A/N: I don't own Glee nor the characters within. Well, this is a DD prompt for itsacurse; angsty Tinchel. Thanks!
Staring down at her hands, Tina swallowed. These hands… She almost smiled; these hands had touched the girl she'd fallen in love with.
But.
But would she touch her again?
Tina didn't know. Curling her fingers into her palm, she tried to suck in a deep breath.
She needed to breathe, because otherwise she didn't think she could survive what was going on around her.
Artie had forgotten her. Mercedes and Kurt had forgotten her. And perhaps worst, Rachel had forgotten her.
They were the originals. The original five.
And Tina had been the first one to support Rachel.
With her stuttering words, her complete belief in Rachel's superiority, Tina had paved the way for the older girl to take her 'rightful' spot as glee club captain.
"Of course," Rachel had smiled, meeting Tina's eyes before moving on, "It only makes sense that I make the time to make sure that we can become the best we can."
Of course, Tina mocked, turning her head, her chin pressing into her own shoulder, of course Rachel was the one who decided everything. Mr. Schuester was only a placeholder – a mouthpiece. He was barely a teacher, barely a leader for the glee club to look to.
No. It was Rachel who shone.
And it was Tina's hands who had helped her in the beginning.
Rachel, she mouthed, watching the fabric of her gloves move over the palms of her hands, don't you remember? Don't you remember my stuttering words of love? My tentative actions of support?
Tina dropped her head. No, her lips turned, no, of course not.
Rachel had Finn.
And Tina had Mike.
Heterosexual love. That's where the strength of the glee club rested.
No matter the look in Rachel's eyes. No matter the hitching of Tina's breaths. No matter whatever crossed her mind when their eyes met.
No matter the heat that stretched between them.