Dave was walking down the halls of McKinley High School just before lunch the next day, Monday. Just as he was before, he was on a mission. Well, another mission. Dave sat with Kurt the previous night and got the whole story.
Dave was not happy.
Turns out that Kurt's first abusive attack at the hands of Blaine Anderson happened about three weeks ago. Apparently, they were having a study date, some kind of disagreement came out, Blaine got angry, then enraged, and then, finally, physical. He hurled his geometry textbook at the back of Kurt's head as Kurt was trying to leave. It was such a hard throw that Kurt had nearly lost his balance. Kurt told Dave that he couldn't take his eyes off Blaine's geometry textbook for some reason.
Dave was clenching his fists, rounding the hall, but this time, instead of heading to the cafeteria, he was headed towards the choir room.
Of course, on that night three weeks ago, Blaine had promised that it would never happen again and Kurt chose to believe him and even gently kissed Kurt on the lips, sealing the deal. People can make mistakes, right?
Dave snarled thinking about that kiss. He shook his head as he was nearing the choir room.
But then, last Thursday, Kurt had had enough. Blaine got physical again, and Kurt had the common sense to call him a 'liar' and leave. Of course, more physical damage had already been done. But Kurt was out of there – at least, that night he was.
Now, Dave had to convince Kurt that he would and could leave Blaine behind. He needed to show Kurt that you don't have to be afraid to love who you want. Fear is never a base for any relationship. But they were teenagers and teenagers don't always know this, even ones as bright as Kurt Hummel.
So, Dave would need some help.
And that's what brought him to the choir room. Just before he reached the door, he fired off a text. He had to send that text before he could do anything he had planned.
After the text, he stopped outside the choir room doors and peeked inside. He knew Mercedes would be in there. Before she left for Mexico, she loved being in the choir room in general. But upon her return, she found her love again for the singing room. She had to practice alone over lunch, especially since Kurt said something about the Autumn Diva-Off something or other.
Dave shook his head, with a little smile. He couldn't remember what that was or anything, but it was important to the girls and Kurt in glee club.
Dave tentatively pushed the doors open. Mercedes had his back to him and no one else was in the room. Dave briefly took in Mercedes. She had lost weight. Not a lot, but enough to take notice and one couldn't ignore that figure. She was in all black today – a long-sleeved, loose sweater, hiked up to her elbows and long enough to cover her butt. She wore black, full-length dress pants and short heels. In sum, she looked good.
Dave cleared his throat. Mercedes spun around on one heel, eyes wide open. Then, upon seeing who it was that caught her attention, she narrowed her eyes a little. She then turned halfway away from Dave and walked slowly over to the piano, picking up some sheet music.
"Hi." Mercedes said curtly.
"Hi Mercedes. You look nice."
Mercedes narrowed her eyes even more and slowly advanced towards him, coming to a stop several feet away.
"Yes, Karofsky?" Mercedes said impatiently.
"Mercedes, I need your help." Dave pleaded.
"Karofsky, I don't-"
"Please, call me Dave. Karofsky is dead."
That seemed to incense Mercedes.
"Oh, really?!" Mercedes begin loudly, "Well, I don't like you. I am completely justified in not liking you! If you want me to do anything for you, you have to prove you're worthy of my time!" Mercedes went on and on and Dave tolerated it. He politely handled the index finger up and around his face while Mercedes badgered him. He maintained eye contact as Mercedes head-flipped, hair-tossed, and even name called her way through her accusatory speech.
It's not like I don't deserve this.
Finally, Mercedes came to an abrupt halt, eying Dave. With a little huff, she flopped down on the piano bench, putting the piano between her and Dave. Dave waited a few seconds before he began.
"Mercedes, you deserved that. You deserved your moment to tear into me and I didn't stop you. I hope we can build a…friendship," Mercedes head shot up to look right at Dave, "because we have a mutual friend who needs our help."
Mercedes looked quizzically at Dave before eying him up and down, sizing him up.
"You mean, Kurt?" she asked.
"Yes, Kurt."
Dave waited a moment and then slowly strolled to the side of the piano, index finger tracing along the piano's hard black surface. He wanted to move slowly and patiently with her. Sudden movements could make people scared of Dave easily and not gain trust. And Dave seriously wanted Mercedes to like and trust him. At the risk of being melodramatic, Kurt's life could depend on it.
"A lot has happened in the past month with Kurt. He and I have become …friends." Dave paused, looking away with a little smile on his face. Mercedes watched, tilting her head away from Dave in suspicion.
Dave cleared his throat, coming back to reality. "Anyway, about three weeks ago, he…."
And then, Dave paused. Kurt had made him swear not to tell anyone. But he'd forgotten about that while drafting his little plan to keep dangerous Blaine away from Kurt. Mercedes just looked at him, annoyed.
"Look, Mercedes, you can't tell Kurt what I'm about to tell you." Dave said.
Mercedes stood up and started to leave.
"I don't have time for this, Dave." And just as she reached the door, she heard Dave call out.
"He's hurting Kurt."
Mercedes froze. Thoughts were a mile a minute in her head, until protectiveness and curiosity took over.
Suddenly, Mercedes turned around walking quickly back to Dave. She stopped maybe a foot away.
"Who? Who's hurting my boo?" Mercedes asked.
Dave very briefly smiled at the cute nickname Mercedes used.
So, she has a nickname for Kurt. I want one too.
"Will you keep this secret? I want him to stop hurting Kurt and I think you can help me do this."
Mercedes eyes widened for a second and then, went back to her usual slightly suspicious stance.
"Tell me who? I'll take care of this." Mercedes declared.
Dave shook his head. "It won't work that way. Believe me. I tried." Dave said, a little sadly towards the end of his response.
Mercedes regarded him, remembering his vulnerability during glee club when he announced his history with Kurt. She was shocked along with everybody else when Dave revealed his sexuality. But she didn't trust him and rarely saw him after that day. She participated in keeping the secret, but didn't like it.
"Fine." Mercedes said.
Dave quickly looked back at Mercedes, a little smile on his face.
"Really?! OK!" Dave said, enthusiastically.
"But, you tell me who it is and this little plan of yours right now or I'm leaving!"
"Of course. Let's sit down."
As Dave and Mercedes left the door and proceeded towards the front row, Dave was ecstatic.
I said I'll protect you, Kurt. I mean it.
"So, about three weeks-"
"What da hell is dis?"
Dave and Mercedes quickly turned and saw Azimio standing just inside the door, hands in his usual letterman coat.
Mercedes glared at Azimio and Azimio glared at Mercedes.
"What the hell?!" Mercedes and Azimio said at the same time.
Dave rolled his eyes.
"Come in, Azimio. I see you got my text. The three of us have a lot of talking to do."
.
After that stressful lunchtime conversation with Mercedes and Azimio, that part of the plan was solidified. Now, Kurt.
Kurt.
Dave's heart absolutely ached for Kurt. Kurt, who had survived three weeks of a different yet similar kind of terror than what Dave had put him through. Now that Dave was a different, changed man, he wanted so badly to make it up to Kurt and make sure he has peace, only to find Kurt in yet another, scary situation.
Dave walked slowly along the halls, mechanically going to his sixth period chemistry class. He hadn't seen Kurt since 4th period geometry and Kurt didn't look good. He dressed his usual meticulous self, but he simply didn't look good. He was paler than normal, bags under his eyes, hands shaking from time to time.
Dave just wanted to walk over and hold him. He wanted to reassure Kurt that he would be safe. He wanted Kurt in his arms, stroking his soft hair, getting yelled at for touching it. He wanted to kiss Kurt's bruises away, never to return. He even wanted Kurt to cry in his arms, along his shoulder, even though Dave hated it when he cried. He wanted to lie down in a soft bed and just hold Kurt. He just wanted Kurt to stop hurting!
My Kurt.
Dave sighed and entered the chemistry class room.
.
At the end of the school day, Kurt was at his locker, getting ready to go to glee practice, while Dave had football. Dave approached Kurt at his locker. Kurt seemed to be somewhere else in his mind. Dave leaned on the locker beside Kurt which made Kurt jump a little.
Dave winced, cursing silently at himself, while Kurt quickly recovered.
"Oh, hi Dave." Kurt said quietly.
"Hi Kurt." Dave said, worried. "I wanted to check on you before I go to football practice."
"I'm fine." Kurt said, quickly.
"You know I'm not buying that." Dave said.
Kurt slowly looked up at Dave. Oh, the pain in Kurt's eyes was so strong it could've bowled Dave over! Dave didn't even think. He reached towards Kurt and just as his fingertips touched Kurt's arms, Kurt jumped back with a little shriek. Kurt then resumed his stance at his locker, a little apologetically.
"I'm sorry Dave. I guess I'm a little jumpy."
Dave let his hands drop, but stared at Kurt with heavy concern.
I want my Kurt back!
"Kurt, can you come over for geometry tutoring this Thursday? You can come over earlier if you want, but we agreed on Thursday nights and Saturdays."
Dave was now biting his thumbnail. He was so worried about Kurt that it was even effecting his appetite. He just wanted Kurt safe.
Kurt thought about it a little longer before finally responding.
"OK." Kurt said simply.
"Great." Dave responded, almost limply. The heaviness and awkwardness in the moment was agonizing for Dave. But Kurt was so far gone in his head that he wasn't even sure how he felt, if anything at all.
"Kurt, I have to know-"
"I have to go, Dave." And with that, Kurt turned and slowly walked away, leaving a stunned, confused, and hurt Dave leaning against the lockers.
No, this won't do. I want my Kurt back and Blaine Anderson will not take him from me!
.