Symphony

by LeBelle

Seasons 2-6 done... differently. Klaine AU. Rated T up to about Chapter 6, then M, definitely M.

2. Chapter 2

–

AN: I know I skipped a couplet in the song, they'll appear later on, I said I would skip around. I changed ages from Canon too but not quite as much as I'm sure some of you would have liked, I have a reason for this, I promise.

–

Chapter 2

Life was stringing me along
Then you came and you cut me loose

–

It wasn't until they were sitting at a round table at the Lima Bean that Kurt suddenly realized that these boys who lived over 1.5 hours away were aware of this coffee shop and the barista had already known their orders as well as his.

"I'm guessing you've been here before." He meant all of them and they laughed.

"Only decent coffee in a two hour radius. We could go to Columbus (which was 20 minutes away) but that means going into a big city and trying to find parking and not get tickets for street parking for too long." It was David who was talking and Kurt looked at him and Wes curiously. He hadn't met them before today but he knew they were part of the Warblers.

"It's very decent of you to invite me out to coffee before you beat me up."

Wes laughed. "We're not going to beat you up."

"Why not, I spied on you and now know intimate details of your performances." Kurt tried not to be overly sassy with that comment but he thought he may have failed.

"We knew who you were. It was cute of you to try though." It was David this time.

"You were absolutely adorable." Wes agreed.

"So then, what's this all about?" Kurt asked.

"I guess we're more curious about what brought you to our doorstep." Wes answered. "I mean it's normal for people to try and spy but you were pretty obvious about it."

"You should have seen the sunglasses he was wearing trying to look incognito." Blaine teased and one of Kurt's eyebrows lifted ever so slightly and his chin notched up slightly and Blaine held his hands out in a peace gesture. "I thought it was sweet." Kurt settled back down with the not-apology.

"I heard it was an all boys school and I was curious about how it worked. Puck, one of the members of New Direction had suggested it sarcastically but once he said it, I couldn't get it out of my head."

"What were your thoughts?" David asked.

"It was definitely different, positives and negatives compared to McKinley." Kurt hesitated and looked at their open faces. "Do you mind if I ask? Are all of you gay?"

Blaine spoke for the first time since they got to the cafe and he was laughing as he answered. "No, definitely not. I mean.. I am, but David and Wes aren't, they both have girlfriends." Kurt had had a girlfriend himself for all of five minutes, that hadn't meant much.

"How does that work? Does anyone harass you at school?"

"We have a zero tolerance policy on hate crimes and harassment." Wes answered.

"There's still pranks and probably less than mature behavior, especially as we all live together and go to school together, even on the weekends and while we're not stuck on campus the entire time, we might all be together a bit too much sometimes and arguments do erupt and things said may not always be what we mean and that usually slides under the radar but intentional bullying is frowned upon and dealt with severely and swiftly."

"That must be so nice." Kurt's eyes locked with Blaine's he must understand what Kurt meant and he felt overwhelmed with the idea of being able to be himself without fear of consequences or being told to 'turn it down' when others were free to do what they wanted, whether it was extreme in any direction. But he was 'too alternative' for almost everyone at his school and probably in his city, maybe state too.

Blaine's eyes searched his and must have found something similar to what he was looking for as his voice was soft as he spoke to his friends. He'd driven them so they couldn't go too far. "Do you mind leaving while I talk to Kurt? We need to have a heart to heart."

The other two agreed and picked up their to-go cups even though they'd all decided to sit in the building and drink them. Kurt waited patiently for the other two to go and they'd exchanged pleasantries as they left. Wes went so far as to hug Kurt who took it with surprise, he'd never had another male other than his father hug him. He didn't have any aunts or uncles and both sets of grandparents had already passed. It was just him and his dad and his dad had instilled in him a great sense of family worth even though it was just the two of them, and maybe that's what truly did it because he had no other family so he clung to what he had.

He found he had a friend in both David and Wes, even if he only met them so briefly today. He was pleasantly surprised by that idea. He hadn't even tried to become friends with them, they just offered their friendships with no strings attached, had liked him for himself and he had only ever been himself and already the friendships were closer than the struggle he'd gone through to be friends with other males, or at least friendly. They had accepted him before they fully knew him and hadn't run away when he outed himself. They also clasped Blaine's shoulders as they left, something about shopping and they'd see him at the car.

"Tell me, if you want to, about what's going on." Blaine's hands off approach but genuine interest and care had Kurt opening up without him even fully understanding why. Perhaps it was because Blaine was also gay and must have suffered some kind of backlash about his own sexual orientation, or perhaps it was because Blaine was so kind as to seek him out to check in with him even after that very brief meeting where he was spying on the competition, or perhaps it was because deep down Kurt knew that Blaine cared about him and neither knew it yet but were making those first steps towards friendship and that it didn't matter that they were from different schools, were rivals in Glee club or that they didn't know each other. Kurt needed someone to listen to him and Blaine somehow knew that. Their shared sexual orientation may have been a part of it, it may not. Maybe Blaine was that wonderful of a person. Maybe Kurt just pulled those kinds of people to him, no matter how far and few between.

Maybe they were just both seeking something and found it in the other. Maybe it was something else, something they hadn't even discovered yet. There were a million and one things that made their meeting like this, sharing like this, talking like this happen and they'd never know what it was exactly, and it may never have happened the same way twice or at all if even one detail was changed in their history but they lucked out and did find each other here and now. Kurt didn't know if Blaine needed this too or if he was happy with the status quo but it didn't matter, because Blaine had now met him and things were forever different regardless.

Kurt felt the most comfortable that he could possibly be with another person and Blaine didn't push, he just opened himself up to the possibility of a response and was willing to listen, willing to give advice if asked or just be there if not. Kurt took a sip of his drink and centered himself, trying to figure out what he wanted to say or do. "There's a guy at my school who had made it his personal mission to make my life a living hell." Kurt reeled over how good it felt to say it out loud to someone who actually cared.

He and Blaine discussed it at length but it all boiled down to the final thing Blaine had to say about it. "As you know, tuition at Dalton is steep and not for everyone." Kurt was a little embarrassed that Blaine had picked up on that, he'd bought so many designer outfits and made others and they were all high quality but maybe a season or two off until he could afford new releases but he was still decades passed most of the students at school, oh who was he kidding, all of them.. Even Blaine was behind him in fashion, the boy only wore his school uniform (and later perhaps an old-school throwback to the 50s style) and Kurt could sense it. Blaine was not with the times, he was too kind to be so, even if he was proud and out and open and had been for longer than Kurt. Yet maybe it would be a choice and still be aware of the fashions everyone else was wearing and knew exactly where Kurt's clothes came from in year and season..

"It's not the answer for everyone." Blaine continued, trying to not notice that Kurt's face fell as he'd already known that and maybe Blaine hadn't seen it through his clothes but some of the comments he'd made about costs. "Or, and it's so much harder than running away and running to safety, having the courage to face your bully. People strike out at things they don't understand, once they're educated on the situation, once they see it from someone else's point of view and are taught why they should be tolerant, see the struggle the other person went through, things shift and change. They may never be ok with it, but they lash out less."

"I need to educate Karofsky about gaydom?" Kurt looked incredulous at Blaine. "I've tried."

"No, you've said that you're never going to change and to just accept it, you haven't tried teaching him from your point of view. It's hard but it may just be worth it. You've also shown him that you're resilient but not that you'll fight back for what you believe in."

"I feel like my resilience has only encouraged him to pick on me more, that I've survived it so he can keep doing it." Kurt hesitated. "Maybe you're right, maybe if I push back I'll be treated more fairly, if I stand up for myself and let him know that it's not actually ok."

Blaine nodded, glad that Kurt hadn't taken what he'd said the wrong way but suddenly his hand was on Kurt's. "I ran from my bullies. I wish I'd stood up to them and now all I have is regret. It may not be the best choice, I may be leading you down my own what-ifs and pipe dreams but I know if I could do it again that I may have chosen differently, may have pushed to be heard. It was a few years ago and things may or may not have changed. I don't want you to get hurt like I did, so if you ever need me, I'll be by your side."

Kurt swallowed and turned his hand over under Blaine's and clasped his hand. "I really appreciate it. I'll try not to put myself in too vulnerable of a position. I don't want to get hurt either." Kurt and Blaine talked a bit more about Blaine's bullies and what had led to his fleeing his old school.

"I was in the hospital for 6 months. My parents had enough, it was time for me to find a safer environment. In some ways I wish I had left earlier, I was pushed back a year and Dalton managed to pull me back to where I should be by pushing me to be better, smarter and faster. If I went back to public school I'd probably be a junior actually even though I should only be a sophomore if it was just a straight transfer based on actual physical years in school, but that doesn't always matter with the type of classes I've been taking." Which was where Kurt was, a junior and he could see Blaine skipping a grade even though he'd missed out on an entire grade after his injuries. But Dalton pushed for excellence and Blaine was smart enough to skip a grade or two and top the Junior class's top academia students. Kurt wasn't surprised everyone was confused about how old he was. He had been one of the youngest freshmen in his original year, became one of the oldest when he had to repeat that year and continued to be the oldest within his grade and now after all he'd gone through, he was as mature as a senior, hell, an adult who'd been through hell and back and still had their wits with him.

Kurt wished he'd met Blaine before the attack, wondering if he'd always been mature to begin with and this only added to his wisdom and maturity and kindness or if he had been a spoiled brat who pushed for his own way and disregarded everyone's thoughts. Kurt had a hard time seeing such a personality change though and felt like it was safe to say that Blaine was probably always kind and warm, smart and mature and his money could have been a factor in how he held himself and his self-assurance or it could have nothing to do with it or some kind of combination. But that kind of attack had to change someone somehow, right? He really wish he knew how, he wanted to know all of Blaine. He just didn't want to see Blaine hurt, that would have been hard, even though they'd only seen each other twice now and barely knew each other but had shared very deep parts of their lives with each other already. Blaine kept touching Kurt too.

Kurt closed his eyes and took in their skin to skin contact, the warmth and smoothness of their hand against each other. Kurt's arm hurt from where he laid it on the table but he would never, ever whisper a peep about it because he got to touch the other boy, even if it wasn't intimate, it felt like the most intimate thing in the world right then.

Kurt didn't touch others, he kept himself at a distance, even when he was trying out his flirting skills on Finn – now he realized he did that because it was safe, Finn may have been uncomfortable with it but there was no risk to Kurt – he already knew he would be rejected and did it anyway, maybe because he knew there was no chance there. He also wouldn't be hurt physically for doing so by Finn. He may and did get mad and awkward about Kurt's gayness and outward showing of it in all the ways that Kurt did but all he would do would yell and even then he'd apologized for it. Even when hanging out with Rachel and Mercedes, he sat near them, maybe brushing against each other or linked arms with them but never really touched them. They had hugged him several times when his dad was in the hospital and patted him on the arm or back and his dad hugged him occasionally but nobody had touched him like Blaine had and Kurt definitely didn't reach out and touch others. He never really realized he didn't until just then. Maybe it's because he had kept completely to himself until Freshman year when his dad made him join a club.

He was slowly opening up to more physical contact with others. Maybe if Blaine did this a year or so ago he may have recoiled back and kept his hands well out of reach. Maybe he wouldn't have it if was Blaine doing it. Then again they never would have been sitting here and having coffee and talking together. There was just no way, Kurt would have been home hours ago and working on his next outfit in his dad's basement watching some movie or doing homework.

Kurt realized that he was a very different person now too and barely recognized himself from early Freshman year or before. Maybe he and Blaine needed to go through what they had to be able to have that chance meeting so they could be here together now. They likely wouldn't have crossed paths otherwise. Blaine wouldn't have been at Dalton and Kurt wouldn't have gone to spy on them. Kurt may not have even been alive now if things were different. He didn't think he would have seriously done it, he'd had plans but some days the idea was tempting to look into.

If Karofsky had bullied him like this before joining Glee, he may have actually done it, he couldn't be sure. But now that he knew his friends and knew that they just had to survive high school and then he and Rachel would be busting out of this town and doing whatever they could to live in New York together and make something of themselves, even if it was a very minor role once in their life, it was worth it. He had something to live for and no amount of bullying would change that, because he could always change his situation now that he'd changed his attitude.

Now though, he was fearful for his life. He had so much to live for and so much to lose and he didn't want anyone to take that away from him. Not that he thought Karofsky would kill him or even threaten to but accidents did happen and if he did hit Kurt or pushed him at the wrong moment it could windfall into something much worse.

The throbbing in his elbow was a strong reminder of that. He didn't think Karofsky had wanted to seriously hurt him. He had seen a look of apology when Karofsky had seen the cut on his face even though he didn't say anything and ended up pushing him into the lockers again, there had been a brief look of 'oops, sorry' but it didn't last. He was sure Karofsky didn't know about his arm but he shouldn't have to, he shouldn't be pushing Kurt around like that.

"Have you finished your coffee already?" Blaine suddenly asked and Kurt looked up at him in surprise. Kurt looked down at his coffee and there wasn't anything left but Blaine still had half a cup.

"Uh-" If he said yes, did that mean that they would have to part ways now?

"I'll go buy you another one, if you'd like?" Blaine's eyes were searching Kurt's again and Kurt smiled.

"As long as you buy yourself another one too."

A relieved Blaine got up and clasped Kurt on the shoulder as he walked by and Kurt almost purred and leaned into the touch but at the last second managed to pull himself back from doing so. He was glad Blaine went to get more coffee so he'd missed how red Kurt got in embarrassment over his own reactions. One thing was for sure, Blaine wasn't a safe person to flirt with. He was everything Finn was not, he was someone who if he rejected Kurt's advancements would hurt badly, he was someone who if he'd accepted, then Kurt would have to think about what was next about, something he'd never had to do before. He was just so incredibly awkward and Blaine had all this history and experience. Kurt felt like he wouldn't begin to compare. If Blaine said yes to a date and then said no after he saw the real Kurt in action, that would be painful too.

Maybe it was a mistake to spend so much time with the other boy... but... Kurt just liked spending time with him, it was easy, relaxing and he could talk to Blaine about things he'd never been able to talk to anyone else about and have them understand or offer their own experiences with it. Even if nothing else came about from their meeting, having another guy be able to offer some of his own insights into their world was incredibly valuable. If nothing else, he hoped he could eventually call Blaine his friend.

Rachel always said she had 2 gay dads and Kurt spent a lot of time at her house and still hadn't met them and wasn't sure if he could talk to an adult, much less 2 about this stuff. The fact that they were her parents was also another hurdle and they were so successful, they might think his problems were trivial, especially growing up in the height of homophobia, no laws to protect them, in fact there were laws in place to hurt them and they all had to be underground for so long. Now Kurt lived in a day that only existed because of their generation and sacrifices, they had laws in place to protect people from discrimination, they had a very out and open culture if they wanted to partake in those events too. Kurt was worried Rachel's dads would tell him what every adult implied – 'buck up and take it, things could be much worse, just be thankful they aren't, we did it'.

Blaine came back with their coffees and placed some pain relievers next to a glass of water he also brought over and some ice. "How-" Kurt looked up at him in wonder and Blaine smiled a little sadly.

"I recognized the pain in your eyes. I am not a hundred percent sure where you're hurting but you're grimacing with almost every move though you try to hide it. Don't hide it, it only gives him more power."

"I'm not doing it to protect him, nor myself. I'm doing it because my dad had a heart attack a couple of months ago and he's still recovering and I don't want to stress him out more."

"How do you think he'll feel if he finds about this out of the blue, or god forbid, if something much worse happens to you and then he finds out that he'd been in the dark all this time and could have done something to prevent it?" Blaine shook his head. "With most things in life you need documented incidents to show a pattern then you can prove it's happening otherwise when you do say something it will be too late because it's escalated to a point or they might slam you with something smaller and when you say why or if it was in reaction to what they'd been doing to you, you won't be believed, it'll seem like retaliation to what they've said about you."

Kurt knew that and he'd said stuff to adults but it wasn't in his nature to complain about people in an official way, He always felt that if he did that, then he'd have an even bigger target on his back. Yet, he might be able to cut it off before it got worse or let them know that what they were doing was not ok so they couldn't keep repeating it and then think it was ok and were able to keep doing it. But.. they'd told Karofsky and there had been early intervention and he kept doing it, was worse than before because of it, so in many ways in this situation, Kurt had been right.

"What happened when you told the adults at your school?" Kurt asked.

Blaine made a face and Kurt could tell that this was still a sore subject with him as he got a little red too. "They really- pissed me off." His voice changed halfway through the sentence, still annoyed but more controlled after he emphasized the word pissed. "I was patted on the head and was told 'sorry but you're gay, just accept it, you chose this life'. It wasn't ok and there has to be adults out there willing to listen, willing to do something about it. I didn't make them listen or care. I just thought telling them was enough."

"Mr. Schue and Miss Pillsbury do care, they just can't do anything except go to the principle and Sue is one of the worst offenders. She calls me 'Lady' and Santana 'Sandbags' just because she got a boob job and calls Finn all sorts of names and even insults Mr. Schue and Miss Pillsbury. I've heard her call him butt-chin in front of several of his peers both when she was one and now that she's his superior. She's tried to destroy Glee club, the only sanctuary we have and I don't know why other than getting more money for her Cheerios, but it's more than that too. I just don't know what that is."

Blaine sighed and nodded towards the untouched pain relievers and Kurt swallowed them without looking, he didn't have any allergies and he didn't think Blaine would slip anything else into them. He followed them with some water and then picked up the ice bag and tried to wrap it around his elbow as much as possible. "Good. That's the first step, recovery, healing and getting stronger again. Have you thought about self-defense classes? I box."

Kurt shook his head. "I'm not a fan of violence. I don't believe that's the solution to anything."

"But you'll let others fight your battles?" It didn't sound like criticism.

"Well I hope that I can work through things without getting physical, I haven't had to resort to it before. I would have preferred the others hadn't confronted him in the locker room and fought him and the other football players, their own teammates. It was kind of them to try but I didn't ask for it and would have told them no if I had known ahead of time and it solved nothing. The hits just seem harder now and every time I complain or confront him or someone defends me, they just escalate. It took 3 bigger guys to pin him down, he's a tank and self-defense lessons won't do any good against him but will make it worse. If I fight him, he'll be in fight mode and it will go a lot further."

Blaine nodded slowly, taking it in. This was a new situation for Blaine and none of his advice would be enough. He could only be there for Kurt and support his decisions, it was his life. He only wished for Kurt's sake that he was right and that this could be solved without resorting to violence on his side. If Blaine was around when the bullying happened, he couldn't promise the same thing.

Kurt started laughing and Blaine looked at him bemused, wondering what was up. "Who would have thought we'd be sitting here together? The New Directions will think you're trying to sabotage us, like Jesse did!" Already Kurt knew that Blaine knew who all the players were in every Glee Club around the USA. Blaine had admitted to following the Glee news and boards. Kurt thought that was an admirable task but not one for him.

"But you don't believe that, right?"

Kurt shook his head. "I knew instantly Jesse was up to no good. I'm really good at reading people." He'd been right so far with everyone, good or bad. "I trust you."

Blaine smiled pleased but not self-satisfied like a villain would or a person who just got the upper hand, just genuinely happy to hear it from Kurt and it made him feel better in return. It made Kurt feel good to put that smile on his face. "I'm happy to hear that. If you agree, I'd like to be your friend."

"I'd like that too." Maybe so much more too, Kurt secretly thought. "Oh, I never got the chance to tell you that I was really impressed with your performance!"

"Thank you, that means a lot coming from you. Why did you leave so quickly?"

"I don't do so well in crowds right now and then a teacher invited me to sit in on a class and I couldn't say no."

Blaine nodded and scooted in closer and Kurt couldn't keep the small smile off his face. "Is Dalton something you'd consider? I think you'd be a good fit."

"That's a lot more conformity than I'm used to with my clothes and hair." He hadn't been brave enough to change his side part yet but he was working up to it. "If money wasn't an issue though, I'd probably consider it for a few reasons, but I like my friends at McKinley and we have a lot of fun both in Glee club and out of it. Even if we didn't have it, several of us would continue being friends, it's just what brought us together."

Blaine understood that. "My friends in Glee club and I are the same." It wasn't the entire club like Kurt's became – they supported each other and back-stabbed each other in the same week, but Blaine had a few really good friends in his Glee Club, including Wes, David, Trent, Nick and Jeff. He wasn't as close to the others, barely knew them actually, there were just too many. He did know Thad too but stayed away from him, Blaine wasn't a fan. The third council leader was friendly to a point but not a friend, not even remotely so, Wes and David were the other two.

Even at an inclusive school like Dalton which had only boys, Blaine only knew 2 others and they were a couple. Well those two and Jeremiah at the Gap; and now Kurt. They were actually a very small minority and people had to travel great lengths to find someone else and that's why New York and San Francisco seemed like hot spots for that, people heard that there was 1, then 2 then 4 then 8 then 16 and so on as people traveled to join the ones they'd heard about and they'd banded together and created a community within the community and more traveled to visit but not stay as they created their own communities or home elsewhere in a different kind of community but almost everyone went to either coast at least once in their life, if not both, just so they would know what it felt to be a majority or at least not alone anymore.

Since meeting Kurt, Blaine didn't feel as alone as he had, even though he was surrounded by more gay guys than Kurt, he'd still felt alone until now. Maybe it was because he could help Kurt through this, through what he had nobody to help him with until after disaster struck. He had his own gay friend now who wasn't shacked up with someone else. It felt nice. Blaine had thought about moving to San Francisco after his senior year and pursuing a music career or writing, now he wasn't so sure he needed to be surrounded by like minded individuals, maybe he would only need 1, he just had to find that 1.

All too soon though, Kurt and Blaine needed to part ways as Wes and David came back looking a bit bored with shopping bags on each arm. "Can we borrow your keys Blaine? We'd like to put these in the trunk."

"Oh, sure." Blaine looked over to Kurt. "I guess I better get going, it's an hour and a half drive back."

"Do you live near Dalton?" Kurt asked in curiosity.

The three boys laughed. "We all live on campus. Home is... a significant distance for all of us to drive back and forth."

"Still in Ohio though?" They all nodded. "Don't you miss your parents?"

"Some parents are better in small doses, only on certain weekends and holidays. It's good training for college." David gave a small shrug.

"Some parents are better absent altogether." Wes also gave a small shrug. "They still always somehow seem to show up if you don't get 100% on an exam or paper. You can never choose your blood relatives, but you can choose who your friends are and those that you view as family."

"Some would be nice to see more often but no matter how much you wish it, the wish never comes true except with emergencies and only peripherally." It was Blaine that said that last one and Kurt's heart went out for all of them but the other two were happier that their parents were out of the picture. Then Blaine ruined that image with his next words. "Then you wish that things were the way they'd been before, absent even when you're present." It still hurt to hear how broken his household was. Kurt's household was literally broken with a death, his mother's, and now it was anything but a nuclear family unit that would be happening in a few short weeks as he would be gaining a step-mom and a step-brother practically the same age and in all the same activities he was in.

Kurt was going to be fine with just saying goodbye to all of them but Wes and David did a one arm handshake/hug and Blaine threw both arms around Kurt and whispered in his ear. "Courage." Then the three of them left. Kurt took that word and wrapped it around himself like a blanket.

–

The following Monday Karofsky walked by him and with a hand planted firmly on the center of his chest, he shoved Kurt hard into the wall behind him and it was the first time Kurt had hit concrete rather than the hollow metal. Both hurt like a beast but something about the concrete wall didn't give as much as the lockers did, even if he'd never made a dent on them, they seemed to absorb some of the energy rather than push it back at Kurt. Karofsky was long gone before Kurt got his barrings again. His head was ringing and he was dizzy. He made it all the way to the boy's bathroom before he threw up in the sink. He couldn't even make it to a toilet.

Sam found him in there with his face pressed against the metal wall underneath it- finding it blissfully cool, Kurt didn't even care that it was the boy's locker room in a public school and was absolutely disgusting. He just couldn't even find it in him to move or clean up after himself; or even care.

Sam took a look at Kurt on the floor, wondering what he was doing down there and then saw the mess in the sink and reached down and tugged a resistant Kurt away from the wall. "No." He moaned. "It's so nice right here. No pain." His words were slurring and more whiny than he'd ever mean to sound but he didn't know he was doing either.

"Come on Kurt, the nurse will need to take a look at you." Sam was sure his dad would also need to be called. "Was it Karofsky?" He managed to pull an unwilling Kurt from underneath the sink and dragged him along the tile floor for a short distance before he was able to get an arm around Kurt's torso and then lifted Kurt off the ground and he wrapped Kurt's uninjured arm around his shoulders and maneuvered him out of the bathroom. He was carrying most of Kurt's weight and his feet were just dragging along the ground. Sam was seriously considering just picking Kurt all the way up, either bridal style or fireman throw but he worried the latter would cause Kurt to throw up again or all that blood rushing to his head would be problematic.

"And to think I once had a crush on you, it was well-deserved, hero." Kurt was teasing and Sam didn't take him too seriously. He'd known about the crush but it had been completely short-lived. He'd seen Kurt's attention swing back to Finn for a millisecond and then all of a sudden he was treating both of them like he treated Puck, Artie or Mike.

Sam was just about to do swing him up into his arms, not even thinking for a second what it would look like to the rest of the school, when Puck came around the corner with Artie discussing something but Puck let go of Artie's chair instantly to help Sam with Kurt. He looped his arm around Kurt's waist on the other side of his body and together they lifted him off the ground and carried him the rest of the way to the nurse's office with Artie close behind.

They moved him onto the bed and stood guard at the door while Artie moved in closer while the nurse checked Kurt out. The light had him groaning and she put a bucket in front of him and he threw up again. "Well, you've certainly got a head injury. At least there's no blown pupil. I think you'll be safe skipping a trip to the emergency room but a visit to an eye doctor should be done very soon and they'll dilate you then. In the meanwhile, turn onto your side and lie down." She checked the back of his head, moving his hair around and didn't find any bleeding and felt for a bump but it seemed like the entire backside of his head was a tender. She started checking for other injuries and gasped at all the bruising.

"What the hell!" Puck yelled when he saw the same thing. The nurse should have kicked them out or closed the curtain but they refused to be moved.

"Is someone hurting you?" The nurse asked unsure if she wanted to uncover anything further, a quick peak told her that the bruises were all over his chest and back and arms. "Are you safe at home?"

Kurt made a face trying to focus and concentrate. "I'm only safe at home." Which wasn't fully true but she got the message, this wasn't happening at home. "Someone here hurting you?"

Kurt shifted away and pulled his shirt and other layers back into place and hugged himself as he laid on his side, facing away from everyone; he didn't say anything more.

"Karofsky." Sam mentioned and Kurt's back tensed and it was all the proof any of them needed.

"I'm going to have to tell this to your father when he comes and picks you up."

"No, please don't bother him with this. He's at work right now and is running for office and recently had a heart attack, and is getting married soon, he doesn't need more stress."

"He needs to know the truth." The nurse pressed and he shook his head.

"PLEASE don't. I'll tell him when he's ready to hear it and I'm ready to say it." Kurt closed his eyes as the room swam again. "Please, please, please."

"Ok, ok, you're going to make yourself sick again." She rubbed his back with the lightest touch she could, not wanting to hurt him more but also wanting to comfort him. "I won't tell him if it's going to upset you this much. Just try to rest and stay off your back but don't fall asleep. When I think you can keep it down, I'll get you some anti-inflammatories." Kurt slowly calmed down.

She wrapped a bag of ice in a towel and put it behind Kurt's head so he'd feel the coolness without being too cold and if he did roll over by accident then the ice would wake him up more.

Sam looked at the nurse incredulously. "That's it? You're not going to call an ambulance to take him to be seen by a doctor or get scans or call his dad?"

"I told him I wouldn't and an ER doctor would call his dad, no matter what Kurt wanted." The nurse looked over her shoulder at her patient. "I'm going to monitor him and if at any time I think he's in danger I'll call for one but for now it's just a concussion and a lot of athletes get those."

"Yeah but too many of those or sleeping could kill or completely alter his brain permanently and change his personality and impulse control, inhibitions and cause addictions." Artie countered, but he'd been accepted onto the football team by Beiste recently despite his wheelchair but he wasn't in line of being tackled, ever. They were all on the football team; and while Kurt liked to say he was too, he hadn't shown up since the first three games. Beiste had removed him from the roster and Kurt hadn't murmured a peep about it. Now they wondered if they'd talked about Karofsky and the best game plan for keeping Kurt safe and if that meant not exposing Kurt to Karofsky any more often than necessary, even if that meant no longer having football on his after school activities when applying for schools.

The nurse gestured toward the door. "Don't all of you have class?" It was 10am and they grumbled but admitted she was right and if they were going to honor Kurt's insane wishes then they'd have to leave because if all 4 were absent then someone was likely to notice and ask why.

Sadly Kurt's prediction came true, none of the teachers noticed that Kurt was absent from all of his remaining classes that day. They went in to check on him during lunch and he was sitting up against the headboard and talking with the nurse quietly but he still looked extra pale.

They came in and chatted with him and he was doing a lot better after the drugs kicked in and ice the nurse had used to help soothe his pain and over heating. They danced around the issue and none of them brought up the giant in the room and then they headed to lunch to grab some food to eat in their next class.

Kurt was absent during Glee that day too but by the time the club rolled around, he'd already been released to go home and he didn't stick around to answer any pressing questions or risk running into Karofsky again. He was also given his phone back and he sent a quick apology to Rachel and asked for her to let him know what the assignment was for the week. He sent another to Mr. Schue so he wouldn't worry, he just used the excuse he was feeling under the weather and sent another text, this time a group one, to the 3 who had helped him into the nurse's office and visited him and thanked them for not telling anyone and continuing to not tell anyone and for helping him out today.

He also sent a text to Blaine, telling him what happened and Blaine's return text was instant, as if he'd been on his phone waiting to hear from Kurt. Or just on it and had been alarmed enough to respond instantly. "Go to the Lima Bean, I'll meet you there."

Kurt did as he asked and hid in the back corner, hoping to avoid anyone he didn't want to see. It was a 1.15 hour wait since it took Kurt 15 minutes to get there from the school. Kurt timed it out of curiosity and boredom and he was shocked because that meant that Blaine left instantly to meet up with him. Blaine found him instantly and reached out with his hands to cover Kurt's on the coffee table. Kurt had a croissant and a water in front of him along with a few painkillers, the only things he could keep down. Blaine didn't want to alarm him or trigger him and so only reached for his hands and covered them with both of his. His first instinct was to hug Kurt or put his hands on Kurt's shoulders, but those were the areas that were the most injured, other than his head now. Blaine's eyes scanned Kurt's face and looked deep into his eyes. His lower lip wobbled and Kurt had to look away.

"Stop, if you cry, I'm going to too."

"God Kurt, when I got that text my heart stopped beating for a moment. I had to say it out loud to remind myself that you were ok enough to be texting me and driving. I would have asked for you to come to Dalton in Westerville or my parents' house in Dayton or anywhere not in this city but I didn't want you to make a 3 hour drive round trip in your condition. I'm sorry if I'm a little emotional, it's just my nature when I care about someone."

"Blaine!" Kurt realized with a start in shock. "You're going to be making a 3 hour drive round trip for me."

"I'm aware and it's worth it. You're worth it." Blaine lifted his hand off of Kurt's, now a little bit more reassured that Kurt wasn't going to freak if he touched another part of him and reached for his hair. "A new style?"

Kurt let Blaine's fingers slide carefully over a few locks before his hand settled onto Kurt's shoulder. "Yeah, I'm trying it out, it's similar to the old one, just a bit more volume." He liked it but still thought he could do more. "Except once it's up I try not to fuss with it because touching it just makes it worse and impossible to keep up."

Blaine acknowledged that Kurt had let him touch it and he was honored. "How are you?"

"Shaken." Kurt got out with a nod, reassessing and agreeing with himself that it was the right word. "It wouldn't have been such an event if I'd hit the lockers again."

"You shouldn't have been thrown into anything and it's got to be a wake up call for you. It could have been worse." His voice cracked and faltered just thinking about it again. Nobody would have known to contact him since they didn't know he and Kurt were friends, it'd only been a weekend really and even then if they had known, they wouldn't have thought to contact him since it was such a new friendship. Blaine would have been left wondering what happened to Kurt and would have been texting him and maybe would have gotten a terse response but wouldn't be let in to see Kurt and Blaine knew that he would have a very hard time with that; with being shut out from being able to see and visit Kurt and learning of his progress. It'd been a weekend but already he was attached to Kurt. They'd texted all weekend to the point where Kurt's phone had died several times for a few hours while he tried to locate a charger and Blaine's almost died the same times but he kept his charger in his pocket and always plugged it in the second it appeared to be getting lower than 50%.

"But what do I do?"

"You have courage and you confront him." Blaine went back to holding both of his hands and squeezed gently. "And if that doesn't do anything or change anything then you tell all the parents, all the teachers, all the police and press and anyone who will listen that you're being bullied for something you can't change or help and that it's a hate crime. And you call me, not text me and you call me and text me until I answer, but it will be the first ring of the first call and I will be here for you as soon as traffic allows me to get here, just like today." His hands squeezed Kurt's again when he saw the taller boy's mouth quiver. "Remember you told me no crying. If you cry I'm going to break into tears too."

Kurt pulled a hand away to wipe at his eyes and sniffed back his tears. "Oh look at us, a walking stereotype."

"You are anything but stereotypical. You've been on a sports team while being openly gay, dress like a fashion-icon and a voice like an angel whether you're singing or not, you say what you think and are honest and not passive aggressive and yet you're kind and sweet and a total pacifistic. You're your own person."

"You did it now." Kurt warned before tears started falling down his cheeks and he tried swiping them away but Blaine held his hands back down, tears coming from his own eyes too.

"It's cathartic." Blaine explained. "Sometimes you just need to cry and you need it more than most, you deserve to."

"Deserve to?"

"It's your right and they say that crying and laughter can both relieve stress and lift your mood."

Kurt laughed and squeezed Blaine's hand back. "I guess you've made me do both."

"I'm glad I can make you laugh." Blaine shared a smile with Kurt. "Now, about these coffees."

"Oh, I ordered yours already." Kurt looked bashful. "When I saw you walk in I ordered both of them through the app."

"A medium drip and a grande non-fat mocha?" Blaine checked.

"You know my drink order." Kurt was astounded and Blaine gave a small shrug.

"Of course I do. You know mine too." Kurt could only offer a smile back, he didn't say any more on that subject. "I am going to get us something more to eat than this-" He stood up and then wheeled around. "Are you sure you should be having a coffee after everything and at this time?"

Kurt pushed back a lock of his hair. "It'll be fine. You need the caffeine if you're going to stay on the road tonight and I – I'll drink it slow and see if it has any adverse side-effects." He should have looked up what caffeine did to head injuries and painkillers, since he's been doing it often enough.

He was looking at the first article he found when Blaine came back with two sandwiches and their drinks. "You really shouldn't be drinking this. I asked for them to switch it to an herbal tea instead. They had one that was good for pain and trauma. They refunded your order and I paid for this."

"Blaine – you shouldn't have." He was impressed though that Blaine had looked it up and changed things, he always seemed to be taking care of him. "I was going to pay. Thank you for caring."

"Of course I care, and don't worry about the money." Blaine's hand rested on Kurt's shoulder. "You need to be careful today and tonight. You can't sleep for too long of a time period at a time and you should watch what you eat." Kurt was touched and couldn't say anything but then Blaine shook his head. "You know what, I'm going to spend the night at your place, to make sure you do ok."

"Oh?" Kurt still shared the basement with Finn. They'd moved in over the weekend and the Hudson house was now up for sale and his dad hadn't finished the addition. Maybe they could camp out in the addition? It seemed stable enough, or maybe Finn wouldn't mind sleeping on the couch in the living room? He'd done that the last few nights anyway. Finn could check on him during the night too and suggested as much to Blaine.

"Absolutely not, I don't know him well enough to know if he'll do a good job, so I'm going to just take matters into my own hands to ensure it gets done right." Blaine was determined and Kurt shrugged.

"Ok, as long as you work it out with Finn then too and make sure my dad doesn't go a bit insane at a boy staying the night."

"It'll be fine, parents love me." Blaine smirked and Kurt couldn't believe anyone wouldn't.

Sure enough, Burt didn't even blink at Blaine staying the night, which was odd Kurt thought, for his dad. But then Burt threw them for a loop. "Finn stays down in the basement tonight too and Blaine sleeps on the cot that Finn is going to get out and set up."

"Why me? It's Kurt's friend." Finn argued and Burt shook his head.

"Just do it, Kurt's not doing physical labor tonight." Kurt wondered if Burt knew and Finn snapped his mouth shut, remembering himself now and Kurt sighed, the guys had blabbed but had it gotten to his dad too? "Blaine-"

"I'll go help Finn." Blaine squeezed Kurt's shoulder gently as he walked by and headed down the stairs to help out.

"Thank you." Kurt mouthed as Blaine stopped at the top of the staircase briefly to look back at Kurt before heading down. Blaine only reassuringly smiled back.

Blaine held one end of the cot while Finn snapped a piece into place. "Do you happen to have an overly sized shirt I could sleep in? I don't mind rewearing my underwear through tomorrow but the uniform needs to look sharp."

"Why didn't you change or grab an extra set of clothes?" Finn sounded annoyed still and Blaine knew it wasn't because he was forced to set this up. He probably would have made a passive comment but gone and done it with no further complaints normally. Blaine knew that Kurt was not the physical labor type in general but would help out if absolutely necessary or if it was light enough but awkward for one person. He was a great cleaner though.

"I got the text from Kurt while I was in class and came straight away." Blaine explained. "I didn't have time."

"Oh." Finn looked at Blaine again with new eyes as Blaine snapped his side into place and then threw the sheet his way while hanging onto the other end. "That's mighty decent of you. Did you hear what happened?"

"Yes. Kurt told me everything."

"He hasn't told anyone else anything." Finn sounded annoyed again. "Yet he tells you everything?"

"Sometimes it's easier to tell a stranger than someone close." Blaine didn't say that they didn't feel like strangers nor anything else that would set Finn off again.

"We've had to pry information out of him when he's not paying attention but he's always paying attention and only got as much as we could from observation or from today when he was so loopy he had no idea what he was saying other than to defend Burt."

"Does Burt know?" Blaine's eyes trailed over to the staircase and then to the room just beyond that door where he had last seen Kurt.

"No, we've kept it from him but he knows Kurt wasn't at Glee practice and he got home abnormally late for someone who was supposed to go home straight away."

"I drove him over here from the Lima Bean. I didn't want him behind the wheel for any longer than necessary." Blaine explained.

"You shouldn't have had him drive there in the first place. If you had to meet up with him, it should have been here." Finn was definitely flamed up about something. "Not that you should be here anyway, Kurt's not your problem and -"

Blaine cut Finn off, now seeing what this was all about. "Kurt is not a problem. Kurt is my friend and when he text me, I knew he needed me. Probably could have been anyone but I was the only one available. I had him meet me at the Lima Bean because it was closer and I could get there sooner than his house and I didn't want him to be alone longer than absolutely necessary. I've been through something similar and I know how important it is to have someone to talk things out with. I also didn't want him stewing in here or falling asleep, that would have been an unnecessary conflict with his recovery. As for the fact that I'm your 'competition', that has no time or place in this matter, I'm here for Kurt and Kurt alone and have no interest in stealing from or sabotaging your team."

"That's what you say and possibly think but if you distract Kurt from going after this with every part of himself-"

"He won't throw the towel and let me win. He is one of the only people I know who has a goal and is determined to see it through with very little holding him back. Only the worst consequences or harm to others would stop him. A fair fight for supremacy would see him trying everything in his power to crush me in this competition. You don't have to worry about him or for that matter, me."

"You're really just here because he needed you? Why you?" Finn didn't understand.

"Uh-" Blaine realized with a start that Finn didn't know why and was suddenly awkward about telling him. He was out and proud but he wasn't sure how this hulk would react. "I'm someone Kurt can relate to." He chose his words carefully and let Finn decide what they meant.

"Another drama and musical buff." Finn sighed. "I'm surrounded by them now!"

"Are you talking about Rachel Berry?" Blaine asked, he'd been very impressed by her.

"Yes, and Kurt and now you." Finn covered the pillow with a case and then tossed the top sheet's end to Blaine and they smoothed it out over the cot and then the thin wool blanket. Finn eyed it and then looked over Blaine. "Do you think you'll be warm enough?"

"I believe so."

"Ok, well if not, there's a heavier blanket next to Kurt's bed." Finn turned to go back to his side of the room but turned back to Blaine with a shirt. "Have it cleaned before bringing it back."

Blaine agreed and thanked Finn.

Meanwhile upstairs Kurt watched Blaine go with a sigh, he had no idea what he and Finn would talk about downstairs. Burt was staring at Kurt and Kurt turned back to his father. "Yes?"

"You missed classes today."

"How could you possibly know if that was true or not?" Kurt's words were out before he thought better of it.

"My front desk guy is a student at your school, in most of your classes, or did you forget?" Burt lifted a brow.

"I knew he was there just to spy on me!" Kurt huffed and crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. "Why did he even care?"

"He cared because he knows you and that you're my son. He thought it was warranted to let me know that my son was skipping classes but then you skipped Glee Club and I knew that it wasn't by choice. When you didn't return for hours and didn't return my text-"

"Oh shit." Kurt looked at his phone and groaned. "Of course it's dead."

Burt rolled his eyes, it was always dead. "I bought you a charging pack, where is that?"

"That's dead too, I forgot to charge the charge pack." Kurt winced and held up his hands in apology and Burt shook his head, not knowing what else to do with his son."I didn't even think to plug it in to the car on the way home because it's such a short drive." (and the cord was in his vehicle).

"Then you returned home in a vehicle that wasn't your own-."

"It's fine, it's just at the Lima Bean. I needed to give Blaine directions and it was easier to just leave it there overnight and pick it up in the morning when Blaine heads back to school., he passes it anyway if he goes a tiny bit out of his way."

"Do you know why I bought you that vehicle?"

"To get me to stop wearing girly sweaters?" He put it into 'straight guy' wording.

Burt sighed and shook his head. "No, that's just what I said to try and protect you and your feelings. I got you that giant tank of a vehicle so if anyone tried to run you off the road you'd be protected. So you didn't get jumped walking home from school, because you'd be driving, and driving that and it can't protect you in the parking lot or the driveway but you park in the garage and even then people can get in if you don't close it fast enough with the engine off. I just had to hope and pray that nobody would follow you home and attempt to hurt you and that the school grounds were safe enough that you'd be fine in the parking lot."

"I never knew you were that concerned."

"I was but now it seems like you're the concerned one. What's going on?"

"Nothing." Kurt shrugged.

"It's not nothing, what is it Kurt?" Burt was staring intently into his eyes. Kurt closed his eyes, trying to think of a response. "Is Blaine in some way manipulating you or forcing you to do something you don't want to?"

Kurt's eyes snapped open in shock. "What? No way! Blaine is my friend!"

"Ok, I just have to ask because you've been different since you met him, a good different but I didn't know for sure that it wasn't just a facade. Now tell me why you missed school today."

"I hit my head on the cement wall with some force." That was the truth, even if the lead up and why weren't mentioned. And what he'd said could go either way.

Burt's eyes bugged out. "Why wasn't I notified immediately?"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't going to spring it on like you that, I was just defensive after the Blaine question."

"Kurt?" Burt's tone was very serious.

"It was not an intended result, I didn't want them to worry you."

"Finn!" Burt's voice bellowed and Kurt winced before trying to calm his dad down.

Finn appeared at the top of the stairs instantly with Blaine right behind him. Kurt stared in surprise at that, Finn was a good kid and respected authority but he acted as if Burt was already his dad and had been during his formative years and that he really was blood related and had the history with them. Kurt didn't feel that way with Carole but he liked her and didn't give her any grief, but he supposed Burt got a son in Finn that was more in-line with who he was and similar interests and attitudes about things (to an extent, and what Finn lacked, Burt was willing to teach). Finn also asked if he could work at the shop, which Burt then gave instant approval for and thought even higher of Finn. Finn was lacking a father figure and was desperate for it, even though he'd fought against it at first but really liked Burt and respected him and basked in his approval and cowed when there was disapproval.

As for their brotherhood, that was a work in progress.

Blaine placed a hand on the center of Finn's back and pushed forward and he moved in a few more steps so Blaine could slip around him and went to Kurt's side, he stood slightly behind him but next to him. It was a show of support if there ever was one, but he was letting Kurt lead.

"You told me that Kurt wasn't feeling well so missed Glee practice when I asked."

Finn glanced over to Kurt. "That's what I was told. Was it something else?" His eyes slid to Blaine at that question and Blaine looked affronted and Kurt held out his hand to hold him back from saying anything else. Finn was just shooting off his mouth.

"So you didn't know Kurt got a head injury?" Burt watched his soon-to-be son closely and saw only honest frustration at just finding that out himself.

"That's why Blaine is here, isn't it?" Finn looked at Kurt again. "You don't trust me to watch over you or even tell me." Finn had been told that Kurt hadn't been feeling well after another altercation with Karofsky, not that he'd been hurt hurt.

"Actually, it was me. I was insistent that I would be the one to watch over him. I don't trust other people very easily and I wanted to make sure it was done correctly. I have never met you before today but now that I am, I think I overstepped my bounds and think you would have done a fine job. I can leave if all of you would prefer it-"

"No, Blaine, you're staying. It's late and it's a two drive in the dark and if you get pulled over it will be passed curfew and you'll get in trouble for just wanting to help me, not to mention what Dalton will do if they see you sneak back in after their curfew." Kurt was the one to make the decision and Burt nodded his agreement. Finn looked annoyed again but didn't say anything, he already knew it was the right decision and he was outvoted if he were to have a different opinion.

"You're still sleeping downstairs with them Finn. You can be an extra eye if Blaine does miss a check." Burt knew he wouldn't be sleeping well that night, if at all.

Carole had the late shift but when she got home that night, Burt would cry in her arms two floors away from the boys, so they would never how upset Burt was about his son getting hurt and being unable to protect him. Burt knew there was more to the story than anyone was telling him but without proof or even a little bit of information, he couldn't act on it, didn't know who was hurting his son. It would have been easier if he could suspect Blaine as the bad influence but Blaine just joined them and this had been happening for awhile and Blaine was such a good kid from what Burt could see. He would have to see though if Blaine ended up being a good or bad influence on Kurt. He didn't want his son to change but he also didn't want him to suffer through a bully as relentless as whoever this kid was.

That night, Blaine woke Kurt up every 2 hours and he woke with a start each time and his hands raising in defense but once he came back to himself he would focus on Blaine's face and smile sleepily and Blaine would reassure him it was ok to go back to sleep. Blaine was sad that his dreams were filled with terror and that he could dream in the space of those 2 hours, he'd hoped that if Kurt never got that deeply asleep then he wouldn't suffer as much that night. Perhaps though he wasn't dreaming, perhaps he was just that paranoid now that every touch was going to painful.

Finn asked if he could take over a shift and Blaine was just about to wake Kurt up for the 3rd time when he gestured for Finn to go ahead. "Just be careful of his right elbow, it's still tender at times and once you touch him, I'd back away a little."

"Cool, he's my brother, I know." Finn responded and Blaine wasn't sure how he could get passed Finn's animosity towards him. He hadn't done anything to Finn and he wasn't sure if Finn understood that Blaine was gay or not and wasn't sure if it was a factor in either direction, or not at all and it had wholly to do with something else or more than one thing? Blaine wanted to point out that they weren't yet and even once their parents married, they technically weren't other than through marriage and being brothers was a lot more complicated than a piece of paper. He didn't because he didn't want to increase his anger toward Blaine and because he didn't know their dynamics yet or history.

Blaine didn't know why he was so instantly protective of Kurt. Even though it looked like Kurt had a good support system and others who were protective and caring toward him, Blaine was annoyed because they weren't doing enough. Kurt needed someone more in his corner, someone who was fully there for him and not distracted by other things or about protecting themselves more. It made Blaine so angry to have to see Kurt wake up in a panic. No one should have to go through this.

Finn didn't listen to Blaine and Kurt's hands came up instantly to protect himself, not swinging, just up to block any attack and he managed to catch Finn's chin and Finn instantly grabbed Kurt's arms rather than backed away and held them even as Kurt thrashed and fought to get free but Finn held on tighter and Kurt struggled more.

"Finn, let go." Blaine was instantly by their side and put a hand on Finn's shoulder and Finn shook him off, trying to pin Kurt down instead to stop him from hurting himself. "You have to let him go, you're making things worse." Kurt was crying out now in fear and pain.

Finn held him there for a second longer hoping it would calm him down but then followed Blaine's advice for the first time and moved back and out of the way before letting go and Kurt instantly settled and slowly came to. "What-" Kurt blinked and he was very confused. "Finn?"

"Yeah, hey buddy, it's time for your wake up call." Finn's voice was calm, low pitched and soothing. "Now that you're awake, you can go back to sleep."

"Oh, ok, thanks Finn." Kurt turned to get more comfortable but he didn't fall back asleep right away like he had the last few times. Finn watched over him for a little while and then realized maybe Kurt couldn't sleep while being watched like that and so he went back to his bed. Blaine sat crossed legged in his cot and after a few moments of twisting and turning and changing his pillow shapes and adding and removing pillows, he fell back with a huff. "Blaine?" He whispered and Blaine was by his side in an instant.

"What do you need?" He asked, his fingers sliding along Kurt's palm to hold his hand and his other hand stroking Kurt's hair.

"Hmm." Kurt's eyes fluttered close and seemed heavy again. "Just this, thank you." He was asleep before he even finished and Blaine smiled softly and caught himself from kissing Kurt's forehead, well aware that Finn was glaring at him. He smoothed back Kurt's hair again and hummed a little for him before slowly pulling away and turning to Finn in his own frustration.

"What?" He whispered, trying not to wake Kurt again.

"You said you were like him, but I didn't realize at the time. You're gay."

"Are you now going to be offended and claim I can keep your shirt because it's now been sullied by me because I'm interested in men?" Blaine threw a look at Finn. "You don't have to worry about me giggling with Kurt about you, just like you don't like every female and not every female finds you attractive, gay men are the same way. I have a type and you're not it."

"You can keep it that way and I will want my shirt back but no, that's not why I'm mad. What are you doing with Kurt? Are you just leading him on? How did you two even meet?"

"Relax, will you? Kurt and I are just friends and we've only known each other for about a week now. There's nothing more, I just understand what Kurt is going through and want to help him through this, protect him."

Finn eyed him for a while longer. "Are you sure there's nothing more?"

"Positive." Blaine held his gaze steady.

"Keep it that way too." Finn laid down in his bed and flopped over to his back.

"Why don't you want him to find someone who is going to love him and be with him and there for him?" Blaine asked curiously.

"I do want him to be with someone, but I always thought he'd be... well someone who could protect Kurt."

"Bigger, more of the manly type to counteract his more feminine side?" Blaine was told he could pass and he was believable until you got to know him or had good gaydar but he knew many men thought he was the feminine one in the relationship and Finn probably couldn't see how 2 guys who embodied both sides of their being could work together, one needed to be the 'female' and one the 'male' in many people's minds, but they ignored the fact that even in hetero-couples there were shared traits and gender swapping of roles, especially these days. A straight hetero male who was big and burly and masculine could also enjoy cooking French food or ballet or musicals or love stories. A girly-girl hetero female could also love participating in mud crawls. "More like you?"

"That has been his type so far. Me, Sam, Kyle."

"Who's Kyle?"

"A mechanic at the shop, he's a few years older and Kurt had a mega crush on him for awhile." Finn explained. "Which is why it would surprise me if he started liking you that way, you're not his type and he should be with someone like that, he'd be protected. Don't mess with his head and confuse him."

Blaine felt his hands fist at his sides and he worked on slowly relaxing them. "You don't know me Hudson, you don't know what I've been through or what I'm capable of."

"You've said it yourself, you're not into him like that, so why confuse him?" Finn countered and Blaine closed his eyes and calmed himself down, counting slowly.

"Maybe not, but I'll still be there for him. He needs someone in his corner that understands." Blaine didn't like being pigeonholed, he and Kurt had just met and it took time to figure out where and what they would settle into.

"As long as that's all it is, I can approve." Finn made his warning clear and Blaine still knew there was something more behind his attitude towards him and he wasn't sure what it was yet, but he'd figure it out some day. He wasn't going to let Finn influence him or ruin his friendship with Kurt.

Finn and Blaine both agreed to try and get some sleep this time, it'd been 6 hours and he'd woken up every time without a problem, well, mostly without a problem. Blaine's ears never turned off and he only dozed. Finn snored, clearly asleep but Blaine was aware of everything going on in that basement, his brain wouldn't turn off and he didn't actually sleep, needing to be there if anything changed in Kurt's sleeping.

About an hour later, Blaine glanced at his watch, 5am, he heard steps on the stairs and he sat up a little when Burt came into view. "It's ok Blaine, your guard is over, get some sleep. I've called Dalton to let them know that you had a family emergency and would be coming in a little later than normal. If you're going to survive the day you'll need more rest than what you've gotten."

Blaine was too sleepy to argue and he settled back in and watched as Burt woke Kurt up. He ran his hand down his son's arm with a gentle pressure and then a small nudge on his shoulder. Then he sat back until Kurt woke up enough to realize he was safe and at home and he heard Kurt's sleepy voice sound surprised. "Dad?"

"Yeah, come on, get up. Let's go make breakfast for everyone. I picked up your vehicle last night." He had Carole drive him to the coffee shop, he was sure it would be fine there but he didn't want anything to happen to it or to get tickets while Kurt was just trying to do the right thing. Besides, if anyone saw Kurt get out of that red Prius so early in the morning, people would start speculating on whether or not those two were a very intimate item and that wasn't needed at this point and if Blaine didn't wait until Kurt was safely inside before leaving, someone would have the opportunity to hurt him then and there. Burt didn't want to risk it today.

Kurt didn't say anything, he was looking forward to those extra 15 minutes with Blaine but it wasn't like it was the entire trip back to Dalton and that meant that they could have most of those 15 minutes here in his house before Blaine left because it was a 10 minute jog out of the way to stop at the coffee shop rather than go straight back to Dalton. The coffee shop was closer than Kurt's house to Dalton by 15 minutes but with where Kurt lived, it was a weird back-tracking to go there first and then head to Dalton, he could bypass the coffee shop even if he had to head in a similar direction and then stop and wait for Kurt to get out, check his vehicle, get in and lock the door and their goodbyes, it all took time, now they could just spend that time together.

Kurt followed his dad upstairs, still in his pjs and usually he would have changed and gone through his entire morning ritual but all of that was out of whack this week and he could do it later before he went to school. He wasn't concerned about being late, he was never late and it would slide today.

Making breakfast with his dad was fun and one of their favorite things to do together but Burt kept trying to subtly ask Kurt about what was going on at school and Kurt was already tired and was getting more so trying to deflect all the questions. Blaine wandered up the stairs while the coffee was brewing and he looked so sleepy and cute Finn's extra big shirt and Burt didn't miss the look on Kurt's face as he caught sight of his new friend.

"I hope you're wearing something underneath that." The shirt went down to his knees and he was still wearing his socks. Burt's comment brought Blaine's head up.

"Of course." Blaine blushed a little at the thought. Then he sniffed. "It smells good, what did you guys make?"

"Nothing too exciting today, just French Toast and coffee." Kurt explained. "We only have a limited amount of time this morning."

"Nothing too exciting?" Burt asked in surprise. "I thought this was incredibly complicated."

"You haven't seen anything yet." Kurt had been making their meals since he was old enough to reach the sink with a step-stool, well, he'd helped his mom until he was 8 and then he'd taken over once she died.

"I really should have given you more credit over the years. I didn't realize you did so much work on these meals. If I had known how long and how much prep went into it, I probably wouldn't have made you come down to the shop as much." Kurt's eyes perked up and Burt shook his head. "No, you're still required to come in for shifts, a work ethic is good too. In fact, I let the school know that you'll be with me all day today at the shop."

"Dad! I have school, classes, Glee."

"You can miss it for 2 days." He made sure to make it obvious that he knew that he was pulling Kurt out for a second day in a row but he thought it was worth it. Kurt was smart, he'd catch up on the work if he wasn't already ahead.

"Is there another motive?" Kurt asked softly.

"I just want to spend time with you today, make sure you're ok and I can only do that if you're always in my line of vision." Burt pulled Kurt into his arms. "I hate not knowing when you're hurt. Don't do that again."

Blaine was a little uncomfortable with the display of emotion shared between the two of them. He liked that they loved and cared for each other and that Kurt had such support, he'd wanted the same too but because he wasn't used to seeing it in any of the families he'd known, it was foreign to him and somewhat hard to witness. Finn stumbled up a the stairs. "What's happening?"

"Oh come here." Kurt and Burt both opened their arms up and Finn joined them in the hug. "You too Blaine." Burt said around the pile of boys and Blaine jumped up and joined them and Burt pulled him to him. "Thank you for taking care of my son."

"This is so sweet!" Carole commented when she came in and they broke apart and cleared their throats. "Oh please don't stop on my account, I enjoyed seeing it." She kissed Finn on the cheek and gave him a hug around his waist and then headed over to kiss the top of Kurt's head who moved slightly uncomfortable with the affection. Then Carole went over and kissed Burt and Kurt sighed in pleasure at that sight.

Blaine was giving Kurt a weird look and Kurt caught it and straightened up and gave him a 'what?' look. Blaine just shook his head, he wasn't ready to discuss it or point it out yet, but he was starting to see another side of Kurt that Kurt probably wasn't aware of yet himself. He was very open about his opinions and he cared, deeply but he was uncomfortable with being touched by anyone and didn't touch others except he took the touch from Burt and Blaine far easier than anyone else who wanted to touch him. He remembered the video where Kurt slapped Finn on the ass during an assembly but that was in a character setting. Blaine wondered when this distance formed with Kurt.

Most people missed it because he was so outward in his personality but not physically; yet he didn't refuse people from touching him if they instigated it and he was right there to help them up if they needed it, he would touch people but it was always when needed and almost clinical unless tender and caring was needed. Remote or removed was the right word for his touches with other people other than Burt, even when he joked with Finn that time, it was without any true intention.

He'd seen Kurt's clutch on his father as if he was drowning and Burt was a life raft; and as his only living family member, he clung on with both hands but he didn't overwhelm his father with his love and attention either but it was clear to Blaine that Burt was the most important person in his life and would have been completely lost and adrift without him. Blaine was glad that Kurt had such a supportive father, he needed it and deserved it. Blaine only wished good things for Kurt's life going forward and wished no matter what happened between them, that he'd be part of their lives too.

The Hummels took up seats on either side of Blaine and Kurt nudged Blaine to have more coffee or orange juice or to eat more. Blaine tilted his head and smiled and just looked at Kurt for a moment after he'd done that. No, he'd been wrong, Kurt hadn't shied away from all touch, he let Blaine touch him too and he touched Blaine with teasing touches whether it was with his hands or elbows or knees. Blaine was glad that Kurt trusted him so much and so instantly, he had a feeling it was usually a hard earned trust, slow to develop and was flattered that he'd been included so quickly. But Blaine was sure it was something he said or did over this last week that had allowed Kurt to trust him, he'd shared quite a bit of himself with Kurt too, had allowed himself to trust Kurt and had gotten that elusive trust back; they each gave and got from the other. Finn sat on Burt's other side.

These Hummels, Blaine thought in pleasure, just drew people in with their warmth and goodness and concern for others. After breakfast he hugged Kurt "text and call me" and rubbed his still not made up hair and skipped out of the house and left Kurt laughing behind him.

–

Kurt was starting to get annoyed. His dad looked utterly exhausted and he kept going and ignored Kurt's suggestion of taking a break or a nap. "Just get me a coffee." Burt said as he shrugged off the idea.

"Coffee is not on your approved list yet." Kurt argued. "Your heart can't take it at the rate it used to. The doctor said 1 decaf a day for now and you already had that."

"Kurt- I've been drinking coffee all my life and when you're not here - "

"When I'm not here?" Kurt gave one his signature looks where the recipient was in no doubt that Kurt was well aware of what they were going to say and he was not happy about the words not said, something about that head movement up and down and the pursed lips and the intent stare. How was Kurt so expressionate with just the tiniest of movements of a single muscle in his face? Most people had to work hard to convey anything other than placid. It's what made him so captivating to watch when on stage or even just in real life. Burt often got distracted watching that display of emotions skate across his face and had to remind himself about what they were discussing. Kurt didn't have to say anything most of the time and so didn't and he didn't out of kindness but the other person knew what he was feeling but not always thinking or the final decision. Kurt definitely surprised people all the time with what he did next or said next.

"I've just been drinking 2 cups of decaf here starting last week." He'd needed it or he'd hurt himself or someone else with how tired and distracted he'd been about Kurt's well-being and the running for office and the wedding. He had a lot on his plate and he'd like to be able to take something off of it, if not several things. At least the wedding was only a few weeks away. That would be less stress then. The bedrooms (and bathrooms he'd added on thinking about his son's morning routine) he was building for Kurt and Finn were almost done, he just needed to get the plaster guy in and then Kurt could decorate his room and then they'd be ready to move in. Kurt had already picked out the carpet for all the rooms, it was a tasteful neutral with a lot of hints of other colors but when you looked at it, it just looked white. That would be another thing off his plate. Then he'd only have to juggle a few knives, but if he dropped any of them, they'd hurt.

"Dad."

"Kurt." Burt played the same back and Kurt's face scrunched up but he didn't say anything more. They all started eating healthier after his dad's exit from the hospital but the habit started to slip for all of them here and there and Kurt would try to reinstill it again, they could all be healthier, what they did now would make a difference down the road.

The other thing that was starting to bother Kurt was that he was just expected to sit there on the stool that Burt had placed in the middle of the shop, safely away from any moving parts but visible by all. He could move around and stretch out his legs and get himself some coffee and do homework, but he had to be on that stool or in the office if it was going to be any length of time outside of using the bathroom. It was loud in the shop but he was used to the sounds, they had their own concentus to Kurt's ears now and when he left he might miss it and might have to stop into an autobody shop just to get a taste of home; he just wouldn't tell anyone that he did so. That was still 2 years away but Kurt knew that this would be something he'd miss.

He would not miss being coddled like this though. He and Blaine had been texting all day between his classes and Kurt had been fielding texts from the Glee kids wondering how he was doing and he thanked the 3 guys who helped him the day before again, he barely remembered making it to the bathroom and then waking up in the nurses office to her shaking her and the massive headache had for the next several hours. It couldn't have been a pretty sight for any of them. He also thanked Finn via text for covering for him the night before and helping out. Then Blaine was out for lunch and he had an hour and he called Kurt while he headed off campus for some mediocre coffee.

"You know Columbus is not that big of a city, it must be easier to get in and out and avoid the fines there than drive 3 hours round trip for a less expensive coffee."

"I don't know, it's just better there, but you're right, can't do that for every coffee run or even every day, doesn't make sense so I have to put up with the lesser coffee. You're so lucky."

"Probably the water." Kurt said automatically and wondered where that had come from. Then he laughed. "I can't go there for every coffee either. I have to put up with lower quality too."

Blaine sighed. "I wished McKinley and Dalton shared the same city limits, then we could be having this conversation in person."

Kurt groaned. "I don't know about that, not with the way my dad's been stalking me today. He's already telling me to tie it up and get back to where he can see me while he's working."

"He's just concerned about you, he loves you." Blaine chided softly. "Take it while you can."

Kurt sighed in response. "I know and I love him and I'm glad he loves me so much to do this, but I can't even have a full conversation with you out of his ear shot."

"It's fine, we'll get together sometime this weekend and talk in person. I'll try to call you later today too and if he's still trying to keep all of your attention for himself, then we'll talk tomorrow. He doesn't get as much time with you as he'd probably like now that you're off doing all these different activities and with friends. It's likely he just misses you too."

Kurt nodded even though Blaine couldn't see it, he likely felt it. "I like spending time with him too." Burt knocked on the window and Kurt was standing out on the curb next to the shop and Burt did a rolling gesture and Kurt gave in. "I've got to go. Thank you Blaine."

"Anytime."

The next day he was surrounded by at least 4 of the glee club members at all time while walking down the hall to class and they were there for him when class ended, it wasn't just the girls and it wasn't just the jocks, it was a combination and they formed a protective shield around him. Karofsky looked like he was going to say something but he continued on. They were talking towards the end of the day with the others surrounding him as he put his books back into his locker and took out the ones that he would need for homework that night. Karofsky walked by and made a move as if he was going to attack but it was only a fake out and the ranks closed around Kurt during it.

Kurt rolled his head around on his neck, feeling the stress creeping up his neck again. He'd told the others that it was kind but not needed and now he was glad for them. When they went to the choir room everybody clapped at his return and he blushed a little and thanked them. They were all genuinely happy that he'd returned.

It was Wednesday and both football and Glee were in session and so when they ended for the day he was walked out to his car by all of them and waited until he got in before they disbanded. He felt a little anxious still but better to know that the entire group had his back.

Thursday they did the same thing and he and Blaine text throughout the day. During Glee that day Blaine text him 'courage' and Kurt couldn't help but smile at that word. It was something he would cling onto throughout his life during many moments.

The football players didn't have practice that day and so there was no reason for Karofsky to be on campus, so the others said goodbye to Kurt at the doors to the choir room and he was looking back through the texts with Blaine as he walked down the hall. The phone was knocked out of his hands and then he was shoved into a locker while Karofsky continued on and Kurt stood there breathing heavy for a long moment before he found his courage and anger through his fear and he swept up his phone and chased after Karofsky's retreating back.

"Hey!" Karofsky continued on his way. "I am talking to you!"

"Girl's locker room is next door." Karofsky was taking something out of his gym locker.

"What is your problem?"

"Excuse you?" Karofsky barely glanced at him.

"What are you so scared of?" Kurt re-framed his question and was holding himself as straight as he could to portray the most confidence and height. Karofsky still had inches on him but also a lot of breadth.

"Besides sneaking in here and taking a peak at my junk?" He looked pretty proud of that comment, as if he was incredibly smart for coming up with it.

"Oh yeah, every straight guy's nightmare that all us gays are out to molest and convert you. Well I have news for you Ham-hock, you're not my type!"

"Is that right?" Karofsky's full attention was on Kurt now and Kurt didn't know if that was any better.

"Yeah, I don't dig on chubby boys who sweat too much and will be bald by 30."

He looked pissed now but Kurt couldn't stop now that he started. This meeting was well over due and he wasn't going to be pushed around any more. If he got seriously beat up, at least this time he'd end up in the hospital for standing up for himself rather than being a push around toy for this guy's aggression. He would make sure that if Karofsky hurt him, it would be fully intentional this time. "Don't push me Hummel." He got closer into Kurt's face and Kurt didn't back off this time, it would have been giving up ground.

Kurt's eyes glanced at the fist that was close to his face and then he looked back at Karofsky. "If you're going to hit me, do it." His eyes were flashing and Karofsky looked the most livid that he'd ever seen him.

"Don't push me Hummel." He shouted again and slammed the locker shut and the sound had Kurt jumping but he didn't back off.

"Hit me, because it won't change who I am. You can't punch the gay out of me any more than I can punch the ignoramus out of you." He was back and in Karofsky's face.

"I SAID GET OUT OF MY FACE!" Karofsky roared and Kurt should have backed off but he was too far gone. He missed the offense that covered Karofsky's entire face and body. Kurt had gotten him deeply with his words.

"You're nothing but a scared little boy who can't handle how extraordinarily ordinary you are!" He was going to say his piece even if it was the last thing he ever said.

Both were shocked to the core when Karofsky came forward with both hands and wrapped around Kurt's head and Kurt thought for sure that Karofsky was going to use that position to pound his head into the lockers over and over again until his brain was mush and skull cracked open letting everything out like they did on the Walking Dead. Instead Karofsky's mouth covered his in a kiss that utterly stunned, appalled, confused and terrified Kurt, he couldn't even move from the sheer shock of it. All of his emotions were clear on his face when Karofsky pulled away and looked at him for a second, his hands up to defend himself and his honor while looking utterly mortified and Karofsky for some reason thought that it meant to go in for a second kiss and Kurt took that second to come back to himself and he pushed Karofsky away with a strength he didn't know he had and ended up pushing himself back and away from Karofsky as well.

Kurt's came up to cover his mouth, completely aghast.

Karofsky breathed in pained frustration and annoyance and looked about ready to cry before he slammed his hands against the lockers, terrifying Kurt in the process at his sheer strength. He left dents from his fists in the lockers and Kurt knew they'd remain there until they were forced to buy new lockers, it would be an eternal reminder of this moment for both of them.

Then Karofsky fled, taking his stuff with him.

Kurt's hands found his knees as he couldn't keep himself upright any more and took in a ragged deep breath that hurt to do so but it helped him and he kept taking in great gasping breaths as he fumbled in his pocket for the phone with the new crack in it's screen. He pressed the button to dial Blaine's number and he glanced at it in frustration, there was only about 10% battery left. Blaine answered instantly. "What's wrong?" Blaine didn't even need to be told, he just knew if Kurt was calling him during Warbler practice. Glee had finished somewhat early for the day.

Kurt struggled to get his breathing back into order and it wasn't working.

"Oh, Blaine...I have no idea what to do now." Kurt was going to go to all the adults after today's incident but with the kiss in the mix now, he was lost. He burst into tears and Blaine tried to talk to him through the sobs but Kurt couldn't hear him. "I- I might lose you, I only have 10% battery left."

"Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, what happened?"

Kurt explained about the confrontation and Blaine congratulated him on doing so. "But then he kissed me out of the blue! I thought he was going to kill me then and there but- it was so much worse!" He hiccuped and Blaine sucked in shocked gasp.

"Kurt, I'm so sorry. Would you like me to come over today?"

Kurt looked at his phone to see what time it was and then shook his head. "No, it's ok, I'll manage somehow today."

Blaine clung onto his phone wishing that Kurt said yes and had they been more than friends Blaine would already be on his way over. He had half a mind to still do it as his friend. "I- I'll be there at the school tomorrow afternoon and I'll help you through this."

"But you've got Glee Practice and-"

"It's ok, I already know the songs and we're fine. I need to be there for you, the guys will understand. Do you think it will be ok if I stayed over tomorrow night too?"

Kurt was all too willing for him to stay the night. "That would be nice." He would have to ask his dad and his dad might wonder why Blaine was spending two nights this week at his house but Kurt wasn't ready to explain if he asked. Maybe Blaine would be able to come up with a good excuse.

Blaine started to say something but the phone died and Kurt groaned in frustration and realized he was still at the scene of the crime and he didn't want to be there any longer than he had to be. He wiped away at his mouth and wiped at the tears staining his face and making his skin splotchy. His eyes would be red and puffy and he couldn't do anything about that.

He calmed himself down and managed appear put together even though anyone looking close enough would know the truth. He managed to carry himself out of the locker room, through the hallway and out the building's doors without breaking down again and somehow managed to hold himself upright and confident.

When he got into his vehicle he plugged his phone in and turned it on, locked the doors and slumped against the steering wheel. Blaine left him a voicemail. "If at any time you change your mind, I'll sneak out of here and be at your doorstep in an instant. You're stronger and more courageous than you even realize and I'm proud to be able to call you a friend, I'm proud of you." Blaine hesitated. "The Karofskys of this world are a minority and we'll persevere in the end, better people than our harassers. Call me or text me at any time, I'll always answer."

Kurt listened to his voicemail 3 times before he slowly sat back and his breathing this time really was calmer and he accepted what Blaine had to say. He smiled brokenly, Blaine was amazing. He sent him a quick text saying thank you and how happy that he was that he now had Blaine in his life and told him in text form just how highly he thought of Blaine.

Blaine sent back an emoji that was bashful but pleased. Kurt's smile widened even more. Then Blaine sent him a song and he listened to it through the car's speakers as he finally felt ready to drive home, drive anywhere really. He knew he would have been a danger on the road prior to calming down but he had to get into the car and hide from the world even if they could still see him if they looked,but nobody looked into car windows, not really.

The song was Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara; except Blaine was singing it and he listened to the entire song. Kurt laughed and saved it, he'd listen to it again in the future.

Blaine didn't know it but his presence in Kurt's life had given him the courage he needed to unravel himself from this mess foisted upon him. Blaine had cut the chord holding back his voice and freed Kurt, even if it was just a small step, it was in the right direction.

–

EAN: Whoophf that was a long chapter but I didn't want to end it before I got all of it in there. It became longer because I hadn't intended to write any of that concussion stuff but it flowed from my fingertips and I liked where it went, all the scenes it gave us with not only Kurt and Blaine but Blaine and Finn, Burt and Kurt, Burt and Blaine, Burt and Finn, Burt and Carole, Kurt, Sam, Puck and Artie. I'm sure I'm missing a ton more scenes that the one change in my plan made and I'm glad I did. I outline and sketch an idea in my head and then when I sit down to write it, I let the characters dictate where it goes and then lead them back to the main idea again and goal/ending. Sometimes that means the ending is not what I set out to write either, but that's ok, that's the beauty of writing, you already know what the idea was supposed to be, the fun is seeing where it ends up. (I can and have written contained stories where they followed in line with my plan – see Attempt One. I wrote the ending to this chapter btw without a specific song in my mind but just before moving on to the next chapter, that song came on and I thought it was perfect so I added it's title.

Next chapter... it's going to have 4 lines of song in it's opening title sequence for a change.

EAN2: total random thought – I was writing this chapter and I read somewhere that Chris Colfer can't tan, he can only burn or freckle and I thought he'd make a perfect Ron Weasley and then I couldn't help myself as I remembered Darren Criss played HP and I started cracking up.