A/N: These are AU scenes to be inserted into the "Grilled Cheesus" episode.
"Noah, is that you?"
Puck turned around to come face-to-face with his Nana.
"Hi Nana," he smiled and kissed her cheek.
"You came to Temple?" She looked around and chuckled. "And no one forced you?"
Puck frowned at the ground as he toed a pebble with his sneaker.
"Noah what's wrong? Your old Nana was only teasing you."
"Nana," Puck took a breath, "My f-friend, Kurt – Kurt Hummel – you know them right?" He waited until Nana nodded. "His dad, he had a heart attack. Nana it's bad, and Kurt, well, he, umm, doesn't believe in God and it's been really tough on him. It's just him and his dad."
Nana pulled her only grandson into her arms. "I remember his mother, Elizabeth. She was a beautiful woman. This has got to be tough on the boy. But, Noah, why did that bring you here?"
"I just know what it's like, you know, not having a father and I can only imagine what he's going through. And I know he doesn't believe but he doesn't deserve to lose his dad on top of everything else he deals with, so I thought, maybe, I could come and pray for him and hopefully it would help or something."
"I see," Nana smiled. "Well let's go inside and speak with Rabbi Goldman and see about lighting some candles. It's a good thing you're doing for that boy Noah, but who is taking care of him while this is going on? Who is listening to him get it out? Holding him when he cries?"
Puck walked Nana inside and was ashamed he didn't know the answers to her questions.
"I don't know Nana. Hopefully Carole is being there for him since she and Mr. H have been dating but I don't really know."
Nana squeezed his hand. "You need to find out Bubula. Candles and prayers are all well and good but what he probably really needs is a shoulder, a friend who won't force beliefs on him."
Puck nodded. He followed her over to the Rabbi and listened as she explained. Then they lit some candles before taking their seats. The Rabbi mentioned the Hummels to the congregation, asking the members to pray as well. Noah thought about what his nana said and he really hoped Kurt wasn't alone.
~ Scene ~
The next day in glee Kurt sang an old Beatles song about holding hands. The song was powerful but Puck could see Kurt fighting back the tears and he couldn't help think why wasn't anyone getting up. It was obvious the guy was trying not to fall apart.
When Kurt sat back down, Puck looked around. The others were all looking down, even if some of them had tears in their own eyes. The only person who looked like they wanted to go to Kurt was Rachel, but Puck wouldn't wish that on anyone.
He nodded to himself before he reached over and took Kurt's hand in his own. He smiled softly when Kurt's head shot up and he stared at Puck. He scooted his chair closer and gave the small hand in his a squeeze.
After class everyone filed out of the room but Puck stayed seated next to Kurt, just holding his hand. It didn't look like Kurt was ready to get up and that was fine with Puck, he wasn't going anywhere.
"W-why are you holding my hand?" Kurt asked softly.
"I know I've been a jackass Kurt but this – this isn't something anyone should go through alone. I know we're not really friends and I don't expect you to tell me all your secrets but if you need someone to, maybe, lean on or something, I won't judge. I don't care what you believe in or don't believe in. I just know that this whole thing sucks ass and I don't see anyone stepping up."
"So you decided to step up?" Kurt inquired.
"If-if you'll let me. I know you probably have Carole and Frankenteen but if you need it, I can be an ear or shoulder or whatever." Puck shrugged.
Kurt stared at him for several minutes. Puck never looked away. He could tell Kurt was testing him and for some reason he really wanted to prove he could be a good guy for once.
"Thank you, Noah. I appreciate it, but your reputation is already in the gutter because of glee. If you're seen in the company of the resident fairy it's just going to get worse."
Kurt started to pull his hand away, but Puck wouldn't let go.
"Fuck that Kurt!" Puck growled. "I'm badass, I do what I want."
Kurt smiled and squeezed Noah's hand. "Thank you," he whispered. "I'm headed to the hospital, do you… do you want to go with me?"
Puck nodded, stood up and pulled Kurt to his feet by the hand he was still holding. "Let's go."
~ Scene ~
Kurt stayed at the hospital until they kicked him out and Puck stayed right by his side, occasionally reaching out and grabbing Kurt's hand when he could see Kurt getting worked up.
As they were leaving, Puck asked, "So where was Carole or Finn?"
Kurt shrugged. "I don't know. I assume Carole is probably working. I know sometimes when I come in after school Dad has a different gown on or there's flowers or something, so she must be coming in when I'm not here. As to Finn, well, I don't have any clue if he's been here other than the one time with Rachel while she sang."
Puck shook his head at the stupidity of it all.
"So where have you been staying?"
Kurt looked at him like he was dumb. "At home, of course! Why?"
"By yourself?" Puck's eyebrows shot up. He may be a lot of things, most of them fucked up, but even he knew Kurt shouldn't be home alone during all this. Even if you looked past the fact the kid was a minor it was just bullshit to be left alone like that.
"Noah I appreciate the concern but I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Kurt stopped at his SUV.
"Bullshit Kurt. First, you're a kid – legally you shouldn't be alone right now. Secondly and strangely more important you shouldn't fuckin' have to take care of yourself. What the fuck is wrong with people?"
Kurt just stared at him with bright eyes.
"Okay, I'm gonna follow you home. You pack a bag for a night or two, we can always go back if you forget something, and then you're coming home with me. My ma will be thrilled to fatten you up." Puck held up his hand as Kurt began to speak. "Not up for discussion Kurt. Now let's get a move on."
…
Puck followed Kurt to his house. While he was driving he called his mom.
"Ma?"
"Oh, hi, Noah. How's Kurt doing?"
Puck snorted. He knew his Nana had a big mouth and had probably been on the phone with his ma as soon as she got home last night.
"That's why I'm callin' ma. I talked to Kurt today like Nana said. We're just leaving the hospital actually."
"Honey," she sighed, "I'm so proud of you, being there for your friend during this difficult time. Such a good son."
"Ya, ya, ya… anyway, I just found out he's all alone at night. Like no one is there to take care of him and shit."
"Noah language!"
"Maaa," he whined. "I'm tryin' to explain things to you."
"I know honey but you don't need to use that language."
"Are you done?" he sniped. When he didn't hear anything he continued. "So as I was sayin', he's all alone in his house. Every day he goes to the hospital 'till they kick him out and then he goes to his house where there's no one lookin' after him."
He heard his mother gasp and he grinned.
"I guess I could stay over, 'cause he shouldn't be by himself, right? I mean what if something happened to him?"
He grinned again. He'd learned a thing or twenty about Jewish guilt over the years.
"You will do no such thing young man! You bring that poor child home with you. He can stay here. I just saw him last month at the shop when he was changing my oil. I told Nana that boy was too skinny and needed a good looking after."
Puck chuckled quietly. Having a front row seat for Kurt versus his ma was going to be hysterical.
"Okay ma, we'll swing by his place and he can grab some stuff. We'll be home in a bit."
"Good! And be careful Noah."
"Ya ma, bye." Puck hung up and smiled.
~ Scene ~
Just as Puck predicted, Kurt and his ma went several rounds when they got back to the Puckerman house. His ma won of course and Kurt was forced to endure eating food and being waited on. He almost felt bad for Kurt, but then he remembered being on the receiving end of one of his ma's rants and he laughed.
Once they were in Puck's room Kurt looked nervous.
"You okay?" Puck asked.
"What? Oh, ya, fine. I-I just… I guess I'm just tired."
"I'm sure. So you a shower before bed guy or in the morning?"
"Umm, I usually take a bath at night and then shower in the morning."
Puck nodded. "Okay. Let me show you where the towels are and stuff."
"Noah?" Kurt looked up at him. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Puck rubbed a hand over his head. "I told you, it's fucked up you goin' through this shit alone. And while I think there are several better people to be helpin' you, I don't really see that happening right now. So I guess it's down to the Puckarone to step up. I mean, Berry's always goin' on about how we're supposed to be family and shit, right?"
Kurt snorted. "It doesn't feel that way right now."
"Ya I know, man. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, Noah. You're the only one doing anything and I appreciate that you're not judging or preaching at me."
"I guess." Noah motioned toward the hall. "Let's get you that bath, okay?"
Kurt nodded and followed Noah down the hall.
While Kurt was in the bathroom Puck set up the air mattress on the floor. He grabbed some extra blankets from the closet in case Kurt got cold.
When Kurt returned he found Noah reading a story to his sister Sarah as the two lay on an air mattress. He stood in the doorway and watched them. Kurt always wanted a sibling and he could see how much the little girl meant to Noah. It made Kurt smile.
Puck looked up as he turned the page.
"Hey, you all done?"
Kurt nodded.
Puck smiled. "This is Sarah, aka munchkin, or squirt." The little girl hit her brother in the arm.
"You're such a jerk Noah!"
Puck just laughed.
He looked back at Kurt. "You can take the bed. We're almost done and then she's got to get to bed."
Kurt crawled into bed and pulled the covers up. He listened to Noah continue the story as he drifted off to sleep.
~ Scene ~
The next day in glee Puck sat down next to Kurt and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"How you doin' today?"
"Well your neanderthal brethren decided the moratorium on slushy's to the face has ended but other than that I'm fine."
"One, I have no idea what the hell you just said, but even I can tell you're not fine."
Kurt rolled his eyes but was about to explain when Finn came in and started singing an old REM song. It was one of the songs his dad liked and he immediately started to tear up. Kurt quickly became lost in his memories, not even bothering to hide the tears.
As soon as Finn finished Kurt bolted for the door. Puck didn't even hesitate to hurry after him. He followed Kurt out to the bleachers, where the boy began to pace and mumble to himself. Puck was just able to overhear Kurt muttering things like, 'suck it up' and 'remain strong,' as he continued to wear a path in front of him.
"Kurt? Kurt!"
The boy stopped and looked at him.
"Talk to me… please?"
"There's nothing to talk about Noah. I'm fine."
"Bull fuckin' shit! Kurt you are not fine. Dude, your human, you're allowed to have emotions."
Kurt made a strangled laugh sound while shaking his head. Puck saw tears beginning to trickle down Kurt's pale cheeks.
Then Kurt began to sing…
I can hold my breath I can fake a smile
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am
Kurt looked up at the sky as he continued….
I can do it But I'm only human
I can do it
I can do it
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human
Frowning at the lyrics, Puck had never heard the song before, but he could see and feel the emotion pouring out of Kurt and he thought it was about time the guy finally got it all out. He sat down as he watched Kurt continue to sing.
I can turn it on I can do it But I'm only human
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds
If that's what you need
Be your everything
I can do it
I'll get through it
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human
Puck watched Kurt turning himself inside out as he belted out the lyrics. Kurt's posture was stiff and the guy looked like he was about to shatter. Puck could feel his own tears begin.
I'm only human
I'm only human
Just a little human
Kurt fell to his knees, making Puck jump.
I can take so much 'Cause I'm only human
'Til I've had enough
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human
Puck reacted on auto-pilot, falling to the ground in front of Kurt and pulling him into a hug. He rocked Kurt gently as the guy cried his heart out, sobbing harder than Puck had ever seen or heard from anyone.
They stayed like that for several minutes. When Kurt's sobs started to slow, Puck picked him up and placed him on the bleacher. He sat down next to him and continued to rock him. Puck didn't have words so he just sustained the gentle movements.
Slowly Kurt began to talk. He told Puck about the fight he had with his dad about Friday night dinner and how the last things they said to each other weren't very nice. Kurt spoke about how guilty he felt because at the time he knew he was hurting his dad but he was being such a brat and now he might never get to apologize. He told Puck about the first Friday dinner after his mom died and the raw chicken and how they had laughed and then realized it was too soon before they both had started to cry.
The whole time Puck just held him tightly and let him ramble on. He knew Kurt needed to get it out.
It was almost thirty minutes later before Kurt finally lifted his head from Puck's chest.
"I'm sorry Noah. I didn't mean to break down like that and cry all over you."
"Don't worry about it Kurt. That's what friends are for right?"
"Is that what we are now, Noah? Friends?"
Puck frowned.
"I didn't mean it like that!" Kurt blurted. "I just meant, we weren't friends before but I'd like to be – if that's okay?"
"Ya s'cool." Puck smiled wide and used the sleeve of his shirt to dry Kurt's tear stained cheeks. "Come on, we gotta get over to the hospital."
Puck grinned and extended his hand for Kurt to take.
~ Scene ~
Puck was just coming back from the cafeteria with some coffee for Kurt when Kurt ran out of his dad's room yelling for Nurse Nancy.
Puck's heart stopped for a minute, fearing the worst, but then Kurt turned toward him and smiled as he bounced in place.
"Noah! He moved! I felt it, he moved!"
Puck threw the coffee in a nearby trash can before picking Kurt up and twirling him around.
"That's awesome man!"
They both laughed.
A few minutes later a couple of doctors and another nurse entered Burt's room. The boys stayed back out of the way until Nurse Nancy came out.
"How's my dad?" Kurt rushed her.
She smiled sweetly at him and took his hand. "He's waking up, he's not completely awake yet but he was on some strong medications. The doctors are checking him over but it looks like they are going to stop the medicine and see if Burt will wake up more on his own before they can run any tests."
"Can I see him?" Kurt asked.
"I'm sure once the doctors are done we can get you in there to say good night before you go."
It was about an hour later before Kurt was able to go back in. Puck watched him lean down and kiss his dad's head. He was so glad Burt had woken up.
~ Scene ~
Later that night as they were both laying down for sleep, Kurt leaned over and looked down where Puck was sleeping.
"Thank you," Kurt whispered. "Thank you for being there for me and for being my friend."
Puck reached up and grabbed Kurt's hand, squeezing.
"No problem, all in a days work for the Puckmiester," he smirked.
Kurt laughed. Puck thought it felt damn good to hear Kurt laugh again.
"Good night Noah."
"Night Kurt."
~ Scene ~
About three weeks after Burt was sent home, Puck found himself on the Hummel doorstep - this time with his ma, nana, and sister in tow.
Kurt opened the door and beamed at them.
"Come in, come in!"
All three women hugged and kissed Kurt before heading for the living room to see Burt. This was Puck's second Friday night dinner but it was the first time the rest of his family was invited.
The boys entered the living room to see Nana and his ma fussing over Burt while Sarah was busy climbing on Finn. Kurt laughed.
"I'm going to go help Carole. Please make your selves at home," Kurt said.
"Oh! Carole's here?" Both women headed off to the kitchen behind Kurt.
Puck shook his head as he watched them go.
"Hey Finn, can you please take Sarah out back for a few? I want to talk to Noah for a minute," Burt asked.
Finn nodded as he gave Sarah a piggy-back ride outside.
Puck sat down and looked over at Mr. H.
"Everything okay Mr. H?" he asked.
"Ya," Burt smiled. "I just wanted to say thank you. Kurt told me about how when I was in the hospital the whole religion thing at school happened and how no one, but you, noticed he was alone and needed a hand to hold on to. So I just wanted to say thank you for looking out for my boy when I wasn't able to. I'm really happy Kurt has such a good friend."
Puck blushed.
"I'm not that great Mr. H. I've done a lot of shitty things to Kurt over the years, just 'cause I'm an ass. But I couldn't just sit back and do nothin'. I'm just lucky Kurt's so awesome and let me be his friend."
"I think you're pretty awesome too kid. Don't you let nobody tell you different. It's when the chips are down the true measure of our humanity is found."
Puck blinked as he looked at Burt.
"Is that a famous quote or something?"
"Not sure," Burt laughed. "I read it in a fortune cookie once and it just kinda stuck with me."
They both cracked up; laughing like hyenas is how Kurt found them when he went to call them for dinner.
AN: The song is "Human" by Christina Perri and was requested by JasonDragon64. I hope I did your idea justice
Hugs, Melissa