A/N Dear lord all your review are too nice, seriously . thank you thank you thank you!
A special thanks Sarasva for helping me correct the french in the last chapter, im eternally grateful! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kurt gaped at Sebastian. What the hell?
"No!" Blaine burst out, vaulting out of his chair. "You can't do that!"
"Why not? This guy is sexually harassing Kurt in case you didn't hear." Sebastian's eyes lit up dangerously and there was a jumpy energy surrounding him despite the sarcasm of his words.
"We need to talk about this before we do anything!" Blaine argued, standing in front of the other boy. "We can't just run in and 'beat the shit of him.'"
Kurt remained silent.
"Why fucking not?" Sebastian said sounding harried and crossing his arms.
"Because it's dangerous that's why!" Blaine's frantic tone was drawing stares from the other Lima Bean patrons and Kurt stood up uneasily.
Both Sebastian and Blaine looked over to him and Sebastian's anger seemed to evaporate when Kurt met his eyes. They stared at each other for a few seconds; Kurt could feel teardrops clinging to his eyelashes and his face felt cold.
"What do you want, Kurt?" Sebastian asked finally, sounding tired.
"Don't beat him up," Kurt said firmly. "Just let it be, it'll blow over, I'll talk to him."
Sebastian's anger returned, his eyes were flashing.
"Goddamn it Kurt! You can't just let him get away with this." Sebastian spoke angrily and Blaine chimed in, sounding concerned.
"He's right, you can't let this go," he spoke firmly but his eyes were gentle. "We'll go find him."
"What?" Sebastian asked, taken aback. "I thought you said I couldn't beat him up?"
"Did I say we were going to beat him up?" Blaine asked looking at Sebastian as if he was crazy. "We talk to him, today."
"Talk to him." Sebastian said disbelievingly. Kurt cringed, agreeing with Sebastian.
"Blaine," he began. "I don't think that's going to help-"
"No," Blaine interrupted him. "It will help; you can't push this under the rug anymore. Me and Sebastian will be here for you and you owe it yourself to stop this, it gone on long enough."
Kurt's heart contracted at Blaine's words.
"Okay," he said shakily. He couldn't stop seeing Karofsky's face in the back of his mind and mixed with the confusion he was feeling, he was feeling really emotionally unstable. "You're right, this needs to stop."
Blaine smiled reassuringly at him but it was Sebastian who spoke.
"Let's go then," The words were casual but Kurt could see glint of malice in Sebastian's clear eyes and he shivered.
"Let's go," he echoed hollowly, feeling his stomach clench with dread. He walked over to where they were and Blaine reached out a hand to touch his shoulder.
"Hey, we're here, you'll be fine."
"It's not me I'm worried about," Kurt admitted. "I'm worried that you guys will get hurt and I'm a little worried that Karofsky will."
"You're worried about the asshole?" Sebastian asked his voice deadly calm.
"Yes I am," Kurt took a deep breath. "He's so screwed up and I don't know what I'm supposed to do, am I supposed to do anything?" His voice cracked at the end and Blaine gave Kurt a look of concern.
"Kurt, we don't have to go if you don't want to," he said. "You're not supposed to do anything if you don't want to…"
"B-but," Kurt tried to voice what he was thinking. "I want to help I do, I just don't know how…."
"The only person who can help this jerk is himself," Sebastian said firmly. "I think that we should confront him and I think that yes, he does need someone to guide him but your number priority should be yourself not anyone else."
The conviction in the other boy's tone settled Kurt slightly and he was able to think more clearly than he had a minute ago. This whole situation with Karofsky had completely thrown him and he could still feel the nervous energy running through him, the memory of the forced kiss at the forefront of his mind. He had never guessed that the reason for Karofsky's continuous harassment was because of his own insecurities and confusion. Karofsky must have felt so alone and now looking back, Kurt could see all the signs that had pointed towards the jock's sexuality. It wasn't easy being in the closet, he knew and McKinley wasn't exactly the safest place to come out in. Kurt's stomach squirmed anxiously.
"I know," he said finally to Sebastian. "And I'm doing this for me."
Instead if arguing with Kurt like Kurt had expected, Sebastian nodded understandingly.
"Then we go," he said and with that the three made the way out the Lima Bean
The drive to McKinley was silent, Kurt watched the trees and houses whiz past them detachedly, and his mind more on the confrontation that was sure to happen rather the Lima scenery. Blaine was driving and Sebastian had insisted on sitting in the back seat with Kurt.
Kurt, despite the nerves he was feeling had rolled his eyes at that.
"I'm not a damsel in distress you know," he had said when they were all seated.
"I know," Sebastian had grinned briefly and Kurt had felt a little better.
"Do you know he'll be at your school for sure?" Blaine asked when they were half way there.
"Yeah, he has football till 5.30." Kurt clenched his fists anxiously.
"Can I ask you something?" Blaine asked hesitantly, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Sure…" Kurt said cautiously.
"Was that your first kiss?"
Kurt bit his lip, trying to keep the memory of Karofsky at bay. He didn't want to relive the experience of having Karofsky's hands on his face or the harsh pressure of his mouth against his own.
"Um, yeah..." he said finally, looking down. "Well at least the first one that counted…"
"That counted?" Sebastian asked curiously.
"I dated this cheerleader called Brittany last year," Kurt explained, feeling a little better upon seeing the shocked expression on Sebastian's face.
"As in... a girl cheerleader?" Blaine asked and Kurt nodded, smiling a little at the incredulity in his voice.
"Wow," Sebastian said smirking. "You are full of surprises."
"Yeah," Kurt smiled in spite of himself. "I am."
The three of them made their way through the brightly lit corridors of McKinley, their shoes squeaking against the linoleum floor. Kurt directed them silently to the change rooms and the nearer they got, the more he felt like he was going to be sick.
When they a few metres from where they were going, Blaine stopped walking and turned to Kurt.
"We don't have to do this Kurt," he said. "Yes, he needs to be confronted but if you're uncomfortable…"
"Me and Blaine will deal with it," Sebastian promised darkly.
"No, I want to help him," Kurt and seeing Sebastian's fierce expression added; "and myself."
"We're here for you, Kurt." Blaine said and Sebastian nodded.
Kurt took a small moment to ponder the mystery of Sebastian. Sebastian was acting the complete opposite of what Kurt had expected him to and although Sebastian's urge to protect Kurt was irritating and mildly unnecessary, Sebastian was turning to be a much better person than Kurt had ever guessed.
"Thanks," Kurt said, his voice not shaky anymore. "I'm ready."
Kurt walked over to the door resolutely and swallowing loudly he opened the door.
As he had expected the change rooms were empty. Kurt breathed in the smell of sweat and boy, with a strange sense of nostalgia. Whenever he was in here, he was reminded of his brief stint as the kicker and the memory of winning the game for McKinley made him smile.
Sebastian and Blaine followed him in and both wore almost identical masks of repulsion.
"God, you're facilities suck." Sebastian said gazing around the second rate equipment and the dodgy lockers.
"Sebastian!" Blaine chastised the other boy but Kurt could see that Blaine agreed with him.
"Shut up," Kurt said half-heartedly and rolled his eyes. "Not every school can be like Dalton."
Kurt's voice turned bitter at his last words as he remembered the no harassment policy in place at the other school.
Sebastian nudged Kurt's shoulder with his own. "Dalton has me; no one can compete with that."
Despite Sebastian's superior tone, Kurt could see that Sebastian's face was inexplicably gentle.
"Tell me," Kurt said raising an eyebrow. "How on earth is that in Dalton's favour?"
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you Hummel and come to think of it neither do your clothes," Sebastian grinned.
"I could say the same thing about your face," Kurt tried to supress his own grin but failed.
"Uh guys?" Blaine asked hesitantly, reminding Kurt of his presence. "I don't this is the best time for it."
"You're probably right," Kurt admitted. "What are we going to do? Practise gets out in 20 minutes."
"Are you sure we should do this today? Maybe we should do it tomorrow…" Blaine had begun to pace much to Kurt's amusement and if it weren't for the seriousness of the situation and the reminder that he was going to have to talk to Karofsky he probably would have called Blaine on it.
"No," Sebastian disagreed. "We need to do this now, show him we're serious."
"Serious, what are-" Blaine's indignation was cut short but a cough at the door that led out onto the field.
"Kurt?"
Finn.
"Hey Finn," Kurt sighed. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at practise?"
"I need to grab my water, what are you doing here?" Finn said. "And who are these guys?"
"Sebastian Smythe," Sebastian crossed over to where Finn was standing and stuck out his hand. "You must be Finn, the brother right?"
"Um yeah, hi…" Finn eyed Sebastian confusedly and Sebastian threw Kurt a smirk.
"Shut up," Kurt glared at him for a second. "This is Blaine, Blaine this is my step brother Finn…"
"Hey," Blaine said and both him Finn exchanged nods.
"You guys are warblers right? Kurt rolled his eyes at Finn's suspicious tone.
"Yes they are," he said. "And no, they aren't here to spy."
"But didn't you-"Finn began, a confused expression on his face.
"Finn!" Kurt exclaimed quickly and Sebastian sniggered. "Um.."
Kurt searched his head for a way to distract Finn from telling Blaine he'd spied on the Warblers but thankfully Sebastian did it for him.
"As charming as you are, Finn," Sebastian winked at him and then shot a sly grin in Kurt's direction. "We didn't come for you; we're here for Dave Karofsky."
"Karofsky?" Finn exclaimed. "Did something happen?"
Both Sebastian and Blaine opened their mouths, presumably to explain the situation to Finn.
"No," Kurt said. "We just need to talk to him."
"Kurt…" Sebastian warned.
"It's not our secret to tell," Kurt whispered to the Dalton boys when Blaine and Sebastian both frowned at him while Finn looked on in confusion.
"Dude," Finn said. "Karofsky wasn't at practise today."
"He wasn't?" Kurt asked, nausea pooling in his stomach.
"Nope," Finn confirmed. "Let me tell you coach was pissed!"
"Ah..." Kurt muttered and Blaine moved closer to him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay Kurt," he said gently. "We'll talk to him after the weekend."
Kurt let out a breath shakily.
"Okay," he said, trying to smile.
"Seriously, is something wrong? Are you not telling me something?" Finn asked. "Not cool."
"No Finn," Kurt rolled his eyes, trying to repress the anxiety he could felt. "Go back to practise or you'll get in trouble."
"Shit!" Finn cried out. "I got to go!"
Kurt watched as Finn ran out of the change room without another word.
"So…" Blaine said, sounding weary.
"I can't believe you had a crush on that!" Sebastian exclaimed, shaking his head in mock disappointment at Kurt.
"Sebastian!" Blaine said at the same time that Kurt burst into laughter.
"You are such an idiot," Kurt said, all feelings of discomfort forgotten for the moment.
"A good looking idiot," Sebastian said and Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Not even a little bit, Smythe."
Kurt glanced at rear view mirror and sighed. The three of them had gone back to the Lima Bean after the failed intervention because both Sebastian and Kurt's cars were still in the parking lot. Despite his protests that he was perfectly fine and safe, Sebastian had insisted on following him home.
His chivalry had surprised Kurt and he had been about to thank him when Sebastian had added in his customary arrogance; "It's only customary for a gentleman to escort the lady home." And Kurt hadn't felt even a little bit sorry when he'd slapped Sebastian's arm, hard.
Still, Sebastian had insisted on trailing behind him all the way to his house even though Westerville was in the opposite direction and even though Kurt would never admit it to the other boy, it had made him feel better. He was still confused about the situation and worried about what was going to happen next Monday but somehow he felt calmer then he had two hours ago.
Pulling up alongside his house, Kurt looked behind him to see that Sebastian had stopped as well. He got out of the car, rolling his eyes when he saw Sebastian do the same.
"Thanks for escorting me," he called out as he walked over to Sebastian car, careful to make sure his tone remained sarcastic.
"Anytime," Sebastian said, leaning on the side of the car. "Not that this is going to become a regular thing though."
"What a shame," This time the sarcasm came easily and Kurt grinned.
"Thank you though," he added looking down at his feet. "You actually managed to make feel better today."
"No worries Kurt," Sebastian voice was devoid or arrogance or teasing for once. "Still wish I'd been able to do more you know?"
He was beginning to sound uncomfortable, Kurt realised and he smirked at the irony of Sebastian trying to help him and feeling awkward about it.
"Don't stress it Smythe," Kurt said teasingly and the other boy smiled gratefully at him.
Seeing Sebastian smile naturally like that, Kurt was struck by how good Sebastian looked when he wasn't trying too hard. His eyes were surprisingly gentle and the way he was leaning on the car with his hands in his pockets, Sebastian looked more vulnerable than Kurt had ever seen him. Amidst the fading light coming from the sun, Sebastian seemed to glow and Kurt found himself a little in awe of the other boy.
"…lots of homework, are you even listening to me Hummel?" Sebastian's voice broke though Kurt's musing s and Kurt's eyes flew back to Sebastian's face which was smirking at him.
"What?" Kurt asked, wondering what on earth he had just been thinking.
"I said I have to go," Sebastian rolled his eyes.
"Oh," Kurt said. "Thank you for following me home."
"Sure," Sebastian grinned at him. "Have a nice night, I'm sure we'll see each other Monday."
At the reminder, Kurt's stomach twisted.
"Hey," Sebastian said awkwardly as he opened his car door, not looking at Kurt. "Text me or Blaine if you need okay?"
"I will," Kurt said and he watched as Sebastian started his car. "Goodbye Sebastian."
"See ya Kurt," Sebastian said through the open window, giving Kurt one last uncharacteristically gentle smile before driving away.
Kurt stared at the space where Sebastian's car had been, unsure of whether the butterflies in his stomach were because of Karofsky or someone else entirely.
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