18

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Kuuurrrt, Happy Birthday to you!"

Kurt closed his eyes and made a wish, ("please let dad not freak out"), then blew out the candles. Everyone clapped. Kurt smiled at the faces gathered round the dining room table. He couldn't help but remember the years when it was just his dad and himself. Both of them had tried very hard to pretend that they weren't missing Kurt's mom. Now, thanks to Carol and Finn, they were a much happier family. Rachel and Puck were also siting at the table with them. If anyone had told Kurt last year that this year he would be celebrating his 18th birthday with a boyfriend, and that said boyfriend would be Noah Puckerman, he would have suggested the nearest psychiatrist and some serious meds. He still had trouble believing it. This was going to be a great year!

Carol took the candles out of the cake. Kurt cut pieces and handed them out. Finn inhaled his piece and asked for another before Kurt had started on his own. "Did you even taste that, Finn?"

"Yeah, Dude, it was awesome, that's why I want more."

Kurt shook his head, Finn was such a boy! The diva passed his stepbrother another piece. He took a bite of his own slice and smiled at his stepmother. "Carol, it's delicious. Thank you. It's really nice not to have to bake my own birthday cake."

"Hey, I tried to make you a cake." Burt grimaced.

"I remember, Dad." Kurt groaned. "Cakes just aren't your area of expertise. Carol, however, is a genius."

Burt chased his fork around his empty plate to catch every last crumb. "Can't argue with you there." Burt licked his fork and smiled at his wife.

Puck reached for Kurt's hand. Kurt smiled at the jock, and kept his boyfriend's hand clasped in his own. He didn't need two hands to eat cake.

Burt watched the boys, he saw the smiles and the clasped hands, and he was happy for his son. Puck had been a problem for Burt. He was sure that Puck was just a punk, a punk who was going to hurt his boy. He'd kept an eye on the kid, but he had seen only good things. Burt was starting to believe that Puck might actually be good for Kurt. He was so laid back that he managed to keep Kurt from stressing out too much. Burt hadn't seen his son this relaxed and happy in years, and he knew that had a lot to do with the Mohawk. The kid could stay, not that anyone was asking his opinion.

Rachel finished her cake and clapped her hands. "Presents!" The Streisand clone presented a small gift wrapped box to Kurt. "It's from me and Finn."

Kurt took the gift and looked at his stepbrother. Finn shrugged. "Rachel got it. You know I suck at presents, dude."

"I know you're gift challenged, Finn." Kurt grinned at his stepbrother and opened his present. "Rachel, it's lovely." Kurt touched the antique tie pin gently. "I know exactly what I'm going to wear it with. Thank you." Kurt hugged Rachel and slapped Finn on the shoulder. "Good thing your girlfriend has better taste than you."

Rachel shuddered. "Well, I should hope so!"

The diva pulled Finn in for that half hug thing guys do. "Thank you, Finn."

Carol presented Kurt with a large NET-A-PORTER box. "I found this online. I hope it fits."

Burt smiled at his wife. She was watching Kurt hopefully, twisting her fingers with nerves. He had already told her that it wasn't a big deal; that Kurt would be happy with whatever she got. Carol didn't agree, she said turning 18 was a milestone and she wanted to get something perfect for Kurt. Burt knew he had gotten really lucky with this woman. He owed Kurt big time for introducing them.

Kurt opened the box, and stopped breathing. "Carol it's perfect!" Nestled in tissue lay a black vest, trimmed in grey leather. The label read Hugo Boss. Kurt was in heaven! "You're the best step mother in the world." Kurt hugged Carol. "Thank you!"

Carol beamed up at the young man she had inherited along with her husband. "I'm so pleased you like it."

"Like it?" Kurt hugged her again. "I LOVE it!"

Kurt sat down and closed the lid on the NET-A-PORTER box gently, still smiling.

Puck put a small unwrapped jewelry box on the table in front of his boyfriend. "It's not designer, but I hope you like it."

Blue eyes glowed into hazel. "You know I will." Kurt popped the box opened, and found a man's ring. It was heavy silver, obviously not new, with black detailing. The diva ran a finger over the black etching. "Noah, this is your dad's ring. Are you sure you want me to have this?"

The jock squeezed the countertenor's hand. "My dad didn't leave much behind when he took off, just a guitar and this ring." Puck took the ring and slipped it onto Kurt's finger. He spoke softly, too softly for the others to hear. His fingers played with the ring on Kurt's hand. "It's always meant bad memories for me, but you can change that."

Kurt had tears in his eyes when he hugged Puck, and whispered softly so only he could hear. "I will. I promise." The diva moved out of the jock's arms. He wiped his eyes surreptitiously, hoping no one had seen his tears. "Thank you, Noah. You couldn't have given me anything better."

Finn, Rachel and Puck cleaned up after dinner. Because he was the birthday boy Kurt wasn't allowed to help. The diva wandered into the living room where Burt and Carol were watching TV. He had to talk to his father and now was as good a time as any.

"Dad, can I talk to you for a second."

Burt hit pause. "Sure, buddy. Anything wrong?" When it came to Kurt, Burt was always just one step away from worry.

"No, I'm fine." Kurt didn't sit down. "Puck and I are going out for dinner tomorrow night, to celebrate my birthday."

Carol smiled. "That's so nice, Kurt. Where are you going?"

"I don't know." The diva rolled his eyes. "Noah wants it to be a surprise."

Kurt took a deep breath. "I just want you both to know, that I'm not coming home tomorrow night." Kurt sent pleading looks to his stepmother, knowing she was the softer touch.

Burt cleared his throat. "You're not asking, are you?"

Kurt met his father's eyes. "No, not really. But I wanted you to know, I didn't want you to worry about me."

Carol touched Burt's sleeve. "Thank you for telling us, Kurt."

Burt stared at his son. "How long have you and Mohawk been going out?"

Kurt swallowed nervously. His dad must be really pissed; he hadn't called Puck Mohawk in quite a while. "Six months."

Burt didn't have to look at his wife; he knew what she was thinking. "Call me tomorrow night. I want to hear from you before I go to bed."

Kurt breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Dad."

Burt's voice stopped him on his way out of the room. "Kurt, tell Mohawk to come in here when he's finished in the kitchen."

Kurt groaned under his breath. "Sure, Dad." Kurt prayed to every deity he didn't believe in. "Please, Please don't let my father kill my boyfriend!"

Puck finished dressing and checked the mirror; black jeans, black boots, white shirt, black leather jacket. By his boyfriend's standards, this wasn't really an outfit. He had tried to tell Kurt that less was more when it came to dressing. It still made him laugh to remember the disbelieving look Kurt had given him. He didn't have the patience, the interest or the money to create drama dressing the way Kurt did. But that was just fine with him because a) he looked hot, and b) he was pretty sure that his princess preferred to be the better dressed of the two of them. Puck grabbed his phone and keys. He called out to his mother on the way to the front door. "See you, Ma."

Kurt had spent hours getting ready. He wanted to wear all his birthday gifts and he wanted to look amazing. He finally put together a look that allowed him to do both. Grey long sleeved undershirt, the black Hugo Boss vest that his dad and Carol had given him, with Rachel and Finn's tie pin fastened to the lapel, black jeans, and his favourite knee-high Dr. Marten's. Over it all, he threw on a grey tail coat he had found at a vintage shop. Perfect.

Kurt slipped Puck's ring on, it still made him smile to see it on his hand. He grabbed his phone and his overnight bag. There was no way he was going anywhere without the basic necessities. Most people who knew the diva would guess that Kurt Hummel's idea of necessities meant his skin care products. And, they would be right, they were definitely in there. But Kurt's definition of necessities had expanded over the months he had been dating Puck. They now included condoms, lube and a certain vibrator that he knew his boyfriend was partial to.

Kurt dropped his overnight bag by the front door and went into the living room. He stood by the window, looking for the first sign of Puck's truck.

Carol saw Kurt waiting by the window and smiled. He really was one of the nicest people she knew and he deserved to be happy. She crossed the living room, put a hand on Kurt's shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Have fun tonight, Kurt."

Kurt smiled through his blush. "Thanks, Carol."

"Please remember to call tonight. You know how nervous your father gets."

Kurt grimaced. "I know. I'll remember."

Carol patted his arm and left him to watch for his boyfriend.

Kurt had the front door opened before the door chime had finished pealing. The two boys stared at each other.

Puck grinned. "Nice look, Princess."

Kurt couldn't remember the last time he had seen Puck without his varsity jacket. The black leather was a major improvement. "You look good too, Noah."

Puck stepped across the threshold and pulled Kurt in close. He whispered into his ear. "Why is it that the more amazing your outfit is, the more I want to rip it off you?"

Kurt laughed and pushed his boyfriend away. "Cause you're just a pervert like that!"

Kurt called down the hallway. "Dad, Carol, we're leaving."

Burt popped his head out of the kitchen. "Don't forget to call."

"I'll call Dad. I'll call." Kurt grabbed Puck and closed the front door behind them before Burt could change his mind.

Puck had put a lot of thought into where to take Kurt for dinner. Breadstix was out of the question. He did not want to share his date with the whole school tonight. The problem was that if you discounted the fast food chains, Lima didn't have that many restaurants. At least, not ones that Puck could afford. He finally decided to let Kurt choose the restaurant. After all, it was his birthday.

"There are two places on the way to our home away from home tonight. Il Fornello does Italian, and Panera Bread does soups and salads. Your choice."

"I've eaten way too much of Carol's birthday cake, it would probably be a good idea to have a salad. Is that O.K. with you?"

Puck reached across the seat and took Kurt's hand. "You're the Birthday Boy."

Panera Bread was fairly empty. The few people that were there were drinking coffee and working on their laptops. The boys chose a corner table bordered by a half wall and some plants. They felt like they had the restaurant to themselves. They held hands, and smiled at each other, and ate really slowly because they weren't paying any attention to the food. For dessert, they shared a large cinnamon bun covered in icing. Although Kurt's idea of sharing meant taking two bites and then sitting back and sipping his coffee while his boyfriend polished off the rest of it.

After dinner, the boys left the truck in the restaurant's parking lot while they walked through the park across the street. The park had seen better days. It still had the old wooden playground equipment. The boys tried the swings, and the merry-go-round, and the jungle gym, laughing at how small everything seemed now that they were older. Puck tried to bump Kurt off the see-saw, but the countertenor just laughed and held on tight. Kurt was still laughing when Puck dismounted and walked to his end of the see-saw. He pulled Kurt off the see-saw and into his arms. The diva snuggled into the jock, and locked their mouths together.

Puck broke the kiss, turned Kurt in his arms, and pointed to the stars. "Make a wish."

Kurt leaned back against Puck's chest. "You're kidding, right?" Kurt was a conflicted combination of romantic and skeptic. When it came to wishing on stars, the skeptic won out.

Puck nuzzled Kurt's neck. "Nope. It's your birthday, make a wish."

Puck pulled into the parking lot under a neon sign that flashed 'MOTEL'. He turned to Kurt. "I'm sorry I couldn't afford anything special like the HYATT, or something." Puck took Kurt's hand in his, twisted his father's ring on Kurt's finger. "I clean the pool here, so they give me a discount." The jock looked at the diva. "Is this O.K.?"

Kurt climbed into Puck's lap, and proceeded to meld their bodies together, starting with their lips. The diva broke the kiss. "You know I'm not really a princess, right, Noah? I don't care where we are as long as we're together and our parents aren't here."

Puck laughed. "Don't worry, babe. I can pretty much guarantee there will be no interruptions from concerned relatives tonight."

Kurt purred against Puck's neck. "Then this place is perfect!"

"Night, Dad." Kurt put his phone down and turned to his boyfriend, hand already reaching to undo his shirt. "Why are you still dressed?"

Puck stepped back. "Uh, Uh, Princess, not yet. I've been waiting to take your clothes off all night. Don't move." Slowly, one piece at a time, the jock removed the diva's clothes. Kurt stood passively and watched his boyfriend. When Puck bent to take his boots off, Kurt smoothed his hands over Puck's strip of hair. When his boyfriend unbuttoned his vest, Kurt dropped kisses on his temple. When the jock stretched his arms up to pull the diva's shirt off, Kurt caught his hand and pressed a kiss into his wrist.

Kurt was naked except for the ring Puck had given him. Puck's eyes devoured the boy in front of him. He reached out and cupped Kurt's hips in his hands, and gently drew him closer. He folded Kurt into his arms and whispered quietly. "How do you keep getting more beautiful?"

Kurt sighed. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Puck sealed their mouths together. Puck's arms were Kurt's definition of perfection any time, all the time, but he found it especially erotic when he was naked and Puck was dressed. And he got to enjoy the feeling quite a bit because, for some reason, Puck liked to undress him. Puck trailed his fingers up and down Kurt's back. Maybe one day, he'd see if it was just as erotic the other way around, if he was dressed and Puck was naked. Puck's hands grabbed Kurt's ass and the diva stopped thinking of anything except Puck's hands, and Puck's mouth, and Puck's body.

Kurt whined. "Noah, you're wearing too many clothes."

Puck snorted. "Not for long, Babe." The jock's hands flew over buttons and zippers. He threw his clothes every which way, not caring where they landed. He was naked in seconds. He scooped Kurt up and climbed onto the bed. He lay Kurt on his back and covered his body with his own.

Kurt loved when Puck spread himself over him like this. Puck's body pressing down on him, heavy and warm, made him feel safe and protected and cherished. The diva held the jock to him, his arms wrapped around him tightly. Kurt ghosted his hands down Puck's back, his fingers played in the dip at the bottom of Puck's spine. Puck wiggled and Kurt knew that he wanted Kurt to play a little lower. It hadn't taken Kurt long to discover that there was no touch that Puck did not like on his ass; stroking, kneading, pinching, slapping, biting. Puck liked them all. Kurt grabbed handfuls of ass and sank his nails deep into the skin. Puck groaned into Kurt's mouth. "God! That's good."

Kurt smiled and did it again, this time pulling his ass cheeks apart, stretching his opening. Puck groaned again and attacked Kurt's mouth, thrusting his tongue against his teeth and biting at his lips. Puck broke the kiss and started to suck his way across Kurt's chest, stopping to bite at the diva's nipples. Kurt sighed and tipped his head back against the pillow, one hand clenched in Puck's hair, the other alternating between pinching and soothing his ass.

"Damn!" Puck groaned and moved off Kurt.

"What?"

Puck climbed off the bed, staring at his far flung clothes, searching for …

Kurt laughed. "I've got stuff in my overnight bag."

Puck found the condoms and lube, and returned to the bed. "This is your fault, Hummel. You distract me." The concept of delayed pleasure simply eluded Puck. Any pause in his headlong rush into Kurt's body really pissed him off.

Kurt reached out and pulled the jock over him once more. He ran his hand down his boyfriend's back in soothing caresses, and whispered softly. "Then let me distract you again."

Puck smiled at the boy beneath him. "Think you can do that?"

The diva smiled slyly, and delivered a hard, sharp slap to the jock's right buttock. "Oh, I think so."

Puck moaned and pressed his hips into Kurt; cocks sliding against each other. The jock pried himself away from Kurt, so that he could lick and suck his way down the other boy's chest. One handed, he popped the lid on the lube open and coated his fingers. Slipping his hand between their bodies, his mouth licking and biting at Kurt's nipples, Puck caressed over and around Kurt's opening. When the diva thrust his hips, the jock pressed his fingers into his boyfriend. Kurt arched his back, and pulled his legs up, opening himself up completely.

Kurt moaned and thrust against Puck's fingers. The jock dropped one last kiss to Kurt's chest and sat back on his heels between Kurt's legs. He rolled a condom on and smeared it with lube. Puck moved Kurt's legs up over his shoulders and leaned over to kiss his boyfriend. Hazel eyes staring into blue, the jock pressed into the diva. He moved slow and deep inside Kurt, one long slide and then another, just the way Kurt liked it. Puck stared into Kurt's eyes, telling him what he didn't know how to say. Kurt heard the words even though Puck didn't say a thing. The jock shifted his hips trying to …yes, that's it. Kurt cried out and dug his hands into Puck's shoulders. "Nooaahh!"

The jock snapped his hips harder and faster. He slipped his hand between their bodies and wrapped his fist around Kurt's cock. Staring into Kurt's eyes, Puck knew he couldn't last much longer. "Now, Kurt. Come with me now."

Puck slipped out of Kurt and crawled up beside him, nestled into his side, tucked his head into the space between shoulder and neck.

Kurt tucked a finger under Puck's chin and pulled his head away from his shoulder until he could see his face. "I love you too, Noah."

Puck stared into Kurt's eyes, and then nodded. He nestled back against Kurt. "O.K. then."

Kurt smiled and stroked his hand along Puck's strip of hair. "O.K. then."