Kurt took a deep breath. He had agonized for days about what he was about to do. He had gone backwards and forwards on his decision until he felt as if he was going mad. It was a conversation with his dad that had led him, finally, to this point.
Kurt knew he was lucky having a dad like Burt. He was supportive and loving and he was guided by his wisdom. He had asked him outright the night before.
"How would you feel if I was getting beaten up and no one told you about it?"
Burt had looked at Kurt, his eyes blazing. The colour had run from his face and he looked ready to go on a rampage. Kurt quickly touched his dad's arm. "I'm not being beaten up, Dad."
Burt relaxed, but only a little. "What's this all about then, Kurt?"
Kurt smiled reassuringly. "It's a dilemma and I just want to know your thoughts. If I was, and my friends knew, but didn't tell you, what would you say?"
Burt sighed. "If you were suffering and your friends did nothing…" He shook his head. "I would find it very hard to forgive them." He nudged his son. "You wanna tell me what's going on, son?"
Kurt smiled again. "Honestly, dad. I'm fine. I promise."
Only Kurt wasn't fine. What was happening to Blaine was killing him. He couldn't function properly at school. He couldn't sleep at night and Blaine was still distant. He was pretending that everything was okay, but Kurt knew it wasn't. And he knew that Blaine needed help.
He walked up the path and knocked on the door.
A middle-aged man wearing a red vest top opened the door. He peered at Kurt in suspicion. Kurt smiled.
"Mr Anderson?" he said. "I'm a friend of Blaine's. Can I come in?"
The man opened the door wider and stared at Kurt. He looked down the path behind him.
"Where is he?" he said.
"At school," Kurt said. "I'm breaking the rules, but I need to talk to you about something…" He trailed off and waited.
He had only ever met Blaine's dad once before and then briefly. It had been July 4th celebration at school and all the parents were there. Blaine's dad had pretty much kept himself to himself, but Kurt's dad had been like that too, for the longest time.
Mr Anderson looked Kurt up and down.
"What do you need to talk about?" he said.
Kurt's courage suddenly failed him. He had expected to be invited in, but the reception, so far, was pretty cool, and doubt, once again, crept into his conscience.
"Maybe this was a mistake," he said.
Mr Anderson opened the door wider.
"If it's about Blaine, I should know," he said. He seemed concerned all of a sudden and Kurt thought of his own dad's reaction. He had to tell him.
"Blaine's not been himself," Kurt said awkwardly. He glanced around. "Maybe we should go in."
"Just tell me." Mr Anderson was looking agitated now and clearly upset. "Please."
Kurt nodded. "Okay. Erm, it's just, we think, me and the other Glee members, Blaine's being bullied."
"Bullied?" Mr Anderson folded his arms across his chest. He was a big man, going grey and with an unhealthy complexion. Blaine couldn't be more different from his father.
Kurt nodded. "Beaten up," he said quietly.
Mr Anderson said nothing for a while and Kurt wondered if he should comfort him. The stains on his vest repelled him, but he was clearly struggling to deal with the news.
"Are you sure?" he asked suddenly. Kurt noticed his eyes were the same colour as Blaine's, but they were dull and lifeless. "Did he tell you?" He blinked slowly.
"He has bruises all over his body," Kurt said. "And he's in pain." Mr Anderson shook his head and dropped his arms to his sides. He shook his head as if in disbelief. "I'm so sorry, Mr Anderson," Kurt said. "I just thought you should know."
Mr Anderson looked at Kurt. "Thanks for telling me," he said. He peered at Kurt. "Who are you?" he asked.
Kurt held out his hand. "Kurt," he said.
Mr Anderson took Kurt's hand slowly and squeezed. He seemed to be studying his face.
"You did the right thing, Kurt," he said finally, releasing Kurt's hand. He smiled sombrely and disappeared inside his house.
Now, back at school, Kurt wasn't so sure. Blaine was once again very distant and even when Mercedes belted out 'Peace Train' and Artie and Sam performed 'Wide World', he showed no interest.
But his dad knew now. Things would get better. They had to.
Finn sat down next to Kurt. "How you doing?" he whispered.
Kurt shrugged. "You know…" He trailed off and sighed. He felt the sudden onset of tears, but blinked them away before they had their way. "I had to do something," he said.
Finn stared at him. "Dude," he said. "What did you do?"
Kurt looked at Finn. Somehow, this huge, macho, football star had become his friend. He felt safer in the school with Finn looking out for him.
"I told his dad."
Finn frowned. "You did what?"
"I had to," Kurt hissed back. "I couldn't sit around and let this carry on, Finn, okay? Look at him," he glanced at Blaine who was sitting, alone, two rows in front. "He doesn't care about anything anymore."
Finn glanced at Blaine too, but then he looked back at Kurt. He looked angry.
"Did it occur to you that his dad is the one with the heavy hand?"
"What? No!" Kurt shook his head. "It's not his dad, Finn."
"How do you know?"
"First of all, because it's just started happening. If it was his dad, it would have been going on for years."
"You don't know what goes on in that house," Finn said. He stood up. "Bad call, dude," he said and walked away.
Kurt felt himself shaking. He pictured Blaine's dad and the house behind him, that he had taken pains not to let Kurt see inside. But that didn't mean anything. It couldn't. He stared at the back of Blaine's head and suddenly, Blaine turned around. He smiled at Kurt and it was a glimpse of the old Blaine.
'I have to ask him outright,' Kurt thought, and he suddenly felt cold.
Blaine leant against the locker. He looked cute and Kurt felt his heart swell with love and desire.
"How are things?" Kurt asked.
Blaine shrugged. "Better," he said. He smiled. "I know you've been worried, Kurt, but you don't need to anymore, okay?"
Kurt nodded. "I have something to ask you," he said quietly. The noise around them grew in intensity. "But now here." He took Blaine's hand and pulled him along to the empty choir room. He closed the door and faced Blaine. He took a deep breath. "Does your dad beat you?" he asked.
Blaine's face crumpled with confusion, but then he suddenly looked angry. Kurt went to touch him, but Blaine backed away.
"You couldn't do it, could you?" Kurt shook his head. He didn't understand. "You couldn't keep out of it." His beautiful eyes flashed dangerously. "You're asking if my dad hits me?" He shook his head. "My dad? How would you like it if accused Burt of hitting you?"
"It's not like that…" Kurt stammered. "I didn't mean…" He put out his hands to Blaine. "I'm sorry," he said. "Please…"
Blaine batted Kurt's hands away.
"If you can't be my friend and let me handle this, then we can't be friends." Blaine walked to the door and yanked it open.
"Wait," Kurt said. "I have something to tell you…" He realised now it had been a mistake, telling his dad, and their friendship would suffer because of it, but he had to tell Blaine the truth. But Blaine stopped him.
"I don't want to speak to you, Kurt," he said. "Not today, not tomorrow and never again about this, okay?"
Kurt's tears finally had their way and despite the noise in the corridors outside, he had never felt so alone.
Blaine felt numb as he walked away from school. His heart was hammering in his chest and his head felt fuzzy. How had Kurt known? Why couldn't he be brave and admit the truth to him? Instead, he had turned away from the most important person in his life.
He began his journey home, slowly. He didn't want to live this life anymore. His dad had been a good dad, but losing his job, losing the woman he loved, had changed him. He drank too much and he gambled. He was failing at life and he was taking it out on Blaine. But no more.
Blaine stopped his car outside his house. He gripped the steering wheel. He was afraid, but he had to be brave. He would talk to his dad while he was sober. Tell him that he would report him if he hurt him anymore. And if necessary, he would call Finn and he would call Kurt too.
He didn't have to do this alone.
He opened the car door and walked, on shaking legs, towards his house.
The front door opened, and his dad was standing there.
"We need to talk, son," his dad said, and beckoned Blaine inside.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry this update has taken so long. It's been a hectic time. Your reviews (even though there's not many for this fanfic!) are greatly appreciated and makes me want to continue, so thank you :-)