berrylostinthedark:

Going to a vegan restaurant was quickly becoming one of Quinn’s smartest ideas. While it was more to allow Rachel to stick to her diet comfortable, there was also a lesser of a chance for anyone to see her and ask questions. It was also a restaurant not many of her neighbors knew, so holding her girlfriends hand would hold no repercussions. At least it shouldn’t. The town knew her fathers, some were’t always hospitable but for the most part they were either welcomed or ignored. Rachel Berry would hopefully receive the same benefits as the two walked in, hand in hand. Rachel was proud of who she was, she was proud because that’s how she was shown to be. Her fathers taught her to be proud of whatever love she should receive. Quinn Fabray had given her just that, and Rachel was proud. 

She sat gracefully, tucking her skirt under her, and smoothing it out once situated. They made their way to the top of the table, crossing over one another before being taken in Quinn’s own pale hand. She met Quinn’s eyes and couldn’t hold back the small smile she always seemed to elicit from her. Those warm honey eyes somehow sucking her in like they had just moments ago. Was it too early to kiss her? Was there such a thing? Rachel quickly shook the thoughts from her head and scoffed lightly. Of course Quinn would mention bacon. “You could try the veggie burger. It’s strange at first but I promise it’s good. Or..if you want you could…they have a pasta menu as well.” Memories steadily filled her. The first day she had actually met Quinn. The meal they shared together. The shower she was able to have. She shouldn’t have smiled, really she shouldn’t have. But she couldn’t stop it. Any memory of her time with Quinn seemed to be a good one. “They have this one that’s a lot like…when we first met. The pasta we had.” More and more the memories came until Rachel looked closer to the options and giggled lightly. “There is also a vegan pizza if you’re so worried about saying the wrong things.” She smirked to her girlfriend, giggle still light and happy. It was definitely one of her better memories, the inside joke they shared.

Within minutes the waiter came by, Rachel catching the look he sent Quinn the moment he saw her. It was unsettling, and pushed the diva’s buttons unlike anything ever had before. The closer he got, the more familiar he became until Rachel finally recognized him as Alex Williams, a boy from her old singing lessons she took. He clearly hadn’t seen her yet, eyes too focused on her girlfriend. “Hello, gorgeous girls,” he said while still only sending Quinn a crooked smile. It fits with his crooked teeth. Rachel thought, crossing her arms across her chest with a low huff. “Can I get the beautiful blond anything to drink?” Still his focus was on Quinn, leaving Rachel to quirk her brow in disbelief as she sat and watched the interaction. Quinn was beautiful, anyone with eyes could see this, but Quinn was also Rachel’s. She was her girlfriend, and her’s to go home to. Not this boy who was hardly being polite at all. This was a place of business not some sight where one could pick up whomever they thought possible. 

Finally the boys attention turned to Rachel, and the recognition flashed across his face before a smile appeared. One that would not be returned in the slightest. “Rachel Berry? The Rachel Berry? Where have you been?!” His voice was excited, happy even, but the question only made her own heart sink and her eyes flicker to Quinn, praying she wouldn’t react unreasonably to it. 

“Away. Spending my time with this lovely girl I met a couple months ago. Alex, meet my girlfriend Quinn. Girlfriend of about five months if I’m not mistaken.” Passive aggressive was never easy for Rachel, it was obvious in her tone that she was not used to it. Harsh and bitter, and her eyes no doubt sending the boy some kind of glare while her arms pressed further into her chest.

Quinn’s eyes scanned the menu in front of her, just for a second as she waited for Rachel’s reply about the food. Veggie burgers sounded like something she never wanted to experience. Each item of food she read about made her want to gag or make a joke about being a cow eating grass just a little bit more than the next. She giggled softly, almost internally, and almost made a comment about the things she would do to keep Rachel happy but was afraid the statement alone would bring up too many horrible things for the very happy looking girl across the table. Quinn never wanted to see Rachel’s smile falter. She never wanted to see worry lines so permanently etched onto her forehead the way that had been at the manor. If she could, she would keep Rachel just like this, hand tucked in hers, smiling, happy, and safe forever. But then Rachel brought up the pasta of their first night together, and pizza, both things that made Quinn smile just the same. She almost stopped to wonder how on earth she could smile about them. How could she feel a flutter of happiness at the thought of the meal she fed a very scared and sad looking Rachel on that first night. It was because Rachel had actually put her trust in Quinn that night. Sure, the circumstances surrounding them were awful, and Quinn would give anything to have never met Rachel under them, but just as she had told Rachel’s father, somehow the girl had found a way to love her, to trust her, to open her heart long enough to see something in Quinn that she struggled to see in herself. That’s where the happiness came from.

“I think I’ll probably order the pizza.” Quinn replied with a smile and a nod, closing the menu in front of her. It was more because she didn’t think anything on the menu sounded appetizing in the slightest than becuase she was worried about saying the wrong things. But the thought of their small joke, the awy both of them always slipped into a comfortable silence when pizza was around, the way they had been able to laugh just for a moment the night that they had shared vegan pizza together for the first time, all made Quinn giggle. It was more of a snort as she tried to stifle it and not erupt into an overwhelmingly happy burst of laughter at the situation as a whole. Picking up her napkin, Quinn shielded her face with it, grinning into the fabric and shaking her head. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just got to thinking about how quickly you ate that pizza and it was funny because you—” Quinn realized she was rambling. Imagining the adorable things Rachel did that made her laugh probably wasn’t actually something that made Rachel laugh too. She made a show of taking a few deep breaths and pulling herself back to a more composed state as the waiter came over making some comment she barely heard about gorgeous girls.

Quinn heard the compliment from the boy as he offered her drink. It shouldn’t have made her feel as uneasy as it did. Quinn wasn’t entirely used to be hit on when it wasn’t coming from someone she should be afraid of. But those were parts of society outside of Blackwell Manor that she would have to readjust to. Plastering on a false smile she ordered a glass of a water with a lemon from the man, who was still  grinning at her in an odd way before he turned to Rachel. Apparently he recognized her. Quinn felt her heart fall to her feet. This was what she had been afraid of. People would ask questions, make Rachel feel confused. They wold bring up things that the other girl didn’t have answers to, things that Quinn would want to answer and know she couldn’t, because she hated pretending to be the perfect person that Rachel seemed to tell everyone she was, when she knew that the actual answer alone would make any previous friend of Rachel’s distrust her instantly. However, she then heard the possessive tone in Rachel’s voice and again there was a small snort as Quinn tried to stifle down a giggle.

“What she means, is thank you very much.” With that she squeezed Rachel’s hand a little tighter, lifting it over the table and placing a small gentle kiss on the top of it to show her girlfriend that there was no reason to worry, and that even sleazy boys at vegan restaurants wouldn’t pull her focus away from the person sitting across from her. “Why don’t you make the next one a real make out?” The boy laughed with a frat boy sounding tone to his voice. Feeling uncomfortable knowing that he was apparently still standing by and watching, Quinn wiggled slightly in her chair before looking up at him with a confused and somewhat flustered expression. “Sorry, this isn’t show and tell.” She answered as politely as she could, trying to brush the waiter off and go back to enjoying her dinner with Rachel. “You girls could just show. Two gorgeous girlfriends. I think I just got lucky. Why don’t you both come to the party we’re having at my house this weekend. Then we can show and tell all you want.”

berrylostinthedark:

The hand resting on her leg was new. And yet it wasn’t. They’d been close before. They had soft touches like this one numerous times. But always behind a locked door. There was always the fear that made the touch feel just a little less intimate, that made it a little more of a reassuring graze instead of what this was now. Gentle. Caring. The best thing Rachel had felt in a long while. Just Quinn’s hand on her leg.  Her eyes fell to it, stared at the long slender fingers and the contrast they had against her own tan skin. Quinn was incredibly pale, Rachel was only just now noticing. Her mind had zoned for a moment, missing just a fragment of what Quinn had said. The realization of it caught the girl’s attention, bringing her gaze to look back at her girlfriend. Looking at her smooth blond hair, the way the wind was just barely capturing it. The way Quinn’s hazel eyes glimmered, no, sparkled with the gentle light reflecting off the windshield. Her perfect straight nose. The baby was going to look beautiful, solely because Quinn was so breath-taking. There was no doubt in Rachel’s mind that Quinn was going to have the most breath-takingly, beautiful little girl or boy anyone had seen. 

Those brown eyes fell to Quinn’s stomach, knowing it would look like Quinn but wishing it would look like her too. Just a small portion. The baby would never get her nose, but Blaine had darker eyes, and maybe someone in Quinn’s family did as well. Of course that’s all Rachel could ask for. Similar eyes. Blaine’s hair was far to curly to resemble Rachel’s, and Quinn’s too straight. Blaine had a different nose, a different mouth. The only final hope Rachel had was the baby would have her size. Blaine wasn’t much taller than her, and Quinn taller than him. She felt her heart ache for just a moment before that hand on her thigh squeezed and left completely, leaving the skin cold. Were they really here already? The drive somehow felt too fast, though just moments ago felt incredibly slow. Painfully slow.  

Rachel took a moment to gather herself before finally stepping out of the car. She was instantly met with Quinn, their fingers were laced quickly and Rachel felt that old ache falter and disperse with ease. Butterflies replaced that ache, the feeling of Quinn’s forehead on her own and Rachel swore she could fly in that instant. Her body felt light, almost not even there anymore, all from such a simple kiss. Two days had been much too long. 

Her lids felt far to heavy in that moment, vision slightly blurry as it took her a moment to fully open them. Her heart swelled as Quinn continued on, being a perfect date for the evening and ensuring Rachel’s comfort. But she couldn’t focus, the words sounded almost hollow and dull. All her focus was on those lips, and on how they were moving and how it had been two days since they’d last been together. Then, those lips stopped moving, they waited patiently for Rachel’s reply but she didn’t have one. How could anyone have an answer or a reply when they had no idea what had just been said. And how could anyone focus on what was being said when someone as gorgeous as Quinn stood before them. Rachel’s arm moved up, hand cupping a pale cheek and she stood on her tip toes to reach Quinn’s lips with her own. 

Rachel wasn’t as careful with her kiss. It was deliberate, not light like Quinn’s. It was longer, and possibly a little more desperate. It was just enough to get what Rachel needed, not that she knew she needed anything until after the kiss. “I’m sorry,” she whispered pulling back, allowing her hand to stay on Quinn’s face for a few more seconds before it fell slowly to her side. “I wasn’t….I got a tad distracted..” She blushed, eyes darting away for a quick moment before moving back to Quinn’s. The mumbling that Rachel had hardly been paying attention to slowly cleared in her mind, and she caught bits and pieces through her memory, slightly understanding what Quinn was asking. It was silly of her, Rachel would gladly show her off to anyone that would let her. Of course it would be a shock to some, and most people in the town would blame her fathers, she was aware of this, but if it meant having Quinn, Rachel didn’t much care about anything else. “I will gladly show off my lovely girlfriend to the people. However, perhaps a kiss every other minute would be a bit much. I do plan on eating you know.” Rachel giggled, tapping Quinn’s nose before turning to the restaurant with a beaming smile. Her mood having completely swung from the small depression she had previously put herself in.

With Rachel’s lips pressing almost feverishly against her own, Quinn was at a loss for words… or thoughts… or breathable air. It never got old, or less surprising to feel the desperate want that came with a kiss like that and almost every kiss was like that in some way or another. It reaffirmed that they were still together, and that Rachel would still want her, right here in the real world, on a sidewalk, in a town where normal things happened and they were both just girls. Rachel pulled away and Quinn stared back at the dazed look in her eyes. She wanted to kiss her again just watching it, but instead found herself studying Rachel’s expression. She wondered if her own was equally as in love as Rachel’s was. Because that was what that face had to be. It was the most perfect thing Quinn had ever seen. Rachel was always giving her things like that; love, acceptance, trust and Quinn wanted nothing more than to give her all of that and the world in return.

“Okay fine, not a kiss every minute. I’ll do my very best to limit myself to one every minute and a half so you have time to chew and swallow.” Quinn cocked her head, pressing another kick, light kiss to Rachel’s lips. Again there was that reaffirming tone, Rachel saying that she was more than happy to be with her. Quinn could sometimes kick herself for always doubting that it would be the same in the outside world as it was at the manor for them. It was something she would have to work on. Rachel had never said or done anything to make her doubt that she wanted her around. In fact she had done quite the opposite over and over again; at the manor in those first days when she allowed Quinn her trust, when she had cared for her, accepted her despite the awful things that Quinn would never even forgive herself for, wanted to stay with her despite the baby and all the things that made Quinn feel different and tainted, and now coming back into the world that had been all Rachel’s and wanting to have her be a part of it. A small smile crossed Quinn’s face and she lowered her head, shyly. The feeling of being loved was one she could certainly get used to, especially if it came from Rachel. 

Taking Rachel’s hand in her own, Quinn pivoted on her toe away from the car and towards the restaurant, holding the door open to allow them both through as she did so. It felt good to be in an environment where she could feel like she was allowed to be polite to her girlfriend without having hawk eyed guards leering at them or Jesse breathing down her neck about it. The host sat the girls at their table. Quinn’s eyes wandered the other tables just for a minute, taking in the people around them, all blissfully wrapped in their own dates and their own lives. She tucked her gift to Rachel she had brought under the table, satisfied that things were falling into normalcy for them as well before tacking Rachel’s hand across the table and fixing her back on her girlfriend where she was sure they wouldn’t leave for the remainder of the evening. “Alright missy, you’re going to need to help me with all of this because I’m tempted to just ask them for their biggest bacon cheeseburger but I’m afraid even saying the word in here might get me a lot of dirty looks so you’ll have to tell me what’s good.”

berrylostinthedark:

The scenery flashing past the car as Quinn drove them to the location of their date was practically a sight for sore eyes. It had still been sinking in. The idea of being outside of that mansion, and being free. The idea that Quinn was still with her. That Rachel’s dreams may literally still come true. It was all still excruciatingly slowly sinking in. And as it all sank in, the fear of Quinn leaving or being taken away faded just as slowly. Rachel wished it would fade faster, wished that fear would sound like nonsense in her head but the more she thought about her freedom, the more she felt Quinn should leave. There was so much for her to see, so much she could do. And yet here she was with Rachel. The blond had shown time and time again how much she had wanted to be with her, had proven herself more than needed and still Rachel felt it weren’t fair. Think of all the things Quinn could accomplish hd she just had the chance? 

Brown eyes forced their gaze to the windshield, unable to look at Quinn and not think these things. She really shouldn’t be. Not now. Not when Quinn was taking her on a date. Their first real date. After five months of being together their first date had finally approached and Rachel felt too many things to focus on just one. But she tried. She tried to stay focused on her excitement, but with the excitement came the nerves, and with nerves came fear, and with the fear came the same thoughts from before. It was almost like a never ending cycle. 

Her mind raced for something to say, the pit of her stomach twisting with the nervous churn that could only come from a first date. What if they got there and couldn’t think of anything to say? What if someone had recognized Rachel, had asked where she’d been? How would Quinn react to such a thing? She never expected returning to be so hard, but then she never thought about the beginnings. It was always the happily ever after’s that Rachel thought of. The career and the children. The possible house and what ring they’d each have. But there was never a thought about the initial return, and now Rachel was beginning to understand why. “So, apart from the vegan bacon, do you know of anything else you would like to try?” 

Clammy hands gripped the steering wheel as hard as Quinn possibly could as they drove. She was sure her hands would slip if she got any more excited. Two days apart from Rachel had been more than enough. Quinn, of course, had filled them with finding an apartment, renting a car that she could use for a few days, going to as many job interviews as she could find, and making a doctor’s appointment so she could finally get the baby looked at. She wasn’t entirely sure how she would explain her weeks of waiting to the doctor but that was something she would figure out tomorrow when she went.

Rachel’s father had been more kind than Quinn could have hoped for. She respected their need for a few days of space. Quinn would have given them a hundred thousand miles of space if she had to, even if she would never want to. For months, at the manor, she had tried to come to grips with the fact that one day they would get out, and have to turn Rachel back over to the life that she loved and the people in that loved her and would never want her with someone who had a hand in holding her captive for months. It didn’t stop her from wishing it wasn’t that way, from selfishly wanting to keep Rachel with her for as long as possible and never give her back. But if there was anything in the world Quinn wanted more than her own life, it was Rachel’s safety and happiness. She had once thought that this would mean dropping her off in Lima, with her dads, and her dreams of New York, and leaving to become only a blimp on the radar of the one day huge life of Rachel Berry. But slowly, she was beginning to see that was maybe not the case, and Rachel’s dads were the reason for that. They easily could have not been understanding or forgiving, thought of her the same way Quinn thought of herself most days. Though, Quinn wasn’t surprised, Rachel had to get that big heart from someone.

Rachel’s father had agreed to let Quinn take Rachel on a date without any hesitation. She was thrilled that they even trusted her enough to take Rachel out of the house. But of course, she had brought her back after all of those months, so maybe they assumed the best rather than the worst. Quinn would have to work on giving people the benefit of the doubt where that was concerned. A present was tucked in the back seat. Something silly she had picked up while out. It wasn’t even really a gift for Rachel, just something that she wanted to share with her.

Quinn tried not to look at Rachel every five seconds as they drove. She kept her eyes on the road and settled for trying to see the girl out of the corner of her eye instead. Rachel seemed tense, and maybe uneasy, but Quinn was a little bit uneasy too. They were finally doing something that real couples did. All Quinn wanted was for it to be perfect. Out of the corner of her eye she caught Rachel’s face silhouetted against a glare from the setting evening sun and a patch of trees that blew by them. Seeing that face, out in the real world, was somehow more beautiful than anything Quinn had seen before. And she had spent months being so sure that Rachel was already the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on. Lost in her world, Quinn let out a small snort of a laugh heard Rachel’s question. “You mean like vegan stuff?” Her eyebrow rose the way it usually did. “Don’t push it, sweetie.” Quinn reached her hand across the car, and placed it on Rachel’s leg. Touching her was a satisfying enough substitute for the need to look at her. “As far as stuff I want to try in general? Holding doors. And learning how to share a milkshake.A vegan one of course. Because… you should see me with one of those things. I suck the whole thing down, gives a whole new name to brain freeze.” Quinn grinned widely as she spoke. She could list a million more things she wanted to try… with Rachel, but the place they were eating at finally appeared next to them, and she had to pull the car to a stop.

Squeezing Rachel’s leg before taking her hand off, Quinn stepped out of the car and rushed to the other side of it to meet her girlfriend there as she did so herself. She weaved their fingers together comfortably, before meeting dark brown eyes with her own. “Hey, before we go in there, I just want to make sure you’re okay.” Quinn’s voice was quiet and even. “I know this is where you grew up, and you’ve been gone— Rachel, I have no reservations when it comes to you. I would proudly take you into that place, kiss you over the table every other minute—” She stopped, at the thought of kissing the girl in front of her and touched their foreheads together before actually doing so. Quinn kissed her just lightly and then continued. “I’d stand on a table and tell them I love you, but I want you to be comfortable, okay? I’m not the one who knows people here, or was missing for five months. So, however you want to do this, you just say the word and that’s what we’ll do.” Quinn wasn’t trying to presume that Rachel would want to hide anything, she just wanted to be sure that Rachel didn’t feel obligated to shower her home town with teen romance worthy pda if she wasn’t ready to. Maybe she was ready. Quinn shook her head and stared patiently into Rachel’s eyes for an answer. As proven countless times before, Quinn wasn’t exactly best at reading people when her own insecurities came in to play.

berrylostinthedark:

Sounds perfect, Quinn. And really? You’re going to try vegan bacon? Are you feeling alright?

Well it’s either that or I might have to eat something green.

berrylostinthedark:

Where are we going?

I forget the name of it. But apparently it’s the only fancy pants vegan place in this town. I even asked them if their vegan bacon was up to par and they said it wouldn’t disappoint.

berrylostinthedark:

Quinn!

What are you doing here?! Not that I am not thrilled of course. When did you get here? Have you eaten yet? I could make you something if you like. I also have to show you around the house and maybe even daddy could join us and get to know you better.

Hi!

I missed you. Your father called. He said I could come. You can show me the house later though. Get dressed, sweetie. We’re going on that date.

[Quinn is standing outside of Rachel’s bedroom door. She’s wearing this dress, her hair and make up actually done with effort since the day before she met Rachel. In her hands, she’s carefully cradling a wrapped gift box.]

berrylostinthedark:

I feel you may know me a little too well, Quinn. That’s quite a trick you have there, saying what I’m doing when you aren’t even…..you’re not here are you?…

I miss you too..I miss you so much.

I did spend five months watching you like a hawk you know. And now… you’re probably sitting on your bed. It’s made… because you made ours every morning -when we actually managed to get out of it. You keep walking back to your computer… because you want to do those things that I asked you, but you’re having trouble focusing.. because two days is long enough. And… your door is open… because it can be, and you can feel safe… and unlike when we were there… you keep hoping for someone to walk in.

Life is all about moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever.

(Source: the-sgtpepper)

proudpapaberry:

I will ensure that nothing will happen to her Rachel. When your dad gets home, I am positive he is going to want some alone time with you, and while he does so, I can go check on Quinn. Will that put you at ease? She has my number, and I will check on her hourly because I know that you will not accept anything less. Quinn, you may call her at night before bed, but only for a short amount of time. As much as I believe that it is important for a couple to depend on each other, there is a difference between that and her using you as a crutch. You both need to come to terms with this on your own the best that you can. Quinn, I doubt that you have any family in the area, so consider yourself a Berry, okay? I will not stress enough that you are not alone here. You do not only have Rachel, but you have us Berry men as well. My husband is even more protective than I am at times, and trust me when I say that he will love you for protecting our little girl. 

Thank you, sir. I’ll go now. It was… a pleasure meeting you. I’m sorry again for all of this and.. thank you for listening to everything. Try not to let Rachel make you call me every hour. We don’t want you going crazy with her. I’ll be at my motel. I’m sure the dust bunnies won’t try and kill me from now until whenever you decide. Thank you again and… I’m sure I’ll see you soon.

(Source: blackwell-quinn)