Ever since Kurt could remember, he loved listening to Britney Spears. As far as role models went, she was horrid, but Kurt had grown up with her playing on the radio and her drama splashed across the tabloids - so she was familiar to him, like a fantasy sister. He could call it a guilty pleasure, but he hardly hid his enjoyment of her, which was evidenced by his starting facebook petition group for Glee club to sing Britney at homecoming assembly. However, despite the group rapidly gaining five members, though all of them were from Glee club, Mr. Schuester was insisting on spending the week boring them all with his easy listening music. It didn't help that Brittany was against the idea herself for the ridiculous reason of her own name being too close to that of Britney Spears.

So, to get the Britney out of his system, he had it blaring on at his dad's auto shop while he helped his dad with oil changes this weekend.

Kurt hated getting dirty as a general rule, but he had his own, self tailored coveralls to wear at the shop, and he kept his hands in gloves to avoid getting the vehicle fluids under his nails. He was good about helping his dad when the business got busy or when people were out sick - both of which were the case this weekend. Too many cars and not enough staff.

Part of the issue was that his dad undercharged for basic services compared to most auto shops. He was annoyingly insistent on offering "regular folks a fair deal" - an attitude that always had him overbooked. Despite that, and Kurt's efforts to try and get him to increase his prices, he insisted that they didn't need the extra profit and he never had any desire to be one of those "rich, self important bozos in suits". Kurt would have liked to have more money to spend on his clothing, but he knew better than to make that an issue to argue for increasing the prices. He wasn't about to make himself out to be a higher maintenance son than he knew he already was.

It was as Kurt was singing along to Baby One More Time that he heard the front door chimes ring and the loud voices of two people arguing. He set down the wrench he was using and pulled off his gloves as he walked to the front of the store, stopping in his tracks as soon as he saw the source of the voices - Blaine and his dad.

Not unlike he had seen them in the school parking lot a couple weeks earlier, they were now engrossed in a verbal battle, not even noticing Kurt coming up from behind the counter.

"If you had taken better care of the damned thing we wouldn't be here!" Blaine shot at his dad, his eyes glazed over with anger. Kurt noticed his hands were balled into fists at his side, and he swallowed nervously, not wanting to be the one to have to break up a fight if required.

"How can I take care of it when my son has taken the thing out, without permission, for a bloody joyride huh?"

Kurt swallowed again, this time in an effort to draw attention to himself so the pair would know they had company. They either didn't hear him or didn't care as they continued to look at one another with venom in their eyes.

"It's not a fucking joyride when I need to get things for mom and grandmom. Maybe if you spent more time with them instead of doing whatever it is you fucking do I wouldn't have to run errands for the fucking family!" Blaine shot back.

At this point, the volume had drawn Burt Hummel out of the back and beside Kurt. Kurt could smell his dad's blend of motor oil and aftershave before he felt his father's hand on his shoulder for a moment. It's a simple act to show Kurt he's there and he'll take care of the situation. The hand is removed after a quick moment and Burt moved directly behind the counter to address the pair.

"Gentleman. This is a family establishment and I am willing to help you with what you need so long as you can show respect in here." Burt said. He was loud enough to catch their attention, yet calm enough not to provoke them. Kurt remembered his mom joking once that Burt had the voice of a politician and, in this moment, Kurt could see what his mom was talking about.

Blaine and his father stopped talking and turned their heads towards the Hummel boys, Blaine's eyes noticeably widening as he noticed Kurt there as well. To his credit, Mr. Anderson offered Burt a smile and turned his body away from Blaine and towards Burt.

"Sorry there. Just a little family disagreement. I'm looking to get my car serviced."

Kurt watched as Blaine glared at the back of his father's head once it was turned away from him. The look Blaine was giving to his dad wasn't hatred, but it was still hostile and made Kurt's skin crawl.

Thankfully his dad took over and walked outside with Mr. Anderson to assess what needed to be done to the vehicle, leaving Blaine and Kurt alone in the front room. Not that Blaine needed to stay there - but he did, and Kurt didn't know if he should just go back to work or talk with him since he was staying behind.

"Didn't expect to see you here." Blaine snipped, looking at Kurt with the same venomous look that he had previously been giving to his father.

Kurt shrugged up his shoulders a little, "It's Hummel Tire and Lube... I'm a Hummel. I help my dad."

With anyone else he might have snapped about not adhering to stereotypes, but he valued his life too much.

"What's it like?"

Blaine was looking at him, snickering as he realized that Kurt didn't know what he was talking about as he had formed a confused expression so Blaine elaborated.

"What's it like being the only queer kid at school?"

Kurt winced, like he had so many times at school when insults were hurled at him about his sexuality. He looked down, expecting that Blaine was about to follow the question up with a snide comment like so many of the others did at school, but when nothing else came, he looked back up to find Blaine watching him intently, his face framed by the curls which he had managed to get off his face today.

"I'm being serious Hummel."

Kurt watched as Blaine spoke those words, watched his lips move as if he needed proof that someone was actually taking an interest in how he was an outsider among outsiders at school. How could he respond? That he was desperately lonely and looked at every new male student with the hope that they too might be gay - whether or not he found them attractive? That part of his flair for fashion came from the need to creatively hide the bruises and cuts he'd received from being shoved into lockers, tripped, and tossed into dumpsters? That he never felt safe but didn't want to burden his dad with the knowledge that he was bullied so much so he never told anyone about it?

And then, if he was honest with Blaine, would it be used against him? Part of Kurt wanted to be snippy. Wanted to take out his pent up frustration on the first person who'd ever asked him what it was like - but he knew better. He wasn't about to get snarky with Blaine Anderson, so he made his answer as vague but accurate as possible.

"Exhausting."

Kurt could see the twitch of an eyebrow under Blaine's curls as an eyebrow perked. The movement was followed by a smirk, which Kurt couldn't figure out, so he remained quiet, glancing back in the hopes that one of the other guys at work might call him back to help with something - not that it was likely.

"Too much sex or what?"

Involuntarily, Kurt cringed. He was not going to have that conversation with Blaine Anderson. He would rather talk about sex with his grandmother than with Blaine. The simple fact of the matter was that Kurt hadn't even gotten to first base, let alone anything that would lead up to it. He would have to know another gay man, who was interested in him before he could even think about it.

Another snicker followed and Kurt realized that his discomfort was read by Blaine. He tried to relax a little and once again, reminded himself to hold his head up high. Taking in a breath, he looked back to Blaine and queried, "What's it like to be the most feared kid in school?"

The snickering ceased abruptly and Kurt stiffened, wondering if he had gone too far with the directness and implications of the question. He watched Blaine, seeing the change in his eyes as he seemed to think about his answer before finally responding.

"Exhausting."

The corner of Kurt's mouth quirked up into a smirk. For some reason, the curly haired spaz wasn't freaking out on him. He seemed to be sincere, and his response told Kurt that he was just as much at a loss for how to talk about his reputation as Kurt was about his sexuality.

But whatever brief connection Blaine and Kurt seemed to have made was broken when Blaine seemed to recognize that he was coming across as relatable. Once again, a snicker came out of him and Blaine turned his head to the side, spitting on the floor and causing Kurt to grimace in disgust. He knew he would be the one who ended up mopping up that at the end of the day. Before he could think of anything to say, the door chimed and his dad and Mr. Anderson were walking back in.

"Well Mr. Anderson, you seem to have a good knowledge of motors. I'm surprised you don't work on this yourself." Burt was saying as he led the way back in.

"Well I just don't have the time, and quite frankly, the last time I worked on an engine it was more effort than it was worth." Mr. Anderson replied, and for an instant he shot a look at Blaine who snorted in response.

"I can appreciate that it's not for everyone." Burt said, grabbing an intake form from behind the counter and holding it out to Mr. Anderson to fill out with his information.

As Blaine's father started filling in the form, Burt glanced between Kurt and Blaine, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he considered the awkward silence between them before looking to Kurt and asking, "You know one another son?"

Kurt nodded to his father, speaking softly, "We're in French together."

"Useless language..." Mr. Anderson murmured as he worked on the paperwork, and Burt, Kurt, and Blaine all glanced his way before looking back between one another, Blaine murmuring something incomprehensible under his breath. When it became evident to Burt that there was tension between the boys, he shooed Kurt to the back, "Well I still need you to help back there son. You can talk at school."

Kurt gave his dad an appreciative glance before turning on heel and going back to work in the back. The interaction had him all tensed up, and within a few minutes he was singing along with Britney Spears along with several of his dad's staff members who usually didn't go along with his sing-alongs.

He appreciates their support. He knows they've all been key in helping his dad cope with the backlash from having an openly gay son. Most of them he's known for years as they've been around as he grew up. Of all the places in the world to feel safe, his dad's shop is number one on his list. These guys have his back, and he makes sure to help them out and talk them up to his dad in return.

He can see from the corner of his eye that his dad is driving in what must be the car the Anderson's brought in. It's not the sleek, sexy vehicle they were fighting around back at the school parking lot. This one is a practical vehicle, a simple black minivan, and probably belonging to Blaine's mother from the sounds of the conversation earlier.

Kurt couldn't see any outward damage which means there must be something wrong with the engine. Something to do with proper maintenance he reminds himself from the earlier conversation.

What could really use maintenance, he thinks to himself, is the relationship between the Anderson's.

It's not until supper time that Burt talks to Kurt about the scene from earlier in the day. Burt is digging into a giant steak slathered with sauce and Kurt is mentally noting that he needs to take more action when it comes to ensuring his dad eats better. He only has one parent and he doesn't want to lose him to a heart attack.

"Son... how exactly do you know that kid from the shop earlier?"

Kurt swallows the bite of salad in his mouth and looks to his dad as he responds.

"Blaine Anderson... he's pretty much the king of the neanderthals at the school. He's not a friend if that's what you're thinking. I had cooking with him last year and watched him flip out on one kid for getting egg splatter on him, and he's in French with me this semester."

Burt considers that for a moment and finally nods, seemingly satisfied with the response from Kurt. They eat in silence for awhile longer. Burt works his way through the steak and a loaded baked potato while Kurt finishes off his salad.

Kurt thinks the conversation is over until Burt says one more thing as Kurt is heading upstairs to bed.

"Be careful around that kid alright? It's not my place to really say anything... but I saw some stuff in that car... and I just don't want you getting involved in anything that's out of your league."

Kurt nods, though he's immediately curious about what his dad saw in the car. He knows though that asking would be futile. His dad is good about customer privacy.

When he logs onto his computer, Kurt is elated to find out that a sixth person has joined the facebook petition to sing Britney Spears at the homecoming assembly next week. He reminds himself to inform the club while Mr. Schuester is there in the hope that Mr. Schuester will change his mind about the adult contemporary.

It's the seventh time today that Kurt is shoved into a locker. He blinks away the tears of pain in his eyes and inwardly repeats to himself: 'Hold your chin up high, shoulders back. Remember, you'll get out of this place.'

No matter how much he tells himself that, his bruises don't hurt any less.

Thankfully it's time for French class which means the only meat head there will be Blaine, and he really doesn't give Kurt that much trouble in comparison to most of the others around McKinley.

As he takes his seat, he slides the collar of his shirt down to inspect his shoulder which is already forming a pretty nasty bruise.

"If that's a hickey then the guy should check his aim."

Kurt startles at Blaine's voice, pulling his shirt back up and over the bruise. Blaine is standing beside him, his jeans with more holes than denim, and his plain grey T-shirt half tucked and half untucked. It's quite the comparison to Kurt who had meticulously planned all the details of his outfit.

"Not a hickey... just made contact with one too many lockers today." Kurt tries to make his voice sound upbeat, as he's making a joke about the abuse he's suffering, but it's a dismal attempt and Blaine doesn't laugh or even do his trademark snicker.

Blaine slides into the desk in front of Kurt and turns himself around to face him. His face is serious as he speaks.

"Why don't you just hide it? It's got to be easier than dealing with their shit all the time."

Kurt pales a little at the suggestion, recalling how he did deny who he was until last year. Not that it mattered since he was being bullied well before he came out as gay. Too much fashion sense, too high a voice, and too many female friends. It wouldn't have mattered if he had come out or not.

"Not something I can easily hide... there's too much about me that gives it away. Besides... I was picked on before I came out and I think I'd rather be honest than fake."

Kurt is honest, and he can't see anything wrong with what he said which is why Blaine's reaction comes as a shock.

"Well fuck you then. You're just asking for everything you get." Blaine snaps and leaves his desk, moving back up a seat to get further away from Kurt.

Kurt doesn't know why, but those words sting him stronger than the bruise on his shoulder. His brain knows that he's not asking for being bullied anymore than a girl in a short skirt is asking to be raped, but his brain and his heart don't seem to connect too well on that logic. His heart aches at the verbal confirmation that despite what he is not being a choice, there will be those people who think he's chosen to be bullied and shamed by being gay.

Several more classes, and countless insults later, Kurt is in Glee, listening into how his peers have been indulging in Britney Spears fantasies courtesy of a general anesthetic. Brittany even acknowledges that by embracing Britney Spears, she has realized how much talent she does have. Kurt sees his chance to bring up the homecoming assembly again.

But once again Mr. Schuester shoots him down and all the anger and hostility he's been bottling up come up to the surface.

"Geesh! Let loose will you! STOP BEING SO FREAKIN' UPTIGHT ALL THE TIME."

By the time Kurt the words has left his mouth, he feels the regret. All eyes are on him and all jaws are dropped. Mr. Schuester sends him to the principal's office where he hastily goes and waits, sitting on the stiff chairs outside the office until Mr. Schuester joins him.

He knows he was wrong, and he knows he took out all his frustration on someone who only partially deserved it. Kurt isn't about to admit that Mr. Schuester is completely innocent in this whole affair.

When Mr. Schuester gets there, they have to wait a few minutes before they can get into the office. Not surprisingly, it's Blaine who exits the office.

"Thank you for speaking to me Mr. Anderson. I hope this whole matter can be put behind us." Principal Figgins says, though to Blaine's back as the boy rapidly walks away, pushing between Mr. Schuester and Kurt in his haste to get away.

"Will. Kurt. Please come in." Principal Figgins gestures to the inside of the office where the three of them discuss how to better address conflict with teachers and decide that an apology will suffice for this incident. Kurt is all too happy to apologize to evade having to spend time in detention, so he smoothly apologizes to Mr. Schuester and is allowed to leave.

He has to restrain himself from counting out how many days it will be until graduation.

After a couple more days of tension in Glee Club and Blaine sitting away from him in French, Mr. Schuester finally relents and allows them to sing Britney Spears at Homecoming, though has decided he should sing with them. Kurt doesn't know whether to be overjoyed or disgusted. William Schuester can be such a questionable teacher at times - this club is supposed to be about them, not him.

But their performance of Toxic is phenomenal and the student body reacts with passion. Kurt is absolutely in love with the applause and cheering and doesn't even mind when the fire alarm is pulled at the end of the song. If there's one thing this performance has confirmed, it's that he loves the stage and the accolades that come with it.

It's probably the first time he's felt even remotely sexy too. The whole performance was titillating and even though he heard no one cheering for him specifically, he felt watched. It was exactly what he needed to relieve some of the tension and stress. If only he could speed up the process of graduation somehow to get to Broadway faster.

So when the next day, Blaine is back to sitting right in front of him, Kurt smiles to himself. He might not like Blaine, and Blaine not might like him, but that performance somehow made him less of a social amoeba... at least for awhile.