On a chilly day in February, a young man of 18 nervously strode along the cobbled ground with a small bag containing all the valuables and necessities he could carry. The breeze blew his chestnut hair into his eyes, frazzling him even more so. His pale skin was covered with goosebumps and the rising wind was nipping his cheeks to a lovely pink. His step-mother and father were walking along either side of the boy, the former attempting to blink back the approaching tears from her eyes, the latter determined to keep up the gruff expression he'd worked so long to perfect. The boy's fairly knew-found step-brother trailed along close behind with a strange expression of nervousness and sadness, but a more overpowering look of excitement.
As they approached the docks, their mixed emotions amplified, leaving all four of their stomaches doing flips for one reason or another. They knew the inevitable goodbyes were approaching swiftly, but as much their parting would hurt, the separation would not last forever. That was a promise Burt and Carol Hummel had made and they intended to keep it. Going all the way across the Atlantic Ocean was not a cost that most could make on a whim, especially not the Hummels. But they were getting there, little-by-little. Burt Hummel was working like a dog day in and day out as it was, running and operating his own specialty garage that tended to the majority of the horse-and-buggies in their small town of Lima. But before it was easier, he had two well capable sons helping him out almost everyday. And though his shop was fairly successful, the money just was not coming in fast enough to supply voyage for four adults. So he had made the decision to send his sons ahead, hoping to God that they would make it on their own for a while. He understood that time was of the essence and this was the safest route for everyone. As long as Kurt was safe, that's all that mattered.
Kurt had not felt safe since his last few years of schooling, being teased and bullied for the way he sounded, the way he looked, the way people assumed he was. Kurt, himself, had never had much of a problem with his voice. It wasn't ideal, but he had to look on the bright side; he could sing. He would spend hours singing around the house, along the trails on his land, humming while helping Burt and Finn with the buggies."Sings like a angel" his mother had said. But Kurt was not dumb, nor was he blind. He would never be caught dead humming a tune outside the safety of is home. He knew what people thought of him before he ever opened his mouth. He hated it. His mother had hated it. His father and step-mother, Carol hated it, but what could they do? They had to leave their ignorance be, and hopefully they would give Kurt and his family the same respect.
But the looks and sniggers were nothing. Not compared to the fear that was Dave Karofsky. Kurt had not seen Dave Karofsky in years up until recently. The boy had a vengeance against Kurt treating him more harshly than any other homophobe before, even leading to death-threats. After that Burt pulled him out of what limited schooling that was available and let him work full-time. But even so, they could not do anything to stop the harassment from its resurgence, prompting his immediate removal to the new land across the sea.
When posters promoting the new colonies in Virginia were hung, Burt had the idea to just start fresh, hoping to escape the torment of the violent ignorance. They purchased two tickets: one for Kurt and one for Finn. There was no way Burt was letting Kurt go alone, and Finn wanted to see more of the world than the small, rustic village of Lima. Not to mention devastation over his most recent breakup with Rachel. Or Quinn? Who knew, at this point. So Kurt and Finn would travel ahead to Virginia, and await their parents for some months until they could afford the voyage.
And though the plan seemed simple, Kurt was always one to panic. What if I get seasick? What if theirs a head wind and it takes too long to get there and there's no food left and the men resort to cannibalism? What if Pirates seize our ship and steal the new boots I got for the trip? What if- He was pulled from his reverie when he bumped into Finn who had somehow run ahead of him without Kurt noticing. Finn was staring in awe at the ship where men were finishing loading up the barrels of food and drink and was starting to let on passengers. Kurt noticed they were at their destination and the butterflies (that felt more like angry badgers) returned to his tummy, " Oh God.." , he groaned. He was giving himself a headache with his worry, but he couldn't help it. Spending such a long time away from his father was a petrifying thought, let alone traveling on a floating deathtrap for weeks, perhaps months.. This was a lot to handle, but he knew he had to man up. He didn't need to give these men any extra reason to dislike him.
He turned to see his step-mother trying her very best to hide her tears. She was a warm-hearted woman who accepted and loved him as if he really were her child, and he would miss her terribly. "Try not to worry to much, love", she intoned comfortingly, hugging him tightly around his slim shoulders, " I know this is a lot for you to take in, but you'll be happier there. I'm sure of it."
His breath caught, " I'll miss you so much. I love you."
"I love you, too darling", she said around sniffles, " More than you know." She cleared her throat and pulled back to look him in the eyes, "Now you promise me something."
He nodded, not trusting his own voice.
" Promise you'll look after Finn. Now I know he was supposed to be going to support you, but.. out of the two of you, you've got a sturdier head on your shoulders."
Kurt choked out a laugh, while Finn looked like he was going for a 'hurt' look but, truly came off as affectionate." Of course, I am his big brother after all."
"By two months, mate, that barely classifies as 'big'," Finn looked at his brother triumphantly and added," Besides, I'm about a head taller than you."
Burt, having heard this squabble countless times, rolls his eyes, smiling. He knows how much he will miss their endless banter. When Kurt inevitably wins the argument, as per usual, he turns to his father. The sight Burt sees is the most simultaneously beautiful and tragic sight he's seen in a long time. Kurt's ice blue eyes are filled up with tears, forehead wrinkling at the realization that he won't be able to see or talk to Burt for a long, long while. And as hard as they both try to maintain those prized brave faces, Burt pulls his son into a gruff hug, both wanting to say so much, but not needing to.
Burt settles for a simple,"I love you, son." and "I'll miss you, good luck"
"I'll miss you too, Father. I love you." And that was all that needed to be said, because they knew, this change was not so much a separation, as it was a start of a new and better life. And they were all grateful for that, no matter how much it hurt. It was a promise that things would get better.
The time had come to go. The two young men grabbed their boarding passes, said one last quick goodbye to their parents and headed up the ramp, and onto the ship. Kurt turned and waved on last time to Burt and Carol, like most of the others on board to their own respected families. He and Finn watched the land grow smaller and fainter in the distance, knowing there was no turning back. And though that should have been a scary thought, it wasn't. Those butterflies or badgers or whatever they were had suddenly left. He felt right. Like this was the right decision, and he was also hoping, that his intuition was correct.
