Disclaimer: see chapter 1.
[A/N: Omg my first chapter 4! Also, if anyone wants to beta this story, I would love some pre-posting feedback!]
Make up w Finn and go to his bday party on Sat! - Kurt
Puck looked down at the message when he got home that day. Why did Kurt always make things so difficult?
Not likely since I beat the crap outta him - Puck
Well, do it! Unless u want to miss Rachie in her dress of sex, DUMPING Finn! - Kurt
That definitely got his hopes up. He decided to drop by Finn's house. It was easier to text, but these days, it felt better to face Finn. He might even let Finn punch Puck back as payback.
As he walked down to Finn's room, his Veela became agitated.
WANTS TO TAKE AWAY MATE. MUST KILL. TRIED ONCE. FAILED. Down, boy. Puck had to take deep breaths. Yes, yes, but there's hope. Rachel might not want to anymore. Have to wait and see.
HATE WAITING. Me too. Me too.
Finn got up from his computer as Puck entered the room. Before Finn even stood in front of Puck, Puck could see the bruising around his throat, the size of Puck's right hand.
"Hey, dude. I am really really sorry about knocking you out. I just got so angry, I couldn't hold back anymore, you know." Puck couldn't look at the betrayal written over his best friend's face.
"You got mad that I'm marrying Rachel? What the hell? Why would that make you angry?"
"It was just that it was so shocking, you know? You leave to talk out your issues, and then come back like more committed than ever before. I know I'm not the one to question your decisions, we all know I like do whatever the hell I want, but like did you guys even take the time to talk to your parents about this? You, know sleep on it? It just wasn't fitting like the situation. We were just talking about how often you guys break up."
"Well, if we do, we can just get divorced."
"And then married again, when you change your minds?" Puck did look at his friend this time. Finn's face seemed his version of thoughtful, which ended up looking consipated. How in the world his girl fell for this guy boggled Puck's mind. Girls.
Puck sighed. "How about this, you know Rachel's like super annoyingly intense about everything. So, let her like research and like think about it for a bit. Then when" Puck really wanted to say "if" instead, "she decides to marry you, you can be sure she won't cheat or anything. Its like extra credit or whatever."
"Ohhh... ok, cool. I bet she'll really like the idea too. Thanks a ton, man. You always were really good with the ladies. That's why I'm always so jealous of you."
"You're jealous of me?!" Puck couldn't hide his surprise at his friend's statement.
"Yeah, you always get whatever girl you want, you know and me. I get the leftovers. You even dated Rachel before I did."
Puck did his best not to puff his chest up with pride that he did in fact get a taste of the hot Jewish-American princess before Finn. The two talked more, until Finn eventually asked Puck to come to his party on Saturday. He also asked if Puck could score some drinks.
"Always," he responded with a smirk. As he walked out the door, Puck realized that even if he did bring alcohol, it would be the worst possible idea to have any. With Rachel in that dress, prouncing around Finn, it wouldn't take a second for his Veela to come out fully.
He sent one last text to Kurt, not wanting to raise suspicions,
Mission accomplished - Puck
Rachel was hesitant about the party despite her and Finn being on good terms so far that week. He very kindly called her to let her know that he was willing to wait for her answer, once she was 100% sure of marriage. They seemed to be on this shaky mutual impasse ground that could tilt one way or another. It was slightly unnvering to Rachel on the days leading up to the party. As she walked to her locker at the end fo the day, Santana and Brittany were waiting for her.
"Hey, midget. We need to talk about this whole Finchel wedding business."
"Hey, Rachel. The wolf paces in his den."
Rachel looked an extra moment at Brittany. "Uh, hey. I don't currently realize the ultimate meaning of your statement Brittany."
"Oh, don't worry. You will. Just like you don't taste gum until you put it in your mouth." The blonde smiled with her typical blissful ignorance.
Rachel turned to Santana. "What is it you wanted?"
"You can't marry giant-man. He will smush you on your wedding night. Trust me, been there, done him." Rachel pondered that if that was some type of dig against her relationship, to bring up the past, Santana would be smirking. She wasn't.
"Seriously? If torturing me is your only entertainment of the day, it seems like you've lost your touch." Rachel was worried she was missing something.
"Yes, seriously. Fine. Don't take my advice. If you are going to take gigantor off the market, does that mean we can have Puck back?" Santana crossed her arms, preparing for a fight.
"Puck?!" Rachel's voice went up an octave. "Why would you want him? And what makes you think I have any choice over who he does and doesn't have?"
"Well, ever since you two dated, he hasn't asked for us," Brittany supplied. "It's like I said, pacing. Waiting. Seeing his reaction yesterday, you definitely still have him on a leesh."
His reaction, to her engagement. He did seem particularly furious with the situation. "Well, I don't know about Noah, but from my end, we are just friends. I haven't the faintest why he reacted that way."
"Listen, Fruitipop, that guy is the male version of me. The only reason I wouldn't cheat on somebody is if I wanted that person forever. So, believe me when I say that since he didn't cheat on you in your week of paradise, then he wants you. And he will always want you. You two are just pretending if you think you two are just friends." At this Santana did indeed smirk.
Remembering Santana's help with shopping, Rachel felt daring. She glanced down the hall. Turning back to the duo, she asked, "Umm.. can I ask you two to be honest with me about something. No jokes, just real answers only please." Santana quirked her eyebrow, but both nodded affirmatively. "Do you think Finn and I should be married?"
Santana laughed. "Oh, Berry, you really are blinded by his stupid pasty paleness. No. You shouldn't say yes to Finny because of one single most important fact. You are better than him." Brittany nodded.
"He is white chocolate. You need to dip your berries in something more than that, otherwise your sweet flavor won't be appreciated. I suggest dark chocolate. The other types are ok, but dark chocolate would suit you best." Brittany smiled at her comparison.
"Who is dark chocolate?" Rachel asked quitely.
"Who do you think? Who is the one person who you always turn to when you need help? Who is the one person that lets you call him by his birth name?" Santana winked at that.
Rachel rolled her eyes. The twidle-dee and twidle-dum were so obvious.
"I know you two are just trying to make me get with Noah. I just don't know how I feel about Finn right now." Rachel dropped her gaze to the gum-encrusted floor.
"Alright, here's this. What is the happiest you have ever been?" Santana asked.
Rachel looked at her, surprised by the serious tone. "Uhh.. the happiest ever.. winning.. anything! Or signing." She laughed, clearly.
"Well, does being with Finn make those moments better?"
Rachel paused. She remember the various wins at Regionals, Sectionals. Finn was there. It was amazing. But, it would've been amazing with or without Finn.
"No. It doesn't."
"Well, then. He's not the one you are supposed to marry. Why marry him if he doesn't make life better when he's around? Cuz, trust me. Being married means the other person is always around." Santana smirked as the two besties left Rachel.
Later that day, she realized that she needed answers. She texted the three best men in her life.
Do you think being married means the other person makes life better?
She got two different responses almost immediately.
Duh! You still aren't thinking of marrying my lughead step-bro are you? - Kurt
Yeah, I mean its sharing your life w the person, so if life isn't better, why share? - Noah
A few hours later, Finn responded.
Well, it depends. Life goes up and down. We both know that. Cant always be better -Finn
Rachel almost considered text Finn back. Instead, she went with the other two.
I'm not sure. I almost think I need to be on my own for a while. At least until I get to NY. Don't want to start somthing only to have to break it off a few mo.s later - Rach
To Puck, she reponded: Good point. Will keep that in mind. Are you going to Finn's party? He told me you apologized. Very proud of you for being the bigger man - Rachel
Thanks, Babe. I try. I always will, for you - Noah
Good. I wouldn't want to have to visit you in Juvie again, Noah. Also, I meant what I told you in Glee. You have so much potential! - Rachel
You would know. ;) - Noah
Rachel smiled as she fell into bed, thinking about Noah's hazel eyes, and winking face.
Puck woke up on Friday morning with a call from Kurt.
"Mayday! Mayday! Puckerman wake up! This is about your future wife!"
That made him sit up in bed. "What is it, Hummel? Is she alright?" Sincere worry seeped into his groggy morning voice.
"She's fine, just emotionally conflicted. She told me she's thinking of swearing off boys until New York! We HAVE to do something drastic! Either we tell her, so she can know all the facts about why you want her, or we follow through with plan C."
"Ok, what about plan B?"
"We've been doing plan B!"
"What's plan A, then?"
"You TELLING HER you are a Veela!"
Puck rolled his eyes at the dramatics. "I can't. I don't want her to be with me because she knows I'm going to die otherwise. Its a Veela thing, dude. Ok, so what's Plan C?"
"Its going to cause a little drama, but its worth it. Trust me. Now, today at school, do NOT leave her side. Make something up, whatever, just don't leave her, ok? Sing your song to her in glee. And then at the party tomorrow, don't even look at her. She's going to get upset, and only then find her and talk to her."
"Why is she going to be upset?" The Veela started to growl lightly at the thought of hurting his mate.
"Oh, its just going to be the final and offical end to Finchel, trust me. Got your part of the plan?"
"Yeah, yeah. It's not hard to find an excuse to be around the girl of dreams." Puck's cheeks grew slightly pink at the sudden admission.
"Oh, that reminds me. Do your best NOT to flirt with her. Be serious around her. Be pure Noah, no Puck. Ok?"
Puck rolled his eyes at the distinction. Puck was always Noah around Rachel.
"Got it, yeah, yeah. Just let me know if I have to beat up anyone after this."
As Rachel grabbed her first books of the day from her locker, Noah walked up to her.
"Hey Rach, can you walk with me to class? I got a few chicks following me, and if they think I'm after you, they might leave me alone." He gave her one of her bad-boy smirks he knew she couldn't resist. He remembered how Kurt warned him about being "Puck" so he attempted to tone down the bad boy by adding a genuine, "please" at the end.
"Of course, Noah." She demurely responded.
"Thanks, Hon" he caught himself, "I mean, my hot Jewish-American Princess." He winked at her as they started down the hall.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "No problem, Noah. You know I have no qualms about who walks with me down the halls." Noah was sure she mentally added, like some people, to the end of her statment.
"Yeah, you know Rach, I really am sorry about those slushies. It was like the least harmful way I could think of to show my bad-ass ness to all the football jocks. It was either cold sugary ice, or a dive in the dumpster. Kurt wasn't as lucky as you were." Noah allowed his sincere remorse to seep through his cool fascade. He guiltily looking away from Rachel's face, missing the small but humorless smile she gave him in response. "Do you think he forgives me for that? I mean we both just sorta pretended like it never happened. Although, I have a feeling he is still fearful I might take to the tradition again." Noah gave a reactionary chuckle to the look on Kurt's face whenever he passed a dumpster.
"Yes, Noah. I think everyone in Glee has either forgotten or forgiven you for your past bullying."
"And you?" Noah stopped walking and turned to face the brunette.
"Me what?"
"Have you forgiven or forgotten?"
"I forgive you, of course." It was Rachel's turn to laugh. "Do you think I would've gone out with you Sophmore year if I hadn't forgiven you?" They resumed their lazy trek.
"Oh. Well, thanks, I guess. I really don't deserve anyone's kindness or forgiveness, especially yours." He paused. "What went wrong with us then? What happened?"
Rachel glanced at the tall boy on her arm. "What do you mean?"
"Well, if you forgave me, then why did we break up? Why didn't we work out?"
Rachel hung her head. She vividly remembered that afternoon on the bleachers. Puck could almost taste her disappointment and regret in the air.
"I didn't really understand what love was, at the time."
"Do you now?"
At that simple question, Rachel swiveled to look into the hazel orbs of her ex-boyfriend turned friend. "I don't know." She heavily sighed, making Puck's Veela bristle with frustration at the unhappiness of his mate.
"Well, if you are going to marry someone, you should probably firgure that out... and soon," Puck replied as they approached the classroom. "Not to like, be a mom or anything, just pointing out the obvious." Puck hoped a nonchalant shrug would cover up his interest and concern.
After class, Puck waited as Rachel approached the teacher with a question. Throughout the class, he remembered that Rachel's next class was across the school from his, so he planned a perfect ruse to stick close by her.
"Hey Rach, do you think you could walk with me to the nurse's? I think I got a stomach ache or something. Might sit out this next period or two." Puck grabbed his abdomen in an attempt to feign pain.
"Oh Noah, why do you come to school at all if you insist on faking illnesses to end up skipping classes anyway?" She quipped with a smirk.
"Are you a certified nurse, Babe? I think not. Then you never know which illnesses are real are not, so, better safe than sorry. Ain't that what you always say?" He ended with a wink.
"That is along the lines of an appropriate saying, but used in the directly inappropriate context. Shouldn't you, as the more experienced of the two of us, know which pains are real or not? Plus, winking is typically indicative of a fully working nervous system and brain function, specially the area dealing in humor."
"Huh?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. "In other words. You seem fine to me, but you should know best, wouldn't you?"
Puck just smiled, appreciating how smart his mate was. They finally approached the nurses office.
"Well, I'd best be off, class waits for no man!" She called to him as she turned the corner.
Puck realized he couldn't convince her to stay with a mindset like hers, so he just replied, "And no woman neither!"
He missed her wide smile as she walked the rest of the way to class.
After second period, Puck was able to "accidentally" bump into her on his way to third period, and then asked to sit with her at lunch.
Lunch was a glorious haze for him, basking in the warmth of her smiles, the gentle waterfall of her sweet and enthusiastic laughter, and the lush pools of chocolate as she met his gaze.
He took pride in every time her made her do anything positive, and his Veela almost stood up and crooned with joy when he made her laugh so hard she spilt milk out her nose.
Glee was the ultimate deal breaker for him. He knew his song choice was stretching his personal limits, but it fit his situation so perfectly he hoped only Kurt could see the true pain he would inevitably express.