Fic: Curdle (Finn, Puck) PG-13 (7/?)
Title: Curdle
Author: hyperemmalawlz
Fandom: Glee
Chapter: 7/?
Characters/Pairing: Finn, Puck, ensemble
Word Count: 2020
Rating: PG-13 (bordering R)
Summary: "I don't need help," Puck had said, even when he turned up bleeding and almost-crying on Finn's doorstep at 2 AM. A year later, he still needs the help -- and Finn is still slightly incompetent.
Spoilers: Up to 1x22, "Journey."
Warnings: Swearing, discussion of child molestation, sexual references.
Author's Notes: Written for the glee_angst_meme, the prompt: "Puck's mom has an on again off again boyfriend who abuses him sexually. Now they're on again and said boyfriend has moved into their house. After the last time they broke up, when Puck thought he was gone for good, he told Finn about the abuse."
7: Believe
Puck walked into Glee and slumped down next to Finn. “Hey man,” said Finn.
“Hey,” Puck responded. “Hey, did you...?”
“What?”
Puck looked uncomfortable. “Look, Hummel was being really weird just before. I mean, like, more than usual, and that's saying something. I was just wondering...”
Shit, thought Finn. Shit! Puck knew. It was dumb to tell Kurt anything in the first place; Puck was about to ask an important question that Finn needed to lie to, and Finn couldn't lie. He's going to kill me!
“...What?”
And then, just like that, Puck shook his head. “Nothing. Just Hummel being a weird fucker.”
Finn breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Could you try not to talk about him like that?” Finn asked, voice strained - they were really just going to talk about this like everything was normal, weren't they? Finn should have been used to that by now, with the way Puck kept acting, but dammit he wasn't.
Puck shot him a dubious look. “Dude. I'm not being a homophobic asshole... anymore. Yeah, if I was, I'd totally see your point about me shutting the fuck up, but - I'm not. No-one ever said I had to like the guy. I'll talk about him how I like, thanks.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “No, it's not that. It's just that, he's sorta like my stepbrother now, and I probably shouldn't let you talk about him like that. Really, you guys are just as bitchy as each other - and he's a stereotype, so...”
Finn trailed off. Yeah, it was a joke, but it was not okay to make that implication to Puck - it probably was kind of homophobic to make that implication as a joke in the first place, but saying it to Puck, given everything he'd been through... Shit. Major douche moment, Hudson.
It hung awkwardly in the air between them for a second. Then Puck grinned and punched him in the arm. “You shut up,” he said. “Seriously, with the rate you accuse everyone-”
“Shut up, Puck,” Finn said, hiding a sigh of relief for the second time. He vaguely wondered if Puck was noticing; if he was noticing the implications that were making Finn worked up enough to be relieved in the first place.
“Guys?” interrupted Mr. Schue, drawing both boys' attention. “Can we get started?”
“Oh, uh, sorry,” said Finn.
*
After Glee, Finn, on impulse, walked up to Mr. Schue. “Uh, hey, Schue.”
Some people looked back at him curiously, and Schue cocked his head to the side. “Finn?”
“So, uh, I wanted to ask you something,” Finn says. Everyone was starting to shuffle out, but Kurt looked back at him. “You go on ahead,” said Finn, “I'll catch up.”
“...Alright,” said Kurt quietly, walking out. When everyone was gone, Finn sighed and collapsed down on the piano stool. He buried his head in his hands.
“Finn?” asked Mr. Schue, sitting down beside him. “What's going on? Are you alright?”
Finn shook his head, and looked back up. “No. I'm in deep shit,” he admitted. “I need advice, man.”
Schue looked on at him in concern. “Alright. What's wrong?”
Finn bit his lip. “I... I have this friend, okay?” he blurted out. “And, uh, his mom's now living with... this boyfriend.”
Finn watched Mr. Schue visibly swallow. “And?” he asked.
Finn winced - he was kind of hoping he wouldn't have to say that bit. It wasn't like he planned this whole 'ask Mr. Schue what to do' thing; he just kind of did it. “And, uh, I know, this boyfriend... does stuff to him.”
His voice went quiet on the last bit, and he avoided Mr. Schue's eyes. There was an uncomfortable pause. Finn suddenly realized he was in far too deep; there was no going back and pretending nothing was going on. Even if Mr. Schue didn't figure out it was Puck, he'd know it was something, and it wouldn't be the same. Finn just prayed it would worth it; that it would help somehow.
“Does what?” asked Mr. Schue. Finn hesitated. “Would it... is it abuse?”
Finn just nodded. Schue sighed heavily.
“Can you tell me - chiefly - what kind of abuse it is? They tend to all sort of interact, but is it emotional, physical, sexual...?”
Finn flinched. “The last one,” he admitted. Finally, he looked up and met Mr. Schue's eyes.
“...Finn...”
“I just don't know what to do,” he whispered. “I mean, I can't just let this...”
Mr. Schue uncomfortably put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You were right to tell me,” he said. “I mean, this sort of thing sends kids to their graves.”
It was the wording that made Finn's stomach churn. He had a memory, as useless as it was being right now; he'd made a promise to Puck, for better or for worse: This is just us; you know, to the grave. And Finn broke his word.
He had already broken his word, admittedly, but he'd broken it to someone who refused to do anything and to someone who wasn't in any better position to do anything than Finn was, so those didn't count. Somehow.
He leaped up in a panic.
“Oh god, I shouldn't have talked to you,” he blurted out, too panicked to wonder if that was rude to Schue. “Oh god, I have to go, now.”
“Finn, wait-”
“He's going to kill me!” Finn yelled and ran out of the choir room; he didn't stop until he was out front door of the school.
“Fuck,” he muttered. He suddenly noticed Puck is standing in front of him, although Puck hadn't noticed him - or the fact he was freaking out - yet. Finn did his best to put himself back together, before he walked up to Puck's side.
“Hey,” he said. Puck looked a bit surprised.
“Hey,” he said. “What was that about? With Mr. Schue?”
“Oh! Uh...” Calm Hudson, calm. Think now. “Nothing. I just had to ask about... this song thing.”
Puck nodded and seemed to accept this. Finn let out the third sigh of relief so far. “So, uh, do you know where Kurt is? 'Cause Mom'll be pissed if I lose him.”
Puck shrugged. “Dude, he ran back to his locker to get is pearls or something. And could you really lose him? I know you're dumb man, but...”
“It was a joke. And Kurt's short anyway,” Finn said, pouting. Puck rolled his eyes.
“Dude, I knew it was a joke. I was playing along, you idiot.”
“Oh, well, whatever,” Finn said. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Look, man, I'm sorry about before. I mean, implying you were...”
Puck blinked at him, confused. “Dude, it was a joke. I implied right back. We say shit like that all the time; what's the big deal?”
“Well, yeah, but given what... happened to you, I just, you know...” Finn felt the annoying sensation he really wasn't helping himself.
Puck glared at him. “Okay, this is just like it's been for the last year. Nothing's changed. Could you treat me like normal; thank you very fucking much?”
“Dude!” Finn threw his hands in the air in frustration. “I can't make you do anything about this, fine, but I have the right to care, and try not to make things worse. You're my best friend, man.”
That didn't do much for his gnawing feeling of guilt
Puck rolled his eyes. “Don't make me puke,” he said. “And seriously, if you wanna be my 'best friend'? Treat me like I'm still fucking human.”
Finn didn't respond, and they just stared at each other until Kurt came back into view, holding a box. “Finn. Thank you for holding us up,” he said. “No, I'm being genuine. If you hadn't insisted on talking to Mr. Schue, I would never have remembered this,” he indicated the box. Finn just nodded, and then Kurt noticed the bad atmosphere. “Okay, what is happening? If he has impregnated your girlfriend again, do what you will. If not, come on, let's move.”
Finn shook his head. “What? No. Sorry. And dude, way to be a bitch.”
“I'm always like that!” Kurt defended himself. “Anyway, see you, Puck. Finn, car.”
“See ya,” said Puck as Finn and Kurt started to walk away. Once he was well out of earshot and the two were at the car, Finn started to talk.
“Dude, are you sure it's a good idea to just like, talk to him the way you normally do? I mean, I don't like how you two get along in the first place, but given what's going on with him...”
Kurt shrugged and opened the door. “Well, I tried to be compassionate and ask questions, but it seemed to freak him out a bit. Really, the way I see it, I don't see how acting differently will make things better. I'd rather just act like normal until I can actually do some good; it will make his life seem more routine, if nothing else.” He slid inside the car. Finn frowned and did the same.
“Huh. That actually makes sense,” he said. “Fuck. I've been really... what was that word for when you're trying to be nice, but you wind up being really insulting about it?”
“Patronizing?” Kurt offered. “Finn, it's okay. You boys have been friends since the dawn of time. You should be worried about him. You should be freaking the fuck out, to use crude language.”
Finn sighed. “Is it okay if I...?”
Kurt just looked at him. “If you what?”
“Nothing. Forget it,” even if Kurt knew about the general situation, Finn wasn't quite ready to tell him about what he'd just done yet.
Kurt shrugged, turned the ignition key, and they set off.
*
Back in the choir room, Will paced around in agitation. He couldn't believe this was happening. “Fuck!” he swore, and kicked the piano. It hurt his foot, but he didn't pay much attention to that.
He couldn't believe he hadn't seen it sooner - Finn had acted distant and confused for weeks, and had never been enthusiastic about moving in with the Hummels. Will could understand him looking for advice and claiming it was about 'a friend', just because he was scared - not be insulting, but Finn was fairly naive; Will could see him genuinely expecting that he wouldn't be figured out.
Will's stomach was starting to ache, thinking of how scared and hurt Finn seemed; the fear in his voice when he cried 'he'll kill me!' Will believed that could be very well true - what sort of abuser would let himself be revealed without a fight?
The funny thing was? When he had met Burt Hummel, he had genuinely liked the man. He seemed to care deeply for Kurt, and didn't care about his sexuality; he would have done anything for his son. Will thought he was a good man for that. He didn't know how he could have been so wrong about someone's nature, even though Will was smart enough to know that just one incident cannot mean you'll consider someone innocent for the rest of your life, no matter the mounting evidence. Still, it wasn't a good thought - Oh god, what if Burt was hurting Kurt too? Kurt seemed the kind of kid to be better at hiding this than Finn.
Will groaned in frustration and despair, but he knew he had to do something. He meant what he said before: abuse like this did put kids in the ground. And it was up to Will to save Finn.
Author: hyperemmalawlz
Fandom: Glee
Chapter: 7/?
Characters/Pairing: Finn, Puck, ensemble
Word Count: 2020
Rating: PG-13 (bordering R)
Summary: "I don't need help," Puck had said, even when he turned up bleeding and almost-crying on Finn's doorstep at 2 AM. A year later, he still needs the help -- and Finn is still slightly incompetent.
Spoilers: Up to 1x22, "Journey."
Warnings: Swearing, discussion of child molestation, sexual references.
Author's Notes: Written for the glee_angst_meme, the prompt: "Puck's mom has an on again off again boyfriend who abuses him sexually. Now they're on again and said boyfriend has moved into their house. After the last time they broke up, when Puck thought he was gone for good, he told Finn about the abuse."
7: Believe
Puck walked into Glee and slumped down next to Finn. “Hey man,” said Finn.
“Hey,” Puck responded. “Hey, did you...?”
“What?”
Puck looked uncomfortable. “Look, Hummel was being really weird just before. I mean, like, more than usual, and that's saying something. I was just wondering...”
Shit, thought Finn. Shit! Puck knew. It was dumb to tell Kurt anything in the first place; Puck was about to ask an important question that Finn needed to lie to, and Finn couldn't lie. He's going to kill me!
“...What?”
And then, just like that, Puck shook his head. “Nothing. Just Hummel being a weird fucker.”
Finn breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Could you try not to talk about him like that?” Finn asked, voice strained - they were really just going to talk about this like everything was normal, weren't they? Finn should have been used to that by now, with the way Puck kept acting, but dammit he wasn't.
Puck shot him a dubious look. “Dude. I'm not being a homophobic asshole... anymore. Yeah, if I was, I'd totally see your point about me shutting the fuck up, but - I'm not. No-one ever said I had to like the guy. I'll talk about him how I like, thanks.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “No, it's not that. It's just that, he's sorta like my stepbrother now, and I probably shouldn't let you talk about him like that. Really, you guys are just as bitchy as each other - and he's a stereotype, so...”
Finn trailed off. Yeah, it was a joke, but it was not okay to make that implication to Puck - it probably was kind of homophobic to make that implication as a joke in the first place, but saying it to Puck, given everything he'd been through... Shit. Major douche moment, Hudson.
It hung awkwardly in the air between them for a second. Then Puck grinned and punched him in the arm. “You shut up,” he said. “Seriously, with the rate you accuse everyone-”
“Shut up, Puck,” Finn said, hiding a sigh of relief for the second time. He vaguely wondered if Puck was noticing; if he was noticing the implications that were making Finn worked up enough to be relieved in the first place.
“Guys?” interrupted Mr. Schue, drawing both boys' attention. “Can we get started?”
“Oh, uh, sorry,” said Finn.
*
After Glee, Finn, on impulse, walked up to Mr. Schue. “Uh, hey, Schue.”
Some people looked back at him curiously, and Schue cocked his head to the side. “Finn?”
“So, uh, I wanted to ask you something,” Finn says. Everyone was starting to shuffle out, but Kurt looked back at him. “You go on ahead,” said Finn, “I'll catch up.”
“...Alright,” said Kurt quietly, walking out. When everyone was gone, Finn sighed and collapsed down on the piano stool. He buried his head in his hands.
“Finn?” asked Mr. Schue, sitting down beside him. “What's going on? Are you alright?”
Finn shook his head, and looked back up. “No. I'm in deep shit,” he admitted. “I need advice, man.”
Schue looked on at him in concern. “Alright. What's wrong?”
Finn bit his lip. “I... I have this friend, okay?” he blurted out. “And, uh, his mom's now living with... this boyfriend.”
Finn watched Mr. Schue visibly swallow. “And?” he asked.
Finn winced - he was kind of hoping he wouldn't have to say that bit. It wasn't like he planned this whole 'ask Mr. Schue what to do' thing; he just kind of did it. “And, uh, I know, this boyfriend... does stuff to him.”
His voice went quiet on the last bit, and he avoided Mr. Schue's eyes. There was an uncomfortable pause. Finn suddenly realized he was in far too deep; there was no going back and pretending nothing was going on. Even if Mr. Schue didn't figure out it was Puck, he'd know it was something, and it wouldn't be the same. Finn just prayed it would worth it; that it would help somehow.
“Does what?” asked Mr. Schue. Finn hesitated. “Would it... is it abuse?”
Finn just nodded. Schue sighed heavily.
“Can you tell me - chiefly - what kind of abuse it is? They tend to all sort of interact, but is it emotional, physical, sexual...?”
Finn flinched. “The last one,” he admitted. Finally, he looked up and met Mr. Schue's eyes.
“...Finn...”
“I just don't know what to do,” he whispered. “I mean, I can't just let this...”
Mr. Schue uncomfortably put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You were right to tell me,” he said. “I mean, this sort of thing sends kids to their graves.”
It was the wording that made Finn's stomach churn. He had a memory, as useless as it was being right now; he'd made a promise to Puck, for better or for worse: This is just us; you know, to the grave. And Finn broke his word.
He had already broken his word, admittedly, but he'd broken it to someone who refused to do anything and to someone who wasn't in any better position to do anything than Finn was, so those didn't count. Somehow.
He leaped up in a panic.
“Oh god, I shouldn't have talked to you,” he blurted out, too panicked to wonder if that was rude to Schue. “Oh god, I have to go, now.”
“Finn, wait-”
“He's going to kill me!” Finn yelled and ran out of the choir room; he didn't stop until he was out front door of the school.
“Fuck,” he muttered. He suddenly noticed Puck is standing in front of him, although Puck hadn't noticed him - or the fact he was freaking out - yet. Finn did his best to put himself back together, before he walked up to Puck's side.
“Hey,” he said. Puck looked a bit surprised.
“Hey,” he said. “What was that about? With Mr. Schue?”
“Oh! Uh...” Calm Hudson, calm. Think now. “Nothing. I just had to ask about... this song thing.”
Puck nodded and seemed to accept this. Finn let out the third sigh of relief so far. “So, uh, do you know where Kurt is? 'Cause Mom'll be pissed if I lose him.”
Puck shrugged. “Dude, he ran back to his locker to get is pearls or something. And could you really lose him? I know you're dumb man, but...”
“It was a joke. And Kurt's short anyway,” Finn said, pouting. Puck rolled his eyes.
“Dude, I knew it was a joke. I was playing along, you idiot.”
“Oh, well, whatever,” Finn said. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Look, man, I'm sorry about before. I mean, implying you were...”
Puck blinked at him, confused. “Dude, it was a joke. I implied right back. We say shit like that all the time; what's the big deal?”
“Well, yeah, but given what... happened to you, I just, you know...” Finn felt the annoying sensation he really wasn't helping himself.
Puck glared at him. “Okay, this is just like it's been for the last year. Nothing's changed. Could you treat me like normal; thank you very fucking much?”
“Dude!” Finn threw his hands in the air in frustration. “I can't make you do anything about this, fine, but I have the right to care, and try not to make things worse. You're my best friend, man.”
That didn't do much for his gnawing feeling of guilt
Puck rolled his eyes. “Don't make me puke,” he said. “And seriously, if you wanna be my 'best friend'? Treat me like I'm still fucking human.”
Finn didn't respond, and they just stared at each other until Kurt came back into view, holding a box. “Finn. Thank you for holding us up,” he said. “No, I'm being genuine. If you hadn't insisted on talking to Mr. Schue, I would never have remembered this,” he indicated the box. Finn just nodded, and then Kurt noticed the bad atmosphere. “Okay, what is happening? If he has impregnated your girlfriend again, do what you will. If not, come on, let's move.”
Finn shook his head. “What? No. Sorry. And dude, way to be a bitch.”
“I'm always like that!” Kurt defended himself. “Anyway, see you, Puck. Finn, car.”
“See ya,” said Puck as Finn and Kurt started to walk away. Once he was well out of earshot and the two were at the car, Finn started to talk.
“Dude, are you sure it's a good idea to just like, talk to him the way you normally do? I mean, I don't like how you two get along in the first place, but given what's going on with him...”
Kurt shrugged and opened the door. “Well, I tried to be compassionate and ask questions, but it seemed to freak him out a bit. Really, the way I see it, I don't see how acting differently will make things better. I'd rather just act like normal until I can actually do some good; it will make his life seem more routine, if nothing else.” He slid inside the car. Finn frowned and did the same.
“Huh. That actually makes sense,” he said. “Fuck. I've been really... what was that word for when you're trying to be nice, but you wind up being really insulting about it?”
“Patronizing?” Kurt offered. “Finn, it's okay. You boys have been friends since the dawn of time. You should be worried about him. You should be freaking the fuck out, to use crude language.”
Finn sighed. “Is it okay if I...?”
Kurt just looked at him. “If you what?”
“Nothing. Forget it,” even if Kurt knew about the general situation, Finn wasn't quite ready to tell him about what he'd just done yet.
Kurt shrugged, turned the ignition key, and they set off.
*
Back in the choir room, Will paced around in agitation. He couldn't believe this was happening. “Fuck!” he swore, and kicked the piano. It hurt his foot, but he didn't pay much attention to that.
He couldn't believe he hadn't seen it sooner - Finn had acted distant and confused for weeks, and had never been enthusiastic about moving in with the Hummels. Will could understand him looking for advice and claiming it was about 'a friend', just because he was scared - not be insulting, but Finn was fairly naive; Will could see him genuinely expecting that he wouldn't be figured out.
Will's stomach was starting to ache, thinking of how scared and hurt Finn seemed; the fear in his voice when he cried 'he'll kill me!' Will believed that could be very well true - what sort of abuser would let himself be revealed without a fight?
The funny thing was? When he had met Burt Hummel, he had genuinely liked the man. He seemed to care deeply for Kurt, and didn't care about his sexuality; he would have done anything for his son. Will thought he was a good man for that. He didn't know how he could have been so wrong about someone's nature, even though Will was smart enough to know that just one incident cannot mean you'll consider someone innocent for the rest of your life, no matter the mounting evidence. Still, it wasn't a good thought - Oh god, what if Burt was hurting Kurt too? Kurt seemed the kind of kid to be better at hiding this than Finn.
Will groaned in frustration and despair, but he knew he had to do something. He meant what he said before: abuse like this did put kids in the ground. And it was up to Will to save Finn.