Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, or any of the lyrics included in this story.
Thank you all so so so much for all of your support on this story, I can't even put into words how much it has meant to me. It's been an incredible journey writing, and I truly hope that you enjoy this second to last chapter.
"When you look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me, everything's alright, when you're right here by my side. When you look me in the eyes, I catch a glimpse of heaven. I find my paradise, when you look me in the eyes."
-from 'When You Look Me in the Eyes'
Rachel walked into her last class of the day with her head held high. She had missed her first day of classes after being sick, but she probably hadn't missed much. Silently she made her way to the first row of seats, about to sit herself beside who she recognized as the frail, large haired boy with glasses from the U.C the day that Finn had sang to her. Before she could sit down however, a hand appeared down on the table before her, halting her movements.
"Hey girl" the strikingly gorgeous blonde girl smiled, hooking her elbow through Rachel's. "I'm sitting back here" she continued, shaking her head as if it should have been common knowledge for Rachel.
Taken aback by the girls forwardness, she only blinked as she was pulled back towards the second row with the girl. She noted the way the girl limped slightly, allowing Rachel to step in first and taking the edge seat. As Rachel sat down, she subtly observed the beautiful girl, trying to determine if she was just overly friendly, confusing Rachel for someone else, or if she would be more likely to enjoy Santana and Brittany's company.
"Sorry about that. I swear I'm not some creep, I just thought I should save you from that" the girl said, curling her nose up in distaste as she nodded towards the frail boy in the front row, now spun around completely in his seat to shamelessly ogle the two of them. "I didn't have anyone to warn me the first day. I spent the entire class period feeling him breathing down my shoulder, whispering cheesy pick up lines like 'people call me Jacob, but you can call me tonight' and 'if you were a booger I'd pick you first'" the girl cringed, making Rachel laugh. "Lines like that never worked for me before, but that just really ruined it for me."
"Wow, it was that bad?"
"Oh you have no idea. When he told me that if a fat man put me into a bag that night it was because he asked Santa for me for Christmas, I flashed him the pepper spray" the girl laughed, dangling her keys and the pepper spray hanging from them at the boy who was running a hand back through his fro, immediately getting his fingers stuck. Both girls burst into mostly silent giggles as he finally turned the right way in his seat, leaving the two of them be.
"I suppose I should be thanking you...?"
"Quinn Fabray" she smiled, extending a perfectly manicured hand to her.
"Nice to meet you Quinn, I'm Rachel Berry" she smiled, shaking hands with the model-like girl. She couldn't help but think as she stared at this girl, that she was exactly the type of girl that had Puck foaming at the mouth. She ran back through some of the girls she had seen him following on campus, at parties, or walking by the Playground windows. She was fairly certain she had never seen this particular blonde before though, at all.
"Nice to meet you, you're actually the first person I've met outside of the Celibacy club" Quinn commented, holding a finger to her chin.
"The Celibacy Club?"
"Yes, I'm actually the Vice President" she announced proudly. "I consider it quite the accomplishment actually, considering this is my first semester here."
"Really" Rachel asked, shooting an annoyed look at the boy in front of them, now using a small compact mirror to spy on them behind him.
"I was involved in a car accident over the summer, I was in a wheelchair for a while, that kind of stinted the whole college process" Quinn explained, with a small smile.
"Oh I'm so sorry! I'm glad everything turned out okay though" Rachel gasped, the girls slight limp now making much more sense.
"Thank you, and trust me I am too. It turned out to be an incredibly humbling experience though. And now here I am, stronger than ever" she beamed, "and determined. We're actually working on getting the Celibacy Club off the ground right now, if you or anyone you know would like to join, we have meetings once a week on Wednesdays" the girl ranted, rifling through her notebook to hand Rachel a flyer.
Looking down at the flyer, covered in crosses and 'just say no' slogans, Rachel smiled. She knew that she nor Finn were likely to be joining a Celibacy Club, she was quite hoping for the opposite actually. Things had just been getting better and better since their 'first date'. They'd spent nights on the phone, or in her dorm for hours just getting to know one another, and building the relationship. It would only be a matter of time before they reacquainted themselves physically, at least she hoped. However, she could think of one person it would be a lot of fun to subject to the idea. With a wicked grin Rachel tucked the flyer into her own notebook, offering Quinn a bright smile.
"Do you have plans for after class?"
"I don't. Why?"
"I have some people I'd like you to meet" Rachel grinned. "I know of one for sure that would just love to discuss the Celibacy Club with you."
Rachel walked into the U.C with Quinn right by her side, filling her in on what the Playground was, and the names of the people she was going to introduce her too. Ironically, she had a class with both Tina and Blaine. They stopped when they reached the bathrooms, Rachel waiting outside while Quinn went in. She stood against the wall, arms folded over her chest as she observed the U.C. There were so many different groups of people there; the gamers, the card players, the music kids playing around the piano, the studious ones doing homework, Finn and a group of pretty girls, wait...what?
She did a double take, narrowing her eyes as she watched the two pretty brunettes on either side of Finn. Rachel spotted a few of his brothers, and some more girls' behind him, talking as well, but the only thing she could focus on was the tramp to his right, and her hand on his elbow. Rachel took deep breaths as she observed the scene before her, waiting to see how things would unfold rather than storming over and snatching him out of their grasp.
Both of the girls were very pretty, much prettier than her even. It was never uncommon to see Finn with females, especially ones like that, dressed in overly tight clothing, smiling up at him, laughing at something he had said. It stung more now though, knowing that things were different, or they were supposed to be anyway. It wasn't that she didn't trust Finn, he had given her no reason to not trust him, this was just the first time since they had chosen to make things official that she had seen him in that sort of company. Curious, she continued to stare from across the walkway, silently deciding that if things went bad she would snatch the fire extinguisher off of the wall and have at them all, Finn first.
Finn chose that moment to look up at her, his beautiful brown eyes locking on hers, melting her anxious thoughts away with his glowing smile. Without a word, or even a glance to either girl at his side Finn started towards her, the smile lighting up the walkway as he approached her.
"Hey beautiful" he greeted, taking her hand in his large one, entwining their fingers together.
"Hey, I'm not keeping you from anything am I" she questioned as nonchalantly as possible, nodding her head in the direction he'd just come from.
"Nah, some of the brothers and our sisters were passing out flyers for our fund raiser this weekend, I was just stopping by to see how things were going. What were you doing?"
"About to take my new friend Quinn to the Playground, she's the VP of the Celibacy Club" Rachel explained, squeezing Finn's hand.
"Oh. Um, that's cool I guess. But...why are you bringing her to the Playground" he asked, his brows pulling together.
"I want to introduce her to Puck" she shrugged.
"Why?"
Before she could answer Quinn walked out of the bathroom, smiling over at the pair of them.
"That's why" Rachel grinned up at Finn. Part of her had been afraid that he too would drop his jaw at Quinn's beauty and again make her feel self conscious, however instead he only chucked, offering Quinn a friendly wave before leaning down to Rachel's ear.
"You're so bad...this is going to be so funny though."
"Quinn, this is my boyfriend Finn. Finn, meet Quinn" Rachel announced, waving her hand between the two of them as she introduced them.
"Is this who you wanted me to talk about the club with?"
"No, you'll meet him soon" Rachel grinned, leading the two of them towards the Playground.
When they approached the table Finn had been at, she felt him stiffen slightly beside her. Confused she looked up as he released her hand to wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his side. It finally dawned on her why he was being so possessive when she noticed Josh in the group, his eyes wide with what looked like disappointment as he stared at the pair of them. She giggled into Finn's side as they passed, reaching back to stick her hand into Finn's back pocket.
"Have I ever told you how much I hated your Josh phase" he whispered down to her, squeezing her side.
"I don't think you have."
"I freaking hated it. I wanted to pick you up and kiss you in front of him just then, let him know you're mine since I couldn't before."
"Jealousy is beneath you Finn" Rachel chided, knowing full well that not only did she find his jealousy very flattering, but that she herself had just been insanely jealous of the brunette tramps by his side mere minutes before.
"Oh right. I guess you're going to tell me next that you weren't jealous back there" Finn smirked, holding the door open for the two girls as the music from the stereo system wafted out at them.
"I've no clue what you're talking about" Rachel answered airily, dusting at imaginary particles on her skirt.
"Suuuuure" Finn taunted, nudging her in the side. "You shouldn't have been though. You're the only one I want" he said simply.
Rachel only smiled up at him as Quinn floated through the room, officially meeting Tina, and introducing herself to Mike. Only a few minutes later the doors opened, and Rachel beamed when she heard his voice.
"What's up suck-" he trailed off, his eyes going wide when they landed on Quinn. She was even more thrilled when she turned to find the blonde with her mouth slightly open, her green eyes dancing as she stared back at him.
"Noah! I'm so glad you showed up, I have someone I'd like you to meet" Rachel grinned, wrapping her hand around his elbow and leading him over to her. "This is Quinn. Quinn, I'd like you to meet my dear friend Noah."
Puck brought her extended hand to his mouth, smirking at her as he gently pressed his lips to the back of it. "I've never seen an angel in real life before. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?"
Very aware of how Quinn had said she felt about cheesy pick up lines, Rachel watched amazed as the blonde girl giggled, quickly placing a dainty hand to her mouth, the other remaining in his own hand.
"Maybe I didn't fall, angels are supposed to have wings you know."
"I'd love to see those" he grinned, raking his eyes over the girls frame as she finally pulled her hand out of his grasp.
"Maybe you can, or even get your own if you join my club" she challenged, opening her notebook again, probably to fetch him a flyer.
"Anything for you sweetheart" he sighed, his eyes never leaving her face until she produced the small folded paper. Rachel watched, amused as his face fell reading the flyer. "Or maybe I could just drink a red bull" he groaned under his breath, shaking his head.
"What was that" Quinn asked, leaning toward him, placing a hand on is elbow.
"Uhh, I meant..." he stuttered, staring down into the pretty blonde's wide eyes. Rachel could literally see his resolve crumbling, her jaw dropping when he opened his mouth again. "Uh, why don't we sit down and you can tell me more about it?"
Finn choked out a laugh, doubling over. Annoyed with his not so subtle reaction, Rachel leaned over, slapping his back a little harder than she should have as she 'helped him'. "Are you okay babe, I'd hate to see you get choked" she said pointedly, her annoyance waning when Finn pouted at her. "Don't laugh at him, this is huge" she whispered, pulling him upright.
"First, you're abusive. Second, he deserves it, he threw me under the bus first" Finn said lowly, narrowing his eyes at her. Ever since she had told Finn how big a help Puck had been to her, the role he had played in her life when things went to shit between the two of them, he'd been playfully holding it over both of their heads.
"And look how you turned out, perfectly happy...right" she asked, narrowing her eyes to an almost squint at him, pointing her finger into his face. He chucked as he took the finger, placing a kiss to the pad before releasing it.
"More than happy" he smiled. "But he's been giving me shit since I signed up for this choir class, so I deserve to have something on him" Finn continued.
"You just have to ignore him babe, you know he only does it to get a rise out of you" she said, rubbing his forearm. "You know what I say, you should do what makes you happy, what you love."
"Hmm...well right now I want to do this" he grinned, lifting her arm and spinning her before pulling her into his embrace. He danced her around the bay area until they were in the larger open space on the other side, separated from their friends before leaning down to her ear. "This is our song."
Rachel sighed in bliss as she reached up to weave her arms around his neck, allowing him to slow dance with her. She could feel the stares through the windows at Wings and Things, and even from Tina and the others, but she didn't care. This was Finn, new and spontaneously romantic, and there was no way she was turning him down. She closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest, feeling his breathing change as he started to sing quietly.
I've never had no one that I could count on. I been let down so many times.
I was tired of hurting, so tired of searching, until you walked in to my life.
It was a feeling, I'd never known. And for the first time, I didn't feel alone.
You're more than a lover. There could never be another to make me feel the way you do.
And oh we just get closer, I fall in love all over every time I look at you.
I don't know where I'd be without you here with me.
Life with you makes perfect sense.
You're my best friend.
Rachel pulled back from his embrace, the tears starting to well up in her eyes as she stared up at him. "Is that how you feel...really" she whispered as he cupped her cheek in his hand, the pink rising to his own cheeks slightly.
Finn nodded as he looked down into her eyes, bending down to press his lips gently to hers. "I love you."
Rachel was sure her face cracked completely in half as the smile stretched across it. She closed the distance between them again, melding her lips to his in a passionate kiss until she finally had to pull back for air. She beamed as her lungs refilled, linking her fingers through his.
"I love you too Finn."
About ten minutes later Rachel pulled Finn into her dorm bedroom, firmly attached to him by the mouth. She pulled him over to the bed, allowing him to lift her and place her down on the mattress before kicking off his shoes and joining her. Finn laid down beside Rachel, cradling her face in his hands as he continued to kiss her, pouring more passion into her than she even knew was possible.
Slightly impatient, Rachel pushed back on his chest enough to grasp the hem of his t-shirt and pull it over his head. Once the garment was tossed on the floor, she reached for her own until Finn stopped her hand.
"Rachel wait. Are you sure you want to do this now? Last time we got this close, you said you wanted to wait" he asked, the desire evident in his eyes in spite of his questioning words.
"Completely sure. I didn't know where we stood then, but now I do...and I love you" she smiled, placing a sweet kiss to his lips. The smile only grew when she felt him relax into her kiss, his mouth opening under the insistence of her lips. When she detached herself from his mouth again, Rachel succeeded in pulling off her own shirt, sending her bra flying with it. She smiled as his eyes latched themselves onto her bare breasts, his hands automatically coming up to re-familiarize himself with them. They remained attached to her chest until she started to work on the button of Finn's jeans, one hand coming down to grasp both of hers, placing them over her head on the bed.
"Slow down baby...I want to do this right this time" he breathed, placing a kiss to each of her wrists.
Rachel's breath caught in her throat at the tender action and name, even more so when he kissed his way up one arm, to her shoulder, on over to her neck. She was panting by the time he reached her lips again, goosebumps left behind on every inch of skin he had touched. The intensity of his passion completely overtook her as his mouth moved against hers, making her sigh into his mouth.
She was so dazed, she wasn't sure how, or even when her bottoms had disappeared, or his own. All she knew, all she felt was his bare skin against hers. She was surrounded with Finn as she laid beneath him, her eyes closed in bliss as he pressed kisses all over, his hands roaming over every inch of skin they could reach as he claimed her as his own.
She faintly heard the sound of a condom being ripped open and her body tensed up in anticipation. Finn felt it too, and he brought one of her hands to his lips as he rolled it onto himself with the other. Once in place, Finn hovered over her, his bare chest only inches from hers as he looked down into her eyes. Rachel's hands came up to grip his shoulders, her legs locking around his waist, as she stared back.
"I love you so much" he whispered, pressing his lips to hers as he finally pushed into her.
"Ohh God" she moaned, clutching him to her tighter, his chest meeting hers as he filled her. Rachel's head flew back into the pillows when his hips pulled back, only to push forward again slowly. His strokes were deep and long, pouring everything that he felt into his movements.
Finn's lips met hers in a searing kiss as he continued to make love to her, wrapping both arms around her writhing frame. He held her as close as could be allowed as he gave her all that he had both physically and emotionally.
She wasn't sure how long they remained tangled together in her sheets, but soon she felt that tightening in her body again, her heart speeding up as she started to tremble beneath him. Completely in sync with her body, Finn's kiss became more insistent, his movements even more pronounced as he pumped into her stronger.
Rachel thrashed, her nails digging into his back as she finally released, a loud moan escaping her lips. Just a beat behind her she felt Finn jerk as well, groaning into her collarbone as he joined her in ecstasy.
Finn rolled over off of her as not to crush her, then pulled her against his now slightly sweaty chest. She couldn't be grossed out by it though. Even if she weren't in a total Finn daze, she would be too excited that he was holding her and not up trying to get dressed. She didn't get to bask in the glory for long though before nature called for her. Rachel placed three quick pecks to Finn's lips before dragging herself out of the bed to go to the bathroom, leaving him to dispose of the condom.
She didn't feel the least bit of fear before she emerged, and smiled when she found him stretched out in her sheets, arms open towards her. She grinned widely, climbing up and snuggling beside him. His large, muscular arms wrapped around her as she laid her face on his chest. It was such a far cry from the last time in so many ways. She sighed as her arms tightened around him, not ready to lose this sense of closeness any time soon, ever.
"We're really doing this aren't we" she whispered, tilting her head up to look into his eyes. "This is real."
"Yeah it is" he smiled, dropping a kiss to her forehead.
"Do you think it'll last" Rachel asked quietly, pulling herself up and propping herself on his chest.
"I hope so" he breathed, drawing random patterns on the bare skin of her back. "I know I don't want it to end. But, I guess only time will tell, right?"
"I guess you're right" Rachel answered, reaching up to place a kiss to his lips.
"I don't think we'll really have to worry about that though."
"Care to share why?"
"Well" he started, running his fingers through her hair, a smile playing on the corners of his mouth. "Between your Jedi mind tricks, and my mad skills and charming personality, I'd say we're stuck with each other."
"You may have a point. Looks like we're doomed" she giggled, tickling his sides. Finn mock gasped as he tickled her back, making her squeal. They rolled around on Rachel's small bed, somehow managing to not fall off as they got tangled in one another again.
Thank you for the read! I have to tell you that this will indeed be the last chapter, apart from the epilogue (which I should be posting in the next few days). For those of you who wanted more insight into the relationship, I do apologize, but this is the way I envisioned the storyline and that's how I chose to write it. I truly do hope you've enjoyed it though, and I thank you so so much for your support!
Epilogue coming soon!