The murmuring conversations of Dalton boys going about their daily business washed over Kurt as Wes pushed a latte across the table to him, smiling reassuringly. Kurt thanked him quietly, taking a small sip. The coffee was good, but it didn't change the fact that he had just been caught spying on the competition. The best he could probably hope for now was getting out with a few bruises - although the three boys had been very polite so far.
"It's very civilised of you to invite me for coffee before you beat me up for spying," Kurt said quietly. He sucked in a silent breath, hoping that they would say something like-
"We are not going to beat you up," Wes answered firmly.
Kurt exhaled quickly. Thank god. He scanned the faces of the other two for any kind of dissent, finding nothing but calm confirmation.
"You were such a terrible spy, we thought it was sort of... endearing." David gave him a cheerful grin, as if his words hadn't dented Kurt's pride considerably. He had spent at least half an hour assembling an outfit that looked somewhat like the Dalton uniform. Except for the pants.
Blaine swallowed a mouthful of coffee, licking his lips as he spoke. "That made me think that maybe spying on us wasn't really the reason you came."
Kurt laughed breathily, wondering why his brain seemed to have melted while Blaine talked. "Can I ask you guys a question?"
David and Blaine nodded quickly. Wes shrugged wordlessly.
"Are... Are you guys all gay?"
This produced a collective laugh from the other boys, which Kurt hadn't expected. He knotted his fingers together nervously, waiting for one of them to answer.
"Uh, no." Blaine didn't seem offended at all. Maybe...?
"We all have girlfriends. Well, I mean, my parents have thrown various prospects at me, so I guess that counts."
Kurt swiftly brought his coffee cup to his mouth to hide his face, the liquid burning his throat. He winced at the pain. Another straight guy. Another hopeless crush - and yes, he knew he had already started falling for Blaine. Kurt silently berated himself for letting himself get caught up in the moment, drunk on the simple sensations of a soft hand clenched around his...
David's voice brought him back to reality. "This is not a gay school. We just have a zero-tolerance harassment policy."
Wes dipped his head in agreement. "Everybody gets treated the same, no matter what they are."
No matter what they are.
The words hit Kurt like bullets. A place where everybody would be treated the same. A place where anybody could feel safe. The kind of place he hadn't thought existed until today. Tears prickled at the back of his eyes unconsciously. He looked down at the table, willing himself not to cry in front of these people he had just met.
"Would you guys excuse us?"
Kurt jerked up to see Wes and David withdrawing from the table, the Asian boy calling out "Take it easy, Kurt," as he turned to leave.
Then there was just Blaine. Kurt breathed slowly, trying to compose himself.
"I take it you're having trouble at school?"
Blaine's gaze rested on Kurt, those gorgeous hazel eyes so comforting and friendly that Kurt found himself speechless for a moment. Straight and unavailable, he thought furiously.
"I'm the only out gay person at my school." Kurt felt his hands tremble slightly. "And I... I tried to stay strong about it, but..." He lost the battle to control his tears, and several streaked across his face. "There's this neanderthal who's made it his mission to make my life hell."
Kurt's voice cracked on the last word. He raised his head to meet Blaine's eyes again.
"Nobody seems to notice."
Blaine looked at him with such compassion that Kurt wanted to step around the table and collapse into his arms, pouring out his troubles to this stranger. He sighed. "I was teased at my old school as well." Blaine waved a hand as if pushing away his problems. "I mean, I'm sure it was nothing compared to what you've been through. I won't pretend to know how you feel. But I know how much it hurts when you get called names."
Kurt fastened his eyes on Blaine's face. "D-did you complain?"
"Oh, yeah. The staff were sympathetic and all, but you could just tell that they didn't really care." Blaine shrugged. "So I left. I came here. Maybe I was over-reacting, maybe it wasn't bad enough to leave, but it hurt all the same." He tapped a finger on the table absentmindedly.
Kurt nodded slowly, taking in the other boy's words. Blaine understood. Blaine had been like him.
Blaine shifted in his seat. "I imagine it might not be as simple as that for you. But there are other options. You can refuse to play the victim, you can confront him yourself." He sighed again, scratching the back of his hand. "Whatever you decide to do, you should know that there are people who have survived abuse like yours. And, whatever you decide, I'm here for you. I know we just met, but I really like you, Kurt."
Kurt's eyes widened in surprise.
"As a friend, obviously," Blaine added, flushing slightly. "Ah, now I've made a mess of it."
Kurt giggled through his tears. "It's okay. You... Thank you." He smiled at the embarrassed boy, silently wondering at how this straight guy was willing to support him after only an hour's acquaintance. I've never met anyone like him.
"Um..." Blaine scrabbled in his pockets and came up with a thick black pen. "Give me your hand." He reached across to pull Kurt's hand across the table without waiting for an answer.
Blaine uncapped the pen, completely oblivious to the way Kurt stiffened at the physical contact, and scrawled some numbers across his palm. "That's my number. So, when you do decide, call me."
Kurt ducked his head shyly, taking back his hand. "Thank you. So much. And I will. Call you, I mean."
The two boys smiled at each other for a few moments more before Blaine cleared his throat. "You better get back to school. I'll walk you to your car."