Puck avoided his gaze and flushed out of embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I really am.”
Big Al’s eyes softened and his voice came out a little more softly, “So am I, Puck. I can’t have you working here anymore. This isn’t the first time you’ve yelled at a customer, I just can’t let it happen anymore. I’m sorry, but you’re fired.”
Puck opened her mouth to argue, but shut it with out saying a word. She took in a deep breath, stood straight and pushed her shoulders back, she would not beg Big Al for her job, she had more pride than that.
Puck nodded once and said, “I understand.” She walked out of there her head held high, appearing as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She let the door swing shut behind her, silently seething. That stupid old lady and her spiced rum! She was just wondering if it would be petty to hunt the old bat down and manually show her where the bottle should go, but realized that the community might look down on that sort of action. Plus it may be illegal to do that to another person…
She was thinking all of these dark thoughts, allowing the anger to cover the small twinge of despair she was feeling, when she ran smack into Potter.
He put his hands out to steady her, an easy smile on his lips. “Hey, get your head out of the clouds! What are you doing? Playing hooky? Can I join you?”
Puck looked up at his smiling face and just couldn’t tell him that she’d lost her job. What was she going to do? Sure, she still had the job at the diner, but that was only part time. She put on a brave smile for Potter and stepped out of his arms.
“I don’t really have anything planned, just a boring day really.”
“Boring? Really, I find that hard to believe, Puck.”
Puck glared up at him, when had Potter become some sort of Puck expert, she had boring days! Puck recognized that she was probably just transferring her anger and worries onto Potter, but couldn’t help making a snide remark. “Why is that Potter? Is it because you think I’m crazy? That I don’t deserve a nice day of rest and relaxation? Tell me Potter, because I’m dying to hear why it is that you think that I can’t have an uneventful day and just enjoy some peace and quiet.”
Potter took a quick step backwards. He had been starting to rethink the whole ‘Puck is scary like a seagull’ thing, in fact he had been sure that now that he really knew Puck that she couldn’t scare him anymore. Boy was he wrong. Right now Puck was about a gazillion on the scary scale. If there had been a seagull for him to face instead, he would have gladly faced it right now. Everything Puck had just said right now was a trap, anything he said would just make himself an even bigger target.
Slightly disgusted with himself, that he was still scared of Puck even though he knew that she wasn’t always as tough as she seemed, Potter ran away. Literally turned around and ran with out saying a word.
Puck watched him run, bewildered. Okay, so she hadn’t exactly been polite, but she hadn’t pulled out a knife and tried to stab him! Why was he running from her? He hadn’t said a single thing, he just got that old deer in the headlights look and after a moment of panic had turned around and ran the heck out of dodge. Potter was a very weird man.
Puck stared after Potter as he ran, he almost knocked a mother holding a baby down, but steadied her the last minute before he continued his mad dash. Normally Puck would be laughing at Potter, but she didn’t much feel like it. Even though Potter had been annoying her with his smug assurance that he knew her better than she did, Puck realized that she wanted her friend back.
Potter stopped to get his breath back, one hand leaning on a brick building for support as he gasped in air. What the heck was he doing? He realized that he was acting like a coward, and a crazy one at that. Puck was his friend, she was the same girl who hummed when she was happy, who smiled up at him so prettily, whose kisses sent him to heaven, who hid her pain from the world, she wasn’t a threat to him, she had a tattoo of a penguin on her butt for goodness sake! She wasn’t a psychotic murderer, WHY had he run?
As he was thinking that he saw Puck running after him and all logical thought fled. Holy crap! She was chasing after him! Potter took one last panicked breath and then resumed running. With each running step he took he mentally chastised himself for being a fool, but nothing on this planet could compel him to stop running.
Why the heck was he still running? Puck picked up her pace, she could run pretty darned fast (she’d gotten her practice from running from her brothers) and was gaining on Potter quickly. Potter glanced back at her, his eyes widening in fear, and changed directions, heading for the park.
Puck followed his turn, gaining on him even more until she was just a step behind him. Not giving much thought to what she would do when she caught the spaz, Puck lunged for his feet, rapping her arms around his legs in a tackle. Out of instinct, when they were both in the air she turned so that when they hit the ground she’d take the blunt of the impact.
They landed with an oof, Potter on top of Puck. Puck had momentarily lost her breath and so just stared up at Potter, who was looking even more panicky than before-if that was even possible.
Potter had been surprised when Puck tackled him, which he really shouldn’t have been. It was just that Puck was so much smaller than him; he honestly hadn’t thought she could tackle him. He stared down at her in honest to god panic, the type of panic Potter imagined people felt right before they died. Slowly though, his senses started to filter some odd facts that led him to believe that maybe, just maybe Potter wouldn’t die today.
First of all was the fact that it was Puck who was beneath him, a breathless, bewildered Puck, who was just staring up at him with her pretty blue eyes. Second was the fact that her labored breathing was pushing her breasts against his chest, which pushed all remnants of fear from his mind. Lastly, was the knowledge that he was an ass, Puck wouldn’t actually kill anyone. It was just that when her eyes had narrowed in anger and she’d shot those questions at him, he’d panicked and running away had seemed the best solution.
Potter felt himself blush as he stared into her eyes. She must think he was crazy for running like that. His breath was still labored from the run, and his limbs just didn’t have the strength to move, so he continued to gaze down into her beautiful face, knowing that he was probably crushing her with his body weight, but lacking the energy to move.
Puck couldn’t take her eyes off of Potter, his eyes had slowly regained their normal sparkle, and now they held warmth for her. She was painfully aware of their position, her arms were wrapped around him, their legs entwined, and his face was so close that she could feel his warm breath on her face. If she was smart she would push him off of her, if she was wise she’d walk away from Potter right now.
“Are you sure you’re not a witch doctor?” Puck asked softly as she stared up at his dear face. He had a tiny little scar near his hairline that she’d never noticed before; she wondered how he’d gotten it. She moved one hand to frame his face and wondered when he had become so dear to her. Sure he was a great friend, but right now all she could think of was how endearingly retarded he was and that Potter was hers. Puck didn’t quite know what to do with these possessive feelings; she didn’t want a relationship, did she?
Potter smiled slightly at her question and dropped his gaze to her lips. What spell had she put on him? What was so special about Puck that drew him to her like a moth to flames? He felt her breath on his cheek, coming out in shallow breaths, saw her tongue dart out to moisten her lips, and was entranced. Why was he so drawn to Puck?
Because there was no one else like her. She was beautiful, kind, dang sexy, and she was his. Her body felt like home, a very erotic home, but still there was a comfort that he felt when close to her that made him feel safe. It was ironic, considering that moments before he’d been running from her like a mad man, but it dawned on Potter that all this time he should have been running towards Puck.
Sure, he was attracted to her, he’d stopped denying that a long time ago, and she was his friend, but for
the first time Potter realized that Puck could be something more. For once, Potter wasn’t scared by that thought, he embraced it just as he was embracing her now, pulling her even closer and cradling her head. Sure Puck had her moments when she was scary, and she was stubborn, and had no regard for her safety, and would probably cause his early death, but Potter loved her, respected her, and didn’t want to let her go.
He kissed her lightly on the lips, giving her time to object if she needed to. He was rewarded by a little sound of pleasure and was pulled even tighter to Puck. She was doing her best to merge their bodies into one, clothes and all, which would have been a scientific wonder if she had succeeded. Potter let all logical thought float away as he trailed little kisses down her throat. Maybe she didn’t love him right now, but he would make her love him.
“NO PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION!” boomed a loud voice above them. Potter tried to break the kiss and respond to the officer, but Puck pulled him back, wrapping a leg around his waist and biting his lower lip. It wasn’t very hard to distract Potter again and soon he was lost in her kiss again.
Puck whimpered as Potter was lifted off of her, she missed his warmth, his heart beating next to hers, his shallow breath on her skin, his kisses that had just been trailing down to her shoulder, his warm hand that had made it under her shirt…SHE WANTED HIS KISS! Puck sat up on one elbow and glared at the officer who was holding Potter by the scruff of his neck. How dare he pull them apart? Puck narrowed her eyes and wondered if she could telepathically blow up their intruder.
Potter, who was still lost in a haze of passion, stared down at Puck and thought that he had never seen anyone more beautiful than Puck right now. Her hair was messed up and fanning around her, her eyes, which were shooting darts at the officer, were still filled with passion. Her lips were well kissed and slightly swollen, a small bite mark on her neck was getting redder as time went by, and her breasts were almost spilling out of her shirt. She was a sex goddess, her entire body begging him to take her right now, and Potter found it impossible to concentrate as he imagined just what it would feel like to be inside of Puck, to truly claim her as his own.
Potter felt his thoughts clear as he was shaken by the cop. He closed his eyes and tried to regulate his breathing. Slowly the cop’s words started to penetrate his cloudy brain, making Potter sober up completely as he thought of what he’d almost done. Holy cow! He’d almost had sex with Puck in front of an officer at a public park! What had he been thinking?
Puck must have started to come to her senses too, because she sat up, adjusted her clothes so no skin was showing, and developed a very becoming blush that stained her face and chest. She stood up and faced the cop bravely, his little warrior ready to do battle.
Potter smiled down at her, received one last shake from the gigantic officer and then went to Puck’s side as soon as he was free. He put his arm around her and pulled her close, his hand resting right where Mr. Penguin waited. He smiled as Puck snuggled up to him, and then faced the officer.
“I’m sorry, sir, it won’t happen again.”
“It better not! Do you realize that little children play here? You’re lucky I’m not taking you both to jail for indecent exposure! Now get out of my sight and for god’s sake use a condom if you’re going to fornicate!”
Potter and Puck held their laughter in until they were well out of earshot of the cop. “Fornicate?!” they cried together, bursting into laughter. They laughed until neither one of them could breath, but then slowly they sobered and stared into each other’s eyes.
“I really should be going home,” Puck said softly.
“Go on a date with me.”
“What?” Puck asked astonished.
Potter grabbed her hand, his warm fingers entwining with her own, and pulled her closer to him. “Go …on… a… date… with …me,” he repeated softly, kissing her lightly after each word. He felt Puck melt against him, and smiled triumphantly.
“I…can’t,” Puck said a little breathlessly.
Potter frowned down at Puck, trying to figure her out. How could she deny that there was something special happening between them? Then, like a light going on inside his brain, a very annoying abrasive light, Potter remembered that Puck was already taken. Puck was with Tony, how could Potter have forgotten that? Potter did his best to ignore the jealousy spiraling through his soul; if Puck really loved Tony then she wouldn’t have kissed him like that.
“Why not?” Potter demanded, his eyes loosing some of the sparkle. Instead, he looked guarded as if he was dreading the answer.
Puck closed her eyes, scrambling for a reason that Potter would accept, but her mind was a complete and utter blank. Why wasn’t she accepting his invitation? He was hot, he knew how to kiss, he smelled great, she was frankly addicted to touching him, and he was the sweetest spaz she had ever met…why wasn’t she dating him?
Puck opened her eyes, stared up into his for a long moment, and in a sudden burst of energy, Puck launched herself into his arms, kissing his neck and purring when his shocked arms cradled her against him. She looked up into his face, enjoying the lopsided grin on his face-knowing that she had put it there.
“That’s my grin, just so you know, buster.”
“What?” asked a bemused Potter.
“Poor dear, you’re a little slow witted,” Puck said happily, “That is my smile that you have because I put it there.” She rested her head against his chest and put her hand on his heart. ‘And that’s my heart,’ she secretly thought.
“Does…this mean that you will go on a date with me?”
“Only if you ask me properly, I don’t respond well to demands.”
Potter smiled his grin lighting up his face as he hugged Puck to his chest. “Ms. Puck Berri, I would like to request the presence of you and Mr. Penguin on a date.”
Puck smiled happily, her mind and body completely satisfied with her decision to go on the date. She traced a tiny heart on his chest with her finger lightly as she mumbled, “Well I guess…” against his chest.
Potter let out a whoop of joy, picked her up and swung her around. He had a date with the crazy Puck Berri and her companion, Mr. Penguin. Potter had never felt such joy before, not even when they had been having their serious make out session in the park. This wasn’t about sex, this was about love. Potter stopped spinning, slightly dizzy, and kissed her soundly on the lips.
Puck allowed Potter to walk her home; she couldn’t help but smile at how cocky he was acting. He was like a peacock fanning his feathers trying to impress his mate. He even had a swagger to his steps! Puck had to admit that he looked cute like that. It was nice to think that Potter wanted to impress her.
Even during their happy times, Kyle had never really tried to impress her. ‘He never made me want to make love with him out in the open either…’ Puck thought, blushing at the memory. She still couldn’t believe the powerful physical pull that she felt towards Potter. It wasn’t like they had been having a romantic moment back at the park. One moment she had been chasing after him, thinking that he was a complete spaz, the next they were in make out heaven.
Puck peeked through the peep hole, watching Potter walk away. Was he really doing a victory dance? Puck blushed again and turned away from the door. She saw Perri leaving the bathroom, and tried to act nonchalant. She tucked a hair behind her ear and tried to suppress the smile that just wouldn’t leave her lips. Everything with Potter was just too new; she didn’t want Perri or anyone else to know about their date.
Even though she was insanely happy right now, she also knew from experience that good things end. That unexpected obstacles always pop up in life, and that the future was entirely unpredictable. She tried to silence the cautioning voice in her head; she really did not want to hear the voice of reason right now. She knew that Potter could wind up hurting her, but it wouldn’t be on purpose. They would have their date, and they would have happiness as long as it lasted for them.
“Is that a hickey on your ne
ck?!” Perri asked in surprise. Puck put a self-conscious hand over her neck and tried to be as convincing as possible when she said no.
“That IS a hickey! Who kissed you? Was it Potter? Are you guys dating?”
Puck ignored her quick fire questions and pushed her way into her room. Nosey sisters could really be annoying. Perri waltzed into Puck’s room and stood with one hand on her hip, waiting for an answer. Puck glared at her sister, hoping that she’d take the hint and leave, but stubbornness was a family trait. Puck sighed, realizing that Perri wasn’t going to go anywhere until she’d had her answer.
“I am twenty two years old! I am almost 23! I am old enough to have a hickey, so don’t go giving me some stupid lecture!”
“But WHO gave you a hickey?”
“It’s not important! Why don’t YOU tell me what you’ve been doing lately? I know you’re hiding something! I’m not stupid! You’ve been acting weird for almost a month now, you’re never home, and you’ve been sneaking out at night!”
Puck hadn’t actually had any proof that Perri was sneaking out, she just threw it in there to try to fish for information. In her experience, secrets and sneaking out usually went hand in hand. She watched as Perri’s eyes widened and shock filled her face.
Oh. Puck tried to decide if she wanted to continue this conversation. She had been so happy not knowing what Perri was up to. She smothered a resigned sigh and waited for Perri’s reply, knowing that she would not like anything that she was about to hear.
“How did you know? I was so careful!” The words seemed to burst out of her mouth before she could think it through carefully, because her next words were a lot less revealing. “It’s not like it’s a big deal, you snuck out all the time when you were younger, and it’s not like I’m a little kid. If I ‘snuck out’ it was only because I didn’t want to wake you up.”
“Oh yeah, right! You were just being considerate, that’s bull and you know it! You snuck out because you didn’t want me to know what you were up to. You were right, you are an adult, so from now on you can act like one. You work part time at Salty’s so I think that you can afford to start paying rent. I’m tired of being the responsible one, so from now on we’ll share expenses. That way you can sneak out and do whatever the hey you want. Just listen to a little advice, limit yourself to one alcoholic drink, don’t try drugs, and don’t do anything illegal.”
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