Chapter Seven

Kurt stormed out of the auditorium and almost smacked right into Finn as he turned to go down the hallway.

"Whoa Kurt! Are you okay?"

Kurt had to shake off his anger and compose himself back into his usual calm and suave self. "Oh. Hello Finn." He said pushing his hair off to the side of his face with a gentle flick of his wrist.

"Your dad is looking for you. Him and my mom are waiting in the Choir room. They're all chatty and stuff. It's weird. It's like they're friends now or something. Anyways, he's all finished talkin' with Mr. Schue." Finn rambled.

"Good. Good – I'm ready to go home." Kurt said with a forced smile.

"Dude, are you sure you're ok? You look kinda… flustered." Finn said with an arched eyebrow.

"No, of course I am fine. I'd better go find my dad. See you Monday?"

"Uhhh sure, sounds good. Later dude." Finn said and watched with increasing confusion as the thin boy elegantly padded down the hallway towards the choir room.

Finn was still standing there trying to connect the dots when the door into the auditorium opened yet again and a second figure emerged.

"Blaine?" Finn questioned, taking in the boys puffy red eyes. "Dude. What the hell?"

Blaine looked up from the floor, obviously shocked to find anyone standing in the hallway with him. He quickly wiped a sleeve over his face and cleared his throat. "I-I'm fine Finn. Thanks. I gotta run. See you at football tomorrow?" He didn't wait for an answer; he just looked down at the floor once again and carried on down the hallway, in the opposite direction that Kurt had disappeared only moments before.

Finn stood in the hallway looking utterly perplexed.

Did I miss something?

A large group of Cheerios were prancing around in their dainty little uniforms and shaking their red and white pompoms as Burt Hummel approached the football field the following afternoon. The stands were filled with fans – the majority there in support of the Titans, many going as far as wearing red and black colored clothes. Some had large signs painted on poster board. Burt chuckled as he saw one that said "Puck – Marry Me?" He didn't know who this 'Puck' was, but the sign was funny as hell.

Burt smiled as he reminisced about his high school football playing days. He'd loved the game from day one. It had always been such an adrenaline rush. The feeling of catching a Hail Mary pass and running the distance into the end zone. It wasn't a feeling one could forget - the feeling of belonging to a team. Not to mention all the girls that loved the attention of the football players. Yup – Burt Hummel was an absolute ladies man in his day. He sighed with a dopey grin plastered on his face.

"Dad, are you coming? The game is about to start."

Burt's grin faded as he pulled down his grease-stained 'Hummel Tire and Lube' baseball cap and followed his son up the steps to a row of unoccupied bleacher seats.

"I can't believe you wanted to come with me Kurt." He said, taking his seat and looking out across the field at the Cheerios, who were now in the middle of creating a human pyramid. "Usually I have to drag you kicking and screaming to things like this."

Kurt got a funny, almost offended look on his face until his father quickly added, "Not that I mind son. You know I like spending time with you. I'm happy you offered to come along."

Kurt relaxed into his seat and folded one leg over the other. It was slightly breezy out so he pulled the collar of his Marc Jacobs sweater up around his neck and tightened his cashmere scarf. He noticed his father was scanning the bleachers, as though looking for someone. When he saw Burt's eyes grow large and a big smile form on his face, Kurt followed his father's stare and caught sight of Carole Hudson walking up the steps towards them.

"Hello Burt! Glad you could make it today!" Carole said with a happy smile once she managed to find her way to the seat on the opposite side of Burt. "Hi dear," she added with a wink towards Kurt.

Burt turned to her and smiled, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Kurt nodded and silently patted himself on the back. It looked like his plan was working perfectly.

Moments later the PA Announcer startled everyone, "Give it up for your McKinley Titans!"

Everyone in the stands stood and cheered as the boys dressed in red and white poured out onto the field.

Kurt's eyes scanned all of the players until they rested on the boy who stood a few inches taller than all the rest and wore the familiar number five. He giggled and clapped with excitement as he noticed that his mind hadn't been exaggerating when it had compiled the mental image of Finn wearing the tight football pants.

Burt had no idea that Kurt was so into football.

The game started off with the Titans winning the coin toss, meaning the Raiders would kick off and the hometown boys would receive the ball.

The Northwood kicker lined up and kicked the football down the field. It soared through the air and Kurt watched as one of the Titans on the punt return team lined himself up under it and caught it. The player, who wore number sixteen, took off like a shot down the field, zigging and zagging through the tangle of players on the field. Kurt felt his dad stiffen with excitement next to him as the boy continued to seemingly fly down the field.

"Go sixteen go!" Burt screamed excitedly. "Look at that little fucker run!"

Kurt smiled at his dad's enthusiasm and glanced back down to the field where he could see Finn watching the kick return and jumping up and down in excitement. Apparently the punt returner had scored off the opening kick! He'd run the ball all the way down the field, manipulating himself through the entire Raiders team and into the end zone. Touchdown!

The entire football stadium roared with applause and screams of encouragement.

The rest of the squad rushed over to the boy and gave him high fives and pats on the helmet. A few of the team members even gave the boy "good job" smacks on the rear end. A smile twitched at the corner of Kurt's mouth. Maybe he should join the football team again.

The game continued on. Finn was playing well – he'd connected with the wide receiver (who turned out to be the same kid wearing number 16) on multiple attempts, gaining serious yardage on each play. They were a very strong pairing. Noah Puckerman had scored two touchdowns and even Mike Chang got in on the action with a touchdown.

The only part of the game that Kurt refused to enjoy was the fact that Dave Karofsky was on the field. The large teen was a strong defender. As the Right Guard, the teen created a wall of protection for his quarterback. Then, when Finn would call a handoff or a running play, he and Azimio would push through the opposing line and create plenty of space for Puck to bulldoze his way through.

Kurt shook his head at the irony of it all. Karofsky and Azimio were so ignorant and hateful, but on the field the two were such a dynamic duo of protection for the other members of their team. Everyone on the field – including players on both teams, respected their athleticism and skill.

Kurt couldn't help but notice the skill levels of all the players. It wasn't like he didn't have any clue about what was going on out there on the field; it was just that usually he didn't care. He knew that Finn was having a phenomenal game. He was 28/36 on his passes and had even run a few plays into the end zone himself. The McKinley Titans were on fire.

The final score was 42-6 in favor of the hometown boys. Fans lingered in their seats following the game, talking animatedly about what had easily been the most entertaining game of the season.

Burt and Carole were busy chatting about the game, and Kurt quickly grew bored, so he decided to go for a walk. Maybe, if he was lucky, he would run into Finn and tell him congratulations on the great game.

Kurt wandered down the halls of his school and stopped to look at the awards in the football trophy case. There was a photo of the football team from the year before when Kurt was the kicker. He looked so young, and so incredibly small in the football gear. He smiled as he noticed how happy Finn looked in the picture. It was the first game the team had won in quite some time and Kurt had been a part of it. He sighed as he reminisced about that great day.

Meanwhile, Burt and Carole made their way over to the player's entrance of the locker room. They hadn't waited long before Finn appeared, walking with his Titans duffle bag hanging off one shoulder and his other arm draped over the shoulders of a much shorter boy Burt had never seen before.

"Finn!" Burt shouted, giving the boy a proud slap on the back, "Hell of a game there kiddo!"

Finn looked up with a goofy grin. "Hey Burt! Glad you could make it. This is Blaine. He's our all-star wide receiver. Four touchdowns today!" The lanky teenager ruffled the other boy's already unruly hair. "Blaine this is my mom Carole and this is Burt."

"Hey Blaine, Number sixteen, right? That was some kinda clinic you put on out there buddy." Burt said with pride, extending his hand out. "That kick-off return was pretty epic."

Blaine flushed, looking genuinely humbled by Burt's comments. "Thank you sir." He took the elder Hummel's hand and gripped it in a strong handshake.

"Ha! Sir? That's my dad's name… You can call me Burt."

Blaine smiled and nodded, shrugging his duffle bag higher up on his left shoulder.

Carole stepped in and gave Finn a gracious hug. "We're thinking of going for a bite of pizza to celebrate. Are you hungry Finn?"

Finn laughed, "Mom, I'm always hungry, you know that."

Burt looked over at Blaine, "Are your parents here Blaine? Do you have dinner plans? You could join us if you like. You deserve it after a game like that!"

Blaine's eyes grew large and his jaw dropped slightly. They just asked me to join their family for dinner? I don't even know them…

"Uhhh.. They weren't able to make it today." Blaine said quietly. "They're both working."

"Oh, well then in that case, you are definitely coming to dinner with us then!" Carole added with a genuine smile. "Our treat Blaine."

The smile returned to Blaine's face and he looked over to Finn, who gave him an approving nod. "Sure, I guess." He said. "As long as it's no trouble."

"Not at all Blaine." Burt chimed in, "This way I can grill you both about football strategy!"

"Where's Kurt?" Finn asked.

Blaine froze. No way.

"He took off shortly after the game ended. He should be back so- oh! There he is…" Burt looked over Blaine's shoulder as his son walked into view.

Finn turned around and quickly waved Kurt over, "Hurry up dude! We're going for pizza!"

"Dad you know that pizza is not good for…" Kurt started as he walked up to the group. He froze when he noticed Blaine standing next to his father and Finn. His eyes narrowed and he looked instantaneously angry. "Blaine? What the fuck are you doing here?"

Burt's head snapped over to his son. "Kurt! Language!" He looked over to Carole, silently apologizing for his son's uncharacteristic outburst.

Blaine was still shocked as his brain slowly put the pieces together. "Burt? You're Kurt's dad? I thought… I-I didn't…" He stuttered. "I j-just remembered that I have to go home. I-I can't go out to dinner with him, I-I mean with you."

Burt looked confused. This time it was his turn to put the pieces together. "You're Blaine."

Blaine looked up at him, eyebrows knitted and with bewilderment written on his face. He knows about me? Kurt has talked about me?

"You're the homophobic asshole who has been giving my son trouble at school!"

"What? Sir, I…" Blaine stammered, unconsciously backing away from the man.

"Listen here you little prick…" Burt said wagging a finger in Blaine's direction. "I don't care if you are the best player on this football team, you utter one word to my son ever again and I will have you arrested for assault. Do you understand me?"

Blaine looked terrified. He couldn't speak and he was having difficulty catching his breath.

"I said… do you understand me?" Burt repeated in an even more menacing tone. He took a step closer to Blaine and lifted his hand, clenching it into a fist. He would never have hit the kid. But he was just so damn angry.

Blaine however, did not know what to expect. He fully anticipated a beating. He closed his eyes and cowered away from the older man, putting his hands up in front of his face for protection.

Everyone was so shocked by the events that no one seemed to notice how terrified Blaine truly was.

No one except Kurt.

He saw that look in Blaine's eyes as his father had advanced on him. Pure terror.

As angry as he was with Blaine, Kurt's heart seemed to break slightly at the sight of the fragile looking boy cowering in fear.

"Dad, that's enough." Kurt said, pulling his father away. "Let's go to dinner."

Burt's grim stare remained on the boy, who had re-opened his eyes and was breathing heavily.

"I'm warning you son…" Burt threatened. "One word…"

Blaine gulped and nodded slowly, not taking his eyes of the fierce looking man. Every ounce of friendliness was gone from the older man's face. He wasn't messing around.

The group of four turned around and started towards the exit. Finn risked a look back and saw that Blaine hadn't moved from his spot next to the player's entrance. He gave the boy a weak smile and lifted a hand up to wave.

Blaine didn't acknowledge the gesture. He couldn't see straight and he legitimately thought he was about to be sick. Several lonely tears made their way down his cheeks as he finally found the strength in his legs to take a few steps over to the cement wall.

Wobbly, he slid down the wall and sat on the floor, with his head between his knees, hoping for the ground to open up and swallow him whole.