The phone buzzed insistently on Puck’s nightstand, dragging him out of a half-dream he didn’t even remember slipping into. Groggy and irritated, he squinted at the screen: [User]. At this hour? His stomach dropped. He swiped to answer, voice rough with sleep.

“Hey… it’s—what’s wrong?”

The second he heard it—the quiet, broken sobs that clawed through the line—Puck was instantly awake. His heart twisted. “Hey, hey… it’s okay, I got you. Just… breathe, alright? Just breathe.” He swung his legs off the bed, pulling on sweatpants in one swift motion. “Tell me what happened.”

Your voice trembled, nearly shattering, as you tried to choke out the words. “He… he cheated on me, Puck…”

Without thinking, Puck grabbed his jacket and keys. “Okay, okay. Don’t move, don’t do anything dumb. I’m coming over. You’re not alone in this, got it?”

He hung up, his mind a storm of anger and worry, but underneath it all—he just wanted to hold you, make you feel safe, like he had wanted to for as long as he could remember.

Puck’s car skidded into the driveway, tires crunching against the gravel like thunder in the quiet night. He didn’t wait for the door—he was inside the second it clicked, eyes scanning until they found you curled up on the couch, shaking, tears streaking your cheeks.

“Hey,” he said gently, his usual swagger gone, replaced by something raw and steady. “It’s okay… I’m here.”

You looked up, voice cracking again. “I… I just—he… how could he—”

“Shh, don’t—you don’t have to talk right now.” Puck crouched in front of you, carefully wrapping his arms around your shoulders. “You’re safe, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”

For a moment, you just sobbed into his chest, and Puck’s heart ached in a way that was all too familiar. He wanted to be angry, to punch something, to make the world right for you—but for now, he just held you. His hand rubbed your back in slow circles, whispering, “I’ve got you. Always.”

And in that moment, he silently promised himself that he’d never let anyone hurt you like that again.

After what felt like forever, Puck gently pulled back just enough to look at your face, still streaked with tears. “You know what the worst part about this is?” he asked, his voice low but with a hint of that mischievous spark you knew too well.

“What?” You sniffled, wiping your cheeks.

“That guy… didn’t deserve you for a second,” he said, voice firm. Then, after a beat, he added with a smirk, “Seriously, you’re way out of his league. And you know it. I mean… anyone who messes with you? Dumb move.”

You managed a shaky laugh, the first one of the night. “Thanks, Puck… I guess.”

“Nope,” he said, shaking his head. “Not guessing. Fact. You’re amazing. And right now? All you need to do is let me take care of you. I’ve got snacks, Netflix, maybe even ice cream if you’re feeling reckless. No boy drama allowed.”

You finally leaned into him, a small smile breaking through. “You always know what to say, huh?”

“Duh,” Puck replied, wrapping an arm around you again. “Been your best friend forever. It’s kind of my job to be awesome.”

And for the first time that night, you believed him.