Author's note: Still don't own Glee or its characters. I only own my OC's and ideas.
Warnings for language, homophobic assault, slurs and mild violence.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Carole and Finn had arrived very early that morning. Finn went straight to bed intending to sleep until noon as he usually did on Sundays. A surprised, but smiling Carole greeted both teens quietly as they made their way to the kitchen to start cooking.
"Sweetie, is there something you want to tell me?" she asked, smiling at her step-son and his speechless boyfriend.
"We want to tell Dad that we're dating, but want to soften him up first. Will you help us?"
"Of course, Sweetie. I just want you to be happy." Turning to Noah, she added "And you better treat him right, Mister! Or you'll wish it was only Burt you had to face." Smiling to take the sting out of her statement, she gave both teens a loving hug.
Scene
"Dad, do you mind if I have Noah over for breakfast?" Kurt asked as his father walked into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, the enticing smells of Kurt's cooking and bacon filling the spacious room.
"Please tell me you're not already dating that punk."
"Daddy, his name is Noah Puckerman, and he wants to talk to you."
"Son, I don't know..." Burt began, as he saw his son loading a plate with crispy bacon, ham steaks and eggs. Eyes wide, the elder Hummel could only nod as his nose lead him to the table, where the Mohawked teen was already chatting with Carole, eating a plate of waffles and eggs. Kurt set the plate down in front of Burt and went back to the kitchen to bring in his own breakfast of fruit, yoghurt and oatmeal.
"Not that I object to the bribe, kiddo, but what exactly is going on here? And what does this punk have to say that's so important?"
"His name is Noah, Dad. He's the reason I'm not crying my eyes out over the fact that Blaine is a cheating little bitch who slept with someone else because he couldn't wait for me to be ready for sex. Or over that over-sleeping arse upstairs who can't deal with having a gay brother. Sorry about the language, Carole." Taking a calming sip of his coffee, he continued. "And Noah is willing to wait for me as long as it takes."
"It's true, Sir. I wanted to ask your permission to date your amazing son. It took me a long time to realize that I really love him and it took him a while to forgive me for being an all around arse all those years. I promise, I'll never hurt him, and I will wait for him as long as it takes. If we're both in our forties before anything happens, I'll still wait for him." Burt didn't miss the matching looks in both teens' eyes, though he did miss his son's quick trip back to the kitchen for another plate of crispy bacon until it was slid almost silently in front of him.
"Forties, huh? And all the fried foods that I'm not supposed to be eating is supposed to mean that you two aren't already doing something I'm supposed to overlook?"
"Boys, would you excuse us for a moment? Oh and Kurt, thank you so much for cooking for us this morning. Everything is delicious. Don't worry about cleaning up, I'll take care of it after we eat." Carole stepped in.
"Sure thing, Mrs. H. Come on, Cherub, the 'rents want some 'alone time'." Noah said with finger quotes and a saucy wink to Burt that had him spitting his sip of coffee.
"PUCKERMAN!" Burt started to yell, only to be cut off by his wife's calming, but firm hand on his arm.
"Noah, dear. What Burt means is that you have our blessing to date Kurt, and both of you be careful and respectful of each other. Don't you, dear?" She said, taking her husband's hand as she wiped his face with a napkin.
"But Carole... Kurt's my kid... And if this punk ever hurts him..."
"That will be between the two of them, Burt. Don't threaten, don't shout, don't mention guns and empty lots to bury a body. Be happy your son has someone who adores him and is strong enough to stand up to his scary and over-protective father for him. I'm just thankful that he has someone who is willing to stand up to Finn for him." Carole soothed. "I wish I knew how I failed my son, but I'm proud of Kurt and Noah. You should be too."
"I don't have to like it, Carole. Kurt's too young and that punk has slept with half the women and girls of Lima."
"Burt." Carole said challengingly, "They love each other and as hard as it is for people to accept them, they still managed to find each other. You need to respect their relationship or you're going to drive Kurt away, and then what? Do you really want to act like my son?"
Knowing she was right and that he had failed to protect Kurt when the boy needed him most, Burt could only look into her eyes, silently agreeing with her, no matter how it stung that he had been as bad as Finn in his own over-protective way.
"Boys! It's safe to come finish breakfast, now."
Scene
After breakfast, Kurt took Noah to the mall for a bit of shopping. Knowing his boyfriend wasn't the kind of power shopper he and Mercedes were, the diva took it easy on his jock boyfriend. Only a couple hours shopping for shoes and shirts for Noah. Watching from across the mall, Ronan saw the pair laughing as they walked from store to store.
As the young couple neared American Eagle, Azimio Adams and his posse came out and slammed into the teens.
"Look at what we have here, guys. Homo Depot is down the street, bitches." Laughing maliciously with his cronies, the large athlete shoved Kurt into the wall, while his gang pulled Puck toward the men's rest room down the hall.
Before they could get very far, a loud, sudden blaring feedback from the mall's loudspeakers had everyone grabbing their ears, stunned from the noise. Without warning, a strong hand pulled the startled diva away from the heavy jock, then in a blur of movement, the stranger dashed to pull Puck away from his attackers, before sending the large tackler sprawling with a spinning kick.
Pulling Kurt and Puck into a corner, with himself on point, Ronan tensed himself, ready to spring at anyone foolish enough to step any closer.
"Who the fuck are you? Another queer lover?" Azimio snarled.
"Among other things, I'm Ronan Campbell, and I am Kurt's cousin." the Irishman stated.
"*And you're all such a lovely pack of big, strong men." the Druid intoned solemnly.
"I'll bet your mothers are all proud of how it took six of you to pull down two young men.
I'm certain they'll applaud your courage and strength, as the police lead you away in chains. And your fathers, if you know who they are, must be weeping in joy at how their sons have brought shame to their houses and ancestors.
Run along, brave and valiant men." the Druid said with dripping scorn.
"Run along and enjoy the fruits of your courage and honour.
Run along to your homes and regal your parents with tales of how strong and brave you were this day.
Run along home, or scurry away!*" With a sudden burst of crimson light, the assembled jocks found themselves weeping uncontrollably in shame, as they ran off.
"Dude. What the fuck was that?" Noah asked, stunned.
"Sadly, not my best work." the Druid stated calmly. "But at least it served its purpose."
"Ronan, what are you doing here? I thought you were still in Dublin."
"My schooling is over back home, Little Cousin. After Da ran into you and your companion in New York, he asked me if I'd like to spend time here in the states. I'll even be attending your school next term as a senior." Turning to the still perplexed Noah, "I'd be honoured to take you both to lunch. Introductions were sadly overlooked due to circumstances." he said lightly.
Enjoying lunch with the American teenagers, Ronan mentioned a desire to meet with Burt and the rest of Kurt's family. A look of fear passed momentarily over the counter-tenor's handsome features before he suggested later in the week.
"Of course, you should be there as well, Noah." Ronan offered warmly.
"Wish I could, Dude. My folks are going out of town until Friday. Ma always has us spend a few days with my uncle in Dayton." the Jewish teen replied, regretfully.
"Some other time, perhaps." Looking at his watch, the Druid excused himself from the table. "I shall call on Uncle Burt later this week then, little cousin." Taking his leave, Ronan left for his home.
Thursday April 28, 2011
Brushing a calm hand through his wavy hair, Ronan approached the door of his cousin's home. Adjusting his tie minutely, and standing as tall as his five foot ten frame would carry, he calmed himself further before ringing the bell.
"Excuse me, Ma'am" the young ginger haired man asked of Carole, his obvious Irish accent lilting, but clear. "I was hoping to speak with Burt Hummel. Is he home? I'm his nephew, Ronan Campbell."
"Your eyes," Carole exclaimed, "they are just like Kurt's. I can clearly see you're related. Burt's at the garage until six, if you'd like, I can give you directions there."
"No need, I am quite confident that I can find my way. I do thank you for your time, though." With a charming smile, the young Irishman took his leave of the Hudmel abode.
Shortly afterwards, Ronan made his way into the office at Hummel Tyre & Lube.
"Uncle Burt?" he asked as he approached the balding mechanic. "It's been far too long."
"Ronan! What are you doing in Lima?" Unspoken between the two men was the real question: "Have you come to take my boy?"
"It's time for me to train Kurt, of course Uncle. You do remember that Auntie promised the clan that he would receive his training before his eighteenth birthday, do you not?"
"You are not taking Kurt away, Ronan. I don't care about your traditions or your powers, you have no right to steal my boy!" Burt stated angrily, a visible flush gaining on the mechanic's features.
"Uncle, I am here to train Kurt. Right here, in Lima. If he wished to visit our realm, that would be one thing, but if you believe we would steal Elizabeth Campbell's son from his family, you obviously never knew the woman you married. Now, shall we start again and be civil to one another?"
"Dad," a high pitched voice interrupted. "Is everything all right?"
Not missing a beat, the Irish Druid turned to greet his cousin in a warm embrace. "Nothing to worry about Cousin. Your father and I don't always see eye to eye, but I'm not here to harm him or you."
"Ronan," Burt interrupted. "Kurt told me what you did last weekend. I don't want to risk losing my son that way."
Trying another approach, Ronan offered, "Uncle, a truly lovely woman at your house told me that you'd be off around 6:00 this evening. Is there a nice restaurant in town that we can meet, say 7:00 tonight? We all have so much catching up to do."
"Ronan, please..." Burt began. "It killed Elizabeth, I can't lose Kurt too."
"Uncle Burt, perhaps it would be best to discuss things over a good meal. Nothing will happen without your and Kurt's consent. You have my word upon that. I believe you remember what stock our family places on oaths made freely."
Kurt was standing there, his anxiety clear on his handsome features, just watching as his father tried to keep from breaking down.
"Dad, please! You have to stay calm. Please, Daddy, calm down and tell me what's happening. Why are you so upset? Ronan, what are you two talking about?" Kurt had a stubborn look in his glasz eyes that the Druid well knew from all the Campbell men and women over the years.
"Cousin, I have given my word that I would teach you things our family has known for generations. I never said that I would do anything to place you or your family in any danger. Quite the opposite, Uncle" Ronan said over his shoulder. "Now, about dinner. Where shall we meet, gentlemen?"
Completely nonplussed, Kurt just looked to his father for some direction.
"Breadstix is all right, I suppose. I have your word? Nothing without my consent?"
"Yours and Kurt's, uncle. You know as well as I, no Druid would dare break his word."
"Wait", Kurt uttered, "what is a Druid?"
"All in good time, Kurt. I will explain everything at dinner. I shall see you at 7:00." Taking his leave, the ginger male left the garage and, after a brief search on his mobile, got directions to the restaurant as well as made reservations.
Scene
Promptly at 7:00, the Hudmel family entered Breadstix to be greeted by a hostess.
"Mr. Hummel, your table is in our private banquet room. Katrina will be your server this evening." Leading the family of four into the room, she waved them in to be greeted by a smiling Ronan.
"Welcome, welcome everyone. Please join me." Ronan waved as he rose from the table. "Dear Lady, you must be Carole, a pleasure to meet you again. I'm so happy Uncle Burt has someone to care for him again. And this tall gentleman must be Finn. I have heard much about you. You must explain American football to me sometime..." Ronan rambled pleasantly, attempting to make everyone feel at ease, but noticing the slight wariness in Kurt's eyes and the hostility in Finn's stance as Kurt moved past his step-brother.
"Please, everyone, feel free to order whatever you wish, we have so much to discuss." Ronan started. "Uncle Burt, have you explained about the Campbell line to your family, or shall I?"
"Dad hasn't told me anything." Kurt stated. "My mother died when I was eight, and today he said that something about her family killed her. What don't I know?"
"More likely, Kurt, it is that you do not remember. Well then, I shall explain our family, and we can go from there. The Campbells have a legacy that dates back so many generations that we truly have no idea how far back it goes. Certainly at least as far as the time of Cormac, perhaps even to the days of the Tuatha de Danaan. 1
In the days of our earliest ancestors, a man came upon a beautiful woman, who was trapped on a branch of an ash tree, surrounded by a large pack of wolves. He called out to her that he would rescue her, and began fighting his way through the pack. Just as he managed to take down the first wolf, the rest turned upon him and started attacking him. The woman called out to her three eldest sons.
"Dadga, 2 Cernunos, 3 Mannan, 4 come and save this man!"
From the skies, a thunderous voice bellowed "Mother, I would never aid a mortal. His fate lies with the wolves, leave him and return to us."
From the forest, a dark voice rustled "Wolves are hunters, and I do not aid those who follow not the ways of the Hunt. Return, Mother, leave this mortal to his fate."
From the sea, a bubbling voice surged "Return, Mother. Mortals have no place in our hearts, and less right to our aid."
Angered, Danu called out "If my children will not obey my Word, then from this day hence they will obey the will of this man and his get. Child of man, rise and be ever more, first among my children."
A rush of multi-coloured light flowed through the man, and surged through his eyes, sending the wolves howling away in fear. As a sign of the Great Mother's favour, from that day to this, all of our line have had eyes touched by the three First Born of Danu. Blue as the seas, grey as the stormy skies, and green as the forests, our family is blessed with the great gifts of Druidry, and that is passed on in each generation.
"And so, Kurt, you have inherited from Elizabeth the Campbell legacy. Your father has claimed that this is how she died, but the truth is that you survived being kidnapped and nearly killed because she used her power to rescue you from evil men."
"Wait" Finn interrupted, "Kurt doesn't have any powers, he's just a ..."
Eyes flashing darkly, Kurt turned away.
"Just a what, Finn?" Ronan asked. "Perhaps, now is the time to show what a Druid is, so that all understand what Kurt can become." A soft blue glow surrounded both Ronan and Finn.
"Now then, you were saying something about Kurt. He's 'just a' what?"
"Fag. I hate the way that prissy little fairy always gets everything. Why did I say that?" Finn asked, startled.
"Soothsaying" Burt supplied angrily. "It's a spell that prevents lies. And I never want to hear that word from you again. You understand me?"
"What have you done to him, Finn? Why is Kurt so uncomfortable around you?" Carole asked.
Like a stream flowing, Finn began listing out misdeeds and offences that had both parents as well as Ronan becoming quite furious.
"Why, Finn?" Carole asked, her voice tight with pain and anger at her son's unwarranted malice. "Why would you hurt Kurt like this? What has he ever done to you?"
"He's gay. Gay guys keep going after me, and I don't want to be a queer like him." Finn stammered. "Like with Jesse. During our fight, he just kept hitting me back, and next thing I know, I'm having sex with a dude. I won't be a fucking faggot like them!" the tall teen screamed, looking at his step-brother. Looking down, he admitted, "I wanted it so much, and I still do. And that bastard just laughed at me when he said it would never happen again. I hate him! And I hate Kurt because he wanted me, then went for Puck. Just like everyone else always does. They all go for Puck and leave me. I hate them all!"
Kurt was quietly gazing out the window, tears running down his face, unnoticed, until a storm suddenly started and lightning flashed just outside the building.
Acting more quickly than anyone could believe possible, Ronan leaped to Kurt's side and pulled the smaller teen into a tight embrace. "Burt!" Ronan ordered. "Get a bottle of whiskey. I need to bring him out of his Aspecting fast, or he could harm a great many people and die channelling power like this. Hurry!"
Turning his attention briefly to Carole and Finn, he added, "No one touch either of us. Is that clear? Don't try to touch us. Burt, I need that whiskey!"
Finn, having lost his patience already, hauled back a fist and threw a punch at his step-brother. The instant his knuckles made contact with Kurt's flesh, a flash of electricity struck the over-wrought teen, knocking him to the floor.
Burt returned with a full bottle from the bar. Knowing what to do from his years with Elizabeth, he simply began pouring the liquor directly in to Ronan's open mouth. Not waiting even a moment, the Druid pressed his mouth onto Kurt's, making the slender teen's mouth open to force the strong drink down the boy's throat. As he swallowed, Kurt's eyes closed and the sudden storm faded away.
Seeing his cousin's body relax in sleep, Ronan was at last able to turn his full Druidic fury on the cause of the night's drama.
"He was kind, you showed him hate
Good, but you gave him evil.
Kindness and forgiveness
You returned with ill
So too, shall this be your fate!" 5
A flash of crimson flooded the room, soaking into Finn's prone form. "Whatever punishment mortals deem fit for him, is not enough." Ronan stated, contempt shining in his eyes. "There was a time when merely threatening harm to a Druid merited a slow and painful death. Consider this the only mercy I will grant to anyone who dares to harm a Campbell. Uncle, I gave my word, and will not break it. You need to give your consent for your son to receive training. If this happens again, it could easily result in many deaths, not just Kurt's."
With obvious reluctance, the elder man nodded his head. "What about Finn? I can't throw him out on the street, it's his home too. How can we protect Kurt while you're teaching him?"
"Kurt will live with me. You are welcome to follow me to my home, and you and Carole are both welcome there. I think it goes without saying that he" nodding his head toward the prone teenager, "will not be."
After leaving a few hundred dollars on the table, Ronan picked Kurt up in a bridal carry, and headed to his SUV. The drive to Campbell Manor was normally a mere fifteen minutes, but concern and agitation combined to make the experience seem like hours.
Upon arrival, Ronan carried his cousin inside the large home.
"Uncle, up the stairs, second door on the left will be Kurt's room while he is here. The first door will be for you and Carole, should you wish to stay over. Whatever you wish to do with Finn, please do so elsewhere. As I said, he is not welcome here." Ronan stated ominously. "I'll put Kurt to bed, and rejoin you both in a moment, should you wish to talk further this evening."
"Carole, would you take Finn home and we can discuss his punishment tomorrow. I need to be here for Kurt." Burt asked his wife. Giving her a gentle, yet loving kiss, he turned back to Ronan. "Kurt is going to be very upset that he didn't do his nightly routine, and if he can't do his morning routine, I wouldn't want to be in the same house with him" he remarked.
"Let me guess" Ronan stated. "Moisturising, cleansing, ex-foliating and toning his skin. Plus a pore tightening and possibly an herbal facial for the evening and something similar for morning? You'll forgive me if I'm already prepared for those. I do them myself, you see."
"So, you're gay too?" Burt asked.
"Does it truly bother you, Uncle? I thought you accepted Kurt as he is."
"Just didn't expect it. Kurt has always been very concerned with his appearance and skin care. He knows more about it than his dermatologist, not that he's ever had any breakouts."
Showing the older man to a guest bedroom, Ronan suggested he get a good night's rest.
"My room is just next to Kurt's, and I shall leave both doors open in case he needs anything. Please make yourself at home, Uncle." With that, the Druid wished his uncle a pleasant sleep and let himself out of the room.
Looking in on Kurt's well-being, Ronan assured himself that the teen would be all right for a while before going to his own room for the night.
Terms used in this chapter:
1 Tuatha de Danaan (pronounced Wah-HAH jay Dah-nuhn) children of Danu, the Great Mother
2 Dadga (DIE-dah), storm king; also known as Taranas, the Thunderer
3 Cernunos (care-NOON-oss), Lord of the Hunt, Guardian of the Underworld
4 Mannan (MAN-ahn), Sea King, also known as Lyr
5 Satire, a curse cast by Druids. Can only end when the offender atones for his wrong doings
Author's note 2: All right my lovely readers. Ronan has finally stepped in, and Kurt's legacy is revealed. I know you were all waiting for it. In coming chapters there will be more smut, more magic, and more mayhem. Hope everyone will stick around and let me know how I'm doing by hitting that lovely little button below. Your comments have been wonderfully positive and greatly helpful in making this endeavour a lot of fun for me. Virtual hugs and kisses to you all!
