Tattoos, eh? What are they going to do now?
Thank you to Gillian Deverone for beta-ing and the suggestions.
And thank you to all you wonderful people who read, favourite, alert and review my story! It now has over 200 reviews. Yay!
Enjoy!
Finn hears the scream from the bedroom and it startles him so much that he falls from the bed, unfortunately landing on his newly tattooed hip. "Ahh, fucking hell!" he shouts, his face tight with pain.
But Rachel is still screaming, sounding like she's having a fit or something. He scrambles onto his feet and tries to get into the bathroom, feeling nauseous as he does but carrying on to get to Rachel. She's staring at her reflection in the mirror. More specifically, she's staring at her butt in the mirror and, as nice as her butt is, it's got something that he's pretty sure wasn't there yesterday.
She gapes at him, her face a mixture between shock and upset. "You!" she points her finger at him.
He holds in hands up in surrender. "Don't blame me. It's your body. You can always get it removed."
Rachel's jaw tightens and she covers up the tattoo, wincing at the pain, before crossing her arms across her chest. "It's clear that you convinced me to do this, in my vulnerable drunk state, because there's no way that I would do this of my own accord."
"Hey!" he frowns, "this isn't my fault. In case you didn't notice, I have a tattoo of your name too, so you're not the only one suffering. Stop being such a drama queen."
With a loud gasp, she grabs the nearest thing (a bar of soap) and aims it for his head. Only trouble is, it misses and hits his newly tattooed skin. "Shit!" he seethes, grasping the area. Rachel's hands fly to her mouth where she, stiffly, moves over to him. "Get away from me!" he snaps, immediately feeling guilty at the crestfallen look on her face, "I'm sorry. I – it really hurts, okay?"
She nods, "I know. In case you didn't notice, I'm going through exactly the same problem." Her eyes widen. "Oh my God! What am I going to tell Quinn? How am I supposed to hide this from people? What will my fans say?" She drops her head into her hands, making dramatic cries. "My life is over! I should just retire from my career and become a recluse!"
"Whoa – that's taking it a little too far. It's just ink, Dollface."
"Just ink?" she screeches. "My body is permanently damaged, with your name no less."
"What's wrong with my name?" he asks defensively
Rachel straightens up, her face worried. "N-nothing. It's just…it's the equivalent of having a stranger's name tattooed onto your body."
"Oh." He questions with bitterness lacing his voice: "I'm a stranger now? Thanks a lot, Rach. That's real nice to know." He begins to walk away, though quickly turns around, his face thoughtful, yet still pissed. "And next time you want someone to come and pick you up at one in the morning, don't bother calling me!"
Her shoulders drop, "Finn."
"No! Why don't you ever think before you say things Rachel?"
"I do," she protests weakly.
When their eyes meet, he sends her a look of sadness. "I thought that we were friends…"
Rachel is quick to answer. "We are."
"Then why don't you start acting like one?"
His words aren't intended to be vicious. but her face immediately falls after he speaks and her whole body visibly slumps before she stares sadly back. All Finn does is shake his head, send another accusing glare in her direction and leave the room. She's doing it again – acting like nothing has happened between them in the last few weeks.
But it has.
How is she ignoring the fact that they've already kissed on more than one occasion?
Clearly someone has selective fucking memory.
He makes it to his bedroom, slamming the door shut loudly so that it's clear that he does not want to talk to her now. He totally gets that she's upset since he's in the same boat as her and it's not like he's exactly happy to get a tattoo of her name, but she's acting like she's got a tattoo of something completely disgusting and evil.
It's just a name. There are thousands of Finns out there. She should just date one of those.
With careful fingers, he looks and slowly peels back the bandage again and frowns at the sight of the skin, peeling a little already. This isn't his first tattoo and he sure as hell doesn't want it to get infected or worse – that would be the icing on top of the damn cake.
Who is their right mind would give a tattoo to two drunk people? Surely they can sue whoever did this to them. That'd bring attention to them though and people would be sure to find out…
Rachel's still in the bathroom though, and she's probably annoyed that he stormed out, on top of being pissed for …well, the tattoo.
The walk to the bathroom again is tense and he freezes at the door, pressing his ear to the cold wood. He hears strange sounds coming from the other side and quickly panics, wondering whether she's okay because it sounds like something's suffocating in there. "Rach!"
The sounds stop. "Yes?"
He grips the handle before pushing it open gently. His head peeps around the door, "I, erm…" Then he notices her heartbroken look. "Whoa, are you okay?" Her face scrunches up with hurt and she takes to hiding it from him, turning on where she sits on the toilet seat so that he can't see her. But Finn is by her side in an instant, a hesitant hand reaching out for her shoulder. "Rachel," he whispers, feeling a sinking feeling in her stomach. Did he make her cry?
"What's wrong?" he pursues the answer when she doesn't say anything in reply.
Rachel only weeps more, causing Finn's body to be saturated with guilt. "Youhateme." He barely understands what she's saying and only furrows his brows.
"Rach, I can't hear you," he tells her, his voice sad.
"You hate me," she repeats and that sinking feeling returns, especially when her tear-filled eyes turn on him, so big and upset that it feels like a dagger to his heart.
His hand on her shoulder squeezes gently and he barely notices when her own goes up to meet it where their fingers entwine slowly.
"I do not hate you, far from it." He sighs, rubbing his hand over his face, "I just…I can't believe that you're blaming this on me."
For a moment, she's silent. She then takes her free hand and wipes the tears from her face, sniffling loudly. "I'm sorry. I freaked out. I-I'm still freaking out." She shifts in her seat and he notices her wincing once more, instantly feeling bad for her. He couldn't imagine a worse place to get a tattoo. "And I don't know what to do," she breaks down into sobs.
Finn moves down onto his knees so that he can hold her properly with their heights matching. She doesn't resist in his arms and actually moves closer, wrapping her own arms around his neck whilst he rubs soothing circles on her back.
"We can't tell anyone," she mumbles into his shoulder.
"Then we won't."
"I mean it."
He smiles weakly, "Rach, trust me, okay?"
Though a little hesitant, she eventually nods. "I really am sorry, you know. I should really stop being a bitch to you."
"Nah," he shrugs. "You're hungover and you woke up to quite a shock. I'll try not to storm out next time. I guess that you're rubbing off on me." He grins. "Maybe it's the tattoo. It'll turn me into Rachel Berry." The sound of her giggles is a great relief and he gives her one last squeeze before standing up.
Rachel pushes some hair behind her ears, "I still can't believe that I have a tattoo…" The worries rush straight back. "I'm going to have your name on me forever."
He grins. "Lucky girl."
Her narrowed gaze meets him quickly though Finn just chuckles to himself, "Hey, at least you don't have some lame ass gold star on you."
She gasps, "Finn, that star is a metaphor for me being a star."
"Yeah," he says, "but it's on my hip so doesn't that make me the star." For added effect, he pulls a dramatic pose. She gives an incredulous stare. "Sorry," he mumbles, "clearly you don't like to share titles." Rachel scoffs, folding her arms childishly. Her mood has certainly changed.
Seemingly forgetting the conversation, she rubs her forehead with a pained expression, "I need some aspirin."
Finn sighs, then realizes that it's probably a good idea for the both of them to take some and he stalks off to the kitchen. When he returns, a drink of water for her too, she's staring at her ass in the mirror once more and he almost drops the glass.
He can really appreciate a butt like that, especially when it's got his name on, you know? She must take good care of herself for it to look that good. Before he realizes, he's letting out a low whistle and she snaps around to glare at him, fury ruling her eyes. "Were you peeking at my butt?"
Oh crap.
With widened eyes, he shakes his head, "I totally wasn't doing anything. Do you think that I'm one of those guys that personifies woman?"
"Objectifies," she corrects, "and yes, I do."
He shifts uncomfortably under her gaze 'cause she's kind of right. He is that type of guy. Or he used to be. Finn's determined to change, to be the gentlemen that his mom has always wanted – the one that maybe Rachel could learn to want. Not that that's important. It has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
Anyway, they totally have more important matter than how awesome Rachel's butt is which, for the record, is totally grade A. Maybe even an A+.
He holds out the water and aspirin, "I got these for you."
A smile breaks through her icy façade and she gratefully takes them, once more moving in her seat and scrunching up her features as he assumes her fresh tattoo is irritated.
"You know," he begins, "we've got to clean up our tattoos."
"W-what?"
He moves closer, noticing her apprehension. "Do you want your butt to get infected?" Finn questions plainly and she immediately shakes her head with a fearful expression.
"Okay," he smiles, "let me show you what to do."
Rachel tenses. "You're not going anywhere near my butt! Not now, not ever."
"…I meant that I'd let you watch as I did it to mine and then you could do it by yourself," he replies, gaze shifting awkwardly. But now all he can think about it touching her butt and how awesome it'd be. Fuck, he stares down at his pants. Why does this always happen to him?
"Finn!" she gaps and he realises that she's staring at the tent in his pants too. "What the hell are you thinking?" She covers her body as if he has X-ray vision that can see through her clothes. At least she isn't throwing things at him anymore.
"I-I," he begins, "I totally wasn't thinking about your butt."
Her eyes widen and she takes a step back, "You what?"
In contrast, he moves nearer to the woman. "Don't act so surprised. I think that you already know that I find you attractive…physically." She immediately blushes, trying to force back a sweet smile.
"Well I…" she trails off before deciding to say, "thank you, I guess." She sounds a bit uncomfortable to be honest and it only leaves Finn disheartened 'cause he thought he that maybe, you know, had a chance with her. What if he's been friend zoned already? Wait, that's ridiculous. Just over two weeks ago she had her tongue in his mouth! Now she's blushing because he thinks that she's attractive? Did he miss something here?
"So," Rachel quickly changes the subject, "the tattoos…"
"Right! We've gotta clean 'em and stuff. Like, right now."
She nods, clearing her throat. "Yes, so you just… show me."
She can't believe that she's at work, hungover and with the biggest ache in her backside that she's ever experienced.
To makes things worse, she's rehearsing Eponine's death scene and lying on the floor like this is not helping to her condition. Oh, she should have just called in sick and spent the rest of the day wallowing in her bed. Or maybe she could have stayed at Finn's house.
Rachel immediately wipes that idea from her mind. Finn is…well, he's Finn.
And he called her attractive. Like, he clearly enjoyed thinking about her butt and the words had slipped from his own mouth, only she didn't know how to react. Being famous, she's constantly under scrutiny and, whilst she has many adoring fans, there are all just as many people ready to tear her down for anything.
Mostly, it comes down to her looks.
She knows that she hasn't got the conventional appearance and she's not stick thin either, nor does she want any of those things. Rachel likes who she is and it'd be much easier if people just accepted that.
It's just rare when someone like Finn would admit such things, especially to her. Not to his friends who probably all congregate to discuss woman in that manner.
She gives a sigh of relief when Will sends them off for a break though his voice immediately calls for her. Straightening herself, she slowly moves up to his desk, where he's waiting patiently.
"Sit down," he offers her a smile and she's thankful for the soft seat to rest in.
Rachel pats down her dress before staring straight at the man, for some reason some worry seeping in. He doesn't do this often as when he does speak to her it's in front of the whole cast who're used to his praise. What if this is something worse?
"Are you alright?" he finally asks. "You've been tense all rehearsal and you looked like you were in pain for a bit of it."
Her heart beating quickly, she forces a smile onto her face. "Never fear, Will. The explanation is perfectly simple. Finn and I decided to go out last night and let loose a little, though in the process we ended up a little too loose. On the way to his apartment, I must have hit something or fallen over." She nods along to her own story, "I am a very clumsy drunk."
Will nods, eyes fixated on hers. "I'm worried about you."
Rachel's head snaps in his direction. "Why?" Sure, he's probably always felt a little protective of her but she hasn't done anything wrong, has she?
He leans back in his chain, sighing slowly. "It's Finn Hudson."
"Oh," she says quietly, her heart sinking a little. "What is it?"
"Kurt said that you two had a date last night and you come into work this morning and you're here, but you're not really here, plus you keep wincing," he frowns, leaning forward onto the desk, "and you look like you're hiding a secret. Finn, he isn't… hurting you, is he?"
She almost falls out of her seat from surprise.
How could he think that? "Finn would never hurt anyone!" she blurts out. "I mean, he's tall and broad and probably could if he wanted to, but he never would want to. He's an honest, decent man and it's not even imaginable that he'd hurt me." She's shocked at how offended she sounds. Actually, she is quite offended.
People shouldn't be judging Finn by what they've seen for all of five minutes. She's spent just over four weeks with him and she's already conquered his old demeanour and, inside, he's surprisingly sweet. She actually enjoys their dates and he managed to cheer her up after the whole Jesse debacle, which is quite something.
"Look, I just though th – "
"Well don't," she insists, "because if you're insulting him, then you're insulting me."
Will is taken back, "I'm sorry. I want you to be safe."
"I don't feel safer with anyone else," she says honestly. Finn may have made her do some stupid things, one of which she's still dealing with, but she believes that he cares about her. They're friends, right? And friends look out for one another.
With a huff, she shoots up and goes to move down the stairs, leaving Will deep in thought.
A little angrily, she moves backstage to check her phone when she notices Sunshine not so subtly staring at her. " What do you want?" Rachel asks rudely, quickly replying to a text from Quinn telling her to meet them at Finn's apartment after rehearsal.
"Nothing," she woman says with a sickly sweet smile. "Did you have fun last night?"
"How did you…?" she immediately begins, trailing off.
"Jesse mentioned it," Sunshine shrugs. "It sounds like you had quite the time with Finn."
Rachel pointedly ignores her comment. "Excuse me," she says coldly, "I have to get back to work. Being the lead is such a demanding effort." She then stalks off to the stage, a bottle of water in hand as she readies herself for the next couple of hours of rehearsal.
She doesn't hear Sunshine say, "It won't be very demanding soon."
She reaches Finn's apartment quickly, letting herself in and walking to the living room to find Quinn and Kurt sitting down, alongside a pile of luggage. Her brows furrow in confusion until Finn walks up behind her, noisily eating a sandwich in her ear. Rachel swats the space around him like he's an annoying fly and he soon moves.
"What's going on?" she questions, eyeing the luggage once more. Wait, aren't those her suitcases?
"Stage two of the plan," Quinn announces happily, taking Rachel's hand and leading her to the couch, "you're going to announce that you're dating."
Rachel nods firmly. She'd expected this sooner actually, but it doesn't really matter. The main thing is that it's all finally starting to work. Quinn keeps reminding her how popular she and Finn have been lately, including many articles about them and much talk of their pending relationship.
Through his sandwich-filled mouth, Finn says, "I don't understand why you packed our stuff up though."
Kurt pulls a disgusted face while Rachel shakes her head at the man with an added eye roll. He can be such a guy sometimes.
"Because," Kurt says, holding something back in his voice, as he looks at Finn carefully, "you're going to Lima for the weekend."
"What?" they both shout at the same time before sharing a look.
She speaks first, "Why are we going there? If you're going to send us anywhere, why not a sunny beach in the Caribbean, or – "
"Rachel."
No one comments on the fact that she doesn't really seem to be that bothered at the thought of spending the weekend alone with Finn, and she doesn't realize it either. Quinn was the one to interrupt her though. "Well, Kurt and I thought that… it's time that you met Finn parents."
Her mouth drops open in surprise and she spins around to judge Finn's reaction, annoyed when he remains rather passive.
Nerves bubble in his stomach at the thought of meeting his mom and step-dad. It just feels so important. And she doesn't want his parents to dislike her, does she? That'd be… she can't even imagine how bad that would be.
Her silence seems to make the two managers a little uneasy though, determined as ever, Kurt smiles. "We've booked your flight for tomorrow at 9 am and everything you need is in your bags. Carole and dad will be there to pick you up at the airport." He clasps his hands together. "Basically, everything is organized."
"What about work?" she questions.
"I've just called Will," Quinn replies, "and he agreed eventually. You have no idea how much I had to convince him."
Rachel nods a little sadly.
She watches as the smiles slip from their faces.
"What's wrong with you two Negative Nancies?" Kurt rolls his eyes. "We're basically giving you a vacation and you're looking like we just lost your jobs or something."
Neither really know what to say.
"Well, we've got to pick up a few more of Rachel's things," Quinn announces, relieving herself of the awkwardness. "Come on Kurt. You can help." He initially looks reluctant, but one glance to Finn and Rachel and he's out of the door too.
Rachel turns to Finn, watching his conflicted face. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," he says immediately. A second later, his face drops. "Well no, not really."
"You can tell me, if you want to," she offers a soft smile.
He seems to warm up to her quickly, my mom and I, we don't really speak to each other…much." He gives a wistful sigh, "and I don't get along well with Burt at all."
"Why not?"
She's genuinely interested because maybe this is the reason why he's had so many problems. Communication within family is very important and she's lucky enough to have two wonderful and caring fathers, but not everyone is extended the same privilege.
Finn shrugs, "I-I'll tell you another time."
"But I want to know now," she surprises herself with the demand.
It's as if something clicks in Finn's head. "I'll tell you," he relents, "if you tell me what happened the other night?"
"When?" she pouts.
"When I had to come and pick you up," he says simply.
She freezes – there is no way that she can tell him about that because not only is she sure that he'll probably kick the crap out of Jesse, but it's humiliating to have to explain that to someone, especially Finn. She doesn't want him thinking that she's some slut or stupid little girl who can't look after herself.
Rachel keeps the frown on her face, "I-I don't know…"
He doesn't seem terribly upset, or maybe he's acting. "Then I won't tell you my problems."
"Since when did we share problems?"
Oh crap, she just admitted that she has a problem! She turns away from him, unable to look the man in the eye.
She feels his hand on her arm and ignores the shiver that it sends up her spine. "'Cause we're friends, and friends care about each other." He cares about her. Why does that make her so happy? She still doesn't want to tell anyone though, only to keep it locked away in her mind.
A smile slides onto her face. "Friends?"
Finn nods, a sudden eagerness in his eyes. Maybe he just needs someone to talk about his problems with too, though she always assumed that he and Kurt did that, seeing as they seem to be very close.
Maybe it'd feel nice to tell someone, so that she didn't spend so long thinking about it. Finn could help, possibly. And she'll do anything to get rid of the sinking feeling that occurs whenever she recalls the events of the night.
She'd tell Quinn but her manager would probably just pass it on to Rachel's dads and many more people. Rachel doesn't want or need that. This information needs to stay discrete and, though Finn may not like it, she can convince him to stay quiet.
"Fine," she eventually says, "but…please don't do anything rash." In fact, she should do it somewhere away from Jesse, or not where Finn can immediately find him. "I'll tell you on the plane tomorrow," she nods.
He visibly breathes a sigh of relief, "and I'll tell you about my family."
"Deal," she offers out her hand.
His own large one clasps around it. "Deal," he repeats.
They both ignore how good shaking hands feels. They both ignore the shivers they feel upon contact. Mostly, they ignore the fact they're going to be posing as a couple for an entire weekend at his parents' house.
A whole weekend together. Sounds like fun!
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