Dear readers,
Firstly I would like to thank you for your continued support of my story, again. Whether it's reading your reviews or just seeing that people have viewed it, is a huge lift, and helps me to keep writing - especially as I've got a lot of work and personal issues going on.
Secondly, I want to clarify the whole Blaine/Kurt thing that seems to be causing some confusion. I mentioned, in a previous author note, that I didn't want to give away who was going to end up with who, but I've found a better way of describing what I also wanted to say; I'm not writing this story for any ship, I'm writing it for the plot. I'm writing it because I got an idea, and said idea was hijacked by plot bunnies, and now I'm writing towards a particular ending, which is becoming more solidified in my mind.
Also, someone suggested in a Guest review that I changed the labelling of the story; but I thought it was kind of obvious why I labelled it like I did. I put Blaine and Kurt there because the story is told from their two points of view, possibly Kurt's slightly more than Blaine's, and so I think it's reasonable to put that. It is the reason, though, why I put the genre as "friendship" and "drama", because I think that pretty much puts the story in a nutshell.
So, could I possibly ask for the nit-picking about this to, and for you just to enjoy the story? If you don't like reading the plot, or the Seblaine relationship, then you're welcome to stop, but I really don't think it's that important.
Please enjoy the chapter after my extortionately long author's note!
Sopphires.
The Scholarship
Episode 11: Time Out
Earlier this evening was…amazing! I performed 'Dynamite' in front of the entire school, with Elise. I was so exhilarated, and it almost didn't matter that we lost. It was what happened after that that's the reason I'm in some room off Hammonds' office. Charles Lancaster - a Warbler I barely know - cornered me in the locker rooms. He…he grabbed me, he insulted me, and then he kissed me. It was like Karofsky all over again. Now I want to be sick, but I have to sit and tell Hammonds and my family what happened. At least I've got Blaine, and Juri, and the others, behind me…
"Kurt, can you tell us what happened?" Kurt shifted, and Blaine reaffirmed his grip on his left hand, giving him a reassuring smile. Juri rubbed his right arm, comfortingly. Burt was sitting on a chair leaning forward, Carole in one next to him. Finn sat on the arm of the sofa on the other side of Juri, looking tense. Sebastian had his arms folded, standing behind Blaine. Wes was by his shoulder, David next to him, and Thad stood next to the corner. On Sebastian's other side stood three other boys. One was Norman, but the other two Kurt couldn't put a name to.
"Son, what happened? And who are they?" Burt looked angry and concerned, and jabbed his finger at the three boys by Sebastian.
"They are the prefects; George Cook-" the mousey haired boy nodded, and sniffed, loudly. "-Mac Fried-" the boy who had come out of the auditions with Sebastian, and was lean and had golden-brown ringlets, briefly smiled. "-and Norman Hilliard." Norman's eyes flickered from Charles, who was seated alone with a laptop that showed his parents, to Burt. He blinked in acknowledgement, before redirecting his gaze.
"Right. Kurt, what happened?" Kurt looked at Blaine who leant in.
"Kurt, you just tell everyone what happened, okay? It's going to be okay, we'll get him. I promise." Sebastian lowered one of his hands onto Kurt's shoulder and gave it a swift pat. Kurt wasn't sure what to make of that, but he understood that it was meant to be comforting and reassuring. Blaine lifted his arm around Kurt's shoulder, and Burt and Finn stiffened. Kurt closed his eyes.
"I was just in the locker rooms after the game had finished. I was just cleaning up and folding my uniform, and I was just kind of- I don't know, all the Footballers had just left, and then I heard my name." he swallowed. "I turned around and saw…him. I kind of recognised him from Warblers…he introduced himself, and he- he told me that I was a really good singer." he swallowed, feeling the tears begin to well in his eyes.
It was so easy to get to me…he just had to compliment me, and I was listening to him, all alone. My stupid, stupid, pride. Charles was right…and it was all my fault! If he hadn't have complimented me, I wouldn't have stayed that long…
"Kurt!" Kurt jumped at the sharp voice. Kurt twisted to see Sebastian glaring at him. Sebastian opened his mouth, faltered, and shook his head, indicating for someone else to talk.
"It's not your fault." said David. "Whatever happened, it's not your fault, Kurt." Kurt nodded, biting his lip, and accepting the tissue from Juri.
"It's not my fault, I-"
"Charles, your turn will come." said Hammonds, sharply. "Kurt, carry on." his eyes went from hard to gentle quickly. Suddenly the door opened and closed and Luc, dressed in blue and white striped pyjamas, entered the room.
"Sorry." he said, taking in the scene and then dashing over to Thad, beckoning him close. Kurt gave him a weak smile and the other teachers - Mrs Daniels, Professor Lloyd and Dr Booth - rolled their eyes and shook their heads.
"Kurt?" Kurt sniffed, and dabbed his eyes.
"He told me…" he went red, twisting the tissue in his hands. "told me I should be the only soloist, and then I went to leave, but he caught me by the arm and I began to feel uncomfortable, and he told me he was gay, and that his parents didn't approve, and he was-" Kurt choked, the words that had come streaming from his mouth suddenly stopping. "-he was stroking my forearm." Carole clamped a hand around Burt's forearm, and Thad, acting on some sort of instinct, grabbed the back of Finn's jacket. He gave him a warning look. Juri threw himself onto Kurt. Kurt sniffed and held onto his roommate.
"You're doing great." said Blaine, rubbing his upper arm. "Stop strangling him, Juri." the Russian boy drew back, sheepishly.
"Sorry." he said, grinning, and Kurt smiled at him, weakly.
"He just- he asked me out, and I said no, and he held on tighter." Blaine gently lifted the blazer from Kurt's shoulders, and with cool fingertips, he showed the bruises to the others. Burt growled, and Thad clenched back onto Finn's collar. Kurt took several deep breaths. "He said…he said some mean stuff."
"What "stuff", Kurt?" asked Professor Lloyd, face creased with worry.
"He said that Blaine hated me. That he thought I was pathetic and that he was only helping me so that he looked good." Blaine glared at Charles, and then pressed Kurt a little harder to his chest.
"I like you a lot, Kurt." he said, in a sincere voice. "You're amazing, you really are." Kurt smiled at him, and closed his eyes as he began to steel himself to continue.
"He said that that's what I wanted; fame, recognition, and that it wouldn't happen, unless I dressed in drag." he swallowed whilst people swelled indignantly.
"That's a lie!" said Finn, glaring at Charles. "Kurt is amazing! He wouldn't have a scholarship otherwise!" Kurt smiled at Finn as he was given looks that told him to be quiet.
"Thanks, Finn, and then…" he broke off, swallowing. "Then he asked me to marry him." there was a shocked pause. No one said anything.
"Oh, Charles, finally!" exclaimed his mother, after a long moment of silence. Everyone stared at the screen in various of states of shock, perplexity or anger. It was Luc that broke the silence. He burst out laughing. Angry eyes were turned to him as he continued to laugh.
"I'm sorry." he said, laughing. "but, really? Your son isn't legally allowed to marry! Why would you say finally?" he shook his head. "Besides, it's obvious Kurt didn't say yes."
"Well, thank you, Luc." said Hammonds, glaring at him. "Anyway, Kurt, please carry on."
"I said no, and he said I wasn't going to do any better." There were angry outbursts, and Hammonds was beginning to loose his temper.
"Keep quiet!" he bellowed. "Kurt, I'm sorry, please continue." Kurt swallowed.
"He said 'cause my dad owned a tyre shop and garage in Lima, Ohio I was nothing…and so I slapped him." Kurt wasn't sure, but he could swear Burt and Finn shared pleased looks at that. His father definitely looked proud of him, but he was desperately trying to hide it.
"I see."
"And he slackened his grip, so I tried to run, but he threw me into the lockers and he covered my mouth and he was still grabbing my forearm and he kissed me." There was silence. Kurt sniffed, Blaine tightened his arm around him. Burt and Finn looked ready to murder someone. Hammonds turned his gaze to Charles, examining him, before turning back to Kurt.
"And then what did you do?" Kurt blinked, dispelling his tears, and turning slightly pink.
"I…um…I kneed him." there were raised eyebrows. "…between the legs." Several people snorted, and Luc reached across, patting him on the back. Juri gave him a sly smile, and Blaine just nodded.
"Then you ran?" Kurt nodded.
"I just ran…and then I ran into Blaine, and then Juri and the others were there…" his throat closed up, remembered the feelings of shame and fear and helplessness that had clogged his chest.
"And we all saw the bruises," said Sebastian, taking over fluidly, "and his lips looked…well, swollen, and the way he broke down into Juri's arms…well, I sent Liam for you because it looked serious." Burt nodded at Sebastian, thanking him. Sebastian nodded back at him.
"Right, Charles, do you have anything to say?" Charles shrugged.
"I didn't mean to hurt him." he said, casually. "I just-" he shrugged. "My parents have constantly told me that if I find a nice, talented, good looking boy…I can marry him, and it won't be a disgrace." Hammonds looked at him with a good deal more kindness on his face.
"I see, why did you force yourself onto him?" Charles shrugged.
"I don't know…he kept trying to leave, and I wasn't finished. You don't just leave my presence."
"And the kiss?"
"He was playing hard to get…he wanted it, I know he did." Hammonds sat back, looking contemplative.
"Sir," said Sebastian in a harsh voice. "two years ago you said any physical harm, any at all, would result in immediate expulsion…those bruises are physical harm…you have to expel him."
"That's true, sir, it is what you said."
"I know, Wes, I know."
"Then expel him!" exclaimed the Warbler councillor, throwing his hands up in annoyance and exasperation. There was a long pause in which Hammonds just sighed.
"Was it a threat?" everyone looked at Thad, who looked…normal, but there was something worried in his voice. "Wassss it...just a threat?"
"No, Thad, it wasn't…" Hammonds sighed. "I just never thought I'd have to follow it through." he looked genuinely sad. "I'm very sorry, Charles, but I have no choice. I did say, before many of the people in this room, that I would expel anybody who harmed another student…and you've done that. From henceforward, you are no longer a Dalton boy." There was a quiet moment. Norman and George lowered their heads. Dr Booth walked forward, extending his hand, and Charles reached from inside his blazer and handed the small box that contained his crest.
"George, please escort Charles to Harriot. Get his things together, and then escort him off campus."
"Wait! Where do I go?" Charles looked thrown, and a little panicky.
"Mr and Mrs Lancaster?" the two adults, who looked dumbstruck, blinked.
"Right, well, um, we'll get in touch with our friends…we can get you on a train to New York…yeah, it'll be fine." George walked over, and beckoned Charles to his feet. The ex-Warbler got to his feet, closing his laptop screen.
"Luc?" he asked, searching for some form of support from the music director, but Luc had nothing other than coldness in his eyes.
"That's Mr Lucey to you, thank you." Charles looked ready to throw the laptop on the floor. "You let me down, I don't take disappointment well." George opened the door, and waited for Charles. George nodded at the others before closing the door.
Kurt let out a huge sigh, dropping his head down, heart thumping. Blaine rubbed his back, soothingly as Kurt gulped in some air as he tried to steady his head. His heart had gone wild with apprehension and nerves when Sebastian had brought up expulsion. He had waited, tense and hoping, praying, that he would expel him. Kurt felt sorry for him, of course, because of what he said about his parents, but he'd forced himself onto Kurt. He'd made him terrified, helpless, and Kurt never, ever, wanted to feel like that again.
"Sir, thank you." Hammonds gave him a tense smile.
"Sebastian and Wes were right, I made a rule…what happened to you was unacceptable…this is a safe school." he looked troubled though, and Kurt guessed that it was upsetting for him to expel a student. Thad finally let go of Finn's collar.
"Kurt, I'm sorry," said Blaine, looking incredibly apologetic. "I should have waited for you." Kurt shook his head.
"No, you guys…it's not your fault. You knew him, and you'd never think he'd do something like that, and you'd just lost a Football game." Blaine smiled at that.
"Thank you…"
"Could I speak to you, Hammonds, alone?" Kurt looked at his father, immediately concerned.
"Why?"
"I want to talk to him." Hammonds nodded.
"Right, clear the room." The teachers got up and left, followed by the prefects. Kurt looked at his father, who nodded for him to stay. Wes and Sebastian hurried out, whispering, and David waited for Juri and Blaine. Blaine clasped his hands once more before leaving the room, closing the door quietly. Finn scooted up the sofa so that he was sitting next to Kurt. Burt fixed Hammonds with a harsh stare.
"My son is meant to be safe here." he said in an angry voice. Kurt groaned, having known that something like this had to have been coming.
"Dad…" he said, tired warning in his voice.
"No, son, I sent you to Dalton so that you would be safe."
"I am safe, dad!" Burt almost glared at him, but his gaze softened so that it was almost pitying.
"Son, what happened to you…not even McKinley was that bad." Kurt swallowed, images of Karofsky in the locker room swimming to the front of his mind. Hammonds sat up, a little straighter.
"That reminds me, actually. Blaine mentioned Karofsky when you were upset." Kurt swallowed, eyes going slightly wide as remembered Blaine's whispers. Burt blinked, turning his attention back on his son.
"Kurt?" Kurt swallowed, slightly, not at all prepared to tell anyone in the room what Karofsky had done, but not really sure what else to say.
"I just- it was in the locker rooms that he…" he broke off swallowing. "that he threatened to kill me."
Okay, complete lie, but he did threaten to kill you because of what happened in the locker rooms so…it's just about close enough to the truth. Just about.
There was a long silence. Burt looked like he wanted to punch someone, but that expression seemed to be permanently fixed on his face whenever Karofsky or the death threat was mentioned. Finn looked similarly angry. Hammonds just looked a little bit more understanding. Kurt was finding it increasingly difficult to look at anyone.
"My son, shouldn't have to go through that again."
"I quite agree."
"I'm taking him away from here." Kurt felt his heart leap in fright. What? His dad couldn't take him away, he'd just got in!
"Dad, no!" Burt shook his head, looking troubled.
"I'm sorry, Kurt, but I can't leave you in a school where you've been assaulted." Kurt looked desperately around the room for support, but Finn just shrugged and Carole was nodding lightly. Hammonds had an impassive look on his face, like he wasn't going to show how he really felt about the situation.
"But, dad, Charles is gone!"
"I'm sorry, Kurt, I can't." Kurt looked at Hammonds, imploring him to help him. Hammonds sighed, putting his hands on his knees.
"I'm sorry, Kurt, but you can't expect your father to leave you in a school where you've been hurt, not after everything that happened."
"I can take care of myself! I'm not scared!"
"Kurt, please calm down." but Kurt couldn't. He was angry. Angry because he'd been violated at Dalton, and angry because he didn't want to be chased out of another school. He didn't want to keep running away. He felt like a coward.
The tears sprang into his eyes at the thought. He couldn't take it. He couldn't take his dad treating him like he was made of glass. He wasn't broken. He was fine, and he was sick of people treating him like he wasn't. Suddenly, all he wanted, was to be with the Dalton boys. He just wanted to sit and talk with people who didn't treat him like he'd been bullied and had his life threatened, but just that he was Kurt Hummel. That was all he wanted, to be treated like Kurt Hummel.
Kurt whirled around and stormed from the room. He let the door bang against the wall and slam shut, creating more noise than was decent at that time of night.
"Kurt?" the Dalton boys who were milling around outside leapt with shock as Kurt came storming from the room.
"Kurt!" he could hear footsteps running after. He sniffed, trying hard to not start crying. "Kurt stop!" Kurt came to a halt when he had reached the door to the grounds, he breathed deeply, blinking hard. "Kurt what happened?" he could feel Blaine's hand on his shoulder, and he turned around, blinking. "Oh, Kurt…" said Blaine, a sadness in his eyes. "What happened?"
"Dad wants me to leave." Blaine nodded, swallowing.
"We thought that might be the case." he said, sadly, bracing both of Kurt's shoulders with his hands. Kurt breathed deeply, fighting the urge to rage and storm. Blaine gave him a small smile. "Something else?" he asked. "You look…angry." Kurt closed his eyes.
"I'm sick of my dad treating me like I'm going to fall apart at any second. I don't want to be chased out of my second high school in a month! I…I just…I feel like…"
"You're not a coward, Kurt." said Blaine seriously, looking right into his eyes, and sending Kurt's mind spinning. "Trust me, you are not a coward. If you want a coward, look at me." Kurt frowned.
"What do you mean?" Blaine sighed, squeezing Kurt's shoulders.
"I'm going to ask you a personal question, okay?" Kurt nodded. "Did you ever consider killing yourself?" Kurt froze. Wow that was personal, but it was also easy to answer.
"No." he said, shaking his head.
"Why not?" Kurt almost shrugged.
"I had my dad, and the glee club, and I just…" he shrugged, knocking Blaine's hands off by accident. "I don't know, I just didn't, really." Blaine nodded, looking at the floor.
"Well, I did…I tried, and worst of all, I wasn't strong enough to do it properly." Kurt covered his mouth with one hand at the news, and the self-loathing in his voice.
"Blaine…" Blaine shook his head, wiping his eyes.
"I just- I couldn't see the point, Kurt. I woke up every day, scared. I jumped at every little noise. My dad wasn't looking me in the eye. I was in pain…and Garth…" he broke off, pinching his nose. "his dad blamed me because I came out, and then he followed my lead…I mean, everyone knew he was gay, but he hadn't said it until me…he blamed me for his state because I asked him to the dance…" Blaine broke off, trying and struggling to keep himself together.
"Blaine, I'm so-"
"Don't say you're sorry, Kurt, because you had nothing to do with this…but I failed…I just- I couldn't go back to my old school…" he closed his eyes, shaking his head. "I had these pills, some for pain and some to help me sleep, and I just took a load…I don't really remember anything, but I woke up in hospital with Emily and she told me I was going to Dalton…and my dad told me I was selfish, and that Anna and Meg were already upset as it was…he told me that I wasn't a man anymore, because I couldn't even face up to my own problems. He told me that it was my fault that I came out of the closet, and got all this bullying, and that I should have been able to take it." Kurt found himself almost crying, wiping a hand across his face.
"Blaine, that's not true…you didn't choose." Blaine nodded.
"I know, I know that now, but then…" he shook his head. "Kurt, you're not weak, I don't think you're weak. You've withstood so much, and you just have to remember that. You also need to remember that your dad loves you, Kurt. He sent you here to protect you." Kurt nodded. "He's just…Kurt, being gay is not easy…Keats, Charles and I are all proof of that." Kurt nodded. "He's trying to protect you, Kurt, and you should just be happy about that…but, of course, Kurt, we're teenagers, we disagree with our parents." Kurt nodded, sniffing.
How did he become so…wise? I swear, talking to Blaine is like talking to a therapist or something…far better than the school counsellor. He's also opened my eyes…I really thought I had it bad at McKinley, but what Blaine went through…at least it all stopped at the school gates for me. I was safe at home, dad always made sure that - that's why he threw Finn out…I guess I should appreciate that.
"Thank you." said Kurt, and Blaine reached up and hugged him. Kurt was a little taken aback, but soon revelled in the feeling of warmth as Blaine's chest pressed against his.
"You looked like you needed one." said Blaine when he'd stepped back, far too soon for Kurt's liking. "And just remember, you don't need to thank me, Kurt. I'll be here for you because you're my friend, and I really like you…that's what friends are for." Kurt sniffed again, smiling at him.
"Okay, right, I will remember."
"Kurt?" Kurt looked passed Blaine, and blinked at the sight of his father. Kurt had been so wrapped up in talking to Blaine, and the revelation that Blaine had tried to kill himself, that he hadn't noticed, or heard, his father walk up to them. Kurt stepped around Blaine and hugged his dad.
"I'm sorry, dad…I just don't want to leave." Burt nodded, pressing his son against his shoulder.
"It's okay, son, but I want you to come this weekend, and on Monday we'll make our decision." Kurt nodded, looking unhappy, and followed his dad down the corridor back towards the other Dalton boys.
When they got there, Kurt was surprised to find that they were all still standing there, waiting for him. Juri ran over and gave him a hug, and Chris, Drew and Fred patted him on the back. Nick and Jeff both hugged him tightly whilst David and Flint patted his arm, and Thad gave him a smile and touched his shoulder gently. Keats' friends, standing to one side, were less touchy feely, simply nodding at him or clapping him on the shoulder, but Keats took his hand - he saw Blaine and Burt shift out of the corner of his eye - and hugged him.
"Are you okay?" asked Keats, holding both of Kurt's hands in his own.
"I'm fine, I'm just going away for the weekend." Keats nodded.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you." It was only the calming affect of Keats' grey eyes that stopped him from wrenching his hands back in a rush of anger.
"I don't need protecting, Keats." Keats nodded, bowing his head in a sign of humility.
"I'm sorry, that came out wrong." Kurt sighed.
"It's okay…I get that you're trying to be nice." he smiled at his friend. "I have to go." He squeezed, Keats' hands before letting go. He moved over to Trinity, holding up a finger to stop his dad coming over to him.
"Kurt, we thought that-"
"-you knew Charles and-"
"-you were friends!" Kurt waved it away.
"It's okay, just…does Blaine know?" the three of them stared at him, eyebrows rising in sync, and Kurt groaned. "About how I feel!" They shook their heads at once. Kurt sighed, a troubled, unsure, look appear on his face, and all their heads tilted to the left in a questioning manner. "It's just…Charles said he was acting."
"Liar."
"Idiot."
"Ignoramus." Kurt smiled slightly, looking at them.
"You better be telling the truth."
"Constantly."
"Forever."
"Always." Kurt laughed, and waved to them.
"I'll see you on Monday." he walked over to his dad who was standing with Finn and Carole, and making polite conversation with Blaine.
I guess it's time to go home…at least this way I get to see the other members of the New Directions. I was seriously about to drop out of contact with them, or something. I've only texted Mercedes a handful of times since I got here, after all.
"Blaine." the dapper boy stopped as Kurt was engulfed by the other Dalton boys, and turned to look at Kurt's father with wide eyes.
"Yes, sir?"
"Thanks for what you said to Kurt." Blaine shrugged, not sure how much of the conversation Mr Hummel had over heard.
"It was nothing…I just," he shrugged, looking mildly dejected. "Kurt's a good person…he deserves to be happy, and he doesn't need the kind of crap…" Burt nodded.
"Too right, he doesn't." There was an awkward moment, and both of them shifted as they saw Keats take Kurt's hands. Burt frowned. "Who is that?" Blaine blinked, half shrugged.
"Keats." he said, half calmly.
"Is he…what are his intentions towards my son?" Blaine bit down on the inside of his lip, not quite sure what to say. Seeing as he, himself, wasn't entirely sure what Keats "intentions" were it was quite hard to put it into words that wouldn't anger Burt Hummel, or damage Kurt's chances of returning to Dalton Academy.
"They're friends." he settled with, eventually. "I don't know Keats that well." Lie, went the little voice in his mind, but he ignored it, hoping that it wouldn't come back to haunt him.
"I see…he seems…" Burt seemed to struggle for the right word, but stopped glaring when Kurt let go of his hands.
"Keats likes…holding hands…that's how he gives comfort, I think." Burt nodded, shifting from foot to foot.
"So…you play Football?" he questioned as Kurt moved away from Trinity.
"Yes, I'm a kicker…I'm not really the right build for the game in motion." Burt nodded.
"Yeah, Kurt played kicker for McKinley." Blaine nodded, a small smile on his face.
"Yes, he told me." Kurt came over and Blaine smiled at him along with the rest of his family.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your stint on the Football team."
"We were just about to mention Single Ladies." said Finn with smirk. Kurt glowered at his step brother, and Blaine looked between them in interest.
"Single Ladies? You mean the song, right?" Kurt groaned, sinking his head into his hand. "What?" demanded Blaine, as he began to escort the family towards the parking lot, looking completely fascinated.
"I don't know why you're so embarrassed, Kurt, it was your idea, and you didn't actually dance in front of the spectators." Kurt just shook his head, and Blaine had a very amused look on his face as Burt chuckled.
"I'm always sorry that I missed that." said Carole, as they reached the car and Blaine glanced between the two brothers with a frown.
"Did you dance Single Ladies in front of your school?"
"Yes," said Finn. "Kurt taught it to us, and we did it to shock them…we won the game because of it." Blaine frowned.
"Hmm, maybe we should bare that in mind." he gave Kurt one more charming smile as Kurt glared at his step-brother, clearly embarrassed.
"I'll see you soon." said Blaine, giving his upper arm a pat. The family got into the car, and Blaine waved them off. They'd driven out of the grounds, and Blaine was beginning to shiver when he realised that Kurt was still wearing his scarf and hat, and had Blaine's blazer around his shoulders, still.
He felt two arms work their way around his waist, and knew that it was Sebastian. He didn't say anything, and Blaine guessed that he was savouring his victory; Sebastian knew that if anything kicked off again, like he thought it would, Keats would go.
"I gave you that scarf." he said in an even tone. "I hope you have plans on getting that back." Blaine rolled his eyes.
"Of course I do…it's my most treasured possession."
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Blaine." Blaine opened his mouth, and struggled to come up with a decent comeback, one that didn't make him sound quite so pathetic because he really liked the scarf. "We need to go back to the house." he said. Blaine took his hand, and they walked in silence together, but Blaine suddenly realised that Sebastian was angry about something.
"What's wrong?" he asked, abruptly. "Something's really upsetting you." Sebastian turned to face him full on, frowning.
"Kurt was barely hurt," he began bluntly. "but you…" he shook his head. "Thad was right, it was just a threat to get us to stop fighting…" Blaine dropped his hand, frowning.
"But he expelled, Charles...?"
"Yes, because we put pressure on him. Lloyd and Booth were both in the room then…they saw what happened." he shook his head. "It's ridiculous." a sneer had appeared on his face, and Blaine couldn't think of anything to say because he made a good point.
"Look, because he expelled Charles, he has to hold the bar, right? I mean, if anything happens…" he shrugged, thinking that it was opposite. Sebastian shook his head, looking at him pityingly.
"Any physical harm…remember David?" Blaine put a hand over his mouth.
"But, Kurt…"
"No sign of what Kurt did, why do you think that Hammonds didn't chase up the kiss? No evidence." Blaine sighed, biting the inside of his bottom lip.
"Right, you're right…still, if we don't fight back…" Sebastian gave him a condescending look, and turned away. Blaine sighed, shivering in his cardigan and ran after him. Sebastian looked him up and down. He rolled his eyes, stripping off his own blazer and proffering it to him. Blaine shook his head.
"No we're nearly there."
"Just take it Blaine." Blaine looked at him before grinning and taking it from him, slipping it over his shoulders.
"Thank you." Sebastian didn't give any kind of response, and Blaine sighed, not really sure what to say to him.
Our plans for us to get a new house where we all have a room have been put on hold, thanks to me going to Dalton. I'm sharing a room with Finn, again, but I think it'll work out, this time…Last night we didn't talk because I fell asleep in the back of the car, it'd been a long day, and I don't quite know how I got into the house. What I do know is that I woke up in my cheerleading uniform, face planted firmly into a pillow and Finn crashing around in the background.
Kurt groaned, raising himself from the pillow, and running a hand over his face, feeling grimy and dirty because he'd gone to bed without showering, and his clothes smelt.
"Finn!" he groaned, rolling onto his back. "What are you doing?" the loud tramping sounds stopped, and Finn looked over at him, blinking.
"Oh, you're awake." Kurt sat up, shoving off the covers, and examining the white socks on his feet.
"Yes, now." Finn held up his hands.
"Sorry, I just couldn't find my phone…I thought it might go off and wake you up." Kurt grumbled, unintelligibly, as he peeled the socks from his feet with a revolted expression on his face. "You can use the bathroom, now." his step-brother said, as he sent a pile of papers toppling to the floor.
"Good." said Kurt stepping onto the floor, and surveying the room. "and when I come back I want this all cleared up." Finn rolled his eyes, but Kurt just glowered at him, not allowing him any room for argument.
Kurt was pleasantly surprised that, when he came back into his room wrapped in a fluffy dressing gown and looking for clean clothes, it had been tidied. He stored the information that Finn obeyed at the sight of his most fearsome glare, figuring that it would come useful as they were now brothers.
He was a little annoyed to find that all his skin care products were still at Dalton as were quite a lot of his favourite clothes. He hadn't really had plans on coming home so soon, and, as he examined his closet, he saw a Dalton blazer hanging up. He took it down, a small frown on his face. It was Blaine's. Kurt took if off the hanger, holding it carefully. The scarf tumbled to the floor, and Kurt noticed one of the pockets was bulging, and the beginnings of a hat poked out. He sighed, stooping to pick up the scarf.
He moved to his bed, sitting down and looking at the articles of clothing in his hands. He ran his hands over the soft, red, material of the scarf. He could still feel Blaine's soft hands against his own, taking away the cold. He could still hear all the things he'd said. All the little comments about how brave Kurt was. How he'd stunned all the homophobic people of Garfield into silence. How much he respected Kurt.
Kurt sniffed, deeply, and dropped his head into his hands, burying his face in the soft material of the scarf. He didn't know what was wrong with him, but he knew that he was shaking. Shaking from something. He didn't know whether he was angry, or upset, or just something else that hadn't even occurred to him yet.
"Kurt?" Kurt jumped, shooting upright and glaring at his step-brother.
"Jesus, Finn, haven't you heard of knocking?" Finn looked slightly hurt and taken aback by Kurt's tone of voice, but Kurt didn't have it in him to feel bad about that. He sniffed, trying to hide the fact that he was tearing up.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. What do you want?"
"I came to say that breakfast is ready…Kurt, you look really sad." Kurt didn't have time to tell Finn to mind his own business because his new brother had sat down next to him on the bed. "Is this about what happened yesterday?" Kurt sniffed and shrugged.
"I don't know, I just-" he broke off, shaking his head, and Finn put an arm around his shoulder.
"I meant what I said at the wedding, Kurt, I got your back, no matter what, and I'd have pounded that guy if your friend hadn't been holding me back." Kurt sniffed, rolling his eyes, and leaning against Finn's shoulder.
"Violence isn't always the answer, Finn." Finn half shrugged, before realising that would dislodge Kurt's head.
"Yeah, well, it's what guys like me, with little brain, are good for." Kurt smiled at him.
"You're not just good for beating up people, Finn." Finn almost shrugged again.
"Yeah, well, thanks." Kurt frowned to himself, considering his position against Finn, and wondering just what had changed to make his heart not race as Finn held him like that. He guessed the revelation of his true colours in his basement had been good at disillusioning Finn in his eyes, but he'd come so far since then. He guessed that Blaine had a lot to do with that. Grey eyes flashed across the vision of Blaine in his inner eye. He blinked.
"Does this make you uncomfortable?" Finn frowned.
"What?"
"You and me." He felt Finn shift his shoulder, and he looked up at his puzzled face. Kurt rolled his eyes. "This; me with my head on your shoulder, us sharing a room." Finn sighed, sitting back and putting his hands on Kurt's shoulder, staring at him with a frown, but an intent look on his face.
"I screwed up, Kurt, last year…" he sighed. "I'm not going to deny that you having a crush on me made me so uncomfortable, but I didn't mean to call you anything, or upset you…and you really have shown me so much about what it means to be a man, and what being brave is, and if anyone deserves to be happy it's you." Kurt smiled at his step-brother, feeling tension release from his body.
"But, when I was trying to teach you how to dance you were so awkward." Finn sighed again.
"I've had loads of time to think, and I danced with you at the wedding…but, I just- to be frank, I really missed you, Kurt. It's kind of weird living in this house with my mum and Burt, and it's like you're missing. I want to do this right, Kurt, 'cause I've messed up a lot…with Rachel, Santana, glee club…I don't wanna mess up with you, again." Kurt smiled at him, tears in his eyes. Finn reached forward and hugged him, patting him on the back as Kurt let out a couple of tears of relief.
"Oh god," said Kurt, wiping his eyes. "I swear that I have cried more in the past couple of weeks than in the rest of my life." Finn raised an eyebrow.
"Why? I mean, what was making you cry at Dalton?" Kurt shrugged.
"I think they were just residual tears, like these." he added, sniffing and wiping them away. "It's been a whirlwind." he shook his head. Finn frowned.
"You know Dalton?" Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Finn, I do."
"Are you…do you really like going there?" Kurt frowned at him, considering the question, before nodding.
"Yeah, yeah I do." Finn nodded.
"Cool, 'cause I know that Burt's not that keen on you going back, but if you really want to go back, I'll help you." Kurt grinned at him.
"Thank you, Finn." Kurt reached forward and hugged his brother, again.
"You know," said Finn, getting to his feet, and Kurt decided, because he was so hungry, he was just going to have breakfast in his dressing gown today, "I'm sorry I missed your performance, did you really perform Taio Cruz?" Kurt laughed.
"Yes, yes I did." Finn began to laugh again.
"I totally didn't believe them! I seriously thought your friends were joking!" Kurt shook his head.
"No, unfortunately Coach Met was not to be swayed on her song choice." Burt and Carole nodded at the boys as they came in, Burt rolling his eyes at his son's attire.
"How do you feel this morning, Kurt? You looked absolutely shattered." Kurt smiled at Carole as him and Finn were poured coffee.
"Better, now. The shower did me good."
"Mercedes called." said Burt sitting down too. "She wants to know if you'll meet up with them." Kurt nodded.
"Yeah, 'course, when?"
"She said Breadstixs, one o'clock." Kurt nodded again, not looking forward to telling the New Directions what had happened.
"Do they- do they know?" The two adults looked at Finn who shook his head vigorously.
"No, I didn't tell them…I figured only Kurt should tell anyone." Kurt smiled up at his step-brother, guessing that he was, really, trying to do the right thing now.
I can't really describe how important this is for me…I guess it's the feeling that I really have a family… It's not just me relying on my dad, and being afraid to tell him things in case he gets angry. It's me with Carole, who is really mild and won't get angry, and Finn who, whilst not being the brightest, has his heart in the right place…I guess I just really feel safe at home.
"Blaine, you're not allowed to leave Franklin." Blaine barely glanced at Keats as he sat down at his table. The other four boys looked at him warily, and Juri began to chew his fingernails in a nervous manner as he sat next to Blaine.
"Luc managed to get me out because I want to talk to Hammonds." Keats frowned at Blaine, not liking the fact that he'd just sat himself down at his table with Juri.
"Oh, that's wonderful," he replied, sarcasm heavy in his voice to hide any unease, "and I care, why?" Blaine sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Kurt." he said, simply, leaning his right ankle onto top of his left leg. "We both want Kurt back." Keats nodded, putting down his knife and fork, suddenly interested.
"Yes, yes we do, but I don't see how that leads you to be sitting at my table." Blaine sighed as if despairing at Keats' intelligence, a feat that occurred much more regularly the other way around.
"Because we're going to go and talk to Mr Hummel." Keats stared at Blaine for half a second longer, deciding that he was being serious before snorting, loudly.
"Yeah, right, Blaine." Blaine frowned, glancing at Juri who also looked confused.
"What?" Keats rolled his eyes, a condescending expression coming onto his face, and his grey eyes laughing at Blaine's expense.
"Well, you see, Blaine, there are several things wrong with that… The first, is the fact that you're under house arrest, and I doubt you could talk Hammonds into letting you get off campus, and, secondly, this is you and me…we hate each other, and we can't have a civil conversation. We'd only succeed in convincing him not to send Kurt back." Blaine sighed, eyeing up his former friend.
"I think I might be able to worm my way into a day off campus, with Luc's help, but the other one comes down to us… I'm prepared to put aside what happened, briefly, if it means getting Kurt back, what about you?" Blaine proffered his hand across the table, and Keats stared at it, considering the situation carefully. The challenge didn't need to be spoken because Keats heard it loud and clear.
This is how much I care about Kurt, what about you?
He reached across and shook Blaine's outstretched hand, briefly. The two boys retracted their hands swiftly, and Keats' four friends stared at them, mouths hanging open and eyes wide. Juri looked a little shocked, as if he had not expected Keats to agree, and Blaine was just smiling in his charming manner, not giving away anything that was going on inside his head.
"Come on, Juri." he said, getting to his feet. The Russian followed him, almost tumbling over the bench, and Blaine helped him round, daring the five boys on the other side to laugh at him. None of them did.
"Wait." said Keats, voice imperious. "I wasn't finished telling you why you were stupid." Blaine stopped, hand on Juri's shoulder.
"Go on, then." Keats sighed, standing up and coming round to stand in front of Blaine.
"Well, for one, what pretence do you have of being there? And you don't know that Hammonds will let you off, but you won't let me go alone, I know that, so what's you back-up plan?" Blaine sighed, taking his hand off Juri's shoulder and crossing his arms over his chest.
"Me and Juri are going together." he said, calmly. "Juri said that Kurt might want his skin products. If Hammonds doesn't let me go, then Juri and you go." Keats shook his head.
"Nope, I'm not going with Juri." The electric eyes flashed, sparking with hurt and anger. Blaine let out an angry puff of air.
"Why?" Keats snorted, rolling his grey eyes.
"Because I'm not going to waste my time babysitting him." Blaine had to dig his hand, painfully, into Juri's shoulder to stop either of them loosing their temper.
"Take it or leave it, Keats, his dad doesn't like you so you're not going to be able to do squat on your own." Keats bristled at the accusation, but acknowledged that Blaine had been talking to Kurt's father last night, and they'd both been looking at him.
"Alright."
"Good, you need to come with me to Hammonds, now." Keats blinked.
"Why?"
"To show that we've put our differences behind us." Keats looked at his friends, briefly, who nodded with faint shrugs, and then shoved his nose into the air.
"I am not doing this because I like you."
"I figured that much out for myself, thanks." The three of them began to walk towards Hammonds' office. There was a tense silence, and Blaine kept a firm grip on Juri's arm, knowing that they didn't need any more tension between them; tension that would be generated if Juri fell and Keats made a derogatory comment.
They rounded the corner to Hammonds' office and saw Luc, red hair messy and dressed in tight jeans and a flowered shirt, sitting and talking to Mrs Aarons. He spun around, almost loosing his balance, at the sound of footsteps. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of Keats, but swaggered over with his normal casual air.
"So, into the lion's mouth?" he asked, and Blaine rolled his eyes. Luc was completely the wrong person to ask for help because he had a habit of making him feel worse, but he was probably the only one that would help him. Blaine didn't really have room to be picky, though, because, whilst he was a model students in many areas, a house arrest was a bad thing to have on record.
They entered Hammonds' office slowly, and Hammonds looked up, tired, and blinked a little bit faster when he saw that Keats was standing by Blaine's shoulder. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, and beckoning them into the seats in front of his desk.
"If you've been fighting…" he said, in a threatening voice, and they all shook their heads furiously, whilst Luc just sat on a table looking casual. "Okay, then, why are you here?" Blaine took a deep breath, glancing at Juri and Keats, before talking.
"I need permission to leave campus." Hammonds stared at him, incredulously. He ran a hand over his face, and Blaine felt his heart sink. Hammonds was going to say no.
"Do you understand the point of house arrest?" he asked, slowly. Blaine nodded. "Then why would I give you permission?" Blaine sighed, looking at his hands. He met Hammonds' eyes, again, nervously.
"Because we're worried about Kurt," he said, slowly. "he wasn't…happy last night…I'm just- I want to check up on him, and I know that I could send someone else, but I'm meant to be orientating him." he said the last bit very fast with a hint of desperation in his voice. Hammonds nodded, gaze passing over Juri, and settling on Keats.
"Why are you here? You don't need my permission." Keats shifted, seemingly considering how best to answer.
"Because I'm worried about Kurt too, and I'm a close friend, but I think he'd be more…partial to opening up to Blaine because he…understands better." Hammonds' eyes darted between the two of them, looking just a little bit impressed.
"Luc?" The man jumped, slightly. He shrugged, sliding off the table, and leaning against Juri's chair.
"I think Keats' right…oh, never thought I'd say that…anyway, in Kurt's eyes Blaine is probably the only person who understands him." he shrugged. "I think he needs to talk to him, now." Hammonds nodded, leaning back in his chair, contemplating his decision.
I can't decide whether or not I want to tell them. I'm sitting with Finn in one of the booths in Breadstixs and I'm waiting for them to arrive. Finn is being super supportive, maybe a little over the top, but it's sweet. I guess it's good none of them know about Karofsky. I hope they don't explode too much.
"Kurt!" Kurt got out of his seat to hug the stream of New Directioners that came into the restaurant. He was warmly welcomed by the guys, who hadn't seen him since he'd walked out of the rehearsal saying he had to go. He also shook hands with Lauren Zizes, who he recognised, and was shocked to discover was his replacement.
"What are you doing back?" asked Mercedes, fixing him with a stare. "And have you bought another scarf?" Kurt blushed slightly when she brought up Blaine's scarf, which he was still wearing. He liked it, it was soft and warm, and it was comforting.
"It's kind of a long story why I'm back, but the scarf is Blaine's." the girls all looked at him with wide eyes, and Kurt rolled his eyes. "He leant it to me when I was cold." There were some raised eyebrows from the guys, but the girls all began to squeal and giggle. Kurt shook his head. "He was just being nice, and he's got a boyfriend…" he shook his head, half glancing at Finn who smiled at him, gently.
"So, are you going to tell us why you're back?" asked Rachel, after silence had settled on them for a little while. "Not that we're not glad to see you, or anything." Kurt nodded, taking a deep breath.
"I'm not sure I'm going back to Dalton." the New Directions gasped as what, and then there was an explosion of "what?"s and "why?"s. Kurt made shushing gestures with his hands. "Some stuff happened, and my dad's kind of angry. I mean, I want to go back, and hopefully I will, but…" he shrugged, taking a deep breath. "Yesterday we had this huge Football game against Garfield Academy, I think we're arch-rivals, anyway…It was all good, and I performed with the cheerleaders, but we lost, and after that I was in the dressing room when this other Warbler came in…"
It took Kurt about ten minutes to recount what had happened in the locker rooms with Charles because the New Directions kept interjecting angrily. Puck and Sam had actually gotten to their feet when Kurt had said that he'd been shoved into the lockers and showed them the bruises on his arm. The girls had looked horrified, and Mercedes had a dark look on her face. Finn had put a comforting hand on his back, and Kurt had ploughed on, choking when he told them that he'd been kissed.
Again there'd been a furious outburst. Several people had knocked their drinks over, and Mercedes and Santana had got up along with the guys. It had taken a lot of pleading, and pointing out that he had no idea where Charles was now, to get them to calm down and sit down. They'd done so rather grudgingly, Santana muttering about "Lima Heights" and other people looking angry and upset for him. It nearly made him cry because there had been times when he'd been so sure that they didn't care about him. Karofsky was lucky Kurt had been too afraid to tell them about that kiss because he would be so dead.
After that, Kurt had rushed through what had happened next. There had been appreciative nods when Kurt told them that he'd kneed him between the legs, and he'd ploughed through the description of what he could remember from being on the field, the others now understanding why he was wearing Blaine's scarf, and he skimmed over the two hour wait with Blaine and Juri. They had cheered when Kurt had explained that Charles had been expelled, and were suitably confused about the marriage thing.
Kurt stopped talking after that, not wanting to tell them about everything Blaine had said to him. Finn had taken the pressure off Kurt, much to his gratitude, by recounting the story of what Kurt's friends had said about him performing Dynamite which caused Rachel to give him scandalised looks, and the others to laugh and demand, only half jokingly, that he give them a rendition.
Kurt was thankful that they all seemed to have picked up on his desire to not discuss what had happened in great detail, as Puck began to recount the tale of how he'd recruited Lauren, with unenthusiastic commentary from Lauren. Kurt felt a bit bad about him being laid on by the Football team, but Lauren's comments about it being the worst "seven minutes in heaven ever", whilst not being things he particularly needed to hear, were amusing nonetheless.
I love the New Directions to the bottom of my heart. They're all so supportive of me, and I guess this just shows that - past all the insults and backstabbing - we really love each other. I guess, it's akin to never knowing what you've got till it's gone. I never realised how much I loved these guys until we're competing against each other, that won't stop me from trying to crush them at Regionals though. If I make it there…
Burt opened the door, frowning and hoping that the boys hadn't forgotten their keys in the rush to meet up with the New Directions. He blinked at the sight on the doorstep because it was not Finn or Kurt, but Blaine, Juri and Keats. He blinked at the boys on the doorstep, momentarily thrown by the lack of school uniform, and the fact that two of them were carrying boxes.
"Um, Kurt's not in right now." They glanced at each other. Blaine blinked, not sure what to say next.
"Right, well, we just…Juri said that Kurt might want his skin care products." he adjusted his grip on the box in his arms. "but he had so many…" Blaine tried to shrug. "We just thought it would be safer to bring them all."
"That, and ve vished to see him." Burt nodded.
"Well, come in…I know that Kurt's…products are confusing…I'm surprised you decided to touch them, I was sure that ended in death." Blaine glared at Juri.
"Juri, you didn't tell us that!"
"I vas never zreatened." he said, looking bemused. Blaine shook his head, making his way into their living room and setting down the boxes. Keats flexed his fingers.
"Those things are heavy." he complained. Blaine rolled his eyes, and Juri stumbled in this unfamiliar setting.
"Can I sit Juri down, before he damages himself, or something else?" Burt blinked at Blaine, surprised by the politeness, and nodded.
"Yeah, sure, take a seat." The three boys sat down on the sofa, Juri in the middle, looking a little uncomfortable. "So, I can't say when Kurt'll be back, he went out to meet the New Directions an hour ago, I could text him?"
"No," said Blaine instantly. "we just wanted to drop this off, and see how he was…and have you got my blazer 'cause I only have two?" Burt nodded.
"Yeah, it'll be up in Kurt and Finn's room, somewhere…should probably wait for him to get back…he doesn't like people poking around in his things." Blaine nodded.
"Of course." There was an awkward pause. Burt walked back into the room properly, and took a seat, examining the three boys who all looked very clean and presentable.
"What are things like at Dalton?" asked Burt, frowning at the boys. They looked between each other, shrugging.
"Shocked." said Blaine, eventually. "All the Warblers just…" he shook his head. "Alvin's taking it hard, but they were close…" he shrugged. "I think it's going to take a little while to sink in." Keats nodded.
"Harriot's…the feeling there is a bit… numb." Burt frowned.
"Harriot?"
"My house, Charles' old one." Burt nodded.
"I see."
"No one's saying that he didn't deserve it, but…it's just a shock to the system. No one's been expelled since we were all at Dalton."
"Luc told me that no one was expelled in his four years either." said Blaine, shrugging. "I guess no one thought Hammonds would follow through." he glanced at Keats, and the awkwardness of the situation began to settle on him. Charles was only expelled because of everything that had happened in Freshman year. If Hammonds hadn't had to have dropped the ultimatum on them, Charles probably would have been suspended at best. Juri shifted uncomfortable, edging towards Blaine slightly.
"So, what happened?" There were frowns on the three boys' faces. "The way your head boy was talking about it made it sound like something bad happened…" Blaine bit the inside of his bottom lip, not counting on Burt being so perceptive. He glanced at Keats whose grey eyes had grown calculating. Blaine swallowed, feeling uncomfortable and remembering what David had said to him early that week.
"There was a lot of fighting." said Keats, finally. Blaine nodded.
"It's the reason our PDA rules are so strict…" he sighed. "You'd think that being an all boys school there'd be less…drama, but there really isn't…and we're guys and ninety-five per cent of us prefer to speak with our fists when we get really angry or jealous, you know what I mean?" Keats had sunk his head into his hand at Blaine's words, but Burt nodded.
"So... it was just normal fist fights?" Blaine nodded.
"Yeah, but, you know, there were broken noses…whatever, and Hammonds thought it was…unbecoming so he made it clear that it would not be tolerated. The only place it's allowed is somewhere like fight club 'cause you don't have a choice." Keats was staring at Blaine like he was some sort of idiot. Burt stared at Blaine like he wasn't whether he should laugh or not.
"So what were you saying about PDA rules?" asked Burt, eventually, keen to find out as much about Dalton as he could.
"Oh, Dalton has strict rules on that," said Keats confidently. "the most you can get away with in the halls is, probably, arm around the shoulders."
"Yeah, that's the rule…but if there's no one around…" Blaine shrugged and Keats glared at him, clearly thinking that it was a complete mistake to bring Blaine with them to help convince Burt that Dalton was a good place for Kurt. Keats sighed.
"Sir, um, there's something I want to ask you about Kurt." Blaine sat bolt upright, eyes going wide.
"Keats, come with me for a second." he said, snatching onto the cuff of Keats' pale blue shirt. Blaine dragged Keats from the room. Burt looked at Juri who simply shrugged.
"I do not know vat zat vas about…we should leave zem." he nodded, succinctly, and seconds later began to fiddle with his hands, and Burt shifted and strained to hear what Blaine and Keats were talking about.
"Are you insane?" demanded Blaine, closing the door to the bathroom that he'd found and stuffed them in. Keats pushed Blaine out of his personal space, running a hand through his wavy hair.
"I could ask you the same thing, what the hell were you thinking, telling him we got into fights?"
"Well, what was I supposed to do? You weren't exactly that explicit."
"Yes, because it would only damage our chances."
"Oh, and you think asking somebody as protective of their son as Mr Hummel that after what had happened yesterday, won't?" Keats clenched his hands into fists, clearly trying to not hit Blaine. He breathed in deeply several times, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"Okay, okay, I won't mention it now, but only because it's what best for Kurt, not because you told me not to, understand?"
"Wouldn't dare think of anything other." Keats ran a hand back through his hair.
"This isn't working." he said, through gritted teeth. "This really isn't working." Blaine frowned, leaning against the sink. Keats caught the look on his face. "Don't ask what, Blaine. I swear, if you do I won't be able to restrain myself." Blaine held up his hands, before bracing himself against the sink again.
"Yeah, well, don't blame me." Keats glared at him, and Blaine sighed heavily. "Right, okay, can we just focus on Kurt?" Keats nodded.
"Right, but you can't expect me to forget…" Blaine threw his hands up to the ceiling.
"You attacked me, Keats, and no amount of "emotional pain" is going to change that. You hit me first." Keats crossed his arms across his chest, leaning against the wall.
"Yeah, and it felt good." Blaine nodded.
"Happy to get that off your chest?" he questioned. Keats smirked.
"Been waiting far too long to say it." Blaine nodded.
"Good, good…"
"Now, that we're reading off the same page, can we go back in there and rectify the damage done by our sudden departure, and leaving Juri alone with Mr Hummel." Keats moved to the door, and Blaine put his hand over the handle.
"Wait." Keats rolled his eyes.
"Okay, I'm sorry for what I insinuated about Juri." Blaine nodded, noting the small victory down in the back of his mind.
"You should be, but I want to know how we explain our sudden disappearance, and what your question was." Keats just smiled and patted his arm in a condescending manner.
"Don't worry, Blaine, I have it all sorted out." Blaine nodded, opening the door, and indicating with a look of forced politeness that Keats should leave first. Keats walked out, and Blaine straightened his bowtie before following him. They walked back into the sitting room, both surprised to find Mr Hummel and Juri laughing. They retook their seats either side of Juri, and sat awkwardly until they stopped laughing.
"Yep, kid, that sounds like my Kurt." Juri chuckled, but shot Blaine a worried look with his intense eyes.
"What are we talking about?" asked Keats, leaning back into the sofa.
"How I now tidy my room…I have less injuries now." Blaine patted Juri on the back.
"I'm sure you do, Juri. Now, if Kurt can just get you to look in your peripheral vision we'll know he was truly sent from heaven as your guardian angel." Burt chuckled at that, wondering what Kurt would think if he heard them calling him an angel. Then it sunk in. This kid had just called his an angel. That was either a good thing, or a very bad one. He glanced between the two boys that had just disappeared.
"So, what did you want to ask me?" he said, focusing on the one he disliked more. Keats cleared his throat.
"I was wondering if there was anything in particular we can do to comfort Kurt?" Burt stared at him, blankly. "Well, for example, if I get upset, and I don't want people to make a big deal about it, my friends make me hot chocolate." Blaine nodded, catching on.
"And when I get upset, Thad prods me on the back…just to let me know that he's there and I can talk to him if I want to." Mr Hummel nodded. He then shook his head.
"No, I can't think of anything like that for Kurt, he was always an independent child…especially after his mother passed away." There were sad nods from the other boys.
"Okay, well, it was just a thought…" he scratched the back of his head, glancing at Blaine who gave him the briefest "okay-one-point-to-you" look before turning to Juri who was looking mildly quizzical.
"So, um, Mr Hummel, are you coming to the concert?" asked Blaine, searching for a topic of conversation that wouldn't do any damage to their chances of helping Kurt. Burt scratched his head.
"Yeah, yeah, we were going to go. The Warblers are performing, right?" Blaine nodded.
"Yes, yes we are."
"And it said something about solos?" Blaine nodded.
"Yes, there's around twelve of us…myself and Juri included." Burt nodded.
"I'm surprised Kurt didn't audition, he loves singing solo." Blaine shifted in his seat.
"Actually Kurt wanted to audition, but he couldn't…" Burt frowned, deeply, at Blaine's words, looking confused and a little annoyed. Blaine sighed. "There's this unspoken rule that nobody can perform a solo at a concert unless they have their crest."
"Crest?"
"You know the little box that Charles handed to Dr Booth?" asked Keats, breaking into the conversation. Burt nodded. "That contained the house crest, Kurt will get his at the concert because he's performing as a Warbler." Burt nodded in confused understanding, leaning back and allowing them to talk about Dalton, considering each word carefully.
I had a great time with the New Directions…They've been filling me in on all the drama of McKinley and how they're looking forward to Christmas. They've got plans to celebrate with Mr Schue, and sing carols round the school, not that anyone's too excited about the second plan. I also met Lauren Zizes, my replacement. I have to say I'm a little shocked by their choice, I wonder if she can sing? Either way, I think it's pretty safe to say that she's not as good as me.
Kurt and Finn closed the door, basking in the warmth of their home, and taking off their shoes. They both frowned when they heard multiple voices in the front room, and Kurt could have sworn that it was Blaine in there with his father. He glanced at Finn who was shrugging and hanging his gilet on one of the coat hooks. Together the two of them moved into the front room and froze at what they saw.
There, sitting on the sofa, was Blaine, Juri and Keats. They all seemed to be in good spirits, and his dad was relaxed in the armchair, clearly halfway through a conversation with the three boys. All eyes turned to him, and he saw Blaine's fix onto the scarf, half wound around Kurt's neck, and Kurt coloured up to a matching shade. The silence was slightly awkward, until Finn broke it.
"Um, I don't mean to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Blaine let out a half laugh, Keats smiled, and Juri looked at Blaine.
"We come baring gifts." said Blaine, with a wry grin. "Wonderful, moisturising, skin-tone enhancing, gifts." Kurt's mouth dropped open.
"You brought my products back?" he asked, incredulously.
"Yes," said Keats with a soft, smile. "all two boxes."
"I vasn't sure if you vould survive." Kurt laughed at his friend, shaking his head.
"No, you're right, I was missing them this morning."
"Come on." said Blaine, getting up and picking up a box. "I'll help you take this up, and maybe you could return my blazer?" Kurt turned a little pink, accepting the box from Blaine, and nodded.
"Yes, of course." The two of them made their way up the stairs, and Kurt led him into his and Finn's bedroom. "Sorry it's a mess, Finn's been living in here so…" he broke off, shrugging, as he set down the box. Blaine gave him a smile.
"Don't worry, I like it…I can't stand really tidy rooms…" he shook his head, looking a little distracted. Kurt indicated where he could set his box down, and opened his closet, searching for the blazer and hat.
Kurt wasn't sure why, but he felt incredibly nervous. Having both Keats and Blaine inside his house was enough to send his insides on some sort of riot. They'd been talking to his dad, did they have any idea how crazy that was? If they said one wrong thing, Burt would never let them near Kurt again. That, and, well, Blaine was so close to him. Kurt could feel his breath on the back of his neck. He breathed deeply, and took down the hanger that had the blazer and hat on it.
"Here." he said, turning around and proffering the clothing to Blaine. Blaine, who had been standing right behind Kurt and seemingly surveying his collection of clothing, jumped.
"What? Oh, thanks…sorry, I was just amazed by the amount of designer clothes you have…I don't think Emily has this much…wow." he smiled at Kurt, placing the blazer on the bed. Kurt swallowed, forcing the lump down in his throat.
"Blaine…" Blaine frowned at Kurt, features contorting with concern. Oh, and how much he wished to tell Blaine how he felt about him. He blinked, harder, sniffing.
"Kurt?" Kurt couldn't think. Blaine was inches from him, but Kurt was confused. Kurt was confused because Blaine had a boyfriend, and whether it was Sebastian Smythe or not, Kurt wasn't about to start kissing someone in a relationship. That, and he wasn't sure how he felt about Keats. He felt…different around him, and Kurt didn't know whether it was platonic or not. Then, he didn't even know if he wanted to kiss Blaine. His heart was beating so fast.
"Blaine…what happened with you and Keats?"
What? Why the hell did I just ask him that? Oh god, he's backing away. He looks shocked, too, I don't blame him, either. I don't know why I just said that. I guess, it was just that they were at my house together, and they weren't threatening each other, or anything.
"I'm sorry- I just- you're not arguing, and I just wondered…" he trailed off, trying to collect himself, and not come completely apart at the seams. Blaine smiled at him, a hand reaching up to rub his arm comfortingly.
"It's okay, Kurt, I know you're curious, but…I just- I don't like talking about it…" Blaine sighed. "Look, me and Keats decided that, just for now, just until you're back, we're going to try not fighting or killing each other." Kurt frowned at him, not having expected that answer.
"What?" he asked. Blaine looked down for a second, before meeting Kurt's eyes.
"I really like you, Kurt-" Kurt's heart flipped.
Oh my god! Don't freak out! Don't freak out! He means just as a friend! He means it as a friend! But, why did he want to have to say it like that! Oh my god! Just breathe.
"-and I want you to be happy, and safe… I know Dalton is scary, and difficult when you first come, and I'm sorry that I didn't orientate you properly, but I can't help but feel like this is my fault." Kurt opened his mouth to protest, and Blaine used both his hands to shush him. "I know that it's not, but I just can't help it…" he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kurt." Kurt blinked, biting his tongue.
"Blaine…I don't- did you come here to try and convince my dad to send me back?" Blaine hung his head. Kurt wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. "Is- does my dad know?" Blaine shook his head.
"No." Kurt nodded, glad. "Please don't be angry at me." Kurt blinked at him, staring at Blaine like he was seeing him for the first time.
"Aren't you meant to be under house arrest?" Blaine nodded, head still hung. "How did you get out?" Blaine raised his eyes to meet Kurt's.
"Me, Luc and Keats talked Hammonds into it."
"You and Keats…?"
"I don't like him, but he's more useful on my side right now…" Blaine shook his head. Kurt nodded. Blaine stared into Kurt's face as if he was trying to see through Kurt. "How are you, Kurt? You look tired." Kurt shook his head.
"I don't know…I don't think I slept well…" he choked at the end of the sentence. A hand wrapped around his shoulder as Kurt's knees, weak from tiredness, gave in. He slid down onto the floor. Blaine leant him against the bed. Kurt struggled to keep it together.
I don't want Blaine to see me cry, anymore. I just want him to go! I just want to be on my own!
Kurt tore the scarf from around his neck. He shoved it, violently, into Blaine's hands. Blaine looked at him with a worried frown.
"There you go, you can go now." Blaine didn't move. He just sat next to Kurt. Kurt turned away from him, feeling the tears begin to slip down his cheeks.
"You know, Sebastian gave me this scarf." said Blaine, in a quiet but casual voice.
Eurgh! I do not want to hear about Sebastian, now! If I needed any proof that Blaine was oblivious to my crush, this is it.
"My mum knitted me this scarf, you see, and I wore it all the time when I was little-" Kurt felt the tension leave his body as he began to listen to Blaine's story. "-and then, when the bullying started, I slept with it, like a security blanket." he snorted to himself. "Then my dad found out…I had it in my hands when I…" he swallowed. "When I tried to kill myself, and he burnt it." Kurt shifted, the tears still tracing down his face.
Blaine was hunched over his knees, hands clamped around the scarf in his hands, one of his fingers tracing the soft material. He wasn't crying, but there was a pained look on his face.
"Then I came to Dalton, and I had terrible nightmares…and I told Thad about it, and he spoke to Sebastian, and the next day I got this." he held the scarf up. "You know he gave me scarves everyday until the end of that year…but I always slept with this one." he turned to meet Kurt's eyes, extending the scarf to Kurt. "You take it now, I don't need it anymore…it gave me a lot of comfort." Kurt could not speak he was so touched, as Blaine reached up and looped it around his neck, again. "Don't give up, Kurt." Kurt leaned into Blaine's side, crying all over again.
The best thing about Blaine, as Kurt nestled into his side, was that he didn't feel the need to tell Kurt that he was going to be okay. He seemed to understand that what Kurt needed right now was not someone to whisper platitudes that meant nothing, but to make him feel cared for, and safe. Kurt guessed that Blaine just understood what Kurt felt. He hadn't experienced the same things, but some of what Blaine had been through was worse.
Kurt didn't want to move from his spot next to Blaine, and he couldn't bring himself to put a respectable distance between them as they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. He felt Blaine shift, but he didn't pull away, perhaps sensing that Kurt needed physical contact.
"Kurt, what are you-" the worst possible person walked up to find them. Kurt groaned into Blaine's chest as his father stepped into his room. Blaine's eyes went slightly wide, and he glanced at Kurt who was wiping his eyes, sitting up slowly. Blaine swallowed, and Kurt was faintly amused to see he looked a little frightened. Burt looked angry, and Blaine quickly retracted his arm from around his shoulder.
"Get out of my house!" he said in a threatening voice, glaring at Blaine angrily. Blaine leapt to his feet, snatching up his blazer and hat. Kurt was a little alarmed to see the change in Blaine's personality. His face had gone blank, and his posture was incredibly stiff.
"No, dad-"
"Son, he made you cry." Kurt shook his head, getting angry.
"Dad, he didn't!"
"Kurt, you're still naïve and-"
"Blaine, stop!" Blaine was frozen, looking between the two Hummel's in a wary manner. "Dad, listen to me!" Finn, Keats and Juri appeared in the doorway, looking worried.
"Burt? Kurt?" said Finn, slipping into the room, looking concerned. "What's going on? Kurt are you okay?" Kurt nodded.
"Just make him listen to me! Blaine, didn't hurt me!" Finn glanced between the angry Kurt and Burt and the scared looking Blaine. "I wasn't crying because of Blaine, and if he just listened to me he would know, but he has to jump to conclusions and get angry over everything!" Finn looked a little worried, eyes darting between the father and son, and back to Blaine who looked nothing short of terrified. He put a hand on Kurt's chest.
"Okay, calm down. Burt, I think you need to listen to what Kurt has to say." There was a long silence in which both men breathed deeply.
"Kurt," said Blaine, cautiously. "remember what I said yesterday?" Kurt looked at him, blinking and slowly nodding. "I know it's hard that your dad isn't listening to you, but at least when he's angry he isn't being restrained from hitting you." Keats nodded, coming to stand by Blaine's side in a weird sign of solidarity.
"It's hard, Kurt, but he's yelling because he loves you…at least he's not getting violent and…throwing things…" Blaine put a hand on Keats' shoulder, looking awkward. Keats didn't shrug it off, but he stiffened slightly. There was a long pause in which Burt Hummel examined the two boys that had just spoken up in his defence. Burt put his hands up.
"I'm sorry, Kurt, but these past couple of weeks…I'm worried about you…I don't like you being away from home, I don't like the fact that I don't see you everyday and I don't like not knowing what's going on with you." Kurt sighed, brushing Finn's hand away from his chest.
"Dad, I miss you too, but I like Dalton…people there understand me, and they look out for me, and they care about me…you saw that they just expelled Charles, I am safe, dad." Burt frowned. He didn't agree or disagree with Kurt, but he did reach over, putting a hand on Kurt's shoulder, and pulled him into a hug. Kurt let out a long sigh.
I'm not sure whether or not that dad agrees with me, but I think that I'm wearing him down. I think he might just let me back in time for lessons on Monday. I just want to go back to Dalton, but I have missed Lima too, and that's a shock. I need to make sure that I come home more on weekends, but it's so hectic, and I like the separation, most of the time…
Next Time- Star Struck: Kurt returns to Dalton Academy, and learns just how popular the Warblers really are in the school. The concert is upon them, but the big question for most of Kurt's friends is whether their families are attending, and Kurt learns that their families are nothing like his own…