I hope everyone has a very happy Christmas holiday this year. Stay safe! – Granger
DISCLAIMER – I do NOT own Glee.
Chapter 8 -The Prince and the Pauper
The past three weeks had been a blur for Charlie. He had been bogged down with homework and played two away football games beating both teams by a significant amount. Tonight was finally the Titans first home game of the season and Charlie had invited Rachel and the Berrymen, as he had come to call them, to come watch the game. Over the past few weeks he and Rachel had been out to dinner again and had went to the movies together once. They still weren't officially dating and Charlie had been searching for the right moment to ask her to be his girlfriend. They still hadn't progressed past the occasional hand hold and that was just fine with Charlie. To top the day off, this morning they was their first school pep rally of the season so things were going well for the football player.
"So, you're sure it's not a problem for your Dad to take off work? I only invited them to the game because he seemed excited about it. I don't want it to be an inconvenience Rach." Charlie told her as they walked toward Rachel's locker together.
"It's not a problem Charlie, they want to come watch you play." Rachel said sweetly as she smiled up at him.
"Okay, but only if they're sure." Charlie told her.
"They're sure." Rachel reassured him with a smile.
"Q! What in the hell is that?" Santana shouted across the hall, pointing to the pink backpack Charlie was pulling behind him.
"It's Rachel's backpack." Charlie started, thinking it was quite obvious.
Santana rubbed the worry line that had creased her forehead. "I know what it is. Why are you carrying that hideous thing?"
"So she won't have to." Charlie explained.
Rachel just stood there, debating silently on whether or not to tell Santana about the pluses of have a rolling backpack verses one you have to carry on your shoulders.
Santana exhaled, "Right, of course. How silly of me. See you at the pep rally in a few."
"Charlie I can carry my own books, we don't even have class this morning." Rachel told him as she blushed.
"Doesn't matter to me Rach-" Charlie started before he was cut off.
"Hey Fabgay, nice bag! We thought that belonged to your tranny friend." Azimio said before Charlie and Rachel were both hit by grape slushies.
Rachel gasped as it hit her right in the face unexpectedly. Charlie turned to go after them but the look on Rachel's face stopped him.
"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Grab your bag outa your locker." Charlie said, trying to soothe her.
Rachel grabbed her emergency slushy kit before they headed to an empty restroom and locked the door behind them.
"I'm so sorry Charlie." Rachel told him as she wiped the slushy off her face.
"It's not your fault Rachel. Those guys are just jerks." Charlie told her as he peeled off his slushy covered football jersey and his undershirt and threw them in the sink.
"They wouldn't ever slushy you if it weren't for me. If you hadn't been around me then you wouldn't have gotten slushied. If you hadn't been holding my bag then they wouldn't have called you any names." Rachel told him as she stuck her head under the sink to wash her hair.
"Rach, it's not your fault. They hit people randomly. I could've caught one in the face on the way to the bathroom or anywhere. It's not your fault." Charlie told her again. "They can do what they want but I'm not going to stop hanging out with you."
Rachel finished rinsing the conditioner out of her hair and grabbed her towel. "Well maybe you should."
"What?" Charlie asked softly.
"Maybe we should stop doing whatever this is. Do you know what they are calling us around here? The prince and the pauper, Charlie. I'm the pauper! I don't belong with someone like you." Rachel said sadly as tears collected in her eyes, "You're smart, popular, an athlete, and I know at least half of the Cheerios want to date you. It's better for you if we just stop-" Rachel was stopped my Charlie placing a finger to her lips.
"Enough. Please don't listen to anything these people around here say about us Rachel. They don't know a thing about you and I okay?" Charlie told her as he pulled the towel from her grasp.
Charlie smiled softly down at her, rubbing away a lone tear that had escaped from her beautiful brown eyes. "Sweetheart, I hope that you didn't mean that. You deserve the best, far more than you give yourself credit for."
Charlie rubbed the back of his fingers down her cheek before he slipped them around to the back of her neck and into her damp hair. "I want nothing more than to proudly show everyone in this town that you're my girl, Rachel. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. You're smart and you're funny and make me feel happier than anything else I've ever experienced. One day you're going to go to New York and you're going to do magnificent things. Don't sell yourself short darlin. You are wonderful Rachel and I'm the one who is lucky to have you."
Rachel closed her eyes at his words, causing a few more tears to roll down her cheek and Charlie wiped them away.
"Thank you Charlie, you're so sweet." Rachel said as she sniffled.
"I realize this may not be the best time to ask but I just can't wait any longer. I was wondering Rachel, if you would do me the honor of being my girlfriend." Charlie asked as he rubbed the back of her neck gently.
Rachel blinked again and nodded her head, "Yes."
"Yes? You will?" Charlie asked excitedly.
"Yes, silly." Rachel giggled, as she pressed her palm against his bare abs leaning into him slightly.
Charlie smirked and he looked from Rachel's eyes down to her lips and back up. He leaned down hesitating for a second to give her time to change her mind before pressing his lips against Rachel's for the first time. The kiss was soft a first as they pressed their lips together before Rachel pulled Charlie's bottom lip between her own, sucking lightly. Rachel hummed into the kiss before she giggled and broke the kiss.
Charlie smirked, "What?"
"You taste like grape, it's my favorite." Rachel told him as she pulled him in for another kiss, harder this time.
As they kissed Rachel slipped one hand up his bare chest and placed the other on his shoulder while Charlie slipped a hand around her waist pulling her closer.
Charlie decided right then that kissing Rachel Berry was heaven on earth.
The pep rally and the rest of the school went by in a flash. Charlie currently found himself leaning against his locker as he semi listened to Coach Beiste give a pregame motivational speech about teamwork, unity, and Titan pride. Soon Charlie and the rest of the football team were jogging out onto the field and breaking through a huge paper wall the Cheerios had made for them before headed over to the sidelines.
The stadium was packed, the people were loud, the bands were loud, and all Charlie could see was Rachel as she stood on her feet cheering loudly with her Dads from their seats on the front row of bleachers behind the team. When Rachel saw he was looking at her she waved sweetly at him before clapping some more.
The whistle blew and he was called out on the field for the coin toss which resulted in the Ridgeway getting the ball first. Moments later the game was kicked off and was action packed from start to finish.
Charlie led McKinley to their third consecutive win of the season by beating Ridgeway 35-17, the biggest margin for that particular rivalry game in ten years.
As the team celebrated in the middle of the field Charlie pulled off his helmet and jogged over to the bleachers to see Rachel. Rachel beamed and clapped with everyone else as he approached the bleachers.
"Oh my goodness Charlie you were amazing out there!" Rachel shouted down from her seat.
"Outstanding job Charlie, best high school football I've seen in ages." Hiram told him from his spot beside Rachel, Leroy nodded in agreement.
"Thank you." Charlie said as he smiled, adrenaline pumping through him.
"Back up." Charlie instructed as he dropped his helmet on the ground with a thud.
"What?" Rachel asked confused.
"I'm comin up." Charlie explained before he ran and jumped up onto the fence hoisting himself up with his cleats until he reached Rachel's level.
"Hi." Charlie laughed.
Rachel just shook her head, "You better get down before you fall or get in trouble."
Charlie frowned, "No reward for all my hard work?"
Rachel smiled and bit her lip before looking at her Dads to gage their reaction to the blonde hanging on the fence. She looked back at Charlie before stepping closer to him.
"How could I deny that face?" Rachel asked coyly, still inching forward.
"You can't, now may I please have some sugar? I'm not sure how much longer I can hang here darlin." Charlie said as he looked back to his team that was heading to the locker room.
Rachel nodded before pressing her lips to his soundly. They were interrupted by a cough coming from Leroy Berry. Charlie smiled at the Berrymen before turning his smile back to Rachel.
"I gotta go, can you wait for me?" Charlie asked with a smirk.
Rachel shook her head, "I rode with my Dads."
"I could take you home." Charlie offered.
"I don't think so Troy Aikman, she's going home with us." Leroy stated firmly earning a pout from Rachel.
"Yes Sir, thank you guys from coming." Charlie told them, offering each a hand shake while still holding in tightly to the fence with the other.
"I'll call you later Rach." Charlie said before pecking her lips once more and dropping down to the ground.
He winked at the brunette before running toward the football locker room. After a quick speech from Coach Beiste and changing into some clean clothes Charlie grabbed his bag before heading to his truck.
"Ya know I actually fell off the top of the pyramid because I looked out to the stands and saw you sucking face with the midget. Thankfully no one under me also witnessed the tragedy so they were able to catch me as I plummeted to the ground. Thankfully." Santana said with a smirk.
"Thankfully." Charlie agreed.
"You looked pretty comfy scaling that 6foot fence to get to those lady lips, Q, so that leads me to believe that wasn't the first time that you kissed your hobbit. You've been holding out on me. If I wasn't so busy not caring then I may have been hurt by that." Santana huffed.
"This morning." Charlie explained, "I asked her to be my girlfriend and she agreed and we kissed and it was amazing and she's amazing and life is just-"
"Amazing?" Santana laughed.
Charlie nodded, "Nothing like I've ever felt before."
Santana rolled her eyes, "Right. The prince and the pauper, together at last. You know this is going to go over at this school like a lead ballon, right?"
"I don't care what any of these people have to say, San. After they get use to us being together it'll be old news. And please don't call us that, it bothers Rachel." Charlie informed her.
"I've got your back as much as I possibly can. If you keep winning on that field and gaining a good rep, I think Rachel is safe if she's with you. If you keep playing like you did tonight then you'll be fine. Great job by the way." Santana said proudly.
"Thanks Santana. Where's Britt?" He asked curiously, looking around for the bubbly blonde.
"She's at home, I'm headed there now. I just wanted to stay and catch up with you. Don't leave me out of the Faberry loop next time, Q, for reals. Oh and Po Po Papa Berry didn't look to impressed Romeo, just sayin. Later Q!" Santana said as she got in her car.
Due to a hectic weekend schedule at the Berry house Charlie was unable to see Rachel until Monday at school. He had woken up late for school so he was unable to catch her before class that morning either. He and Santana were walking to lunch when Charlie received a text from his girlfriend.
From Rachel: Hey you! Kurt and I are in the auditorium practicing if you want to stop by after you eat lunch. I would love to see you. :)
"I'm gonna go to the auditorium. Rach and Kurt are there practicing." Charlie told her.
"I'll go with you. I don't have anything else to do. Might as well see what the Hobs and Porcelain are up to." Santana told him as she adjusted her backpack.
"Alright, let's go." Charlie said as they headed toward the auditorium.
When Charlie and Santana got to the auditorium there was music playing through the speakers has Rachel and Kurt stood on stage waiting for the moment to start singing.
Santana scoffed, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina, you've got to be kidding me."
Charlie held his hand up to silence her as Rachel started to sing. Charlie's jaw fell open at the beautiful sound that came from Rachel's mouth. He had heard from Santana that Rachel could sing, but this, actually hearing her, he was mesmerized.
When Kurt took over in the second verse Charlie turned to Santana in sheer awe of the sound that was caressing his soul. He felt a warmth start in his chest and move outward through his body lighting every nerve ending of fire along its way.
"Why didn't you tell me she could sing like that?" Charlie whispered.
Santana rolled her eyes and took a step forward to head down the stairs toward the stage.
"No." Charlie said, stopping her with his hand, "Please don't interrupt her."
Charlie and Santana stood at the top of the auditorium until the song was over before they walked down to the stage. They made it all the way to the front row before the two singers heard their footsteps. Rachel smiled when she saw him and walked over to the edge of the stage. Santana looked over at Charlie and noticed he was still wearing a look of amazement on his face and nudged him in the ribs. Charlie swatted at her absently not taking his eyes off Rachel.
"Hi Charlie, I wasn't expecting you so early." Rachel said as she looked at her watch.
"I just wanted to see you and I'm glad we came. We caught your performance." Charlie told her as he pointed to himself and Santana. "You were..." Charlie shook his head and exhaled not being able to find the right words.
"You'll have to excuse him Berry, he's been drooling since you opened your trap." Santana said with an eye roll. "I didn't think it was all that great personally."
"Shut up Santana." Charlie said as he stepped toward the stage and reached up to take Rachel's hand. "Hop down Rach."
"No, it's too high. Its four feet from the stage to the ground Charlie and I am not currently wearing the correct footwear for such a fe-ahhhh." Rachel said before Charlie pulled her toward him enough to wrap his arms around her.
He let her slip down into his arms and spun her around once causing Rachel to giggle loudly before he set her gently on the ground while still holding her close. He smiled as he slipped his hand around to cradle her jaw to encourage her to look up at him. Rachel smiled at the adoring look on his face.
"You've been holdin out on me darlin." Charlie said with a smirk and a raised brow.
"About what?" Rachel asked confused.
Charlie leaned down and nuzzled his nose to her cheek before whispering, "Why didn't you tell me you have the voice of an angel?"
Rachel felt her cheeks flush, "You liked the song?"
Charlie looked up to the ceiling and laughed before making eye again, "Rach, I have never heard any music that moved me the way your voice just did." Charlie told her honestly.
"Well I for one think my performance deserves a little praise too. I was singing too you know?" Kurt deadpanned for his place on the stage.
"Ya did good Kurt." Charlie told him without looking away from Rachel. "I'll let you get back to practicing okay? I see you after school." Charlie told her before planting a chaste kiss on waiting lips.
"Oh puke! Come on Q, let's go." Santana said dragging him out of the auditorium.
Later that afternoon Charlie and Rachel were standing out in the parking lot by Rachel's car talking. Football and Cheerios practices at just let out so the parking lot was still pretty busy with kids buzzing around before leaving.
"Hey Charlie." Charlie heard from behind them so he turned toward the voice.
Stacey Davis was putting her cheerleading bag in the back of the little red convertable that was parked next to Rachel's Bug.
"Hey Stacey." Charlie greeted before turning back to Rachel.
Stacey slammed her trunk shut before strutting over to the couple.
"Aww…it's the Prince and the Pauper. Charlie, why don't you lose Rupaul over there and come hangout with me and a few other Cheerios at my place?" Stacey told him suggestively.
"Don't insult her Stacey." Charlie said harshly,
"Soooo sorry. Just thought I'd let you know that you have other options. Bye sexy. Manhands." Stacey winked at Charlie before she got in her car and left.
Rachel's mood dampened drastically after Stacey made her comments to Charlie. Charlie tried to soothe her with a hug until Santana swooped into the recently vacated parking space next to Rachel's car.
"Hey Q, you wanna get some dinner? Me and Britts wants some Stix." Santana called to him through the open window.
Charlie ducked down to look in the car, "Right now?"
Santana nodded, "Yeah, you guys wanna go?"
Charlie turned to Rachel before asking, "You hungry darlin?"
"Come on Rach," Brittany called out the window, "You should go have dinner with us. It'll be like a double date! Yay!"
Rachel smiled a little at the thought. Charlie stepped back over to Rachel before taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "Wanna double date with those two?" Charlie asked her sweetly. "Breadstix? I'll just have salad too." Charlie told her with a wink and Rachel nodded her head in agreement.
"We'll meet y'all there Santana." Charlie told her before turning to Rachel. "Wanna take my truck or your car?" Charlie asked.
"We can take mine, you drive." Rachel said with a smile.
When Charlie and Rachel pulled up next to Santana's Charger at Breadstix in Rachel's Volkswagen with the sounds of Barbra Streisand filtering out of the windows Santana could barely contain herself.
"Well hello there Miss, nice car." Santana said with a smirk.
"Why thank you madam." Charlie said with a curtsey before he offered Rachel his hand.
The two couples went inside and grabbed a booth before Charlie and Rachel hit up the salad bar. When they made it back to the table Santana had a breadstick in each hand munching merrily.
"So," Santana said between bites, "I'm having people over next weekend after the game. You two wanna come over? No sucking face at my house though." Santana warned.
Charlie looked to Rachel to see if she was interested.
"Who all will be in attendance Santana?" Rachel asked as she sipped her water.
Santana shrugged, "I won't know until they get there Berry, but I'm inviting the Gleeks and that's it. Britt wants to play some dance game Mike has on Xbox."
"Charlie, when are you going to become a King?" Brittany asked curiously. "I told Lord Tubbington that I was friends with a King and he was very impressed."
Charlie looked confused so naturally he turned to Santana for a translation.
"She thinks you're a Prince now, so obviously you will become a King one day." Santana said before she chomped on her fresh breadstick.
"Oh! I'm not really a Prince Britt, that's just a joke people at school say." Charlie explained as he took Rachel's hand under the table.
"So Rachel's not really a piper? I figured she was because she can sing and stuff." Brittany reasoned.
"Pauper, Britt. That means Berry is a loser basically and dresses like crap." Santana explained around her mouth full of bread.
"Ohhh." Brittany said in understanding.
"Guys, come on. Enough with the Pauper jokes. They aren't even funny." Charlie said as he comforted a pouting Rachel.
"Don't worry Rach, if anything you are the princess to my pauper. Remember that." Charlie cooed before kissing her cheek lightly.
Rachel laughed, "You're such a dork, Charlie."
Santana looked at them with disgust, "You guys are both losers."
"Hush and eat you're stix, Santana. I'm gonna go pay the bill. Be right back." Charlie said before he headed to the counter.
Rachel shifted uncomfortably under Santana's gaze, looking down at her lap sheepishly.
"Berry," Santana stated as she pointed her breadstick at Rachel, "he might think you're a fucking princess but I know better. I know you have sharp ambitious claws and I am not afraid to kick her highness right in her ass if you hurt him. Do you feel me?"
Rachel's eyes widened as she nodded her head.
"Okay ladies, are y'all ready to roll yet?" Charlie asked as he sat back down placing a couple ones on the table as a tip.
Rachel nodded, eager to get away from the Latina who was still eyeing her.
"Okay, we'll we're leaving. You guys can stay. Everything is paid for. See y'all later." Charlie said as he stood up and offering his hand to Rachel.
"Thanks for dinner Q." Santana said as she wrapped two breadstix in a napkin and put them in her purse.
"Yeah, thanks Charlie. Bye Rachel!" Brittany waved.
When Charlie and Rachel made in back to McKinley to get Charlie's truck he had reverted back to shy mode. He cut the engine and swallowed awkwardly before turning to face Rachel who was biting her lip lightly.
"Would you want to go hangout with your Glee friends at Santana's next weekend?" Charlie asked her sweetly.
"Yeah, I think it sounds like fun." Rachel told him with a smile.
Charlie nodded, "Ummm I've been meaning to ask you, but you've been a little busy with all your extra curriculars that I didn't want to uhhh bother you with it. But would you maybe want to come over to my house and watch a movie on Saturday or something?" Charlie asked shyly as he stared at the steering wheel.
Rachel smiled softly before reaching out and taking his hand to pull his attention to her.
"I would love to Charlie. That sounds like fun." Rachel told him as she smiled encouragingly.
Charlie smiled to himself and nodded his head, "Cool. Talk to you later?"
"Yeah." Rachel smiled.
Charlie leaned across her console and kissed her chastely. Rachel placed her hand on his neck and scratched lightly before slipping his fingers up into his hair. Charlie pulled back a tad only to be pulled back in by Rachel's hand. She kissed him soundly and sucked on his bottom lip lightly before she traced it gently with her tongue. Charlie smiled into the kiss before they broke apart.
"You little minx." Charlie said as he smirked before kissing Rachel one last time before getting out of the car.
He held the door open as Rachel came around from the passenger's side and shut it once she got in. He leaned down into the open window so he could see Rachel as she buckled herself in.
"Careful driving home darlin. Have a good night and I'll see you tomorrow." Charlie said warmly.
"Bye Charlie, and you too." Rachel said as she leaned in for Charlie's offered kiss.
Charlie watched Rachel as she drove off in the direction of her house with a beaming smile on his face. Yep, just like heaven.