Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, Noah, Rachel, Finn, or Bruises by Sugarcult.
The sob that followed the knock on his door was almost silent, but he recognized it. He wanted so badly to hold himself back, but he didn't even hesitate before he opened the door and pulled her through. She looked like a little girl as she launched into his arms, wrapped in mittens and a winter coat. But her tears showed who she really was – a 25 year old woman with a dumbass husband.
"I'm sorry, Noah," she choked out, but he put his finger to her lips to quiet her – her words were so distorted he was afraid she would strangle herself with them. He pulled her jacket off gently and hung it up, then turned around to see what he was dealing with. Maybe it was because she'd been crying, but she looked like she hadn't slept in days. The look on her face was so vulnerable and hurt that he almost wanted to cry. But in this case, the Puck inside of him overpowered the Noah. He wanted to find Finn and beat the hell out of him. "I just had to get away from him."
Rachel's words cut into his thoughts, and if he couldn't clearly see his chest he would've sworn his heart was being ripped out. Pain laced her voice like poison. "So you came to his best friend's house?" He led her to the couch and, against his better judgment, let her lean into him. Her eyes fluttered closed.
"He cheated on me," she sighed. It sounded close to, if not completely, indifferent. But he knew Rachel. She wasn't indifferent, she was tired. Tired of the shit Finn put her through. And honestly, so was he. He had watched Finn treat her like dirt all through high school, bouncing between Rachel and Quinn as if he was a fucking tennis ball. He thought it would stop once they graduated and settled down. It hadn't.
"I'll kill him," He growled, every muscle tensing underneath her. Rachel lifted her head, a protest bubbling to her lips, but he cut her off. "Why do you still let him treat you like this? You deserve better than him, Rach."
"I-I always told myself that underneath it all, he still loved me. But I don't think he did." I did, Noah thought, And I still do. He shouldn't have been letting this happen, letting her snuggle up into his chest, letting himself kiss the top of her head. He was her go-to rebound, the guy who was too much of a pussy to admit his feelings.
They were playing with each other's emotions – but that was all it would ever be, playing. He was just a game. And she was a damn good player.
I can tell that I'm falling in love with you
The bruises prove it's real