A/N: I apologise for any mistakes in this, it's almost 3:30am when I'm posting this, therefore reading through isn't an option right now. So, again, I'm sorry. I wrote it in dribs and drabs on my phone while on vacation, but finished it when I was finally home.
Heads up on a few things, Quinn was never pregnant, but she has a thing for Finn. You'll understand when you read it.
I don't hate Finn, at all. So, don't assume that I do when you read this. I just like Puck a lot more.
You can rent apartments in New York for vacations, if any of you didn't know. I could just picture the Glee club in a rented house for the time rather than in a hotel. I don't know why, I just could. Plus, I started to write the beginning bit without putting much thought into it, and it just came from there. I like Santana, a lot. And I don't think that she's always a complete bitch, she's just one of those people that you have to get to know to actually like. She gives people the time of day who deserve it. I get that they're not all completely in character, but deal with it, you either like it or you don't. Oh, and Jesse isn't around, at all. I think that's just about it.
I own none of the characters in this, they all belong to Ryan Murphy and Fox Television. I'm ever so slightly in love with Mark Salling. And I have major girl crushes on Lea and Naya, hence why they're all in this.
Read and review, I'd appreciate it.
And for those who were fortunate enough to Glee Live! How amazing was that? I know, right?
"Berry!" Puck called softly, as he saw the brunette walk past the door and stop then walk in the room when she heard his voice.
"Noah? What are you doing awake at this hour?" She began, slowly walking closer towards him, the bottle of water she'd got up to get in her hands. "You should be in bed, Mr. Schuester was quite clear that we were to spend the night in our rooms."
Rolling his eyes, Puck held out his hand towards her, gesturing for her to move closer. "I refuse to sleep in a room with Finn, not after what he done. He's an asshole, Rach."
The tears slowly began to form in her eyes again, and she walked towards him, taking his hand only to be pulled down onto his lap. "It hurts, Noah. I never expected it to hurt this much, but it does." She buried her head into the crook of his neck, feeling Noah wrap his arms around her waist.
"He's a douche, Rach. He doesn't know what he's missing. You can do better."
"You really think so?"
Hearing her sound so vulnerable and weak, Puck pressed his lips to the top of her head softly. "I know so. You've just gotta believe in yourself."
"Noah? Are you staying here all night?" Rachel asked him, lifting her head slightly.
"I was planning on it. Why?"
"Can I stay here with you?"
"Sure, Rach. You don't .?docid=18274884re do you?"
Rachel smiled at Noah, before going back to her original position. "No, I don't. Do you?"
"No, babe. Get some sleep, you look tired."
Rachel smiled as she breathed in his scent, feeling Puck bury his head into her hair. She never felt this comfortable with Finn, there was always a sort of awkwardness with him. With Noah, there was never that.
"Why do you think he done it?" Rachel asked quietly, the tears forming in her eyes once again.
Puck sighed as he held Rachel tighter, trailing his fingers down her arm. "Because he's a dick who doesn't look at what he has right in front of him. I know I have a pretty crap reputation, but that's how I'm known. People think Finn is like a God, you included, but he's not. At least I admit to my mistakes, Berry. Does he? Does he fuck. Has he actually talked to you about it?"
Rachel shook her head against Puck's shoulder, tightening her grip around his waist. "No, he said it was a mistake and everyone makes them. That I should forgive him and we can make things work."
"And do you believe that?"
"No." Rachel replied honestly, the silence falling between them once again for a few minutes before Rachel spoke up. "Noah, we haven't even had sex yet, so why does he think it's alright to do it with someone else and me forgive him?"
Hearing her words, Puck didn't know what to say. He honestly thought that Rachel and Finn had sex a while ago, there had been one morning when she'd come into school with this huge grin on her face, and Finn just had his usual idiotic smile on his. Puck would be lying if he said he wasn't a little jealous of Finn that day, but apparently he had nothing to be jealous off. "You and Hudson haven't had sex?"
"No, it never felt like the right time. He stayed over one night when my Fathers were away, but it went no further than kissing. I guess I wasn't in love with him as much as I thought."
"You know, when it happens, it's gonna be fucking amazing, Berry. It will be with some guy who knows you're worth it, not a douche like Hudson. You just gotta be patient."
Rachel sighed contently and nodded her head slightly. "You're right, when the time is right it will be perfect."
Silence fell between the two once again, but it was a comfortable silence, one that Puck found himself wanting to be a part of and he was not one for the quiet. It wasn't until Rachel's breathing steadied that he found himself actually relaxing, he was worried about this girl. Finn was an asshole who cheated on this girl and there wasn't a chance that Puck was going to stand for that shit.
The next morning, Rachel awoke in Puck's arms, his fingers running through her hair and at first she felt herself tense before remembering the conversation from the night before. It had been good to talk to someone about it all, to Noah about it all. The brunette lifted her head slightly and looked at Puck who had his eyes closed, although she knew he was awake. "Good morning, Noah."
"Morning, Rach." He mumbled as he slowly opened his eyes, grinning at Rachel as he looked at her. "You do snore."
Rachel pouted as she looked at him, nudging his arm with her elbow. "I do not. Noah Puckerman, take that back."
"Can't help it if you snore, babe."
"Shut up." Rachel replied quietly, letting her head fall back to it's place in the crook of his neck.
Fifteen minutes later and they were making their way back to their rooms, Rachel smiling at Tina and Mercedes as she walked in, knowing full well she'd get asked a long line of questions at some point. Unless she could avoid them of course. Silently, the brunette got her clothes together before going into the bathroom to shower and get dressed. When she was ready, dressed in a plaid skirt and a jumper, a pair of pumps on her feet. She was ready for the day, she was ready to spend more time with Noah, that's if he let her. Once she had her things together, Rachel walked downstairs only to see Puck and Finn standing there, glaring at one another. She knew something had been said and she didn't want them to fight, it wasn't worth it, she wasn't worth it. There was a mere three feet between the pair and Rachel could tell that Puck was ready to hit Finn.
"Noah? Don't." Rachel said softly, stepping closer and gripping onto the bottom of his t-shirt.
Looking at Finn once more, Puck then turned to Rachel who was looking up at him. More than anything he wanted to just punch Finn and get it over with, but at the same time he knew that it wouldn't go down well with Rachel if he did and that was the last thing he wanted to do. Piss off Rachel Berry. "Only because you don't want me to."
"I know. You're still badass, Noah." Rachel smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist to hold him tightly, breathing in his scent as she buried her head into his chest.
"Glad you know it." Puck whispered, running his fingers up and down her back.
"He's going to hurt you, Rachel. He'll sleep with someone else." Finn chirped up as he watched his ex-girlfriend and whatever Puck was to him these days in an embrace.
Slowly pulling away from Noah, Rachel moved and stood there glaring at Finn and she felt Noah take her hand. "He's not you, Finn! You're the one who slept with that slutty cheerio when you had a girlfriend, so don't say that about Noah!" Rachel glanced around noticing the rest of Glee had joined them, most of which were standing her on and Noah's side of the room. The brunette smiled sheepishly at them, before leaning back against Noah slightly.
"Look at his track record, Rach. It's not the best, is it?"
"I don't care. There's nothing going on with Noah and I anyway. Not that it would be any of your business if there was!" Rachel defended Noah, feeling his grip tighten on her hand.
"She has a point, Finn." Santana interrupted. "We all know Puck's record with women, but he'd treat Rachel better than you any day. She's right, it's none of your business if there was anything going on with them."
Rachel smiled gratefully at Santana just as Mr. Schuester and Miss Pillsbury walked into the room. Noticing that something was clearly going on, Mr. Schuester took this chance to start his morning prep talk.
Rachel was still close to Noah, and it was clear that neither of them wanted to let go of each other. Their morning was going to consist of doing a city tour, then in the afternoon they were going up the Rockerfeller center before going to see a show in the evening.
Once everyone was ready and back downstairs, Puck stood close behind Rachel as she leant against him. Their fingers laced together slightly as Santana stood close beside them defensively as Finn glared at them.
"Ignore him, Rachel. She was a slut anyway." Santana said quietly, giving Rachel a weak smile.
"Thank you." The brunette whispered just as Brittany joined them, followed by Mike and Matt.
"Right, everyone. The bus is outside, we're off." Mr. Schuester called and ushered everyone outside, raising his eyebrows slightly at how close Rachel was sticking to Puck.
Everyone got on the bus, Finn and Quinn sitting at the front, an apologetic smile on Quinn's face as she looked at Rachel.
Puck stopped by a seat and gestured for Rachel to sit by the window and she just shook her head and told him to go first. Yet, when he was sat down, the brunette moved as close as she could to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"You alright, Rach?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Reaching for his hand again, Puck willingly let her hold it. He hated Finn for hurting Rachel like that and it seemed as though he wasn't the only one. "Thank you for sticking up for me, Noah."
Looking down at her, Puck smiled, something he found himself doing a lot around Rachel. "I'm here for you, if you need me. It appears that San and everyone else is too."
Just as the bus began to move, Puck lifted his arm and wrapped it around Rachel, pulling her close so she could see out of the window too. Although he was enjoying being close to her as well, he couldn't deny that.
"I know, I'm grateful for it. I'm quite surprised about Santana though."
"She sticks up for the people she feels really deserve it. Shocking as it might sound, she's a decent person. Not to mention she's never been Finn's biggest fan, and she knows when he's being an ass." Puck said softly, as he looked out the window. "Plus, I think she kind of has the hots for you."
Hearing his comment, Rachel hit him in the chest as she looked up at him. "She does not. She has Brittany anyway."
"Does that mean you wouldn't be opposed to kissing her?"
"You're infuriating, Noah."
"Well?"
Sighing, Rachel chose to ignore his question and she shifted her position, draping her legs across one of his. "I wish we could have just stayed back there. I'm not in the mood for New York. At least not a tour of the city."
"Rachel Berry not in the mood for New York? He really has got you down, hasn't he?"
Rachel nodded her head against his shoulder as she closed her eyes. "I think I might even hate him, Noah."
"You should." Santana chirped up, looking through the gaps between the seats back at Noah and Rachel, causing Rachel to open her eyes. "He's an ass, he always has been. Honestly, Rachel, I know we have never seen eye to eye, but you can do better."
"Santana is right." Brittany said softly, looking around the side of the chairs at them. "Noah is better to look at than Finn aswell."
"Hear that, babe? Better to look at." Noah whispered to Rachel as she looked between the other two girls who were looking at her.
"As much as that gives him an even bigger ego, Britt is right. Puck's a good kisser too."
"I know." Rachel whispered, blushing as soon as the words escaped her lips, burying her head into Noah's shoulder.
"Quit it, you two. As much as I love hearing these comments, can you leave us alone?" Puck asked, smiling gratefully as they went back to their original positions. "You really think I'm a good kisser?"
"You're one of two males that I've kissed and as much as I hate stroking your ego, you're by far the best."
"You could stroke something else." Noah teased, chuckling as Rachel hit him again. "Kidding, babe."
Rachel closed her eyes again as the tour continued, the one thing that was really keeping her calm was having Noah so close. She could feel him tracing patterns on her arm and she was trying to see if they had any meanings. At first she noticed his initials, and she smiled slightly and then she noticed her own initials which made her smile even more. Then she felt something else, but she couldn't work out what. As he rotated between the three things, Rachel tried to work out the last. Nothing, he seemed to be doing that one quicker than the other two.
Hearing Mr. Schuester start talking, Rachel cuddled even closer to Noah. When their teacher asked if anyone had any questions she didn't expect to hear Noah's voice.
"Mr. Schue, Rachel isn't feeling so good. I was wondering if we could just spend the rest of the day back at the house?"
She noticed the silence for a few seconds and next she heard Mr. Schuesters voice, this time closer to them. "You know that I'm not meant to leave students alone, Noah."
"I know. But she's slept for almost the entire time we've been on this bus. I promise, we'll just go back and I'll just sit with her and make sure she's alright."
Rachel noticed the pause, and she took this time to slowly open her eyes, stretching against Noah slightly as though she had only just woken up. "Mr. Schuester?"
"Puck says you're not feeling so good?"
Rachel shook her head slightly, tightening her grip on Noah's hand. "Not really, no."
"If I was to send you both back, you'd have to promise not to leave the building and also not get up to anything?"
"We promise, Mr. Schue. Right, Rach?"
Rachel nodded her head again before closing her eyes and cuddling against Noah once more.
"Alright, I'll get the driver to drop you guys back there before we reach our next stop. Look after her, Puck."
"I intend to." Puck said, a softness to his tone that wasn't usually there.
Twenty minutes later and the pair were dropped off at the house, receiving a glare from Finn when they got off the bus. Mr. Schuester gave them another talking to quickly, making sure they understood the rules, before leaving the pair in the house. Upon hearing the door close, Rachel looked up at Puck as she spoke. "I'm gonna go and change into something more comfortable, then can we cuddle again?"
"Sure thing, babe." Puck pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head before Rachel made her way up the stairs to the room she had been sharing with Tina and Mercedes. She actually wished she was sharing with Santana and Brittany, which surprised her.
Changing into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, Rachel made her way downstairs, carrying a blanket from her bed with her. She was surprised to see Noah had changed into a pair of sweatpants. He was sitting in the chair that he had been the night before and when he saw Rachel, he held out his arms towards her. "Come here, babe."
Rachel smiled and made her way over to him, allowed him to pull her down onto his lap. Once she was settled, she pulled the blanket over them both, burying her head into the crook of his neck. "Thank you for saying that to Mr. Schuester. This is much better than all that, but I still feel like you're missing out."
"Not missing shit, Rach. Anyway, what's stopping us from coming back to New York some other time? Not to mention when you're some crazy Broadway diva, I'm gonna have to come and see you on stage."
"You'd really come and see me on stage?" Rachel asked as she felt him start to trace patterns again.
Noah just nodded his head, kissing her forehead softly. "'Course I would babe, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"And if I don't make it?"
Puck sighed and pulled Rachel up so that he could see her better, placing his finger underneath her chin, he lifted it up so she was looking at him. "You will. Don't fuckin' talk like that, Rach. You're the most talented person I know, you've got dreams, ambitions, all that shit. You're gonna fuckin' make it." Seeing the look on Rachel's face, he knew she was about to burst into tears and he hated it when girls would cry. He hated it when Rachel would cry and Puck had seen that shit more times than he cared to remember. "You, Rachel Berry are going to be a big Broadway star. Everyone is going to envy you. You'll throw your little tantrums every so often, but that's who you are. You'll have some guy whipped, who'll do everything for you, just because you're Rachel Berry. Or whatever you do with your last name when you get married. Don't cry on me, babe. Please?"
The tears escaped before she could even stop them and the brunette buried her head into his shoulder and she felt him tighten his grip on her.
"Rach, please, don't cry. I'm begging you here." Puck said softly, rubbing her back gently as he sobs slowed down. "Talk to me, babe. I'm not going anywhere, buttercup."
Rachel smiled at the nickname he just called her and lifted her head, wiping the tears away from her cheeks as she spoke. "I won't have some guy whipped, Noah. Because I need a man who is as strong minded as I am, even if we do clash occasionally. I'm certain that not many people would put up with me."
"I would. Although I wouldn't say that it's 'putting up with you' as 'learning how to deal with your crazy'."
Rachel smiled at his words, and kissed his cheek softly before taking his hand. "Still, not many people would do that. Finn didn't."
There it was again, that asses name. Seriously, Puck wanted to hit the guy more and more as the day was going on and he was pretty sure that by the end of the trip, he would. Whether Rachel told him to or not. "Rach, Finn is an ass. You need to realise that, he was never gonna be what you wanted him to be. He's too fucking stupid to realise what he's got until someone else has it."
"No one else has me."
"Not yet, Rach. But they will, you're a catch."
Four hours later and Puck heard the door open followed by the sound of voices and laughter. Rachel was curled up on his lap fast asleep like she had been for the past two hours, and he was surprised that she didn't wake up.
The first people to walk in the room were Santana and Brittany, Santana just grinned at Puck and Brittany skipped over to the couch and sat down, looking at the pair.
"Finn is gonna be jealous." Brittany said in a sing-song tone.
"I don't give a fuck about Finn, Britt. He lost her, he had his chance and he fucking blew it."
"You're so whipped, Puckerman." Santana said with a grin on her face. "Does our little Broadway star feel the same?"
Puck just shrugged his shoulders slightly which caused Rachel to stir a little. "I don't know. Even if she doesn't, she can do better than Hudson."
"Anyone can do better than him." Brittany said, smiling at Rachel as she saw the brunettes eyes open. "Hey, Rach. How are you feeling?"
"Better, thank you, Brittany." Looking around, she saw Santana, Matt and Mike in the room with them and she guessed the others had gone to their rooms.
"Finn was pissed that Puck came back with you, Rach." Santana said with a small smirk on her face. "He even started to get mad at Mr. Schue. I told him to shut up, because what you and Puck done was none of his business. He shouldn't be such a pussy."
Rachel could see why Santana and Puck got along like they did, they were alike, but at the same time they were different. Not to mention neither of them were as bad as Rachel had once thought.
"Thank you. I'm almost certain you're encouraging Noah to go and punch Finn though." The brunette looked up at Noah who just looked annoyed and she didn't care who was looking, she pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. "Please, don't. I don't want you getting into trouble because of him, he's not worth it."
There was no way that Puck could deny this girl, not after she'd almost just kissed him in front of their friends. They weren't just his friends anymore, they were all so clearly Rachel's too, even if she didn't fully realise it yet. Looking down at her, Puck smiled before he kissed the tip of her nose, causing Rachel to get this huge grin on her face. "Promise. Only because you asked me to though."
Brittany was looking at them with a smile on her face, as was Santana, although hers had more of a smirk to it. Matt and Mike had grins as they looked at them. Puck? Well, he was just happy that he might just be getting the girl.
"Right, guys." Mr. Schuester began as he walked in the room, followed by the rest of Glee. "We're heading to Planet Hollywood for dinner, then we're going to be walking to our show. It's only four blocks, so it's not far. But you're all to stick together. You've got twenty minutes to sort yourselves out. Rachel, are you feeling well enough to join us?"
Nodding her head, Rachel slowly and reluctantly pulled herself away from Puck to stand up. Almost instantly, he stood up after her and placed his hand on the small of her back. "I'm feeling much better now, thank you."
Rachel walked out of the room, past the rest of Glee and she heard Finn say her name, followed by Santana telling him to shut up and leave her alone. The more she was around Santana, the more she liked her. Rachel walked up the stairs and heard footsteps behind her, followed by a hand on her back. She knew who it was instantly, and a tiny smile appeared on her face. She remained silent and continued up the stairs, walking into her room still aware of who was following her. "You shouldn't be in here, Noah."
"So? You think it bothers me."
Turning around, she smiled as she looked at him, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. She walked towards him, stopping a few inches away from him as she looked up. "I don't want him anymore, Noah. It still hurts, but I don't want him. I have you, and apparently Santana and Brittany too. I don't need him."
"You have Matt and Mike too. Who does Finn have to defend him? A guy in a wheelchair and Kurt? Good luck, Hudson."
Placing her hand on his arm, she brushed her thumb across it gently, smiling up at him. "You will not do anything to Finn. You're right, he is an... asshole. But that does not give you the right to go round hitting him."
"Does babe. When he's a ass to you, it does."
"Puck, out." Santana ordered, causing Rachel to step back slightly only to be stopped by Noah's hand over hers.
"Noah," she pleaded softly.
"I won't. You don't want me to, so I won't. Not gonna stop threatening him though." With that, Puck let her hand go and walked out of the room to his own so that he could get changed into something more suitable leaving Rachel and Santana alone.
When Puck left, the brunette sighed and walked over to the small closet they had in the room, opening it and looking through her clothes. It wasn't until Santana appeared beside her that she realised she'd just been standing there.
The latina smiled at Rachel, taking hold of the brunettes hand, Santana gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Puck is just looking out for you, he cares about you a lot. Anyone can see that. He's laid his claim on you and when Puck does that with something, he won't let it go without a fight."
"Was he ever like that with you?"
"Not to extent he is with you, no. He hasn't been like that with anyone, you're different. You keep him grounded, because if it was anyone else telling him not to go and punch Finn, he wouldn't listen." Santana gave Rachel's hand another squeeze before letting it go and picking out a pair of jeans and a tank top from Rachel's clothes and handed it to her. "Wear that, we don't want you to freeze, nor will Puck want other guys eyeing you up."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Rachel smiled gratefully at Santana before going into the bathroom to change, even though she could easily change in front of her new found friend, she still didn't feel at that place with her. When she'd changed, she folded the clothes she had on before neatly and walked back into the bedroom where Brittany and Santana were laying down on her bed. "Do I look alright?" Rachel asked quietly, as she looked down at herself.
Brittany lifted her head up to look at Rachel but before she could get a word in, Finn's voice filled the room. "You look beautiful, Rachel."
The tears welled up in her eyes again, and more than anything she found herself wanting Noah. But Santana and Brittany were at her side, the pair glaring at Finn. "Leave her alone, Finn. I know she doesn't want Puck to hit you, but we all know that he will if you keep this up. She doesn't need you."
Before Rachel realised what she was doing, she was walking closer to Finn, bitterness in her eyes. "You do not get to call me beautiful, Finn! You lost that right when you had sex with someone else. Don't talk to me or even look at me, I'm done with you." All of a sudden her palm hit his cheek, leaving a bright red mark on it.
It was this moment, that Puck walked into the room and seeing Rachel standing so close to Finn angered him. That was until he saw the grins on Santana and Brittanys faces, the look of anger on Rachels and the red hand shaped mark on Finns. "Leave her alone, Hudson." Puck warned as he walked in the room, gently pulling Rachel away from him.
As Finn walked out of the room, Rachel turned to face Puck, burying her head in his chest. "I just slapped Finn," she whispered as she felt Noah rubbing her back gently.
"Good. Douche deserved it." Puck whispered back and took the cardigan that Santana handed him before she walked out the room with Brittany.
"You look hot, babe. I like it when you wear jeans."
"Santana said to wear it because you wouldn't want me to freeze to death, nor would you want anyone else eyeing me up."
"'tis true, babe."
Rachel smiled against his chest and she felt Puck pull away slightly, holding out the cardigan. "I'm assuming this is for you to wear." Puck said softly as Rachel took it from him, slipping her arms through the sleeves quickly. As she was about to do it up, Puck pushed her hands away and began to button it up for her. "You look amazing, Rach."
"You really think so?" She asked shyly, looking down at her feet as she curled her toes underneath.
"Know so. Ready to go?"
"One minute." Rachel replied, pulling away from him as she slipped on a pair of ballet pumps and picked up her purse before walking back over to Noah. "Done. You know, you're looking handsome yourself, Noah."
Puck grinned at her comment as he draped his arm around her shoulder and walked downstairs with her, feeling her hand slip into his back pocket. "Trying to feel me up already, babe?" He teased quietly as they walked back into the living room where everyone but Santana and Brittany were waiting.
Leaning into Noah slightly as they stood there, Rachel looked down at the ground as Noah rubbed her back. How did he seem to make everything just disappear? She needed to work that one out. It was nice though, absolutely amazing if she was honest.
When Santana and Brittany joined them, Mr. Schuester and Miss Pillsbury went through a few things with them, about sticking together and all that first. Stepping outside, Rachel found Noah tightening his grip around her and she looked up at him curiously. "I'm not going anywhere, Noah." She whispered as the group began to walk down the street.
"I know, just don't want to lose you." He mumbled back, seeing Finn glance back at them. "You really slapped him? I wish I'd been there."
"If it's ever going to happen again, I'll make sure it's when you're there, Noah."
Looking down at the brunette, Puck grinned and gave her a small squeeze before loosening his grip slightly. "You're the best, Rach."
Within fifteen minutes they were seated in Planet Hollywood on two tables. Puck and Rachel with Santana, Brittany, Matt and Mike. Theneveryone else together. It was a booth table so Rachel was sitting close to Puck as he kept his arm around her, tracing patterns on her arm like he had been on the bus earlier that day. He was engrossed in a conversation with Matt and Mike about some video game, and Santana and Brittany were talking about one thing or another. Rachel was just content being there with these people she was hoping she could consider her friends. It wasn't until she heard Noah saying her name that she realised the waitress was there to take their order. She hadn't even looked at the menu, opening it quickly, she chose the first thing that looked relatively appealing. She wasn't really that hungry and she knew Puck would finish whatever she left, so the brunette ordered herself a cheeseburger and fries with an iced tea. When the waitress left, everyone went back to their conversation, except Puck.
"Babe, you zoned out, you alright?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"Because today has been pretty crappy for you." He replied honestly.
Rachel looked up at him, a confused expression on her face. "Besides everything with Finn, today has been great. The good definitely outweighs the bad. I've spent a large portion of the day with you, haven't I?"
Puck couldn't help but grin at her words. "You sure? I'm still worried about you, babe."
"Don't. You'll be the first person I go to if I need someone to talk to." She replied honestly just as the waitress brought over their drinks, they all thanked the woman, almost simultaneously putting their straws into their glasses. Without even realising it, Rachel's hand found it's place on Noah's thigh just as Santana and Brittany started talking to her. He was tracing patterns again which was distracting her. His initials. Hers. His. Hers. Then whatever else it was. His. Hers. It. His. Hers. It. His. Hers. It continued like that, a cycle. After five minutes, Rachel excused herself from the conversation with the girls and looked up at Noah.
"Noah?" She asked quietly.
"Yeah?"
"You know that you've been..."
The waitress interrupted them, their food was there and Rachel sighed as Noah moved his arm from around her, but she kept her hand on his thigh. Looking at her food, the brunette wasn't as hungry as she had thought, yet she picked up a couple of her fries and began to slowly eat them. Everyone had gone back to their conversations as they ate, and she knew that it would be a while before she got to ask Noah what it was he was tracing on her arm. She'd just have to get even more frustrated at not knowing.
Five minutes later, Rachel moved her hand from Noah's thigh and placed it on her lap as she continued to slowly pick at her fries. When she saw him look at her, the brunette smiled weakly at him. "If you want my burger, you can have it."
Puck looked between Rachel and her almost untouched plate and turned to face her a little more. "Babe, what's wrong?" His tone was full of concern, as was the look on his face.
"I'm just not hungry. You can have it." She pushed the plate towards him slightly, a soft smile gracing her lips.
Puck sighed and leant back in the seat, putting his arm around Rachel again and pulling her close. "I don't believe you." He whispered, watching Rachel place her hand on his thigh again.
"That's your choice, Noah. Eat it, please."
"Eat the rest of the fries then." He bargained, only picking up the burger once Rachel agreed and began to eat the fries.
Once they had finished, Rachel settled back against Noah closing her eyes as she felt his fingers move on her arm again. His initials. Her initials. His. Hers. His. Hers. Mine? Is that what he was spelling. No, it was different the next time. NY? Mine? Wait, was that 'love' he was writing. Maybe it was best saved for a time when they were alone. Placing her hand over his to stop him tracing patterns, she pulled it down to wrap around her waist a little more. She didn't want to think about it, she just wanted to spend time with him.
Noah looked down at Rachel when she moved his hand, he knew there was something getting to her, he knew that look. Whether she told him or not was a different matter. "Sorry," he muttered, smiling slightly when she looked up at him. "It was annoying you, sorry."
"It wasn't annoying me. You don't annoy me." She replied honestly.
The waitress came round to clear their plates, asking if they wanted dessert. Santana and Brittany ordered one to share, Matt, Mike and Puck ordered one each and Rachel just shook her head and sat there quietly.
When their desserts came, Rachel leant back on the seat placing her hand on Puck's back, rubbing it gently. He was busy talking to Matt and Mike while he ate, but Rachel didn't mind. She didn't want to take him away from his friends, that wasn't her intention.
Santana looked over at the brunette who looked bored out of her mind, yet at the same time she looked content. "Rach, you want some?" She gestured towards the cheesecake she and Brittany were sharing.
"No, thank you. I'm not hungry." Rachel replied before turning her head slightly and leaning against Noah's arm. She felt him move and the brunette looked up at him as he looked down at her. "Enjoying your dessert?"
"Want some?" Puck asked holding the spoon towards Rachel who shook her head. "We'll get some M&M's at the theater, you're sharing those."
"Fine. But only because I don't want to fight with you."
"That's my girl."
Rachel smiled softly at Noah, letting her head rest against his arm as she felt his hand on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. There was a time when neither of them would want to be around each other this much, but now it seemed as though they wouldn't be able to cope if they weren't around each other. Not to mention Rachel was pleased to have found a friend in Santana, as cruel as the cheerleader had been to her in the past, she didn't see that happening again.
When everyone had finished their desserts, each took out their money to pay for what they had, only to be stopped by Mr. Schuester and Miss Pillsbury, saying that they were going to pay for their meals. Any other time Rachel probably would have said something, but this time she didn't care. Once the bill was paid, they got told once again to stay together at all times. They all slowly made their way outside, Puck still talking with Matt and Mike about another video game or movie, Rachel wasn't paying much attention. The only thing she noticed was Finns eyes on her as they stood at the crosswalk. She only took a quick glance in his direction, but he was standing there looking directly at her. He looked hurt, lost, lonely. Turning her attention back to the person beside her, Rachel reached for Puck's hand and he instantly turned his head and looked down at her, lacing his fingers with hers and giving her hand a small squeeze.
"Alright?" He questioned as Rachel moved closer to him.
"I will be." It wasn't a lie, she would be. But right in that moment, seeing Finn looking at her that way, she wasn't. "Go back to your conversation," she insisted, nudging his arm gently.
Before Puck could go back to talking about COD, everyone was crossing the street, and he gave Rachel's hand a gentle tug as they walked across the street.
Each crosswalk would consist of Rachel moving as close to Noah as she could until they could cross. When they stopped outside the theater, Mr. Schuester began talking again, this time Puck wrapped his arms around Rachel's body as she let her head rest against his chest.
There is was again, those words, initials, whatever they were. It was comforting, but at the same time it was frustrating. She really wanted to know what it was, but she wanted to ask him when they were alone. Miss Pillsbury handed each person their ticket, handing Puck two as Rachel had her arms wrapped around his waist underneath his shirt.
Santana made her way over to them, Brittany close behind and the pair linked arms with one another as they looked at Puck and Rachel.
"Rach? You sure that you're alright? You've been quiet all evening." Santana asked, concern clear in her tone.
Rachel lifted her head from Noah's chest to look over at Santana, nodding her head. "I'm good, just this whole being around Finn thing is exhausting." Rachel moved her arms from around Noah and turned around, leaning against chest and she felt his arms around her waist, holding her close. He was being protective, but she liked it, at least he cared.
"You have us though. Me, Britt, Matt, Mike and Puck, you definitely have Puck by your side. I don't think he'd leave it if he didn't have to." Santana looked up at Puck and grinned at him, chuckling as he rolled his eyes at her words. They were true, but he didn't need Rachel to know just how whipped he was.
A grin spread across Rachel's face upon hearing Santana's words and she tilted her head back to look up at Noah who looked down at her. "You don't need to be at my side all the time, Noah. I'm capable of looking after myself."
Mr. Schuester called them all together so that they could go in, and the group slowly made their way into the theater, the conversations continuining amongst themselves. When they all had their seats, Rachel between Santana and Puck once again, she leant into Puck as he draped his arm around her shoulder. She knew that it would be a matter of seconds most likely before he started tracing their initials again and it was. He was sitting there staring at the stage, clearly lost in thought. "Noah," she whispered as she looked up at him but they were interrupted by Santana and Brittany.
"You guys want anything getting?"
Rachel reached for her purse and took out some money, handing it to Santana. "Could you get us some water and M&M's, please?"
The pair agreed, and made they way back to the refreshments stand, hand in hand causing Rachel to smile to herself. She turned back to face Noah only to have him staring at her, an intense look on his face. "What?" She asked shyly, feeling her cheeks turning red.
"Love. That's what it is. Love. My initials. Love. Yours. I mixed a few others into it to see if you got it." He replied softly, giving her a knowing smile. He knew it was bothering her, he knew that each time she'd started to ask him something, she wanted to know that. He knew that the reason she'd moved his hand before was because she couldn't figure it out and I annoyed her.
Rachel didn't say anything, she just let her head rest against his shoulder and she felt him do it again, this time she knew exactly what he was writing. She was so comfortable with him, just to sit there in silence and apparently he was too. Placing her hand on his thigh again, Rachel closed her eyes and there was a smile on her face. She'd had the perfect day with him and they weren't even an item.
Five minutes later and Santana dropped some M&M's onto Puck's lap, handing him the bottle of water and Rachel's change before sitting back down beside Rachel. "Finn was out there bitching about you two. Saying that the only reason that Rachel hit him was because she's spent so much time with you."
"That's not true. I done it because he deserved it." Rachel said softly, her eyes remaining closed. "And Noah? This doesn't mean you can suddenly decide you need the bathroom or something so that you can go and see him."
Puck just looked down at Rachel in disbelief, this chick really did know him. Looking over at Santana, she had a grin on her face as she looked at the two of them, shrugging her shoulders at Puck who looked back down at Rachel. "I wasn't going to," he lied, knowing this would most likely make her open her eyes. And it did, she had moved away from him slightly so she could look at him, raising her eyebrows slightly.
"Don't lie to me, Noah."
Puck sighed as he looked at her, leaning back in his chair. "Fine, maybe I would have done. I won't though, promise."
Santana laughed to herself, taking this opportunity to cough the word 'whipped', earning a glare from Puck and a somewhat confused look from Rachel. Thankfully, the lights dimmed and Rachel settled against Puck, her hand resting on his thigh again. She'd never felt this at ease with Finn, she always felt like she had to impress him. Like she couldn't be herself completely when she was with him, with Noah, he didn't care. He'd seen her in tears with make-up smeared down her cheeks, or covered in slushies and yet he still chose to be around her. To comfort her when she most needed it. Finn didn't. Finn used to avoid her. True, Noah did too, but at least in that brief time they dated before he didn't actually mind being seen with her. Now, it seemed like he really wanted to be with her. Rachel was certain that Santana was right, he wouldn't let her out of his sight if he could get away with it.
A the show went on, he felt Rachel move slightly, and he knew that she was trying to get more comfortable, she had a frustrated look on her face as she moved. If he could, he would have pulled her onto his lap, he noticed she didn't move around much when she was there. "Babe, you alright?" He whispered as he leant towards her.
Rachel looked towards him, nodding her head slightly, the same frustrated look still on her face. Fuck, why wouldn't she just talk to him? Be honest and say that she wasn't comfortable or whatever, rather than clearly bullshit to him.
After five minutes of her moving, Puck had had enough, and he nudged her arm and nodded his head towards the aisle. Thankfully, there was only Brittany and Santana between them and the aisle so it didn't take much for them to get out. He grabbed Rachel's hand and gently pulled her out of the theater and into the lobby, turning to face her when they were away from the doors. "What's wrong?"
"I couldn't get comfortable, those seats are quite hard." She replied firmly, looking up into his eyes. He didn't completely believe her, she could see that. Letting out a sigh, Rachel pulled him further from the doors, leading him to one of the small benches near the wall and pointed to it. "Sit."
Puck just looked between the seat and Rachel, rolling his eyes before sitting down and leaning against the wall. It was then that Rachel sat down, on his lap and curled up as he wrapped his arms around her. "I don't like the show. I always hated the movie, which was why I was so reluctant to come on this trip. Daddy used to tell me I was being stupid, that it was only a movie. I know it is, but I still don't like it."
"You hated The Lion King?" Puck asked, completely surprised by this little revelation as he began to rub her back gently.
Rachel nodded her head against his chest just as Mr. Schuester walked over to the pair. "Rachel, Puck, are you guys alright?"
"She's not feeling too good again, we'll just sit out here for a bit. Hopefully she'll be alright for the second half." Puck lied, knowing full well they weren't going back inside.
"Alright, if you need me, just either come in and get me or ask one of the ushers to."
"We will. Thanks, Mr. Schue." Puck replied before watching their teacher walk back into the theater, before Rachel moved off of his lap so that she was sitting beside him. "Don't worry, we won't go back in."
"You can, you don't have to ruin tonight just because of me."
"Rachel, I'd rather be out here with you than in there with them lot. How about we get to know each other a little better? Twenty questions or some shit like that."
By the time the interval came around, Puck had learnt that Rachel's favorite Disney movie was Beauty and the Beast, her favorite food was pasta in a cheese sauce, that she never hated him even when he was throwing slushies at her (that bit made him feel like shit, and she could tell too which was why she told him to stop thinking about it and kissed his cheek), she'd never watched Grey's Anatomy (that show was the shit, he didn't care what people thought), her favorite book was To Kill A Mockingbird (he just had to read it, apparently) and that she hated his mohawk.
Rachel had learnt that Puck loved his little sister, as bratty as she was at times and he'd do anything for her, his favorite movie was some italian one called 'I'm Not Scared' (which surprised Rachel, but she insisted they'd watch it sometime), that even when he was doing it, he felt bad for all the slushies (which she insisted were forgotten about), that he wanted to travel (not just to a few more states, he wanted to go places) and that she was the first girl he could really see himself with. That last one had been more of a mumble as people made their way out of the theater and into the lobby, but Rachel definitely heard it. Which was why when Santana gave her a questioning look, she just smiled and got up, walking to the bathroom.
"What did you say, Puck?" The latina asked, sitting down where Rachel had just got up from.
"Nothing. She's smiling isn't she?"
"Exactly. For once, I think you said the right thing, what was it."
Puck sighed and shifted uncomfortably in his placed, scratching his head slightly as he looked down at his feet. "That she's the only girl I can actually see myself with, like properly."
"You really are whipped, Puck."
"I know, but just fucking look at her." He said, grinning at Rachel as she slowly walked back over to them, sitting on Puck's lap and facing Santana. "Beautiful."
Rachel blushed at his word, she knew that her cheeks were bright red, she could feel it.
"Just kiss, damn it. There's so much fucking tension between you two." With that said, Santana got back up and made her own way to the bathroom and Puck just sat there looking at the blushing brunette on his lap, who was avoiding looking at him.
When Rachel moved from his lap, she sat indian style facing Puck on the bench and smiled when he turned to face her a little more, placing his hand on her knee, brushing his thumb lightly across it. "Continue our little game?" She whispered, reaching for his other hand which he let her take.
By the time the show ended, they'd found out so much more about one another and neither could hide the smiles that were on their faces when everyone else came to meet them. He wasn't going to tell them why they'd left the theater and had spent most of the time sitting there talking, that was their secret.
The group began to make their way back to the house, Rachel complaining that her feet ached halfway there, to which Puck told her to jump on his back and he'd carry her. After protests from Rachel and Santana insisting she just do it, Rachel was resting comfortably on Noah's back, pressing kisses to the top of his head every so often, tracing patterns on his chest. It was their thing, wasn't it? She knew that Finn was looking over at them, but she didn't care, she didn't need him. She had Noah, right?
I know I kind of just left it hanging there, but you can pretty much guess, right?
I already kind of want to do a continuation on this, but I'm not really sure whether to do it or not.
Review, please?