Don't Stand So Close
Title: Don’t Stand So Close
Rating: PG13
Summary: ‘It’s got to the point where Kurt is aware of Karofsky watching him all the time.’
Spoilers: Never Been Kissed
It’s got to the point where Kurt is aware of Karofsky watching him all the time, lurking in the corridor, looking through the choir room windows while glee is on. He always looks away when Kurt spots him, but it’s very clear to Kurt just who he is watching.
So it’s not really a surprise that one day Kurt’s mental analysis of his fabulous new boots is interrupted by hands grabbing his shoulders and dragging him into the dark of a janitor’s closet.
In fact, it’s somewhat ironic.
He’s pushed face first against the wall and held there, then he squawks angrily as a hot, wet moth explores the back of his neck.
‘Stop it!’ he squeaks, fighting. But of course, Karofsky is about ten times stronger than him and he doesn’t budge an inch.
‘Please, stop,’ he’s aware that he’s begging, but he doesn’t really see another option, ‘I don’t want this. Please, just stop.’
‘Shut up.’ Karofsky growls against his neck.
‘What, so that you can pretend that I’m a girl?’
‘I can do that anyway, your voice is so freaking high,’ but he moves back anyway, pushing Kurt roughly against the wall again before storming out of the closet.
Again with the irony.
Kurt sinks to the floor, tucking his head between his knees. Even the thought of the Courage Text doesn’t make him feel any better.
The door creaks open and Kurt’s not sure what to do if it’s Him, back for more, but he realises that he can smell a familiar perfume and Quinn’s hand touches his shoulder gently.
‘Kurt. Kurt, did he hurt you?’ he can hear the panic in her voice and he’ quick to reassure her with a shake of his head. She sits down next to him and he realises that Tina and Mercedes have joined them and suddenly all too much, too overwhelming.
‘What did he want?’ Quinn asks, pulling Kurt into a hug, but he can’t bring himself to tell them. He just buries his face in Quinn’s shoulder and cries into her long, silky hair.
Kurt allows Quinn to drive him home because she’s a good driver and one of the few people he allows to drive his baby. She has to rush home after that and leaves him in the semi-capable, all-clumsy hands of Finn with a ‘Look after him. Karofsky’s up to something.’
‘You don’t have to,’ Kurt reassures him when she’s left, ‘I don’t expect you to do that.’
Finn looks affronted.
‘Of course I’ll look after you. Dude, I care about you in a totally non-gay way.’
That, of course, is the problem. People only ever like Kurt in a non-gay way. But Finn is offering him a brotherly, non-gay hug and Kurt all but falls into his arms. He isn’t sure why, but Finn always smells so comforting.
The next day instead of going to glee he goes to Dalton and Blaine, almost ready to say that he wants to transfer because he can’t bear it anymore. As usual, they go for a coffee and Blaine is so nice and friendly and confident and Kurt is laughing for the first time in what seems like forever. So he thinks ‘courage’ and leans into kiss him. The older boy puts a gentle but firm hand on his chest.
‘Kurt, stop. I don’t want a relationship with you.’
And it’s like a slap in the face. Kurt feels numb for the rest of the day because no one wants him.
He finds Karofsky alone in the locker rooms and they stand and stare at each other for a few moments, like they’re about to either attack or run away. Kurt surprises the jock by making the first move, striding across the room. Then they’re kissing. Then they’re not. Then they are again, Karofsky can feel the smaller boy quivering under his hands.
‘I’m only doing this because no one else will have me,’ Kurt says, breath hitching as Karofsky moves his hands.
‘I’m only doing this ‘cause on one else knows and ‘cause you’re easy,’ He growls, then occupies himself with Kurt’s mouth so that Kurt won’t realise that he’s lying.