Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.
A.N. Thanks to my brother for once again proof reading for me, even if he is kinda mad because he now knows what 'shipping' means! ;)
Dedicated to Maria (pretty_gleeky) on Twitter, thank you so much for your words of encouragement 3
Sometimes being a self proclaimed BAMF is not all that it's cracked up to be. Sure he can reduce any number of his peers to nervous wrecks with only a hint of a growl, can pretty much get out of any class he wants to, simply by flashing the school nurse his trademark smirk. Hell, even Sue Sylvester herself has been known to stop mid rant as a result of a certain look of his. A look that he has spent years developing, one that warns all who see it, of the unspeakable consequences that await any person foolish enough to question his authority.
Puck is pretty certain that if anyone could see him right at this very minute, their attention would immediately be drawn to the girl lying beside him, her identity hidden from prying eyes, but her status as yet another conquest of the Puckasaurus unavoidable, or at least that is how the scene would appear to a casual observer. Few, if any, would understand the significance of seeing a girl actually asleep in his bed, rather their focus, he knew, would be on how she had been enticed to his house in the first place. Which of his patented lines had hooked this particular piece of arm candy and how soon would it be until she is unceremoniously removed from his bedroom. After all, it was only a few hours ago, that Puck proclaimed the fourteenth of February as his favourite holiday, second only to Hanukkah.
There are those who assume his love of Valentine's Day is due, in no small part to the sudden increase of people wanting to avail themselves of his more amourous skills. After all what self respecting 'sex shark' cares if the cougar in his bed is only using him as a substitute for her absent spouse, if the cheerleader hanging off his arm all day only sees him as a way to hide her true feelings for her best friend, or if some other desperate, needy singleton type wants to spend some time with him, so long as Puck can get his mack on.
For the record, Noah 'Puck' Puckerman would like to clear a few things up. Firstly he hates the expression 'get your mack on', and would like to kick the ass of the idiot who invented it, or any one dumb enough to use it in his presence. Second, he would like to remind people of the old adage about those who make assumptions. Third, his love of this particular day has much more innocent origins, stemming from a handmade card sent by a girl who long ago stole his heart. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, he now has higher aspirations than spending any day, not just February 14th, surrounded by any body who can't, or won't see that he is more than just a pawn in someone else's game. Puck is honest enough to admit that this has not always been the case, but ever since joining New Directions sophomore year, he has begun to question some of his decisions. For example his previous, almost passive acceptence of the role of back ground player that had somehow been assigned to him, when really he is one of only a select few who hold enough influence and power, with which he might safely challenge the status quo.
Puck is drawn from his thoughts when the lithe body next to his begins to move ever so much closer, until her head rests comfortably in the crook of his arm. He holds his breath not wanting to disturb his slumbering companion, all the while trying not to laugh at how his post-SAT prep vocabulary has found it's way in to his subconcious. A few minutes later he unexpectedly finds himself struggling to catch his breath for an entirely different reason.
Her touch is gentle, her fingers skimming across the suddenly all too sensitve skin that is within her reach. Puck knows that she is still asleep. Knows that because she still feels shy about the change in their relationship, she often holds back, not wanting to appear clingy and Puck is worried that perhaps they should have waited a bit longer before taking this next step. He can't help but hear the negative comments that others would so willingly whisper in her ear, the accusations they would make against him as publicly as possible, all under the guise of protecting their friend. Puck isn't stupid, when the truth comes out, and it inevitably will, there will be few in McKinley who will have his back, who will think him worthy of her. However so long as she is happy to be by his side, is content to walk down the corridors of the school, or the streets of NYC for that matter, on his arm, that is all he needs.
Somewhere in the midst of all the craziness of the past two years, otherwise known as their personal lives, she has taught him to take a step back, to take a moment before speaking or acting rashly, something which may possibly explain the sharp decrease in sales of Slushies and other frozen beverages that Lima has been experiencing in recent months. Puck likes how she has never once told him to change, merely suggested alternative ways for him to handle the bullies that still roam the halls of the high school, those younger jocks who now think that because David Karofsky has transferred, there is once more an opening for head jerk. There is no way to guarantee that bullying will ever be fully eradicated from McKinley, but Puck is confident that by the time he graduates, it will be a less intimidating place for students. Rachel calls it his legacy, what he will be remembered for long after memories of his other deeds have faded. How instead of just talking about doing something, he actually put his reputation on the line, led by example and was a true leader.
As if she has heard him thinking about her, he hears Rachel yawn quietly, watches as her eyes flutter open, adjusting to the sun light that still floods through the window into his bedrom. The silence in the room is comfortable, neither feeling the need to speak. Instead Puck waits, he knows his girl, knows that she sometimes needs a few minutes to fully wake. "Noah." Her voice is low, it does strange things to his stomach, makes his heart race that bit faster. Just like always he never knows which of them makes the first move, but suddenly Rachel is in his arms, hugging him as if she never wants to let go. Then her mouth is moving against his. There is nothing innocent about this kiss. With every brush of her lips she brands him, claims him as her own and Puck is only too willing to let this happen. To lose himself to the moment, and leave all further thoughts of the future for another time.
Much later, when the moon has risen and Rachel is once again lying in his arms, Puck sends up silent thanks to whatever 'Higher Power' deemed him worthy of this girl.
"Don't do that Noah. Don't allow someone else take credit for what you have done yourself." Rachel whispers. Okay so perhaps his message wasn't as silent as he thought. "In spite of all the challenges you've faced, you've stayed true to youself no matter what the consequnces might have been. And in my eyes that makes you the biggest badass of all."
He raises an eyebrow at the mild curse word she has used, before joking that he has already begun to corrupt her. She silences him with another kiss, more chaste and gentle this time, but all it would take is one spark for the passion to reignite.
The next day, Puck is once more amazed by how quickly rumours can spread around the school. Rachel has been seen by several people wearing a letterman jacket, but apparently no one had any idea that she was back with Finn. He wonders how long it will take for the gossips to actually read the name that is can be found emblazoned accross her shoulders, though to be fair, it is partially covered by her chocolate brown hair.
Then Rachel's hand is in his and everything else is forgotten. Let others speculate, let them throw their accusations. So long as he has her belief, her trust and her love, Puck has everything he needs. Nothing else matters.
A.N. I would love to know what you all thought of this, so pretty please leave me a review or comment :) ~Carrie