"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Kurt had just watched Dave walk out of the bar while Blaine and Sebastian just stood there.
Sebastian spoke up, "Guy's a douche."
Kurt wasn't buying it. He'd seen the changes in Dave. He knew Dave had changed a lot over the last year. This didn't make any sense. "So what? He just kissed you?" Kurt looked to Blaine for an answer.
"Seriously? For starters, he never kissed me." Blaine still wasn't happy with Sebastian. "And secondly, what about me? Huh? I just got into a fight with your high school bully, and you don't even stop to see if I'm okay."
That hurt. Kurt could see that Blaine wasn't hurt, not really, but he had a point. His first instinct was that Dave couldn't have done what they say. What is wrong with me? Before Kurt could say another word a guy rushed up to them.
"Hey, man. You okay?" he said. "Here. I gotta ice pack for that shiner."
Shiner? Kurt hadn't even noticed that Blaine had a light pink ring forming around his left eye. "Thank you." Kurt said taking the ice pack from the bar tender and placing it against Blaine's eye. "I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting for any of this to happen." Blaine winced against the cold of the ice. "I should have asked if you were okay." Blaine just looked up at Kurt a little sheepishly. "Did he get you anywhere else? Do I need to get more ice?" Kurt smiled at Blaine. He was truly sorry.
Blaine shook his head and returned the smile. "I guess I'll have to try out karaoke some other time."
"I guess so," Kurt chuckled. "But not here." Blaine nodded as Kurt tucked his arm under his and started to head for the door - Sebastian begrudgingly followed.
"Who was that guy?" Sebastian said as they were walking out.
XxXxX
Kurt couldn't get that song out of his head all day. And those lyrics. It's like Dave was singing only to him. After previewing several songs on iTunes, Kurt downloads the track onto his iPhone. As he's listening, he can't stop thinking about Dave. Why would he try to kiss Blaine? He doesn't even like Blaine. Or...Does he? ... No. He definitely doesn't like Blaine. hmm.
With his headphones in, Kurt hadn't noticed Finn walk up to him.
Finn taps Kurt's shoulder, "Hey Kurt?"
Startled, Kurt pulls his earbuds out. "Omigosh... You scared me."
"Sorry, Dude." He smiles slightly. It's still funny even if it's on accident. "Hey - can you help me?" He holds out his own iPhone. "I'm trying to add Karen's name to my Favorites." Karen was Finn's lab partner. Kurt knew this because Rachel had gone nonstop about how she thought that Karen liked Finn, you know, in that way. But Kurt, of course, knew that Karen was more interested in science than boys. Kurt had Karen as a lab partner last semester, and she never showed the slightest interest in anything other than the task a hand. He didn't get her at all, but at least she wouldn't be interested in Finn.
"Here. Let me see." Kurt holds his hand out to Finn. "What's her last name?" Kurt had her for a whole semester, but that was weeks ago.
"Uhh.. I just put her under 'Karen',"
Kurt lets out a small sigh. Really? "Okay. So you just go to 'Contacts' and scroll down to..." Jenkins. Jennifer. Julie. Karen. Karofsky. Karofsky? "Don't you ever clear out name you never use?"
"Why? I just use my 'Favorites." he replied sitting on the couch with his XBox controller in hand.
Kurt just rolled his eyes. "Anyway - Karen. You just select the name, and click 'Add To Favorites.'" Finn wasn't listening anymore. As he was about to hand back Finn's phone, he hesitated. "Uhh, wait. I think I did that wrong... Just a sec." Finn was already too engrossed in his game to respond.
419-555-4958, 419-555-4958. Kurt kept repeating it until he had the numbers entered into his own phone. He set Finn phone on the couch next to its owner and headed up to his room.
Hockey practice was fun. Well, not fun, exactly, but hard and grueling, but fun. Dave had been skating since he was old enough to walk and playing hockey since he was seven. He was always a little bigger than most boys his age, and naturally, he was pushed towards football. He liked football, but it was a lot of running and tackling, but hockey - hockey was different. It took a lot of skill to master. And there were only 5 teammates that you could depend on.
In football, if you foul, you lose yards, but in hockey you lose that player - at least for a few minutes, anyway. Hockey players have a worse rap for being dumb than football players - at least football players have all their teeth, right? In football, you gotta be strong, but in hockey, you gotta be strong, fast, and quick-on-your-feet. It's more of a thinking-man's game, really.
After the coach had the usual end-of-practice powwow, Dave headed to the locker room to shower and change clothes. He was reaching into his locker to get his jeans when he felt a vibration coming from his pants pocket. He pulled out his phone.
New Message: Unknown Recipient
Since he started going to Scandals, he set his iPhone to not automatically display his messages. It's a privacy setting that Dave is happy to use. Although, for now, he'd only given Patrick his number, better safe than sorry. Dave swiped the screen and checked the message.
Name: Unknown
Number: 419-555-9988
Message: Dave, It's Kurt. Meet me at Lima Bean at 3. We need to talk. PS I got your number from Finn.
Dave looked down at his watch: 2:45 Damn.
He couldn't imagine what Kurt wanted to talk about. It's obvious that he believes whatever Blaine told him. I'm not going he tells himself. There is no reason to go through this. He didn't do anything, and he shouldn't have to prove himself. Not going.
Dave finishes up and gets dressed. He grabs his gear and says his goodbyes to his teammates. He looks down at his watch again: 2:53 still not going
He opens the door to his truck and feels another vibration in his pocket.
Another message. He swipes the screen and looks at the message.
I'm here. Text me when you get here.
Dave starts up his truck. Fuck. He types a new message.
I'm running late. Hockey Practice.
XxXxX
"Hello?"
"Hey there."
"Oh, Hey Kurt."
"Did you wanna meet up and get some coffee? I could totally use some warm, caffeinated goodness."
"Sure. What time?"
"Uh. It's 2:15 now… How about 3?"
"Great. Listen, I gotta get ready…"
"Okay, I'll see ya there… Uh hey, how's your eye?"
"I'll live… Honestly, I've gotten worse before, but as you know, I can't talk about it…"
"I know, I know…first rule of fight club…"
"See ya at 3."
"See ya then."
XxXxX
Dave pulled up to the Lima Bean about eight minutes after three. He knew Kurt was already there, so he didn't feel like he needed to rush. He still wasn't sure what Kurt wanted or what he was going to say if it was about the fight. And who was that scrawny fucker with the stupid hair?
He shut off his engine and pulls out his phone to message Kurt that he's here.
Here
He shoves his phone back into his pocket and heads towards the door.
XxXxX
Blaine got to the Lima Bean a few minutes after 3. He'd considered some concealer for his eye, but in reality, it just made it look worse. It wasn't so bad. Unless you get close, you can barely see it.
He walked up to Kurt, who already had his hands cupped around his drink. "Hey."
Kurt looked like he was deep in thought and hadn't noticed that Blaine was approaching. "Oh hey there." Kurt looked up smiling. He realized that he was he was deep in thought when he looked at Blaine whose eyebrows were raised, like he was asking a question rather than just a greeting. "Sorry. I was just thinking about regionals." He lied. He was thinking about how he was going to handle what was coming. Would they fight? Would Dave feel betrayed? Will Blaine?
"Is that good?" Blaine points to the cup in Kurt's hands.
"Yea. It's the special today. Warm Winter Wonderland." Kurt replied just before taking another sip. Blaine nods and walks over to the barista to place his order.
As Kurt watches him leave, he feels a buzzing in his pocket. It's a single-worded text message from Dave: Here. He barely puts his phone down when his eyes flicker to the person walking through the door.
Dave was dressed in jeans, and a green hoodie with the words East Lima Eagles in yellow on the front. Dave spotted Kurt and immediately walked over. Blaine was on the other side of the 'pick up' bar and wasn't in sight.
"David. Thanks for meeting me." Kurt said genuinely.
"What do you want Kurt?" Dave was doing his best to give the impression that he didn't want to be there, when in fact, it was nice to see Kurt – not at a bar, not at school, and not with Blaine.
"Please. Sit." Kurt motioned to a chair across from him, near where Dave was standing – facing away from the 'pick up bar.'
Dave eases into the chair. He's not worried, but he still feels like all of this is strange, like there's a catch. Kurt has never made the effort to contact Dave. Ever.
XxXxX
Blaine had just received his drink and turned around when he spotted someone over sitting with Kurt. The guy had his back to him, and was wearing a green hoodie.
As he stepped a little closer, Karofsky.
Blaine wasn't mad, surprised, but not mad. It was probably a coincidence anyway. He didn't have anything to be afraid of, Dave had more to lose if he was going to open his big mouth over something so stupid. Sebastian kissed him. Granted, the peck on the cheek wasn't exactly what happened, but it was his intent. Blaine liked Sebastian; sure, he was obvious but he overt attraction was flattering. He knew that Kurt loved him, but Kurt was more reserved when it came to PDA or anything other than adoration. Hmm. Adoration was nice, but it's not sexy, and in the amounts that Kurt was oozing it, not pretty. Kurt couldn't help who he was, and neither could Sebastian for that matter.
Blaine was just walking up to the pair and was trying to hear what had just been said when Kurt stopped mid-sentence and spoke, "Hi – Blaine."
Dave whipped around quickly and was preparing to stand when he noticed that Blaine was calm and had a drink in his hand – he was not here to fight.
"Dave…um…what a nice surprise," Blaine tried to sound genuine, but didn't think he pulled it off. "You okay? Sorry about last nice."
Dave was about to speak when Kurt interjected, "Why are you apologizing? I mean, I know you don't get in fight, normally, but still…"
"No. I just meant… The situation. I'm sorry that it happened." Blaine looked away from Dave glare back to Kurt, who seemed to have bought it.
Dave didn't. "What is this Kurt?" he said. His voice dipped in anger.
Blaine wasn't willing to fight about it, but he didn't want to stand there and let this bully speak to Kurt, like he had something to do with this. "I'm sorry, Dave. What are you doing here?"
"It's a free country last time I checked."
"No. What are you doing here? Blaine stressed that last work and motioned to the table.
Dave was officially mad. This hobbit was on his nerves. "I was invited, dick." They both turned towards Kurt.
Kurt had a nervous smile on his face and he couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped his lips. "Umm. Okay…I…uh… invited both of you here to try an understand what happened last night." Kurt looked towards the two boys that were still standing. "Sit. Please. Both of you."
Blaine sat in the empty seat next to Kurt while Dave retook his seat opposite Kurt.
"Dave. Why did you try to kiss Blaine?" Dave didn't say a word; he just glared over at Blaine. Kurt continued, "I thought all of this… whatever that was in the locker room…and the bullying was behind you?" Dave looked back at Kurt and couldn't help but to think about that kiss. The kiss. The one that started all of the last year's events into motion. Nearly getting expelled. Santana and the Bully Whips. Junior Prom. That thought stayed longer. Fucking Junior Prom. That was Dave at his weakest. And maybe Kurt at his strongest. If it was Dave that was crowned Junior Prom Queen, he would have probably died, or wished he had. How did Kurt do it? How could he? All he knows is that Kurt left; Blaine followed, and ten minutes later they returned and Kurt was… confident… brave…and…sexy. Why? What happened in those ten minutes that could change Kurt from crying in embarrassment to strutting back in, head held high? Blaine happened. That's what. Fucking Blaine.
Dave's voice works, "Uh… I don't want to talk about it. I -"
"David. This is important. I want to think we're all friends here." Kurt said seriously.
Dave stifled a snort, "Yea? Well we're not." He could see Blaine sitting there, looking all fucking innocent, like he was the victim. Dave put on his meanest grimace to drive his point home. "I ju-"
"Stop!" Kurt raised his voice, irritated that Dave, his friend, was reverting right before his eyes. "Just stop." Dave's opened mouth just snapped shut, but the furrow in his brow never faded. A calmer Kurt emerges, "Listen. You have to know that I have cared for you… as a friend… ever since I transferred back from Dalton." Dave's face cracks and his eyes slightly redden. It's True. Kurt has never faltered in the friendship department. "I want to help you… as a friend. You owe me that much."
Dave's mouth opens, but before words come out, He glances over at Blaine and he's looking at Dave, like he's enjoying this, like he can't wait to follow through on his threat. No. He wouldn't. That's one of Kurt's biggest rules. 'I don't believe in outing.' Butthat face… ugh… look at his smug little face. He still couldn't do it. "I don't know… Maybe I wanted to, alright?"
"What? Why?" Kurt was really confused. Why would he do that? Dave seemed to be making great progress in coming to terms with his sexuality.
"Why don't you ask your boyfriend?" Dave can't 'out' Blaine, but this is what he finally decides on. It's not confirming anything, but it's not denying anything either.
Blaine's face changes to that of surprise. As Kurt looks over for an answer, all Blaine can think about is how that dumb jock should have minded his own business and none of this would be happening. Denial is the only real option. "I seriously have no idea what you're talking about." He says it with a perfectly straight face. He knows that Kurt believed it. But Dave. Dave knows. Fucking Karofsky. "Nice hoodie, by the way." Blaine wants to remind Dave that he has the power here, not Dave.
"What?" Dave doesn't even have to look down to know exactly what that's supposed to mean, but before he can add to his reaction, Blaine continues.
"Yea. Brings out the green in your eyes." He says it as a compliment, but they both know that's not the intent.
"Fuck you!" Dave abruptly stands straight up that his chair falls backwards and slams the ground. THUD! Everybody in the coffee shop turns and looks. "I'm outta here." Dave storms off toward the door. "Have a nice life, Kurt."
Kurt instantly jumps up and follows Dave.
"Hey!" he calls after Dave as he violently shoves the door open. "What is the matter with you?" He calls out as Dave rounds the building towards his truck. Kurt catches up with the bigger guy and yanks his arm to turn him around. Dave complies, but his face is reddened and his eyebrows are straight.
"What?" he growls.
"What is your problem?" Kurt begins and Blaine comes up from behind.
"I'm not talking to you," he says, pointing beyond Kurt to Blaine. "And I'm sure as hell not talking to you," he says looking Kurt right in the eye. Kurt is the one person who has seen the 'real Dave.' He knows Dave wouldn't do what he's been accused of. But he doesn't. Hell, if the roles were reversed, Dave wouldn't believe himself either. He just turns and leaves. No one follows or says another word to him.
XxXxX
It's been a week since the coffee shop 'incident,' and although Dave has mostly let the 'Blaine' thing go, it's Kurt's role that gnaws at him. Sitting at the bar at Scandals waiting for his turn at the mic. At first he didn't get why people did karaoke, or even sing at all, in public. It's therapeutic. It's so simple, yet so important. He can release all of his stress and fears and problems just like he's exhaling from taking a breath.
Maybe I should have joined Glee Club
He hadn't seen Patrick in a few weeks although he thought he was supposed to be back in town this weekend. Patrick was great. He was a bit older, maybe forty, and kinda hot. He's got that salt-n-pepper older look while still having the muscle mass to pull it off. It's not like he's built, but based on what he was wearing last summer, he definitely should be popular with this crowd.
Dave looks down at his watch. It was about 30 minutes since he signed up, and based on how many people were already on the list, he should probably go into the karaoke room and wait his turn. It was definitely more crowded than it was the last time he was there. Ugh. Last time.
As much as Dave didn't want to admit it, those events were more prevalent on his mind and were the catalyst for his chosen song. He gets up to the list and sees that he's actually next, so he waits near the side and walks up to the mic when the previous guy exits the stage.
Dave takes a slow deep breath and exhales as the music starts.
No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
No one knows what it's like
To be hated
To be fated
To telling lonely lies
But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
No one knows what it's like
To feel these feelings
Like I do
And I blame you
No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through
But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
Out of the corner of his eye, Dave can see a man walking close to the stage. The man seems to be listening, or maybe he's next to sing. As the lighting moves, he can see familiar salt-n-pepper hair. Patrick. Thank God.
No one knows what it's like
To be mistreated
To be defeated
Behind blue eyes
No one knows how to say
That they're sorry
And don't worry
I'm not telling lies
But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
XxXxX
Patrick O'Brien was a good at his job. State Auditor was not where he'd thought he'd be if you had asked him 20 years ago. Back then; he would have said professional Hockey Player. But a drunk driver ended that dream during his freshman year. He started out at OSU in Columbus, but after recovering a shattered knee, he transferred closer to home, OSU-Lima.
That's probably why he bonded with Dave, and why he looks forward to going to Scandals on his weekend nights at home. He sees a little of himself in Dave: smart, athletic, gay, and damn fine hockey player. Sure, Dave's not out, but he's getting there. Dave's like his nephew; His hot, fuckable nephew, but nephew nonetheless. It's weird; they clicked almost right from the beginning, but Dave's more like family. He wants to protect Dave and be his mentor.
Patrick didn't come out until freshman year at OSU. He figures Dave will probably do the same. Patrick never had an athletic scholarship to college; Dave on the other hand, might have a shot – this kid's good.
This particular night, Patrick was a little late getting to the bar. He got in so late this morning, that he just needed more sleep. But he made it, and with any luck, Dave will be there.
After he parks and goes inside, he grabs a beer from the bar before heading to the karaoke room. He never thought in a million years that he'd enjoy watching gay men, drunk of their ass, sing silly show tunes and old standards, but he does. It reminds him of the piano bar he used to frequent back in Columbus.
He walks in and the guy up on stage is singing his heart out. He sounds sad and in pain, not in the 'drunken-cowboy' way, but in the applause-laden 'American Idol' way. This guy was good… and familiar. Patrick walked the side of the room and edged up near the stage. Yep. Davey Boy…
No one knows what it's like
To be mistreated
To be defeated
Behind blue eyes
No one knows how to say
That they're sorry
And don't worry
I'm not telling lies
But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
XxXxX
Dave ended the song to hooting and hollering. Most of the crowd knew that song way before Dave was born, but he knew it from the Limp Bizkit remake. To be honest, Dave doesn't know most of these songs that the guys sing. He stepped off the stage and saw Patrick beaming like a proud papa.
"Davey Boy! That was amazing. Where'd you learn to sing like that?"
Dave wasn't embarrassed, but he was a little surprised that a 'sad' song garnered such praise from the audience, and Patrick. "You've heard me sing before. Last time I saw you, I sang 'Sway-'"
Patrick didn't let him finish before giving him a giant bear hug. Dave could feel his feet start to leave the ground before being put back down. "Let's go to the bar, I wanna catch up."
Dave was still grinning from the obvious affection the other man was showing.
They walked through the room, settled up to the bar, and Patrick ordered a couple of beers. "Beer okay?"
Dave nodded, "Sure. But only one; I got Hockey in the morning."
"Oh yeah. How's that going?"
"Good, good. Tomorrow's our first away game against my old high school – McKinley."
"Cool. I might have to go."
"Yeah, let me know if you do, I'll slam one in for ya." Dave said that without the slightest bit of irony. But Patrick caught it and let out a full-belly laugh.
Dave smiled as he caught on. "You suck!" he said without thinking and that didn't help the situation. Patrick was nearly in tears. Dave was laughing as his own words as well. "I would say 'fuck you,' but I see how that'd end up.
They both quieted down after a few more moments of laughter, and Patrick forced himself to stop completely. "I needed that, thanks." He took a swig of his beer and turned slightly towards Dave. "I'm glad you seem okay cuz after that song you sang, I was a little worried that your cat died or something."
Dave just sipped his beer and nodded along.
"No. Seriously though. What was that about?" Patrick was more serious than before. "I mean, I know that song is heavy, but you sang the crap out of it, like you felt it, like it was made for you."
Dave let out a sigh, took the last swig of his beer and told Patrick the events of last weekend, including some previous events that he hadn't told Patrick about.
XxXxX