A/N: so the on stage Snix skit that plays out in this chapter is supposed to sort of be a throwback to the Rage skit in 2x20 of QAF during the launch party. Seriously Netflix that scene to get the full fun campy effect of everything.
X
fiction, when we're not together
mistaken for a vision, something of my own creation
The XX
X
Hand in hand with Brittany Santana had been enjoying the festivities of Snix Night.
After their private meeting with Cyndi Lauper they had re-entered the club and along with the rest of the Liberty Avenue crew (who had since arrived on their own) had began circulating the building, making pit stops at a few of the minor attractions Brian and Justin had orchestrated for the evening. Along with merch sales, each attraction required a donation fee for play or participation with all the proceeds going towards the Liberty Avenue Youth Center.
She and Brittany had piled into a old timey looking photobooth with Lindsay and Melanie where the four of them proceeded to make ridiculous faces at each other and the camera that flashed in front of them. It was a blur of rolled tongues and bunny ears and scrunchy faces. After that they had hit up the Pin The Tail On The Swine booth which Santana had to be dragged away from because after ten horribly failed attempts to pin the tail she declared it ''fucking rigged''. She had cooled down by the time she and Brittany accompanied Daphne, Emmett and Ted over to the kissing booth where people were lining up to receive a quick smooch from a Rage or Snix in full costume. Emmett had planted a hot one on one of the men dressed as Rage but what had Santana nearly spitting out her drink in amusement was when they all watched Daphne step up to get herself a little smooch with a Snix. It was by no means a full on makeout session, but it was also just a tad bit more than a peck on the lips. Afterwards Brittany couldn't stop herself from teasing Daphne about the blush that ran over her skin, convinced Daphne had been into it more than she was letting on.
''Oh my god, just admit it you totally have the hots for Snix,'' Brittany said to Daphne, waving at a cardboard cutout of graphic novel Snix as the entire group made their way over to the bar.
''Psshhh,'' Daphne snorted in reply. ''There's no way I would have a crush on Santana, I think you two are made for each other.''
''Maybe you don't have a crush on Santana-'' Melanie began.
''Maybe you just have a crush on Snix the character,'' Lindsay finished her wife's thought.
''You wouldn't be alone if you did, Daph,'' Emmett chimed in with a nod over to the dance floor.
Everyone in the club seemed more than happy to open up their clutches and wallets for a good cause and it appeared Snix the character was a hit with crowds. The Snixs dressed up in costume were working the floor, dancing about with the clubbers and a few of the hired actresses even seemed to have attracted gaggles of girls swooning and fluttering about them. There was something about the dark hair and the eye masks that got the young women of Liberty Avenue going.
''You know you should go ask one of the Snixs to dance,'' Santana suggested to Daphne with a wicked glint in her eye. ''Just remember the original is very much taken.''
''Like I would even want the original,'' laughed Daphne who flapped her hand and turned away.
Everyone in their group busied themselves then, turning each of their bodies towards the actual bar and either conversing with each other or talking to one of the many bartenders and putting in their drink orders. With everyone else occupied Brittany had taken the opportunity to wrap herself around Santana, melting and cuddling into her side.
''You really are the Snix-est of them all,'' she said adoringly and reached over to pull down the small mask that had been resting on top of Santana's head and allowed it to snap into place to frame her dark eyes.
''I am huh?''
''Totally. In fact I was thinking-''
''Always a dangerous sign,'' quipped Santana.
''-that later tonight when we go home you could maybeeeeeee,'' Brittany lowered her voice and sang the last part of her sentence.
''Maybe what?''
''Maybe wear it...in bed.'' She gave the mask just the tiniest of tweaks, straightening it unnecessarily yet flirtatiously.
Santana was thankful she had yet to get her hands on another drink because she was pretty sure if she had, she would be doing a spit-take right about now, spewing alcohol all over her front. The mere thought of Brittany wanting her to take her to bed wearing her Snix mask (and nothing but her Snix mask) made Santana choke on air. Her heart jumped at the proposal. Oh how she loved this girl.
''Reallllllyyyyy?'' Santana asked, drawing out the word, so very intrigued and more than just a little hot under the collar. If she were wearing a collar.
''You look crazy sexy with it on.''
Slightly embarrassed by her sputtering initial reaction Santana tried her best to straighten up and give the blonde her best smoldering stare. ''Well then I think I can definitely arrange for the real Snix to uh, pay you a very special visit tonight.''
Santana went in for a kiss but was startled out of it when out of nowhere the music came to an abrupt halt and the lights went down.
''What was that?'' Brittany asked, looking up at the ceiling in confusion.
''It's a show,'' Justin said, lighting up and moving to stand beside his cousin along with Santana.
The usual thumpa thumpa of the club was soon replaced with the soundtrack of police sirens as the lights upon the stage section of the club went up, highlighting the fake cityscape set placed upon it.
A spotlight came to rest upon an attractive woman who was the MC for the evening, in striking make up and a shimmery pantsuit standing at the side of the stage with a mic.
''Welcome to Gayopolis,'' the MC said to the audience who had all turned to face her and the stage and gave her their silent attention. ''Home of that fabulous superhero Rage. But tonight you're going to meet a new masked avenger. Her name is Snix. With her powers of mind and body she's here to protect our citizens, fight injustice and intolerance and destroy the forces of evil...all while making the ladies of Gayopolis swoon.''
At this the crowds cheered and clapped. Dramatic music rose from the background, signalling a shift of focus within the skit.
''What's that? Uh oh, it sounds like someone's in trouble,'' the MC said before the spotlight shifted away from her and to the mainstage area.
There on the stage within the city set a young tall blonde woman appeared, scrambling down a mock alley as Swine's henchmen shouted, yelled out slurs and gave chase. The woman of course was in character and in costume as Bethany, her hair long and straightened, she donned a thin jacket and newsie hat. She - as Bethany - put up a fight but eventually the bit players playing henchmen grabbed hold of her, even as she struggled and shouted for help.
''Somewhere in Gayopolis her cries are heard,'' the MC declared, still bathed in darkness off to the side.
Small displays of pyrotechnics went off on the stage and puffs of smoke appeared in an instant. The crowd hooted in awe which only got louder when amongst the smoke a figure began to rise. It seemed the stage had the ability to raise people from beneath it and so from a special compartment underneath one of the young women dressed as Snix appeared dramatically, slowly rising from below until the small platform simply blended in with the stage floor. There she stood in tights and eye mask, looking fierce and heroic, though she didn't stay still for long. She as Snix began to tear the henchmen off of Bethany one by one in a stage fight until she had them where she wanted them in a corner. It was then she faced and gave them an intense stare and a strange vibrant green light from above stage flickered upon them and the henchmen actors froze as if trapped by it, as if Snix had created some superhero force field.
''Snix traps Swine's henchmen in a mind distortion field,'' the MC continued to narrate to the crowd. ''They begin to perceive each other as queer and beat themselves to unconsciousness.''
The henchmen, under Snix's mind control, began to fight each other, throwing fake punches and strikes until they play collapse on stage, at which point the soundtrack changes. Lights flash to simulate thunder and the sound of rain began to rise, along with some stringy arrangement.
Bethany stood to face her hero whose chest heaved ever so slightly.
''Who are you?''
''I'm Snix,'' the young woman in costume answered, her voice smooth yet intense.
Bursts of bright white pyrotechnics went off and flashed behind them.
The whole skit was over the top and more than just a tad campy but the crowds were eating it up, cheering and hollering towards the stage, especially as the costumed Snix took the costumed Bethany into her arms and gave her a kiss that was worthy of any giant blockbuster superhero movie climax where the hero gets the girl.
The MC came out from out of the shadows to stand before the two actresses in order to address the crowd. ''And when justice prevails in Gayopolis...EVERYBODY DANCES!''
And just like that the thumping music came back on, as did the constant flow of confetti in the air and the entire cast of the skit broke character, including the henchmen who had begun to stand up, began dancing.
''Just as a reminder all comic and merch sales tonight are going to our local Liberty House Youth Center,'' the MC shouted into the mic over the music. ''You don't have to be Snix or Rage to be a superhero so open up your pockets and give tonight everybody!''
Everyone cheered and lifted their drinks once more before they went back to the music and Snix themed attractions within Babylon to continue on with the festivities.
''I'm trying to decide if that was insanely cheesy or insanely awesome,'' Santana said and smiled over at Brittany.
''I think it was both,'' Brittany concluded.
Brian gently placed a hand on Brittany's shoulder. ''Do you think you could tear yourself away from your own personal Snix so I can borrow you for a bit? I have some press people here who want to talk to you and Justin.''
Brittany raised her eyebrows and looked to Santana who gave her an encouraging smile. ''You wanna come with?'' Brittany asked.
''Nah, you go ahead.''
''You don't mind?''
''Of course not. This is your big night. Your comic. You and Justin do your interview thing. I'm just going to hang back here with the others.''
''You're sure?''
''Totally sure. Now go impress the pants off of everyone.''
''Gross but okay.''
''You know what I mean,'' Santana placed a hand at Brittany's hip and gave it a gentle, affectionate squeeze. ''Go. Before I start to miss you too much.''
''I'll be back before Cyndi does her set,'' Brittany assured and gave her lips a light peck.
And with that she was off with Brian and Justin in tow, leaving Santana to stand with Lindsay, Melanie, Hunter and Daphne who were all staring at her with annoyingly sweet smiles on their faces. Faces that clearly said you two are adorable together. They were so obviously amused by how quickly she turned soft and squishy when her attention was focused on Brittany.
''What-shut up!'' Santana ordered loudly, scoffing at them all.
Each and every one of them laughed in response to her, so not threatened by her tone or her words. It was kind of hard to buy them when just seconds ago she was making googly eyes at her girlfriend. Melanie was tickled enough to reach over and poke a finger at one of Santana's cheeks in a playful yet teasing manner, as if she were some giant toddler.
Santana promptly and comically slapped the lawyer's hand away with a laugh. She made to grab at a Snix comic randomly laying about on the countertop of the bar, holding it up to show it's cover. ''If any of you say one word about how sweet or cute or wonderful I am, I will go all Snix on your ass,'' she warned and only got chuckles in return.
Even amongst their laughs, she had to smile though because she knew it all came from a place of friendship and warmth.
''You're all so annoying, I hate you,'' Santana said unconvincingly.
Hunter and Daphne stepped forward, each of them taking one of her arms and sliding their own into it. ''Yeah yeah whatever,'' Daphne shushed her in a sisterly way, letting that remark roll off of her with ease.
''Since your girlfriend is occupied you gotta come dance with us,'' Hunter encouraged.
She let out several half-hearted grumbles but allowed herself to be dragged off to the dance floor. Melanie and Lindsay however opted to remain at the bar, enjoying their drinks, the music and the atmosphere.
The married couple wickedly chuckled as Daphne and Hunter began to dance oh so very adorkably. Santana stood nearby watching the two, horrified by their energetic but embarrassing dance moves as Hunter turned around and began to back his ass up on Daphne who danced around it, throwing her hands up in the air, occasionally giving Hunter fake swats on the butt.
''Should we go rescue Santana from them?'' Lindsay pondered.
Melanie grinned. ''Nah, I kinda enjoy watching her squirm a little. Give it fifteen minutes then we'll go on our rescue mission.''
Lindsay nodded and continued to survey the crowds, smiling at the scene before her, though that smile faltered when she caught sight of someone she recognized. Their waitress from the girl bar when they had taken the younger couple out for the evening.
''That girl right there, wasn't she our waitress at Leda's bar?'' Lindsay asked her wife and squinted as she tried to recall more clearly. ''What was her name? Kaitlin something right?''
Melanie looked over, finally seeing the young woman that had waited on their table several nights ago was now dancing under the confetti rain of Babylon with several others surrounding her.
''That would be the bitch,'' deduced Melanie with a sigh. Stunned by those words Lindsay looked to her wife. ''What, she was,'' Melanie insisted firmly and sipped at her cocktail. ''She sucked at serving us and she was especially horrible to Brittany, getting her drink orders wrong, pretending like she didn't hear her when she asked for something. That waitress was rude as fuck to her.''
''She really was.''
''It's why Santana pulled me aside and asked if I could get Leda to send some other server to take care of us for the rest of the night. It was pretty fucking clear what was going on. She was into Santana and was being an asshole to Brittany out of jealousy or whatever the fuck and Santana rightfully shut it down.'' Melanie scowled in the direction of the rude ass waitress. ''Honestly I have half the mind to go over there and tell her to get the hell out of here.''
''You will not,'' Lindsay laughed, though she was also serious. ''This is Brittany's big night and the last thing she deserves is to have a scene in the middle of it all.''
Melanie scrunched up her face at that.
''Look I think she's horrid too,'' Lindsay continued, ''and if we see something about to go down, we should absolutely get her tossed out of here, but she's nowhere near either of them right now.'' She threw a nod over to the corner of the club where Brittany and Justin were standing with a group of people taking pictures and talking into cameras, and then threw another nod over in the direction of Santana who was still trapped dancing about with Daphne and Hunter.
''I say for now we should just let it be,'' Lindsay suggested to her wife.
Melanie tilted her head, a part of her was offended on Santana and Brittany's behalf, that someone who had so clearly disrespected their relationship to their faces would even think to show up to an event that was basically being thrown in support of Brittany's project, another part however could see the sense her wife was trying to make.
Off over a short distance away the young woman in question began dancing about with a costume-clad, eye-mask sporting Snix…
X
''So what was your intention when you wrote this story? Rage is known for being a very adult in themes and imagery. Was it your intention to have this new spin off character Snix mirror that in terms of delivering the same level of provocativeness?''
Standing in front of large cardboard and print promotional materials for Snix, Brittany and Justin were fielding questions from local media and bloggers there to cover the buzzy event.
Babylon was the most popular dance club in Pittsburgh and Brian was one of the best ad men in the country, not to mention that the Rage comic had a very fervent following and any spin off or spin off character was going to attract eyes. The press was definitely out and eager. Most of them seemed to be enjoying themselves and the event however every so often an interviewer threw a question at them that was either meant to criticise or completely missed the point of it all.
''I feel like you're focusing on one aspect of Rage and Snix as comics and as characters,'' Brittany replied to the man who had leveled the question in her direction and immediately placed a recording device in her face. ''Rage and Snix don't exist just to be provocative, and if that's all one takes away from this then they're only getting about ten percent of the story. Is Snix a sexual being? Yes, the comic doesn't shy away from the fact that she has a love interest and there's a clear chemical attraction between them but it doesn't exist for shock or titillation. When Snix takes Bethany to bed, it isn't just about sex, it's about their unspoken bond, it's about their love, it's about Bethany bringing Snix back to life. I mean how many superhero stories have we watched and read where the straight hero and the straight love interest embrace on screen or on page, why should Snix - or Rage for that matter - get anything less than that.''
The blogger nodded his head about and then turned to Justin, pushing the recorder over to him to hear if he had anything to add.
''Everything she said,'' Justin said proudly, in agreement with his cousin.
''Right,'' Brittany started again confidently continuing on with her answer. ''Like I said that's one part of the story and if critics want to focus on that - okay - but this story has other things to say, about friendship, about community, about standing up, about believing in yourself. The way I wrote Snix, she doesn't need a male character to inform her of who she is, she doesn't need anyone saving her because she saves herself and she saves others. That's an important message to girls, young girls especially, that we can be our own saviors, that we can also get the girl in the end and that anyone who tries to tell us differently...is, well, swine.''
The man accepted that and from behind him Brian tapped his shoulder, silently instructing him to move along. There were several others there waiting for their turn to lob a few questions in Justin and Brittany's direction.
''This is really fun,'' she said to her cousin.
''You just totally put that blogger's ass in his place,'' Justin laughed.
''It's a talent.''
They smiled at each other and waited for the next interviewer to approach as camera's continued to flash upon their faces.
X
The night flew by from there. There were games and pictures and drinks and confetti and dancing and of course the thumpa thumpa of Cyndi Lauper when she finally graced the patrons of Babylon with her presence. She began her set with Shine which was fitting as beams of light went wild as she took the stage and the mic.
The singer serenaded the crowd with her most famous tracks one by one, and while Brittany bounced and yipped in glee throughout, unashamed of letting her squee free Santana did her best to remain chill, every so often recording a few moments of video to post to her Instagram (where Kurt, Tina and Mercedes were freaking out in the comments and begging her to post more).
It was wonderful and it was a night that seemed to go on forever.
Or rather, Santana wished it could go on forever as she looked around and found herself surrounded with this new group of friends she had made.
She never thought coming to fucking Pittsburgh for her summer vacation would ever lead her here.
She had never thought she'd be ready like this, be out like this, be happy like this. She never thought she'd make friends like this. But most of all, she thought as she wrapped an arm around Brittany's waist and pulled her in when Cyndi finally did Time after Time, she never thought she'd get the girl like this.
For someone who had worked so hard and so long to be seen and perceived as the villain in everyone else's story, it was surreal to be told that the story she had always told herself, the story she had always believed was wrong. She wasn't the villain. She was the hero.
Quite literally.
Brittany had rewritten the story, to tell it as she herself had always seen it, to explain Santana in the way she had always saw her. The blonde had put pen to paper and challenged the reader to rethink everything they had ever been told about what a real hero is, about what a real hero looks like, about who a hero is supposed to love.
And Brittany's story, it didn't abide by your standard superhero rules and it certainly didn't color inside the lines. It said screw the lines. It was brave and it was fearless and it was proud. It was Snix.
Later though when the concert ended and Cyndi took her bow, the party didn't seem to be dying at all. It just kept on going, wonderfully and endlessly.
She only pulled herself away from Brittany and the others when she began to feel her cell phone vibrate in her cleavage, alerting her of a call. She stuck her tongue out just slightly as she fished for it and then-
''B, I'm gonna take this,'' she said to Brittany, putting her phone to her ear and pointing at it.
Brittany was in the middle of doing a shot with Brian, she held the liquid in her mouth while she gave Santana a thumbs up. Santana turned and began to walk off in search of a quieter area to take her call. It was pretty futile as every inch of the club was thumping with the dance beat. She found a spot near the coat check before taking the call via Facetime.
''What do you bitches want?'' she asked in greeting as she saw Tina, Kurt and Mercedes come into view on the other side of the screen from their home back in Lima. The three friends were scrunched in together tightly, it looked like Kurt was holding the phone out so they could all be in view.
''Good evening to you two Santana,'' Mercedes said with amusement.
''Oh my god, we want to know where in the hell are you,'' began Kurt, ''and why are you wearing a mask?''
''If the mask is a weird sex thing we don't wanna know,'' Tina teased.
Mercedes gave Tina a playful slap in the side and rolled her eyes. ''Nevermind that, girl, how in the world did you manage Cyndi Lauper tickets?!''
''We've been freaking out over the stuff you've been posting to Instagram in the last hour,'' Kurt exclaimed.
Santana smiled. She really did miss those dorks. ''I'm in a gay dance club.''
''That explains the background noise,'' Mercedes said.
''And the abundant use of body glitter on the people standing behind you,'' Kurt added.
''It's just this sort of launch party-slash-fundraiser thing we got going here. Cyndi's the surprise musical guest.''
''I'm so freaking jealous, it's not even funny,'' Tina admitted wistfully.
''Well you shouldn't be,'' Santana said smoothly, taking a bit of pride as she went on. ''Because Britt's cousin Justin totally scored me and her a backstage meeting with her and long story short B and I are like BFFs with Cyndi know.'' She shrugged with a certain kind of nonchalance, totally omitting the fact that she had been on the verge of fainting when she had come face to face with the singer. ''You losers will be happy to know that Brittany and I scored the entire glee club front row seats to her next concert in Ohio.''
Tina and Kurt yelped in happiness but Mercedes was just a tiny bit more skeptical and hushed them. ''You guys she's totally pulling our legs,'' Mercedes said, trying to hush her friends.
''What,'' laughed Santana. ''You don't believe that I met Cyndi Lauper or that I scored the glee club tickets to one of her concerts?''
''I don't know if it's a matter of believing you,'' Mercedes said cautiously. ''It's that you do have a tendency for tall tales. Like that time you told me you brought a wheelbarrow to Breadstix and filled it up.''
''That was totally true and totally happened!''
Tina nodded. ''Or that time you tried to convince us that your mom was Gloria Estefan.''
''Well she looks like her so that makes it like a half-truth,'' Santana hollered in her own defense.
''Or that time you told us Ms. Pillsbury was really a giant insect in disguise as a human.''
''Have you seen the way that woman eats her food?'' Santana asked. ''Also I had seen that exact Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode that week soooo.''
They went back and forth for at least twenty minutes until Santana finally shut them up by telling them that she was going to do them a solid. She was going to find Cyndi Lauper and get the singer on the line so they could see with their own eyes that she wasn't yanking their chain for the fun of it.
She walked through the club and through the crowds until she bumped into Emmett and Ted who were able to point her in the right direction. Over near the stage Cyndi was surrounded by press people as well as her own team. Santana waited it out, convincing the others to stay on the line until she saw an opening. Thankfully Ms. Lauper had enough of the flash and attention and waved everyone off, leaving just Santana and her phone there on the sidelines.
''I'm sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you could do me a favor,'' Santana started. ''I got some dork-ass friends back home who would give anything to say hi to you. It'd mean a lot to them, and me if I could rub their nose in it.''
Cyndi broke out into a wide smile. ''These wouldn't be some of your friends from glee club would it?''
''Actually yeah.''
''Wuh then I'd love to.''
Santana looked down at the screen and at her friends inside of it. So ready to watch them choke on their words and flutter about, in awe and respect of her and her awesome ass connections.
''Hiya kids,'' Cyndi greeted them all, taking Santana's phone when she offered it to her.
Tina's eyes widened as an overly dramatic gasp rolled out of her, meanwhile Kurt held a shaky, trembling hand to his mouth in shock. Mercedes simply let out a quiet ''oh my gaaaaaaahhhhhh''.
Then the three of them then leapt into speech, entering into some rapid-fire dialogue about how much they adored Cyndi and her music and her style and her voice. Cyndi just smiled and indulged them but didn't seem to be following anything they were saying when they were constantly talking over each other in high-pitched squeals. They kind of sounded like dolphins trying to communicate with each other.
''Are they always like this?'' Cyndi turned to Santana and quietly asked out of the side of her mouth.
''Pretty much,'' Santana affirmed with a look of affection as her friends made fools of themselves on the tiny glowing screen in front of her.
X
''Okay, I'm bored with this,'' Brittany announced to Brian, waving down at the shot glasses they had accumulated on the bar top. ''Shots aren't as fun unless Santana's doing them off my stomach.''
Brian nodded and ordered two waters for them. They drank and turned around to watch the rest of their friends on the dance floor. Justin and Daphne were shaking it on one of the platforms, Melanie and Lindsay were laughing in each other's arms and Ted, Michael and Emmett were goofing with each other.
''So, what's it like knowing you're sleeping with the girl every woman on Liberty Avenue is drooling over tonight,'' Brian began, throwing a thumb at the costumed Snixs and the merch and the posters littering the club.
Brittany gave him a mirthless chuckle. She didn't find the remark all that funny. It was still a sore spot, not that she had told anyone of course.
Brian blinked, somehow sensing her sudden unease. ''Trouble in paradise?'' he asked playfully.
Brittany however for once wasn't in such a playful mood. At least not about this. At least not after several drinks. Where was Santana?
''No, no trouble,'' she admitted with a long sigh.
''It's just I've never seen your face look like that.''
''Like what?''
''Sad,'' Brian answered with a look of concern. ''I mean Justin has that same face. It usually means something is wrong.''
''Yeah well, even if there was, are you, Brian Kinney, offering to lend a sympathetic ear?''
''What can I say, I'm just tipsy enough to be mildly interested.''
She shrugged him off lightheartedly. Now was not the time and certainly not the place to spew any of her strange and conflicting feelings, and certainly not to Brian Kinney who although she considered a friend probably wouldn't understand where she was coming from.
''I'm fine,'' she insisted. ''Nothing is wrong, I think I'm just tired.''
''The car is outside. If you're done for the night, why don't you go on ahead and take it home.'' He started to search for his phone. ''I'll call the driver to the front to pick you up.''
''Maybe in a bit.'' She placed a hand to his forearm, stopping him. ''I don't want to leave without Santana, she's still out there somewhere having fun. As soon as she gets back though.''
''Are you sure you're okay?''
''Yeah. Doing all of those interviews earlier made my brain feel itchy,'' she said, flapping a hand at him dismissively. ''I think I just need to finish my water here is all. Anyway nevermind me why don't you go dance with Justin out there? I haven't seen you two on the dance floor tonight.''
Brian gave her a half smile but hesitated to leave. ''...I can stay here with you.'' He dipped his head, indicating the spot they occupied. He didn't want to leave her by herself when he sensed that perhaps she wasn't all herself.
''No you should go find Justin and get your dance on with him,'' she urged, giving him a friendly nudge at his shoulder.
Brian looked like he wanted to say something but he held his words and went on and was soon swallowed into the crowd as he went in search of his boyfriend.
Brittany pulled out her phone and dialed Santana but it went straight to voicemail, she tried her hand at a short text. 'Where are you?' But after ten minutes it remained unanswered and so she pushed herself away from the bar and began her own search.
She had been enjoying herself throughout the evening but there had been something about Brian's flippant little remark about Santana being the most desirable woman on Liberty Avenue that picked at something inside of her. She just wanted to go home and to crawl into bed and sleep her slight buzz off.
She gently jostled her way through people dancing or standing about, it was hard to make anything out though all she could see was shoulders and hair and brief flashes of faces. Everything and everyone blurred together until something gave her pause.
The waitress.
That one waitress who had been horrible to her and who had so obviously had it bad for Santana. The one she watched Santana have a heated exchange with at the girl bar Lindsay and Melanie had invited them out to. There she was in the middle of the dance floor giggling about and sticking her tongue down another girl's throat, furiously making out in front of anyone and everyone.
Later on Brittany would think back to this moment and wonder what it was, whether it was the lighting or the lack thereof, or perhaps it was the drinks she had consumed earlier, or maybe it was just the fact that Brian's remark was still ringing in her ears but then and there on the crowded dance floor of Babylon for a millisecond that somehow felt like a tiny eternity her eyes played the cruelest of tricks on her.
Brittany saw the waitress kissing someone with dark hair and an eye mask and full lips and a devilish little smirk: Santana. Her heart felt like it had shriveled up and died inside of her. There was for the briefest of moments a flash of pain in her chest, so devastating and brutal. It was a horribly ugly throbbing feeling.
She wanted to throw up. She wanted to be sick.
The sight of Santana in someone else's arms.
And then.
And then she blinked long and hard and when she opened her eyes again and her vision cleared itself of unshed tears, she was brought back to reality.
And the reality was, it wasn't Santana.
No.
The nose was all wrong, the hair was parted differently, the eyes were a different shade. The waitress was all over one of the several costumed Snixs. It wasn't Santana. It was just one of her doppelgangers who was hired to work the party because she shared a few similar features.
That's all it was. That's who it was.
Brittany swallowed and shook her head at herself for even thinking for a moment that it could ever or would ever be Santana. She knew her girlfriend better than that. It was stupid and it was laughable, she knew. But for that millisecond, that millisecond that seemed to stretch in time it was real, at least in her head, and the physical pain that shot through her had been more than real. It had been shattering.
It made her feel like a fool, like an idiot.
Most of all it made her feel like the worst girlfriend in the world.
To even think that Santana would ever be capable of something like that...
She watched as the waitress and the Snix in costume began walking towards her. The waitress stopped in recognition, assessing her from head to toe. The Snix who was clueless to everything simply stood and said nothing, but the waitress gave her a nasty little smile that was anything but kind.
''I remember you from that other night,'' the young woman said. ''You and that other couple were at the club I work. What are you doing?''
''This is my event,'' Brittany said, with a tiny edge to her voice. ''This is my party.''
''Right. What happened to your girlfriend?''
''She's around,'' Brittany answered cooly. Not that it's any of your business.
''Mmm, shame I didn't get to see her again. Would have really enjoyed that.''
Brittany replied unenthusiastically. ''I'm sure Santana will be sorry she missed you.''
''Santana, that's her name,'' the waitress said, drawing out the words in a petty little tone, taking a sort of delight in watching Brittany twitch at the small talk. ''You know, your girl got my ass chewed out by my boss for 'inappropriate behavior on the job'.''
In no mood for niceties Brittany retorted, ''Maybe it's a sign that you're not very good at it. The service industry isn't for everybody with sparkling personalities likes yours.''
The costumed Snix looked between Brittany and the waitress, unsure of what she was witnessing but definitely sensing some kind of tension. ''Do you guys know each other?''
''No,'' Brittany answered shortly. ''We don't.''
The waitress shook her head at the Snix. ''She's just some girl with a bitch girlfriend who gave me shit at work when I was serving them.''
Brittany squinted her eyes at that. The same bitch girlfriend you couldn't take your eyes off of, she wanted to shout at her, but didn't.
''Well it's been fun this one and I were just on our way to the back room,'' the waitress explained, throwing a nod at the Snix at her side who was her hookup for the evening. ''For a little fun.''
Brittany winced, so very repulsed by the girl's tone and attitude.
''So if you'll excuse us...''
''By all means,'' Brittany said..
The waitress then attempted to push past Brittany who stood firmly in place, her feet planted to the ground. She wasn't actively blocking the girl's way but she wasn't about to step aside. If that chick wanted to walk on she was welcome to walk around her but Brittany wasn't about to move to accommodate her. Not after she had been throwing foul looks and remarks her way, not when it was so very clear what this nastiness was all about.
She wasn't sure if the girl bumped into her shoulder intentionally or not, but something about the force behind it set her off. Everything she had been thinking and everything she had been fearing bubbled to the surface when the waitress sniped, ''have fun looking for your girlfriend.''
''Have fun sleeping with a pale imitation of her,'' Brittany said then turned to the Snix to address her, because really the Snix had done nothing wrong and really was innocent in all of this. ''No offense.''
With one final sour look sent in Brittany's direction the waitress took the Snix's hand and together they passed by and entered one of the back rooms.
Brittany's eyes stayed on that door frame even long after they had passed through it.
X
''...So Santana here told me you guys did True Colors as one of your glee performances and that someone named Tina did the lead vocals,'' Cyndi said and smiled down at Tina, Kurt and Mercedes on the small screen of Santana's phone.
''I'm Tina by the way,'' Tina beamed brightly. ''And this is Kurt and Mercedes.''
Mercedes and Kurt waved like giant goobers.
''Well it's a pleasure. I've heard nothing but good things. You know, True Colors means so much to me and it means even more when I hear about kids understanding it and still singing it today. It's important, you're important. So thank you guys I really wish I could chat longer but I gotta be going. I have some people to talk to here and a plane to catch later tonight. But before I go I just want to say whatever you do, keep going. You hear that? Whatever sets your soul on fire, whether that's writing or acting or singing or math or fashion or law or medicine, whatever it is, never let it go. And remember to have the courage of your convictions and above all else, love yourselves. Okay?''
''Okay,'' Tina, Kurt and Mercedes whimpered like toddlers. Kurt was on the verge of full out ugly-crying.
Cyndi handed Santana her phone back and with a friendly pat on the back walked off to enjoy herself at the party before she had to leave. ''I'll catch you later kid, I'm gonna get a drink before I have to scram outta here.''
''Thanks,'' Santana said to the woman.
''Anytime Santana.''
Cyndi gave her a friendly wink in response and soon disappeared into the happy dancing crowds.
Santana focused back down at her phone and her friends who were bouncing in their seats. ''I fully expect all you bitches to bow down to me the next time we see each other.''
''I ain't bowing down to no one,'' Mercedes laughed.
''But,'' Tina interjected sweetly. ''I think a thank you in the form of a dinner at Breadstix is in order after that.''
Mercedes nodded. ''Sorry I doubted you, girl.''
Kurt was sniffling, overwhelmed by the short but meaningful conversation he had just had with an 80's icon. ''You know you're a really good friend Santana.''
''A good...friend?'' Santana asked, like she had just learned the words. No one had ever called her that before, except for Brittany. It felt strange coming from other people. Strange but not entirely unpleasant she thought, taking pride in that.
Friend.
''Yeah. Friend.'' Kurt said. ''Is that such a foreign concept? You being a good friend.''
''Kinda yeah,'' answered Santana.
''Well ya are,'' Mercedes said. ''Even though we don't always say it...you are.''
''That was very cool of you, Santana.'' Tina nodded in agreement at that.
Santana raised a shoulder in nonchalance, downplaying their affectionate words and tones, not wanting to let on that she was touched by them. Someone actually thought she was a good friend. It felt nice to hear from someone who wasn't in love with her.
''Whatever, like I care about any of you. Puh. When I get back to Lima I best have a wheelbarrow of breadsticks waiting on my front porch.''
''Will do, Santana, will do...''
Santana indulged Tina, Kurt and Mercedes for another half hour and listened to what they had been up to during their summer break, which honestly was a lot of nothing, but she let them talk, or rather squeak at her. It was the least she could do she figured after they had said all of those horribly wonderful things to her. Although her interest was piqued when they mentioned that Rachel and Quinn had been spending a lot of time together recently and almost always holed up in one or the other's rooms.
Santana grinned at that. Even though it kind of made her shiver when she thought about them bumping uglies she really hoped Fabgayberry got their crap together and realized what was right in front of their annoying little faces. But eventually Santana had to shush her fellow glee clubbers and bid them goodnight.
''I left Brittany hanging out at the bar and it's been awhile so I should probably go find her,'' she told them. ''Girl Chang, Hummel, Wheezy, it's been nice chatting.''
The three said their goodnights and then she ended the call. She hoped they didn't see the smile on her face before the disconnect happened.
She started to make her way back over to the other side of the club, anxious to tell Brittany about the call. When she caught sight of her girlfriend standing about near the bar, or rather her girlfriend's cute butt standing about near the bar she immediately went to hug her from behind, wrapping her arms around Brittany's waist and giving her a flirty little squeeze.
''Oh my god, Britt, I totally just blew Kurt, Mercedes and Tina's minds, I-'' she paused when she gently spun Brittany around so they could be face to face and noticed Brittany's face, soft but sad. She hadn't seen that face in a long, long while but she could never forget it, or forgive herself for the fact that once upon a time she was often the cause of it. ''What's wrong?'' she asked, forgetting everything else the moment she sensed Brittany in some kind of distress.
''Nothing,'' Brittany assured her and wiped at her eyes with one hand as the other cradled a drinking glass that was now empty.
''….You're crying,'' Santana said, growing more upset. ''Why are you crying? Did someone say something or do something.'' She turned her body around to look at the clusters of club goers nearby, no one seemed to be making any trouble or causing any kind of scene.
''What? No. I'm not crying,'' Brittany insisted with a tired sigh.
Santana clenched her jaw. ''You sound like you were crying. Britt,'' she whispered and pulled her into her arms, so much closer. ''If someone said or did something mean, tell me and I'll kick their ass.''
''No.''
''If you're worried about me getting in trouble I'll just get Brian to kick their ass,'' Santana attempted to joke. ''You look like...I don't know...but whatever it is, you can tell me.''
Brittany shook her head and pushed the mask off of Santana's face, letting it rest on top of her head. ''You worry too much. I'm just tired. I think I'm just all danced out right now.''
''Go home?''
Brittany nodded and Santana dropped her hands down Brittany's shoulders and arms till they found themselves grasping onto Brittany's. She lead them out into the alleyway exit where lines of people were still gathered outside in the hopes of getting in. Santana waved down the path at their driver who spotted them and came to a halt in front so they could slide into the backseat.
The journey back to the loft was silent with Brittany staring out of her window while Santana stared at Brittany.
She couldn't quite place her finger on it. The quietness that had came over her girlfriend, it wasn't angry or hard or anything of the sort, it just felt sad.
The event and the comic had been a success. The club had been and continued to be packed, Snix was a hit, Brittany had gotten plenty of praise and Santana had just been more than happy to dance and dote on her throughout the evening. But, something was off, she could always tell with Brittany.
''You sure you're okay?'' she asked softly.
Brittany looked to her and blinked. ''Yeah. Just ready to get home and out of these heels and cuddle up with you.''
Santana then watched her turn back, silent and sullen, to gaze as Liberty Avenue with it's many lights and noises passed by her through the window.
Somehow she thought, it all looked a little bit dimmer when Brittany wasn't smiling.
X
A/N: this chapter ended up being like 40+ pages so I decided to split it, that said I apologize if in splitting it, nothing really seems to happen and this one feels boring. I honestly don't know how I feel about how this stands on it's own but cha well. Just felt like posting something tonight.
As for the waitress, I'm wondering if anyone feels what I was trying to do with her. She was never meant to be a full fledged character, but she is sort of a deliberate symbol of something. She really only exists to push a button on Brittany. I'm always talking about brittana/britin parallels, or rather I'm always having characters hint at those parallels. Most of the time it's played for laughs however, there's this one parallel that's sort of anything but humorous, that gives Brittany pause (if you watched QAF then you probably know what specific Santana-Brian parallel I'm trying to set up). And that worry has been festering for a bit and will eventually bubble to the surface in the next chapter.