Kurt was terrified. Not only because he was spying on the competition, but because he was a terrible liar and if he got caught, he really did not want to add scars from this pummeling session to his repertoire. If I get caught, Puckerman is dead. This is all his fault. Their competition at Sectionals is the Hipsters – Seriously? Old people? That should be illegal. And The Warblers. The rest of the New Directions feel pretty confident in their ability to win this, and against the Hipsters, Kurt was also fairly certain. But, the Warblers, not so much. Which is why, Kurt is now making his way through the halls of the Dalton Academy for boys admiring their choice of d�cor. The walls were a beautiful deep mahogany and the floor was exactly what he pictured, even down to the sound his shows made against it. There were dozens of pictures of sports teams, and academic teams on the walls of the hall that he’s walking down. All of the boys in them look insanely happy, even if the smiles might have been forced, they looked happy.
Kurt was following a steady throng of people towards a staircase which everyone was nearly running down. Following the crowd, he walked down, pulling off the sunglasses he just realized he was still wearing.
Blaine was running late to the performance. He had spent longer than he intended to, practicing the song. Even though Katy Perry is his favorite artist, he wanted to nail this and do her justice, even if it was just for some Dalton boys. He was veering in and out of groups of people through the halls, trying to get to the senior commons as fast of possible. He started down the staircase at a faster pace than normal and just as he was about to reach the bottom he heard a voice from directly behind him, that voice was magical.
“Excuse me?” He said to the shorter, dark haired boy that passed him on the staircase, and as the boy turned, Kurt was fixated on him. Almost forgetting to breathe he stuttered out, “Um. Hi. Can I ask you a question? I’m new here.”
Blaine was literally breathless for a few seconds. This boy was the single most beautiful person he had ever seen. He had light brown hair that was perfectly coiffed, his smile was electric. In the two seconds Blaine had been looking at him, he was automatically hooked on this boy. Then, his eyes reached the boy’s. That was it. Blaine was infatuated, to say the least when he looked into those eyes. They were this color that he couldn’t even begin to explain. Green. But also blue and Blaine swore he saw grey, too. Even though Blaine knew this kid wasn’t a new student Blaine extended his hand, ever the gentleman. “My name is Blaine.” As soon as porcelain met calloused, there was a shock up to each boy’s respective shoulder.
This boy was perfect. His hair was combed perfectly, he had these – smoldering, for lack of a better word – hazel/green eyes that instantly had Kurt hooked. He extended his hand toward Kurt and he was shocked as he felt his own hand reach out for the boy’s – Blaine. It took him a millisecond longer than it should’ve to respond. “Kurt” was all he managed to say while still managing to stay standing while his legs felt like jello. “So, what exactly is going on?” he asked Blaine
“The Warblers!” Blaine exclaimed, smiling as he did every time he talked about his Warbler brothers. “Every now and then they throw and impromptu performance in the senior commons. Tends to shut the school down for a while.” They whole time he was talking, Kurt couldn’t help but stare. The way his beautiful hazel eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled and at his distinctive eyebrows that, from here looked very triangular.
“So, wait… The glee club here is kind of…cool?” Blaine thoroughly enjoyed the look of incredulity on Kurt’s face.
“The Warblers are like…rock stars! Come on, I know a shortcut.” Kurt’s heart plummeted as Blaine reached out and took Kurt’s right hand in his down. Blaine’s calloused fingers sent tingles through Kurt’s arm again as he felt himself being whisked down the stairs and pulled through a doorway to the right.
I can’t believe I just grabbed his hand. Why did I do that? I don’t even know if he’s gay. But, he’s so beautiful. I could literally stare into his eyes, those eyes, forever. Blaine knew this wasn’t a shortcut. If anything, it was longer than the way everyone else was going. But, he just needed to be with this boy a little longer because, even if it was in complete silence, Kurt had a presence about him that Blaine instantly wanted for himself.
Why is he still holding my hand? Can’t he tell I’m gay? It’s not that hard to figure out, after all, I’m am a lady-man as Karofsky and Azimio so subtly put it. Why is he still holding on? I mean, not that I don’t enjoy it, but…Why?!
Blaine pulled him around a corner and through wonderfully carved wooden doors. “Oh, I stick out like a sore thumb,” Kurt said, noticing all the guys looking similar whether to Blaine, in the blazer, or to the blonde boy to his left in the red vest. They all looked like they belonged where as Kurt, was wearing a red tie and a dark jacket, and hoping to seem inconspicuous. That was all down the drain now.
“Well, next time don’t forget your jacket, new kid. You’ll fit right in.” Did he just touch me again, and wink?
Why did I touch him again, I must seem like such a creep! Stupid, Blaine. Pure idiotic. Oh, well, nothing can change it now. It’s show time. He noticed David looking at him out of the corner of his eyes, he could almost see the questioning look he was receiving from his best friend, but there was no time to answer him.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Kurt had no idea what was going on, but once the music started he knew – Blaine was a Warbler. Kurt couldn’t understand why Blaine didn’t use personal pronouns when talking about the group earlier. All he said was “The Warblers” never “us” or “we”. But, every single one of those thoughts flew out of his head the second Blaine opened his lips to sing. If Kurt thought his speaking voice was beautiful, it was absolutely nothing compared to his singing voice. It was the perfect voice. Although Kurt had never been a huge Katy Perry fan, this was slowly becoming his favorite song.
Before you met me
I was a wreck
But things were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my valentine, valentine
For the beginning, Blaine was singing everywhere to his fellow Warblers, but now, he was looking directly at Kurt. Kurt could feel the heat rising to his cheeks.
Let’s go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love.
We can dance, until we die
You and I will be young forever

Kurt wasn’t a huge fan of the dance moves; all they did was sidestep and snap, then go the other way. But, there was something about the way that they did it that seemed to put together and the fact that Blaine kept sneaking peeks at him didn’t hurt either.

You make me feel like I’m
Living a teenage dream the
Way you turn me on, I can’t
Sleep, let’s run away and don’t
Ever look back, don’t ever look back.

And when Blaine said “you” he pointed at Kurt. Right at him. It has to be the fact that I’m just right here, he’s not doing it on purpose. It was only the one time.

Let’s go all the way tonight no
Regrets just love. We can dance
Until we die. You and I will be
Young forever. You make me feel
Like I’m living a teenage dream the
Way you turn me on, I can’t sleep let’s
Run away and don’t ever look back.

Blaine did it again. When they said “You make me feel like I’m living a teenage dream,” he pointed directly at Kurt. Whether it was consciously or subconsciously, Blaine did it and every time, he could see a smirk grace the presence of Kurt’s face. Blaine was now nearly 100% focused on this perfect boy in from of him, who’s beautiful smile was not slowly falling downward as he took in his surroundings fully for the first time.

I’mma get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans be your
Teenage dream tonight.

Well, that sure is something I can get used to. I’d love to see him in some skin-tight jeans. The uniform pants aren’t very formfitting. Kurt was enthralled with this performance. All the boys – performers or not – looked like they were having a blast.

Yeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
You make me feel like I’m living
A teenage dream the way you
Turn me on I can’t sleep let’s
Run away and don’t ever look
Back don’t ever look back.
My heart stops when you look
At me. Just one touch now baby,
I believe. This is real so take a
Chance and don’t ever look back
Don’t ever look back.

I’mma get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans be your
Teenage dream tonight.
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans be your
Teenage dream tonight.

The Warbler’s finished and Blaine just stood there, eyes fixed on Kurt’s for a few seconds as the room around him exploded – as always – and boys ran up to high-five the Warbler’s and pat their backs. But, Blaine only had eyes for one boy, and, after extricating himself from the Warbler’s, worked his way over to where Kurt was standing with a look of awe on his face.
“Come take a walk with me?” Blaine asked and he automatically noticed as Kurt seemed to get smaller as he nodded somewhat reluctantly. Blaine led him out of the senior commons heading back the way the two had come. It was silent for a few minutes, until Kurt spoke, his voice higher than Blaine had heard it earlier. It sounded distant and timid.
“So, why’d you ask me to come on a walk?” Kurt knew that Blaine suspected something. I think he knows I’m a spy. They walked back the way they came and while Kurt waited for him to respond he looked around the halls and was entranced. The windows let the sunlight in perfect and it fell across the floor in front of them as they walked. He glanced over at Blaine and he could literally see the gears working in his brain trying to talk to Kurt. As they passed a window, the sunlight hit Blaine and his eyelashes almost jumped off his face. They were the longest he’d ever seen.
“I know you’re not new here,” was all Blaine said as they turned a corner into an alcove to the left of the stairs they had met on. Kurt said nothing, but looked at the ground. There were two benches separated by a window and Blaine gestured for Kurt to sit on one. As he did, Blaine sat on the other and looked at him, with this look that made Kurt feel as if he was reading him like an open book.
“What makes you say that?” he questioned glancing up at Blaine, feeling the heat on his cheeks.
“Everyone who transfers here gets their Dalton blazer,” he said gesturing down at his torso, “the first day they’re here. No one in their right mind would forget it their first day here.”
“Guilty.” Kurt whispered staring at his feet.
“Hey. It’s fine. Just tell me what you’re doing here and maybe I won’t get the Warblers to beat you up.” He chuckled. Kurt visibly tensed and Blaine noticed. “What’d I say? Kurt?”
And before Kurt could say anything, he felt the tears slide down his face, silently cursing himself for not being as strong as he was at his school in from of this gorgeous stranger. He reached up to brush them off but, Blaine’s thumb reached up before his own hand could and wiped the tears off his cheeks.
“Look at me, Kurt.” Blaine whispered. As Kurt lifted his eyes, Blaine continued. “Talk to me. I know we just met, but I want to help.”
Blaine’s hand dropped to Kurt’s knee and he squeezed it which only made Kurt’s tears turn into a steady stream.
“I’m just having a hard time at school. With bullies.” He whispered to Blaine going to wipe the tears off again, this time succeeding in doing it himself.
“Kurt…I’m so sorry.” Blaine said moving to the same bench as he was, putting an arm around Kurt. “Can you tell me what all happened?”
Kurt only shook his head. Blaine desperately wanted him to talk to him. Hear that voice, and try to help him.
“Please, Kurt. I’ll help. I’ll do whatever I can to help you. Please.” The last word, Kurt barely heard but when he looked up, he saw the sincerity in Blaine’s eyes.
“It’s no surprise that I’m gay. I’m flaming,” he spat the last word out wholly disgusted. “I’ve always been bullied, but this year it’s worse. There’s this jock who’s made it his mission to make my life a living hell.” The words were spilling out and he couldn’t stop them. It felt so good to get them off his chest. “First, it started off with just getting thrown into dumpsters on a daily basis. Then it progressed to slushies—”
“Slushies?” Blaine questioned.
“Yeah. The jocks throw slushies in the faces of all the kids in glee club. Anyway, now it’s more shoving into lockers or pushing down the stairs..” he trailed off, avoiding Blaine’s face.
“Kurt…how bad are the injuries?” he asked.
“Mainly bruises, but the last time it was worse. My back still hurts and it was three days ago, so does my wrist.”
“Let me see it,” Blaine said, suddenly more force behind his voice. He could see Kurt tense up again as he reached out to touch his indicated left wrist. “Please. Trust me.” Kurt looked into the hazel eyes and all he saw was fear. Fear for the kid who he had only just met who had admitted to coming to spy on his glee club.
Kurt reached his wrist out, closing his eyes in the process, not wanting to see the pity that was surely starting to fill Blaine’s precious hazel eyes. He felt Blaine gently push Kurt’s jacket up towards his elbow.
“This might hurt, but you have to let me know when the pain gets too bad, okay?” said Blaine as he gingerly grabbed Kurt’s wrist and put the smallest amount of pressure on it. Once he saw Kurt nod he added a little more, as he did every time he saw Kurt nod. As soon as he saw Kurt’s face changed he stopped.
“Well, it’s not broken; I don’t think it’s even sprained probably just bruised really badly,” Blaine said. “What other injuries do you have?”
“I…I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me, Blaine,” Kurt whispered as he brushed his tears off and went to stand up.
“Come with me. I have to show you something,” he said as he stood, not waiting for Kurt to follow, just knowing that he would because of how vague he was being. Blaine led him through so many hallways and doorways that Kurt was sure he was doing this on purpose. When they finally stopped, Blaine turned and took a breath.
“Don’t get freaked out, but this is my dorm room.” And with that he unlocked the door and waltzed in, Kurt followed behind him, nervously.
“Why’d you bring me here, Blaine?” Kurt loved saying his name. It felt perfect on his tongue and in his mind. That name. So uniquely perfect for the unique boy in front of him.
“Because you have to show me something, and I have to show you something,” Blaine said, nervously as he discarded his blazer on the chair to the right of the door. He turned to Kurt with his hazel eyes filled with uncertainty, fear, and somewhere deep down; Kurt knew he saw acceptance flooding out of his eyes, engulfing Kurt.
“I know exactly what you’re going through, Kurt. I was bullied for being gay at my old school,” Blaine’s gay? “It really really hurt, so yes, Kurt. I know. I know the fear that you hold onto constantly every day when you wake up, not knowing how bad that day is going to be. Not knowing if this time, someone will notice, or if it will be bad enough that someone has to notice something. You don’t know how much longer you’re going to be able to keep if hidden from your parents and family.”
He took a breath and started pulling his tie off, slowly followed by unbuttoning his shirt and sliding it off his arms. It took every ounce of Kurt’s will not to let his eyes roam too long over the muscles on the beautiful man’s defined arms. His eyes made their way to his chest and stomach and he gasped. He had almost the exact same scars that Kurt did.
“Lockers….” Kurt said, unable to continue the sentence as he looked into Blaine’s eyes and Blaine slowing nodded, jerking his neck backwards as he turned slowly, showing Kurt his back. There were triangular shaped scars muddled together with long straight ones. Blaine heard Kurt’s intake of breath and seconds afterward felt fingers on his left shoulder. Kurt’s fingers felt exactly as Blaine thought they would, just on the colder side of room temperature; they matched the porcelain color of the rest of his skin perfectly.
“This one?” Kurt whispered. Blaine knew which one he was talking about.
“Yeah, you know the doors that you have to push to open, with the long bar across the middle? One of the more…vicious guys was in the middle of kicking the crap out of me after school in the cafeteria one day,” Blaine took a shaky breath and continued on thinking to himself – Courage. “Well, I was trying to get up right as he took a particularly hard kick and it thrusted me up into the bar.” He heard Kurt’s sharp intake, still feeling his fingers on his own shoulder, slowly tracing the scar, whether consciously or subconsciously, Blaine didn’t know, but he didn’t want it to stop.
As soon as that thought formed in his mind, he felt the fingers leave his skin. He turned to see Kurt shrugging his own jacket and tie off, pulling the shirt off too, quicker than Blaine could have thought possible knowing what was going to happen, although maybe he just wanted to do it before he chickened out.
Blaine looked at Kurt’s back, which was in worse shape than his own, even given the fact that Kurt’s were more recent. His entire back was covered with angry red scars, only a handful were faded enough to pass as a while ago; one, running from Kurt’s right shoulder down to his left hipbone was the reddest. Blaine couldn’t resist, he gently rested his finger on the tip of it and trailed it down the length of Kurt’s back, cringing at how hot it still felt.
“That one happened three days ago. Karaofsky – he’s the worst one – shoved me into an open locker.” He whispered, shakily. Blaine could tell he was crying.
“I know what you’re going through, Kurt,” he said, turning Kurt to face him and pull him into an embrace that was gentle enough to not hurt Kurt’s scars anymore, but one that left both boys breathless – though neither one would ever know the other had the same reaction. Blaine tried to put as much emotion in the hug as he could, and whether Kurt felt it, or simply needed someone to finally hug him like this, he reciprocated the hug with such fierceness that he felt the chest hair on Blaine, that somehow he didn’t notice ten minutes ago when Blaine first stripped his shirt off.
As Kurt started to release him, Blaine whispered into his ear – “You’re not alone. We both know how hard this is and I’ll be here for you, for as long as you need. I swear.”
The tears running down Kurt’s face showed Blaine all the thanks he needed for that moment.