A/N: I've always felt I really suck at painting the picture for you imaginary readers, but if you want to get an idea of what I see in my head for Snix Night, check out QAF episode 2x20, when they launch the Rage comic at Babylon. I also make a reference to the fundraiser at Babylon in 5x10… ;)
X
That look will take me right to the ground
And I'll be laughing the whole way down
With thunder beneath us all
- Geographer
X
''Daaahhhhh, I feel like I'm going to vomit up my own lungs,'' Justin groaned as he dropped himself into a nice green patch of grass.
It was morning and Brittany found herself halting her jog to join her cousin as he went to lay about in the middle of the neighborhood park they had taken their exercise in.
She and Santana had woken up early to tag along with Daphne and Justin for a mid-morning workout and while Santana and Daphne had zoomed ahead, both of them in the zone and in a friendly competition to see who could atlast whom, Brittany had opted to lag behind with her cousin.
''Brittany you should go on without me,'' he said in between overly dramatic gasps for air, ''just circle back to collect me when you're done with your run...and like, bring me coffee on the way back. Coffee and some donut holes,'' Justin added with a chuckle. ''You know what, scratch that, bring me a sausage and egg breakfast sandwich instead. In the meantime I'll just stay here in this nice fluffy patch of grass.''
Brittany shook her head at that and decided to take pity on him as he continued to splay himself out starfish style under the sun. With an amused sigh she dropped down to sit beside him and began to stretch, placing her legs out in front of herself and leaning forward to touch the tips of her fingers to her sneakers
''Whatever,'' laughed Brittany at her cousin.
''Well as much as I admire your and Santana's work out regime I don't think I need to do anything as quite as intensive. I already have the perfect twink physique,'' he said with a playful wiggle of his brows. ''Plus I hate to to toot my own horn-''
''Psh, what are you talking about, you totally love tooting your own horn!''
''-but I also have an amazing ass. It's like magical.''
Brittany raised an eyebrow and conceded this. ''Okay even as your cousin I can objectively say yes you do. But you know I think that's just a thing that runs in the Pierce-Taylor family because my ass is pretty magical too.'' She then turned her body slightly to wiggle her bottom proudly.
Great asses did indeed run in the family.
Justin threw a leaf at her butt and began to snicker at her silliness. ''Oh my god stop!'' he said, holding his side when his body shook with chuckles.
''I'd even venture to say, Justin, that my ass is hotter than yours.''
''Oh yeah, says who?''
''Says Santana. She loves it so much her cell phone wallpaper is a pic of my ass.''
''What?'' he squeaked.
''I mean she ran it through a filter to like art it up, but yeah.''
Justin laughed again and fell back to place his hands behind his head, interlocking them and using them as a pillow of sorts. ''Speaking of, how are things going with the two of you?''
The mirth from Brittany's face slowly drained as she paused for a moment.
She wasn't sure how she wanted to play off her response. On one hand, things were sort of perfect between them. After everything and now that she was ready for it Santana really had turned into the most perfect girlfriend. She took her out on dates, she let Brittany hold her hand whenever she wanted to which was all the time, she did the tiniest, cutest things like trying to make her breakfast and letting her wear Santana's dark short silk robe just because she knew that Brittany loved the way it felt against her skin. Santana bought her a wonderfully ridiculous plushie in the shape of an STI. She even shut down the Mon Incline so Brittany could watch the three rivers shimmer in the evening light. On top of all of that Santana took her out to dance just about every night with no shame or hesitance about being seen in Brittany's arms.
She was finally Santana's, and Santana was finally hers.
It was all Brittany had ever wanted.
But if she were honest with herself and with Justin here she would have to admit that while things had been going so wonderfully, so beautifully, and while Santana had been relishing her new title as girlfriend, Brittany had begun to feel like there was a new, unnamed obstacle forming off in the distance, quietly threatening to come seek and destroy what she had just been finally given.
While she wasn't really eager to confess any of this to anyone...Justin wasn't just anyone.
Justin was her kindred spirit. And if anyone could understand where she was coming from, it would be him.
Brittany and Justin had always had a quiet natural confidence about them. They pretty much knew they could have just about anyone and to their credit, they sorta did. But they had also known who they were and what they really wanted: a real committed relationship with Santana and Brian, respectively. But for all of their bravado Santana and Brian had always been the less confident, less sure ones. They so often pulled them in and pushed them out, terrified of labels, of admitting their feelings, of showing anyone the broken pieces of themselves but in those quiet moments when they did, when they allowed Justin and Brittany to glance over those pieces what was there beneath the surface was brave and breathtaking and...painfully fragile.
Still in the beginning Brian and Santana for their own individual reasons gave their bodies to people who meant absolutely nothing to them. It was what they wanted, they both said, even when it was abundantly clear to everyone it never fulfilled them in any real substantial way. For those two, who struggled with self worth, it was really all they could do to feel a sense of power and importance.
If other people wanted them it meant they were beautiful, and in Brian and Santana's mindset if they were beautiful, then they meant something. What both of them had always failed to understand though was that their beauty was more than skin, it came from somewhere else. Somewhere deeper.
Brittany knew the story. She knew that according to a many, Brian had been and continued to be some kind of irresistible sex god of Liberty Avenue. Able to have anyone, anywhere, anytime.
It was something that he had needed to do for a time, he also had to understand himself and love himself before he came to the realization that everything else and everyone else would always be scenery, nameless faceless extras and that the only one who could ever know him, who had ever had patience with him, who had loved him when he was so unloveable, was and would always be Justin.
Justin was Brian's exception.
And Brittany had always liked the idea that she was Santana's. Exception that is.
However, while Brian had ample time to explore and experience his sex god superpowers with other men, Santana...hadn't with other young women.
Santana had came out and immediately leapt right into a relationship with Brittany.
And Brittany had been so blinded by her own overwhelming happiness that she hadn't thought that maybe they should proceed slowly and cautiously to ensure that nothing they did or didn't do would jeopardize their future. Brittany had begun to wonder what if, what if the very complex Santana had just found herself, maybe it wasn't the best decision to rush into a relationship with her when she was just beginning to take her first steps as a young out woman.
There was the thought at the back of Brittany's head that maybe doing so was something they'd both regret, because seeing the way girls reacted to Santana and the way Santana had begun to react to them...maybe that meant something.
Was it fair to Santana, to be in a relationship with her when she'd never known what it felt like to be a liberated with a world of options before her.
Maybe it wasn't, Brittany thought, maybe she had just been too excited, too overjoyed about getting what she had always wanted to realize that what Santana might need is a moment of time to be on her own, to do her own thing, to find her footing and experience the world and then find Brittany when she was really and truly ready.
And yeah, maybe doing her own thing and experiencing the world meant other girls.
After all, everyone was always on about how Brian and Santana were so very alike…
Brittany had to wonder maybe deep down, whether Santana realized it or not, there was some kind of itch she had. Maybe she didn't feel it at the moment, but what if one day she did. What if one day she realized she had sacrificed the chance to experience single life and a sense of freedom to rush into their relationship? What if one day Santana woke up and regretted not taking those chances? What if, after coming down from the rush of it all, Santana would feel like she settled for Brittany?
More than that, what if one day they fell apart because Santana had denied herself the opportunity to sow her wild oats and it came back to bite both of them on the ass?
Maybe a lot of what happened that night in the backroom with she and Santana had been all in her head, maybe no one was paying all that much attention to Santana, maybe those lusty looks Brittany had sworn were being aimed at her girlfriend were just her imagination. Maybe it was just her head playing tricks on her. Maybe.
But even if all that had been her imagination running wild into dangerous territory, there was still the fact that beyond that Santana hadn't been put off by the scene and had actually found it stimulating, exciting, hot.
It was a real worry in Brittany's heart that had suddenly revealed itself. She wasn't yet sure if she was ready to share that with anyone. Even if that anyone was Justin.
''We've been sort of perfect lately,'' Brittany answered with a weak hollow smile. ''Santana is the perfect girlfriend. She's always doing something sweet or adorable and when she's not being her sweet and adorable self she's being her sexy, dreamy self. Everything is wonderful...just...really wonderful.''
X
''Excuse you,'' Daphne said with the tiniest snarl as she gave a young woman in workout tights a glare as if to say 'put your eyes back in your sockets and keep on moving'.
Santana laughed at Justin's BFF. ''What are you doing?''
The two of them were on the other side of the park and had come to stop at a wooden bench where they began to stretch their legs, taking turns lifting them over the back railing as they took a breather from their jog. A few moments prior another young female jogger had also come to stop with them and began using the bench in the same manner, to stretch herself as she took the space right next to Santana. Daphne had noticed the appreciative smile the girl had sent in Santana's direction and wasn't having any of it and began to stare the stranger down.
The female jogger took the hint and moved on, leaving them be.
''Giving that chick the bumrush. That girl was totally checking you out hardcore, Santana,'' Daphne explained, ''which was rude I mean she didn't know you and I weren't a couple. What if we were? Girl needed to step off.''
''Look at you, playing badass, it's cute, Daph.''
Daphne switched legs on the bench. ''Britt probably handles it better though right?''
''Handles what better?''
''Girls constantly checking you out,'' Daphne clarified, and noticed yet another young jogger toss an interested glance at Santana in passing as said jogger zoomed by.
Santana shook her head and plopped herself down onto the bench where she popped open her water bottle and took a gulp. ''I don't know. I don't think Brittany has to handle it...Brittany is sort of beyond that stuff ya know.''
Santana smiled as she thought back to that shower when she had been so overwhelmed with having been hit on that she confessed it to Brittany right away, only for Brittany to tell her that noticing other girls and having other girls notice her, was a part of being out. A part of figuring herself out.
Brittany was always and had always been so naturally self-confident. It was one of the things Santana so loved about her.
Everyone might think her girlfriend to be dim or naive, but Brittany had a certain insight, quiet and profound, and she looked at the world and at people in a way that alluded many.
''Really?'' Daphne squeaked.
''Really. Britt likes to say that me and her exist on this whole other level and that what we have is totally completely evolved from everyone and everything else, and it's true.''
''And Brittany never, like, wigs out when girls try to get their flirt on with you?''
''Brittany knows what it is and more importantly, what it isn't.'' Santana held out of water in offering to Daphne who accepted and took a sip and sat herself down beside Santana.
''And you're never tempted or anything?''
''Why would I be tempted? Have you seen the abs on my girl?'' Santana laughed at the mere idea that she could want anyone more than Brittany. Ludicrous. ''Britt is somehow that perfect balance of adorable girl next door and sexy mega flexible minx, like all rolled into one. She's everything. And the sex is like-''
''Oh I've heard what the sex is like,'' Daphne snickered. ''Remember, when you and Britt took me clothes shopping there came a point where I had to wait and stand guard outside a changing stall for a half hour while you two did the deed.''
Santana didn't bother to hide her soft, proud smile. ''Right well, then you know that she gives me everything I could ever want or need. In that way. But! That isn't all we are or have. Even beyond the amazingly hot sex, Britt just...gives me so much. She trusts me, she accepts me, she believes in me, she's patient with me. She makes everything feel like an adventure. Waking up with Brittany every day is an adventure.''
Daphne beamed at her, looking warmed by her sweet outpouring.
Daphne had always been the original Brian and Justin fangirl and judging by her squeeing about at Santana's side, it was clear she had also hopped upon the Brittany and Santana ship as well.
''You and Brittany are totally Relationship Goals,'' Daphne gushed like a schoolgirl.
''I don't know about that but,'' Santana sighed, content and in love, ''she and I are probably in the best place we've ever been, together. Me and her...girlfriends...happy...I never thought I'd get this far.''
''And here you are.''
''And here I am.''
X
A half hour later the two pairs rejoined as Santana and Daphne came jogging towards Justin and Brittany who had continued to lounge about within the beautifully trimmed grass and had somehow come to be surrounded by a handful of small ducklings that had wandered over to them from a nearby pond.
''Uhhhhhhh, how the heck did you two manage to wrangle all of these ducks to come towards you,'' Daphne questioned and squinted her eyes on confusion at the scene before them.
Justin shrugged and smiled. ''We didn't do anything. They came on their own.''
''Justin and I are made of magic,'' Brittany reminded her cousin's best friend. ''It can't be helped.''
''So who won the race?'' Justin asked, looking between the two dark haired young women.
''Neither of us,'' Daphne answered. ''I couldn't shake her and she couldn't shake me.''
''Even though I tried to trip her at least six different times,'' joked Santana who was rewarded with a friendly elbow in the side.
Justin and Daphne then started on about grabbing a quick, light bite of food. They floated an invite to Brittany and Santana but…
''I think Britt and I are gonna do our own thing right now,'' Santana chirped.
Brittany gave her a funny look but didn't question it. She followed her girlfriend's lead and after watching her cousin and his bestie go off to enjoy the rest of their day, she looked to Santana who held out her hands and helped her stand up.
''I have a little treat for you,'' Santana said coyly.
''What kind?''
''You're just gonna have to follow me and see.''
Brittany turned to face the ducks lightly quacking about around her feet. ''Bye duckies,'' she bid them farewell, blowing them a little air kiss as Santana slowly began to lead them off.
It was only a few minutes into their quiet, calm walk through the park that Santana took her gently by the hand and said ''this way'' and started leading them down a pathway and across a small bridge overlooking another small body of water.
Brittany was curious what Santana was so insistent about showing her and she was pleasantly surprised when after turning a corner they came to stop in front of a beautiful little sitting area. There was a large elaborate fountain and several benches surrounding it. There was also, Brittany noticed, a handful of street vendors set up selling food and drinks.
''What is...'' Brittany began, still unsure why Santana had taken them here but halted her speech when she saw that among the food vendors was a cute little pink snow cone stand.
''I saw this area when I was jogging with Daph and I know you love snow cones soooo,'' Santana sang quietly, ''even though we haven't had a proper breakfast yet I thought we could stand to treat ourselves.''
And just like that those troubling thoughts running around in her head disappeared. For the time being anyway. It was pretty impossible to be distracted by all of that when Santana was standing beside her looking all adorable and sweet, so very pleased with herself that she could give this small thing to her.
Brittany really did love snow cones. They were sweet and sticky and they tasted exactly like summer to her.
She felt Santana tug her hand and begin walking them both towards the stand.
Brittany couldn't contain her excitement. ''Can we? Really?''
''Babe, you can have whatever you want.''
What Brittany ended up wanting was a large rainbow snow cone, she even talked Santana into having one herself as well. And so they began to nibble on their icy snacks and continue their stroll. While they each had a hand occupied with a snow cone they linked their free hands between them, swinging it back and forth.
''So are you scared?'' Santana asked.
''Scared?'' Brittany repeated, lost.
''Or are you ready for it?''
''Forrrrrr?''
Santana bumped into her side. ''The Snix launch and fundraiser at Babylon. It's like finally here. Michael was telling me that Brian arranged for a bunch of press to be there. Like legit publications and even some super hip bloggers who totally could make it a huge deal.''
''Oh that,'' Brittany started...she really hadn't given any of those things much thought.
Yes she was proud of her comic and yes she was excited for the launch and fundraiser but it hadn't exactly been at the forefront of her mind lately. Still she was confident that she wouldn't flip or freak if she had to give an interview or be on camera for the project, what with Fondue For Two going into it's second season and all, she was used to being in front of a lens.
''No I think I'm ready for it,'' she answered. ''I mean Brian's supposed to know how to sell things. It's totally going to be a blast for sure.''
''Yeah,'' Santana agreed with a chuckle. ''I can't wait to see the Snixs in action, circulating the room to drum up donations.''
''Oh I bet,'' Brittany joshed.
''Obviously none of them are my degree of hotness-''
''Obviously.''
''But I think the crowd is gonna go nuts when they see everything. I know I can't wait for everyone to see what you brought to life with your crazy brilliant brain. Like I totally believe people are gonna love Snix but I think they're gonna love how out of this world imaginative you are, Britt. The world is gonna see what I've always known.''
''That I'm a sucker for a girl in tights?''
''That you have ideas inside of you that can change the world,'' Santana gushed.
Unable to hold back Brittany went to give her a peck on the cheek and smiled when she saw she left a rainbowy residue on her girlfriend from the syrup of the snowcone. She wiped it away with her thumb.
Santana didn't seem to mind. In fact she leaned into the touch and kind of looked like she enjoyed Brittany fretting over her face, giving her attention and poking at her adorable dimples as people jogged and strolled past them.
And it was moments like these, where they could stand and smile and just be for all the world to see, that made Brittany think that all of that other stuff, all of that noise and worry in her head and heart, maybe all of that truly was for nothing.
She shook those silly fleeting thoughts away, for the moment at least.
X
''You look beautiful tonight...''
Brian and Justin were standing in the elevator waiting for it to arrive on the correct level that would lead them to the loft.
Justin looked up at the sound of his boyfriend's voice and then immediately looked down at his choice of outfit for the evening, inspecting himself. The blonde man wore grey trousers and a crisp white trendy button up, all in all it was just an average but very stylish outfit and yet in Brian's eyes, it was so much more.
Brian bit his bottom lip and took the tiniest of breaths.
Justin moved his hand to Brian's chest, hitting the back of his hand against it.
''What, you are,'' Brian said, letting his eyes travel over Justin lovingly.
Those blue eyes, his cheekbones, the gorgeous blonde mop of hair, and that smile that could, in Brian's humble estimation, light up the entire universe.
''Well you don't look so bad yourself,'' Justin replied with a twinkle in his eyes.
Snix Night at Babylon was finally upon them and while the night was about promoting and selling the latest superhero addition to their comic book universe as well as raising money for a very worthy cause, there was surely going to be lots of time spent on the open dance floor.
The plan was for them to meet Santana and Brittany at the loft where they would all then depart in the car Brian had arranged for them and from there they would hit Babylon.
What wasn't a part of the plan? For Brian to show up at the loft and take one look at Santana before laughing and demanding that she change her outfit, because low and behold when she had opened the large metal sliding door to allow them entrance he saw that her outfit was a little too similar to his than his liking.
While Brian had opted for the optimal Brian Kinney outfit of black slacks and a black sleeveless button up shirt that featured his toned upper arms, Santana meanwhile stood in a very short black strapless dress that showed off her delicate tan shoulders.
They looked in that moment like mirror images.
''I'm not fucking changing, you're fucking changing,'' Santana scoffed at his demand.
''The fuck I am,'' Brian pffted playfully. ''You can just march your trollop ass back into that bedroom and change outfits. I'm not rolling up into Babylon looking like fuckin' twinsies with you.''
Santana placed her hands on her hips and made no effort to move. ''Yeah-no, that's not gonna happen. We're just gonna have to stop somewhere on the way to the club to get you another outfit. Don't worry though, they just opened a new shop on the avenue that's right up your alley. I'm sure you'll be able to find something new to wear at Aging Club Boys 'R Us.''
''Excuse me!''
''You wanna play, Kinney,'' she laughed, ''cause I can play...all day, every day.''
''Now now Brian, Santana,'' Justin started soothingly as he stepped between them at the threshold of the loft. He placed a hand on each of them, calming them instantly with his gentle smile. ''Nobody has to change their outfit. You both look pretty.''
At Justin's intervention Santana shrugged off their harmless bickering as she made her way over to the white credenza in the corner of the loft where she had her makeup laid out. She picked up a brush and swept it across her cheeks a few times before packing everything up into a bag. Everything that is except a small compact mirror and a tiny pair of tweezers which she gingerly and wordlessly handed over to Brian.
''What?'' Brian asked her, eyeing the items in her hand.
''Nothing,'' Santana answered with her trademark smirk. ''I just thought you might want to take care of that slight unibrow problem.''
Brian couldn't stop the gasp from escaping his lips and went to place his palm against the space between his brows. Usually he plucked that but he must have forgotten and a feeling of utter despair washed over him with the knowledge that Santana of all people knew his deep dark secret.
''Never speak of this again,'' Brian whispered to Santana and shamefully took the items offered and turned his back to them as he went about tweezing.
Justin meanwhile made eye contact with Santana and shook his head at her, together they snickered about his wonderful but completely ridiculous boyfriend.
''Where's Brittany by the way?'' the blonde man asked.
''Oh she's-''
''Ready,'' Brittany interjected just then coming to stand at the top of the steps of the bedroom where she could overlook the rest of the loft. She stood in a deep purple dress that hugged her body perfectly and was somehow both adorable and sophisticated. The color of it contrasted with her pale skin in a way that made Santana's heart flutter. ''I'm ready.''
The smile that was on Santana's face washed away and was instantly replaced with a look of awe. She blinked slowly and unevenly, as if she were getting drunk on the very sight of her girlfriend.
''You look...'' Santana started but lost her train of thought, so overcome. ''I mean...wow. Wow wow. You look wow. You look beautiful, Brittany.''
Brittany made her way down to stand with the others and came to relax in front of Santana who was still admiring her form. ''You've seen me in this before like a half dozen times,'' she laughed at Santana's appreciation.
Brian, done with his plucking, turned around and joined Justin standing about and watching the scene before them as the two young women traded gushing smiles.
''So,'' Santana said. ''I could see you in the same outfit a million times and I'd still say you look beautiful. You always look beautiful. And tonight? You look...so beautiful.''
''Really?''
Santana nodded her answer.
''Cause you look pretty gorgeous yourself.''
Santana raised a shoulder, playing down Brittany's compliment. ''I ain't half bad.''
Brittany's eyes travelled over Santana. ''Please, you ain't half anything.''
''Ladies,'' Brian gently interrupted their moment, ''if you'd care to stop dry humping in front of Justin and I, our ride awaits.'' He made a wave to the loft door, indicating they should be moving along. ''And I don't know about you two but I'm ready to get my dance on.''
Santana linked arms with Brittany and began leading them to said door, though not before playfully slapping Brian on the shoulder. ''Shut it, Kinney.''
''What the fuck ever, Lopez,'' Brian snarked back.
''You know what, next time I'ma just let you go out in public with your facial disfigurement,'' Santana laughed and pointed a finger at his brow area.
Brian wrinkled up his nose at her. ''Yeah well next time I'll-''
''Brian, Santana,'' Brittany said, halting the two dark haired individuals from their harmless but comfortable back and forth. She pulled Santana closer into her side and used her free hand to give Brian a soothing pat to the arm. And just as they had with Justin's touch the two immediately instantly quieted and calmed themselves. ''Do not make Justin and I put you two in a time out,'' Brittany warned playfully.
X
They arrived on Liberty Avenue less than twenty minutes later and walked the long way down the alley towards the entrance to Babylon where Brian had arranged for an actual red carpet to be laid out. There were club patrons standing about on top of it, lining up around the block, waiting to get in.
Fortunately, along with Brian and Justin, Santana and Brittany were deemed VIP and could forego that hassle. They passed the anxious and eager crowds and made their way to the door where they bumped into Daphne who was just about to enter herself.
And right there in front of the entrance the young woman caught sight of the two pairs and burst out into messy, spluttery laughter.
''What's so funny?'' Justin asked, out of the loop.
''It's just,'' Daphne grinned and motioned with her hand to the two pairs as they stood together, arms linked with the other's partner.
Somewhere from their journey from their car to the door at Babylon Santana had fallen in step with Justin, linking arms with him in a friendly manner while Brian and Brittany did the same.
Daphne continued to cackle by herself, her face scrunching adorably in a fit of giggles. ''For a second there I thought in some other bizarro universe this is kind of what you guys would look like as couples if you were...ya know... straight.'' She gestured to Brittany and Brian who blinked at each other, then to Santana and Justin who shared a confused look between them. ''Seriously give it a second...think about it. Visually.''
Justin and Brittany just smiled and shook their heads at Daphne's weird and random thought, Santana and Brian however-
''Daphne, I adore you,'' Brian started, ''but that is the grossest thing I've ever heard.''
''So gross,'' Santana added.
And then in a comical over dramatic fashion they shivered at the mere thought of being straight in any far off distant alternate universe. Santana Lopez and Brian Kinney? Straight? What kind of sick mind would ever have such a thought? That there was science fiction.
''It was a joke!'' Daphne defended herself.
''You've scared me for life with that visual Daphne,'' Santana teased and screwed her own face up in mock horror.
''That is honestly the most disturbing thought I've ever heard, Daph!'' Brian exclaimed in faux outrage, making everyone in their group laugh, including Brittany and Justin who were amused by their girlfriend and boyfriend's dramatics.
Santana blinked. ''I don't even know what to say to that. I just-I just-I need to dance this out.''
''Agreed,'' Brian said.
With that Santana and Brian traded places so that they were now linked to their actual partners and that was how they entered the club on Snix Night, laughing together as Daphne trailed behind them.
As soon as they stepped foot into the club they were greeted by a young man and woman in nearly identical outfits dressed up to look like newsies. They even both sported newsie caps, very much like the one comic book Bethany is often found sporting within the story. Unlike the character however the two club workers happened to be toting a beige canvas cloth bag around their bodies. They reached inside said bags and pulled their hands out to offer the five of them small black eye masks. Snix wear party favors.
Daphne, Brittany and Justin immediately put theirs into place and grinned at each other, so very tickled and amused. Santana and Brian put their masks on together a few seconds later and blinked at each other once they snapped the string behind their heads. They lifted their heads slightly, acknowledging the other. They really did look like superheros.
''Welcome to Gayopolis,'' the female newsie said as they passed her by.
Santana lit up as she looked skywards, taking in Babylon which was for the night at least partially transformed to look like the fictional city in the graphic novel.
In the center of it all hundreds of mask wearing club goers danced with each other, littered amongst them were several young women dressed up head to toe as the masked Snix, not to mention a few men hired to dress up as Rage. There were also a number of corners and nooks of the club dressed up to look like street corners and sidewalks and dark alleys. There was an occasional flyer plastered on the sets with 'IMPEACH MAYOR SWINE!' printed across it. There were cute faux newspaper stands with men and women working them, except there were no real papers or magazines in stock, only issues of the Snix comic being sold. There was also even a section where people were paying to get their picture taken with a Rage or a Snix or both.
''Oh my god, Santana, your boobs are gigantic,'' Brittany hollered.
''Huh?'' Santana looked down at her cleavage and wrinkled her brow as she concluded that while they were plentiful they were no bigger than they usually were.
''No I mean look.'' Brittany pointed to a wall that was bare except for the fact that from somewhere in the club a giant fifteen foot picture of the animated Snix, all smug and fierce, was being digitally projected onto it.
''Oh! Oh! Look at those Snixs up there!'' Daphne shouted and nodded up at a couple of masked Snixs dancing with people on a couple of platforms.
''This is fucking amazing,'' Santana said to Brian.
The man touched his heart. ''I'm Brian fucking Kinney, I only have one speed: fucking amazing.'' He turned to Brittany and bumped into her side gently. ''Do you like?''
''I love!'' Brittany said, her eyes still going around the building and trying to absorb every little thing.
''But this isn't the best part!'' Justin beamed to his cousin. ''I have a surprise for you Britt, Santana.''
The blonde man then looked to Brian and then Daphne and gave them a little hand motion, signalling that he was about to borrow Santana and Brittany and take them away for a moment. His boyfriend and best friend gave him nods in return.
''I think Daph and I are going to try to find Michael and Lindsay and the others, they should be around here somewhere,'' Brian said as he and Daphne began to walk towards the dance floor.
''We'll catch up with you guys later,'' Daphne added before she and Brian disappeared into the crowds.
Justin slapped his hands together and rubbed them rapidly as his face broke out into an infectious little grin. ''If you two would follow me I have someone I want you both to meet,'' he said and began to lead Brittany and Santana off to the side, through a closed off section of the club that eventually took them into a hallway. They passed a few storage rooms as well as a few boring looking office spaces in the backstage area of Babylon. ''Later tonight we have a sort of skit set up on stage to really introduce the crowd to the new characters in the comic and after that we're gonna have a little concert with an old friend of ours who came the last time we did a fundraiser at Babylon. Long story short Brian talked her into coming again and I thought with you guys being in glee and everything, well, you might get a kick out of getting a one on one meet and greet with her.''
''Who is it?'' Santana asked.
''Is it Barbra Streisand?'' Brittany questioned her cousin.
''God I hope not,'' Santana grumbled.
Brittany shrugged. ''Why? Barbra is pretty cool to hang out with.''
''Huh, how exactly would you know?'' Santana wondered.
''I once had a dream we totally met Barbra and she was pretty chill,'' Brittany explained with a nonchalant expression. ''Actually it was more like three dreams. Once we were in Las Vegas...and then Disneyland...and then New York. Also we were married. Also you punched Tinkerbell in the face for hitting on me.''
Santana nodded in understanding. ''Sounds like something I would do.''
''Also there were pirates and explosions and we may or may have not stolen a horse.''
''Now that sounds like something you would do.''
''Right! I have the most awesome dreams.''
Justin blinked in silence, smiling and shaking his head at his cousin and her girlfriend and their confusing but adorable banter. ''Okay um,'' he gently interjected, ''it's not Barbra Streisand but that said, I don't think either of you will be disappointed.''
The three of them eventually came to a halt in front of a door where Justin knocked. The door was answered by a young woman wearing a lanyard and a headset. He whispered something to her and the woman disappeared for a few moments only to return, this time opening the door fully for the Justin, Brittany and Santana to enter.
And there in a back dressing room of Babylon is where Santana and Brittany found themselves standing face to face with the one and only Cyndi Lauper.
Singer. Activist. Icon.
Cyndi Lauper.
They quickly pulled off their Snix eye masks wanting to make sure they were really seeing what they were really seeing. Santana's mouth fell open and for once in her life words didn't tumble out of it. Brittany meanwhile emitted a few inward high pitched squeals as she wiggled and vibrated in place. They clutched at each other in surprise and disbelief, poking and pinching each other as if to prove to themselves that this was not some fantastical dream or hallucination.
''Cyndi this is my dear cousin Brittany Pierce and her girlfriend Santana Lopez,'' Justin stepped forward to make the introductions.
''Hiya ladies.''
Cyndi was smiling and sitting at a lit vanity dresser. Her platinum blonde hair was streaked slightly with tinges of pink and she was donning a perfectly tailored blazer with an elaborately decorated skirt that had the coolest wackiest poof to it. She had yet to say a word and yet everything about her presence was loud and awe-inspiring.
Justin looked at the two young women and their stunned reaction and decided to scram. ''I'll uh let the three of you talk for a bit. I'll be outside grabbing a drink.''
With that the blonde man made his exit along with the lanyard girl, leaving Santana and Brittany convulsing in excitement in front of the music icon.
It was several silent awkward minutes before either of them got up the nerve to say or do anything. Santana was the first to rapidly break out into a rushed clumsy speech. ''I just want to apologize if I vomit mid-speech Ms. Lauper but I have to say that your music has a special place in my heart for a number of reasons. I mean, the first time I saw Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and your song Time After Time played during Romy and Michelle's slow dance at prom together - TEARS! TEARS!'' Santana exclaimed, pointing to her face. ''It is legit my favorite scene in my favorite movie. Also I'm pretty sure that was the moment I knew I was a lesbian because all I could think of was how Romy and Michelle were so obviously soulmates and belonged together.''
Cyndi chuckled appreciatively at this but before she could speak Brittany suddenly found the bravery to chirp up too.
''And can I just say,'' Brittany began, ''that She's So Unusual as a title pretty much describes my entire life! May I bow to you? I feel like I should bow to you. I'm just gonna bow to you!'' Brittany stepped forward and immediately went to her knee as if she were in front of royalty.
Cyndi cracked up, her laughter was quite nasally and yet completely endearing. She looked warmly at each of them as she spoke in her trademark Queens accent. Santana and Brittany just smiled in response, both of them on the verge of crying and/or fainting. ''Santana, Brittany...you two are pretty freakin' adorable, you know that right?'' Santana and Brittany shook their heads in the negative. ''Well ya are.''
''What exactly are you doing in Pittsburgh of all places?'' Santana questioned as she and Brittany approached the singer who was gesturing for them to come closer and join her. Finally finding her breath Santana took a seat on a battered music equipment case while Brittany opted to perch herself on the edge of the dresser.
Cyndi shrugged about. ''Well I've been to Babylon before, plus I live in NYC and any time your amazingly talented cousin has an art show I'm there,'' she said, looking to Brittany. ''Love Justin, anyhow when his boyfriend Kinney called me up and told my people he had this wild idea to launch a new comic about a gay superhero and raise money for LGBTQ youth at the same event, I said I was in. I'm tonight's entertainment.''
''Wait, you're going to be performing tonight? Here? For reals?'' Brittany laughed.
''For reals, kid,'' Cyndi assured with a friendly wink. ''You know Justin might have let it slip that you two are in your school's glee club, is that right?''
Brittany blinked rapidly as she rushed to answer. ''We are!''
''We even made it to Nationals this past year. I mean...we didn't place but-'' Santana paused and winced at the disappointed memory.
''But that's still impressive,'' Cyndi insisted in her delightfully squeaky voice.
''Our club has even did one of your songs.''
''True Colors!'' Santana blurted eagerly.
''San and I sang backup and our friend Tina had lead vocals! It was one of the best covers we ever did.''
''You know not many people know this,'' Cyndi laughed, ''but back in the day when I first started out I was in a cover band. That's how I made a living for awhile, cover songs.''
''Seriously?'' Santana asked.
''Seriously.''
''Did you like it?''
''Wuh sure yeah.'' Cyndi bobbed her head around as if looking for the right words. ''For a time anyway. Doing that in clubs and bars let me get a feel for the scene and performing, but it also made me hungry ya know? For more. Eventually I wanted to do my own thing, have my own voice but knocking around in a cover band for a time, it was a good way for me to get my feet wet. Is that what you gals are doing?''
''Well I want to be a dancer,'' Brittany said and held her hand to her heart. ''Santana though, she's the singer. She's the real deal. She's the next big voice that's going to set the world on fire.''
''Are you now?''
Santana sputtered nervously under the inquisitive gaze of the music icon. She didn't want to appear immodest in front of the woman. ''I mean...I love singing and it's who I am and what I want to do but I don't know about any of that.''
''Well your girlfriend sure seems to believe you got what it takes, kid.'' Cyndi reached over to deliver a playful poke to Santana's shoulder.
''She does,'' Brittany reaffirmed to Cyndi, and then turned to Santana to add, ''and you do.''
Cyndi looked between them and smiled at Brittany's encouragement of her. ''So I wanna know more about this glee club you gals are in, tell me what it's all about,'' she said.
And so they did.
Santana admitted to Cyndi that even though she knows it to be kind of lame, she always felt like a rock star when the club really pulled it together. There was something beautiful yet ephemeral about that feeling she got when she was on stage with the others and every single member of the group was on. That was her favorite part of glee club, she said, it wasn't the applause or even the trophies, it was knowing that in that moment on stage you were creating something bigger than yourself and putting it out into the great vast universe.
And on Brittany's end though, her favorite part she saidwas finding a way to let her body express itself without traditional constraints. It wasn't about being the best technically, it was about letting your limbs hang loose and limber and letting the music speak through them. Music was a language Brittany said and she loved the idea of interpreting it to audiences through her body in expected, unconventional ways.
Cyndi smiled on as she listened to them both gush about what they most loved about performing and groan about what they found silly and tedious. Hands down though they said their favorite lessons were when they had special appreciation weeks for specific artists. Britney and Madonna primarily, though when Cyndi playfully teased them about why they had yet to have a Lauper week both Santana and Brittany agreed, the glee club definitely needed a week of pure Cyndi.
''Well tell ya kids what,'' Cyndi began and reached for what looked to be a worn but beautiful journal. She scribbled onto a page and handed it to Brittany. ''I have a new album I'm going to be promoting and touring in the next few months. I know I have a date in Ohio on the books. You call this number and talk to my personal assistant in a few weeks, I'll make sure you two and your entire club are in the front row, okay?''
''You're pulling our legs right?''
''Absolutely not, although it is on the condition that you talk to that Schuester guy you mentioned about having a Cyndi Lauper week,'' the singer joked.
''I'm sure he'd be down with it,'' said Brittany.
''And if he's not I'll make his ass be down with it,'' Santana said. ''Thank you, that's like mega generous of you.''
''Super mega generous,'' Brittany said in agreement and gratitude.
''Aye. Us girls gotta stick together,'' Cyndi said simply.
And with that Ms. Lauper said that while she was enjoying their chat she was going to take a bit of time to prepare for her performance. She assured them she'd be sticking around for a few hours after her set and promised them a dance later on.
Santana nodded, taking the cue and Brittany's hand. Together they thanked her one last time before turning and making their giggly exit.
Once they were back on the other side of the door they leapt into each other's arms and proceeded to give each other a hoppy little hug that lasted for several moments.
''Oh my fucking god, the club is never going to believe us!'' Santana squealed.
''I don't even believe us! Like did that just happen?'' Brittany exclaimed as she and Santana continued to bounce in place.
''Britt we just met a musical icon. That was like a once in a lifetime kinda thing.''
''You know we really should pitch a Cyndi Lauper week to the glee club.''
''Oh for sure. I'll totally have to call dibs on Time After Time though.''
''Yeah?''
''But like as a duet with you.''
Brittany couldn't resist the urge to toy with her girlfriend. ''I can't believe Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion is your favorite movie. You've always told me it was Goodfellas for some reason.''
''Well yeah to protect my badass persona I had to say it was some classic mob movie.''
''You do know what this means right?''
Santana nodded. Of course she knew what this big reveal meant. ''That you're going to force me to learn Romy and Michelle's synchronized dance at the beginning of the movie so we can do it together?''
''Yep!''
''Fine but not in public, we can do that one at home behind closed doors but I'm drawing the line there.''
That was good for Brittany. ''Yaaaay!''
They followed the sounds of the muted club music thumping away throughout the building until they found the heavy door that led back to the party taking place on the main floor of Babylon. Together they pushed it open…
They smiled up at the raining confetti, the dancing Snixs and Rages and the sea of masked clubbers moving their feet and throwing their hands up to the beats.
If this was any indication of how the evening would progress it was clear to each of them that the night could only get more interesting.
Snix Night had just begun.
X
A/N: So I decided to split Snix Night up into a few chapters, just because while this one was light and fun, the tone of the evening might shift in coming scenes.
Also Cyndi Lauper did make a guest appearance in QAF 5x10 at a fundraiser at Babylon. I thought about using someone else, but I wanted that scene to take place because it just felt sweet and very in universe.
Spoiler alert: it doesn't feel right to say that's one of my favorite episodes, simply because the episode does see Babylon come under attack (think Pulse nightclub) but it is one of the most emotional episodes of the show. At the end Babylon is nothing but rubble.
Throughout the series the club served as Brian's personal playground and a symbol of liberation for the characters. When in doubt or pain, salvation through song could be found on that dance floor. But after it's bombed in 5x10 Brian didn't want to rebuild, he thought it was time to let it go because how could they or it ever come back from that, but in the end Michael convinces him that Liberty Avenue will always need a place to dance. That you have to keep dancing for the people who can't anymore. So they rebuild Babylon.
So from the first time they set foot in it within this fic Brittany and Santana have been playing in the rebuilt Babylon that is seen within the final episode of QAF.