The door slammed behind them, and Kurt flinched, before Karofsky had a chance to touch him. He stood there with his eyes shut, waiting for the contact, waiting to feel pain.

When the sound of Karofsky's loud breath was right behind him, he clenched his hands into fists. He had to fight back, or he'd never get out of this alive. He hated using violence for an answer, but what other choice did he have?

The contact never came. 

Instead, Karofsky let out a deep, shuddering sigh and said, "why did you do it?"

Kurt turned to face him, "do what? Tell Blaine? " He cleared his throat, hating how weak he sounded. "David, listen to me, I never meant to do that. We were just... talking and it sort of slipped out of my mouth. I was talking about... how I'm not afraid to admit I'm gay, and it just came out. I'm sorry. Blaine and I are friends, but it wasn't my right to tell him that."  Okay, that wasn't completely true, he was talking about letting Blaine know he wouldn't out him, but he had already outed Karofsky, and he couldn't ruin that for Blaine too.

 "But you told him," Karofsky shuffled closer to him. His eyes were fierce, full of rage. 

It scared him. It made him wish Blaine hadn't been taken from him. "David... I really am sorry."

"Shut up! I don't care," Karofsky was yelling now. He punched Kurt in the stomach who let out a long breath. "I warned you that you'd be dead if you told anyone. I warned you."

He knew that. He had been terrified for the rest of the year, after Karofsky had threatened to kill him. He never told anyone he had been threatened in that way, not even his father. And now it didn't matter. No one would know exactly what happened between them. No one would know the fear Kurt had felt before Karofsky finished him off.

He shut his eyes, expecting the worst.

Instead of feeling another punch, he felt two large hands push his shoulders backward, until he hit the tray on the blackboard in the front of the room. He gasped at the pain in his back, because the tray dug into it. But that wasn't as bad as what happened next...

Karofsky placed his hands around his jawline and kissed him. On the mouth. Again.

Why was this happeneing again? Hadn't last year been bad enough?

With all the force he could muster, Kurt tried pushing him off, but it was no use, Karofsky just pushed him further into the blackboard tray. Kurt's eyes widened. He put his hands on Karofsly's chest, and with one hard shove, knocked him backward. 

Karofsky stumbled a couple steps and stared at him. "I am so angry with you, Hummel." He was breathing heavy, his eyes full of something Kurt couldn't grasp.

Kurt raised his eyebrows, "is that what this is? Are you... using me because of your anger? Like..." 

"This is... this is..." Karofsky interrupted. He took a deep breath and said "why him?"

Now he was confused. "Why did I tell him? I already told you, we were just talking and it slipped out. I didn't-"

"That's not what I meant," Karofsky mumbled. He shook his head and said, "I meant..." he hesitated, as he moved over to one of the desks. Leanng against it, he said, "I've been around a lot longer than he has, and you've known about me. He comes and  you just... fall for his charm right away."

Kurt gawked at him, "are you kidding me right now?  Are you... jealous of Blaine? You have been nothing but an asshole to me for years. You have slushied me, shoved me, tossed me in dumpsters and lockers. You ruined my car. You've broken a couple of my ribs. I can't even list all the things you've done to me, and you want me to think you have charm?" He gave a hard laugh. "Blaine has been nothing but kind to me, David."

Clapping a hand to his forehead, Karofsky said, "I couldn't just..."

Kurt stepped closer to him. "Be nice? Why, because it'd ruin your reputation?" This was so weird for him, he felt uncomfortable. Why was the guy that had bullied him so horribly, suddenly confessing his love for him? "I have been nothing but open about who I am. I can't help that you're too afraid to be that person."

Lowering his hand, Karofsky looked into his eyes and said, "you have been walking around this school since you got here, flaunting your... gayness. No, you didn't come out until two years ago, but we all knew. It wasn't hard to figure out. You've never let it bother you since you got here, and I've... I..."

"You've been the opposite? You've never been that comfortable in your own skin." How did this go from a huge blood bath to a therapy session?

Karofsky stepped toward him, making him take a step back. "i... admire that. I wish I could be like that, but I... can't." He stretched his hand out toward Kurt and grabbed his arm, pulling him close. He kissed him again, and Kurt tried to pull away, but this time, Karofsky was more forceful. He grabbed Kurt's other arm, holding too tight for Kurt's comfort. He kissed him, until Kurt felt dizzy. His hands working down Kurt's torse, until he found his belt. He unfastened the belt. Kurt tried pulling his hands off, but Karofsky was stronger than him. He yanked Kurt's shirt over his head and tossed it on the desk behind him.

Kurt whimpered, not really sure where this was going. He didn't want to find out either.

He turned his head away from Karofsky's and said, "stop. Please, stop."

"You need to see how much I deserve you over that shithead," Karofsky's voice was low and it sent shivers down Kurt's spine.

Kurt put a hand over his mouth as Karofsky went to kiss him again, "don't insult, Blaine. I care about him and I won't tolerate that. It doesn't prove you have charm."

"Neither does he," Karofsky protested.

Thinking of what Blaine said, about still being in the closet at Mckinley, Kurt knew he couldn't say too much about Blaine, not here. "He's not even gay," he said. "We're just friends."

Karofsky rolled his eyes, "oh please, I'm pretty sure everyone knows he's gay. Have you seen those bowties he wears?" And he went back to kissing Kurt. He kissed his neck, his shoulder, all the way down his torso. Until he reached Kurt's waist. 

"Stop," Kurt shoved him.

Instead of listening, Karofsky found the zipper to his pants and pulled it down. Kurt's breath caught in his throat and he felt like he couldn't breathe.

Karofsky had already ruined his first kiss. He wasn't going to ruin this too.

"What is your problem? Ugh, Someone he-" he yelled. Before he had time to actually yell for help, Karofsky was kissing him again. Anything to keep him quiet.

The next few moments were a blur for him. 

Karofsky somehow ended up with his own shirt off, and Kurt's pants managed to find his ankles. He tried crying for help several times, but every time he did, Karofsky silenced him with a kiss. It was too much to handle.

He had been touched in ways he had never experienced before. He had been kssed like he never had been kissed before. He had lived those next few moments in complete fear and hatred for the boy that was holding him down.

Those few moments felt like one of the worst moments he had ever experienced in his life.

"Kurt? Are you still with us?" Mr. Schuester's voice broke through his thoughts.

He glanced around the office. Mr. Schuester, Principal Figgins, Coach Sylverster, Ms. Francis. Mr. Karofsky, his own father, David, and Blaine were all gathered in Principal Figgins office.

Mr. Schuester was there because he had been a witness to quite a bit of the bullying between Kurt and David the previous year. Coach Sylvester had taken interest in Kurt's case since she temporarily took Principal Figgins' place the year before. Blaine and Ms. Francis were obviously there because they had walked in on them the previous day.

It was too much, if Kurt had it his way, it'd just be him, his father, Principal Figgins, and Blaine. The two people who gave him hope in the world, and the one person who could save him from Karofsky. But here he was with all these people, and the last person he wanted to be with was Karofsky. He felt so uncomfortable his stomach was in knots.

"Sorry," he sat up straight. "I just... had a lot on my mind."

"So after we received this information from you, we'd like to ask David his end of things," Principal Figgins looked in the direction of David and his father.

Kurt hadn't told them everything. He never told them about the conversation they had, where Karofsky admitted to liking him or telling him not to bother with Blaine. He hadn't directly come out and mentioned that Karofsky was originally angry because of something that happened a year ago, and that Karofsky had threatened to kill him. But he did mention the kissing, the touching, the inappropriate comments made at him.

David shrugged at the seven pairs of eyes now watching him. "Look, I can't say nothing happened. We were alone and I have been sort of... harsh on him in the past. it's not like I raped him or anything, I just..." he hesitated.

Burt tensed next to him, and Kurt squeezed his hand. If this was hard on him, he could't imagine how hard this was for his father, who cared about him far too much. Hearing someone talking like that about his son was obviously a struggle for him. 

"I think we'd like to hear what actually happened," Coach Sylvester said, folding her arms over her chest.

David glanced nervously around the room, before he said, "alright.... I was a little... forceful with him. I may have gone farther than I should have, and yes, it was completely against his will. Happy?"

His father shook his head, "David, I am so surprised at you."

David snorted, "dad, I'm not really who you think I am at all."

Burt rolled his eyes at this, "can we please discuss how we're going to hande this issue?"

Coach Sylvester crossed the room and stood in front of Principal Figgins desk, "please. I have somewhere else to be, and I'd like to finish this quickly. I'm willing to stay, to prove that Porcelain gets treated fairly here, but being in the same room as Will's hair makes me feel like blowing chunks. Unless that's the repulsing sight of this kid getting to me. Seriously, can't we take this to the police?"

"I don't think they'd be interested in something so small. Like David said, it's not like he... you know..." Mr. Karofsky said awkwardly.

With that, Burt stood up and said, "surely, the school can do something though? I mean, we've come to you over and over about these two, about this boy abusing my son, and absolutely nothing has been done. This can't keep going on."

Kurt was reminded of the last time they were in that office and Burt threatened to take him out of the school. He was so sure this time, it would actually happen. 

Blaine's hand found his and their fingers entwined. He stole a glance at Blaine, who smiled weakly. "It's okay," he whispered.

Sitting back in his chair, Principal Figgins folded his hands and said, "this situation has carried on too long. I've heard from too many sources that something happened yesterday... I have no choice here." He looked in the Karofskys' direction. "David, you are suspended until further notice. I will contact the school board and we will confirm a punishment for you, but I don't want to see you in these halls until then."

David's father stood up and said, "I understand. David, let's go."

David stood up, and took a long look at Kurt. As soon as his eyes landed on him, Kurt looked away. Kurt just didn't have the heart to look into his eyes. The memories from the previous day were enough to make him feel sick. He sucked in a deep breath and squeezed Blaine's hand.

"Great, are we done here? can I leave?" Coach Sylvester turned to head for the door. When she reached the doorway, she stopped and said, "And Porcelain, I'm really glad things are working in your favor for once. You deserve a break."

It felt so good to have someone different on his side. "Thanks..." he said quietly. 

As Kurt and Blaine rose from the couch, Blaine dropped his hand and cleared his throat. "I'll call you later, okay?" He gave the room a quick wave and disappeared.

After a pause, Mr. Schuester stepped in front of Kurt, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said "if you ever need anything, you know I'm always here for you."

"And the glee club?" Kurt asked.

Mr. Schuester shrugged, "only if you want them to be."

"Thanks..." he turned to look at his father and said, "can we go home now?"

Burt nodded, "absolutely."

Gently tossing a third stone, Blaine waited a moment, listening to the silence around him.

After a moment, Kurt's window flew open and he loudly whispered through the darkness, "what the hell are you doing?"

Clearing his throat, Blaine said, "Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?"

Kurt replied, "that's not even cute. What happened to calling?"

He shrugged, "I wanted to see you." That was true. Blaine had wanted to be near Kurt since he left Principal Figgins office. He knew Kurt was hurting and just wanted to be near him, to feel like he was protecting him. A phone call wouldn't have done that.

Just like that, Kurt's window shut. Blaine wasn't really sure what to make of that, so he waited. Did Kurt find that weird, and decided to ignore the fact that he was even there? Or was he just caught off guard and would come back to the window in a moment? He didn't know, and decided to wait it out. 

After a few moments, Blaine turned to leave, assuming Kurt had found all of this strange. The front door swung open just as he reached the end of the lawn. Kurt quickly shut it behind him, and ran toward Blaine. He stopped when he reached him and pulled him into a hug. It surprised Blaine, but he accepted it, wrapping his arms around Kurt's waist, taking in his scent.

Through the darkness, Blaine could see Kurt's cheeks turn pink as soon as they broke apart. "Thank you for being so... kind, Blaine," he said quietly.

"Will you do something for me?" Blaine asked hopefully.

Kurt's lips found his and he kissed him gently. "Anything," he whispered.

"Will you come with me to the warehouse? I... can't be home right now, and I know you've had a horrible two days, and so let's just... get away for a while. I promise I'll bring you back before anyone knows you're gone. I know you don't want your dad to worry."

In response, Kurt deepened his kiss, as his hands entwined with Blaine's curls. It was such a natural feeling to have Kurt pulling on his hair anymore. It felt so good and right. Blaine let out a soft moan. "Please."

Without pulling away from him, Kurt smiled, "of course... anything you want... Geez, Blaine... you're so... mmm." he breathed between kisses.

This time, Blaine blushed and he had to pull himself away a little, "not here. Let's go." He grabbed Kurt's hand and together they took off toward Blaine's car.

When they reached the warehouse twenty minutes later, Blaine pulled out a blanket, a flashlight, and two water bottles from the trunk of his car. "Ready?"

Studying the objects in Blaine's hands, Kurt said, "you're really the thoughtful, romantic type, aren't you?"

Blaine shook his head, "I wasn't thinking about what I was bringing with me. I just wanted to be with you."

With one swift kiss, Kurt took off running toward the ladder that led to the roof of the warehouse. "Hurry up, I haven't got all night!" he called behind him.

Grinning, Blaine ran after him. He caught up to Kurt, just before he reached the ladder. Blaine grabbed him by the waist and Kurt stumbled. He grabbed the wall for support, and Blaine pushed him into the wall, kissing him fiercely. The items in Blaine's hands fell to the ground, as his hands found Kurt's waist, and he hardly noticed he dropped anything. He knew all of this was too soon for Kurt, after what Karofsky did. He was afraid of hurting him, emotionally. But Kurt didn't protest, so Blaine didn't stop.

After Kurt finally pulled away, he said, "let's go." He took hold of the front of Blaine's jacket and tugged him toward the ladder.

Once Blaine had placed the blanket on the ground and they were settled against each other, Blaine said, "is this... too much for you? Because if it is, I need you to tell me." He took Kurt's hand in his, pressing Kurt's fingertips to his lips. "I know you're hurting right now, and I know it's a lot for you to take in."

Kurt replied, "I'm okay. It's different with you. I feel.." he hesitated. "I feel safe with you. I know you're not going to hurt me, and that's all he ever wanted... i didn't want him near me but you... Blaine, I always want you near me."

His heart swelled in his chest. No one had ever said that to him before. No one had ever wanted him before. And here was a boy he had only known for a short time, and he already felt so close to him. The longing he had for Kurt made him reach out and wrap his arm around Kurt. "I really care about you, Kurt."

The small smile Kurt gave him through the darkness warmed his heart and Blaine kissed him. 

Positioning himself, so that he was leaning over Blaine, Kurt deepened the kiss. As usual, his fingers found his way into Blaine's curls, while his left hand found contact with Blaine's waist. "I care about you too," Kurt breathed.

Blaine grinned, pulling him in for more. His hands moved lower until he found Kurt's belt. He froze, as Kurt took in a sharp breath. Too much, too soon. Instead of staying there, he moved his hands back up until they found his waist.

Kurt stopped, looking into Blaine's eyes. "it's okay," he whispered. "I was just caught off guard a little. I don't mind." He was lying threw his teeth, and Blaine knew it. He still had the same haunted look in his eyes he had been wearing the last two days. He was scared, and Blaine refused to use that emotion for his own good.

"No, we're not ready," he replied.

Sitting back, Kurt laid down next to him again and pulled him close. "The amazing thing about you, Blaine Anderson, is that you care more about what's good for me, than what you want. I don't know how I deserved a friend like you."

Resting his head between Kurt's shoulder and his neck, Blaine breathed in his warm scent. "You deserve to have what's best for you," he said softly. "Always."

Blaine felt Kurt's hold on him tighten. Kurt pulled him so close, he could feel every inch of body heat Kurt' was letting off. It felt good in the cool air around them. "I don't deserve something as good as you, but I'm glad I have you," Kurt whispered in his ear, sending chills down his spine.

Gently brushing his lips against the crook of Kurt's neck, Blaine replied, "I'll be here as long as you need me."

There was no response to this, but nothing more needed to be said. Both boys knew how the other felt. They both knew that they needed each other to get through whatever life through at them next. They both stayed in that position, simply enjoying each other's embrace.

And shortly after that moment, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Blaine's quiet snores brought a smile to his face the moment he opened his eyes. Kurt looked down at the small boy in his arms: His mouth was slightly open, the gel that had been holding down his curls before hardly did anything for his hair now. His right hand was wrapped tightly around Kurt's waist and his legs were tangled between Kurt's. It felt so warm, so right. Kurt wanted that moment to last for a long time.

But it didn't.

A few minutes after Kurt woke up, Blaine shifted in his arms and let out a low moan. His eyes fluttered open, and Kurt was greeted with a smile that made his heart stop. "Hey you," Blaine said thickly, his voice hoarse.

Kurt smiled, "hey yourself."

"What time is it?" Blaine asked, yawning.

"No idea," Kurt replied. "I left my phone at home, because I was almost sleeping, and someone decided to play Romeo and Juliet to drag me out here."

Blaine said, "but you look cute in those pajama pants so that was worth it."

Shoving Blaine away from him, Kurt said, "we should get going, you know. I don't think it's that late, and my dad might think I'm running behind if he doesn't see me before he heads to work, but Carole will notice that I haven't come out of my room eventually, even if I don't go to school today."

Blaine sat up and took a drink from one of the water bottles nearby. "Are you going today?"

He shrugged, "I'd rather not. With Karofsky not there, and I'm sure by now rumors have spread, I don't want to deal with the stares from people."

Blaine gently stroked the back of his hand on Kurt's cheek. "Do you feel better about staying home all the time? I mean, do you actually feel it does you any good?"

Kurt raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?" Was Blaine suggesting he was a coward for hiding at home?

He shrugged, "I just wondered if you ever felt... less brave for staying away, like you were running from your problems." He sighed, lowering his hand "I came to Mckinley, because I wanted a second chance. I ran from my problems, and I'm left with so much regret. I just want to make sure you don't end up with the same regret... But I know it's tough and all that bullying can be scary, believe me, i know."

Thinking it over, Kurt knew he had a point. Of course he hated that he had to hide from Karofsky, and he wished he didn't have to spend so much of his free time catching up on homework, but at least he was safe. He wanted to stay at Mckinley, to be with his friends, and Blaine. Why should he give that up because of Karofsky? "Blaine, maybe that school just wasn't... right for you. I know it's hard, and your safety was important. I wouldn't call it running away. I'd just call it... protecting yourself. I'm sure your parents wanted you safe. that's why my dad keeps threatening me to leave."

Leaning closer to him, Blaine said, "my parents didn't know that much about it at first. It wasn't until my brother Cooper started noticing things. He finally confronted me, mainly because he was leaving, and wanted to make sure I'd be okay, since he wouldn't be around anymore."

"I didn't know you had a brother," Kurt said weakly.

Blaine waved it off, "it's nothing. He's never around anyway. He was always hard on me. It actually kind of surprised me that he cared at all, but I hardly hear from him anymore. I think him protecting me was just a way to leave things off on good terms. I don't really think it'd matter if anything happened to me now."

Taking a deep breath, Kurt quietly said, "it'd matter to me."

Blaine smiled, leaning in to kiss him. Kurt sat forward to meet him, and Blaine wrapped his arms around his waist again. In return, Kurt put his arms around Blaine's neck and held him close. Blaine deepened the kiss, and his heart beat quickly in his chest.

Pushing him back down Blaine straddled Kurt and moved his hands up Kurt's torso. He started tugging on the buttons of his shirt, forcefully trying to get them undone. "You matter to me," he muttered, as he leaned in to kiss Kurt again. 

Just as Blaine had successfully opened the shirt, he moved his lips down to Kurt's chest. Kurt sucked in a breath, "remember what we said about too soon?" he told Blaine. Kurt hated that he made Blaine be that careful, that he felt like being open to Blaine was a scary thing. But after his encounter with Karofsky, he felt like he wasn't ready for anything yet, even if it was with Blaine.

Backing off, Blaine said, "I'm so sorry. It... slipped my mind." He carefully buttoned the shirt back up, and Kurt watched him intently. Blaine was quiet and gentle, as he took his time. His hazel eyes were focused on properly buttoning the shirt. It was something so simple, and Blaine just looked so peaceful in that moment.

Kurt smiled at him, "Blaine... I hope you know that it's not because of you." He really liked Blaine, and the more time he spent with him, the more he realized that. It didn't matter that people like Karofsky didn't think they belonged together, no one would ruin this for him. They couldn't.

Carefully climbing off Kurt, Blaine said, "I know. it's okay. Like I said last night, I don't want to hurt you."

Could anyone really be that perfect? Was Blaine real?

"Thank you," Kurt whispered.

He watched Blaine rise to his feet and hold out a hand to him, "come on, we need to get you home. I don't want your dad or Carole worrying."

"Or your mom worrying over you," Kurt added, as he took his hand and let Blaine pull him off the ground.

Blaine shrugged, picking up the blanket and flashlight, "she won't. She's used to me disappearing. She doesn't know where I go, but she knows I like to get out and be by myself."

They silently made their way to the car, and Blaine opened the door for him. Kurt paused, before he got it, quickly kissed Blaine's cheek, and said, "thank you, Mr. Anderson."

Blaine blushed and slid around to the other side of the car. When he got in, he said, "I have a question."

"Shoot," Kurt said, as Blaine backed out of the spot he was parked in.

Sighing, he continued, "we're sort of like... together a lot, and it's been great... The kissing and nights like this one, but... where exactly does that leave us, Kurt? I like you, and I like being with you, but... I'm afraid of ruining things with you."

Glancing at him sideways, Kurt offered, why would anything be ruined? Are you, like, using me?" Fear set in his mind, and he started thinking maybe this was too good to be true. Had he done something wrong? There was no reason for Blaine to think something would go wrong. At least, not that he knew of.

Shaking his head, Blaine said, "no, absolutely not. I just don't want to push things, rush into them too quickly, but we're sort of closer than most friends are, and I just wondered how you felt about that."

"Are you... looking for more?" Kurt asked.

Blaine sighed heavily, "I just don't... know how to be someone's boyfriend, or if you ever want our friendship to get to that level. I just want to know if we're friends who... act like we're more than just friends or if it's too much for you or... what."

"i like our friendship. I'm confortable," Kurt reassured him.

"So are we...?" Blaine hesitated.

Kurt reached over and took Blaine's free hand, "i like this right here. I don't need a title to know that I can kiss you when I want. I don't need a title to know that you're a better friend than anyone else I know." He smiled. "Blaine, nothing's going to happen. This is real and now, and I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to call me your boyfriend, just to know you have my heart. I'm pretty sure it's already yours."

Blaine squeezed his hand, "I like the sound of that."

"Hey! Blaine! Helloooo!" Rachel Berry's voice boomed down the hall and he continued to walk, like he didn't hear her. Rachel's footsteps grew louder, and she quickly caught up to him. "Blaine, I was calling you."

He stopped in his tracks, "oh, sorry. Didn't hear you. Lots of noise in this hallway, huh?" He glanced around, it was fairly empty, but Rachel hardly seemed to notice. "What can I do for you?"

"Didn't you hear the news?" she asked, clinging her books to her chest.

"Uh... no?" he raised a thick eyebrow at her.

Rachel leaned in close to him, "David Karofsky transferred schools," she said softly.

"What?" he choked out, louder than he meant to.

It had only been two days since the meeting in Figgins office, and neither Kurt nor Karofsky had showed up to school since then. Blaine didn't know if other people knew anything, but rumors were bound to fly now. How could Rachel be sure? He hadn't even been to school since all the drama went down. Where was the proof?

She nodded, "Yep, Puck told Quinn, who told Santana, who told Mercedes, who told me that Karofsky text Puck this morning! And I know he's picked on you a bit, so I thought you should know." She gave him a pat on the shoulder, "see you in glee club! I have a great solo prepared for this afternoon! Don't miss it."

As she walked away, he pulled out his phone and dialed Kurt's number. It went to voicemail, so he left a message. "Hey, it's me. I have news for you. I think your biggest trouble has officially left the school. Meet me at the Lima Bean after glee club today? Hope to see you there!" He hung up and dashed to his next class, his spirits lifting just a little higher.

Blaine never heard from Kurt the rest of the morning. It wasn't until that afternoon that he sent him a text message,I'm sorry, what did you just say? He left? Are you sure?

Blaine replied, That's what Rachel Berry told me. Are we meeting after school?

Absolutely.

He didn't hear from Kurt again until he walked into the Lima Bean and saw him sitting alone at a table with two cups of coffee.

"You didn't have to get my drink," Blaine sat down across from him.

Kurt sat forward, "oh, please. i already told you that I owe you a week's worth, remember? It's your favorite, don't worry. I didn't forget."

He smiled, "you're too much."

Taking a sip from his cup, Kurt went straight to business, "so what exactly did Rachel tell you." 

Blaine shrugged, "not that much. Just that she heard he was transferring schools. I guess he text Puck to tell him. After that, I heard several people through the day talking about it... Kurt, I think he might have actually done it."

Sighing heavily, Kurt said, "I... I'm not that surprised to be honest. Blaine, he..." Kurt hesitated. He ran his finger along the edge of the table. "I think he had intentions of beating the shit out of me that day but he just... didn't, obviously. I think he surprised himself with what he did." He took a shaky breath, looking into Blaine's eyes. His pure blue eyes were so full of emotion. "Last year, he kissed me and... threatened to kill me if I told anyone anything, that's why he insisted on making me pay for telling you. I think he surprised himself when he did it then, but he let it go, because no one ever knew."

"But there's, like, seven of us that know now," Blaine finished for him.

Kurt nodded "That scares him. He was still in the closet, completely. I was the only person that knew, and now his dad knows there's something weird going on. I mean, who just approaches another guy without it looking suspicious?"

Thinking back to what Kurt said, Blaine reached across the table and said, "why didn't you tell anyone he threatened to kill you?"

Glancing down at their linked hands, Kurt shrugged, "I was scared. I was... absolutely terrified. I knew how strong he was, and I guess I sort of believed him. My dad had a heart attack last year and he's been weak. After going through so much, I just couldn't stress him out with something like that. He'd just... freak out. I couldn't give him a reason to end up in the hospital again. I can't ever lose my dad."

Squeezing his hand, Blaine said, "I had no idea you were in that much trouble with him around."

The door to the shop swung open and Kurt pulled his hand away. It didn't bother Blaine, since he wasn't exactly out or anything, but he still wished he could have some sort of contact to comfort him. "I'm fine, Blaine. I feel bad that he was sort of chased out of his school because of me, but I don't feel bad about what he did. I'm still really hurt and angry about that, but I do think it wasn't what he meant to do, and no one wants to be chased out of their comfort zone."

"But Kurt, if he honestly didn't want to do that to you, he could have stopped himself," Blaine said.

Kurt smiled at him sadly, "I know, which is why I am still angry about it." 

"Do you think you'll feel more comfortable at Mckinley now that he's gone?" Blaine asked.

He shrugged, "I doubt it. I'm sure the jocks will still come after me. Maybe not as much as they did before, since Karofsky won't be there to influence them. I am still the weird gay kid though, so I'm sure I'll still get tossed around a bit."

"If it makes you feel better, I'll still be there to pull you out of any dumpsters you get tossed into," Blaine told him.

A small smile appeared on Kurt's lips, "Geez, I sort of forgot you still like to go on about that."

"Hey, we met that way. How could I forget?" Blaine smiled back at him, and Kurt's blue eyes sparkled. 

As Blaine reached out and took Kurt's hand again, Kurt said, "Well, Blaine Anderson, I'm certainly grateful that I met you."