Catalyst

Chapter 10

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Summary: Kurt and Blaine have decided to just be friends and the dapper boy realized he really missed Dalton Academy so he's gone back. No Klaine-bashing is intended, it just wouldn't have worked for this fic. However, Kurt has an admirer in a new kid… and Puck isn't happy at all but doesn't seem willing to step up.

Disclaimer: I own nothing whatsoever. Blame RM and company for this unfairly attractive and addictive group of characters. Well, except for my cute, original character, Kristopher.

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Last chapter: As Kris headed for his motorbike, he admitted to himself that he wasn't accustomed to losing and he was damned if he would start now. He knew the musical and movie Chicago and he was going to pull out all the stops to 'razzle-dazzle' Kurt. The boy was just too delicious to pass up and, after his disappointing 'first love', Kurt was just ripe for the plucking.

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Saturday was a day fraught with tension for Kurt – and it was all because of Noah Puckerman. Finn had asked the night before if the guys could come over for videogames on Saturday. Kurt had been so annoyed when his dad had given Finn the go ahead. The clueless teen had been goofy in his happiness, totally oblivious to the daggers Kurt was staring at his head.

Kurt huffed silently when his dad had raised an enquiring eyebrow at him. There was no way he was going to tell his dad – or Carole and Finn for that matter – why he was so put out. If he mentioned Noah at all, the whole story would come out and Kurt just was not ready for that drama. Instead, he had announced that he himself had a date the next afternoon.

There had begun the third-degree from his dad, especially after Finn had straightened up and blurted, "But that kid is new!"

Burt had looked between the two teens, taking in the bullish look on Finn's face and the equally obstinate but haughty look on Kurt's.

"Okay, okay, give me the details, guys. First off, what new kid?" He had raised his eyebrows at Kurt in a no-nonsense way, a look that Kurt had never been able to get around.

Kurt – with Finn interjecting every now and again – had explained that he and the new kid in school were going to see 'Chicago' the next day. He didn't need to ask his dad's permission as it was the weekend and in the daytime.

Burt couldn't figure out the undercurrent of irritation between the two boys but he guessed he would hear about it eventually.

He had nodded and then asked Kurt why he didn't look happier about the fact that he would be out while Finn had the other Glee guys over. Kurt's face had shuttered and Burt knew then that, no matter what had transpired between the kids, he was not going to get the explanation anytime soon.

Now, on Saturday, he had come back early from the garage as it was a half day, just in time to see Kurt bouncing up the steps from the basement, dressed in his usual too sophisticated for Lima style and ready to head out.

"Whoa, whoa, boyo! Am I not going to get to meet this kid you're going out with?"

Kurt stared at his dad, his eyes wide and then he straightened up, a cool and uncomfortably grown-up look suddenly masking his face.

"Yes, actually, he'll be here any second now. I'll just wait for him out here and then you can meet him," Kurt told his dad, his voice neutral but his eyes darker than usual. They flickered to the family room where Artie, Mike, Sam, Finn and Puck were being loud and boisterous as they killed each other virtually.

Burt's own gaze flicked to the group playing video games and then back to his son who had turned toward the front door. He couldn't figure out what Kurt's problem was; maybe, he wondered, Kurt had felt left out when Finn had invited the guys over. That thought didn't really gel because Kurt, while being pretty good at video games, wasn't usually included in the boys' gaming activities. Kurt had told him once that it was senseless – 'puerile' was the word he had used and Burt would never admit that he'd had to look it up.

Now he looked at Kurt and sighed; his son had grown into a handsome young man. He was aware enough to know that he wouldn't, couldn't be his little boy forever but somewhere along the line, Kurt had withdrawn from him – and he didn't like it one bit.

As he turned to go to the kitchen to get a drink, the sound of a powerful car drew closer and then stopped. He realized this must be Kurt's date and he stood just within the doorway to the front hall, waiting to see this 'new kid'. He smiled reflexively at the way Kurt's face lit up and he subconsciously relaxed, knowing that Kurt was feeling happy.

Kurt took a deep breath and moved to open the front door, making sure to keep just a faint smile on his face. It wouldn't do to look too eager, he told himself, and mentally ran over what he was wearing. His choice of ensemble had to be sexy and maybe slightly theatrical and he thought he'd managed it. Taking another breath he stepped outside into the soft sunlight and waved at Kris who was just locking the car.

And what a car it was! Kurt's jaw dropped as he took in the electric blue Mustang parked at his curb. He almost didn't notice Kris sauntering towards him with a little smirk on his face. The taller teen stepped up to Kurt and slid a proprietary arm around Kurt's slender waist and leaned in to brush his lips against his cheek.

"Hey, hey, none of that – at least not before I know who you are!"

Kris almost leapt back at the loud voice from behind Kurt who had barely torn his gaze away from the muscle car Kris had arrived in. He stared at a stocky older man, balding and wearing flannel and jeans and he had a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that this was Kurt Hummel's dad.

Burt took in the suave-looking kid – young man, really – who was just now removing his arm from around his son's waist and smirked inwardly. He could still intimidate the heck out of anyone and he was going to have fun trying with this kid.

He thrust his hand forward just as Kurt turned around with a slight pout on his face and rolling his eyes.

"Um, daddy, this is Kristopher – uhm, Kris Marshall; he's new." Kurt felt his cheeks pinking as his dad mock-glared at Kris.

Kris tried a friendly but polite smile as he took the outstretched hand, shaking it firmly and then stepping back to say, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, sir," in a respectful murmur.

Burt eyed him for a few seconds and then grinned, nodding towards the car that had had his son nearly speechless. "That a Boss 302?"

Kurt huffed and folded his arms across his chest as he realized his dad was going to put Kris through his paces, at least where the car was concerned. "Dad," he whined now, "Kris and I have to be at the theater for 2. When we get back you can drool all you want over the car, okay?"

Kris and Burt grinned at each other and then Burt nodded, holding up his hands in surrender. "Okay, just saying that's a beautiful beast, son. I hope you know how lucky you are."

Kurt rolled his eyes as he watched Kris puff up with pride. Clearly the fact that his dad was willing to talk cars with him meant that he had an in with him now. Shaking his head he grabbed Kris's arm and tugged him towards the car.

"Bye, daddy, we should be back about 5!" With a flicker of his fingers he moved off, his eyes unexpectedly colliding with Puck's dark gaze as he left.

Without waiting for his father's response, Kurt tugged on Kris who waved at Burt and he headed down the driveway impatiently.

Burt chuckled to himself; nowadays he didn't have any problems with Kurt dating, especially another kid from school. Since he and Blaine had broken up, he had wondered if Kurt was gun-shy but he'd realized that, this being Lima, Ohio, there probably weren't many out, gay kids for his son to date. He was pretty pleased that he'd found one right there at school.

He turned to go back inside only to find his way blocked by four rubbernecking teens. They had been so quiet he hadn't even realized they had been standing there. Finn, Mike, Sam and Puck were staring after Kris and Kurt with varying expressions on their faces.

"Oy, what are you all doing, bunched up in the door! Never seen Kurt go on a date before?"

The boys grumbled and shuffled away, their mood strangely somber as they headed back to their game. Burt shook his head as he wondered what their problem was. Kids, huh, he'd never understand them. Heading into the kitchen for a beer, he left them to resume their mutual massacres, only calling out to them to hold down the noise a bit.

Back in the family room, Finn threw a sideways look at his best friend, taking in the way Puck's lips curved down ever so slightly. When they were little, Puck would get into moods that he only came out of when Finn ribbed him long enough. Now, though, they were older and he wasn't sure ribbing Puck would be the way to go. He kinda knew what was going on with his friend but he just didn't know how to handle it, how to be a good friend about it.

Puck worked his controls viciously, imagining that the zombies all wore Kris's face and ending up beating both Sam and Artie. Finn, however, held on and by the time he killed him, too, his temper was near boiling over. He threw down the controls and lurched to his feet, ignoring the cries of protests as he stepped clumsily over the other guys.

"Watch it, Puck! Shit, what's with you?!"

He pushed his way between Sam and Mike before stalking into the kitchen to get himself something to drink. He spent so much time over at the Hudmel house that he was quite at home getting down a glass and finding something in the refrigerator. He popped open a soda, poured it out and took a sip before he realized he was being watched.

He spun around, his heartbeat tripling before he realized that it was Burt sitting there at the table, the remains of a sandwich and a beer can before him.

Burt tilted his head, stared at Puck and lifted his chin towards a chair. Puck knew an order when he saw one and he sighed before pulling out a chair and slumping into it.

He stared at the tiny bubbles going up his glass and waited for Burt to speak. He didn't have long to wait.

"What crawled up your butt and died, son?"

Puck's eyes flew to Burt's and he gaped; that was the last thing he'd expected from the older man. He ducked his head, fiddled with the glass and shook his head. He heard Burt snort before he continued.

"You've been jumpier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, Puckerman; you can't deny that."

Puck felt his chest tighten and struggled to breathe, knowing that Burt Hummel was probably the last person he should tell his problems to. Still, just the fact that someone had noticed how unhappy he was made him want to spill everything. After a minute, though, he decided to man up.

"I made a mistake and I don't know how to fix it… sir," he muttered, his cheeks red beneath his tan. He took a quick gulp of his soda and almost regretted it as the bubbles went straight up his nose. He coughed and hacked but then he was finally able to breathe and he sat back, waiting for Burt to say something.

Burt nodded as he watched the struggling teen before him. These kids were so close to being adults, a fact that he had trouble with sometimes. He remembered when most of them were little tykes, hardly able to wipe their butts or tie their own laces. Now they looked on the outside like grown men but sometimes he caught a look that reminded him they weren't quite fully grown. Unexpected sympathy surged in him as he watched Puck now, remembering that this one hadn't had the benefit of a father for much of his life.

"Puck, most mistakes can be rectified, you know? No need to wear the weight of the world on your shoulders. What happened?"

This was where it was going to get real scary, Puck realized but he had decided that whatever came his way because of his stupidity, he deserved. He nodded now and straightened up in his seat before looking directly at Kurt's dad.

"I used the other 'F' word … and Kurt heard it."

The silence in the kitchen was edged in frost by the time Burt cleared his throat and pushed back his chair. Puck flinched, fully expecting the man's heavy hand to grab him by the scruff of the neck but nothing happened. He slowly unfurled and looked up at the other man, breathing a sigh of relief when he realized Burt was only getting another beer.

Burt felt his breath hitch at what the kid said; he had hoped that after all this time this would be one issue that they would have moved beyond. He got up for another beer and didn't miss the way Noah flinched. The fact that the kid had expected him to get physical with him made him sad. He recalled the one time he'd slipped and slammed that Karofsky kid up against the wall of the corridor at the school. He never wanted any kid to think that he would always resort to violence where Kurt was concerned.

He took a seat and a sip before looking over at Puck. Clearing his throat, he started. "Tell me."

And it all came spilling out, Puck holding back nothing, although he did censor the descriptives he would have used with regard to the Kristopher kid. "And I just lost it," he wound down. "I didn't mean for Kurt to… for him to think I meant… ugh, that I meant it about him."

His voice was faint by the time he concluded his little tale and Burt halfway through his beer. They sat in silence for a while and then Burt shook his head.

"You know, I remember what it was like before 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and all the pride marches and stuff."

Puck looked at him curiously, wondering where he was going with this. He nodded though as it seemed the thing to do and waited for Burt to continue.

Burt smiled bitterly and leaned forward, rolling the beer can between his hands. "Sometimes I wonder if Karma is biting me on the ass. I used to use those words too; heck, everyone did. It was 'don't be a fag' or 'what are you, a homo?' Anytime we were ragging on each other, those were the words we used, you know."

Puck nodded, understanding now. He couldn't begin to imagine what it must have been like for this big, macho guy to look at his little kid and realize he was going to face all the hate and bigotry that he himself used to spout.

Burt looked at Puck with something like acceptance for the first time since knowing him. Puck wasn't a bad kid; the fact that he had been trying to stand up for Kurt even though it went very badly wrong meant something. He scrubbed one hand across the top of his head and down to the back of his neck. As he did, he caught a glimpse of Finn hovering by the kitchen door and shook his head surreptitiously. He wanted to find out exactly what was eating at Puckerman and if the other kids came in now, he wouldn't get his answer.

"So, have you tried apologizing to Kurt? I know he can be pretty harsh; life has kinda made him that way, I suppose."

Puck nodded and then shrugged. "Yeah, I called him the same day and tried but he wouldn't listen. Then later, 'Cedes and my mom made me realize that maybe I should go bigger. So I sang for him… in front of the others."

Burt's eyes widened and a kernel of respect began to bloom in his subconscious. He didn't think that he would have had the balls to apologize publicly when he was Puck's age. In fact, come to think of it, he and his cronies, football players as well, never ever acknowledged the fact that they could have hurt anyone's feelings. It had taken Kurt's mother coming into his life for him to realize he wasn't all that and a bag of chips. She had cut him down to size and then made him realize that he wanted to live up to her expectations.

He stared at Puck, unaware that a small smile was on his face. He watched Puck duck his head and shift his glass of soda around in the small puddle of condensation.

"You sang … for Kurt?"

Puck looked up at him, his lips curved in a small smile and suddenly it hit Burt square between the eyes. Jesus, Noah Puckerman was in love with his son! Puckerman, the badass of McKinley High and rumored servicer of lonely, married women had feelings for his beautiful and very snooty son. A burble of laughter escaped him and he shook his head.

"I've got to hand it to you, kid, you have some big, brass ones… and I wish you luck." Burt rose, pushing back his chair with his legs and leaned over to clap a startled Noah on his shoulder. Puck got to his feet, too, not knowing if he should ask him why he needed the luck but then he simply nodded.

Burt ushered him out of the kitchen, nodding at Finn who had been hovering still and chuckled as he left the boys to head upstairs. God, he was going to have a serious talk with Carole because he had not seen this one coming. Noah Puckerman – in love with his son! He hadn't said anything because he knew it would only embarrass the kid but he could see the signs pretty clearly.

His chuckles wafted behind him and Noah watched him stride up the stairs, confusion writ large on his face. Kurt's dad was a strange guy, he thought as he turned towards the family room, joining Artie who told him that the others had gone to fix sandwiches with Finn or taking a potty break. Noah simply shrugged, his mind still snagged on the conversation and its strange conclusion.

The humor drained from his face though as he thought of Kurt out on his date with that douchebag and his fancy car. His desire to blow up things and kill hordes of zombies waned but he didn't want to go home to an empty house. Strange to admit it but the Hudmel residence was like a second home to him, even now with things still awkward between him and Kurt.

He had almost swallowed his tongue when he'd seen Kurt come up from his room, dressed and ready for his date. He could barely keep his concentration even after just one glance, the vision of Kurt's lower body displayed to perfection in painted on blue jeans forever imprinted on his mind.

Kurt wore a soft white collar-less cotton shirt with those full, billowing sleeves that Puck thought only he could pull off but he had also decided to wear a black waistcoat that cinched his waist and made his hips look even curvier. He had felt himself harden just at the thought of running his hands over that gorgeous body; to rub himself against Kurt and run his lips over that long, creamy neck that was hidden beneath a flowing blue-patterned scarf. Puck didn't know why Kurt insisted on dressing in such an eye-catching way but the thought that it was Kris for whom he had dressed diminished the arousal that had caught him unawares.

Puck had proceeded to kill everything in sight, ignoring the groans from his fellow players and had wanted nothing more than to go and haul Kurt back inside the house with him. The fact that the douchebag had turned up in one of the hottest cars ever made only made him feel like throwing the controls, the games and anything he could pick up at the wall. It was no wonder Burt Hummel had confronted him in the kitchen. The world could just explode and he wouldn't care because Kurt had lit up like a goddamn Christmas tree when his date had arrived.

Now he gritted his teeth and pretended to listen as Artie went on and on about the other game they were going to play after they'd eaten. In fact, come to think of it, he realized he would rather be at his empty house than be here when Kurt returned from his no doubt fantastic date.

Throwing down the controls, Noah grabbed his jacket, muttered something to Artie about telling Finn he was leaving and dashed out of the house. The keys to his truck were in his jacket pocket and he grabbed them as he left, squeezing them tightly in a bid to control himself. Within minutes he had reached his home but he sat outside in the driveway with the engine off as he got a hold of himself. Finally, he turned the car on again and turned towards the highway.

Whenever he was down there was a place a little way up the road where he could hang out with some folks who had known him for years. He got odd jobs there sometimes and they fed him; in return, he would play there some nights and it was always a good experience. He didn't think anyone back home knew that he did this but it was a way to let off steam and to feel as if there was something beyond Lima that he could do. It was still pretty early in the afternoon so the lunch crowd would be finishing up but he would hang out there for hours until his mom and sister came home later.

As he drove he thought about Kurt and wondered if, somehow, somewhere down the road, he could ever get up the courage to invite him out to this little spot. A rueful smile tugged at his lips as he put on his shades and then he shrugged. 'Nothing beat a try but a failure'; it was a phrase he used to hear his Nana say. Kurt could only say 'no' but he would never know if he didn't ask in the first place. The tightness in his shoulders dissipated as he drove and he allowed his mind to dream about what dating Kurt would be like.

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Kurt hummed the last song of the show, a smile on his face and his eyes dreamy as he left the theater with Kris. They had sung along and shouted at the screen just as everyone else at the matinee showing and Kurt had had a blast. Suddenly, as they got to the Mustang, Kurt struck a pose, threw one end of the long scarf over his shoulder and spoke deeply: "'Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Roxie Hart says goodnight'."

Catching Kris's startled eyes, he bit his bottom lip, flicked his lashes down and then up like he was Renee Zellwegger and stared at the transfixed boy; then he started singing slowly, his voice clear yet startlingly sultry.

It's good
Isn't it grand? Isn't it great?
Isn't it swell? Isn't it fun?
Isn't it? Nowadays

There's men
Everywhere jazz, everywhere booze
Everywhere life, everywhere joy
Everywhere, nowadays

You can like the life you're livin'
You can live the life you like
You can even marry Harry
But mess around with Ike
And that's good…

There was only time for Kurt's eyes to widen in surprise when Kris suddenly surged against him and captured his parted lips to kiss him hungrily. Kurt squeaked and brought his hands up to hold off the amorous teen who was still leaning forward to keep his mouth on his.

"Kristopher! Kris, stop!"

Kris stared at Kurt, confused, his eyes staring at Kurt's pouty pink lips and with a little groan he hauled Kurt's hips towards his, kissing him again. Kurt wiggled a little because he was being pressed uncomfortably against the door of the Mustang and he turned his face to the side whereupon Kris nibbled down the length of his neck. Kris was turning him on but he'd not expected the first time they made out to be in the parking lot of a movie theater!

"Jesus, Kurt, you're so… uh," Kris breathed as his lips closed gently around the lobe of one pink ear.

Kurt shuddered and gasped, not so much at what Kris's mouth was doing but at the feel of the boy's crotch against his. He glanced up just in time to see a trio of giggling girls scurry past them to their cars and he just managed to ease Kris away and look seriously at him.

Kris's eyes were dark, blown with lust and Kurt swallowed at the thought that, if this had been nighttime, they probably wouldn't have stopped at just necking. He cleared his throat and smiled tremulously as he eased Kris back away from him a bit more.

"Uhm, this isn't what I'd expected at all," he muttered, sure that his face was red now. The lust on Kris's face was fading to be replaced by faint embarrassment and then he smiled, shaking his head. Kurt smiled back and felt himself relaxing slightly.

Kris took a step back from Kurt and ran a hand through his hair and down to rub the back of his neck. He gave a little wriggle of his shoulders and then started to apologize, his voice huskier than Kurt had ever heard it.

"Kurt, I'm so sorry! I hadn't planned on doing that, actually. I just… you… the singing… and," he broke off when Kurt started to giggle, hugging his arms around himself. Kris chuckled too and tried again, "I mean, the way you looked… and sounded… Kurt, you have no idea how sexy you are!"

Kurt tried to pout at him but he hadn't got his giggles under control and he ducked his head finally. Taking a deep breath he turned toward the car and, with a raised eyebrow waited for Kris to unlock the car, which he did immediately.

Kris watched him slide into the seat and while Kurt's head was turned away, he quickly adjusted his hard on, all the while berating himself for behaving like a horny 12-year-old with his first skin mag. 'Kurt's a classy guy, doofus; a very hot, classy guy, yeah, so you can't just jump him!'

Kris continued to scold himself as he waited for Kurt to settle into his seat. 'You have to wine and dine him first.' He grinned to himself as he made his way around to the driver's seat and hopped in. There was no way Kurt was going to slip through his fingers. He was hot and Kurt was hot; they were perfect for each other.

Kurt turned his head and looked at Kris's handsome profile in the dimness of the car's interior. He had a feeling that he was definitely on Kris's to-do list. He didn't know exactly how he felt about that yet but if that kiss was anything to go by, he was in for an experience that being with Blaine definitely hadn't prepared him for. He smirked to himself as he looked out at the passing scenery as they left the theater; who said you had to be in love to have great sex anyway?

Settling back in the surprisingly comfortable seat of the lovingly restored muscle car, Kurt admitted to himself that he was quite ready to find out if sex and love always had to go together.

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TBC

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A/N: Hi, guys, that last thought is something that I've kept coming across and it occurred to me to wonder what you all thought about it: should sex and love always go together?

PLEASE REVIEW!