Author's Note:

Hot Dang! (Yeah, I'm letting my country boy roots show.) We had several reviews, and a BOATLOAD of hits and subscriptions from the last chapter. That plus an excellent episode this week, has me feeling good again this week, so I'm inclined to share the good mood.

I'm shutting up now so y'all can get on with it!

Don't know anything, don't know anyone, and certainly don't own anything. Please feel free to review with constructive criticism, etc.

07 - Catharsis


"Mom ... dad?" Dave called as he entered the house. "I've brought some company home."

"We're in the kitchen sweetie!" his mother answered.

Dave dropped his gym bag and backpack under the hall table by the door before leading Deen into the kitchen.

"Dan? What are you doing here?" Mr. Karofsky said standing and offering his hand to Deen.

Deen took and shook it. "Paul ... Julie," he said, turning and shaking Mrs. Karofsky's hand.

"Mom, dad, can we talk a minute?" Dave said.

"Sure, sweetie, just let me get this casserole into the oven," Mrs. Karofsky said.

"What's going on Davey? He's not in any more trouble is he?" Mr. Karofsky asked looking over to Deen.

"No, Paul, it's nothing like that."

"Let's go into the living room," Mrs. Karofsky said after setting the oven timer.

Deen took a seat in the overstuffed chair he was offered, and Dave sat on the one beside him. Mr. and Mrs. Karofsky then sat on the sofa across the coffee table.

"So what can we do for you, Dan," Mrs. Karofsky said.

Deen looked to Dave.

Dave cleared his throat, or at least tried to. He felt as if there were a huge lump of mud lodged in his throat that could suffocate him at any time now. "M...mom, dad I ... I need to tell you something."

"Okay, sweetie, go ahead," Mrs. Karofsky said, the concern growing on her face.

"What is it son? You didn't get into another fight did you?" Mr. Karofsky said.

"No, dad, it's nothing like that," Dave said. "It's worse," Dave thought, then admonished himself. He was trembling now, his breathing fast. He sounded as though he might hyperventilate.

"Just breathe, Dave," Deen said reassuringly.

"Davey, you're starting to scare us," his mother said, concern written across her face.

"Davey, it's okay, son," his father said. "Whatever it is you need to tell us, just spit it out. It can't be all that bad. I mean if it were anything that bad there'd be a police officer here with you, not one of your teachers." His father tried to smile, but his concern was fast out pacing his joviality.

Dave tried to calm himself. He took a couple of slow deep breaths. "Band-aid." He took a third slow breath and said, "Mom, dad, I'm gay."

It was low, barely audible. Deen wasn't sure they would have heard it; he barely had and he was sitting the closest. Still he examined the two people seated across from him, looking for any reaction.

"What Davey?" his mother asked.

Dave swallowed hard, still staring at the same spot on the carpet below the coffee table. "I'm ... gay."

His mother's eyes grew wide. "I ... are you sure, son?"

Dave nodded, still unable to look up.

"I don't understand, David," his father said, his eyebrows furrowed. "We were just in the principal's office. You were just expelled for picking on a gay kid; for threatening to kill him!" Tears began to roll down Dave's face. "David, how could you do that to someone if you were like them?" His father continued. "Why?"

"Paul," Mrs. Karofsky said, placing a hand on her husband's arm.

Dave was silent, tears streaming down his face.

"David?" His father said. "Could you at least look at us, please?"

"I DON'T KNOW!" Dave yelled through his tears, finally looking up at his father. "Don't you think I've wondered myself? I've hated myself ever since I started having these thoughts, these feelings... I ... they were wrong, they were..." Dave balled up his fists, consciously trying to rein himself in. He took a deep breath. "I guess I was jealous. Kurt was out ... everyone knew ... no one cared. But me ... I could never do that ... I could never have that."

"But why David? Why couldn't you?" his mother said.

Dave glared at her through his tears, his fist still balled.

Suddenly her face dropped, she visibly winced as the realization hit. "Oh my God ... Davey." She looked at her husband. Then it registered on his face as well.

"Oh, God." Mr. Karofsky said, visibly deflating. "David ... your grandfather and your uncle are idiots."

"You never said much to counter anything they said," Dave said shaking his head.

"No, no we didn't," said Mrs. Karofsky.

"I guess we just never thought it would do any good," said Mr. Karofsky.

"We never imagined that it would affect you though," his mother said. "Certainly not like this."

"Every time we're together: 'those damn fags caused this', the fuckin' queers did that', 'guess that's what we get having a nigger for a president', 'we should just kill 'em all' ... that's not supposed to have an effect? What was it supposed to do?"

Both parents winced at the words they had heard so many times before being spouted by their relatives, tears in both their eyes.

"Dave," Deen said quietly.

Dave looked over at his teacher and sighed.

"I'm sorry," Dave said. "I just felt so alone. I didn't think you'd love me anymore. And you don't, do you?"

His mother stood and came over leaning down to give him a hug. She kissed him on the top of the head. "You're our son Davey; there is nothing in this world that could ever make us stop loving you."

"She's right son," his father said also coming over to him. He held out his hand and helped Dave up, pulling him into a hug.

Dave was sobbing now, but this time you could sense his relief.

Mr. Karofsky turned to Deen. "I'm sorry, Dan, I know this is going to come out sounding rude, and it's truly not meant to be. Why are you here?"

"Moral support," Deen offered with a shrug, as he wiped the tears from his own eyes.

"His brother ... Derrick ... he's gay too. We've been talking ... his brother and me. I asked him to come so that I didn't chicken out."

"Well, I'm definitely glad you told us, Davey, but why was it so important now?" Mrs. Karofsky asked.

"I sort of ... came out to the whole school today. I just wanted to make sure you heard it from me before someone else told you."

"The whole school?" His father said. "You don't do anything small do you?"

He finally got a chuckle out of Dave. "No, sir," Dave said wiping at his eyes.

"Actually, it kind of came up as he was standing up for Kurt Hummel and his boyfriend," Deen interjected.

"Kurt Hummel, the boy you were expelled for threatening?" Mr. Karofsky asked, surprised.

Dave nodded.

"He apologized to him about a week ago," Deen said.

Both of his parents looked at Dave with pride.

"Now, that's the Davey that I remember," his father said.

The timer in the kitchen started beeping. "That'll be my casserole," Mrs. Karofsky said smiling. "Would you care to stay for dinner, Dan?"

"No thank you," Deen said.

She went into the kitchen to turn off the timer and remove the pan from the oven. "Did you know there were two young men waiting outside?" she called from the other room.

"That's Kurt and his boyfriend," Dave told her.

"Second string moral support," Deen said to Mr. Karofsky. They shared a smile. "If they're outside the car, Kurt will be the tall one pacing and Blaine will be the one trying to calm him down."

Mrs. Karofsky looked out the kitchen window again before reentering the living room. "Yes, the tall thin one is pacing, the curly haired one is leaning against the car watching him."

"Curly hair?" Deen said then shrugged.

"Sweetie, why don't you see if they'd like to stay for dinner?"

Dave sniffed the air. "Smells like chicken spaghetti?"

"That's right," she said smiling. "I know you love it."

Dave sort of scrunched his face, "If you only made one pan it's not going to be nearly enough for three teenage boys. Remember the last time Azimio was here, he almost finished off one whole pan on his own."

"Now, that is true," Mr. Karofsky said.

"The boys did say something about celebrating if everything went well," Deen said.

Dave's eyes sparkled slightly as he smiled. Mr. Karofsky took note of it and said, "Why don't you go ahead and spend some time with your friends."

"Are you sure?" Dave asked.

"Chicken spaghetti is always better the second day," his mom said.

Dave smiled and hugged her, then turned to hug his father.

As they headed for the door, Mr. Karofsky pulled Deen aside. "Dan, I'd like to thank you ... and your brother," he said quietly. Deen tried to say it wasn't necessary, but Mr. Karofsky wouldn't let him. "I've heard the horror stories of kids like Davey, who ... well let's just say, took the easy way out. Thank you for not letting my son become one of those kids."

Deen nodded and shook his hand. "I remember what it was like for my brother, and I wouldn't wish that on any kid." Mrs. Karofsky gave him a hug then watched as he followed Dave out to the car.

"Well?" Kurt asked, running up to Dave, Blaine following close behind.

Dave tried to maintain a sad face, but he couldn't manage it. He began grinning from ear to ear. "Yes!" they both chorused, before pouncing on him, enveloping him in a huge hug. Deen couldn't help but smile.

"Who's up for ice cream or something?" Deen said leading the way to the car.


They had just left Dave's subdivision when they heard a buzzing from the floor of the car between the front seats. Deen rummaged around as best he could without taking his eyes off the road. Finally finding his cell he glanced at the caller ID. "Oh, boy, here's trouble," he said smiling. He flicked on the phone and held it to his ear. "Hey man, what's..." He jerked it away from his ear suddenly holding it out in the air.

"... DON'T YOU HEY MAN ME! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?" even Kurt and Blaine could hear it in the back seat.

"Der..." Deen tried holding it back to his ear, but couldn't keep it there. He tilted the phone so that his mouth was near the microphone. "Derrick! DER-RICK! Dude, I'm trying to drive, man, stop yellin' in my ear!" He managed to flip on the speakerphone and sat it in the cup holder so that he could put both hands back on the wheel.

"Sorry, bro," Derrick said, now calmer. "I got done with a shoot and checked my messages. I had a text from Dave. Dude, he said he'd come out ... to everyone at school! Then he said that he had to go tell his folks. I've been calling him, but there's no answer. Danny, the last one I got was 'it'll be over tonight one way or the other'. I'm calling him, and you, and nothin'..."

"Wait, I sent you another one after that," Dave said.

"DAVE?"

"Hey, Derrick," Dave said smiling.

"Oh thank God, you guys had me scared shitless! I was literally trying to decide whether to head for home or the airport."

"Sorry, dude," Dave said. "I did send you another one saying that D was going to come with me to see my folks."

Derrick blew out a breath. "Well I didn't get that last one."

"Sorry, my phone kinda got wet and it was acting up."

"Okay, now that my hearts beating again," Derrick said, "how'd it go?"

"Great, man," Dave said. "We're cool, it's all good."

"And now I can breathe again," Derrick said, laughing.

"I'm taking the guys out for ice cream or something," Deen said.

"Guys?"

"Blaine and Kurt are with us too," Deen explained.

"Oh... HI GUYS!" Derrick said, causing them to laugh. "Wait, Danny ... they all have to be at least like sixteen or seventeen, right?

"Yeah. Why?" Deen said, suspicious.

"Well, I'm no expert, but ice cream is for ten year olds not seventeen year olds."

"What do you want me to do, take them to a bar and buy 'em a drink?"

There was a pause on the other end, then, "Dave are you in the front seat?"

"Yeah, Derrick, why?"

"Please smack my brother in the back of the head at the next traffic light."

All three teens snorted with laughter. "Uh, I really shouldn't. Dude, he's my teacher."

"Yeah, well one, you're not in school at the moment and two, it's for me and I'm his brother."

"I like this guy," Blaine said from the back seat.

Deen glared back at him through the rear view mirror. "Okay, okay. First of all, he's in California and I'm here, second, we do have a 'no pass, no play' policy and conduct is part of your grade. Besides, I give up. He's right, ice cream is so middle school, you guys choose."

"Oh, oh, make him take you to Kewpee Burgers or somewhere good like that! Man I should 'ave gotten one of those while I was home last month."

"Bro, you are not Zac Efron, nor are you Seventeen Again!"

"I know. I'm cuter than Zac!" You could hear the grin in his voice.

"He may have you there..." Dave said with a chuckle.

"Do not encourage him!" said Deen.

"I don't need encouragement. I have covers to prove it."

"He does have a point." Dave said laughing.

"Love you, bro, but you're breaking up," Deen said, grabbing a candy wrapper from the coin tray and crinkling it in front of the phone.

"Love you too ... Dave. Hey, ditch the stick in the mud and call or text me later!"

"Hanging up now..."

"Love you, Danny."

"Love you too, Derrick." He rolled his eyes as he hit the end call button.

"Okay, he is a trip!" Blaine said laughing.

"A trip maybe, but cuter than Zac Efron ... I seriously doubt it," Kurt said.

"Actually, he does have the magazine covers to prove it," Dave said shrugging.

"What?" Blaine and Kurt both said.

"He's a model, he sent me a link to his portfolio, and he's done several magazine covers."

"Uh, which portfolio?" Deen said cutting Dave a sideways glance.

"The nice one, not the naughty one," Dave replied, then looked back into the back seat. "His words, not mine."

"Ah," Kurt said.

"So he's really hot?" Blaine said.

"Hell yes!" Dave said.

"Hello, in the car!" Deen said. "That's my baby brother you're talking about."

"He is not a baby anymore. Besides you know it's true," Dave said.

"Perhaps, but you'll never hear me admit that anywhere that it'll ever get back to him. He has a big enough ego." The boys all laughed.

"He knows you're proud of him anyway," Dave said smiling.

"I know ... but we're brothers. It's somewhere in the rule book that we can't acknowledge it in public."

"There's a rule book?" said Kurt. "I need one of those to help me deal with Finn."

"Yeah, there was, but then we lost it, so we're goin' from memory," Deen said shaking his head. They all shared another laugh as they pulled into the Kewpee Hamburger joint.


Sam had just pulled up to the drive thru window and was paying the lady when behind her he saw Dave at the inside counter filling his cup. Sam waited for his food and thanked the lady, then quickly went over and parked. Getting out of his jeep, he jogged to the building's side door. Once inside, he glanced around, finding the four of them seated at a table near the back.

"Hi guys," Sam said.

There was a chorus of "hey's" and "hello's". "What are you doing here, Sam?" Dave said, smiling up at him.

"I was at the drive thru and saw you through the window," Sam said pointing his thumb over his shoulder toward the door. "Uh, I've been worried about you since you left. I was just wondering how it went."

"It went great thanks," Dave said smiling from ear to ear. "They were really understanding. Here sit down and join us." He pulled out the chair beside him.

"Uh, hold up," Deen said. "Didn't you say you'd just gone through the drive thru?" Sam nodded. "Then how 'bout you go get your food and come back and join us."

Sam smiled and said, "Good idea."

They spent an easy hour just talking, laughing and gorging themselves like only teenage boys can. Well four of them at any rate.

"Well guys," Deen said, gathering their garbage onto a couple of trays. "Some of us have homework to do, and some of us have homework to grade. I think I have a quiz to write up, too."

"Aww," they chorused like kindergarteners.

"Hey you don't have to make up that quiz!" Blaine said, pasting on his most charming grin. "Even teachers deserve a break for good deeds." The others nodded.

"Sorry, but them's the breaks," he said.

"It was worth a try baby," Kurt said, giving Blaine a peck on the cheek.

Blaine helped Deen dispose of the garbage as Kurt gathered their jackets and bags.

Their stuff all together, they walked out to their cars.

On their way out, Sam stopped Dave. "Hey, Dave, you wanna maybe come by my place tomorrow? We could play video games or something."

"Are you sure?" Dave asked. "I mean ... are you sure that you still want to hang out with me now that I'm out."

Sam looked at him. "Sure, why not. You're still the same guy right? I liked you before, why wouldn't I like you now ... I just know a little more about you now."

"Aren't you afraid that people will talk?"

Sam thought about it a minute. "I might have before. I mean I was so worried about what everyone else thought that I quit acting like ... me; I even bleached my hair and stuff. I just can't keep that up ... either they're going to like me or they're not. Besides, after what you did today in front of everyone ... actually standing up and owning who you are. I was just so impressed. You're definitely the type of person that I want to be friends with."

Dave smiled through his blush. "Thanks. And ... I'd love to. I'll meet you after practice?"

"Cool!"


End notes:

Thanks again, hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to let me know one way or the other.