The Reason-The Ties That Bind

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.

A/N: Thanks so much to everybody reading this story. Thanks so much for all the reviews and alerts. The song is Cannonball by Brandi Carlile and will be in bold and italics.

"The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost." Gilbert K. Chesterton

Dave Friday Morning

I was born when I met you, Now I'm dying to forget you

And That is what I know

He lays in bed staring at the stained ceiling. That will need a coat of paint, along with most of the rooms. Least the roof is new. Last night his mom told him a Realtor would be stopping by Monday, to look over the house and give them a list of things that will need to be done if their going to sell the house. Just what I need more shit to do. At least It will help keep my mind off Fancy. Sighing he rubs his face and gets out of bed. Looking in his closet for something to wear, Damn, I'm not sure how much more I can take. Seeing Kurt here or there is bad enough, now I'll have to see him all the time with Glee. He knows how I feel, he seems to want me, but yet he's still not mine .I've just got to stay busy, time moves fast. He may want me, but not enough. He would rather hurt me than Blaine. I'll be able to shake the dust of this town off me again soon, and take my Ma with me. I just wish that saying about absence making the heart grow fonder wasn't true.

Picking a green t-shirt and some light blue jeans, he gets dressed. The kitchen is quiet this morning, his mother left for work early. Grabbing a bowl of Golden Crisp, he sits down at the table to finish his homework. It wont be bad to get out from under this house. Cut my hours down, not rushing every morning to get stuff done. Sell it now, one last string severed that ties me here.

The Halls of McKinley

Though I dreamed I would fall, Like a wounded cannonball

Sinking down with my heart in tow

DK

Dave walks in alone. His best friend is with someone else, and he's okay with that. Then he sees Kurt, his smile directed at another. Taking a deep breath he walks past him catching the faint smell of his cologne. His heart still raw from the confrontation with his father yesterday, he had forgotten to fortify his defenses. Seeing Fancy first thing, cuts deep.

KH

The hallway crowded their shoulders almost touching as they pass each other, Kurt turns just in time to lock eyes with Dave, his smile dies on his lips. Dave looks away first but not before Kurt sees the hurt that flashes in his eyes. What am I doing? Dropping Blaine's hand, he follows after Dave, before he can reach him Sam comes around the corner. Kurt stops, frozen in place. He watches as Dave's face lights up and they lean in for a Bro Hug. Remembering their whispered conversations in Glee, and his own questions about Sam's sexuality Kurt stays where he is. Doubt filling him up, leaving him scared and cold. Have I hurt him enough to lose him?

Bright lights like white lightning

Who shot me down, Who will cut me down

DK

Dave is glad to see Sam. They've connected this week. With Azimio being bitten by the love bug, it's nice to have another friend. A genuine one. With Sam, he can be himself, let his guard down. He doesn't have to sensor what he thinks or says. Sam is confident in his own sexuality and doesn't worry what others think. He's just Sam. Right now he's like a light house to Dave, A beacon of light in his storm ravaged mind. He still confides all to Az but he's not around as much and Dave doesn't want to bring him down. Sam has his own troubles and the two boys can commiserate together. They have first period study hall together so side by side they walk to class. Dave not noticing Kurt watching after them tears in his eyes.

Blaine

Observing the scene play out before him, he feels like an Ass. He only wanted to force Kurt's hand, so he could come out smelling like a rose. What kind of friend does that make me ? I know part of me, mainly my pride is wounded, but it's no excuse. If I still love him how can I hurt him like this? This is going to end today, if were meant to be then he will come back to me. If were not...I'll get over it. Eventually. Sides there's Jeremiah, and things felt good the other day.

Blaine sees Kurt turn the corner, He didn't even come back to me in the hallway.

Study Hall

Dave finished his homework at breakfast and thought about sleeping, but his mind swims with things that need to be done. Taking out a piece of paper he begins to make a list.

What did my ma call it, Curb Appeal? She's definitely been watching to much TLC. Okay Flowers and mulch, paint for the ceilings, clean the gutters and power wash the house, clear the brush pile from the back yard, paint the trim around the house, repair the shed roof,

Sam leans over, " Hey man what are you writing, I thought you were gonna sleep?"

Dave, " A list of things I've got to do, it's going to get longer when that Realtor comes."

Sam glances over at the list, " Need some help? I don't have anything better to do, and you probably better get some of that done, before football starts."

Dave, " That would be awesome man, I'm off Saturday. I'll probably sleep in till one though. I get off early tonight."

Sam, " Cool, I'll come around 1:30, and we can get started."

Dave smiles at his friend, glad to call him that.

Sam smiles back. They've had their issues in the past, but that had been Dave's fault. Sam's friendship with Finn and Puck, never had a chance with Quinn in the mix. The only other person Sam was close to was Mike, and he spent most of his time with Tina or his family. Once their past was no longer a problem the two broken hearted boys found each other. Sam was surprised to find out how much they had in common. Both liked science fiction, played the guitar, enjoyed football and fishing, both had fallen for someone that they knew would hurt them, and like Dave he has to sit in Glee and watch the one he wants with someone else.

Someone told me a lie, Someone looked me in the eye

And said time will ease all your pain

But behold when you fall, It's that same old cannonball

Coming back for your heart again

Lunch Time

Kurt walks beside Blaine to their table, both quiet and lost in their thoughts since morning.

Blaine, " Kurt, can we maybe go somewhere private to talk?"

Kurt doesn't look up, " Sure." Getting up Blaine follows him, and they walk to the auditorium.

Kurt sits on the edge of the stage while Blaine stands.

Blaine, " Kurt," pointing between them, " This needs to end."

Kurt, okay this hurts more than I thought it would, " So your going to leave me too?"

Blaine grimacing, " I assume by too, you mean Dave, and if that's the case, shouldn't I be leaving?"

Kurt puts his face in his hands, " I... I'm in love with Dave, you were right about my feelings. I didn't want to believe it at first, ...It just happened. " looking at Blaine, " I'm so sorry Blaine. I should have said something sooner, but I didn't want to hurt you, then everything with your family..." sighing he looks away.

Blaine moves to stand between Kurt's legs, " Look, I'm not going to lie,... it hurts, but I need to come clean too. I had dinner with Jeremiah Tuesday."

Kurt, " I know I saw you."

Blaine, " Oh... It was just as friends, but It could be more and I should have been honest with you."

Kurt, " How did everything get so messed up?"

Blaine laughing a little, " I think sometimes when you care about someone, you do stupid things like lying to them to keep from hurting them, only to hurt them more in the long run."

Tears run down Kurt's cheeks, Blaine reaches up to wipe them away, " I'm sorry Kurt, I also Played up the relationship between Sam and Dave, they are friends but nothing more."

Kurt, " Why?"

Blaine, " I thought It was a way to get everything out in the open between us, but it was more than that." Looking down at his shoes, " Part of me, a part I'm not proud of wanted to hurt you, for hurting me."

Kurt pushes Blaine's chin up and looks him in the eye searching. I've always put him on a pedestal, perfect, Ideal. He's flawed just like me, were just two stupid guys making stupid mistakes. His thoughts freeing, " It's okay, I understand." And I do, part of me wanted to hurt you when you kissed Rachel, and don't even get me started on the Gap attack.

Blaine stares back at Kurt, " Can I have a goodbye Kiss?"

Kurt alarmed, " Are you going to leave me totally, Has this really ruined us? "

Blaine, " I still want to be friends Kurt, but I think it best we take some time to ourselves."

Kurt his heart shattering, " Okay."

Blaine, " It's not forever I promise, I just need some room to breathe, you know fully get over what ever this part of us was." Leaning into Kurt, "I think i'm going to get reacquainted with Jeremiah, but I'm not going to jump into anything to fast, that seems to just cause me trouble." Blaine, backs away turning to leave.

Kurt jumping down grabs his shoulder, " Wait, don't you want your goodbye kiss?"

The two boys meet, lips touching, it's sweet and full of heartache.

Dave, stands in the back of the auditorium, he came in here to sleep, thinking it would be slightly easier in the darkened room, when he saw them. They were talking softly, so he couldn't hear, but he could see. Each touch and caress lashing him. The Kiss was the last strike, he was out, gone, flying to his car. His heart completely torn and tattered. Wishing he could rewind the tape, stop it from happening, but Kurt never came after him Tuesday, didn't want him, now he saw the proof. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. I should have stayed gone, I could have helped my mom from Indiana.

Sam sees Dave running from the school, " Hey Dave, wait."

Dave stops but doesn't turn to his friend, tears fill his eyes but don't fall, " Hey."

Sam, " You okay?"

Dave, " Just ruff today, I think I'm going to go home early."

Sam, " You wanna talk about it man?"

Dave sighs, trying to keep his emotion in, voice cracking, " I can't Sam, It hurts too bad. I saw them in the..."

Sam, " It's okay, you don't have to say it, just give me a call if you need anything k."

Nodding Dave walks away.

Kurt feels eyes on him the rest of the day. Every time he turns around he finds Sam glaring at him. Maybe Blaine's wrong about Sam and Dave.

The last bell ringing Kurt goes in search of Dave. Where is he? I haven't seen him since this morning. Sam comes around the corner.

Kurt cautious, " Sam, hey uh have you seen Dave?"

Sam his tone angry, " I think you need to leave him alone." Walking away Sam feels bad, knowing that he was taking some of the anger at his own situation out on Kurt, but after seeing Dave so upset, he wasn't able to keep the venom out of his voice. He knew what it was like to be yanked like a yoyo. Turning back around, "I don't know everything that's going on between you two, but I think you've hurt him enough."

Kurt walks away, unable to see the anger in Sam's eyes directed at him. I need to find out what's between those two. Are they just friends or am I hopeless? I have to talk to Dave, Tell him it's officially over between me and Blaine.

He tries calling his number for the fourth time, it goes straight to voice mail.

Kurt, " Dave, I need to talk to you... please."

Frustrated Kurt leaves school, on his way home he drives by The Karofsky house. seeing his car in the driveway Kurt stops. Taking a deep breath he knocks on the door.

Mrs.K, smiling " Hey Kurt, nice to see you."

Kurt, " Hello, Is Dave available?"

Mrs.K, " Sure hon, just go on up, I know he's still awake because I can hear him playing his guitar."

Kurt smiles at Dave's mom, and climbs the stairs. Standing outside Dave's room he can hear him singing.

I was born when I met you, Now I'm dying to forget you

And that is what I know