Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, the show nor anything else belonging to Fox. I make no profit from this work of fiction
Will Schuester interrupted the groups chatting, certain that he had heard Kurt complaining about his nails, to speak to them about the performance they'd just given.
" Great job guys, really, you've all worked so hard on this one."
The members of New Directions beamed at the praise, riding high on the feeling they all got from performing, relishing the one thing they all had in common, this love of music that allowed them to give each other a chance to be friends. Will Schuester surveyed his glee kids, proud of each of them for being able to understand just what it was he wanted them to gain out of this latest assignment.
Will had made each of them spend three hours a day in a wheelchair this past week, so that they could gain some perspective- and it was evident that they now had more respect and admiration for Artie. He'd kept a close eye on them, seeing how they each adapted and coped with their newfound limitations, and no one had surprised him more than Kurt Hummel. Admittedly a high maintenance individual (not so much as Rachel, but still), he'd not once complained and had adapted so effortlessly, rising to each challenged the wheelchair posed wihth grace and dignity, that were it not for the primly crossed legs, you could easily believe he was truly handicapped. Will felt that Kurt didn't receive enough praise, and considering that he'd lost in the diva off yesterday, missing the high F that Will knew he could have hit had his nerves not gotten the better of him, he decided Kurt deserved a reward.
"I've been monitoring your progress throughout this week, and considering the dedication I've seen from one of you towards mastering the task I set, despite having other things to focus on, I have decided to reward them. Congratulations, Kurt, I know you've worked hard, so you get to sing a song of your choice to the rest of the group-whenever you want, whatever you want to sing." Kurt looked shocked, and a pleased flush came to his face as the group applauded him, before he looked sheepish.
", while I appreciate the thought, I can't accept; I've a bit of an advantage over the others."
"What do you mean by that Kurt?" Artie asked, his tone rather sharp. Kurt looked uncomfortable, before he rose from his wheelchair and walked to stand in front of Artie. He pulled his shirt up out of his pants, so that it bared his lower stomach, turning slightly to the left, so that his right hip was tilted towards Artie.
Everyone was looking on in interest, each one as curious as the other about what Kurt was doing, although a few of them spared a moment to think Kurt's stomach was more muscular than they'd expected.
However from his position Artie could see what the others could not; a faded silvery scar, clearly surgical, ran from the top of his hip and continues past the waistband of Kurts' pants. The others were far from enlightened.
"What is it Kurt?" queried
"Yeah, what are you looking at Artie?" this came from Mike.
"Kurt, you been holding out on me?" asked Mercedes, looking both curios and slighted at the same time. Kurt swept his gaze over those gathered, took a fortifying breath and proceeded to explain.
"I was showing him my scar. When I was six, I had a really bad accident, I was hit by a car as I was crossing the street. It was speeding, and ran the light, it hit me full on my right side. My hip was badly broken, like, in two pieces broken. It had to be surgically repaired, with temporary pins to keep the correct shape, and I had to spend an initial 7 months in a wheelchair. Then I spent a further three using both the chair and crutches." Kurt dropped his shirt, and tucked it back in.
"So, there you have it. I was already well versed in the manuvering of a wheelchair before this task, so I hardly think I deserve a reward." Kurt finished, and though his usual look of haughty arrogance was firmly in place, there was a look in his eyes that spoke of the pain the memory brought him. He retook his seat, and the group was silent as they digested this new information, adding it to memory, knowing it was another piece of the puzzle that made up Kurt Hummel.
Artie could see the others were at a loss for words, so he spoke up.
"I suspected something like that actually." Kurt raised a brow sceptically. " I too noticed your proficiency with the chair, but even before that, sometimes when you would look at me, there would be something in your expression, I couldn't place it before, but now I know. You empathise with my situation." Kurt met Artie's eyes and they shared a look of understanding, sympathy and mutual experience.
"Yes" Kurt answered simply.
Mr. Schuester cleared his throat, and everyone's attention turned back to him.
"Be that as it may, you still showed remarkable dedication to perfecting the routine, and helping the others with it, so my offer stands."
Kurt looked contemplative, then hesitant, before his expression became resolved.
"I want to sing Defying Gravity."