Surely…you all knew this was going to happen.

…Me writing a fanfic based on spoilers, anyway. So, this is what I think will happen in the episode Bash. This fanfic will have more depth than the actual episode might have (Finn is in this as a ghost, so is Kurt's mom). And there will be songs in this fic, but I'm not going to write the lyrics out for fear of this fic getting deleted.

Trigger Warnings: Assault, gay bashing, homophobic slurs, losing the will to live, and attempted murder.

Also- there's gonna be some very minor Artie bashing in one or two chapters, btw.

January 2014

During the summer of 2013, New York had what Kurt Hummel called a "gay war" or "war against gays". At least thirty gay men were attacked, and one died. Things mellowed out during the fall, but after New Years' it started up again. Just after the crowd slowly began to thin after the ball drop on New Years' Eve, Russell Thomas was attacked by two thugs and left for dead. He was rushed to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. He's alive, of course, however, the attack left him in a coma. Kurt goes to- well, went to- NYADA with Russ. They had a couple of classes together and had small-talk sometimes.

When attacks on gays happens, the gay community comes together to set up a memorial wishing the victim well and showing their support. A few of Russ' friends set up a memorial for him in front of the clothing store where he was attacked. They gave everyone single, glass, flower-shaped candles to set at the site.

Kurt, Blaine, Rachel, and Sam (who were there for moral support) slowly and sadly walked towards the memorial holding their candles. They started singing "No One Is Alone" from Into The Woods. Everyone listened and tears were shed. The four friends put their candles down and looked on sadly.

"Hang in there, Russ." Kurt whispered.

XXX

After that, Kurt decided to take some self-defense classes just in case. Blaine also taught him a little boxing. Kurt couldn't help but to think he somehow could have stopped it.

"We were there, Blaine." Kurt lamented while chewing on brownies. "We were at the Ball Drop in Times Square. We could have seen him and we could have-"

"You know, I bet you could make Prop 8 your fault." Blaine teased his fiancé lightly. He sat next to him on the couch and sobered up. "Kurt, you couldn't have known that was going to happen."

"Still. I wish I could do something about this…" Kurt shook his head slowly and sighed.

Blaine took his hand and squeezed it. "You can't save everyone, baby."

"I know." Kurt said begrudgingly.

XXX

About a week later, Kurt and Rachel sat at a table at Robertos. Rachel still lived with Elliot, so, she and Kurt haven't spent a lot of time together like they used to. They went out to lunch or dinner when they could.

"You sure I can't get you to change your mind?"

Kurt told Rachel that he will be pursuing his career in fashion, since Broadway really isn't working out.

"No. They say don't chase dreams made for somebody else." Kurt shrugged. "I'll probably still sing on the side, but…let's face it: I'm never going to make it on Broadway."

"I think you're giving up too easily." Rachel argued.

"Uh, didn't you break off your friendship with Santana because she followed the same dream you did?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"That was different, okay? They'll never hire a man to play a woman's role. Not even an understudy role." Rachel insisted.

Kurt scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Rachel, it's lonely at the top, you know that. Maybe I'll design costumes or something. That way I'll still have some connection to Broadway."

Rachel blew her bangs out of her face. "Okaaay. I guess that's better than nothing."

"Not that I need your permission for anything."

"I didn't say that!" Rachel exclaimed.

"Okaaaay." Kurt said, slightly mocking her. They laughed. After paying, they walked outside. Kurt hailed a cab and held the door open for Rachel.

"Why thank you, Kurt." Rachel got in. "See you tomorrow!"

"See ya." Kurt shut the door and waved. Rachel was going to do a little window shopping. Kurt sighed and started heading towards the subway a few blocks from Roberto's. The neighborhood was relatively quiet. Kurt stopped when he heard a scream.

"Hey, faggot!" He heard a deep voice mock.

Without thinking, Kurt ran into the alley where two thugs were gripping a kid slightly younger than Kurt. They punched and kicked him.

"HEY!" Kurt yelled. He ran and shoved one of the thugs to the ground. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

The kid took one look at Kurt, shrugged out of his captor's grasp and sprinted out of the alley. Kurt stared after him in shock. 'That's it? Seriously?'

"Well, lookee here. A hero!" One of the thugs laughed a mocking laugh and punched Kurt in the nose. Kurt stumbled and groaned, then punched the thug back. The other thug whacked Kurt over the head with a brick. Kurt groaned as he hit the ground. The first thug got on top of him and his hand closed over his throat. With his other hand, he punched Kurt a couple more times. Kurt dug his fingernails into the man's arm and tried to throw him off, but lost consciousness. Satisfied, the thugs left Kurt for dead and drove off in their truck.

XXX

Blaine was starting to get worried. It is nearing midnight and Kurt still isn't home. What's going on? Where is he? He sighed and called him. "Kurt, I'm getting really worried. Please call me or text me." He leapt up hopefully as the door to the loft opened, but was disappointed to see that it was Rachel. "Where's Kurt?"

Rachel was confused and slightly concerned. "He was on his way home when I last saw him."

"Which was when?"

"At around seven." Rachel replied. "You haven't heard from him?"

"No." Just then, his phone rang. Blaine picked it up and Rachel walked over to him. "Hello?"

"Is this Blaine Anderson?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Anderson, this is Dr. Knull. Your fiancé was found unconscious in an alley about an hour ago. We're treating him at St. Gabriel's in the ICU wing."

Blaine went completely numb. His mouth dropped open and he let his phone clatter to the floor. He sank into the couch breathing heavily and trying not to burst into hysterics. "No…"

Rachel dropped next to Blaine, worried now. "Blaine? What is it? What's wrong?"

Blaine swallowed and sniffed. "It's Kurt…he's in the hospital. He's been attacked."

Rachel let out a choked gasp and her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my God…" She walked up and ran into the boys' room. "Sam! Wake up!"

Blaine sat on the couch shaking. Memories of his own Sadie Hawkins bashing came flashing back in his mind. "Oh dear God, this cannot be happening again!"