Author's Notes: Storm – Chapter Sixteen

It had been a whole week and a half since the funeral before Kurt even thought about going back to school. He felt bad that he had missed Santana's 'coming out' day, but that guilt is nothing compared to how unready he was to walk the hall's that he once walked with Rachel. He didn't spend those days alone though. Mercedes or Santana would stop by almost every day after school and Kurt had spent a few days in his father's shop doing anything to keep his mind busy. And two of those days he spent with Jeffery and Nathan. After his talk with the couple the day of the funeral Kurt felt better and cleansed from at least the worse of the hurtful feelings.

During that time, he couldn't help but think of Blaine. He just could not understand that boy and how he worked. Blaine was a mystery. The first whole week that Kurt knew of Blaine's existence Blaine couldn't keep his hands or comments to himself, but during the car ride to the Berry's that day Blaine didn't make a sound. His skateboard remained neatly upon his lap and faced forward eyes glued to the road. Kurt actually wished that he would say something, anything, to break the silence of the car. Blaine could even finish what he was going to say at the funeral home for all he cared. Anything would have been better then silent Blaine. It was as Kurt missed - longed - for his voice.

When they made if to Blaine's house that was the last time that Kurt had saw Blaine. The curly haired boy went straight to his room and didn't come down for the duration of Kurt's stay. He was nowhere to be found the next two times that Kurt has visited either.

It was Friday. Kurt's first day back at McKinley High. Friday probably isn't the most practical day to go back, but Kurt thought it as a safe day. If school was to overwhelming that day, then Kurt would have the weekend to help him recoup and start fresh on Monday. His father had agreed to the Friday restart and Kurt made his way on to the school grounds. First day without the presence of his best friend.

It was March now. The first week of March; to be exact. Although, it wasn't the most typical March day. It was warm, almost record high. All the snow had finally melted and the sun shined with no care in the world. Kurt couldn't complain. He was done with snow before it even started, but now he was completely over it. Nothing about snow excited him anymore. Not the sparkle of the sun on it or the joy it brings on Christmas morning. None of it. Kurt could do without. California began to look more promising.

The first two classes went by in a blur. Teachers expressed their condolences and some students shared sad smiles and the rest ignored him as usually. Kurt felt almost bored by everyone and nothing sparked interest within him. Everything was feeling unimportant.

Kurt stood in front of his locker, nervously. When he first got to the school that morning he couldn't find the strength to open his locker so he went the first classes with one notebook that was already in his back and no books. But he didn't care and the teachers didn't either. He was afraid to see the pictures that lay inside. The pictures filled with memories and moments he would never forget with or without the photographs as proof. He signed reaching for the lock, it was now or never.

His fingertips just lighting brushed the nob on the lock when a slam on the lockers echoed through the hall. Kurt jumped at the sound, turning to see where it came from, his heart raced from fright. Blaine stood down the hall head pressed against the locker; fingers were locked into a tight fist pressed into the locker doors. A few guys from the hockey team huddled around the boy laughing.

Kurt took a deep breath and began walking straight to where Blaine was standing. He ignored the hockey team's comments of: "What's twinkle toes doing?" "What the fuck does he think he's doing?" "Does he want to get beat up too?" "He probably wants..." Kurt slammed him hand into the locker doors making the hockey boys jump. Blaine stayed where he was.

"Shut up!" Kurt gritted through his teeth. The boys look appalled at Kurt's new attitude. Never had Kurt talked back to them like that before.

"Don't talk to me that way, fairy!" one of the boys threatened.

"I will talk however I want to talk." Rage began to flow into Kurt's body. He was sick and tired of every one treating him like he is not a person or that he doesn't have feelings.

"Don't make me hit you," the boy threatened again. Kurt couldn't help but roll his eyes in annoyance.

"Then hit me," Kurt felt a hand touch his wrist, but ignored it. "It's not like I have never been hit before. So go ahead. I am sure that you will feel manlier then before." confusion slipping over the hockey players face, but quickly disappeared with rage again. He stepped forward fist raised and Kurt stood standing tall eyeing the boys. He was ready for the impact of the punch.

"Hit him and I will beat the living shit out of you," Blaine took a step in front of Kurt hand gently placed on Kurt's wrist.

The hockey player let out a soft chuckle, "Ah, it makes sense now." Kurt gave him a confused look. "Rachel fought you battles for you before and you are so pathetic that you need someone else. So why not the next thing close to Rachel to continue to fight them because of how weak you are."

Kurt heart sped up. He could fight his own battles he didn't need anyone else.

"Tell me Blaine," the player spoke confidently leaning over to Blaine's face. "Does he pay good?" Blaine took a step back toward Kurt losing balance for a second. Kurt placed his hands on his back helping him to steading himself and holding back tears. Kurt was angry. He told himself this morning that he would not cry, but that seemed to be changing fast. "I bet he's a good fuck, a screamer probably." The player whispered the last couple of words and that is when Blaine punched him square in the face. Kurt let out a squeak covering him mouth quickly as possible to not attract more attention.

"What is going on here?!" a teacher yelled form down the hall.

"Shit," Blaine muttered to himself and turned to face Kurt, them no only inches away from one another. "Come with me."

Kurt eyed him in shock, "What?"

"Please, just," Blaine looked almost frustrated. "Please come with me." Blaine grabbed both of Kurt's hands.

"Okay," Kurt's voice was barely a whisper as Blaine began dragging him down the hall.

Before Kurt knew it Kurt was driving to who knows where with Blaine besides him in the passenger seat giving directions. Eventually they pulled into a dirt parking lot, about a half an hour away from Lima. Kurt pulled his car next to a beat up truck and placed it in park. He cut the engine and turned his body half facing Blaine

"Blaine, where..?"

"It's a country festival. They have it ever year. There's food, rides, games, contest, and little 'craft shopping area'. I found it a few years ago when I boarded at school. It's about twenty minutes away. It's fun. I have come here every year since I found it and I though…" Blaine paused, before whispering, "I feel safe here." Kurt nodded slightly understanding what Blaine meant.

"Come on," Kurt said finding Blaine's hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go check it out." Blaine eyes found Kurt's, for the first time since they left the school, and gave him a small smile. They stepped out of the car and made their way to the entrance booth so they could get in. They stood side by side both of them had their hands shoved deep into their pockets.

"Two?" The lady at the booth questioned looking between the two boys before giving a genuine smile. Blaine gave a nod taking out his wallet to pay and quickly shot Kurt down when he did the same.

"Kurt, stop, I got it. I dragged you here. I might as well pay," Blaine grabbed Kurt's wallet from his hands and held it while giving money from his wallet to the lady. She giggled and gave Kurt a quick wink. Kurt blushed letting his hands drop to his sides in defeat beginning to feeling anxious.

"May I have your wrists please?" the lady asked hold out bracelets. She placed one around Blaine's first and then Kurt's. He let out a quiet 'thank you' to the lady before following Blaine through the entrance.

Blaine walked a few steps ahead and slipped both his and Kurt's wallet into his pockets. The place wasn't filled with too many people, yet. They walked past multiple food stand selling giant donuts, fired veggies, popcorn, fried dough, etc.

Kurt nervously wrapped his arms around himself. Blaine surprised him when he took his wallet and paid for him to get in. He wanted to argue and stand his ground but he couldn't. Or maybe he didn't want to? And for some reason Kurt could not get the word date out of his head. It wasn't. It couldn't be.

"Blaine…" it was only a whisper but Blaine turned his eyes instantly softened as they lay on Kurt. He closed the few feet between them. "Why isn't there a lot of people?" Kurt didn't know why he asked that. He didn't know what he was even going to say but it wasn't going to be that. Blaine pursed his lips before turning placing a hand on Kurt's lower back and began walking.

"Today is basically the first day. It's more like set up time right now. The venders, ride people, whoever, finish up what they didn't do yesterday. Now is actually the best time to come because it is not that crowded. Although in the next couple of hours people will begin to start showing up. Now is the time to view the venders and the contest." Blaine stopped both him and Kurt staring up at the Ferris wheel. Blaine moved closer. "Will you join me on an adventure through the venders?" he whispered into Kurt's ear. Kurt didn't trust himself to speak so he just nodded. Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand pulling Kurt in the other direction away from the ferris wheel and that ring toss game. Blaine couldn't help but smile at Kurt quickly before covering it up.

An hour later found the two running wild from the vender building laughing hysterically. They had encountered a woman trying to sell homemade lotion and perfume that smelled like piss.

Kurt grimaced as he stopped at the booth. Blaine turned facing the table when a goofy look appeared on his face. He glanced over at Kurt before breaking out in song.

"Pardon me, sir, what's that awful stench?" A smile broke out on Kurt's face and he joined in.

"Are we standing near an open trench?"

"Must be standing near an open trench," Blaine smiled and skipped a few lines of the song."What is this?"

"What is this?"

"Smells like piss," Blaine pretended to examine the bottles without touching them.

"Smells like – ew." Kurt scrunched his face.

"Looks like piss." Blaine pointed his finger at the bottle.

"Wouldn't touch it if I was you, dear." Kurt brushed Blaine's hand away.

However the lady selling did not find it funny at all and chased them right out of the vending building. She didn't make it too far before running out of breath.

They two clung to each other laughing till tears came to their eyes.

"Blaine," Kurt said between laughs his head tucked into Blaine's neck arms around his neck. "I can't believe you did that."

Blaine smiled through his laugh, his hand on Kurt's waist hold him up, "You did it too. This is not my fault completely. I just started it." Kurt picked his head up staring into Blaine's golden eyes.

"Yeah exactly," Kurt said mockingly. "You started it." Blaine didn't respond instead he just stared at Kurt admiring his beautiful eyes, structured face, and gorgeous lips. Kurt swallowed hard releasing his arms from the curly haired boy's neck and taking a full step back feeling Blaine's hands fall from his sides. He looked anywhere, but Blaine. He noticed how the festival grounds became heavily crowded in the past hour.

He heard Blaine sigh softly, "Would you like to go see what rides there are?" Kurt glanced at Blaine suddenly feeling self-conscious from the surrounding people.

"Sure."

The walk to the ride area was quiet between Kurt and Blaine, but the people around them talked loudly and high pitched screams of happiness and joy were heard. Long lines were already formed for most of the rides. The ferris wheel started moving and Kurt, watching the couples smiling happily at each other as they made it to the top and then back down of ferris wheel, slammed right into Blaine's back. His arms gripped Blaine's hips trying to keep his balance. Blaine placed a hand on top of Kurt's. Kurt turned his head to see Blaine slipping money to the ticket booth lady and was handed tickets in return.

"Let's try the bumper cars," Blaine smirked slipping his hand into Kurt's and dragging the boy through the crowd. Kurt took a deep breath trying not to trip over anything as Blaine, even with his short characteristics, bolted through the crowd of people, but also trying not to shake from nervousness at Blaine's hand in his, again.

Kurt eyed the line to the bumper car set up and, of course, it is the longest line of them all.

"Blaine," Kurt let out a tiny whine. "This line is so long." Kurt had never been in a bumper car before and wished to never try them. The dirtiness of everything and potential whiplash just didn't sounds appealing.

"No worries," Blaine turned to give him a small smile. "I know a short cut." Blaine averted the line and walked around the side of the bumper car set up. Letting go of Kurt's hand he ripped enough tickets for both him and Kurt and shoved the rest inside his jeans pocket.

"I have a confession," Kurt blurted out and Blaine turned to Kurt immediately giving him full attention. "I- uh- I never done this before, this bumper car thing." Kurt looked down at this hands and then back to Blaine's face. The boy's eyes were soft, almost loving.

"That's okay, Kurt," Blaine placed a hand safely on Kurt's arm. "You can ride with me. It will be a tight squeeze but we will make it work." Before Kurt could respond a guy called to Blaine.

"Blaine, my man," a gruff voice came from a hefty guy walking across the bumper car rank avoiding the cars are they went around.

"Bennie," Blaine gave a small smirk. Bennies placed a hand on the boys shoulder with a light pat.

"I didn't think that you would show, considering…"

Blaine cleared his throat and Kurt fell awkwardly back a step looking in a different direction.

"Yeahhh, we had a rough day, I supposed?" it was more of a question. Blaine wasn't really sure how he actually got to this spot, with Kurt, nonetheless.

"Which brings me to the next order of business, who is this handsome fella?" Bennie changed the subject smoothly and couldn't help but notice Blaine holding back a smile. He examined the way the boy's mood shifted from one subject to the next. Blaine opened his mouth to speak, but Kurt beat him to it.

"I'm Kurt, uh- friend of Blaine," Kurt greeting holding out his hand. Bennie took it giving a firm shake.

"Bennie. That's a nice grip you have there." Kurt gave a nod saying no more and his attention turned to the slowing cars behind the man. Kids laughed while others pouted. "You guys looking for a ride?" Blaine glanced over to Kurt before giving Bennies a nod.

"Yes, we are. Just one car, though. Kurt's a virgin," Blaine said with a wink to Kurt. Kurt month fell open at his words before rolling his eyes. Bennie gave a light chuckle talking the tickets from Blaine's hand nodding at the guy in front letting him know that Blaine and Kurt were coming in.

Blaine jumped over the gate next to where Bennie was standing and Kurt began to laugh. Blaine raised an eyebrow looking at Kurt, instantly falling in love with the boy's laugh, "What is so funny?"

"That- there is no way I am going to be able to get over this fence. Do you know how tight these jeans are?" Blaine eyes fell over the boys legs letting out a shuddering breath. Kurt let out a few more laughs, "Can't I just use the gate like a normal person?"

"Where's your sense of adventure?" Blaine let a smile escape.

"Well guys I can't go. Blaine have fun- Don't you dare pick me up. Blaine. Blaine!" Kurt squeaked as Blaine reached over the fence and picking Kurt up bridal style bringing him over the fence. Kurt let out a scream wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck.

"See that wasn't that hard," Blaine spoke almost mockingly.

"Blaine put me down!" Kurt demanded as Blaine continued to walk to a car arms full of Kurt. "Blaine!"

Blaine chuckled and slid Kurt slowly to the ground letting their eyes lock for a few seconds and Kurt immediately released his hands and looked away blush rising on his face.

"Get in the car, Kurt," Blaine sank down in the blue #17 bumper car and patted the spot next to him. "Come on you can do it. Courage." Kurt looked around nervously. Kids ran, teens too, to find a car to take over for the next five minutes. "Kurt, they are going to start soon."

Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and pulled him down, almost tripping over the side of the car. Kurt fell into the car smoothly. It was tiny, a claustrophobic tiny, but his body seemed to fit perfectly between Blaine and the side of the car. It brought memories back from the night of the accident. How they moved together, nervously, and full of emotions. How Blaine took care of him. How Blaine cherished him.

Kurt gripped his knees nervously not sure exactly where it was okay to put them.

"You'll be fine, Kurt. I'll protect you from any mean bumper car players," Blaine whispered in the boy's ear.