Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
Author's Note/Warning - IMPORTANT: There are mentions of child abuse in this chapter. As always nothing graphic, but all the same I am warning you right now that if it's triggering or too intense (though I try to steer clear of 'way too intense') I advise you not to read.
Author's Note #2: I'm going to take a bit of a break from the story - nothing huge, just so you all know. Chapter 30 should be up sometime on Friday.
Chapter 29:
At six-thirty on Thursday morning, Karofsky found Kurt standing in the parking lot, clutching a cup of coffee in his hands.
"Hi." he said awkwardly.
Kurt merely nodded, his eyes never leaving the field.
"C'mon." Karofsky almost grabbed his arm, but thought better of it. He simply nodded his head toward the soccer field and set off.
Kurt followed.
"It looks different," he said quietly when they stopped on the field. "Finn said they cleaned up, but -"
Karofsky had to agree with him, the field looked like nothing had ever happened on it other than a soccer game.
"So..." the air was thick with awkward tension. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"The...the trial. That lady came to see me yesterday after school."
Kurt stared at him before taking a gulp of coffee.
"How'd it go?" he asked.
Karofsky shrugged.
"Okay I guess. When's she talking to you?"
Kurt frowned.
"Sunday. Makes no sense, seeing as the trial starts tomorrow, but I guess she's not having me testify until next week or something."
Shit. That meant Karofsky was probably going to be one of the first few witnesses.
Fan-freaking-tastic.
Blaine stared at the phone in his hand, at the little number on the screen. He'd debated calling Mark ever since classes had finished for the day and Jeff had accompanied him back to their dorm.
His thumb brushed over the 'Send' button and pressed it.
It took three rings before Mark answered the phone.
Blaine?
"H-Hi Mark."
Silence.
You okay?
"No, I'm really not. My best friend came out of a freaking coma and didn't even call me."
Oh boo hoo, you think you had it rough? Did your parents go through your things and erase me from your life? Mark's tone was sarcastic. Or were they ever abusive because you're gay?
"That's not what this is about." said Blaine angrily. "and while we're on the subject, tell me - your dad stop using the belt after you left the hospital?"
There was a sharp intake of breath from the other side of the line.
You're an ass.
"Takes one to know one." Blaine groaned softly. "Tell me why you called."
Well to answer your question, my dad was arrested, so he can't hurt me anymore.
Blaine felt a small surge of relief inside his stomach.
"What about your mom?" he asked. "She's not -"
No, she doesn't hit me anymore either. She's on probation - she can't if she wants to keep custody til I turn 18...otherwise I'd be at my aunt's house. She tried fighting Mom for custody, but of course mommy dearest made a deal, so I'm stuck.
"I'm sorry...but your-your dad was always worse, wasn't he...and let's not forget when he nearly broke my arm because we were oggling the senior football team members."
Your mom wanted to kill him. Mark laughed at the memory. but he kicked my ass pretty hard that night too.
"At least he can't hurt you anymore." said Blaine.
You know, he did go to bat for us that night.
"That was because he didn't want the cops on him, and the beating you took from Kyle and his friends pretty much covered up what he did." Blaine's tone was sour. "Now tell me why you called or I swear, I'm going to hang up."
How - How've you been since - that night? Blaine could practically feel the caution in Mark's voice. It was on the news - and Mom broke and gave me your home phone number. Your dad gave me your cell phone number.
Blaine made a mental note to rage at his father later...okay maybe not rage, but he did need to confront Nick for keeping Mark secret.
He sighed and leaned back in his wheel chair. He couldn't wait to be free of the damn thing.
"You wanted to check up on me?" he asked.
Yeah. Mark's voice softened. The boy who was with you -
"Kurt."
Kurt - is he - ?
"My boyfriend...and he's fine. He's got ten stitches in his head, but he's fine."
I'm glad...that you found someone, Mark sounded sincere, and Blaine felt his lips curl in a small smile. Even though I could have been 'the one' -
"You said it yourself, you're not my type." Blaine pointed out, laughing. One hand drifted to his ribs, trying to ignore the slight ache.
Do you love him? The question was so abrupt that Blaine nearly lurched forward, almost pitching himself out of the chair.
An arm shot out of nowhere, gripping him around the waist and settling him back into the seat.
He smiled gratefully at Jeff, who grinned back.
"Warblers in twenty," he said in a low voice. "I'm gonna head to the bathroom -"
"T.M.I., Jeff."
"- and then I'll be back to help you out. Cool?"
He nodded.
"Sorry, Mark." he knew the answer to Mark's question...but...how did he explain that he couldn't say it to Kurt yet?
You haven't told him, have you?
Blaine's silence spoke for itself.
Oh come on!
"It's complicated."
I don't see how. If you love him, you should tell him, Blaine.
Of course, Blaine was going to tell Kurt...eventually. Now wasn't the right time though.
"Look, I have to go. I've got Glee club, and the trial starts tomorrow -"
For the bastard who hurt you guys? Good luck, hopefully he gets off with more than a slap on the wrist like Kyle did.
"Yeah." he didn't know what else to say. "'Bye, Mark."
'Bye B.
So it went okay? With Mark, I mean.
"Yeah." Blaine grabbed the clothes Jeff had handed to him, and placed them in his suitcase.
It was a really good thing the trial was taking place in Lima - had it been in Columbus, he would have lost his mind from the constant travel (even though it was about the same distance between Lima and Columbus as there was for Lima and Westerville). Plus, he had finals next week.
And he'd pitch a fit if he missed those.
Why'd he call you?
"He saw the news." Jeff handed him other neccessities which he hastily threw into the bag and zipped it up. "Asked about you - says he's happy for me...that I found you."
Suddenly I know where you get your cheesy romantic ideas and lines...did he teach you how to be extremely dapper too?
Blaine snorted as Jeff placed the duffel bag in his lap and pushed him outside.
"No, that's something I, and I alone know how to do."
Damn, I was right. Kurt laughed. I've got to go, but I'll see you tomorrow, alright?
"Yeah." Should he say it now? Nah...it was that whole 'moment' thing again...and this wasn't it. "See you tomorrow."
So the trial starts next chapter - and there will be more Blaine/Mark friendship moments. Yay!
Hope you all liked this. No flames please.
