June 5, 2012, 1:28 p.m.
In the dark: Comfort
T - Words: 1,757 - Last Updated: Jun 05, 2012 Story: Complete - Chapters: 16/16 - Created: Jun 05, 2012 - Updated: Jun 05, 2012 503 0 0 0 0
Blaine had woken up early Monday morning and changed into his Dalton uniform. He ate breakfast with Burt, both of them plagued by fatigue from the lack of sleep they had gotten. Kurt hadn't been able to sleep. Even though rationally he knew he was safe – Karofsky was being held by police until they had gotten this mess sorted out – Kurt couldn't stop the fear bubbling inside him.
Karofsky knew that he had told – it had become obvious when the police had taken him to the station – and the thought terrified him. If Karofsky was capable of blinding him then he was surely capable of carrying out his death threat.
Kurt flinched when he heard footsteps, now incredibly jumpy with his fear. Lucy panted softly as Blaine entered and he gently scratched her head before lowering himself on the bed next to Kurt.
"I have to get going," Blaine murmured, pulling Kurt closer to him. His boyfriend scrambled closer, tucking himself into Blaine's arms. "Will you be OK? You look pale."
Kurt breathing stuttered and he clutched Blaine's shirt tightly. "I'm scared, Blaine," Kurt whispered truthfully. So far they had been nothing but honest in their relationship and Kurt wanted to continue this.
"About what?" Blaine asked patiently.
"Karofsky," Kurt whimpered and Blaine held him tightly.
"He can't get to you, Kurt," Blaine assured him. "You're safe."
"Logically, yes," Kurt agreed, "but I'm still scared."
Blaine gently placed a kiss on his temple before speaking. "I won't let him hurt you again."
"I know," Kurt whispered.
"Promise me something?"
"What?" Kurt asked.
"Tell your therapist this," Blaine said and Kurt buried himself into Blaine's chest. "Please."
"I'll try," Kurt promised and Blaine kissed his temple again.
"I'm really sorry but I have to go," Blaine winced. He didn't want to leave Kurt but knew he had to go to school and inform the Warblers of what was going on.
"OK," Kurt murmured, pulling back and letting go of Blaine's shirt.
Blaine gently cupped Kurt's face and kissed him sweetly, trying to offer his boyfriend some comfort. Kurt kissed him back slowly, darting out his tongue to taste Blaine.
Blaine pulled back slowly and rested his forehead against his boyfriend's, gently stroking his cheek with his thumb. "I'll come back after school," he promised.
"You don't need to," Kurt said quietly. "I'll be OK."
"I want to," Blaine insisted. "I'll miss you. I like spending all this time with you."
"I do to," Kurt murmured. "So much."
"I'll be back," Blaine repeated. "Good luck today."
"Thank you," Kurt smiled softly. Blaine pulled away and Kurt listened to him leave. He sat still, listening to the muffled footsteps above him and the murmured voices until he heard the door close and a few minutes later, Blaine's car start.
Kurt pulled himself together and searched for his wardrobe, pulling out what he hoped was a stylish outfit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurt sat on the leather couch, shoulders tense. It had been a strained hour as he struggled to tell Belinda what had happened this weekend but he owed it to himself, Burt and Blaine to talk it out so that he could start moving on with his life and get rid of the fear that was threatening to hold him back.
"You did very well today, Kurt," Belinda told him kindly. "I'll you see you next week at the same time."
"OK," Kurt nodded. He stood up, gripping his cane tightly and tapped his way to the door. He fumbled for the door handle and turned it.
Burt stood up when Kurt came out, hurrying to him. "How'd it go?" He asked, taking Kurt's arm.
"Alright," Kurt shrugged. "Felt nice to talk about it."
"Good," Burt smiled, glad that Kurt had been able to open up.
"Are we going home now?" Kurt asked as they headed out to the car.
"Yes," Burt answered.
They got to the car and slipped inside and headed home.
"Wow, so he's been keeping who did this to him to himself all this time?" Wes breathed, eyes wide. "How?"
"I have no idea," Blaine shook his head. "It was only by accident we found out."
"But the police have been told yeah?" Nick asked and Blaine nodded. "That's good."
"How's he coping?" David asked.
"He's scared," Blaine told them. "I don't know what to do."
"Be there for him," Jeff said. "He feels safe with you. He always angles himself in the direction of your voice when he's with you. He relies on you."
"We should do something for him," Wes offered. "Make sure he doesn't feel alone."
"That's a great idea," Blaine smiled. "Thanks Wes."
Wes nodded and grinned back and the boys started brainstorming what they could do for Kurt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurt was walking Lucy in the backyard when he heard voices, but he couldn't make out what they were saying as he was too far away.
He frowned when he heard the back door open and turned around.
"Kurt, you have some visitors," Burt announced.
"Who?"
"Us," Tina smiled. "Mike, Brittany."
"Hi," Kurt greeted.
"Also the others," Tina hesitated, "from New Directions."
Kurt's smile faded and he shifted. "Oh," he said softly.
"Kurt," Mercedes said and he heard her approach him. He felt her hands take his and she squeezed them tightly. She took a shaky breath. "I know I haven't been a good friend lately and for that I am so sorry. You were the one in trouble and I was being selfish."
Kurt said nothing, his face completely devoid of emotion.
"We wanted to apologize," Quinn spoke up, "and make up for our behaviour."
He felt someone take a stand next to him and wrap an arm around him. He sniffed and smelt Brittany's familiar perfume. "Hi dolphin," Brittany grinned and Kurt gave her a small smile.
"Can we give you our apology?" Finn asked hopefully.
Kurt again said nothing but just nodded. He heard them shuffling around and Mercedes let go off his hand. Someone briefly touched him on the shoulder.
"Hey," Mike whispered as he passed and Kurt nodded his hello.
You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Keep holding on
Keep holding on
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Kurt's face was blank as he listened, head bowed. The final notes lingered in the air and New Directions waited for Kurt to move and say something. Lucy had padded over to Kurt and he was absently stroking her fur, staying silent.
"Kurt?" Mercedes prompted, coming back to sit next to her friend, biting her lip.
"You hurt me," Kurt finally spoke and they all winced. "Too many of you have been quick to let homophobia slide and when it gets too hard, you bail."
"We're sorry," Rachel pleaded. "We should have done more."
"Yes, but you are all so absorbed in petty drama when I was in real trouble and not one of you noticed," Kurt shot back and he sighed. "You are not to blame for me being blind but you could have helped."
"We are sorry," Artie apologized. "But we want to reassure you that we are here for you. Whatever you need."
"We want to prove ourselves," Puck added.
"We want to fix this," Santana said firmly.
"Please forgive us Dolphin," Brittany begged, coming up beside Kurt.
He sighed and bit his lip. "I'll need more than a song for that," Kurt told them.
"Of course," Mercedes agreed. "We know, we just wanted to show you how sorry we are."
Kurt nodded and his head perked up. "You can come out, Blaine."
New Directions looked up to see a sheepish looking Blaine approaching.
"Of course you heard me," Blaine chuckled, placing a hand on Kurt's shoulder and kissing his cheek.
"Is this your boyfriend?" Mercedes asked, looking at Blaine.
"Yes," Kurt affirmed, taking Blaine's hand. "You left too quickly last time to be introduced."
Mercedes winced but knew she deserved the dig. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too," Blaine said politely, nodding.
"How was school?" Kurt asked.
"Good," Blaine smiled. "I missed you."
Tina and Mike smiled at the couple, linking hands. They were happy for Kurt to have found someone, knowing that he had been lonely for a long time.
"We should get going," Tina smiled, touching Kurt's arm affectionately. "Thank you for listening."
Kurt smiled in her direction and nodded. "We'll catch up soon," Kurt promised and she beamed.
The others said their goodbyes, leaving Blaine and Kurt alone in the back yard. Kurt let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding and sagged against Blaine.
"Stressful day?" Blaine asked and his boyfriend nodded, resting his head on Blaine's shoulder.
"I didn't know they were coming," Kurt murmured. "But it was nice to have them here and to hear them apologize. Even though I was angry, I have missed them."
Blaine smiled and kissed Kurt's forehead. "You are amazing, Kurt," Blaine said honestly and Kurt smiled. He reached up to guide Blaine's face to his and pulled him into a kiss, seeking comfort from his boyfriend.
Blaine hugged him tightly, pulling away and he just held Kurt, giving him all the comfort he could.