Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Glee.

Note: This chapter was in Kurt's POV, but it'll be in Puck's POV next time. I'm also really sorry for the gigantically long wait; a lot of stuff has been going on in my life and I've been working on random one-shots for LiveJournal, not to mention beta-ing for someone on that site as well. Anyways, thanks to Renee for the plot bunnies included in the story and to OMG-its-a-pen for suggesting that I listen to the song Better Than Me that Puck sings because, seriously? That song is so something Puck would sing to Kurt, so I just had to add it. Oh, and sorry if this isn't a good update, but I've got to get back to finishing my Language Arts homework. We have to write a lyric poem, and mine is going to be about Kurt and how he believes everybody will work for him one day.


"Kurt, wait." Finn said as he caught my hand before I could get away from the office. "Don't let her get to you-"

"She has the nerve to talk smack about my family, and you expect me to go back in there and refrain from clawing her eyes out?" I snapped bitterly, glaring up at Finn.

Puck put his arms on my shoulders and planted a kiss on the top of my head, causing me to stiffen. "Everything will be fine; let's just get this over with, okay?"

I glanced at Puck, then back at Finn, and realized there was no way getting out of this. I was doomed to go back in the room whether I liked it or not. I stormed back in, not willing to give Puck the chance to touch me in order to force me back in. Let's just say after that, the meeting was pretty awkward, not to mention tense. I got through it, however, and I was grateful for glee practice that day. I could have done without the dramatics, however, when Puck told the girls about his plan.

"Aw hell to the nah!" Mercedes exclaimed. "There's no way in hell that you jocks are putting our boy at risk!"

"Plus Mike and Matt could get all hurt, and they're too pretty to get damaged." Brittany added with a frown.

"Don't you think Finn has lost enough brain cells as it is?" Quinn snapped. "How much more fights does he have to get into to get serious brain damage?"

"It's all your fault," Santana accused with a snarl, pointing a finger at Puck.

"I think everyone agrees with you there." I muttered as I sat at the piano with a look of superiority.

"It's the best way to catch Karofsky in the act, plus it's better than just waiting around for him to strike." Puck defended. "I think we all prefer Kurt with the face he has now and not some deformed one."

"Who says my face'll be deformed when he beats me up? I'll make sure to protect my money-maker," I waved a hand over my face to emphasis my point.

"He's gonna have three guys with him, dude." Mike snorted as he and Matt lounged on top of the piano.

"You'll be more focused on cock-blocking, that way they don't try to get some action." Matt chuckled.

"I could do without that mental image, Matt." Artie groaned and wheeled his way across the room.

"I don't think many people are wanting to get some action out of me," I snorted. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see both Finn and Puck looking at me intently. I gave them a death glare and they looked away quickly.

"I think this is a great idea," Rachel spoke up. Everyone glared at her. "Well, Mr. Schuester told me that the rest of the club was going to perform The Star-Spangled Banner at the game, so we'd all be there to keep an eye out on the boys to make sure nothing gets too bad."

"Wow, that actually makes sense." Brittany hummed.

Mercedes needed a few moments to think it over. "Alright, fine. But I swear to God, Puck, if any of them come back hurt, especially Kurt, Karofsky will be the least of your worries."

It amused me that she was looking directly at Puck, who looked like he was afraid she'd pull out a knife and stab him right then and there. Before anyone could say anything else, Mr. Schuester walked in with a smile on is face that couldn't help but reassure us all. We were still working on our solos that week, so I was pretty thrilled about it. My original song choice was a happy song about falling in love, but then I decided to change it to something that expressed my real love life.

Halfway into my rehearsal, Puck approached me cautiously. Mercedes and Tina instinctively rose from their seats, but I rose my hand and motioned for them to sit back down. I needed to face this monster alone. I could tell he was anxious. He took a seat beside me and I turned in his direction with a raised eyebrow.

"Listen, I know you're still mad at me and all, but I've gotta tell you something." He took a deep breath. "I...I told my mom."

"What did you tell her?" My eyes were wide with fear. I knew his mom had high expectations for him.

"That I was bi," Puck muttered. "Because I know I like girls and all, and you're the only guy I've ever had the hots for, so I guess that means I'm bi, you know?"

"When did you tell her?" I gasped and inched closer.

"Um, in the morning. She was drinking coffee at the time, so I was too busy cleaning it up for fifteen minutes to get her first reaction, but then we sat down and talked...and talked...and I had to clean up some more...but, um, in the end she was kind of cool about it. She took it way better than I expected her to." He frowned slightly. "I kind of did it for you."

I blinked. Was he this committed to me? I mean, telling his mother that was a big step. I was...well, I was actually proud of him. Don't get mad at me if I happened to leap up and wrap my arms around his neck, tightly giving him a hug.

"Thanks," I whispered as he hugged me back. "I know that it must've been hard."

"It was, but I'm glad I got it over with." He sighed.

I slipped out of his grip and back into my original seat. I caught Finn glancing at us out of the corner of my eye; he must be going through a lot of emotions right now.

"So, is everything cool between us? Even if it isn't, I'd still like to be friends." Puck spoke up.

"No, everything isn't cool between us," I shrugged. "but I guess we could go back to being friends. Just don't expect me to go all gaga for you, though. I'm not that kind of guy."

"I figured that much," Puck grumbled.

"Hey Kurt," Finn jogged over to my seat. "Think you can help me with my song?"

I knew Finn was trying to give me a way out of my conversation with Puck. After mouthing a silent 'thank you', I got up and scurried off toward the drum set alongside him.

"I owe you one, big guy." I laughed softly.

"No problem; I could tell that the conversation was kinda getting awkward." Finn ruffled my hair slightly. "Which song are you singing, if you don't mind me asking."

"It's a surprise for tomorrow," I explained as I ran my hand along the drums. "I'm sure everyone will be shocked."

"You've been shocking people a lot, buddy." Finn grinned down at me and draped his arm around my shoulders. It was times like these that I cherished because I knew they wouldn't last long. I learned that kind of thing from the time I spent being Puck's play toy.

- -

The next day came faster than I planned, which meant I had to wait through song after song. Mercedes surprised me with her rendition of Disturbia, Artie was amazing with Waiting on the World to Change, Tina shone like a star with Misery Business, Brittany was surprisingly good with Take it Off, Santana did a nice job with Tik Tok, Matt was dazzling with In My Head (Jason DeRulo's version, not the No Doubt one, unfortunately), Mike rocked I Don't Wanna Be, Quinn almost brought me to tears with Unfaithful, and Finn blew my mind with Use Somebody (I could've sworn he looked at me multiple times during the song). When it was Puck's turn, however, everyone was stunned when the music came one. It wasn't a song we were familiar with. I prepared myself to listen intently to the lyrics as he began.

"I think you can do much better than me, after all the lies that I made you believe. Guilt kicks in and I start to see the edge of the bed, where your nightgown used to be." Puck sang softly, strumming his guitar to the rest of the music playing from the band. "I told myself I won't miss you, but I remember what it feels like beside you. I really miss your hair in my face and the way your innocence tastes, and I think you should know this. You deserve much better than me."

I could feel Puck's gaze land on me more than once and when it did, we made direct eye contact. I couldn't find the willpower to look away.

"The bed I'm lying in is getting colder. Wish I never would've said it's over and I can't pretend I won't think about you when I'm older, 'cause we never really had our can't be the end, the end." Puck was really getting into the song. "I really miss your hair in my face and the way your innocence tastes, and I think you should know this. You deserve much better than me. I really miss your hair in my face and the way your innocence tastes, and I think you should know this. You deserve much better than me, and I think you should know this, you deserve much better than me."

The song was short, but it struck a nerve somewhere deep in my heart. When the rest of the club clapped, I was the only one who stood silent and looked down when Puck took his seat. I almost forgot that I was next, but a nudge from Mercedes got me stumbling out of my seat and to the center of the room. I felt all eyes on me. I was ready for this; I knew I was going to wow everybody. Taking a deep breath, I was soon singing with the music playing perfectly behind me.

"You're beggin' me to go, you're makin' me stay. Why do you hurt me so bad? It would help me to know, do I stand in your way or am I the best thing you've had? Believe me, believe me, I can't tell you why, but I'm trapped by your love and I'm chained to your side." I could see the look on everybody's face, especially Rachel's. They were shocked I decided to do a Pat Benatar song. "We are young, heartache to heartache we stand. No promises, no demands, love is a battlefield. We are strong, no one can tell us we're wrong. Searchin' our hearts for so long, both of us knowing love is a battlefield."

Puck looked dead serious as I continued to sing, while Finn sat back with a smirk that encouraged me.

"We're losing control, will you turn me away or touch me deep inside? And before this gets old, will it still feel the same? There's no way this will die, but if we get much closer, I could lose control and if your heart surrenders, you'll need me to hold." I belted out, slamming my feet for emphasis. The music continued to pound throughout the room and I caught Quinn and Santana singing along with me. "We are young, heartache to heartache we stand. No promises, no demands, love is a battlefield. We are strong, no one can tell us we're wrong. Searchin' our hearts for so long, both of us knowing love is a battlefield."

"We are young, heartache to heartache we stand! No promises, no demands, love is a battlefield!" I was singing alongside all the girls now, even Rachel, and I almost laughed when Artie decided to cut in with Mike and Matt. Finn and Puck were the only silent ones at this point, because even Mr. Schuester was singing with a grin on his face. "We are strong, no one can tell us we're wrong! Searchin' our hearts for so lo-o-o-ng, both of us knowing, love is a battlefield!"

The music cut short after that, just as I'd planned, and I did a quick bow. I knew I rocked it, and no one could deny that. Pat Benatar was so my thing.

Mercedes was the first one to compliment me, saying how good I rocked a white girl's song. Then Mike and Matt hoisted me into the air for a congratulations toss, but as soon as I started protesting, Finn reached up and easily brought me back onto flat ground. I had to deal with the noogies and tickles I got from Mike and Matt as payback after that. Santana mutter a "great job, Lance Bass" and Brittany gave me a big hug as a gift. Rachel swiftly said how well I was and Quinn shot me a faint smile (poor girl and all those pregnancy downfalls). Finn put an arm around me and squeezed my arm enthusiastically.

"You did great, dude." Finn grinned down at me, then glared at Puck. "Don't you think he did awesome, Puck?"

Puck glanced at me from across the room with a smirk. "Huh? Oh, yeah, he did a nice job."

I narrowed my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. "I was awesome, and you know it."

"Whatever you say, oh great and all-knowing Hummel." Puck rolled his eyes and buried his hands inside his pockets sheepishly. And if I didn't know any better, I'd say that he was blushing.