Author's Note: Warning, there be lemons ahead, be wary and be ware! (ah, and thanks to Lizzybelle for reminding me that a warning about mild femslash would be appropriate.)
4 Valentines Day Sucks
Rachel wasn't certain who'd invented the sadistic occasion that was Valentine's Day; it was nothing more than a reminder that she didn't have anyone who wanted to spend the day with just her. Her Dads would have a romantic dinner and a hotel room away from Lima every year and she'd make sure that she stayed up in her room and studied so much she'd eventually wish her brain would melt.
This year Puck was trying to romance Lauren Zizes and Rachel had simply looked at him when he'd explained what he wanted to do. When she'd tilted her head and offered her help he'd just grinned at her. Apparently while he'd kissed Lauren they'd decided there was no spark and that they'd be friends. Lauren liked having a badass like Puck on her arm and Puck thought having a girlfriend like Lauren would throw Finn off the scent about how much time Puck was spending with Rachel.
Finn was still not talking to her, if he had been she could have told him the idea of a kissing booth was idiotic. Kissing booths were traditionally staffed by girls not boys, so of course Finn would think his status and good looks would help him make money and get everything completely wrong.
"Rache, ya okay?" Puck was looking at her over his history textbook curiously, "Valentine's day still buggin' ya?"
"I find it to be a morally reprehensible holiday that encourages insincere displays of affection and too much emphasis on monetary gifts," Rachel frowned. "And Finn gave me a gift he'd bought me for Christmas today. It was a star necklace..." She sighed and shook her head, "You know at one time I would have given anything to have him believe in me."
"At one time?" Puck seemed to be holding his breath almost, Rachel blinked at him, that was really a little odd.
"He just...he never really has you know?" Rachel shook her head again closing her book and getting up to take out ingredients for cookies. "He acted like he did for a while, like he thought when I sang it was magical. But..."
"But?" Puck got up and started to help her, pulling the mixer out from its cupboard and putting it on the kitchen island. "Just let it out angel, ain't like I don't know the dude."
"I...never felt..." Rachel struggled for a minute to put the feeling into words, "I always felt like I wasn't quite good enough for him. Like I had to keep up, be better..." She sighed and looked at Puck who was plugging in the mixer and grabbing the flour and sugar canisters. "I love him...I just...being his girlfriend was like..."
"Like what?" Puck's voice was low and tightly controlled, "Did he ever make you feel uncomfortable Rachel? Ever do anything you didn't want?"
"No, nothing like that," Rachel shook her head and put her hand over his, a bit startled when he turned his palm up and wrapped his hand around hers. "No, I just...always felt like he was one glance away from going back to Quinn, from losing interest in me, until I was happy with my life without him. And then he always wants me back. He always does this... and I know I'm not blameless but at the same time..."
"You didn't start him off on this road Rachel," Puck told her quietly, his hand warm and gentle around hers in a way that sent waves of heat up her arm and into her chest. "You might have kissed him once but he didn't stop you, didn't even try to stop you. He's a big boy, he's almost eighteen for God's sake, and he's been on the top of the pyramid his whole life."
"I suppose that's what I don't really understand," Rachel shook her head, "Finn doesn't ever seem to want me when he's with me, he seems uncomfortable with me half the time." Gently she disentangled her hand from Puck's to begin measuring out flour and sugar for her vegan sugar cookies. "He's more worried about his popularity than his friends or even Kurt. Why would he even go out with me if I wasn't what he wanted? Why keep coming back to me, or trying to get me back? I just don't understand."
"Hell if I know Rache," Puck was blunt about having no clue what was in the boy's mind. "I just remember watching you with him once after you an' me broke up...an' I really wondered if you were happy...'cause you seemed so tense."
"It's like this part I play when I'm with Finn, the supportive quiet girlfriend, the one who doesn't make scenes and tries to dress normally," Rachel explained. "When I act less like myself he seems happier. But I can only hold it in for so long and then I do something crazy and upset him. Or I seek out companionship with someone who doesn't mind my crazy and he gets upset about that." She took a deep breath and began to run the mixer adding the margarine to her flour and sugar mixture. "And don't think I'm unappreciative of how you're 'publicly' dating Lauren so you still can have time with me."
"'Sokay, Lauren's pretty cool, reminds me of Coach sometimes, pretty in a 'I can kick your ass' kinda way," Puck grinned at her. "For the record Rache?" He waited until she nodded and looked at him, "I'd rather see you alone and bein' yourself, bein' all a yourself, than with Finn and squashing down who you are."
"I think I would too," Rachel nodded slowly. "That doesn't mean I like Valentine's day any better though." She grabbed some of the red food coloring and the cinnamon. "And as a thank you to you and Lauren I'm making this batch just for the two of you."
"Angel you are awesome," Puck grinned at her. "Maybe I can bring Lauren over here to study with us and Artie? She's pretty badass and I bet you two would have a lot in common if you got past the surface stuff."
"Well I will miss having you all to myself," Rachel smiled teasingly and hoped she had kept all solemnity out of that little statement since her heart had started thumping at the sight of his grin. "But I'd love to get to know Lauren better. If you like her I'm sure I will."
Puck shook his head, this was the weirdest Valentine's day ever. First he'd sung for Lauren and she'd totally been into it, and then to make him squirm she'd dissed him at the end of the song. By the wink she'd given him Lauren was just playing into the whole plan they'd made up, trying to keep the rest of the club on their toes and by making him 'pursue' her more.
Rachel had obviously caught the wink because she'd moved next to Lauren in a show of solidarity that had Lauren looking at her like Rache had grown another head. Then all of Santana's freaky shit had gone down and Sam and Quinn were almost broken up because apparently Finn didn't have a problem with cheating so long as he wasn't the boyfriend being cheated on.
"Dude," Puck looked at Sam's hurt face to Finn's pasty one, "You are a one seriously fucked up hypocrite." He shook his head.
"What the-" Finn couldn't even complete his sentence before Schuester broke in.
"Puck, that is appropriate in neither language nor sentiment," The teacher reprimanded him, "Now apologize to Finn."
"For what?" Puck looked at Schuester in disbelief, his shock reflected in most of the glee club's faces. "Seriously? He lied to Rachel for months, months Schue, about sleeping with Santana. Even I know that shit ain't kosher," Puck really couldn't believe this shit, "And when she found out and did somethin' stupid by making out with me 'cause she just wanted to feel better, he dumped her. Because she was honest and she told him about it. He acted like her kissin' me was worse than him fuckin' and then lyin' 'bout Santana."
"Puck settle down," Mr. Schuester seriously wasn't getting the point and Puck scowled at him furiously.
"Settle down? Dude, Finn broke Rachel's heart, and then when she tried to apologize and get back with him he left her fifteen miles outside a town in the dark and snow at a fuckin' tree lot," Puck exploded. "He was that pissed about her kissin' me, he dumped her there. She coulda froze to death. She was almost blue when me an' the guys came to get her." He shook his head, "And then he turns around and does the same thing to Sam? Never mind all the shit that went down last year, he pulls this now? I need to settle down? Are you fuckin' kiddin' me with this shit?"
"Noah, really," Rachel's voice was gentle but a little prim and he knew she disliked all the cursing. "There's no need to explain everything in detail. Mr. Schuester doesn't really care and we all know what Finn has done already."
Lauren's voice chimed in, supporting Rachel, "Yeah Puck, just chill and let the dude enjoy his mono. He ain't gonna be too comfortable for a while." Her laugh was wicked; with Rachel's joining her, the two of them sounded like a pair of fallen angels.
"I should have known she'd call you," Finn muttered angrily. "And after you promised you'd stay away. So much for promises huh Puck?" He stood and Puck wished for the millionth time in his life that working out added height along with muscle. "And now you're talkin' shit? Like you actually care about Rachel."
Puck wished with all his might he wasn't still on probation because the look on Rachel's face was heartbreaking, "She's my friend." He ground the words out, "Which is more than you ever were for her."
"If you'll excuse me," Rachel stood and began to gather her things. "I think this conversation serves no one. Lauren if you'd like I'd be happy to work with you on your breath control. I think you'll find some of the higher note easier once you've had a little training. Your voice is quite appealing."
"Seriously Berry?" Lauren was standing up with Rachel, surprised but apparently willing.
"Of course," Rachel aimed a hard look in Finn's direction. "If I can teach Finn I can teach anyone." She tucked her arm into Lauren's just as she would Puck or Mike or Sam's. "And you're a lot brighter than he is."
"Why doncha head to your place," Artie suggested. "Puck an' me gotta study some math anyway. An' we all got the history test comin' up."
"Shit," Lauren groaned. "I fuckin' hate history."
"I'll lend you my flashcards," Rachel offered with a smile nodding her agreement to Artie. "I'll see you two at my house. Remember if you want anything carnivorous in nature we'll have to order it. Daddy and Dad haven't shopped yet."
"We gotcha," Artie waved her on. Rachel slanted Puck a tiny smile before she exited the choir room and Puck looked at Finn sternly.
"Fuck you man," He shook his head. "You know what's so screwed up about this whole thing? I knew Rachel first. I dated her first. I sang to her before you ever did. And you keep sayin' I stole her from you." Puck rolled his eyes as Schuester began to object again, "And I don't care what you say Schue, I ain't the leadin' man like golden boy here but that just means I don't got a solo for you to take away when I won't take crap."
"Puck your insinuations are completely out of line," Mr. Schuester was getting a good head of steam built up and Puck nearly sighed. "And I do find it suspicious that you're so close to Rachel if you've promised Finn you'd stay away from her."
Puck nearly gaped, he went full on speechless when Schuester came out with that little gem but Mike stepped up, literally, coming to his feet and shaking his head. "It was a bullshit promise Mr. Schue, that Puck wouldn't hit on Rachel or come on to her or anything while she was dating Finn, she was off limits to him." He cast a derisive look at Finn, "Puck and Rachel have been friends for a lot longer than Finn has even known her."
"Yeah, haven't you two been in Synagogue together since like the cradle?" Artie was half laughing as he pictured a baby Puck with a mohawk and a star bedecked Rachel in a playpen together.
"Since nursery school yeah," Puck shrugged. "Shit from school got in the way 'round junior high. But ever since we dated last year we've been tight. She's..." He couldn't finish, not without it becoming an outright lie.
"They're friends," Mike finished quietly. "And that's more than Finn's been to Rachel." He scoffed as he began to grab his backpack. "I mean maybe last year Finn tried but Puck's the only one who can handle her in full on crazy mode and not even be intimidated. And I don't have any illusions about this year. I drove us all back from the tree lot. She was so cold it hurt when she started to warm up."
"What?" Puck had almost forgotten the girls were in the room, Mercedes' voice screeching that question definitely reminded him. "Say what?"
"Yeah when you're on the verge of gettin' frostbite you lose feelin' in your toes an' fingers," Puck shuddered as he recalled how cold Rachel had been. "Sam an' me... had to..." He shook his head and sat, his knees suddenly weak, his stomach in knots and his head cradled in his hands as he remembered just how blue Rachel's lips had been, how freezing cold her fingers had felt between his. The shivering and the moans of pain as the heat had touched her skin and she'd started to, almost literally, thaw out.
"Mike drove us," Sam explained quietly. "Artie stayed at Puck's house. Puck drove us there while Mike looked up frostbite symptoms and treatments on his phone. When we got there Puck had to carry Rachel, her lips were blue. She couldn't stop shivering. I got in the back seat with her and Puck, took off her shoes, she wasn't even wearing boots, and just held her feet...She was," The blond boy's voice caught and Puck knew it was for the same reasons that Puck couldn't even speak. "I'll never forget how cold her feet were. Or how she sounded...I've never heard anyone in pain like that."
"I have," Mercedes voice was low. "My brother nearly lost a coupla toes one winter. He was skatin' and one of his feet went through some thin ice. Cell phone got lost, an' he had to walk home. He was almost screamin' when we warmed him up." Puck looked up at the haunted tone of the black diva's voice and met her dark brown gaze. "You guys probably saved her dance career you know," Mercedes pointed out. "She does ballet an' tap, and I've seen her, she's en pointe with ballet. Gotta have toes to be en pointe or your balance is off."
Puck shuddered again and grabbed his backpack, "Yeah so 'scuse me if I don't care 'bout Finn's opinion Mr. Schue, or yours right now. 'Cause golden boy there'll have some excuse, some reason. An' you'll be on his side because Rachel reminds you too much of the crazy you married and you just can't see that she's different." He nodded at the rest of the club, "I gotta grab some shit from my locker Artie, gimme a few an' then meet me at my truck." Puck left the choir room as quickly as he could.
Rachel was watching the Warblers singing love songs. It wasn't how she would have chosen to spend the ridiculous holiday but she'd wanted to support Kurt and Puck had offered to drive. She was fairly certain that Puck had talked her into the whole thing in the first place however between Kurt's texting, Mercedes jabbering and Puck's pleading hazel eyes she'd been railroaded. Still, it wasn't a bad way to spend a Valentine's Day. Lauren and Puck were sitting in the booth across from her playing the dating couple. It was hilarious to watch her best friend attempt to be romantic with a girl who was as much of a bad ass as him. "You two are hysterical," She murmured. "Noah, if you're going to try and romance Lauren, I would suggest an arm around her shoulders at least."
Lauren laughed at her, "Chill Berry," She shook her head as she popped a piece of candy in her mouth. "He knows I don't want his arm around me, I'm into someone else and if the jerks on the wrestling team found out they'd give me shit."
"Who?" Rachel grinned at the girl. "Someone from a rival school?"
"Nah," Lauren tilted her head and then shrugged, "Guess you'd understand with your dads an' all."
Rachel blinked at the other girl and nodded slowly, "Bi?"
"More about...personality than...shape?" Lauren blushed, a strange expression on the tough girl but sweet.
"Yeah Daddy said that once," Rachel remembered with a smile. "He said Dad made him decide if he wanted to screw his way through life or stick with his heart."
Puck chuckled and shook his head, "LeRoy is fuckin' awesome." He put a hand on Lauren's shoulder, a friendly rather than romantic gesture. "Might wanna talk to him some."
Lauren nodded slowly, "Maybe if I see him at Rachel's house... bargin' into someone's personal life, ain't really my thing."
"You could tell us about this person you're into," Rachel teased a bit. "After all, Noah and I are your dates for Valentine's Day, don't we deserve to know about the competition?"
Lauren's laugh was low and just a touch evil, her eyes gleaming with mischief, "Sure you wanna know? You know what they say, be careful what you wish for."
Rachel grinned, "Since the worst case scenario is that it's me you like I'm not too worried."
The wrestler nearly giggled, "That's worst case? For who?"
"Well, for me really, because while I'm curious I'm not intrigued enough to get into a relationship with a girl. Kissing maybe, but not a relationship, which would mean I might lose your friendship before we've really gotten a good start." Rachel tilted her head and watched as both Puck and Lauren's mouth's dropped in surprise, "Why is everyone always so surprised when I'm open about these things? I'm the one who told the entire celibacy club that girls want sex too."
Puck grinned, "Wasn't so much surprise as my brain losing blood at the thought of two girls kissing." He admitted tugging on Lauren's hair.
"Uh, kinda the same since kissing Berry has this... well it's like one of those chocolate desserts, you get a whiff and you start to want a taste, and Puck's said you're the best kisser of anybody he's been with," Lauren shifted a little and looked over her shoulder as the Warblers took the stage. "So Puck, if Berry's up for it...you wanna keep me from goin' too far with her?"
Rachel blinked, "Seriously? Lauren you don't have to indulge my curiosity. Especially if it will damage your relationship with the person you do like."
"Nah, she ain't at our school even," Lauren shrugged. "'Sides, Puck's been sayin' you're hot for months now, I didn't agree at first, but he's right, you're sneaky hot like you're sneaky smart." Her smile played about her mouth, tilting her lips lopsidedly. "Why're you wastin' your time on Finn?"
"I'm not..." Rachel shook her head. "I'm just...trying to get my issues sorted out before I jump into a relationship or start dating anyone else. It's not fair to anybody I date if I'm still half in love with Finn." Her last words came out at precisely the wrong time, in a lull before the Warblers' song began the words 'in love with Finn' seemed to echo in her ears and throughout the restaurant and she groaned. "Now is the time that profanity seems appropriate but as usual my lack in certain areas cripples my response." She was vividly aware of Finn almost smirking, his dopey grin just a shade too smug, along with pitying glances from the rest of the glee club.
"C'mon, let's go back to your house," Lauren suggested. "We can debate the merits of girl on girl practice on the way."
Rachel was never entirely sure how she ended up on the couch in her basement with Puck sitting on a chair nearby and Laurel sitting next to her. But the discussion in the car had led to the disclosure of certain facts. Lauren, it turned out, had never kissed a girl even though she was pretty sure she wanted to. Part of what she and Puck talked about on their pseudo dates was what he'd found girls liked. And Lauren wanted a chance to put it into practice.
"All right," Rachel turned slightly and tilted her head looking at Lauren. "You should know that the extent of my experience with being touched is making out with Noah, and making out with Finn...I've...done a few things with Finn that are more intimate but I didn't-." She shook her head, "That was obviously a mistake."
Lauren shrugged, "If you wanted to when you did it, then it wasn't, not totally." She leaned forward, "You sure you're up for this?"
Rachel smiled slightly, "Out of all the people I know, Noah is the most honest. He likes you. To use his words, you're 'good people' so yeah, I'm up for it." She leaned forward and carefully pressed her lips to Lauren's, feeling the softness of the other girl's lips under hers, startled and unmoving at first. Rachel let her hand touch the side of Lauren's face, the girl's skin was so soft, smooth under her fingers.
Then Lauren's mouth moved under Rachel's and she began to kiss Rachel back, her lips moving almost carefully, gentle little sips of Rachel's mouth until she couldn't stand it anymore. It was different and strange and still so very enjoyable, soft sweet little kisses that just made her want more. Until Lauren's tongue flicked tentatively against her lips and Rachel couldn't help letting Lauren in.
Lauren's hesitation vanished the minute Rachel parted her lips, her kiss grew heated, harder, her mouth slanting down over Rachel's, almost plundering. Rachel moaned slightly into Lauren's mouth as the girl began to press forward, feeling her body tilt backwards until Rachel was half under Lauren. Gently Rachel let Lauren kiss and taste her mouth, her tongue sweeping forward for Rachel to catch between her lips and suck on slightly. Lauren's groan was a heady sound, her body vibrating over Rachel's her hand on Rachel's waist warm and gentle.
Rachel shivered under Lauren, she was definitely no longer dominant in this, Lauren had taken over and was doing very well at making her forget her own name. At the same time Rachel couldn't help being aware of Puck leaning forward in his chair, his eyes fixed on the two girls. He was breathing heavily, his hands flexing on his knees as if he found watching them to be worth all of his concentration. And then Lauren's hand slid up, under her sweater to cup her breast, careful fingers warm over the cotton of her bra, gently massaging until Rachel couldn't help the moan in her throat.
Lauren groaned above her and pulled her mouth away looking down at Rachel, "You do it too," She grabbed Rachel's free hand and put it on her breast before she began kissing the smaller girl again. Rachel slanted another glance at Puck and noticed his eyes were glued to her face. Then Lauren's hand began to rub her breast again and Rachel shuddered, moaning again and did her best to imitate Lauren's movements. Lauren's breasts were bigger than hers, bigger than Rachel's hands so she couldn't palm them like Lauren was hers. Slipping her fingers under Lauren's shirt, Rachel found the girl's bra and then the front hooks to it. Opening the bra was easy for someone with Rachel's manual dexterity. A lifetime of piano playing came in handy for more than making music it seemed.
Rachel let her other hand slip from Lauren's jaw to slide under the wrestler's shirt and into her bra, finding the girl's nipples and tugging gently on them. Lauren's startled moan of 'Berry' was a surprise, Rachel couldn't remember making anyone but Noah moan her name unless they were irritated with her. And then Lauren was pulling her up, easily manhandling her smaller body so Rachel was almost straddling Lauren and pulling off Rachel's sweater and her own shirt. "C'mere Berry," Lauren's hands were firm on Rachel's hips. "Wanna see if I can get you moanin' for me."
Rachel groaned as Lauren's hand squeezed her ass and the other still carefully massaged her breast. "You did that," She admitted between kisses, aware that her skirt was riding up around her hips and Noah was getting a great view of the bikini panties in red she'd put on to honor the day. "God," She groaned as Lauren's fingers pushed under her bra and found her nipple. "God," Rachel redoubled her efforts to stimulate Lauren's breasts and nipples. "What do you want Lauren?" She shuddered as Lauren kept her pressed close. "Tell me what to do for you?"
"Suck my tits," Lauren nearly moaned the words. "Wanna...God... I wanna." She shuddered as Rachel pressed her back a little bit, pushed her bra out of the way and did as she asked.
Rachel wasn't sure how far this was supposed to go, but Lauren seemed to need the attention and she was certainly doing her best for Rachel. Sucking hard on Lauren's nipples got the bigger girl moaning 'Berry' in a hot panting voice. Rachel considered as she surrounded Lauren's other nipple with her mouth and began to pull it between her lips, flicking her tongue over the tender flesh. Lauren was definitely more aroused than Rachel was but if she was into girls it stood to reason that Rachel's touch was more stimulating to her than Lauren's was to Rachel, not that it didn't feel nice. Rachel had to admit that, but she thought it had more to do with the fact that Lauren acted like a boy and her hands were big like Noah's.
Thinking about it carefully, Rachel decided she'd take the initiative again and let one hand slide down to Lauren's jeans, nimbly popping the button and sliding the zipper down. She was trembling, Lauren's hands had both slid under her bra and the bigger girl was tugging at Rachel's nipples until Rachel was moaning as she sucked hard on Lauren's breasts. But she slid her hand into Lauren's jeans and cupped the wrestler's mound before she found the edge of Lauren's panties and pushed her fingers past the elastic. Familiarity with her own body gave her an edge in figuring out what Lauren would like as she curled her fingers and found Lauren's clit. The moaning shriek from Lauren's throat let her know that she was definitely doing something right.
Rachel groaned as one of Lauren's hands slide from her breast to squeeze her ass and wondered how Puck was taking this. He wasn't touching either of them, wasn't saying a word but when she stole a glance at his face from beneath eyelids drooping with lust he was still watching her, his eyes on her face. His expression made her moan more than anything Lauren was doing with her hands. She shuddered, the fact that Noah was the one watching was why she was so aroused. A very large part of her wanted his hands on her instead of Lauren's.
Rachel shivered and concentrated on pleasuring Lauren, something she was doing well if the rocking of Lauren's hips against her hands and the bigger girl's rising moans. Lauren pulled her head up, kissed her fiercely and almost screamed into Rachel's mouth as she came hard, her thighs closing around Rachel's hand milking the sensations.
Rachel smiled against Lauren's lips and carefully slid her hand out of Lauren's pants, helping the girl pull her clothing together. "So what'd you think?" Rachel made sure her bra was in place completely before she straightened up. Noah was seeing more of her skin now than he ever had when they dated.
Lauren shuddered slightly and her hands settled on Rachel's hips, "Damn you're good." She kissed Rachel gently. "That was..."
"Hot," Puck said hoarsely. He looked at Lauren and then at Rachel, both girls sitting there in their bras, Rachel's skirt still riding up around her hips. "I gotta... I'll be right back." He stood and walked as quickly as he could to the little half bath attached to the basement recreation room.
Rachel watched him go and tilted her head looking at Lauren, "Does he need to clean up too?"
"Uh Berry I don't know what Hudson was like, but Puck went to the bathroom so he could take care of his own business," Lauren seemed amused. "He held it in, made sure nothin' happened we didn't want, but now he's gotta take care of himself before he gets blue balls."
"Oh," Rachel nearly blushed at the thought of Noah masturbating in her bathroom. The idea of that, of Noah being so turned on by what she and Lauren had done that he couldn't even wait to get home to take care of his erection, "Oh," She breathed and looked at Lauren. "I'm sorry Lauren could you excuse me?"
"You won't let me take care of you?" Lauren tilted her head curiously and then her smile turned all too knowing for Rachel's peace of mind. "Oh I see," Her smile turned to grin. "I know he wants you. Why aren't you doing anything about it?"
"I thought I was in love with Finn and I never had sex with him," Rachel whispered so that Noah would have no chance of overhearing. "I just let you get a hand under my bra and that was more than I ever let Finn do. I can't do that, can't sleep with Noah and have it..." She shook her head. "My reasons for not dating still hold true Lauren. I trust Noah, he's my best friend. How could I do that to him? Damage our friendship if I wasn't sure about what I was doing?"
Lauren's post orgasmic glow faded slightly but she nodded her understanding, "You liked being touched, but you were getting off more on him watching than anything I was doing."
Rachel took Lauren's hand and squeezed it, "Lauren you're lovely and kissing you is great and you're certainly more talented with your hands than Finn ever was..."
"But I'm not wrong," Lauren grinned at her when it was clear Rachel wasn't going to say anymore. "'Sokay Berry, ain't like I didn't know it was mostly curiosity on your part." She grinned and kissed Rachel again, gently. "But damn you are good in bed. Puckerman's a lucky man if you let him get his hands on you."
"I just don't think Noah should have to wait for me," Rachel shook her head thinking of all the times she'd been making out with Finn and been so bored by what he was doing. The one time she'd thought of Noah and how he'd kissed her and touched her hair she had let Finn go further than she'd ever let him before.
"I dunno Berry," Lauren kissed her again. "With skills like that, you're worth the wait," The girl winked at Rachel before putting her hands on her waist. "You sure you don't want me to take care of you? Could give him a nice little show when he comes outa there. Might just send him right back in."
Rachel giggled, "It's very tempting Lauren, I'm very aroused right now." She admitted blushing slightly. "He just was looking at us so intensely... it was..." She shuddered, "But it feels like teasing him."
"Hey Puckerman," Lauren shouted. "Stop jerkin' off an' get your ass out here."
"Lauren," Rachel was blushing, she could feel the heat in her skin spreading downward. But Puck came out of the bathroom, his shirt untucked, face slightly flushed.
"Lauren, are you nuts?" Puck wanted to know.
"Do you think it would be teasing you for me to get Berry off?" Lauren demanded to know, "Berry's worried you'll think she's a cock tease if I start tryin' to give her an orgasm. An' she ain't totally into girls you know so might take a bit. Or maybe I'll need help."
Rachel shook her head, trying to hide her shudder of need at the thought of Noah touching her, "This is a bad idea," She muttered. "Lauren it's all right. I can take care of...things later."
Puck wasn't sure what was driving him crazier, seeing Rachel with getting kissed by Lauren, seeing Lauren get to second base with Rachel or Rachel get to third with Lauren or the way that every now and then through the whole thing Rachel would look at him as if to make sure he was all right.
He'd literally just finished rubbing one out when Lauren had hollered his name, that's how worked up he'd gotten from watching the two of them. From watching Rachel being kissed and moaning and being so damn sweet to Lauren. And now Lauren wanted to know what?
"Okay, back the whole thing up again?" Puck sank down into the chair he'd occupied before. "You gotta gimme some...whatsit...context here." He shook his head, "What're you sayin'?"
"Rachel hasn't had an orgasm," Lauren said bluntly. "I said I'd be happy to take care of her but she thinks that us putting on a little show for you would be like teasin' you." She traced a surprisingly gentle finger down Rachel's cheek to her neck and over the swell of her breast where it rose above her bra.
"It's not fair to you," Rachel was blushing so much it was spreading down to her breasts and damn if he didn't want to just sit and stare at her like this for weeks at a time. "Lauren and I touch each other but neither of us are touching you or letting you touch us."
"Uh, Rachel ain't like you two doin' this in front of me is a hardship," Puck pointed out. "Yeah I'd love to touch but if you weren't ready to go this far with the guy you were in love with," And damn if it wasn't killing him to think about her letting Finn get to second base. "I really doubt you're ready to let me touch you."
Rachel was blushing still, damn she was pretty when she blushed and she was shaking her head, "I really... really..." She shuddered and Lauren kissed her carefully as gently as Puck would have to reassure her. "I just...I don't know if I'm ready."
"For someone to get to third base with you?" Lauren was asking quietly, "Or third base with someone watching?"
"Noah makes me feel safe," Rachel was very quick to counter that argument. "I don't mind him watching at all." Puck blinked at that, she didn't mind that he was there... that was sorta promising.
"Rachel, if you're not comfortable with this..." Puck took a deep breath. "Go on upstairs and take care of yourself and we'll stay down here and when you come back we'll watch a movie or something. Guess your dads will be home soon anyway?"
"They go to a hotel on Valentine's Day," Rachel shook her head. "They have a romantic dinner and go to a hotel in the city.
Puck nearly groaned that was so tempting to hear, "Still seems like a good idea." He pressed, "You're the one who's frustrated right now." He arched an eyebrow at her and grinned, "Unless you wanna do it to yourself with me an' Lauren watching you."
Rachel tilted her head and Puck blinked when he realized she was actually considering it, but she shook her head, "I'm not very good at sex, it would be boring for the two of you."
"You just made me come in under ten minutes," Lauren pointed out. "You got to third base and we're not even dating. Why would you think you aren't good at sex?" She looked more than a little confused and Puck shook his head.
"It's 'cause a Finn isn't it," He said flatly. "He made you feel like you were boring or somethin'."
Rachel shook her head, "I just...I'm not..." She shrugged. "I don't know how to say it, I just..." Puck looked at her, she was practically squirming but she hadn't made a move to put her sweater back on.
"Rache, it's okay ya know," He shrugged back at her, "You're only supposed to do what feels right to you, if you don't want anything from us right now then it stops here." Puck rose from the chair and sat beside her on the couch. Stroking a few fingers through her hair he let his other hand touch the skin of her shoulder and arm, tracing light circles on her soft flesh. "But don't stop because you think we'll be bored or because it isn't what 'good girls' do. Do what you want." He smiled and sat down next to her, "I know I'm enjoyin' the view anyhow."
She shivered as he came into proximity with her skin and nodded slightly, "I've just…never done anything like this. I mean I trust you…I just…" Rachel shook her head and bent to pick up her sweater. "I think we'd better just watch a movie or listen to some music… I'm really feeling out of my depth."
Puck watched as Rachel pulled the sweater on over her head waiting until she was completely covered before he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "It's cool." He assured her, sending Lauren a look he hoped she'd interpret as 'back off'. "Just want you to be comfortable with us is all."
"I am, I mean very," Rachel definitely seemed more relaxed now that she was covered, though he found it very interesting that she hadn't seemed tense without her clothes on. "It's not even about not having clothing on, I'm fine with my body, I'm just not used to anyone looking at me like they want to see."
"What am I, chopped liver?" Puck tugged her hair teasingly, "Couldn't keep my hands off you when we went out that week."
"I suppose I just didn't think attraction goes away like that," Rachel offered. "When we broke up you had no difficulty keeping your hands to yourself afterwards." She shrugged, "And unless Finn was alone with me, he never really kissed me or touched me."
"I've seen him kiss you, or hug you and hold your hand and stuff, at least in Glee," Lauren pointed out curiously. Puck felt his jaw clench, he knew why Finn was touchy feely with Rachel in Glee and hardly anywhere else and Rachel knew it too.
"I had to take his hand in the halls at school," Rachel admitted quietly. "Every little display of affection where popular people could see, I had to initiate. But he'd touch me in Glee because everyone else there…" She shook her head and Puck could see her lips tighten as she forced the words out, "Because Glee was full of people like me who wouldn't make fun of him for being with me. Much anyway."
"So he was your boyfriend whenever he felt like it," Lauren summarized. "And why did he tell Puck to back off? I mean he's jealous of Puck like Puck's been makin' moves on you all along."
"He told me to back off because he's convinced Berry's gonna cheat on him with me the way Quinn did," Puck told her tiredly. "Even though Rachel ain't capable of that shit, Finn doesn't trust me." He sighed and let his hand rub Rachel's back and shoulder, "Me keeping my hands off, ain't 'cause I don't wanna touch angel, it's just 'cause I didn't wanna make trouble for you."
"Well since Finn has broken up with me and I am accustomed to physical affection I would rather you behave in a manner appropriate to your inclinations," Rachel told him primly. Puck nearly groaned as his groin tightened at her tone of voice. That prim little tone of hers that sounded like a schoolteacher just made him want to do all sortsa naughty things to her.
"Well you lost me on that one," Lauren shook her head looking at Puck quizzically.
He grinned slightly and tugged Rachel back so she was leaning against his side, soft and warm, "She just means her dads are huggy and touchy and she's used to it so if I wanna touch she don't mind."
"Hmm," Rachel agreed with a sigh. "No one else in Glee really touches much, except Brittany. I always feel very…bereft at school."
"Well since we don't gotta worry 'bout Finn, I can touch more now that I know it don't bug you," Puck suggested with a wicked smile at Lauren over Rachel's head.
Lauren grinned back and ran a finger over Rachel's bare thigh, "Can I touch too Rache?" She teased, "I promise I'll be as good as Puck."
"Hmm…" Rachel sighed and Puck felt her go nearly boneless against him. "Take you both to bed with me so I get cuddled when I sleep. That'd be nice." He watched as her drooping eyelids flew open in horror, "Oh my god did I actually say that out loud?"
Puck laughed and let his arm slide from her shoulder to wrap around her stomach, "Hey I'm up for it," He kissed the top of her head. "Lauren?"
"She'd have to sleep naked she'd get so warm with the two of us in bed with her," Lauren's grin was edging on lascivious.
"I sleep naked anyway," Rachel shrugged and when Puck gently tilted her head back so he could see if she was serious she wrinkled her nose at him playfully. "What?" She looked at Lauren and then back at him, "I told you I'm comfortable with my body. If it's just my dads and me I wear a cami and panties and that's it. When I'm by myself I don't even bother with clothes, too much trouble and too binding," She wrinkled her nose again.
"God damn," Puck groaned. "That's just…"
"Fuckin' hot," Lauren finished the sentence. "Rache you sure you won't let me get to third base with you?" Her hand teased the flesh above Rachel's knee again.
"It's very tempting," Rachel admitted with a shy smile. "But not a good idea," She patted Puck's hand on her stomach. "If the two of you would excuse me for a few minutes..." She slid out from beneath Puck's arm and he felt like he'd rather have the damn limb cut off than let go of her. "I'll make us some popcorn and the two of you can pick out a movie."
"If that's how you want it Rache," Puck nodded and caught her hand, "Just...we're gonna talk some more right? I get the feelin' you need to talk...about well stuff," He looked at her and hoped she didn't think it was a line. "You can talk to us."
"I know," Rachel nodded and her eyes were solemn even as her lips curved up in a smile. "I wouldn't have done any of this if I didn't trust the two of you."
Puck watched as she left the room and looked at Lauren, "I swear...I'd like to deck Finn for the shit he's put her through."
Lauren nodded slowly, "Never paid much mind to Berry until Glee but I remember how she was at the beginning of last year and its totally different than how she is now."
"Yeah, she like...hides all her intensity now, saves it up for Glee, keeps it toned down when she's near him, like..." Puck took a deep breath and had never wanted to hit Finn so much in his life.
"Like if she did something he didn't like he wouldn't be with her anymore," Lauren finished the sentence. "Wasn't he the one who went after her last year? She mentioned once that he told her he loved her right before they started their duet."
"Yeah, and then he proved it by trying to turn her into a little clone of Quinn," Puck growled. He cast a glance at the stairs. "And now one of the hottest chicks I know thinks she ain't because he's an ass."
"We'll have to prove to her otherwise then huh?" Lauren's voice was a little smug, "She seemed to really like you watchin' her Puckerman."
"Rache an' me, we've always had chemistry," Puck shrugged. "Chemistry don't mean dick if she's still in love with that ass."
"Yeah," Lauren nodded slowly. "So...what do we do about it?"
"Talk to her," Puck said after a moment of thought. "Stay her friends even if she does...well still want him back. We just gotta be there for her."
"Well you're one a the most loyal guys I know," The girl wrestler shrugged as if she hadn't just complimented him. "So I don't see that as a problem, and I like Berry so I'm stickin' around."
Puck nodded and stood to examine Rachel's collection of movies in the hopes of keeping his mind off what Rachel might be doing upstairs. She'd been up there for a bit and who knows when she'd come back down. Lauren had joined him in examining the movies and they'd been debating the merits of the first Die Hard vs the last when Rachel finally rejoined them with a huge bowl of popcorn and another of candy.
Lauren promptly took the candy and asked what they'd be eating with a wicked grin before asking Rachel if she was okay with an action movie.
Rachel blinked and peered at the movies and tilted her head thoughtfully, "Given my choice I'd rather the fourth Die Hard. I like that his daughter is as spirited as Bruce Willis," She offered quietly.
"Cool," Puck grinned, "Means I win the debate."
"'Fore we start it though, gotta ask you somethin' Berry," Lauren put the bowl of candy on the coffee table next to the popcorn. "Why are you so concerned about being a tease?" Lauren paused as she took a handful of popcorn, "It's not like you have a rep for it. I don't get it."
"I wasn't comfortable letting Finn get to second base for a long time," Rachel said quietly. "When I finally let him touch my breasts, over my sweater and nothing else after a couple of weeks he got mad and called me a cock tease."
"Son of a bitch shoulda been grateful you were letting him do that much," Lauren shook her head, her scowl eloquent in her opinion of Finn.
"Yeah I mean, it ain't like he doesn't know you're a virgin," Puck frowned. "Hell if I-" He stopped and rolled his eyes.
"If you, with all your experience, couldn't get to second base the week we dated why would Finn think, with all his fumbling, I would succumb to his...ministrations?" Rachel reworded what he'd been about to say. "Well he accused me of being frigid for one thing," Her expressive mouth quirked in a wry half smile. "I was impressed he knew the word and used it properly in a sentence."
"Does he pay attention at all when he's kissin' you?" Puck couldn't believe it, "Hell I could tell you weren't before I even touched you. You're too fuckin' passionate about everything."
"I knew you weren't totally into chicks Berry," Lauren shrugged. "Hell of a compliment I could get you goin' at all." She tilted her head, "How anybody could say you're frigid I can't understand."
Rachel groaned slightly, "I think it has something to do with my clothes."
"Yeah but..." Lauren shook her head. "When did he say that?"
"When I wouldn't let him get to third base with me," Rachel shrugged. "I used my hand on him, and he was okay with it..."
"But Finn called you a cock tease?" Lauren sounded amazed and Puck could totally understand why, a hand job from a chick was better than jerking off and it was cool of Rachel that she'd been willing to do anything when she clearly hadn't been comfortable with all the pressure Finn was putting on her for sex.
"I guess…" Rachel sighed and Lauren leaned forward so she could see Rachel around Puck's body. When they'd all sat down again he'd automatically taken the middle so he could wrap both arms around the girls. Rachel gave the larger girl a smile and puckered her lips in a little kiss. "I would…try to distract him… give him a hand job, or fellatio to keep him from trying to go too far with me." She shrugged and relaxed into Puck's arms. "But since I wouldn't have sex with him, Finn would say I was a cock tease." She shook her head, "I didn't really understand it. He was getting an orgasm from someone besides himself. Why would he complain?"
"'Cause he's an ass," Lauren said flatly, "And a selfish ass to boot."
"Yeah because if you went down on him and he called you frigid and a tease then he's a moron too," Puck muttered. "Those ain't words I'd use to describe a virgin willin' to do shit that satisfies when he ain't ever taken care a you. Real man takes care a his woman." He picked up the remote and looked at them. "You two wanna watch the movie? I'm thinkin' we need somethin' fun right now."
"Yes please," Rachel sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "Bruce Willis...yummy."
Puck watched the credits roll and realized that he and Rachel had automatically begun singing along with the song, "...it ain't me, it ain't me...I ain't no fortunate son..."
Lauren grinned at the two of them, "Geez it's like the two of you have music in your blood."
"Rachel does," Puck grinned. "Gettin' late though."
Rachel sighed, "This has been the best Valentine's Day I've ever had." She offered after a moment, "Would the two of you like to stay the night?"
"Uh…" Lauren's mind apparently went blank and Puck chuckled.
"She don't mean sex Lauren," He grinned down at Rachel, "You don't do you angel?" When she shook her head, Puck laughed again, "Damn and here I was hopin'." He tugged at a lock of Rachel's dark hair. "Nah, she meant the whole cuddling thing," He explained. "We could all bed down in our underwear and cuddle."
Rachel nodded, "My bed is big enough for the three of us." She explained quietly, "If you don't want to I'll understand."
"You gonna sleep nude?" Lauren teased, "That'd be hot."
"And ill-advised," Rachel teased back. "I'll put on a cami and panties. I can find you a tee-shirt if you don't want to sleep in your bra Lauren."
"Actually it sounds good," Lauren nodded with a smile. "And tomorrow we'll all just be friends."
"Yeah," Puck nodded slowly. They were friends; he was all right with that, since Rachel was his best friend even Artie came in second to her. But he didn't want to be just friends with her anymore, never had wanted to be only friends. Circumstances hadn't given him much choice but maybe with time and support she'd be able to figure out what she was feeling and she'd get over Finn for good. Maybe then he'd have a shot with her. "You don't mind if I remember the two of you together now and then though?" He teased looking down at Rachel. "Hottest thing I've ever seen in my life. I'll keep it to myself but there're some things a guy can't help but dwell on at night."
"Long's you don't stare at me and Rachel like you've seen us naked when we're at school," Lauren pointed a finger at him. "Don't want anything to change with all of us."
Rachel nodded, "I agree with Lauren, part of why I was so worried at first was because I didn't want to lose your friendship Noah, or yours Lauren." She added with a worried look at the other girl. "I don't know what I'd do without Noah, he's my best friend. I can trust him to always be honest with me, and he keeps me from going too crazy sometimes."
"And you ride my ass better'n my ma for makin' me do shit I need to," Puck let his hand rub her back affectionately. "Feel the same way angel, I ain't gonna do anything to mess this up."
"Then we're agreed," Lauren nodded. "I'm gonna use your bathroom Rachel, and then, seein' as its past twelve…I'd like to go to bed. Gettin' tired babe."
Rachel giggled at the endearment and nodded, looking up at Puck as Lauren disappeared into the half bath, "I didn't get to ask…was it all right?"
"What? Watchin' you get Lauren off?" Puck murmured, keeping his voice low as she was. "Rache that was the hottest thing I've ever seen, just really flattered you let me watch, that you cuddled up to me durin' the movie too."
She nodded slowly, "I've never had a boy touch me as much as you have tonight." She admitted, "I never thought I'd be able to. I've always felt so nervous alone with..." She shook her head. "But I feel…so safe with you."
"Like hearin' that," Puck admitted. "Gotta say Rache, glad you can trust me…but in the mornin', if I start gropin' you in my sleep, just smack me in the face or somethin'." Her face was a study of surprise but she grinned up at him finally.
"Maybe I'll just let you dig yourself into a nice deep hole and I'll use your guilt whenever I want you to do something," Rachel teased.
"If it involves me getting my hands on that body of yours…" Puck began with a teasing leer.
"C'mon Puckerman," Lauren's voice was like a bucket of cold water. "Bed."
"Yes mom," Puck rolled his eyes and gave Rachel's shoulder one last squeeze before she pushed herself off the couch. His eyes couldn't help lingering on her legs as she walked up the stairs and from the look on Lauren's face she had the same problem. Exchanging a grin with Lauren they followed Rachel up the stairs.
Rachel stretched slightly and wondered why she felt so warm. There wasn't one part of her that was chilled, not even the top of her head, not normal in the middle of February in Ohio. Even with the heat on her room got a little chilly at night. She always woke up with some part of her feeling a little cold, but not today. Today she was surrounded by warm, a quilt pulled up under her chin, strong arms tucking her tight to a muscled chest at her back, one long leg thrown over hers, tangling her limbs with his. Her head was even tucked under his chin. And her butt was definitely snugged up against his groin; she could feel his body reacting to hers and to the morning in general.
Rachel opened her eyes and blinked slightly, Lauren was sleeping or beginning to wake up, sprawled across a lot of the bed on her stomach. One hand had crept across the bed to slide under the pillow and cup Rachel's wrist gently. Rachel waited until Lauren had stopped blinking in shock and then offered her a smile. The other girl grinned and raised her eyebrows at Rachel's positioning. "Thinks you're his girl?" Lauren asked softly, darting a look at Puck to be sure he wasn't waking, "You mind?"
"If it means being held like this…" Rachel smiled slightly. "I just don't ever want to hurt him."
"Then don't," Lauren smiled back at her. "But the way he's hangin' onto you...he wants you to be his Rache." She reached out and touched Rachel's face gently, "An' you been hangin' onto him too. You wanna be his."
"I love that he...that he sees me and he doesn't flinch," Rachel sighed. "He...doesn't just see part of me Lauren, he sees all of me. All the crazy and stupid and annoying and he still...likes me. He's still my friend." She stroked her hand over the arm that was wrapped around her, "But I've got to be sure or I'll hurt him worse than anyone else. I've got to be sure I'm over Finn. I can't leave any room for doubt."
"Then wait until you're sure," Lauren said quietly. "Just don't go back to Finn, not after how he's treated you, how he's made you feel."
"No," Rachel agreed quietly. "No I won't."
"I gotta go, I got practice today," Lauren smiled as she rolled out of the bed. "Thanks for the Valentine's Day date Berry."
"You're welcome," Rachel smiled as Lauren got dressed and hurried out of the bedroom. With a little sigh she decided she'd stay in Noah's arms for a while longer.
Puck woke up to the sweet smell of Rachel's shampoo and the feel of her curvy little body wrapped up against him. Somehow he'd surrounded her during the night, since he sure hadn't gone to sleep this way. And damn did she feel good, soft and warm, her ass was cradled right up to his hips and his idiot cock was making it known that his body approved of the situation. He groaned in his chest and reflexively squeezed Rachel closer to him before forcing his embrace to loosen.
"Noah?" Rachel was awake, damn, he'd been hoping he could get to the bathroom without embarrassing the hell out of her, "Waking up?" Her voice sounded a little sleepy, like she wasn't sure morning was such a good idea all around.
Puck made a vaguely affirmative noise in his throat and rubbed his cheek against her soft hair, "Yeah kinda…" He pushed the words over his lips, "'M I buggin' ya angel?"
"I think that even if I ended up disliking sex it would be worth it to wake up like this," Rachel mused, her voice still a little tired and vague. Puck grinned slightly, any minute now she'd analyze what she just said and begin to flip out. "Oh dear that… really came out badly…" She stuttered and he couldn't help chuckling.
"'S all right Rache, I got what you meant," He assured her, patting her stomach in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. "I wouldn't mind wakin' up like this either…you're the only girl ever let me sleep with her ya know."
"Ever?" Rachel sounded as if she couldn't believe that, even as she snuggled back into his embrace as if his arms were the perfect place to be.
"You have to be 'llowed to stay in bed with a chick to fall asleep with her," Puck shrugged. "Most chicks figure I'm only good for one thing. And they'd be right."
"No they wouldn't Noah," Rachel started to wiggle and Puck wasn't sure what she was up to but obligingly loosened his arms so she could do whatever. To his surprise she simply turned around so she was pressed flat against him, her breasts pushing against his chest and his hips matching hers, and then Rachel was glaring up at him. "This…this is wonderful. Right now I feel closer to you than I ever did to Finn," She shook her head. "You're worth more than just…orgasms Noah and I don't ever want to hear that you think differently."
"I'll work on it if you will," Puck pressed his lips to her forehead and did his best to pretend she was his sister. He was hard as hell so and tempted to seduce her and if he did that would end their friendship and kill any chance he'd have with her like ever. "But we gotta get outa bed angel, 'cause you feel too good and if we don't get some cold air 'tween us I'mma forget we're just friends."
"Right…" Rachel nodded slowly, "Friends. Who simply had a good Valentine's Day and have agreed to simply…what? What did we agree Noah?"
"That nothin' is worth messin' up our friendship. I'm pretty fucked up Rache, an' you're...still in love with Finn," Puck sighed and rested his forehead against hers. "You're my best friend Rache, and we're both really screwed up right now. We stay friends. Get our heads all straight."
"Yes," Rachel agreed quietly. "It's the right decision, you're far too important to me." She gestured to their bodies, "This is...merely physical attraction. We're teenagers and at the mercy of our hormones."
Puck groaned and pulled her tighter, letting her feel exactly how much he wanted her, hoping she'd understand that this wasn't just physical, but that might be too much to ask. "Angel, there ain't no 'merely' when it comes to you an' me. We've had chemistry since we dated, before that even. But I screw up everything I touch an' I'm not gonna lose you to my own fuckin' stupidity. You're way too important."
"I feel the same way," Rachel's voice was soft. "I feel safe with you, cared for, I feel perfect with you. But I'm so mixed up in my head Noah, I can't…I can't… ruin the most important thing in my life with..." She sighed and her breath was warm on his skin, "I just...I'd rather not date for the rest of high school than lose you as my friend."
"Yeah, ain't gonna be fun," Puck nodded and gently began to disentangle his body from hers. He rolled out of the bed and grabbed his jeans off the floor. "Rache, I just want you to know," He looked at her once he was dressed. "I won't forget anything we said or did last night or this morning. Gonna try to be more… well more with you at school so you don't feel so alone. Pretty sure Lauren feels the same."
He watched as she climbed out of bed and pulled on a pair of yoga pants over her panties against the chill before she spoke, "I appreciate that Noah."
"But?" Puck knew there was a but, he knew Rachel's voice like he knew the sound of his guitar.
"But don't if it makes dealing with the attraction more difficult," She told him firmly. "Wait until…this isn't so immediate," She gestured to the room and their two bodies. "I won't mind if it takes a little time for us to adjust, as long as I don't lose you in the meantime."
"Don' worry Rache," Puck grinned at her. "I know how to control my shit." He pulled on his shoes and ran a hand over his Mohawk, "So you gonna feed me or send me starvin' out into the cold?" He asked teasingly hoping it would relax her some if he changed the subject.
It worked, she made a face at him and smacked him in the chest as she walked past him to the door. Puck nodded to himself, if he played this right she'd be comfortable around him and he wouldn't lose her. She was to fuckin' important for him to screw this up with sex, he reminded himself, no matter how much fun last night had been.
TBC
Author's Note: Wow so this went twice as long as I planned. You guys may not get another update for a few more days becuase of that...I've really got to work on some stuff before I post too much more.
A quick word about Rachel's behavior, she always struck me as someone who was comfortable with herself until someone she loved started making her feel like she wasn't as great as she and her dads thought she was. And I really wanted to emphasize how much she trusts Puck. If he wasn't there I don't think she would even have kissed Lauren. But he makes her feel safe. And now we all know how he feels about her.
This is really meant to be a chapter that helps the other ones build and gives us a good idea of the nature and strength of Rachel and Puck's friendship. I hope it served its purpose and you all enjoyed it.