AN: You guys are incredible! I cannot believe the response to this story. It makes me want to write all day and update with whatever Rockstar infused rambles I come up with. But I think you guys deserve more than that.
That being said; this chapter is pretty short. Just the end to Faberry's first date. I hope you like it!
Chapter Seven: A Hero With a Face
"Batman is clearly superior." She says indignantly around a mouthful of frozen yogurt.
"No way! He's a spoiled rich kid with way too much free time." I'm really only doing this because I find her adorable.
She gives the best 'what the hell' face I've ever seen, licks her spoon and settles it into her treat. She takes a long breath and I'm trying so hard not to laugh. "His parents were murdered when he was a kid." God, she's so serious. I don't know how much longer I can last. "He fights for justice, Rae. He never even kills anybody! He's the only real hero. Ever." Even Quinn can't get through the last word without breaking into a fit of giggles, and I immediately join her.
"I actually thought you were serious for a second." I gasp through my laughter.
All of the sudden, Quinn's laughter is gone. When I look to her, still fighting my own off, her eyes are narrowed and her brow is creased. "Batman is the only hero." She deadpans. My mouth is agape and I stutter over several different apologies until Quinn cocks her brow at me and smiles.
I smack her playfully on her shoulder as she reaches for her spoon. "Fine. Batman beats-"
"Everyone."
"Stop talking with your mouth full." And then she sticks her chocolate yogurt covered tongue out at me and crinkles her nose. I laugh at her antics but reach for chin to close her mouth. "Stop that!"
She shakes her vehemently at me, her eyes shining with mischief. "Nope."
"You know what? You're grounded."
Quinn looks wounded for a moment, but she's still playing with me. We're being so playful this evening. It's refreshing. I can feel myself becoming more relaxed by the minute, and the fear only shakes me from time to time. Quinn said that we needed to be ourselves tonight, even if it was a little awkward. But it wasn't. At all. Conversation has come easy. 'I know a fro-yo place that has vegan selections?' 'That sounds perfect.' And of course, Batman versus Superman, Wonder Woman and Spiderman. First separately, then all at once. Personally, I highly doubt Batman's ability to terminate any of these hypothetical enemies, let alone all of them. But Quinn's logic is honorable, I suppose.
"I'm sorry." She says quietly, leaning in to assuage me with her smirking lips. My eyes flutter closed and I exhale deeply through my nose. Our lips are still slightly cold from the yogurt, but I can feel both pair quickly warming as we simply press our lips together. Quinn's hand settles on my knee and I move my arm to rest behind her on the bench when she repositions her head minutely to capture my bottom lip between both of hers. I suck gently at the pink pout between my own lips for whole seconds before Quinn pulls away and leans her forehead against mine. When I open my eyes I see that hers are still closed, lashes fluttering against her blushing cheeks. "I need to get home."
My heart pangs and I feel that fear again. "Was that wrong?"
"No." She shakes her head and finally opens her eyes, captivating even in the darkness. The moonlight sets her whole face aglow, and she cups my cold cheeks with her warm palms before kissing me again. Her lips linger on mine for a moment before she pulls away, shaking her head again. "No. I just… Beth." She smiles reassuringly at me, her lips and eyes shining in the night light.
I breathe a sigh of relief which she must notice by the way she moves her hands to take mine in each of hers. I stare at the connection for a long moment, and I can feel her studying my features with those hazel eyes. "Ok." I mutter. But I need it once more. I press my lips to hers firmly and I feel her body melt into my side, her breasts heaving slightly against my arm. I smile at the feeling, and I can feel her smile back, into the kiss.
"Walk with me?" She asks tentatively. I rise from the bench and hold out my hand for her to take. She smiles bashfully as she takes it and stands to walk with me.
This night has been perfect. Well, besides the very real uprising possibility of a dormant anxiety disorder. If I don't dwell on that, everything is perfect. And even then, it's anxiety over what I can't help but feel, which is a grand stride from just three days ago. Three days ago I panicked over dinner. Sure, it wasn't a full blown attack like yesterday morning. But it makes me feel weak when I look back. It makes me feel like I can't deal with anything, so why would I start a relationship with Quinn? She'll figure it out and leave. She's a woman, she has a family; she can't waste time with some scared little girl.
Ok. Not dwelling on this.
I focus on the cracks in the sidewalk and the warm hand in mine, and I can feel an attack ebb off before it even has a chance. I sigh deeply; contently.
"You ok?" Quinn's silky voice breaks me from my self-depreciating thoughts.
"Yeah. I'm very ok, actually." I shoot a smile her way, and I hope it appears as genuine as I feel.
"Good." She smiles back at me. "Me too."
We walk in silence for another couple of blocks, but as we draw closer to her building, I feel a nervous urge to prolong the evening. "We weren't awkward." I start lamely.
"No, we weren't."
I glance over at her to see her brow furrow a bit. I need to expound. "Until now." I laugh it off, which encourages her to do the same. "Sorry." I say self-consciously. She simply squeezes my hand and throws a smile my way. "I just mean that… I had a really great time." I finally manage as we approach the gate to her building.
She stops and turns to me, still holding my hand. "Me too, Rae." I palm her hips and pull her slightly into me so that we're resting our foreheads against each others again. "You turned out to be kinda sweet." She husks.
I pull my head back in faux shock. "Excuse me, Miss Fabray. I'm the sweetest person I know."
"Oh, I'm sure you are." She giggles as she moves one of her hands up behind my head and tries to pull me into her space.
"What do you think you're doing? You've just insulted me." I say indignantly as I weakly attempt to hold back.
"Shut up and kiss me." I give in. How could I not?
"So close. Literally? Steps away." Who would have ever thought Santana Lopez would be such a buzz kill.
I pull away from Quinn; my suspicions of my uncomfortable state around the Latina are being confirmed. "Where's my kid?" Quinn asks playfully when Beth is nowhere to be seen.
Santana shrugs and adopts this very confused face, something that reminds me of Finn. "You know, some guy came to the door a while ago. Said he'd take her off my hands for a twelve-pack. He seemed nice."
Of course, my eyes go wide. Sure, I can read the sarcasm, but I'm fully expecting Quinn to freak out, at least momentarily. But the blonde just smirks darkly at her before saying, "Stop trying to impress Rachel with your biting wit, Tana. She's not in the mood for desperate."
I bite back a laugh until, "Relax, Q. I'm sure Berry's especially in the mood for desperate. Just like always."
My eyes snap to fiery brown attached to a devilish grin. "Tana." Quinn snaps and glares at her.
My internal monologue can't decide if I should stay quiet or defend Quinn. I don't like what Santana's suggesting. "I might deserve your discordant judgment, but Quinn doesn't." I feel Quinn reach down between our bodies, so I instinctually take her hand.
Santana catches the movement and smirks at us both before locking eyes with me. "You work fast." Then she turns her gaze on Quinn, features softening into something genuine. "I'm sorry, Q." Quinn nods once in response. "Beth's asleep. The doors locked. And ah, you just give me a call if that hand leads you somewhere you don't wanna go, yeah?"
My heart drops. I shouldn't have expected anything to change since Saturday. How disgustingly hopeful of me. I've seen Santana twice since high school, and she despises me even more than she did then. How could she not? She's been listening to Quinn hurt at the hands of me for far too long. But I thought standing up for Quinn just now would have some miniscule effect on her attitude.
"Good night, Santana." Quinn says firmly. The Latina glances at me, huffs and turns away, walking down the street. I feel Quinn's hand finally relax in mine and she expels a breath as she turns to me. "I'm so sorry." She says heavily, locking our eyes.
"Don't apologize for her." She's about to protest. "No. She doesn't like me. I'm ok with that. It's gonna be my job to grow on her, ok? But I'm fine."
"You're sure?"
"Yes." I nod and peck her cheek. "I need to work some things out with her, obviously. And she's not gonna make it easy. But I just wanna find a place in your life."
"You don't need to impress Santana to do that, Rae."
"I know. But she's your best friend. She's in Beth's life. That doesn't go away just because I bring out the worst in her."
She smiles bashfully at me and I catch her eyes fluttering closed just before mine. It's a mere grazing of our lips while we adjust our positions, both of us wanting the dominance. I squeeze her hips in my hands and she gives in, leaning her body fully into mine. She wraps her arms behind my neck and begins playing with a strand of my hair. I drag my teeth lightly against her bottom lip and she pulls back with a frustrated groan, finger still twirling in my hair. "I need to go." She says almost mournfully, which makes me smirk. "I don't want her to wake up and be alone." She takes her plump lip between her own teeth trying to hold back her large grin, but she fails. "Good night, Rachel." She pecks a quick, wet kiss to my cheek before abruptly turning away and walking through the door.
I'm still and breathless outside of her building. My heart is beating out of control. "Good night, Quinn." I say to the spot where she's just left, lit by the moon and promises of… something.
I could be Batman.
AN2: So not just a filler, this is setting up for some big things that our girls are going to have to work through. This will probably be the last chapter with major fluff for now. Maybe minor stuff here and there, I don't wan to angst you guys out. Also, a tribute to my intense love of Batman.
Anyway, please let me know what you guys think! I love hearing from all of you and your feedback definitely has an influence on the story. (:
