Kurt did actually have something to do before heading to Blaines. When he returned to his car after Glee, he was slightly shocked at the sight that greeted him.

On the drivers car door, right under the key lock, was ugly, jagged letters scratched into his beautiful black Navigator.

Fag.

He really shouldnt be surprised. Even without his Slushie stunt, the Glee clubs retaliation, or Blaines protection, they would have done it anyways. Because thats just what happened to homosexuals in Ohio. It was something Kurt would be dealing with his whole life, no matter where he went.

Shaking his head, he texted Blaine to tell him he was going to be delayed for a bit. Getting in the car, he drove down the familiar road towards the shop he spent a lot of his childhood in.

Hummels Tire and Lube was still up and running, despite his father being Congressman Senator Burt Hummel. He spent a lot of childhood days here with his dad, learning everything to know about being a mechanic while simultaneously designing his own fashion lines. If he wasnt so set on Broadway, hed be a damn good mechanic. Or fashion designer. But no matter, lets just call them plan B and C.

He pulled into the back, unlocking the door with his key. He nodded to the workers who knew he was the bosss kid, reaching in the supply closet for a rag and black scratch buffer.

"Kurt?"

He froze, the bottle clutched in his hand in a death grip. He turned around slowly, plastering a fake smile on his face. "Dad!" he greeted too cheerfully. "What are you doing in the shop?"

Burt approached him suspiciously, wiping his greasy hands on his overalls. "This is still my shop," he responded. "Its good to get out of D.C. every now and then and remember what Im fighting for." He looked at Kurts back, where he was hiding the buffer. "The question is, why are you here, son?"

"Oh, no reason," Kurt lied smoothly. "Just missed the grease smell, you know?"

Burt raised an eyebrow, humming his call of bluff. Kurt sighed, remembering where he got his stubbornness from. "I have a scratch on my car," he admitted, showing the buffer. Burt looked relieved. "Thats all? Kurt, you dont need to ruin your clothes. Ill do it."

Kurt blanched, shaking his head no. Frowning, Burt reached out and plucked the bottle from his sons hands, and headed for the car. Kurt trailed behind, dread building deep in his chest.

"Alright, show me where it is," Burt said, crossing his arms over his chest. Kurt raised his hand and pointed weakly to the drivers side.

"There," he muttered. Burt stared at the scratch, his expression unchanging. He poured some buffer on the rag and rubbed at the spot with vicious ferocity, the only sign of his anger. He polished more throughly then strictly necessary, until every trace of the offending word was gone.

"There you go, youre all set," he spoke, his voice tight with controlled anger. Kurt nodded mutely, shame shinning in his eyes. Burt sighed sadly, before taking his son into his arms, Kurt clutching back with fierce need.

"Im sorry," Kurt broke out, pulling away from his fathers embrace after a minute, looking away as his cheeks heated in embarrassment. "I just, I guess I really have been sheltered for too long, that its just a bit of a stronger jab than it should be. But itll get better, I promise, eventually it wont bother me at all."

Burt frowned. As cruel as it sounded, he wanted this stuff to bother his son. He didnt want him to have to go through crap like this so often he became numb to it. He wanted Kurt to take offense, because then he cared about who he was, was proud enough to be hurt about being spoken negatively about. But there was nothing he could do. This was the world they lived in; his son would have no choice but to be subjected to this shit until he was indifferent to it.

"Kurt..." he began slowly.

"No, Dad, its okay," Kurt interrupted. "Its fine, really."

Burt gazed at his son for a moment longer before nodding his head, unconvinced. Embarrassed, Kurt left the shop quickly, his tires squealing loudly in protest and leaving skid marks in their wake.

Burt watched his son escape, his heart clenching sadly at the sight. He didnt want his son to be afraid of being himself around him; respect him, of course, acknowledge his authority, yes. But fear showing how he really felt? Never.

So, maybe he overreacted sophomore year by taking away Kurts car when he found that box of tiaras. Maybe he was a bit weirded out to see his son in a leotard dancing to Beyoncé. And maybe he was a bit disappointed that Vogue fashion magazines were apparently more interesting than sports. But he never judged. He bought his son the fancy designer clothes he wanted, had tea parties with him as a kid, bought him those sensible heels for his third birthday like he wanted. Accepted him when he came out, and everything he was.

His sadness is overtaken by the fury he was concealing, remembering what it was he was accepting that no one else did. It never got easier for him; not when random people called him to say it, not when his house was spray painted it, and certainly not when his son s car was keyed it.

Fag. Even thinking the word made him want to vomit. How dare they judge Kurt, judge his son by who he loves? Think of him as less of a man, as less of a human being for something thats a part of his DNA, something as uncontrollable as what color hair he was born with. Punish him for loving another boy. He hasnt even had a boyfriend yet, hes never acted on his sexuality to provoke these assholes! Just being gay was enough. The fact that when he does fall in love, the simple fact that the person will be another man, thats enough for them.

He sighed heavily. If only Elizabeth were still here. Shed know what to do.

-----

Kurt arrived home a little late, walking inside just in time to help Carole set the table. Burt questioned where he was, annoyed Kurt waved it off with a vague studying with a friend. They ate in awkward silence, Burt remembering the offending scratch, and Finn fuming from Blaines confident advances on his brother. Kurt was embarrassed and annoyed with both, ignoring Caroles confused and concerned glances.

"So, Kurt, how was your first day of public highschool?" Carole asked eventually, attempting to level out the tension hanging in the air.

"Fine," Kurt muttered quickly, ducking his face to hide the blush coloring his cheeks. This did not go unnoticed by the other occupants of the room, who all reacted differently. Burt was concerned, Finn was angry, and Carole looked hopeful.

"No one tried to mess with you, did they? Cause no one pushes the Hummels around, Kurt," Burt inquired gruffly, puffing his chest out protectively. Kurt shook his head quickly, not wanting his father to know about the welcome party he received.

Finn, however, didnt catch that. "What are you talking about, Kurt? The jocks tried to turn you into a rainbow the second you stepped into the building!" he cried.

Kurt flinched as Carole gasped and Burt turned crimson. "A what?" he said, voice tight with anger. Kurt sighed in resignation. "Slushies, Dad. They all threw Slushies at me."

Carole looked her stepson over, trying to find a trace of color on his black-and-white outfit, finding it void of any. She raised an eyebrow in question. "Am I to assume they were unsuccessful?"

He nodded, his face breaking into a smug grin. "Unfurled an umbrella at the last second. Neanderthals never saw it coming."

Burt smirked, his face returning to normal color a bit. "And youre alright? No one tried anything else?"

Kurt shook his head, and Finn frowned again. Burt caught it, turning to him with a stern look. "Finn," he drawled, tone firm and demanding. Kurt flinched again, glaring at Finn with his best bitch look, daring him to tell him. Finn, for once, was unfazed by the glare and met Burts eyes.

"Seems Kurt and Blaine Anderson took quite a liking to each other, thats all," he said, meeting Kurts eyes in a defiant manner. Kurt saw red, his grip on his silverware turning into a deadly grip. Burt watched the exchange in confusion, not knowing what the problem was.

"And this is an issue because...?"

"Its really not," Kurt got out through his gritted teeth. "Finn just seems to not approve of me liking someone, but hey, not like thats new or anything, right?"

Finn blanched, looking hurt. "You know I dont care that youre gay, Kurt!" he shouted. "I just wish you wouldnt jump the first gay guy you meet, and with Blaine of all guys! Hes too short tempered, one little thing you do might insult him and hed snap on you! Im not letting you get hurt, its my job to protect you!"

Kurt raised from his chair, his face twisted in fury and hurt. "Im not some delicate porcelain doll!" he screamed. "Yes Im openly gay, so I will be bullied for this. Ill be bullied for my voice, and my clothes, and being in Glee Club. Ill be bullied for liking Blaine and for liking that his affections seem to be returned. Yes, I just spent the last three years highly sheltered, yes, Ive never actually had a boyfriend before, and yes, I just so happened to take an interest in the first gay guy I met. But make no mistake, Finn, that I am weak because of any of this! Im sick of being mollycoddled, I dont need your protection and I dont want it!"

He stared at the silent, gaping faces of his family, biting back the tears at the sadness in their eyes. He turned towards the door. "Ive lost my appetite. When youre ready to have a respectable conversation with me, and have improved your ridiculous opinion of my life, Ill be in my room." With that he turned on his heel and stormed out the room, Finns cheeks flushed, ashamed Kurt felt that way.

Kurt closed his door quietly, refusing to be a complete Drama Queen and slam it. He leaned his head against the wood gently and closed his eyes, sighing quietly as all his anger gathered into a single tear and escaped, traveling a slow pace down his cheek.

Soft, gentle chirping caught his attention. Smiling gently, he turned towards the cage on his nightstand, approaching the yellow Warbler finch inside it.

"Hey, Pavarotti," he addressed the bird, genuinely happy to see his old friend. He was the only one to watch the bird when he first came to Dalton, since he was the only new member while he was there. Pavarotti had been a descendant of the first one Kurt had, and when he died was given Pav. Eventually Pav had his own descendant, and the Warblers felt taking the bird back after three years would be a bit cruel. So Kurt official adopted the canary, enjoying their shared love of song and the creatures optimism.

Pavarotti sung happily as he hopped around his cage, prompting Kurt to whistle along with him. Pulling out his laptop, he unconsciously continued his schedule of logging into YouTube to watch videos from TriangleEyebrowsRSexys channel.

Realizing what he was doing, Kurt paused for a second. He scrolled through the videos, seeing titles like "Its time," "Raise Your Glass," "Hungry like the wolf/Rio," "Somebody I Used to Know," "Misery," "Cough Syrup," "Silly Love Songs," "Hey Soul Sister," "Billsx3," "What Kind of Fool," "Its not right, but its okay," and many others. With a start he realized he had no memory of any of these videos, despite the like button already being tinted green as proof hes witnessed them all.

He put his head in his hands in embarrassment. Did he really used to ogle Blaine that bad? How did he not recognize him sooner? How did he sit through all those choir competitions and not connect this Blaine to the Blaine in the New Directions? Heck, how did he even miss his name? Had he seriously somehow avoided the boy for two entire years? It boggled his mind.

Determined to set things right, he went to his playlist titled "Dream Crush" and hit play, settling back in his bed, fully prepared to watch every video Blaine ever posted, school night be damned. He was already addicted to that voice, and like a drug he needed more.

-----

Elsewhere, Kurt was unaware that Blaine was currently in the same position, having gone through the same experience with his own parents. He was buried under the covers, eyes wide as he watched every video in his "Porcelain God" playlist. He was stunned, having already gone through Kurts "4 Minutes," "La Jazz Hot," "Bring him Home," "Mr. Cellophane," "Dont Cry For Me Argentina," "Never Said Goodbye," "Being Alive," "A House is not a Home," and "Happy Days" videos.

The more he watched, the more aggravated with himself he became. How had he gone to all those Glee completions, ogling the attractive guys in the Warblers, and not recognized Kurt? How had he not known who he was the second he saw him, the second Finn said his name? Had he seriously somehow been in a different place as Kurt every time Glee Club had a party, or Finn invited him over? Hes been Finns brother for two years, how had he not seen a picture, heard his voice down the hall, connected his name to ThePorcelainGod? He seriously couldnt believe the universe had gone through so much trouble to make them complete strangers to each other.

His parents hadnt helped his mood either. They were both home for once, asking how his grades were doing and how many detentions he had this week, completely forgetting today was only the first day. So he sat as silent as always, only speaking to thank their cook, Leia, for a great meal as always.

Then his mom asked her usual question about Blaines love life. "Any cute boys caught your eye yet?" she had asked, not looking up from her plate, not expecting an answer. For that Blaine had been thankful, for at the moment his cheeks exploded in color and he glanced at his Father fearfully. They may accept his sexuality, but he can tell his old man didnt understand it very well. The last thing he needed was them to know the answer had changed for once.

Much to his charaign, Katianna happened to be refilling his parents wine glasses at that time, and she noticed all too well the tall-tale signs of a crush. She smiled happily, an excited squeal escaping her throat as she brought her hands to her face to clap enthusiastically. She had always cared for Blaine like a sister, since his sexuality ruled out any possibilities of it ever being more, and it saddened her to see the tough boy so lonely. The Andersons looked at her in shock, following her gaze to their son.

Mr. Anderson raised his eyebrow at his son, smirking playfully. "Is that a blush I see, Blaine?" Blaine glared at them, the red of his cheeks glowing more noticeably as he was caught. His father chuckled, smiling knowingly at him. "Its Kurt, isnt it?"

Blaine turned his head away, astonished he could feel the blush spreading to his ears. Mrs. Anderson gave her own excited squeal, clasping Katiannas hands as they shared happy smiles. "Oh, Blaine! Whos this Kurt boy, why havent I heard of him before? Its not fair, everyone seems to know who he is but me, even Katherine looks like she knows this mysterious man!"

Blaine shook his head quickly. "Hes no one Mom, just a friend," he said, his tone completely unconvincing.

Katianna grinned slyly at him. "Do you almost kiss all your friends, Blaine?" she asked innocently, inwardly wincing at the heat behind the glare thrown her way. His mother gasped delightedly, and his father gave him a thumbs up.

Blaine ground his teeth together in annoyance. "No, I dont," he gritted out, stabbing his liver with more force than necessary. He so did not want to be having this discussion right now. He didnt even know anything about the boy yet, except that he was gorgeous and shared his career dreams.

"Well, you must tell us about him! Whats he like? Is he a new student?" his mother continued, their meals completely forgotten, Katianna even pulling out a chair for herself to sit down in and stare at Blaine eagerly.

"Theres nothing to tell," Blaine burst out, annoyed they were so eager about this. He didnt acknowledge their shocked expressions morph into confusion and hurt, shoving away from the table to storm up into his room. He, unlike Kurt, had no problem slamming the door as hard as possible.

And so we find Blaine in his current position, gripping his laptop like his life depended on it. He couldnt deny he was interested in the boy, wanted to know everything about him. He just wasnt the kind of guy to gush to his parents about boys.

Cautiously, Katianna cracked open the door, poking her head in shyly. She took in the Blaine-sized lump on his bed, the glow coming from his laptop. A new video had just started, and she heard the voice from earlier today announce himself as "Kurt Hummel". Sighing in relief, she closed the door silently, tip-toeing out of the hallway before flailing her arms and releasing a fangirl scream.

Oh, she was going to have so much fun being their biggest fan. She had already started working on their couple name, and she was looking quite forward to the day she could use it.