So it's come to my attention that you are all little balls of fluff and snowflakes in your reviews. I had no idea! ;D
DJ Snowflake and Scrooge
December 18
4:17 pm
Santana sorted through the box labelled '1971'. It was one of the boxes Kurt had brought to her room last week. Santana hadn't gone through it because it wasn't old enough to be relevant to a registry claim, but after her phone call the previous night, Santana had been a little curious about the way Rachel felt regarding her moniker as a Christmas singer. He mentioned it was a tumultuous year for the singer. She had been rejected by a dozen different stages and her label had threatened to drop her if she didn't produce another Christmas album. Santana had leafed through her journal and caught words like: woe, banishment, the audacity of the stage, etc.
Needless to say, Rachel might not have regretted her status as a Christmas singer, but she certainly didn't have a problem throwing a tantrum about Broadway and show business in her journal. To summarize, she was dramatic. Santana closed the book and placed it back in the box. Broadway should have taken her; she would have fit right in.
The sound of the radio from downstairs crept through the cracks under the door. If Kurt wasn't listening to DJ Snowflake at night, he always put on one of Rachel Berry's albums during the day. Her voice seemed to be Santana's constant companion at the bed and breakfast.
Knock. Knock.
"I'm good, Kurt. I'm still going through your boxes." And before Kurt could ask the question, Santana answered. "And, no, I don't need a topper to my coffee."
Burt hadn't asked her to do a commercial spot on WMHS 97.3 for the bed and breakfast, but Santana could see the question just waiting for an opportunity on Kurt's face every time they spent more than a minute together.
Knock. Knock.
"It's not time for dinner." Santana glanced to the clock on the mantle beneath one of the Rachel Berry portraits.
Knock. Knock.
"You better be hog-tied and gagged right now for not answering me. If you're not, I'll do it myself." Santana closed the lid of the '1971' box and walked to the door. She swung open the door ready to demand why Kurt was so insistent on bothering her.
"Hi."
Brittany leaned with her shoulder pressed into the doorframe and her lips curved in an amused smile. She wore jeans, a light blue sweater and head band with reindeer antlers.
Music filtered into the room.
Hang all the mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas
Santana hadn't expected to see Brittany so soon or ever again. She had no idea what had come over her last night. It had been impossible for her to do any work for the rest of the night after their phone call and she had a harder time sleeping when all she could do was think about Brittany's voice.
"Brittany?"
"Expecting someone else?" Like Santana, Brittany had spent the rest of the night taking random song requests and bouncing around in her sound booth. Every time the red light flashed, it was her not-so-secret desire for Santana to be on the other end.
"No. I just-"
Brittany didn't wait for Santana to find an appropriate answer.
"Come on."
"What?" Santana crossed her arms in apprehension.
"Come on. I'm taking you out."
"What?"
"I'm not sure if you're more stubborn on the phone or in real life." Brittany teased and pushed herself away from the door. Without breaking Santana's eye contact, Brittany stepped right into the Rachel Barbra Berry master suite.
Santana would have resisted harder if she didn't feel Brittany's grip on her wrist. She tried not to look down or let on that she was distinctly aware of Brittany's fingers. Santana swallowed and stubbornly met Brittany's advance. "Don't you have a radio show to do?"
Brittany's eyes were sparkling mischievously. Santana had heard that look over the phone when they had talked to each other, but even without the words, it was hard to miss the playfulness skipping through all of Brittany's intentions. "Of course I do, but I still have a few hours and I thought maybe I could save you from being all alone in this – "
Her eyes wandered through the Rachel Barbra Berry room for the first time. She admitted a low whistle, but Santana's wasn't sure if Brittany was genuinely impressed or mocking her bedroom situation. "-bed and breakfast."
Santana didn't to have to answer any – any – questions about the room. She pushed into Brittany to move them back to the hallway. Her knees knocked into Brittany's legs, but instead of doing what Santana wanted, Brittany didn't move.
"Last time we were anywhere together, I was attacked by a mob of your fans."
"That's why I brought you a disguise."
"A disguise?" Santana still couldn't believe Brittany stood at her door, much less follow their conversation.
"Here." Brittany pulled out a long red scarf from her back pocket.
There was something in the way Brittany gently stepped into her body that Santana couldn't resist. The fabric of the red scarf was so soft and smooth against her skin. The slightest touch of Brittany's thumb along the back of her neck jolted her forward. She took a quick breath and tilted her head back so Brittany could loop the material.
Brittany pulled back, pleased with herself. The brilliant red popped against Santana's black sweater. It made Brittany want to look up and meet those dark eyes once again. It was the perfect color.
Santana must have noticed Brittany's admiration for the scarf because she dropped her head down. She toyed with the ends of the scarf, still very curious what Brittany intended. There were tight crosses and stitches in the threads. "What is this fo-"
Something plopped onto her head. Santana jerked up. She forgot about the scarf and looked up. Brittany was smiling uncontrollably. Santana reached up and felt the brim of a hat, but it felt too heavy to be a regular hat. With both hands she ran her fingers around the entire hat.
"Is this a top hat?" Santana flipped it off her head. It was a dark top hat. A red ribbon had been carefully wound around its entire circumference and tied with a bow.
"Of course it is." Brittany took the hat back from her and placed it once more on Santana's head. "And here is your monocle."
Santana didn't know what to say as Brittany pinned a fine gold chain to her sweater and handed her a thing piece of glass.
"What is all of this?"
"I figured I would disguise you as Scrooge." Brittany flashed her a wink and pulled back. She smiled even brighter to see the whole outfit on Santana. "No one will be looking for you dressed like this. Now get your coat and meet me outside. Dress warm. Bring gloves."
"What?" Santana looked down at her outfit and the monocle in her hand with bewilderment.
Brittany walked away from her suite and nonchalantly called back. "Hurry up!"
"Hurry up?" Santana asked, but Brittany had already skipped down the stairs. What the hell was she doing? Why did she need to dress warm? If Brittany thought they were about to go ice skating or something completely cliché or lame, she was about to be disappointed. Santana violently pulled on her coat and grabbed her gloves from her nightstand; however, when she adjusted the red scarf, she did so carefully. She didn't want to snag it on her zipper.
She looked up and saw Rachel Berry's smug expression over the mantle. Santana frowned and stopped fiddling with the top hat. "Shut up, Berry."
Five minutes later, Santana walked out of Hummel's Bed and Breakfast into the freezing cold December air. A light flurry drifted around aimlessly without sticking to ground. Two headlights blinked in the parking lot to an old blue pick-up truck. Santana braced herself and debated if she should text Mercedes to say she was about to go "somewhere" with a woman she only really knew from fighting on the phone.
Mercedes would never let her hear the end of it.
Fuck it.
Santana held onto her hat by the brim and dipped her head into the wind toward Brittany's truck. The door stuck for just a moment before it popped open. The cab was warm - almost as warm as Hummel's. Candy canes were on the dashboard, a snowman glass sticky stuck to the corner of the windshield, and WMHS 97.3 played more Christmas songs through the speakers.
"Get in or we're gonna be late for the best part."
It was already too late. Santana knew there no turning back now. She was already out here. Brittany waited until Santana buckled her seatbelt before she pulled out of Hummel's Bed and Breakfast and drove back out of the parking lot toward Midtown.
5:17 pm
Santana wouldn't have been able to name one road Brittany took on the way into Midtown. She took roads Santana had never seen and drove down the back roads like they were the freeway. She sang every song the radio played and every Christmas song was her favorite. There were times Brittany glanced in Santana's direction, but she never pressed her to sing with her.
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas! Only a hippopotamus will do! No crocodiles. No Rhinoceroses. I only like hippopatamuses-" Santana laughed as Brittany continued singing along with the song. "-And hippopatamuses like me too!"
As the song ended, Santana had begun humming reluctantly along with Brittany's obnoxious singing. Brittany parked her truck and turned the radio down. Santana glanced around. She didn't recognize this part of Midtown. It wasn't Mercedes's neighborhood, but all of the building still had the same style.
"So, you never did say what we were doing..." Santana prompted.
"I didn't? Huh." Brittany shrugged and reached into her glove compartment. She pulled out a reindeer headband and set it on her head. "That's strange."
The blonde haired reindeer opened her door and exited the truck.
"Brittany?" Santana called after her. "Brittany?"
Santana popped open her door to follow her. Brittany's long legs carried her far across the sidewalk. There were voices and music all around the street and echoing between buildings. Santana picked up her speed to catch up, but when it became obvious Brittany wasn't going to explain, Santana froze and shouted. "SNOWFLAKE."
Brittany turned around with a smirk on her face. She placed and finger to her lips. Santana caught up to her and almost shouted again. "What are we doing out here?"
"Time honored tradition." Brittany started walking again, but much slower this time. She made sure every step she took matched Santana's. It was a stretch. Brittany hadn't even known if Santana would be at the bed and breakfast and she definitely didn't think Santana would agree to come to town with her.
"Another tradition? Does your town do anything else?"
"This one is relatively new." Brittany heard the not too distant sounds of singing. They weren't late. "Now before you think I'm doing this as DJ Snowflake or some other reason, this is my tradition. I just haven't had anyone to bring with me before. Holly is always at the radio station."
They rounded the corner on the street. They could hear the singing clearer now. It filled the street. A group of about fifteen carolers stood in front of a house.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
One of the carolers spotted Brittany and enthusiastically waved for her to join. Brittany started to walk forward when she felt hesitation from Santana.
"What? You don't sing either?"
Santana bit her lip as if deciding something. "I can sing."
"Good." Brittany smiled and held her hand out for Santana to take. "We can share music."
Santana didn't know why she still balked. She had followed Brittany all the way out here. She had spent the night thinking about Brittany. She had woke up wondering if Brittany would save her phone number from the previous night and call her. Instead, Brittany showed up and took a risk that Santana would instantly reject her. So why the hell would Santana say no? It was better than spending a few more hours surrounded by Rachel Berry.
"Fine." Santana slipped her glove into Brittany's hand and allowed herself to be whisked off.
Everyone smiled as they joined the semi-circle. A binder full with music sheets popped into their hands from one of the men singing. Brittany opened it to the right page, ready to show Santana the correct line.
A strong voice joined the group. It strengthened with each note.
"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn"
Santana was already singing. Brittany stopped. Santana was singing - like singing.
"Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born"
Santana must have seen Brittany's reaction. She shifted ever so slightly. Without looking, Santana's pointer finger slid across the music on the sheet as if to show Brittany where to follow the bars. The next verse started. Santana kept singing but not before casually giving Brittany the sexiest wink. Brittany flushed in the freezing air. That had been unexpected.
Wow.
Brittany's raspy breath turned white as she whispered. "Jingle bells."
8:03 pm
They sang down the street. Sometimes they did a few songs or they did one. Occasionally, a family would pull on their coats and join them. Their group continued to swell in numbers and volume. Santana tried to concentrate on singing and enjoying the moment, but it was almost impossible when she could feel Brittany's hand bump against her thigh or when their fingers touched on the music page. Santana became acutely aware of how close they were whenever Brittany leaned in to ask her a question or make a comment about this neighbor or that house or building.
"Hi."
Santana shivered, but wrapped her arms tight around her chest and pretended it was from the cold.
"Hey."
"You know you're a really good singer."
"I told you I could sing."
"Yeah, but it's beautiful."
Santana blushed at the way Brittany only looked into her eyes when she said beautiful. They had been flirting all night or at least that's what it felt like. Santana didn't know what Brittany's intentions were, but it had only been a few days since Santana thought DJ Snowflake had played her. She needed some space. Just a little space where she couldn't feel Brittany's body. "It's whatever."
"I don't think it's whatever."
Santana swallowed and pulled back. "Don't think for a second this means I'm going to call in and make a request. Singing is one thing. Listening to your never ending Christmas playlist is another."
Brittany lifted her hands in mock innocence. "I would never dream of conning you into making a request. I completely respect your right to be Scrooge."
"Good because it's not happening." Santana noticed the group was moving again, but toward a lone house on the hill. "Where's everyone going?"
"This is the best part." Brittany licked her bottom lip. "You ready for the last song?"
"I guess..." Santana didn't trust how excited Brittany looked.
They fell in with the rest of the carolers and walked up the hill toward the great, but very dark house. A single light flickered on the top floor, but besides that light, the house seemed unoccupied. Santana didn't understand. The other houses they had sung at had been full of lights and Christmas decorations. This one had neither.
Brittany's hand slid ever so casually into hers; Santana forgot all of her misgivings.
A moment later, another person held her other hand. Santana turned to her right to tell whoever it was to back off, but she noticed all of the carolers were holding hands. They had formed a giant circle around the house.
"Britt...?"
Brittany's stomach fluttered as Santana called her Britt, but her excitement was short-lived. The circle started to sway back and forth. She turned and quickly whispered. "Just go with it. And whatever happens, just stay with me."
"Wha-" Santana started to ask, but the group started to sway and sing. It was gentle at first, but swelled with every word.
Fah who foraze, Dah who doraze
Welcome, Christmas, come this way
Fah Who foraze, Dah who doraze
Welcome, Christmas, Christmas Day
Santana's mouth dropped. "Are we singing the Who song right now?"
Brittany's smile between singing words all but confirmed they were singing the last song from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Welcome, Welcome
Fah Who Rah Moos
The upper lights in the house turned on. One. Two. The first floor lights came on. A guttural scream from inside the building erupted. People started to sway faster and look at each other nervously.
Christmas Day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp
The front door to the house burst open.
"EVERY YEAR, SUNSHINE!" Sue stood panting with a shotgun in her hand pointed to the sky. "I KNOW IT'S YOU!"
Brittany leaned into Santana. "Get ready."
"Ready for wha-" BANG. BANG. Santana jumped.
Sue shot the shotgun into the air with a banshee shriek. "I WILL FIND YOU, SUNSHINE! I WILL CATCH YOU THIS YEAR AND THEY WILL HAVE TO INCARCERATE YOU!"
"What the fuc-"
"Now!" Brittany tightened her grasp on Santana's hand. With a hard jerk, they both started back down the hill running at full speed. Santana's heart was pounding. She could hear Sue barking and yelling. Midtown people screeched and ran past them, around them, or ducked behind cars. Other teenagers stayed near the house despite Sue's bellowing and continued singing.
Dah who dah moos
Christmas Day will always be
Just so long as we have we
"Come on." Brittany pulled them fast into an alleyway. The great tree in the center of town lit the streets and guided their steps. They ran around a few cars and two more streets before Brittany finally slowed down. They were both panting and exhausted, but they could no longer hear the carolers singing or Sue yelling.
Brittany coughed into the back of her hand and started laughing.
Santana leaned against the wall to a store on Main Street and held her hand to her chest. As she panted, she couldn't stop shaking her head. They had almost died. Her heart pounded and her blood raced, but Brittany's laughter was infectious. It carried down the street and vibrated through Santana's chest until she too laughed.
"Holy shit. What the fuck was that?"
Brittany exhaled hard and stood up. Even in the cold, despite how tired she was from running, Brittany smiled. She walked a few steps back to Santana. "Just because we have a lot of traditions in this town, doesn't mean they're all lame."
"No. That was insane." Santana stated and returned Brittany's smile. She couldn't remember the last time she had done anything remotely as reckless. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt like this - ever.
"But kinda fun?" Brittany took a step closer. Santana's cheeks were red from running and Brittany had an insatiable urge to push back the hair in her face.
"Yeah..." Santana admitted. "Just a little fun."
She noticed Brittany's advance. She noticed how the town around them was unoccupied, but the few feet that separated them filled with words and glances. It filled with excitement and anticipation. She never wanted someone to fill that space before - not this quickly, not this complete, but she anxiously watched Brittany take another step.
"Does that mean you actually enjoyed your time with me?"
The front of Brittany's jacket brushed against Santana's zipper. Unconsciously, Santana's lips parted at the sensation.
"Who said my enjoyment had anything to do with you?" Santana answered, but her words faltered as Brittany reached out and brushed the back of her hand against Santana's face. After Brittany tucked her hair behind her ear, she stayed. It didn't matter that Brittany's hands were gloved. It still stopped her from saying anything else.
Brittany noticed the way Santana's body arched. She ached to wrap her hand around her waist to feel Santana do that again, but completely against her body. Santana's heart pounded and her blood raced, but it had nothing to do with the sprint through town. Slowly, Brittany dragged her thumb down. Santana closed her eyes and bit her lip. Brittany's finger and thumb touched and cupped underneath her chin, but she could feel Brittany all over her body. Brittany leaned down and whispered. "Let me make sure it does."
Santana parted her lips all the way and released the softest moan as Brittany's lips kissed her. Blinding heat rushed through Santana's body. Her fingers tingled against the material of her gloves and her hips jolted forward to connect their bodies. Brittany tasted like peppermint and chocolate. Her mouth was soft and sure. Her tongue teased and touched Santana's lips - seeking permission. The top hat on Santana's head tilted back and fell off her head, but she didn't care. Santana placed her hand on Brittany's hip and hooked her finger into a loop on Brittany's jeans. She pulled. Their hips crashed together. This time Brittany moaned, but then smirked into Santana's lips.
Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Rock
Santana jumped and gasped.
Brittany's jeans vibrated right against her hipbone.
"Shit." Santana breathed heavily against Brittany's chest and looked down between them.
"That's my alarm. I um-" Brittany ran her hand through her blonde hair. "I have to get to work soon."
Santana put a hand to her head as if she couldn't believe what just happened. Mostly, she couldn't believe they had to stop. She could still feel Brittany's mouth and taste her tongue. Fuck.
"Of course you do." Santana said and bent over to pick up the top hat from the ground. She brushed it off and tried to collect herself.
"I'll take you back to the bed and breakfast."
"No, it's fine. I'll get a ride from Mercedes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Santana felt light headed. She backed away from Brittany to head toward Mercedes' house.
Brittany frowned as Santana put more and more space between them. She didn't understand. That was the most incredible kiss she had ever had. Did she do something wrong?
"Brittany." Brittany glanced up. Santana smiled and twirled the hat around her fingers before placing it on her head. "Just so you know...we can definitely do that again."
10:01 pm
Brittany didn't feel like opening the night show with any requests. She knew exactly what song she wanted to play when she arrived at work for the night. Without waiting for Holly or callers or advertisers, Brittany took over the broadcast.
First winter here in your arms
Flames rising as well fall like stars
Making angels in the snow
Warm, fuzzies, frozen toes...
Is this a dream?
Don't Wake me up
If this is love
Please let me be
Swept completely off my feet
She placed her headset down and softly spun in her chair.