Santana chuckled and squeezed Brittany’s hand as they walked to the kitchen table. “Only the best for the best,” she said. Santana turned around to add something but just now noticed how cute her girlfriend looked in her printed pajamas. “I didn’t say anything,” she smiled, tracing her index over one duck. “You rock them.” She winked at her and turned around to get some glasses and plates out, eager to start eating. She hoped the good food would take Brittany’s mind off that woman’s words. Santana pressed a kiss to Brittany’s cheek, glad that the tear tracks were starting to fade. “I’m really sorry that happened, B…” she said. “But you’re the strongest person I know. This is just a roadblock you’ll get around. Plus… it’s nothing pizza can’t make it better,” she added with a grin as she opened the box.
"You were totally thinking it though!" Brittany giggled, before blushing a little at Santana saying she rocked them. Once Santana kissed her cheek, Brittany nodded and smiled, filling up their glasses and putting the carton away. She would get around the roadblock of what had happened earlier in the evening. It would still hurt a bit, sure. But it was something that Brittany knew she would get around. And with Santana by her side, Brittany knew she could get through anything. As she was about to open her mouth, Brittany's stomach rumbled. "You're absolutely right," she laughed, sitting down and plating herself up a slice and a couple of sticks. Looking up, Brittany couldn't help but smile and reached over and held Santana's hand, "We're a pretty strong pair hey?" she mentioned, thumb rubbing gently over the back of Santana's hand, lifting it up to press a soft kiss to it before beginning to eat her dinner. "And this is soooo good," Brittany moaned appreciatively.
Santana hummed against Brittany’s neck, dropping a few kisses to let her know she was there for her. It was a situation she wasn’t sure how to deal with, but her guts told her they had nothing to be ashamed of. She knew it was true, too. Brittany worked hard for everything she had, and together they worked hard in their relationship. Nothing was easy and these weeks got more and more stressful, but standing by her girlfriend was the most natural thing. Santana wouldn’t let this woman destroy one of Brittany’s dreams. “I know. We hope it never happens to us but when it does… It hurts more than we imagined it would.” Santana was no stranger to discrimination. She was Puerto-Rican and a lesbian; the two didn’t exactly scream privilege in this world. But the worst had been coming from her family. A stranger’s cut never went deeper than her own parents’ hate, but any wound left a scar. She got off the bed, reaching out for her girlfriend’s hand. “C’mon, I’ve got your favorite pizza and some pretty kickass bread sticks…” she said with a soft smile.
Brittany nodded, it definitely had hurt more than she ever thought it would. It hadn't hurt as much as how her own mother had acted, and Brittany couldn't imagine how deep it cut when Santana faced her own parents discrimination. But nonetheless, it had hurt. A lot. She had worked hard to get the job, and Brittany sure as hell wouldn't let this ruin that. And what Brittany and Santana had overcome in their relationship, she was in no way letting anything ever ruin that. When Santana got off the bed, Brittany sighed at the loss of contact. The proximity just had made her feel calmer, but she smiled as her girlfriend held out a hand, and told she had got Brittany's favorite pizza. And of course the best bredstix in the city. "Best. Girlfriend. Ever." Brittany punctuated each word as she got up, meaning it both for dinner, and her words. Noticing Santana eyeing her duck pyjamas, Brittany laughed as they walked hand in hand into the dining area, "What? They're warm and cute and comfy and I bought them ages ago when I used to sleep all on my lonesome coz it would get a little chilly sometimes!" she said in defense, reaching into the fridge to get out some juice. Turning around and noticing Santana had gotten glasses out already, Brittany put the bottle down and smiled. She stepped over to her girlfriend and wrapped her arms over her shoulders, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips, "Thanks for tonight," she simply said.
Santana brushed her thumb over some of Brittany’s tears, confused as to what happened. A mother had approached her to be a homophobic idiot? Santana felt angry just at the thought. Who did this woman think she was? Chicago wasn’t a backward town in the deep south. It was a city with multiple cultures and it was a city with a majority of democratic people. People who didn’t care about two girls holding hands in the street. Of course there were many, many people here and all over the world who firmly believed it wasn’t right, it would be foolish to think otherwise, but for someone to come directly to Brittany and threaten her… That, Santana couldn’t understand. Especially since it wasn’t something that interfered with Brittany’s work. This woman had witnessed a moment outside of university buildings. It was ludicrous she was trying to twist it into something Brittany should be punished for. “Britt… I can’t even begin to understand what this woman is on about. She’s an idiot if she thinks she can get you fired. They’ll laugh in her face.” Santana sighed when she realized this was really upsetting her girlfriend. She wrapped her arms around her back to hold her close. “Look… it sucks that there are still homophobic assholes out there, and it sucks even more she doesn’t realize that the only one who’s gonna lose out on this is her daughter. But you didn’t do anything wrong, B. You’re an amazing teacher, and if she can’t see see past her hate goggles, then she’s the one who needs to take a step back. You’re doing everything right, you have to believe that, baby,” she said, nuzzling her neck.
When Santana hugged Brittany, she unfurled her body a bit, so she could snuggle up closer to her. And Brittany had never been more thankful for Santana than she was then. Her words, her arms around her. They made Brittany just feel better. And everything Santana was saying was right, but it still shook Brittany that someone could just be like that. So blatant and cruel. "You really are amazing, you know that right?" Brittany breathed out when Santana nuzzled her neck. "I mean, I know nothing bad can happen to me, and I'm not doing anything wrong. It just... How she was so cruel and cold about it... It kinda shocked me." Kissing Santana's cheek, Brittany sighed, "Besides, even if they could fire me, they wouldn't. What you said is what they've already told me. That I'm doing a great job with the kids," Brittany said, pride in her voice at the recognition from the faculty so early on, "Plus everyone on the faculty that's met you thinks you're pretty awesome, but they don't even know the half of how awesome you really are," she added sweetly. "I... I knew I would face that kind of discrimination at some point, I just didn't think it would be so soon and like that..."
Talking this out with Santana, it made it feel lighter, and the weight coming off Brittany's shoulders about it. She was able to think past the shock and hurt of what the mom had said to her. "I must be doing something right, I got this job, doing well in classes, and a pretty damn wonderful, thoughtful and loving girlfriend who's still around..." Brittany nodded, her last couple of points a little off topic from what Santana meant. Her senses were kicking in a little again, and she smiled, "And that smells pretty good, what you brought home for dinner. We should eat it before it goes cold. Especially coz you braved the craziness out there to get it!" Brittany smiled, hugging Santana tightly, an appreciative gesture not only for dinner, but for just talking everything out rationally with her and making her feel better.
The snow had started to fall hard again, covering the ice still stuck to the streets. Santana wanted to kick herself for walking to the pizzeria instead of ordering it to be delivered. But her class had been cancelled and she’d been cooped up inside all day. Plus the pizza place gave out free breadstix for pick-ups, and Santana’s stomach had started to grumble at the thought. She had just placed her order when she sent Brittany a text, asking if she was home already. Santana had left her a note just in case, but usually Brittany got back around this time. She hoped her girlfriend was just as hungry, but she usually was after her dance classes. After fifteen minutes, her pizza and stix were boxed and Santana rushed back home as fast as she could without falling on her ass. She embraced the warmth of their building and quickly got inside the apartment. “Babe? I got food,” she sing-songed, placing the pizza on the table. She took her coat and shoes off before looking around the living room for any sign of her girlfriend. There was no doubt she was home judging by her shoes and the fact the door wasn’t locked. Santana walked to the bedroom and her heart dropped into her stomach when she saw Brittany bundled up under the covers, with tear tracks on her cheeks. “Britt what happened?” She asked in panic, rushing to her side.
Brittany hopped out of the shower, not hearing Santana's text as her phone was in her bag still. Once snug under the covers, Brittany curled up with Sparkles and Knight, a million thoughts running through her head. She knew it would all be okay Her job was safe no matter what. The faculty knew she was gay, and had a girlfriend. And the ones that had met Santana thought she was wonderful. And of course, the laws in effect that prevented Brittany getting sacked based on her sexuality. It hit Brittany harder than she thought it ever would. She wasn't naive, she knew she would meet discrimination based on her sexuality at some point. But so soon? It just shook her. Brittany heard Santana come in, and sat up a little, hugging her knees, but didn't get a chance to answer. Before Brittany could compose herself to call out, Santana was in the room and sitting beside her. Brittany hated hearing the panic in her girlfriends voice. So taking in a breath, Brittany explained what happened.
"I was packing up after the class, when a mom came in. Her daughter always forgets things," Brittany chuckled her voice small, "I asked if she had forgotten something, and the mom said that she hadn't and she wanted to talk to me..." Dabbing at her damp eyes with her sleeve, Brittany continued, "She went on to say she was thinking about pulling her daughter out of the class, and I asked why. She said it was because of me and what I was..." Brittany saw the confusion on Santana's face, "Last week she saw us walking down the street after class when you came and met me... And she saw us kiss. I tried to explain it wasn't all of who I was, and that it didn't affect how I teach the kids... And I said about how we talked and agreed we wouldn't be affectionate in the studio or when the kids were around. Not because we're ashamed, coz we're not. But kids ask questions and parents might not know how to explain it to them..." Brittany hugged her knees tighter, and went on.
"Her daughter is amazing, and I said that. She's a beautiful kid, full of talent. And I said it because it's true, not coz I was trying to keep her in the class. She basically said if I don't leave, she'll pull her daughter out or petition for me to be removed..." Brittany said shakily, "And she said she was sure her husband would agree on her stance when she spoke to him..." The tears started trickling down Brittany's cheeks again slowly, "I mean I know I can't be fired because I'm gay and in love with the best woman ever, but it just makes me so angry someone would want to try tear me down when I've done nothing fucking wrong to them!" Brittany's last few words came out in a frustrated tone, and she let out a big sigh as she finished.
Who: Brittany Pierce
Where: Dance school studio
When: One Wednesday evening after a class
Notes: Brittany is finishing cleaning up the studio after a class, when a concerned parent comes in to talk to her...
It had been a couple of weeks since Brittany had started teaching the class of little ones. And at first she was nervous, so very nervous. But after the first class, she felt like it was meant to be. Brittany fell into it so easily, and was already getting praises from the dance school faculty on her way with the kids. And the kids seemed to love Brittany. At the start and end of each class, there were many tight little hugs and kisses on the cheek thrown at Brittany. And praises from the parents too, on her technique with the kids, and her own personal skills when the kids would ask her to show them something at the end of class. And the parents were always complimenting Brittany on her skill and style, and how she worked with the kids.
Overall, it was such a positive. Sure she might have had a heavier workload now, with her normal classwork, and then this extra which included planning classes, but Brittany was managing perfectly fine. And she couldn't thank Santana enough either. Santana, even after long days of her own classes, would either bring a small snack for Brittany before the class started, meet Brittany after class to walk her home, or have dinner ready when she got home. And she listened to Brittany's never ending stories about little kids improving already, and plans for their end of term concert.
After class in her third week, Brittany was just checking the studio before she left, when she heard footsteps come back into the studio. "Ohh hi Elaine, did Kira forget something?" Brittany smiled. Kira was a bright little almost six year old girl, who Brittany loved to teach. She took on instruction well, and was just very naturally talented. "No no, she remembered everything this time," Elaine chuckled, "I actually just wanted to talk to you about something..." she trailed off. And the way Elaine trailed off her words, Brittany was curious. Locking the cupboard that had the sound system, Brittany walked over to Elaine, "What did you want to talk about?"
"I think I'll be pulling Kira out of your class," Elaine replied. That comment made Brittany a little sad, "That's a shame, she's such a sweet kid, and crazy talented. Is it okay if I ask why?" Elaine sighed, "It's because of you. I can't have you teaching her..." Brittany became confused, and furrowed her brow, "Me? I don't mean to be rude in asking, but why?" "It's because of what you are," Elaine stated quite plainly. Brittany was even more confused. What she was? "I'm sorry, I don't understand? What I am?"
"We were in the car leaving last week, and you were walking out of the building, leaving hand in hand with that girl, and you kissed... I can't have my daughter around that," Elaine told, a little more sternly. Brittany was hurt. Torn. It was the first time she had faced any kind of discrimination because of her sexuality (bar what happened with her mom) "Elaine, I understand that you may not agree with the fact I have a girlfriend. But I do. And I know that not everyone is going to agree. Or like it. But it doesn't change who I am, or the way I teach..." "But Brittany, I just can't have her around that. I don't want Kira to be the same..." Brittany sighed sadly, "It's not something you can catch. It's not something I would push on any of the kids in the class. I spoke to Santana and we agreed that we wouldn't share affections in the studio or when the kids were around if she came in here. Not because we're ashamed, because we're definitely not. But because kids ask questions, and they might be questions that parents aren't sure how to answer and explain in a way young kids could understand..." Brittany explained, "I would really hate for Kira to leave the class. She's such a beautiful kid. Amazingly talented. And I'm not just saying that to keep her in the class. I'm saying it because we both know it's true."
"My sexuality doesn't define me or put me in a pile with other gays and lesbians and stereotypes. But it is a part of me, and always has been. I just really hope you don't pull Kira from the class because of my personal life..." "It's either that or I petition the school to have you removed from teaching here." Brittany wanted to cry, scream, just let everything she was feeling out. But she knew it would be unprofessional, and held it all in. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Elaine. The dance school knows I have a girlfriend. And most of the faculty have met her. I was given this position based on my merits, and not for any other reason. And if you do decide to pull Kira from the class, she'll be missed by myself, and the other kids. She's liked amongst the class. But I'm not leaving. I love teaching these kids. It's why I took on the study overload to do it, because I wanted to share my love of dance with the next generation, and hopefully inspire them too," Brittany explained, knowing it wouldn't change Elaine's opinion or belief, but she just had to explain herself.
"You know where I stand, it's either you leave or Kira leaves. I'm sure my husband will feel the same when I talk to him tonight..." Elaine said, turning on her heel and walking out before giving Brittany a chance to speak again. Brittany stood there stunned, shocked. She didn't know what to do. Brittany knew her job would be safe if Elaine did go to the head of the school, as people couldn't be fired based on their sexual orientation. But she was still shaken to the core about the confrontation that had just happened, and it upset her greatly. Brittany held herself together as she finished closing up the studio, and walked outside. She didn't want to break down, not when there were still classes and students around. On the way home, bundled up in her big coat with the hood up, Brittany's tears trickled down her cheek as she sped up, just wanting to get home and hold her girlfriend.
But when Brittany got back to the apartment, Santana was nowhere to be seen, but a single red rose on the table caught her eye, and Brittany wandered over. The rose was accompanied by a note. Just ducked out to get us some kick-ass takeaway, be back soon baby. S <3 Brittany smiled and picked up the rose, and smelled it. She slipped it into a skinny vase with some water, before quickly taking a shower herself. And again, the tears crept out. How could someone hate something like this? Brittany knew this shouldn't have hit her so hard, but she couldn't help it. Bundling up in a pair of warm winter pyjamas covered in little yellow ducks, Brittany curled up on the bed and hugged the pair of stuffed unicorns Santana always gave her a hard time about. She picked up the remote and turned on the TV, hoping to find some mindless comedy to distract her mind a little.
Santana: Well I do know her pretty well... I know all her different smiles and laughs... I know when she's comfortable or embarrassed... And I know when she's being extra cheeky :)
Britt: Sounds like you know her very well indeed. But I get the feeling that you like to have some fun when you know she's embarrassed :')
Britt: And by the sounds of it you're making things up too. The girl you just described couldn't possibly be cheeky at all!
Santana: How could I forget? I promise I will. I'll even take notes if you want me to. Shake my ass? That's pretty inappropriate thinking Miss Pierce, what do you have to say for yourself?
Britt: Take all the notes you can so you're prepared. Miss Lopez, I was merely saying that coming up in lesson 2 you would be the one dancing. Maybe I should have said it differently so you wouldn't feel so uncomfortable?
Santana: Oh don't worry I'll be watching very closely. In fact, you can do all the dancing, and I'll be in the corner... learning a lot.
Britt: Excuse you, remember who the teacher is here... But I think that for the first lesson that is a pretty genius idea. As long as you watch very intently and learn a lot, coz lesson two, your ass is gonna be shaking ;)
Santana: I'm sure I'll find a way to pay you on time as well...
Santana: Never heard of that type of dance before, but you're the teacher after all... I'll make sure to wear something I can take off easy. But wait a minute there, are you trying to sweet-talk a student?
Britt: We'll discuss the payment thing when I get home...
Britt: Ohh but I didn't tell you the style of dance yet. Buuut coz I'm such a nice teacher I'll tell you. See, in one of my classes we've been doing a bit of burlesque... See why I said it might get a bit hot? And yeah, unashamedly sweet-talking a student. Hard not to when the student is sweet-talking the teacher...
