This was all unbelievable. Sure his ass was sore from the night before, but he was Kurt-freaking-Hummel, he could push through the pain. Hell, in high school hed cheered with a split on two fingers after spraining them after a failed catch and theyd still won nationals. Someone needed to tell that to the doctor, fussing over him like he was a baby. Yes, he hurt. In fact he hurt a lot. There was spasms of pain shooting up his back, more than just the tender ache courtesy of Blaine, and his ankle felt like it had been wrenched through a wringer, but he could still perform. He had to.

Maybe he should have taken it easier, or at least stretched more before practice (not that he had the time after rushing out and getting himself ready in record time). At the very least he should have monitored himself better the night before. He wouldnt be in this predicament if that had been the case. He wouldnt have been fighting a numbing ache that had traveled up his spine and down his legs, limiting his flexibility and causing him to lose his balance. What the hell had he been thinking…

Right. He hadnt. He had downed the alcohol in the hopes it would suppress the thoughts that had been plaguing him. Thoughts about Blaine, who he was, and what he really wanted. He didnt want to wax philosophical when he was supposed to be enjoying college life, so he had drank… and drank and drank until he was under the covers with the guy he wasnt supposed to be falling for.

Fat lot of good it had done him in the end.

Now Blaine was here, looking at him like he was a wounded animal while his teammates fretted over the competition that was supposed to happen the next day because the damned doctor was telling Coach Beiste that Kurt needed to be excused from all cheer activities until he checked out clear.

Stupid athletic health regulations.

He bore his teeth against each other, gritting them down until they squeaked against one another which made his skull shudder. He was still fighting off a hangover to top everything off and his head was pounding.

"Just give me some pain medication and Ill be fine!" He finally hissed through his teeth, glowering at the nurse and doctor.

"Sorry bud. No can do. I can give you something to help with the pain but you wont be fine. No competition tomorrow." The doctor asserted, writing something down on his pad.

Kurt wasnt going to take that as an answer. He propped himself up on his palms and pushed up, wincing as the pain flared up throughout him from all angles as he forced himself to stand. Unfortunately the nurse was faster at getting to his side than he was at getting up and the jerk was wrapping his arms around Kurts torso and pulling him back down to the mat in seconds.

"Stay until the doctor has your ankle bound and we get you some crutches."

"Im FINE." Kurt spat once more, tears welling into the corners of his eyes.

"Pumpkin, its rotten but we have to follow the regulations. Youll get the whole team disbanded for the season if you play." Coach Beiste directed towards him.

"What about the competition coach?"
"Yeah. We just cant forfeit…"
"I stayed at school instead of going home because of the competitions!"

Coach Beiste turned back to the rest of the team, trying to soothe them and leaving Kurt to watch with only Blaines eyes still on him, still looking at him with pity. Why the hell was he even here?

"What about Anderson?" One of the stunt team members asked suddenly, drawing everyones attention, including Blaines. "Hes been peeking down at us from the weight room every practice and hes totally turned the Spartans around. Ill bet he could fill in."

"Yeah, but I -" Blaine began, eyes wide as he seemed to catch sight of everyone looking at him now.

"Could work. Hes a little bit short but you are right Smith, he has shown a lot of potential."

"But -"

"Lets try the routine with him!"

"I -"

Whatever Blaine had to say, it didnt get through as Kurts teammates ignored him and dragged Blaine out onto the mats in front of him and Coach, who directed the whole ensemble while Kurt was helpless to do anything more than watch as Blaine usurped his position while the doctor wrapped his his ankle. Of course he knew every move and flip and turn, and did them all perfectly under the guidance of the rest of the team. In fact, Blaine was so good that Kurt couldnt help but stare. The man had a way of moving so fluidly that it looked like he was dancing even when he was airborne. It was something Kurt had never mastered, that level of relaxedness. He knew his moves were mechanical in comparison. Theyd never want him back on the team if they had Blaine.

"Heres a painkiller for now." The doctor declared, setting a pill into Kurts mouth which he swallowed dry as he watched the routine being performed without him. No one paying him any mind. No one worried about how he was doing or feeling. Kurt was all but forgotten down there.

Like Blaine had been planning for it the whole time.

Kurt squinted, trying to hold the tears back. He had been such an idiot. Of course Blaine had been planning for it. Why else would he watch the routine they had been working on so religiously and obvious enough that someone would suggest Blaine step in? It was payback for everything Kurt had done to him, and screwing Kurt had all been part of the plan. It had to have been. Set him up to fail and then swoop in to take his place, feigning innocence by batting those stupidly long eyelashes. Hurting Kurt where he was the most vulnerable. Taking it all from him.

"Can I go now?" Kurt murmured quietly once his ankle was bound up and some crutches were brought out.

"Look, I know this isnt ideal bud, but at least now you can maybe visit some family over the holidays? You know I wont clear you for a week at least anyhow." The doctor suggested, helping Kurt to his feet and tucking the crutches under his armpits.

"Yeah…." Kurt huffed, taking one last lingering look at the team before hobbling out, "... think Ill do just that."

If there was anything he could count on, it was that his dad would be ready and willing to give him the hug he desperately felt he needed right then and there.

Quintessential
What the hell happened? Why is Blaine performing with the Stunt team? Where did my Kurt go?

AuntieSnix
Apparently he fell on his ass. First time for everything… well, Kurts fallen on his ass before, but that was in the halls at McKinley, not during cheer.

KittysKorner
God… I dont know whether I should be happy or sad…

Quintessential
Sad obviously! Kurt lives for his spotlight! Fuck! Why didnt he tell me?!

FondueForMew
I saw his dad come and pick him up from his dorm. He was on crutches!

Quintessential
I am so pissed off at him right now. Im supposed to be his BFF. Why didnt he tell me this?!

KittysKorner
Maybe because youd make a big scene?

AuntieSnix
Maybe because youd make it all about you?

Quintessential
Screw you both.

FondueForMew
Poor Kurt.