COME WHAT MAY
A/N1: A little short, I know, sorry. I haven't really decided how far into Season 1 I'm gonna take this, so patience dear readers. Kinda wanna see Karofsky as a werewolf too, for some reason. Weird? Whatever happens, we'll find out together!
Chapter 10: Come what may(2)
"Is this what you wanted to see?" the brunette asked, her voice coming out in a growling rumble. "Are you satisfied now?"
Quinn could only stare in mute fascination. She had dismissed Britt's words earlier, not believing in the possibility for a second, even as she remembered the sound of Rachel growling. She had seen Santana's reaction to the snarling brunette, had caught a glimpse of sharp fangs. But this wasn't a fleeting moment in a crowded hallway filled with lockers and other students. She was alone with Rachel in an empty bathroom, with no distractions or noise. She had even purposely placed them away from the mirrors to ensure this wasn't a trick.
So, what do you believe when you've eliminated every other option?
R#GLEE#Q
The stand-off continued. Rachel was waiting for Quinn's answer, seemingly content to stay where she was, trapped in the blonde's grasp. Her fangs were still prominent, and she knew her eyes were still burning yellow. She could feel her nails, claws really, and hoped she hadn't torn the cheerleader's clothing.
Rachel allowed her gaze to take in her captor slowly; moving from a surprisingly delicate nose, to raised eyebrows. Quinn's eyes were roaming across Rachel's face as well, strangely clear of hate and fear. This startling revelation is what spurred the small brunette into action.
"Why," she cleared her throat, voice coming out stronger, "Why aren't you scared of me?"
Quinn snorted inelegantly, finally moving away from the other girl. "Why should I be scared of you?" she asked, her tone dripping with disdain. Fear was simply not part of the HBIC's life.
"Well, um," Rachel gestured to herself: "Look at me! I'm a monster," she said, wincing internally as she recalled Shelby's reaction when she had refered to herself as such before. She turned away from Quinn, taking in her appearance in the bathroom's mirrors. "I'm an IT like you've always said."
The whispered words had the blonde cheerleader gasping loudly as she struggled to catch her breath. While it was true that most everyone (and most especially Quinn and her Cheerios) had called Rachel many names and tossed many flavoured ice beverages at her, she had never heard the other girl so affected by it. Usually nothing could faze her, and she simply soldiered through the bullying with dignity and determination. To hear her voice now, so small and filled with pain, Quinn felt a stab of remorse for all the times she had purposely hurt Rachel in the past. It was extremely jarring to see the normally confident loudmouth so subdued.
She said the first thing that came to her mind. "You're not a monster, Rachel. You're beautiful."
R#GLEE#Q
Quinn's awe-struck words would sneak up on Rachel at odd times during that weekend. She was spending it with Shelby as had become customary, enjoying the chance to learn more about her heritage. The incident would be unacknowledged at the back of her mind, her concentration wrapped up in her wolf-side, when hazel eyes shiny with unshed tears would float in front of her eyes. Then that raspy voice would fill her ears, shocking her into silence just as it had in that bathroom.
Shelby for her part would ignore these moments, waiting patiently for Rachel's wandering mind to return to reality, and they would continue as if nothing had happened. She had only mentioned it once, when Rachel zoned out on Friday night while helping to prepare their dinner.
"You can talk to me, you know," she had said, placing a soothing arm on the girl's shoulder. "Whatever's bothering you. I'm right here, sweetie."
Rachel had at first attempted to shrug it off as worry over homework, and Shelby hadn't pushed, merely offering her daughter a soft smile.
"I'm fine, really," she'd said later, on the way to bed. "But I promise to speak with you if the need should arise. Thank you for your concern." Her dreams that night were filled with the blonde's voice, assuring her over and over again. You're not a monster. You're beautiful. She had woken up on Saturday morning, still unable to believe any of it had happened at all.
Rachel had thought she knew everything worth knowing about the blonde; she was the HBIC and a pretty blonde-haired hazel-eyed bitch, who cared more about her precious reputation than her boyfriend's happiness. She could never have imagined Quinn Fabray, self-appointed leader of her very own band of tormentors, to be capable of such sincerity. Each time she replayed her breathy words, Rachel thought she heard something else: shame over her actions, honesty in the affirmation of her beauty, understanding of the pain Rachel had felt in that moment.
As the weekend progresssed, it became clear -at least to Rachel- that no one really knew Quinn, who she was behind the mask of her reputation. This made her feel inexplicably close to, and protective of the girl. Subsequently, Sunday was spent working on a way to befriend the blonde, to prove herself worthy of what she considered to be Quinn's secret. And perhaps she would have the chance to share a secret of her own.
A/N2: One hundred followers! YAY!