I was asked whether AU means Alternate Universe or Author's Universe. In my opinion, they're the same thing ;) but I've always been iffy with calling stories like this an AU anyway, because for me Alternate Universe stories are like the beauty of Cirque De Joie by Sharmain where they're not actually at school. For example, in that one as you may be able to tell, they're a part of a circus. And that's clearly Alternate Universe. (Go read it by the way, it's absolutely gorgeous and my favourite WIP right now!)

So this, in my opinion, is more of a non-canon story. They're still high school students in Glee club, it's just not following the exact events of the show. Which means that 90% of Fanfiction is non-canon anyway. With the exception of future fics and writing out the actual scenes, not much Fanfiction writing is canon-compliant. So hopefully that... sort of explains. I don't know, it bugs me not knowing what to call this fic. I'm going with non-canon for now.

I know Burt and Carole initially used their honeymoon money, but if they were going to keep Kurt at Dalton, there would have had to have been money somewhere. This is my theory.

Figgins is principal. I can't remember when Sue took over, but I wanted Figgins to be there. By the way, for anybody who didn't know yet, his first name is Principal. No freaking joke.

This happens just before the first day of Invisible.

Burt.

"Dad?"

Burt looked up from his newspaper to see Kurt standing in the doorway with Blaine, looking nervous. He immediately placed the newspaper aside and gestured the two in, not liking the look on his son's face. It was the same way he had looked when he had introduced Blaine as his boyfriend, except worse, and Burt's mind immediately went to scenarios he had never wanted to think about.

"Mr. Hummel, I want to start by saying this has nothing to do with mine and Kurt's relationship."

Burt let out a sigh of relief, not realizing it was audible until Kurt chuckled weakly. "Sorry, kid. Just you and that look -" he trailed off, realizing that if it wasn't about Blaine, then something else had happened to cause Kurt to look this nervous. "What happened, Kurt?"

Kurt glanced at Blaine who squeezed his hand reassuringly. The two sat down across from him and Kurt took a deep breath. "Dad, there's been some stuff going on that I need to tell you about."

Burt was leaning forward instantly, scrutinizing Kurt. "What's happened? Are people giving you crap again?"

"Yes."

It wasn't the answer Burt had expected or wanted. And he wasn't the most perceptive of men, but judging by that look on Kurt's face he knew it wasn't just a recent development. "How long?"

Kurt took another deep breath. "A while."

"Tell me."

So he did. Over the next half an hour, Kurt laid out exactly what had been going on over the past year of his high school life. Burt had been vaguely aware of the slushies but hadn't known how frequently they had happened. The dumpster tosses had him ready to go down to that school and order something to be done about it, but when Kurt got to the real issues at hand, Burt was speechless.

Kurt finished talking, glancing over at Blaine who nodded. He stood, removing his shirt and turning around. Burt had just about found words, questions, answers... but they failed him again as he took in his son's back. A lump formed in his throat and all he could think was, I've failed my son.

"Kurt, why didn't you tell me?" His voice was rough with the effort of fighting back his tears.

Kurt pulled his shirt back on and turned around, a tear slipping down his own cheek. "Your heart," he murmured.

Burt felt said heart shatter. "Kurt, I'm your Dad. I've told you this before, it's not up to you to protect me, I'm meant to protect you. And I haven't been able to, and that makes me feel like about the world's worst Dad right now -"

Kurt burst into tears and Burt stopped, kicking himself for making his son more upset even if he didn't know how. "You-you're not," Kurt stammered out between sobs, Blaine squeezing his hand tightly before releasing it and standing. He gestured to Burt who was in his place in a shot, wrapping his arms around his trembling son.

"It's okay, kid," he murmured gruffly, Kurt burying his head in his shoulder. "I'm not going to let you down any more."

He caught Blaine's eye over his shoulder and saw the boy watching them, a slightly wistful smile on his face. He caught Burt's eye and nodded. Burt nodded back, then mouthed a quick thanks to the kid.

Kurt pulled away, wiping his eyes. "Dad, I - I don't know if I can stay."

"You're not going to, Kurt. There's no way in hell I'll let my kid stay in a place like that where the staff does nothing to help." He looked up at Blaine, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Blaine, how much is tuition at Dalton?"

Blaine winced. "I'm sorry to tell you that it's probably at least triple what you're already paying."

Burt juggled a few numbers in his head before nodding. "I can do that."

Kurt's head jerked up. "Dad... how?"

"I've always wanted you to have the best, Kurt, so I've been putting money away for your college tuition. I know it means you might have a bit more trouble making it when you get to college, especially if you want to go to New York, but I can get you through a year and a half until you graduate, with a bit left over -"

The air was squeezed out of Burt's lungs as Kurt wrapped his arms around him. "Thank you, Dad, thank you," he murmured, and Burt felt the rush of emotion overcome him again. He cast another glance at Blaine who was looking relieved and knew that the boy must have been working with Kurt to get him to a stage where he could talk about these things.

But something was niggling on Burt's mind and, at the risk of upsetting Kurt, he still had to ask. "Kiddo, what happened to Mercedes and the others? I thought they were helping you through this stuff."

Kurt immediately turned to Blaine and the boy nodded. "Kurt's friends have decided he doesn't exist anymore, I'm afraid. And -" he hesitated, looking at Kurt again who shrugged. "That includes Finn."

Burt was on his feet straight away. "That boy told me he had changed! I'm not going to tolerate him under my roof anymore."

"Dad, stop!" Kurt was on his feet, grabbing his arms and pulling him back down. "Don't, at least not yet."

Burt sat, reluctantly. "What are you planning, kid?"

"Just wait until Friday. Blaine spoke to the administration at Dalton just in case we could afford it, and I can start Monday after next if you give them a call tonight and talk to them. I've got ... got plans for Friday and then I'll be straight out of here to Dalton."

"And I can talk to Finn then?"

Kurt nodded. "If things aren't fixed, yes. Just don't let it affect you and Carole, please? You're so happy with her. You can tell her what I've told you if that helps."

Burt shook his head, marveling at how his son could still manage to look out for him even with everything else going on. "Okay, kid. I'll talk to her. And I'll give Dalton a call, and then go in on Friday and pull you out and let that school have a piece of my mind." And Burt wasn't going to hold back. If he had let his son down, then the school had completely failed Kurt and they were damn well going to hear all about it.

"Thanks, Dad." Kurt wiped at his face again, laughing shakily. "I must look a wreck. I'm going to go clean up, be back in a minute."

Kurt darted upstairs and Burt immediately turned his attention to Blaine who looked worried. "Sir, I'm sorry I couldn't get him to tell you sooner, but the last thing I wanted was for Kurt to shut off again and -"

"Kid, I couldn't possibly be mad at you. In fact, I need to thank you for keeping my son safe." Burt cleared his throat. "Kurt means the world to me, and knowing I've got you looking out for him helps, a lot."

Blaine ducked his head. "I - I'm glad I can help, sir. I've convinced him to visit the doctor in a couple of days, just to get everything checked out. I hope that's okay."

"Of course it's okay. You're a great kid, Blaine." Blaine blinked in surprise, and Burt went out on a limb. "You don't have the best relationship with your Dad, do you?"

Blaine shook his head, his face dropping a little. "No, sir. He's not quite as understanding as you are of Kurt."

Burt leant across the gap and put a hand on Blaine's shoulder, squeezing it tightly. "As long as you're with my son, you're one of us, Blaine. Even if you two break up, as long as you don't break his heart then you're still welcome. You need anything, you come to me, you hear?"

"I -" Blaine swallowed roughly and nodded. "I will. Thank you, sir."

"Enough of this 'sir' crap. Call me Burt."

Kurt walked back into the room just as Blaine lifted his head, a genuine smile crossing his face. Burt could see the delight on his son's face, and knew he had at least done something right as a father today.

"So, kiddo, going to tell me what you've got planned?"

Kurt sat next to Blaine, their hands finding each other's instantly. "The topic for Glee this week is honesty, and my wonderful teacher forgot to pair me up with someone. So, what better way to be honest than to have some help from my boyfriend?"

Burt looked at the two of them, then let out a chuckle. "You're going out in style, aren't you kid?"

"I wouldn't go any other way." And despite the circumstances, the three managed to share a smile. Because it was going to be okay now.

"Mr. Hummel?"

Burt stood, holding the transfer papers and walked into the office. Sitting down, he saw Principal Figgins smiling back at him, Sue Sylvester sitting across from him looking bored, and had to immediately squash his anger down.

"What can we do for you, Mr. Hummel?" Figgins folded his arms, still smiling. Burt shot a glance at the clock - Kurt had told him Glee would be out at four and it was five to now. No doubt Will Schuester would be heading straight down, and Burt wanted to make sure he was still around to give the man a piece of his mind.

"Tell me, Figgins. What's your bullying policy here?"

The man's smile faltered a little. "We don't tolerate bullying and any complaints brought to us are dealt with." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sue leaning forward slightly and turned his attention to her.

"Ms. Sylvester." Because no matter how mad Burt was, he at least knew how to talk to a woman. "How many cases of bullying are actually reported compared to how many happen?"

Sue nodded. "That's the question isn't it? For the record, I've done everything I could for Porcelain behind the scenes, but I'm not in a position to do any more without risking my own job. And I won't lie, I'm a selfish person so I won't do that. If you're doing what I think you are, it's the right move. I'll make sure Spongehair Squarechin comes down."

She stood and left, Burt shaking his head. Yes, the woman was vindictive and selfish, but at least she was honest about it. Kurt had told him about how Sue had at least stepped in between any bullying she had seen, even if she hadn't put a stop to things or reported it - which apparently she couldn't do because of her fear-inspiring reputation. But when the most hated teacher was the one who had helped his son the most... that really made Burt's blood boil.

Standing, he tossed the papers on Figgins desk. "Transfers," he spat out as the man glanced at them. "My son will not be spending another day in this hellhole you call a school."

He heard the door opening behind him and then, inexplicably, his son was standing beside him. "We finished a bit early and I thought I should be here for this. Schuester's on his way."

"Where's Blaine?" Burt turned to look at his son who looked pale but relieved.

"Waiting outside," Kurt gestured to the foyer where Blaine was sitting, his hands twined together. "Can we make this quick? I'm just ready to get out of here."

Burt nodded. "You okay kid?"

"Yeah. Just glad it's over." Kurt smiled tiredly, slipping his hand into Burt's. He squeezed back as the door opened again to admit Sue and a concerned looking Will Schuester.

"Kurt, you have to believe that I had no -"

"Can it, Schuester." Burt turned to face the man, pulling himself up to his full height and staring him down. "You always knew my kid was being bullied. Maybe you didn't know it was this physical, but you knew about the names they called him, that they pushed him in the halls and threw drinks in his face. You saw all of that, and you didn't even bother to tell me?"

Will's mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to find the words. Burt gave him a second, then continued. "I'm assuming Kurt told you he's leaving. I just handed in his transfer papers, which I know are in order. And if they're not, I don't give a damn. He's enrolled at Dalton and he's going there and there's nothing you can do about it."

Burt turned his attention back to Figgins who was looking between the two, frowning. "I don't know how you can call this place a school, how you can let kids come here and deal with this kind of crap every day. You should be ashamed, not just for running this place the way you do but for hiring teachers like him." He jerked a thumb in Will's direction who was trying to make eye contact with Kurt.

Kurt raised his head, still refusing to look at Will, and caught Sue's eye. "Thank you, Coach Sylvester. I know you at least tried to do something."

The woman nodded. "Stay safe, Porcelain. Make sure the hobbit out there looks after you."

Burt was about ready to have a go at her when Kurt chuckled. "I will." He turned, looking up at Burt. "Can we go? This place isn't worth my time anymore."

Burt took a vindictive satisfaction with the way Will winced. "Sure thing, kid."

With that, they turned and walked out of the office. Blaine jumped to his feet, taking Kurt's other hand and the three left the school.

Burt knew it was far from over. He still had to get Kurt off to Dalton and then deal with Finn. But the biggest problem was definitely dealt with. His kid was safe now.

I know a lot of parents wouldn't accept that their teenage child was going to 'handle things' themselves in a situation like that, but I've always thought the Burt/Kurt dynamic was very different. I think if Kurt said he wanted to do things a certain way, Burt would let him as long as his son wasn't at risk.

Next chapter: Finn.