November? No new episodes of Glee until November? so sad. And sorry this took longer than I thought it was going to, I got addicted to Transformers fanfiction (who knew giant robots in love could be so awesome?) and found out I adore Sunstreaker/Ratchet/Sideswipe. I also had a sick day and I have mad respect for those authors here on fanfic who write when they are sick 'cause I sure can't do it;p
Hope you all enjoy now that my rant is over! and this chapter is a few 100 words shorter than the others:*(
Effect of a Summer Epiphany Ch.4
"Because you're different from pretty much every other person I know." Puck replied with such seriousness it was almost funny. Almost. So instead of giggling like crazy, Kurt raised a perfectly kept eyebrow.
"I'm sensing a story behind this."
"Oh, there is. But first," Puck held up one finger as a sign to wait a minute as he stabbed off a piece of cheesecake with his fork and hurriedly shoved it into his mouth. "God that's so good!" Kurt's giggles did come out then. "Okay, right, story time.
"So when Zizes dumped me, it got me thinking." Puck paused before continuing. "You will not make fun of me for this or tell anyone, got it?"
Kurt's eyes widened at the growling tone Puck used. He wasn't sure if he should be attracted to it or scared. Attractive? yes, the sound is definitely attractive. Scary? the words are definitely a threat, a threat Kurt knows he doesn't want to activate. He just nodded his agreement.
"Good." Puck took another bite of cheesecake. "Damn this is good. Anyway, I got dumped, yada yada, started thinking and realized, who the hell cares about me?" It came out totally different from what Puck wanted. It was just suppose to sound like a nonchalant question but morphed into something dejected and his eyes narrowed in anger.
"I'm sure there is a lot of people. What about your mother? And don't you have a little sister? And Mr. Schue cares about all of us." Kurt felt sadness washing over him as he thought about what Puck felt, a feeling of drifting alone with no one tying a rope around you to keep you grounded.
"Yeah but that's all like family-"
"Glee club?" The pale boy interjected and Puck answered quickly while giving Kurt a look that told him he knew the shorter teen knew what he was getting at.
"-and friends. I'm talking about in a relationship. Quinn cared enough to tell me my life was gonna be a wreck but not enough to stick around and give support, Santana and all the other fuck buddies?" Kurt grimaced at the crass wording but Puck didn't seem to notice or just overlooked it. "There's definitely no caring there and I totally know I didn't put any effort into these 'relationships' either, but then I got to thinking even more about if I did try with some single person at school that everybody is too self-centred and too hung up on reputations to have an actual relationship."
"And that is the shallowness of high school," Kurt added in a light voice but he felt for the other boy. High school is a horrible place to find romance and just when this tough exterior jock wants a caring relationship, which Kurt honestly didn't think would happen, it has to transpire in high school where there is a 90 percent chance of never getting it and being scarred for life so he will never open up again. Alright that was a little far fetched but it is still sad.
Puck looked upset as he rethought about his early summer turmoil and looked up when a hand patted his own, still holding a fork. He looked up to see warm eyes and a reassuring smile. The soft hand retreated and the lips forming that affectionate smile opened for a piece of cake to slip through.
"This cheesecake really is good." Yeah, Puck so chose the right person. "Is there more to the story?"
Getting back on track, Puck took his own bite of cake and continued.
"Okay so high school bitches not caring, no real relationships except! you and Blake."
"Really Puck, his name is Blaine," Kurt cut in with fond exasperation and slapped a palm to his forehead, careful to miss messing up his hair. "I know you know that." Puck smirked.
"Yep, I do know, but it's fun messing it up. Moving on. You and Everett-"
"Oh come on! That is so off."
"Hey! Would you stop interrupting." The tan boy tried to keep an authoritative expression but it failed miserably when a smile cracked through. Kurt sat back with a pout, much to Puck's amusement. "As I was saying before being rudely interrupted-" Kurt scoffed. "You want me to tell this or not? 'Cause I would rather not," he teased.
"No, keep going!" Kurt sat up straight and gave Puck his full attention who smiled in return.
"You and Blaine," he stopped to take a bite of cheesecake and laughed at Kurt's dropped jaw. Something hitting his shin stopped his laughter. "Did-did you just kick me?"
Kurt did a one shoulder shrug at the flabbergasted question. "You were just complaining about me interrupting and then you stop on your own, I don't think it is very fair."
"Yeah I did it on purpose," Puck informed with a satisfied smile. "Now would you quit getting me off track? You and Blaine, awesome couple with the whole respect and no matter what you two were happy for each other, there was no take, take, take, you just gave like it was freakin' Christmas all the time. Well that's what makes you different. I want that and it looked like I would only get that with you or him. Since I don't know the guy, that left you. Bitchy but caring, arrogant and yet you put your loved ones first, Kurt Hummel."
A shy smile was worming it's way onto Kurt's face, his eyes were glued to his almost finished cheesecake, too embarrassed to meet Puck's eyes, and cheeks coloured from being talked about with such fancy.
"But, even though I'm over the whole 'holy crap Batman!* gay people are so messed up,' it was weird for me to like a guy, it still is a little. I guess you could say I was 'uneducated.'"
"Ah yes, that is the problem with many."
"I thought I wouldn't be able to be myself, that I would have to change to some show tunes loving, prissy guy that needed to be attracted to every dude that passed so I pushed you out of the question, but then I got one hell of an eye opener when I went to North Carolina for the summer."
"North Carolina? Isn't that like the Ohio of the south?"
"Wha-ha-hat?" Puck tried to question, look confused, and laugh at the same time. A very interesting display.
"Well how often do you hear people say 'oh! I want to go to North Carolina!' It seems a little like Ohio, I mean what is even in North Carolina?"
Puck highly enjoys the workings of Kurt's mind.
"Apparently a big ass military base. Quite a few years back, my Mom's only sister moved there because my uncle was military and got stationed at Fort Bragg, the military base. Then my aunt and uncle split some years later, she and my cousin moved to the beach-"
"The beach?" Kurt asked, his features lighting up like a little kid. "Despite the less than appealing way sand gets everywhere and the extra need to moisturize because of the salt water, I love the beach."
"Hell yeah! the beach is awesome. My aunt got obsessed with it and light houses so when her and my uncle divorced, that's where she went. I had to go down there with my mom this summer to help my aunt and cousin move into a new place and fix it up. Sucked like hell but the frequent trips to the beach made it damn well worth it." So that's where the extra tan came from Kurt thought.
Silence fell over them as the last bites of cheesecake were ate and they both daydreamed about a day at the beach.
"We got off track again," Kurt stated plainly.
"Yep... So! Summer with my cousin was my eye opener. He is a kick-ass stud like me and a total bad-ass too, we have always gotten along in the past, wrestling, trying to out beat each other in whatever crazy competition we came up with and he is totally respected at school. Well, this summer I find out he is gay! And like, he has always been that way. He made me realize that it's all about being yourself and loving someone for who they are. It's not some crazy and disgusting concept everyone makes it out to be."
"And just like that, you were okay with putting me back into the question?"
"To tell you the truth, I wasn't completely sure until I saw you at your locker that first day of school. I mean, it did make it a lot easier to think about dating you since I already knew you. Man, my cousin took me to this party with all these gay guys and I freaked the fuck out. Waaaay to much at one time and I didn't even know these people! Talk about crazy experiences. Everyone was pretty cool though."
Kurt stared for all of about 3 seconds before being flooded with a stream of laughter. "I wish someone got it all on camera! I would have loved to see that!"
"Yeah, yeah, hardy har har, it is just sooo funny...Done yet?"
Kurt's giggles died down and he met Puck's bored expression with a genuine smile before speaking.
"Well, 100 percent okay with it or not, I am surprisingly happy you came up to me that Monday asking for a date."
The jock formed a grin of his own, bubbling over with happiness. Or, you know, the super manly version of that.
"Really?"
Kurt hummed his agreement as he was taking a swallow of his water.
"I like this new Puck."
"So you like me?"
"Since we are having this little heart-to-heart, yes, I have an adequate amount of feelings of like for you."
"So that means we're dating?"
"I don't know, does it?" Puck truly thought Kurt was lost until he saw the small lift at the corner of Kurt's lips.
"Oh so you're leaving it up to me huh? Well in that case...no." Kurt's jaw dropped.
"No?" He managed to get out from his shocked state. All this and no? Just when he admits it to himself and Puck that he likes him then no? And the tan boy starts laughing.
"I'm just joking! Yes we're dating now but man, you should have seen the look on your face! I just had to do that!"
A blush spread over Kurt's cheeks as embarrassment washed over him. He crossed his arms and sat back in the booth, sulking. Of course now he realized the extent of how much he wanted to be with the other. When Puck said no his mind blanked out and his heart felt as though it fell out of his chest and into his lap. How awful would that be? All that blood staining his clothes! Oh and the being dead thing. But then Kurt couldn't help but think that's what Puck wanted to find out, how much he wanted this. He was more clever than Kurt thought.
"Jerk." He mumbled out at the grinning jock.
"Sorry babe, just wanted to know your reaction." Puck saw Kurt trying to fight off a smile by biting his lip, a gesture he has always fully appreciated. Nothing like your attention being drawn to a nice pair of lips.
"Fine, but now that we are dating," he tried to shake off how weird it felt to say that and the sudden feeling to grin like an idiot, "you need to start being more serious about school and stay away from the persuasion of delinquency. They are not beneficial to your future." He stared over the table with a piercing look. Puck shrugged his shoulders in submission.
"Wouldn't have you want it any other way. Knew you'd care." He winked at the slender teen and felt pleased that Kurt didn't say anything about being called babe.
"And no more sleeping around." That is definitely the number one rule Kurt wants him to go by because one, that's cheating, and two, it can't be healthy! Who knows what you can get!
"I haven't banged a single person or group of people all summer. My hand has never had so many hot dates with Puckzilla."
"Your lucky I'm not going to try and change your apparent need to tell to much information. I'm afraid it would change your personality too much if I did and believe it or not," Kurt sighed a defeated sigh, "I wouldn't want that."
Had Puck mentioned he knew he found the right person? Someone that doesn't want to completely change who he is but make him better.
Later, the waitress came back to see Puck and Kurt's palms together, Puck was trying to see the size difference of their hands, and hesitantly asked if they were on a date. Kurt freaked, Puck barked out 'yea so what?' and then she proceeded to gush about how awesome it was. Kurt definitely left her a nice tip once Puck payed the bill. They were now making their way to Puck's truck, hunger and tastebuds satisfied.
"I'm impressed, no attempt at dining and dashing," Kurt joked, and Puck straightened his shoulders proudly.
"Knew you would be." They ended up laughing as they got into the cab of the truck. Puck started it, the radio coming on and filling the silence that set in after they quit laughing, and debated taking Kurt back home or just sitting there a while longer. He didn't feel quite ready for the date to be over, it felt as if it was missing something.
"Hey Kurt?"
"Hmmm?" he answered while shifting in his seat to look at the other.
"Can I kiss you?"
"No."
"Well I'm going to anyways."
"...okay."
Kurt was really thankful for the lack of light their parking space provided since he was tired of the other boy seeing him blush, but as Puck got closer he realized the dark wasn't going to hide the redness of his face if the clearness in which he can see Puck's face is anything to go by. Then he was pretty sure Puck could hear his crazy heartbeat because he sure as heck could! It was loud, his palms were starting to feel sweaty, his eyes were wide and focused on Puck's lips and then they were on his. Firm and sure, it was a pleasant pressure against his lips and he doesn't think anything could have gotten him to push Puck away. Why had he said no to this?
With his eyes closed, Kurt couldn't tell a tan hand was moving to hold his cheek but when he felt it, it startled him and he inwardly cursed at his own reaction because Puck pulled away. Really? Come on! Why am I being so spazzy? Kurt berated himself. He has had plenty of these simple kisses with Blaine and yet, this one had such an overwhelming presence that he could still distinctly feel those lips even in their absence.
"Sorry." Puck apologized, reading Kurt's flinch as him messing up.
"No it's fine," Kurt rushed to get out and added breathlessly: "perfectly fine."
Once they were properly seated in their seats, Kurt fought the ridiculous urge to touch his lips and couldn't help notice Puck smirking at him.
"Oh, did I just turn Kurt Hummel on?"
"No! Don't be ridiculous. As if you could do such a thing so easily." What a liar he is.
"Challenge accepted!** But for a later date." Puck laughed when Kurt slapped a hand over his heated face and turned towards the passenger side window as he pulled out of the parking spot to take the blushing teen home, the whole ride filled with a light and playful air, just how Puck likes it.
Once in the driveway he put the truck in park but didn't turn it off, hoping to send the message that while this was great, he just couldn't handle more Burt. But Kurt didn't seem to think anything of it.
"So how are we going to do this tomorrow? Meet up in the parking lot before school and walk in holding hands? Or we could meet at my locker? I'm not opposed to a good morning kiss before classes start." Kurt found he couldn't hold in his excitement as different scenarios of how school could go tomorrow with his new boyfriend but Puck wasn't feeling so joyed.
Oh god, why didn't he think about this? Him and Kurt never did talk about this he realized as his phone conversation with Finn went through his mind.
He heard Finn suck in a breath through his teeth as if wincing. That can't be good.
"Oh dude, does Kurt know that? I don't think he is gonna go for that, you know how he is."
"Um, Kurt? I don't really want people to know." He tried to make it as soft as possible to not offend the now eerily still boy.
"What?" That one word was dripping with ice but was said so evenly.
"Just for now though!" Puck tried to assure Kurt but it was like the pale boy didn't even hear it.
"Why? Because your ashamed of me?" Puck rolled his eyes, not believing the direction this night turned to.
"Oh come on Kurt! That is not it and you know it."
"So what then, all that talk we had about everyone only caring about their reputation still applies to you?" Glasz eyes were narrowed, shining in full force. It wasn't fair to have to look at those gorgeous eyes while fighting.
"No! God Kurt! Would you just listen?" Puck went to grab for his hand but Kurt pulled it away.
"You listen, I'm not going to have a part time boyfriend! I want to be able to spend time with the person I like as if I like them all the time, not just certain hours of the day! So thanks for my shortest relationship ever, bye Puckerman."
"Kurt!" Puck called as Kurt flew out of the truck, door slamming behind him, and angrily waltz up and into the house. The stunned jock just stared at the now empty passenger seat before snapping out of it and noticing Kurt was already gone.
WHAT THE FUCK? Puck screamed in his head as he hit the steering wheel. Kurt just had to go all drama queen on him and not even hear him out! Now he's pissed, Hummel is pissed and he is starting to think Kurt wasn't as great as his mind made him out to be. Before angrily driving off to his own house so he could just pass out in his bed, he texted Finn.
-whelp, i screwed it up-
*Don't ask...I just had to throw in the Batman thing.
**I watch too much How I Met Your Mother. "Challenge accepted" is a saying Barney (played by the wonderful Neil Patrick Harris) announces when someone says something is impossible to accomplish and he takes it as a challenge to prove them wrong. No one ever actually challenges him though. I love Barney Stinson and his catchphrases=]
And how crappy was it of me to break them apart right when they get together? I will answer that. Very.
It took me awhile to figure out where Puck went for the summer. I wanted him tanner (I love his skin and I wish I could see what it would look like tanner...) and I wanted to work the military in there (Shout out to the hard working people of the military! Love ya!). When I typed in large military bases, I thought Fort Bragg would be perfect (get it? Bragg? Puck is always bragging about himself?) AND it was in a coastal state! (yay beach!) I looked up popular NC beaches and bam! Puck's aunt had a living place =^.^=