ON THE WAY DOWN

✗  Kurt Hummel. 17. Skank.  ✗ Think it's a bit too much to add that last bit to the intro? Yeah, me too. But it's a big deal around here apparently, so whatever. 'Here' being Lima, Ohio. I can already see you cringing; no, I wouldn't want to be in my shoes, either. I don't, as a matter of fact. It's only temporary though, because once I graduate high school, I'm finally ditching this closed-minded cow town and never looking back. In the meantime, the school is William McKinley High, and the clique is the Skanks. Ever since glee club sank like the Titanic, we're on some kind of war with the Cheerios... or something (if you couldn't tell already, my level of 'not caring' is currently off the charts).

[hotpinkhummel]

WILD[E] CARD → kurt & kitty

[awildecard]

It was all still a messy blur she couldn’t quite wrap her head around. One second she’d been on her way to save Quinn from yet another stupid decision and the next – darkness. Rough hands had pushed and pulled and carried and dumped and it was all Kitty could do not to appear weak as quivering limbs kicked and fought against her restraints in vain. She was used to having control. She thrived on it. Even tore people she might have liked apart to maintain it. And now that hers had been taken away from her, tossed to the side of the road with her dignity she was forced to remember why she craved control in the first place – being a victim sucked.

Kitty choked back sobs she was too proud to emit, fingers and hands and arms working in tandem to loosen her own ties. All the while one sinking though burrowed in her belly –

Would anyone even notice she was gone? Would they even care?

It was the sound of her name that had her halting her own movements. She’d been so focused on her herself – her own escape, hurt, fear, rage, humiliation – she hadn’t even considered the possibility that she wasn’t alone.

“Kurt?” She stage whispered, moving almost imperceptibly closer to the familiar voice. “Why – what are you doing here?” She meant it on so many levels – but she hadn’t meant for it sound so harsh. How did they get here. How did you get here? Why you? Why am I stuck here with you? She’d betrayed two of her closest allies that night, but surely neither would be so cruel as to set a plot like this in motion. She’d been acting with their best (and admittedly her own) interest in heart. And why would they stick her with Kurt? 

[hotpinkhummel]

Kurt listened intently after he called out to Kitty in hushed tones, trying to see if there was anyone else around, but there was still only silence. They were alone.

“Oh thank god,” he muttered upon hearing Kitty answer, relieved not at the fact that she had been taken along with him, but that she seemed to be okay. Kurt couldn’t say that he had ever been fond of the girl, but that didn’t matter right now. They were alone, together-- and no one deserved this.

“I don’t-- I don’t know,” he answered, his thoughts finally heading back to the ‘why’ of it all, now that he’d been able to confirm that there was no one else around... wherever ‘around’ was. “I don’t know.” He wanted to take a guess, if only to give his captors a reason, no matter how fucked up it was. People with motives-- now, that was something Kurt could combat. But people who did something so severe, so traumatizing, for no reason at all? It sent terror tickling up his spine like none he’d ever experienced before.

He fought against his bonds again in vain, before an idea struck him. “Hey-- are your hands tied, too? Talk to me-- lead me over to your voice, and I can try to move over and untie them.”

[hotpinkhummel]

WILD[E] CARD → kurt & kitty

prom night terrors

Dark. Hands. Push. Shove. Screams. Drive. More hands. Silence.

Kurt’s breathing was fast and shallow, and his face streaked wet from silent tears and muffled sobs that had long since subsided as he entered a new stage of fear. The car had driven away, but had everyone left with it? Where was Kitty? Where was he? Kurt didn’t know-- didn’t want to know. Or did he?

He was lying on his side on the ground, and he could smell dirt and pine through the bag that was still over his head. His hands were bound, but he didn’t dare struggle or make a sound in case someone was near. Several more minutes of silence passed, during which Kurt became aware, through the smallest of sounds of shifted movement, that he wasn’t alone. But the noises he heard weren’t the loud, stomping, jeering ones of his captors-- they were softer, as if the person making them was trying their best to stay quiet.

It seemed like hours before he’s mustered up the courage to speak, when in reality it must have only been a few agonizingly long minutes.

“...Kitty?” Kurt called out in the softest whisper, “Kitty, is that you?”

[themidnightsignal]

All I need is a tommy gun.

[themidnightsignal]

Yeah, I thought about having a little plastic one until Rachel informed me those were probably very poor decision-making skills. My outfit will just have to remain incomplete.

Did he manage to do it? Coach Sue was threatening to keep a close eye on the punch, and she said she’d remove his teeth without anesthetic if he put anything in it. 

[hotpinkhummel]

Please. This is Puckerman we’re talking about. I don’t think any hypothetical gods and goddesses of lore could stop him from his one, true moment of glory for the entire school year.

[hotpinkhummel]

[klaine - picture perfect prom]

[themidnightsignal]

[TW: mentions of past violence, homophobia, bullying, etc.]

‘Re-experiencing the trauma.’

That’s what his therapist had listed off as a symptom of what had happened - back when he had a therapist for all of a few weeks. He had quickly convinced his parents to let him stop showing up for appointments, because avoidance had always been Blaine’s tactic of choice, and that was a ‘symptom’ too but mostly it was just his life. He hated looking at his life like a series of conditions, like everything was a tiny glimpse into a past he spent most of his time trying to forget.

Getting ready for prom, he could do it. He could avoid it because he had been convincing himself this was his redemption. Santana was his date, he was most likely going to win prom king, and everything was right this time around so he didn’t even need to think about it. Even the limo ride over was fun, laughing with Santana (who looked beautiful) as they discussed what they’d say in their acceptance speeches if they were allowed.

Then he stepped out of the car.

It wasn’t quite a full-blown panic attack, the kind he used to have mostly at night and even into his days at Dalton but always in private, but it was close. His throat seemed to constrict, his hands curling at his sides, and there was a sharp pain in his left shoulder which had been displaced a couple years ago against the asphalt of the school parking lot but which had long since healed and shouldn’t have been hurting now. His eyes darted all around him as innocently as they could, watching every person that came into view with the excuse of checking out their costume.

He stuck fast to Santana’s side, feeling safer with the girl on his arm, but she was very abruptly stolen by Brittany. It had his heart jumping in his throat, being next to Kurt, but not for the same reason as sitting next to him on a couch and watching Once Upon a Time. The air felt thicker, harder to breathe, and Blaine barely even heard, let alone paid attention to, Kurt’s statement as he trailed behind him to the punch bowl, unwilling to leave himself alone.

“Oh, great, I’m so thirsty,” he breathed out his very first words after arriving at the school, and he poured himself punch with shaky hands, tossing it back and downing all of it before he even realized it tasted a little like cough syrup. He poured himself another anyway. “It’s hot in here, isn’t it? I don’t, um…” 

His shoulder still ached and his brain seemed to be on high alert, but he’d broken the spell enough to look over at Kurt and really register him. The costume, one he could immediately appreciate. “You look great,” he choked out, clearing his throat awkwardly. “Probably the wrong crowd, though.”

[hotpinkhummel]

Oh my god, was he--? Yes, he was. Blaine was actually following him.

Could this guy just not take a hint, or...?

“It’s a high school gym packed with sweaty teenagers in late May, and you’re chugging punch that is most likely only ten percent punch at this point,” Kurt replied in an obvious (and slightly judgmental, if he was being honest) tone, “I can imagine you’re going to start to feel a little hot, yes.” He poured himself another glass of ‘punch’, mostly just to do something with his hands while he waited to leave; but then Blaine didn’t leave.

Kurt needed more punch.

“I--” He was left speechless for a moment after Blaine’s compliment, previous irritation all but forgotten for the present, and a small (but genuine) smile crept up the corners of his mouth. “Thank you. You’re looking rather snazzy yourself, Mr. Barrow. And I don’t know,” Kurt added, tilting his head slightly as he looked over at Blaine with that half-smile still on his face, “I think it’s being appreciated by the right crowd.” The smile faltered though, once Kurt took a closer look through his fast-growing punch-induced haze at his companion, noticing how anxious he looked.

“Hey...” Kurt’s tone was softer this time as he placed a steady hand on Blaine’s forearm. “Are you okay?”

[hotpinkhummel]

Prepare to be upstaged!

[awildecard]

No, not at all. Just the future Queen’s new anti-bullying policy prevents me from saying what I’m really thinking.

I’m just saying, as unoriginal as it may be, nobody else  came up with it, so… still more creative than the five zombie cheerios I saw tonight.

[hotpinkhummel]

I don’t think anyone is actually going to follow that after prom (including the ‘future Queen’).

I gave you cute. I think that’s as far as we’re going to get to an agreement.

But anyone who came up dressed as a zombie Cheerio needs to be escorted off the premises upon sight. Or at least be given something more suitable to wear.

[hotpinkhummel]

[klaine - picture perfect prom]

What the fuck just happened?

Kurt stood, still in silence, as he watched Brittany completely ignore him and walk off with Santana without a single word sent his way, not even wanting to try to sort out the spiraling mess of emotions he was feeling right now. But as he’d been left in the company of only Blaine, someone whom Kurt was honestly a little annoyed with at the moment, he chose to focus on anger and indignation, and none of the emotions floating around that would leave him vulnerable. Blaine was hiding something-- that was clear as day. But instead of just telling him that no, he didn’t want to talk about it, Blaine had lied. And frankly, Kurt was sick of lies. He was done with lying to save others as well as himself, and he was done with being lied to.

Kurt crossed his arms in front of his chest, waiting for Blaine to leave. When he remained standing beside Kurt, the latter decided to give him a little push.

“You should probably go find Rachel.” The words were bitter as they left his mouth, and Kurt could feel his resolve crumbling, so he turned on his heel and left, heading for the punch bowl. Puckerman would definitely have spiked it by now, and Kurt needed something to distract himself from the mess that tonight was becoming-- already. Less than five minutes after he’d stepped through the doors. Everyone had someone-- everyone except him. He’d wanted to be with Brittany, to have someone he could count on to be strong with him for tonight, but she obviously had Santana. Blaine had Rachel and his secrets, and the one person Kurt did have, he couldn’t have at all during the times when it really mattered. Times like now, when Kurt was wearing an outfit that was as close to a bulls-eye as he could have gotten, and there was no one.

He grabbed a red solo cup and poured himself some of the now-mystery punch, downing it and hoping it would stop his hands from shaking. Whether that shaking was from anger or nerves or something else, Kurt didn’t know.

[fordlucy]

I say plenty of nice things actually, I just save them for people who deserve them. I don’t dish fake compliments out like everybody else does, because other than my funbags, everything else about me is 100% straight up and honest. You just love throwing the word bully around, don’t you, Porcelain? Look, I get it, those are the only people who have ever wanted anything to do with you, but not everybody that talks to you is one of ‘em. Didn’t we agree a while ago that you were going to ignore me from now on? Because I suggest that’s what you do, since everything I say seems to get twisted in that smurfy little brain of yours, and you make it so easy to say nothing but negative crap to you over and over again.

You have no idea what you’re talking about, so how ‘bouts you keep your trap shut and try not to piss me off anymore than you already have done? Just looking at you is exhausting, and I could gladly go on and on for hours, but I’m trying to enjoy my prom, despite the fact that it’s set in pretty much Skank infested waters, and I suggest you keep to yourself and try to do the same.

[hotpinkhummel]

I call them as I see them. I know plenty of people who don’t make it their sole purpose to tear everyone else down, but if it makes you feel better about yourself to assume that I just label everyone as a bully, and you’re just not one of the ones I happen to single out, then good for you.

I know exactly what I’m talking about, because Brittany told me herself. Have a nice prom, Santana.

[hotpinkhummel]

Prepare to be upstaged!

[awildecard]

Oh-kay?…

And her frog – at least we’re super cute, and I for one haven’t seen any duplicates so technically I think that still counts as creative.

[hotpinkhummel]

What, did I not use small enough words, or something?

‘Super cute’, I’ll give you; creative, no.

[fordlucy]

Didn’t mean it as an insult, although I know how you take every little thing to heart. Blending in is overrated, you’re right. Still doesn’t stop you from whining all the time when I do anything even remotely bitchy, despite that being the thing that sets me apart from the crowd. Nice double standards you’ve got there.

My intentions are not your concern, Skank. Since you get the honor of taking my girl Britts to prom, though, you best be treating her like a lady and making sure she has the best time, got it?

[hotpinkhummel]

Oh, I’m sorry-- I just went along with your previous track record of never once saying something nice to anyone not on the Cheerios. And I hate to break it to you, but being a bitch and a bully doesn’t set you apart, Santana-- there are plenty of those in the world.

Brittany and I are going to have a wonderful time. We’ve already agreed that we look fantastic, and we’re friends. You know-- people who are kind to one another on a regular basis. I’m the last person you need to worry about treating Brittany badly, and your concern is rich coming from the person who was the reason why she quit the Cheerios.

[hotpinkhummel]

Prepare to be upstaged!

[awildecard]

So like… you’re supposed to be a hermaphrodite?

How… creative?

[hotpinkhummel]

My costume has a double meaning: Its purpose is to symbolically embrace the masculine and feminine sides of myself, as well as being an ode to Julie Andrews’ performance in Victor Victoria.

Even if I was, it would still be more creative than a princess.

[piercetastic-blog]

[kurttany]

[piercetastic-blog]

“So unoriginal,” she said with a tsk and a shake of her head as ran her maroon eyeshadow underneath her eye once more to perfect the “dead” look. “I bet there will be a lot of zombies, too. But not like… hot zombies. But like The Walking Dead zombies. And I bunch of cats.” Brittany’s mind trailed off as she made sure that only the essentials were in her clutch, wondering what Santana would be wearing. When she closed it with a snap, she stood up and offered her hand to Kurt who looked awesome, and she bounced with excitement. “Ready?”

[hotpinkhummel]

“So, in a world-- or school gymnasium-- full of zombie cheerleaders and uninspired cats, you and I will stand out like diamonds in a coal mine,” Kurt proclaimed proudly (if unnecessarily). And really, that was the goal for tonight: Stand out. Be strong. Stay true to who you are. For Kurt, at any rate. He took Brittany’s hand to loop it around his arm with a smile. “Your Ford Motor chariot awaits,” was his reply, and with a last glance in the mirror, Kurt led them out of the bathroom and down the stairs.

[fordlucy]

Other than, I guess you, Prancy Smurf, the Skanks’ idea of class and actual class are two very different things. Even I can’t deny that your, albeit unconventional, fashion choices are a step above the rest of them.

Lucky for them, they all have dates. How ‘bouts you concern yourself with your pool of deadbeats and I’ll keep running mine the same expert way I have been doing. Can’t say that I’ve had any complaints.

[hotpinkhummel]

‘Unconventional’ is actually a compliment. It just means standing out in a crowd, and blending in is overrated.

And if they hadn’t? Your intentions remain the same, whether or not you got the opportunity to act upon them, which is all that matters when it comes to showing someone’s true character.

[piercetastic-blog]

[kurttany]

[piercetastic-blog]

“Don’t you want to live forever?” she asked with a smirk, pressing her thumb against the point of the tooth to test its sharpness herself. “You got it.” Brittany carefully held the eyeliner, looking back and forth from the picture to Kurt’s face before drawing the line. “You look so awesome,” she said with a approving nod when she was finished. “You’re still going to come on my show’s hit or miss episode right? I need your expert opinion.”

[hotpinkhummel]

"I think I’ll start with living past prom, Britt,” Kurt half-joked, trying not to laugh as she applied the liner to his upper eyelid. He hummed in assent at her compliment. “We make quite the pair, I have to say,” He agreed, taking a step back and admiring their outfits, before adding some last minute touches and fixes to his makeup. “The contrasting red with black and white really stands out. We’re definitely going to be a ‘hit’, that’s for sure. And that’s a ‘yes’ on Fondue for Two, in case you didn’t catch that,” He added, “Early predictions? How many letterman jackets altered into a poor attempt at MJ’s from Thriller do you think we’re going to see?”

[fordlucy]

Last minute reminder that Blaine and I are running for king and queen tonight, and even though we’re the clear and obvious choice, especially given the success we’ve already had with our anti-bullying campaign — I’m sure you’ll agree, the hallways have been a way happier place since we’ve been doing this — I’m trusting that we can count on all of your votes. I mean, let’s be real, I run the place already, might as well do it with a crown on my head, right? Another reminder to my Cheerios, if you don’t have a date, you’re not going, ‘cause the loser positions are all already taken by the Skanks with their bad dye jobs, blackened lungs and undoubtedly hideous outfits. They’re going to make tonight suck, so I best be able to count on all of you to bring a little class to the place.

[fordlucy]

[hotpinkhummel]

That’s funny-- it seems like most of the Skanks have dates and are dressed with utmost class, so I’m curious as to where you’re getting the basis for those assumptions.

Also, banning the dateless members of your team? Not a very accepting and anti-bullying move.

[themidnightsignal]

All I need is a tommy gun.

I’m feeling very 1920s gangster in this Clyde getup. The good thing is, it’s incredibly classy, so even though I don’t match Santana, we look amazing together. I’m planning on making the rounds at prom so I can see everybody’s costumes, so be on the lookout for me. Points for originality. If you come as a zombie cheerleader, prepare to be shunned.

[hotpinkhummel]

Hopefully you haven’t actually mentioned anything in public about wanting to bring a gun with you-- especially after the whole banner incident.

I vote that all zombie cheerleaders have to chug whatever Puckerman ended up spiking the punch with. Then they can pass out and be out of our lines of vision early enough for everyone else to still enjoy the night.

[hotpinkhummel]

TEXT ✉ KLAINE

KURT: So when I next see you, you'll be able to look me in the eye and convincingly tell me that it doesn't matter that we're taking a trip to Westerville?

BLAINE: [late response] Sorry Kurt, I'm a little distracted getting ready for prom.

[Seen at 7.06pm]

[hotpinkhummel]

Prepare to be upstaged!

Either that, or completely ignored if you don’t recognize my costume-- which will turn out to be approximately 95% of you, I’d imagine. Still, I’m determined to enjoy myself tonight, so shunning the vast majority of the student body that normally makes a point of shunning me shouldn’t have too much of an affect on my objective.