X
though winter's advancing
we'll stay young, go dancing
stay young, go dancing
- Death Cab For Cutie
X
Days later Brittany found herself having lunch at the Liberty Diner and munching on a plate of fries as she sat and made conversation with Ted and Emmett (or as Santana had once referred to them as Grandpa Blaine and Lady Honeycutt) in a booth. Hunter was there as well sitting directly across from her, although he was spared the conversation because he currently had his face buried in a newspaper reading the funnies.
Brittany kind of wished she had thought to do that too because for the past half hour she had to sit and listen to Ted and Emmett recount their brief failed attempt at a romantic relationship with each other years ago.
It seemed they had realized their romance had ran it's course and rather than force themselves to be together they stepped back to regain and rebuild a friendship because they worked better as buddies they said. Brittany was laughing as Emmett then recounted this once where he intimately and elaborately slow danced with a decorative skeleton to try to make an anxious Ted smile when she caught sight of something on the back page of Hunter's newspaper.
With a giant grin spreading across her face she yanked it away from the college student. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
''Dude! I was reading that,'' Hunter whined. ''Garfield was just about to eat the lasagna! It was a really pivotal scene in this week's story!''
Brittany held up a hand to shush him and read an article headline aloud. ''Struggling local restaurant Rigoletto's turns into Breadstix.''
''Rigoletto's?'' Emmett elbowed Ted. ''Isn't that the Italian restaurant where you worked as a singing waiter for a bit?''
''You worked as a singing waiter?'' Hunter laughed inwardly.
''Opera was a passion of mine remember, singing used to be my dream,'' Ted admitted sheepishly. ''That job helped me get on my feet so I can't really knock it, though I will say the food they served left something to be desired.''
Emmett leaned forward to take a peek at the paper which Brittany was eagerly skimming over. ''What's this Breadstix place it turned into?''
''It's a chain, we have one back in Lima. In all honesty it's so-so food with so-so service, but it's Santana's favorite place to eat. Oh my god, she's going to freak.''
While Emmett and Ted merely went back to their food and Hunter started slurping noisily on a soda, Brittany bounced in her seat and fished her phone out of her bag.
Throughout the last few days they had spent plenty of time together (and they had even gotten a chance to hang out with Hunter and used the opportunity to help him get a haircut that minimized his level of dork which he seemed to really appreciate) and of course managed to hit up Babylon almost every single night since they first stepped onto it's floor. Brian had put their names on a special list that granted them immediate admittance, so they could completely bypass the lines outside of the club. She and Santana felt at home in the sea of people, dancing themselves silly as strobe lights flashed wildly all around.
Brittany had taken to the dance club, sure, but she had never seen Santana light up so big and beautifully to anything or any place like she had to Babylon.
Still as much as Brittany loved the club and loved dancing she wanted to do something really special for Santana. Her girlfriend had been especially sweet and adorable, opening up and giving of herself since she decided to come out on Liberty Avenue.
This - a brand new Breadstix location right here in Pittsburgh - couldn't have fallen into her lap at a better time.
''Baby!'' she chirped as she put the call on speaker. ''I have the most amazing surprise for you!''
''Oh yeah?'' Santana chuckled on the other end of the line. ''What kind of surprise?''
''Get ready because I am about to blow your mind.''
''Is this a phone sex thing?''
''Actually-''
''Cause I'm totally open to that, FYI.''
''Yeah but-''
''So what are you wearing?'' Santana's voice became seductively low. ''Is it that tiny blue thing I like you in? You know how I love when it hugs your tight little-''
''No, listen, San, this is better than phone sex.''
''The only thing better than phone sex is real sex.''
''Think: what's the one thing you love most in this entire world?''
Santana warmly replied, ''you know that's always gonna be you, Britt.''
Ted, Emmett and Hunter chose this moment to loudly and collectively let out a long, drawn out ''wooooooo'' as if they were in the audience at an episode taping of Saved by The Bell and Zack and Kelly had just kissed.
''What the hell, am I on speaker-phone?'' Santana asked.
''Sorry,'' Brittany winced. ''But it's just Hunter, and Ted and Emmett, or as I like to call them Schmiemmett which I have declared to be their official portmanteau.''
''Wuh?'' Santana squeaked on the other end of the line.
''Their like mash-up name. Schmiemmett: the friendship between Ted Schmidt and Emmett Honeycutt. By the by I also declare you and Brian to be KinPez, with Justin you're Justana obviously. I'm still noodling on what my friendship names with them would be. Jittany maybe for me and Justin? Hmmm...coming up with one for me and Brian will be especially hard seeing as how our names start off similarly.''
''Well, it's a good thing we know you and I add up to Santittany then huh?''
''Actually I'm more partial to Brittana than Santittany.''
''What? Really?''
''It flows a little bit better, besides we all know why you like saying it. And anyway, Justin told me that years ago he portmanteau-d he and Brian as Britin so if we're Brittana then it's all cute and matchy with them, see?''
''I don't care about being cute and matchy with them, Britt. I care about 'tit'.''
''Yeah, I'm well aware of how important 'tit' is to you. Listen, we can discuss our official portmanteau later, okay. I have something mega important to tell you.''
''Okay, give it to me.''
''That's what she said.''
''Brittany.''
''What-okay-alright, what's the one thing you love most in this world other than me?''
''Other than you…other than you...'' in contemplation Santana went silent for a few seconds. ''...wait...no...you mean...are you...are you saying what I think you're saying?''
''What would you say if tonight I took you out to the brand new Pittsburgh location of Breadstix.''
Santana let out a high pitched sound. ''No way!''
''Yes way.''
''Britt, please don't play with me.''
''I'm not playing, I promise, it's in the paper and everything. It just opened this week,'' Brittany explained, ''some old restaurant the guys know went out of business and apparently it turned into a Breadstix!''
Brittany paused and waited for a response from her girlfriend but only heard tiny whimpering sounds come through the speaker. It almost sounded like a small puppy whining on the other end of the line.
''Are you crying?'' Brittany asked.
''No I am not crying!'' Santana hurriedly replied, her voice trembling with obvious emotion. ''I'm just-I have allergies.''
''Of course, allergies yes,'' Brittany looked across the table and rolled her eyes at Ted and Emmett who laughed silently at Santana's weepy moment. ''So what do you think?''
''I think this discovery of yours means you're getting laid tonight.''
''You're still on speaker by the way.''
''Damn it.''
''Anyway you say that like I wasn't gonna get laid already. You know I was,'' Brittany couldn't help adding that in her cute, cocky little way. She was so. Going. To. Score. ''I'll let you get back to whatever you were up to, but tonight, you, me, breadsticks at Breadstix. Bring your big purse.''
''You're so romantic.''
X
''Will you kindly get the fuck out of my seat?''
''Nope, I think I like it here.''
Santana taunted Brian as she relaxed back into his stylish desk chair.
She had agreed to meet Brian in his office again for yet another little musical run through. They were already half way through it when he left the room to visit the connecting bathroom. Left alone in the space she went to explore and found herself sinking into the chair behind the even more stylish desk.
Unfortunately it looked like he really did only use the space for work matters. Even clicking around on his computer turned up nothing remotely worthy of making fun of him for (although she did make note that according to Brian's browser history he regularly left comments on a hate blog for some TV show called Gay as Blazes; he was such a bitch...she kinda respected it). Thankfully Brittany's call and their plans to visit this new Breadstix location had distracted her for a few moments.
She had just said goodbye to the girl when Brian strolled back in and noticed her lounging about behind his desk in his chair. He immediately ordered her out of it.
She laughed in reply though. Aside from that one moment of intense off-putting deja vu she experienced upon her first meeting him, she had come to see that Brian Kinney and his snotty sneer was all veneer. Mostly anyhow.
He hid his heart behind insults and his near constant talk about his own hotness; she understood the way he functioned because she tended to function in much the same manner. That said, she found his outbursts or moments of rage comical. She, perhaps more than anyone else, could see right through them.
After all she had been known to have more than her fair share of them.
She placed her hands behind her head and interlocked her fingers. ''It's hilarious that at this juncture of our relationship you think there's any part of me that could be intimidated by any part of you.''
''Quit fucking around, Lopez.''
''I'm not fucking around,'' she chuckled, still very much enjoying the sense of power that came from being behind the sleek desk in the impressive office. ''In fact I could get used to this. Ya know, if ever my dreams of fame tragically fan out I could totally see myself ending up some place like this. Santana Lopez: cold blooded ad exec. That'd totally be a panty dropper for sure, I mean, not that I have any problems with that to begin with but still. Although,'' she held up her pointer finger, as if having an ah-ha moment, ''I think I'd go the publicist route. I'd probably be able to score more celebrity swag bags that way. It's basically the same thing right? Ad man, publicist; you're just selling a brand or a face, makes no difference. You still get a big chair, big office and big paycheck.'' She bit her lip briefly as her imagination ran wild in another much more lusty direction. ''And Britt would look really amazing flat on her back on this desk-''
''Are you done daydreaming here? I thought we were doing this,'' he said, pointing back to his guitar and sheet music spread about on the couch behind him.
''Calm your shit, Kinney. We are, but give me a few minutes to relax. Your whiney ass is exhausting.'' To further taunt him she leaned back and propped her feet up onto the desk, delighting in his tantrum and throwing him a grin.
''Fine. FYI though Justin and I have totally done it in that chair.''
And that was that, she jumped out of the seat so fast she almost knocked it over.
''Ugh,'' she grimaced at the thought and he looked pleased with her playful show of repulsion.
''Anyhow since we're taking a breather there's something I want to show you. Come on,'' he urged and nodded his head to the connected meeting room.
She followed him into it and found the large meeting table littered with posters, flyers, stickers and glossy little postcard advertisements. Each and every one of the items was decorated with her comic book alter ego's face and figure. With one simple, short tagline they all informed the reader 'Snix is here' in crisp dark lettering.
''What is this?'' she asked, picking up a card and examining it.
''Just a little promotional campaign I whipped up. As you probably know your magical unicorn and my ball of sunshine have drawn you into our little comic book universe here.''
''Yeah, Brittany's filled me in. Your Rage meets my Snix.''
''Gayopolis has a new superhero and I thought what better way to mark this momentous occasion than to get Liberty Avenue up and dancing.'' He picked up a poster and let it unravel against the front of his body. It had her figure on it as well as the Snix is here tagline, but printed upon it was additional information promoting a special event at Babylon. It seemed the club was having a Snix-themed party with the proceeds going to charity.
''Is this for real?'' she laughed.
''Of course,'' he laughed back, tossing the poster aside. ''I did all of the same promotional stuff when they first launched Rage, I know what I'm doing. It's a party...but this time it's for a cause. We're going to push the comics and get this issue a little publicity but admission, drinks and merch proceeds are going to a local youth center.''
''And this is all your doing?''
''Well it was Justin's idea, the lad's a genius like that, I just put it all into motion.''
''Why?''
He squinted at her as if offended. ''Out of the goodness of my fucking heart of course! That and taking leave from work for an entire month has left me bored out of my god damn mind. Besides if there's anything I know, it's image. Might as well use one of my superpowers for good.'' Brian watched her take in everything laid out before them and gave her a moment to ponder. ''So what do you think?''
''I think you're pathetic,'' she said with a smile.
''Well, I knew that yes.''
''But if you're asking me what I think of all of this? ...I think you had way too much time on your hands.''
He shrugged and tossed the poster in his hands aside, splaying it out on the table. ''Yeah well, I wouldn't have wasted my time if it wasn't worth it, but it is.''
''So it's good then?''
''Your girl knows how to weave a story,'' he said, ''although I think she may have had a little too much fun with the sexy scenes between Snix and her tall blonde love interest. Made me fuckin' blush and that's saying something.''
''Yeah?''
''Have you not read it?''
''I've seen bits and pieces but not start to finish, not yet.''
''Why not? You do know what this is, right? This whole thing, this whole story is a love letter to your smart ass,'' he waved a Snix postcard in front of her face.
Santana snatched the card from his hand and studied it as she went to sit upon the meeting table. Her drawn out face, colored and crisp, fierce and unblinking stared back at her.
It hadn't really hit her yet, the magnitude of this project. Justin's artwork was sleek and intriguing, beautifully dark. This was real, this was legit and it looked like Brian was shaping up quite a launch for her masked alter ego.
''I still have a hard time understanding how she sees me like this,'' Santana admitted quietly.
''You should take some of these to show her. I think you're both going to enjoy what I have planned for the party, especially Brittany since this is really all hers.''
''No, I think she'll love it.''
''Good. I expect you to be there too you know, and I expect you to look fabulous. I mean, not as fabulous as me, but enough.''
''Hell,'' Santana widened her eyes, ''what the fuck am I going to wear?''
''More importantly, what the fuck am I going to wear?'' Brian let out a comical little noise as if he had yet to consider his own wardrobe and as if this was of the utmost importance, which to Brian, it kind of was. ''Press is going to be there and I left my most fabulous sleeveless button up shirt back in New York, shit.''
''You, what about me? I left my favorite ass-hugging dress back in Ohio.''
Brian held up his hand. ''Okay, I know we were in the middle of our little music session, but this takes precedence : we need to fucking shop asap.''
''Obviously,'' she declared. If there were two people on the planet who knew and understood the importance of being and looking fabulous, it was Santana Lopez and Brian Kinney.
X
''Listen, I want you to know that I've been unfaithful,'' Santana spoke in a somber, sorrowful tone. ''It happened, I'm not going to say how many times or if I enjoyed it, but what I will say is those lemon squares didn't mean anything to me. I was thinking of you the whole time!''
Later that evening Santana sat in a booth at the newly opened Pittsburgh location of Breadstix.
It for the most part looked almost exactly like the one back in Lima. The weird fake strings of grapes draped everywhere, the boring stock photos framed on the wall, the annoying dinky music they always seemed to be playing in the background. And of course, each table had a serving of breadsticks.
Santana had been staring down at a plate that was empty save for one single crusty breadstick while Brittany watched her direct an intense and emotional confession to the piece of food as if it were a living breathing entity.
''Santana,'' Brittany leaned forward and quietly interjected.
Santana held up her hand to calmly quiet her. ''Britt, please, I need to say this to the breadstick.''
Brittany shook her head at her girlfriend and went back to her lasagna, more than used to the girl's ridiculous over the top moments.
''It's just that I had needs,'' Santana said to the sad lone breadstick on her plate. ''And you weren't around, you weren't around, but it's over now and I'm here and I'm not going back to them ever again-''
''What are you talking about? You ate a lemon square in the car on the way here.''
''That was a pity snack, Brittany. Like a pity fuck. One last hurrah.''
''Is that why you were crying while eating it?''
''For the last time I was not crying. Why does everyone always think I cry all the time?''
''Because you do.''.
''Says who?''
''Says the snot-filled tissues I have in my purse,'' Brittany answered. ''Which reminds me, unless you want your breadsticks with a glazing of mucus, we probably shouldn't use my handbag to load up when we leave.''
''...Okay, alright, yes. Now can I please finish my romantic declaration of fidelity to Breadstix without interruption?'' Santana asked, throwing a longing glance down at her plate.
Brittany blinked and made a small waving gesture with her hand for to continue on with her silliness. Though she had to wonder how was it that Santana, who was pretty much made of sex, could be such a complete and total dork baby over the strangest of things.
Santana went back to talking to her breadstick. ''With time I feel like you and I, dear buttery stick, can get back to what we once had. I know trust was broken but I will spend the rest of my life proving my devotion to you. Lemon squares are in my past now, but you, precious carby stick, are my future. Deep down it's always been you. I just hope you can find forgiveness in your delicious crusty heart to give me another chance. Just one more chance. But even if this is where it all ends,'' Santana closed her eyes briefly and placed a hand to her own collarbone, ''I want you to know I'll go on loving you. You and your amazing baked herby goodness. You're my stix and you'll always be my stix.''
''...Baby, your pasta's getting cold,'' Brittany informed her, pointing a fork at Santana's main course which had been pushed off to the side. ''I also think Breadstix forgives you for falling into the soft spongy arms of lemon squares.''
Once the moment was over, Santana pulled her dinner back in front of herself and began to happily scarf her food down, cutely slurping a bit of pasta into her mouth in a way that made Brittany want to reach across the table and attack her cheeks with kisses.
They were both in particularly good moods as they sat and enjoyed their dinner.
Santana had went on a pretty successful shopping trip with Brian earlier in the day and came out of it with a few new outfits. It had put a certain pep in her step, all of that shimmying in and out of outfits in the changing room. And Brittany had been thoroughly intrigued when Santana later showed her the promotional materials for Snix Night at Babylon which from everything they saw looked like it was shaping up to be an event. They both however had to scratch their heads at a certain part of the wording that promised the evening would also reveal a 'very special musical guest'.
All in all it had been a nice, quiet day with some developments but in truth even if it hadn't been all that eventful the fact that they were sitting in a booth at a Breadstix would probably still make up for all of it Brittany thought, because in a strange but wonderful way it was nice to have something that felt so uniquely Lima, so uniquely home to her be here in Pittsburgh.
It made her heart skip a beat when Santana, looking like a little giddy kid, grinned when they first approached those glass entry doors with that familiar logo on them. It meant everything to Brittany to be able to hold a door open for her and enter together, hands linked for all to see. And then to look to the young hostess and get to say 'two please' all gentlewomanly-like.
Yeah they had seen the sights and knocked around restaurants and cafes all around the city, but this felt different. This was Breadstix and Breadstix felt like home, and to get to have and touch and smile so openly and lovingly at Santana in a place that felt like home - it kind of made Brittany want to dance forever.
''I was texting Lindsay a little bit today,'' Brittany started excitedly. ''She said she and Melanie wanted to take us out to this cool trendy girl bar a friend of theirs invested in.''
''Yeah?''
''It's supposed to be super hot, like the it place on the avenue right now.''
''I'm in,'' Santana said, her mouth half full of pasta. ''Ohmygawd, this is so good. Nothing compares to Breadstix, like I legit just orgasmed right now.''
Feeling a bit of pride Brittany beamed at having been able to give this evening to her girlfriend. ''It's pretty good.''
''Pretty good? Psh. This is like food of the gods. I'm pretty sure they have a monk or a priest or a nun or some crap in the back like laying blessings over each meal before they bring it out to serve it to people - this food is from the heavens, Britt.''
''I'm pretty sure this is just from a can.''
''Whatever, it's the best...you're the best.''
Brittany speared a ravioli and reached over to offer it to Santana who eagerly accepted it. ''I know how much you missed this place.''
''Thank you.'' Santana smiled at that.
''My pleasure. I know it isn't our Breadstix, but still. It's nice to be somewhere that kinda feels like home with you.''
''You know I was thinking when we get back to Lima maybe we could do this again?''
''Do what again?''
''This,'' said Santana as she made a nod down to their table. ''Like we should get dressed up and go to our special Breadstix and sit in our special booth and not split the check.''
Brittany smiled at the possibility.
''I know we've been out here in Pittsburgh and on Liberty Avenue but it could be our first official date in Lima,'' Santana explained.
''Yeah?''
''Yeah.''
''And if someone we know sees us?''
Santana shrugged. ''If someone we know sees us, then they'll be hella jealous cause obviously we'd be the hottest couple there.''
''Probably.''
''Not probably, definitely. And just so everyone is sure who we're there with we could, like,'' Santana tilted her head, her bravado fading slightly as she turned somewhat bashful, ''like... hold hands.''
Brittany wondered if there were conditions. ''Under the napkin?''
''No napkin.'' Santana slide her hand to the center of the table between them, holding it open, silently offering it to Brittany who gave her own in return. Her palm met Santana's and she inhaled when she felt the smooth, delicate skin slide within hers. ''I'm thinking more like this, on top of the table. Where everyone could see.''
''Where everyone can see?'' Brittany repeated.
Santana answered by playing with Brittany's slender fingers. Her thumb grazing her knuckles, back and forth and back and forth.
''Would it be okay if I totally leaned across this table to kiss you right now?''
''Absolutely not,'' Santana said quickly, scrunching up her face before letting it soften into something flirtatious and playful. ''If anyone is leaning across any table here, it's going to be me.''
And before Brittany knew it Santana was raising just slightly out of her seat to lean her upper body forward, just enough for her mouth to meet Brittany's in a sweet, hot little embrace that was both silly and steamy and proud. It went on for several moments, none of the other Breadstix patrons here seemed to notice or maybe they simply didn't care.
It left Brittany breathless and laughing when Santana pulled back, allowing them both to relax once more.
''Santana?''
''Yes?''
''You taste like breadsticks,'' Brittany said as she licked her lips.
Santana winked and grabbed another stick nearby. ''Don't act like you don't like.''
X
''Alright, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, is that the last of it?'' Justin asked as he placed several boxes of cereal atop of the fridge.
He and Brian were in the loft, replenishing the food in the kitchen for the girls. Even though Justin knew the teenagers were more than capable of popping into a store to stock up themselves he insisted to Brian they drop in and drop off some groceries. He thought the evening would be the best time to do it since the girls were out on a date. They let themselves into the loft and while Justin actually went about unpacking food products Brian had instead went about poking around and snooping into the girls' things.
Brian had just walked out from the bedroom and was waving a tiny tube about in front of his face. ''Santana has been using my secret hidden emergency tub of French facial cream Justin! This stuff is eighty bucks an ounce!''
Justin raised an unimpressed eyebrow. ''Mind bringing me that last bag of groceries on the dining table since you're right there?''
''You know your reaction would be different if it had been your cosmetics.''
''I doubt it, seeing as how I don't have cosmetics,'' Justin laughed, because while he and Brittany always liked to look well and be presentable, Santana and Brian seemed a lot more fixated on beauty products and having the most expensive of everything.
Justin had to laugh when he learned that earlier in the day Santana and Brian had went shopping for new clothes together. He was actually pretty relieved because it meant he was spared having to sit and watch Brian sift through countless outfits, one after another. Since Santana seemed to have a similar affinity for clothes and shopping, he had thankfully gotten to sit that one out.
The blonde man couldn't help but wonder why it was that both he and Brittany had ended up with two people who were so hilariously high-maintenance.
''Well,'' Brian continued, ''jokes on Santana cause I swiped her fancy face exfoliant as revenge.''
''Put it back,'' Justin ordered softly.
''What-no! This is the new brand I wanted to try.''
Justin tilted his head and sighed in disappointment and Brian relented, giving in.
''Fine, I'll put it back,'' he grumbled. ''But I am not putting back the magnetic therapeutic sleep mask I took along with it!''
Brian was on his way back to the bedroom area when amidst the magazines and books littering the dining table a laptop began making noise; it seemed Skype was open and someone was attempting to make a call. Brian, ever the snoop, dropped the items he was holding onto the surface and immediately went to answer it.
He was greeted by the sight of three teenage girls.
''Who the hell are you guys?'' he asked as greeting, not bothering with pleasantries.
''What are you doing over there?'' Justin hollered when he noticed his boyfriend playing with a laptop that clearly didn't belong to him.
''Meddling.''
Before Brian had the chance to do or say anything ridiculous or offensive Justin went over towards him and the open laptop. He smiled at the three young women on screen, who all looked somewhat confused as to what was going on.
One girl squinted into the camera. ''Who are you and what are you doing on Brittany's Skype account?''
''Oh, I'm Brittany's cousin Justin.'' Justin flashed them his trademark bright smile and in an instant the three teenagers seemed to be put at ease. It was kind of hard to deny the family resemblance. ''And this is my boyfriend, Brian.''
Brian gave them what appeared to be a half smile, half sneer.
In Lima and on the other side of the screen Tina Cohen-Chang, Mercedes Jones and Quinn Fabray sat within Quinn's bedroom and looked to one another as if communicating silently.
Faced with the two strangers on their side of the screen they weren't sure whether to continue on or simply bail. After a few moments they deduced the two men looked harmless enough. This blonde guy looked exactly like Brittany, all button-nosed and blue eyes. However they weren't sure what to make of the other man on the screen. He was dark haired and withdrawn and seemed to now be primping and examining his own hair as he stared at his own reflection in Skype.
''Santana and Brittany are actually out at the moment,'' Justin explained to the girls. ''Brian likes to cause trouble so he answered your call, sorry.''
''Well...I'm Mercedes and this is Tina and Quinn.''
Justin nodded eagerly, looking at them all with a bit of recognition. ''Yeah, I saw you guys perform with Brittany and Santana during your National's performance. Nice to meet you ladies. Britt's actually told me about you guys. I mean I've picked up a few things when she's not talking about Santana. If I'm remembering correctly Tina you're the one with the awesomely eclectic fashion sense and according to my cousin your cover of True Colors can and will make people weep.''
Tina smiled and preened at the compliments, and Justin moved on.
''Mercedes you can belt it too but Britt has told me you're probably the glee clubber with the most sense in her head, and also that you're the only one in there with the stones to never take Santana's crap.''
''True and true,'' Mercedes laughed, pleased with that assessment.
''And Quinn,'' Justin resumed as he watched the blonde girl raise an eyebrow and wait for him to address her, ''Brittany's told me that you're really pretty and that you like to dress like you're in an episode of Mad Men.''
''Wait-huh?'' Quinn blinked rapidly in confusion.
''You do dress like you're from another era sometimes,'' Tina leaned forward to look across Mercedes (who was silently cracking up between them) and address her blonde friend.
''Brittany also told me you're babysitting Lord Tubbington while she visits me,'' said Justin, who searched the screen hoping to spot the cat somewhere in the room.
''What the fuck's a Lord Tubbington?'' Brian spoke up.
''Should we?'' Tina looked to Mercedes and asked, after a moment they nodded in agreement with each other. They both briefly ducked down out of the camera's angle and when they came back into focus they held what was - in both Justin and Brian's estimation - the largest cat in the history of existence.
Brian immediately exclaimed ''holy fucking shit, that's a cat?!''. His facial expression changed from one of amusement to one of horror at the giant furball.
Justin however immediately began talking to Lord Tubbington using a silly sort of baby-talk. Lord Tubbs might have been huge but in Justin's eyes that made him even more cuddly. He couldn't help but let out a long drawn out ''awwwww'' when Tina lifted one of Lord T's paws up and made it wave at him. ''He's so precious.''
''Precious?'' Brian laughed, still in awe of the giant creature. ''That thing's a lardy butterball.''
''Don't make fun of him. He can probably hear you, you know,'' Justin warned Brian in a whisper. He shook his head apologetically to the three teens. ''Sorry girls this one here likes to pretend he hates cats.''
''What are you talking about?'' Brian retorted. ''I'm not pretending, I do hate them in all sincerity, with all of my cold, unfeeling heart Justin.''
''That's not true.''
''Yes it is.''
''No it's not. Brian, I think if you went into a shop and spent time with one you'd fall in love with their furry little face, and I know you, it'd turn into your baby and you'd probably end up buying it some stupid Prada ID collar.''
Brian scoffed, ''for your information Prada doesn't even make pet collars, Gucci does.''
''Oh, sorry, excuse me.'' Justin rolled eyes his good naturedly as if he had made some great error for not knowing about designer labels.
''And anyway that wouldn't happen, I wouldn't fall in love with any furry face and I certainly wouldn't turn into one of those crazy cat people who refer to their pets as fur babies.''
''So then you'd have no problem visiting a pet shelter when we get back to New York, I mean if there's no risk of you actually changing your mind then there should be no harm in looking, right?''
''Fine, to prove my point let's do it, when we get back to New York we'll look at cats. Then you'll see that me plus furballs equals no.''
Brian folded his arms and looked proud and defiant. Justin however simply turned back to the screen and smiled at the three teenagers. ''We're totally getting a cat,'' he announced to them with absolute certainty that he would indeed get his way in the end.
Tina, Mercedes and Quinn smiled back in amusement. Justin seemed adorable and spoke in that quietly confident way Brittany sometimes did. And the way this Brian guy who for the most part came off cocky and aloof seemed to dote and make heart eyes at Justin in between making snotty little comments…
The three girls couldn't help but notice.
It was so…
They were so…
...so Brittany and Santana.
It was hard not to see the weird resemblance and the young women erupted into laughter.
''What's so funny?'' Justin asked, looking eager to be let in on the joke.
''Nothing-nothing,'' Tina said, holding her side as she tried to contain her chuckles.
Justin and Brian both took seats and oddly, the conversation just simply kept going. Somehow, someway it began as Justin telling the girls stories about Brittany as a kid and then veered to Mercedes, Tina and Quinn spouting off their favorite and/or most embarrassing Brittany and Santana stories to the two men, who took a certain kind of delight hearing about the female pairs random and ridiculous adventures together.
Justin had particularly enjoyed hearing how Brittany had found her voice during Britney week in glee club and even Brian was highly amused by the hilarious tale of both Santana and Brittany humiliating themselves by vomiting in front of the entire student body. Everyone was having a laugh and a good little chat when Mercedes spoke up...
''Brian-your name is Brian, right?'' Mercedes asked and Brian nodded. ''You'll probably tell me to shove off but could you do me the teeniest, tiniest favor?''
''What kind of favor?''
Mercedes waved her hand about. ''Nothing big but, just, it would mean a lot to all of us if you could say 'we's be goin' to Breatstix' for me?''
Brian eyed her suspiciously. ''Why, what does that mean?''
''Just please,'' Mercedes urged with a smile.
Brian looked to Justin who only offered him a shrug in encouragement. ''...we's be goin' to Breadstix,'' Brian said very very slowly, looking unsure and uncertain of the significance of these words.
The girls shouted laughter and their whole bodies shook, tears streamed down their cheeks. Mercedes and Quinn turned to each other, laughing into each other's sides while Tina, meanwhile, simply fell out of her chair in hysterics. All three of them were utterly tickled to have prodded Brian into reciting a Santana-ism.
They actually got him to say it.
''I can't believe he said it,'' Quinn lost it as she giggled, her face turning red.
''Oh my god, Mercedes, I'm crying here!'' Tina hollered from the floor and reached up to high five her friend.
''Why are you laughing? Why did you want me to say that? What does that mean?'' Brian demanded petulantly, all confused and ruffled. When the girls gave him no answer he squinted at their forms on the screen and declared, ''you know what? You're all on my list.''
That remark fueled even more of their giggles and screams.
''What list?'' Justin asked, shaking his head at his boyfriend's childish huff. ''You have no list and even if you did, they're teenage girls, Brian.''
''Yeah and they're making fun of me for some reason,'' he whined.
''Do you want me to defend your honor?'' Justin asked, holding in his own laughter.
''Oh please,'' Brian scoffed.
''Then do you want me to pet your hair?'' Justin tried another tactic.
Brian took a moment to consider. ''...it would be nice.''
They went on like that for some time. The girls went back and forth with them for sometime in conversation but sometimes they would just go silent for a moment or two to simply observe the male pair banter with each other. Grinning at their strangely familiar dynamic. They also managed to trick Brian into saying ''wanky'' too which was good for some giggles, much to Brian's own confusion and displeasure, though even after much prodding they never could get a ''no me gusta'' out of him.
Still, despite their teasing of him Brian seemed entertained and amused by the teens just as much as Justin who extended a dinner invitation to the three young women if they were ever in New York again. The girls said if they were ever in the city again they would absolutely take him up, but only if Justin said ''that's bullying and I won't accept it'', which he did with a laugh and shrug.
''Well as horribly tedious as it's been chatting with you ladies,'' Brian began smoothly and playfully, ''Justin and I should be going.'' He then turned to Justin himself, reminding his boyfriend. ''I think you owe me a dance or two tonight.''
Justin nodded in agreement but before he could make a proper reply, Mercedes spoke up once more. ''Hold up, you guys...dance?''
''Only all the time,'' Justin answered happily.
''Justin's better at it than me though,'' Brian admitted, unbothered by the fact that Justin excelled where he himself was only adequate. ''But I like to think I'm better when it's him I'm dancing with.''
Again the girls shared looks amongst themselves. The personalities, the appearances, the shared love of dancing. It was just so weird. And it only got even weirder when they noticed Brittany and Santana enter the space through a large sliding door behind the two men. The young female pair approached, eyeing the scene.
It was odd, seeing the two pairs in close proximity of each other.
''What are you doing with my computer?'' Brittany asked Justin, looking at the open laptop.
''Brian here answered the Skype call,'' Justin explained. ''I promise we weren't trying to spy-''
''You may not have been, but I was definitely trying to snoop,'' Brian admitted with no shame whatsoever.
Justin smiled at his cousin and offered her an apologetic smile. ''It's a thing he does. Anyway, we got to talking to your friends.'' He made a wave to the Skype window.
Santana and Brittany leaned forward and hovered over Justin and Brian. Their eyes widening at the sight of their friends.
''Hey Britt, Santana,'' Mercedes said in greeting to them, Tina and Quinn quietly adding their own after.
''I invited Mercedes and Tina over for a sleepover,'' Quinn began. ''I needed back up.''
''It apparently takes three people to give Lord Tubbington a bath,'' Tina added.
Quinn resumed. ''Rachel was here earlier too but decided to go home after Tubbs puked in her hair and then tried to eat said puke on her. Anyways since I had the girls here I thought I'd try to see if you guys were online but you were out so we ended up chatting with these guys for a bit.'' Quinn made a nod, indicating Brian and Justin.
''By the way, Santana,'' said Mercedes with a friendly yet wicked laugh, ''you'll be happy to know Brian here has taken your title as whiniest pain in the ass in the known universe. I never thought it was possible that anyone could surpass you but he somehow manages to.''
Brian made a scrunchy scowly face at Mercedes as if displeased, but there was a hint of a smile behind it all.
''Although,'' Tina interjected with a chuckle, ''it's not as fun playing with him. He doesn't fight back as hard as you.''
''True,'' Mercedes continued on, ''I kinda miss our verbal games of tug-o-war with you, Santana.''
''And I kinda miss the way Britt somehow always manages to turn you from angry yapping chihuahua into cuddly little baby handbag pup with watery eyes,'' Quinn quipped with a teasing tone.
''Awww,'' Brittany sang, touched, ''San and I miss you guys too!''
''The hell I do,'' Santana puffed, acting unmoved.
Brittany gave her a playful swat before turning her attention back to the screen and their smiling friends and promising them that once they got back home they would hit up the Lima Bean together. After a few more minutes, and after the girls lifted Lord Tubbington up once more so Brittany could say goodbye to the hefty feline, Quinn, Tina and Mercedes signed off with a goodnight to the two couples.
Brian and Justin rose from their seats and prepared to leave while Santana and Brittany scattered, with Brittany sliding into one of the tall stools at the kitchen island and Santana leaning her bottom half against the dining table.
''Your friends are sweet,'' Justin said to Brittany, pleased to have gotten a chance to chat with his cousins pals.
''Sweet my ass,'' Brian laughed, ''they were bullying me.''
''Usually I'm against that, but I'm guessing you probably had it coming,'' Brittany teased.
''So how was your date?'' Justin wiggled his brows.
''Ridiculously romantic,'' Brittany answered dreamily.
''Probably would have been even more so if you two weren't here to spoil the mood,'' Santana zinged, shooting the male pair a playful little glare. ''What are you guys doing here anyway?''
''We restocked the kitchen,'' Justin nodded off in the general direction of the space. ''Don't worry, we're getting out of your hair now so you can defile my cousin.''
''She already did on the cab ride here,'' Brittany shrugged.
''Brittany,'' Justin winced at that nugget of information.
''What? She did.''
Justin shot a look to Santana who simply raised a shoulder and added, ''she bought dinner, it was the polite thing to do, Justin.''
Brian meanwhile started for the loft door. ''Well, since you ladies already had it off tonight, what do you say to joining me and Justin at Babylon? Come bask in the thumpa thumpa.''
With a cute, eager smirk in place Santana looked to Brittany.
She really could never get tired of that dance floor that seemed to call to her even more than it called to Brittany, which had to mean something. Santana pushed her bottom off of the table and went to Brittany, pulling the girl down from her seat and giving her a dancy little twirl.
''Are we going to Babylon?'' Brittany asked.
''I'm game if you're game. You want to call it a night or hit up the club?'' Santana asked, pulling Brittany in against her body then and moving them around the hardwood floor.
Brittany bit her lip in mock consideration. ''I don't know, I mean we just ate and had a quickie in the back of a moving vehicle, usually I have to put you down for a nap after such activities.''
Santana squeaked at the lighthearted jab. ''Hey, I'm not a toddler, you know, I can stay up all night long, Britt. When I'm with you I can dance forever. One of the best things about being a superhero - is super stamina.''
''Super stamina huh?''
''It comes in handy when fighting off villains...or having sex...or dancing,'' Santana answered smugly.
''I'm gonna hold you to that then,'' Brittany said, dancing them over towards Justin and Brian waiting at the door.
The male pair walked into the hallway and began for the elevator, Brittany followed behind, leaving Santana the last to make her exit. She took hold of the handle of the heavy metal loft door and rolled it closed. And as she listened to that loud thunderous sound of it shutting and locking into place she once more felt a kind of strange deja vu.
She still didn't understand it, but it no longer frightened her, if anything the strange unknownness of it all excited her. It felt like her heart was growing younger instead of older, shedding bruises and burns and scars along the way until it was beating, new and pure.
And that was worth dancing for.
X
One. QAF's Rigoletto's looks exactly like Breadstix, so why not use that little fact. Two, Tina, Mercedes and Quinn would absolutely tease the hell out of Brian. How could they not?
This isn't really even a chapter, but half of one in my head. I just thought I'd post so people could see the story is still alive and kicking. Again, I have a ton of it already written out, but because I have no beta I'm just kind of winging it on my own and I can move at a snail's pace if I'm unsure of something. Plus sometimes I'll sit down and somehow thirty pages will come flying out of me but knocking those thirty pages into shape takes my brain time. I'm in awe of fic writers who can write something out and post it the next day. How do you guys do that? Haha.
Anyhow, as I've said before, this story is in my heart and I'll be here to the end no matter what but I would truly love to hear from you. I'm yourstreetserenade on tumblr.
As always, thanks for reading :)