Kurt winced as he turned to look where his raised shirt exposed his side. The movement brought shooting pain up his ribs and the dark purple marks that already showed up from that morning caused Kurt to sigh. The three week break for Christmas Vacation had been a much needed break from his tormentors, but only made the return that much worse. It had only been a week, but somehow the jocks had piled three weeks' worth of pent up aggression into their attacks.
He fixed his shirt and exited the bathroom just in time to see his friends walk through the door. He took as deep of a breath as his injuries would allow with little pain and walked forward.
"KURT!" Jeff yelled as he ran forward, enveloping Kurt in a tight hug. Kurt yelped at the tightness on his ribs and Jeff jumped back immediately, "Kurt, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"
Kurt held up his hand, "No, Jeff, it's not you. My ribs are just...sore and the pressure hurt, but you didn't know." Kurt shrugged.
"Kurt. You need to tell someone." Jeff mumbled, looking him up and down, as though to search for blood stains.
Kurt shook his head and walked forward to the other Warblers.
"Hey Kurt!" Nick said as he gave a gentle hug, obviously having seen the exchange between Kurt and Jeff.
"I've missed you Nick. I hope you had a good break." Kurt said before moving on to greet Wes, David and Trent as well.
They all got their coffee orders and sat in a back corner of the Lima Bean where the comfy chairs were all circled up, rather than sitting at one of the actual tables. Kurt settled between Nick and Trent and took a sip of his mocha.
"So Kurt, how was your break?" Wes asked with a tilt of his head.
Kurt smiled at the familiarity of the movement, "It was fine. I spent most of it helping my dad at the garage. I saw the new sci-fi movie with the glee club one day. It wasn't bad." He said with a shrug. "What about you guys?"
They each listed off what they had done, though they all seemed to be dancing around a certain subject; Blaine. Wes informed Kurt of their successful show at the Winter Carnival over break and Kurt congratulated them.
It was Jeff that finally breached the barrier.
"But the best part of my break was driving back to school with Bl-I mean...uh, without my parents for once."
Kurt's heart pattered in his chest, reminding him of the last time he had seen Blaine and how he'd turned him away.
Kurt cleared his throat, "That's great Jeff. Uh, how's Blaine doing? Is he as hyper of a driver as I would expect?"
Everyone laughed, though mostly forced, before Jeff answered, "Once Katy Perry comes on the radio it's game over. He's okay though. He misses you, you know. I'm sure he'd like to join on one of these coffee outings sometime."
"Jeff." Nick said in a warning tone, putting a hand on his knee.
"Nick it's fine. I asked. He, uh, he came to visit me when he first got his car. I just...I'm sorry guys, but I can't see him. I still have feelings for him but I can't because he's got a boyfriend and I've never been a home wrecker, so..." Kurt drifted off, and looked up in time to see Wes nod to Nick. "What?"
Nick sighed, "We were going to wait to let Blaine tell you but he's been dragging his feet since just after Sectionals. He's been waiting for you to talk to him, but I told him this was the reason and he should clear the air without waiting for your approval but-"
"Nick, you're rambling. Let me do it." Wes cut him off, "Blaine and Sebastian are no longer dating. Blaine broke up with him after seeing you at Sectionals. He says he'd been stupid to date Sebastian. That he was lonely and missed you."
Kurt's stomach turned at the news, his heart grew and he bit his lip to try and hold back the smile that wanted to paint his face. His heart filled with hope. 'He's single? I've been wasting my time? I need to see him. Maybe these guys will let me ride back with them...'
Jeff's snort brought Kurt back to reality, "Not that it stops Blaine from hooking up with Sebastian whenever the opportunity arises."
Kurt felt the whole world rock around him. All of the joy and hope that had filled him the moment prior left his body. The need to hold back the smile became the need to hold back tears.
"I-I'm sorry?" Kurt asked, turning to face Jeff straight on, the move daring any of the others to stop Jeff from clarifying.
Jeff swallowed and met Kurt's eye, dread filled his expression as he opened his mouth.
Blaine closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He tried to block out the entire world. He had finally gotten his friends to open up about their visit with Kurt two weeks prior. They had come back looking defeated and silent; both emotions that Warblers did not express lightly. Each of them had remained silent on the affair until Blaine cornered Jeff and it was game over. At first he'd been sort of relieved they'd told Kurt he and Sebastian had broken up, but the relief turned to fury when Jeff reluctantly told him about their discussion of Blaine's extracurricular time with Sebastian. He felt betrayed and suffocated; he had to get away.
That's how Blaine had found himself on his parents' porch that evening, hearing the screaming from inside and deciding that even with the fury built inside these walls, it was better than the pain that was at school; if only for the weekend.
Blaine turned to his side and tried once again to block out his father's screams and his mother's sobs. Though the thought of his parents' love turning into this scared Blaine, he knew he'd strive to never have that type of relationship. He knew that with someone like Kurt at his side he'd never have so much hate in his life. He certainly wouldn't stick around if it turned into even something of a shadow of the way his parents treated each other.
Blaine startled at the sound of glass shattering. He listened closely and sighed in relief that it seemed to have only hit the wall and not his mother. A single tear cascaded down his cheek and he knew there was only one voice he needed to hear. He had to make things right.
He reached for his phone and scrolled to Kurt's contact and pressed the 'call button'. He listened as the phone beeped to signal its ringing. When it went to voicemail, Blaine decided to leave a message. It was time to suck up his pride.
"Hey Kurt. It's, uh, it's Blaine." Blaine sniffled, trying to gather his emotions, "I just wanted to apologize for not telling you sooner about Sebastian. Either before Sectionals or once we broke up. I should have just come out with it sooner. I'm sorry. I know what the guys told you and I'm sure you don't think too highly of me at the moment, but please just give me a chance. I miss you like crazy and..." Blaine choked past a sob as another glass shattered against the downstairs wall, "Please just call me."
Blaine hit the 'end call' button and curled up in a ball, all of the day's emotions weighing down on him as his eyelids started to droop.
XXXX
Valentine's Day brought yet another Warblers rehearsal for the upcoming mixer with their sister school over the weekend. Wes had promised a short rehearsal so those with significant others could enjoy their evening. Blaine was in group A and was trying to perfect a double spin in opposite time as his neighbor, Thad. They kept bumping into each other, so they were only sort of holding up the group.
Sebastian, who was in group B, was in charge of manning group A's phones in case anyone called that needed immediate answering. He held up his hand, signaling that someone's phone was ringing.
"Yes Sebastian?" Wes said, his 'I have the gavel now' voice in full flair.
"Blaine, you're blowing up." Sebastian said, holding his phone out.
Blaine sighed, figuring it was his mother or something, "Just answer it and tell them I'm busy and will call them back. Otherwise they'll keep calling."
Sebastian nodded and Blaine went back to work with Thad.
"Blaine's phone this is Sebastian speaking."
Kurt's heart stopped in his chest. He'd finally convinced himself to call Blaine and try and talk it out and now...this?! 'The world is out to get me, I swear. Maybe it's not what you think. Brave. Just finish this out. If only for yourself. Karofsky already ruined your day, might as well add onto it.'
"Um, hi Sebastian. I'm sorry to interrupt. My name is Kurt and I'm wondering if Blaine is around?"
"Ah, hello princess. Well, you see, killer over here is getting prepared to show off some of his sexy moves, if you know what I mean. Should I relay a message?" Kurt could hear the cocky smirk on the boy's face.
Kurt swallowed the lump in his throat, determined not to let this asshole get the better of him. "No. It's okay. Thanks for your time."
There was a light chuckle on the other end, "Thanks for your boy. Happy Valentine's Day. Or should I say, Happy Fuck Your Single Friend Because You're Single Also And He's A Great Fuck Day."
Kurt's throat closed and his heart pounded as the line disconnected.
Once rehearsal finally let out, Blaine pocketed his phone and headed out of the room, only to be stopped at the entrance by Sebastian.
"Hey killer, I'd hate for you to spend Valentine's Day alone. You got any plans?" Sebastian said in a low voice.
Blaine sighed, "No, Seb. I really just want to go back to my room and sleep. So, if you'll excuse me."
Sebastian caught his hand as he tried to step around him, "Well, if you haven't got anything going, and I don't have anything going, maybe we should get something going together."
Blaine extracted his hand from Sebastian's grip, "No, thanks. I really just want to shower and get some rest."
"It's only four-thirty."
Blaine met Sebastian's gaze and shook his head, "I don't care, Seb. I just want some sleep. I haven't been sleeping well and I'm finally tired."
Sebastian nodded, "Just- did I do something wrong? I mean, I thought everything was okay with us. That we could fuck and be okay."
Blaine felt his cheeks color at the bluntness of Sebastian's statement, "Everything's fine, Sebastian. I'm just not in the mood, okay?"
"Fine. See you around."
Sebastian walked away, swaying his hips for Blaine to see. Blaine shook his head and headed in the opposite direction; the fact that he had a call to return slipping his mind as he walked.
Kurt walked offstage and into the lobby of the theatre. He saw his father talking to Finn's mom and sighed. He walked over and patted Burt's arm. Burt turned and immediately tugged Kurt into a hug. Kurt suppressed the need to yelp in pain at the pressure against his injuries.
"I'm so proud of you, kiddo! Your solo was really great, son." Burt leaned back to meet Kurt's gaze, Kurt felt tears well in his eyes at his father's proud expression.
"Thanks dad." He choked out.
"Sweetie, you did amazing." Finn's mom said, reaching out and patting Kurt's shoulder. "I'm Carole Hudson, Finn's mom." She smiled brightly.
Kurt managed a smile back, "Nice to meet you. I'm Kurt. Finn's a really nice guy. He should be out in a minute; he was trying to calm Rachel down from Mr. Schuester not letting her keep the trophy."
Carole smiled knowingly, "Ah, yes. We hear a lot of Rachel's tangents in our house."
"Try being her friend. At least you can walk away."
"True. Ah! Here they come." She said as Finn and Rachel approached them.
"Hey mom. Sorry, Rach and I needed to get rid of some post-show talking." Finn said sheepishly as he hugged Carole.
"No worries, sweetheart. Rachel you sang beautifully as always." She said as she hugged Rachel as well.
"Well, not as good as Kurt." Rachel replied before turning to Kurt, "I can't believe you almost refused to sing a solo! We need your voice."
Kurt felt his cheeks warm, "Well, I sang it and that's all that matters." He turned back to Burt, "I think I'm going to head home."
Burt nodded, "Okay, kiddo." He turned to Finn and Rachel, "Congrats on the win, guys. Nice job." The nodded their thanks and Kurt watched as Burt turned to Carole, "It was great meeting you, maybe we'll see each other soon."
Carole's cheeks turned bright red, "Yeah. I'll have to bring in my car for my brakes."
"YES PLEASE!" Finn yelled, throwing his fists in the air in victory, "Those things drive me nuts."
Everyone laughed and Kurt slowly began walking away, letting them enjoy their good time.
Blaine stared at Burt in disbelief.
"Blaine, listen, Kurt's not up for visitors, okay? He made it very clear to me that he didn't want to see you right now and I can't go against my own son. You're a good kid, but whatever is bothering Kurt is something he needs to work out on his own. Please don't make me get angry, Blaine. I'm trying to take care of my kid."
Blaine sighed in resignation, "I think I know part of what could be bothering him. He called last week during one of the Warblers' rehearsals and my phone was in the care of another Warbler, one that Kurt doesn't know personally but knows about him, and well, I can't be held responsible for anything Sebastian said. I can however be held responsible in the fact that I forgot to check my call log after rehearsal and forgetting to call him back until today. When he wouldn't pick up I knew something was really wrong and I know I messed up. I should have checked sooner." Blaine looked to the single red rose held tight in his hand, he held it out to Burt, "Will you please give this to him and tell him I said congrats on the Regionals win and that I'm very sorry? Please?"
Burt narrowed his eyes at Blaine and he felt like Burt was going to yell at him. He was surprised as Burt reached out and took the flower from him.
"I'll tell him, Blaine. Drive safe."
Blaine nodded, knowing he got the best he could, "Thanks, Burt."
He turned and walked down the driveway, the snow crunching under his feet. He heard a window slide shut and looked up in time to see the curtains on Kurt's window flutter. Blaine smiled as his heart pulled him back to the door, but his feet pulled him to his car. The tiny flutter of Kurt's curtains left Blaine with a new feeling of hope that maybe, maybe not all was lost.
A/N: I don't own Glee nor its characters. Thanks to everyone who's supporting this story! I hope y'all are enjoying it. Don't forget to check out my newest story that I've began posting called 'Finding Yourself'. :)