a/n: this is a shorter chapter than usual because it didn't feel right to squeeze this episode in with others. i honestly debated even including this episode but i do believe that tina and mike were there to support each other through finn's passing — not even necessarily in a romantic way but just as people who loved finn.
if you are not in the right headspace to read this chapter, that's perfectly fine. i've written it in a way that you don't need it to understand the other chapters and i've also posted the next chapter this week. much love to cory & finn always
After weeks of Mike calling Tina and her ignoring his calls, she finally calls him. He runs for his phone and immediately picks it up, excited that she was finally talking to him again. But his heart drops when he hears the sound of her crying on the other end.
"Finn's dead."
A few days later, everyone returns to Lima and gathers to honour a life that has touched so many. The funeral is being held outside at the local cemetery on a warm, sunny day that contrasts the way everybody in attendance feels. Seated in the front row, he finds Carole wailing into Burt's arms as he rubs up and down her shoulder while tears silently slip down his face. Beside them is Kurt who stares absentmindedly at Finn's photo in the front, his eyes red and puffy, as Rachel tightly grips his hand next to him.
Mike slowly goes to the front and offers his condolences to the Hudson-Hummel family and Rachel. Burt, Carole and Kurt attempt to smile at him in acknowledgement but Rachel keeps her eyes focused on her lap, unable to look at anyone else and his heart aches for her. Everyone knew how Finn and Rachel were supposed to end. This was not it.
He makes his way around the seats, offering his respects to everyone from the glee club that came to mourn their leader. Then, Tina arrives and they lock eyes before she immediately runs into his arms and sobs. He cradles her head and presses a kiss on her head as she buries her face in his chest, finding comfort in the sound of his beating heart.
When the ceremony begins, they sit beside each other, their hands intertwined the entire time, finding comfort in each other's presence. They don't say anything to each other – there were no words they could form. What was there to say when you've just lost one of your closest friends?
Three weeks later, everyone comes back again to Lima, this time honour Finn in glee club. This loss has been hitting everyone hard, unable to fathom that their friend was really gone, but they are grateful that they all have each other to cope with the pain.
Despite how they last left their relationship, Tina and Mike have been leaning on each other for comfort. There is still so much between them left unspoken but right now she's tired. She's tired of being angry. Tired of being bitter. Tired of being jealous. It all seemed so pointless now that Finn was gone. So, for now, she lets go of all the bitterness and resentment and holds on to Mike while he's still here.
Tina looks at herself in the mirror. She's wearing all black, she's spending most of her time crying, and she's been holding Mike's hand like a lifeline. And it all feels so two years ago except Finn's not here and he will never be here again and the thought makes her sick to her stomach.
Shortly after, everyone eventually has to return to their lives and Mike goes back to Chicago. Tina and Mike remain grateful that they had each other to deal with losing their friend but they unspokenly agree to go on with how it was before Finn's passing.