Finn's appreciation for Rachel's kisses only increased with exposure, an appreciation she seemed to return. Wednesday, as he dropped her off at the arts center, she leaned back in for a second goodbye kiss, deeper than the one before, very much to his liking. But her words after it he liked far less.

"We need to save a few of these up, I don't kiss on the first date." She giggled. "Even fancy first dates."

That seemed a little weird to Finn, but hey he didn't want to rush her and he supposed he could deal with this. They were doing things really out of order, if there even was an order. He kissed her back. "Break a leg."

She thanked him and headed for the center, her bag over her arm, and Finn returned to campus to keep himself busy.

After his workout he felt invigorated, his back not a problem at all, and he concentrated on making himself look good for dinner. This wasn't a normal first date, and he'd picked out a good Italian restaurant, so... he put on the suit he had to wear for more formal team events, which had Kurt's seal of approval and actually fit him. All the better to impress her that he was more than just the guy down the hall. And maybe even convince her that first-date kissing prohibitions most definitely should not apply.

Back at the arts center, the rehearsal seemed to still be going on, so Finn waited out in the foyer, trying not to check the time more than every couple of minutes. They still had plenty of time but – he eased as the auditorium door finally opened and a small group came out. Finn straightened his jacket and went inside.

Were they done? An older man stood near the front, talking to a few of the actors who were still on stage. At least there was Rachel, standing next to another pair, a dark-haired young man and a tall blonde girl, though as he watched the guy moved away from the other girl, putting his arm around Rachel. Are they still not done? Or if they are – what the hell is that?

Finn went down the stairs, which attracted everyone's notice. "Closed rehearsal," the older man – slim, blond, confident – called out.

"Ah, sorry," Finn stammered out. "People were leaving so I thought you were done."

"Oh, we are."

"You are?"

"Yes. At least I'm done, they seem to have something they're talking about." He gestured at the stage.

"Oh." He didn't like the sound of that, well not with what seemed to be going on. If this wasn't rehearsal, that dude with Rachel was out of line. She was coming down now, smiling at Finn, but – what had been going on?

"I don't know why they're not done if I'm done, I'm the Director," the man stated. "Bryan Ryan. And you are?"

"This is Finn," Rachel said as she approached. "He's my boyfriend."

The dark-haired young man who had been with her trailed behind. "Oh, I didn't know you had a boyfriend," he said. He seemed disappointed. Finn drew himself up, puffing his chest out in an attempt to look confident. And it did feel good, hearing Rachel refer to him that way, openly, matter-of-fact. It felt really good.

"It never came up," Rachel answered. "But I do, and this is him." She flashed Finn a happy smile, special even, then picked up her bag. "Finn, I'm going to go get changed, I shouldn't be long, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." They exchanged a kiss – brief but still sweet – before Rachel went backstage.

The director, Ryan, soon closed the auditorium, leaving Finn waiting again in the foyer. The dark-haired guy volunteered to wait with him; Finn privately admitted that this could be to satisfy the director about security, but also wondered if he was getting checked out by a potential rival.

"You're Marius, right?" Finn asked, taking the initiative. Checking out the competition should cut both ways, he figured, and this had to be the 'very friendly, so helpful' costar.

"Oh, you don't have to stick to that character-name stuff," the young man answered. He put his hand out, and Finn shook it. "Blaine Anderson."

"Finn Hudson."

"So how do you know Rachel?"

"I'm her boyfriend."

Blaine laughed. "Yes, I got that. I mean how did you meet?"

"College. We're in the same dorms." Might as well let the dude know there really wasn't any room to sneak in.

"Cozy." But Blaine seemed puzzled. "I thought Rachel said she was on a jock floor."

She said that but didn't mention me? Maybe this was before. "Yeah, well, that's where they put me once I joined the football team."

"Oh, wow. Well I guess..." Blaine looked him up and down. "Sure. Makes sense."

Finn was relatively used to being perceived as an athlete, but all the same... this rankled a little. Maybe because it was coming from someone who wouldn't see it so positively. Like those fashion friends of Kurt's, who mostly used it as a way to tut-tut him about better fitting clothes and how his frame wasn't really suitable for what they thought people should wear. It made the makeover attempts less frequent, but there was something about being labeled by his size that Finn hated. On the team it was an advantage; outside, at least in some circles, it wasn't.

And he definitely hated the reminder that the "jock" world was something other, even negative, for Rachel and those from her arts world. Especially coming from someone who'd been hanging over Rachel not long before. He straightened, trying to be confident about his height, glad he'd decided to dress to impress.

"What position?" Blaine broke into Finn's thoughts.

"Uh, what?"

"On the football team. What position do you play?"

"Oh. Quarterback."

"Wow." Blaine smiled. "That's the athlete holy grail, landing the quarterback. Nice."

"I didn't exactly land it," Finn responded.

"Sorry, not what I meant but – hey, never mind." Blaine gestured to behind Finn, who turned to see Rachel coming towards them, stunning in a red dress. "Wow, you look great."

Finn regretted being nipped by Blaine to the compliment, but he had to pick his jaw up first. "Amazing," he breathed. "Not that you don't usually, just... wow, Rach."

She simpered and twirled. "Thank you. I hope I wasn't too long."

"You're worth the wait. Always."

"Finn was just telling me what team he plays for," Blaine interjected.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I didn't know you had any interest in football."

"Well, I can see how it's worth watching," Blaine countered, and Rachel laughed.

Finn started to get the feeling that they were talking past him – that he didn't quite get something about what they were saying.

"And you look a treat," Blaine continued. "If they asked me, I could write a book, about the way you walk and whisper and look," he singsonged.

Rachel blushed. "You mustn't kick it around," she sang back.

That's from a musical, right? One or more, has to be.* Finn smiled and nodded along, not like it seemed the others would notice as they continued to trade quotes. After a few more he got impatient, disliking the interference and that it seemed Blaine was flirting with Rachel right in front of him.

"Ah, our reservations?" he broke in, offering Rachel his arm. Remember me, your boyfriend?

"Oh, of course. Sorry, got carried away! See you Saturday, Marius."

"It's Blaine, please. Ryan's long gone, we can use our real names. Rachel."

Rachel pouted. "I suppose. Since you insist. Blaine."

"That's better. And it was great meeting you Finn, hope to see you again sometime soon."

I bet, Finn thought, but settled for giving the shorter man a smile and nod before escorting Rachel outside to his truck. He helped Rachel into her seat, and got a kiss as reward. "I thought you didn't kiss on the first date," he joked, then regretted reminding her.

"We're not at the date yet," she answered impishly.

He chuckled. "Now that's just encouraging me to drive super slow."

"But I'm hungry. And didn't you say we had reservations?"

"Right."

On the way to the restaurant, Finn found Rachel's costar was still preying on his mind.

"So... Blaine didn't know about me, huh?" he asked, trying to be subtle.

"As I said, it never came up." She shrugged, a little defensive. "We've only been dating for three days, it just feels like longer because of what it took to get together. Why?"

"You just looked really close. He was way closer to you than to that other girl."

"Oh,that. I suppose that might have looked strange, sorry. But it was just deflection, Blaine is gay."

Oh. "Did he say so?"

"No, but I can tell. And our singing, we were just having fun, that didn't mean anything."

Finn shook his head. "You thought I was gay."

"No I didn't," Rachel protested. "Not really."

Finn blinked. "Yes, you did. You turned down a date with me to the homecoming dance because of that, trust me I remember it clearly. Your gaydar needs calibration." He frowned. "Or are you saying that I really come across as gay? Still?" Not that it was insulting, just – he wasn't, and really didn't like her thinking that. Especially not now.

"No, you don't. I told you then, you didn't trigger it, you never have." She mumbled something more.

"What was that? Rach?" Finn prodded for an answer.

She pouted. "I was overcompensating. That's all."

"Overcompensating?"

"I was really interested, then I saw Kurt and – I guess on some level I'd been wondering if you were too good to be true."

That sounded better, at least. He slid the truck into park at the restaurant. "And am I?"

"Not when you're bringing it up like this," she threw back. "I thought we'd gotten past that."

"Sorry." Finn did his best to push his thoughts aside. Date, dumbass. Show her a good time, remember? Don't be a jealous dick. "Really, truly." He took her hand. "It's just – never mind. We are past all that."

"Good." She smiled back at him, and he was relieved to see she was relaxing again. Her hand gripped at his, their fingers interleaving. "Besides, I haven't done anything that Blaine would think could mean I'm interested. Not like, oh I don't know, that time I climbed all over a guy to give him a backrub and even that was very restrained."

"That was restrained?"

"Compared to what I was thinking about doing, it was."

Finn was very interested in finding out what she'd been thinking about doing, very interested indeed. He leaned down to give her a strong kiss. "Well that's what I was stopping myself from doing," he explained when they finished.

"Uh... reservations?" Rachel breathed, dazed.

"Reservations." The restaurant wasn't the only thing Finn had reservations for – make that about – but he wasn't going to let Blaine screw up their night. Finn had Rachel's full attention now and intended to keep it.

And keep it he did, over a tasty meal of salad and pasta. Her eyes seemed even warmer in the candlelight, fixed on him; her laugh was light as they traded stories. And as they shared a bowl of ice cream for dessert, leaning closely together, Finn thought that the date couldn't be more perfect.

For a first date, that is. A no-kissing first date. His need to kiss her burned, to do so much more than kiss, and he was sure she felt the same, but – he could deal. And her having boundaries was a good thing, really, even if he wanted to be the exception.

Finn drove them back to the dorms, choosing a parking spot next to her car after she pointed it out. She didn't take the opportunity for a kiss as he helped her down from his truck, though, he guessed because the date was still on.

"I had a wonderful time tonight," she said as they arrived at the door to her room. "Thank you for a lovely date."

He smiled. "We should do it again sometime soon."

"We should. Let's talk tomorrow."

"Okay." He lowered his head to her, but all he got was a smile. Then she stepped back into her room and closed the door.

Huh. But Finn felt great. They'd had a bit of a minefield about her costar, but even though Finn wasn't satisfied the dude wasn't really after her and could still be a complication, it felt like nothing against his own growing connection with Rachel. He walked slowly down the hall, headed for his own room.

"Finn!" Hurried steps came behind him, and he turned to meet the small brunette. Rachel launched herself into his arms, her mouth seeking his for a searing kiss. "Date's over," she explained.

Finn chuckled. "So do you kiss on the second date? Just to know."

"If I want to." She kissed him again. "Good night."

The next day, Finn passed the trainer's tests with flying colors and was cleared to return to practice.

"So I see you finally closed the deal on that dwarf chick." Karofsky's voice came from behind Finn as Finn stood at his locker. Finn clenched his jaw and tried to keep his attention on looking over his gear, but this only seemed to encourage the linebacker. "How long are you going to take with her? Dibs on next."

Finn spun around, enraged, ready to wipe the leer from Karofsky's face.

"You don't call dibs on a human being, you cretin," Mike intervened.

Karosfky shrugged. "Newly broken-in is best."

Finn pushed forward at this, but Mike held him back.

"Hey!" The confrontation had caught the attention of the assistant coach. "Whatever you're doing, knock it off."

"Yeah, knock it off Karofsky," Finn answered. "And stay away from her."

"Her?" The coach frowned. "Please tell me you're not fighting over some girl. If she can't make her mind up then she's not worth it."

"She has and she is," Finn gritted out.

The coach looked from Finn to Karofsky, back and forth. "Well you know the rules. Personal drama doesn't just stay outside, it stays gone. No poaching and no harassment or you're benched."

"Yes Coach," Finn answered, his eyes still fixed on Karofsky. They waited a moment, and the coach cleared his throat.

"Yes Coach," Karofsky said finally.

"Good." The coach looked at Finn. "Guess your back's working again, if you can fight you can play. Drill starts in ten. All of you."

"Yes Coach."

"What are you doing out here?" Finn's question interrupted Rachel as she was spreading her quilt over the lounge couch that evening. She sighed.

"What does it look like? Santana strikes again." Rachel had come back from the library to find the sock already out, and knocking on the door only produced a pile of bedding. She supposed that was still more than she'd let Santana have, those nights she had turned the tables, but even so this was very annoying. She'd have to sleep in her clothes and hope she'd be able to clean up in the morning.

"So? You can stay with me."

It sounded wonderful, especially how clearly he made the offer, but – "Finn... no. I shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"We can't have the pace of our relationship dictated by Santana Lopez."

"Just to sleep. It's not like we'd do anything with Mike there anyway."

But Rachel still shook her head, trying to shunt away the return of the fantasies that had almost completely taken over since their date. Of course she wanted to be with him, that wasn't it, and she hoped he understood that. Finn sighed and left; but five minutes later, as she was settling down, he was back, looking very determined.

"Please come to bed."

"Finn..."

"No, look. I'm not going to pressure you into doing anything. I just don't like you sleeping out here."

"I've done it before. A lot."

"I didn't like it then either. But I couldn't do anything about it."

"You can't do anything about it now."

"I know I can't insist. But you took care of me when I needed it, and you didn't take no for an answer then yourself."

Rachel privately acknowledged he had a point. She had made sure he stayed with her, just five days before. But –

"And I don't mean to guilt-trip you, but I don't see how I'm going to be able to sleep with you out here. You can have my bed."

"You need it. Your back – "

"I'm not going to be able to sleep anyway, thinking of you being out here. Please, Rachel. I need you to be safe. I can sleep on the floor, my back will be fine."

Rachel wavered. It wasn't that she didn't want to, far from it – she hated sleeping in the lounge, unhygenic and restless at best. And the thought of spending the night with Finn – not with him on the floor, that was foolish, but in bed with him – oh, she wanted that. But was it going too fast, too much like living together? Too... convenient?

"You hated sleeping out here so much you made up that whole Jesse story," Finn pressed. "I know you don't want to be out here."

Rachel blushed at the memory, then looked over at Finn. Seeing his caring face, his warm brown eyes, every part of him completely sincere. She craved that comfort, the closeness that he offered. And even if it was accelerated due to Santana sexiling her... she couldn't deny that she had wanted it anyway, dreamed of spending the night with Finn. They already had, a little, in the last short part of his night in her room, and every time she thought of continuing that it felt more vivid, more right.

Don't ruin this by being scared, her mind said. Take the chance.

"Okay," she said, giving Finn a smile.

He beamed. "Yeah?"

"Yes." She let him help her up. "You know it's not that I didn't want to, right?"

"No, I get it," he replied, probably rather blithely because she wasn't sure how he could. "It's kind of artificial. But what's new right?"

"Right."

"My bed's not as soft as yours but you'll be great. And I'll be fine on the floor, I'm used to a firm mattress so it's not that much difference."

"No, you –" Rachel paused as she gathered her bedding. "You don't need to. I mean, we can share."

"Really?" Finn stopped, his jaw hanging.

"Yes, really." Rachel bit her lip, and focused her attention on folding her quilt. "I hope it hasn't escaped you that I like being close to you."

A light touch on her chin tilted her face up to meet his kiss. "Same here."

Finn was elated at Rachel's decision, and resolved to make this a great night. A restful night, he meant, something to show Rachel she could really trust him, something to connect them more. He explained the situation to Mike, then loaned Rachel some spare clothes to wear – that alone was awesome – and remade his bed to make it nice.

Even if we're just sleeping it's still really intimate. Too fast, too domestic... who cares. She's sleeping with me in my bed. Nothing wrong with getting comfortable doing that. As long as that's not all we ever do. Memories of feeling friendzoned still had him a bit spooked, but he did his best to talk himself out of it – he hadn't been friendzoned at all, she'd been wanting him too. She was his girl now. She wouldn't've been afraid that this might be going too fast if it didn't mean something, a lot even.

Rachel came in shyly. "The shorts were too loose," she explained, putting them back down on his chair. Finn's breath caught in his throat to look at her, wearing his tee like a dress, her legs bare. He both cursed and was grateful for Mike's presence, back turned but surely still awake, guard against his impulses.

Because Rachel, wearing only his shirt – hottest thing ever.

And the muscle relaxants were probably the only reason why he was going to be able to go to sleep at all.

"Hey," he said softly. He lay on the far side of his bed, giving her space and patting the sheets next to him. "C'mere."

She smiled and climbed in, pulling the covers over her. She twisted around for a kiss. "Good night," she whispered.

He traced his lips lightly over hers. "Goodnight." Finn watched her settle down, her back to him, then he closed his eyes and slept.

* lyrics from the musical Pal Joey, written by Lorenz Hart.

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