[DISCLAIMER] I don't own Glee or Friends.
It might not seem like it because of her outgoing, confident exterior that allows her to be the amazing, Tony award winning performer she is, but Rachel Hudson has many, deep-rooted self-esteem issues. She says this in an interview and the journalist laughs in her face, telling Rachel she's the most self-assured and secure person they've ever met. It's true, though. She, like most people, has days where she hates her face, or her figure, or doubts her work. She thinks it's because of the bullies that made her school days living hell.
Even as an adult, with a husband as wonderful as Finn is, she can't help but feel self-conscious from time to time.
Today, she finds issue with the way she laughs and keeps a stoic expression all day. When Finn comes home and sees her watching Friends with a straight face, he knows something is wrong. She always laughs out loud when she watches the show and it's, like, his favourite sound in the world.
He takes her into the kitchen, away from the children, and asks her what's up. She attempts to dodge the question. He just gives her a look that says he knows something is wrong and she may as well just spit it out.
"Ugh, fine. I hate my laugh."
There's a beat of silence as Rachel's confession sinks in.
"Um, why?"
"Because! Have you heard it, Finn? It's so weird!" She exclaims.
"No, no, it's not. I like your laugh," he says, genuinely confused as to why she doesn't like it. Her laugh is loud and musical, slightly nerdy, but adorable, nonetheless, just like her. Their kids have inherited her laugh, too, and it's insanely infectious. Whenever one of them starts giggling, he can't help but join in.
"Well, good for you. I hate it."
"Don't even say that, Rachel," he quickly comes to her defence. "What did you read? Was it those jerks online again? I'll hit them if they've hurt you."
"Finn…"
The unfortunate thing with being with somebody for as long as Finn and Rachel have is that the other person gets to know you really well. She can't even attempt to hide it, her slightly guilty/sheepish look says it all. Finn frowns at her. She always gets upset when she reads online comments (they're constantly discussing her "dreadful" fashion sense, or "huge, ugly" nose, or how she's not even that good of a singer) and he hates it. He tells her to ignore them, that those things are certainly not true. He tells her to block the websites, not go on them, but she continues to do it anyway. He hates it when she's sad.
"Rachel, please. You have the best laugh in the world, believe me. I'm your husband, I know more than those idiots online who are just trying to provoke you, hurt your feelings, ok?"
"Ok," she says reluctantly. He does kind of have a point.
He kisses her cheek and is glad when she finally relaxes, seemingly dropping the issue. He spends the rest of the evening trying to make her laugh, telling stupid jokes and tickling her until she finally giggles and, seriously, it's the cutest thing ever.
She still gets insecure sometimes, but Finn is always there to make her feel better.
And he always will be.
Review? :)