Fic: How Unfair to Shut me Out
Title: How Unfair to Shut me Out
Disclaimer: I don't own em, if I did Glee would probably have to be on another channel.
Rating: High pg-13 for language, probably.
Warnings: Some bad language some angst, spoilers for season two.
Characters: Kurt, Blaine, Wes, David, Thad, Nick, Jeff, Finn and minor Karofsky
Word count: 2,830
Spoilers: For season two really.
Summary: After the Kurt's birthday is forgotten by the warblers, the full extent of Kurt's bullying comes out, much to his horror.
A/N: Written for this prompt here at the glee_angst_meme This didn't turn out at all how I had originally envisioned it, but I hope the OP likes it anyway!
Kurt had been at Dalton for four months now, and he was adapting more each day. He couldn’t necessarily say he was happy there, but he did feel much safer than he ever had at McKinley. He had made some friends now at school, which made things a little more bearable, but still, he missed his friends and he missed glee club being fun. The Warblers meetings tended to be a little tense and in Kurt’s opinion, uptight. Very rarely was the tone of these meetings any different. There was really only one time it was ever actually different, and that’s when it was someone’s birthday.
The first time this happened, it had startled Kurt. He had walked into the Warblers practice room only to find it decorated with balloons and a cake, and David was laughing accepting well wishes for his birthday. Jeff had grabbed Kurt by his arm and towed him in, happily chattering away about how birthdays were the best cause it was just a party instead of rehearsal. He then grabbed a sheet from Wes and shoved it at Kurt, telling him to write his birthday down, so they could plan for his birthday too.
Every time a birthday came up, a small party was held. Blaine’s birthday had been a karaoke themed event; Wes had really gone all out to plan for it. Thad’s birthday had been equally spectacular. Kurt had eventually asked Wes if he could have a copy of the list so he could make sure to at least have a card or something. Because of this, Wes put him in charge of getting a card for everyone to sign. Kurt didn’t really mind, it made him feel useful, and like he was being included, even if it was for something rather simple.
So when his own birthday rolled around, he had gotten out of bed, spoken with his family, and made his way to breakfast, accepting a few well wishes from some of the friends he‘d made since he‘d been there. The day passed as any other day would. Once he got to Warblers practice however, he stalled in the doorway. There were no balloons, no birthday cake, and obviously, he wasn’t going to buy himself a card. It stung, but he viciously stamped down on the feeling. The parties were for Warblers, and obviously, Kurt wasn’t considered a Warbler. Not even Blaine, who he considered his closest friend in the school, wished him a happy birthday.
But it was fine, really it was ok. Kurt was use to disappointment; this was no different than any other time he was disappointed by something. So he put on his best face, and sat through rehearsal, pretending not to care that he really wasn’t as accepted as he thought he was. After an agonizing meeting, they were finally dismissed and Kurt was the first out, he just couldn’t be around them anymore. He was no more than three steps outside of the room when he felt the ice cold bitch slap of a slushie being thrown right in his face.
“Happy birthday Fag!”
It was the voice more so than the actual slushie that caused Kurt to go completely cold. He vaguely heard someone protest, and then heard the sound of sneakers squeaking across the floor, he lifted slightly trembling hands to wipe the slush out of his eyes and watched as Thad and Nick took off after the retreating form of Karofsky. Kurt flinched away from the hands that were reaching out for him shaking his head.
“It’s ok, I’m fine.” He assured them, though his voice sounded weird, hallow. “I’m use to it, if you’ll excuse me.” He beat as hasty a retreat as he was able; he just needed to get away from them. He disappeared into the nearest bathroom, and Blaine was about to follow when it struck him what exactly Karofsky had said. He’d said happy birthday.
“Where’s the birthday list?” he demanded and Wes blinked in surprise.
“What?”
“The birthday list, where’s the damn list!” he didn’t bother to wait for Wes to reply, he hurried back into the rehearsal room and began to dig through the folder he knew Wes kept his information in. He scattered papers across the desk, ignoring Wes and his indignant cry. It wasn’t until Blaine found what he was looking for that he bothered to look up. David was startled by the look on his face.
“Blaine, man what’s up?”
“It’s Kurt’s birthday.” Blaine said. “This is what the list is for, so we know, but somehow,” and his eyes narrowed as he continued “Kurt’s birthday got slipped to the wayside, and how exactly did that happen Wes?” The other warblers turned to face Wes, and the Asian boy shifted a little under the scrutiny.
“I’ve been really stressed out lately and haven’t really kept up with it.” He said, but when David narrowed his eyes as well, he shrugged. “I really didn’t mean to blow it off, I just honestly forgot!” Wes protested. “I don’t know him, I don’t really talk to him, it didn’t occur to me to check the list.” Thad and Nick returned then, shaking their respective heads.
“We lost him, but man what was that all about?” Nick asked.
“He was apparently wishing Kurt a happy birthday.” Blaine sneered, his face twisting up in a way the others hadn’t ever seen. “Since you know we didn’t know because someone was apparently to busy to check the damn birthday list.”
“Blaine, you’re over reacting.” Wes protested, but he was getting looks of disapproval and a few glared at him, so he quickly quieted down. Thad suddenly made a disgusted noise and left the room, Jeff and David at his heels, leaving Blaine to chew out the other boy. They made it half way down the hall when they heard a voice call out to them. A tall boy none of them new smiled a little awkwardly at them.
“Uh hi, would any of you happen to know where I could find Kurt, uh, Kurt Hummel?”
A sudden new protectiveness flared through David. From what little Blaine had told him, Kurt’s high school experience thus far had been pretty shitty, and after that display of watching some giant jock of a kid throw a slushie in his face, yeah suddenly David was realizing that things might have been a whole lot worse than either Blaine or Kurt were letting on. This kid was huge too, and David wasn’t about to let anything else happen.
“Who wants to know?” He asked, and he flinched a little at how aggressive his voice sounded. The tall boy blinked in surprise.
“I’m Finn, I’m his brother. Well step-brother, but you know…I just wanted to surprise him for his birthday.” David vaguely recalled Blaine mentioning something about Kurt’s dad getting married and it clicked in his head who this was, he’d seen a picture of him and Kurt at the wedding now that he thought about it. He relaxed slightly, offering Finn an apologetic look.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, it’s just…”
“After what happened,” Thad picked up, “We had no idea it was that bad. If we had known, man…” Anxiety suddenly flared up in Finn’s face.
“What do you mean, something happened, where’s Kurt, he’s ok isn’t he?”
“We didn’t know it was his birthday.” Jeff said frowning. “He probably wouldn’t have told us, but then that giant in a letterman jacket threw a freaking slushie in his face and--” Finn invaded his personal space, abruptly cutting him off.
“Karofsky, Karofsky was here?!” There was an urgency in his voice that deeply unsettled the other three. “Oh shit, did he say anything?”
“Just happy birthday…well I don’t really want to repeat the last part.” Jeff admitted. “It wasn’t very flattering anyhow.”
“Oh man, I should call Burt. Listen where’s Kurt, does anyone know?”
“Finn,” David called out pausing the larger boy before he could break off and tear the school apart in search of his step-brother. “This Karofsky guy, he messed with Kurt a lot?”
“He’s the reason he transferred.” Finn replied. At the curious looks he was getting he shrugged. “Kurt didn’t tell us much; I didn’t know how bad it was until almost the end, before he transferred to get away from it all. I still think there‘s something he‘s not telling me about it too.” Kurt chose that moment to exit the nearest boy’s room, and as soon as Finn saw him and descended upon him in a hail of what could only be described as spastic enthusiasm. He picked Kurt up off his feet in a bone crushing hug before setting him back down and holding him by his shoulders looking over him.
“What did he do? He didn’t say anything did he?”
“What are you even doing here?” Kurt asked, deflecting the question.
“It’s your birthday dude, and you’re first birthday as my brother, like I was just going to let it go with a call. Come on, I’m taking you back to Lima, it’s the weekend, and I don’t care how much homework you have.” An appreciative smile flickered across Kurt’s face.
“Thank you Finn.” Blaine chose that moment to leave the rehearsal room, with a shame faced Wes at his heels. He was brought up short at the sight of Finn. Kurt caught sight of Blaine and cleared his throat.
“I know we had plans to catch a movie Blaine, but if you don’t mine, could we reschedule that? Finn’s come to surprise me with a trip home.” Blaine nodded and tried to force a smile onto his face.
“Of course.” And when Kurt turned so he could go pack a bag, he was surprised when David fell into step beside him, apologizing, before starting to babble on by promising to make it up to him by taking him out for the most killer of all good times once he got back. Finn watched them turn the corner before he turned his attention on Blaine.
“So what’s really going on?” He asked. “Something tells me this is about more than just Karofsky showing up and slushing him, which by the way, wasn’t he supposed to be safe here?” Blaine blinked before shaking his head, Finn seemed…well rested today.
“We forgot his birthday.” Blaine said and watched as Finn’s face darkened just a little. “We have a birthday list, but somehow it didn’t get checked. He didn’t have time to do anything other than throw a slushie in his face before he turned tail and ran.” Finn nodded and went to leave before Wes spoke up.
“Finn,” and the tall boy turned to them again. “What exactly happened to bring Kurt here? He never really told us, just that the bullying got bad.”
“He’s my friend Finn, I just want to help.” Blaine pleaded when Finn looked like he wasn’t going to tell them anything. Finally he sighed and clenched his fists.
“Kurt handles things by himself a lot, and I don’t know if he didn’t think he could tell us about this, or if he thought he was protecting us, but Karofsky…that jackass, I swear I’ll kill him if he lays one hand on my brother, he threatened to kill him.” A heavy silence descended in the hallway. “And…And I think he meant it.”
“Why?” The honest bewilderment in Nick’s voice made Finn look at him, and he shrugged weakly.
“Is it because of what happened in the locker room?” Blaine asked, and then realized he said the wrong thing by the sharp look that Finn set him with.
“What happened in the locker room?”
“Uh…I don’t think I was supposed to say that, I thought maybe he told you.” Finn’s mouth was beginning to open so he could start arguing that he should know when Kurt and David reappeared. A weekend bag slung over Kurt’s shoulder. He took one look at the tense scene in the hall and exchanged a quick look with David.
“Is everything ok?” He asked cautiously, and Finn quickly turned to face him.
“What happened between you and Karofsky in the locker room? Damn it Kurt, what aren’t you telling us?!” Kurt’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t look away from Finn, though Blaine could feel the betrayed look he was throwing him in his mind.
“I don’t really think this---”
“No, no Kurt. We just want to help you and you’re not making it easy. Please, I just want to protect my brother.” And the honest, pleading tone in Finn’s voice just made Kurt wilt, and his eyes focused on his feet.
“I think you should tell him.” Blaine said suddenly. “I’m assuming that’s why he threatened you in the first place, which by the way, you never told me about.” This time Kurt did look his way, a completely utterly baffled look, like was really now the best time for this.
“Karofsky and I were arguing after he shoved me into a locker again, and he kissed me.” Kurt finally said. “You can’t tell my dad, Finn, seriously you can’t tell him about this.” Anxiety flared up in Kurt’s face. “He’s still sick and he would be so upset and please Finn you just can’t tell him about this.” Finn for his part looked completely overwhelmed, like he had no idea what to say to that. Then a protective rage flooded through him and he crossed over to where Kurt was standing, trying to brush off the hurt when Kurt flinched a little.
“I’ll make you a deal.” Finn told him. “I won’t tell Burt, but you tell me when something happens. I promised I was gonna look out for you, and I meant it.”
“He said happy birthday when he slushied me. It disturbs me that he knew it was my birthday.” Kurt admitted and Finn nodded. He would be calling Puck once he got home and they might need to go plan a little talk with Karofsky about this. He took Kurt’s bag and glanced around at the other boys who all had varying looks of shock and horror on their faces.
“Uh, I’ll just take this out to the car; I’ll meet you out front ok?”
“Ok.” Kurt said not really wanting to be left alone with the Warblers, but knowing some sort of closure had to happen. Finn headed down the hallway and it wasn’t until Kurt felt David’s hand squeezing his shoulder that he realized he was holding his breath.
“Shit Kurt.” Thad muttered raking a hand through his hair. “We didn’t know... we didn’t know it was that bad…”
“That’s why you flinch when a locker slams.” Jeff looked sad and alarmed all at once.
“Well, that probably just comes from years of being slammed into them. I flinch around dumpsters too.” It was meant to be a joke, but it didn’t go over well.
“Oh hell no.” David said, looking pissed. “I might have to go find your brother so I can help him beat the shit out of this kid.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Kurt said, startled. “Listen, don’t worry. I’m ok, really. Yeah it freaked me out and that guy still terrifies me, but I’m ok. I should go, Finn’s waiting.” He managed to get halfway down the hall before he heard someone running after him. He turned to see who could possibly be trying to chase him down, only to be surprised when he was suddenly being smashed into a warm tight hug.
“I’m sorry.” Wes said. “I’m sorry for acting like such a dick to you, and I’m sorry I blew off your birthday. I’m sorry I didn’t bother to find out how bad it was for you before you transferred. I’m sorry.” He released Kurt who looked baffled and slightly overwhelmed by the entire event. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” He then ran off the way he’d come, leaving Kurt reeling and wonder just what fresh new hell he’d stepped into.
*****************
Kurt had spent an enjoyable weekend with his friends and family, and come Monday, nothing seemed any different. Something he was both relieved and slightly disappointed in. It wasn’t until he walked into the Warblers practice room that he saw the belated birthday banner, and a cake and balloons and everything that would have been there Friday if they actually followed the list. David excitedly grabbed his arm and led him around so everyone could speak to him, but Kurt couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the cake.
“We had it personalized.” Nick explained and Kurt shook his head in amusement, there emblazoned across his birthday cake was sorry we’re a-holes happy belated birthday! Still Kurt could appreciate the effort, and when Wes smiled at him, a genuine warm smile, Kurt couldn’t help but smile back.
Maybe he was more accepted than he thought he was after all.
Disclaimer: I don't own em, if I did Glee would probably have to be on another channel.
Rating: High pg-13 for language, probably.
Warnings: Some bad language some angst, spoilers for season two.
Characters: Kurt, Blaine, Wes, David, Thad, Nick, Jeff, Finn and minor Karofsky
Word count: 2,830
Spoilers: For season two really.
Summary: After the Kurt's birthday is forgotten by the warblers, the full extent of Kurt's bullying comes out, much to his horror.
A/N: Written for this prompt here at the glee_angst_meme This didn't turn out at all how I had originally envisioned it, but I hope the OP likes it anyway!
Kurt had been at Dalton for four months now, and he was adapting more each day. He couldn’t necessarily say he was happy there, but he did feel much safer than he ever had at McKinley. He had made some friends now at school, which made things a little more bearable, but still, he missed his friends and he missed glee club being fun. The Warblers meetings tended to be a little tense and in Kurt’s opinion, uptight. Very rarely was the tone of these meetings any different. There was really only one time it was ever actually different, and that’s when it was someone’s birthday.
The first time this happened, it had startled Kurt. He had walked into the Warblers practice room only to find it decorated with balloons and a cake, and David was laughing accepting well wishes for his birthday. Jeff had grabbed Kurt by his arm and towed him in, happily chattering away about how birthdays were the best cause it was just a party instead of rehearsal. He then grabbed a sheet from Wes and shoved it at Kurt, telling him to write his birthday down, so they could plan for his birthday too.
Every time a birthday came up, a small party was held. Blaine’s birthday had been a karaoke themed event; Wes had really gone all out to plan for it. Thad’s birthday had been equally spectacular. Kurt had eventually asked Wes if he could have a copy of the list so he could make sure to at least have a card or something. Because of this, Wes put him in charge of getting a card for everyone to sign. Kurt didn’t really mind, it made him feel useful, and like he was being included, even if it was for something rather simple.
So when his own birthday rolled around, he had gotten out of bed, spoken with his family, and made his way to breakfast, accepting a few well wishes from some of the friends he‘d made since he‘d been there. The day passed as any other day would. Once he got to Warblers practice however, he stalled in the doorway. There were no balloons, no birthday cake, and obviously, he wasn’t going to buy himself a card. It stung, but he viciously stamped down on the feeling. The parties were for Warblers, and obviously, Kurt wasn’t considered a Warbler. Not even Blaine, who he considered his closest friend in the school, wished him a happy birthday.
But it was fine, really it was ok. Kurt was use to disappointment; this was no different than any other time he was disappointed by something. So he put on his best face, and sat through rehearsal, pretending not to care that he really wasn’t as accepted as he thought he was. After an agonizing meeting, they were finally dismissed and Kurt was the first out, he just couldn’t be around them anymore. He was no more than three steps outside of the room when he felt the ice cold bitch slap of a slushie being thrown right in his face.
“Happy birthday Fag!”
It was the voice more so than the actual slushie that caused Kurt to go completely cold. He vaguely heard someone protest, and then heard the sound of sneakers squeaking across the floor, he lifted slightly trembling hands to wipe the slush out of his eyes and watched as Thad and Nick took off after the retreating form of Karofsky. Kurt flinched away from the hands that were reaching out for him shaking his head.
“It’s ok, I’m fine.” He assured them, though his voice sounded weird, hallow. “I’m use to it, if you’ll excuse me.” He beat as hasty a retreat as he was able; he just needed to get away from them. He disappeared into the nearest bathroom, and Blaine was about to follow when it struck him what exactly Karofsky had said. He’d said happy birthday.
“Where’s the birthday list?” he demanded and Wes blinked in surprise.
“What?”
“The birthday list, where’s the damn list!” he didn’t bother to wait for Wes to reply, he hurried back into the rehearsal room and began to dig through the folder he knew Wes kept his information in. He scattered papers across the desk, ignoring Wes and his indignant cry. It wasn’t until Blaine found what he was looking for that he bothered to look up. David was startled by the look on his face.
“Blaine, man what’s up?”
“It’s Kurt’s birthday.” Blaine said. “This is what the list is for, so we know, but somehow,” and his eyes narrowed as he continued “Kurt’s birthday got slipped to the wayside, and how exactly did that happen Wes?” The other warblers turned to face Wes, and the Asian boy shifted a little under the scrutiny.
“I’ve been really stressed out lately and haven’t really kept up with it.” He said, but when David narrowed his eyes as well, he shrugged. “I really didn’t mean to blow it off, I just honestly forgot!” Wes protested. “I don’t know him, I don’t really talk to him, it didn’t occur to me to check the list.” Thad and Nick returned then, shaking their respective heads.
“We lost him, but man what was that all about?” Nick asked.
“He was apparently wishing Kurt a happy birthday.” Blaine sneered, his face twisting up in a way the others hadn’t ever seen. “Since you know we didn’t know because someone was apparently to busy to check the damn birthday list.”
“Blaine, you’re over reacting.” Wes protested, but he was getting looks of disapproval and a few glared at him, so he quickly quieted down. Thad suddenly made a disgusted noise and left the room, Jeff and David at his heels, leaving Blaine to chew out the other boy. They made it half way down the hall when they heard a voice call out to them. A tall boy none of them new smiled a little awkwardly at them.
“Uh hi, would any of you happen to know where I could find Kurt, uh, Kurt Hummel?”
A sudden new protectiveness flared through David. From what little Blaine had told him, Kurt’s high school experience thus far had been pretty shitty, and after that display of watching some giant jock of a kid throw a slushie in his face, yeah suddenly David was realizing that things might have been a whole lot worse than either Blaine or Kurt were letting on. This kid was huge too, and David wasn’t about to let anything else happen.
“Who wants to know?” He asked, and he flinched a little at how aggressive his voice sounded. The tall boy blinked in surprise.
“I’m Finn, I’m his brother. Well step-brother, but you know…I just wanted to surprise him for his birthday.” David vaguely recalled Blaine mentioning something about Kurt’s dad getting married and it clicked in his head who this was, he’d seen a picture of him and Kurt at the wedding now that he thought about it. He relaxed slightly, offering Finn an apologetic look.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, it’s just…”
“After what happened,” Thad picked up, “We had no idea it was that bad. If we had known, man…” Anxiety suddenly flared up in Finn’s face.
“What do you mean, something happened, where’s Kurt, he’s ok isn’t he?”
“We didn’t know it was his birthday.” Jeff said frowning. “He probably wouldn’t have told us, but then that giant in a letterman jacket threw a freaking slushie in his face and--” Finn invaded his personal space, abruptly cutting him off.
“Karofsky, Karofsky was here?!” There was an urgency in his voice that deeply unsettled the other three. “Oh shit, did he say anything?”
“Just happy birthday…well I don’t really want to repeat the last part.” Jeff admitted. “It wasn’t very flattering anyhow.”
“Oh man, I should call Burt. Listen where’s Kurt, does anyone know?”
“Finn,” David called out pausing the larger boy before he could break off and tear the school apart in search of his step-brother. “This Karofsky guy, he messed with Kurt a lot?”
“He’s the reason he transferred.” Finn replied. At the curious looks he was getting he shrugged. “Kurt didn’t tell us much; I didn’t know how bad it was until almost the end, before he transferred to get away from it all. I still think there‘s something he‘s not telling me about it too.” Kurt chose that moment to exit the nearest boy’s room, and as soon as Finn saw him and descended upon him in a hail of what could only be described as spastic enthusiasm. He picked Kurt up off his feet in a bone crushing hug before setting him back down and holding him by his shoulders looking over him.
“What did he do? He didn’t say anything did he?”
“What are you even doing here?” Kurt asked, deflecting the question.
“It’s your birthday dude, and you’re first birthday as my brother, like I was just going to let it go with a call. Come on, I’m taking you back to Lima, it’s the weekend, and I don’t care how much homework you have.” An appreciative smile flickered across Kurt’s face.
“Thank you Finn.” Blaine chose that moment to leave the rehearsal room, with a shame faced Wes at his heels. He was brought up short at the sight of Finn. Kurt caught sight of Blaine and cleared his throat.
“I know we had plans to catch a movie Blaine, but if you don’t mine, could we reschedule that? Finn’s come to surprise me with a trip home.” Blaine nodded and tried to force a smile onto his face.
“Of course.” And when Kurt turned so he could go pack a bag, he was surprised when David fell into step beside him, apologizing, before starting to babble on by promising to make it up to him by taking him out for the most killer of all good times once he got back. Finn watched them turn the corner before he turned his attention on Blaine.
“So what’s really going on?” He asked. “Something tells me this is about more than just Karofsky showing up and slushing him, which by the way, wasn’t he supposed to be safe here?” Blaine blinked before shaking his head, Finn seemed…well rested today.
“We forgot his birthday.” Blaine said and watched as Finn’s face darkened just a little. “We have a birthday list, but somehow it didn’t get checked. He didn’t have time to do anything other than throw a slushie in his face before he turned tail and ran.” Finn nodded and went to leave before Wes spoke up.
“Finn,” and the tall boy turned to them again. “What exactly happened to bring Kurt here? He never really told us, just that the bullying got bad.”
“He’s my friend Finn, I just want to help.” Blaine pleaded when Finn looked like he wasn’t going to tell them anything. Finally he sighed and clenched his fists.
“Kurt handles things by himself a lot, and I don’t know if he didn’t think he could tell us about this, or if he thought he was protecting us, but Karofsky…that jackass, I swear I’ll kill him if he lays one hand on my brother, he threatened to kill him.” A heavy silence descended in the hallway. “And…And I think he meant it.”
“Why?” The honest bewilderment in Nick’s voice made Finn look at him, and he shrugged weakly.
“Is it because of what happened in the locker room?” Blaine asked, and then realized he said the wrong thing by the sharp look that Finn set him with.
“What happened in the locker room?”
“Uh…I don’t think I was supposed to say that, I thought maybe he told you.” Finn’s mouth was beginning to open so he could start arguing that he should know when Kurt and David reappeared. A weekend bag slung over Kurt’s shoulder. He took one look at the tense scene in the hall and exchanged a quick look with David.
“Is everything ok?” He asked cautiously, and Finn quickly turned to face him.
“What happened between you and Karofsky in the locker room? Damn it Kurt, what aren’t you telling us?!” Kurt’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t look away from Finn, though Blaine could feel the betrayed look he was throwing him in his mind.
“I don’t really think this---”
“No, no Kurt. We just want to help you and you’re not making it easy. Please, I just want to protect my brother.” And the honest, pleading tone in Finn’s voice just made Kurt wilt, and his eyes focused on his feet.
“I think you should tell him.” Blaine said suddenly. “I’m assuming that’s why he threatened you in the first place, which by the way, you never told me about.” This time Kurt did look his way, a completely utterly baffled look, like was really now the best time for this.
“Karofsky and I were arguing after he shoved me into a locker again, and he kissed me.” Kurt finally said. “You can’t tell my dad, Finn, seriously you can’t tell him about this.” Anxiety flared up in Kurt’s face. “He’s still sick and he would be so upset and please Finn you just can’t tell him about this.” Finn for his part looked completely overwhelmed, like he had no idea what to say to that. Then a protective rage flooded through him and he crossed over to where Kurt was standing, trying to brush off the hurt when Kurt flinched a little.
“I’ll make you a deal.” Finn told him. “I won’t tell Burt, but you tell me when something happens. I promised I was gonna look out for you, and I meant it.”
“He said happy birthday when he slushied me. It disturbs me that he knew it was my birthday.” Kurt admitted and Finn nodded. He would be calling Puck once he got home and they might need to go plan a little talk with Karofsky about this. He took Kurt’s bag and glanced around at the other boys who all had varying looks of shock and horror on their faces.
“Uh, I’ll just take this out to the car; I’ll meet you out front ok?”
“Ok.” Kurt said not really wanting to be left alone with the Warblers, but knowing some sort of closure had to happen. Finn headed down the hallway and it wasn’t until Kurt felt David’s hand squeezing his shoulder that he realized he was holding his breath.
“Shit Kurt.” Thad muttered raking a hand through his hair. “We didn’t know... we didn’t know it was that bad…”
“That’s why you flinch when a locker slams.” Jeff looked sad and alarmed all at once.
“Well, that probably just comes from years of being slammed into them. I flinch around dumpsters too.” It was meant to be a joke, but it didn’t go over well.
“Oh hell no.” David said, looking pissed. “I might have to go find your brother so I can help him beat the shit out of this kid.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Kurt said, startled. “Listen, don’t worry. I’m ok, really. Yeah it freaked me out and that guy still terrifies me, but I’m ok. I should go, Finn’s waiting.” He managed to get halfway down the hall before he heard someone running after him. He turned to see who could possibly be trying to chase him down, only to be surprised when he was suddenly being smashed into a warm tight hug.
“I’m sorry.” Wes said. “I’m sorry for acting like such a dick to you, and I’m sorry I blew off your birthday. I’m sorry I didn’t bother to find out how bad it was for you before you transferred. I’m sorry.” He released Kurt who looked baffled and slightly overwhelmed by the entire event. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” He then ran off the way he’d come, leaving Kurt reeling and wonder just what fresh new hell he’d stepped into.
*****************
Kurt had spent an enjoyable weekend with his friends and family, and come Monday, nothing seemed any different. Something he was both relieved and slightly disappointed in. It wasn’t until he walked into the Warblers practice room that he saw the belated birthday banner, and a cake and balloons and everything that would have been there Friday if they actually followed the list. David excitedly grabbed his arm and led him around so everyone could speak to him, but Kurt couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the cake.
“We had it personalized.” Nick explained and Kurt shook his head in amusement, there emblazoned across his birthday cake was sorry we’re a-holes happy belated birthday! Still Kurt could appreciate the effort, and when Wes smiled at him, a genuine warm smile, Kurt couldn’t help but smile back.
Maybe he was more accepted than he thought he was after all.