Jesus, it's been a while. Sorry, guys! But now I'm done with high school, and college doesn't start until late August, so this should get updated more frequently.
For the purpose of reading this story, just forget everything that happened after like…Preggers, honestly. Even if I do seriously want to murder Finn for what he's done.
Disclaimer: Do I honestly need to say it again? I'm gonna go slit my wrists or something people. *sigh* Fine. I don't own Glee. HAPPY NOW? You've dashed all of my hopes and dreams!
Now, on to chapter 3!
"Where's Puck?"
The entire Glee Club stared at their teacher for all of two seconds, before frantically turning and looking for the self-proclaimed bad ass. A minute had not even passed when Quinn stood, her hand placed protectively over her lower belly, a smile gracing her features.
"I'll go look for him," she said, ready to leave the crowded room.
Before she could even take a single step, Kurt stood in her way, fury evident in his eyes, and spat, "Like hell you will! You're the source of all the problems here!"
Kurt felt himself die a little inside as the peaceful expression on Quinn's face fell into one of despair and guilt. He would not admit it to himself until later that he also felt a sense of accomplishment. After taking in a heavy breath, he shouldered his messenger bag and stood at the front of the choir room, his eyes alight with determination.
"As I feel I am the only one capable of taking this entire situation seriously without being violent, I believe I am the only viable option we have available to go and find Puck." He smiled at the rest of the club waiting or any objections. After receiving none, he gave a quick goodbye, "Alright then. I'll see you all shortly," and was on his way out the door.
Kurt had only been searching the grounds for ten minutes when he came across the sound of hard thuds coming from underneath the stands in the football stadium. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, setting his bag gently on the pavement a safe distance away from the muddy field, before walking across the grass to wear Noah Puckerman was beating his fists to a bloody pulp on the hard aluminum.
Kurt cleared his throat as he watched the Neanderthal attack the innocent bleachers. After being completely ignored, which Kurt Hummel was just not accustomed to, he decided to be a little more forward with his attempts. He stepped right beside Puck and proceeded to scream in his ear.
"Noah Puckerman, what the HELL do you think you're doing?" Kurt looked pleased when the jock looked him in the eye, obviously startled.
"What the fuck, man?" Puck stepped back, holding his hands, his eyes wide with unshed tears as he stared at Kurt.
And that was what set off the flashing lights inside of Kurt. Years of being on the receiving end of wedgies, pee balloons, and dumpster dives and never once had he seen the perpetrator, Noah "BAMF" Puckerman, shed a single tear. Even after his father had run off in the third grade, Puck had remained stoic as his mother basically fell apart. Even when he was pummeled to the ground by a linebacker who was three times his size, Puck got up and dusted himself off, only to have it happen over and over again.
Now, after being dissed by his (ex)best friend and completely ignored by the people he had once considered friends, Puck was crying. The tears slid down his dark cheeks like rivulets after a dam had broken, staining his once confident features with doubt and regret. He fell to a heap on the ground, holding himself up only by the strength of his hands and knees.
Kurt felt horrible. That was the only way to describe the knotting feeling he had in the pit of his stomach at that moment. Noah Puckerman was breaking down in front of him, and he was just standing there, watching in amazement like a tourist witnessing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. After mentally gathering himself, Kurt walked over to the fallen running back and started rubbing soothing circles on his trembling back. That seemed to help a little, so Kurt started to speak.
"So, um, hi," it was hard for him to find the right words to say at a time like this, "Everyone's waiting for you back in the choir room. I-uh, I offered to come find you. And look, I found you!" Kurt let out a fake laugh, but it was cold and forced. He licked his lips and started again, "So, it'd be pretty sp-splendid if you could go with me and show everyone that you're, uh, that you're okay. A-alright?"
Puck sat up, shaking Kurt's hands off of him, before wiping his tears from his face. He took a few deep breaths before looking at Kurt again.
His face was by no means pale, but it was much lighter than the counter-tenor had grown used to seeing. His eyes were rimmed with red from the tears, puffy in all the wrong places. His lips were dry, a pink tongue darting out to wet them before he finally spoke up.
"Look, Hummel, we're gonna pretend you did not just witness any of that. We're gonna pretend that I did not just break down on the football field, that you did not find me crying, and that you most certainly did not comfort me. Got it?" Kurt nodded, small and frightened, "Good. Now, thank you. For real. I know I haven't been the best dude to you or whatever, but, thanks."
Puck stood, brushing his pant legs off and running a bruised hand through his small strip of hair. He extended an arm towards Kurt, offering to help him off the dirt. Kurt looked at the appendage, bewildered by the fact that it was being offered in chivalry rather than aggression. After sighing, he accepted the hand and heaved himself of the ground.
"No problem," he said, looking Puck in the eyes, "Now you can pay me back by giving me enough money to get these pants dry cleaned. They're D&G."
Puck's eyes went wide before a fit of laughter erupted from his lips, shaking his entire body. His eyes were shut tight, his nose crinkled, and his mouth ajar as the evident amusement had his way with him. Kurt looked offended as the older teen unraveled before him. Pulling his arms into his chest and arranging his most perfect pout on his lips, he shot Noah Puckerman a skank look* nobody could stomach.
The other's laughter stopped almost instantly as he caught a glance of the look Kurt was giving him. A few more chuckles escaped his pinched lips and he placed a hand on the smaller boy's shoulder.
"Wow, dude, you're hilarious. In like, a smart kind of way, you know? Anyways, I'll get you that money, promise. I was wondering, since you are the only one who actually came to look for me," Kurt winced inwardly, Quinn's expression as he left the choir room haunting his mind, "would you mind helping me with this Quinn stuff? I really do like her, man, and I want to be a part of my kid's life. Not like my dad. I want to be there for her. For both of them."
Kurt was touched. After all of these years o only seeing Puck's rough exterior, he was seeing the actual (well, almost) human being that lay beneath the jock's mask. He smiled, a plot already forming in his head. He would help Puck, an be able to help himself, too.
"Well, sure I'll help you! I'll make you the object of Quinn's desire. You'll be the man of every girl's dreams before the semester is over. I give you my word." He shook Puck's hand, "After all, it's like I told Rachel. Makeovers are like crack to me."
Puck laughed, a genuine hearty laugh, "Yeah man, thanks. And even though I asked you, I gotta know. Why did you accept it so fast? I expected some bribery or something to be in order."
Kurt looked at him, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
"Well, if I get you and Quinn together, that leaves Finn all lonesome and sad. That's where little old me comes in, holding a tissue and a cup of hot chocolate, ready with a shoulder to cry on. And if that cocoa is spilled and the tissue forgotten for a hot, steamy make-out session, I cannot say I would truly mind at all." Kurt giggled.
Puck stared at the boy, wide eyed, before smirking, "Oh I see, you've got ulterior motives. Sure, whatever, man. Hey, I'll even help to make Finn see how great the other side could be. He'll be running into your arms in not time, dude."
Kurt smiled, "Why, thank you, Puck. Now, let's get back to the choir room before everyone thinks you've murdered me and stashed my body in the back of Ms. Pillsbury's car."
The boys gathered their things and headed back in the direction of the school building.
Kurt arrived at the choir room, expecting a lot more noise to be coming from behind the door than there actually was. He swung the door open, hearing it slam against the wall, and busted in.
"I found him!" he sang, motioning his arms to the horrible posture that was Noah Puckerman.
The rest of the Glee Club stared at the two of them, complete disgust focused on Puck, before Mr. Schuester clapped his hands and sent both boys to their respective seats; Kurt's between Mercedes and Tina, and Puck's in the very back against a wall, separate from the rest of the club.
"Alright Kurt, thanks a lot. So," Mr. Schue looked around the room to see the already thick tension building, "I guess since so much has already happened we should just call it a day. Whadya say, guys?" The club cheered and bounded out of the room. The teacher laughed and made his way to his own office to gather his things.
Puck walked over to Kurt and waited for the smaller boy to pick up his bag before speaking.
"So, I'll do what I said if you do what I said," he smiled, "Pinky promise."
Kurt looked incredulously at the phalange extended his way before accepting it with his own.
"Pinky promise." He responded.
"Good, now you can't break that, dude. Pinky promises are some serious shit. Or, so my sister says." Puck laughed and turned on his heel, offering Kurt a small salute as a goodbye.
Kurt waved back and was about to leave before he spotted Finn taking his time in a corner. After gathering up as much courage as he could muster, which when it came to Finn just was not all that much, he made his way over to the much taller teen. Just as he was about to tap him on the shoulder, Finn turned around, almost toppling over Kurt.
"Woah, you keep scaring me like that, dude!" Finn rubbed the back of his neck and smiled down at Kurt, "So, you wanna talk to me or something, man?"
Kurt took a few seconds to remember how to breathe before answering.
"Well, I don't really need anything, but I can think of someone who does. I think you should talk to Puck, Finn. I really do. I mean, you two were such great friends before, and I know what he did was pretty awful, but after talking to him I can honestly say he seems genuinely apologetic." Kurt felt like he was rambling, "So, to get to the point, you should talk to Puck. 'Nuff said."
Kurt let out a huff of breath before being completely engulfed in all that was Finn Hudson's strong embrace. The bone crushing hug lasted only a few mere seconds, but to Kurt it was a lifetime.
"Yeah, dude, thanks. I think I was really waiting for someone to tell me that. Thanks."
Finn hefted his backpack onto his shoulder and left the choir room, and if Kurt thought he felt his heart leap a little in his chest, he certain would not deny it later.
~+++TBC+++~
AN: A skank look, if you are not aware, is a death glare, only much worse. Chris Colfer pulls these off quite nicely as Kurt.
Also, I apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes. I only read over it once, so I know I probably didn't catch them all.
Read and review? Thanks.
