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Everything alright, Rach?

[She jumps a little, closing her locker and stepping back. Everyone's headed home for the weekend and Rachel was just sort of spacing out.] Hello Noah. [Nope, that's not an answer.]

[Puck leans against the locker next to her, eyebrows raised.] So not an answer. You look down, what's the problem? Do I need to kick Hudson's ass or something?

Violence is never an answer, Noah. [Neither is that, Rachel.] It's nothing, really. It really doesn't even have anything to do with me. Do you have plans for the extended weekend?

Nah. [Puck shrugs.] Just got some pools to clean. [He knows she's holding back, but he's still not the best with these heart-to-heart talks, so he's kind of just hoping she'll spill it.]

One wouldn't happen to be Quinn's, would it? [She says a little bitterly, shouldering her bag and heading down the hallway.]

[Color him confused. What the hell does Quinn have to do with anything?] Nah, I don't think so. I thought you and Q were all buddy-buddy now anyway. What's with the bitch voice?

Edited 2012-09-04 01:21 (UTC)

Yes, I thought so too. I don't know what pretending to be my friend and hiding the fact that she and Finn are dating have to do with each other, but...

[He stretches back on the bed, exhausted, trying to get a nap in before he works an overnight coming off a double. Life's a bitch and then you die, and it seems like they've barely seen each other for the past couple of days, between her rehearsals and his overtime.]

[He's working an overnight soon, so she doesn't even bother him about her mood. Even lets him get away with simply entering the apartment, grunting a hello and dropping a kiss on top of her head before he heads back into the bedroom.

She's just going to hang out on the couch with her gummy bears and her tissues and finish Tangled, NBD. Have a nice nap, Puckerman.]

[That fucking "True Love's Kiss" song can just go suck a dick. He hates it. He especially hates it when he's trying to sleep and he can hear it and it's stuck in his fucking head now, thanks for that.]

[He rolls from the bed, pouting slightly, and makes his way out to the couch where he falls heavily upon it, taking up most of the available room, dropping his head against Rachel's hip.]

Best part's when the roaches clean the house.

[She's still in her little ball on one corner when he comes in, laying out next to her. Honestly, being all touchy feely isn't on her list of things to do right now, but so she doesn't really respond to him laying against her.]

Mhm.

[She knows. It's like the 3rd or 4th time she's watched this movie today, after coming back from the half hour of crying in the theater bathroom both before and after her costar ran out to grab her a First Response.]

Edited 2012-09-11 22:28 (UTC)

[She just stays there, and he figures that it's the same kind of exhaustion he's got. Because he's been working his ass off, and so's she, and he wants to crash and he wants it to be with her. Even if she's got this movie on, he can pretty much go comatose so long as he's wrapped up with her. It's one perk to working his ass off and not having a set schedule: he can now randomly fall asleep anytime, anywhere, so long as he's got the time to do it.]

[She doesn't seem too interested and he's kind of wiped out, so he'll be nice and not try to grope her while they're lying together. Except for, you know, the way he squirms up so that his head rests against her breasts, one arm reaching up to wrap lightly around her body, 'cause if he only gets a couple of hours with his wife, he's gonna try and sneak some cuddles.]

lol omg I just confused "Tangled" with "Enchanted"

[She lets him cuddle up to her without protest, but doesn't shift against him except to grab another tissue and close her eyes. She's still too close to freaked out and strangely upset despite the outcome of the days earlier episode to really respond otherwise, staring listlessly at the television and keeping her tissue pressed against her nose so that he can't hear her sniffle.]

[Any other night, she'd come right out and tell him what had happened. At least, she thinks she would, but he's got an overnight tonight and the last thing he needs to do is worry about her and to be honest, thinking about talking about it makes her feel like she's even more likely to cry so she says nothing, bracing her chin against the top of his head.]

[He misses the weight of her arms around his body, cradling his body the best she can, but everybody has an off day. She's been pouring her heart and soul into her first on-Broadway production, her first on-Broadway role, the female lead she's pursued relentlessly for as long as he's known her. Broadway was always that goal and, now, she's achieved that goal. Her name will be in lights, on posters, on playbills. She's in the real world now, and exhaustion is practically in the job description.]

[A few drops of wet splash against his scalp, and he shrugs his shoulders, his eyes still closed.] Baby? [His voice is soft and unassuming.] S'okay?

'M fine. [Yeah, obviously not, because Rachel never cuts her words like that. And considering she's been home alone most of the day, only having gone in to rehearsal for an hour, she hasn't spoken to anyone really and her voice is wrecked from crying and disuse. She doesn't expect it to come out the way it does, gritty, and she sits up quickly, scooting away and standing.]

[The blanket she'd curled herself in drops away and it doesn't occur to her that maybe moving away so quickly, the way she slightly hides her face, is more of a clue that something's going on than her actual response to his question. In the kitchen, she splashes her face with some cool water and starts busying herself to avoid conversation, making tea.] Do you want tea?

[He nearly falls from the couch as she pulls away, her voice sounding raw even in the one-and-a-half words she speaks. Something's wrong, maybe with her dads, or with work, or maybe he fucked up and did something. But she's not talking to him about it - and he can't help but remember the last time that something made her really upset, that was the first time that she came to his room and slid out of her dress and told him that she wanted him. For some reason, he feels like that approach is the wrong one to use now. Maybe he's just growing up.]

[She ducks her head and bails to the kitchen; he rolls to his side, bare feet smacking the floor, and follows her. Fuck that noise, fuck the tea, fuck it all. He wraps his arms around her as she struggles at the stove, her hands vibrating, trying to move and make tea.] Rach. Talk to me. You're a fuckin' bad liar. [His voice, still, remains gentle, his gaze concerned as he pulls her back against his chest, lips whispering against the shell of her ear as she faces away from him. He can't see her face.]

It's nothing. Everything is fine and you have to work tonight and you don't need to worry about me. [She takes a shaky breath every few words, tears turning to those of frustration because she can't stop her hands from shaking, can't get a hold of herself. Because really, everything is fine. She doesn't know if she's just in shock or what but there's nothing really wrong anymore.]

It's nothing. [She says it again, finally getting the hang of this thing she does at least once a day, hands free to reach up and wipe at the damp apples of her cheeks.] Everything is fine and I don't want you to worry. [Turning slightly in his arms, she looks up, one hand curling around his arm.]

Please don't worry, okay? It's nothing. I just. I was late and then I wasn't and I...I don't know. It's nothing.

I always have to work. [He points out, not seeing how that changes things. Only, she cries harder, tears dropping from her cheeks onto his muscled forearm.]

Whoa, whoa. What? What happened? [He's wide awake now, eyes blinking as she turns, their eyes meeting, his arms tightening around her.] Babe, you know me. I worry more when you don't tell me shit. S'you. [Anybody else, it wouldn't matter. But if it involves Rachel, and she hides it from him... he can't. He just can't do it. He'll be on edge all night unless she levels with him, right now.] Rachel. [His fingers stroke lightly over bare skin, his gaze steady, alert.]

Nothing! Nothing happened! [She holds her hands up.] I didn't notice, until like, 5 or 6 days after I usually start and I didn't know what to think because we're safe and so I just kept thinking it would start and then it didn't so today I asked Hannah to get me a test but it came up negative but the director sent me home anyway because I was a wreck [Obviously.] and I guess the break is what I needed or..or something because now...

[She shrugs. She and Puck don't usually discuss her period. He knows the difference between No, I'm too tired and No, I can't. and she's sure he has the cycle at least slightly memorized by now. But it's still weird, that part of this discussion.]

[He cocks his head, understanding dawning on his features; his fingers tangle lightly in her hair, and he leans close to press a kiss to her forehead.] So, you got it now? [He asks quietly.] S'it just like normal, just late?

[First things first, he needs to know that she's okay, that everything is fine and will be fine. Second thing, why didn't she tell him when she first worried? He's her best friend. He's her public boyfriend and her private husband. He's the closest thing to family that she's had since leaving Lima. Why wouldn't she tell him if she was worried?] You need me to do anything for you? Get you soup before I take off? I can call it in, have it delivered. [He kisses her forehead again.] S'okay, babe. Just, like, rest. S'gonna be fine.

I'm fine, Noah. Everything's okay. I guess I was just stressed out. That happens sometimes when I'm under a lot of pressure. [It's happened before but only for a few days. Never nearly two weeks like this time. On the other hand, she's never been under this much stress. She can remember at least 4 times in the past 3 weeks that Noah's brought home dinner and she realizes that she hasn't eaten since dinner (sometimes lunch) the day before. She just forgets. She's even lost a little weight, she thinks.]

Noah. Stop it. [She tucks her head underneath his chin, closing her eyes and letting herself hug him back for the first time since he got home. Her next breath is cleaner and she winds her hands in his t-shirt, sighing at his fingertips against her scalp.] I'm okay. [She couldn't tell him. When it first hit her, her immediate thoughts were of how much she didn't want a baby right now and she couldn't do that to him. She couldn't be another woman in his life who didn't want his child, even if it's a right now instead of a never ever. And over the past week and a half, she'd maybe kind of sort of gotten used to the idea, worked some things out in her head and so maybe there's just a smidge of disappointment there but it's mostly this bone deep exhaustion and relief and to be honest, that just makes her feel more like Quinn.]

Edited 2012-09-12 04:06 (UTC)

[He feels better now that she knows she's fine, that she has some sort of explanation for this. He never worried about much - money, maybe, or Quinn and Beth - but things are different with Rachel, and they always have been. His job doesn't help much, revealing the carefully-hidden underbelly of the world to him, especially in the dark. Bad things happen in the dark, and - after a particularly bad case, or something that hits a little close to home - he'll call her, just to make sure that she's home, just to make sure that she's okay. She really does need to keep a weapon for protection. He needs to work on that.]

[But she's okay. That's what matters here. Work is kicking her ass and they don't get enough time together (but what is enough time together?), but they're both okay, and she's snuggling into his arms right now.] Babe, you can talk to me about this stuff, okay? [His encouragement is gentle; he just wants her to know.] M'not gonna get grossed out when you talk about Shark Week. [And maybe his lips curve in a tiny tired smile.] You know it doesn't change anything. I'm still totally up for it. If that doesn't isn't gross for me, then none of it is. S'normal. S'good. [Shark Week = No Babies. Neither of them is prepared for that now, with the way that she works and he works and how they're still somewhat struggling. Sure, they have enough now, but if they added a third person to their family, that would change things. He hasn't put in enough time on the force yet. She's not a veteran of the stage yet. They have Beth plenty, and it's like practice for sometime in the future, but as far as having their own child? Not yet. And they're both okay with that, he knows. His fingers tug her hair gently once more.] Wanna go lie down with me? Get you stuff if it hurts? I'll hold you.

I know that. [She does. Knows he doesn't really worry about what's going on with her body unless it's some sort of weird new development (her first few rehearsals, she was always nauseous for a few hours after. That was weird.), bad, or...you know. Him. He's the first guy she's ever even heard of that isn't repulsed by sex during that time of the month. In fact, most of the apprehension that way is from Rachel, but she never hesitates to slip into the shower behind him.] I just didn't want you to worry. [Well there's that, her own guilt, and the fact that there really hasn't been much time for talking lately. Most days the past few weeks he's come home like he did today, they're awake long enough to make sure the bills are paid and everything's working and no one got shot and then they sleep. Or shove a few bites into their mouths beforehand. Or he hoists her against the wall or presses her into the couch or the floor or the bed and she's got just enough time to say Yes or No before he's sliding home because time is nearly as precious to them now as they are to each other.]

Noah. Please. [The last thing she wants is to be babied right now.] I just. I guess I was a little more...I don't know, I guess I was freaking out more than I thought. [She swallows hard as soon as she says it, hating the way the words sound between them. He's her best friend. He's her husband and no matter what's going on in their lives, freaking out just...it feels wrong.]

[He sees the crying, sees the irritability, and - he's a man. His first and only assumption - after years of living with his mother and sister, after dealing with nine months of Quinn Fabray, and after being with Rachel - his assumption is that, well, it hurts. Santana had told him once to picture an avocado, and then picture a rusty fork scraping the insides out of the avocado. To this day, he cringes whenever he makes guacamole. When she's got a cold, or her stomach is upset from nerves or something that she probably shouldn't have eaten ~~his cock doesn't count~~, he babies her as best he can. He fixes her tea, and holds her and strokes her hair, and makes sure that she's got whatever she needs before he has to head off to work. If he can, he cuddles with her, warming her with the heat from his body as they fall asleep together.]

[In this situation, babying her is just natural. His woman hurts. He needs to fix it or at least make it better. (Also, he lived with Quinn. This is partially self-preservation.)] M'not worried. [He corrects lightly.] Just wanna make sure you're good.

[And it clicks for him, her last statement, the hint of guilt on her features. Okay. Well. That explains things.] Hey. Hey. [He tightens his arms around her, leaning to press his forehead to hers, his words barely breathed against her mouth.] S'okay. We're good. We're safe. S'not a good time for that, and you don't have to freak out. We're, you know, in the same place with that. Don't freak out. You're stuck with me. Take advantage of that. [He teases, breath catching on a soft chuckle.]

I am. [She reassures him. The tea behind her is just about done and she should really check on it but Noah is way more perceptive than she gives him credit for sometimes (has he always been that way or is it something he's picked up from her? Her ability to read people [I never told you guys this but I'm a little bit psychic...]). He pulls her closer, arms tighter but not too tight and she knows she could move away if she really wanted to but honestly, why would she? She's got a few more minutes before the apartment's in danger of burning down.]

I just. I didn't want to-...I love you and it just felt...it felt wrong and like-..like, [Quinn.] And then I was relieved and it just got worse and I just didn't...I couldn't... [I couldn't tell you without hurting you. I didn't know how.]

[She stumbles over her words, something that she doesn't often do. Instead of pulling away, she curls her body closer to his, letting him comfort her with his arms, with his kisses, with his words. He does the best that he can, reaching out to shut the gas on the stove just as it begins to whistle, his arm wrapping around her again.]

It's okay. [He reassures her again.] If it happens, then we deal with it. But, babe, until we know for sure, then s'okay to not want it, you know? If it happens before we're ready, then it happens. I didn't really want kids, and then I found out about Beth, and it was like - everything changed. [She knows this. They've talked about it so many times. He kisses her forehead again.] I don't wanna have another one until we're ready, but if it happens, then I'm going to be a fucking great father. And I'm gonna love that crazy loud Jew baby. But until we know for sure that we're having one, I don't want one. That help? [tl;dr If you told him in the beginning that you were late, he would have felt the same way: relieved that you weren't, but a little disappointed, because of Beth's awesomeness and how amazing it would be to watch Rachel have his baby, a baby they'd keep and raise. But mostly relieved. There will be time for loud Jew babies. Now is not that time.]

Mhm. [She folds herself against his chest, trying to calm the returning sniffles as best she can. It's just a stressful situation on top of all of the other ridiculous amounts of stress and the lack of time they've actually been able to spend together, it's just. It's been hard. He shuts the tea off, but she suddenly isn't all that interested in it, liking the idea of staying where she is right now much better. She can always warm it up later.]

Can we just go to bed? [He still has a few hours before his shift, so there's time for a nap, or more talking or whatever, but mostly she doesn't want him to be too far away from her right now.]

[He doesn't speak; he buries his face in her hair and nods his head, clutching her close. They have time - only a little time, but time nonetheless - and curling up in bed with her was his desire from the beginning. It's his favorite way (well, okay, besides sex) to be with her, to just relax against her body doing nothing at all.]

[With a gentle tug, he steps in the direction of their bedroom, the door open and covers peeled back from where he'd been lying earlier. Naptime sounds awesome.]

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Ugh, what was the name of the ep...Original Song! ...I think.

faux-add mun is add much lately? can.not.focus. fml

before or after the wedding?

your call. holy eff i'm sick btw <3

Oh nooo :( After, because I actually had a plan for that.

yeah :( and sounds good! and I have a netflix recc for you if you have it

I've never seen either so I didn't know, lol. And no, I don't have Netflix :(

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