Disclaimer: No current or previous association with Glee or the FOX Network, nor is there profit
Rating: M/Mature
Type: Multi-Chapter
Title: All That We've Been Through
Pairing: Main being Finn/Rachel; Side being Finn/Quinn, Kurt/Blaine & ?/Rachel
Summary: "Do you not remember what happened back then, Finn? Do you remember all we've been through? Please for the love of all that is designer, tell me that brain of yours hasn't just… Just forgotten!"
Author's Note: So this is my first attempt at Glee fanfiction. I've written on ff before but under different names and oooh it seems like years ago. I hope this isn't to horribly written. Anywho, I really hope you all like this prologue/chapter deal thing going on here. It's short I know and I'm sorry about that. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, and kind of wanted/needed. Let me know how you like it so far and what you think might happen next or in general with everyone or even want you want to happen. That's about all I have to say for this chapter here. And yes, the characters may seem/act different. It's simply because I'm not a creator or writer for Glee, I'm merely a fangirl who is writing for them the best she can. Also I've tried to add some maturity to them seeing as how this does take place in the future. Okay, enough of my ramblings, please enjoy and comment and such and all that and I hope you have a nice day.
Staring out the taxi window, Finn wondered if Kurt would honestly be the only one in the apartment when he arrived. He assumed he would be, as Kurt wasn't the type to break his promises let alone lie, but even still, if he was alone when Finn arrived the twenty-four year old was willing to bet money that by the end of their talk it wouldn't be just the two brothers anymore. Glancing at his watch, Finn shifted slightly before clearing his throat, altering the taxi driver. "There's a small café just off Riverside Boulevard," He began glancing at his watch again, "I'd rather go there than 400 West…" The driver nodded, the car turned and Finn let out a sigh he hadn't realized he'd even been holding.
It had been a little over a year since Finn had been in this part of town, actually, it'd been a little over a year since he'd been in New York at all and as the car turned again, he reached down to grab his small carryon bag, wondering if the café was still open. The small café had been his favorite place to go in the city; Central Park aside. Being that Haugh's was a hole-in-the-wall type place, not many people knew about it and that's what Finn loved. The coffee was so-so and the live music was nothing compared to what he was used to listening to, having been thoroughly spoiled by not only Kurt and Blaine's musical productions but Rachel's as well, but it was quiet and fairly priced and the owner was good to him. As the Haugh's sign caught his eye, Finn glanced at the cab toll. With gas prices being all sorts of high right now, he figured the ride would cost him a pretty penny, but surprisingly the toll rested at $00.00.
The cab pulled up to the side and the short, sturdy man leaned back in his seat. "A decaf vanilla almond with two Splenda's and we'll call it even, okay kid." the driver grunted much to Finn's surprise. "Haugh's is the best shop in town. You know of it and you get a free ride… kinda." He finished with a laugh. With his crooked smile, Finn nodded before slowly exiting the cab. It felt good to stretch his long legs, the ride hadn't been long, shorter than the flight no doubt, but being the tall man he was, anything that didn't allow him proper leg space for more than five minutes are uncomfortable. Turning towards the cafe Finn, for a brief second he missed his life here.
New York had been an adventure. One, of course, that had ended all too fast.
The bell above the door chimed as he pushed in slowly and a bearded barista turned to face him. "Welcome!" He called eyeing Finn for a good moment or two before he let out a snort of a laugh, "Finny boy is that you! My god! Look at you! Penguin suits always did look better on you than they did me." The man motioned for Finn to come closer. "It's been a while since you've been here, hasn't it? Thought you moved. Ahh well, not that it matters. You're here now. The usual I'd expect?" With chubby fingers the old man reached for the small paper cups to his left and began work. Walking up to lean on the counter Finn smiled as he watched the man.
"Back in town to see my brother. I'm getting married soon and I figured it would be best to, you know, tell him in person rather than over text or email or even the phone." Licking his lips Finn continued, "I was on my way over to our old… I mean his place and I just couldn't not stop buy; missed you too much." He laughed. It was true though, Finn has missed the old coffee shop owner. Whenever Finn was having trouble, Jerry Haugh, owner and head barista of Haugh's, was always willing to listen. At first he'd felt bad about always unloading to the older man, he obviously had better things to do with his time than listen to some teenager complain about his life and how unfair it was, but Jerry would always just pat his back and hand him a small black coffee and ask him to go on. The two, over time, grew closer and even when he wasn't having a bad day, Finn always wound up leaning on the counter talking about his day before he went back to the apartment. What made today any different.
Turning back to Finn, Jerry placed the small cup before him. "You know that spunky little brunette girl was just in here this morning. She didn't mention being engaged." He paused to scratch at his beard. "How long ya here for? Just a day I bet. With that kinda suit on, I bet you got some real important work waiting back home for you, huh? Wouldn't blame ya. Hell, if I was you I'dda never come back. If I was making better money elsewhere I'd stay there." He laughed, but they both knew it wasn't true though. Jerry loved New York, he loved his work and he loved his clientele. Even if he was offered more money elsewhere, he'd never leave and back when Finn had first met Jerry, he'd thought he'd never leave either.
Slowly nursing his drink Finn glanced to the wall clock behind Jerry. It was a little after ten and Finn had promised to be at Kurt's no later than ten-thirty. He didn't want to leave but he knew if he wanted to actually be on time for once, he had to go. Ordering the drink for the driver Finn let out small sigh as Jerry worked, "Man, I wish I had more time. I've got so much on my mind and damn it I know you're the only one sane enough in this town to help me out." Pausing to drink Finn shut his eyes tightly, "I know you close early on Mondays, but do me a solid man? Stay open till at least six. I'll help you shut down and all but I know I'm gonna need you tonight." Jerry laughed.
"I knew you only wanted me for my body Finny boy. I'll see what I can do, if I'm not in the front when you get here knock on the back door."
Hands deep in his pockets Finn nodded to himself as he looked at the dark wooden door before him. He'd knocked once but so far there was no answer. It made him nervous but at the same time… Maybe he could just turn around. He could easily hail a cab in New York and sure he'd have to wait in the airport for an hour or two after changing his flight but that wasn't as bad as what he was about to do. Reaching deeper into his pockets Finn moved to turn, more than ready to just make a run for it and never set foot back in this apartment, let alone New York when the door handle turned and he felt a rush of cool air hit him. Damn it.
"FINN CHRISTOPHER HUDSON!" The small boy before him nearly shrieked. With no time to think Finn felt his brother's arms around him, holding him tightly in a warm welcome hug. His eyes softened and before he knew it Finn was hugging back. "It really has been too long since you've last been here. Come in, come in. I have some coffee still left in the pot from our earlier breakfast but knowing you…" Kurt trailed off with a laugh as he side stepped and ushered Finn in to the cool apartment.
Just like the outside of the building, the small apartment living room still looked the same. The while walls were still decorated with the large mirror and the black and white Paris poster, he didn't know why he'd thought they would have redecorated once he left, and part of him was glad they hadn't. It still felt like home here, even though he knew it wasn't. Making his way to the small beige sofa, Finn smiled his crooked smile as he took a good look at his brother. For the most part, Kurt still looked the same. His hair was dyed to almost a sandy blonde color and much longer in the front but that aside, his brother was still his brother. The light blue button up fit him nicely and the dark tie hung undone around his neck. "Nice to see you man."
Kurt smiled gently as he sat down in the love seat across from Finn, "You too. I must say I was surprised when I received your email last week asking if I was free to see you. I was sure that once you left, it was for good but when I saw your name in my inbox I knew I'd been wrong. Or at least I thought I had been. I was slightly upset when you didn't mention moving back in, only that you wanted to see me, and only me I might add, but nevertheless here we are. So what exactly brings you here today Mr. Hudson? Neither of us have shows soon nor did you fly all the way out here just for a hug. I hope this 'big news' you refused to tell me about is actually something worth sharing." When he paused to breath, Finn went to talk but Kurt cut him off with a wave of the hand. "I'm not done. Finn, before you unload on me, I just have to ask why me and only me? Is this news something you just can't share with everyone?"
"I'm getting married." Finn's eyes darted from Kurt to his shoes to his hands. "I'm getting married to Quinn. Next month actually. It's rushed I know but she wants to get married now. She's scared I'll back out or something. I don't know why she'd think that though. I'm not that boy I was in high school. I love her; I wouldn't just walk out on her." He bit at his lower lip. "I just… I knew you'd take the news a lot better than Blaine… a lot better than…" Finn stopped. Was he ready to say her name again? He'd thought about her, of course, but actually talking about her? It had been a year since they'd talked. A year since he's seen her, touched her, felt her. A year to move on and here he was, engaged and still having trouble.
The room was quiet, not even the ceiling fan was moving. His words hung in the air; yeah this had been a mistake. Finn new he should have turned around when he had the chance.
"Of course you'd walk out on her Finn. You walked out on Rachel!" Finn looked up and to his brother. Kurt's face was blank, breathe even but his hands, they were shaking. "Do you not remember what happened back then, Finn? Do you remember all we've been through? Please for the love of all that is designer, tell me that brain of yours hasn't just… Just forgotten!" His brother's words stung. Of course he remembered. He remembered better than anyone. Those were the best years of his life. Even if he tried he couldn't will himself to forget the past five years. Not that he'd ever try.