Alright... So it's been about 3 weeks since I was last supposed to update. I'm sorry. Shit kind of hit the fan and I didn't feel like writing anything remotely related to romance. I didn't want to taint Klaine with the fact that I'm pretty much breaking up with my girlfriend of 11 months. Yeah... anyway, this chapter's shorter than I planned but I really wanted this chapter up because of the long wait since the last one. The next one should be... interesting? I think?
Also! I highly recommend the fanfiction "Lessons In Being A Man" by Whatsername Lambert. It's on it's 26th chapter and it's amazing!
Disclaimer: I do not own, but damn do I wish I did...
Sing For The Moment
Chapter the Twentieth
Trouble with Horses
Kurt Hummel could have killed the next person to look at him funny. His blue eyes were narrowed in anger and his entire body language screamed for people to stay away from him. Why was he so angry? Well, see it all started Sunday evening. He and Blaine had been enjoying their time alone, when Cassandra had ruined it all. And Blaine had been there to witness it. Everything. The act itself to the breakdown afterward. Blaine had been there and held him. It was because of Blaine's comfort that the fight broke out.
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"Kurt... you need to report this..." Blaine finally spoke, breaking the silence around them. The blond stiffened, looking to the brunet and snapping out of his daze finally.
"No."
"What? Kurt..." Blaine tried once more, frowning a bit more. He felt sick. He was disgusted with Cassandra, but more so in himself. He'd froze. At the most important time in his and Kurt's relationship, he froze.
"No, Blaine. No." The blond shook his head and stood, moving away from the other teen.
Blaine flinched, ducking his head a bit before sighing. "Alright... I'm sorry... sorry. I won't bring it up again... Just..." he paused and sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just... if you ever need me... Call. I'll be here and my door's... always open for you..."
Kurt turned his blue eyes on the other, the gaze narrowing. "Thanks, but I don't need your help..." he stated, tone icing over.
The shorter teen stood and frowned. "Kurt... please-"
"Get out."
"What?" Blaine took a step over and gently set a hand on Kurt's cheek, his skin heating up in frustration. His hand was met with ice, steam hissing and rising off the other's skin at the contact.
"Get. Out."
Wrenching his hand back, Blaine stepped away from the blond in shock. He felt like he'd been slapped. "Fine... my offer still stands." he added, grabbing his things and leaving.
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Now it was Monday and all Kurt could do was hope to get through the week without incident. Of course, since when has that ever happened?
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"We!" Mr. Schue started, clapping his hands together and grinning. "Are going to camp!" He stated that Tuesday evening counseling session. Silence greeted him. "Well?" Sighing, he rolled his eyes playfully, his grin still in place. "Come on! It's a weekend long camp where we go horse back riding and spend the weekend with our counselor, working on trying to work out our emotions while caring for another creature."
"So... you're going to treat us like hardened criminals and try to rehabilitate us like they do with disabled children?" Santana asked, for once toning down her insults in her state of shock.
"Uh.. no... this is a chance for us to-"
"Work on our emotions. Yeah yeah we know." Kurt cut in, tone sharp as he frowned at the man before the group. "What we don't know is why you suddenly decided we needed to be treated like charity cases."
Mr. Schue sighed and shook his head. "That's far from the case. I thought it would be a perfect chance for you to feel good about yourselves..."
Rachel stood, brushing her skirt out to smooth. "Mr. Schue. I think this is a wonderful idea." she started, holding up a hand to silence the protests. "Besides, I for one would love the chance to go horse back riding. I haven't been since I was just a little girl."
"Right, well, Berry, you can just go ahead and go do that. While I take the time and go get between those shapely little thighs of my girlfriend's and make sure she forgets her own name with my tongue." Santana snapped, standing and making for the door.
"This is mandatory. If you don't show you'll find yourself in juvie..."
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The ranch was out in the middle of nowhere in the backwater woods. By the time they got to the place, it was dusk and all the six wanted to do was shower and sleep. Preferably at the same time. They didn't get the option, however, because Mr. Shcue ushered them off the bus and into a line.
"Alright! We have a very special counselor for our stay here. Make sure you respect him and listen to what he says. Now, give a warm welcome to actor Cooper Anderson."
Blaine stopped, eyes widening. "Shit..."
The man that stepped forward was grinning. His blue eyes sparkling with his charismatic smile. "Hello lost little souls..." he greeted, holding his arms open wide. "I'm sure you've all seen me before, but let me introduce myself. I am Cooper Anderson and I will be your counselor this week-... end..." his voice trailed off, gaze landing on familiar hazel eyes. He blinked a few times before grinning ear to ear and lunging forward. "Blaine! Little brother! How I've missed you!" he cried, wrapping his arms around the short teen and pulling him into a back cracking hug.
Finally, he set is brother down, ruffling the teen's hair and taking a better look at him. "What the hell are you going here?" he asked, laughing softly.
Blaine hesitated, cringing slightly. Why, of all people, did it have to be his brother? Of any "celebrity" that could take their group on as a charity case, it had to be Cooper fucking Anderson. Kurt wasn't talking to him. He was worried sick for his boyfriend- could he really even call him that after he'd failed to help him? And now he was being forced into a counseling camp with his narcissistic brother to try and rehabilitate them. His weekend had just gone from bad to worse.
"I..."
"Wait..." Cooper stopped and turned to Mr. Schue. "Isn't this the group of delinquents?"
Mr. Schue blinked and offered a sheepish smile. "We prefer to call it troubled young adults."
"Right..." Cooper hummed, nodding before rounding on Blaine. "What the hell did you do? And why didn't mom and dad call me?"
"Coop, look just let it go-"
"What did you do, Blaine?" Cooper snapped, gaze narrowing. The shorter brunet paused, blinking slightly in shock. He swallowed and shook his head.
"Coop... can we... talk about this later? It's late and we need to eat and sleep..." He finally stated, managing to bite back his unease on the subject.
"...Alright. Fine. But we're going to be talking in the morning." Cooper stated, pulling out a small pack of papers. "Here are your room assignments as well as chore lists and horse assignments."
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Santana sighed, sinking lower into her bedsheets. She was cold despite the heavy duvet and the warm breeze coming in through the open window. The bed, despite being a twin, was too big, too empty. Over the last week she'd gotten so used to sleeping beside someone. Familiar blond hair flashed in her minds eye. A smile slowly formed and she buried her face deeper into her pillow.
Already she missed the wide smile of Brittany. The girl was a ray of sunshine in her dismal world of monochrome grays. She was such a happy person in contrast to Santana's own darkened mood. She was far from innocent. She didn't deserve someone as amazing as Brittany and yet she had her.
"You seem happy..." Rachel's voice cut in.
Blinking, the Latina lifted her gaze to her roommate. "Huh?"
"You look happy... a lot more than you did the week before..." The girl continued, smiling softly. Her brown eyes studied the girl lying before her, thinking. "Brittany... said you were having a rough time... and that she was helping you out..." she hesitated before sitting down on her own bed. "...Are you and Bri-"
"What's it to you?" Santana asked, cutting in and frowning.
Rachel just shrugged. "Honestly? I just... wanted to wish you two well. I know it's hard for same-sex couples here in Ohio... my dads get a lot of hate thrown at them every day... It's kinda nice to know that despite it all, there's still some that are willing to follow their hearts regardless... you know?"
Santana stayed silent, looking the girl over for a long moment. "...Yeah... I know... and we are... just... don't tell anyone yet, kay? We're kind of keeping it on the down-low for now..."
Rachel smiled and nodded. "Of course. But if you two ever need anything, my house is always open to you both..."
"...Thanks, Berry..."
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"The fuck did I have to get landed with you?" Puck groaned, slumping onto his bed and glaring at Finn directly across from him.
"Like I like this any better. At least it's better than having Kurt and Blaine in here. They're both kinda giving out the death vibes..." Finn sighed, resigned to his assignment and determined to make the best of this. Despite the giant elephant in the room.
Puck shifted around a bit, digging through his bag and quickly changing into something more comfortable. Finn glanced at him from the corner of his eye, thinking before sighing heavily.
"...You love Quinn... don't you?"
Puck paused and looked to the taller teen. "...Yeah... always have..."
"...She loves you too, you know... she just lies to herself and says it's me she loves..."
"...Finn?"
"Just... don't break her heart? Alright? Not like you did to Kurt... Give him up, Puck. She deserves nothing but your everything... Kurt's broken beyond repair. You had your shot, let someone else flounder in his broken world and focus on keeping Quinn's intact..."
Puck remained silent, studying his once close friend. Suddenly, Finn appeared older than his years, wiser beyond anyone Puck had ever taken advice from. He'd been forced to grow up and it was time Puck did the same.
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The night had been awkward for Blaine. Kurt had been silent for most of it until the later hours when he'd finally gotten the other boy to talk. It had been a short lived conversation, but things were starting to get back to normal between the two. Or as normal as they could be after what Blaine had witnessed.
That morning, however, brought about new challenges. So far it seemed as if Cooper had forgotten his talk with his brother completely and currently had the six of them lined up in front of six horses.
"Now! How many of you have ever ridden a horse before?" Cooper asked, clapping his hands together. Nearby, one of the horses twitched and gave an annoyed wicker.
Silence and finally Kurt shrugged. "I used to ride when I was younger..."
"Alright, so that's one. Anyone else?" No one raised their hands. Cooper frowned and looked to Blaine. "Come on, little brother, I know for a fact you've been on a horse."
"Pony rides at the fair don't count, Cooper. And I know you've never ridden a day in your life." Blaine hissed back, crossing his arms. He was already in a foul mood, having had a hard time sleeping the night before.
Cooper just rolled his eyes. "I had to for a role recently. Anyway, we're privileged to have the one and only Mr. Barnes here today to give us a few tips on how to saddle a horse."
With that, a bearing elderly man stepped forward, tilting his cowboy hat to the group and spitting a bit of chewing tobacco to the ground. Kurt took a small step back in disgust.
"So... You wanna learn how ta saddle a horse..." The man started in a lazy growl, the drawl in his voice having faded over time. "Alright... first thing's first. Never surprise a horse from b'hind. It'll only end in pain and broken bones. Horses got a kick that can shatter ribs like a bowling ball meetin' crackers. Always approach from the front and slightly to the side. Remember, left is always right with horses. If yer gonna be goin' b'hind them, set a hand on its neck and slide it along the horse's body to let it know yer there. It won't kick you then."
The man paused in his rattling list to guide each of the teens over the front of the horses. There, on the picket was a saddle each, hung over the wooden beam the horses were tethered to. From left to right there were four stallions and two mares a little further down. The first was a white Andalusian stallion, his head held tall as he shifted slightly on his feet in mild boredom. To his left was a brown and dust colored Appaloosa stallion. The massive head was lowered, searching the ground for a clump of grass it may have missed. Continuing on there was a Buckskin beside a Cleveland Bay. The two mares were fidgeting slightly, the Australian Brumby gently butting the Rocky Mountain Horse with her muzzle.
"These here are going to be yer newest friends and closest companions for the weekend. Alright, when I call yer name, go to the horse I tell you and appraoch calmly, offerin' your hand and lettin' it smell you. After that, get acquainted with it, talk to it. Alright... From the right to left. With Hot Shot we've got a Finn Hudson. Noah Puckerman, you get Myst. Sheriff is partnered with Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson has Spartan. Rachel Berry has Queen and Santana Lopez has Athena." Mr. Barnes looked up from his list and lifted a brow. "What? Scared are you? Alright, who wants to be the brave one and show us all how it's done?"
Silence.
Sighing, Kurt rolled his eyes and stepped forward, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt and making his way over to the Buckskin he'd been directed to.
"There we go. Nice and easy now, lad."
The blond ignored the man, slowing his approach as the horse's black tipped ears snapped forward and his attention trained on Kurt alone. Calmly, the teen held out a hand once he was close enough, waiting as the blackened muzzle reached forward. Nostrils flared for a few moments as the stallion studied the new scent. Seconds later, the velvety muzzle was nudging the hand, making the other stroke along the fine boned head. A small, easy smile formed on Kurt's lips.
"Howdy, Sheriff.." Kurt greeted, his voice soft as he continued to stroke the horse's snout, stepping over and running his other hand along the strong neck.
"See? That right there was perfect. Alright, all of you. Get over there and we're going to get started. You'll find a set of brushes in a bucket. Use the curry comb on the coat and then run it over once more with the softer brush. Get as much dust off of them as you can. Then we'll get to saddling..."
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"First thing's first. You wanna put yer saddle pad on." Mr. Barnes stated, lifting the pad and settling it onto the horses back, using the withers to eyeball where best to place it. He demonstrated this on his own horse, an aging Pinto named Buckeye that had seen better days.
He turned and waited for the rest of the group to mimic his actions, going to check that everyone had done so to his liking before he moved back and stepped over to his own saddle. "Now, yer gonna want everything to be up and outta yer way before you put the saddle up on the horse's back. So make sure everything's up and easily accessible for the time and then lift and place the saddle on the pad. "Make sure to do this gently so as not to cause the horse discomfort or cause any of the cinching to fall off the saddle seat."
Five managed to do this correctly, Rachel struggling slightly before she finally managed to do so. She grinned, stepping back slightly in triumph and patting the left side of the horse's neck happily. "There we go!"
"Alright, lower everything down so it's hanging on the sides of the horse and then we're gonna secure the front cinch. Remember, left is right on a horse." The man shifted and grabbed the front cinch, slowly showing them what to do as he walked them through it verbally. "Take the latigo and loop it through the cinch ring, then bring it back up and down through the D-ring on the front of the saddle. After that, we take the latigo back down and through the cinch ring again. Pull it so it's snug. We don't want it tightened completely yet because we're far from getting ready to get on. Besides, yer horse is likely holding air so as to keep it loose. Waiting to tighten it for riding will give us time to make sure it's breathed out."
He shifted around the saddle, going to check on the others as they walked through this step. Finn got mixed up a few times, as did Puck. Blaine quickly caught on and Kurt had done as directed with their instructor. Rachel was struggling a bit, Santana stepping over to help her once she'd done her own.
"After that we simply buckle and tighten the back cinch and then the breast collar. Both of which are pretty simple obviously." Mr. Barnes once more showed them how to do so and check their progress before stepping back to Buckeye. "By this time, the horse should be ready for the front cinch to be tightened and secured for riding. So just step back to where you were, tighten it again and check it over. If it looks secure enough, yer ready to ride." And with that, the man easily mounted his horse, stepping into the left stirrup and hoisting himself up and onto the saddle.
It seemed easy enough. After all, Kurt had made easy work of his and was now sitting pretty in his saddle. Blaine followed close behind with Santana and Rachel not far either. Even Puck managed. So, taking a steady breath, Finn did as instructed before grabbing hold of his saddle. Placing a foot in the stirrup, he hefted himself up. For a second, he was taller, seeing the back of the horse from above. The next, he was sprawled on the ground, the saddle he'd been holding onto hanging upside down.
Well that's it for this chapter. Yay for horses? I know what's going to happen in this next chapter and to be honest, I'm really actually kind of excited to get it written.
Also, I'm sorry if this format looks weird. The editor on was being fussy and I couldn't do shit to the original document I loaded so we're going to hope this works. Now! For Reviews!
JabbaWockyBaby: Wow, I'm really honored to hear that! I really hope you haven't lost interest due to the length between updates! But here's the latest one! Enjoy!
MNHummel: Lol, thank you! I will be sure to let Greg know he did an amazing job then! Yeah, a lot of people have been frustrated with the fact that Blaine froze. Honestly, he was too shocked to really let any thought of stopping it happen. It wasn't until after that he was able to think clearly and now he's beating himself up for it. And yes, Puck is going to be one of those that is a little unclear of where he lies. But we'll soon have that sorted.
Panicgirl77983: Yes, yes she is. And it's all part of the main plot too. Glad you like the story so far!
GridylowGleek: Wow... that was rather well thought out. As for why Kurt doesn't, rape isn't about sex or just humiliation. It's about fear and power. Kurt's scared of Cassandra. Scared to the point where, right now as he is, he's powerless against her because of his fear.
EmacKlaineLover: It's alright, I know what you mean. My Kindle Fire sucks when it comes to writing reviews as well, but it's so useful when reading fanfiction and I don't want to mess with the bulky laptop. As for Puck's reaction, Puck is a little confused on what exactly it is he feels for Kurt as well as Quinn.
luna13lovegood: I'm sorry but Kurt's gotta have a few more punches thrown at him before things can start to look up. But don't worry, Cassandra will get hers soon enough.
moonshoesklainer: Twitter, huh? It wouldn't have been on Spalding101's tweets would it? Cause that's me. If it wasn't well then, apparently this fic's made twitter status. I'm truly honored if that's the case. And I'm so glad you like this fic. Honestly, this story has become my "baby" so to speak. I have a very definite ending I'm going for with very specific events I want to touch on and the fact that people are so eager to join me on this journey is amazing.
silverurn: Not quite yet, sorry
NikiGrace: Why thank you!
undaunted scholar: Well, the follow up took a while. Sorry about that. However, I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Really, it was difficult to write because it was someone actually witnessing it instead of just Kurt getting lost inside his own head. There's going to be a bit more to play on that thread of the story so keep an eye out for it.
Thatgirl95: Yes, Blaine will forever never be able to forget that moment in his life. However, he's there for Kurt... even if Kurt's being difficult.
Randon Trbetr: I like pineapples! Though... I don't know what I'd do with a castle... maybe recreate my favorite scenes from Harry Potter?
Mary Peguero: For Kurt's ability, it only kicks in when he's about to die. Kind of like it's keeping it's host alive so it too can survive. As for Blaine, it had to be done and that was the only way I could find to break it to him. Believe me, it hasn't sunk in fully and it's going to very soon. As for Puck... yes. Yes he did deserve that. For the change in style it was necessary because I had major events to knock out of the way. I'll be going back and forth between the original and the more recent styles every now and then. For the poll, I fixed it. It should be up on my profile now.
Wow... x.x so many reviews... I don't think I should make another break like this for a long time... or ever. So yeah... next Saturday... new chapter? And finals are finally coming up after this next week so then classes will be done. Yay! Anyway...
Thanks to those that reviwed/alerted/favorited!