A/N: So if anyone out there is at all enjoying this there's another YT video maybe worth checking out. Search 'Justin Taylor + Brittany Pierce = Sunshine and Unicorns'. I will never be over Britt and Justin's cute cupcake hearts.
X
when I was all messed up
and I had opera in my head
your love was a light bulb
hanging over my bed
- U2
X
''When you meet them you can't be weird, okay?'' Justin looked to his oldest and dearest friend Daphne, giving her a funny little warning of a look.
It was several days into the Brittany and Santana's visit and he, along with his friend, entered the building leading up to the loft, both of them holding reusable grocery bags to their fronts. Justin had decided to pop in and make the girls brunch. He had invited his friend along for the ride and after a quick stop at a bakery to pick up some pastries they had driven to the loft. Now together they stepped into the lift as they casually carried on their conversation.
''What makes you think I'd be weird?'' Daphne asked, comically offended by the accusation. She was sporting a pair of trendy sunglasses which she lifted to rest atop her head so she could playfully glare at him.
''Are you seriously asking me this question? Daph, you swooned like a character from Gone With The Wind the first time you met Brian.''
''Touche, darling.''
''You told Mel and Linds you were a 'big fan of lesbians' the first time you met them.''
Daphne shrugged and countered with, ''Technically true as I do own all of Melissa Etheridge's albums and once attended a kd lang concert.''
''What about that time in college when you were crushing on that hipster guy who was into the coffee shop poetry scene and you lamely lied and said you were into poetry too.''
''I did own that book of poems by Jewel. It sucked but that totally counts.''
''You even went so far as to participate in an open mic night just to impress him. You did a dramatic reading of the lyrics to the Golden Girls theme song.''
''Which earned me a standing ovation thank you very much. Also I totally tapped hipster boy that night.''
''And remember that time we were prepping for that art show at The Center and that lesbian asked you out for a soda date and you squealed like a schoolgirl and accepted?''
''And what about that was weird exactly? She was friendly and fun to hang out with.''
''Uh, hanging out as friends is one thing but she thought you were a lesbian and that you two were dating.''
''I don't recall that.''
''Daphne, after a month of knowing you she gave you a promise ring.''
''Okay, yeah, so maybe I do have a slight tendency to get overly excited when meeting new people and tend to say or do the first ridiculous thing that pops into my head in an effort to impress or win them over...''
''Which is just a really elaborate way of saying you're a total spaz who suffers from severe foot in mouth disease.''
''Am not. And even if I was, so what? I'm meeting your teenage cousin and her friend. Who cares about impressing a couple of seventeen year olds?''
''Nobody said anything about impressing them, I just don't want you to make an idiot out of yourself.''
Daphne slapped his arm. ''You know what? I knew you at seventeen and you had moments of spazzyness too.''
''Yes, but with time I've become cool and sophisticated whereas you've just become increasingly spazzy.''
''Whatever,'' Daphne laughed his silly jab off as they came to the loft's level and found their way to the door.
Justin fetched a set of keys from his pocket and made to place it into the keyhole but stopped short before turning to Daphne and questioning. ''Should we knock first before going in?''
''It's your place.''
''Yeah, but I told them that it was their space for their time here. It wasn't too long ago that we were teenagers and I know what it feels like to have your privacy infringed upon. I don't want them to feel like I'm hovering and I certainly don't want to walk in on something I wish I hadn't seen.''
''Justin, I highly doubt they're throwing a drug fueled orgy behind these doors, wait, no, considering that it's your cousin we're talking about that's totally entirely possible.''
Justin's eyes went wide as he was reminded of his own wild, sexually adventurous youth. In a bit of a panicked scramble Justin quickly opened the loft door, fearful of what he'd find but prepared to bust up any and all orgies if faced with any. Fortunately there was no drugs and no orgy, this time anyway, only Brittany sitting in the living room eating dry Lucky Charms from a box and reading a fashion magazine.
''Um...hi,'' Brittany offered between crunches of mouthfuls.
''Hi,'' Justin chirped awkwardly, regretting his hasty entrance and his knee-jerk mother-hen reactions. Daphne followed behind him.
''What's up?'' Brittany asked curiously in a hushed tone. She discarded her breakfast snack and stood, she wore a short black silk robe that Justin thought odd, only because the article of clothing wasn't very Brittany in style.
''Well, I wanted to pop in and fix you brunch, with the help of my lovely assistant and best friend Daphne,'' Justin said as introduction, nodding his head at each of them in turn. ''Daphne this is my cousin, Brittany. Britt, this is my best friend, Daphne, we went to high school together.''
''Hello,'' Brittany politely greeted the other girl.
''Holy crap, you guys look like twins!'' Daphne announced more loudly than necessary and to no one in particular.
Justin exhaled. ''Daph, what did I say about being weird?''
''Well you do!'' Daphne hollered in a laugh before adding in a quieter tone. ''It's like disturbing. And awesome. I mean I've always thought Justin was a beautiful guy, because obviously right,'' she made a wave to Justin and his handsome but delicate features, ''but you're like him in girl-form. Justin, you'd be such a hot girl.''
''God, you're such a freak on so many levels.'' Justin went to place both his and her grocery bags on the kitchen counter.
As Daphne continued to stare and compare their features, Brittany approached them in the kitchen. ''Listen, I totally love that you want to do this, and it is such a pleasure meeting you Daphne, but I'm not sure if this is a good time. Santana's still asleep-''
''-what's a Santana?'' Daphne wondered aloud.
Brittany resumed ''-and she can be kind of a grouch first thing in the morning.''
''It's noon,'' Justin gently corrected.
''Maybe later is a better-'' Brittany was interrupted when the row of glass partitions in front of the bedroom popped open harshly and completely, making a swift and loud noise as they did, revealing a wild-haired panty and bra clad Santana standing and observing them all.
''What the hell is going on out there?'' Santana asked, still not entirely awake.
''I'm making everyone brunch,'' Justin announced.
Santana yawned and made absolutely no move to cover herself. Apparently years of athletics and cheerleading and congregating in girls locker rooms had knocked any sense of shame out of the girl because Santana thought nothing of standing around in her underwear, Justin concluded.
''You should come down and join us,'' he suggested brightly, noting her somewhat disheveled appearance. He smirked knowing full well what she had probably been doing last night: his energizer bunny of a cousin.
Santana walked down the couple of steps to stand at Brittany's side and grunted her good morning greeting to everyone.
''Hey,'' Brittany cooed adorably to her.
''Hey,'' Santana greeted the blonde back, her voice all warm and throaty.
''So that's a Santana,'' Daphne said to herself in realization. Justin watched as his best friend's eyes widened in shock at the very nearly bare body before her. He threw a croissant at her. ''What? Huh?'' Daphne shook herself out of her daze enough to introduce herself to the other slightly taller dark haired girl. ''Sorry. I'm Daphne and you are...not wearing any clothes.''
Santana raised a shoulder. ''Yeah, well, I don't do pajamas and someone stole my robe...''
''Oh, right, sorry.'' Brittany, with no shame either, untied the knot, shrugged off the short robe from her shoulders and offered it to Santana who quickly wrapped herself within it. This of course, in turn, left Brittany standing in her bra and panties.
''Brittany! Clothes!'' Justin shrieked, throwing a hand up to block out the sight of his relative in her unmentionables. ''In fact both of you need clothes. We have a guest.''
He made a wave to a very perplexed looking Daphne. Brittany made for the bedroom to throw on something to wear. Santana, however, didn't follow. Instead she sauntered into the kitchen to join them.
''You got any juice up in this joint?'' Santana asked, pulling the large metallic fridge door open to peer inside.
''So you must be Brittany's best friend,'' Daphne remarked casually.
''Yep.''
''That's cool. Very cool. Cool. I'm Daphne.'' Daphne rambled in short stilted turns. ''I'm Justin's. Best friend that is. Which is also cool.''
Santana removed her head from inside the refrigerator with a carton of juice in hand and went about pouring herself a serving into a glass and sipping it. Justin started on the food and watched the entire scene out of the corner of his eye. He chuckled internally at Daphne who had a look of awe as she watched Santana drink. With so little on everything the teenager did seemed somehow...pornographic. His friend looked downright scandalized at Santana's every move.
''What happened to you last night,'' Justin asked coyly. ''Look a little tired.''
Santana slyly removed the sunglasses from atop Daphne's head and placed them onto her own face. The room was apparently too bright for her and her barely awake brain. ''Me and, uh, Britt had a late workout session last night. Think I might have overdid it on the cardio.''
Justin made a thoughtful noise, not really believing that for one second. A fully clothed Brittany, meanwhile, came scampering back in and stopped at Santana's side. She took the half empty glass of juice from her hand in a rather intimate way, her fingers gliding over Santana's with more than just a hint of tenderness. They couldn't have been more obvious if they tried Justin thought.
Soon Brittany was pouring Santana another glass, as well as one for Justin and then for Daphne, who did a spit take when Brittany asked, ''So are you the same Daphne that Justin slept with his senior year of high school?''
''Britt,'' Justin laughed at her inquiry and handed Daphne a small kitchen towel to wipe at her chin with.
''What?'' Brittany questioned, still choosing to share Santana's glass of juice with her than to fix her own.
''It's inappropriate,'' Justin said as he wielded a spatula.
''There's like a five foot painting of a naked guy behind you, Santana is in her underwear, and Daphne is pretty much leering at her, which ya know, you should stop because jailbait duh. There's like a lot of inappropriateness going on here,'' Brittany said in her defense.
''She's right you know,'' Daphne supplied as she walked around the kitchen island, croissant in hand, to climb onto a stool and face Justin who was now cracking eggs into a pan, ''you're kinda being a wet towel and I'm not leering at your friend, Brittany.''
''Yeah, sure,'' Brittany snickered.
''Anyway! Yes, I am that Daphne.''
''Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it,'' Santana waved her hand about, ''you've slept with a girl, Justin?''
Justin nodded with ease. ''Yeah. Why is that such a shock?''
''Because. You're...you.''
''An obvious gay man, you mean?'' he clarified, unoffended.
''Well...yeah,'' answered Santana. ''I mean from what Brittany's always told me, you've always known.''
''I have, but...'' Justin paused, bobbing his head around and shooting a smile at his best friend, ''Daphne wanted her first time to be special. She wanted experience and as her best friend I wanted to help her and so I did.''
Santana tilted her head, as if digesting this weird and yes, totally inappropriate information to be discussing over breakfast.
''It made things weird for a little while,'' Daphne said, ''but after a teeny-tiny confusion things got back to normal. Looking back now, I don't regret Justin being my first. Most people lose it to someone they think matters, but then they end up never seeing that person again and I didn't want that. Maybe not everyone should go around sleeping with their best friend, but...in a way, it makes our friendship that much more unique.''
Brittany and Santana traded a glance that was lost on Daphne.
''I've made out with a gay guy before,'' Brittany admitted, causing Santana to laugh into her juice.
''Oh god, you and Hummel.''
''Not a very good kisser,'' Brittany continued, ''but I'm not sure if that was because he wasn't into girls or if it's because he'd never kissed anyone before.''
''You know what, Justin was a really good kisser actually,'' Daphne complimented.
''Thank you Daphne,'' Justin replied sweetly.
''...Well?'' his friend prompted.
''Well what?''
Daphne gaped. ''Aren't you going to say you were great too, Daph?''
''No, definitely not, I was good...you needed practice.''
''I'd throw this croissant at you if it wasn't so delicious.''
A half hour later the food was served and the four of them were all seated at the dining table, which Justin couldn't help but notice had a weird little wobble to it that it didn't have a few days before. He'd ducked his head under the table top to inspect the base but couldn't really tell what had caused the tiny tilt it now had. It was barely noticeable but odd. When he questioned the girls about it they traded grins and went quiet. That alone told Justin all he needed to know. Needless to say he and Brian had had their own moments atop this table and it had always held up, he didn't even want to think about what the two young women had gotten up to on it that would actually leave this kind of noticeable damage.
Aside from the table having a very slight wobble to it now it was perfectly fine and it didn't stop them from enjoying their meal and joshing around. Justin was pleased as he watched the three girls interact with absolute ease over their brunch. Brittany and especially Santana perked up in excitement when they learned that Daphne managed a record store.
''I was a clerk back in high school. Managing the place now is just something I'm sort of doing in the meantime,'' Daphne explained to the younger girls, ''See what I really want to do is be a music journalist. Ever since I was a kid, music has always been a passion.''
''Mmm!'' Justin said mid-drink before swallowing his juice and informing his best friend, ''Britt and Santana here are singers. They're in their school's glee club.''
''Really?'' said Daphne. ''Are you any good?''
''We made it to Nationals this past year,'' Santana offered.
Daphne widened her eyes, impressed. ''I can carry a tune and I've been able to play the piano since I was ten, but I never really had that drive to perform or play. I've always felt I was better at absorbing and deciphering music on a sonic level.''
Brittany nodded. ''Yeah...personally, I've always had the hardest time passing the underwater levels on Sonic. I always got sad when I ran out of air and my Sonic fell off the screen. It's always fun to play as Tails though, he's cute.''
Santana and Justin smiled and made no judgement or reaction to the out of place comment, prompting Daphne to continue speaking, ''...anyhow, the writing thing is what I really want to do. It's just been sort of hard to crack into it. I've written some pieces for print and have done some stuff online though. One day I'll get there. You guys should come check out the store though.''
''That would be cool,'' Santana said appreciatively.
''Can we?'' Brittany looked to Justin for approval.
Justin raised a shoulder. ''I don't see why not, especially if it means Santana will finally put clothes on.''
With a wicked but friendly glint Santana threw a small piece of fruit at him. It hit him lightly in the face with the tiniest of wet sounds that caused both Brittany and Daphne to burst into giggles.
''Well, I'm glad you're all so amused,'' he said, picking said piece of fruit up from his lap where it had landed and flicking it onto the white table top, ''because the three of you are in charge of clean up.''
It was at this moment that even more fruit, a half eaten bagel and a handful of Lucky Charms went flying at him in response. Daphne, Brittany and Santana laughed together in solidarity, all three of them had playfully tossed something at him this time.
''Girls,'' he said to himself, shaking his head at the antics. He dusted himself off of debris and then pointed at Brittany and Santana, ''you two go get ready and we'll leave as soon as you're done.''
With their plates now empty, the two teenagers rose and began for the bedroom. Brittany kissed Justin's cheek as she passed him. ''Thanks for brunch.''
''It was delicious,'' Santana declared with a grateful nod. She picked up a single grape that rested on his shoulder that he'd failed to shuck off and popped it into her mouth. ''Thanks.'' She patted his hair as she went to follow Brittany.
Justin and Daphne watched them go and once inside the bedroom, Brittany closed the partitions to allow them some privacy. Justin turned back to the table and pointed a finger at Daphne who was now standing and making a break for the living room.
''And you,'' he said, ''are not off the hook. You're on clean up duty with me.''
''Damn.''
Together the two friends started cleaning and clearing up the table, stacking dishes, cradling glasses and bringing everything back into the kitchen area where they both began to wash and rinse things at the sink.
Daphne handed him a dish, catching Justin's attention. ''Your cousin and her friend are...interesting. I mean, you do see it, right?''
Justin raised an eyebrow and dipped his head, silently urging her to go on with her thought.
''You and Brittany are mirror images just about, which is understandable with you being related, but Santana...she's like Brian 2.0. She is to die for.''
''Do I need to remind you that you're straight?''
She laughed at the insinuation. ''No. First of all, she's seventeen, second of all, I have a boyfriend who I adore, and thirdly, I wasn't staring at her because I'm attracted to her. But you gotta admit, the girl gives off some weirdly intense energy. Gay or straight, you notice when she walks into the room. I've only ever seen that quality in one other person...''
''Brian,'' Justin said knowingly. ''I see it alright. Funnily enough I'm not quite sure they do however.''
''Wait, she and Brian have met? And the universe didn't implode?''
Justin shook his head. ''You know how two like sides of a magnet will repel each other?...That. Seeing them in the same room, now that was some weird energy.''
''Makes sense I suppose. People often feel cautious or unease around those that they're actually most alike,'' Daphne said, ''when you see a reflection of yourself and you're not fully prepared for what's looking back at you...it can be off-putting.''
''Yeah, I definitely don't see them becoming BFFs anytime soon,'' Justin said, considering those words. He then changed the course of conversation, ''by the way, thanks for inviting the girls to the store. They seemed really excited.''
Daphne waved the gesture off. ''Brittany is so you when you were seventeen, silly, sweet and inappropriate-''
''I was never inappropriate,'' Justin gasped in a comical manner, ''I was an angel. She is an angel.''
''You were anything but! You were a little scamp. The girl may be sweet, but something tells me she can get just as wild. Better watch out for that one.''
X
Elsewhere in the loft, Brittany stood in the bathroom at the sink and worked on her eye make up as Santana stepped out of the shower through the mirror. The dark haired girl found a plush towel to wrap around herself before walking over to join her at the counter.
''Awake now after your shower?'' Brittany asked Santana's reflection.
''Mmhm.''
Brittany turned around and pulled herself up onto the counter to sit. Santana took the cue to move herself between her legs. In turn, Brittany brought her hands up to trace fingertips along the girl's collarbone. ''We totally wrecked that dining table just fyi.''
''I must have came like four times on it,'' Santana chuckled and placed her own hands onto Brittany's jeaned hips. ''And if anything's wrecked that's on you. You were the one who was convinced it could hold both of our weight.''
''And it would've had you not lost your balance and made us and the table tip over. My wrist still hurts a little from when I landed on it funny.''
Santana took her wrist and lightly kissed it, palm up. ''Aww.''
''Was worth it.''
After sharing a kiss they then began the process of readying for the day. Once they were dressed and after Santana spent a ridiculous amount of time on her hair they left the loft with Justin and Daphne. They all piled into Justin's vehicle and started off. It was more than a little amusing watching the two twenty-something best friends in the front seats playfully bicker with ease, like it was a skit or routine they'd done a million times. It was like Daphne knew just when to interrupt Justin, or Justin knew just when to toss a silly zing out at Daphne.
''Mom...Dad,'' Brittany began, breaking into Justin and Daphne's back and forth, feigning sadness as she addressed them from the backseat, ''does all of this fighting mean you're getting a divorce?''
''You're not funny,'' Justin said, looking at her through the rear-view mirror and playing along, ''...and do you have your seatbelt on? If not, I will pull this car over and turn back around!''
''Listen to your father!'' Daphne exclaimed in a high shrill nagging voice that was not her own.
''Oh my goddddddddd,'' groaned Santana, still sporting Daphne's sunglasses but clearly not amused by their playful bit. ''Are we there yet?''
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at their destination, the record store which Daphne happened to manage. The trendy shop was full of everything, CDs, vinyls, eclectic memorabilia; it even had a sitting area that worked as a kind of listening station where people could sit and listen to some tunes through provided headphones. There were only a few patrons within the store and one attending clerk, a young attractive sandy-haired female who appeared to be reading from a book in between helping customers and keeping an eye on the place.
''How's it going?'' Daphne greeted her young employee.
''Not too bad,'' the clerk hopped down from a tall stool and slumped forward against a counter. ''What's up? I thought it was your day off.''
''It is, but I have some friends here who wanted to pop in.''
The young girl looked to Brittany and Santana and straightened her posture a bit. ''...oh.''
''Hey, weren't those new display cabinets I ordered for the collectibles supposed to arrive today? Have they came?'' Daphne asked the clerk.
''Uh, y-yeah. This morning,'' the girl answered, staring beyond Daphne and at the two girls her own age. Specifically Santana. ''They delivered them through the back, but they were too bulky for me to move by myself so I only got them just inside the back door, I think it might be a two man job getting them into the stockroom.''
''Ah, the life of a manager, never a day's rest,'' Daphne chuckled, ''don't worry about it, Justin and I can handle it. You stay and watch the front, and make sure to help these two,'' she pointed a thumb at Santana and Brittany, ''if they need any. Be sure to give them my discount okay?''
With that Daphne was off, dragging Justin along with her towards the rear of the store into the Employees Only section. He threw a 'I'll be back in a few minutes' at them over his shoulders. Brittany or Santana made their way towards the aisles upon aisles of CDs and knick knacks and records.
Brittany couldn't help but get excited at Santana's giddiness, especially now that she had pulled off the oversized sunglasses and Brittany could see how bright and warm her eyes were staring out at the abundance of music before them.
Brittany couldn't exactly recall the last time she had actually bought a physical CD, maybe when she was like thirteen. She mostly got her music online. Santana was the same, except for a few artists. Santana had always had a weird little thing; if she heard a song on a radio and liked it, she'd go online and buy it and that would be the end of that, but if a band or artist's music really touched her, meant something to her she would sign her heart over to them completely. If she deemed you in the same league as Amy or Adele, Santana had to buy every album on disc, plus the vinyl, and the sheet music and - surprising to even Brittany - string only arrangements of entire works.
Brittany loved music, yes, she loved the way it propelled her to move her body, to react, to dance. In that way it spoke to her, but when Santana heard a striking piece of music, she heard it on an entirely different level. She heard it in her bones like Brittany felt dance in her own.
Brittany had always been a little bit in love with the way Santana was in love with music.
It was a sight to just watch Santana study album covers with that intense, passionate interest. Brittany decided that she couldn't not mark this moment and leave this place without some new tunes, she wasn't too concerned with who they were from.
''I'm totally getting this,'' Brittany declared as she read the back cover of a CD.
Santana lifted up the plastic casing to get a look at the front. ''Have you ever heard of Liz Phair?''
''All I know is there's a naked chick on the cover, I'm getting it.''
''If that's your criteria then I suggest you also make stops in the Rap and 80's Hair Metal section.''
''Good idea. What are you looking for?''
Santana dragged a finger lazily and almost seductively across the spines of the CDs until she pulled one out. ''Ahh...here it is.''
''Lana Del Rey,'' Brittany read the cover. ''Are you sure that's not a misprint? Cause it looks like Emma Watson. Is Emma Watson making music now?''
''No, Lana Del Rey is like...a gangster Nancy Sinatra.''
''Yeah, that still explains nothing to me.''
''Trust me, Lana's music is like an orgasm in song-form. I downloaded a bootleg of her new album to tide me over until it officially came out. I've heard it...it's sexy.''
''Well, if she's as good as you say she is we'll have to listen to it together sometime.''
''Mmm, I think we will. It's all I really came for. Now, let's go find you some more albums with scantily clad people on the cover...''
Santana took Brittany's free hand and started guiding them down another aisle, and then another and another. They browsed leisurely wandering through different genres and styles, taking on this little challenge as if it were a game. They even started up a little competitive aspect to it, trying to see who could find the most discs with nudity on the cover and grinning in triumph when they added a disc to their bundles.
''Ooo! The Notorious K.I.M. ,'' Brittany wooted as she picked up the Lil' Kim album.
''Sade's Love Deluxe,'' Santana held up her latest find.
''Hands All Over by Maroon 5.''
''Katy Perry. Teenage Dream.''
''Goldfrapp. Supernature.''
''Prince's Lovesexy, which,'' Santana said, wrinkling up her forehead in confusion, ''I'm not sure if this album cover is meant to be funny or serious but yeah, weird.''
''Shakira. Oral Fixation Volume 2.''
''Ugh, I cannot stand her singing voice. She sounds like Kermit The Frog or Miss Piggy. Or Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy's love child. Totally unpleasant to the ears.''
''I guess,'' Brittany conceded, still eyeing the album cover, ''but she's still mega hot.''
''She's passable I suppose.''
''What? She's got that whole sultry, mysterious Latin thing going on.''
Santana gave her a funny little look. ''Hello, what am I? I've got that in spades and I can actually sing. And I'm, like, way hotter.''
''That is true.'' Brittany looked at Santana adoringly from head to toe and back again. ''Do you ever think you could do it?''
''Do what?''
''This.'' Brittany held up an album cover. ''Take your clothes off? Say five years from now when you're slaying everyone and have your own album out, would you pull a Janet Jackson or a Christina Aguilera and show some skin on an album cover?''
''I'm not saying I wouldn't because I honestly don't think there's anything wrong with it.'' She lowered her voice in that way that always drove Brittany nuts. ''Obviously I'm a big fan of nudity.''
''Yeah, I kind of got that. Every time you come over to tutor me in Spanish, you insist we take our clothes off.''
''It helps you concentrate better,'' Santana reasoned. ''Don't knock my unorthodox teaching methods. You got an A on our last quiz.''
''Yeah, because I started watching Spanish soaps and picked up a lot,'' Brittany admitted. ''As a homework buddy and tutor you kind of suck...especially at Spanish.''
''What?''
''San, I've seen you try to order things off the menu at Taco Bell...you can barely do that and like half of the names of those meals aren't even real words. You do not have any kind of grasp on the language or anything resembling the language. It's cute that you think you do though.''
''Then why do you still ask me over for lessons?''
''Because I'm also a big fan of nudity. Yours to be more specific. But for reals, back to what I was asking, when you're a big time star making all the panties drop, would you ever show skin?''
''I dunno. I wouldn't rule it out but on the other hand it isn't something I feel like I'd need to do.'' Santana flipped through the stack of CDs in her hands, looking over each of the images adorning the front. ''Half of the people who are here did it at a point in their careers where they knew who they were and where they stood. Yeah, some did it to tantalize and sell records, but people like Sade or Buckingham Nicks did it to say something. Either about themselves or their music. Personally, I wouldn't want it to be how I started out. There's nothing shameful or degrading about showing skin if it's your choice, but...I believe in my voice and that's how I want people to recognize me, as someone who believes in her voice. If I ever get to that kind of place or have that kind of opportunity and manage to make something of it and sustain some kind of career in music...my mindset might change. Who knows, after a couple of Grammys and Rolling Stone covers, one day I might wake up and want to get naked in front of a camera and paste it on the front of an album. There's nothing wrong with getting naked for your art, as long as you actually believe in your art and you're not just doing it for attention.''
Brittany nodded in reflection, taking in Santana's thoughtful response.
''Why do you ask?''
''Just curious.''
''Not that it really matters or whatever,'' Santana shrugged. ''I mean the chances of me ever making it are slim to none, but-''
''-but nothing. You're the hottest, most driven, most talented person on the planet. You're going to rule the world one day. I don't see any way around it because it's impossible to hear your voice and not fall in love with it.''
''Yeah?''
''Yeah.''
''And you wouldn't mind that? Everyone falling in love with my voice.''
''No. It's way too amazing and beautiful not to share. I don't mind everyone else falling in love with your voice...just as long as I'm the only one who gets all the rest of you to myself.''
''...you want me all to yourself?''
Brittany bowed her head bashfully, flicking a finger through a handful of albums on display, making the plastic casings clack against each other. ''I've always wanted you all to myself.''
Without a word Brittany walked down the aisle a few feet as if to inspect more discs, Santana followed, questioning. ''For how long?''
''How long what?''
''Have you wanted me?''
Brittany sighed, Santana was so dense sometimes. It was a wonder why everyone always thought she was the slow one when sometimes Santana needed things spelled out for her.
''Since the first time I saw you. From day one,'' Brittany answered.
Santana smiled then. Her real, true, honest smile, not the false cocky smirk or sneer she gave to everyone else, but the real thing. The smile that took over her entire face and showed her dimples and made her eyes light up. God this girl made Brittany melt. On a bit of an autopilot, before she even knew what she was doing, not even thinking of where they were or who might be around Brittany moved in towards her and placed a single tender kiss on Santana's neck. It was sweet, affectionate, even a little bit chaste, but the second her lips disconnected from that flawless skin Brittany realized what she had done.
But.
Santana didn't push her away, okay she did bashfully duck her head for a moment before quickly looking around to see if anyone else had noticed the tiny kiss, but there was no denial, no abandonment, no pushing away and believe it or not that was a big deal. While Santana was a lot more comfortable now with grazes and touches and linking arms in public, kissing was something they'd yet to tackle in the public eye. None of the four other customers were paying them any attention though. The only person who was, Brittany noted though Santana seemed to overlook the fact, was that young female store clerk who looked away once she realized she was caught staring at the two of them.
Later, when they finished their made up game they found themselves looking at some of the new audio and tech equipment the shop sold when Daphne and Justin reappeared and joined them. Brittany had picked out some new earbuds while Santana had found some large over the ear headphones for a much more intense listening experience. While they inspected their new finds Justin took a moment to check out the music they were going to buy, combined they had over a dozen discs in the pile.
''Why do all of these albums feature nudity on the cover?'' Justin asked Brittany.
''Oh, me and Santana totally made up a new game. Spot The Nudity. It's where you and a friend compete to find the most nudity on display. Winner has to flash the loser-''
''Shouldn't the loser be the one to flash?'' he questioned.
''My game, my rules,'' Brittany declared.
''Right. Who won?''
''I don't think you really wanna know,'' said Santana.
Brittany continued on, ''I'm really thinking about shopping it around to the networks as a game show. Almost like Supermarket Sweep, but with nipples.''
While Daphne cackled at his side Justin closed his eyes as if to gain his composure. ''Whatever, give me your stuff so I can pay for it.''
Brittany and Santana both waved him off airily because hello, they weren't babies and could pay for themselves. Daphne and Justin stood back and gave them space as they took their things, making for the front counter and approaching the lone clerk who looked up at them. She smiled politely at Brittany but when she looked over to Santana her gaze lingered on her for a second longer. There was something in the girl's look that Brittany didn't entirely appreciate. Sure, Daphne had done a little staring earlier in the day too, but that had been out of obvious harmless curiosity, but this? The girl was practically undressing Santana with her eyes right in front of the store.
Brittany knew Santana was hot, people looked at her all the time. This was nothing new, but something about this felt different, overt, and a tiny part of Brittany maybe wanted to gag a little bit. Instead she just stepped closer to Santana, who seemed oblivious and unaware of being ogled by the store employee.
''So, you guys are friends of Daphne's huh?'' the clerk asked as she started ringing up their items.
''Sorta. I'm related to her bestie Justin,'' Brittany explained. ''We just met her today. She seems cool though.''
''She's a pretty laid back boss,'' the girl added, her eyes roving over Santana who wasn't even participating in the conversation. ''Daphne and Justin are kind of legends at my school. Well, at least to anyone who considers themselves a forward thinking individual.''
''You're in school?'' Brittany asked, hoping to draw the girl's eyes to her own, or anywhere other than Santana's lips.
''I'll be a senior at St. James Academy after summer. Once upon a time it was a really stuffy, repressed environment until Justin and Daphne started the school's Gay-Straight Student Alliance.''
Brittany nodded, completely aware of her own cousin's past accomplishments.
''It was a slow start, but it changed a lot of things,'' the clerk said, leaning forward slightly to place her elbows on the counter, practically shoving her boobs into Santana's line of vision. ''I'm a co-director with my friend Charlie. He's the straight half, me...I'm the gay half.''
It was obvious by the way the girl looked at Santana expectantly that this was meant to be some kind of signal or wink of some kind. It was kind of awkward but mostly just...gross thought Brittany. For all the clerk knew they were a couple and here she was making a lame play for Santana right in front of her, like Brittany wasn't even there.
''Do you guys take American Express?'' Santana asked, the girl's pass at her completely flying over her head.
''Um, yeah,'' the girl replied, looking disappointed at being ignored.
''And like, if you could split the total with me?'' Brittany presented her debit card to the girl along with Santana's. ''We'd like to pay...together.''
''Sure, I can do that,'' the clerk deflated slightly, apparently giving up and going about the transaction as usual now.
The whole tiny interaction gave Brittany the briefest of pauses and planted a strange little niggling idea in her head, but there was no time to dwell on it. Moments later they filtered out of the storefront and onto the sidewalk. Brittany and Santana led the way with Justin and Daphne trailing a tiny bit behind them.
Daphne inspected her watch. ''Well, I'm afraid I have to scram. I'm supposed to meet my boyfriend in a half hour. But it was nice to meet you two,'' she threw a smile at the girls, ''I hope you found some cool new tunes.''
''Oh, totally, and thanks for the super sweet discount,'' Brittany said gratefully.
''Yeah, that was awesome of you,'' Santana said.
''Hey, anytime. Anyone who's a friend of Justin's is a friend of mine. It was fun hanging out. Maybe we can do it again before you go home.''
''For sure,'' said Brittany, Santana nodded in agreement.
Daphne lightly tapped Justin, ''and I'll talk to you later. I won't be able to make Woody's tonight but let's do coffee this week, cool?''
Brittany and Santana both tilted their heads at that but remained silent as Daphne nodded her goodbyes to them, gave Justin a little side hug as farewell and as she made her way to the curb took back her sunglasses from Santana. She then hailed herself a cab and zoomed off. Once Daphne departed the scene Justin turned to them.
''So, what's Woody's?'' Santana asked.
''It's a bar,'' Justin answered. ''Some friends and I were gonna hang out tonight. Play a little pool, maybe shoot some darts. I wasn't sure if it'd be your scene, but you're both welcome to join.''
''Yeah, I don't know if I should be in that kind of environment,'' Brittany began, ''seeing as how me and LT used to pool hustle together back in the day. I gave it up after a rather nasty incident and haven't played since. We stopped because Tubbs once got into a huge knock down drag out brawl with this one sucker we scored fifty bucks from.''
''Yeah, that sucker was me and that happened in my dad's game room,'' Santana grumbled, not too pleased with the memory. ''My mom yelled at me for wrestling with a cat in the house and getting blood on the carpet. It wasn't even fair that I got in trouble for that, I mean it was my blood. I think that was punishment enough.''
''You know Lord Tubbington was only like that because of roid rage. He's since made amends to you for kicking your ass and swindling you out of money.''
''First of all, Lord Blubbington did not kick my ass, okay, I was totally winning that fight.''
''Says the girl who had to walk around with a little Hello Kitty band-aid on under her eye for a week...like you were Nelly.''
''Did not,'' Santana said in a half scoff, half laugh, clearly attempting to save face in front of Justin.
''Did too.''
''Not.''
Justin snickered at their playful, affectionate back and forth. ''Well, it stands, if you want to come along tonight I'd love to have you both. We can still hang out and play darts, and I can introduce you to my friends. Plus I could conveniently look the other way while you two use your fake I.D.'s at the bar.''
Brittany traded a mischievous grin with Santana.
X
''This happens in my comics all the time,'' Michael Novotny, local comic book store owner and childhood best friend of Brian Kinney, started on a sudden theory as he stood at a table in a corner of Woody's with his group of buddies.
It was evening and the gang, which consisted of Michael as well as his longtime friends Emmett Honeycutt and Ted Schmidt, had been out and about together hanging out, shooting the breeze and playing a friendly game of pool with Justin and Brian when the young blonde artist announced that he had invited a couple of friends to come join them earlier and that they had just texted back that they were on their way. Michael had automatically assumed those friends to be Daphne and perhaps another of Justin's former classmates.
What he didn't expect is one Brittany S. Pierce or Santana Lopez.
He did, on the other hand, completely expect Justin and Brian to abandon the group a few minutes after the young women's arrival because they had to 'take care of something in the alley' which Michael knew was really just code for someone was going to get fucked against the side of the building. Brian and Justin and their tendency to prioritize their libidos over everything else was nothing out of the ordinary and completely expected, even if it left their friends standing about awkwardly while two teenage girls stared at them.
While Justin and Brian were off somewhere getting off, Michael, Ted and Emmett engaged in small somewhat uncomfortable chit chat with the girls. Thankfully after ten minutes Brittany and Santana excused themselves and made their way to the bar to grab a few drinks of their own.
Michael was now left with only Ted and Emmett; the three of them stared at the interesting pair across the room, studying them in fascination. Cool and calm and looking like she thought herself to be surrounded with peasants, Santana stood at the bar waiting for her drink to be served while Brittany practically bounced in place at her side, seemingly preoccupied with a couple of tiny little drink umbrellas she'd found discarded nearby.
''Tell me please that I'm not the only one who sees this, right?'' Michael asked, looking to his two friends for confirmation that he wasn't losing his mind.
Emmett picked up his drink, held his straw between two fingertips and took a very long sip of alcohol before responding. ''No, no, I think I'm seeing what you're seeing, but you say it first.''
''I think this might indeed be a sign of the apocalypse,'' Ted commented.
Michael continued. ''Maybe Brian and Justin were involved in some top secret government experiment to create opposite gendered doppelgangers.''
''Great,'' Ted Schmidt muttered monotonously, ''just what the world needs. Sunshine the second and Brian Kinney Jr. Except ya know...with vaginas.''
''I actually think it's kinda cute. In a totally disturbing, disconcerting way,'' Emmett admitted.
''A passing resemblance would be one thing,'' Ted said, ''but they seem to mirror Brian and Justin in both appearance and personality. It really makes you wonder, what if everyone has some strange doppelganger out there living an almost parallel existence.''
Michael piped up, intrigued by the idea. ''You mean what if back where they come from they have their own versions of us?''
''Exactly.''
Considering this Emmett pondered, ''Hm, I like to think my doppelganger would be equally charming and fabulous as the original, blessed with a superior fashion sense and yet still able to defy the stereotype of the often generalized swishy gay male by knowing how to change a tire-''
''You did save us on that New York turnpike,'' Ted recalled, patting his friend on the back.
''And what would mine be?'' Michael wondered.
''Yours,'' Emmett started, ''yours would be the tiny adorable, slightly annoying heart of the group I imagine. Judging from the way you and your momma worry and fret about everyone I always thought you might have been Jewish in another life.''
''And mine?'' Ted asked.
''Yours,'' Brian, appearing out of thin air, interjected, jumping into their silly conversation as he moved his body in between Michael and Ted's, wrapping an arm around each of their necks, ''would probably be the deathly boring, prematurely balding sad-sack of the group with the most abysmal fashion sense and the personality of a blank piece of paper. Also I imagine you in really ugly ass bow ties for some reason. What are you boys up to?''
Michael beamed with excitement, amused. ''We were just talking about Justin's cousin and her friend.''
''Oh?'' Brian inquired.
''That Brittany is a sweetheart, she complimented my pashmina,'' Emmett said with a smile, Ted and Michael piped up, nodding and adding their own thoughts on the delightfully sweet Brittany who seemed to have charmed them all with little to no effort.
''Have you talked to her friend yet?'' Brian asked, grabbing Ted's beer and taking a swig of it.
''Sort of,'' Michael said. ''I mean not really. I accidentally spilled some of my water on her shoes and she called me a hobbit before I could properly introduce myself.''
''I introduced myself as Emmett Honeycutt but she insisted on referring to me as Lady Honeycutt for the duration of our short conversation.''
''At least that's better than what she called me,'' whined Ted. ''Grandpa Blaine. What does that even mean?''
Brian eyed the topic of conversation, narrowing his sight on Santana who stood several yards away across the room. ''Well, I had the displeasure of actually having dinner with her. The blonde is actually kinda sweet, but the other one? Talk about pain in the ass. Vain, smug, cocky as hell. She thinks she's god's gift; I honestly don't know how anyone could put up with someone like that. Right?''
Ted went to raise his finger as if about to launch into speech and point a certain something out, but Michael pushed his friend's hand down and shook his head. Telling Brian he shared personality traits with a teenage girl wasn't bound to go over very well.
''And get this,'' Brian added, raising his voice, ''they're staying in my loft.''
Michael, Emmett and Ted cackled at this information. Everyone knew there was only two things Brian loved in the entire world. Justin and the loft. The loft was Brian's batcave, his lair; he had always been protective and territorial over it. The guys fully understood the magnitude of the situation and found Brian's sense of violation and discomfort absolutely hilarious.
''How did that happen?'' Ted asked, still cracking up at the idea of Brian's precious loft being invaded by teenage girls.
''Long story,'' Brian muttered.
''Oh, let me guess...'' Michael began speaking in a silly-stupid cutesy voice, as if he was talking to a baby, ''it was Justin's idea and you, deep down, can never deny your adorable little sunshine anything, can you?''
''Shut the fuck up,'' Brian scoffed, which only made Ted and Emmett laugh even harder.
''Well, that's unfortunate,'' Ted said.
''Do you think they're together?'' Michael asked the others.
Ted and Emmett shrugged their answers as if uncertain.
''They're totally screwing each other's brain's out,'' a dead series Brian spoke up. ''They haven't said it outright and Justin refuses to tell me but I know they are.''
''You're just paranoid because someone else has invaded your loft,'' Ted said dismissively.
''Are you guys blind? Of course they're fucking doing it,'' Brian said firmly, unshaken in his belief. ''Look at them.''
And so the group did.
Brittany and Santana had since scored themselves drinks and were slowly sipping them while standing in a corner of the bar. There were small clusters of people around them, but no one was paying them any mind, they were in their own little bubble. Santana was looking out at the room, her face looking stoney and superior as Brittany leaned into her side and spoke intimately into her ear for several long moments. There was a closeness and connectedness there that was undeniable. The way in which Brittany lingered her mouth near Santana's face, the way Santana would only drop her bitch-face to smile at something Brittany said.
''Looking at them makes me feel dizzy,'' Emmett said, still astonished at the many attributes they seemed to share with a certain other couple.
''Looking at who makes you feel dizzy?'' Justin asked as he appeared with two drinks in hand. He handed one off to Brian and began to drink the other himself as he joined the group at their table.
''Um, er. We were just talking about the company you invited along tonight,'' Michael said. ''How long are your cousin and her friend staying for?''
''For the rest of the month,'' Justin answered brightly. ''Brian and I had already planned to take a break from New York for a bit and Brittany needed some adult supervision while her parents were away so I volunteered.''
''Wait. You're their adult supervision?'' Michael asked. ''It seems like it was just yesterday that you were a tiny overly excited seventeen year old sneaking into Woody's to hang out with us. In fact I think I might have even played your babysitter on one of your first nights on Liberty Avenue.''
''Now-now, Michael, our little Sunshine is all grown up,'' Emmett said sweetly as he reached over to playfully pinch one of Justin's cheeks.
Justin lightly batted Emmett's hand away from him. ''Stop it,'' he laughed.
Ted piped up to add, ''Nah, to us you'll always be the cute little twink who despite all the odds made the biggest asshole in the known universe somehow grow a heart.''
X
An hour later found everyone still hanging about within the bar. The two teenagers had come back to join the larger group of friends. Brittany, Emmett, Justin and Michael had started a game of darts while Ted sat nearby making commentary and eating curly fries. Brian, meanwhile, had found himself standing alone with Santana.
The two had somehow been forgotten in the mix. As their friends hooted and hollered and laughed several feet away from them, they stood silently and blinked at each other.
''So,'' Brian said.
''Yeah,'' replied Santana.
''...Don't want to play darts?'' he asked her.
Santana raised a shoulder in disinterest. ''Probably isn't a good idea for me to have any sharp objects while in close proximity to Ted Warbler over there. I don't think I'd be able to resist not stabbing him. How do you stand him, he talks with absolutely no inflection whatsoever and I mean what is with that shirt?''
Brian didn't quite get the nickname she bestowed upon his accountant friend, but he completely understood her annoyance at Ted's total lack of style or charm.
''It's like, who the hell still wears bowling shirts? Gross.'' Santana grimaced.
Brian had to smirk. He could appreciate that remark, because hell, Ted's reluctance to give up his lame, dated bowling shirts after all these years was fucking disgusting. Why none of their other friends were willing to call him out on it and stage an intervention was beyond Brian. But this girl got it. Not only did she get it, she somehow managed to make him amused which was no small feat. Brian Kinney was not easily amused or entertained, but this kid and the cocky, arrogant way about her...he didn't see people wear that very often with such complete dedication.
There was something about her, though. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
Brian wasn't sure what made him do it, maybe it was boredom, maybe it was curiosity, maybe he just wanted to get to know the person who had invaded his sacred loft, but something inside of him compelled him to pick up a couple of pool cues and offer one to her.
''You play?'' he asked, nodding his head over to an unoccupied pool table.
''Not very well, but...sure.'' Santana simply took the offered stick and accepted his invitation to a game.
Together they took the few short steps over to the table. Santana chalked up her tip while Brian began racking the balls up. After he placed them in the middle he waved to her, allowing her to take the first shot. ''How are you finding the loft?'' he asked.
''It's gorgeous,'' she answered after making a rather weak go of it, barely managing to break the triangle of balls up.
''It should be, I designed it myself.''
''Everything in it is modern...Italian...and beautiful. Even the kitchen water faucet is designer.''
Brian preened a bit at her complimenting his interior design skills and took a shot, sinking a ball in a hole.
''I have to admit I wasn't expecting that,'' she said.
''Me sinking that ball?''
''No. I meant I wasn't expecting someone with that kind of serious style to come from somewhere like Pennsylvania.''
''Because Ohio just breeds sophisticates?'' he asked.
Santana tilted her head, taking the jab in kind. He had her there. ''Right. Well. I was especially impressed by your Eames chair.''
''I'm especially impressed that you even know what an Eames chair is.''
''Not everyone in Ohio is a slack-jawed yokel. Just like I guess not everyone in this burgh is without style.''
They traded small somewhat awkward smiles and nodded at each other, each conceding that yes, they both came from some very unfabulous places and yet had managed to develop a certain eye for elegance and trend. They then took a few alternating turns taking shots until Brian decided to open his mouth again with...
''So how long have you been fucking Justin's cousin?'' he asked, not bothering to beat around the bush or approach the topic delicately. He had never been able to do anything calmly or quietly.
''What?'' Santana asked, her voice going higher in pitch as she accidentally popped a pool ball at least a foot up into the air. It thudded loudly as it plopped back to the green felt.
''You really do suck at this game,'' Brian noted.
''Who told you?''
''That you suck?''
''About me and Britt.''
''No one told me. No one had to. I can spot a freshly fucked person a mile away. It's one of my many superpowers. You both had that look when you walked in tonight.''
Santana eyed him in silence. Brian wasn't sure, but it looked like she might cry, or stab him with her pool cue. Or both. Probably both.
''It's not like I give a fuck.'' He bent down to study the table as if planning out his next move and trying to find just the right trajectory. ''I mean, I only ask because you're both staying in my loft and I'm trying to prepare myself for the inevitable severe emotional trauma I'll suffer once I find out what might be occurring in my bed.''
While Brian went about the game, Santana meanwhile was trying to determine his angle.
If it had been anyone else to make mention of the nature of her relationship with Brittany, Santana might have reacted differently. She might have scoffed it off and denied it, might have resorted to a scathing insult. She might have lashed out to draw attention away from the moment... but the way Brian had so casually brought it up, as if it was nothing, as if the acknowledgement of two girls being together was a normal, everyday thing... it made her feel something she'd never felt before. What shook her about the incident more than anything was his nonchalant acceptance of it. He wasn't making roundabout insinuations, he had accepted it as fact. He had said it out loud, put it out into the universe and then proceeded to wave down a bar employee to order another beer.
''You want?'' he asked her before sending the employee off. When she made no effort to reply he looked to the man and simply said, ''she wants. Bring two.''
Obviously, Brian was gay himself and wouldn't have condemned her, but still. In that one moment something in her world shifted.
She couldn't say what or how or why, just that something did and she thought that while she wasn't yet ready or brave enough to wave a giant ass rainbow flag in some parade or leave a gushing comment on that epic, novel length L Word fanfiction she'd been reading for the past two weeks (Dana and Alice were like her OTP, okay?) perhaps just being open and honest about what she and Brittany had, undefined as it was, with this Brian would be a step in the right direction.
It's not like it would matter, it's not like he mattered to her, or her to him. Brian might be a total ass, sure, but the way he spoke to her and approached the subject made her believe there was absolutely no judgement in him. He truly honestly didn't appear to give a shit. He gave no fucks, and if he gave no fucks maybe for once she could give no fucks about someone knowing the truth.
They were in a strange place and city after all. No one would know. And in a place like Liberty Avenue, would anyone even care?
''We're not though...Britt and I,'' she began slowly, unsure of her words at first, but trying to appear as nonchalant as possible as she forged on. ''I mean together that is...in a relationship.''
''It's your go, and who said anything about being in a relationship? I asked how long you've been fucking her. Those are two different things.''
She took another half-hearted shot with her pool cue but remained silent.
''What do you think the female equivalent of a twink is called?'' Brian looked towards the ceiling, pretending to be in great thought, pondering, ''...a chick? ...a bimbo?''
''She's not a bimbo,'' Santana said sharply.
''Okay.'' Brian chuckled, realizing perhaps he'd overstepped some line. ''Calm your obviously fake tits. I didn't mean anything by it. She's actually kinda sweet. Reminds me a lot of Justin at that age. Though I do wonder why she's with you. You're kind of a bitch.''
''Yeah, well, you're kind of an asshole.''
''I do try.''
''How long have you and Justin been together?''
''That,'' he said, ''is none of your fucking business.''
She grumbled and took another go with her cue, ''but you just asked me the same question.''
''No one told you to answer it,'' he said. ''You should've told me to fuck off. In fact I'm kind of disappointed that you didn't. Offering up personal information like that? Tsk, tsk. Has no one ever taught you about stranger danger?''
''The only danger here is me about to kick your ass.''
''Not at pool you aren't,'' he said motioning to their table and pointing out the fact that he was clearly winning the game.
''Whatever.'' She flicked a cube of chalk in his direction.
Even though there was very little force behind it Brian let out the weirdest little yelp. It left a tiny smudge of chalky residue on him. ''Hey, watch it, this is Hugo fucking Boss.''
''It's also last fucking season.''
His eyes widened in outrage. Someone dared to insult his carefully selected attire. Incredibly, though, he felt no great need to launch into one of his trademark snippy, funny, cruel tirades. All he could do was laugh at the biting remark and reply ''fuck you'' with a honest to goodness genuine smile.
''Yeah, no thank you,'' she replied dryly.
They were like two moody puppies playing roughly with each other, biting and wrestling and provoking. The sniping didn't mean dislike, it was friendly and harmless. It was just how they operated as individuals. And so they went about throwing verbal jabs at each other throughout the evening, taking breaks from that every so often to sling some hilariously nasty or inappropriate remark about another in passing as if bonding in their own strange way.
He didn't say it of course, he'd never admit it out loud but several of her elaborately worded off color jokes left him stunned in shock and appreciation. He'd always thought his wit was razor sharp, but this kid? This kid had a wicked tongue.
Throughout the years many had come along and tried to knock him off his throne and declare themselves the best, the hottest, the most brilliant but none of them ever lasted, and not just because they were going up against himself, but because deep down they didn't have the guts or the heart to be what it took. To be ruthless, to be honest, to take the world by the balls and make it their bitch.
It was more than words. It was more than attitude. It was about soul.
And for some reason he felt the strangest kinship with hers. It was there at Woody's over a game of pool that Brian Kinney found himself befriending one Santana Lopez, and the world didn't implode.
X
I don't have anyone to talk to about this story, so this is the only place I can vomit my fangirl feelings and thoughts. Feel free to ignore. :)
I really loved writing Daphne in. She was the original Britin shipper and I could totally see her getting one look at Brittana and getting on board. It was really easy to write her and it wasn't my plan but I'm looking forward to using her more. In fact there's several things coming up that I'm excited about. Karaoke. Babylon. Dinner at Debbie's. Shopping at The Big Q. A special episode of Fondue for Two with special guest Justin. I know I'm moving at a snail's pace but I like to linger on moments.
And I know I made it pretty obvious but I think the Glee-verse versions of the characters are…
Michael Novotny - Rachel Berry. Interestingly they narrate each series to us. They're tiny, adorable, annoying but somehow lovable. They both have a complex friendship with Brian and Santana that sometimes borders on toxic, and in the beginning Michael and Rachel both tend to treat Justin and Brittany the same, like silly blondes not worth taking seriously. Also they both sang MJ's 'Ben' on each series!
Emmett Honeycutt - Kurt Hummel. These two characters have had to endure some incredible hardships and have had to stare down a world who told them they were less than, just because they refused to hide. But they always walked tall and fearless, and looked damn good doing it too.
Blaine Anderson - Ted Schmidt. I never cared for Blaine, but I actually liked Ted despite his being boring and dressing horribly. Plus it's canon that Ted was in an acapella group in college and he had that whole singing waiter storyline.
And finally to any imaginary readers out there, hope you enjoyed. One of my favorite things to do is curl up in bed at night with a Brittana fanfic and if I can in turn give that to a few other people that's a pretty awesome thing. Later lovelies.