Fic: The World is a Stage - Part 6/?
Title: The World is a Stage 6/?
Author: agentb81
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Brittany/Santana, Brittany/OC
Rating: pg-13
Word Count: 2500
Disclaimer: Glee is copyrighted and belongs to Ryan Murphy and Fox. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Use of other personalities is not a reflection of their real lives and is completely fictional.
Summary: Sort of AU/Future fic, the lives of Santana and Brittany in their early twenties.
Spoilers: References to Season 1.
A/N: Character back stories will be disclosed as the fic progresses and I’m running with the whole AU aspect of this fic, even though it touches upon events of Season 1, I just hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I am writing it.
Previous chapters here: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5
Brittany had long left Santana’s trailer, the two of them chatting like old friends about anything and everything, no malice or awkwardness between them. Now alone, laying on her bed, the Latina was deep in thought, a small smile playing across her lips, excitement at the thought of having Brittany back in her life.
“So, where are we going tonight?” the loud voice interrupted Santana’s thoughts. The brunette groaned at the interruption and threw an arm over her face.
“We are not going anywhere, I am going to a crew member’s party as I have been invited.” Santana said.
“But I’m your plus one!” The blonde whined, making her way further into the trailer, her eyes scanned the surfaces, looking for anything that may be tasty to eat.
“You’re not my plus one tonight. I have another plus one.” Santana offered, somewhat timidly. Quinn was usually the one Santana would take with her to a party or outing if she didn’t have a date lined up.
“What?” Quinn as good as yelled, “Who?” Santana avoided eye contact from her blonde friend. “Oh no, not Brittany, you are not taking Brittany to a party where there is alcohol.” Quinn warned.
“Why not? We’re older, she’s married, we’re friends.” Santana defended, emphasising the ‘friends’ part.
“Are you? Are you friends Santana?” Quinn asked, a concerned eyebrow raised, hands on her hips.
“Ohmygod you sound like Berry.” The Latina smirked.
“Hey, I resent that! And answer my question!” the blonde ordered.
“Yeah, yes. We are friends.” Santana sighed. “You know what? This is getting old Quinn. I can look after myself.”
“Just remember who was there to pick up the pieces the last time.”
“The last time we were together, we were in love, she was my everything, it was slightly different.”
“So you think being friends with her is a good idea?”
“A good idea? A good idea? It’s not an idea Quinn.” Santana sat up, she was about to lose her tether. She took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose before continuing. “Brittany is here, there’s nothing I can do about that. Do you know what it’s like to be me? How hard it is to make friends? I don’t know who’s out to screw me or who’s genuine. Brit is genuine, having her near me makes me feel human again ok?”
“What and I don’t? Puck doesn’t? Beth doesn’t?” Quinn asked with slight angst in her voice.
“You guys are great, I love you, you’re like my family, but Brittany? She’s Brittany.”
“She’s your soul mate.” Quinn said, realisation dawning on her. “You guys were always Santana and Brittany, even before you were together.”
“Yeah.” Santana said with a smile.
“What does this mean?”
“We’re friends, we’ve spent some time together and it’s ok.” She looked at the frown on Quinn’s face, “We can never be together Q, I respect that she’s married. Even if her husband is a douche.” She added.
“I know she hurt you and that makes me mad, but I just want you to be happy.”
“Quinn . . .” Santana warned.
“Just be the best friend you can be San.”
“I intend to.” She smiled. Having Quinn onside was always a bonus, many a time had she learnt the hard way.
++
Several hours later, Santana was dragging Brittany through a bar. The music was thumping, the lights were dimmed and people were milling about, chatting, laughing, drinking and dancing. The Latina was very aware of the hand that was in her own, she gripped it tightly, unwilling to lose Brittany in the crowd of people. Santana halted abruptly and turned to face her friend, the blonde, unaware of the brunette’s decision to stop sailed right into her. Upon instinct, Santana caught her, her arms wrapping around the blonde’s waist. “Woah, you ok there Brit?” she laughed, looking into confused blue eyes.
“Yeah.” Brittany stated, looking down at the brunette. “Why did you stop?” she asked.
“I was going to ask you what you would like to drink.”
“Duh.” Brittany laughed, “The usual.”
“I should have guessed.” Santana smiled. She paused, the smile on her lips remained as she looked at the sparkle in her friend’s eyes. Brittany smiled in return, she brought her hands up and brushed brunette locks away from the Latina’s face and behind her ears. A sparkle caught her eye and she shifted her gaze to the left, the light having caught the blonde’s wedding ring. Brittany sighed, her smile dropped, as did her hands. Santana, concerned about the look on her friend’s face suddenly felt self conscious. She removed her hands from the blonde’s waist and frowned.
“What is it?”
“N-nothing, I just, let’s get that drink.” Brittany said quietly, attempting a small smile. Santana sighed as the blonde brushed passed her and walked over to the bar.
++
Santana sat in a booth in a dark corner of the bar, she had swatted people away desperate for her attention, she just wanted to be alone right now. The ‘moment’ with Brittany earlier had confused the hell out of her. She wondered about Brittany’s reaction, she had seemed so in the moment with her until the blonde suddenly became cold. Brittany was married and Brittany was incredibly loyal. It was clearly the reason for her behaviour but had she felt something for the brunette? Santana could only wonder further, it was not something she was willing to bring up in conversation any time soon, she had only just found Brittany again, she didn’t want to lose her so quickly. Santana picked up her Martini, sipping elegantly, her eyes trained on the dance floor before her. She watched as Brittany moved with grace and poise, so elegant and fluid in her movements and clearly enjoying herself with the other cast and crew members. Brittany was a very outgoing type of person, she was friendly and welcoming and would talk to just about anyone. Santana smiled, it was only one of the long list of things she loved about the girl. Her musings were disturbed as she felt a weight land on the soft cushioned seat beside her. She glanced sideways, rolled her eyes and proceeded to sip on the drink in her hand.
“I bought you a drink.”
“And to what do I owe the pleasure Berry?” she asked, the question oozing sarcasm.
“You looked lonely. And Brittany looks like she’s having a good time . . .”
“What are you implying?”
“Can I ask you a question Santana?” Rachel asked curiously.
“You can ask.” Santana narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I can’t promise I’ll answer.”
“Santana.” Rachel began. The Latina actress tilted her head and raised her eyebrows, indicating to Rachel she had her attention, “It’s been five years, why are you so hostile towards me?” Santana frowned and opened her mouth to speak, “That wasn’t my question by the way, but I’m curious before I actually do ask you what I want to ask you.”
“Old habits die hard I guess.” Santana stated simply. “I don’t hate you Berry, you just annoy me and I need to keep your feet on the ground. Plus I’m more famous than you and a little competition is healthy in the work place.” She answered with a smirk. Rachel rolled her eyes, it was a reply she should have expected from the other girl.
“Granted, you are more famous than me, but I opted to exploit my talent on the stage and clearly it does not reach as wide an audience as television or film.” Rachel offered. The petite brunette had the opportunity to attend stage school as she desperately wanted to be a Broadway star. Her parents had pulled out all of the stops to make their little girl’s dreams come true. However, making a break through wasn’t so easy, she had attended numerous auditions and was frequently knocked back, however, her determination became stronger and she succeeded following a chance meeting with a foreign director in an airport bathroom who was new in town. The rest, as they say, was history. Rachel Berry went on to perform in several long running Broadway shows and eventually decided to try her luck in cinema following the encouragement of her family and friends and moreover, her agent.
“So is that why you’ve jumped to the big screen?”Santana asked, taking a swift sip of her drink.
“Why I auditioned for this part is neither here nor there Santana.” Rachel replied.
“You auditioned for this part?” Santana almost spat out her drink in surprise.
“Yes, wait . . .” Rachel held up her hand, “You mean you didn’t?”
“No.” Santana replied flippantly. “I got sent the screenplay months ago.”
“Oh, well congratulations on getting to a point in your career where you can pick and choose what you want to do, however freakishly early that is. I guess sex appeal really does count.”
“Err, thanks?” She asked confused by Rachel’s demeanour.
“Now can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” The Latina replied. She steadied herself with another drink.
“Are you still in love with Brittany?”
“What?” Santana blasted, “that is none of your goddamn business Berry.” Rachel had expected such a retort from the Latina, she took a sip of her own drink and straightened her back.
“Whether you do or you don’t, she’s back in your life and it seems to be a little bit of a distraction for you. I just don’t want the movie to suffer. I should never have suggested she speak to Mike.”
Santana did a double take, having only listened half heartedly she wasn’t entirely sure of what she last heard was true. “You did what?”
“Brittany, she called me, I am not familiar with the details of how she came to be in possession of my number but she asked me about a dancing job on the movie. I told her she should talk to Mike because, well, it’s not really my area of expertise, that would be vocals, as you know.”
“She wanted a part in the movie?” Santana asked.
“I think more accurately Santana, she knew you were in the movie and was trying to find a way to get to you.”
“Why are you telling me this?” the Latina frowned, suspicious of the other girl’s motives.
Rachel pondered for a moment. “It may have something to do with the amount of alcohol I have consumed. However, it may be because I see the way you look at her. You should know the truth Santana, call it fate or what you will, but Brittany played a part in it, she wants you in her life.”
“Wait.” Santana threw her hand up.
“What?” Rachel asked.
“I don’t think I can handle this.” Santana said.
“The fact that Brittany rang around like a billion people and emailed Mike Chang to get onto the movie set so she could inadvertently ‘bump’ into you?” the other girl rushed out. Santana’s eyebrows met her hairline.
“Brittany used email?” she gasped. “Wow, she was serious.”
“This is what I have been trying to tell you.” Rachel sighed dramatically.
“I can’t handle this Berry,” she said waving her hand between the two of them.
“This?”
“Yes, you talking to me about Brittany. It’s between us. Not that there is anything between us, I mean we’re friends. And that is fine.” Santana was trying to convince herself, the look on Rachel’s face indicated to her that the other actress was far from influenced.
“If you say so Santana.”
“I do.” Santana stated just as she felt a hand tugging at her arm. She turned and looked at her intruder, a half scowl in place which softened as she saw Brittany at the other end of that arm. She smiled brightly at the blonde who had always managed to chase her demons away.
“Come and dance San.” Brittany sing-songed.
“No Brit, I’m not in the mood.”
“What?” Brittany said, halting all movement, a look of shock and disdain on her face.
“I don’t want to dance.” Santana stated, knowing how much attention would be drawn to her should she take to the dance floor.
“Pleeeeeaaaaase San, dance with me.” Brittany pleaded, her blue eyes twinkling under the lighting. Santana rolled her eyes, it was the look that had undone her a thousand times before. It was the look Brittany would use to get her way, it had been five long years but some habits never died, nor did the effect it had on the brunette. Santana rolled her eyes and sighed, Brittany knew immediately she was the victor and grabbed the Latina’s hand, pulling her out of the booth and into her side. She slinked her arm around the actress’ waist and dragged her onto the dance floor.
The girls had quickly become the centre of attention, Santana for her popularity and Brittany for her dancing prowess. They were a striking pair, that much was evident, people were swarming with their cameras wanting to take photographs of the Emmy nominee with themselves and with Brittany. The tall blonde was in her element, she lavished the attention and was so proud of her friend. Santana had strived tremendously in her teenage years to become the most popular and fearful girl in school and here she was on the world stage on her way up the celebrity ladder. Santana had been enjoying her dance with Brittany, the smile had been genuine and the girls had laughed and cajoled on the dance floor, much like they had several years ago, not an ounce of awkwardness or nervousness between them. They were the embodiment of best friends. However, the attention Santana was now receiving was making her feel uncomfortable. All she wanted was a night of uninterrupted fun with her friend and now that was being taken away from her. Her face began to adorn her Santana Scowl, it was what Brittany had termed this particular face and the blonde smiled at the memory. She leaned in, her husky voice sending shivers down the Latina’s spine, “You’re Santana Scowl is back.” She smiled, followed by a little laugh, it washed over Santana like a tidal wave. She closed her eyes, willing her mind to stay focused. A moment later she opened them, gazing into brilliant blue eyes. She frowned slightly as Brittany inched towards her, a mischievous glint in her eye, she was all too aware of that look and was left bewildered when her friend planted a sweet swift kiss on the brunette’s lips, just as a flash almost blinded her.