Kurt was literally on cloud nine, as he made his way to work that morning, coffee in hand, he felt like he could fly, that's how happy he was. Blaine had taken the day off to go visit David who was back for a fee days, so it was just Kurt today in class.

As he made his way through the halls of the school and headed towards his classroom it honestly felt like the day couldn't possibly get any better. How wrong could Kurt be right now.

Opening the door to his classroom he nearly jumped in shock, Ethan was sat in his normal seat crying harder than Kurt had ever seen someone cry before, he was curled into himself and hardly seemed to notice Kurts presence at all.

Kurt went to his desk, dropping his stuff on top of it, rather loudly, but instead of jumping at the sound like Kurt expected Ethan to, he practically screamed ducking further under his desk. Kurt had been bullied for enough years to see the signs, he knew exactly what was going on, and his heart broke at the thought.

Making his way slowly over to Ethan he knew he wouldn't want to be touched right now, so instead he knelt down at the side of his desk, talking in hushed tones, trying his best to sooth him in anyway he could. Ethan slowly started to retract himself from the ball he was in at the beginning.

Kurt was surprised when instead of shying away, Ethan got up from his desk and promptly attached himself to Kurt, sitting in his lap and clutching tightly into his shirt. Kurt could do nothing else but stroke Ethan's back as he continued to cry.

"Ethan, sweetie, you're going to have to tell me what happened so I can help you. I can't help you if I don't know."

Ethan wiped his nose on the back of his hand, something Kurt would usually chastise his class for, but under the circumstances he let it go.

"Mr Hum-Hummel, they are being s-so nasty to m-me, they used to ju-just call me names, b-ut last night they started kicking me really hard and it hurt s-so bad."

"Shh, its okay Ethan, we'll sort this out, I promise. I need you to sort yourself out and then we're going straight to the Principal. They are not getting away with this, not on my watch, okay?"

Ethan nodded shakily, tears still streaming down his face, but he gathered himself up and stood up from Kurt's lap, smoothing his clothes out.

"I'll grab you a tissue and some water, take a seat, I'll just need to get someone to cover the class while we speak to the Principal."

Ethan did as he was told and Kurt gave him a sympathetic look before heading out in search of tissues and water. Once outside in the corridor he collapsed against the wall, it was happening again, all the bad memories from his youth came running back, and he felt like he was drowning. He knew he had to be strong for Ethan! But it was so hard.

Gathering himself together, he walked slowly towards reception, this was being sorted. Today. No ifs or buts, he was not becoming another victim. When he got to reception, the receptionist looked at him with concern in her eyes, come to think of it, he probably did look a little bit odd, all pale and dark circles under his eyes from the shock he just had.

"Uh, Hi, can you get someone to cover my class this morning? I need to speak to Principal Hall this morning with a student of mine"

"Of course, Kurt, everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course, everything is fine, just a bit of trouble, that's all, speaking of which can I get some tissues and a glass of water?"

The receptionist bustled off to get what Kurt needed, he wiped his face with his hands, drawing up the courage he needed to go back into his classroom and get Ethan for him to go with Kurt to the Principal. Once he had the tissues and water he needed, he headed back off towards his classroom. Just as he was headed into the corridor which housed his classroom, his phone went off in his pocket.

Blaine: Just wanted you to know that I love you xo

How did he know that Kurt needed him at that precise second? Kurt was baffled, but before he could get too caught up, he had reached his classroom again. Ethan was exactly where he had left him, but seemed a bit brighter and more put together than before. He gratefully accepted the tissues and water, drinking it thirstily and using the tissues to finish sorting himself out.

Kurt watched as Ethan stood up and made his way to the door.

"It's going to be alright Ethan, I'll make sure of it"

Kurt and Ethan entered the Principal's office around 20 minutes later, they had to wait for her to finish a call before they could go in.

"Kurt, Ethan, what can I do for you guys?" Kurt was sat on a chair next to Ethan, Ethan had already started looking down at his hands and fidgeting, which Kurt wasn't surprised about, he would have been exactly the same at his age.

"Well, Ethan has been having some issues with some of the boys in the playground, it started with just name calling, but this morning Ethan informed me that it had started to get physical. I want this to be stopped before it goes any further, as I know only too well where this can lead if not dealt with appropriately."

The Principal looked a bit taken aback, but quickly recovered.

"Is this true Ethan?"

"Yes, Mam, it is, I'm terrified that they are going to really hurt me some day soon."

Kurt almost couldn't believe the similarities in their stories, his heart broke for this kid in front of him, he shouldn't have to deal with this at such a young age, he had his whole life ahead of him.

"Well, okay, I will be calling these boys parents, and yours too, and we will have a meeting, I want you to know, Ethan, that this will not be tolerated, and you will not have any problems anymore. If you do, I want you to go to Mr Hummel or come see myself and we will get it fixed okay?"

Ethan looked like a weight had been lifted from him, nodding enthusiastically at the Principal and smiling shyly at Kurt.

"Well, why don't the two of you go and get a drink in the lunchroom for a bit, recess is almost here, and then it will be back to class"

Kurt stood up and following Ethan out of the room, shooting a Thank you over his shoulder at the principal. As they made their way to the lunchroom, Ethan stopped him. "Mr Hummel? I just want to say thank you, you saw me when no one else did, so thank you" He surprised Kurt then by pulling him into a hug, Kurt hugged back tightly, he knew he had only saved one boy from homophobic violence, but that's all it would have taken to save him.