*Chapter 7*: I Run to You
Original Authors Note:This chapter was a delight to write, so I really hope you like it. Please let me know. Also, the rating is up, so be warned. Nothing too naughty yet, but give me time.
I may not be able to update much more this week, but please check back often, as I will try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can. Please don't forget about me!
Thanks!
VioletB
My Authors note: Nothing to add but the rating will be M from here on out.
I Run to You
I woke to dim sunlight filtering through the window. Snuggling down in the covers, into the delightful smell of … Finn...hmm...he always did smell so good. I had never figured out why, but it must have had something to do with pheromones. He had a smell that was genetically designed for me- a smell that could drive me crazy and comfort me simultaneously. Wait a minute- I sat up in bed, where was Finn? I glanced at the clock beside my bed- 9:15 am. Hadn't meant to sleep this late, but I had been awake for hours last night mulling over the state of my relationship with the man now missing from my bed. I giggled to myself. I sounded like a wanton... "man ...my bed" etc. I had been looking forward to a little cuddling this morning. Where was he?
My question was answered as I padded out of my room into the kitchen. I could hear the shower running in the bathroom nearby. Hmmm... tempting to step in there. But we weren't quite there yet. I tried to banish visions of water running down Finn's body over his skin...Stop it, Rachel! Definitely time for a cup of tea. I noticed there was coffee in the pot in the kitchen. I didn't remember Finn drinking it...My musings were interrupted by rapid-fire knocking on the front door. Who could that be?
"Rachel Barbra Berry, open this door this instant," came a disgruntled and rather shrill voice belonging to my best friend and Finn's step brother, Kurt Hummel, fashion guru extraordinaire.
When Kurt had not gotten into NYADA last Spring, we had been devastated. Though, to quote Julie Andrews, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." Kurt was now enrolled at the Fashion Institute of New York or FINY, as we called it, the humor of the cutesy version of Finn's name, not lost on either of us.
I hurried to open the door before the neighbors called the police, "Shhh... Kurt. The neighbors …" I whispered as I pulled him into the apartment.
"As if they weren't up all night listening to you and my brother having fantastic reunion sex. You forget who you're talking to Rachel Berry."
I struggled to control my features as Kurt breezed by me and into the kitchen, "Where is the big lug? And why didn't you text me last night when he got in? Really, Rachel, he is my brother..." Kurt picked up the coffee pot and sniffed it daintily before wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Looks like I'm too late to save Finn from himself. The man still can't make coffee" Kurt mused as he dumped the entire pot out in the sink and turned on the water faucet full blast.
"Kurt...wait...STOP! Turn that off, Finn's in the..." I was interrupted by an angry yowl coming from the bathroom"...shower."
"Whoops." Kurt sheepishly turned off the water, "Really, Rachel, you should talk to your landlord about the ancient plumbing in this place. I don't know how you stand it..."
Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, steam billowing out, "Rachel, what the hell!" a very wet very irritated and a very... well ...naked, if you didn't count the positively tiny towel wrapped low around his hips, Finn stood dripping on the tile floor.
Oh. My. God. I plunked down hard on the wooden stool in the kitchen, which was luckily behind me because I'm not sure my legs would support me. Finn obviously had not been shirking during all that physical training the Army made him do. My earlier imaginings of water sluicing down Finn's body in the shower had fallen way short of the mark. He was like one of those two story Calvin Klein ads in Times Square. Naked Finn was quickly catching up to Sensitive Finn on my list of favorite Finns.
"Well hello, brother mine! You are looking so...fit," Kurt pranced over to stand next to Finn's very muscular shoulder. Kurt seemed to think of giving his brother a quick hug but then thought better of it. "Rachel, shut your mouth, dear."
I quickly clapped my mouth shut knocking my teeth together as Kurt waggled his eyebrows at me. Fortunately, Finn missed most of the bi-play between us. "Hey Kurt, I suppose I have you to thank for the boiling water shower. How are you brother?"
"I am doing well Finn. I needn't ask how you are. You look fabulous toddler haircut aside." Kurt replied.
"I kind of like it short. As Rachel says- no hair products necessary. Yay!" Finn brushed his hands over his hair unintentionally flexing his biceps in the process, grinning crookedly down at his brother. My heart sped up even more if that was possible. Oh, my...
Rachel. Get. A. Grip! I was thinking in single word sentence fragments now. Really. This was Finn. It didn't matter what he looked like (gorgeous body) because he was the love of my life. This was just a bonus to offset the suckiness of him being hundreds of miles away from me in the military most of the time.
"Well," Kurt picked up that I was actually speechless, a very rare occurrence for me, I must say I just popped by to see what you two lovebirds had planned for today." Kurt nodded expectantly at me as if to say snap out of it girl.
"Erhm... we hadn't really discussed that yet, had we, Finn?" I was madly trying to think of a way to get Kurt out of the apartment before Finn remembered to put his clothes on. I loved my best friend, but really...
"Whatever you want to do today is fine Rach. I'm all yours." Finn replied. If only, I thought as Finn walked over to stand in front of me. "And good morning, babe." he leaned over and kissed me lingeringly. "You were so out of it this morning I just had to get up before I... That is..." Finn was blushing as he glanced down at my lace edged tank top with coordinated sleep shorts and quickly looked away. So maybe, I was affecting him a little bit too. I just had to grin.
"O-kay!" Finn and I both started at Kurt's voice. (Was he still here?) "How about we hit some tourist spots like Ellis Island, where we could see the Statue of Liberty. Then have some lunch at that darling little vegan place in the East Village? Or we could go by the TKTS booth in Times Square and see what shows they have discounted for today's matinees."
I struggled valiantly to push down the raging desire that was currently coursing through my veins. Finn really should spend time with his brother and we would have time for other things later. The sooner we got moving the sooner we'd be back I thought with resigned determination. "How about a show then, Finn? I've heard Rock of Ages is really good and I bet you'd like it. They even sing "Don't Stop Believin'," though, I'm sure it can't compare to our version."
"That sounds great! Let me just throw on some clothes (Damn!) and I'll be ready. I used some of Santana's skim milk and had a couple of bowls of cereal. Remind me to grab some more milk while we're out." Finn was obviously thinking of the knife again.
"Sounds like a plan." I smiled a little too brightly to compensate for my disappointment about Finn putting on clothes. "I'll grab a Kashi bar and be dressed in a flash. Kurt, would you mind making me a cup of tea? Please remember about the water. Thanks!"
Once we were all dressed and ready we headed over to Broadway and 47th to the TKTS booth, where discounted tickets were sold every day for Broadway shows. Luckily, Rock of Ages was one of the matinees listed on the electronic boards outside the booth. Finn insisted on paying for our tickets as he said he was the only one of us with a full-time job at the moment. Really very sweet because even at a discount, tickets to Broadway shows weren't cheap.
Kurt, Finn, and I had so much fun wandering around the nearby streets looking at all the theater marquees. We ate at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in the Theatre District, Ollie's, where the food was good but inexpensive. I was glad we chose Ollie's for lunch, as I watched Finn devour his fourth batch of dim sum and wash it down with spicy soup. I guess it took a lot of food to maintain that muscular body of his.
By the time we headed for the Helen Hayes Theatre for the play, we had all acquired cheesy matching I -heart- NY t-shirts from a street vendor, and Kurt had sworn to take Finn shopping to improve his wardrobe now that most of his civilian clothes didn't fit anymore. I really had missed his t-shirt under a plaid shirt combos. They were so him. I'm sure Kurt had other fashion ideas. That ought to be an interesting shopping expedition...
I sat between my two boys near the back of the theatre. The show was fantastic with the leads having amazing voices. I zoned out several times picturing myself up there playing, Sherri Christian, though I didn't really fit the Kansas-born ingenue character. During the ending number of "Don't Stop Believin'" all three of us had tears in our eyes for what used to be. Finn clasped my hand tightly. Certainly, one of the best moments of my life had been standing on the Regionals stage with Finn singing that song along with Kurt and the rest of the New Directions. The message at the end of the play was so applicable to our own story- Dreams don't always turn out the way you plan.
We were all in quiet moods after the show. Kurt said his good-byes for the time being, after I gave him a few pointed looks while Finn wasn't looking. We made plans to meet up for brunch the next day. Finn and I decided to take the long walk back to my apartment, though the sky had several angry black clouds looming.
"This is still so romantic Finn, walking with you in New York, like when we were here for Nationals. Hard to believe that will be two years ago soon."
"Sorry I'm not all dressed up to take you to Sardi's this time Rach." he quipped. A sweet smile on his face as he looked down at me and tightened his grasp of my hand.
"No- this is perfect. The man I love in the city I love alone together." I said as I hugged myself closer to his side.
"Looks like we might need to pick up the pace if we don't want to get wet." Finn said glancing at the cloud-darkened late afternoon sky.
Just as he said that the sky opened up, and it started pouring. Rain in New York can be romantic, but not so much without an umbrella, and when it really lets loose. We started running but Finn's longer legs soon outstepped mine, especially since I was wearing heels. His wet hand slipped from mine, as he ran several long paces to the tattered awning in front of my building before he realized that he had gotten ahead of me.
"Rach?" he glanced around and saw me limping along, half a block away, "Oh! I'm sorry Rach." he yelled over the torrential downpour. He dashed back to me and scooped me up as though I were made of feathers.
I squealed and clutched at his wet shirt as he carried me back to my building where we paused under the awning to catch our breaths. Well, my breath, he didn't seem to be the least bit out of breath.
"Thanks for running back to get me." I looked up at him from my position against his warm chest where his wet t-shirt seemed to be clinging to every muscle. His eyes darkened as he returned my look after his gaze skittered over my pink dress, its damp bodice clearly outlining my breasts. Our wet clothing seemed no barrier at all as the damp heat from our bodies combined. I could swear I saw steam rising and lyrics in my head.
Let's set fire to the lonely night
You're beautiful when you look at me
Let's give love another life
'Cause you'll be safe in these arms of mine
Just call my name on the edge of the night
And I'll run to you, I'll run to you
"I will always run to you." he murmured huskily against my lips just before our mouths hungrily crashed together.
OAN: Is it hot in here? Rating may need to go up further. Ehmmm... not sure yet. I hope you enjoyed it.
My AN: Lyrics to Run To You by Lea Michele. Written by: Stephen Wrabel, Ali Tamposi, Nick Van De Wall. Produced by: Ali Tamposi, John Shanks.
