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The first thing that registered was that his face was cold. Kurt was very used to this situation, having been slushied an innumerable number times in the past four years or so. But then there was another sensation, one of immense pain and an inability to open his eyes. “Ahh, fuck,” Kurt cried out. The first person to react was Puck of all people, and he pulled Kurt closer to him, wiping the majority of the slushy away from his face.
“What hurts?” Puck asked firmly.
“My eyes,” Kurt said. Puck was holding his hands now, to avoid him rubbing his eyes and making this potentially worse. “My skin, fuck.”
“Finn, get some water bottles from the back of Kurt’s ride,” Puck instructed. “Mercedes, let me have your scarf, I know it’s not one of the expensive ones, and I need something to wipe his face off.” She gave Puck her scarf immediately and he carefully began wiping more of it away. Santana got on her phone immediately and called her father – a doctor at Lima Memorial Hospital.
Blaine stood there agog, but when he was pulled away with the rest of the Warblers, he made no fuss against going with them. “Brittany, call Burt and tell him what happened and to meet us at the hospital, we’re driving him right now.” Brittany nodded and called Burt immediately.
“Let’s go, my Papi is going to meet us there in the emergency room,” Santana said decisively. Puck bundled Kurt in and got him to the car and poured one water bottle over his face to clean the slushy away, then helped him open his eyes so Finn could pour the water into his eyes and flush whatever was hurting him. Santana drove a group of them, and the rest followed in their own cars. She made it in record time and her father was indeed waiting for them.
“Do we know what was in the slushy?”
“No,” Puck said. “That punk ran off before we could beat it out of him.”
“If you know his name, Burt can press charges, this is grievous bodily harm,” Dr. Lopez informed them. “Puck, you and Santana can come with him; the rest of the group should waiting for Burt down here. We can’t have too many people back with him, but you are free to wait out here and we will all do our best to update you when we can.”
“Thanks Dr. L,” Brittany said, smiling at him. Puck carried Kurt back to the bed that Dr. Lopez had made ready for them. Puck settled him on the bed, but Kurt wouldn’t let go of his hand.
“I have the ophthalmology fellow coming down to check him out while we wait for Burt,” the man informed the teens.
“We cleared the slushy from his face, and washed his face,” Puck said. “We also held his lids open and flushed his eye with bottled water.”
“You did the right thing,” he assured them. “I can only speculate on what was in that drink, but I will allow the other doctor to do the confirmatory tests.”
“And I appreciate you informing me as soon as you knew he was coming in,” Dr. Kleinfelter said, entering the ER bay. “I’m Dr. Kleinfelter, the Ophthalmology fellow. What brings us here today?”
“I’m Kurt,” the injured boy said. “I had a red slushy thrown in my face. I’ve had this happen many times before, but this is different. My eyes feel like they are on fire. They felt really gritty before Puck washed my eyes out.”
“Okay, I’m going to need to examine your eyes,” the doctor informed them. Santana quietly left the bay with her father and Puck remained, holding both of Kurt’s hands. “I’m going to start to visually inspect the area around your eyes; can you explain and describe your pain and any other kind of discomfort?”
“It burns under my eyelids, and in the corners nearest my nose, I think it’s my tear ducts,” Kurt said.
“Your face is pretty red, and I’m not sure if that’s edema coming already or from the red dye in the slushy; are you allergic to anything?”
“I have a low tolerance to vinegars, and harsh chemicals never agreed with my skin,” Kurt said. The doctor was gently pressing on some areas around his eyes and Kurt winced when the pressure became too much.
“Alright, are you able to open your eyes without using your hands?”
“I’m afraid to move them,” Kurt admitted quietly.
“Can you try for us?” Puck questioned. Kurt squeezed his hands quite hard as he tried valiantly to open his eyes. He managed slits before it became far too painful.
“That’s good, thank you for trying,” Dr. Kleinfelter said. “I need to examine your eyes, so I am going to carefully open one at a time, and I am going to get a nurse in to hold a light so I can get a better look, alright?”
“Can Puck stay with me?” Kurt asked softly.
“We will have to shuffle him around a bit, but he can absolutely stay here and hold your hands,” the doctor assured him. The nurse came in, and had Puck move his seat forward, more toward Kurt’s hips, and she went around behind him to hold the pen light up for the doctor. “Okay Kurt, I’m going to start with your right eye. I need to hold it open so I can see if I can see any gross abnormalities, I will be as gentle and quick as possible.”
“Squeeze as hard as you need to,” Puck assured him, squeezing the hands reassuringly.
“Okay,” Kurt said, taking a few deep breaths. “I’m ready, Doc. Do your worst.”
The doctor was true to his word, he was quick, efficient, and Kurt could only assume that it was as painless as he could make it – but he was still in agonizing pain, and that translated into the extremely tight grip he had on Puck’s hands. Burt actually showed up soon after they finished the exam. “Kurt,” he sighed in relief – glad to see that he didn’t seem very outwardly damaged.
“Dad,” Kurt replied. “Can you come on the other side of the bed?”
“Of course Buddy,” Burt agreed, going opposite of Puck.
“Well, unfortunately I am seeing some damage,” Dr. Kleinfelter said after they settled in.
“And what does that mean?” Burt questioned.
“It means that he needs to have surgery,” the doctor said. Kurt let out a sob. Puck was quicker than Burt on this one, and he pulled Kurt up to him, and allowed Kurt to literally cry on his shoulder. Burt took a deep breath and rubbed Kurt’s back.
“And what does that entail?”
“Well, I’d like to have it done sooner than later, so as to have the least amount of lasting damage as possible,” the doctor explained. “He’d need to stay the night, and pending how he is feeling and how the surgery goes, he could be discharged tomorrow.”
“And the recovery time?”
“Well, he’ll have to have the eyes covered for the first week, barring when you are putting the ointment and drops in. Then we can wean him back to the light,” he explained. “He will more than likely need to wear corrective lenses after this, so in a month, we can have him get an eye exam and into some glasses. He’ll have to come back once a week for check-ups for the first month.”
“Can I have contacts?” Kurt asked.
“Not for the first six months – just to be sure that you’ve healed well enough,” the doctor replied.
“I guess I have no choice in this,” Kurt sighed. “I’m sorry Dad.”
“Why the hell are you sorry?” Burt questioned. “Did you throw the slushy in your own face?”
“Well no, but I helped organize the thing we were doing,” he said quietly. “And now we’ll have more medical bills, and I can’t work.”
“I don’t want you to worry about that,” Burt insisted. “Things are much better now than they were. I don’t want you to worry about all this.”
“But,” Kurt tried, but Burt shushed him.
“I’d listen to Poppa Burt on this one,” Puck advised. “I’ll take care of everything at the school – as long as your Dad gives me permission. We all know that Finn shouldn’t be in charge of this.”
“That I agree with,” Kurt chuckled. “Thank you Noah, for everything.”
“I told you that I’ve got your back,” Puck reminded him. “I take that seriously. Now I’m going to let your Dad keep you company while I deal with a few things.”
“Don’t do anything to get you thrown back in Juvie please?” Kurt asked.
“I promised you that I wouldn’t do that,” Puck reminded him. “Doc, you gotta get him back into fighting shape.”
“I’ll do my best,” he replied, a smile on his face. Puck gently leaned Kurt back, kissed his forehead and nodded at Burt before exiting the ER room.
“You sure he’s not gay?” Burt questioned, a joking tone to his voice.
“If he was, I would have convinced him to date me by now,” Kurt teased.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t let him keep that dead squirrel on his head this long,” Burt laughed.
“You’re right about that,” Kurt agreed. “But what I’d give to be able to see it now.”
“I know, bud,” Burt nodded. “But this doctor is going to get your eyes better.”
“I will go coordinate with the surgical team,” the doctor chimed in. “When was the last time you ate or drank anything?”
“I ate breakfast like 7 hours ago, and I had a sip of water on the way over here,” Kurt explained. “I got some of the slushy in my mouth, and what every got in my eyes burned my lips and mouth as well. I had to swish quite a bit.”
“I think I know what was in it,” Burt said. “Kurt doesn’t react well to chemicals, and I think that since it happened in a parking garage, they topped off the slushy with snow – which probably had rock salt and ice melt near it.”
“Okay, I will let the staff know and we will have some different solutions to better flush the area,” the doctor said. “I’ll be back very soon.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The surgery was a success, and Kurt was now resting comfortably, his eyes covered in a series of bandages. “Go home Dad, I’ll be fine, I promise,” Kurt assured him.
“You sure?” Burt asked. He was planning on staying, but Kurt could be stubborn.
“I’m perfectly fine. I can still listen to the TV, and I have my phone. I can still call my friends,” Kurt said.
“I love you kiddo,” Burt said, pulling himself down to kiss Kurt’s forehead.
“Love you too Dad,” Kurt replied. “Now go enjoy the dinner that I’m sure Carol made and fill them in on what’s really going on.” When Burt had left, Kurt snuggled back into his bed and tried to get comfortable.
“I think you need some extra padding,” Puck said, strolling into the hospital room.
“Noah,” Kurt said, giving him a small smile.
“I got that wedge pillow for your legs from your bed, and one of your bed pillows – not the good one, because I wouldn’t bring that to the hospital,” Puck explained. He got Kurt all set with his new pillows and turned Kurt gently on his side, then snuggled up behind him. “So how did everything go?”
“They said the surgery went well,” Kurt relayed. “You gonna let me know what happened after you left?”
“I just set up a meeting is all,” Puck shrugged. “Everyone is worried about you, you know.”
“I know it’s kind of shallow, but that actually makes me feel good,” Kurt said.
“Everyone likes to be cared about dude,” Puck reasoned. “I mean, the glee people are definitely worried. I also called Dave.”
“How’d you know?” Kurt asked.
“I see what other people don’t,” he replied. “I know that you’ve worked out all that shit that happened last year, and I know that’s he’s gay. I told your friend that you were hurt. He said he wanted to come by before visiting time was over.”
“That’s fine,” Kurt agreed. Puck snuck his phone out of his pocket and texted Dave. He sat up from his snuggle position and Dave walked in shortly after. He rounded the bed so he was in front of Kurt.
“Hey Fancy,” Dave said quietly, gently running his fingers through Kurt’s hair. Kurt sighed and practically nuzzled into the hand petting him. “How you feeling?”
“My face hurts, my eyes still kind of burn, and I’m really pissed off at two Warblers,” Kurt replied.
“So you’re not allowed to hate me,” Dave said, kneeling down so he was on level with Kurt. “But I told my Dad about what happened to you. He is willing to act as your lawyer. What they did was bullshit, and it caused grievous bodily harm. It was Sebastian, right?”
“And I’m pretty sure Blainers was involved as well,” Puck chimed in. “He is currently persona non grata amongst the New Directions.”
“Nice phrase Noah,” Kurt chuckled.
“See!? I listen to you sometimes,” Puck joked.
“But Sebastian was the one to actually throw the slushy?” Dave questioned.
“That’s right,” Kurt agreed. “Do you all think I should press charges?”
“I think that you should,” Dave said. “You’ve had to get surgery, and you’re losing out on wages – which I can imagine that you’re freaking out about – and he needs to be held responsible for that.”
“And it wouldn’t hurt that a silly little show choir battle ended up with a Congressman’s son getting surgery,” Puck reminded him.
“Do you think he knows about Dad?” Kurt questioned.
“Not sure, but Blaine does,” Dave said. “When you get discharged tomorrow, Dad and I will come over and we can get things rolling. Thank goodness today is Friday, and you have the weekend to relax before the shit hits the fan Monday.”
“That’s fine. Noah, you’re staying the weekend right?” Kurt asked.
“Even if this didn’t happen, I was crashing at Casa de Hummel,” Puck assured him. “But I’m crashing in your room this time, make sure you’re alright.”
“That’s fine,” Kurt said. “We can do the pull out couch or you can just crash on the bed with me.”
“Bed is fine,” Puck assured him. Dave smiled at their friendship – who would have ever guessed two years ago that Puck was throwing him in dumpsters and now they were practically besties and he was willing to sleep on Kurt’s bed with him. “I may have conned the nurses in to letting me stay here tonight with you.”
“Noah!” Kurt protested.
“Don’t,” Puck insisted. “I know that you said I could have your bed, but it’s weird without you being there. And I just don’t want any more to happen to you.”
“No one would believe that you’re this sweet Noah,” Kurt sighed.
“Sweetness aside,” Dave said, pulling the chair closer to the side of the hospital bed. From his new position, it allowed him to pet Kurt’s hair comfortably. Puck nestled back down behind Kurt. “Tell me what the hell actually happened. The phone call earlier almost didn’t make any sense.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Kurt was discharged the following day after a good report from the surgeon. Burt drove him and Puck home. All he could do was chuckled when he came first thing in the morning to see Kurt and saw Puck holding him tightly. “Puckerman, you’d think you were dating Kurt with how much you seem to love to snuggle him.”
“If I were any kind of gay, I totally would be dating him,” Puck said, grumbling and stretching as he woke up. “But I’m not the one who wants to date Kurt.”
“Noah,” Kurt groaned. “Stop it.”
“You know he wants you,” Puck pointed out. “But you need to ditch the hairgel hobbit after all this.”
“Maybe he didn’t know,” Kurt said quietly – trying not to believe that his boyfriend could have had a hand in this whole situation. He wasn’t giving up on first love easily.
“I’ll let it go for now,” Puck assured him. They were greeted by the doctor first thing, and his check went very well. By 10 AM Kurt was discharged and set up at the clinic that Dr. Kleinfelter was associated with and managed to get them home in time for Carol to fuss over him. Kurt soaked up the parental love and allowed her to make him his favorite lunch. Shortly after lunch was over, Dave and his father came to the house. Kurt immediately liked Paul even more; the man knelt down in front of Kurt and shook his hand, and tell him that they would do everything they could to get justice for the problems that Sebastian had caused him.
Finn and Puck left after the brief introduction to the case, with Kurt’s blessing. They said they needed to get out and blow off some steam before they really lost it and wanted to hurt people over this. Paul agreed that it was a good idea. He went over with Kurt and Burt and Carol what he would be doing – interviews, evidence gathering, talking with the police that Burt spoke with last night. They would be coming over shortly to take a statement. There were cameras in the parking garage where all this went down and the cops would gather the information from the feed to confirm Burt’s theory that the slushy had rock salt and/or ice melt in it.
The police came over and took Kurt’s statement. Burt had hand-picked the officers who were going to be handling the case – ones that weren’t homophobic. His story was taken seriously, and they were advised by Paul and the officers to keep track of all the expenses had by the medical bills, how much time they were off work because of this, and how much time off Kurt would be required to take – this included him, Burt, and Carol – and even Finn should he think of getting a job soon. They should include the costs of any tutors that Kurt might need because he has to miss all this school – at least what the cost the district would have to pay for a tutor.
The officers were there for about two hours going over all the details and working out a plan of attack with Paul. By the time they left, Puck and Finn were back from whatever they did. Finn said down next to Kurt and put a hand on his shoulder. “Hmm?” Kurt questioned.
“I have some news for you, and you’re not going to like it,” Finn said. Puck went right to the kitchen to grab another round of drinks for everyone.
“What is it?” Kurt questioned. Dave was curious about this as well, since he knew vaguely what the boys were doing.
“Well, I did some recon – and I asked Rachel where Blaine lived. So we snuck over there,” Finn explained. “I got some pictures, and you’re not going to like what you see.”
“Well, since I can’t see the pictures, and I don’t want to hear what you think I need to hear,” Kurt sighed. “Dave, can you look at the pictures and tell me what’s going on in the pictures?”
“You’re not gonna like it dude,” Puck warned both of them.
“Do you think I need to be here for this?” Burt asked.
“I’m going to say no Burt,” Puck advised. Kurt straightened himself up and patted the spot on the couch between him and the arm of the couch for Dave to sit in.
“Dave, please,” Kurt said quietly. The larger teen sighed and settled himself next to Kurt and accepted the phone from Finn. “Just tell me what’s in the pictures. I know you weren’t in on this, and you probably have no idea about what it is.”
“I had no idea that they were going on this spy mission that’s for sure,” Dave agreed. He swiped open the phone and the pictures were there for him to describe. “Fuck, um, well, there are two people in the picture.”
“Dave,” Puck warned.
“Fine. It’s Blaine and Sebastian. They’re on a couch, and Blaine is sitting on Sebastian’s lap. Um. I can’t see Blaine’s right hand, but Sebastian’s right hand is inside Blaine’s pants. They look like they are trying to eat each other’s faces honestly.”
“Are there any more pictures?” Kurt asked. He was trying to not let his emotions get the better of him.
“Yes,” Finn acknowledged.
Dave swiped on the phone and saw the next picture. “Um, now they both have their shirts off. Sebastian has some red splotches on his chest now. He has a hand on Blaine’s ass, um, Blaine looks like he has a hand in Sebastian’s pants. Then there’s one that they are laying down on the couch, and Sebastian is on top of Blaine.... and I really don’t feel comfortable describing the picture anymore Kurt. I’m so sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry,” Kurt assured him. “Thank you for what you just did.”
“Can I give you a hug?” Dave asked. Kurt leaned over and allowed Dave to wrap his arms around his torso. “What are you going to do?”
“Well, your dad is bringing him and his father in with Sebastian and his dad to discuss the terms, I think I’ll just address it then,” Kurt began. “I’m not going to text him or anything. If he calls or texts me, you all have to let me know if he does. Even if he isn’t honorable, I am not going to give him the satisfaction that I didn’t handle this above board.”
“Promise bro,” Finn said. Puck murmured his agreement, and he could feel Dave nod his head.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Saturday and Sunday went by without dragging. They were going over all the dealings with Sebastian and what Kurt knew about the interactions with Blaine. Paul was going to file the charges on Monday afternoon should they not accept the agreement that Kurt was willing to make. This gave them all time to come up with the figures for the purported loss of wages and recovery time for Kurt. Burt provided copies of Kurt’s certifications since he made more than the average 18 year old. “Kurt pretty much runs the shop on the weekend, and splits the responsibility while I’m away in DC during the week,” Burt explained. “He was just awarded his master mechanics certification last week, and was going to start at his new rate this weekend.”
“Alright,” Paul noted. “And the going rate for tutors is about twenty an hour – for qualified adults. So I’m going to add in some tutoring to the total since he is going to have to be out for about a month.”
“I know that they said sooner, but I’m glad you’re adding some more time,” Burt admitted. “I hate do even do this, but I have to make a statement about this. I can just imagine the headlines.”
“We both hate this,” Kurt assured him. “I am non-confrontational, but Sebastian has done nothing but been hostile to me since we met in the fall.”
“He’s a piece of work that’s for sure,” Dave said. “I run into him at Scandals every once in a while.”
“I know that Dave goes there,” Paul threw out there. “He needed a place where he could be himself, and I know that they allow 18 and up there.”
“I know that Kurt went earlier in the year, just after his birthday,” Burt agreed.
“Fyi, Sebastian is not 18,” Kurt pointed out. “Neither is Blaine.”
“That brings up and interesting point, “Paul said. “Alright, this is all good. Dave I’ll meet you at home later or do you want to crash here with the boys? If it’s alright with Burt.”
“It’s fine with me,” Burt said.
“I’d like to stay if Kurt agrees,” Dave said.
“Of course I agree,” he said, nodding his agreement. “I’m gonna need to hold someone’s hand as Carol changes the bandages and puts the ointment on my eyeballs.”
“Puck’s hand too sore?” Dave teased.
“Oh shut up,” Puck chimed in. “You haven’t had to grip his hands. Mechanic’s hands.”
“But they look so delicate,” Finn said. He reached out and grabbed Kurt’s hand as if to shake it. Finn’s face showed it all, wincing as Kurt squeezed it tightly. “Yikes, never mind.”
“Babies,” Kurt grumbled. Burt just looked on with the look of pride on his face.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Paul called and got the whole meeting set up at his office, and Kurt was there with Burt and Carol. The boys were shoo’d off to school for the day, where Puck was contracted to get all of his school stuff squared away for at least the next month. Blaine and his father were the first to arrive, and they sat on the other side of the table, far from the Humdles. No one spoke until Sebastian and his father were seated. “Thank you, gentlemen, for gathering here today. We wanted to let you know the game plan we have here going forward. I have been contracted by the Hummel’s as their lawyer in this case.”
“What case are we talking about here?” Mr. Anderson wondered aloud.
“You were brought here for informational purposes,” Burt said simply. “We will be filing charges of grievous bodily of harm against one Sebastian Smythe.”
“What?” Sebastian exclaimed.
“We have video proof of what happened during a so called song battle between the New Directions and the Warblers in that parking garage,” Paul continued. “Sebastian was seen throwing a slushy in the face of my client – and the slushy was impregnated with rock salt. The rock salt combined with ice melt from the parking garage severely affected my client. He had to have surgery on his eyes to retain his vision Thursday evening – the night following the attack.”
“Sebastian?” his father questioned. “Am I to believe that you were stupid enough to attack another student?”
“I wouldn’t call it an attack,” he shrugged.
“That’s exactly what this was,” Mr. Smythe explained. “I apologize, my name is Robert Smythe, State’s Attorney.”
“Congressman Burt Hummel,” Burt introduced himself. Both of the men brought to this meeting looked green around the gills.
“We are willing to make a deal before this had to go any further,” Kurt interjected. He was now removing the sunglasses from his bandaged eyes. “I am not allowed to remove my bandages for another two days for more medicine, but I am out of commission for at least a month. No school, no work.”
“You’re serious?” Sebastian said.
“I have the medical explanations in packets here,” Carol said, getting up to give one each to the Smythe’s and Anderson’s. They read through the descriptions, and were fairly quiet until they got through the gist of it.
“And what deal might you be willing to do?” Mr. Smythe asked.
“I would like for my medical expenses to be paid for, any tutors I may need while I catch up on school, and my lost wages for at least a month, probably two knowing my luck,” Kurt said. “In exchange, we will be keeping this out of the press, as it is no good for either of your careers. And Sebastian, just for you, I’ll throw in Blaine.”
“Excuse me?” Sebastian said. Blaine was eerily silent about the whole thing.
“Finn and Puck followed you two on Friday afternoon, got pictures, which they then deleted – or at least I hope they did when they said they did. Dave described what the pictures were, and honestly I’m glad that I didn’t have to see you two have sex through those pictures,” Kurt explained. “And if this wasn’t clear enough, Blaine – we are no longer together, this has actually been a long time coming. Finn will bring a box of your stuff from the house tomorrow to school. I didn’t leave anything with you because I’ve only been to your house once, and we were barely there.”
“Kurt?” Blaine questioned. “Are you seriously doing this here?”
“Well, it’s about time that you tell your father that you were dating a man,” Kurt replied sarcastically.
“That point aside,” Paul said. “We have a figure for your perusal, and we will accept counter offers. But we also reserve the right to actually go forward with filing charges.”
Paul passed over the paper with the monetary figures on it. Robert read through the page and had some questions. “How is an 18 year old making this much money?”
“I am a certified mechanic,” Kurt answered. “I just got my master mechanics certification last week, and was due to get my higher rate as of Saturday. I run the shop on the weekends and split duties during the week with our senior mechanic Cassius while Dad is in DC.”
“And you’re willing to make this deal?” Robert asked.
“I mean, I can add more to it, but I’d prefer to keep things low key – and this cannot just go away. I have been injured and had to endure surgery, “Kurt explained. “Preferably, I’d love to see Sebastian get a job and pay off the amount – but since he would be making minimum wage, it would take quite a while to pay for it. I’d like the added bonus of no contact with me – for both of you two but I’ll settle for just Sebastian.”
“That shouldn’t be hard since you both go to separate schools,” Robert surmised.
“Kurt? Can I talk to you in private?” Blaine asked suddenly.
“No you may not,” Kurt replied simply. “You can speak to me here, or not at all.”
“I think you’re being too hasty about this whole break up,” Blaine said. “We’re soulmates.”
“Soulmates – if I believed in such a thing – don’t cheat on each other,” Kurt responded. “You were having a time with Sebastian on your couch in your living room Friday, as several different pictures can attest to. Puck and Finn both saw, and I had an independent third party describe the pictures to me. We deleted them since you and Sebastian are under 18, but it was quite obvious what was going on.”
“I appreciate that,” Sebastian said quietly, not looking at anyone but the table.
“May we have a half hour to talk over this agreement?” Robert asked.
“Sure, you’re welcome to stay here in the conference room, we will adjourn to my office and meet back here in a half hour,” Paul agreed. He, Burt, Carol, and Kurt left the conference room and followed Paul down to his office. “You are a much better person than I would be about all this.”
“I’m not about making everyone’s life hell,” Kurt sighed. Carol guided him to the chair in the corner of the office. “I want my life back to normal as soon as possible. I don’t want to be treated any different; I just want to be treated like a human being. I know that I’m different, but that doesn’t mean that they reserve the right to make my life hell. This is the first time that any of this crap has caused me enough injury to get surgery, or even land in the ER.”
“I guess that I didn’t realize that things were that bad,” Paul admitted. “David has told me some of what went on, and that he stopped cold turkey after all that went down last year. I hope that things get better.”
“I know that things will change when I get out of high school, and on to a more open environment – no matter what college that I go to,” Kurt said. “I just hold on to that.”
“It’s definitely not a bad outlook,” Paul agreed. “We just have to get you through this year.”
“I know that the guys have already formed a plan of attack for that,” Burt said. “And before you get your boxers in a bunch, it’s not going to be violence.”
“Fine, I’ll make them tell me later,” Kurt waved his father off.
“I think that they’re going to take this deal,” Paul predicted. “It’s the best we can offer by keeping things out of the legal system officially. If they try to counter, we will just proceed with charges.”
“I’m honestly fine with that,” Kurt sighed. “We would just be charging Sebastian?”
“Well, if we continue to gather evidence, we could potentially grab Blaine as an accomplice, but I doubt we could get anything to stick.”
“Can we get them to agree to a no contact order? Both of them?” Kurt questioned.
“I will bring it up and we can have something written up and notarized before they leave here today,” Paul informed him.
“I think I really want to do that,” Kurt said firmly. Burt put a supportive hand on Kurt’s shoulder. They chatted for a few more minutes before one of the legal aids came to fetch them.
Once back in the conference room, Mr. Smythe stood to address the room. “Kurt, we have read through the offer and will agree to this deal,” He began. “I have taken what you have suggested under advisement – and will pay you in full the amount, plus any more you notify us about, and Sebastian will be getting a job to repay me.”
“I can appreciate that,” Kurt said. “I do have something else to add. I’d like to have an order of no contact – just a written contract to be signed and notarized today, with the stipulation that if the order is broken then we reserve the right to file charges appropriately. Blaine, that goes for you as well.”
“You can’t not talk to me,” Blaine insisted.
“I’d watch how you are speaking, and the words coming out of your mouth,” Kurt warned. “You are in a law office, in front of my lawyer.”
“You’re my boyfriend, you can’t just not talk to me,” Blaine continued, getting up from his seat. Kurt suppressed his flinch, trusting that he was safe sitting with the three adults surrounding him.
“I think your memory might be damaged since I informed you earlier that we are no longer a couple, and I would appreciate it if you could do your best to remember that,” Kurt said softly. “Paul has typed up a simple document for you to read through and sign, which we will notarize, and we’ll part from the day.”
“Kurt,” Mr. Smythe chimed in. “How would you like the funds to be distributed to you? I can give the money to Mr. Karofsky, or directly to you.”
“If you can wire it directly to me, I will be able to distribute it how it’s necessary for my bills,” Kurt confirmed.
“Bills?” Mr. Anderson questioned. “Your father is a Congressman, and you still pay bills?”
“My father prided himself in raising me to be independent, and I do pay my own bills,” Kurt explained. “I have been working since I was young, cleaning at the shop, working up to being a mechanic. I make custom Halloween costumes a few months a year, do alterations for friends and family. I tutor some kids in French at the school. I work a lot, but I do like some expensive things. I pay for my own skin products – because I have such sensitive skin, as this incident has shown, and I react to products that you would deem cheap. I have a cell phone and I pay for the unlimited plan for myself. I pay for my car insurance. I bought my car in full at an auction and fixed it up in my own time. I like fashion – not quite so evident today since Carol picked my clothes. Love you Carol, but I’m not quite sure I would have picked something this plain.”
“Love you dear,” Carol said. “I know, but it was easier that trying to figure out how to assemble some of your clothes. They’re complicated.”
“So I save for some designer pieces, and alter my own clothing,” Kurt said. “So I have bills. I also have a decent amount of dry cleaning bills from the bullying that I still undergo. I can’t expect my father to foot the bill for the things that I want that are above and beyond the basics that I need.”
There was some murmuring at the other end of the table before Mr. Smythe spoke up once more. “Sebastian would like to say a few words if you’re amenable.”
“Go ahead,” Kurt waived him on.
“I am sorry Kurt,” Sebastian said, his voice quite subdued. “I didn’t realize that you would react terribly to the ice melt and rock salt – we topped off the slushy to give it some more volume once we got to the garage. I will sign the paper and you won’t have to deal with me again.”
“Thank you, Sebastian,” Kurt said simply, letting it end there.
“I’m not signing,” Blaine said loudly.
“Then we will be forced to file charges to have you as an accessory,” Paul said.
“How?!” Blaine erupted.
“Well, you were the one to tell them about the projectile in the first place, and then fled with the perpetrator when the act occurred. It is a logical conclusion that you colluded to plan this attack,” Paul listed off. “I’m sure we can get some more witnesses, and more CCTV footage.”
“You will sign the paper,” Mr. Anderson growled, yanking his son to sit back down.
0o0o0
Kurt was home for about an hour before Puck, Finn, and Dave burst through the door and came to plop down on the couch around Kurt – Finn and Dave on each side, and Puck on the floor at his feet. “We got everything from school for you,” Puck announced.
“I got them to settle and have a noncontact order,” Kurt said, smiling in their general direction.
“Dude, that’s awesome,” Finn praised. He lifted one of Kurt’s hands up and made him hi-five. Kurt just laughed but didn’t move to take his hand away. “I’ll bring the box of stuff you have, and leave it for him after glee.”
“Thanks Finn,” Kurt said. “What are we singing this week?”
“Well, he’s on this Elton John kick,” Puck said. “Never expected this really.”
“The man can sing though,” Dave said.
“Are you trying out for glee?” Kurt questioned. “I mean, I know that we’re done with sectionals, but we still have some competitions to dominate.”
“I wasn’t going to,” Dave said quietly.
“I asked you last year, if you remember,” Finn goaded.
“You did sound good when we did that group number,” Puck reminded him.
“And you can dance better than me,” Finn pointed out.
“If you don’t want to, we won’t make you,” Kurt pointed out. “But if you don’t mind, can we all sing some Elton now? I’m going to hate being out and not singing as much with everyone.”
“We can sing some Elton,” Dave agreed.
This was how Burt found them all when he came home after a few hours at the shop, strewn across the living room furniture, belting out the most random order of Elton John number and giggling away in between. It warmed his heart that his son had found a group of friends and that they just weren’t those daffy girls – he loved them, don’t get him wrong, but he wanted his son to have friends that were guys too. He could see that there was a closeness between Kurt and Dave, but neither seemed to be crossing a line as of right now – probably because Kurt was still hurt and he just broke up with Blaine. They had all talked through what happened last year, and Burt was more on board with Dave being around more.
“Sounds great boys,” Burt cheered when they finished ‘Crocodile Rock’.
“Thanks Dad,” Kurt chuckled.
“It’s about five o’clock now,” Burt informed the group. “Who is staying for dinner?”
“Don’t want to intrude,” Dave began, but Burt waived him off.
“No intrusion at all,” Burt said. “I’ll just make sure we order enough Chinese – I don’t feel like cooking after today, and I’m not going to make Carol do it. Kurt’s off kitchen duty until his eyes get better.”
“Thanks Burt,” Dave said, reaching back to get his wallet out. He handed over a few bills to help cover his portion, and Puck did the same. Burt accepted the payment, but he ultimately didn’t use it. He had made some secret jars up with each boys name on it – and would have to make one for Dave now – to put any money they put toward things, so he could give it back to them one day. They were quite comfortable financially now, so he could afford things like feeding his kids and a friend or two.
“I’ll text our order, when are you calling?” Finn questioned.
“I’ll call in about thirty minutes,” Burt informed him, leaving the teens in the living room.
0o0
Dave drove Kurt to his final appointment – well, fingers crossed that this was the last appointment. They arrived at the practice, and went it – Kurt pulling Dave along when they went into the little exam room. “Kurt, hopefully, as a surgeon, this will be the final follow up for you,” Dr. Kleinfelter greeted.
“Me too,” Kurt said happily. “They feel great, and ointment has been applied as prescribed.”
“I think you’re ready for having the bandages off full time,” the doctor announced. He began to carefully remove the bandages from Kurt’s face, and Kurt carefully blinked his eyes in the dimmed exam room. “If the light becomes too much, you can always put sunglasses on – we can get you a prescription pair if that helps.”
“I think that would be great – since you told me that I can’t wear contacts for about six months, if I remember correctly,” Kurt agreed.
“You are correct,” he replied. “We will conduct an eye exam today, to get you your prescription, and you’ll have eye drops to administer, no more ointment. But you are able to follow up with your regular doctor. I’m just going to give you a quick one over and then you’ll be good to go.”
“Thank you,” Kurt said, smiling sincerely. The rest of the visit went quite quickly, Kurt got an official surgical discharge, and he left with Dave, sunglasses adorning his face. Dave drove him to the local optician to go look at some options for glasses. They had a lot of fun trying on different frames. In the end, Kurt went with a simple black frame, nothing too large, and found a pair of sunglasses that would work well for him – the prescription would be good for both. By the time they returned home, Burt could see that neither boy had looked happier in the past month and a half.
“Get the all clear then?”
“I did,” Kurt announced, taking his sunglasses off. Kurt got to get a really good look at his father for the first time since the slushy hit. He actually let a few tears out as he smiled. “I’ve really missed seeing you.”
“Oh bud,” Burt sighed, coming over to wrap his son up in a tight hug.
0o0
“So, you excited to go back to school?” Dave asked. They were both laying across Kurt’s bed, listening to music play softly in the background.
“Excited? Not so much,” Kurt shrugged. He was caught up on all the work that they had brought him home, and he felt ready to go back and not fall behind. “I’d like to actually see my friends, instead of just listening to them.”
“They haven’t changed,” Dave said jokingly. “I mean, it wasn’t a big deal to see people except your dad.”
“Well, for the longest time, it was just him and I, and not being able to see him wasn’t great,” Kurt admitted. “And as for seeing you…”
“Yeah?” Dave questioned as Kurt trailed off.
“Well, you’ve been there practically since the start, once Puck called you. And seeing him just made me remember that squirrel on his head,” Kurt shuddered. “But I’ve had your voice in my ear, your hand in mine, your scent in my nose. I have all aspects of you, so seeing you is a bonus for sure – but you’ve been there the whole time.”
“Wow,” Dave said softly. His mind was racing, and didn’t really know what else that could be said at that admission.
“And I know that things have been up in the air, especially with the whole Blaine of the situation, but I have certainly found myself wanting to be around you all the time,” Kurt admitted, reaching between them to hold Dave’s hand.
“Yeah, well if it wasn’t obvious, I want to be around you as well,” Dave replied in kind. “I’ve not done a great job at hiding my feelings from you.”
“No, you haven’t,” Kurt agreed. “But I made a decision within myself that I wouldn’t do anything until I got my sight back, or the all clear at least.”
“And what kind of decision are you making?”
“Dave, would you like to go on a date with me?” Kurt asked.
“I’d love that,” Dave admitted. Kurt rolled on his side, facing Dave. Dave rolled so he was facing Kurt as well. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” Kurt said, looking at Dave intently.
“Can I kiss you?” Dave asked quietly.
“Yes,” Kurt said simply. Dave leaned in and gently kissed Kurt, making sure to make it completely different than that kiss the previous year. Kurt ran a hand from the side of Dave’s face into his hair, gently tugging him closer, and Dave just let out a small sound of relief, following Kurt’s direction. While neither wanted this kiss to end, Dave gently pulled back. They rested their foreheads together, gently breathing in the same air. Dave was glad this was the start of something new for them – despite the rough spot that got them to this point.