Hey everyone,
Thank you very much for the favorites, follows and reviews! I always love to read what you think of the story, so shoutout to Marie RieRie England, I really appreciate to hear your opinion every chapter on the way in my stories, it's amazing to read :). So thank you and also big thanks to just gleeking and Michael Gleek for reviewing!
Eitherway, also thank you to everyone who's reading, I hope you like how the story's going this far :)
Have a nice week!
Chapter 5
Brittany wakes up extremely sore. She hasn't slept that well. Firstly, because they barely got a few hours before the sun started to rise. Second, because even though she had a lot of nights in London where she practically slept under the naked sky … it's different here.
There are all this new sort of noises around her. Animals she's never heard before, rustling of leaves that immediately take her on high alert for danger, plants that have pointy ends that hurt her arm when she moved around too much … it was a rough night. And to top it all off, she's got this new friend that was only a few yards away. A friend with a fifty percent chance she's planning to hurt her in her sleep.
It's strange for Brittany, a part of her is already putting her full trust in the woman. Though even that's so, Brittany was still cautious around her during the night. It's less than half a day ago said woman tied her up on a tree and threatened her with a knife against her throat.
A yawn escapes the blonde, making her stretch her limbs one by one, trying to get the soreness out of them. Once Brittany is fully awake, she realises her clothes are really getting smelly. She hasn't washed herself since she arrived here the first night and these clothes haven't been changed yet either.
Hygiene hasn't been on her top priority list, since other dangers where more important these past few days. Bathing in a river you don't know, out in the open with possibly others lurking in the bushes … it's not something the blonde wanted to risk. Though now that she's not alone anymore … suddenly her need for feeling clean and presentable just levelled up a bunch on her priorities list. Maybe she can find a way to convince Santana to keep guard or something whilst she bathes and cleans her clothes.
Either way, for that to happen, she needs to have Santana in her presence, which isn't accurate for the moment. The woman from London notices she's alone. Getting up and walking towards Santana's sleeping place she notices she must have been absent for some time now. Panicking a bit she overlooks the area, checking for any visible chances the brunette left her. A voice startles her out of her panic.
"Rule number one. Always look for potential dangers above you. It's the most underestimated place to look, which makes it the most dangerous one."
Looking up, she sees that her companion has climbed a very large tree and she went almost to the top of it. The blonde swallows multiple times, getting very conscious of her own breathing. How does this woman doesn't fall out of that tree? It seems impossible to climb!
"Come on. Don't be a woos. Ow so sophisticated human. If you can sleep under the naked sky you can climb into a tree." There's an obvious challenge in Santana's voice, and she knows it.
Santana hasn't slept well either. Though for different reasons than the blonde. This stranger makes her question every rational thought and instinct she should have over an invader of their lands. She should have brought her to Powhatan and the village as soon as possible. She should have questioned her for her intentions and why her people are here.
Something kept her from doing that. A different part of her, a different instinct. Telling her there's more to this blonde stranger then a vicious cruel invader of their lands. Plus, she's curious. And even though Santana likes to know everybody's business … it's different in this situation. Yesterday she saw it in her eyes. This … pureness. This childlike innocence to the world that made her believe she really could find peace in a new land.
And to top it all of … the woman is gorgeous in Santana's mind. Those blonde locks that sparkle with the wind, angelic blue pure eyes, muscular long legs and a toned body she got from whatever she did. It startles the brunette she's feeling this powerful about someone she just met. It's not like her.
Hell no, Santana doesn't do feelings. Santana doesn't let people in. Santana is a lone wolf and likes to be isolated from the rest of the world. So why does she wish for this blonde to stick around?
Part of her is frightened by these feelings. Another part is curious to explore it more. Another part is also curious how far she can challenge this woman before she won't accept her behaviour anymore.
So during the night, Santana thought about a lot. This morning she woke up with another fun thing to test the blonde. Figuring the stranger from over the seas will have never climbed a tree like this, she made herself comfortable at a hight even Pocahontas, her unofficial sister, wouldn't feel comfortable about, and waited until the sailor would wake up.
That's where they're now. Brittany contemplating if she will really climb this tree to try to gain the other woman's trust. Santana, a coy smile clearly visible, looking at amusement to the blonde's hesitation.
In the end Santana isn't surprised the blonde starts to climb the tree. She seems to hold her own, until they're not that far apart anymore. Santana didn't expect the blonde would have climbed that far, and is actually starting to get a bit worried now. If she falls now, she could hurt herself pretty badly.
Nevertheless, the last thing Santana wants, is to show this woman she's worried about her. So instead she starts to mock her, whilst subtly climbing down.
"Would you look at that, you can use your arms and legs." Santana teases. "And here I thought you were incapable of that. I saw you two days ago, trying to follow a squirrel into a tree and stopping when you were only one feet high." Approaching the blonde, Santana gives out a small breathe of relief, noticing Brittany stopped climbing once Santana started talking. The brunette sees a small fear in the blonde's eyes and shows her mercy. "Though I must say, I'm a bit impressed. Who knew you'd climb so high. Now get back down, I wants me some breakfast."
…
Once they gained their footings on the ground again, Brittany takes some dry food out of her bag and looks at it with a disgusted look. Santana on the other hand grabs some corn and fruits she grabbed from a tree nearby.
Seeing the longing look on the blondes face, Santana asks to switch food. Letting herself believe it's pure out of a curiosity for the other one's food though. Nothing else!
When their stomachs are filled, Brittany speaks up. "I'm really impressed with this land Santana. The way you guys didn't invent stones and gunpowder and use money to create a civilized economy …"
Santana stops eating. "So you're saying we're uncivilized?!" She scowls.
The blonde, realising her unfortunate choice of words, drops her food. "No! I'm saying you're … different. Even smarter! The way you're still one with nature … the people of London claim this world like they're the only ones living on it. They build houses and use weapons no one should be allowed to carry with them." Santana glances at Brittany's bag, and the blonde huffs. "I don't wear guns with me. Never!" She clears her throat, trying again. "I mean … yeah some things bring more comfort, I like me a private toilet and easy bargains on the fish markets … but this land … it feels more pure … more long term survivable… more authentic. My people call you savages … but they don't realise they're just afraid of things they don't know."
Getting no response from the brunette, Brittany tries to take a leap of faith and takes a step closer, coming to a stop near Santana. "Would you … Could I …" Santana looks up, not understanding where the nervousness from the blonde comes from. Brit takes in another deep breath. "Would you give me the honour and could you learn me about your lands?"
"And why would I do that?" Santana berates herself at that, she's really making the blonde sweat.
"I uh I- I don't know." Brittany sits down, slumping her shoulders in defeat. Feeling sorry for her, Santana steps up and puts a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I was just teasing. You just … you confuse me."
The blonde frowns her brows and looks up. "I confuse you?"
Santana sits down next to Brittany. Her mind screams at her to shut up and run, but her body doesn't listen to her command and speaks up. "You fascinate me. Something in you is calling to me. I want to get to know you, even though you came with those invaders. Seeing you survive on your own the moment they set foot on this land … it makes me believe you when you say you're not part of them."
Startled by her own words the brunette falls silent. Brittany is in awe of this woman. She turns her body towards her and gives herself a few seconds to find a proper response. "You fascinate me too. There's something in me that's calling for you. I think … I really want to get to know you too." Making an unknown pattern in the earth with her hand, Brittany doesn't look towards Santana. "You scare me … you make me feel things I've never felt before."
Santana gasps. This conversation is getting too deep for her too fast. "I will." Getting a puzzled look from the blonde she continues. "I will learn you about this lands … but you should know I won't be the best person to do that … you say you're an outsider, but I'm a bit of an outsider too."
Brittany shrieks. Like actually, high pitch shrieks. She almost flew into the other woman's arms, but restrained herself at the last moment, figuring they're not in that place… yet. Instead she thanks the woman a thousand times.
"How you were able to fool anyone on that ship you're a man is a mystery to me." Santana snickers, having enough of the sentimental. She lets go of the blonde, gets up and commands Brittany to pack her bags and meet her at the river for a boat ride. She'll soon discover how much of an adventurer Brittany really is, those rivers aren't exactly called calm…
Three days later - morning
Brittany slowly wakes up out of her slumber. Keeping her eyes closed for another few moments she thinks back to the past few days. She can't believe the luck she found in bumping into Santana. Well … getting hit on the head by Santana and then getting a chance by the woman. Basically the same thing …
She saw animals up close she has never seen before, waterfalls almost too perfect to be real, birds and flowers you could never capture it's full beauty of in a painting. Following footsteps from a bear family, listening to the way the wind passes through the trees, listening to the calling of the wolves … it's been wonderful.
This is what Brittany longed for in London. This is what adventure means for Brittany. This is why she fought so hard with her brother to get here. Find a place where you can be one with nature.
And then … one other thing. Santana. Brittany is head over heels. She knows it. she feels it. She admits it. Even though it's been only a few days day, she knows she's already smitten. She's …
"Oumph"
"Aaaand you're dead." Santana had climbed in the tree right above Brittany, and waited until she noticed the blonde getting out of her deep sleep, before she calculated her jump perfectly, locking Brittany between her legs and arms. Foggy blue eyes, snap open and look up, confused and startled to death.
"Jezus, Santana!" The blonde tries to get up, but Santana doesn't let her. "Now what did I tell you about being aware of danger above you? I thought you wanted to learn from me?" There's an obvious teasing in Santana's voice.
"Haha. Very funny. I get your point." Brittany doesn't want to admit it to the person above her, but waking up to Santana's face right above hers … it's a dream. Trying to hide her blush she tries to get herself free from the brunette's grasp, but the woman doesn't budge. "Come on, where is your strength? If I was anyone else you would have been captured already. Now fight."
"I don't want to fight you Santana." The blonde huffs.
"Nuhuh, wrong response." Santana is in a playful mood. She wants to wrestle.
She also wants to see how much Brittany is capable of. The world can be a dangerous place. Having some fighting skills can come in very handy. Though she's not sure why, Santana wants to learn the blonde a few of those skills.
Getting a bit frustrated with the lack of response from the blonde under her, Santana grabs her still tender wrists and pins them above her head. The blondes breathing becomes rapid and Santana's reaction isn't much different. Maybe this wasn't the best idea.
Santana shrugs her emotions away. "Do you surrender?" There's an urgency in Santana's voice, suddenly eager to get out of this position, yet not up for any failure. She wants to hear Brittany call out defeat.
Though Santana doesn't know the blonde extremely well yet. You see, Brittany has a competitive side to her that can sometimes take the upper hand. Now is one of those moments.
In one smooth motion she kicks Santana's legs from under the ground, letting her lose her balance. It gives the blonde the opportunity to get out of the locked position and stands up quickly.
Santana, trained since childhood, doesn't need much time to get up too and they circle around the other, looking at each other challengingly. There's a playfulness visible in both their eyes, but also an eagerness to earn some respect points from the other one.
Santana, the first one to lose her patience, takes a leap and grabs Brittany left wrist in an attempt to take the blonde of her balance. Brittany is taller than Santana though, so she manages to keep her balance and instead uses Santana's momentum to grab her arms and turn the smaller woman around, so she's locked. Santana's back pressing into her front.
Before Brittany can mutter out some sort of victory, Santana kicks her left leg, which makes the blonde lose her grip and they're back to circling around each other. They alternate in trying to grab the other person, but both are quick learners and they can't get a good grip on the other one.
Suddenly Santana jumps forward and collides her whole body Brittany. The blonde falls down again, all air escaping her lungs from the impact. Santana needs a moment to compose too, because she was very careful to not let Brittany fall down in a bad way. It gave the blonde time to not get in their first situation again and grabs Santana's wrist, turning them around. The brunette, used to these ground fights with Pocahontas, keeps them in motion and they alternate in getting the other one pinned down to the floor.
By now they're both covered in mud and all fight escapes them the more they're rolling around on the ground. Suddenly Brittany can't hold in her laughter anymore. Santana crunches her nose in response, not really understanding where the sudden laughter came from.
"You've got dirt on your face." Santana doesn't verbally responds. Instead she grabs a handful of mud and smears it all over Brittany's face. "HEY!"
The blonde tries to avoid Santana's hand, but it's to not much avail. Instead another idea comes into the blondes mind. In one smooth motion she grabs Santana's torso and gives her a strong hug, getting her front covered in mud in the process too.
Despite the protests of the black-haired woman, Brittany continues to even their clean lessness.
In a flash the fight has passed. Suddenly they both become acutely aware of the position they're in right now. It's the first time they've been so close to each other for longer than a second. Brittany is still holding her tight, but is hesitant to make a next move. Her body froze up from the intense impact of the feelings hugging this woman call out in her.
Santana froze up too. It's indescribable how safe she feels in this woman's arms. She lets the moment linger for a few more seconds, before tackling Brittany back to the ground. The blonde, too focused on the butterflies swirling around in her stomach, didn't see the move coming and gets knocked down onto the ground … again.
"I win." The Latina speaks up, a vulnerability coursing through her voice. Before Brittany can fight back, she lets go of the pale hands she held and gets up, brushing off some of the dirt that fell on her clothes. "And you know, if you ever get in a fist fight with one of those men, know it's not easy to hide the fact that you're a woman, especially if you start to tumble around on the ground. For a moment there I was starting to doubt myself. You behave like a five year old boy sometimes. But-" Santana slowly takes her gaze over Brittany's body, lingering at her torso. "Now I know for sure you're a woman."
Brittany's face turns beet red. Is Santana … is that a flirting tone the blonde heard in her voice? It leaves Brit tongue-tied, not really able to find a proper respond…
There's not a lot of conversation or eye contact after that. Both are having a difficult time to grasp what exactly happened the past fifteen minutes. How is it this stranger they never met before make them feel so many things? It's a foreign feeling. For both of them.
"Come on, let's eat breakfast so I can bring a quick visit to a few of my guarding posts." Santana mutters, before she grabs a few supplies out of a bag and starts eating without making any more eye contact with the blonde.
Though both persons reacted in a completely different way, they were thinking the same thing. What in the world is happening to me?
Same day - evening
Brittany didn't do a lot today. Santana said she wanted to do a quick sweep of the village and the camp of the English men, fulfilling her guarding duties she's been lacking to do the past few days. Brittany was afraid to get lost again, so she sticked to the same area.
She actually tried to climb a tree on her own, trying to impress Santana, but she quickly changed that plan in taking a long bath in a nearby river, washing her clothes, following some animals in the near area around and looking for food Santana showed her are not poisonous to eat.
At one point she even tried to hunt a small beaver, but she couldn't make her heart of stone for a second to actually kill the animal, so instead she gave it part of her ration she already gathered through the day.
The sun is slowly starting at its final hour of the day by now, so Brittany decided to try to make a fire. She's having a hard time though, using Santana's technique that's apparently a lot safer to use. Turns out it's a lot harder too. After another failed try she gives up. The blonde decides to wait until her friend comes back. Hopefully that won't take that long…
Brittany has been thinking a lot today too. Amazed at how different the Latina seemed this morning. She was more open, more … free and most of all … she felt an attraction. On both sides … though when they had breakfast and Santana was making herself ready to leave … she was suddenly more closed off again, like she was startled by her own behaviour or something. It intrigues the blonde.
Grrrr. Woef.
Brittany snaps back to reality. She recognizes that sound! Is that …
A smile forms on Brittany's face when she sees a small creature sprinting towards her. "Percy!" Brittany jumps up excitedly, but immediately calms down when she sees the fear in the dog's eyes. "It's okay, hey Percy, it's me." She kneels down and stretches her arm towards the dog, letting him smell her for a moment.
When realisation settles upon the dog, he jumps up against Brittany's legs and she allows him to push her down. He starts licking her face out of excitement, which the blonde is puzzled by. On board of the ship he'd never would have done such behaviour … seems like humans aren't the only ones changing on this land.
"Brittany?!"
Brit's head snaps to her right, where Santana storms out from behind a few trees, weapons ready to use. Brittany quickly puts the dog next to her and stands up, showing the brunette there's no danger. "Santana, easy! It's just a dog."
Santana, completely out of breath, gives her a questioning look. "What? I heard you yelling, I thought something was wrong!" she shouts.
"I was speaking loudly because I was excited to see him back." Brittany defends. She takes a quick look at Percy, who's standing in a defensive posture towards Santana, his teeth clearly visible. Brittany picks him up and approaches Santana slowly. "Oh come one Percy, be nice. This is Santana, my friend who was very worried about me. She's my hero!"
Santana huffs and crosses her arms defensively. "I wasn't worried. I was afraid our meal for the evening would have been lost or something."
Brittany gives her an unimpressed look and motions her to pet the dog in her arms. Both Percy and Santana take ages to let each other close, but with the convincement of the blonde they manage to get in contact for a whole second before Percy asked to be set down again.
When the blonde sees he's ready to run away again, she gives him a quick kiss and goodbye, asking him to see her back later once more. When she has put him back on the ground, she stands back up, seeing Santana looking at her with a blank stare. Brittany questions her motions, but she doesn't react immediately.
Out of the corner of her eyes she sees Percy peeing against a nearby tree. "No Percy! Don't pee on Jeremy, he's sad today, he wants to be left alone."
Santana whips her head around, puzzled by Brittany's statement. "Uhm. What?" She questions.
Brittany gestures towards Jeremy, the tree Percy is standing next to. "That's Jeremy. And you see his buddy Tom?" She points towards the closest tree. Santana nods, still confused. "Well, yesterday their leaves and some of their branches were intertwined, so I figured they were together… But today Tom broke their connection. His twigs that were connected with Jeremy's fell down to the ground. In tree language that means he broke things off. Jeremy didn't expect him to, so now he's sad."
Santana, completely puzzled by Brittany's thinking, looks over towards Percy, and she swears he was just as confused as she was in that moment. The dog barks one last time towards the girls before he disappears back into the woods.
Once they're left alone again, they're both at a loss of words. Santana, not certain how to react to such words. Brittany, still enjoying the feeling of Santana rushing over towards her because she thought she was in danger. That means something right?
Suddenly Santana gently grabs Brittany's elbow and looks at her wrists. "I'm sorry I hurt you Brittany, I was out of my mind that day. I should have found a more peaceful way for us to meet." She cringes at her own words. Brittany tilts her head, trying to make eye-contact, but the brunette's eyes seem stuck in looking at the hurt wrists of the blonde.
Brittany gently puts a hand on Santana's, which makes Santana's eyes flicker over to hers. "I forgive you Santana. I won't say it was the most pleasant night of my life, but considering the circumstances…" she clears her throat, deciding to not finish that sentence. "…Just promise me you won't do it again and it's forgiven and forgotten." The blonde winks.
A small smile dares to take over Santana's face "You're being unfair to yourself, but I'm grateful for your forgiveness." Brittany hisses when Santana was caressing a part of her wrist that was more tender than on other places.
Guilt is still flashing in Santana's eyes. "During my patrol in the village I asked around and I've brought some salve that'll help for the bruising on your wrists." She turns around and grabs a small vase out of her bag before she turns back to Brittany who's baffled from Santana's softness and thoughtfulness. "I didn't know how your head is doing? That one is a bit less solvable by salves, time and rest is the best healing pattern for that I'm afraid."
"You know, for someone who claims to be so tough you sure as hell act like a softy. How long do we know each other, three days? And here you are worried about me and bringing me healing salve." Brittany proclaims.
"I was not worried!" Santana huffs, a small pout coming into view.
Brittany stares at her adoringly. "You're cute."
Santana's face flushes at Brittany's comment and takes a big gulp before answering. "You think a water drop is cute." She mumbles. "Everything is cute in your mind."
"Does that mean you accept my opinion?"
Santana is unreadable to Brittany, her expression completely closed up. "Whatever. I'm going to sleep."
The blonde's shoulder slump. She probably took it a step too far right now. "Baby steps." She whispers to herself, before she makes herself ready for a peaceful slumber too.
…
Another few days later
Over the past few days, Brittany and Santana haven't been apart. Santana educated her about a lot of things they talked about shortly on their first few days together. Brittany talked about London and its tall buildings. She talked about the kings and the desire for gold being reason of war in most regions.
Santana asked after her religion, though Brittany couldn't explain that much about it. It's not that she's not interested in the origin and stories of Christianity … but if the blonde is being honest with herself … whenever she had to pray in church she fell asleep … and apparently those where the moments to learn about your religion. Plus, whenever the priest started to talk in Latin, the blonde didn't even bother to open her ears for a possible translation somewhere along the way. She reminds herself to ask Quinn about it when she sees her back, she might have a clearer vision.
Either way, it's been nice. Both enjoyed each other's company. Though neither initiated any more physical contact with the other after that failed fight. They talk, but they're not sure what the other one really thinks about the other. Feeling alive for the first time in years, both don't want to risk losing that by saying something the other one wouldn't like.
Santana, never one to express her feelings so bluntly anyway, decides to take another path. Today she's going to show Brittany something that's extremely sacred for her. Something she doesn't share with anyone. Except maybe Pocahontas, but that's because they both have a strong connection with Grandmother Willow.
It's another morning spend under the open sky and at first daylight Santana woke the blonde up and guided them towards her small boat.
"I want to show you something." Santana announces
Curious eyes look up towards deep brown, trustful eyes. "What is it?"
Santana just shrugs her shoulders and motions Brittany to follow her. "Just come."
Brittany is hesitant to follow Santana. Last time she showed her something by boat, they fell down a waterfall, barely surviving the jump. Or at least in Brittany's memory it feels that way …
After a few insecure steps she decides to just trust the woman and follow her wherever. She takes a nervous breath when they're back on the water and Santana starts to navigate their small boat to the open waters. A small part of Brittany is anxious to fall down another waterfall, though after a few minutes she realises she shouldn't have to be worried.
Santana steered their canoe towards a very large tree, surrounded by millions of leaves, coming from a weeping willow tree. Brittany is in awe of the size of the tree and how old it looks. Santana doesn't talk or explain anything, she just paddles their canoe behind the hanging leaves, revealing a very thick and large tree trunk, surrounded by a lot of animals and other trunks where they can easily sit.
Once settled down, Brittany, having a sudden urge of boldness, tries to grab Santana's hand, but she gets rejected. Before Brittany can say anything about it, another voice speaks up.
"Are you seriously rejecting this beautiful woman the kind gesture of holding her hand? If you didn't want me to know you've found a new friend, you shouldn't have brought her here in the first place child. Now come closer, so I can take a good look at you. It's been too long Santana."
Brittany cautiously looks around, panicked to not know where the mysterious voice came from. She takes a peek at Santana, but she's as calm and steady (in her own way) as usual. She gives the brunette a puzzled look, not understanding why she's not freaking out. "Who was that Santana?! Didn't you hear what I just heard?" Brittany questions, her eyes warily searching their situation.
Santana still keeps quiet, until she suddenly stands up and points towards the middle of the tree trunk. Brittany pushes herself up too and looks, trying to make sense of the situation. When nothing happens for some time she turns back to Santana, silently asking her what is happening. Said woman just puts a finger on her mouth, gesturing her to stay silent.
When she turns back around, there's literally a face in front of her, carved in the lines of the wood of the tree. "Hello, you must be Brittany."
Startled from the unexpected movement and sound, Brittany takes a step back, but misjudges her footings, making her stumble and fall down into the water.
Disoriented for a second she turns around in the water and pushes herself upward again. She coughs and sputters out water, hearing Santana's laughter in the background.
"Now Santana, that wasn't nice, help her."
Brittany grabs Santana's hand to pull herself on dry land again. Once Brittany overcomes her main shock, the tree starts talking again.
"I apologize Brittany. It's Pocahontas who seeks guidance when she comes here. Santana is the one who seeks manners."
Santana huffs in a childlike manner and crosses her arms. "Now, now, that's not true, she's exaggerating. I'm perfectly well-mannered as it is. It was a joke."
Brittany looks back and forwards between the tree and Santana, still very confused of the situation at hand. "Whha- uhm… I don't understand?"
Santana shrugs her stubbornness aside and sits down next to Brittany, helping her out of her wet sweater to not get sick. "I'm sorry. Uhm Brittany, meet Grandmother Willow. She's practically my advisor every time I get stuck. Pocahontas and I seek guidance within her and every time she gets our problems fixed in a second."
The blonde, still hesitant to grasp the spirituality and reality in one, tries to keep respectful and turns her body towards the tree, kneeling down in the process. "It is an honour to meet you, Grandmother Willow. I hope you're fine that I'm representing myself in your presence right here. If Santana would have warned me beforehand I would have brought a gift."
A few leaves lift Brittany's chin up, making her stand up again. "Stand child, there's no need for these pleasantries and gifts. What would you give me anyway? Water? Now take a closer step to me, let me see you."
Brittany stands totally still, afraid to even breath. This moment seems important, for what she's not sure yet. "You're even more handsome then your brother. Santana, you picked a great one."
At that Pocahontas' niece gets into a coughing fit, embarrassed and not ready yet to hear those words from her Grandmother.
Brittany's cheek redden at the comment too and doesn't find a way to react probably. "Uhm. Thank you?" Taking a quick look at Santana who's still coughing she suddenly realises something. "Wait, you met my brother? How? When? How's he doing?"
A flash of guilt passes Brittany's mind. She's been so occupied with Santana these past few days she hasn't even searched for her brother. Lord knows what John is up too. In fact, she hasn't thought about anything that's happening in the world. The woman accompanying her in this world has a spell on her, like she's the only matter of importance for the blonde.
"He's doing fine. he misses you, but your way of seeing life is catching up to him. He's safe with Pocahontas, if that's what you're wondering."
Santana's ears perk up at hearing her name. "Her brother is still with Pocahontas? What are they doing?"
Two owls settle down on a twig nearby Santana and Brittany, it's startling the blonde a bit. It seems like they're actually understanding and listening to the conversation. How they do that, she does not know.
"Same thing you two are doing. It's odd yet so entertaining. It's been a long time since I've witnessed so much excitement in my life!"
"So wait … my brother John, the one who calls people savages … is talking with people not from our homeland?"
After Grandmother did indeed confirm that, both Brittany and Santana asked what they did and what their plans are. They stay with Grandmother Willow for a long time, exchanging ideas and words from two completely different worlds. Brittany's ears have listened intensely to what the old spirit had to tell.
Once the sun has set, they decide to find a sleeping place for the night, not far from the Willow Tree. They don't realise it, but they're almost sleeping next to the other one, only one person can worm them between the pair. It's a funny sight. In a week time they've come from sleeping five trees away from each other to this…
Same day - evening when Brittany is already asleep, not that far from Grandmother Willow
"What is the reason to bring me out of my slumber my dear Santana? Tell me what's on your mind."
Santana's head hangs low and she's embarrassingly shy at the moment, still not sure if she should have come to her Grandmother once again this evening. "It's… Brittany. She confuses me."
"What confuses you?"
"I think … I think I like her." Santana quietly admits to her Grandmother.
"And is that a problem?" the wise woman questions.
"No … but she's a stranger. She's from another world! She came with those cruel men who come to invade our lands. How can I allow myself to fall for her? How can I possible lov- like someone like that?"
"It's not where we came from that defines who we are Santana, it's how we deal with our past that shows you who she really is. Now I don't think she's got wrong intentions. Don't you? You have to look past her pale skin and odd habits she brought from her homeland. You've learned so much from each other in only a few days. The fact you opened your mind and heart for her … what does that tell you?"
Santana doesn't respond. She bids a quick goodbye, promising to visit soon and crawls back under her blanket. Turning to her side she sees the blonde is still fast asleep. Taking a leap of faith she takes her hand from under her own blanket and sweeps away a loose stray of hair out of the blondes eyes.
Startled by suddenly blue orbs staring back at her, Santana holds in her breath. Brittany tries to analyse the situation and moves her own hand around, before grabbing Santana's left one. It takes a moment for Santana to relax her hand, but after adjusting their bodies to a more comfortable position, they manage to fall asleep, hand in hand.