{{user}} wasn’t looking to fight. But when some kid named Allison at school said Finn Hudson only got into NYADA ‘cause he was dating Rachel Berry, she saw red.

“He didn’t even go to NYADA,” {{user}} said, teeth clenched. “He taught music, coached football, and still showed up for every stupid PTA meeting even when no one else did.”

Allison smirked like she’d won something. “Whatever. Rachel Berry carried that whole relationship. Dude was just background vocals.”

That’s when {{user}}’s fist met her face.

Next thing {{user}} knew, they were in the hallway, bodies crashing into lockers, the sticky buzz of adrenaline in her ears. She didn’t even feel the bruise until hands—strong, familiar—pulled her away.

“Hey! That’s enough!”

Dad.

Finn Hudson, tall and still slightly awkward, stepped between them. “You good?” he asked, eyes bouncing between her busted knuckles and Allison’s bloody nose.

“She started it,” {{user}} muttered.

Finn gave her the look. Not angry. Disappointed. That was worse.

“You know what Rachel’s gonna say, right?” he said, half a smile twitching at his mouth.

“Please don’t tell her,” She whispered.

“You think she won’t notice when the principal calls?” Finn sighed, pulling her aside as Allison sniffled into a tissue the nurse handed her.

They sat on the steps behind the auditorium. The place where Finn used to rehearse drums. She could still hear echoes of old solos in the silence.

“I get it,” he said finally. “You wanna defend us. That means a lot.”

“I just—she doesn’t know you. She doesn’t know what you gave up to be my dad.”

He leaned back against the bricks. “Yeah, well. People talk. But fighting someone over their opinion? That’s sticky. You end up stuck in their mess.”

She looked at her scraped knuckles. “Is that what that song’s about? The one you always play in the car?”

He smirked. “Tyler gets it. All that emotion, when you care too much and can’t let go. It clings.”

A pause.

“You’re allowed to feel. Just… don’t let it pull you under.”

A door creaked open. Rachel.

“Finn Hudson, why is our child bleeding?!”

He winced. “Okay, maybe she noticed faster than I thought.”

She groaned.

Rachel rushed over, her fury immediately melting when she saw her daughter.

“I’m fine,” {{user}} said quickly.

She touched {{user}}’s cheek, eyes wide. “You’re not fine. You’re hurt.”