(Source: quinnsgayberry)
Rachel Berry. 17. Currently single living in Lima Ohio. I'll be attending NYADA college in the fall. (:
Enjoy!
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
“No, I know,” Quinn said, reassuring the brunette. “If anything, you’re the only one who keeps pushing me. And maybe sometimes it is really annoying,” — she allowed herself a small smile at that — “but I know you just want to know I’m okay. That means a lot, really.” Her eyes met Rachel’s and Quinn swallowed hard. “I love how you never give up. On anything or anyone.”
Rachel bit her cheek in order to hide her smile. She was more than glad that Quinn was responding this way. Normally, she was used to Quinn getting angry with her (though she didn’t outright show her angry) or annoyed when she got too personal. Quinn actually continued talking about the subject and even more she was glad that Rachel never gave up…on anyone. Rachel knew that Quinn was talking about not giving up on her.
“No, I don’t like giving up on people. Especially people who I love.” Okay, maybe that was overkill, but Rachel couldn’t help it. Rachel winced a little as some butter from her popcorn got into her wound. Quinn looked concerned but Rachel got up and ran her finger under some cool water in the bathroom. When she turned around Quinn was leaning against the door frame, looking as angelic as usual. Rachel smiled at her, “all better.” Quinn smiled back and Rachel looped their arms together when she got to Quinn. “Well, we might as well go upstairs. Or did you want to watch a movie? Though I doubt we’ll both stay awake!”
(Source: rbberrystar)
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
“Thank you,” Quinn replied, her lips automatically curling into that Rachel Berry smile. She was glad that she had gotten off the hook with that remark, and that Rachel hadn’t made things awkward.
“Oh. You want to know about… my mom,” Quinn repeated. It was more of a tactic to delay answering, if anything. She shrugged slightly, feeling herself grow uncomfortable on the couch. She was glad they were alone; if Elphie were here Quinn might have tried to coax her over as a distraction from this line of conversation. “I think she’s doing better. Frannie’s been helping her a lot, actually. They’ve always been close,” she said, clasping her hands in her lap. Because as much as Judy seemed to be more cheerful (and more sober) these days, what hurt Quinn the most was that Judy wasn’t cheerful due to her. “
“Hmm, well at least she’s..better.” Rachel sighed and moved closer to Quinn so that their legs were once again touching. “I’m sorry, you don’t have to talk about this, I know it’s hard. I didn’t mean to push you.” Rachel apologized, hoping that Quinn would take the apology genuinely. She wasn’t snooping or anything she was just worried because a Judy that was emotionally distraught and/or drunk all the time meant that it was that much harder for Quinn. Rachel really just wanted to talk because she thought that made things better, but Quinn never thought so and she never realized before that Quinn thought about this whole situation differently than her.
(Source: rbberrystar)
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
Quinn glanced around the room at Rachel’s observation, noting that Elphie did in fact leave them alone. Sometimes, she wondered what was going on in that kitty’s mind. Elphie was way smarter than the rest of her species seemed to be.
Regardless, Rachel didn’t seem to be weirded out by Elphie’s absence, and Quinn did miss her proximity. So she dared to scoot closer to the brunette, gently taking Rachel’s hand, the one with the injured thumb. Her eyes wanted to make sure that Rachel’s thumb was okay. After the car accident after Homecoming, Quinn had a thing with making sure Rachel was safe. “You have really cute hands,” she blurted out. Quinn’s face paled immediately, and she sputtered. “I mean, I mean, they’re still cute. I bet in a few weeks you won’t even be able to tell that anything happened to it.” She covered her flub up with a smile, nodding to herself.
“Thank you.” Rachel smiled shyly, happy to receive the compliment, even through the stuttering. “You have really nice hands too.” And fingers. Well Rachel really liked Quinn’s fingers, but she shouldn’t even be thinking of those long pale fingers sliding-Enough! Rachel’s brain screamed. She was afraid that her blush was going to show, she needed to filter her thoughts. Though, she was pretty proud of herself for filtering the words she said. That could have been and very awkward conversation.
Rachel needed to changed the subject so that her thoughts would become more pure, so she went in the complete opposite direction. “Anyways, how is your mom.” Her voice was quieter and she knew that the mood had gotten that much more serious. She really wanted to know how Quinn’s relationship with her mother was, but she also really didn’t want Quinn to think she was being to pushy again, and this time they weren’t even dating.
(Source: rbberrystar)
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
Vaguely through the haze of sleep, Quinn felt someone’s arms go around her and someone’s warm body press up against her. Rachel and Quinn slept like that for the rest of the movie. When the tape ran out, the sudden absence of noise made Quinn wake up. She gradually came to, realizing that it was Rachel who was practically holding her as she too slept on the couch. Quinn reached out a gentle hand, lightly tracing patterns on Rachel’s arm, remembering the hundreds of times she’d done that before. She felt nothing but safe like this, surrounded by Rachel’s scent and hearing her even breathing.
As Quinn tilted her head up to look at the brunette the back of her head hit Rachel’s chin and Quinn groaned, pulling away and massaging the sore spot. “Sorry, Rachel,” she mumbled, her voice low with sleep. Her moment of clumsiness had stirred Rachel awake, and Quinn apologized again as she came out of her slumber. “I just had a long day,” she said, straightening up in her seat on the couch. “Tired. Sorry. The first half of the movie was great, though,” she said with a wan smile.
Rachel yawned and nodded at Quinn, still not fully awake. She realized though that she had invaded some of Quinn’s personal space and removed her arms from around the blonde and scooted over a little bit so she wasn’t quite on top of her. “No, s’okay.” Rachel said and yawned again, this time stretching her still limbs. Rachel shook her head a few times until the sleepiness was completely gone. “I’m sorry! I’m the one who should have been hosting. I didn’t even realize how tired I was. My thumb was a little sore, so I got less sleep last night than normal.” Rachel shrugged. In fact, her thumb was a bit numb right now.
“I’m glad that you at least enjoyed the first half! Nobody can argue with the talent that is Barbra Streisand.” Rachel smiled, then furrowed her brow when she noticed that Elphie was missing. “I think Elphie must have got bored of us and left us down here alone.” Rachel said than giggled as she absentmindedly knocker her feet against Quinn’s.
(Source: rbberrystar)
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
Quinn looked down, feeling the slight tickle of Elphie’s tail as she tread across her lap and into Rachel’s. She smiled a little at Rachel’s utter adoration for the kitten, then shook her head when the brunette apologized. “It’s fine.” The thing about the movie was that it didn’t interest Quinn. It wasn’t a violent movie, that was for sure. But it was, to put it lightly, unexciting. Quinn stifled a few yawns, feeling her eyes shut halfway as she slouched a little in the couch. It was warm in the basement. The Berrymen were very detail oriented when it came to the rooms in their house.
Eventually, feeling Rachel’s warmth next to her, with their legs and shoulders touching, Quinn dozed off entirely. With a small sigh, she fell into a light sleep against the back of the couch. After a few minutes though, she slipped down further and lightly rested her head on the side of Rachel’s arm.
Rachel was a bit disappointed that Quinn had been able to fall asleep during a Barbra movie, but it didn’t mean that she was unhappy. She would probably be considered creepy, but she didn’t care that she was sitting here watching her ex-girlfriend sleep with a smile on both of their faces. Rachel eventually stopped petting Elphie, and the kitten jumped away and went elsewhere in the house for entertainment, leaving Rachel alone with a sleeping Quinn while the movie played.
After a few tries, Rachel was able to take her eyes off of Quinn and focus back on the movie. Though, somewhere between then and the end of the movie Rachel’s hand hand found Quinn’s hair and she was gently stroking her scalp and combing through the short blonde locks. The movie was nearly over when Rachel herself staring to doze off. Her hands slipped down and she wrapped her arms around Quinn’s middle. The responsible thing to do would have probably been to wake Quinn up and finish the movie awake. But, it just felt too comfortable and warm in this position. Rachel let her head rest on top of Quinn’s and soon they were both sleeping.
(Source: rbberrystar)
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
She smiled indulgently at Rachel’s words, unsubtly listening to Rachel’s one-way conversation with Elphie. The way Rachel complimented her was so casual. It made Quinn almost believe the hyperbolic claims the brunette was making. “The genius is making popcorn,” she called from her spot near microwave. “Just reminding everyone,” she added jokingly. As soon as the popcorn was out and the vegan butter was drizzled on top, the pair plus Elphie made their way down to the Berry’s basement.
“No problem,” Quinn replied, her gaze going to the movie onscreen. She reached over to pluck a few pieces of popcorn from the bowl. Then she reached towards the other side of the couch to stroke Elphie lightly, who started purring. She had to keep reminding herself not to automatically put an arm around Rachel’s shoulders and pull her in for cuddles. Even if it had been over a month since she and Rachel had ended things, Quinn felt that pull towards the brunette. Maybe she always had. ”I made sure there were no shootings, or stabbings, or physical fights,” Quinn said, counting the scenes off on her fingers. “I think we’ve had enough blood for a while.”
Rachel smiled, “perfect. I definitely could do without any blood for a long time.” Rachel scooted a little closer to Quinn as she grabbed a handful of popcorn. She dimmed the lights and let the movie start playing. “I have to say Ms.Fabray, you’re popcorn making skills are quite good.” Rachel giggled and took a few more pieces of popcorn; they’re legs were now completely up against each other and that realization sent shivers down Rachel’s spine. She didn’t move away though, it felt nice like this. It almost felt like it should feel and Rachel had to use a great amount of self-restrain to keep from resting her head on Quinn’s shoulder.
They made it halfway through the movie before Rachel decided that she just wasn’t in a movie watching mood. At least not if cuddling wasn’t involved. She used a piece of popcorn to lure Elphie over to her and soon enough the kitten crawled across Quinn’s lap and was in Rachel’s. Rachel cooed at the pet and eventually caught Quinn’s gaze on her. She blushed and whispered, “sorry, I didn’t mean to distract you from the movie.” Then did her best to go back to watching the movie.
(Source: rbberrystar)
ooc; goodnight!
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
Quinn pulled up and parked next to Rachel’s car, getting out and locking it. In then struck her that the little red Bug she’d had since Sophomore year was going to stay here in Lima. While she was in Washington, DC. That thought bummed her out, because it then occurred to Quinn that the family dinners with Judy and Frannie were going to end soon, for a long time until winter breaks and whatnot. She blinked hard, then turned back to Rachel, following the brunette into her house.
She didn’t feel as uncomfortable in the Berry home nowadays. Even though a lot of bad memories lay between the walls, mostly her doing, Quinn felt like the good stuff was making up for it. Being able to be there as Rachel waited for her dads to come home to examine her cut finger was making up for the time they’d shouted at each other in the front hallway as Quinn broke up with Rachel. Sharing small, intimate hugs with Rachel was slowly making up for the times Quinn had been distant. At least, that was how Quinn saw it. She couldn’t completely erase the parts of their relationship that had been tenuous, but Quinn figured she could show how sorry she was by working harder at it. “So, popcorn first?” she asked, moving towards the kitchen. “I’ll do it. I bet the Valedictorian’s smart enough to make it on her own,” she said with a little smirk. Now that they were alone, it was okay to use the supposed geeky title.
Rachel laughed and got the popcorn out for Quinn to make. “Well, I guess so then.” She smiled and leaned against the kitchen island as she watched Quinn make the popcorn. A few seconds in, she heard bells jingle. Elphie was wearing her belled collar and Rachel crouched down and cooed at the pet. She wasn’t suppose to pick her up, but she avoided using her bad thumb and picked the cat up. “Hi baby.” Rachel kissed Elphie’s head and continued to coo at her. “You know, your mommy’s a genius. Officially now. Mmm, she’s never going to let us forget that.” Rachel giggled and let Elphie down after Quinn was done making the popcorn.
Elphie rubbed herself against Quinn as Rachel washed her hands and got them both drinks. “We can go downstairs and watch it, I already have the movie set up.” Rachel led Quinn downstairs with Elphie following behind. They settled onto the couch, Quinn scooting closer to Rachel to let the cat have a spot. Rachel just smiled and started the movie. “Thank you for making the popcorn, it tastes delicious.”
(Source: rbberrystar)
Chapter 44: Goodbye McKinley
Quinn shook her head at Rachel’s excited squeals, trying to hold back her own wide smile. Because Rachel was right. Quinn was dorky and geeky and now she had the title to confirm it. And what was even more fitting was how much she just didn’t care anymore. She’d learned what was important in life, and that was far more than getting a plastic crown or being able to scare people away with just a glare.
“I’d love to come over. You don’t have to make me cupcakes, though,” Quinn said shyly, slipping out of her reverie. “Just popcorn with salt and vegan butter will be perfect. I’ll just tell my mom I’ll be home a little later than expected.” With a larger grin, Quinn beckoned to Rachel. “C’mon. I’ll follow after you in my car.”
“Alright. My dads aren’t going to be home until later, so we’ll have the house mostly to ourselves.” Rachel didn’t even bring her backpack home with her. She just left it in her locker, not needing anything and having nothing left to do. “I suppose popcorn will suffice. However, I’m still going to make you cupcakes or a cake sometime in celebration.” She would normally make cookies, but the whole Quinn throwing them away last time was still too raw and she preferred to not remember that event. “I’ll see you at my house!” Rachel called out when they got to the parking lot.
She couldn’t believe how giddy she was as she drove down the familiar streets that would soon become unfamiliar to her when she left Lima for New York. No mor McKinley High! She did have some good memories, obviously with glee club and Quinn, but more of them were tainted. She was excited to start her new life. She’d feel less bittersweet if Quinn wouldn’t be so far. She reminded herself that it could have been worse and DC wasn’t that far from New York. There was still a train she could take, she checked into it. Today was making her feel more confident that they would at least keep in touch. She loved how happy Quinn was and she loved the fact that Quinn wasn’t shying away from her at all. When she got home, she parked her car and waited besides it for Quinn.
(Source: rbberrystar)
