It's A Bittersweet Life Chapter 7, a glee fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters
Author's Note:Hello there. So, this chapter was super delayed. I have no excuse except I gambled legally for the first time (bingo) and kind of unexpectedly got a love life. Anyways, I hope this chapter makes up for it. Also, for the first duet bold is Finn, italics is Blaine, and underlined is both. In the second duet bold is Artie, Italics is Quinn, and underlined is both. And last but not least, I want to say hello to Lilgirlost, and a big thank you dani_elizabethx on LJ for being a wonderful beta. Enjoy!

The next month was a blur for the three teens. Within a week they had packed up their lives and moved into the apartment at the end of the hall.

Puck and Blaine found a free futon on craigslist that was only partially used. They just had to flip it over, put a sheet on it, not tell Quinn where they got it, and it was perfect. The futon took up most of the living room, but considering they didn't have a television they didn't mind. Puck moved his guitar into the living room while Blaine set up his keyboard next to it. On the walls in the living room they put up a collage of photos. It started on the left side with some pictures of Blaine's old friends from Dalton and some of him and his little sister, and as you moved to the right there were pictures of the three of them, kids from the glee club, Puck and his sister, Quinn and her mother, Blaine and Quinn's mother, and a couple pictures of Beth.

Quinn took over the smaller bedroom, moving in her bed and her TV, even though they didn't have cable. She moved her dresser into the smaller room at first, but she quickly realized her room had a closet and the guy's didn't, so she moved the dresser into their bedroom. The pink piece of furniture looked out of place, but Puck quickly fixed that buy grabbing a sharpie and sketching random drawings all over it.

The biggest bedroom was the hardest to figure out what to do with. Blaine's father wouldn't let him take his queen sized bed and Puck only had a twin, so Puck asked his mom if he could sell his bed. She agreed, and with that money and some of the money that Blaine's parents gave him they bought another queen sized bed, figuring more times than not two of them would be sharing it.

Burt had stopped by the apartment the first weekend after they moved in while Puck was at work and Blaine had the day off. Burt looked over the apartment and gave his approval. He then took Blaine out to lunch and let him know what Burt considered him one of his own, just like he did with Finn, and that Burt would be there for him the whole way. Blaine cried a little and thanked him. Blaine decided to invite Burt to his next doctor's visit. A week later Burt and Blaine went to the doctors and cried together during the sonogram. The doctor asked if Burt was the father, to which they both laughed hysterically and let her know he was the grandfather. They both got a copy of the sonogram. Burt always brought up that Blaine needed to tell Kurt, and Blaine always said he was going to, but weeks passed and Kurt still had no idea. Blain had also not gotten around to telling Puck.

Santana had stopped by a few times, though no one really knows how she got their address. Most of the time, she would drag Blaine out to hang out with her. If anyone asked they went to 'lunch' or 'shopping', but really she would drive them to an abandon parking lot and talk to him about her feelings for Brittany and their relationship with Sam. Sometimes she would get them a burger before they parked. Blaine wasn't sure when he became everyone's unofficial gay guide, but he didn't question it.

Artie was also almost a permanent fixture in the apartment, coming over more days than not. Part of him wanted to move in with them, but another part knew it wouldn't work out, at least not right away. His relationship with Quinn was also undefined as of yet, and he didn't want to push it. He would take all of the cuddling and quiet kisses he could get. By the end of their first month living there everyone from the glee club had come to hang out, everyone but Kurt.

The three teens also bought a storage space to put all the extra stuff they couldn't fit into their apartment. It mostly held Blaine's stuff. When Blaine went back to his parent's house to visit Belinda and get his things, his parents told him whatever he didn't take they would sell, so while Quinn had another tea party with Belinda, Blaine and Puck moved Blaine's belongings to the back of Puck's truck. Belinda was introduced to Puck as Blaine's knight, and got the nickname of Knight N. Belinda also gave Blaine and Quinn some pictures she had made for them, which they were quick to hang on their picture collage. She promised Puck that next time she saw him she would have a picture for him. Blaine made sure to give her Quinn and Puck's cellphone number along with his own and let her know she was welcome to call any time.

Blaine had also become closer to Finn. Sometimes after Puck got done at work he would bring Finn home with him and the three of them, occasionally along with Artie, would jam. Blaine was even practicing a duet with Finn. Kurt never apologized to Blaine, and Blaine never told Finn what happened in the bathroom.

The three teens were not used to working so hard. Between their school work, glee, and having real jobs for the first time in their lives, they were exhausted. Puck also somehow worked in football for the first couple weeks after the move, but quit when he decided it was too much. He was hesitant to quit, but for once he knew that having a job and getting good grades were more important. Most nights when Puck got home he'd fall down and pass out on the futon, but some nights he made it into the bedroom. Puck felt like he should have been more hesitant about sharing a bed with Blaine, but most nights they were both too tired to care who slept where. It was the mornings when they woke up cuddled together he tried to ignore. It didn't happen too often but there were occasions when one of them kicked a blanket off in their sleep that they would cuddle together for warmth. The first time it happened Blaine woke up to a strong arm laid around his waist and a steady breath on the back of his neck. At first he just thought it was Quinn and tried to go back to sleep. The arm then pulled him back and Blaine felt Puck's morning wood. At first he pushed back into it, but then Puck moaned in his sleep, and Blaine realized Quinn wouldn't have morning wood. His eyes shot open with the realization and he quickly tried to untangle himself and took a quick cold shower to forget about it. Later that night when Puck stumbled into bed Blaine told him what happened that morning and they agreed that stuff like that was bound to happen and that it doesn't mean anything. The next morning when Blaine woke up to the same arm pulling him against Puck, he just closed his eyes and let the warmth lull him back to sleep.

It was the Friday before Halloween weekend as Blaine and Puck headed to the choir room. Although people still yelled slurs at Blaine from time to time, Puck's constant presence had stopped him from being pushed again. Puck had gotten some flak from the football team for his new best friend, but he just brushed it off.

When they got to the choir room they took a seat in the back. Quinn had started sitting in the front next to Artie, leaving an empty seat next to Blaine for Puck to fill. Before Mr. Schue could start, Finn asked if he could do a song he'd been working on. Mr. Schue happily obliged.

"So, me and my friend have been working on this song," Finn started then smiled to Blaine. Blaine took that as his cue to get up and join him, without any more explanation, or looks to see Kurt's reaction.

I'm still here, still around, You put my picture face down
I count the hours, count aloud, you count me out
You sent your signals, Whoa
So I sent flowers to the door that I can't walk through anymore

Never meant to break your back, Never meant to start a fire
Never meant to hold your head under the water my love
When you get this call me back, I'll be walking on a wire
Hoping you would take me back in spite of everything I've done

Put on your favorite dress, such a mess, I drag like a cigarette
You didn't have to look so nice, To get me thinking twice
I've never seen you walk so proudly, I've never seen you sleep so soundly
I'm crying and trying to just quit, Because you just won't deal with it

Never meant to break your back, Never meant to start a fire
Never meant to hold your head under the water my love
When you get this call me back I will be walking on a wire
Hoping you would take me back in spite of everything I've done

We can't go back, we can't go back to where we started
Don't won't let that, I can't let that, Leave us lonely hearted
I would rather fight than sleep tonight, Please don't roll your eyes love
I'm not about to let you go

The song ended with applause from their fellow classmates and Kurt looking indignant. They both took a semi bow while the applause faded.

"Also," Blaine started as Finn took a seat next to Kurt, "I wanted to invite everyone to a Halloween party me, Quinn, and Puck are having at our apartment." The club cheered even louder.

"And no alcohol?" Mr. Schue checked.

"No alcohol." Puck assured.

"Guess who got the alcohol?" Puck smiled brightly as he entered the apartment Saturday afternoon, arms full of boxes of god knows what. Blaine was sitting on the futon while Quinn sat in front of him, painting his face to look like a skeleton. Quinn had already gotten ready, deciding to be a princess. Artie sat in his chair at the edge of the futon.

"Do I even want to ask where you got all that?" Artie asked.

"No," Puck said as he put down the boxes on the counter, "you don't." Puck started to unload the booze. "What are you supposed to be?" Puck asked Artie.

"I'm a roller-skate." He said as he shook his hands.

"Nice." Puck smiled as he finished emptying the box and flattened it.

"What are you going to be?" Artie asked.

"A dinosaur. Quinn's going to paint my face and I'm going to spike my mohawk." Puck told him as he laid down on the futon. Quinn eventually finished with Blaine and switched to Puck.

"And you're not worried that this will ruin your game?" Artie asked once he saw the finished product.

"Are you kidding me? Do you know who you're talking to?" Puck said confidently. Everyone just rolled their eyes as Puck left to the bathroom to fix his hair. Quinn started mixing drinks for her and Artie, giving Blaine a cup of water.

"What's everyone drinking?" Puck asked as he came out of the bathroom, his look complete. Artie and Quinn laughed at him while Blaine bit his lip, the paint on his face thankfully dry. Blaine actually thought he looked kid of adorable, but he quickly shook the thought out of his head and blamed it on his hormones. "I don't look that bad do I?" Puck asked as he made himself a drink.

"Kind of." Quinn smiled.

"A little." Artie answered. Puck scoffed then turned to Blaine.

"Do you think I look ridiculous?" Puck asked.

"That depends, do you think I look ridiculous?" Blaine asked as he took a seat at his keyboard.

"Not at all." Puck answered before taking a swig of his drink.

"Then you look great." Blaine smiled. Puck instantly smiled back. Quinn rolled her eyes again.

By eleven the party was in full swing. Some of the other football players, cheerleaders, and even some Warblers had come. Finn even stopped by for a while, without Kurt and not in costume which made him get doused with beer. For the most part Blaine was the only sober one and was enjoying the show.

A drunken Sam, who dressed up as batman, was entertaining a drunken nurse Brittany while she sat on a drunken Nurse Santana's lap. Princess Quinn sat on Artie's lap for a most of the night. A drunken Rachael, who'd decided to go as Dorothy, was going from guy to guy trying to see who wanted to make out with her. Puck finally took her up on the offer. Blaine watched wide eyed as they left to his and Puck's bedroom. He started to wonder what the twinge in his chest was when suddenly someone bumped into him. Blaine looked to see a very drunk Thad dressed up as…he couldn't tell what Thad was dressed up as.

"Hey there," Blaine smiled at his friend as he helped him stand straight. "You okay there buddy?"

"I'm good. I'm so good. Are you good? I'm good." Thad babbled. Blaine chuckled. "Blaine you're just the guy I wanted to see."

"Oh really?" Blaine smiled.

"Yes. So much. Blaine you're so hot and your voice is so good and then Kurt got in the way but he's not in the way anymore." Thad kept babbling. It wasn't making any sense to Blaine.

"What?"

"I want you Blaine." Thad told him blatantly as he wrapped his arms around Blaine's shoulders. "I've wanted you since forever. Haven't you seen the way I look at you?" Blaine couldn't believe what he was hearing. Fortunately for the both of them David came in to save the day.

"Okay," David smiled at the both of them as he unlatched Thad from Blaine. He turned Thad around, Thad instantly hugging David and nuzzling his shoulder. He closed his eyes. "Looks like someone needs a ride home."

"I know something I could ride." Thad mumbled into David's shoulder.

"What about Nick and Jeff?" Blaine asked suddenly.

"I think they're somewhere in the kitchen, but I wouldn't bother them," David smiled again. As David moved Thad out of the apartment Blaine sunk against the wall.

As Rachel and Puck stumbled into the room they fell onto the bed, Rachel cackling a bit. He lowered her down to kiss her again. He kissed her eagerly chasing her taste. He hadn't hooked up with anyone for a very long time and he was a little frustrated. Sleeping with someone else in your bed stops you from masturbating, and he could only go so long in the shower until the water went cold. Rachel, feeling more adventurous with alcohol in her system, started kissing and sucking down Puck's neck. The buzz Puck had acquired during the night made Rachel's lips feel amazing. They also made Rachel's lips feel like someone else's lips. She bit down gently on a sensitive part of his neck.

"Blaine." He moaned out before he could stop himself. Rachel's head shot up as Puck's eyes opened wide.

"What did you just say?" She asked with a smirk.

"Rachel?" He tried, his voice failing him.

"No you didn't." She smiled as she sat up. "You said Blaine."

"No I didn't." Puck was quick to deny.

"You totally like him, don't you?" She smiled wider.

"Of course I don't."

"Oh my god, I have to tell him." She said quickly before bouncing off the bed. Puck groaned and rolled over to bury his face in a pillow.

Just as Rachel got into the living room she tripped over her feet and fell to the ground. Blaine, who saw her spill, went to help her. She rolled over on her back just at Blaine kneeled down to her.

"Rachel, are you-," He started but was quickly cut off.

"You!" She started cackling. He grabbed onto Blaine's cheeks and smashed his face between her hands. "It's you." She smiled up at him. He smiled back down at her, having no clue what she was talking about. She pulled him down into a hug and he just hugged her back.

The next morning Blaine woke up before everyone else. Santana, Sam, and Brittany had slept on the patio, Quinn and Artie slept in her room, Rachel and Blaine had slept on the floor, Nick and Jeff cuddled on the futon, and Puck slept in their room. Blaine decided to ease everyone's hangover by making breakfast. Slowly, one by one, the teenagers woke up to the smell of food being made. Eventually everyone was up and they all huddled together in the living room and enjoyed a nice breakfast.

The next morning instead of sticking by Blaine when they got to school, Puck went to his locker where Rachel was waiting for him. He ignored her and started opening his locker.

"Hello Noah." Rachel greeted. Puck stayed silent. "Can we talk about what happened Saturday?"

"Nothing happened."

"Noah, you said-"

Puck slammed his locker closed, effectively shutting her up.

"I was drunk. Really drunk. I didn't know what I was saying, so can we please drop it?" Puck said in a hushed tone before turning to walk away.

"You didn't stop me." Rachel said after he took a couple steps. She quickly caught up to him. "I went to tell him and you didn't stop me. That has to mean something, Noah. You may not be ready to talk about it right now, but when you are, I want you to know I'm here for you." She told him. Before he could deny anything the bell telling them to head to first period wrung. She kissed him on the cheek before heading to class. It took him a few seconds to realize he should be heading to math or English or whatever it was he had to sit through for the next hour.

At lunch Quinn and Artie found themselves in the choir room. Recently the two of them, along with Puck and Blaine, had been spending their lunch hour there. Usually Puck and Blaine were the first to arrive, but it had been ten minutes and they hadn't shown up. Quinn and Artie hardly noticed the lack of their friends, instead smiling and whispering to each other. Quinn even gave him a quick kiss, though when he went in for more he was denied. Their bubble was burst when Puck came in.

"Hey guys," he said as he stepped into the room. Artie moved his chair to face him. "So, Blaine got slushied so I'm going to take him home. Maybe get some rest." He walked over to the two. "I wanted to give you the keys to my truck in case you wanted to bring Artie over after glee."

"You guys are going to miss glee?" Artie asked.

"Yeah, but it shouldn't matter." Puck shrugged. "If Mr. Schue asks, just tell him we're practicing our duet for sectionals or whatever."

Puck handed the keys to Quinn before leaving.

"So…do I get to come over later?" Artie asked her while making puppy dog eyes. Quinn rolled her eyes at him but smiled.

"I guess," she sighed, smile sill on her lips. He took one of her hands in his.

"Quinn, what are we?" Artie asked quietly.

"W-what?" Quinn stuttered in a whisper, avoiding his eyes. Instead she kept her eyes trained on their hands.

"We have something. I know we do, and you know we do. So why can't we make it official?" Artie asked, his eyes searching her face.

"Why does it need to be official?" Quinn asked, annoyed.

"Because if it isn't official it means I could lose you, and I can't do that again." He told her sincerely. She squeezed his hand before standing up.

"I can't do this right now." She said, her voice still quite, before putting on her backpack and walking out.

Blaine didn't hate a lot of things, but he hated being slushied. He was just happy he had Puck around to help him out. After threatening the jock that threw the slushie, along with teaching Blaine some new curse words, Puck led Blaine to the bathroom. They made sure Blaine's eyes were washed out before deciding to head home.

When they got back the apartment Puck immediately collapsed on the futon while Blaine went to take a shower. When he got done and dried off he went to the bedroom to get a change of clothes. He was about to get into bed to sleep, but after pulling the blanket back he stopped himself. He looked to the door for a second before grabbing the blanket and joining Puck on the futon.

Blaine later woke up to an empty futon and the sounds of someone coming into the apartment. He groaned and sat up to see Artie coming in.

"Hey," Blaine greeted in a rough voice.

"Hey," Artie replied as he rolled up to the futon.

"Where's Quinn?"

"She had to go do something at her work." Artie answered. Blaine noticed his dejected expression.

"You alright man?" Blaine asked as he stretched.

"Yeah," Artie waved it off. "Just girl problems."

"What happened?"

"It's just," Artie sighed. "Some days it seems like everything is going so well, and then some days it's like she can't be bothered."

"You know she likes you, right? Like a lot?" Blaine tried to assure him.

"I know, I just wish I knew what she was so afraid of."

"You know what? I think I've got something that might make you feel better," Blaine said excitedly and motioned for Artie to hand him the guitar. "Now, I'm not the best, so go easy on me." Blaine started strumming, trying to tune the guitar before he started playing.

You've got her in your pocket, And there's no way out now,
Put it in the safe and lock it, 'cause it's at home sweet home,
Nobody ever told you that it was the wrong way,
To trick a woman, make her feel she did it her way,
And you'll be there if she ever feels blue,
And you'll be there when she finds someone new,
What to do, Well you know, You keep her in your pocket,

Where there's no way out now,
Put it in a safe a lock it, 'cause it's home sweet home.
The smile on your face made her think she had the right one,
Then she thought she was sure by the way you two could have fun,
But now she might leave like she's threatened before,
Grab hold of her fast before her feet leave the floor,
And she's out the door, 'Cause you want to keep you in my pocket,

Where there's no way out now,
Put it in a safe a lock it, 'cause it's home sweet home
And in your own mind, you know you're lucky just to know her
And in the beginning all you wanted was to show her
But now you're scared, You think she's running away
You search in your hand for something clever to say, Don't go away
'cause I want to keep you in my pocket, where there's no way out,
Put it in the safe and lock it, cause its home, sweet, home,
Home, sweet home.

Blaine smiled at Artie after he finished singing.

"Did that help?" Blaine asked hopefully. Artie smiled back.

"Yeah. What would help me more, though, would to be to teach you how to play the song." Artie joked.

Puck, who had been taking a shower, heard their interaction and just smiled to himself in the mirror, Rachel's words ringing in his head.

"Okay you guys, this is not a drill." Blaine said as he sat down at his keyboard. The futon was folded into the couch position, Puck sitting on one end with his guitar and Quinn and Artie snuggled up on the other end. After the Halloween party during the weekend they decided to stay in on the actual night. Blaine and Quinn were also excited to see if they got any trick-or-treaters, but time passed and by the time it was eleven no kids had shown up, so they decided to try out a song they'd been working on. "Everyone ready?" Blaine checked. They all nodded at him and he looked to Puck to start the song.

Give me a second I, I need to get my story straight
My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the empire state
My lover, She's waiting for me just across the bar
My seats been taken by some sunglasses asking 'bout a scar
And I know I gave it to you months ago, I know you're trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things, the holes in my apologies
You know I'm trying hard to take it back, so if by the time the bar closes
and you feel like falling down, I'll carry you home

Tonight, We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight, We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun

And I know that I'm not all that you got
I guess that I, I just thought maybe we could find new ways to fall apart
But are friends in back, So let's raise a toast
Cause I found someone to carry me home

Tonight, We are young
So let's the set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight, We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun

Carry me home tonight, Carry me home tonight
Carry me home tonight, Carry me home tonight
Carry me home tonight, The moon is on my side, I have no reason to run
Carry me home tonight, So will someone come and carry me home tonight,
Carry me home tonight, The angels never arrived but I can hear the choir,
Carry me home tonight, So will someone come and carry me home,

Tonight, We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight, We are young,
So let's set the world on fire,
We can burn brighter than the sun
So if by the time the bar closes and you feel like falling down
I'll carry you home tonight

They all sat still for a second when the music faded before looking at each other.

"That was fucking awesome," Puck smiled at everyone before letting out a chuckle.

"Yeah, seriously you guys, you should ask to sing at sectionals." Blaine suggested.

"Yeah, I mean, we did technically tie." Puck pointed out.

"I don't know." Artie said bashfully.

"I think we should," Quinn said softly as she turned to Artie.

"Really?" Artie asked surprised.

"Yeah. I mean it's worth a shot, right?" Quinn reasoned.

"Yeah, okay. I'll talk to Mr. Schue tomorrow." Artie nodded to her. If they were alone she might give him a chaste kiss, but they've only ever cuddled in front of Puck and Blaine.

"So, are you sleeping over or am I taking you home?" Puck asked as he stood up and laid his guitar against the wall.

"Well, my parents are cool if I sleep over as long as I go to school the next day." Artie said, then turned to Quinn quickly, "And as long as it's okay with you."

"Of course." She smiled at him. Blaine stayed seated at his keyboard, messing around with a few things, while Quinn helped Artie into his chair before they left to go to her room. After the two left, Puck moved the futon into the bed position. Blaine stopped playing when he realized what Puck was doing.

"A-are you sleeping out here tonight?" Blaine asked. Puck stopped for a second and looked over at Blaine's wide eyes. He blinked once before answering.

"No. No, I just…it's better this way." He said as he pointed down at the futon awkwardly. Blaine bit his lip and nodded before standing. "I-I'm going to go to the bathroom, but I'll be in in a second." Blaine nodded again before getting up, grabbing some candy out of the bowl they'd set up in case of trick-or-treaters, and going to the bedroom. Puck went to the bathroom and shut the door. He leaned against the sink and sighed. After his talk with Rachel he was wondering if moving into this apartment was a good idea, even though it felt like the smartest thing he'd ever done. He splashed some water on his face before going to the bedroom, shutting off the light, and slipping into bed.

Author's Note: So, did it make up for the delay? Tell me what you liked or didn't like about this chapter so I can make better ones in the future! Puck is going to find out soon. Also, I want to say that I was going to use We Are Young before I found out Glee was going to do it. Anyways, I hope to have to the next chapter up faster then I had this one.

Song List:

Finn & Blaine
Walking On A Wire - My Favorite Highway

Blaine
You've Got Her In Your Pocket - The White Stripes

Artie & Quinn
We Are Young (Acoustic) - Fun Feat. Janelle Mone