Fic: One Song Glory (2/?)
Title: One Song Glory
Author: Joyful
Disclaimer: I own neither Glee nor Queer as Folk, and I make no money from this.
Summary: The Novotny-Bruckners move to Lima, and Hunter begins to attend school at William McKinley.
Rating: R (mostly for Hunter's dirty mouth)
Spoilers/Timeline: Starts at the beginning of season 2, and will include some but not all plot points from season 2. It's going to deviate some from the canon plot of season 2. Matt didn't leave, so New Directions is gonna have 14 members.
Pairings: Nothing set in stone yet. Eventual Sam/Kurt and some Hunter/Brittany. Other assorted 2nd season pairings.
Notes: Okay, this is for Frenchy and Luna and Momo!
In case you don't know who Hunter is, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffy6bhdtl3E
Chapter 1: http://www.tthfanfic.org/Story-24011/Joyful+One+Song+Glory.htm
*****
Chapter 2
*****
“Okay, so I know you're a junior and I'm a senior, but Rachel says you're awesome at French, and I kind of suck at it. Do you think you could help me out?” Hunter asked Kurt. They had a study hall together, despite being in different grades Hunter was trying to get to know Kurt Hummel, though Kurt wasn't making it easy. Hunter didn't understand why Kurt was so hesitant to talk to him. So Hunter had snarked at him a little, Hunter snarked at everyone.
“I suppose,” Kurt said. “Are you any good at geometry? It's my worst subject.”
“I rock at it.,” Hunter said. “Hey, do you want to come over to my house tomorrow? You could help me with my French, and have dinner with my family, and I'll help you study for geometry.”
“Um, okay,” Kurt said. He stared at Hunter for a while before deciding to ask a question. “Forgive me for asking, I'll understand if you want to beat me up later, but are you gay?”
“No,” Hunter said. “I like girls, mostly. I'm probably a one or a two on the Kinsey scale, you know? Not entirely straight, but closer to straight than gay. But before you get your hopes up or anything, you're not really my type.”
“Oh,” Kurt said, not really knowing how to respond.
“But the other new guy, Sam? He's been staring at your ass every glee rehearsal. He might still be in the closet, but you're definitely his type,” Hunter said.
“You think?” Kurt asked.
“I do,” Hunter said. “Now, tell me, which of the Cheerios do I have the best shot at?”
“Probably Brittany. Well, she and Santana have some sort of on-again-off-again lesbian relationship, but when they're not together, she's got an obsession with her perfect record. She's made out with every guy in the school, including me. Santana's kinda slutty too, but she won't sleep with a guy unless he had a decent credit rating.”
“Interesting,” Hunter said. “What about Quinn?”
“Quinn's not really into dating. Brittany's your best bet.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
*****
“Hey, Sam, you do anything tomorrow?” Hunter asked.
“I don't think so, why?”
“Well, I remembered you said you had dyslexia, and sometimes it helps to study with other people, right?”
“Yeah, actually it does,” Sam said.
“Well, Kurt's coming over to tutor me in French, and I figured it would be a lot less embarrassing to be tutored by somebody younger than me if somebody else was there too. What do you think?” Hunter asked.
“Sounds good,” Sam said, as the two guys walked into Glee practice together. They were the last ones there.
“Mr. Schue, do you mid if I make an announcement-type thing?” Hunter asked
“Go ahead,” Mr. Schue said.
“Okay. So my dad just bought a new comic book shop, and this weekend he has to move in and sort all the inventory from his old shop in Pittsburgh. If anybody wants to help out, he'll pay $20 for helping, and give you a stack of comics.”
“Your dad owns a comic book shop?” Matt asked, a smile on his face. “I'm in.”
“Me too,” Mike said. Puck, Sam, Finn, Artie and Tina all agreed to help at Hunter's dad's comic book shop.
“Not you, Kurt?” Hunter asked surprised.
“I'm not really a comic book fan,” Kurt said.
“Really?” Hunter asked. “Not even Rage?”
“Okay, maybe Rage,” Kurt said, his cheeks flushing.
“Did I mention that my dad is the writer of Rage?” Hunter asked.
“What?” Kurt asked. “Really?”
“Michael Novotny,” Hunter nodded.
“I thought your last name was Bruckner,” Sam said.
“It is,” Hunter said. “Hunter Novotny Bruckner. I have two dads.”
“Kurt, you can't go anywhere on Saturday, “ Quinn reminded, “We have Cheerios practice all day, and the booster club thing in the afternoon.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot. Oh well, looks like you've got yourself enough muscle already,” Kurt said.
“Yeah, totally,” Hunter agreed. He gave everyone the address of the comic book shop, and then they waited for Mr. Schue to start rehearsal.
*****
It was obvious Mr. Schue meant well, but his music tastes were atrocious. Kurt really wanted to do Britney Spears, which Hunter was okay with, even if he didn't love her. He just found it amusing that Mr. Schue found Britney to be too racy and inappropriate. Hunter was tempted to tell him that if he thought Britney was racy, he should see what goes on at Babylon. But then he realized he would have to explain it, and he didn't want to explain to a room full of new people how he was so well-acquainted with the inner workings of a gay dance club. Honestly, Hunter didn't give a shit about the weird love triangle going on between Mr. Schue, Miss Pillsbury and the creepy dentist. The dentist guy kinda reminded Hunter of a former trick, and Hunter had a very hard time looking at the man. Hunter gritted his teeth and made it through the rehearsal. As he was leaving, Miss Pillsbury stopped him. Hunter didn't really trust her. Something about her fake smile and the color of her hair-she reminded him of his mom.
“Hunter, do you have a minute?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said, following her.
“Hunter, I just went over your file, and there's a notation saying you saw the guidance counselor regularly at your old school. Would you like to come and see me perhaps every other week?”
“Actually, Miss Pillsbury, I'd rather not. If you saw my file, you know I have a record, but I haven't been in trouble since I was sixteen. My father is already looking for an actual therapist for me here. I'm no longer homeless or in the foster care system, so my life's a shit-ton better than it used to be. I'll be fine.” He watched mixed emotions flit across her face. There was the frown at his language, and then...relief?
“You know, for a professional, you should try a little harder at not looking relieved that I won't be visiting you,” Hunter spat at her. He probably shouldn't be so hostile. He didn't even know what the woman knew about him, but it sure as hell felt like she was happy that she didn't have to be alone with him, and that pissed him off. He was going to go work out in the weight room. He needed to hit something.
*****
Kurt and Sam showed up at Hunter's house the next day for their study session at the same time. Hunter opened the door and grimaced.
“I'm really sorry in advance, guys,” Hunter said.
“Sorry about what?” Kurt asked.
“My grandparents are visiting. Carl's cool enough but Grandma Deb is absolutely fucking insane. She's probably going to get all in your business. Just, ignore he as much as you can,” Hunter warned.
“Well, I seriously need help with my geometry, so let's go inside,” Kurt said. Hunter invited them in, and tried to make it up the stairs before being stopped by an adult, but failed miserable.
“Hunter! Introduce me to you friends!” a loud, heavy woman in a garish red wig ordered. She was followed by an older man, and two men who Kurt assumed were Hunter's dads. Kurt stood there, clutching the strap of his messenger bag.
“Deb, this is Kurt and Sam. You guys from right to left is my dad Ben, my dad Michael, Grandma Deb, she's Michael's mom, and Carl. He's kind of her husband,” Hunter introduced.
“Nice to meet you,” Kurt said, holding out his hand for Debbie. He was shocked and a little scared when she hugged him.
“Hunter didn't exaggerate,” Michael said, “He really is a teenage Emmett.”
“Pardon?” Kurt asked, wiggling out of Debbie's grip.
“You remind us of a friend of ours,” Ben said, “If he was sixteen.”
“We need to study,” Hunter said. “You can torture and grill and embarrass them at dinner,” Hunter told his grandmother, before dragging his glee club teammates up to his bedroom.
“Malachi, Thomas and Rachel are joining us as well,” Ben told them as they disappeared up the stairs.
“Hunter, where's your bathroom?” Kurt asked at the top of the stairs. Hunter pointed, then led Sam into his room.
“So, Sam,” Hunter said. “When do you plan on asking out Kurt?”
“What?” Sam asked, his eyes growing comically wide.
“Dude, you're safe here. We don't care if you gay or bi or pansexual or whatever. I just noticed that you stare at his ass. A lot. Not that I blame you, boy has a nice ass, but still...”
“Are you gay?” Sam asked Hunter, surprised.
“No,” Hunter said. “I'm straight, more or less, but I can appreciate a nice body, and Kurt has a nice body, albeit a little skinny. So, when do you plan on asking him out?”
“I don't...I mean I'm not...I mean-” Sam looked flustered and panicked.
“It's okay, chill out,” Hunter said, resting his hand on Sam's arm. “I didn't mean to push. You don't have to confirm or deny anything. It's fucking hard to figure this shit out.”
“I...yeah,” Sam sighed, and sat on Hunter's bed. “I don't know what I am.”
“That's cool,” Hunter said. “What kind of homework do you have?”
“Trig, and English. English causes the most problems,” Sam looked relieved to not be discussing his sexual orientation anymore.
Kurt walked into the room and started speaking to Hunter in French. Hunter looked back blankly. Eventually they fell into a pattern. Sam was also surprisingly good at French, and he and Kurt were able to help Hunter make it through his French homework. Then Hunter and Kurt helped Sam with his English homework. Then Hunter helped Kurt with his Geometry while Sam worked quietly on Trig. After a couple hours, there was a knock at the door.
“Hey, it's me,” Rachel said from the doorway.
“Come in,” Hunter said.
“God, Rachel,” Kurt said. “Another animal sweater?”
“I like them,” Rachel said. “I think they're cute.”
“Please let me give you a makeover again. No tricks this time, I promise,” Kurt pleaded.
“I'll think about it,” Rachel said. “What are you guys working on?”
“Homework,” Hunter said. “Math, mostly.”
“Debbie says it's almost time for dinner. The whole house smells like an Italian restaurant,” Rachel said.
“Rachel, you have got to help me convince Mr. Schue to let us do Britney,” Kurt begged the diva.
“I'll suggest it, but you heard him, he sounded pretty adamant. And Brittany really didn't like the idea of it,” Rachel said hesitantly.
“Kids, dinner!” a voice beckoned them downstairs. They went downstairs and joined the adults around the dinner table.
“Oh, Hunter,” Carl said. “Drew told me to tell you that the Ironmen are scheduled to play the Browns the second week of October, and he's having a box held aside for you and your friends as a birthday present.”
“Really? Cool,” Hunter said. “Sam, you want to see the Ironmen play the Browns next month?”
“Are you kidding? Hell yes,” Sam said. “Wait. Drew? Drew Boyd?”
“Yeah, he's a family friend,” Debbie said.
“You know Drew Boyd?” Kurt asked, surprised.
“You know who Drew Boyd is?” Sam asked surprised.
“Sam,” Rachel butted it, “First, Kurt was on the football team last year, as the kicker. He helped get them their only win. Second, why would expect him not to know the name of the only openly gay player in the NFL? Even I know who Dew Boyd is, and I've never even watched a football game.”
“She has a good point,” Debbie said, as she served everyone out of habit. “Don't jump to conclusions, kid.”
“Sorry,” Sam said. “I shouldn't have assumed. I mean, I know you're a cheerleader and all, but you don't seem to pay much attention to the team during practice.”
“The football team and I don't exactly see eye to eye,” Kurt said. “Since I seem to believe I look better when I'm not covered in slushie or garbage, and I believe otherwise.”
“They throw garbage at you?” Debbie asked shocked.
“Not usually,” Kurt said. “The jocks like to pick me up and throw me in the dumpster.”
Everyone grew quiet at that. Debbie dropped her fork, and Hunter gripped the edge of the table tightly.
“Excuse me,” Hunter said, without waiting for an answer. He stood up and walked out of the dining room. Debbie quickly followed him.
“I've got it,” Michael promised his husband, and followed his son and mother into the kitchen.
“Did I say something wrong?” Kurt asked, worried.
“Not that you could have known,” Ben said.
“Back in Pittsburgh, a young gay man was murdered a few years ago, and his body was thrown in a dumpster. Debbie's the one who discovered the body, and Hunter had been friends with the boy,” Carl explained. “That's actually how I met Debbie. I was the detective working the case.”
Sam and Kurt looked wide-eyed, and Rachel made a small sound of horror as she covered her mouth with her hand.
“I'm sorry,” Kurt said. “I didn't mean to upset anyone.”
“Nobody's angry with you Kurt,” Ben said. “You were just telling the truth. Is the bullying very bad at McKinley?”
“Yes,” Rachel said. “Kurt gets it the worse of any of us. I just get mean things on my Myspace and Facebook pages, and pornographic pictures drawn about me in the bathroom. But Kurt gets harassed.”
“It's not that bad, Rachel,” Kurt said, as he watched her two dads, Hunter's dad and Hunter's granddad all get concerned looks on their faces.
“It is, Kurt. They threw pee balloons at you. They threw you in the dumpster every morning for a year and a half. They nailed all your lawn furniture to your roof. They check you into the lockers when they pass you in the hallway. I see it, Kurt,” Rachel stared at the boy across from her.
“Is it any different than when the Vocal Adrenaline kids cornered you in the parking lot and threw raw eggs at you? Everyone gets tortured in high school, Rachel. It's supposed to be hell. I'm fine.”
“They let kids get away with things like that in a public high school?” Carl asked, obviously bothered.
“I am the only out kid in a small town,” Kurt said. “I just wish it wasn't so hard for my dad.”
“Kurt,” Debbie said, coming back into the room, followed by Hunter and Michael. “Does your school have a GSA?”
“No,” Kurt said.
“I wanted you to start one last year,” Rachel said.
“And have you and I be the only two members? No thanks,” Kurt said.
“I'd join,” Hunter said. “And I bet a bunch of the Glee kids would too. At the very least Tina and Mercedes would come, and Tina would drag Mike along, and Mike would probably drag Matt, and then you have two football players.”
“Three,” Sam said quietly. “I'd go.”
“You would?” Kurt asked, surprised. “You'd get taunted even worse than usual.”
“They can taunt me all they want” Sam said, “I'd like to see the football team win without me.”
“That sounds like Drew Boyd,” Hunter smiled.
“Blondie, you gonna ask out pretty-boy there or what?” Debbie asked. “You've been staring at him all night.”
“MA!” Michael reprimanded. “How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of other people's love lives!”
“I, um, excuse me,” Sam stood up, leaving the room quickly.
“Debbie,” Hunter said, “He's not even out yet. I asked him earlier, and he nearly had a panic attack at the idea of saying it out loud.”
“Deb, Hunter's right, you can't force kids out of the closet before they're ready,” Ben said.
“He reminds me so much of Sunshine,” Debbie said, “With the way he was staring at Kurt, I just assumed. I should apologize.”
“Later, Deb,” Carl suggested.
“God, I remember being sixteen,” Thomas said, “Hardest thing in the world.”
“Apart from saying it out loud for the first time,” Ben agreed.
“But it's really freeing,” Malachi added. “Like suddenly everything makes sense. There's a word for you, a name, you're not just weird, you're gay. I remember that time.”
“Kurt,” Debbie said, “You mentioned your father before, is he involved with PFFLAG?”
“No. I don't think there's a chapter in Lima,” Kurt said.
“There's one in Columbus,” Malachi said. “He should look into it.”
“I'll get you some pamphlets,” Debbie promised. “After dinner. I always have some in my bag.”
“Hunter, did you have any more problems with the guidance counselor today?” Michael asked.
“No,” Hunter said. “I'm still a little pissed though. She shouldn't have looked so fucking happy at the idea that she doesn't have to meet with me regularly.”
“Miss Pillsbury?” Kurt asked, “She'd be happy if she never had to meet with anyone. I don't know how they let somebody with such severe OCD be a guidance counselor, but she is practically afraid of most of the students.”
“Oh,” Hunter said. That was a little less offensive than he'd originally thought.
Sam came back from the bathroom, and sat down and finished his dinner. They all ate dinner, and talked a bit more, before Kurt and Sam left, Kurt offering to drive Sam home in his Navigator. Before they left, Debbie stuck a bunch of pamphlets into Kurt's hands, and gave both boys a hug.
*****
“So, Sam, how do you like Lima so far?” Kurt asked.
“It's okay. It's small, better than some places I've lived, but not as good as others.”
“Why'd you move here?” Kurt asked.
“My dad's in the Army. He has to go where they send him, and I have to go where he goes,” Sam explained.
“So, Hunter's family are definitely interesting, huh?” Kurt asked.
“Yeah. Hunter's a really interesting person. I have a feeling he has a lot of secrets,” Sam said as Kurt drove onto his street.
“Yeah, me too. I think he mentioned something about being a foster kid at one point, and I understand that foster kids can go through a lot of shit sometimes,” Kurt said.
“It's the third house on the left,” Sam pointed out, and Kurt pulled into the driveway. “Kurt,” Sam started, looking at the other boy.
“Yeah?” Kurt asked.
“Thanks.”
“For what? The ride?” Kurt asked.
“No. For not pushing. I mean, Hunter and his grandma said some stuff, but you didn't push. Thank you.”
“Sam, I really would like to be you're friend. You're nice, and funny, and you don't treat me as if I'm a sexual predator or something, the way some of the glee guys do. Also, you don't beat me up, the way some of the jocks do. If you're gay, great. If you're bi, great. If you're straight, that's great too. Because right now I could use some guy friends who have never thrown things at me,” Kurt said.
“Okay,” Sam smiled. “A friend who doesn't throw stuff at you, I can be that.”
“Fabulous. I'll see you at school tomorrow.”
*****
That week at school was weird. Everyone was obsessed with Britney Spears. Also, the dentist guy who creeped Hunter out was apparently putting teenagers under just to do basic dental work. Hunter didn't really like the man, but as long as he didn't have to go to him, he was okay. The girls in glee club were dressing up as Britney Spears, and Artie somehow joined the football team. Mr. Schue wanted to perform Britney with the kids on Thursday, which Hunter thought was a horrible idea, but he went along with it. After the sex riot fire drill, Hunter found Brittany out behind the bleachers.
“Hey Brittany,” Hunter smiled at her.
“Hi,” she smiled brightly.
“Hey, do you want to go out with me tonight? I know it's short notice but there's no football game tonight, right?”
“Um, sure!” she said. “Where are we going?”
“Well, I don't know Lima very well. What do you like doing on dates?”
“I like to go to the roller skating rink or the movies, and I like to eat at Breadstix,” Brittany said.
“Roller skating and Breadstix it is, then,” Hunter said. “Do you want to go skip 6th period and get started on it?”
“Okay,” Brittany said.
*****
Hunter had a great time skating with Brittany. He'd never actually gone roller skating before, and Brittany had a great time teaching him. Hunter got the impression that there weren't many things Brittany was better at than other people, apart from tumbling and dancing, so she didn't get to show off very often. Of course, the only dancing Hunter knew how to do was the bump and grind from Babylon, maybe Brittany could help him out there, too. After the roller rink, they went to Breadstix, which Hunter enjoyed a lot. It was a decent restaurant.
Afterward, they made out in Brittany's car for a while. Hunter stopped Brittany from giving him a handjob, but she didn't stop him from fingering her under her skirt. He didn't want to do the big reveal on the first date, and he wasn't irresponsible enough to have sex with Brittany without telling her. But he just wanted to go on a date or two with her before he told her he had HIV. When she dropped him off, they made plans for a second date on Saturday night after the weekend Cheerios practice. He kissed her one last time before going inside.
At home, he went straight for the kitchen for a snack. He grabbed a Coke and an apple, and sat at the table.
“Hey Hunter, how was your day?” Michael asked.
“Pretty good,” Hunter grinned.
“Hey, is that a hickey?” Michael asked, smiling. “Hey Ben, Hunter has a hickey!”
Hunter's other dad came into the kitchen, grabbing himself an apple as well.
“What's her name?” Ben asked. “It is a her, right?”
“Yes, it's a her,” Hunter said, blushing slightly. “Her name's Brittany. We went roller skating, and out to dinner. It was fun.”
“Are you going to go on a second date?” Michael asked.
“Saturday, after we move the inventory around,” Hunter said, still blushing slightly. “I don't really know what we'll do, though. Maybe we can see a movie.”
“Did you tell her?” Ben asked, gently.
“Not yet,” Hunter said. “I'll tell her if we decide to have sex. I mean, she's got a reputation for being easy, but I don't care about that. When we have sex, I'll tell her.”
“Before?” Ben questioned.
“Before,” Hunter said. “I'm not an idiot. I mean, the whole thing with Callie sucked, yeah, but I don't regret telling her, not really. And I'm not stupid enough to think nobody in Lima's ever gonna find out. But is it wrong to want to spend a few weeks not being 'that slut with AIDS'?” Hunter sighed as he looked at his dads.
“Whoa, whoa,” Ben said. “You are not a slut, and you don't have AIDS.”
“I know,” Hunter said. "It just fucking sucks when people say that shit about me."
“And there's nothing wrong with wanting to keep it a secret,” Michael said. “We understand that completely.”
“But we also know that you're responsible enough to keep your sexual partners safe,” Ben said. “Anyway, do we get to meet her?”
“She's going to stop by the shop on Saturday,” Hunter said.
“Looking forward to it,” Michael said.
*End Chapter 2*
That was a little longer than I expected, and yet shorter than I expected. Because these are high school students, none of the pairings are set in stone.
Author: Joyful
Disclaimer: I own neither Glee nor Queer as Folk, and I make no money from this.
Summary: The Novotny-Bruckners move to Lima, and Hunter begins to attend school at William McKinley.
Rating: R (mostly for Hunter's dirty mouth)
Spoilers/Timeline: Starts at the beginning of season 2, and will include some but not all plot points from season 2. It's going to deviate some from the canon plot of season 2. Matt didn't leave, so New Directions is gonna have 14 members.
Pairings: Nothing set in stone yet. Eventual Sam/Kurt and some Hunter/Brittany. Other assorted 2nd season pairings.
Notes: Okay, this is for Frenchy and Luna and Momo!
In case you don't know who Hunter is, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffy6bhdtl3E
Chapter 1: http://www.tthfanfic.org/Story-24011/Joyful+One+Song+Glory.htm
*****
Chapter 2
*****
“Okay, so I know you're a junior and I'm a senior, but Rachel says you're awesome at French, and I kind of suck at it. Do you think you could help me out?” Hunter asked Kurt. They had a study hall together, despite being in different grades Hunter was trying to get to know Kurt Hummel, though Kurt wasn't making it easy. Hunter didn't understand why Kurt was so hesitant to talk to him. So Hunter had snarked at him a little, Hunter snarked at everyone.
“I suppose,” Kurt said. “Are you any good at geometry? It's my worst subject.”
“I rock at it.,” Hunter said. “Hey, do you want to come over to my house tomorrow? You could help me with my French, and have dinner with my family, and I'll help you study for geometry.”
“Um, okay,” Kurt said. He stared at Hunter for a while before deciding to ask a question. “Forgive me for asking, I'll understand if you want to beat me up later, but are you gay?”
“No,” Hunter said. “I like girls, mostly. I'm probably a one or a two on the Kinsey scale, you know? Not entirely straight, but closer to straight than gay. But before you get your hopes up or anything, you're not really my type.”
“Oh,” Kurt said, not really knowing how to respond.
“But the other new guy, Sam? He's been staring at your ass every glee rehearsal. He might still be in the closet, but you're definitely his type,” Hunter said.
“You think?” Kurt asked.
“I do,” Hunter said. “Now, tell me, which of the Cheerios do I have the best shot at?”
“Probably Brittany. Well, she and Santana have some sort of on-again-off-again lesbian relationship, but when they're not together, she's got an obsession with her perfect record. She's made out with every guy in the school, including me. Santana's kinda slutty too, but she won't sleep with a guy unless he had a decent credit rating.”
“Interesting,” Hunter said. “What about Quinn?”
“Quinn's not really into dating. Brittany's your best bet.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
*****
“Hey, Sam, you do anything tomorrow?” Hunter asked.
“I don't think so, why?”
“Well, I remembered you said you had dyslexia, and sometimes it helps to study with other people, right?”
“Yeah, actually it does,” Sam said.
“Well, Kurt's coming over to tutor me in French, and I figured it would be a lot less embarrassing to be tutored by somebody younger than me if somebody else was there too. What do you think?” Hunter asked.
“Sounds good,” Sam said, as the two guys walked into Glee practice together. They were the last ones there.
“Mr. Schue, do you mid if I make an announcement-type thing?” Hunter asked
“Go ahead,” Mr. Schue said.
“Okay. So my dad just bought a new comic book shop, and this weekend he has to move in and sort all the inventory from his old shop in Pittsburgh. If anybody wants to help out, he'll pay $20 for helping, and give you a stack of comics.”
“Your dad owns a comic book shop?” Matt asked, a smile on his face. “I'm in.”
“Me too,” Mike said. Puck, Sam, Finn, Artie and Tina all agreed to help at Hunter's dad's comic book shop.
“Not you, Kurt?” Hunter asked surprised.
“I'm not really a comic book fan,” Kurt said.
“Really?” Hunter asked. “Not even Rage?”
“Okay, maybe Rage,” Kurt said, his cheeks flushing.
“Did I mention that my dad is the writer of Rage?” Hunter asked.
“What?” Kurt asked. “Really?”
“Michael Novotny,” Hunter nodded.
“I thought your last name was Bruckner,” Sam said.
“It is,” Hunter said. “Hunter Novotny Bruckner. I have two dads.”
“Kurt, you can't go anywhere on Saturday, “ Quinn reminded, “We have Cheerios practice all day, and the booster club thing in the afternoon.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot. Oh well, looks like you've got yourself enough muscle already,” Kurt said.
“Yeah, totally,” Hunter agreed. He gave everyone the address of the comic book shop, and then they waited for Mr. Schue to start rehearsal.
*****
It was obvious Mr. Schue meant well, but his music tastes were atrocious. Kurt really wanted to do Britney Spears, which Hunter was okay with, even if he didn't love her. He just found it amusing that Mr. Schue found Britney to be too racy and inappropriate. Hunter was tempted to tell him that if he thought Britney was racy, he should see what goes on at Babylon. But then he realized he would have to explain it, and he didn't want to explain to a room full of new people how he was so well-acquainted with the inner workings of a gay dance club. Honestly, Hunter didn't give a shit about the weird love triangle going on between Mr. Schue, Miss Pillsbury and the creepy dentist. The dentist guy kinda reminded Hunter of a former trick, and Hunter had a very hard time looking at the man. Hunter gritted his teeth and made it through the rehearsal. As he was leaving, Miss Pillsbury stopped him. Hunter didn't really trust her. Something about her fake smile and the color of her hair-she reminded him of his mom.
“Hunter, do you have a minute?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said, following her.
“Hunter, I just went over your file, and there's a notation saying you saw the guidance counselor regularly at your old school. Would you like to come and see me perhaps every other week?”
“Actually, Miss Pillsbury, I'd rather not. If you saw my file, you know I have a record, but I haven't been in trouble since I was sixteen. My father is already looking for an actual therapist for me here. I'm no longer homeless or in the foster care system, so my life's a shit-ton better than it used to be. I'll be fine.” He watched mixed emotions flit across her face. There was the frown at his language, and then...relief?
“You know, for a professional, you should try a little harder at not looking relieved that I won't be visiting you,” Hunter spat at her. He probably shouldn't be so hostile. He didn't even know what the woman knew about him, but it sure as hell felt like she was happy that she didn't have to be alone with him, and that pissed him off. He was going to go work out in the weight room. He needed to hit something.
*****
Kurt and Sam showed up at Hunter's house the next day for their study session at the same time. Hunter opened the door and grimaced.
“I'm really sorry in advance, guys,” Hunter said.
“Sorry about what?” Kurt asked.
“My grandparents are visiting. Carl's cool enough but Grandma Deb is absolutely fucking insane. She's probably going to get all in your business. Just, ignore he as much as you can,” Hunter warned.
“Well, I seriously need help with my geometry, so let's go inside,” Kurt said. Hunter invited them in, and tried to make it up the stairs before being stopped by an adult, but failed miserable.
“Hunter! Introduce me to you friends!” a loud, heavy woman in a garish red wig ordered. She was followed by an older man, and two men who Kurt assumed were Hunter's dads. Kurt stood there, clutching the strap of his messenger bag.
“Deb, this is Kurt and Sam. You guys from right to left is my dad Ben, my dad Michael, Grandma Deb, she's Michael's mom, and Carl. He's kind of her husband,” Hunter introduced.
“Nice to meet you,” Kurt said, holding out his hand for Debbie. He was shocked and a little scared when she hugged him.
“Hunter didn't exaggerate,” Michael said, “He really is a teenage Emmett.”
“Pardon?” Kurt asked, wiggling out of Debbie's grip.
“You remind us of a friend of ours,” Ben said, “If he was sixteen.”
“We need to study,” Hunter said. “You can torture and grill and embarrass them at dinner,” Hunter told his grandmother, before dragging his glee club teammates up to his bedroom.
“Malachi, Thomas and Rachel are joining us as well,” Ben told them as they disappeared up the stairs.
“Hunter, where's your bathroom?” Kurt asked at the top of the stairs. Hunter pointed, then led Sam into his room.
“So, Sam,” Hunter said. “When do you plan on asking out Kurt?”
“What?” Sam asked, his eyes growing comically wide.
“Dude, you're safe here. We don't care if you gay or bi or pansexual or whatever. I just noticed that you stare at his ass. A lot. Not that I blame you, boy has a nice ass, but still...”
“Are you gay?” Sam asked Hunter, surprised.
“No,” Hunter said. “I'm straight, more or less, but I can appreciate a nice body, and Kurt has a nice body, albeit a little skinny. So, when do you plan on asking him out?”
“I don't...I mean I'm not...I mean-” Sam looked flustered and panicked.
“It's okay, chill out,” Hunter said, resting his hand on Sam's arm. “I didn't mean to push. You don't have to confirm or deny anything. It's fucking hard to figure this shit out.”
“I...yeah,” Sam sighed, and sat on Hunter's bed. “I don't know what I am.”
“That's cool,” Hunter said. “What kind of homework do you have?”
“Trig, and English. English causes the most problems,” Sam looked relieved to not be discussing his sexual orientation anymore.
Kurt walked into the room and started speaking to Hunter in French. Hunter looked back blankly. Eventually they fell into a pattern. Sam was also surprisingly good at French, and he and Kurt were able to help Hunter make it through his French homework. Then Hunter and Kurt helped Sam with his English homework. Then Hunter helped Kurt with his Geometry while Sam worked quietly on Trig. After a couple hours, there was a knock at the door.
“Hey, it's me,” Rachel said from the doorway.
“Come in,” Hunter said.
“God, Rachel,” Kurt said. “Another animal sweater?”
“I like them,” Rachel said. “I think they're cute.”
“Please let me give you a makeover again. No tricks this time, I promise,” Kurt pleaded.
“I'll think about it,” Rachel said. “What are you guys working on?”
“Homework,” Hunter said. “Math, mostly.”
“Debbie says it's almost time for dinner. The whole house smells like an Italian restaurant,” Rachel said.
“Rachel, you have got to help me convince Mr. Schue to let us do Britney,” Kurt begged the diva.
“I'll suggest it, but you heard him, he sounded pretty adamant. And Brittany really didn't like the idea of it,” Rachel said hesitantly.
“Kids, dinner!” a voice beckoned them downstairs. They went downstairs and joined the adults around the dinner table.
“Oh, Hunter,” Carl said. “Drew told me to tell you that the Ironmen are scheduled to play the Browns the second week of October, and he's having a box held aside for you and your friends as a birthday present.”
“Really? Cool,” Hunter said. “Sam, you want to see the Ironmen play the Browns next month?”
“Are you kidding? Hell yes,” Sam said. “Wait. Drew? Drew Boyd?”
“Yeah, he's a family friend,” Debbie said.
“You know Drew Boyd?” Kurt asked, surprised.
“You know who Drew Boyd is?” Sam asked surprised.
“Sam,” Rachel butted it, “First, Kurt was on the football team last year, as the kicker. He helped get them their only win. Second, why would expect him not to know the name of the only openly gay player in the NFL? Even I know who Dew Boyd is, and I've never even watched a football game.”
“She has a good point,” Debbie said, as she served everyone out of habit. “Don't jump to conclusions, kid.”
“Sorry,” Sam said. “I shouldn't have assumed. I mean, I know you're a cheerleader and all, but you don't seem to pay much attention to the team during practice.”
“The football team and I don't exactly see eye to eye,” Kurt said. “Since I seem to believe I look better when I'm not covered in slushie or garbage, and I believe otherwise.”
“They throw garbage at you?” Debbie asked shocked.
“Not usually,” Kurt said. “The jocks like to pick me up and throw me in the dumpster.”
Everyone grew quiet at that. Debbie dropped her fork, and Hunter gripped the edge of the table tightly.
“Excuse me,” Hunter said, without waiting for an answer. He stood up and walked out of the dining room. Debbie quickly followed him.
“I've got it,” Michael promised his husband, and followed his son and mother into the kitchen.
“Did I say something wrong?” Kurt asked, worried.
“Not that you could have known,” Ben said.
“Back in Pittsburgh, a young gay man was murdered a few years ago, and his body was thrown in a dumpster. Debbie's the one who discovered the body, and Hunter had been friends with the boy,” Carl explained. “That's actually how I met Debbie. I was the detective working the case.”
Sam and Kurt looked wide-eyed, and Rachel made a small sound of horror as she covered her mouth with her hand.
“I'm sorry,” Kurt said. “I didn't mean to upset anyone.”
“Nobody's angry with you Kurt,” Ben said. “You were just telling the truth. Is the bullying very bad at McKinley?”
“Yes,” Rachel said. “Kurt gets it the worse of any of us. I just get mean things on my Myspace and Facebook pages, and pornographic pictures drawn about me in the bathroom. But Kurt gets harassed.”
“It's not that bad, Rachel,” Kurt said, as he watched her two dads, Hunter's dad and Hunter's granddad all get concerned looks on their faces.
“It is, Kurt. They threw pee balloons at you. They threw you in the dumpster every morning for a year and a half. They nailed all your lawn furniture to your roof. They check you into the lockers when they pass you in the hallway. I see it, Kurt,” Rachel stared at the boy across from her.
“Is it any different than when the Vocal Adrenaline kids cornered you in the parking lot and threw raw eggs at you? Everyone gets tortured in high school, Rachel. It's supposed to be hell. I'm fine.”
“They let kids get away with things like that in a public high school?” Carl asked, obviously bothered.
“I am the only out kid in a small town,” Kurt said. “I just wish it wasn't so hard for my dad.”
“Kurt,” Debbie said, coming back into the room, followed by Hunter and Michael. “Does your school have a GSA?”
“No,” Kurt said.
“I wanted you to start one last year,” Rachel said.
“And have you and I be the only two members? No thanks,” Kurt said.
“I'd join,” Hunter said. “And I bet a bunch of the Glee kids would too. At the very least Tina and Mercedes would come, and Tina would drag Mike along, and Mike would probably drag Matt, and then you have two football players.”
“Three,” Sam said quietly. “I'd go.”
“You would?” Kurt asked, surprised. “You'd get taunted even worse than usual.”
“They can taunt me all they want” Sam said, “I'd like to see the football team win without me.”
“That sounds like Drew Boyd,” Hunter smiled.
“Blondie, you gonna ask out pretty-boy there or what?” Debbie asked. “You've been staring at him all night.”
“MA!” Michael reprimanded. “How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of other people's love lives!”
“I, um, excuse me,” Sam stood up, leaving the room quickly.
“Debbie,” Hunter said, “He's not even out yet. I asked him earlier, and he nearly had a panic attack at the idea of saying it out loud.”
“Deb, Hunter's right, you can't force kids out of the closet before they're ready,” Ben said.
“He reminds me so much of Sunshine,” Debbie said, “With the way he was staring at Kurt, I just assumed. I should apologize.”
“Later, Deb,” Carl suggested.
“God, I remember being sixteen,” Thomas said, “Hardest thing in the world.”
“Apart from saying it out loud for the first time,” Ben agreed.
“But it's really freeing,” Malachi added. “Like suddenly everything makes sense. There's a word for you, a name, you're not just weird, you're gay. I remember that time.”
“Kurt,” Debbie said, “You mentioned your father before, is he involved with PFFLAG?”
“No. I don't think there's a chapter in Lima,” Kurt said.
“There's one in Columbus,” Malachi said. “He should look into it.”
“I'll get you some pamphlets,” Debbie promised. “After dinner. I always have some in my bag.”
“Hunter, did you have any more problems with the guidance counselor today?” Michael asked.
“No,” Hunter said. “I'm still a little pissed though. She shouldn't have looked so fucking happy at the idea that she doesn't have to meet with me regularly.”
“Miss Pillsbury?” Kurt asked, “She'd be happy if she never had to meet with anyone. I don't know how they let somebody with such severe OCD be a guidance counselor, but she is practically afraid of most of the students.”
“Oh,” Hunter said. That was a little less offensive than he'd originally thought.
Sam came back from the bathroom, and sat down and finished his dinner. They all ate dinner, and talked a bit more, before Kurt and Sam left, Kurt offering to drive Sam home in his Navigator. Before they left, Debbie stuck a bunch of pamphlets into Kurt's hands, and gave both boys a hug.
*****
“So, Sam, how do you like Lima so far?” Kurt asked.
“It's okay. It's small, better than some places I've lived, but not as good as others.”
“Why'd you move here?” Kurt asked.
“My dad's in the Army. He has to go where they send him, and I have to go where he goes,” Sam explained.
“So, Hunter's family are definitely interesting, huh?” Kurt asked.
“Yeah. Hunter's a really interesting person. I have a feeling he has a lot of secrets,” Sam said as Kurt drove onto his street.
“Yeah, me too. I think he mentioned something about being a foster kid at one point, and I understand that foster kids can go through a lot of shit sometimes,” Kurt said.
“It's the third house on the left,” Sam pointed out, and Kurt pulled into the driveway. “Kurt,” Sam started, looking at the other boy.
“Yeah?” Kurt asked.
“Thanks.”
“For what? The ride?” Kurt asked.
“No. For not pushing. I mean, Hunter and his grandma said some stuff, but you didn't push. Thank you.”
“Sam, I really would like to be you're friend. You're nice, and funny, and you don't treat me as if I'm a sexual predator or something, the way some of the glee guys do. Also, you don't beat me up, the way some of the jocks do. If you're gay, great. If you're bi, great. If you're straight, that's great too. Because right now I could use some guy friends who have never thrown things at me,” Kurt said.
“Okay,” Sam smiled. “A friend who doesn't throw stuff at you, I can be that.”
“Fabulous. I'll see you at school tomorrow.”
*****
That week at school was weird. Everyone was obsessed with Britney Spears. Also, the dentist guy who creeped Hunter out was apparently putting teenagers under just to do basic dental work. Hunter didn't really like the man, but as long as he didn't have to go to him, he was okay. The girls in glee club were dressing up as Britney Spears, and Artie somehow joined the football team. Mr. Schue wanted to perform Britney with the kids on Thursday, which Hunter thought was a horrible idea, but he went along with it. After the sex riot fire drill, Hunter found Brittany out behind the bleachers.
“Hey Brittany,” Hunter smiled at her.
“Hi,” she smiled brightly.
“Hey, do you want to go out with me tonight? I know it's short notice but there's no football game tonight, right?”
“Um, sure!” she said. “Where are we going?”
“Well, I don't know Lima very well. What do you like doing on dates?”
“I like to go to the roller skating rink or the movies, and I like to eat at Breadstix,” Brittany said.
“Roller skating and Breadstix it is, then,” Hunter said. “Do you want to go skip 6th period and get started on it?”
“Okay,” Brittany said.
*****
Hunter had a great time skating with Brittany. He'd never actually gone roller skating before, and Brittany had a great time teaching him. Hunter got the impression that there weren't many things Brittany was better at than other people, apart from tumbling and dancing, so she didn't get to show off very often. Of course, the only dancing Hunter knew how to do was the bump and grind from Babylon, maybe Brittany could help him out there, too. After the roller rink, they went to Breadstix, which Hunter enjoyed a lot. It was a decent restaurant.
Afterward, they made out in Brittany's car for a while. Hunter stopped Brittany from giving him a handjob, but she didn't stop him from fingering her under her skirt. He didn't want to do the big reveal on the first date, and he wasn't irresponsible enough to have sex with Brittany without telling her. But he just wanted to go on a date or two with her before he told her he had HIV. When she dropped him off, they made plans for a second date on Saturday night after the weekend Cheerios practice. He kissed her one last time before going inside.
At home, he went straight for the kitchen for a snack. He grabbed a Coke and an apple, and sat at the table.
“Hey Hunter, how was your day?” Michael asked.
“Pretty good,” Hunter grinned.
“Hey, is that a hickey?” Michael asked, smiling. “Hey Ben, Hunter has a hickey!”
Hunter's other dad came into the kitchen, grabbing himself an apple as well.
“What's her name?” Ben asked. “It is a her, right?”
“Yes, it's a her,” Hunter said, blushing slightly. “Her name's Brittany. We went roller skating, and out to dinner. It was fun.”
“Are you going to go on a second date?” Michael asked.
“Saturday, after we move the inventory around,” Hunter said, still blushing slightly. “I don't really know what we'll do, though. Maybe we can see a movie.”
“Did you tell her?” Ben asked, gently.
“Not yet,” Hunter said. “I'll tell her if we decide to have sex. I mean, she's got a reputation for being easy, but I don't care about that. When we have sex, I'll tell her.”
“Before?” Ben questioned.
“Before,” Hunter said. “I'm not an idiot. I mean, the whole thing with Callie sucked, yeah, but I don't regret telling her, not really. And I'm not stupid enough to think nobody in Lima's ever gonna find out. But is it wrong to want to spend a few weeks not being 'that slut with AIDS'?” Hunter sighed as he looked at his dads.
“Whoa, whoa,” Ben said. “You are not a slut, and you don't have AIDS.”
“I know,” Hunter said. "It just fucking sucks when people say that shit about me."
“And there's nothing wrong with wanting to keep it a secret,” Michael said. “We understand that completely.”
“But we also know that you're responsible enough to keep your sexual partners safe,” Ben said. “Anyway, do we get to meet her?”
“She's going to stop by the shop on Saturday,” Hunter said.
“Looking forward to it,” Michael said.
*End Chapter 2*
That was a little longer than I expected, and yet shorter than I expected. Because these are high school students, none of the pairings are set in stone.