Puck hated to show any form of emotion. It made you weak, show'd people they could walk all over you. And no one messed with Puckzilla. But when he had seen Mercedes on the floor, looking like the world would crush her at any moment, he didnt hesitate before walking away from the fight. He had looked for a long time into her chocolate brown eyes, making sure she trusted him before he touched her. Kurt had been hesitant to let him touch her, even to help her up. His words would echo in Puck's subconcious for a while.
"Don't...just...don't." Yea, it wasnt much, but the feeling behind those three words was what got under Puck's skin. So tired and desperate, not even knowing what to ask for. He kept his eye on Mercedes face as they walked, noticing how haunted her eyes looked. Puck would never admit it, but all of this hurt. He was scared about what made his favorite girlfriend look like she had litterally gone through hell, he felt sick that this had happened and he hadn't done anything to stop it. But most of all, the one feeling he wasnt afraid to express. He was enraged that they had done this, it made him see red to think that he had seen them all day, socialized with them even. At one time, he had even considered them friends. They had been going to school together since kindergarten.
Truth was, Puck felt guilty.
But he didnt show it, he would never show it. But one thing was for sure, a certain group of jocks could count themselves out for this season once Puck got his hands on them. But he wouldnt think about that right now, there was more important things going on at the moment. Such as getting a sleeping Kurt out of the car and into Mr. Shue's apartment. Puck ran around the the other side of Kurt's Navigator, opening the door so that Finn could try to squirm out without waking Kurt up. It helped his nerves a little that Kurt at least looked relaxed. He wouldnt concentrate on how young he looked, how innocent. And he wouldnt feel the almost painful twist of his heart.
Finn was really about to lose it once they got to the stairs. Anyone could see that his best friend was extreamly anxious. When the got into Mr. Shue's apartment, Finn looked around for a moment. Puck had to wonder if he was waiting for a bed to magically appear, but he couldnt hold the sarcastic thought for long as Finn quickly got back on track, carefully sitting down on the couch and positioning himself to where Kurt would be the most comfortable. It was all quite in the apartment, aside from Kurt's soft breathing and occasional moans. The gleeks didnt know what to say, and the silence seemed to good to break. So they savored it, at least until they saw the other three cars come up. Mike and Puck went out to make sure the girls got in safely. Finn and Quinn stayed put, refusing to leave Kurt's side.
"Hey, everyone got here ok, right?" Mr. Shue asks, hardly getting his head out of the car before speaking. Puck assured him everything was fine and opened the door for Mercedes. Her usually dark skin was subdued to a weak chocolate color, her vibrant smile reduced to a nervous thin line. He flexes his muscles, channeling all of his feeling into what he does best. Yes, there would be some serious ass kicking soon. Mr. Shue came to her side, helping her out of his ancient car and putting his arm around her protectively. Puck didnt even think about it before he reached out, taking her hand that was closest to him. She didnt look at him like he was crazy, didnt snatch her hand away. She just tightened her grip on him, as if he were her anchor. He squeezed back. If he were her anchor, he wouldnt let go.
They entered back into the apartment quickly, feeling exposed out in the open. Puck was constantly on guard, waiting for something to jump out of the shadows. For a moment, he let himself reflect on all of this. Two years ago, if someone told him that he would take on the whole football team, his so called friends, for the glee losers, he would have beat them up. But now he was one of them, and honestly? He was proud of it. One thing he had done right in his short life of miserable failures. He hadnt realized any of that until he became friends with the eleven people surounding him now. He lived in the moment, taking what he could and giving nothing back. For example, before all of this, he had used girls. It felt good to have sex with them, and that was all that mattered to him. He didnt really care about they're feelings, whether they got hurt or not.
Then he went out with Mercedes. She wasnt the same, he honestly wanted to do nice things for her. To make her happy. Maybe it had started out for him, but it turned into her. It was all her. And when she broke up with him for...for bullying, he had realized just how bad of a person he really was. Why had she even gone out with him in the first place? He couldnt count the times he had slushied her, or thrown her best friend in the dumpster.
"You better?" Quinn asked her quietly, taking one of her hands in both of hers. Mercedes looked up at her and smiled slightly. They both sat down, Quinn on the floor beside the couch and Mercedes next to where Finn had laid Kurt out. She ran her fingers through his hair, whispering something that really sounded like im sorry.
"Guys." Mr. Shue said, clearing his throat. He had their attention at once, though now that all eyes were on him, he looked unsure of himself. But he was Mr. Shue, and simple displeasure wasnt going to stop him from doing anything he could to help his students. Puck had learned that quickly, and while it seemed sappy, he didnt mind. He truely loved that he cared so much.
Not like he was ever going to admit it though.
"This should have never happened, I should have taken this a lot more seriously. Im your teacher, and its my job to keep you safe. I failed, and I'm so sorry." He said, actual tears shinning in his eyes. Oh no, Puck was beginning to feel a lump in his throat. If Mr. Shue cried, he knew he wouldnt be able to keep it together. At least he wasnt alone. Tina and Rachel were softly sobbing, and tears were running steadily down Finn's face. Even the guys looked like they were going to break down soon. Mr. Shue had to look down for a minute, a soft gasp escaping him.
"If you don't want us to call the police, we are going to have to do something. Karofsky and Azimio will be expelled, but they'll probably be back. And then theres the rest of the football team. We're going to have to stick together, but it doesnt look like we'll have any problem with that. But for tonight, I dont want you guys on the road. It's late, storming, and your all upset. If you want, we'll just make it a Glee sleepover, and thats what you can tell your parents. But when you call them, tell them were going on a field trip tomorrow."
"Really? When did that happen?" Santana asked, making Puck notice her for the first time since they got here. She wasnt crying now, but she had tear tracks running down her face. Mr. Shue smiled just a little.
"Since I called Figgins about five minutes ago. Apparently were going to the musical zoo with the animals that speak Spanish." The room came alive for a moment, as it was filled with soft laughter.
"What did Figgins say to that?" Puck asked, honestly curious.
"He just asked if I was paying, and told us to have a good time once I told him it was on me." It took a while, but slowly, the glee kids began to come to life again. Finn took Kurt into Mr. Shue's room with Mercedes trailing close behind. Everyone called their parents and told them what was going on. It was beginning to look like maybe, just maybe, things would get better. Puck knew that two years ago, he could very well have been the person that had caused this pain. But he wasnt afraid to admit that he was never going to be that person again. This time, he wouldnt be the bully.
He would be the protector.
A/N Hi! I finally update! Sorry, I have been trying really hard to get the police in here, but every time I write it in, I end up erasing it all. So, sorry to all those who wanted police action, but our Gleeks will handle this :). There will probably be a few more chapters in this story, then there will be a sequel. Name wont be that different, and ill post it on the last chapter or so. Again, Im so sorry this took so long! But thanks for sticking with me! As always, please review? It makes my day :)
