"What? Kurt, you can't leave now!"
"No, you can't leave. Period. Why are we even talking about this?"
"Running away like a dog with his tail between his legs. Didn't expect it out of you, Porcelain."
Kurt's standing in the middle the choir room of his glee club. Well, after today, it won't be his Glee club. He'll be in a different place among his own kind. His heart aches just as much as anyone else's here, but he can't tell him them the truth.
"I don't expect any of you to understand it…" Kurt quietly whispered. "But it's just safer this way. I'm sorry."
"This is insane! He bullies you and you're the one who has to leave? And you're leaving willingly? That's not the Kurt Hummel I know." Mercedes growled. "There's something you're not telling us, so just spill it already."
"Guys, stop it!" Mr. Schuster finally breaks him. Yet, when he clears his throat, he's speaking to Kurt. "Kurt, can't we try to talk to Figgins about this? See if we can't get anything done about it?"
Kurt took a deep breath through his nose. "For years, I've been tossed into dumpsters, slushied in my face, threatened to get beaten…when has Figgins ever stopped any of it? Why would he start now? To him, it's no different than what any of us are getting. But someone is targeting me specifically and it's getting dangerous." He hopes it sounds convincing. Most of it is true. He just can't add in the fact that he's the one who could kill Karofsky, or any of them.
He looks at Finn with pleading eyes. Begging him to step in since Finn knows what's going on with Kurt. Finn hesitantly does so. "Everyone just…stop being selfish for ten seconds alright? Kurt's life was put in danger and he's scared…do you really think he'd want to stay here? I wouldn't have lasted this long if I were him."
"Please sasquatch… We all get shit for being here." Santana sneered.
"Said the head cheerleader who maybe got slushied once!" Finn shot right back. Santana threw her head back in shock. Finn barely ever raised his voice. The one time he did, it was when he had found out about Quinn and Puck. With a quieter voice, he continued. "I know no one wants Kurt to leave. You think I'm happy I finally get a brother and now he has to live somewhere else? But if that's where he's going to be safe, then I'd rather have him there than…just….no where dude."
And Finn's being dramatic, but Kurt realizes he's scared. Kurt warned him about what had happened with Cooper and Chelsea. Granted, it's hardly the same situation. Kurt had no idea GAIA even existed when Finn found him out. Cooper knew very well what the guidelines were and what would happen if he told someone before he was given permission. However, with all this new information (mainly that GAIA actually does this to people) Kurt's not willing to take any risks that might separate him from his family. So until then they have to quiet, which is nothing for Kurt because he already has so much going on. For Finn, it's going to be a little like walking on a tight rope. Not exactly comforting when Finn had terrible balance.
Everyone looked uncomfortable. They all had plenty to say but no one wanted to make things any worse. Most of them met Kurt with tears in their eyes and reluctant support. Santana glared at Kurt until he felt his soul grow cold and broken. He decided to leave before the tears fell and would never stop. For the last time, he walked out of the place that had been his safe house at McKinley for years.
And ignored the beat of his heart that insisted he should go back.
()
Kurt emptied his locker into his backpack as he waited for Blaine to arrive. Since Kurt would likely be spending most of his time at Dalton, his parents decided that Finn would benefit more from having his car. The conditions being that the boys had to share whenever Kurt was home and Finn would bring him back home whenever possible and if Kurt wanted. The arrangement suited Kurt fine—if he needed a ride, he was sure Blaine could give him one.
"So, you're really just leaving like that, huh?"
Kurt didn't look up. He didn't need to see the person to know who it was. The sarcastic tone gave it all away. "What do you care, Santana? It's not like we're friends or anything."
And it's true, they're not. Maybe Santana liked him a little bit more than other people but really, he wasn't sure if she had any real friends besides Brittany. And that whole relationship was complicated enough on it's own. However, Kurt and Santana's relationship in its purest form was maybe acquaintances.
"Maybe because we have more in common than you think…" Kurt rolled his eyes. Oh yeah, they were kindred spirits because he was an out and proud gay man and she was a closet lesbian too worried about labels to come out. He must have forgot about that. The thought was so cliché and narrow minded; he couldn't believe Santana was hinting at it. At least he thought that's what she was leaning towards until she told him. "You're going to Dalton to join the Warblers, which means the rumors Karofsky spread about you years ago were true."
A collection of folders fall from his hand and plummet to the floor. He finally faced Santana. "You- you know about the Warblers?"
Santana nodded, and then took a look around the hallways to make sure they were alone. After a moment, she pressed her hand onto the next locker. After a moment or so, Kurt saw frost begin to form around it. The temperature itself began to drop as a layer of ice collects around her hand like ivy on an old building. Just as Kurt's breath started to show she pulled her hand back.
The ice melted and water dripped down the front of the lockets. Kurt had never been amazed by water. "You're superhuman."
"No shit." Santana threw back, but a smile crossed her face. "Technically, it's called Hydrokinesis but I like to look at it as being a certified ice queen."
Kurt broke his stare and leaned down to collect the folders he just dropped. Before coming back up, he bit his lip. "If you knew, why didn't you tell me?"
When he stands back up, their eyes meet. Brown meeting glasz. It seemed off to him that her eyes were so dark now. People with powers likes hers were, at least on t.v. and in books, suppose to be kind and nurturing. Santana was anything but. "Because GAIA has these 'guidelines'" She air quoted the words with the same disgust Cooper bore. Hers maybe a little deeper than his was. "I didn't know for sure if you were a badass. It could have just been something the jocks made up to protect their egos."
"Well, no one knows anything about me so I don't see why you would be any different."
Santana threw her head back and laughed. His eyes narrowed at her. It was maybe the first time anyone had called him out on being whiney about his abilities. "So, you think you're going to go to Dalton and find answers? What, how do you think it's going to go, Porcelain?"
Kurt's just shaking his head and pulling out more stuff to place in his bag. He just managed to pull out his emergency hairspray when Santana slams the door shut. "No tell me…Do you think you'll get there and everyone will be all buddy, buddy and you'll realize 'oh god, this was what was missing from my life!'?..." Santana got closer. Her voice heavy with a knife-like edge. "You think you'll go there and everything will make sense and you'll everything about yourself? Well, I hate to ruin a good party, Porcelain but that's not how it works. That world really isn't any different from the human world. Just as corrupted and just as hateful as the human one. The only difference is they can get away with more…."
"Santana, I didn't know you went here." Blaine came up behind Kurt and leaned down to grab his bag for him. Santana took one look at Blaine and her whole expression faded into disgust. Without even a parting glance to Kurt, she turned and stomped away. Kurt could feel the temperature dipping around him. "What was that all about?"
Kurt opened his locker door to grab the few things he had left. "Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing."
"It's too complicated for here. We'll stop at the Lima Bean for coffee and I'll explain it. I was planning to anyway if that's alright."
Kurt smiled for the first time in almost two hours. "Scalding hot coffee. You sure know how to woo a guy, don't you?"
Blaine chuckled as Kurt closed his locker door. "Nope, we're saving the wooing for later."
()()()()()()()
"Santana hates me. More specifically, my family." Blaine began as he watched Kurt pour cream into his coffee. It might have been more practical to take the coffee on the run but between all of Kurt's things in Blaine's already crowed car, it wasn't really a comfortable place to drink coffee. Besides, between the hour and a half ride and his announcement to the New Directions, Kurt's nerves were feeling a little on edge.
"That much was obvious. I don't think I've seen her look at Rachel with that much contempt."
The two young men then picked their usual table (and it was so exciting and weird to Kurt that they had a usual) and Blaine smiled half-heartedly. "I guess I can't blame her really. If it were me, I'd be pissed too."
Kurt took a sip of his coffee and leaned on his hand. "Why do I have a feeling I'm about to hear some juicy superhero gossip?"
Blaine laughed at Kurt and leaned forward too, hand reaching across the table to grab Kurt's. This wasn't anything new per say, but he couldn't help but stare at the gesture. "Well, before my mom was, Santana's mother was in charge of Integration at the Ohio segment of GAIA. From what I understand, the director, Andre Moretta had an affair with her during that time but fired her shortly after she became pregnant with Santana and replaced her with my mom."
"But why would…Oh…" Kurt said breathlessly as the pieces fit together. Wow. He's met Maribel Lopez before. Seen her at the Glee performances or at Finn's football games. Always first row and always so supportive. But there was never a Mr. Lopez and he never thought to ask. Santana said her father was a doctor once, but it didn't make sense considering she lived in Lima heights. Now it was clear it was all a lie to hide the truth. "So, this Andre is Santana's dad?"
"The term very loosely. The only reason he claimed Santana as his own was because Maribel threatened to rock the boat if he didn't. It was kind of a local scandal—Andre was already married and had another daughter. Some people who wanted him out the directors chair tried to use it but to Maribel's credit, she didn't want to make things worse for Santana."
"But why does she blame your family? Just because your mom replaced her mom?"
Blaine scratched the back of his with a small noise of discomfort. "Not entirely…there were rumors going around that Moretta had a thing for my mom. Never mind my mom was next in line for a promotion, but because she's a woman they tried to use her to further incriminate Moretta. I know my mom though—she and my dad may not get along but she'd never cheat on him and she worked hard to get to where she was."
Kurt nodded in agreement. He had only met Robin Anderson once but honestly, it was hard to dislike her. Robin had conviction and loyalty written all over her. She may not always agree with GAIA but she defended the organization to the very end. And she helped Kurt out when he just about lost control on Blaine. He didn't see her, as the type to cheat or use her body to get ahead—especially If Blaine was anything like her.
"It's crazy, I didn't even know Santana had powers…"
Blaine wore a listless smile. "She probably feels like she doesn't have a place in our world because of the scandal and how many people have tried to use her or her mother. I can't blame her for being angry at my mom…but it doesn't change anything. She didn't make you feel bad about switching schools, did she?"
Kurt thought back to what Santana said. About how humans and superhuman's really weren't that different but GAIA could get away with more. He was beginning to wonder if the society he was entering was anymore balanced than the one he was leaving.
But the look on Blaine's face, the concern in his eyes, it called for Kurt to trust him. "Everyone has, but this is what's best for me." He said, giving Blaine's hand a squeeze.
()()()()()()()
It's nearly dinnertime when they finally make it to Dalton. David, Wes, and redheaded girl that Kurt's never seen before were standing outside. They walk over just as Blaine's car finds it's usual spot.
"Oh god, you're still driving this P.O.S?" David said gently knocking on the hood. The banging is still louder than a light knock should bring. Blaine tsked at the boy and opened the back of his car where Kurt's things were.
The girl gave it an approving nod. "Davey, don't hate. I think it's cute. It's red just like me." She then looked to Kurt and gave him a smile, she extended her hand. "Hi. Katherine Rivers. You must be the infamous Kurt I keep hearing about."
Kurt has an easier time getting along females than he does with males. He suspects that Katherine is one of the Warbler's girlfriends and that Blaine asked them to invite her for this very reason. "Kurt Hummel, it's nice to meet you." Kurt accepts her hand.
"Katie here is from Crawford, Dalton's sister school." David explained. Kurt nodded and 'ah'd' though he would have guessed from the uniform. "They have a group like the Warblers too. The Cindys."
"Crawford Cindys. Cute." Kurt complimented with a small giggle. Wes snorted but Katherine laughed.
"Well we thought so. Oh! Davey do you have it all?" Kurt turned around to see Blaine piling all his things into David's arms. The pile was humongous and David couldn't possibly be able to see but he made a noise of approval. Kurt was shocked but remembered that he was the Warbler with super strength.
Blaine jolted his key towards the school. "Alright so lucky us, Kurt's room is on the first floor near the commons area so it's not that far to go. I managed to convince Trent to let him room with him."
"Really? Would love to know how you managed that." Wes mumbled.
Kurt eyed David with concern. "David, it's my stuff, let me carry something."
"Nah man, I got it." David said as he walked by him towards the school. Katherine laughed again and rolled her eyes.
"Davey's trying to show how manly he is. Wasted effort. I have to go before Dalton finds out there's an unauthorized girl on campus. It was nice to meet you Kurt." Katherine gave him a parting smile as she walked out to her car. "Don't forget! We have the Christmas Spectacular to do and I was picked as female lead." She said that part while sticking out her tongue and pointing to it making a gagging noise.
Kurt gave Blaine a curious look. "It's something Crawford and Dalton do together after Sectionals. Come on, I bet you're starving."
()()()()()()()
Kurt was a little over-whelmed at dinner. He met so many of the Warblers and tried to make a list of them and their powers. Jeff is the one he talks to the most but really is friendly and accepting and makes him feel welcomed. He reminds himself to make a chart of everyone later so he won't mix up anyone's names or powers.
After a little while, Blaine walks Kurt back to his room, but gets a phone call before Kurt can invite him in. Blaine looks at the caller i.d. and frowns. "Sorry, I have to take this…"
"But I haven't met my roommate…" Kurt doesn't mean to sound whiney but he didn't like the idea of rooming with someone he didn't know to begin with. Never mind having never met him. Blaine gives him an apologetic smile.
"It's my dad, otherwise I would. I'm sorry."
Kurt sighed. "No it's fine. You're still walking me to breakfast tomorrow right?"
"Bright and early. Goodnight." Blaine kisses his cheek before he swiftly walks away. Kurt blushes at the motion.
"Oh and you owe me some wooing…" He calls after Blaine. Blaine looks over his shoulder.
"We'll see about that."
Kurt shakes his head but smiles as he unlocks the door to his room. Inside is a half decorated room with two beds, a half-full closet, two beds, two dressers (poorly coordinated into the room, clearly it had been rearranged for one person before Kurt's arrival) and one desk. Kurt's luggage is sitting somewhat neatly on his bed. He noticed the baby-faced, chocolate haired boy reading on the bed first and then the large vase of roses sitting on the desk.
"Oh my god, they're beautiful. Are they yours?" Kurt breathed before a second thought. The baby-faced boy looked up and lifted his lips shyly.
"No, I think they're yours."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I just never saw roses so full before. You must be Trent. I'm Kurt…" Kurt walks over to shake Trent's hand but Trent moves away from the action—practically jumps away.
Then Trent looks down ashamed. "Sorry, I just…don't like to be touched. Because of my powers."
"Oh I see…don't apologize. I'm sorry." Kurt quickly pulls back his hand and Trent gives him a friendly smile. "What are your powers…out of curiosity?" Trent looks down again and Kurt quickly takes it back. "Um, you know what…Why don't I just unpack and then we can talk a little bit. I've never shared a room with someone before so this is kind of overwhelming for me."
Trent nodded in agreement. "Yeah, me too."
Kurt however peers at the flowers. He touches a petal lightly. "So does Dalton give all its new students flowers? Kind of an odd tradition for all boys school."
The other boy smirks. "I wish we got roses for just going here, but no. I think those have a card buried somewhere in there." Sure enough, Kurt manages to dig out a card wedged within the stems. It's blue and smells like familiar cologne. Blaine's cologne.
Kurt opens the card and reads the message inside.
So very excited we got you on our side Mr. Bond.
Sincerely,
The Soviets (Blaine)
p.s. How's this for courting?
Kurt smiled at the note. The whole idea was cheesy—stupid jokes upon cliché romantic gifts. However, it was perfect and everything Kurt had ever wanted, even if they weren't technically speaking together.
Dalton wasn't so daunting. At least with Blaine there.
And we've officially reached 10 chapters! (throws confetti everywhere). I'll just say that frozen yogurt I had earlier was in celebration of that. So out of curiosity, if in the next chapter I had Kurt going to Fight Club, anyone have any thoughts on that? Anyone they'd want to see him fight possibly?
In any case, thank you all so much for your reviews, alerts, and favorites! I say it all the time but they all mean so much to me and keep me writing. And at 10 chapters, The Rising Sun is officially up to 53 reviews! Which is awesome and I can't thank you guys enough for!
Ittlebitz- Duh, duh, duh! (The way you said Dalton called for dramatic music too). Yeah, believe me making them go slow is just maddening to me—that's why I usually like writing them in established relationships because they can do whatever they want, but if things go the way I want them to, they'll be doing more than wooing soon. Ah yes, and hopefully we'll be learning more about Elizabeth in the next chapter as well :) Thank you for reviewing!
Yaoilover1013- Thank you as always for reviewing! Hope you like the update!
tokyogirl0093- (Waves back) Hey! Thank you so much! I hope it continues to entertain. I don't want to be a disappointment, lol. As for your question, I think when I envisioned the scene, I saw him going kind of see-through as he passed through the walls. Especially since he didn't know he was doing it. If he had more of an idea and was passing though quickly, I think it would go cleaner (as in, he remains more visible as he slips through). More like I'd imagine a ghost would do. Good question! Thanks for asking!
ToniBalogna978- Thank so much :) Unfortunately, I didn't get to dive in too much with his interaction with the Warblers but we'll have more of that next chapter. An all boys school where everyone has powers sounds like a dream come true though…Thanks for reviewing! Hope you like the update.
Yesiamstragegetoverit- And there was much rejoicing! If I were Kurt, I think I'd be somewhere in between "Oh, this place is awesome!" and "Oh, what have I gotten myself into?" Thanks for reviewing!
Glleek23- Oh I'm just grateful when you take the time to review! And of course, read my stories (which I know you've been faithfully reviewing and reading a lot of them which I appreciate!). Thank you so much for doing both! Glad you liked the kiss. Not really planned but at that point even I was like "Ugh, just make out already!" Even in my stories, Blaine and Kurt take frustratingly too long to get together. Thanks again! Hope you like the update!