The Glow (A Klaine AU) *in progress*

Chapter Seven: A Scheme

Finn's POV

"So, are we clear, Hudson? Dig up as much dirt as you can on those two, try to drive a rift between them. I want them broken up by Sectionals. Their Glow gone, right? Got it?" Sebastian Smythe sat across from me, hands folded and smirk on his thin face. His Warblers jacket was pressed perfectly, the emblem blazing red against his collarbone.

"Yeah, perfect. I'm willing to do this. Kurt has been selfish with this whole Blaine thing, and I want it ended. He's home right now, I'll find a way to start this off," I looked at the floor, feeling Sebastian's threatening presence bearing into me. He stared at me, dumbfounded. He'd obviously expected everyone to side with Kurt, a seemingly heroic but lying, conniving person deep down. But not me, I saw through Kurt's lies. And... I might profit off of this inside job. The Smythes were filthy rich- I expected pay.

"You absolutely sure about this job? I need a serious commitment. I can't have you getting soft on me, Hudson." Sebastian glowered, eyes mischievous. How far was he going to go? I assumed this was only a harmless prank, but a memory, foggy and distant, hindered me from answering Sebastian.
Flashback
It was about a year ago, when I first moved in with the Hummels. Kurt and I had been on edge for weeks, but the second that malicious slur rolled off my tongue, instant regret coursed through my veins. Kurt froze, anger and apprehension turning into hurt. His voice died in his throat, as if a door had been slammed on it. Tears sprung to his blue eyes, turning them as deep a color as a storm. He turned his back to me, sobbing. I tried to speak up, to do anything, but I stuttered to a stop like a defective typewriter. A weight like a cinderblock pummeled my chest, and suddenly, the door at the top of the steps flung open. Burt. His face was scrunched in anger, the door rattling on its hinges as it opened. Kurt whimpered, moving away from the door.

"What. Did. You. Just. Call. Him?!" Burt yelled, his voice piercing my eardrums. Kurt caught his breath, sighing.

"R-relax, Dad. I d-didn't take it that w-way-" Kurt fumbled over words, glaring daggers at me while he spoke. Burt interjected, scoffing.

"Because you're sixteen and still see the good in people. But, this-" He gestured to me. "I can't have this in my house." What? Was he, kicking me out? Oh, I just ruined everything. For Mom. For them. I was, so, so horrible.... and I- "Go! Leave! I love your mother but I can't have this around my son. Please-" Burt sighed, mumbling something under his breath.

"Please-" I began, regret hitting me like a truck.

"Go!"

End of Flashback

Ever since that incident, I'd been the less-sought after kid. I was less gifted, less intelligent, in my family's eyes, and I was sick of it. I wanted to feel okay for once, and maybe this was how. I was meeting Rachel and Kurt for breakfast today, and I would begin my scheme. At whatever cost.

"Yes, I want this. I'll do it." Those seven words sealed my fate as a stepbrother, as a person. If I only knew how awful Sebastian Smythe was, I wouldn't have said them in the first place.

But... taking them back would be harder than I thought.

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"So, Kurt... how was the party at Rachel's last night...?" Dad stood at the kitchen counter, coffee mug in hand. We'd owned the mug since I was 6- my mother made it and my dad drank his black coffee from it ever since.