This is a very, very special chapter. Advanced apologies - I hope it's not too maudlin.
Dave was nervous. Thursday night was here and he was waiting for Kurt. But Dave was nervous in general. Kurt just wasn't the same since that awful revelation.
The rest of the week saw the two boys playing a game of hide and seek. Kurt was basically hiding from Dave. But when the two boys united, it was usually in the hallways and geometry class. Dave would watch Kurt with a hawk-like, protective eye, as if from a distance. Conversations were short and perfunctory. Dave tried his best to cheer Kurt up, but Kurt simply wasn't all there.
Domestic abuse. Dave hated it. Who doesn't? Dave could point out statistically how many abusive situations existed in the state of Ohio and prove to Kurt that he didn't have to put up with it. Love doesn't have to work that way. But domestic abuse situations are complicated and Dave was realizing this. Every time he tried to broach the subject of the abuse at the hands of Blaine, Kurt would simply ignore him, shrug him off, or angrily walk away.
But Dave was having none of that tonight. Tonight was the night. Tonight was the showdown.
Dave had everything all set – geometry homework, snacks, soda pop, etc. He'd asked his Dad to remain in the den when Kurt arrived and his Dad, sensing something important between the boys was about to happen, quietly agreed. Dave was relieved his Dad had sense in this arena. After all, Dave was nervous and Paul knew it.
Dave was alone in his thoughts and the doorbell sounding off made him jump a little.
It's game time.
Dave got up and quickly opened the door.
Kurt stood there, still in clothes from the day at school, hair nearly perfect, his satchel draped over his arm.
"Let's get this over with." Kurt murmured, entering the house. Kurt entered the little hallway and turned to the left. The hallway continued on into the kitchen, with a staircase to the right going to the second floor.
"Well, hello to you too." Dave replied, with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.
Kurt entered the house and flopped on the living room sofa. Dave watched all of this, a slightly sad expression on his face. Then, he followed into the living room and slowly sat on the other end of the sofa. This wasn't the first tutoring session between the two boys, but this was the first one that was so uncomfortable.
Dave quickly offered some snacks and drinks, but Kurt denied both. Frowning, Dave scooted closer to Kurt, opening his geometry textbook. Kurt eyed the textbook out of the corner of his eye and sighed. Dave was not happy.
"I had a difficult time parking tonight." Kurt said matter-of-factly. "Why does your Dad have so many cars?"
Perfect.
"I don't know. It's a passion of his." Dave promptly replied, without even looking at him.
Kurt gave an acknowledgment of hearing Dave, but didn't say anything.
Dave looked at the clock and then back at Kurt.
"Well, do you want to get started?" Dave gingerly asked.
Kurt paused. Geometry was becoming a really frustrating situation for him. It's not everyday somebody gets abused by a geometry textbook. Dave had a theory as to why Kurt was struggling, but Dave had to approach this properly.
At first, the tutoring started off well. Dave quietly explained basic triangles, quadrangles, tetrahedrons, and other geometry jargon. This wasn't that far of a stretch, seeing as it was September and the school year had just begun. Dave would occasionally look at the clock and then back at Kurt.
Kurt seemed to be getting most of what Dave was gently describing. As Dave continued to tutor him, Kurt seemed more relaxed. Kurt slid to the floor, using the coffee table to brace his motion. Dave followed suit. Two boys, tutoring geometry homework, in the comfort of a living room, without any distractions – there wasn't any better environment for them.
Please God, let this work.
Dave looked again at the clock and Kurt didn't seem to notice.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Dave nearly jumped a mile. Kurt gave Dave a strange look as Dave shakily got up. Kurt stayed seated on the floor, propped up by the coffee table. Dave went to the door, greeted whoever it was, and casually walked into the living room, his eyes narrowed on Kurt as he approached him. Kurt looked up at Dave, a mixture of confusion and interest. Kurt tried to look around Dave, but Dave continued to block his view. Then, resolutely, Dave stood to the left so Kurt could see the visitor.
Blaine.
Kurt's eyes widened as he looked at Blaine and then glared at Dave. Returning his eyes to Blaine, Kurt quickly got up and approached Blaine.
"Blaine! What are you doing here?" Kurt asked, surprised.
"I got a text to come over to Karofsky's house." Blaine answered, with clear suspicion in his voice. Blaine eyed Karofsky, but then softened his eyes a little as he looked at Kurt.
Kurt approached Blaine and kissed him quickly.
Dave had to fight off nausea.
"I'm sorry, Kurt," Dave began, bashfully, "but I got Blaine's number from your cell phone and invited him over tonight."
Kurt looked at Dave oddly.
"Really? Um, OK…." Kurt responded, clearly confused.
Dave looked at Blaine and briefly glared at him, before rounding the corner and walking behind Blaine. The three boys stood in the living room, Kurt near the couch, Blaine hovering in the middle of the room, and Dave standing near the hallway. Kurt, and probably Blaine, noticed that Dave seemed to be blocking the main exit.
Here goes nothing.
"Kurt," Dave began, "I care about you a lot. You're a good friend and probably the biggest reason I am the person I am today."
Dave paused. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Blaine was glaring at Dave. Dave could've cared less.
"Dave, what's going on?" Kurt asked, exasperated.
Blaine approached Kurt and put his arm around him.
"Yes, Dave," Blaine snappily replied, "what is going on?"
Dave took a breath before he continued.
"Kurt, you've told me some horrible things…"
At this statement, Kurt's eyes widened as Blaine looked at him.
"N-no, Dave, nothing's wrong." Kurt quickly replied.
Oh, Kurt.
Dave shut his eyes for a moment before beginning again.
"Yes, you have." Dave said resolutely, "you know you have. You've told me some terrible things between you and…him…" indicating Blaine, "and you don't have to live with it."
"Kurt and I have worked it out," Blaine casually replied, "and you're one to talk Karofsky. How long was it that you treated Kurt like shit?"
Blaine grinned. Dave was angry.
"Shut up, Blaine. I'm not talking to you…yet." Dave coolly replied. Then, he returned his focus to Kurt.
Dave slowly walked towards Kurt, eyes never leaving Kurt's.
"Kurt, what happens when it's not a geometry textbook?" Dave began. Dave watched Blaine tighten his grip around Kurt, but Kurt was very minutely shaking.
"What happens when it's something worse? Like a bat? Or a fist? Or a-"
"Kurt and I have worked this out, Karofsky!" Blaine roared, "And we don't have to listen to you any longer. Come on, Kurt. We're leaving."
But as Blaine started to walk towards the door, he noticed that Kurt was stumbling a little bit. Kurt's eyes were locked on Dave's, and Dave couldn't stop the compassionate pleading flowing out of his eyes.
"Please don't go, Kurt." Dave quietly said, as Blaine continued his way towards the door, a reluctant Kurt, now arms outstretched but still firmly in Blaine's grasp, in tow. But suddenly, Blaine came to a stop.
Kurt and Dave whirled around towards the hallway and front door to see Mercedes and Azimio blocking the exit. Both African-Americans were glaring at Blaine. Mercedes was shaking her head, hands on her hips. Azimio took a threatening stance, a knuckle or two being cracked.
"Ah, hell to the no, Blaine!" Mercedes began lividly, "you snuck under my radar and that pisses me off. I thought you were one of the good guys only to find out that you're hurting my boo?! Hell no!"
Mercedes began to charge Blaine, but Azimio held her back. Mercedes was even going so far as to try to kick Blaine, but Azimio's grip was firm. Kurt, Blaine, and Dave all took a few steps back. Kurt's hand was over his mouth, Blaine was in shock, and Dave had a faint look of amusement on his face. Mercedes finally stopped her tirade, resuming her position on the left side of the entrance. Azimio let her go and mounted himself on the right side of the entrance.
Blaine turned back to Dave.
"So, is this what you're trying to do, Karofsky? Split us up?!" Blaine was nearly in Dave's face. But Dave, to his credit, took it all in stride. He simply smiled a little at Blaine before he replied.
"Yes."
Blaine's and Kurt's eyes widened before Blaine exploded.
"How dare you! You have no right to do this! Kurt and I love each other and we have forgiven each other for our mistakes. What? Do you love him, Karofsky?!" Blaine roared. Blaine was now mere inches from Dave's face.
"Back up, Anderson." Dave said, quietly furious.
But Blaine simply smiled.
"Why? What are you gonna do? Bully me?" Blaine smugly responded. Dave said and did nothing as Blaine continued his snide little tirade. Suddenly, Blaine left Dave and returned to Kurt's side, grabbing Kurt's hand, holding it up.
"No one and nothing will break us up. Kurt loves me and I love Kurt." Blaine triumphantly said.
Then, out of nowhere, a quiet, firm voice was heard.
"Don't do this, Kurt."
All four teenagers turned to see Paul Karofsky standing in the other doorway to the living room. Paul stayed where he was but stared at Kurt. Kurt was fighting off tears.
Dad, please stay out of this!
"I've seen guys like him before, Kurt. They're cocky, manipulative, and tell the tallest tales, all so you have to rely on them. Don't' give in, son." Paul said, compassionately.
Kurt just stared at Paul. Blaine was furious.
"And who are you? Dave's Dad? You know, you should stay out of our lives!" Blaine screamed.
Suddenly, a silence filled the room. Blaine looked around at everybody. All eyes were either on Blaine or Kurt. Blaine knew what he had to do.
"Kurt. We're leaving." Blaine announced. And just when he was heading towards the exit, Mercedes and Azimio blocked their exit again.
"Get the hell out of our way." Blaine angrily yet quietly said.
"No," Azimio strongly said, "no, no, no. You're goin' to hear what D here has to say."
Blaine glared at Azimio, knowing full well that he would have to endure yet another little speech. Blaine walked back towards the center of the living room with Kurt in tow.
"Kurt," Dave began, his eyes nearly in tears, "Kurt, love should never, ever hurt." Dave just stared at Kurt. Waves of sadness engulfed him.
"Kurt, when I was bullying you, there were times I nearly vomited afterwards because I couldn't stand the thought of hurting you. I was trapped in my own, frustrated, sad world and didn't know how to get out, or even knew if I had the courage to get out."
"How sweet." Blaine annoyingly interrupted.
"But Kurt, those days are over now. But they're not over for you." Dave said, glaring at Blaine towards the end of his statement before returning his loving eyes to Kurt. "You don't have to do this."
Dave regarded Kurt for a moment. Kurt said nothing and appeared to be stoic. Dave tried to read Kurt's expression and failed to find anything. He had no idea if his words were sinking in, but he hoped they were. Then, Dave turned to Blaine.
"Here's what you're gonna do, Anderson." Dave growled as he quickly approached Blaine. He stopped when he was right in Blaine's face. Blaine tried not to show his fear, but Dave picked it up and used it.
"You are never gonna contact Kurt again. You are never gonna text Kurt. You are never going to his house. You are never gonna hurt him or make him afraid. You …will…disappear." Dave declared.
Dave was now exactly one inch from Blaine's face. But Blaine's facial expression didn't change. Blaine simply stared at Dave for a long moment, before a little smile crept on his face. Blaine backed up a step, looked at Kurt, and then looked back at Dave.
"No." Blaine said smugly.
"No?" Dave asked angrily.
"No."
Silence. But not for very long. The only sound then was the ticking of the wall clock. Tension was a mile thick as the showdown continued. And then, suddenly, cracking knuckles could be heard. All heads turned to see Azimio stretching out his finger joints, staring at Blaine.
"You don't get it, Bland," Azimio began, "ya' see, Big D here is my Bro. And Kurt is his friend. Maybe more…." Azimio slyly smiled at Dave to everyone's amazement, "But you will do as Big D says, or else." Azimio finished, threateningly.
Blaine looked back at Dave with huge eyes.
"I knew it! You like Kurt! You do want him!" Blaine screeched. When Dave said nothing, Blaine began to hysterically laugh. He doubled over exaggeratedly as everybody glared at him. Then, suddenly, Dave was roaring.
"Shut up Blaine! You don't deserve him! Why the hell do you beat the crap out of Kurt?! You never hit a boyfriend! You should-"
"Shut up, Karofsky! You don't know shit! How the hell-"
"Anderson", Dave roared back, "you don't' get it. Love never should hurt and you're hurting Kurt!"
"No I'm not!" Blaine yelled back.
The two boys were yelling at each other, then. Dave and Blaine, faces mere inches from each other, yelling and yelling and spittle flying on each boy's faces. Azimio did his best to chime in from his bodyguard position, as well as Mercedes' index finger raising, hair flipping attitude. It was a cacophony of teenagers yelling at each other that wouldn't stop. It was reaching a fever pitch and nothing was going to stop it. Nobody saw Paul reach for the kitchen phone, ready to call 9-1-1. Name calling, accusations, threats, even a possible death threat from Mercedes, spewed and vomited in the living room. Tensions were mounting, fingers were getting pulled out of faces, then nothing but angry violence filled the air.
"SHUT UP!"
All teenagers turned to see it was Kurt who screamed his head off.
"Just shut up! Shut up, all of you!" Kurt was in near tears. Dave looked at Kurt with sudden compassion, as did Azimio and Mercedes. But Blaine took the opportunity to reach out for Kurt's hands, but Kurt angrily pulled out of Blaine's grasp. Blaine stared at Kurt in confusion.
"Kurt? Baby?" Blaine replied.
"Blaine," Kurt began, "I can't do this anymore….."
Then, tears flowed. Kurt couldn't have stopped them if he tried. Dave had to look away to fight off his own tears, even if there was a small smile on his face. Mercedes looked on strongly as Azimio was already angrily wiping his arm across his eyes. But Blaine was alarmed.
"W-what do you mean?" Blaine asked suddenly concerned.
Kurt looked away for nearly half a minute before slowly raising his eyes to meet Blaine's hurt, confused eyes. Kurt then reached for Blaine's hand and Blaine held it like a child.
"Blaine," Kurt said sadly, "you threw a geometry textbook at my head. You slammed me against the wall countless times. You chased me out of your house once. And you nearly …raped me." Kurt said the last part so softly, everybody had to strain to hear.
Everybody in the room gasped at the last revelation.
"That's not true, baby!" Blaine replied, "It was all a misunderstanding."
Dave was instantly furious and wanted to lunge at Blaine. But, for some reason, Dave kept his cool and watched Kurt with a mixture of fascination, horror, and sympathy.
"Yes it is." Kurt replied. "And I let you do it. I'm so…ashamed." Kurt looked away, horrified at himself. Dave watched Kurt recover from his devastating revelation only to admire Kurt's strength.
He's gonna come back. I know it.
"Blaine, Dave's right." Kurt said.
Blaine scoffed. "No he's not, Kurt. He's not!" Blaine pleaded. "Dave is just jealous because he can't have you. He can't have what we have!"
Dave said nothing, never taking his eyes off Kurt. But Kurt quickly and quietly scoffed at Blaine.
"What we have? What we have?" Kurt began incredulously, "What we have isn't right Blaine. It isn't!"
Blaine blinked. He stared at Kurt, slightly confused. He didn't know how to handle this situation as well as he did earlier.
"Baby, please don't do this. I'm sorry. I love you!" Blaine declared.
"I don't doubt that you do." Kurt replied, "But I can't go on living like this with you. And I don't want Dave, Mercedes, Paul, and Azimio thinking I'm doing this because of them. I doing this because of me."
Everybody else in the room smiled a little. Blaine, of course, did not. His eyes bulged at Kurt, as he grasped both of Kurt's hands. Dave made a quick move to protect Kurt, but Kurt eyed him off before looking back at Blaine.
"Kurt, please…." Blaine implored.
Kurt merely looked at Blaine for a moment before wriggling his hands out of Blaine's grasp. One hand went to Blaine's face, cupping it gently. Then, to everyone's astonishment, he closed the gap and was a mere inch from Blaine. Blaine began to close his eyes, anticipating a kiss.
"And Blaine…?" Kurt whispered. Blaine opened his eyes to gaze lovingly at Kurt. "Get some professional help."
Blaine's eyes shot open. In a lightning quick move, Blaine pulled back and hostilely looked at Dave.
"This is your fault, Karofsky!" Blaine roared and lunged at Dave. Dave was prepared and knew this wouldn't be a challenge, but Dave never got the chance. To everyone's astonishment, as Blaine was rearing to lunge at Dave, Kurt grabbed Blaine by the collar, and pushed him all the way to the wall! The wall clock and various photos bounced off the wall a little bit at Blaine's impact.
Kurt's angry face was right in Blaine's personal space, as he held Blaine against the wall.
"You will never hurt anyone anymore!" Kurt roared in Blaine's face, "And you will not hurt my friends!"
Shocked, Blaine just looked at Kurt's angry scowl with confusion.
"Kurt!" Blaine gasped.
"And…you will not hurt me anymore!" Kurt roared in Blaine's face. The room was suddenly filled with shocked silence. No one had ever seen Kurt so aggressive but was definitely enjoying the show.
"Now…get the fuck out of here!" Kurt screamed as he dragged a confused and hurt Blaine along the wall. Mercedes and Azimio quickly got out of their way as Kurt continued to drag Blaine out of the living room.
Dave quickly got behind Kurt as did Azimio and Mercedes. Nobody seemed to notice that Paul remained where he was, a smirk on his face.
Blaine fumbled with the door handle, and when it was open, Kurt pushed him out. Blaine almost fell on the porch before regaining his composure. He looked back at an angry, flushed Kurt, with Mercedes and Azimio flaking Kurt and Dave, protectively.
"You'll regret this, Kurt." Blaine said proudly.
"No he won't" began Dave, "and I'd take to heart what I said in there. You and Kurt are through."
Blaine angrily looked at Dave and then back to Kurt. Realizing defeat, Blaine slowly turned around, walked down the porch, and left.
The four teenagers were quiet, but not for long.
"Dat was some awesome shit, dude!" Azimio said to Kurt. But Kurt was shaking slightly as Dave pulled him back into the house.
The four teenagers had quietly gone back into the living room. Nobody noticed that Paul was gone.
Silence. Nobody knew what to say. All eyes were on Kurt. Kurt, realizing this, then looked back at his best friend, Mercedes first, before looking at Dave and finally Azimio. Kurt's expression was simply sadness. Breaking the cycle of domestic violence abuse can be devastating. But this was Kurt Hummel we're talking about here and Dave and Mercedes knew that.
"Thank you all." Kurt said shakily, "I didn't know you all…" And then, Kurt stopped. No further words were needed.
Then, Dave did what he knew to do. He raised his arms and engulfed Kurt. Kurt stiffened, looked into Dave's sympathetic face, and fell on this chest, screaming tears of pain and vulnerability. Tears of regret and self-abuse. Tears of pain.
Quietly, Mercedes approached them and hugged both Kurt and Dave. Mercedes own tears fell on their shoulders. Azimio remained where he was, the quiet, protective watchdog of the group. Of course, his tears were being, yet again, angrily swiped off his face.
It was Azimio who left first that night and then Mercedes. Quiet, quick hugs were given. The usual bro hug between Azimio and Dave, and a quick yet tight hug between Mercedes and Dave. Kurt even got a warm, full hug from Azimio which caught him off guard. As Azimio was pulling away, he wouldn't even look Kurt in the eye. He was too afraid of crying, you know.
Then, Kurt and Mercedes hugged. This was a warm, friendly hug. Dave watched with love in his eyes. The hug went on and on as Mercedes quietly whispered positive affirmations that Kurt had done well. Finally, they pulled apart, wiping tears from their eyes.
Azimio then left, followed very soon by Mercedes. They got in their respective cars and drove away.
Dave and Kurt sat back down in the living room, Dave merely inches from Kurt.
"Thank you Dave."
"Hey, you're the one that went all bad-ass tonight."
Dave laughed a little, but Kurt didn't at all. Slowly, Kurt raised his eyes and looked at Dave for the first time in a long while. Dave was piercingly saddened at the miserable look in Kurt's eyes. Kurt had, after all, broken a chain of abuse which can leave scars. But there was a triumph in Kurt's eyes too that Dave was happy to see and feel.
"I couldn't have done it without you." Kurt said, but he finally smiled a little.
Dave smiled back.
Then, more silence. It seemed that living room was filled with interludes of appropriate silence that night.
Dave reached for Kurt's hand and gently took it. Kurt turned and allowed his hand to be held by Dave.
Gently, Dave pulled Kurt back to his shoulder and then, to the back of the couch. The two boys held each other then, one overjoyed with freeing a loved one from the cycle of abuse, and the other one re-learning what joy truly was.
.