So Long Lonesome

by EndlessD

Summary:

A party at the lake turns into much more than Brittany ever expected. Glee with a Beauty and the Beast spin.

Chapter 1: Think The Way We Dream

 

“Are you going to the party this weekend?” Quinn asked.

Brittany turned around. “I don’t know.”

Quinn crossed her arms. “You’ve got to.” A smile snaked its way onto her face. “I know Puck’s going.”

“I know that too.”

Quinn sighed. “And you should date him.”

Brittany cocked her head to the side. “He’s hot and all but I don’t know.”

“Well,” Quinn said, “It’s a great chance to get to know him then. Look, Finn and I will be there, so if for some reason everyone turns out to be losers, you’ll have us.”

“Okay then.”

***


Brittany spent the ride up to the lake sleeping.


***

Quinn gave Brittany’s ribs a friendly nudge. “It’s nice up here.”

Brittany smiled. “Yeah.”

“Do, uh, do you want your bags Brittany?” Finn asked.

“Oh, be a gentleman and carry them for her,” Quinn said.

Brittany stared up at Finn. “It’s okay. He’s got, like, ten bags. I can take mine.”

“I’ll take those,” Puck said. “Which ones are hers?” he jerked a finger at Brittany.

“The two on top,” Finn said.

Puck took them.

“Thanks Puck,” Brittany said.

Brittany remained silent, listening to the others talk as they made their way to the lake house.

“This place is huge,” Finn murmured.

“I can’t believe you haven’t been here before, dude,” Puck laughed. “I get so much action here.” He slid an arm around Brittany’s waist.

“No,” Brittany scowled, grabbing his hand. “Off.”

“Walk us to our room, Finn,” Quinn said.

“Alright,” Finn agreed. “See you, dude,” he said to Puck.

“Why do you want me to date Puck so badly?” Brittany asked as they made their way up the stairs.

“He’s into you,” Quinn replied.

“He’s into every girl,” Brittany frowned.

“He’s really popular,” Quinn added. “You could use the extra boost since we’ve joined Glee. I need an extra boost. You should date him.”

“She’s dating me,” Finn cut in.

“Yes I am,” Quinn said.

Brittany sat down on the bed closest to the window and watched Finn dump Quinn’s bag in the corner, along with his. Puck slipped in the room and added Brittany’s to the pile. She’d forgotten he had hers.

“I just don’t get why having a boyfriend is so important,” Brittany frowned. “And it’s not like I’ve never had one before.”

Quinn shooed Finn out and then sat down next to Brittany. “Artie was almost a year ago, B. And you should have chased that little home wrecker away from him.”

Brittany shook her head. “She never wrecked my house.”

Quinn rolled her eyes. “Quit that B. I can never tell if you’re kidding or not.”

Brittany giggled. “That’s what makes it so funny.”

“Artie?”

“He never did anything with Tina while we were together,” Brittany said.

“But he wanted to.”

“We’re still friends.”

Quinn winced. “I have no idea how you manage that.”

Brittany shrugged.

“Well, there are plenty of other guys here too. Maybe you’ll find someone better than Puck,” Quinn said.

“I just want a nice guy.”

“I don’t think there are a lot of those,” Quinn sighed. “At least not popular ones.”

The door burst open. Six other Cheerios came in.

“There aren’t enough beds,” one of them groaned. “Where are we supposed to sleep?”

“It’s called doubling up for a reason,” Brittany said.

“Whatever,” she grumbled. “Josh should have decided the rooming better.”

Brittany blinked. “Is that whose house this is?”

 

***

Brittany smiled, watching the firecrackers go off.

“You enjoying yourself?” came a voice.

She gave the newcomer a smile. “Yeah. The fireworks are pretty.” A pause. “I’m Brittany.”

“I know.”

“And you’re…”

“Josh.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.

“We’ve had, like, five classes together since we started high school,” Josh frowned.

“Oh.”

“It’s okay.” He took a gulp from his beer. “You want to take a walk?”

Brittany nibbled on her lip. Her mother told her she shouldn’t go off with strange boys but Josh seemed nice and Quinn really wanted her to get a boyfriend. “Okay.”

He beamed. “Really? I mean, awesome Babe.”

Brittany rolled her eyes.

Josh leapt up from the chair and offered her his hand. She accepted it and stood up. “You need another beer before we go?” he asked, gesturing to the empty bottle.

Brittany shook her head. “I’m good. I don’t really like beer all that much. But thanks.”

Brittany didn’t say much as they walked. She mostly tuned Josh out, occasionally tossing in a ‘ahuh’, or ‘nice’.

“It really is a nice night.” Josh wrapped an arm around her.

“Off,” Brittany mumbled.

“What?”

“I don’t want that,” Brittany said.

He kissed her.

“I said off,” Brittany frowned.

“You come to my party, at my lake house, go on a walk with me through the woods, and you don’t want to do anything?” he gaped.

She nodded. “You’re kind of boring.”

“Fucking cocktease,” he spat.

“Can we go back to the party now?” Brittany whimpered.

“What the hell’s your problem? It’s not like we all know you’re not easy. Danny said you have a fucking notch post on your bed.”

“That was before I dated Artie,” Brittany told him.

“Fucking Artie doesn’t even have working legs,” Josh sneered. “Let alone a working dick.” He knelt down and grabbed a rock. “So don’t go giving me some lame boyfriend excuse.” He threw the rock.

“I want to go back.”

He grabbed another rock. “Look, how about we just make out for a bit? We don’t need to do anything more than that.” He gave her a nervous smile.

“I want to go back. Now.” Brittany’s grip tightened on her flashlight.

“And I want a better excuse.” He grabbed her shoulders.

She struggled to push him away. “Get off me.” She punched at his chest, and when she felt the rock dig into her shoulder, brought a leg up strong between his legs.

He dropped to the ground.

Brittany took off. In between breaths she could hear Josh shouting out curses at her. She wasn't sure where she was, all she wanted was to get as far away as possible.

He was chasing after her, begging her to come back.

She ran faster.

The thick trees were growing in density around her, blocking out what light the moon was providing that night, and still she ran at a fast pace.

After a while Brittany realized that Josh was no longer chasing after her. Slowing down, she came to a rest against a tree and tried to catch her breath. Taking deep breaths, she looked around to try to find her bearings. Long after she recovered her breath, Brittany kept her deep breathing in an attempt to stay calm and not panic.

She balanced her options and with deep apprehension, started to go back the way she came. The dark woods were casting shadows everywhere, making all sorts of terrifying images.

Despite her attempts at remaining calm, Brittany could not stop her pace from increasing. As her fear began to grow, she found herself jumping at every little sound. Before she realized it, she was running through the woods again. She stumbled over roots and rocks, branches whipped across her exposed skin, and she could feel herself beginning to cry.

Then she was flying through the air, her feet having launched her over a sharp drop. The world became a whirl of shades and leaves as Brittany rolled down the incline. She came to a sharp stop, striking her head against a rock.

Brittany blinked, the world fuzzy along the edges. Her head pounded and she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Nestled in the darkness, not too far from her, was a mansion.

Brittany closed her eyes.

Chapter 2: Demons

Brittany’s head hurts when she wakes up.

She knows she should be lying face down somewhere in the woods, but instead she’s in a fairly comfy bed with blankets piled on top of her.

She moves to sit up. She hisses as a bolt of pain shoots through her. She whimpers. Her hand caresses her forehead. There’s a bandage there.

Brittany tries to figure out where she is. No one mentioned this place to her. It’s kind of creepy actually.

She thinks that someone would have mentioned this to her. It seems like the type of place drunk kids would dare one another to sneak into.

Brittany really hopes that someone knows about it.

The floorboards creak.

“Hello?” Brittany croaks.

She can hear someone shuffling around the room.

“I can hear you moving around,” Brittany says.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” says a raspy feminine voice.

Brittany smiles. “Me too.”

“How’s your head? I stitched it up. There was a medical book lying around in the library.” Definitely a girl.

“My head feels fine, at least fine for hitting it on a rock,” Brittany says.

“I was hoping you didn’t die or anything.”

“Always a good thing to hope for. Um, I’m Brittany.”

“Pretty,” the girl says.

Brittany’s cheeks heat up. “Thanks. You are?”

“No one.”

The girl sounds so sad. Brittany wishes that her head would stop pounding so she could get up and give her a hug. “Do you go to McKinley?”

“What’s that?”

Brittany could understand her not going there, but to have no idea what it was just odd. “My school. High school. I’m a junior. What school do you go to?”

“I live here.”

Brittany held back a groan. She shifts around in the bed, struggling to sit up.

“Don’t do that,” the girl commands, her voice harsh. “You could hurt yourself.”

Brittany stops moving. “Does anyone know I’m here?”

“I doubt it.”

Another floorboard creaks.

“You should transfer to McKinley,” Brittany says. “You can join Glee club. It’s fun. But I need to get home first.”

“What’s Glee club?”

“You sing and dance,” Brittany tells her.

A pause, then, “I can’t decide if that sounds lame or fun.”

Brittany can’t help laughing. “Ow.”

“I told you to keep still.”

“You still need to tell me your name,” Brittany says.

“Santana.”

Brittany smiles. “Santana.” She likes the way the name rolls off her tongue. “Santana. I like it. Very pretty.” She yawns.

“Go back to sleep,” Santana tells her. “I’ll make some soup or something.”

“I don’t have a concussion or anything do I?” Brittany asks. “I had one once after I fell off the Cheerios pyramid. I didn’t like it.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Santana laughs. “But I think you’re fine to sleep.”

“Okay then.”

 

***

 

Brittany feels better when she wakes up. Her head still feels like Coach Sylvester kicked it, but the crazy dizziness is gone and she’s positive that she’s not going to throw up. She sits up, testing that theory. She’s glad to be right. She glances down. There’s a trashcan by next to the bed. Brittany is glad that she didn’t need to use it.

She experimentally places her feet on the ground and stands up. She’s still not getting sick or passing out. Good.

The floor is cold on her bare feet. Brittany has no idea where her shoes would be.

She’s still wearing her clothes from the other night.

Brittany needs to hold onto the wall as she walks. She may not feel sick, but her legs feel a bit like jello.

She’s in the hall now and wow this place is big. Looks old too. And a bit unkempt. The curtains over the windows are torn.

She continues on through the hall.

She thinks she sees claw marks in the walls.

Brittany gulps.

“What are you doing up?” comes Santana’s voice.

Brittany yelps and turns around. “I was bored.”

The only thing Brittany definitely tell about Santana is that she’s a good few inches shorter than she is.

Santana is covered from head to toe in what looks like a makeshift cloak. Which looks like one of the torn curtains.

“You should take that sheet off,” Brittany says.

Santana shuffles in place. “I’d rather not.”

“Okay.”

Santana lets out something that sounds like a sigh. “You hungry?”

Brittany nods.

“I’ve got some soup down in the kitchen,” Santana says. Brittany detects a hint of pride. “I made it myself.”

“What kind is it?”

“Rabbit,” Santana says.

“I’ve, uh, never had that before,” Brittany says, giving a weak smile to Santana’s back.

“Well, I hope it doesn’t taste too bad.”

Brittany quietly follows Santana down the staircase (and now was very grateful that Santana had put her on the second floor.) Aside from the occasional stumble, she doesn’t need much help from the other girl.

Santana darts ahead once they get to the dining room and pulls a chair out. “Sit.”

Brittany can feel her cheeks heat up. “Thanks.” She accepts the seat.

“I’ll be right back with the soup.” She dashes away.

Brittany looks around the room. It’s been kept nice and neat. She’s glad for that. She hates eating in dirty places.

Santana seems nice though. And she has a really pretty voice. Brittany kind of wants Santana to join Glee so she can hear her sing. She thinks it could be the sexiest thing ever. And maybe Santana would want to be her girlfriend. She still hasn’t had one and she really wants one. She doesn’t think Quinn would like that very much though.

Lord Tubbington would support her though. She misses him a little. She hopes Santana likes cats.

Santana places a steaming bowl in front of her and then scurries to the seat across from her with her own bowl.

Brittany leans forward and sniffs at the concoction. She doesn’t really smell anything. She picks up the spoon and takes a sip.

“How is it?” Santana asks. Brittany can hear the hope in her voice. She wonders when the last time Santana talked to someone was.

It tastes mostly like warm water. “It’s good.” Which is technically true. It’s not bad. Just…incredibly bland.

“I know it’s not great or anything,” Santana confesses. “There aren’t really any spices here. The rabbit’s fresh though. Caught it myself.”

“Nice. Uh, why don’t you buy some? Spices I mean.”

Santana seems to shrink in her seat. “I can’t do that.”

Brittany tilts her head to the side. “How come?”

“I just…don’t leave.”

“Why not?” Brittany asks.

“I just don’t,” Santana snaps.

Brittany jumps.

“Sorry,” Santana mutters.

Brittany puts the spoon down. “When am I going home?”

Santana shrinks again. “You…want to leave?”

“I have to go home,” Brittany says. “But I totally want to be your friend.”

“Can’t you, I don’t know, stay here?” Santana asks, her voice meek.

“My family’s not here. I’d miss them. And Quinn and Kurt. He’s my unicorn. And Lord Tubbington.”

“I’m lost again,” Santana confesses.

Brittany gives her a smile. “It’s okay. Most people are. But I could totally visit you on, like, weekends or something.”

Santana posture shifts and Brittany’s sure the girl is smiling.

“I still don’t know where I am though. I think I’d get lost if I left,” Brittany says.

“I guess, once you’re feeling better, cus I know you’re nowhere near being good, I could take you out to the road.”

“Really?” Brittany beams. “Thanks. I want to give you a hug right now but I’m still sore and I don’t know if you’d like it.”

“Just…take it easy for a few days,” Santana says.

“I will.” Brittany eyes Santana. “I still want to see your face.”

Santana chokes on a mouthful of soup. “What? No.”

Brittany pouts. “Why not?”

“Beacause.”

“Are you, like, ugly or something?” Brittany teases.

Santana stiffens.

“I’m sure you’re not.” Brittany desperately wants to fix what she’s said. “I bet you’re totally hot under there.” Brittany stands up, using the table to steady herself, and walks over to Santana. “Let me see.”

Santana shakes her head.

“Why not?” Brittany asks. She reaches forward, her hands brushing against the coarse material. There’s no way Santana is comfortable in it. She takes hold. Santana says nothing. Brittany pulls the hood back.

Brittany involuntarily jerks back.

Santana isn’t ugly. There’s an…odd prettiness to her.

Santana is covered in fur. Mixtures of tans and blacks. She has two black, twisted horns on top of her head, long dark black hair, and pointed ears. Her eyes are dark and Brittany’s not sure if they’re black or brown. Her face is pushed forward, almost animal-like but not long enough. Her lower jaw juts out, two fangs sticking up.

Santana is standing now and the cloak is gone. She’s wearing a ratty tshirt and shorts. Her arms are longer than they should be. She has claws and there’s an animal padding on her palms. A tail swishes back and forth behind her.

Bare, clawed feet are on the floor.

“I’m hideous,” Santana says, and Brittany is positive that Santana is moments away from tears.

Brittany shakes her head. “You look awesome.”

Chapter 3: Castle Walls

Brittany thinks Santana must be the coolest person ever.

“What?”

“I said you look awesome,” Brittany says. “Totally badass.”

Santana looks so confused now. “I don’t scare you?”

Brittany can’t help but be amused. “Of course not. I mean, you saved my life. Why would I be scared of you?”

“But I’m,” Santana gestured at herself.

“I can see that.” Brittany smiles. “I’ve seen way worse though. Quinn’s boyfriend Finn, he’s like, super doughy. It’s really gross.”

Santana has a bizarre smile frozen on her face.

“Though I’m not sure if Lord Tubbington would get along with you,” Brittany says with a nod. “He’s very picky.”

“I have no idea who any of these people are.”

“Well, Quinn’s my best friend. Finn’s her boyfriend,” Brittany tells her. “And Lord Tubbington is my cat.”

Santana wrinkles her nose.

“What?” Brittany asks.

“Just, you know, cats.” Santana shoves her hands into her pockets. Brittany doesn’t laugh at how comical it looks though. That would make Santana sad.

“You don’t like cats?” Brittany finds it impossible to believe someone could not like cats.

“They’re okay. My mom had one and he hated me. I hated him too.”

“But you don’t hate all cats?”

“I guess not,” Santana says. “I think I like dogs more though. I always wanted one.”

Brittany glances around the room. “Where is your mom anyway?”

“That doesn’t matter,” Santana says, her voice harsh.

“Do you live here alone?” Brittany asks.

Santana sits back down and crosses her arms. She reminds Brittany of her neighbor’s Chihuahua; a little dog pretending to be big and tough. Santana doesn’t yap though.

“Yeah. So what?” Santana sounds defensive.

“I’m sorry,” Brittany says.

“For what?”

“Making you uncomfortable.”

Santana’s claws tap against the table. “How about I show you around? If you’re done I mean.”

Brittany smiles at Santana. “That sounds great.”

“You feel up to it?” Santana asks.

“Aside from feeling like Lord Tubbington did a cannonball onto my head, I feel fine.”

“You seemed kind of, uh, unsteady, on your way down here,” Santana points out.

“I have you to help me. And it can be mini-tour if I get too tired.” Brittany holds out her hand.

“What?”

Brittany rolls her eyes and giggles. “Take it silly.”

Santana reaches for the outstretched hand, only to stop an inch or so away from it.

“Go on, San.”

Santana takes her hand.

“Not so bad, is it?” Brittany says, helping Santana up. Santana shakes her head. “So, what’s your favorite part in here?”

Santana was staring at her. “W-What?”

“Your favorite part of the house.”

“The library,” Santana says. “I spend almost all my time there.”

“What do you like to read?”

“I’ve read just about every book in there.

They are outside the library now.

“What are you favorite types?” Brittany asks.

“I really like the medical textbooks,” Santana says. “It’s really cool to learn how everything works.”

“Do you want to be a doctor?”

“Adventure’s great too. Faroff places. People kicking ass,” Santana’s voice is nearly a whisper.

“Why don’t you leave here then?”

“Why do you think?” Santana growls.

Brittany gulps, the sound unexpected.

“I leave this place looking like this and everyone will be grabbing their pitchforks or whatever. Or I’ll wind up in some lab.”

Brittany gives Santana’s shoulder a light squeeze. She feels Santana relax. “I didn’t grab a pitchfork.”

Santana laughs. “That’s because you’re weird.”

Brittany blinks and it takes her a moment to realize that she’s nowhere near insulted or hurt. She feels sort of giddy from it actually. “You’re weird too.”

“Of course.” Santana’s gripping the doorknob. “Shall we?”

Brittany nods and Santana opens the door.

The library is impressive. Not as ridiculous as any of the ones you’d find in a movie, but for real life library in the house, it’s awesome. And it looks like Santana’s kept in clean.

“I can see why you love it,” Brittany murmurs.

“You can read anything you want,” Santana says.

“Thanks.”

“What do you like to read?”

“Huh?”

“Well, you asked me what I like to read so I’m asking you,” Santana says.

No one’s asked Brittany this before and she’s not sure what to say. What if she says something babyish and Santana thinks she’s stupid? “No one’s asked me that before.” And why does she always have to say such stupid things? Santana doesn’t want to know that.

Santana gives her a sort of ‘what-the-fuck’ look. “How’s that even possible?”

Brittany shrugs. She feels so stupid now. Santana’s going to think she’s stupid now. She can’t believe Santana doesn’t already think she’s stupid. “It’s just…no one ever did.”

“Do you like to read?” Santana asks.

Brittany nods. Her head feels like a ragdoll. “Yeah. It’s fun.”

Santana sits down on the floor and pats the spot next to her. Brittany feels something strange in her chest and sits down next to her. “So, what’s a book you really like?”

“Alice in Wonderland,” Brittany blurts out. Why can’t she just say something adult and cool for once?

“I like that one too. It’s so weird.” Santana’s smiling.

“Really?” It feels like there are jungle cats swinging around her her belly now. “That’s why I like it so much. I like weird things ‘cus I’m so weird.”

“I still don’t get how no one’s asked what you like though.”

Brittany shrugs. “I’m kind of dumb. I guess people don’t think I care about reading. Or can read.”

Santana has the most adorable scowl now. “That’s just stupid. You seem really smart to me. I bet you know way more than I do. I mean, you go to school and all.”

“School’s okay,” Brittany says. “I’m okay at most stuff.” A pause. “You…don’t go to school do you? I mean, like any. Not even a special one for fuzzy people.”

Santana’s staring into her lap. “Let’s go look at something else.” She stands and offers Brittany her hand. Feeling a little disappointment, Brittany takes it.

“You want to bring any books back to your room?”

“Okay.”

“What one?”

Brittany looks around. “You pick.”

Santana’s eyes light up and she darts over to a corner shelf.

“Here.” Santana holds the book out to Brittany.

Alice in Wonderland.

 

***

 

“You look ridiculously tired,” Santana says, helping Brittany into the bed.

“I am.”

“How’re you feeling?”

“Much better,” Brittany says. She glances at Santana and then over at the dresser. “San?”

“Mmmyeah?”

“Read to me?”

***

 

Brittany feels much better when she wakes up. Energized even. She jumps out of bed, scurries into the bathroom, and minutes later she’s ready for the next adventure with Santana.

She looks around, curious. She hasn’t actually seen much of the house. Her room, the bathroom, the dining room, and the library.

She’s still sad she got so tired after that. She’d slept so late too. Stupid head.

Brittany heads down the stairs, deciding to check out the rest of the first floor.

The living room is large but boring. No TV or video games. Just lots of paintings and none of them are fun.

She finds the basement door, hidden away in a corner.

It’s locked.

Brittany wonders where Santana is. Her room probably. Brittany heads back up the stairs. She peeks into the various rooms, but she doesn’t see any sign of someone living in them.

She heads to the third floor.

It’s much darker than the second or first.

The claw marks are deeper in the walls. Tables are knocked over and the paintings are clawed.

She opens the first door. It’s a massive bedroom.

It’s been torn to shreds, layers of dust coating the walls.

Brittany closes the door.

The next few rooms are empty as well. Ruined too, but nowhere near as bad as that one room.

She opens the last door.

It’s dark, like all the others. The curtains are drawn over the windows. The covers are messy on the bed.

It’s not torn to pieces.

She sees something sitting on one of the shelves. It looks vaguely familiar, but she knows nothing about robots.

But she knows it is a toy.

Brittany picks it up off the shelf and looks at it. Definitely a robot of some kind, but she never got into those. Puck could probably tell her what it was since he seemed like the kind of guy who liked robots as a kid.

She wipes the dust away. Blue and red but she still has no idea.

Brittany puts it back.

“What are you doing in here?” Santana snarls.

Brittany stiffens. “I’m sorry. I was looking for you.”

“Get out.”

Brittany backs away. “Why are you being this way?”

“You shouldn’t be in here.”

“You never told me not to,” Brittany shoots back.

“Get out!” Santana lunges at Brittany.

Brittany ducks down and runs to the door and down the stairs.

She doesn’t know where to go, though.

She hides in the room, under the covers, of the room Santana gave her.

 

***

Brittany doesn’t leave her room at all the next day.

Santana leaves trays of food for her by the door.

 

***

There’s a knock on the door. Brittany doesn’t want to ignore it but she does.

“Brittany?” comes Santana’s voice. “Britt, please talk to me.”

Brittany sighs and opens the door. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

“I just…I mean…uh…”

Brittany thinks Santana sounds adorable. “You what?” She tries to use the bitch voice that all the other Cheerios have but she can’t get it.

“I’msorryabouttheotherday.”

“…”

Santana takes a breath. “I’m sorry about the other day. I…overreacted.”

“You did. You need to control your temper better,” Brittany says. Santana’s ears droop.

“I guess I’m not used to getting angry at another person. At least not someone who’s actually here.”

“I was just looking for you. And it’s not like you told me not to go into your room,” Brittany says.

“I shouldn’t have waited so long to apologize,” Santana says.

“Well, I forgive you. You forgive me?”

Santana smirks. “I thought we established that it wasn’t your fault.”

Brittany shrugs. “I still did something you didn’t like, and my mom always says to apologize when you hurt someone’s feelings.”

“You didn’t hurt my feelings.”

Brittany stares at her.

“Okay, I forgive you,” Santana mutters.

“Just so we’re clear, are there any other places I should avoid?” Brittany asks.

“Locked doors.”

***

 

“I need to cook you dinner sometime,” Brittany says, poking the meat in her plate.

“You trying to say something about my cooking?” Santana arches an eyebrow.

Brittany giggles. “I’m saying something about your lack of spices. When I go home I’m definitely restocking your kitchen. I mean, garlic. You need some.”

Santana leans back in her chair. “You…plan on coming back?”

“Well, duh. Are you crying?”

Santana looks down. “I’m just really happy. I never thought I’d have any friends again and now you’re just awesome.”

Brittany jumps up and pulls Santana into a hug. “You’re like, my best friend. You’re so fluffy.”

“Hey!”

Brittany can’t tell because of the fur, but she’s positive that Santana’s red under there.

 

***

 

“It’s gorgeous,” Brittany murmurs. “Why didn’t you take me out here sooner?” The trees are so green and there’s a little pond. The grass tickles her legs when she sits down.

“I wanted it to look nice okay. Had to cut the grass and stuff.”

“Do you spend a lot of time out here? I’d be out here all the time.”

“It’s a nice place to read,” Santana says. “We could read out here next time.”

“You mean you’ll read to me out here next time,” Brittany teases. She loved it when Santana read to her. “You have an awesome voice.”

“Word.”

Brittany bursts into laughter. “Did you seriously just say that?”

“What’s wrong with ‘word’?”

“No one says that anymore.”

“Well, I haven’t talked to anyone in almost ten years, so I wouldn’t know what all the cool kids are saying,” Santana huffs.

“Sorry.”

“Look, I’m a bit-“

“Bitchy?” Brittany offers.

Santana’s eyes grow large.

“What?” Brittany asks.

“I’m not saying anything. I’ll sound like such a baby.” Santana plucks a blade of grass and twirls it through her claws.

“You won’t sound like a baby San.”

“I guess I was surprised to hear you curse.”

“How come?” Brittany asks.

“My last friend loved to curse,” Santana says. “I think I only ever cursed when we were together.”

“I bet if you went to school with me you’d curse all the time.”

“Probably,” Santana smirks. “And I’d be at the top of the food chain.” She bares her teeth and Brittany cracks up.

“So who was this friend you had?”

“A friend. I don’t want to talk about it.”

The pink sky makes the garden even more beautiful. “Tell me something. Please?”

“We’d known each other since preschool.”

“What are you?” Brittany blurts out. “An alien? Some sort of monster?”

Santana laughs. It sounds bitter to Brittany. “I was wondering when you’d ask. I can’t believe it’s taken you this long.”

“Was your friend like you?”

“No. Normal.”

“Was it like a special school?” Brittany gasps. “Are you an x-man?”

“No, I’m not an x-man.”

“Quinn’s boyfriend talks about that stuff a lot.” Brittany misses Quinn, even though she normally nags her to date Puck. She misses her family too.

“Tell me about this Glee club,” Santana says.

“You’re changing the topic,” Brittany scolds her.

“You did it first by mentioning Quinn. So?”

“I told you. We sing and dance. We wear fun outfits too. I was a lobster once.”

“I’m not even going to ask about that,” Santana says.

“We’ve been in competitions.”

“Sing for me.”

“I’m more of a dancer than a singer,” Brittany tells Santana.

“So dance for me.”

Brittany leaps to her feet and looks down at Santana’s smiling face. She takes her sneakers and socks off, her toes flexing in the grass. “It’ll be kind of silly. There’s no music.”

“I don’t mind.”

Brittany loves dancing. She loves the things she can do with her body. Mike calls it art. Brittany calls it being.

She likes sharing it with Santana.

“That was amazing,” Santana breathes out.

Brittany’s cheeks grow warm. “Really? I like, never dance around people without music.”

“My mom took me to this super lame performance art thing once. It reminds me of that. Only you were way better.”

“My mom loves taking me to concerts,” Brittany says. “My sister comes with us now.”

Santana looks away.

For the millionth time, Brittany wonders about Santana.

 

***

 

Brittany bites her lip. She knows she needs to ask but she knows Santana won’t like it. “Santana?”

Santana is sprawled across the couch, a large textbook in her lap. “Yeah?”

Brittany’s still wearing the large shirt Santana gave her to sleep in and suddenly she feels silly. Small. “I need to go home.”

Brittany’s heart collapses at Santana’s face.

“Why?” Santana chokes out.

“Because I miss my parents and my little sister and my friends and Glee and Lord Tubbington.” She kneels next to Santana. “I told you, I’ll come and see you on the weekends. And restock your kitchen.”

Santana makes a noise that Brittany can’t decide is a laugh or a cry. “I know. I know.”

“I promise.”

Santana stands. “Go get your things.”

 

***

 

The lake house is empty. Not that Brittany expected anyone to be there. She’s been with Santana for six days. Everyone’s at school.

“Did anyone even look for me?” Brittany wonders.

Santana takes her hand. “Of course they did. The woods are really big though. No one knows that house even exists.”

“How will I find it again?”

“I’ll wait here,” Santana says.

Brittany smiles. “I’ll come Friday after school. We’ll have a whole day that way.”

Brittany picks up the phone.

Chapter 4: Million Miles

Brittany already misses Santana and she’s only been home for a day.

Her parents have barely let her out of their sight.

Brittany thinks she should have waited the extra few days to go home.

Apparently everyone had been so drunk they hadn’t realized she wasn’t there. At least not until they’d gotten home. And Josh had made excuses for her.

Brittany thought Quinn was going to sic Puck on him.

Better than Santana though.

 

***

 

“Hey,” Quinn says, stepping into Brittany’s room.

Brittany looks up from her journal. “Hi.” She’s drawn a horrible picture of Santana.

Quinn sits down next to Brittany on the bed. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“You were lost in the woods for six days, B,” Quinn says. “And when your parents and the police show up, you’re completely fine.”

“I was abducted by aliens.”

“Very funny.”

“Okay. Fine. I found the X-Men,” Brittany says.

Quinn rolls her eyes. “I wish you could be serious for once.”

“I am.”

“Brittany.”

“Fine,” Brittany huffs. “I really did meet an X-Man though.”

“How’d you survive out there? You would be the first person to try the poison berries after all.”

Brittany knows better than to eat random berries. She learned that when she was three. “I turned into Tarzan out there. I hunted. I had rabbit, like, every day.” Not entirely a lie.

Quinn rubs at her temples. “Look, whenever you decide to talk, you know I’m here.”

Brittany has yet to figure out why it is that nobody seems to be able figure out when she’s being serious or not. Or both. Except Santana. Santana is the exception.

 

***

 

School is still boring and many of her classes still confuse her. She wishes that they could explain things better. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so dumb. Maybe everyone wouldn’t treat her like she’s dumb.

Coach Sylvester is the only person who isn’t treating her like a child. At least now. Brittany swells with pride when Sue yells at the other girls about how tough Brittany clearly is, surviving in the wilderness on her own while they were busy painting their nails.

Sue is almost treating her with respect, which is the complete opposite of everyone in Glee. Two days back into school and they’re still acting like she’s going to collapse any second or get lost.

They sang some lame song to her yesterday, and while it was nice, it made her feel like a stupid kid.

***

 

Brittany is squirming with excitement when Friday final arrives. She told her parents that she’d be staying at Quinn’s till Sunday.

Quinn still won’t stop asking her where she’s going.

Brittany races to her locker the second the last bell rings. She grabs her backpack and duffle, hops in her car and begins the trip up to the woods.

The front door is locked when Brittany tries it. She doesn’t know why she’s so surprised.

Brittany vision goes dark when pair of hands cover her eyes.

“Boo.”

“Hi San.”

Santana releases her hold and Brittany turns around to face her.

Brittany pulls Santana into a hug. “I missed you.”

Santana scratches at the back of her neck and mumbles something.

“What?” Brittany asks with a smirk.

“I said I missed you too.”

An embarrassed Santana is the most adorable thing Brittany has ever seen. She wishes that could see if her cheeks had reddened or not. Brittany thinks they did.

“You’re parents are really okay with this?” Santana asks. “I mean, I don’t want you to get into any trouble.”

“They think I’m at Quinn’s for the weekend.” Brittany has no idea how long that lie will hold up though.

“What did you tell her?”

Brittany shrugs. “Just that I needed to get away. Had some things to do. Maybe find a unicorn.”

Santana smirks. “I don’t think you’ll have much luck with that last one as long as I’m with you.”

“I’m hoping for the best anyway. Lead the way.”

Santana takes Brittany’s bags.

“You don’t have to do that,” Brittany says.

“I’ve got super strength. It’s like, my duty to carry your bags,” Santana smiles.

When they start walking, Brittany slips her hand into Santana’s.

“It’s amazing how you can find your way back and forth.”

“I’m sort of cheating. This body kind of sucks but there are some perks at least. All I need to do is find my scent.”

Brittany bumps her hip into Santana’s. “What are some of the other perks?”

“I have a night vision thing going on, plus some awesome hearing. I’m pretty strong too.”

Brittany thinks the strong part is maybe due to her being an x-man and living in the forest. If Brittany had to take care of herself alone out here, she thinks she’d get pretty strong too. She’d definitely swing from the trees like Tarzan.

“Teach me how to catch something.”

“You want to hunt?” Santana asks. “Why? I mean, I can get plenty for the both of us.”

“I want to help. And if I ever got lost again and you weren’t there to save me, then I could take care of myself.” And she could actually deserve the newfound sort-of respect Sue is giving her.

“You make a good argument,” Santana says. “I’ll take you out tomorrow and show you some survival stuff.”

Brittany beams at her. “Thanks.” She knows if she had asked this of anyone else, they would have laughed at her. Maybe not out loud, but there’s no way that they would have taken her seriously.

A hundred more points for Santana.

Brittany can see the house at last.

Once they’re inside, Santana turns the generator on and puts Brittany’s things down.

“Oh!” Brittany grabs her duffle and starts digging through it. “I brought something for you.”

“Yeah?”

Brittany pulls an armload of books out. “The Harry Potter books. You said you never got to finish them.”

Santana takes the books and then gives Brittany a dopey smile. “Thanks.”

“You can read them when I do my homework,” Brittany suggests.

“Homework? What kind?”

“Some English and history. Mostly math and science though,” Brittany grimaces.

Santana’s eyes light up. “I could take a look at it. I mean, I’m probably nowhere near where you are, but maybe I could pick something up. We could teach each other.”

Five hundred points for Santana!

Brittany’s heart is pounding. Everything about Santana is perfect.

“Did you just say something about unicorns?” Santana asks, an incredulous look on her face.

“I did?” Brittany’s sure is face is on fire now. “I was, uh, just thinking how awesome you are and that any unicorns out there would totally love you. Bicorns too.”

“Bicorn?”

“A unicorn with two horns, duh.”

Santana smiles. “Of course.”

Brittany wiggles closer to Santana. “And I’d love for us to teach each other!”

She can see the anticipation in Santana’s eyes when she grabs Brittany’s backpack and flops down on the couch. “What first?”

Brittany sits next to Santana and drags the backpack closer. She pulls out her math book. “Math I guess. Then science. Those are the worst.” She groans as she remembers something. “Oh. I’ve got some Spanish too.”

Brittan didn’t thinking it was possible for Santana’s eyes to light up more. “I’m fluent in Spanish, Britt. I can teach that for sure.”

Brittany smiles and hopes Santana’s right. Mr. Shue’s supposed to be fluent in Spanish, though she’s not too sure on that, and all he’s managed to do is put her to sleep or confuse her.

Santana grabs the math book and flips to the dog-eared page. Brittany sits quietly, watching Santana’s eyes dart back and forth across the page.

“I’ve read some of this stuff,” Santana says. “I think I can help you out.”

It doesn’t start well. Santana reads straight from the book and Brittany is just as confused as always. Slowly though, Santana starts explaining things differently, sometimes even making up silly stories to go with the problems, only stopping every now and then to ask Brittany a question. Brittany’s not sure at first if Santana’s asking for herself or to help Brittany. Brittany thinks it’s both.

Science goes similarly to math, with a few more struggles along the way.

“It’s getting dark,” Brittany murmurs. “How long have we been sitting here?”

“A few hours.”

“I’ve never had so much learning, San. You’re a great teacher.”

“Same here. On both.”

Brittany reaches for Santana’s hand. “You really think I’m a good teacher?”

“Of course. There’s no way I could’ve helped you out if things confused me.”

“I still think you helped me more,” Brittany says.

“Does it matter who helped who more?”

Brittany doesn’t even have to think to know the answer. “No. I had fun teaching you, even if I was the one asking more questions.”

“I say we call it a team effort.”

“You should go to school. You’re super smart.”

The smile on Santana’s face shifts into a scowl. “You know I can’t do that.”

“I can still wish.”

“We should take a break from all this studying,” Santana says. “We can work on your Spanish later.” Brittany nods. “I should probably start making dinner.”

Brittany leaps up. “I’m helping. I brought spices.”

Santana stands there for a moment, shuffling her feet. “I’ll, uh, I’ll go get the ki-meat that I collected earlier. You get the kitchen set up.” She darts away before Brittany can speak.

With a small chuckle, Brittany grabs the bag of spices from her duffle and heads to the kitchen. She hums a small tune as she sets everything up. She loves everything here. Being here with Santana feels so…she’s not sure of the word. Right, she guesses.

Brittany thinks she could spend every day like this.

Santana returns a few minutes later, two skinned animals in her arms.

Brittany can’t help but stare at them. She’s no Rachel Berry when it comes to meat, but there’s just something weird about seeing the animals she’s going to eat like this.

“I’ll take care of the cutting,” Santana says.

Brittany releases a breath, thankful not to have that task. She hopes that she can handle the hunting tomorrow. “What are they?”

Santana holds each animal up as she names them. “This one’s rabbit and this one’s a fox.” She places the delicately onto the cutting board. Brittany looks away when Santana reaches for the large knife.

“How long did it take you to get good at all this? The hunting, I mean.”

“I just kinda figured it out for myself,” Santana replies. “Kinda had to if I didn’t want to starve.”

Makes sense, Brittany thinks. She tries to tune out the gross noises that knife on animal makes.

“Are you sure you want to learn this stuff?” Santana asks. “You don’t seem all that comfortable with this.”

Brittany nods, turning around to face Santana. She focuses on Santana’s face and not the table. It’s hard. “Yeah. I do. I’ll get over it.”

Santana nods. “Alright. Just making sure. Let me know if you change your mind. It won’t bother me or anything.”

Brittany’s sure that Santana’s lying now. She could see the excitement in Santana’s eyes when she asked for hunting lessons.

Brittany would like to teach Santana something new too. Maybe dancing.

 

***

 

Brittany wakes up early. She almost hops into the shower, but realizes it’s probably better to wait until after hunting for that.

She skips up the stairs to Santana’s room. A quick peek in reveals it’s empty. Brittany doesn’t want to linger here, not since it makes Santana so uncomfortable.

Santana is curled up on the living room couch, one of Brittany’s textbooks in her hands.

“Morning,” Brittany chirps.

Santana looks up with a smile. “Morning. I didn’t expect to see you for another few hours.”

Brittany skips over and throws herself onto Santana. “I didn’t want to waste valuable hangout time sleeping.” Santana is stiff underneath her.

“Oh. Uh, I mean, food.”

Brittany giggles.

“I mean we should eat food. Breakfast,” Santana blurts out.”

“Breakfast is good.” Brittany smirks. “You gonna show me how to be Tarzan after?”

“As long as you’re still up for it, yes.”

“I am.”

Breakfast consists of Santana taking Brittany into the garden out back and picking some fresh fruits.

“Don’t eat those.” Santana rushes over and grabs Brittany’s wrist. Hard. The berries drop from her hand. Santana lets go and Brittany rubs her wrist. “They’re poisonous. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You probably saved my life.”

“I hurt you.”

“Not much.” It’s true; Brittany’s wrist is only a little red. “Besides, I’d rather a bruise then be dead.”

“I’d rather that too.”

 

***

 

Hunting is way more boring that Brittany thought it would be. She’s not sure what she was expecting, but it’s pretty much just keeping still and lots of waiting.

Nothing she’s good at. And she still feels all grimy when it’s all done.

Hence the giant bathtub she’s now in, bubbles in the palm of her hand.

Brittany’s not looking forward to going home tomorrow. She wishes she could somehow convince Santana to go with her.

Maybe she should bring one of those dog shaving razors with her next time. If Santana wasn’t all fuzzy, maybe she’d be able to sneak her home.

The other monstery bits still posed a problem though. Brittany slumped down, blowing bubbles in the water. Bubbles of frustration, she decides.

Part of her wants to ask Quinn for help. Quinn’s smart, much smarter than she is and she could probably think of some way to help Santana.

But it would just be so awkward. Brittany knows. Santana just makes it so complicated.

Brittany wishes that she could understand her feelings. If Santana was a…Brittany hates the word but it is the closest one she can think of…normal, she knows without a doubt that she would want to date her.

Brittany adores Santana’s personality. She loves that Santana doesn’t think of her as some naïve child. She can even admit to Santana’s awesome looks.

The fur would just make things awkward.

There’s no way she could ever even try to explain all of this to Quinn.

Especially that, maybe with enough time, she could overlook the less than human qualities. It’s not like appearances are her number one priority for a relationship.

 

***

 

It’s harder to leave Santana now than it was before and this week will pass even slower than the other.

“I’m really going to miss you.” She gives Santana’s hand a light squeeze.

Brittany thinks the sheepish expression of Santana’s face to adorable. “Me too.”

They stand there, sort of swaying in front of the other. Brittany breaks the strange dance first and pulls Santana into her arms. “See you soon.”

 

***

 

“I’m tired of this B,” Quinn says, looking up from her textbook.

“Studying?”

Quinn nibbles on her lip. “It’s not like I have any problem covering for you, but it’s kind of annoying that you won’t tell me why.”

“I told you I needed some space.”

Quinn shakes her head. “You’ve had weeks of space, B. What’s going on?”

Brittany closes her book. “I need to get home.”

 

***

 

“You’re not going to Quinn’s this weekend,” her mother tells her.

Brittany freezes, her food an inch from her mouth. “What? Why?”

“Maybe because it feels like we’ve barely seen you in weeks,” her father murmurs.

“I’m here like, all the time.”

“You’re at Quinn’s every weekend now,” her mother says. “We understand that you want to spend time with your friends, but it would be nice to do something as a family every now and then.”

“We were so scared when you went missing,” her father adds.

Her mother meets her gaze and her eyes look so sad. “You could at least have Quinn over here.”

Something hot is coiled in Brittany’s stomach. There’s no way out of this and she can’t stand the idea of hurting her parents. She can’t stand the thought of hurting Santana either.

Brittany sighs. She feels almost limp. “I guess I can give up hanging with Quinn for one weekend.”

The looks on her parents’ faces makes her heart want to burst with guilt and happiness.

She can only hope Santana understands.

 

***

 

“I missed you.”

Brittany smiles, feeling that arm looped through hers. “You see me all the time, silly.”

Emily grins. “But we never have our sister day anymore.”

“Well, that will definitely have to change.”

“Did you like the movie?” Emily asks. “I mean, are you getting tired of kid movies now? Is that why-“

“Of course not. I’ll never not love Disney. I’ve just been busy is all.”

“You wanna watch another movie with me when we get home?”

“Sure.”

It doesn’t take long for them to get home, and the moment they go inside, they race to the couch. Brittany ‘loses’.

“What movie?”

Brittany leans back into the cushions. “You pick.”

Emily launches off the seat and begins to dig the box of VHS’. She happily pops one into the VCR.”

Brittany loves this movie. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of her favorites.

Emily is cuddled up next to her.

Belle kind of reminds Brittany of Santana. They’re both so smart and love to read.

The beast reminds her of Santana too.

“Hey, Em?”

“What?”

“You think someone could be turned into a beast in real life?”

“It’s just a movie.”

“Would there always be a magic rose?” Brittany wonders out loud. She can feel Emily shrug next to her.

“True love’s kiss maybe. It saved Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.”

Brittany wishes that was the answer. She doesn’t think kissing Santana would be all that bad.

But she can’t picture Santana’s curse having anything to do with love.

 

***

 

“I’m so sorry.” Brittany stares at the floor. She’s too scared to see any hurt in Santana’s eyes.

“It’s okay. Really.” Santana slings Brittany’s bag over her shoulder. She doesn’t sound mad. “I knew better than to think you could keep coming here.”

“I still feel bad though.”

“Don’t.” Santana gives her a smile. “I’ve had you to myself for weeks now. Of course everyone else wants to be around your awesomeness.

Brittany bounces from foot to foot. “Well, your awesomeness is too great not to be shared. It’s why I can’t stay away.” She bumped her hip into Santana’s.

“So how did you spend last weekend? It better have been epic?”

“Hung around with my family. Had a sister day with Emily. My sister. Younger.”

“What did you guys do?”

“Disney marathon.”

“I haven’t seen a Disney movie in years.” Santana rubs the back of her neck. “Or you know, any movie.”

“I’ll being my laptop next time and we can have a movie marathon.”

Santana puts Brittany’s bag down in its usual spot once they arrive. “What first?”

“I’m still going to catch something.”

“You’ll fall asleep or start dancing before you even get close,” Santana teases.

Brittany’s face warms. “It’s boring waiting around for some poor little animal.”

“I told you not to worry about hunting.”

“And I told you I wanted to learn. I don’t care how boring it is.” Brittany puffs her chest out. She expects a snarky yet adorable comment from Santana. When it doesn’t come, Brittany looks back up to meet Santana’s gaze.

Santana’s eyes are focused on her chest.

Brittany suddenly wishes that she had chosen a lower cut shirt to wear.

Santana blinks and her gaze drops to the floor and her hair falls across her face. “So, uh, what do you want to do now? We can get an early start on hunting lessons tomorrow.”

Brittany inwardly chuckles at the now sheepish Santana. “How about we get some school out of the way before we start on dinner?”

“For someone who supposedly doesn’t like schoolwork, you’re always so eager to do it.”

“Well, it’s way more fun when I’m with you.”

***

 

“You’re a really good cook,” Santana says once she’s swallowed her last bite of food.

“You say that every time,” Brittany says, trying to ignore the warmth in her face. “I’m not really that good. It’s just all the stuff I bring.”

Santana shrugs. “Still much tastier than what I have when you’re not here.”

“I told you, you can use the stuff when I’m not here.”

Santana slumps in her seat. “I’ll think about it.”

Brittany pushes the few bits of meat around on her plate. Should she ask? It’s been all she can think about. “How long have you been like this?”

“Like what?”

Brittany gestures wildly. “You know, an X-Man.”

Santana’s mouth slides open and for a moment, her face takes on a completely blank look.

“I’m sorry,” Brittany quickly says.

“No, it’s okay.” Santana picks at the old shirt. “A while. I don’t really know. It’s easy to lose track of time out here.”

Brittany nods. If she doesn’t set her alarm to remind her to leave, she’d forget to ever go home. “What happened?”

Santana stiffens. “I don’t want to talk about this,” she snaps. She stands up. “I’m going to bed.”

 

***

 

Brittany can’t stand that she hurt Santana. All she wants to do is help her. Santana has no idea how long it’s taken Brittany to work up the courage to even try to broach the subject of her curse.

Brittany still thinks it’s a curse. She knows that if she asked Sam, he’d say an experiment gone wrong.

 

***

 

The rest of the weekend is tense and awkward. They spend their hunting practice in silence and later on, quietly read to themselves. Every now and then Santana looks at her, opens her mouth, as if trying to say something. No words come out.

***

 

Brittany doesn’t like the hot feeling bubbling in her stomach. She wants, more than anything, to take back her questions and curiosity. It’s Tuesday and the silence is going to start eating her alive soon.

“So, you coming over today?” Puck asks, leaning an elbow onto her desk.

“Uh, for what?”

Puck rolls his eyes. “Remember, we’re partners on this lame-ass project.”

“Oh yeah.”

“And yesterday I said you should come over so that we can work on it.”

She sighs. “I’m not sleeping with you.”

Puck throws his hands up defensively. “Hey now.” He’s smirking. “I never said anything about that. Though if you really want to, I’m sure we can work something out.”

“As Mercedes says: hell to the no. We can get this project done, but that’s all that’s getting done.”

“Whatever you say,” Puck winks.

 

***

 

There’s a cramped feeling to Puck’s house. It’s mostly the mess. She’s no stranger to mess, but this seems excessive.

“This way.” He starts up the stairs.

“I said I’m not sleeping with you.”

“I was just getting us a comfy place to work,” he says. Brittany would believe him if not for the glee in his voice.

Brittany sighs and follows him up. Let him get all excited for nothing.

Puck’s room is pretty much what she expected. Messy and boyish. With lots of half naked women on the walls.

She has no idea how can not feel humiliated having his mom or sister come in. She’d die if it was her room.

Her gaze settles on something. “What’s that?”

“This?” Puck picks the toy up. “Optimus Prime. I’m no Sam, but I’m allowed to fanboy over somethings.”

“What’s Optimus Prime?”

“He’s from a kickass cartoon. My buddies and I used to watch it all the time.” Puck deflates.

Brittany cocks her head to the side. “Why are you sad? That sounds like fun.”

Puck puts the toy down and grabs something further back. A picture frame. “This was my best friend.” He hands the picture to Brittany.

Puck looks way different in the photo. Scrawnier, more hair, less arrogant. Both he and his friend were holding an Optimus Prime in their hands.

His friend.

Brittany’s eyes widen.

The girl in the picture is small, with caramel skin and dark hair. There’s something about her though.

“Santana and I’d met each other in preschool,” Puck says bashfully.

Brittany’s head snaps up. “What?”

Puck blinks. “What’s with you?”

“You know Santana?”

Puck’s brow furrows. “Knew. She’s probably dead.” His shoulders sag.

Brittany gulps. “What happened?”

“She was leaving my house.” Puck’s voice is hoarse. “We were ten. There had been rumors and stuff about some child murderer going around. I told her to just spend the night but she needed to get home. Her parents had started getting on her case about us having sleepovers.”

“She didn’t make it home.”

Puck shakes his head. “They never found a body or anything.”

Brittany surges forward and clasps Puck’s hands. “She’s alive.”

“What?”

“I’ve met her.”

“How? And if she’s alive and fine, why hasn’t she come home.”

“She’s been living in the woods. Not far from where Josh had his party.”

“So why the hell hasn’t she turned up?” Puck pulls his hands away and clenches his fists.

Brittany tells him.

Chapter 5: Paradise

Brittany fidgets beside Puck. “I hope she’s not angry.”

“I’ve been waiting seven years to see her. Just knock.”

Brittany gulps and does as she’s asked. It takes only moments for the door to open.

“Brittany?” Santana’s mouth hangs open.

“Hi.” Brittany gives a small wave.

Santana’s eyes widen in surprise. “What are you doing here? I mean, you’re a day early.”

She bounces from foot to foot. “Sorry.”

Puck chooses that moment to step forward. “Hey.”

Santana freezes.

Puck hesitantly moves closer, his eyes darting over Santana. “Why?”

“Noah?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Santana stares at the floor. “Tell you what?”

“That you weren’t dead. That you were okay.”

“Do I look okay to you?” Santana snarls.

“You do,” Brittany says.

Santana’s focus is back on Brittany. “Why would you do this?”

“I want to help you.” Brittany takes Santana’s hands. “You’re not happy here. Not really. And I could really use another brain to help me figure out how to help you.”

Santana snatches her hands away and crosses her arms. “You mean fix me.”

Brittany shakes her head. “There’s nothing wrong with you. The only reason you need help is because you won’t come home with me unless you’re not an X-Man.”

“Normal,” Santana sneers.

“I’ve only ever known you like this, San. This is normal for me. But if you’re happier looking like the average person, then I just want to make that happen.”

Santana’s arms fall limply to her sides. “Why don’t we…move this inside?”

Brittany and Puck wordlessly follow Santana in.

“Nice place,” Puck says, his head swiveling from side to side.

Santana collapses onto the couch. Brittany slides in next to her.

“So.” Puck meets Santana’s gaze.

“What?” Santana sneers.

“You look pretty badass, you know.”

Santana snorts. “You two must be the only ones that would think that.”

Puck goes to sit down.

“Not on that table,” Santana snaps.

Puck jumps up. “Jeez.” He settles himself on a nearby chair. “What happened? And don’t play dumb. You know what I’m talking about.”

Santana, Brittany thinks, seems to sink into herself.

Brittany wraps an arm around her to keep her from imploding.

“You know the gist of it?” Santana asks, directing the question to Brittany.

“Yeah.”

Santana takes a breath. “I don’t know how to start.”

“Where’d he take you?” Puck asks.

“Here.”

“How could you bring yourself to stay here after that?” Brittany asks.

Santana’s shoulders move in a way that feels almost like a shrug. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

“How did you get cursed?” Brittany asks. Her mouth feels dry.

“I don’t know,” Santana slowly says. “He had this weird voodoo setup or something. He had a rock in the middle.”

“What for?” Puck asks.

“I don’t know.”

Brittany gives Santana’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Keep going.” She glances up, noticing Puck giving them an odd look.

“He had me tied up. In the middle. He was yelling. Chanting. I guess. The voodoo circle was glowing.”

Brittany rubs Santana’s back.

“I got loose. Don’t really remember how. I charged toward him. I think it messed up his spell. When I woke up, I was like this.”

“What happened to him?” Puck asks.

“He was dead. I buried him in the basement.” Santana’s eyes flick down. “He’s not the only one there.”

Brittany can hear her heart up in her ears. “Who-“

“The basement reeks of them.” Santana hisses. “The-The other children. They’re all buried down there.”

The look on Puck’s face is what Brittany feels inside. An unforgivable rage. Brittany can feel it, a storm raging within her. What kind of a person could do something like this?

And Santana had killed him.

Brittany would gladly kill him a thousand times over.

She grips Santana hand tightly, willing all her good feelings into her.

Puck slumps into his chair. “Fuck.”

Brittany glances between the two. “Fuck.”

“Fuck,” Santana says with a smirk.

“What now?” Puck asks. “I have no ideas.”

Brittany wishes she knew. “Did you ever find out what he was trying to do?” Santana shakes her head. “What about that rock?”

“Couldn’t find it. I didn’t really stay that long to look.”

Brittany sucks in a breath. “I think we should just try to relax. It’s been a tiring day.” She can feel Santana’s body shudder in relief.

 

~~~

 

Puck swings the door open. “What’s the deal with you two?”

“You should knock,” Brittany scolds him. “What if I’d been changing?” She gestures down at her pajamas.

“Then yay for me.” Puck leans against the wall. “Now would you answer my question?”

Brittany tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know what you’re asking.”

Puck crosses his arms and takes a step forward. “You and Santana. What’s the deal?”

“I already told you.”

“Oh please, with the way you two were around each other, I thought I was gonna get to see a real life porno. A pretty weird one too.”

Her cheeks heat up. “What are you talking about?”

“Uh, you two having the hots for each other?”

“We do not.”

Puck gives her this freaky, intense stare.

“I like her,” Brittany says. “A lot. But that doesn’t mean I want to start making lady babies with her.”

“If the fur thing wasn’t there?”

“Uh, I , I mean…”

“Exactly,” Puck smirks.

She’s pretty sure she’s about to die of embarrassment. “She’s awesome.”

“And if it wasn’t for the fur?” His grin is ridiculously cocky now.

“Then I would for sure ask her on a date. Happy?”

“Very.”

“I think I’d probably ask her out eventually. Fur or no fur. She’s too awesome to let something like that stop me.”

“So go confess, Beauty.”

“Brittany. I’m Brittany. Remember?”

Puck is next to her now and loops an arm over her shoulder in an almost brotherly manner. “Nah, you’re Beauty and Santana’s totally the Beast. Just go give her true love’s kiss and she’ll be good as new.”

“But Belle didn’t kiss Beast. She just told him she loved him.”

“So confess to Santana. Problem solved.” He gives a thumb’s up. “And with less fur in the way.”

 

~~~

 

It was a valid idea. Brittany can admit that. The problem is putting it into action. Confessing her feelings, and she has no idea if they’re anywhere near being true love because, hello, how does someone even know that kind of thing? And kissing Santana? She doesn’t want to just sneak kiss attack Santana. She wants their first kiss, if she’s lucky enough for that, to be romantic. Not there just to end the spell. She wants Santana to know that being an X-Man doesn’t matter to her. It’ll take some adjusting to, but nothing Brittany can’t overlook.

Does Santana even feel the same way? Does Santana even know about sweet lady kisses? Brittany certainly hadn’t known about that when she was ten.

“Are you okay?” comes Santana’s voice.

Brittany can feel her face heating up. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“About?”

Brittany can’t help but smile at how Santana’s actually interested in what goes on in her brain. “How to help you.”

Santana sighs and sits next to Brittany. “Can’t you just say it?”

“Say what?”

“That you’re trying to fix me.”

“I told you. There’s nothing to fix. You’re awesome and badass.”

Santana sinks down. “Britt, you understand why I need to be fixed. There’s no way I could ever go back. Not like this. The cops and animal control and all sorts of people would be after me. Catch me to experiment on or to just kill me. And everyone,” at Brittany’s look, Santana changes it to, “okay, fine, almost everyone would be terrified of me.”

“I do understand.” Brittany looks straight into Santana’s eyes. “And I want you to understand that no matter what you look like, I’ll never care. Insides matter way more to me than outsides.”

“I’m sure the outside still matters to you.”

“It does,” Brittany admits. “Though it’s not a deal breaker. Your outsides are just an extension of your insides.”

Brittany takes a deep breath. Time to try to introduce Santana to the idea of lady love. “Like, I don’t care if someone’s a boy or a girl. I like people.” Santana shifts in her seat in a way that makes Brittany think she’s uncomfortable. “I like boys and girls. They’re both awesome and I’d date either.”

Santana’s face scrunches together. “You can’t date girls?”

“Sure you can. Not that I have. I’d like to. It’s kinda hard to find a girl who likes girls though.”

Santana opens and then closes her mouth.

“So, you understand?”

 

~~~

 

“You totally pussied out there.”

Brittany rolls her eyes. “I was letting her know that lady love exists.”

“You still pussied out.”

“You’re balls are out.”

Puck snorts. “That doesn’t even make any sense. And they are not out. What’s that have to do with anything?”

“I feel like they deserve a nice kick.”

Puck jumps back and covers himself. “No getting anywhere near little Puck.”

Brittany smirks. “Little indeed. And not that long ago you wanted me very close to ‘little Puck’.”

“Fine,” Puck sneers. “You made your point.”

Silence.

“But you still need to woman up.”

 

~~~

 

“This. Is. Boring,” Puck booms.

Brittany and Santana look up from their books. “It’s called research, Puck,” Santana says. “It doesn’t have to be exciting.”

“I don’t think this book is in English,” Brittany frowns, tossing the book away. “And not Spanish either.”

“Looks like Latin,” Santana says, eying the abandoned book.

“Well, do you know any Latin?” Puck scowls.

Santana bares her teeth. “No. And you’re not helping Noah.”

Brittany sighs and rests her head on Santana’s shoulder. If they do manage to make Santana like the rest of them, Brittany definitely wants to keep a lock of her fur. It’s so soft and silky and Brittany wants to have something from this Santana. She just needs to figure out how to ask so that Santana agrees to it.

 

~~~

 

The weekend is quickly slipping away and Brittany knows her parents are going to kill her when she gets home. If they don’t figure it now, Brittany’s not sure they’ll get another chance. It’s Sunday morning and she and Puck don’t have all day.

“Santana?”

Santana’s knife pauses, mid chop. “What?” she asks, a light smile on her face.

Brittany’s eyes flick over to the partially cut fruits. “I…”

Santana tilts her head to the side. “You?”

“I just want you to know that,” Brittany swallows and moves across the kitchen so that she is closer to Santana, “that even if it takes me a while to get back up here, I’ll definitely miss you.”

Santana’s eyes look sad. “I’ll be the one missing you, Britt. You’ve got a ton of people I’m sure are dying to hang out with you.”

Brittany picks up Santana’s hands and links their fingers together. “They’re not you. “

Santana starts fidgeting, her legs bouncing. “Yeah. Okay.”

Brittany smiles. “Okay, I’ll stop being all cheesy.”

 

~~~

 

It’s when she’s about to step through the door and follow Puck to the car that Brittany does it.

She has no idea if she’ll make it here next week or even the week after. Ditching a day of school was not a good idea and bringing Puck into it would only make it worse.

Santana’s saying goodbye to her and Brittany’s not sure she’ll ever be able to convince her how much she cares. Santana’s stuck in Santanavision and Brittany thinks she needs a bit of Brittanyvision to see herself.

To make Santana see that Brittany thinks she’s totally worth it.

Santana’s still hesitant to hug her. She moves forward to wrap her arms around Brittany and then waits for Brittany to lean in and finish it.

Brittany does not disappoint.

It’s when they’re pulling apart that Brittany does it and gently places a kiss on the side of Santana’s mouth. Innocent and chaste, yet hopefully intimate enough for Santana to realize how Brittany feels.

The silence should be unbearable as Brittany slides into the passenger seat. She catches a glimpse of Santana’s fingers hovering over the kiss.

Brittany smiles.

 

~~~

 

Brittany is grounded. No surprise there. She almost didn’t want to come home because now she has no idea when she’ll see Santana again.

Maybe she should get her a cell phone.

Curse money!

At least Puck will be able to head up the next weekend. At least that way, Santana won’t be alone.

 

~~~

 

Quinn’s really on her case this time. Sneaking off with Puck’s really set her off.

“It’s not like that,” Brittany insists. “We were just…”

Quinn crosses her arms and gives her a look that never fails to make her squirm. “Just what? I know I told you to get a boyfriend, but sneaking off? With Puck? Not exactly what I had in mind.” She rubs her temples. “And Coach is furious about you missing practice.”

Brittany is not looking forward to that confrontation.

“We were just visiting a friend,” Brittany finally says.

Quinn quirks an eyebrow. “A friend?” Brittany nods. “What friend. You guys pretty much know the same people. And they all go here.”

Brittany sighs. “I met her back at Josh’s party. When I got lost. She found me. And then I found out that Puck knew her. So he told me we had to go. He hadn’t seen her in years. He thought she was dead.”

“She’s the x-man I met,” Brittany adds as an afterthought.

“You’ve lost me, B.”

“Santana’s under a curse and she’s the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Puck and I are trying to figure out how to uncurse her.”

Ten minutes later, Brittany is still trying to explain it.

 

~~~

 

“I’m glad you’re home,” Emily says.

It’s Brittany’s second week away from Santana. Updates from Puck didn’t even compare.

Brittany smiles at her sister. “I’m glad I’m here too.” Emily’s still staring at her. “What?”

“Did you get a boyfriend or something? Mom and Dad think that’s why you keep sneaking off. I heard them saying they don’t believe you’re really at Quinn’s.”

Not an entirely inaccurate theory.

“Wanna watch something?” Brittany asks, changing the subject.

Emily grins. “Disney?”

“Of course,” Brittany says. “Hey, Emily?”

“What?” Emily asks, putting down the tapes she’d picked up.

“I’m working on a story. I need some help though,” Brittany says. She should have thought of this sooner! Emily’s super smart. Maybe she’d be able to think of something to help Santana.

Emily is practically bouncing now. “Yes. Yes. What’s it about? Is it for school?”

“No,” Brittany shakes her head. “For fun. It’s like Beauty and the Beast. My own version.” She quickly gives Emily a simplified version of Santana’s situation. “I’m just not sure how to have the, uh, heroes, break the curse.”

“Kissing or saying ‘I love you’ is always a good one,” Emily suggests.

“It doesn’t really match the curse though,” Brittany says. “And I don’t want to freak the Beast out.”

“Well, the jar then. Duh.”

Oh. Oh.

Why didn’t she think of that?

 

~~~

 

Brittany has no idea how she sat through the movie with Emily. Her eyes flick to the clock, eager for her parents to get home. She needs to get to Santana’s. It’s Saturday and she should have been there yesterday.

She pulls out her cell.

Brittany: I have an idea for Santana.

Puck: What?

Brittany: The Jar

Puck: ?

Brittany: Remember? She told us about it. It’s somewhere in the basement.

Puck: She’d kill me if I went down there.

Puck: U need 2 get here

Brittany: Parents have my keys. Remember? And I’m watching Em.

Puck: Ask Quinn

Brittany quickly scrolls through her contacts.

Brittany: Q I need a ride

Quinn: Where and why?

Brittany groans.

Brittany: To Santana’s

Quinn: What for?

Brittany: to help her

Brittany: duh

Brittany: I have an idea

Quinn: Aren’t you grounded?

Quinn: And babysitting Emily?

Brittany: Yes to both

Brittany: You’ll have to take both of us

Brittany: I pinky promise I’m not lying about Santana

Brittany: and I’ll make up something to tell the ‘rents

Brittany: Please?

Quinn: Fine

Quinn: But you owe me.

Quinn: Be ready in 10

Brittany switched back to Puck.

Brittany: Quinn’s gona drive

Brittany: Emily’s gonna come too

Brittany: Don’t say anything to Santana

Brittany: let me tell her wen I get there

Puck: burn some rubber

Brittany slips her phone into her pocket, grabs her shoes, and then crams some clothes into her overnight bag.

“Em,” she shouts, racing down the stairs. “Pack some clothes.”

“Why?”

“We’re going out. Quinn’s gonna be here soon.”

“But-“

“No questions,” Brittany shushes. “Just do it. I’ll explain in the car.” Mid-step away, she turns back to Emily and gives her a peck on the cheek. “You’re a genius by the way.”

“What?”

 

~~~

 

Ten minutes later they’re on the road.

“Mom’s gonna kill you,” Emily hisses.

“I left a note,” Brittany says while fully agreeing with Emily.

“B,” Quinn nibbles on her lip. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“Of course it is,” Brittany says. “We’re gonna help Santana.” She sighs. “I know you don’t believe me. Look, whether or not Santana is an x-man, she needs my help.”

Quinn’s shoulders relax.

Then Emily’s voice pipes up. “Who’s Santana?”

 

~~~

 

Most. Awkward. Car ride. Ever.

Brittany can see the lake house come into view.

Crap.

Santana didn’t know she was coming. Santana wouldn’t be here to lead them to her mansion.

“What is it?” Quinn’s voice is demanding.

“Nothing,” Brittany squeaks.

Quinn surveys the area. “You know how to get to this mansion, right?”

“Of course.” Brittany curses her voice for betraying her. So squeaky.

“That’s her lying voice,” Emily says.

Quinn’s lips quirk up. “Oh trust me. I know.”

The car stops and Brittany hops out, her overnight back looped over her shoulder. “Well,” she says, “let’s get going.”

“We’re going to get lost,” Quinn says.

Brittany nods. “Probably.” She starts walking.

“I’ve gotta use the bathroom,” Emily whimpers.

“Oh. Uh, that tree over there?” Brittany points.

 

~~~

 

“We’re lost,” Quinn hisses.

“Look, I’ll find it,” Brittany says. “That tree looks familiar.”

“You said that ten minutes ago,” Emily grumbles.

 

~~~

 

It’s dark by the time they arrive, Brittany sporting a triumphant look on her face.

“I told you guys I’d get us here.”

“After hours of walking,” Emily groans.

“You never mentioned that part,” Quinn rasps.

“I still got us here.” Brittany bounces over to the door and bangs on it.

Moments later Puck answers.

“Took you long enough,” Puck says.

“We got a little lost,” Quinn says, crossing her arms.

“Brittany?” she hears Santana call. “What are you doing here?”

“Surprise?”

“I thought you were grounded,” Santana says. She sniffs the air. “Who’d you-“ She’s cut off by Quinn.

“Oh my God!”

Brittany looks over her shoulder with a smirk. “I told you, Quinn.”

She chances a glance at Emily’s face: a look of astonishment plastered on it.

Emily bursts into a grin. “Cool!”

Santana stalks forward and pulls Brittany closer. “Why on earth would you bring more people here?”
“I needed to get here right away,” Brittany says. “And my parents took my keys so I Quinn gave me a ride. And I’m supposed to be watching Emily. My sister. I couldn’t just leave her home alone.”

“I get that you missed me but your parents are-“

“I think I know how to help you,” Brittany announces. “Well, Emily thought of it.” She throws her arms up dramatically. “It’s so obvious.”

“What?” Santana snaps.

“The jar thing you told us about,” Puck says.

Santana tightens her jaw. “That’s in the basement.”

“I know,” Brittany says.

Santana’s eyes linger on Quinn and Emily. “No.”

Brittany tugs on Santana’s sleeve. “Just let us look.” She gives Santana a weak smile. “Or at least me. The rest of you can wait up here.”

Santana’s eyes soften. “I can’t let you go down there alone.”

“Sure you can.”

“I can go with her,” Puck offers.

“Can we talk about this tomorrow?” Santana asks. “I’d at least like to do this later.”

“Of course, San.”

Santana looks over at Quinn and Emily. “They stay here.”

 

~~~

 

Brittany’s cuddled up in bed, Emily at her side when Puck shakes her awake.

“What?”

“Let’s get going.”

Brittany struggles to see him in the dark. “Go where?”

Even in the darkness, Brittany is sure that Puck’s rolling his eyes. “The basement. You really think Santana’s gonna let us go down there?”

Brittany nibbles on her lip. “I don’t know. I’d like to think so.”

“I’d bet my nuts that she’s gonna wake up early or something and screw it up. Somehow. We should go now.”

Brittany agrees with Puck, that Santana will probably try to find some way out of this. But at the same time, the idea of going behind her back for something like this doesn’t feel right. “It feels wrong. Being sneaky.”

She hears Puck’s rumbling laugh. “I’ll pick the lock and you can just say you followed me down.” He holds up a flashlight and flicks it on. “I’m going with or without you.”

 

~~~

 

Brittany’s terrified that Santana will wake up and catch them. Each time the stairs creak, her eyes would dart around.

Santana doesn’t show. Neither does Quinn or Emily.

They pause at the basement door and Puck shoves the flashlight into her hands. “I’ll just need a minute to do this. Keep the light on me.”

Brittany thinks about asking Puck where he learned to pick locks, but decides she doesn’t really care.

She hears a click and Puck pumps a fist in the air victoriously.

The door creaks as it opens and Brittany gulps at the pitch blackness looming before her.

Puck is still holding the door. “Ladies first.”

Brittany frowns at him. She knows he can’t see it though.

The stairs are even creakier than the door.

She breathes a sigh of relief when her feet connect with solid ground. Dirt ground.

Brittany suddenly remembers what Santana said about the other children and shudders.

“Keep moving,” Puck says from behind her.

Brittany is moving blindly around in the dark when a light flickers on. Puck’s standing in the middle of the room, grinning. Above him is an old light bulb.

Brittany’s eyes are drawn to the crude circle on the floor. She has to drag her eyes away from it.

They search in silence, Brittany’s attention occasionally drawn back to the circle.

Brittany’s over in the corner of the room, shoving boxes out of the way when Santana finds them.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Santana roars.

Brittany is frozen in her corner.

“Looking for that jar,” Puck says, his voice casual.

“I thought we agreed to wait till morning,” Santana says.

“Please,” Puck says, “like you weren’t going to try to weasel out of it.”

Santana’s eyes widen and, for a split second, Brittany is sure that Santana’s gaze dropped to the floor.

Brittany still can’t bring herself to move. “We just wanted to help you.”

Santana wraps her arms over her shoulders. “I know. I just…I just can’t stand the idea of anyone being down here.”

Brittany’s about to go to Santana when her hand bumps into something. Curious, she reaches further in, her hand clasping firmly around something.

“What are you doing, Britt?” Santana asks.

Brittany pulls the object out. It’s a small bottle. Nothing special, save the dim light inside. “I think I found it.” She pulls herself out of the mess and excitedly makes her way back to Santana and places the bottle into her hands.

Santana stares at it.

“Is that it?” Brittany asks

Santana nods. “I think so.”

Brittany gives Santana’s shoulder a light squeeze. “Let’s head upstairs then.”

Another nod.

It’s just as quiet as they make their way upstairs. Only when they’re seated in the living room does Santana speak. “I told you to wait for me.”

“And you know that’s a load of bull,” Puck snorts.

Brittany looks at the jar, old and covered with grime. She can feel it pulsing. She looks up at Santana. “You should do it.”

Santana eyes the jar. “I…”

Brittany turns to Puck. “Do you…do you think you could go? Santana should do this on her own.”

Puck frowns and for a moment, Brittany is sure that he is going to complain, protest, something, but his shoulders sag and he mutters “fine” before slipping out of the room.

“Please don’t go,” Santana whispers.

Brittany feels a tension she hadn’t even been aware of drain from her body. She smiles. “Okay.”

Santana swallows. “Okay.” Her voice shakes.

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy.”

“I…”

“Are you scared?” Brittany asks.

Santana’s eyes shift around the room as she meekly nods.

“Why?”

“I guess,” Santana says, “I’ve been like this for so long. It’s…It’s kind of scary to think about going back. What if I can’t fit in? What if my parents forgot about me?”

Brittany goes to Santana and twines their fingers together, the jar left abandoned on the floor. “I don’t fit in, not really, so we can ‘not’ fit in together. And there’s no way that your parents forgot you.” Brittany can feel Santana’s hands tremble. “I’ll be there.”

Brittany does it. She leans forward, closing the gap between them, gently placing her lips against Santana’s. She holds, her heart pounding, desperately hoping that Santana doesn’t pull away.

Santana doesn’t. Santana leans into the kiss.

Brittany smiles as she pulls away. “I really like you, Santana. I’ve liked you more than I’ve ever liked anyone else.”

Santana’s eyes are half-closed. “I like you too. I just…I just didn’t know I did till you told me that stuff. About, you know, you liking boys and girls. I didn’t know it could work that way.”

“It can,” Brittany says.

Santana chuckles. “Obviously.”

“I want you to know,” Brittany says, “that no matter what happens, if you stay like this or if you’re human, I still care about you. And I want to date you, furry or skin.”

“You really don’t mind the fur?”

“It’ll take some getting used to, and I helps that it’s super soft, but I like you. I like people,” Brittany says. “While we’re on it though, can we save some of your fur? I want to remember how soft it was.”

“Okay Britt,” Santana smiles, her voice warm.

It takes a few minutes for Santana to get the scissors, but then Brittany is bent over, gently snipping some fur. She looks at the strands in her hand and then reverently puts them in her jacket pocket.

“Are you ready?” Santana asks.

“I think I’m supposed to be asking you that.” Brittany picks up the jar and places it on Santana’s lap.

Santana rises, her hands clenched around the jar. She stares at it, eyes hidden from view. Brittany wishes she knew what dark thoughts were floating through Santana’s head.

And then Brittany’s covering her ears as the jar is shattering against the wall.

She doesn’t even realize she’s squeezed her eyes shut till she realizes that it’s gone dark and she can’t see Santana.

Brittany snaps her eyes open. “Santana?”

“Did it work?”

Brittany’s heart is pounding and she doesn’t think she’s ever seen anyone as beautiful as Santana. She doesn’t think she’ll ever see anyone as beautiful as Santana.

“Britt?” Santana’s voice quivers.

Brittany smiles and rushes to Santana, wrapping her arms around her. She buries her face into the crook of Santana’s neck, breathing in Santana’s scent. “It worked.”

 

~~~

 

Everything after that embrace happens so fast, that even now, Brittany can barely remember it. Puck rushes back into the room, followed by Quinn and Emily, all having heard the jar shatter. Puck’s thrilled. Quinn is astonished. Emily is simply amazed, and Brittany’s heart swells knowing that Emily got to see magic.

Brittany always knew she was right about there being magic in the world. Santana is the best unicorn she could ask for.

The ride home is peaceful, minus the occasional teasing from Puck. Brittany and Santana spend the trip snuggled up against each other.

As expected, Brittany’s parents are furious at first, but once Brittany brings Santana into the picture and explains things, though not all things because there are limits to her parents’ beliefs, their anger turns to scolding. How could she not tell them about Santana?

Brittany remains silent and shrugs and says that Santana didn’t want her to.

And now Brittany can feel the car pull to a stop. She opens her eyes and lifts her head from Santana’s shoulder. “Are you worried?”

“A little,” Santana admits.

Brittany gives Santana’s hand a light squeeze. “Don’t be. Remember.”

“That I’ll still have you.”

“And my family.”

Brittany’s dad opens the door for them. They slide out the same side, hands still twined together.

Brittany’s mom is ringing the doorbell.

Santana shoots Brittany a nervous glance before giving her a quick peck on the lips.

Santana’s mother and father rush out the door, engulfing Santana in their arms, sobbing and crying. Santana’s mother looks up at Brittany and pulls her into the mess of limbs.

“Thank you.”