Authors note: Hello, thanks for reading :) Thought I'd get the usual stuff out of the way - of course I don't own Glee or the characters of Kurt Hummel and Dave Karofsky, or any of the other official characters that may pop up. I have created my own version of the Karofsky family though.

'Hey homo.'

Kurt's heart sank, chill ran through his body and his blood ran cold. He took in a deep breath and turned to face his bully. Dave Karofsky was standing behind him with his arms folded across his chest. The body language was intimidating, it was meant to scare, and Kurt hated that it worked. Even though the height difference between the two of them had almost completely gone now, Dave was still massive in comparison.

'What do you want Karofsky?' Kurt asked with an exasperated voice that masked his exhaustion.
'Just checking in.'
'Nothing has changed, Karofsky. Despite what you think, I am not out to humiliate you. I am not the bully.'

Dave was staring intently at the slight young man, taking in his body language, his expressions and his exasperated tone. He had met Kurt when he was a loud, vibrant young man and slowly, over the course of just over a school year, he had knocked and bashed the confidence out of him. Kurt thought nobody could tell, but Dave had studied his prey since day one and he was able to notice the changes.

'Why are you doing this to me?'

The question surprised Dave, partly because he had momentarily gotten lost in his thoughts (mostly about those rosy pink lips) and partly because of the tone. Kurt usually argued with force, with passion, but now he could barely get the words out without his voice cracking.

'Huh?'
'Why are you doing this to me? I mean, why me? Why did you choose me?'
'Because you're a fag.' Dave sneered, the venom coming out instictively.
'No,' Kurt answered, shaking his head and watching him thoughtfully, 'it must be more than that. How can you hate me, me personally, so much?' Kurt pried, his big doe eyes locked on Dave's who was now looking very uncomfortable. 'Do you really hate me that much that you'd threaten to kill me?'

Guilt struck Dave like a punch to the gut. His stern expression faltered slightly into a frown and Dave swallowed, unable to keep the eye contact with Kurt. He had regretted that threat almost as soon as he had said it. He had said as a way to reach out to him, to try and get him to notice him, to help him. Of course he would never admit that, he could hardly bare admitting it to himself.

'Where does this hate come from? Were you taught to hate at home?'

Blood flushed Dave's cheeks and his dark eyes narrowed, glowering at Kurt with sudden rage. 'Shut up.'

Kurt flinched at the low but threatening snarl but continued, knowing he had struck a nerve. 'Does your family hate gays, huh? Is that why? Does your brother beat up the college queers?'
'I said shut up!' Dave ordered again, his voice raising to a yell.
'Did your dad teach you to beat up us nasty, nasty gays?' Kurt continued, his own anger growing as he ranted his feelings.

He let out a surprised yelp of pain as Karofsky slammed him against the lockers. It wasn't a regular shoulder slam though - he was being pinned there. Dave had his large hands wrapped around Kurt's slim wrists and was pinning the smaller boys arms at his sides.

'Don't you dare talk about my dad!' Dave bellowed, his face now bright red with repressed anger. Kurt had seen Karofsky during a wide range of aggressive moods but this one was the worse. This was absolute fury.
'Get off me Karofsky!' Kurt cried, kicking at the bigger boy which earned him another fierce slam.

Dave's face was mere inches away now and Kurt could see the various shades of red and pink on the boys face. He could also see that his eyes were watering. Kurt's own eyes widened at the discovering and before he could stop himself he asked, 'why are you crying?'

Pain bolted through his upper body as he was thrown down on the ground, landing on his bruised arm (injured from a previous locker slam). He winced from his new position on the ground and slowly sat up, peering up at Karofsky who was still shaking with anger.

Before Kurt could speak, Dave wiped his eyes with the back of his fist and whimpered, 'don't talk about my dad.'

It had been a sunny spring day when his dad had left. He was ten years old and was walking home with his older siblings, George and Hannah - they had discussed their days at school and how they were looking forward to the school holidays. The two older children were teasing their baby brother as they stumbled through the front door, cheering out to let their parents know they had arrived.

'We're home!' Hannah cried out as George held Dave in a choke hold, laughing as his little brother struggled under him.

Dave felt George's hold weaken and he took advantage, reaching for his brothers arm and going to twist it behind his back. George released himself from the hold and shoved Dave over with unusual ferocity. Dave looked up at his brother in hurt confusion before realising what they were both staring at.

'Hey guys. I was waiting for you.'

William Karofsky was standing in the living room doorway, two suitcases by his side. He had a red cheek, the results of a fierce slap, and watery eyes.

'Dad?' Hannah asked in a quiet voice. She was the eldest so she had to be the first to speak. 'What's going on?'
'I have to go guys.' William said with a weak voice as he walked over to his three children.
'What?'
'I was waiting for you to come home. I had to say goodbye to you.'
'Where's mum? What are you talking about?' Hannah asked with a knotted face of concern.
'Yeah, what's going on?' George asked, his fists tight as he glared at the suitcases.
'I've got to go.' William signed as he went down on one knee, reaching out and stroking Dave's cheek.
'Go where?' Hannah cried, unable to keep her emotions as calm as she would like.
'I'm moving out.'

Hannah burst into tears and threw her arms around her fathers neck, weeping into his wide shoulders, pleading for him to stay. George was now shaking with anger, his eyes still locked on those suitcases. Dave had almost fainted as the words slammed into his brain, burning themselves into his memory for the rest of his life.

'I'm sorry guys,' William said as he began to cry again, 'I just have to go.'
'Please don't go! You and mum can sort this out!'
'No we can't!'

The children jerked their heads up and looked at their mother who was now in the doorway, a strong smelling drink in her hand. William got to his feet and looked at his wife with a cautious expression. 'Please Susanne, not in front of the kids.'
'Shut your mouth you faggot!'

Dave had never heard that word before. He didn't know what it meant. He looked at his brother for an explanation. The look of rage on George's face told him this was a very bad word.

'Goddamn it Susanne,' William hissed, picking up the suitcases, 'I asked you not to do this!'
'Oh well excuse me! I recall asking you to be my husband, to stay my husband, not to run off with your best friend!' Susanne screamed, throwing her glass at the big man. He ducked and it shattered against the wall.

Dave automatically wrapped his arms around his sisters waist at the scene and buried his face in her stomach, trying to hide from the shouting and banging. He hated when his parents argued. Hannah put a hand on Dave's shoulder and he could feel her whole body shake from crying.

William turned his back on his wife and went to say goodbye to his children but before he could he had been pushed out of the front door. He stumbled on the step but kept his balance, spinning around, his face flushed with anger. 'Stop this Susanne! Goddamn it I have to say goodbye to my kids!'
'They're not you're kids! These are my children! I don't want you anywhere near them you disgusting faggot!' Susanne screamed, tears streaming down her sweaty cheeks.

He met the eyes of his children for the last time - George was confused, Hannah was hysterical and Dave was terrified. Those terrible expressions became imprinted in William's memory as the last time he would see his children in almost two years. Tears filling his eyes, he mouthed the words 'I love you' and then walked away, his head lowered.

Dave could hear his fathers sobs. He wanted to comfort him. He wanted him to stay. He ran. Susanne caught him and pulled him back into the house. She slammed the door shut and locked it. Hannah started to scream. George screamed. Susanne screamed. Dave just pressed himself against the door and waited for his father to come home.

From the ground Kurt got the surprise of his life. Tears had actually started to fall down Karofsky's face. He didn't go to wipe them, he didn't do anything, he just let them fall.

'Karofsky…?' Kurt spoke up quietly, cautious of Dave lashing out, but instead Dave just locked eyes with him. The look froze him, he couldn't look away. He was devastated.

Kurt got to his feet and was going to speak again when Dave just shook his head quickly and turned away, storming down the hallway, leaving Kurt alone with a thousand new questions.

Authors note: Please note that I obviously don't think this type of situation automatically creates homophobes. I know people who have experienced this and have handled it very well, but I just thought if you hadn't been raised in an open minded, accepting household, you may turn out different. I just wanted to cry something a little different from the usual homophobic christians that seems to be the norm in most Karofsky based fics.

I hope you enjoyed, reviews would be lovely :)