For the song: Puck: Bold / Kurt: Italic / Both: Bold Italic
Allen County Juvenile Treatment and Detention Center in Lima, Ohio was no different than any other 'kiddie jail' in any other god-forsaken place in the US. The place was in disarray. Peeling paint, bad plumbing, shortage of supplies, and bad food were common denominators at all such facilities. Personnel were no better. Individuals who were qualified and caring left quickly for better pay and better conditions until all that were left were over-worked, under-paid idealistic fools.
So when Noah "Puck" Puckerman found himself about to be the newest inmate at "juvie" he had no idea what to expect. This terrified the boy. Noah wasn't a bad kid; sure he got into fights, ditched some school, argued over chores, and slept with the occasional cougar here and there, but he wasn't a bad kid. He never killed anyone, never set fire to anything, and he never stole. However, according to the arresting officers that is exactly why he found himself in court. No one would listen to him or his mom when they explained it was just a misunderstanding. They had heard that before.
The disappointment on Nora Puckerman's face as she sat in court just about killed him, even if it wasn't aimed directly at him. His mom had gone to bat for him the best she could, but there was circumstantial evidence against him, whatever the hell that meant. What neither Puckerman noticed in court that day was a pale, determined Kurt Hummel.
Kurt crushing on Puck was a deep dark secret he kept to himself, especially from his best friend Mercedes. It was bad enough they all dredged up the old Finn thing every chance they got; he wasn't about to give them more ammunition. Noah had changed. Kurt and Noah were friends. They hung out and played Xbox, watched movies, and Kurt was teaching Noah how to work on cars. Kurt knew Noah wouldn't try to steal an ATM like he was being convicted of. He just needed to prove it.
The first night Noah spent in juvie wasn't too bad. Apparently they watched the newbies carefully to determine if they were going to cause trouble during their stay. It wasn't until lights out that things became truly frightening.
The kid two bunks over was beaten and sexually assaulted by two other boys. Everyone knew what was going on but they kept their heads under their pillows. Noah cried himself to sleep that night.
The next day the boy was taken to the infirmary and questions were asked, but no one said a word. Noah didn't know how he was going to survive. He could fight, quite well even, but when they had come at that other kid he had been sleeping. No one could protect themselves when sleeping.
Meanwhile, Kurt and his father, Burt, approached Nora after school the next day. Kurt explained he didn't believe Noah was guilty and he wanted a chance to prove it. The three of them drove the tow truck to the impound yard and after paying the fees, the Hummels were able to take the car back to the shop.
Kurt went over the car with a fine tooth comb. He filmed everything and documented his findings. The transmission had slipped causing Noah to go in reverse instead of drive. When Noah had pressed on the gas the car had sped through the glass of the store's front window straight into the ATM. He had been trying to dislodge the machine from the bumper when the police arrived.
Burt helped Kurt remove the transmission and take pictures of the damaged components. He also wrote up his own mechanical findings, although he had to admit Kurt's notes were far more detailed and exact.
"Kurt, son." Burt had his hat in his hand and rubbed the back of his head. "What if this doesn't help? How are you going to get them to listen?"
"I'm not sure yet, dad. I just know that I have to do something. I won't leave him there; he doesn't deserve it, and he doesn't belong there."
"Is there somethin' you're not telling me, Kurt?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, dad." Kurt gave his father his best blank look.
"Buddy, I think you do. I think you have feelin's for Noah."
"So-so what? It doesn't change that this is bullshit, dad. He didn't do anything wrong. Now he is going to have this on his record for the rest of his life for no reason. How is that right? How can I do nothing?" Kurt wiped the tears from his face furiously. "I won't abandon him. I won't."
Burt wrapped him in a hug. He didn't have words; he didn't even know where to start. He just held his only son tightly and let him cry.
The Hummels went with Nora to see Noah's caseworker the next day. They showed her their findings. She promised to help them get the case reinvestigated and brought back before the judge. It was just going to take time.
Time was something Noah didn't have. Kurt asked if he could be added to the list of people allowed to visit. He figured he could bring Noah his homework so he wouldn't get behind. Nora had to sign some paperwork, but it was approved. Kurt would get to see Noah tomorrow. He didn't sleep much that night.
Kurt arrived at the detention center only to be told Noah was refusing to see anyone, but they wouldn't tell him why. After arguing with the staff for about twenty minutes he finally called Nora. He explained what was going on and she agreed to come down.
Nora arrived shortly after and they told her Noah was in the infirmary and was refusing visitors. Nora Puckerman was a very scary woman when riled up. So Burt Hummel and Noah's caseworker were called down. They demanded an audience with the warden.
Officially, the story was Noah had fallen down a flight of stairs. He had suffered two broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and various cuts and bruises. Since he was a minor, Nora demanded to see him for medical reasons. She was a nurse as well. The caseworker backed her up with a threat to lodge a complaint if they weren't allowed in. The warden was aggravated so only Nora and the caseworker were allowed inside.
When Nora saw her baby lying in the bed she burst into tears. After working the ER for many years she knew this was no fall down the stairs. He tried to hide from his mom, but she wouldn't let him. Nora gathered her son in her arms and rocked him gently.
"Oh baby, I'm so, so sorry. Kurt and I are working on getting you out here baby, promise."
"Kurt? What?"
The caseworker spoke up. "Noah, your boyfriend has been instrumental in gathering and documenting new evidence in your case. I believe he has even found a witness that I will be interviewing. This should get us another hearing with the judge."
"Ma?" Noah looked at his mother with hopeful eyes.
"It's true baby. Kurt took my car apart piece by piece, documented everything. The transmission slipped, going into reverse when you meant to go in drive. That's what sent you through the window and into the machine. Burt backed his findings with his own written opinion and even had another mechanic from another shop do the same. All three findings report the same thing. Kurt also scoured the store and surrounding neighborhood for anyone who witnessed the accident. He finally found a woman who had been walking her dog when it happened. The woman said she gave her info to the officers, but no one ever called her. The lady has agreed to speak with the caseworker and the judge. She is confident you weren't trying to steal anything just dislodging the bumper." Nora explained all this to Noah while softly stroking his hair.
"In fact, Kurt is the reason we are here today. He asked to visit you and when they denied him today he threw a huge temper-tantrum." Nora chuckled softly.
"That sounds like him." Noah smiled.
"They told him you were refusing visitors and he wouldn't let it go. He called all of us down here and we finally spoke with the warden. I've heard what that schmuck has to say about this, but I want to know what really happened, Noah. It's important."
Noah told his mother about the kid being attacked on the first night. He explained that when the kid, who couldn't have been more than thirteen or so, came back a few days later he tried to talk to him. The others thought he was sticking up for the kid and attacked him in the shower. He held his own for awhile, but then he slipped on the water and it was over.
The caseworker documented what Noah told them and excused herself to call her boss for reinforcements. She needed to find this other kid and get his caseworker involved.
"Baby, Kurt's still out there. He won't leave until he knows you're okay."
"I don't know… I'm not sure… I think I…" Noah kept starting sentences but he couldn't get it out.
"Do you love him, Noah?" she said softly.
"I think so, but I don't know… I thought I loved Quinn but all she did was bring me down. It's different with Kurt."
"I get it honey. I think you owe it to yourself to find out though. I want the best for you always, sweetheart, and I know things haven't been the easiest for us since your father left. If there is even so much as a small chance this boy can be the happiness you deserve, then it's worth the risk, right?"
Noah just nodded into his mother's neck.
"Alright then." Nora stood up and fluffed Noah's pillows and helped him lie back. She wiped his tears and ruffled his hair. "I'm going to go get him. I'll be right back."
"Thank you, ma"
Nora spoke with the caseworker as she headed back to the main waiting area. Between the both of them they pressured and cajoled until they were able to bring Kurt to Noah.
Kurt rushed into the room and dropped to his knees next to Noah's bed. He was crying so hard it broke Noah's heart to see him like that.
"Hey, hey, come on, stop. C'mere." Noah pulled Kurt up onto the bed on his good side.
Kurt wrapped his whole body around Noah like a security blanket. His head was resting on the good shoulder.
"Ma said you found evidence to get me out of here. The caseworker thinks it could happen as fast as a couple of weeks." Noah looked down at Kurt's flushed face and tried to wipe some of the tears away.
"Not fast enough though," Kurt mumbled.
"Stop, you're doing the best you can and I appreciate it. Kurt, really. No one else would do this, go through all this trouble. Thank you."
The boys cuddled each other for about fifteen minutes before they were interrupted and Kurt had to go. Kurt promised to be back every day after school until this was over. Noah smiled and hugged him tighter.
The next couple of days passed quickly and Kurt kept his promise. He visited Noah every day. He even brought homework since Nora had informed the school they were in the process of getting the situation reversed. Because of the investigation they were allowed to study in a separate room instead of where the regular visitors and inmates sat. Kurt was afraid if the others saw him with Noah he would be targeted again, but for different reasons.
Finally, after three weeks in juvie, Noah Puckerman was back in court and his case was overturned. The judge told him he was a lucky young man to have so many people working on his behalf to prove his innocence. Noah already knew how lucky he was. Things could have been so much worse. He was released into his mother's custody and he was going home.
That night the Hummels came over with pizza, soda, and ice cream to celebrate. Carole and Nora spent the night catching up and gossiping. Burt helped Sarah with her homework. Finn and Noah played video games. Kurt sat and watched. It wasn't all he wanted to do, but it was enough that Noah was home and healing well.
When Kurt went to the kitchen to grab more drinks, Finn looked at his friend. "Hey, Puck… Kurt's been through a lot right and I'm not sayin' you haven't, but he's my brother now you know, and I just gotta say I don't want you to hurt him."
"I couldn't… I mean, I would rather hurt myself than hurt him."
"S'cool then. You should probably tell him though."
"Ya, I know."
The next day was Friday and Noah was going back to school. His mother thought it would be a good idea to go back on a Friday so he could get back in the swing of things, but still have the weekend to rest if it was too much.
Noah was waiting by Kurt's locker when he arrived.
"Good morning, Noah. How are you feelin'?"
"Good. I was wondering if you had plans for lunch."
"Umm, no. Why?"
"Last night when we were talking about under-appreciated bands, I realized that you and I have never sung together. So I took that song you love by Nickleback and made a mash-up. I was hoping you would sing with me at lunch."
"I would love to, Noah." Kurt's eyes were bright and he was praying not to cry.
"Cool. So I'll meet you in the auditorium at lunch." Noah smiled and walked away before he did something stupid like kiss Kurt senseless.
His plan was to sing with Kurt and then tell him how he felt and pray that Kurt felt the same. Now he just had to make it to lunch. Noah never noticed Mercedes and Tina watching the exchange or how they both scurried off to tell the others.
When lunch rolled around, Kurt entered the auditorium. Noah had set up two stools facing each other and he was sitting there with his guitar. Kurt climbed onto the stage and took the other seat. They smiled at each other as Noah tuned the guitar. Neither boy noticed ten other members of New Directions sneaking into the auditorium from various entrances. Nor did they notice the teacher hiding just off stage in the shadows.
Noah flexed his shoulders and sat up straighter. "Are you ready? I know you know the words, but I messed with the arrangement. You sing the first verse, then I'll sing my part and then we'll go back for the second verse, okay."
"Sure, Noah." Kurt smiled tenderly at him.
Noah began to play and Kurt started to sing…
This time, this place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance, Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know, you know, you know
[Chorus 1]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go
Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore
[Instrumental break, guitar riff changes slightly]
Prison gates won't open for me
On these hands and knees I'm crawlin'
Oh, I reach for you
Well I'm terrified of these four walls
These iron bars can't hold my soul in
All I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
[Chorus 2]
Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me, Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth savin' me
Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm fallin'
And all I see is you
These city walls ain't got no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And oh, I scream for you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I need from you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
[Instrumental break, guitar riff changes back]
On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all, I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know, you know, you know
[Chorus 1]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go
Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore
[Instrumental ending]
When the song ended, Noah sat his guitar down and pulled Kurt from his stool. He wiped the smaller boy's tears away and gathered him into his arms.
"Love you, Kurt." Noah whispered before his lips covered Kurt's.
Kurt pulled back slightly, "Love you, Noah," before he pulled Noah back into the best kiss he had ever had.