WHAT: Tragedy, in conjunction with the March/April fear task
WARNINGS: Um, well, it’s a fire
When Sam's dad had lost his job and the Evans' world was turned upside down, Sam had learned a few things. One, when push comes to shove, your boss isn't your friend and is only looking out for himself. Two, there wasn't a household chore that couldn't be done by a teenager - laundry, dishes, child care, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And three, perhaps most importantly, there was nothing scarier than not having a home.
As an adult, those lessons had helped him. He knew to treat the school principal and superintendent with respect, to stay in their good graces, but to let his job performance be the thing they worried about the most. He kept a clean house and could easily cook for himself and any guests he had. And he hadn't moved out of his parent's house until he had a few months extra rent saved in the bank.
He felt as though he’d barely been asleep when a beeping woke him up. Sam reached for his phone to shut off his alarm. 1:06am. Not an alarm. He squeezed his eyes shut tight, focusing on the noise to identify before his eyes popped open again. It was a smoke detector. Just what he needed, a good night’s sleep ruined by malfunctioning hardware. Pushing away his blankets, Sam moved towards the bedroom door.
His senses waking up as he moved, he suddenly noticed the crackling, the smell of burning, of smoke. It was all coming together. Making his way down the hallway, he could see it. Mostly. The smoke was heavy but the bright orange of flames was undeniable. It was mesmerizing. Despite knowing he should be running for the front door, there was part of him that was stuck just wanting to watch.
Sirens got louder. Red and white lights reflected on the walls. He snapped from his trance at the noise, coughing from the smoke as he made his way to the door. It busted open, Connor taking charge and helping him out of the building and out to the street while others presumably checked for anyone else in the house. Matt met them near the truck, there were words spoken but they didn’t stick. Sam wasn’t even sure if he answered. Finally an ambulance arrived, and he was passed off to an EMT for inspection.
Sitting in the back of the rig, he let himself be manipulated so his vitals could be checked. He held the oxygen mask to his face, breathing slowly as instructed. He “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am”ed his way through a list of questions. But Sam’s focus was singular.
As it turned out, life lessons didn’t stop life from happening. His working relationship with his bosses' didn't keep his belongings from being destroyed. His ability to keep three square meals a day on the table didn't provide any comfort as Sam watched a crew of firefighters combat the blaze before it spread to the neighbor' houses too. Money in the bank didn’t stop his house from burning. It didn’t stop him from not having a home.
QUINN: Perfection. Everything had to be perfect. This was one of those moments in life where you'd be remembering it for years, if something went wrong it would be the one part you'd focus on. Perfection was one of the things causing an undercurrent of anxiety through Quinn for the past month, if not longer. She'd always been aware of Rachel's twenty-five year plan and how Quinn slotted into it. She knew that engagement was on the cards, she'd been thinking about it herself shortly before she was aware of the fact Rachel was considering it. She still had so many things she should work out before she got engaged to a woman her family didn't even know about. She briefly wonders why shes even doing it today, but in her heart she knows that the only girl she'd ever want to marry is Rachel. Shes the perfect matching puzzle piece that Quinn was missing- despite there will forever be the missing piece where Lily should be- and it completes her. Rachel makes her feel almost whole and content.
She was aware that this proposal idea might be a little cliche, but its not like she could surprise Rachel. Rachel had pretty much all but picked out the ring. Between walking Quinn past tiffany's for two weeks straight, and the fact her notebook had been left open on a page scribbled with versions of Mrs. Rachel Fabray, Rachel had pretty clearly spelled out that she wanted Quinn to give her a ring. Its not like Quinn was against proposing herself- she just wasn't a huge fan of the fact that it meant she was the man in the relationship, and its not like she didn't have her own dreams of what it was like to be proposed to. Shes never been good at following what her dream life looked like anyways.
The ring burns a hole in the pocket of the jacket shes put on over her dress. Every moment she has, every movement she takes, shes acutely aware of it. Its little sparks of reminder that tonights the night shes finally going to get to give it to the love of her life. Shes nervous, and scared out of her mind, but oh so excited that its Rachel. Its always oddly been Rachel. She redirects the nervous energy into something better, making the vegan casserole she knows is Rachel's favorite. She has no idea what to do with herself once its in the oven, and she busies herself fidgeting with the placement on the table and making sure Oliver knows to stay put in their bedroom until she commands him. As sound as she hears the click of Rachel's key in the lock shes already smiling softly and calling out to her. "Hey baby" She announces, fiddling with the flowers in the centre of the table one last time.
RACHEL: There was something different today. Rachel couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was exactly, but she could almost sense that something was going to happen and the lack of worry in her mind made her hopeful that it would be a good thing. And it seemed that way with how Rachel's had an exceptionally good day today. From having an extra hour of cuddling with Quinn because she apparently took the day off, to having more coffee than ice in her soy chai latte, to delivering her best performance in Jane Austen Sings to date-- Rachel was aware of all the little things and more that made her day brighter today. It was almost as if the heavens conspired for her to have a wonderful day.
For what reason exactly, Rachel doesn't really know but she's not at all complaining; she's just content to spend the rest of her day in an even happier disposition than most days. It isn't until she comes home to their shared apartment late at night after another fulfilling show that Rachel notices why today seemed different. Her entire day almost felt like it was building up to a crescendo and it all finally clicks the moment she steps inside their home.
There wasn't anything out of the ordinary inside the apartment. There weren't any rose petals littered on the floor, or candles littering the path to their bedroom, or balloons hanging up in the air, but her favorite casserole was ready, complete with a flower arrangement on the table; her most favorite person in the world was waiting for her with the most beautiful smile and somehow Rachel just knew what tonight was. Other than those things, it was Quinn and her nervous energy, one she's noticed was becoming more and more prominent over the week that pretty much gives it away.
Of course, it's not as if Rachel wasn't expecting this at all, after all her hard work (some were admittedly executed in the most ludicrous methods) in making sure Quinn noticed her hopes of advancing their relationship to the next stage but she wasn't expecting it to be sooner rather than later. The brunette resisted the urge to beam in excitement, determined in not letting her gift of foresight ruin things for tonight. Rachel just knew she was getting proposed to tonight and she'd be damned if she and Quinn didn't have that moment.
"Hey, baby," Rachel called back almost indulgently, a surprised smile taking on her features with ease as she hangs her coat on the rack. "What's all this?" She asked, crossing the distance between them before pulling the blonde into a much-deserved kiss, trying her best to keep her excitement at bay. "You're all dressed up," She noted with an appreciative hum, arms wrapping around her neck as she reaches up to press another kiss on the blonde's lips. "Don't tell me you made all this just for you to leave me alone tonight."
QUINN: One of her favourite things about Rachel was the way she made things disappear. From her favourite kale chips to Quinn’s hoodies, Rachel made things disappear. It’s exactly what happens when Quinn sees her, finally, after having to wait the 15 eternal seconds it took Rachel to come into sight. Every one of Quinns worries and fears melts away for a moment, feeling the softness of Rachels lips on hers, and the warmth of Rachels arms resting on her softly.
She can feel the excitement bleeding from Rachel and she hopes it’s just about the food and that Quinn can still surprise her with the ring that she’s actively aware of every time she so much as breathes.
Pulling back and quietly angling the pocket away from Rachel, she smiles, glancing down at her own dress for a moment. “I am.” She responds, before letting herself feel engulfed by the loving kiss Rachel gives her. “I’m not leaving you tonight Rach.” She answers cooly, despite the anxiety rising in her chest again. “I just wanted to do something special for you.” She answers sweetly, leading Rachel around to sit down at the place she set for her.
This was it. This was her moment. Their whole relationship led up to this and Quinn knew with her whole heart that she wanted to marry Rachel. She wanted to see Rachel in a white dress, waiting for her. Rachel was the first person to make her understand what loving someone truly meant, from the sacrifice to the way it made her feel like she was being lifted right off the ground anytime Rachel looked at her.
The one word she needs to use dies on her lips, and she struggles to swallow. It suddenly dawns in her that she’s about to change her entire life in a moment, and it charges her. “Bear!” She calls, watching Oliver excitedly trot towards them. As expected, he bounds immediately up to Rachel, greeting her excitedly. She takes the moment Rachels distracted to drop down on one knee, waiting for the moment she reads the sign she attached to Oliver. It took her 5 tries and 20 minutes to get the sign right. Who knew writing will you marry our roommate on a piece of paper was so nerve wracking. Almost as nerve wracking as standing here, waiting for Rachel to read it and look over to her.
RACHEL: Rachel's not at all unused to these kinds of surprises. Throughout their whole relationship, Quinn has always managed to surprise her with romantic gestures that's made her fall in love even deeper with the blonde, and this was no exception. Sure, she may have expected the proposal a little due to her endless prompting but this doesn't diminish the blonde's effort in any way. "You always make me feel special," Rachel said warmly, wiping away the lipstick stain she'd left on the corner of the blonde's lips with an amused grin before she allows herself to be sat down by the table.
And while Rachel knows what the outcome will be for tonight (she’s been thinking how to say ‘yes’ with the perfect amount of emotion ever since she walked into their apartment), the exciting part is figuring out how it will lead up to the main event. Ever inquisitive, Rachel couldn’t help but be curious on how Quinn would be asking her. There aren’t many clues in the setting but the brunette doubts the ring would be somewhere hidden in a champagne flute or inside the casserole itself. The blonde wasn’t big on cliches but she knew she wasn’t one for unoriginality either.
Her answer comes in the form of a black labrador who practically leaps at her just as her mind registers Quinn beckoning the animal. Rachel almost yelped at the way the large dog bounds up to her. “Bear!” Rachel briefly grabs onto the table to steady herself before wrapping her arms around Oliver, giggling as she playfully avoids his excited kisses. Once he was calm enough, Rachel ran her hands through Oliver's warm coat of fur before her fingers caught on a string.
“What have you been up to again, you silly bear?” She lightly admonished, pulling back lightly before noticing the sign attached at the end of the string, entirely unprepared for what she sees next. Rachel could’ve imagined a million ways on how Quinn would’ve proposed to her, but this wasn’t one of them. The words “Will you marry our roommate?” written in elegant script on a sign attached to their black labrador was not like anything she could've ever predicted.
It was so unexpected yet so incredibly Quinn that the surprise actually renders her speechless for a few seconds. It was perfect. “Quinn?” She whispered moments later, brown hues already teeming with unshed tears as she turned her attention to the blonde. She wanted the blonde to say the words already because she’s not about to burst out her agreement before Quinn pops the crucial question.
QUINN: Quinn had never truly been able to keep up with Rachel. She’d always been a step behind in the twenty-five year plan, a step behind in thinking about marriage, but reading the expressions on Rachel’s face, she knows she was a step ahead in at least one part of this. It’s one of those timeless moments where she can see all of it, brown eyes scanning the words, the — of it settling in, the shock, and then the excitement as Rachel lifted her eyes to match Quinns. Despite the fact it was seconds, it felt like minutes and Quinn was so glad she got to experience it that way. It was magical.
The soft way that Rachels eyes meet hers reassures her that she already knows Rachels answer. Despite its wateryness, the gaze is intense and unwavering, teeming with excitement. Oh god, the way it fills her up with love. Shes never truly felt complete and unselfish love until Rachel. Sure, she thought she loved Puck, and theres always going to be a connection between the two of them, but it wasn't romantic love. Rachel makes her feel romantic love, the way she'd give every piece of herself to see that beaming smile, or the way her heart skips a beat when she laughs. Rachel really is it for Quinn
She may be incredibly afraid, or worried that shes rushing into this before shes ready but she does know that Rachel is her forever, regardless. She'll bottle up the feelings about that, shes a Fabray, and its not something that Rachel needs clouding them. Quinn needs to be the partner Rachel deserves. Its how she feels and while she doesn't think she fits it yet, shes going to try her hardest to. That includes pushing away her scared feelings. She can do it.
It takes her a moment to realise that Rachels waiting for her to ask. She kind of expected that the sign was enough. It doesn’t bother her, but it takes her a moment to get the courage to say it. This is one of those really important ones, and well, Quinns still nervous, despite the fact she knows it’s a yes. “So uh-“ she begins, and immediately berates herself for not sounding resolute, “Will you marry me Rach?” She says, opening the light blue Tiffany’s box to reveal the sparkling ring it took her hours of research and two actual hours in the store to pick. It had to be perfect so it could fit into a perfect moment like this. Quinn hopes Rachel adores it, she wants Rachel to be happy, it’s really all she cares about.
RACHEL: Rachel was already expecting this. She’d thought up a hundred different scenarios on what Quinn would do for when she was ready to pop the question. From the simplest proposals to the most elaborate ones (that may or may not have involved mariachi bands or flash mobs), she knew whatever it was, she would automatically love it because it came from Quinn. But even though she knew what was coming next, nothing could still prepare her for when the moment finally arrives.
The way her voice shakes for a moment when she started to speak, the way she looks when she steels herself in her trademark determination before finally asks Rachel that particular question she’s yearned to hear for weeks still has Rachel reeling despite its simplicity. It’s a stark contrast to the ring that’s soon revealed from within the small Tiffany’s box, with a princess cut diamond large enough to cater to Rachel’s subdued desire for opulence. It was simple and grand all at the same time, and it makes everything even more perfect.
“Oh, Quinn,” Overtaken by a multitude of emotions, Rachel’s only slightly disappointed that she couldn’t give Quinn a proper yes when the blonde managed to render her speechless yet again. She nods her head a little too enthusiastically instead, throat thick with unbridled emotion as she finally manages to choke out a soft “Yes,” moments later. The trembling of her own voice surprises her but she forces herself to say what she’d desperately wanted to say for so long.
Slowly but surely, the underlying excitement she’s had breaks through and Rachel couldn’t help the excited squeal that escapes her lips as she reaffirms her decision. “Yes! Of course, I’ll marry you!” There was no question about it. She could never imagine a future without Quinn now, and Rachel knew she would marry her in a hundred lifetimes if the heavens permitted her so. Rachel pulled the blonde into a searing kiss, hoping to convey the words that seemed to have escaped her for the moment.
notes: slight nsfw? very short and a lot of fluff. also, first time me and alex finish a para in four years so.
Even after the amazing night out with the view to the beach and the incredibly good sex, Lizzie's mind was still on. She knew why and, while a part of her wanted to just rest against Max's chest for the rest of the night, Lizzie knew that in the long run, she would have to talk with him. So, with the sheet wrapped around her, the girl sat on the bed and turned her head to the man beside her. Instantly, her hand reached for his hair, moving her fingers slowly on it. "I'm sorry, about sunday night. And monday night and tuesday night" She shrugged lightly, trying to keep the smile on her face. "I'm just sorry"
No one had really gone this much out of their way for him to make him feel good for his birthday. Lizzie had planned a whole thing for him and he couldn't have been more grateful, in awe that she cared so much about him. It was, quite frankly, pretty romantic. They'd been laying there covered in nothing but the bed sheets, quiet, enjoying one another's company when Lizzie turned to him and apologized as she played with his hair. "Stop it" he whispered, shaking his head, "don't apologize." Max leaned in and kissed her softly, whispering against her lips, "you have nothing to apologize for. We're good, I promise."
Lizzie got closer easily, pressing her lips against his and for a moment, she thought that maybe that was enough talking. That it would be incredibly easier to put a bit more of pressure and forget all about conversations, but Aubrey's words were still stuck on her head. "I don't want you to think you did anything wrong" Moving slightly, eyes searching for his, Lizzie frowned lightly. "Not on the talks we had or about her". It was impossible not to look down at that, because even when her words were saying something, and she meant it, it still hurt. "This was all on me and I'm sorry if I made you feel like I thought less of you for anything, because I don't. I still think the world of you, more than ever"
A sigh escaped his lips at her words, unsure of what to feel regarding the situation. They were here, together, wearing nothing but loose bedsheets. And yet, she was talking about her - but the last thing Max wanted was to talk about her or the situation. All he wanted was to focus on Lizzie, if he was being honest. "Look at me" he murmured softly as he cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs caressing her cheek, "we're okay. We're more than okay. It's all in the past and I'm here, in the present, with you. I wanna focus on you, on this right now. Let's forget about those talks and focus on you and me, here, together."
There was no denying that his words and his eyes and absolutely everything about him were sending a pleasant warm around her body. Just like that, her smile softened around the edges. "You get all mushy when I dress up for sex" The joke was light, giving her plenty of time to steal another kiss and let her grin appeared fully on his face. Just because she could, Lizzie moved them a bit until she was able to rest her head on his chest, happily sighing once she was there. "I'm just glad I didn't lose you, or this because of me not being honest". Just like that, Aubrey was again too inside her mind and Lizzie decided that it wouldn't be a bad thing to say what she wanted to say. "It's all... happy and easy between us, but that doesn't..." She shook her head a bit. "It doesn't mean is not special for me. Just that, it is so natural that it almost cost me losing it all together to realize what I had"
"I get all mushy when you go out of your way to make my pre-birthday weekend an unforgettable one." Even then, Max couldn't put into words how much that had meant to him. No one had put in this much effort for him and in some ways, he'd believed no one really cared. Lizzie did, though. She did this for him because she cared and wanted him to be happy; he couldn't ask for more. "Wanna know something?" he said softly as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him, "You're never gonna lose me. I don't care what happens, when it happens, how it happens... you're never gonna lose me." This was good. This was easy. This was him being happy. "You're not gonna lose me or this. You're stuck with me and my messy ass, okay?"
"You are making this a big deal" Even when she was saying something, Lizzie couldn't help but feel completely pleased by the fact he had seemed to be enjoying himself this much. Not that she was worried that he wouldn't like any of the activities she picked out, but because the praise soothe every single part of her that was still worried about what happeneed between them. There, laying in his chest and feeling his arms around her, she really believed they were going to be alright. And if her cheeks went pink for his words, well, no one could blame her. She wasn't used to be picked this way, so easily, and to feel so happy without the guilt eating some part of her happiness. This was how it was supposed to be, always. "It's a great ass to be stuck with" Lizzie giggled softly, pressing a light kiss above his heart. "You are the only person int he entire world who makes me wish I didn't have to go work. At least for like, half a second" Still, it was more than anyone else had archived. "But having sex with you doesn't pay that well so, what am I gonna do?" Her voice was soft, full of fondness and a lot other things that felt unnecessary to name in that moment. They were there and knowing Max, she knew he felt them too. At least in that moment, he was entirely hers.
A smile pulled at his lips, realizing how much her words made sense to him; he'd never really thought about it, but he immediately knew that the feeling was mutual. If it was up to him, he'd stay in bed with her, forgetting about the outside world. This worked because he didn't have to be someone other than himself, flaws and all. He had something easy and good with Lizzie. "You're that for me too." Max admitted quietly, pressing a kiss to her blonde hair and closing his eyes as he did so, content to be like this with her and hoping they wouldn't have to go anywhere else for the rest of the day. "You do know that it could pay well, right?" He chuckled, only half-joking. They both knew if he wanted, he could own at least half of Doveport. That was something else that he realized made sense with her - she knew his family history, knew of his failures to meet expectations, the money he was refusing because of his frosty relationship with his parents. Everything. Between late nights of sex or calming each other down after a nightmare, he'd opened up to her and that meant something to him. Lizzie meant something to him and he was now realizing just how much.
Lizzie couldn't help but giggle, moving her body so she could turn to look at him, half lying above him. "Of course I know I'm fucking a white old rich man. I'm smart like that" The fact that Max had, for what she knew, insane amount of money made her slight uneasy sometimes, mostly because it came with his bad relationship with his parents. She got it, the disappointment that came with not being the best student or the best kid in general by your parent's standard, but still, she couldn't imagine her life without her mom and dad. Yes, they made mistakes but they were human and if she ever had a kid, Lizzie would like that they gave her a second chance. Or at least a second try. "Maybe we can go away next year for your birthday. Without the wedding and all, we will have more time. Maybe you can take me to North Carolina and show me everything I'm gonna get once I make you sign everything to me"
"A white old rich man?" Max laughed in earnest but nodded nonetheless, amused by her accurate description of him - he really was just that in a nutshell. There was something he loved though, about the fact that she knew about his past, understood it and never judged him for his bad decisions. Then again, all those bad decisions led him to this moment. Had he been the perfect son, he never would've ended up in Doveport. "I'd love to go somewhere else for my birthday next year. Not just all of North Carolina. We can go to Europe. We can go to South America. We can go to a private island." He paused, but nodded. "That can be after I show you all the properties I own, okay? Everything that's obviously gonna be yours once you become a Weston."
Okay, maybe she lied that the rich thing wasn't weird all the time, cause it was. She and her family had never struggled but now when she heard him, it was strange to know he could actually take her to all those places if he wanted to. Lizzie wanted to say no, but the idea of traveling with him was just too exiting. Her body turned completely, moving her knees to each side of his body so she was seated above him. "We can go wherever you want. It's your birthday" The laugh that came out of her was natural and she reached to his face, hiding it completely under her open palm. "Can't wait for your first wife to die, idiot"
Notes: Just, a small self para about how Avery has been feeling. It feels like a prose piece to me but ya know
Triggers: death (no i didnt kill eoin off, I wouldnt do that)
It had almost been a week. Avery swore it already felt a month just by how she was feeling. This time last weekend, they were talking and laughing at the fact that Eoin burnt her eggs, once again but she didn’t mind. She still loved his eggs, his less massive nose and all. Now, there was only silence that filled the rooms. Her co-workers were concerned by the dark circles that her makeup failed to cover up or her blood-shot eyes from crying so hard at the little things she would find in her drawer that reminded her of him. You could swear that he had passed away on how bad Avery was taking things.
Her sheets still had the lingering smell of the body washed he used, her blankets still smelled like him and one of her pillowcases smelled like his shampoo. Avery didn’t know how to pull herself out of this slump, sure she still had to be easy on her, since it was going to take some time. Every time she tried to vent or express her feelings, they were met with ‘Oh you’ll find someone again’ or ‘Maybe not have false hope that he’ll be back.’ Avery knew that he wasn’t coming back, no matter what she told herself. Sure, he would message her here or there to check-in and letting her know that his parents and he had missed her, but she never replied. It hurt too much to do so. She changed his name to a single broken heart Emoji, something that she would never imagine doing. That way, whenever he texted, she would know it was him.
Her couch still had an indention of where he used to sit all the time, now occupied by Chase whenever they’re pretending to watch something. A pair of his shoes still stayed by the door, frozen time, like they’re waiting for their owner to come back for them. The late-night talks along with the whispers of sweet nothings, the I love you’s, I’m never letting you go, to be filled with quiet sobs and running noses from crying. Avery wasn’t for sure if she was going to make it, sure she was trying to focus on Chase and her and being there for Chase, but it felt like she couldn’t grieve her relationship. It felt like no matter what she tried; it didn’t matter how she was doing with it. It seemed like it didn’t matter to people on how she was doing. She tried booking a trip to Ireland, to let him know how exactly she felt but to her, it felt like it would’ve been pointless. She grabbed her blanket, went into her office and sat down at the window seat. She had been doing this ever since they broke up, it was her way of trying to find a sign of him in the sky or at least, talking to the moon. Even though she hoped that he was busy with his work.
She rested her forehead against the window, pulled out her iPod and went to song that Eoin played for her the other night, Take Care of Yourself by Maisie Peters. She slipped one of her air pods into her ear, hit play and pulled her knees closer to her chest. She closed her eyes as she buried her face into her knees, imaging his arms around her and him placing a kiss behind her ear. It was something new he had done, which she started to love. After a while, she lifted her head to see Chase standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes and Avery opened her up her arms. “C’mere bug.” She said as she pulled the eleven-year-old into her lap and pulled her close to her chest. “I miss him, mom,” Chase said softly as she tried not to cry, and Avery pressed a kiss against her head. “I know, I miss him too, bug. Let’s go to bed, okay?” Chase nodded as she stood up and held her hand as they made their way to Avery’s bedroom. Once they were in her bedroom, Chase climbed into the middle of her bed and snuggled into Avery once she laid down. Avery made sure they were covered, kissed her head once more and started to rub Chase’s back. “How long were you guys together?” Avery glanced down at her daughter, brushed her hair away from her face. “Ever since Valentine’s Day, but it felt longer than that. We were going to tell you at some point, we just didn’t want you to get your hopes up and get caught in the crossfire.” Chase nodded before she closed her eyes. “Grandma Jasmine owes me twenty bucks.” Avery let out a small laugh when she heard Chase. “Let’s worry about that this weekend, okay? Now sleep. You have school.”
Warnings: There’s talk of abortion, but nothing crazy.
peyton
This had been one of the longest day of her life. She’d called out of work, not showed up to classes, and had left the house only to pick up Lexi from school. The minutes felt like hours, and yet she didn’t feel like she had nearly enough time to prepare herself to tell Puck. There were things that they wanted right now, things they were ready for, a baby just didn’t feel like one of them. Peyton hadn’t changed the TV from The Land Before Time series Lex had been watching before she went to bed. She glanced at it every so often, it was a poor effort to distract herself from what was really going on. Having put her phone to the side after Puck’s last text, she’d not noticed the time, so when the door opened and Rex ran from her side to the man’s legs her heart had flipped. “Hey babe,” She murmured quietly as she looked up at him. “You look good.”
puck
Puck wasn’t going to lie. He had an uneasy feeling in his stomach ever since Peyton asked him if they could talk. In his experience, that question never meant anything good. Once he wrapped up work, he immediately made his way over to Peyton’s. He knelt down and played with Rex for a moment before walking over to the girl he wanted to see. “Hey, beautiful.” Smiling at her, he leaned down and kissed her softly. Puck knelt onto the couch next to her and immediately deepened the kiss. Maybe he could distract her enough that she’d forget about whatever she needed to talk to him about. “I missed you today,” he muttered against her lips as he gently pushed her back onto the couch.
peyton
Peyton’s eyes closed as his lips pressed against hers. It would have been so much easier to spend their night like this, but maybe for a minute she could pretend that everything is okay. “I missed you too,” she breathed against him, letting her body be pushed down into the couch. Her hand slid into his hair as she kissed him back just as deeply. It might have been the first time all day she wasn’t think about how everything could change. But it’s a fleeting feeling. “Puck...” She muttered as she brought her hands to his chest to push him away gently. “I want to continue this... I do. But we can’t. Can you please... Can we talk?”
puck
He pressed his body against hers, just wanting to get lost in the physical connection with her. His hands roamed over her body eagerly. He groaned as she pushed him away, resisting slightly at first before giving into her push. Sitting up, he moved back to give her room to situate herself. Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair nervously. Nothing about this situation made him feel comfortable. He could tell just by the look on her face that he wasn’t going to enjoy the conversation. “Alright…I guess we should talk…” Puck shifted on the couch so that he was facing her. Reaching over, he took her hand in his and squeezed it softly. “What’s going on, babe?”
peyton
With a sigh, Peyton shifted herself to sit back up on the couch, glancing quickly at the TV to gather her thoughts before turning to face Puck. She held onto his hand tightly, mostly to make sure he didn’t run the minute she told him. Just because they weren’t ready, didn’t mean they couldn’t do it. Hopefully. “I don’t know...” Peyton swallowed, she was trying to be so careful with her words, but maybe it was better if she just rambled this time. “I don’t know when it happened, we’ve always been so careful? I know I had to take out my IUD because it had been five years since I got it in after Lexi, but I’ve taken the pill since, I swear.” Her heart felt like it was going to either beat out of her chest or stop beating entirely. There was no in between. “But I woke up this morning, and I realized I was late. I took a test, and it was faint so... it could be nothing, but I think it’s something? I think I’m pregnant, Puck. And I know this isn’t something we planned, and it’s something you probably don’t want right now, and i'm just.... I’m so sorry.”
puck
He carefully watched Peyton as he waited for her to start speaking. When she finally did start talking, it felt like the entire world shifted under him. Once she mentioned her birth control, he knew exactly where this conversation was going. A low ringing noise filled his ears. He could see her lips moving, but couldn’t process the words coming out of her mouth. His gaze slowly dropped from her face to her stomach. His heart was beating out of his chest. She thought she could be pregnant. It felt like the universe was trying to see how far it could push Puck these last couple of weeks. His grip on her hand loosened as he leaned against the back of the couch for support. Puck’s eyes never left her stomach. “I don’t…I don’t know what to say.” He moved to place his hand on her stomach before immediately pulling it away. Standing up, he shook his head slowly. “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. This…this isn’t how it was supposed to happen, Peyton,” he stuttered out as he began to pace her living room.
peyton
Peyton knew this wasn’t going to be something Puck took with a smile on his face. And she couldn’t blame him for that, she was flipping his world upset down. “I’m so sorry...” She murmured again, watching the way his gaze focussed in on her stomach. She followed his movements when he stood up, crossing her arms nervously in front of her. It was almost impossible to grab his attention, but Peyton could only do what she always did when it felt like the world was closing in: talk. “I know... I know that. I just... Nothing we do is how it’s supposed to happen, Puck. We got matching tattoos within a month of seeing each other, we have no labels and yet I plan on spending the rest of my life with you, we’re not normal... We’re Puck and Peyton, and I love you, and even if you won’t tell me when you’re awake, I know you love me too.” She hadn’t meant to say the last part, it had been one secret she’d managed to keep for weeks. But probably with the way Puck is pacing it would’ve flown over his head. “I don’t want to lose you. We’re not teenagers, and... I know you. This wasn’t how it should have been, but you and I are strong enough to do anything. You have to know that.” She took a few cautious steps towards him and placed her hand gingerly on his arm. “I don’t... I’m sorry.”
puck
Puck barely heard anything Peyton was saying to him. The whole situation just transported him back to high school and Quinn telling him that she was pregnant. He could feel himself begin to panic. Everything he had planned out for his future, for their future, was collapsing right in front of his eyes. “Ma’s gonna kill me,” he muttered to himself. “I’m such an idiot. You’d think I would’ve learned my lesson the first fucking time. Always use a fucking condom, Puck. Fucking idiot.” Part of him didn’t hate the idea of getting a second chance at being a dad, but this was not the way he wanted it to happen. He wanted to move to LA. He wanted to marry her. He wanted them to be settled before all of this. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice Peyton approaching him until he felt her touch him. Stopping his movements, he glanced down at the hand on his arm and then at her stomach once more. “I…I can’t right now,” he said as he pulled his arm away. Puck felt the walls beginning to close in on him. “I need to go for a walk. I gotta get out of here.” He said as he made a beeline for her door.
peyton
Puck’s words felt like they were ripping at her heart one by one. Maybe it was because Puck was... Puck, but everything about this was more painful than telling Ben she was pregnant six years ago. Peyton held her breath, not sure she could breathe right now anyway. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she nodded and turned so she didn’t have to watch him leave. Her heart couldn’t watch that, and with Lexi asleep following him wasn’t an option. Hearing the door shut behind him, Peyton dropped to the ground and crossed her legs underneath her, wrapping her arms tightly around the dog who curled into her lap. “It’s you and me, Rex,” she cried softly to the dog, wishing more than anything she could just turn back time and make all this go away.
puck
After spending all night drinking and wandering along the beach, Puck found himself right back at Peyton’s. The whole situation still a big shock to his system, but he was slowly coming around to it. Sure, it wasn’t the way he wanted it to happen, but ultimately he did want to be a dad. And he already saw a future with Peyton. So maybe this was a good thing for them. Or at least it could be a good thing. Puck quietly let himself back into her house. He ran through everything he wanted to say to her in his head as he silently made his way through her house to her bedroom. Everything he was planning to say fell out of his head when he saw her curled up in bed. Puck carefully sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face. Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “We can do this. Together,” he whispered into her ear. “I’m so sorry.”
peyton
It got to a point in the night where Peyton realized Puck wasn’t coming back. She’d put Rex in with Lexi, taking a moment to stare at the little girl who had changed her life all those years ago. A little girl who turned out better and brighter than she could have ever dreamed when she first saw two pink lines. She could do this. Alone or not... she’d done it before. Still in somewhat of a haze, Peyton made her way to her bedroom, crawling into her blankets still in the clothes she’d thrown on this morning to go to the market. The idea of changing, or really doing anything, made her stomach sick. After staring at the ceiling for what felt like forever, her eyes closed and her sleep eventually took over. The kiss on her cheek woke her, not that it was hard. It took a moment for her eyes to come to, to realize it was Puck sitting next to her. “You left me,” she mumbled, not really knowing what else to say. She’d said everything earlier and it didn’t seem to matter.
puck
He stayed silent as she woke up. His head dropped when she spoke. She was right. He fucked up by leaving. “I know,” he said simply. “I’m so fucking sorry. I just…I panicked. I know it’s not an excuse. And you have every right to be mad at me. But I need to be here. I need to tell you that I’m going to be here for whatever you need. I’m not going to let you do this alone. I promise.” Reaching down, he softly placed his hand on her stomach. It all felt surreal to him. His child could possibly be under his hand at that moment. His chance of being an actual father. Having an actual family with someone who loved him. Puck shifted and laid down next to her, keeping his hand in place. “I’ve always wanted a future with you. The future is just…a lot closer than I thought it would be,” he said softly. “Can I kiss you?”
peyton
She stayed silent as she listened to him speak. Anger wasn’t what she was feeling, she was hurt and scared, but she wasn’t angry. Peyton flinched for a second when his hand fell to her stomach. Nothing about the situation was the same as it had been with Ben, but remembering all the nights she’d spent alone during that pregnancy had been unavoidable. “I don’t want to be by myself,” She muttered tiredly, reaching out and brushing his hair from his forehead. “So please... if you’re going to leave again, don’t kiss me now. But if you’re really still going to be here when I wake up... If you love me enough to stay... then yes. You can kiss me.” She said in a whisper.
puck
She had every right to say the things she said. He knew he had to be better for her. The last thing he wanted to do was be anything like his father or half-brother. Instead of verbally answering her, he leaned in and pressed a loving kiss to her lips. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said when he broke away. Puck pulled her closer to his body and tightly wrapped his arms around her. His gaze focused on her bedroom ceiling as he fought back the tears that were burning the corners of his eyes. “So what do we do now? Get you to a doctor to make sure everything is good?”
peyton
Peyton felt as though she could finally release the breath she’d been holding when Puck leaned in to kiss her. Nothing ever felt quite so daunting when he was around... when he was really around. She opened her eyes and gazed into his the hazel ones she trusted. Moving in closer to him, her fingers grabbed at his shirt, keeping her as close to him as possible in this moment. She nods at his next question, it’s what she’d done with Lexi. As far as she was aware the process hadn’t changed. “I can make an appointment with the doctor next week. They’ll tell us dates because... I can’t work it out. And then we go from there?” Peyton spoke almost as if it was a check list she had to tick off, but the more she thought about it the more she knew this wasn’t a bad thing. Being a mom was part of her, and she wasn’t bad at it. Not really. There were less than two months left of school, she could do this... they could do this. “Puck... You’re not an idiot. This isn’t your fault. Just... so you know.”
puck
He stared at her quietly as she explained to him the next steps. Quinn didn’t involve him in the very early part of her pregnancy so he wasn’t exactly sure how it was supposed to go. “Okay. I wanna be there at the doctor with you. If that’s okay.” Puck kissed her forehead softly and sighed. He shook his head at her defending him. “I am an idiot and this is my fault. I just...I got too comfortable with you and us and stopped being as anal with protection as I usually am. I just didn’t want to keep falling into the same stupid Puckerman trend. I wanted the next time I knocked someone up to be planned,” he explained with a shrug. “Also, and this should go without saying but I’m gonna say it anyways...it’s your body...so whatever you want to do I’m on board with.”
peyton
Peyton nodded. “Yeah, that would be okay.” She’d not had anyone at the appointments with Lexi, at least Ben had come to none. But if Puck truly wanted to be there, she wouldn’t stop him. She leaned in and rested her forehead against his chest listening as he told her why this all made him an idiot. “It’s not... a fault, Puck.” She mumbled as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly to stop any more tears from escaping her eyes tonight. His next words took her back a little, and after the way he’s speaking about the situation she’s too scared to ask what he wants to do. So instead she just nods, “I know. But thank you.”
puck
His hand reached up to softly massage her head as she rested his forehead against his chest. “Babe,” he said quietly. Something felt off with her. Glancing down, he shifted carefully to force her to lift her head off his chest and look at him. “Peyton. Please talk to me. Please tell me what’s going on in your head.” He cupped her face and ran his thumb over her cheek. His emotions were slamming against his internal wall, threatening to break him. Taking a shaky breath, he glanced down at her stomach before looking back up at her face. “I’m scared,” he admitted softly, “I need you to talk to me. Tell me it’s going to be okay. Tell me that I’m going to be good at this.”
peyton
Still grasping at his shirt, she looked up at him and leaned her cheek against his touch. Peyton sighed softly, pressing her lips together sadly when he admitted he was scared. “I know you are, baby,” she said gently before taking a deep breath. “I’m scared too. I don’t want to go through everything I went through with Ben again. But if I’m pregnant... I don’t want to not have the baby either. I know it’s not what you wanted, and the timing isn’t what you planned. But I don’t think you’re an idiot... I think you’d be the best dad. I think if you let us, we could do it together. Because I’ve seen you with Lexi, I’ve seen the way you talk about being a dad. I see you all the time. And I love you. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing, babe... or something that breaks us... and maybe I’m a little naive, but I believe in you and I believe so much in you and me. I just... i can’t get rid of a baby, Puck. P-please don’t tell me that’s what you want.” She was rambling and once she started talking it was hard to stop. Her eyes were glossy, but the idea of letting go of Puck to wipe them again was too hard. She just wanted to hold him. Forever if she could. “I don’t want you to just respect my decision, I want you to be on the same page... Or in the same book?”
puck
His heart hurt while he listened to her, watching her eyes glisten with unshed tears. The last thing he wanted in the world was for her to feel like she could be alone in this situation. “Hey.” He brushed a tear away from her face. “I would never ever let you go through what Ben made you go through. I’m going to be with you every fucking step of the way, Peyton.” Sitting up, he pulled Peyton into his lap and hugged her tightly. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on her shoulder, just needing to be wrapped up in her for a moment. “I believe in us too,” he whispered into her ear. Puck placed a kissed on her shoulder before pulling away to look into her eyes. “We can do this. You don’t have to get rid of the baby. It’s not what I want. I want you. I want a family with you. So…I’m all in. Whatever the doctor says…I’m in.”
peyton
She believed him. Puck was a lot of things, but he didn’t say what he didn’t mean. Peyton smiled sadly and let her body be pulled into his lap, just needing to stay in his arms for as long as humanly possible. She listened to the whisper in her ear, and for the first time since she’d woken up this morning she actually could feel herself relax. Her gaze focussed in on Puck, “I want you too.” Reaching out she cupped his face in her hands gently and leaned in to press a kiss against his lips. They were always better at showing their feelings physically. “All in.” She murmured against his lips as she pulls slightly. “Together.”
Tagging: Matthew Schuester
Where: outside Browser Books
When: December 28, 2019
Notes: Matt sees someone from his past.
Matt walked down the street, on his way to grab a bite at Joe’s. It was the first time in a couple weeks where he had a free afternoon to do whatever he wanted.
Thank fucking God.
He wasn’t working those god awful long shifts at work but he was working a lot and on top of holidays and trying to squeeze as much time in to see everyone; it burned him out. At least he and B had a night to themselves last night and he passed out early on; something he did last Friday on his birthday, but he knew that once he returned to his usual work schedule it’ll be better. Plus they’ll be in Beaufort come Friday night and have a whole weekend of doing whatever the hell they wanted.
Just thinking about this caused Matt to smile as he walked and when he turned the corner there was a near collision with someone holding a large bouquet of flowers which caused him to slide quick to the side of the building. They must’ve come from Madison’s shop; which was a few store fronts away. Matt waved off their apology, saying it was fine but as he looked past them a certain blonde came into view.
Matt, hand still up as he waved the man off, stared at the woman across the street and the frown he’d worn moments ago faltered.
The...fuck???
Why, why when things are finally going well in his life and he took the plunge with a guy he really likes; a guy he is absolutely insane about, would the universe do this to him??
No. He refused to talk to her. Why should he when she left him? She didn’t even break up with him in person and ended their relationship that he thought was strong enough to survive the hell he’d fallen into.
Matt’s lips pressed together and his hand to the side side, curling it into a tight fist. The appetite he had for Joe’s was gone and Matt turned around. He brushed past the man he nearly collided into before and went straight to the firehouse. He wasn’t scheduled there today but the gym was there and the need to punch something consumed him. He was pissed.
QUINN: Everytime she looks away from this dog, he runs. Its like Oliver waits for her to look away, and his immediate reaction is 'let me just fuck up my humans day'. She was replying to one text. One text! Pausing to breathe out her frustration, she scans the park for her dog. It shouldn't be hard to spot him, hes a fairly large dog, and his dark color contrasts. Hazel eyes scan the area, spotting him across the park. She starts lightly jogging towards her dog, and mentally running over the apology shes going to blurt out. The closer she gets, the more familiar the figure gets. Its a short brunette, but something about her just seems.... familiar. Its unnerving.
Shes far too close when she realises its Rachel Berry. Her steps falter and she feels like the world has flopped upside down. Of course Oliver came running this way, he probably missed Rachel too. Quinn can't blame him. She misses Rachel too. What the fuck was her ex-fiancée doing in Doveport? Quinn had picked it because it was so far away from New York, from the old life she had run away from. This teeny tiny town was not big enough for the two of them to live in without bumping into each other. She'd learnt that from Puck.
The apology she had been thinking about dies in her mind and she has no control over the choked Rachel that comes pouring from her lips. It sounds far more broken than she had wished, and she really wishes she could just turn around and sprint away from this.
RACHEL: There wasn't much to do in Doveport. This was something Rachel had to learn during her first week at the small town, and she both loves and hates the fact that it reminds her of her old home. She supposes she shouldn't have expected much in a small town in North Carolina, but she didn't expect it to be a little too similar to Lima. From the quaint coffee shops, to the diners and modest establishments, it all seemed homey and permanent, like a place to settle down with rather than to begin your story with. Rachel didn't hate Doveport, but everyday she explores the town, it reminds of her the reasons why she's left Lima in the first place.
New York was and will always be her home. The way it bustles and thrums with life is the perfect place to for her boundless energy; Rachel's discovered more and more reasons to love the city for more than just the Broadway stage throughout the years, and one of them was Central Park. She loved how it seemed like a haven of some sort, a brief reprieve from the hectic lifestyles in New York and not at all because she used to spend her weekends with a certain someone there.
Which is why she's more than a little pleased to find Lincoln Park during one of her treks around town. It wasn't anything at all like Central Park, but it was enough. Sitting by a bench within the park, Rachel feels like she could almost breathe for the first time. The landscapes brought back some semblance of calm to her, and for once she doesn't shove away the warmth or the familiarity she feels around parks as she leans back to the bench.
But all good things come to an end as Rachel had come to learn, and the brief moment of peace is disrupted in the form of a.. dog? "Sweet Barbra!" Rachel jumped, startled by the presence of black labrador that seemed to remind her of-- no. She couldn't think that, even thinking about that dog reminded her of.. someone she didn't like to think about now anymore. She nervously chuckled when it barked in greeting, searching around for whoever the owner was while attempting to soothe the animal with an awkward pat on the head.
She didn't know if it was because of the similar breed, but Rachel couldn't help but feel a certain pull towards the dog. But then again the way he was reacting to him so.. familiar, almost as if he was welcoming her rather than barking at a stranger. "Silly bear," She murmured affectionately, running her hand across the smooth fur before her eyes widened slightly at how the dog seemed to respond to the being called that.
This couldn’t possibly be--? No, it seems highly improbable, Rachel reminds herself. Just because she moved to a town where a certain someone was settled in, doesn’t mean she’d run into her or their her dog, right? Highly improbable— but apparently completely possible, because there’s no other person who could ever call her name that way, in the middle of a town that didn't recognize her at all.
Rachel stiffened, her whole form almost seizing up upon recognition of the voice and she’s never been gladder to have worn her sunglasses today. She didn’t need her to see how this was affecting her already. Tilting her head to face the source of the voice, Rachel sucks in a sharp breath upon seeing her face again.
“…Quinn?” How a single name could awaken so many emotions within her was beyond her, but Rachel wasn’t a Drama Desk Award nominee for nothing, and she forces her features to remain impassive — even though her heart bled in recognition of the girl, and Oliver. “Well, this is a surprise.” She’d tell herself it was an unpleasant one, but it’s not as if she didn’t expect this to happen at all.
QUINN: Silence settles upon them for a moment, the thrumming of Oliver’s tail the only sound between them. She’s glad he’s overjoyed, she would be too if this wasn’t her worst nightmare come to life. What the fuck was Rachel doing here, here in Doveport, here in the town Quinn ran away to like a coward. She thinks that maybe, finally, god has truly given her the middle finger.
She looks over Rachel, so different to the last time she did. Last time it was a finality, a chance to commit every part of the girl to her mind, and she hated that she image she remembers from that is of the broken destroyed girl and not the full of life, happy one that Quinn fell head over heels for.
She looks startlingly similar, and oh-so different. Still stunning, but god, Quinn can see the effect shes had on her. It hurts, clenching her organs even further. She doesn’t deserve to feel hurt seeing her, not at all after shes so ungracefully destroyed the girl in front of her and them.
She wanted to know why Rachel was here, in small town North Carolina, and not New York, where she belonged. Quinn wonders if Rachel even knew she lived here. A simple google search would provide Quinns place of living, her name often plastered under the articles she loved to hate. She’d googled Rachel, many many times since she’s been here. Before she’d even left she knew of the further ways she’d destroyed Rachel, from her subsequent breakdown on stage to the way she hasn’t heard of anything new the girl has been cast in.
The masochistic part of her brain let her fester on those moments, running over and over the way she hurt Rachel, the way she destroyed the girls entire life and possibly future, and for what? Because she was scared? Quinn Fabray has always taken the cowards way out. She gave away the baby she was too afraid to raise at 16, she threw away the perfect girl because she was too afraid. She’s a coward and she knows it.
She knows she’s been silent for a beat too long, and she can feel Rachels eyes on her through the large dark sunglasses she’s wearing. She wonders if Rachel is thinking about the same thing she is. This dog was always getting her into more trouble than Quinn wanted.
“It certainly is” She agrees, feeling incredibly caught off guard by this all. Clearly someone up there had it out for her, running into two of the pivotal people in her life? She almost wants to scream or curse out whoever founded this fucking town. “What- what are you doing here Rachel?” She asks, wanting to know why. Quinn knows it’s not to get her back, as much as she wants it to be, even Rachel isn’t that stupid.
“How are you?” She tentatively adds, wishing that Rachel can say good. She wants to know she hasn’t completely destroyed her. Rachel was always resilient. It’s one of her best qualities.
RACHEL: Quinn was still so startlingly beautiful, and it was heartbreaking to realize just how much she'd missed her face after having been deprived of seeing it for so long. But despite how much she'd missed the sight, it almost feels like a slap to the face just how.. better Quinn looked now, compared to the last months they'd spent together.
Rachel will always find the blonde beautiful, but she knew something changed within the last few months of their relationship and it showed on the surface. She was always busy with her shows and preparations, and Quinn was always too busy chasing around the next big story, but in the briefest times the blonde allowed herself to stay at home, Rachel noticed the exhaustion emanating from her. From her hollowed out cheeks, to the darkened circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep, Rachel didn't know why she didn't take those as symptoms of an underlying issue that would eventually break them apart.
But now seeing Quinn here, all bright hazel eyes and flushed cheeks, it was almost too much; much too insulting to see the other girl seem so content in the life she'd left Rachel for while the brunette was barely getting by, and she knew that it showed. The urge to hide herself from Quinn's ever inquisitive gaze was becoming more and more prominent, but Rachel steels herself from doing so. She wouldn't look away from Quinn, wouldn't hide away the wreckage she'd left of her now that she was trying to rebuild herself again without her.
Rachel resisted the urge to smirk when she sees how unsettled the other woman seemed to be over her presence, but she wouldn't let anything show. Not one emotion at all, if she could help it. She'd given Quinn everything, and now the girl deserved nothing from her. "What are you doing here, Quinn?" The brunette retorts, but her tone indicates her disinterest. She refused to show the woman any other emotion than that, and it's why the blonde's next question goes unanswered.
Rachel turns her attention to the adorable black labrador instead, trying her best not to show how much she'd missed seeing the dog, especially when Oliver was treated like their son, in some ways; one she'd lost custody of when Quinn decided to take everything with her when she left. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" She murmured softly, affection still lacing her words despite trying to control it and Rachel smooths her hand over the coat of fur, allowing its familiar softness calm her even just for a little. "Are you being treated well, bear?" Are you happy? It was a follow-up question she wanted to ask but wouldn't, not when it was something she didn't need an answer for, especially not from Quinn. She certainly didn't need Quinn to answer that from her own opinion.
QUINN: She knew Rachel was different. That she'd never see her Rachel again. She destroyed that perfect girl with her own cowardice and not out of malice. It was never supposed to be malice. Some part of Quinn will always argue that Rachel is perfect no matter what, but she can see the evidence, Rachel is not the same as she was. Its one of those things she knows shes going to be running over forever. How exactly she changed Rachel Berry, in possibly the worst ways.
Shes slightly disappointed at the tone Rachel takes with her, but its not like she doesn't deserve it. Frankly, Rachel could punch her in the face and it would be a perfectly reasonable reaction. She knows she deserves every inch of the pain she feels about it, the hurt and hollowness she constantly feels now. Shes well past the point where everything reminds her of Rachel, but she thinks its ironic in an awful way how when she'd first come to this park, her only thoughts were about how much Rachel would like it, and now shes here. Its fucked up, but what isn't in her life.
"I live here now" She says, regaining some of her own voice back from the shock. Its still shaky, and shes unsure, but its harder to hear. "And walking Oliver." She answers, not sure exactly what Rachel wants for her, or if Rachel would rather she just fuck off back into the small town cave that she had. Its been invaded now, by a brunette with the prettiest eyes shes ever seen, that she can't see right now and wants to. She knows the questions are not for her, but Olivers a dog, and technically can't speak, so whats the harm in answering them for him? It gives Quinn a chance to sneak in more information, to continue a conversation she knows will go bad. "He's being treated well. He went on holiday last week, didn't you Oli?" She ruffle his fur, but its too close to her, and shes worried she'd never be able to step away again.
RACHEL: Rachel can detect the tremor in Quinn's voice, and she would've basked in the self-satisfaction at unsettling the woman if she didn't know she'd feel guilty about it afterwards. Still, it's nice to know the shift in their dynamic now. Rachel knew she held the power over this moment as a scorned woman and Quinn was much too surprised, much too guilty to do anything about it. "Yes, clearly." She deadpanned, eyes never leaving its gaze on the dog. She wouldn't look at Quinn anymore, not when the sight of her still hurts her and she's not at all prepared to reconcile the Quinn from her memories and the one in front of her.
She can tell the other was trying to prolong their conversation, but for what purpose exactly, Rachel doesn't know. Is it out of guilt? Of curiosity? Either way, Quinn should've known better than to elicit another response from Rachel. She thought she could handle it better, but even the sheer proximity the blonde was in was making her almost dizzy with emotions. Even the way Oliver was looking up at her with a goofy grin was reminding her of too many memories. Just an entire catalogue of memories from their five-year relationship that she was still trying to erase one by one.
"Well, I'm glad you're being treated well." At least you still managed to treat one of us right, Rachel bitterly thought before shaking her head lightly to dispel the train of thought. She needed to get out of here, to establish some distance between the two of them because Quinn's presence was threatening to open up memories she'd rather not remember at all. Giving one last affectionate rub on Oliver's back, a gesture that was more for her than him, Rachel forces herself to stand from the bench she was lounging on. "..I suppose I should be going. I wouldn't want to intrude more in your activities."
QUINN: Quinn can't read Rachel's emotions right now and it unsettles her. There was once upon a time that she'd know exactly if Rachel was faking being annoyed or if she really was. Now, after everything, she truly has no idea. She would blame it on the giant sunglasses or the fact Rachel wont look up at her, but the reality, despite how much it hurts, is that Rachel has changed. Six months has changed her and Quinn wishes she could recognise her better.
She can already see the way shes going to call Marley tonight, and cry about this as if she didn't bring it all on herself. If she was a stronger person, less of a coward, maybe she wouldn't have run. Thrown her one shot at having happiness and the girl of her dreams. She hates herself for it. Its another thing on the long list of things that feed her self hatred on dark nights. She knows this will be top of the list tonight.
Ignoring the fact her own question about why Rachel is here lays unanswered, she swallows deeply, trying to get the tightness in her throat to subside. It hurts to be here, to stand next to Rachel and know shes not hers anymore. She's relieved for Rachel's hasty exit, she doesn't to be here anymore. She wants to be away, packing her bags at home to make another hasty move across the country. She'd rather not face what she did. "Um.. Yeah, we have to get going too." She agrees, looking down to Oliver. "C'mon Oli, its time for us to go. Say bye" She continues instinctively, before her brain catches up and realises how stupid that sounds. The annoyance at least carries her to the car, before the dam of emotions bursts and she feels hot trails of tears pour down her cheeks.
Notes: Lunch and some softness but don’t tell Puck.
Warnings: Nothing!
Kenna had been waiting to go to lunch for the longest, and to be honest, spending it with Puck sounded like a pretty great way to do things. After she picked up their food, she swung by and grabbed herself an ice cream before parking her car and walking into the studio. Looking around, she always found herself to be distracted and wanting a tattoo and at this point, he'd have her covered if she let him. Making her way back, she walked to the office door, using her foot to open the door and shut it with her hip as she smiled over at Puck. "Food delivery!" She spoke in an excited tone as she walked over to him, placing the food on his desk and leaning up against it while she licked her ice cream cone. "I got you two burgers, cause you might get hungry later, too."
Puck worked on paying off the utility bills and ignoring the rumbling in his stomach. Hearing footsteps approaching, he glanced up from his work as he watched his roommate enter the office. “About time,” he joked as he pushed his work away to make room for the food. “Two burgers?? You’re the perfect roommate.” He reached into the bag and pulled out a burger and the fries. He popped a couple fries into his mouth and leaned back in his seat. “Did you not get actual food for yourself?” he asked as he looked over at her.
Rolling her eyes at his comment, she scrunched her nose for a second and stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "It's not my fault that they took forever," she chuckled and watched him grab out his food. He looked like he had been busy, just because of what he was doing whenever she walked in but if anyone could handle the busy pace, it was him. "I know I am. I'm kinda perfect at a lot of things," she joked. Whenever he asked about food for herself, she pointed at the bag and reached in to grab out a burger. "I just wanted a burger but I also wanted ice cream so I had to eat it first, that way it doesn't melt." Holding it out, she raised her eyebrows. "Want some?"
He unwrapped his burger as he listened to her and chuckled before taking a bite. He nodded approvingly when he realized she remembered the extra pickles on his burger. Shaking his head at her offer, he pushed his seat away from his desk to give himself a little room. “Not really an ice cream guy,” he replied. Puck pointed down at his lap and smirked up at her. “This is available for you whenever you want by the way…or you can just grab a chair from over there.” He gestured over at the chair he had sitting in the corner. “You got any big plans this weekend?”
Finishing off her ice cream, she shrugged her shoulders and looking around his office quietly for a moment before letting a shiver take over her body. Grabbing her burger from the table, she unwrapped it and took a bite while she thought about her options. Tapping her temple with her finger, she stood up and moved over to him to sit down on his lap. She was just comfortable with him, it wasn't anything that was new or shocking. Her legs crossed over the other side and she crossed her ankles while looking at him. "This is a good seat. Comfy, better than that chair." Whenever he asked about her weekend, she shrugged. "Not really. I'm off, thank god so I think I'm just hanging out. What about you?"
Smirking, he leaned back and gave her room to sit on his lap. Shifting his burger to one hand, Puck kept his free hand respectfully on her waist to give her support as she perched there. “Yeah that chair is crap,” he joked as he took another bite of his burger. Puck shook his head at her question. “I’m working all tomorrow night. I think I might take Saturday afternoon and night off. We’ll see. Definitely have Sunday off. Might go out to the beach if the weather is chill. Or driving out to a hiking trail. Pretty much anything outdoors.”
Kenna smiled as he supported her place and she finally took a bite of her burger while listening to his options for what to do for the weekend. "I am supposed to go to the beach with Lizzie around noon on Sunday. Maybe we could do something before then if you want to? Though, I highly doubt that you wanna drive back to bring me home if you go to a hiking trail if you don't wanna come back that soon. If you want company that is," she added to her thought. She knew that she needed to get herself back into their morning runs, it'd be about a week and she'd lost the motivation for a bit but she was ready to do it again. "I gotta start running again, next week I don't have to go in until seven so it won't be so bad."
“I mean I’d love the company but yeaahhh we’d have to leave at like 4am to get a good hike in and I’m not tryna start my Sunday that early. You think Hendrix could hang on a hike? Or are his legs too tiny? I could get one of those dog backpacks and carry him if he gets tired,” he reasoned out loud before reaching over to grab a fry and put it into his mouth. Puck chuckled at her comment and pretended to struggled with her weight on his lap. “Oh yeah. Better start running again before you crush me the next time you sit on my lap.” He playfully squeezed her side before taking a bite from his burger.
Pursing her lips, she nodded her head while taking another bite of her burger. "I'm sure that Hendrix could hang but you should take one of the backpacks in case he starts struggling. I'm sure that he would love to get out of the apartment and adventure but just know, I'm gonna want all of the pictures of you two. It'll be your new contact picture in my phone," she teased and then found herself leaning over into him a little whenever he leaned over to grab a fry. Then he pretended to struggle and she laughed, shoving his shoulder. "Oh hush," she squeaked as he grabbed her side and jumped a little. "That's my ticklish spot, so be careful but I gotta run! I gotta keep the abs up, y'know? They don't look this flawless on their own!" She admitted, looking over at him again.
“I’ll see if I can wrangle up a dog backpack by Sunday. I make no promises about the pictures though,” he added before returning his attention to finishing his cheeseburger. Crumpling up the wrapper, he tossed it into a nearby trash can before grabbing his drink and taking a sip. He chuckled as he watched her react to his touch, mentally filing away that bit of information for the future. “You do have great abs,” he agreed with a nod. “I mean you’ve still been getting in all of your cardio even without your runs...your bed has been quite empty these nights.” Smirking, he winked at her before grabbing some more fries.
"I think I might have one in a box somewhere, but I can fact check that before I try to confirm. I'll just sneak one of you two," she teased and then watched his movements. Once she was finished with her burger, she tossed her trash and then watched him grab his drink. Leaning over, she took a drink from his after he finished and grabbed his fries from the desk and held onto them in front of her so he didn't have to reach over for them. Laughing, she shook her head and then laid her head over onto his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Look. I'm not gone every night! Though, you go do stuff a lot, y'know. Sometimes you aren't home until like much later and I'm already knocked out." Reaching over, she poked his side playfully with her free hand. "I do get my cardio in, I know how to do that."
Puck ate the fries that she held out for his. Grabbing one, he held it up for her to eat. “Mmmm I dunno. You’re gone almost every night. And let’s not forget that I’m still mad at you for banging Madison in my apartment when I wasn’t around to bring you guys drinks and snacks,” he joked. Puck took the empty fry container out of her hand and tossed it away as well. He laughed as she poked his side. “Oh I know you know how to get your cardio in.” Wrapping his arms around her waist, he rested his head against hers. “You working late today?”
Eating the fry that he held up for her, she smiled a little up at him and then shook her head again. "I am not! We should have like a weekend where we stay home, but I don't know if you can handle that. Also!! It wasn't really planned! It just kinda happened," she laughed. Her body rested against his and she smiled contently whenever his head rested on hers and her hand gently moved on his side while she just relaxed with him. "I'm just really good at that without even trying, but no. I get off at seven tonight. Thankfully. I plan on trying to stay off nights for as long as I possibly can. You working until eleven tonight?"
“I would definitely get bored if we stayed in the apartment all weekend. I hate getting cooped up.” He laughed as she defended her hookup with Madison. Puck nodded at her question. “Yup. Working until close. Gotta make that money.” He shut his eyes for a moment and held her close. Squeezing her tightly for a moment, he sighed before letting her go. “Alright. Get outta here before people see me being nice. Got a tough reputation to keep around here.” Puck patted her side softly before moving her off his lap. “Thanks for lunch though.”
"Exactly my point, see? I get bored sometimes, but I can also distract myself with movies or things like that," she laughed and then shrugged. "You act like it's hard, you can get literally anyone in here to do it because you just smile." Standing up whenever he helped her up, she yawned before turning to look at him with a soft smile. "Oh right. Sorry. Mr. Tough pants. Can't ruin that," she chuckled then leaned over to hug him gently and grabbed her keys off his desk while turning to the door. "You're welcome. It was a good lunch. See you at home tonight?" She asked, opening the door and then waved back at him.
