In These Arms (i am home at last)

Rachel has a bad day. Pretty sure we all know what happens next.

original tumblr note: Written a week ago on my birthday real quick and didn't post bc I felt like it was shit but since it's Rachel's birthday and I didn't write anything have this instead lol. If you feel like the ending is half-assed, it's because it is lmao, pls forgive forgive.

x.X.x

Rachel's having a shitty day.

Accidentally kicking her boot into a puddle and almost tripping over herself, she gets mud all over her clothes, and she tightens her grip on her bags, sucking in a deep breath as she wills her patience to last just a tiny bit longer.

Rachel's having the shittiest day imaginable.

Well, she thinks, maybe not that terrible – finding out that she had lost out on her first Tony to Scarlett Johansson of all people surely has to be up there – but then she sees the sign in her apartment complex's lobby, saying that the elevator was being repaired and hence not in use.

…Yeah, Rachel's having a real fucking shitty day.

Making the long trudge up the stairs to her apartment, her legs and just everything hurts with each step, muscles aching and crying out in soreness from rehearsals today. Her entire body is weary and her joints are practically screaming at her in agony, and it's fucking cold, the cold chill of New York's air during Winter unforgiving.

Tired beyond belief, she finally, finally, makes it to her floor, heaving with heavy, irregular breaths, and stumbling as she rummages through her bag to find her keys, she grumbles under her breath, just hoping that this day would just end soon so that she could just be done with it all.

Just as she approaches the door to her apartment – dammit, where are those fucking keys? – though, the door opens, and the sight of her girlfriend greets her, a curious look on her face and an easy smile to greet her.

At those warm hazel eyes, all of the stress that's been bubbling up within Rachel today seems to spill out, and she can't help herself from lunging forward in relief, crashing into Quinn's arms even with all of her bags and clothes weighing her down.

"Quinn, god I missed you," Rachel breathes out, and she revels in how Quinn, after processing the sudden hug, moves to wrap her arms around Rachel's midsection without a beat.

"Whoa there," Quinn laughs lightly, holding her in a comfortable grip as Rachel pretty much melts into her arms. "Um, hi baby. Missed you too," the blonde lets out a breathy chuckle, before explaining, "heard your footsteps from inside, you were stomping pretty hard there."

Ignoring Quinn's playful teasing, Rachel just burrows herself deeper into her girlfriend's embrace in response. She just feels so tired, and not for the first time, she thanks the stars above for how absolutely perfect the height difference between her and Quinn is, allowing her to fit perfectly into the crook of a sculpted alabaster neck with ease.

Shuffling even closer in order to feel even more of the blonde's body pressed against her own, she has no intention of letting go any time soon – Quinn's arms feel like coming home, and all Rachel wants to do is soak up all of the comfort that her girlfriend is giving her for forever.

"Bad day?" Quinn asks, still not letting go. The blonde nuzzles her head slightly against Rachel's, and Rachel hums, deflating slightly at the reminder.

Quinn's arms hold her steady, and she draws back the tiniest bit to survey Rachel's form, eyes raking up and down her body quickly. At how terrible Rachel's sure she looks, Quinn's expression swiftly turns into one that of concern, and softly, she questions, "You okay?"

Releasing a sharp inhale, Rachel swallows, closing her eyes. "You make it better," she says, and at how much truth shines through in her admission, she feels Quinn smile against her hair, placing a kiss there.

"Yeah?"

At how hopeful Quinn sounds, tinged with awe, Rachel finds her lips tilting upwards as well, overriding her fatigue. "Yeah."

She feels Quinn's arms tighten slightly around her, and it makes her let out a breathy sigh. "I love you," Rachel breathes out, because it's nothing less than the truth – she knows for sure that she would have broken down crying tonight if not for Quinn welcoming her home with open arms.

"I love you too Rach," Quinn murmurs back in response, a happy and pleased little quirk of lips that's barely there, and even after all this time, Rachel feels her heart flutter with butterflies at the sight. "Now, come on, I'm sure we look like idiots standing on our doorstep hugging like this."

At that, Rachel colors sheepishly, and Quinn chuckles, moving to take her bag and coat for her with little trouble as they head inside. "I'll go make a bubbly hot bath for you, and then we can eat dinner while watching some trashy TV. Sound cool with you?"

"Sounds perfect," Rachel breathes, "thank you."

Quinn grins back at her. "Just doing my job, baby."

"I'll make it up to you," she promises, and before Quinn has the chance to protest about how she doesn't need to, she reaches her arms up to wrap around the blonde's neck, pulling her down for a kiss.

Any qualms Quinn might have are swallowed down, and Rachel smiles against pink lips, feeling like she's right where she's supposed to be.

In Quinn's arms, she's home.