The Fight (G) (complete)
Title: The Fight
Summary: When Will and Emma engage in their first fight, a secret is discovered.
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Don't own Emma or Will or Glee. (But it would be fun if I did!)
Just a one shot that I thought of while driving to work.
When Will and Emma had their first real fight it resulted in some pretty amazing things. The fight itself started after school. Emma was tired and not wanting to give advice to Will about Glee. He became defensive and she just because angry.
Will entered her office, unannounced just as she was finishing cleaning. It had been a particular long day with a student crying and another threatening to hurt her over some advice. The last thing she needed was someone coming in, asking for more advice, even if it was Will. He sat in his usual chair and started rambling as her back was to him as she was going through some files in the cabinet.
“Ok so today Rachel was more difficult than usual and Finn, since they are going out now, was supportive of her. I don’t know how I can get the two of them separated anymore. It’s always the group against Finn and Rachel and I just don’t…” He trailed off expecting her to respond. When she didn’t, he looked up to see her still working, still back to him so he kept going. “…and of course it doesn’t help that Puck refuses any kind of lead role in singing, he’s got the voice-”
Emma felt annoyed and frustrated at is tirade. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hear it; she just didn’t want to hear it right now. So she interrupted him, quite rudely, turning to him. “Will, it will be fine. Rachel and Finn are a team now and Puck is Puck.” Her shortness and tone told him she didn’t want to hear it but the last thing he needed was to be pushed out the door. So he stood and rudely himself shot back. “And you know how? I’m sorry, but time is not a luxury I have. I’ve got deadlines and rehearsals and kids that just simply-”
He stopped and looked at her. Her arms were crossed and she was almost rolling her eyes. Yes, she was that perturbed. “Really Will? Do you know that I work at this place too? What do you want me to say? I can’t make the kids do what you want.” She let out a large breath and eyed him intensely.
Will was floored by her reaction, not that he didn’t think she was capable of anger, he just never saw it which in this case, was not a bad thing. But he was just as upset and he could fight back as much as he needed to and in this situation, he very much wanted to. He balled his hands into fists and clenched his teeth. As much as he didn’t want to be calm and collected, he never wanted to say hurtful things. “Em, I’m not asking that of you as much as needing someone to just vent to. You understand Glee more than anyone on how it runs and how these kids think.”
She eyed him again as she put her hands down on her desk, eying the papers she still had to file. “Fine. Whatever.”
And that’s all she said as she picked up the papers and turned back to file them. The silence was strained and she waited for his reaction, not caring what it was.
It took about twenty seconds for him to respond. And respond he did. “Fine, whatever? That’s how you respond to these kids? To me?”
She turned quickly and pointed at him. “Stop. Don’t you ever accuse me of not caring.”
He shot back as he came around the desk, careful not to come too close, tone sharp. “Don’t put words in my mouth and insulating that’s what I questioned.”
She didn’t seem fearful of him being close as her body grew rigid and eyes dark. “I know you Will and I know you need affirmation in everything you do. You don’t need me to tell you what you already know.”
His eyes scanned her face. “Wait? When did this become about me?” He said as he pointed to himself, stunned and confused.
She turned away from him and went to the cabinet. The silence filled the air again.
“Emma.” He said it sharp and cold.
She turned, eyed him as she moved a piece of hair off her face, still seemingly unaffected. “God Will don’t you get it? You always come running to me when you can’t handle something. I get you need support, encouragement and all that but what I don’t understand is how you can’t see that you’re not the only one that needs those things. Maybe I’m tired of giving you advice on how you should run Glee and your life.”
He stood, unable to move as she went to pick up her purse, putting some folders in it. He watched her for a moment before clicking his tongue and walking back towards the door. His response was anything but nice. “And you live in a bubble. You walk around afraid of the world because it might hurt you. You give these kids advice about taking chances and become independent when in reality you don’t know anything about that. Nothing.” He stopped and let a breath out, relived he said it but also realizing that she as fragile about such things and he may have just really hurt her.
Emma wasn’t unaffected by his response, it stung but it made sense as much as it was said in a very angry tone. She however refused to let him see her fear and hurt as she walked to the front of her desk. “I’m sorry you think I can’t handle my own life as much as I don’t think you can handle yours.”
He looked down at his shoes and took another deep breath in and out. He looked up and ran a hand through his stiff curls. His tone was a little less angry and more hurt. “Jesus, is this how this friendship works? We look to each other because we can’t handle what life throws at us?” He said it in such a way that he didn’t expect her to answer. It was more a reflection then anything.
Instead he heard her heels click and her head drop for a moment before she stood upright again, looking at him directly. “I think we’re both scared. We don’t know what we want so we pretend we do.”
He stood with his hands on his hips, not fully agreeing. “Ahhh so you think I don’t know what I want?” She slowly approached him, still firm on her observations. “I think since the divorce you’re lost and confused.”
He smirked a bit. “Says the girl who never has had a real relationship.” It wasn’t intended to sound so cruel but he couldn’t take it back. Instead he watched as her eyes grew wide.
She didn’t expect such a harsh and nonchalant retort. She didn’t deserve it as she stood with her arms at her sides, hands curled up into fists. “Screw you!” She almost let out a gasp but when she saw his smirk still on his face, as if he was enjoying this, she continued. “You think you can just come in here and I’ll fall down at your knees.” Getting angrier by the minute she raised her voice and even gestured with her hands as she kept going. “Well screw you Will Schuester because this girl isn’t going to put up with your ego and moreover, just because I’m in love with you doesn’t mean I’ll come running!”
Rant over, she covered her mouth with her hands and let out a heavy gasp. His eyes went even wider and she tried to backtrack, trying to keep her anger from before and not let it turn into pure humiliation. “I mean…I mean just because I’m your friend!” She stopped, clearly losing the battle.
Will looked at her for a long moment and had to stop his brain from circling over and over again. “Wait, what?”
She looked down at the floor not wanting to face him. She saw his shoes getting closer and then she felt his warm hand under her chin, lifting it up. The anger and darkness left his eyes and his mouth softened as she dared to look at him. She too let out a breath, releasing anger. He was the first to speak, quietly and plainly.
“You’re in love with me?” She looked at him for a moment before she put her hand on his, releasing his hand from under her face, as she backed up, trying to avoid the loaded conversation. “Don’t tell me you were blind to it. It doesn’t matter anyway because it just doesn’t.”
Will walked towards the desk and put a hand over hers, stopping her from shuffling her papers as he looked down. His tone was soft but direct. “Wait a second, wait.” She looked up for a moment and watched as he got even a little closer. She pulled away from his hand and placed them both in front of her.
“Please don’t” She said as she saw him directly across wanting to reach out. He stopped and retreated back a step. His tone was still very much direct. “Don’t run from me. And I didn’t know. “
He stopped and she waited to see what would happen next. It was strange to be in this room with it being so filled with tension and yet honesty. For the first time they weren’t running from the things that were so hard to deal with. Except Emma really felt that need now.
Will tried to move forward but every time he did, she retreated back slowly. He thought of her just minutes before strong and fearless. He wanted to get her engaged again; riled up so maybe they could move on from just being polite to being real.
“Emma.” He said her name again with deep feeling but with edge and grit. She looked up to see him hard edged and looking for answers. “Fine. It’s done, you know and it’s fine.”
She turned and went to the door, not having a clue of what she would do once she left. But before she could get it open, he was there, hand on the handle, stepping in front. “I’m sorry but that’s not how this conversation ends. “
Frustrated she backed up, trying to find that place inside her where she did hate him. It was easier to be mad then hurt because hurt meant crying and crying was messy. “Then how does it end Will? You tell me you love me too and we ride off in the sunset? We both know that’s not happening. And telling me you’re flattered but no, is shattering enough. Can we just forget it and move on?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, letting it just sink in. She saw her anger but he saw her fear and if he just responded yes he was playing into everything they just talked about. He took a deep breath and responded in a quiet soothing tone, trying to bring an end to their heated retorts. “If I say forget it then we are just back to that place where we sweep all the feelings, all the crap under the rug. I did that with Terri and it led down a bad path and now, with you, I just can’t. Pretending doesn’t make it go away.” He stopped.
She couldn’t look at him. He was right of course, especially since she just scolded him for that very thing. If they were to truly build on anything, they had to start dealing with the honest stuff. When she felt his hand on hers, she looked to see him gently grabbing it and squeezing it. His voice was quiet. “Honestly, you’re right. I can’t handle myself right now. I know that. So I’m not going to tell you I love you too and I’m not rejecting you, I’m telling you, honestly, I need you.”
Emma didn’t know what to think. He gently kissed on her on top of her forehead as he squeezed her hand one more time and then he gently pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She breathed into his shirt and closed her eyes for a moment as she responded, against his shirt. “I’m sorry for yelling.”
His body shook from a chuckle and he looked down, framing her face with his hands. “I’m sorry too, I said some ugly things.” She couldn’t look him in the eye, feelings still fresh as she nodded. “You know it’s going to be hard with you knowing.”
Understanding what she meant, he dropped his hands and leaned against the door since they were still close to it. “I know. I just hope we can be ok.”
She nodded and turned, going back to her desk, her heart feeling a little heavier in some places but not completely. “I think so.” She picked up her bag and started to fill it. He stood by the door, watching her for a moment before he too, went to grab his bag and put it on his shoulder.
She looked up when she noticed out the corner of her eye he was by the door with his bag. He smiled slightly and extended his hand in a wave. “Night Em, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Emma watched as he opened the door and she called out. “Will?” He turned and she continued her hands on her purse. “About Finn and Rachel-”
He interrupted her gently. “I’ll handle it. And Puck too.” He gave one last small wave and left the office. Emma smiled a bit as he turned away and watched him disappear around her office. When he was out of sight, Emma sat down in her chair and let out a deep breath, feeling the emotions hit her.
When Will disappeared from Emma’s view he leaned over, letting his bag fall in front of him and let out a breath, closing his eyes tight trying to fight the emotions that were clearly on the surface. A few moments later he composed himself and walked to his car, his heart aching.
The end
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