On Monday, Kurt got to school early. His trepidation about Karofsky returning led him to wanting to get to school early and beat the rush of students in the hope that he would be able to avoid Karofsky.

Unfortunately Karofsky was there early too, waiting for Kurt at his locker. When Kurt saw him from down the hall, he slowed his walking, hoping that Karofsky might move away from his locker before he got there. His hopes were quashed though when he got a foot away from Karofsky, who was leaning right on his locker so he couldn't even open it.

The lug of a jock looked no worse for wear, apparently all healed up after Blaine's attack. He had a glare fixed on Kurt, and it took all of Kurt's willpower to keep his head up.

"You're blocking my locker Dave. Excuse me please."

Dave responded by jabbing a finger into Kurt's chest, "Have you told anyone else except the spaz?"

Kurt inhaled sharply with the finger against his chest and took a step back, though Dave followed, keeping the finger firmly stabbed into Kurt's chest. "No. I didn't even tell him... you did when he attacked you. I don't believe in outing people."

"Good. If you tell ANYONE, I will kill you. You got that?" Karofsky spat as he spoke, and Kurt grimaced as some of the spit got on his cheek.

He nodded once, and the finger left his chest and Karofsky walked off, leaving Kurt trembling and frozen in place. Fear and nausea rose up within him, and once he remembered how to use his legs, he made them take him to the bathroom where he promptly emptied his stomach of breakfast into one of the toilet bowls.

It took him a few more minutes to get back up, sitting beside the toilet bowl and recounting what had just happened. He had had a blissful two week break from Karofsky, and now in the space of a few minutes, he had more than made up for all the fear he had been missing out on.

But he was a Hummel, and no one pushed a Hummel around he reminded himself. He got up, washed his face and hands, and washed his mouth out with water. Once he deemed himself acceptable again, he left the bathroom, head held high, and got what he needed from his locker.

"Kurt!"

The adrenaline still pumping through his system and his dad's booming voice shocked Kurt to the point where he dropped all his books on the ground. He winced and leaned down to grab them, quickly joined not only by his dad, but by Carol as well. Both of them had ridiculous grins on their faces.

"Sorry to spook you son. We need you to take us to Finn. We have news!" His dad said, and honestly, his dad could not be grinning any bigger.

"Alright..." Kurt said, looking between them curiously. He took them first to his locker to put his books back for the moment, and then, with each of them on one of his arms, he led them to Finn's locker who looked at the threesome with curiosity and confusion.

Once they were altogether, Burt and Carol announced they were engaged. Kurt was absolutely enthralled and quickly took over the role of wedding planner, making his first act of business to use the Glee club for entertainment. The pit in his stomach went away with the distraction of having a wedding to plan, and the excitement of having their two houses combine. He had quickly come to love Carol - her cooking, her insights, and her love. She made him feel loved, and even though she would never replace his mother, he was happy there would be someone there when he needed something that only a mother could say or do.

Finn was clearly shocked by the news, but Kurt dismissed it. He knew that Finn didn't like change and was uncomfortable still around Kurt - even though his dad said they'd be getting a house big enough for everyone to have their own rooms. Finn would have to cope with it though. He certainly could see that this would make his mother happy right? Kurt knew how much joy this brought to his dad, and his dad deserved that joy. He had done so much on his own for so long.

So throughout first period, Kurt wrote out wedding plans instead of writing notes. He wanted to make sure this wedding was fabulous. His dad deserved the very best.

He had actually forgotten about Karofsky until he was walking down the hall on his way to second period French and Karofsky's eyes met his from down the hall, Karofsky narrowing his eyes threateningly. The pit immediately reformed in his stomach and he froze for a second before he started walking again with a shakiness to his step.

He was grateful to sit when he got to his French class, grateful for the chair to hold up his weight which suddenly seemed much more difficult to carry.

Blaine walked in not long after he sat down, and the class hushed with his entrance. Mademoiselle Bouvier gave Blaine a welcoming smile and nod as he walked to sit in front of Kurt, who, even if he thought it would be welcomed, didn't acknowledge Blaine yet as his mouth seemed to be disconnected from his brain presently.

Blaine didn't look back to Kurt though, so Kurt was able to sit and try and gather his thoughts and try and think about what he could do to protect himself from Karofsky. The truth though was that Karofsky was about three times his size, and unlike Blaine, Kurt wouldn't succumb to violence. Moreover, he wouldn't even know how to make a proper fist to throw a punch in the first place.

He must have been lost in his thoughts still when Mademoiselle Bouvier gave them their assignment because Blaine had to turn and nudge him, "Come on Kurt. Wakey wakey."

Kurt snapped to attention, looking at Blaine with a tiny smile. He had called him Kurt in class. That little bit of recognition made Kurt's heart leap.

"Sorry... I just... thoughts were not here."

Blaine snickered. "I thought as much. Your dad came and proposed to another woman in my homeroom this morning. It was... uh... weird."

Kurt laughed and nodded, glad he didn't have to come up with an excuse for Blaine about his behavior. "Yes. I'm planning the wedding. It's a little overwhelming but so exciting."

He flipped open his binder to show Blaine his sketches and notes he had made for the wedding, and his heart swelled when Blaine complimented his drawing skills. He could get through this. He just had to keep himself distracted and the wedding was the perfect thing to distract him.

Kurt managed to get through most of the week by focusing on the wedding whenever Karofsky came to mind. He had the Glee club practicing songs and a special entrance dance. However, whenever he saw Karofsky down the hall or got a shove from him into his locker, he found himself having minor panic attacks and, more than once, having to run to the washroom to lose his lunch.

Finn had just left Kurt at his locked after talking with Kurt about doing a mother-son dance at the wedding, when Karofsky made another appearance, stabbing Kurt between the ribs again without a breath of warning. Kurt froze, clutching a wedding cake topper in his hands he had been considering with white knuckles. Karofsky grabbed the topper from Kurt, asked if he could have it, and when Kurt couldn't muster a response, tucked it into his football jacket and walked off, leaving Kurt pinned against the locker and trying to fight off tears.

Mr. Schuester found him like that and managed to help Kurt get to Principal Sylvester's office where he told them about his fear of Karofsky but, true to his word, didn't out Karofsky. Kurt admitted he couldn't concentrate and felt like he was in a horror movie. It would have been so easy to tell them about the kiss and the death threat, but no matter how bad it was for him, he knew that outing someone who wasn't ready was a horrible thing to do and he wouldn't lower himself to that.

While Principal Sylvester was sympathetic, unless there was witnesses willing to talk about the abuse, she couldn't do anything. At least she let him pick a new nickname for himself, telling her just what he thought of it when she called him 'Lady'. At least his new nickname from her, Porcelain, was complementary.

Word must have gotten out to the rest of Glee club, that or they were just finally noticing what was happening, because Artie, Mike, Sam, and even Puck at a restricted level, all confronted Karofsky in the locker room about the bullying. Sam and Karofsky got into it so bad that Sam ended up with a black eye. It was the first time they had all really stood up for him publicly, and his heart warmed by the love they showed for him, though it did nothing to make him less scared.

Blaine was more open about his concerns, and Kurt was thankful that Blaine hadn't witnessed anything that Karofsky was doing. He didn't want to tell Blaine anything either in fear that Blaine would try and retaliate again and get expelled, or worse, arrested. So around Blaine he tried to be upbeat, though the curly haired hottie seemed to see though it, questioning Kurt about his weight loss and the bags under his eyes.

However things came to a head when he was teaching Finn and his dad to dance in the choir room in preparation for the wedding. Karofsky passed by the door and flipped his wrist in insult to Kurt. Burt caught sight of it and before he knew it, Kurt was admitting the abuse to Burt, including the death threat, and then he was having to pull his dad off Karofsky in the hallway.

"I just... don't understand why you felt you couldn't tell me... any of us!" Burt stated as he paced their living room floor that evening. Kurt was sitting in the loveseat while Finn and Carol sat on the couch. Everyone had their eyes on him and he was keeping his eyes firmly set on his lap, full of guilt.

"If I had known about this dude, I totally would have confronted him." Finn chimed in, though Carol set a hand on his shoulder as a nonverbal means of telling him to be quiet and let Burt and Kurt talk.

"I'm sorry... Your heart dad... I didn't want you to worry. I wanted to be able to handle this on my own." Kurt admitted, keeping his eyes downcast.

Burt sighed and went to sit beside Kurt, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and drawing him close in a hug. "It would be worse on my heart to find out that anything happened to you, or that you were going crazy trying to deal with this on your own. We're about to become a family, ALL of us, we need to act like one and that means trusting one another to help when we need it. We need to have each other's backs."

Kurt tucked his head against his father's shoulder with a small sniff. His dad's scent overcame him. That blend of cheap cologne and motor oil had the power to soothe him better than any words could - though he knew his father was right, as he usually was.

They had a meeting scheduled the next day with Principal Sylvester, David Karofsky, and his father. That evening Carol and Finn worked to calm Kurt's nerves while his dad made him tell him everything that happened, and even though he wanted to, he still kept the kiss to himself.

By the time he got to bed, he was more than exhausted. The day had been an emotional drain. However, just as he was settling into bed, his phone beeped with a message.

Why didn't you tell me? Mercedes texted me about what happened after school today! -B

Kurt sighed, wincing his eyes together. Firstly, the fact that Blaine had to ask made him either oblivious or overprotective. Secondly, at what point had Blaine and Mercedes exchanged numbers? And third, since when were they text buddies?

I didn't need you to punch him again. I would prefer you in French with me instead of in jail. -K

I am going to fuck him up so bad tomorrow. -B

Please don't. Please. As my friend, don't. -K

You can't ask me that Kurt. He threatened to kill you and you expect me to do nothing? -B

I expect you to support me and that includes my asking you not to be a total barbarian. -K

If you hadn't noticed, I'm not exactly a hugs and chicken soup for the soul kind of guy. I'm a punch-it-until-it-stops kind of guy. -B

Which is why it would mean so much more to me if you showed some restraint. -K

You're my ONLY friend Kurt. I'm not about to let someone get the better of you. -B

While I appreciate the concept of being fought for, I need you to just sit this one out. We have a meeting tomorrow with the principal and I want to be able to see you afterwards - in school, not jail. -K

Fine. -B

Promise? -K

You want me to fucking promise with a cherry on top? -B

Cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye. Yup. -K

Fine. -B

Good night Blaine. -K

Night. Jerk off if you need to. -B

Kurt groaned, tossing his phone to the foot of his bed and his head back on the pillow. Well that certainly distracted him from thinking about Karofsky.

First thing Friday morning was the meeting, and despite David trying to deny the bullying, his father, who actually seemed like a reasonable individual for having a total jerk for a son, admitted David had been acting off lately. Coach Sylvester expelled David, telling his father they could take it up with the school board if they wanted to. It was more than Kurt had hoped for given how inept Figgins had been as a principal and how much he had let happen within the school. With Karofsky's expulsion, Kurt immediately felt more safe.

"I peed on his car." Blaine admitted as soon as Kurt took his seat in French class.

Kurt rolled his eyes, but a small grin escaped. He couldn't help it - hearing that was icing on the cake, and he was just happy Blaine had refrained from getting into another brawl with Karofsky on his behalf.

"Well as amusing as that is, he's been expelled. It's been a fabulous day."

Blaine grinned back to Kurt. "I also may have sent a parcel of dog crap to his house..."

Kurt tried his best to look aghast, but he couldn't fake it and burst out laughing, catching the eyes of other students in class. He laughed so hard he teared up and Blaine shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

When he finally came down from his chuckle-fest, he wiped the tears out of the corners of his eyes and whispered over to Blaine. "Normally I would not condone such a juvenile act, but you've caught me in an off mood."

Blaine smirked and as the bell rang, he turned back around in his desk to await Mademoiselle Bouvier's instructions.

When they got their chance to work, Kurt asked, "When did you Mercedes exchange numbers and become such good texting buddies?"

Blaine scrunched up his face as he explained, "Well... you were in the can at the restaurant and she insisted on having my information in case she needed to put a beat down on me..."

Kurt's eyes went wide, realizing how protective his friends were of him - between that and the locker room shake down earlier in the week. Blaine continued.

"... and then she apparently heard from your mouth that I can sing and play piano so she's been nagging me to join your club since you only just have enough members and it's good to have extras in case someone gets the shits or something during a competition."

Kurt beamed. "So are you going to audition?"

"Oh fuck no. I've already done enough weird shit for the year by befriending you."

Kurt's smile fell, but not for long given how otherwise happy he was. Karofsky's expulsion, Blaine's antics, and the upcoming wedding had him all on cloud nine.

For only have a couple weeks to get it ready, the wedding was sensational.

And that wasn't just Kurt's opinion. All their family and friends had personally come to tell him what an amazing job he had done. The colors were fantastic, the music amazing (naturally), and the food was divine.

He was glad weddings were only a now-and-then thing, because he used up a whole kleenex box between the service and the reception. His dad's vows in particular had him almost to the point of bawling, and then Carol recognized him not only as a son, but as a friend. He didn't believe in god, but in that moment he felt truly blessed.

Then Finn sang to him - well, to Rachel and Carol too - and danced with him in front of everyone. How far Finn had come from the homophobic boy he was last year.

Kurt felt a little guilty about not inviting Blaine, but it wasn't his wedding to invite people to, and aside from Mercedes, no one else knew about their friendship. Plus he was more than a little worried that Blaine might have said something inappropriate despite the fact that Kurt knew Blaine could be quite cordial when he tried.

Blaine seemed alright with it though, and certainly never questioned not getting an invite. He texted Kurt afterwards to see how things had gone and Kurt sent him some pictures.

You look good in a suit! Should wear one everyday! -B

Kurt blushed, glad only his phone could see his response to that text. He made a mental note to wear more suits to school.

On Monday, Kurt received a message from the office during French that he needed to go to the office for a meeting after school.

"Maybe they're giving you an award for getting Assclown McDouchebag out of the school." Blaine suggested when Kurt looked at the paper with trepidation.

"I don't think I've done anything wrong..." Kurt murmured, worried that he was in trouble for something he didn't even know about.

"As if you could do anything wrong." Blaine countered, and Kurt smiled at him graciously.

"Let me know what happens though. I'll buy you a beer, hell, a keg, to celebrate whatever award you're getting."

Kurt chuckled, "I don't drink Blaine. I had a bad experience last year.

"Wait..." Blaine's eyes lit up in recognition, "Don't tell me you were the one who barfed all over Ms. Pilsbury last year! I heard it was a Glee kid!"

Kurt groaned and hid his face in his hands, "Yes.. and it wasn't all over her... just her shoes."

Blaine laughed, smacking the desk with his palm. "That's fucking hilarious!"

"Well I'm glad one of us thinks so..." Kurt murmured, wishing they could go back to talking about how he should win an award.

Except it wasn't an award.

It was definitely not an award.

With Burt and Carol there, Principal Sylvester told them that Karofsky had appealed to the school board and was being allowed back in. She was tendering her resignation in protest, but the fear was already filling Kurt back up, and he immediately felt sick.

As they walked through the halls towards Glee club, Kurt admitted how terrified he was, and with his face as pale as it had gone, Burt and Carol didn't have a hard time believing him. So they made him an offer, one which he hastily accepted and told his Glee club friends about with tears in his eyes.

Now he had to tell Blaine.

They're letting Karofsky back. My parents are sending me to Dalton. -K

Even though his phone said the message was received, he didn't get a response back that night.