I am writing this Fic because everytime I hear the song "Get your ass back home" by Gym Class heroes I think of how it there could be a great story behind it in the Glee world.
I own nothing, obviously. Enjoy :)
"I don't know, where you're going
Or when you're coming home
I left the keys under the mat to our front door
For one more chance to hold you close
I don't know, where you're going
Just get yourself back home"
The winter snow had just began to fall in New Haven, Quinn Fabray had been pacing the apartment for a good part of the day. Still in her slippers and robe she had no clue what to do or where to begin.
...
Graduation had come and gone 5 months prior. Quinn walked across the stage to collect her diploma and rejoiced in the moment with her friends. Senior year was tough, she thought she'd officially screwed her life up beyond any repair, but by graduation life was on track again. After her accident on the way to Rachel's wedding Quinn was determined that she would be up and about by Nationals and she did get there. Mr. Shue rewarded her strength with a lead in the final group performance they would ever perform in competition. Those final massive moments of her senior year were practically unimaginable while she lay in a hospital bed unsure as to whether or not she'd walk again but with a lot of physical therapy, and the support of her friends she'd gotten herself there.
Those final months of High School were crazy. Artie wanted her and she wanted Joe… or so she thought… She kind of realized that she was attaching herself to someone just because they were kind to her and that falling for someone just because they open a door for you, or help get your books off the floor wasn't the epitome of independence. To her surprise she'd become great friends with one Rachel Berry and even more shocking to her was her friendship with Finn Hudson. They had a long history but somewhere along the way they realized what a great friendship they'd been missing out on. But the craziest event happened graduation night.
The Hudson/Hummel family had agreed to allow Kurt to throw a Graduation Soirée as Kurt called it. Burt and Carole were in Washington D.C so the glee clubbers were left to supervise themselves. Of course Puck had decided to bring the wine coolers along and everyone had loosened up. Quinn sat alone in front of the bon fire thinking back to the year, she was quiet content with where she had gotten herself in 2 months she was to set foot on the cobbled path ways of Yale university and there was no looking back. Noah Puckerman plunked himself down in front of her, "Sup Fabray?"
"Nothing much, thinking. You?" Puck and Quinn's relationship had strained after the birth of Beth, they barely spoke for a year but time heals all wounds and they had managed to bond during this last year and form some sort of friendship.
"Yeah, I'm thinking too. It's weird you know, graduating. It is like what do we do from here?" Pucks mood was very contemplative, different to his usual self.
"Well most of us picked colleges months and months ago, so I suppose that is what we do from here." Quinn teased.
"You know, we aren't all so sure of ourselves. You should know college isn't my thing Quinn and I'd hate to think you think less of me due to my lack of plans." Although he seemed to be carefree and tough Puck was actually kind of sad that everyone else would be moving on and he still had no clue. Even Finn had managed to line himself up a job in NYC so he could follow Rachel while she took over Broadway, but Puck was still left unsure. He wanted something bigger and better but what that was, who knew?
"I'm sorry Puck, I was just teasing. I know you'll find something." Quinn's words were genuine and reassuring, Puck liked that she was the one to say them, he'd always valued her opinion of him and if it was a good one you knew you could trust her.
The pair reminisced about their high school years, as they sipped wine coolers. Quinn joked about the last time he'd supplied her with them, Puck apologized for being a moron. The night went on and they were completely fixated on each other. Puck extended his hand to Quinn and she didn't hesitate in taking in, Puck led her down the back of the property, somewhere they wouldn't be seen, they knew what was going to happen next, but when it did what would it mean?
Puck ran his hand down Quinn's cheek, taking in the smell of her perfume, transfixed by the sparkle of her eyes.
"Do you want this?" He whispered softly.
Quinn gave him a small nod, which was all he needed. Suddenly the pair had locked together in an embrace, taking in the tastes, the emotions and the feelings they'd so long gone without.
"What does this mean?" Quinn questioned. Puck pondered his answer for awhile before leaving her with the least simplistic answer she could think of.
"I don't know yet, but I'll let you know." With that he kissed her forehead and ran off.
They didn't speak for a couple of weeks. Quinn began to think that their kiss was just that, a kiss. Puck and her having one last moment before she went to Yale. It was probably for the best anyway, Puck didn't have a clue yet, and she was leaving the state. Letting themselves fall too far in would be a mistake. She hated having feelings for Puck but she'd accepted that this is what was best for her life, until one night when her phone buzzed.
'Puck: I've been thinking about you, about us. Wanna talk?'
Quinn typed out her response 'I've been thinking too, coffee, 12 tomorrow, Lima Bean?'
'Puck: See you then'
Sitting at the table of the Lima Bean Quinn anxiously waited for Puck to appear. When he walked in she paid extra attention to the figure approaching her. He seemed different, his mow hawk was straight and normal again and his face was radiating with satisfaction. Quinn wondered what had changed for Puck since the last time she saw him.
"You look happy" She remarked.
"I am. I have some news, but I want your input first." Quinn gave Puck a smile and a look that said 'go ahead' and Puck braced himself for the news he was about to deliver. What he had to say had the potential to change everything between them and he hoped that Quinn could get on board.
"Well I'll begin with apologizing for running off on you back at graduation, but I had to go kick my plan into action. Quinn, I am absolutely head over heels in love with you, and I don't think a time will ever come when I am not. I want to be with you."
Quinn couldn't believe what she was hearing. Puck wanted to be with her, now? She has a new life planned in Connecticut and now 1 month out from leaving Puck decides he wants to be together?
"Puck, I, I can't… I mean, I, I love you too, but…"
"Wait. You love me too?"
"Well yes, but…"
"No Quinn, No buts. This is great! Everything will work out now!"
"How is this great Puck? I am going to New Haven, to Yale, that is not changing."
"Well that is my news. Remember I told you I have a plan? Well I have spent the last 2 weeks calling any of the owners of the pools I have cleaned, any family I have, and browsing the internet like crazy looking for a way to join you in New Haven and guess what! I found one!"
"What? Where? How?"
"I clean Mrs. Brady's pool. Her husband has contacts with some government agency there and I've found an internship, I'd be a personal assistant to one of the middle managers, but with my charisma I'd get promotions in no time. I want to come with you Quinn… that is if you'd have me?"
Quinn couldn't figure out if he was serious, surely he wouldn't joke about this. She wanted to give them another shot, but this was a huge decision. They hadn't even tried a relationship yet.
"Can I think about it?" She finally decided.
"Of course! Take your time, well not too much time I need an answer by Friday. So take 4 days" Puck chuckled before getting up to leave. He'd barely put a foot in his truck when his phone buzzed.
'Quinn: Let's do this"
Looking back at the Lima Bean Puck saw Quinn standing at the door, smile plastered on her face. He slammed his door shut and ran over to her.
"You're sure?" he questioned.
Tears had formed in Quinn's eyes "YES!" she chocked out "we can't not stuff this up though, promise?"
"I promise"
Puck swept Quinn up in his arms and span her around as Quinn let out a loud squeal.
1 month later they were loading Puck's truck with their stuff. Quinn had cancelled her dorm at Yale and had found a nice little apartment to share with Puck a 10 minute walk away from campus. Rachel and Finn had left for New York a week prior and had kindly offered to make the trip down to New Haven to greet the delivery trucks and help Puck and Quinn settle in. Both Puck and Quinn thought it was kind of great that they'd have friends close enough to spend the occasional weekend with, it'd really help the transition.
Rachel Berry came running up the drive way when Pucks truck pulled in.
"Quinn! I've missed you!" Rachel screamed as she wrapped her arms around Quinn.
"Rach you've only been out of Lima for a week, I am sure you can't miss me too much."
"Are you kidding? I am living with a boy, I miss female company, Finn is smelly and messy and he leaves his playbox or whatever it is chords all over our apartment's floor, I need a fresh CLEAN pretty girly face!"
Puck and Finn gave each other a bro hug before taking on all the heavy lifting. Quinn would've helped but her back wasn't exactly in the best condition for lifting lounge suites.
Everything settled nicely. Puck loved his job, and he'd managed to score a gig at a local café every Friday night so the bonus cash was handy, and Quinn had been enjoying her classes. They tried to spend a weekend in New York every few weeks, and Finn and Rachel would join them in New Haven from time to time. Quinn struggled to think of a happier time in her life her relationship was going smoothly and she was relived considering they'd only dated for a month before moving in together, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Puck was allowing her the freedom to discover herself at college and she was still absolutely head over heels in love with him. It was the November after graduation when everything changed, Puck and Quinn were messing around whilst doing the dishes one Monday evening, and she was dripping in soap when the door bell rang.
"You can get it" Puck smiled.
"No way! I am not answering a door looking like this!"
"Alright fine" Puck conceded.
Puck walked to the door pot still in hand as Quinn continued drying some plates. Suddenly there was a loud bang, the noise startled Quinn and she ran into their living room to see what was happening Puck had dropped the pot to the ground and the next thing she saw was Pucks fist striking a man aged in his 40's in the face.
"Puck!" She screamed running to the door, "What is going on!"
The man picked himself up, "This must be your girlfriend" the man commented extending his hand to Quinn.
Quinn refused to shake it, too confused by the scene at her door.
"Puck who is this?"
Puck was frozen still, back straightened trying to intimidate the man at the door, he wasn't answering, just glaring, fury covering his face.
"I'm Noah's dad" the man said, addressing Quinn's question, "Aren't you going to invite your pops in Son?"
"Don't call me that" Puck said through gritted teeth, "Leave, now, and do not come back, you made your choice a long time ago, and I do not want to see you!" he demanded.
"Puck wait, this is your dad, maybe you should hear him out?"
Pucks face softened and he looked at Quinn.
"Quinn, this man abandoned my mom!" he pleaded.
"I know Puck, but you should at least hear what he has to say. We'll just have a coffee and then if you don't want to see him any more at least you will have made that decision with no regrets. My dad came running back after my accident and I finally got to make my own choice about cutting him out, I didn't owe him anything but I needed to give him the chance to plead his case, you should do that here."
Puck knew Quinn was smart, but god she was amazing right now.
"Come in then" Puck said coldly.
"I'll make some Tea and Coffee" Quinn offered.
Sitting down at their dining room table Quinn watched as Pucks face refused to give the man sitting opposite him any forgiveness. They made small talk, Puck told him off for abandoning them, and his dad seemed unapologetic. Quinn could already tell she did not like this man, something was really off about him.
"So Puck, I was surprised when you're mother told me you were in Connecticut. School maybe?"
"No, job."
Pucks dad let out a scoff. "Of course why would I expect any less"
"What is that supposed to mean" Puck became defensive. Quinn locked her eyes on Puck worried that he may try to hit his father again… not that she'd blame him.
"It is just, I didn't expect you to be anything successful you know after knocking some chick up in high school and winding up in Juvie and all" His dad added.
"Well I have a great job, and maybe if you'd been around a little more when I was growing up I wouldn't have had such a tough time getting to where I am now." Puck was becoming defensive, his dad was managing to push all his buttons.
"Don't blame me for your failures Son."
"My FAILURES? What do you even know you were never there to see them! At least I am making something of myself!" Pucks voice began to rise.
"Oh and what is that exactly? You can't even get into college, you are still failing…"
"THAT IS IT! YOU GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW! I have made my decision and I want nothing to do with you! Why'd you even come back if you were just going to tell me how disappointed you are in me!"
Pucks dad went to open his mouth before Quinn stopped him.
"You should go." She said with a fierce hiss. It was clear she meant it.
"Fine. Nice meeting you Quinn. I may see Puck when he decides to 'mature' a little…"
Pucks dad closed the door behind him before Puck tossed his cup at the door.
"WHY DID YOU MAKE ME DO THAT QUINN" Pucks anger was getting ahold of him, tears had begun filling his eyes. "He abandoned me, I shouldn't have even let him in, but I trust your judgment, but no, he is just here to tell me what a failure I am!"
"You're not a failure Puck" Quinn was trying to stop him from pacing around their apartment, she wanted him to sit down, she wanted him to talk to her about this.
"No, you know what, he is right! I am a failure. I am only ever going to hold you back" Puck grabbed his keys, and his wallet and stormed out the door.
"Puck! Come back!" Quinn cried but his engine still roared and he still drove off, his tires could be heard screeching around the corner. All Quinn could do is lay down and cry.
She woke up the next morning hoping to see Puck walking around their apartment, surely he'd calmed down and came home, but there was no site of him, she tried calling him but his phone was off, voicemail: 'Puck, It's Quinn, I need you to come home, I love you and I am here for you' When she hadn't heard from him a few hours later she decided to text Rachel and see if maybe he'd shown up at her apartment.
'Rachel Berry: He hasn't come here, is he OK? Are you OK? I'm sure he'll be home soon!'
It was snowing outside and he hadn't taken a jacket, she hoped he wasn't cold. She paced around the apartment, still in her slippers and robe she didn't care to go change she was too worried about Puck to change. It was 3 in the afternoon when there was a knock at the door.
"PUCK" She cried expecting to see him there looking apologetic with those puppy dog eyes. She opened their front door ready to embrace him and comfort him, to make everything OK again…
Reviews/Opinions are appreciated :)
I hope anyone who reads this has enjoyed the first chapter.