Pairing: Puck/Kurt

Genre: Slash, Romance, kind of AU?

Note: I started working on this since "Michael" episode, so some things are different from the canon presented on the rest of 3rd season. Also, I hope you like my take on things.

Songs used on this chapter: "Dream a little dream of me" (Glee version), "Shelter from the rain" (Avantasia) and "Solitary shell" (Dream Theater)

Quiet in my town - Chapter one

New York City, ten years later.

"I'm home!" exclaimed Kurt as he closed the door behind him, taking off his bag and coat.

He was greeted with silence.

"Right." Kurt talked with himself as he took off his scarf and put everything on the hanger they had by the door.

The first thing he did was go to the phone, pressing the answering machine button while he sorted the letters he picked up on their mailbox.

'You have three new messages…'

"Delightful." huffed Kurt as he separated his and Rachel's mail.

'First new message:

Hey Kurt, this is dad. I'm calling because it's been a while since you called home. So…how are you doing? To busy singing in Broadway to ring your old man? Anyway…I was thinking if there's any chance you and Blaine will come home for Thanksgiving. I know a star life can be rushed, but if there's any chance…let me know. Love you.'

Kurt sighed guiltily, opening one of his mails, his mouth thinning when it was a new credit card offer. He barely called home in the last couple of months and every time his dad called, his guilty was only increasing.

'Second new message:

Hey Kurt is…Blaine. How are you doing? I know, it's been months, but I'm actually in town and I thought we could you know…catch up? Maybe…'

"Oh, no no no. Bad idea, bad idea." whispered Kurt frantically as he deleted Blaine's message. Rachel would never let him hear the end of it if he let himself meet Blaine.

'Third new message:

How are my favorite Divas? So, I know I missed you guys home, but me and Sam will be in town for a couple of days and we need to meet. I'll let you choose the food of choice Kurt, but I won't get out of New York without seeing you two, do you hear me?

So bossy!

Sam, quiet, I'm trying to talk on the phone!'

There was a scruff on the phone and then a male voice filled the air.

'Hey Kurt and Rachel. What Mercedes meant was that she will kick both of your asses if we don't see you in the next two days. So, see you soon.'

Kurt smiled wistfully as he heard the couple bicker before hanging up. He went to the fridge and got a beer, closing the door with his hip. He caught his cell phone inside his bag and then went to the window, climbing out into the fire escape.

Seating down on the rusty steps he took the pack of cigarettes from his jeans and took a swallow of the cold beer before he lighted up one. Taking a long drag he sighed, feeling the smoke burn his lungs. Resting on his elbows on the steps, he dialed the number he knew by heart. There were barely two rings before it answered.

"Roomie!"

"Hey Rachel…where are you?"

"I'm just getting out of rehearsal and going to the subway. Are you home already?"

"Yeah, I just got here. There was a message from Mercedes and Sam. They are in town."

"Really?! Oh, this is amazing! Shane from the play told me about this awesome Irish pub in Soho, we can go there, what do you think?"

Kurt felt himself smile genuinely. These days, only Rachel could do that.

"I'll call Mercedes and let her know."

"See you home roomie!"

Kurt hung up and took another drag of the cigarette and searched for any music on his IPhone. Finally the accords of Dream a little dream of me started to play, echoing on the alley. Kurt finished his cigarette and beer slowly, humming with the song, singing lowly here and there.

"Say nighty-night and kiss me…just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me…while I'm alone and blue as can be…dream a little dream of me…"

The soft voice echoed in the air.

pkpkpkpkpkpkpkpkpkpk

"My boy, you are so skinny!"

Kurt laughed when those were the first words that left Mercedes mouth. She was crushing him on his embrace and he couldn't be happier. Next was Sam, who also hugged him tight. They separated just in time to see Mercedes and Rachel already ahead of them, chatting. Sam laughed, scratching his neck.

"She's right, you look skinny. What's the secret Kurt?"

The young man rolled his eyes.

"A lot of stress, that's all."

"So, still working for the devil uhn?"

"And here I thought that The Devil Wears Prada was just a movie."

Sam hugged him by his shoulders, the two walking towards the table both girls secured for them.

"Don't worry, it's only until you get your big break, right?"

The smile was dimed.

"Right."

They soon seated and everybody asked for beers and tequila. It was so good to see them again. From all the people at high school, Sam and Mercedes were the few that Rachel and Kurt still maintained contact; Finn not counting, since he was still his stepbrother.

It was funny to see how much had changed in ten years since they graduated; Rachel bloomed in New York, leaving that shy, insecure girl in Lima. It was years since Finn and she broke up, but somehow they remained friends. His stepbrother still lived in Lima, and now was the manager of Burt's garage. For everyone's surprise, Finn actually went to college to major in Economics and got to expand the shop in four different cities. He and Rachel grew apart, but the affection was still there.

Sam and Mercedes got married not even three years after they graduated and you could see how much in love they were until those days. They were working in a new cd, the duo was quite the sensation on the indie scene.

As for Kurt and Rachel….well, not every dream they had was now true. Kurt was still trying to get the chance of his big break. Rachel got to make some small productions here and there, but neither of them were nowhere near the big stage they always dreamed of.

In fact, growing up proved to be harder in some aspects. More than Kurt expected.

"So…why Blaine is not with us here today?"

Case in point. Rachel expression turned angry and she promptly hugged Kurt close to her.

"Blaine is out of the picture for six months now. And we don't speak the name of that…boy, who broke my baby's heart."

"Rachel…"

"It's true! I was the one who had to stop you from drowning yourself in that Ben & Jerry's and spending your nights watching Chicago!"

"What happened?" asked Sam, confused.

Kurt shrugged.

"We started to grow apart. And then one day I broke up for good. It is as much as my fault as his."

"Really?" said Mercedes and Sam at the same time.

Kurt caught one shot glass full of tequila and raised.

"Water under the bridge." and took the drink in one swallow.

"Right…" said Sam slowly, taking a sip on his beer. "Anyway! This pub idea was awesome. It's been a while since we've seen each other and this place was right on."

"It was Rachel's idea." said Kurt, smiling.

"Shane from the play suggested."

"Shane?" asked Mercedes with and arched eyebrow.

Rachel made a face.

"Nothing like that! I made a vow of no love problems until I get my first lead at Broadway. And I'm going pretty well so far, right Kurt?"

"Practically a nun."

"Kurt!"

"What, it's true!"

"What I meant it's that I don't want a relationship. That doesn't mean I can't have some…you know…fun."

"Rachel Barbara Berry…you surprise me."

"Why, thank you Mercedes Evans."

The young woman smiled and raised her beer in another toast.

"To old friends!"

"I'll drink to that."

As they clank the bottles and took a swallow, the music slowly died at the pub. There was the sound of a mic being adjusted.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. May I introduce the band that's being the talk of New York. Give a warm welcome for Flying Colors!"

Rachel giggled as she put her glass of sparkly drink down. Soon a female voice floated in the air.

"Welcome everyone. And let's rock tonight!"

At the first accord, the guitar setting the tone, the singer started. And that made everyone turn their heads to the small stage.

"What?" echoed the four of them.

None other than Santana Lopez stood on the stage, dressed in leather pants, sparkly silver tank top and a black bandana on her head. Her smoldering, dark eyes were decorated with heavy make up as she let her voice entertain everybody.

"Like a wheel I keep on turning…straight ahead, it's got me burning, the melody - the dignity…something is speaking to me…"

Kurt looked at the band, surprised to see Santana of all people in New York and at that pub. But when the lead guitarist turned his head to join the girl, his heart almost stopped.

"Puck?"

pkpkpkpkpkpkpkpkpkpk

The rest of the concert passed in a daze for Kurt. He couldn't help himself but stare at Puck the entire set. Noticing the differences from the boy he used to hate and then respect, back in high school days.

For one, Puck's was more slender, not heavily muscled like he was. His toned arms were bulging as he played the guitar with easiness that indicated years of practice. He didn't have his Mohawk anymore; he was using a shaved head. And that kind of suited the air of maturity that he sported. He and Santana moved around each other with fluidity and the songs were a mash up of heavy rock and powerful ballads.

Soon the music faded and Santana announced they were taking a small break. That was the moment that broke the spell over Kurt. That and Rachel getting up, excited.

"Let's say hi to them! Come on!" Mercedes and Sam agreed as they followed Rachel.

Kurt didn't know why he was so nervous. He hasn't seen Puck since that night…with the kiss. Funny how such an insignificant thing got marked in his memory. He took a deep breath and soldiered on, following his friends.

As they approached the bar where the band was drinking, his started to entwine his fingers, a gesture he acquired when nervous and he itch for a cigarette.

"Noah, Santana! You are here, in New York!"

Rachel was more than a little tipsy as she hugged Puck from behind. Santana widened her eyes, looking at the jewish girl and the others behind her.

"Rachel? Oh my God, and you guys!"

For everyone's surprise Santana hugged Mercedes tightly, followed by Sam and a surprised Kurt. Puck disentangled Rachel from him and happily hugged Sam. Soon he was hugging and kissing Mercedes too. When he stopped in front of him, a familiar smirk adorned his features.

"Kurt."

"Puck."

Soon the smirk was replaced by a genuine laugh and Kurt was engulfed in those arms, Puck whispering in his ear.

"Glad to see you Hummel."

Kurt closed his eyes and was hit with the scent of a citric, masculine perfume. He returned the hug and whispered as well.

"Same…Noah."

Puck stepped back and looked him up and down.

"You grew up more. You are now the same height as me."

"Yeah, well…" Kurt shrugged. "So! I didn't know you guys were in town."

Puck laughed and hugged Santana, receiving a glare from the latina.

"Yeah, we arrived a month ago. We've been building a fan base here, so it doesn't hurt staying a little more."

"Are you guys…?" asked Sam, pointing at them.

Santana rolled her eyes and pushed Puck away.

"God, no. Once a dyke, always one."

"Good for you!" exclaimed Rachel, hugging her. Santana laughed.

"How much did you have to drink Berry?"

"As always, more than she can handle." answered Kurt, taking the girl away, supporting her weight.

Santana laughed and adjusted her bandanna.

"You're looking good Berry. Not marriage suits you." was that a blush? "Now, if you excuse us, we need to go back on stage."

"Stay until we finished, we need to grab a drink together!" exclaimed Puck, being dragged by the girl.

"We will!" exclaimed Mercedes and Sam back.

Puck picked up his guitar and went front and center, taking Santana's previously place. He greeted the public and his look turned to Kurt.

"Since tonight we found some really good friends, this next song is for them. And it's a new one, so enjoy."

He gave the first accords together with the bassist and his beautiful voice floated through the place.

"He seemed no different from the rest…just a healthy normal boy…his mama always did her best, and he was daddy's pride and joy. He learned to walk and talk on time, but never cared much to be held…and steadily he would decline…into his solitary shell…"

Kurt felt himself smile with fascination at the words, his eyes never leaving Puck's face. His beer was left forgotten at the table as he watched Puck sing and play the guitar.

"As a man he was a danger to himself…fearful and sad most of the time…he was drifting in and out of sanity, but in every other way he was fine…"

"He looks so different, right?"

Mercedes thoughtful voice woke him from his trance. He turned to face his friend.

"What do you mean?"

Mercedes shrugged.

"I don't know…just different. Maybe…better?"

Kurt looked at Puck again, as he was finishing the song, the public at the pub clapping together.

Yeah…he looked so much better than Kurt remembered.

TBC.