that she could be intimate in the way Brittany so needed her to be. They even started going on unofficial-official dates, if that made any kind of sense. Now maybe she'd yet to find herself holding Brittany's hand while in line at the movie theater or showing up on the blonde's doorstep with a bouquet of flowers, but she was making an effort in her own way.

When they were between the sheets instead of immediately pulling away she would lie with Brittany afterwards. Eye contact and everything. They would actually talk, about family, about music, about dance, about Lord Tubbington's latest adventure (he was currently in the process of writing his first novel) but most of the time they would just drift off to sleep wrapped up in each other. That was definitely something they had never done much of before. Before, Santana was always too eager to get them both off and get the hell out, least the blonde start talking about feelings or wanting to sing a Tegan and Sara song together in glee club. It was different now though and she found those tiny moments that took place in the afterglow just as addicting and thrilling as when their bodies were moving against each other. Sharing herself with Brittany that way was a different kind of naked. A naked she wasn't entirely used yet, but as terrifying as it was, it was also weirdly wonderful.

Or. Like. Now she occasionally sent Brittany sweet little just thinking of you texts in the middle of the day for no other reason than she felt like it. It was such an annoying, gross coupley thing to do, but she didn't care because when Britt responded with one of those kissy face emoticons or a me too, babe or on those really good days with a what are you wearing? her heart felt like exploding in the most amazing, fantastic way.

And when Brittany's mom came down with the flu and couldn't make the two hour drive to some weird cat convention thing she had promised to attend with her daughter, who was there? She was. Santana had spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon at Brittany's side, watching cats strut up and down a tiny runway in hideous outfits while listening to nutjobs gush about which rockstar felines had the most luxurious coats of fur and whatnot. It was ridiculous, but she was there and she forced a smile throughout it because although the whole cat show ordeal made her want to rage and punch someone in the neck, she knew it made Brittany happy. And that's what partners did and maybe she wasn't ready to scream it from the rooftops but that's what she hoped they were working towards becoming. Partners. Or girlfriends. Or whatever.

Santana was just waiting for Brittany to make the move, to say the words she herself couldn't. Although it was unintentional, the first and only time she had put herself and her heart out on the line, Brittany's gentle rejection had devastated her, broke something inside of her. The fact that it shattered her so made it that much more clear that what she felt towards the blonde was more than just fun, more than just fleeting. The day Brittany told her she couldn't be with her yet, all Santana had the will to do for the rest of the day was sit in her bedroom and cry. Cry like some silly lovesick schoolgirl. Nothing and nobody had ever reduced her to this. If it had been anyone else, anyone at all, she would have been able to shrug it off by brainstorming elaborate ways in which to best torment Rachel Berry or by pulling Puck into the janitor's closet for a little something between classes. She would have easily found a way to occupy and distract herself and would have forgotten all about it within the hour. But she didn't. She couldn't. Brittany had, unlike any other, gotten in under the wire and without even trying made Santana fall for the first time in her life.

And while the falling was easy, it was the landing flat on her face that hurt like a motherfucker.

She wasn't sure she could survive that. Not again. She and Brittany were in a really good place at the moment, but there was still that tiny fear that in the end all she'd be left with was more heartache. It was that terrified, irrational part of her that told her to simply be content living in limbo, to prolong it for as long as possible because maybe when the dust settled that was all she would ever get.

This beautiful, painful undefined inbetween.

Sure, there were moments every so often where she felt like withdrawing, pulling back and pushing Brittany away, but she was fighting them off with everything she had. She hoped that one day all of these little sweet seemingly inconsequential things she did to prove her intentions would add up to one big thing: them, together.

Spending a few weeks in icky, gross Shittsburgh of all places was one of those things, and while it wasn't her ideal way to cap off her summer vacation, at least she was with Britt and that's really all that mattered.

That and the promised orgasms.

''Come on,'' the blonde said, gently tugging at Santana's hand, pulling her towards the entrance of one of the buildings lining the street, ''let's get inside.''

''Wait, this is where we're staying?'' Santana questioned, shaking herself out of her thoughts and giving the street another glance and quickly deducing that it looked way too grimy for her liking. ''I thought you said we were going to be set up in some pimped out apartment?''

''We are. This is my cousin's place.''

''The whole building?''

''No, just the fourth floor.'' Brittany held the door open for her. ''It belongs to my cousin's boyfriend. They also have, like, a huge mansion just outside of the city and a place in New York too, but they have a loft here. It's supposed to be fabulous from what he's told me.''

''I don't think it's possible for anything or anyone to be fabulous in Pittsburgh.''

''My cousin said that during holidays and some weekends they stay here, but that we were welcome to it if we wanted. If not, we would probably stay at their country place with them, which isn't that far away, but he said we'd probably have more fun staying at their loft because we'd be closer to the city and there's more stuff to do around here.''

''Like get held up at gunpoint and mugged?''

''The neighborhood doesn't look that bad and besides, what with your Lima Heights Adjacent-ness shouldn't you be able to defend both of us?''

''Well, sure, but I didn't pack any sensible shoes for this trip. It's going to be a pain in the ass to fight crime in heels.''

''Yeah, but I bet you'd look really hot doing it.''

With their luggage rolling behind them Brittany then guided her into the building and into a freight elevator which quickly jolted alive and began escorting them up, making horrible noises as it climbed higher and higher. Santana clutched at the wall for support and then let out an involuntary yelp when she realized how disgusting said wall looked. ''Umm, Britt, I'm really starting to question how awesome this loft supposedly is. I mean ew, right? Are you sure we're not about to walk into some crack den or something?''

Brittany made no comment, she simply stared straight ahead, but then when the elevator stopped and she pushed the old wooden panel up to allow them entrance into the hallway area she made a big show of taking off her thin coat and placing it across the threshold of the elevator, like a gentleman would do for a lady in some old timey movie so the woman would be spared from walking into a puddle.

''Madame,'' she said with a slight French accent and offered her hand to Santana as she stepped into the hallway.

Santana, struck by the sudden need to cover Brittany in kisses over the gesture, simply decided to lay a single kiss on the blonde's cheek in passing. Brittany, lagging behind a few feet, tipped an imaginary hat at her before grabbing her own piece of luggage and catching up. Together they came to stand at the nearby doorway.

''So what's your cousin's name again, I know you told me before but I can't remem-'' Santana began, but before she could finish her thought, the loud, steel panel door was sliding open and a young blonde man was throwing his arms around Brittany, pulling her into the space and twirling her around several times in what looked to be a half-hug, half-dance as they bounced in place together.

''Oh my god,'' he squealed in delight. ''Brittany!''

''Justin!'' Brittany squealed right back.

''You're here!''

''I'm here!''

Santana stood back and watched the reunion. Her eyes flitting back and forth between the two.

It was clear to her straight away that the young man standing before her had to be related to Brittany. You'd have to be blind not to see the resemblance. There was definitely something shared in their brilliant smiles, their carefree laughter and overflowing energy. Not to mention all of that blonde hair. Brittany's cousin - Justin - had a beautiful mop of styled blonde hair, the very same tone as Brittany's. The cousins chatted for a bit between themselves, quickly leapfrogging from topic to topic. There was talk of aunts and uncles and the flight in and how cute they thought each other's outfits were. Santana tilted her head and observed them in silence, she quickly came to the conclusion that standing together, with their hair, and their innocent, pure wide-eyes they looked a lot like Precious Moments figurines. Like all they needed was a couple of harps or something to complete the picture. They were that effing adorable. She was pretty sure Britt and her cousin Justin with all of their squeeing and flouncing about could probably put an end to all war and strife within the world.

''Santana,'' Brittany started pulling her into the loft, ''I'd like you to meet my absolute most favorite cousin ever, Justin. Justin, this is Santana, my best friend and the most awesomest girl I know.''

''Santana,'' Justin said in greeting, offering her his hand and giving her the biggest, brightest smile she'd ever seen, well second to Brittany's, ''so nice to meet you.''

''Nice to meet you,'' Santana replied sweetly and accepted his hand.

She wasn't usually this openly kind to complete strangers, but he was putting them up during their trip and for that deserved a little gratitude. On top of that he was a part of Britt's family and there was definitely something in their shared genes that made it completely impossible for her to be rude or ugly to him. It was like he was made of sunshine or something. Weird.

''So come in, come in,'' Justin continued as he moved backwards into the loft, allowing them to walk in further.

The girls rolled their luggage forward as they took in the sight of the place. Despite the pedestrian look of the building and the elevator's rickety state, the loft was indeed awesome. More than awesome, it was gorgeous. Santana had always prided herself in having an excellent eye and style sense; she'd always floated towards certain aesthetics and tended to make her personal surroundings dark and striking. Whoever constructed the interior design of this place obviously had her same severe taste which she could appreciate. It was beautiful and sleek; the hardwood floors, the mid-century modern furniture, the state of the art appliances, the imported italian fixtures (some of which she had been nagging her father about desperately needing in her en suite bathroom last month). It was all dramatic, all stunning and yet there was nothing cold about it. It was mature, it was sexy, it was, dare she say it...fabulous.

Noting their silent wonderment Justin began a very brief tour, leading her and Brittany from area to area, allowing them to walk through it and encouraging them to explore because he said for the next few of weeks it would be theirs. He took their luggage into the bedroom where they peeked in, he also showed them to the master bath as well as the dining area and eventually they circled back towards the kitchen which he informed them he had just finished loading up with groceries for their stay. Once she and Brittany absorbed the feel of the impressive living space they all came to stand in the open and empty area in the center of the loft.

''Cool naked guy painting,'' Brittany remarked as she glanced over the piece of art hanging up behind Justin.

''You'll have to excuse my language, but your loft,'' Santana said to Justin, ''it's like the shit. Seriously, it's amazing.''

''Thanks,'' Justin said with a sweet laugh that made Santana want to shrink him and carry him around in her purse.

''I can't believe you're just, like, giving Britt and I the run of this place,'' Santana said as Brittany, meanwhile, hopped towards the steel beam located near the kitchen's island and did a cute little spin around it, a-la Singing In The Rain.

''To be honest, it took a little bit of convincing Brian to let you two have the loft while you girls were in town,'' Justin admitted.

''Brian?'' Santana asked.

''My boyfriend.'' Justin's smile grew impossibly wider and brighter.

Brittany raised a skeptical eyebrow. ''According to Justin he's supposed to be the hottest person in Pittsburgh.''

''Not supposed to be,'' Justin said. ''Is.''

Brittany shrugged at her cousin. ''Yeah, well, now that Santana's in the zipcode I think he's got some serious competition for that title.''

Justin laughed the remark off and turned to Santana to further explain, ''See, the loft was Brian's place before it eventually became our place. It's...well, it's a character in itself, but we haven't really lived here full time in a while. We spend the majority of our time in New York now, especially since Brian relocated his company's headquarters there a couple of years ago, but we could never let this place go. In his head it's still very much his sanctuary. I had to do some, uh, special convincing because I can't imagine him ever being thrilled with the idea of handing over a set of keys to two teenage girls, especially if one of them was related to me...I was not the calmest of teenagers in my day.''

''You don't say,'' Santana said as she watched Brittany toddle off in exploration to a corner of the loft only to watch her plop face down into a giant heap of cushy white floor pillows for no discernible reason whatsoever.

Justin paid no mind to his cousin's bouncing around. ''I only ask that you both promise the loft won't get wrecked otherwise it's my ass...like literally, you have no idea.''

Santana had to snicker at the thinly veiled implication of his comment.

''Speaking of Brian, I was hoping that all four of us could have dinner tonight. I'd love for you both to meet him,'' Justin suggested.

Brittany came hopping back, squeeing her acceptance to his dinner invitation. ''I'd love to go out tonight.''

Santana, on the other hand, nodded with a little hesitance.

''Hey, you are so not allowed to flake out on us,'' Justin said to Santana, having apparently picked up on her uncertainty. ''Brittany's my family and as excited as I am to hang out with her, I'm also looking forward to getting to know you.'' He then made a wave, silently inviting them to take a seat with him in the sitting area. They plopped down on the couch opposite him. Santana sat back, crossing her legs elegantly while Brittany relaxed onto the piece of furniture with her legs tucked under herself. As they settled Justin continued, ''I've heard about you for years you know. I can't count how many email conversations or Skype sessions I've had with Brittany that end up in nothing but Santana's so funny, Santana's so hot, Santana's so talented, Santana gives the best lady k-''

''Justin,'' Brittany warned in a loud whisper.

''What? It's true.''

''Um, thanks,'' Santana said, slightly alarmed at where he had been going with that. ''She's actually told me a bit about you too. You're an artist, right?''

''I am,'' he said, beaming.

''Britt's showed me some of your work. I mean some of the stuff you drew when you were younger anyway. Her parents have a few sketches hanging up in the den. You're very talented.''

''Oh god, my early stuff was probably really sophomoric and sloppy.''

''No,'' Brittany interjected, ''they're really, really awesome.''

''They are,'' Santana said in agreement.

''If I'm remembering correctly I did those sketches back in middle school as a part of a project for art club.''

Santana nodded. ''I don't know much about art but I thought they were great and so unique. It's cool that you did your own thing and made a career out of something so creative. Totally badass if you ask me.''

Justin waved his hand in an oh, get out, you're too kind fashion. ''Brittany's told me that you're a bit of an artist yourself, a singer.''

''I wouldn't exactly call myself an artist, but I can carry a tune, yeah.''

''She can do more than carry a tune,'' Brittany commented proudly and moved herself closer into Santana's side. ''She has the most gorgeous voice, like, of all time. It'll totally make you melt it's so beautiful and just...warm. Every time I hear her sing I swear my heart stops for a few terrifying seconds before it jumps back to life. She's amazing. So amazing.'' Brittany paused as if realizing how blatant and adoring her words and tone were. Looking suddenly bashful she veered off in subject. ''She's amazingly talented. Like, the most talented person in our glee club.''

''I have to respectfully disagree,'' Justin said, throwing a polite smile to them both, ''after what I saw in New York at your nationals performance I have no doubt that you have a stunning voice Santana, but I was floored by you, Britt.''

Brittany shook off his compliment. ''My voice isn't as strong as-''

''Her voice is lovely,'' Santana nudged at Brittany gently before turning back to Justin. ''Wait, you were at our nationals competition?''

''Of course,'' said Justin. ''My boyfriend and I live in New York and when Britt told me her club would be performing there I knew there was no way I would miss it and I'm glad I didn't because it was amazing. Well, both your parts were anyway, I didn't care so much for that tall fellow and that loud girl's duet, or that awkward, uncomfortable kiss.''

''Yeah,'' Santana sighed, recalling the event with displeasure but deciding not to dwell on it. ''But as sweet as Britt's voice is I have to say her real strength is dance. She's the most incredible dancer I've ever seen. If anyone's an artist, it's Britt here. She was great at our National's but that performance was only using a tiny fraction of her talent. I don't know if you've ever seen her dance by herself, but the way she moves is just...breathtaking.''

Something swept across Justin's face as if he was tickled and overcome by a sudden memory. He quickly launched into ecstatic speech. ''Believe it or not some of my best childhood memories involve me and Brittany getting our dance on together.''

''Yeah,'' Brittany said, ''I kinda-sorta have Justin to thank for introducing me to dance.''

''Oh god,'' Justin started, ''remember when we were little and you and I came up with that ridiculous and random interpretive dance set to Hanson's MmmmBop?''

Santana laughed. ''Please tell me there's evidence of this, preferably in video form.''

''Totally!'' Brittany exclaimed, lighting up. ''Oh man, I loved that song back in the day. Hanson was such a cute all girl band. I totally dug their whole message of female empowerment.''

''Ummm, Brittany...'' Justin began gently, as if to correct her until Santana caught his eye and shook her head at him, throwing him a bemused smile and signaling him to just let it be. All giggles, Justin stayed on Santana and continued on with, ''Right, anyway. When we were little kids we used to choreograph dance numbers to NSync and Madonna songs and perform during family get togethers.''

''I was five, he was nine and we totally had dreams of being like, I dunno, our generations Cris Cross or something.''

''I'm sure there's a ton of photographic evidence of it all in our family photo albums.''

''I think I've seen a few of those pictures in frames on Brittany's bedside table actually,'' Santana recalled with amusement.

Justin could only drop his head in horror. ''So embarrassing.''

''What are you talking about, embarrassing?'' Brittany asked through laughter. ''Those routines were brilliant! We had total boss moves, Jus, even back then. In fact I demand that before this visit ends you and I resurrect one of them for old time sake.''

''No way.''

''Yes way! Santana back me up.'' Brittany gave her a pleading smile.

Santana chose to remain neutral between the two blondes and their playful familial joshing around. ''Hey, leave me out of your family squabble.''

''Okay, let's compromise,'' Justin said, ''I'm not too keen on busting out any of our old school dance moves, but I'm game for coming up with some new ones with you. I don't know about you, but I've definitely improved since then. I wasn't always a serious artist, you know. Not too long ago I had a short stint as a go-go boy for a few weeks.''

Brittany appeared totally unimpressed, ''yeah, well, people have told me that I turn into a stripper when I get a few drinks in me-''

''I can confirm this,'' Santana said, raising a finger.

''-and that's, like, almost the same thing, so,'' Brittany countered.

''Ah, but I've spent a large part of the past few years on the dance floors of some of the hottest clubs,'' Justin said with a little overly confident twinkle in his eyes.

''And I've spent the past two years on a national championship winning cheer squad as their most featured dancer.''

''Which is cute,'' Justin interjected and teased. ''But I highly doubt you could keep up with me now.''

Brittany, totally unphased by his innocent, playful trash talk, traded a look with Santana as if to say 'is this boy for real'. If there was one thing Santana knew for certain in life it was that no one, absolutely no one could out-dance Brittany S. Pierce. It was like a law of the universe or some crap.

The blonde girl turned back to the blonde man. ''I hope you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting,'' she said to her cousin, her expression turning somewhat dark and menacing. Well, as dark and menacing as someone as bubbly and sweet as Brittany could ever be, which wasn't much or at all really. When Brittany tried to look intimidating it only made her look even more adorable. Cutest scowl ever.

''And what if I am?'' Justin asked in return, he himself trying to look intensely seriously, but he, like Brittany, was unable to pull it off convincingly.

''I don't think you know what you'd be walking into.''

''I think I do, and I think you're forgetting who taught you everything you know about how to move.''

''Alright then,'' Brittany began, ''when all's said and done just remember that you asked for it. Sometime before this trip is over...dance off...you and me. It's on.''

Santana shot the man a friendly yet pitying smile. ''You're so going to get your ass handed to you.''

Justin laughed. ''We'll just see about that.''

''We so will,'' Brittany said, her play-scowl vanishing and her mirth instantly returning.

''So...what exactly does the winner get?'' Santana asked, amused by the blondes and their silly little challenge. She took a moment to look at both of them in turn and decided she had to egg them on even further. It couldn't be helped, they were too cute. ''I mean, it's not a contest unless the winner actually, you know, wins something.''

Justin tilted his head thoughtfully and Brittany began to tap her chin thoughtfully as if in great consideration before piping up with, ''San's right. We should totally make this interesting.''

''I'm not going to take money from you,'' Justin said as if he'd already been declared winner of said dance-off.

''Who said anything about money?'' Brittany made a pfft sound with her mouth and waved the thought off. ''If I win...I get...oh, I know! A one of a kind, professional portrait of Lord Tubbington by the famed artist Justin Taylor. Nothing too fancy, but something cool and simple that he could use for the book jacket of his novel.''

Justin giggled, like straight up giggled. ''Speaking of, I thought you were bringing your little guy with you.''

''Oh, I planned to,'' Brittany said, ''but as it turns out Lord T's on the no fly list so that was a no go. I got my friend Quinn to babysit him though so it's all good. She kinda needed someone to hang out with while me and San were gone, plus I'm hoping she can also be a good influence on him.''

''I doubt it,'' Santana chimed in, shaking her head, ''He'll probably end up being a bad influence on her. Fifty bucks says by the end of summer he's talked her into getting a tattoo and got her smoking cigarettes.''

Brittany turned away from Santana to inform Justin, ''he wouldn't do that, he's not smoking anymore. He's on the patch now.''

Justin smiled at their silly banter. ''Well, I'm sorry I won't get to meet him. But, yes, if by some small chance you win I could probably manage to draw something for you. But if I win you have to pose for me so I can draw you.''

''Psh, easy,'' Brittany said. ''I mean, not that you'd ever best me in a dance off, but I think I can agree to these terms.''

''Keep thinking that, Britt,'' Justin goaded. ''So we agree then? You win, I draw a portrait of Lord Tubbs. I win, you'll be my model.''

''You should just resign yourself to defeat now. In fact,'' Brittany held up her phone and made it dance at her side, ''I'll start emailing you candids of LT as we speak so you can get a real essence of who he is for the portrait, because you're going down.''

''You're the one going down.''

''Ooo, can I videotape our dance off and my eventual victory-''

''You mean my victory,'' said Justin.

''I could always use new content for Fondue For Two.''

''What? No,'' Justin panicked. ''If you're talking about your internet cheese show, no.''

The blonde girl let out a teasing little grumble and directed it at her cousin. ''What happened? You used to be so fun and cool and not all grown up and boring.''

''Hey, I'm still fun,'' he cut in, looking playfully hurt at being thought of as a square. ''I'm so fun in fact that I hope you girls brought fake IDs because while you're here I plan to introduce you two to some of the best clubs in Pittsburgh.''

''Clubs?'' Brittany let out a little joyous squeal.

''I could be down with hitting up a club or two,'' Santana said, intrigued.

''See,'' Brittany poked her side, ''I told you we'd find a way to have fun here.''

''Oh, I promise you,'' Justin said, ''Liberty Avenue is the least boring place on the planet...''

From there the three of them then fell into an easy going conversation and Santana felt herself grow calmer and more relaxed with each passing second spent with Justin. She piped up here and there but was generally happy to take a backseat during the interaction so the cousins could catch up properly. Brittany told him all about dance workshop and glee club and the pilates class she and Lord Tubbington enrolled in together. Justin talked about his work and life with his boyfriend Brian, as well as how he wanted to introduce them to his makeshift family. He had a million and one different ideas about showing them around his city apparently and he eagerly told them about all of them.

Watching the two blondes interact was a pretty strange experience for Santana though. Brittany was like rainbows and unicorns and lollipops and Justin was pretty much the boy Brittany. It was uncanny. They were so easily pleased and excitable and their smiles, god, they're smiles were so sweet they made Santana's face hurt. Their energy levels were apparently far beyond hers too. Even though they were just sitting there they seemed to be so full of life and movement and joy, just watching them have a conversation wiped her out. Yet as adorable and charming as Santana found Justin to be she was more than a little glad that after another hour of chatting away he chose to wrap up his visit.

He was off to run a few errands around town he said and suggested they should spend the next few hours relaxing and settling into the loft before they all hit up the avenue later that evening. They stood along with him as he made for the door. Santana stood back a few feet behind them when he gave Brittany a set of keys and explained the security alarm code. Afterwards he sent Santana a cute little wave and Brittany received another hug and before they knew it he was sliding the door closed.

When the loud locking mechanism clicked shut Brittany took a moment to stare at the steel door. She inhaled deeply as if preparing herself before turning around and taking the few strides necessary in order to crash her body against Santana's, opening her mouth to deliver the longest, hottest, dirtiest kiss Santana had ever been on the receiving end of.

''I thought he'd never leave,'' Brittany spoke against her lips.

''Why? It looked like you were having fun catching up.''

''I was at first.''

''Then?''

''I kept getting distracted.''

''Distracted?''

''Mmhm.'' Brittany peppered tiny, teasing kisses to her jawline.

''Yeah, that naked guy painting is really in your face,'' Santana wrinkled her nose and gave a nod in the general direction of the large canvas several yards away. ''And the dude's not even packing either, so it's not even the cool kind of porny art.''

''No, it wasn't the painting,'' Britt laughed, pushing herself against Santana so their bodies were flush against each other. She then playfully forced Santana to start walking backwards into a kind of stumbly dance until the back of her knees hit the arm of the couch and Santana toppled over onto the cushions, only to have Brittany topple over on top of her, blanketing her entire body and putting pressure against her in the most delicious way. ''I was distracted by the fact that I was sitting next to the hottest person in Pittsburgh,'' Brittany said from above, bumping their noses together.

''I can't believe you said that to Justin.''

''Well, you are and there's no way Justin's boyfriend or anyone for that matter could be hotter than you. You know, it really got me to thinking-''

''Always a dangerous sign.''

''-about how you're really hot, I mean naturally as I tend to do most days.''

''Naturally, yes.''

''And how the loft is also really hot, and how I want to do really hot things to you and all this combined hotness gave me a few ideas.''

''Did it now?'' Santana asked, very much liking where this seemed to be leading.

''While we're here I think we should christen every surface of this place.''

This was one of the many, many things Santana adored about Brittany. She was sweet, open, giving and so very innocent and yet despite being all of these things she was also unabashedly sexual. She had absolutely no qualms about showing Santana how eager she was for her touch. How the girl embodied her class clown persona one moment while being able to, in a matter of seconds, transform into a total minx was beyond her. Santana had been with more than a fair share of people in her life, but none were as enthusiastic or adventurous as Brittany.

Hell, there were even times where Brittany almost wore her out, which was saying a lot.

''Every surface?'' Santana asked slowly, watching the way Brittany bit down on her bottom lip in anticipation. How she wanted to do things to that cute pink lip.

''Every surface. The last fifteen minutes that Justin was here I couldn't help but daydream.''

''Why, whatever about?'' Santana tried to sound as innocent and clueless as possible.

''You...taking me against that wall over there and maybe in front of that giant window in the living room too and possibly on top of the dining table. I thought about you and me. In every corner. In every way.''

Santana responded to this by pulling her into another kiss and took pride in making the blonde moan those soft little moans Brittany always made when overcome with arousal. Santana always knew the effect she had on the dancer and took a sort of devilish delight in working her up and watching her desire come to the surface, spilling out. Maybe it was a needy thing, maybe it was an ego thing but seeing how much the blonde desired her always drove her wonderfully mad with lust.

''You want me to fuck you?'' Santana asked bluntly in a throaty tone, cutting straight to the chase.

''Everywhere.''

''I think I can make that happen,'' Santana was more than up for the challenge. ''In fact I'd have probably already gotten you naked and on your back five minutes ago, but I think for the time being I'm going to have to give you a rain check.''

''Wuh?'' Brittany whimpered at the thought.

''I don't know about you but I have airplane and cab all over me. I need a shower, Britt. I feel ten kinds of dirty here.''

''I like you dirty, though. If anything I prefer you dirty. Dirty Santana is the best kind of Santana.''

''Yeah, but not this kind of dirty.''

''Awwwww.'' Brittany pouted and Santana did her best to kiss it away.

''Hey, I never said you couldn't join me in the shower, now did I?''

''The shower huh?'' Brittany did an excited little wiggle at the suggestion which only caused Santana to moan in pleasure.

''When we were on our little tour of the place I noticed it looked like there was plenty of room in there for two. I say let's unpack because all of our bath stuff is buried in our luggage, and once we get everything sorted I promise we'll start scratching places off that list of surfaces you want me to take advantage of you on...starting with the shower.'' Santana whispered the last of it into her ear, teasing. She delicately scooted out from underneath Brittany, who let out a tiny groan in dissatisfaction at the loss of contact, and started for the slightly raised dimly lit bedroom that weirdly looked like an altar of sorts to Santana. Without any urging Brittany scrambled off the couch after her.

Their teasing was temporarily put to a halt when they found that sifting through their luggage for their desired items was going to be a much bigger task than originally thought. They quickly busied themselves on opposite sides of the room, unpacking and poking around in the nooks and crannies of the place. Brittany had gathered a huge armful of their belongings and immediately started placing and sorting them in the tall dresser on the left side of the bed. Santana found herself standing on the right side, placing their luggage onto the wood seating area framing the bed that was only a few feet from the closet space. Thankfully it had been cleared out with only a row of empty hangers hooked inside. She unzipped their bags and proceeded to go back and forth from the bed to the closet, with each trip she grabbed several garments, moved to hang them up only to turn around, grab another handful and start the process over again. She lost count of how many trips she made going back and forth after ten minutes and came to the conclusion that they had both packed way more clothes than was necessary.

''How many hats did you pack for this trip?'' Santana asked through laughter, pulling out what had to be from her estimation hat number two-hundred and seven from their luggage.

''A few,'' Brittany answered, her arms full of Santana's underwear. ''Like seven.''

''Try thirteen.''

''Okay, so I may have gotten a little carried away when I did my packing. I was excited,'' Brittany admitted with the sweetest grin Santana had ever seen. The girl's spirit and energy made her heart ache in that wonderful way. The heart ache turned into a full cardiac event as Brittany carried on, sighing happily, ''Once upon a time Justin and I were inseparable. We were practically attached at the hip as kids. Not everyone understood me back then, and well, not many understand me now but he had always just...got me. But then his dad moved his family from Ohio to Pennsylvania and it all kind of changed. Yeah, we see each other at family get togethers and call and email all the time, not to mention our weekly video chats but...to get to be here and spend some real time with him face to face means so much. Like now that I'm here we can pig out on food and make fun of each other's outfits as we look through old photos, and I can totally rub his face in it when I inevitably kick his little butt in our dance-off. I'm kinda looking forward to doing some dumb family bonding stuff with him.''

''Hey. It's not dumb.'' Santana assured her. ''I think it's sweet that you have that with him.''

''Growing up I saw him as like a cool worldly older brother who got to do everything first; sneak into a club with a fake ID, rebel by getting a crazy piercing, lose his virginity. I remember being fourteen or fifteen when he really started telling me about everything he was experiencing. He had all these amazing stories and I always kind of marveled at how he always survived everything the world threw at him. Other than you, he's pretty much my best friend. To this day he's still that person I can go to with anything, any question, and there's no judgments.''

''I have to say even though I've only known him for an hour, he's kind of...sort of...'' Santana shook her head as she spoke stiltedly, so not used to describing someone in such a generous way, ''...like...a total sweetheart.''

Brittany let out a happy squeak, looking rather pleased with the fact that Santana had taken to someone who was so dear to her.

''Don't ever tell anyone I've used that word,'' Santana warned playfully, ''but he is. I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't someone like him.''

''You mean someone gay?''

''Guhwhat?'' Santana sputtered. Sure, judging and mocking people was kind of Santana's thing, like a recreational sport of sorts, but it was different where Britt was concerned and by extension Justin was a part of Brittany. Everyone else might be open game but within seconds of meeting him it was obvious Justin would be an exception. ''That wouldn't be a... it wouldn't matter to me if... what I meant was I never expected him to be as awesome as he is. Not...like...the other thing.''

The other thing being of course the gay thing. Gay. It was still a word Santana found herself stumbling over on occasion. She knew what she felt towards Brittany and she also knew what that meant, she was slowly but surely on her way to finally, truly admitting that to herself privately, but the thought of declaring who she was to the universe terrified her more than anything. She wasn't prepared for that kind of public announcement, but she found no fault, no reason to tear down someone like Justin just because he was.

In her time within the Glee club she'd delivered a few cracks at Kurt Hummel and tossed a few teasing remarks to Rachel Berry about her fathers, but it wasn't because she actually took issue with them. Even before she realized this about herself she'd never actually truly had issue with anyone else's life. It was simply that it was one of the easiest ways to ruffle Rachel and Kurt's feathers and shooting verbal jabs in their direction was one of her favorite daily rituals. She had since stopped using anyone's sexuality as a piece of ammo though (because really, Kurt's sallow complexion and Rachel's tragic wardrobe gave her more than enough material with which to work) especially after everything that happened with Kurt and Karofsky.

For some reason it had always been easier for her to accept this about others than it was to face it within herself. Truthfully she didn't care if you slept with boys or girls or both, whatever got you there was her motto. But when it came to herself that was a different story altogether. When it came to herself there had been fear, apprehension, doubt because in a way it was as if everything she had ever known or thought about herself was challenged by this recent discovery.

For years she had worked to build herself into something. Crafted a persona to present to the world. She knew her weaknesses, her vulnerabilities. The world would chew you up and spit you out and toss you aside the minute you allowed yourself to show or express them, but she also knew that if you could transform yourself into something better than, hotter than, smarter than, invincible and untouchable, the world would bow at your feet.

And it did. It bowed at her feet.

Not to say that she was well-liked, of course. She knew many of her peers despised her, thought her to be a bitch, were even slightly frightened of her sharp, harsh wit being aimed at them, but there was no doubt her youth, beauty and confidence allowed her a certain power. She got away with a lot. It was as if classmates, teachers, everyone had gradually accepted that she was allowed to be an asshole simply because that was just who she was. She was Santana Lopez, the ultimate work of art, the most perfect human specimen, the best fuck you will ever have. You were lucky if she ever looked at you, hell, you were lucky to even be allowed to look at her. There was a smug kind of self assuredness that came with this knowledge.

She'd worked so hard and so long to become this, to make the world believe this of her that eventually it stopped being a persona. It became she and she became it and for a time she basked in this all, looking down on the lesser thans, navigating herself to the very top until something finally came along and revealed itself to her making her tremble with uncertainty and rendering her once unshakable confidence almost non-existent. This personal revelation, this unquenchable desire, this one undeniable, unavoidable truth about herself - her love of girls - had turned her head and heart inside out and back again like nothing else she'd ever experienced.

For once, something was truly out of her grasp and control. Everything she thought she knew, everything she believed herself to be was suddenly in question because for the first time in a long time she felt like a mere mortal. And a quivering mess of one at that.

Now that she knew she felt more towards girls than she had ever felt towards boys she wasn't entirely sure she could ever have that confidence, that self-certainty back. She knew it was all mental of course; there was no real, logical reason her being gay should change who she was fundamentally. It didn't change how she walked or talked, it shouldn't change the way in which she held her head high and yet...and yet. She couldn't shake this fear, this doubt and this infinite sadness that had come over her.

She wasn't sure she could ever reassemble herself again, not in the same way as she had before. No matter how much closer she got to accepting her true self, she still couldn't help but view it as a chink in her armor. A weapon for others to use to take her down. Being queer kind of threw a wrench in her carefully laid out plan for world domination.

This bout of self-doubt wasn't about some desperate need for popularity or some pathetic attempt to maintain her social status, it was bigger than that. It was about her desire to be the best, the smartest, hottest, untouchable and invincible not because she needed the world to see it or believe it, but rather because deep in her bones, she needed herself to. She had needed to prove it to herself.

It was as if when she realized she was gay, she told herself she could no longer be these things. Like she had to be one or the other and could never be both. She hadn't yet discovered how to achieve a balance. In her mind she could either be queer or she could either be strong, but she'd not found a way to be both.

She was terrified she never would be.

Justin had every right to be who he was...if anything she found the ease he had with himself admirable. She wasn't there yet and perhaps she never would be, but she had no interest in making a joke out of people who were. Especially if she knew that person meant something to Brittany.

''No, I know you'd never use your vicious words against him,'' Brittany started again gently, bringing Santana back to the moment. Brittany spoke softly, almost cautiously as she stood on the other side of the room, ''but with everything that's happened, all of the stuff...I don't know...I just hope who he is doesn't make you feel weird or make you think twice about hanging out with him or whatever. I wanted you to meet him because you're both important to me, not because I'm pushing you towards anything.''

Santana swallowed that tiny ball of panic that usually began to form within her when moments like these occurred and carried on. ''All I know is that he's important to you and because of that he's important to me.''

Brittany beamed at this statement.

Santana continued. ''He seems pretty awesome.''

''He is, isn't he? Awesome.''

''Anyone related to you has to be made of awesome.''

''He's pretty much like my second most favorite person in the world.''

''Oh yeah? And the first?''

''Hmmm,'' Brittany tapped her chin as if in great thought, ''well, the first has to be the most devastatingly gorgeous girl to ever walk the planet. She's sexy and so, so talented and when she sings people break out into spontaneous orgasms.''

''I'm that good huh?''

''Who's talking about you? I was talking about Britney Spears,'' Brittany razzed and one of her own hats was promptly thrown at her head in retaliation.

''So mean,'' Santana sighed sadly, pretending to be greatly wounded by the snub.

''Okay, okay, Britney may be my spirit guide, but there's no question. You're always number one to me.'' Brittany, apparently bored of unpacking, stepped onto the wood platform framing the bed and unceremoniously threw herself onto the mattress to land on her stomach. She propped herself up with her elbows, curling up one of her fists under her chin as she began to watch Santana intently. ''You know, as excited as I was to get here and spend time with Justin...I also couldn't wait to be here with you.''

''Why?'' Santana laughed, as they had already spent the first two months of their summer vacation together. ''I would say you should be sick of my face, but then, well, I don't think it's possible to get sick of this.'' She made an elegant wave to her face as if she were a model motioning to a prize on a game show.

Brittany rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ''Seriously though, we go back to school in a few weeks. Senior year is going to be epic, I can already feel it, but it also means we have to go back to pretending for everyone else. It's like we spent the last couple of months just learning how to be and when we go back to McKinley, it's like we have to put everything on pause again.''

''Yeah...'' Santana sighed, feeling a pang of guilt for her apprehension.

''And I mean, I'm okay with it because we're together now... in our own way... but...''

''...But you're going to miss it? The freedom of summer.''

Brittany shook her head in the affirmative and looked at her with dreamy adoration in her eyes. ''Being with you all the time. Being together this summer, it's everything. It means so much that you came here because I want to spend as much time with you before summer ends and we have to go back to all of that. It's just us here in a totally strange, new city, in this super sweet loft with no parents or glee club kids hanging over our shoulders. I just, I want to kiss you every morning and every night and all the hours in between.''

Hearing that, Santana had to admit to herself that the nervous itch to hop a plane right back out of there had definitely subsided. There was something about the loft, about these specific four walls and it's floor that made her feel oddly at home the moment she stepped inside it. She couldn't quite place the strange, inexplicable pull she felt towards this space. ''When you put it like that, hanging around this 'burgh for a few of weeks doesn't sound like such a horrible thing.''

''I told you it wasn't going to be that kind of family visit where we sit around drinking hot tea and putting puzzles of landscapes together.''

''You do know that even if it was one of those boring landscape-puzzle-hot-tea-drinking kind of family vacations, I'd still have come with you right? I mean, I'd be bitching under my breath the entire time, but if it made you happy...you know I'd do anything.''

Looking moved by the tiny sentiment and the tone in which it was delivered Brittany looked at her with pure admiration. So pure, so intent and so stunning that Santana had to swallow and turn away, continuing with the task of unpacking before she said anything more and made a fool of herself. She took more garments from their bags and put them away properly, but she couldn't help but fiddle with one of Brittany's hats that she had previously pulled from the luggage. It was her favorite, she always thought the blonde looked impossibly adorable in her blue and yellow trapper hat. She made sure to be extra gentle and careful with it as well as Brittany's favorite top, and Brittany's favorite suspenders, and Brittany's favorite jeans, touching everything that belonged to the girl like it was some precious, sacred shroud.

''So anything, huh?'' Brittany asked.

''Oh, god, please don't tell me the real reason you brought me out here is to go to another cat show thing because I don't-''

Santana turned back around, about to launch into speech only to find Brittany now in the middle of the bed, nude atop the sheets.

''Well fuck,'' Santana whispered at the sight.

The girl had somehow, like a total sex ninja, discarded her entire outfit in the few seconds Santana had her back turned. Brittany was now on her back, laid out seductively across the bed, her arms were bent at the elbows so as to prop herself up somewhat and her legs were spread slightly and invitingly, teasing Santana with a glimpse of what was between them. All pink and perfect and ready for her.

This. This is how Santana knew. How she'd always known. Even if she couldn't yet proclaim it out loud, it was moments like this where the fog of fear and doubt subsided and she was left with the fact that this here was her truth.

They might not make sense on paper, they might appear to be complete and total opposites in every possible way, but what was between them was undeniable. It was in the way Brittany watched her, in the way Brittany moved beneath her, it was in how their bodies slid against each other. They shared a certain chemistry, whatever it was, was immeasurable and incalculable but most of all it was explosive. It was almost as if when their bodies touched they created an entirely new universe between the sheets. There was no other way in which to describe it. Yes, it was hot, yes, it was powerful, yes, it was primal, but it was also, underneath all of that, deeply, incredibly profound.

The blonde sat up and perched herself at the edge of the bed to undress her, pulling off layers and throwing them aside until Santana stood in nothing but a pair of black lace panties. ''You, Brittany Pierce, will be the death of me.''

''Hopefully not before I find a way to make you have your way with me,'' Brittany said, leaning forward to lick a spot on Santana's right hip. Santana allowed her hands to sink into the soft blonde locks as Brittany's tongue and mouth slowly moved across tanned skin, worshipping her.

Santana felt pride bubble up within her. It was a quiet, pleading request and in that moment it was clear to Santana that Brittany's eagerness wasn't just born out of a need for release, at least not entirely, but rather a desire for connection. To know and feel Santana was here with her in the moment, in this place.

''Please don't make me wait for the shower,'' Brittany murmured against her skin, her hot breath making Santana shiver.

''Fuck the shower,'' she said heatedly. Unable to deny the girl in front of her any longer, Santana started to crawl on top of her, silently urging Brittany to lie back onto the mattress and making sure to gently guide the blonde's head to rest upon the pillows. Once she was sure Brittany was at ease beneath her she began laying small, slow open mouthed kisses along the dancer's neck. ''You've been wanting this all day?''

Brittany lifted a shoulder, suddenly playing coy. ''Like I said, I'm excited to be here with you.''

Santana trailed a finger down Brittany's abs, tracing the tiny perfect indentations, overcome with the urge to run her tongue over each and every one of them. ''I see that.''

''Plus I think a proper thank you is in order.''

''Oh?''

''For coming with me here, and being so nice to Justin and so sweet to me.''

''How dare you,'' Santana gasped, as if appalled and disgusted. ''Although I'd be willing to overlook being accused of being such ghastly things if this thanks of yours involves orgasms.''

''How very generous of you.''

''Again, you wound me with your words,'' Santana huffed, feigning indignance. ''Sweet? Generous? Nice? I've never been so offended in my life. I think I'm just going to have to show you how filthy and depraved I really am.''

''Please do,'' Brittany giggled.

The dancer sighed happily as Santana moved downwards and found focus on those two tiny little beauty marks right above Brittany's right breast that she always found impossibly adorable and sexy at the same time. She gave the area of skin gentle, playful little nips before soothing it with her tongue and lips, making Brittany whimper and writhe beneath her which only urged Santana on further.

''So good,'' Brittany shivered in appreciation.

Santana continued to kiss her bare chest absolutely everywhere, paying special attention to her tight, hard nipples. She moved from one to the other and back again, sucking on the pink little peaks, fully aware of how sensitive and responsive Brittany was when she gave her chest attention. Santana loved these soft, pale mounds of flawless flesh and how they fit in her palms so perfectly, the weight of them so delightfully delicious, how they swelled ever so slightly in arousal.

She pulled back slightly so she could look up and watch Brittany's face as she moved her hands further down, spreading the girl's legs for her and teasing a finger inside. Santana couldn't help but moan when it sank into wetness. A wicked smile played across her face as she watched Britt's body eagerly arch up against her as if demanding more. There was something so rewarding about watching the sweet blonde pushed to the edge of sexual frustration. Something about knowing that she, Santana, was the only person on this earth that could ever take Brittany to that place. That glorious place that had no name, the place that only existed behind your closed eyes as you experienced oblivion. That place.

It was special. It was theirs.

''You're so wet,'' Santana inhaled that intoxicating scent deeply and hummed, withdrawing her finger and playing with the wetness that coated Brittany's upper thighs, loving how it was rapidly rushing out of her. There was so much. There was always so much.

''For you. Just you,'' Brittany whispered as if vowing it and was rewarded with another thrust of fingers. ''Oh, fu...ck.''

''You drive me wild, you know that? Every single day.''

''And for the rest of your days?'' Brittany wondered beneath her, looking uncertain yet hopeful. Beautiful and open and just so god damn innocent.

Santana searched for a reply, for the right words, the perfect turn of phrase to express what she felt and what Brittany so obviously hoped to hear in that moment; that yes, this passion between them was indeed all Santana would ever need for the rest of her days. But for whatever reason Santana couldn't allow the words to spill from her mouth. It was there, she knew, in her bones. She just didn't know how to say it, didn't know how to risk herself like that again, not yet.

Instead of a reply she pulled Brittany into a fiercely heated kiss, giving herself over to an embrace that left them both breathless and dizzy and desperately wanting. Santana tried to express herself in the only way she truly knew how: touch. Even if she couldn't say it with words yet she hoped Brittany understood the depth of this kiss and what it meant. That she meant this, that she would always mean this. Seriously, passionately so. When they pulled away, Santana continued to cup the girl's delicate pale cheek, tenderly stroking her thumb against the side of Brittany's face.

It was then that Brittany smiled the most beautiful smile and gave her a single nod as if understanding completely what that kiss was meant to convey. It said everything in the only way Santana knew how to say it. Certain that the girl had heard her silent promise, Santana claimed her mouth again deeply until she started lowering herself, trailing kisses down the valley between Brittany's breasts and continuing even further and further until her face and mouth were mere inches away from the other girl's entrance.

Without a word or warning Santana moved closer towards the girl's hot center and softly moaned into her when she made contact. The sensation caused Brittany to shudder and thrust her hips upwards against her mouth, aching for more. Santana gently eased her back down onto the bed, stroking and soothing her thighs and soon started to work slowly and purposefully; licking and sucking and kissing her like it was the last thing she'd ever do. Like it was the last thing she ever wanted to do for the rest of her life, until the blonde was all she could breathe, all she could taste, all she could feel, saturated in her in every sense of the word.

She continued to surround herself in Brittany because if this bed felt like an altar then this, Santana thought from between pale, perfect legs, was her form of worship.

And she was nothing if not devout.

X

So. Hi! Hella long author's notes ahead. I've been both a long time fan of QaF and Glee and have always had a special place in my heart for these two ships, but at the end of 2013 while simultaneously rewatching each series I noticed that these pairings share some very interesting parallels. Almost too many to name really. I watch a lot of TV, I'm familiar with a lot of ships but none of them, none of them mirror each other quite like these two.

The dynamics of each relationship are constructed almost identically. The dark, abrasive, wickedly humorous, initially emotionally unavailable Brian and Santana, the sweet, gentle but adventurous and affectionate Justin and Brittany. How Brian and Santana work so hard to keep them at a distance, how Justin and Brittany refuse to go away and see the good in them regardless of what everyone else says. How Brian and Santana are, at the root of it all, the more insecure, needy ones, how Justin and Brittany are the truly brave ones unafraid of love. How Justin and Brittany have placed the brunettes on a pedestal and look to them as their perfect, sexy protectors, how Brian and Santana so need to be those things for the blondes. How Justin and Brittany love them more than anything or anyone. How Brian and Santana would go to the ends of the earth to give Justin and Brittany what they needed, even if it meant Brian and Santana themselves were unhappy. How Santana and Brian may have slept with others along the way but will only really truly ever love Justin and Brittany, because they don't give their hearts away so easily but when they do, they mean it with everything they are.

They share character DNA.

This story has been sitting on my computer for almost two years because I write at a snail's pace. I have five chapters written out at over 230+ pages. My initial plan was to finish it before publishing but I've hit some mental roadblocks. My new plan is to test the waters and release a few chapters. Hopefully get some feedback and jump start my creativity. Reviews would be so, so appreciated, honestly I was a bit terrified of sharing this but I really feel like this story needed to be told and be put out into the universe and it'd mean a lot to even know just one person is reading it.

I adore these two ships and I really want to do them justice, and I hope you come along for the ride as I attempt to do so. While this is first and foremost Brittana story above all else, there will be lots of special appearances by QaF's characters. Stay tuned and thanks for reading.