“Well, that was really nice of ya to be worried about Sam. His parents definitely would have freaked if they knew he’d gotten drunk.” Puck grinned when Blaine thanked him for the compliment about singing. He could tell it meant a lot to Blaine. “Well thank god you aren’t going to dish dirt on us evil New Directioners!” he replied with a laugh. “Honestly though, other than the fact that we like to drink, is there anything worth mentioning?”
“Thanks, dude. I try to be nice. Ya should have seen me last year. I’m a lot better now.” Puck smirked at what Blaine had to say about him joining New Directions. “So, maybe you’re right…but if I admit that you are, I’d have to kill ya. You’re too cool to kill though, so we’ll just leave it at that.” He chuckled, flashing a cheesy grin at the other male. “Knowing Kurt, I’m sure he’s told you that I like the ladies. Probably more than I should. If you ever need any sex tips, I’m your guy.” He stopped talking for a moment as something dawned on him. “Though, you’re gay, so I probably won’t be much help. Before tonight, I’d never even kissed a guy.” Had he really just said this out loud? Yup. Time to move on. “Like you, I also like comic books. I geek out over them, but that’s just between you and me, okay? I got a reputation to uphold and being a nerd clashes with my image,” he admitted. “Hmm, what else?” He scanned the room, in an attempt to think of something else to say. A smile formed on his face when he noticed a guitar pick that had somehow ended up on the living room floor. “I like to play the guitar. Sam, Finn, and I have these jam sessions sometimes. Sam and I play guitar while Finn plays the drums. It’s really fun. You should join us sometime. You play the…piano, right? I vaguely remember Kurt mentioning that.” It was amazing that he remembered this because most of the time when Hummel talked, he zoned out. He did this a lot though, so if Kurt ever found out, he hoped he wouldn’t take it personally.
“I can imagine how you were just by the stories I’ve heard,” Blaine cringed as soon as the words left his mouth. Did that come off cocky? “I mean–. Before you turned a new leaf,” his voice picked up at the incredibly old fashioned way he put Puck’s change of attitude. Namely–you know–towards Kurt. Especially for the reasons why they all treated his friend like the perpetual outsider that none of them were comfortable being around for no other reason than–well–the obvious. At least they all seemed to see where they went wrong. “I don’t know–Santana breaking down crying every time she gets two drinks in her might be heavy ammunition if we want to take out one of your key players,” he mused with a soft hum, “Even though you guys don’t realize she is one.”
Before tonight Puck “never even kissed a guy”? Blaine’s expression screwed up with a curious squint and he looked like he was about to say something. Both of them were currently seeking outs–if Puck gave him a chance to change the subject? He’d give Puck one, too. But that certainly was an odd way to put it. Or it might’ve just been the tone Puck used. Oh! Right! Comic books were a great topic! “Don’t worry. Your secret is completely safe with me.” Twice in a row he promised to keep something potentially damaging to Puck’s Lady Killer reputation underwraps. First one being his own fault and he still felt guilty for what he did. Drunken mistake excuses only go so far. The other? That one was much safer. Who doesn’t love comic books? “You play guitar? I’d love to hear you sometime.” Surprise rushed a faint tint of color to his cheeks and lit up his face with a smile. He was invited to a jam session? Seriously? “T-That’d be great. His head bobbed in an enthusiastic nod. “I’d love to. Piano’s my favorite, yeah. Anytime. Just let me know when and I’m there.” Hazel peered into dark brown thoughtfully. The look lasted too long by the time he ducked his head down and toyed with the bunched up wrinkles of his pants where his knees were bent so he could tuck his legs underneath himself. “Puck? Thanks. For not freaking out and never wanting to talk to me again. I really like you guys. A lot. I–Thanks. That’s all.”
Shit. Puck was supposed to pick the topic. He bit his lip, unsure of what to ask. There were so many things they could talk about, but the question he really wanted to ask was ‘When did you realize you were gay?’ It was something he’d been struggling with for awhile. Maybe talking to someone who had gone through a similar experience would help Puck. He was too afraid to ask the question though and instead said,
“Uh…tell me some more about yourself. I really don’t know much about ya, Blaine. Other than the fact that you go to Dalton, wear bowties, are friends with Sam, can sing your ass off, and are gay.” He was about to add and a good kisser too but decided not to. Admitting that would confuse everything and then he’d have to say things he wasn’t sure he was ready to talk about.
Not expecting to be asked so much about himself–Blaine blinked a few times as he toed off his shoes and swung his legs up onto the couch underneath him. By the time he settled in–he was curled up into the corner and letting his head rest along the crease. The room was still a little spinny and having something steady to rest it against helped with the dizziness. Unexpected or not, nevertheless, he smiled wide and blushed but shrugged easily and thought over how he was going to answer. “I’m more friends with Kurt but Sam’s a nice guy and I’m glad I met him. I only didn’t want to leave him passing out where he’d end up in trouble in the morning if his parents found out. Thank you for saying I can sing. That means alot,” and by the soft way he stated his gratitude there was a humbleness that said he wasn’t being the slightest bit facetious about honestly being thankful that someone liked the way he sang. “Um–so what else,” he glanced at the ceiling making an ‘uhh’ noise. “I like comic books. There’s that. I don’t drink very often but I’m starting to think you all may think I do seeing as how both times I’ve hung out with all of you together–I’ve gotten drunk,” he grinned jokingly but where was the lie? God, he hoped he didn’t look like some deviant alcoholic After School Special case. Did he?
“I ride horses. Polo–actually.” It was all surface talk but that’s what people getting to know one another did–yeah? He wasn’t going to dig deeper than that seeing as how he already had one ‘that shouldn’t have happened’ moment with the other boy. Laughing as he rocked his head against the sofa–Blaine lifted his hands with his fingers curled up lightly in a gesture of peace and friendship.
“And–nope–still not going to run back to The Warblers and dish dirt on you guys. Which I’ve been asked twice tonight. How about you? I know next to nothing about you. Other than you seem like a nice guy, you like football and you reluctantly joined New Directions which judging by how you are with them? I don’t think it was that reluctant and you honestly like being there.” He left out the other things Kurt told him. Because they weren’t all that polite to share for reasons he’d rather just let his thoughts skim past and skip over entirely.
Puck grinned when Blaine laughed. He was relieved that things appeared to not be so awkward between the two of them. He nodded his head. “Yes, Blaine, I want you to stay. Like I said before, Sam’s gonna need both of us in the morning. I definitely don’t want to deal with Evans hungover on my own. ‘Specially if he throws up in my bed.” He grimaced and made a face before he walked over to his couch and took a seat on it. “So, uh, why don’t ya take a seat next to me on my couch and we can talk. Or watch a movie. I’m still kinda wired and don’t see myself sleeping anytime soon.” He wasn’t about to admit that the reason why he was wired was because of their kiss. If he admitted that, wouldn’t it send mixed signals to Blaine? They’d probably end up having a heart-to-heart conversation and he certainly didn’t need that to happen. He’d had enough of those occur during glee club to last him a lifetime.
“If he throws up? I’m not sure of how much use I’m going to be to you but,” his eyes softened and he let the smile he made sure to give Puck as a means of making him feel better and believe him when he promised he wouldn’t tell anyone widen. “Yeah! Yeah. I’ll stay.. Thank you,” he squeezed his palms together and blew out a breath he’d been half-holding since their mouths parted and he realized what he did. In spite of his laugh–he hadn’t properly breathed since. Hey, realizing you just managed to kiss a straight guy is a good reason to not be able to breathe. –No. Relax. Puck said it was okay–so–stop making it into not okay.– Blaine gave Puck a would-be lighthearted if he could shake away the twinges of guilt out of his twisting stomach
shrug. But? All it seemed to be was Blaine hesitantly agreeing to stay when he was still somewhat unsure if things really were as okay as Puck made them out to be. Would he change his mind once Blaine left and hate him? God, he hoped not. Puck was actually a pretty likeable guy. Worrying about him hating him for this wasn’t something Blaine could help. A worry that was put to ease when he was offered a seat and crossed over to take it. Talk? Puck wanted to talk? He didn’t seem the talking type so this instantly piqued Blaine’s curiosity. Watching his feet–Blaine toed off his shoes not looking up as he asked softly, “What would you like to talk about?”
Puck bit his lip when Blaine placed a hand on his shoulder. He wasn’t sure if he liked this but before he could say anything, Blaine patted his shoulder and shoved his hand into his pocket. He was surprised when the other male started walking away. Where the hell was he going this late at night? Yeah, right. Puck was almost positive the minute Blaine was alone with Kurt, he’d tell him what had just happened between the two of them. It was almost like he could read Puck’s mind because right when he was thinking this, Blaine told him he wouldn’t tell anyone about their kiss. He was relieved to hear this. He didn’t have to worry about others finding out and making his life a living hell. “Blaine…you don’t have to go…When Sam wakes up in the morning, he’s going to need both of us.” Yeah, he’d blame Sam for the reason why he wanted the other teen to stay. It wasn’t because a part of him wanted to apologize and get back to kissing Blaine. Nope. That certainly wasn’t the reason. “A-and you don’t have to apologize. I get it. I’m hot. Who doesn’t want a piece of this?” He tried to smile, but it came out as more of a frown. He was trying to make things less awkward between the two of them. He wasn’t sure if what he was saying was having that effect though.
“We can forget that ever happened and–I–yeah..” Blaine was resigned to doing his first walk of shame for only kissing a person and already began walking backwards again now that he put Puck’s mind at ease the best he could by promising that this horrible mistake was going to be kept a secret. How lame. Most people did that when they had a way better story to tell than just kissing someone. But his was going to start out–okay it wouldn’t start out any way, shape or form. Secret remember? At least they had that going for them. Blaine could escape the embarrassment of making a grave error of judgement and Puck could escape being labelled as whatever the cruel kids at his school decided. Not that he deserved it. Or anyone did. Puck was just–they were just–victims of too much liquor and his idiotic mind. He was so hung up on beating himself up, Blaine barely heard him try to stop him. Once it sank in? Giving Puck a curious look stopped him in his tracks. “You want me to stay?” A small grin followed and he crossed his arms in a near protective way across his chest but the twinkle in his eyes began to spark back from where it guttered and died out. Maybe the twisting feeling in his stomach would stop if he laughed–and he did. Light and airy in spite of the persistent lump in his throat. Funny what some willpower and a dose of sarcastic self ego-inflation from Noah Puckerman could do. “Sure. That’s got to be it. Definitely,” he paused to chew on the corner of his bottom lip asking one more time just to make sure. “You really do want me here? You’re sure?”
It had taken them a good half-hour to get Sam into Puck’s apartment and then into the teen’s bed. Exhausted, he leaned against a wall. They’d been chatting for quite awhile about various topics including what it was like to be a Warbler. He’d never want to go a private school, especially one that didn’t have any girls. Suddenly, Blaine knocked into him, causing Puck to slam his head against the wall.
Staring into Blaine’s hazel eyes, Puck felt his heart rate increase. He’d never noticed how beautiful the other man’s eyes were. He quickly looked away, focusing on the other’s lips, which didn’t slow down his heart at all. In fact, it made it beat even faster. He hoped the bow-tie wearing teen couldn’t feel his heart beat. They were awfully close to one another. What happened next completely caught him off guard. One second he was staring as Blaine’s lips and the next they were kissing. He closed his eyes for a moment. This couldn’t really be happening. He must be having one of those dreams that left him angry and confused when he woke up the next morning. His eyes grew wide as the kiss intensified. He shouldn’t be enjoying this…but he was. When they finally broke apart, he had to take a moment to catch his breath. He hadn’t experienced a kiss like that in a really long time. Scratching his head, Puck stared at Blaine, not sure what to say. “…mistake,” he replied, finishing the man’s sentence. “Ya do know I’m straight, right?” He could feel his chest tighten as the words left his lips. He was confused and scared that Blaine could see right through him. No straight guy kissed another guy like that. For a second, he felt like crying. He couldn’t admit out loud the feelings he was experiencing. Noah Puckerman couldn’t, shouldn’t like guys. If he told Blaine he enjoyed the kiss and wanted them to continue, life would never be the same. He had a reputation to uphold after all. He was the sex shark who chased women, not men. What would people say if they found out he had just been kissed by a guy? He knew the abuse Kurt had gotten when he first came out. Puck definitely didn’t want that to happen to him.
‘Mistake.’
Blaine let Puck finish when the words he wanted to say fell off his tongue in utter silence. He was still swooning, buzzed and could swear that there was an aftertaste of beer, liquor and a flavor he couldn’t quite put a finger on but would be hard pressed to say was bad in his mouth. He wasn’t sure he wanted to forget what it tasted like just yet. Speaking would have stolen it away and who knew what he’d say anyway? His brain was too fuzzy for anything brilliantly bright. On top of that? Two seconds ago–he was kissing Puck. Noah Puckerman. Poster Boy of–Purposefully Gruff But Don’t Mess With My Friends– Straight Jock. As Puck just reinstated a little too quick lacking a whole lot of conviction, so much that the sound of wishfully unnoticed guilt drew Blaine’s brows towards one another and a squinted glance up at the other boy from where he’d been staring at the floor.
There were tears in Puck’s eyes and Blaine’s heart fell knowing that he was the reason why they were there. Maybe not the whole reason, but he was a huge catalyst. Wasn’t he? –I’m not going to be the one to make you doubt yourself. Don’t worry.– Blaine’s mouth hung open and hazel eyes read back and forth over Puck’s darker, troubled stare. In a deep sigh–Blaine deflated. Embarrassment and guilt for a stumbling, slightly drunken kiss managing to muck up the night pushed Blaine’s lips together and a shaking hand reached out to clasp Puck’s shoulder. It only took him a blink or two of it only resting there to remember what he was doing and deliver the pat he intended instead of the squeeze that happened at first. “Yeah. I know.” On that note? Seeing as how as soon as his hand pulled back and hung awkwardly at his side before he shoved it in his pocket because he was starting to fidget? Blaine turned his shoulder towards the hall that lead to the living room. Most importantly? The door. No use in making Puck even more uncomfortable by sticking around. “I should go. Pretty sure I can take Kurt up on his previous offer to crash at his place since it isn’t that late yet.” He walked only two steps back and paused feeling his heart thundering in his ears as he dropped his voice to a whisper, lips curved into a torn grin. “I–um–won’t tell anyone. If that’s what you’re worried about–don’t.” He huffed, cheeks pink as he waved his free hand by his hip. “I’m not that guy. I’m really sorry, Puck.” His stomach twisted and he flinched at the ache. “It’ll never happen again.”
A little too much is a saying that can get anyone into a whole heap of trouble. A little too much fun can end up with a trip to the Emergency Room. A little too much love can end with a broken heart when you’re the one left behind. A little too much this, a little too much that and who knows what world of hurt can be thrown your way. For instance?
A little too much alcohol. Blaine was probably just the right amount of drunk. Not too much to make his judgement totally off kilter–though what he was about to do might argue the exact opposite of that statement–but just enough that he was fueled by liquid courage to the point where this seemed like a ‘good idea’. They’d fallen against the wall after tucking Sam away for. Blaine swayed happily alongside Puck with his grandiose hand gestures chatting about the Warblers and how they were just as worried that he’d share secrets as the McKinley kids seemed to be concerned with him stealing them. One swing of his arm that was a little too much to the side and BOOM! Puck was knocked into the wall. Blaine fell against him without his lack of support and–.
Laughter died out and hazel eyes stared up into dark brown with a huff of a chuckle and a twinkle of mischief. Neither one of them moved right away. Except Blaine putting one hand on the plaster and gripped Puck’s bicep with the other. Cheap beer breath wasn’t so bad when it was warm and soft on Blaine’s cheek. He could have sworn he saw the other boy look at his lips and he subconsciously licked them trying to laugh but fell a dime short. Without thinking, fingers dug into both things he gripped and a confused–lopsided grin softened. Was he the one to move? Or was it Puck? He lost the air in his lungs when their lips met. The world went on an out of control carousel ride, spinning dizzy when he pressed them together harder and he tasted liquor, beer and.. “Sorry..sorry,” tiny kisses peppered by a word on repeat against Puck’s mouth. He knew he should move away not closer. He did the second. “That was a–um–.”
Puck nodded his head and quickly ran over to his truck. Fumbling for his keys, he unlocked the passenger side door and grabbed two water bottles. He had some Advil at his place, which would help Sam with the massive hangover he’d have the next day. Before going back over to his two friends, he locked his truck.
“A-alright, I got two water bottles,” he said, taking a moment to catch his breath once he had ran back over to Blaine and Sam. “One for pukey over there and one for you, Blaine. Have you even had any water tonight?” As irresponsible as Puck appeared to be, he could take care of others if he needed to. He handed one of the bottles to Blaine before opening the other one. “I guess I’ll risk getting thrown up on,” he said with a sigh as he walked closer to Sam. “Okay, bud, I need ya to work with me. I can’t do this by myself,” he told the blond teenager. Bringing the water bottle close to Sam’s lips, he silently cursed when Sam almost fell over. “Sam, open your damn mouth so you can drink some of this water and we can get you inside. I promise you’ll feel better in the morning.” Okay, so maybe Sam wasn’t going to be feeling better in the morning, but that was a lie he could live with. Once again, he brought the water bottle to Sam’s lips. A small grin appeared on his face when Sam slightly opened his mouth. The other teen had opened it just enough so that Puck could pour a little bit of water into his mouth. “Well, I guess I’ll be doing this for awhile,” he said, looking over at Blaine. “Sam definitely owes us. Big time.”
“Thanks. I owe you for this,” Blaine shook the water bottle and shrugged thinking back to whether he drank any water for the night or not. “I think there’s water inside vodka isn’t there? I mean..ice is water. So that’s a pretty close second.” Go figure on that rationale. Both palms went up, long fingers pinching the water bottle to keep it from falling as Puck took charge of either drowning Sam or getting him to drink. Blaine stepped back, staggering to a halt against a shrub/bush/whatever that shouldn’t have stopped him. Lucky him? It did. Like Blaine was dumb enough to argue that it should be him that takes Puck’s place on the whole standing in front of a potential volcano of gross? No way in hell was he going to do that. Nope. Nope. Not even close to being not-drunk enough to volunteer for that job. Probably wouldn’t even if he was sober and someone else was going in for the chance but he wasn’t going to focus on that point. If they were all a lot closer? Maybe? He’d helped Nick a time or two when one of the Warblers regretted their life choices. But Sam? He was a great guy.
They were all great guys. Just–hey–they all knew each other much longer than he knew them. By all means–Puck was more than welcome to take this job on. Should they all come to a party at Dalton and one of his friends was reaching scary levels of mumbling under his breath while turning ten different shades of pale green? It’d be his turn. Fair and square. Once Sam was steady and well hydrated–Blaine carefully departed from his new shrub friend and hooked one arm around Sam’s waist again. Just a shoulder into his side before he was steady. No big deal? The blonde laughed for reasons unknown. “We should get him inside while he’s manageable. He sure does owe us,” he held up a finger correcting himself, “More you than me since you’re the risk taker who fed him water. Shall we?” Then used the same finger to point at the apartment complex. Wiggle, wiggle.
Puck hadn’t realized that Blaine had stopped walking which almost caused Sam to fall over by the time he realized what had just happened. He looked over at the blond wondering what his friend had just mumbled. He frowned at Blaine’s idea. “Okay, so I have a few water bottles in my truck, but that would mean leaving ya alone with Sam for like a minute. Is that okay with you?” He didn’t want the brunet to feel like he was abandoning him by leaving him with Sam. If Blaine wasn’t okay with this, he wasn’t sure how they’d get water to the blond before he got sick.
“Yeah–yeah. Sure. Go get some,” Blaine was already moving into motion cringing as he took over and stepped in front of Sam to prop him up. Staring up at the tall blond as he motioned with a tick of his chin back to Puck’s truck for the mohawked “badass” to go grab those water bottles. How’d he end up like this? Still pretty well gone himself but having to manage the best he could because someone else was about to fall over if he moved an inch? Oh! Yeah! Cheap booze and even cheaper wine coolers to wash it down. Mental note? Never mix the two again. Ever. Hazel eyes rolled towards the dark sky overhead and he said a prayer to whoever was listening that his doing someone a favor would be enough good karma not to end up getting thrown up on. He was owed that much, right? “Keep maintaining, Sam. You’re doing great. Don’t make me regret this? Okay? Pretty please?” Desperate enough to take the bob of Sam’s head as a nod–Blaine warily trusted his friend to uphold his near blackout drunk promise.
“And what exactly have you heard?” Being popular was fun and all but the constant rumors drove him crazy. Yes, he slept around. Who wouldn’t if they were as good looking as Puck was? But, he sometimes wished people would leave him alone. “Only okay? Dude, I’m fucking awesome!” He chuckled as they began their walk to the apartment complex. With each step, he grew more and more concerned that Sam might throw up. He prayed that if the blond did indeed vomit, he would do it before they got inside. He was grateful that Blaine was there with him. Having to get Sam to his place all by himself would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible. “Sam doesn’t look so good. Maybe we should stop.” They were about halfway through the parking lot. He didn’t actually want to stop, but the idea of Sam throwing up on either one of them quickly changed his mind.
“Mm. Not sure if you wanna hear everything I’ve heard, Puck.” Blaine grinned only wobbling slightly as he got his footing a bit more on the sure side using poor drunk Sam as a leaning post while dragging him along. He had to wonder if he was helping the situation? Or putting more work on Puck but they seemed to be managing alright? Why not just keep on going? “Huh–,” he was jarred out of his train of thought by the suggestion that they should stop. Blaine took it literally and just–stopped. Sam staggered and swayed, moaning something he couldn’t make out. Cautiously giving him a once over with an overly concerned pout–Blaine tentatively reached up and tucked a strand of blonde behind Sam’s ear and studied his profile trying to gauge by the increasingly green tint to his skin how long they had before they were gifted with the miracle of Sam keeping it all down. Or the opposite. Which, sorry Puck, would have Blaine relinquishing any support he was giving Sam while he got the hell out of the way. “Breathe, buddy. I think he needs some water.” With a diagnosis like that? He should become a doctor someday!
Puck chuckled. “See, I’m not as bad as all of the rumors you’ve probably heard have said. I actually care about people.” There were so many rumors about the mohawked man, he wasn’t sure who he had supposedly slept with that week. He nodded his head and quickly walked over to the passenger side door. “Yeah, Sam’s heavier than he looks. He’s all muscle.” He opened the door and climbed into the truck. He looked over at Sam and smirked. The blond teen was hunched over and probably had no idea where he was. “Alright, I’ll get him out of the truck and then you can help me carry him to my place. I was thinking I’d let him crash on my bed. So, once we’re inside my apartment, we’ll walk him over to my bedroom and onto my bed. Got it?” he asked, sticking his head out of the truck and looking over at Blaine.
Blaine was doing his best to get less drunk than he was when they left the party. It was working when he was sitting down but standing up again with his head all bent to the side the way it was? Welp. Gravity and the dizziness that came with being on his feet was a quick reminder he should have stayed in the sitting position. Holding the truck door with one hand–Blaine waved Puck inside the truck with a wiggle of his fingers. Better Puck than him in shooting distance in Blaine’s silent opinion. Hazel eyes strayed off to check out the apartment complex and the area around them to check if anyone was watching. He got kind of lost along the way and ended up focusing really hard on the car next to them like it had the power to erase two or more drinks out of his past and bring him down.
Puck’s question snapped his attention back though. Pouted lips and pinched together brows later–Blaine was nodding matter-of-factly and shrugging big like this was nothing whatsoever. “Yeah! Yeah sure. Got it,” he flashed a smile full of white teeth and stepped in to catch Sam and help pull him out of the truck with Puck. Once the three of them were standing with Sam wobbling around in the middle? This was going to be easier said than done but he could manage! So said his stick straight posture and a very concentrated forward stare. “Lead the way, Puck. And by the way? I’ve only heard a couple things. You seem okay though.”
pianokeysandbowties back up 