WARNING: Discussion of abuse. DO NOT EVER give someone medicine that was not prescribed to them. All laws and rules are all created by my demented mind and don't have to make any realistic sense. : )
I DO NOT OWN GLEE OR ITS CHARACTERS
. . . . . . .
Kurt woke up slowly, his head aching fiercely, his thoughts muddled. A guttural moan escaped him as the pain in his body hit him like a train. His rear and thighs were throbbing and felt like they were on fire. His head and face were sore and felt swollen.
"Kurt? Sweetie, can you hear me?" a female voice asked.
"Mmm," he whispered. "Yeah. It hurts."
"I know it does. Can you open your eyes?"
Kurt recognized Layla's soft tone and opened his swollen eyes, tears immediately burning as they began to pour down his face. A cool cloth drifted across his forehead, easing the terrible ache.
"Kurt, you have a bump on your forehead, can you remember what that is from?" Layla asked.
Kurt moaned and tried to clear his head. Like a flood, the events of the day, only a few hours really, though it felt like an eternity.
"I, uh, hit my head on the coffee table," he murmured. "When Blaine first blew up and yelled at me, it was like a huge Dom order. It felt like this sonic blast and I literally couldn't hold myself up. It was like I was forced to the floor."
Jeff and Layla gaped at each other. They hadn't even known that was possible.
"Okay, the only other injury I can see outside your clothes is a bruise on your cheek. Did you get slapped?" she asked.
He was going to nod, but the pain was too much so he hummed his assent.
"Alright. Jeff said your rear end looked pretty bad. Do you want to go to the hospital to get checked out? If you don't want to go, I could take a look at it. I've had first aid training every summer for the last few years. I do think you need to be looked at in some capacity," she told him, her eyes filled with sympathy.
Kurt's eyes widened. "No hospital, please. You can look. Can Jeff stay?" he wanted his friend to stay with him. He loved his best friend and the addition of Jeff getting him away from Blaine made him want to latch on to the man to keep himself safe.
"Of course I can, Kurt. I haven't left your side since you got here," Jeff reassured him. He was sitting on the arm of the couch and reached over to gently brush his fingers over Kurt's cheek. "Here, now that you're awake, hold this icepack to your head."
Kurt took the icepack and first held it to his eyes. The burning was intense from all the tears he'd cried. It felt like he was blinking over sand paper. "Thanks," he whispered. "Can we get this done, please?"
"Of course," Layla said. "I'm going to need to pull your pants down. Think you can lift your hips a bit or do you need Jeff to help?"
"Maybe he could stand by in case I do need help?" Kurt asked, unsure of his body's cooperation.
"Sure thing," Jeff replied coming over to kneel next to him on the bed.
"Okay, Kurt, on the count of three you lift up and I'll pull," Layla said.
Kurt nodded and she counted it off and he braced his forearms on the bed and pulled his hips up, moaning loudly at the pulling, burning pain in his legs and rear. He felt his pants pull down and eased back down, sobs ripping from his chest.
"Oh god, it hurts," he cried.
"I know it does," Jeff said. "As soon as Layla gives the okay, I'm going to give you some anti-inflammatories and pain medicine from when Nick got his wisdom teeth pulled."
Kurt nodded, the thought of relief giving him the strength to hold on a while longer.
"Holy shit," Layla muttered. The sight of Kurt's red and purple backside made her nauseous. It had been less than an hour and the bruising was already spreading up onto his back and down toward his knees.
"Fuck," Jeff snapped. "What the fuck was he hitting you with? I didn't see anything but his arm swinging."
"A wooden spoon. You know the bamboo set I got from Tina," Kurt told him. "Keep in mind that Blaine is a boxer and was drunk."
"Yeah, I remember the set. And a boxer mixed with alcohol is a rather lethal mix," Jeff said.
"No shit," Layla said. "Okay, Kurt. You have extensive bruising on your rear and upper thighs. It's already spreading out so you'll be in pain from your mid back to the back of your knees. I can see welts where the spoon hit you, but I don't see any breaks in the skin. I'm going to touch your rear, is that alright?"
"Go ahead," Kurt said, grabbing Jeff's hand and squeezing it for all he was worth. It was a point in Jeff's favor that he didn't even twitch at the pressure. Kurt screeched when Layla lightly traced her fingers over his ass.
"I'm sorry," she said, lifting her hand after a few moments. "It doesn't feel like there is any injury to the muscle or your tailbone. So it's limited to the bruising and welts. You're going to be swollen and in quite a bit of pain for a couple of weeks. Classes are going to be hell, but if you take some ibuprofen before you go, it should help at least a little. Maybe take a sweater with you and fold it up to sit on it," she suggested.
"Okay," Kurt said, exhaustion taking over.
They worked together to pull Kurt's pants back up. Layla wanted him to keep them down, but Kurt didn't need a violation of his modesty on top of being beaten. Jeff brought in a couple bags of frozen vegetables to lay on his butt and thighs before draping a light sheet over him.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Jeff asked softly.
"Um, can I call my dad? If we put it on speaker phone, I only have to tell it once. I need to talk to my dad," Kurt said, his voice small.
"Of course, just tell me the number," Jeff said. He dialed the phone and put it next to Kurt on the bed.
"Hello?" Burt's voice came through.
"Daddy?" Kurt said, tears streaming even faster down his face.
"Kurt? Son, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Burt was suddenly alert and worried.
"Dad," all Kurt could do was sob.
"Kurt, you're scaring me. Are you okay? Are you hurt?" he demanded.
"Daddy, he hit me," Kurt cried, his voice wobbly.
"Blaine hit you?" his voice was cold and hard.
"Uh huh," Kurt said and began to cry even harder. He looked up at Jeff, desperate pleading in his eyes.
"Mr. Hummel, this is Kurt's friend Jeff," he said, leaning toward the phone.
"I remember you. What is wrong with my son?"
"Sir, Nick and I got home about an hour ago and heard screams coming from Kurt and Blaine's dorm. We went in and Kurt was leaning over the end of the couch and Blaine was hitting him. Kurt told us he used a wooden spoon. Nick and Wes restrained Blaine and I carried Kurt to my room. He's bruised pretty bad and in a lot of pain," Jeff told him.
"FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!" Burt roared. "I'm on my way. Kurt, son, can you tell me what happened?"
They could hear doors slamming and an engine starting. The tone of the phone changed as Burt turned on his hands free device.
"Blaine and I had an argument. He went out, I'm not sure where. When he got back, he gave me the mail. I got a letter from someone, I didn't know who. It turned out to be from Sebastian," Kurt said.
More curses were thrown around from Jeff and Burt.
"The letter was really graphic and talked about how we Joined and kissed. But it was really exaggerated and gross. He insulted Blaine and said he would do whatever it would take to get me away from him. Then he said he would pay for my college wherever I wanted to go. You know we are having issues with the California and New York situation. All of that mixed together pushed Blaine over the edge. He started yelling and it was like his Dominant side freaked out and spread through the room. It was like I was shoved to the floor. Then he ordered me to the corner and to shut up and not move. It was like I was paralyzed," he said, his voice shaking with remembered agony. "I couldn't cry, but tears kept falling. I kept feeling like I was going to puke. He came over at one point and slapped my face as he called me a whore. I smelled alcohol on his breath, probably whiskey. After he was done yelling and screaming at me, he said maybe he could beat me into obeying him. He got the spoon and started hitting me. Daddy, I couldn't scream. I tried to, I did, but I couldn't 'cause he told me to shut up," he sobbed. "I think he got to around forty and for some reason I was finally able to scream. Not long after, Jeff and Nick and Wes came. Jeff carried me over here." He let his head flop down, so fatigued he could hardly think anymore. He felt a nudge and looked to see Jeff holding a pill and a glass of water with a straw. He smiled at him and swallowed the pill.
Meanwhile, Layla took over. "Mr. Hummel, Kurt chose to not go to the hospital, so I took a look at him. I've had first aid training. He's got welts and bruises up and down his backside and thighs. It's pretty severe bruising, but it doesn't seem to be really serious and I think he can heal fine on his own. He will be in a lot of pain for quite a while, but nothing permanent. He also has a bump on his forehead and a mild bruise on his cheek. Jeff just gave him some pain medication so we're hoping he'll be able to sleep a little while. By the time you get here, he should be a bit more rested," she said.
"Thank you both for taking care of my boy. Jeff thank you for getting him out of there. Now, where is that short fucker?" Burt bit out.
"Um, I called the cops when it all happened. It sounds like they are over there now. I'm not sure what will happen," she told him.
"They damn well better be taking his worthless ass to jail. I wish I could get my hands on him," Burt responded.
They turned as a key turned in the door and Wes and Nick came in, looking at Kurt with concern.
"How is he?" Nick asked, coming over and hugging Jeff to him. His instincts were on alert from being around an infuriated Dom that could possibly threaten the safety of his soulmate.
"He's in a shit load of pain," Jeff said. "Mr. Hummel is on the phone right now."
"Nick, what happened with the cops?" Burt asked.
"Mr. Hummel, they took Blaine with them. They didn't put him in handcuffs. Sir, they took the letter with him. Do you understand what that means?" Nick asked, pity on his face as he looked at Kurt.
A rumble of shouted curses came through the phone causing them all to jerk away.
"What does it mean?" Kurt asked, trying to look up at Nick from his place on his stomach.
"Kurt, Blaine told them what was in the letter," Wes said gently.
"Okay. So?" he asked, confused.
"The letter intimated that you had committed adultery with Sebastian," he said.
"I didn't though. At that time, we weren't even Claimed yet," Kurt insisted.
"Well, the cops didn't see it that way. If they decide you did commit adultery then Blaine will be released," Wes told him.
"What?" Jeff cried. "What the fuck for?"
"Oh god," Layla said, putting her head in her hands.
"Tell me what's going on!" Kurt cried, his hands shaking in fear.
"Ohio state law says that if a soulmate is adulterous, his or her Dom has the right to use corporal punishment as long as it doesn't cause permanent physical or mental injury," Wes said. "We all know that it's detrimental to a Dom's mind and soul to abuse a sub, so the law is never really recognized. It is repellant to abuse a sub in any way, so it's unheard of for a Dom to react violently. Blaine reacting this way is shocking and horrifying, but unfortunately, as obsolete as the law is, he had the right to do it."
"I don't know who the fuck wrote these laws," Nick fumed. "It's beyond ridiculous. Everyone knows subs are not to be abused, it's just fucking common sense because aside from the fact that we are made to love each other, the fucking Dom will get hurt. Blaine hurt Kurt, he's going to be hurt himself, and he's going to get away with it."
Burt had gone quiet during Wes's explanation, but spoke up when Nick finished. "Kurt, you okay?"
Kurt's expression was one of shock, his mouth hanging open, horror in his eyes. "I… I… He's going to get away with this? He hurt me beyond anything any bully has ever done to me. This man who is supposed to love me beyond all others beat me and he's not even going to go to jail? What kind of world is this?" he asked, his voice pleading for someone to make sense of it for him.
"I'm so sorry, Kurt," Wes said. "I have no idea who even created the law. Probably someone who hadn't met their soulmate yet so they didn't know what the bond was like. Unfortunately, we can't dispute it or overturn it."
"This is a nightmare," Kurt whispered, closing his eyes. "I'm going to wake up and I'll be pissed at Blaine for ordering me to not fight him on the California issue. Then I'll ignore him for a while. But I'll be fine. No more hurts," he said, his voice slurring from the pain medication.
"Kurt, what do you mean about not fighting?" Burt came through on the phone.
"Oh, he gave me an order to not fight him on moving to California. But, Daddy, I'm 'mart. I figgered out a way. I won't fight with Fuzzy Head 'bout it. I just won't go!" Kurt mumbled. With that his head sagged and he began to snore lightly.
"Kurt fell asleep, Mr. Hummel. We have the apartment right next to Kurt and Blaine's. Just knock on the door when you get here," Nick said.
"Thanks kid. See ya soon," he said and hung up.
The four friends looked at each other and down at Kurt.
"I can't believe this happened," Layla said, tears she'd been holding back running down her cheeks.
Wes gathered her in his arms, desperate with the need to surround her with himself. "Come on, darling, I'll take you home."
They waved to Jeff and Nick and left, closing the door quietly.
The two men hugged, content for the moment to simply be with each other, covered in their love.
. . . . . .
Burt's hands were shaking on the steering wheel. He clenched his jaw against the tears that threatened to overflow. He wanted to go on a rampage and kill Blaine with his bare hands. He wanted to sob with guilt and grief. He'd insisted that Kurt go along with Blaine, that Blaine was his soulmate and Dom and knew what was best for him. He realized in that moment that Kurt's place was never meant to be dictated by a Dom. Blaine was an abject failure and had proven that many times now. Burt could have listened to Kurt more, to believe him more, to know what was best for him as his father better than that fucking monster. They could have figured out a way to keep Kurt healthy without having to depend on Blaine. It wasn't unheard of nowadays for soulmates to not be with each other after they met. They would depend on friends or family to Join in order to stay strong. The medical world was working on more and more medicines that could lessen the need to Join. Why couldn't he have gotten his head out of his ass earlier and saved Kurt from this agony?
Overwhelmed by his guilt and worry, he pulled off the highway and began to sob into his hands.
"Oh god, Lizzie, I failed our boy. I gave him to that monster. I pushed him to go and live with him! When he came to me after he'd feared being forced by that fucker, I encouraged him to make nice and go back home. Jesus, Lizzie, I sent him back! I gave him over to an abuser, someone who just wanted a slave who was seen but not heard. Now the bastard's not even going to be punished, hell, they're practically patting him on the back and telling him good job for putting his sub in his place! How am I going to help him, Lizzie? If only I could get him away," he cried out. His grief took over, great sobs shaking the older man's body. He could see Kurt in his mind, holding Lizzie's hand at the zoo, singing into a toy microphone, using a scarf as a cape, growing four inches over summer vacation, getting his driver's license. The day he sobbed as he realized he was a sub and would be under someone's thumb for the rest of his life. And his father, who had pushed him at the man who was supposed to love and cherish his boy. His boy, who had told him he didn't want to go. His boy, who he'd ignored. Now there was every chance he'd be stuck going back to him. Burt had to figure out a way around that. Then Kurt's words echoed in his mind.
"Oh, he gave me an order to not fight him on moving to California. But, Daddy, I'm 'mart. I figgered out a way. I won't fight with Fuzzy Head 'bout it. I just won't go!"
No, Kurt wouldn't be going to California. He'd be going to New York, where he deserved to go. And Burt would help him get there. He would make his son safe again. No matter what it took.