Title: The Red String of Fate Author: lps-record
Rating: M (Language, Sex, Adult Themes)
Spoilers: None. AU.
Summary: The fate of two girls sealed by the pact of their fathers. How will they deal and react with the news that they a bethroed to each other? A Faberry arranged marriage fic.
How It All Began:
17 Years Ago
The flapping of wings and the chirping of birds could be heard as Leroy Berry walked alongside his longtime best friend Russell Fabray along a hiking trail on the outskirts of Lima, OH. The days seem to be cooling down now that fall was near and the two men had decided to go out into the wilderness before facing the bustling city again.
Leroy's heavy footsteps crunched through the falling leaves and Russell was glad they weren't hunters, otherwise Leroy would have scared off whatever game they could've been chasing after. They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts until,
"You know Russ,I was thinking about that business plan that you propositioned to me the other day, and I feel that we should unite the bonds of our friendship even tighter in gratitude. You're saving my family's future with your plan" Leroy spoke, his deep voice booming through the forest air.
"Lee I told you you didn't have to owe me any favors. And what do you mean by bonding our friendship even tighter? And I'm not cheating on Judy with you if that's what you mean," he said, grinning at the man beside him, "I'm not gay."
Leroy looked at him and smirked, Russell rolled his eyes, "Really? You're going to bring that up again? We only shared ONE kiss in college. I was just curious, fucking asshole" he said pushing him away playfully.
"I know that dumbass, you know how I like bringing that up as often as I can, specially around your wife." he said, "I was thinking, we've been friends since 2nd grade and I feel our families should become one"
"Okkkaayyyy...but how?"
"I want to make a pact with you. I know Judy just gave birth to your first child and Hiram and I's surrogate mother is about to give birth to our child and I know it's going to sound crazy and only if you want, but what if we betrothed our first borns and marry them together, and therefore sealing the Berry-Fabray bond forever?"
Russell slowed to a stop and turned to stare at his best friend in disbelief for a couple of minutes before breaking into a huge grin.
"Lee, that is the BEST idea you've ever had!", he exclaimed, patting Leroy in the back, "how awesome would that be? I mean come on, it was destined to happen. We're like brothers so of course our kids are gonna love each other, get married and have our grand-babies!"
"I'm glad you see it too! It's a fail proof plan, what can go wrong?"
Two weeks later both Leroy and Russell met up, both carrying bundles of tiny human on their arms.
"So this was completely unexpected," Russell said, smiling down at his blond baby who was staring up at him silently with her big hazel eyes.
"I didn't expect them both to be girls," Leroy said rocking his fussy, squirming baby.
"Let's introduce them to each other shan't we?" Russell said "Lucy Quinn Fabray meet..."
"...your future wife Rachel Barbra Berry" Leroy finished for him, both men grinning with pride.
And as if to politely introduce herself, Quinn reached her tiny hand out and which was instantly grasped by Rachel's tiny fist.
5 years later
Russell and Judy Fabray were getting ready to head out to the park to meet the Berry's and enjoy a day out with their beloved friends.
Russell was tying his shoes and looked up seeing his daughter sitting on the floor surrounded by multicolored beads, deeply concentrated on trying to put a thread through one. She had begged him to buy her a bead set when her father had told her they were going to see the Berry's. Judy, Russell, Hiram and Leroy were deeply pleased when it seemed that their little girls had hit it off right away.
"What you doing there, baby?" he asked softly.
"I'm making this," she said in a huff, clearly frustrated that the bead and thread weren't cooperating with her.
"You need me to help you?" he asked getting closer to his baby girl.
"No," she said, "I gotta do this myself 'cuz it's for someone vewy impo'tent"
"Ohh," he said, hiding the knowing smile from his features, "and who is very important that you're making them a beaded necklace to?"
Little Quinn blushed slightly as she showed him beads with the initials RBB *heart* LQF emblazoned on the plastic squares.
She had just learned her alphabet and she had been really proud when she found out what initials were and had decided to put her knowledge to good use.
"What does RBB stand for?" he asked in fake curiosity.
"Wachel Wabwa Bewy" she said proudly. She had a slight problem pronouncing words with the letter "R" but the adults found it too adorable specially when Little Rachel would try to correct her speech.
"What is she making?" Judy asked, putting her earring's on as she spotted her husband's smile and her daughter's flushed cheeks.
"She's making this beautiful beaded necklace for Rachel," he commented.
"Ohhh, is that right?" she said smiling and raising an eyebrow, a trait that Quinn would eventually acquire.
"I did it!" Quinn yelled as she jumped from her spot on the floor holding both ends of the necklace in her little hand, "can you tie it fo' me mommy, pwease?"
Judy tied it, handing the finished work back to her daughter who was sporting a proud smirk.
"It's beautiful, Quinn" she said, "I'm sure Rachel is going to love it"
"Well come on my beautiful ladies we all know how the Berry's get when someone is late!" Russell said, picking up a giggling Quinn and carrying her over his shoulders
"Careful Russ, she's not a sack of potatoes, you know" Judy warned her husband.
"But she is! She's my little spud!" he said tickling his kid's belly.
Laying on the picnic blanket both couples "aw!"-ed as Quinn slipped her necklace over Rachel's neck and Quinn looked down shyly as Rachel pecked her flushed, rosy cheek in thank you.
"Look, Quinn's already whipped," Judy commented, "she's carrying Rachel's Barbra Streisand purse everywhere"
The adults laughed except for Russell.
"Hey, Fabray's are never whipped," he said with a frown.
"Oh Russ, my shoulders hurt. Mind giving me a massage?" Judy complained sharing a secret wink with the snickering Berry men.
"Oh babe, of course!" Russell said, already behind his wife massaging her relaxed shoulders. He scowled once he realized his theory went to shit upon hearing the other three laugh. So what if the Fabray's did everything their ladies commanded them to do?
"So, have we've decided when we should tell them that they're engaged to each other?" asked Hiram.
"I was thinking at least when they're 17," Russell replied.
"What if one of them isn't being at least bisexual?" Judy asked genuinely concerned.
"You really think that'll be a problem?" Leroy replied back, signaling with his head at the tiny human couple near the swings. Quinn was giving Rachel wild flowers she had found and it was little Rachel's time to blush as Quinn pecked her cheek.
12 Years Later (Both are 17)
Quinn Fabray strutted through down the halls of McKinley High parting the sea of students with each and every confident step she took. The hem of her Cheerios skirt brushed against her toned thighs, gathering the attention of 85% of the high school population.
Her attention was so firmly set towards the lumbering quarterback Finn Hudson that she did not notice the tiny brunette in her path. She ended up colliding against her, causing her own heart to flutter, and her heart reacting that way only meant one thing:
"Get out of my way Manhands!" Quinn hissed, glaring at the petite girl on her knees who was picking up her strewn papers and books.
"I profusely apologize, Quinn. I wasn't looking where I was going and I blame my lack of stature responsible for being unable to see whe-"
"Shut it, RuPaul" Quinn growled, "Just watch where you going next time". Without looking or helping the brunette, she strode past her and headed to restroom ignoring the look of confused constipation on the quarterback she called her boyfriend.
Rachel paused for a moment, shaking her head in disappointment. What had happened to the sweet, innocent and chilvarous Quinn of her childhood? The one who would sweetly help her and be ever the gentlewoman? Her fingers unconsciously graced the beads now adorning her wrist. The beads given to her to what seem like a lifetime ago, the "LQF" block lettering fading from so much rubbing.
"You really need to get over her my, Jewish American princess," Puck's voice broke through her thoughts. He was kneeling in front of her helping her gather her stuff.
"I know Noah, but I just can't," she said dejectedly.
"Come on I'll carry your stuff and walk you to class," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Aren't your friends going to say something?" she said, smiling at his gesture.
"Fuck no. Nobody does or says anything negative about the Puckzilla when he's taking care of his fellow hot Jew," he said.
With one last longing look towards the restroom the blond had disappeared to, she went with Puck.
"Fuck!" Quinn yelled into the empty restroom, pounding the ceramic sink with her fist. She hated her body's reaction every time she was near the vicinity of the little brunette.
Fucking Rachel and her gorg... she thought, no, I have Finn. My boyfriend. The one I'm always thinking about. Yeah right, she scoffed mentally, why are you lying to yourself?
Don't think about her. I can't ruin what I've build. Can't let her affect me like that again.
Quinn splashed cold water on her flushed faced and stared at her mirror image, the droplets of water dripping down her face. Her hazel eyes holding so much of her inner turmoil.
Why me, God? she asked, looking up at the ceiling, why can't I fucking just get over her?
Please let me get over her. Please.
Quinn couldn't have know what was in store for her future. Rachel Berry was going to be in her life forever with or without her consent.