A/N: OK, so I won't have Quinn going through the obsessed-about-getting-Beth-back phase here. She will instead try to avoid Shelby as much as possible, because she knows she can't handle a baby any more now than she could two years ago. Sounds reasonable? Let's go with that. Shelby will, however, come back, and here we will see how everything goes from there.
Also, did you see the scene between Puck and his father? Incredible. Can't wait for the episode. What did you all think of the Whitney episode? I loved it, but I think Blaine was completely out of line… That's just me, though. Probably an unpopular opinion.
OK, so here's the chapter! It's my longest so far.
Kurt was running for senior class president and Puck was rooting for him. Not that he was biased. Okay, fine he was biased. But seriously; Kurt Hummel versus Brittany and Rick the Stick or whatever the hockey player with the mullet's name was? Puck actually thought he had a good shot at this. Besides, it would be good for him. After everything, the boy definitely would need a feeling of accomplishment. Puck totally had his back. Surprise, surprise.
Evidently, so did Brittany. Puck had to admit he was just a little skeptical to what she had in mind, but he was willing to listen when she approached him in the hallway. "Hey Puck," she said, and Puck knew that look. She was definitely on to something… The way Brittany could be on to something, that being said.
"'Sup Brit?" he asked, trying to seem interested. He had math now, and he was heading for the nurse's office.
"Okay… So, you know how Kurt's running for senior class president?"
Puck's reaction was rather obvious at the mention of his boyfriend's name. "Yeah, totally."
Brittany gave a cute little smile. "Yeah, so I thought I was going to try to help him out."
Puck gave a frown. "With what?"
He started walking through the hallway, Brittany following suit after, having to run beside him. He hated to seem disinterested, which he really wasn't, but this attitude was kind of, like, glued to him in some way.
"With his campaign," Brittany said eagerly, - "But I have no ideas how, so I thought you could help me out?"
Puck gave a dry chuckle. "Seriously Brit? When did I ever have commercial success at anything?"
"But you love him," Brittany said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
She didn't need to say more either. Puck loved him. that was true. On the other hand, Kurt hardly would need his help.
"I already offered to help Kurt out," Brittany confessed, - "But you could be there with us when we're working on it. Kurt looks so much happier with you around." She thought for a moment. "I like when he's happy."
Puck gave a weak grin. He definitely did too. "I'm always with him, Britt. I moved in with him, remember?"
"Oh," Brittany said, looking sympathetic for a second, - "Right." Her smile reappeared. "You will be there, then?"
"Count on it," Puck grinned, as he stalked towards the nurse's office.
PKPKPKPKPKPKPKPK
Mr. Schue never ran out of bright ideas, did he? Now he had gotten it into his head that a booty camp was the greatest idea in the history of the universe, because they were lacking again. Puck looked back on the last week Mr. Schue had been talking about his club lacking in one area or another, which was a week he had mildly spoken mixed emotions regarding.
But back in 'Sexy week' he at least wasn't the one lacking. Now, apparently, he was. What the hell? His moves were fine. It wasn't like he was Finn either! And what the hell was wrong with Kurt's moves? Sashay my ass… By the way, Mike Chang had better stop calling his boyfriend's moves distracting, because yes, he was aware just how distracting Kurt's moves were (not that he was complaining). Having other guys thinking so too, however, was a not so pleasant thought. It wasn't like he was sharing here…
When the hell did he become the jealous type?
But hell… Had Mike even seen 'Single Ladies'. Fuck… Jerk off material de lux. What? So, he jerked off to the thought of his boyfriend, what was the big deal? He was still Puckasaurus, he still had needs, and he knew, without them having discussed it, that Kurt was okay with it.
The school musical, West Side Story was coming up. Not that Puck was the West Side Story type. He had been forced into watching it by Kurt a couple of times, but then he had been more distracted by Kurt resting in his lap. Mr. Schue wouldn't be able to direct it, so apparently he has hired Miss Pillsbury and Coach Beiste to direct it for him. How the hell was that supposed to work? Luckily Artie will be directing with them or else it would be total chaos.
Puck approached Kurt in the hallway after Glee club. "What the fuck has gone into the dudes head?"
"I know," Kurt sighed, - "My dancing is fine, jazz hands and sashay or not."
"Your dancing is super sexy," Puck muttered, quietly, but apparently loudly enough for a couple of hockey players to stop and stare dumbfounded. He shot them a death glare and they turned away quickly. It was kind of unfair, really. Kurt got all that hype, but when it appears he isn't Mr. Super straight anymore, people just look vaguely and turn away with a terrified facial expression. Whatever? He's not exactly complaining.
"Also, the musical," Kurt said.
"Yeah," Puck seemed hesitant, - "Where you going with that anyway? Auditioning for anything?"
Kurt shrugged. "I suppose," he said, - "It would be good for my NYADA application."
Puck nodded. "I think you should go for Tony," he said.
Kurt gave him a look. "Are you serious?"
Puck looked confused. "Yeah, why not?"
Kurt had to laugh. "That's the male lead, Puck."
"Thank you, I'm very much aware."
Kurt chuckled. "Look at me, Puck," he said, - "I'm hardly likely to play a male lead in anything but the reproduction of 'I Love You, Philip Morris'."
"Can I be Philip Morris then?" Puck's voice was seductive again, only this time no one seemed to care.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "But you see my point?"
Puck let out a sigh. "I suppose," he said, - "But you don't really know until you've tried."
He gave him one of his more sincere looks and Kurt had to smile. He then gave a short nod. "OK," he said, - "I'll do it. I'll audition for Tony. Happy?"
Puck chuckled and put his arm around the boy's shoulders. "Thrilled."
PKPKPKPKPKPK
As they passed the teachers' lounge, Kurt took one look, and dragged Puck aside, not allowing him to see the scenario that was going on in there.
Taken, mildly spoken, a bit off guard, Puck yelled: "What the hell was that?"
He didn't really know what he was expecting, but seeing his boyfriend's facial expression, it couldn't be good. "Who the hell was in there?"
Kurt didn't really know what to say. He just took a deep breath, and went for it: "You may go and see for yourself. It may be a shocker."
Puck didn't look like he understood how anything worked at the moment, as he walked towards the lounge. Just to take a look.
"Holy shit," he muttered. Kurt walked over to him.
"Yeah," he said, - "What's she doing here?"
"As if I would know."
Shelby Corcoran, the non-biological mother of Puck's child, was standing in the teachers' lounge talking to Mr. Schuester.
Now it was Puck's turn to drag Kurt away from the lounge. "What the hell?" he said again, - "How can she even be here? I mean… Is that legal?" He thought for a moment. "What about Rachel?" Kurt gave him a weird look. "Yeah, this is totally not good for her, Shelby being her mother and…"
"Noah Puckerman," Kurt said firmly, getting his boyfriend's attention, - "We both know this isn't you worrying about what she being here might do for Rachel."
He looked into the taller boy's eyes for assurance. "This is about how it's affecting you. I know you never wanted to give Beth up. We all knew."
"It makes me feel like the same fucking deadbeat my father was," Puck admitted, an angry tone in his voice.
"Puck," Kurt said, - "You are nothing like your father." He hoped with all his heart Puck would believe him. "You didn't even want to leave her behind. You left her behind because it was best for her. Your father, on the other hand, he left because he wanted to. Second of all, you would never beat up a child."
Puck looked at him for a long while, before a small smile appeared on his features, and he sighed. "What did I ever do without you?"
Kurt chuckled. "I guess you were a free, independent soul managing on your own." He nudged his side. "Now you're whipped."
Puck had to laugh, before he nodded. "Yeah, pretty much," he assured.
They laughed for a while longer, just to have something laugh about, before Kurt got back to his serious note: "Are you gonna try to talk to her, or?"
Puck shrugged. "I don't know," he said, - "Should I?"
"I don't know," Kurt said, - "Maybe. If you want to."
Puck nodded. "All I want is to see my baby girl again. One more time."
Kurt almost felt a lump in his throat again, and he moved closer to his boyfriend. "Then try to contact her," he said.
Puck sighed and wrapped his arm around his boyfriend. "I love you, alright?"
Kurt chuckled. "I love you too."
They were standing still for a while, before Kurt led his boyfriend away. "Come on," he said gently, - "Let's go."
They walked towards the lunch area, when Puck said: "So… talked to Brit today. She wants to help out with your campaign."
"Yeah," Kurt nodded, thinking for a while, - "She told me. What she say?"
Puck shrugged. "Just that, really." He gave a light chuckle. What more was to expect from Brittany. "What did she tell you?"
"Something about unicorns," he explained, causing Puck to give a light laugh, - "Then the same."
Puck nodded slowly. "She kind of wanted me to help you guys out too."
Kurt had to laugh. "So, you're the campaign type of guy now?"
"Anything for you, babe," Puck said with a wink, catching Kurt off guard a little.
PKPKPK
They found themselves in Kurt's room that afternoon, Puck, Kurt and Brittany. One could say many things about Brittany, but the girl wasn't short on ideas. How good they were, on the other hand, was a different story. She kept going on and on about unicorns and neither Puck nor Kurt realized what she meant. The rainbow flags and unicorn posters kind of spoke for themselves. Puck had to contain himself not to laugh really hard at some of the blonde's ideas.
Kurt, on the other hand, was not that amused. Puck looked from one campaign manager to another as they argued whether they should go for out and flamboyant or "understated yet elegant". At some point, when Puck had mentally taken distance from their heated conversation, and devoted himself entirely and completely to their giant bag of nacho chips, when Kurt turned to him: "What do you think, Puck?"
Oh, what do I think? I think you should go shirtless, baby, that would be pretty awesome!
He didn't say that, though. "I don't know," he just mumbled, and Kurt rolled his eyes, not able to hide the light smirk at his boyfriend's adorable obliviousness. He didn't really get how anyone could be both sexy and adorable at the same time, especially not someone like Puck, but somehow the mohawked boyfriend of his pulled it off.
Puck took one more look at the poster Kurt had suggested and then a look at the poster Brittany had suggested. Yeah… he definitely understood where Kurt was coming from, and let's face it; Kurt was the smart one here, he decided to have his boyfriend's back: "I think you should go for that one," he said with his mouth full of nachos, receiving a satisfied smile from Kurt.
"Yeah," Brittany said a little more bitter than she used to be, - "But that's just because you're totally unicorn for him."
Puck gave a light chuckle. "Right," he said, throwing yet another nacho into his mouth, not really getting what the hell Brittany was talking about.
PKPKPKPKPKPKPKPK
The day after Puck decided to try to talk to Shelby. As they were standing outside the teachers' lounge, Kurt said: "She's in there."
Puck took a deep breath.
"Want me to go in with you?" Kurt asked, with an irresistible facial expression.
Puck had a hard time letting him down, but he said: "I think I need to do this by myself, if that's okay?"
Kurt gave him an understanding smile. "Sure," he said, - "I can just wait here, or in the cafeteria or something."
Puck nodded. "Yeah, I'll be right back."
PKPKPKPK
"Shelby?" he asks, not really bothering using her last name. He feels like this is a little too personal for that anyway.
The woman looks up, frowns a little, before standing up with a somewhat distant, but real, smile on her features. "Hey," she said.
Puck gave a weak grin. This was just slightly awkward. "Hey," he repeated.
Shelby let out a sigh and stood up, walking towards the teenager and shaking his hand. "How you been doing?" she asked.
Puck shrugged. "Fine, I guess."
Shelby nodded. "Good. Good." There was a break, before she pulled some hair out of her face, and said: "Look, I wanted to talk to you actually, but I haven't really gotten the chance to plan it yet."
Her voice was hurried. "It's okay," Puck assured. There was a break, before he finally asked: "How's Beth?"
Shelby looked at him, and then she smiled. "She fine," she said, letting out a chuckle, - "She looks like you and Quinn, now that you mentioned her."
Puck wanted to laugh, but the lump that was slowly forming in his throat kept him from it. Fuck it, he was not going to cry. "Can I see her?" he prompted, not really meaning to let the question slip.
Shelby sighed. "I don't know yet, Noah," she said, - "Not yet." She sounded decided and Puck's face fell. He should have known really, but the hope had been there. Still, there was still hope, seeing as Shelby had said 'not yet'.
He attempted an understanding nod, which he was sure he didn't pull off half the way he had hoped to. "I see," he said.
Shelby gave a careful smile, as if asking him whether or not he was okay, but he didn't have time to appreciate her concerns at the moment. He just gave her a short nod, and walked out. "See you around, then."
PKPK
Kurt was standing a couple of meters down the hallway as Puck exited the teachers' lounge. Kurt all but ran towards him. "How did it go?" he asked.
Puck shrugged. "Not allowed to see her yet, but… Maybe someday."
Kurt nodded vaguely, knowing that was a weak explanation. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked gently.
"Not really," Puck said.
Kurt put on a smile. "OK," he said excitedly, - "Wanna help me a little more with my campaign?"
"You think I should tell Quinn?" Puck asked, completely out of the blue.
Kurt put on his serious tone again. "I don't know," he said, - "Do you think she wants to see her? Beth, I mean."
Puck shrugged. "Maybe. Not really my call."
Kurt nodded understandingly. "Are you at least gonna tell her Shelby's back in town?"
Puck looked at him for a moment. "Yeah, I think so," he nodded, - "It seems right or whatever… You know?"
"I think it is right," Kurt smiled.
There was a break, before Kurt asked: "Are you okay?"
Puck looked at him. "Yeah, I guess," he said, - "This is all just…" He ran his hand through the small amount of hair that he had, - "Just a little overwhelming."
Kurt smiled and gave another understanding nod. "I get it," he said, before looking around to see if anyone was there, and wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's waist. Puck wasn't really used to unexpected hugs, but somehow, with Kurt, it was rather easy to handle. So he just grinned and wrapped his arms tightly around his boyfriend.
When they pulled away, he asked: "Wanna come with me and tell Quinn?"
Kurt looked a little surprised, but then his face fell a little. "Beth's your baby, Puck," he said, - "I don't want to be a burden for you. You and Quinn have every right to work on this alone. I'll understand."
"Ok, first of all," Puck said, a little lighter tone in his voice, - "Beth is not our baby. She's Shelby's baby. Second of all…" His face softened, - "You're not a burden. Like, at all. I always love having you around."
The words were said so sincerely, but still so very casually, Kurt had no choice but believe them. He gave a slow nod. "OK," he said, a sweet smile resting on his features, - "Let's go get her, then."
PKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPK
"Where are we going?"
Quinn was literally being dragged by her arm through the hallways, evidently heading for the teachers' lounge.
"Need to show you something," Puck said, as he without warning, stepped in front of the teachers' lounge. Kurt wondered briefly if that was maybe a little too soon, but he let it slide. This was Puck's way of doing things.
Quinn walked up to Puck with slow steps. She looked through the window of the teachers' lounge, and her world went blank. In front of her was the mother of her baby. She just shook her head in disbelief and walked away.
"I can't do this," she said hectically.
Puck was somewhat stunned. Not only by Quinn's statement, but by how she finally actually showed some emotion whatsoever about Beth. He wasn't going to lie, he had been a bit frustrated about how she had spent her entire junior year only obsessing about popularity and almost never mentioned anything about their baby… Or the baby they had together, who they gave up.
"What do you mean you can't do this?" Puck nearly yelled after her, "It's our baby we're talking about here! We might get to see her again."
Quinn turned around, and gave another disbelieving shook of her head. "Don't you get it?" she asked, and Puck could swear he saw her eyes watering, - "It's not our baby. Not anymore."
She took a deep breath. "I can't be a part of this," she said, and gave him a short, almost formal nod, - "Sorry."
Puck rolled his eyes. He looked quite frustrated. That's when he noticed that Kurt hadn't said a word while they'd been having Quinn with them. He hadn't even made himself noticeable which was highly unusual for the male diva.
He calmed down for a second before asking him: "Do you think I'm trying to hard?" He was being casual as always, but Kurt knew he meant to be sincere, - "With Beth and all?"
Kurt shrugged vaguely. "Well, you wanted to keep her all along," he said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, crossing his arms over his chest, as he usually did when he was thinking hard about something, - "You never lied about that… So no, I don't think you're trying too hard."
There was a break before Kurt continued: "You're a great man… who deserves to see his daughter."
There were moments when Puck didn't really know if his boyfriend was even real. This was one of those moments. So he just wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him closer to him, kissing his forehead in the process.
PKPKPK
Puck and Mercedes were seated in the choir room, while all of the other Glee club members were warming up for booty camp. Kurt approached his boyfriend who was seated, looking like he was in deep thought.
"Aren't you warming up?" he asked. It was a rather stupid question, seeing as the answer was right in front of him, in the lazy form of his boyfriend, but be it.
"Nah," Puck said, giving away a small grin, - "You look hot."
Kurt knew it was a completely instinctive comment, and he finds it nothing short of adorable. "Thanks," he nearly whispered, a slight blush forming on his cheeks, - "You're not bad yourself."
"Damn straight," Puck confirms, and Kurt rolls his eyes.
Right then Mr. Schuester comes over, after having already given Mercedes a talk about how she has to stand up and practice, and Puck realizes he should start warming up before he got the same pep-talk. He so wasn't having that.
Puck lined up with the others, as Mike started showing off the first moves. They were rather easy to go with, and Puck found himself sharing a conversation with his boyfriend: "So have you thought more about West Side Story?"
Wow… How gay did that sound? On the other hand, he was dating Kurt Hummel, so everything spoke for itself.
"A little," Kurt admitted with a smile, sounding excited, - "Thinking about auditioning for Tony."
Puck gave him a sincere grin. "That would be great," he commented.
"You think?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, absolutely."
"So you don't think I am…," Kurt began, nearly whispering, - "Too much of a girl or anything?"
"Are you kidding me?" Puck stopped in his moves, - "You're more of a man than anyone I've ever met."
"Puck, Kurt! Focus!" Schuester's voice rang through them.
Puck didn't bother apologizing, but he went back to his moves. "You should try out, Kurt," he said, a little less hectically now, - "You'll kill it."
Kurt gave him a small but sincere smile and nodded. "OK, I will," he said. He seemed to think for a moment before he again turned to his boyfriend. "You should try out too."
Puck frowned. "For what? Tony is yours, no doubt."
Kurt was grateful his boyfriend didn't try to steal his part by any means*.
"For Bernardo," Kurt suggested.
"Who the fuck is Bernardo?" Puck frowned and Kurt wondered how the hell he didn't remember that even after having watched the movie more than once.
He let out a somewhat annoyed sigh. "The leader of the Sharks," he still explained, - "The Puerto Rican gang." He thought about it for a while, before stating: "He's sort of a badass. You'd do the part justice."
Puck seemed to consider it. "I might," he assured, and Kurt was happy. If there was one mission he was on this year, besides sleeping with Puck (oh yes, it would happen during this year, he was sure), changing his mother's mind and keeping his boyfriend throughout the year (or forever in that case), it was getting Puck to actually graduate. He knew Puck was surrounded by people doubting him every day, and he thought it was unfair. He believed in him, and he hoped that at the end of the day that was all that mattered to Puck.
"So what song are you gonna sing?" Puck asked Kurt, his raspy and oh-so-sexy voice ramming through his thoughts.
"'I'm the greatest star'," Kurt explained.
Puck gives a look that undoubtedly means he has no clue what song that is. "It's from Funny Girl," Kurt said, and Puck just gave a nod that said that sounded oddly familiar.
Kurt chuckled a little. He knows just how Kurt Hummel that song was, but that's a good thing, right?
"It's probably a great choice," Puck said, as if having read his mind.
Kurt smiled a bit wider. "And what song are you singing?" he asked.
"I don't know," he shrugged, - "Thinking about 'La Camisa Negra' by Juanes."**
Kurt knew he had heard the song before, as he had with so many a song of any category, and it was a terrific song. The song would go over very well with Puck's voice, he was sure.
"Great," he approved, - "It's a great choice."
Puck looked somewhat surprised, but he still smiled. Kurt didn't know if he could ever get used to that smile. He let go a little and lost himself to the dancing.
"Kurt, jazz hands!" Mr. Schue yelled, and Puck only rolled his eyes, while Kurt threw down his arms in defeat.
"Fine!" he shot back. He was so fucking adorable when he was mad. Puck would never say that to his face, Kurt would kill him, and despite what everyone thought, the boy had a mean punch.
Instead he just leaned closer and whispered. "I think your jazz hands are awesome," he grinned.
How the hell did Puck manage saying that and having it being sexy?
PKPKPKPKPK
"Honestly though," he said after booty camp that day, - "I think your moves are great. Jazz hands or no. everyone has their thing, right?"
Kurt smiled, truly appreciating his boyfriend's compliments. "Thanks," he smiled, thinking for a moment, - "Have you given more thought to the Beth and Shelby thing?"
Puck looked hesitant. "Thought I'd drop by tonight," he said, looking at his boyfriend as if asking for some kind of approval.
Kurt frowned. "Tonight?" he asked, - "But didn't Shelby…?"
"Look," Puck interrupted, stopping right before they headed the exit, - "I don't know how long she's staying or if she really meant that I could see her sometime, okay?"
He gave a dry chuckle, before starting walking again. "I'm, like… me, Kurt… I stole an ATM and went to Juvie, I got a girl drunk on wine coolers so I could steal her virginity, and then she got pregnant."
"Hold on a second!" Kurt said, partially shocked and partially angrily as they headed outside to the parking lot. The sun was about to go down. He reached for his boyfriend's arm and practically ran along with him as they approached his truck.
"What do you mean, you stole her virginity?"
Puck looked at him, and stopped, leaning against his truck. "Didn't either of us tell you?" he asked, almost bitterly. Even though Kurt knew he was only beating himself up over this, his bitterness almost hurt.
Puck gave another dry chuckle. "Oh great," he said sarcastically, knowing that now he would definitely have to face with some kind of judgment or whatever, - "I guess I owe it to you… The day I knocked her up, we were laying on her bed, I offered her a couple of wine coolers, she took them and I started pushing. She told me she made some kind of vow and couldn't sleep with me, so I offered her another wine cooler, and she eventually slept with me. Plus, I lied about the protection."
"So?" Kurt asked, almost yelling, - "Yeah, it's a douchy thing to do, but hell…"
"Don't you get it, Kurt?" Puck asked, rather calmly now. The next words were muttered: "Thank God Quinn is a cool chick, because any girl would file for…"
"What the hell are you trying to say?" Kurt squealed, - "Puck, it wasn't like you raped her or anything!"
"Then what the fuck was it?" Puck was yelling back now.
Kurt shook his head in disbelief. "Did she say no?" he asked.
Puck shook his head. "Not after the third wine cooler."
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Do you seriously think anyone, even Quinn, gets wasted on three wine coolers?"
Puck had to think of it for a while. "No…, but…"
"Hold on," Kurt said, holding up a hand, - "Did she say she wasn't ready?"
Puck shook his head again. "No… No, she didn't say that, she only said something about her fucking stupid celibacy vow."
Kurt shook his head, a slight smirk on his features. "Finally," he said, - "Would you go further if she had said no. Would you have forced her?"
"What? Of course not," Puck said, as sincerely as Kurt had ever seen him.
Kurt nodded satisfied. "There you go," he said, turning serious again, stepping closer to his boyfriend. "Puck, I know you. I know you better than you know yourself sometimes."
Puck chuckled. It was funny because it was true. "And you are a far too good person to ever hurt anyone the way…" he paused before continuing, - "The way that bastard hurt me."
Puck's jaw fell a little, and he reached out to wrap his boyfriend in his arms. Kurt leaned into the embrace, resting his head against Puck's shoulder, feeling more cherished and loved that he had ever imagined feeling.
"Besides," he said, chuckling a little, - "When Quinn found out what happened to me, she would have used you as an example, not the girls from her young moms meetings."
Puck chuckled a bit at this. "Fuck, I love you so much," he said, as he let go of his boyfriend.
Kurt smiled as they both got into the truck. "I love you too, by the way," he said as Puck started the truck.
Puck grinned a bit. "So we're going to Shelby's then?" he asked.
Kurt frowned. "We?" he asked.
"Yeah," Puck shrugged, - "I thought you could come with me. I mean… I know you're not one to show up at people's places without permission, but she probably won't be freaked out if I bring you with me."
Kurt gave him a look. "Hey," he said, - "I broke into the Gershwin theater in New York with Rachel."
Puck frowned. "You did? Man, you've been with me for way too long."
"Not at all long enough," Kurt said, not really meaning it to be heard by anyone but him. Of course that was mission impossible, seeing as he was in a car with another person and he hadn't just thought the words, but said them.
"What do you mean?" Puck asked, an amused look on his face.
Kurt squirmed a little uncomfortable in his seat. "Look, I know you're not one for long-lasting relationships, but I can definitely see us somewhere in the future. I mean… Past high school and everything."
Puck looked like he thought for a minute. "Yeah," he nodded, - "Yeah, I can see that too… I guess it's because the thought doesn't freak me out with you like it used to with Quinn, and because I'm fucking in love you."
Kurt let out a relieved chuckle, and they headed for Shelby's place in silence. Kurt had no idea how Puck knew where she lived, but such things weren't really difficult to find out.
PKPKPKPKPKPK
They rang the doorbell at Shelby's house, and a few seconds later, the woman was standing in the doorway. A frown appeared on her forehead, but she let the door open, wordlessly helping them in.
"Hey," Puck said nervously, - "Hope it's okay we dropped by…"
"How do you know where I live?" Shelby asked.
Puck seemed hesitant. "Um… I have friends… In law enforcement."
Kurt rolled his eyes, and turned back to Shelby. "Kurt Hummel," he said as he reached out his hand towards her.
She shook it, and apparently he gave a good first impression. "Nice to meet you," she said, - "A friend of Noah's from Glee club, are you?"
"He's my boyfriend actually," Puck said, before Kurt could bring himself to confirm her words.
Kurt was surprised and rather grateful for how easy it apparently had been for Puck to say that out loud immediately. Especially since he was about to see his daughter for the first time since she was born.
Shelby took a couple of seconds to process before a smirk landed on her face. She wasn't really surprised. Noah seemed to be the kind of person to go after anything on legs.
What surprised her was how genuinely Puck seemed to care about his evident boyfriend. still, she told him firmly: "Noah, I told you. I want you to be a part of Beth's life, but on my terms. You can't just barge in on me like this."
Kurt expected a surprised or somewhat hurt expression from his boyfriend, but Puck just dragged a piece of paper out from his pocket. "See?" he asked, - "My drug test. Totally clean."
Kurt had no idea why Puck was bringing that along with him, or how he got it, but he figured it was old.
"Also, I haven't had a drink since we talked," he promised, but Kurt gave him a look. He stole a beer from Finn that day before booty camp, - "Besides beer," he added.
"I also did some homework," Puck said, and Kurt wanted to leave, because this was going to be embarrassing. He was right: "Napoleon. Turns out; not just a desert. He was a real dude."
Shelby apparently tried her best to hold back a chuckle, but she nodded as if she was impressed, although she said: "Having a relationship with a child isn't just about little bursts of energy."
Kurt, knowing just how much Puck wanted to see his little girl, thought this was quite an unfair thing to say, but on the other hand, Shelby had no way of knowing just how much Puck cared about Beth. He really hoped he found the words to tell her.
Right then there was baby cries, and Puck froze a bit. Kurt gave him a concerned look, as if asking whether or not he was okay, but he just gave him a confirming nod, and followed Shelby in the cries' direction.
They came from Beth's bed, and Shelby lifted her up. And right as Beth looked over her shoulder, she looked straight at Puck. Kurt looked over to his boyfriend, who just stood there, looking at his daughter as if she was the answer to everything that was bad in this world. Instinctively he reached for Kurt's hand, and squeezed it so hard it almost hurt.
A look of adoration formed on the bad boy's face and a small smiled appeared on his lips, as he took a hesitant step forward. Shelby turned towards them with a welcoming smile, and he moved forward, urging Kurt along with him.
"She looks like Quinn," Puck prompted, even though Kurt knew he could see some resemblance to himself in her as well.
"And you," he said, and Shelby nodded as if she agreed.
"Yeah," she said, - "She has the same dopey smile."
Kurt gave a chuckle, and he noticed there was also something in the little girl's eyes that identified with Puck's apparently biological badass persona. Man, was Shelby in for a hard time when the girl grew up.
Shelby let out a laugh. "Say hi," she said sweetly to her baby.
Puck let out a small laugh as Beth gave him another look. It was in some ways a 'judging you' look, as if she knew everything about him. Every mistake and flaw that he'd had even long before she was born. And he absolutely adored it.
"I'm happy you know," Puck said, - "That she's with you and… It made it easier."
Kurt squeezed his hand a little harder. He knew better.
"Oh," Puck said, his voice a little lighter, evidently for Beth's sake. It suddenly dawned on Kurt how much his boyfriend actually did for other people than himself. Whoever said Puck was a selfish bastard who only cared for himself should really stop talking, - "I drew her a picture."
He took another piece of paper from his pocket, and Kurt wondered if he was pretending to be a magician or something, who just made things appear from his clothes.
"It was supposed to be a clown, but it kind of turned up like a pig, so…," Puck said, and Kurt had to laugh at the drawing. He must have drawn it down during 'geometry or English or something'. "Call it a clown-pig."
Shelby laughed too, while Beth only wore the biggest 'what the fuck'-look Kurt had ever seen. She had so gotten that from Quinn.
"What can I say? I kind of made up the animal."
Kurt laughed. It was great to see his boyfriend joking around and being ridiculous again. He hadn't really been doing that a lot since his mother kicked him out.
Puck let go of Kurt's hand before he hung the drawing up on the refrigerator. "You don't think it will scare her, do you?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Shelby gave Kurt a small smile, as if telling him he was lucky or something, and then she laughed. "No," she said. Beth still had her 'bitch, please'-face on.
"She will be okay," she said, looking over to her daughter, - "She's tough."
Kurt gave Puck a knowing look, and mouthed 'like you', with a smirk on his face. Puck's face fell a little, and a silence settled between the three.
It was broken by Shelby. "You wanna hold her?" she asked, her voice softer and more sympathetic now.
Puck smiled a little and almost instinctively, manically walked over to where they stood. He licked his lips nervously, before reaching out a hand, to grab a hold on his daughter. Kurt knew it wasn't a good moment, but he found himself admiring the big hands and strong, protective arms of his boyfriend. He was utterly touched at how gentle he was with the little girl as well. Kurt knew very well that despite Puck's belief, he was nothing like his father. He was in no way like his father. His intentions had always been for his daughter's best.
As Puck was about to grab a hold on Beth, he pulled his hands back slightly. "I don't wanna freak her out," he said, and Kurt rolled his eyes. As if that was going to happen.
Shelby gave him a look. "We'll work up to it," she said, and Kurt found himself a little pissed that she didn't hand her daughter over to him immediately, but who was he to judge?
Puck looked at the two girls in front of him, before shaking his head, as if he couldn't believe everything that was happening. "I'll do anything," he whispered, and Kurt knew it was an instinctive statement, - "Anything to prove to you that I can be in her life."
Kurt's hand went to his mouth. He bit at his nail for a moment, struggling not to cry. This was way too touching to actually be handled.
"Please, just give me that chance."
Kurt looked to Shelby, as if to non-verbally advise her to listen to the boy in front of her.
Shelby looked at him for a second, before a small smile formed on her face. Puck hoped with all his heart that it was a nod he was seeing.
Shelby took a deep breath, before putting Beth down on her bed. "Look," she said, - "It's been a long day, and I just really need to get some rest."
"Sure," Puck said, looking over to his daughter, as she was about to fall asleep, - "We'll be going now."
Shelby nodded gratefully, as she followed the two to the door. "It was nice having you here," she smiled.
Puck, still seeming startled, took a final glance towards his daughter, before he said a proper goodbye to Shelby and walked after his boyfriend outside.
As they approached Puck's truck, Kurt touched his shoulder comfortingly. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Puck looked like he thought about it for a moment, before turning to him. "Yeah," he said, - "I think so."
Kurt nodded. "If it makes any difference," he said, - "I really wish you would have gotten to keep her."
Puck let out a sigh, and pulled his boyfriend in for a kiss, caressing his thick hair in the process.
Pleased with his response, Kurt responded willingly to the kiss.
PKPKPKPKPK
Puck was in the choir room, watching Kurt practicing for his Tony audition. First, he had to say he looked absolutely flawless. He had a pleased smile on his face, a shirt that revealed his muscular arms, and pants that, as always, didn't leave to the imagination how amazing his ass was.
Kurt was auditioning in half an hour, and from what Puck gathered, his performance would be perfect.
"You think it's okay?" Kurt asked.
Puck's jaw had fallen, but he just nodded and said: "Yeah, definitely."
"So it's not too girly?"
Puck shrugged. "It's not girly. It's you."
"But it's not supposed to be me," Kurt said, a little more bitter, - "It's supposed to be Tony."
Puck let out a sigh. "It's perfect," he promised, motioning for Kurt to come over to where he was seated. Kurt stood above him, holding his hands.
"You're perfect," Puck promised, earning a sweet smirk from Kurt, - "You're gonna kill it. And Tony was a pretty feminine guy anyway. He broke out from the gang, remember? Went through a change of some kind… So it might fit, you know."
Kurt gave a genuine smile. "You think so."
Puck stood up and planted a soft kiss on his lips, looking into his eyes. "I know so."
Kurt let out a sigh and drew himself into his boyfriend's arms. Puck wrapped his arms protectively around him.
Kurt took a shaky breath. "I'm nervous," he laughed. He was rarely ever nervous.
Puck rubbed his back. "Aww," he teased, - "It's okay, you'll kill it."
Kurt let out a small chuckle. "I hope so," he said.
PKPKPKPK
It went well. At least so he thought. In the middle of the performance, Kurt spotted Puck in the doorway, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, a somewhat proud grin resting on his features.
God, how he loved him…
Puck was shocked at his boyfriend's sai sword skills. Why the hell didn't he know about those?
PKPKPKPKPK
The day after, Puck decided to tell Quinn about his encounter with their daughter, just to see if she changed her mind. Not that he really thought she would; she had made her choice and it was a pretty determined one, from what he gathered.
He saw her in the hallway, heading for the girls' bathroom, and so he followed suit after.
"Q, wait up!" he yelled after her, and Quinn turned around as they were both in the bathroom.
She rolled her eyes. "You can't be in here, it's the girl's bathroom."
He just blew that comment off. "Kurt and I went to see Beth," he explained, and she gave him an uncomfortable look.
"How is she?" she asked, trying to keep a formal tone.
"She's perfect," Puck said, with a somewhat dreamy look on his face, - "She looks like you."
Quinn took a deep breath. "Wasn't I pretty clear back in sophomore year?" she asked, - "We're not parent material. At least not yet."
Puck looked like he thought for a moment. "I know," he said, - "But maybe we could be."
She gave him a look. "As far as I'm concerned, you are very busy with Kurt at the moment, and I have no interest, so you and I are never gonna be together."
Puck rolled his eyes. "I meant separately," he said, - "You and I, separately. You should see her too, even though we're not a couple. She's your kid as much as she's mine. Maybe even more so."
Quinn sighed and shook her head. "I can't," she said, - "I gave her up, and I stand behind that decision. I am happy for you, and I'm sure you are great with her, but please, keep me out of this."
She checked her face in the mirror, before walking out.
Puck let out a frustrated sigh, as he walked out too.
…
And then he was met by Kurt who all but ran past him, not even noticing him. He ran after him, and grabbed a hold on his shoulder. "Hey, hey, hey," he said, a mixture of concern and confusion resting in his voice, - "What's the matter?"
Kurt turned around to look at him; his eyes were red-rimmed.
Puck realized something was very wrong, but Kurt was in no way going to tell him here, so he just wrapped his arm around him, and stroked his arm comfortingly. "Come on," he said, - "Let's get outta here."
PKPKPKPKPK
They were seated in the backseat of Puck's truck, Puck's arms firmly wrapped around the countertenor. "Wanna tell me what's up?" Puck asked gently, kissing the top of his boyfriend's head.
Kurt nodded and sat back, wiping furiously at his eyes. "I sort of went to eavesdrop on the judges," he said, and Puck let out a small chuckle.
Kurt was glad. Anyone but Puck would have judged him. Even Santana would throw off some comment about how he had it coming when he decided to eavesdrop in the first place.
"What did they say?" Puck asked, his concern back.
Kurt took a shaky breath. "Emma liked me," he said with a soft smile, - "She apparently wanted me for Tony, but Coach Beiste said I was too much of a lady…"
Puck let out a sigh. "Can I tell you something?" he asked, wrapping his arms around him again, stroking his cheek.
Kurt nodded.
"I still think you were perfect."
Kurt let out a soft chuckle. "Thank you," he smiled.
"What did Artie say?" Puck asked, counting on the teammate to be on Kurt's side.
Kurt shrugged. "Same thing," he said, responding to Puck's questioning look, - "As Coach Beiste."
Puck scoffed. "Some team-player, huh?"
Kurt shook it off. "Don't be mad at Artie for this, I just… I really wanted this part… It's important for me to… To get out of here."
Puck let out another defeated sigh and pulled Kurt in for a hug. "You're gonna get out of here," he said.
"I can't stay here," Kurt said, a soft sob escaping him.
Puck shook his head. "You won't either," he promised, planting a kiss to Kurt's forehead.
Kurt cuddled up against him, his erratic breath turning calmer. "Is there more?" Puck prompted.
Kurt nodded. "Yeah," he said, - "Santana and Brittany sort of hung up the posters I didn't want them to hang up."
Puck stiffened a bit. "The rainbow and unicorn ones?"
Kurt gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah, those," he said, - "I have no chance at the senior class president thing either."
"Never say never," Puck grinned, and then his face fell, - "Shit, I just figured that's a song by Justin Bieber. Forget I said that."
Kurt let out a laugh, and sat back again. "I'm sorry," he said, wiping his eyes, holding his tears at bay this time, - "I'm all about myself today. How did it go with Quinn?"
Puck shook his head. "Nah, she doesn't wanna see her. It's okay, though. I don't blame her.""
Kurt smiled a little sadly. "She's missing out," he said.
Puck nodded, but then he shrugged. "She'll have a little one on her own someday," he grinned, - "I'm sure of it."
Kurt had to laugh. Quinn really was the mama type, come to think of it. "She will," he said.
"Maybe so will you and I?" Kurt asked, meaning it to be a joke, but not hiding the fact that there was something behind that thought.
Puck looked at him, sincerely. "Maybe," he nodded, and then he tucked him closer.
PKPKPKPKPKPK
Kurt tried out once more along with Rachel that week, this time acting, not succeeding whatsoever. That night he cried, mostly of embarrassment, in Puck's arms, while eating two slices of cheesecake. Puck had convinced him that he probably didn't make that much of a fool of himself and that the tights probably made his legs look even more delicious than they usually did and Kurt's mood had lightened.
Shelby tried to convince Quinn, just once more, to become a part of Beth's life, but she wasn't having it. She made it very clear to the woman that this was not something she was willing to do; she gave up Beth once, and that was a choice she still stood by, and she would appreciate it, if she wouldn't try to torture her further with her baby. And Shelby had accepted that.
Kurt had a talk with his father about the whole ordeal of this week, and was met with an answer that he really shouldn't give a shit. He had to be himself first, the roles came in second, and Kurt was happy for the advice.
By Friday, they were all together for another round of booty camp. This time Finn was the main issue: He had to learn how to dance properly. Mercedes, Puck and Kurt were standing on the sideline (if it was even called that on a stage), watching with both hopeful, but mostly stated facial expressions.
This was getting ridiculous. Mike and Schuester tried with all their might to teach Finn, and nothing was helping. But then eventually, things seemed to go over rather well. Rather well, meaning Finn didn't stumble noticeably, fall, or break someone's nose.
As Puck and Kurt were watching him actually managing one entire verse of a song, without messing up completely, Puck grabbed a hold on Kurt's hand, lifting it in the air as Finn actually managed the dance as impeccably as Finn could.
They yelled out with joy when he made it. Two years of practice had actually paid off.
"So what are you doing now?" Puck asked Kurt after they were done, - "About the musical."
Kurt shrugged. "Do you think Officer Krupke would do?"
"Your hot little ass in a policeman outfit?" Puck asked, licking his lips.
Kurt gave a shy smirk.
"Don't let me stop you."
OK, so that's it, guys! Next chapter will be the Asian F chapter, so I hope you will stay tuned. Also, I just found out I got an A+ on my English assignment. Ain't I clever? Anyways; reviews are highly appreciated, as always.
*See what I did there? ;) Sorry, Blaine-bashing. He's been acting like an idiot lately.
**I thought this was a good choice, seeing as this was the song Puck was introduced with when he decided to join Acafellas in said episode. It's kind of his jam to me.