It didn’t help that he could barely speak of his boyfriend at school – since they were keeping everything private, Kurt couldn’t even bring him up. However, he’d managed to convince Blaine to email him a headshot, and that picture was currently hanging in Kurt’s locker in a frame of Kurt’s own making. It helped to look at it on the rough days, knowing he could stare at that picture and text Blaine (even if Blaine couldn’t text back right away).

Kurt paused in front of his locker, turning the combination and popping the door open. He glanced up at Blaine’s picture and smiled. He knew his other classmates figured he was just obsessed with Blaine, and a little laugh escaped him as he recalled explaining that to Blaine. Blaine had been flattered and teased him mercilessly. The happy moment was short lived as a rough shove from Dave Karofsky sent Kurt sprawling nearly face first into his locker.

That was the last thing that sucked about being back at school. The bullying was getting worse. The last few weeks had been nothing but almost constant locker slams and derogatory comments.

Kurt had no idea if people had found out he did have a boyfriend (even if they didn’t know who it was) and the news had maybe offended their delicate sensibilities, but if Karofsky shoved him into the lockers or slushied him one more time, Kurt was going to scream. He texted Blaine as much during lunch, and was shocked when his phone rang a moment later.

“I wasn’t expecting to talk to you later,” Kurt said in lieu of a greeting when he answered.

“Hello to you too,” Blaine replied.

“Sorry, just… I really needed to hear your voice, and I didn’t think I’d be able to until later,” Kurt mumbled.

“Is he still bothering you?” Blaine asked, sighing.

“Yes,” Kurt answered softly.

“You need to tell someone, Kurt,” Blaine encouraged. “It’s not going to get any better until you do.”

“You say that like they don’t already know,” Kurt hissed, suddenly angry. What did Blaine know? He wasn’t here. “Everyone knows what’s happening and no one does a damn thing about it.”

“Then call him out,” Blaine suggested. “Tell him that it needs to stop.”

“I don’t know, Blaine,” Kurt hesitated. “I kind of like my face the way it is.” He rolled his eyes. “Thanks for listening though.”

“You’re welcome,” Blaine said. “Listen, they’re calling me back. Be careful, okay?”

“I will,” Kurt promised. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Blaine replied. “Call me later.”

Kurt said he would and hung up. He contemplated Blaine’s suggestion for a moment, and then shook his head. He got up, saying goodbye to his friends, and headed off to his locker. His phone vibrated in his hands and he glanced down at it, smiling when he saw it was a text from Blaine.

Courage.

Just then the phone was knocked out of his hands and clattered to the floor. Karofsky’s sneering face filled his vision and then he was shoved roughly into the lockers. Kurt grunted as his back hit the metal and exploded into pain. He sucked in some much needed air and then shouted, “What is your problem!?”

Karofsky just turned around and sneered before disappearing around the corner. Kurt picked up his phone, stared down at the message from Blaine (how his phone wasn’t broken, he had no idea), and then something in him just… snapped. He took after Karofsky, ready to confront him.
He had no idea what a mistake that would be.

*

“Hey you,” Blaine said, answering his phone when Kurt called. He still had a few more scenes to shoot, and then he was done for the day, which he was glad about. He couldn’t wait to get home and relax.

“Blaine,” Kurt spoke quietly, his voice not sounding right.

“Kurt, what’s wrong?” Blaine asked.

“Blaine,” Kurt said his name again, but now his voice sounded shaky, like he was about to cry.

“Kurt, you’re scaring me,” Blaine told him. “What’s going on?”

“I did what you told me to.” Kurt replied, and Blaine could definitely tell he was crying.

“Did what?” Blaine asked, his voice soft.

“I confronted him,” Kurt gasped. “I took your advice and stood up to him.”

“Are you okay?” Blaine realized he was clenching the phone in his hand so hard his hand was actually starting to ache.

“I don’t know,” Kurt finally answered.

“Did he hurt you?” Blaine asked, his heart pounding.

“Not really,” Kurt mumbled. “He…”

“Kurt, please, you’re killing me here,” Blaine pleaded. With those words, Kurt let out a sob.
“Kurt, what?”

“He kissed me,” Kurt finally managed to say.

“What?” Blaine felt cold all over.

“He shoved me against a locker and kissed me and said if I told anyone he’d kill me,” Kurt was crying in earnest now.

“God, Kurt, I…” Blaine was a loss for what to do. “You need to tell your dad.”

“I can’t,” he gasped. “I can’t.”

“What do you need me to do, Kurt?” Blaine felt helpless.

“There isn’t anything you can do, Blaine,” Kurt sounded defeated. “I wish you were here to hold me.”

“I wish I was too.” Blaine murmured. “I hate it that we’re so far apart.”

“My dad’s home,” Kurt said after a moment. “I gotta go.”

“I’ll call you later, okay?” Blaine promised.

“Yeah,” Kurt replied.

“Just…call me if you need me.” Blaine didn’t want to hang up, but he knew Kurt had to go.

“I will.”

*

Kurt shivered under his sheets. He couldn’t seem to get warm. How he’d managed to get through the night without anyone questioning him about his behavior, Kurt had no idea.

The moment in the locker room with Karofsky kept replaying in his head. He could still feel Karofsky’s lips on his. Nausea roiled in his stomach, and he tugged the covers up even tighter, shivering again.

He fell into a restless sleep in the early morning hours, Karofsky’s voice repeating in his head.

If you tell anyone, I’m going to kill you.

*

Blaine didn’t even realize what he was going to do until he started doing it. After his phone call from Kurt, he called an airline and booked a ticket out for first thing in the morning. He was grateful that he was not on the next day’s filming schedule, so that he could hop on a plane and be there for Kurt.

Blaine managed to make it through the last of his scenes on auto pilot, and judging from the director’s face when he finally let them go, it showed. He barely slept, worry keeping him awake and forcing him up earlier than he’d intended. He grabbed his overnight bag and headed to the airport, a ball cap pulled low over his face. He knew he looked awful, which meant it was most likely a good bet the paparazzi would try to get pictures of him – it was just how the law of the world worked, at least in his eyes.

Once he boarded the plane, he calmed down marginally, though it wasn’t until he was in the air that he felt like he could breathe easier.

After what felt like an eternity, the plan landed, and Blaine requested a car and driver to take him to Lima from the airport.

It was about midday by the time he pulled up in front of the Hummel house. He wasn’t sure if Kurt had gone to school, but figured he’d start here.

Blaine knocked loudly, and was startled when Carole answered the door.

“Blaine!” she exclaimed. He stepped inside, brushing past her.

“Is he here?”

“Well, yes, Kurt’s upstairs.” Carole blinked at him in surprise. “He’s not feeling-“ Blaine didn’t even let her finish, just darted up the stairs and down the hall to Kurt’s room.