Title: We’re Not Hiding, You Just Don’t See
Word Count: ~1,400
Rating: Teen
Content Notes: no major archive warnings apply
Pairing/characters: Quinn Fabray/Brittany Pierce/Santana Lopez
Spoilers: Vague for the series.
Summary: Four times the Unholy Trinity were just besties and one time someone figured it out.
Author’s Notes: originally written for the fan_flashworks Five Things challenge. Unbeta’d, all mistakes are my own.


Rachel
Rachel barely gave them a glance as she stormed in to the choir room. Santana had Quinn’s hands in her lap, painting her nails Cheerio red in defiance of Sue’s rules (the boosters pay for a proprietary color blend). Rachel started bemoaning the team’s sad lack of work ethic, which Finn, as leader, should address, pausing only when Santana’s laughter cut through whatever she was about to say.

Rachel turned, expecting to see that look on Santana’s face that means she’s about to say something extremely cutting, to find Brittany ‘helping’ Quinn get up to sit back down in her lap so that Santana could finish Quinn’s nails. Rachel rolled her eyes at this further evidence of her teammates’ view of the glee club as inconsequential and turned back to Finn.

Tina
The bus ride home from the exhibition was quiet. They’d worked out most of their exuberance in the first hour, and with three more to go before they even hit the Mckinley parking lot, everyone eventually settled down to try to sleep, or read, or just listen to music.

Tina always put Mike on the inside of their shared seat; it allowed her to lean out into the aisle to gossip with Mercedes and Kurt.

She had taken off her headphones and was rummaging through her bag for her other ipod when she heard Quinn and Brittany murmuring in the seat behind her. Curious, Tina looked back and across the aisle to where Quinn had been the last time she’d looked; Santana was asleep, propped against the pile of garment bags with a Cheerios letter jacket across her legs.

Tina quietly stretched just enough to peer over the back of her seat, to check on Brittany and Quinn. They were sharing an ipod and Brittany had her head on Quinn’s shoulder, half-laying on her, really. Brittany suddenly craned her neck just enough to brush a kiss to Quinn’s jaw, which made Quinn wrinkle her nose and shake her head. Brittany smiled up at Quinn and picked up the ipod to scroll through the songs.

Tina eased back down and settled against Mike’s side comfortably. She considered offering to share music with him, but their musical tastes were so different, it didn’t usually work. Mike slipped his arm around her shoulders and smiled at her. She kissed his cheek and snuggled closer, preparing to sleep the rest of the ride home.

Sam
He couldn’t help himself; after that hilarious speech, Sam had to hug Santana. And she’s tiny, so it only seemed natural to pick her up. He’s probably always going to be her Trouty Mouth, just a little.

These people, they meant as much to him as his blood family. So he didn’t miss the arm Quinn slipped around Santana’s waist after he put her down. Rachel had told him about the Troubletones (and Quinn’s rejection from them), and he was a little bummed that he didn’t get to spend more time with Mercedes, but seeing that, he suddenly realized he might not be the only person in New Directions missing the Troubletones ladies.

A few days later, he got to Spanish really early (mystery meat Wednesdays had not gotten better in his absence) and walked in on Quinn and Santana bent over a magazine, arguing quietly about something. They both looked up almost guiltily when he walked in.

“We’ll talk about this later,” Santana said. She slipped the magazine into her bag and Sam caught a look at the cover, it was a jewelry catalog. Quinn rolled her eyes at Santana’s back and unnecessarily smoothed her skirt as Sam took his seat.
“We’re splitting the cost of a Christmas present for Brittany,” she offered.
He nodded. “Cool.” It made sense; they already had those expensive-looking friendship bracelets and he’d seen Quinn sporting one recently. “I’m sure she’ll love whatever you two agree on.”
“I’m sure she will,” Quinn said quietly. “It’s the agreeing part that we’re stuck on.”
“Well, I’m happy you three are still friends, even after the Troubletones split.”
“Of course.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she fished it out. Sam watched Quinn’s face as she read the text. Real affection, her real smile, flashed across her face; he pulled out his homework while she responded. Quinn needed good friends in her corner and he’s glad she can count on Santana and Brittany.

Kurt
He walks to the back of the library for a specific book and turns the corner to find Brittany and Santana making out at the table he’s sure the librarian isn’t aware of. She’s never seen this far back and Kurt knows for a fact that Puck takes his third period nap here every day.

Kurt rolls his eyes and crouches down to search for his book; he only had half of the citation he needed for his History paper. He’s almost certain it was on the bottom shelf here.

“Guys, really?” He swivels just enough to see Quinn, hands on hips, head cocked to the side, amused smile on her face, attempting to glare at her friends. “Two minutes and you can’t keep your tongues out of each other’s mouths?”
“I’ll put my tongue in your mouth, Q.” Santana laughs, scooting her chair away from Brittany’s and pulling her papers back in front of her.

Quinn laughs, quietly, still mindful of the nearly-absent librarian and takes her seat across from Brittany. “Maybe later. I need to finish this.”

Kurt, having located his book, quietly retreats back to his desk. For a vocal, devout Christian, Quinn has never been anything but supportive of him, and Blaine, and Santana, and Brittany. It’s never occurred to him before now to wonder why. He’s just thankful for another ally, honestly.

+1 Puck
Puck and Brittany had almost the same schedule, so when she was in a bad mood, he got to see it all day. By fifth period, she was absolutely sullen, laying across the table, spinning her phone in circles, waiting for it to do something. (Of course she won’t fail, she’s a Cheerio.)

Fifth period was History, so it wasn’t like he was going to pay attention anyway. Now that Santana and Brittany were finally dating openly, Puck felt it was his obligation, as a dude they’d both slept with, to be their bro.

“‘s wrong, Britt?” he asked after the fourth spin.
“Quinn’s sick today,” she sighed, spinning her phone again.
“So?” Puck shrugged. “Santana’s here. It’s not like you’re alone.”
Brittany rolled her eyes and needlessly checked her phone. “I miss her.”

Puck sat back in his chair and cast a speculative glance at Brittany. The last time he’d seen her like this was when she and Santana had that big fight last year.
“You and Satan aren’t fighting, are you?” he hazarded, better to get the easy part over with.
Brittany shook her head. “No.” She pulled herself off of the table to slouch in her chair. “I know Quinn’s sick and she’s supposed to sleep to get better, but I asked her if Santana and I could come over after school and she hasn’t said anything yet.”
Puck shrugged again. “Go over anyway. You two are the closest thing she has to a boyfriend right now. She’ll love it.” They’d actually been acting like real friends, closer than before Babygate even.

Brittany smirked and pulled out her phone to tap out a quick message. “You’re right.”

“Wait. Hold up.” Puck scooted his chair closer to Brittany; that smug look meant he got something right. “You two are dating her, aren’t you?” he hissed. “Holy shit. That makes a lot of sense.”
Brittany looked at him like he was crazy, but she didn’t deny it. That was all the confirmation Puck needed to know he was right.
“Good for you,” he said. “She’s toned down the crazy; if that’s because she got dragged into a threesome, even better.” He pulled his History book closer to him to use as a pillow. “Just don’t let her walk all over you,” he warned her.
“Not really a problem,” Brittany said quietly, tapping on her phone again and smirking knowingly. And that, right there, was too much. He could be cool with all three of them together, he just didn’t really want to know about it. Not his business anymore.