Prompt: Marshall Mann - "Everything matters. Everything you think, feel, but most of all - everything you do - it all counts." - 'In Plain Sight'
Under most circumstances, I would have been embarrassed to have his father escort him across the school parking lot to his car. Today though, I was thankful for the security of his presence. Somehow, I couldn't believe that Karofsky getting expelled would solve all my problems. I knew Karofsky would be upset with me as would his friends. The thought of asking Dad if I could take a few days off from school crossed my mind.
Reaching my navigator, I took out my keys to unlock the door as my father placed his hand over the door handle. I looked up at him expectantly.
"Okay, out with it," he told me. "What was the death threat over, and don't try insisting it was just over the normal harassment. I know you better than that, Kurt."
I dropped my gaze, looking at the pavement in between our feet. I didn't want to tell my Dad, both because I didn't want to risk outing Karofsky and I was embarrassed.
"Everyone knew he was harassing you, so a death threat over that just doesn't add up in my book," my father continued. "You need to stop hiding things from me, Kurt. I can't protect you if you don't."
"I thought I could handle it myself," I said softly.
"Even if you could, you don't have to. We're here for each other. You and I, we've been looking out for each other since your mom died. I know my heart attack scared you, but I'm better now. I don't want you hiding things from me. That's not what our relationship is about now, is it."
I shook my head in reply.
"So what did Karofsky do that he didn't want you telling anyone about?"
"He kissed me," I replied softly, keeping my eyes on the pavement as I fought back tears. "He threatened me because he didn't want anyone knowing that he's gay and I understand that fear Dad. I know what it's like to be afraid of admitting to people who you really are. Of being afraid they'll reject you. I don't want to be responsible for submitting someone else to what I face every day when they're not ready."
I felt my Dad pull me into a hug. "You are the bravest person I know, Kurt, and the kindest. Most people would have happily spoke up to make their life easier but you didn't. You held true to your morals and I'm proud of you for that, but don't you ever keep something like this from me again. If something happens to you, I don't know what I would do."
"I won't," I assured him, holding on tight and not caring that we were still in the school parking lot. After the last weeks of living in terror, the safety of my father's arms felt nice.