This one took on a mind of its own as far as the length…It is really long…
Finn debates on answering Puck's call so late at night. He wants to hate him, but at the same time he knows that he needs to hear what Puck has to say.
He answers his phone.
"Puck, what do you want?" Finn's voice isn't pleasant.
"Finn, I need you bro," Puck's sobbing voice breaking and hitching in his throat, "God it hurts so bad, please, I need you."
Finn has only heard Puck cry once and that was when his dad left, so he is scared for his best friend. All thoughts of hating evaporate. Puck needs him, that is his only thought.
"Puck where are you?" Finn demands.
"I'm at the school parking lot, please Finn help me. I didn't know who else to call."
"I'm on my way, are you hurt?" Finn grabs his keys heading out his bedroom door. He heads to Kurt's basement room door, to let him know he is leaving.
"Yeah, got beat up pretty good." Puck's breath hitching also because of his sore ribs.
"Look I'll be there in a few minutes, just hold on okay?"
"Hurry Finn, please." The call ends.
Finn yells through Kurt's door that he is leaving to go help Puck.
Kurt runs up the stairs yelling at Finn to hold on, he is coming with him. He hears the panic in his step brothers voice. Finn doesn't do well when he is panicked about something.
Finn just looks at Kurt as he steps into the living room. He doesn't understand why Kurt wants to help Puck.
"Look Kurt it might be better if I just go. I will be back in a little while."
"You're not going without me Finn, Puck is my friend too and right now he needs all the friends he can get. I told him that earlier today. And I am a safer driver than you."
"You talked to Puck today?" Finn's shocked face is almost funny to Kurt. He doesn't question the better driving part, cause he knows that is true.
"Yeah, he attacked one of the mirrors in the restroom. He was pretty messed up about what happened this morning." Kurt walks towards the front door grabbing his keys.
"Why didn't you say anything to me about it?" Finn is still trying to figure out why Puck would talk to Kurt and not him.
"Because he asked me not to, he isn't suppose to talk about it." Kurt gives an honest answer.
"But he did with you?" Finn starts to walk to the front door where Kurt is waiting.
"A little bit, if you want to know what he told me then you will have to ask him yourself. I made a promise to him and I plan on keeping it. I'm sorry Finn."
Finn looks at Kurt's face and sees there is no smug look, only one of regret.
"Let's go. He sounded bad on the phone."
They head out to Kurt's Navigator, its bigger than Finn's small car. Neither one talk on the ride to the school.
They find Puck's truck on the back parking lot by the locker rooms.
Kurt swings wide as they pull in trying to see Puck. He is sitting with his back up against the rim of the tire.
Finn jumps out of the SUV and runs to where Puck is sitting down. He almost pukes at the sight of Puck's bloody face.
Somehow Finn holds it together, he tries talking to Puck, but the only answers he is getting are garbled sobs.
Kurt reaches them and looks into the bed of Puck's truck. He notices that there are garbage bags in it. Some hold clothes, shoes, and books.
Kurt tells Finn to get Puck in his Navigator and that he needs to drive Puck's truck back to the Hummel/Hudson house. Whoever did this could come back.
Finn picks Puck up like he would a small child and carries him back to Kurt's ride placing him in the passenger seat. He feels Puck bury his face in his neck and he can feels the hot tears soaking his tee shirt collar. He hates to let go of Puck but Kurt has a point about whoever coming back.
Kurt gets into the drivers seat as Finn heads over to Puck's truck. Kurt waits until he hears the engine crank up before he starts home.
Kurt cant help the tears that slip silently down his cheeks as Puck continues to sob. It is unnerving to watch his former tormentor reduced to this emotional state. He thinks he has an idea of why too.
They arrive back at the house, Finn pulling Puck's truck beside the garage.
Finn carries a quieter Puck to Kurt's basement room, trying to place him on the couch after Kurt puts a blanket over the pristine white surface. Puck simply clings to the larger teen.
Kurt watches as Finn sits on the couch holding Puck like he would his own child in the future. The larger teen murmuring and rubbing circles on his back.
He goes to his bathroom pulling out the large first aid kit he keeps in the closet. He grabs a wet wash cloth and heads back to his couch.
Finn has managed to get Puck out of his shirt and to lay back on the couch. Finn is sitting on the edge of the couch, the front of his shirt soaked with Puck's tears and blood. He is talking quietly to Puck, letting him know that he is safe.
Finn is checking Puck's ribs to see if any are broken, he sees the bruises but he knows that the team really went after Puck today at practice. He cant feel any broken bones. He hears Kurt walk back into the room.
Finn takes the wet cloth from Kurt and starts to gently wipe Puck's face. Once he has cleaned most of the blood off Puck's face he finds three splits, one above his eye and one on each of his cheeks.
Kurt hands him the antibiotic crème and some butterfly strips. Kurt notices that Puck's nose is still bleeding and hands two cotton balls to place in his nose.
"Noah, this is going to hurt but I need to put these here to help stop the bleeding," Finn uses Puck's first name explaining about the cotton balls as he rolls them into smaller but longer shapes. He gently as possible pushes them into each side of Puck's nose. He has to hold Puck's chin to keep his head still.
"Noah do you feel like talking about it?" Finn watches as Puck nods, closing his eyes.
"P-p-please just let m-m-me talk okay?" Puck cant help the hitch/stutter that is in voice.
"Okay." Both Kurt and Finn answer at the same time.
Finn looks at Kurt who is sitting on the floor beside the couch. Kurt has his hand on Puck's shoulder gently stroking it. Finn watches as Puck's hand seemingly is searching for something to hold on to, he grabs it and squeezes it.
"I-I did it. I ra-ra-raped Callie. Th-that n-n-night. I-I cant t-take it back. Oh God F-Finn. I cant t-take it back. I I hurt the girl I-I'm in love w-w-with."
Kurt gently wipes the tears away from Puck's face, never bothering to wipe his own away. He looks at Finn and sees that he is crying too.
"I-I to-took some p-p-pills that night. I-I just wan-wanted to stop fe-feeling th-that night. I-I couldn't stop, I did-didn't wan-want to stop. I n-never knew who-who the girl was until to today." Puck squeezes Finn's hand hard, willing him to believe him.
"I tr-tried to forget th-that night. I-I never m-m-m-meant to hu-hurt her. I n-n-never told any anyone about it." Puck shakes his head from side to side, like he is trying to erase the memories.
"Th-then I m-met Callie a-again at the en-end of the sch-school. I-I didn't kn-know it was h-her. It-it felt so g-good with her. Oh God Finn, I-I still la-love her an-and I ha-hate her. Sh-she's preg-pregnant with my ch-child." Puck puts his hands, along with Finn's, over his eyes." The sobs choking anymore words.
The next revelation from Puck makes both Kurt and Finn want to hurl.
"M-my m-mom kicked me out to today. Sh-she doesn't even ca-care. Sh-she said I was, I was de-dead to to hu-her, n-n-not hu-her son any anymore." The scream that escapes Puck's lips takes both boys by surprise.
Finn pulls Puck up from the couch wrapping his arms around his friend, he feels Puck clinging to him. They stay like that for a while, Finn holding him letting him cry.
Finn knows that he should hate Puck, but he also loves his best friend. He can hate what he did, without hating his almost brother.
He knows Puck better than Puck knows himself. His mother kicking him out and telling him he was dead to her broke what was left of his friend's spirit.
So much of what happened over the last year is explained by Puck's honesty about what he did that night. Finn thinks as he is holding his friend.
The way he stopped bullying Kurt, the way he stood up for the other Gleeks, the depressed moodiness he walked around with; it haunted him. It made sense, he was trying to make up for what he did that night the only way he knew how, helping his teammates.
Kurt disappears upstairs for a few minutes. He knows what he is looking for and it is in his fathers sock drawer.
He grabs the unopened bottle of bourbon, some glasses out of the kitchen and heads back downstairs. He knows that they all need a drink.
Finn looks at what Kurt is carrying down the stairs and cant believe it. He has finally gotten Puck to lay back down on the couch.
"What the hell Kurt? Puck doesn't need to get drunk."
"He isn't going to get drunk, but I think we all need a drink and it will help him sleep." Kurt's voice is laced with anger.
Kurt really doesn't like alcohol but after watching the once badass Puck breakdown completely in front of them, he thinks the burn will stop his own tears.
Kurt pours Puck some in a glass and hands it to him. He pours some in the other two glasses and hands on to Finn. He picks up his glass.
"Drink this Noah, it will help you sleep."
"Thanks Princess."
Puck takes the glass from him and downs it all at once. The burn making him cough and grab his ribs. He hands his glass back to Kurt, letting his head fall back on the pillow.
"Where are your folks tonight?" Puck asks in a raspy voice, he just realized that there was no way Kurt could have gotten the liquor if they were home.
"Dad's at a parts convention for the rest of the week and Carole went with him. Kinda like a second honeymoon." Kurt's voice is squeaky after taking a small drink of the dark liquid.
"Yeah, they said I have to listen to Kurt while they are gone." Finn takes a big drink and goes into a coughing fit.
"The only reason they said that is because you need parental control at all times." Kurt is starting to feel all warm inside thanks to the bourbon.
"No I don't need parental control at all times." Finn says before he takes another drink. "They know you wont have any girls(Finn giggles) over and that you're more responsible than me."
"That's what I said Finn." Kurt is starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. "They don't want you and Rachel fucking everywhere while they are gone."
"Dude did you just say fucking?" Puck cant believe Kurt just used that kind of language.
"Yep. I know plenty of cuss words Puck, just cause I'm gay doesn't mean that I don't know how to cuss properly." Kurt is tempted to let a string of words fly but is interrupted by Finn.
"You still might know how to cuss properly", Finn using air quotes, "but it still sounds funny as hell coming out of your mouth." Finn laughs at his step brother.
Kurt face is indignant and he pours himself another shot. Finn holds his glass out for one too.
Kurt downs it in one gulp, forgetting how much it burns. He ends up in a squeaking coughing fit.
Puck laughs and groans in pain at the same time holding his sides.
Finn, who was taking a drink, chokes while laughing at the noises coming out of Kurt's mouth. He ends up in his own coughing and laughing fit.
He notices that Puck is laughing at them.
"Hey Kurt do you think you can make it upstairs to get us something, a couple of sodas?" He looks at Kurt, hoping that he will understand he needs a minute alone with Puck.
Kurt sees the look in Finn's eye and agrees, silently hoping that he can make it up the stairs.
After Kurt climbs a little crookedly up the stairs, Finn looks at Puck.
"Are you really sorry for what happened that night?" Finn knows the answer, but he needs to hear it anyway.
Puck knew Finn would have questions and the liquor made it easier to talk without wanting to cry.
"Yeah, if I could take it back I would Finn. I have nightmares about that night, the look in her eyes, the way she screamed. Had'em every night for a long time. Now just every once in a while."
"Do you still love Callie?"
Puck closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before answering Finn.
"Yeah, God help me, I love her with all my heart and I hate her too. I just cant stand to be around her, because of what I did, because of what she did. It is so fucking complicated right now."
Finn watches his friend's face the emotions flash like a strobe light. Love, hate, hurt, confusion, but settling back on to love.
"What about the baby? Are you going to try and help her raise it?" Finn knows that Puck would want to be in his child's life.
"I don't know. We haven't talked about the baby. I just found out remember?" Puck knows that Finn is just trying to help. "If she will let me I want to be there for my kid, you know?"
"Yeah, I know Puck. If it helps, I think you will make an awesome Dad." Finn smiles at his friend.
Puck holds his glass out to Finn for a refill.
"Thanks man."
They both look up to see Kurt with both hands full of sodas and ice bags, slip down the stairs, his butt hitting each step until he lands at the bottom.
"Ta Da. I didn't spill or drop anything. Yipeeee." Kurt is so proud of himself.
Finn and Puck can only laugh at him.
"Uh, Princess I don't think you need anymore to drink." Puck is holding his sides trying not to laugh anymore.
"Yeah, Kurt. You are cut off. And you're going to have a sore ass at school tomorrow." Finn is still laughing at him.
"Fuck you Hudson." Kurt still hasn't figured out how to get up yet. The look on Kurt's face is enough to send the other two boys in to fits of laughter again.
"Please help Finn, I don't think I can laugh anymore." Puck is wiping away tears.
Finn gets up and walks over to Kurt.
"Okay. Kurt give me the sodas."
"I can do it Finn." Kurt still trying to decide if he wants to put the sodas down or the ice bags.
Finn reaches out and picks up Kurt under the arms, setting him down by the couch.
"You ass, I could've done it." Kurt hands Puck a soda while giving Finn the evil eye.
Finn walks into the bathroom and gets a towel for Puck. He tells him to get comfortable on the couch before he places the towel and ice packs on his ribs.
Puck hisses at the sudden cold and pain. He knows he needs to keep them there to help with the swelling and soreness.
Puck takes a drink of his soda and then drinks more of the amber colored alcohol. He looks at Kurt who is just staring at him.
"What is it Princess?"
"Who did this to you Puck, you haven't told us that part yet." Finn punches him on the arm.
"Ow. What? You're just as curious as I am Finn." He punches Finn on the thigh, frogging him more or less.
"Shit you have bony knuckles. Puck will tell us when he is ready." He makes a sweeping gesture in Puck's direction while rubbing the spot Kurt hit.
Puck looks at both of his friends and he even though he really doesn't want to talk about it, they deserve to know the truth about what happened to him tonight.
"You cant tell anyone who did it, I mean anyone."
Both nod their heads agreeing to keep silent.
Puck downs the rest of his bourbon before he starts.
"It was Callie's Dad and two other guys. Her Dad walked up to me and started talking about the new football season, then he asked me if I knew the player that had been dating his daughter. I asked her name he said Callie's name and before I could answer he started hitting me. It was like he knew who I was.
The other two guys didn't jump in, it was just me and her Dad going at it. I got a couple of good hits. But he had rage and surprise on his side. He would have killed me if the other two guys hadn't pulled him off of me. He told me to stay away from Callie or he would finish it."
Puck scrubs his hand through his Mohawk, closing his eyes.
"Do you want to call the cops and report it?" Finn asks him.
"And what? Tell them, this guy beat me up cause I raped his daughter last year and this year I got her pregnant? I don't think so Finn." Puck just shakes his head at Finn.
"So what are you going to tell everyone?" Kurt's voice breaks the silence.
"Not going to tell anything. Hell nobody talked to me today and it will be the same in school tomorrow. Its like I got a some disease or something." Puck laughs humorlessly.
"Well you can stay here as long as you need to, Mom wont say too much about it. Burt I don't know about though. What do you think Kurt?" Finn looks at his step brother.
"I think my Dad will have a fit, but once he hears the WHOLE story and not the glossed over parts he will be more understanding. He might even give you a part time job at his garage. You just have to be honest with him Puck." Kurt looks thoughtful like he is trying to decide how to tell his Dad.
"I can do that, I want to do that Kurt. I know I fucked up." Puck looks away from his friends.
Kurt takes the ice packs from Puck, they have melted anyway. Finn takes the ice packs from Kurt and puts them in bathroom.
"You want to take a shower and clean up before we go to sleep?" He looks at Puck.
"Yeah that would be nice, if its okay Kurt?" Puck looks at Kurt who is pouting at Finn. "Kurt?"
Kurt moves his gave to Puck and nods his head. "Let me get you a towel."
Kurt tries to stand up but it doesn't quite work out. He keeps sitting back down.
"Oh fuck it. The towels are in the closet, Finn get him a towel. I am going to crawl to bed."
Kurt starts to crawl in the general direction of his queen sized bed. Finn reaches down and picks the now shrieking boy up.
"Put me down Finn Hudson, right now!"
Finn does just that, he drops Kurt in the middle of his own bed smiling at him.
Puck smiles at the brothers and thanks God that he has these two for friends. He sits up on the couch, making sure he can get up with out his head spinning.
"Do you need any help?" Finn asks in a low voice.
Puck holds out his hand and lets Finn help him up off the couch. He starts to make his way to the bathroom when Finn lets him know he will be back with some boxers and sweats for him to sleep in.
Puck nods his head and looks over at Kurt who is now trying to get his shoes off and cursing enough to make a sailor blush. Smiling at Kurt he continues on to the bathroom.
He is in the shower when he hears the door open and Finn tells him the clothes are on the vanity. Finn doesn't wait for an answer, he just simply closes the door.
Once he is clean and in the sweats Finn left him he walks out to Kurt snoring still in his shoes and Finn making a bed for himself on the floor by the couch.
"Dude you don't have to do this," Puck points at the pallet on the floor.
"Yeah I know I don't have to, but I want to Puck." Finn smiles at Puck as he lays down.
Puck notices that the couch now has another blanket on it and a bed pillow. He lays down and covers up.
"Thanks man, for, you know, everything tonight." Puck looks at the ceiling, until he feels a hand on top of his holding it.
"Its good Puck. We're cool bro." Finn says as he turns the light out.