Disclaimer: I still do not own Glee. *sigh*
Glass Chapter 3: Promise
Falling down seemed to take an eternity. Every millisecond felt like a day and pain kept increasing. I knew that this would kill me.
When Finn arrived to Dalton, it was already near noon. "If I play my cards right, Kurt might return today! He just can't stay away from us, away from me." He parked his car and walked to the very impressive front doors of the Academy. "Whoa, I'm glad that I dressed up, my regular clothes would have been sooo out-of-place in here." He entered the building and instantly spotted Kurt sitting on the main stairs. As soon as Kurt saw Finn coming in, he stood up and regally straightened his uniform jacket even though it was in immaculate order.
"Hello Finn Hud…" He couldn't get to the ending because suddenly he found himself wrapped up in a pair of strong arms, being lifted against the taller boy.
"Gosh Kurt, I have missed you" Finn spoke to Kurt's hair, holding the smaller boy in almost smothering way.
"Not that I mind this kind of brotherly affections, could you ummm could you please set me down and let me breathe normally." It was hard for Kurt to say these words as he was very much enjoying the embrace, but he had to for Finn's sake.
"Oh, ok, sorry about that:" Finn released Kurt and looked down to his shoes, being embarrassed of grabbing Kurt so shamelessly. "He said 'brotherly' dammit. Doesn't he like me anymore?" Finn thought sadly.
"Oh my Finn Hudson, what on earth are you wearing?" Kurt circled Finn slowly and whistled with obvious appraisal. "I just knew that coat would fit you perfectly and it does! Now you have to admit I'm brilliant!"
"I, um I thought that this place is too fine for me to visit in my regular do's" Finn explained.
"Finn Hudson, dressed up just because of a place?" I do wish I had my camera here with me!"
"Um, Mom already took pictures before I left. She misses you by the way, and so does Burt. They sent their love."
Thank you Finn. You must tell them I miss them too very much. But now we have to get away from this drafty old foyer. There is a cozy and not too grand little room farther back, we can go there. I already set some food up so we can catch up and eat at the same time."
"Sounds good! Oh, and Glee guys sent their hello's too. We all miss you like crazy; the group is not the same without you there."
Kurt had to turn away hearing that. He missed his friends too, but he could not show weakness now, the decision was his alone, and he had to carry the consequences. He could not let Finn see that he was in the verge of tears, just for thinking of his friends and family.
Kurt beckoned Finn to follow and lead them to a homey little room with a fireplace and couple of old but expensive-looking sofas. On the side table was a setting of simple lunch for two. While they were eating, Kurt very much tried to keep the conversation light and in general topics, as not to worry his friend and step-brother. But soon enough Finn managed to steer to the topic he was most interested in.
"So Kurt, do you enjoy Dalton?" Finn casually asked while folding his napkin.
Kurt lowered his eyes for a second, but snapped his gaze back to Finn almost inhumanly fast. "But of course I enjoy it here! What is there not to enjoy? It's peaceful, beautiful, wonderful and and…" Kurt suddenly stopped in mid-sentence. "And it is unbelievably, utterly boring! Yes, I feel safe here, with that no harassment policy, but I'm feeling like I am being buried alive!"
Now Finn could finally see a spark of life in the counter soprano's eyes. "I have to listen to my music with ear plugs, I can't sing freely anywhere here, and I really, REALLY miss my wardrobe! Kurt almost shouted the last words and clapped his hands over his mouth, horrified of his own outburst. "Please, please don't tell Dad and Carole this! They want me to be safe and I want that too, but this place is suffocating."
"That is ok, now I can tell you why I'm here. Not only to see you, but I came to ask you to come back home, back where you belong."
Kurt's eyes widened in almost comical way. "But… but I can't! What about those bullies? What about… Karofsky?" Kurt whispered the name so silently that Finn barely heard it.
"Karofsky has been dealed with. Puck and I made some not-so-subtle threats and I believe that maggot-brain understood. If he or anybody dares even look at you funnily, Puck promised that Karofsky will suffer. And you know how Puck is with violence."
Kurt was stunned. "Noah? Why would he want to help me? He hates me!"
"Not so. To him I'm his bro, and because our parents are married now, you are his bro too. Or so he said to me. AND he promised not to call you names anymore."
Kurt shook his head, clearly amused. "If he manages to go even one day without any funny names for me, I will surely turn straight and marry Santana." The thought itself was so hilarious that both boys soon found themselves laughing so hard that they got tears to their eyes.
"And if that day ever comes, I will turn gay and elope with you!" Finn barked through his laughter, realized what he was saying and boy that sobered him up quite fast. "Uhm, yeah… So, what do you say? Wanna come back home with me?"
That was the key for Kurt to stop laughing. "I would, you know that. But seriously I cannot. Karofsky is so stupid he will forget and you can't protect me everywhere and all the time. And I wouldn't want you to do that anyways, I can take care of myself."
"But I want to! And it's not only me watching over you, I'm sure that all the guys from Glee will be there for you, we could even take turns so you never would be alone."
"What? Do you really think that I'm so fragile that you have to get me fucking BODYGUARDS?" Kurt was furious. This visit had gone in very bad direction fast, and this over-protectiveness of Finn was unfathomable. Did Finn really think that Kurt was weak?
Hearing Kurt swear shocked Finn. And seeing the angry flame the small boy had in his eyes now, he easily understood that he was in deep now. Finn had to close his eyes for a second, an apoplectic Kurt was so wonderful sight that Finn found himself aroused. "Think of the mailman dummy" he thought and opened his eyes to this hellishly beautiful sight: Kurt was shaking with anger and his eyes, oh god his eyes were so full of life once more that Finn was speechless. But he had to calm things down so Kurt would listen to him. "Kurt, please listen. I will make you a promise. If you come home, no one will hurt you anymore. I will personally take care of that. And if someone gets to you, I will deal with them. I do not think that you are weak or not being able to protect yourself, but you shouldn't be dealing with these things alone."
Hearing that, Kurt slammed his fist on the table. "Do not go all big brother on me! I have always taken care of myself and I will continue doing so by staying here. I will not accept that someone might get hurt because of me. It would always stay on my conscience. I will stay here and learn to cope. Maybe I can even get a solo in Warblers on my senior year…" That thought finally deflated Kurt's anger, leaving only exhaustion and shame. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…"
"You had every right, and I'm sorry too Kurt. But please, promise me to think about it ok? That's all I ask from you for now. Just think about it. We all miss you so badly…." Finn reached to touch Kurt's hand.
"Fine fine, I will." Kurt hid his face in his hands, effectively evading Finn's touch. "Could you please leave now. I'm very tired and we have a Warblers practice soon."
Finn slumped in dejection. "Ok Kurt, if you think that I must leave I will." Finn got up and turned to the door. He knew that Kurt would not take comforting now so the best thing for him would be really to go, but when he glanced back to the table and saw Kurt, so smallish and fragile-looking, resembling more of a broken glass figurine than living and breathing human being, he almost lost it there and then. Finn felt an urge to cry and a terrible, terrific need to scoop Kurt into his arms and kiss his tears away for good, but he had to stay strong for Kurt's sake. He would scare the lithe boy away for good if he would do that now. So he just plainly said "Please Kurt, think about what I said. We miss you at home. I'll call you soon." Then he dragged himself out of the door and out of the building. He managed to get into the car and then he just sat there, letting his tears fall freely.
AN: Feedback is greatly appreciated. Chapter 4 coming soon!
