Fic: But, You'll Never See
Title: But, You'll Never See
Disclaimer: I don't own em,if I did it would probably have to be on another channel.
Rating: low R probably
Warnings: Language, homophobia, angst
Characters: Artie, Kurt, Mr. Schue, Finn, Puck, Matt, and Mr. and Mrs. Abrams.
Word count: 1928
Spoilers: Lets say through season one to be safe, but none really.
Summary: Artie's parents have some problems with the rooming arrangements, much to the horror of several of the other glee club members.
A/N: written for this prompt over at glee_angst_meme. I think it may have deviated a little bit, but I hope you like it anyhow anon!
Finn wasn’t exactly sure how they had gotten into this fresh new hell, all he knew for certain was he had never been so mortified in his entire life. Really, Artie’s parents decided they needed to have this conversation with Mr. Schue right now? Right after glee had ended and some of the kids were still hanging around? At least Mercedes wasn’t here for this, it would be ten times worse if Kurt’s best friend was here to witness the verbal annihilation of her best friend’s perceived character. Artie for his part looked like he wanted to sink into the floor and disappear as his father started protesting again.
“It’s not like we’re saying something will happen.” Mr. Abrams said, as if denying it enough will make it better and easier for everyone involved. He looked to his wife for back up, and she quickly nodded.
“Kurt’s a perfectly lovely boy and all, we’re just uncomfortable with him rooming with Artie, he wouldn’t be able to defend himself.” Finn frowned in irritation, that’s not cool; it wasn’t like Kurt was just waiting to jump someone. And then he felt a wave of crushing guilt because he protested very much the same way when he was to room with Kurt. That was in the past though, Kurt was going to be his brother now, they had made up, and this was pissing him off. No one should talk about his almost-about to be brother like that!
“I assure you that Kurt wouldn’t-” Mr. Schue can’t finish because Mr. Abrams cut him off.
“Again, we’re not saying he would, it’s just a concern and we’d be more comfortable if other arrangements were made.” Finn’s eyes flickered back to Artie who’s gradually straightened up in his chair and he’d gone from looking mortified to downright furious. However it’s Puck who started talking.
“Are you people serious?” He asked a little incredulously, and Mr. Schue shot him a warning look with no actual warning in it, he seemed just as distressed as the rest of the kids. “Hell, if it’s that big of a deal, I’ll room with him.” He rolled his eyes and Finn nodded, because hell, he’d room with Kurt too, it wasn’t like they hadn’t done it in the past. Mike and Matt both piped up as well, offering to room with Kurt, rather than offering to room with Artie. Finn was touched that they were sticking up for Kurt, and for the first time, Finn let his eyes stray to his almost-brother, afraid of what he’d find.
For a moment, it felt like his heart stopped, because Kurt looked worse that he imagined.
He was pale, and he was averting his eyes, though Finn can still see the tears. Worse yet, his arms are wrapped around himself in some sort of protective embrace, the same one he’d seen when he was throwing the word faggy around, and Burt was laying down the law. Kurt had cried then too. His hands were reflexively clenching and unclenching his arms, nails digging into his skin, and Finn was almost positive there would be bruises in the morning.
Artie’s mom seemed to notice as well, because she made a little noise in the back of her throat before addressing Kurt. “Kurt, it’s really nothing against you personally, we think you’re a wonderful kid, it’s just…surely you can understand where we’re coming from. Please don’t be upset.” Like that was going to make him feel any better. Finn watched as Matt reached over and squeezed Kurt’s shoulder, pointedly ignoring the flinch that shivered through the other boy.
“Right, you’re basically saying you’re afraid he’s going to attack your kid the second they are alone together, no reason to take offense.” Santana’s words were cutting and rude, but no one reprimanded her. She just kept glaring at Artie’s parents, and snaked out a hand to pull one of Kurt’s off his arm, lacing their fingers together. If she noticed the fact that he’s shaking a little, she didn’t acknowledge it, and just adjusted her hold a little tighter.
Before Mr. Schue or Artie’s parents can reply, Artie just seemed to explode, anger and embarrassment spewing forth in a furious stream of words. He can’t believe his parents would do this to him, especially not in front of the other glee club members. And especially not in front of Kurt, who looks so agonized that it’s physically painful for Artie to look at him any longer.
“Uh hello, is anyone going to ask how I feel about this situation?” He demanded. He wheeled himself over to Kurt, and set himself to sit side by side, nearly shoulder to shoulder. It was a show of solidarity, and Finn was thankful for it, even if Kurt seemed to sink a bit lower in his seat. “Because in case you’ve all forgotten, as you all appeared to, we picked our own roommates.” He set a frown on his parents who are frowning in disapproval back at him. “It’s all well and good to spout off nonsense about what a lovely boy Kurt is, but don’t you dare try and tell him not to be offended, when in the same breath say you’re afraid he’s going to jump me in my sleep! If you don’t like him at least own up and admit to it. If you don’t like him fine, but you don’t get to try and pretend you’re doing this for me!” Artie’s chest was heaving by the end of his tirade, and he looked so angry Finn was sure that another rant could come at anytime.
“Artie,” It’s the first time Kurt’s spoken since this whole thing began and Artie turns his head sharply to look at him. “It’s ok, really I understand.” Artie just stared for a moment, gob-smacked and completely horrified. Finn was also staring, not quite believing what he’d heard.
“See, Kurt’s being reasonable about this.” Mr. Abrams said, and Finn noticed that Mr. Schue took a noticeable step backwards, barely concealing a look of anger.
“The hell it is!” Artie was livid and turned furious eyes back to his parents, practically spitting sparks of outrage. “I picked you for a reason. Not just because I didn’t think either of us wanted to room with a jock, seriously no offense intended guys.” Artie said quickly.
“None taken.” Puck said shrugging it off easily.
“But because seriously, you’re one of my closest friends.” And then it got a little awkward because no one really knew what to say after that. Kurt had stilled, his remaining hand was no longer digging grooves into the flesh of his arm, but he still didn’t turn to meet anyone’s gaze.
“It’s not like this is the first time something like this has happened Artie.” Kurt’s voice sounded so tired, so very defeated that Finn felt his own eyes watering a little. “No one ever wants to room with the fag.” The word was spat out like it left a bad taste in his mouth. Finn felt a sharp stab of regret slice through him, he wasn’t sure if Kurt was referring to their now infamous, but rarely spoken of fight, or something else entirely. As far as he knew, it could have been both, and that just killed him a little. Finn saw the Abrams shifts a bit in discomfort, before Artie’s mother made her way to them and knelt down by Kurt, ignoring the furious glare her son was boring into her skull.
“Kurt, you really shouldn’t-” But she’s cut off before she can finish her sentence.
“What he shouldn’t call himself that, even though that’s basically what you’ve implied this whole damn time?” Santana snapped, her fingers tightening around Kurt’s hand. “That because your someone’s mom it’s ok for your to verbally shit all over him, that he’ll just have to accept it because you’re an adult, well screw you!”
“San, enough.” Kurt’s voice was still quiet but she piped down. She did bring her other hand around to rub his arm soothingly though. The two had gotten closer since Kurt joined the cheerios, but Finn didn’t know they’d gotten close enough for Santana to react like this. He appreciated it none the less.
“It isn’t like that!” Artie’s mother protested and Kurt shook his head before sending a sidelong glance at Artie. Finn couldn’t see Kurt’s face, but if the expression on Artie’s was anything to go on, it was nothing less than heartbreaking.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends this way.” Kurt admitted and Artie jerks a bit in his chair. “Their parents don’t want them exposed to the homo, because heaven forbid their kid catch the gay. Which is almost funny, but man it still hurts when I’m being told I can’t hang out with, or be friends with someone anymore, because their parents are afraid of what I might do when we’re alone. It would almost be funny, if it wasn‘t so ignorant and sad.”
“We aren’t telling you that you can’t be friends!” Mr. Abrams exclaimed looking a little horrified. “We just aren’t comfortable-”
“Yes, you’ve said.” Matt said, annoyed.
“It doesn’t matter if your comfortable or not.” Artie suddenly said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Because I’m perfectly content to room with Kurt, I picked him after all. I don’t know why you have both suddenly lost your minds, but I don’t want to discuss this anymore.” He turned his attention to Kurt and lowered his head a little to try and meet Kurt’s eyes again. “Do you think I could go home with you and Finn tonight? I don’t think I can stand to be around my parents right now.”
“Artie!” Mrs. Abrams protested, sounding upset and horrified that her son would disregard their feelings like he was. They were acting in his best interest, it wasn’t as if they were telling him to write Kurt off all together or anything!
“Sure man.” Finn agreed easily and moved to where Kurt was sitting, as a group they ushered Kurt out of the room, Artie calling out one last parting shot to his parents.
“I’d appreciate it if you could leave me alone for a few days so I can try and figure out a way to assure one of my best friends that I’m not going to let you yank him away from me.” Santana shuts the door behind them with an audible slam, and when the Abrams look to Mr. Schue for help he shakes his head.
“You’ve just re-enforced every fear that boy has.” He told them a sharp note entering his voice. “When we first found out we were going to stay overnight, Kurt had offered to pay to have his own room. At first I thought it was because he didn’t want to share, but after a little wheedling I found out it was because he was afraid no one would want to room with him because he was gay. I had no idea how to respond to that, except to assure him that it wouldn’t be an issue.” He paused to look at both of Artie’s parents with a long even measured stare.
“And it wasn’t, until you made it one. Hopefully this won’t have damaged things enough to make Kurt decide not to go at all.” He left the room quickly, angrily shutting the door behind him with a snap.
The Abrams were left standing silently in the room starring at each other wondering just what repercussions this may have brought on.
Disclaimer: I don't own em,if I did it would probably have to be on another channel.
Rating: low R probably
Warnings: Language, homophobia, angst
Characters: Artie, Kurt, Mr. Schue, Finn, Puck, Matt, and Mr. and Mrs. Abrams.
Word count: 1928
Spoilers: Lets say through season one to be safe, but none really.
Summary: Artie's parents have some problems with the rooming arrangements, much to the horror of several of the other glee club members.
A/N: written for this prompt over at glee_angst_meme. I think it may have deviated a little bit, but I hope you like it anyhow anon!
Finn wasn’t exactly sure how they had gotten into this fresh new hell, all he knew for certain was he had never been so mortified in his entire life. Really, Artie’s parents decided they needed to have this conversation with Mr. Schue right now? Right after glee had ended and some of the kids were still hanging around? At least Mercedes wasn’t here for this, it would be ten times worse if Kurt’s best friend was here to witness the verbal annihilation of her best friend’s perceived character. Artie for his part looked like he wanted to sink into the floor and disappear as his father started protesting again.
“It’s not like we’re saying something will happen.” Mr. Abrams said, as if denying it enough will make it better and easier for everyone involved. He looked to his wife for back up, and she quickly nodded.
“Kurt’s a perfectly lovely boy and all, we’re just uncomfortable with him rooming with Artie, he wouldn’t be able to defend himself.” Finn frowned in irritation, that’s not cool; it wasn’t like Kurt was just waiting to jump someone. And then he felt a wave of crushing guilt because he protested very much the same way when he was to room with Kurt. That was in the past though, Kurt was going to be his brother now, they had made up, and this was pissing him off. No one should talk about his almost-about to be brother like that!
“I assure you that Kurt wouldn’t-” Mr. Schue can’t finish because Mr. Abrams cut him off.
“Again, we’re not saying he would, it’s just a concern and we’d be more comfortable if other arrangements were made.” Finn’s eyes flickered back to Artie who’s gradually straightened up in his chair and he’d gone from looking mortified to downright furious. However it’s Puck who started talking.
“Are you people serious?” He asked a little incredulously, and Mr. Schue shot him a warning look with no actual warning in it, he seemed just as distressed as the rest of the kids. “Hell, if it’s that big of a deal, I’ll room with him.” He rolled his eyes and Finn nodded, because hell, he’d room with Kurt too, it wasn’t like they hadn’t done it in the past. Mike and Matt both piped up as well, offering to room with Kurt, rather than offering to room with Artie. Finn was touched that they were sticking up for Kurt, and for the first time, Finn let his eyes stray to his almost-brother, afraid of what he’d find.
For a moment, it felt like his heart stopped, because Kurt looked worse that he imagined.
He was pale, and he was averting his eyes, though Finn can still see the tears. Worse yet, his arms are wrapped around himself in some sort of protective embrace, the same one he’d seen when he was throwing the word faggy around, and Burt was laying down the law. Kurt had cried then too. His hands were reflexively clenching and unclenching his arms, nails digging into his skin, and Finn was almost positive there would be bruises in the morning.
Artie’s mom seemed to notice as well, because she made a little noise in the back of her throat before addressing Kurt. “Kurt, it’s really nothing against you personally, we think you’re a wonderful kid, it’s just…surely you can understand where we’re coming from. Please don’t be upset.” Like that was going to make him feel any better. Finn watched as Matt reached over and squeezed Kurt’s shoulder, pointedly ignoring the flinch that shivered through the other boy.
“Right, you’re basically saying you’re afraid he’s going to attack your kid the second they are alone together, no reason to take offense.” Santana’s words were cutting and rude, but no one reprimanded her. She just kept glaring at Artie’s parents, and snaked out a hand to pull one of Kurt’s off his arm, lacing their fingers together. If she noticed the fact that he’s shaking a little, she didn’t acknowledge it, and just adjusted her hold a little tighter.
Before Mr. Schue or Artie’s parents can reply, Artie just seemed to explode, anger and embarrassment spewing forth in a furious stream of words. He can’t believe his parents would do this to him, especially not in front of the other glee club members. And especially not in front of Kurt, who looks so agonized that it’s physically painful for Artie to look at him any longer.
“Uh hello, is anyone going to ask how I feel about this situation?” He demanded. He wheeled himself over to Kurt, and set himself to sit side by side, nearly shoulder to shoulder. It was a show of solidarity, and Finn was thankful for it, even if Kurt seemed to sink a bit lower in his seat. “Because in case you’ve all forgotten, as you all appeared to, we picked our own roommates.” He set a frown on his parents who are frowning in disapproval back at him. “It’s all well and good to spout off nonsense about what a lovely boy Kurt is, but don’t you dare try and tell him not to be offended, when in the same breath say you’re afraid he’s going to jump me in my sleep! If you don’t like him at least own up and admit to it. If you don’t like him fine, but you don’t get to try and pretend you’re doing this for me!” Artie’s chest was heaving by the end of his tirade, and he looked so angry Finn was sure that another rant could come at anytime.
“Artie,” It’s the first time Kurt’s spoken since this whole thing began and Artie turns his head sharply to look at him. “It’s ok, really I understand.” Artie just stared for a moment, gob-smacked and completely horrified. Finn was also staring, not quite believing what he’d heard.
“See, Kurt’s being reasonable about this.” Mr. Abrams said, and Finn noticed that Mr. Schue took a noticeable step backwards, barely concealing a look of anger.
“The hell it is!” Artie was livid and turned furious eyes back to his parents, practically spitting sparks of outrage. “I picked you for a reason. Not just because I didn’t think either of us wanted to room with a jock, seriously no offense intended guys.” Artie said quickly.
“None taken.” Puck said shrugging it off easily.
“But because seriously, you’re one of my closest friends.” And then it got a little awkward because no one really knew what to say after that. Kurt had stilled, his remaining hand was no longer digging grooves into the flesh of his arm, but he still didn’t turn to meet anyone’s gaze.
“It’s not like this is the first time something like this has happened Artie.” Kurt’s voice sounded so tired, so very defeated that Finn felt his own eyes watering a little. “No one ever wants to room with the fag.” The word was spat out like it left a bad taste in his mouth. Finn felt a sharp stab of regret slice through him, he wasn’t sure if Kurt was referring to their now infamous, but rarely spoken of fight, or something else entirely. As far as he knew, it could have been both, and that just killed him a little. Finn saw the Abrams shifts a bit in discomfort, before Artie’s mother made her way to them and knelt down by Kurt, ignoring the furious glare her son was boring into her skull.
“Kurt, you really shouldn’t-” But she’s cut off before she can finish her sentence.
“What he shouldn’t call himself that, even though that’s basically what you’ve implied this whole damn time?” Santana snapped, her fingers tightening around Kurt’s hand. “That because your someone’s mom it’s ok for your to verbally shit all over him, that he’ll just have to accept it because you’re an adult, well screw you!”
“San, enough.” Kurt’s voice was still quiet but she piped down. She did bring her other hand around to rub his arm soothingly though. The two had gotten closer since Kurt joined the cheerios, but Finn didn’t know they’d gotten close enough for Santana to react like this. He appreciated it none the less.
“It isn’t like that!” Artie’s mother protested and Kurt shook his head before sending a sidelong glance at Artie. Finn couldn’t see Kurt’s face, but if the expression on Artie’s was anything to go on, it was nothing less than heartbreaking.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends this way.” Kurt admitted and Artie jerks a bit in his chair. “Their parents don’t want them exposed to the homo, because heaven forbid their kid catch the gay. Which is almost funny, but man it still hurts when I’m being told I can’t hang out with, or be friends with someone anymore, because their parents are afraid of what I might do when we’re alone. It would almost be funny, if it wasn‘t so ignorant and sad.”
“We aren’t telling you that you can’t be friends!” Mr. Abrams exclaimed looking a little horrified. “We just aren’t comfortable-”
“Yes, you’ve said.” Matt said, annoyed.
“It doesn’t matter if your comfortable or not.” Artie suddenly said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Because I’m perfectly content to room with Kurt, I picked him after all. I don’t know why you have both suddenly lost your minds, but I don’t want to discuss this anymore.” He turned his attention to Kurt and lowered his head a little to try and meet Kurt’s eyes again. “Do you think I could go home with you and Finn tonight? I don’t think I can stand to be around my parents right now.”
“Artie!” Mrs. Abrams protested, sounding upset and horrified that her son would disregard their feelings like he was. They were acting in his best interest, it wasn’t as if they were telling him to write Kurt off all together or anything!
“Sure man.” Finn agreed easily and moved to where Kurt was sitting, as a group they ushered Kurt out of the room, Artie calling out one last parting shot to his parents.
“I’d appreciate it if you could leave me alone for a few days so I can try and figure out a way to assure one of my best friends that I’m not going to let you yank him away from me.” Santana shuts the door behind them with an audible slam, and when the Abrams look to Mr. Schue for help he shakes his head.
“You’ve just re-enforced every fear that boy has.” He told them a sharp note entering his voice. “When we first found out we were going to stay overnight, Kurt had offered to pay to have his own room. At first I thought it was because he didn’t want to share, but after a little wheedling I found out it was because he was afraid no one would want to room with him because he was gay. I had no idea how to respond to that, except to assure him that it wouldn’t be an issue.” He paused to look at both of Artie’s parents with a long even measured stare.
“And it wasn’t, until you made it one. Hopefully this won’t have damaged things enough to make Kurt decide not to go at all.” He left the room quickly, angrily shutting the door behind him with a snap.
The Abrams were left standing silently in the room starring at each other wondering just what repercussions this may have brought on.