Finn Hudson

He kissed her with as much passion and love as he could muster, trying to convey everything he felt, and had ever felt, for her through this one last act of intimacy. As they broke apart it was hard to force himself to look into her eyes.

They'd always been his weakness; those velvety brown, puppy-dog eyes of Rachel Berry. Right now they were full of regret and goodbye, swimming with tears. Of course they were both sad and both grieving but they also had both known this was coming all throughout the incredible past twelve months they had shared together.

Rachel was off to New York and Finn had no doubt in his mind that she would be recognised as the star she'd always known she was. The star he'dalways known she was. And there was no way he could go with her, the way Blaine was planning to move with Kurt.

Finn Hudson was not a star. He remembered what he'd said, just before making the second best decision of his life. "I'm not afraid to be called a loser because I can accept that's what I am." It was very ironic that joining glee club was the only thing that had ever made him feel like this wasn't true. His best decision? Kissing her on the stage at Nationals; he didn't give a damn if it had cost them the competition – she was worth it.

No, he wasn't a star but something Finn knew with all his heart was that he was more than this. He was more than Lima. He was more than taking that apprenticeship with Burt, no matter how kind and well-meaning the offer was.

He was a leader, that's what glee club had taught Finn Hudson.

Rachel kissed him softly one more time, "I'll never forget you, Finn. And if you don't keep in touch, then I will hunt you down and kick your ass!" She waved her finger at him, making him chuckle softly. Rachel was so funny, it killed him the way the people in this town treated her. That was just one of the many reasons why he knew he had to let her go. They'd recognise her for what she truly was in New York, they'd see her.

Finn turned back to the rest of his fellow glee-clubbers, the majority of whom had graduated alongside him just a few hours ago. He'd already bade most of them farewell. Some of them, like Puck and Quinn, had laughed at his melodramatic adieu believing that he would be remaining with them in Ohio.

Little did they know. Finn felt a twist of guilt in his stomach; he'd contact them later on, he really would. But if he had to explain it to them all now, he knew they'd try to stop him and he knew he'd never be able to leave. Only Rachel and Kurt (and therefore Blaine, by extension) knew his real plan.

However, there was one person to who Finn had not said goodbye. He walked towards him, his friend and mentor and inspiration, with arms outstretched. The two men hugged tightly.

"Mr Schue, I can't even tell you what you've done for me over the past few years," The ex-quarter back was embarrassed to hear his voice shake with repressed tears at the idea of leaving his teacher.

Will shook his head, still gripping the back of Finn's letterman jacket. "No, Finn, you can't understand what teaching you kids and how much watching you all grow as individuals has taught me. It's so strange to see you now, all adults. I know this is it, that you're all leaving me for good because Finn, you're all going to be so successful. I swear."

Finn pulled away from the embrace and looked at his teacher solemnly. "You're right. I am leaving, hardly anyone knows. I'm never coming back. You've taught me that I'm more than this. I don't want to be a superstar, hell! I couldn't be a superstar even if I wanted. But whatever I do end up doing, I just can't do it here."

The choir teacher nodded understandingly and watched as his former pupil walked away from him slowly. Will swallowed hard as a tear ran down his cheek; he so wished he could have been as brave as to do what Finn was doing. Staying in Lima had ruined his life in many ways.

It was two o'clock in the morning, Finn's alarm buzzed almost silently but he was already awake. He grabbed his sports bag and suitcase, packed with all the things he was taking into his new life. He tried not to cry as he looked round his room at all the things he was leaving behind.

On his bedside table stood a picture of Rachel; it was the most beautiful picture he'd ever seen. The camera had caught her at the exact moment that she looked up from the sheet music she'd been studying intensely. Rachel was still looking down, her eyelashes sweeping her cheeks but her lips were curved into that gorgeous laughing smile that Finn would miss so much.

He reached out a hand involuntarily to grab the frame but stopped himself. He had to let her go. Instead he slipped the photo beside it into his bag. This photograph showed Finn in the centre, one arm hugging his mom and the other slung over his step-brother and best friend's shoulder. Blaine stood beside Kurt, Burt on his other side. All five of them were pulling stupid faces. They'd done a sensible shot too, but they all preferred this picture.

The lanky teen shuffled down the stairs as quietly as he could, placing an envelope on the table before heading to the front door.

Mom, Burt, Kurt,

I'm so sorry for leaving like this, in the night without saying a proper goodbye. I had to go though, now, or else I'd never leave at all and I just can't spend my life in Ohio. I'm heading to Washington. Remember when I went on a class trip there in 8th grade, mom? I loved that place.

Just because I've left like this it doesn't mean I don't want to see you again. It would have just been too hard to say goodbye to your faces – I'd never have been able to go.

Here's my new mobile. Ring me when you read this. I'll give you my new address when I rent an apartment. You've got to promise to come and see me.

I love you all so much.

Finn.

His hand was on the latch of the front door when he heard a soft voice say his name. He turned to see Kurt standing on the stairs looking paler than ever in the moonlight. It bought a loving grin to Finn's face to see Kurt's hair lathered in an overnight conditioner; he'd miss him like hell.

"I'll miss you, you lumbering giant."

"I'll miss you more, you porcelain doll."

They closed the distance between them, Finn locking his brother into a bear hug and carefully avoiding the pink stuff covering his hair.

Kurt sniffed slightly as they broke apart. He couldn't help the tear that rolled down his cheek as he watched his big brother's car disappear round the street corner.

However Finn knew he'd made the right choice. His stomach leapt and flipped at his car zoomed past the sign.

Thank you for visiting Ohio: so much to discover.

He was free.

A/N: So Finn's is a little more vague but I just felt that all we needed to know was that he didn't become a 'Lima Loser'. I just think that was really important. For those who care, I think Finn went on to become a teacher in Washington, like his inspiration - Will. He probably taught sport, seeing as he wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. He probably helped with choir too.

Up next - Quinn!

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Elle xx