Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Glee and I make no money from fanfic.
This story continues on from "The Real Me"
Will contain some slashy goodness, so deal with it.
Chapter One:
Sand. There's way too much goddamn sand, Noah thought as he sat on the edge of the beach, the waves lapping gently at his feet. If he stayed much longer, the water would start getting his jeans wet, but he couldn't seem to pull himself away. Maybe it was because of the peace he felt sitting at the waters edge, or maybe just because of how tired he was. Either way, Noah loved being at the beach - It wasn't like there were a lot of beaches in Lima and he was enjoying being able to visit whenever he wanted. He could relax here. But the sand... well that just got everywhere.
He thought about the weeks that had lead to this moment and smirked, it really was a hell of a story. Every time he thought about it, he was surprised. Life certainly had a way of changing quickly.
Thinking back to the day he left Lima, it was still a bit of a blur. Everything had happened so quickly and he had no idea how he had ever gotten the guts to just pack up and leave. Sometimes when he really thought about it, he knew it would have taken more guts to stay.
After leaving Kurt asleep in the cabin, Noah had driven home as fast as his truck would allow, as if afraid that slowing down would make him change his mind. His mother was more than a little surprised and concerned when he rushed into their home so early in the morning, straight to his room to start throwing clothes into his suitcase. His mom had pulled him into the living room to sit down and explain. As much as he tried to stall, nobody could evade his mother for long and he ended up spilling the dirt on everything that had happened in the weeks leading up to that moment. His cheeks still burned with shame when he remembered the way he had doubled over, sobbing, when he had asked his mother to let him go.
She had wanted him to stay, to face his problems head on like a man. Sure, she didn't actually say it, but Noah knew it was true. She never wanted him to be like his father. But that was exactly how he felt. He had spent his life furious at his dad for leaving them the way he did - because he thought his problems were too hard to handle - and now Noah had done exactly the same thing. It was really hard to stay angry at someone after you turn out just like them.
Eventually, his mother had agreed that maybe it would be better for him to get away for a while. School was almost over, he wouldn't miss much, and if he ended up staying away from Lima, he could always enrol in another school. It had taken a lot of promising and a lot of tears, but his mother had finally allowed him to leave. At least she knew he'd be safe where he was going. Sort of.
Staying with his Aunt Heather in wasn't exactly every one's idea of safe.
After packing his things into his car, Noah had driven for most of the day, trying his very hardest to keep his mind off of Kurt, Lima... everything really. He was sure that god, or whatever cosmic force was out there was working against him, since everything seemed to draw his attention back to the boy he had left behind. Even the DJ's on the radio seemed to be conspiring against him, playing songs that reminded him of Kurt. Eventually he shut off the radio in frustration and concentrated on the road. He was sure nobody in the history of driving had had a safer journey.
After a few days of driving for as long as he could and sleeping in the back of his truck, Noah arrived at his Aunts house, mentally prepared to take on the many, many questions she would no doubt have for him, but, being a Monday, she was at work. After leaving his truck parked in the driveway and a note attached to the door, Noah headed down to the beach,
He'd been sitting in the same spot for close to two hours now, staring out into the ocean, hoping for some sort of sign to appear, something to tell him he had made the right decision after all. Noah chuckled darkly - leaving Lima was all he had wanted to do since he was ten years old, no matter what else was going on in his life, it was always his number one goal, but now that he had actually left, it felt like the hardest thing in the world.
A sudden gust of cool wind blew in from the water and snapped Noah out of his reverie. For someone who rarely had time for introspective thought, he was shocked by how much he had zoned out, completely absorbed in his thoughts. The light was quickly fading from the sky and the last of the days surfers were coming in, which Noah took as a sign to leave - his Aunt was sure to be home from work by now and wondering where he was.
Noah heard his Aunt Heather long before he actually saw her. As soon as he turned onto her street, the sound of her signing at the top of her lungs met his ears. He smiled in spite of his bad mood - his Aunt was known for being some what of a "free spirit" and he had no doubt that she knew her voice was awful, but continued to sing anyway. That was what Noah loved about his Aunt, she was a real badass and didn't care what anyone thought of her. Even so, he thought it best to knock and announce his presence rather than just walk in. He knocked loudly and the singing abruptly stopped, but not before Noah took a moment to wonder what was in the water in Lima - it seemed like everyone there had a perfect signing voice.
The sound of his Aunt bounding down the stairs caused him to grin. Staying with Heather was exactly what he needed, free and easy. Fun.
The large wooden door in front of him opened quickly and Noah found himself engulfed in a bear hug.
"I can't believe you're here Puck!" Heather yelled, hugging him again. "Ok, well I guess I can... your mom called - by the way what's up with her? My sister has always been on the wrong side of tense, but she sounded like she was about a minute away from exploding. Anyway, let me look at you!"
Noah smiled - his Aunt was really more like a teenager than an adult. Then again, he had always thought of her as the cool one in the family, probably because at twenty six years old, she was a lot younger than his Mom. He didn't even want to think about how old his grandparents had been when they had her - that was just nasty.
While she fussed over how much he had grown and how different he looked, Noah took the opportunity to survey her appearance. It had been years since they had seen one another after all. All he could really say was that the good Lord had blessed his family with some kick ass genetics. His Aunt had long, golden hair that hung over her shoulders with a gentle wave, lightly tanned skin and deep blue eyes, the total opposite of his Mom. It was obvious that she worked out in some capacity - she was slim, but not in a "I drink all of my meals" kind of way. Knowing Heather, she probably did some sort of hippy yoga crap on the beach or something. Although Noah thought of that kind of thing as ridiculous, he couldn't deny that she looked a lot younger than twenty six and if Sue Sylvester ever met her, she'd forge as many documents as necessary to get Heather enrolled and onto the Cheerios.
"Wow, you're certainly not the scrawny thirteen year old I remember!" She exclaimed.
"And you're as beautiful as ever."
"What a charmer!" She said with a laugh, "But even so, your haircut is still totally stupid."
Noah laughed and ran a hand through his Mohawk. That was definitely a "Puck" thing and now that he thought about it, maybe it was more ridiculous than badass.
"What can I say, I'm just so much of a stud I make it work."
"Uh huh..." Heather said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, don't just stand there, come on in. Apparently something big went down back in Lima and I want all the gory details. I miss all the drama of home, that place is like a soap opera."
Noah followed her into the house, steeling himself for the tough conversation he knew was coming. While he sat on the beach earlier he had debated with himself on just how much he should tell her. He hadn't even told his mom the whole story. Honestly, he wanted to tell her everything, he needed someone to talk to and it wasn't as if his Aunt would reject him for being gay - hell, she'd probably love it. But telling her the whole story made it real and he was more than a little afraid she would tell him he had been a total asshole. He knew it, but that didn't mean he wanted to be reminded of the fact.
As he made his way into the living room he found himself grinning again, the decor reminding him of just how easy going his Aunt was. The room was generously furnished, to the point of being slightly cluttered, but it looked like everything was second hand and it all looked very mismatched. He loved it, but Kurt would totally freak out.
He frowned, remembering that Kurt would never see this place. It was over. It was such a stupid thing to forget, but Noah found himself constantly thinking about things he wanted to tell Kurt, or wondering what Kurt was up to, or if he would like his Aunt. Every time he thought things like this, when he forgot for just a second that it was really over, it hurt so much more than before.
He sat down on the faded leather couch that sat along one wall and sighed.
Question time, here we go.
"So. Puck." His Aunt began. She sat down next to him, looking slightly apprehensive. "Your Mom didn't really say much about why you were coming and I don't want to be a total buzz kill, but I need to ask... are you in trouble? With the cops or..."
"No, not trouble." Noah interjected. "Well, just the emotional kind."
"Ah, I see. First big heartbreak huh?"
"Sort of, except I did the breaking."
"Oh.. and now do you regret it? Breaking up with her?"
Noah took a deep breath, it was now or never.
"Actually, it was a he. Kurt."
His Aunt was quiet for a moment and Noah felt his pulse quicken. He had just assumed she would be fine with it, he hadn't even considered what he would do if she got angry or told him to leave. The moment felt like a lifetime, but eventually his Aunt smiled reassuringly.
"Ok. So why did you end things? Are you uncertain about your sexuality or..."
"No. I'm pretty much more certain about that than anything. It's just... everything else. Lima... the people..."
"I get it. Really. I went to McKinley way back when after all, I know what it's like there."
"I just couldn't come out and be honest. My best friend Finn freaked when he found out and the guys on the football team started to suspect and were giving me a lot of shit... it was bad enough when I just joined Glee Club but thi-"
"Wait, hold up." His Aunt interrupted. "You joined Glee Club? Show choir!"
"Yeah..." Noah mumbled.
"I'm not sure that was the best way to keep things under wraps."
"Maybe."
"Relax Puck, I'm kidding!" She said, taking note of the forlorn expression he wore. "You should never be afraid to do the things you want to do, just because of what people might say. Especially when those people are Lima Losers."
"I know." He agreed. "But I am. Glee Club was one thing, but as soon as people started to suspect about me and Kurt... it was way too much. I know I shouldn't care what people think and that I should be myself. I get it. But I do care."
"It's hard, I know."
"Hell yeah. I guess I'm not as much of a badass as I thought."
"Being strong and being badass are totally different Puck. Make sure you're going after the right one."
They both sat quietly for a moment, lost in their own thoughts. Noah was glad his Aunt had reacted well. He knew she would, but the slight chance of her freaking out was enough to scare him. It was as if they both knew that there would be no more talk of Kurt, for now at least. His Aunt smiled, the energy of the room changing with her expression.
"So, tell me, is that creeper Sandy Ryerson still allowed near children?"
"Ok Puck, as much fun as this catch up session has been, I really have to go to bed, some of us have work tomorrow." Aunt Heather said, poking her tongue out teasingly.
Noah stood and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly to him.
"Aunt Heather?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you maybe... call me Noah? I'm trying to leave Puck behind."
"Sure." She said, pulling away to look him in the eye. "As long as you promise to drop the Aunt thing. It makes me feel old."
"No problem Heather." Noah said, trying his best not to think of a similar conversation he had once had with Kurt.
AN: Annnnnd Chapter One is done. Setting the scene a little here.
I know some of you weren't too happy with Noah at the end of my last fic, but you know, life is hardly ever easy or romantic, if it were, Taylor Swift wouldn't have sold nearly as many albums. Just remember that everything that is broken can be fixed, but it might not look the same.
Aunt Heather is based on a mixture of people I know, and was originally going to be called Holly, until I rewatched the substitute...
Next chapter will be from Kurt's perspective.
I'm not a review hound, but I do appreciate them and I'm personally going to review every fic I read from now on and would encourage you guys to do the same. it only takes a minute, but they are so helpful to authors. Spread the love.