𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴 || 𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦-𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴

An Awkard Meeting || St. Berry

Rachel x Jesse

I've never liked Finchel so sorry guys lmao— I'll make a one-shot of them eventually if you want me to, but I genuinely cannot tolerate either of them.

So take this shit 🥰✨

Ummmwgwgc AU where the closer you are to your soulmate, the warmer it gets. When your far away, it's colder and whatnot

Yes I did find this AU on Pinterest

• • •

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're really tall?"

"So I've been told." The boy laughed, bowing his head facetiously. A hysterical half smile spread across his face, "I had a lot of fun tonight, Rachel— We should hang out again soon."

"Of course!" The brunette grinned, pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes as the two strolled down the sidewalk, hands barely grazing across each other. "Do you think maybe we could be. . . y'know, soulmates? I do feel warm when I'm around you, Finn."

"I'm not sure." Finn cocked his head, gripping his hand onto Rachel's securely, "I feel warm too, but it's subtle. I've asked my mom about that, and she just said that it's different for everyone. Maybe I do feel warmest around you— who knows."

Rachel nodded affectionately, turning the corner to her driveway, "Don't get me wrong, I do like being around you. I'd love to see you around again sometime."

"Take care, Rachel. I'll call you." Finn prodded off, pecking the girl softly on the forehead before leaving her doorstep.

Rachel grinned lightly. The whole concept was puzzling to her— a piercing vibrato to her mind. She rested her hands on the silver knob, hesitating between twisting the frame open.

Rachel strolled inside, greeted by her fathers. Their expressions were vivid and joyous, each of the men obviously more giddy than usual.

"Hey— is everything alright?" Rachel glanced around the room, her curiosity peaked. "Did you guys get me something?" Her voice dropped, eyes widening, "Is Barbra here?"

"No, no, dear." Hiram shook his head, guiding his daughter by her shoulders closer to the kitchen, "I wish."

LeRoy rolled his eyes, nudging his husband's side playfully as he followed them, "No, but we do have terrific news! We know that you've been on the look for a duet partner, and your father and I believe we may have found the perfect comrade!"

Rachel was disappointed to have her hopes raised — she would've much rather met Barbra — however she knew quite well that her dads had good taste. Surely this boy wouldn't be as horrendous as the last one. If Rachel weren't so distracted, she would've noticed her body heat warm up dramatically. "Oh goodie!" She sing-songed, clapping her hands together, "When can I meet him?"

"Right now," Hiram announced proudly, opening the kitchen door and revealing a boy sitting patiently inside. "Rachel, meet Jesse St. James!"

Fire.

A blistering heat surrounded Rachel, caressing every angle and crevice of her body, but not in a bad way. It was a comforting type of heat— the type that didn't cause you to sweat like a pig. The type where you're sitting on a trampoline, grazing in the sunlight as you watch the butterflies roam. It was a wonderful, sensual feeling.

"Uh," she finally uttered, thinking of the proper words to merge together. If it weren't for Jesse's expression of surprise, quite similar to Rachel's, she wouldn't have had the strength to continue. "Hey— Hi."

"Jesse." He exclaimed in return, just as stunned. However, the boy was undoubtedly much better at speaking through the surprise. "And you're Rachel Berry. I've heard all about you and more." He smirked.

"Oh, have you?" Rachel wasn't surprised. She was highly talked about, even if it was mostly all negative gossip. But attention was attention, despite how it was given. "I get that a lot."

"Well, we'll just leave you two to mingle." LeRoy said before leaving, closing the door behind him and Hiram. The man was much faster at catching onto the situation than his husband, for certain.

Rachel hesitated, closing the door to ensure her parents couldn't hear the conversation, "What's— err, what's your. . . music taste? I'm more of musical theatre / pop singer myself but—"

"You can stop it, Rachel." Jesse intervened, resting a disoriented index finger at her lips, shooshing the girl, "I feel it to. You don't need to pretend anymore. . ." Both went silent, "But I do admire your phenomenal acting, I must admit."

"I just came back from a date—"

"Awkward."

Rachel grimaced, "Are we. . . soulmates?"

"I wouldn't be surprised."

The girl paused, tapping her finger against her thigh to form a very subtle, hushed rhythm, "Are you happy about this? I mean, I know I have god given talent, but if you just look at me—"

"Very," Jesse repeated, overpowering Rachel's monologue, "very, happy. It'll take some getting used to, but I'd love to get to know you in the meantime, Rach."