"Since this is our first lab, you all get the privilege of changing seats to choose your partner. You won’t be able to switch partners until the quarter is over, so choose wisely.” The science teacher announces, going to sit behind his desk to file paperwork while the students rush to find lab partners. Kurt rolls his eyes as Rachel dramatically runs over to Finn. Blaine makes his way through the hoard to stand beside Kurt’s table.

“Don’t be shy, sit down.” Kurt gestures to the seat next to him.

It doesn’t take much longer for the students to get settled into their proper seats and the teacher introduces the lab, passing out a sheet of instructions to each pair of students.

The lab was simple enough and everyone finished quickly. The only downfall to that was that the conclusions would be due two days later. Kurt watches the clock while Blaine scribbles down a few last minute notes, cramming the paper and pen into his backpack and zipping it shut as the bell rings.

"On to glee!" Kurt says optimistically, practically dragging Blaine out the door and heading for the choir room.

Glee passes uneventfully, then Blaine and Kurt head to The Lima Bean again.

"Okay. You mentioned your dad being okay with your sexuality. Has he always been accepting or did it take him time to come to terms?"

"He's had a lot of time. He says he’s known since I was three.” Kurt chuckles.

“And your mom?”

“She died when I was eight, but she was the kind of person that loved everyone no matter what.” He sighs.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Do you want to come to my house and work on the conclusion for the science lab?” Kurt invites.

“Sure.” Blaine replies, grabbing his backpack and following Kurt out the door to their respective cars.

Kurt walks through the door and the first thing Burt registers is the boy standing behind him.

“Hey, Kurt. Who’s your friend?”

“This is Blaine.” Kurt gestures with his hand. “He’s… my science partner. We’re gonna head to my room to work on homework.”

“Okay. Carole’s coming over for dinner, just so you know.”

“Ugh, that means Finn will be here, too, doesn’t it?” Kurt groans.

“Yep.” Burt switches his focus to Blaine “you’re welcome to stay for dinner, too if you want.” He offers.

“Thank you. I’ll have to talk to my parents.” Blaine manages to get out through his shock.

“Did your dad just invite me to eat dinner with you guys?” Blaine asks as soon as they’re in Kurt’s room.

“Yes, and you won’t regret it if you stay; tonight’s my night to cook.” Kurt informs him, closing the door as far as it will go without being latched.

“Okay.” Blaine says, pulling out his cell phone while Kurt starts his computer and unpacks his messenger bag onto his desk.

They work for almost an hour on the conclusion until they think it’s perfect, then proceed to do other homework, occasionally asking each other for opinions. It doesn't take long before they're both completely done with their homework. At which point Kurt gets on the Internet and Blaine messes around on his phone.

"Jesus, can't they leave me alone?" Kurt mutters after a few minutes.

"hm?"

"The jocks." He specifies, waving his hand toward his computer screen, currently displaying his Facebook page, which is littered with hateful comments.

"Why don't you block them?" Blaine asks.

"Because it's easier to look at this than to get attacked in school." Kurt explains, going back to his Internet browsing. After a few more minutes of getting pissed off over comments, Kurt snaps.

"You know what? I'm sick of being treated like shit because I'm gay. If you haven't been yet, you will be." he warns.

"And what do you propose we do? Last I checked, it's almost impossible to have problems disappear overnight. And weapons are against school rules." Blaine reasons. Kurt laughs.

"No, I mean popularity. I was a Cheerio once. There was so much less hate. And you... Well, you can probably gain some popularity just by changing a couple things in your... Dress code."

"What's wrong with how I dress?" Blaine looks down at his own outfit.

"Nothing, I just think it's out of style here. Somewhere else it might be better, but not at McKinley."

"Oh. Alright. So what should I do?"

"Lose the glasses." He plucks them off of his face quickly, refocusing his slightly blurry vision.

"Good. Less gel from now on. And we can make due with the bowties if you change your posture." Kurt stands and pulls Blaine to his feet to help him. At first, Blaine watches, quietly attempting to match Kurt's posture. But eventually, Kurt sighs and grabs Blaine's shoulders, pushing them back.

"Head up." he says, pulling gently at the hair on the nape of Blaine's neck. Blaine responds quickly, lifting his head.

"Ta-da! Ten times more confident now! Add a smile and you'll be good to go." almost immediately, Blaine smiles winningly. holy shit, were his eyes always that color? Of course they were, they were always hidden behind his glasses. Kurt thinks, handing Blaine back his glasses.

"Do you have contacts?" Kurt asks.

"Yeah, I'll start wearing them I guess."

"good. Stand tall and be confident. That's all it should take. It'll be a bit harder for me, but I'm gonna try to get back onto the Cheerios."

"It can't be too hard. It's just a cheer leading team, right?"

"Coach Sylvester is pretty... Strict." Kurt refrains from saying what he really thinks of Sue.

Finn knocks on Kurt's door, poking his head in.

"Hey guys what's up?" He addresses them both, then turns to Kurt.

"Burt says you're cooking tonight and I wanted to know when dinner's gonna be ready." Kurt checks the time on his computer.

"Shit, I'll start now." he exclaims, hopping up and dashing towards the door.

"Oh, Blaine. You can come down to the kitchen with me if you want. Or you can stay here. And I'm sure you're welcome to watch football with my dad and Finn." Kurt says, suddenly remembering Blaine's existence.

*****

Blaine opts to watch football and Kurt moves around the kitchen gracefully, singing under his breath.

I dare you to let me be your, your one and only
Promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me a chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts

I've been on your mind
you hang on every word I say
Lose yourself in time at the mention of my name
Will I ever know how it feels to hold you close?
And have you tell me whichever road I choose you'll go

“what are you singing? “ Blaine asks, suddenly appearing behind Kurt.

“Ohmygod! Blaine! how long have you been standing there? “ Kurt Exclaims.

“Just long enough to wonder what you were singing. So, what was it?”

“Adele’s ‘One and Only’. Why? “ Kurt eyes him suspiciously.

“No reason it just sounded pretty. Don’t get all defensive,” Blaine warns. “I was only wondering.”