Chapter Eighteen: Cat's Outta the Bag
The following Monday, Noah was, for the first time in a long time, looking forward to going to school. After he and Kurt had reconciled, Noah had invited him to Sunday dinner. Over a table full of food (Puckerman's did not do family dinner lightly) Puck had asked Kurt on their first official date for Monday. Blushing profusely, as Lily squealed loudly and Norah smiled at first her son then the object of his affections, Kurt had accepted with a quiet, "Yes."
After dressing, Noah walked to his Mother's bedroom and stood in front of the full-body mirror. He took a moment to admire the effort he had put into dressing. He was still wearing jeans, tight around his buttocks but baggy in the leg, but he had coupled it with an olive button down shirt. It was a shirt that Norah had said really set off his eyes and he had to agree with her now he had decided to actually wear the damn thing. He smiled broadly at his reflection as he fought the urge to do a little victory dance. Kurt said yes to a date.
With a skip in his step (and God wasn't that gay?) he bounded down the stairs and, giving his Ma and sister a peck on the way, he stepped out into the bright morning.
"How many outfits is that now?" Burt asked, an amused smile on his face as Kurt walked through the living room in yet another ensemble.
Kurt scowled, "I won't have time to change for tonight," a light blush lit his delicate features, "so I'm having trouble finding one that I think is suitable for school, suitable for a date and doesn't feel too tight around Smidge."
Burt gave his son an affectionate grin. The countertenor had relayed the Puckerman's pet name for his baby to his dad and it was being used frequently in the Hummel household since. As he wandered into the kitchen, Kurt's hand drifted down to his midsection as he hummed a tune under his breath. Burt followed him in and laughed as Kurt held his nose so as not to smell the coffee. His son threw a glare in his direction and he quietened.
"You know, when your mum was pregnant with you, she had really bad morning sickness." Kurt raised his eyebrows, "Yeah. She swore by hot water and lemon. She also carried one of those napkin things around with tea tree or lavender oil on it, to stop the smells that made her nauseous getting to her."
Kurt grinned brightly at his dad, "Thanks, Dad. I think I'll try that." The younger Hummel glanced at the time and was suddenly filled with nervous energy. "Noah's gonna be here in five minutes! How do I look, Dad...?"
"Like a million dollars." He replied without a moment's hesitation and Kurt smile lit up the room. "I'm gonna make one of those hot water and lemons for you, you go sit down."
"Don't you start treating me like glass, I already get enough of that with Noah." He hissed, though he did as he was told, flicking the TV channel to an ancient re-run of Deadliest Catch.
As he pottered around the kitchen, Burt was struck with sense of pride for both Kurt and Noah. He hadn't been sure what to think of the Mohawk-ed teen after hearing such awful accounts of his reputation, but he had to admit, Puck was growing on him. He was intelligent (though he hated that trait being acknowledged), witty and had the potential to be a strong man. Not in the physical sense, but mentally and emotionally. Noah was misunderstood, and although Burt was loath to admit it, he saw his younger self in the teen holding his son's heart so gently.
Moving into the living-room and taking a perch on his favourite chair as he passed Kurt his drink, Burt mulled over his joy and trepidation about the information that Kurt and Noah were officially 'together'. Deep in his gut, he knew that Noah would never hurt his boy, men like Puck didn't love lightly, but he was terrified for Kurt's safety. What would be the repercussions of their soon-to-be public relationship be? For both boys.
Kurt was no stranger to adversity and he overcame any obstacle thrown his way; but with the baby, he wouldn't be able to withstand any physical abuse – of which Burt was fully aware and had, unknown to Kurt, gone to Figgins about on numerous occasions. Puck was physically strong and Burt doubted whether any of the students would try to pick a fight with him, but emotionally, he was vulnerable. The older Hummel knew with certainty that Noah would, should the need arise, erase any danger to his son; however Burt had a suspicion that Puck would neglect his own feelings. It wasn't healthy.
The angry rumbling sound of Noah's truck filled the living-room. Burt shook his head, I'm gonna have to show him how to fix that, he grinned when Kurt's frame began to vibrate with excitement at the aspect of seeing Noah. It made Burt's heart swell to know that his stubborn son had relented and was finally giving himself (and Puck) the opportunity to be part of something awesome. There was no denying the affection the boys held for one another – although Kurt had tried desperately for some time.
The doorbell rang and before Kurt could jump up and run for the door, Burt shot him a look, pointing at the barely-touched drink still sitting in front of his son and headed for the entrance way.
"Hey, Mr. Hummel." Puck greeted, a huge, somewhat goofy grin on his face.
Burt smiled in return, "Come on in, Noah. Kurt's just finishing his drink and then you can go, but I'd like a quick chat with you first." Puck paled a little and his smile dimmed, "No, no, I just want to talk, that's all. I'm not gonna go all Papa Bear on you." They laughed and Burt guided Noah to the kitchen, shutting the door leading to the living-room.
"So you and Kurt are going on a date after school?" Noah nodded, leaning against the counter and smiling lightly, happily. "Right. I just want you to know how glad I am that Kurt is giving you a chance. He's a strong boy, but he... well, he doesn't realise how much he needs to be loved and I think I can safely say that you two are almost there. I'm not happy that the two of you were... intimate behind my back, but I'm happy if Kurt's happy. Just," Burt rubbed the back of his neck, "Just make sure that you look after yourself, 'kay? I'm content for you to put Kurt first, but if things get to you, come to me and talk it out. I don't want you to self destruct."
Noah grinned and felt his eyes sting, "You're such a good dad, Burt." He said quietly.
Burt smiled gently and clapped the jock on the shoulder, "You will be too, Noah, given the chance."
Noah's smile turned watery and before the boy got too uncomfortable, Burt cleared his throat and gave his shoulder a squeeze. Yeah, Burt thought, this kid's growing on me.
Kurt wandered through into the hall and smiled an unmistakably loving smile at the back of Noah's head before turning his attention to his dad. "I've finished the drink, Dad. Thanks for that, I feel so much better now."
Upon hearing Kurt's voice, Burt noticed that Puck's demeanour changed. All at once he became a puppy-dog and protective partner. It was a change that Burt thought would give away any affection between the boys at school. Although, if Noah's promise to guard Kurt with his life was anything to go by, the majority of McKinley would know about their blossoming relationship by noon.
Puck turned and felt his face warm. Kurt looked incredible and he told the boy so.
Flushing prettily, Kurt said, "Thanks, Noah." He walked forward and pressed a kiss to the footballer's cheek. "Are we ready to go?"
Noah smiled and kissed Kurt's hairline, running a hand down to the smaller boy's slowly expanding tummy and gently rubbing there. "Sure."
Burt cleared his throat and Kurt grinned cheekily at him. "Alright, alright, Dad." He pulled away from Noah and as the footballer turned to head out the door again, the back of their hands brushed and Noah didn't hesitate to take Kurt's hand in his own. Ivory against copper. Burt smiled at his son's confused and joyful face as the two left, waving over their shoulders.
Kurt was tapping his fingers anxiously against his knee as they were turning into the school parking lot. Nervous energy thrummed through his light frame and as Noah parked the truck, he turned the smaller boy.
"It's gonna be okay, Kurt, really." Kurt turned doubtful blue orbs towards him ad Noah's heart clenched. "Kurt, I... Look, I'm not a 'good-guy', but if someone matters to me, I will fight for them and I'll stand by what I think is right." Puck sighed. "I don't want you to be my dirty little secret. I want to be someone that you're proud of. That's... That's why I want to come out to the school. I want to be able to walk by you in the hallways and holding hands and kissing. I want the right to do those things with the strongest boy in McKinley."
Kurt's eyes were stinging but he leaned forward and kissed Noah on the lips and touched their foreheads to one another. "Okay, Noah. Let's do this thing."
Puck grinned and stole another kiss before stepping out of the car. He'd parked as far away from the dumpsters as he could, a little way around a corner from the main school doors, but even there he could feel something strange in the air. An odd buzz. He shook it off in favour of helping Kurt out of the car – "If you're like this all through this pregnancy, you better keep me away from anything sharp, lest I be forced to kill you." – and pushing him against the car to plunder his mouth. He had missed kissing Kurt, more than he would like to admit, but when Kurt opened up to him willingly and ran soothing hands down his Mohawk, he knew he could never give it up.
Once they felt that they had absorbed enough of one another, they pulled away and, smiling widely, turned to go into McKinley.
As they turned the corner, Puck suddenly realised what the bizarre electrical charge was in the air. There was a mass of students gathered around the entrance of the school and even a couple of news crews. They turned their attention to the two boys as they approached and rushed towards them, throwing questions that left Kurt dizzy and Noah feeling sick.
"Mr. Hummel! Is it true that you're pregnant?" News reporter.
"Noah, why don't I fuck the gay outta you?" One of the Cheerios, Cindy.
"Mr. Puckerman, don't you think you're being conned?" Another news reporter.
"Hey fairy! Looks like we were right,huh? More of a woman than a dude!" A nameless jock.
Without meaning to, the boys gravitated towards one another, seeking comfort from each other. Noah stepped in front of Kurt and growled. Anger surged through him and he very nearly took a swing as one of the reporters shoved a microphone in his face, but then Kurt's small and shaking hand gripped at back of his shirt and he tried to calm down. Violence wasn't a viable action at that moment.
Finn burst through the crowd and stood beside Noah. Noah didn't think that he'd ever been so glad to see the big klutz. "Back off!" He yelled.
Mercedes was the next person to step beside them, swiftly followed by Santana and Brittany and within moments the whole of New Directions was surrounding the boys in a protective cocoon. They were missing Quinn, and abruptly, Noah knew who was responsible for the media circus. However, when David Karofsky stepped through the throng and came to stand in front of Noah, everyone was shocked.
He looked straight into one of the cameras and stated, "The business of these two is just that: their business. Leave. Them. Alone. Everyone deserves their privacy and their secrets." He had tried, they'd all tried, but the questions kept coming at a rapid pace.
Noah noticed that the shaking in Kurt's hand was getting worse and he swore that he had heard a sob. He was thankful when David turned and said, "Take him home. Now."
The New Directions crowded around the vulnerable pair and escorted them back to Noah's truck in a kind of huddle whilst Karofsky and Finn tried to keep the mob back.
Once they were safely in the car, Santana surprised both boys as, before shutting Kurt's door, she leaned in and pressed a dry-lipped kiss to his cheek. "I'm sorry." She whispered, and then, slamming the passenger-side door shut, she slapped her hand against the truck's roof twice and Noah zoomed away, taking Kurt back to safety.
As soon as they were a safe distance from the school, he glanced over at the pregnant boy and was terrified by what he saw. He was panting and clawing at his throat. His face was turning red due to lack of oxygen and Noah pulled the truck over as fast as he could.
He ran 'round to Kurt's side and moved him from the front seat to the truck bed, grabbing a woollen blanket as an afterthought. He climbed in behind Kurt and gently, but firmly, rubbed soothing circles on his sternum and breathed against his neck. His own panic began to rise as Kurt didn't respond, his breathing still erratic.
"C'mon, Kurt. Come on, babe, you can do this." Noah muttered against his slender neck. "Breathe with me. C'mon. In. Out."
Finally, finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the countertenor managed to get his breathing under control, gasping every now and then before his breathing synched with Noah's.
"There you go." Noah smiled and felt relief flood him. "That's it, babe."
Kurt relaxed his body into Noah more fully, his face turning towards the bigger boy and earning a soft kiss to his brow. Puck pulled the blanket around Kurt and they sat in silence for a few moments. The scene at the school had shaken them both, and they relished the comfort they found in one another.
The quiet was broken when Kurt giggled humourlessly.
"What?"
"I just thinking about how that has blown my school plans out of the water." Noah kissed his eyelids and Kurt sighed as he snuggled closer. "I knew she was a bitch, Noah, but I didn't think she'd take it this far..."
"I know, hon." Noah squeezed him gently. "I'm sorry, Kurt."
"It's not your fault... Okay, well, it was, but it was important for you to tell her – she should have respected that. She's the one that made it public. Having said that, it's partly my fault too. I should have been more careful in how I stood up for you. I should have been a little more considerate too, I s'pose." They stayed quiet for a few moments before Kurt spoke again. "This doesn't change us, Noah. I'm still getting that date."
It took Noah a second to catch up, but when he did, he laughed with thankful tears stinging at his eyes. After kissing Kurt thoroughly, he suggested that they continue back to the Hummel household.
Sorry for the late update guys, it's been rather busy my end. I wanted to continue this chapter further, but I felt that this was an 'ok' place to stop. HOPEFULLY the next update will be faster! Next chapter = date night :)