A/N: So I'm a puckleberry shipper all the way. So I need to do at least one one-shot about them. I don't know how it's going to turn out. Takes place after the events of Journey.
Take Me Home Tonight
Puck got into his truck and pushed his key into the ignition, violently twisting them to start the car. Finn won…again. But there was no competition. If it were between him and Finn, the latter boy would always win. Finn had Rachel and Quinn under his thumb. Puck never could win with St. Finn around. Puck had a one track mind when it came to Finn and Berry. Since they dated, Puck had been unable to ignore the vivacious, slightly crazy brunette. Stupid damn Finn; Puck rolled his eyes and growled and he viciously threw his truck into reverse and flicked the headlights on. He gunned the engine, flipped the transmission to drive and was on his way home. It was dark, and getting late, his mom wouldn't care though, she thought he was at Finn's house; Puck's mom didn't know how furious her son was with his somewhat sometimes best friend.
Puck repeated his motto in his head 'I am Puck, I am bad ass, I always win,' as he fiddled with the radio dial, settling on a classic rock station, he was just in the mood for it. He tapped the steering wheel to the beat of a Guns N' Roses song he could never remember the name of, keeping a close eye on the streets. Puck did refer to himself as badass, but he was a careful driver, he had a mother and a little sister to look after. He kept a careful eye on the road in front of him, but focused on the sidewalk when he saw a figure dressed in jeans and hoodie walking on the sidewalk. The figure looked suspiciously like Rachel, how Puck imagined her out of her granny meets schoolgirl outfits. He pulled over to the side of the road and rolled down his window.
"Hey Berry," He called. The girl turned her face towards him and he could see her narrow her eyes.
"What can I do for you Noah?" She spat, her tone acid. Puck flinched, but he could see Berry was not herself.
"No harm Berry, just wanted to make sure you weren't going to get killed walking the streets alone," Puck said
"Since when have you given a damn about anyone but yourself?" The girl bit out, chewing on her lower lip with an intensity that Puck had never seen in her before. Actually it was kind of hot watching her bite her lip. He stared at that for a few seconds before registering what Berry had actually said.
"Look Berry, I care okay, I just don't like to let people see it," Puck said with a sigh. Rachel rolled her eyes, and quickly scrubbed at them with the heels of her palms.
"Come on Berry, you going to be okay?" He asked running a hand over his hair. Rachel walked towards the car wearily, and when she approached, Puck could see silvery tears tracking down her face.
"Berry, what's wrong? Do you need a ride home?" He asked, suddenly concerned, emotions be damned. Rachel nodded and opened the passenger door.
"Just take me home, please," She whispered, her voice defeated. Puck signaled back onto the street and drove the familiar route to Berry's house.
"What were your dad's doing, letting you walk around so late at night anyways?" Puck asked, after an eternity of listening to Rachel sniffling.
"They're not home," Rachel responded coolly, as if nothing had happened. Puck raised an eyebrow.
"You mean both of them left you home alone for who knows how long?" Puck asked. He glanced at Rachel and saw that the petite brunette had nodded in affirmative.
"Berry, I'm sorry, I mean I know we're not close, and I know you think I'm an arrogant jerk, and if you tell anyone about this they will never believe you because I am so bad ass, but I'm staying over. When you're this unhappy you can't be alone," Puck said, looking at the girl for her reaction.
"Who died and made you king of my life?" She shot back. Rachel was quick on the draw when she wasn't being dramatic.
"Look Berry, just take me up on the offer, otherwise I'll just sleep in my truck outside your house anyways," Puck warned. Rachel gave him a slight smile.
"Fine Noah, whatever, stay the night, just don't expect me to talk," Berry said, her voice resigned. Puck smirked, that was exactly what he expected, he just wasn't sure how he was going to get ice queen Berry to break. The tires of his truck crunched on the gravel as he pulled into her driveway. He shut the vehicle off, and when the radio stopped playing, the silence seemed like a void between them, it was like Rachel was keeping him as far away as possible.
"Come on Berry, I don't have keys for your house," Puck said, breaking the silence. The girl, with the motions of a zombie, opened the car door, slammed it behind herself, and walked towards the front door, pulling out her keys. Puck could tell there was something very, very wrong with the girl. He had never seen her hurting so bad she was a zombie.
Puck followed the pretty girl to her door, and watched as Rachel twisted the key in the lock and it clicked open. Rachel pulled open the door and Puck held it open for her. She ducked under his arm to get into the house, scrubbing again at the tears that were threatening to fall.
"Berry, it's okay to cry," Puck said. Don't kid yourself, you'd never see Noah Puckerman crying, but Noah was not a girl and Rachel was.
"Not in my world," The girl blurted out, her hand flying to cover her mouth when she realized what she had said. Puck tilted his head and smirked at the girl.
"Too comfortable around me Berry?" he asked.
"I have a name you know," She muttered.
"I know Rachel. I just like calling you Berry," He said with a genuine smile.
"So how about we both sit down, and you tell the Puck what's wrong,"
"I find your attempt at humour very trying Noah," Rachel said stiffly.
"Look Rachel, you telling me that you have problems is not the end of the world, we've all got them!" Puck said, reaching out for the girl's hand. Rachel let him take it and followed as he led her to a couch in the living room. He sat the girl down, and then sat beside her. She imperceptibly leaned into him.
"Berry, please tell me what's going on," Puck asked.
" I can't handle it anymore Noah, I need something or someone that feels like home, that will love me, that will care for me. I know I can be dramatic and crazy. Which does explain your other nickname for me," Rachel paused, looking pointedly at the male.
"But no one really cares, there's never anyone there to hold me tight. I lost faith in Finn a long time ago, my dads are never around, my mom abandoned me for another child, and I have no one who cares. It's no secret that barely anyone in the glee club even likes me," Rachel stopped talking and looked at Puck expectantly. The football player felt like someone had sucked the breath right out of his body. This was his Rachel feeling so alone and wounded, and he wanted to be there for her. He pulled the girl to her feet and into her arms.
"Rachel Barbara Berry, damn it, don't you know anything. Ever since we dated, I couldn't get you off of my mind. Berry, I'm not good enough for you, and I probably never will be, but I will always be here to protect you. I can be your home, the place that you run to when you need shelter. Berry, I love you. This may be the most unorthodox way of letting you know, but you're the one Berry," Puck said. Rachel fixed a hand on Puck's bicep, and her dark eyes met his lighter ones. He pulled her flush against his chest, smiling down at her. Her eyelashes were dark against her creamy skin as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Noah Puckerman, I love you too. So, take me home tonight," she said, looking up expectantly. Puck leaned down, and Rachel stood on her tiptoes, and when their lips met, it was like the earth stood still.
A spark ran through both of their bodies, and the kiss was gentle, the mint taste of Rachel's mouth lingering on Puck's lips. The girl's arms snake their way around Puck's waist, and the male brought on hand up to Rachel's cheek, and the other to the back of her neck, tangled in her silky dark hair. Puck kissed Rachel with increasing urgency, his tongue slipping gently between her soft lips, exploring her mouth. The sensation of kissing a girl like her would never get old. He pulled away to catch his breath, and just looking at Rachel's face took it away again.
"Berry, you're so beautiful," He murmured.
"Puck, can you cuddle with me? I get nightmares," Rachel whispered, licking her lips nervously.
"Sure thing babe," Puck leaned down and pressed another kiss to her ready mouth.
"But if you tell anyone, I will deny it, with my badassness and all," He smirked. Rachel smacked him, but then pulled him close again, closing her eyes and kissing him, letting her lips linger on his for a moment. When he pulled back she looked up at him.
"God Berry, I love you. You're so incredibly beautiful," Puck said; pulling her close and resting his chin on the top of her head, before planting a gentle kiss on her crown.