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Rachel stayed close to Quinn and she smiled happily as she watch Finn and Noah run out of the gym. She was so proud of both of them. They had both managed to graduate and they were going to attend a community college. How that would go, Rachel wasn’t sure, but at least Finn always had the tire shop…and Noah, well she wasn’t too worried about him. Rachel turned her head ans smiled at Quinn, linking their arms together. “I can’t believe he already has champagne!” Rachel didn’t even want to know how he had acquired that. “But, yes, I would love to accompany you to the party thing. And stay sober.”

Rachel turned around and Hiram, Leroy, Judy and Frannie were all standing behind them. Each one of them had big smiles on their faces, even Judy. Rachel let their arms unlink and she and Quinn hugged each one of them. “Daddy! You don’t have to cry, I-I’ll be back tonight.” Rachel half giggled at her father, who was now being consoled by Leroy. After awhile, they were finally able to break away from their families and they were happily half skipping to Quinn’s car, Rachel more so than Quinn. “Let’s go lady, we don’t want to be late!” Rachel felt the nervousness and butterflies back in her stomach, but this time it felt good. She would talk about that emotional…stuff later. Tonight she was bound to have fun with Quinn and the rest of her glee club.

Rachel’s use of the word “lady” literally had Quinn’s heart fluttering. Rachel always used to call her that back when they were together. It was like a strange term of endearment that only sounded right when it came from the brunette. Quinn allowed herself to be led to the car, the smile from ten minutes ago still lingering on her face. She couldn’t help it. She had graduated with honors, hadn’t flubbed her Valedictorian speech, had made her mother proud, had seen all her friends graduate. And to top it all off, she had Rachel practically bouncing next to her with excitement in the passenger’s seat. “I’m going, I’m going,” Quinn chuckled at her eagerness to get to the party. She buckled up and backed the car out of the school parking lot.

It was late afternoon and the sky was just starting to darken in Lima. Quinn had to drive almost to the edge of Lima to get to Puck’s house. The lights were on inside, and already the front door was swung wide open. In the front yard, Mike and Sam were showing off rather dorky dance moves to Tina and Mercedes as loud hip-hop music roared from somewhere inside the house. Quinn managed to wedge the Bug into a tight spot behind Kurt’s giant SUV, and went around to open the door for Rachel. As she shut the door behind Rachel, Quinn could hear the whoops of joy (and probably intoxication) from inside Puck’s house. “Sounds like fun,” she said to Rachel, only half-jokingly. This was going to be a night of celebration, no matter what their friends decided to do.

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Rachel beamed the whole time that Quinn gave her speech. She couldn’t be prouder of her and she was the loudest one clapping when Quinn ended it. Rachel rushed towards her and hugged her briefly before she was shooed away by some teacher she didn’t recognize. She gave Quinn a thumbs up then rushed back to her spot in line just as the first students started marching out. She did her best to smile as she walked down the isle with Jacob’s arm looped with her and with the threat of on coming tears. She took her seat, then turned a little so that she could watch the rest of the class march in. When Quinn sat down she faced the blonde and smiled brightly, mouthing a “good job.”

After the class had marched, Mr.Shue was chosen as speaker. His speech about the class, and especially the glee club parts, had Rachel wiping her eyes when it concluded. She cheered for him as well, just not quite as loudly. Brittany was called up next, as it was customary for the president to give a short speech. Most of her speech was about cats and it didn’t make much sense to most of the audience, but Rachel could see that she was making some kind of point and very much enjoyed the speech. For some reason, Sue was chosen to read the names off for the students to come up and get their diplomas. Rachel was a bit jittery when she was standing up on the side, waiting for her name to be called. She smiled brightly at the crowd as she walked across the stage and received her diploma, hugging Ms. Pillsbury after her tassel was turned. She waited as every name was called and cheered especially loud for the glee club members.

Once the last name was called Figgins took to the mic, “Ladies and gentlemen, the McKinley High School class of 2012!” Rachel shouted with the rest of her classmates and threw her cap high in the air, then hugged everyone around her, including Jacob. After awhile, the glee club formed a semicircle and she hugged each of those members, promising to see them later tonight at Noah’s party. Once she hugged every member, she turned to Quinn with a smile. “Well, we did it.” Rachel’s voice was shaky and there were definitely a few tears that she could feel falling down her face before Quinn pulled her in for a hug that was much more intimate and lasted much longer than any of her other hugs from the day.

Quinn watched with proud eyes as her friends went up to the stage for their diplomas. She’d gotten hers fairly early on, so she made sure to cheer loudly for Puck and Brittany when they came up. No one had expected those two to make it through, but they had. All the seniors had; no one was left behind. She stood quietly for the closing statements, launched the red cap into the air along with everyone else’s, and soon found herself in a familiar position — surrounded by glee kids. Everyone was giddy. 

Rachel was going around giving hugs, and at last she got to the blonde. Quinn was about to open her mouth and remind Rachel that crying was not part of the agenda, but she felt her own eyes start to water and decided against it. Instead, she wrapped her arms fully around Rachel to pull her even closer. After several seconds, they broke apart, and Quinn swiped at her eyes and let out a small laugh. “We did do it. Not that I had any doubt in my mind.” She beamed again at that thought.

The crowd was beginning to disperse. Puck had somehow already gotten ahold of some champagne and was offering to share some of it with Ms. Pillsbury, who was trying to hold back a smile. When she politely refused, Puck turned back to the glee kids and shouted, “Kegger for the gleeks at my place! Be there in an hour for prime seats!” With that, he clapped Finn on the back and the two ran off together towards the parking lot, shouting nonsense. Quinn rolled her eyes good-naturedly and turned back to Rachel. “I guess he deserves it,” she said, unable to really be irritated at Puck right now. “All that studying must have messed with his head. Now, Rachel, would you do me the pleasure of going to this… thing with me, sober?” Quinn asked, eyes twinkling. 

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Rachel was pretty happy with the way that her and Quinn’s afternoon together had gone. She was surprised, in a good way, about how Quinn opened up to her and didn’t try to push or away or veer away from the family conversation at all. It gave her hope and she was really starting to think that Quinn might be able to trust her, which was…well, that meant a lot for their relationship. Rachel was just worried. Graduation was getting closer and Rachel didn’t want to lose Quinn.

On Thursday morning, Rachel woke up like it was any other day. She did her daily morning routine and tired to forget the fact that it was graduation day. She was nervous, but as the week had gone on, the more excited she had got. Her confidence about the future of her and Quinn was growing. They had spent the past two afternoons together, though Quinn still refused to read her any of her speech. Rachel was honestly hoping to get a chance to talk to Quinn…not about family, or how they were going to be friends, but about them and about how they felt. Rachel still loved Quinn and as graduation neared, she knew that she didn’t want that to go away.

Her dress, hair and make up were simple, and before she knew it her dads were knocking on her door, telling her it was time to go. Hiram helped slip her robe on then immediately resolved into a tearful mess. After he was done with his hysterics, Rachel could feel her own eyes already starting to get misty. When they arrived at the school, her dads gave her another hug then went to find a seat in the auditorium. Rachel found her fellow classmates, then spotted Quinn near Brittany and Santana. “Hello Quinn.” Rachel’s smile was bright and Quinn’s matched hers. “Ready to give your big speech?”

Here it was. Graduation. After four years. Quinn was standing backstage talking to Brittany and Santana, but her mind kept wandering to how much had changed in these four years. Most of all, she was realizing that as much as she had learned at McKinley, her life was just starting. Gone were the thoughts that Quinn used to have about staying in Lima forever as a homemaker or real estate agent. She knew what she wanted from life, and it was so much bigger than the old Quinn Fabray could have ever imagined. 

“I’m ready,” Quinn said, nodding vigorously at Rachel with a smile. She had taken the role of speech-writing very seriously, and had rehearsed so often in the past few days she was sure she could recite her speech in her sleep. With a small screech of microphone feedback, Principal Figgins took the stage and began speaking.

Mr. Schue stepped up to the mic after Figgins had finished his opening statements. “Before the name ceremonies can begin… allow me to introduce the Valedictorian of McKinley’s Senior Class, Miss Quinn Fabray!” With a small release of breath and a smile at the rest of her friends that were backstage, Quinn steeled herself and walked out onto the stage. Quinn spotted her mother and Frannie in one of the middle rows, both wearing beaming smiles. She grinned back, even if they wouldn’t be able to see from where they were sitting.

Quinn wasn’t sure how these speeches were supposed to go. She had been too young to remember how Frannie’s graduation had gone, so Quinn had made do. She talked about the incredible accomplishments of the senior class — the Cheerios, the Academic Decathalon, the football’s team state win (finally) that had happened a few weeks ago. And of course, the glee club. Quinn didn’t dwell too long on that though, since most of the school still had no idea what they did in that little choir room. But Quinn’s main theme in her speech was risk-taking. Although many of the risks Quinn had taken in her life had been accidental and admittedly not the wisest risks, she knew she was a better person because of them. And it was because of these risks (Beth. Glee Club. Georgetown. Rachel.) that she didn’t find herself so terrified of the future anymore. “And so, I ask the class of 2012 to embrace fear. Be scared. Because when you’re scared, you know that what you’re doing is something new. Something potentially amazing. Maybe even what you were meant to do all along. Thank you.” With a small nod to the crowd, Quinn stepped back from the podium, back into the line of assembled graduates, to let Mr. Schue speak again. 

(Source: quinnsgayberry, via rbberrystar)

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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!”

Quinn shrugged at Rachel’s next words. She couldn’t find a proper response to that comment, besides wondering aloud at the current status of the love she and Rachel shared. That was still a territory Quinn didn’t want to explore, for fear of finding something she didn’t want to find. “No, you’re right. Your dads’ couch is just way too comfortable for me,” Quinn said, trying to keep her eyes from lingering on their linked arms. The sight literally warmed her. They had gone from enemies to tentative friends, to lovers, and backwards again. And maybe they were on their way back to forwards. She hoped so. 

She let her smile drop a little before speaking again. “I should probably go now. My mom’s expecting me for dinner and stuff,” Quinn said, with regret in her voice. If she could, she would pick accidental cuddling with Rachel over any awkward family dinner. But Frannie was leaving soon, and Quinn did enjoy spending time with her. It was like Frannie almost wasn’t a Fabray, with her open heart and kindness and willingness to listen even when Quinn wasn’t speaking. “I’ll see you at graduation. Don’t miss it, Miss Berry,” Quinn joked. With a small wave, she turned back into the hallway and was out the door.  

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“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.

“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.”

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“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.

“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. “

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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. 

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. 

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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.

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.

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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.

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.