This is my very first Fan Fic so please don't go to hard on me :)
Basically it's just a story I have been thinking about for ages and finally decided to write it all down. It focuses heavily on Klaine romantic relationship as well as focusing on the whole bullying arc and the Karofsky aspect. I got sick of reading fics about how Karofsky was some psychopath that beats up Kurt all the time and wanted something different so this is how I think the relationship should go. It's strays very far from Glee canon and is only canon up until the Silly Love Songs episode, which only vaguely mentioned. Anyway I'm done rambling enjoy :)
Chapter One: Time
Two months. It had been two months Kurt realized, and he still had done absolutely nothing within his power to make some sort of advancement on his currently platonic relationship with Blaine. Sure, he had basically told Blaine how he felt about him just before Valentines Day, but like some silent agreement the two were still remaining just friends. Sighing deeply Kurt slumped against the wall at one of his favorite stores, waiting for Mercedes to retreat from the change rooms.
"How do I look?" Mercedes said tearing Kurt from his reverie.
Of course she looked fabulous in a emerald green chiffon dress which she had picked for McKinley's upcoming Spring Formal, but Kurt could only nod apathetically.
"Kurt what is with you? You have been mopey all day!"
"Nothing it's just—" Kurt cut himself off what he going to say? The boy I really like doesn't reciprocate my feelings.
Mercedes was shooting him her best diva look, that clearly read you better tell me what is going on or I may cut you.
"I'm just a little hungry, you look great! I'll meet you at the food court," Kurt answered lamely before quickly exiting the store.
Lost in thoughts of Blaine he had almost made it to the escalators when a pair of hands stopped him. Spinning around Kurt felt the fear rise in his chest like fire on oil. Holding gingerly onto his arm standing before him was Dave Karofsky.
"Hey Kurt, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"I don't want you anywhere near me!" Kurt spat, snatching his arm back.
Karofsky let go and stood back a bit.
"I just want you to hear me out."
"Just leave me alone!"
Filled with fear Kurt ran off heading back towards the store where Mercedes still resided, desperate to escape. When he reached the shop she was no where to be seen.
"Great," Kurt mumbled under his breath quickly dashing outside of the store again.
Karofsky hadn't moved from where Kurt had left him, unknown emotions playing across his face. People kept passing by him sometimes crashing into him but the boy didn't move.
Suppressing the fear that was beginning to consume him, Kurt drew in a large breath and stood directly in front of the boy. Every feeling that Kurt had was telling him to get as far away possible from this boy but curiosity got the better of him.
"For the love of Dior," Kurt snapped at him hoping he sounded a lot more confident then he felt. "What did you want to say?"
"It doesn't matter Kurt you aren't obviously ready to forgive me—"
"Have you told everyone the truth?"
"No."
"Then until you do, I won't forgive you." Kurt answered simply.
"It's not as easy as you think!" Karofsky snapped his usual angry facade returning, making Kurt take an automatic step back. Kurt could see the hurt and guilt in the boys eyes but he didn't care, he wasn't about to risk being punched or worse kissed again.
"Yes, Dave because I am completely straight and everybody thinks that!"
"Everyone always knew you were…" he let the words trail off as he looked around him to see if anyone was listening in.
"Gay?" Kurt supplied insipidly, ready to make a fast exit.
Kurt analyzed his surroundings deciding which routes would be safest and quickest the moment this conversation turned south.
Karofsky nodded fear flickering across his face. It was evident to Kurt that the boy was definitely scared, he remembered that feeling all to well especially since the fear itself was standing before him.
"Look, I just want want a chance to talk to you. Sort everything out."
Kurt drew in a breath and swallowed some of the anger and fear, maintaining his mask as the boy in front of him judged his every emotion.
"Fine," Kurt said icily.
"Great," hope replaced the guilt in Karofsky's eyes. "I was thinking maybe we could go somewhere private and talk."
"After last time? I don't think so."
Looking away from the intense green stare Karofsky was giving him, Kurt noticed Mercedes heading towards them. Impetuously he quickly tried to wrap up their short lived moment of truce.
"Look Karofsky, it's nice you have had a revelation but I just don't feel all that—"
"Hey Kurt—what the hell is he doing here?" Mercedes bellowed turning on Karofsky
Startled by her sudden appearance and probably a lot due to fact that she may have overheard, Karofsky's angry alter ego immediately fell back into place.
"Don't push me woman!"
"Woman? Just who the hell do you think you are talking to white boy?" Mercedes snapped stepping forward, her pose probably a bit too diva to actually seem threatening.
Kurt, sensing how badly this conversation could escalate, held her back and turned to Dave.
"Mercedes it's fine," he quickly assured her, before turning on his bully. "And Dave, really? This is how you want my forgiveness? By yelling at my friend?"
"She started it!"
"I don't care! If you want my trust and respect as well as forgiveness you best start acting like a decent human being." Kurt pulled Mercedes arm towards him retreating for the exit he had decided before would be the safest.
"Kurt wait, I'm sorry!"
Kurt paused snapping his head back. The simple words replaying in his mind as though they were on repeat. The words he would never imagined to have come from Karofsky's mouth ever, let alone directed at him.
People hurried by him all desperate to get to where they were headed, all of them seemed so irrelevant now. Karofsky had just apologised. Sure he had a long way to go before Kurt could even fathom the thought of forgiveness, but it was a start. Letting go of Mercedes, whose eyes were practically bugging out of her head, Kurt stepped a few feet forward.
"I know it must be hard for you," Kurt's voice was barely a whisper, but he knew Dave could hear his every word. "I am willing to let you explain yourself, I think you owe me that at the very least. However not here. Not now. I will contact you and when I do I expect you to show up, and you have a snow ball's chance in hell that it will be in private."
With that Kurt walked back towards Mercedes, taking her arm again and walked off his head held high.
…
"So what did Mercedes say?" Kurt was sitting on the lounge back at Dalton in one of the common rooms that usually held chess club meetings, or something to that effect Kurt never really cared that much to look into it. Blaine was seated next to him casually strumming his guitar quietly.
"Not much, but I am pretty sure she has caught on to the fact that there may be a little more to Dave Karofsky then meets the eye."
"Huh, you don't think she will out him do you?" Blaine asked, obvious concern in his eyes.
"Oh God no, she isn't like that she understands that something as big as that is something Karofsky has to do in his own time."
Blaine gave up on the pointless melody and pulled the guitar from his lap and nestled it against he wall. He shuffled in a little closer sending the other boys heart racing.
"Do you know when you are going to meet him?"
"I'm not sure," Kurt answered truthfully letting his head rest against the wall.
"Hey, I'm sure everything will work out fine," Blaine assured him placing a warm hand over his knee. Kurt ignored the butterflies that were attacking his stomach repeating his usual mantra in his head, we're just friends, we're just friends, we're just friends.
"Blaine—" Kurt automatically cut himself off. Blaine wouldn't want to do that, he growled to himself.
"Yes Kurt?" the other boys eyes were curious almost…seductive?
We're just friends.
"Well I was wondering…could you perhaps…" Kurt couldn't finish the sentence, he knew he didn't want to ask it out of fear of rejection.
Look what happened last time, he lectured.
"Kurt, the suspense is killing me," Blaine smiled up at him expectant.
Kurt drew out a long breath and faced his friend.
"I was wondering, and you can say no I will completely understand…but would it be to much of me to ask you to come with me to see him?"
"Oh," for a moment Kurt thought he saw disappointment flicker in his eyes, but he quickly chastised himself again. "Kurt it would be my pleasure. I understand that you don't want to be alone."
"Thanks."
Surprisingly Blaine pulled him into a warm, yet rather tight hug letting Kurt's heart soar. Momentarily he forgot all about his stupid mantra and savoured the moment. Blaine was hugging him! In a possible more then just comfort kind of way. Kurt decided then to give it up and just give into his feelings.
For the rest of the duration of the day, Kurt didn't even mind that he was going to see Karofsky eventually, he was on cloud nine. For the first time in months he allowed his little day dreams of a non platonic relationship with Blaine to return to his mind. The thought of them holding hands in the hallways, hugging, touching, kissing. Kurt knew he was head over heels for Blaine, he couldn't sit back and deny that anymore.
…
The week passed by rather slowly, Kurt doing everything to avoid his future meeting with Karofsky until one afternoon Blaine forced him to get it over an done with. This time they were seated in the library pretending to study, because really it was only Mr. Andrews french class that had given them any homework which could easily be done later.
"Come on Kurt, the guy is probably tearing himself up on the inside over this, you need to contact him."
"Fine!" Really? A simple sentence from Blaine and you're going to text him? Kurt internally groaned at the fact that Blaine had that much power over him.
A few days ago Kurt had tactfully hacked into Finn's contacts before dinner and retrieved the boys number.
"Okay here goes nothing."
Blaine slumped down next to him, hovering inches away from Kurt's face to read the message. Kurt didn't even try to cover the blush that was creeping into his cheeks before typing.
To: Karofsky
Hi Dave, this is Kurt. If you still want to talk, I was thinking tonight at Breadstix at 7 pm.
- Kurt
Kurt hit the send button and anxiously awaited for the reply. Obviously feeling him tense up, Blaine wrapped an arm around his shoulders rubbing soothing motions down his arm.
"Trust me Kurt, it will be fine."
"That's what you said last time," Kurt replied shooting him a playful incredulous stare.
"Well like I said before, I really have no idea what I am doing," Blaine laughed. "I just hope to say the right things and you will feel better."
Kurt laughed at that, but immediately tensed as soon as his phone vibrated in his lap. Blaine held on tighter.
From: Karofsky
Thank you. I would love that. I will see you then :)
"A smiley face? Really?" Kurt said bitterly.
"Well maybe he was trying to lighten the mood? What really can a bully really say to his victim when it's in he form of kindness?"
"True."
Kurt sighed and slipped his phone back into his pocket, ignoring the icy fear that was beginning to creep its way into his chest. As though sensing this Blaine pulled his chin up and forced him to look in his eyes.
"Kurt I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."
Kurt felt the air in his lungs constrict at the closeness of their faces. Kissing distance, Kurt thought absentmindedly.
"Okay…" he finally said in a slow long breath.
"Good," Blaine said with a chuckle suddenly pulling away and returning to his work.
Platonic friendship? Kurt though bitterly. Yeah and Lady Gaga is the worst thing to happen to music.
"Come on, we are going to be late for Warbler practice," Blaine announced suddenly letting go of Kurt and rising to his feet.
Kurt resisted the urge to let out a whimper at the loss of Blaine's touch, but rose from his chair collecting his bearings.
The two boys walked in silence towards the choir room hands inches from the other so that on occasion they would lightly brush against each other. Kurt couldn't help but wonder what Blaine was thinking about and was just about to ask when his words were interrupted by a loud bang.
"Quiet down guys, we have a solo audition we need to address," Wes announced pounding down his gavel.
A few of the Warblers looked up at him expectantly while the rest just continued on chatting amongst themselves. Blaine and Kurt took their usual seats receiving a you're late stare from the council.
"Guys!" Sighing quite audibly everyone turned their heads to face the council. "Okay, now that I have gotten your attention I would like to announce that Kurt will be auditioning today for a solo at regionals."
Kurt grinned brightly before rising from his seat to take his place up the front. A few of the boys looked bored, but mostly curious. Kurt had deliberately chosen this song in the hopes of sending a subliminal message to Blaine, and also to showcase to the Warblers the obvious talent that they were overlooking.
"Okay, well for my audition today I have chosen the song 'Something's Got a Hold on Me', from Steve Antin's fabulous Burlesque," Kurt announced clasping his hands together.
Turning to Wes who simply nodded, Kurt hit play on his iPod that was currently perched upon the councils table. Bellowing out the first few notes before quickly falling into step with the song, he gave it all he had.
Some times I get a good feeling yeah
I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before no, no
and I just gotta to tell you right now that oh
I believe, I really do believe that
Something's got a hold on me yeah (Oh, it must be love)
oh something's got a hold on me right now child (Yeah, it must be love)
Kurt's eyes darted towards Blaine's as he made his way around the room dancing in between the Warblers. Some of the boys, very out of character began swaying and bopping their heads to the melody.
Let me tell you now
I got a feeling, I feel so strange
everything about me seems to have changed
step by step, I got a brand new walk
I even sound sweeter when I talk
I said, Oh (oh), oh (oh), oh (oh), oh (oh)
I said baby, oh it must be love
(You know it must be love)
Let me tell you now
something's got a hold on me, yeah (oh, it must be love)
something's got a hold on me right now child (Oh, it must be love)
Letting the flamboyant nature in him flare Kurt pulled some of the seated boys from their respective seats and forced them to start dancing. Excited by the sudden freedom some of the Warblers began harmonising with him.
Let me tell you now
I never felt like this before
something's got a hold on me that won't let go
believe I'd die if I only could
I sure feel strange but it sure feels good
I said, oh (oh), oh (oh), oh (oh), oh (oh)!
I said baby, oh it must be love (you know it must be love)
By now Kurt almost had the entire room dancing along with him, only a few of the boys remained seated darting unsure glances towards the council. Blaine was amongst them. Noticing his hesitation Kurt grabbed hold of Blaine's hand and pulled him from his chair and the two quickly fell into step dancing with other. Blaine grinned widely back at the taller boy, before spinning Kurt and dipping him receiving a few laughs from their fellow Warblers.
Let me tell you now
my heart feels heavy, my feet feel light
I shake all over, but I feel alright
I never felt like this before
something's got a hold on me that won't let go
I never thought it could happen to me
got me happy without my misery
I never thought it could be this way
love sure gonna' put a hurting on me
I said, Oh (oh), oh (oh), oh (oh), oh (oh)
I said baby, oh it must be love (you know it must be love)
Yeah he walks like love (you know he walks like love)
he talks like love (you know he talks like love)
makes me feel alright (make you feel alright)
in the middle of the night (in the middle of the night)
Finishing the last note, the Warblers broke out into applause all patting each other ceremoniously on the back. Hesitant, Kurt decided to look away from Blaine who still had his arms around him too look back at the council. The looks he was receiving were to say in the least, unexpected. Wes was grinning madly from his chair as David stood up to applaud him with the rest of the Warblers.
"So, I know its a bit unusual to what you guys are used to…" Kurt started. "But I have to ask, did you like it?"
"Like it?" Wes said in a disbelieving tone. "If you can sing that at Regionals, we may actually have a chance of beating Vocal Adrenaline."
The room broke out into a thunderous applause, many of the boys making their way forward to shake hands or pat their hands on Kurt's back in congratulations.
"Well done, I am proud of you," Blaine whispered in his ear too low for anyone else to hear, letting the taller boys heart fill with emotion.
"Thanks," he whispered back watching the emotion flicker in Blaine's eyes.
To say the least Kurt was ecstatic, and not even the dreaded evening with Karofsky could bring down his mood. The rest of Warbler practice past quickly all of them rehearsing their already organised routines, and were finally dismissed when Wes and David couldn't decide on a song for Kurt to sing.
"So are you ready go?" Blaine asked hoisting his bag strap on his shoulder, and walking with Kurt from the choir room.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Kurt answered truthfully.
"The more you play it out in your head the worse you think it will be."
Kurt sighed with a small shrug. He knew Blaine was right, if he kept thinking about Karofsky in a menacing way he would just freak himself out unnecessarily.
The sky was beginning to turn red by the time the boys reached Blaine's car. Blaine had offered to take Kurt to school to save on gas money as he claimed it was pointless on taking two separate cars. This quickly became routine, the two boys taking turns of carpooling each morning. Each time Kurt marvelled at the fact he got to spend so much time alone with Blaine, their conversation and playful banter always coming easy to them.
"So what do you think the council will finally settle on for you to sing?" Blaine asked conversationally as he exited Dalton's car park.
"Well I know what it won't be," Kurt said with a chuckle cocking an eyebrow, receiving a smouldering look in return.
"'Sex bomb'?" Blaine joked.
Kurt sighed laughing lightly at Blaine's bad joke.
"Oh I would pay to see you sing that," Blaine stated.
"I was going to say 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'," Kurt said giggling at the the thought of even suggesting such a song to the council.
"There's that too."
The boys fell into a comfortable silence, giving Kurt time to just simply look at Blaine. He studied his face, his soft warm hazel eyes were concentrating on the road squinting slightly. Kurt noticed that although Blaine had obviously shaved this morning some of his stubble was beginning to show which Kurt shamelessly admit was very sexy. Blaine's hair was practically plastered to his head though, which bothered Kurt he would love nothing more then to run his hands through his soft hair.
"If you're not careful you are going to burn a hole in my face," Blaine said sneaking a quick look at Kurt.
Blushing furiously, Kurt quickly looked away and stared out the windscreen mumbling his apologies.
"Not that I mind…" Blaine said in an almost inaudible whisper that Kurt just heard. He wanted to pull the boy up on it but decided to let it go. If Blaine wanted it to be heard he would have announced it louder, Kurt decided.
"I'm just going to make a quick detour home so I can grab a change of clothes," Blaine said breaking the awkward tension that had begin to rise in the car.
"Here I was thinking that your uniform was your signature look," Kurt joked.
"Ha. Ha."
…
"Come on Kurt we are going to be late, " Blaine called from up the stairs.
Kurt was currently sorting through his closet trying to find a shirt to wear to dinner with Karofsky. He had spent a good half hour trying to pick an outfit to wear, when he had settled on a red cardigan and black skinny jeans but quickly discarded that thought when his knowledge of the colour red flew back into his mind. Red could change the moods of people and was usually either related with anger or sex, wanting Karofsky to not feel either of these emotions Kurt quickly stripped and was now in search for his blue Armani dress shirt that he had bought at sale a few months ago.
"He is going to think you stood him up – oh, sorry!" Blaine now stood at the foot of the staircase in front of a half naked Kurt and embarrassed expression planted upon his face.
"Help me find my blue shirt will you?" Kurt pleaded not even caring that he was now very exposed in front of the boy he was crushing on.
"Ah sure, what its look like?"
"It's just a simple button up–"
"Like this one? Blaine asked holding out the shirt in question before him.
"Yes! Where was it?"
"Sitting on your dresser," Blaine shrugged handing the shirt over.
Kurt quickly dressed himself slipping on a simple black bow tie and navy cardigan over his shirt before retreating back into the bathroom to do a quick check on his hair one more time. Deciding to give it another quick spray and comb, Kurt realised he was stalling. Blaine obviously did too and followed him into the bathroom.
"Come on Kurt, he is waiting."
"I can't do this," Kurt said suddenly feeling the tears well up in his eyes. "I just can't f-face him."
In two steps Blaine had Kurt cradled in his arms letting the boy cry into his shirt. Internally Kurt cringed for allowing himself to get salty tears all over Blaine's shirt.
"Kurt, I know you don't want to do this, I know you're scared and I would love to say lets ring and cancel but I also know you. Tomorrow you are going to wake up and regret never going and hearing what he has to say and then it will probably be too late."
Blaine pried Kurt's face away from his chest forcing him to look into his eyes. With a single motion Blaine wiped away his tears with his thumb and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"Courage," he whispered.
Sniffling Kurt composed himself and pulled way from the boy he so desperately wanted to be with.
"You're right," he said finally. "Let's go."
Kurt made a start to exit the bathroom, but Blaine quickly grabbed his hand pulling him back.
"I am so proud of you you know that." Kurt returned a watery smile, allowing his heart to melt.
Blaine directed him upstairs and out to the car, never letting go of his hand.