Just the Way You Are

She laughs as she watches her goofy boyfriend dance with his new stepbrother. She knows it took a lot of courage for him to do what he did today, but in some way, she knows deep down in her heart it wasn't enough. He was always going to worry about his reputation and himself before others. And knowing that hurt her heart just a little.

Mercedes pulls on her arm, causing her to squeal as they shimmy and shake to the music. Now is the time for smiles and joy, not being down on her boyfriend, she thinks to herself. As she and the other girls twirl around, she feels another hand on her shoulder. This one does not belong to a girl. This one hand is rougher, calloused, but it touches her with feather light fingertips. She does not need to even turn around. She knows whom it belongs to.

Noah.

"Dance with me," he whispers.

For a split second, she's unsure if it's the right thing to do. After all, it's not completely proper to dance with your ex-boyfriend at your current boyfriend's mom's wedding. But, she and Noah are classmates and teammates as well as mature friends, so she pushes the uncertainty aside and turns into Noah's waiting arms.

He grips her close, but not too close as to call attention. His one hand settles on her waist, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on her hip while the other hand holds hers tenderly. She looks up into his eyes and she can't help but smile. He's smiling back at her and his face is completely open. He glances at Mike and Tina and chuckles at Brittany and Artie. Then he swings his eyes back at Rachel. She knows her eyes are dancing, because she hasn't seen him this carefree in awhile. He's not mooning at her or making it uncomfortable. He's simply smiling. And it makes her heart leap in return.

Then suddenly he leans down so his lips are in line with her ear. She thinks he's going to say something so she tips her head ever so slightly and suppresses a shiver when she feels his hot breath tickle the wisps of hair by her neck.

"Oh you know, you know, you know I'd never ask you to change," he starts to sing, "If perfect is what you're searching for then just stay the same."

Her breath catches in her throat as she realizes he's singing to her. He must feel her tense up, because he stops singing but his lips stay close to her ear. "I mean it, you know," he says softly. "You are amazing just the way you are."

Rachel tips her head up to look at his face, and she swallows thickly when she sees all signs of sincerity there. His face is filled with such earnest, and he gives her a sheepish half-grin. She smiles a smile that she hopes tells him I know and I appreciate you for it. He seems to get it because he nods in understand and his grin becomes a soft smile.

The song ends and he reluctantly lets go of her waist. She admits that she allows her hand to linger in his a moment longer than it probably should.

But she can't help it. She knows that Noah is right. He has never asked her to change. And he never would. Just knowing that causes her heart to swell.

"Thanks for the dance, Miss Berry," he winks as he leaves her side to chat with Sam.

"Thank you, Noah," she whispers softly to his retreating form.

Prompt: During "Just the Way You Are," Puck manages to whisper some of the lyrics to Rachel.