Catalyst
Chapter 11
By Dani J.
Summary: Kurt and Blaine have decided to just be friends and the dapper boy realized he really missed Dalton Academy so he's gone back. No Klaine-bashing is intended, it just wouldn't have worked for this fic. However, Kurt has an admirer in a new kid… and Puck isn't happy at all but doesn't seem willing to step up.
Disclaimer: I own nothing whatsoever. Blame RM and company for this unfairly attractive and addictive group of characters. Well, except for my cute, original character, Kristopher.
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Last chapter: Kurt turned his head and looked at Kris's handsome profile in the dimness of the car's interior. He had a feeling that he was definitely on Kris's to-do list. He didn't know exactly how he felt about that yet but if that kiss was anything to go by, he was in for an experience that being with Blaine definitely hadn't prepared him for. He smirked to himself as he looked out at the passing scenery as they left the theater; who said you had to be in love to have great sex anyway?
Settling back in the surprisingly comfortable seat of the lovingly restored muscle car, Kurt admitted to himself that he was quite ready to find out if sex and love always had to go together.
...
School the following week was the run-of-the-mill mixture of unending boredom mixed with rare occasions of extreme tension.
Not that Kurt was going to admit to the tension part; oh no, he was cool as a cucumber, even when there was not a day that Kris didn't 'accidentally' bump into him every chance he got. Everyone noticed the boy's actions but no one said anything, some of them simply happy that Kurt seemed to be enjoying the attention. Well, apart from Santana's mildly snide comments that Kurt was far too used to so didn't take offense anymore.
No, the tension stemmed from the fact that Puck seemed determined not to talk to Kurt. That wouldn't be something particularly noteworthy but for the fact that he, nevertheless, always seemed to be watching Kurt.
Mercedes was no help either, as every time Kurt's eyes clashed with Puck's and he would huff and turn away in annoyance, she would simply smirk at him. Kurt would end up muttering at her about whose friend she really was but she would simply shrug and change the subject.
This Friday was one such day.
Kurt had entered the cafeteria with his bestie by his side, his head held high and his hips doing that rather hypnotic swaying. Well, there were at least two boys who seemed to find it hypnotic.
Mercedes leaned in to whisper, "How does it feel to be the 'chasee' rather than the 'chaser', baby boy?"
Kurt turned huge, incredulous eyes on his dark-skinned diva friend. "Are you for real? 'Chasee'? That's not even a word, Mercedes!"
Her laughter rolled ahead of them as they made their way to one of two Glee tables, causing the occupants to look up at them and grin. Rachel, having an idea that Mercedes had just teased Kurt by picking up on their body language, called out loudly to them.
"Oh, Kurt, someone left a present for you!"
All eyes in the immediate vicinity turned towards the little Jewish blabbermouth and then turned towards Kurt to see his reaction. He did not oblige them by looking surprised but simply strutted forward and took a seat. His haughty expression hid a twinge of anticipation, though, but he smoothed back his already perfect hair and set his bag down.
"Have you considered a career in hog-calling, Rachel? I think it would be a good fall-back position if NYADA doesn't work out."
The hoots and cat-calling that erupted caused the Streisand-wannabe to blush and pout, her brown eyes looking at Kurt reprovingly.
"No need to be mean, Kurt; I'm just curious, that's all."
"Well," Kurt sniffed and eyed the gaily-wrapped gift suspiciously. "You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, I take it? Well, be warned!"
There was muffled laughter from the others around the table and he reached for the package, picking it up and shaking it gently. It was a little larger than a ring box and he looked up and then around the room, trying to figure out who had left it. He turned his head when he felt eyes on him and then struggled to hold back a smile.
Across the room, standing in the lunch line, Kris had shuffled forward slowly, hoping to catch the moment when Kurt first saw him. Now he smiled with his whole being as Kurt's eyes locked with his.
Kurt felt his cheeks warm and he dropped his eyes back to the gift before slipping it quickly into his messenger bag.
"Kurt Hummel! Aren't you going to let us see this mysterious gift?"
The look Kurt shot Mercedes would have shriveled a soul less stout than hers but she was used to Kurt. She simply curled her lip and narrowed her eyes at him, countering his glare with her own.
Kurt looked away, tilted his head as if in contemplation and then turned back to her, a coolness on his face that was new to his best friend. There was silence at the table as the other Gleeks watched the standoff between the friends.
He let the silence stretch a bit and then: "No."
Anger flashed in her brown eyes but before she could respond, Santana called out:
"Well, it's definitely too small to be a dildo!"
There was a faint gasp before some of the other kids burst out laughing and Kurt simply rolled his eyes at them. He looked away from Mercedes who had turned to look across the room, apparently staring at Kristopher who was by now actually selecting his lunch items.
Kurt felt no remorse about his one-word slap down of his best friend. He was getting heartily sick of everyone weighing in on the issues of his love-life. When he and Blaine had decided they weren't going to be together, his so-called friends had reacted as if they thought he'd never get another boyfriend; at least not one as 'wonderful' as Blaine.
He removed his lunch from his bag, suppressing a smile as he glimpsed the little gift and settled down to eat. He sincerely hoped Kris wouldn't approach him in the lunch room because he was not in the mood for the group's juvenile behavior, especially with regard to him.
Mercedes had strolled off to get her own lunch and as she passed behind Kurt she leaned down to whisper, "You're trippin', white boy; we will talk later."
Kurt rolled his eyes at her back as she stomped off and then turned back just in time to see Sam, Mike, Finn and Puck enter the cafeteria. Instantly, Kurt felt himself tense and his eyes flew to Puck who was talking intently to Finn, the too-tall teen leaning down a bit to hear.
Kurt told himself he was watching all the jocks but his eyes kept returning to Noah. The tanned jock looked different today and Kurt was struggling to pinpoint what had changed. When a Cheerio passed him and ran a hand down an arm, the answer came to him.
Noah wasn't wearing his letterman jacket; instead, he looked undeniably hot in a really tight, dark-grey Henley, the four buttons open to show a glimpse of smooth, tanned skin. His dark jeans, too, didn't look as if he'd taken it up off the floor that morning and even his shoes were different. Instead of the usual trainers he was wearing well-scuffed dark cowboy boots.
Kurt felt his breath catch and unfortunately he'd just taken a sip of his bottled water. His coughing fit drew the concerned eye of all his friends and when Mercedes patted him on the back, he nodded his thanks.
He knew Noah was sexy, okay; today, however, he was smoking hot! Who knew that he could look like that in such simple clothing, Kurt marveled as he stared down at his salad. He felt his cheeks warm up again when Mercedes tilted her head to stare at him and then back at Puck. When she chuckled softly, he knew that she was onto him. In fact, almost everyone had been eyeing Puck, taking in his new look and Kurt was glad that all attention had turned from his little bout of coughing.
By this time, the jocks had reached the two Glee tables and arranged themselves at their usual spots. Santana – the bitch – didn't waste any time plastering herself to Puck's side and Kurt stared as she flicked a pink tongue out to lick at his earlobe.
Puck, to give him his due, squirmed away from her unwanted attention but that didn't stop her from pressing her body tight to his, almost grinding up on him right there in the lunch room. There were hoots and whistles as she put on quite a show, the short Cheerios uniform revealing the bottom of the matching red underpants.
Rachel, God bless her, decided she would be the one to take on Santana's less than modest display.
"Santana, please, some of us are trying to eat and that is just sickening!"
The Latina smirked nastily at her. "You would know all about sickening, wouldn't you, Berry, having to put up with Doughboy over there sweating all up on your perpetual virgin ass!"
"Hey!"
"Hold up, now, people!" That was Artie, his voice rising above Finn's annoyed exclamation. "Keep the drama for the choir room or the auditorium, y'all!"
Santana rolled her eyes but moved slowly away from Puck, one hand dropping down to cup the front of his jeans. She grinned unrepentantly as he jerked away and without a glance at them he headed to the lunch line.
Kurt found himself watching the boy walk away and when he looked back to his lunch he found Mercedes staring at him knowingly. It took everything in him not to glare at his best friend. So what if he wanted to admire another good-looking boy?
He munched on a cherry tomato languidly, his mind wandering to Puck's sartorial departure from the hallmark of jockdom everywhere in this country – the letterman jacket. It was the symbol of his stature in this school, reminding all that he was a member of the elite in the pecking order of high school. His reasons for ditching the jacket today were a mystery – and Kurt loved a mystery.
He had just barely swallowed his juicy tomato when a shadow loomed over him and he automatically slipped on his mask of cool indifference before looking up. He had learned always to be on his guard in this school, even if at the moment he was sitting with fellow members of the Glee club. When he turned his head, though, it was just in time to see Puck passing him to sit at the other Gleek table. For some odd reason, Kurt bridled at the teen's decision not to sit near him. Realizing how unreasonable he was being, though, he huffed and then stared back down at his salad that now seemed less and less appealing the longer he sat there.
Suddenly he felt a nudge to his knee and he glanced curiously at Mercedes, wondering what she was on about now. When he raised an eyebrow at her, he flicked his gaze towards where she was looking and barely held in a groan. Not only had Puck gone to sit at another table, he had found a seat directly in Kurt's line of sight.
He watched as the material of the tight Henley stretched across Puck's chest muscles and Kurt swallowed when he saw the outline of the infamous, rumored nipple ring beneath the material. He felt strangely flustered as he gazed at it and only tore his eyes away when 'Cedes hissed his name. Unthinkingly he hissed, "What!" and she hissed back, "Staring!"
Kurt didn't know what imp of mischief prompted him to smirk at her and then he said, in his customary cool tones: "So, Puck, what's the occasion?"
Everyone froze as they watched the interaction between the two teens. Drama was like mother's milk to them and they could sense that something was brewing between these two. They stared avidly between them and then their eyes were riveted on Puck as he swallowed his bite of sandwich and looked up at Kurt.
Noah had been unsure about wearing this shirt today but something kept egging him on to do it. He knew deep down, though, exactly why he was dressed a little better and if it had something to do with a certain pale-skinned boy, he was not going to admit it out loud to anyone.
He hauled on his patented scowl that, of course, did not intimidate Kurt in the least and hunched forward. The movement had the unfortunate (at least from Kurt's point of view) effect of enhancing his muscular build and more than one girl licked her lips at the sight. Kurt frowned as he watched Santana slide one possessive hand down Puck's arm and then brought his attention back to the jock's face.
Noah kept his voice level even as he looked at Kurt with a vaguely hostile expression. "So, what, I'm not allowed to wear what I want now? What are you, my boyfriend?"
Kurt's mouth dropped open but he snapped it shut quickly as every eye at the two tables turned to him. He felt as if he were on trial and embarrassment triggered his ire. Without thinking he snarled: "As if you'd be good enough!"
!
Noah looked down at his food but he wasn't fast enough; Kurt had seen the flash of hurt and disbelief in the dark amber eyes.
Without a word, Puck got up, throwing a quick glance at Mercedes before he walked out of the cafeteria.
The awkward silence that reigned for nearly a minute after Puck left was strangely augmented by the continuing normal sounds of scores of kids having lunch at the same time. The clink and clang of the lunch ladies clearing away the food containers, the chatter and laughter and the ridiculous antics of the boisterous hockey players all seemed louder. And then…
"Oh, Kurt," Rachel was the first to speak and he knew that they were all wondering what the hell was going on between him and Puck. He was surprised that the other boy had used the word 'boyfriend' at all.
Mercedes looked at him with a quiet disappointment that hurt more than one would expect. He looked around at the others, taking in the various expressions ranging from curiosity (Brittany and Quinn) to speculation (Artie, Rachel, Mike, Tina and Sam) to confusion (Finn) and, last but not least, to malice (Santana – of course).
"What's got your g-string in a bunch, Ladylips? Not used to two hunks wanking over you?" Santana's voice was as slippery as a cold dagger and just as efficient. "I could give you lessons if you want."
Her chuckle, however, was devoid of humor and Kurt remembered why he never wanted to be on the Latina's bad side. He pursed his lips and looked away from her – and straight into Mercedes' eyes.
"Listen up, Kurt; I'ma say this in the kindest way possible. Get your fine, lily-white ass out there and try to behave like a human being!"
Kurt gaped at her, looked around at the others who were once again gawking at him as if they were visitors at a zoo and he a particularly odd specimen. He looked back at his best friend and saw that she was deadly serious and huffed in annoyance.
"Okay, alright!" Grabbing up his satchel he stormed out of the cafeteria, deliberately ignoring Kristopher's half-raised hand as he passed his table. He was in no mood for an amorous jock right now; he had another one to find and apologize to. However, as he stepped out of the cafeteria and turned instinctively towards the auditorium, he started to calm down.
He had always had a temper but he prided himself on being in control of it most of the time. Puck simply got under his skin and he hated the reason why.
Ever since they had talked in the auditorium the week before, the boy had not left his thoughts. Kurt wanted to concentrate on Kristopher; he wanted a nice, uncomplicated relationship with a hot boy who looked like an angel and kissed like the devil himself. He almost winced at the thought that would have been perfect in one of Carole's overwrought romance novels. It was still true, though. When Kris had kissed him outside the theater the previous Saturday, he had been definitely turned on. If it hadn't been only their second date, Kurt knew without a doubt he would have been giving it up to the gorgeous teen.
Still, thoughts of Puck and his questions kept interfering with his daydreams of Kristopher. Worse, at night when he was in bed, especially this past week, he kept seeing the way Puck would watch him during school. The other teen hadn't approached him, hadn't been obnoxious in any way, he had simply watched Kurt, thoughts swirling in his brown-green eyes. Kurt had wanted on more than one occasion to yell at him and tell him to stop it but he hadn't.
Now he hurried through the nearly empty hallways, glad it was still early in the lunch hour and soon reached the auditorium's double doors. He glanced through one of the panes set in the door and, sure enough, there was Noah sitting on the edge of the stage.
Kurt sauntered down the aisle, his heart beating slightly faster as he wracked his brain to find something neutral to say. However, what came out of his mouth as he neared the other boy was:
"We have to stop meeting like this."
He almost groaned at the corny line and then wondered if Noah even recognized it as a well-used, theatrical line.
Noah looked up at Kurt, wondering why the other boy was there. He didn't say anything.
Kurt sighed, realizing Puck wasn't going to make things easier for him and he walked up the steps to stand behind the seated form.
"Look, Puck, I'm sorry. I-I was out of line, saying that… back there."
As an apology it was less than gracious but he hoped Puck heard the sincerity in it. However, the jock stiffened and he turned so that he was looking up at Kurt, his eyes without a spark of humor in them.
Kurt felt his heart speed up, wondering what the other teen was thinking. What Puck said though, made him gape at him, confused.
"Are we even now, Kurt?"
Kurt stared at him, irritation making his blue eyes glow in the dim, slightly red lighting. "What are you talking about, Puck?"
Puck got smoothly to his feet and Kurt involuntarily took a step back. For some strange reason, Puck, here at school without his letterman jacket on was a little intimidating. It was almost like he was a stranger and Kurt felt an odd flutter in his stomach.
Noah's eyes narrowed as he saw Kurt move back from him but he held his gaze. "I mean, I hurt you when I used the 'F' word the other day. Is this payback? Embarrassing me in front of the others… is that it?"
Kurt's pink lips parted in surprise as he stared at Puck. He honestly hadn't been thinking at the time he'd made his comment. He'd simply lashed out.
"No! I didn't even remember that!"
Noah looked down at the boards of the stage and slid his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. He shrugged now and then looked back up at Kurt, his eyes somehow lighter but still with that unusually serious cast to them. Kurt just knew another question was coming and he braced himself for it.
"Okay, I believe you." Noah took a deep breath and stared directly into Kurt eyes as he asked, "Will I ever be good enough?"
He watched as a whole host of emotions flew across Kurt's pale features. He knew Kurt often wore a mask of cool indifference because he wore a mask himself, only his was a bravado he didn't really feel most of the time. Now, though, he couldn't help but be fascinated as Kurt's thoughts were broadcast from his expressive eyes and his shoulders slumped even before Kurt got the first word out.
"Puck… Noah," Kurt paused, silently acknowledging that the teen he was talking to was not the one who swaggered and preened for the numerous Cheerios' delectation. This was the confused teen, Noah Puckerman, who was maybe proving to be far more interesting to Kurt than 'Puck the Badass' would ever be.
Now Kurt swallowed, licked his lips and continued: "Are you even gay?"
There was silence for a while and Kurt knew the other boy hadn't expected his question. He watched as Noah tensed and he wondered why, taking in the uncomfortable body language. Noah turned his head first and then his body as he prepared to leave the stage. He turned back briefly though, as if he'd decided to answer Kurt after all.
His voice was quiet as he said, "I could be … for you."
Kurt wondered if his head was still attached to his body, so light it felt as Noah's words registered. He had known; he couldn't lie to himself. It was obvious to anyone who cared to see; Noah did have feelings for him… and Kurt had no idea what to do about it. He couldn't see them dating; Kurt was deeply attracted to Kristopher. Well, his body was attracted to Kris and he wanted to see where that would go.
This … thing… that he and Noah had going on, though… had his mind in thrall and he almost hated that. His heart, too kind for his own good sometimes, wanted him to hear out the jock, to maybe see if the glimpses of an interesting Noah were real. However, Kurt couldn't get over the fact that, to all intents and purposes, Noah was straight.
He sighed as he turned away slowly, watching as Noah walked to the other side of the stage to leave. Kurt shook his head and started slowly down the steps from the stage and he had almost reached the aisle when he heard his name.
"Kurt," Noah said now, his voice an odd mixture of defiance and uncertainty. When Kurt turned to look at him, Noah looked in his direction but not exactly at him.
"Yes?"
Noah looked down at the floor of the stage and then, as if bracing himself, looked up finally at Kurt.
"Did you like the gift?"
.
TBC
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