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.
Note 2: Sorry for the wait, I was travelling and didn't have access to a pc.
Songs used on this chapter: "As If We Never Said Goodbye" (Glee version), "Private Parts" (Halestorm)
Quiet in my town - Chapter two
The thing about New York was that she really was the city that never slept. If you knew where to look, you could always find something open, some bar or some club.
After the show ended at the pub, Puck and Santana joined them at another bar. A round of tequila was followed by more laughter and loud conversation. Apparently they found each other a year ago in some audition for a studio and after they both got rejected, they decided to make their own band.
"And the rest is history." finished Santana with a flourish, swallowing another shot.
"And we are doing better than following some record company rules." said Puck, swallowing his own shot.
"That's awesome! I'm so proud of you guys!" exclaimed Rachel, past tipsy a few hours ago.
"So…what are you guys had been doing? How are your big Broadway dreams Berry, Hummel?" asked Santana, turning her piercing look at them.
Before Rachel could even open her mouth, Kurt stood abruptly. He smiled forcedly.
"Why don't we move this party to mine and Rachel's apartment? We'll be more comfortable there."
Puck raised his eyebrow. Santana smirked and stood up too.
"Sure, just let me and Puck let the other guys of the band know where we're going."
Kurt nodded, smiling more at ease as everybody stood up too.
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Kurt felt the cold wind bite at his skin as he took another drag of the cigarette dangling from his gloveless fingers. The metal stairs were cold beneath him, but he couldn't care less. He was murmuring one of the songs he heard from the band earlier, the one Puck sang.
"Glad to know the song is catchy."
Kurt stopped the humming abruptly, turning his head to look at Puck climbing out of the window and joining him outside. The young man smiled.
"Sure is. I can't stop hearing in my head."
"Mind if I join you?"
Kurt moved aside, letting Puck seat next to him. He extended the pack of cigarettes and the guitarist picked one with a raised eyebrow.
"I think I created a monster."
"Yeah, it's totally your fault I smoke now. "
Puck smirked and when Kurt extended the lighter he grabbed his hand, lightening up the cigarette on his lips. Kurt watched their close faces, illuminated only by the orange glow. Puck drew back and dragged once, letting the smoke fill the cold air.
"So…Kurt. Why you got all prickly when Santana mentioned Broadway?"
Kurt huffed, looking away.
"I did not get prickly Noah. I simply thought would be better to spend the rest of the night here."
"Sure thing. You do know Rachel talks a lot more than usual when she's drunk, right?"
The young man laughed, pressing one of his hands against his forehead.
"Yes, I'm her roommate for the past five years. "
"So…fashion studio uhn? I think it was one of the three things I imagined you doing."
Kurt took another drag, arching his eyebrow.
"Three things?"
"Besides being a Broadway star and a fashion designer I imagined you being a burlesque dancer."
Kurt slapped him upside the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
"That's for you thinking about me as a stripper."
"Burlesque dancer! You have more class than that."
Kurt started laughing at the indignant voice coming from Puck and dropped the stub of the cigarette on the floor. He got up and swayed slightly. Oops, that third shot of tequila wasn't such a good idea now. Puck stood up too and rested a hand on his arm.
"You okay there?"
"Yes, I can hold my liquor, thank you very much."
"I'm sure you do."
Kurt smirked and punched Puck on the shoulder. The other man just laughed and followed him inside the apartment.
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Kurt clenched his eyes, trying not to groan at the burning light currently all over his face. A mouth-watering scent made him open his eyes again.
"Oh, you're up."
That phrase showed how his life was sometimes that didn't even faze him that Rachel was laid down next to him on bed. He turned to face the girl and smirked when saw how pale she was.
"What did I tell you about drinking us out of house and job?"
Rachel's slap was weak at best.
"Shut up Hummel, it's been a long time since I did this."
"Well, at least it's not you cooking, that I would be terribly afraid of…speaking of which…" he inhaled again "who's cooking in our kitchen right now?"
Rachel smiled, her eyes crinkling around the corners.
"I'll so get the best plate."
She stood up and ran out of the room before he could say anything. Kurt left the room almost running.
"Hey, that's not fair Berr…" his voice died when he was met with Santana and Puck on their kitchen. And Puck was the one cooking.
"Good morning porcelain." teased the latina.
"Hey!"
"What? It's a good nickname, coach Sylvester was right."
Kurt rolled his eyes and sat down on the remaining stool in the kitchen counter. Puck approached and put some crisp bacon on his plate. Kurt totally didn't notice Puck was wearing only a pair of pants.
"I didn't know you cooked Noah."
The young man shrugged, getting another plate, this time with freshly-made pancakes and put two of them on his plate.
"I did for my sister all the time, it's no big deal. And you guys let us crash here, so…"
"I helped with the pancakes!" exclaimed Santana, stealing a bacon from Puck's plate.
"Hey!"
"You're jewish, you're not supposed to eat this."
"Bit me Santana."
"I prefer the bacon."
"This looks delicious Noah, thanks." interrupted Rachel, cutting a piece of the warm buttermilk pancake. "So, you guys have anything to do today?"
Both musicians shrugged a clear no if there was any. Rachel clapped her hands, delighted.
"Oh, how about we hang out? You don't have to work today, do you Kurt?"
"I just need to take a quick trip to the studio." answered the boy, munching on a bacon.
"No, you always say that and then you spend the whole day there!"
"I do not." at Rachel's arched eyebrow, he sighed. "Okay, but just because we are in the middle of a huge new collection."
"I can go with you if you don't mind." suggested Puck, turning off the stove and seating next to him, starting to eat his pancakes. "Make sure you don't ditch us."
"I…"
"That's an excellent idea!" exclaimed Rachel, almost clapping. "Please Noah, make sure you drag him out of that studio on time."
Puck nodded, pointing his finger at Rachel and imitating a gun. Kurt rolled his eyes, finishing his breakfast.
"Well, if that's the case, I'll make myself ready."
"Since I know how long it takes for you to get ready, maybe I'll meet you there? Me and Santana need to go back to our hotel."
Kurt nodded, getting a piece of paper and writing down the address. Puck picked up the piece of paper and Kurt tried not to shiver at the touch of the tip of their fingers.
"I'll meet you at the subway station then?"
He stood, nodding, not trusting his voice. What the hell was wrong with him?
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"Feel the early morning madness…feel the magic in the making…why, everything's as if we never said goodbye…"
"I see you still sing as well as before."
Kurt did not jump as he took off his earphone and glared at Puck. The guitarist smirked.
"You scared me."
"Sorry." He didn't appear sorry.
Kurt huffed and nodded to the exit of the subway.
"Come on, the studio it's not far."
Puck walked close to him, the two of them talking about Puck's band, their new songs and the show they were making in the New York City area. Soon enough they were climbing the stairs to the second floor. Kurt opened the running door, showing the big loft area.
The studio Kurt worked was located in a loft in Manhattan. It was all white and black, with four desks spread through the space, one for each designer. In a high platform there was a bigger desk, from Kurt's boss and currently nightmare of the place. Miranda from the movie had nothing on her. There was a reason why Kurt was coming to work on a Saturday morning.
Puck whistled and walked behind him, looking around. Kurt went to the second table on the right, putting his messenger bag on the floor and booting his laptop.
"Make yourself comfortable."
"Want some coffee? I know a spotted a machine in here somewhere."
Kurt shrugged.
"Sure. Just black coffee, please."
Puck nodded and Kurt turned to his laptop, opening the design program. He still drew on paper, but all the finished sketches were already scanned and safe on his hard drive. He connected his Ipod on the laptop and soon an upbeat music filled the air of the loft. Kurt started humming as he finished the last touches on his finished sketches. He didn't want to Sarah, his boss, to order him redo everything coming Monday. He almost forgot he wasn't alone.
Almost.
"Baby forgive me did I do something wrong? I don't wanna talk, can't we just let it go? What could be so bad that you'd leave me hangin' on…?"
Kurt turned around, watching as Puck kept singing as he made a fresh pot of coffee, his voice drowning the music of his laptop. He didn't notice before but Puck was wearing a leather jacket, with a multi-colored scarf.
A rainbow scarf.
"I can't believe this."
Puck turned around and looked at him, eyebrow raised.
"What?"
Kurt arched his eyebrow and pointed at the accessory.
"Very…colorful."
Puck smiled and shrugged.
"It was a present. And it's actually pretty warm."
Kurt spinned his chair, not looking at Puck.
"And you don't mind what would make people think?"
"What? Because of the rainbow stuff?" the guitarist laughed louder "Not at all, people can say what you want. It's not as I'm entirely straight."
That made Kurt stop spinning the chair and fixed Puck with a surprised look. Puck heard the coffee machine finish up and he picked up two mugs in the dispenser, filling with rich-smelling black liquid. Kurt got up, accepting the mug and taking a sip.
"So…what made you reach that conclusion?"
Puck shrugged as he took a sip of his own mug.
"Well, life on the road is full of experiences and surprises. I…yeah, it's the best way I can describe it."
Kurt smiled at that, walking back to his chair.
"Don't I know it." he sat and turned to look at him. "You were singing something earlier…what is it?"
"It's a new song I wrote. A duet with me and Santana."
"Sounded nice…" he turned off the music on his laptop. "Do you mind…singing to me?"
Puck blinked and put his mug down, picking up a stool from the kitchen counter and bringing close to Kurt, seating.
"Don't mind if it's a little rough yet."
"Go ahead."
Puck started a rhythm slapping his hands on his thighs and Kurt closed his eyes, just hearing it.
"Baby forgive me, did I do something wrong? I don't wanna talk, can't we just let it go?What could be so bad that you'd leave me hangin on?" Puck's voice was velvety and almost low. "I'm not doing time, this is not the scene of a crime…I lay in bed at night contemplating…why the hell you gotta keep me waiting?"
Kurt smiled. He never thought that ballads would go so well with Puck's voice. Usually the other liked fast rock songs. It was…nice.
"Every time I try to get a little closer, you shut down and the conversation's over…I'm right here, but you leave me in the dark…show me your private parts…"
The young man opened his eyes and looked at Puck, that had his eyes closed, totally absorbed on the song, his voice the only sound echoing in the studio. Without noticing his hands picked up a sketch book and his pencil. He started drawing a new outfit, already imagining Puck with the clothes on a big stage, singing that song to thousands of fans.
"Give it up baby, what are you afraid of? Love sucks when you don't know what it's made of…we get naked but I can't undress your heart…show me your private parts…"
Kurt barely noticed that Puck stopped singing and now looked at him, his mind far away, his fingers quickly drawing against the paper.
"So? What do you think?"
He startled and looked up, staring at Puck's anxious face. He smiled and turned his sketch book, showing the clothes he just drew.
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Puck laughed out loud.
TBC.