How deep the bullet lies - Chapter 6
Characters: Quinn, Santana, Brittany Pairing: Santana/Brittany Rating: NC-17 Words: ~2760 Spoilers: none Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Summary: At long last Santana and Brittany meet and the drama rolls in. Not fluffy! A/N: This chapter has not been beta-read. I apologise for any mistakes. This is a little longer than the other chapters. - Please comment. chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter3 chapter 4 chapter 5 Chapter 7
"You don't want to hurt me. But see how deep the bullet lies. Unaware, I'm tearing you asunder. There is thunder in our hearts." -K. Bush , “Running up that hill”
Santana had resisted the urge to binge drink at Hectors. Instead she had a light dinner, settled for two glasses of wine and played the piano. She was acutely aware that every new song she started on was just postponing going home. She had been making up speeches in her head all day. Each had been discarded. What do you say to someone you almost killed? “Oops! Sorry!” No?
Time was ticking away. If she was going to show up she’d better not stall it any longer. It would be too impolite and it would inevitably result in her having to face the wrath of Quinn Fabray. A none too appealing prospect. Arguing with a litigation lawyer was a punishing experience. Sometimes it made her so frustrated she felt that it would only be on equal terms if she could utilise her work instrument too, namely a scalpel.
* * *
It had been a long time since Santana had been in a love. She had been loved but she had been unable to return the feelings. No wonder none of her relationships had lasted. In the end she had stopped trying. Non-committal one night stands and holiday flings had been her sources of intimacy. She had Quinn for companionship. She was content with her situation. There were times when she wished for more, for there to someday be someone she loved and adored, but she didn’t expect it to happen.
She paid the driver and slowly walked towards the door. Taking a moment she drew in a deep breath before stepping inside.
* * *
Hearing the door open Quinn’s stomach flipped. “Here we go!” she thought.
Santana put her purse down on the hall cabinet and walked into the kitchen. Brittany and Quinn were seated at the table. They appeared to just have finished dessert. Santana stopped. She looked at Brittany. No, she stared at Brittany. From her seat at the theatre Santana had never seen Brittany up close. Now she could see that she had become a gorgeously beautiful woman. Her features had matured, giving her face more character. Her skin was tan and her body lean and strong. She felt a smile forming on her face.
“Britt…”
Brittany rose from her chair and walked up to Santana. They embraced. Santana drew in the scent of Brittany. It was intoxicating. Brittany’s body felt both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Santana fought hard to hold back tears that threatened to spill at any second. It was hard to believe she was holding Brittany in her arms again. Her body had ached for this moment since they were eighteen. She lightly pressed her lips to the blonde’s cheek.
“Hi!” Brittany smiled and put her hands on Santana’s shoulders. She took a small step back.
“Let me look at you.” Brittany looked her up and down. “Hot as ever!” she beamed.
Brittany looked at Santana. She really was hot as ever but she looked different. She looked so… So down-town- professional in her business suit. The jacket was perfectly tailored and showed off her straight shoulders. The skirt was just tight enough and just short enough to show off her fantastic figure but still stayed securely on the side of very good taste. The silk shirt looked smooth, smart and expensive. Santana wore silver hoop earrings, a ring on each hand and a bracelet around her right wrist.
Her big brown eyes looked a little tired but they still seemed to sparkle as Brittany held her gaze.
“It’s good to see you Santana. It’s been such a long time”, she emphasised the word “such”.
“It’s been such a long time”, Santana repeated. She smiled but her voice sounded a little sad.
* * *
Quinn looked at the two women. How they stared at each other. She hadn’t seen that look in Santana’s eyes for so many years.
‘Oh my god. They still love each other’, she thought to herself.
“Listen, why don’t I clear away the dishes and you two take a walk along the beach? It’s a nice night for it and I think you have a bit of catching up to do”, she said smiling encouraging at them.
Santana looked at Brittany and Quinn could tell she was asking the question with her eyes “Shall we take a walk on the beach?” They could obviously still do it, that silent communication. Brittany smiled and nodded almost unnoticeably.
“Let me just get changed.” Santana disappeared upstairs.
“I can’t tell you how great it is to see you two together. It warms my heart. Truly.” Quinn put a hand on Brittany’s shoulder. “You ok?”
“Yeah. It’s a little overwhelming though.” Brittany paused. “Quinn, she’s so beautiful.” Brittany bit her lip just like she used to do when they were in high school.
“Yes, she is”, Quinn agreed.
“She looks so grown up and professional. It’s a little intimidating.”
“Sweetie, it’s the power suit.” Quinn chuckled a little but then she turned serious again. “Britt, this is a big deal to her. Will you please stop her if she starts beating up on herself? I know I sound like mother goose but I’m just really protective of her.”
“The last thing I ever wanted, want, is for Santana is to hurt.”
As Brittany finished her sentence, Santana returned downstairs wearing a pair of old faded jeans and a plain loose cotton shirt. Her hair was tied back in a bun. Brittany felt weak at the knees.
Quinn watched them leave together. She couldn’t help thinking they had lost so many years. Not that they were together now, nor did she know if they ever would be but she couldn’t help hoping. Santana deserved love and happiness and no one could seem to bring her that like Brittany once had. Maybe she could do it again.
* * *
They walked in silence for several minutes. The ocean rolled in and sprayed a salty mist over them. There was a light evening breeze but the air was still warm.
Tentatively Brittany took Santana’s hand. Santana looked at their entangled fingers before looking up at Brittany’s face. They still didn’t say anything, just kept walking along, hand in hand.
Santana felt herself relax a little. It was strangely comfortable to just exist, together with Brittany. Like when they were teenagers. It was like the years and the continent had never separated them. Brittany’s hand felt like it belonged in hers.
“San, I want to go for a swim!” Brittany’s face had lit up. “Come swim with me!”
“But.. Britt, we don’t have any swim suits!”
“So swim in your underwear! It’s dark, no one will notice.” Brittany said and started unzipping her dress.
Santana looked around the beach but there was no one in sight.
“Fuck it!” she thought to herself and reached for the button in her jeans.
Brittany had already left her clothes in a pile in the sand and was dashing for the ocean. Shrieking she ran out into the water and when it reached her thighs, she dived in. Santana followed after. The water was beautifully refreshing. Brittany swam with long strong strokes while Santana watched her.
“Isn’t it great?” Brittany spluttered slightly out of breath. “I’d go swimming all the time if I lived in a beach house. Do you?”
“Not really. We did at first but then when you know that you can do it at any time something else always seems more important.”
Santana started making her way towards land. She was cold and it was hard to talk treading water. And having Brittany close to her in her underwear was distracting even if she couldn’t see it.
* * *
Summer in Lima was a hot and sticky affair. There was hardly ever any breeze. Santana lay on a deckchair watching Brittany ascend out of the pool. Her wet skin glistened in the bright sunlight. Santana took in the image of the tall bikini clad frame. Brittany moved with feline grace. Santana felt her chest constrict with the realisation that she needed Brittany like she needed air, like the blood in her veins wouldn’t circulate without her. And she was so fucking beautiful.
* * *
They stood on the beach trying to dry off a little on their clothes before putting them on. Santana caught Brittany looking at the damp shirt clinging to her chest. It sent a small jolt through her body. Brittany looked away quickly, realising she’d been caught.
Santana wanted to say it was ok. Brittany was welcome to look all she wanted. She could take the shirt off, take the bra off and look, touch, taste or do whatever she liked. But of course she didn’t.
* * *
They continued their silent walk. There was so much Santana wanted to say, so much she wanted to tell Brittany. Millions of explanations, apologies, confessions and random memories but no words made it past her lips. Where would she start? Instead she walked quietly alongside the woman she had thought of so often through the years, wondering what she was doing, what she looked like, whose arms she was in. ‘I have no right’, she thought. ‘I’ve forfeited my claim.’
“I thought about trying to find you so many times. I wanted to call you just to hear your voice but I could never think of an excuse good enough. Then the years went by and even when I did have something to tell you it seemed like too much time had passed. You’d think it strange that I’d suddenly call you to tell you something random”, Brittany suddenly spoke.
Santana’s hand took Brittany’s and squeezed it lightly.
“But even so, you’re a part of me. Even if I wanted to I could never separate you from me. It would be like taking out my liver or something.”
At this Santana had to smile.
“Your liver, huh? I’ve heard people compare me to various things but never ever to something as important to them as their own liver. Thank you. I will take that as a compliment.”
Brittany stopped and looked at Santana.
“Santana, are we strangers or are we us? I don’t know how to act. Should I make small talk until we get back to the house and politely thank you and Quinn for a lovely evening before I drive off and pretend I never saw you?”
Santana ‘s hand squeezed hers tighter. She wanted to say that of course they were “us”. She was so tired of carrying the past like a weight around her neck. It had eaten her alive since she was eighteen years old. But she didn’t know how to get rid of it. She wanted to reach out but how?
“I think that would probably be best for your sake”, Santana said quietly.
“So what do you think if I do this?”
Brittany swiftly closed the distance between them, put her hand at the back of Santana’s neck and kissed her. It didn’t last long and was almost chaste.
Santana stood perfectly still with her eyes closed. The feeling of Brittany’s lips pressed to hers lingered. Did it really happen? She put her fingers to her lips to touch them where Brittany had been.
When she opened her eyes again she met Brittany’s gaze searching her face for answers. She looked away.
“I can’t. God knows I want to! But I can’t.” Tears rolled down her face. “That’s how fucked up I have become. I’m no use to you any more Britt. The girl you loved when you were in high school doesn’t exist anymore.” Santana sounded defeated.
“I’d like to decide for myself what I have use for and I’m not looking for that girl, San”, Brittany said gently.
“I would only end up hurting you. I can’t do that Brittany. You were the most precious thing that was ever in my life. I can’t have you hurt anymore because of me. I couldn’t do that to you so I can’t be in your life.”
“Did you not hear me? I just told you that you are a part of me. Evidently, whether I see you or not. And Santana, I’m not eighteen. I see you now and my heart nearly stops. Even if we’d never met and I saw you in the street, I would turn my head and stare until you were out of sight. And you’re smart and witty. You say the high school girl doesn’t exist anymore. That’s true but the promise of who she’d become stands before me and it took me all of thirty seconds to realise I love her, just like I always knew I would. I’ve known since I was ten years old! So she’s a little sadder and wearier than I imagined but I don’t fucking care!” Brittany said in a raised voice.
“Please don’t let me walk away again. Please Santana.” The plea sounded so desperate it broke Santana’s heart a little more. “And do you know what? I think you love me too. Scratch that, I know you love me.”
Brittany kissed Santana again. Hungrily she pried her lips open with her tongue until Santana gave in and responded. They pressed their bodies hard against each other. Hands roamed and breaths quickened.
Santana’s head swooned. Brittany’s arms felt so good around her, the sound of Brittany’s fast excited breathing spread a warm feeling in her body that settled between her legs and it was so tempting to just surrender and let go. With her last shred of will power she broke away.
“Please Santana.” Brittany’s face was wet with tears. “Please. Let me love you at least for tonight. I’ve missed you so much!” She closed her eyes and drew in a ragged breath. “Do you remember at that party when you told me you didn’t want my charity fucks?” Santana winced. She remembered. How could she forget? “Will you touch me one last time, if for no other reason than charity?”
Santana felt like she had been gutted. Like a fish. Cut open completely and had all her insides ripped out in one foul swoop.
‘Isn’t love grand?’ she thought bitterly to herself as she took a few steps towards Brittany.
She put her hand up Brittany’s dress and pulled down her still wet underwear to midway down her thighs. Brittany spread her legs a little allowing Santana’s hand to reach all the way up. Without looking at the blonde she wet two fingers and pushed them all the way in. Brittany’s knees gave way a little and she groaned loudly.
“Must… lie down..” she gasped.
Santana lay them down in the sand, holding Brittany close to her with one arm, her other hand’s fingers still inside Brittany. She started to move them. Was it muscle memory or just instinct? She just knew what to do, where to press, when to go faster, how to move her hand. After only a short while she heard Brittany draw in a sharp breath and she knew that meant her orgasm was on its way. Brittany’s body arched up and she breathed “I missed you, I missed you, I missed you”, over and over again until she stilled and lay there weeping quietly.
Santana cried so hard her whole body convulsed. She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move. She could barely breathe.
She had never felt more contempt for anyone or anything than she felt for herself now.
Eventually she managed to roll away so that she had her back to Brittany. She curled up into a foetal position while her tears stained the sand.
They lay there in the sea-scented darkness listening to the waves. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked.
After what seemed like an eternity Brittany spoke.
“I will carry the feeling of your hands on my skin with me forever”, she said quietly in a calm voice. “I will always remember your touch. Every lover I will ever lay down with will always be compared to you and never even come close. I will let the memory of the setting of… this… fade, but I will remember what it felt like to lie in your arms.”
Santana heard Brittany rise and walk away.
‘Yo también te he extrañado’, she whispered into the dark.
"You don't want to hurt me. But see how deep the bullet lies. Unaware, I'm tearing you asunder. There is thunder in our hearts." -K. Bush , “Running up that hill”
Santana had resisted the urge to binge drink at Hectors. Instead she had a light dinner, settled for two glasses of wine and played the piano. She was acutely aware that every new song she started on was just postponing going home. She had been making up speeches in her head all day. Each had been discarded. What do you say to someone you almost killed? “Oops! Sorry!” No?
Time was ticking away. If she was going to show up she’d better not stall it any longer. It would be too impolite and it would inevitably result in her having to face the wrath of Quinn Fabray. A none too appealing prospect. Arguing with a litigation lawyer was a punishing experience. Sometimes it made her so frustrated she felt that it would only be on equal terms if she could utilise her work instrument too, namely a scalpel.
* * *
It had been a long time since Santana had been in a love. She had been loved but she had been unable to return the feelings. No wonder none of her relationships had lasted. In the end she had stopped trying. Non-committal one night stands and holiday flings had been her sources of intimacy. She had Quinn for companionship. She was content with her situation. There were times when she wished for more, for there to someday be someone she loved and adored, but she didn’t expect it to happen.
She paid the driver and slowly walked towards the door. Taking a moment she drew in a deep breath before stepping inside.
* * *
Hearing the door open Quinn’s stomach flipped. “Here we go!” she thought.
Santana put her purse down on the hall cabinet and walked into the kitchen. Brittany and Quinn were seated at the table. They appeared to just have finished dessert. Santana stopped. She looked at Brittany. No, she stared at Brittany. From her seat at the theatre Santana had never seen Brittany up close. Now she could see that she had become a gorgeously beautiful woman. Her features had matured, giving her face more character. Her skin was tan and her body lean and strong. She felt a smile forming on her face.
“Britt…”
Brittany rose from her chair and walked up to Santana. They embraced. Santana drew in the scent of Brittany. It was intoxicating. Brittany’s body felt both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Santana fought hard to hold back tears that threatened to spill at any second. It was hard to believe she was holding Brittany in her arms again. Her body had ached for this moment since they were eighteen. She lightly pressed her lips to the blonde’s cheek.
“Hi!” Brittany smiled and put her hands on Santana’s shoulders. She took a small step back.
“Let me look at you.” Brittany looked her up and down. “Hot as ever!” she beamed.
Brittany looked at Santana. She really was hot as ever but she looked different. She looked so… So down-town- professional in her business suit. The jacket was perfectly tailored and showed off her straight shoulders. The skirt was just tight enough and just short enough to show off her fantastic figure but still stayed securely on the side of very good taste. The silk shirt looked smooth, smart and expensive. Santana wore silver hoop earrings, a ring on each hand and a bracelet around her right wrist.
Her big brown eyes looked a little tired but they still seemed to sparkle as Brittany held her gaze.
“It’s good to see you Santana. It’s been such a long time”, she emphasised the word “such”.
“It’s been such a long time”, Santana repeated. She smiled but her voice sounded a little sad.
* * *
Quinn looked at the two women. How they stared at each other. She hadn’t seen that look in Santana’s eyes for so many years.
‘Oh my god. They still love each other’, she thought to herself.
“Listen, why don’t I clear away the dishes and you two take a walk along the beach? It’s a nice night for it and I think you have a bit of catching up to do”, she said smiling encouraging at them.
Santana looked at Brittany and Quinn could tell she was asking the question with her eyes “Shall we take a walk on the beach?” They could obviously still do it, that silent communication. Brittany smiled and nodded almost unnoticeably.
“Let me just get changed.” Santana disappeared upstairs.
“I can’t tell you how great it is to see you two together. It warms my heart. Truly.” Quinn put a hand on Brittany’s shoulder. “You ok?”
“Yeah. It’s a little overwhelming though.” Brittany paused. “Quinn, she’s so beautiful.” Brittany bit her lip just like she used to do when they were in high school.
“Yes, she is”, Quinn agreed.
“She looks so grown up and professional. It’s a little intimidating.”
“Sweetie, it’s the power suit.” Quinn chuckled a little but then she turned serious again. “Britt, this is a big deal to her. Will you please stop her if she starts beating up on herself? I know I sound like mother goose but I’m just really protective of her.”
“The last thing I ever wanted, want, is for Santana is to hurt.”
As Brittany finished her sentence, Santana returned downstairs wearing a pair of old faded jeans and a plain loose cotton shirt. Her hair was tied back in a bun. Brittany felt weak at the knees.
Quinn watched them leave together. She couldn’t help thinking they had lost so many years. Not that they were together now, nor did she know if they ever would be but she couldn’t help hoping. Santana deserved love and happiness and no one could seem to bring her that like Brittany once had. Maybe she could do it again.
* * *
They walked in silence for several minutes. The ocean rolled in and sprayed a salty mist over them. There was a light evening breeze but the air was still warm.
Tentatively Brittany took Santana’s hand. Santana looked at their entangled fingers before looking up at Brittany’s face. They still didn’t say anything, just kept walking along, hand in hand.
Santana felt herself relax a little. It was strangely comfortable to just exist, together with Brittany. Like when they were teenagers. It was like the years and the continent had never separated them. Brittany’s hand felt like it belonged in hers.
“San, I want to go for a swim!” Brittany’s face had lit up. “Come swim with me!”
“But.. Britt, we don’t have any swim suits!”
“So swim in your underwear! It’s dark, no one will notice.” Brittany said and started unzipping her dress.
Santana looked around the beach but there was no one in sight.
“Fuck it!” she thought to herself and reached for the button in her jeans.
Brittany had already left her clothes in a pile in the sand and was dashing for the ocean. Shrieking she ran out into the water and when it reached her thighs, she dived in. Santana followed after. The water was beautifully refreshing. Brittany swam with long strong strokes while Santana watched her.
“Isn’t it great?” Brittany spluttered slightly out of breath. “I’d go swimming all the time if I lived in a beach house. Do you?”
“Not really. We did at first but then when you know that you can do it at any time something else always seems more important.”
Santana started making her way towards land. She was cold and it was hard to talk treading water. And having Brittany close to her in her underwear was distracting even if she couldn’t see it.
* * *
Summer in Lima was a hot and sticky affair. There was hardly ever any breeze. Santana lay on a deckchair watching Brittany ascend out of the pool. Her wet skin glistened in the bright sunlight. Santana took in the image of the tall bikini clad frame. Brittany moved with feline grace. Santana felt her chest constrict with the realisation that she needed Brittany like she needed air, like the blood in her veins wouldn’t circulate without her. And she was so fucking beautiful.
* * *
They stood on the beach trying to dry off a little on their clothes before putting them on. Santana caught Brittany looking at the damp shirt clinging to her chest. It sent a small jolt through her body. Brittany looked away quickly, realising she’d been caught.
Santana wanted to say it was ok. Brittany was welcome to look all she wanted. She could take the shirt off, take the bra off and look, touch, taste or do whatever she liked. But of course she didn’t.
* * *
They continued their silent walk. There was so much Santana wanted to say, so much she wanted to tell Brittany. Millions of explanations, apologies, confessions and random memories but no words made it past her lips. Where would she start? Instead she walked quietly alongside the woman she had thought of so often through the years, wondering what she was doing, what she looked like, whose arms she was in. ‘I have no right’, she thought. ‘I’ve forfeited my claim.’
“I thought about trying to find you so many times. I wanted to call you just to hear your voice but I could never think of an excuse good enough. Then the years went by and even when I did have something to tell you it seemed like too much time had passed. You’d think it strange that I’d suddenly call you to tell you something random”, Brittany suddenly spoke.
Santana’s hand took Brittany’s and squeezed it lightly.
“But even so, you’re a part of me. Even if I wanted to I could never separate you from me. It would be like taking out my liver or something.”
At this Santana had to smile.
“Your liver, huh? I’ve heard people compare me to various things but never ever to something as important to them as their own liver. Thank you. I will take that as a compliment.”
Brittany stopped and looked at Santana.
“Santana, are we strangers or are we us? I don’t know how to act. Should I make small talk until we get back to the house and politely thank you and Quinn for a lovely evening before I drive off and pretend I never saw you?”
Santana ‘s hand squeezed hers tighter. She wanted to say that of course they were “us”. She was so tired of carrying the past like a weight around her neck. It had eaten her alive since she was eighteen years old. But she didn’t know how to get rid of it. She wanted to reach out but how?
“I think that would probably be best for your sake”, Santana said quietly.
“So what do you think if I do this?”
Brittany swiftly closed the distance between them, put her hand at the back of Santana’s neck and kissed her. It didn’t last long and was almost chaste.
Santana stood perfectly still with her eyes closed. The feeling of Brittany’s lips pressed to hers lingered. Did it really happen? She put her fingers to her lips to touch them where Brittany had been.
When she opened her eyes again she met Brittany’s gaze searching her face for answers. She looked away.
“I can’t. God knows I want to! But I can’t.” Tears rolled down her face. “That’s how fucked up I have become. I’m no use to you any more Britt. The girl you loved when you were in high school doesn’t exist anymore.” Santana sounded defeated.
“I’d like to decide for myself what I have use for and I’m not looking for that girl, San”, Brittany said gently.
“I would only end up hurting you. I can’t do that Brittany. You were the most precious thing that was ever in my life. I can’t have you hurt anymore because of me. I couldn’t do that to you so I can’t be in your life.”
“Did you not hear me? I just told you that you are a part of me. Evidently, whether I see you or not. And Santana, I’m not eighteen. I see you now and my heart nearly stops. Even if we’d never met and I saw you in the street, I would turn my head and stare until you were out of sight. And you’re smart and witty. You say the high school girl doesn’t exist anymore. That’s true but the promise of who she’d become stands before me and it took me all of thirty seconds to realise I love her, just like I always knew I would. I’ve known since I was ten years old! So she’s a little sadder and wearier than I imagined but I don’t fucking care!” Brittany said in a raised voice.
“Please don’t let me walk away again. Please Santana.” The plea sounded so desperate it broke Santana’s heart a little more. “And do you know what? I think you love me too. Scratch that, I know you love me.”
Brittany kissed Santana again. Hungrily she pried her lips open with her tongue until Santana gave in and responded. They pressed their bodies hard against each other. Hands roamed and breaths quickened.
Santana’s head swooned. Brittany’s arms felt so good around her, the sound of Brittany’s fast excited breathing spread a warm feeling in her body that settled between her legs and it was so tempting to just surrender and let go. With her last shred of will power she broke away.
“Please Santana.” Brittany’s face was wet with tears. “Please. Let me love you at least for tonight. I’ve missed you so much!” She closed her eyes and drew in a ragged breath. “Do you remember at that party when you told me you didn’t want my charity fucks?” Santana winced. She remembered. How could she forget? “Will you touch me one last time, if for no other reason than charity?”
Santana felt like she had been gutted. Like a fish. Cut open completely and had all her insides ripped out in one foul swoop.
‘Isn’t love grand?’ she thought bitterly to herself as she took a few steps towards Brittany.
She put her hand up Brittany’s dress and pulled down her still wet underwear to midway down her thighs. Brittany spread her legs a little allowing Santana’s hand to reach all the way up. Without looking at the blonde she wet two fingers and pushed them all the way in. Brittany’s knees gave way a little and she groaned loudly.
“Must… lie down..” she gasped.
Santana lay them down in the sand, holding Brittany close to her with one arm, her other hand’s fingers still inside Brittany. She started to move them. Was it muscle memory or just instinct? She just knew what to do, where to press, when to go faster, how to move her hand. After only a short while she heard Brittany draw in a sharp breath and she knew that meant her orgasm was on its way. Brittany’s body arched up and she breathed “I missed you, I missed you, I missed you”, over and over again until she stilled and lay there weeping quietly.
Santana cried so hard her whole body convulsed. She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move. She could barely breathe.
She had never felt more contempt for anyone or anything than she felt for herself now.
Eventually she managed to roll away so that she had her back to Brittany. She curled up into a foetal position while her tears stained the sand.
They lay there in the sea-scented darkness listening to the waves. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked.
After what seemed like an eternity Brittany spoke.
“I will carry the feeling of your hands on my skin with me forever”, she said quietly in a calm voice. “I will always remember your touch. Every lover I will ever lay down with will always be compared to you and never even come close. I will let the memory of the setting of… this… fade, but I will remember what it felt like to lie in your arms.”
Santana heard Brittany rise and walk away.
‘Yo también te he extrañado’, she whispered into the dark.