slashluv18

Title: Set Them Free
Prompt: “Love is louder than the pressure to be perfect.” (Demi Lovato)
Bonus? no
Word Count: 316
Rating: PG
Fandom/Original: Glee
Pairings (if any): Puck/Rachel
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): angst
Summary: Rachel needs to let Puck go.

When Rachel first got with Finn, she was with him because he would be the perfect boyfriend. He was the golden boy of the school, the star quarterback. There was no one better. She soon realized that for her, there was someone better.

That someone could be quite crude with his language and had a bad habit of turning every sentence into a sexual innuendo. He used his fists to solve his problems way too much. He was one of her biggest tormenters during their shared freshman year.

But when they dated for a week, Rachel saw a different side of him. She saw a side where his aggression turned into passion. He made her feel beautiful and desirable for the first time in her life. He was willing to give up football. He made it out as if it was for Glee, but she knew it was for her.

Suddenly she no longer saw Finn, but Noah. Unfortunately, who Noah saw was Quinn. It was the story of her life. The first boy she liked was dating Quinn, and the second boy she liked wanted to date Quinn. It wasn't fair. Quinn might be attractive, but she wasn't a very nice person, so Rachel didn't see what all of the guys saw in her.

But like the saying, "When you love somebody, set them free," Rachel allowed Noah to go. She made it seem as if she was still pining for Finn, but she refused to be the consolation prize, especially to Quinn Fabray.

When she told Finn about the baby, it was partly because she was angry at Noah for wanting someone over her. She also knew it was the way to assure that Noah and Quinn got together. She smiled through her tears when she saw the two of them kiss. Being in love hurt and she doubted it would get any easier.

Title: Without Love
Prompt: Marriage Without Love
Bonus? yes
Word Count: 214
Rating: PG
Fandom/Original: Glee
Pairings (if any): Puck/Rachel, Finn/Rachel
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): None
Summary: Rachel doesn't love Finn, her husband.

Rachel married Finn right after Regionals during senior year, and she soon discovered it wasn't love that she felt. She was with him because he was safe and convenient. She was afraid of taking a risk on someone else, someone like you. She was afraid that the passion would be too much to handle and she'd lose yourself because of it.

That didn't stop her from coming to you the night before graduation. She admitted that she made a horrible mistake, and then she tried to kiss you. You wanted to let it happen, craved her lips against yours, but unlike the previous year where you initially allowed the kiss before pushing her away, you didn't even let it start.

You loved her so much, and you couldn't bear the thought of her walking away after the two of you kissed. And you knew she'd walk away. She'd go back to safe and secure, instead of giving reckless and passionate a try.

You hardened your heart against her tears. You knew you couldn't give in. Still, you hoped she'd see what you had to offer. You hoped one day, she'd realize that you were worth the risk. She ruined you for other girls, so you knew you'd wait, even if that day never came.