Never again (Quinntana)

Chapter 54 - Quinn who?

Santana was sitting on the edge of her bed, her right leg bouncing up and down nervously. Brittany moved the covers to sit beside her friend.

"Thank you, Brit-Brit. Thank you for always being there for me."

Brittany smiled tenderly. "Of course, San."

"I think you deserve to know. What happened with Quinn."

"You don't have to tell me if-"

"No. I need to."

Brittany nodded encouragingly.

"I used to know Quinn when we were kids. She was my best friend for three years. Three years that we spent almost joined at the hip."

Brittany caressed Santana's hair, and Santana carried on. She told her friend about Lucy. Kind, selfless, innocent Lucy. Who had vanished out of thin air, after the bullying got too bad. Disappearing on Santana completely.

"When I saw Quinn I just thought- I thought Lucy was back. I thought life was giving me another chance. Except that- I didn't really recognize her. She was a new person. A different person."

"I convinced myself that Lucy was gone. Because, to be honest, Quinn had almost nothing in common with Lucy. But for some reason I held on to the tiny hope that we could rekindle what we had. And then- I saw her with Puck at that party. I saw the way she handled herself, the way he looked at her- and I realized- really, Quinn wasn't like Lucy at all."

"The old Lucy wouldn't have played with Finn's feelings. She wouldn't have cheated on him with Puck. She wouldn't have ignored me, either. I said that, and I didn't think it would make a difference. I thought she was too far gone. But she wasn't. She reacted. She lashed out. And I- I couldn't take it. It got personal, and I could have said anything, I know how to be mean, but Brittany- 

Out of all the things I could say, I- I used horrible things that I knew about her. Horrible, horrible things. And I didn't think she would care so much, and none of them are true but I-"

Santana's eyes betrayed her and tears started pouring.

"I still said them. I still said them, Brit, and I saw the look in her eyes and she- It was like Lucy was back. And I was her bully, and I-"

A sob interrupted her and Brittany took her best friend into her arms. "It's okay, San. It's going to be okay."

"No, you didn't see- You don't know-"

"I saw the way she looks at you", Brittany whispered.

***

A week went by, and Santana found solace in Brittany's friendhsip. Quinn avoided her like the plague, and Santana realized she missed whatever little contact they used to have.

The simple hellos. The side smiles in the hallway. She never knew how much those things mattered to her before she lost them. A second time.

The week-end came and Brittany was invited to Santana's house.

Santana's mom, Maribel, welcomed Brittany with her usual hug. 

"Brittany! It's great to see you! Please sit down while I tell Santana that you're here."

Exactly at that moment Santana came running down the stairs. 

"Britt", she smiled. "Let's go to my room?"

Brittany nodded, thanking Maribel as she got up to follow Santana. 

Brittany entered Santana's bedroom, Santana following suit and closing the door behind them.  

"Sorry about my parents, you know how they are", she fake laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"It's fine. I love your parents. I wish mine were more like them."

Santana smiled, gazing at Brittany pensively. 

Brittany smiled back, her eyes transfixed by something Santana assumed was on her face.

Santana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. 

Brittany blushed and averted her gaze. She knew Santana was affected by the events of the past week, but her attitude was even weirder than usual. 

"San-", Brittany enquired. "Are you okay? You seem-" Brittany didn't quite know how to finsih her sentence. 

Santana lifted her eyes, gazing right at Brittany. Brittany felt naked. 

She watched Santana's eyes travel on her profile, Santana's piercing gaze burning Brittany's cheeks. 

It was as if Santana was seeing Brittany for the first time. Noticing the way her hair framed her beautiful face. The way her eyes shone with kindness and selflessness. The way her best friend was looking at her. 

How did I miss it all along? Santana thought. 

"I- I-" Santana stuttered. She never stuttered.

"Is this about Quinn? You should tell her how you feel." Brittany advised. "I'm sure she will understand."

Then, quieter. "I'm sure she will want you back." 

"It's not about Quinn." Santana whispered. 

Brittany shivered as Santana slowly lifted her chin, planting a light kiss on her upper lip.

Hesitantly Brittany kissed back and she felt Santana respond, timidly at first, then with growing passion. Brittany's hand traveled to Santana's hair as their lips danced together.

Santana moaned and Brittany blushed, pulling away, breathless. 

In any other situation Santana would have panicked. With any other person she would have run away. The weight of expectations would have crushed her. And she wasn't ready for commitment. 

But this was Brittany. Brittany, who smiled at her tenderly, a sad glint in her eye. Brittany, who didn't try to push her, or guilt trip her. 

Nonetheless Santana's anxiety was growing steadily, and her eyes darted to the door mechanically.

Brittany reached out, her slender fingers soothing on Santana's cheek. "You're okay, Santana", she whispered. "You're okay, Santana", she repeated.

Unconsicously, Santana leaned into Brittany, pressing her body against her bestfriend's, listening to her steady heartbeat, burying herself in the scent of her shampoo. 

***

A.N.

Sorry for the wait! Enjoy 😊