Author's note: Sorry for the delay – was away on holiday with no internet (or phone) coverage for five days. The next update will probably be a week away again as I am going to focus on finishing Online and Anonymous.

CHAPTER TWO

When Kurt Hummel knocks on his door for the second time in less than a week he's pretty sure he's no longer in his universe but a weird alternate one. One where they're friends that just drop in on each other unannounced, not that he has a problem with it, but it doesn't stop it feeling weird.

"Hey Dave…"

"Kurt. Hi. Um, you okay?" He looks a little lost and dejected, nothing like the Kurt Hummel he knows, but he guesses the last two weeks can't have been easy.

"Yeah, I just... do you mind if I come in? I need to talk to someone. Finn's angry at me, the girls are all a bit too pleased and I'm angry at Puck and…"

"Something happen in Glee club?" Dave asks, stepping back and letting Kurt in and walking through to the kitchen before setting about making coffee, like formula it's adding powder to water. And there's Tuesday cake he can offer.

"Uh. No. Well. Yes. I suppose you don't know, but there are two glee clubs now. New Directions and the TroubleTones. I'm kind of in limbo right now. No mans land between the two."

"Okay. So, how are there enough people for two glee clubs? I mean, you guys struggled to have enough members for one club. I remember Hudson trying to get people to join all the time in Sophomore year…every year really."

"Well, the TroubleTones is all girls so far. And quite a few of the Cheerios joined. It's an all-girls group, and despite my vocal range, I really don't feel that I belong."

"Wait, why are you in limbo? Shouldn't Blaine be the one in limbo?"

"Ideally yes, but his voice is… well, it's necessary. Especially if we want to win, and right now I don't care who wins, just as long as McKinley does."

"Okay…so. Start at the beginning. Why is Finn angry at you?"

"Finn is annoyed that I didn't tell him what happened. But, it's none of his business, except of course Rachel thought it was, or assumed he already knew… the end result is the same, him being pissed off with me."

"Okay… and Puckerman?"

"He punched Blaine. I think he probably broke his nose."

Kurt's tone of voice makes it clear he's not happy about this turn of events, and this probably explains what the girls are a bit too pleased about, because they're a blood-thirsty lot in his experience. He's a little pleased to hear it, because he's not going to go round fists swinging, but it's nice to know someone is keeping an eye out for Kurt, even if it is the easily distracted eye of one Noah Puckerman.

"Was there a lot of blood? Broken noses bleed like… a lot," he says, and taps his own nose. Kurt's mouth make a little 'o' of understanding and nods.

"A lot of blood. It was like someone had stabbed him. I might not like him very much, but I don't need… that. I'm annoyed at Noah because he jumped to conclusions, the wrong conclusions, and Mercedes and Santana because they think he deserves it, but… well, he doesn't. If anyone deserves it, it's Sebastian. Shame Puck couldn't break his nose."

The last is muttered quietly and under his breath and Dave hides a smile, it's nice to know Kurt can be a little human and he slides a coffee across the bench.

"You want some carrot cake? Claire made it on Tuesday. It's good…"

"Yeah, I think I need some sugar right now. Actually, I better just ring my dad and let him know where I am."

Dave nods and passes him the home phone, cutting two large pieces of cake while Kurt talks. He carries it all through to the lounge, setting things down on the coffee table and takes one of the single chairs. He doesn't know if Kurt's even aware that there's no one else home except him, because he was so worked up before, but he just figures giving him space is probably the wise thing to do. When Kurt enters the room he gestures toward the coffee and cake, he might not be able to cook, but he knows how to be a good host.

Kurt is staring into his coffee mug and then takes a sip. He remembers how Kurt takes his coffee, because it's exactly how he takes his tea, so it's not hard to remember.

"Life sucks sometimes huh?" Kurt mutters, letting out a long sigh.

"Yeah. And apparently it's meant to get easier, but I think it's just a lie just so our parents have someone to look after them when they get old."

Kurt huffs in amusement and swaps his coffee for cake, taking one of the forks and a serviette. He knew Kurt would be that kind of guy, not like him, just picking it up with his fingers and biting a piece off pointy-end first.

"Oh my god, this is delicious… where is Claire? And your brother and sister?"

"Claire's at work, and Lily and Adam are at daycare. They'll be home just after five."

He doesn't know what he expects, but Kurt's eyes widen slightly and he tenses, before relaxing again, giving a short sharp nod.

"She seems pretty cool. Is it weird though, having such a young step-mom? I mean, I have Carole, and she's great, but she actually looks like someone who could pass as my mom…"

Dave laughs and shrugs.

"We… our… she's been my step-mom for three years, and she dated my dad for two years before that. She's… unique, and as I've gotten older I've just kind of relaxed into it. She's more like an older sister to me than a mom. I mean, I'm eighteen, it's not like I need someone to kiss my boo-boos better or tuck me in. But as an older sister, one that kind of teases me, takes the piss, is completely accepting of me coming out… She's awesome. And she loves my dad. It would be a little hypocritical to get all ageist when I'm not exactly going to be winning any award for normal."

"Normal is overrated. Although when you say your step-mom is like a sister I can't help but think of incest."

Dave splutters on his tea and stares.

"Seriously? That's…"

"Oh, I know it's not true of course, but I just… my mind wanders."

"Clearly. So, you guys got any plans for Thanksgiving next week?"

"Very subtle change of subject there David…"

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you want to talk about the possible incestuous undertones of my dad and step-moms relationship… and dude, I'm not going to be able to get that out of my head. Augh… then there's the whole fact that… ew… I'm not letting my mind go there."

Kurt laughs at him, and he shakes his head, because he kind of likes the sound.

"So, Thanksgiving? I think Carole's parents are coming to stay, and maybe my grandmother. It's going to make for a full house. What about you guys?"

"We're staying here. Claire went and visited her parents last weekend so she wouldn't have to go visit them for this set of holidays. So, quiet one I think. Hopefully."

They talk about schoolwork, exams and college applications. Nothing too personal, but it's not awkward like he kind of expected it to be, which is a relief. When Claire opens the door he startles, finds it hard to believe that him and Kurt have been sitting and talking for over an hour. He clears the plates and mugs as Kurt says he needs to leave and he shrugs good naturedly. He hadn't even really expected Kurt to last twenty minutes, so the fact that he lasted almost four times that, and managed to talk means that maybe his idea of them being friends isn't so far fetched afterall.

When he gets home Finn is waiting, arms crossed and eyebrows drawn down in a disapproving frown. Kurt can't help but roll his eyes at the over dramatized actions.

"What Finn?"

"Where have you been?"

"I was visiting a friend. Dad knew where I was…"

"Were you visiting Dave?" Carole asks, and Kurt winces. The last thing he needs right now is Finn going over the top about something else which is none of his business.

"Who's Dave?" Right on cue. Brilliant.

"David Karofsky," Carole supplies, and he knows she's only trying to be helpful but it's anything but. Finn looks at him in confusion.

"Why would you visit Karofsky?"

"Dave and I… Dave helped me get home on the night Blaine assaulted me. He took care of Blaine as well, didn't go round smashing him in the face like some people. He let me decide how to deal with it."

"What, so even Karofsky knows before me?"

"God Finn! This isn't a popularity contest! Dave was there and he helped me when I couldn't help myself. I don't need you making me feel worse about any of this. Just… don't talk to me. Carole, can you… explain things to him? I'm going to be in my room."

"My mom knows?"

"Augh!" Kurt exclaims and he knows it might seem childish, but he stomps up the stairs to his room.