Media: Fic

Title: Skin Has Gotten Thicker (But It Burns the Same)

Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing.

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: If you don't know who these characters are, you're in big trouble.

Warnings: AU. Badboy!Blaine, so there's a bit of violence and swearing. There's also the situation with Karofsky, which comes with its own set of warnings.

Word Count: 1462

Summary: Kurt Hummel is so used to dealing with his problems by himself, he's forgotten how to let someone help him. Good thing Blaine Anderson is as stubborn as he is.

The Warblers are nothing like Kurt imagined them to be.

To be fair, he isn't sure whathe expected them to be like in the first place, but he's pleasantly surprised when the entire group hurry over to greet Blaine and introduce themselves to Kurt. There are too many faces and names to remember, but they're all happy to see Blaine. Unfortunately, Blaine isn't as thrilled about it. Even though it takes quite a bit of effort, Kurt finally manages to convince him to stay and talk with them, so long as the other Warblers leave to continue their performance.

Nick, Jeff, and Stuart are the ones to stay behind. They find a table in the food court, away from the crowds of people. Kurt can't help glancing nervously at Blaine, who has a stony expression on his face he can't read. "First of all." Nick pauses for a moment, as if choosing his words very carefully. "We want to apologize to you, Blaine."

Blaine scoffs. "Apologize."

"Really," Jeff says, his eyes wide and earnest. "You were totally right about Mr. Fraser. We should have believed you, man."

He frowns and Kurt reaches out to hold his hand. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"We want you to come back to Dalton," he says cheerfully.

Nick elbows him in the ribs. Hard. "Jeff! Don't just blurt it out like that!"

Rubbing his side and looking utterly betrayed, Jeff pouts. "What? It's true, isn't it?"

"That's not the point!"

"Blaine..." Stuart, who had been sitting quietly until now, suddenly speaks up. It startles Kurt, because he almost forgot Stuart was still there. "Things shouldn't have turned out the way they did, especially since you were only trying to help me. And I'm sorry."

Kurt clutches Blaine's hand a little tighter in his own when it starts to tremble. "So what happened to that teacher?" he asks.

Stuart glances at Kurt, as if seeing him for the first time. But he immediately turns his attention back to Blaine, as if finding him insignificant. "I testified against him, so he'll never be able to teach again."

"And Stuart can get your name cleared," Nick adds with a grin. "You can come back to Dalton."

Kurt looks away, feeling as if his heart is breaking. He wants to be happy for Blaine, really he does, but he doesn't want him to leave either. Suddenly, the fingers he's holding curl around him and he stares at Blaine, startled by the intensity in his eyes. "Thanks for the offer," he says, his gaze never leaving Kurt's. "But I'm fine with where I am now."

Nick and Jeff are clearly taken aback. "Dude..." Jeff seems to struggle to find words. "Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure."

Stuart studies Kurt with something almost like contempt on his face. "...Kurt, was it? How do you know Blaine?"

Blaine glares. "What the hell kind of question is-..."

"Actually," Kurt interrupts cooly. There's a challenge in his expression he knows Stuart can read. "Blaine and I are boyfriends."

For a brief moment, he worries that Nick and Jeff might not take to the news well. But then Jeff smiles and exclaims, "That's fantastic! I'm so happy for you guys!"

Nick leans in to Kurt, saying in a stage whisper, "So you managed to tame the untamable, huh?"

Kurt blushes as Blaine throws himself at Nick, who yelps and scrambles out of his chair. Jeff laughs as he leaps into the fray before it gets out of hand. But when Kurt glances over at Stuart, he finds him sitting frozen with a stunned look on his face. "I'm sorry," he says after a long moment.

Stuart seems to wake up from his stupor and meets his gaze, eyes pained and sad. "What for?"

For what you've been through. For knowing that you want Blaine, but loving him too much to give him up. "I don't know."

The laugh that escapes his lips is humorless and hollow. "Don't be," he says. He stands, smiling ruefully. "I suppose I should be used to it by now."

Kurt watches him head back to where the other Warblers are performing. Jeff, Nick, and Blaine return to the table, out of breath and rumpled. "Hey, where did Stuart go?" Nick asks, looking around for him.

"He left while you three would acting like hooligans," Kurt replies with a smile. He can feel Blaine staring at him, but refuses to look in his direction.

"Oh man," Jeff groans. "Wes is going to be so pissed we fell behind again."

Nick winces, but quickly turns to Kurt and Blaine, looking hopeful. "Before we go, do you mind if we get your numbers?"

Surprised that he's included as well, the four of them exchange phone numbers before the Warblers say goodbye and hurry away to join the rest of the group. Kurt glances at Blaine, who stares back at him with an unreadable expression. "They seem nice," he says, trying to gauge his mood.

Blaine doesn't respond. But his grip is gentle when he takes his hand and leads the way to the car. As soon as they climb in, he turns to Kurt and raises an eyebrow. "So... boyfriends, huh?"

"Isn't that what we are?" Kurt asks. He's proud of how calm he sounds, but he squirms in his seat, blushing.

The smile on Blaine's face takes his breath away. "What else would we be?" he replies, hazel eyes bright. Then, more seriously, he adds, "You don't have to worry about Stuart. He doesn't mean anything to me."

Kurt nods and leans forward the moment Blaine moves in to kiss him. But he can't help thinking about the conversation he had with Stuart and how lost he had looked.

It reminds Kurt of himself, before he met Blaine.

"Hey, Kurt!"

Turning, he finds Sam trotting up to him, a big friendly smile on his face. He smiles in response and waits until they fall into step with each other as they make their way to their next class. Kurt likes Sam. He may have been wrong about him being gay, but Sam is a nice guy and a good friend. He and Quinn also make an adorable but stereotypically blond couple. "Hi, Sam."

Sam shoots a look at a group of hockey players who hiss insults under their breath as they pass. It's actually kind of sweet. "So..." he says, quickly turning his attention back to Kurt, easy smile back in place. "How are you?"

Kurt pauses. Sam may quote Sean Connery a ridiculous amount, but he isn't the type to make small talk. It's a loaded question and one he's not entirely sure how to answer, until it suddenly clicks. "This is about Blaine, isn't it?"

"I care about you," Sam says seriously. "I want to make sure Blaine is treating you right." He flinches a little. "I mean, not that I think you can't take care of yourself or anything. I know you can. It's just-..."

"Sam," Kurt interrupts his rambling, fighting the urge to smile. "Thank you, but you don't have to worry about me. Blaine makes me very happy."

Sam grins with relief, clapping him hard on the shoulder. "Good," he says and it's obvious that he really means it. "I'm glad."

After that, Kurt steers the conversation to less personal matters until Sam realizes he's been walking in the opposite direction of his class. They promise to have lunch together with Quinn and Blaine before he hurries away, Kurt shaking his head fondly after him.

Kurt takes a quick detour to his locker to sort out his book bag, so he doesn't notice Karofsky approach from behind until he's already looming over him. He jerks away, chest tight with fear, but Karofsky has him trapped against the lockers and blocking his only means of escape.

Even though he's never been more terrified as he is now, he refuses to let it show. "Leave me alone," he says as fiercely as he can.

Karofsky stares at him for a long moment while Kurt keeps his attention on the bruises around his eyes and nose. But then Karofsky suddenly smirks and runs his finger -slow and deliberate- down his chest. Kurt flinches away, slamming his back against the lockers as that horrible smirk widens. "See you later," he murmurs and then he's gone, but Kurt struggles just to breathe.

Trembling, he sinks to the floor and curls his arms around himself, hiding his face from the world like that might somehow serve as a better protection. Fighting back tears, he whispers the name of the one person he wishes was at his side right at this moment more than anyone else.

"Blaine."