Days had gone by since the ice cream parlor incident. It was now Wednesday and Blaine took the stance with Kurt that he didn't want to talk about Derek anymore. "He's my past and you're my present and future. We don't need to worry about him and I don't even want to think about him when it comes to us in any way, shape, or form… ever. Okay?" Kurt nodded. "I love you. I don't know what happened, but he's out of his mind if he thinks for one second that he can make you and me miserable." The topic was left at that and Kurt didn't bring it up again.

At McKinley, things took a small turn for the dramatic with Zach. Zach and Kurt were still attached at the hip, but Zach was starting to show his drama queen side more and more as the days passed. People were starting to give Zach the same looks that they gave Kurt. "What's your problem?" Kurt finally asked.

"Nothing."

"I'm disinclined to believe you. You've been in bitch mode since Sunday."

"I'm fine. Can we leave it at that?"

Kurt didn't answer he just gave him a look and stayed silent before turning back to his locker and replacing things from his messenger bag.

"What a dick!" Zach suddenly exclaimed, looking down at his phone.

"What?" Kurt asked.

"This is the umpteenth time he's texted me. You'd think that if I didn't responded one of the first times, he'd get the hint that I don't want to talk to him."

"Him, who?"

"Nobody."

Kurt glance around. "Does his name start with a D?" Kurt whispered.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Then why did you bring it up?" Zach scoffed and continued to stare at his phone. "Zach, if you're really bothered by something, you should talk to him." Still no answer. "Fine. I won't say anything about the fact that you probably have feelings for him and are just being stupid about what happened on Sunday. And I especially won't say anything about how you could have prevented all that from happening by butting in between the two of them because he would have chosen you over the crazy kid."

Kurt stopped talking because Dave showed up at Kurt's locker to escort him to class. "Hi." Dave uttered, pointing his comment toward Zach. Kurt was surprised because up until now, Dave had been very illusive about how he spoke to either Kurt or Zach, less with Kurt because he was required to escort him everywhere. Zach didn't answer Dave, but glared at him wide eyed. Dave clenched his jaw. "You ready?" he asked Kurt.

"Yep." Kurt shut his locker and walked away from Zach without another word. Something about Zach with his bitch face on made him very unpleasant to be around. "I'm sorry," Kurt confessed when they were far enough away.

"It's not your fault. You tried to help me."

"You don't really like," he paused, "that other… you know, do you?" He was trying to be cagey without having to announce to anyone in earshot that Dave Karofsky was capitol G gay.

Dave knew who Kurt was talking about. Derek. "Are you kidding? They were way too fake and the only thing going for them was that they were good looking. Okay this is annoying." They were passing by the bathroom and Dave headed in. He was thankful that no one was inside. "Derek used to remind me of you, but all of that went out the window."

"Then why did you spend the whole time being enthralled by him?"

"I wasn't enthralled. I doubt he was even into me. I certainly wasn't into him. I just wanted to see what Zach would do. He spends all this time acting like I'm nothing to him. I wanted him to know what it felt like."

"That's mean."

"So is the way he treats me."

"Then why do you like him?"

"Because when it's just us, he's great. I want the person that you and I both know."

"I hate to point out that when it's just you two, the only words being exchanged are grunts and curse words."

"Despite what you saw and what he might say to you, that's not true. We do actually talk from time to time. He's smart, and funny, and caring in a way that's different than the way you are. Not that you're bad."

"You don't have to let me down easy, Dave," Kurt laughed. "I know what you mean. I've seen what you're talking about. I dated him not too long ago, remember?"

"I've tried talking to him. I've been calling him and texting him almost non stop since Saturday and he won't answer me. I know it bothered him. I don't understand what's so wrong about being in a relationship. Is it me? He had no problem being with you."

Kurt wore a sympathetic expression. He didn't understand either. Zach refused to talk about it and it was a constant question to himself as to why Zach would be open to a relationship with Kurt and not Dave. Or why Dave didn't want a relationship with Kurt, but did want one with Zach. Or why Blaine wanted Kurt all along, but went for another version of him instead. He had hope that things would all be the way they should soon. His only basis for this thought was on the fact that Blaine and himself were as they were supposed to have been all along. They were together and nothing was going to change that. Maybe Zach and Dave can find the same happiness too. Maybe they'll find it before they tare each other apart first. "You know we're really late for class?"

"Can we just stay here? Just skip this one class? We can go see Mrs. Pillsbury in a little bit and make up some excuse to talk and get a pass from her so we don't get in trouble."

If they left now and went to class they'd be in trouble, but if they stayed and did what Dave suggested they'd be in the clear. "Sure," Kurt answered, knowing that Dave needed this. He needed the company and the silence. This thing with Zach really was bothering him. Kurt did something he never thought he'd do: he sat down on the bathroom floor. He rested the back of his head on the tiled wall behind him and watched Dave do the same. They sat in silence just being together. He watched the football player's expressions change as he weighed his inner thoughts out. Kurt took his phone out of his pocket.

K- I know you're in class, but I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and how happy I am that we made it past the phase of being angry at each other.

B- I'm in study hall actually and I love you too. Are you talking to Zach? Is that why you're being so sentimental?

K- I'm with Dave. He's really taking this hard, I think. And Zach's being a bitch.

B- They'll come around I'm sure.

K- I don't know. I hope so, but not everyone can have the results we did. Zach is more stubborn than I am.

B- Be positive. If it were meant to be for them then it will be.

K- Look at you, all spiritual and fate driven ;)

B- It's hard not to believe in fate when fate brought me to you.

Kurt blushed and he was sure that he was smiling like an idiot at his phone. K- Want to come over for dinner tonight? I'll ask, but I don't think my parents will mind.

B- I'd love to.

"What do you see in him anyway?" Dave asked, finally breaking the silence.

Kurt looked up from his phone. "Who?"

"Blaine. That's who you're texting, right?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. I was inviting him over for dinner."

"You're family likes him and everything?"

"Oh yeah!" Kurt smiled. "Dad and Carol loves him and Finn is nice enough."

"It's so weird to think of Finn Hudson as your brother."

"Believe me, it was a switch for me too."

"So what is it you see in Blaine?"

"Oh, you were serious? You really want to know?"

"Yeah. I mean, he clearly sees the entire world in your eyes, but what's so special about him?"

Kurt smiled and closed his eyes, picturing Blaine perfectly. "You mean other than the normal: he's talented, and gorgeous, and makes me laugh?" He paused, still smiling. "He makes me feel whole. When we met, it was like this click. Our eyes met and I knew we'd never be the same. I can't even explain it. It's like, being with Blaine, it isn't even work. It's easy and comfortable. When I'm with him," Kurt paused again, trying to find the right words, "it feels like I've come home."

There was a silence. "I want that," Dave finally admitted. "I used to think that I didn't, but that was only because I thought that it was something I wasn't allowed to have. Now, I just… as much of a tool as I think Blaine is, I see you two and I want what you have, what you've always had. He's not just your boyfriend or your partner. He's your match. Your missing piece to the puzzle. I want that."

Kurt's eyes opened and he looked at Dave with a small ounce of pity. He knew that feeling. He had that feeling not that long ago. Now that he had what he had always wanted, what Dave wants now, what everyone wants for themselves, he couldn't imagine living without it. Kurt sighed. "You'll get that. I promise. Even if Zach isn't the one to give it to you, you will have that one day. I promise. Don't lose hope."

There was silence between them. Dave forced his eyes to stopped welling and he faked a half smile. "I just don't want to feel alone anymore."

Kurt didn't answer him because he felt that sometimes, silence was better than words. He felt that just showing Dave that he was there for him and not going anywhere, perhaps that meant more than words to his football playing friend. So, instead of speaking, he slid himself over to Karofsky and dropped his head to the side to rest it one Dave's shoulder. He put his hand over Dave's on top of the other boy's knee and they stayed that way, unmoving for a few minutes.

Dave was surprised how little he cared at that moment, how close they were sitting, because if someone walked in at that moment, he was sure to be outted. But he didn't care. Right at that moment, he'd never felt more alone, yet more supported at the same time. Here he felt safe. Here he felt loved. "Why couldn't it have been you?" he finally said, breaking the silence.

"What?" Kurt asked, taking his head and hand off Dave. He moved himself so that he was sitting cross legged and facing Karofsky.

"Why couldn't you have been the one to fall for me?" Kurt looked concerned, but again, said nothing. "I liked you, Kurt. But you didn't want me. Things with you would have been much less complicated and I could have just been happy with watching how freaking cute you always are. You could have helped me come out in this stupid school and it would have been just us. But no. I convinced myself that it could never be us because it was always you and Blaine. Now I let myself fall for a promiscuous bitch, who'd rather hit it and quit it instead of telling me how he really feels."

"Don't say that. You know that's not who Zach really is."

"Yes it is! You and I both know that Zach's been around the block more than a few times and I should have known not to get involved with someone like that."

"You don't mean that. You're just angry."

"No. I do mean that. And I'm angry. It isn't me that he doesn't want. It's himself. If he can't have positive feelings for himself than how can anyone else, right?"

The bathroom door burst open then. Zach was standing in the doorway. "Tell me how you really feel?" He practically shouted as he stepped into the bathroom. "So, that's all I am to you? A slutty regret?"

Kurt looked up at the blonde boy in shock. How long had he been listening? Kurt thought. He stood up at the same time as Dave. "I'm going to give you two a minute." He started to head for the door.

"No," Zach commanded, stopping Kurt with his hand to Kurt's chest. "You should hear this because maybe you'd understand why I never played into his silly fantasies of wanting a relationship."

"You misunderstood me," Karofsky interjected.

"No, I understood you just fine. I get it. I'm a slut and am only good for one thing. You're relationship material and Kurt is exactly what you and every other gay on this planet wants. Someone like me is only a hazard of life." Kurt's eye brows went up in further shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"That's what you took from what I said!" Dave scratched his head. "I've been trying to talk to you for days and the first thing you say to me is that you're a slut and not as good as Kurt? Wow."

"Guys, I really think you need to be alone for this," Kurt said.

"See, Kurt?" Dave started. "See what I mean? This is exactly the fucked up shit that I was talking about. He thinks so little of himself that he completely missed the part about me falling for him and went straight for my comment about him having been around the block."

Zach's eyes were red, like the tears he was holding back were stinging his eyes. "I heard you loud and clear."

"So you don't care then? You don't care that whenever we hook up I'm always trying to get you to stay longer. You don't care that when we talk, I open up to you and you turn off the nice guy act the second things start to get serious. You don't care that I'd die just to spend one more minute with you a day that had nothing to do with sex. But you do care that I reacted to someone else's advances."

Zach got closer to Dave. "You'd rather be with Kurt."

"So would you! In fact, you told me last week. You said that you sometimes like imagine what-"

"Fine! What do you want from me?" Zach yelled, cutting off Dave's comment. Kurt face palmed himself and tried to wish himself out of the room.

"The truth! I wanted Kurt because he doesn't play games with me, but I want you because… because… fuck!"

"Why? Why me and not Kurt?" Zach was now inches from Karofsky's face and they were yelling at each other.

"Because you're not him! You're you and not Ohio. You're interesting and funny. You don't care that I'm not out and you don't care that I don't know what I'm doing half the time. You got that? I like you because you're you. I fell for you, Zach. Not the next available guy that was willing to drop his pants. The fact that you've been with a lot of people only bothered me now that I'm mad."

"You have feelings for me?" Zach's face softened.

Dave closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. His eyes opened and he looked deep into Zach's blue eyes. "Yes. Didn't you know that already?"

Zach shook his head slightly. "No. You were right. I don't think much of myself. If I can't like myself, how could anyone else?" There was a few moments of silence. Kurt slowly snuck out the bathroom door and neither one of the boys noticed.

Dave put his hands on either side of Zach's face. "Then we'll just have to change that won't we?" He licked his lips. "Maybe I can like you enough to make you like you too."

"Maybe." The corners of Zach's lips turned upward slightly. "Maybe we can try ice cream again without either one of us trying to make the other person jealous?"

"Maybe I can take you out on an actual date?"

"Will it end in sex?" Zach asked flirtatiously.

Dave smiled and forced himself not to laughed. Instead, still holding onto Zach's face, he leaned forward and touched his lips to Zach's, leaving a lingering kiss on his mouth. "Maybe."

Outside the door, Kurt was texting Blaine again.

K- I think they figured things out.

B- Why do you say that?

K- Because I just peeked in the bathroom and they're making out. Also, the shouting stopped.

B- Good for them : )

K- Promise me that won't ever be us.

B- Sweet heart, that was us… only it didn't end in us kissing. You got a boyfriend and I went crazy trying to make up excuses why I was with the crazy kid, who will remain nameless.

K- Oh yeah. Can we never go back to that?

B- lol Sure. Scout's honor.

K- You were a boy scout?

B- When I was younger, but I convinced my dad to let me quit when I agreed to go to sleep away camp for two months ever summer.

K- He wanted you away from two months?

B- Yeah… the funny thing is that it was an all boy camp and he thought archery and swimming with other boys would straighten me out… lol I got to spend half a summer looking at other boys my age with no shirts on.

K- Blaine Anderson! Lol

B- How do you think I got into football? I spent many summers pretending to be bad at it at summer camp just so I could be tackled.

K- You just made me jealous of every boy who's ever tackled you.

B- You could tackle me later tonight. *wink* If you wanted…

K (to Burt)- Can Blaine come over for dinner tonight then stay to watch The Bachelorette with me?

Burt- Sure kiddo. Dinner's at 5.

K- Thanks Dad.

K (to Blaine)- Just to be clear, when one player tackles another, they have free reign to make out with and feel them up, right?

B- I think we're thinking of two different games, but if that's how you want our game to end I'm in : )

K- Dinner's at 5. Plan on staying late. I would also plan on your clothes coming off.

B- Oh, I'm so blowing you tonight…

K- Don't say that because now if you don't I'll be all pouty and let down.

B- Kurt, the only pout you're going to get is when you're begging me to keep going and the only let down that's going to happen is you letting me go down on you while you pout and beg me not to stop.

K- …speechless…

B- …I have a problem…

K- What?

B- The bell for the end of study hall just rang and I can't get out of my seat.

K- Why?

B- *cough* I'm having a HARD time *cough*

K- LOL that's what you get for sending me dirty messages in the middle of the day.

B- Not fair.

K- See you at 5 ; ) Good luck with your problem.