A/N: Slightly future . Rachel & Puck have been dating for a while, as have Finn & Santana. Kurt is back from Dalton.
This story has a naughty sister fic. Each chapter I post will be followed by a chapter in cindysark's story 'Dress You Up In My Love (After Dark)'
The title is from the Madonna song.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
"Puh-lease" Puck taunted "You're a Halo dumbass. I totally own you."
Finn's face was flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Whatever dude, you know that's not true. I've been playing just as long as you, and I'm just as good as you. Why are you always such an asshole?" While the first part of that was true, Finn was pretty sure the second part was not. Still, he didn't suck, and Puck had no right to say he did.
"Just speakin' the truth , anyway I go easy on you dude. If I ever brought my A game, you'd be ashamed to show your face."
Neither had noticed Artie wheeling up behind them in the hallway. "Seriously, Finn, you gonna' let him get away with that?"
Finn turned his startled gaze on Artie for a moment, his embarrassment growing, then spun back to Puck. "Take it back!"
"Nope." Puck answered casually, with an exaggerated pop on the 'p'.
As Finn glared at Puck, Kurt walked toward them from the opposite end of the hallway.
"What's going on?" he stage whispered to Artie.
"Puck's talking smack. Says Finn's his Halo bitch."
"Ah, alpha male posturing. Delightful." Kurt answered dryly with a dramatic eye roll.
Finn was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the audience, and was desperate to save face. Soon the halls would be full of students ready to start the day.
"I'm awesome and you know it!" Finn insisted.
"Oh really? Would you like to back that up?"
"Ooooo, challenge" Artie cast an amused glance between the two friends.
"Yes! Yes I will back it up." Finn ignored the red flags in his brain.
"Fine. Showdown tomorrow. What are the terms?"
"Remember when you told me you could wear a dress to school and people would think it was cool? I think I'd like to see that."
"I'm sure you would, but I don't roll that way."
"Screw you Puck! You in or out?"
"Whatever. Yeah, sure. If you, by some miracle, manage to beat me, I'll wear whatever you want. I'll wear whatever you want for a week - that's how sure I am that I. Will. Destroy. You." Puck punctuated each of the last four words with a finger in Finn's chest. He turned to Kurt and Artie, who were still watching. "Prepare to spend next week dancing next to Finessa." And he began to walk away.
Kurt cleared his throat and once again rolled his eyes. "Do we remember nothing that Gaga taught us? Finn you were nearly sent home for that red rubber number. Fair or not, Figgins has made it very clear that cross dressing is against the dress code. Neither of you will be wearing a dress for an hour, much less a week."
Puck's face fell. Finn felt relief silently wash over him, until Artie chimed in.
"Bet could still stand, ya know." Finn and Puck turned to him in silent question. "There are plenty of humiliating things you could make each other wear without breaking the dress code."
Puck's smirk slowly returned as his mind took in the possibilities. " Hell yeah there are. So Finn - are you in or would you rather save yourself the humiliation and admit you're a Halo loser right now?"
By now students were milling around, and a small crowd was watching. He was cornered. "Yeah, yeah. I'm in."
As Finn and Puck headed for their first class, Jacob approached Kurt and Artie and began peppering them with questions.
"Can you tell me anything more about the confrontation we've just witnessed? When is the competition to take place? My readers will demand details."
"Your readers need to get their own lives, Yo."
"I believe Artie has summed it up well. Now please take your parasitic presence elsewhere."
Jacob continued down the hallway spotting Sam and Quinn embracing against her locker. Sam was speaking quietly into her ear, and she wore a small smile. Jacob did not hesitate to step into their space and thrust his microphone at Quinn. "Are you aware that your two former lovers are engaging in an epic halo battle which will result in complete humiliation for the loser? Will you be siding with your baby-daddy or the one who got away?"
"I'm thrilled they've found something so important to devote their attention to. What ever will I do without them?" Quinn retorted then smiled at Sam, laced her fingers with his and began walking down the hall.
The warning bell rang, and the hallways cleared out.
Jacob caught up with Santana and Brittany between second and third period. "How do you feel about the prospect your gargantuan boyfriend attending school in tights or a pimp suit?"
"Excuse me what?" Santana demanded, grabbing Jacob by the collar and shoving him against the wall.
"I..I..I assumed you knew about the bet. Finn and Puck. Halo. The l..loser has to wear what w..winner chooses all week next w..w..week ."
Santana shoved him away and stalked down the hall with Brittany in tow. She soon located Finn pushing Artie, and cornered them.
"You win this." Her eyes were narrow and her voice low. "If you spend next week walking around looking like a circus freak - do NOT expect me to have anything to do with you."
"Never bothered you before." Artie offered.
"Thanks a lot dude!"
"What? You're freakishly tall."
"Is Finn joining the circus?" Brittany asked. "He should totally become a cat tamer. I've had like three cats run away to join the circus. My parents can tell him how to get there."
Santana patted Brittany's shoulder then glared once again at Finn. "Win." She ordered, then turned and walked away.
Rachel entered the lunchroom and noticed it was abuzz with gossip. Artie was sitting among several of the gleeks making notes in a small notebook and taking cash that was thrust at him. Rachel approached curiously. She had noticed an energy in the halls, and Jacob trying several time to speak with her, but had yet to ascertain the cause of this excitement. Also, Noah had seemed in a particularly good mood as he walked her to her classes, but had said it was nothing.
"What's going on?" Everyone became quiet, but Kurt quickly piped up.
"I see no reason to keep it from her. She'll know soon enough anyway." Then he turned to Rachel. "Puck and Finn have agreed to engage in a Halo competition. The winner will dress the loser in whatever manner he sees fit, within dress code of course, all week next week. The costume possibilities are endless, although I'm sure they both lack the vision to make the most of this fashion opportunity."
"Costumes?" She asked brightly. Her mind was filled with visions of Noah in a variety of ensembles. Noah in a toga. Noah as 'The Phantom'. Noah in a loin cloth. Of course some of these ideas would not work for school, but Kurt was right The possibilities were indeed endless. Rachel vaguely heard someone answering her, but was too lost in her own thoughts to register what was being said.
Later, as Puck walked Rachel to her last class she decided to try to gather more information. "So I heard about your wager with Finn. Are you worried about what he could come up with if you lose?"
"Are you questioning my badassess? Finn doesn't have a prayer. No worries here." With that he pressed her against the wall next to her classroom door, kissed her thoroughly, then headed down the hall. Rachel watched Puck round the corner toward his own class. As soon as he slipped from her sight she hurried through the classroom door and set a direct path for Finn. She needed Noah to lose this bet, and she had a plan.
"Kurt has informed me of the conditions of your ridiculous bet, and -"
"Rachel, if you've come to lecture me or to gloat, can you please just stop. I already heard it from Santana. I know there's a good chance I'll get my ass kicked, but I just couldn't . . . he just makes me so mad! He's just so smug about everything. I just wanted knock some of that stupid smug . . . smugness out of him."
"I couldn't agree more! While I care deeply for Noah, I am the first to acknowledge that his ego can be infuriating, which is why I fully intend to help you secure a victory. You just bring your best effort, and I can assure you he will NOT be competing to the best of his ability. Then, once you have killed his little man - or whatever it is that you do - I have a bounty of ideas for costumes which will fall well within school dress code."
"What do you mean? No way Puck'll throw the game."
"Not at all what I have in mind. I simply have good reason to believe he will be a bit . . . distracted." And before the confused furrow could leave Finn's brow, Rachel finished with "Of course you will keep this conversation in confidence" then flounced to her own seat without another look.
Finn continued to puzzle over Rachel's words as he walked through the front door after school.
Carol looked at him carefully. "Is something wrong?"
"What? Huh? No, no I'm good."
"Are you sure? Because you know you can talk to me."
"I know mom. Thanks. I just think it's been a long week. I'm glad it's Friday."
Just then Kurt popped his head out of his room. "Finn, a moment please?"
Finn shrugged and entered the room.
"I just wanted to tell you that, although I find this competition ridiculous, we are brothers now. If you do lose, which Artie's odds indicate is likely, I want you to know I am available for consultation. Perhaps we can salvage whatever absurd outfits Puck provides you with."
"Thanks, bro . . . I'm not sure, but I think . . . I think I might win?"
"Oh?"
Finn looked left then right, as if someone might be listening in Kurt's room. "Don't say anything, but Rachel said she'd help me win. She said Puck would be distracted. What do you think she meant?"
"Really Finn?" Kurt gave him an incredulous look and shook his head.
"Oh. OH." Finn's cheeks pinked slightly. What exactly is Rachel up to? Kurt wondered.
Puck entered his house whistling, and his mother eyed him suspiciously.
"You're certainly in a good mood." She squinted at him and cocked her head to the side.
"What? Can't I just be glad it's Friday?"
"Not usually this glad." She studied him a moment longer then relented. "It's actually nice, I suppose."
Just then his sister Becca chimed in "I'll BET there is a very good reason for his mood."
Puck leveled his most intimidating stare at her. She was not impressed.
"Really? What makes you think that?" The older lady was well aware that her daughter was frequently "in the know" when it came to Noah.
Puck continued to stare his sister down. She returned his stare for a moment as understanding passed between them, then answered "Nothing in particular. Just a feeling."
Somehow Becca knew what was going on, and now owed her for her silence. He did not need his mother involved in this shit and Becca knew it. She'd lecture him about how Finn is his friend, tell him he was being immature and mean spirited, and demand he call it off. He turned and bounded up the stairs two at a time, glad that conversation was over. He had a week's worth of disgrace to plan.
The showdown was to take place first thing on Saturday (that is to say 1:00). Several friend had offered to come over, but Finn felt it best to face this alone. Anyway, he was pretty sure some of them just wanted the sick pleasure of watching him get trampled. He was ready, and although he didn't entirely trust her motives, he hoped Rachel would come through for him.
Four blocks over, Puck was kicked back nonchalantly waiting for show time. His mom was at work, and Becca was at a friend's house, and Rachel was due to arrive any minute to cheer him on. He heard her let herself in, and turned toward the door. As she hung her jacket on the hook he took her in from the back. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she was wearing a white cami and snug black yoga pants that sat low on her hips. Hot. When she turned around he noticed two things. One - no bra. Two - she was showing just a little stomach between her top and pants. Fuck. If it were any other time, he'd be all over her right now.
"Sorry I'm such a mess. I was wearing this for my workout this morning, then I got busy rearranging my closet, and lost track of time, so I didn't change." Her cheeks were slightly flushed and she smiled at him.
"Don't fuckin' apologizes. You look so damn sexy like that. " He crossed to her and kissed her hard, sliding one hand around her waist and the other on the back of her neck. She slid both arms around his neck and returned the kiss enthusiastically. He reluctantly pulled away and headed for the sofa. He sat down then turned his intense gaze back on Rachel. "We WILL finish that later."
She just smiled. "I'm going to go fix a snack, and leave you to your little game. Don't let me bother you."
Rachel didn't want to intervene too soon, so she spent a bit of time in the kitchen. By the time she returned Puck's attention was focused on the screen in front of him as he pushed various buttons. Rachel sat down close to him, trying to decide how best to distract him without being too obvious. As he played, he poured a steady stream of taunts into his headset.
"What? Not even gonna fuckin' try?" "Ha, take that pussy!" "Don't worry, now you'll have an excuse to wear tights."
Occasionally he'd swear, or jerk the controller. She stood again, having settled on standing behind the sofa and rubbing his shoulders.
"Relax. You got this." She soothed. She studied the screen and his body language, trying to detect a critical moment in the action. Her thumbs continued to work circles at the center of his shoulders. When things to seemed particularly intense, she placed her mouth just above where her thumbs were working and began kissing wetly up the back of his neck and toward his ear.
"Shit." He blew out a breath as he slammed his controller down, only to immediately snatch it back up.
"I'm sorry, am I bothering you?" Rachel asked, with as much surprise and innocence as she could muster (which was actually quite a lot, thank you very much).
"Yes. No. Fuck." He continued to furiously push buttons. She could tell he was no longer doing well, as the taunts had been replaced by heavy silence (at least on Noah's end).
Rachel returned her hands to his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Noah. You're just so intense right now." She slid her hands around his shoulders and down into the front of his shirt. "It's very enticing." She gave a light tug to his nipple ring, and he gasped slightly.
Game Over.