AN –

Be prepared – this chapter has a much different tone from the others you've read.

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FOUR MONTHS LATER

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"Please! Please, Seb!…..Please stop, Seb! ….Please stop!"

Dave just kept pleading with Sebastian, holding him very firmly, begging and begging. If there was one thing apparent about David Karofsky, he absolutely hated when people he cared about were hurting. Badly hurting. Especially if there was nothing he could do about it. But Sebastian kept shaking and crying and shaking and crying.

"Please stop crying, Seb! Please, please, please, pleeeeease…"

Sebastian's sobs rocked his body violently. He struggled to breathe and cough, feeling Dave's soothing, strong hands stroke his back up and down repeatedly. And Dave hated when Sebastian was crying.

But Sebastian was hysterical!

"Noooooo!" Sebastian wailed, hoping life would stop hurting, hoping the truth would end, hoping Dave would still be there, hoping…just hoping. He coughed between anguished sobs and pained screams.

"Ohhhh, Seeeeeb!"

Sebastian couldn't function, as his incredible sobs very, very slowly began to ebb away into impassioned cries. Strong and gentle hands supported him, as the gearshift had to be hurting his ribs. Dave tried to hold him up, strengthened by months of lifting weights in the training room. He was sure his shirt would be stained with Sebastian's tears, but he didn't care. He just wanted Sebastian to stop crying!

"Please, Seb." Dave gently began, still holding the sullen boy in his arms. "We can try again later."

"Oh, really!" Seb exclaimed, voice slightly muffled by Dave's chest, and then raising to meet his eyes. "Really? Really? When? When fucking exactly, Dave? When? When she's eighteen?"

Dave stared at him wide-eyed for a second before calmly responding. "Seb, I'm not the enemy here."

Sebastian blinked a few times and dropped his head. "I-I'm sorry, Dave. I just…"

"I know," Dave softly said, pushing his boyfriend to an upright position. Sebastian looked completely miserable and badly needed a tissue. "I know. And goddammit, we can always ask again. Your dad-"

"Is a son of a bitch!" Sebastian angrily interrupted, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. Dave briefly soured at the action and returned his attention to his very hurt boyfriend.

"We could kidnap her." Dave said, with a slight smile. Sebastian looked over at him and couldn't help but chuckle a little before the pained expression too quickly returned. At least Dave got a little smile out of him.

"Yeah," Sebastian softly said, "and move on to become a gay Bonnie and Clyde…or something."

"I think there were only two of them." Dave said, with a little half-smile.

"I know, Dave. I was just…trying to be…f-funny or something…"

"I know…"

The late afternoon sun was dropping lower and lower, casting darker and darker shadows throughout Dave's truck. The contrasting light bisected Sebastian, highlighting his lower half. He couldn't see Dave very well because of the blinding light in his eyes, but he knew Dave was half-smiling at him.

"Seb?"

"Yeah?"

"We should get back to Columbus."

"Noooooooo!" And with Dave's simple phrase, Sebastian exploded into another round of devastating tears! He fell towards Dave, letting his head fall on the football player's shoulder. Dave looked away, towards the hopeful sunshine, fighting off his own tears.

"Ohhhhhh, Seb!"

There was simply nothing Dave could do. So, he sat there, feeling his body shake with Sebastian's enormous sobs. Awful, choking cries erupted out of Sebastian's mouth as Dave silently begged his boyfriend to be OK. He wasn't. Finally, after long, agonizing moments, Sebastian collected himself, eventually managing to sit upright. The boys stayed there, staring at the Smythe household's garage. A Mercedes-Benz was parked there, signifying the wealth and sheer coldness of the household. The car was alone – just like Carolyn. Both boys glared.

Abruptly, Dave started the engine and placed the truck in reverse. As they slowly pulled backwards, Dave felt a hand on his arm.

"Dave. Stop."

The truck came to a complete halt as Dave looked at him.

"What?"

Sebastian pointed to the house's big, bay, living room window.

This time, Dave lost his battle. Sebastian had already clearly lost his. Boy boys burst into tears as they saw an incredibly sad Carolyn Smythe standing in the middle of the window inside the house. Her ten-year old face was stained with tears, her mouth curled in horrible anguish. Dave didn't even try to stop his choking, bursting sobs as his left hand covered his mouth. It didn't help. Sebastian tried to place a comforting hand on Dave's thigh, but simply wrapped it around himself. Carolyn saw them and cried some more.

She raised her tiny hand and placed it on the window, a silent wave goodbye to her wonderful brother and his supportive boyfriend – the parents she should've had. Her fingers spread across the window as if she was reaching for them.

The three stared at each other, tears flowing, cries falling, hands helpless, separated by oceans of sadness between the truck and the window. Nobody could move as waves of sorrow and vulnerability overwhelmed them. Dave wiped his hand across his eyes, trying his best to look anywhere but at the sad girl, just twenty feet away in their bay window.

And then, suddenly, a long, restraining, cruel arm could be seen curling in front of Carolyn, snatching her little body, and pulling it back. Both of her eyes terrifyingly widened, arms extended, hands desperately reaching for the boys, as then, her eyes closed in complete and utter anguish. The curtains suddenly closed the window off, effectively separating the boys from the Smythes.

Dave had to look down for the briefest of moments before suddenly reversing out of the driveway. Sebastian's eyes were glued to where his sister once stood, a beacon of what should've been.

Dave took action. He drove the truck in reverse, reached the road, switched gears, and left the Smythe household.

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The drive back to Columbus was mostly silent, except when Dave announced he needed to stop at a rest area. There wasn't much they could say. The events in Lima became a blur of sadness that warped into stupor. Their focus was simply on existence as the drive finally came to an end.

They emerged from the truck, war-beaten and exhausted, and lumbered into their shared apartment. Neither boy said anything as they mechanically prepared for the rest of the evening.

"Pizza?" Dave quietly asked.

"Sure." Sebastian limply replied.

Dave reached for a coupon book, flipping through page after page, not even really reading it. Absentmindedly, he picked one, placed an order over the phone, and sat on the couch next to his boyfriend. He didn't even remember what he ordered.

The boys sat in silence as the early December wind howled around them. They remembered Carolyn's hurt face more than when the pizza arrived. They remembered Carolyn's extended arms more than going to bed in silence.

The rest of the week flowed along in this way. They were typical college students – going to class, working out, Sebastian had a part-time job while Dave practiced for Ohio State's upcoming bowl game next month. Day by day went by and they spoke very little.

That is, until the weekend came. Their spirits lifted slightly when they realized they would be headed back to Lima. They wanted to do anything they could to spend as much time as possible with Carolyn. Realizing this, the boys became something of themselves again.

Friday morning. Sebastian had a class at 9AM and Dave had to be at weight-lifting drills at 9:30. So, the two of them were enjoying breakfast together for the first time in nearly a week. Sebastian smiled at Dave as he poured some tomato juice for Dave. Dave tried his best to pinch his boyfriend's calves, as Dave spooned some butter on Sebastian's rye toast.

"Seb?" Dave quietly asked as Sebastian put the tomato juice back in their refrigerator.

"Mmm?" Sebastian answered, sitting back down across from his boyfriend.

"Are…are you alright?"

Sebastian looked at him like he was insane.

"Scratch that." Dave said, taking a huge bite of his sausage patty. He chewed and swallowed, clearly ignoring Sebastian's inquisitive stare.

"What?" Sebastian asked.

"Well," Dave wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. "last weekend was awful."

"Yeah." Sebastian took a bite of his toast.

"And…" Dave began but faltered, clearly uncomfortable. "we've barely talked since Sunday night."

Sebastian came to a complete halt. "Well, last Sunday was really hard, Dave."

"I know," Dave gently began, "I know. It's just…" And then, Dave leaned towards him, senselessly whispering. "It's not going to get better any time soon."

Sebastian dropped his toast in shock. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Dave!"

"Seeeb!" Dave began, throwing his fork on his plate. "I mean…dammit this is hard."

Sebastian allowed Dave to collect his thoughts, rather than pressing for more information. They took a few more bites of their breakfast as early morning sunshine drifted through yellow curtains. Suddenly, Dave fixed Sebastian a hard stare.

"What?" Sebastian asked, mouth full with the last bite of his toast.

"Everybody's hurting." Dave mumbled.

Sebastian sighed. "Yeah."

"And we have a chance…a chance, to…bring some happiness to Carolyn."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes a little. "Yeah."

"Soooo…" Dave twirled his fork on his empty plate. He grabbed his plate and began to stand up, going for his fourth sausage patty, when Sebastian gently grabbed Dave's arm, halting him in place.

"Dave." Sebastian softly began. "Sit."

Dave plopped in his chair, looking down.

"Talk to me."

Dave glanced at the window before letting his eyes drop back to his plate. Raw feelings hung in the air and day after day of these emotions were wearing them down. So, Sebastian did what he knew to do.

Sebastian smirked.

Dave, sensing something was different, looked up and smiled.

"What's going on in that calculus-ridden brain of yours?"

Dave laughed, a hearty sound that hadn't occupied their apartment in at least ninety-six hours. Sebastian knew how to get a smile out of his boyfriend and everybody always wants more of those. Plus, he knew how to relax Dave enough to continue.

"Let's make sure," Dave excitedly began, "to give Carolyn a great weekend!"

"Sure," Sebastian non-chalantly said. "That's what we always do."

Dave's smile faltered a little. "I mean…last Sunday's trauma had to take a toll on her."

Sebastian grabbed his empty cup and plate and stood up. "I know it did."

He only got two steps towards the sink before a football arm stopped him in his tracks. Dave used his strength advantage to pull the boy towards his own face. Noses nearly touching, Dave added, "Let's just make her happy."

"Happy?" Sebastian incredulously asked. "Happy? You want to make her happy?"

Dave smiled. "Yeah! Don't you?"

Sebastian's smile instantly vanished. "We…we can't." He tried to wriggle out of Dave's grasp, but he held him firm.

"Dave, let me go."

"No."

"Dave!"

"No! Listen to me!"

Sebastian tried on final time to release himself and Dave gave him a pleading look. It might be physically and sexually appealing to have a very strong boyfriend, but it can be annoying too. So Sebastian resigned himself and sat back down, letting his plate and glass clang on the table.

"Seb," Dave slowly began, "I don't like to talk about this, but maybe this will help you see where I'm coming from."

Dave situated himself to get more comfortable while Sebastian wiped his mouth with a paper napkin.

"When I was a junior in high school," Dave said, "I was a terrified, angry, selfish bastard. I hurt soooo many people. So many people…"

As if taking a shot of courage, Dave took the last sip of his juice, carefully setting the glass down.

"Anyway, I treated Kurt the worst. You know a lot of what I did to him and if there was anybody in Kurt Hummel's world who he easily could've hated for the rest of his life…" Dave sighed. "it was me."

Sebastian shifted his head a little, patiently waiting for Dave to continue.

"So, just before Kurt left for New York a few years ago," Dave picked up his glass, twirling it on the table, "I saw him off at the Dayton Airport. You should've seen him!" Dave laughed, leaning back a little in his chair. "He had five suitcases and a huge carry-on bag."

"Sounds like the Kurt Hummel I know." Sebastian said with his trademark smirk.

"I know, right?" Dave said, his laughs dying down. "Anyway, he was shifting his bag to his other shoulder and winced painfully."

Dave paused. Sebastian watched Dave's head dip a little.

"I asked him if anything was wrong and if he needed any help." Dave said. "He said no. He said…"

Sebastian watched his football-playing, enormous, supportive, bear cub struggle, waiting for him to gather his thoughts.

"He didn't want to say it," Dave slowly said, "but he finally admitted that he occasionally has some pain in his shoulder. When I asked him how that happened, all he did was look at me. I mean, look at me."

Sebastian blinked a few times and then immediately understood. He compassionately nodded, as Dave continued.

"So, of course I started to apologize again and suddenly," Dave put his left hand near his lips, "I felt Kurt's hand cover my mouth."

Dave let his hand drop on his lap as Sebastian continued to patiently wait.

"He…" Dave faltered, finding the conviction to continue. "He said 'Dave, I meant what I said in the hospital.' I asked him what he meant by that."

Dave leaned towards him, boring holes into Sebastian's peridot eyes. "He said, 'Everybody deserves forgiveness. And happiness.'" Dave leaned in still closer. "Every single person in this world should be happy, Seb. Every. One."

Instantly, Sebastian dropped his face.

"Seb," Dave softly continued, "we have to make sure Carolyn is happy, to the best of our abilities. And as sweet and protective as we are to her, we have to give her the time of her life. Because we never know when either a damaged shoulder or a neglectful father could try to end that. And succeed."

Sebastian wept. Dave held his hand. The sun shined brighter.

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"Yaaaaaay!"

Dave groaned. Sebastian giggled at how excited his sister was when it was announced they were going to the latest Disney movie and how annoyed Dave was at going to the latest Disney movie. Of course, Sebastian knew that Dave really wasn't that annoyed, but it was a good show that Dave was putting up just for Carolyn's sake. God, it was so cute!

"Awwwww!" Carolyn whined. "Come onnnnn Daaaave! You'll love it!"

Dave rolled his eyes and let them fall on his boyfriend. One hand on an excited girl and the other on an equally excited boyfriend, Dave allowed his 265 pound body to be dragged to theatre #3 to watch the G-rated movie. Sebastian stifled a giggle, nearly dropping his popcorn.

"Ohhhhhh, fine Carolyn!" Dave bellyached. "But you owe me!"

And just as they gave the ticket to the usher, Carolyn asked, "Well, what do you want, Davey grizzly bear?"

"I'm a grizzly bear, huh?" Dave growlingly asked, a wicked smile on his face.

Carolyn just giggled. "Yeah! You're a big grizzly bear! Seb told me so!"

"Oh, he did, did he?" Dave asked, his ornery head turning towards Sebastian. But the latter merely shrugged, not saying anything. "Anything to say about this, oh Sebby?"

Carolyn giggled and Sebastian just smiled, not saying a single word. The trio entered the theatre and watched the movie.

Two hours later, they emerged…but were anything but happy. Sebastian and Dave exchanged worried glances when they saw the blatantly sad look on Carolyn's face. Carolyn, dressed in a smart green sweater and blue jeans, held her head low and wouldn't hold either of their hands. Instead, she walked behind them a little, simply following their lead. Ecstatic, happy children her age were jumping around, excited by the movie and their need to go to the restroom. But Carolyn hadn't said a word, her lower lip hanging out, green eyes dulled, and arms hanging limply at her sides.

The boys couldn't take it any longer. Sebastian pointed to a bench, just inside the theatre's exit, and Dave followed. After they sat down, Carolyn stood in front of them, her sadness hovering in the air.

Dave's weakness was completely exposed. He hated seeing sad little girls.

"Carolyn?" Dave gently asked, looking her in the eye. "What's wrong, honey?"

Carolyn let a tear fall. "She's happy."

The boys exchanged glances. "Who?" Sebastian asked.

"She is!"

"Sweetie," Dave began, "who?"

"That girl! In the movie. She's happy. She has a mommy and a daddy."

The boys didn't know what to say to that.

"She's happy! She has a mommy and a daddy! I don't have a mommy. I don't have a daddy." As Carolyn continued, she got louder. And sadder. "I don't have a mommy! I don't have a daddy! I don't have a mommy or a daddy! I don't have nobody! I don't have-"

Dave shut her up by suddenly grabbing her and holding her to his chest. Sebastian reached for her as Dave stroked her back. Wails smashed the boys' eardrums as tears fell on Dave's Izod shirt.

"Carolyn," Dave began, strongly fighting off tears. "You have us. Seb and me. You have-"

"No I don't!" Carolyn hysterically screamed through tears. "I don't! I wanna live with you! I wanna live with you! With you and Seb! Why can't you be my mommy and daddy? WHYYYYY?"

Dave held her tighter, his own tears falling in her hair. Her sobs rocked his firm body. Sebastian fell on Dave's shoulder. And three young people learned just how cruel parents could be when an innocent child is involved.

Carolyn wept. Dave wept. Sebastian wept... They all wept.

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