Chapter Fifteen: The One With The Bonding
XV: So if by the time the bar closes, you feel like falling down, I'll carry you home tonight.
Eight friends sit in the bar, a newly rejuvenated spirit among them. It seems like it's been too long since they've been this way, hence revelling in the moment is the order of the night. They're of course at Puck's bar, as they do love tradition, and pass around the drinks as everyone pledges to take a turn in buying a round. They're poor, but even Mike pitches in in making everyone feel better, citing savings on not doing thanksgiving properly a sign that they can afford a night out. The only two not drinking are Kurt and Sam, the two designated drivers. They don't mind being sober, as alcohol isn't a requirement of the night to enjoy it.
Rachel raises her glass, "To great friends and happiness." At this, everyone groans and lowers the glass. It's a simultaneous reaction that then has everyone laughing.
Puck pulls a face, "I don't know if I can toast to such a sappy sentiment."
"Yes, as nice a sentiment as it is, Rach.." Quinn trails off, laughing. She enjoys seeing this side to Rachel again and takes a moment to express amusement in her personality quirks. They're currently sitting in a large booth in the corner, she tucked under Sam's arm with Rachel on her other side. The small brunette is full of energy, with a certain twinkle in her eyes that Quinn hasn't seen in a while. Beside Sam sits a jovial Blaine, and Kurt engages him in witty conversation as they all converse. The table sits in between them and Finn, Puck and Mike, who pulled up stools to squeeze in. Santana and Brittany are missing, but this doesn't faze anyone, as they deserve time to talk and sort things out; it's been coming a long time.
The more Quinn thinks about it, the more she wonders why she didn't just confront her friends. She supposes it was due to her own 'ignorance is bliss' take on it, combined with the fact that they should come out on their own terms. Perhaps Quinn didn't consider it quite a serious relationship as it is also, which she takes complete blame for. Regardless of reasons and factors, she certainly has no problem with it, and neither do any of their friends. Having Kurt – who could be called quite a flamboyant gay – as a friend has definitely made them comfortable with being friends with homosexuals. Not that it would ever be a problem, but some people have difficulty remaining comfortable in their presence at first.
As this thought crosses her mind, Quinn wonders what Sam thinks of it. She can't imagine it would be anything less than supportive, he being the sweet and caring man he is. Sometimes, she can't grasp the concept that they're together. She can honestly say she's never had a man like Sam before; so attentive, so adoring, so loving, so caring. It touches her, warming her heart and often causing her knees to go weak. On top of this, he's funny but in a goofy way that makes it all the more adorable, and he's gorgeous. She glances up at him, noting how he laughs so freely and openly. There's no inhibition or constraint, he's just Sam all the time. It's so refreshing that she hopes it'll rub off on her, and she drinks it in greedily.
Her gaze catches his attention almost immediately. Sam sends her one of his crooked grins, causing her heart to beat a little faster, before winking. Quinn can't help herself any longer; she pulls him in for a quick kiss. It lasts only a moment, but it's enough. His arm tightens around her as he pulls away. Quinn doesn't know if she's ever felt so secure.
(It's enough to make her forget about her nearly scene with Puck weeks ago. Because it's been on her mind far too much, for far too long.)
Rachel watches this interaction with interest, but doesn't comment. She's been better lately at holding her tongue, more adept at keeping her mouth closed when the time isn't right. It's taken her enough years, she supposes. That's not to say Rachel's perfect at it, but there have been some serious developments.
Thoughts of Quinn's love life assail her as she watches though. For some reason, that right now she can't provide much support for, Rachel had always assumed Quinn and Puck would find each other again when the time is right. She's been of the opinion that they are kindred spirits; that they are their other halves. She's nearly sure the rest of her friends thought the same thing – except Puck and Quinn, however; she's not so sure. They have a undeniable pull to each other, and share a connection that none of them will ever understand or be apart of – but maybe it's nothing to do with love. Well, romantic love.. perhaps that's platonic love. Rachel used to consider herself somewhat of an expert in love, but she's come to realise that she knows very little on the matter and her heart is always in conflict. (Not always.)
It's purely coincidental that at that moment she senses someone watching her, causing Rachel to glance up and catch Finn Hudson's eye. He shoots her a small smile, one that has a degree of shyness to it which baffles her. The crinkles around his eyes tell her that it's sincere though, and she returns it.
Puck ruins the moment by nudging Finn, "Tell her how wrong he is, Huddy. I was the badass heartthrob of the school."
Finn lingers on her for a minute more before dragging his eyes to the others. He nods to Blaine, rolling his eyes with great exaggeration, "Puck was a self-proclaimed badass heartthrob. I was the real heartthrob."
Sam lets out his now familiar comforting laugh. Yes, Rachel said he has a comforting laugh – there's something incredibly soothing about the smooth, deep and utterly sincere laugh he possesses. She studies how he strokes Quinn's arm, constantly touching her, as he converses with everyone else. He counters Puck by confessing that he was a dork up until his final two years of school, when he transferred. Truth be told, Sam Evans has contradicted everything Rachel thought Quinn wanted in a man, everything she thought would be in their future. A Quick wedding – following buckets of drama – had always been an event in the distant future, but now, Rachel is actually beginning to believe that Sam is the one for Quinn.
He's good for her. Uncomplicated, sweet, nice, handsome Sam. He's not a pushover either, which is welcomed. Rachel sighs. (She struggles to maintain that she hasn't met her prince charming yet, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to prove that to herself.)
"Rachel? Are you even listening to me?"
She jumps, realising that Quinn is speaking to her. It seems the boys have started a conversation regarding cars – one that Kurt is attempting vigorously to take part in, for whatever reasons. She and Quinn have never been interested in mechanics, so she understands the new topic. "Of course." She chirps in response.
She raises a brow, but doesn't push the matter. "No matter. Miss Rachel Berry, I've been meaning to ask, who were you on the phone to earlier?" The signature smirk appears, the one that says Quinn is fishing for information, not to mention that she is going to tease you until she gets it – and when she gets it.
Rachel's never been a good liar. She can act, but not lie – they are different things, you know. She glances at her hands as her eyes always give her away. "Em, what time are you referring to? I don't recall all my calls… Is this one special, or particularly intriguing?"
"Apparently, judging from your reaction. I can't think of what it could be though. An audition? You looked quite happy when you came back in, despite all the craziness." Her gaze is suspicious, but in a playful manner.
The mention of an audition momentarily saddens her, "It's not an audition.." Rachel risks a glance at Finn, then seeing him retelling a story of their glory days to Sam and Blaine, she lowers her voice to a whisper, "It was Jesse – from the theatre."
Quinn's eyebrows instantly raise, "Oh."
"It's not like that! It's about rehearsing lines." She pauses, "And what if it was like that? I'm a free agent, it wouldn't be doing anything wrong." Quinn is still simply staring at her, which is making Rachel increasingly unnerved. "Well? What are you staring at; say something!"
The blonde laughs and reaches for her drink, "You like him."
"No. No, no, I definitely…. I don't. He's an ego-centric.. No."
She only smiles in response, appearing rather sceptical. Rachel doesn't feel like trying to convince her though, so she shrugs her shoulders and tunes back into the main conversation. There appears to be an argument on whether Batman would beat Superman in a fight. Rachel see's Quinn roll her eyes and nudge Sam, "I know you instigated this."
His cheeks colour ever so slightly, but he chuckles, "Guilty. But come on, the answer is clearly Batman."
"Dude, Superman has powers." Is Puck's simple response. It appears this is the final remark for Kurt because he sighs loudly and puts his empty glass heavily down on the table. Rachel can tell he's on his way to merryland by the glazed look in his eyes and his loose movements. If one can believe it, Kurt becomes even more flamboyant with alcohol. Gathering everyone's attention, Kurt meets all of their eyes, "This is a boring argument. They are fictional characters, no one cares."
"Edward Cullen is a fictional character … and will never love you."
He gasps and points a threatening finger at Quinn, "You take that back!"
"Not to mention he's all about the chicks," Puck adds. "Although sparkling definitely makes me think otherwise. He's like a by-product of a one night stand between Jubilee and Dracula." Sam opens his mouth to comment on the aforementioned X-men, but Quinn stops him subtly, letting Kurt speak.
"Blasphemy! Wash your mouths out. Now, I must address this question; Blaine, why the hell are you so okay with this?"
Finn whines, "Kurt, do you have to get all serious?"
"I must." He says in mock-seriousness. This mocking doesn't last long however as he's soon looking back at Blaine. "So?"
The charmer looks down and swishes his drink a little, "Well.. A little into our dating, she didn't seem too into it anymore. I felt like she was constantly forcing emotions and holding a guard… One night, a couple of bottles of wine and a heart-to-heart led to us being completely honest with each other."
Kurt is aware of how he had been probing in asking that question, but his accusation towards Santana days back are still fresh in his mind. All of him still hopes beyond comprehension that Blaine is gay, but this severely impacts on his ability to judge. He needs to either get a confession, or ask someone else's opinion. After hearing Blaine's explanation, he has more questions; 'both being completely honest', meaning he told Santana something? Or perhaps he really did just mean Santana confessed to him. All of the twists and turns make Kurt's head spin – the alcohol does not help – and it's decided he'll think on it in the morning.
The girls are giggling uncontrollably as Sam does a dreadful impression of Sean Connery, while Finn joins in with his deep chuckle. Blaine is watching intently as he attempts to do one afterwards and Puck seems to be thinking – which is never good.
Either way, Kurt's pretty happy right about now.
At an ungodly hour, they are unceremoniously thrown out of the pub and onto the streets. Sam raises the point of returning home, and continuing their shindig there if that's what people want. Kurt feels sorry for him, because he couldn't drink alcohol, and so agrees immediately to this proposal. Not to mention that Blaine also hasn't had any alcohol – which honestly has nothing to do with Kurt, but he feels that the man deserves a drink.
However, Puck groans at this suggestion, "Why don't we just hit the clubs?"
"At two in the morning?" Quinn counters, "Sounds like a blast for those two hours."
"Clubbing!" Rachel cheers loudly, then collapses into a fit of giggles. "where in the world is my phone? I want to send a text…" she begins patting her clothes for the phone before moving onto rooting through her bag. It's not long before she's sitting on the granite, bag in front of her, pulling everything onto the floor. Sam sits down beside her, trying to coax her into placing everything back into the bag. Rachel doesn't seem all that interested in what he's saying though, and is instead blabbing on about finding her phone. Sam throws his hands into the air in exasperation and tells her to work away, leaving her to go to Quinn.
It's decided that Blaine would take Puck, Kurt, Mike and Finn while Sam would take Rachel and Quinn. Sam finds himself highly amused by the antics of the two girls, who are sitting on the back seat of his car. They're both giggling hysterically every few minutes, and then plotting how to set one of the guys up with a girl. Complaints on being the only two girls are repeated throughout the ride, to which he replies that they secretly love it. He doesn't miss however that they never pair either Finn or Puck with anyone, who he would have thought were the most eligible of the bachelors. Kurt being gay, and Mike being Mike. It stumps him (or maybe he remains purposefully oblivious) until he asks them straight out, "Have you no friends for Puck or Finn?"
There's a small silence as the question is digested and processed – this takes longer than usual in their condition. Rachel is the first to react, when she outright laughs at the question. She wrinkles her nose, shaking her head at him, "Silly Sam!"
He takes a minute to react to that, and goes to reply when Rachel jumps in her seat, "Oh! Where's my phone? I had it two minutes ago.. Here!" She holds it triumphantly in the air, but not for long, as she begins to punch a number into it.
Quinn rolls her eyes, and clumsily tries to snatch it, "Give me that! You're not ringing Finn, it's a recipe for disaster."
"I'm not ringing Finn." She replies candidly, holding the phone to the ear out of Quinn's reach. The blonde shrugs and returns to singing along loudly to the song on the radio, much to Rachel's chagrin. She shouts loudly into the phone, "Jesse? Heeeeyyyy Jess, I just thought I'd call yooouuu.."
"I just called, to say, you annoy me…" she sings to the tune of Stevie Wonders famous song. Sam can hear the man reply on the other hand, surprised to find it's not a voicemail. She's certainly not giving him a word edgewise – but then again, it is Rachel. Unfortunately, he can only hear Rachel's replies. Mostly because Quinn is still singing her heart out. (He hadn't known she was good, actually.)
"Of course I like you really. It's just a song.. but you do annoy me….when? You annoy me when you do that thing that annoys me. Duh… You know the thing, Jesse…" She giggles uncontrollably here, "I do think you're hot… Yep. One of the hottest people I know!"
Sam winces as the conversation continues. Jesse is certainly taking advantage, and Rachel is certainly going to regret that call in the morning.
Okay.. so you know what's coming: I'm so sorry for the wait! I'm just not feeling writing lately, so please forgive the late updates. The poll on my page is interesting indeed btw! Quite a few Quick fans in our midst... Anyway, leave a review please, let me know what you think :) Thanks for reading.
Disclaimer: I not own Glee, Friends or "We are Young" by Fun. Wonderful song.
CN.