He's sitting on the hood of his old truck the moment he steps off the plane. A pressed military uniform complete with the uncomfortable cardboard hat, and he's flying across the pavement as fast as his shiny shoes can carry him. He stops short of the tall shadow and reaches out, fingertips barely brushing against fingertips and neither of them can breathe.
"You came home."
Puck lets the chuckle out with a little puff of air, his hazel eyes dancing with everything he suppressed these past four years. And then Finn's right there, fingers sliding through the hairs at the nape of his neck and his lips taste so familiar and the empty ache that had taken up permanent residence in his heart in Afghanistan is just gone.
His legs are shaking as they make their way back to the truck, and Puck is grateful when Finn hands over the keys. He grips the old leather steering wheel like an old friend, careful to never let go of Finn, and leaves the rest of his brothers behind without a second glance. Sure, there will be debriefing and evaluations and meetings, but he has given everything to the Air Force over the past four years. Tonight belongs to Finn.
They drive hours across Tennessee, Kentucky and then into Ohio. He stops at the state line and kisses the dusty ground, so grateful to be home. He used to dream about leaving this place behind, and now, he can't imagine ever wanting to live anywhere else. Finn takes a cheese self-shot of the two of them smiling into the bright sunlight and Puck doesn't even complain when his partner makes it his wallpaper. He just smiles at himself, so grateful to see Finn so happy.
His mom and sister are waiting in the driveway with the Hummels when he finally gets back to his childhood home. Even Kurt and Blaine are down from New York, smiling hand-in-hand as Puck slowly climbs out of the truck. He hugs his mom for a long time and then his other mother for nearly as long. His sister clings to his side, talking a mile a minute, and the handshake from Burt is sure and strong.
They have this big, lavish dinner, and Puck yawns through the entire thing. He listens to Burt talk about the Browns and a piece of legislation on military spending he's been working on. He listens to his sister tell him about the set list Schue has them singing for Regionals next month. He listens to Kurt talk about New York and the magazine and Blaine talk about their new loft and his latest show. He listens to his mom and Carole gossip about the other nurses at the hospital and fuss over him when they notice he isn't eating. And he listens to Finn say nothing at all, happy to just grin at him in pure awe of him just being home.
He takes Finn back to his apartment after. Finn goes in the kitchen to make them coffee while Puck grabs a quick shower. He's still standing at the sink when Puck comes back in and kisses the ball of his shoulder. He reaches over and fingers the titanium band sitting in the soap dish while Finn does up a few dishes. Puck then digs into his own pocket and produces a matching band. He hands it over to Finn with a question sparkling in his eyes. He hadn't taken it with him when he had been deployed, too afraid of losing it. Finn nods and slides the ring down Puck's finger until it rests just above his knuckle.
"Still a perfect fit," Finn murmurs, smiling boyishly.
Puck's not sure if he's talking about the ring or them, but either way, it was.