Treading Lightly, PG-13
Title: Treading Lightly
Rating: PG-13
Pairing:: Puck/Kurt
Important Note: In this fic, Kurt develops an eating disorder. I know that some people could find this subject triggering, so if you're not comfortable with it, please don't read. I won't be offended, promise.
Summary: I wanted to write angst, and I wanted Puck to be a caring person while still staying in character. And I came up with this.
After Kurt sings "A House is Not a Home" and pours his heart out to the guy he's in love with, he goes to the bathroom and cries. He can't help it - he's suddenly overwhelmed with this incredible grief, because he knows that he and Finn could be so, so happy together... and that's never going to happen. They'll never be together, and they'll never get that happiness. And good god, the realization hurts, even though he knew it all along.
And look, he's Kurt Hummel. He's had his share of heartache but he doesn't let it bring him down. Not really. Not so other people can know and use it against him. But it's still there and it hurts, and it hurts to see Finn. But he still sees Finn everywhere, and wow, he really wishes he could avoid it. He skips lunch sometimes, because that's one time he can avoid seeing Finn. It also means he can avoid eating, so that's good too.
He goes to the choir room instead, to tinker on the piano a little, and Puck's there, strumming on his guitar. They start out not saying anything to each other. They acknowledge each other - meet each others eyes - but that's it. Puck plays his guitar, Kurt plays the piano, and it's nice, and peaceful. Kurt doesn't spend that much time wondering why Puck's in there too. If he asked, it might disturb the peace. And he really likes the peace.
After one such afternoon they're at Glee practice, learning a dance, and Kurt falls. Mercedes and Brittany rush over to him to help him up, and Mercedes looks extremely concerned. "What's wrong?" she asks him, looking him over, closely. "Are you okay, baby?"
He just nods and waves off her concern. He knows that it could have something to do with not eating lunch. And only having an apple for breakfast. And usually only having a salad for dinner. But he doesn't really care. He's lost a few pounds and he likes that.
The next day, during lunch, Puck tosses him a granola bar. Kurt looks at it, and then looks at him, raising his eyebrows. He then places the granola bar in his bag, because honestly, he's not hungry. Or maybe he is, but the idea of losing weight seems so much useful than eating. "Skipping meals?" Puck mutters, not looking at him. "C'mon, you're better than that."
(At practice that afternoon, Kurt stumbles through dance steps that aren't very hard, and he can practically feel Puck's eyes on him.)
Thing about Kurt is that he's petite, and people think he's this delicate little flower or something, but he's not. He understands the simple fact that most people aren't worth his time, and he doesn't care. They can do whatever they want to him, and he'll just brush himself off and move on. He can take care of himself.
It's lunch time, and he rests his head against the piano for a few minutes, because he's tired. Puck's not there yet, which is good. He's almost asleep in an admittedly pretty awkward position, when he hears a thud and looks up. It's a salad with chicken in it. He glances over at Puck, who's pulling out his guitar. "Thanks, but this is unnecessary," he says.
Puck sighs. "Dude, I really don't wanna have to talk about feelings with you. Just eat the damn food, okay?"
Kurt gets that Puck is trying to be nice. And he gets that it must have been a really ridiculous amount of effort for him. So he takes a few bites of lettuce. And that's it.
The next day is Saturday, and the next Glee rehearsal isn't until Tuesday. And Kurt falls again. And he gets a lot of concerned looks this time, because the first time wasn't that long ago. And Kurt does feel a little dizzy, and he knows it's from not eating, but he's lost 7 pounds. And that is absolutely fantastic.
He knows that Puck will probably say something during Lunch the next day, but he doesn't care. He likes his routine, and he's not going to change it. He is surprised, though, when Puck puts a hamburger and fries in front of him and says, "If you don't eat every damn bite of that, I'm telling Mercedes."
Kurt looks at the food, and then at Puck. "Why does it matter to you?"
Puck sighs. "C'mon, dude. You're acting like one of those stupid girl Cheerios with no self esteem, who have eating disorders because they hate themselves. You deserve better than that."
Kurt rests his head on the piano. "Stop it. I know that caring must be a terrible stress on your system, and I'd hate for you to suffer because of me. Go worry about something that matters."
"God dammit!" Kurt's eyes fly open at Puck's shout, and grow even wider when he continues, "What the fuck, Hummel? What the hell am I supposed to do here? I'm not... I'm not a fucking heartless bastard, okay? Just... stop this. It's fucked, you know that."
Kurt sighs. "While I appreciate your concern, I really have to insist that it's unnecessary. Mostly because caring about me isn't something you should be doing, and secondly, because /I'm fine./ I can take care of myself."
"Fine!" Puck says, grabbing the hamburger and throwing it in the trash. "You do that." He storms out of the room and slams the door behind him.
After that, Kurt still goes to the choir room during lunch, but Puck stops showing up. Things go back to they way they were before - they're pretty much strangers who happen to sing in the same glee club. Except that he can feel Puck's eyes on him sometimes, and it does make him feel bad. Puck didn't do anything wrong, and maybe Kurt's being unnecessarily bitchy. He doesn't apologize, though. And he doesn't change. When he loses ten pounds, Coach Sylvester says she's proud of him, and that's the kind of thing that you cherish. You never forget a thing like that.
He should have known better. He should have assumed that eventually, things would come crashing down. Or that he would come crashing down, to be more specific.
It's just that the damn dance involved spinning. And who wouldn't get dizzy doing that? He's dancing with Tina, and they've been at this for half an hour, when he feels light headed. She puts a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asks him, looking at him with concerned.
He just nods, and they continue.
Half an hour later, he faints.
When he comes to, the school nurse is there with smelling salts, and everyone is crowded around him. Mercedes is crying, which is completely ridiculous. "I'm fine," he says, trying to sit up.
Mr Schuester wraps an arm around his shoulders and helps him sit up. "No you're not," he says, gently. "You fainted. You were out for a few minutes there, Kurt."
"Oh," he replies, quietly. "I'm sorry."
Mr Schu looks around at everyone. "Practice is over for today, guys. Great job." Most of the Glee Club members leave, assured that Kurt is alright. They know, after all, that an awkward conversation is going to ensue, and don't really want to stick around for it. Only Mr Schu, Mercedes, and Quinn remain.
"I'm sorry for worrying you," Kurt says, quietly.
"It's a good thing Puck caught you," Quinn replies. "You could have hit your head."
"He did?" Kurt asks, genuinely surprised. And though he has a nice, wholesome chat about making sure he eats enough with Mercedes, Quinn, and Mr Schu, that's all he can think about the entire time.
When he goes to his locker, Puck is standing nearby. Kurt wonders how long he's been there, and walks over to him. "Thank you," he says, quietly.
"For what?" Puck replies, looking straight ahead and not at him.
"Catching me... caring."
Puck nods. "Why'd you do it?"
Kurt shrugs. "I honestly didn't think anyone would notice. I certainly didn't expect you to care."
Puck sighs and looks at him, finally. "Neither did I. Meant what I said, though. You are too good for that shit."
"Can I..." He pauses, considering, and then continues, "Can I take you out for some gourmet pizza? There's a place by my house that's very good, and I'd like to properly thank you."
Puck eyes him. "You'll eat some too?"
Kurt nods.
They split a pizza between them, and it's actually... well, fun.
The next day at lunch, Kurt goes to the choir room, because he likes the quiet - and he brings his chicken Caesar salad with him. When Puck enters, Kurt hands him some sheet music. "I'd like to perform this song, but I need some accompaniment. Think you can help me?"
Puck looks it over approvingly. "Only if you eat your salad first."
Kurt smiles at him. "Deal."
-
As always, the rest of my fic can be found right here
Rating: PG-13
Pairing:: Puck/Kurt
Important Note: In this fic, Kurt develops an eating disorder. I know that some people could find this subject triggering, so if you're not comfortable with it, please don't read. I won't be offended, promise.
Summary: I wanted to write angst, and I wanted Puck to be a caring person while still staying in character. And I came up with this.
After Kurt sings "A House is Not a Home" and pours his heart out to the guy he's in love with, he goes to the bathroom and cries. He can't help it - he's suddenly overwhelmed with this incredible grief, because he knows that he and Finn could be so, so happy together... and that's never going to happen. They'll never be together, and they'll never get that happiness. And good god, the realization hurts, even though he knew it all along.
And look, he's Kurt Hummel. He's had his share of heartache but he doesn't let it bring him down. Not really. Not so other people can know and use it against him. But it's still there and it hurts, and it hurts to see Finn. But he still sees Finn everywhere, and wow, he really wishes he could avoid it. He skips lunch sometimes, because that's one time he can avoid seeing Finn. It also means he can avoid eating, so that's good too.
He goes to the choir room instead, to tinker on the piano a little, and Puck's there, strumming on his guitar. They start out not saying anything to each other. They acknowledge each other - meet each others eyes - but that's it. Puck plays his guitar, Kurt plays the piano, and it's nice, and peaceful. Kurt doesn't spend that much time wondering why Puck's in there too. If he asked, it might disturb the peace. And he really likes the peace.
After one such afternoon they're at Glee practice, learning a dance, and Kurt falls. Mercedes and Brittany rush over to him to help him up, and Mercedes looks extremely concerned. "What's wrong?" she asks him, looking him over, closely. "Are you okay, baby?"
He just nods and waves off her concern. He knows that it could have something to do with not eating lunch. And only having an apple for breakfast. And usually only having a salad for dinner. But he doesn't really care. He's lost a few pounds and he likes that.
The next day, during lunch, Puck tosses him a granola bar. Kurt looks at it, and then looks at him, raising his eyebrows. He then places the granola bar in his bag, because honestly, he's not hungry. Or maybe he is, but the idea of losing weight seems so much useful than eating. "Skipping meals?" Puck mutters, not looking at him. "C'mon, you're better than that."
(At practice that afternoon, Kurt stumbles through dance steps that aren't very hard, and he can practically feel Puck's eyes on him.)
Thing about Kurt is that he's petite, and people think he's this delicate little flower or something, but he's not. He understands the simple fact that most people aren't worth his time, and he doesn't care. They can do whatever they want to him, and he'll just brush himself off and move on. He can take care of himself.
It's lunch time, and he rests his head against the piano for a few minutes, because he's tired. Puck's not there yet, which is good. He's almost asleep in an admittedly pretty awkward position, when he hears a thud and looks up. It's a salad with chicken in it. He glances over at Puck, who's pulling out his guitar. "Thanks, but this is unnecessary," he says.
Puck sighs. "Dude, I really don't wanna have to talk about feelings with you. Just eat the damn food, okay?"
Kurt gets that Puck is trying to be nice. And he gets that it must have been a really ridiculous amount of effort for him. So he takes a few bites of lettuce. And that's it.
The next day is Saturday, and the next Glee rehearsal isn't until Tuesday. And Kurt falls again. And he gets a lot of concerned looks this time, because the first time wasn't that long ago. And Kurt does feel a little dizzy, and he knows it's from not eating, but he's lost 7 pounds. And that is absolutely fantastic.
He knows that Puck will probably say something during Lunch the next day, but he doesn't care. He likes his routine, and he's not going to change it. He is surprised, though, when Puck puts a hamburger and fries in front of him and says, "If you don't eat every damn bite of that, I'm telling Mercedes."
Kurt looks at the food, and then at Puck. "Why does it matter to you?"
Puck sighs. "C'mon, dude. You're acting like one of those stupid girl Cheerios with no self esteem, who have eating disorders because they hate themselves. You deserve better than that."
Kurt rests his head on the piano. "Stop it. I know that caring must be a terrible stress on your system, and I'd hate for you to suffer because of me. Go worry about something that matters."
"God dammit!" Kurt's eyes fly open at Puck's shout, and grow even wider when he continues, "What the fuck, Hummel? What the hell am I supposed to do here? I'm not... I'm not a fucking heartless bastard, okay? Just... stop this. It's fucked, you know that."
Kurt sighs. "While I appreciate your concern, I really have to insist that it's unnecessary. Mostly because caring about me isn't something you should be doing, and secondly, because /I'm fine./ I can take care of myself."
"Fine!" Puck says, grabbing the hamburger and throwing it in the trash. "You do that." He storms out of the room and slams the door behind him.
After that, Kurt still goes to the choir room during lunch, but Puck stops showing up. Things go back to they way they were before - they're pretty much strangers who happen to sing in the same glee club. Except that he can feel Puck's eyes on him sometimes, and it does make him feel bad. Puck didn't do anything wrong, and maybe Kurt's being unnecessarily bitchy. He doesn't apologize, though. And he doesn't change. When he loses ten pounds, Coach Sylvester says she's proud of him, and that's the kind of thing that you cherish. You never forget a thing like that.
He should have known better. He should have assumed that eventually, things would come crashing down. Or that he would come crashing down, to be more specific.
It's just that the damn dance involved spinning. And who wouldn't get dizzy doing that? He's dancing with Tina, and they've been at this for half an hour, when he feels light headed. She puts a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asks him, looking at him with concerned.
He just nods, and they continue.
Half an hour later, he faints.
When he comes to, the school nurse is there with smelling salts, and everyone is crowded around him. Mercedes is crying, which is completely ridiculous. "I'm fine," he says, trying to sit up.
Mr Schuester wraps an arm around his shoulders and helps him sit up. "No you're not," he says, gently. "You fainted. You were out for a few minutes there, Kurt."
"Oh," he replies, quietly. "I'm sorry."
Mr Schu looks around at everyone. "Practice is over for today, guys. Great job." Most of the Glee Club members leave, assured that Kurt is alright. They know, after all, that an awkward conversation is going to ensue, and don't really want to stick around for it. Only Mr Schu, Mercedes, and Quinn remain.
"I'm sorry for worrying you," Kurt says, quietly.
"It's a good thing Puck caught you," Quinn replies. "You could have hit your head."
"He did?" Kurt asks, genuinely surprised. And though he has a nice, wholesome chat about making sure he eats enough with Mercedes, Quinn, and Mr Schu, that's all he can think about the entire time.
When he goes to his locker, Puck is standing nearby. Kurt wonders how long he's been there, and walks over to him. "Thank you," he says, quietly.
"For what?" Puck replies, looking straight ahead and not at him.
"Catching me... caring."
Puck nods. "Why'd you do it?"
Kurt shrugs. "I honestly didn't think anyone would notice. I certainly didn't expect you to care."
Puck sighs and looks at him, finally. "Neither did I. Meant what I said, though. You are too good for that shit."
"Can I..." He pauses, considering, and then continues, "Can I take you out for some gourmet pizza? There's a place by my house that's very good, and I'd like to properly thank you."
Puck eyes him. "You'll eat some too?"
Kurt nods.
They split a pizza between them, and it's actually... well, fun.
The next day at lunch, Kurt goes to the choir room, because he likes the quiet - and he brings his chicken Caesar salad with him. When Puck enters, Kurt hands him some sheet music. "I'd like to perform this song, but I need some accompaniment. Think you can help me?"
Puck looks it over approvingly. "Only if you eat your salad first."
Kurt smiles at him. "Deal."
-
As always, the rest of my fic can be found right here