Here is a present for those that are patiently, and maybe not so patiently, awaiting an update from me. I've been busy, but hope to get more writing time in in the next few weeks. Next Update will be for BU, because I have kind of neglected it for longer than I meant to.
Thank you so much to those that are favoriting and following and especially reviewing. I love each and every one of my reviews, and I especially love hearing/reading about those that are standing up for my stories and writing. Everyone has their opinion and I support that, but there is a tactful way of saying some things. :/
Hope y'all like this update. I personally really enjoyed writing it.
The chuckle that slipped out of the other's mouth and the breath that brushed her cheek were not things that were helping her clear her mind. But God, were they amazing.
"You alright?" Santana's eyes were drawn to the pair of soft, pink lips directly in her line of sight. She stared at them for, what she felt like was, seconds but must have been sufficiently longer due to Brittany repeating the question.
Santana knew she had to pull herself together as fast as possible. Her brain was thinking of too many things at once. It was asking too many damn questions instead of focussing on the one important one she needed answered.
"What happened last night?"
More laughter.
"Well can't say as I'm surprised there are blank patches in your memory."
Santana hadn't meant to voice her question aloud but by the smile she was given and the light squeeze she felt around her midsection she was thankful that she had. The only problem was that those things were affecting her mind again, and not in a positive way.
She needed answers and her mind needed to be clear, not trapped in the fog that Brittany presented to her.
She worked against her body to straighten and step out of the blondes arms. Brittany seemed reluctant to let go, her arms following Santana's movements before slowly releasing her when they reached their limits.
Santana darted her eyes around the room - distracting her from the sight of the other - to get her bearings. Everything seemed to be in its proper place. There was no mess indicating an after-party at her apartment. The only pieces of the puzzle out of place was the frying pan on the stove and the blonde currently studying her with her amazingly, annoying blue eyes.
"What are you doing here?"
Her mouth opened without her permission again. And where she usually wouldn't have cared less, the disappointed pout that overtook Brittany's face was something she'd never wanted to be the cause of.
"I...I mean Quinn said-" Brittany quickly mumbled.
"Quinn?" Santana became even more confused. "What does Quinn have to do with this?" She placed a hand to her temple in hopes of placating the throbbing inside. "When I get my hands on that evil pixie she's gonna be sorry."
"No!" Brittany's shout caused a sharp needle-like prick to twist behind her right eye and Santana couldn't stop the pained moan that left her throat. She dug the heel of her hand into her eye socket to try and relieve the pressure but that only caused a new discomfort to join the other unwelcome sensation. She dropped her hand with a growl. "Sorry," Brittany said in an almost whisper.
Santana took in the blondes appearance. She was swaying from the balls of her feet to her heels, bouncing slightly, as her hands wrung nervously in front of her body. Her lower lip was held captive by her teeth and her head was hung low as her eyes shifted to different spots on the kitchen floor.
"Don't be." Santana tried to make her voice even and maybe slightly apologetic. She used the tone so rarely that she wasn't sure if it came out properly. "I'm just a bitch when hung-over."
Brittany's eyes lifted to connect with hers sharply. It surprised Santana how quickly the girl could go from timid to...Fierce? Sharp? Strong? Angry? She wasn't familiar enough with Brittany's personality to be able to read what it was in her eyes at that moment.
Instead of trying to figure it out she decided to continue with her speech. "Doesn't help that I'm also drawing a blank on last night, which is super annoying. I'm a lawyer; it's my job to know things. I feel-" Feelings were not something Santana talked about readily. "I just get agitated when I'm in the dark about something and I tend to take it out on others around me. This has nothing to do with you or whatever it is that Quinn did or said last night." Brittany's stance relaxed and she gave a small smile in Santana's direction. "I'll let you off the hook but Quinn's still on my list."
"But she really didn't do anything wrong," Brittany pleaded for the other. "She said it was fine for me to stay last night. I didn't get the opportunity to work out the details while you were sober and by the end of the night you-"
"Were pretty fucked up?" Santana supplied.
"I was gonna say, you were..." she paused to presumably find a nicer word.
"Fucked up?" Santana repeated. Her lips lifted into a teasing smirk.
Brittany frowned. "No. Unable to think properly or make decisions?" It came out as more of a question and Santana couldn't help but laugh at the way Brittany's brow furrowed and she sucked her cheek in to, most likely, bite the inside flesh. But her laugh was soon followed by a groan once more as her body reminded her it was not in a good mood itself.
"That, I believe, is the definition of fucked up," Santana got out through clenched teeth. She opened her eyes, that had closed sometime in her pain induced mini-coma, and smiled the best she could. It probably came out more of a grimace, though.
Brittany wore a worried expression, studying her, before she took a step closer and brought her hand up to physically turn Santana. She then proceeded to guide, push was more accurate, her towards the couch in the living room. When they arrived in front of the piece of furniture Brittany removed her hands and Santana bit her lip to stop from releasing a disappointed noise.
"Sit," Brittany said. Santana rose a brow at her instructions.
"Did you just order me around in my own home?"
Brittany's eyes narrowed before she relaxed and shrugged harmlessly instead. "Think of it more as a strong suggestion."
It caused Santana to laugh once more and the pain it caused her made her dizzy. She swayed and had to lean on the back of the couch to remain upright.
Brittany coughed, which drew Santana's attention. One of Brittany's eyebrows were raised and she looked pointedly to the couch and then back to her.
Santana sighed in defeat and slowly lowered herself into the cushion below her. She sat diagonal, leaning into the corner of the couch. She buried her face into her arm resting along its back and groaned. Every muscle in her body was throbbing now that the adrenaline, or whatever, of surprise and confusion was wearing off. She was too lazy to move her legs from their uncomfortable position twisted over the edge of the cushion.
She heard Brittany let out a giggle at her obvious pain.
"What's so funny?" she mumbled into the fabric beneath her.
"You." Santana felt gentle fingers grasp the underside of each of her knees. Before she was even able to protest they were being placed in a more comfortable position, stretched out on the couch in front of her. "You're silly."
The term made Santana grin and she was only thankful Brittany could not see due to her head still taking refuge in the dark fabric beneath her.
Santana heard a hum escape Brittany's throat before her presence moved away. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or not. Her being further away, not being able to witness how pathetic she was being was probably a good thing. But the fact that she'd dreamt of the day she would see Brittany again and now she was ruining it by being a complete mess was not something to be proud of.
She was starting to get a few memories of the day before. The reception, where she assumed most of the blame for her hang over was placed, she had no recollection of. But the ceremony in the park was starting to come back. Knowledge like Brittany having a boyfriend and her staying for three weeks in Santana's home had already been floating around her head as possible facts but now that the events were starting to come together she knew they were correct.
She was brought out of her thoughts with the noise of her powered blinds closing, the motor humming.
Even with her eyes covered and closed she sensed the room becoming darker. When the noise stopped, and the darkness at its deepest, Santana felt safe lifting her head. Her eyes, already sensitive adjusted quickly to the new lighting. She noticed Brittany standing in the middle of the spacious room facing the, now shuttered, windows. She had a remote in hand and looked at it a long time before turning around to face Santana again.
Brittany took three strides in her direction before Santana realized her vision must not have adjusted as quickly as her own. She opened her mouth to voice her concern but it was too late. Brittany's shin, right below her knee, caught the very corner of the coffee table.
There was a small clang as her vase full of fake flowers tipped at the disturbance and hit the glass top of the surface beneath it. Santana cringed but immediately looked to Brittany to assess the damages.
The blonde was hopping on her good leg as she turned away from the table. Santana could see the pained look on her face through the darkness and watched as she clenched her jaw to stop whatever sound wanted to come out. Santana had a feeling it wasn't another giggle.
It took a few seconds before Brittany placed her other foot on the floor again and when she did Santana watched as she took a few breaths. She must not have had her bearings yet because she stepped back with her arms outstretched slightly at her sides. She took another step before Santana opened her mouth.
"Stopping would be beneficial to your health."
Instead of doing what Santana said, Brittany spun to face her. Her movements, although saving her from another similar run in with the table at the end of the couch by Santana's feet, resulted in her practically kicking the base of the couch itself. Santana felt the whole couch move about an inch beneath her. The pained look once again took over Brittany's face and she but her lip this time.
Fearing Brittany would try something unsafe, like backing up from the couch only to run into the coffee table again, she reached forward in the darkness and grabbed Brittany's wrist that was supporting her upper weight on the arm of the couch. Santana bent her knees and guided Brittany to sit down where her feet once rested.
"Sit until you can see." Santana's voice whispered hoarsely. She coughed in hopes of clearing the frog out. "Wandering around blind is only going to result in me having to take you to the emergency room, and I really don't plan on leaving this apartment today if I can help it." Her voice came out marginally more normal but the gravel undertones were still present.
"Sorry about your table." Santana felt a kind of security or safety in being able to watch Brittany this closely without the fear of Brittany realizing the intensity of her stare. Brittany looked to the table and squinted, still not able to see clearly. "Oh no, your flowers." Brittany's one arm rose to the couch's arm as if she was going to push up to stand.
"Sit." Santana demanded suddenly and she watched as Brittany's arm dropped beside her once more. "What did I just say?"
Brittany's head swiveled from the tipped over vase to Santana's side of the couch several times. She watched as her mouth hung open as she did so. "But, the flowers. They nee-"
Realizing Brittany's self preservation was taking a back burner to the flowers survival Santana decided to solve the problem. "They're fake. I'm sure they'll survive."
"Oh," Brittany relaxed back into the cushion behind her but continued to look at the fallen vase in front of them.
Santana could detect a tiny frown on the blondes features. Clenching her own jaw at the intense need to make the sight go away Santana diverted her eyes to the object of Brittany's discomfort. She remembered how Brittany spoke about the fake flower hair clip, like it was more than a silent object.
She probably shouldn't have moved as quickly as she had, but she just wanted to get the job over and done with so she could get back to dying in peace.
She swung her feet off the couch and placed them on the floor before leaning forward to right the vase, making sure all the flowers were happily back in their proper place before she fell back into the couch behind her. She hissed at the rush of dizziness that accompanied her. As the swirling inside her head turned once more to throbbing she turned and curled back into the couch again, bringing her feet up to rest in between her and Brittany as she wrapped her left arm around her bent knees and placed her head on her right arm resting on the back of the couch.
She closed her eyes to stop the room from spinning; the last thing she needed was to throw up whatever was left in her stomach. Since she couldn't remember the reception she wasn't sure what she would find if that were to happen and she wasn't particularly interested in finding out.
"Thanks," came a whispered voice from the other side of the couch. Santana hummed in response.
They sat in silence for the next few minutes before Santana felt her feet being lifted and gently placed on Brittany's lap.
"You didn't look comfy," was the reply she got as she opened her eyes and gave Brittany a questioning look.
"So you can see now?" she asked.
"Mhmm, better than before."
"Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone." Santana said quietly as she stared at the blonde who was now rubbing her thumb, probably unaware, against the bare skin of Santana's leg.
"What?"
"Nothing," Santana dismissed with a smile.
Yesterday was gone, literally in some sense to Santana's mind. But the yesterday where she was still clinging to that small hopeful glimmer of a chance at seeing Brittany again and getting her second chance was also a part of her yesterday. Brittany may be right in front of her, she may be even caressing her skin, but in no way was this Santana's second chance with her.
She knew she'd drank as much as she did because of the situation she was in with Brittany. A year she had kind of dedicated herself to this image in her mind; this dream that if ever they'd come in contact again then there would be nothing that could stand in her way of convincing Brittany of going on that date with her. And as soon as she inevitably caved to Santana's charm then there would be no chance of Santana failing at keeping the blonde.
But even though she couldn't remember it Santana knew the picture of Paul and Brittany last night had been one of happiness on both parts. Could she still go after the blonde? Of course. Could she win the blonde over? It was strongly possible that she could. But would she? Without even needing to remember the way Brittany looked at Paul she knew she'd already made up her mind the night before. Otherwise she wouldn't be as hung over with blank spaces in her memory as she was at the moment. She'd seen Brittany content and she hadn't been sure she could make her just as happy. That was the only reason for her current headache. If she'd thought there was a chance then she'd never have drank as much as she had. She'd want Brittany to have a positive impression of her. That was thrown out the window so the only conclusion was that Santana's dream had crashed and burnt in a pit of agony last night.
There was no reason in second guessing her choice just because the painful image would not resurface at this time. She'd soon enough get to see the happy couples interaction in the coming weeks and any hope she allowed herself in this moment would be crushed. She'd have to relive it all over again and if she had to live through it at all she wanted it to stay in the locked part of her mind. She was sure she'd not been happy the night before and she didn't want to revisit that feeling.
But she couldn't imagine letting go of the blonde altogether. Maybe they could be friends. Maybe they'd keep in touch and Brittany could visit her when Paul came to visit Puck and the rest of his friends in New York. Maybe Santana would find herself in whatever city Brittany now called home and she would be able to call her up and potentially get a look into Brittany's life.
She found the thought sickening but at the same time more reassuring than the alternative that after these three weeks she'd never see her again. That the only time she would hear of her would be when Puck mentioned the wedding he would be attending for his good friend sometime in the future. That she couldn't let happen. If Brittany couldn't be all hers then she would compromise with sharing her. She felt more comfortable sitting in her apartment that she hated, with a pounding headache and aching muscles, with exhaustion running throughout her whole body, than she would have if she'd been completely healthy and in a place she actually enjoyed being. The discomfort of pain was nothing compared to the soothing feeling that was seeping into her from Brittany's proximity. She didn't know how a few fingers brushing her ankle could placate a pain in her head, but it did.
Was it odd that she felt such a connection with an almost stranger? A year ago she would have said yes and Quinn continued to tell her it was. But after a year of these inexplicable urges to be near the blonde she wasn't in an position to be fighting with herself.
If friends were all they could potentially be, Santana would gladly take it. If she said goodbye to yesterday than she'd have to focus on tomorrow.
"Don't stop thinking about tomorrow."
"Huh?" Santana lifted her head slightly thinking she heard her wrong. Was she talking out loud? That would be the icing to her embarrassment cake.
"Yesterday's gone. That's from the song 'Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow' right?" Brittany asked and Santana witnessed her nose crinkle and eyes slightly cross as she thought about it. It was the best thing Santana had seen in months. She couldn't help but smile. Brittany just seemed to be able to pull that out of her. Which only strengthened her reasoning on keeping Brittany in her life; even if the relationship was only a fraction of what she'd originally, and still, wanted. She wanted to know more things like this about her. Her moods and interests and dreams and...everything. Friends could learn that. Friends could be close. Close enough maybe.
"Yeah, that's the one." Santana quietly answered. Her smile grew at the upturned lips of the blonde before her and the dark room seemed to brighten when Brittany's eyes beamed at her and her fingers dug into Santana's calf gently.
When Brittany bounced twice on the cushion beneath her and responded with, "I knew it," Santana was a goner.
Santana realized the bright look in Brittany's eyes was pride. Pride at figuring out Santana's seemingly cryptic words from earlier. She filed that information away and made a mental note to figure out why she'd seem so proud of something slightly insignificant to Santana's own mind.
"I usually don't figure those things out." Brittany blurted, answering Santana's question without prompting. Santana almost thought she'd actually spoken out loud or that Brittany was some kind of psychic but the way she clamped her hand over her mouth and firmly clenched her eyes shut told Santana that Brittany hadn't meant to say that out loud.
It was then that she remembered part of their conversation in the cab. The part where Brittany forgot her purse and had confided that her friends called her absentminded. Santana was sure that was the word Brittany had used.
She'd been proud for figuring something out and was now embarrassed, just like in the cab, that she'd pretty much let slip her intelligence, or lack-there-of in her mind, to Santana.
"Geniuses are like that." Santana responded with a shrug and waited until Brittany lowered her hand back to rest on Santana leg, and she looked at Santana, even if it was out of the corner of her eye. "They don't have time to waste on reasoning things that aren't important to them. They spend their time thinking of the important things. They don't waste their time and energy on trivial unimportant thoughts like the rest of humanity." Santana smiled gently at Brittany's skeptical, but hopeful gaze. More emotions for her to memorize. "Did you know Einstein failed getting into university?"
"Yeah right?" Brittany turned to face Santana with narrowed eyes before turning her focus on the vase of flowers she'd knocked over earlier. She thought Santana was lying to her. "No, really it's true." Santana pleaded and it got Brittany's attention again. This time Brittany's eyes were softer when they turned to her. If it weren't for her still present headache Santana would want the lights on so she could see more clearly.
"Really?" Brittany asked quietly.
"Totally!" Santana nodded which received a grin from the blonde before Santana continued. "He passed the maths and sciences but failed almost every other subject on his entrance exams." The rapt look in Brittany's eyes warmed Santana's heart. This girl should never feel or think badly of herself. No one deserved that. "He was Einstein and people just couldn't see his genius because he was focused on specific things. Just because he couldn't tell you the capital of Turkey doesn't discredit his intelligence on other matters."
She let Brittany think about what she said before adding, as an afterthought, "You could totally be a genius in disguise."
Brittany smiled and leaned back, resting fully into the couch once more.
"Genius?" She asked without opening her eyes.
"Most definitely," Santana assured. "You figured out my blinds." She rolled her ankle to tap Brittany in the stomach which made Brittany giggle. "I don't even know which remote does that. Those blinds have been open for three years."
"Seriously?" Brittany laughed, tilting her head against the back of the couch to face Santana, opening her eyes.
"Yeah, but don't tell anyone that. Quinn asked once to close them when there was a storm and she was over and I told her they were broken."
"You didn't!"
"I so did!" she nodded. "There was no way I was going to admit to not being able to work something in my own home. That would be like admitting I don't know what that shiny rectangular box in my kitchen is for." She tapped Brittany's stomach again. "That's like admitting defeat, and I never lose."
"Ever?"
"Rarely, and only when I give up. If I try then nope, never lose," she admitted. "That's why I'm an amazing lawyer."
"You know that shiny box in the kitchen is a fridge right?"
"No, serious?" She hummed and closed her eyes, happy to relax now that Brittany was both safe and seemingly content. "Good to know."
"Okay, I know you knew that was a fridge," Santana smiled while keeping her eyes closed, "but I could almost believe you with how bare the thing is."
"I'm not here often. takeout is the only food I store in it so it gets little use here."
"Oh," Brittany answered. They remained silent for a few moments more and Santana felt herself sinking back into sleep, but something was keeping her from falling completely. Something Brittany had said needed addressing. She forced her eyes open when she realized what it was.
"Are you hungry? I'm so sorry. I didn't know anyone was going to be staying here until yesterday afternoon and didn't even think of getting a few things to stock the fridge and cupboards with. I'm kind of a horrible host. If you want I can go get something. I mean that is if you tell me what you eat. I could go get bacon and eggs...unless you don't eat meat then I can just go get eggs and toast. But maybe you're a vegan. In that case I can call up Rachel and ask what kind of things to get, or you could just tell me I supp-" she stopped her rambling when the sound of Brittany's laughter rang out into the darkness. She gave it a moment to sink in, she knew she would never get enough of that sound. "What?" Santana found it in her to pout. She never pouted but for Brittany, with Brittany, it felt natural.
"You're such a rambling mess." Brittany got out between chuckles. It took her a minute more to calm herself. "Besides I thought you said you weren't going to leave the apartment today if you could help it."
"True," Santana breathed as her eyes locked with Brittany's again. "But what am I supposed to do, let you starve?"
"You could," Brittany teased giving Santana a smirk.
"Where would I hide the body though? I don't do corpses." The response caused Brittany to snort.
"I'm so glad you care."
"Yeah," Santana could feel herself relaxing into the couch again and forced her eyes to remain open. "So what do you want? I'll go get it."
"You stay, I'll go out and get us something. I won't be long." Brittany lifted Santana's legs and placed them down again once she was standing. She skipped down the hall before Santana was able to think of a response.
When Brittany returned shortly after she was wearing a pair of sweats and a hoody. She had a clutch in her hand and was digging through it as she walked into the livingroom. Santana shook her head at the girl before calmly calling for her to "stop."
This time Brittany did and realized she was only about six inches from running into the coffee table again. She smiled in thanks at Santana before pulling some bills from her clutch and pocketing them. She threw the clutch on the table before addressing Santana.
"Genius, huh?"
"I stand by what I said." Santana replied nonchalantly. "I'm stubborn that way."
"I got that impression." Brittany's voice was teasing.
"I also happen to be right an annoyingly high percentage of the time." Santana laid her head back down. "Just so you know."
"I'll take that into consideration. What do you want to eat? Coffee I assume is your drink of choice."
"God, I'd kill for a coffee."
"Well lucky for the random stranger out there that gets to live another day because that won't be necessary." Brittany grinned. "How do you take it?"
"Cream and sugar, not too sweet." Santana buried herself into the couch more and sighed.
"Yeah, your sugar plum attitude couldn't deal with any more sweetness, huh?"
"That wasn't rude at all," Santana swung her arm out blindly, her eyes still closed, in attempt to hit Brittany but she failed horribly. "But yeah, something like that. No one can say no to my overly sweet side and I don't wanna take advantage of you or anything so better stick to less sugar."
There was silence and it took a second for Santana's mind to catch up to her mouth. Did she really just say that? She was supposed to be friend-zoning herself and then she goes and says something that could be considered flirting.
She slowly snuck a peek at Brittany from the corner of her eye. Brittany was standing, frozen, just staring down at her. There was a blank expression on her face but when she caught sight of Santana looking at her her features changed. One side of her lips quirked into a cute grin and her eyes narrowed playfully.
"Take advantage?" She placed one hand in her hip. "Babe, it takes more than a few nice words to get me in the sack. You'll have to work a lot harder than that for it."
Santana sat dumbfounded. Her brain literally shut of as she stared at the blonde towering over her.
Brittany's grin widened into a toothy display. "Wow, that was easy." She walked behind Santana, tapping her on the shoulder with her swinging hand as she went. "These three weeks are gonna be fun. I can't believe The Player Lopez was struck speechless so easily."
"Okay, no more talking to Puck for you," Santana groaned. "It's harmful to your mental health."
"Don't you mean yours?" Santana sighed but didn't respond. "Where are your keys?"
"Huh?"
"Keys. For the apartment." Santana felt a tapping on the top of her head and looked up at Brittany standing behind the couch. "You know unless you're planning on locking me out."
"That may not be a bad idea," Santana deadpanned. "I don't allow people in cahoots with Puck into this apartment."
"Cahoots? Who says that?" There was something behind the way Brittany looked at her after saying that. Something Santana couldn't name.
"I do." Brittany's smile beamed as she kept looking at her in the same way. Suddenly her smile faded from her eyes but her lips remained upturned, though slightly tensed.
"Keys?" she asked as she turned away. Santana was at a loss to what she'd done that had changed the blondes mood. She hadn't said anything, done anything. What was she supposed to have done?
"My purse." Santana became dizzy with confusion. Their simple banter earlier was gone and she was in no condition to work through the intricacies of the other's mood swings. She'd just have to figure it out later when her mind and body would cooperate.
It wasn't long before her purse was being set on her lap. It took her a few seconds to realize Brittany was waiting for the keys.
"You could have gotten them yourself," she said as she reached into the bag. "My purse isn't booby trapped or anything." She found her keys, through touch alone and only opened her eyes to hand them to Brittany. The tall blonde was standing with her hand out, waiting for the keys, and when Santana placed the objects in her hand she spun to the door. "Bye," Santana called quietly.
Brittany paused with the door open. She looked over her shoulder and gave Santana a small smile. "Bye, I'll be back soon."
Santana smiled back and nodded her head. There was still something off with the last interactions between them, especially considering the easy nature they'd fallen into so quickly.
She watched as Brittany closed the door behind her and had to fight with herself not to jump up off the couch and go after her. The last door she'd watched Brittany close behind her was the car door and it had been over a year since she last saw her. What if she didn't come back?
She shrieked and jumped when something landed heavily on her lap, knocking her purse to the floor. She looked down ready to push whatever it was off of her when she was met with the yellow eyes of a cat. Her surprise changed to confusion at first before she remembered that the cat was the reason Brittany was unable to stay with her friend. It was the reason Brittany was staying with her.
She'd never been an animal person, least of all a cat person. Dogs were obedient and listened to commands. Cats were just too independent and self absorbed. Maybe they were too similar, her and them.
She tentatively reached out to pet the striped cat's head. It didn't try to bite or claw her, but was watching her with an indescribable intensity that made her wary. She decided she was being stupid so she closed the remaining distance and placed her fingers lightly on top of the cat's head. It closed its eyes and tipped its head to press more firmly into Santana's touch. She smiled and stroked the soft fur from its head to the base of its tail. The cat's body rose to her touch and she repeated the action.
Santana's panic on having to go after Brittany disappeared. There was no way Brittany would leave her cat behind; she'd be back. She slipped from a sitting position to laying down, her head resting on the arm behind her. As she moved the cat's front claws dug into the fabric of her shorts but the back claws pricked the skin of her thigh. She hissed and quickly reached down to lift the paws from her skin.
"Hey, I'm not a pincushion."
The movement pushed the feline up from her lap and it immediately made itself comfortable on her stomach, curling its paws underneath itself. She moved her hands to stroke the fur on the side of its body and it closed its eyes again. She felt a vibration against her abdomen as the animal began to purr.
"Thank you," she whispered as she closed her eyes, still absent-mindedly stroking her fingers through soft fur. she felt one paw move and claws gently squeezing into her tank top. She was sure that meant 'you're welcome.' She wasn't sure if the animal knew what she was referring to but she felt as if it had some sort of idea where she was coming from.
She didn't know when she'd actually fallen asleep but the sound of the front door closing had her struggling against the fogginess of sleep.
"Awe," she heard Brittany's voice, which pulled her closer to consciousness. "So cute."
She heard some rustling before a shutter sounded and she finally was able to open her eyes. She was met with the sight of Brittany hovering over her, smile genuine and wide, directed at her. It was much better than the tense smile she'd left her with. It was then that she noticed Brittany had her phone in hand and it was pointed at her.
"Did you just take my picture?" If it was possible Brittany's smile grew. "Creeper." Santana teased but couldn't stop her own lips from lifting.
She lifted her arms above her head and stretched and realized she was being weighed down by something kind of heavy. She looked down at her stomach and saw that the cat from earlier was still in the same position. She placed her hand on the animals back and wiggled her fingers. Its eyes opened to look at her before its attention was drawn to the blonde towering over them. A small groggy sounding meow came out of its small mouth. The cat stood, which caused Santana to groan as paws dug heavily into her belly.
"I see you and Lord Tubbington have been getting acquainted." Brittany pocketed her phone before reaching down to stroke the cat's chin.
"Lord Tubbington?" Santana looked at the cat and came to the realization that it was overweight. She must have been really tired to not notice how heavy the animal resting on her actually was.
Brittany turned to the kitchen and made her way out of Santana's line of sight. "Uh huh."
Lord Tubbington mewed again and jumped off of Santana's stomach, none-to-gently, to follow the blonde. "Traitor," she mumbled before sitting up and looking towards the kitchen. Brittany was digging into a paper bag, pulling things out and setting them on the island. She spun around the counter in a graceful twirl to open up a few cupboards before finding the coffee mugs and brought two down. She set them down on the island and leaned her stomach on the edge of the counter to reach the cardboard tray that held two paper cups of steaming liquid. Her tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth when her fingertips grazed the edge of the tray. She hopped up further and was able to pull the tray closer. When she stood upright again her head rose and she met Santana's eyes. She smiled, almost shyly and she looked down to poor the drinks into their respective glass mugs.
Santana's eyes drifted to the side where she could see Lord Tubbington staring at his owner with his head tilted.
"I certainly don't blame you though," she whispered towards him before looking to the blonde herself.
"What was that?" Brittany was placing something on a plate and she only looked up when whatever it was was placed perfectly on the white surface.
"Nothing, just talking to myself."
"I do that a lot too." Brittany shrugged, placing two plates balancing on her forearm and grabbed a mug in each hand. She made her way over to the couch and Santana moved her legs out of the way so she could sit.
Brittany handed Santana her coffee before setting the plates on the table and sitting down herself.
"People think it's weird though."
"What?" Santana questioned.
"Talking to yourself." Brittany shrugged again. "So I talk in my head or to Lord Tubbington. People don't seem to mind as much."
Santana narrowed her eyes at the way Brittany's eyes remained downcast. "Screw them," she voiced.
"Huh?" Brittany raised her eyes and looked at Santana through her lashes.
"Whoever tells you that talking to yourself is weird. Guess they never got the memo that if they were more interesting than you wouldn't have to occupy yourself." Brittany's eyes narrowed suspiciously again like they had before. "I find talking to myself is more entertaining than speaking to half the population of the world. I'm more intelligent and awesome than others so why not talk to myself."
"Completely full of yourself." Brittany laughed and Santana froze, remembering the last time Brittany said that to her.
She shook herself off, "Of course, who else would I be full of."
Brittany's laughter slowed as she looked at Santana. She continued to smile but it wasn't the easy one she'd just worn. It was still genuine though and it only strengthened Santana's resolve to get to know the other girl. She wanted to know what that look meant. Wanted to know what all her mannerisms meant.
"So true." Brittany took a sip from her mug. "I like you Santana, you're fun. And surprisingly nice considering the rumours."
"Rumours?" Santana asked, taking a sip of her own coffee. She moaned as the warm liquid slipped passed her lips and down her throat. "Perfect."
Brittany giggled at her response. "Yes, rumours. Puck has quite the stories about your."
"Again, you've been listening too much to what Puck has to say."
"So the rumours aren't true?"
"Depends on the rumour." Santana shrugged. "Some are, and others might have merit but most are probably widely exaggerated."
"Like most things I suppose." Brittany reached for a bagel on one of the plates. She waved a hand to the plate in front of Santana. After grabbing a muffin and taking a bite, mainly to appease Brittany Santana leaned back in the corner of the couch.
Lord Tubbington appeared from under the table and mewed at Brittany once more. She picked a piece off of her bagel and held it out for him to take. For a fat cat he was surprisingly gentle in taking it from her fingers.
"Sorry about him." Brittany spoke as she offered the cat another piece of her food. She patted him on the head before leaning back. He immediately jumped onto her lap without invitation and Brittany giggled. "He seems to have gotten comfortable here pretty quickly."
"Oh, yeah. He totally thinks he owns the place already."
"Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" Santana took another bite of the muffin in her hand and washed it down with the heavenly beverage held in her other.
"I meant to keep him in my, I mean, the guest room. I must have forgotten to shut the door when I went to get my money." Lord Tubbington used the time Brittany was diverted to take a large bite out of the bagel sitting forgotten in her hand beside her. "Hey!" she scolded, but immediately began petting him sending mixed signals if ever Santana saw one. "I can put him back if you'd prefer." Santana looked from the cat up to Brittany's face. "I was surprised to hear that you didn't mind that I would be bringing a cat."
"I wasn't exactly given all the details when I agreed," Santana scoffed. "Kitty only mentioned the cat in an offhanded manner and only really admitted to it after I'd already said yes."
"Really?" Brittany bit her bottom lip as she looked back down at the feline in her lap. "I feel totally horrible now. I'll go put him back in the room. You probably don't appreciate cat hair all over your couch and the rest of the house. I'll make sure to clean the guest room out before we leave. I am so sorry." She reached out and set her bagel on the plate sitting on the table and the motion disturbed Lord Tubbington. He slipped off her lap and sat in the spot between Santana and her.
Brittany stood and bent to retrieve Lord Tubbington but Santana acted faster. She picked off a piece of her own muffin and held it out to the cat. He took it from her immediately and upon realizing it had more taste than Brittany's bagel he wasted no time in making his way onto Santana's lap. She set her coffee down so she didn't accidentally spill the hot beverage on him and scratched the top of his head.
She looked back up to see an endearing smile on Brittany's face. "I really don't mind if he wanders around." She looked down when Lord Tubbington began to purr from her ministrations. "He kept me company when you were gone and he's kind of cute, in a Godzilla of cats kind of way."
"Hey, he's touchy about his weight." Brittany swatted Santana's arm and went to grab Lord Tubbington from Santana's lap. "He's been struggling with it for years." Brittany yelped when, instead of calmly obliging, Lord Tubbington reached out and swatted her with his paw. He'd kept his claws retracted to there was no pain involved but the surprised and hurt look on the blondes face was indication enough that it was out of character for the cat.
"Hey," Santana reprimanded and flicked his neck lightly. "That was rude." The cat retaliated by piercing Santana's leg with his claws as he stared up at her in challenge. She gasped and glared strongly at the creature in her lap before huffing and scratching behind his ears. "Truce?" she asked and he finally removed his claws and began purring again.
Santana looked up to Brittany who was wearing a confused expression. "See we understand one another. He knows the Godzilla comment was all out of love."
"He usually hates anyone but me." Brittany finally said as she took up her spot on the other side of the couch once more. "He only barely puts up with Paul and even that is a hate-hate relationship. They tolerate one another." Santana didn't know what to say to the unfamiliar look Brittany was giving them. "He likes you."
"That's a good thing isn't it?"
"I suppose."
"What, would you rather he scratch my eyes out?"
"No, of course not. It's just out of character for him. I'm glad he likes you. I'm just not used to it so I don't know if I should be relieved or jealous that he prefers you to me." She pouted at the last statement and Santana laughed.
She stopped abruptly thinking her hang-over was going to make itself present once more but she realized that there was only a faint annoying thrum in her head instead of an overbearing pounding sensation. "I'm sure his newfound attachment has more to do with my breakfast than it does to do with my charm."
As if on cue, Lord Tubbington turned to try to take a bite out of Santana's muffin like he had to Brittany's bagel. Santana was surprisingly quicker than Brittany though as she was still half paying attention to the ball of fluff; really heavy fluff that is. She pulled the food away before he could sink his teeth into it. "Hey!"
Instead of giving up like she thought, Lord Tubbington followed the muffin. She lifted it above her head to deter him and stuck her tongue out at him when he glared at her raised hand, his tail twitching in irritation.
"Ha, showed you who's boss." Santana childishly waved the food around to taunt him.
She looked up to Brittany and saw her disapproving frown was slowly being taken over by a smile.
"You're being mean again," she stated motioning to her twitching cat.
"Me?" Santana said in disbelief. "He's the one trying to steal my food. And right after I saved him from lock-up."
"You make is sound like I was sending him to jail."
Brittany pouted again, still trying to hold the frown in place as Santana continued to tease her cat by bringing the muffin down to take a bite, bringing it unnecessarily close to his face before holding it above her head once more.
"Might as well have been jail."
"It's a big room," Brittany defended.
"So-so I suppose."
"Well it's not your room I guess but it's plenty for me and Tubbs."
"How do you know how big my room is?" Santana asked but her attention was drawn to the cat still in her lap when he dug his claws into her skin again. "Ow!"
Brittany laughed as Santana worked the pointed objects out of her thigh. The only answer Santana received when she tilted her head was a shrug. Brittany took an unusually large bite out of her bagel and Santana could sweat her cheeks were tinting pink.
She remembered the half-dreams where she thought another presence was in her room and realized that must have been Brittany coming to check on her. She stared at Brittany in wonder, flattered that she'd meant enough to the blonde to invoke her concern.
What she didn't expect was for Lord Tubbington to use that time to his advantage. He'd become impatient with his waiting game and began trekking his way towards the food that caught his eye, and stomach. Unfortunately for Santana, that meant he crawled his way up her shirt, resting his front paws on her shoulder and his back on her hip.
"Ha," she barked. "Now what are you gonna do. Didn't think this out too-" she was cut off when his claws found a home in the bare skin of her shoulder and he began pulling his heavy ass up her body. His back legs tried to find purchase against her stomach but kept slipping and she was sure she'd have scratches all down her abs.
She hissed and gritted her teeth, trying to push him back down with her hand not holding the muffin still out of his reach. All that did was cause him to hold on tighter.
Through the tears forming in her eyes she was able to make out Brittany's form. She held a hand to her mouth in hopes of hiding her obvious smile. Santana scowled in both pain and annoyance.
"You could help!"
The only response that garnered her was a hearty laugh.
Lord Tubbington mewed and huffed in her ear and she would swear it was in annoyance at her for not having easily climbable skin. She cursed him inter her breath as she tried once more to push him off. He'd gotten high enough that his front legs were wrapped around her shoulder and when she pushed his claws sank into her shoulder blade. She winced as Brittany's laughter grew louder.
Lord Tubbington's back feet found a slight hold as he got them resting on her collarbone. He tried to stand but slipped and Santana added boob to her growing list of injury's.
"Son of a b-" she growled and jostled her shoulder in hopes of dislodging him, again to no avail. "You could do something."
"Nuh-uh," Brittany got out between breaths. She was still giggling. For someone who was previously worried about Santana's tolerance for the feline she was showing surprisingly little concern on the matter now.
"What the hell! Why?" He finally got a good grip on her upper boob with his back feet and unhooked his front feet from her shoulder. He lifted one foot and placed it on her head testing the support. "Hell no."
"Because, the last time I tried to help one of you I got swatted and told 'we understand one another' so I'm enjoying the understanding going on." She cracked up again as soon as she finished.
Santana was so stunned that she didn't notice Lord Tubbington make it to her shoulder until not his back paws were digging into her neck and his front feet were prickling her scalp. He reached one paw up to her still outstretched hand, pulling at a strand of Santana's hair that got caught on his nail.
"You little-" She was cut off this time by his meow as she felt his paw scratch down her forearm.
It was then that she realized she was going through all that pain to save a muffin from being eaten.
"For fuck sakes," she grunted and threw the muffin behind her on the floor. It dropped with a soft plunk. "Take it."
He mewed once more in what she believed was more triumph than gratitude and jumped off of her to the floor, landing with a louder thunk.
"Finally!" She heard Brittany say. "I was waiting for you to realize he'd stop if you gave him that."
"Why didn't you say something?"
Brittany looked at her, smirking, obviously trying to hold her laughter in again, for a few moments.
"I wanted to see if you were a genius too."
There was a long pause where many things went through Santana's mind. Her emotions went on a speed roller coaster. Her confusion turned to anger at Brittany not lifting a finger to help her, to confusion on why not, to irritation at not understanding, to anger again on Brittany's cryptic nature.
She stared at Brittany and noticed her pursed lips twitching. Her nostrils were flaring erratically and Santana realized she was still laughing. Watching Brittany laugh internally was what calmed her enough to reach comprehension. It didn't take her long to crack a smile, and as she did Brittany gave up in trying to hide her amusement and laughed aloud again. Santana joined her shortly after.
"And you called me mean," Santana said between laughs. "You're cat nearly clawed me to death, my boobs are forever traumatized."
It only served to make them laugh harder. They were so preoccupied that neither of them heard the front door open.
"Well, here I was thinking I'd taken too long and was going to step into the apartment and find Brittany's dead body somewhere. And here I find you two getting along just fine."
Both Santana and Brittany paused in their laughter to look over the back of the couch to Quinn standing just inside the entryway.
"Santana doesn't do corpses." The confused expression on Quinn's face caused Santana to laugh once more and Brittany wasn't far behind her.
"Do I have to tell the doctor to do a blood test or are you two going to tell me what you took?"
Santana rubbed her watery eyes and shook her head. When she looked up to Quinn again she saw her best friends signature 'I want answers' pose. Her hands were on her hips and her left hip was cocked to the side. The only thing that gave away that she was joking was the smile refusing to disappear from her face.
"We didn't take anything," Santana answered truthfully.
"Really?" Quinn shot back. "Because you sure are acting high. Especially for someone who drank as much as you and who should be, and normally would be, moaning and groaning in bed until late into the night."
Santana shrugged. "Brittany's been taking care of me."
Quinn dropped her stance and smiled softly at Brittany. "Thanks for that by the way." She flicked her wrist in Santana's direction. "I know that one can be a handful when hung over."
Santana scoffed. "I'm an angel. Don't make things up."
"Sure," Quinn drawled unconvinced.
"Bitch."
"There's the Santana I know and love." Quinn finally set her purse on the kitchen counter and moved to lower herself into the chair opposite them. "Now I'm not so worried you've been roofied."
Santana threw a croissant from her plate at Quinn who caught it without difficulty and proceeded to take a large bite out of it with a smug look. Brittany watched their interaction.
"Another one of those 'we understand one another' relationships?" She asked directing her attention to Santana.
"Huh?" Quinn voiced her confusion.
"Nah," Santana waved it off. "It's more of a 'we put up with each other but secretly wouldn't mind strangling the other in her sleep' kind of relationship."
Santana reached for her forgotten coffee and sighed as the liquid made its way into her stomach once again. She looked to Brittany over her mug and winked at her scrunched up face. Her face relaxed and she smiled slightly.
"Don't believe a word she says," Quinn said after snorting, not having caught the interaction between the two on the couch. "She's a complete softie."
"Now that's funny." Santana barked, throwing her head back.
"One of these days you're actually going to believe the act you're putting on for the world."
"Wow, things got serious fast." Santana mumbled as her laughter died. She took another sip of her coffee before leaning back and closing her eyes.
"And there's the avoidance."
"Don't pretend you know me that well." She said with her eyes still closed.
"I wouldn't have to if you'd start knowing yourself a little more."
"Ugh, my head can't take this serious shit right now Q." She grabbed a couch pillow from beside her and tossed it gently in Brittany's direction. "Throw that at her for me would you?"
She heard Quinn's giggle before she spoke. "Like she's jus-" Santana heard a thump sound from Quinn's direction. "Hey."
Santana opened her eyes to see Quinn looking, slack-jawed, in Brittany's direction.
"i can't believe you did that," Quinn said, hugging the pillow to her midsection.
Santana smiled in Brittany's direction when she caught her eye. "She's letting me stay here so I kind of owe her."
After a few moments Quinn decided to change topics. "About that head of yours," she started. "I seriously thought I was going to be coming in here to fight with you to get out of bed."
"It would be a good punishment for you if you had." Santana responded.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she shot back.
"It means, that although my memories are completely gone of last night, I am going to assume you played a big role in the part that created this headache."
"You needed to unwind." Quinn shrugged.
"Unwind, yes. Not completely fucking unravel."
Brittany snorted beside her and Santana couldn't help but to look in her direction once more.
Quinn obviously had nothing to say on the matter because she stayed silent.
Santana turned, placing her feet on the floor to wet her empty mug on the table when she heard Quinn gasp.
"What?" she said as she looked over to her friend.
"You're shoulder," she exclaimed. "It looks like you've been having rough sex all night."
"I was doing no such thing." Santana glared at her when she looked between herself and Brittany questioningly.
"Are you sure? because those look suspiciously like the marks Harriet left on you after a night with her and she was the Dominating type."
"Quinn!" Santana yelled. "That's not what happened. Santana lowered her head and knew she was blushing from the heat overtaking her face.
"Then how-"
"That damn cat." As if summoned Lord Tubbington came from around the side of the couch and started to rub against Santana's legs. "I'm mad at you still." It didn't deter him from climbing up into her lap and laying down.
Both Quinn and Brittany laughed at her as Lord Tubbington began kneading her belly to get comfortable. She winced as one claw continually pricked her in the same spot over and over again.
"Damn cat." She said again. "Thinks all I'm good for is to be his personal pincushion."
There was silence.
"It's all out of love." Brittany spoke up, which caused Santana to glower at her before rolling her eyes and pushing Lord Tubbington into a laying position to stop his active paws.
"Yeah, love," was Santana's reply as her eyes made contact with Brittany's blue.