“Can’t, having a sleep over tonight with the girls, didn’t I tell you?” Kurt said, giving his boyfriend a sad smile.

“No, but can’t I come?” He asked, “My parents leave tonight, you don’t want me in that big house all alone” Blaine gave Kurt his best sad puppy face.

“It’s girls only,” at the look Blaine gave him, “The other boys are going to Puck’s for a Call of Duty marathon, the girls are coming to hang out with me. This is generally the divide the group takes, I am an honorary girl because I don’t like video games in general.”

“But I like you and the girls, I would rather spend time with you.”

“Yes, but you see, it would make the whole experience of gushing over my boyfriend a lot more awkward if you are actually there. You could go play the game, or hang out with Wes and David. Maybe call Nick and you can talk about me and Mercedes the same way we are going to talk about you.” Kurt squeezed Blaine’s hand.

“But I want to spend time with you” He whined.

“This is what the girls are going to do, we will sit around giving each other facials. I will do all of their makeup, and their hair. Is that really what you want to be doing tonight?” Kurt asked slowly.

“No.” Blaine admitted quietly.

“Now the boys are going to blow things up and kill things. They are going to talk about football and Basketball and whatever other sports they can think of. Does that sound like fun to you?”

“Kind of.” Blaine whispered.

“Then why don’t I call Finn and you can go hang out with them and I will see you in the morning. If you can rouse the boys up by nine I will make you all breakfast.” Kurt said planting a kiss to Blaine’s cheek.

“Fine,” Blaine reluctantly agreed, “But I would much rather sneak a little bit of quality alone time with you.”

The rest of the drive was spent flirting, by the end Kurt was almost ready to ditch their plans and just keep Blaine all to himself. However, the knowledge that Finn would never be able to keep a secret and the threat of Mercedes possibly killing him drove the thought out of his head, well almost.

Kurt stood in front of his vanity, waxing Rachel’s eyebrows. Quinn was sitting on his bed next to Brittany and Santana, all with avocado masks covering their faces. Mercedes and Tina were perched on the coach soaking their feet in footbaths.

“So, Porcelain,” Santana’s voice cut over Rachel’s monologue about her ‘perfect’ relationship with Finn. “please tell me you have been getting it on with that hot piece of ass you call your boyfriend.”

Kurt blushed under the scrutiny of all the girls at this question, “Santana, dear, that is none of your business.”

“That means no.” Santana surmised.

“So what if Blaine and I are taking things slow. Our relationship is built on more than just the physical.” He told her in his best condescending voice.

“Kurt is a great kisser.” Brittany announced to the room. When she saw the other girls staring she continued happily. “His lips are really soft and he tastes nice. Although it was a little weird when he asked me what boy’s lips taste like. Why did you ask that, you weren’t gay then were you?”

Kurt couldn’t help laugh at his ditzy friend. “Sorry honey, I was never not gay.”

“So what does Blaine taste like?” Kurt nearly smudged the wax over Rachel’s eyes when he realized that Quinn had asked the question.

Regaining his composure he told them, “Well, he tastes like coffee, with a hint of cinnamon. And… I don’t know there is something else I can’t quite describe… anyway he tastes wonderful. Thanks for asking.”

“Oh, and hey what is this I hear about you setting Mercedes up with one of those prep school guys, what about me?” Santana voice.

“I didn’t know you were in the market, what about you and Puck?” Kurt asked.

“Been there done that.” Santana quipped.

“Plus he has been chasing after that girl wrestler.” Brittany added not noticing the betrayed look on her bestie’s face.

The conversation traversed through each of their love lives. Santana was bored with the men of Lima (or so she said) Rachel thought things were fantastic with Finn. Quinn was enjoying the easiness of her relationship with Sam and Tina was as in love with Mike’s abs as ever. Brittany talked about how nice Artie was, but showed concern at his lack of response to certain touches. Mercedes regaled them all with details of her and Nick’s first official date.

They all crooned over Nick bringing her flowers, and his gentlemanly ways. They laughed when she revealed the way they sang in the car together. Even Santana couldn’t help but crack a small smile at some of the story. Kurt enjoyed the night with the girls, talking about boys, fashion, music, and anything they thought of.

Over at Puck’s house, Blaine sat awkwardly between Finn and Puck. He was getting his ass kicked in the game, having not played in a while. It was weird for him to hang out with these boys, he had only seen them a few times. He didn’t know what topics to bring up, what topics would get him stared at. What he wasn’t prepared for was the conversation that did come up.

“Man, I am seriously at my wits end, I have been trying to get with Zizes for the last month and no dice. Have I just lost my game?” Puck said taking his aggression out on the figures on the screen.

“Man, I think we all have that problem,” Finn added. Rachel and I have been together for like, forever and she just let me touch her boobs.”

Artie laughed, “Speak for yourself, yo. My woman can’t get enough of me.”

“I don’t really have that problem either,” Mike interjected, “Asian Fusion all the way.”

“Don’t worry, Finn, I’m in the same boat as you. At least your girlfriend is not scarred by a memory of a teen pregnancy. I love Quinn, but that is a lot to deal with.” Sam said, clapping Finn on the back.

Then Blaine felt all eyes fall on him, well all eyes but Finn’s who was decidedly looking anywhere but Blaine. He didn’t know what to do, or to say. He hoped that he wouldn’t have to actually join in this conversation. Unfortunately he was not that lucky.

“So, Anderson, what about you?” Puck asked, raising his eyebrows at him. “Kurt and you do it yet?”

Blaine felt his face heat up, he felt flushed and awkward. “Um… I don’t… I don’t really feel comfortable talking about this… I mean…” he stammered.

“That’s a yes! Way to go Kurt!” Puck yelled

“Dude! That’s my brother!” Finn yelled at the same time Blaine yelped, “No, we haven’t, not yet!” The rest of the boys laughed at the reactions of Blaine and Finn.

Puck completely ignored the fact that this line of questioning bothered his best friend and Blaine. “Why not, I mean you’re both dudes, so why not just get some?”
“I don’t think we’re ready yet. I mean sex… it’s a big step.” Blaine mumbled.

“Dude, lay off. I do not want to hear about Kurt and his sex life.” Finn shouted hitting Puck in the arm. Then he turned to Blaine, “No offense Blaine.”

Blaine managed a smile, “None taken.”

The rest of the evening was fairly painless, the conversation turned to the mundane: movies, sports, hot actresses. Blaine was glad he could appreciate the female form from an objective prospective.

The next morning Kurt was in the kitchen cooking whole grain pancakes, eggs, and bacon and making fresh squeezed orange juice. He was naturally the first one up, knowing that he had a lot to do to feed the group of thirteen teenagers. He was just flipping the first batch of pancakes when he heard someone coming down the stairs. He looked up just in time to see Rachel entering the kitchen.

“Good morning.” He greeted, in an obviously chipper mood.
“Why are you so happy this morning?” Rachel asked making her way to the coffee pot.

“I had a great night with my girls,” he said with a smile, “and I get to see my gorgeously hot boyfriend in the very near future. What isn’t there to be happy about?” Rachel seemed to be thinking over something, Kurt could see she was teetering on whether to say something or not. So he decided to help her on her way. “Okay, spill it. What is on Rachel Berry’s mind this fine morning?”

“I’m worried about you Kurt. I feel like you have hinged your entire happiness on Blaine and I don’t feel it is healthy.” She said raising herself to her full height, which wasn’t that intimidating.

“And just what makes you say that?” Kurt asked his mood slightly dampened.

Rachel sighed, clearly irritated that he wasn’t getting it. “It is the way you talk about him, like all your hopes and dreams rest with him.”

“You mean the same way you talk about Finn, the way you talk about the person you love?” Kurt asked starting to get defensive.

“That’s the thing, how do you know it is love? He is the only gay guy you know.”

“No he’s not! And even if he was that is not why I am with him. God Rachel, do you think that this is a relationship of convenience? Because I can tell you it is so convenient to have a boyfriend that lives two hours away, to have to schedule an extra four hours into any plans you make. But you know what, even with all that, we make it work. I love Blaine, because he is an amazing person not because he is the only person who will have me. Although thanks for implying that is the case.” Kurt shouted, taking his aggression out on the pancakes.

“That is not what I…” Rachel started.

“You know what, forget it Rachel. I don’t really want to hear what you think. I think you should leave.” Kurt said turning his back on his friend.

“Kurt…” Rachel tried.

“No, I am not in the mood to discuss it. I want you to get your stuff and go home. I AM going to go back to my good mood, that you have tried valiantly to squash and I am going to enjoy the last day of my break with the man I love.” Kurt interjected, still not facing her.

"But Finn..."

Kurt closed his eyes, not wanting to think of the fall out this may bring with his stepbrother. “I will tell him you had to go home, but are looking forward to seeing him later. Just remember though, I wasn’t the one attacking YOUR relationship.”

Rachel slowly left the room, and Kurt listened to her exit the house. He took a deep breath and tried to get back the happy feeling he had woken up with.

After everyone had been fed, Kurt sent them all on their way, save for Blaine.

“You seem kind of down, what’s up?” he asked snaking his arms around Kurt’s waist.

“I had a fight with Rachel.” Kurt murmured.

“Really? What about?” Blaine asked with his brows furrowed. Kurt explained to him what had happened. “I think she was just trying to look out for you,” Blaine began, but caught a warning look from Kurt, “I am not saying that what she said was true. I know it’s not.
Maybe we need to just spend more time around your friends, so they can see in us what we see in each other.”
“Maybe you’re right, but I don’t get to see you nearly enough, and I don’t really want to have to share my time with you.” Kurt said snuggling into the warm embrace of his love.

“Me neither…”

Monday at school, Kurt didn’t speak to Rachel, he was still too hurt. When she tried to talk to him, he simply walked away without acknowledging her presence. During Glee when Finn smacked her in the face while flailing around trying to dance, Kurt showed no concern for her condition. This earned raised eyebrows from Mercedes, but Kurt slipped away before she could question him.

When Mr. Shue started talking about self acceptance, Kurt only half listened. Yes, he had gone through a stage last year where he wanted to change himself, but it wasn’t for him, it was for his father. He had long ago accepted the things about him that made him different. He was excited about the prospect of showcasing that in a number though. But nothing excited him more than doing Gaga again.

If he was to be honest with himself, part of him was worried with Rachel’s sudden desire for a nose job. But he also knew deep down that she would never go through with it. Barbra Streisand was her idol after all, so it seemed a given that she would see the light, right?

Kurt knew things were getting out of hand when Puck approached him though.

“She won’t listen to anyone.” He said storming into Kurt’s bedroom.

“First of all, knock before you enter Noah. Second, who?” Kurt said with a scowl.

“Rachel, everyone has tried to talk to her out of this nose job thing.”

“Why should you care if she wants to hack off her nose?” Kurt asked raising his eyebrows.

Puck, who Kurt was beginning to understand was a real softy under his badass exterior, sat down on Kurt’s bed with his head in his hands. “I see it happen all the time. Jewish girls think that because they have a fabulous Jew nose, they need to fix themselves. I hate to see that. I mean most of those girls were hotter before they did it. I always thought Rachel was proud of who she was and of being a Jew, it kind of made me want to be a better Jew.”

“Noah Puckerman, do I sense a heart under all that bad boy?” Kurt asked.

“Why hasn’t she listened to you? You are always good when it comes to the girls and their problems.” He said avoiding Kurt’s accusation.

“I haven’t talked to her. We had a fight and I am currently not in the mood to join in the lets feed into Rachel’s drama band wagon.”

Puck eyed Kurt a moment, “What did she do? I mean, it would have to be something serious for you to stand by while she ruins her life.”

And that was when it hit Kurt, that even though Rachel seriously misjudged Kurt and Blaine, she was just looking out for him. And if he let Rachel go through with this, HE would officially be the worst friend ever.

“Okay, here’s what we do. I need you to round up everyone to meet here in an hour, but your main job is tomorrow, you get Rachel to the North Hills Mall at exactly 6:30. I have a plan.”

Blaine was in the middle of Warbler practice when he received a text from Kurt.

Call me now-K

In rehearsal-B

I know I need the Warblers help-K

Blaine raised his hand, Wes quickly acknowledged him.

“I need to make a phone call, Kurt says he needs our help.” Blaine said without preamble.

“What for?” David asked, clearly concerned.

“No idea, that is why I need to call.”

Once Kurt explained the situation, Blaine assure him that at least he would help and would try and enlist the other boys as well. When he hung up he explained the plan to his classmates. After much debating it was decided, they could only learn from the experience and it was agreed upon.

This is what found eleven members of New Directions choreographing a number in Kurt’s living room. This is what also found the Warblers gathered in the Senior Commons learning a dance over Skype. Neither group had a more fun, or stranger experience.

In glee club the next day, still trying to maintain the front of being mad at Rachel, Kurt stepped forward to present his song of self acceptance.

“You all know me. Most of you,” he said adding a small look at Sam, “saw me dealing with my self-acceptance last year. I have known since I was five, that I am gay. My dad said he knew when I was three. I never admitted it, out loud anyway, until last year. Mercedes, you reminded me that here, I had twelve other people who would accept me for who I am. And you were right. I am proud that I am gay. I mean it’s not easy, I will probably always have to deal with people looking down on me or worse because of it. But now, I wouldn’t change it for the world. People can either accept me for who I am and who I love, or they can’t. Either way, I am happy.” He then nodded to Brad and then started to sing

I am what I am
I am my own special creation.
So come take a look,
Give me the hook or the ovation.
It's my world that I want to take a little pride in,
My world, and it's not a place I have to hide in.
Life's not worth a damn,
'Til you can say, "Hey world, I am what I am."
I am what I am,
I don't want praise, I don't want pity.
I bang my own drum,
Some think it's noise, I think it's pretty.
And so what, if I love each feather and each spangle,
Why not try to see things from a diff'rent angle?
Your life is a sham 'til you can shout out loud
I am what I am!
I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses.
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces.
There's one life, and there's no return and no deposit;
One life, so it's time to open up your closet.
Life's not worth a damn 'til you can say,
"Hey world, I am what I am!"

Kurt smiled to his fellow glee clubbers, and while he notice Rachel trying to catch his eye, he tried his best to ignore her. Knowing he would have to most impact on her if she didn’t speak to him until this evening. As soon as Shue dismissed them, Kurt was out the door, he had lots of last minute plans to set in place.

Kurt made sure all the Warbler and New directions were in place. They had also secured several other people each knew outside of glee and everything was ready to be set in motion. He just knew this had to work. Kurt saw Puck approaching with Rachel talking about everyone she wouldn’t listen to. Kurt cut in, ”but you will listen to Barbra Streisand. Thanks puck. I’ll take it from here. Nice effort. But only I can lead this barbravention. “

Rachel was visibly excited and began looking around. “is she here?”

Kurt could hardly believe her. “No this is a mall in Ohio. Look Rachel here’s the deal. Do you want to disappoint her?”

“Who?” Rachel asked, confused.

“Barbra”

“Of course not Kurt, she’s my idol,” Rachel said, trying not to roll her eyes.

Kurt knew Rachel so well. “Okay if you get a nose job then you will be spitting on her legacy, Barbra refused to believe that beauty could only be defined by the blond chiseled faces of Hitchcock’s beauties, so she redefined what beauty was and became the biggest female star in the world.”

“But what if I can’t be like her? Isn’t she one in a billion?” Rachel asked, letting her insecurities show.

“So are you Rachel. And if you let one misguided societal pressure make you change the way you look, then you won’t just be letting Barbra down, you’ll be letting down all the little girls who are going to look at your beautiful face one day and see themselves. You’ll be taking away their inspiration too.” Kurt really thought this was true, Rachel would inspire little girls one day. He noticed he hadn’t gotten through yet. “I thought you’d be hesitant, which is why I brought you here. Perhaps, if my words don’t inspire you song will.” He leaned over the rail and motioned to Puck. “Go!”

Then it began, Kurt started off shaking his shoulder. Rachel began laughing thinking Kurt had gone crazy. Down below, Blaine stood behind a speaker, mesmerized by his boyfriend’s movements and by his bravery. He was always just so… himself and not afraid to show it.

By the time Kurt had made it to the bottom floor with Rachel, strangers had joined in the dance. Neither of the groups had had more fun ever. Rachel had a smile plastered on her face with a look that clearly said she thought her friends were fabulous and crazy. She tried to join in as much as her swollen nose would allow. By the time the song ended, she gave Kurt a big hug. He gently tapped her nose and told her. “You are lovely the way you are, there is no reason to change Rachel.” He told her with a smile.

She pulled him into another hug and whispered in his ear, “I am so sorry about Sunday. I just, I worry about you, and I know that you have a better head on your shoulder than anyone gives you credit for. I trust your judgment Kurt. I am really sorry.”

“I understand,” Kurt said releasing her. “Blaine and the Warblers helped with this. He is a good guy, but I understand that you don’t know him like I do.”

The two groups mingled for a while. Kurt noticed Mercedes and Nick sneak off together, also noting the look of hurt that passed over Luke’s face at that. Before leaving for the day, Kurt made sure to let the Warblers know they were invited to see their performance the next day.

“Are you sure?” Blaine asked just before having to make the trek back to Westerville.

“Of course. We are proud of this number, it will be better to have an audience.” Kurt said with a smile.

“But isn’t it a little personal. I mean you will all be literally wearing your insecurities.” Blaine was almost blushing at the thought. He could think numerous insecurities to list on a shirt. He wasn’t sure he would like strangers seeing that though.

“But it is also what we want to embrace about ourselves, or what we HAVE embraced with ourselves. We are a strange group. We like that we are all different. It is what we like best about each other, some of us just needed a reminder that it is what we like best about ourselves.”
Blaine was amazed by the openness of the group. It made him wish he had found a group like this at his old school. Maybe then he wouldn’t have felt there was no route but escape for him.

In the parking lot, Kurt gave Blaine a thorough goodbye, before sending him on his way with the rest of his friends. Just as Kurt was about to get into his Navigator, he was surprised by a tap on his shoulder.
“Give me a ride?” Santana asked with surprisingly little animosity in her voice.

“Um… sure, hop in.” Kurt replied, unsure of why she would ask him.

After driving for a few minutes in silence, Kurt asked, “Is there any particular reason you wanted to ride with me?”

“Okay, look, I don’t like talking about my feelings, but… and this doesn’t leave this car, understood?” Kurt nodded, he wasn’t really afraid of Santana, but knew better than to show her that. “Ok, here is the deal Hummel, how did you know you were… gay?”

“Well, um… I guess because I always only drawn to girls as friends. I knew that I liked boys. It wasn’t that complicated for me. I mean I was really young when I figured it out, I don’t really remember.”

Santana’s scowl deepened, “Okay, but you made out with Brittany, how was that different than say macking with Blaine?”

Kurt sighed, “With Brittany, I was just going through the motions, I didn’t really feel anything, it was… I mean it was nice I guess, but there was no thrill or spark. But with Blaine, it is just so much. Just kissing him makes me want to do more, not because it is what is expected but because I want to. Why are you asking me?” When Santana maintained her stony silence he asked gently, “Santana, do you think you might be gay?”

“I don’t like labels.” She said, clearly not in the mood to elaborate.

“Just know, that only you truly know who you are attracted to and that it’s okay either way.” Kurt paused trying to choose his words carefully, knowing that a wrong step may earn him an enemy for life. “I see the way you look at Brittany, and I see the way she looks at you. Just… I know you know this, but Brittany is easily confused. She likes Artie because he makes her feel special, he is always nice to her. It will be hard for her to let that go. He is the only guy who seems to respect her. Hey even I used her trying to get closer to my dad. Just be patient with her okay.”

He half expected Santana to start screaming at him in Spanish but she just nodded her head, and directed him to her house.

Blaine and the rest of the Warblers made their way into the auditorium of McKinley High. While the rest of the group was excited to see the New Directions perform again, mainly hoping for some tips for next year. None were as excited as Blaine and Nick. Nick and Mercedes talked on the phone every night, forging a good tentative relationship. They even had plans for that evening.
Blaine was excited to see Kurt sing again, to see him in his element. They saw Mr. Shuester peek his head through the curtain, ascertaining that their audience had arrived.

A few minutes later, Kurt stood in front of the stage in a red plaid jacket with his hair spike up. Blaine was taken aback by just how hot he looked. When Kurt’s mouth opened with the first lines of the song, Blaine’s breath held in his throat. A smile erupted on Blaine’s face when he read the words on his shirt. ‘likes boys’, that was perfect. The Warblers were amazed that the number was put together in a matter of days, they also were surprised by the boldness their costumes. Blaine had to wonder about Santana’s shirt though, he had always thought she was Latina, he made a mental note to ask Kurt about that later. When the number ended, with even the two adults dancing, the Dalton boys stood a cheered.

Blaine rushed to the stage and engulfed Kurt in a tight embrace. “I am so glad you were born this way.” He whispered against Kurt’s lips before pressing them together. When they pulled back Kurt smiled, “Me too!”