This story came as sort of a happy surprise. I'm working on a few stories but none of them have really grabbed me, you know? I was listening to the genius that is Ben Rector and I realised how great his lyrics are. This song came on and I pictured Rachel sitting in a café listening to it. And this is what that thought became. This little 'verse is mostly canon, it just all happens outside of the filmed bits. It will obviously leave canon as of end of the Glee season break. This is workable as a one-shot but I'm thinking about making it a story, featuring more of Ben Rector's beautiful music. It's lighter than my usual fics which kind of grabbed me. Anyways, give it a read and let me know if you'd like to read more. Enjoy, I own nothing.

It was a cool, summer night when Rachel heard the first single from Noah Puckerman's debut album. The final weeks of rehearsals for Funny Girl had been long and stressful, and for the umpteenth time she found herself leaving the theatre much later than she'd planned. She waved a tired hand to the janitor before stepping out into the New York night. She glanced down at the phone in her hand and realised that her roommates would have already finished eating by now. She tapped her foot distractedly as she tried to decide on what to eat for dinner. The soft aroma of the Italian restaurant around the corner hit her nose and she nodded her head. She turned and walked towards Bella's. The bell above the door tinkled as she entered the restaurant. She grabbed a takeout menu from the counter and took her time choosing her meal. The music was light and pleasant, and upon closer perusal she realised the little restaurant was nearly empty. A young couple was on what appeared to be their first date and Rachel impulsively decided to dine in. She handed the menu back to the hostess and asked for a table.

The hostess sat her quickly at a tiny, little table by the window. Rachel sighed contentedly as she regarded the passersby through the window. She'd been here for a year now and the novelty had yet to wear off. Life had not always been easy, the loss of Finn had been almost unbearable at the time but she found herself smiling again. The play was everything she'd dreamed of and the closer they got to opening night, the more excited she got.

Her server was a charming young man who flirted with her as he took her order. She smiled as he left and watched the young couple. The boy was probably seventeen and his date was likely sixteen. Their blushing faces and nervous laughter reminded her of the first date she'd ever been on. It was possibly the only time she'd ever seen Noah Puckerman nervous.

"I've never actually done this before." He admitted, scrubbing the back of his neck with the hand that wasn't wrapped around her own.

Rachel glanced around the tiny Greek restaurant and smiled back at him. "This is lovely, Noah."

"Miss?"

Rachel blinked away the memory and smiled apologetically at her server. He placed her meal in front of her and walked away after making sure she was taken care of. She took a bite of the chicken salad she'd ordered and was happy with the choice. She no longer felt upset about her decision to give up her vegan diet. Upon becoming a university student and juggling school, extra classes and work, she'd realised that her vegan lifestyle was too difficult and impossible to keep.

Her fingers began tapping the table along to the catchy beat of the song playing softly through the speaker above her. She almost choked on her salad when a smooth, familiar male voice began crooning the light lyrics that accompanied the fun music.

Because I've got to keep on moving
Yes, I've got to get somewhere
Love, you know just where this is going
Yes, you know that

She couldn't help the grin that spread wide across her face as she listened to the song. She'd had no idea he was recording. She'd heard a few of his songs during high school and even performed one of them during junior year at Nationals.

Your lips are summer candy
Summer candy
Your lips are summer candy
You're my summer candy

It had been a few months since she'd last spoken to him. The day of the McKinley memorial for Finn was the last time she'd seen him. They'd both been so upset and hadn't said much to anyone.

Windows down
I want to feel the beat
Just turn this up
'Til I feel the speakers bleed

Rachel walked forward until she hit his firm chest. Her arms snuck around his middle even as his own wrapped around her shoulders. Her tears flowed freely, staining his white shirt. She felt the stubble of his cheek against her hair before his tears began to land in her dark tresses. No words were spoken as they simply held each other and mourned the person they both loved dearly. Minutes melted into hours and when they finally broke apart it was no longer day. His warm hand reached out and wiped the tears from his cheeks and her fingers did the same for him. Her small hand reached for his and they walked from the choir room together, hand in hand. He led her out to his truck and opened the passenger door for her, lifting her slightly onto the high seat and closed the door. Moments later he was in the truck with her and they were pulling away from the school.

Her eyes closed as they drove and she worried not about their destination. He was the only person who hadn't done or said the wrong thing since Finn had died and she seemed to be that person for him as well. The truck pulled to a stop and Rachel opened her eyes and looked out the windshield. They were parked in front of the lake outside town. She'd never been here before but she'd heard Finn mention it once as being "their place". The fact that Noah had brought her here, to the place he'd only ever shared with Finn was not lost on her. Tears streamed once again and she felt herself being pulled across the seat and into his lap. He tucked her head under his chin and held her as they cried.

The tears eventually stopped and they simply sat there together as the sun rose. She was sure her fathers would be worried that she hadn't come home but she didn't reach for her phone.

Later he pulled his truck to a stop against the curb in front of her fathers' house. He jumped out and walked around to her side, opening the door and helping her out of the truck. His fingers tangled with hers as he walked her up the driveway and to the door. His hand slipped from hers and he turned to stand in front of her. Noah's hazel eyes were sad but dry as he placed his hands on either side of her face. Her eyes fought to close as he brushed his thumbs over the bruises under her bottom lashes. His mouth quirked to the side in the smallest half-smile he could muster. No words were spoken as his eyes assured her in every way that no one's words ever could. Her eyes closed as his lips pressed a kiss to her forehead. Then he was gone. She opened her eyes and raised a hand in goodbye as he pulled his truck away from the curb and drove away.

Because I've got to keep on moving
Yes, I've got to get somewhere
Love, you know just where this is going
Yes, you know that

She couldn't believe how fun the song was. She was sure that others would expect a dark song full of angst after everything that had happened in the last year but the more she listened the more it made sense.

Your lips are summer candy
Summer candy
Your lips are summer candy
You're my summer candy

She was sure that his album would contain some of those songs because Noah had always written with his heart and she knew that his heart was broken. No words had passed between them that night because there weren't any words for the depth of their hurt. She'd planned on forever with Finn and Noah had done the same. Her love for Finn was different than Noah's but no one had ever loved Finn more than the two of them had.

Lips so soft and sweet
Feel the summer heat
Drop all I am demanding
No matter where you are
Whether near or far
You are my summer candy

She wondered when he'd written this song. And who the inspiration had been. She was happy that he'd chosen this song to release. Finn would want for him to be happy, the same way he'd want her following her dreams.

Summer candy
Your lips are summer candy
You're my summer candy

As she sat in Bella's listening to the song her friend had written, she was overwhelmed with the greatest sense of pride. He'd done it. He'd made something of himself, the way he'd sworn he could. The way she'd always believed he would.

Your lips are summer candy
Summer candy
Your lips are summer candy
You're my summer candy

She finished her meal, scanning through her phone as she did so. She was disappointed to learn that his album wasn't due to be released for several months. Paying her tab, she placed her ear-buds in her ears. As she walked home in the city she loved the most, she hummed along to the first Noah Puckerman single she'd ever buy, "Summer Candy."

What did you think? Thanks for reading.