A/N: Hey everyone, Tif S. here. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and I really hope it doesn't seem too filler, but it does show important background, and more insight into Blaine's character. Here's some important info, in case you were wondering here are the ages at this point, and some other info.
Puck & Finn: 8
Mercedes: 14
Blaine: 13
*Flashbacks/ home movies, Song lyrics/ thoughts.*
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee Ryan Murphy does. I don't own Fox and the Hound Disney does, and the prompt I based this off of is courtesy of Frosted-Kisses725, but what I do with this story is entirely my own. Help and advice courtesy of Frosted-Kisses725.
Chapter Two
The warm summer sunshine peeked through the curtains, causing red to be prominent behind Finn's eyes. He bolted upright, with a type of energy only young boys could possess.
After he finished getting ready, he ran downstairs, where his Dad and Blaine were already putting their dishes away.
"Mornin' Dad, Mornin' Blaine."
"Morning." Blaine gave a nod, as his father smiled.
Finn ran over to his Dad. "What are we gonna do today Dad?"
"Well, when I get home today, I'm gonna have a surprise for you!"
"Alright!" Finn hugged his Dad who returned the hug awkwardly.
"I'll see you boys later." Will said, walking out the door to where his truck was parked.
Finn grabbed the step stool next to the sink, and grabbed a bowl from the top cabinet. "Blaine?"
The teen looked up, and walked over to the sink, helping his brother down. "What's up?"
"Do you know anyone named Puck?"
"You must mean Old Lady Puckerman across the road." Blaine said. "Yeah I know her. Why?"
"Does she got a boy?"
Blaine thought for a moment. "I think so, but you gotta keep your distance hear me?"
"Why?" Finn brought his bowl to the table.
"They aren't like us. They're scum, always askin' for things. Nothing but beggars and thieves." Blaine spat.
Finn looked at his brother, shock evident in his face. "I ain't ever heard that Blaine."
"Course not." Blaine shrugged. "You're a kid."
Finn pouted, and as soon as he finished his breakfast, he ran outside.
Blaine rolled his eyes. Typical.
"Noah, slow down Hon', you're gonna get sick." Mama Puckerman laughed, as she watched her grandson literally inhale his pancakes.
"I gotta hurry Mama Puckerman." Puck said between chews.
"Noah, don't talk with your mouth full." His grandmother scolded. "I'm sure your friend can wait."
Noah drank the last sip of his milk, slamming the cup on the table. "See ya later Mama Puckerman!"
Mama Puckerman was a stubborn woman, but she knew when to accept defeat when it came to Noah. Stubborn as his Ma was. She shook her head as she watched him run towards the woods.
Finn waited in the glade, smiling as he heard someone approaching. He turned as Puck entered.
"I thought I'd be stuck waitin' all day." Finn laughed.
Puck ran in, and stuck his tongue out. "Are we gonna talk or play?" Puck tagged Finn and the game began.
As they played, a multitude of thoughts ran through Finn's head. He didn't understand what Blaine had meant. Puck didn't seem bad. He was really cool actually, and fast. Finn could barely keep up. After what seemed like hours, the two boys collapsed under a tree.
"Finn," Puck asked. "You're my very best friend."
Finn looked over, nodding. "And you're mine too Puck."
"And we'll always be friends forever, won't we?"
"Yeah forever." And at that moment, it didn't matter what Blaine said. It didn't matter what Mama Puckerman said. Those two little boys knew their friendship was cemented.
Forever is a very long time. Mercedes thought. She was watching from the edge of the woods, a smile plastered on her face.
"Hey Mercedes, you still babysitting?" Mercedes turned as she heard a familiar voice.
"Mike, you're back in Lima already?" Mercedes hugged the tall Asian.
Mike nodded. "I was giving my parents a hard time. There's only so long you can hear about the joy of working in medicine."
"You coming later?" Mercedes asked. "There's someone I want you to meet."
Mike rolled his eyes. He knew it would be another kid. Mercedes had this thing for little kids. She always chose a child to take under her wing, and mentor. "Way ahead of you Jones. Tina told me already."
Mercedes laughed. "Of course."
"See ya later Mercedes."
"Bye." Mercedes shook her head as Mike went away, before continuing to watch the boys.
Blaine sat in the house, looking at old home movies. He still didn't know what had led him to the old crate that his Dad kept in the basement, but he had nothing else to do so he watched.
"C'mon Blaine, let's hear it." Blaine was ten, sitting on the couch beside his mother, Finn on the floor beside them.
"Will, turn that thing off. He doesn't want you filming."
"I can't film my family?" Will laughed.
Shelby started singing softly. "I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance Never settle for the path of least resistance Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin' Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin' Don't let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance
I hope you dance."
Blaine looked up at his Mom smiling, as he started to sing along.
He sighed, as he froze the home movie, and remembered. The memories overtook him. That was the last time that they were together, and happy. Two weeks was all it took. Will had decided to take Blaine on a hunting trip. Shelby got mad. There was arguing.
"You will not give him a gun! He's ten years old Will!" Blaine sat on the step, watching through a slit in the railing."
"He's got to learn eventually."
"He's still a boy! Let him have his childhood."
"What? Singing? Shelby, that's a hobby. It isn't something that he can do for a living."
"A living Will? I didn't say that. He's ten years old! God! You're so hot-headed."
"Well if you think that, then you can just leave." Blaine froze from his place on the step. Mom wasn't gonna leave was she? But she did. Blaine ran to his bedroom, leaving the door open a crack, and watching as Shelby walked to her bedroom, and back. When she passed his room, a suitcase was in her hands.
Blaine stood up from the couch, suddenly feeling dizzy. Stop thinking about it Blaine!
He looked at his watch. 3:30. Will would be home any minute, and he hadn't heard anything from Finn, which was unusual. I'm not getting yelled at again. He'd better get home. Blaine shut off the TV, and stormed out to the porch to wait.
_p&f_
"C'mon Puck! Betcha can't get me." Finn and Puck were still playing, like they had all the time in the world. They didn't.
"Boys, fun's over." Mercedes walked over. "Finn's daddy's coming home."
"Aww, why'd you gotta leave?" Puck asked.
"The old man won't care." Finn said. "We're having too much fun."
"Finn…" Mercedes said.
"I'm not going 'Cedes!"
"C'mon, Finn. You know how your dad is."
"I don't care!"
Mercedes crossed her arms. "Really? Finn, honey, you gotta go, or you may not be able to see Puck again tomorrow."
Finn shook his head, before turning around. Puck tagged him and they continued playing, completely ignoring Mercedes.
Uh-uh. This isn't gonna turn out well.
Blaine was getting impatient. He stood, pacing back and forth. "Where the hell are you Finn?"
He didn't expect an answer; he just needed to get it out. The seconds just ticked by, seeming like hours in his mind, until he couldn't wait anymore. He'd go find Finn himself and bring him home. He started the walk to the woods.
Thwack! Thwack! Mercedes heard the footsteps, and saw the dark-haired teen approaching. Uh-Oh. "Puck, honey, you gotta hide now!"
"Why?" He was wrestling with Finn, and groaned as he was pinned.
"FINN!"
"What's Blaine doin' here?" Finn asked, standing up.
"Told ya you shoulda went home." Mercedes said. She pushed Puck into a thicket.
"….the heck Mercedes?" Mercedes kicked him.
"Be quiet you idiot."
Mercedes walked to the entrance.
"Blaine," she said. "What's the occasion?"
"I don't have time for this Jones."
"I'm sorry, but I was just wonderin' what the occasion was for you to get your lazy butt offa that porch?"
"I'm looking for my little brother. Now move."
"What's the magic word?"
"I wouldn't start this if I were you."
"I'll start whatever the hell I want Schuester."
That did it. Blaine was incensed. He grabbed her, pushing her out of his path. Mercedes landed on her ankle, and cried out.
"MERCEDES!" Puck burst out of the thicket, and kneeled beside her.
The other teen looked at him with a glare, causing him to shrink back. "So this is who you were protecting? This little thief?" Blaine smirked. "I would've thought you would have come to your senses by now Jones."
Mercedes shook her head, glare equally strong. "Class don't make you something Schuester. Now go get your brother and leave us alone."
Blaine stormed away, swearing as he left. Who the hell does she think she is? "FINN!"
"Blaine, I'm right here. You're shoutin' my ear off." Finn said, running up to him.
"C'mon." Blaine grabbed him roughly by the arm.
"Blaine!" Finn squirmed in his brother's grasp, tears pricking the corner of his eyes.
"What the hell do you think you were doin'?" Blaine demanded. "Huh? Did you think you were smart?"
"I dunno what you're talking about." Finn said.
"Sneakin' off, playing with him? Did you honestly think you wouldn't get caught?"
"He ain't bad! He's really cool. He's my best friend."
"Whatever! Now c'mon!" Blaine pulled Finn away. As he was dragged away, he stole one last look at Puck.
Bye. He gave a small nod in Puck's direction, hoping that he saw, and praying he wouldn't get in too much trouble.
_p&f_
"Mercedes, is it bad?" Puck asked.
"Not too bad Hon." Mercedes stood and winced, leaning heavily on the ankle.
"C'mon!" Puck grabbed her hand and started slowly towards his house. Mama Puckerman would fix her up.
"Oh! What happened" Mama Puckerman threw her dish rag down and ran out the screen door when she saw her grandson and Mercedes coming up the road.
"Blaine Schuester being a douche." Mercedes replied.
"Language honey." Mama Puckerman said. "When'd you run into Blaine?"
"By the woods. I wouldn't move, and his lazy butt couldn't go around me."
Mama Puckerman laughed. "Darling, one thing you gotta remember when dealing with the likes of a Schuester is don't fight."
"Says the biggest fighter." Mercedes replied.
"There, all wrapped up. You should be able to use it, just be careful and don't overdo it."
"Thanks Mrs. P." Mercedes said.
"Anytime."
"Oh, Puck, I got something special planned." Mercedes said. "Do you mind if I take him Mrs. P?"
"It shouldn't be a problem. Just don't be home too late." Mama Puckerman replied.
"You're gonna like this Puck." Mercedes said. She smiled at him.
"Can you just tell me where we're goin'?" Puck asked.
"Nope it's a surprise." She pulled out her cell phone and sent a text, before carefully walking down the steps, motioning for Puck to follow. This would be fun.
A/N: Song is I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. Hope you enjoyed. R&R
