A/N: Day 30! Rachel remembers the hot tub at Quinn's house and is determined to replace her memories of the hot tub with better ones. This was inspired by a drawing by birachelberry on twitter, and y'all should go follow him because they make really great art!
Thank you all for coming on this journey with me, despite it taking far longer than thirty days. This really has been such an achievement for me throughout 2020; I've never written this much in a year before, and it has been your reviews that have really kept me motivated to finish, so thank you. I hope you enjoy this final chapter. And happy new year! Let's hope 2021 has better character development than Quinn got on the show.
Day 30: Doing Something Hot
"You still have this hot tub in the back?"
Quinn glances at her girlfriend before she follows her gaze, looking at her backyard through the back window. In a fenced-off corner of the yard is the aforementioned hot tub, ivy crawling up the sides of the fence surrounding it. It's been years since she's been in the tub, not since her sophomore year, but she does do most of the maintenance for it: cleaning, pH checks, refilling the water, the likes.
"Yeah," Quinn explains, looking back at Rachel, "Mom uses it from time to time when her back is acting up."
Not missing a beat, Rachel says, "How about when your back is acting up?" She nods to the wheelchair folded up in the corner of the living room, slowly collecting dust from its weeks of neglect.
Quinn shrugs, "I prefer the bath."
And it's the truth. Despite any level of soreness from Cheerios practice or physical therapy, Quinn has not stepped foot in that tub since that dreaded day almost three years ago.
"Well," Rachel says coyly, a grin forming on her face, "I know what we're doing today."
"Rach, no," Quinn groans, already regretting inviting her over for the day. They've spent their time together this summer thus far exclusively at Rachel's house, and of course Rachel would set her eyes on the hot tub on her first (and maybe only, depending on how today goes) visit to the Fabray residence.
"Why not?" Rachel asks, frowning.
Quinn shakes her head, shifting uncomfortably on the couch. "I don't really use it."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Sure, but you said your mom uses it, so it must be clean."
"You don't have a swimsuit," Quinn counters, desperate.
"I can just borrow one of yours," Rachel says, and the image of Rachel in one of her bikini tops flashes through her head for a brief moment before Quinn blinks rapidly, clearing the (admittedly tempting) image away.
"Rachel, please, I just… don't think it's a good idea," Quinn says softly, gaze dropping to her lap.
Rachel scoots closer to her, their knees brushing as she says, "Baby, why are you so opposed to—Oh, my god," She pauses, and her eyes grow wide with realization. "That's the hot tub, isn't it?"
Quinn feels her cheeks turn bright red, hating every second of this conversation. "Rachel, please." Her girlfriend laughs hysterically while Quinn is frowning, desperately trying to make the color in her cheeks fade away.
"I just can't believe that's where you—where Finn—"
"Rachel!" Quinn interrupts, the blush on her face intensifying.
"I'm sorry, baby," Rachel says through laughs, "It's just funny, that's all. I dated him too, you know. I know what it's like," Here she pauses, a thought seemingly occurring to her, and she whispers, "Has the water been changed since then?"
"Oh my god, Rachel," Quinn chastises, "Of course it's been changed. Several times. And fully cleaned after that incident." At this, Rachel laughs even harder, and Quinn finds herself wishing she were anywhere else but here right now.
"Does your mom know?" Rachel asks.
"God, no," Quinn says, "And she doesn't need to know. As far as she knows, I just choose not to use the hot tub because of the chemicals. Ignorance is bliss, especially for her."
"And you really haven't been in there since that day?"
Quinn sighs, "No, I haven't, and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Come on," Rachel grins excitedly, "Now we have to go in."
"Rach, please?" Quinn says, seeing nothing but hope in her brown eyes. "That hot tub just brings back bad memories. Very bad memories."
Grinning, Rachel scoots even closer, leaning her face in towards hers. Bypassing her lips, she positions her mouth in front of Quinn's ear before she whispers, "We can make good memories." Rachel presses a soft kiss just behind her ear, sending shivers throughout Quinn's body as she hears a whispered, "Really good memories."
Quinn turns her head just so, capturing Rachel's lips in a searing kiss. Rachel slides impossibly closer to her, her torso practically covering Quinn's as their lips slide against one another. Quinn brings her hands up, running them through Rachel's hair, and she feels Rachel gasp against her lips. Quinn is quick to seize the opportunity, sliding her tongue into Rachel's mouth, eliciting gentle moans from them both before Rachel pulls away, their heavy breaths echoing in the silent room.
"We will continue this outside," She says, grinning charmingly.
Quinn groans, letting her head fall back onto the top of the couch. Rachel stands up, smoothing out her skirt, and offers a hand to Quinn, who raises an eyebrow at her.
"What?" Rachel asks. "You're not gonna pass up an opportunity to see me in a bikini, are you?"
"You know," Quinn says, "We could just put on bikinis and stay right here. We don't even need to go—"
"Quinn Fabray, we are going in that hot tub whether you like it or not," Rachel says, "And, trust me, I will make sure that you like it."
Rachel winks, and Quinn practically melts, hopeless to do anything but stand up and do whatever Rachel wants her to do.
The mental image of Rachel in one of her bikinis is nothing compared to the sight in front of her.
Quinn is standing outside by the hot tub, making sure the water is clean and ready for use, her bright red bikini tied around her neck with matching shorts, when Rachel walks outside. The filter in her hand clatters to the ground as she sees her girlfriend standing in the bright sunlight. The light blue bikini top—Quinn's top, which fits Rachel better than it has ever fit her—rests perfectly against her tanned skin, and Quinn can't take her eyes off of her. Her eyes are glued onto Rachel's body, tracing every curve, every dimple, every ounce of her skin as if a magnet is holding her gaze in place, guiding it up and down every inch of her girlfriend's gorgeous frame.
Finally, Quinn looks up at her face, seeing a heavy blush painted on her cheeks, and notices Rachel's eyes similarly tracing her own body. She suddenly grows self-conscious, folding her arms over her stomach. She's certainly not in the best shape that she's ever been, and her skin is littered with scars, new and faded, lines and markings that represent parts of her past that she can't run from. Though they are evidence of her survival, Quinn isn't proud of them, and she avoids looking at them as much as possible. To have Rachel standing here, staring at her body littered with imperfections, is nerve-wracking.
Rachel walks towards her slowly, the sway of her hips capturing Quinn's gaze, and she feels her cheeks heating up with all of the thoughts running through her mind right now, thoughts she's been actively suppressing for the past weeks of their relationship. It's only been a month, and they have been taking things slow because of the newness of it all, but Quinn cannot deny the surplus of sheer desire that she has been feeling. It's unlike anything she's felt in any of her previous relationships, the constant need to touch and taste and feel. And, lucky for her, Rachel seems to feel the same way, if the look in her eyes right now is any indication.
"You…" Quinn starts, stretching out a hand that Rachel easily takes in her own, lacing their fingers together, "Are so incredibly gorgeous. This looks so good on you, I might just let you keep it."
Blushing, Rachel squeezes her hand and says, "Thank you, baby, and you, well… You already know how I've always envied your looks," She admits. Quinn drops her head, and Rachel tucks a finger under her chin, lifting her head back up to meet her eyes. "You are so beautiful. Every part of you."
Rachel's words crash over her, a wave of warmth filling up her heart and spreading throughout her body, and Quinn can't help but lean forward and kiss her. Rachel responds beautifully, melting into the embrace for only a moment before she tilts her head back, her forehead resting against Quinn's.
"Hot tub first, then more of this," Rachel insists, much to Quinn's dismay.
Rolling her eyes, Quinn spins around to check over the water one last time, nodding to herself, and turns back around to see Rachel's eyes lingering shamelessly low on her body. Her eyes shoot back up, cheeks turning red, and the mere thought of Rachel admiring her body has Quinn smiling and winking at her, delighting in the embarrassed look that appears on her girlfriend's face.
"It's ready when you are," Quinn says, and Rachel grins and claps excitedly as she steps past Quinn and climbs into the tub.
Quinn is more hesitant as she looks around to make sure they have towels (which they do) and that everything else is put away (which it is), doing her best to delay the inevitable. Sighing heavily, she begins to ascend the steps, pausing at the top.
"Take your time," Rachel says lowly, and Quinn looks down to see Rachel's eyes roaming across her body. "I like the view from down here."
"You are unbelievable," Quinn mutters.
"Unbelievably turned on by my girlfriend right now."
Quinn gasps, "Rachel!"
"What?" Rachel asks with faux-disbelief. "Come on and get in here before I die from your hotness."
"You are so dramatic," Quinn says as she descends the steps into the water.
Rachel scoffs, grinning. "You wouldn't have me any other way."
"No, I wouldn't," She admits, settling into the hot water, her muscles relaxing, and she lets out a sigh at the feeling. She moves to the corner, closes her eyes, and feels her breathing slow down as she fully relaxes and sinks into the warmth. Hearing movement, Quinn opens an eye and sees Rachel wading towards her, a shy smile on her face.
"It's nice, right?" Rachel asks quietly.
Quinn nods, "Yeah, it is."
Silently, Quinn scoots over, and Rachel takes the hint, sitting next to her on the bench. Quinn wraps her arm around Rachel's back, pulling her closer, and Rachel gently pulls Quinn's arm around her waist as she rests her head on her shoulder. They sit in silence for a few moments, and Quinn looks around at the decorative lights still hung up along the fence, the bulbs long since burnt out but yet to be taken down.
Sitting here, the warm water lapping around her, Quinn is easily taken back to that day, sophomore year, and she suddenly feels gross all over. She sits up straight, feeling Rachel's head fall from her shoulder, and starts to stand up when Rachel grabs her hand and tries to pull her back down.
"Hey," Rachel says softly, "It's okay. You're here with me. You're okay." Quinn relaxes at the soothing sound of her voice. She sits back down, and Rachel turns her body to face her, whispering, "Let me help you forget."
Rachel leans in and presses her lips to the spot behind her ear. Quinn turns her head, giving Rachel better access which she takes advantage of, trailing kisses down her jawline. A soft sound escapes her lips when Rachel reaches her neck as she presses hot, open-mouthed kisses to Quinn's pale skin. The combination of the hot water around them, the feeling of Rachel's lips against her skin, and her warm breath hitting her neck has Quinn boiling over with pleasure, and she's so close to losing herself to the feeling when her eyes land on the opposite side of the pool.
She freezes in place as Rachel continues to kiss her neck. "Rach," She whispers.
"Mhmm?" Rachel hums, lips sliding across wet skin.
"It, um," Quinn mumbles, "It happened right there," She says, gesturing outward, a moan falling from her lips at the feeling of Rachel's tongue against her skin.
"Okay," Rachel breathes, her breath hot against Quinn's neck, "We just won't go over there, then."
Quinn is about to protest when Rachel lifts a hand to her cheek, turning her head towards hers and capturing her lips in a desperate kiss. Quinn gives in, sliding her lips against Rachel's with fervor, desperate to replace old memories with new ones. Rachel seems to be on the same page as she slides her hands down from Quinn's face to her neck, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. Quinn feels Rachel's tongue slide along her bottom lip, and she moans into Rachel's mouth when their tongues meet.
She feels her heart beating rapidly in her chest, hears herself gasping for air between kisses, and tastes nothing but Rachel's lips and tongue. But she's not close enough, Quinn decides, and she reaches her arms under the water, grabbing Rachel's waist and pulling her closer. Their legs tangle together as Rachel leans forward, pressing her torso against Quinn's, and they both moan at the feeling. She feels Rachel all over, in her mouth and her hands and on her chest and stomach.
Rachel wraps her arms around Quinn's neck and begins to slide a leg over hers when she pauses, separating their lips to look up at her. "Is this okay?" She asks, voice heavy, breathing raggedly.
Quinn looks down at their bodies, the swell of Rachel's breasts tempting her beyond belief, and says, "Yeah, yes, please."
Rachel slides across Quinn's lap, straddling her legs, and tilts her head down to connect their lips. Quinn gasps at the feeling of Rachel on top of her, their chests pressed together, and she scoots forward on the bench, letting Rachel wrap her legs around her. She feels Rachel everywhere, heat emanating off of her onto Quinn, water splashing around them with their movements.
Quinn pulls away from the kiss to attach her lips to Rachel's jaw, kissing her way across her jawline and down her neck. She's oddly reminded of being in a similar position with Finn, doing this same movement, but the thoughts are fleeting, quickly replaced with the sound of Rachel's soft, breathy moans and the weight of her body on top of hers. Quinn smiles against her skin, worshipping her neck, admiring the smoothness and scent of her skin, a stark contrast to the past.
A loud moan escapes from Rachel's lips, and Quinn stops her movements to focus on this particular spot. She sucks gently, her tongue pressing against Rachel's skin, and a brief scrape of her teeth against her neck has Rachel moaning even louder, rocking her hips down into Quinn. Moaning at the sudden relief, Quinn presses her hips up into Rachel before she realizes what just happened and pauses her movements. Their ragged breaths interrupt the silence around them, panting heavily.
"That was…" Rachel trails off, tilting her head down to look at Quinn.
"Yeah," Quinn breathes, looking up at Rachel. Her face and neck are flushed, her chest is heaving, her lips are swollen, bright and pink, and Quinn has never been more attracted to her.
"Was it… okay? I mean, like, is that… was it…" Rachel stutters out, and Quinn could almost laugh at her speechlessness if she wasn't so turned on by the fact that she is speechless because of her.
"It was more than okay," Quinn admits breathlessly, watching Rachel smile brightly.
"Yeah?" Rachel pants, "Me too."
Quinn leans up and kisses her, moving her hands up and down Rachel's back before coming to settle at her waist. Rachel smiles into her lips, releasing her hold around Quinn's neck and bringing her hands down to cover Quinn's. She brings their joined hands down her back, moving lower and lower until they pass the curve of her lower back and—
Yeah, Quinn loves the hot tub.
A/N: So that happened! Thank you all again for reading. You can find me on twitter at lgbqteen and on tumblr at inimitabler and stay tuned/subscribed for any future fics I have coming out!
And if you're reading this from the future, congrats on making it this far! Hope you enjoyed, and reviews are Always appreciated.