Title: We Are Closer
Chapter: 2/?
Pairing: Faberry
Author: ItinerantPoet/Cuteginger
Rating: M (for later chapters and strong use of language in this one)
Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is just something that has played out in my mind a few times
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“You’re sure that you don’t have somewhere else to be?” Rachel asked nervously, they had walked for a few moments in familiar silence, no longer the burn of a hated tension between them, the few months apart had calmed the anger that had flared between them in High School and the air around them buzzed with a future filled with promise.
“No, I’ve told you I have the whole day, and I want to spend it with you Rach,” Quinn explained again.
“Rach...” Rachel smiled shyly.
“Sorry, can I not call you that?” Quinn blushed for a moment, cross at herself that she had let her secret familiarity with Rachel creep up on her, she had not even managed half an hour before the giddiness of finally seeing the smaller girl had overwhelmed her concentration.
“No, it’s nice, you’ve just, you’ve changed haven’t you?” She offered as a response.
“Yeah, I think I have, I’m sorry you know,” Quinn decided to add.
“This is not the day for all that. Shall we just start as old friends,” Rachel stopped and turned so that she was facing Quinn.
“Start as old friends, I like that.” Quinn smiled, letting her happiness that was flooding her very being, eek out into her eyes so that the smile brought sunshine to her whole face.
“So, tell me about Yale, you’ve been very lax in the communication department Miss Fabray, for an old friend you really have forgotten to fill me in on the most important developments in your life.” Rachel smiled, linking their arms and pulling Quinn along with her, letting the breeze from the day ruffle her coat and scarf a little and infiltrate the deep breath that she took.
“How about I tell you about Yale over coffee, I could murder a fresh cup of New York Coffee, do you mind?” Quinn responded.
“Not at all, I know the perfect place, but don’t think that this gets you out of telling me every little detail about Yale, and your life, I know so little about you really,” Rachel offered looking a little sad at the realisation that all she knew about Quinn she had gathered as ammunition against the onslaught of violent words she had been subjected too over the years. She’d never had the courage to fight back and it was now, as they walked through the park to a coffee shop that she realised just how please she was that she hadn’t. Forgiving was easier, she felt, when there was only one party to forgive.
“I’m sorry,” Quinn let her disappointment wash over her face, her emotions so evident that she was surprised she didn’t burst into tears there in the park.
“No, not now, I didn’t mean it like that, let me know this new Quinn, this exquisitely beautiful, clever, here in New York Quinn,” Rachel blushed at her admission.
“You think I’m beautiful?” Quinn asked, shyly catching Rachel’s eye, holding it there for a split second too long before dropping her gaze.
“I meant what I said at prom Quinn, I meant every word I’ve ever said about how amazing you are, and can be.” Rachel failed to meet her friends eyes at this admission and instead pulled them again into a walk, the pace slow but the silence now seemed to permeate their beings and they found themselves speeding up, both ready to start these new friend conversations.
“Is this place ok?” Rachel asked, they had been walking for 10 minutes or so an although the conversation had been light, mainly about the things they passed as they left the park, it was still a little awkward, neither knowing how to progress after Rachel’s admission.
“This looks great Rach, thanks. I’ll be glad to be indoors for a little while” Quinn smiled and held the door open. The small coffee shop was just a few streets over from the main road, but its quaint New York feel made it feel cosy, and although it was the weekend it didn’t seem to busy, the smell of the coffee roaster permeating the air around them and the immediate warmth of the cafe flushed both girls faces.
The queue only took a moment to disappear and they had only managed to unzip their coats before it was there turn to order.
“What do you want Quinn, my treat?” Rachel offered, pulling her bag around so she could rescue her wallet.
“Are you sure? An extra shot mocha please.” Quinn smirked, the lady behind the counter was checking Rachel out with little discretion and she knew that rachel hadn’t seen it, she seemed oblivious and although it wasn’t a correct assumption she like the fact that the following look at her from the barista, catching her eye as she responded to Rachel, she saw Quinn as competition.
“Of course, one soy chai latte and an extra shot mocha please” Rachel turned and asked the barista.
“No problem gorgeous,” the barista winked at Rachel, and seemed pleased when the girl blushed profusely.
“We’ll be in the corner, thanks” Quinn interrupted, using a watered down HBIC stare to get her point across. In that moment she suddenly felt a surge of anger flood through her veins, it passed quickly but the residual burn was an unpleasant feeling.
“I never pegged you for a mocha fan Quinn, that’s the first thing i’ve learnt about you today, I’m enjoying this.” Rachel smiled broadly as they sat, their bags and coats quickly shrugged off in the warmth of the cafe.
“Not always, but its the sweet tooth that i’ve never quite shaken after Beth,” Quinn explained.
“You did always seem to be eating candy when you were pregnant, it was quite reassuring to see that HBIC had some weaknesses, though i wouldn’t have dared say that to your face.” Rachel blushed a little, realising that she was giving far more than she had intended with that comment.
“Well you can say it to me now, that’s ok right?” Quinn responded.
“Yes, of course, we’re friends Quinn” Rachel smiled, noticing the waitress loitering to the side of the table, waiting for a lull in their conversation to deliver thier drinks.
“Hi, here are your drinks ladies,” the waitress only smiled at Rachel, ignoring Quinn entirely as she put the first drink down.
“I was wondering, if I could give you my number, you’re incredibly beautiful and i would love to take you out sometime” the waitress placed a napkin down on the table in front of Rachel.
“I’m sorry, i’m not, I’m not...” Rachel stuttered.
“I’m Kath, it’d be a relaxed date, nothing too pressured, I promise, we could even just go for coffee.” The waitress added, pushing the napkin closer to Rachel’s clenched fingers.
“Can you just fuck off please, can’t you see she’s not interested” Quinn snapped, feeling the blush rising as she saw the shocked look cross Rachel’s face as she cussed.
“Quinn,” Rachel said, shocked, “I’m sorry for my friend” she offered to the waitress as she placed the second drink down on the table.
“No problem, I thought it was worth a shot, I didn’t realise you were together, my fault” the waitress smiled as she backed away, the tray cradled in her arm ready to be laden with more drinks as the queue developed.