Scars and Stones: Chapter 1 (Klaine)

Chapter 33

Dean and the thugs following him traipsed down the stairs, staring at the couple like they were vermin. The sniggers and jeers only fuelled Kurt's anger; he was beyond embarrassed. They were trying to humiliate them once again. Well, Kurt had enough of it. He was proud of Blaine, and who he was. Instead of retracting his hand from Blaine's, he crawled between the gap and placed his arms around Blaine's shoulders. He linked his hands together on Blaine's chest, keeping them locked. Blaine was surprised by the action, but said nothing. He was glad to feel Kurt's warm body close to his. The look on Dean's face was priceless. All the crew stood in a row at the bottom of the stairs, awaiting orders.

"Didn't you hear me? I said touching each other was strictly forbidden." Kurt looked up at him defiantly, not moving his arms.

"Yes, we heard you. I just don't see how it harms anyone. It's not contagious, if that's what you're worried about." Dean's cheeks tinged a light pink, obviously caught out.

"It sickens me."

Kurt knew he was playing with fire. Anymore stirring could end up with both of them shot on the spot. He just wanted to hold Blaine; it made him feel safe. Dean moved towards them, kneeling by Blaine as he came closer. The gang continued to laugh, but remained where they were. He picked up Blaine's wrist, holding it in his hand tightly. Blaine winced slightly, but then Dean began to twist, and Blaine's wince transformed into a cry of pain. Kurt, horrified, moved to remove Dean's hand, but Brock stepped forward, thrashing the gun in his face.

"You heard him. Stop touching him and maybe you'll survive."

Extracting his hands away from Dean's, Kurt scurried away, hating that he had to leave Blaine in the grip of that monster. As soon as he moved away, Dean let go of Blaine, pushing him hard onto the ground as he stood up. He looked between the couple, relaxed that they were now apart. Kurt's eyes looked so tired, but life still shone from them. He was proving harder to crack than Dean had anticipated.

He glanced over at Blaine, who appeared to be more wary than Kurt. He was certainly wasn't able to look Dean in the eye. Dean walked over to Kurt, who remained on the floor as Brock kept the gun trained over him. Dean looked down at Kurt disdainfully, but maintained eye contact with him. Kurt Hummel was a puzzle.

"You know Fairy; I think you're one of the strongest ones I've ever had. Not many could take what you took today. Bravo."

He began to clap sarcastically, and the others joined in. Kurt's eyes flitted between the gun trained on him, to Dean clapping, to Blaine. Blaine. Blaine was looking at him with such pain and fear as he held his swollen arm. Amongst the pain was also love; that kept Kurt fighting.

"So, what? Has this all been some sort of test? How long will it take to crack the gay out of them, was that it?"

Dean pondered for a moment, and then grinned to himself.

"I hadn't thought of it like that, but you could be onto something there, Fairy." Kurt shook his head in disbelief.

"I – I can't – I can't believe –"He began to stutter, but was cut off by Dean mocking him.

"I can't believe how anyone could do this! Everyone should love everyone – equality blah blah blah. Do you know how many times I have heard the same speech? You all think equality would make you the same as someone like me, but everyone knows you're mistakes. You have to be corrected, not accepted.

Kurt's mouth dropped in shock. He knew people could be prejudiced, but he never knew someone could be so intent on hurting him because of his sexuality. Dean smirked, turning to his friends.

"You see, the Fairy has lost her sparkle." They all laughed hysterically. Blaine noticed Nathan's laugh was quieter than the rest, and the sadistic grin didn't quite meet his eyes. Kurt glanced at Blaine, catching his gaze. He then slipped his gaze over Dean, setting his expression into one of total coldness. Dean turned back and caught Kurt's expression.

"You might have wounded, maimed and threatened us, and we might never fully recover from that. But the one thing you will never do is stamp out love. We might die, but you'll never have that level of trust and devotion with someone like we do. You'll end up alone, Dean."

Dean's smirk fell from his face, as Brock's hold on the gun tightened.

"How dare you talk to him like that? You are not worthy of…"

"Hush Brock. Fairy just doesn't realise what happens when you mess with us." Dean walked right up to Kurt, invading his personal space.

"You really think I'll end up alone? Say that to the chicks who are lining up for a piece of me. I'm wanted. But you? Well, now you're going to learn the true meaning of being alone.

Before either of them could ask what he meant, Dean rushed forward, grabbing hold of Kurt, and yanked him to his feet. Surprised, Kurt overbalanced as Dean shoved him towards the stairs. He fell on his hands and knees with a thump, as he now faced the spectators. They bellowed hysterically.

"Boys, get them."

Immediately, the gang formatted into their pre-meditated positions. Once again, Kurt and Blaine's eyes met across the room.

"Kurt, run!" Blaine screamed. Kurt heard him, but he couldn't move. Fear kept him paralysed, and he couldn't just leave Blaine behind. Charlie, Nathan and another boy had Blaine surrounded, while Dean and Brock cut off Kurt's view of him. Brock held the gun over Kurt, unwavering as he clutched the trigger.

"You have two choices. One, you come quietly and Blaine will live. Two, you don't, and Blaine will die." Kurt broke. He was left with an ultimatum – leave and never see Blaine again, or watch Blaine die.

"Ok, I'll come quietly." He barely whispered. Blaine, now in the clutches of the bullies, grappled with them as he heard Kurt's words.

"No Kurt, you can't. Baby, you can't!" He was cut off by a huge slap that echoed around the room. Kurt moved forward, automatically reaching out. But then he saw the gun move from himself to Blaine, and quickly retraced his steps.

"I've got to go. I'm sorry." His voice broke as he said it, and Blaine could see all the anguish radiating from his eyes. He struggled and fought even harder than he had before. However, it seemed that the bullies had learned from their mistakes, as they suffocated him. He could barely breathe.

"You're not getting to him this time, Anderson. This time he's going for good."

Charlie whispered sadistically. Blaine stilled in their arms, finally realising the true extent of the situation. Kurt was being torn away from him, forever.

"But – but you can't! He's not even – I – you can't do this!" They all roared around him.

"Well, we can, and we want too. This is going to be so much fun." Dean turned his attention to Kurt. "You, move up the stairs. Now!"

Silently, Kurt began to follow Dean as he mounted the stairs, quickly backed up by Brock. As he took each step, he never took his eyes off Blaine, and vice-versa. Brock knocked into him, causing him to stumble up the stairs.

"Move it, Fairy." Blaine, angered and uncontrolled, cried out;

"Don't call him that!" All the bullies ignored him, focussing their attention on Kurt. Kurt, eclipsed by grief, turned to look at Blaine one more time. Taking in Blaine's toned muscles, his mop of curly hair, the bruises scattered across his body, and lastly his fierce eyes. Kurt mouthed for the last time.

"I love you."

Blaine thrashed against his captors, taking in Kurt's haunted eyes.

"I love you Kurt." He called up to him. Dean stopped walking, and turned to look down at Blaine in astonishment. Kurt's expressions ranged from bemusement to sorrowful to longing. His glasz eyes widened as the tears fell silently down his cheeks.

"Did you hear that Dean? I love him. And there's nothing you can do to change that." He paused, addressing Kurt. "Kurt, I love you so, so much –"He was cut off by another sharp slap. His eye contact with Kurt was broken.

"Blaine!" Kurt cried, as he was pushed into the world, away from the dark and cold. The doorway bolted shut, leaving Blaine behind.