Thank you TeebsSingerWriter for reviewing!
This chapter's on the dramatic side, I believe. Possibly a little too dramatic...
Chapter 5: Something Bad
"He didn't believe me that you were just as good as I am at times and so I played a duet of us I recorded. And get this- he offered us both a job, triple the pay," Rachel grinned. Kurt smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, for defending me, Rachel. But I can't take the job," Kurt said.
"What? But I thought we could work together," Rachel said.
"I can't work for someone who hates who I am," Kurt said. "And I'm not sorry either. I am who I am." Blaine had an approving smile on his face.
"But… I took the job…" Rachel said helplessly.
"I can't say I'm surprised," Kurt said a little dryly, knowing Rachel's love for show business. "But you'll be brilliant. And give him hell."
"I'm Rachel Berry," Rachel smiled. "I don't make anything easy for anyone."
"The things one hears these days. Dreadful things: I've heard of an Ox, a professor from Quox, no longer permitted to teach, who has lost all powers of speech and an Owl in Munchkin Rock, a vicar with a thriving flock, forbidden to preach- now he only can screech! Only rumors - but still- enough to give pause to anyone with paws, something bad is happening in Oz!"
"Something bad…? Happening in Oz…?"
"Hey!" Kurt shouted, following after Karofsky and Rachel following Kurt, hiding behind a locker. "I am talking to you!"
"Girls locker room's next door," Karofsky grunted.
"What is your problem?" Kurt demanded.
"Excuse me?" Karofsky demanded.
"What are you so scared of?" Kurt asked.
"'Sides you sneaking in here to peek at my junk?" Karofsky said.
"Oh yeah, every straight guy's nightmare, that all us gays are secretly out to molest and convert you. Well guess what, Hammerhawk? You're not my type," Kurt snapped. Rachel silently cheered for Kurt in her head.
"That right?" Karofsky asked.
"Yeah. I don't like chubby boys who sweat too much and are gonna be bald by the time they're thirty!" Kurt said and Rachel had to stop herself from giggling.
"Do not push me, Hummel," Karofsky said.
"You gonna hit me? Do it," Kurt said and Rachel's eyes widened.
"Don't push me!" Karofsky shouted.
"Hit me, 'cause it's not gonna change who I am. You can't punch the gay out of me anymore than I can push the ignormaus out of you!" Kurt said.
"Get out of my face!" Karofsky shouted.
"You are nothing but a scared little boy who can't handle how extraordinarily ordinary you are!" Kurt yelled. Karofsky looked torn and then he grabbed Kurt's face with his hands and kissed him. Rachel could only imagine what Kurt's face look like but she had a good idea when Karofsky tried to kiss Kurt again and Kurt pushed Karofsky away, hands over his lips. Karofsky ran out and Kurt dropped to his knees. Rachel walked over to Kurt and placed a hand on his shoulder. He physically flinched away from her. He looked up at her and she could see the tears pouring down his face.
"Oh, Kurt…" she said sadly. She sat down on the ground and held her arms out and wrapped them around Kurt and let him cry.
"Don't take this the wrong way, Rachel," Kurt sniffed once he had collected himself. "But why are you here? Holding me while I cry on the locker room floor? The boy's locker room floor." Kurt wrinkled his noise.
"I- I just…" Rachel said, remembering her concerns about whether or not Kurt had blown the note."I saw Karofsky push you and you followed him… I was worried about you."
"Thank you," Kurt said. "Um…"
"I won't tell anyone, if that's what you're worried about," Rachel said. "But Kurt, I think you should talk to someone-" Kurt snorted.
"I've tried talking to the teachers and the principals at this school," Kurt said. "It doesn't do anything. Even Mr. Schue said I 'usually let this stuff roll off my back.' I shouldn't have to let this stuff roll off my back!" He broke down again and Rachel moved to hug him but he stepped out of her reach.
"I'm sorry I yelled. I need to go," Kurt said. "Please don't tell anyone about this, Rachel."
"Kurt…" Rachel said but Kurt had already left the locker room.
"Alright, what's going on with you?" Blaine asked when they were in Kurt's room, supposed to be studying for a French test.
"What do you mean?" Kurt asked.
"You've been distant and quiet all week. You don't talk unless you're spoken to. You're not you," Blaine said. Kurt looked down at his paper. He was supposed to be doing French but… well, all that was on his papers were illegible scribbles. Kurt sighed and leaned backwards on his bed.
"It's nothing," Kurt said.
"No, it's not nothing," Blaine said. "Is someone bullying you again, Kurt?" He put his homework on the floor and laid down on his side, elbow propping himself up next to Kurt. Kurt closed his eyes, breathing out "courage" so quietly Blaine didn't hear it.
"Still," Kurt said. "Someone's still bullying me." He bit his lip. Blaine sat up, still facing Kurt.
"Who is it?" Blaine demanded.
"Don't worry about it. No one else is does," Kurt said.
"I'm not 'no one' else," Blaine snapped. "I'm your friend- your best friend. You can tell me what happened."
"He… Karofsky… he…" Kurt's face scrunched up and tears rolled down his face. He turned over onto his stomach so Blaine couldn't see.
"What'd he do to you?" Blaine demanded, pulling Kurt into his lap. "I'm here for you okay? I'm here for you, no matter what. Courage."
"He- he kissed me," Kurt swallowed. "Karofsky's gay and he kissed me." Blaine's hands tightened into fists and Kurt could feel his clothing bunch off.
"It'll be okay," Blaine whispered, rubbing Kurt's back as soon as he had uncurled his fists. "It'll be okay. I'll take care of it. He won't get near you anymore." Kurt was crying too much to register what Blaine was saying. He eventually fell asleep in Blaine's lap.
Blaine pulled out his phone, remembering when Kurt had told him he was a deep sleeper which was why he never fell asleep in class. He dialed a familiar number.
"Blaine, this is Warbler's practice time," a disapproving Wes said on the phone. He could hear choruses of "hi Blaine!" and "When're you coming back?" and various things along those lines from the Warblers and then the banging of Wes's gavel before there was silence.
"I will have order," Wes said to the Warblers. "Now Blaine, is there something I can help you with? I assume it's important or you wouldn't be calling."
"Yeah, it is. It's about Kurt… could you, you know, get away from all the Warblers?"
"Of course," Wes said and Blaine could hear him giving orders before there was complete silence. "What's going on, Blaine?"
"Kurt's being… bullied and sexually harassed," Blaine said. "I… the school's not going to do anything about it. It's Ohio, Wes… I don't know what to do." Wes paused for a minute, considering his options.
"Have you told his parents?" Wes asked.
"His dad doesn't know about the bullying and his step brother is on the football team. They're the people that bully him," Blaine said and he heard Wes's sharp intake of breath.
"His stepbrother bullies him?" Wes growled.
"No, but he just stands there and lets it happen," Blaine said.
"And that's why you're not out like you were at Dalton," Wes said quietly. "Blaine, what are you planning on doing? I know David took you to that fight club-"
"I can't talk about that," Blaine interrupted.
"And I don't think that's the necessarily the answer," Wes said.
"Why does it sound like there's a 'but'?" Blaine asked.
"But if he knows there's someone protecting Kurt…" Wes said.
"I can't be around all the time," Blaine said.
"And if Kurt knows how to protect himself," Wes said.
"Okay, that's a start," Blaine breathed. "Wes, I feel so bad… I tell him to have courage and then his bully kisses him…"
"Blaine, none of this is either your or Kurt's fault," Wes said. "And I know it's hard but you'll figure something out. Do you want me to speak to my father? I'm sure he can make a case out of this." Blaine closed his eyes. Wes's father was one of the best lawyers.
"I think I'd better talk to Kurt first. When he's calmed down," Blaine said.
"Alright. Stay strong, Blaine. I'm here if you need me," Wes said. "All of the Warblers are."
"Thanks, Wes," Blaine sighed.
"Blaine, how about you bring Kurt to Dalton? Show him it's okay to be… himself," Wes said.
"You know what, that- that sounds great, Wes," Blaine said. "But don't you think he'll feel a little… left out, being out of uniform and all? He doesn't know anyone."
"We'll arrange something," Wes said. "And see if he'll bring those famous cookies of his. Everyone wants to try them." Blaine groaned.
"You and David have been talking about me, haven't you?"
"Of course," Wes said, amused. "Everyone's been asking." They hung up shortly after that. Blaine sighed, looking down at Kurt's sleeping figure.
At school the next day, Blaine strode in with purpose, knowing exactly what he was doing. It was a coincidence that most of the Glee club happened to be in that hallway. He grabbed Karofsky's arm and turned him around, pulling him down and throwing a punch. Karofsky reeled back and then rushed at Blaine.
"What the fuck is your problem, Anderson?" Karofsky demanded.
"I know what you did to Kurt!" Blaine said. "Stay away from him!"
"You tell that faggot to stay away from me!" Karofsky said.
"Don't call him that!" Blaine said. Karofsky punched him before he could block it but Blaine swung right back. Karofsky ran him into a locker and Blaine kicked him, following up with punches and Karofsky used his height to keep Blaine at a distance. Blaine found himself being torn away from Karofsky before he could land another punch.
"Finn, let me go!"
"What the hell are you doing, man?" Finn said. "Back off, Karofsky!"
"Later, princess," Karofsky spat, stalking away. The Glee club rushed to Blaine and Finn but Blaine didn't notice them.
"Why are you picking a fight with him, Blaine? Do you know how hard this is for me- for all of the Glee club? I'm trying to make the jocks and the Glee club like each other so we have an easier time at this school! How am I supposed to do that if you're fighting Karofsky?!" Finn demanded.
"How hard it is for you?!" Blaine demanded. "What about Kurt? He's been bullied everyday- shoved into lockers and given slushy facials everyday! He has three changes of clothes in his locker! And you don't stand up for him when he gets shoved! You're supposed to be his brother! I'm going to find Kurt."
Blaine stalked away from the group, not noticing the other Glee clubbers until Mercedes grabbed his arm.
"Don't touch me right now, Mercedes," he said. "Please." He added because he was a dapper gentleman, no matter how angry he was.
"How bad is it?" Mercedes asked. "I knew he wasn't telling me everything."
"Pretty bad, Cedes," Blaine admitted. "I gotta go find him and tell him what happened before-"
"You beat up Karofsky?!" Kurt demanded.
"That happens," Blaine muttered under his breath. "Kurt-" Kurt threw his arms around Blaine and held him tightly.
"Thank you," Kurt whispered. "No one's ever stood up for me before." Blaine relaxed and wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist, returning the hug.
"Anytime," Blaine said honestly, hugging Kurt tighter. "Anytime."
"Blaine? What happened?" Mr. Schuester asked when he saw the cuts and bruises on Blaine's face. "Do I need to get the principal?"
"No, I'm fine," Blaine said.
"What happened to you?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"He stood up to Karofsky," Mike said.
"And he did a damned good job of it too," Mercedes smiled.
"That was really cool of you, Blaine," Artie said.
"Thanks guys," Blaine said and he was glomped by Brittany in another surprise hug she seemed so fond of giving him.
"You're magic," Brittany said. "I was a little scared to talk to you because you're a hobbit and you have magic powers but you're a good hobbit."
"Uh… thank you?" Blaine said.
"You'll get used to it," Kurt assured him. Rachel walked up to Kurt timidly.
"Are you okay?" Rachel asked.
"I'm doing better," Kurt said. He squeezed Rachel's hand and she smiled giddily, taking a seat next to Kurt, leaving Mr. Schue very confused but happy about what was going on with his students. He was more confused as Finn trailed in slowly, looking down.
"Alright guys, who's up first?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"Um, Mr. Schue, I think Blaine and I are going to have to withdraw from this one. At least until his jaw heals from that bruise," Kurt said, surprising everyone, even Blaine.
"Blaine?" Mr. Schue asked.
"What? No- ow!" he said when Kurt poked his jaw, raising his eyebrows as if to say, "see?"
"How about we hold off on your duet until that heals up?" Mr. Schue asked.