Disclaimer: I still don't own Glee or any of the characters involved. They still belong to Fox. Don't sue me.
Note: Yes, I waited for the SSBS and Silly Love Songs to release this chapter. I wanted to see what would happen to see if I wanted to include them. Turned out… I really, really want to make them part of my fanfic, lol. So here you go, Chapter 2 takes place during/after the SSBS. The next chapter will revolve around Silly Love Songs. I'll keep you posted on episodes that will be included.
EDIT: Thanks to flowerback who pointed out that I put the wrong number on Karofsky. He is indeed number 77, not 79. Thanks again!
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE SUE SYLVESTER BOWL SHUFFLE!
READ & REVIEW ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Jekyllhj7 - I know, I know! So far, though, I'm not disappointed, so I have high hopes for the rest of the season!
Nini the Electrocuted Sheep – Are you aware of how fun it is to type your penname? Lol Anyway, the reason I constantly switch between "Dave" and "Karofsky" is because it's common writing practice to use a few different indicators when referring to one character. That way it's not repetitive and boring. I tried to cut down on it this chapter, though.
Angie38, (penname not disclosed), johngirlwalton, PowerLad, the pink post-it, and ktfranceebee – Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! Remember, reviews fuel my need to write, so keep reviewing, please! Thank you for your support!
Chapter 2
"I have to admit, I was a bit worried in there for a minute."
"I wasn't. There was no way we'd lose now; they've come too far to give it up that easy."
"Admit it, dad, you were just as worried as us when you saw that half the team was suddenly made up of girls."
"I knew they could handle themselves."
Kurt, Blaine, Burt, and Carol chatted and laughed as they stood there, waiting for Finn to join them. "I have to admit, that halftime show was pretty impressive," the dark-haired Dalton boy said, rubbing his hands together to keep them warm. "They never cease to amaze me. I mean, I already knew New Directions was good, but that actually makes me worried for Regionals."
"I still can't believe they got the football players to agree to dance," Kurt replied, jumping up and down in his spot. "I would've thought they'd rather die than do anything with the glee club."
"Yeah, it wasn't easy, I can tell you that," Finn grinned, running up from the field. The team had been doing a bit of celebrating before retiring to their individual families. "The guys nearly quit the team permanently instead."
"There's the big winner!" Burt slapped his step-son on the shoulder, gripping it. "This guy right here's gonna go places if he keep this up."
"Oh, I'm so proud of you! My very own championship winning quarterback!" Carol pulled Finn into a tight hug, her son hugging her back.
"I know, I know, thanks guys," Finn laughed, letting go. "Hey, I know we're all ready to go get some victory grub, but can I talk to Kurt for a minute?"
Burt and Carol looked at each other. "Sure, Finn. We'll be waiting in the car."
"Do you want me to…?" Blaine pointed after the retreating parents. After a pause in which Finn looked unsure, he finally said, "Right, brother thing, I'll just be over there…"
Kurt and Finn watched them go until they were sure they were out of hearing range. "Alright, you've got me alone and intrigued," the former asked, looking up at his step-brother. "If you're about to say you've reconsidered your feelings for me, you're a bit late. I like someone else, and we're family, so it'd be kind of creepy now."
Finn blinked at him. "What? No, that's nowhere near what I was about to… why would you even think?"
"Finn. I'm kidding."
"Oh. Right," Finn scratched the back of his head. "Anyway, there was something I wanted to ask you, and I thought Burt would kinda… freak out if he heard it." One of Kurt's eyebrows made a distinct arch. "I swear, it's not what you're thinking! It's about, well…" he looked uncomfortable a moment. "It's about Karofsky."
Kurt's mouth fell open, eyes wide. He couldn't believe Finn had just even mentioned that barbarian in his presence. "I thought you two looked a bit buddy-buddy out on the field," he said coolly, regaining his composure. He actually wasn't completely sure, but something had kept nagging him when he tried to remember who number 77, the one Finn had high-fived, was. "Good to know you're making friends, but you might want to try for ones that don't want to put me in an early grave."
"Look, I know you two have your problems, but…"
"Problems? He threatened to kill me, Finn!"
"I know, I know! Will you just hear me out?" Finn paused a moment to allow for any more objections, but Kurt just folded his arms over his chest and waited. "With all of our practice and everything, it turned out he's a really good performer. I mean, he can dance, and I'm sure if we gave him a chance he might be able to sing. And honestly, over the last week he hasn't been such a bad guy. In fact, we've been getting along pretty well with the whole team, but he just seems more talented than them. So what I'm trying to ask is…" he took a breath. "…would you be too offended if we invited him to join New Directions?"
There was a horrified silence. Kurt just stared at him, looking hurt and a bit betrayed. "Excuse me? Tell me you're kidding. You have to be kidding!" He ran a hand across his face, turning to face away from his step-brother. "You're not kidding, are you? I can't believe you're even asking me this question."
"Look, Kurt, I know you don't like him, and I'm sure the feeling's mutual, but can you at least try? After spending this much time around him, we're pretty convinced he's not really a bad guy. I'm sure if we try, we can convince him to put whatever it is between you behind him. But you're going to have to try and do the same, alright?"
The smaller singer glowered at him a moment before sighing. This was obviously really important to Finn, and as family it was his job to help him where he could. "Fine, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. For you. I'll try to put it behind me, but only if he agrees to do the same!"
"Alright, deal. We'll offer him the chance to be in glee, but only if he agrees to bury the hatchet with you."
Kurt cringed. "Please never use that wording again, Finn."
"Sorry."
()()()()()()
Karofsky had been tempted. He actually had been considering Finn's offer to join the glee club. He hated to admit it, but the last week had been… fun. And he was oddly nowhere near as uncomfortable being himself with them as he was with the football or hockey teams. He didn't feel like he had to hide himself behind his tough-guy exterior, instead letting himself get caught up in the music and dancing. Music and dancing? If that wasn't the gayest thought he'd ever let himself have, he didn't know what was. Well, besides those damn dreams…
But then Finn put his demands out there. Only one demand, but it was the one thing Dave couldn't do. He had to face Kurt. Apologize to him. How could he apologize for this? No, he was way too deep in it to blow it now. He had to keep going, couldn't give Hummel the chance to reveal his dirty secret to anyone, not even his step-brother. Sure, he'd already told that other boy from the gay school, but that was before he told him not to, and that was a whole 'nother school, there wasn't much chance the news would get to West McKinley.
And besides, what would the teammates say?
"What was that all about?" Speak of the devils. Azimio and a couple of other football players fell into pace with Karofsky. They were referring to the puzzled and mildly disappointed Finn he'd left behind.
"Nothing. He seemed to think just because I agreed to do that dance to get back onto the team I'll wanna join Homo Explosion."
Azimio grunted. "Why you? They didn't ask any of us. And I'm pretty sure I'm a better dancer than you are."
"Disappointed? You can go hang out with those losers if you want," Karofsky snapped, picking up his pace. This wasn't a conversation he wanted to have right now.
"Please, I've got way more style than they can handle. If I joined them, they'd finally have enough testosterone between them to qualify for the Girl Scouts."
"Oooooh!" the other teammates laughed, high-fiving each other.
"Whatever," Karofsky waved it off, turning a corner and heading away from the confused teammates. "Look, I've gotta get to class. I'll see you guys later."
()()()()()()
Kurt sat in the common room of his and Blaine's dorm, reading his world history book, when the cellphone in his pocket buzzed. He pulled it out and opened the text message from Finn.
He didn't take our offer.
The young Warbler rolled his eyes, flipping the phone over and rapidly tapping back.
I tried to tell you.
After sending it, he put the phone back in his pocket, leaning back over the book. He wasn't surprised at all that Karofsky had been repelled by the idea of apologizing to Kurt and becoming a glee member. Besides, what kind of singer could he be? He hadn't sung at the halftime show, simply danced in the background. Sure, he wasn't bad. His moves were in sync with the music, more-so than most of the other football players, anyway, even if he had jumped in halfway through.
Wow. How did he remember that? Kurt didn't remember paying that close of attention to the football player. He shook it off, though. He was just good with details was all. He had a good memory when it came to such things.
"Hey, Kurt. How's the studying going?"
The mildly effeminate teenager looked up as Blaine sat down, his own textbook under his arm, and smiled.
'Besides,' Kurt thought with a little flutter of his heart at the sight of that smile. 'I have someone right here to pay attention to. And he's neither sweaty nor a Neanderthal.'
()()()()()()
"What in the world was that, Dave?"
The muscled football player snorted as his eyes opened, looking around the darkness of his room. "What the-?" his gaze fell on the now familiar figure sitting on his windowsill staring out at the moon. "Oh, it's you."
Dream-Kurt, still wearing the sweater and leggings from before, glanced at him. "That's right. You were perfectly primed to take that first major step, but you turned it away."
"What are you talking about?" Karofsky yawned, looking at the clock. It said 55:55. Damn dream clock.
"You know precisely what I mean, David," the subconsciously created boy pushed himself off of the windowsill, stepping lightly toward the bed. In the dark void, he seemed to have a halo of light around him.
Dave thought for a moment before it occurred to him. "Oh. The geeks in the glee club. You really think I was going to join them?"
"Well, I'm your subconscious. What do you think?" He stopped next to the bed, this time on the opposite side than the other night. "Scoot."
Dave didn't even think about it, simply moved over. Dream-Kurt slipped into the bed, propping his head up on the pillow with his elbows. "I'm not going to join that nerd-magnet club. I'd be made fun of for the rest of my high school days. I'm not going to let what happens to them happen to me. I'm not getting slushied again!"
"You mean you don't want what you do to them to happen to you." The dream teenager gave him a cocky smile. "You realize a lot of what happens to them is caused by you, right?"
"Please, if I join them the rest of the team isn't going to go any easier on me."
"You could help stop it, first."
"…what do you mean?"
"I told you, I'm your subconscious, genius. All of these damn answers are in your brain. You just have to figure out how to access them without me." Dream-Kurt reached over and rested his head on Dave's chest, snuggling in and getting comfortable.
"What're you doing?" Karofsky yelped.
"You said you don't want to make out with me anymore. You never said anything about cuddling. Now shush, tomorrow's Saturday and even I like sleeping in during the weekends."
Karofsky looked as if he were about to argue, but then closed his mouth. It was just a figment of his imagination; it couldn't hurt to let him stay. Not that he could necessarily leave, since he was only real inside his head. He closed his eyes and stopped thinking about it. This psychological stuff hurt his brain.
