A/N: I don't know when we as a fandom decided that Puck's sister was going to be named Sarah. I'm pretty sure that was never mentioned in the show. If I'm wrong, someone please tell me. Anyways, Sarah's a nice name and it's fitting enough, so I'll go with it. This one's rated K or K+. Finn just has to mull some things over to set us up for next chapter.

Chapter 6

Finn awoke to late morning light streaming in through the window. He groaned and rolled over, burying his face into a pillow that wasn't his own. He cracked an eyelid open, confused for a moment until he remembered he was in Puck's bed. A faint blush crept to his cheeks as he recalled cuddling with his friend mere hours before. His mouth twitched into a half smile over the memory of Puck babbling about needing a crucifix. God, that Exorcist movie had really messed him up good. Finn could swear he could still feel his wrist tingle where Puck had been clinging to it a few hours ago.

Finn couldn't stop himself feeling pleased over the events of last night. Sure, he wished Puck hadn't been so scared and everything; he knew what it was like to feel that way and he didn't wish it on his best friend. But still, it was nice having an excuse to cuddle with him. Puck was so warm, and he fit against Finn's chest so perfectly, not to mention he was so cute when he was being all vulnerable—

He shook his head to clear those thoughts, not wanting to dwell on what they could mean. He decided instantly to never mention anything about last night to Puck, ever. First off, Puck would probably punch him. Hard. Second, he was ninety-nine percent sure Puck would deny it and call him a homo. But then again, Finn couldn't really blame him. It'd be terrible if it ever got out that Puck was so scared from a dumb horror flick that he needed to curl up with his best buddy for comfort. It would be a huge blow to his carefully crafted badass reputation.

But still, the memories made Finn smile. He'd do anything to turn back time a few hours and be able to hold his buddy close again. To run a thumb across his shoulder and have him melt into his arms. To feel the rasp of his buzz cut on his cheek. To feel him curl his fingers around Finn's wrist as if the touch was the only thing keeping him grounded. Finn sighed. He wished he could say these things to Puck, but even though the two of them were best friends, they just didn't have that kind of relationship. It would only be a surefire way to make Puck uncomfortable and get him to punch Finn in the face.

Finn got up and pulled his clothes on. He could hear the muffled voices of Puck and his mom and sister floating up from the kitchen below and could smell breakfast cooking. He wasted no time going downstairs to join them.

"Good morning, Finn, my darling! Don't you look handsome today?" Mrs. Puckerman said fondly the moment he walked in. She held him at arm's length, taking in his appearance critically. "Look at you, you're so skinny! Aren't they feeding you enough in that school? You boys are wasting away. I keep saying it to Noah; they don't feed you kids enough what with all those sports they have you playing. Now come, sit, sit! Are you having three eggs or four today?"

With a slightly bemused smile, Finn let her usher him to what was always 'his' seat whenever he stayed over at Puck's. One thing he always liked about Mrs. Puckerman was that despite all her problems, she never let anyone go hungry. At Finn's house, the kitchen was off limits after dinner was cleaned up. At Puck's, everything was fair game at all hours as long as they didn't make too big a mess. He supposed that was just a thing about Jewish people or something.

No sooner had his butt hit the seat that Puck's little sister was climbing on his lap and getting right in his face, launching into a detailed discussion of everything she did at her sleepover last night. Stunned, Finn pulled his face back, and his eyes fell on Puck cooking at the stove across the room. Somehow, he looked kind of cute flipping pancakes with that spatula in his hand…

"Sarah, let Finn breathe, darling," Mrs. Puckerman said, pulling Finn from his thoughts. Grumbling, the little girl climbed back into her chair.

Puck came to the table carrying two large plates of pancakes and eggs. The boys made eye contact for a moment and Puck gave him a shy little smile. And unless Finn was entirely mistaken, he could swear Puck's cheeks turned faintly pink. Finn wanted to say something—anything—to him, but his words froze in his throat. Puck watched him, eyebrows raised, until mercifully, Mrs. Puckerman started speaking again, and Finn decided he'd imagined it.

"Boys, I'm very sorry if this conflicts with your plans but I'm going to need you to take Sarah to the Halloween party this afternoon," she said as she loaded Finn's plate with a veritable mountain of food.

"What? But mom!" Puck cried, looking extremely put-out. Sarah, on the other hand, was grinning.

"I'm sorry, but I'm working another double tonight! I need a nap if I'm going to be of any use there. You understand, don't you?" Puck frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. Finn looked away. He knew this trope, having heard it many times before himself. Single moms worked way too much, and sometimes they made promises they couldn't keep because work had to come first if they wanted to eat. "The party's at the mall. You can drop Sarah off at Mrs. Jones' for trick-or-treating and another sleepover afterwards. Beyond that, the day is yours, okay?"

"Ugh, mom! C'mon!" Puck half whined. "We're supposed to be going to Santana's tonight!"

"And you still will, after you take Sarah to the mall." She said firmly, giving him that warning mom-look.

"It's okay, bro," said Finn diplomatically. "We'll have enough time."

Mrs. Puckerman smiled. "Thank you both so much. You boys are wonderful."

Puck groaned, letting his chin fall dramatically into his hands.