“So then I got home and my dad told me Finn and Carol are moving in!� I’ve got detention for the rest of the week, Mr. Schue will probably banish me to the vocal equivalent of Siberia and now I’m going to be living with Finn of all people!� I’d rather live with Puck, at least he’s not suffering under the delusion that I want to jump his bones.”

“But didn’t you want to jump Finn’s bones once upon a time?”� Blaine asked sharply, more than a little annoyed that Kurt was going to be in such close proximity to his former crush.� He tried to push his annoyance aside and instead wondered if Kurt realized just how much over sharing he was doing in regards to New Directions woes.� Rachel may have been off the mark by accusing Kurt of making up his attack, but she wasn’t completely wrong about Blaine being capable of using the rival club’s troubles to the Warbler’s advantage.

Blaine had decided he wouldn’t actively pump Kurt for information, but he wouldn’t turn a deaf ear on any useful information that happened to come his way either.� He’d felt a little guilty about exploiting his connection to Kurt but finding out about Finn had put him in a foul mood and was rapidly making that guilt diminish by the second.

“Blaine!”� Kurt sounded scandalized, “I’ve been over Finn for months, almost a year in fact.� It was a stupid, silly crush.� And I never, I mean, I thought about kissing him but not …there was no jumping of bones intended,” Kurt whispered furiously.

Blaine forced himself to relax and remember that Finn was, in Kurt’s words, painfully straight.� “Will there be jumping of my bones?” he teased.

“I haven’t decided yet but the more you make fun of me the less likely it becomes,” Kurt sniffed.

Blaine hummed lowly then stretched out on his bed and mulled over the information Kurt had just given him.� Finn may not have been interested in Kurt romantically but living together might foster a bond between the two boys and any bonding between Finn and Kurt was counterproductive to Blaine’s own plans. From what Blaine understood even if they resented them, the other members of New Directions took their cues largely from Finn and his girlfriend.� If Blaine could keep the relationship between Kurt and the three of them strained it would split loyalties within the club.� High school politics being what they were Finn was sure that when push came to shove, in a glee club where at least half the members were cheerleaders or football players, the gay kid would lose out to the quarterback every single time.� Finn and Kurt already had an uneasy relationship and Blaine didn’t think it would take too much work on his part to keep things that way.� There was already tension between the two of them due to Kurt’s unfortunate crush and now there was added friction due to the troubles in New Directions, troubles that Blaine was not above taking advantage of.� “So, you think New Directions will survive the battle royale that went down today?” he asked lightly.

Kurt snorted.� “We always do.� We backstab and betray each other, fake paternities and speech impediments, and can be completely insensitive to one another’s struggles but when it counts somehow we always pull it together.”

And these are the people you call family, Blaine internally scoffed.� “So, are you going to apologize to Finn, Rachel and Mr. Schue?”� Blaine asked innocently.

“I…I suppose I should.� I know what I said was mostly true, but it wasn’t exactly fair.� Finn, Rachel and Mr. Schue aren’t all bad.� I mean, Mr. Schue really does try and he really does care.� He’s just terribly oblivious sometimes.� And as awful as Rachel can be, she’s also capable of being incredibly selfless and caring and we’re sort of friends now and I may have gone a bit overboard,” Kurt conceded.

“And where does Finn fit into all this?” Blaine asked tightly.

“Finn is…Finn,” Kurt sighed.� “Finn genuinely wants to be a good person he just…he has this almost pathological need to be liked that sometimes makes him do the easy thing instead of the right thing.� He’s a people pleaser and not the most -let’s call it enlightened among us.� He usually means well though and I don’t think he deserved to be ambushed or lumped in with Rachel and Mr. Schue in regards to what goes on in glee.� Finn doesn’t usually campaign for solos or go out of his way to steamroll everyone else.� Plus, I’d like to clear the air between us before he moves in.”

Blaine frowned.� Finn and Kurt rebuilding burned bridges was something that Blaine didn't need happening for a variety of reasons, not the least among them being that New Directions making nice wasn’t good for the Warblers or for Blaine’s plans for Kurt.� And if he were completely honest, the thought that this Rachel person could treat Kurt’s attack as something so casual while treating a show choir competition as if it had been touched by the hand of God left him irrationally angry.� “I think you should stick to your guns,” Blaine said strongly.

“What?”

“I don’t think you should apologize.� For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve complained about the treatment you’ve received in New Directions.� The fact that your group backed you up when you went all Kurtzilla on your teacher and on your co-captains kind of shows they all feel the same way.� If you maintain your position maybe things will change but if you apologize you’ll probably go back to the status quo,” Blaine said.

Kurt was quiet.� “I get what you’re saying, but it feels wrong not to apologize.� I said some really harsh things that-”

“Was any of it untrue?”� Blaine cut in quickly, sensing Kurt’s uncertainty and wanting to capitalize on it.

“What?”

“Was anything you said untrue?� If not, you have nothing to apologize for,” Blaine pressed.

“It wasn’t exactly untrue but-”

“No buts, Kurt.� You need to stand up for yourself here.� Finn, Rachel and Mr. Schue are just a different kind of bully.� How many times have they belittled you?� Made you doubt yourself?� Dismissed and devalued you?� Don’t tolerate being mistreated, even if it’s by so-called friends,” Blaine argued hoping he was leaving enough breadcrumbs to lead Kurt down the path he wanted him to take.

Kurt was silent for a few long moments on the other end of the line and Blaine could feel the other boy taking the bait.� He felt a momentary pang of guilt, but brushed it aside.� The more emotional distance there was between Kurt and his friends, the easier it would be for Blaine to foster Kurt’s growing dependence on him.

“Maybe,” Kurt said softly.

Blaine knew better than to continue to push.� He didn’t want Kurt to feel he’d forced his hand; he needed for the brunette to feel like he’d made the decision to maintain the distance between himself and his friends on his own.� Blaine had planted the seed and now he had to leave it up to Kurt whether or not to reap the harvest.

“So, what are you up to?”� Kurt asked, changing the subject.

“I’m avoiding my physics homework and watching as David invades my room so he can avoid pretending he understands his Latin worksheet.”

“I understand it’s a dead language for a reason,” David grumbled.� “Hey Kurt!� What it do, player?”� David yelled as he walked into Blaine’s room and sat down.

Kurt laughed.� “Tell David I said hi.”

“Kurt says stop watching Jay Z videos and remember you’re from the suburbs,” Blaine said instead.

“Blaine!” Kurt yelled.� “That’s not what I said!”

“Liar,” David laughed, as he stuck his tongue out at Blaine.� “Kurt doesn’t know I grew up in the ‘burbs. For all he knows I’m from the hood, yo.”

“The closest you’ve ever been to the hood is watching 106 And Park,” Blaine teased David before turning his attention back to Kurt.� “Its fine babe, he didn’t believe me.”

“You’re still a jerk,” Kurt groused.

“But you like me anyway.”�

“Yeah, yeah I do,” Kurt agreed softly.

Blaine felt tingles shoot through his body.� “Good,” he said thickly, “I like you too.”

“Kurtie and Blainey, sitting in a tree-”

“Kurt, I’ll call you back after I kill David.”

Kurt laughed and hung up.

“You sir, are an ass,” Blaine said as he hurled a pillow at David.

David dodged easily and flopped back down onto Blaine’s bean bag chair.� “So how is he?� What’s going on with double o seven?”

Blaine felt a momentary flash of irritation at the affectionate nickname but forced it aside.� “Kurt’s good.� His glee friends found out he was assaulted and a couple of them are making sure he’s not alone for the time being.� He did incite a small riot in rehearsal and ended up cursing out both their male and female lead and their director.� He said he got a week of detention and everyone was in an uproar.”

“Explain.”

Blaine quickly recounted the story Kurt had told him for David.�

“…Now Kurt’s panicking because he just found out Finn and his mother are moving in with Kurt and his dad.� He also feels badly that his letting loose may have hurt some feelings and damaged the cohesiveness of their team so he wants to apologize.”

David nodded.� “That would probably be best.� Even if everything Kurt said was true, that wasn’t the time or the way to say it.� Plus he wouldn’t want bad blood between him and this Finn cat when the guy’s about to move in.� What did he say when you told him you agreed with him?”

“I told him no such thing,” Blaine said smoothly.

“What?”

“I told him to stick to his guns and not back down.”

David stared at Blaine.� “Why would you do that, man?”

“Because from the picture he’s painted nothing he said was untrue.� Plus, any friction in New Directions is good news for The Warblers and the further Kurt is from them the closer he is to me,” Blaine replied.

David’s lips thinned into a harsh line.� “Kurt’s confiding in you man.� He’s battling it out with his friends defending you, and you’re screwing him over like this?� Not cool, Blaine, not cool at all.”

“Don’t sit there and moralize at me,” Blaine snapped.� “When Azimio attacked him, Kurt called me.� He didn’t call Mercedes or Sam or any of his so-called friends he called me, a guy he just met who lives hours away instead of people he’s known for years that were right around the corner.� You know what that tells me?� That tells me deep down he knows he can’t depend on them to have his back. �Besides all that, I’m the competition; regardless of our personal relationship Kurt should know better than to tell me intimate details about their club.� I haven’t told him about Andrew’s vendetta against Wes-”

“To be fair, Wes did actually hit him with the gavel.”

“And it was awesome.� Point is, Kurt has no clue half the Warblers think Wes is a gavel wielding menace, or a significant portion would like to form a posse and string Jeff up by his cock and balls for banging their girlfriends.� He doesn’t know that Clinton and Bryce hate one another but make nice for the sake of future business endeavors or that Dominic and Flint have to be kept on separate sides of the room at all times.� As much as I like him, he’s the competition and doesn’t need to know about the inner workings of our group.� It’s not my fault he doesn’t practice similar discretion,” Blaine huffed.

“Blaine, who do you think you’re talking to?� I know the Anderson playbook, chapter and verse and that move right there you just did…classic Blaine’s feeling guilty behavior.� When you start defending and explaining things it’s because you know you’re in the wrong.� You know you’re taking advantage of Kurt, you know it’s wrong and you feel just a little bit bad about it,” David observed.

“I don’t feel bad about it…exactly,” Blaine said.� “I feel badly that Kurt’s surrounded himself with people who are clearly unworthy of him and that he’s stuck in an environment where he’s being stifled creatively.� And ok, fine, perhaps it’s a bit unethical to use information he shares with me as a friend to my benefit as his competitor but-”

“Save it, Blaine.� Nothing you say is gonna make this ok.”

Blaine sighed and David let the conversation drop.

A knock on the door sounded seconds before it flew open.� “Blaine, do you have any idea why Thad’s on the warpath?”� Nick Duval asked as he strode in, then proceeded to straddle Blaine’s desk chair and look at his friend expectantly.

“Hello Nicholas,” Blaine said brightly.

“What did you do to Thad?”� The handsome brunette asked bluntly, ignoring Blaine’s greeting.

Blaine smirked.� “I’m a little offended you assume I did something to Thad instead of the other way around but if you must know he and I had a meeting with Chancellor Taylor.� Thad was after my spot at the Leadership Conference.� He didn’t get it and as retaliation I may have arranged for David to take his place at the FBLA dinner.”

David’s head snapped up and Blaine smirked.� “I was gonna tell you after dinner.� You can thank me later,” Blaine told David smugly.

“Thad earned that spot, Blaine.� You know he isn’t going to let this go,” Nick sighed heavily, his warm brown eyes filling with concern and disapproval.

“Nick, he fired the first shot and all’s fair in love and Warblers,” Blaine replied.

Nick ran a hand through his short, dark curls.� “You and Thad have been going at it like cats and dogs since we were in the sandbox, Blaine.� This is officially ridiculous.� He’s sitting in the senior commons right now, with Flint, pouring over the student handbook and taking notes.� I doubt he’s brushing up on the honor code.� He’s gunning for you, Blaine.”

Blaine shrugged.� “I memorized that thing the first week I was here, didn’t want a repeat of Canterbury.� I know exactly how far I can go and not be in violation of any rules.� He’s welcome to waste his time though.� After what happened in Taylor’s office and then getting verbally bitch slapped by Kurt, I can’t say I’m surprised to be on his hit list.”

“Kurt?� The guy who came and spied on us?� You’re still seeing that kid?”� Nick asked, genuinely surprised.

“Blainey and Kurtie sittin’ in a tree,” David began.

“I will end you,” Blaine threatened.� He turned to Nick and smiled.� “Kurt and I are getting on rather well.”

“Like you and Christophe were a few weeks ago?”� Nick asked.

“Nuh uh,” David answered.� “To quote our esteemed colleague over there, sex isn’t dating.� He and Christophe went at it like bunnies and Blaine never even sat with the boy in the dining hall.� Kurt has yet to let drop trou and Blaine’s whipping out the limo and taking the kid to dinner theater.”

“Blaine went out on an actual date and he’s not getting any? �Oh shit everybody gird your loins, it’s the apocalypse!”� Jeff Sterling announced, leaning against the door frame.

“Fuck you, Beiber,” Blaine shot back good naturedly.

The handsome blonde smiled before making his way into the room and sitting on the corner of Blaine’s desk.� “You know you would if you could.� Don’t hate me cause I’m beautiful.”

“Your modesty never fails to impress,” Nick cracked.

Jeff ignored Nick and addressed Blaine.� “And why are you not getting laid?� Isn’t that like, the number one rule in the Player’s Handbook: No romance without finance, no finance without fucking?”

“I honestly do not know which one of you is worse,” David said, as he shook his head.

“Come to the dark side David.� We have cookies,” Jeff cracked.

“I’m just trying something different with Kurt, that’s all,” Blaine said not wanting to discuss exactly what it was about the brunette that him altering his usual behavior.

“What?”� Jeff asked.

“Being a respectful human being, maybe?”� Nick interjected.� “You might want to try it sometime.”

Jeff sighed.� “Dude, for the last time, how was I supposed to know that stripper was your cousin?”�

“Christina is a dancer.� She’s on Broadway.� She’s not a stripper,” Nick snapped.

“She was that night.� Dude, she did this thing where she-”

“What the actual fuck is wrong with you?”� Nick asked incredulously.

“My therapist thinks I have Histrionic personality disorder,” Jeff answered absently.� “I think I’m just really kinda slutty, like to party and occasionally partake of illegal substances, but you know tomato, tamahto.”

“You were not hugged enough as a child,” David said.

“Sterling’s don’t hug unless it’s a photo opportunity,” Jeff replied.

“Are you sure we aren’t related?”� Blaine joked.

“Nah, you Anderson’s are titans of industry while we Sterling’s seek to bring back the Kennedy’s and Camelot era,” Jeff said, bitterness creeping around the edges of his tone.� He sighed then smiled at Blaine.� “So who’s the guy?”

“His name is Kurt, I enjoy his company and that’s all there is to tell.”

“He goes to public school Jeff.� The kid goes to public school in Lima, of all places,” Wes’s voice suddenly rang out from the doorway.� “He was the kid in the bondage gear and knee socks staring adoringly at Blaine during Teenage Dream.”

Jeff leered at Blaine.� “He was pretty.� You must hit that.� Hell, give me enough alcohol and I might hit that.� Bondage gear is code for like, freak in the sheets.”

“You realize everyone already knows you’re bisexual?� You don’t have to get drunk every time you want to fuck a guy.� And in Kurt’s case his clothes are code for anything.� It’s just fashion,” Blaine said, his tone a little sharper than necessary.

“I like how you assumed I’m topping,” Jeff smirked.� “And what do you mean it’s just fashion?� False advertising is illegal,” Jeff sniffed.

Blaine shook his head.� “Anyway, that’s enough about Kurt-”

“Agreed.� Let’s talk about what you gentlemen will be doing this weekend instead.”

“I’m going-,” Nick started.

“To my Like a G6 party,” finished Jeff.

“Like a G6?”� Wes questioned.

“Now I’m feeling so fly like a G6,” Jeff sang.

“More like getting so high like a G6,” David grumbled.

“Look Nancy Reagan, I tried just saying no.� It wasn’t nearly as much fun as saying yes,” Jeff replied.

David shook his head, knowing it was argument that he wasn’t going to win.

“Count me out, Sterling.� Once was enough for me.� I’m not going back to jail,” Nick said.

“Don’t be a whiny bitch.� It was a holding cell and they didn’t even file any charges,” Jeff scoffed.

“Yeah, because Blaine did whatever voodoo he does and made everything disappear,” Wes pointed out.�

“And Blaine’s coming so we’re cool like the other side of the pillow,” Jeff reasoned.

“No,” Nick said resolutely.

Wes, David, Jeff and Blaine looked at each other and grinned.� “Peer pressure, peer pressure, peer pressure…,” they chanted.

“If I end up in jail again, I’m going to murder each and every one of you in your sleep,” Nick warned.

“YAY!”� Jeff cheered.�

“I am going to regret this,” Nick sighed.

“Probably, but we’re teenagers.� We’re supposed to do all kinds of things we regret.� Fortunately for us our parents have enough cash and clout to get us out of any trouble we may get into.” Jeff pointed out.� “Now, do you think you could call your cousin and see if she could come and bring some of her stripper friends?”

Nick launched himself onto Jeff as the rest of the boys tried to break up the scuffle.

After pulling Nick off of Jeff, David checked his watch.� “Alright guys, it’s that time.� Let’s go see what manner of good eats they have for us tonight.”

“You are always hungry,” Nick remarked, leading the way out of Blaine’s room.

“I’m a growing boy,” David replied, exiting after Nick.

“You’re a bottomless pit,” Jeff cracked following them out.

“I’ll be down in a couple of minutes.� I have to make a couple of quick calls.� Save me a seat,” Blaine said.

“No problem Blaine,” Wes said, lingering at the door.� “All joking aside, I know that Kurt’s someone you’re getting close to and what happened to him upset you.� I also know you haven’t let it go and I don’t know what you’re planning but I know you’re planning something.� Just be sure it’s not something that you’re going to regret.”

Blaine smiled.� “I’ve thought long and hard about what I’m planning to do, Wes and I have no excuses, no apologies and no regrets.”

Wes shook his head.� “Yeah, that’s kind of what I was afraid of,” he said softly before closing the door.

Once he was alone, Blaine took his phone, scrolled through his contacts until he found the one he wanted and pressed the call button.

“Mr. Anderson, it’s been a long time.� What can I do for you?”�

Blaine settled down at his desk and opened his laptop.� “Evan, I need your expertise,” Blaine said easily.

“I figured as much, otherwise you wouldn’t be calling,” the other man joked.

Blaine gave a slight laugh.� “I suppose that’s true enough.� I need you to look into a couple of individuals for me, there may be more names coming but right now just two to start with.”

“Hit me with them.� What corporate fat cats dirty laundry do you need me to dig through this time?”

Blaine paused.� “This isn’t business, Evan.� This is personal.� So make sure you bill me and not Anderson International.”

There was a split second of silence then Evan’s voice came through.� “You’re the boss, Mr. Anderson.� Who am I investigating and why?”

“I need you to look into a couple of individuals by the names of Azimio Adams and Dave Karofsky.� They’re either seniors or juniors at William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio and I want to know everything about them, and their parents.� I want every detail of their lives from who they know to who they owe.”

“Lima huh?� Small town.”

“You of all people should know small towns hold big secrets,” Blaine replied.� “And I want all of theirs so dig deep, Evan.”

“And why am I investigating a couple of high school kids and their families?”

“Because I told you to and I write your checks,” Blaine snapped.� “Don’t question me, Evan just do it.”

“Whatever you say, Mr. Anderson.� I’ll get on it tomorrow.”

“You’ll get on it tonight.”

“Yes sir, I’ll get on it tonight.”

“Good. �And Evan, time of is of the essence.� I’ll double your fee if you get me what I need quickly.”

“Anything in particular I need to be looking for?” Evan asked.

“Anything I can use,” Blaine said simply.

“Gotcha, boss man.� I’ll get back to you soon.”

Blaine clicked off before saying goodbye and scrolled through his contacts, seeking and finding another number and placing his second call.

“Blaine, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Afternoon Cass, sorry to call this late in the day but I need a favor.� I know corporate law is your area of expertise but I was hoping you might be able to look into something for me and if need be recommend someone who specializes in civil litigation,” Blaine replied.

Cass Northrop was one of the top attorneys in the country and having Blaine as a client was the feather in his extremely well heeled cap.� He was also close friends with Blaine’s god father and had known Blaine since he was in diapers.�� “Civil litigation?� What’s going on, Blaine?”

“Nothing I want to explain right now,” Blaine said carefully.� “I just want some information on a school’s responsibility to provide a safe and secure learning environment for its students, specifically as it refers to harassment and physical assaults.”

“Is something going on at Dalton?” Cass broke in hastily.� “Blaine, I’m telling you right now if you’re in trouble attorney client privilege won’t keep me from calling Jasper-”

Blaine smiled.� “I don’t imagine it would, which is why I never tell you anything I don’t want him finding out, Cass.� But you can relax.� Dalton is the bully free utopia it advertises itself to be.� The information I need is for a friend of mine going to a public school where he’s subjected to a fair amount of bullying and harassment.� He was recently physically assaulted on school property and I’m just…gathering information on what his options are.”

Cass exhaled.� “Well, I’ll look into it for you.� I have a colleague who specializes in these types of cases.� I imagine we have more than your friend’s word or you wouldn’t be calling me.”

Blaine smirked.� “What would you say if I told you there is a student run blog that has documented instances of not only Kurt’s harassment, but other students being repeatedly verbally harassed or physically assaulted, in some instances by a member of the staff?”

Cass smiled.� “I would say that the strength of your friend’s case just increased tenfold and the words “class action lawsuit” brought a smile to my face before I remembered I wouldn’t be handling the case,” he laughed.� “Send me the link to this blog so that we can begin independent documentation and backing up any audio or visual files before the school shuts it down.� I’ll look at it myself, figure out exactly what type of potential case he has and we’ll go from there.”

“Thank you, Cass. �I appreciate it.

“Not a problem,” Cass was quiet for a moment then spoke.� “You’re going through an awful lot of trouble for this friend of yours,” he said quietly.

Blaine sighed.� “No lawyer tricks, Cass.� I’ll tell you what I want you to know about Kurt when I want you to know it.”

“Fair enough, Blaine.� I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Goodbye Cass…and again thanks,” Blaine said hanging up and placing his phone next to him on his desk.

Blaine located Jacob’s blog and emailed Cass the link, as well as information from William McKinley’s school website and shut down his computer before making his way down to dinner, satisfied that his plan was coming together.

“So Hudson, my mom ran into yours at Sheets N Things and according to her, you’re gonna be moving to Fairytopia,” Dave Karofsky sneered cornering Finn in the empty locker room after football practice.

“Shut up, dude.� I can’t control where my mom moves us and Mr. Hummel is pretty cool…and there’s nothing wrong with Kurt so just shut up,” Finn said slamming his locker shut.

“Whatever.� I should have known you joining homo explosion was a clue.”� Karofsky got a look of pure anger and something else that Finn couldn’t identify on his face before he continued.� “Hummel finally managed to turn you, huh?� I bet you just bend him over and pound into that ass of his-”

“Shut up!”� Finn screamed, pushing Karofsky back into the lockers.

“You’re gonna meet The Fury, Hudson!”� Karofsky threatened.

“The Fury’s gonna get your ass kicked if you don’t clear out of here,” Puck’s voice suddenly sounded out.

Finn turned to see Sam, Mike, Artie and Puck behind him.� They were all glaring at Karofsky menacingly.�

“Whatever, Hummel loving homos,” Karofsky spat as he beat a hasty retreat.

“Thanks guys.”

“Don’t mention it,” Puck waved off Finn’s thanks.� “So here’s what’s up; we’re going to my place for some Call of Duty, and Nana’s special cupcakes.� You in?”� Puck asked.

“Yes,” Finn breathed.�

“Living with Kurt is gonna like, suck dude,” Finn declared suddenly.

“Why?”� Artie asked, leaning his head to the side and examining Finn closely.� “Kurt makes delicious waffles, yo.”

“Seriously man, you need to like, chill.� Kurt’s pretty cool.� I know he like, bitched you out the other day but you kinda had it coming,” Sam said, licking the frosting off another cupcake.

“You guys don’t get it.� He likes me,” Finn said, enunciating slowly, as if he were speaking to small children.

“Uh, no.� He liked you,” Sam corrected.� “Like he liked me.� Unless you’ve changed your name to Blaine and turned into a curly haired prep school boy from Westerville, he doesn’t like you now.”

Finn blinked.� “What if he, you know, creeps on me?”

Artie laughed.� “You’re scared of Kurt?”�

“You would be too!”� Finn insisted.

“Dude, I spent the night at Mercy’s and he was there.� He didn’t like, molest me in my sleep or anything,” Sam said, picking up another cupcake.� “And we had to share the pullout because Mercy kicked me out of bed with her for having wandering hands.”

“Rejected,” Mike laughed from the floor.

“Shut up,” Sam grumbled, throwing a pillow at the other jock.

“Don’t feel bad man,” Puck said to Sam.� “Mercedes is keeping her thighs locked up tighter than Fort Knox.� I didn’t even get any boob when we dated.”

Sam rolled his eyes.� “I heard all about the one week you and Mercedes dated, Puck,” he said.

“Yeah dude, I put in a whole week and got nothin’.� Rachel at least let me-”

“Okay, okay,” Finn yelled.� “We don’t want to hear anymore.”� Sam nodded his agreement.

“I want to hear more,” Mike grinned.� “What did Rachel let you do?”

“Oh so we’re sharing?” Finn asked, narrowing his eyes.� “Yeah, yeah good let’s share.� Hey Artie, how long did you date Tina?”

“Never mind Puck,” Mike mumbled.

“That’s what I thought,” Finn muttered.

“You guys are harshing my mellow,” Artie announced.� “And we are getting off track.� We’re supposed to be helping Finn realize he’s being ridiculous.”

“I’m not,” Finn insisted.� “It’s just that Kurt-”

“Man up, Finn.� It’s Hummel not Mr. Ryerson.� He’s not gonna like, try to have surprise butt sex with you,” Puck said snatching the cupcake away from Sam.

“I bet you wouldn’t be…that what you are, if you were moving in with him,” Finn grumbled.

“Hell, I’d be psyched,” Puck stated.� Artie nodded.

“What?”

“Dude, have seen Kurt’s car?”� Mike asked from where he was lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling.� “Navigators aren’t cheap and Kurt’s is tricked out like whoa.”

“I don’t know who half the designers are that he names, but those clothes he wears are like serious coin,” Sam noted.

“Kurt’s place is laced,” Artie said.� “Why do you think I always go over there to study despite them not having a ramp?”

“Living there, you’ll probably get stuff man,” Puck said.

“Nice stuff,” Artie added.

“But-”

“Besides man, if anyone should be scared it should be Kurt,” Sam pointed out.

“What?� Why would Kurt be scared of me?”� Finn demanded.

“For the same reason he’s still a little nervous around me,” Puck spoke up.� “Dumpster tosses, swirlies-,”

“Pee balloons,” Artie added.

“Prank calls, locker checks, freshmen year’s paintball “Smear the Queer” extravaganza,” Mike listed.

Sam squinted at Finn.� “You kinda suck dude.”

“No I don’t!� I didn’t even do anything half the time, I was just there.� It just the guys being stupid, it didn’t mean anything,” Finn said.

“It meant something to me when Puck locked me in the port-a potty,” Artie said.

“Fuck, Wheels.� I said I was sorry,” Puck whined.

“I know but just because I accepted your apology doesn’t mean I forgot what you did.� Pass the cupcakes.� And none of you have ever bothered to really apologize to Kurt and he still gets shit, primarily from the people you hang with so, yeah.� If anyone should be afraid Finn, it’s him,” Artie said.

Finn felt his gut twist.� He had always thought of Kurt’s bullies as “them” never really acknowledging that he was a part of the group that had made Kurt’s life so miserable since Finn had, for the most, just stood around on the sidelines passively.

“My throat is killing me,” Puck said suddenly.

“There’s a dirty joke in there somewhere,” Sam murmured.

“I’m a sex shark.� There’s always a dirty joke.”

Finn let the laughter of his friends wrap around him and resolutely put thoughts of his unpleasant past and uncertain future with Kurt out of his mind.