Coming to Terms – Chapter 12
Knowing what he knew, Dave saw a different side of Santana now. Beneath her hard Lima Heights exterior, he saw that she had a kinder, gentler self, pining for affection, yearning for acceptance. He couldn't help but draw parallels to himself. If their eyes happen to meet in the halls or in glee, they would exchange a brief, understanding smile, and if Kurt was with them, caught it and gave him a look, Dave would give his hand a light squeeze and a look that said "trust me, please."
Knowing what he knew about her feelings for Brittany, however, meant that Dave also noticed Brit's blissful ignorance, and her relationship with Artie, something he hadn't paid much attention to before. Santana hadn't told her yet, Dave was sure of that. Brittany didn't seem conflicted in the least, arm wrapped around Artie's sitting next to him in class, the way she looked at him, and he at her. They were obviously happy together.
Maybe that's why Santana hadn't said anything yet? Maybe she's noticed it too?
Dave knew he shouldn't to interfere, that this was her fight. However, if she came to him for more advice, he wanted to be ready. He just wished he knew what to tell her. From what he could tell, it seemed like a distinct possibility that she would be rejected by Brittany, but then what would she do? Would she retreat? Repress it and go on being angry and internalizing her secret, letting it eat at her like a cancer? Knowing exactly what it felt like, he worried about her.
Dave didn't know what to do. Should he talk to Santana again? Should he talk to Brittany? He felt that Kurt would know what to do, but he had promised he wouldn't tell anyone.
Meanwhile, Az and Mercedes continued with their increasingly less subtle flirtation. Az had already begun sitting with the other glee members at lunch, rather than the football players, but in the past few days he had been arriving early in order to get a seat next to her. No one questioned either of them. It seemed to Dave that everyone must know, but as he looked around the table, he wasn't sure. Finn seemed as oblivious as ever, sandwiched between Rachel and Quinn, clearly not noticing the glares being shot back and forth across him. Tina and Mike were too into themselves to realize they had food in front of them. Artie and Brit were talking and laughing about something. Sam was talking to Santana while she simply nodded away, sneaking glances at Brit. Puck was, as usual, wooing a very aloof Lauren. And then there were Dave and Kurt.
"Mercedes and Azimio sort of make a cute couple, don't you think?"
"Huh?" asked Dave, stirred from his thoughts.
"You were staring at them, baby," said Kurt, nudging Dave with his elbow.
"Oh, was I? Hey, you noticed them too?"
"Of course. Mercedes is basically my BFF. No doubt you're paying attention for similar reasons," replied Kurt, pointed at Az with his eyes and a tilt of his head.
"Yea. Az is my boy. I'm happy for him. Just like, wishing he'd make a move already."
"Ugh, I know. He never struck me like the type to hold back, but I suppose hormones do crazy things."
Dave and Kurt laughed, and looked on as Az and Mercedes made awkward small talk together. As uncomfortable as they both looked, it didn't stop them from grinning.
"I should talk to him."
"That sounds like a good idea. I'm surprised he hasn't come to you, yet."
"Yea, well, sometimes it's hard to talk about feelings, I guess. Especially for dudes," said Dave.
"Hey, I'm a guy, and I've never had a problem talking about my..." Kurt paused as Dave gave him a playful look with a raised eyebrow. "Okay, point taken."
After lunch, everyone separated and regrouped to go to their respective classes. In the hallway, Kurt gave Dave a peck on the cheek and walked in the direction of his math class. Dave blushed a bit and was about to head to study hall when he saw Brittany kissing Artie and then heading in his direction. Impulsively, he gently grabbed hold of her arm as she was passing him. She seemed mildly startled, but it generally took something closer to an alien invasion to really surprise her. She turned and grinned at Dave.
"Hi, Davey! What's up?"
Dave let go of her arm and looked back at her, mouth dropping open as he tried to think of what to say.
"Uh, hey Brit. How's it going?"
"Good. How are you?"
"I'm good."
"That's good. I'm glad." She continued to smile at Dave but didn't say anything else.
"Uh...so how are things between you and Artie?"
"Things are going well. He's so nice to me. I think he really likes me."
"That's cool," said Dave. He took a breath. "And, uh, you like him too?"
"Yea," she replied. Then she looked at Dave, who was squirming. "Hey, are you hitting on me?"
"I-what? No, where would you get that idea?"
"Well, you're asking about me and Artie, and we've only had like a few conversations before."
"Oh, no. I'm gay, Brittany, remember? I was just making conversation." Dave was wondering why he had started this and what he'd hoped to accomplish.
"Oh, okay. Just checking." She smiled again, suspicions forgotten.
Dave took another deep breath. "So, how about you and Santana? You guys seem close."
"Oh...Santana and I used to be much closer. She's my bestie. Lately, though, she hasn't really talked to me much. I'm kind of worried that I might have done something wrong." Brittany suddenly seemed very sad, which was a very un-Brittany-like state. "I hope I don't lose her. She really means a lot to me."
"Oh, I'm sure she's not mad at you. Don't worry about that, Brit."
"Thank you, Davey," she smiled again, though still seemed apprehensive. "Maybe you could talk to her for me? See if I did something to make her mad?"
"Uh...yea, I think I could do that. Would you want me to give her a message?"
"Sure! Could you tell her I'm sorry if I made her mad, and I'd like if we could go back to the way things were, and I love her."
"Okay, sure I can-wait, did you say love?" Dave did a double take.
"Oh, um, you know, like a friend. She's my bestie, like I said." Brittany's face had gone from pale white to blush pink to bright red. She looked away and tried to remain casual, but she was a terrible liar. Dave could see that she had meant what she had said. She just hadn't meant to say it, at least not to him.
"Ah okay. I'll be sure to tell her. I'm sure she'll know what you mean."
"Yay! Thank you, Davey." She leaned in and gave Dave a hug. "You know, you're a really nice guy. It's hard to remember sometimes what a mean jerk you were before." Dave cringed a bit, but he saw that there was no malice in her face. If almost anyone else had said that, he would have had to resist the urge to pop them one.
"Uh, thanks. I try."
"Cool. Well, I'll see you around!" She waved, turned on her heels and strode off down the hall, leaving Dave standing alone, feeling confused but accomplished.
In the locker room changing before the game, Dave and Az were among the last few players still in there as others had headed out to the field.
"Hey Az," Dave began.
"Yea?"
"Uh..." Dave wanted to ask him about Mercedes, to see how his friend was doing, to see if he could offer any advice or even just some positive thoughts, but he found himself unsure of how to begin. "Good luck out there tonight."
"Thanks, man. You too!"
Az finished putting his gear on, gave Dave a slap on the shoulder and left the room. Dave cursed quietly to himself and then he too headed out.
Out on the field, Dave scanned the bleachers as the game was about to begin, searching among the fans with their signs and pom poms, and smiled when he spotted his boyfriend. Kurt was standing (jumping up and down, really) holding a cardboard sign that he had clearly made himself. While most of the other signs people held said things like "Go Titans!" or "Go McKinley!" or even "Hockey rules!" (nice Scotty, real classy), Kurt's said "Go Dave!" in sparkly glitter.
Dave turned to him and smiled big, and Kurt stopped jumping long enough to wave. Blaine waved too, and that was when Dave noticed that he was sitting next to Kurt. He held a "Go Titans!" sign himself, though even that was personal since he didn't even go to this school. Giving both members of his personal cheer squad a nod, he turned back to the game.
Whenever he got the chance, Dave would try to sneak a look at the bleachers to see if Kurt was enjoying the game. He seemed to be, and Blaine did too. He often saw Blaine pointing at elements of the field and gesturing with his hands as he spoke intensely to Kurt, while Kurt nodded seriously, obviously trying very hard to absorb the football lesson that Blaine had promised to give him. Dave found it completely adorable that Kurt was making such an effort to understand something that clearly didn't interest him, just because he was interested in it. He made a mental note to make an effort to do the same for him.
As the game drew to a close, and it was clear that the Titans were going to win, and the bleachers were wild with cheers from McKinley's supporters. The game ended 28-23, McKinley, and as the teams filed off toward the locker rooms, Kurt rushed down to meet Dave, wrapped his arms around him and kissed his face. Dave put his arms around Kurt and pulled him close.
Arms still around Dave's neck, "Dave, you were great out there!" Looking around, Kurt became suddenly and acutely aware of the other football players standing around them, all making kissy faces, snickering and smiling at the two of them (except for Puck, who was making a lewd, humping gesture). "Um, you guys, too. Great game out there." Kurt blushed.
"Thanks, Kurt. If you ever wanna rejoin the team, we wouldn't mind having a great kicker again," said Finn.
"Yea, man," added Puck.
"I heard you were pretty sweet." said Sam.
Other players nodded and everyone started filing into the locker room, some taking the time to pat Dave or Kurt on the back as they went. Kurt was floored by their support. He hadn't been used to that sort of acceptance before he transferred, and found it a bit strange and ironic that it took Dave coming out and their relationship to bring it about. Dave leaned in and kissed Kurt, bringing him back from his thoughts.
"So, you liked the game?" asked Dave once he had reluctantly pulled his lips away.
"Actually, yes, it was quite enthralling. Blaine came, as you know, and he was explaining things to me, and I think I might actually have a better understanding now then I did before. I mean, I did obviously know a little bit. I was a member of the cast-"
"Team?" Dave interjected, with a smirk on his face.
"Team, yes, for a brief time. Maybe I should consider rejoining as kicker...hmm..."
"Fancy, if you joined the football team, then we'd have to change and shower together. Just think of all the embarrassing moments you'd cause for me...especially in the shower, where I wouldn't have a towel to cover myself up." Dave winked playfully, and Kurt's face turned so red that he practically matched Dave's uniform.
"Oh, well I...uh..."
"Don't worry about it, Kurt. I'm kidding. I'm sure I could control myself. If you wanna join, I'd be honored to play along side you."
Kurt smiled, and kissed Dave.
"Listen, I gotta go get changed. I'll meet you and Blaine in the parking lot, okay? In like 10?"
"Um, sure baby. See you soon."
Kurt hugged Dave as tight as he could, given the padding, and with a wave, he headed off.
In the locker room, Dave and Az changed with the rest of the team, chatting and joking around. Az ribbed Dave about Kurt, childish but playful. Dave played along.
"Yea? Well, I've got Kurt and you've got Mercedes, so don't start," Dave said with a smile.
"What? I'm not going out with Mercedes!" Az said, but his voice wavered, and it was low so that no one else would here him. He was blushing.
"Awe, come on Az. It's so obvious that you like her, and that she likes you. Why don't you just ask her out?"
"Hey, can we just not talk about this?" Az glanced around him. "Like, right here and now?"
"Okay, okay fine." Dave pat Az on the back, assuring him that he wouldn't press him.
Outside, Dave and Az walked to the parking lot together. Kurt and Blaine headed to them from where they were standing next to Blaine's sedan.
"Hey there, fellas. Great game out there today."
"Hey thanks, man," replied Az.
"Yea, thanks Blaine. Glad you came," added Dave.
"Me too. That was a real treat. I haven't been to a live game in a while," said Blaine.
"Indeed. That was really fun," Kurt said, smiling at both Dave and Azimio. Then he turned specifically to Dave. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yup. All set."
"Hey..." began Blaine, looking at Az.
"Azimio," he answered.
"Azimio, yes, sorry. Would you like to join us? We're heading out to grab some pizza."
"Oh, uh, nah man. That's okay. You guys have fun."
"Oh, come on, man. It'll be fun. I mean, you were basically heading home anyway, right?" coaxed Dave.
"Yea...no, it's okay. Another time, maybe."
"Man, I never thought I'd see you turning down pizza," chuckled Dave.
"Heh..." Az looked uncomfortable, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
"Well hey, you wanna hang out tomorrow instead then?"
"Yea. Yea, sounds good. I'll come by your place 'round one," said Az, seemingly more relaxed now that the subject had changed.
"Okay. I'll see you then," Dave grabbed Az's outstretched hand and pulled him in for a combo bro-hug/backslap, and then Az said goodbye and went to his car. The three remaining boys then piled into Blaine's car and headed to the pizzeria.
The pizzeria was relatively crowded, being Friday evening, but the boys managed to find a table. They ordered medium pie, half meat lovers, half extra cheese, and a salad for Kurt who was insistent that while he liked pizza, he really needed to watch his carbs. While they waited, they chatted and joked together. Dave and Kurt told stories of McKinley drama, and Blaine talked about Dalton, mostly to Dave since Kurt had been attending the school until only a few weeks prior. Dave held Kurt's hand on the table as Blaine spoke, and occasionally pulled him over for a quick peck on the cheek.
The food came, and the conversation lulled a bit as the three of them ate. Still, they managed, talking about current music and movies and such. The three laughed and joked, and Kurt managed to look amused and embarrassed at the same time as his boyfriend and one of his best friends practically spit up their food while they guffawed at something particularly funny that he had said.
After they had finished their food and were waiting for the check, a mother with two young children who were sitting at a nearby table, got up and began to make their exit. On their way out, she stops at their table.
"I just want you to know that I find your lifestyle disgraceful. Coming in here, flaunting your homosexuality like it's normal. It's not right, the Bible says so. It's bad enough what you do in private, but my children shouldn't have to be exposed to this in a public place like this."
She attempted to leave, having said her piece, but found that the boys were not taking this lying down. Dave began to get up, about to give her a piece of his mind, but Kurt was already on his feet and standing in front of her.
"Madam, the only disgrace here is you, and the thing that your children shouldn't be exposed to is your bigoted intolerance. Who are you to judge how other people live their lives? And by the Bible, no less? You can't just pick and choose what passages you want to follow. It's not an a la carte menu. I saw you eating shellfish. Did you know your Bible forbids that? Leviticus 11:20. I see you're wearing a gold necklace. That's a no-no, according to 1 Timothy 2:9. And that polyester blazer you're wearing is wrong because Leviticus 19:19 says not to wear a garment made with two kinds of materials mixed together. Although I'd say there are plenty of other good reasons not to wear polyester." Kurt gave her outfit a look of disgust before continuing.
"According to 1 Timothy 2:12, you, as a woman, shouldn't even be standing here preaching like you have any authority over me. I hope that your children grow up to be braver than you, and may your God have mercy on your soul."
The woman was so taken aback that she could not speak. She tried to look indignant, but instead looked embarrassed as she glanced around the restaurant and realized that people were glaring at her. Perhaps she still thought that she was right, but she realized that in this room she was in the minority, and so she quickly darted off, her children in tow. As they walked out, the boys could hear her youngest ask, "Mommy, what's homosexuality?"
Kurt sat back down, people around him smiling or giggling at his display and how he put that woman in her place. Blaine grinned and pat Kurt on the back. Dave was speechless. He stared at Kurt, mouth hanging open.
"Nice job, Kurt. You showed her," said Blaine.
"Thanks," replied Kurt, a proud smile on his face.
"Uh, wow. That was pretty fuckin' awesome. I thought you weren't religious, though. Where'd you pull those passages out of?" Dave had finally found his voice.
"Just because I'm not religious doesn't mean I haven't read the Bible. I was raised a Christian, I just never had much faith. I did, however, manage to pick up a few things. Plus, it helps to be aware of the tools that your enemies plan to use against you."
Dave thought about this and nodded. "Great job, Fancy. And here I was, ready to jump to your defense again."
"You don't need to defend me all the time, David. I can take care of myself." Dave looked down, a bit ashamed of himself, worried that he had offended his boyfriend. "But it's still very nice. Thanks, baby."
Dave looked up again. Kurt was smiling at him across the table. He smiled back.
The three decided that there wasn't much else that could top their evening after that display, and so after paying, Blaine dropped the two off and went back, but not before getting them to promise they'd hang out again soon.