puckermaning ftw

“Considering that the last time I saw Ms. Corcoran, she was walking towards the chorus room with yet another trophy tucked under her arm, I’d venture to say she’s doing pretty well.” Rachel brings her other leg onto the chair and with both knees bent and tucked to her chest, rests her cheek against the joints. “We’ll hit the ground running at breakneck speed on Monday for Nationals prep, so I assume she’s taking this week, like most of us are, to relax, recharge…” She pauses, blowing a quick but steady stream of air from pursed lips. “…And spend time with her daughter,” Rachel finally adds, her eyes lifting to watch the subtle shift of Noah’s features at the mention of Beth.

It’s honestly been a while since she herself has seen Beth. With Jesse moving into the apartment with her and her dad, there’s been no reason to visit the Corcoran household and with the intensity of regionals rehearsals these past few weeks, Beth in all her blonde-haired and rosy cheeked glory hasn’t made an appearance at a practice in a while either.

“Noah,” Rachel starts before she untangles her limbs to reach forward and take his hand. “If you really want to know how she’s doing, just talk to Ms. Corcoran. She allows Quinn to see her, so I don’t know why she wouldn’t extend the same courtesy to you.” In fact, she thinks having the opportunity to spend time with Beth would do nothing but good things for Noah, because if he ever needed motivation to stay straight and out of trouble, Beth seems like the best type of positive reinforcement.

"She allows Quinn to see her." "She allows Quinn to see her." "She allows Quinn to see her."

Beth. Their perfect thing. 

Having the knowledge dropped on him hurts. Because they weren't supposed to see her. And if they ever did, it was supposed to be done as a unit. A million questions pop into his head.

How long has she been seeing her? Why didn't she tell him about it? Why did she break the promise?

It's unlike Quinn. Because of all people, she knows how much Beth means to him.

"What the fu --?" 

Puck stops himself from completing the question, the look of confusion and disappointment evident on his face. His eyes dart across the room, as the free spirit energy disappears from his body, and he's left sitting still unable to process everything -- although he doesn't let go of Rachel's hand. Words have always been hard for him, and in this moment, it's impossible. She's the one subject that affects him more than anything else in the world, and he can't hide how much it does. There is no anger; he can't bring himself to feel it.

Pulling out of his loose hold, Rachel moves back to the table. She sits and brings her left leg up on to the seat to tuck her knee beneath her chin before reaching out to pick at a corner of a brownie square. “And that’s fine. I’m happy at Carmel.” She is. Rachel has Jesse and the spotlight when it’s not shining just as bright on him. And there’s Ms. Corcoran and her guidance and experience, too. “Though…” Rachel draws out the word, a little bit of light returning to her eyes, “no one in vocal adrenaline plays the guitar like someone else I know, so I suppose I might miss that, if only a teensy-tiny-little bit.”

It figures he had to be friends with the most stubborn people on the planet. Part of him understands why, though it's still undoubtedly frustrating. His friends claim to want her back, but don't make the effort and -- ugh. But this isn't the time or place to feel that way. It's just not how he wants to roll, when he just wants the time he has with Rachel to be filled with good moments. 

"But whatever. I'll convince you some other time."

The closed-off smile after hearing Rachel's comment makes his eyes crinkle. "Damn fuckin' right," he responds with a wink. "I'll play you whatever song you want later."

However, the Vocal Adrenaline mention gets the thoughts swirling in his head all over again. The sole focus being Shelby.

"So, uh --" 

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. 

There's nothing to be nervous about. Nothing. It's just a simple question. But considering the circumstances, it's not really all that simple. A big part of him is curious. He just wants to know something, anything just to put his mind at ease -- though he made the promise to her and himself back then.

"How's Shelby doing?"

YOU’RE PROBABLY THINKING, “WHY’D SHE MAKE THIS GIF?”

BUT LOOK.

CAN YOU SEE THAT? THAT LOOK? PUCK’S THE FIRST ONE BETH SEES IN REGARDS TO HER PARENTS. 

HER DADDY.

SHE LOCKS EYES WITH HER DADDY.

SHE FOLLOWS HER DADDY AS SHE’S BEING TAKEN TO HER MOMMY.

It's stupid. All of it is fucking stupid. But it's free flour that I'll be using to make chocolate chip cookies, which... score.

Seriously, what misguided educator thought that forcing heteronormality and ‘family planning’ on high school juniors? And better yet, could couldn’t come up with something better than baking supplies? A couple of eggs, a pinch of vanilla and baking powder, you’ve basically got sugar cookies going. And how could you really fuck up a bag of flour? It’s not like it’s particularly delicate.

Abigail.

I was thinkin of Lucy Lawless. She's the definition of badassery and ngl I shipped her with Gab.