Title: You Could Save me
Author: Fatebegins (http:// fatebegins .livejournal .com/)
Rating: NC-17 / M
Pairing: Puck/Kurt (Purt/Puckurt).
Summary: Puck is a bodyguard who takes on a privileged client. Sparks of all kinds fly.
Disclaimer: No Glee don't belong to me or to fatebegins, this history is not mine! But I have permission to post it here! (The original post: http:// fatebegins .livejournal .com/15730 .html )
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Review? Please? *puppy eyes*
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After ushering Chad into the living room Puck went into the hallway, slipping unnoticed into an alcove. He pulled out his cell phone. Puck knew his mother didn't appreciate it when he called out of their arranged times but he was hoping she was feeling a little more generous after the sum they had paid her. He really needed to hear his son's voice.
The phone rang, once, then twice; by the eighth ring Puck was giving up hope when suddenly it was answered.
"Yeah?" It was his mother's voice, sharp and annoyed.
"It's Noah."
"Oh yeah," A wheeze. "You're not supposed to call on Thursdays."
"I'd like to talk to him...please." Puck gritted his teeth, forced himself not to let his anger into his voice. "If that's alright with you."
"I guess." She grunted. "He's been a whiny little cuss all day, maybe you can straighten his ass out."
"What do you mean? You better reme - "
"Daddy? Is this Daddy?" A small voice came through the other line and Puck's throat constricted.
"Hi buddy…Yes, its daddy." Puck grip tightened on the phone and with every passing moment of silence his nerves increased. It was pure torture not being with Aidan right now, not being able to see his face, to hug and hold him. "Aidan?"
"Daddy, you're coming to get me?"
"Not yet little man." Puck closed his eyes for a moment. "But soon, okay?"
"O-okay." Puck could hear his little hitching breaths, knew that Aidan was upset.
"You okay?"
There was silence on the other end of the line. He heard a door slam in the distance. "K-kathy threw all my cars in the trash can." He didn't call his birth mother mom, in fact as far as Puck knew, Aidan was unaware that Kathy was his mother and Puck was his brother. "I forgot to put them in my backpack an' she threw 'em all away."
"Oh baby…" Puck could've punched something; better yet he wanted to punch her. It was just like his mother to do something so spiteful and cruel. "I'll buy you new ones when I get back, okay? Bigger and better cars. I promise to let you pick out all the colors."
"C-come get me s-soon?"
Puck froze, his heart aching at the implication of Aidan's distress. "Did you get hurt Aidan? Remember how daddy said to always tell him if you got a scrape or bruise?"
"Y-yes."
"Are you …hurt?" Puck felt like he was immersed underwater, all of the sound funneling down to his ears from a far away distance.
"No." Aidan sounded sad. "I just don't like it here when you don't come. I want to go with you."
"Two weeks, alright? Can you be a big boy for me and wait two weeks?"
"I am a big boy." Aidan immediately responded and Puck could just envision him nodding his head. "Is two weeks far away from now?"
"It's soon." Puck forced himself to sound cheerful. "Has Aunt Maggie been stopping by to play with you?" Margaret Chang was Mike's sister and she lived about four minutes away from the Lima Trailer parks. Without her going over to check on Aidan and spend time with him for hours every day there would have been no way Puck could have taken a job so far away.
"Yeah!" His little voice brightened. "We played hide and seek and Aunt Maggie hid behind a tree daddy! It took me a long time to find her! She hides good."
"That sound like a lot of fun." Puck smiled.
"It is, daddy! And we ate mac 'n' cheese and Aunt Maggie took me for ice cream! I got vallilia and sprinkles."
Puck's smile broadened. Aidan couldn't fully pronounce the word vanilla and every time Puck heard his voice, baby tones still lingering, mispronounce the word it tugged at his heart strings. He listened to Aidan talk about random event of his days until the little boy ran out of words to say. That in itself was a feat.
"You should go to sleep, alright little man?"
"Okay." Aidan yawned. "I love you, daddy."
"I love you too. Remember that, okay? I love you more than anything in the whole wide world."
"Okay, daddy."
There was some fumbling noises as the receiver was put down then picked back up again.
"You're paying for this!" Kathy seethed into the phone. "That was a long distance call and it was over twenty minutes. I don't have money to throw away on phone bills."
"Of course, I'll cover the charges."
"Hmph." There was a pause. "I brought the papers to that fancy lawyer of yours. He said everything should be drawn up by Monday."
"What?" Puck was floored, his knees went weak. Had she really signed over custody?
"That's what we agreed too, isn't it? The kid will be yours, all legal like. You can come get him as soon as everything is filed and I get an extra thirty thousand for my trouble."
"You filed with Max?" He didn't even hear the demand for extra money. If that meant it would truly be over than he would gladly pay the amount.
"Yeah I did. I'll be happy to get rid of Aidan, that little shit almost made me break my ankle today. Leaving out those stupid toy cars everywhere; he's an even whinier brat than you were."
"I…I'll come next week." Puck paused. He needed to make sure that his mother wasn't jerking him around. "After I speak with Max."
"I don't care what you do, just remember the extra thirty." The line went dead.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze for Puck. He was almost afraid to hope, knowing that if he accepted his mother's words as the truth before getting a call from his lawyer he would be setting himself up for a fall. But without the hope he was left feeling numb, emotionless. Puck didn't even feel guilty distracting Kurt for a few minutes - pulling him into an empty room to make out - while Mike searched his bag and extracted the journal. He was just going through the motions until his lawyer called.
The only real sense of emotion he had felt was relief when Chad taken one look at Kellerman's online security encrypted database and laughed. They'd been scrolling through the guest list five minutes later. An hour later Chad had handed them a spread sheet, listing each guest and every possible relation they had to Kurt and Burt Hummel. Even Mike had been speechless. Chad may be full of shit sometimes but there was no denying he was a genius.
*'~'*'~'*'~'*'~'*'~'*'~'*
Kurt hurried around the room. Trying to put on the finishing touches to the romantic setting he had planned. He stepped back and looked at the final result. The small table that he'd instructed the staff to carry into his room was draped in a beautiful, black table cloth and covered in red roses, loose rose petals scattered across the table top. Kurt had fished out his mother's Swarovski candle holders and the stems caught the candle light perfectly, diffracting the light into thousand of shimmering rays. Kurt had also spent the afternoon cooking, taking cues from Chad of all people, who had turned out to be somewhat of an excellent cook. Chad had ended up being full of surprises going as far as to demonstrate how to 'deep throat' by almost choking himself on a banana while the sauce simmered. Kurt had about died with laughter and Katie had shaken her head tiredly. Kurt had a feeling Chad did outrageous things daily.
Moving one rose carefully to the side, Kurt took a deep breath and looked at his final product. It was perfect. The only thing missing was a certain tall, dark and handsome man.
"So what do you think?" Kurt asked Chad, seeking reassurance.
Chad looked at him and then down to the little table set for two. "You do realize that Puck's allergic to shrimp right?"
"He's what?" Kurt blanched, staring from the Thai lemon shrimp and rice dish to Chad's face, horrified. "Why didn't you mention this while we were fucking sautéing them?"
Chad burst out laughing. "Relax, relax. I was just joking, trying to lighten the mood."
"Well don't make jokes like that! You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Your dad coming home early, now that would be something to give you a heart attack." Chad grinned. "You're so lucky that he's out of town."
"Yeah…" Kurt agreed nervously. It had actually been surprisingly easy to hide their relationship from his father. Burt Hummel seemed to be working around the clock. All Kurt knew was that he was immersed in a huge business deal that demanded all of his attention. Yesterday, for the first time Kurt could ever recall, Burt had not been present at breakfast. Kurt had been shocked but had enjoyed eating with just the crew. Conversation was a lot livelier and free flowing when Burt wasn't there to skewer people at random with disapproving looks.
"Something tells me Papa bear would be pissed if he knew his cub was inviting a wolf into his bedroom."
"Bears and wolves?" Kurt laughed uneasily. "You watch too much Animal Planet."
"I totally heard you and your dad talking that day." Chad admitted.
"You did?" Kurt cringed.
"It wasn't that hard, I mean he was practically yelling towards the end." Chad flicked the curtains closed and then swept his hand under the window ledge. Kurt was used to this ritual and knew the other man was checking for any kind of electronic devices. "He doesn't think too highly of any of us, does he?"
"Please don't…" Kurt stammered, twisting a linen napkin between his hands. "I mean, I haven't told Puck or anything yet since he wants to keep us a secret anyway-"
"It's not my business." Chad waved his concerns away. "You're both old enough to do whatever it is that you want. And not to be a prick or anything, because I know he's your old man, but your dad fucking blows."
Kurt smiled weakly. "He's just worried about me so he's not thinking clearly."
"Well, whatever." Chad wandered over to the table, touching things at random.
"But I'm sorry if you felt…put out over some of the things he said."
"Don't really give a flying fuck, though Puck might and Katie would probably cry for a bit." Chad picked up a wine bottle that was chilling on the buffet tray and looked at the label, impressed. "A bottle of Messorio Merlot? Classy, Kurt." He gave Kurt a bemused look. "You're not even old enough to drink." Kurt rolled his eyes grateful for the change in subject and Chad smirked. "You know I think as a law abiding citizen with a conscience," He feigned a step towards the door. "I have no choice but to seize this."
"Chad, you're driving me crazy!" Kurt snatched the expensive bottle back. "I'm already freaking out; I don't have time for this! You're supposed to be calming me down."
"Okay, then." Chad grinned. "Take a deep breath." Kurt inhaled. "And calm down, it's just dinner."
"It's more than that...at least for me. After you guys leave, I…I don't want it to be the end of Noah and I. I really want this to work with us."
"No shit." Chad studied him thoughtfully. "You really like him, huh?"
"Of course I do!"
"I wasn't too sure. This isn't the first time some client has fallen for Puck."
"What?" Kurt hand froze, his grip on the top of the bottle tightened. "You mean…he's been with other clients before?"
"Hell no," Chad shook his head emphatically. "Puck - and I don't see it - but he tends to be like the walking fantasy for just about every person there is. Lonely housewives adore him, teenage girls giggle over him, guys want to be fucked by him." He shot Kurt a look. "No offense, but it's always that kind of thing. When we started working in private security it got worse. Clients seem to have this idea that our services include servicing, if you catch my drift." Chad shrugged. "I just meant that…well, we kind of thought that you liked Puck because he was just a novelty, like a new toy."
"New toy?" Kurt was sickened. "Who said that?"
"Da -" Chad caught himself. "No one said anything but listen, it's obvious that you care about him. Why else would you waste a perfectly fine afternoon cooking when you could've had your chef do it for you? That shows character."
"I do." Kurt set the Merlot back down in the bucket of ice. "Care about him, I mean. A lot." He could feel his cheeks heating up.
"If it makes you feel any better, all this." Chad gestured to the candle light and table of food. "Puck would never agree to this romance shit unless he really liked you too. "
"Thank you, Chad." Warmth suffused him. Having Chad here right now wasn't a bad thing. "I really needed to hear that."
"I mean the boy isn't hard up for sex or anything. It's not like he has to fake being romantic to fuck -"
"Okay Chad!" Kurt clapped his hands over his ears. "You really should've just stopped speaking after the first bit."
"I was just saying -"
"Could you just give the room a final sweep and then get Noah in here? "
"Eager much?" Chad waggled his eyebrows. "Don't think I didn't see you looking at those black lace panties -"
"Chad!" Kurt shouted, mortified. He'd made Chad wait in the bathroom while he had contemplated what underwear to put on. It'd been slightly embarrassing to choose underwear with the thought of someone else seeing it but Kurt had forged on through his reservations. The underwear had been Artie's idea, well, in a round about way. His friend had given him the gag gift in an attempt at humor. Kurt had laughed it off and accepted the jibes good naturedly but after his friends had left he'd taken a closer look. The briefs were really sexy. The flimsy garment was made completely of sheer lace. The back was cut high in the boy shorts design. Just the thought of slipping them on for Puck had made him shiver with desire. He could imagine Puck's reaction. Kurt smiled inwardly, he may be less experienced than the older man but he was bold if anything.
"I was curious!" Chad flipped back, unconcerned.
"Okay, now I really want you to get out -" The door opened and Kurt stopped talking. Puck stood in the door way clad in black slacks and a black dress shirt. The top buttons were undone and Kurt could see the hint of strong muscle peeping out at him.
"I got tired of waiting." Puck smiled seductively, his eyes traveling down Kurt's body, taking in Kurt's tight white jeans and off the shoulder red sweater. "You look amazing." Puck stepped closer, his finger hooking in Kurt's belt loop and tugging him forward until he was pressed against his chest. It felt oddly enough like a first date.
"So do you." Kurt looked up at Puck coyly through his lashes. Puck hadn't shaved since that morning and Kurt saw the dark shadow of stubble along his jaw. He could only imagine how good it would feel against his skin.
"Oh good lord, my eyes!" Chad yelped, hurrying across the room to the door. "That's my cue to leave."
Both Kurt and Puck paid Chad no attention, their eyes not leaving one another for a second.
"Alone at last," Puck teased as the door shut behind Chad. "I believe I was promised dinner." He kissed Kurt lightly then moved them toward the laden dinner table. After Kurt was seated, Puck sat down looking at the food appreciatively. "Look's good."
Kurt watched Puck carefully as he ate, only taking small bites of rice himself. He wanted to make sure Puck was really enjoying the food he prepared, the last thing he wanted was a pity compliment. But it seemed like Kurt's fears were misplaced, Puck was devouring his food with the single minded attention of a starving man. Kurt smiled, twirling his wine glass stem.
"This is amazing. I swear the first thing I'm going to do when I'm done paying my mother is steal your chef." Puck took another bite of his shrimp and Kurt beamed.
"Actually, you can just save the cost and stick with me." Kurt looked at Puck from over the rim of his wine glass. "I cooked everything."
Puck's brows rose in surprise. "Look at you, all domestic." He sounded pleased.
"I cook a lot, as a hobby at least. My father didn't really let me go anywhere when I was younger so most days I just hung out with Rosemary while he was at work and picked up a few things along the way."
"More than a few things, baby. You should be on Iron Chef or some shit like that." Puck announced. "I think I'll keep you."
"I wouldn't mind that…" Kurt broke off blushing. "You know, cooking for you everyday."
"Really?"
Kurt nodded. "And I can make a lot of things, I'm not sure what Aidan likes to eat but little kids tend to like foods that are pretty basic; hotdogs, pancakes… things like that." He leaned over the table and lowered his voice as if he were confessing a dark secret. "I've been told I make a macaroni and cheese that's to die for."
"He loves mac and cheese." Puck replied softly, watching Kurt's face closely. He had been thinking about things like this all afternoon, since calling his lawyer and finding out that Max was indeed in possession of custody papers. Puck had only known Kurt for a few months but he was already positive that he wanted to be with the younger man indefinitely. What he wasn't too sure about was how Kurt would react to the abrupt changes in his life. Right now it was all well and good, but was Kurt really prepared to become a parent to a four year old? He was only eighteen himself, after all. Puck didn't know if it was fair of him to even ask that of someone so young.
"Noah?" Kurt's voice was hesitant and Puck realized he'd been ignoring whatever Kurt had been saying. "I'm sorry if I presumed anything...about Aidan, I just thought that we could -" Puck leaned over the table and kissed him soundly. When he pulled back Kurt was dazed. "What was that for?"
"That was for being so amazing." Puck smiled. "Of course I want you to be a part of Aidan's life, I just really didn't know if that was what you wanted. You're still so young, Kurt-"
"I may be young but I know what I want. I want a family, a life with you." Kurt's eyes flashed with determination. He thought of the little wallet photo Puck had shown him of a smiling brunette child. The minute he had seen Aidan's face he'd felt a connection to the child. "I've known that for awhile now, if anything you were the one that took convincing, old man!"
"I'll show you 'old man'." Puck got to his feet and pulled a giggling Kurt into his arms. "I'll teach you a lesson or two."
"I don't know, isn't it past your bed time -" Kurt broke of in a squeal when Puck bit down on his neck sharply.
"Bitch." Puck' s voice was without heat. He reached out to touch Kurt but the younger man danced away.
"Nuh-uh." Kurt tsked. "Tonight is my fantasy." Kurt voice was mischievous. "I won the bet and I get to decide what we do."
"Alright." Puck relented, following Kurt's movements intently. He'd play along for the moment. "What do you want me to do?"
A red flush crept up Kurt's neck. "I think you should be asking me what I want to do to you." Kurt's undid Puck's belt buckle, sliding a hand inside to curl around his hardening cock.
"Kurt…"
"Want you in my mouth…I want to suck you."
"Shit. Yeah, I'm clean." Puck moved back against the wall, widening his stance when Kurt went to his knees between his legs.
Kurt didn't even register his words. "I've always wanted to do this." Kurt licked his lips, eyes riveted to Puck's beautifully flushed cock. He moved forward, holding the hot flesh in his hands, stroking the shaft before pressing a closed mouth kiss to it.
"You look so fucking sexy on your knees for me." Puck's hands sifted through Kurt's thick hair, moving the strands away form his face so he could see his blue eyes clearly.
Kurt tentatively stuck out his tongue, dragging it up the underside of Puck's cock. He continued like that for several moments, licking the length with explorative kittenish swipes of his tongue, learning Puck's texture and taste. Kurt watched fascinated as clear liquid beaded at the tip of Puck's cock before he could even think, Kurt sealed his mouth over the head, sucking softly to taste. Bitter fluid exploded on his tongue and Kurt groaned. Tasting Puck was turning him on incredibly, his own dick was diamond hard in his jeans as he sucked hungrily.
"Fuck, Kurt." Puck tilted his head back against the wall. What Kurt lacked in technique and experience he more than made up for in enthusiasm and fervor. Puck looked down and almost came right then and there. Kurt's plush mouth was wrapped around his cock, lips stretched wide and Kurt was looking up at him, his face filled with intense pleasure.
Kurt increased his suctioning efforts, pulling at Puck's cock hard with his mouth, drinking in the salty spurts and letting Puck's pre-come slide down the back of his throat. He pulled back, jacking Puck with his hand, staring up at him. "Fucking delecious." He licked his lips and Puck groaned anew.
Dazed, Puck led Kurt's mouth back down on his dick. His legs trembled as he fought against the urge to thrust into Kurt's wet, hot mouth. Kurt would probably choke. He shuddered as the thought made him even more aroused, he wanted to see Kurt choking on him. "Take me in deeper." Puck commanded his voice hoarse. He thrust shallowly to reiterate his request.
Kurt took a deep breath, breathing in through his nostrils and then slowly worked his mouth down over Puck's cock, fighting the urge to gag when Puck nudged against the back of his throat.
"Fuck… Puck let out a strangled sound when he felt Kurt's throat envelop the tip. "So fucking good…look so good sucking my cock, baby."
Kurt pulled off, gasping for air. "You want to come in my mouth?"
Puck almost came at the question, the thought evoking such a strong response that he double over fighting to stave off his orgasm. As much as he fucking loved Kurt's mouth, he wanted to come in his tight ass. He grasped Kurt's arm pulling him to his feet and towards the bed, shedding their remaining articles of clothing on the way. His hands stilled- holy shit, Kurt was wearing black lace briefs, the intricate lines showing peeks of his pale skin underneath, while the back displayed the firm half moons of his ass.
"You like them?" Kurt's voice was breathless; he could hear the need laced through it.
"You're going to fucking kill me." Puck groaned. His hands slid down Kurt's back to cup his ass through the lace. "Holy fuck, this is fucking sexy." Puck dropped to his knees nuzzling Kurt through the lace, his erection clearly visible through the straining mesh.
"I'll take that as a yes." Kurt gave Puck a sultry smile and pulled away, moving until he was sitting on the bed. Puck followed him a predatory gleam in his eyes.
After joining Kurt on the bed, Puck turned Kurt down on to his side, moving to spoon him from behind. He hooked his arm under Kurt's knee, firmly pulling his leg up and back over his hips.
"Noah, I want you in me, now." Kurt tried to roll over onto his back but Puck stopped him. He let out a sound of frustration.
"I'm working on that." Puck angled his hips forward, sliding his thick cock through Kurt's butt cheeks. Kurt shuddered, just realizing in that moment that Puck could fuck him in the position they were in. Kurt thrust his hips back, moaning at the slick, hot slide of Puck between his legs.
"C-condom?" Kurt gasped, looking around frantically. His nightstand now looked miles away, the distance too great for him to cross.
"I…about that," Puck stroked Kurt thigh absently. "I got tested a couple of weeks back and I'm clean...I haven't been with anyone else so if.. ..you're…shit." Puck broke off. "Just forget it."
"No condom then." Heat unfurled in his belly. Kurt wanted that intimacy with Puck. "I'm ready for you, Noah."
"You sure?" Puck teased, but his voice was coming out in broken. He twisted the lace underwear to the side, not willing to take the tantalizing undergarment off. Puck's cockhead nudged against Kurt's exposed hole and they both groaned. Kurt knew that Puck was finding him slick and open; ready and waiting. "You prepped yourself for me?" Puck slid forward. "Wanted me to fuck you that bad?"
"S-since this afternoon," Kurt purred, moving his hips back. "I wanted you inside of me fast."
"Such a fucking turn on," Puck sucked hard on the side of Kurt's neck, bringing blood to the surface, not even caring that the mark would be visible to others. "Tell me how you did it."
"I went into the bathroom a-and I thought about you." Kurt broke off on a gasp. Puck was playing with his nipples, teasing the flesh into hardened nubs. "I imagined it was you in me, so fucking big and h-hard."
"You drive me crazy." Puck breathed into Kurt's neck. "Want you so bad."
"Noah, please, I mean- oh fuck!" Kurt let out a hoarse scream as Puck plunged into him, thick and hot.
Hefting Kurt's leg higher over his hip, Puck angled his thrusts, plunging into the tight channel hard. Kurt's body was sucking him in greedily, gripping him tightly while Kurt mewled and sobbed his pleasure, fingers fisting in the sheets.
Each hard thrust from behind propelled him forward on the bed and Kurt gasped, struggling to catch his breath even as his body trembled in mindless pleasure. Unable to stop himself, Kurt came, his vision going black as he sprayed hot come across the sheet.
"Coming just from my cock….Fuck, you're sexy." Puck was fucking into him wildly now, his thrusts hard and fast, the rhythm wild and lacking finesse. Kurt gripped the sheets, holding on for the ride as his spent cock twitched desperately. Half a dozen thrusts later Puck was coming, spilling hot inside of him.
After he caught his breath Puck pulled out carefully, noting Kurt's wince. "I was too rough."
"Mmm," Kurt agreed, flopping down on him. "But I like rough."
"Your fault for wearing those briefs." Puck smiled, his hand stroking up Kurt's side gently.
"You ripped my underwear." Kurt accused sleepily, snuggling closer to Puck's chest.
"Believe me, I'm going to buy you plenty just like it." Puck waited for a response but got none. He looked down to find Kurt had fallen asleep, his face pressed against Puck's bare chest and hair falling across his face.
Puck had never thought it was possible to be this happy or to feel so much for another person.
*'~'*'~'*'~'*'~'*'~'*'~'*
Mike's finger was already posed on the trigger of his 9 mm before the door even fully creaked open. He didn't move, not blinking, not even daring to breathe as the figure crept closer.
"Mike…" That was Dallas's voice. He lowered the firearm.
"You know better than to sneak into my room, I could've shot you!" Mike set the gun on the nightstand and flicked on the lights. "Dallas, what are you doing here? It's two am."
"I'm sorry, I tried. When I sleep...I feel them…" His face was haggard in the soft light, his eyes swollen and pupils dilated. Mike swore under his breath.
"If Hummel sees you like this he's going to let you go, you're a security risk." Mike didn't even want to think about that repercussion. "We can't leave this job now, you know that. You also can't be alone."
"I know." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "I know that but I can feel them."
"You know what Dr. Roberts told you to do when you felt that way."
"I can't." Dallas shook his head. "I'll go crazy if I stay in the dark. They were there, I…I could hear them talking...he said I was a …very bad boy."
"Your parents are dead Matt, you know that. We went to their grave and we saw where they were buried." Before Mike could stop himself, his hand slid across the bedspread to clasp Dallas's clammy one. He shouldn't be doing this to himself, shouldn't allow himself to feel this way when he knew it was hopeless.
"Then why now?" Dallas asked desperately. "They haven't been here in years." He hit the side of his head forcefully and Mike winced. "But now they're back, right here." His finger jabbed into his temple.
"I wish I knew...I wouldn't have let it happen." Mike shrugged helpless, moving his hand away reluctantly. "For some reason, something about this case triggered you and that's a setback yes, but it's not anything we can't work through."
"Okay." Dallas nodded, face drawn and pale. Mike saw the tremors racking his body. It made him sick to see a physically strong man so weak because of memories.
"Puck and Kurt," Dallas's jaw clenched and Mike's eyes followed the movement of his throat when he swallowed hard. "They're together."
Mike moved back against the pillows. "I know." He settled against the headboard, watching Dallas's reactions carefully. Puck had always been a sore subject between them.
"No. They're together right now. When …w-when it began again I went to his room, I couldn't sleep alone." Mike tried not to let it show how much it hurt him that Dallas went to Puck before him. But it did, the familiar burn lodging in the back of his throat, threatening to leak out of his eyes. "I could hear them." He turned sad green eyes to Mike's watchful brown ones. "This is more than the other times. This is more than the countless Tripps that Puck has fucked, you know? I can feel it and it's making me crazy. Kurt is going to take Puck away from me, isn't he?"
"Puck was never yours, Dallas."
"Were you ever mine?" His eyes were intense.
"Dallas…don't…" Mike looked away, his gaze landing on the crème wall. Memories played across the surface like a painting drawn onto a canvas. In an instant he saw Dallas, young and angry, breathtakingly beautiful at twenty two, eyes flashing as he watched his trailer be devoured by hungry flames. Mike remembered it like it was yesterday. Dallas twenty three, fists clenching in his shirt, pressing his mouth to his, his lips had been warm and dry and had given Mike everything he had ever wanted for just an instant before tearing it all away months later. He had known it would end that way. "You don't ever belong to anyone forever." Mike shuddered. It was too much.
"Then it's no good." Dallas's hands toyed with the tangled sheets, causing the material to brush against Mike's bare legs softly. The movement brought up hazy, emotion drenched memories of open windows and humid summer nights. The feeling of being cherished; the only time he could remember not feeling dirty. "What's the use?" Dallas finished.
"I think we were worth it." Mike said, surprising himself. They had never acknowledged that thing between them, never labeled it or spoke the words aloud. But it had meant something to Mike; he had felt every second of it. It still meant so much even now that it was gone.
"Can I sleep with you?" The question was posed so softly that Mike thought he had misheard.
"Dallas…" Mike didn't know what to say. The funny thing was that a year ago he had thought he would never sleep without him. Now, looking at his ex, so vulnerable in his white undershirt and loose grey sweatpants, Mike knew he wouldn't be able to find the words to deny him. Dallas looked so small and lost, his green eyes bored into Mike as if he held all the answers.
"Just for tonight, please. I can't sleep alone..."
"Okay." Mike relented and damned himself one hundred times a fool. He knew there was no future in this, that the other man would always be broken.
Dallas sagged with relief, crawling tentatively up the side of the bed until he lay parallel to Mike.
"It's just for tonight." His voice sounded unsure even to his own ears. "And as soon as this job ends you have to start seeing Dr. Roberts again."
"Just for tonight." Dallas mumbled. His hand crept over the space between their two bodies to grasp the hem of Mike's shirt. Almost immediately his breath evened out and his lashes fluttered down.
Dallas slept deeply while Mike lay awake, staring at the ceiling trying to decipher the gray realm between wrong and right.
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Chad, Mike and Katie were sitting in the entertainment studio of the Hummel house at 4 am the next morning. Puck had been forced to leave Kurt sleeping in order to get this final stage of their plan completed. They were taking the extra time to try and map out possible suspects to cross reference with Kurt's Journal.
Initially, Chad had wanted to photocopy the journal and split it four ways. That would make the work get done much faster but Puck had refused. There was no way he could allow so many people to read Kurt's private thoughts - he already felt like a prick for doing it himself and he was the guy's boyfriend.Boyfriend, Puck couldn't stop himself form grinning at that term.
In the end the diary had been split between him and Katie. Puck trusted Katie to at least be discreet. The blonde girl didn't so much as blush while she poured through entries, stopping every so often to write a note on her pad of paper. Puck knew that Chad would've had a field day with some of the stuff he'd read in the journal. For example the entry he was reading now.
October 29, 2009
Noah Puckerman is the perfect guy. Well, he would be if he would just keep his mouth shut! That bastard had the nerve to snap at me again this morning for being late. It's not like I planned it and anyway if anything he should take responsibility, if I hadn't been having such a good dream about him I wouldn't have wanted to stay asleep. We were on a pirate ship and Noah was the captain, for some reason or not, I was his prisoner? I think this has to do with me falling asleep while Pirates of the Caribbean was playing. Anyway, it was the hottest wet dream I've ever had. Noah threw me over his desk and ripped off my pants-
Puck forced himself to turn to the next entry. It was obvious that he wouldn't be finding any clues in this soft core porn. Still, that didn't mean the thought of Kurt dreaming about him didn't excite him. Later, when he had the time, he would go back and read in depth.
November 1,2009
I fucking hate Noah Puckerman! If I never have to see his face again I'll die happy. The way that he treats me… the way he left me on my knees like some cheap, rejected whore. I don't think anything has ever hurt me so much. Wait. Seeing him leave with Tripp, the same night, probably hurt me more. I wish I could say I don't know what Noah sees in him but I'd be lying. Tripp Vanderbilt is like a work of art and everybody fawns over him because of his money, looks and family. Why did I expect Noah to be any different? I just wish it didn't' hurt so much. That I didn't care so much.
The page was wrinkled in certain spots and Puck knew it was caused by moisture. Kurt had been crying when he wrote this. He felt like a world class asshole.
September 15, 2009
My father came home really upset today. I think he got another threat at his office. All of this worrying can't be good for his blood pressure. The doctor's are saying his stress level-
Puck skipped through the rest of the entry, there was nothing.
August 19, 2009
Artie's new girlfriend is …well, she's interesting if nothing else. Tina Chen looks like she stepped off a billboard for wayward children but if Artie like her then she's okay with me.
August 28, 2009
I feel horrible about what I had to tell Artie but I know I would want a friend to do the same for me in that situation. When I saw Tina with that other guy, I was in shock. Poor Artie. Tina denied it even when he confronted her face to face. They're broken up now."
Puck looked at the list of guests, seeing Tina Chen's name highlighted. Chad had written that her father was in business with the Hummel's. Their negations for a shipyard had gone sour and Hummel Inc had ended up not only taking over the shipyard but had acquired NoVeau Unltd, Chen's software company. Hummel had sold off the company piece by piece. Allen Chen would definitely have a reason to be pissed off at Hummel but his daughter wouldn't have the connection to Kurt unless she was somehow still in contact with Artie.
Sighing, he wrote down Tina's name on the legal pad and after a brief hesitation he wrote down Artie Abrams. The journal fell of his lap and onto the floor and when Puck picked it up it was opened to a later entry. Puck knew that date. It was the day after he and Kurt had first slept together.
December 8, 2009
I know it's stupid to cry but somehow my eyes didn't get the damn memo. Being with Noah…it was like every dream I ever had came true. He was wonderful, so kind and gentle...I wish I could've told him how much I loved him-
Love. Puck froze, his blood turning to ice. The last time he'd even thought about that was with Jenna. He'd been filled with notions of love and happily ever after. Puck's heart rate rose. Wasn't that what he was doing with Kurt right now? Planning a future and dreaming about being a family…was he ready for that? Puck looked back down at the journal before glancing around to see if the others were occupied.
Sleeping alone was so painful, I cried the whole night. I've never felt like this before. Never thought I would. It's harder now that we're friends. Watching movies with Noah has become the highlight of my days. When he helped me study for my midterms, even when he got frustrated with my lack of concentration…that just made me love him more And it's stupid, I know I'm stupid for thinking I mean anything to him.
Puck couldn't read anymore. Was this how Kurt had felt afterwards? He closed his eyes briefly his heart going out to Kurt. Puck skipped ahead to the last entry. It was dishonest he knew that but he needed to see how Kurt felt about him now.
December 21,2009
Noah showed me a photograph of Aidan today! He's so adorable, looks just like him. The same bright grey eyes and the little crooked smile. I wish that-"
"Puck!" Katie's urgent voice startled him and he almost dropped the journal.
"What?" He snapped.
"Listen to this!" She began to read. "'The only down side was that, of course, Finn was there. It's hard being around him, and I know that he's Quinn's boyfriend but I also can't just turn off the way I feel. He makes me feel hot and cold all over. When he looks at me I can't help but shiver with apprehension. There's something about him that I haven't liked from the beginning. Finn constantly watches me when he thinks I'm not looking but I can feel his eyes on me. Every time I tried to talk to Quinn about it she just says I'm being silly but I'm not sure.'"
"Wow." Puck couldn't believe it - if he had just read on that first night instead of letting jealousy eat at him.
"It gets worse." Katie said. "I found at least five instances where Finn Hudson showed up at the exact same location Kurt was without being invited, too much of a coincidence if you ask me."
"They're nouveau rich; new money." Chad flipped through his papers. "Hudson won't make it through the year without a large influx of capital."
"He fits the profile." Mike added. "His family is going broke. Lots of these newer companies are going under, it's a hard market right now."
"Large influx of capital?" Puck clenched his fists thinking of all the times Finn has been alone with Kurt. "You mean like a ransom?"
"Could be the case. " Chad wasn't a hundred percent sold though. "If anything we at least know who to keep an eye out for because Finn Hudson is of course on the list."
"And he's riding in a limousine with Kurt tonight." Katie's face was somber.
"Alright guys" Mike stood to his feet, collecting their individual sheets. "Let's figure out a plan."
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"What in the hell is he doing here?" Chad looked disgusted.
Kurt could only stare, paralyzed, as Tristan 'Tripp' Vanderbilt sauntered into his receiving room as if he owned the place. Too add insult to injury, Tripp looked like he just stepped off a high fashion runway in his sleek designer black suit, the top of his evening jacket topped with caramel fox fur.
"Kurt, darling," Tripp gushed, every word dripping with insincerity. "I just feel so grateful that you could help me out of this jam! When my driver had that family emergency I just knew I couldn't take a cab to the winter formal! Then I remembered that dear cousin Kyle-
"It's Artie!" Artie grumbled, sending Kurt an apologetic look.
"Of course it is." Tripp agreed indulgently. "Anyway, I remembered that he had mentioned that he was riding along with some friends to the Kellerman event. I was honestly just simply too embarrassed to call given it was such short notice but when my Father found out my predicament he took it upon himself to call his sister! And ta-dah!" He struck a pose. Kurt knew it was supposed to be a comic gesture but in reality, Tripp looked like he was at a photo shoot. "Here I am."
The room was silent.
"Hope that's not a problem." Tripp was tying to sound shy but ended up just sounding breathy. Kurt's hand's tightened on the arm of the chair. This could not possibly be happening. Even though he couldn't act as if he was with Puck in public, he'd hope that they could at least spend some time together at the country club's formal. Looking at Tripp now, his perfect cheek bones and golden hair, Kurt felt sick. The guy was drop dead gorgeous - there was no way he could hope to compete with that for Puck's attention.
"You have really nice hair." Quinn broke the silence, gazing at Tripp's highlights with envy. "Where do you get you color done?"
"Oh no, sweetheart," Tripp beamed, his cheeks flushing. "It's all natural." Kurt hated him a little more.
"Kurt, I want a few photos before we leave." Burt came out of his office, camera in hand. "I know you're to hip to be seen with your old man in public now."
"Arthur." Burt beamed pumping the young man's hand. "Good to see you as always."
"Likewise." Artie smiled.
Burt's smile disappeared. "Quinn." The tension could be cut with a knife. Kurt pitied his friend. There was no reason why his father should be hostile to her. Kurt hadn't given her the ten million in the end.
Quinn only nodded before turning back to Finn.
Burt spotted Tripp. "Tristan! What a lovely surprise, it's so nice to see you. Kurt didn't mention you were accompanying him?" He gave Kurt a pointed look. Burt did not like people showing up unannounced.
"I just imposed on your gracious son a few minutes ago Mr. Hummel, the limousine has a flat."
Kurt gaped. Tripp had just told them that his driver had had a family emergency.
"Besides, I feel so safe traveling in your company now that Kurt has a troupe of bodyguards." Tripp looked around casually and Kurt just knew he was searching for Noah, his boyfriend.
"Well, you can never be too careful." Burt motioned everyone to stand against the wall. "Let's get a couple of photos of you three; you boys were practically in diapers together." Kurt grimaced as he, Artie and Tripp were forced to pose for several photos before Burt was satisfied he'd gotten a good shot.
Puck came down the stairs and Kurt felt warmth suffuse him. All of the bodyguards had been required to wear formal attire and though Mike and Chad looked handsome in their tuxes, Puck was devastating. His dark hair was combed neatly, the sides slicked down. Kurt felt a rush of pride. Puck was his and there was no way he'd let Tripp get his slimy hands on him once more.
"Noah!" Kurt called out trying to keep his elation of his face.
Puck shot him a smile, his grin widening when he saw Kurt's white suit. It molded his slim body perfectly. "Kurt." He nodded. "You ready to leave?"
"Puckerman! You have a new charge." Burt presented Tripp who smiled at Puck hungrily. "This is Tristan Vanderbilt, he's the son of one of my oldest friends. Keep an eye on him as well and make sure he stays out of trouble."
"Uh," Puck's smile faltered, for the first time he noticed the new guest. "Of course." He recovered.
"Not all trouble I hope!" Tripp sidled up to Puck's side. "A little mischief is always good for the young."
Burt brow creased in confusion but he shrugged. "Of course."
Kurt took a step forward fully prepared to choke Tripp to death when he was stopped by Chad's arm on his wrist, restraining him.
"I could take a photo of you two, just father and son, if you wanted." Chad offered. Kurt couldn't bring himself to smile as the pictures were taken. Instead he watched Tripp say something to Puck lowly. Puck ducked his head and looked uncomfortable. Jealousy raged inside of Kurt; he didn't notice the way Finn was watching him longingly at all.
"Alright, boys, Don is outside and waiting." Burt clapped Kurt on the back after the final photo was taken. "Have a good time son, I'll see you there in an hour or two."
Kurt nodded, smiling weakly. He couldn't let Tripp Vanderbilt ruin his night. They settled into the limousine, despite Tripp's most valiant efforts, Kurt had ended up sandwiched in between Puck and Chad. Tripp was sitting next to Mike, Quinn, Artie and Finn lining the middle row.
Puck leaned over, pretending to adjust the safety belt. "You look so sexy tonight. I just want to take you back upstairs. You're so much better than Tom Vanderbilt, you don't even know how fucking beautiful you are." Puck murmured huskily, his voice so low only Kurt could hear him.
"It's Tripp." Kurt smiled.
"Really?" Puck shrugged and his hands caressed Kurt's for the briefest of seconds before moving back to his own lap. "Hadn't noticed."
Kurt laughed, turning away unable to hide his pleasure and his gaze collided with Finn's. Kurt gave him a polite smile then looked away.
He had the feeling that this was going to be a night he would never forget.
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