A/N: Reviews? Please?
A/N 2: VOTE! Do you think I should break Blaine and Kurt up soon or ride it out a little longer?
Also, just want to toss out there, PoisonRose from Fanpop had a few songs listed that Kurt should sing and I totally agreed, a lot of them were good song choices.
Thanks gleekfan01 for your idea for Azimio's song.
Chapter 37
A Night of Non-Neglect
Reconsidering his decision to participate in this weekend's activities plagued Dave's mind. He looked around the choir room, where Tina stood more than happy to go on. After a few phone calls and some pleading, they'd managed a decent number of people for an audience, but that's not what made Dave nervous. After canceling his 'date' with Jeremiah a few days prior, he'd invited him… here… in public. He glanced at Quinn; she was really his only problem right now What if she figures it out? What would she do? Will she out me? Jeremiah knew Dave wasn't 'out' yet and Dave knew he would out either of them because well… Jeremiah not very public about his orientation either.
"Hey guys," came Kurt walking in to the choir room, Dave smiled glanced at him a moment and then to Blaine walking in behind him, talk about awkward.
"Kurt!" smiled Mercedes, pulling him into a hug, "Come to cheer us on?"
"Actually… I know you have a tight squeeze up there… but I was wondering if I could join?" asked Kurt, with a small smile.
"I'll give up my spot," said Dave, he saw this as a win-win. Kurt sings. He doesn't have too.
"You're not getting out of this," said Rachel with a frown, then she smiled at Kurt, "Sure, we have room… how about before Mercedes goes on?"
"Fine with me," smiled Mercedes, Kurt beamed.
"But.. you know… if the show goes long, I don't have too…" Dave was cut off by Finn.
"Dude, calm down… you'll do fine," said Finn patting his shoulder, Finn squinted.. or winked… or.. what the hell was Finn doing?
"You okay?" asked Dave, looking a little disturbed.
"I was trying to be reassuring and also tell you I know who's in the audience…" said Finn, "And not to be nervous."
"… Actually I wanted to get of this before they came… but now I'm even more uneasy, thanks for pointing that out," groaned Dave.
"Who's in the audience?" Kurt whispered in between the two, Dave jumped, Finn seemed unsurprised.
"Kurt's a ninja, you get used to it eventually," said Finn with a shrug, then he smiled, "Dave's 'friend' is here."
"Oh my god! Really?" said Kurt, eyes shot open and suddenly Dave had an urge to clamp a hand over the boys mouth, that had been really loud.
"Keep it down," whispered Dave, his heart was racing as a couple people looked over, he glanced over at Blaine wondering why he wasn't over by them, he was talking to Rachel.
"So, what's he look like? Where's he sitting? Did you find out his last name?" asked Kurt, practically shoving Finn aside.
"You are way too into this," said Dave, he felt a little down at that thought but shook it off.
"You invited your boyfriend to your school… this is huge," said Kurt, Dave was certain he'd never seen Kurt this excited, but there was something else.
"You okay?" asked Dave without thinking, Kurt's happiness wavered for a split second but came back and he shook his head.
"Hey," said Blaine walking over, Kurt smiled for a few seconds before excusing himself over by Finn, Dave blinked and sighed.
"Not going too well?" asked Dave, his shoulder's slumped, Blaine looked miserable but he was doing an okay job trying to hide it.
"We talked… well I talked.. he just… nodded and murmured," said Blaine, "He picked me up so he's driving me home tonight… I… I think he wants to end it."
"Oh…" said Dave, he wanted to say something encouraging but at the same time, he felt terrible about it, but he was a little happy, "I ohm.. I'm sorry man…. You know if you need too.."
"Tina!" yelled Mike as Tina came running in the choir room in tears.
"T-That was… was … humiliating and.. and terrible," she sobbed as Brittany hugged her.
"Freaking bastards!" yelled Santana storming by, "I swear to god, I'm gonna cut them."
"What's happening?" asked Quinn, patting Tina's shoulder.
"Hecklers… there's a group of douches in the front row," said Mike, pulling Tina in a hug.
"Great… figures," said Santana crossing her arms.
"Can't we ever do something around here without someone jumping down our throat?" asked Artie, "I mean seriously… do people have nothing better to do?"
"I bet Sue had something to do with this, " said Quinn, patting Tina's shoulder.
"Then we don't let them win, simple as that… we ignore them," said Finn, Puck nodded beside him.
"I say we just go out there.. show them what we got… and blow them away," said Puck, "Or.. we could go punch 'em out…"
"The first ideas a better idea… Tina, you have to get back out there.. your stronger than this," said Rachel, beaming.
"I.. I don't think I could…" sniffled Tina, "There just so.. so mean…"
"… I'll sing with you," said Jameson, who up until now had been doing the same as Dave; avoiding this entirely.
"… What?" asked Mike, suspiciously.
"I mean.. no offence Mike, you can't sing… and I was really trying to avoid it… and everyone else has a song already… besides Dave… who's pretending he has stage fright…" said Jameson, Rachel glared at Dave, causing Kurt to snicker.
"I'm not sure I can…" said Tina, she'd stopped crying as Mike kissed her forehead tenderly, "I mean.. My song wasn't a duet… and we have.. nothing."
"Well… I goofed around with the band a few days ago after practice… do you know We'll be a Dream?" asked Jameson, Dave raised a brow and glanced at Mike, that was a rather… flirty song for someone to sing with his girlfriend.
"By We the Kings and Demi Lovato?" asked Tina, she thought for a moment, "That's definitely in my vocal range."
"Well then, get out there and sing," said Mercedes, "Show those asses what you got."
"I'll go tell the band," said Brittany, jogging out of the room.
"Are.. you sure?" asked Dave looking at a nervous Jameson.
"Heck no… I may crap myself out there…" said Jameson, "But like all those famous peeps say… the shows gotta keep going."
"… slightly butchered, but… good," said Blaine as he headed out, "I'm gonna go catch the show… good luck guys."
"Az has a couple spots next to him and… my friend," said Dave casually, Blaine beamed and hurried out of the room.
"You do realize he's going to blow up your phone after tonight," said Kurt with a smirk.
"So… I won't expect any random questions from you then?" asked Dave, he felt like talking to Kurt about this should be awkward, but it wasn't.
"Oh.. I will blow up your phone like crazy…. Finn?" asked Kurt as Finn leaned in between the two.
"Oh.. I was just eavesdropping… are you guys going to watch from the sidelines?" asked Finn, "I also wanted to toss in here… if Blaine and Kurt get to meet your 'friend'.. can I?"
"… meet who?" asked Rachel as they headed towards the stage.
"Dave's boyfriend," said Santana casually walking passed them.
"Okay.. seriously David… we need a list of who knows," said Kurt, stopping for a moment to take in Santana's outright statement, apparently Dave did too.
"Wow.. that was.. was so strange to hear.." said Dave as music began to play and they leaned into the stage to see.
"Do you remember the nights we
Stayed up just laughing.
Smiling for hours at anything
Remember the nights we
Drove around crazy in love.." sang Jameson, a little nervously.
"You suck!" came a yell from the audience.
"Get off the stage loser!" came another yell.
"Yeah, go home!" came a female yell, Dave noticed Ms. Holiday glaring at them from the other side of the stage…. But no one said anything to stop the tirades.
"Do you remember the nights we
Made our way dreaming
Hoping of being someone big,
We were so young then,
We were too crazy in love," sang Tina, obviously trying not to look at the crowd and drown them out.
"When the lights go out
We'll be safe and sound
We'll take control of the world
Likes it's all we have to hold on to
And we'll be a dream," They sang together, their voices didn't sound half bad mused Dave, but the heckling continued, but they seemed a little more confident now.
"You suck!"
"MY EARS ARE BLEEDING!"
"When the lights out," sang Jameson as Tina sang the higher notes.
"When the lights go out!" Tina managed to hit the notes without much trouble now, and there were a lot more whistles and hollering than heckling.
"We'll be safe and sound."
"We'll be safe and sound,"
"Well take control of the world
Like it's all we have to hold on to
And we'll be," they both sang, Jameson spinning Tina slightly, Dave glanced at Mike, but he seemed pretty okay at this point.
As the song finished up, there was applause from the audience and boos from the small group of hecklers. New Directions and Kurt whistled as Tina and Jameson took a bow and all but dived off stage, Jameson looked pale and headed directly to the choir room. Kurt opened his mouth to say something as Finn and Dave snickered along with Puck.
"Do you think he really shit himself?" asked Puck, this caused tears to well up in Finn's eyes.
"I hope not… but at the same time… it would be freaking awesome," said Finn, Dave nodded in agreement.
"You guys are up next," said Rachel looking at Puck and Finn, they both smirked.
"Where's Santana and Artie?" asked Puck, looking around just as the two showed up.
"Come on, let's get it started up in this biznitch!" said Artie, putting on sunglasses.
"What are you guys singing?" asked Kurt, trying to figure all four in.
"Only the most badass song ever," said Artie as they headed on stage and music hit.
"Airplanes? I thought that was for three people?" asked Brittany.
"Not anymore," said Quinn with a shrug.
"Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars," sang Santana with her usual devious smirk.
"I could really use a wish right now," sang Puck and Finn joining her.
"Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars," sang Finn,
"I could really use a wish right now," they all chimed in.
"Yeah
I could use a dream or a genie or a wish
To go back to a place much simpler than this
Cause after all the partyin' and smashin' and crashin'
And all the glitz and the glam and the fashion
And all the pandemonium and all the madness
There comes a time where you fade to the blackness
And when you're staring at that phone in your lap
And you hoping but them people never call you back
But that's just how the story unfolds
You get another hand soon after you fold
And when your plans unravel," sang Artie, Puck miming him in backup, which switched as Puck took over.
"And they sayin' what would you wish for
If you had one chance
So airplane airplane sorry I'm late
I'm on my way so don't close that gate
If I don't make that then I'll switch my flight
And I'll be right back at it by the end of the night," everyone joined back in on end.
The crowd cheered again, but the hecklers continued their assault, yelling, screaming… it seemed more people had joined them… Dave swore he head Blaine yell something colorful at one of the hecklers, but the stage lights blocked the audience. Rachel grabbed his arm as she leaned passed him to squint into the crowd.
"I hope a riot doesn't break out," she muttered.
"Well… at least it would be new and exciting," said Tina, Mike nodded.
"Until someone called the police," said Mike, "Which after all the crap around here… I wonder why no one ever has?"
"Don't jinx it," said Sam, looking at his watch, "Hey guys, I hate to bail, but I have to get home… good luck guys…"
"Okay, who's up next?" asked Finn as they got off stage.
"Ohm… Sam bailed… I'm not supposed to go on till after intermission…. " said Mike, he glanced towards Dave, who looked behind him to see Kurt attempting to squint in the audience, he took a step back.
"Change of plans, you're up Kurt… Sam left," said Rachel, Kurt's eyes shot open as he heard the hecklers still yelling, he sighed,
"Fine… but I make no promise not to injure one of them," said Kurt, waving over to Brad that he was up.
"To be honest I don't think any of us would try and stop you," said Dave, Quinn nodded with a few murmurs of agreement as Kurt headed out on stage.
"Is it true what they say?
Are we too blind to find a way?
Fear of the unknown
Clouds our hearts today," sang Kurt, Dave was unfamiliar with the song but he listened as Kurt sang, the hecklers weren't saying anything right now.
"Come into my world,
See through my eyes.
Try to understand,
Don't want to lose what we have…" Dave leaned against the curtain a little, glad no one noticed him there.
"BOO!" one of the hecklers yelled, but they sounded slightly strangled.
"See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,
This is not the end." Dave shook his head as he thought he saw Kurt glance over at him.
"I'd rather get a bikini wax then listen to this!" came a yell from the audience.
"Fear is withering the soul
At the point of no return.
We must be the change we wish to see.
I'll come into your world,
See through your eyes.
I'll try to understand,
Before we lose what we have."
"Shut up, homo!" came a voice, Dave felt a sudden cold shoot through him and felt a hand shove him back a little as Finn headed for the audience, Kurt glared at them and went to continue, but someone from the audience was yelling.
"What the hell did you say!" Dave really wished they could see into the audience.
"Oh my god…" said Rachel, her eyes wide as a few people started yelling in the audience, Kurt had slowly slid towards the side of the stage, the music had stopped.
"Well… how… strange," said Kurt, whose face was red as Dave tried to put the voice together, his eyes went wide and he and Kurt shared a look as Azimio walked towards them on stage and grabbed the microphone.
"Can… can Azimio sing?" asked Mercedes, brow raised.
"I don't think so…" said Dave, his mind fading back to all their road trips when they'd both first gotten their license, "No… no he can't."
"Oh god… how did this happen?" asked Finn as Azimio yelled into the audience and music started playing.
"Well some hockey douche yelled out, Azimio started yelling and somehow the hockey player convinced Azimio to go sing up there," said Blaine coming up behind them, Jeremiah standing a short ways from the door.
"Gap boy?" asked Kurt, eyes wide.
"Oh my god… hair inspector," said Jeremiah, sharing the same look.
"Wait… you know each other?" asked Dave, looking between his boyfriend, and then to Kurt and Blaine.
"Tell you later," said Jeremiah as Azimio started singing, "Oh my god… it's like a dying dingo?"
"So specific," said Kurt, Dave didn't miss Kurt's curled up nose as he looked at Jeremiah, Finn did as he started talking to Jeremiah.
"Hey, slow it down
What do you want from me
What do you want from me
Yeah, I'm afraid
What do you want from me
What do you from me,"
"YOU SUCK!" came a yell, from what Dave had decided must have been Cooper.
"I can't watch this…" said Mercedes, heading back to the choir room.
"There might have been a time
I would give myself away," sang Azimio, Dave covered his face, this day was just so fucked up… and why the hell was Finn so intent on talking to Jeremiah.
"Oh my god… poor Azimio, he's getting the worst heckling," said Kurt, covering his mouth, Dave took a deep breath as he watched Azimio and looked to the head microphones on the stage…. Yup… this was happening.
"Once upon a time
I didn't give a damn
But now here we are," sang Azimio, he was ignoring the audience who were all yelling.
"So what do you want from me
What do you want from me.." sang Dave, from behind Kurt as he headed passed them.
"Just don't give up
I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in
I won't let you down
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around," sang Dave, Azimio gave him a grateful look and jogged off stage, Dave glared.
"Hey, what do you want from me
What do you want from me," Dave continued singing, he rolled his eyes, guess he didn't get out of this after all.
It was late when they'd finished the show, glad most of the Hecklers had left before the end of it. The group was gathered in the choir room after cleaning up the stage; eating the remains of the salt water toffee that they'd had left over after the Ms. Holiday and Mr. Schue had thrown some at the Hecklers. Mr. Reyerson had just left, so yeah.. they were in a pretty damn good mood.
"So, Jeremiah, right?" asked Rachel, practically bouncing over to the blonde next to Dave, who'd been all but avoiding everyone.
"Hi, yeah…" Jeremiah looked at her for a few seconds and then smiled, "Rachel, right?"
"Wow…" said Kurt looking passed Dave and too where Jeremiah and Rachel talked, "Just… wow.."
"Wow what?" asked Azimio, eating another candy.
"Of all they guys… in Ohio… Jeremiah… seriously?" asked Kurt, shock written all over his face.
"That's… ironic… and… just… okay its screwed up…" said Blaine, Dave and Azimio raised a brow as Jeremiah maneuvered his way back over to them, followed shortly by Finn as everyone started leaving.
"Well.. ohm.. as curious as I am," said Dave, looking at them with a slightly frightened look, "We have… dinner… stuff.."
"Yeah… ohm.. nice seeing you again Blaine… Kyle," said Jeremiah, Dave's eyes shot open ad Kurt's lip twitched.
"Likewise, Jamie…" said Kurt, Dave really felt like he should ask, but he preferred just to leave before too much speculation was drawn.
"See you guys later," said Dave as they headed out, Jeremiah right beside him.
"Awkward," said Finn, he glanced at Kurt, "What was that about?"
"Hmm… oh…freaking gap," shrugged Kurt.
"Oh my god… you guys are the gap mob that got him fired," said Azimio, eyes wide, Finn looked confused.
"Hey Finn…" said Puck, pulling on his hoodie and walking over towards him.
"Sup, dude?" asked Finn, with a half-smile as he tried to listen to what the other three were talking about.
"Who was that dude there all talking about?" asked Puck grabbing his backpack and swinging it over his shoulder.
"Oh.. Dave's friend.. Jeremiah, apparently Kurt and Blaine know him," said Finn.
"So… is that Dave's… boyfriend?" asked Puck tilting his head to the door.
"What?" asked Finn, brow raised.
"Well.. you did say he was gay… you know back at the park… I mean I was wasted… I wasn't that wasted at the time," said Puck with a shrug.
"But I… you said… and I asked.." Finn's eyes were wide.
"Dude… I was in hangover mode… I didn't recall shit till Monday.. by then I was life… why should I say shit," said Puck, "I'm not stupid… it's also not really hard to notice him always checking out Kurt…. just wanted to know man, call you later."
"Wait!" said Finn, looking panicked, "You're not going to say…"
"I haven't yet, why would I…" said Puck with an smirk and an eye roll as he headed out.
"… does… does Puckerman know?" asked Azimio, edging towards Finn.
"Yeah.. oh yeah," said Finn, he glanced at Kurt with a curiously raised brow, Does Dave have a thing for my brother.
"At this point I think he should just tell the rest of New Directions," said Azimio, "There's like what… five who don't know?"
"Yeah… don't rush it," said Kurt, Blaine nodded.
"True…" said Finn who then smiled, "Do you think Puck's planning a coming out party?"
"I'd be shocked if he wasn't," said Kurt, "I mean… he is running out of gay friends to throw a party for… and he really wants too."
"That's because he wants to make a penis cake," said Azimio, they looked at him with wide eyes, "What… he blogged it on facebook like a week ago.
"…. Well… an awkward statement to end an awkward night," said Finn, as they headed out, he glanced at Kurt and Blaine who were still in the choir room, "Bro, you coming?"
"I'll be home later," said Kurt, as he and Blaine headed off the opposite way talking.
"Okay…" muttered Finn, he watched them go, "…. I need to buy more cake tonight…"
TBC