After glee, Kurt and Blaine go to the Lima Bean for coffee. They order quickly and settle at a table in the corner.

“So, why did you transfer to McKinley from Dalton? Was that your choice?” Kurt asks slowly, not wanting to pry, but very curious as to why anyone would want to be at McKinley.

“Why so much disdain?”

“McKinley is a hellhole. I just can’t imagine anyone willingly leaving a private school for that torture.”

“Hm. Well… No, it wasn’t all my idea. I had been boarding at Dalton, but my mom wanted me home. We weren’t about to send me back to the school I transferred out of in the first place, so this was the next closest school.” He chooses his words carefully, but Kurt sees through them.

“Your mom wanted you home. I’m really not trying to pry, but what about your dad? And why did you transfer out of the first school? You don’t have to answer either of those if they’re too personal.”

“They are, but I’ll answer them. My dad does live with us - I made it seem like he was dead or something – but we don’t exactly… See eye to eye. We’ve had a strained relationship for a few years now. During my freshman year, I came out.” Blaine pauses to measure Kurt’s reaction. His eyes widen a bit at the statement, but he doesn’t push the topic.
“Then I asked the only other gay kid in school to the Sadie Hawkins dance. After the dance, we waited for the kids parents to come get us and we got jumped. We both ended up in the hospital. As strained as my relationship with my dad was, my safety always came first. So he transferred me to Dalton, where I was happy. But I’ve always felt like a coward for running away. That’s why I pushed to get into McKinley.”

“Wow. That sucks.” Kurt is at a loss for words.

“It’s okay. The only part that really bugs me is that I’m still the same person I was before I came out and now my dad doesn’t support anything I do now because of my sexuality.” Blaine laments.

“I can’t even imagine how I’d have coped if my dad had the same reaction.”

“Wait… A-are you…?” Blaine asks suddenly, speechless. Kurt nods.

“Isn’t it kind of obvious?” He gestures at himself.

“Sorta, but I don’t like to make assumptions. Better safe than sorry, you know?”

“Yeah. Back when I first met Sam, I would’ve sworn he was gay. I mean, honestly, what straight guy dyes their hair light blonde?” They both laugh at that.

“I’m all out of coffee.” Blaine sighs and tries to drain the last few drops out of his cup. Kurt swirls his cup around then takes his last drink.

“Me too. Oh, I meant to ask, do we have any classes together? Because I thought you looked familiar this morning.”

“Umm.” Blaine thinks for a minute “Yeah, I think we’re both in AP English.”

“YES! That’s it! Jesus, I’ve been trying to figure that out since I saw you earlier.”

“Wait a second…” Blaine’s eyebrows scrunch together as he concentrates. “I think we’re also in the same chemistry class.”

“Really? How is it that we’ve never talked to each other before today?”

“I don’t know. I guess I just keep to myself.”

“I guess so. Well, I better head home. See you tomorrow, Blaine.” He walks over to his Navigator, driving away carefully.

“See you, Kurt.”

*****

The next morning, students file into first period unceremoniously. English class was usually boring, but because there was no seating chart, Blaine and Kurt got to sit next to each other. Which was an easy solution for the boredom and before they knew it, the bell was ringing for second period.

                After second period was lunch. Considering the crowded lunchroom, Kurt couldn’t spot Blaine, so he decided to just sit in his normal place with the glee club. Mercedes leans over to Kurt.

“The geeky boy - Blaine? - is looking over here.” She informs him. Kurt’s head automatically turns to search for him. As soon as his eyes land on Blaine, he’s beckoning him over to their table and removing his bag from the seat next to him. Blaine quickly sits down and Mercedes’ eyes narrow a bit at Kurt, clearly wondering what’s going on. Kurt pulls out his phone and texts her the situation.

We hung out after school at the Lima Bean yesterday. He’s really nice, give him a chance.

I never said he wasn’t. Does he know you’re gay? Because he seems pretty comfortable sitting close to you…   -M
Kurt lets out a small chuckle at that, waving Blaine away when he looks over questioningly.

Yes, of course he knows. Who doesn’t?

Okay. Are you singing in glee today?   -M

No. And I can’t stand to listen to another second of Santana’s insults, so I’m going to class now.
With that, Kurt stands up, dumps his tray, and walks to his third period class.

                The assigned seats in chemistry prohibit Blaine and Kurt from sitting together, but about a half hour into the class, Kurt’s phone vibrates in his pocket.

Does he EVER stop talking? (this is Blaine, by the way)
Kurt muffles a laugh and adds Blaine’s number into his contact list.

No. And how did you get my number? Should I be worried about you stalking me?

Definitely. I got it from Mercedes. Who then asked whether I knew that you were gay.

Really? I told her you knew, but I guess she didn’t believe me.

No big deal. I told her that I know and that I’m also gay.

You might not want to go too public with that. Don’t give the jocks more reason to hate you. There are a lot of homophobes in this school, trust me.

I’m not about to hide who I am.

The teacher glanced up from his speech then, and they both tuck their phones away. Kurt looks over his shoulder at Blaine, realizing that he respects this boy more than he’d thought.