Stay with Me (1/5)
Title: Stay with Me
Chapter: 1/5
Pairing: Puck/Rachel
Summary: The four times Noah Puckerman asks Rachel Berry to stay (and the one time she asks him)
Word Count: 2,198 words
Disclaimer: Don't own.
Stay just a little bit longer
Till I'm a little bit stronger to take all this
Stay just a little more time
Till I can find a way
Please stay"
"Stay" ~ Little Big Town
It was the summer of 2002, and eight-year-old Noah Puckerman wanted to invite some neighborhood kids to come over to his house. He was so excited because his mom and dad were out of town, and his old Aunt Maria had come over to watch him. He liked when his aunt was his sitter, because she wouldn't make him eat his vegetables and she'd go to bed early and then Noah could watch whatever he wanted to on television. She said since she never had kids of her own, she liked to spoil Noah. He didn't care what the reason was; he just knew she was way cooler than any of his friends' aunts or babysitters.
So somehow, he'd convinced her to let him have some friends over. The idea had come to him when he saw Matt playing in his front yard down the street in the cul-de-sac. He knew Finn was also at home, so he would probably be able to come over too. Finn's mom just loved Noah; he always pulled out the charm when she was around. Plus, Finn didn't have a dad, so Noah was glad to share his with his friend. True, Puck's dad wasn't around as much anymore, which was something Noah didn't understand, but he still took Noah and Finn fishing at least one Saturday a month. So, it made up for all the times he was gone.
Aunt Maria was more than happy to allow Noah to have friends over. "Who have you asked over, Noah?" she asked.
"Matt and Finn are coming. They live on our street," Noah said, jumping up and down excitedly. "And Artie said he could maybe come over; he lives on the next street over."
"What about that nice girl over there who is waving at you?" Aunt Maria motioned to the tiny brunette dancing ballet in her driveway across the street. "Have you asked her yet?"
Noah groaned inwardly. He didn't want to ask crazy Rachel Berry over to his mini-party. First, she was a girl, and girls had cooties. Some girls were all right, Noah had to admit, but not Rachel Berry. She was always singing and using really big words and claiming she was going to be a star. Noah didn't understand why anyone would want be a bright thing in the sky, but whatever, he usually just rolled his eyes and ignored her.
"Aw, Aunt Maria, do I have to?" Noah whined. "Rachel is kind of weird."
"Noah Puckerman!" Aunt Maria reprimanded. "You will not talk that way about other people. I'm sure she's a nice girl. Now go over there and ask her to join you and your friends tonight or no one will be allowed over."
"Yes ma'am," he agreed sullenly.
Noah crossed the road quickly and planted himself in Rachel Berry's driveway. He shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked a rock with his foot as Rachel bounced up to him.
"Hello, Noah!" she exclaimed. "How are you on this beautiful afternoon?"
"Fine, I guess," Noah answered. "You?"
"Oh, I'm doing well. Thank you for inquiring," Rachel smiled. "I had a dance class this morning; I'm practicing my jetés. Would you like to see?"
"Um, no thanks," Noah mumbled. "I was wondering if you wanted to come over to my house tonight. Finn, Matt, and probably Artie will be there. We are gonna play video games and watch movies and eat pizza."
Rachel considered his request. Noah was a nice boy, but he was really quiet. He had never asked her to come over and play before. Usually, he ignored her at school and only waved half-heartedly whenever she saw him in his yard. Still, she did not have many friends. Playing with Noah and his friends could be fun.
"That sounds like an enjoyable venture, Noah. I would be delighted to attend," Rachel said graciously, flashing him a wide smile.
"Is that a yes?" Noah asked.
Rachel giggled, "Yes, Noah. What time shall I come over?"
"Uh, I guess in, like, an hour," Noah said before turning around to head back to his house without waiting for a response from Rachel.
An hour later, Matt, Finn, Artie, and Noah were sitting on the homemade pallets of blankets and bed comforters. The doorbell rang, and Noah sighed. Rachel had decided to show up. Aunt Maria headed to the door, and Rachel smiled sweetly.
"Hello, my name is Rachel Berry," she introduced herself. "I brought cookies," she said, gently setting the plate of star-shaped cookies in Aunt Maria's hands before gingerly stepping inside the doorway.
"It's nice to meet you, Rachel. I'm Maria, Noah's aunt," she replied. "The boys are in the living room. The pizza should be here any minute."
"Thank you," Rachel smiled. She headed into the room where the boys were; they were enthralled in a video game that was far too violent for Rachel's liking. Still, it was none of her business what questionable images boys filled their minds with these days.
"Hi, Rachel!" Finn was the first to notice she had entered the room.
Rachel smiled. Finn was such a nice boy. He was always kind to her, and he had this cute space between his teeth that Rachel found adorable.
"Hello, Finn," she replied. "What are you playing?"
"Oh just some shoot-'em-up game," he said flippantly. "Wanna try?"
"No, thanks," she said timidly.
She looked around the room. Matt and Artie waved to her kindly, and Noah gave her a crooked half-smile. She smiled at the boys, knowing it would be a fun evening.
A few more hours later, it was growing dark, and the children were stuffed from the pizza and Rachel's cookies. Aunt Maria went to bed, but not before telling the guests they could stay the night if they wanted. Since all but Rachel had told their parents beforehand that they'd probably be staying overnight, they just smiled and thanked Aunt Maria politely.
"I will probably just leave after the movie is complete," Rachel offered.
Noah simply shrugged. She could do whatever she wanted to; he wasn't going to stop her.
"What movie are we gonna watch?" Matt asked.
"Something scary!" Finn exclaimed.
Noah smirked, "I don't think that's a good idea. You know you always get scared, Finn."
"Ooohhh," the other boys chorused, making Finn blush.
"It's perfectly normal to be afraid, Finn," Rachel soothed.
"Thanks, Rachel," he smiled.
Noah rolled his eyes at the silly grin that Finn and Rachel shared so he lobbed a pillow at Hudson's head. The pillow slapped Finn on the side of the face, breaking him out of his puppy dog eyes trance. Everyone, even Rachel, chuckled at the disgusted look on his face.
"Hey!" Finn protested. "What was that for?"
"Just pick a movie, stupid!" Noah smirked, stealing a glance at Rachel, who was shaking her head but smiling at the boys' actions. He caught her eye, and she smiled at him, which made him grin and feel kinda warm and happy. Huh. Weird. Shaking off the feeling, he went to the entertainment center where his dad kept all the movies.
"Are you sure we have to watch a scary movie?" Rachel questioned. "Perhaps we could compromise..."
"Why, Rachel, you're not a scaredy cat too, are you?" Noah teased lightly.
Rachel's cheeks tinged red. "No, I'm not," she said quietly but definitively.
"It's okay, Rach, if you're scared, I'll protect you," Matt grinned, flexing his nonexistent muscles.
Rachel giggled at that and bounced over to sit on the couch next to Matt. Noah's eyes narrowed at that, and after Finn handed him the worn copy of The Exorcist, he quickly put the movie in so he could take the spot on the other side of Rachel. He didn't know why he cared who Rachel sat by. After all, she was just a silly girl with silly girl cooties.
"What is this movie about, Noah?" Rachel asked curiously.
Noah shrugged. He really didn't know anything about it other than that his mom wouldn't let him watch it yet. Oh well. What Mom doesn't know won't hurt her. "No clue. Maybe they get lost in a gym or something," he said carelessly.
"A gym?" Artie echoed.
"Yeah, it's called The Exorcist. It's probably about working out or something," Noah concluded.
The others simply nodded in understanding. What Noah had said made perfect sense. He was probably right.
Turns out, he was wrong. Very wrong.
From the first moment the little girl has her first seizure, the boys were scared senseless, yet too transfixed to turn the movie off. Artie and Finn watched most of the movie through their fingers that covered their faces, and Matt's eyes kept darting around the room rather than focusing on the screen. Noah was scared too, but he wasn't about to show it. He did flinch a few times, like when that girl's head started to spin. He glanced over at Rachel a few times, but every time, she was calmly watching the story unfold before her wide eyes. She didn't look scared, but Noah figured she probably was but didn't want to be made fun of. By the time the movie ended, Finn was under the blanket and not even watching anymore. The other boys looked at each other in silence.
"Wow," Matt whispered. "That was-"
"The scariest thing I've ever seen!" Artie cried out.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to sleep after that," Finn whined, slowly getting out from under the covers.
"Well, I'm not," Matt said. "I'm outta here!" And with that, he scrambled for the door, Artie and Finn hot on his heels.
"You guys just can't leave!" Noah almost shouted before remembering his aunt was asleep. He was scared to go to sleep too, and he was hoping they all would stay. He crossed his arms stubbornly, because he wasn't about to tell them that. "That's just dumb."
"Noah, I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared," Artie explained from the doorway. "I want to sleep in my own bed tonight."
"Fine!" Noah called out the door as the three boys scattered in Noah's front yard and headed to their separate houses. "You guys are wusses!" He turned to Rachel, who was still quietly watching the exchange. "That's what my dad calls scaredy cats," he explained to her. She gave him a small smile as she reached out her hand and patted his shoulder.
"It's okay, Noah," she cooed softly. "It was a scary movie."
"I'm not scared," Noah said defiantly, putting on his tough face before he turned to face Rachel. "You don't seem scared either," he pointed out.
"I am," Rachel assured him, "but I know it is just pretend."
Noah shifted his weight uncomfortably on the balls of his feet at her words. She was right, but that didn't mean he wasn't still scared.
"I better go too," she said quietly.
"No!" he exclaimed a little too loudly. She turned quickly, and he stuttered to continue. "I mean, you don't have to leave. You know, if you don't want to." He shrugged noncommittally. "If you're scared and all, you could, um, maybe...stay?" he finished hopefully.
Rachel stared at the sweet boy in front of her. He always tried so hard to show off a rough exterior, but she could see through his façade: Noah Puckerman was afraid. She gave him another smile as she reached out her hand to clasp his. "Sure, Noah. I can stay. If you want me to," she said.
Noah sighed audibly. He wouldn't have to be alone tonight, even if it was Rachel who was staying with him. At least she wouldn't make fun of him for being scared. "Good," he breathed. "I mean, that's cool," he said apathetically.
He moved to the TV to put the movie away, and Rachel cleaned up the dishes and took them to the kitchen. Her fathers knew where she was, so she didn't bother to wake them this late at night. She walked back into the living room to find Noah fixing up the couch with pillows and blankets.
"You can sleep on the couch, and I'll sleep on the floor," he offered.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
They curled up under their respective blankets and tried to sleep. For Noah, sleep did not easily come. He kept hearing every creak in the house, and that unnerved him. He listened closely to Rachel's breathing, and he figured she was asleep. But maybe she wasn't just yet.
"Hey, Rach," he whispered in the darkness.
"Yes, Noah?" she whispered back.
"Thanks for staying," he mumbled.
Rachel smiled even though the shadows covered her face so that Noah would not be able to see it. She carefully slid off the couch and lay tentatively on her side facing Noah. She grabbed his hand and twined their fingers, settling their hands on top of the blankets. He smiled at the gesture, hoping the dark would cover his blushing face.
"You're welcome, Noah," Rachel said sweetly. "Good night."
"G'night, Rachel."
Chapter: 1/5
Pairing: Puck/Rachel
Summary: The four times Noah Puckerman asks Rachel Berry to stay (and the one time she asks him)
Word Count: 2,198 words
Disclaimer: Don't own.
Stay just a little bit longer
Till I'm a little bit stronger to take all this
Stay just a little more time
Till I can find a way
Please stay"
"Stay" ~ Little Big Town
It was the summer of 2002, and eight-year-old Noah Puckerman wanted to invite some neighborhood kids to come over to his house. He was so excited because his mom and dad were out of town, and his old Aunt Maria had come over to watch him. He liked when his aunt was his sitter, because she wouldn't make him eat his vegetables and she'd go to bed early and then Noah could watch whatever he wanted to on television. She said since she never had kids of her own, she liked to spoil Noah. He didn't care what the reason was; he just knew she was way cooler than any of his friends' aunts or babysitters.
So somehow, he'd convinced her to let him have some friends over. The idea had come to him when he saw Matt playing in his front yard down the street in the cul-de-sac. He knew Finn was also at home, so he would probably be able to come over too. Finn's mom just loved Noah; he always pulled out the charm when she was around. Plus, Finn didn't have a dad, so Noah was glad to share his with his friend. True, Puck's dad wasn't around as much anymore, which was something Noah didn't understand, but he still took Noah and Finn fishing at least one Saturday a month. So, it made up for all the times he was gone.
Aunt Maria was more than happy to allow Noah to have friends over. "Who have you asked over, Noah?" she asked.
"Matt and Finn are coming. They live on our street," Noah said, jumping up and down excitedly. "And Artie said he could maybe come over; he lives on the next street over."
"What about that nice girl over there who is waving at you?" Aunt Maria motioned to the tiny brunette dancing ballet in her driveway across the street. "Have you asked her yet?"
Noah groaned inwardly. He didn't want to ask crazy Rachel Berry over to his mini-party. First, she was a girl, and girls had cooties. Some girls were all right, Noah had to admit, but not Rachel Berry. She was always singing and using really big words and claiming she was going to be a star. Noah didn't understand why anyone would want be a bright thing in the sky, but whatever, he usually just rolled his eyes and ignored her.
"Aw, Aunt Maria, do I have to?" Noah whined. "Rachel is kind of weird."
"Noah Puckerman!" Aunt Maria reprimanded. "You will not talk that way about other people. I'm sure she's a nice girl. Now go over there and ask her to join you and your friends tonight or no one will be allowed over."
"Yes ma'am," he agreed sullenly.
Noah crossed the road quickly and planted himself in Rachel Berry's driveway. He shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked a rock with his foot as Rachel bounced up to him.
"Hello, Noah!" she exclaimed. "How are you on this beautiful afternoon?"
"Fine, I guess," Noah answered. "You?"
"Oh, I'm doing well. Thank you for inquiring," Rachel smiled. "I had a dance class this morning; I'm practicing my jetés. Would you like to see?"
"Um, no thanks," Noah mumbled. "I was wondering if you wanted to come over to my house tonight. Finn, Matt, and probably Artie will be there. We are gonna play video games and watch movies and eat pizza."
Rachel considered his request. Noah was a nice boy, but he was really quiet. He had never asked her to come over and play before. Usually, he ignored her at school and only waved half-heartedly whenever she saw him in his yard. Still, she did not have many friends. Playing with Noah and his friends could be fun.
"That sounds like an enjoyable venture, Noah. I would be delighted to attend," Rachel said graciously, flashing him a wide smile.
"Is that a yes?" Noah asked.
Rachel giggled, "Yes, Noah. What time shall I come over?"
"Uh, I guess in, like, an hour," Noah said before turning around to head back to his house without waiting for a response from Rachel.
An hour later, Matt, Finn, Artie, and Noah were sitting on the homemade pallets of blankets and bed comforters. The doorbell rang, and Noah sighed. Rachel had decided to show up. Aunt Maria headed to the door, and Rachel smiled sweetly.
"Hello, my name is Rachel Berry," she introduced herself. "I brought cookies," she said, gently setting the plate of star-shaped cookies in Aunt Maria's hands before gingerly stepping inside the doorway.
"It's nice to meet you, Rachel. I'm Maria, Noah's aunt," she replied. "The boys are in the living room. The pizza should be here any minute."
"Thank you," Rachel smiled. She headed into the room where the boys were; they were enthralled in a video game that was far too violent for Rachel's liking. Still, it was none of her business what questionable images boys filled their minds with these days.
"Hi, Rachel!" Finn was the first to notice she had entered the room.
Rachel smiled. Finn was such a nice boy. He was always kind to her, and he had this cute space between his teeth that Rachel found adorable.
"Hello, Finn," she replied. "What are you playing?"
"Oh just some shoot-'em-up game," he said flippantly. "Wanna try?"
"No, thanks," she said timidly.
She looked around the room. Matt and Artie waved to her kindly, and Noah gave her a crooked half-smile. She smiled at the boys, knowing it would be a fun evening.
A few more hours later, it was growing dark, and the children were stuffed from the pizza and Rachel's cookies. Aunt Maria went to bed, but not before telling the guests they could stay the night if they wanted. Since all but Rachel had told their parents beforehand that they'd probably be staying overnight, they just smiled and thanked Aunt Maria politely.
"I will probably just leave after the movie is complete," Rachel offered.
Noah simply shrugged. She could do whatever she wanted to; he wasn't going to stop her.
"What movie are we gonna watch?" Matt asked.
"Something scary!" Finn exclaimed.
Noah smirked, "I don't think that's a good idea. You know you always get scared, Finn."
"Ooohhh," the other boys chorused, making Finn blush.
"It's perfectly normal to be afraid, Finn," Rachel soothed.
"Thanks, Rachel," he smiled.
Noah rolled his eyes at the silly grin that Finn and Rachel shared so he lobbed a pillow at Hudson's head. The pillow slapped Finn on the side of the face, breaking him out of his puppy dog eyes trance. Everyone, even Rachel, chuckled at the disgusted look on his face.
"Hey!" Finn protested. "What was that for?"
"Just pick a movie, stupid!" Noah smirked, stealing a glance at Rachel, who was shaking her head but smiling at the boys' actions. He caught her eye, and she smiled at him, which made him grin and feel kinda warm and happy. Huh. Weird. Shaking off the feeling, he went to the entertainment center where his dad kept all the movies.
"Are you sure we have to watch a scary movie?" Rachel questioned. "Perhaps we could compromise..."
"Why, Rachel, you're not a scaredy cat too, are you?" Noah teased lightly.
Rachel's cheeks tinged red. "No, I'm not," she said quietly but definitively.
"It's okay, Rach, if you're scared, I'll protect you," Matt grinned, flexing his nonexistent muscles.
Rachel giggled at that and bounced over to sit on the couch next to Matt. Noah's eyes narrowed at that, and after Finn handed him the worn copy of The Exorcist, he quickly put the movie in so he could take the spot on the other side of Rachel. He didn't know why he cared who Rachel sat by. After all, she was just a silly girl with silly girl cooties.
"What is this movie about, Noah?" Rachel asked curiously.
Noah shrugged. He really didn't know anything about it other than that his mom wouldn't let him watch it yet. Oh well. What Mom doesn't know won't hurt her. "No clue. Maybe they get lost in a gym or something," he said carelessly.
"A gym?" Artie echoed.
"Yeah, it's called The Exorcist. It's probably about working out or something," Noah concluded.
The others simply nodded in understanding. What Noah had said made perfect sense. He was probably right.
Turns out, he was wrong. Very wrong.
From the first moment the little girl has her first seizure, the boys were scared senseless, yet too transfixed to turn the movie off. Artie and Finn watched most of the movie through their fingers that covered their faces, and Matt's eyes kept darting around the room rather than focusing on the screen. Noah was scared too, but he wasn't about to show it. He did flinch a few times, like when that girl's head started to spin. He glanced over at Rachel a few times, but every time, she was calmly watching the story unfold before her wide eyes. She didn't look scared, but Noah figured she probably was but didn't want to be made fun of. By the time the movie ended, Finn was under the blanket and not even watching anymore. The other boys looked at each other in silence.
"Wow," Matt whispered. "That was-"
"The scariest thing I've ever seen!" Artie cried out.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to sleep after that," Finn whined, slowly getting out from under the covers.
"Well, I'm not," Matt said. "I'm outta here!" And with that, he scrambled for the door, Artie and Finn hot on his heels.
"You guys just can't leave!" Noah almost shouted before remembering his aunt was asleep. He was scared to go to sleep too, and he was hoping they all would stay. He crossed his arms stubbornly, because he wasn't about to tell them that. "That's just dumb."
"Noah, I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared," Artie explained from the doorway. "I want to sleep in my own bed tonight."
"Fine!" Noah called out the door as the three boys scattered in Noah's front yard and headed to their separate houses. "You guys are wusses!" He turned to Rachel, who was still quietly watching the exchange. "That's what my dad calls scaredy cats," he explained to her. She gave him a small smile as she reached out her hand and patted his shoulder.
"It's okay, Noah," she cooed softly. "It was a scary movie."
"I'm not scared," Noah said defiantly, putting on his tough face before he turned to face Rachel. "You don't seem scared either," he pointed out.
"I am," Rachel assured him, "but I know it is just pretend."
Noah shifted his weight uncomfortably on the balls of his feet at her words. She was right, but that didn't mean he wasn't still scared.
"I better go too," she said quietly.
"No!" he exclaimed a little too loudly. She turned quickly, and he stuttered to continue. "I mean, you don't have to leave. You know, if you don't want to." He shrugged noncommittally. "If you're scared and all, you could, um, maybe...stay?" he finished hopefully.
Rachel stared at the sweet boy in front of her. He always tried so hard to show off a rough exterior, but she could see through his façade: Noah Puckerman was afraid. She gave him another smile as she reached out her hand to clasp his. "Sure, Noah. I can stay. If you want me to," she said.
Noah sighed audibly. He wouldn't have to be alone tonight, even if it was Rachel who was staying with him. At least she wouldn't make fun of him for being scared. "Good," he breathed. "I mean, that's cool," he said apathetically.
He moved to the TV to put the movie away, and Rachel cleaned up the dishes and took them to the kitchen. Her fathers knew where she was, so she didn't bother to wake them this late at night. She walked back into the living room to find Noah fixing up the couch with pillows and blankets.
"You can sleep on the couch, and I'll sleep on the floor," he offered.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
They curled up under their respective blankets and tried to sleep. For Noah, sleep did not easily come. He kept hearing every creak in the house, and that unnerved him. He listened closely to Rachel's breathing, and he figured she was asleep. But maybe she wasn't just yet.
"Hey, Rach," he whispered in the darkness.
"Yes, Noah?" she whispered back.
"Thanks for staying," he mumbled.
Rachel smiled even though the shadows covered her face so that Noah would not be able to see it. She carefully slid off the couch and lay tentatively on her side facing Noah. She grabbed his hand and twined their fingers, settling their hands on top of the blankets. He smiled at the gesture, hoping the dark would cover his blushing face.
"You're welcome, Noah," Rachel said sweetly. "Good night."
"G'night, Rachel."