Forever (sequel to The Hostage)

14

Brittany's POV
Santana doesn't cry. She doesn't say much at all.
After she says hi, she climbs up onto the bed beside me, and curls up in a little ball. Her face is pressed into my shoulder, and her hands grasp my arm.

I'm not sure if she's asleep, or just hiding.

Everything is starting to repair. I have a massive cast on my ankle, and my arms and legs are covered in cuts and bruises. The gash on my head has been stitched up.

I don't remember much after I collapsed on Sugars doorstep. Just vague flashes of the car, and getting into the hospital. But I remember my dream vividly.

Every single night when I was taken hostage, I had the same nightmare. The same one I've been having for over six months.

And last night was the first time I slept all the way through, without waking up.

Mercedes stays with me for a while, in the chair beside my bed. She talks to the nurses, and occasionally to me. Sam appears, looking equally as exhausted. We share a very weak fist bump (I did something to my wrists when I jumped out of the window) and he collapses in chair beside his girlfriend.
"You good Britt?"
"Yeah, I guess. You?"
"Been better. Had to calm down a hysterical Sugar."

"Is she okay?" Mercedes asks.
"Yeah. She's asleep now, I made her some tea and put her to bed."
"You're a cutie. Such a good mother." Mercedes pats him on the cheek.

I let Sam draw on my cast, since he's bored. Soon all the Avengers have been scribbled on, and he's been sent to the vending machine for more snacks.

"I'm going to the bathroom. Quinn will come in later, once she wakes up." Mercedes stands up, and squeezes my hand.
"Cool. See you later." I wave her off.

Quinn shows up, and makes sure to slap me on the arm. Hard.

"Oww. What was that for?"
"Scaring the shit out of me. And your very emotional girlfriend. Seriously, not cool."
"Aww, you missed me?"
"Too much."

She looks at Santana, who I'm pretty sure is asleep now. Her breathing has levelled out, and she hasn't moved for a while.

The way Quinn looks at her, as if she actually cares, makes me think that something has changed.

"How was she?"
"Worse than I've ever seen her. She didn't sleep at all, and when she did, it was for less than an hour. She physically couldn't eat. I had to stay with her all the time. Britt, I thought she might die."
"She wouldn't do that."
"I know. But I was worried that she might start to think about it."
"And how are you?"
"Fine. As I said, I stayed with San the whole time."
"Are you friends now, or something?"
"Or something. Just joking. We're friends, I think. I told her about my scars, just to lighten the mood."
"Q-"
"Joking again. She was cool about it. Not too pushy, but she didn't avoid looking. And we talked for a bit, about coming out and shit."
"Sounds like you two really bonded."
"We only had one topic to agree on. Loving you."
"You're sweet."

She kisses my cheek, then leaves. I see the tears in her eyes though. She can't hide from me.

"Are you okay?" I whisper. Santana doesn't reply, still sleeping.
"I just want you to know, I'm really proud of you. And I missed you so, so much. Like, more than anyone I've ever known. I love you, Santana, and I can't ever imagine loving anyone else."
"I love you too." Her voice is raspy.

"You're awake?" I reply. She nods, and sits up. Sleeping at an angle has caused her hair to stand up on end, and her eyes are puffy and red.

She's the most beautiful person I've ever seen.

"Mhm. Just long enough to hear you and Quinn talk. And you say all those nice things about me."
"You didn't want us to know you were up?"
"Quinn is probably sick and tired of me."
"That could never happen."