Part One: Before

Chapter One: Learning to Fly (Finn POV)

Moving on and changing sides. Dreaming of a new day, cast aside the other way. - Pink Floyd, Burning Bridges

I know I'm staring, but I can't help it. He can't be serious. I know he's…Kurt and all, but this is over the top, even for him. Sometimes I wonder if he's some sort of…I don't know the word, but someone who actually likes getting beat up.

"You're not really going to school like that are you?" The glare he throws at me indicates that, indeed, he is.

I can see Burt eyeing me over the top of his newspaper and quickly force a smile. "Cool."

Not cool. Not even a little bit cool.

Come on. Wings, Kurt? What the hell? And the overly-glittery halo thing has to go.

But I wait until Burt's out of the room before I try to talk sense into Kurt. I know Burt will support just about anything Kurt does, but…I'm actually surprised he's letting Kurt walk out of the house looking like this.

"Dude, you can't wear that," I keep my voice low, in case Burt's still lurking nearby.

"It's Halloween, Finn," Kurt replies sharply. "My costume is no different than yours."

I beg to differ. It's way different.

I borrowed some of Burt's overalls, padded them a little, and am dressed as Mario. I don't care what anyone says, that game's still awesome.

"You're wearing a dress," I try to talk reason to him. Considering how short it is, I'm not sure that it actually qualifies as a dress, but it looks a lot like some of the dresses Tina sometimes wears. The really tight form-fitting ones that have like shoelaces criss-crossing up the front holding them closed. It looks a lot like those, except that it's white instead of her usual black. I didn't know they made those things for guys…actually they probably don't. He probably borrowed it from Tina. I wonder if she'll lend it to Rachel; I bet Rachel would look really hot in it…

"It's a corset tunic top," Kurt corrects me as he casually stands over the sink peeling an orange. How he can eat that crap for breakfast is beyond me. "And I'm wearing leggings." As if that's supposed to make any sort of difference. In his world, it probably does. "Besides, if you'd listened you'd know that the Glee Club is dressing as an angelic choir."

I was listening. But…it wasn't the Glee Club. It was the Glee girls. It's on the tip of my tongue to point that out, but then I remember that he considers himself to be an 'honorary girl'. And I know he's doing a number with them at this afternoon's Invitational, so probably he's obligated to do the angel thing.

Still, he could have worn…I don't know…a less girlie costume and changed into the angel thing for the performance. Or maybe he could just wear a white t-shirt instead of the course-ette thingie. He could still be an angel, just…a toned down angel.

I hear my mom coming, so I can't really make that suggestion.

"Good morning, my handsome men," she addresses us in the same embarrassing way she does every morning. "You look absolutely divine," she teases Kurt, giving him a little wink. It takes me a moment before I get it. An angel. Divine. Got it. I wish she wouldn't encourage him, though.

He smiles brightly and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Morning, Carole! Thank you! And I love the tutu; I told you you'd make a fabulous ballerina!"

She doesn't. She really really doesn't. But it's Halloween, so I nod, and give her the thumbs up. She cocks her head as she looks at me.

"Mario," I explain my costume. She still looks blank, so I add, "You know…Super Mario Brothers."

"Oh! Well you look great!" she gushes.

"You know, I have just the perfect tiara to go with your costume!" Kurt announces. Of course he does. I hope neither of them notices me rolling my eyes. I don't think they do because Kurt takes hold of Mom's arm and pulls her toward the basement stairs.

"I'm taking off in about five if you want a ride," I call down to Kurt, knowing I have to offer, but hoping that he'll decline.

I love my not-quite-step-brother; I really do. We've had this sort of conversation before, and I get that he just wants to be himself. And he should be himself, of course. I just sometimes wish he was a little…less himself. Or maybe that he could…I don't know…change himself a little to meet people half-way or something. I feel a little guilty, knowing that it's not really fair to think that way, but…it would just make my life a whole lot easier.

I heave a sigh of relief as Kurt calls back upstairs that Mercedes is picking him up in ten, so I'm free to go on without him.

I was right about Rachel looking really hot in an outfit like Kurt's. Turns out that the girls (and Kurt) must have gone shopping together because all of them are wearing pretty much identical costumes. Well, except they're all wearing skirts…except Kurt and his 'leggings', of course. And Mercedes; she's wearing white jeans. So…alterations to the outfit would've been okay; Kurt could have worn a t-shirt, I figure. The girls wouldn't have gotten mad, and it'd save me a day of looking out for Kurt, trying to prevent him from getting bullied.

Case in point, just after third period as I'm walking to my locker, I hear his voice challenging someone, "Go ahead and do it!" He sounds angry and upset. If there were any doubt in my mind about what was going on, it was squashed as he added. "Four against one. You've got me cornered. Must make you feel proud. So do it!" Great. I really didn't feel like fighting today. It shouldn't be my job to have to constantly…protect his honor.

Except that as his brother, it is kind of my job. And I would never want to see him hurt. And this is really starting to feel like kind of one of those days ya voo (or whatever) things. I suddenly feel really guilty. I'm no better than those guys. Well, okay, I'm a little better; it's not like I'd ever physically hurt Kurt (just thinking about that makes me feel sick). And I'd never make him feel bad just for being…okay, so that's what I've been doing all day.

I suck at being a brother.

I take off at a run, hoping I can keep Kurt from getting injured. I'm not completely surprised when I see Matt, Mike, and Puck all heading quickly in the same direction. Ha. Four against four. Well…five if including Kurt.

I almost stop in shock when I hear a really loud crash around the corner. I think someone-Kurt!-must have just been thrown really hard into the lockers. I hear him let out an odd little cry and I run faster. Whoever did that isn't just trying to scare Kurt; that sounds like someone trying to really hurt him!

As I slide around the corner, Puck at my heels, I stop short. There's a huge dent in one of the locker doors, but it's not Kurt who did it. Karofsky is on the ground clutching his hand. There are honest-to-God tears streaming down his face. I can't help but grin as I realize that Kurt must have dodged. The grin fades quickly, though, as I then realize just how hard Karofsky must have been intending to punch my brother.

I look around wildly, needing to make sure Kurt's okay.

Trent Nelson, one of the particularly large guys on our football team, has picked him up, one arm wrapped around his chest while the other is slapped over Kurt's mouth. Kurt isn't standing for it, and is kind of flailing and kicking out at his other tormenters, Azimio Adams and Kent Jacobs, as they try to get closer. As they try to get their shots in at him. I feel a little bit of pride as I see Kurt kick Azimio in the chest, but wince as Kent manages to grab his other leg, preventing him from being able to continue his fight.

"Let him go!" I demand, pushing my way through the small crowd that has gathered around to watch.

Almost immediately, Azimio and Kent back away. For a split second I'm a little surprised; I didn't know I scare them that much. But then I remember that I've got three other guys standing right there behind me.

"I said, let him go," I repeat, glaring at Trent.

Trent lets out a disgusted snort as he looks at us. "I told you all that this thing was catching…" I roll my eyes, unimpressed. "You want me to let him go? Fine. I'll let him go." I have a really bad feeling about the way he says it.

Sure enough, he doesn't just let Kurt go, but instead hoists him higher.

Kurt lets out a startled squeal as Trent adjusts his grip and swings Kurt up even higher. I can do nothing to stop it as my brother is suddenly thrust down and slams hard to the ground. And suddenly the whole hall became silent save for an isolated gasp that may actually have come from Puck.

"Damn," Trent sneers down at him. "I thought fairies was supposed to fly."

"He's an angel, you asshole," I blurt out without even thinking about what I was saying. I quickly kneel down beside Kurt, almost afraid to touch him. "You okay?" I ask. I flinch as I hear Trent being rammed against the lockers. Puck can take care of him. I need to take care of Kurt.

"'M…fine," he insists as he struggles to get up. The way he seems to be struggling to breathe kind of makes me think he's not, though.

Mike stoops down beside us, offering Kurt his arm to lean against.

I should have done that.

I take Kurt's other arm and together Mike and I help him to his feet. He's still gasping for air. He might have broken ribs. Sometimes when that happens one of them punctures a lung. He looks at me with wide eyes as I carefully start checking him over. I wonder if we should take of his course-ette. I reach for the lace but his hand quickly slaps mine away.

"Just…knocked…wind…out," he says between gasps.

I nod and stop my prodding. Mike and I exchange worried glances as we give Kurt a couple minutes to recover. During that time, Figgins and a couple of the teachers have arrived and have sent Karofsky to go see the nurse, and Puck, Matt, Trent, and the other guys to his office so they can find out exactly what happened and figure out who was going to be given what sort of punishment.

"You okay, Kurt?" Mr. Schue asks. Kurt nods, giving him a little smile. "Finn? Mike?" Schue includes us in his concerned questioning.

"There were four of them," I exclaim angrily. "Four on one," I add, clenching my jaw.

Schue looks grim as he nods, his eyes going back to Kurt, who is finally starting to sound better…less wheezy. But he suddenly looks a lot more upset. "I think I broke my wing," he gripes. I almost laugh. He's going to be fine.

Schue smiles and pats his shoulder. "Glad you're okay. I'm going to go talk to Figgins, make sure this all gets straightened out. Mike, you want to tell me what happened?" Schue looks at me, then pointedly at Kurt. I get the message.

"Want to go see the nurse or should I walk you to class?"

Kurt refuses to go see the nurse, which doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Besides, Karofsky's probably still in there, if he hasn't been taken to the hospital or something with a broken hand. I wonder if he'll be out for the season. "Nice dodge," I comment as I sling my arm casually around his shoulder. I'm not sure he realizes it when he leans against me a little bit as we walk down the hall together.

"Is it my fault that he thought I'd actually just stand there and let him hit me?" Kurt replies, the corners of his lips curving up into a smug little smile. I don't tell him that I kind of thought he would do exactly that.

Once Kurt's safely to class I head back to the Principal's office, where Coach, Schue, and Figgins are all arguing about what happened. "I can't just suspend these boys," Figgins motions to Trent and his goons, "and not punish these boys"-Puck and Matt-"for the same thing."

"It wasn't the same thing," I blurt out, my temper growing.

"Finn," Mr. Schue holds up a hand to silence me.

"Well it wasn't," I snap. I see Figgins' mouth open, and can tell he's going to dismiss me. "These guys pick on Kurt all the time." That makes it sound so mild. "Look…how is this fair, Mr. Figgins? There are four of them. Every single one of them outweighs Kurt by at least 50 pounds." Closer to a hundred in Trent's case, and probably Azimio's as well. "And yet they think it's okay for them to threaten him. To corner him and push him around. Or destroy his things. To hit him. To…throw him in the garbage." I feel my stomach churn as I shamefully think back to when I was right there alongside them. I didn't hit anyone, but…I didn't stop them from hitting, either. "He could really have been hurt just now. And why? Because he exists…and that he wants to be free to express who he is." My guilt increases as I think about how just this morning I tried to stop him from expressing himself, too. But I can't stop myself from continuing. "Dave Karofsky actually tried to hit him so hard that when he missed, he dented a locker, and quite possibly broke his hand," I make known, going so far as to name names. I know that makes me a snitch, but I don't care. There's been too much of this happening, for far too long. To Kurt, and to other kids, too. And it's all from these same assholes that once upon a time I considered to be my friends.

Honestly I don't remember all of what I said in that office, except that I know I mentioned Rachel's gay fathers, and how they have connections, and how Puck and Matt were only detaining Trent to keep him from hurting Kurt any farther. That was probably not entirely true, but they both nodded, as did Mr. Schue, backing us up.

In the end, I must have said the right things because Matt, Puck, and I are released to go back to class while suspension papers are being written up for Azimio and Kent. And expulsion papers for Trent and Karofsky.

I know this is probably not over, but at least we'll have a few weeks to regroup and figure out how to keep anything like this from happening again.

In the meantime, I head to my locker to get my keys.

I have some new angel wings to find.

Thanks so much to everyone who's reviewed, favorited, and/or alerted so far. Can't tell you how much I appreciate the encouragement! Hope you're still enjoying the story so far!