Here we are in double digits! Chapter 10! I honestly wasn't sure how this story would be received, but the positive response has made me want to keep it going, so I have you guys to thank for that!
Just a disclaimer here: in this chapter I may have borrowed the guitar scene from the "Frenemies" episode. (And by "may have" I mean "definitely did") Only differences are that the song's different and instead of Kurt with Elliot, it's Elix with Brody.
Also, a reminder that Quinn's pregnancy was different in this story. She still cheated on Finn with Puck once, but the baby was Finn's, not Noah's. If I owned the show, that's how it would have happened. Plus, I would have made Puck and Kurt a couple. Just sayin'. Quinn's pregnancy is briefly mentioned in this chapter, so I just wanted to make sure everything was clear!
That said, enjoy Chapter 10!
For the Elix/Brody duet:
Elix singing – Italics
Brody singing – Bold
Both singing – Bold Italics
Elix and Brody were exhausted. They had gone all over Lima while catching up on the things they had missed in each other's lives over the past few months. Elix had shown Brody all the places the small town had to offer, from the museum and library, to Breadstix and the old movie theater. After seeing a movie, they stopped by Brody's hotel so Elix could visit Brody's parents, since Elix had always been close with them. The parents gushed over Elix's pregnancy and gave him all the parenting advice they had. After a couple hours of talking to the parents, Elix stole Brody away again to take him to the last spot on their tour.
"You guys have a guitar shop?" Brody asked in excitement and slight disbelief.
"Of course!" Elix answered. "We have just about everything. It's all just on a smaller scale."
Brody grabbed Elix's hand and pulled him into the store, immediately in awe with the surprisingly large selection of guitars. Shortly after they entered, a man that looked to be in his late 20's approached them.
"Can I help you guys find anything?" he asked, offering a genuine smile.
"That one looks cool," Brody said, pointing to a fancy blue electric guitar in the corner.
The clerk moved the guitar and carefully handed it to Brody to hold. "Yep, this is an Ibanez GRX20Z. It's pretty advanced, so we generally sell it for $150, but since you guys look like good people, I can give it to you for $100 even."
Brody smiled at the man and handed him the guitar back. "Well, I need to hear how it sounds before I make any decisions. Do you know 'Rock n Roll' by Avril Lavigne?" When the clerk nodded, Brody turned back to Elix. "It's our song, babe."
"I remember," Elix said, a nostalgic smile growing on his face. Brody nodded at the clerk and the sound of the guitar playing filled the room.
Let 'em know that we're still rock n roll
I don't care about my make-up
I like it better with my jeans all ripped up
Don't know how to keep my mouth shut
You say, "So what?" (What)
I don't care if I'm a misfit
I like it better than the hipster bullshit
I am the motherfuckin' princess
You still love it
Some, somehow, it's a little different when, I'm with you,
You know what I really am, all about
You know how it really goes
Some, some way,
We'll be getting out of this, town one day
You're the only one that I, want with me
You know how the story goes
When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio
What if you and I
Just put up, a middle finger to the sky
Let them know that we're still rock 'n roll
Rock 'n roll
Hey, hey, hey
Rock 'n roll
Hey, hey, hey
Call it a bad attitude dude
I'm never gonna to cover up that tattoo
I might have a couple issues
You say, "Me too" (yeah)
Don't care about a reputation
Must be living in the wrong generation
This is your invitation
Let's get wasted
Some somehow, it's a little different when, I'm with you
You know what I really am, all about
You know how the story goes, oh, oh, oh
When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio
What if you and I
Just put up, a middle finger to the sky
Let them know that we're still rock 'n roll
Rock 'n roll
Hey, hey, hey
Rock 'n roll
Hey, hey, hey
When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio
What if you and I
Just put up, a middle finger to the sky
Let them know that we're still rock 'n roll
When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio
What if you and I
Just put up, a middle finger to the sky
Let them know that we're still rock 'n roll
Rock 'n roll
Hey, hey, hey
Rock 'n roll
Hey, hey, hey
"I've missed singing with you," Brody said, walking closer to Elix. "We still sound perfect together."
The blonde nodded and smiled slightly. "Yeah, we sound pretty good."
Brody smiled back before turning to the clerk. "I'll take it," he said, gesturing to the guitar.
Elix and Brody drove back to the hotel and sat in Elix's car for hours just talking. They had both forgotten how much they missed each other. When it was starting to get dark, Elix decided it was time to head home.
"I should probably get going. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, giving Brody a small hug, although it was awkward in the small space. When Brody hadn't gotten out of the car after a few seconds, Elix looked over to find the other boy looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face. "Brody, do you mind? I really need to go."
"We should get back together," Brody whispered, inching his face closer to Elix's.
Elix gave the other boy a look of disbelief. "What are you talking about? I'm with Noah and I'm happy."
"You don't seem happy."
"I'm very happy, Brody. Please go inside. I need to leave."
Brody nodded his head as he smiled. "I'm not gonna let you go that easy. I know you miss me." Without another word, Brody got out of the car and disappeared into the hotel. Elix sighed as he drove back home in silence. Brody didn't mean that, did he? He was surely joking. They'd been friends for years and Brody wouldn't purposefully wreck Elix's happy relationship, would he? Something in his eyes made Elix believe that he was serious. Could he and Puck ever be happy without someone trying to mess it up? Elix was starting to doubt it. He made another deep sigh as he got out of his car and went inside the house.
"Hey babe, I'm home," he called as he stepped inside. He walked into the living room to find Puck flipping through channels on the T.V., barely acknowledging his existence. "How'd the meeting go?" Elix asked, plopping down on the couch next to his boyfriend.
"Fine," Puck mumbled, not looking at the other boy.
"Is everything okay?" Elix asked, concerned.
Puck sighed as he answered, "Yeah, everything's fine." He finally turned to face Elix. "How was your day, babe?"
"It was…interesting," Elix hesitated. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell the other boy about Brody's advances.
"Where's Brody?" Puck asked, venom laced in his voice.
Elix sighed and said, "He's at his hotel."
"I'm surprised you didn't stay with him," the jock muttered as he turned his attention back to the television.
Elix turned to look at his boyfriend with a confused expression. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think it's obvious that you'd rather be with him than me."
"Excuse me?" Elix asked, sounding offended and starting to feel angry.
"You two have much more history than you and I do and it's clear you love him more."
"That's bullshit, Noah!" Elix could feel tears forming in his eyes, but he didn't let them fall. "Let's remember whose babies I'm having. They're not Brody's!"
"Only because he wasn't around at the time," Puck said, mumbling and keeping his gaze down. "If he had been, they would have been his, not mine."
"No, they wouldn't have been. Brody and I never had sex."
Puck rolled his eyes. "Not yet, anyway. If you hadn't moved here, I know you would have. You still have feelings for him. Just admit it."
"I admit that I'll always care for him, but I'm in love with you, not him. Trust me; if I had wanted him to be my first time, I had plenty of opportunities for it. Yes, he was the first guy I gave a blowjob to, but whenever he'd try to go further, something inside me would tell me that it wasn't right, that he wasn't the one. When I was with you, though, everything was saying that it was right. I love you, Noah. I love him, too, but not in the way that I love you."
"You're lying. You still want to be with him and it's impossible for me to be around you two together," Puck said as he stood up and made to leave the room.
"You really think I'm lying?" Elix called, standing up and following Puck. "You're getting to feel exactly how I feel whenever you're around Quinn. I know you still have unresolved feelings for her ever since you thought she was having your child. Half of the time, I feel like I'm just a replacement for her. I feel like you'll never love me the way you love her. Be honest with me, Noah. If I wasn't pregnant with your children right now, would we even still be together? Or would you have dumped me and moved on to someone new?"
Puck was shocked. He had no idea Elix felt this way. Of course he still loved Quinn, but he loved her as a sister and friend, nothing more. He hadn't even thought Elix would begin to feel like this. He knew they would still be together if Elix wasn't pregnant. Their relationship had moved insanely fast, but they had been drawn to each other since Elix auditioned for the New Directions. Through it all, Noah knew that they would end up together. All he wanted to do was hold Elix and kiss away the tears pouring down his face. Before he could do anything, though, Elix spoke.
"Your hesitation says it all. I need to clear my head. I'm going for a drive. I might be back later," he said as he grabbed his keys and headed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. He hopped into his car without looking back, quickly pulled out of the driveway and tore off down the street, his tears slightly blurring his vision. He turned on the radio as Christina Aguilera's "Cease Fire" started playing and started singing along, his voice sounding emotional and soulful.
Inglorious soldier I stand 'til the end
A golden revolver I hold in my hand
The trigger that I never squeeze
The war that brings me to my knees
I'm tired of fighting for peace
When I am alone on the front line
I need you to stand next to me
Baby, cease fire, fire, fire
Throw down your weapons, your weapons, your weapons
I'm on your side, on your side, on your side
So please cease fire, fire, fire
Cease fire, make it stop
Drop down your defenses, I'm raising my flag
This fighting is hopeless, we need this to end
It's going too far, don't know where it began
We're hurting each other and I can't pretend
I'm trying to help you to see
The casualties that we both leave
It's all so unnecessary
Can't you hear me scream?
Baby, cease fire, fire, fire
Throw down your weapons, your weapons, your weapons
I'm on your side, on your side, on your side
So please cease fire, fire, fire
Cease fire, make it stop
Calling out
White flag
I surrender
Hear me now
Make it stop
We can do better
Pain and hurt
Living in fear
Wasted energy
In the end
What is it worth?
What is our legacy?
Calling out
White flag
I surrender
Hear me now
Make it stop
We can do better
Pain and hurt
Living in fear
Wasted energy
In the end
What is it worth?
What is our legacy?
Follow me now
I'm calling out
Somebody help me
I need you now
Why can't you see?
Gotta believe me
Fighting for peace
Need a release
Won't you come with me?
I'm on your side
Swallow your pride
You can confide in me
Army of one
Rise of the sun
Shining for all to see
Enemy's none
Victory's won
No negativity
We can be free,
We have the key
To own our destiny
Baby, cease fire, fire, fire
Throw down your weapons, your weapons, your weapons
I'm on your side, on your side, on your side
So please cease fire, fire, fire
Cease fire, make it stop
When the song ended, he was shocked to find himself sitting outside his old house. His father's car was outside and he was so close to going up to the door, knocking, and begging his dad to take him back in. Then he remembered why he left in the first place. He remembered the look of disgust on his father's face when he told him he was pregnant. He remembered the countless nights that his father got drunk and hit him. He remembered when his father blamed him for what happened to his mother. "If that guy had just killed you, I'd still have a wife and we could have another kid. A better one. A normal one." That's what his father told him. True, he never said anything like that when he was sober, but the occasions when he was sober were few and far between. With a deep sigh, Elix drove back to Puck's house. His real home. When he walked inside, Puck automatically rushed to him, hugging him and trying to apologize.
"Can we talk about it tomorrow?" Elix interrupted softly. I really just wanna go to bed right now." Noah nodded and followed Elix to bed.
So far this has been the best birthday ever. Finn took me to a bro-dinner at this awesome Italian place in Cleveland, now we're heading to this new gay strip club. I haven't gotten laid since the last time I fucked Elix. Ever since he dumped me for that Brody prick, I haven't even been able to look at anyone else. Well, that's changing tonight. I'm gonna find some hot twink, take him home, and fuck him senseless. Maybe I'll even get lucky and score with one of the dancers. As Finn and I walk up to the club, I can already hear the thumping beat from the music coming from inside. It sounds like something Elix would listen to. Shit, I've gotta stop thinking like that. I'm Puckzilla, dammit, and tonight I'm in full sex-shark mode.
We go inside and take a seat at one of the tables closest to the stage. A hot brunette boy that looks almost exactly like Kurt takes our drink orders, then winks at me as he walks off, swaying those sexy hips so his tight ass is bouncing in those painted-on silver booty shorts. Yep, he'll be the one. He comes back and gives me his number, saying his shift ends after two more dancers finish their routines. We plan where to meet as the first dancer comes out. He's dressed in what I would describe as "hip-hop clothes." He has on a baseball cap that's tilting down so his face is mostly covered. He's got on a thin tank-top and baggy sweatpants that can't conceal a sexy bubble-butt. There's something oddly familiar about him, but I can't put my finger on it. His hips start swaying with the beat of some remix of Rihanna's song "Rude Boy" and I still feel like I know him from somewhere. He takes off the baseball cap, throwing it into the crowd, and revealing long blonde hair. My face goes pale and my eyes go wide as Finn says something.
"Dude, isn't that Elix?" he asks, sounding about as surprised as I feel. Elix drops to the floor, grinding against it, and for some reason I feel jealous of the whistles and cat-calls he's getting. He strips off the tank-top and I'm surprised at the fact that there's no scar on his stomach. He's obviously not pregnant anymore, so he must have had the babies. Did he end up having a natural delivery somehow? The huge amount of body glitter on him is almost blinding, but no matter how hard I try, I can't look away. He takes off the pants, revealing one of the pairs of thongs that Santana bought him for our first date. They're white with black lace, so they're the exact ones he wore on our first date, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Before I know it, the song's over and Elix is headed this way. Why the hell is he headed this way? I look over at Finn to see him waving money and pointing at me. The bastard just bought me a lap dance with my ex. What the fuck? Elix doesn't seem fazed by it, though. He takes the money and stuffs it into the waistband of his thong, immediately straddling me and grinding against my erection. Don't judge me, like you've never gotten hard for your sexy ex.
"So, where ya from, stranger?" Elix whispers in my ear. It's been two years since I've heard that voice and it still manages to turn me on.
"What do you mean, Elix? Do you really not recognize me?" I'm shocked he doesn't recognize me. My appearance really isn't that different. My hair's grown out a little, and I'm in even better shape, but I really haven't changed that much.
"I'm sure I'd recognize someone as sexy as you coming in here," he whispers, running his hands over my torso.
"Elix, it's me. It's Noah."
Elix doesn't stop his grinding. He just shrugs and continues earning the money Finn gave him. "I'm glad you got rid of that horrible mohawk."
"How are the kids?" I'm still devastated that I can't be a part of their lives, but as long as I can hear about them, I'm fine.
"What kids?" he asks, grinding a little harder and making me lose my concentration.
"Our kids," I say, confused by his question. "Our twins."
Realization dawns on his face and for a moment I feel relieved. "I never had them."
Confusion strikes me once more. "What do you mean you never had them?"
Elix rolls his eyes and slows the movement of his hips. "It's called an abortion, Noah. I couldn't have kids that reminded me of you. Brody and I are having kids of our own. I'm already three weeks along."
"So Brody's okay with you working at a strip club?"
"Who do you think got me the job? Speaking of…" Elix says, his attention going elsewhere. "Hey baby, I just need to finish this lap dance and then we can go."
Brody appears, kissing Elix on the lips, causing a pit to form in my stomach. I just want to stand up and knock the douchebag out for stealing the love of my life, but for some reason my body forgets how to move.
"Baby, I need you right here, right now," Brody says, loud enough for me to hear. Before I know what's happening, Brody has Elix bent over the stage and is pounding into his tight hole. I stand up, intending to pull Brody off the boy that I love, but the more I run toward them, the farther away they seem. I'm screaming at them, but they can't hear me. They just turn and laugh at me.
Puck woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for breath. He looked over to see Elix sleeping peacefully. He breathed a sigh of relief and laid back down, pulling Elix close to him. The movement startled the blonde awake.
"Noah, are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine, baby. Go back to sleep. I just love you so much. I love you so, so, so much," Noah whispered, snuggling closer to Elix's warm body.
"I love you, too, Noah. I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean any of it," Elix apologized.
Puck silenced him with a soft kiss. "No, baby, I'm sorry. I trust you and I wasn't acting like it. You're my world and I don't wanna lose you. I've never felt this way about anyone. Not Quinn, or Kurt, or Santana, or anyone. You're the only one for me, baby."
"You're not going to lose me. I'm not going anywhere. I love you so much, Noah."
"I love you too, Elix. More than anything."
It had been a few weeks since they're big fight and things had been going perfectly for the happy couple. Needless to say, it was odd coming home after winning a football game to find Elix sitting in the bedroom, staring out the window as if in a trance. "Everything okay, babe?" Noah asked, cautiously approaching him.
"I got a call from the police. My dad was driving drunk and crashed into someone. His lawyers were able to convince the judge to send him to rehab instead of jail," Elix muttered, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Baby, I'm so sorry," Puck whispered, sitting next to Elix and pulling the smaller boy close to him, subconsciously rubbing his hand on Elix's rapidly growing belly. He noticed that Elix was holding a picture he had never seen. It was a picture of Elix, his father, and a pretty blonde woman that Puck assumed was either Elix's mother or his secret twin.
"Why did it have to be her? Why couldn't it have been my dad? My mother was an angel. She was selfless, and caring, and I know she would have loved you. She helped ease my dad into the idea that I was gay. She always had my back." Without warning, Elix threw the picture across the room, not caring as the frame shattered. All the negative feelings were coming out through Elix's tears. He started crying and couldn't seem to stop.
Noah stood and moved to his iPod dock, flipping through his library. Seeing "Wipe Your Eyes" by Maroon 5, he pressed play and held Elix's hands as he sang to the blonde.
I'm afraid that I gotta do what I gotta do
But if I let you go, where you gonna go?
We gotta make a change, time to turn the page
Something isn't right, I don't wanna fight you
We've been through tougher times, you know it gets worse
We can turn this around please let me be first
And as I feel your tears spilling on my shirt
Something isn't right I don't wanna fight you
Hey you, come over and let me embrace you
I know that I'm causing you pain too
But remember if you need to cry
I'm here to wipe your eyes
Tonight before you fall asleep
I run my thumb across your cheek
Cry 'cause I'm here to wipe your eyes
I know I made you feel this way
You gotta breathe, we'll be okay
Cry 'cause I'm here to wipe your eyes
I'm here to wipe your eyes
When did we cross the line?
How could we forget?
Why do we let the pressure get into our heads?
Your broken heart requires all of my attention
'Cause something isn't right, I don't wanna fight you
Hey you, come over and let me embrace you
I know that I'm causing you pain too
But remember if you need to cry
I'm here to wipe your eyes
Tonight before you fall asleep
I run my thumb across your cheek
Cry 'cause I'm here to wipe your eyes
I know I made you feel this way
You gotta breathe, we'll be okay
Cry 'cause I'm here to wipe your eyes
Please don't lose your faith
Don't worry 'cause I'm here to keep you safe
I promise if you let me see your face
That I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I'm here to wipe your eyes
Tonight before you fall asleep
I run my thumb across your cheek
Cry 'cause I'm here to wipe your eyes
I know I made you feel this way
You gotta breathe, we'll be okay
Cry 'cause I'm here to wipe your eyes
"I'll always be here to wipe your eyes, Elix. I'm always gonna be here for you. I love you."
"I love you too, Noah. Thank you so much. I need you more than anything right now."
"I know. That's why I'm not going anywhere. I'm here whenever you need me, baby."
Here, have some angst! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think as well as any plot ideas you guys have! See you next update!