Burt Hummel wasn't a homophobe. He didn't want this for this son, heck; he didn't want this for anyone. He stared down at the glossy, thin pamphlets Kurt had handed to him and flicked through them quickly once again before throwing them down in disgust. Why would Kurt want to do this to himself? Burt had been sat in his kitchen for five hours and it was well into the night, but he was still trying to wrap his mind around the whole situation.

He took a moment to remember the conversation he and Kurt had when he came home from school that afternoon in a hurry.

...

"Dad!" Kurt shouted as soon as he walked through the door, slamming it shut with a force he didn't know he possessed. He didn't even take off his shoes or coat as he usually did, he didn't have time for that right now.

Burt appeared through the doorway in to the hall, a beer and the daily newspaper in hand. He smiled at Kurt when he saw him at the doorway.

"Kurt, you're late. What's goin on? Burt asked nonchalantly, he wasn't too worried; Kurt was sometimes late after his Glee rehearsals or for some sort of school project.

Kurt sucked in a deep breath and attempted to calm down his heart, which seemed to be beating right out of his chest.

"I need to leave." He said abruptly, without warning.

Burt laughed lightly in confusion "I'm sorry, what?" He saw the look on Kurt's face and instantly knew that something wasn't right, but what? "What are you talking about, Kurt? Out with it."

Kurt looked like a deer caught in the headlights, he had planned exactly what he wanted to say he to his father but the words were stuck in his throat. How is one supposed to broach such a taboo issue? Kurt decided the best thing to do would be to just say it, no beating around the bush.

He looked his father straight in the eyes. "Dad, I want to go to a conversion camp." Burt looked immediately confused and was about to say something but before he could, Kurt interrupted him "look, I know what you're thinking, but. I just... what if they work? I could, I could be normal I could have a life the same as everyone else. Don't I deserve it?" Kurt said nervously.

Burt stared at Kurt for a second before leading them to the sofa in the living room before asking, "Kurt, what exactly is this conversion camp crap?" Burt, of course, knew what they were but he wanted to hear Kurt say the words himself.

"I have pamphlets." Kurt said anxiously as he handed over the three that he managed to get hold of at the information centre in up-town Lima.

"And what exactly do the pamphlets say, Kurt?"

Wow, his dad really wasn't making this easy for him, Kurt knew what he wanted, he wanted Kurt to say the exact words.

"They-uh-they basically say that these camps are set up to try and make you... not gay, I can't think of a kinder way to put it, but, yeah." Kurt swallowed loudly with nerves whilst trying to read his dad's thoughts.

Burt had so many thoughts racing through his mind. What would they do to Kurt there? Where had Kurt found this information but most importantly, why would Kurt want to do his to himself?

"Why?" Burt asked simply.

Kurt sighed. "Dad, you don't get it. I don't want to be gay. I don't want to be discriminated my whole life, I want to have everything that every other person can have." Kurt took a deep breath, he wasn't going to tell his dad exactly what was happening at school but there wasn't any choice now "school. It's...awful. I can't walk down the corridor without somebody shoving me or throwing a slushy in my face." Kurt could feel hot tears welling in his eyes and he tried his hardest not to look at Burt in the eyes.

"It's not fair. And, if there's a chance that I can be attracted to girls then, I-I want to take that chance. Can you not understand that?" There was one piece of information Kurt was holding back. The incident that had happened about a week ago involving Karofsky and some of the other football jocks. He couldn't even bring himself to think of it, never mind actually tell someone. But that was the thing that really tipped him over the edge.

"Kurt, I'm really trying. I am. I just, I thought you were proud to be who you are?" Burt was confused, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to give Kurt what he wanted. He just really needed to understand why.

"I was, but there is only so much one person can take. I mean, how do I even know I'm gay? I've never had a boyfriend or girlfriend, so how can I be one hundred percent sure?" Kurt was pulling at straws here and Burt knew it, Kurt just really wanted this.

"I'll think about it." Was all Burt said in response.

...

And now here Burt was, still trying to wrap his head around the whole thing. The camps Kurt had chosen were Woodstock Institution, Fullton Conversion Camp and Layton Camp. If Burt had to choose, he'd pick Woodstock, it looked the least... awful?

The camp took place over the entire summer break, which was only four weeks away, it was free of charge and parents had to sign a contract to basically hand over Kurt to the camp. The camp was situated in Columbus, so it wasn't too far from home. However, family or friends were not permitted in the camp until the end of the course, which meant not seeing Kurt for two months. Was Burt ready for that? More importantly, was Kurt ready for that? The pictures looked almost like a summer camp, but what went down there wasn't the fun and games a summer camp would usually bring. It wasn't moral, he didn't want this and Burt sure as hell knew that if Kurt's mom were here right now she wouldn't have had any of this. But Elizabeth wasn't here and he needed to think of Kurt and his happiness.

That was the only thought Burt needed to reach his final decision, he knew what to do. Now all he had to do was sleep and speak to Kurt about it in the morning. He sighed loudly and got up from the kitchen counter, it was only now he realised how tired he really was. The stress of the evening had taken its toll on him, well and truly. Burt only hoped he had made the right decision for himself and for Kurt.

Kurt went to bed around eight that night; he couldn't stand being in the same room as his dad. There was too much tension and questions waiting to be answered, he excused himself quietly and Burt made no move to stop him from going.

That's how Kurt found himself up in room, sad in bed, crying as softly as he could manage into his pillow. He felt white hot shame creeping up the back of his neck at the thought of what he'd asked from his father. Kurt used to be so proud; he used to have such a 'fuck-off' attitude when it came to who he was. There was only so much one person can take, and when worse comes to worse, the human mind thinks of crazy ways to stop the pain. He felt sick to the stomach with nerves and hope as his dad hadn't even given him a straight yes or no answer.

Eventually Kurt managed to doze off into an unrest sleep, but not before hearing his dad retire from upstairs and go into his bedroom. All Kurt could do now was wait.

...

It was 6am when Kurt woke up, feeling lousy and as if he could do with another few hours rest. But no, because last night came rushing back to him in one fowl swoop and he was eager to know his fathers decision once and for all.

Kurt say at the dining room table with a bowl of untouched cereal which was slowly going soggy. He didn't have any sort of appetite and he hadn't heard any signs of life from his dad's bedroom. Kurt had a feeling he was doing it on purpose, that if Kurt had some time alone in the morning he'd miraculously change his mind and want to stay exactly where he his. But that wouldn't happen, Kurt knew it, he wasn't sure of many things in his life. But of this he was. This was going to be good for him, he knew it. As Kurt felt his eyes start to droop shut but he was shocked back into life as Burt made his entry into the kitchen, making as much noise as he possible could. "oh, hi dad." Kurt said apprehensively, not quite knowing exactly how to be around his dad.

Burt nodded his greeting and started moving slowly around the kitchen, grabbing some cereal from the cupboard, avoiding Kurt's eyes, that seemed to follow him everywhere. He dropped his spoon into his bowl and the sudden noise shocked both of them, Kurt was about to say something before Burt turned around to him quickly. Burt stared at him dumbly "don't look at me like that, Kurt. I just wanna eat my breakfast without thinking about what I'm about to say yes to." He said, and laughed at the look of pure shock on Kurt's face "c'mon Kurt, I may not agree with any of this crap but I'm not a monster. I want to give you what you want." Burt said seriously.

Kurt was shocked, in fact he was more than shocked, he was positive that his dad was going to tell him no and know that he actually had permission it became real. Almost too real. "Um, thanks dad." Kurt said weakly, now it was final. He felt numb. "I'm just gonna- um- I'm gonna just, go upstairs..." Kurt muttered as quietly as he could. "just gonna... Get ready for school." Before his dad could question his behaviour he was out of the door and running up the stairs. Kurt just needed to be alone, he needed to catch his breath and let it all sink in. This is really happening, there's no turning back now. He's going to say goodbye to his dad and how the hell was he supposed to explain all this to the Glee club? What would Mercedes and Rachel say?

...

"You're doing what?!" Mercedes cried at the same time as Rachel. "you cannot be serious." Mercedes continued, "Kurt this is literally crazy." She deadpanned.

"I agree with Mercedes," Rachel said. "You're a proud person, Kurt. I'm just in shock, you don't need to do this." She said, her voice full of sincerity.

"You're wrong, Rachel. I do need to do this," Kurt thought back to the incident with the jocks in the locker room and shook his head from the memory, that was why he was doing this. "look you just don't understand ok? I didn't tell you this because I wanted you to change my mind. My mind is made up. What I need from you is support." He took both of their hands in his and squeezed them tightly. "Please just trust me on this." Kurt begged, looking into their eyes.

Both girls were silent for a while before Mercedes huffed "fine, Kurt. But only because I love you, and trust you. Just please, don't let them brainwash you." She said, half joking- half serious.

"I won't, 'Cedes, I promise." Kurt said firmly. He looked over at Rachel, who seemed to be less accepting of the whole thing. She looked confused, for the most part and Kurt didn't blame her. Her look softened and she turned to him,

"Okay, I'm here for you. I'll admit, I'm hardly happy about it, but if you really want this, then I can't judge you for it." Rachel said and Kurt breathed a sigh of relief, happy to have all the people that meant the most to him fully supportive of him. Well, except for Finn. When him and Burt told Finn about where Kurt would be all summer, Finn had been far from impressed. In fact he'd been plain rude about it and refused to even look Kurt in the eye. But Kurt knew that Finn would come round... Eventually.

Four weeks later and Kurt was ready to go. He felt bad for lying to the rest of the glee club, Rachel, Finn and Mercedes had reluctantly agreed to keep the secret. He'd told them that he was going to visit a relative from his mom's side. Luckily nobody asked many questions, thinking that the topic would be quite sensitive for Kurt.

So after packing and re-packing at least five times, Kurt woke from a very restless sleep at six am sharp, traffic wouldn't be too bad so if they set off at seven, they should be there for nine am. Initiation starting at nine-thirty and it was very important that inmates weren't late. Kurt inwardly squirmed at the word inmate, it sounded like they were prisoners... or mental patients.

A sharp knock at the door startled Kurt back into reality "you ready to go, kid?" Burt said, his voice surprisingly soft. It would be the first summer that Burt would spend without his son, and with the plans of Carole and Finn moving in being put on hold whilst Kurt was away, Burt had a feeling he'd be spending many a night on his own.

"Yeah, dad, I'm coming. Just get in the car, ok? I'll be right out." Kurt's voice broke a little half way through, and he prayed that his father hadn't noticed, if Burt thought that Kurt wasn't ready for this, there'd be no way he'd let him go. Regardless of what Kurt wanted. He took a deep breath as he heard Burt retreat down the stairs, Kurt took one look around his empty looking room, all his pictures had been taken down, ready to be hung up in his new dorm room. His bags were already in the car and nothing was stopping Kurt from walking right out of the door and off to his new home for the summer... And that's exactly what he did.